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Philippines should pursue substantive cooperation with China

09:13, April 22, 2026 By Zhong Sheng ( People's Daily

Recent overtures by the Philippines to resume oil and gas cooperation with China stand in stark contrast to Manila's continued provocations in the South China Sea. While seeking economic support from China, Philippine authorities have simultaneously intensified actions infringing upon China's core interests.

The Philippines currently faces a severe energy crisis exacerbated by Middle East conflicts. With a narrow energy structure heavily reliant on oil imports from the region, global supply disruptions have severely impacted its economy. Late last month, the government declared a nationwide energy emergency, highlighting the urgency of addressing these critical economic and livelihood challenges.

Against this backdrop, Philippine leaders have publicly acknowledged China's fertilizer assistance and signaled openness to restarting bilateral energy talks. However, Manila's actions tell a different story. The President recently unilaterally renamed 131 geographical features within China's Nansha Qundao, while Philippine vessels intruded into China's territorial waters off Huangyan Dao in the South China Sea, harassing Chinese fishing operations and staging media provocations.

Manila has further escalated tensions by fabricating incidentsincluding allegations of Chinese naval vessels using fire-control radar near Xianbin Jiaoand collaborating with external powers to disrupt regional security. The recent large-scale "Balikatan" joint exercises with the U.S. and Japan marked the first post-WWII deployment of Japanese combat forces on Philippine soil.

These contradictory actions reveal an opportunistic strategy by certain Philippine politicians to simultaneously leverage external allieswho benefit from South China Sea instabilitywhile seeking economic cooperation with China. This "separate disputes from cooperation" approach is unsustainable; one cannot disregard a neighbor's core interests while expecting its critical support.

As a nation with limited capacity to withstand external risks, the Philippines would be better served by prioritizing development over geopolitical maneuvering. History demonstrates that short-sighted actions only deepen uncertainty. Manila must reflect on what truly serves its long-term interests.

Neighborhood is immutable, and stable relations are essential. If genuinely committed to its people's welfare and improved ties with China, the Philippines must address the root causes of tension, recalibrate its bilateral strategy, and cease provocations. China values Philippines' stated desire for stability and dialogue but expects concrete actions to create conditions for meaningful cooperation.

(Zhong Sheng is a pen name often used by People's Daily to express its views on foreign policy and international affairs.)

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
Adam Thomas has tearfully admitted he went to therapy after a tough time with one of the campmates pushed him to breaking point, on Im A Celebrity South Africa.

The 37-year-old actor has previously said boxer David Haye pushed me to my limits while on the ITV reality show, and has detailed struggling whilst in the jungle due to having psoriatic arthritis.

Viewers also saw the Waterloo Road star break down in tears during last nights episode, following an explosive row with campmate Jimmy Bullard for almost compromising his time on the show.

Speaking to his brothers Scott and Ryan on their At Home With The Thomas Bros podcast, the actor broke down in tears as he told of his tough time during the all-star series.

Thomas said: I know for a fact I am not the same person as I was when I went into the jungle to when I came out. Its changed me and thats no over-exaggeration.

Im in therapy now because like its f***** with me mentally because I just thought, how is this happening? Im a 37-year-old man, how am I letting some other person do this to me in here?

The former Emmerdale actor also explained how he felt he had nowhere to hide, and said: I said to my therapist, why did I never like stick up for myself?.

I was always putting other peoples feelings first before mine because I was like, I dont want to bring any attention to this  if I say anything now, Im going to cause drama, Im going to dampen everyones spirits and Im going to cause tension.

So, I just took it. I just took it and took it and took it until eventually it got to a point where I was like, Im literally at breaking point here.

Adam Thomas has said being on the show impacted him mentally (Danny Lawson/PA) (Danny Lawson)

Thomas said he later spoke to the campmate who made him feel upset, who then apologised and explained why he had acted in that way.

He continued: I remember when they left in camp as well, it was like a big weight had been lifted off my shoulders, because I went proper in on myself.

I couldnt be myself around this person because I thought everything that I say would be turned against me, and I was just like, this is just too much. I remember not talking to anyone and I just felt so lonely in there.

Thomas added: It wasnt like physically bullying or anything like that. Im not saying its bullying or whatnot, but it was a mind f***.

The star grew tearful as he recalled wishing he stuck up for himself while on the show, and said: That was beating me up, more so than anything.

If I saw that happening to anyone else, Id stand up for them, but I just couldnt do it for myself. I just like became like a little kid again.

Adam Thomas tearfully explained the situation (Ian West/PA) (Ian West)

Viewers have recently seen Thomas clash with campmates Bullard and Haye, with the actor taking to Instagram over the weekend to address his clash with the boxer, who criticised him for opting out of a bushtucker trial because he was dehydrated and not feeling well.

In the post, Thomas admitted Haye pushed me to my limits while in the jungle, but said he has since apologised and the pair have moved on, adding: Im not one to hold a grudge.

He also explained that he was struggling due to psoriatic arthritis, which is a long-term condition that causes joint pain, swelling and stiffness, according to the NHS.

Haye left the jungle on Monday night and insisted he was bantering with the Manchester-born actor, but admitted he is an extremist and may have pushed too far.
Android users may qualify for part of $135 million settlement. Heres how to find out if you do

People who have used an Android phone since 2017 may qualify for a portion of a $135 million Google settlement.

The potential payout stems from a lawsuit filed against Google, accusing the tech giant of making its Android operating system cause devices to transfer a variety of information to Google without users permission.

The transfers occur in the background, without any notice to the user, including when the phones are in a completely idle state, according to the lawsuit.

While transfers can occur when Android devices are connected to Wi-Fi, they can also take place over a cellular network, which the lawsuit alleges ate up the cellular data on those devices.

Google has denied wrongdoing, but agreed to the $135 million settlement. A similar lawsuit for California residents resulted in a $350 million settlement.

Some consumers who have used an Android cellphone since 2017 may qualify for a $135 million settlement (AFP/Getty)

To qualify for the settlement, consumers must be U.S. residents who used an Android device with a cellular data plan at any time since November 12, 2017. Those who were part of the previous California settlement do not qualify for this settlement.

There are likely about 100 million people who will qualify for this settlement. According to the settlement administrator, the court has a final approval hearing set for June 23.

If the settlement is approved, the funds will be used to pay out eligible class members, in addition to attorney fees and court costs.

Payments will be made electronically, though it was not immediately clear how much the class members would receive.

Android users who are part of the claim have received notice via mail or email, according to the settlement administrator.

Those who aren't sure if they are included in the settlement can call the settlement administrator at 1-844-655-4255.
A U.S. appeals court has ruled that Texas public schools can mandate the display of the Ten Commandments in classrooms, marking a significant win for conservatives advocating for increased religious presence in education.

This decision by the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals could pave the way for a future showdown at the U.S. Supreme Court.

The court determined the law does not infringe upon the First Amendment, which safeguards religious freedom and prohibits governmental establishment of religion.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a Republican, hailed the ruling as "a major victory for Texas and our moral values."

Organizations representing the families who challenged the law said in a statement that they were extremely disappointed by the decision (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

The Ten Commandments have had a profound impact on our nation, and its important that students learn from them every single day, Paxton said.

Organizations representing the families who challenged the law, including the American Civil Liberties Union, said in a statement that they were extremely disappointed by the decision.

The courts ruling goes against fundamental First Amendment principles and binding U.S. Supreme Court authority. The First Amendment safeguards the separation of church and state, and the freedom of families to choose how, when and if to provide their children with religious instruction. This decision tramples those rights, the statement said.

The law is among the pushes by Republicans, including President Donald Trump, to incorporate religion into public schools. Critics say it violates the separation of church and state while backers argue that the Ten Commandments are historical and part of the foundation of U.S. law.

The ruling, which reverses a district court's judgment, comes after the full court heard arguments in January in the Texas case and a similar case in Louisiana. The appeals court in February cleared the way for Louisianas law, requiring displays of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms. The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals voted 12-6 to lift a block that a lower court first placed on the law in 2024.

Texas law took effect on Sept. 1, marking the largest attempt in the nation to hang the Ten Commandments in public schools. About two dozen school districts had been barred from posting them after federal judges issued injunctions in two cases against the law but went up in many classrooms across the state as districts paid to have the posters printed themselves or accepted donations.
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Colleagues describe John Ternus as collaborative, risk-averse, and even-keeled; a "product guy" who is a safe pair of hands. (AP)

John Ternus, 51, has worked at Apple for half his life. For over 25 years he has helped build the iPad, AirPods, and many generations of iPhones and Apple Watches. Colleagues describe him as collaborative, risk-averse, detail-oriented, and even-keeled; a "product guy" who is a safe pair of hands.

Now those hands will guide the reins of the world's third most valuable company, after he was named the incoming CEO on Monday.

On April 1, Apple celebrated its 50th birthday. Founded in Steve Jobs' bedroom in 1976, and then rescued from the brink of bankruptcy in the Nineties, Apple has grown into a $4 trillion global behemoth under the steady leadership of Tim Cook.

But as Tim Apple makes way for John Apple, the company is facing two massive strategic challenges in AI and hardware.

John Ternus, then Apple's vice president of hardware engineering, announces new iPad features at an Apple event in Brooklyn, October 2018 (AP)

Apple is undeniably lagging behind in the AI race. Despite being probably the world's most famous virtual assistant, Apples Siri cannot match the capabilities of OpenAI's ChatGPT and Anthropic's Claude. Siri is now powered by Google's Gemini, and the 'Apple Intelligence' software suite has not been successful.

Behind this weakness, though, is a subtle strength. For all that generative AI is changing the world, we still access it through the same old devices that Apple builds. Apple takes a cut whenever anyone subscribes to ChatGPT or Claude through their iPhone app. As Axios recently put it, "Apple could win the AI race without running."

Appointing Ternus suggests Apple will lean into this advantage, doubling down on consumer hardware.

Apple's microchips are unusually well suited to training and running AI. According to a prescient profile by Bloomberg, Ternus was "pivotal" in shifting the company away from using Intel processors to building its own Apple Silicon line. Now those chips have made Apple's cute yet powerful Mac Mini a hot commodity for AI entrepreneurs and hobbyists  causing extreme shortages and shipping delays.

Cook (right) and Ternus (left) walk in the grounds of the company's vast Silicon Valley headquarters (Apple)

Between the ongoing bottleneck on building new server farms and the growing bipartisan backlash against them as eyesores with health issues, offloading some AI processing to a consumer's own computer may be a way forward for tech giants.

Rival companies have plowed billions into building new data centers and investing in AI experience. Apparently to compensate, they are laying off hundreds of thousands of employees. Apple has largely avoided this.

In the long term, however, there is another looming question for the company.

Once, computers were room-sized colossi that lived at your office or university, controlled by typing commands into a text-only terminal. Then came personal computers, with a virtual 'desktop' you could navigate using a mouse. Now we swipe and tap on smartphones with ultra-sensitive touchscreens.

Steve Jobs unveils the very first iPhone on stage in January 2007. Though most of its features already existed in other devices  the Nokia N95, the Palm Treo, or the Blackberry  Apple packaged them all together in a way that broke through to the mass market (Getty)

So what will be the next shift in how we interact with computers? Some believed it would be voice control, like Amazon's Alexa. Others bet on augmented reality, which uses special headsets to overlay virtual objects onto the physical world. Still others, notably Facebook boss Mark Zuckerberg, believed we'd all migrate to an interconnected virtual reality dubbed "the metaverse." (I actually tried living there for a week.)

Today the AI race has deferred this question, but not solved it. Even Zuckerberg, who renamed his entire company Meta as a symbol of his commitment, is backing away from AR and VR at least for now after losing roughly $80bn.

Apple has more institutional expertise in this area than perhaps any other consumer electronics company. Though its Vision Pro AR/VR headset, priced at $3,500, has been a commercial flop, it may yet prove a strategic victory if it helped Apple develop knowledge and capability for a future AR boom.

Even so, the competition is stiff  not least from Apple's own former design guru Jony Ive, who masterminded the aesthetics of the iPod and the iPhone. Together with another top Apple designer, Tang Tan, he is working with OpenAI on some kind of mysterious AI-first screenless device. Whether it will change the world or flop spectacularly is anyone's guess.

An Apple II on display at the Museum of Video Game History in Zagreb, Croatia. Launched in 1977, its ease of use and heavy marketing effort made it one of the earliest personal computers to break through to the mass market (AFP/Getty)

This is where Apple's two challenges merge into one. Right now, ironically, AI chatbots have returned us to one of the earliest computer interfaces: typing text commands, and getting text back. But how long will that last? How might we interact with AI  which increases the pace of technological change  in five years, or fifteen?

Apple only needs to be best, not first, with an AI-focused product. The iPhone wasn't the earliest smartphone; it just combined previous innovations into an elegant package that allowed them to break out beyond gadget enthusiasts.

Yet no empire lasts forever. Many critics already fault Apple for falling into a steady pattern of incremental change, while failing to produce another breakthrough device.

Most companies never launch a revolutionary product. Apple has been lucky enough to do it several times. Will Ternus's safe, steady hands be fast and nimble enough to bottle lightning again?
Tim Cook at an event at the White House with Donald Trump in August last year. Photograph: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters (Photograph: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters)

In his 15 years as Apples top executive, Tim Cook has projected an image of the company as a champion of privacy rights. As he prepares to leave that role in September, that legacy has come back into focus. Cook trumpeted the iPhone makers commitment to privacy at home in the US and the EU, calling privacy a fundamental right but his acquiescence to government demands abroad call his dedication to protecting users into question.

Cook cemented Apples pro-privacy reputation in 2015 when he resisted the FBIs demands to unlock the iPhone of a mass shooter in San Bernardino, California. The company played up that public image in 2019 with playful ads that read, Privacy. Thats iPhone, positioning Apple as the obvious choice for people who cared about privacy. In 2021, Apple added a feature, App Tracking Transparency, that allowed iPhone owners to limit an apps ability to track their mobile activity. Apps that tracked users without permission would be removed, Cook said.

The company even sued Israeli spyware firm NSO group that same year, accusing it of surveilling iPhone users. Throughout his tenure, Cook spoke about privacy as a fundamental human right  and criticized Silicon Valley competitors Meta and Google for their expansive collection of user data. This is surveillance, he said at an EU privacy conference in 2018. Unlike Apple, Googles search engine, as well as Metas Facebook and Instagram, are not available in China.

But Apples international concessions, particularly in China, its second-largest and fastest-growing market, complicate Cooks privacy legacy.

Cook has walked a tightrope to ensure Chinese regulators allow Apple to maintain its strong presence in the region, which is key to its supply chain and consumer base. In Apples latest earnings report, the company reported a massive spike in iPhone revenue, driven by renewed demand in China.

Privacy advocates say Cook has been too submissive to President Xi Jinpings demands and in doing so has jeopardised the privacy of Chinese customers and their free speech.

Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment but Cook has said that there is little to gain from castigating China, a response to criticism in 2017, when Apple pulled hundreds of apps from the countrys app store at the governments request.

When you go into a country and participate in a market, you are subject to the laws and regulations of that country, he said. Cooks preferred choice, he added, was to get in the arena, because nothing ever changes from the sidelines.

In 2018, Apple transferred its Chinese users iCloud accounts to a state-backed datacenter in the country, following the enactment a year before of a cybersecurity law that required companies in mainland China to host all data inside the country. The Guizhou-Cloud Big Data (GCBD) center allows the Chinese government to more easily access texts, emails and images in these accounts, human rights activists say.

Chinese officials could, for the first time, bypass American courts to obtain iPhone users data directly from Apple. Human rights groups, including Amnesty International, worry this arrangement has helped China crack down on dissidents, as Chinese law enforcement already has broad discretion to silence dissent in the name of national security.

Chinese internet users can face arrest and imprisonment for merely expressing, communicating or accessing information and ideas that the authorities dont like, Amnesty wrote in a blogpost. Apple said in a 2018 statement it was obligated to comply with new Chinese cybersecurity laws, noting: While we advocated against iCloud being subject to these laws, we were ultimately unsuccessful.

Under Cook, Apple has likewise moved Russian users data to local servers in Russia in compliance with local laws, raising similar privacy concerns amid the countrys crackdown on dissent and general online expression, according to Bloomberg.

Since the onshoring of Chinese users data, Beijing has continued to pressure Cook and Apple, and in 2024 demanded the company remove popular messaging apps like Telegram as well as the encrypted services WhatsApp and Signal from the iPhone app store. Apple complied. We are obligated to follow the laws in the countries where we operate, even when we disagree, a spokesperson for Apple told the Wall Street Journal at the time. While these apps could only be accessed in China through virtual private networks, they still had many Chinese users. The crackdown on messaging apps is part of a broader trend: a New York Times investigation in 2021 found that tens of thousands of apps disappeared from Apples Chinese app store over the past several years, including foreign news outlets, gay dating services and other encrypted messaging apps.

Apples private relay feature, designed so no one  not even Apple  can see a users identity or the sites theyre visiting, was not rolled out in China when it was released in 2021, nor in Saudi Arabia. The company said this was for regulatory reasons.

What Apple has been very good at is being a pioneer at marketing privacy protections  but in reality, we found that a lot of that doesnt actually play out in the way it operates, says Katie Paul, director of the Tech Transparency Project.

In the US, Apple telegraphed a strong commitment to privacy when it refused to help the FBI bypass security measures of the San Bernardino shooters phone. Apple refused to help the FBI circumvent the phones four-digit login code and a feature that would have erased its data after 10 failed attempts. Cook had more to say, so he wrote an open letter to Apples customers, explaining his decision. The ability to encrypt phones is essential, and while he was outraged by the San Bernardino murders and willing to comply with valid subpoenas and search warrants, Apple drew the line at enabling a back door to the iPhone.

The US government has asked us for something we simply do not have, and something we consider too dangerous to create, he wrote. The FBI may use different words to describe this tool, but make no mistake: building a version of iOS that bypasses security in this way would undeniably create a back door. And while the government may argue that its use would be limited to this case, there is no way to guarantee such control.

The FBI ultimately withdrew its case, explaining that it no longer needed Apples help to access the phone.

On the domestic front, Apple has still faced criticism for the ways it cooperates with law enforcement. In September 2015, a few months before the San Bernardino shooting and well into Cooks term as CEO, Apple turned on iCloud by default for iPhone users, which largely remains the case today. The Tech Transparency Project points out that turning on iCloud allows most users data to be accessible to law enforcement without the need for a passcode. Rolling Stone reported in 2021 on an FBI document that indicated it was easy to get iMessage data via warrant or subpoena.
Archaeologists have found a papyrus copy of Homers Iliad in the gut of an ancient Egyptian mummy, the first time ever that a Greek literary text has been found incorporated into the preservation process.

The discovery has big implications for our knowledge of funerary practices and religious life in ancient Egypt.

The papyrus fragment was discovered in the abdomen of a mummy buried in a Roman-era tomb in Oxyrhynchus around 1,600 years ago.

Oxyrhynchus, known in the Pharaonic times as Per-Medjed, was one of the most important cities of Greco-Roman Egypt. Its remains are in the present-day town of Al-Bahnasa, about 190km south of Cairo, next to the branch of the Nile known as Bahr Yussef.

Researchers from the Institute of Ancient Near East Studies at the University of Barcelona found the mummy during a recent excavation campaign carried out between November and December 2025.

They found the mummy featured an unusual element, a papyrus placed on the abdomen as part of the embalming ritual.

Egyptian mummies from this period have previously been found to carry papyri written in Greek, but they have all carried text of magical or ritualistic content.

Papyrus containing Homers Iliad inside the Roman-era mummy (University of Barcelona)

The discovery of the Iliad papyrus marks the first time that a Greek literary text has been found in the embalming context, researchers note.

The epic poem, divided into 24 books, is attributed to Homer and dates back to 800BC.

It mainly focuses on the Trojan War and the heroic deeds and tragic fate of Achilles, the mightiest warrior of the Greek army.

The poem unfolds a few weeks into the final year of the war, depicting the wrath of Achilles after hes slighted by the Greek commander Agamemnon, delving into themes of pride, fate, honour, and mortality.

It combines elements of ancient Greek culture and mythology, providing valuable insights into the values of the ancient Greeks, continuing to be relevant even in modern times, inspiring countless adaptations.

The archaeological site in Oxyrhynchus (University of Barcelona)

The identified Iliad text in the recent dig belongs to the catalogue of ships in Book II of the epic poem, researchers say.

It contains a famous passage listing the Greek forces massing before Troy.

Researchers said they were unsure why this particular Greek text was chosen for the mummification process.

Roman-era mummification in Oxyrhynchus combined traditional Egyptian, Greek, and Roman customs.

Ancient Egyptian priests of the time focused on preserving bodies for over 40 days, using natron salt to dehydrate them and wrapping them up in linen.

Instead of using traditional canopic jars to preserve organs, they preferred to pack the body with preserved materials along with papyri containing Greek literature sealed with clay inside the chest or pelvic cavity.

One of the tombs found at Oxyrhynchus (University of Barcelona)

Coffins and wrappings frequently displayed a mixture of Egyptian and Roman motifs.

This is not the first time we have found Greek papyri, bundled, sealed, and incorporated into the mummification process, but until now, their content was mainly magical, Ignasi-Xavier Adiego, a professor in the Department of Classical, Romance and Semitic Languages, said.

Furthermore, it is worth noting that since the late 19th century, a huge number of papyri have been discovered at Oxyrhynchus, including Greek literary texts of great importance, but the real novelty is finding a literary papyrus in a funerary context.

So far, excavations at Oxyrhynchus have revealed three limestone chambers containing Roman-era mummies and decorated wooden sarcophagi.

Previous campaigns in the ancient city led to the discovery of 52 Ptolemaic-era mummies, of which over a dozen had "golden tongues", a symbol of preparation for the afterlife.
Bonnie Blue (AFP via Getty Images)

Bonnie Blue is to appear in court charged with outraging public decency in London.

The adult content creator, 26, whose real name is Tia Billinger, was charged after she was allegedly filmed making a lewd gesture outside the Indonesian embassy in December.

She is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates Court in London on Wednesday.

Last month Scotland Yard said that Tia Billinger, 26, of Draycott in Derbyshire, was charged via postal requisition on Monday, March 16 after a Metropolitan Police investigation.

A force spokesman said: The charge relates to an incident in Great Peter Street, Westminster, on Monday, December 15.

An investigation took place, and a woman in her 20s was interviewed under caution on Tuesday, February 2.

A referral was made to the Crown Prosecution Service which subsequently authorised the above charge.
Bonnie Blue, real name Tia Billinger, is accused of making a lewd gesture during a stunt at the Indonesian embassy in Westminster (Bonnie Blue / Instagram)

Bonnie Blues first court hearing to face an allegation of outraging public decency has been delayed so prosecutors can review the case.

The adult content creator, 26, whose real name is Tia Billinger, is accused of making a lewd gesture during a stunt at the Indonesian embassy in Great Peter Street, Westminster, in December.

She has been charged with outraging public decency for allegedly imitating oral sex on a male whilst in public.

Billinger was expected to attend Westminster Magistrates Court on Wednesday morning for a first hearing when she would have been asked to enter a plea.

But the case was adjourned administratively until May by the court on Tuesday after a joint application by prosecutors and defence.

A court official confirmed a lawyer for the Crown Prosecution Service has been asked to review the case after a defence request.

If the criminal charge is not dropped, Billinger is due to appear at the same court at 2pm on May 1.

The criminal case stems from a stunt on December 15 when Billinger was filmed holding an Indonesian flag while surrounded by masked men.

Billinger made headlines around the world in January 2025 when she had sex with 1,057 men in the space of 12 hours

Announcing the charge last month, Scotland Yard said: Tia Billinger, 26, of Draycott in Derbyshire, was charged via postal requisition on Monday March 16 after a Metropolitan Police investigation.

The charge relates to an incident in Great Peter Street, Westminster, on Monday December 15.

An investigation took place and a woman in her 20s was interviewed under caution on Tuesday February 2.

A referral was made to the Crown Prosecution Service which subsequently authorised the above charge.
BP is bracing for a tense annual general meeting (AGM) where shareholders are set to challenge the board over climate transparency and governance concerns.

The oil major could face investor dissent on several fronts during the meeting at its Sunbury-on-Thames hub in Surrey on Thursday, where security will likely be tight to prevent disruption from climate protesters.

Many are expected to vote against the election of BPs new chair Albert Manifold as well as other board-supported resolutions amid growing unease over shareholder transparency and engagement.

Ahead of the AGM, the company refused to bring a shareholder climate resolution to a vote, while proposals to rescind previously passed climate resolutions and move future meetings fully online have also attracted pushback.

Proxy advisers Glass Lewis and ISS  which hold substantial sway over how big investors tend to vote at AGMs  have recommended shareholders oppose some of BPs wishes.

Legal & General, one of Europes biggest asset managers, and the Local Authority Pension Fund Forum (LAPFF), a top UK pension fund body, have also backed votes against the board at points.

On the other hand, Norways 2.2 trillion-dollar (1.63 trillion) sovereign wealth fund  which is one of BPs largest investors holding nearly 3% of its shares  said it will support Mr Manifold, and other board-backed proposals.

It comes amid the wider backdrop of BPs recent pivot away from renewables and back towards its core oil and gas business, which has been fiercely criticised by climate activists.

BP will likely face conflicting pressure from investors who want to see a turnaround in the companys fortunes after its failed attempt to pursue a greener agenda left it lagging behind industry rivals and facing takeover threats.

Compounding this will be voices who want the board to capitalise on the recent boost in oil trading results as surging prices driven by the US-Israeli war on Iran pave the way for bumper profits.

BPs share price has recently risen accordingly, marking a relief for the company following years of flagging performance amid strategic upheaval, lower profits and high debt.

The meeting will also be the first time that new boss Megan ONeill, who joined BP this month from Australian oil firm Woodside Energy, deals with shareholders as chief executive after becoming the first woman to take on the top job at the 117-year-old company.

Arriving as BPs third chief executive in under five years, she takes the reins at a time when the firm hopes to continue improving its performance, but also faces divided investors.

Elsewhere, the board could be challenged over its proposal to repeal two previous resolutions that shareholders backed in 2015 and 2019.

Since passing, these have required BP to report detailed climate-related information, such as its management of planet-heating emissions, low-carbon investments, public policy positions and how executive pay is linked to progress.

The company says it now uses industry guidelines which have been developed since 2019, and so these legacy requirements mean it has to share duplicative or overlapping information.

But campaigners argue that repealing these older rules means BP would no longer have to share the same level of detail.

The board may also face questions over its rejection of a shareholder resolution put forward by Dutch activist group Follow This, which is considering legal action.

The group, which tables climate resolutions at the AGMs of several oil majors every year, wanted the company to share plans on creating value for shareholders under future scenarios where fossil fuel demand declines as the world transitions to clean energy.

A similar resolution has been accepted at Shell and will go to a shareholder vote at its meeting next month.

BP said the board decided, having taken legal advice, that the proposed resolution did not conform to legal requirements and would be ineffective if it were to pass.

A spokesperson previously said BP was focused on building a simpler company following investor engagement and had a clear strategy to drive long-term shareholder value while remaining committed to industry standards for climate reporting.

Investors will also vote on a separate climate resolution this year, filed by the Australasian Centre for Corporate Responsibility, an activist group which is calling for BP to publish how it promotes a disciplined approach to its long-term investment in oil and gas.

The oil major accepted this resolution but is urging investors to oppose it, arguing that it is duplicative of information it already shares.

Having been backed by several big investors, including Nest and Legal & General, as well as Glass Lewis, the proposal could still garner a sizeable chunk of the vote and pile further pressure on the board.
An independent inquiry into a Bristol school that postponed a visit from its local Jewish MP has concluded that neither the institution nor the trust overseeing it are antisemitic.

The review, which came after claims of intimidation by pro-Palestine activists, found no evidence of prejudice at Bristol Brunel Academy or the Cabot Learning Federation.

The controversy arose earlier this year when the academy, run by the Cabot Learning Federation, cancelled a planned visit by local MP Damien Egan.

Reports at the time suggested the decision followed intervention from pro-Palestine activists, prompting schools watchdog Ofsted to inspect the site.

Following discussions with the Department for Education, the Cabot Learning Federation commissioned retired headteacher Dame Joan McVittie to conduct an independent review.

While Dame Joan's findings cleared both the academy and the trust of antisemitism, she recommended that the trust consider additional training on the issue and actively seek to mend its relationship with Mr Egan.

Damien Egans visit was postponed for five months (PA Archive)

Dame Joan said in the report: The evidence I have gathered leads me to conclude that the decision to postpone was based not on the MPs religious beliefs or links to Israel but on a desire to protect him from potential abuse and harm as a consequence of this.

Ofsted chief inspector Sir Martyn Oliver said that he was very concerned by the reports at the time and inspected the school in January. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said the visit being stopped was completely unacceptable.

The school said at the time that it had taken the decision to postpone the visit, rather than cancel it, due to concerns about student safety and the disruption to their education from the planned protest.

The Ofsted inspection in January found no evidence of political bias at the school.

The Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) was pleased to see the reviews findings, general secretary Pepe DiIasio said.

We are living in fractious times, and schools can very quickly be drawn into a political and media storm even when their actions are entirely appropriate and well-intentioned, he said.

Too often schools come under fire from politicians and commentators more interested in point-scoring and headline-chasing than establishing the facts.

Bristol Brunel Academy said it postponed the visit due to concerns about student safety (PA Wire)

Mr DiIasio urged everyone to be understanding of the difficult climate schools are operating in.

Dame Joans report said that the visit was originally planned for 5 September 2026, and was postponed because of a threat of protest.

She added she did not find evidence that the decision to postpone was influenced by internal or external groups, and that it was based on safeguarding and health and safety grounds.

She added that checking social media in the run-up to the visit may have alerted the school earlier to the potential issues.

Several attempts were made to reorganise the visit, and a date was agreed for 5 December, the review said. After discussion around putting additional safeguards in place for the visit, it was decided to postpone the visit again to make sure all these could be in place.

Mr Egan visited the school on 5 February, and the review said it was successful.

Some of the staff at the trust have been affected by the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Dame Joans review said. There has been significant training both over time and more recently on political impartiality, rejection of discrimination and expectations of all staff.

Dame Joan said Jewish members of staff she met in the trusts schools reported they were treated with respect and understanding in their workplace, but reflected that sometimes polarised views in their community can be more challenging.

No students at Bristol Brunel Academy identify as Jewish, the review said.

There may be children in schools in parts of Bristol who are frightened to identify as being Jewish because of tensions in the local community, it said.

The DfE could provide more detailed guidance to schools and MPs on how to manage MP visits, the review concluded, which ASCL welcomed.

An independent review of how schools and colleges identify and prevent antisemitism was announced by the Government in March.

It will be led by former DfE permanent secretary Sir David Bell, and will make final recommendations on how schools can be better supported to tackle antisemitism by the autumn.

Community Security Trust figures from when the review was announced found there were 204 school-related antisemitic incidents in 2025, double typical levels before 2023.

Leora Cruddas, chief executive of the Confederation of School Trusts, said: As Dame Joan McVitties report makes unequivocally clear, the decision to postpone an MPs visit was made solely on safeguarding and health and safety grounds for students, staff and the MP.

The leadership that the school and trust have shown in these circumstances is exemplary. Leaders have acted at all time with integrity, equanimity and transparency. They have modelled the ethic of public service and the principles of public life.

A DfE spokesperson said: We welcome Dame Joan McVitties thorough and robust investigation, and while no signs of antisemitic culture were found at this school or trust, the wider picture demands urgent action.

Since 7 October 2023, antisemitic incidents in educational settings have more than doubled. Its a national disgrace, and we will not look away from it.

That is why we have commissioned an independent national review to strengthen how schools and colleges prevent, identify and respond to antisemitism and all forms of hate. Every student and every member of staff has the right to feel safe, respected and included and this Government will make sure they do.
British Airways is going through a relaunch phase. Kuala Lumpur flights were restored last year. Colombo returns to the BA route network in autumn. From January 2027, the long-dormant Heathrow-Melbourne link will be revived, with the refuelling point switched from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur.

Yet none of these longhaul routes will be as emotional as the return of British Airways 170-mile connection between London Heathrow and Guernsey.

At lunchtime on Sunday an Airbus A319 commanded by a Guernseyman took off for the second-largest Channel Island.

Captain Stef Loveridge announced: This is a special day for Guernsey, for British Airways, and also for some of us on board as we are returning to serve the island after more than 40 years.

The cabin crew serving champagne on the flight were not yet around in 1980 when BA left the route. All but one were born and bred on Guernsey (the odd one out was conferred with honorary citizenship of the island for the afternoon).

Now, Melbourne has around 80 times more people than Guernsey (which has a population of approximately 65,000). So why the big fuss about a small island?

Over to David and Sarah McGreevy, who live in Guernsey and were on the flight. I met them at the terminal on arrival, where an excellent school choir sang aviation classics to passengers, meeters and greeters.

Fantastic, they chorused.

But Guernsey has long been connected with the world by its own airline, Aurigny. The departures board showed multiple departures to Southampton, Gatwick, London City, Manchester

So what has BA brought to the table? Its really nice to have the connection going to the rest of the world, said Sarah. Going in and out of Heathrow is a game-changer.

Guernsey welcomes more connections (Getty/iStock)

Rival  sorry, sister  island, Jersey already has multiple daily flights to LHR. The biggest Channel Island has a substantially bigger population (about 105,000) than Guernsey and, crucially, a much larger financial services sector. Many of the passengers on the 7am departure from Jersey to Heathrow are connecting to longhaul destinations, a highly lucrative link for British Airways.

Judging by the traffic in Guernsey, the people here are not short of a few bob either. I dont think I have ever seen so many Range Rovers in the wild. (This is an island where the average road is a country lane and the maximum speed is 35mph.)

BAs Guernsey restoration is the answer to an operational question: What can we do with this Airbus A319 for a quick there-and-back in the middle of the day?

The link might prove a damp, loss-making squib. But it could instead prove to be a big commercial success. Within a couple of hours of arrival at Heathrow Terminal 5 from Guernsey, passengers can connect to New York, Los Angeles, Delhi and Mumbai.

While Aurigny offers a spread of six flights during the day to Gatwick, the Sussex airport simply cannot offer anything like the same intercontinental connectivity.

For the consumer choice is everything, Zoe Gosling told me. She is lead marketing officer for the States of Guernsey. If this provides an easier way for people to reach us, then that can only be a good thing for the islands.

Easier is good  and so is cheaper. I paid 84 to fly from Gatwick to Guernsey on Aurigny, but only 37 back to Heathrow on British Airways. The Club Europe cabin was completely full; down the back, about one third of the seats were empty. Thats Guernsey for you, a senior aviation figure told me.

Aurigny is not exactly delighted that BA is now parking Airbuses on its lawn. The home team airline faces financial challenges, and will not wish its poshest passengers to switch to British Airways. But the evidence is that everyone benefits from increased competition.

For now, those empty economy seats on BA are yours for the taking. Right now you can pay 107 return from Heathrow to Guernsey on the weekend of 9 to 11 May  an ideal introduction to the island that was the first place to which I ever flew, aged six.

Read more Plane and Train Talk from Simon Calder here
Olaolukitan Adon Abel (DeKalb County Sheriff's Office)

A British-born man, suspected of killing three people in the US state of Georgia, has died in jail.

Olaolukitan Adon Abel, 26, a US Navy veteran, was found unresponsive in his cell on Tuesday evening, according to the DeKalb County Sheriffs Office.

Despite efforts by officials, he was later pronounced dead.

A cause of death was not given, and there were not thought to be any suspicious circumstances.

He had been charged with the murders of Lauren Bullis, an employee of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and Prianna Weathers, following a spate of shootings near Atlanta that officials described as an act of pure evil.

Police had been seeking an additional murder charge after Tony Matthews, who was injured in a shooting outside a shopping centre, died on Sunday.

Department of Homeland Security worker Lauren Bullis was one of the shooting victims (Sunisa Kim Kipe via AP)

US Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin confirmed that Adon Abel received US citizenship in 2022.

He said following the killings: A DHS employee, Lauren Bullis, was brutally shot and stabbed to death by Olaolukitan Adon Abel, a 26-year-old, born in the United Kingdom, who was naturalised by the Biden administration in 2022.

He has also been arrested for the murder of an unidentified woman whom he reportedly shot outside a Checkers (a drive-through restaurant), before randomly shooting a homeless man multiple times outside a Kroger (a supermarket) in Brookhaven.

These acts of pure evil have devastated our department and my prayers are with the families of the victims.

The Brookhaven Police Department said the veteran had been taken into custody in Troup County, south west of Atlanta, following co-ordination with local detectives.
Sir Keir Starmer has been publicly criticised by former top civil servants and faces mounting disquiet in Labour ranks - Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP

Former Civil Service chiefs have criticised Sir Keir Starmer for sacking Sir Olly Robbins, and called for the mandarin to be reinstated.

Sir Keir sacked Sir Olly, former permanent secretary at the Foreign Office, for not telling No 10 that Lord Mandelson had failed his security vetting after he was appointed as Britains ambassador to the US.

In a rare and high-profile intervention, three former Cabinet secretaries publicly declared the Prime Ministers decision was wrong.

Sir Keir sacked Sir Olly last Thursday, saying it was unforgivable that he had kept No 10 in the dark after he intervened to overturn Lord Mandelsons failed security vetting.

In his explosive and, at times, emotional evidence session before the Commons foreign affairs committee on Tuesday, Sir Olly said he had done nothing wrong and insisted security conversations should remain confidential.

Sir Olly Robbins appeared before the foreign affairs committee at the House of Commons on Tuesday - House of Commons/UK Parliament/PA Wire

He also told MPs that the Foreign Office had been subjected to constant pressure from No 10 to fast-track Lord Mandelsons clearance, while the Cabinet Office had questioned whether he needed security vetting at all.

In a letter to The Times, Lord Sedwill, who was cabinet secretary to Theresa May and Boris Johnson, wrote: The Prime Minister should retract his accusations against Olly Robbins and reinstate him to the job the country needs him to do of getting the diplomatic service into shape for the second quarter of the 21st century.

Lord Sedwill spoke out in defence of Sir Olly Robbins in a letter to The Times - Jamie Lorriman

Lord Butler, who served as the countrys most senior civil servant for a decade, told BBC Radio 4s World at One programme that the Prime Minister had made a serious mistake in sacking Sir Olly.

I think that the Olly Robbins episode has done a great deal of harm to the relationship between the politicians and the Civil Service, he said.

Things work better, obviously, when politicians and civil servants work together harmoniously with mutual respect in the national interest.

Lord Butler, who served as cabinet secretary for 10 years, said the Prime Minister made a serious mistake in sacking Sir Olly Robbins - Andrew Crowley for The Telegraph

Lord ODonnell, who worked as cabinet secretary with Sir Olly during the New Labour years, told The Telegraph: It was certainly a mistake to sack him, but it is hard to see how it would work if he were reinstated.

A successful partnership between permanent secretaries and their secretaries of state and the Prime Minister requires mutual trust and respect, and that clearly doesnt exist at the minute.

One of Sir Ollys predecessors also defended his conduct, saying he should be handed back his job.

Lord McDonald, a former permanent secretary in the Foreign Office, told The Guardian: There is one immediate conclusion in my view: the Government should reinstate Robbins.

Robbins did his job, aware of the pressure from across Downing Street but not buckling to it. And yet misunderstanding about what that job required led the Prime Minister to rush to a wrong judgment.

I cannot believe that, had he waited until after the foreign affairs select committee session, the PM would have sacked Robbins.

The former mandarins interventions came as the Prime Minister faced mounting anger from ministers and backbenchers over his handling of the affair.

Sir Keir Starmer in the House of Commons after giving his statement on the Mandelson affair on Monday - House of Commons/UK Parliament/PA Wire

Yvette Cooper, the Foreign Secretary, and Ed Miliband, the Energy Secretary, both attempted to distance themselves from the Prime Ministers decision to remove Sir Olly.

Mr Miliband also revealed on Tuesday that David Lammy, the former foreign secretary who is now Deputy Prime Minister, had been against the appointment of Lord Mandelson.

On Wednesday, Pat McFadden, the loyalist Work and Pensions Secretary, refused to say whether Sir Keir had been right to sack Sir Olly.

After repeatedly avoiding the question of whether it was fair, Mr McFadden told Times Radio: Look, its the Prime Ministers judgment. If youve lost the confidence, its difficult to continue.

"Is it fair?"



"It's the prime minister's judgment. If you've lost the confidence, then it's difficult to continue."@KateEMcCann asks @PatMcFaddenMP three times if it was fair to sack Olly Robbins. pic.twitter.com/B8VpmTRd2n  Times Radio (@TimesRadio) April 22, 2026

Dave Penman, the head of the main union for senior civil servants, said Sir Ollys sacking had sent a real chill through Whitehall.

Mr Penman, the general secretary of the First Division Association, warned the decision would make it hard for Whitehall to trust and work constructively with the Government.

He told BBC Newsnight: Keir knows Olly Robbins for a long time. The idea that he would dismiss him in the way that he dismissed him, and once youve heard from the evidence from Olly, the challenge that there is about how Olly believed he was following the process but was still dismissed in the way he was, I think sends a real chill through the Civil Service.

This is two months after the cabinet secretary that he appointed 12 months ago was dismissed and briefed against while he was still at his desk.

MPs on the foreign affairs committee also spoke up in support of Sir Olly.

Asked whether he should be reinstated, Dan Carden, a Labour backbencher, said: Yes, he should.

John Whittingdale, a former Tory Cabinet minister, said: Robbins should be brought back. I think it unrealistic that he could return as permanent under-secretary, but maybe a senior ambassador role.

A lot of people feel he has been treated badly and are very sympathetic after yesterdays hearing.

Aphra Brandreth, a Tory backbencher, said: It now appears hes been dismissed for following the process... It feels like Sir Oliver Robbins has been fired to cover for the PMs poor judgement.

It seems that he shouldnt have been fired, and if there are opportunities for him to be considered for other roles, then he should be able to put himself forward for those roles.

Rosie Duffield, a former Labour MP who now sits as an independent, said: Olly Robbins is a widely respected and highly experienced senior civil servant.

His testimony was professional, honest and exposed the shocking behaviour and general culture in contrast by the Prime Ministers office. Many of us believe the wrong person lost his job.
The new Royal Mail statutory pension scheme contract with Capita has been terminated, a Cabinet Office minister has said, after the services group failed to deliver numerous milestones.

Nick Thomas-Symonds told the Commons the Government had repeatedly flagged delays with Capita, and will not hesitate to act decisively to protect public servants pensions.

He assured Royal Mail pensioners the Government will do all we can  to ensure continuity of service.

In a statement, Mr Thomas-Symonds said: Following a failure to meet critical transition milestones and a lack of confidence in Capitas ability to implement and transition to the new operating model in a timely fashion, Im announcing today to the House that I have terminated the new Royal Mail statutory pension scheme contract with Capita.

Cabinet Office minister Nick Thomas-Symonds (Maja Smiejkowska/PA) (Maja Smiejkowska)

Capita had an 18-month planning window to prepare for the transition. They failed to deliver numerous milestones, including a failure to implement the required IT automation.

The Cabinet Office repeatedly flagged delays in transition milestones.

He added: The security and dignity of those who have dedicated their careers to our public services are not negotiable, and they deserve a pension service that is reliable, efficient and secure.

But for these principles to be more than just words, they need to be underpinned by rigorous accountability and refusal to accept second best.

Capita has come under fire in recent months for its management of pension services, with some members of the Civil Service Pension Scheme (CSPS) failing to receive regular payments after the company took it over in December.

Mr Thomas-Symonds told the Commons on Wednesday that assurances given to his department by the head of Capita over the CSPS have not been met, branding the financial impact on members unacceptable.

The minister added that he, along with the permanent secretary of the Cabinet Office, had discussed the takeover of the pension scheme.

Capita has a backlog of 24,000 outstanding pension quotations and 1,500 unresolved complaints by MPs, a situation Mr Thomas-Symonds branded totally unacceptable.

The Government has already provided 7.2 million in interest-free transitional support loans to more than 1,300 members.

Mr Thomas-Symonds said: We sought and were given explicit personal assurances that the transition would be handled with the utmost care and that any backlogs would be managed effectively.

Im sorry to say those assurances have not been met.

It is clear in any event that the delivery of the service to civil servants since the transfer on December 1 last year has fallen far short of the required standard.

He added: I want to say that the stories we have heard of members missing mortgage payments and falling into hardship are distressing and entirely unacceptable.

No-one should have to face such financial anxiety after a lifetime of dedicated public service.

The minister also said a breach of the CSPS members data in late March was a fundamental failure in data protection and the Information Commissioners Office (ICO) has been informed, while the Cabinet Office has written to the chief executive of Capita to demand an account of the failure.

The Government is also withholding milestone payments where targets have not been met.

He added: The Cabinet Office has mandated a clear recovery target.

Capita must clear all inherited arrears by the end of this month and restore service levels to standard, contractually required levels by the end of June this year.

Capita took over the CSPS, which manages the pensions of 1.7 million public sector workers in the UK, including institutions such as the Crown Prosecution Service, HM Revenue and Customs and the Ministry of Defence, in a seven-year deal in December.

In January, Capita told the BBC it had expected a backlog of 37,000 cases when it took over the scheme, but the number of outstanding cases was 86,000.

By February, the Government announced a recovery plan to address the unacceptable service levels experienced by members, including a support loan scheme for those experiencing hardship.

Mr Thomas-Symonds told MPs on Wednesday that Capita has offered to cover the costs of a circa-140 person Government surge team sent in to bolster operational capacity, which he said he is considering.

My priority is for taxpayers to not have to foot the bill for issues that have been caused by the provider, and is of no fault of the people who are the beneficiaries of this scheme, he added.

John McDonnell, Labour MP for Hayes and Harlington, said: It shouldnt be an offer. It should be a requirement that they cover the cost of the recovery costs.

The former shadow chancellor under Jeremy Corbyn urged the Government to terminate the CSPS contract with Capita and to transfer the service in-house.

This was also called for by Labours Clive Betts, deputy chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, who argued this could prevent these recurring problems with a variety of private sector providers, which always seem to go wrong.

Mr Thomas-Symonds said he keeps all contractual options open.

He added: I will not hesitate to use the commercial levers that are under this contract to drive performance. That is why I am being as well, absolutely clear about that restoration of service by the end of June of this year, that is what I am upholding Capita to.

Unite national officer Dominic Hook said: Once again, Capita has proved itself to be totally unfit to manage the pensions of millions of public sector workers.

This latest in a litany of extremely serious failures by Capita shows why the Governments manifesto promise to reverse outsourcing is more important than ever. Ministers need to keep that promise by bringing the CSPS back in-house.

Steve Thomas, deputy general secretary of the Prospect union, said it was becoming clear that outsourcing pensions contracts has been a catastrophic failure which should be reviewed.

It is right that Capita are facing consequences for failing to hit their targets but if they continue to not deliver as promised then the contract should be removed from them, he said.

A spokeswoman for Capita said: Capita has administered the Royal Mail statutory pension scheme since 2018, and we will continue to support its 337,000 members during the transition period, working closely with the Cabinet Office to ensure continuity of service for members.

We are very sorry for the serious issues that have been raised regarding our performance on the Civil Service Pension Scheme and the impact on its 1.7 million members.

We recognise the distress this has caused and the strength of feeling being expressed.

We take full responsibility for addressing these issues. Our focus is on ensuring members receive the service they expect and deserve, and on putting things right as quickly as possible.
Chelsea are weighing up whether or not to end Liam Roseniors time at the club as manager after their crisis deepened with defeat at Brighton on Tuesday night.

The Blues have now suffered five successive Premier League defeats without scoring, the worst run in the league for the club in 114 years.

After going down 3-0 at the Amex, Rosenior was left furious with his players, describing their performance as indefensible.

After his having just three months in charge, with the club in seventh and seven points off Liverpool and a Champions League place, despite playing a game more, a change in head coach could be imminent, with the clubs fans also restless following a recent protest against owners, BlueCo.

Chelseas owners are now considering the next steps and what that could look like without Rosenior, although it is understood that an alternative manager has not yet been lined up as a potential replacement.

Should the club opt to cut ties with Rosenior, it could prove an expensive decision, with the 41-year-old signing a five-and-a-half year contract in January to replace Enzo Maresca.

The Englishman arrived at Stamford Bridge having worked with Chelseas owners at French side Strasbourg, an affiliate club under BlueCos model.

Liam Rosenior apologises to the Chelsea away fans at the Amex Stadium (Reuters)

Only last week, co-owner Behdad Eghbali insisted Chelsea were behind Liam despite their rocky run of form and said he had every attribute to be successful.

But now, just days away from Sundays FA Cup semi-final against Leeds United at Wembley, Roseniors future is in doubt.
Minoru Kiuchi, the economic growth minister, became the first member of Sanae Takaichis cabinet to visit the shrine - JIJI PRESS / AFP via Getty Images

China has accused Japan of trampling on human conscience after members of Sanae Takaichis cabinet visited a controversial war shrine in Tokyo.

The Yasukuni shrine is dedicated to 2.5 million war dead that are collectively enshrined there as eirei heroic spirits who sacrificed their lives for Japan.

But some of Japans neighbours view it as a symbol of its wartime aggression, as senior military and political figures convicted of war crimes by an international tribunal after the Second World War are commemorated alongside civilians. This includes Hideki Tojo, the wartime prime minister who was executed in 1948 for crimes against peace.

A wooden plaque with Sanae Takaichis name is placed near the masakaki tree sent as a ritual offering to the shrine - Issei Kato/REUTERS

Still, dozens of politicians frequently pay their respects during spring and autumn festivals, as well as the anniversary of Japans surrender on Aug 15, 1945.

Minoru Kiuchi, the economic growth minister, this week became the first member of Ms Takaichis cabinet to visit the shrine. According to the Japan Times, he said he offered sincere gratitude for the holy spirits of fallen soldiers.

Other officials from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party also went and the prime minister reportedly sent an offering of a masakaki tree. While Ms Takaichi has gone before, a Japanese prime minister has not been to the shrine since Shinzo Abe in 2013  a visit that infuriated Beijing and triggered a rebuke from the US.

Shinto priests attend a purification ritual during the annual spring festival at the Yasukuni shrine in April - FRANCK ROBICHON/EPA/Shutterstock

The shrine has long been a source of diplomatic tension with Beijing. On Wednesday, China warned the offerings and visits by officials grossly trample on human conscience, and said it was very indignant at these heinous acts.

Seoul also expressed deep disappointment and regret over the offerings this week. As well as occupying significant swathes of China by the end of the Second World War, Japan ruled the Korean peninsula between 1910 and 1945, after which it was split into two occupation zones, ultimately leading to the Korean War in 1950.

Park Il, South Koreas foreign ministry spokesman, said: Our government urges Japans responsible leaders to face history squarely and to demonstrate, through action, a humble reflection on and a sincere remorse for its past.

Tensions between Beijing and Tokyo have been rising since Ms Takaichi, nicknamed Japans Iron Lady, first became prime minister in October. Soon after her election victory, she said an attack on Taiwan would be a survival-threatening situation that would permit Japan to launch military action.

Ms Takaichi provoked fury in Beijing after threatening military engagement if China attacks Taiwan - Japan Pool via Kyodo News

A diplomatic row ensued, with tit-for-tat measures including advisories warning against travel and export restrictions on rare-earth elements.

China said this week it was seriously concerned about Tokyo lifting restrictions on lethal weapons exports, calling it a reckless militarisation.

A group of Chinese naval vessels, including a destroyer, passed through a waterway between two of the Okinawa islands after completing training exercises in the western Pacific on Wednesday.

The collection of Japanese subtropical islands is close to Taiwan, separated by the Yonaguni-Iriomote Waterway. While non-Japanese vessels are able to pass through the narrow band of waters, Tokyo says it reserves the right to take action if vessels stray into the countrys territorial sea.

China said that the transit followed a deliberate provocation, after a Japanese destroyer passed through the Taiwan Strait on Friday. The defence minister said it had sent the wrong signal to pro-independence groups in Taiwan.
China on Wednesday praised the three countries that refused to allow the Taiwanese presidents plane to use their airspace to visit the African nation of Eswatini, which led to him cancelling the trip altogether.

Lai Ching-te was set to fly through the airspace of Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar on Tuesday to visit Eswatini  Taiwans only diplomatic ally in Africa  but the three nations had revoked permission for his aircraft to fly over their territories.

This marks the first time a Taiwanese leader has had to cancel an overseas presidential trip due to such pressure.

A spokesperson for Chinas Taiwan Affairs Office said Beijing appreciated the position and actions of the relevant countries in upholding the one-China principle.

Spokesperson Zhang Han also refuted allegations that Beijing had applied economic pressure on Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar to block the presidential flight.

The Taiwanese government alleged that Beijing was behind the move, with an official stating: The actual reason was intense pressure exerted by Chinese authorities, including economic coercion.

President Lai Ching-te says no threat or suppression can change Taiwans determination to engage with the world (Reuters)

China, which maintains strong economic and political links across Africa, considers democratically-governed Taiwan to be one of its provinces and does not recognise it as a sovereign country. It frequently calls the issue a red line in its diplomatic relations with other countries.

Eswatini, formerly Swaziland, remains among a small group of countries that still maintain official diplomatic relations with Taiwan.

A Madagascar foreign ministry official told Reuters: Malagasy diplomacy recognises only one China. The decision was made in full respect of Madagascars sovereignty over its airspace.

Seychelles also said that it took the decision because the nation does not recognise Taiwan. The decision was taken independently and in accordance with established procedures, Aline Morel, senior protocol officer at the foreign affairs ministry, said in an email to Reuters.

Mr Lai criticised Chinas actions, calling them suppressive and warned that they threaten global stability. He added: No threat or suppression can change Taiwans determination to engage with the world, nor can it negate Taiwans ability to contribute to the international community.

Mr Lai was to take part in events marking 40 years since the accession of King Mswati III, the head of the Swazi royal family.

Cheng Li-wun, chair of the Kuomintang, Taiwans largest opposition party, shakes hands with Chinese president Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on 10 April (Reuters)

Chinas foreign ministry also said the refusal by the three countries made it clear...[that] the so-called President of the Republic of China no longer exists in the world, referring to Mr Lais title in Taiwan.

Eswatini said it was unfortunate that Mr Lai could not make the trip, but stressed that this would not change the status of our longstanding bilateral relationship.

This comes shortly after China introduced fresh outreach measures toward Taiwan, including loosening some food import restrictions, following a meeting in Beijing between Xi Jinping and Cheng Li-wun, the head of Taiwans largest opposition party, Kuomintang.

In January 2024, the Pacific island nation of Nauru cut diplomatic ties with Taiwan and said that it would recognise China instead. The decision came just after Mr Lai, a critic of Beijing who has been called a troublemaker and a separatist by China, won Taiwans presidential election.

At the time, China welcomed the move and said it was ready to build relations with Nauru based on the one-China principle.

Other countries that have cut diplomatic ties with Taiwan, allegedly under Chinas pressure, are Honduras, Nicaragua, Kiribati and the Solomon Islands.

One China has been acknowledged by the US since 1979, when president Jimmy Carter developed closer ties with Beijing, at the expense of contact with Taiwan. He was the last US president to speak to a Taiwanese leader. The US has since followed the One China policy in international relations, officially accepting Beijing as the only legitimate Chinese government.

China has since then held the One China principle as non-negotiable and said that it forms the political foundation for relations with the US, although America maintains a strategic relationship with Taiwan and has a small number of troops on the island.

In 2022, then US speaker Nancy Pelosi made a controversial trip to Taiwan in company with five Democratic representatives. China condemned the visit.
Clarksons Farm star Lisa Hogan is ditching Diddly Squat for her own dating show, with the TV personality set to host ITVs Farming for Love.

The new series is based on Farmer Wants a Wife  ITVs reality series that saw farmers choose a spouse from a selection of city-based women. It aired in 2001 for one series before being revived by Channel 5 in 2009.

The format is now set to return under the name of Farming for Love, with Hogan helping unlucky-in-love countrymen and women find their mate.

Announcing the show on ITVs This Morning, Hogan  whose partner is former Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson  urged those at home to apply.

Lisa Hogan with the new contestants on 'Farming for Love' (This Morning, ITV)

There are lots of farmers out there looking for love and we have four people who are just gorgeous, she said. If you want to apply, you should  and apply for your friends and apply for your family.

The ITV morning show then showed off the four contestants taking part in the dating competition  starting with Wiltshire-based Guy, 29, who runs a beef farm.

Its a bit lonely driving around all day and checking cattle, he told viewers. You just want someone to come out with you at the weekend or the evening when youve got to do a calf. It would be really nice to share that moment with people.

Lisa Hogan will be hosting ITV's new dating show (Getty)

Hell be joined on the show by 68-year-old Chris, whos been farming for most of his life in North Yorkshire and is looking for love again after the death of his wife. Its been a tough old time the last three and a bit years but I dont want to do it on my own and theres somebody out there whos so special. I know there is. Shes out there, he said.

The first woman taking part in the UK franchise is 24-year-old Dana, a dairy farmer who has been working in the industry for five years. I want somebody whos not afraid of hard work. Its so worth it  everything that you put into it, you so 100 per cent get out of it again, she said.

Lisa Hogan, the partner of Jeremy Clarkson, will be hosting the show (PA Wire)

Rounding out the line-up is Wrexham farmer George, 29, who is looking for a date to his best friends wedding. Ive been given strict criteria, I need to find a date so here we are  what better way to do it?

Hogan has been in a relationship with Clarkson since 2017, with the pair filming reality show Clarksons Farm together. The Prime Video series follows them as they attempt to cultivate Clarksons 1,000-acre Chipping Norton farm.

The new series is set for release in June, with upcoming episode set to focus on the most heartbreaking time on the farm yet as it suffers from an outbreak of bovine tuberculosis.
Pollen seasons across Europe are now one to two weeks longer than they were in the 1990s and heat-related deaths have risen across almost the entire continent, according to a major report.

The longer pollen seasons are increasing exposure for tens of millions of people with hay fever and other allergies, a team of global researchers have found. At the same time, extreme heat warnings have also risen 318 per cent over the same period.

Out of all European regions monitored by researchers, around 99.6 per cent saw heat-related deaths rise between 2015 and 2024 compared with 1991-2000, with an average increase of 52 extra deaths per million people each year.

The hours each year when outdoor physical activity carries a risk of heat illness have grown by 88 per cent compared with the 1990s, and heat exposure among infants and people over 65 has risen by 254 per cent in terms of person-days.

Across the workforce, heat is estimated to be cutting labour supply by around 24 hours per worker per year compared with historical baselines, with outdoor workers in construction and agriculture among those most exposed.

The potential for dengue transmission in Europe has also increased by 297 per cent since 1981-2010, contributing to a rise in local outbreaks of the mosquito-borne virus, which was once almost entirely confined to travellers returning from tropical regions. The tiger mosquito that carries it has been expanding its range northward as European summers grow warmer.

The findings were published in the 2026 Europe report of the Lancet Countdown on health and climate change  a collaboration of 65 experts from research institutions and United Nations organisations published in the Lancet Public Health journal.

(AFP/Getty)

The health burden falls unevenly across income groups, researchers warned. Low-income households are 10.9 percentage points more likely than middle-income households to experience food insecurity driven by heatwaves and droughts, and more than one million additional people were affected by moderate or severe food insecurity in 2023 compared with the annual average for 1981-2010. People in the most deprived areas face higher wildfire risks and have less access to green space.

Deaths linked to air pollution from burning wood and other biomass at home were 4 per cent higher in 2022 than in 2000, a rise the researchers attribute partly to growing use of wood as a heating source as energy prices have climbed.

"Climate change health impacts are already apparent in Europe, and these will accelerate without proper scaling up of adaptation measures and global mitigation efforts, the authors wrote.

The report, however, acknowledges some progress.

Coal use and carbon intensity both fell in 2023, and renewables supplied 21.5 per cent of Europe's electricity, up from 8.4 per cent in 2016. Clean energy investment reached 427 billion in 2023, 86 per cent higher than in 2015.

But fossil fuel subsidies hit a record 444bn the same year, driven by government responses to the energy price crisis that followed Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Despite committing to phase out such subsidies by 2025 in several international agreements, only Denmark has adopted a comprehensive national plan to do so. The report warns that unless others follow, progress toward 2030 net zero targets will be compromised.

"Unless the rest of Europe follows Denmark's example, this setback will likely compromise reaching 2030 net zero goals, the authors wrote.

Without stronger global action to cut emissions and better protect communities, the health harms documented will accelerate, the authors conclude.

"Redirecting financial flows to climate action is essential to reinforce Europe's strategic direction and commitment to climate leadership. Part of these flows should finance the adaptation of low-income countries' health-care systems, which currently receive very little funding for this purpose, the authors wrote.
The band Traffic: Stevie Winwood, Chris Wood, Jim Capaldi and Dave Mason (Getty)

Dave Mason, the legendary guitarist for British psychedelic rock band Traffic, has died aged 79.

The musician, who worked with the likes of Jimi Hendrix and The Rolling Stones, died on Sunday (19 April), his social media accounts shared on Tuesday (21 April). No cause of death was given.

A picture of Mason accompanied the news, which read: It is with deep and profound sadness that we share the news of the passing of Dave Mason.

Mason, pictured in 1968 (Getty)

On Sunday, April 19, after cooking an amazing dinner with his beloved wife Winifred, he sat down to take a nap with sweet Star (the maltese) at his feet. He passed away peacefully, in his favourite chair, surrounded by the beautiful Carson Valley that he loved so much. A storybook ending. On his own terms. Which is how he lived his life right up until the end.

Masons family wrote that he would leave a lasting imprint on the soundtrack of our lives and the hearts he has lifted. His legacy will be cherished forever, the post concluded.

Born in Worcester in 1946, Mason learnt to play the guitar aged 16, and began his professional career as a member of the rock group the Jaguars. He left the group in 1963 to join the Hellions, which featured future Traffic member Jim Capaldi.

Masons entry to the more mainstream music scene came through the Spencer Davis Group, who he originally worked with as a roadie but went on to record backing vocals for.

Traffic was formed in 1967 from Spencer Davis Groups Steve Winwood, Mason, Capaldi, and flautist Chris Wood.

Their first year, the psychedelic group, known for their lengthy songs, scored three top 10 singles: Paper Sun, Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush, and Hole in My Shoe.

Mason (second left) with Traffic in 2004, as the band were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (Getty)

The success of the latter song, which Mason wrote and sang on, led to him stepping away from the band temporarily to put out a solo single, but he returned to the band to work on their self-titled second album in 1968, a follow-up to the previous years Mr Fantasy.

The album included the track Feelin Alright, which Mason wrote after leaving the band for the first time. While not a huge hit for Traffic, it became more popular after it was covered by Joe Cocker in 1969, and later Huey Lewis in 2000.

Mason left Traffic once more after the albums release, with the group disbanding the next year and later reforming without Mason.

Having worked as a session musician for musicians including Hendrix and George Harrison alongside his work with Traffic, Mason pursued a solo career upon leaving the band. He put out 10 albums between 1970 and 1980, including a record with Cass Elliot of The Mamas and the Papas in 1971. He had three gold albums and wrote more than 100 songs.

Traffic were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2004 by Dave Matthews, while Mason retired from touring last September, citing ongoing health challenges at the time.
Frankenstein director Guillermo del Toro is to receive a British Film Institute (BFI) Fellowship to recognise his extraordinary contribution to film.

The Fellowship is the highest honour bestowed by the BFI, and will be presented to the Mexican filmmaker next month.

The BFI said del Toro is being recognised for a body of work that includes Oscar-winning films The Shape Of Water, Pinocchio and Pans Labyrinth, as well as Hellboy, Crimson Peak and Pacific Rim.

Guillermo del Toro with the Bafta award for animated film for Pinocchio in 2023 (PA) (Ian West)

His most recent film Frankenstein, starring Jacob Elordi, was released last year and won multiple Oscars and Bafta awards.

The Fellowship forms part of a wider BFI celebration of del Toros work, including a major season at Londons BFI Southbank and BFI Imax spanning screenings, conversations and special events with the director that will take place next month.

It will also see his 1992 film debut Cronos be re-released in cinemas in the UK and Ireland from May 15.

Del Toro previously said it is the honour of a lifetime and a thrilling moment to be recognised by the BFI.

He joins other BFI Fellows including Bette Davis, Elizabeth Taylor, Orson Welles, Spike Lee and Martin Scorsese.
President Donald Trump has announced an indefinite ceasefire with Iran until peace negotiations are concluded, hours after he said he expected to be bombing the country and insisted he would not extend a hard deadline for them to reach a deal.

The US leader has been mocked for adopting a Taco stance on several issues, an acronym that stands for Trump Always Chickens Out, in reference to his habit of backing down on strong threats of force.

Pointing to a seriously fractured leadership in Iran, Trump said he is ready to cease hostilities until Tehran puts forward a unified proposal for negotiations.

Trumps constant U-turns have often been interpreted by analysts as a means of confusing his opponent, but have prompted criticism from allies, including French president Emmanuel Macron, who said earlier this month that you dont have to speak every day.

Below, we look at all the times Trump threatened to bomb Iran and then didnt.

Trump has agreed to an indefinite extension of a ceasefire  for now (AFP/Getty)

21 March: Trump issues 48-hour deadline, then extends it

As Irans control of the Strait of Hormuz tightened three weeks into the war, Mr Trump issued a 48-hour deadline for the country to fully open, without threat the vital shipping route.

He said he would obliterate Irans energy infrastructure if his time limit were not met on 22 March. He subsequently extended this timeline to 28 March, subject to negotiations with Iran.

I have instructed the Department of War to postpone any and all military strikes against Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure for a five-day period, subject to the success of the ongoing meetings and discussions, he wrote.

This was later extended again to 6 April. Iran warned it would attack regional energy infrastructure in response to any attacks.

The war against Iran, which began in late February, has engulfed the Middle East in violence, leading to the deaths of thousands of people (AFP/Getty)

31 March: Make a deal or US will obliterate energy plants

Mr Trump threatened again to obliterate all of Irans energy infrastructure and blow up Kharg Island, a key oil export hub, if a deal was not reached soon.

If the Hormuz Strait is not immediately Open for Business, we will conclude our lovely stay in Iran by blowing up and completely obliterating all of their Electric Generating Plants, Oil Wells and Kharg Island (and possibly all desalinisation plants!), which we have purposefully not yet touched, he wrote in another outburst on Truth Social on 31 March.

The statement sparked alarm, but was ultimately not followed through.

1 April: We will bomb Iran into the Stone Age

A month into the war, Mr Trump appeared increasingly frustrated and amped up aggressive rhetoric towards Iran, making several threats to bomb the country back to the Stone Age.

On 2 April, in a 20-minute address at the White House, Mr Trump warned that the US is prepared to escalate its military campaign against Iran over the next two to three weeks, threatening to hit them extremely hard and bring them back to the Stone Age, while simultaneously playing down the impact of any disruption in the Strait of Hormuz on US energy needs.

Iran has been using AI Lego-style videos to take aim at Trump (Explosive Media)

There were no immediate strikes on Irans infrastructure following the threats.

5 April: Open the F***in Strait, you crazy b*****ds

In an Easter Sunday statement to Americans, Trump warned that Iranians would be living in Hell if Hormuz were not opened with immediate effect.

The US president wrote in a post on Truth Social that Tuesday would be Power Plant Day and Bridge Day for American forces selecting targets in the region, adding: Open the F***in Strait, you crazy b*****ds, or youll be living in Hell. He concluded: Praise be to Allah.

7 April: An entire civilisation will die tonight

In an extraordinary rant at the height of the conflict, Mr Trump threatened to wipe the millennia-old Iranian civilisation off the map.

A whole civilisation will die tonight, never to be brought back again, he wrote in the unprecedented post on Truth Social on 7 April.

I dont want that to happen, but it probably will. However, now that we have Complete and Total Regime Change, where different, smarter, and less radicalised minds prevail, maybe something revolutionarily (sic) wonderful can happen, WHO KNOWS?

Trumps constant U-turns have caused global chaos (AFP/Getty)

The threat sparked a global outcry with several leaders condemning the statement. Hours later, a 14-day ceasefire brokered by Pakistan was announced.

21 April: I expect to be bombing

Before the latest extension of the ceasefire, Trump had indicated that he would not back down.

I expect to be bombing because I think thats a better attitude to go in with, he said on Tuesday. But were ready to go. I mean, the military is raring to go.

He told Bloomberg that the ceasefire would end on Wednesday evening and that it is highly unlikely that Id extend it if there is no agreement to end the war by the deadline.

Asked by CNBC if he would consider extending the ceasefire if negotiations progress this week, he responded: I dont want to do that. We dont have that much time. He explained that by the time negotiators get to Pakistan, the ceasefire would have expired.

Hours later, he announced that the agreement had been extended indefinitely.

We have been asked to hold our Attack on the Country of Iran until such time as their leaders and representatives can come up with a unified proposal, Trump said.
Police are searching for 27-year-old Zamil Limon (left) and 27-year-old Nahida S. Bristy (right), two University of South Florida students who were last seen April 16 (University of South Florida Police Department)

Two University of South Florida doctoral students from Bangladesh vanished within an hour of each other last week  and school officials say they are very concerned as police confirmed they are not being held by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Zamil Limon and Nahida S. Bristy, both 27, were last seen April 16 in Tampa, according to the University of South Florida Police Department.

Limon was last seen around 9 a.m. at his student apartment on Avalon Heights Boulevard, near the college, while Bristy was last seen around 10 a.m. at the Natural and Environmental Sciences Building on campus.

A family friend reported both missing at 5 p.m. the following day after being unable to reach either student, triggering separate missing persons reports and a wider search involving the police department and Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office. Both students have since been entered into state and national missing persons databases.

Everybody internally is obviously very concerned, as we are concerned, USF Public Safety Public Information Officer Larry McKinnon told FOX13. It's not typical of their behavior, they're graduate students. We dont have information that there is foul play or suspicious nature at this point.

USF student Zamil Limon, 27, was last seen around 9 a.m. at his home on Avalon Heights Boulevard in Tampa, on April 16. His friend, Nahida S. Bristy, is also missing. She was last seen on campus around 10 a.m. the same day (University of South Florida Police Department)

Investigators say the pair are friends and are believed to be together. They also noted that both of their phones are turned off. Details about surveillance footage, social media use, and bank statements or credit card use were not released.

Their disappearance is concerning to police because according to their families, both are dedicated students working on their doctorates, and missing several days of classes is highly unusual for them. Limon is pursuing a Ph.D. in geography, environmental science and policy, while Bristy is studying chemical engineering.

Investigators have confirmed that the pair are not in immigration custody, a concern raised by family members. But after exhausting all leads, law enforcement are turning to the public for help.

When we get to this point where we arent having success in locating them, then our next best source is the public, McKinnon said. Thats where we are at.

In Bangladesh, Limons family is grappling with the uncertainty. He is a very responsible and punctual person, and thats why the situation is so unpredictable and unusual to us like, and very suspicious, his younger brother, Zubaer Ahmed, told FOX13.

Bristy is also missing after being last seen on campus. Both of their phones are off, and police say their disappearance is out of character (University of South Florida Police Department)

Ahmed said he last spoke with Limon on the Monday before he disappeared. Limon told his brother that he was focused on his thesis research, which involves using generative AI to study Floridas shrinking wetlands.

Were in deep pain and [a] devastating situation, Ahmed said. He explained that Limon, who had been studying in the U.S. for two years, and Bristy had discussed a possible future together.

Another important point that is they talked about having a future together, but they are not that serious about it, Ahmed said. Both of them are thinking about, whether we can marry together, and they are discussing that.

Investigators say the circumstances surrounding the pairs disappearance remain unknown, and urged anyone with information to come forward and contact USFPD at (813) 974-2628.

Everybodys hoping for a positive outcome on this, McKinnon added. And thats why were taking it very seriously and making sure we leave no stones unturned to try to find them.
The luxury British cruise line Cunard has announced that all four of its ships will unite in their spiritual home for the first time.

Their ships; Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth, Queen Victoria and Queen Anne will come together in Liverpool on May 16 2028.

It will be the first time all four ships have ever assembled.

The company has said it will be celebrating the bond it holds with the city of Liverpool having been founded there in 1840.

All four ships will return home for the spectacle on the River Mersey.

Cunards Queen Anne is one of the ships that will gather in Liverpool (Belfast Harbour/PA) (Belfast Harbour)

Katie McAlister, president of Cunard, said: Bringing our four Queens together on the Mersey for the first time will be a rare and incredibly special moment for Cunard.

Liverpool is where our story began, and returning with the full fleet is a powerful celebration of that bond.

It will be an unforgettable day for our guests, for the city, and for everyone who comes together to enjoy the spectacle from the shore.

Three of the Queens gathered in 2015 to mark Cunards 175th anniversary, which the company says drew over a million spectators to the city.

Their newest ship, Queen Anne, joined the Cunard fleet in 2024.

The event in 2028 will coincide with celebrations marking 20 years since Liverpool was named European Capital of Culture.

Liam Robinson, leader of Liverpool City Council, said: Welcoming the four Cunard Queens at the same time will be an extraordinary occasion for our city, our residents, and our visitors.

We are incredibly proud of our rich maritime heritage, and this promises to be a really special moment here in Liverpool, Cunards spiritual home.
Fury as rabbi who boasted about destroying homes in Gaza lights torch at Israel independence day celebrations

An extremist rabbi who boasted about bulldozing Palestinian homes was selected to light a torch at an event celebrating the creation of the state of Israel on Tuesday.

Avraham Zarbiv, who has been condemned by rights groups and previously censured by Israels judicial watchdog for extremist statements, was honoured at the event held at Mount Herzl in Jerusalem.

The Israeli military reservist, who serves as a rabbinical judge in civilian life, was introduced by hosts as a bulldozer operator on the front lines of fire at the ceremony, which was also attended by Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Rabbi Zarbiv dedicated the torch-lighting to those who bring down the bulldozers and the pioneers who break through the enemy and dismantle the terrorist nonsense.

The religious leader has previously drawn criticism, including a complaint to the International Criminal Court filed by the Hind Rajab Foundation in January 2025 for alleged war crimes.

His selection was condemned by Israeli rights group BTselem and Haaretz newspaper, and the Israeli military also appeared to distance itself from the choice.

Zarbivs selection at the ceremony was criticised by various groups (YouTube/Israels National Ceremonies and Events Division)

BTselem said that accolade, offered to exemplary citizens and those who represent the spirit of the nation, should not have been given to the rabbi. The group accused the country of risking making genocide part of its official national ethos through the dehumanisation of Palestinians.

Israel denies it is committing a genocide and calls such claims antisemitic.

Miri Regev, the ceremonys planner, said that Rabbi Zarbiv is a paragon of deep commitment to the nation of Israel, the Torah of Israel and the land of Israel.

Through his person we are saluting the men and women of the national religious community, who combine leading a life of Torah with service and contribution to the state, and continue leading Israeli society forward out of a deep sense of mission, she said.

The rabbi rose to prominence after sharing videos of himself enjoying the destruction of buildings in Gaza with levity and humour.

We have crushed them. There are tens of thousands of dead, he previously said on live television. In another voiceover, he is heard saying: You will have nothing left. We will flatten you and destroy you.

His prolific social media presence led to Zarbiv entering Hebrew slang as a phrase meaning to completely destroy something.

Zarbiv dedicated the torch-lighting to those who ... break through the enemy and dismantle the terrorist nonsense (YouTube/National Ceremonies and Events Division)

A country that chooses to honour and esteem someone who has become a symbol of the flattening of Gaza is telling the world that it sees him and his values as deserving respect and as representing the state, Haaretz paper said in an editorial criticising the appointment.

Zarbiv indeed deserves to light an independence day torch: not because he is worthy of the honour, but because Israel has lost its way, its moral compass and its conscience.

Dyab Abou Jahjah, cofounder of the Hind Rajab Foundation, told Al Jazeera that his selection was revealing and was entirely consistent with the historic dispossession and ethnic cleansing of Palestinians.

The Israeli military told a press conference last week that Rabbi Zarbiv was not selected in coordination with the IDF.

He is not an IDF representative at the torch-lighting ceremony. Under the leadership of the head of the Personnel Directorate, IDF representatives to light a torch were selected through an orderly process. They are the IDFs representatives, a spokesperson said.
Brooke Wiggins died on 9 November 2024 (Facebook)

A 12-year-old girl tragically died after being struck by a falling branch from a tree where a rope swing, which "should have been removed" months earlier, was located, an inquest has heard.

Brooke Wiggins passed away on 9 November 2024 in Banstead, Surrey, just days before her 13th birthday, due to a fatal injury sustained from the impact, South London Coroners Court was told on Wednesday.

The inquest revealed that the tree, maintained by Surrey County Council, had been inspected in May 2022 and was scheduled for a re-inspection in May 2024, a check that ultimately did not occur. Christian Weaver, representing Brookes father Lee Wiggins, stated that had the inspection taken place, any rope swing discovered on the tree would have been removed, "as per policy".

Representatives for Surrey County Council said expert evidence shows an inspection may not have achieved a material different outcome.

In statement read by assistant coroner Ivor Collett on behalf of Brookes mother, Claire Etherington, she was described as a beautiful, fun, caring and loving girl who had the most incredible way of lighting up every room she went into.

She was always surrounded by the people who loved her, and its easy to see why  she gave so much love back, her mother said.

Brooke Wiggins was hit by a branch on a rope swing (Getty/iStock)

Brooke loved dancing, art, singing and taking photographs.

She took pride in expressing herself, and never went anywhere without her eyelashes on, she said.

She was a smart girl with so much potential.

We will always wonder what she would have gone on to achieve in her life, Ms Etherington said.

She added that she hopes knowing what happened to Brooke will bring a small sense of closure and some understanding.

In a second statement read by Mr Collett, Brookes father told the inquest his daughter was an amazing young woman, who was bright and very funny.

He said: I am devasted that my baby girl has been taken from me.

She packed so much into her short life.

Only 12 years old, and now shes gone forever.

When I think of her, I ask myself, why my darling Brooke?

If only people had done their job properly the one thing they are paid to do, and did it properly, Brooke would still be here, Mr Wiggins added.

Speaking at the start of the hearing, Mr Collett said: This is a particularly sad inquest.

Of course, there are no happy inquests, but this is dreadful because it concerns the death of a young child and theres no escaping that.

To the family, I am bound to sound, at times, rather cold and distant (but) I do not take away for a moment the unending pain felt by the family by the loss of their beloved daughter.

The inquest continues.
Green Party leader Zack Polanski admitted on Wednesday that its policy-making process was not working well - PA

The Green Party wants to teach children about the triggers of terrorism in a move described as dangerously naive by counter-extremism experts.

Party policy documents outline plans to review provisions in the Counter Terrorism and Security Act 2015 to enable discussions in educational settings about the triggers of terrorism.

The party said allowing such conversations in classrooms would help to help reduce the influence of hateful and intolerant ideologies. Separate Greens policy suggested it should not be a crime simply to have sympathy with the aims of an organisation.

But the Greens were called dangerous idiots by critics, who warned that the policy risked bringing extremism and sympathy for terrorism into the classroom.

On Wednesday, it emerged that Zack Polanski, the Greens leader, wanted to review the partys policy platform.

The intervention came after media scrutiny of the populist Left-wing party exposed a range of extreme policies and beliefs, such as legalising all drugs. Party sources indicated there were no specific policies or policy areas earmarked to be axed.

According to the Greens current draft policies, the party was considering overhauling the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act to ensure support for terror organisations would no longer be a criminal offence.

It came after police arrested hundreds of protesters for their support for Palestine Action, which is proscribed under the Terrorism Act 2000.

There was concern that the idea would allow people to publicly express support for proscribed groups such as Hamas, Hezbollah or National Action, the far-Right group.

According to the Greens policy document, children at school would be able to discuss what fuels terrorism, which has been shown to help reduce the influence of hateful and intolerant ideologies.

Elsewhere, the document said: It should not be a crime simply to have sympathy with the aims of an organisation, though it should be a crime to aid and abet criminal acts or to deliberately fund such acts.

Hundreds of Green Party members have been arrested since Palestine Action was banned under the Terrorism Act 2000 - AFP

The Greens have previously proposed abolishing Prevent, the multi-agency programme designed to prevent individuals from becoming terrorists.

Lord Walney, a former government adviser on extremism, said: Bringing extremism and sympathy for terrorism into the classroom will be a red line for many voters, who might otherwise think the Greens are well-meaning or a breath of fresh air.

Any fake attempt to review their policies to cover their tracks will not change the fact that Zack Polanski is pushing a sinister agenda that even [former Labour Party leader] Jeremy Corbyn would not have dared to try to inflict.

Ghaffar Hussain, a counter-extremism expert and former London-based Prevent officer, claimed the policy was dangerously naive and fails to understand how extremism works.

He added: Effective counter-extremism needs to debunk extremist narratives in their entirety, including the justifications and political aims extremists cite, not just their tactics.

The wording in [the Green Partys] policies suggests they do not understand this and they have assumed the triggers for terrorism are what terrorists say they are.

David Taylor, the Labour MP for Hemel Hempstead, said: The Green Party seems to think terrorists will stop killing innocent people if we just showed them a bit more sympathy and understanding.

They are dangerous idiots with loony policies that would put British lives at risk.

Mr Polanski told Politico on Wednesday that he was looking at overhauling the process for developing and adopting party policy.

He said: Our policy-making process came about when we had something like 20,000 members. We just hit 226,000, so in terms of how the conference process works, I think the obvious place I would start is: its not working as well as it should at the moment.

He suggested that individuals elected by the membership would have greater control over the policy-making process.

A Green Party spokesman said: This is obvious nonsense. There is nothing in our policy at all which would express sympathy for terrorism; our policy is the opposite, to discuss the triggers of radicalism and to prevent these things from happening. Playing politics pre-election with the serious issue of terrorism prevention is an extremely dangerous thing to do.
Harley-Davidson has recalled nearly 17,000 motorcycles over fears that the bikes brakes could fail.

The company recalled certain FLHC, FXBB, FXLRS, and FXLRST Softail motorcycles from model years 2025 and 2026, federal regulators said in an April 13 notice.

These motorcycles rear brakes could go out, increasing the risk of a crash, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration warned.

The rear brake line may contact the Body Control Module (BCM), resulting in a hole in the brake line, a brake fluid leak, and loss of the rear brakes, federal regulators said.

Harley-Davidson has recalled nearly 17,000 motorcycles over fears that the bikes brakes could fail (Getty Images)

Harley-Davidson will inspect affected bikes and fix any issues associated with the recall, free of charge.

Owners of the affected motorcycles will receive a letter notifying them of the recall. The letters are expected to be sent out on May 18. Harley-Davidson customers may contact the company about the recall at 1-800-258-2464.

The Independent has reached out to Harley-Davidson for comment.

The company recalled certain FLHC, FXBB, FXLRS, and FXLRST Softail motorcycles from model years 2025 and 2026, federal regulators said (Getty Images)

Consumers should also be aware of another recall involving about 1.4 million Ford pickup trucks.

Certain F-150 trucks from model years 2015 to 2017 were recalled over a gearshift issue that could cause drivers to lose control of their vehicle and increase their risk of a crash, federal regulators said in an April 14 notice.

A loss of signal between the transmission range sensor and the powertrain control module can cause the transmission to unexpectedly downshift into second gear, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said.

Consumers should also be aware of another recall involving about 1.4 million Ford pickup trucks (Getty Images)

The first round of letters notifying affected customers about the recall will be sent out on April 27.

Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated in July 2026, federal regulators said.

Customers affected by the recall can bring their trucks into a Ford dealership to update the powertrain control module software, free of charge.

Fords customer service line can be reached at 1-866-436-7332.
Treasury minister Torsten Bell aid the law is designed to make clear on the face of the Bill that the power can only be used in line with what the industry itself has committed to (Jordan Pettitt/PA)

The parliamentary stalemate over the new pension reforms continues after MPs voted to press the Lords to accept new laws on the Governments ability to direct pension investments.

The House of Commons backed an amendment by 272 votes to 149, majority 123 to send the Pensions Scheme Bill back to the House of Lords containing laws that could allow the Government to tell pension funds how they should invest a certain amount of their allocation, so-called mandation.

Amendments by the Government limit the portion of pension funds in line with a voluntary agreement by 17 of the UKs largest defined contribution schemes in the Mansion House Accord last year.

They would be limited to 10%, by value, of all assets of the scheme in main default reserves, or 5% of assets to be held in UK-specific description.

It comes amid aims to increase the amount of investment in the UK, which it is hoped will lead to economic growth.

Treasury minister Torsten Bell said the law is designed to make clear on the face of the Bill that the power can only be used in line with what the industry itself has committed to.

He added: The cap prohibits any move beyond the accord targets.

Mr Bell told MPs the rule is highly constrained and narrowly focused (Joe Giddens/PA)

The neutrality requirement rules out the possibility that any government could direct any investment into a particular asset or asset classes.

Mr Bell told MPs the rule is highly constrained and narrowly focused.

He said: The Government cannot direct investments, and it explicitly only applies to main default funds, more explicitly matching the language used in the accord.

Shadow work and pensions secretary Helen Whately criticised the move and said: He said this is a natural extension of the Mansion House Agreement, it is not.

A voluntary agreement between willing participants is one thing, a legal requirement imposed across an entire sector is another.

Secondly he has said that it is merely a reserve power, one the Government has no intention of using.

A reserve power does not sit harmlessly on the shelf, it shapes behaviour.

I think in truth the minister accepts that, he has said as much to me before that the power will achieve its ends without even needing to be turned on.

Labour MP and former Treasury minister Liam Byrne said: The measures the minister has set out this afternoon really are essential if we are to pursue the long-term interests of pension savers in this country, because it is in their fundamental interest that they live and retire in an economy that is growing faster in the years to come.

The only way in which we are going to collectively achieve that is if we raise the investment rate in this country.
A former officer with the Houston Police Department has been relieved of her duties after bragging about using the N-Word in a now-viral video, according to a report.

The cop, named in various reports as Officer Ashley Gonzalez, also boasted in the clip about an incident in which she beat up a Black person.

An investigation into the video has been launched, and Gonzalez has been relieved of her duties, sources from the department told KPRC-TV.

The clip, which shows Gonzalez ranting to the camera while sitting in her car, has been widely condemned by members of the local community.

The amount of times that I will always and forever say that I f*****g hate [racial slur], the former cop says.

Oh, we were slaves, she added in a mocking voice. I dont give a f***, [racial slur], like for a f*****g reason you guys were f*****g slaves.

A Houston cop, alleged to be Ashley Gonzalez, bragged about using the N-word and beating up a Black man in a viral video (Instagram)

The woman went on to say that she whooped the f*** out of that [racial slurs] a**, recounting an alleged incident involving the unnamed man and her purse.

Yall dont know how good it felt to say [racial slur] out loud, she said. Oh my God, I felt like I was back in the Marine Corps, [racial slur].

The police officer goes on to say that she grabbed a man by the neck while hurling the racial slur at him.

I felt like the world just stopped, like, it was just peace, she added, before uttering the slur several more times.

Sources from the HPD told KHOU 11 that Gonzalez graduated from the police academy in January 2024. The channel also confirmed that Gonzalez has served four years with the USMC.

Records from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement obtained by Fox 26 stated that Gonzalez had spent eight hours completing a cultural diversity course.

Gonzalez also spent three hours working on an implicit bias in social justice course.

Community activist Dr. Candice Matthews told KHOU 11 that the language used in the video caused discord between the community and law enforcement.

And thats not what we want, she said. In fact, it also caused a discord between Hispanics and African Americans.

The Houston Police Officers Union said that it was extremely disturbed by the video in a statement (Getty/iStock)

Matthews added that her team is urging anyone who has had contact with Gonzalez to come forward and that they are investigating possible civil rights violations.

Police policy documents obtained by the outlet state that officers are required to act without prejudice and are prohibited from posting any content on social media that would harm the department or city.

Bishop James Dixon, the president of the Houston branch of the NAACP, described the video as depicting a sick mindset.

And heres a young lady with her future ahead of her, he told the outlet. Shes ex-military, she has talent, she has gifts and skills.

And yet, she undermined her own credibility with this racist ideology.

The Houston Police Officers Union said that it was extremely disturbed by the video in a statement shared on Facebook.

In no way does the HPOU or its leadership condone or tolerate racist behavior from any of our officers, Douglas Griffith, the union president, said in the statement.

According to the HPOU, the HPD prides itself as being the most diverse police department in the nation.

The Afro American Police Officers League accused the officer of spewing hatred, racism and de-humanizing Black people, in its own statement.

The Independent has contacted the HPD for comment.
Iran seized two container ships in the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, hours after president Donald Trump announced an indefinite ceasefire.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said the vessels had been detained for alleged maritime violations, according to Iranian news agencies.

Identified as the MSC Francesca and the Epaminondas, the ships were reportedly captured for operating without the required authorisation and for manipulating navigation systems and have been taken to Iranian ports.

A third vessel, Euphoria, is also reported to have come under attack and is stranded off the Iranian coast. Tehran warned that disrupting order and safety in the Strait of Hormuz is considered a red line.

Mr Trump announced on Tuesday that a ceasefire would be extended until Irans seriously fractured leadership could come up with a unified plan for a longer-term agreement.

A US blockade on Iranian ports and coastlines has continued in the interim and the Strait of Hormuz remains largely closed.

On Wednesday, Pakistani sources told the New York Post that the next round of negotiations in Islamabad were set to take place within 36 to 72 hours, with Mr Trump adding, Its possible! via text message by way of confirmation. However, Tehran is yet to show any willingness to engage in a further round of talks.

Shipping traffic through the strait remains at a virtual standstill since the US-Iran war broke out on 28 February, disrupting energy supplies from the Gulf (Getty)

Irans foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei acknowledged the ceasefire extension but stopped short of revealing any information about the next stage of discussions.

Mr Trump drew criticism after the latest developments marked yet another instance of him walking back threats against Iran. He hit out at suggestions he had backed down, attacking The Wall Street Journal over a headline that read: The Iranians take Trump for a sucker.

How many times will President Trump pay Iran for the same real estate? wrote WSJ journalist Elliot Kaufman in the piece.

Twice he has announced the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, and twice he has given up US leverage in exchange. Yet the strait remains closed, as Irans regime demands more.

The US leader insisted he had not given into Iranian demands and had left them a country in tatters.

Donald Trump announced an indefinite ceasefire after suggesting the US would continue bombing Iran (Getty)

The president hit out: An IDIOT on The Wall Street Journals Editorial Board, named Elliot Kaufman, just wrote an Op Ed entitled, The Iranians Take Trump for a Sucker. Really? For 47 years, they have killed our people, and many others, and taken advantage of every President, except me  And what did I give to them, a Country in tatters!

Meanwhile, oil prices continue to remain high amid the uncertainty. German airline Lufthansa announced it had cut 20,000 flights in response to the crisis after soaring fuel prices made journeys on its CityLine subsidiary unprofitable.

Suspicion abounds on both sides, with the president accusing Iran of keeping the Strait of Hormuz closed to save face while Mahdi Mohammadi, a senior adviser to Irans parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, alleged that Trumps ceasefire extension is certainly a ploy to buy time for a surprise strike in a post on X, formerly Twitter, on Wednesday.

Head of the Iranian mission in Egypt, Mojtaba Ferdousi Pour, said Iran wont negotiate under threat. He added: We wont go to Islamabad before the lifting of the blockade.

Lebanon is expected to request a one-month extension of a truce agreement with Israel that is set to expire on Sunday, according to a Lebanese official.
Israels national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, celebrates after Israel's parliament passed a law making the death penalty a default sentence for Palestinians convicted in military courts of deadly attacks. Photograph: Oren Ben Hakoon/Reuters (Photograph: Oren Ben Hakoon/Reuters)

Israels observer status at the Council of Europes parliamentary assembly could be suspended over the countrys new law mandating the death penalty for Palestinians convicted of some offences, the president of the body has said.

Petra Bayr, an Austrian Social Democrat and president of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (Pace), said not using the death penalty was really a requirement of having observer status at the pan-European human rights body, which has no connection to the EU.

The Israeli parliaments observer status might be suspended until there is a decision [against] or until it is clear that the law will not go into force, she said. There are red lines  even a non-discriminatory death penalty is a no-go.

Bayr spoke to the Guardian after Israels parliament passed a law mandating the death penalty for Palestinians convicted of deadly acts of terror in military courts in occupied Palestine.

Palestinians convicted of the same crimes in Israels civilian courts face the death penalty or life imprisonment. Jewish Israelis are in effect protected from the death penalty by a provision that applies the law only to murder committed with the intent to deny the existence of the state of Israel.

Human rights groups have petitioned Israels supreme court to strike down the law.

The Knesset has held observer status since 1957 at the Strasbourg assembly, which brings together 46 member states to promote democracy and human rights across Europe and beyond, and is the parent organisation of the European court of human rights.

Officials could not recall any parliament losing observer status. Russia, a former member of the Council of Europe, was stripped of Pace voting rights in 2014 over the annexation of Crimea and was eventually expelled from the entire council after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Related: The Guardian view on Israels death penalty: capital punishment is always wrong. This new law is doubly so | Editorial

Israels observer status was already in question after a motion signed by a cross-party group of parliamentarians last June urged Israeli authorities to comply with international humanitarian law in Gaza, referencing starvation, lack of access to medical care and civilians without any safe place of refuge.

Despite fast-moving events in the Middle East, turning a motion into an actionable text backed by a majority of the assemblys 306 parliamentarians can take up to two years.

Bayr said a decision on the Gaza motion could advance in June if it is fast-tracked, and she suggested a statement on the death penalty could be included in this text.

MPs are expected to raise concerns about the Knessets death penalty vote during a long-planned vote on capital punishment this month.

The assembly will vote on 22 April on a report by Gala Veldhoen, a Dutch leftwing MP. This wide-ranging report strongly urges Israel to maintain its longstanding abolition of the death penalty for ordinary crimes [and] refrain from expanding the list of crimes punishable by death in a discriminatory manner.

Meirav Ben-Ari, an Israeli opposition politician who leads Israels delegation to Pace, said the death penalty legislation passed in the Knesset was entirely contrary to my worldview and that of many Israelis.

In a statement, she said: Petitions against this populist law have already been filed with the supreme court, and I am confident the judiciary will strike down many of its provisions, if not the law entirely.

She said she remained committed to the values that underpinned the Israeli delegations partnership with Pace, adding: It is my sincere hope that the assembly will refrain from taking extreme measures against the Knesset delegation so that together we may continue to advance our shared objectives.

Israel abolished the death penalty for most crimes in 1954 and has long had a de facto moratorium on capital punishment. The Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann was the last person to be executed, in 1962.

 This article was amended on 22 April 2026. Russia was expelled from the Council of Europe following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. A previous version said it had withdrawn under threat of expulsion.
Sir Keir Starmer has failed to deny that his former spin doctor who campaigned for a convicted paedophile was considered for a top diplomatic job.

Sacked top Foreign Office official Sir Olly Robbins on Tuesday revealed that Lord Matthew Doyle had been considered for an ambassadorship, a disclosure Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said made her extremely concerned.

During a fiery Prime Ministers Questions on Wednesday, Sir Keir faced scrutiny over the bombshell revelations.

Asked whether his former director of communications had been put forward for a job as a head of mission, Sir Keir said there were "often conversations about other roles" when staff leave "in any organisation".

Keir Starmer during Prime Ministers Questions on Wednesday (PA)

He told MPs: "Matthew Doyle worked for many years in public service for me as Prime Minister and other ministers.

"When people leave roles in any organisation, there are often conversations about other roles they want to apply for, but nothing came of this."

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch accused Sir Keir of delivering "cronyism and an old boys' club".

"I am amazed at the level of chuntering from Labour MPs. He promised them probity," she told the Commons.

"What he's given them is cronyism and an old boys' club where Matthew Doyle is being proposed as an ambassador. It's ridiculous."

Lord Doyle, who was handed a peerage last year, had the Labour whip withdrawn in February after it emerged he had campaigned on behalf of a friend who was charged with possessing indecent images of children.

The peer apologised for backing then councillor Sean Morton before the case against him had concluded, saying he believed the paedophile's assertions of innocence before Morton later admitted the offending.

Sir Olly said the job proposal had come shortly after he took over leading the Foreign Office in January last year, at a time when top diplomats were at risk of losing their jobs as part of department restructuring.

Lord Matthew Doyle (PA Wire)

The former senior civil servant said he was unsure "who exactly was behind" the suggestion or "how serious it was".

"I found it very hard to think how I would explain to the office what the credentials of Matthew were to be in an important head of mission role when I was in danger of making very senior, very experienced diplomats leave the office," he said.

Former US ambassador Lord Peter Mandelson was also asked about the prospect of a role in Washington for Lord Doyle, Sir Olly suggested.

The row over Lord Doyle in February heightened pressure on No 10 following the Mandelson scandal, which saw the former US ambassador quit Labour in the wake of new revelations about his association with Jeffrey Epstein.

Sir Keir faced questions in the Commons amid the ongoing fallout over the vetting process.

Sir Olly said there had been a "dismissive approach" on vetting from No 10 and an "atmosphere of pressure" to get Lord Mandelson's appointment as UK ambassador to the US over the line.

Sir Keir in insisted that the senior civil servants appearance before the Foreign Affairs Select Committee "puts to bed all the allegations" levelled at him over the appointment process for Lord Mandelson when Ms Badenoch asked whether he stood by his statement last year that full due process was followed.

Sir Keir replied: "Yes I do."

Sir Olly Robbins was sacked by Sir Keir Starmer (PA Archive)

He added: "What I set out to the House on Monday is that Foreign Office officials granted security clearance to Mandelson against the recommendation of UK Security Vetting.

"Yesterday Sir Olly Robbins was asked if he shared that decision with me, Number 10 or any other ministers. He gave a clear answer. 'No'. Mr Speaker, that puts to bed all the allegations levelled at me by those opposite in relation to dishonesty.

"Last week they were all saying that it must have been shared with me. Sir Olly was very clear yesterday, it was not. I believe not sharing it was a serious error of judgment.

"That information should have been shared with me and other ministers, and if it had have been, Mandelson would not have been committed to post."
King Charles has marked St Georges Day by appointing three distinguished members of the House of Lords to the ancient and prestigious Order of the Garter.

The honour, one of Britains most senior and oldest, has been bestowed upon historian and former journalist Lord Peter Hennessy, former cabinet secretary Lord Augustine Thomas ODonnell, and former chief justice Lord Ian Burnett.

Founded by Edward III in 1348, reportedly inspired by the tales of King Arthur, the Orders Knights and Lady companions are chosen personally by the sovereign.

Appointments typically recognise individuals who have held public office, made significant contributions to national life, or served the monarch directly.

Lord Hennessy is a respected academic specialising in government history, with a career that included roles at The Times, the Financial Times, and BBC Radio 4.

King Charles attending 2025 Order of the Garter service (Getty)

Lord ODonnell served as Britains highest-ranking civil servant between 2005 and 2011 and is also a board member for the worldwide wellbeing movement. Lord Burnett became the youngest Lord Chief Justice since 1958 when he was appointed in 2017 at the age of 59.

These new additions bring the total number of companions to 23, with the Order allowing for up to 24 members at any one time. Other current members include former prime ministers Sir Tony Blair and Sir John Major.

The Order of the Garter is celebrated annually with a traditional procession and service held within the grounds of Windsor Castle.
Labour on course for worst election result in London in nearly 50 years

The Labour Party is on course for its worst result in London in more than four decades at the upcoming local elections, a damning new poll has shown.

The Greens and Reform are both set to eat into Labours London vote, putting Sir Keir Starmers party on course for significant losses in the capital.

An MRP poll of the 32 London boroughs, conducted by YouGov for Sky News and Politico, shows Labour is on course to win the highest vote share in 15 councils  six fewer than in 2022.

The last time Labour won fewer than 15 London councils was in 1982, 44 years ago, when they won just 12.

The Green Party is expected to take the highest vote share across four councils, including Lewisham and Lambeth, while Reform is expected to take the highest share in three. Neither party has ever previously topped the poll on any council in London.

Sir Keir Starmers party is expected to suffer brutal losses at the upcoming local elections (PA Wire)

Labour sources told The Independent they are expecting a bloodbath in Islington, while Green Party sources said they were expecting to take Hackney.

The Conservatives remain ahead on five councils, relative to six at the last election, while the Lib Dems are set to win the most votes on four councils, up one on 2022, the poll shows.

It also suggests that Nigel Farages party will pick up support in outer London boroughs, which have previously gone to the Conservatives. Meanwhile, they are expected to eat into Labours vote share in Barking and Dagenham and Bromley.

Amid devastating approval ratings and growing questions over the direction of the government, Sir Keirs party is expected to suffer brutal losses in May, with some polling putting the party on course to lose close to 2,000 council seats nationally.

Modelling by More in Common shows Labour losing 1,597 seats in the best-expected scenario and 1,738 seats in the worst case, while the range for Conservative losses is between 692 and 368.

Support for Reform UK is shown as stabilising following big gains in elections last year, with the expected number of new seats ranging from 1,603 to 1,273.

The Green Party under Zack Polanski (right) is expected to win four councils in the capital (PA)

Meanwhile, the Greens could make the biggest gains, in the best-case scenario for the party, with an estimated range of 1,741 and 573 gains.

The Liberal Democrats are expected to gain between 503 and 148 seats.

The elections are considered a moment of particular peril for the prime minister as speculation over his position continues amid the fallout over the Peter Mandelson scandal.

It comes after former Foreign Office chief Sir Olly Robbins said there was a dismissive approach on vetting from No 10 and an atmosphere of pressure to get Lord Mandelsons appointment as UK ambassador to the US over the line.

YouGovs MRP polling used data from more than 4,500 adults in London in fieldwork from 27 March to 21 April. It projects vote shares for each of the parties in all 32 London boroughs.
A federal judge has tossed out Laura Loomers defamation lawsuit against comedian Bill Maher over his late-night joke that the far-right activist and failed congressional candidate was having sex with Donald Trump.

Loomers $150 million complaint against the HBO star claimed she was subjected to unjustified ridicule, embarrassment, loss of reputation and professional opportunity and was damaged financially by a false, malicious and defamatory joke.

She also claimed that Maher denied her request for a public apology and an invitation on his show to mitigate prior and any further damage. Loomer also testified that the joke cost her a job at the White House.

But Maher was clearly making a joke, and no reasonable person would think he was actually alleging that Loomer was having a sexual relationship with the president, according to Florida District Judge James S. Moody.

The delivery of the episode, by a well-known comedian, in the context of a late-night comedy television series centered around jokes, signaled to viewers that this was not a factual statement about Loomer or concerning Loomer, he wrote Wednesday.

A federal judge has tossed out Laura Loomers $150 million defamation lawsuit against HBO late-night host Bill Maher for his joke that the far-right activist was having sex with Donald Trump (Getty)

Loomer blasted the ruling as totally dishonest and misogynistic and truly an attack on women and the truth and vowed to appeal up to the Supreme Court.

The Independent has requested comment from Mahers legal team.

The judge noted that Loomer admitted to a reputation as one of the most controversial figures in American politics long before Mahers September 2024 episode of HBOs Real Time, including declaring herself a proud Islamophobe and a believer in biological hierarchy between men and women.

Her behavior has led her to be banned from numerous social media platforms as well as ride-hailing apps Lyft and Uber, and prominent conservative figures disavowed Plaintiff because of her behavior, Judge Moody wrote.

Trump and White House chief of staff Susie Wiles reportedly withdrew an offer for Loomer to join his campaign in April 2023 after aides feared that her long history of bigoted remarks would set off a backlash, the judge noted.

In the weeks leading up to the 2024 presidential election, Loomer shared footage on social media telling Trump I love you with the caption I love him so much and declared in another post I really love him with all of my heart. She also posted a picture of her next to the president with a heart-eyes emoji.

Her frequent presence alongside Trump led to extensive chattering about the nature of their relationship, Moody wrote; Maher wasnt alone at the time in speculating and making jokes about her being in a sexual relationship with him, the judge said.

On the episode, Maher joked that Loomers closeness with Trump might explain her ascendance in Republican politics.

Shes 31, looks like his type, Maher said. We did an editorial here a few years ago it was basically, whos Trump f***ing? Because, I said, you know, its not nobody. Hes been a dog for too long, and its not Melania. I think we may have our answer this week. I think it might be Laura Loomer.

The comedian later was forced to explain under oath how late-night jokes are constructed.

I made a joke. I made a joke based on their sudden closeness in the news that week, he said in his deposition.

I could have shown a video of them together and all the places they were together and all the things that were going on, the I love you the I love you, the blowing of the kisses, youre very special, all this stuff, and then just said, Hey, get a room, he said. This is just comedy. This is  these are jokes.

Maher testified that he was clearly joking about Loomers relationship with Trump (REUTERS)

The record reflects that comedians on late-night shows make jokes about the headlines of the week and dont do investigations or break news, Judge Moody wrote.

Notably, the panel discussion  was punctuated with laughter and applause throughout, he added. While Plaintiff focuses on the fact that some audience members groan[ed] rather than laughed at the remarks about Plaintiff and Trump, that too is evidence that they understood it to be a joke, just one that warranted a groan  a frequent audience reaction to stand-up comedy and late-night comedy jokes.

Loomers loss is the latest in a string of courtroom failures among Trump allies suing media figures.

Earlier on Wednesday, a federal judge in Texas tossed a defamation suit brought by FBI Director Kash Patel against former FBI assistant director Frank Figliuzzi, who is now a contributor to MSNBC.

Patel is also suing The Atlantic for defamation after the magazine published bombshell allegations that the bureau chief is drinking to excess and posing a national security risk.

Trump, meanwhile, lost a defamation case against The Wall Street Journal over its publication of an alleged birthday letter from the president to wealthy sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Londoners face another day of travel chaos as this weeks second 24-hour Tube strike begins at midday on Thursday.

It follows a walkout which began at 12pm on Tuesday and caused serious disruption on the London Underground late into Wednesday evening.

Most of the network was affected, with several lines partially closed or experiencing severe delays.

The strike by Tube drivers who are members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) is set to cripple services again, causing travel disruption for commuters and visitors.

It will run until midday on Friday but delays are expected to continue until the evening.

Paddington station on Tuesday (PA)

The union, which is in dispute over changes to the working week, is planning four more 24-hour strikes in May and June unless the row is resolved.

Transport for London (TfL) has advised passengers to check before they travel.

Earlier, London Underground bosses urged the RMT to call off Thursdays strike.

Nick Dent, director of customer operations for London Underground, asked the unions leaders to meet with them to avoid any further disruption to Londoners.

While we have been able to run more services than planned over the last 24 hours, we expect significant disruption to continue into Friday and the level of service we can provide will vary across lines, so customers should continue to check before they travel for the remainder of this week.

We have set out proposals to the RMT for a four-day working week which are supported by the other Trade Union representing London Underground drivers.

Strikes are impacting journeys across London this week (Getty Images)

This allows us to offer train operators an additional day off, whilst at the same time bringing London Underground in line with the working patterns of other train operating companies, improving reliability and flexibility at no additional cost.

The changes would be voluntary, there would be no reduction in contractual hours and those who wish to continue a five-day working week pattern would be able to do so.

RMT official Jared Wood said union members felt strongly about the issues at the heart of the dispute.

He said the row was not just about a four-day week, adding other issues were involved such as the length of shifts and changes to annual leave.

He said: TfL need to come forward with changes to their proposals for this dispute to be resolved.

There is absolute unanimity among our members that we have to fight these proposals.
We should not forget the role of human rights lawyers such as Lord Hermer in this witch hunt - James Manning/PA Wire

Among the more shameful activities of the British judicial system has been the hounding of members of the Armed Forces because of false allegations of committing crimes during combat operations, often dating back decades. Soldiers who served in Northern Ireland 50 years ago, as well as in more recent conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq, have been subjected to lengthy and sometimes multiple investigations.

In a number of notorious instances, the accusations have been fabricated. The disgraced lawyer Phil Shiner was struck off and convicted of fraud after procuring false evidence against Iraq War veterans in an attempt to win compensation for the alleged victims.

As we have reported, Shiner was supported by Lord Hermer, now the Attorney-General, who dismissed warnings that the cases being drawn up were fallacious.

He was the lead counsel providing advice on how to pursue the civil claims against the Ministry of Defence. He continued to press for lucrative payouts despite mounting evidence that his eight Iraqi clients were lying about what happened during the so-called Battle of Danny Boy in 2004. The episode left decorated veterans facing false accusations of murder for a decade.

The investigations culminated in the Al-Sweady public inquiry, which cost tens of millions of pounds, only to conclude that the allegations were deliberate lies driven by ingrained hostility towards the British Army.

The British troops were fully exonerated and the scandal led to disciplinary investigations into a number of human rights lawyers, including Shiner.

Lord Hermer says that his role in this scandal was tangential, involving a small amount of work. But why could he not advise the solicitors to drop the case when it became apparent that there were major issues with potentially bogus claims? If there were even a suspicion that this might have been the case, it was reprehensible not to put an end to it.

The Danny Boy case was part of a pattern of using human rights laws to pursue soldiers that continues to this day. It was revealed this week that members of the Special Air Service regiment are leaving in significant numbers because of concerns that actions taken on operations could later see them investigated or arrested under human rights law.

Retrospective legal scrutiny and the application of European human rights law to historic conflicts have created a climate where soldiers now question whether operational decisions made in good faith could later be used against them. This so-called lawfare is undermining our elite forces and poses a direct threat to national security, yet it was actively encouraged by the man who is now Attorney-General in a government led by another human rights lawyer.

Indeed, as a young barrister in 1997, Sir Keir Starmer called for European human rights laws to be used to investigate British troops in Iraq and was instrumental in extending the ECHR to cover the activities of the Armed Forces for the first time. His Government is also repealing an effective Tory ban on prosecutions of soldiers who served in Northern Ireland during the Troubles.

When the Prime Minister talks of his support for the Armed Forces, we should not forget his role and that of other human rights lawyers such as Lord Hermer in this witch hunt.
TV presenter Lorraine Kelly has opened up about a period of intense anxiety and a "dark time" she experienced following the birth of her daughter, Rosie, in 1994. The Glasgow-born broadcaster, 66, revealed her struggles stemmed from her freelance employment status at the time, which led to her contract not being renewed while she was on maternity leave.

Speaking on Pete Wicks Man Made podcast, Kelly, then a freelance breakfast television presenter for GMTV, described the period as a "really bad time."

She explained: "Just after having a baby youre all over the place, and I got sacked, or didnt get my contract renewed  virtually the same thing  and that was a very dark time. That was a really, really dark time because everythings just taken away from you and youre like, What the hell am I going to do?'"

The award-winning daytime TV host elaborated on the precarious nature of her career, stating she "basically lived from contract to contract." She added: "You might get a years contract, or you might get two years if youre lucky. It would have actually been really nice if someone had told me: in 40 years youre going to still be doing it."

Lorraine Kelly has been a staple of UK daytime TV for more than 40 years (ITV/YouTube)

This constant uncertainty, she said, manifested as "the washing machine stomach, youd get the dredge, youd get the fear, youd get all the worry" every time a contract neared its end.

Kelly highlighted how this fear intensified after becoming a mother, as she worried "about just existing." She confessed: "Youre scared that its all going to end tomorrow, and you never lose that fear, because you think that youre not good enough."

When asked by Wicks about the impact of anxiety, she responded: "Absolutely. At three oclock I was waking up in the morning with, like, an elephant on my chest. You know, that feeling of oh my God and being overwhelmed, but I soldiered on."

The presenter noted a common societal reaction to her anxiety, where people question its presence given her seemingly fortunate life. She quoted: "They say, Youve got a lovely husband, youve got a beautiful house, youve got a great daughter, youve got an amazing job why have you got anxiety? What are you anxious about? I think those feelings that I had, I never really dealt with properly, to be honest."

It would have actually been really nice if someone had told me: in 40 years youre going to still be doing it, says Kelly (PA)

While future worries persist, Kelly shared that the birth of her granddaughter, Billie, has significantly shifted her perspective, fostering a greater appreciation for the present. She reflected: "This baby has taught me so much, because now I can appreciate so much more. All the things I wanted to do with my own daughter Rosie when she was little, I couldnt really, as I was working so hard."

Kellys career began at the East Kilbride News, followed by a role as a researcher at BBC Scotland in 1983, before she joined TV-am and eventually launched her own show after presenting Good Morning Britain in 1990.
TV presenter Lorraine Kelly has spoken about suffering anxiety and experiencing a dark time after the birth of her daughter.

The Glasgow-born broadcaster, 66, said she struggled because she was working as a freelancer and her contract was not renewed while she was on maternity leave.

Speaking to Pete Wicks on his Man Made podcast, Kelly recounted going through a really bad time after having daughter Rosie, her only child with husband Steve Smith, in 1994.

Kelly, who was a freelance breakfast television presenter for GMTV at the time, said: I dont take anything for granted. I certainly dont, because after I had my daughter that was a really bad time.

Just after having a baby youre all over the place, and I got sacked, or didnt get my contract renewed  virtually the same thing  and that was a very dark time.

That was a really, really dark time because everythings just taken away from you and youre like, What the hell am I going to do?'

The award-winning presenter, known for her daytime TV programme, said she basically lived from contract to contract, and said: You might get a years contract, or you might get two years if youre lucky.

It would have actually been really nice if someone had told me: in 40 years youre going to still be doing it.

Kelly continued: Every time that contract was up, youd get the washing machine stomach, youd get the dredge, youd get the fear, youd get all the worry.

Lorraine Kelly said she lived from contract to contract (Ian West/PA) (Ian West)

Especially after Id had my daughter and youre worrying about just existing.

That was always a worry. You could never quite relax or take things for granted  which I never do.

Youre scared that its all going to end tomorrow, and you never lose that fear, because you think that youre not good enough.

Reality TV star Wicks asked Kelly if her anxiety impacted her, and she said: Absolutely. At three oclock I was waking up in the morning with, like, an elephant on my chest.

You know, that feeling of oh my God and being overwhelmed, but I soldiered on.

The TV presenter said she often feels as though people question why she has anxiety, adding: They say, Youve got a lovely husband, youve got a beautiful house, youve got a great daughter, youve got an amazing job why have you got anxiety? What are you anxious about?

Pete Wicks spoke to Lorraine Kelly for his podcast (Ian West/PA) (Ian West)

I think those feelings that I had, I never really dealt with properly, to be honest.

Kelly said she still worries about the future, but the birth of her granddaughter Billie has changed her outlook and made her appreciate the present.

She said: This baby has taught me so much, because now I can appreciate so much more.

All the things I wanted to do with my own daughter Rosie when she was little, I couldnt really, as I was working so hard.

Kelly began her journalism career on the East Kilbride News, turning down a university place to study English and Russian, before joining BBC Scotland as a researcher in 1983.

She later joined TV-am as an on-screen reporter covering Scottish news and in 1990 she began her presenting career on Good Morning Britain, before being given her own show.
Lufthansas airline group has cancelled 20,000 flights in a bid to protect itself from the soaring cost of oil.

Lufthansa Group announced on Tuesday 21 April that it will cancel flights over the next six months to save 40,000 metric tonnes of jet fuel, which it said had doubled in price.

It said it has axed unprofitable short-haul flights operated by its regional subsidiary Lufthansa CityLine, reducing the entire groups capacity by one per cent in available seat kilometres this summer.

Simon Calder, travel correspondent of The Independent, said: Aviation is a low-margin industry. When the price of fuel doubles, flights which were only marginally profitable can become heavily loss-making.

But he added that flights can be cancelled without too much upheaval for passengers.

On a typical day, Lufthansa has two flights a day from Glasgow and three from Edinburgh to its main hub, Frankfurt. One or both of the Glasgow flights could be cancelled and passengers moved to Edinburgh. Similarly, Lufthansa flies early each evening from Birmingham to Frankfurt. Those passengers could be offered the choice of Manchester or London Heathrow departures at much the same time.

Annoying, but not the end of your holiday, he added.

Lufthansa Group operates the German flag carrier Lufthansa, its subsidiaries and affiliated companies, such as Swiss, Austrian, ITA, Brussels Airlines, Eurowings and Discover Airlines.

Lufthansa CityLine has hubs in Frankfurt and Munich. The first 120 daily flight cancellations took effect on Monday and will continue through the end of May. The airline said affected passengers have been notified.

The group has also permanently removed the 27 Lufthansa CityLine aircraft from operation.

Till Streichert, the CFO of Lufthansa Group, said that it had already identified the prospective removal of CityLine from our program as part of our strategic development for some time, independently of the current geopolitical crisis.

The current crisis is now forcing us to implement this measure earlier. This is a painful step, particularly with regard to the colleagues at Lufthansa CityLine, he said.

Some routes have also been cancelled in their entirety, including from Frankfurt to Bydgoszcz and Rzeszow in Poland, as well as Stavanger in Norway, meaning they have been temporarily removed from the flight schedule.

The news comes after the head of the International Energy Agency, Fatih Birol, warned last Thursday that Europe only has around six weeks of jet fuel supply left in what he fears could be the largest energy crisis we have ever faced.

Lufthansa Group said it expects a largely stable fuel supply for its summer timetable. Any further changes to the flight schedule from June onward will be announced in late April or early May.

Read more: All the airlines cancelling flights and adding extra charges amid jet fuel crisis
Christopher Trybus arrives at Winchester Crown Court in February (PA)

A man has been found not guilty of the manslaughter of his wife, who took her own life.

Christopher Trybus, 44, of Swindon, Wiltshire, was acquitted by a jury at Winchester Crown Court on Wednesday.

He had been accused of causing the death of Tarryn Baird, who died by suicide in November 2017, aged 34.

He was also acquitted of two charges of rape against her and one charge of controlling and coercive behaviour.

During the trial, the prosecution alleged that Mr Trybus controlled Ms Baird by using and threatening violence towards her, sexually assaulting her, monitoring her whereabouts, limiting her access to finance, threatening to reveal private information to her family and isolating her from her family.

He was also accused of using a belt to choke her and strangling her during sex, causing her to pass out.

A still photo from a police officers body-worn video footage of Tarryn Baird speaking to the force on 2 June 2017 (PA)

Giving evidence, Mr Trybus, who ran an IT company, said that he travelled abroad frequently for work and was out of the country on the dates of several of the allegations.

He also said he believed his wife had mental health issues due to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The chair of the jury of seven women and five men announced the verdicts to a hushed courtroom following 40 hours and eight minutes of deliberations.

Mr Trybus, dressed in a grey suit, blue shirt and dark tie loose at the collar, looked up at the ceiling and burst into tears as the verdicts were announced, with cries of relief also heard from the public gallery.

Christopher Trybus and wife Bea leave Winchester Crown Court after he was found not guilty of the manslaughter of his first wife (PA)

Outside court, he hugged his current wife, Bea, whom he married in August 2024, as both wept.

The judge, Mr Justice Linden, thanked the jurors for their service and told them: It was a difficult and sad case and the stakes were high for the families involved, so we understand your task has not been an easy one and no one should underestimate your role in these proceedings.

The trial heard that Ms Baird was diagnosed as probably suffering from PTSD after she witnessed violent carjackings in South Africa, where she and the defendant grew up.

A page from Tarryn Bairds diary showed that she called 111 and the mental health team before she died in November 2017 (PA)

The couple moved to the UK in 2007 and married in 2009 but an attempted burglary in 2015 appeared to have triggered Ms Bairds mental health issues, including anxiety and depression, leading her to seek help from mental health professionals, the court heard.

Describing how he felt about Ms Baird in light of the allegations, he told the court: Its such a complex feeling. I loved her dearly and she has gone and said all of these things.

At no point has this ever happened, its such a mix of emotions. I am upset that she said these things but she is not here so I cant be upset with her. Its not something I can put into words.

He denied causing her injuries although he said that an injury to her neck could have been caused by a fluffy bondage collar that she wore on one occasion while they had what was described in court as kinky sex.

He told the court that he had purchased a kit from Amazon which included cuffs, rope, neck collar with leash, ball gag, a whip and blindfold.

The court was played an audio clip recorded by Ms Baird on her phone where she could be heard gasping and grunting, which the prosecution alleged was evidence of Mr Trybus attacking her during sex, but which the defendant said was just the way they had sex and did not believe she was in pain.

The national domestic abuse helpline offers support for women on 0808 2000 247, or you can visit the Refuge website. There is a dedicated men's advice line on 0808 8010 327. Those in the US can call the domestic violence hotline on 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). Other international helplines can be found via www.befrienders.org

If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch.

If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org to access online chat from the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you.
Met Police chief Sir Mark Rowley has voiced support for a supermarket manager sacked after tackling a shoplifter.

The police boss also encouraged Londoners to intervene to stop shoplifters if they felt able to do so safely and were confident in their own physical ability to prevent these crimes.

He spoke out amid a surge in shoplifting in London and other parts of Britain.

Sean Egan, 46, was dismissed from his job at Morrisons after 29 years after confronting a repeat shoplifting offender who was reportedly helping himself to two bottles of Jack Daniels whiskey.

A Morrisons store manager says his life has been completely 'devastated' after he was sacked for confronting a repeated shoplifter.



Sean Egan - who had worked in the Aldridge Morrisons in the West Midlands for 29 years - was escorting the shoplifter out of the store when the pic.twitter.com/hKWTxE4v6C  Good Morning Britain (@GMB) April 22, 2026

Mr Egan, who had worked at the store since he was 17, said the shoplifter became aggressive when being escorted outside and spat at him.

"As the store manager, I put myself in a position to protect my staff and customers, he said.

There's a lot of pressure in retail to protect the product, to not lose money, as you would in any business and I tried to do that.

But he was fired by Morrisons which is understood to have a policy of deter not detain for shoplifters.

The shoplifting incident happened at a Morrisons store (PA Archive)

As the row over his dismissal grew with protests by customers, Mr Egan won support from Britains most senior police officer.

Scotland Yard chief Sir Mark said he completely sympathasied with the ex-store manager.

Pressed on whether Morrisons was wrong with its reported rule of deter not detain and its decision on Mr Egan, he told ITVs Good Morning Britain: I'm bewildered by the case.

Maybe there is something sensitive behind it that none of us know.

But on the surface, if a store manager or shopkeeper, if they feel able to intervene and they feel they can do that safely, we would always want people to do that.

We want the public to be part of the fight against crime."

Sir Mark said members of the public should not routinely confront shoplifters.

Sir Mark Rowley and Sean Egan (Met Police)

Most people dont feel physically equipped to be able to do that, he explained.

But the active citizen is important.

Policing is not just about policing. Keeping communities safe is all about responsibilities.

He stressed further: "I would always encourage a citizen, if you feel able to safely intervene and you are confident of your own physical ability in that situation, I would always encourage that because that is what we all need.

We all want to feel safe.

Amid the growing reports of shoplifting in London, in some cases people brazenly leaving stores with armfuls of goods, Sir Mark said the number of these offences being prosecuted had doubled in the city in the last year.

Retailers are using new technology to submit reports of shoplifting and CCTV footage instantly after it was piloted in areas like Lewisham and central London.

More stores are also employing security staff, including some Costa Coffee outlets in the capital, to deter shoplifting.

Costa Coffee is employing security staff at some stores in London (Yui Mok/PA Wire)

We have a fantastic relationship with most stores, Sir Mark added, stressing that many of the big retailers were keen to collect and share CCTV, provide evidence and statements, and support staff when they go to court.

But a small number of stores were not providing CCTV footage, staff statements or paying for them to attend court.

Im really frustrated about that, Sir Mark added.

I can understand the retailer that doesnt want to encourage its employees to get into physical confrontation when they are not equipped and trained to do that.

But if someone feels physically Im able to do this, I would be surprised why retailers wont support them.

Morrisons declined to comment specifically on Mr Egans case and the incident at the Aldridge store, near Walsall, in December.

But a spokesman said: We are confident that this matter was investigated thoroughly and that the correct process was followed.

The subsequent reporting does not reflect the full facts of the situation.

The supermarket said it had very clear guidance, procedures and controls in place to protect staff and customers from the risk of harm which must be strictly followed.

The spokesman added: These include detailed procedures for handling shoplifting incidents, which are in place to protect both the colleague involved and surrounding colleagues and customers and which seek to de-escalate and calmly control the situation.
Mikel Artetas eldest son, Gabriel Arteta Bernal, made his competitive debut for Arsenals Under-18s as they beat Reading 3-0 on Wednesday.

Gabriel came off the bench in the 70th minute as the young Gunners secured a comfortable victory at Bearwood Park, with goals from Emerson Nwaneri and Alex Marciniak, who scored a second-half brace.

The teenager, who is not officially contracted to the club, had previously been named on the bench for the U18s ahead of their friendly against Ipswich Town in February.

The 16-year-old has made steady progress for Arsenals youth teams this season, having only made his competitive debut for the U17s in their Premier League Cup clash against Watford in October 2025.

Gabriel, centre, next to his father (Getty Images)

Unlike his father, who played as a central midfielder for Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain, Everton, Rangers and Real Sociedad, Gabriel plays on the wing.

And while it remains unclear if he will be offered a contract at the club, his development suggests he is highly thought of at Hale End.

Gabriel is not the first player with family connections to Arsenal to feature for the Gunners U18s this season, with Ethan Nwaneris younger brother, Emerson, opening the scoring against Reading.

The 15-year-old beat his brothers record to become the youngest ever player to start for Arsenals U21s in January, playing in their Premier League 2 defeat to Liverpool at the age of 15 years and 152 days.

In related news, former QPR Head of Emerging Talent, Dean Barker, has joined the recruitment team at Arsenals academy.

Barker announced his arrival with a post on X on Tuesday evening.

Really pleased to join the recruitment team at Arsenal FC. Looking forward to getting started, he posted, with a picture of Arsenals Sobha Realty Training Centre.
Ben Slow has said he created a mural honouring his late friend and fellow artist Joseph Loughborough to try to make sense of his sudden death last year.

Slow, 42, spent nine days painting the large mural of Loughborough in his home city of Portsmouth as a tribute to the artist, following his death in June 2025 aged 44, just weeks after being diagnosed with cancer.

Speaking to the Press Association, Slow admitted that art was a large part of his grieving process and said he hopes the mural captures the kindness, openness and love of his friend.

The mural created by Ben Slow (@oldskoolpaul/PA)

He said: For me, art is my way of expressing myself. Im not good with words. And a lot of time when youre painting, for me, I dont even realise why Im doing it.

I started going to my therapist recently like, Why do I do this? And you realise how much more of what youre creating is actually you processing your day-to-day life.

I wish I was better with words, because I love reading them, but (art) is a different thing.

Its my way of trying to make sense of not just (his death), but kind of everything we go through.

The artist, who is from Kent, also reflected on how painting the mural got a bit much at times as he navigated his grieving process.

He said: Everyone grieves differently, obviously. Mine is like big explosions.

I was staring at Joeys face for weeks trying to get this design, and you just get this build-up of I dont even know what youd call it, you can just feel your body reacting.

But then it was also a case of I have a job to do, and I have to kind of park this a little bit while Im at it, which is a bit weird, I guess.

Ben Slow hailed Joseph Loughborough as a special lad and a one-off (@oldskoolpaul/PA)

After eight or nine days, youre in kind of a zone where youre just like, This is just something I have to do and focus on, rather than try and get too emotional in the moment.

But it was lovely at the end.

Slow, who is now based in Copenhagen, continued: Hopefully what you see is his kindness.

With his eyes and his face, I think (the mural) really captures Joe and his openness and love.

Street art is very impactful. A mural like that, straight away you see it. And I think theres something in its scale that perhaps strikes or hits you a bit harder.

It captured him very honestly, and thats something Im very happy about.

He also hailed Loughborough as a special lad and a one-off, adding: Joey was one of my best friends and one of my biggest inspirations. He left a really big impression.

I guess in my own little way, Im trying to show my love and appreciation for him.

Ben Slow said painting the mural got a bit too much at times (@oldskoolpaul/PA)

It wasnt easy, but luckily we had a lot of other people who knew Joey and who wanted to make this happen.

Slow said: I think we have a tendency, when people die, to think of all the positives and focus on them.

Theres an element of truth here, but I dont think Im overstating it when I say that Joey wasnt just anyone else.

Loughborough was born in Gosport, and is a celebrated painter and visual artist known for his expressive charcoal drawings.

The mural in his honour is located at Pitt St Skatepark, and Slow said he hopes it can be a place for people to go, take time and remember Joe.
Anthropic says its Mythos model can detect flaws in any major IT operating system and web browser. Photograph: Samuel Boivin/NurPhoto/Shutterstock (Photograph: Samuel Boivin/NurPhoto/Shutterstock)

Anthropic has ruled out releasing its latest AI model, Claude Mythos, to the public because of the threat it poses to global cybersecurity.

However, the US tech startup behind the Claude chatbot confirmed on Wednesday it was investigating a report that a group of people had gained unauthorised access to Mythos. The alleged incident has raised concerns over the pace of development and the ability of tech companies to keep their riskiest products out of the public domain. Here, we examine Mythos and its potential impact.

What is Mythos?

Mythos is an AI model  the underlying technology that powers tools such as chatbots  that, according to Anthropic, represents a serious potential threat to any organisations cybersecurity. Anthropic announced the existence of Mythos on 7 April but said it would not be released publicly because of its ability to identify unknown flaws in IT systems. Those flaws could, theoretically, be exploited by hackers.

Anthropic said Mythos could identify and exploit zero-day flaws in every important IT operating system and web browser  if a user asked it to do so. Zero days are so-called because organisations and developers are completely unaware of them and have had no time to patch them before an assailant strikes.

Anthropic described it as a watershed moment for cybersecurity. Some of the unnoticed flaws had been around for decades, said the San Francisco company.

The startup has allowed tech firms and banks, including Apple and Goldman Sachs, to access the model and assess what risks it could pose to their businesses and customers.

Why is it a cause for concern?

Mythos represents tangible evidence, according to the UKs AI Security Institute (AISI), of the disruptive capabilities of advanced AI. Ever since the arrival of OpenAIs ChatGPT in 2022, experts have warned that AI could cause serious real-world damage.

There is also a wider point: that Mythos is an indication of the pace of progress in AI. Advanced models tend to be replicated swiftly by other firms, including developers of open-source models that are freely available to users. In a joint letter to business leaders last month, the UK technology secretary, Liz Kendall, and the security minister, Dan Jarvis, said businesses needed to plan accordingly for AI capabilities to rapidly increase over the next year. AI can, of course, be used to defend against cyber-attacks as well.

Another concern is that Mythos could fall into the wrong hands despite being withheld from public release. That fear came to fruition this week with Anthropic confirming a handful of users in a private online forum had gained access to the model.

However, there is also a question about the importance of the thousands of vulnerabilities that Mythos has flagged. Can they cause serious damage? Plus, highlighting an IT flaw is not the same as exploiting one.

Has Mythos been assessed by experts?

The AISI, which is the worlds leading AI safety body, has taken a look at Mythos and says it is a step up on previous models in terms of its threat to cybersecurity. Among the red flags are an ability to carry out attacks involving multiple steps and identifying IT flaws without human guidance.

It also achieved a first in the eyes of the AISI: successfully completing a 32-step simulation of a cyber-attack in a test created by the institute. It can attack weak, small IT systems, the AISI said, although it could not give a verdict on well-defended systems. The institute ended its assessment with an observation that is often stated elsewhere: AI systems can only get better from here.

Richard Horne, chief executive of the UKs National Cyber Security Centre, said at the CyberUK conference in Glasgow this week that the emergence of Mythos would help encourage companies to replace obsolete tech. It just drives the urgency, he added.

However, other experts have said Mythos is more an evolution than a revolution. Aisle, a company that works on AI cybersecurity, analysed Anthropics main claims: that it had found thousands of zero-day vulnerabilities across large operating systems and browsers, including one in FreeBSD, a cousin to UNIX. It found that other, far cheaper models were also able to find these problems. This did not mean that Mythoss capabilities were not significant, they said, but that there was more nuance than Anthropics urgent tone implied.

There is also caution from experts that most breaches still come from well-established risks such as weak authentication and already known vulnerabilities that have not been patched.



Some experts suggest there is an element of hype around Anthropics claims about Mythos and how a startup estimated to be worth about $800bn (592bn) has presented them. Mythos is undoubtedly a capable model. However, Anthropics dramatic announcement has given it significant airtime and centred its product in a broader, field-wide discussion of how AI might contribute to cyber-risk.

How are tech companies and banks involved?

About 40 companies, including Google, JP Morgan and Goldman, have been given early access to Mythos through an initiative called Project Glasswing, which is meant to give businesses a chance to test the AI model as part of their cyber defences. Anthropic says they will share what they learn so the whole industry can benefit.

However, the launch partners have given no detail about what they think Mythos is capable of, and how much of a threat it might present.

That has not stopped banks and regulators from speculating about its potential impact. And for good reason: if Anthropics warnings are correct, having Mythos fall into the wrong hands could wreak havoc on banks and potentially put the wider financial system at risk.

UK government modelling on a worst-case scenario bank hack, produced even before Mythoss creation, suggested direct debits could fail, leaving rents, mortgages and wages unpaid, while online banking and cash machine withdrawals could be blocked. Commuters could be left in limbo as buses and petrol stations rejected payments. That could prompt panic, leading to a run on rival lenders, as customers pulled money from their accounts amid fear the disruption could spread.

Concern over Mythoss prospective threats prompted the US treasury secretary, Scott Bessent, to call a meeting with bosses from big American banks, including Goldman and Citi, in Washington earlier this month.

UK regulators have added Mythos to the agenda at the Cross Market Operational Resilience Group meetings this week. This puts it in high-level discussions between senior bankers as well as officials from the Treasury, Bank of England, Financial Conduct Authority and National Cyber Security Centre.
Nature is full of surprises, and some strange animals look so unusual that they seem like they belong in fantasy stories. From the Saiga Antelope with its trunk-like nose to the Axolotl with its permanent gills, these creatures blur the line between reality and imagination. Many people often mistake them for mythical creatures or artistic inventions.

These fantasy-looking animals exist in real ecosystems across the world, shaped by evolution, survival needs, and unique habitats. Whether it's the Goblin Shark with its extending jaws or the Oarfish resembling a sea serpent, these are truly real animals that look unreal, proving that nature can be even more creative than fiction.

10 Amazing Fantasy-Looking Animals: Mythical Creatures in Real Life

Some of the most fantasy-looking animals on Earth are real species that look like they belong in myths and legends. From strange shapes to vivid colors, these mythical creatures in real life show just how creative nature can be.

Saiga Antelope is one of the most unusual strange animals, known for its large, flexible trunk-like nose that filters dust and helps regulate temperature in harsh environments of Central Asia. It also plays a key role in amplifying sounds during mating calls, adding to its unique biology. Maned Wolf is a striking fantasy-looking animal with long stilt-like legs and a reddish coat, often described as a "fox on stilts" found in South America. It uses its height advantage to spot prey and survey tall grasslands more efficiently than most predators. Platypus is one of the most famous real animals that look unreal, combining features of a duck bill, beaver tail, and otter feet, and even laying eggs like a reptile. It also has electroreception in its bill, allowing it to detect prey underwater without using sight or smell. Axolotl is a unique mythical creature-like animal that keeps its juvenile features for life, including external gills and the ability to regenerate limbs. This regeneration ability extends to parts of its heart and brain, making it one of the most studied animals in science. Leaf-tailed Gecko is a master of disguise among strange animals, blending perfectly into tree bark with leaf-like skin patterns in Madagascar. Its tail not only mimics leaves but also stores fat reserves for survival during food shortages. Peacock Spider is a colorful fantasy-looking animal known for its bright iridescent patterns and dramatic courtship dances. Males also produce rhythmic vibrations through the ground to attract females during mating rituals. Goblin Shark is a deep-sea predator and one of the most shocking real animals that look unreal, with jaw structures that extend outward to catch prey. Its skin has a pale pink tone due to blood vessels being visible through its semi-transparent body. The Dragon-Headed Caterpillar resembles a tiny dragon, making it a perfect example of mythical creatures found in real life. It also uses its horn-like structures to deter predators by mimicking a more dangerous animal. Rosy Maple Moth looks like a soft fairy-like insect, making it one of the most beautiful fantasy-looking animals in North America. Its bright pink and yellow coloring also helps it blend with maple tree environments during rest. Oarfish is a deep-sea giant often linked to sea serpent legends, making it one of the most iconic strange animals in ocean mythology. It can grow up to extreme lengths and is rarely seen alive near the surface, adding to its mystery.

Strange Animals: Evolutionary Adaptations Behind Fantasy Appearances

Many strange animals have evolved their unusual appearances as survival strategies. The Saiga Antelope, for example, developed its trunk-like nose to filter dust and regulate air in extreme climates. Meanwhile, the Axolotl shows neoteny, meaning it keeps its youthful features into adulthood, giving it a permanently "fantasy-like" appearance.

In the deep sea, the Goblin Shark uses extendable jaws to catch prey in darkness, while the Oarfish uses a long ribbon-like body to move through ocean currents. These real animals that look unreal demonstrate how evolution shapes survival in surprising ways. Even Peacock Spiders use bright colors and movement patterns to attract mates, showing that beauty can also be a biological advantage.

Fantasy-Looking Animals: Habitat Threats and Conservation Status

Many fantasy-looking animals face serious survival challenges due to habitat loss, pollution, and climate change. The Saiga Antelope has suffered dramatic population declines due to poaching and disease, making it critically endangered in some regions. Similarly, the Axolotl is struggling in polluted waterways and shrinking habitats in Mexico.

Some mythical creatures-like animals, such as Leaf-tailed Geckos, are threatened by deforestation and illegal pet trade. The Goblin Shark remains rare and poorly studied because it lives in deep ocean zones, while Oarfish are rarely seen except when they wash ashore. These strange animals highlight how fragile biodiversity can be when ecosystems are disrupted.

Discover Strange Animals That Blur Reality and Mythical Creatures

The world of strange animals shows that nature often creates designs more imaginative than fiction. From the Saiga Antelope and Maned Wolf to the Axolotl, Goblin Shark, and Oarfish, these fantasy-looking animals prove that evolution can produce truly astonishing forms. Many of these real animals that look unreal continue to amaze scientists and wildlife enthusiasts alike.

Protecting these species is important not only for biodiversity but also for preserving the natural wonders that make our planet so unique. Every mythical creature-like animal in this list reflects how life adapts in extraordinary ways across different environments.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why do some animals look like mythical creatures?

Some animals look unusual due to evolutionary adaptations that help them survive in specific environments. Features like camouflage, feeding tools, or mating displays can create strange appearances. Over time, these traits may look fantasy-like to humans. However, they serve real biological purposes.

2. Are axolotls really real animals?

Yes, axolotls are real amphibians found in Mexico. They are known for keeping their juvenile features throughout life, including external gills. This condition is called neoteny. Their unique appearance often makes them seem mythical.

3. What is the rarest animal on this list?

The Saiga Antelope is one of the rarest, with populations severely reduced due to habitat loss and disease. It is now considered critically endangered in some areas. Conservation programs are working to protect remaining herds. Its unusual nose makes it especially recognizable.

4. Do deep-sea animals like the goblin shark attack humans?

Goblin sharks live in deep ocean waters far from human activity. They rarely encounter people and are not considered dangerous. Most of what we know comes from occasional deep-sea catches. Their strange jaws are used only for catching small prey.

Originally published on Science Times
A child watches from the Venice Pier as smoke rises from the Palisades wildfires in the background on 11 January 2025 in Los Angeles, California. Photograph: Apu Gomes/Getty Images (Photograph: Apu Gomes/Getty Images)

Nearly half of children in the United States are breathing dangerous levels of air pollution, according to a new report, as experts warned Donald Trumps expansive rollback of protections will make the situation worse.

The 27th annual air quality report from the American Lung Association (ALA) released on Wednesday evaluates pollution across the country by grading levels of ground-level ozone  also known as smog  as well as year-round and short-term spikes in particle pollution, commonly referred to as soot. The report analyzed quality-assured data collected between 2022 and 2024.

It found that 33.5 million children in the US  46% of those under 18  live in areas that received a failing grade for at least one measure of air pollution.

The report also found that 7 million children, or 10% of all children in the US, live in communities that failed all three measures.

Speaking to the Guardian, Will Barrett, assistant vice-president of the ALAs Nationwide Clean Air Policy, said: Childrens lungs are still developing. For their body size, theyre breathing more air. And also, kids play outdoors, theyre more active, theyre breathing in more outdoor air  So, air pollution exposure in children can contribute to long-term developmental harm to their lungs, new cases of asthma, increased risks of respiratory illness and other health considerations later in life.

The report further found that communities of color are disproportionately exposed to unhealthy air. As a result, they are more likely to live with one or more chronic health conditions that make them more vulnerable to pollution, including asthma, diabetes, and heart disease.

Although people of color make up 42.1% of the US population, they represent 54.2% of those living in counties with at least one failing grade, the report noted. It also found that a person of color is 2.42 times more likely than a white person to live in a community that fails all three pollution measures.

Smog remains the most widespread pollutant affecting Americans health. Between 2022 and 2024, 38% of the US population  approximately 129.1 million people  were exposed to ozone levels that put their health at risk. This marks the highest number recorded in the ALAs report in six years, and a 3.9 million increase from the previous year.

Several factors contributed to these unhealthy pollution levels, including extreme heat, drought and wildfires which have exposed a growing share of the population to harmful ozone, the report said.

The regions most affected by high ozone levels include south-western states from California to Texas, as well as much of the midwest. This is mainly driven by smoke from Canadas 2023 wildfires crossing into the US, along with high temperatures and weather patterns that favored ozone formation in 2023 and 2024  particularly in southern states.

More broadly, the report found that climate change is intensifying ozone pollution by boosting precursor emissions and creating atmospheric conditions such as higher temperatures and lower wind speeds that allow pollutants to build up and ozone to form.

The report also highlighted datacenters as a growing source of air pollution. In recent years, datacenters have consumed roughly 4.4% of total US electricity, a figure that could rise to as much as 12% within the next decade.

Their impact stems largely from reliance on regional electricity grids where fossil fuels such as methane gas and coal still account for a large portion of generation, the report said. In addition, many datacenters use dozens of large diesel-powered backup generators, which emit carcinogenic particulate matter.

As the demand for increases in datacenters continues to grow, the focus needs to be on non-combustion, clean renewable energy sources that are additive and not taking away from the grid, Barrett said.

He also pointed to a series of environmental rollbacks by the current Environmental Protection Agency, warning that they are putting air quality at greater risk.

Theres a devaluing of childrens health by this EPA as they are weakening, delaying and repealing critical health protection, he said, pointing to reversals including missing deadlines for particle pollution standards, repealing vehicle standards, repealing EPAs responsibility for protecting health against climate pollution, and even allowing for increased emissions of pollution from oil and gas facilities. He also cited mercury  a toxic air contaminant released from coal plants  as a key concern.

[There is] a wide-scale effort by the federal EPA to eliminate health protections while also distancing themselves from their own mission to protect public health, Barrett added.

Since returning to office last year, the Trump administration has initiated at least 70 actions to roll back environmental and climate protections. Among them is the loosening of regulations on power plants that limit mercury and other hazardous air toxics.

Other rollbacks include overturning limits on major air pollution sources, disbanding EPA advisory committees on air quality and ending the practice of estimating the monetary value of lives saved by limiting fine particulate matter and ozone while still calculating costs to companies.
Beef season two stars Oscar Isaac and Carey Mulligan made an on-set decision that proved rather expensive.

The Hollywood stars play the leads in new episodes of the hit Netflix show, playing a couple whose marriage starts to disintegrate after their lives collide with a newly engaged pair (Cailee Spaney and Charles Melton).

During the eight-episode season, there are many scenes of rage and passion, and its been revealed that, for certain moments, Isaac and Mulligan listened to music while performing their character beats.

Oscar Isaac in Beef season two (Netflix)

However, when it came to the edit, these earphones had to be removed and, according to creator Lee Sung Jin, they cost a fortune to paint out.

Speaking on a podcast breaking down the first episode, Sung Jin said: You two were always playing songs as you performed.

Isaac revealed he initially had one for a scene in which he played a Moog synthesizer, but enjoyed the experience so much he thought he might try to listen to songs that matched the scene he was performing. After telling Mulligan about his plan, she asked for one also.

They both wore earwigs for one particular scene in which their characters passionately kiss.

That was amazing because it timed out unbelievably well to the moment, Mulligan said. The beat would drop on the [kiss]. We were so delighted every time, we were like, It did it again!

Isaac added: Yeah, the rhythm was lining up. We had to do that because you couldn't have the music playing to cover up the audio, so we liked [wearing the earwigs] so much. We were like, Why don't we keep doing that in other scenes? And so we started doing that and it was great.

Carey Mulligan stars in Beef season two (Netflix)

During another scene involving blackmail, the pair were listening to really chaotic music by Thom Yorke and Mark Pritchard, which Isaac said added to the tension.

However, one song that didnt fit with the rhythm was one suggested by Mulligan  Meat Loafs 1993 epic Id Do Anything for Love (But I Wont Do That).

We did so many takes on the blackmail scene that eventually I was like, Lets do Meat Loaf! Halfway through, we were like, No, that doesn't work.

Beef season two is available to stream on Netflix now.
Your organ donation could be delivered by a NASA drone one day

Could life-saving organs be delivered to U.S. hospitals by NASA drones one day? The space agency and the non-profit organ procurement organization United Network for Organ Sharing are in early phases of testing to answer that question.

First, the agency is evaluating the flight capabilities of its unmanned drones at the Virginia-based Langley Research Center, NASA said Tuesday. Next an animals organ will be assessed to determine whether it remains viable for donation after a flight.

The hope is that drones could be a faster and more reliable method of transportation for donor organs. While organs are often flown between cities by aircraft, logistics on the ground can be challenging.

Although NASA does noes not address potential concerns of drones flying organs, the need for faster transport is great.

More than 48,000 transplants are conducted each year  but 13 people die every day waiting for a transplant and another person is added to the national transplant waiting list every eight minutes, according to federal data.

NASA is once against testing the capabilities of its unmanned drones. After flying self-flying taxis, the space agency is seeing if its tech could help safely transport life-saving organs (NASA/David Bowman)

UNOS manages parts of the national organ donation and transplant system under contract with the government.

The idea that something of worldwide benefit could be created in our own backyard is pretty exciting, NASAs John Koelling, director of the Aeronautics Research Directorate at Langley, said in a statement.

The researchers will look to see if the animal organs have tissue damage caused by a lack of blood flow and if the temperature remains stable when they are transported.

All organs that are transported need to remain at a chilly temperature of just above freezing and new technology keeps coolers at around 39-46 degrees Fahrenheit.

An image shows NASAs Langley Research Center in Virginia, which supports the drone tests (NASA)

But whether this can and should be pulled off remains to be seen. The tests raise further questions about the flight capabilities of drones in inclement weather conditions, whether patients would want their organs flown that way and other logistics.

The transplant system in the U.S. has faced increased scrutiny in recent years and the Trump administration has taken action to reform the nation's organ transplant system following patient safety failures and reports that donors were at risk for having their body parts harvested while still alive.

One 2024 report led to a spike in people revoking organ donor registrations.

Still, NASA is just starting the testing now and it will be a long time before such a program could be piloted.

In 2023, researchers at Langley did similar tests of self-piloting air taxis that the agency said flew successfully.

If early drone testing proves successful, the partnership may expand to further evaluate operational feasibility and scalability, helping determine whether drones could become a viable option for time-critical medical deliveries, NASA said.
Some pet passports become invalid today due to new EU travel rules.

Anyone travelling to one of the bloc's member states with dogs, cats and ferrets will now need to get an animal health certificate before they set off.

It will need to be issued by a vet within 10 days of their trip, and a new one will be needed for every future journey from Britain into the EU.

It can, however, be used for up to six months for onwards travel within the EU and for re-entering Britain.

A message on the UK government website states: "If you live in England, Scotland or Wales, from 22 April you cannot use a pet passport (even if it was issued in the EU).

"If you use a pet passport, your pet may be refused entry into the EU."

The rules also apply to assistance dogs.

Read more from Sky News:

Children subjected to strip searches

Championship clubs reject VAR system

Other new rules include a limit of five pets in a single private vehicle and for owners to provide written permission for their animal to travel with someone else.

EU pet passports are now only being issued to people whose main base is in the EU and not to seasonal visitors or holiday home owners.

The government said they would still be accepted for British-based travellers returning home.
Pope Leo XIV is poised to visit one of Equatorial Guineas most notorious prisons on Wednesday, a move expected to cast a critical spotlight on the nation's human rights record, which has long been condemned by campaigners.

This scrutiny is particularly heightened following recent US deportations of third-country migrants to the country.

The pontiffs visit to the facility in Bata, a central African port city, aligns with a tradition established by Pope Francis.

His predecessor prioritised prison visits during his papacy, aiming to offer hope to inmates, remind them of the Church's solidarity, and highlight systemic issues such as judicial abuses and overcrowding.

This engagement marks Leos final full day in Africa, concluding an extensive 11-day, four-nation tour that spanned from Algeria in the north to Angola in the south, with a stop in Cameroon.

His day was scheduled to commence with a Mass in Mongomo, located in the far east, before his arrival in Bata, the country's most populous coastal city.

Pope Leo XIV is greeted by Equatorial Guinea's President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, right, and Archbishop Juan Nsue Edjang Maye, left (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

The agenda also included a moment of prayer at a memorial dedicated to the victims of a 2021 explosion at a military barracks in Bata, an incident widely attributed to negligence.

Judicial abuses documented

The U.N. human rights office in 2022 welcomed the abolition of the death penalty in Equatorial Guinea, but its prisons and justice system overall have been repeatedly faulted by the U.N. and condemned by human rights groups and the U.S. State Department.

In its 2023 report on the country, the U.S. listed a host of abuses: arbitrary or unlawful killings and arrests, political detentions, torture, life-threatening prison conditions and serious problems with the independence of the judiciary.

Amnesty International has serious concerns about the human rights situation in Equatorial Guinea, said Marta Colomer Aguilera, senior campaigner at Amnesty's West and Central Africa office.

She said torture had been used to extract confessions or to punish, human rights defenders are harassed, and the lack of judicial independence compromised the right to a fair trial.

Equatorial Guinea is led by President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, who has been in power since 1979 and is accused of widespread corruption and authoritarianism.

Faithful wait for the arrival of Pope Leo XIV on the occasion of his meeting with representatives of the world of culture in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Equatorial Guinea is also one of several African nations that have been paid millions of dollars in controversial deals with the Trump administration to receive migrants deported from the U.S. to countries other than their own.

AP reporting shows that at least 29 such migrants with no ties to the country have been deported here. They were not sent to the prison in Bata. Some remain in detention in Malabo with restrictions on legal and medical support, while others have been forcibly returned to their countries where they face persecution.

The Equatorial Guinea government has denied rights abuses and hasnt commented when asked to respond to questions about abuses involving the U.S. migration deportation deal.

Leo, the U.S.-born pope, has criticized the Trump administrations overall migration deportation policy as extremely disrespectful.

Human rights groups want pope to speak out

On the eve of his prison visit, 70 human rights organizations published an open letter to Leo, urging him to speak out especially about U.S. deportation of migrants here and encourage African nations to not be complicit in the practice.

These practices circumvent humanitarian protections, expose refugees to detention and coercion, and subject individuals to refoulement, in direct contravention of international law, they wrote, referring to the legal concept that prohibits countries from sending people to places where their lives or freedoms are at risk.

Faithful wait for the arrival of Pope Leo XIV at the airport in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

The conditions under which these deportations have been carried out have also reflected a very troubling disregard for human life and safety. We call for the intercession of Pope Leo XIV to discourage African countries from being complicit in these violations and instead to protect these individuals, the groups said.

One of the signatories was EG Justice, which has repeatedly denounced the detention of political prisoners in Equatorial Guinea. The group urged Leo to use his moral authority to speak out about it.

There are individuals  prisoners of conscience, and human rights activists  in detention whose cases raise serious humanitarian and due process concerns, said Tutu Alicante, a U.S.-based activist who runs the EG Justice group. At moments like this, sentence review and a real commitment to reform the judiciary can send a powerful signal of a willingness to turn a page toward justice and reconciliation.

Alicante said the government had taken cosmetic steps in recent months to improve certain detention facilities but he said they were temporary.

"The real test will be whether humane conditions, access to medical care, and basic rights are sustained long after the papal visit concludes, he said.
Golden Ace is poised to make her second trip to the Punchestown Festival next week, with the Boodles Champion Hurdle currently her favoured option.

Jeremy Scotts star mare travelled to Ireland off the back of a surprise success in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham last season and proved that victory was no fluke by finishing second to the Willie Mullins-trained State Man in County Kildare.

This time around the eight-year-old holds an alternative entry in the SBK Irish EBF Mares Champion Hurdle, but she is again set to take on the boys.

Scott said: All being well were aiming for Punchestown and were probably favouring the Champion Hurdle. Were sort of third-favourite for both races and wed probably rather aim for the money!

Obviously were going to see how the situation develops, but I think at the moment thats where were leaning.

It would be very nice to get her head in front again, but were slightly up against it whichever way you go.

Golden Ace finished fifth in her defence of the Champion Hurdle crown at Cheltenham and subsequently placed fourth in the Aintree Hurdle on what was her first appearance over two-and-a-half miles in over a year.

While she is likely to drop back to the minimum trip in Ireland, Scott is more than happy to run over the longer distance again next season.

He added: Ive been very happy with her since Aintree actually, all good. Shell have had three runs fairly close together, but having missed Wincanton (Kingwell Hurdle in February) I feel shes fresh and well and she can have a nice holiday after this.

I think well go down a similar route next season, but we might vary the trip a little bit. I actually thought she ran as well at Aintree if not better than she did at Cheltenham, so I wouldnt be worried about two-and-a-half.

I think it slightly depends on the ground  if we got reasonably quick ground youd probably aim for two-and-a-half and on soft ground two miles suits her all day long really.
RFK Jr blames migrants for measles and other diseases in the US: It has nothing to do with me

Robert F Kennedy Jr has dismissed any suggestion that his vaccine skepticism has contributed to measles outbreaks across the U.S., instead placing the blame on immigrants.

It has nothing to do with me, the Health Secretary told lawmakers at a hearing of the House Energy and Commerce Committee on Tuesday, in which he was questioned on his departments budget for 2027.

If youre worried about polio and tuberculosis, you should look at the immigration policies in this country. Cause the place where its occurring are the place[s] where the immigrants are going, because theyre not vaccinated.

In a statement shared withThe Independent, a spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services said: This is taken out of context completely.

Current outbreaks are largely concentrated in close-knit, under-vaccinated communities with prevalent international travel that raises the risk of measles importation. Measles is a global challenge, and the United States continues to have a lower overall measles burden than Canada (which in November 2025 lost its measles elimination status), Mexico, and much of Europe.

Since assuming the position of Health Secretary, Kennedy has enacted several changes that are more in line with his own views on vaccines.

Robert F Kennedy Jr has dismissed the suggestion that his skepticism over vaccines is the reason for measles outbreaks across the U.S., instead placing the blame at the feet of immigrants (AP)

In June 2025, he fired all 17 members of the CDCs Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, replacing them with vaccine skeptics and individuals who have criticized mainstream medical guidance.

He has also removed the Covid-19 vaccine from the recommended schedule for healthy children and pregnant women.

During his appearance in front of the subcommittee, Kennedy denied personal responsibility for measles outbreaks and defended the administrations response to the surge in cases within the last year, saying that low vaccination rates predated his time in office.

Since assuming the position of Health Secretary, Kennedy has enacted several changes that are more in line with his own vaccine-skeptical views. In June 2025, he fired all 17 members of the CDCs Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, replacing them with vaccine skeptics and individuals who have criticized mainstream medical guidance (Reuters)

There have been more than 1,700 measles cases in the U.S. so far this year, following major outbreaks in Texas in 2025. America is now running the risk of losing its measles elimination status.

Kennedy also refused to commit to supporting the pro-vaccine recommendations of Erica Schwartz, Donald Trumps nominee to head up the CDC.

If Dr. Schwartz is confirmed, will you commit on the record today to implement whatever vaccine guidance she issues without interference? Rep. Raul Ruiz of California asked him.

Im not going to make that kind of commitment, Kennedy replied.
Roman Abramovich in 2017. The former Chelsea FC owner is under investigation in Jersey over allegations of corruption and money laundering. Photograph: Paul Marriott/Alamy (Photograph: Paul Marriott/Alamy)

Roman Abramovich has gone to the European court of human rights (ECHR), claiming that a criminal investigation into his financial affairs by the Jersey authorities has breached his human rights, according to reports.

The former owner of Chelsea FC, who is under UK sanctions over his links to Vladimir Putin, is being investigated in Jersey over allegations of corruption and money laundering.

In a claim filed to the ECHR, lawyers for Abramovich said the actions taken by the Channel Island, where 5.3bn of his assets are frozen, were unfair and abusive.

The investigation has previously resulted in a company owned by the billionaire oligarch to say that the 2.4bn proceeds of the sale of Chelsea, which have been promised to the victims of the Ukraine war but are yet to be released, could be viewed by Jersey as the proceed of crime.

Related: UK prepares to sue Abramovich over 2.4bn proceeds of Chelsea FC sale

Representatives of Abramovich told the Times: This investigation, which has dragged on for years without charges, transparency or credible evidence, represents a clear abuse of power by the government of Jersey and a violation of fundamental rights.

Authorities have withheld key information and ignored basic procedural safeguards, showing how this is not a legitimate legal process but one driven by political motives.

We expect the European court of human rights to recognise these failures and reach the same conclusion.

Abramovich has previously succeeded in a legal attempt to force ministers and other senior figures in Jersey to produce private messages, emails and other data related to him that would be made public as result of the investigation.

His claim at the ECHR argues that his right to a fair trial under article 6 of the European convention on human rights has been infringed, according to the Times, which first reported the filing.

According to the report, Abramovich also claims that his right to privacy, under article 8, was breached by a public announcement about the investigation, made by Jersey in 2022, because he had not been charged with any offence.

The UK government is the official respondent to the claim, the documents say, according to the report.

Representatives for the oligarch say the Jersey case is delaying the release of funds from the sale of Chelsea. The British government has threatened to sue Abramovich to force the release of funds, amid reports of disagreement over how the money will be used.

Britain wants the money to be ringfenced for use in Ukraine, in line with a wider European push for Moscow to foot the bill for the devastation caused by its invasion.

However, Abramovich has indicated that he wants more flexibility over how the money, which he has pledged to donate for charitable purposes, would be spent.

When he announced his intention to sell the club in March 2022, he said the proceeds would be used for the benefit of all victims of the war in Ukraine, leaving open the possibility that money could be diverted to areas of Ukraine annexed by Russia.

The Guardian has approached the government and Abramovich for comment.
Ron DeSantis prior to the first round of the 2026 Masters Tournament in Augusta, Georgia, on 9 April. Photograph: Jared C Tilton/Getty Images (Photograph: Jared C Tilton/Getty Images)

Floridas governor, Ron DeSantis, on Wednesday signed a law prohibiting local governments from funding or promoting diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, saying that white men had been discriminated against.

The Florida governor has been at the forefront of combatting DEI initiatives, despite criticism from groups nationwide. Under the new law, residents can sue local governments for violations and if individual local officials are found to have funded DEI initiatives, they can be removed from office.

We are, of course, the state where woke goes to die, DeSantis said during a press conference announcing and signing the two new laws in the state.

The law is a further effort to challenge local counties goals to promote race and gender inclusion programs. Supporters of DEI initiatives say that they help remedy the effects of long-term and historical discrimination of certain groups.

While the governor is entitled to his opinion, his views differ from everyone elses, said Evelyn Foxx, president of the NAACP branch in Gainesville, in an interview with the Associated Press.

If you talked to 100 white men, they wouldnt feel the same way as DeSantis, Foxx said. The governor is out of touch with people, and that is the bottom line.

During the press conference, DeSantis also called DEI an ideological construct to the detriment of disfavored groups.

The disfavored groups, No 1, obviously, would be white males, and I think theyve been discriminated against, DeSantis said. And its, its like, a lot of people are: Oh thats fine. Thats fine. No, its not fine. Its wrong.

During the press conference, DeSantis said that Asian American students had also been discriminated against by DEI initiatives.

The new laws follow others signed by the Republican governor targeting DEI initiatives: in 2023, DeSantis signed a bill into law barring public colleges and universities from spending money on DEI initiatives.

DeSantis also signed a law on Wednesday that prohibited climate change-related initiatives, including a bar on businesses having to pay carbon taxes.

We see some of the things still being done in local governments, DeSantis said, pointing to some counties in the state pushing for climate sustainability plans and calling them radical climate policies.

Were just going to stop the madness here, and thats what this bill does, DeSantis added.
Retailer Shoe Zone has warned it is set to slump to an annual loss as it blamed the Iran war and recent budget woes in the UK for weakening shopper confidence.

The high street chain, which has 259 stores and more than 2,000 staff across the UK, said the Middle East conflict was also pushing up costs such as shipping and transport, which is set to impact its bottom line.

Shares in the group plunged by more than a fifth, down 22%, in morning trading on Wednesday as Shoe Zone said it expects to swing to an underlying pre-tax loss of between 1 million and 2 million for the year to October 3, against previous guidance for profits of 1 million.

Leicester-headquartered Shoe Zone said its first quarter had seen challenging trading conditions, principally due to a continued weakening in consumer confidence, following on from the Governments last two budget announcements, and the geo-political issues in the Middle East.

It added: These macroeconomic factors have increased customer caution, leading to lower footfall, less discretionary spend and additional costs such as container prices and transportation costs, with a resultant reduction in revenue and profit.

Budget clothing chain Primark revealed on Tuesday that it had seen weaker trading in April as pressure from Middle East conflict weighed on consumer sentiment.

Shoe Zone has previously hit out at highly adverse Government policies amid deepening trading woes which have sent its shares tumbling to the lowest level in more than five years.

It said profits fell by more than two-thirds to 3.3 million in the year to last September and store sales dropped 10.3% as it ended the year with 28 fewer shops on a net basis.

The group said recently that Government policies had hurt consumer confidence and sent business costs surging.

Shoe Zone has 53 smaller format high street stores and 206 larger stores.

It sells around 13.3 million pairs of shoes a year at an average price of about 13.00.
Sir Keir Starmer has admitted that he considered giving Lord Doyle, his former spin doctor, a job as an ambassador.

The Prime Minister told MPs there had been conversations about securing another role for Lord Doyle when he left Downing Street in March last year.

Sir Olly Robbins told the foreign affairs committee on Tuesday that he had been asked to look for possible jobs for the disgraced peer, and had been urged not to tell David Lammy, the then foreign secretary.

Lord Doyle was later suspended from the Labour Party when it emerged that he had campaigned for a suspected paedophile.

Asked about Sir Ollys remarks at PMQs on Wednesday, the Prime Minister told MPs: Matthew Doyle worked for many years in public service, for me as Prime Minister and other ministers.

When people leave roles in any organisation there are often conversations about other roles they want to apply for, but nothing came of this.

Sir Keir is facing mounting pressure over the Lord Mandelson vetting scandal. Labour Cabinet ministers and MPs are distancing themselves from his decision to sack Sir Olly from the top civil service job in the Foreign Office on Thursday.

Labour MPs were angered by claims that Lord Doyle was considered for a diplomatic position, and Sir Keirs admission that they are true will probably cause fresh speculation about the Prime Ministers future.

The discussions took place in March last year, shortly before Lord Doyle left his position as Downing Streets director of communications.

Lord Doyle was suspended in February after it emerged that he had campaigned for a suspected paedophile, but was still made a peer - House of Lords/UK Parliament

Sir Olly told the committee on Tuesday that the request to find the peer an ambassadorship had come from Sir Keirs private office in No 10.

Sir Keir confirmed that discussions had taken place when Mike Wood, a Tory MP, asked: Can the Prime Minister deny that Downing Street considered appointing Matthew Doyle to a diplomatic position?

Questioned by Sir Ed Davey, the Liberal Democrat leader, Sir Keir did not deny suggestions that he had personally sanctioned the request.

Asked whether his private office had been lobbying for the job on his authority, the Prime Minister repeated his previous answer virtually word for word.

Sir Ed later called for a Cabinet Office inquiry into the discussions about a possible posting for Lord Doyle.

For No 10 to ask the Foreign Office to find a plum diplomatic job for another Labour crony who was friends with a convicted sex offender  and to instruct that to be kept secret from the Foreign Secretary  is completely shocking, he said.

On top of his catastrophic lack of judgment, Keir Starmers failure to answer simple questions about his own role just isnt good enough. The public deserves the truth so we can move on from this scandal and make sure nothing like it can ever happen again.

The Government needs to launch an inquiry by the Cabinet Secretary to find out who was doing this lobbying, why, and whether the Prime Minister knew about it or not.

I asked Keir Starmer: did he know his office was lobbying for a plum diplomatic job for Matthew Doyle, another Labour crony who was friends with a convicted sex offender?



He conspicuously failed to answer. pic.twitter.com/nOz3oRUtvW  Ed Davey (@EdwardJDavey) April 22, 2026

Sir Keir was asked by MPs on Monday whether he had proposed any other political appointees to ambassadorships in addition to Lord Mandelson.

At the time, he told them that he could not remember and would have to take the issue away for further consideration.

Sir Olly said No 10 had also asked Lord Mandelson, who had just taken up his posting as ambassador to the US, to see whether he could find Lord Doyle a role at the British embassy in Washington.

Lord Doyle has insisted that he did not seek a diplomatic posting upon leaving No 10, and would instead have preferred to stay in a political role.

The revelations have caused dismay among Labour MPs and angered Yvette Cooper, the Foreign Secretary.

On Tuesday, Sir Olly told the foreign affairs committee he had been under strict instructions not to discuss the job request with Mr Lammy, Ms Coopers predecessor.

The former Foreign Office chief said he had been uncomfortable about that request and had not thought that Lord Doyle was qualified for such a role.

The No 10 private office were clear that this was so sensitive because it was about the Prime Ministers own dispositions for his own senior staff that I should keep that to myself for now, he said in his evidence to MPs.

When asked about Sir Ollys remarks, Ms Cooper told the Commons that appointing Lord Doyle as an ambassador would not have been appropriate. She also said she was extremely concerned by Sir Ollys claim that he was told not to alert Mr Lammy.

Sir Keir made Lord Doyle a peer, with his ennoblement announced in the 2026 New Years Honours List. But a month after he first wore the ermine, Lord Doyle was suspended from Labour when it emerged that he had campaigned for a suspected paedophile.

Sean Morton, a former Labour councillor, was charged with child sex offences in 2017 and subsequently convicted. Lord Doyle ceased contact after the conviction.

It was then reported that Sir Keir had been told that Lord Doyle had been supportive of Morton before his conviction, but the Prime Minister had chosen to elevate him to the peerage anyway.

Subsequently, Sir Keir said Lord Doyle did not give a full account of his links with the convicted sex offender.

In a statement, Lord Doyle apologised unreservedly for supporting Morton before the case against him had concluded and said he had taken him at his word when he had pleaded his innocence.

The peer, who will now sit as an independent, said: I want to apologise for my past association with Sean Morton. His offences were vile, and I completely condemn the actions for which he was rightly convicted. My thoughts are with the victims and all those impacted by these crimes.

At the point of my campaigning support, Morton repeatedly asserted to all those who knew him his innocence, including initially in court. He later changed his plea in court to guilty.

To have not ceased support ahead of a judicial conclusion was a clear error of judgment, for which I apologise unreservedly.
A protester holds a sign calling on the US supreme court to uphold temporary protected status for Haitian refugees in front of the court in Washington DC, on 16 March 2026. Photograph: Roberto Schmidt/AFP/Getty Images (Photograph: Roberto Schmidt/AFP/Getty Images)

Temporary protected status (TPS) holders, who have historically been protected from deportation due to safety concerns in their home countries, contribute around $29bn every year to the US economy, according to a new report published this week.

The findings from this report, which comes from FWD.us, have emerged one week before the supreme court is set to hear arguments challenging the Trump administrations attempts to strip TPS status from Syrians and Haitians. It also comes nearly one week since the House passed legislation to protect Haitian immigrants, whose protected status is at risk.

People with TPS are given the permission to live in the US after the government has deemed their home countries to be unsafe due to war, political instability or even natural disasters. In the past year, the Trump administration has attempted to slash the program for various countries.

Around 800,000 US citizens live with TPS holders throughout the country, per the report. Estimates show that nearly 1.3 million people were TPS holders at the start of the second Trump administration.

The report also found that TPS holders pay nearly $8bn in combined federal, payroll, state and local taxes.

Despite these deep ties, the Trump administration has moved to terminate protections for a large share of TPS holders, including more than 600,000 Venezuelans and roughly 330,000 Haitians, FWD.us said in a statement. Not only do the conditions in these countries threaten the ability for people to safely return, but these families are now embedded into communities across the country.

The reports release also comes after the House of Representatives passed legislation last week that extends the temporary protections for Haitian immigrants. The bill was pushed forward by Democrats and received unusual support from a small group of Republicans, who defied their partys leadership.

I know firsthand how important our Haitian neighbors are to our communities, to our civic life, to our culture, to our workforce, to our economy, said Ayanna Pressley, a House representative of Massachusetts, who sponsored the bill, according to the Associated Press.

The supreme court is set to hear arguments on 29 April on the administrations efforts to end TPS for Syrians and Haitians living in the US. Lower courts previously ruled against the Trump administration, delaying the administrations attempts to end the program. Two separate cases, one for Syrians and the other for Haitians, are being consolidated for the supreme court to review. Advocates and immigration experts have pointed to dangerous conditions in both countries as reasoning for why the program should continue.

In the past year, the Trump administration has aggressively attacked the program, revoking the legal immigration status for around 1 million people and placing them at risk of removal. In total, the administration has attempted to remove protections for people from 13 different TPS-designated countries. The anti-TPS maneuvers are part of the administrations broader attempts to undermine immigrants legally present in the US.

The TPS program, established more than 30 years ago, does not offer a pathway to citizenship, but it does give holders work authorization. Some of the TPS designations that have been successfully slashed by the administration include those for Afghanistan, Honduras, Venezuela and Yemen.

Other countries whose TPS designations were cut include Myanmar, Ethiopia, Haiti, South Sudan and Syria, are currently being challenged in courts.
President Donald Trump in the State Dining Room of the White House, Tuesday, April 21, 2026, in Washington.

President Donald Trump said Tuesday the United States was indefinitely extending its ceasefire with Iran  a day before it was to expire  as a new round of peace talks was on hold. The announcement appeared to ease fears that the fighting, which had shaken energy markets and the global economy, would promptly resume.

Pakistan had planned to host a second round of talks, but the White House put on hold Vice President JD Vances planned trip to Islamabad as Iran rebuffed efforts to restart negotiations.

Iran has not yet responded to Trump's announcement of the ceasefire extension. Both countries have warned that, without a deal, they were prepared to resume fighting.

Pakistan scrambles to get US and Iran to negotiate

Pakistani leaders, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, worked intensively to get both sides to agree to a second round of ceasefire talks, according to two officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media.

Sharif later thanked Trump for his gracious acceptance of Pakistans request, saying the ceasefire extension would allow ongoing diplomatic efforts to proceed.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei told Irans state TV there has been no final decision on whether to agree to more talks because of unacceptable actions" by the US, apparently referring to the US blockade of Iranian ports.

In a Truth Social post announcing the ceasefire extension, Trump said the US would continue the blockade.

As Vance put on hold a return trip to Islamabad, Pakistans capital, Trumps special envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner were expected in Washington on Tuesday afternoon for consultations about how to proceed, said a US official who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal administration deliberations.

The official cautioned that Trump could change his mind on negotiating with Iran at any time, and declined to predict what would happen. The official said Trump has options short of restarting airstrikes.

Both sides remain dug in rhetorically

Before announcing the ceasefire extension, Trump had warned that lots of bombs will start going off if theres no agreement before the Wednesday deadline, while Irans chief negotiator said that Tehran has new cards on the battlefield that haven't yet been revealed.

A senior commander in Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps threatened to destroy the region's oil industry if war with the US resumes. If southern neighbors allow the enemy to use their facilities to attack Iran, they should say goodbye to oil production in the Middle East region, Gen. Majid Mousavi told an Iranian news site.

Strait of Hormuz control key to negotiations

Irans envoy to the United Nations said Tuesday that Tehran has received some sign that the US is ready to stop its blockade of Iranian ports.

Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani said ending the blockade remains a condition for Iran to rejoin peace talks. When that happens, he said, I think the next round of the negotiations will take place.

The US imposed the blockade to pressure Tehran into ending its stranglehold on the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping lane through which 20% of the worlds natural gas and crude oil transits in peacetime.

Irans grip on the strait has sent oil prices soaring. Brent crude, the international standard, was trading at close to $95 per barrel on Tuesday, up more than 30% from Feb. 28, the day that Israel and the US attacked Iran to start the war.

Before the war began, the Strait of Hormuz had been fully open to international shipping. Trump has demanded that vessels again be allowed to transit unimpeded.

Over the weekend, Iran said that it had received new proposals from Washington, but also suggested that a wide gap remains between the sides. Issues that derailed the previous round of negotiations included Irans nuclear enrichment program, its regional proxies and the strait.

The US says its forces board sanctioned oil tanker

On Tuesday, the US said its forces boarded an oil tanker previously sanctioned for smuggling Iranian crude oil in Asia. The Pentagon said in a social media post that US forces boarded the M/T Tifani without incident.

The US military did not say where the vessel had been boarded, though ship-tracking data showed the Tifani in the Indian Ocean between Sri Lanka and Indonesia on Tuesday. The Pentagon statement added that international waters are not a refuge for sanctioned vessels.

The US military on Sunday seized an Iranian container ship, the first interception under the blockade. Irans joint military command called the armed boarding an act of piracy and a violation of the ceasefire.

Pakistan hopeful talks will proceed

Pakistani officials have expressed confidence that Iran will also send a delegation to resume the talks  the highest-level negotiations between the US and Iran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The first round April 11 and 12 ended without an agreement.

Pakistan said Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met Tuesday separately with the US and China's top diplomats in Islamabad. China is a key trading partner of Iran.

Security has been tightened across Islamabad, where authorities have deployed thousands of personnel and increased patrols along routes leading to the airport.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the ceasefire extension was an important step toward de-escalation that will create critical space for diplomacy and confidence-building between Iran and the United States, according to his spokesman, Stephane Dujarric.

Talks between Israel and Lebanon are to resume

In Lebanon, the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah said in a statement it had fired rockets and drones at Israeli forces for the first time since 10-day truce took effect last Friday in response to the blatant and documented violations by Israel.

Those violations, it said, included attacks on civilians and the destruction of their homes and villages in southern Lebanon.

The Israeli army said it responded by striking the group's rocket launcher. Israeli officials have said they intend to maintain a buffer zone in southern Lebanon  an area that includes dozens of villages whose residents have not been allowed to return.

Historic diplomatic talks between Israel and Lebanon are to resume on Thursday in Washington, an Israeli, a Lebanese and a US official said. All three spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the behind-the-scenes negotiations.

The Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors met last week for the first direct diplomatic talks in decades. Israel says the talks are aimed at disarming Hezbollah and reaching a peace agreement with Lebanon.

Fighting between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah broke out two days after the US and Israel launched joint strikes on Iran to start the war. In Lebanon, the fighting has killed more than 2,290 people.

Since the war started, at least 3,375 people have been killed in Iran, according to authorities. Additionally, 23 people have died in Israel and more than a dozen in Gulf Arab states. Fifteen Israeli soldiers in Lebanon and 13 US service members throughout the region have been killed.

(FRANCE 24 with AP)
Donald Trump departs after speaking at an event for NCAA national champions in the State Dining Room of the White House on Tuesday. Photograph: Alex Brandon/AP (Photograph: Alex Brandon/AP)

Donald Trump unilaterally announced an extension of the two-week ceasefire with Iran on Tuesday amid frantic efforts to bring the two sides back to the negotiating table.

Hours after announcing that he expected to be bombing, the US president said he would extend the ceasefire until Iranian negotiators submitted a proposal for peace.

Based on the fact that the Government of Iran is seriously fractured, not unexpectedly so and, upon the request of Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, of Pakistan, we have been asked to hold our Attack on the Country of Iran until such time as their leaders and representatives can come up with a unified proposal, he wrote on his Truth Social platform.

The president had earlier told the US business news network CNBC that he did not want to extend the ceasefire with Tehran, insisting the US was in a strong position and was going to end up with a great deal. Trump has previously said that targets for new US attacks would include power stations and other civilian infrastructure.

The declaration came in a topsy-turvy day in which an expected trip to Islamabad by JD Vance, the vice-president, had been put on hold and Trump ramped up his bellicose rhetoric, saying the US military was raring to go.

Trump announces extension of Iran ceasefire until discussion concluded

Trumps sharp about-turn drew a withering early response from Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the speaker of the Iranian parliament who has emerged as the Islamic regimes lead negotiator in recent talks.

Ghalibafs personal adviser dismissed the ceasefire extension as a ploy to buy time for a surprise strike, adding that the time for Iran to take the initiative has come.

Read the full story

Virginia voters approve new congressional maps in blow to Trump

Voters in Virginia on Tuesday approved new congressional maps intended to boost Democrats chances of retaking the House of Representatives, in the latest blow to Donald Trumps effort to use mid-decade redistricting to preserve his control of Congress.

The tit-for-tat redistricting battle began last year after Trump pressed Texass Republican-controlled legislature to redraw that states congressional maps in a bid to oust as many as five Democratic House lawmakers in the November midterm elections.

Read the full story

Trumps Fed chair pick says hell maintain independence  but wont say president lost 2020 election

Donald Trumps nominee for US Federal Reserve chair, Kevin Warsh, faced a tumultuous hearing in Washington on Tuesday, fielding scrutiny over his wealth and his ability to operate independently of the president who appointed him.

Should he be confirmed, Warsh will hold one of the most powerful roles in the US federal government, with massive influence over the global economy and the ability to move markets.

Read the full story

Southern Poverty Law Center indicted on federal fraud charges

The Southern Poverty Law Center, the prominent civil rights organization, has been indicted on federal fraud charges related to past payments it made to confidential informants to infiltrate extremist groups including the Ku Klux Klan, the justice department has announced.

Read the full story

US military service members will no longer be required to get annual flu shot

In a video statement posted to social media, defense secretary Pete Hegseth described the mandate as overly broad and not rational and the decision to drop the vaccine requirement as seizing this moment to discard any absurd overreaching mandates that only weaken our war fighting capabilities.

Read the full story

Tucker Carlson says he regrets backing Donald Trump and is tormented by it

Tucker Carlson, a conservative podcaster, has said he is tormented by his support of Donald Trump, issuing in an extraordinary mea culpa that called for a moment to wrestle with our own consciences.

Read the full story

Trump officials consider sending 1,100 Afghans who aided US forces to Congo

The Trump administration is in discussions to potentially send up to 1,100 Afghans who helped US forces during the war in Afghanistan to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a non-profit confirmed on Tuesday.

Read the full story

What else happened today:

Catching up? Heres what happened on 20 April.
Afghans prepare to to be evacuated aboard a Qatari transport plane, at Hamid Karzai international airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, on 18 August 2021. Photograph: AP (Photograph: AP)

The Trump administration is in discussions to potentially send up to 1,100 Afghans who helped US forces during the war in Afghanistan to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a non-profit confirmed on Tuesday.

The resettlement talks, first reported by the New York Times, come after Donald Trumps decision to stop an initiative that allowed Afghans who assisted US war efforts to apply to resettle in the US.

This group of more than 1,000 Afghans, who have been waylaid in Qatar for a year, reportedly includes interpreters as well as relatives of US military members. The group also includes more than 400 children.

According to the Times, the US evacuated these Afghans to Qatar for their protection because they supported US military efforts in their home country, which, since the US military withdrawal, is once again under Taliban control.

The DRC, meanwhile, is suffering from an enormous displacement crisis following decades of conflict and instability. According to the UN Refugee Agency, 8.2 million people were displaced as of September 2025, with this number expected to reach 9 million by years end.

Shawn VanDiver, president of the non-profit AfghanEvac, told the Guardian that he had heard about these discussions from people at, and around, the US state department.

VanDiver said that 900 of the 1,100 Afghans in Qatar were eligible for resettlement in the US. For the 200 that are not eligible, the US could talk to countries other than the DRC  which is reeling from violence  about accepting them.

The others should just come here, VanDiver said. This is an easy solve: Hey, welcome to America. VanDiver said between 100 to 150 of these Afghans are family members of active-duty service members, while more than 700 are women and children.

Its insane  this could all be fixed just by a policy change, VanDiver said, saying that the Department of Homeland Security could allow in Afghans who have already qualified for the program. They can come here  theres no law that is preventing them.

It is also possible that the DRC talks will not materialize into actual resettlement, leaving this group of Afghans in still more limbo. Given their cooperation with US forces, returning to Afghanistan would probably result in death, VanDiver said.

Asked for comment, a state department spokesperson said they are continuing to identify options for voluntary resettlement of the Afghans currently living at Camp As-Sayliyah (CAS) in Qatar and claimed moving this group to a third country is a positive resolution for their safety and that of Americans. The spokesperson added the Afghan nationals at CAS do not currently have a viable pathway to the United States.

The state department says it is in routine, direct communication with camp residents on resettlement initiatives but because of the sensitivity, they will not reveal details surrounding the negotiations.
The Trump administration has warned federal agencies to prepare for the imminent loosening of federal restrictions on marijuana, according to a new report.

The Drug Enforcement Agency is expected to announce the first steps towards reclassifying the drug as soon as this week, starting with an administrative hearing, sources told The Washington Post.

Such changes would make it easier for scientists and the DEA to study marijuana for medical purposes. The drug is currently a Schedule I classification  the same as LSD, ecstasy and heroin  and would be moved to a Schedule II class, the sources said.

Trump signed an executive order to continue work started under Joe Biden to reclassify the drug last December. The Biden administration had previously recommended that marijuana be reclassified as a Schedule III drug.

Trump said at the time that the change had been requested by American patients suffering from extreme pain, incurable diseases, aggressive cancers, seizure disorders, neurological problems, and more."

A man enjoys the annual, informal, 4/20 marijuana festival in Denver, Colorado. The Trump administration has warned federal agencies to prepare for the imminent loosening of federal restrictions on marijuana, according to a new report (Reuters)

Recent data suggests that a majority of Americans also support loosening restrictions on marijuana, with a poll conducted earlier this month by the Economist/ YouGov finding that 53 percent of adults were in favor of legalizing it.

That total also included 35 percent of Republicans.

Though it would break down barriers for further medical research, reclassifying marijuana would not change the sentences of those currently in prison for possession or dealing it.

Trump also added that the reclassification was not the same as decriminalizing marijuana on a federal level. Many states allow its use for both medical and recreational use.

Trump signed an executive order to continue work started under Joe Biden to reclassify the drug last December. The Biden administration had previously recommended marijuana be reclassified as a Schedule III drug (Getty)

Unless a drug is recommended by a doctor for medical reasons, just dont do it, the president said.

At the same time, the facts compel the federal government to recognize that marijuana can be legitimate in terms of medical applications when carefully administered.

The Independent has contacted the Department of Justice and the Drug Enforcement Administration to confirm the news, which Axios first reported.

A White House official told The Independent: The Administration continues to expeditiously implement President Trumps December executive order to increase medical marijuana research to close the gap between current medical marijuana use and medical knowledge.

According to the DEA, a drug's classification depends on a number of factors, including its medical use, history and current pattern of abuse, potential for abuse, and risk of psychic or physiological dependence.
Donald Trump has hit back at a claim that Iran has taken him for a sucker after he extended the ceasefire in the war between the two countries.

The US president responded angrily on his Truth Social media platform to an article in the respected Wall Street Journal, arguing the newspaper had LOST ITS WAY!

He described WSJ columnist Elliot Kaufman as an IDIOT over an article headlined: The Iranians Take Trump for a Sucker.

Kaufman wrote: How many times will President Trump pay Iran for the same real estate?

Twice he has announced the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, and twice he has given up US leverage in exchange.

Yet the strait remains closed, as Irans regime demands more.

In a separate article, Kaufman argued recently that Irans regime had swindled Trump three times  repeatedly promising to reopen the strait before closing it again to extract further concessions from Washington.

The US president declared: An IDIOT on The Wall Street Journals Editorial Board, named Elliot Kaufman, just wrote an Op Ed entitled, The Iranians Take Trump for a Sucker.

The US presidents latest social media tirade was triggered by accusations of being swindled by Iran (AP)

Really? For 47 years, they have killed our people, and many others, and taken advantage of every President, except me  And what did I give to them, a Country in tatters!

President Trump listed the US militarys successful strikes against Irans Navy, Air Force and other targets as evidence of his achievements in the conflict.

Iran was an economic catastrophe hanging by a thread, Trump wrote.

The clash between Trump and the WSJ came after he extended the ceasefire with Iran hours after saying US soldiers were raring to go in future attacks on Iran.

It prompted claims by critics that Trump has blinked again in the conflict and fresh taunts that he is the TACO (Trump Always Chickens Out).
On a sunny Wednesday lunchtime, the City of London is usually teeming with crowds of workers looking for a swift business lunch. But many of the citys traders are open with empty seats and no queues as their usual customers are working from home.

Its dramatically dropped, says the manager of MuMu Street Food, a restaurant that serves Asian food near Moorgate. We [usually] have a queue, were non-stop working, but now I have nothing to do but sit and wait for customers.

Just two days into The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) unions tube strikes this week, traders are already feeling the brunt as the hospitality sector braces for a devastating impact.

Members walked out for 24 hours from midday on Tuesday, and will do again on Thursday, impacting the commutes of city workers. Those who made it into the office faced longer trips into the capital than usual in crowded buses, taxis or via bicycle.

On a normal day, the team at MuMu would serve nearly 200 customers; since the strikes, theyve noticed a 50 per cent drop. But not only is it impacting customer numbers, but their workers are struggling to get in.

MuMus staff have struggled to get into work due to the strikes (Bryony Gooch/ The Independent)

Its not only about customers, its about us as well for travelling to work, said the manager, who asked not to be named, but said their usual 55-minute route to the restaurant has been lengthened to an hour and 45 minutes each day.

Birleys sandwich shops have also noticed a drop in footfall since strikes began.

Paul Salter, managing director of Birleys, said: Our shops across the city and Canary Wharf have been hit with anywhere between 15 per cent and 20 per cent less footfall and sales accordingly. A huge hit for a chain our size again with this unnecessary strike action.

It will cost us tens of thousands of pounds this week. Very frustrating and another hit to the hospitality sector, especially the retail sector, he added. We can only hope that they solve this before next months planned strikes.

Mesis Caffe estimated a 30 per cent drop in customers due to the strike (Bryony Gooch/ The Independent)

Mesi, owner of Mesis Caffe, serving Italian food near Finsbury Circus, estimated a 30 per cent drop in custom: We have a lot of regular customers... I think theyre working from home.

Restaurant suppliers are also feeling the pain as restaurants cancel orders due to a steep decline in walk-ins and cancelled reservations.

George Edwards, managing director of London Wagyu Company, which supplies to 60 high-end restaurants and 20 butchers across the country, told The Independent that the company was 18 per cent down on volume this week compared with last.

Additional strikes are planned for May and June, after the RMT accused Transport for London (TfL) of attempting to impose a new four-day working week, with general secretary Eddie Dempsey expressing frustration over the stalled negotiations.

Strikes are planned for May and June (Reuters)

Hospitality sector experts have said its too early to see the exact impact on businesses, but analysis of the impact of 31 days of tube strikes across 2023/2024 saw a 32 per cent dive in average sales for hospitality in Zone 1.

Coffee and sandwich shops saw a 34 per cent drop, sales dropped 38 per cent for pubs and bars, while restaurants experienced 29 per cent less custom.

Kate Nicholls, Chair of UKHospitality, said: Tube strikes have a devastating impact on Londons hospitality businesses, with sales falling by up to 40 per cent on strike days. Commuter footfall is almost non-existent and families cancel plans to visit the capital.

The cost of strikes can stretch into the millions  as we saw when strikes hit the sector a couple of years ago. Its not just lost sales, but the impact on hospitality staff who can no longer get into work.

I urge all parties to continue negotiations and reach a solution that averts these damaging strikes.

RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey said London Undergrounds proposals raise serious concerns around fatigue, safety and work-life balance (PA) (PA Archive)

Michael Kill, CEO of the Night Time Industries Association, warned that the new wave of strike action would create yet more uncertainty for businesses in the capital.

As the sector faces a fresh surge in energy and operating costs, this new wave of strike action creates yet more uncertainty that businesses simply cannot absorb. Margins are being squeezed from every direction, and confidence is increasingly fragile.

The ongoing disruption to transport services begs the question, who does this actually benefit? Because right now, its businesses, workers and the wider public who are paying the price for the reckless actions of the few, he added. Without reliable late-night transport, staff struggle to get to work, customers stay away, and businesses lose critical trade. Many venues are already under intense financial pressure; continued disruption only compounds that risk.

We respect the right to strike, but this situation cannot continue. All parties must get round the table and find a resolution, because sustained uncertainty at a time like this will have serious, lasting consequences for Londons night-time economy.

RMT have been approached for comment.
Claudia Sheinbaum, Mexicos president, said she had not been told about a joint operation with the US in the area - Getty Images

Two Americans killed in a car crash in Mexico worked for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), it has been revealed.

There had been speculation about the identity of the American citizens, who were killed on Sunday alongside two Mexican officials in a northern area of Chihuahua state, which borders the US.

According to The Washington Post, the two American victims, who were thought to be embassy officials, were working for the CIA as part of a drug trafficking investigation team.

The four people were killed while returning from a meeting with Mexican officials to destroy a secret drug lab in a remote area of the state, Cesar Jauregui, Chihuahuas attorney general, told the El Universal newspaper.

Reports said the vehicle had skidded off the road, fallen down a ravine and then exploded.

American involvement in operations to curtail drug cartels is a highly sensitive issue for Claudia Sheinbaum, the Mexican president, who has come under increasing pressure to crack down on illegal drugs entering the US.

Donald Trump has used the issue to justify the imposition of trade tariffs on the country and even threatened to dispatch US troops south of the border.

Mexican national guard troops. The government is under pressure to stop illegal drugs entering the US - Getty Images

On Monday, amid a series of contradictory statements from various officials, Ms Sheinbaum said she had ordered an official investigation into the incident.

Ms Sheinbaum said she had not been told about a joint operation between the US and officials from the Chihuahua state government.

The president must be informed of collaboration between the US and local governments, Ms Sheinbaum claimed.

There are no joint operations on land or in the air, she said. She added that the two countries were only sharing information.

It strengthens our resolve

On Tuesday, Ms Sheinbaum told reporters she was not aware the dead Americans were intelligence agents but said state officials and the US were working together.

Mr Jauregui said the Americans did not directly participate in the Mexican raid on the lab.

Ronald Johnson, the US ambassador to Mexico, offered his condolences on social media, but did not provide more details about the incident.

This tragedy is a solemn reminder of the risks faced by those Mexican and US officials who are dedicated to protecting our communities, he said.

It strengthens our resolve to continue their mission and advance our shared commitment to security and justice, to protect our people.

A CIA spokesperson declined to comment when contacted by The Telegraph.
Two dead and 19 hurt after chemical spill at West Virginia plant

Two people have died and 19 others were hospitalized after a chemical spill occurred at a West Virginia plant, authorities said.

The leak occurred at the Catalyst Refiners plant, a silver recovery business in Institute, around 9:30 a.m. Wednesday morning, as workers were preparing to shut down the facility, officials in Kanawah County said.

Cleaning and decontamination activities were underway in preparation to shut down the site when a chemical gas reaction involving nitric acid and another substance, M2000A, occurred, creating hydrogen sulphide, which is a highly toxic gas.

It caused a violent reaction of chemicals, and it instantaneously overreacted, Commission Emergency Management Director C.W. Sigman said.

Sigman later noted that the two most dangerous times of a chemical plants life is start-up and shut down.

Two people died and 19 others were hospitalized due to a chemical spill at a silver recovery business in West Virginia Wednesday morning (AP)

As first responders arrived at the scene just before 10 a.m., a shelter-in-place was ordered for a one-mile radius around the site. An emergency alert program then notified nearby residents and businesses of the leak, officials said.

Route 25 in front of the plant was shut down, while the nearby Route 60 was also momentarily shut down. Nearby schools sheltered in place out of an abundance of caution. However, all shelter-in-place orders were lifted about five hours later.

Twenty-one people were taken to the hospital, including the two who died. Among the injured were seven ambulance workers who were responding to the leak. Officials said they were not going to release the names of the people who died or were taken to the hospital for treatment.

The leak required a large scale decontamination operation, which required people to remove all their clothes and be sprayed down, authorities said.

Kanawha County Commission Emergency Management Director C.W. Sigman said the spill was caused by a violent reaction of chemicals Wednesday morning (AP)

Catalyst Refiners is a small, warehouse-sized facility that works to remove silver from what remains of chemical processes. The company can find thousands of dollars worth of silver just by vacuuming the floors in a plants offices, Sigmon said.

Several employees at the site at the time of the leak declined to go to the hospital to be checked out after, Sigman said, adding, We cant make them go.

Ames Goldsmith Corp., which owns Catalyst Refiners, said in a statement: This is an unfathomably difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with our colleagues and their families.

The company promised to work with local, state and federal officials as they investigate.
Families trapped in Afghanistan approved for sanctuary in Britain have stopped being evacuated, the High Court has heard, despite the defence secretarys pledge to honour the UKs debt to them.

Afghans found eligible for relocation to the UK as a result of their previous work alongside the British are no longer being helped to flee the Taliban-run country, according to lawyers and caseworkers supporting those in limbo.

The claims emerged in a case involving two Afghans, who have been approved for UK relocation and who are named FRY and BNM1 to protect their safety. They are challenging the Ministry of Defence (MoD) over the delays to their evacuation.

In a hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice on Wednesday, Tim Owen KC, barrister for claimant FRY, told the judge that on the face of it, it appears there is a freeze on relocations from Afghanistan.

He said the claimants are being faced with a complete information black hole with most of the legal proceedings happening in secret, where the claimants legal teams are not present.

Mr Owen pointed to a statement from armed forces minister Luke Pollard this week that committed the MoD to providing support and relocation for eligible Afghans in third countries, such as Pakistan  but not from Afghanistan.

Resettlement schemes for Afghans to come to the UK after the Taliban takeover were closed suddenly in July last year, just before a judge lifted an unprecedented MoD superinjunction used to hide a serious data breach affecting thousands of applicants to the Afghan resettlement schemes.

In his statement to parliament after the news of the data breach broke, defence secretary John Healey committed to honour invitations already made to any named person still in Afghanistan and their immediate family, adding: When this nation makes a promise, we should keep it.

He told MPs: I will reiterate the commitment we made then to process every single outstanding Arap (Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy) application and relocate those who may prove eligible.

Defence secretary John Healey pledged to honour invitations to Afghans approved under the UKs resettlement schemes (Getty Images)

David Sellwood, barrister for BNM1, told the court that his client had made his application to the Arap resettlement programme in November 2021, was approved for relocation in August 2024 subject to security checks, and then had his relocation confirmed in July last year.

However, the Afghan national is still in Afghanistan and has not been evacuated. He is seeking to have his case joined with that of FRY so that they can be heard together at a joint hearing in June.

An MoD spokesperson said: We remain committed to the promises we have made to our Afghan friends and allies - including relocating eligible Afghans to the UK.

Eligible Afghans are continuing to be relocated to the UK once they receive UK visas.

We continue to provide discretionary support for eligible Afghans in certain third countries while a decision is being reached on their UK entry clearance applications.

The Independent revealed last month that thousands of Afghans who were potentially put at risk after their data was leaked by the MoD are still waiting to be brought to safety in the UK, more than six months after the scandal.

Around 400 people who supported British efforts in Afghanistan and later had their personal information breached by the UK government have been left trapped in Afghanistan and neighbouring countries, struggling to get out. Some 1,900 of their family members have also been left in limbo.

The British armed forces work with the US military to evacuate eligible civilians and their families out of the country on 21 August 2021 in Kabul, Afghanistan (Getty)

The latest figures, from December 2025, obtained through freedom of information requests, show how UK evacuations are working far too slowly when peoples lives are threatened, campaigners said.

Some 18,700 applicants to the governments Afghan resettlement schemes had their personal details and contact information leaked by an MoD blunder in 2022, which was only discovered in the summer of 2023 after a portion of a spreadsheet was shared on social media.

The discovery of the mistake sparked one of the most extraordinary secret government operations in modern history over fears that up to 100,000 lives were in danger. An unprecedented gagging order was used to cover up the breach, with affected families only discovering the danger they had potentially been put in when the superinjunction was lifted in July last year.
Guns were fired as Ukrainian authorities arrested military draft officers in Odesa for allegedly snatching people from the street and extorting money using the threat of being sent straight to the frontline. The Security Service of Ukraine said four officers working for the local territorial recruitment centre  which carries out conscription and recruitment  were detained after agents including special forces shot at the tyres of a vehicle in which they tried to escape. The group was being investigated for extortion, said the SBU. The perpetrators face up to 12 years in prison with confiscation of property.
A think tank has called for urgent action to ensure oil and gas companies decommission old North Sea infrastructure, saying doing so could create up to 25,000 jobs and deliver a 15 billion economic boost.

A report by Redwater Insights found Government action to guarantee operators clean up ageing infrastructure could also provide a critical skills bridge for 15,000 skilled workers facing an unemployment cliff edge as the North Sea basin continues to decline.

To achieve this, Redwater said the North Sea Transition Authority  which regulates the sector  needs increased powers to impose binding deadlines on operators around the decommissioning of infrastructure.

It said currently regulators are regularly approving requests to delay removal of infrastructure, despite some 500 oil and gas wells already being overdue for decommissioning, and a further 1,700 due to be plugged in the next six years.

The body also called for operators to be required to pre-fund some decommissioning costs, and for more support to be given to workers transitioning from oil and gas production to decommissioning roles.

Redwater Insights director of legal Sophie Marjanac said: When operators delay their clean up responsibilities, this creates further uncertainty for workers and their communities.

Proper decommissioning will provide a skills bridge for current oil and gas workers and create new jobs along the east coast of the UK, from Aberdeen to Great Yarmouth.

We need urgent action to avoid a disaster for jobs, communities and the UK economy.

There are more than 500 oil and gas wells currently overdue for plugging and abandonment in the North Sea, with hundreds more expected to reach end-of-life in the next few years.

The report said there are more than 500 North Sea oil and gas wells currently overdue for plugging and abandonment (PA) (Andrew Milligan)

Overly flexible regulation means operators are kicking the decommissioning can down the road. But delaying too much longer runs the risk of ballooning costs and highly skilled workers leaving the industry.

The report, entitled After The oil: Jobs And economic Impacts From UK Offshore Decommissioning, calculated that timely decommissioning could attract 25.6 billion of investment from operators.

It said this would generate nearly 7 billion in direct economic benefit to the UK, plus a further 9 billion in indirect and induced gross value added.

However it warned there is only a short window to avoid delays causing potentially disastrous impacts for UK jobs and regional economies.

The report found oil well degradation and deterioration of structures are expected to significantly increase the cost of repair and removal work  and that this would be exacerbated by workers retiring or leaving the sector.

Ms Marjanac went on: The Treasury could face a significant challenge if cost blowouts cause companies to fail and decommissioning liabilities fall to taxpayers.

Meanwhile, regional communities risk being hit harder if the only workers skilled enough to decommission old assets have had to leave the industry because of continued delays.

There is a fast closing window for proper decommissioning.

We need urgent action from Government, regulators and most importantly from operators who are legally obliged to ensure their wells are cleaned up properly.

Lang Banks, director of WWF Scotland, said: Having earned hundreds of millions of pounds in profit from extracting fossil fuels from under the North Sea, it is only right that oil and gas companies clean up after themselves.

Unnecessarily delaying the decommissioning of oil and gas facilities leaves our marine environment at risk of harm and undermines efforts to create skilled jobs and support coastal communities.

A spokesperson for the UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said: Oil and gas production will be with us for decades to come, and we will manage existing fields for the entirety of their lifespan  while actively scaling up clean energy industries in the North Sea.



Our ambitious plans to make the North Sea a clean energy powerhouse for Britain will create up to 40,000 new jobs in Scotland by 2030.
A banner of Donald Trump hangs from the Department of Justice in Washington earlier this month. Photograph: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters (Photograph: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters)

The Southern Poverty Law Center, the prominent civil rights organization, has been indicted on federal fraud charges related to past payments it made to confidential informants to infiltrate extremist groups including the Ku Klux Klan, the justice department has announced.

In a statement, Bryan Fair, the SPLCs chief executive, called the allegations false and said the justice departments actions will not shake our resolve to fight for justice and ensure the promise of the civil rights movement becomes a reality for all.

Speaking to reporters in Washington on Tuesday evening, Todd Blanche, the acting attorney general, said an Alabama grand jury returned an 11-count indictment against the 55-year-old civil rights group in the case brought by the justice department in Alabama, where the SPLC is based. The charges include wire fraud, bank fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

In his remarks, Blanche alleged the group was doing the exact opposite of what its told its donors it was doing  not dismantling extremism, but funding it.

Blanche was joined by the FBI director, Kash Patel, who called the paid informant program a serious and egregious violation of a group that purported to dismantle violent extremist groups, but in turn, actually only fueled the hatred.

The investigation is being handled by the US attorney for the middle district of Alabama, which includes Montgomery, the state capital.

Related: We feel this incredible tension at all times: what happened to small-town USA when extremists moved in

According to prosecutors, the SPLC covertly funneled more than $3m to confidential sources within extremist groups between 2014 and 2023. The indictment lays out a number of fictitious entities with names such as Center Investigative Agency, Fox Photography, and Tech Writers Group, which prosecutors say were created to conceal the transfer of funds to confidential sources.

They accuse officials at the SPLC of lying to donors when they told them their money would be used to dismantle violent extremist groups, when it was allegedly being used to pay leaders in the violent groups. Prosecutors say the organization also lied to banks about who owned the entities.

It was very odd to charge a corporate entity with these crimes, said Andrew Tessman, a former federal prosecutor who handled financial fraud cases.

To prove wire fraud, you have to show that the defendant had intent to defraud. Thats hard to do even when youre talking about an individual person. To establish that an entire corporate entity had intent to defraud seems exceptionally difficult, he said. Same goes for bank fraud. Difficult crime to prove because you have to prove what is going on inside someones head at the moment they are conducting the financial transactions. Easier to do with an individual because you can get the context from other witnesses and sometimes emails or texts.

I dont think they can prove their case at trial, he added.

One area where prosecutors might have success is in looking at what representations the SPLC had made to banks. Tessman noted that prosecutors had not technically filed bank fraud charges against the SPLC, but rather charged them with making a false statement to a bank. Its an underused but powerful statute. It just requires an intentional false statement to a bank. If it is true that the SPLC set up false entities and the bank was not aware of it, they could succeed on those charges.

Fair disputed the allegations and argued that the informant program saved lives.

Taking on violent hate and extremist groups is among the most dangerous work there is, and we believe it is also among the most important work we do, he said.

The indictment was announced shortly after Fair revealed that the justice department had launched a criminal inquiry into the organization over its prior use of paid confidential informants to gather credible intelligence on extremely violent groups.

Fair said the group used to use paid informants to infiltrate extremist groups and monitor them, but no longer does.

This use of informants was necessary because we are no stranger to threats of violence. In 1983, our offices were fire-bombed, and in the years since, there have been countless credible threats against our staff, he said.

For decades, we engaged in unprecedented litigation to dismantle the Klan and other hate groups. In light of that work, we sought to protect the safety of our staff and the public.

The investigation comes as the Trump administration has pledged to crack down on non-profit groups opposed to its priorities. Conservative groups have long decried the way the SPLC has labelled certain right-leaning groups as hate groups.

Last year, the FBI announced it was ending its longstanding relationship with the SPLC, saying the organization had defamed right-leaning groups by labelling them hate groups. Asked whether previous leaders at the FBI were aware of the informant program, Blanche said his understanding was that the SPLC never told anybody in law enforcement that they were paying off the Ku Klux Klan.

In his earlier video statement, Fair said the organization frequently shared what we learned from informants with local and federal law enforcement, including the FBI.

Today the federal government has been weaponized to dismantle the rights of our nations most vulnerable people and any organization like ours that stands in the breach, Fair said. We will vigorously defend ourselves, our staff, and our work; we will continue to fight hate; and we will continue to seek a safer and more just world.

In a statement defending the SPLC, Anthony Romero, the executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union, assailed the justice departments investigation as yet another example of the Trump administrations extreme attempts to silence its critics.

The Trump administrations attack against the Southern Poverty Law Center is a direct threat to the values that make America great, Romero said. In this time of unprecedented peril for our democracy, we urge all Americans of good conscience to join us as we stand in support of the Southern Poverty Law Center.

 This story was amended on 22 April 2026. The executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union is Anthony Romero, not Simon as an earlier version incorrectly said.
Hundreds of Afghans and their families stranded in a former U.S. military base in Qatar are bracing for what they describe as an impossible choice: return to Taliban rule in their home country, or settle in a war-torn African nation already suffering a humanitarian crisis.

The brother of Retired U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Sean Jamshidi has been waiting for a flight to the United States for more than a year. But after years of vetting and approval for entry, Donald Trumps administration has effectively cut off any paths to the U.S. for Afghans who supported American war efforts.

Jamshidis brother Masoud and his family are among 1,100 Afghans inside Camp As Sayliyah in Doha who fear the Trump administration could soon force them to choose between returning to Taliban rule  or the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The Taliban will kill him for what he did, Jamshidi told reporters Wednesday.

Kinshasa wont kill him on Day One, but the State Department knows theres no community for him there, no legal status, and no real protection for him or for the children traveling with these families, he added. They know they are offering him an option they know will be refused, just so they can say they tried. This is not a real choice. This is not policy. This is theater.

Hundreds of Afghans who supported US war efforts are stuck in limbo at a military base in Qatar. The Trump administration could force them to the Congo or back to the Taliban, advocates warn (via REUTERS)

Jamshidi was previously deployed in the DRC. He fears that his family could soon be forced to endure the same humanitarian crisis he witnessed.

I saw the displacement camps, I stood in places where the United Nations have counted the dead, Jamshidi told reporters.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is not a place where you send vetted Afghan allies and their children to live. It is not a place you send anyone, voluntarily or otherwise, he said. This is a country with a long history of corruption, war and foreign exploitation that has left it deeply unstable and is lacking basic services. And the United States government knows this.

The State Department currently advises Americans against traveling to the country, citing threats of terrorism, civil unrest, armed conflict and kidnapping.

We are telling American allies  people who stood with us, who are vetted, who supported our mission  to go somewhere the United States government itself warns Americans not to go, Jamshidi said. This should not make sense to anyone.

The U.S. has resettled more than 190,000 Afghans who supported American war efforts between August 2021 and mid-2025.

Roughly 1,100 others were moved to Camp As Sayliyah in late 2024. Then-President Joe Bidens administration had promised them a path to settlement in the U.S. following additional background checks. The Qatari base was effectively intended as a stopover on their journey to the U.S.

But refugee resettlement groups were blindsided by Trumps abrupt suspension of refugee admissions into the U.S. within moments after he entered office last year, stranding thousands of already-vetted refugees who had prepared for years to be resettled in the country.

Months later, Homeland Security threatened to cut off humanitarian protections for thousands of Afghans who fled the country following the U.S. withdrawal in 2021, claiming there have been notable improvements in Afghanistans national security and an increase in tourism.

In January, Trumps State Department said all residents at the Doha camp would be relocated to third countries by March 31.

That deadline has come and gone. Afghans are now desperately urging the U.S. to keep its promise to allied service members and their families, many of whom wear American uniforms.

The group includes military interpreters, former members of the Afghan Special Operations forces and approximately 150 family members of active-duty U.S. servicemembers. There are also more than 400 children among them.

We were interpreters. We were members of the Afghan Special Operations Forces. We were medics, drivers, security guards, cooks, office staff on American compounds, Afghans at the camp said in a joint statement.

Some of us are the wives, parents, brothers and children of those who served. Some of our family members wear the American uniform today, on active duty, while we sit here waiting, they wrote.

The US resettled more than 190,000 Afghans who supported American war efforts between August 2021 and mid-2025, but the Trump administration abruptly closed the door on vetted refugees and is seeking to expel thousands in the US who were granted humanitarian protections (via REUTERS)

A State Department spokesperson told The Independent it was still working to find voluntary resettlement options.

We will say this plainly. We do not want to go to the Democratic Republic of Congo, Afghans at the camp said in their statement.

It is a country in its own war. We have been in enough war. We cannot take our children into another one, they said. We are not asking for charity. We are asking the United States to keep the promise it made to us.

More than 600,000 refugees, mostly from the Central African Republic and Rwanda, are currently in Congo, according to the United Nations.

Human rights advocates have warned that the country cannot sustain refugee admissions as it grapples with an ongoing conflict with neighboring Rwanda that has displaced millions of people. Nearly 7 million people have been internally displaced due to the crisis, according to the United Nations Refugee Agency.

You do not solve the worlds No. 1 refugee crisis by dumping it into the worlds No. 2 refugee crisis, said Shawn VanDiver, director of AfghanEvac, which provides resources for Afghan allies and ensures cooperation between the U.S. government and volunteer groups.

Former diplomat Anne Richard, who served at the State Department agency running refugee resettlement during the Biden administration, rejected the idea that the Trump administrations alleged plan is resettlement.

Resettlement requires a refugees consent to move to a country that has agreed to receive them, where they can have legal status, safety and pathway to self-sufficiency, according to Richard.

Every one of those conditions is missing here, she told reporters. You do not have consent when the other option on the table is a government run [by the Taliban].  A decision made under duress is not a voluntary decision.

The Trump administration is reportedly arranging a plan with the administration of Felix Tshisekedi, president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, to receive hundreds of Afghans who have been stranded at Camp As Sayliyah in Doha (REUTERS)

Advocates have warned that abandoning U.S. allies will also pose a critical threat to national security and U.S. credibility when America may need be seeking aid again in the future.

Kyleanne Hunter, CEO of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, said potential allies are likely to think twice if U.S. obligations have the shelf life of one administration.

You cannot win a future war with partners who watched you abandon the last ones, she said.

Jon Finer, Joe Bidens Principal Deputy National Security Advisor and former State Department chief of staff, said U.S. allies are less likely to rely on or trust us going forward.

The idea we can go to those people in, God forbid, some future conflict  is going to be badly compromised at this point, he said.
Virginia approves redistricting plan that could help Democrats gain four more House seats

Virginia voters have approved a mid-decade redistricting plan, a move that could significantly bolster Democrats' prospects of securing four additional U.S. House seats in the upcoming November midterm elections. These elections are poised to determine control of a narrowly divided Congress.

The constitutional amendment, endorsed by the electorate, circumvents a bipartisan redistricting commission. Instead, it permits the implementation of new districts drawn by Virginias Democratic-led General Assembly.

However, this public mandate might not represent the final word on the matter. The state Supreme Court is currently reviewing the plan's legality, a case that could potentially render the referendum results null.

This Virginia redistricting referendum also marks a setback for President Donald Trump, who initiated a national redistricting push last year by urging Republican officials in Texas to redraw districts. His objective was to help Republicans gain more seats in the November elections and retain a slim House majority, particularly in the face of political headwinds that typically favor the party out of power during midterm elections.

Congressional redistricting typically is done once a decade after each census (AP Photo/Allen G. Breed)

The Texas gambit led to a burst of redistricting nationwide. So far, Republicans believe they can win up to nine more House seats in newly redrawn districts in Texas, Missouri, North Carolina and Ohio. Democrats think they can win up to five more seats in California, where voters approved a similar mid-decade redistricting effort last November, and one more seat under new court-imposed districts in Utah.

Democrats hope to offset the rest of that gap in Virginia, where they decisively flipped 13 seats in the state House and won back the governors office last year.

But the back-and-forth battle is continuing in Florida, where the Republican-led Legislature is to convene April 28 for a special session that could result in more favorable congressional districts for Republicans.

In Virginia, Democrats currently hold six of the 11 U.S. House seats under districts that were imposed by the state Supreme Court in 2021 after a bipartisan commission failed to agree on a map based on the latest census data.

The new plan could help Democrats win as many as 10 seats. Five seats are anchored in the Democratic stronghold of northern Virginia, including one stretching out like a lobster to consume Republican-leaning rural areas. Revisions to four other districts across Richmond, southern Virginia and Hampton Roads dilute the voting power of conservative blocs in those areas. And a reshaped district in parts of western Virginia lumps together three Democratic-leaning college towns to offset other Republican voters.

Democrats portrayed the Virginia redistricting as a response to Trump. It is pushing back against what other states have done in trying to stack the deck for Donald Trump in those congressional elections, Democratic Gov. Abigail Spanberger said during an online rally last week.

Ads for the yes to redistricting campaign featuring former President Barack Obama flooded the airwaves.

But opponents of the redistricting also distributed campaign materials citing statements from Obama and Spanberger, who had both criticized gerrymandering in the past.

Congressional redistricting typically is done once a decade after each census.

In 2020, Virginia voters approved a constitutional amendment meant to diminish political gamesmanship by shifting redistricting responsibilities away from the legislature.

But lawmakers endorsed a new constitutional amendment allowing mid-decade redistricting last fall, then passed it again in January as part of a two-step process that requires an intervening election in order for an amendment to be placed on the ballot. The measure allows lawmakers to redistrict until returning the task to a bipartisan commission after the 2030 census.

In February, they passed a new U.S. House map to take effect pending the outcome of the redistricting referendum.

Republicans have filed multiple legal challenges against the redistricting effort.

A Tazewell County judge ruled that the redistricting push was illegal for several reasons. Circuit Court Judge Jack Hurley Jr. said lawmakers failed to follow their own rules for adding the redistricting amendment to a special session. He ruled that their initial vote failed to occur before the public began casting ballots in last years general election and thus didnt count toward the two-step process. And he ruled that the state failed to publish the amendment three months before that election, as required by law.

If the state Supreme Court agrees with the lower court, the referendum results could be rendered moot.
A person votes in the Virginia redistricting referendum at Fairfax Government Center on April 21, 2026, in Fairfax, Virginia.

Virginians voted Tuesday to back a new electoral map that could hand Democrats four more seats in the US House of Representatives, turning President Donald Trump's redistricting push into a potential liability for Republicans in upcoming midterm elections.

The battle over "gerrymandering"  the long-established but widely criticised US practice of drawing electoral boundaries to benefit one party  has become one of the defining fights of the campaign for November's congressional contests.

The state voted in a referendum to let officials redraw the congressional map before the next scheduled nationwide redistricting in 2030, giving Democrats a strong advantage in 10 of the state's 11 House districts, up from their previous 6-5 edge.

With control of the House on a knife's edge, the vote makes it more likely that Trump will be forced to finish his term with a Democratic legislature empowered to block his agenda and investigate his administration, rather than the compliant Republican Congress he now enjoys.

Read moreUS Supreme Court approves Texas's Republican-friendly electoral map for 2026 midterms

It marked a stinging defeat for Trump, who joined a telephone rally Monday night with House Speaker Mike Johnson to urge a no-vote, warning Virginians: "The whole country is watching."

Redistricting usually follows the national census every 10 years, but Trump last year urged Republican-led states to redraw maps mid-decade to protect the party's fragile House majority.

That triggered a tit-for-tat contest as both parties raced to squeeze out an extra advantage before November.

Texas moved first, adopting a map that could add up to five Republican seats. California answered with a ballot measure designed to give Democrats five more of their own.

"Virginia voters have spoken, and tonight they approved a temporary measure to push back against a President who claims he is 'entitled' to more Republican seats in Congress," Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger, a Democrat, said in a statement after the referendum was called.

Democratic groups poured money into the state election, making the vote one of the most expensive redistricting fights in US history.

The main campaigns on both sides have raised nearly $100 million, much of it from "dark money" groups  nonprofit organisations that can spend heavily on politics without publicly disclosing their donors.

'Unfair advantage'

The pro-redistricting campaign, Virginians for Fair Elections, raised the lion's share  nearly $65 million, according to The Hill news site.

It was given an assist by former president Barack Obama, still one of the Democratic Party's most influential campaign voices, who urged Virginians to vote yes.

"By voting yes, you can push back against the Republicans trying to give themselves an unfair advantage in the midterms...And we're counting on you," he said in a video message.

Democrats argue that the Virginia map is a necessary counterweight to Trump's pressure campaign. Republicans call it a naked power grab in a politically mixed state where Trump took 46 percent of the vote in 2024.

But University of Virginia political scientist Larry Sabato cautioned that  even with the success of the "yes" campaign  winning 10 out of 11 seats in November will not be straightforward for Democrats.

"Sometimes constituencies shock the map makers. You know, they don't vote the way the map makers thought they would vote. So you never know for sure, and the margins here aren't enormous," he said.

Virginia resident Corey Crouch told CBS News he had voted no.

"I don't look at what other states and what everybody else is doing ... I don't think we need to change maps around or anything," he told the broadcaster.

The result was being watched closely nationwide and could shape the final phase of the national map fight.

Trump ally and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is pushing a special session that could allow Republicans to gain as many as five seats, potentially wiping out any Democratic gains in Virginia.

(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
Signs in Virginia in the run-up to the referendum. Photograph: Kendall Warner/TNS/Zuma/Shutterstock (Photograph: Kendall Warner/TNS/Zuma/Shutterstock)

Voters in Virginia on Tuesday approved new congressional maps intended to boost Democrats chances of retaking the House of Representatives, in the latest blow to Donald Trumps effort to use mid-decade redistricting to preserve his control of Congress.

The tit-for-tat redistricting battle began last year after Trump pressed Texass Republican-controlled legislature to redraw that states congressional maps in an effort to oust as many as five Democratic House lawmakers in the November midterm elections.

California voters retaliated by approving new maps that could flip five Republican-held seats, and in Virginia, Abigail Spanberger, the newly elected Democratic governor, backed an effort to redraw her states maps following her January inauguration. Tuesdays referendum could help Democrats win four additional House seats in Novembers midterm elections.

Under the new maps, Democrats are now favored to win in 10 of Virginias 11 districts. In the current delegation, Democrats hold six seats and Republicans five.

The referendum, which changes the state constitution to set aside through the 2030 census a non-partisan redistricting process voters authorized six years ago, is the subject of a challenge before the state supreme court, which could still issue a ruling disqualifying its results.

Polls showed a close race in the weeks leading up to Tuesdays vote, with signs that right-leaning voters in Virginias rural areas were incensed by new maps that would see many of them represented by lawmakers who live in the states northern suburbs outside Washington DC.

The surveys also showed that voters were divided on Spanbergers performance as governor, with Republicans accusing her of lying about her moderate credentials on the campaign trail then quickly pivoting left as governor, including by supporting the referendum.

The race saw heavy spending by Democratic-linked groups and others, who poured more than $64m into the main committee backing the referendum. Groups opposing redistricting brought in around $30m.

Barack Obama recorded television ads in favor of the yes vote, while those opposed aired their own ads focused on past comments he had made criticizing gerrymandering. Glenn Youngkin, the Republican who preceded Spanberger as governor, campaigned heavily for the no vote.

Obama celebrated the result on Tuesday evening.

Congratulations, Virginia! the former US president posted on social media. Republicans are trying to tilt the midterm elections in their favor, but they havent done it yet. Thanks for showing us what it looks like to stand up for our democracy and fight back.

In a Wednesday post on Truth Social, Trump condemned the election as rigged because of Virginias acceptance of mail-in ballots. He also criticized an official description of the referendum as purposefully unintelligible and deceptive.

Lets see if the Courts will fix this travesty of Justice, the president wrote.

The referendums success may embolden Floridas Republican-controlled state assembly, which Governor Ron DeSantis has called into a special session beginning next week to consider changes to its congressional map. The GOP could pick up as many as three more seats depending on how the legislature draws the boundaries.

Hakeem Jeffries, the House Democratic leader, said Tuesdays result should serve as a warning to DeSantis.

If Florida Republicans proceed with this illegal scheme, they will only create more prime pick-up opportunities for Democrats, he wrote in a statement. We are prepared to take them all on, and we are prepared to win.

In addition to Virginia, Missouri and North Carolina have redrawn their congressional maps to remove potentially one Democratic representative each. Democrats are also expected to pick up a seat in Utah thanks to a court ruling that required the state to draw new boundaries.

 This article was amended on 22 April 2026 to clarify that the maps do not require another vote of the legislature, and that Floridas special session will begin next week.
Southern Poverty Law Centers director, Morris Dees, at a news conference in Montgomery, Alabama, in November 2002. Photograph: Dave Martin/AP (Photograph: Dave Martin/AP)

The Southern Poverty Law Center was indicted on Tuesday on federal fraud charges, alleging it improperly paid informants to infiltrate extremist groups without disclosing the payments to donors, the acting attorney general, Todd Blanche, said.

The centers CEO, Bryan Fair, said the payments went to confidential informants in order to monitor threats of violence from the extremist groups  and that the information the center received was frequently shared with the FBI and other law enforcement agencies. The information gathered by the informants helped save lives, Fair said on Tuesday.

We are outraged by the false allegations levied against SPLC, Fair said.

The justice department alleged that the civil rights group defrauded donors by using their money to fund the same extremism that it claimed to be fighting. The indictment says payments of at least $3m went to informants affiliated with the Ku Klux Klan, the Aryan Nations, the National Socialist Party of America and other groups between 2014 and 2023.

Related: Southern Poverty Law Center indicted on federal fraud charges

The charges, filed in Alabama where the center is based, include wire fraud, bank fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Here is a look at the Southern Poverty Law Centers history and controversies:

What is the SPLC?

The Alabama lawyer Morris Dees founded the organization in 1971, starting a civil rights-focused law practice for people who were poor or disenfranchised. At the time, federal laws and US supreme court rulings designed to end Jim Crow-era segregation were still fairly new, and widespread resistance to desegregation persisted in the south.

People who faced continued discrimination often struggled to find attorneys who were willing to represent them in court; lawyers were reluctant to bring the first lawsuits to test the civil rights laws.

Dees and another attorney, Joe Levin, took on some of those cases, representing their clients for free. Some of those earliest cases resulted in the desegregation of recreational facilities, the integration of the Alabama state trooper force and other reforms, according to the centers website.

The SPLC gets most of its funding from donor contributions. Its endowment had just under $732m in hand as of last October, according to the center.

What is it they do now?

By the 1980s, the civil rights group was monitoring white supremacist organizations in the US. The effort, initially called Klanwatch and focused on the Ku Klux Klan, was later renamed the Intelligence Project, and expanded to include other extremist groups.

Many of the groups did not appreciate being called out, monitored and sometimes sued by the center. Members of the KKK tried to burn down the centers Montgomery offices on 28 July 1983, in retaliation for lawsuits filed against Klan groups.

The fire damaged the building, office equipment, the centers law library and files. More than a year later, three KKK members were arrested in connection with the blaze, and all three pleaded guilty and were sentenced to prison.

The center previously used paid informants to infiltrate extremist groups and gather information on their activities, often sharing it with local and federal law enforcement, Fair said. They were used to monitor threats of violence, he said, adding that the program was kept quiet to protect the safety of informants.

How do conservatives feel?

The centers Intelligence Project has grown over the years, and the organization has faced criticism for some of the groups it has added to the tracker. Conservatives have said adding some groups unfairly maligns them because of their viewpoints. The conservative religious organization Focus on the Family was added in part because of its anti LGBTQ+ rhetoric, for instance.

That criticism escalated after the September 2025 assassination of the conservative activist Charlie Kirk at a college campus in Utah. That brought renewed attention to the centers inclusion of Kirks group, Turning Point USA.

The center included a section on Turning Point in a report titled The Year in Hate and Extremism 2024 that described the group as A Case Study of the Hard Right in 2024.

A month after Kirks death, the FBI director, Kash Patel, announced that the bureau would sever its relationship with the center, asserting that the organization had been turned into a partisan smear machine and criticizing it for its use of a hate map.

That move marked a dramatic rethinking of longstanding FBI partnerships with prominent civil rights groups.

Whats the indictment about?

The indictment says the center told donors the money would be used to help dismantle violent extremist groups, but did not disclose that some of the funds would actually be used to pay members of those groups. Some legal experts say it is an unusual legal approach.

Thats a new way of going after a charity  Im somewhat surprised, said Phil Hackney, a law professor at the University of Pittsburgh. Typically, when a non-profit group is charged with fraud, it is because someone is accused of pilfering donated funds to line their own pockets, Hackney said.

But in this case, the government is targeting the method and intent in which a non-profit used its money, he said.

The government is looking at the informant payments as an intent to further hate  and I doubt Southern Poverty Law Center had that intent, Hackney said.

The law has never required non-profit groups to hand donors a line-item receipt for every sensitive operation, said Todd Spodek, a federal criminal defense attorney with Spodek Law Group PC in Manhattan.

From a defense perspective, this isnt a fraud case. It is a political attack on standard investigative tradecraft, said Spodek. We are talking about high-stakes intelligence work where discretion isnt a form of deception, it is a matter of survival.

In order to win a conviction, the government will have to prove the center engaged in a deliberate scheme to lie, Spodek said.

They simply cannot. Silence of tactical details is not a crime, and you dont get to call it fraud just because the government dislikes the methods used to get results, he said. He later continued: The prosecution is trying to turn operational discretion into a felony, which is a massive overreach.
For hunters like 19-year-old Carson Bender, every moment spent waiting for animals can feel like an hour of suspense. The vast majority of hunting trips are spent hiding in near-silence, but humans in camouflage aren't the only ones stalking their prey in the woods.

The teenage hunter, mechanic, and student was spending a free day hunting for wild turkeys on private land near Nekoosa, Wisconsin, on April 18, when one tiny sound changed everything. Around 7:45 a.m., turkey gobbling was replaced by the rustling of leaves, followed by dead silence. When Bender looked around, he could hardly believe what he saw.

Bender was so locked in on the turkeys he was hunting that he didn't even fully look at the wildcat stalking him just a few meters away. Luckily, he wasn't easily spooked, or his shocked reaction could've startled everyone in the woods!

"I pan over with the phone, and the bobcat is just staring at me," he told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "I was like, oh-oh. But I was still locked onto the toms in the field, too."

Related: Moment Bobcat Kitten Is Reunited With Mom After Bad Storm Is Touching Hearts

Talk about multitasking! In Wisconsin, the spring turkey hunting season lasts from April 15 to April 21, so Bender knew he may not get in another morning of hunting this year. That's why he watched the cat through his phone camera the entire time instead of turning around and risking scaring the turkeys.

Just before Bender was about to take a shot at a turkey, the stealthy bobcat suddenly moved closer. The teenager put his phone down when the cat pounced at him, but he only sustained minor scratches to his left arm before the wild animal left just as quickly as it appeared.

Bobcats and People

Viewers were rightfully stunned to see a person being stalked and hunted by a bobcat, but they were just as shocked to learn how small these wild cats actually are. Commenter @sweetspeak asked, "Bobcats are 3 apples tall and just stand up?" Apparently so!

Bender estimated the bobcat he met weighed about 25 pounds, which is the animal's average weight. The Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute says that bobcats can grow to be anywhere between 9 and 40 pounds when fully grown, though what they lack in size they make up for in confidence.



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Bender's close call is a great reminder that we share the Earth with thousands of animal species, and it's always important to be aware and respectful when any animal is nearby. From tiny insects to stealthy predators, there's no telling what you may encounter in the woods!

This story was originally published by PetHelpful on Apr 21, 2026, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add PetHelpful as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
A Portland woman is suing Trader Joes over claims that she found a fingertip from a rubber glove in one of the brands juices, according to a lawsuit.

Julee ONeil, who filed her lawsuit on Monday, also alleges that she may have swallowed a human fingertip while drinking the orange juice. She is now suing the grocer for $10,000.

ONeil discovered the rubber fingertip on June 19, 2025, according a lawsuit obtained by OregonLive.  She had bought the 52-ounce bottle of Trader Joes brand juice from a store in the Hollywood neighborhood.

As she drank the beverage, ONeil said that she discovered what she believed to be a large chunk of pulp floating in the liquid. Only when she retrieved the object did she realize that it was part of a rubber glove.

A woman has claimed that she may have drank a fingertip after finding part of a glove in a juice bottle purchased at Trader Joe's, according to a lawsuit (Getty)

The lawsuit states, She was and is concerned that the human hand that was in the tip of the glove was also severed and was part of the pulp she had been periodically drinking.

ONeil said that she gagged and felt a burning sensation in her mouth, as well as feeling nauseated. Eventually, she decided to head to a nearby clinic.

More than 30 days before filing her complaint, ONeil sent a written notice to the supermarket requesting a $10,000 settlement. However, according to Fox 12, which also obtained the court filing, Trader Joes did not pay.

The shopper says that she purchased the juice from a Trader Joe's in the Portland neighborhood of Hollywood (Google Street View)

The development comes after the grocer agreed to pay out a $7.4 million settlement in a separate legal battle. 

According to Los Angeles County Superior Court documents, a customer claimed in 2019 that Trader Joes printed 10 digits of its customers debit and credit card numbers on point-of-sale receipts. That was alleged to violate a customers rights under the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act.

Card transaction receipts can show only the last 5 digits of a card number under FACTA. 

However, the customer soon found that the mistake had impacted 757,663 unique class member card numbers, according to court documents. 

The records suggest that just under half of the gargantuan $7.4 million settlement will pay for attorney fees and costs, as well as other court-related fees.

The three law firms representing the customer and other participants will each receive one-third of a $2.5 million payout. 

Those affected by the mistake will be able to submit a claim for a part of the settlement, object to the settlement, opt out or do nothing.

The figure in the settlement still needs to be approved by a court, with a hearing being set for August 10, according to the records.

Trader Joes has denied all of the customers allegations and any liability or wrongdoing.

The Independent has contacted Trader Joes and Furniss, Shearer & Leineweber for comment.
A New Zealand minister is getting flak for his outright racist remark against Indians even as Wellington and Delhi prepared to sign a free-trade deal next week.

Shane Jones, deputy leader of the right-wing, populist NZ First Party, said a trade deal with India could trigger a butter chicken tsunami in the country. The minister for regional development was referring to the popular Indian dish to emphasise that the once in a generation deal to boost the countrys business access to Indias domestic market could open New Zealand up for a flood of immigrants.

The agreement will eliminate or reduce tariffs on 95 per cent of New Zealand's exports to India with more than half of the products to be duty free on day one of the pact, while all Indian goods would have duty free-access to New Zealand. New Zealand also agreed to invest $20bn in the Asian country in the next 15 years.

Under the deal, which follows in the footsteps of those signed by the UK, and the European Union last year, more than 20,000 Indian migrants could enter the country, according to an estimate by the New Zealand officials.

India's prime minister Narendra Modi shakes hands with his New Zealand's counterpart Christopher Luxon before their meeting at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi (AFP/Getty)

I dont care how much criticism we get, I am just never going to agree with a butter chicken tsunami coming to New Zealand, Mr Jones said, speaking to Reality Check Radio.

His remarks were criticised by prime minister Christopher Luxon as unhelpful and a gross misrepresentation of the trade deal. "I don't know. I'm just saying the immigration story that they are scaremongering around is absolutely false. We have taken them through the data, we have taken them through the details of that deal. We'll continue to do so, because we would love them to rethink their position," Mr Luxon said on Monday, but stopped short of calling out Mr Joness remarks.

"I appreciate they've got a pretty hard no against anything around free trade agreements. I just think that makes New Zealand poorer," he said.

Mr Luxon had called the gains from the historic agreement as wide-ranging and significant.

"India is the world's most populous country and is the fastest-growing big economy, and that creates opportunities for jobs for Kiwis, exports and growth," he had said when the agreement was inked in December last year.

The deal matters to Wellington politically as well as it fulfils an election promise from New Zealand's governing National Party that it would finalise the free trade agreement in its first term.

However, Mr Joness comments sparked a backlash from the Indian diaspora, making up around 6 per cent of the population, in New Zealand.

Its incredibly worrying for everybody, Shanti Patel, president of the Auckland Indian Association, told public broadcaster RNZ.

New Zealand lawmaker Priyanca Radhakrishnan said the remarks amounted to outright racism.

Its unacceptable and politicians shouldnt be making statements like he has, she said.
Ian Jones pleaded guilty to a string of charges under the Trade Marks Act - Pressteam Scotland

A trader was caught with 3.8m-worth of fake designer goods.

Police in Glasgow recovered 30 tons of counterfeit items from Ian Jones, 65, in one of the biggest seizures of the kind in Britain.

When officers arrived at his storage unit in Glasgow, Jones told them: Your timing is perfect: I just stocked up yesterday. So you will need more people and vans.

Jones had fake Chanel, Mulberry and Louis Vuitton bags, which had been shipped from Hong Kong, China and Turkey. The goods had been sent to ports in England before being transferred to Scotland.

Counterfeit Canada Goose coats, UGG boots and Hermes jewellery were also found in the traders units.

The seizure is believed to be one of the biggest recoveries of counterfeit goods in Britain

Jones, of Paisley, appeared at Hamilton Sheriff Court and admitted a string of charges between 2021 and 2023 under the Trade Marks Act.

Officials calculated that if he had sold the items as authentic designer goods, they would have been worth 3.8m.

Three units linked to Jones were raided by police and Trading Standards officials. The Glasgow search uncovered 30 tons of goods in two days.

Officers also raided rented units in East Kilbride and Bellshill, in what is believed to be the biggest recovery of counterfeit goods of its kind in Scotland and one of the largest in Britain.

The counterfeit goods were sold through word of mouth

Jones admitted he would travel regularly to China before Covid to organise the shipment of fake goods, which he paid for in cash.

Kevin Morrow, the Depute Fiscal, said: Information was received by Trading Standards that the accused was involved in the selling of high-end branded goods imported from Hong Kong and China, imported to the Midlands and then received by the accused where they were then sold directly to consumers.

He relied on word of mouth and did not rely on advertising.

Sheriff John Speir deferred sentence on Jones until June for reports and continued bail. Prosecutors are also seeking a confiscation order.
Officer cadets at Sandhurst last week. Half of those polled, who were aged 16 to 29, said that under no circumstances would they go to war - Andrew Matthews/PA Wire

Half of young people say they would never take up arms for the UK, a poll has found.

Asked whether they would be willing to go to war for Britain, 50 per cent of those aged 16 to 29 said that under no circumstances would they go to war.

Only 38 per cent said they would do so under some circumstances, while the rest did not know.

It is the latest survey to suggest that Gen Z is much less patriotic than older generations, and exposes the generational divide over questions of identity and national pride.

The poll of 2,000 people aged from 16 to 29, commissioned by the John Smith Centre at Glasgow University, found that the number expecting their lives to be better than their parents had halved in a year  from 63 per cent to just 36 per cent.

Only 25 per cent said they felt the political system treated them fairly.

Why fight for a country that isnt fighting for you?

Eddie Barnes, the director of the John Smith Centre, said younger people were unwilling to fight for a country that was not fighting for them.

The idea that the next generation will have it better than previous ones has been a founding belief for decades, he said.

Todays poll shows that the majority of this generation of young people no longer believe it to be true. And it reveals their loss of belief is collapsing at speed.

Locked out of the housing market, pinned down by low wages, loaded by student debt, and increasingly worried about the rise in AI, young people today feel a growing sense of unfairness about the world around them.

He added: In those circumstances, it should be little surprise that 50 per cent say they wouldnt fight for the country under any circumstances. Or as many young people might put it: why fight for a country that isnt fighting for you?

In the poll, young people ranked financial concerns, job insecurity and housing instability as their top-three worries.

They ranked better wages, affordable housing and more career opportunities as the top three things that would make them happier.

The impact of AI on jobs was ranked as a top-three threat by 55 per cent of young people.

Other findings in the poll showed that only 13 per cent disagreed with the statement that democracy in Britain is in trouble, while 56 per cent agreed.

Most believe immigration has improved their communities

Asked whether politics in the UK had become too divisive, 53 per cent agreed and only 13 per cent disagreed.

And asked which political leader best represented British values, 45 per cent failed to name any current leader.

The number of young people who said they preferred dictatorship to democracy has fallen compared to last year, from 27 per cent last year to 17 per cent this year.

Young people believe the UK has some responsibility to intervene overseas, particularly in cases of human rights abuses. They are also open to paying reparations for former colonies, with 66 per cent saying yes or maybe.

More than half (51 per cent) believe immigration has improved their communities.

Large majorities said respecting UK laws (86 per cent), speaking English (85 per cent), and holding citizenship (76 per cent) mattered for being truly British.

One 22-year-old man said: A growing sentiment among me and peers is why should we even try to uphold a social contract that will never work for us in the future? We will never be able to own homes or even retire at this rate.

A 29-year-old woman said: Im terrified for the future of not being able to buy a house, not being able to have a family.

Its kind of scary that Ive been working outside of uni for eight years and I have a degree and Im still struggling to get a job. I live with my parents now and Im grateful that I can live with my parents, but my parents cant support me financially.
Sir Mark Rowley hailed the actions of Sean Egan - James Manning/PA

Britains most senior police officer has backed the Morrisons store manager who was sacked for tackling a shoplifter.

Sir Mark Rowley, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, hailed the actions of Sean Egan and said he would always encourage citizens to help in the fight against crime.

Mr Egan, who had worked at the store in Aldridge, near Walsall in the West Midlands, for 29 years, was escorting a shoplifter out of the building when the he became aggressive and spat at him.

The 46-year-old confronted the thief and forced him out of the store.

At a disciplinary hearing, Mr Egan was later dismissed for not following the companys deter-not-detain policy.

The decision has provoked a backlash, with many calling for Mr Egan to be reinstated.

Sir Mark has weighed in, saying that he completely sympathises with the former manager.

Speaking about the incident on Good Morning Britain, he said: Im bewildered by the case. Maybe theres something sensitive behind it that none of us know, I dont know.

But on the surface, if a store manager feels able to intervene and can do that safely, we always want people to do that. We want the public to be part of the fight against crime.

The act of [a] citizen is important. Policing isnt just about policing. Keeping communities safe is about all of our responsibilities.

Sir Mark said he was really frustrated a number of retailers still dont engage with police forces to share CCTV, let staff make statements, or pay them to make court appearances relating to store thefts.

He added: I can understand a retailer that doesnt want to encourage its employees to get into physical confrontations when theyre not equipped and trained to do it.

But if someone feels physically, I am able to do this, Id be surprised why a retailer wouldnt support them.

Mr Egan also appeared on the show, as he detailed the mental toll his sacking has had on him and his family.

Ive been in a spiral of depression, in counselling, he said.

Its been an absolute black hole of my life. I did class Morrisons as my family and theyve been unsupportive throughout.

Its my only ever job, its the only job Ive ever had my entire life. Its all Ive known.

Speaking about the incident, Mr Egan said he was in a challenging situation of dealing with a known shoplifter.

He said he had seen him putting bottles of spirits into a bag and asked him to put the products back, as per Morrisons policy.

He said no. I told him Id refer that to the police, which is process, and he became even more aggressive, he explained.

The policy is for me to escort him from the premises, which I did. I was doing so walking along the tills when he turned and spat at me.

He was aggressive, verbally aggressive and spat at me.

I reacted in a way where I had to defend myself and I was put in a situation where the customers and staff around me were safe also.

Store manager Sean Egan was dismissed from Morrisons for confronting a shoplifter

Mr Egan said there was no security guard present at the time and stepped in when the thief reached into a bag, as he didnt know what he was reaching for.

He described the shoplifter as strong as a bear.

With the help of another manager, the pair managed to push the thief out of the store, where nearby police officers called him by name and handcuffed him.

I didnt ask him to spit on me. He spat at me. Yes, I did react and that was in the disciplinary, Mr Egan said.

I didnt deny it, its in the camera footage, but I didnt ask to be spat at. I didnt ask to be verbally assaulted.

He was aggressive and he was out to cause trouble.

He continued: The local community are so passionate on stopping crime. We know theres a cost of living crisis and prices are on the rise but things such as shoplifting are driving prices up and businesses have to put things in to stop that.

In that instant, I only wanted to prevent what I was told is my business and to stop losing any more money that Im challenged on. I did the utmost to protect my business at that time.

A Morrisons spokesman said: While we cannot comment on individual cases, we are confident that this matter was investigated thoroughly and that the correct process was followed. The subsequent reporting does not reflect the full facts of the situation.

We are continuing to take wide-ranging action to address the threat of shoplifting or violence in our stores.

The health and safety of all colleagues and customers is of paramount importance to Morrisons. We have very clear guidance, procedures and controls in place to protect our colleagues and customers from the risk of harm, which must be strictly followed.

These include detailed procedures for handling shoplifting incidents, which are in place to protect both the colleague involved and surrounding colleagues and customers and which seek to de-escalate and calmly control the situation. We will not ask colleagues to put themselves at risk.

As a responsible employer, our focus is entirely on taking the correct action to ensure health and safety is maintained at all times.
The number of surrogate babies being brought to the UK from abroad has more than doubled in four years, official data shows.

The majority of parental order applications in England and Wales are now predominantly for international babies.

British parents are increasingly hiring women from countries such as Nigeria, Mexico, Georgia, Ukraine and the United States, to have their babies.

The findings have caused concern among campaigners who claim commercial surrogacy, which is illegal in the UK, is being outsourced abroad.

Critics are calling for a ban on the practice which they say exploits women and commodifies children.

The figures, released by the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass) and Ministry of Justice under the Freedom of Information Act, show a shift in the origin of babies being applied for.

Lexi Ellingsworth, founder of Stop Surrogacy Now UK and author of the report released by the Womens Policy Centre, argued the figures showed international surrogacy was expanding rapidly in Britain.

The number of single men applying to become fathers also through surrogacy has tripled in the past four years.

In 2019, the law changed to single people, rather than just couples, to apply to have a surrogate baby.

A parental order transfers the parental rights of the baby from the childs birth mother to the single person or couple applying.

Applications for babies born internationally jumped from 215 in 2021 to 509 in 2025. This is compares with applications for 150 babies in the UK in 2025.

The figures show a substantial shift, with more than three-quarters (77 per cent) of surrogate applications now being made for babies born abroad.

Experts believe these are prospective parents who have been unable to get a friend to agree to be their surrogate in the UK.

Surrogacy in the UK

Commercial surrogacy is illegal in the UK but altruistic surrogacy, where the birth mother is paid reasonable expenses, is permitted.

Despite this, the report alleged there had been an explosion of the practice in the UK, with figures quadrupling between 2011-2020 in England and Wales.

Ms Ellingsworth said: What we are seeing is not a system built on altruism, but a global commercial market that disproportionately relies on women in financially vulnerable situations.

These arrangements often involve significant power imbalances, where wealthier commissioning parents can exert control through contracts. Women are exploited, coerced and trafficked across borders.

The findings reflect a growing trend of both men and women choosing to have children in this way.

Helen Gibson, the founder of Surrogacy Concern, said the growth of single men pursuing surrogacy should alarm us all.

Childrens needs are best served by remaining with their birth mothers. This is especially important for newborn babies who bond with their mothers in utero, regardless of egg used in the pregnancy, she said.

Global surrogacy is a booming industry which is projected to be worth more than $200bn (147bn) by 2035.

The research found women from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Kenya, Uganda and Zambia had been hired to have babies which were then brought to the UK.

Paola Diana, chairman of the Womens Policy Centre, said: Commercial surrogacy is illegal in the United Kingdom, yet it is happening in practice as Brits go abroad, pay a woman for the gestation of a baby and bring the child here to secure parental rights through the family courts.
If your eyes are streaming and your nose wont stop running, brace yourself: it is only going to get worse.

Researchers say the hay fever season has become longer, bringing with it more severe symptoms.

The Lancet Countdown in Europe 2026 report has found that the high-pollen season now lasts two weeks longer than it did in the 1990s, increasing both the exposure time to allergens and the severity of symptoms for hay fever sufferers.

Hay fever occurs when a person is allergic to pollen from trees, grass and weeds.

Symptoms tend to be worse when the weather is warm, humid and windy  when the pollen count is at its highest, usually between late March and September.

Climate change has prolonged season by two weeks

The new report, however, says climate change is shifting the flowering season of plants that release allergenic pollen, making the hay fever season longer and more severe.

Examining changes in the timing and intensity of birch, alder and olive pollen season, researchers found an earlier season start of one to two weeks for all allergenic trees between 2015 and 2024, compared with 1991 to 2000.

For Alpine areas in Europe, the birch season now starts 34 days earlier, the review revealed.

They also found that allergy sufferers in southern Britain, eastern Europe, northern France and Germany were being exposed to between 15-20 per cent more birch and alder pollen during the hay fever season.

Climate change has prolonged the pollen season by one to two weeks, increasing the duration of exposure for people with allergic rhinitis, the authors said.

They added that the heightened abundance of pollen can be partly explained by increased global levels of CO2 in the atmosphere, supporting enhanced plant growth through photosynthesis, and increasing pollen production.

Dr Matt Smith, senior lecturer in geography and the environment at the University of Worcester, said this trend had been growing because alder and birch trees reacted very quickly to temperature changes.

Average temperatures in Europe have increased at a rate of 0.53C per decade since the 1990s, according to data from Copernicus, the climate change organisation.

Besides climate change, Dr Smith said the length and severity of the hay fever season could be linked to efforts to increase cities biodiversity by planting more trees in urban areas, thereby increasing the pollen count.

Elsewhere, the report on climate change and health in Europe, which was written by 65 researchers from 46 academic and UN institutions, warns of heat-related health risks being on the rise, pointing out that heat health warnings across Europe have increased by 318 per cent since the 1990s.

Heat health warnings are issued when extended periods of hot weather can affect peoples health.

The authors point out that nearly all European regions monitored saw increased numbers of deaths attributable to heat during the period between 2015 and 2024 compared with 1991-2000.

In 2024 alone, they estimated there were about 62,000 deaths in Europe attributed to heat.

Across Europe, the health impacts of climate change are intensifying faster than our response is keeping up, warned Prof Joacim Rocklov, from the University of Heidelberg, Germany.

Rising heat, worsening household air pollution, exposure to infectious diseases and growing threats to food security are placing millions of people at risk today  not in a distant future.

The choices we make now will decide whether these health impacts worsen quickly or whether we begin moving toward a safer, fairer and more resilient Europe.
Wakayama, Apr 22 (News On Japan) - At Kumano Hongu Taisha, a UNESCO World Heritage shrine in Wakayama Prefecture, a 'First Tea Festival' was held to dedicate freshly harvested local tea.

In a tea field within the shrine grounds, around 30 people, including members of a local women's association and elementary school students, carefully picked young green shoots one by one.

The locally renowned 'Otonashi Tea' is said to date back to the Heian period, when pilgrims from Kyoto visiting Kumano planted tea there. The tea was named after the nearby Otonashi River, which flows beside the shrine.

The newly picked tea was offered at the shrine's main hall, where prayers were made for the continued growth of the local tea industry.

This year's tea leaves are said to be of high quality. After processing, they will be sold as a regional specialty product.

Source: KTV NEWS
More than 500 guests from across the Australian IT channel came together at Sydneys Machine Hall for the Nextgen Summer Party 2026, delivering a spectacular and heartfelt farewell to founder and CEO John Walters ahead of his retirement on 30 April.

The event marked the culmination of an extraordinary 29-year career in the IT industry for Walters, whose vision, leadership and enduring contribution have helped shape both Nextgen and the broader Australian channel. Fittingly, the evening drew an overwhelming show of support from partners, vendors, customers and friends of the business, all eager to celebrate one of the industrys most respected figures.

The celebration was filled with energy, warmth and more than a few surprises, creating an unforgettable send-off for a leader whose influence has spanned nearly three decades. The size of the crowd and spirit in the room reflected the deep regard in which Walters is held across the industry and the lasting impact he has had on the channel community.

The company also acknowledged the outstanding support of its sponsors, whose backing helped bring the celebration to life. Amazon Web Services joined the event as Diamond sponsor and co-host, while Platinum sponsors Fortinet, Gigamon and ManyMangoes played a major role in supporting the evening. Gold sponsors included Arista, Barracuda, Cloudera, CrowdStrike, Infoblox, Netskope, Okta, OpenText, Palo Alto Networks, Proofpoint, Rubrik, SentinelOne and Zero Networks. Channel Sponsors included Darktrace, ExtraHop, Illumio, Oracle and Saviynt.

A special thank you was also extended to AWS head of public sector partner sales Chris Barnes, whose remarks captured the mood in the room. Barnes paid tribute to Walters achievements and reflected on the strength of the legacy he leaves behind  one that has positioned Nextgen, its vendors, partners and the wider ecosystem for continued growth and success into the future.

The evening also embraced the fun and flair that have become synonymous with Nextgen celebrations, with guests stepping out in style for the events Best Dressed awards. Congratulations went to Alison Ninni from Proofpoint and Michael Massuti from NTT, who took out top honours on the night.
Google Cloud is enhancing its partner ecosystem with the establishment of a US$750 million fund for the delivery of new resources and incentives around agentic AI.

Announced during its Cloud Next 2026 conference in Las Vegas, the fund is focused on supporting AI value identification, agentic AI prototyping, agent building and deployment, upskilling, and embedding teams of Google forward-deployed engineers (FDEs).

Global consulting firms, systems integrators (SI), software partners, and channel partners will be able to access the fund, the cloud giant said in a statement.

Google Clouds partners are already leaders in agentic AI development and deployment, and have become important channels for distributing AI technologies, said Google Cloud president of global partner ecosystem Kevin Ichhpurani.

With this expanded funding, we will be able to dedicate new resources and technology to support our partners as they accelerate our mutual customers agentic AI journeys.

Google Cloud noted the funding also out to further accelerate the transformative capabilities of its partner ecosystem, which includes AI assessment and prototyping as well as agent building and integration.
by Shafique Khokhar

AsiaNews reports the heart-wrenching story of survival and the struggle for freedom of a young father of two. For months, the factory owner kept him in conditions of slavery to exploit his labour without paying his wages. Freed thanks to the intervention of an NGO and a court ruling. Azhar Saeed: this is not an isolated tragedy, but part of a much wider injustice.

Raiwind (AsiaNews) - For months in Pakistan, a poor Christian family of humble origins endured a pain no parent should ever have to bear: not knowing whether their son was alive, dead, or still suffering in silence somewhere. That son was Adil Masih, a 22-year-old labourer who, eight months ago, had gone to work in a brick kiln to earn an honest living and support his family. However, the young Christian found himself trapped in what can be described as a form of modern slavery. Adil is the father of two children, a four-year-old girl and a baby boy just two weeks old, born whilst he was still in the hands of his tormentors.

Adil had worked for six months loading bricks at Khalid Gujjars kiln in Raiwind, Lahore, but the owner had never paid him his wages. When he finally asked for the money to buy food for his family, he was summoned by the owner and trapped through deception. Instead of receiving his pay, he was locked up. I was taken and held in a room like a prison, he told AsiaNews after his release. There was no light, no fan, no proper ventilation, not even a light bulb. I was kept there for four months.

The young man went on to say that he was fed only once a day: a piece of bread, chopped chilli and water. Sometimes he was not even given enough to drink. And when he asked for it, they would throw it on the floor instead of handing it to him in a glass. The room was not just a place of confinement, but also of humiliation and suffering. There were other people there too, all trapped in similar misery. Every morning, Adil and the others were taken outside under guard and forced to work so that they could not escape. He said they were not allowed to speak to anyone. At night, chains were placed on their hands and feet. The marks, he confessed, from the chains are still visible on my body.

His suffering was exacerbated by his poor health, as Adil has only one functioning kidney. In such conditions, without food, water or adequate medical care, every passing day put his life at risk. Nevertheless, physical suffering was not the only pain he had to endure. Adil recounted that whenever he tried to pray or make the sign of the cross, he was beaten and abused. His Christian faith was insulted and mocked. Yet, even in that darkness, he continued to pray.

His father, Ashraf, explained that the family was now desperate. They are poor, living in rented accommodation, and their children have been denied an education. The familys other children work as labourers just to help support the family. Then came another cruel blow: the owner of the brick kiln reportedly demanded 350,000 rupees (around 1,070 euros) for Adils release, a sum impossible for a struggling Christian family, already trapped in poverty, to pay. Ashraf recounted that there had come a point when he had almost lost hope. And the familys pain had been compounded by a heart-wrenching reality: whilst their son was being held captive, a new baby had been born into the family.

Everything began to change when the family turned to The Edge Foundation and its team of lawyers for help. Following legal action and police intervention, Adil was finally found last week and brought before the court. The judge then ordered that he be returned to his father. That moment was not merely a legal victory: it marked the return of a life, of a son, and of a fathers hope. After his release, the young man and his father visited the office to express their gratitude. Their relief was mixed with pain, shock and disbelief at what they had had to endure.

Adil speaks not with bitterness, but with extraordinary dignity. I forgive those who hurt me, he emphasised. I pray that God, he added, will guide them and that such things never happen to anyone again. He also made a heartfelt appeal to those present. In future, I will never work in a brick kiln again. Even if I have to eat just half a roti (bread), I will never work, he continued, addressing those gathered, in a brick kiln. It is a sugar-coated form of slavery. Now free, Adil desires something simple yet profound: a different future. He wants to stay away from kiln work, rebuild his life, educate his children and earn a living with dignity. As a semi-skilled motorcycle mechanic, there is hope that, with the right support, he can start afresh.

Commenting on the case, Malik Azhar Saeed, co-chair of the Edge Foundation, stated that Adils story is not an isolated tragedy, but part of a much wider injustice. Adil Masihs case, he emphasised to AsiaNews, is a painful reminder that modern slavery still exists in Pakistan. Behind the walls of many brick kilns, he continued, lie stories of hunger, chains, fear and exploitation. The most vulnerable are trapped by poverty, powerlessness and the influence of the owners. Many of the victims come from the Christian community, which remains particularly vulnerable within this system of exploitation. Adils freedom is a moment of joy, but it is also an indictment. It lays bare a system in which poor Christian workers can still disappear behind the walls of the kilns, where unpaid wages turn into imprisonment and where poverty is cruelly exploited.
by Melani Manel Perera

Various memorial events were held in Colombo yesterday for the 269 people killed in attacks on churches and hotels on 21 April 2019. The former head of Sri Lankas intelligence service was detained last February, accused of complicity with Islamist bombers. For the cardinal, some politicians and officials are afraid and nervous about the investigation and are trying to sabotage it.

Colombo (Asia News)  On 21 April 2019, Easter Sunday, suicide bombers entered three churches and seven hotels in Colombo and blew themselves up. Yesterday, on the seventh anniversary of the incidents that killed 269 people and wounded hundreds, a renewed call was made for justice with criticism against the latest attempts to halt investigations into who masterminded the deadly bombings.

The anniversary came just weeks after the 24 February breakthrough that led to the arrest of former Security Intelligence Service (SIS) chief Suresh Sallay, who, according to the prosecution, despite knowing about the plans, failed to act to prevent the bloodshed.

Archbishop Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith of Colombo, Auxiliary Bishop Anton Ranjith of Colombo, Apostolic Nuncio Andrez Jozwowlez, and Anglican Bishop Omalpe of Colombo Sobitha, along with Muslim and Hindu clergymen, Christian priests, representatives of foreign missions, and relatives of the victims' families, gathered at St Anthony's Church in Kochchikade, where a special prayer was offered in memory of those who lost their lives in the attacks.

During the addresses by the invited guests, the Buddhist Venerable Omalpe Sobitha Thero stated that, although four governments have been formed in the seven years since the Easter attacks, their shadow has not yet been lifted, and that the current government has a golden opportunity to provide the appropriate answers that every Sri Lankan eagerly awaits.

Citing the commitments made by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, a Muslim scholar, Mawlawi Mashuk Hafeer Usvi, called on him to show the people who is truly responsible for the attacks.

Cardinal Ranjith, while acknowledging the current government's new approach to the search for the truth, was critical of the fact that some officials continue to put up various obstacles to that process.

The prelate noted that some politicians and officials have become afraid and nervous about the ongoing investigation, especially after a Channel 4 programme revealed certain facts about the attacks. In his view, those same politicians and officials are making a childish attempt to sabotage the investigation, conscious that they will be exposed.

A memorial for those who lost their lives was also held in the church of Katuwapitiya, another of the places targeted in the attacks, Auxiliary Bishops J. D. Anthony Jayakody and Maxwell Silva led the service, along with the parish priest, Father Terry Ranjith.

At the end of the liturgy, the relatives of the victims, together with bishops, priests, and nuns, laid wreaths and lit lamps in front of the monument commemorating the victims.

Like every year, a procession carrying pictures of the dead took place in the afternoon, led by the cardinal, bishops, and religious leaders, which reached the church in Katuwapitiya.

Anura Jayalath and Calistus Perera, who lost relatives in the attacks, spoke to AsiaNews, expressing hope that President Dissanayake would keep his promise to bring justice, even if too much time had already passed.

A report titled Memory, Pain, and the Hope, published on the seventh anniversary by the Centre for Society and Religion (CSR), mentions that eight separate investigations were carried out into the coordinated attacks of 21 April 2019, which targeted churches, hotels, and other locations, killing more than 250 people and wounding hundreds more.

It is clear that extremist Islamic preacher Zahran Hashim and his group may not have been the only parties involved, with the possibility that a "hidden hand might be behind the operation.

For this reason, the CSR wants all investigative reports and evidence to be made public, with protection provided to investigators who have come under pressure and threats. The NGO also wants to see an independent commission set up with local and foreign experts, empowered to take swift legal action against those identified as responsible.
This year, the award went to six women activists for their work defending ecosystems and local communities. Among them, Papuan Theonila Roka Matbob, who played a crucial role in the long struggle for the cleanup of the Panguna mine, and South Korean Borim Kim, who led a legal battle over climate that culminated in a constitutional ruling in favour of future generations.

San Francisco (AsiaNews)  The 2026 Goldman Environmental Prize, often referred to as the Green Nobel Prize, was awarded yesterday to six activists from different continents for their commitment to defending the environment and local Indigenous communities.

For the first time in the history of the award, established in 1989, all the winners are women, a sign of the growing female leadership in environmental activism.

Two are from the Asia-Pacific region: Theonila Roka Matbob, from Papua New Guinea, and Borim Kim, from South Korea.

The former has been the face of a long struggle against the Panguna mine on Bougainville Island, one of the largest copper and gold mining sites in the world, which caused serious environmental damage for decades, contaminating land and waterways and profoundly impacting local communities.

In just under 20 years of operation, local communities have received only 1.4 per cent of the revenues, and grassroots protests eventually escalated into a civil war, which ended with the granting of self-rule to Bougainville.

These events profoundly affected Matbob, who is now 35 and a member of the Indigenous Nasioi people. Her father was captured and killed by rebels, and together with her mother and siblings, she spent her early years in a camp for displaced persons.

In 2013, together with her husband, she co-founded the John Roka Counselling & Learning Centre, an NGO that provides education and psychological support to communities affected by the civil war.

In 2018, she participated in the local diocese's Panguna Listening Project, and in 2019, she worked with the Human Rights Law Centre to collect testimonies from villagers along the river valley, documenting the ongoing and widespread environmental damage caused by mining waste, even decades after the mine's closure.

After she was elected to the Bougainville House of Representatives in 2020, she led a campaign that culminated in a historic settlement in 2024 with mining giant Rio Tinto, which had sold its shares to the local and Papua New Guinean governments in 2016 in an attempt to shirk environmental accountability.

The decision forced the Anglo-Australian company to acknowledge its responsibilities and begin a site cleanup process, more than 30 years after the mine's closure.

Pacific island populations are particularly exposed to the effects of climate change and the consequences of the exploitation of natural resources. Matbob's victory not only established the right of local communities to seek reparations for damages that often go unpunished, but also set an important legal precedent that could help other communities obtain justice.

Borim Kim, 31, was also recognised for leading a major legal battle in South Korea. A decision was made in 2018 after one of the worst heatwaves ever to hit the Korean peninsula.

Together with the Youth 4 Climate Action organisation, she filed a constitutional lawsuit against the government, arguing that its climate policies did not sufficiently protect future generations.

In 2024, the South Korean Constitutional Court ruled in favour of the activists, finding that state policies had violated the fundamental rights of younger citizens, forcing the government to introduce binding emissions reduction targets for the period 20312049.

An analysis by the South Korean think tank NEXT Group estimated that the decision will prevent the emission of between 1,600 and 2,100 million tonnes of CO.

With a population of 51 million, South Korea is the world's thirteenth largest emitter of greenhouse gases because it still relies on coal and natural gas for energy production. Only 9 per cent of its electricity is produced from renewable sources, according to 2023 data.

This is the first successful youth-led climate case in Asia, a precedent destined to influence not only South Korean politics but also other places in the region. The case shows how the law can become a central tool in the fight against climate change when institutions are slow to act.

In the United Kingdom, Sarah Finch also received recognition for bringing the issue of emissions to court. In 2024, the UK Supreme Court ruled that permits for new fossil fuel projects must also consider emissions from the end-use of oil, gas, and coal.

In the United States, Yup'ik leader Alannah Acaq Hurley coordinated Alaska Native communities, successfully halting a massive Alaska mine project. The result was a historic federal veto that protects one of North America's richest biodiversity areas, also crucial for salmon fishing.

In Colombia, young activist Yuvelis Morales Blanco mobilised her community against fracking projects in the Puerto Wilches region, while in Nigeria, Iroro Tanshi led a campaign to protect a rare, endangered bat threatened by human-caused fires. Through local teams, she managed to prevent dozens of fires in the Afi Mountain Reserve, safeguarding not only the habitat but also the communities' livelihoods.
by Maria Casadei

The measure, adopted a few days before the anniversary of the Pahalgam massacre, targets institutions run by the Islamist organisation banned in 2019. The move is part of a broader security strategy launched by Delhi following the revocation of Jammu and Kashmirs autonomy, but has drawn criticism for its potential repercussions on the education system and for violations of minority rights.

New Delhi (AsiaNews)  One year on from the attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, in which 28 Indian civilians were killed, the local government under Indian administration has seized 58 private schools suspected of being affiliated with the Jamaat-e-Islami organisation, which India outlawed in 2019. Some unverified videos on social media show armed police officers entering the schools in northern Kashmir, removing staff and prohibiting any filming of the operation.

The decision, taken on 18 April, came a few days before the anniversary of the attack, which falls today, 22 April. A year ago, gunmen opened fire on Indian tourists. A few days later, Delhi  which accuses Pakistan of continuing to fund Islamic extremism (a charge Islamabad denies)  launched Operation Sindoor, sparking a brief war. At the same time, India has stepped up efforts to dismantle networks believed to be linked to extremist organisations.

Back in August, the government had already ordered the seizure of over 200 schools in the state, which were also suspected of having links to the organisation. With this latest operation, the number of educational centres brought under state control rises to around 300, a figure that worries observers due to the possible implications for the regions school system.

Founded in 1948, following the partition of India, Jamaat-e-Islami is a pan-Indian socio-religious organisation active in various fields, including education, social work and politics, with the aim of promoting the principles of Islam. However, whilst some of its branches  such as Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, based in Delhi  operate legally, the branch active in Jammu and Kashmir has been accused of fuelling anti-Indian sentiments, advocating for the regions independence and maintaining links with terrorist groups, allegations which led to its banning in 2019 under Indias anti-terrorism law, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

Since then, the Jamaat has tried unsuccessfully to have the ban lifted, setting up an internal committee to negotiate with the government. In 2024, the central government led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) attempted to reintegrate the group into political life, allowing some of its leaders and activists to stand as candidates in the general election, despite the ban under the anti-terrorism law. On that occasion, some former members of the Jamaat founded a new political party, the Justice and Development Front (JDF), which, however, failed to win any seats. Last year, the leader of the Peoples Conference political party, Sajad Lone, formed an alliance with the JDF, focusing on the restoration of special status for Jammu and Kashmir and on new legislative elections in the territory.

In fact, in 2019, the Indian Parliament also voted to repeal Article 370 of the Constitution and enact the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, two laws that radically altered the territorys structure. Kashmirs special status, which guaranteed a degree of autonomy, was abolished and the territory was divided into two parts, Jammu and Kashmir, administered directly by the central government. Following these changes, the region and its educational institutions came under the control of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Before being declared illegal, Jamaat-e-Islami ran a network of around 350 schools in the region through its educational arm, the Falah-a-Aam Trust (FAT), which catered for around 100,000 students, particularly in rural areas.

In recent years, the Indian authorities have refused to grant authorisation to several schools, claiming to have intelligence information suggesting that some members of the governing body had links to the terrorist organisation. The FAT has always declared itself a non-political body, whose aim is to provide education to all students without discrimination.

According to some human rights activists and sections of public opinion, many of these schools, which have been operating for decades and attended by thousands of students, played a vital role in the region. Many in Kashmir accuse the government of abuse of power and violation of fundamental rights: Article 30 of the Indian Constitution, in fact, guarantees religious and linguistic minorities the right to establish and manage educational institutions of their choice.
China, S. Korea hold handover ceremony for remains of Chinese martyrs in Korean War

Xinhua) 10:08, April 22, 2026

This photo taken on April 22, 2026 shows a handover ceremony for the remains of 12 Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs and 146 personal effects held at Incheon International Airport in Incheon, South Korea. (Xinhua/Yao Qilin)

INCHEON, South Korea, April 22 (Xinhua) -- China and South Korea on Wednesday held a handover ceremony at Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul, for the remains of 12 Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs and 146 personal effects.

Xu Yao, vice minister of the Chinese Ministry of Veterans Affairs, led the Chinese delegation, while Lee Doo-hee, vice defense Minister of South Korea, headed the South Korean side.

Representatives of the two sides signed a handover document at the ceremony. The Chinese side also held a mourning ceremony, during which the national anthem of the People's Republic of China was played.

Chinese Ambassador to South Korea Dai Bing draped the Chinese national flag over the coffins of the martyrs. Chinese participants paid tribute with three bows, and honor guards of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) escorted the coffins onto a Y-20B transport aircraft of the PLA Air Force for their return home.

Xu said that China and South Korea have carried out the handover of the remains of CPV martyrs in South Korea for 13 consecutive years in line with the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries.

With the latest repatriation, a total of 1,023 sets of remains of CPV martyrs have been returned to China from South Korea since 2014, he said.

Xu noted that the handover has become a vivid example of friendly cooperation between the two countries, helping enhance bilateral friendship and deepen exchanges and cooperation. He also thanked relevant South Korean departments and staff members for their efforts.

Officials from relevant Chinese government departments, as well as staff from the Chinese Embassy in South Korea, attended the ceremony.

Chinese Ambassador to South Korea Dai Bing (front, R) drapes the Chinese national flag over the coffins containing remains of Chinese People's Volunteers martyrs at Incheon International Airport in Incheon, South Korea, April 22, 2026. (Xinhua/Yao Qilin)

The Chinese honor guards (left row) receive the coffins containing remains of Chinese People's Volunteers martyrs at Incheon International Airport in Incheon, South Korea, April 22, 2026. (Xinhua/Yao Qilin)

The Chinese delegation members mourn during a ceremony to lay the remains of Chinese People's Volunteers martyrs in coffins in Incheon, South Korea, April 21, 2026. (Xinhua)

This photo taken on April 22, 2026 shows a handover ceremony for the remains of 12 Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs and 146 personal effects held at Incheon International Airport in Incheon, South Korea. (Xinhua/Yao Qilin)

This photo taken on April 22, 2026 shows a handover ceremony for the remains of 12 Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs and 146 personal effects held at Incheon International Airport in Incheon, South Korea. (Xinhua/Yao Qilin)

This photo taken on April 22, 2026 shows a handover ceremony for the remains of 12 Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs and 146 personal effects held at Incheon International Airport in Incheon, South Korea. (Xinhua/Yao Qilin)

This photo taken on April 22, 2026 shows a handover ceremony for the remains of 12 Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs and 146 personal effects held at Incheon International Airport in Incheon, South Korea. (Xinhua/Yao Qilin)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
TOKYO, Apr 22 (News On Japan) - Fraud cases involving criminals impersonating police officers are increasing across Japan, with a new tactic emerging in which fake arrest warrants are mailed directly to victims' homes.

One such document was recently sent to the residence of an elderly person in Aichi Prefecture. It appeared to be an official arrest warrant, but was in fact counterfeit.

These so-called fake police scams have been reported in multiple regions.

On April 2, an elderly woman in her 80s living in Niigata Prefecture received a phone call from a person claiming to be a police officer. The caller said a gang member in custody had confessed that she was an accomplice who had handed over 4 million yen in cash.

Following the caller's instructions, the woman reportedly disclosed personal information including her address and bank account details.

Later, as communication with the scammers continued, a fake arrest warrant bearing her name and alleged charges was mailed to her home.

The document, clearly labeled 'Arrest Warrant,' raised suspicion among the woman's family members, who consulted police. Authorities then confirmed it was fraudulent.

Niigata Prefectural Police warned that genuine arrest warrants are never sent by mail, noting that doing so could allow suspects to flee or destroy evidence in advance.

Similar schemes involving mailed fake warrants have also been confirmed in Nagano Prefecture, where police have distributed flyers and stepped up warnings over organized fraud.

Yuto Miyazawa, section chief in charge of crime prevention guidance at Nagano Chuo Police Station, said: 'Police never contact people through social media. They would never demand money.'

In March, FNN reported from a scam base near the border between Thailand and Cambodia. Inside were rooms designed to resemble police stations in various countries, suggesting that fake police scams were being carried out against targets around the world.

According to the National Police Agency, losses from fake police scams in 2025 totaled about 98.5 billion yen.

The number of recognized cases exceeded 10,000, prompting authorities to continue urging the public to remain vigilant.

Source: FNN
22 April 2026 19:54 (UTC+04:00)

Ulviyya Poladova Read more

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have evolved from experimental systems into one of the defining instruments of modern warfare. Initially conceived as pilotless aircraft during World War I, early prototypes such as the British Aerial Target and the American Kettering Bug demonstrated the basic concept of remote-controlled flight. However, their operational potential remained largely unrealized at the time. It was only decades later, particularly during the Vietnam War, that UAVs began to see systematic deployment, primarily in reconnaissance roles.

Over the past two decades, the role of UAVs has expanded dramatically. What were once niche surveillance tools have transformed into multi-functional platforms capable of executing a wide array of missions. Modern drones conduct intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), adjust artillery fire, carry out precision strikes, and even participate in coordinated multi-domain operations. Advances in artificial intelligence, miniaturization, and communications technology have significantly enhanced their autonomy, endurance, and accuracy.

One of the most profound impacts of UAV proliferation is the transformation of the battlefield itself. Traditionally, front lines were clearly defined by physical positions such as trenches and fortified areas. Today, the concept of the battlefield has become far more fluid. The so-called "kill zone" has expanded significantly, often extending 10 - 15 kilometers beyond the line of contact in both directions. This shift is driven by the persistent presence of drones, which can detect, track, and engage targets far beyond traditional visual range.

Moreover, UAVs have introduced a new level of transparency to warfare. Continuous aerial surveillance reduces the possibility of concealment, making troop movements, supply lines, and even individual soldiers more vulnerable. This has forced militaries to adapt by improving camouflage, electronic warfare capabilities, and counter-drone systems. The rise of loitering munitions - often referred to as "kamikaze drones" - has further blurred the line between reconnaissance and strike capabilities, allowing operators to identify and eliminate targets within a single operational cycle.

Another critical dimension is the democratization of airpower. Unlike traditional aircraft, UAVs are relatively inexpensive and accessible, enabling not only major powers but also smaller states and non-state actors to deploy them effectively. Conflicts such as those involving Karabakh and the ongoing war in Ukraine have demonstrated how drones can decisively influence outcomes, shifting the balance even against conventionally stronger adversaries.

On September 27, 2020, long-standing tensions escalated into full-scale military operations. Azerbaijan launched a counter-offensive, utilizing modern warfare tactics - most notably the extensive use of precision drones and advanced satellite intelligence.

Undoubtedly, drones had been used in armed conflicts even before the Second Karabakh War - one only needs to recall their deployment in Iraq, Afghanistan, Yemen, and Syria since the early 2000s. However, in all these cases, unmanned aerial vehicles functioned as a supplement to conventional military forces - conducting reconnaissance, delivering precision strikes on pre-identified targets, and providing situational awareness.

What was once considered futuristic is now becoming a reality, with drones empowered by AI transforming industries, offering novel solutions. With the integration of AI, drones have evolved from simple flying machines to autonomous, smart devices capable of performing complex tasks without human intervention. They can now navigate difficult terrain, make decisions based on real-time data, and even work in tandem with other drones or systems.

Commercial manufacturing, precision guidance and advances in artificial intelligence and autonomy have democratized the ability of militaries and militant groups to accurately strike their adversaries. This includes first-person-view, or FPV, drones  a type of one-way attack drone with interfaces like video games  that groups aligned with Iran are already using to target American forces in the Middle East.

One-way attack drones have become one of the most prominent weapons in todays conflicts, particularly in the war involving Russia and Ukraine, as well as in ongoing tensions across the Middle East.

The most notable category of one-way attack drones is designed for long-distance operations. These drones can travel hundreds or even thousands of miles to strike targets deep inside enemy territory. Unlike reusable drones, they are built to detonate on impact, making them functionally similar to cruise missiles.

One widely known example is the Shahed-136, developed by Iran. It reportedly has a range of up to 1,250 miles (2,000 kilometers), allowing it to hit targets far beyond the front lines. Despite this capability, it is relatively inexpensive, with an estimated cost between $20,000 and $50,000 per unit.

The affordability of these drones is one of their biggest advantages. In contrast, a conventional cruise missile such as the Tomahawk cruise missile used by the United States costs around $2 million each.

Since late February 2026, Tehran has fired thousands of one-way attack drones at targets across the Middle East. Irans one-way attack drones have hit buildings in Bahrain, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates, and damaged the United States Embassy in Saudi Arabia. The UAE alone was targeted by nearly 700 Iranian drones in the wars early days.

While many countries are developing drone capabilities, the United States, China, Turkiye, and Israel stand out as leaders in the field.

United States

The United States continues to lead in high-end drone capabilities. Its systems, such as the MQ-9 Reaper and RQ-4 Global Hawk, are known for their long-range operations, precision targeting, and integration with satellite and intelligence networks.

China

The China has rapidly expanded its drone industry, becoming a major supplier to countries around the world. Platforms like the Wing Loong II are widely exported, offering a balance of affordability and capability.

Chinas strength lies in large-scale manufacturing and its growing influence in international arms markets.

Turkiye

Turkiye has gained global attention for its combat-proven drones. Systems such as the Bayraktar TB2 and Bayraktar Aknc have been used effectively in multiple conflicts.

Israel

The Israel is one of the earliest developers of military drones and remains a leader in innovation. It specializes in surveillance systems and loitering munitions such as the IAI Harop.
22 April 2026 20:21 (UTC+04:00)

Qabil Ashirov Read more

In recent months, several state-aligned media outlets in Russia have once again turned their attention to the South Caucasus and Central Asia with a tone that feels unmistakably coercive. The rhetoric carries echoes of an older imperial reflex that many believed had long been subdued. Given the tightly managed nature of Russias media landscape, it would be naive to interpret these messages as the independent musings of individual commentators. More plausibly, they are the calibrated signals of a political center seeking to project influence beyond its borders.

Unsurprisingly, such language has not been well received across the targeted regions. For some, it provokes irritation; for others, anxiety or even fear. Yet the more pressing question is not the emotional reaction it generates, but why this rhetoric is resurfacing now.

One explanation lies in domestic political calculations beyond Russias borders, particularly in Armenia. As Yerevan approaches another electoral cycle, Moscow appears eager to remind Armenian society, and the wider region, of what it considers its enduring leverage. The government of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has, at least rhetorically, sought to distance itself from Russias orbit. For the Kremlin, this drift is unacceptable. The messaging, therefore, seems designed to underscore what Moscow still views as its strongest card: raw power. Whether that power remains as formidable as advertised, however, is an open question.

At a deeper level, Russias posture reflects a broader historical impulse, which is more like the desire to reclaim its past status as a dominant force in European and Eurasian affairs. But great power status in the modern era requires more than military weight. It demands a compelling narrative and a competitive edge in technology and innovation. Here, Russia faces a profound deficit.

During the Soviet era, Moscow offered the world an ideological story centered on social equality and resistance to imperialism. That narrative, however flawed in practice, resonated across large parts of the globe. In the decades since the Soviet Unions collapse, Russia has struggled to articulate a similarly compelling vision. It has not replaced ideology with innovation, nor has it developed a unifying global proposition capable of attracting partners.

Technologically, the gap has widened. Russia trails significantly behind the West. While the Soviet Union was a pioneerlaunching the first satellite and inventing the Active Protection System (APS) for tanksmodern Russia has struggled to maintain that edge. Ironically, despite inventing the APS to protect armor during the Afghan War, Russian tanks lack this very protection today.

In the absence of a persuasive narrative or technological leadership, Moscow appears increasingly reliant on its remaining instrument of influence: the projection of military strength. Yet even here, the picture is more complicated than it first appears.

To tell the truth, Russia remains significantly stronger than any individual state in the South Caucasus or Central Asiawhether measured by military capacity, demographic scale, or strategic depth. But raw strength no longer guarantees freedom of action. The nature of conflict has evolved. Since the mid-20th century, wars have increasingly been shaped by external support, advanced logistics, and asymmetric technologies. Weaker states, backed by powerful allies, have repeatedly managed to resist or even defeat stronger adversaries.

The ongoing war in Ukraine illustrates this shift with stark clarity. In a different era, Russias initial advantages might have translated into a swift victory. Instead, Western military aid, combined with Ukraines adaptive use of relatively inexpensive technologies, such as modified commercial drones, has imposed high costs on Russian forces. High-value military assets have been neutralized by tools that are cheap, accessible, and effective.

At the same time, Russia finds itself trapped in a strategic impasse. It cannot easily end the war without appearing to concede defeat, yet it has also struggled to achieve its stated objectives. The result is a prolonged stalemate, one that drains resources, limits flexibility, and constrains broader geopolitical ambitions.

Economic factors provide only partial relief. Rising revenues from commodities such as oil and gold have offered some support, but they do not offset the structural pressures created by sanctions, battlefield losses, and long-term isolation. Meanwhile, sustained financial and military assistance to Ukraine from Western countries suggests that the conflict may endure for years. Even so, longevity alone does not guarantee victory for either side. A more plausible outcome is mutual exhaustion.

This reality carries important implications. Russias capacity to engage in new conflicts is severely limited. The losses incurred in Ukraine will take years to replenish, particularly under the weight of ongoing sanctions. Moreover, the territories Russia has annexed function less as strategic assets than as liabilities, requiring constant military presence and vigilance. They hang over Moscow like a modern-day Sword of Damocles, constraining its strategic choices.

In this context, the renewed threats directed at the South Caucasus and Central Asia ring increasingly hollow. Russia may still possess considerable power, but it lacks the freedom to wield it decisively in multiple theaters. Engaged in an active and costly war, it is in no position to open new fronts. Even a hypothetical ceasefire would not resolve this constraint, as the unresolved status of contested territories would continue to demand attention and resources.

Put simply, Russias most reliable instrument of influence, its ability to project overwhelming military force, is no longer as credible as it once was. The warnings issued by its media proxies, therefore, appear less like signals of imminent action and more like echoes of a fading paradigm. For audiences across the region, they are increasingly perceived not as threats to be feared, but as reminders of a power struggling to redefine itself in a changing world.
22 April 2026 14:21 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

On May 17th, between 15,000 and 25,000 individuals will make their way to Baku for the 13th edition of the UN World Urban Forum. Urban planners, infrastructure investors, representatives from the World Bank, technology firms, and local government representatives from over 130 countries will gather to discuss housing, resilience, and sustainable cities, all centered on the theme of "Housing the world: Safe and resilient cities and communities." For Baku, however, this event holds a particularly significant level of importance.

The conference, first held in 2001 and repeated biannually since then, is the primary United Nations platform dealing with urbanisation, with the Cairo session scheduled for 2024 gathering 25,000 representatives from 182 nations. Being added to the already prestigious list of venues, which have included Barcelona, Vancouver, Rio de Janeiro, and Abu Dhabi, lends credibility to the conference. The World Bank Group will be responsible for a dedicated Urban Expo pavilion, and UN-Habitat, one of the partners in organising this global summit, will integrate its findings into the New Urban Agenda report for the UN Secretary General in 2026.

Looking at urbanization's context in a global aspect, we see that the share of the world's 8.2bn people now living in cities, which is more than double of 1950's share of the 1950s, which was estimated at around 45%. People in informal settlements worldwide are around 1 billion, and the projected share [68%] of the world population in cities by 2050, adding 2.5 billion urban dwellers. These are all the central themes for the upcoming WUF13.

Now, for Azerbaijan, WUF13 serves three overlapping purposes. First, there is conventional event diplomacy  staging a UN landmark conference creates an institutional profile which cannot be easily bought, an experience that also shed a light back in November 2024 during COP29. Second, the message of investments  the arrival in Baku of numerous foreign delegations, including those representing international financial institutions and private infrastructure funds, provides an ideal platform for showcasing the urban projects of the country. Third, the most difficult and the most complex part of the message is to position the redevelopment of Karabakh and East Zangezur as an example of smart-city urbanism.

In contrast, the Baku column boasts some tangible evidence. The Baku City Master Plan 2040, prepared by the German company Albert Speer + Partner and officially adopted towards the end of 2023, envisages a development project that is projected to cost 93.6 billion manats ($55 billion) by 2040. In particular, the master plan outlines an ambitious redevelopment strategy to transform Baku from its current monocentric and car-centered configuration to a polycentric and pedestrian-friendly metropolis, featuring the implementation of the "15-minute city" idea, the establishment of green corridors linking parks, the revival of the tram system destroyed in 2004, extensive metro expansion, and increasing public transportation's share of passenger transport to 40%. The State Program for Transport Infrastructure Development for 2025-2030 officially confirms this modality shift, positioning Baku on the path consistent with the sustainability mission outlined at WUF13. Abu Dhabi signed a twin-city agreement with Baku in early 2026 explicitly to enhance urban mobility and green technologies.

A little issue is perhaps the disparity between the ambition of the master plan and its practical implementation in Baku itself. For example, while the master plan for 2040 calls for the demolition of around 122,000 residential houses, the tram system it envisions would require the reconstruction of the infrastructure that was physically demolished in 2004. Local transport industry experts have shared their thoughts on the plan, expressing some concerns that it might be challenging to implement within the suggested timeframe. Ultimately, only time will tell how this will unfold.

Liberated territories

The more politically charged element of Azerbaijan's WUF13 narrative is the reconstruction of the liberated territories. Since 2020, over $10.3 billion has been invested by Azerbaijan in rebuilding the region of Karabakh and East Zangezur, with another $2.35 billion earmarked for the next year of 2025. About 60,000 people have been settled back in the territory through a "Great Return" campaign, with the government aiming at having resettled 150,000 by 2027. Three new airports at Fuzuli, Zangilan, and Lachin have already been built. Plans are underway for 30 new settlements, relying mainly on renewable energy sources. The territory has been recognized as a green energy zone for a decent amount of time.

Aghali, Zangilans leading Smart Village pilot program, which incorporates renewable energy technologies, smart administration, intelligent lighting systems, and an adjacent agricultural technology park, has been hailed as a successful example of sustainable town planning by constructing a new village from the ground up. Shusha will be reconstructed based on meticulous archival data regarding its past architectural designs. In 2024, Karabakh University was founded in Khankendi.

Karabakh is, of course, not the only post-conflict or purpose-built urban project. There are several examples of this.

Rwanda, Kigali post-genocide recovery; long-term rebuilding plan 2013. Africa's first smart city pilot: a citywide fiber network. GDP per capita tripled from 2000 to 2020, becoming a regional tourism hub.

South Korea, Songdo: $35 billion purpose-built since 2003, featuring IoT infrastructure and pneumatic waste disposal systems. It experienced below 40% occupancy for years, but has partially recovered since.

UAE, Masdar City: a $22 billion zero-carbon city established in 2008. It features solar power, driverless transit, and a smart grid. However, the project has been repeatedly scaled back and never fully occupied as originally designed.

Post-conflict reconstruction can produce genuine urban success, and this can be seen in the example of Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, which is often referred to as Africas most livable and quickly growing city. It is important to note, though, that specially designed cities lack a good record when it comes to success: in their technological advancement, devoid of natural economic density, they achieve great infrastructure and very few people. But purpose-built smart cities have a notably poorer track record: Songdo and Masdar both demonstrate that technological sophistication without organic economic density produces impressive infrastructure and underpopulated streets. As for Azerbaijans Karabakh project differs in an important respect, as it focuses on the restoration and revitalisation of territories that were previously inhabited. The resettlement process is ongoing, with a growing number of former residents returning to the region under the Great Return programme. As with many large-scale reconstruction efforts, the process is gradual and evolving, reflecting both the complexity of rebuilding infrastructure and the broader objective of ensuring sustainable, long-term development.

In this setting, presenting the reconstruction of Karabakh as a model of smart and sustainable urban development will call for not only strong planning credentials but also a measured and balanced approach in communication.

WUF13 seems to be more of a forum that presents diverse models and experiences rather than one that will provide firm conclusions. There is no doubt that the rebuilding of Karabakh may appear to some participants as a model of development after conflict, while to others it is an example of urban planning and sustainability.

*WUF13 details: 1722 May 2026, Baku. Theme: "Housing the world: Safe and resilient cities and communities." Co-organised by UN-Habitat and the Government of Azerbaijan. The World Bank Group, IFC, and major multilateral development institutions will operate pavilions and sessions. The event takes place at the midpoint of the New Urban Agenda's ten-year implementation cycle.
22 April 2026 13:37 (UTC+04:00)

AzerNEWS Staff Read more

Since that time (the signing of the Joint Declaration at the White House - ed.), there have been a lot of positive dynamics in the peace process, including beginning of trade, particularly supply of fuel products from Azerbaijan to Armenia, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev said during a press statement with Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics on April 22, AzerNEWS reports.

The head of state noted that there have been mutual visits and meetings between civil society and media representatives of Azerbaijan and Armenia, emphasizing that this contributes to the creation of a normal atmosphere between the countries.
22 April 2026 10:22 (UTC+04:00)

Qabil Ashirov Read more

Israel has expressed optimism about further strengthening its cooperation with Azerbaijan.

AzerNEWS reports that the statement was shared by the Israeli Embassy in Azerbaijan on the social media platform X to mark the 78th anniversary of Israels independence.

The embassy underlined that Israel remains firmly committed to protecting its people and ensuring their security.

From Baku, we proudly celebrate the 78th anniversary of Israel and sincerely express our hope that the friendship and cooperation between Israel and Azerbaijan will continue to grow stronger, the post read.
22 April 2026 10:43 (UTC+04:00)

Qabil Ashirov Read more

Elchin Amirbayov, the Representative of the President of Azerbaijan for Special Assignments, has held a series of high-level meetings during his visit to United Kingdom, AzerNEWS reports.

According to information released by Azerbaijans embassy in the UK, Amirbayov met with senior British officials, including Barbara Woodward, Deputy National Security Adviser to the Prime Minister; Edward Llewellyn, Political Director at the Foreign Office; Jonathan Allen, Director-General for Defence and Intelligence; and Christopher Allan, Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

He also held talks with members of the UK Parliament, including Nusrat Ghani, Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons, and Bob Blackman, Chair of the UKAzerbaijan Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group, along with other lawmakers.

In addition, Amirbayov delivered remarks at a roundtable discussion hosted by the International Institute for Strategic Studies, attended by experts, researchers, and academic representatives.

During his visit, he also gave interviews to leading British publications, including The Guardian and Daily Express.
22 April 2026 10:54 (UTC+04:00)

Ulviyya Poladova Read more

Prime Minister of Azerbaijan Ali Asadov arrived in Astana on a working visit to participate in a Regional Ecological Summit, AzerNEWS reports.

At Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport, the Azerbaijani prime minister was welcomed by the First Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Roman Sklyar, along with other officials.

Earlier, President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, President of Armenia Vahagn Khachaturyan, President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Zhaparov, and President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov landed in Astana.

The Regional Ecological Summit 2026 establishes an international platform for dialogue and coordination among governments, international and regional organizations, financial institutions, development agencies, the private sector, the scientific community, and civil society.

During the summit, participants are expected to discuss key issues on the environmental agenda, including climate change, the rational use of natural resources, and the development of regional cooperation in environmental protection.

While global actors continue to debate climate finance, Central Asian states are demonstrating that coordinated regional action can have a direct impact on economic outcomes.
22 April 2026 11:12 (UTC+04:00)

AzerNEWS Staff Read more

An official welcome ceremony was held on April 22 for Edgars Rinkevics, President of the Republic of Latvia, AzerNEWS reports.

A guard of honor was arranged for the President of Latvia in the square decorated with the national flags of both countries.

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev welcomed President of Latvia Edgars Rinkevics.

The chief of the guard of honor reported to the President of Latvia.

The national anthems of the Republic of Latvia and the Republic of Azerbaijan were played.

Members of the Azerbaijani delegation were presented to President Edgars Rinkevics, while members of the Latvian delegation were introduced to President Ilham Aliyev.

The guard of honor marched past President Ilham Aliyev and President Edgars Rinkevics to the accompaniment of a military march.

The heads of state posed for official photographs.
22 April 2026 11:32 (UTC+04:00)

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On April 22, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev held a one-on-one meeting with President of the Republic of Latvia Edgars Rinkevics, AzerNEWS reports.

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22 April 2026 13:22 (UTC+04:00)

AzerNEWS Staff Read more

A ceremony for the exchange of documents signed between Azerbaijan and Latvia was held on April 22, with the participation of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of the Republic of Latvia Edgars Rinkevics, AzerNEWS reports.

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of Latvia Edgars Rinkevics adopted the Joint Statement of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the President of the Republic of Latvia.

Azerbaijans Minister of Internal Affairs Vilayat Eyvazov and Latvias State Secretary of the Ministry of the Interior Dimitrijs Trofimovs exchanged the Agreement on Cooperation between the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Latvia.

Azerbaijans Minister of Agriculture Majnun Mammadov and Latvias Minister of Agriculture Armands Krauze exchanged the Declaration of Intent on Cooperation in the Field of Agriculture between the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Latvia.

Azerbaijans Minister of Foreign Affairs Jeyhun Bayramov and Latvias Minister of Foreign Affairs Baiba Braze exchanged the Memorandum of Understanding on Consular Affairs between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia.

Azerbaijans Minister of Agriculture Majnun Mammadov and Latvias Minister of Agriculture Armands Krauze exchanged the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Plant Health and Plant Protection between the Food Safety Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the State Plant Protection Service of the Republic of Latvia.

Chief of the State Border Service of the Republic of Azerbaijan Colonel-General Elchin Guliyev and Chief of the State Border Guard of the Republic of Latvia General Guntis Pujats exchanged the Bilateral Cooperation Plan for 2026-2027 between the State Border Service of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the State Border Guard of the Republic of Latvia.
22 April 2026 14:04 (UTC+04:00)

AzerNEWS Staff Read more

I want to congratulate you, Mr. President, and all the people of Azerbaijan on the peace treaty that has been initialed between Azerbaijan and Armenia. We very much look forward to the speedy process in this regard. We do hope that we will see also the conclusion of the treaty, which is important for the security not only of the region but also for the whole globe, said Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics during a press statement with President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on April 22, AzerNEWS reports.

The President of Latvia also emphasized that the meeting included an in-depth discussion of regional developments.

Of course, we see the role of Azerbaijan, especially in the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor and in the energy field, as a strategic value not only for Latvia but also for the European Union in general, he added.
22 April 2026 15:29 (UTC+04:00)

AzerNEWS Staff Read more

The President of Latvia, Edgars Rinkevics, who is on an official visit to Azerbaijan, visited the Baku White City project on April 22, AzerNEWS reports.

During the visit, the Executive Director of the project, Ruslan Sadikhov, briefed the Latvian president on ongoing and completed works in the area.

It was noted that the territory was formerly known as Black City due to over 150 years of heavy environmental pollution caused by oil industry waste and the formation of oil-contaminated zones. The area has since been transformed into a large-scale ecological and urban redevelopment project initiated under the leadership of Azerbaijans President Ilham Aliyev.

The Baku White City project was launched on December 24, 2011, with the participation of President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva. It is designed as a modern, environmentally friendly, and smart urban district, and is considered one of the most notable examples of sustainable urban development in the region.
22 April 2026 16:30 (UTC+04:00)

Qabil Ashirov Read more

Azerbaijan has repatriated a group of its citizens from a conflict zone in Syria as part of ongoing humanitarian efforts, the Foreign Ministry said, AzerNEWS reports.

According to the ministry, the operation was carried out on April 21, 2026, in line with a presidential decree signed on October 28, 2023, which outlines procedures for the repatriation and rehabilitation of Azerbaijani minors living in difficult conditions abroad.

The latest operation involved the return of five Azerbaijani citizens  two women and three children  who were transferred from Syria via Turkiye before being brought back home.

Authorities first identified the individuals location, verified their identities, and confirmed their Azerbaijani citizenship. Their safe transfer to Turkish territory was then organized.

Officials responsible for repatriation efforts from Iraq and Syria were dispatched to Istanbul, where the returnees underwent initial medical and psychological assessments.

The Azerbaijani Embassy in Turkiye and the Consulate General in Istanbul coordinated the process, providing the citizens with return certificates and flight tickets.

The group was repatriated to Azerbaijan under the supervision of an official delegation on April 21.

The government noted that further measures will be taken to ensure the social rehabilitation and reintegration of the returnees into society.

Authorities also underlined that efforts to repatriate Azerbaijani citizens affected by armed conflicts abroad will continue.
22 April 2026 16:22 (UTC+04:00)

AzerNEWS Staff Read more

An Azerbaijan-Latvia business forum was held on April 22 with the participation of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of the Republic of Latvia Edgars Rinkevics.

AzerNEWS reports that the heads of state addressed the event.

The President of Azerbaijan made a speech first.

Speech by President Ilham Aliyev

- Mr. President, members of the official delegation, guests from Latvia, ladies and gentlemen,

I'm very glad to host the President of Latvia on an official visit. We had excellent discussions and documents signed, and among many things we discussed also the issue of economic partnership. And especially the business forum which is organized today really demonstrates a mutual aspiration to do business together.

I'm glad that the President is accompanied by a big group of business representatives from Latvia, and I'm sure that the interaction with the Azerbaijani colleagues will be interesting and productive. Of course, any kind of business activity has several factors in its background, and first of all is stability in the country where you do business, predictability, business climate, investment climate, and many others, including connectivity and accessibility to export markets, and also the size of domestic markets.

We tried in Azerbaijan hard in order to transform the country from being purely dependent on oil and gas into a country which can be proud of the process of diversification of our economy. If you look at the structure of our GDP, we see rapid growth during the last 45 years. The share of non-oil industry in our GDP grew from 50 to more than 70%, and it continues. So this means that diversification of the economy is already a reality.

Now we are actively working on diversification of our exports. Though it will be difficult to do because production of natural gas in Azerbaijan is growing and will grow, and the biggest part of the gas we produce is exported. So non-oil- and gas-related industry and economy have to match the growing production profile and the growing demand in the international markets, primarily European.

Financial stability is also important for any investor, whether it's local or foreign. And here also we can report good achievements. Our financial system is stable. We steadily, based on the strategic plan, reduced dependence on borrowings. Today we borrow only for projects which demand a high level of technological performance. And we borrow only from leading international institutions like the World Bank, EBRD, Asian Development Bank, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, and some others.

Reduction of foreign debt, I think this plan is done. We have a foreign debt which is equal to 6.1% of our GDP. Our currency and gold reserves exceed the foreign debt by more than 18 times. So in other words, we could reduce our foreign commitments to zero within probably a couple of months.

But of course, there is a big demand for additional investments, primarily aimed at the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the liberated territories of Garabagh and East Zangezur. Investment priorities are clear; probably we already discussed them partly and will continue to discuss.

And also I'm sure that Azerbaijani colleagues also informed our guests about the figures. During the last 20 years we had over 350 billion dollars of investments in our economy, almost half$170 billionin investments from foreign sources. So an investment-friendly business climate was also one of the targets in front of us, and it has mostly been achieved.

With respect to our plans, we are continuing investments in Azerbaijan and also outside, primarily in energy facilities in the neighborhood and also in the EU area. And this is also supported by the European Commission. We have several formats of cooperation with the European Commission. One of them is energy cooperation.

The European Commission in its public statements always refers to Azerbaijan as a reliable partner in the energy field. And this energy is growing. We started from oil sales; now we export natural gas, we export electricity, petrochemicals, and are planning to export green energy. So one of the areas of investments which is in our portfolio is renewables, with a huge potential for sun and wind.

We are already enjoying strong interest from major actors. Our plan, which is based not only on our aspirations but also on signed, legally binding contracts, is to have 8 gigawatts of solar, wind, and hydro power by 2032. And this is absolutely realistic. We will largely substitute natural gas, which we use for electricity production, with renewables, and that will save us several billion cubic meters of gas, which is so needed now on international markets.

It was needed always during the last several years, and during the last couple of months even more. And the plan is to increase production and definitely to increase exports. Today, 10 members of the European Union are receiving natural gas from Azerbaijan. The total number of countries is 16. And by this parameter, we are number one in the world.

We are not the largest producer and exporter; there are much bigger players, but among countries that export gas by pipelines, with respect to geography of supply, we are number one.

And for many countries in the European Union, Azerbaijani gas and oil make up the largest part of their energy consumption portfolio. Another area which we have largely concentrated on was, is, and will be connectivity. Here, geography is complemented by our investments and long-term policy to transform Azerbaijan, which is a landlocked country, into an international transportation hub. It has already happened. Transportation corridors from East to West and vice versa, North to South and vice versa, are already functioning. On Azerbaijani territory, all construction works have been completed. What we are doing now is only investing in modernization, in creating new physical infrastructure, in digitalization, including the opportunities provided by AI, in order to make transportation through Azerbaijan not only the safest in today's geopolitical situation but also competitive from the point of view of fees, transportation costs, and timing. And here, there is a big room for investments because connectivity between East and West today, without Azerbaijan, is rather problematic. We have already invested significantly, as I said, and also, in cooperation with friendly countries, with our immediate neighbors and neighbors of our neighbors, we have managed to provide a safe and reliable transportation route for cargo. By the way, the number of cargoes going through Azerbaijan is growing year after year.

We also discussed today largely the opportunities in agricultural cooperation between our countries, and the co-chairs of the Joint Economic Commission are both ministers of agriculture. So definitely this will continue to be one of the priorities for our government, taking into account that more than 40% of our population lives in rural areas, and this infrastructure has been created, as well as business opportunities in the regions. Of course, they are different from business opportunities in the capital. Therefore, agriculture, tourism, and water managementall these are projects which state and private companies are implementing in Azerbaijan, and I think they will be of interest to Latvian investors as well. Also, the Alat Free Economic Zone provides good services and very investment-friendly legislation, which already allows it to attract foreign investments in substantial volumes. Though today it is clear that attracting foreign investments is not an easy task, I think the legal framework and proximity to the main trading seaports and the railroad make the Alat Free Economic Zone attractive.

One of the issues which we also discussed and probably will also be a potential area of cooperation is the defense industry. We found out that both countries are actively developing their capabilities, and as far as we are concerned, we are already exporting products of our defense industry companiesprivate and stateto a large number of countries. So joint manufacturing, cooperation, and creating synergy, I think, are also something we can look at. And many others.

Today, in our brief remarks, it is difficult to embrace all the areas of partnership, but I'm sure that during the forum and follow-updefinitely there should be a follow-up, just not to make this event isolatedmany other opportunities will be explored. And definitely, we as a country, and I'm sure our business community, are interested in investment opportunities in Latvia, in your priority projects.

As we discussed today, we can table a list of potential projects where both countries can successfully participate. And the last point is about the importance of the President's visit. I'm once again very grateful for accepting my invitation. I enjoyed very much our tete-a-tete conversation, as well as the meeting with delegations and our discussion during lunch. And thank you once again. I wish you a pleasant stay. I'm sure that our business delegations will also support all these positive trends. So welcome once again.

x x x

Then, the President of Latvia delivered a speech.

Speech by President Edgars Rinkevics

- Mr. President, ministers, representatives of the business community of both Azerbaijan and Latvia.

First of all, Mr. President, thank you very much for hosting us and also being present at this business forum and addressing entrepreneurs from both countries. It is very easy to speak after you, because you covered everything. And I can actually agree, the only thing that I should probably add is a little commercial for Latvia and Latvia's opportunities, because you did such brilliant work highlighting the priorities and development of Azerbaijan that I think it is also important to highlight that Latvia is ready to cooperate and to deepen and broaden trade relations with Azerbaijan.

Actually, if we look back at history, when Baku became an oil-producing city, many Latvians, already at the end of the 19th century and beginning of 20th century found work here as engineers, worked also as teachers. And our connection, both economic and also cultural, are much broader and much longer than sometimes we tend to think. I think it is very important that during this time of turbulence, seeing what is happening in Europe and also in the Middle East, all the geopolitical challenges, we are trying to find new ways of cooperation with our very good and trusted partners. And Azerbaijan for Latvia is, was and will be the principal trading and political partner in the South Caucasus region and, actually, in the broader region.

As the President just said, we really had a substantial portion of our discussion devoted to economic and trade relations. I just want to echo what Mr. President said  that there is huge interest in developing cooperation in the field of the defense industry. We see that technologies in defense industry are developing very fast. Artificial intelligence, different solutions are actually being invented as we speak. And I know that there is very good potential here in Azerbaijan, but also I can highlight that also Latvia has a fast-developing defense industry. Drones, anti-drone systems are only those visible, but also our defense industry is working on different projects, and there is an interest in our defense industry to find partners or to deepen ties with partners both in Europe and beyond.

Knowing that we have representatives from that industry, I do hope we will see also some tangible and real results coming soon. I just, at the suggestion of the President, visited the White City. I was truly impressed. I was told, Mr. President, that in less than 15 years - because the idea developed back in 2011-2012  you were able to, first of all, clean up polluted territories and then to develop an architectural marvel and to develop a modern 21st-century city.

That shows the potential of Azerbaijan. But I also believe that is a great invitation to investors  invitation to other countries to come and to participate in such projects to offer their expertise, be it architecture, engineering solutions, or design. And here I see that we do have a potential and Latvia has a lot to offer also in this area.

We also discussed a lot about agricultural cooperation. So it happens that from our side and yours, the co-chairs of the Intergovernmental Commission are ministers of agriculture. I think that there is great potential to explore how we can actually increase trade there because we are not competitors.

We can actually complement each other. Of course, there are always issues that need to be resolved  inspection, certifications  but we are also very positively viewing that authorities, the government in Azerbaijan recently made decisions that are going actually to allow trade and exchange to flourish in this area. Latvia is a forest country and we have a wealth of experience in forest management.

So it happens again that the Minister of Agriculture is also responsible for forest issues in Latvia and he is responsible for all the policy that the government in Latvia conducts in that field as well. So we are ready and interested to explore opportunities to also foster the development of the program you told me about  planting trees, afforestation of Azerbaijan, including the liberated territories. Here I do see both an opportunity for practical cooperation but also those in the field of education and training.

We were also talking about other areas, pharmaceutical industry. We are talking about connectivity. Again, Latvia always has been seen as a gateway to north of Europe to central Europe.

We do have some geopolitical events that actually should not be viewed as obstacles but rather as opportunities, and the development of cargo infrastructure in airports, air transportation, other ways of connectivity and logistics is something that both of our countries can offer and complement each other in. And here Latvia has also a lot of expertise. I'm running into some difficulty because if I'm not mentioning something that has not been mentioned here by me or by Mr. President, it doesn't mean that we have forgotten it or it's not important. There are simply some time constraints. So what I very much hope is that our talks with Mr. President and his ministers, and this business forum will give an impetus also to our business communities to find ways of cooperation, to have new ideas, to have maybe some old projects looked back, revived and put in place. I think what you see and hear from the presence of the President of Azerbaijan and of myself is the importance that we attach to trade and economic relations. Yes, we do have some history. We had the COVID period that actually impaired some economic and trade relations.

We do have some events as we speak happening in the region. But I think that those should not prevent both governments and business communities from working together. Latvia, as a member of the European Union, the OECD, as well as NATO, is very much ready to work and to support cooperation between Azerbaijan and those organizations, bilateral organizations, to use all the expertise that we also have to promote economic relations. And we also highly value the fact that Azerbaijan is a strategic partner not only for Latvia but for many European countries, be it political, be it economic field, but most importantly, as we speak, in the energy field.

Mr. President already outlined what Azerbaijan is currently doing. And believe me, that is highly valued in Europe and also in our region. In those times of uncertainty, reliable partners are very important asset to have.

Latvian economic development is a steady one. We do have a lot of challenges to address. But I'm absolutely convinced that through those strategies that we just outlined, and by trying to find ways where to invest.

Investment is not a one-way street. I think that there are ideas that investors from Azerbaijan would take up and to try to look into the opportunities to invest in Latvia. But also there are Latvian companies that would be interested in developing either the joint ventures or investing here, in different technological fields.

So what I would like to say; we had excellent political discussions. We had, and here I very much agree, a very, very good discussion on a variety of issues. But you know, someone must take this from here. Because we will meet after some time, as we have agreed, Mr. President. And I also extended my invitation to the President of Azerbaijan to pay an official visit to the Republic of Latvia. Most probably it's going to be the next year.

So all of us,  presidents, governments and business communities  have around one year before we meet. And I very much hope that when we meet in Riga, we will have not only great ideas to share, but also very concrete results that we can follow up from this business forum. So I wish you a very fruitful business forum.

I want to thank personally President Aliyev for his presence here and also for his very positive attitude towards Latvia and towards trade relations as well. And I very much look forward to continuing working with you. So, to be continued.

Thank you very much.
22 April 2026 21:43 (UTC+04:00)

Your browser doesn't support video. Please download the file: video/mp4

A post has been shared on the social media account of the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, regarding his meeting with Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics, who is on an official visit to the country.

Here we are to serve you with news right now. It does not cost much, but worth your attention.

Choose to support open, independent, quality journalism and subscribe on a monthly basis.

By subscribing to our online newspaper, you can have full digital access to all news, analysis, and much more.

Subscribe

You can also follow AzerNEWS on Twitter @AzerNewsAz or Facebook @AzerNewsNewspaper

Thank you!
22 April 2026 12:36 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

The German company Drager has signed a five-year strategic agreement with SOCAR Turkiye, AzerNEWS reports citing the company, AzerNEWS reports.

According to the statement, the agreement provides for the maintenance and replacement of stationary gas detectors at the STAR Oil Refinery, a key facility within SOCAR Turkiyes structure.

The document was signed by Kenan Mirzayev, General Director of Petkim and Head of SOCAR Turkiye's Oil Refining and Petrochemical Business Direction, and Zafer Kaskara, General Director of Drager Turkiye.

This cooperation is an important step in terms of ensuring sustainable industrial safety in production areas, increasing operational efficiency and developing long-term partnerships, the company said in a statement.

Drager emphasized that it will continue to apply advanced technological solutions to enhance safety standards in industrial enterprises, in line with its mission of Technologies for Life.

It should be noted that the STAR Oil Refinery, commissioned in October 2018, integrates oil refining and petrochemical production and is considered one of the largest investment projects in Turkiyes real sector.
22 April 2026 17:58 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

At the FT Commodities Global Summit in Lausanne, leading figures in global commodity trading delivered a stark assessment: the closure of the Strait of Hormuz is not a short-term disruption but a structural shock whose consequences will reverberate across global supply chains for years. From oil refining to food production, the cascading effects are already being felt, AzerNEWS reports.

The scale of disruption is unprecedented. Since late February, when the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran, roughly 12 million barrels per day have effectively been removed from the global oil balance. Energy infrastructure across the Persian Gulf has been damaged or halted, paralyzing critical export routes.

According to Russell Hardy, the cumulative loss is approaching historic levels. We have already lost 600700 million barrels, he noted, warning that a total loss of 1 billion barrels is now practically inevitable. Even if flows resume, he stressed, restoring damaged infrastructure will be a prolonged process.

The magnitude is striking: 1 billion barrels equates to roughly ten days of global oil consumptionmore than double the volumes previously released from strategic reserves during past crises. Hardy described the current turmoil as the most severe disruption in his nearly four-decade career, surpassing even the shock of the Iraq's invasion of Kuwait. Unlike in 1990, he emphasized, todays market operates with minimal spare capacity, much of it concentrated behind the Strait of Hormuz itself.

Beyond oil, the crisis is rippling through multiple sectors. Conference participants warned that prolonged disruption could trigger a broader economic downturn. Fertilizer production is under strain due to interruptions in Middle Eastern gas supplies, raising the specter of a global food crisis. Meanwhile, copper output is being constrained by shortages of sulfuric acid sourced from the Gulf.

When you remove such a large volume of energy from the system for an extended period, real consequences are unavoidable, said Gary Pedersen. His colleague, Frederik Lasser, offered a more direct warning: failure to reopen the strait by late July could tip the global economy into recession.

The burden of the crisis, however, will not be evenly shared. According to Richard Holtum, shortages are already most acute across Asia, Africa, and Australia. While soaring prices will impact all economies, wealthier nations are expected to shield their populations from physical shortages. Drawing parallels to Europes 2022 gas crisis following the Russia-Ukraine war, Holtum argued that financial resiliencenot supply availabilitywill determine outcomes.

Rich countries will protect their consumers, he said. Those with weaker purchasing power will face demand destruction.

Despite mounting risks, financial markets appear relatively sanguine. Helima Croft pointed to record-level U.S. stock indices as evidence that investors are underestimating the duration of the crisis, driven in part by expectations that Donald Trump could swiftly broker a resolution.

There is a perception that Trump can simply end the conflict, she noted, referencing the market acronym TACO (Trump Always Chickens Out). However, she cautioned that such assumptions overlook a critical reality: any resolution depends equally on Irans position, which remains uncertain.

Even under the most optimistic scenarios, the long-term consequences for the oil products market are expected to be severe. Amrita Sen, the director of market analysis at Energy Aspects, estimates that if the throughput capacity of the Strait of Hormuz is restored by at least 50% by the end of May, the market will still lose 450 million barrels of oil products, including diesel and gasoline.

Sen points out that, due to the lack of spare capacity in the global oil refining sector, restoring this significant volume of fuel will not be achievable before 2030. Furthermore, this timeline depends on whether price increases do not significantly reduce demand in the meantime.
22 April 2026 08:00 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday that Russia remains "in constant contact" with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on key issues, including the situation in Iran, AzerNEWS reports.

"There are increasingly more and more critical issues, particularly in the problematic area, that concern the IAEA, including in the context of the war in Iran," Peskov told the reporters.

The comments come as European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas warns that "freedom of navigation cannot be replaced by pay-for-passage schemes" and raises concerns over Iran's "missile programs," and "support to proxies and support to Russia." IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi also said strict inspections of Iran's nuclear activities must be part of any potential ceasefire agreement between Washington and Tehran.
The European Court of Justice has ruled that Hungary violated European law by adopting legislation that restricts access to LGBTQ-related content, stating that the measures stigmatize and marginalize gay and transgender individuals, AzerNEWS reports.

The case was brought before the court by the European Commission, alongside 16 EU member states and the European Parliament, making it one of the largest human rights cases in the blocs history.

The contested law, adopted in 2021 under thenPrime Minister Viktor Orban, was initially introduced to strengthen penalties for child abuse. However, it was later amended to ban what authorities described as the promotion of homosexuality to individuals under the age of 18.

The ruling comes at a time of political transition in Hungary, following the election victory of Peter Magyar, who ended Orbans 16-year rule in a landslide vote on April 12.

Magyar has pledged to improve relations with the European Union and secure the release of approximately 18 billion in funds that had been frozen by Brussels, partly due to concerns over the LGBTQ law and broader rule-of-law issues.

The courts decision is expected to play a significant role in shaping Hungarys future social policies and its relationship with the EU.
22 April 2026 11:33 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

Dozens of Israeli citizens were detained and questioned for several hours this weekend at Moscow's Domodedovo Airport, according to Israel's foreign ministry on Monday. Russian media reported that security officials questioned some of these individuals about the ongoing war in Iran, AzerNEWS reports, citing the Moscow Times.

At least 40 Israelis and dual Russian-Israeli nationals were held for approximately five hours after arriving at the airport in Moscow from Tel Aviv.

Security officers allegedly confronted some passengers about the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran. Mediazona reported that the officers indicated that Irans enemies are also our enemies. They reportedly told passengers they should not have come [to Russia] and expressed that they were not welcome in Moscow.

The group of passengers was released after signing a document that warned them against breaking the law. Mediazona's source claimed that the security officers shifted from being rude to very polite during the encounter.

Israel's foreign ministry stated to The Jerusalem Post on Monday that the incident was resolved after intervention by Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar, the Israeli Embassy in Moscow, and Russia's Foreign Ministry. An Israeli foreign ministry spokesperson emphasized that the conduct of the Russian authorities was completely unacceptable and that Israel takes the incident very seriously.

This incident occurred just days after Russia resumed flights to and from Israel following weeks of air disruptions caused by the outbreak of war in the Middle East. Israel reopened its airspace after the U.S. and Iran agreed to a ceasefire nearly two weeks ago.
22 April 2026 12:53 (UTC+04:00)

Ulviyya Poladova Read more

A growing fuel crisis is placing unprecedented pressure on European air travel, with Lufthansa announcing significant schedule reductions, AzerNEWS reports, citing The Wall Street Journal.

The German airline plans to cancel around 20,000 flights in response to a sharp rise in jet fuel prices.

The airline stated that the move is aimed at conserving aviation fuel amid soaring energy costs. Lufthansa estimates that the cancellations will reduce passenger traffic by approximately 1%, while saving up to 40,000 metric tons of fuel. Despite the cuts, the company noted that fuel supplies for summer operations are expected to remain largely stable.

Lufthansa is not alone in taking such measures as volatility in the Middle East and rising energy prices continue to disrupt the aviation sector. SAS Scandinavian Airlines, headquartered in Stockholm, has announced plans to cancel around 1,000 flights in April. Meanwhile, Air France-KLM has introduced fuel surcharges of up to 100, including on previously sold long-haul tickets.

In addition, Moldovan carrier FlyOne has also reported flight cancellations linked to fuel supply challenges.

The European Commission is expected to present a plan on April 22 addressing the ongoing energy crisis, which has been exacerbated by tensions in the Middle East.

Image: Getty Images
22 April 2026 13:48 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

A new investigation by the BBC has raised questions about unusual trading activity occurring shortly before major public statements by Donald Trump, though no definitive evidence of wrongdoing has been established, AzerNEWS reports.

According to the report, analysts examined trading data across multiple financial markets, including oil futures and prediction platforms- and found a consistent pattern of sharp increases in trading activity just hours or even minutes before Trumps market-moving announcements became public.

In one cited example, traders placed large bets that oil prices would fall shortly before Trump publicly suggested the conflict with Iran was nearing an end. Oil prices later dropped significantly, generating substantial profits for those who had bet correctly.

A similar pattern was observed ahead of policy decisions such as tariff changes, where market bets appeared to anticipate announcements shortly before they were made public.

Experts remain divided on how to interpret these findings. Some analysts say the timing bears the hallmarks of insider trading, suggesting that certain traders may have had access to non-public information. Others argue that experienced investors may simply be getting better at predicting Trumps policy moves and reacting quickly.

Regulators have taken notice. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission is reportedly examining suspicious trades tied to oil markets and geopolitical developments, though no formal accusations have been made.

The White House has rejected the allegations, calling any suggestion of misconduct by administration officials baseless and irresponsible, while maintaining that there is no evidence of illegal activity.

Insider trading is the buying or selling of a public company's securities (stocks or bonds) by someone who has access to material, non-public information about that company. It is illegal when it violates a fiduciary duty or trust to gain an unfair advantage, as it undermines market integrity.
22 April 2026 16:17 (UTC+04:00)

Ulviyya Poladova Read more

U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed that Iran is experiencing severe financial difficulties amid ongoing regional tensions, AzerNEWS reports.

Writing on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump stated that Tehran is under growing economic pressure and is eager to see the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to restore cash flow.

"They want the Strait of Hormuz opened immediately - they are desperate for cash flow. They are losing $5 billion a day," Trump wrote.

Meanwhile, Iran has signaled a willingness to resume negotiations under certain conditions. Speaking at the United Nations, Irans Permanent Representative Amir Saeid Iravani said that talks could proceed if the United States lifts restrictions on the Strait of Hormuz and adheres to the ceasefire terms.

"The United States must stop violating the ceasefire before a new round of negotiations can begin. Once the blockade is lifted, the next round of talks will be held in Islamabad," Iravani stated. He emphasized that Iran remains open to a political solution but is also prepared for further escalation if necessary.

Tensions between the United States and Iran have intensified in recent months, particularly following the lack of progress on negotiations related to Irans nuclear program. On February 28, the United States and Israel reportedly launched airstrikes against Iranian targets, prompting Tehran to respond with missile and drone attacks on Israeli territory and U.S. assets in the region.

A temporary ceasefire was reached on April 7 through mediation by Pakistan, initially set for two weeks. On April 21, Trump announced that the ceasefire would be extended until Iran presents a formal proposal and negotiations reach a conclusion.
22 April 2026 14:04 (UTC+04:00)

Ulviyya Poladova Read more

The President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, has urged the international community to support efforts aimed at preserving the Caspian Sea, stressing its critical importance for regional ecological balance, biodiversity, and sustainable development, AzerNEWS reports via the press service of the Kazakh president.

Tokayev emphasized that protecting the Caspian Sea is a key national priority for Kazakhstan. He noted that the country has launched an interstate program designed to prevent further environmental degradation of the sea.

As part of these efforts, Kazakhstan has established the Caspian Sea Research Institute to strengthen regional scientific cooperation and support evidence-based environmental policy.

"We call on all of participants to support efforts to preserve this unique natural heritage," Tokayev said, highlighting the need for coordinated global action.

He also stressed that any use of military force in the Caspian region must be excluded and prohibited.

The Regional Ecological Summit 2026 establishes an international platform for dialogue and coordination among governments, international and regional organizations, financial institutions, development agencies, the private sector, the scientific community, and civil society.

The objective of RES 2026 is to establish an open platform for the development of joint and practical solutions to climate and ecological challenges, bringing together a broad range of countries, regions, and partners, and demonstrating, through the example of Central Asia, how interregional cooperation strengthens global efforts.
22 April 2026 18:50 (UTC+04:00)

By Jehanzeb Iqbal | AzerNEWS

One year ago today, on April 22, 2025, gunmen opened fire on tourists in the scenic Pahalgam valley of Indian-administered Jammu & Kashmir, killing dozens of civilians in one of the deadliest attacks the region had witnessed in years. Within hours, before any investigation had commenced, the Indian state machinery; its media anchors, its intelligence briefers, its cabinet ministers had already written the verdict: Pakistan was responsible. We would rather avoid discussing Indian obsession with Pakistan.

What followed over the next twelve months was not a story of justice, security, or regional stability. It was the story of a carefully constructed narrative eating itself alive.

The Indian establishments reflexive attribution of the attack to Pakistan was not grounded in evidence. It was grounded in habit. For decades, New Delhi has maintained a strategic posture in which every act of militancy on its soil becomes a Pakistani plot, regardless of facts on the ground. The Pahalgam attack fit that template perfectly, and was deployed accordingly.

A group calling itself The Resistance Front claimed responsibility. Indian investigators, with remarkable speed, declared it a front organization for Lashkar-e-Tayyeba. No forensic trail, no intercept transcripts, no credible evidentiary chain was made public. The claim was asserted; the narrative was set.

Pakistan, for its part, made an offer that was both reasonable and diplomatically astute: an inquiry by any mutually agreed neutral party to establish the facts. India rejected it outright. The rejection itself was revealing; nations confident in their evidence do not refuse independent verification.

Having foreclosed diplomacy, New Delhi turned to force. In early May 2025, India launched cross-border air strikes into Pakistani territory, targeting sites it claimed were terrorist infrastructure in Bahawalpur, Lahore, and Muzaffarabad. The Indian government, riding high on a decade of soft power accumulation and a carefully cultivated image as a rising global power, expected a swift demonstration of dominance.

However, what it received instead was catastrophe. Pakistani air defenses, sharper and better integrated than Indian planners had apparently anticipated, downed six to seven Indian fighter aircrafts, including advanced Rafale jets procured from France at enormous cost. The loss was not merely material; it was symbolic and strategic. Over the next four days, the world watched what can only be described as the meltdown of Indian regional hegemony in real time.

The damage rippled outward almost immediately. Dassault Aviation, the French manufacturer of the Rafale, found itself in an uncomfortable position as the jets poor combat performance became a talking point across global defense circles. Reports emerged that French officials privately expressed frustration at how India had deployed and lost such a sophisticated hardware. The United States, meanwhile, was reportedly active behind the scenes, with President Trump publicly acknowledging on multiple occasions that Indian jets had been shot down, calling for de-escalation in terms that stripped away any ambiguity about what had happened in the skies over the border.

Indias silence on American mediation efforts compounded its isolation. New Delhis refusal to publicly acknowledge let alone thank Washingtons intervention was read as arrogance in Western capitals. It accelerated a quiet but significant cooling in the diplomatic warmth India had carefully cultivated since the early 2000s.

While India was managing the fallout of its military and diplomatic miscalculations through the summer and autumn of 2025, Pakistan was quietly consolidating strategic gains.

By late 2025, Pakistani defense exports to developing nations had risen substantially, with Islamabad emerging as a credible arms supplier and security partner in a multipolar world increasingly skeptical of Western-aligned defense hierarchies. More significantly, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed a landmark bilateral defense agreement; Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement (SMDA), formalizing Pakistans role as a net security provider for the Kingdom. It came as a development that repositioned Islamabad in Gulf geopolitics and gave it strategic depth that no amount of Indian lobbying could easily undo.

Indias much-touted project of isolating Pakistan internationally had not merely failed, it had inverted. Pakistan was gaining diplomatic space as India was quietly losing it.

Then came March 2026, and a development that reshuffled the entire regional chessboard: coordinated Israeli and American strikes against Iran. The attack fundamentally altered the security architecture of West Asia, triggering cascading crises that demanded mediators with credibility on multiple sides.

Pakistan with its Islamic identity, its relationships across the Gulf, its long-maintained back-channels with Tehran, and its recently burnished credentials as a responsible state actor stepped into that role. Today, on the first anniversary of the Pahalgam attack, Pakistani leadership is engaged in active mediation between Washington and Tehran, working to prevent a wider conflagration in West Asia. Islamabad is in the global spotlight for the right reasons. India, by contrast, is watching from the periphery. The BJP-led government faces sharpening domestic criticism from opposition parties over what many are now openly calling a foreign policy catastrophe, a war that was sold as a demonstration of strength and delivered humiliation, followed by a diplomatic retreat dressed up as restraint.

Narratives built on nationalist bias rather than fact are brittle structures. They hold together only as long as power can enforce their acceptance. The moment that power falters in the air over Muzaffarabad, in the back-channels of Washington, in the defense ministries of Riyadh; the narrative collapses under its own weight.

India set out in April 2025 to isolate Pakistan. One year later, it is India that finds itself isolated from the defining events of the moment. The slogans of Pakistani irrelevance have been answered by Pakistani mediation at the highest levels of global diplomacy. History has a particular irony reserved for states that confuse hegemony with strategy. India is learning that lesson in real time one painful anniversary at a time.

---------

The views and opinions expressed by guest columnists in their articles may differ from those of the editorial board and do not necessarily reflect its views.
22 April 2026 16:55 (UTC+04:00)

Ulviyya Poladova Read more

European Union ambassadors have approved a major financial and sanctions package aimed at supporting Ukraine, AzerNEWS reports, citing Euractiv.

EU capitals will have to green light the measure before tomorrow afternoon in a written procedure  meaning ministers would have not have to convene in person to end the stalemate after agreement at the Committee of Permanent Representatives or Coreper on Wednesday.

"Today, both the 90 billion Ukraine loan, and the 20th sanctions package have been included in the agenda of EU ambassadors, and have been approved at the level of Coreper," a spokesperson for the Cyprus Presidency of the EU said in a statement.

It must be noted that the new sanctions package, initially proposed by the European Commission on February 6, introduces sweeping restrictions targeting Russias energy and financial sectors. Among the most significant measures is a full ban on servicing the transportation of Russian oil. The EU also plans to expand its blacklist by adding 43 more tankers, bringing the total number of sanctioned vessels to approximately 640.

In addition, the package prohibits the purchase of new ships connected to Russian energy logistics and bans maintenance services for gas tankers and icebreakers.

Image: Yves Herman / Reuters
22 April 2026 23:30 (UTC+04:00)

by Alimat Aliyeva

Taiwans President Lai Ching-te has cancelled a planned diplomatic visit to the southern African kingdom of Eswatini, accusing China of exerting pressure on other countries to block his aircraft from using their airspace, AzerNEWS reports, citing foreign media.

According to Taiwanese officials, Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar unexpectedly revoked overflight permissions after what Taipei described as intense pressure and economic coercion from China. Beijing, however, denied any coercion and instead praised the three Indian Ocean nations, saying it highly appreciates their decisions.

This marks the first publicly known case in which Taiwans president has been forced to cancel an overseas trip due to denied flight clearance. The development highlights how diplomatic tensions are increasingly affecting even basic aviation routes.

Eswatini remains one of only 12 countries that maintain official diplomatic relations with Taiwan, and it is the only one located in Africa.

Reuters reported that officials in Seychelles and Madagascar said their decisions were based on their recognition of the One China policy, under which they do not officially acknowledge Taiwan as a separate state.

Taiwanese authorities, however, insist that the revocation of flight permits was sudden and done without prior notice, calling it part of a broader pattern of diplomatic pressure.

China continues to uphold its One China principle, claiming that Taiwan is an inseparable part of its territory. In contrast, Taiwan operates as a self-governed democracy, with its own government and military, and many of its citizens identify as part of a separate sovereign nation. Beijing has not ruled out the use of force to achieve what it calls reunification.

Interestingly, aviation analysts note that incidents like this show how modern geopolitics is extending beyond diplomacy into air traffic control itself, where flight routes, once considered purely technical, are increasingly becoming tools of political influence and international leverage.
22 April 2026 19:19 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

Lebanon will request a one-month extension of the ceasefire during its meeting with Israel in Washington on Thursday, a Lebanese official told AFP, AzerNEWS reports.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity given the sensitive nature of the topic, said "Lebanon will request an extension of the truce for one month, an end of Israel's bombing and destruction in the areas where it is present, and a commitment to the ceasefire".

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said Wednesday that "contacts are underway to extend the ceasefire period", which began last week and is set to expire Sunday.

Israel to Lebanon: Cooperation Required on Your Side

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, speaking to diplomats during an event marking the 78th anniversary of Israels independence on Wednesday, called on Lebanon to cooperate and make joint efforts to confront Hezbollah.

Saar said: Tomorrow, direct talks between Israel and Lebanon will resume in Washington. I call on the Lebanese government to cooperate with us against the state of terrorism that Hezbollah has built on your territory.

He added: This cooperation is required more from your side than from ours. It requires moral clarity and the courage to take risks. But there is no real alternative to ensuring a future of peace for you and for us.

Lebanon and Israel have been formally at war since 1948. Israel took control of additional areas in southern Lebanon after the Iran-backed Hezbollah fired rockets toward Israel in support of Tehran on March 2.

The war between Hezbollah and Israel has resulted in the deaths of more than 2,400 people and the displacement of around one million on the Lebanese side.

Despite a ceasefire being in effect, Israeli forces still occupy areas in southern Lebanon and continue to operate there.

Last week, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned that his country would use its full force in Lebanon if its soldiers were threatened.

Under the terms of the truce, Israel says it retains the right to act against planned, imminent, or ongoing attacks.

The Israeli army announced last week the establishment of a yellow line separating areas in southern Lebanon, similar to the line that separates its forces from areas controlled by Hamas in Gaza.
22 April 2026 21:27 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

Israels observer status at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe could be suspended following the adoption of a controversial law mandating the death penalty for Palestinians convicted of certain offences, the bodys president has said, AzerNEWS reports.

Petra Bayr, president of PACE, stressed that the abolition of capital punishment is a fundamental requirement for maintaining observer status at the Council of Europe, a pan-European human rights institution separate from the European Union.

The Israeli parliaments observer status might be suspended until there is a decision [against the law] or until it is clear that the law will not go into force, Bayr said. There are red lines  even a non-discriminatory death penalty is a no-go.

The remarks came after Israels parliament approved legislation mandating the death penalty for Palestinians convicted of deadly acts in military courts in the occupied territories.

Under the current legal framework, Palestinians convicted of similar offences in Israels civilian courts may face either the death penalty or life imprisonment. However, a provision in the law effectively shields Jewish Israelis, as it applies specifically to crimes committed with the intent to deny the existence of the state of Israel.

Human rights organizations have already filed petitions with Israels Supreme Court, seeking to overturn the law.
I gotta admit, I love Martha Boneta.

Let me give you a quick example  when these regulations came to Fluvanna County, I pointedly asked as a supervisor whether birthday parties would qualify under the same ordinances that were punishing folks like Martha Boneta. I was assured this was not the case, even though I drilled home the fact that I have several children and their parties in an Irish-Lebanese household would consist of populations greater than some towns.

Good for us.

Not so good for Martha so let her tell you her story:

The Boneta Bill is very real. If you havent learned about this bill  call your legislator and have them explain it to you. When they cant, scold them (playfully) and tell them why they should.

When the yeoman farmer dies, America dies with it.

Virginians need to know that the war on small farms is real. Pressured on all sides by nosy neighbors, suburban elites, proto-fascist HOAs, aggressive local planners, ridiculous regulations, and the increased costs of just about everything from fuel to feed  small farms are very much in jeopardy.

Farming and self-sufficiency is about as old as America. The whole idea that the average American family wouldnt  and in many cases today, cannot  grow their own food and raise a farm alongside a family would strike the sensibilities of our Founding Fathers in equal parts horror and insanity.

Its about time we won a round for the Jeffersonian farmer, is it not?

One of the resolutions coming to the floor during the convention is the Virginia Small Farm and Food Freedom Resolution. When it comes up, I hope youll join me in endorsing it, and encourage your state senators and delegates to do the same.

Hats off to Delegate Lingamfelter and Mark Fitzgibbons for leading the charge on this and to Martha Boneta, who refused to back down when pressured by local bullies and busybodies.

That takes real courage and Im glad shes leading the charge.

VIRGINIA SMALL FARM AND FOOD FREEDOM RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, farmers, farms and farming have historically played a vital role in the economy, traditions, culture, art and literature of Virginia, and are entitled to protection under the supreme American law guaranteeing certain unalienable rights such as life, liberty and pursuit of happiness; and

WHEREAS, the success of farms and farming depends on free-market remuneration resulting from farmers labor, capital, ingenuity and products; and

WHEREAS, each farmer has the right to determine in his or her own estimation what best constitutes farming, farm life and the best uses of their farm land, and farmers have the right to just remuneration for their labor, capital, ingenuity and products so long as they respect their neighbors rights; and

WHEREAS, farm life may constitute more than just production agriculture, and farmers have the right of commerce, the right to the pursuit of happiness, the right of quiet enjoyment of their land, the right of peaceable assembly on their private property, the right to exercise religious freedom on their private property, and other rights reserved to all people by Americas supreme law; and

WHEREAS, all Virginians deserve access to wholesome, healthy, and locally produced foods, and small farmers should be able to supply these products without burdensome government regulations; and

WHEREAS, government may not restrict the rights of farmers or their guests from the community, or categorize farmers, farming or farmland in any way that diminishes their freedoms, based simply on the fact that they are farmers or the guests of farmers, own farmland, or engage in commerce that is consistent with the goods, services, traditions, culture, art and literature of farming; and

WHEREAS, government must not use laws or the color of law, regulations, zoning ordinances or the dictates of permits to violate or trespass on the rights of farmers and their guests, and farmers are entitled to fair, reasonable and full remedies from government agencies or subdivisions that violate or trespass on their rights.

Therefore, be it resolved that the Republican Party of Virginia supports state legislation and local ordinances consistent with this Resolution, and repeal of state laws and local ordinances inconsistent with this Resolution;

Be it further resolved that the Republican Party calls upon the General Assembly and the Governor to advance legislation in the 2014 Session of the General Assembly to make the Code of Virginia consistent with the provisions of this Resolution and the Founding vision with respect to the rights of citizens to pursue their self-interests as protected by the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of Virginia.

And be it further resolved that the Virginia Republican Party immediately publish this Resolution and disseminate it to the Chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia, members of the State Central Committee, and to the Republican members of the Virginia General Assembly, and post it to the RPV website in a publicly accessible area, with a link to that page on the home page.
If, as some have said, conservatism is a second language for Mitt Romney, his commencement address at Liberty University yesterday demonstrated how rapidly the governor is developing fluency.

From press reports and excerpts of the address released to the media in advance, I was expecting a traditional commencement address filled with personal anecdotes and life advice from a successful corporate CEO-turned-politician. While Gov. Romney certainly hit on those themes, discussed his role in resuscitating the 2002 Winter Olympics and included a joke by former Rep. Dick Armey (shout out to FreedomWorks?), the remainder of his address was an exposition that wouldve been more expected from Newt Gingrichthe great Republican historian and cultural observerthan a wonky technocrat with an MBA.

You enter a world with civilizations and economies that are far from equal. Culture makes all the difference. Not natural resources, not geography, but what people believe and value. The American culture promotes personal responsibility, the dignity of work, the value of education, the merit of service, devotion to a purpose greater than self, and, at the foundation, the pre-eminence of the family.

At once poetic and passionate, Gov. Romney launched into a vigorous, unapologetic defense of the role of faithChristianity, in particularin American public life.

But from the beginning, this nation trusted in God, not man. Religious liberty is the first freedom in our Constitution. And whether the cause is justice for the persecuted, compassion for the needy and the sick, or mercy for the child waiting to be born, there is no greater force for good in the nation than Christian conscience in action.

After a week filled with anti-Christian invective from the tolerant Left following Tuesdays election results in North Carolina, it was good for Americans to be reminded of the important contributions Christians have made to American greatness. Gov. Romney also warned listeners that though the Christians work is vital, it wont be easy:

[Y]our values will not always be the object of public admiration. In fact, the more you live by your beliefs, the more you will endure the censure of the world. Christianity is not the faith of the complacent, the comfortable or the timid. It demands and creates heroic souls.

Gov. Romney also threw some veiled punches at President Obama, reaffirming his support for traditional marriagewithout issuing any specific call to actionand observing how odd it is that freedom of conscience is treated as a problem: Perhaps religious conscience upsets the designs of those who feel that the highest wisdom and authority comes from government.

Prior to commencement, the media, both locally and nationally, noted that many Liberty University students were upset by the universitys decision to invite a Mormon to speak at graduation. Perhaps their reports were hyped, because judging from the response Gov. Romney received from the assembly, he was among friends. His speech yesterday shouldve buoyed evangelical Christian voters as Gov. Romney deftly reminded them that despite whatever theological issues might divide them, they share an important set of values.

Gov. Romney came across as a man of deep faith and core values without appearing to be a religious fanatic. By planting himself firmly in this mainstream of contemporary, American conservatism, he demonstrated that he can talk passionately about his faith in a way that wont alienate less-devout voters. Thats going to be critical to maintaining the GOPs Christian conservative base while also reaching out to swing voters. Both groups are essential to Republican victory in November and if yesterdays speech was any indication, Gov. Romney is more than capable of the task.
Highland County, known as Virginias Little Switzerland because of its steep mountains and broad valleys, is a short 45-minute drive west of Staunton, Virginia, through the scenic Allegheny Mountains of the George Washington National Forest. Steeped in history, this rural, picturesque area that bumps up against West Virginia is one of the most southern locations for producing maple syrup.

As they have since 1959 with the exception of 2020-21 because of the global covid pandemic, Highland County will be hosting their annual Maple Festival during the next two weekends: March 11-12 and March 18-19, 2023.

You will want to meander back roads, stuff yourself on pancakes drenched with locally harvested maple syrup or fill up on mouth-watering maple chicken and other maple treats. Be entertained by local cloggers and bluegrass bands while enjoying the wildly popular fresh maple donuts made by Mill Gap Ruritans.

Stroll the main street of Monterey, population 150, to check out the many vendors offering crafts, artwork, maple products, and Kettle Korn. Take in the beauty of this rural setting populated by sheep and cattle. Relax. Slow down. Breathe the cold, fresh, mountain air.

The stars of the show will be the ten sugar camps scattered throughout the county. Each offers its own unique take on syrup grades and flavors, collection techniques, and the boiling-down process.

Back Creek Farms: 7781 Upper Back Creek Rd, Monterey

Duffs Sugar House: 3118 Mill Gap Rd, Monterey

Eagles Sugar Camp: 5503 Jack Mountain Rd, Doe Hill

Laurel Fork Sapsuckers: 10677 Mountain Turnpike, Hightown

Mill Gap Farms: 2760 Mill Gap Rd, Monterey (next-door to Duffs Sugar Camp)

Puffenbargers Sugar Orchard: 17 Maple Syrup Ln, Blue Grass

Rexrodes Sugar Orchard: 1564 Maple Sugar Rd, Monterey

Southernmost Maple Products: 7738 Big Valley Rd, Bolar

Sugar Tree Country Store and Sugar House: 185 Mansion House Rd, McDowell

Tonoloway Farm: 9943 Highland Turnpike, McDowell





The Maple Festival is known as one of the premier events of the South as this tiny county of 2,500 tucked away in the western-most part of Virginia plays host to more than 40,000 visitors during the festival. Driving scenic back roads to visit a variety of sugar camps, visitors will discover how maple sap aka sugar water is gathered from the numerous sugar maple trees and processed into syrup. It is also lambing season in this rural paradise where sheep outnumber people.

Highland Countys high elevations and abundance of sugar maple trees, along with the cold nights and warm days of March, create the perfect combination for maple sugaring. Be sure to carry a coat and gloves because it is still winter in the mountains.

Maple sugar camps welcome visitors who are invited to observe as workers boil down sugar water collected from hundreds of sugar maple trees into various grades of syrup. Some use the old way of tapping into trees and hanging metal buckets to collect the oozing sap although fewer and fewer now use that method and, instead, tap trees for demonstration purposes. Others have updated to the use of rubber tubing running from trees to collection points. Folks working the fires and evaporation process are happy to answer questions and explain what they are doing.





Although there are a number of sugar camps in Highland, one of the earliest was Eagles Camp located in Doe Hill. For those who want to avoid the crowded streets of McDowell and Monterey, Eagles is easily accessible. Nestled in the woods on the slope of Jack Mountain, this family-owned operation has been in business for 200 years. The family members who run it still gather sugar water the old-fashioned way  by tapping trees and attaching buckets  while also using updated methods.

Inside the rustic buildings are evaporating units which are wood-fired to boil down sap. Fifty gallons of sap are needed for every gallon of syrup. There is also a sales area for purchasing maple products as well as local crafts. Outside there is a snack area that sells lunch items and maple donuts. Picnic tables are located among the trees along the mountain stream, offering an opportunity to enjoy not only freshly-made goodies but the surrounding mountain scenery.





Another favorite is Duffs Sugar House at Fair Lawn Farm south of Monterey. Tim Duff, a 20-year U.S. Coast Guard veteran and former Highland County sheriff, is happy to explain the old ways of maple sugaring that he keeps alive complete with authentic equipment and acres of land covered in sugar maple trees. This outgoing, friendly man smiles and enthusiastically welcomes visitors into the sugaring shed where he encourages hands-on participation and seems to enjoy the curiosity of visitors who are genuinely interested in what he is doing. Their latest blog post explains the pavilion addition to the sugaring building, and they now have a Facebook page. No trip to Highland is complete without stopping by to see Tim and Terry Duff.

Some wonder why Tim works so hard when others are using newer, faster methods. He smiles and responds that syrup made the old way tastes better and is purer. Because he cannot make the quantities of those using more updated methods, his syrup and maple products are in demand and sell out quickly each day of the festival. On previous visits when we stopped by he had just sold his last pint but had samples available to showcase the excellent taste. In 2011, however, we arrived early enough to buy some of the best pure Grade A maple syrup you will ever pour on a pancake.

While maple syrup is the main draw, other events are offered throughout the festival.

Hungry visitors will find trout, maple chicken, and ham dinners as well as pancakes, maple donuts, maple popcorn, maple ice cream, funnel cakes, chili, lamb kebobs, hamburgers, hotdogs, and much more located at vendors set up throughout the area. Restaurants bustle with customers looking for a place to get out of the cold.

Staying in Highland helps avoid having to navigate traffic backups on the narrow mountain roads. The Victorian Highland Inn, located in downtown Monterey, was built in 1904 and is currently under renovation but will soon reopen its doors to overnight visitors as well as those who want to enjoy a meal in its dining room. Rooms always book fast in Highland but overflow can be found in nearby Staunton.

Held every year on the second and third weekends in March, it is easy to find your way around the festival, and people are eager to help if you get lost. The Highland Chamber of Commerce has lots of helpful information, and maps of the area are readily available by downloading or at locations in Highland.

For a fun weekend, be sure to wear your walking shoes and warm clothes, and you will find that a trip to the Highland Maple Festival will be an experience you will never forget.

Getting there is easy: Take I-81 to Staunton Exit 225 (Holiday Inn). Turn south onto Rt. 262 (bypass) and follow to Rt. 250. Exit onto Rt. 250 and turn right (west) toward Monterey. The drive will take you through Churchville, Deerfield, over Shenandoah Mountain (stretch your legs at the Confederate Breastworks at the overlook on top), and into Highland County. Follow Rt. 250 to Monterey. Watch for directional signs along the way to various sugar camps.
On January 21, the Virginia Senate passed SB 1157, a bill that would move traditional municipal elections from May to November. The bill, introduced by Sen. Lionell Spruill (D-Chesapeake), was passed after Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax, a Democrat, broke a 19-19 tie.

Sen. Amanda Chase (R-Chesterfield) voted with all 18 Democrats to create the tie. Sen Jennifer Boysko (D-Fairfax) did not vote, and with Senator Ben Chafin (R-Washington County) passing away from COVID-19 complications earlier this year, it set up the 19-19 tie along party lines.

According to the Virginia Department of Elections, 16 cities and more than 100 towns would be affected.

The bill now heads to the House of Delegates where, hopefully, it will pass.

There are many reasons why moving municipal elections to November makes sense and it should not be a partisan issue.

First, moving the elections is fiscally responsible. Republicans like to make arguments regarding the government saving money and being efficient. This bill does just that. According to the Estimate of Local Fiscal Impact for SB 1157 done by the Division of Legislative Services, the legislative branch agency created statutorily by the General Assembly to provide nonpartisan legal and general research services to members of the General Assembly and its standing committees in the House of Delegates and Senate of Virginia would save localities anywhere from $2,400 to $200,000.

According to the impact statements, here are some of the savings for localities.

City of Norfolk ($100,000  $200,000): The City of Norfolk would see a savings of about $100,000-$200,000 from eliminating May elections for municipal elections. With May elections cut, cost savings would come in the form of ballots, mail in, postage, worker pay, overtime, and location costs.

Fairfax County ($2,400): The County estimates a cost of $2,400 for printing the ballots for one of the towns within the Countys borders. The expenses associated with May elections are currently reimbursed.

The town of Ashland in Hanover County, while opposed to the move due to partisanship, would save money. According to the Assistant Town Manager Matt Reynal, the cost of a May election was $3,694 between payment to Hanover County for administration and a few local expenses.

Furthermore, Teri Smithson, General Registrar/Director of Elections for Hanover County, said when current elections are held in May 2022 that she is forecasting the cost will be over $11k due to the opening of the Early Voting Center. The expanded early voting opportunities is a cost that many towns have not had to pay before, thus increasing costs.

Yes, there will be some places that will have to spend money to educate the electorate about the changes, such as the town of Marion and their $25,000 estimate.

According to Bill Rush, Marion Town Manager, the Director of Economic Development actually formulated estimation of costs associated with the change from May to November elections, which include marketing, advertising, and the necessary public information campaign to change this long-standing tradition. This includes staff time, printing, traditional and social media marketing, and traditional advertising.

First, while some of the expense up front is large, in the end its a cost savings. Being fiscally responsible is something that Republicans fight for and a reason to support this bill.

Secondly, moving the elections to November will make it easier for people to take part in the democratic process.

In Blacksburg Town Council elections the average voter turnout has gone up since moving municipal elections from May to November. Since 2009 turnout has averaged 15,367, more than double the 6,471 between 2000 and 2008 when elections happened in May during even-numbered years.

Additionally, according to the fiscal impact statement, when Blacksburg shifted our elections from May to November in 2011  it was an actual savings to the Town to be combined with the County elections in November. Previously we would pay $5,000 to $11,000 an election. Thats money that could be used for other areas to serve the people.

Opponents of the bill (towns of Ashland and Marion) argue that moving the elections from May to November would politicize local politics. These arguments, while worthy, should note that in our current environment hyper partisanship is a norm that has already infected local politics.

In Henrico County, where I reside, we have elections for our Board of Supervisors in November, like many other localities. Both the Henrico Democratic and Republican Committees pass out sample ballots with their preferred candidates on them, something that would still happen if the elections were held in May. In this day in age with social media one could argue that local elections in May would become more partisan because only the hard core party members would show up and vote.

Finally, voting should be easy and elections open to all people. In Virginia we have elections every year and sometimes twice a year (primaries and general elections). It should be the goal of everyone to have as many people participate in elections as possible. November elections have a much higher turnout than those in May. Localities and candidates must embrace a higher turnout in November and support SB 1157.
I had the honor of introducing myself to so many neighbors during what was a brutal 2015 campaign. Afterwards, I promised my family that I would do everything reasonable to shy away from public life. I promised them that I would guard and cherish their privacy after having thrust them into the public eye in a countywide campaign.

However, after the last two election cycles, I am compelled to speak as a reminder to so many that we are connected by so much more than we are divided and to provide a bit of perspective.



April 19th has always been a poignant moment in my familys collective history. I reflect upon this day with varying degrees of emotions which vacillate between happiness and sadness. On this day 43 years ago, my mother boarded a plane in Saigon with a wedding album, a bag of clothes, and three young children in tow, leaving everything and everyone we knew, including my father. Familiar surroundings, family and friends were all left to their collective fates as Vietnam fell to Communist control 11 days later and her childrens lives would never be the same. For a time, we had no home nor any country to call our own.

However, my family settled into a refugee camp in Ft. Chaffee, AR, where families lived in barracks styled accommodations in hopes they would be sponsored somewhere in the United States to begin their new lives in their new home. God granted us grace and mercy as we were reunited with my father, who was left behind during our evacuation.

We began our American journey in Henrico County where our poverty was real. It was difficult for my parents, who were in their 30s, to learn a new language and a new culture. A once accomplished engineer and educator were reduced to working three minimum wage jobs in a foreign land. Times were difficult. I remember waking up one night to use the bathroom There was my father on the side of the tub, with his face buried in his hands, silently weeping from the frustrations of life. There was his only son silently watching his fathers soul slowly eroding.

But through it all, our faith and our Phamily carried us through. Our recognition of the fact that we had an opportunity to rebuild our lives formed my appreciation of America, when so many others were left behind to face the consequences of being on the losing side of the war. The pressure would eventually yield to magnificent moments of success. Ten years after we found our oasis of hope, we became United States citizens. My parents would regain their pride as they witnessed their daughter receive her Doctor of Medicine and their son a few years later receive his Juris Doctorate. Decades later, their entire community would hold their heads high as they witnessed their sons name on a ballot  twice.

However, we did not get here alone. I grew up being reminded that so many fought and died in the very country I fled, so I could one day walk upright in freedom. Too many sons and fathers left families of their own to serve their country so that young children, who were born into war, could one day be educated at the finest institutions the United States had to offer. So many went missing in action in a foreign land, so those children could one day become a doctor and an attorney.

Its not lost upon me that so many families have holes in their hearts while mine has been left intact. Its not lost upon me that for the very seat we took on that fateful flight out of Vietnam, there were thousands of others left behind in despair. It is not lost upon me that while we received safe passage, thousands of others perished in the open seas as they pushed off in small boats hoping to receive a gift similar to the Phamily.

Where else than these United States could a family of hungry refugees arrive and survive? Where else on this planet could such freedoms and opportunities be so readily available? America owes me nothing. I have a debt which can never be repaid. I recognize that on April 19th, 1975, I signed a promissory note for freedom which I will forever be repaying.

So, I continue repaying my debt to those who gave everything. On their Spring Break, I took my children to visit the Vietnam War Memorial. It was time they witnessed firsthand the sheer magnitude of the sacrifice which occurred during the Vietnam War and how their own American experience began. There were moments of joy and moments of sadness surrounding us. My children were able to see adults quietly weeping at the loss of their loved ones because of war. We visited many other memorials that day, but none as important as the Vietnam War Memorial.

We need to constantly be reminded about the frailties of life because tomorrow is never promised to us. By April 19th, over 58,000 servicemen paid for my journey with their lives. More than 1,200 are still unaccounted for.

So, I write this as a gentle reminder to folks of our good fortune living here in a free nation and to provide a little perspective on America. Some prefer to continue to divide this nation with heated rhetoric on immigration and xenophobia. Others wish to resist by shouting in anger. For me, I simply wish to love this nation for what it is, warts and all. Because on April 19th, 1975, but for the grace of God, life could have been tragically different for my entire Phamily.
Youre angry.

The Republicans have controlled the House since 2010 and they took back the Senate in 2014. They promised to repeal Obamacare. They promised to solve illegal immigration. They promised to cut spending drastically. They promised to end crony capitalism. They told you that winning the Senate would help Republicans stop the Presidents agenda in Washington.

None of that has happened. Its been seven months, and you dont see anything different than how things were in 2014. Ted Cruz is on the floor of the Senate calling the Republican leadership liars, and youre cheering him along. Donald Trump is attacking everybody left and right, claiming hes going to fix immigration, hes going to throw all the murdering and raping Mexicans out of America, and he cant be bought because hes a billionaire and youre cheering him for telling it like it is.

Youre angry.

You think youre being lied to.

And youre right.

You were lied to. All those campaign promises about ending Obamacare and the like  none of them were true. The candidates knew it. And you knew it. Youre not stupid. Deep down, you know that Cruz, Trump, and the rest are lying to you now. But when the lies are the kind of lies you want to hear, you eat them up. You cheer and want more. You reward the people who lie to you the most, so is it any wonder that you keep being lied to? You like being lied to.

Thats the only conclusion one can draw when you accept the fact that the people you like the most are the ones lying the most to you.

You read the Constitution. You watch C-Span. You know it takes 60 votes to stop debate in the Senate and not doing so will kill any legislation. So you know that just taking back the Senate doesnt mean we can repeal Obamacare. You know the President will never sign a repeal, and Republicans dont have the numbers to override a veto in either the House or Senate. But you want Obamacare repealed, and if someone says theyre going to do it, youre going to cheer for them, even if you know deep down its impossible right now.

They can use the power of the purse to de-fund it, you remind people. But you know that Obamacare is policy and taxes  you cant de-fund a tax, or de-fund things that arent programmatic. And the old no appropriated funds shall be used line doesnt work when the Presidents veto pen is hovering over ever spending bill Congress may try to sneak it into. You know this, but you dont care. You want someone to stand up to the President. It doesnt matter if the government shuts down, because you dont think youd even notice it.

But you know thats a lie, too.

In the end, you look around and it seems like almost everybody is lying to you, and youre right. Theyre shading the truth, omitting important facts, or just flat out repeating things that arent accurate. They get facts wrong and dont correct them, and lead people to believe things that arent happening. And they spin tall tales with themselves as the hero, and folks you dont like as the villain. But you accept it. You never stop to question their motives. You continue to reward them for it with high poll numbers and campaign donations.

Is it any wonder they dont stop?

Lets look at Donald Trump. The man has flip flopped on every major issue important to Republicans. Every single one. He was pro-choice, now he isnt. He supported amnesty, now he doesnt. He donated money to all of the candidates you dont like, from Hillary Clinton, Ted Kennedy, Charlie Rangel, Chuck Schumer and Harry Reid to Mitt Romney, John McCain and Lindsay Graham, and now hes handing out their phone numbers and youre applauding him. Hes telling it like it is, right? Actually, hes not saying anything of substance and cant answer basic questions on what hed do in office. But you dont care about that. As long as hes being mean to those squishy establishment types, hes great.

Hes lying to you, and you love it.

Lets look at Ted Cruz. He flip-flops on issues, too. He said Syria represented a direct threat to the United States, and we [n]eed to be developing a clear, practical plan to go in[.] Three months later, he says Syria doesnt represent a threat to the United States, and he would vote against authorizing force in Syria. He was for the Presidents TPA fast-track trade authority, even co-wrote an op-ed with Paul Ryan supporting it. Then two months later, hes against it, calling it more corrupt backdoor deal-making. Now hes claiming he was lied to by those evil liars in the Senate Republican leadership, who he claims said there was no deal on Ex-Im other than allowing an amendment vote on the floor of the Senate. The leadership then allowed an amendment vote on the floor of the Senate on Ex-Im and hes apoplectic. He knows you hate the Republican leadership, so calling them liars, even when hes got no evidence of it and nobody is backing up his story, is fine. Hes now claiming he wasnt attacking Senator McConnell personally. He even went so far as to say that hed never throw rocks at a member of his own party.

Hes lying to you, and you love it.

As long as its what you want to hear, you ignore the lies from folks you like. So they keep lying to you.

And the cycle never ends, until you get old, tired and cynical, feeling like everybody is lying to you and nobody can be trusted, so why not vote for a guy with a squirrel on his head?

After all, whats a few white political lies. Theyre just like the white lies you tell at home, after all. The Redskins are going to make the Super Bowl this year. Sure, dear, we can go to the monster truck rally  sounds romantic. Have an extra piece of cake  youll run an extra mile on the treadmill tomorrow to work it off. Just little white lies. Until they arent any more. And thats what makes you angry.

Yes, Virginia, youre being lied to. Why? Because you keep rewarding the people who lie to you the most.

If youre tired of the lies, stop rewarding the liars and stop buying the nonsense rhetoric you know isnt true. You want the truth, stop making it so profitable to lie. Stop electing the worst liars and stop buying the nonsense you know doesnt make any sense.

Yes, youre being lied to. And youve got no one to blame for it but yourself.
The extreme left Southern Poverty Law Center has a long history as a hate group itself while contending that mainstream religious and conservative groups are "hate groups". It is a huge advocate of suppressing free speech with "hate speech" laws. Its online hate against a Washington, DC based religious organization radicalized a nutjob to go try to shoot up that organization. One of the radical lawyers at the Southern Poverty Law Center was charged a couple of years ago with terrorism for his part in an ANTIFA plot to attack a police building.

Now, the Southern Poverty Law Center is facing criminal charges of its own in federal court connected to its own secret funding of the Ku Klux Klan, Aryan Nations, and National Socialism (Nazi) Movement.. The SPLC was doing this to divide America and to try to justify its own existence. An Alabama Grand Jury has indicted them on eleven felony counts of money laundering, fraud, and false statements to federal agencies. They are being prosecuted by the US Department of Justice.

Among the details of the charges, the SPLC funded the organizers of the infamous Charlottesville, VA rally with $270,000.

https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2026/04/21/doj-charges-far-left-splc-with-fraud-money-laundering-manufacturing-racism-to-justify-its-existence/

https://thefederalist.com/2026/04/21/grand-jury-indicts-southern-poverty-law-center-for-secret-fraudulent-payments-to-racist-groups/

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2026/04/breaking-news-doj-indicts-southern-poverty-law-center/

https://justthenews.com/nation/crime/justice-department-launches-criminal-investigation-against-southern-poverty-law-center

https://www.sashastone.com/p/fine-people-hoax-uncovered-in-splc

https://redstate.com/rusty-weiss/2026/04/22/exposed-splc-funneled-270k-cash-to-charlottesville-hoax-rally-planner-manufacturing-racism-n2201554

https://www.zerohedge.com/political/democrats-lose-vital-propaganda-machine-fall-splc

A couple of years ago, it came out that the SPLC had set up some offshore bank accounts. Maybe this now explains why those accounts were set up.
UPDATE: The Virginia trial court judge whose previous ruling against the referendum is now before the state supreme court, has issued another order after the referendum declaring it invalid.

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2026/04/breaking-virginia-court-strikes-down-democrat-gerrymander-referendum/

https://www.zerohedge.com/political/virginia-redistricting-rout-deals-major-blow-house-republicans

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

ORIGINAL ARTICLE;

Virginia Democrats' outrageous gerrymander of Congressional seats was fueled by tens of millions in dark money, much of it affiliated with the far left Soros network. Soros is now the sugar daddy of the international far left, iin spite of having been a Nazi collaborator in his youth in World War II Hungary. More money has been spent on trying to limit Republicans to only one seat in the 11 member Virginia congressional delegation, in spite of 48.5% of Virginians voting Republican for Congress in the last election, than was spent in the last election for governor.

https://dailycaller.com/2026/04/21/virginia-gerrymander-redistricting-amendment-passes-abigail-spanberger-democrats/

https://redstate.com/rusty-weiss/2026/04/22/exposed-splc-funneled-270k-cash-to-charlottesville-hoax-rally-planner-manufacturing-racism-n2201554

Of course, the teachers unions were also caught abusing the teacher / student relationship in pushing them to lobby parents to vote for the gerrymander.

https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2026/apr/20/ahead-virginias-gerrymandering-referendum-lesson-boys-public-school/

Meanwhile, the issue of the legality of the whole gerrymander process has been and still is in the courts. A trial court has ruled that the Virginia Democrats violated their own legislative rules and also laws governing Constitutional referenda and the vote is therefore illegal. That was appealed to the State Supreme Court by the Democrats where it currently sits. The state Supreme Court decided against fast tracking it prior to the actual vote.

https://redstate.com/bobhoge/2026/04/22/its-not-over-the-courts-could-and-should-neuter-virginias-anti-democratic-gerrymandering-gambit-n2201551

There are also some other proposals on how to reverse this travesty such as:

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2026/04/former-trump-staffer-proposes-highly-explosive-plan-that/

Virginia's "Dear Leader" Spanberger used the Texas redistricting as an excuse for her brazen partisan power grab. However the Texas redistricting was a response to a ruling by the 5th Circuit US Court of Appeals ruling on racial redistricting which struck down the theory that if it was possible to draw a minority district based on multiple minorities, it had to be done. The US Supreme Court denied the attempted appeal of that decision. So while Texas was correcting a redistricting mistake after the courts ruled it was a mistake, what Spanberger is doing is a naked partisan power grab, and funded with dirty Soros money.

There is a case now awaiting a ruling by the US Supreme Court that is expected to outlaw ALL racially based redistricting, and when that decision comes down, it will cost Democrat over 20 House seats. There is speculation that Democrat justices are slow walking it to try to keep it from impacting the 2026 election.
In a stunning new poll, the populist nationalist anti-immigration One Nation Party, led by Australian Senator Pauline Hanson, is now tied for first place with the governing Labor Party if a parliamentary election were held today. One Nation received only 3% of the vote in last year's national parliamentary election, but came in a strong second in the recent state election in Labor's stronghold state of South Australia.

The poll, conducted by the respected UK-based polling firm YouGov found One Nation and Labor tied for first place with 27% each, followed by the traditional conservative "coalition" of the National Party, which runs in rural areas, and Liberal Party, which runs in urban areas, at 21%, with the far left Green Party fourth at 14%.

The One Nation Party was founded around the immigration issue, and opposes most legal immigration as well as all illegal immigration, and that is still its most important issue. However after last year's election, it has also been very vocal in opposition to climate alarmism and particularly strongly opposing Labor's energy transition to wind and solar. That led the National Party to switch its position on wind and solar from ambivalence to outright opposition to wind and solar, and the Liberal Party to come out in opposition to wind and solar in all areas where the local people do not want it. One Nation has been continuing to broaden its message.

https://www.skynews.com.au/australia-news/politics/pauline-hansons-one-nation-draws-level-with-labor-on-27-per-cent-primary-vote-for-first-time-in-sky-news-pulse-history/news-story/cbc88f47eac6ff1b3b8aa563dfe305e2

Australia was highly successful in its crackdown on illegal immigration under former Liberal Party Prime Minister Tony Abbott some years ago with his military-led Operation Sovereign Borders, where boats smuggling illegal aliens were identified while still at sea and forcibly turned around at gunpoint before they reached Australia. If the boats were not capable of returning, the illegal aliens aboard were deposited in a camp in New Guinea until they could be sent home. They were not allowed to come into Australia at all.
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.
BENNINGTON  There has been a fair amount of speculation around town as a tax sale for Tzaims Luksus Old Bennington estate approaches this week.

The sale, or property auction, was scheduled because of significant back taxes owed on the house and 8.8 acres.

It is set for 10 a.m. on Friday at the town offices on South Street, and the action is being undertaken in coordination with Old Bennington, since the land is partly within the town.

Located at 18 Walloomsac Road in the village, just west of the Bennington Battle Monument, the house has been largely vacant for a number of years, and both the house and once well-maintained, gated grounds have visibly deteriorated.

Nevertheless, the house  called Buckthorne Hall  dates to the turn of the 20th century, and the site appears to fit that old definition for valuable real estate  meaning, location, location, location.

One concern voiced by some in Old Bennington, including during a village Trustees meeting, was that the property could be sold to a developer who would propose multiple home lots on land behind the house.

A neighbor recently expressed the hope that a party seeking to restore the house and grounds will step forward.

Designer, artist

Luksus, who purchased the house at the height of his international fame as a fashion designer and artist during the 1960s, no doubt also generates interest in the property.

According to town assessor records, Luksus purchased the house in 1968 for $30,500 and added 4.6 acres to the property in 1982. It is currently assessed at $368,600.

The taxes owed totaled more than $27,000 when the date of the tax sale was announced by Town Manager Dan Monks during a Select Board meeting in February. That doesnt include property taxes due in 2026.

The amount of taxes owed will be considered the minimum bid for anyone wishing to purchase the property at the tax sale. If there are no successful bidders Friday, the town could take possession for the taxes owed.

Even if the property is sold or claimed by the town, Luksus would still have one year under Vermont law to pay off the total amount owed and reclaim it.

Unoccupied home

The house is a large two-and-a-half-story, shingle-style dwelling, set back from Walloomsac Road near the Fairview Street intersection. The entrance to Monument Circle is just to the east of the gate.

Luksus has lived out of the country in recent years  in Burma (Myanmar), according to numerous emails he has has sent to town and village officials and to others in the Bennington area, while the tax sale process slowly moved forward and back taxes on the property mounted.

During the 1960s and later, Luksus was a familiar figure in Bennington, as was his late partner, Gene Lott. Lott owned two shops on Main Street during the 1970s, one of which burned in 1973.

Luksus buried Lott on the estate property after his death in 2013. The home burial ceremony was documented by writer and photographer Peter Crabtree.

Recently, Luksus has said in emails to people in Bennington that he hopes to have Lotts casket sent to Burma for reburial.

It remains unclear what would happen to any remaining contents of the house if the property is sold.

Luksus was born James Henry Luksus in 1932. He changed his name as he began his career.
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Janis Joplin and the Kozmic Blues Band were not the first Tanglewood contemporary performers, but they were the first real hard-rocking act that performed under the famed pavilion.
Advocates for ideas and draws conclusions based on the interpretation of facts and data.
Terumo India signs MoU with AIG Hospitals to strengthen interventional radiology training

April 22, 2026 | Wednesday | News

AIG Hospitals will serve as the first training centre, offering a structured and immersive learning pathway

In a significant step towards strengthening patient care in minimally invasive therapies, Terumo India, the Indian arm of global medical technology leader Terumo Corporatio, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Hyderabad-based AIG Hospitals to establish a Centre of Excellence for Interventional Radiology (IR) under its flagship Elevate IR programme.

This collaboration is designed with a clear patient-centric objective, i.e., to improve clinical outcomes, reduce procedural risks, and expand access to advanced, minimally invasive treatments for a wide range of conditions, from vascular diseases and cancers to life-threatening emergencies.

As part of the initiative, AIG Hospitals will serve as the first training centre, offering a structured and immersive learning pathway for interventional radiologists. The programme integrates simulation-based training, expert-led sessions, and case-based discussions, supported by the Terumo India Skill Lab (TISL), an advanced training facility focused on enhancing real-world procedural skills.

Speaking on the partnership, Shishir Agarwal, President and Managing Director, Terumo India, said, Through this initiative, we aim to strengthen the Interventional Radiology ecosystem and enable young IRs to deliver better patient outcomes at scale.

Speaking on the occasion Dr. D Nageshwar Reddy, Chairman, AIG Hospitals said India today stands at a critical intersection where the burden of chronic diseases is rising sharply, while the expectations from healthcare are shifting towards safer, faster, and more patient-friendly solutions. Interventional Radiology represents this shift, moving us away from invasive surgeries to precise, image-guided therapies that significantly improve recovery and quality of life."

The programme leverages cutting-edge simulation tools, including liver flow models and Mentice Virtual Simulators, allowing practitioners to rehearse complex procedures in a risk-free environment before performing them on patients. Dedicated modules on vascular closure techniques further ensure safer post-procedural outcomes.

Dr Jagadeesh R Singh, Director  Interventional Radiology, AIG Hospitals further added, The Centre of Excellence aims to address this critical need by introducing a standardised training framework that bridges the gap between foundational knowledge and real-world clinical practice. Interventional Radiologists will gain proficiency in essential and advanced procedural areas such as vascular access, microcatheter navigation, and aorto-iliac interventions.


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TV presenter Lorraine Kelly has spoken about suffering anxiety and experiencing a dark time after the birth of her daughter.

The Glasgow-born broadcaster, 66, said she struggled because she was working as a freelancer and her contract was not renewed while she was on maternity leave.

Speaking to Pete Wicks on his Man Made podcast, Kelly recounted going through a really bad time after having daughter Rosie, her only child with husband Steve Smith, in 1994.

Kelly, who was a freelance breakfast television presenter for GMTV at the time, said: I dont take anything for granted. I certainly dont, because after I had my daughter that was a really bad time.

Just after having a baby youre all over the place, and I got sacked, or didnt get my contract renewed  virtually the same thing  and that was a very dark time.

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That was a really, really dark time because everythings just taken away from you and youre like, What the hell am I going to do?'

The award-winning presenter, known for her daytime TV programme, said she basically lived from contract to contract, and said: You might get a years contract, or you might get two years if youre lucky.

It would have actually been really nice if someone had told me: in 40 years youre going to still be doing it.

Kelly continued: Every time that contract was up, youd get the washing machine stomach, youd get the dredge, youd get the fear, youd get all the worry.

Lorraine Kelly said she lived from contract to contract (Ian West/PA)

Especially after Id had my daughter and youre worrying about just existing.

That was always a worry. You could never quite relax or take things for granted  which I never do.

Youre scared that its all going to end tomorrow, and you never lose that fear, because you think that youre not good enough.

Reality TV star Wicks asked Kelly if her anxiety impacted her, and she said: Absolutely. At three oclock I was waking up in the morning with, like, an elephant on my chest.

You know, that feeling of oh my God and being overwhelmed, but I soldiered on.

The TV presenter said she often feels as though people question why she has anxiety, adding: They say, Youve got a lovely husband, youve got a beautiful house, youve got a great daughter, youve got an amazing job why have you got anxiety? What are you anxious about?

Pete Wicks spoke to Lorraine Kelly for his podcast. Photo: Ian West/PA.

I think those feelings that I had, I never really dealt with properly, to be honest.

Kelly said she still worries about the future, but the birth of her granddaughter Billie has changed her outlook and made her appreciate the present.

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She said: This baby has taught me so much, because now I can appreciate so much more.

Entertainment Jimmy Bullard calls Adam Thomas pathetic after explosive row in Im A Celeb Read more

All the things I wanted to do with my own daughter Rosie when she was little, I couldnt really, as I was working so hard.

Kelly began her journalism career on the East Kilbride News, turning down a university place to study English and Russian, before joining BBC Scotland as a researcher in 1983.

She later joined TV-am as an on-screen reporter covering Scottish news, and in 1990, she began her presenting career on Good Morning Britain, before being given her own show.
As AI spreads rapidly across workplaces, employees and hiring managers agree the biggest gap isn't technology; it's training.

OKLAHOMA CITY, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Artificial intelligence is reshaping how work gets done, but most employees say theyve been handed the tools without the training to use them effectively, according to a recent Express Employment Professionals-Harris Poll survey.

More than 8 in 10 U.S. job seekers (83%) say companies need to formally train employees on how to use AI, rather than expecting them to learn on their own. And hiring managers agree, as 86% say formal AI training should be a company priority.

AI is already at work, but training hasn't caught up.

That urgency reflects just how quickly AI has shifted from optional to expected in the workplace.

Nearly 8 in 10 U.S. companies (79%) now use AI, with more than 2 in 5 (43%) reporting regular use. Just two years ago, only 66% of companies reported using AI, a figure that climbed to 72% in the spring of 2025 and has continued rising since.

Employees feel the acceleration firsthand. Sixtytwo percent of employed U.S. job seekers say their company uses AI at work, including 22% who say it's already part of their regular workflow.

The result: AI is everywhere, but training has fallen behind.

The Adoption Curve Is Outrunning Readiness

Among companies using AI, reliance is increasing fast. Eightynine percent of hiring managers say their company's dependence on AI tools has significantly increased over the past year, signaling that AI is no longer experimental or optional.

Adoption is especially widespread among:

Whitecollar companies, where 87% report using AI.



Large employers, with 91% of companies with more than 500 employees using AI.

At the same time, employees are increasingly open to learning with AI. Seventysix percent of job seekers say it's appropriate to learn professional skills using AI, including 27% who say it's completely appropriate.

Rules Without Roadmaps

Seventyeight percent of hiring managers say their company has policies regulating AI use, a view shared by 78% of job seekers whose company uses AI.

But when it comes to actual tools, direction is inconsistent:

Only 36% of companies provide a list of approved or preferred AI tools.



38% allow employees to use any AI tools they're familiar with.



21% report a mix of approved and openuse tools.

That lack of clarity leaves many employees navigating powerful technology largely on their own.

The Upside Companies Risk Missing

Despite the training gap, workers remain optimistic about AI's potential, especially when it comes to building their skills.

Threequarters of job seekers believe AI can be part of the solution, not the problem. Seventyfive percent say their company's AI tools can help bridge skills gaps, and an equal share say they are likely to seek additional training in response to AI advancements. Nearly onethird (31%) say they are very likely to do so.

Hiring managers largely back that optimism. Eightyone percent say their company already has the tools needed to train new hires in AIdriven workflows, suggesting the obstacle is less about capability and more about followthrough.

When asked how companies should prepare future talent as AI expands, hiring managers most often point to handson, employerled approaches:

Onthejob training focused on working alongside AI (44%)



Dedicated training for skills AI can't replace (40%)



Apprenticeship and internship programs that include AI training (38%)

"AI adoption is moving faster than most organizational change ever has," said Bob Funk Jr., CEO, President and Chairman of Express Employment International. "What this data shows is that companies have focused on getting the technology in place, but not enough on helping people use it effectively. Training is what determines whether AI becomes a source of real productivity or just another tool employees are left to navigate on their own."

Discover more research and real-world workforce trends from the America Employed series at ExpressPros.com/Newsroom.

Survey Methodology

The Job Insights survey was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of Express Employment Professionals from Nov. 3 to 19, 2025, among 1,002 U.S. hiring decision-makers.

The Job Seeker Report was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of Express Employment Professionals from Nov. 7 to 20, 2025, among 1,003 adults ages 18 and older.

For full survey methodologies, please contact [email protected], Director of Corporate Communications & PR.

If you would like to arrange for an interview to discuss this topic, please contact [email protected], Director of Corporate Communications & PR.

About Robert (Bob) Funk Jr.

Robert (Bob) Funk Jr. is the Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman of Express Employment International, a global staffing franchisor founded and headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He leads a portfolio of workforce solution brands, including the flagship Express Employment Professionals franchise, along with several affiliated brands serving specialized markets. The Express franchise brand is an industry-leading, international staffing company with franchise locations across the U.S., Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.

About Express Employment Professionals

At Express Employment Professionals, we're in the business of people. From job seekers to client companies, Express helps people thrive and businesses grow. Our international network of franchises offers localized staffing solutions to the communities they serve across the U.S., Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, employing more than 11 million people globally since its inception. For more information, visit ExpressPros.com.

SOURCE Express Employment Professionals
Daniel O'Donnell is to host his famous tea party once again - after taking the kettle off the boil for 26 years!

Daniel and wife Majella are to host a special one-off tea party in aid of Relay for Life on July 28th at their stunning home in Meenbanad, Co Donegal.

The house was famously remodelled by celebrity architect Dermot Bannon.

Now fans can get a chance to see the house up close and personal when the generous couple host the cancer fundraiser.

Daniel wrote "Join me and Mrs O'D for a cup of tea at our house in Meenbanad in aid of Relay for Life."

Fans are already positively giddy at the thought of a return for Daniel's famous tea party.

Ireland Former rugby player who suffered spinal cord injury to walk from New York to LA for charity Read more

Back in the 1990's, Daniel's tea parties attracted literally thousands of fans until they stopped in 2000.

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Now the kettle is back on the boil, Daniel and Majella are set to raise some welcome funds for the Relay for Life charity.

Majella is already a patron of the Relay for Life charity, and hubby Daniel sings at the event most years.

Funds raised through the Boil The Kettle Appeal will support vital services provided by the Irish Cancer Society, including the free cancer support line, counselling services, night nursing care, transport to treatment, and cancer research and advocacy.
A man caught with over 108,000 of illegal tablets became involved in criminality to protect his brother, a court has been told.

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that Robert Freer (39) was stopped by gardai on Dorset Street after they spotted him driving while holding a mobile phone on February 4th, 2023.

On Wednesday, Judge Orla Crowe jailed Freer for three years.

The court heard that Freer appeared nervous when stopped, and 54,000 Alprazolam tablets, valued at 108,000, were found in the boot when it was searched.

His home at Shancastle Drive in Clondalkin was also searched, and a small quantity of cocaine was found.

Freer initially did not comment when interviewed, but later said he was not aware of the value of the drugs and wouldnt have been driving in a way that would have brought attention to himself.

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He has 15 previous convictions for public order and road traffic offences.

The garda witness agreed with John Berry, defending, that Freer had no trappings of wealth and was not on the garda radar.

The witness also accepted that generally when a person builds up a drugs debt, this can be transferred to family members who may respond in different ways, including by trying to pay it off or by agreeing to become cogs in the drugs trade.

Berry said his instructions are that Freers family were having difficulties with his brothers drug debt, and his client became involved as his brother was experiencing significant mental distress at the time. The garda said he did not make them aware of this.

The garda told the court the value of the drugs suggested someone who was trusted, but accepted Berrys suggestion that criminal organisations will use people who have vehicles and are not on the garda radar.

Several reports, including about Freers brother, were handed to the court.

Berry said his clients brother was in court to support him. He said there is nothing in Freers past to suggest an involvement in a criminal organisation.

He said his client accepts full responsibility for his actions, which were carried out for a utterly misplaced but commendable motive.

He submitted his clients actions were to support his brother, adding that Freer told him, I would rather my brother could visit me in prison, than I would visit his grave.

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He asked to take into account Freers brothers documented mental health issues and that he has undergone drug treatment. Freer has a good work history.

Berry asked the court to consider his clients actions with compassion and to impose a suspended sentence.

Ireland Enoch Burke seeks injunction to stop Disciplinary Appeals Panel hearing Read more

Sentencing Freer on Wednesday, Judge Crowe said that Freers reasons for getting involved in the offence were utterly misplaced and reprehensible.

He made a conscious decision to get involved in drug dealing, she said.

She noted how lots of families find themselves in a situation where they find themselves in drug debt, and they do not resort to drug dealing.

This court sees every single day the misery and chaos caused by drugs, Judge Crowe continued before she imposed a three-year prison term, which was backdated to when Freer first went into custody last month.
A middleman involved in a scheme that defrauded a Trinity College hardship fund of over half a million euros has been jailed for 18 months.

Luke Taaffe (34) allowed his bank accounts to be used as part of the scheme and was also involved in recruiting others who also allowed their bank accounts to be used, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard.

Approximately 27,000 from the fund was transferred into Taaffes account.

Six payments from the hardship fund were made directly to his bank account, totalling 13,600. Money was taken from the hardship fund which was sent to others, who would then also forward a portion of this money to Taaffes account.

The court was told that the investigation has been unable to determine exactly what happened to the money from the hardship fund transferred to Taaffe.

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In some instances, Taaffe withdrew money or transferred it to a co-accused. He also used some of the money to top up his Revolut account.

The court has previously been told that the overall scheme involved electronic payments from the student hardship fund being made to various bank accounts belonging to people who had never attended Trinity College between January 2020 and September 2021.

Taaffe (34) of Brookwood Avenue, Artane, Dublin 5, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to 11 counts of possessing the proceeds of criminal conduct on dates between June 2020 and July 2021. He has no previous convictions.

He was handed a sentence of three years and six months, with the final two years suspended on strict conditions including 12 months post-release probation supervision.

Garda Clare Rochford previously gave evidence that the total loss to the hardship fund from the overall scheme was 527,000.

When interviewed by gardai, Taaffe made admissions. He described his role as receiving money into his account and enlisting others to become involved.

He said he was in a position to organise how much money was kept by the person whose account was used and received a minimal cut of the money, with the balance passed on to a third party.

Taaffe told gardai he had a cocaine habit of 300 to 400 a day and said he spent the money on drugs, describing it as easy money.

He said his drug use started recreationally, but became worse. He also expressed shame.

Under cross-examination by defence counsel, Gda Rochford agreed Taaffe indicated that he had a drug habit which started in his early 20s.

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He was in rehab, then returned to work and has made considerable steps in addressing his drug issues. She also agreed Taaffe was remorseful and entered a plea at the earliest possible date.

The garda further agreed the guilty plea was of value to the prosecution.

The court previously heard that Taaffe brought 12,500 to court, primarily from a redundancy payment, which had been transferred for onward transmission to the college.

His mother was prepared to make a further payment of 5,000, the court heard on Wednesday.

In mitigation, counsel said his client was educated to third level and worked in Clontarf Castle. In August 2023, his hours were reduced.

He started taking cocaine in his early 20s, and the wheels came off the wagon during the Covid-19 pandemic when his addiction worsened. Clean urine analysis, a medical report, a probation report and letters from family members were handed to the court.

Taaffe has not come to recent negative attention. He has diabetes, and the court told he has found it difficult to manage the condition while in custody.

Imposing sentence, Judge Martina Baxter noted the hardship fund was intended to assist registered students of Trinity College who were in particular need of assistance, and these were the people who were ultimately affected.

Ireland Boy (15) accused of rape and producing child sex abuse material sent for trial at higher court Read more

She said the scheme was well-planned and pre-mediated and that Taaffe was not at the bottom rung or a cog but a middleman who played a vital role in distributing the money.

The judge noted the mitigation, including Taaffes efforts to rehabilitate, his lack of previous convictions, work history and health issues.

Judge Baxter backdated the sentence to January 29 when Taaffe went into custody and directed that the Probation Service should be made aware of Taaffes medical status to help with their supervision of him post-release.

She made no order in relation to the 5,000 offered by Taaffes mother.
A new survey is highlighting how owners in Ireland are turning to technology to help keep their pets safe.

Research from Petinsurance.ie ahead of Lost Dog Awareness Day on April 23rd, shows:

31 per cent use home cameras to keep an eye on their pet when they are not at home;

to keep an eye on their pet when they are not at home; 44 per cent say their pet has a tag or tracker;

42 per cent have or would get CCTV or a doorbell camera to keep their pet safe;

30 per cent have or would consider using a drone or pet detective to find a missing pet.

With 17 dogs reportedly stolen across Ireland in the first six months of 2025, the research also shows that pets going missing is a real concern for owners:

46 per cent say they worry about their pet being stolen;

57 per cent worry about their pet being involved in a road accident;

75 per cent of respondents have or would offer at least 100 as a reward if their pet went missing.

The Petinsurance.ie team says that no matter what tech owners use, pets can still sometimes go missing, and it is important owners contact these organisations as soon as possible:

-Gardai (please make a note of your Crime Reference Number (CRN))

-Local authority, such as a dog warden

-Local vet practices and rescue/welfare centres

-Microchip provider

Having as much information to hand as possible will be really helpful  a pets name, appearance, breed, gender, whether its spayed/neutered, type of collar or harness, along with a photo, details of where and when it went missing and a contact phone number.

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Owners could write or print out some posters with information on them and put these up with permission in local shops and community centres.

Ireland New radiotherapy trial aims to reduce prostate cancer treatment side-effects Read more

Relevant social platforms can be used to help raise the alarm, and many neighbourhoods maintain very active pages where members can help keep an eye out for a missing pet.

The NSPCA also hosts a Lost and Found page on their website where owners can report both missing and found pets.

Head of pet at Petinsurance.ie, Andrew Simpson, says this can be a very tough experience for pet owners: Sadly, even when an owner does everything right, some missing pets do not come home, and this is a terribly distressing time for everyone. Owners going through the loss of a pet must have someone to talk to.

"Our customers can access our Bereavement and Loss service via our 24/7 Pet Careline, where our fully trained team is always here for you to talk to in a safe and non-judgmental space," he said.
President Catherine Connolly is set to make a decision on referring controversial new asylum legislation to the Supreme Court, or signing it into law.

President Connolly has until tonight to decide on the laws, which would bring Ireland in line with the incoming EU Migration and Asylum Pact.

It includes restrictions around processing, screening and appeals for those looking for international protection in the State.

The legislation has been criticised by opposition TDs.

Members of the Council of State at Aras an Uachtarain in Dublin. Photo: Niall Carson/PA Images

Connolly convened a meeting of her Council of State on Monday to discuss the legislation.

A statement from her office on Monday said the President "will now consider the members' views before making a decision as to whether to sign the bill or to refer it to the Supreme Court for a decision on the question as to whether the Bill or any specified provision or provisions thereof are repugnant to the Constitution or to any provision thereof".

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The 23 members of the Council of State include former presidents and taoisigh. Former presidents Mary Robinson, Michael D Higgins and Mary McAleese, and former taoisigh Enda Kenny and Leo Varadkar, were in attendance.

Former President Michael D Higgins chats with Taoiseach Micheal Martin as members of the Council of State meet at Aras an Uachtarain in Dublin. Photo: Niall Carson/PA Images

Taoiseach Micheal Martin and Tanaiste Simon Harris are also members of the Council of State.

The Council of State is an advistory body and the decision ultimately lies with the President. The meeting on Monday was described as "intense".
There has been a substantial shift in the EU on taking action against Israel, the Minister for Foreign Affairs has said.

Helen McEntee said while EU members rejected a proposal from Ireland, Spain and Slovenia to suspend the EU-Israel Association Agreement over human rights breaches, there had been a shift.

She has condemned Israels introduction of the death penalty targeting Palestinians and the unprecedented and unacceptable escalation of violence in the West Bank.

She said the three countries had called for a suspension of the agreement at a meeting on Tuesday of EU foreign affairs ministers as a result, but also said that if Ireland acted in unison with the EU it would be more effective.

Ms McEntee said on Wednesday: Whats really important for me, though, and I think the approach from Government has always been to make sure that whatever we do that a) its going to have a positive impact on the ground, that its going to help people be in Gaza, in Palestine, or the Middle East, that when we work in unison.

This is the first Council meeting where I felt there was a substantial shift, where I felt that there was a move from member states in wanting to do more Helen McEntee

Weve seen in the past, whether its recognising Palestine, whether its other engagements with other countries, where weve worked together weve actually made a difference.

McEntee, along with her Spanish and Slovenian counterparts, met before the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels on Tuesday and wrote asking for a discussion on suspending or the partial suspension of the EU-Israel trade agreement.

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(We asked that) we would at least focus on partial suspension on particular trade, and that we would re-engage on the issues with the sanctions, which are already on the table, particularly sanctions for those that are involved in violent settler extreme actions within the West Bank, she said.

While there wasnt unanimity yesterday, whats clear to me, I have to say, this is the first Council meeting where I felt there was a substantial shift, where I felt that there was a move from member states in wanting to do more.

What Ill be doing now, not just with my Slovenian and my Spanish colleagues, but working with a number of other colleagues, is trying to make sure that we make further progress.

"Where the EU moves together, we have a greater impact."



Watch Minister @HMcEntee's remarks ahead of the Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg. pic.twitter.com/c5w9S4qdQp  Ireland In The EU (@IrelandInEU) April 21, 2026

Asked about a Government Bill that would ban trade with illegal Israeli settlements on Palestinian land, Ms McEntee said: We are making progress.

Independent Senator Frances Black said the minister had gone to the Attorney General several times for advice, and Black claimed the Government is using delay tactics on the Bill.

McEntee said: Any piece of legislation that Ive worked on has various different engagements with the Attorney General and its quite often that youd be back and forth multiple times.

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Ireland President set to decide whether to refer asylum legislation to Supreme Court Read more

Ive received the second round of advice from the Attorney General, and Ill be responding to that soon.

The legislation itself, as I said, we are making progress. It is moving.

Ive received the advice from the Attorney General, but I think it is really important that before we make any types of changes, be it legislative or otherwise, that we do so with other member states, so the bilateral engagements that I had yesterday with other colleagues, we discussed this very issue and how we would move together on it.
A judge has ordered the arrest of a boy who was 14 when he took part in looting during the mass rioting on Dublin's O'Connell Street in November 2023.

The youth, now 16, who cannot be named because he is a juvenile, had his sentencing adjourned in March with the case set to resume on Wednesday. However, he failed to turn up to his hearing at the Dublin Children's Court.

The judge issued a bench warrant for the gardai to arrest him and bring him before the court.

The out-of-school teen, who had no prior convictions, had pleaded guilty earlier to burglary of the Gala shop on the capital's main thoroughfare at the height of the unrest on the night of November 23rd, 2023.

On March 4th, the court heard that violence broke out in the city centre after an earlier incident where three children were severely injured in a knife attack at Parnell Square. Dozens of defendants have faced prosecution in connection with the disturbances.

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The court was shown video evidence of the boy's actions that night.

Judge Paul Kelly had said that the teenager was captured in "glorious technicolour" in the CCTV footage wearing a camouflage jacket as he entered the shop and "grabbed" cigarettes and a box of vapes during the riots.

He was identified following an appeal for information, and there were "two nominations by members of the public".

The boy also admitted unrelated motoring offences, for driving a Skoda Octavia he had just bought, without a licence or insurance, on May 25th last year, when he was aged 15.

Ireland Enoch Burke seeks to appeal against judgment which found suspension lawful Read more

Judge Kelly noted the teenager, who came to his last hearing with his mother, made admissions about buying the car immediately on his arrest, after gardai spotted him stationary in traffic in Dublin.

It was also confirmed that there were no allegations of any pursuit.

During an interaction with the judge about how he spent his time, the boy said he was neither in school nor working, but added that he was helping a relative.

Judge Kelly sought a probation report on the boy and asked gardai to enquire whether the shop owner wished to deliver a victim impact statement.
Legendary broadcaster, historian and environmental activist David Attenborough turns 100 on May 8th.

In a career spanning eight decades, Attenborough has become synonymous with natural history and a remarkable advocate for the worlds wildlife  and its future in the face of climate change.

His most famous TV series such as the BBCs Life On Earth in 1979 and Blue Planet (2001), as well as Planet Earth (2006), Frozen Planet (2011) and Africa (2013) helped educate and entertain millions  and have inspired plenty of holidaymakers to explore distant, biodiverse corners of the earth, witness animals in their natural habitats and helped lead a shift towards more eco-conscious and ethical travel.

In celebration of Attenboroughs 100 years on earth, here are five incredible wildlife experiences.

Gorillas and chimpanzees in Rwanda and Uganda

(Volcanoes Safaris/PA)

When Attenborough famously encountered a young silverback Gorilla, Pablo, nearly 50 years ago  which he reflects on in the new Netflix documentary David Attenborough: A Gorilla Story  it was in Rwanda.

The presenter has put the central African countrys conservation story onto the global stage. Filmed in the Volcanoes National Park, the documentary follows Pablos gorilla family and looks back at Attenboroughs connection to the animals, dating back to his 1978 visit to the park.

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You can follow in his footsteps. Volcanoes Safaris focus exclusively on conservation-led journeys into the gorilla and chimpanzee parks of Rwanda and Uganda, with five luxury lodges close to key habitats  including Virunga Lodge near Volcanoes National Park, which also has ties to the late primatologist and conservationist Dian Fossey.

Perched above Lakes Burera and Ruhondo with volcanic views, Virunga Lodge offers a seven-night gorilla and golden monkey safari, paired with Mount Gahinga Lodge in Uganda. The itinerary includes trekking to see mountain gorillas in both countries and rare golden monkeys, hiking a volcano, and learning about Batwa cultural experiences.

Prices for Seven-Night Gorilla, Golden Monkey and Batwa Culture Safari are from 7,480 per person in low season, all-inclusive. Book before June 30 for a complimentary night at Mount Gahinga Lodge and free golden monkey permit. Visit: volcanoessafaris.com.

Rhinos in Nepal

(The Ultimate Travel Company/PA)

Rhino populations face severe threats from poaching, but Nepal, which has one of the major populations of the animal, has achieved success in conserving the greater one-horned rhino in the UNESCO World Heritage site Chitwan National Park. Numbers of rhinos generally have increased so much since the 1970s (when an estimated 100 only remained in the country) that some communities are having to relearn how to coexist with rhinos, with around 700 living in around the park now, according to The Guardian.

Travellers can witness firsthand this incredible conversation effort during an 11-day tour with The Ultimate Travel Company. It begins in Kathmandu, for the ancient temples, stupas and palaces, before heading to the Nepalese Himalayas. Other wildlife you might come across includes sloth bears, monkeys and the Bengal tiger (although sightings are rare in the park).

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The Simply Nepal 11-day tour costs from 3,880 per person, including international flights. Visit: theultimatetravelcompany.co.uk.

Jaguars in Brazil

(Sarah Frankish/ Rainbow Tours/PA)

Brazil has some of the worlds greatest biodiversity in the world and considered the best place to see jaguars in the wild  namely in Porto Jofre, of Brazils Pantanal, the worlds largest tropical wetland. Rainbow Tours offer an 11-day trip here, designed with as much overland travel as possible to reduce environmental impact while exploring this remarkable region, as well as the Cerrado Savanna and the Amazon rainforest.

With hikes near dramatic waterfalls, up mountains and down canyons of the Parque Nacional Chapada dos Guimaraes, excursions expose the depth of Brazils flora, fauna and animal life in the day and night. With a good chance of spotting jaguars, you can expect to see caimans, capybaras, monkeys, anteaters, tapirs, giant river otters and, perhaps if youre lucky, maned wolves  with expert guides highly attuned to every shift and nuance of the local habitat.

Brazilian Wildlife in Depth Holiday, 11 nights from 6,295 per person (based on two sharing) includes return flights, activities, accommodation and some meals. Visit: rainbowtours.co.uk (0203 930 2552)

Penguins and whales in Antarctica

(HX Expeditions/Kay Fochtmann/PA)

For a sense of true exploration, beyond what many people will ever experience, travelling to the least-visited, and virtually uninhabited, most-southerly continent has to be up there. The worlds oldest expedition cruise company, HX Expeditions, offers a 12-day cruise to see some of the worlds rarest wildlife.

See penguins court and nest in October and November, and their chicks hatch in December and January. February and March is the best time to see blue, humpback, minke, sperm and beaked whales. Roughly 50% of the worlds orcas are thought to live in Antarctic waters too. The hybrid battery-powered ship reduces emissions and results in minimal noise, for a better environmental impact. With an onboard science centre also providing educational resources, travellers can really gain an understanding about the ecosystems around them, aiming to inspire a duty of care for visitors to this incredible place.

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HX Expeditions Highlights of Antarctica expedition cruise is all-inclusive but doesnt include flights. Starting from 7,576pp with an anniversary offer of free suite upgrade. Visit: travelhx.com.

Bengal tigers in India



(Karl Sell/ Selective Asia/PA)

Attenboroughs landmark BBC series Asia showcased Bengal tigers in central India. The countrys national parks offer travellers the chance to see these elusive creatures  the national animal of India and one of the biggest wild cats in the world. Today though, theyre threatened by poaching and habitat loss, and listed as endangered with an estimated 4,500 remaining in the wild across Asia.

Selective Asia offers a 13-day safari journey across Indias premier wildlife reserves. Beginning in Delhi and going into three national parks  Panna, Bandhavgarh, and Kanha. As well as trying to spot a Bengal, guests will explore diverse ecosystems and may encounter other rare species like the Barasingha, a breed of deer now extinct in Pakistan and Bangladesh. Designed for wildlife enthusiasts, the trip combines game drives with cultural immersion  including a visit to the Taj Mahal and the ancient temples of Khajuraho.

The Walk on the Wild Side tour starts from 3,990 per person (not including international flights). Visit Selectiveasia.com.
Keir Starmers former chief of staff Morgan McSweeney has been summoned to appear before the Foreign Affairs Committee next week amid the Peter Mandelson vetting scandal.

McSweeney, widely regarded as a protege of Mandelson, resigned in February over his part in the peers appointment to the role of US ambassador.

The political strategist will appear at the influential parliamentary committee on Tuesday, after an expected showing on Thursday morning by Cat Little, the most senior Cabinet Office civil servant.

Little last week revealed to Starmer that she had discovered Lord Mandelson had been granted high-level security clearance for the prestigious job in Washington despite vetting officials recommending against it.

Their appearances at the Foreign Affairs Committee (FAC) follow that of former Foreign Office chief Olly Robbins, who was sacked by the UK prime minister last week for not telling him about the details of the vetting decision.

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Writing on social media, FAC chairwoman Dame Emily Thornberry said Sir Ollys predecessor Sir Phillip Barton was among those called to give evidence.

Dame Emily said: Following Sir Ollys evidence, the Foreign Affairs Committee has today requested that Cat Little, Ian Collard, Sir Philip Barton and Morgan McSweeney attend and give evidence.

Cat Little will give evidence tomorrow at 9am.

Morgan McSweeney will attend Tuesday.

Starmer insisted at Prime Ministers Questions on Wednesday that Sir Ollys evidence about Lord Mandelson exonerated him over accusations that he had misled MPs.

The mandarins testimony puts to bed all the allegations levelled at me by those opposite in relation to dishonesty, the Prime Minister said.

Keir Starmer speaking during Prime Ministers Questions (House of Commons/UK Parliament/PA)

The leaders of opposition parties had called for Sir Keir to resign for misleading MPs about the appointment process, as news that Lord Mandelson was cleared for the Washington posting against the recommendation of security officials appeared to contradict his previous statements that due process was followed.

But the defiant UK prime minister told MPs: Last week, they were all saying that it must have been shared with me. Sir Olly was very clear yesterday, it was not. I believe not sharing it was a serious error of judgment.

That information should have been shared with me and other ministers, and if it had have been, Mandelson would not have been committed to post.

Badenoch said Starmer should quit for failing to follow the recommendation to get security clearance for Lord Mandelson before making the appointment.

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She said: We all heard Sir Olly Robbins testimony yesterday.

The head of the Foreign Office was sacked for the Prime Ministers own failings.

His backbenchers know that is not fair. Even his most loyal Cabinet members wont defend it.

The Prime Minister did not follow the process the Cabinet Secretary set out in November 2024, he knows he did not follow due process, yet he told the House he had.

I cannot accuse the Prime Minister of deliberately misleading the House, but everyone can see what has happened here. This was not due process.

Everyone knows the price of misleading the House. Will the Prime Minister finally take responsibility and go?

Starmer defended his decision to sack Robinson, saying he should have been told about the red flags raised by the UK Security Vetting agency.

However, Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden, a close ally of the Prime Minister, repeatedly declined to say the decision to sack Robinson was fair.

McFadden said he thought very highly of Sir Olly but told Times Radio: I think if the Prime Ministers made the judgment that hes not got confidence in the head of the Foreign Office, the head of the foreign service, then its difficult to continue.

Asked for a second time if it was fair, McFadden said: Look, its the Prime Ministers judgment.

Ultimately, we are in a situation where I dont think anyone reasonably expects the Prime Minister to lead the party into the next election Jonathan Brash, Labour MP

When he was asked the same question again, Mr McFadden said: As a Cabinet member, I support the Prime Ministers decisions.

Labour MPs have meanwhile begun to openly criticise Starmer amid the scandal, following on the heels of cautious words from Cabinet ministers about Peter Mandelsons appointment.

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Jonathan Brash, MP for Hartlepool, told GB News: Ultimately, we are in a situation where I dont think anyone reasonably expects the Prime Minister to lead the party into the next election and I think we have to refocus this Government on the priorities of the British people.

Elsewhere, the Tories warned against any attempt to spare Starmer from facing next weeks Prime Ministers Questions, the day after McSweeneys appearance.

Reports have suggested Commons business will end on Tuesday ahead of the Kings Speech, meaning the Wednesday lunchtime session would be cancelled.

A spokesman for Badenoch said: We want to hold this Government to account and it does feel very much like, in the midst of a crisis, they are bringing the session to an end early so they can avoid scrutiny.

During Prime Ministers Questions, Starmer would not deny that Downing Street considered giving his former spin doctor Lord Matthew Doyle a diplomatic job.

World Two MPs ejected from Commons for accusing Keir Starmer of lying over Mandelson Read more

Starmer said there were often conversations about other roles when staff leave jobs in any organisation as he faced scrutiny over claims by Robinson that No 10 had initiated discussions with him about potentially finding an ambassadorship for Doyle.

The peer had the Labour whip withdrawn earlier this year after it emerged he had campaigned on behalf of a friend who had been charged with possessing indecent images of children.

The peer, who stepped down as the UK prime ministers communications chief last March, said in a statement on Tuesday that he had never sought a head of mission, ambassador or any equivalent leadership-type posting.
A second ship has come under attack in the Strait of Hormuz, the British military said, just a short time after Irans paramilitary Revolutionary Guard opened fire on a container vessel.

The move complicates efforts to bring the United States and Iran together in Pakistan for talks to end the war.





The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations centre (UKMTO) did not immediately identify who shot at the second ship.

However, suspicion immediately fell on Iran, whose paramilitary Revolutionary Guard earlier opened fire on the container ship.

In the second attack, the cargo ship said it had been fired upon and was stopped in the water. There was no reported damage to the vessel.

The attacks come days after the US seized an Iranian container ship after shooting at it this past weekend and boarded an oil tanker associated with Irans oil trade in the Indian Ocean.





Late on Tuesday, US president Donald Trump said America would indefinitely extend the ceasefire with Iran, which had been due to expire on Wednesday, to give Tehran time to come up with a unified proposal ahead of possible negotiations.

Iran has offered no formal acknowledgment of Mr Trumps ceasefire extension.

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Pakistans prime minister Shehbaz Sharif thanked Mr Trump for agreeing to the extension, saying it would buy time for ongoing diplomatic efforts.

With the trust and confidence reposed in us, Pakistan shall continue its earnest efforts for a negotiated settlement of the conflict, he wrote on X.

Mr Trump said the US would continue its blockade of Iranian ports, which Iran has called unacceptable, and has indicated was a reason it had not yet agreed to join talks in Islamabad.





On my personal behalf and on behalf of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, I sincerely thank President Trump for graciously accepting our request to extend the ceasefire to allow ongoing diplomatic efforts to take their course.



With the trust and confidence reposed in, Pakistan  Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) April 21, 2026

The Revolutionary Guard vowed on Wednesday to deliver crushing blows beyond the enemys imagination to its remaining assets in the region.

Irans Nour News reported that the Guard opened fire on the ship after it had ignored the warnings of the Iranian armed forces. The contradicts a report by the UKMTO, claiming the Guard gunboat did not hail the ship before firing.

Irans semi-official Fars news agency described the attack as Iran lawfully enforcing its control over the Strait of Hormuz.

In peacetime, about 20% of the worlds oil and natural gas transits the strategic waterway, which leads from the Persian Gulf to the open oceans and was fully open until the US and Israel attacked Iran on February 28 to start the war.

Since then, Tehran has throttled shipping traffic through the strait, causing oil prices to skyrocket and impacting global economies.
ZURICH, April 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Amcor plc (NYSE: AMCR; ASX: AMC) will announce its fiscal 2026 third quarter results for the three month period ended 31 March 2026, before the US market opens on Wednesday 6 May 2026 at approximately 6.00am US Eastern Daylight Time / 8.00pm Australian Eastern Standard Time.

A conference call and webcast to discuss the results will be held at 8.00am US Eastern Daylight Time / 10.00pm Australian Eastern Standard Time on Wednesday 6 May 2026. For those wishing to participate in the call, please use the following toll-free dial-in numbers:

USA: 833 461 5787

Australia: 1800 849 752

United Kingdom: 0808 196 8935

Hong Kong: 800 938 481

Singapore: 1800 408 1721

All other countries: +1 585 542 9983 (this is not a toll-free number)

Conference ID 645052977

Those wishing to pre-register for the call can do so at the following link. A unique dial-in code will be provided upon registration.

Those wishing to pre-register and access the webcast can do so here. A webcast replay will be available at the conclusion of the call.

Access to the webcast and supporting materials will be available via the Investors section of Amcor's website (www.amcor.com/investors).

About Amcor

Amcor is the global leader in developing and producing responsible consumer packaging and dispensing solutions across a variety of materials for nutrition, health, beauty and wellness categories. Our global product innovation and sustainability expertise enables us to solve packaging challenges around the world every day, producing a range of flexible packaging, rigid packaging, cartons, and closures, that are more sustainable, functional and appealing for our customers and their consumers. We are guided by our purpose of elevating customers, shaping lives and protecting the future. Supported by a commitment to safety, over 75,000 people generate $23 billion in annualized sales from operations that span over 400 locations in more than 40 countries. NYSE: AMCR; ASX: AMC www.amcor.com I LinkedIn I YouTube

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Ukraine is pushing for face-to-face talks between President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin, Kyivs top diplomat said, presenting a potential summit as a way of injecting new momentum into US-led efforts to end Russias more than four-year invasion of its neighbour.

Meanwhile, a Ukrainian drone attack deep inside Russia struck a residential building, killing a woman and a child, Russian officials said on Wednesday.

Kyiv has asked Turkey to help facilitate top-level talks and has reached out to other capitals as potential hosts, Ukrainian foreign minister Andrii Sybiha said, adding that Ukraine would consider any venue outside Russia and Belarus.



Ministry employees work at the side of a damaged apartment building hit by a Ukrainian drone in Syzran (Russian Emergency Ministry Press Service via AP)

We are advocating for a (summit) meeting now to bring new momentum to diplomacy, Mr Sybiha told reporters on Tuesday.

His remarks were embargoed until Wednesday.

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US-mediated talks over the past year between delegations from Moscow and Kyiv have made little or no headway on key issues, such as the future of four Ukrainian regions Moscow is trying to capture but does not fully control.

With Washingtons attention now gripped by the Iran war, the talks are on ice.

Mr Zelensky has accepted an unconditional ceasefire demanded by US President Donald Trump but Mr Putin has refused.

Mr Putin thinks that time is on his side, that Western military and financial support will fade and that Ukraines resistance will eventually collapse, analysts say.



Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky has accepted an unconditional ceasefire demanded by US President Donald Trump (Peter Dejong/PA)

Meanwhile, a grim war of attrition continues along the about 1,250-kilometre (800-mile) front line that snakes along eastern and southern areas of Ukraine.

Western officials and analysts claim Russia is suffering several tens of thousands of battlefield casualties each month, drawing comparisons to the carnage of the First World War.

Independent verification of battlefield casualties and which side has the upper hand is not possible.

Ukraine has developed a domestic arms industry which is increasingly producing long-range drones and missiles capable of striking deep inside Russia.

It has taken aim at Russias oil production and manufacturing plants that supply the Russian military.

In Syzran, a city in Russias Samara region that is about 800 kilometres (500 miles) east of the border with Ukraine, a drone attack caused the collapse of a section of a residential building, local authorities said.



With Washingtons attention now gripped by the Iran war, the talks between Ukraine and Russia are on ice (Vahid Salemi/AP)

The bodies of a woman and a child were pulled out from under the rubble and 12 others were injured, local officials said.

Images from the scene showed a part of a four-storey building reduced to a massive pile of rubble, with emergency workers on top of it.

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Russian media reports said a Rosneft oil refinery  a frequent target of Ukrainian drone attacks  is located on the same street as the damaged building.

Ukraines aerial attacks on Russia increased by nearly four times last year, from 6,200 in 2024 to more than 23,000 in 2025, Sergei Shoigu, the secretary of Russias Security Council, said last month.
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Sponsored BusinessCompaniesBulls N' Bears Gateway hits end-of-hole gold at WA Yandal play Brought to you by BULLS N BEARS Andrew Todd April 22, 2026  3:55pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

Gateway Mining has hit paydirt with a broad, shallow gold intercept from aircore drilling at its Yandal gold project in Western Australia, with a 32-metre hit at 1.1g grams per tonne (g/t) gold, ending in mineralisation and extending the prospect by 500m to the north. The latest result came from just 20m downhole at the companys Mustang prospect within the extensive Yandal package and included a higher-grade 8m core running 2.1g/t gold. Geologist on site at Gateway Minings Yandal gold project in Western Australia. Crucially, the drill bit was still in the money when the hole hit the harder, fresh primary rock and halted, pointing to the potential for further mineralisation at depth within a previously untested shear zone for Gateway. The new hit now extends high-grade mineralisation 500m along strike into the under-drilled area, pushing the defined strike length of the Mustang prospect to at least 900m.

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We are very pleased with this latest result from Mustang, which has delivered a broad and significant intercept. Gateway Mining chief executive officer Richard Pugh Management says the mineralisation is hosted in a newly identified splay structure that peels off the primary Mustang shear zone. The company believes the hole may have been driven into a brand-new high-grade lode, opening to the north into what is known as a dilation zone  a geological setting often associated with thicker and higher-grade mineralisation. The result has also provided a better understanding of the local geology, with around 4km of strike length still untested. Gateway now believes its previous drilling further north was not pushed far enough east to properly test a raft of newly defined structures.

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Gateway Mining chief executive officer Richard Pugh said: Its now clear that our previous drilling hasnt been drilled eastward enough on regional lines to properly test this structure. Additional holes have now been planned to vector into the dilation zone, further strengthening the more than 6km Eastern Gold Trend. Gateways Yandal project sits about 85km northeast of Wiluna, covering a sprawling 1780-square-kilometre footprint along the eastern edge of the highly endowed Yandal Greenstone Belt. The belt ranks among Australias most productive gold terrains, notably hosting Northern Star Resources nearby 10-million-ounce-plus Jundee operation. Across its wider Yandal ground, Gateway has already defined a resource of 8.17 million tonnes grading 1.52g/t for 400,400 ounces of gold. Centred on the Horse Well Gold Camp and the Dusk til Dawn deposit, the inventory provides a robust platform for further discovery and growth. With a better handle on the structural controls, the company has already launched additional hole planning to test an additional 800m of strike to the north.

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While the Mustang results are more than encouraging, plenty of eyes remain peeled on its Great Western prospect, another of the companys prime targets at Yandal, where drilling is currently ongoing. The company says it is awaiting a torrent of assays from some 18,000m of drilling at Great Western, with the first results expected to start rolling in within a fortnight. With Mustang now growing into a meaningful second discovery front, Gateway appears to be entering a potentially pivotal phase at Yandal. A broad landholding, growing resource base and multiple live targets give the company plenty of shots on goal. Is your ASX-listed company doing something interesting? Contact: mattbirney@bullsnbears.com.au
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Exclusive BusinessCompaniesPublishing LinkedIn wins news bargaining reprieve as Microsoft boss lands in Sydney David Swan and Calum Jaspan April 23, 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

Microsoft-owned LinkedIn is expected to be excluded from a federal government scheme to force big tech to pay for its use of media reporting despite the social networking site promoting news articles and its parent companys multibillion-dollar Australian business. Draft legislation for the new scheme could be unveiled within the next 10 days in a boon for media companies that have been anxiously waiting for the government to unveil the scheme so they can advance talks with Meta, Google and TikTok. Satya Nadellas company has spent years publicly endorsing Australias news bargaining framework. AP But LinkedIns likely exclusion from the News Media Bargaining Incentive laws  which could save the company about $170 million  has angered the technology giants that are included, according to people familiar with the proposed laws. Under planned laws, technology giants would have to strike commercial deals with media companies to compensate them for the value of the news that users post on their platforms or face being hit with a more expensive tax.

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Microsoft chief executive Satya Nadella, who is in Australia this week, reportedly engaged directly with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese around the time the incentive was first announced in late 2024, and the tech giant has spent years publicly endorsing Australias news bargaining framework. Company president Brad Smith told this masthead that a previous version of the laws were based on a good principle that made sense. Related Article Exclusive

News Bargaining Incentive Google, Meta take aim at Australian plan for tech giants to pay for journalism We should not underestimate the value that journalism and media companies are contributing ... and if there is an opportunity to transfer some of this economic value to media and news, that will make the world a better place, he said at the time. All the big tech companies either declined to comment, or did not respond, but Google has previously said that Australians are increasingly turning to a range of platforms, such as Microsoft, Snapchat and Apple, for news content and this shift in consumption should be reflected in any proposed measure. The incentive is designed to encourage technology companies, which are worth trillions and control much of the distribution of information in the world, to pay much smaller publishing companies for their use of news reports that engage their users and help them to sell ads. The companies are also increasingly deploying AI chatbots and tools that reproduce and link to Australian journalism.

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Companies such as Meta, which is the most antagonistic to the proposal, argue the laws are unfair because they provide a service to the media by sending readers to their websites. Nine and News Corp declined to comment. Microsoft-owned LinkedIn is expected to be excluded from the federal governments incoming News Bargaining Incentive. AP The incentive, first announced in December 2024 by then-assistant treasurer Stephen Jones and former communications minister Michelle Rowland, functions as a charge-and-offset scheme administered through the tax system. Platforms with $250 million or more in annual revenue from significant social media or search services pay around 1.5 per cent of revenue to news publishers, or a 2.25 per cent charge if they refuse. Microsoft clears that threshold many times over. The companys Australian arm reported revenue of $7.5 billion for the year ended 30 June 2023, up 20 per cent year on year, with post-tax profit of $174 million. LinkedIn globally is a $15 billion-plus annual business and one of Microsofts fastest-growing divisions with a major focus on news.

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It operates a dedicated news tab, employs its own Australian editorial team curating daily headlines, and surfaces stories from local mastheads prominently in its feed. Based on its local revenue numbers, Microsoft stands to save up to an estimated $168.75 million if it evades the scheme. Former ACCC chair Rod Sims. Jamila Toderas Estimates based on local revenue figures show Meta faces an annual bill of up to $33.75 million if it refuses to strike deals with media companies, with Alphabet facing a liability of $202.5 million and TikTok $16.9 million. Those figures align with the total value of deals struck under the original 2021 News Media Bargaining Code, which industry estimates placed at about $200 million annually at its peak. The News Bargaining Incentive remains a priority for the Albanese government in order to support Australian journalism, a spokeswoman for the Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Financial Services, Daniel Mulino, told this masthead. The draft legislation for the News Bargaining Incentive will be released in due course. There have been wide-ranging and ongoing consultation with stakeholders throughout the process.

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Rod Sims, the former Australian Competition and Consumer Commission chair who designed the original 2021 News Media Bargaining Code, said the apparent carve-out was difficult to justify. It does have editors. It does compile news stories, Sims said. It does seem strange that theyre excluded. Related Article Social media Roblox reveals sweeping changes amid Australian crackdown The design of the incentive is intended to close the loophole exposed when Meta walked away from renewing its Australian news deals in March 2024, arguing news content held little commercial value for Facebook. Under the existing 2021 News Media Bargaining Code, platforms could sidestep obligations by simply removing news. The incentive charge applies to digital platforms regardless of whether they host news content as long as they are covered by the law. In a November consultation paper, Treasury defined the incentive as potentially applying to all large digital platforms operating significant social media or search services in Australia.

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But the expected carve-out for LinkedIn suggests Treasury has settled on a narrower definition of significant social media or search services for the laws that excludes professional networking platforms, regardless of their news distribution role. Treasury was contacted for comment. Google remains the only major platform with active commercial agreements supporting Australian newsrooms, covering more than 90 news businesses and 226 outlets across national, regional and independent titles, according to the company. Meta ended its arrangements in March 2024. Sims said he was disappointed it wasnt sorted out a year ago and that the risk of a hiatus between the expiry of existing deals and the start of the new regime was material. A lot of peoples deals are coming to an end in the next three months, he said. The urgency is huge. 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 EnvironmentConservationWildlife Scientists in a buzz over discovery that bees can understand numbers Bianca Hall April 22, 2026  3:59pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

European honeybees can count numbers up to six and understand the concepts of zero and greater than and less than, according to new international research led by Monash University. Scientists have long debated whether honeybees  and other animals including fish and newly hatched chicks  can distinguish number values and process numerical information or simply rely on visual cues including patterns and size. Counting this many honeybees may be a stretch, but new research shows bees can distinguish between numbers. istock The Monash-led research, published today in the peer-reviewed Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, finds that previous studies that dismissed bees capacity to discriminate between numbers did not take bees unique sensory and perceptual abilities into account when trying to answer this question. Senior lecturer Dr Scarlett Howard, from Monash Universitys School of Biological Sciences said the findings underscored the importance of avoiding human-centric biases in animal research.

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We see and experience the world quite differently from animals, so we must be careful [to not centre] human perspectives and senses when studying animal intelligence, she said. Howard prefers not to use the word count when describing what honeybees are able to do, but she and her research team agree that honeybees are capable of what they describe as numerical cognition in numbers up to six, and can learn a relative numerical rule of greater than or less than, as well as the concept of zero. A European honey bee. Getty Images Studies have also shown that honeybees can learn to sequentially count landmarks. To arrive at their findings, the team from universities in Australia, Italy and France used modelling and statistic analysis, based on the visual capacity of real honeybees, to determine how they perceive the world.

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The way weve now redone the modelling is actually by using what the bees perceive and what we know they can see based on these previous studies that have looked at their vision, Howard said. So what were saying here is that [bees are] doing number discrimination, like if we saw three apples versus four apples, we would be able to tell which ones the bigger one, and which ones the smaller one. So what are the real-world applications to the findings? Studying bee intelligence is quite a niche area, but it does have applications to things like understanding the evolution of intelligence in both animals and humans, Howard said.

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It tells us whether the rise of mathematics and number ability is something related to human culture and human language, or if its something thats quite widespread. So you kind of start to get to philosophical questions of what is it to be a human, or what is it to be a bee. Photo: Matt Golding A big unanswered question is how bees compute the information they receive. Their brains are completely different to ours, Howard said. We have 86 billion neurons, and they have less than a million; their brains are the size of a sesame seed, and ours are much, much larger than that ... were not exactly sure if theyre processing numbers in a way thats similar to us, or if theyre doing it in a completely different way. Get to the heart of whats happening with climate change and the environment. Sign up for our fortnightly Environment newsletter.
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Exclusive NationalNSWCrime Profound betrayal: The billionaire and her secretarys $1.5m sequin-studded fraud Kate McClymont April 22, 2026  11:50am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

It was late on Saturday afternoon in April last year when billionaire philanthropist Judith Neilson raised her glass to celebrate her private secretarys 50th birthday at a lavish party in the McRae Bar at the five-star Capella hotel in Sydneys CBD. Birthday girl Annalouise Lou Spence was resplendent in a shimmering sequined polyester gown on which shed splurged $1200. Shed also spent $10,000 on Jimmy Choo stilettos and a matching gold evening bag. And that was just for her first outfit for the night. Annalouise Spences lavish 50th birthday party is alleged to be part of her $1.5 million fraud. As Neilson rested her cocktail glass on a linen napkin embroidered with her secretarys name and initials, she had no idea that she was footing the $40,000 party costs, which included $1000 for the monogrammed napkins, the luxury outfits and accessories, as well as $6000 for her secretarys two-night stay at the Capella with her husband, Adam Spence. Judith Neilson discovered shed been charged for the $1000 worth of monogrammed napkins.

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But the party was just the tip of the industrial-scale fraud that her secretary had been allegedly perpetrating for years. For eight years, Neilson, who does not use email or indeed a computer, had entrusted Spence with access to her intimate personal and financial details. Judith Neilson in the residence she provided rent-free to her secretary Annalouise Spence. Max Mason-Hubers By impersonating the 79-year-old and forging authorisations, Spence is alleged to have spent an estimated $1.5 million on first-class travel, extravagant hotel stays, designer clothes, accessories, jewellery and artwork. Apart from booking first-class air travel, Spence is also alleged to have transferred almost 1 million of Neilsons Qantas frequent flyer points for her personal use. Spence would also book flights for Neilson and then cancel them, allegedly using the credits herself.

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She is also alleged to have redeemed 7.2 million American Express Membership Rewards points, which belonged to Neilson. Having organised extravagant meals, accommodation and tickets to rock concerts for her friends, allegedly using her employers funds, Spence would then get her friends to reimburse her, effectively perpetrating two frauds. Loading Pretending to be her boss, Spence is also alleged to have obtained thousands of dollars in cash and foreign currency, which she claimed was for Neilsons overseas travel. For example, in April 2024, the finance team received an email purportedly from Neilson asking for $10,000 to be put onto Spences credit card. Lou will then withdraw that money for me over the next five days in $2000 increments so that I have cash on hand.

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The email went on to say that since Neilsons local bank branch had closed, Lou will take care of this for me in the future so that I do not need to go all the way into the city in order to get money. Thank you, Judith. I was sickened and so damned hurt, said Neilson on discovering Spences alleged frauds. Annalouise Spence (left) with her employer Judith Neilson in Cuba in 2018. Neilson described feeling a profound sense of betrayal because for years she had entrusted Spence to organise travel logistics and oversee household operations and philanthropic activities. Spence and her husband had also lived rent-free in premises owned by Neilson, next door to Neilsons own Chippendale home, which has won numerous architectural awards.

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But what angers the philanthropist most is that Spence was stealing money that may otherwise have gone to disadvantaged people in Africa and Australia, via the charities Neilson funds. Every cent goes to people in need, and she is stealing from these people, Neilson told this masthead. As a child, Annalouise Brown emigrated from Ireland with her parents and two sisters. Spences CV indicates that after leaving Jamison High School in Penrith in 1992, she later worked as an executive assistant and then business analyst at the Starlight Foundation. In 2014, she married rally car driver Adam Spence. Before joining the Judith Neilson Family Office in 2017, Spences LinkedIn profile said she spent two years as Executive Assistant to Her Majestys Ambassador at British Embassy, Qatar.

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Neilson now questions the veracity of Spences claims about her troubled childhood, including that her mothers neglect had caused a facial scar which dragged down the corner of her mouth. Spence also confided to Neilson that her mother treated her children like slaves. Lou was having to do this washing and ironing from the age of five while her mother lay in the pool and drank box wine and smoked, Neilson recalled being told. Adam Spence and his wife Annalouise at the luxury Capella Sydney. But it was actually Neilson who had the barefoot childhood. Born in Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe, Neilson is one of the most influential figures in the Australian arts and philanthropic worlds.

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She was one of four sisters. Her mother was a teacher and her father a mechanic who later specialised in car radiators. Everything was humble and wonderful, she recently told this masthead. It was family. You enjoyed what you had. At 17, she moved to South Africa to study graphic art and textile design. In 1983, she and her husband, Kerr Neilson, who would become one of the giants of Australias funds management industry, moved to Sydney. Following the successful 2007 float of Platinum Asset Management, the company co-founded by her husband, the couples combined fortune catapulted them into the top 10 wealthiest Australians. Even after their 2015 divorce, each still features in the annual rich list, with separate fortunes exceeding $1 billion.

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Neilson has used her fortune to fund philanthropic endeavours, including the White Rabbit Gallery, which houses one of the most significant collections of Chinese contemporary art. Admission is free. Neilson also built and continues to fund Phoenix Central Park, a stunning performing arts venue. Judith Neilson (with wine glass) and Annalouise Spence behind her at Spences 50th birthday party. While her buildings have won multiple architectural awards and her private art collection is astonishing, Neilson herself is not showy. She eschews the glitzy social world to which her wealth would automatically guarantee an entry. She famously does not often wear jewellery. On her wrist is an ivory coloured Swatch watch. The Black Amex card The American Express Centurion card, unofficially known as the Black Amex, is so exclusive that customers have to be invited to apply. With its $5000 joining fee and $6500 annual fee, its rumoured that only 6000 people in Australia have one.

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Neilson received her Black Amex in February 2023. A fortnight later, her secretary called American Express to request a supplementary credit card in her own name. Amex indicated via email that Neilson had only applied for two cards in her name and would have to authorise any further cards. The Black Amex card Annalouise Spence secretly obtained without her employers knowledge. An email seeking confirmation was sent to Neilson. On March 7, Spence is alleged to have emailed Amex pretending to be her boss. I understand the terms and agree to have Annalouise as a supplementary cardholder and as the account manager for my account. Kind regards, Judith.

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Having obtained her own supplementary card, Spence lied to other staff, claiming that Neilson was insisting on maintaining her privacy about her personal expenditure and had delegated Spence to deal with the Amex. At the end of the month, Spence would advise the finance team of the amount needed to pay the Amex account. Neilson told this masthead she did not authorise Spences supplementary card, and she had no idea that Spence had removed the finance teams oversight of the Amex account. Without scrutiny, over the next two years, Spence clocked up just under $400,000 on domestic and international travel, often in first class. A further $335,000 was spent on fashion items and $184,000 on jewellery. One of the privileges of the Centurion card is its concierge service. Before her card had even arrived, Spence was asking for two concert tickets to see The Cure in Seattle, US, in June 2023. The very best you can get  there is no budget, she said in an email to the companys Centurion Lifestyle Team. She then used the card to buy a Qantas first-class return ticket to Seattle, via Los Angeles. The Seattle trip cost $45,000.

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While in the US, she used Neilsons money to buy a $16,000 piece of art for a male friend she had met through Neilson. During her Seattle visit, the friend refused to accept her gift of the artwork and insisted on paying its cost. The money went into Spences own account. The Rosewood suite at the Carlyle hotel in New York cost more than $38,000 for a five-night stay. Suppled She later treated herself and her male friend to a five-night stay in the Rosewood suite at The Carlyle in New York, which cost more than $6500 per night. Neilsons Centurion card was billed $38,757.85 for her secretarys October 2023 sojourn. I was paying for Bennett to get his hair done weekly, complained Neilson of Spences dogs weekly visit to the pet parlour for grooming. When Spence went away, her dog was chauffeured to a pet resort in Terrigal.

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There was also the $40,000 Spence allegedly spent on beauty products for herself. On top of that was the $4500 she spent on subscriptions to media, lifestyle and fashion magazines, a $12,000 racing bike for her husband, and more than $100,000 on artwork. In September 2024, Spence treated herself to $23,000 worth of shoes and clothes from the ultra-luxury designer brand Loro Piana. A week later, shed spent another $30,000 at online store Mytheresa. Spence, who was about to accompany Neilson on an ocean voyage on The World, organised for her new purchases to be delivered to Neilsons apartment on the ultra-luxurious private yacht on which the whos who of the rich and famous sail around the globe for several months each year in their own private residences. The most expensive sale to date on The World was $21 million. Earlier that year, while her employer was on The World, Spence indulged herself and her husband with a $23,000 VIP hospitality package for the 2024 Melbourne Formula One Grand Prix using Neilsons Centurion account. This package provided luxury trackside access, culinary experiences, helicopter flights and five-star accommodation. She repeated the outing the following year.

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Caught out Due to a restructuring of Neilsons office, Spences eight-year stint with the philanthropist came to an end on September 12 last year. Only four days into her new role as Neilsons executive assistant, Katy Lloyd Jones was reconciling Neilsons accounts when she noticed a most unusual charge on Neilsons Amex bill. The itemised Amex bill showed that on July 19, 2025, $58,593 had been spent on a rare pink-gold Rolex wristwatch from the Vintage Watch Company in London. Alarm bells were ringing because in the brief time shed spent with her new boss, she knew Neilson doesnt wear any jewellery and she definitely doesnt wear expensive watches, Lloyd Jones told this masthead.

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As she scanned the Amex account, Lloyd Jones saw that two days after the antique watch purchase, $21,000 had been spent at the luxury Knightsbridge department store Harrods. Neilson was not in London at the time. The trio who uncovered the alleged frauds of Annalouise Spence: Katy Lloyd Jones (left), Marnie Edwards and Judith Neilson (right). Max Mason-Hubers After passing on her concerns to the accounts department, it didnt take long to identify the recently departed Spence. On September 17, Ben Walker from Neilsons finance team contacted Spence about the London transactions that had been flagged.

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Spence apologised, claiming it had been a mix-up. She repaid the money. Related Article Sunday Life A 60-seat table and a staircase fit for a horse: Judith Neilsons home is one of a kind But by now, the finance department was involved in a detailed audit of Neilsons personal finances. As more discrepancies came to light, in November last year, Neilsons team hired risk and crisis manager Marnie Edwards, who also happens to be a former detective inspector with the NSW Police. For the past six months, Edwards and Simon Freeman, the chief executive of the Judith Neilson Foundation, have been working closely with investigators from NSW Police. The investigation into the conduct of Annalouise Spence has revealed a sustained, sophisticated and deliberately concealed pattern of financial fraud against Judith Neilson, said Edwards.

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This was not a single episode of misconduct but a prolonged, escalating and calculated scheme involving over 350 purchases using multiple credit instruments, reward programs, travel credits, forged authorisations, impersonation, personal reimbursements, luxury purchases and international travel, the former detective said. Comment has been sought from Spence. Our Breaking News Alert will notify you of significant breaking news when it happens. Get it here.
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NationalMedicine Truly bizarre meeting: Police called to medical college vote Mary Ward and Angus Thomson April 22, 2026  4:28pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

Police were called to a board meeting of one of Australias largest medical colleges on Wednesday, after its president-elect allegedly attempted to hold her own proceedings to oust the college president without the subject of the vote and other directors present. The Royal Australasian College of Physicians, which is responsible for training and accrediting more than 33,000 doctors across 33 specialties in Australia and New Zealand, has been in turmoil for months due to an ongoing dispute between its president, Professor Jennifer Martin, and her elected successor, Dr Sharmila Chandran. Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) president Professor Jennifer Martin (left), with RACP president-elect Dr Sharmila Chandran in a file picture. Martin has wanted to bring the organisations constitution in line with other colleges that separate the roles of president and board chair, but has faced firm opposition from president-elect Chandran and her supporters. A statement from the board sent to members on Wednesday afternoon claimed, after previous attempts to install honorary treasurer Dr Nicholas Buckmaster as chair of the meeting to avoid a conflict of interest were disputed, leaving Martin as chair of the meeting, Chandran spoke over Martin and did not stop.

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It went on to allege that Chandran had organised for the meetings livestream to focus the cameras on her before moving the meeting to a closed room without Martin, the colleges CEO, other directors or the colleges interim company secretary present. It made me very uncomfortable watching and was a truly bizarre meeting, said RACP fellow Dr Peter Robinson. Members watching the meeting online were then watching the video feed of the meeting led by Chandran. The result announced at that meeting, conducted by CorpVote, was 54.5 per cent in favour of ousting Martin, making Chandran chair of the board. Martin, the subject of the vote was not given the opportunity to speak to members, despite being present nearby, the board statement claimed. The board said it was seeking legal advice as to the validity of the meeting, which it believed had been held improperly.

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The board has grave concerns about the constitutionality of this meeting, breaches of Corporations and WHS Acts, breaches of principles of natural justice and the behaviour demonstrated by Dr Chandran, the statement read. The meeting was not run as per our board bylaws and the results were not correctly scrutineered and the board believes the vote is invalid. Related Article Healthcare Major medical body asks charity watchdog to take over and end dysfunction Chandran, who will assume the role of president in May, said the statement sent out on Wednesday afternoon was incorrect and completely and utterly inappropriate. This is not from the board  the board is me, I am the chair of the board now, she said.

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RACP is a member organisation. The members have spoken. Chandran said she had already contacted the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission to inform them that Martin was no longer chair of the colleges board. The board statement said Chandrans husband had called police to the meeting. Chandran confirmed this was the case, saying she had been intimidated. NSW Police confirmed they were called to an OConnell Street office at about 10.30am on Wednesday.

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Police spoke with several people and it was determined no crime had been committed, they said. A person left the building voluntarily. No further police action is anticipated. The incident comes following months of dysfunction and infighting between directors and executives of the college, including the resignation of most of the board, an external investigation into bullying allegations against Martin, and three failed member votes to prevent Chandran from assuming both roles. Last month, the college asked the charities watchdog to urgently dissolve its board just hours before voting was to open on whether to oust Martin. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.

CORRECTION A previous version of this story said Dr Nicholas Buckmaster was chair of Wednesdays meeting. This was incorrect: the meeting began with Professor Jennifer Martin as chair.
Perth man Brodie Dewar has pleaded guilty to assaulting a man who was hitting on his younger sister outside a Kalamunda pub on Christmas Day.

The 20-year-old was charged with assault occasioning bodily harm after he punched a man and then filmed his victim as he lay unconscious on the ground.

Brodie Dewar outside Armadale Magistrates Court on Wednesday. 9 News Perth

In footage posted to Snapchat, Dewar can be heard telling the victim, keep on snoring and dont hit on my younger sister next time brother as he lay unconscious for 4 minutes.

The victim walked away with a sore mouth, cut lip and chipped tooth.

Dewars lawyer previously said the footage doesnt paint Mr Dewar in any glory.

Its certainly a nasty piece of footage, we do accept that, he said before adding that Dewar had no memory of the incident.

He will be sentenced over the incident on May 5.
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PoliticsNSWNSW State Parliament Opinion Hes taunted protesters and rebuked judges. Is the premier fraying cohesion? Michael McGowan State Political Editor April 23, 2026  5:00am

April 23, 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

There was some sage advice for the premier within the Court of Appeals finding last week that anti-protest laws passed by the Minns government after the Bondi terrorist attack were unconstitutional. In ruling the governments Public Assembly Restriction Declaration, or PARD laws, invalid, the court found it was not a legitimate purpose for a government to preserve social cohesion. Minns has said that anti-protest laws his government passed on Christmas Eve were rational and proportional. Fairfax Media Sounds shocking, right? Surely, it must fall within the wheelhouse of our elected officials to help us live more or less in harmony with our neighbours, particularly at a time like now, when it increasingly feels as though our shared bonds are fraying. Premier Chris Minns seemed to think so, taking the fairly extraordinary step for a premier of rebuking the states top court. I think its easy for lawyers and the courts to say its not the governments responsibility, Minns said, but when things go wrong, and you have a major violent disruption on the streets of Sydney, I can guarantee you, most people are desperate for the NSW Police to be out there to keep us safe.

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But beyond the straw man waving from that response  yes, most people probably would like police to keep us safe in a violent disruption, but preferably within the bounds of the constitution  its also a misreading of the courts decision. The justices had limited themselves to a rebuke of the PARD, a blunt tool used to preserve a particular kind of social cohesion as defined by this Labor government. The laws, which had the effect of limiting protests for a three-month period in a defined geographical area following terrorist attacks, were underpinned, they found, by a notion that the community can and should be protected from political expression ... because it might be upsetting, inflammatory and divisive. Related Article Exclusive

NSW State Parliament Senior police cited struck-out law during Town Hall protest, raising doubts over government claims Under the PARD, that protection extended to people nowhere near the protest gathering because of the sense of distress or offence that they may feel about it occurring at all. It was protection from dissent and disharmony associated with political activity of others. If the premier felt chastened  by yet another attempt at limiting protest being struck down by a higher authority  he didnt show it. Faced with the courts rebuke, Minns doubled down. It was the protesters who should take responsibility for the disturbing scenes at a Town Hall protest against Israeli President Isaac Herzog in February, he said on Monday. The rushed and constitutionally invalid anti-protest laws that his government passed on Christmas Eve were rational and proportional and it was utter garbage to suggest they were the cause of the chaotic, violent clashes with police, Minns said.

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Its worth dwelling on that for a moment. Since the courts ruling, the government has said the PARD was not used on the night of the anti-Herzog protest. Instead, it says, police were enforcing a separate Major Events Declaration. There is some ambiguity over that, but at least some of the court documents related to arrests made at the rally specifically refer to directions made under the PARD. Related Article NSW State Parliament Take responsibility: Premier speaks out as police review protest charges The police force clearly thinks the courts decision is relevant because Commissioner Mal Lanyon has said the charges stemming from the rally are now under review. In any case, the two powers were clearly in operation. Lanyon confirmed to this masthead last week that he told Greens MP Sue Higginson he intended to enforce both the PARD and the Major Events Declaration on the night. All thats not even really the point, though. The harrowing, seemingly endless conflict on the other side of the world is not one in which the government needs to pick a side. Sydneys Jewish population is hurting, just as the Lebanese, Palestinian and Arab communities are. Yet, while rebuking his colleagues for criticisms of Israel, Minns himself has from the beginning made his view on local pro-Palestinian protesters clear. He has repeatedly sought to block their gatherings, criticised their organisers and used new laws to hobble them. Loading

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By refusing to take any responsibility for the scenes at Town Hall  and seeking to lay blame solely at the feet of the protesters  Minns is, not for the first time, creating an increasingly unhelpful us-versus-them dynamic. Its one which threatens to further alienate members of the community, and places police in an invidious position. Does the government believe it is working? Does anyone? Has Sydney really become a more cohesive place? One more open to the idea that, despite the ongoing bloodshed in the Middle East, as distressing as it is, we are all more or less good people doing the best we can? Only two months after the Bondi massacre, you might very reasonably have felt it was insensitive, inflammatory or divisive to hold a protest aimed at the president of Israel. People dont really like protests. Theyre loud and inconvenient and often the protesters are annoying. You might even feel sympathy for a government, in those terrible circumstances, seeking a circuit-breaker. But the inescapable conclusion from the past 2 years of tough rhetoric about Palestinian protesters is that its not helping. The premier should reflect on the courts findings because he does have a role to play in helping social cohesion. Its time to pull a different lever. Michael McGowan is state political editor.
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PropertyNewsQueensland residential property Like the Hunger Games: Brisbane suburbs where rents soared Sarah Webb April 23, 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

Brisbane asking rents have climbed another $10 a week over the past three months to fresh highs, turning the market into a Hunger Games-style arena where vacancy rates are near record lows and the $400-a-week suburb is extinct. Brisbanes median weekly asking rents rose 1.5 per cent to $680 for houses and $660 for units over the March quarter, Domains latest Rental Report, released on Thursday, shows. Three-bedroom units collected the biggest quarterly jump  up 6.3 per cent to $850 a week. At a suburb level, some of the citys cheaper pockets copped some of the biggest rent hikes  led by Logan Village, where house rents rose 23.2 per cent in a year to $690, and Mitchelton, where unit rents climbed 20.6 per cent to $543.

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The data shows Brisbanes rental floor continues to lift, with just five suburbs sitting below $450 a week. At the other end, the ceiling has also shifted substantially, with three suburbs now hitting $1000 a week. Related Article Auctions Towers record falls as bank of mum and dad helps buyer win auction Its a stark contrast from just five years ago when median asking rents sat at $430 for houses and $400 for units. While the pace of growth is beginning to ease, experts warn theres little sign of relief, with a low 0.6 per cent vacancy rate underpinning the growth cycle. Weve still got a very low vacancy rate and while theres only so much budgets can absorb, that vacancy rate does suggest we wont see a dip in prices  but we have seen a behavioural response and thats shaping how people rent, said Domain chief of research and economics, Dr Nicola Powell.

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I think maybe renting on your own is now something that only higher-income earners are privileged to be able to do. Powell said the affordability ceiling had driven differing performances between markets, with rent prices plateauing in some inner-city markets while simultaneously turbocharging in outer-ring markets as renters traded location for value. She added that across the city, rental growth had become patchier, with Brisbanes northern SA4 region leading unit price growth in the quarter, and Ipswich leading the growth charge for houses. On an SA3 level, units in Wynnum Manly recorded the strongest quarterly growth, climbing 15.2 per cent in three months to $530 a week. At the top end, on a suburb level, New Farm remains Brisbanes most expensive suburb to rent a house at $1100 a week, with Rochedale rising 11.1 per cent to move into equal second place with Ascot at $1000.

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Ray White Logan City head of property management Carmen Lester said Rochedales rapid rise had been driven by an influx of high-quality new builds attracting strong demand. Related Article Auctions Months after Logan house set suburb record, it smashes past at auction In Rochedale Estate, there are new builds - and were talking townhouses  that now rent for $1000 a week and house rents there are pushing $1500, she said. I didnt expect it to get to this point as quick as it did  but its thanks to high-quality homes built in the area that are on par with places like Ascot. And when youre comparing it to those more expensive areas, Rochedale is better value. Youre only 12 minutes to the city from there, too.

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Lester said working professionals with one or two kids were driving demand, with properties often leased within a week. In more affordable pockets, she said demand was even stronger, with a lack of stock and rising rents sparking a rise in share homes and multi-generational living. Brisbane rents are at record highs. Courtney Kruk People are also staying in their properties longer  and they are more flexible about where they live, she said. Place property management corporate team leader Matt Gleaves said demand remained strong across their portfolio, including in the prestige segment, where listings above $2000 a week continued to attract interest.

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He said Newstead  Brisbanes most expensive suburb for unit rentals at $820 a week following a 9.3 per cent annual rise  remained one of the most popular inner-city patches thanks to its location and lifestyle. Place New Farms Josh Hicks said the mid-market  particularly two-bedroom, two-bathroom units priced between $650 and $900 a week  remained the most competitive segment, with affordability and undersupply continuing to underpin demand. Beyond the inner city, Gleaves said the Bayside had emerged as a key growth area. Its one of those areas thats been underdeveloped for a long time and thanks to the ease of public transport its becoming far more popular, he said.

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Weve been flooded with inquiries from there for both rentals and houses, and this shows a big shift in people seeing value in places they didnt before. Out towards Ipswich is also showing a lot of growth. He added that the 50 public transport fares had helped drive demand beyond the middle ring. Tenants Queensland chief executive Penny Carr said the sustained rise in rents was placing increasing pressure on households, particularly single parents and older women. Its not just impacting people on the lowest income but even key workers, she said.

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I was talking to an older woman the other day, and she said small flats with just a kitchenette in a block of units with one shared kitchen are still costing $450 a week and theres lots of competition for them. Related Article Auctions A million dollars more: Inner Brisbane house blitzes 2023 price in auction marathon Its a bloodbath  its like the Hunger Games. Carr said the impact extended beyond shared living and longer tenancies, with renters increasingly reluctant to move or raise issues for fear of losing their home. They dont want to put their heads up, and while that has always been the case to a degree, were seeing it far more now, she said.

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She said while recent rental reforms limiting rent increases to once a year were better than nothing, further changes were needed, including clearer rules around shared living, stronger tenant protections and moderated rent increases. Right now, theres no relief in sight, she said.

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WorldNorth AmericaAUKUS US Navy declares Australia ready to start hosting nuclear subs today Michael Koziol April 22, 2026  11:50am 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 US Navy has dispelled doubts about Australias readiness to host American and British nuclear-powered submarines at HMAS Stirling next year, declaring the boats could be sent there today. Admiral Samuel Paparo, the commander of US Indo-Pacific Command, was asked during a US Senate hearing about Australias upgrades at the naval base that would allow foreign subs to start being based there in 2027, which is the current AUKUS timeline. Admiral Samuel Paparo, commander of US Indo-Pacific Command, visiting Australia in 2023. Rhett Wyman We could move submarines to Stirling today  thats been the progress at Stirling, he said. I laid eyes on it multiple times. The commitment is there, the progress is there. Questioned by Democratic senator Tim Kaine, Paparo reiterated that the major constraint on the $368 billion-plus deal was the industrial capacity of the three countries involved: the US, Australia and the UK.

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The place where we have to make the most progress is in the defence industrial base, Paparo said. But our partners in Australia, UK  it has been full throttle. Its now as much up to industry as anything else. The comments appeared to quell unease from some AUKUS watchers in Washington and elsewhere that HMAS Stirling would not be ready to host a US Virginia-class submarine by next year. US, Australian and UK officials at HMAS Stirling in February. The naval base is due to become a home port for a US nuclear submarine next year. Australian Financial Review Abe Denmark, who was one of the architects of AUKUS as a senior adviser to president Joe Bidens defence secretary, said last week there were a lot of questions about Australias ability to meet those timelines. Australia is going to need to meet some pretty aggressive benchmarks to get there, he told this masthead. I know that folks in the US government are watching those developments very closely.

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Brent Sadler, a former navy submariner who is now a defence expert at the conservative Heritage Foundation, which has strong links to the Trump administration, said on Tuesday (US time) he was still sceptical about whether next years milestone would be met. Related Article Analysis

Defence Trump has changed Australias defence spending. Just not in the way he thinks He noted that the US Navy had yet to publicly name the submarine to be sent to Perth or announce its arrival date. Congress is typically given 12 months notice of a change of home port. Thats a key milestone that I think we all need to meet if AUKUS is going to remain politically viable in both Australia and the United States, Sadler said. This masthead reported on Wednesday that the Pentagons new submarine-building tsar, Robert Gaucher, said the navys top priority was its new Columbia-class nuclear-powered submarine, rather than the older Virginia-class vessel that Australia is depending on.

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The navy maintains that the production rate of the Virginia must increase from 1.3 boats a year to more than two, if it is to fulfil its AUKUS commitments to Australia. Speaking at the Sea Air Space conference on Tuesday (US time), Gaucher said that in 2011, a Virginia-class submarine took 13 million man-hours to build, but today takes 70 million. He repeated his remarks about the new Columbia-class being the top priority, but added there was no room for compromise on Virginia, we still need to keep Virginia on plan. Sadler said there was a case for Australia to invest more than the current $US3 billion ($4.19 billion) it has already committed to the US submarine industrial base.

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The only number that matters is the production rate of submarines, he said. If you dont address that positively, and if the Australians are not paying significantly enough into it to make a difference, then the whole thing blows up before it even begins. A Virginia-class submarine under construction at General Dynamics Electric Boat in Groton, Connecticut. AP A spokesperson for Defence Minister Richard Marles said the industrial capacity of all three AUKUS countries  including production and sustainment  was a known challenge, but the projects milestones were being met. AUKUS will continue to come under the spotlight in Washington this week as former defence minister-turned-lobbyist Christopher Pyne hosts his annual summit, which will feature Australian Navy chief Mark Hammond. 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.
Report sets out the Group's next chapter, with its first double materiality assessment, three new Impact Pathways, and a commitment to scaling sustainability with the same discipline as the business itself

SINGAPORE, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Banyan Group ("Banyan Tree Holdings Limited" or the "Group", SGX: B58), an independent global hospitality company, has released its 2025 Sustainability Report, From One Vision to 100 Possibilities. The report marks the Group's 20th year of sustainability reporting and a milestone year in which it reached its 100th property, with a symbolic homecoming to Singapore.

Banyan Group 2025 Sustainability Report Highlights

For over three decades, the Group's founding ethos of Embracing the Environment, Empowering People has been integral to how Banyan Group operates and creates value. From the restoration of an abandoned tin mine in Phuket more than three decades ago, the Group has grown into a global portfolio of 13 brands, 100 hotels and resorts, over 140 spas and galleries, and 29 branded residences across 24 countries, welcoming 4.7 million guests from 212 countries in 2025 alone.

"The significance of reaching 100 properties lies not in the number itself but in what it represents, how a founding vision has taken shape across diverse destinations and the ecosystems and communities that sustain them. Long-term business success is inseparable from the wellbeing of the destinations in which we operate, and as Banyan Group expands, sustainability must scale with the same discipline and accountability as the business itself," said Ho Kwon Ping, Founder and Executive Chairman, Banyan Group. "Sustainability is not peripheral to business performance. It is part of how long-term value is protected and created."

Collective Impact

In 2025, the Group completed its first double materiality assessment, sharpening how sustainability is defined and managed across the business. The exercise examined both the impact of operations on the environment and society, and the financial risks and opportunities these issues carry. Accordingly, the 2025 Sustainability Report is structured around clearly defined material topics, marking a shift from programme-led initiatives to an enterprise-wide approach embedded in core strategy and decision-making.

The Group's approach to sustainable development is rooted in care, dignity and lasting partnerships with the communities in which it operates. Its proprietary Brand for Good framework unites the Group's brands under a shared commitment to protect the planet and uplift people, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. This commitment is carried further through the Banyan Global Foundation, the Group's philanthropic and impact arm, which designs, funds and governs social and environmental programmes that extend beyond core hotel operations. Through the Green Imperative Fund and Greater Good Grants, the Foundation translates Group-level commitments into grassroots action delivered in partnership with communities, social enterprises and local organisations.

"Every property exists within a living social and ecological system shaped by its landscape, culture and people. Our role extends beyond responsible operations to ensuring that tourism contributes meaningfully to community wellbeing, cultural heritage and the long-term resilience of the places we share," said Claire Chiang, Co-Founder, Banyan Group and Chairperson, Banyan Global Foundation. "Many collaborations have stood the test of time, reflecting our belief that trust, continuity and shared value are essential to sustaining both cultural heritage and community wellbeing. In doing so, we hope to continue turning one founding vision into many more meaningful possibilities for generations to come."

In 2025, 32 associate-led Greater Good Grants projects were activated across the Group, contributing to a cumulative 2,000 direct beneficiaries supported over the past two years. These included students and teachers, women and farmers, low-income families, young people with special needs, and inmates undergoing rehabilitative skills training. Each project was chosen for its community impact, strategic alignment and proximity, and delivered within 50 km of its host property to sustain local engagement.

Embracing the Environment

A regenerative mindset and ecologically sensitive design have shaped the Group's portfolio since its founding, and continued to guide resource efficiency and environmental progress as the business grew. In 2025, Group-wide greenhouse gas (GHG) emission intensity (Scope 1 & 2) fell by 1.4% and waste generation decreased by 13% despite significant business growth, while the waste diversion rate rose to 41%, up from 28% in 2024.

Highlights from hotels opened in 2025 include:

Banyan Tree Zhuhai Phoenix Bay, China draws on Lingnan water town traditions, weaving flowing water channels, courtyard architecture and intangible cultural heritage such as Sanzao bamboo weaving into contemporary interiors that echo local fishing communities.

draws on Lingnan water town traditions, weaving flowing water channels, courtyard architecture and intangible cultural heritage such as Sanzao bamboo weaving into contemporary interiors that echo local fishing communities. Garrya Mu Cang Chai, Vietnam follows the natural contours of terraced rice fields and bamboo forests. It uses locally sourced bamboo as its primary structural material to create the world's largest bamboo-structured resort, minimising land disturbance and embodied carbon.

follows the natural contours of terraced rice fields and bamboo forests. It uses locally sourced bamboo as its primary structural material to create the world's largest bamboo-structured resort, minimising land disturbance and embodied carbon. Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree, Singapore the Group's 100th property, has been recognised for its exemplary design in energy efficiency. It is the first hotel in Singapore to receive the BCA Green Mark Super Low Energy (Platinum) Award, setting a new benchmark for sustainable hospitality in the market.

Empowering People

Banyan Group continued to invest in people, skills and community partnerships to create shared value. It runs programmes that improve lives through education, engagement and employment, supporting the communities that host its properties.

With close to 15,000 associates representing 95 nationalities, the Group delivered over 1.5 million training hours in 2025, including 771 on-site and online sessions and workshops through Banyan Academy. It also organised 1,318 associate wellbeing activities, which recorded 49,481 attendances and contributed to an Associate Wellbeing Index of 76.1%, up from 74% in 2024.

In 2025, Banyan Gallery commissioned over 177,000 products, supporting over 20 traditional craft communities spanning textiles, basketry, ceramics, metalwork and paper craft including Yanlipao weaving, Mooser basketry and Bencharong ceramics in Thailand, Hmong and Lao indigenous textiles, handmade paper from an 800-year-old Japanese village, and heritage indigo traditions in China.

Founded at Banyan Tree Phuket in 1996 and now present at more than 70 of the Group's destinations and online, the Gallery has grown over nearly three decades into a social enterprise platform built on partnerships with 339 artisan groups and 240 social enterprises. Together, these partnerships have produced over 1.5 million items to date, generating stable income for artisans and preserving cultural heritage.

Shaping a Shared Future

Looking ahead, Banyan Group will continue to deepen how sustainability sits within core business decision-making, focusing on efficiency, resilience and long-term value.

Findings from the 2025 double materiality assessment shaped the Group's inaugural Sustainability Impact Lab, which brought leaders across the organisation together to turn insights into priorities for 2026. Over 40 action areas were defined across three Impact Pathways:

Ecosystem Stewardship , to design, operate and source in ways that protect nature and manage resources responsibly.

, to design, operate and source in ways that protect nature and manage resources responsibly. Community Resilience , to strengthen the wellbeing, cultural vibrancy and long-term resilience of host communities.

, to strengthen the wellbeing, cultural vibrancy and long-term resilience of host communities. Inclusive Prosperity, to create opportunities, through associates, guest experiences and governance foundations that build trust and resilience.

"Our inaugural Impact Lab marked a pivotal shift in how we translate ambition into execution," said Dr Mark Watson, SAVP and Group Director, Sustainability and Impact, Banyan Group. "More importantly, it demonstrated that when sustainability is embedded as a business driver rather than a standalone initiative, it accelerates innovation, strengthens operational resilience and delivers measurable value for our properties, communities and guests. The Lab has set a strong direction for deeper integration of impact into our strategy, execution and delivery and reinforces our commitment to grow with purpose through focusing on what matters most."

Near-term priorities include distilling environmental standards into a unified Group management system, embedding sustainability more deeply in the supply chain, and accelerating training and development that benefits both associates and communities. Progress against these pathways will be reported in the next Sustainability Report.

To learn more about the Group's approach, actions and journey on material sustainability impacts, visit Our Mission. To read the full report, visit: 2025 Sustainability Report

For high-resolution images, please download here.

ABOUT BANYAN GROUP

Banyan Group ("Banyan Tree Holdings Limited" or the "Group" - SGX: B58) is an independent, global hospitality company with purpose. The Group prides itself on its pioneering spirit, design-led experiences and commitment to responsible stewardship. Its extensive portfolio spans 100 hotels and resorts, over 140 spas and galleries, and 20 plus branded residences in over 20 countries. Comprising 13 global brands, including the flagship brand Banyan Tree, each distinct yet united under the experiential membership programme withBanyan. The founding ethos of "Embracing the Environment, Empowering People" is embodied through the Banyan Global Foundation and Banyan Academy. Banyan Group is committed to remaining the leading advocate of sustainable travel, with a focus on regenerative tourism and innovative programmes that elevate the guest experience.

SOURCE Banyan Group
New profession untangling sweet troubles for Chinese homes

Xinhua) 10:09, April 22, 2026

LANZHOU, April 21 (Xinhua) -- In seven hours, a cluttered bedroom turned into a tidy, well-organized space, with thousands of out-of-season clothes and household items carefully sorted and stored away. The transformation created room for a baby cot, as the family prepared to welcome a newborn in a month's time.

"Sorting and organizing is like untangling a yarn ball, where you need to find the starting thread for the client," said Nai Dan, a 31-year-old home organizer in Lanzhou, capital of northwest China's Gansu Province, whose job is to help declutter apartments like the one mentioned above.

The concept of decluttering originated in the United States in the 1980s and later became popular in Asian countries such as Japan. A professional home organizer is a person who masters organizing skills, space planning, color matching and other knowledge, and provides customers solutions for item storage and space renovation.

In China, it is now a promising career in big cities, where many residents struggle with the pile-up of household items after years of online shopping spree, but increasingly adopt the philosophy of "danshari" that promotes a less-is-more approach to life.

The 2022 edition of the occupational classification code of China officially recognized professional home organizers as residential service personnel, boosting the development of the new profession that promises higher earnings but requires more advanced skills than conventional house cleaners.

Nai first discovered this new profession around five years ago and invested about 10,000 yuan (about 1,458 U.S. dollars) in training in Chengdu, capital of southwest China's Sichuan Province. After completing her training, she returned to Lanzhou to establish her own de-cluttering business.

However, it required some time for potential customers to comprehend this profession.

"In the beginning, I had to spend a lot of time explaining what my job entailed, as people simply couldn't understand why the charges were higher than those of regular cleaners," said Nai.

Typically, home organizers are paid based on either the area they cover or the time of their services. In major metropolises like Beijing and Shanghai, the expense of sorting out a three-bedroom apartment can exceed 10,000 yuan.

Nai, who secures orders through local service firms and social media channels, caters to a diverse clientele ranging from families to young solo-dwellers. She earns an hourly wage ranging from 80 to 120 yuan, with her annual income surpassing 100,000 yuan.

For Nai and her customers, this profession goes far beyond simply tidying up homes and folding clothes. It offers tailored solutions designed to optimize the use of space.

After receiving an order, Nai will start with an in-depth conversation to understand the client family's habits, professions, and future plans, before proceeding to measure the rooms and draft a comprehensive plan.

"Each customer needs a unique plan," she said. For instance, households with pets require dedicated spaces for their supplies, and for homes with elderly residents, safety considerations and the accessibility of items are paramount, while for small apartments, maximizing vertical space and incorporating multi-functional furniture are essential.

Finally she would leave customers a map detailing the locations of items stored in various areas.

Ding Yidan, a resident of Lanzhou, said the service is not just about cleaning up messes but also about feeling better.

Previously, her room was in a state of disarray. "There were times when I had to fumble through the crevices of the sofa and delve into the pockets of my clothes just to find a key, which would leave me feeling irritable," she recalled. Seeing the room getting neater, Ding felt that her life became refreshing and her mood brightened up.

Guo Wen, a domestic service trainer at Wanzun Vocational Training School, has observed a shift in the demand for domestic services. As members of Generation Z become the primary customer base, the focus is moving from traditional tasks like cooking and cleaning towards more refined and diverse services. Organizing and storage skills are becoming a bonus for domestic service workers.

"While the hourly rate for general domestic workers is under 50 yuan, those with professional organizing skills can command up to 100 yuan per hour, along with higher customer satisfaction rates," said Guo.

A white paper released by Liu Cun Dao, a home organizing brand, suggested that in 2023, the number of individuals trained to become professional home organizers exceeded 73,000, marking a yearly increase of 97.29 percent.

The consulting group Shangpu predicts that by 2026, the market size for China's whole-house storage and renovation services will reach 30 billion yuan, indicating an acceleration in the industry's upgrade from single-space services to comprehensive whole-house solutions.

Official data showed China's service sector had surpassed 80 trillion yuan for the first time in added value last year, making up 57.7 percent of the country's GDP. It also contributed 61.4 percent to economic growth, up 3.7 percentage points from the 2024 level, and accounted for around half of total employment.

The country's new five-year plan calls for improving the sector's quality, efficiency and competitiveness, underscoring its role in supporting industrial upgrading, meeting people's livelihood needs and driving job growth. The government work report this year also highlighted the need to enhance the capacity and quality of the service sector.

However, Guo believes that while home organizing industry is gaining popularity, its long-term development hinges on standardization. Currently, most decluttering specialists only hold qualification certificates for domestic service workers.

"The housekeeping industry is trending towards refinement, and it is crucial to swiftly establish professional standards and improve the qualification certification system. This is not only vital for the future career planning and growth of professionals but also for the overall development of the industry," she said.

This sentiment is shared by Nai Dan, who told Xinhua that she has received phone calls from numerous young individuals seeking advice on pursuing a career in this field.

"I am delighted to witness the burgeoning expansion of the home organizing industry," she said. "Therefore, I earnestly hope that this industry will continue to evolve, becoming increasingly refined and well-regulated."

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
CHICAGO, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Cboe Global Markets, Inc. (Cboe: CBOE), a leading global markets operator and pioneer in equity derivatives, today announced that it has reached a definitive agreement to sell its Canadian and Australian equities exchanges, Cboe Canada and Cboe Australia, to TMX Group Limited (TMX Group), a leading market operator. The aggregate sale price is $300 million USD.

Cboe announced plans in October 2025 to sell its Australian and Canadian equities businesses as part of a strategic realignment to sharpen its strategic focus on core strengths and emerging opportunities aligned with its long-term strategy  positioning the company to lead in a dynamic and evolving global markets landscape.

"We are pleased to reach an agreement to sell these businesses to TMX Group, a longstanding and well-established market operator," said Craig Donohue, Chief Executive Officer of Cboe Global Markets. "The transaction will bring Cboe Australia and Cboe Canada under new ownership well suited to support their next chapter, while enabling Cboe to reallocate resources and capital towards optimizing our core businesses for further growth and profitability, and pursuing opportunities in new and emerging areas."

"This transaction marks an important milestone in our strategic realignment, allowing us to sharpen our focus on the growth opportunities that will position Cboe for long-term success," said Prashant Bhatia, EVP, Head of Enterprise Strategy & Corporate Development at Cboe Global Markets. "As our industry undergoes rapid transformation  driven by expanding retail participation and rising demand for innovative products, the emergence of event and prediction markets, the accelerating adoption of digital assets and tokenization, and the evolution toward 24x7, onchain markets with atomic settlement  we see significant opportunity to build on our strengths and accelerate growth by focusing on areas where we can lead and differentiate."

The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including applicable regulatory approvals. The acquisitions of Cboe Australia and Cboe Canada are expected to close separately, each after required approvals have been obtained.

Until the transactions close, Cboe will continue to operate both exchanges as usual. Cboe will work closely with customers, regulators, and other key stakeholders in both jurisdictions to support a smooth and orderly transition. Additionally, Cboe will provide transition services support for a limited time post closing.

Cboe will provide an update regarding the potential financial implications of the transaction during its first quarter earnings call taking place on Friday, May 1, 2026.

Barclays Capital Inc. is acting as financial advisor to Cboe. Sidley Austin LLP; Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP; and Mallesons are serving as Cboe's outside legal counsel.

About Cboe Global Markets

Cboe Global Markets (Cboe: CBOE) is a leading global markets operator with a long history of innovation in equity derivatives. Since launching the world's first listed options exchange in 1973, Cboe has pioneered landmark products, including the introduction of S&P 500 index options and the creation of the VIX Index, the world's leading gauge of market volatility, reshaping how investors manage risk and access opportunity. Today, Cboe operates derivatives, equities, and FX markets, providing trading, clearing, and investment solutions for customers worldwide. To learn more, visit www.cboe.com.

CBOE-C

CBOE-OE

Cboe, Cboe Global Markets, and VIX  are registered trademarks or service marks of Cboe Exchange, Inc and S&P 500 is a registered trademark of Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC. All other trademarks and service marks are the property of their respective owners.

Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. You can identify these statements by forward-looking words such as "may," "might," "should," "expect," "plan," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "potential" or "continue," and the negative of these terms and other comparable terminology. All statements that reflect our expectations, assumptions or projections about the future other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements, which are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions about us, may include projections of our future financial performance based on our growth strategies and anticipated trends in our business. These statements are only predictions based on our current expectations and projections about future events. There are important factors that could cause our actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.

We operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risks and uncertainties emerge from time to time, and it is not possible to predict all risks and uncertainties, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements.

Some factors that could cause actual results to differ include: the loss of our right to exclusively list and trade certain index options and futures products; economic, political and market conditions; compliance with legal and regulatory obligations; price and new products and services competition and consolidation in our industry; decreases in trading or clearing volumes, market data fees or a shift in the mix of products traded on our exchanges; legislative or regulatory changes or changes in tax regimes; our ability to protect our systems and communication networks from security vulnerabilities and breaches; our ability to attract and retain skilled management and other personnel; increasing competition by foreign and domestic entities; our business and operational dependence on and exposure to risk from third parties; factors that impact the quality and integrity of our and other applicable indices; our ability to manage our global operations, growth, and strategic acquisitions, wind downs, divestitures, or alliances effectively; increases in the cost of the products and services we use; our ability to operate our business without violating the intellectual property rights of others and the costs associated with protecting our intellectual property rights; our ability to minimize the risks, including our credit, liquidity, market, investment, counterparty, and default risks, associated with operating our clearinghouses; our ability to accommodate trading and clearing volume and transaction traffic, including significant increases, without failure or degradation of performance of our systems; misconduct by those who use our markets or our products or for whom we clear transactions; challenges to our use of open source software code; our ability to meet our compliance obligations, including managing our business interests and our regulatory responsibilities; the loss of key customers or a significant reduction in trading or clearing volumes by key customers; damage to our reputation; the ability of our compliance and risk management methods to effectively monitor and manage our risks; restrictions imposed by our debt obligations and our ability to make payments on or refinance our debt obligations; our ability to maintain an investment grade credit rating; impairment of our goodwill, long-lived assets, investments or intangible assets; the accuracy of our estimates and expectations; and litigation risks and other liabilities. More detailed information about factors that may affect our actual results to differ may be found in our filings with the SEC, including in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025 and other filings made from time to time with the SEC.

We do not undertake, and we expressly disclaim, any duty to update any forward-looking statement whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof.

SOURCE Cboe Global Markets, Inc.
Monday, April 20, 2026 at 10:30PM

Source: Apple

There will be a shuffle within Apple's top executive posts. Apple Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook is transitioning to executive chairman of the tech giant's board of directors. Meanwhile, Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering John Ternus will succeed Cook, effective on September 1, 2026.

SOURCE
CARLOW Co Council drew 313,247 from government funding to cover its response to the damage caused by Storm Chandra on 26-27 January. The request for funding was made to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and released to The Nationalist through a freedom of information request.

The funding was offered by the department in recognition of the exceptional costs incurred by local authorities during the relentless rain.

Examples of exceptional costs include the hire of plant and contractors for essential works, the purchase of equipment and materials required for response and clean-up operations and staff overtime payments directly attributable to the event.

Longer-term fixes to roads do not form part of the claim. As a result of the storm, some areas of the county are running roughly eight weeks behind on road repair programmes.

Nationally, a survey of its members by Insurance Ireland said Storm Chandra resulted in an estimated 25.6 million worth of claims in the Republic. However, this figure is only 8.5% of the insured damage caused by Storm Eowyn in January 2025.

Household and commercial actions accounted for two-thirds of the estimated 2,400-plus total reported claims, Insurance Ireland told The Irish Times last month.

Funded by the Local Democracy Scheme
Niamh ODonoghue

A middleman involved in a scheme that defrauded a Trinity College hardship fund of over half a million euros has been jailed for 18 months.

Luke Taaffe (34) allowed his bank accounts to be used as part of the scheme and was also involved in recruiting others who also allowed their bank accounts to be used, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard.

Approximately 27,000 from the fund was transferred into Taaffes account.

Six payments from the hardship fund were made directly to his bank account, totalling 13,600. Money was taken from the hardship fund which was sent to others, who would then also forward a portion of this money to Taaffes account.

The court was told that the investigation has been unable to determine exactly what happened to the money from the hardship fund transferred to Taaffe.

In some instances, Taaffe withdrew money or transferred it to a co-accused. He also used some of the money to top up his Revolut account.

The court has previously been told that the overall scheme involved electronic payments from the student hardship fund being made to various bank accounts belonging to people who had never attended Trinity College between January 2020 and September 2021.

Taaffe (34) of Brookwood Avenue, Artane, Dublin 5, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to 11 counts of possessing the proceeds of criminal conduct on dates between June 2020 and July 2021. He has no previous convictions.

He was handed a sentence of three years and six months, with the final two years suspended on strict conditions including 12 months post-release probation supervision.

Garda Clare Rochford previously gave evidence that the total loss to the hardship fund from the overall scheme was 527,000.

When interviewed by gardai, Taaffe made admissions. He described his role as receiving money into his account and enlisting others to become involved.

He said he was in a position to organise how much money was kept by the person whose account was used and received a minimal cut of the money, with the balance passed on to a third party.

Taaffe told gardai he had a cocaine habit of 300 to 400 a day and said he spent the money on drugs, describing it as easy money.

He said his drug use started recreationally, but became worse. He also expressed shame.

Under cross-examination by defence counsel, Gda Rochford agreed Taaffe indicated that he had a drug habit which started in his early 20s.

He was in rehab, then returned to work and has made considerable steps in addressing his drug issues. She also agreed Taaffe was remorseful and entered a plea at the earliest possible date.

The garda further agreed the guilty plea was of value to the prosecution.

The court previously heard that Taaffe brought 12,500 to court, primarily from a redundancy payment, which had been transferred for onward transmission to the college.

His mother was prepared to make a further payment of 5,000, the court heard on Wednesday.

In mitigation, counsel said his client was educated to third level and worked in Clontarf Castle. In August 2023, his hours were reduced.

He started taking cocaine in his early 20s, and the wheels came off the wagon during the Covid-19 pandemic when his addiction worsened. Clean urine analysis, a medical report, a probation report and letters from family members were handed to the court.

Taaffe has not come to recent negative attention. He has diabetes, and the court told he has found it difficult to manage the condition while in custody.

Imposing sentence, Judge Martina Baxter noted the hardship fund was intended to assist registered students of Trinity College who were in particular need of assistance, and these were the people who were ultimately affected.

She said the scheme was well-planned and pre-mediated and that Taaffe was not at the bottom rung or a cog but a middleman who played a vital role in distributing the money.

The judge noted the mitigation, including Taaffes efforts to rehabilitate, his lack of previous convictions, work history and health issues.

Judge Baxter backdated the sentence to January 29 when Taaffe went into custody and directed that the Probation Service should be made aware of Taaffes medical status to help with their supervision of him post-release.

She made no order in relation to the 5,000 offered by Taaffes mother.
Sean McCarthaigh

A Waterford pharmacist has been struck off after being found guilty of professional misconduct over being unable to account for over 98,000 units of medication, including prescription medicines and controlled drugs.

The council of the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland decided to cancel the registration of Michael Gallagher of Gallaghers Pharmacy, Barronstrand Street, Waterford following a fitness-to-practise inquiry last year.

The sanction arose after the PSIs Professional Conduct Committee found three allegations against Gallagher proven based on admissions made by the pharmacist.

The inquiry found Gallagher guilty of professional misconduct for permitting medications, including prescription medicines and controlled drugs, to be unaccounted for on dates between January 1st 2017 and July 24th 2019 while he was the supervising and superintendent pharmacist.

Another allegation related to the pharmacist on one or more dates over the same time period, allowing unauthorised persons entry into the dispensary and storage area of his pharmacy in circumstances where he knew it was inappropriate and contrary to legislative requirements.

Separately, it was also found that he failed to ensure that medications were stored securely within the pharmacy.

The inquiry found that all three allegations each constituted poor professional performance.

Counsel for the PSI, Caoimhe Daly BL, claimed that Gallaghers actions in allowing medications to be unaccounted for were infamous and disgraceful and also represented breaches of the Code of Conduct for Pharmacists.

The inquiry heard that unannounced inspections of Gallaghers Pharmacy by PSI authorised officers had been carried out on three dates between July 2017 and January 2019.

Daly said the inspections had focused on controlled drugs, the stock take processes in place and discrepancies that arose including a significant number of medications that were unaccounted for.

She also highlighted the presence of unidentified individuals in and around the dispensary and explanations given by Mr Gallagher to PSI officials during interviews.

Daly said a total of 98,082 units of medicine were not properly accounted for, consisting of nearly two and a half thousand boxed units.

The inquiry heard there were significant discrepancies between the number of medications supplied to the pharmacy compared to the numbers dispensed.

A PSI authorised officer who carried out two of the three unannounced inspections of Gallaghers Pharmacy, Shane McGlynn, gave evidence that he had never come across such huge numbers of medicines that were unaccounted for in almost 10 years in his job.

The inquiry heard one pharmacist who worked in the pharmacy told PSI officials that Mr Gallagher would place bulk orders with suppliers, while another pharmacist stated he was shocked by the discrepancies.

Both pharmacists stated they only dispensed medicines on foot of valid prescriptions.

Under cross-examination by Mr Gallaghers solicitor, Michael Lanigan, Mr McGlynn agreed that the pharmacist had co-operated with the PSI investigation and that he had expressed shock when interviewed as well as making certain admissions about the storage of medicine.

An expert witness, Ronan Quirke, said the breadth and range of medicines that were unaccounted for was shocking and claimed that it was a pattern of practice.

Quirke pointed out that certain medicines were controlled drugs because they have the potential to be habit forming and addictive as well as having a street value.

On sanction, Daly stated that the PSI believed the appropriate sanction was cancellation of Mr Gallaghers registration as a pharmacist.

Noting the period of time covered by the misconduct, she said there had been a flagrant disregard and breach of the fundamental tenets of being a pharmacist.

Daly also remarked on the nature of the medicines which included controlled drugs prone to use and misuse.

She claimed steps taken to improve security in the pharmacy did not alter the nature of the wrongdoing found proven.

Lanigan told the hearing that his client had been practising as a pharmacist for almost 44 years and employed a staff of 10.

The solicitor said Gallagher wanted to ensure that the committee understood the other two pharmacists working in his pharmacy were persons of integrity who were not involved in the wrongdoing.

He said the pharmacist wanted to apologise and had also been trying to remove himself from professional practice by selling his business.

The inquiry chairperson, Mark Kane, noted the extent of medicines that were unaccounted for was unprecedented.

Kane said the breadth and extent of the medicines involved and the pattern of wrongdoing were aggravating factors in the case.

He said the committee formed the view that Gallagher only had a limited amount of insight.

However, it also noted mitigating factors including his lengthy unblemished career, personal circumstances and financial obligations.

Kane said the committee concluded there were no conditions that could be attached to Gallaghers registration to meet the seriousness of the findings against him or provide the public with an appropriate level of reassurance regarding his practice going forward particularly due to the lack of explanation as to what occurred and why it occurred.

The committee also discounted the sanction of a suspension for similar reasons.

Kane said the nature and extent of the findings against Mr Gallagher were incompatible with the registrant continuing to practise as a registered pharmacist.

He added: The registrant displayed limited insight and there is a lack of meaningful reassurance that such serious issues would not re-occur because of the lack of any explanation regarding the proven conduct.

Kane said the committee found there had been a significant deviation from safe practice.

The cancellation of Gallaghers registration was confirmed earlier this year by the High Court.
James Cox

President Catherine Connolly is set to make a decision on referring controversial new asylum legislation to the Supreme Court, or signing it into law.

President Connolly has until tonight to decide on the laws, which would bring Ireland in line with the incoming EU Migration and Asylum Pact.

It includes restrictions around processing, screening and appeals for those looking for international protection in the State.

The legislation has been criticised by opposition TDs.

Members of the Council of State at Aras an Uachtarain in Dublin. Photo: Niall Carson/PA Images

Connolly convened a meeting of her Council of State on Monday to discuss the legislation.

A statement from her office on Monday said the President "will now consider the members' views before making a decision as to whether to sign the bill or to refer it to the Supreme Court for a decision on the question as to whether the Bill or any specified provision or provisions thereof are repugnant to the Constitution or to any provision thereof".

The 23 members of the Council of State include former presidents and taoisigh. Former presidents Mary Robinson, Michael D Higgins and Mary McAleese, and former taoisigh Enda Kenny and Leo Varadkar, were in attendance.

Former President Michael D Higgins chats with Taoiseach Micheal Martin as members of the Council of State meet at Aras an Uachtarain in Dublin. Photo: Niall Carson/PA Images

Taoiseach Micheal Martin and Tanaiste Simon Harris are also members of the Council of State.

The Council of State is an advistory body and the decision ultimately lies with the President. The meeting on Monday was described as "intense".
By Grainne Ni Aodha, Press Association

Workers have been squeezed after the government made the wrong call in Budget 2026, Mary Lou McDonald said.

The Sinn Fein leader told Taoiseach Micheal Martin there was real anger amid working families paying their way and yet falling further behind with each passing week.

She referred to comments made by Public Expenditure Minister Jack Chambers, who said on Tuesday that Budget 2026 didnt give workers a break and that would have to be a priority in the context of Budget 2027.

Speaking during Leaders Questions on Wednesday, McDonald said: There it is, your own Minister finally saying out loud what we have been telling you for six months.

She said the last budget drove the deep anger and frustration that we now see across the state.

As prices were rising, as bills were mounting, while working families were under the most severe pressure, you withdrew supports, you abandoned your election promises, one after another, and you left people high and dry, she told the Dail.

You had the resources, Taoiseach, and you made the wrong call, and now the consequences are everywhere.

Workers squeezed, households stretched to breaking point, people cutting back on basics and making impossible choices.

She said the government did not cut the Universal Social Charge (USC), while school transport and State exam fees increased.

It seems no matter how hard it gets, Fianna Fail and Micheal Martin are quite happy to let people struggle on.

People wont tolerate that Taoiseach, and you will get your response again.

Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers (left) and Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe outside Government Buildings, Dublin, ahead of the annual Budget. Photo: Niall Carson/PA.

Mr Martin said that Sinn Fein had ignored the war in the Middle Easts impact on fuel prices and said Sinn Fein didnt believe in targeting measures to those most in need in the Budget.

You have the similar approach to (former British prime minister) Liz Truss in terms of the energy question, he said, referring to caps on energy bills.

He said that public expenditure would increase by 8.6% under Budget 2026, and had looked to prioritise housing while also putting huge investment into infrastructure.

Thats not failing anybody, thats a very, very high increase in investment in public services that all workers benefit from and families and people generally benefit from, he said.

He said the State pension was increased by 10 euro, weekly child supports also increased in order to tackle child poverty, and 500 million euro was allocated to disability services.

Remember, the most important thing always in life is that we have an economy that can provide jobs to people.

Asked about income tax on Wednesday morning, Mr Chambers said helping low- to middle-income workers was a priority for the budget on Tuesday, October 6th.

We know that theyre feeling the pressure in the context of decisions we made in last years budget, where we sought to prioritise housing  correctly, in my view  and enhance viability in housing.

What we did say, well try and revert back to prioritising and reducing the burden for workers, I think that would be a priority.

Ivana Bacik hit out at the measures. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA.

Then finance minister Paschal Donohoe said while unveiling Budget 2026 that there was limited scope for significant personal tax changes, but said the Government will stand by progressive changes for income tax over its full term.

Labour leader Ivana Bacik also accused the government of a lack of forward planning and said the millions of euro worth of a bailout for the Department of Education, to cover special education, was all over the place.

She said that while 430 special education places were made available this year, the shortfall was 600.

You mentioned the 650 million euro bailout for the Department of Education, as if it was something to be proud of, but the fact that the bailout was necessary yesterday is exactly the problem.

Were seeing a lack of planning, a lack of forward planning, and then this bailout, its all over the place, Taoiseach.

How did you not know that that money would be required, you know the numbers of children who require additional school places.

Martin said there would be 26,000 special needs assistants (SNA) this year, and the teacher ratio would be one teacher and two SNAs to every six pupils.

The overall budget for special education is growing significantly, Cabinet has approved 650 million extra current funding for education, and a significant amount of that directed towards accommodating special education.
Nation's fifth largest credit union continues legacy of strengthening financial health for members and communities

SEATTLE, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- BECU, the fifth largest credit union in the U.S., released its 2025 Annual Report today, marking 90 years of strengthening financial health for members and communities it serves. The report details the credit union's support for members, communities and employees, while highlighting key investments to grow and sustain its future. BECU ended 2025 with more than 1.5 million members, $29.4 billion in total assets and a net worth ratio of 12.4%.

BECU, the fifth largest credit union in the U.S., released its 2025 Annual Report today, marking 90 years of strengthening financial health for members and communities it serves. The report details the credit unions support for members, communities and employees, while highlighting key investments to grow and sustain its future.

"Financial health shapes nearly every part of our lives, and our members deserve a partner they can trust," said BECU President and CEO Beverly Anderson. "In 2025, we remained grounded in our cooperative purpose and focused on what matters most  returning meaningful value to members, investing in communities, supporting employees and building for the future so we can advance financial health for generations to come."

Returning value to members

As a not-for-profit credit union, BECU returns its profits to members, not shareholders. In 2025, the credit union returned $425.7 million to its members, for an average of $276 per member through competitive rates, few fees, savings and financial support. This includes BECU's Reprice Program, which automatically helped nearly 47,000 members save $2.2 million on loans as their credit improved. BECU also provided more than $2 million in grants to support nearly 270 mortgages for first-time homebuyers.

Beyond direct savings, BECU continued investing in products, services, and education that help members navigate important financial decisions. In 2025, more than 25,000 members participated in BECU's financial health programs, including free Financial Health Checks, seminars and webinars on topics such as budgeting, homebuying and estate planning, and debt and credit counseling. To further scale its financial health resources, BECU acquired generative AI capabilities in 2025 to build a financial health advisor tool that will deliver personalized guidance to members.

Investing in community financial health

BECU's commitment to financial health extends to the communities where its members live, work and play. In 2025, the credit union granted $8.1 million to hundreds of nonprofits working across housing stability, education access, workforce development and entrepreneurship. Rooted in BECU's commitment to equity, the credit union's approach to community investment balances long-term partnerships with the flexibility to respond to emerging needs.

In 2025, BECU mobilized its resources, employees and partners to address food insecurity across Washington. The credit union provided $200,000 in direct funding to local food banks and a double match for employee donations to hunger relief organizations. Further, BECU's Neighborhood Financial Centers collected 5,000 pounds of food, while partnerships with fellow cooperatives added this impact.

Supporting the people behind our purpose

In 2025, BECU's workforce grew to more than 3,300 employees who bring the credit union's purpose to life each day through their work and community involvement. Through programs, support and the credit union's commitment to belonging, BECU helps employees bring their best to the members and communities they serve.

Through the BECU Cares program, the credit union amplifies employee impact by supporting time off to volunteer and matching financial contributions employees make to the causes they care about. In 2025, more than 1,500 employees gave over $570,000 in charitable contributions, logged more than 26,000 volunteer hours, and helped deliver $1.7 million to more than 1,400 community causes.

Growing into the future

BECU is working to expand access to its credit union model by growing its physical footprint and bringing its services to new regions. In 2025, the credit union opened five new Neighborhood Financial Centers across Washington state, making it easier for members to access in-person support close to home and work.

Additionally, BECU announced plans to combine with SAFE Credit Union in the Sacramento, California region, bringing together two member-owned cooperatives to reach more people with the products, guidance and community investments that advance financial well-being.

More information about BECU's commitments and impact is available in its 2025 Annual Report.

About BECU

With more than 1.5 million members and $29.4 billion in assets, BECU is the largest not-for-profit credit union in Washington and one of the top five financial cooperatives in the country. As a member-owned credit union, BECU is focused on helping increase the financial well-being of its members and communities through great rates, few fees, community partnerships and financial education. The credit union currently operates more than 65 financial centers, including two in South Carolina. For more information, visit www.becu.org.

Contact:

Caitlin Goettler, BECU

907-957-0490

[email protected]

SOURCE BECU
Cement dispatches in Vietnam increased by five per cent YoY to 7.45Mt in March 2026, according to the Vietnam National Cement Association (VNCA). Of this total, VICEM delivered 2.07Mt, down three per cent YoY, while other VNCA members saw a two per cent YoY increase to 1.34Mt. Non-members reported a 10 per cent YoY increase to 4.04Mt.

Export volumes increased 13 per cent to 3.50Mt, with clinker exports up 11 per cent YoY to 1.37Mt, while cement exports increased 19 per cent YoY to 2.13Mt. VICEM members reported a strong increase in clinker exports to 102,053t but a 30 per cent YoY decline in cement exports to 141,214t. Other VNCA members reported no clinker exports in March and cement exports of 327,484t, up 42 per cent YoY. Clinker exports by non-members increased nine per cent YoY to 1.27Mt, while cement exports increased 22 per cent YoY to 1.66Mt.

January-March 2026

In January-March 2026, cement dispatches in Vietnam rose 22 per cent YoY to 18.29Mt. VICEM saw a 19.5 per cent YoY rise in domestic sales to 5.06Mt, while other VNCA members reported a 17.5 per cent YoY increase to 3.19Mt. Domestic dispatches by non-members rose 25 per cent YoY to 10.04Mt.

Total exports increased by 21 per cent YoY to 10.09Mt in 1Q26, with clinker exports up 18 per cent YoY to 4.22Mt and cement exports up 23 per cent YoY to 5.87Mt. During the quarter, VICEMs clinker exports amounted to 285,496t and cement exports to 325,715t. Other VNCA member reported clinker exports of 66,000t and cement exports of 891,201t. Non-members recorded 3.87Mt of clinker exports and 4.65Mt of cement exports.

Advertisement

The USA (~1.5Mt), Singapore (~0.8Mt) and the Philippines (~0.8Mt) were the key cement export destinations in 1Q26. Cote dIvoire (~1.9Mt) and Bangladesh (~0.85Mt) were the main clinker destinations.

Total cement production amounted to 28.32Mt in the first three months of 2026, a 22 per cent YoY increase from the same period of 2025.
State's CalHEERS platform uses AI to reduce manual tasks by 40%, accelerating real-time eligibility verification for millions of Californians

SACRAMENTO, Calif. and LAS VEGAS, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Cloud Next '26 -- Covered California today announced an expanded partnership with Google Public Sector and Deloitte to transform CalHEERS, the integrated health insurance eligibility and enrollment platform serving millions of Californians, ushering in a new era of AI-driven efficiency. By scaling Google Cloud's Document AI (DocAI) solution across its healthcare insurance eligibility workflows, Covered California has set a national standard for public health innovation, automating complex document verification for millions of residents at an unprecedented scale. The system ensures that all Californiansincluding those with limited or no credit historyreceive faster, more equitable access to high-quality healthcare.

Leveraging advanced AI technologies from Google Cloud and human expertise, Covered California's CalHEERS program has achieved:

40% reduction in manual tasks: By automating high-volume document processing, staff can now prioritize guiding consumers through complex healthcare choices.

By automating high-volume document processing, staff can now prioritize guiding consumers through complex healthcare choices. Rapid innovation at scale: Automated verification now covers 25 new and different document types, accelerating eligibility determinations and reducing the system's exposure to identity and document fraud .

Improving the Consumer Healthcare Journey

Covered California's CalHEERS eligibility process requires millions of residents to share documentationincluding income and residency statusto secure essential coverage. Previously, verification could take between 72 hours and three weeks for final confirmation, often resulting in follow-up calls to consumers weeks after they believed they were enrolled. To eliminate these barriers and address evolving compliance needs, Covered California implemented a customized, AI-driven system with Google Public Sector and Deloitte. This provides applicants with real-time, on-screen feedback in just a few seconds, allowing for instant corrections, fewer back-and-forth cycles, and a faster path to care.

"Covered California seeks industry partners to design solutions to support our mission to provide access to affordable, high-quality healthcare as a basic human right," said Kevin Cornish, Chief Information Officer, Covered California. "By leveraging Google Cloud's Document AI, we have transformed the eligibility journey into a real-time, consumer-friendly experience. This advancement enables our staff to focus their expertise on high-value engagement and problem-solving with applicants, ensuring they receive the support they need."

Operational Excellence

This partnership demonstrates how AI can help highly regulated health systems reduce friction and increase efficiency. Using a "human-in-the-loop" methodology, DocAI automates the vast majority of document verifications while routing complex or ambiguous cases to service center representatives. This allows Covered California to consistently keep up with new state legislation and federal requirements while maintaining high validation standards.

"True innovation in the public sector is measured by the lives it improves through modernization," said Matthew Schneider, U.S. Education, State and Local Government, Google Public Sector. "Leveraging Google Cloud's AI technologies and Deloitte's industry expertise, Covered California has built a system that accelerates access to healthcare while protecting every applicant's data with the highest level of integrity. Covered California has set the national benchmark for providing a seamless, mission-driven experience that can create a healthier, more equitable future for communities."

A Cornerstone for Fraud, Waste, and Abuse Prevention

The integration of DocAI serves as a critical cornerstone for identifying and eliminating fraud, waste, and abuse. The system is trained to identify subtle fraudulent markers, such as missing signatures on a digital image or mismatched dates, that might escape manual review. To ensure fairness, the system does not automatically reject those applying. Instead, it flags them for human specialist review. Built on a FedRAMP-certified cloud foundation from Google Cloud, the platform ensures that innovation never compromises integrity, maintaining full compliance with strict data residency requirements.

"Modernizing CalHEERS meant tackling the core operational challenges, not just layering in new technology," said Kunal Shah, Deloitte's Government and Public Services AI and Engineering leader. "By embedding Google Cloud's DocAI, we helped shift the paradigm from a more lengthy, manual review to a faster and trusted next-generation AI-powered model. This improves the accuracy of data and helps meet key policy objectives by using technology to strengthen the government's ability to manage fraud, waste and abuse. When you put people at the center of your strategy, AI can be responsibly used to help address government challenges and unlock a new level of service and efficiency."

About Google Cloud

Google Cloud offers a powerful, optimized AI stack  including AI infrastructure, leading models like Gemini, data management capabilities, multicloud security solutions, developer tools and platform, as well as agents and applications  that enables organizations to transform their business for the Agentic Era. Customers in more than 200 countries and territories turn to Google Cloud as their trusted technology partner.

About Deloitte

As used in this document, "Deloitte" means Deloitte Consulting LLP, a subsidiary of Deloitte LLP. Please see www.deloitte.com/us/about for a detailed description of our legal structure. Certain services may not be available to attest clients under the rules and regulations of public accounting.

About Covered California

Covered California is the state's health insurance marketplace, where Californians can find affordable, high-quality insurance from top insurance companies. Covered California is the only place where individuals who qualify can get financial assistance on a sliding scale to reduce premium costs. Consumers can then compare health insurance plans and choose the plan that works best for their health needs and budget. Depending on their income, some consumers may qualify for the low-cost or no-cost Medi-Cal program.

Covered California is an independent part of the state government whose job is to make the health insurance marketplace work for California's consumers. It is overseen by a five-member board appointed by the governor and the Legislature. For more information about Covered California, please visit www.CoveredCA.com .

SOURCE Google Cloud
Four-Day Silicon Valley Showcase Spanning Smart Mobility, Home, and Personal Devices with Multiple Global-First Innovative Products Debuting and Global Thought Leaders to Shape the Blueprint for an Intelligent Future

SAN FRANCISCO, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- DREAME NEXT, the most ambitious international event to date by Dreame Technology, a global high-end technology company, will take place from April 27 to 30, 2026, in San Francisco. This four-day event marks the company's first multi-day international showcase, built around its core technology and spanning the fields of smart mobility, smart home appliances, personal devices, and premium personal care.

DREAME NEXT

DREAME NEXT is organized around five themed segments: Drive Next for smart mobility, Living Next for smart home appliances, Connect Next for personal devices, Self Next for premium personal care, and Humanity Next for the future of human technology. During the event, each segment will feature global product debuts and ecosystem announcements, as well as forums examining how AI is reshaping productivity, industry, and daily life.

"DREAME NEXT is not only a product launch. It marks the opening chapter of Dreame's next decade of innovation," said Chang Xinwei, Global President of Dreame Technology. "Built on our work in high-speed digital motors, intelligent algorithms, and bionic robotic arms, DREAME NEXT is about showing the world what intelligent living looks like when core technology and user experience come together."

Event highlights span all five segments of DREAME NEXT:

Drive Next will feature the global debut of Dreame's Nebula NEXT 01 JET Edition, a rocket-powered vehicle, built with a 2160-line LiDAR system and advanced autonomous driving technology. Sebastian Thrun, widely regarded as the father of modern autonomous vehicles, will attend the launch.

will feature the global debut of Dreame's Nebula NEXT 01 JET Edition, a rocket-powered vehicle, built with a 2160-line LiDAR system and advanced autonomous driving technology. Sebastian Thrun, widely regarded as the father of modern autonomous vehicles, will attend the launch. Living Next will present more than 20 smart home products and dozens of industry-first technologies, including air conditioners, washing machines, and kitchen appliances built on Dreame's technology.

will present more than 20 smart home products and dozens of industry-first technologies, including air conditioners, washing machines, and kitchen appliances built on Dreame's technology. Connect Next will introduce modular AI smartphones, with a high-profile mystery figure joining as a keynote guest.

will introduce modular AI smartphones, with a high-profile mystery figure joining as a keynote guest. Self Next will debut a new lineup of high-end personal care products.

will debut a new lineup of high-end personal care products. Humanity Next will convene a scientists' forum exploring the next decade of human technology, examining the intersection of technological innovation, industrial transformation, and the future of civilization. The Yu Hao Foundation will also unveil three new initiatives during the session.

DREAME NEXT will also host a series of forums with leading figures in global technology, exploring where technology is headed over the next ten years.

Dreame Technology has made R&D central to its operations, with research spending exceeding seven percent of revenue and research personnel making up more than 70 percent of the company. As of the end of 2025, Dreame had filed over 10,000 patents globally across high-speed motors, multimodal AI perception, and bionic robotics. This investment has translated into strong global performance; Dreame's robot vacuums rank first in 30 markets, and the company's North American revenue grew 189 percent year-on-year in 2025, with offline retail accounting for more than 20 percent of sales. Today, Dreame's products serve more than 42 million households across 120 countries and regions, supported by a network of over 6,500 offline stores.

At the core of the company's strategy is a simple principle: every product is a different expression of the same underlying engineering. The same core capabilities, from high-speed digital motors to real-time perception AI, are continuously refined and applied across product categories. The engineering that pushes a high-speed digital motor to 200,000 RPM also enables breakthroughs in automotive powertrains and precision motion systems.

The next-generation tech launch saga is counting down in 5 days, where tech dreamers and lovers are welcomed to join the event in San Francisco from April 27 to 30.

Please stay tuned for the latest updates from the event by its official website or the social accounts on X: @DreameGlobal, Facebook: Dreame Tech, and Instagram: @dreame_tech.

About Dreame Technology

Founded in 2017, Dreame Technology is a global high-end technology brand built on a foundation of high-speed digital motors, intelligent algorithms, and bionic robotic arms. The company's product portfolio spans smartphones, smart vehicles, smart home appliances, intelligent cleaning appliances, outdoor smart devices, and personal care, designed to simplify daily life and give users more time for what matters. Dreame operates in more than 120 countries and regions with over 6,500 offline stores and serves more than 42 million households globally. As of December 31, 2025, the company has filed more than 10,000 patents worldwide and holds over 3,000 granted patents.

SOURCE Dreame Technology
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."
Three individuals have been recognized for their dedication and hard work at Cleveland State Community College. Joshua Keith was selected as the 2026 Distinguished Graduate. Natalia Williams was selected as the Distinguished Staff Member, and Dr. Bonnie Freeland was selected as the Distinguished Faculty Member.

Each year, nominations are submitted for the Distinguished Awards. These prestigious awards

recognize the outstanding service from a faculty member, a staff member, and an upcoming graduate who help to make Cleveland State a great place. The award recipients were recently

recognized at a reception on the Cleveland campus.

Joshua Keith earned his high school equivalency diploma through the Adult Education program

in 2023 and enrolled at Cleveland State the following month. A Tennessee Reconnect student,

Keith has excelled in college. He is a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and serves as a

student worker on campus.

Keith has been an active member of the AV Club and the First-Generation Students Club. In

2024, he founded the Outspoken Poetry and Creative Club, a student organization he envisioned

as a supportive space for creativity, expression, and community.

With the goal of joining the music industry, Joshua plans to transfer to Middle Tennessee State

University in the fall to major in Music Business.

Natalia Williams began her career at Cleveland State in 2000. She has held several positions at

the college including Counselor/Coordinator of Minority and Diversity Student Programs,

Coordinator of Adult Services, Assistant Director of Adult/Multicultural Services and her current

position of Director of Student Engagement and Support. In each position, she has focused on

serving students, particularly those who face additional barriers to success.

Recognizing that food insecurity and space was a real challenge for many students, Williams

established the student lounge and expanded the Cougar Den Food Pantry on campus to ensure

students have a place to gather and have access to reliable food resources.

Williams earned a Bachelor of Science in Education and Psychology from Middle Tennessee

State University and a Master of Education in School Counseling from the University of

Tennessee, Chattanooga.

Dr. Bonnie Freeland has been a nurse for 47 years this May and has been teaching at Cleveland

State since 2018. She earned an associate degree and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from



Southern Adventist University. She worked as a pediatric ICU nurse for ten years before

becoming an instructor at a hospital LPN school.

Freeland returned to her alma mater, Southern Adventist, and taught for 19 years while earning

her masters in nursing and Nurse Practitioner degrees from the University of Tennessee,

Chattanooga. She also has a doctorate in nursing practice from the University of Tennessee

Health Science Center.

While at Cleveland State, Freeland helped develop new nursing courses such as the LPN

Transition Course, Womens Health and the Childbearing Family, and Pediatrics Nursing.

Cleveland State Interim President, Dr. Ray Brooks, said, I congratulate these outstanding

individuals for their service to the college. Their dedication is an inspiration to our entire campus

community.
Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC) on April 16 named Patty Hart as vice president of Economic Development.

Hart has more than 25 years of experience at GNTC, serving as director of Economic Development since 2009. She served as GNTCs Economic Development programs instructor and Work Ready coordinator from 2000-09.

Patty has consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to GNTCs mission and the importance of aligning education and training with workforce needs across our region, said Dr. Heidi Popham, GNTC president. As vice president of Economic Development, Patty will help lead our efforts to expand opportunities, support employers and drive growth across northwest Georgia.

As vice president of Economic Development at GNTC, Hart will be responsible for the implementation of all initiatives sponsored by the Technical College System of Georgia to enhance the economy of northwest Georgia. This includes providing support to the regions community economic development enterprises and the development of locally-initiated economic development programs, including customized employee training, and locally-initiated continuing education programs throughout the colleges nine-county service area.

She will be actively involved in the recruitment of new industries and the expansion of existing businesses within GNTCs service area and will serve as a local point of contact for Georgia Quick Start. Additionally, she will develop and maintain partnerships with area chambers of commerce, business leaders, local governments and community development leaders.

Pattys experience in her previous role as director of Economic Development has equipped her with the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in this position, said Dr. Elizabeth Anderson, GNTC executive vice president and chief academic officer. In her new role, she will continue to strengthen partnerships and lead initiatives that support student success and workforce development.

Hart earned a bachelor's degree in Management at the University of West Georgia. She also completed graduate-level Computer Science courses at the City University, Bellevue, Washington.

I am truly honored to step into this role and remain deeply committed to strengthening our partnerships with local industry and supporting workforce growth across our region, Hart explained. I am excited to build on our strong foundation by expanding customized training, enhancing continuing education opportunities and developing innovative programs that meet the evolving needs of our employers. I look forward to continuing to serve our communities and helping drive economic success throughout northwest Georgia.

Hart is an ACT-Authorized WorkKeys Job Profiler and Certified Manufacturing Specialist (CMS) Trainer. She is also certified as a Microsoft Office Specialist and authorized as an OSHA Outreach Trainer.

She is certified by the State of Georgia as a Manufacturing Specialist and Customer Service Trainer.

She served 12 years on the Walker County Board of Education.

A member of the Georgia Continuing Education Association, she serves as that agencys vice president of Marketing. She is also Workforce Readiness director for the Northwest Georgia Society for Human Resource Management.

She was named as Georgias Work Ready Administrator of the Year in 2009.

She is a graduate of the Georgia Academy for Economic Development, as well as Leadership Catoosa, Leadership Dalton-Whitfield, Leadership Murray and Leadership Walker County programs.
The Hamilton County Coalition, the Drug Enforcement Administration & Community ParTn.ers will host National Prescription Drug Take Back Day this Saturday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at locations across Southeast Tennessee. Attendees will be able to dispose of unused, unwanted and expired medications, vape pens and e-cigarette devices."For more than a decade, this event has helped Americans easily rid their homes of unwanted medications to ensure that meds arent improperly disposed in our precious waterways or diverted for illicit use," officials said.We are so grateful that we are able to provide this service to our community, said Hamilton County Coalition Executive Director Camilla Bibbs.Keeping unneeded medication in the home is a safety risk that can be avoided by bringing them to a drop-off site on Drug Take Back Day.Drug Take Back Day offers free and anonymous disposal of medications at more than 4,000 local drop off locations nationwide. The Hamilton County Coalition is parTn.ering with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to host a total of 17 drop-off sites in Hamilton County and surrounding counties.Locations include:- Walgreens - 3605 Brainerd Road, Chattanooga, Tn. 37411;- Walgreens - 2289 Gunbarrel Road, Chattanooga, Tn. 37421;- Walgreens, East Ridge - 5301 Ringgold Road, Chattanooga, Tn. 37412;- Walgreens, Ooltewah - 9307 Lee Hwy., Ooltewah, Tn. 37363;- Walgreens, Hixson - 5478 Tn.-153, Hixson, Tn. 37343;- Elks Lodge #91 - 1067 Graysville Road, Chattanooga, Tn. 37421;- Food City, Harrison - 8634 Highway 58, Harrison, Tn. 37341;- Food City, Red Bank - 3901 Dayton Blvd., Chattanooga, Tn. 37415;- Avondale Community Center - 1305 Dodson Ave., Chattanooga, Tn. 37406;- Mt. Canaan - 4801 Tn.-58, Chattanooga, Tn. 37416;- Dayton Walmart - 3034 Rhea County Hwy.;- Spring City Police Dept. - 229 Front St., Spring City, Tn. 37381;- Piggly Wiggly - 17619 Tn.-58, Decatur, Tn. 37322;- Standefer Pharmacy - 3051 Main St., Pikeville, Tn. 37367;- Sequoyah Health Center - 9527 W. Ridge Trail Road, Soddy Daisy, Tn. 37379;- Bradley Prevention Coalition - 2290 Blythe Ave. SE, Cleveland, Tn. 37311; and- Mike's Pharmacy - 740 Main St., Tracy City.To learn more and find a collection site near you, visit here
The Red Bank City Commission has appointed attorney Bryan Hoss to serve a city judge until a special election to fill the post.

Attorney Hoss has been sitting on an interim basis following the declaration of a judicial vacancy due to the medical disability of Judge Johnny Houston.

On Aug. 6, voters will elect a judge to fill the position for the remainder of Judge Houston's term.

Attorney Hoss said on Wednesday that he has picked up papers to run in the Aug. 6 election and intends to do so.

Red Bank City Attorney Arnold Stulce noted that state law requires the appointee to be a resident of Red Bank. City officials said, "Attorney Hoss is a longtime resident of the city and is widely respected for his work in criminal, municipal, county, and state courts."

Attorney Stulce said that attorney Hosss willingness to serve "reflects a strong commitment to public service and the Red Bank community."

A graduate of The McCallie School, attorney Hoss earned his law degree from the University of Memphis.



He brings more than 20 years of legal experience, including work in criminal defense, civil litigation, and appellate advocacy. He has handled numerous cases in state, federal, and appellate courts and is known for his professionalism, dedication to clients, and commitment to justice, it was stated.

Attorney Hoss said, "I want to thank the Red Bank Commission for appointing me as the Red Bank city judge until the Aug. 6 election.

"I have been a lawyer in Chattanooga for 25 years. I practice extensively in the criminal courts in and around Hamilton County which includes the Red Bank City Court. I take it as a tremendous honor to receive all five votes from the Red Bank Commission. Their trust means a lot to me. And to be asked to step in the shoes of former Red Bank Judge Johnny Houston, a personal friend and colleague during those 25 years, is truly an honor.

"Red Bank City Court is a vital part of the legal justice system in Hamilton County. Our municipal court handles thousands of defendants every year from traffic offenses to preliminary hearings for serious felony charges. Being a part of the Red Bank Court, in the community where I live, is important to me. I have the knowledge, support and integrity to serve the City of Red Bank. I have picked up my papers for the upcoming August 6 election and I intend to run for the judgeship. I am committed to being a fair and impartial Judge for the City of Red Bank and its citizens."
I recently petitioned the Stormwater Regulations Board of Chattanooga for a reduction in the $2,019 stormwater fee assessed against our neighborhoods recreational HOA. The runoff from 40 homes in the community flows down to the HOA retention pond. Less than 10 percent of the ponds water ever enters the citys stormwater infrastructure. The board listened politely as I read from Tennessee Code Annotated 68-221-1107, which establishes the citys right to charge the stormwater fee, but which also requires the fees to be reasonable in amount and based on actual or estimated use of the storm water ...facilities. The fee is also to be adjusted for users who construct facilities to retain and control the quantity of storm water runoff. As soon as I finished my presentation, the board told me that if any of the stormwater from our pond went into the city system, there would be no reductions or adjustments. I reread the applicable provisions of the Code section to them and asked how the board could come to that conclusion, but got no good answer.Now we hear in the news that the City Council approved the purchase of 67 chairs valued at $71,000 for the Development Resource Center (DRC). The money for these $1,000 chairs is to come from our stormwater fund, which has about $2.6 million in it. These chairs will be used by the various city officials and staff in the DRC, which includes Public Works, Code Enforcement and others, in addition to the Stormwater Department staff. However, the same Code section cited earlier specifically requires collected stormwater fees to be used exclusively by the municipality for purposes set forth in the Code section; i.e., for the stormwater department only. Why are our stormwater fees being used to fund office furniture in other branches of city government? Are these segregated funds being used to fund other general city expenses? Where are the city attorney and the city auditors? Did they approve this expenditure?Can the City of Chattanooga just ignore the rules that the State Legislature sets up to limit local overreach? Is this what city government is supposed to be? Chattanooga, do better.Glen Vey
Southeast Conservation Corps continues its partnership with the Town of Walden to advance conservation efforts and expand trail access for the Signal Mountain community.In summer 2024, one of SECCs adult crews completed trail and retaining wall repairs at Mabbit Springs, a scenic path that winds alongside Little Falling Water Creek. The project improved trail durability and helped preserve the natural character of the area for visitors.This season, SECCs winter trails crew is working with the support of the Town of Walden and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation to continue that work at Falling Water Falls.SECC members are constructing a half-mile of new trail tread and rehabilitating social trails. These improvements will help protect surrounding natural resources while enhancing the visitor experience.Were proud to partner with the Town of Walden on meaningful conservation work that strengthens trails and deepens connections across the Signal Mountain community - my hometown and a place Im honored to call home, said Darcy Welch, executive director of Southeast Conservation Corps.We couldnt be more pleased with our partnership with SECC and their dedicated work to improve the trails and natural areas around Walden. With the cooperation, guidance and engagement of Tennessee Department of Enviornment and Conservation, alongside SECCs trail crews, Walden has gained meaningful improvements to our trail systems that will provide sustainable access for years to come. said Lance Pope, chairman of Waldens Volunteer Parks Committee.Looking ahead to summer 2026, the Town of Walden and SECC are launching a new initiative: a Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) Day Crew that will build a brand-new trail network connecting Waldens community Pumpkin Patch Playground and McCoy Farms. The project will strengthen access between community spaces while giving local youth the opportunity to contribute to a lasting piece of their hometown.SECC is currently recruiting youth ages 1518 to join the YCC crew. Participants will gain hands-on experience in conservation, forestry and natural resource careers while building leadership skills and completing a project that benefits their community."SECC and the Town of Walden share a commitment to investing in both public lands and the next generation of conservation leaders," officials said. "Through projects like these, young people gain valuable experience while helping steward the landscapes that make their communities special."Southeast Conservation Corps is grateful to the Town of Walden for its continued partnership and dedication to strengthening both local trails and opportunities for youth."
The observation of a Georgia Department of Family and Childrens Services case manager led to the arrest of a Rossville couple on several animal related charges.

Andrew James Groncki, 33, and Megan Gibson, 23, stand accused of cruelty to animals, improper disposal of a dead animal and failure to maintain responsibility for control of rabies. Groncki is also charged with obstructing an animal control officer in the discharge of his official duties.

The charges stem from an investigation at 911 Carline Road in Rossville that began on March 16. Walker County Animal Control officers visited that address to perform a welfare check on a dog after the case manager reported no longer hearing it bark during her visits.

Ms. Gibson told animal control officers the dog had died after refusing to eat, losing weight and exhibiting symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea. She advised Groncki, her fiance, planned to handle disposing of the dogs remains.

When officers visited Groncki at his place of employment, he told them he didnt seek assistance for the dog while it was alive and that someone he met on Facebook was supposed to come remove the dogs remains.

Officers then returned to Carline Road to inquire with Ms. Gibson about the location of the dogs remains. While on the back porch, Officer Terry Helton noticed some paws and legs sticking out from underneath a white comforter-type sheet in the backyard.

The remains were transported to a local veterinarian for a necropsy, which revealed the dog had been dead for three to five days and a cloth-like material was balled up with some bones in its stomach, preventing it from digesting properly. The veterinarian advised this would have caused a slow death from starvation.

Tyler Bishop, animal control director, says based on his conversations with Groncki and Ms. Gibson, both were well aware of the dogs declining health, and they made a conscious decision to not seek veterinary care.

If convicted on all charges, Groncki could face up to three years in prison along with substantial fines. Ms. Gibson could receive up to two years behind bars and owe thousands in fines.
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Key Highlights:

Ellucian recognized four institutions for innovative use of the company's technology solutions to improve student outcomes and operational efficiency.

Award winners demonstrated measurable impact through SaaS transformation, data-driven decision-making, and student-first digital experiences.

Each winning institution will receive $25,000 USD to support continued innovation and student success initiatives.

RESTON, Va., April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Ellucian, the leading higher education technology solutions provider, announced the winners of its eighth annual Impact Award at Ellucian Live, the industry's premier technology conference. The annual Ellucian Impact Award Program celebrates visionary higher education institutions that are inspiring others to push the boundaries of technology and innovation. These institutions demonstrate the impactful use of Ellucian's AI-powered platform and solutions to transform the student experience and institutional performance.

Recognizing Innovation that Transforms Higher Education

"Higher education is being redefined in real time, and this year's Impact Award winners exemplify what it means to lead through change," said Laura Ipsen, President and CEO, Ellucian. "These institutions are harnessing the full power of Ellucian's AI-driven, SaaS-native solutions to break down barriers, unlock insights, and create more connected, student-centered experiences. Their work demonstrates how innovation, when grounded in purpose, can drive meaningful outcomes for students, faculty, staff, and communities worldwide."

2026 Ellucian Impact Award-winning institutions will each receive a $25,000 USD award recognizing achievements across four categories, including Students First, Unlocking the Power of Data, Shaping the Future through SaaS, and Institutional Agility.

The 2026 Ellucian Impact Award Winners are:

Shaping the Future through SaaS

St. John's University  Queens, N.Y.

St. John's University earned recognition for its bold, institution-wide SaaS transformation through Project Genesis, modernizing core systems across student, finance, and HR on Ellucian's SaaS-native platform. The university retired nearly 800 customizations, reduced support requests by 20%, and enabled faculty and staff to save 3040% of their time through streamlined processes. Critical services are now significantly faster, with financial aid processing reduced from multiple days to one day and grade changes completed in about an hour instead of a full day. With 99.99% uptime and a more agile operating model, St. John's is accelerating innovation while strengthening the experience for students, faculty, and staff.

Students First

Florida Polytechnic University  Lakeland, Fla.

Florida Polytechnic University was recognized for transforming the student experience with Ellucian solutions delivering a unified, student-first digital campus. The central workspace, MyFloridaPoly, is a single hub consolidating academic, administrative, and campus life resources. Streamlining access to essential tools and services reduced login barriers by 85%, increased mobile usage by 70%, and helped students save up to two hours per week. At the same time, the university retired more than 100 customizations and reduced infrastructure and licensing costs by 40%, creating a modern, scalable environment built around student success and continuous innovation.

Unlocking the Power of Data

Rend Lake College  Ina, Ill.

Rend Lake College earned recognition for using Ellucian Student powered by Colleague to transform a manual, paper-based state reporting process  collecting required student career and demographic data  into a fully automated, data-driven workflow. The institution expanded its data collection reach by 45%, increasing from 1,290 to more than 1,870 students, while boosting response rates by over 13%. Automation eliminated approximately two weeks of manual data entry, improving accuracy and freeing staff to focus on higher-value, student-centered support. The initiative also delivered measurable financial impact and supported a 5% enrollment growth, demonstrating how targeted data innovation can drive both operational efficiency and institutional outcomes.

Institutional Agility

American University of Beirut  Beirut, Lebanon

The American University of Beirut was recognized for its exceptional institutional agility, leveraging Ellucian solutions to sustain operations and expand global reach amid ongoing national crises. Through the launch of AUB Online and modernization of its digital ecosystem, the university increased its program portfolio to more than 30 offerings and generated $6 million in tuition revenue, with continued growth projected. At the same time, AUB unified access to services through Ellucian's central workspace capability, simplifying the digital environment by 83% and increasing user adoption from 45% to 90%. Operational efficiency improved significantly, with 80% fewer support tickets, 20% faster registration processes, and a 40% reduction in IT costs  positioning the university to deliver resilient, scalable education to learners worldwide.

To learn more about Ellucian solutions, visit: https://www.ellucian.com/

WHAT IS ELLUCIAN

Ellucian powers innovation for higher education, partnering with approximately 3,000 customers across 50 countries, serving more than 21 million students. Ellucian's AI-powered platform, trained on the richest dataset available in higher education, drives efficiency, personalized experiences, and strengthened engagement for all students, faculty and staff. Fueled by decades of experience with a singular focus on the unique needs of learning institutions, the Ellucian platform features best-in-class SaaS capabilities and delivers insights needed now and into the future. These solutions and services span the entire student lifecycle, including data-rich tools for student recruitment, enrolment, and retention to workforce analytics, fundraising, and alumni engagement. Ellucian's innovative solutions, vast ecosystem of partners and user community of more than 45,000 provides best practices leading to greater institutional success and achieving better student outcomes.

Media Contacts

Greg Giangrande, Chief Marketing Officer

[email protected]

Jess Weston, Manager, Communications

[email protected]

SOURCE Ellucian
Sarah Jakes Roberts, co-pastor of The Potters House, delivers a sermon titled God Still Cares on March 15, 2026. | Screenshot: YouTube/ A Potter's House Church

Sarah Jakes Roberts has shared that she is recovering from a serious neck injury after a trampoline accident that nearly left her paralyzed.

In a Sunday Instagram post, the 36-year-old author and speaker recounted how she landed on [her] neck while playing with her daughter, Ella, and immediately heard several pops in her neck.

Reflecting on the incident, she wrote, Last night was scary. I was almost paralyzed, but God didnt see fit to let that be my story, alongside a photo showing her in a hospital bed wearing a neck brace.

Roberts, who serves alongside her husband Toure Roberts at The Potters House, said her daughter alerted her father, who then called 911. After being taken to two hospitals and undergoing several scans, doctors determined the extent of her injuries.

Two hospitals, several scans, and hours later, we learned that I had fractured my neck, herniated discs, and endangered areas of my spine that could have left me paralyzed, she wrote.

Roberts emphasized how narrowly she avoided a more severe outcome, stating, One disc up or one disc lower, and this wouldve been a different testimony, and added that she will need to wear a neck brace for four to six weeks to aid recovery.

She also explained her recovery plan, writing, Rest and recovery will give my body a chance to heal. Ill be laying low while I navigate this injury with wisdom.

The daughter of T.D. Jakes and leader of the Woman Evolve movement said she is leaning on her faith during the healing process, describing how she is soaking in the presence and kindness of God while receiving support from family and friends.

Im soaking in the presence and kindness of God and in the love of friends and family, she wrote. So, if you see me and Im out and about, but moving slowly, just know that Im still  even with a neck brace.

Roberts and her husband were installed as co-senior pastors of The Potters House in July, following an announcement that they would lead the Dallas-based church.
Home News IDF removes 2 soldiers from combat, jails them after Jesus statue vandalized in southern Lebanon

Following an investigation into last Sundays incident in the village of Debel in southern Lebanon  where an IDF soldier smashed a statue of Jesus with a sledgehammer while another photographed the act  the IDF announced on Tuesday that both soldiers have been removed from their units and will serve prison time.

Six additional soldiers who were present and did not intervene will be questioned individually to clarify their roles before any decision is made regarding further disciplinary action.

The IDF statement read, The inquiry determined that the soldiers conduct completely deviated from IDF orders and values. The IDF expresses deep regret over the incident and emphasizes that its operations in Lebanon are directed solely against the Hezbollah terrorist organization and other terrorist groups, and not against Lebanese civilians.

From the time the report was received, the IDF began working with the local community to replace the statue.

Procedures outlining how Israeli troops are expected to treat religious institutions and symbols were reinforced before entering the area, and will be reinforced again for all forces operating there following the incident.

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir condemned the incident, calling it unacceptable conduct and a moral failure, far exceeding any acceptable standard and contradicting IDF values and the expected conduct of its troops.

In a separate statement, the IDF said the damaged statue had been replaced with the local Christian community's cooperation. The Northern Command worked to coordinate the replacement of the statue from the moment it received the report of the incident, the military said, adding that it expresses deep regret over the incident, and is working to ensure that it does not happen again in the future.

Beyond the military's response, the incident has drawn significant criticism from within the Jewish world itself. Around 150 Jewish leaders from across Orthodox, Conservative and Reform movements issued an open letter condemning the act and apologizing to Christians worldwide.

The joint letter, organized by Israel365 Action, was issued in response to the viral image and described the act as a chillul Hashem, or desecration of Gods name. Signatories said it was an affront to Christian communities globally and a betrayal of core Jewish values.

As Jewish leaders, we apologize to the Christian community for this repulsive act and renew our commitment to the sanctity of all holy places and sacred symbols, the letter stated.

The signatories emphasized that the actions of the soldiers do not reflect the values of the vast majority of Israelis and warned that such incidents risk damaging fragile Jewish  Christian relations. They also noted that many Israelis may not fully appreciate the depth of support Israel receives from Christian communities around the world.

Israel365 founder Rabbi Tuly Weisz said he was appalled by the incident, given his close work with pro-Israel Christians, while Executive Director Rabbi Pesach Wolicki warned the episode could have broader strategic consequences for those relationships.

Rabbi Dr. Kenneth Brander, president of Ohr Torah Stone, added that such acts contradict the values of the IDF and the teachings of Judaism, while welcoming the militarys decision to investigate and assist in restoring the damaged statue.

This incident is among the most high-profile of its kind and follows other images shared online during the current conflict  including from operations in southern Lebanon  showing damage to or looting of civilian property.

A Catholic priest from the Franciscan Order near Jerusalem, who spoke with ALL ISRAEL NEWS earlier this week, responded to the IDF's decision to publicly condemn the act and remove the soldiers from combat duty, saying it was appropriate but incomplete.

This is exactly what the IDF and the government needed to do to address this particular incident. But theyve got a lot of work to do to address the wider issues that led up to it," he said.

The priest, who asked to remain anonymous, continued: Like I said before, there needs to be reforms to the educational system so that Jewish Israeli children learn about their Christian neighbors. I think it would also be good for the IDF to highlight the many young men and women from the Arab Christian communities in this country who volunteer to serve. There are also quite a few Arab Christians who work as doctors and nurses, taking care of the sick, and even treating wounded IDF soldiers in hospitals.

Our communities contribute a lot to this country, but most Israeli Jews dont know much about that. The media could do a better job of telling those kinds of stories. I am sure the Franciscan Brotherhood that I belong to would be more than happy to cooperate with the government if it wanted to do some educational activities to help Israeli Jews get to know their Arab Christian neighbors better. Evangelical Protestant groups have already started to do some of those kinds of things, and theres no reason Catholic and Orthodox groups couldnt do the same, he continued.

This article was originally published by All Israel News.
Home News Lesbian Bishop Yvette Flunder draws backlash for saying Bible needs a third testament Critics call comments 'heresy' and 'spiritually murderous'

Yvette Flunder, the lesbian leader of the City of Refuge United Church of Christ in Oakland, California, who is also the presiding prelate of The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries, has drawn criticism for questioning parts of the Bible she finds problematic and suggesting that they be removed.

The frustrated 70-year-old, who is married to her same-sex partner Shirley Miller, also suggested that the Bible needs a third Testament.

This is a very dangerous thing that Im about to say now, ... a bit dangerous. Im of the opinion that we need a third testament because the Bible has become problematic, Flunder stated in a clip shared by the discernment blog Protestia on Monday.

The clip appears to have come from the 2026 Samuel Dewitt Procter Conference, where Flunder spoke on the topic, The SACRED FIRE: Igniting, Resilience, and Resistance in February.

Slaves obey your masters as you do the Lord. Its a text," she said, quoting Paul's words from Ephesians 6:5. "Let the women keep silent in the churches and if they have any questions let them ask their husbands at home," she added, quoting the words of 1 Corinthians 14:34-35.

"Now Im a believer. My whole heart, I trust God with my whole heart. I wake up in the morning talking to God and God talking to me, she continued.

But I am completely frustrated with the ways in which the text speaks to the kind of vitriolic God that makes those kinds of things. And people will say, Well, its in the book. And I said, then we need to pull that page out, Flunder declared.

And they said, Well, you cant do it. Its the Word of God. I said, No, its words about God. Come on now. But is it the Word of God? she asked before responding, No. It is not the Word of God.

The video clip racked up nearly 500,000 views on X as of Tuesday afternoon and drew attention from online influencers, such as Christian conservative speaker April Chapman, who hosts the "Unshakable with April Chapman" podcast.

You dont need a Third Testament. You need first-rate repentance, wrote Chapman, in a statement on X.

In a video included with the post, Chapman contends that Flunder is "suffering from rebellion."

"You don't get to stand in a pulpit, insult the word of the living God and say, 'You know, I'm about to say something that's a little dangerous,' and then pretend that you are speaking for Christ," Chapman added. "You just knew what you were about to say was heresy. You are not being bold, you are just rebellious."

"On the surface, it sounds real compassionate," she continued. "If you are a person who wants to edit and revise and create in your own image, then ... what Yvette Flunder said is going to sound amazing to you. But if you are a saint, like those of us who belong to Christ, ... we know that the word of God is not some idol waiting on our approval."

Rich Bitterman, a Southern Baptist minister currently serving as the senior pastor of Cedar Ridge Baptist Church in Galena, Missouri, said Flunders words should make every Christian shudder.

Bishop Yvette Flunder did not merely question a passage. She told the church, in plain words, that parts of Gods Word should be torn out. She said the New Testament is not the Word of God and both of the Testaments are problematic, Bitterman wrote in a blog post.

She said they contain bad theology. Then she said, with a kind of smiling violence that should make every Christian shudder, that we need to pull those pages out. You can almost hear it. Thin paper tearing. A hand reaching for the Book that has outlived empires, buried tyrants, steadied martyrs at the stake, and carried dying saints across the final river, he continued. That sound is more than rebellion against ink and paper. It is rebellion against the God who speaks.

Bitterman cites 1 Timothy 4:1, which reads: Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.

Flunders statements are not simply offensive. They are spiritually murderous. If the Bible can be cut apart, then the sinner loses the only trustworthy witness to Christ, Bitterman wrote. The guilty man loses the words that tell him why his conscience will not let him sleep and the grieving widow loses the promises that have held generations together at fresh graves.
Home News Lutheran minister, congressional candidate performed satanist wedding, defended Wiccan prayer

An Iowa state senator and Lutheran minister running for Congress is drawing renewed attention over a resurfaced speech recounting how she helped officiate the wedding of a satanist couple 20 years ago.

Sarah Trone Garriott, a Democrat who has served in the Iowa Senate since 2020, told an audience at a 2023 event with the Des Moines Storytellers Project that her first wedding as an intern pastor in West Virginia was in 2006 and involved a man with a pentagram tattooed on his face, Fox News reported Monday.

RNC Research, an X account managed by the Republican National Committee, posted a clip earlier this week of Trone Garriotts remarks.

WATCH: Iowa Democrat congressional candidate Sarah Trone Garriott  a Christian minister  gushes about officiating a Satanist wedding: https://t.co/YSmudHCdfMpic.twitter.com/V5E9bXpS1M  RNC Research (@RNCResearch) April 20, 2026

[The senior pastor] asked me to pick the Scriptures, Trone Garriott was quoted as saying. Irritated, I flipped through the Bible. Should I pick something with Satan in it to make them feel more at home?

Trone Garriott, who received her Master of Divinity from the ELCAs Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, said she ultimately chose the Apostle Pauls well-known passage on love from 1 Corinthians 13.

If you have ever been to a Christian wedding, youve probably heard this Scripture. All they would get from me was [a] basic Lutheran wedding, she said.

When the Apostle Paul wrote these words, he certainly never had in mind a small town in West Virginia, two satanists and a Lutheran pastor in training, she continued. But Paul knew people, and people havent changed that much over the centuries. It is hard to love one another. We often need to be reminded how.

Trone Garriott said the man with the satanic face tattoo appeared to grow emotional during the ceremony.

Was he getting teary? she asked. They had a lot of baggage between the two of them, but there was no denying how they were looking at each other.

A spokesperson for Trone Garriotts campaign told Fox News that she was in training at the time of the 2006 wedding and was following the direction of her supervising pastor while seeking to model Jesus Christ.

The campaign said Trone Garriott had no control over who walked through the churchs doors  it was her job to minister to everyone, including people she does not share beliefs with.

Like so many Iowa Christians, Sarahs faith calls her to love thy neighbor, and she follows Jesus example of embodying His grace for everyone, the spokesperson added.

Trone Garriott, who is running in a contested congressional district to unseat Rep. Zach Nunn, R-Iowa, has also drawn scrutiny for defending an invocation by a Wiccan priestess at the Iowa State Capitol in 2015.

In an op-ed for The Des Moines Register, Trone Garriott criticized Christians who were outraged by the prayer, writing, Christians specifically should be aware that Jesus engaged with pagans multiple times throughout the New Testament and always from a place of kindness and compassion.

A spokesperson for Trone Garriott doubled down on her 2015 op-ed, telling Fox News that her faith in God calls her to follow Jesus example of loving ones neighbor and spreading His grace to everyone, including those whose belief systems are fundamentally different from her own Christianity.

Scripture teaches Jesus unconditional grace, and thats the belief that grounds Sarahs life and ministry, the spokesperson added.

According to footage shared Wednesday by the X account of the National Republican Congressional Committee, an arm of House Republicans, Trone Garriott declined to answer questions about her views on occultism when approached while she was locked out of a church.

Senator, as a woke pastor, do you believe in ghosts? Do you believe in black magick? she was asked. What other occult rituals do you endorse, senator? Do you have a response to the question, senator?

Do you believe in ghosts?



Black magic?



Iowa Democrat & Woke Pastor Sarah Trone Garriott defended a Wiccan prayer ("witchcraft and rituals") and officiated a Satanic Wedding



But now, she doesn't want to talk about it pic.twitter.com/AJzjOv3ZV5  NRCC (@NRCC) April 22, 2026

Trone Garriott and the woman with her ignored the questions until someone arrived to let her into the church.

The controversy is not the first occult-related issue to emerge from the Iowa Legislature. In 2023, the Iowa State Capitol became a cultural battleground when a satanic display, erected by a local chapter of The Satanic Temple near a Nativity scene, prompted a firestorm of debate among lawmakers regarding the limits of the First Amendment.

Michael Cassidy, a former U.S. Navy officer and Mississippi congressional candidate, was charged after he toppled the demonic statue of Baphomet and threw its silver rams head in the trash. He later pleaded guilty to criminal mischief in exchange for having a felony hate crime charge dropped.
Home News First trans-identified member of Congress claims to be a Presbyterian elder, ordained by Universal Life Church

Rep. Sarah McBride, D-Del., who was born Tim and became the first trans-identifying member of Congress last year, said in a recent interview that he is an elder in the Presbyterian Church (USA) and an ordained minister in the Universal Life Church, which offers ordinations by mail.

At the end of an interview last week with "Amanda's Mild Takes," McBride revealed his ordination after reflecting on the "rarefied air" of the U.S. House of Representatives. He expressed hope that Congress can continue to deliver progress as previous generations did on important issues.

When asked if he had ever considered a second vocation as a preacher, McBride laughed, saying, "I am an ordained elder in the Presbyterian church."

"I'm also ordained in the Universal Life Church, so I can do weddings for both of those reasons. But I also can perform communion," McBride stated.

"That probably makes some right-wingers' heads explode."

Q: Have you thought about a second career as a preacher?



SARAH MCBRIDE: I am an ordained elder in the Presbyterian church. I can do weddings; I also perform communion. That probably makes some right-wingers' heads explode. pic.twitter.com/RAtwDCEYKL  Breitbart News (@BreitbartNews) April 18, 2026

When a clip of McBride's revelation went viral on X after being shared by Breitbart News, he suggested his prediction of the conservative response to his apparent ecclesiastical authority was accurate.

"The fact that they shared this seems to suggest that, perhaps, they may, in fact, potentially be pressed," McBride wrote.

McBride received a glowing profile from the PC(USA) last year, which recounted his claim that he decided to come out to his parents while singing a Christmas carol in the pew of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Wilmington, Delaware. The article noted that McBride's family was active in the church, where his father was a ruling elder, his mother was a deacon, and McBride himself was active in the youth group and church musicals.

The PC(USA), which also produced Democratic Texas state Rep. James Talarico, has been hemorrhaging members and entire congregations in recent years as it moves in an increasingly liberal direction. The denomination affirmed LGBT ordination in 2011 and same-sex marriage in 2015.

Founded in 1962 by Kirby James Hensley, a Baptist minister from the North Carolina mountains who was functionally illiterate and relied on others to read the Bible to him, the Universal Life Church that ordained McBride ordains anyone who requests it regardless of belief system, according to its website.

Before his death in 1999, Hensley also declared sovereignty over the oceans, referring to himself as the "King of Aqualandia" and selling citizenship documents to his aquatic kingdom for $35.

McBride has repeatedly made headlines since being elected to represent nearly 1 million constituents in Delaware's at-large congressional district in 2024.

His trans-identifying status prompted an immediate battle on Capitol Hill over congressional bathrooms, spearheaded by Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C. The issue prompted House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., to issue guidelines restricting single-sex facilities to biological sex.

A spokesperson for McBride confirmed to The Christian Post at the time that McBride intended to use private facilities at the U.S. Capitol.

In February, McBride participated in a panel about women's rights with former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at the Munich Security Conference. Calling the freshman member of Congress a "gender rights champion," Clinton introduced McBride as someone who's "been on the front lines of this fight" and has "shown immense grace in the face of attacks, even from your fellow members of Congress."

McBride, who corrected his own use of "boogeyman" to "boogeyperson" during the panel, claimed the U.S. is "facing a well-funded, regressive right-wing movement, and they really have placed trans people at the center of that effort."
New credit score options reinforce competition and innovation while maintaining a measured, operationally ready approach

WASHINGTON, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Fannie Mae (OTCQB: FNMA) today announced upcoming updates to its Selling Guide to allow for the use of VantageScore 4.0, effective immediately, and the future use of FICO Score 10T credit scores for loans delivered to Fannie Mae, marking another important milestone in the ongoing credit score modernization initiative led by U.S. Federal Housing (FHFA). Additionally, publication of historical credit score data for both models is scheduled for this summer. Fannie Mae also will publish historical credit score data for loans acquired between April 2013 and September 2025 for FICO Score 10T, as well as additional data for VantageScore 4.0 between April 2023 and September 2025.

The updates are intended to help foster competition and innovation, potentially lower lending costs, and provide new insights to support a smooth transition for our industry partners. Newer credit score models also incorporate additional data that can provide a more complete view of borrower creditworthiness, such as ontime rent payment history and trended credit data, with the potential to accurately score more consumers.

"Credit score model modernization is an important step toward a more competitive, innovative, and resilient housing finance system," said Jake Williamson, Executive Vice President and Head of Single-Family. "By incorporating newer models with more predictive power, we can support sustainable access to homeownership and keep safety, soundness, and operational readiness at the center."

Fannie Mae is initially implementing these changes through a limited rollout to approved lenders to help ensure operational readiness before broader availability as the market moves forward with full implementation of modernized credit scoring and credit reporting.

Lenders participating in the limited rollout may now use VantageScore 4.0 from each credit bureau through a trimerge credit report for use in originating and delivering new loans to Fannie Mae. Lenders not participating in the limited rollout must continue to use Classic FICO scores from each bureau through a trimerge credit report until VantageScore 4.0 is made broadly available. Lenders interested in using VantageScore 4.0 may submit their interest online or contact their Fannie Mae representative.

Together, these updates represent another step forward in the multiyear effort to modernize credit scoring, strengthen risk management, and expand the tools available for lenders to responsibly evaluate borrower creditworthiness.

Additional information and resources are available on Fannie Mae's Credit Score Models and Reports Initiative page and FHFA's Credit Scores page.

SOURCE Fannie Mae
Home News Virginia approves new congressional map in favor of Dems; ex-AG vows 'legal fight is just beginning'

Virginia voters approved new congressional districts on Tuesday amid a nationwide redistricting battle, as opponents of the new map are asking the Virginia Supreme Court to strike it down.

In a statewide referendum, Virginians narrowly approved a ballot measure that will implement a new congressional map ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. The unofficial results from the election, as compiled by the Virginia Public Access Project, show the amendment passed with 51.44% of the vote, while 48.56% voted to reject the new map.

The new map will drastically alter the makeup of the states 11 congressional districts in the U.S. House of Representatives, which currently consist of six districts held by Democrats and five held by Republicans. The map approved by voters could result in the states congressional delegation featuring 10 districts represented by Democrats and one represented by a Republican after this years elections.

Data from the Virginia Public Access Project show that under the new map, Virginias 3rd, 4th, 8th, 10th and 11th Congressional Districts would have backed Democrat Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election by double digits. Virginias 1st Congressional District would have backed Harris by 7.4 percentage points, the 5th Congressional District by 8.5 points and the 7th Congressional District by 8 points.

Two districts labeled as swing districts  Virginias 2nd and 6th Congressional Districts  supported Harris by margins of 4.7 percentage points and 3 percentage points, respectively. Virginias 9th Congressional District is the only district on the new map that supported President Donald Trump by double digits.

By contrast, the current map consists of just four districts that backed Harris by double digits: Virginias 3rd, 4th, 8th and 11th Congressional Districts. Virginias 1st and 2nd Congressional Districts voted for Trump by margins of 4.9 percentage points and 0.2 percentage points, respectively, while Virginias 7th and 10th Congressional Districts favored Harris by margins of 2.7 percentage points and 8.5 percentage points, respectively. The remaining districts  Virginias 5th, 6th and 9th  all supported Trump by double digits.

Several other states have enacted new maps ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Texas, Missouri, North Carolina and Ohio have implemented new maps that could see Republicans win up to nine seats currently held by Democrats, while California has enacted a new map that could give Democrats up to five new seats. A court ruling in Utah has also forced the creation of a seat that will almost certainly flip to Democrats.

During this years midterm elections, all 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives will be on the ballot. If new districts withstand legal challenges and remain in effect for the 2026 elections, at least 144 races will take place in districts created by mid-decade redistricting. Additional redistricting is expected to be considered in Florida at a special session next week.

The mid-decade redistricting battle, which began in Texas, comes as the RealClearPolitics average of polls shows Democrats leading the generic ballot  which asks voters which party they want to control Congress  by 5.9 percentage points. It also shows Trumps net disapproval rating at 17.4 percentage points.

These factors, combined with the razor-thin Republican majority in the U.S. House of Representatives, suggest Democrats are favored to take control of the chamber. However, the final outcome of the redistricting battle is expected to have an impact, as seats are decided individually rather than by a national popular vote.

While voters have approved new congressional districts in Virginia, opponents of the new map are hoping that the Virginia Supreme Court will strike it down on procedural grounds. Former Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, a Republican who served as director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services during the first Trump administration and now leads the Election Transparency Initiative, elaborated on the litigation surrounding the new map in a statement published Wednesday.

The yes vote has won Va.s redistricting referendum, but the legal fight is just beginning, he said.

The matter is currently pending before the Virginia Supreme Court. The Election Transparency Initiative alleges that the Democrat-controlled Virginia Legislature violated several procedural rules to put the map on the ballot.

Virginia law requires constitutional amendments to be approved by the state legislature in two consecutive sessions before going before voters. The Election Transparency Initiative states that the amendment was first passed during a 2024 special legislative session convened for budget purposes, noting that Article IV, Section 6, and Article V, Section 5, of the Virginia Constitution require such sessions to be limited to the stated topic, as did the governing resolution.

According to the Election Transparency Initiative, Expanding it to include a constitutional amendment required a two-thirds vote that did not occur.

While Article XIII, Section 1, of the Virginia Constitution requires constitutional amendments to go before the state legislature after a general election, the Election Transparency Initiative insists that the requirement was not met because the first passage took place on Oct. 31, 2025, after early voting for the 2025 general election had already begun.

Article XIII, Section 1, of the Virginia Constitution also requires a constitutional amendment to go before voters no sooner than 90 days after its second passage by the state legislature. The Election Transparency Initiative maintains that the state legislature violated this provision as the second passage occurred Jan. 16, 2026, and early voting began March 6  less than 90 days later.
Home Opinion Aliens, UFOs and the demonic: Thinking like Christians about the weird stuff

Recently, Vice President JD Vance admitted that he is obsessed with UFOs and extraterrestrial visitors. He then suggested that what are often identified as aliens could be masquerading demons. As Vance puts it, I think one of the devils great tricks is to convince people he never existed.

Vice President Vance is in a growing company of those, including many Christians, who are fascinated with aliens. And especially for Christians, right thinking about ET begins with getting our worldview right on the existence of the natural and supernatural.

In fact, the rise of vague spiritualities not firmly rooted in Christian doctrine has fostered many modern beliefs about aliens. Decades ago, C.S. Lewis rightly stated why we often prefer vague spirituality over encountering the real God:

An impersonal Godwell and good. A subjective God of beauty, truth and goodness, inside our own headsbetter still. A formless life-force surging through us, a vast power which we can tapbest of all. But God Himself, alive, pulling at the other end of the cord, perhaps approaching at an infinite speed, the hunter, king, husbandthat is quite another matter.

Recently, CBN News produced a documentary that explored aliens in terms of the supernatural. In an interview, well-known astrophysicist Dr. Hugh Ross claimed that the strongest evidence for demons is asserted encounters with UFOs, and that, statistically, there is a high correlation between those who claim encounters with UFOs and those who have dabbled in the occult or who have had close relatives tied to the occult. It is not surprising, then, that scholars such as Diana Pasulka have identified what some call UFOology as a kind of religion, filling a void that Christians know can only be filled by God alone.

Its also not a coincidence that the rising interest in aliens and UFOs is happening at the same time as an increasing concern over AI. After all, some claim that trans-dimensional, non-human intelligences can use technology to communicate with humans. Between AI and alien life, conversations about demonic activity are more mainstream than they were just 100 years ago.

In a couple of his books, the late historian Rodney Stark observed that early Christians condemned a fear of supernatural beings. Rather, they believed that Satans defeat by Christ was definitive, and that Christs resurrection had enthroned Him above any and all other powers throughout the entire universe. That is, of course, what Scripture proclaims, which makes it an important starting point for Christians thinking about things like UFOs, aliens, and AI demons. In short, Christians are to be people of hope.

Another factor in making sense of the contemporary fascination with aliens is that a naturalistic worldview, even secular humanism in which man is considered the measure of all things, has brought the world to the ironic place of devaluing humanity. There must be other beings in the universe, or else we are the best there is? This drives, at least to some degree, the incessant search for other life forms.

While there is much we do not know about aliens, UFOs, and unknown life out there, much of the unexplained activity could be explicable by other, simple means: drones, weather balloons, and government operations. And we must not rule out the very demonic activity described clearly in Holy Scripture, such as in Ephesians. Scripture is plain that there is a God, that humans are made in his image, and that demons (who do exist) are jealous of that.

Ephesians also teaches that we do not just wrestle against flesh and blood but against the spiritual forces of evil and their use of cosmic powers. Scripture also makes plain that through His work on the Cross, Christ disarmed all such authorities, put them to shame, and triumphed over them.

In his book Not the Way Its Supposed to Be: A Breviary of Sin, philosopher Neal Plantinga explained that Christians must talk about evil as if it is a real foe, because it is. We also, he said, should talk about evil as if it is a defeated foe, because Christ is risen. Thus, we should see even the unexplainable with this certainty; that the Christ, who has risen, is the Lord, who is eternally triumphant over all that is seen and unseen.

Originally published at BreakPoint.
Home Opinion Justice Clarence Thomas just issued a warning every American needs to hear

Just in time for Americas 250th birthday, Justice Clarence Thomas has ignited a national conversation about Americas founding principles. Christians in America should pay special attention because a lot is at stake. Many of the principles under discussion reflect a biblical worldview. Whether we revive or reject them may determine Americas future.



In a recent speech at the University of Texas, Austin, Thomas pointed out that, as important as the Constitution is to our way of life, the ideas of the Declaration of Independence provide the foundation. The Constitution is the means of government, explained Thomas. It is the Declaration that announces the ends of government.



Thomas went on to say that the Declaration made it clear in clear prose that the purpose of government is to protect our God-given unalienable rights, rights that all individuals equally possess.



Over the past 250 years, the importance of the Declaration as the defining document of the American nation has been recognized even by many outsiders. After visiting America in the 1920s, the great English writer G.K. Chesterton wrote: America is the only nation in the world that is founded on a creed. That creed is set forth with dogmatic and even theological lucidity in the Declaration of Independence; perhaps the only piece of practical politics that is also theoretical politics and also great literature.

Many Americans are apt to miss the full significance of Chestertons observation. Throughout human history, nations have defined themselves primarily by ethnicity, geography, or religion. Americans do share some of those traditional ties. Most of its initial settlers were from England and Europe, and most of them identified as Christians.



Nevertheless, America has defined itself since July 4, 1776, largely by a commitment to a common set of ideas expressed by the Declaration of Independence. The Declaration encapsulates those ideas in 55 words that have become some of the most famous in the English language: 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. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.



Drawing on the biblical tradition, these ideas were framed as universal principles applicable to all people everywhere.



Unfortunately, as our nation prepares to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration in July, many Americans are unsure or confused about its claims.

According to a recent nationwide survey I oversaw, most Americans continue to believe all human beings are created equal. But they are divided over what this claim means.



The Founders believed we were all, in the words of John Adams, made by the same God. Only 63% of Americans today share the same view.



The Founders thought all humans possessed the same rights. Only 55% of Americans currently believe all humans have equal rights.



The Founders believed that all humans are fallible and corruptible. Only 48% of Americans today say that all humans are fallible or sinful.



Most Founders believed that human identity will survive death. Only 38% of Americans currently believe that all humans have a soul that survives death.



Americas Founders also believed that our fundamental rights are endowed by our Creator, not government. Because our rights do not come from government, they cannot rightfully be taken away by government.



Express that view today, and you will likely find yourself in hot water.



Last year, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine insisted that the idea that rights dont come from the government, but come from the Creator is something that, apparently, only the Iranian government believes. Many Americans apparently agree with him: Less than four in 10 Americans currently believe our rights come from God.

Even many Christians today reject the Founders view of the source of our rights. Only 42% of Catholics believe our rights come from God, and only a bare majority (52%) of Protestants and other Christians accept the Founders view.



Perhaps these issues seem abstract and have little practical significance. That is far from the case.



Societies that do not believe human beings are fundamentally equal have caste systems or worse. In the American South, the Declaration of Independences proclamation of equality was repudiated in order to uphold slavery and then Jim Crow.



Societies that do not think their rights come from God end up having no hard limits on government power or government intrusions into the Church, the family, and the economy.



Societies that do not think that all human beings  including government officials  are sinful, inspire movements that grant absolute power to tyrants in the hope of creating Heaven on earth. They produce the French Revolution, the Russian Revolution, and Maos China  not the American Revolution.



Justice Thomas is right to call us back to our Founding principles, principles that are congruent with the teachings of the Bible.

But as he pointed out, its not enough merely to celebrate the Declaration. We need to uphold it by standing up for it, by defending it, and by recommitting [our]selves to living up to its ideas.



Serious words to ponder as we approach our nations 250th birthday.
More Than 3,000 Additional Rideshare Sexual Assault Claims Are Pending in National Multidistrict Litigation

CHARLOTTE, N.C., April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- A federal jury in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina found Uber Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: UBER) liable for the March 26, 2019 assault of passenger Brianna Mensing, concluding after a four-day bellwether trial that Uber is legally responsible for a driver who grabbed her upper thigh and threatened to take it with him during a ride. The verdict marks the second federal jury this year to hold Uber accountable for the actions of its drivers in the nationwide multi-district litigation (MDL) involving more than 3,000 passenger sexual assault and harassment cases. In February, a federal jury in Arizona returned an $8.5 million verdict in the first bellwether trial.

Judge Charles R. Breyer, who oversees the consolidated MDL proceedings, previously ruled that Uber qualifies as a "common carrier" under North Carolina law, meaning it has a heightened, non-delegable duty to provide a safe ride. As a result, jurors in the North Carolina case were instructed to determine whether the assault occurred and to award damages limited to a single 24-hour day. The jury awarded Ms. Mensing $5,000 in damages, consistent with Ms. Mensing's testimony that she sought accountability and an apology from Uber, rather than compensation.

The following statement is attributable to Uber MDL co-leads Rachel Abrams (Peiffer Wolf), Sarah London (Girard Sharp), and Roopal Luhana (Chaffin Luhana):

"For the second time this year, a federal jury listened to the testimony of a courageous woman taking on Uber, one of the world's most powerful companies, and found her assault claims credible. Most importantly, this verdict is a testament to the bravery of Brianna Mensing and a clear signal that Uber cannot escape responsibility when its drivers assault the passengers who trust it. As Ms. Mensing testified, 'I'm not after anybody's money'  her only motivation was to hold Uber accountable for its driver grabbing her thigh, which was achieved. At trial, Uber sought to undermine the plaintiff's credibility by dragging her personal history into the courtroom and using it to suggest she was not worthy of belief. We would like to thank the jury for seeing it for what it was  a shameful attempt to deflect responsibility."

Four additional bellwether trials will proceed in the coming months. The next two federal court trials are scheduled to begin on September 14, 2026, and will be tried consecutively before Judge Breyer in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California in San Francisco.

Ms. Mensing is represented by Sejal Brahmbhatt and John Boundas (Williams Hart & Boundas LLP), and William Smith (Anapol Weiss) served as co-lead trial counsel. The case was overseen by Rachel B. Abrams (Peiffer Wolf), Sarah R. London (Girard Sharp) and Roopal P. Luhana (Chaffin Luhana), who serve as co-lead counsel of In re: Uber Technologies Inc., Passenger Sexual Assault Litigation (MDL No. 3084).

Media Contact: [email protected]

SOURCE Co-lead Plaintiffs' Counsel
Ulster University, the largest in Northern Ireland (NI) and a registered charity, is proposing to make 450 employees redundant in an effort to reduce its costs.

A spokesperson for Ulster University, which has campuses in Belfast, Coleraine and Derry, told Civil Society that the proposed scheme is voluntary, adding that the charity has around 3,100 staff overall.

Redundancies across the higher education (HE) sector have become unavoidable, they said.

To date, more than 100 institutions across the UK have downsized their staffing complement.

Ulster University has sought to hold off on making redundancies while continuing to work with the Department for the Economy, through their reviews, on possible changes to the HE funding model in NI.

Its recently been made clear to us that a sustainable funding model isnt going to be forthcoming, and regretfully, we must now act to reduce our costs.

Rising staff costs

Accounts for the year ending 31 July 2025 show that Ulster Universitys total income grew by 11m to 304m year-on-year, while its expenditure increased by 100m to 320m.

In 2024-25, the charity employed an average of 2,799 full-time equivalent people and incurred 174m in staff costs.

The accounts attribute the charitys operating deficit to rising staff costs and expenses against an almost static position for tuition fees and recurrent funding body grant.

The financial results for 2024-25 reflect the challenges facing the higher education sector across the UK as a result of a range of factors, the report reads.

The sector has experienced a significant downturn in international student recruitment due to changes in visa regulations and increased cost of employers national insurance contributions introduced during the year.

In addition, theres been no increase in per student funding to NI higher education institutions from NI executive for undergraduate home students.

NI executive not being funded to their level of need

Speaking in the NI assembly yesterday, Social Democratic and Labour Party politician Sinead McLaughlin said the proposed job losses include 221 in Belfast, 114 in Coleraine, 108 at Magee and seven in Jordanstown.

McLaughlin asked NIs economy minister to explain the losses, given the fact that her departments recent financial needs assessment stated that the university isnt facing an imminent financial crisis.

In response, Caoimhe Archibald said she was working to secure a budget settlement that can deliver a prosperous economy with a sustainable further and higher education sector.

Ive been clear that the financial position facing my department is extremely challenging, as it is for all departments, Archibald said.

The executive have also been clear about that. Weve been warning repeatedly that our finances are unsustainable.

We need to ensure that we have a proper, sustainable funding model for the executive that will allow us to invest in our public services.

From my perspective, last weeks announcement by Ulster University is a real-world consequence of the executive not being funded to their level of need.

We need to be able to provide sustainable funding.

Union: Staff already work under sustained pressure

The University and College Union (UCU) said the proposed cuts represent a direct threat to the quality of education, respect for staff, desires and ambitions of students and the long-term future of our institution.

Staff already work under sustained pressure, with rising workloads and impossible demands, the trade union said in a statement .

Imposing redundancies on this scale is deeply alarming and unsustainable.

Removing hundreds of staff will fundamentally damage the student experience and weaken academic provision.

The UCU, one of three trade unions recognised by Ulster University, said it would resist compulsory redundancies, challenge all unjustified job losses and hold the university and government to account.

Ulster University plays a critical civic role, and decisions of this magnitude if forced through would have far-reaching detrimental consequences for students, local communities, and the wider regional economy, it said.

This announcement indicates a complete lack of a clear strategic vision for sustainable growth and development.

At a time when universities should be expanding opportunity, investing in innovation, and strengthening their regional impact, large-scale redundancies signal regression, rather than progression.

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The City Bridge Foundation has sold a historic building it owned in central London to a real estate private equity investment firm for 9.5m.

Finsbury House was sold to Eatos Group recently on a 155-year lease after being vacant since 2022. The charity will retain a ground rent.

City Bridge Foundation, Londons largest independent charity funder, said its sale aligns with our long-term strategy, enabling us to reinvest funds directly back into the charity and into Londons communities.

A spokesperson for the funder said it takes a long-term and responsible approach to managing our assets and investments.

Our primary responsibility remains the maintenance and operation of Londons bridges, with any surplus funds reinvested to support charities working across the capital, they said.

In this way, we continue to literally and metaphorically bridge London - connecting its communities and investing in its future.

Originally constructed in the 1890s, the building is located at the entrance to the newly landscaped Finsbury Circus and was redesigned by GPAD Architects.

The 39,607 sq ft property has been stripped back to shell and core, with full planning consent for future refurbishment, including the addition of a new roof terrace.

Ahead of works commencing, Eatos Group has secured a pre-let to a flex office operator who will take occupation in early 2027 following completion of the refurbishment.

In a statement , Eatos Group said the purchase represents a flagship investment and a further addition to Eatos strategy of acquiring Grade B buildings in prime locations and repositioning them into Grade A workspaces.

Dominic Amey, principal, London investment at Avison Young, which acted for the charity on the sale , said: Were pleased to have helped bring the right buyer together with the City Bridge Foundation and to see the building move into its next phase.

According to its accounts for the year to March 2025, City Bridge Foundations property investment portfolio, predominantly offices in central London, was valued at 797m and made up 90% of its permanent endowments.

In 2024-25, the 900-year-old funders income from its property portfolio and financial investment holdings was 31.2m and it gave out 81.5m in charitable funding.

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In recent months, Larry Madowo, CNNs Africa correspondent, has reported on a troubling trend: young men from countries including Kenya, Nigeria, and Uganda being recruited to Russia with promises of civilian work, only to find themselves fighting in Ukraine. Madowos reporting has exposed a pattern of deception and forced conscription, illustrating how Africans can be drawn into global power struggles that undermine their interests.

From his base in Nairobi, Madowo, who was born in Kenya, covers politics, conflict, business, and culture across the continent. He began his career as a business reporter at two of the countrys largest TV stations, Kenya Television Network and NTV, and later worked for CNBC Africa and the BBC. He joined CNN in 2021, and led the networks investigation last year into Tanzanias disputed election, documenting evidence that security forces fatally shot protesters. He also reported on the fragile peace process between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo following a United Statesbrokered agreement aimed at easing decades of conflict in the regions mineral-rich east. And he hosts African Voices, CNNs long-running program profiling artists, athletes, and entrepreneurs; recent episodes have focused on Nomzamo Mbatha, a South African actor, and Pheelz, a Nigerian Afrobeat producer.

Critics have accused Madowo of reinforcing Western stereotypes about the continent, particularly when he covers what some view as negative stories, such as those involving conflict, political repression, and crisis. Madowo rejects that framing. His mandate, he said, is to report Africa accurately, not always positively. Our conversation has been edited for length and clarity.

MO: Youve reported across Africa for global audiences for several years. How does your role as an African correspondent differ from that of a foreign correspondent parachuting in?

LM: I cant speak for non-Africans who report on Africa, because thats not my experience. My lived experience is as somebody who was born and raised in Africa, who has lived in other parts of the world, and who made the decision to come back and report on Africa. The reason I did that is because I had been critical for a long time of how Africa is covered in the global media. I felt that we were caricatured as Africans, and I could either complain or get involved.

My mission was, and still is, to report Africa accurately, not always positively. Because Africa has been covered so badly by Western media, some Africans expect that if youre an African reporting in global media, then you will only tell positive stories, which is definitely not possible. We have to represent and reflect the reality on the ground. There will be lots of positive, uplifting stories, but there will also be more challenging ones, and we have to cover the full breadth of that. So with every story, Im trying to give a more three-dimensional view of the continent, its opportunities, its challenges, its innovation. Thats the job.

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Youve talked about reporting Africa accurately. How do you define accurate coverage when reporting on the continent for international audiences?

Accurate is true. It means providing an unvarnished view of things, the positives and the negatives, the reality, warts and all. I think this is where some Africans who consume our coverage struggle with it. Because Africa has been covered so badly by Western media, some people expect us to lean into the Africa rising narrative, or to highlight only the bright spots. And there are many. But there are also places where things are not going well, whether its democratic backsliding, military takeovers, poverty, inequality, or corruption. Those are also part of the complex and layered story of the continent.

Im aware of the significance of a platform like CNN in shaping narratives, so I try not to lean only in one direction. It has to be a measured mix of stories.

You recently reported on Kenyans and other Africans who were recruited by Russia to fight in Ukraine, sometimes under misleading promises of civilian work. How did you come across the story, and why did you pursue it?

I remember anchoring in Atlanta in the weeks leading up to the war in Ukraine. At the time, it was a war that was obviously framed around NATO, Europe, and North America. But over the past two or three years, I started seeing an increase in families on social media asking about sons who had disappeared in Russia.

What pushed me toward the story was families reaching out directly. They would say, Were looking for our son. He was offered a job in Russia, and we believe he was driven into the war in Ukraine. In some cases, a comrade had told them he had been killed, but they didnt know where to start.

Then I realized these stories werent isolated. Similar cases were emerging in Nigeria, Ghana, Uganda, and Kenya. But earlier coverage had anonymized the people involved, and when everyone is anonymous, it becomes easy to dismiss the story as propaganda. I needed people willing to show their faces, share their experiences, and provide evidencetheir injuries, the contracts they signed. I wanted to show the reality through people who had actually been there. Thats what made the story powerful.

That story connects global conflict to local realities in Africa. Do international audiences fully grasp how these struggles play out in African lives?

I think, increasingly, people are paying attention to that. At CNN International, we try to highlight how geopolitical struggles in other parts of the world affect Africa, whether its the current conflict in Iran or policy decisions in Washington that affect visas and travel. What we try to do well at CNN is connect those dots. Because of our global footprint, we can approach a story from multiple angles, with regional expertise in different parts of the world. My perspective as an African who has lived and worked in Europe and North America helps me understand how these decisions resonate with audiences both on the continent and beyond.

These geopolitical tensions are not abstract for people here. African business leaders worry about them. Parents and young people think about them because they affect mobility, where you can work, where you can study. We saw that during the war in Ukraine, when supply disruptions pushed up the price of basic commodities like wheat. The same is true with shifts in global oil markets, including in the current conflict in Iran or whatever is happening with President Trumps decisions. When those things move, people here feel the impact directly.

Western media has long been criticized for portraying Africa primarily through crisis, conflict, corruption, and humanitarian disasters. How do you think about that legacy when deciding which stories to pursue?

Im not a defender of Western media. Im not here to speak for all of Western media. Ive only worked for two Western organizations, the BBC and CNN, so I cant speak for the others. I can only speak to the work I do at CNN.

Im very intentional about the stories I tell and the angles I choose. I try to highlight African agency, that Africans are not just victims that things happen to. We have a role in these stories and a perspective on them. I make sure the voices and experts we speak to are Africans with lived experience.

I also try to show how some crises in Africa have global foundations. That includes colonization, the transatlantic slave trade, the Africa risk premium when countries borrow, and the broader perception of Africa as a risky place, which is often more imagined than real.

Beyond the news, we have programs like African Voices, Marketplace Africa, Inside Africa, and Connecting Africa that focus on business leaders, artists, innovators, musicians, and athletes who are shaping the continent in real time.

I welcome criticism of my work. It makes me a better reporter. It pushes me to be more careful about everything I say, write, and do. But criticism is only one part of it. What people may not realize is that there are also death threats that come with this job. There are serious security challenges. There are countries I cant go to right now because some of the threats have been so serious that CNN has had to take additional precautions. I cant speak about those measures for obvious reasons.

You also host African Voices. How do you see that work fitting alongside your reporting on protests, political crises, and other hard-news stories from the continent?

One of the reasons I enjoy hosting African Voices is that it allows for deeper conversations with some of the continents most prominent figures. We talk about art, music, sports, and technology without framing it primarily for a Western gaze. It is simply two Africans having a conversation about issues that matter to us, and the rest of the world happens to be watching.

The fact that I can cover hard-news investigative stories about government security forces killing people, whether its in Tanzania or Kenya, or reporting on police brutality, and then also have conversations about culture and creativitythats the balance I try to bring to our coverage. And I think that balance has been missing for a long time in the way Western media has portrayed Africa. The two things can be true at the same time: there can be places where democracies are failing, and at the same time people are thriving, building, and creating. We should be able to sit with both of those realities at the same time.

As someone who has covered the continent widely, what advice would you give journalists who want to cover Africa responsibly?

I think Africa is still greatly undercovered. In English and French, the larger countries tend to be relatively well covered, places like Cote dIvoire, Senegal, Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa. Beyond those, many places still receive very little attention. There are so many stories that everybody could be reporting on something different.

My concern is that a lot of people want to move into commentary instead of reporting. Commentary is easy to produce. Everyone wants to have an opinion on TikTok or Instagram, because opinion takes no reporting, no fact-checking, no verification. But it should build on the work of reporting, so there need to be more reporters out there speaking to people, verifying facts, asking public officials questions, documenting what is happening, taking pictures and video, and doing the work of checking public statements and records to build stories from that.
Roblox Corp. has reached settlements with attorneys general in three states over child-safety protections.

As part of the deals, the video game company pledged to curb dangerous interactions on its platform, according to statements from the offices of the attorneys general in West Virginia, Alabama and Nevada. A portion of the money from the settlements, which total $35.8 million, will go to safety education for children.

Roblox, for a long time, was not a safe place for kids, West Virginia Attorney General JB McCuskey said in an interview. McCuskey said he and his team were able to form a relationship with the people at Roblox, and over the course of their discussions, he told the company: Either youll work with us and do what you need to do to keep West Virginian kids safe, or this will end up in litigation.

Roblox has become a global gaming phenomenon with millions of user-generated games available on its site where teens and kids converge to play and socialize. The platform has also struggled to keep predators away and has been sued by multiple jurisdictions and individual families claiming it has failed to adequately protect children. The company has implemented dozens of safety updates over the past year or so. Earlier this month, Roblox introduced special accounts designed specifically for younger children and teens.

West Virginia secured an $11.1 million settlement on Tuesday, the same day Alabama announced its $12.2 million settlement. Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford announced the states $12.5 million settlement last week.

The West Virginia settlement serves as an important blueprint for how the technology industry and regulators can work together pro-actively to help protect the next generation, Roblox Chief Safety Officer Matt Kaufman said in a statement. We have no finish line when it comes to safety, and we will continue to invest heavily in our people, processes, and technology to protect our community.

Statements from the offices of the attorneys general emphasized Robloxs promise to verify the ages of all users and limit adults ability to contact people under 16.

Attorneys general for Tennessee, Texas, Iowa, Florida and Nebraska still have ongoing child-safety suits against Roblox. Asked for comment on the status of that litigation, Phil Buehler, the press secretary for the office of Tennessee Attorney General, said his office sued Roblox and continues to litigate our case. The other states representatives didnt immediately respond to a request for comment.

Top photo: A child holds a smartphone displaying the Roblox app login page arranged in Sydney, Australia, on Wednesday Feb. 11, 2026. Photographer: Brent Lewin/Bloomberg.

Copyright 2026 Bloomberg.
U.S. sugar candy category leader to invest $675 million, projected to create 1,000 new jobs over 10 years

CHICAGO, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Ferrara Candy Company , a leading sugar confectioner in the United States, Brazil and Europe, today announced plans to establish its first South Carolina operation in Orangeburg County. The company's $675 million investment is projected to create 1,000 manufacturing and corporate jobs over the next 10 years.

Ferrara Candy Company, a leading sugar confectioner in the United States, Brazil and Europe, today announced plans to establish its first South Carolina operation in Orangeburg County.

Headquartered in Chicago for 118 years, Ferrara operates a network of more than 30 facilities worldwide and employs more than 9,400 people. Its products are sold in over 60 countries and span a portfolio of more than 40 iconic brands including NERDS, SweeTARTS, Laffy Taffy, Trolli, Brach's, Jelly Belly in the U.S., Terry's and Carambar in Europe, and Dori in Brazil. Ferrara is a privately held Ferrero-affiliated company.

"Our new Orangeburg facility represents a major step forward in transforming Ferrara's manufacturing scale and capability, positioning the company for long-term global leadership," said Marco Capurso, Chief Executive Officer at Ferrara. "We are excited about the opportunity to inspire sweetness in the Palmetto State, and we are grateful to the leadership of Governor McMaster, Secretary Lightsey and their teams, and the Orangeburg County officials, in their partnership and effort to bring us to South Carolina."

Ferrara's new operation will be located at Highway 21 and Rowesville Road in Orangeburg, where the company plans to construct a 750,000-square-foot manufacturing facility including processing and packaging, a warehouse for raw and pack materials, and an administrative office. The investment will support Ferrara's high level of consumer demand and strengthen its position as a leader in sugar confections.

"Today marks a transformative moment for Orangeburg County and all of South Carolina. Ferrara Candy Company's $675 million investment in the Midlands is a powerful vote of confidence in our state that will bring many new opportunities for our people," said Gov. Henry McMaster. "We are proud Ferrara has chosen South Carolina as a place to build their future and look forward to the company's continued success here."

"Orangeburg County is excited to add Ferrara Candy Company to a growing list of international companies that have discovered the advantages we offer business and industry. We look forward to partnering with them as we strive together to make our community a better place to live and work," said Johnnie Wright, Orangeburg County Council Chairman.

The first production lines in the new facility are expected to be operational in the first quarter of 2029. Individuals interested in joining the Ferrara team should visit readySC's recruitment website, https://ferrara.readyscjobs.com/. Companies interested in becoming a supplier or vendor for Ferrara should complete the online interest form

After the Joint Bond Review Committee recommended approval, the State Fiscal Accountability Authority authorized the issuance of General Obligation State Economic Development Bonds in a principal amount not exceeding $85 million to offset the cost of acquiring the site, site improvements and related infrastructure.

"We are excited to welcome Ferrara Candy Company to the Palmetto State. This milestone investment in Orangeburg County, as well as the addition of 1,000 new quality jobs in South Carolina, is set to transform the community, strengthen the workforce and fuel economic prosperity for generations to come," said Harry M. Lightsey III, Secretary of Commerce.

The Coordinating Council for Economic Development also approved job development credits related to the project.

About Ferrara

For more than 115 years, Ferrara has created sugar confections that enable moments of sweetness, celebration, and connection for candy lovers of all generations. Today, the company is a leading sugar confectioner in the United States, Brazil, and Europe, with global sales in more than 60 countries. Ferrara boasts a passionate team of more than 9,400 employees creating and delivering hundreds of products sold under 40+ popular brands. Brach's, Jelly Belly, NERDS, SweeTARTS, Laffy Taffy, and Trolli are enjoyed by more than 91 million U.S. households annually. In Brazil, popular snacking products from Dori include brands such as Dori, Gomets, Pettiz, and Yogurte 100. Iconic candy and chocolate brands of Carambar & Co. have earned generations of loyal customers throughout Europe, including Carambar, Krema, and Terry's. Ferrara's success in industry-leading innovation has been driven by deep consumer insights, strong retailer partnerships, and a dedication to diversity of thought, experience, and people. The company has its global headquarters in Chicago and more than 30 facilities across the world. Ferrara is a privately held Ferrero-affiliated company. Learn more at www.ferrara.com or www.linkedin.com/company/ferrara-/.

About S.C. Commerce Welcome to South Carolina. The new headquarters of American innovation. As the state's lead economic development agency, the South Carolina Department of Commerce (S.C. Commerce) works to recruit and support companies of all sizes in their quest to launch, expand and build a legacy. With proactive, strategic initiatives that help the agency create economic opportunities to increase choices for all South Carolinians, S.C. Commerce champions new and existing businesses and partnerships that fuel emerging and established industries alike. S.C. Commerce is the principal collaborator for SC NEXUS, a consortium of state leaders in government, utilities, higher education and other stakeholders exploring advanced energy. Recognized for its pro-business climate and policies that have attracted global brands and industry leaders, South Carolina is committed to maintaining the state's long-term competitiveness while building a modern economy  one that is diverse, supporting businesses at every phase of their lifecycle  allowing people to live and work where they love. For more information, visit www.sccommerce.com.

SOURCE Ferrara
Britain should brace for a rise in cyberattacks linked to hostile states, the head of the countrys cybersecurity agency said on Wednesday, as the government urged tech firms to help build defenses powered by artificial intelligence.

Richard Horne, chief executive of the National Cyber Security Centre, said the agency continues to handle about four nationally significant cyber incidents a week on average and that the highest-impact attacks are increasingly tied to governments rather than criminal gangs alone. The NCSC is part of the U.K.s intelligence agency GCHQ.

Criminal threats such as ransomware remain the most common risk facing organizations, Horne told the governments annual CYBERUK conference in Glasgow, according to a copy of his speech.

Related: AI Use in Cybersecurity Could Show Holes in Short Term, Says Fitch

But he said the majority of the most serious incidents now originate directly or indirectly from nation states, including China, Iran and Russia. He said such activity was being directed at Britain and its European partners.

Horne also warned that the U.K. is living through the most seismic geopolitical shift in modern history.

Britains domestic spy agency MI5 said last year that authorities had disrupted more than 20 Iran-linked plots since 2022, some of which targeted individuals living in Britain.

Were we to be in, or near, a conflict situation, the U.K. would likely face hacktivist attacks at scale, Horne warned, adding that such campaigns could cause disruption comparable to major ransomware attacks, but without the option of paying to restore systems.

Related: Russia-Linked Hackers Hijack Routers to Steal Passwords, UK Says

Mathieu Cousin, a cyber risk and threat intelligence strategist at insurers AXA XL, said last month that there was also likely to be a rise in cyberactivity linked to the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran.

When geopolitical tensions rise, cyber activity follows. In this conflict, Iranian state-aligned and affiliated groups are using cyber operations as another way to respond, he said.

Horne said on Wednesday that advances in artificial intelligence were expected to accelerate cyberattacks by enabling faster identification of vulnerabilities, even as the technology offers opportunities to strengthen defenses.

At the same conference, Security Minister Dan Jarvis called on leading AI companies to work with the government to build AI-powered cyber-defense capabilities to protect critical national infrastructure.

Jarvis also invited businesses to sign a voluntary Cyber Resilience Pledge and announced 90 million pounds ($122 million) of additional investment over three years to bolster cybersecurity, including support for small and medium-sized firms.

($1 = 0.7393 pounds)

(Reporting by Tabahriti; Editing by Hugh Lawson)
Turning visibility into a growth opportunity with premium exposure to millions of buyers

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading independent real estate brokerage FirstTeam announced today that it has joined Zillow Previewsm, a new way to bring pre-market home listings into the open, earlier in the listing process.

As part of the platform, FirstTeam agents can now publicly pre-market their listings on Zillow and Trulia before they go active in accordance with local MLS policies, reaching millions of buyers at the earliest stage of interest and giving consumers access to listings that were not being widely distributed before.

"At FirstTeam, we've always believed in getting the most eyeballs on our listings when we represent our clients. Doing this deal with Zillow was a no-brainer," said Michele Harrington, CEO of FirstTeam. "Zillow Preview gives our agents access to more exposure than any other platform out there. When they asked us to be one of their affiliate brokers, the answer was obvious."

Partnering with Zillow on Zillow Preview gives FirstTeam a differentiated way to help its agents win listings by offering sellers public exposure of their pre-market listings on the largest online real estate marketplace in the U.S., with an average of 235 million unique monthly users. With 70% of buyers and sellers using Zillow at some point in their journey, being part of Zillow Preview offers endless opportunities for agents and their clients.

"Zillow Preview gives our team access to millions of highly engaged buyers on the largest real estate platform in the country, reinforcing our commitment to independence and to putting our agents first," said Harrington. "In this rapidly changing market, independence is a competitive advantage, allowing our agents to move faster, win more business, and giving us a powerful edge in recruiting and retention."

"Zillow Preview gives agents a clear advantage: more eyes on their listings earlier, the ability to build momentum before a home officially goes live," said Errol Samuelson, chief industry development officer, Zillow. "We believe in an open, transparent market that puts consumers and agents first  FirstTeam embodies that thinking, and this partnership reflects it."

FirstTeam boasts more than 52 offices and over 2,300 sales agents in California, Arizona, Idaho, and Washington. For more information, visit https://firstteam.com/.

Media Contact:

Kayleigh Lentz

Co-Communications

[email protected]

SOURCE FirstTeam
CNBC's Jim Cramer on Tuesday reflected on the legacy of Tim Cook, arguing that the longtime leader of Apple achieved something many in corporate America consider "almost impossible."

"You have heard a lot about Tim Cook today and for good reason," the "Mad Money" host said. "He built the greatest consumer-based enterprise in history."

Cook, who succeeded Steve Jobs and will be replaced by hardware engineer John Ternus in September, faced early skepticism about whether he could maintain  let alone expand  Apple's dominance. But under his leadership, the company's stock increased roughly 1,900%, as of Monday's close, while also deepening its connection with customers in ways that Cramer said are rare in modern business.

Cramer pointed to Cook's farewell letter where the CEO described starting his mornings by reading emails from customers. Many shared personal stories about how Apple products impacted their lives. In one example, Cook referenced messages about the Apple Watch helping save lives.

"In every one of those emails, I feel the beating heart of our shared humanity," Cook wrote, underscoring what Cramer sees as a defining trait of his leadership  a deep, genuine commitment to the end user.

According to Cramer, that philosophy helps explain why Apple succeeded in a space where many companies struggle to maintain dominance. He drew a distinction between consumer-focused businesses and enterprise-driven firms, noting that Wall Street historically assigned higher valuations to enterprise companies because their customers tend to be more predictable. "Enterprise customers tend to be consistent, sticky, while consumers are fickle," he said.

When Cook took over in 2011, Apple's stock traded at a price-to-earnings multiple in the low-to-mid teens. Today, it commands a multiple around 30 times forward earnings, according to FactSet, which is more commonly associated with higher-margin software companies than less-profitable hardware makers. To Cramer, Apple's expanded valuation reflects Cook's ability to transform the company from a cyclical device business into a trusted brand with loyal users and more durable, recurring revenue streams such as iCloud storage and Apple Music subscriptions.

Disclosure: Cramer's Charitable Trust, the portfolio used by the CNBC Investing Club, owns shares of Apple.
Kash Patel, director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), during a House Intelligence Committee hearing on worldwide threats in Washington, DC, US, on Thursday, March 19, 2026.

A Houston federal court judge on Tuesday dismissed a lawsuit by FBI Director Kash Patel alleging that former FBI official Frank Figliuzzi defamed him by saying Patel last year had "been visible at nightclubs far more than he has been on the seventh floor of" the bureau's headquarters in Washington, D.C.

"The Court finds that Figliuzzi's statement is rhetorical hyperbole that cannot constitute defamation," U.S. District Court Judge George Hanks Jr. wrote in his decision. "Accordingly, Dir. Patel has failed to state a claim against Figliuzzi, and his lawsuit must be dismissed."

The dismissal came a day after Patel filed an unrelated $250 million defamation lawsuit in D.C. federal court against The Atlantic magazine over a new article that alleged he has abused alcohol.

While ruling on the key question of defamation in Figliuzzi's favor, the judge denied his request that he be awarded court costs and attorneys' fees under Texas' anti-SLAPP law. SLAPP is an acronym for Strategic Litigation Against Public Participation.

Figliuzzi's lawyer, Marc Fuller, in a statement to CNBC, said, "This is a victory for press freedom and the First Amendment."

"Director Patel's claim against Frank was baseless, and we are pleased that the court dismissed it," Fuller said.

Patel's lawyers did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Figliuzzi, former assistant director for counterintelligence at the FBI, made his crack about Patel on May 2, 2025, on the MS NOW show "Morning Joe."

"Yeah, well, reportedly, he's been visible at nightclubs far more than he has been on the seventh floor of the Hoover building," said Figliuzzi.

Patel sued him in June, accusing Figliuzzi of "fabricating a specific lie" about the FBI director because of Figliuzzi's "clear animus" toward him.
Adobe could be crawling its way out of the software stock abyss, after a buyback and an endorsement from Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang revived confidence in the digital media provider. Shares of Adobe, the owner of Photoshop and other tools, have been punished lately, plunging 40% below their May 2025 high and into a bear market. Like many of its software-as-a-service peers, Adobe has plummeted amid mounting fear that an industry dependent on per-user licensing for sales will be displaced by artificial intelligence agents. The iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF (IGV) remains 25% off its September high. But Adobe has rebounded more than 5% this month as investors add to names they expect were overly punished in the selloff. Adobe's board on Tuesday showed its own belief in the business outlook and the stock, authorizing a new $25 billion share repurchase program. Elevated art Nvidia CEO Huang added to the bullish revival in his keynote address at the Adobe Summit 2026 Investor Session, saying "For 99.9% of creators in the world, this [agentic system] is going to elevate your art," according to a JPMorgan note on the speech. Huang said the most innovative companies in the world are using applications on Adobe platforms. Those developments reinforce a view that Adobe will emerge as one of the winners of the "SaaSpocalypse," according to Mark Murphy, analyst at JPMorgan. He has an overweight rating on the stock, with a $420 price target for December implying roughly 70% upside from Tuesday's close of $247.18 per share. ADBE YTD mountain Adobe, YTD Adobe has characteristics most likely to weather ongoing AI disruption, namely durable growth rates, incremental AI monetization opportunities and seasoned management, Murphy wrote. Moreover, Adobe's release of new products, including CX Enterprise Coworker, reflects a push to embed agentic AI in its tools to aid customers, a move that could expand the use of those tools. "In our view, the strategic bet Adobe is making is that as agents proliferate, the scarce asset becomes the contextual layer (AEP, brand truth, governed customer data, decisioning) that makes agent output reliable and onbrand, a layer Adobe has a multi-decade head start on and one that [large language model] vendors show no signs of successfully replicating at this point," Murphy wrote on Wednesday. Adobe was almost 4% higher in midday trading Wednesday.
EY US celebrates ambitious entrepreneurs shaping the future of business

BOSTON, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Frank Vella, CEO of Constant Contact, has been named a finalist for the Entrepreneur Of The Year 2026 New England Award by Ernst & Young LLP (EY US). Now in its 41st year, the Entrepreneur Of The Year program celebrates the bold leaders who disrupt markets through the world's most ground-breaking companies, revolutionizing industries and uplifting communities. The program honors entrepreneurs whose innovations drive economic growth and help shape the future of business.

An independent panel of judges selected Vella among 24 finalists based on their entrepreneurial spirit, purpose, company growth and lasting impact in building long-term value.

"New England was built on the grit and grind of small business owners, and that's who we show up for every day at Constant Contact," said Frank Vella, CEO of Constant Contact. "I've built a career enabling entrepreneurs with the tools to compete, grow, and thrive on their own terms. None of that happens without customers who trust us, a team that believes in the mission, and the New England community that continues to inspire it. This recognition means the world because it's validation that this work matters."

Founded in 1995 in Waltham, Massachusetts, Constant Contact is the AI-powered marketing partner for small businesses and nonprofits. For more than 30 years, the company has helped entrepreneurs and nonprofit leaders stay connected with their customers, build lasting relationships, and grow.

Vella's leadership at the company has been fueled by a disciplined, multi-stage capital strategy designed to transform a legacy brand into an independent SaaS powerhouse.

Entrepreneur Of The Year honors business leaders for their ingenuity, courage and entrepreneurial spirit. The program celebrates original founders who bootstrapped their business from inception or who raised outside capital to grow their company, transformational CEOs who infused innovation into an existing organization to catapult its trajectory, and multigenerational family business leaders who reimagined a legacy business model to strengthen it for the future.

This year's New England finalists represent Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont across all industries, including technology, consumer products, manufacturing, finance, life sciences and more.

Regional award winners will be announced on June 16 during a special celebration in Boston, Massachusetts, and will become lifetime members of an esteemed community of Entrepreneur Of The Year alumni from around the world. The winners will then be considered by the national judges for the Entrepreneur Of The Year National Awards, which will be presented in November at the annual Strategic Growth Forum, where high-growth CEOs, Fortune 1000 executives and investors converge to shape the future of business.

Sponsors

Founded and produced by Ernst & Young LLP, the Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards include presenting sponsors PNC Bank, Cresa, LLC, Marsh USA, SAP, and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. In New England, sponsors also include regional Platinum sponsor, DLA Piper, regional Gold sponsor, ADP, and regional Silver sponsor, Stagedge.

About Entrepreneur Of The Year

Founded in 1986, Entrepreneur Of The Year has celebrated more than 11,000 ambitious visionaries who are leading successful, dynamic businesses in the US, and it has since expanded to nearly 80 countries and territories globally.

The US program consists of 17 regional programs whose panels of independent judges select the regional award winners every June. Those winners compete for national recognition at the Strategic Growth Forum in November where national finalists and award winners are announced. The national overall winner represents the US at the World Entrepreneur Of The Year competition. Visit ey.com/us/eoy.

About EY

EY is building a better working world by creating new value for clients, people, society and the planet, while building trust in capital markets.

Enabled by data, AI and advanced technology, EY teams help clients shape the future with confidence and develop answers for the most pressing issues of today and tomorrow.

EY teams work across a full spectrum of services in assurance, consulting, tax, strategy and transactions. Fueled by sector insights, a globally connected, multi-disciplinary network and diverse ecosystem partners, EY teams can provide services in more than 150 countries and territories.

All in to shape the future with confidence.

EY refers to the global organization, and may refer to one or more, of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. Information about how EY collects and uses personal data and a description of the rights individuals have under data protection legislation are available via ey.com/privacy. EY member firms do not practice law where prohibited by local laws. For more information about our organization, please visit ey.com.

About Constant Contact

Constant Contact is the AI-powered marketing partner for small businesses and nonprofits. For more than 30 years, the company has helped entrepreneurs and nonprofit leaders run smarter marketing  today combining AI-driven content creation, intelligent audience targeting, and plain-English insights in one unified platform across email, social, SMS, and events. By doing the heavy lifting for entrepreneurs, Constant Contact gives every business owner the capability of a full marketing team  without needing one. Learn more at constantcontact.com.

SOURCE Constant Contact, Inc.
With bonds not doing their job as portfolio ballasts, investors need to "diversify their diversifiers," according to BlackRock's Gargi Chaudhuri. The correlation between stocks and bonds , which hasn't been reliable in recent years, weakened meaningfully at the start of the Iran war, BlackRock said in its spring outlook Wednesday. The 20-day rolling stock-bond correlation rose to 0.72 in late March  its highest level since May 2024, the firm said. That means investors need "a whole host of diversifiers," said Chaudhuri, BlackRock chief investment and portfolio strategist, Americas. "The same things that may have worked in different periods, different volatility shocks may not work this time around," she said. "Obviously gold worked for the quarter, but did not work for the month of March. It has worked very well since then." Gold, traditionally seen as a safe haven, fell more than 10% in March. It was its worst month since 2013. IAU YTD mountain iShares Gold Trust ETF year to date These days, BlackRock is telling clients to add liquid alternatives to their portfolios. Liquid alternatives are mutual or exchange-traded funds that employ strategies similar to that of hedge funds, but they have daily liquidity and lower investment minimums. The idea is to find a way to make some money, even if the S & P 500 is falling, Chaudhuri explained. "The portfolio manager for the strategies have the ability to look at, 'OK, here the number of stocks that are going to more likely go up, sectors that are likely to go down. Let me play the things that are going to do well versus the things that are not going to do as well," she said. "Their job is to really give you positive returns  without taking a huge amount of directional view," she added. "So you're not always going in the same direction of the S & P 500." BlackRock's liquid alternative ETF is the iShares Systematic Alternatives Active ETF (IALT), which was launched in December. It has 95% of its assets in cash and/or derivatives, as of April 16. The ETF had a total return of 9.31% year to date, a 2.78% 30-day SEC yield and 0.99% expense ratio. IALT YTD mountain iShares Systematic Alternatives Active ETF year to date Structuring your portfolio Investors should first assess their stock and bond allocations, Chaudhuri said. Then, if they want to add liquid alts to their portfolio, they should think about how they should source it, she advised. "We have a lot of conversations about, 'should I be taking this from my 60 or my 40?'" she said, referring to the traditional 60% stocks and 40% bonds allocation. "What we tell clients is you should take a little bit from each so that you're not diluting either your 60 or your 40 too much." The starting point, whether it is a 2% allocation or a 10% allocation, would really depend on what else they hold, Chaudhuri noted. Anything below 2% is really low, she added. With gold, investors should understand that because it is a single asset, unlike a liquid alt ETF, it can be more volatile. BlackRock still believes in the structural case for gold and with more attractive entry levels, it favors the precious metal as a diversifier. Still, Chaudhuri suggests making gold a small portion of the portfolio. "You should be pretty thoughtful about how much you want to allocate to just one asset class," she said. "I have seen portfolios that own between 1[%} and 3%  not more than that," she said.
BMW wants to keep making sedans in spite of U.S. tariff pressures on German imports and the far higher sales of sport utility vehicles, said Sebastian Mackensen, the company's North America chief.

Mackensen made the comments in an interview on Tuesday, a day before BMW unveiled an updated version of its full-size 7 Series sedan, which includes a slew of design and technology features BMW had originally developed for its electric vehicles.

The 7 Series vehicles will be the first without electric powertrains to come equipped with the new tech, which includes a panoramic heads-up display in the windshield and a voice assistant that uses artificial intelligence. Other upgrades include an enlarged drop-down screen that, along with a 36-speaker array, can essentially turn the rear seats into a small movie theater.

Called "neue klasse"  German for "new class"  BMW had intended its EVs to meld futuristic designs with a software-driven vehicle platform, following EV makers such as Tesla , Rivian , Lucid and Chinese brands.

"Already so many innovations have come to life that the company decided we need to bring those innovations into our entire lineup," Mackensen said.

The 7 Series currently starts above $99,000 for the base model and runs up through a $168,000 starting price for the high-performance i7 M70 EV.

"I would say it is really on the top of our product portfolio," Mackensen said. "It is the pinnacle of what we produce when it comes to luxury, but obviously always, always performance."

However, since 2018, another full-size BMW, the X7, has rocketed past the 7 Series in the U.S. in terms of sales. In 2025 BMW sold nearly about twice as many full-size X7 SUVs as it did full-size sedans, if you combine sales of both the 7-Series with the similar, two-door, 8-Series.

This reflects an industry-wide trend, as SUV sales have overtaken sedans by a wide margin.

The X7, meanwhile, is made in Spartanburg, South Carolina, while the 7 Series, like all BMW sedans, is imported. Vehicles shipped to the U.S. from Germany carry a 15% tariff.

"This is definitely going to come into play," said Robby DeGraff, manager of product and consumer insights at AutoPacific. "I can't see BMW ever reallocating production of the 7 Series stateside, so the automaker is going to have to carefully keep tabs on demand and actual sales, to see how long it will be worth it to import the 7 Series."

He added that the i7 is at even greater risk, given the pullback in U.S. EV sales.
A commercial vessel is seen off the coast of Dubai on April 20, 2026. - | Afp | Getty Images

Taken from CNBCs Daily Open, our international markets newsletter  Subscribe today

Hello, this is Leonie Kidd writing to you from Singapore, where CNBC is holding the second CONVERGE LIVE event in the striking Jewel complex. It will come as no surprise that the extraordinary turnaround from the White House on the ceasefire deadline with Iran has topped the agenda here. In an interview with CNBC's "Squawk Box," U.S. President Donald Trump said "I don't want to extend" the truce with Tehran, and then just hours later took to Truth Social to announce the ceasefire will continue. But delegates here at CONVERGE LIVE have emphasized that the loss of trust is a dangerous outcome of the war that will take years to rebuild.

What you need to know today

U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday extended the two-week U.S. ceasefire with Iran, saying the extension was warranted due to Tehran's government being "seriously fractured." But earlier on Tuesday, Trump said "I don't want to do that," when asked during an interview with CNBC's "Squawk Box" whether he would drop the truce deadline to allow for peace talks to progress. Trump's turnarounds earned the nickname TACO, or "Trump Always Chickens Out," initially in relation to row backs on tariffs in 2025. In Singapore, the country's Foreign Minister, Vivian Balakrishnan, told delegates at CNBC's CONVERGE LIVE that "we are witnessing the weaponization of interdependence" as key choke points like the Strait of Hormuz are disrupted.

Singapore Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan (left) speaks with CNBC's Steve Sedgwick at the CONVERGE LIVE event on April 22, 2026. CNBC

And finally...
Chairman Brett Guthrie, R-Ky., arrives for the House Energy and Commerce markup of the FY2025 budget resolution in Rayburn building on Tuesday, May 13, 2025.

Two data privacy bills set to be introduced Wednesday and shared first with CNBC would preempt nearly two dozen state laws to create a national standard limiting how tech and finance companies handle user data.

The bills  the SECURE Data Act, which focuses on technology companies and the GUARD Financial Data Act that focuses on financial services businesses  are designed to work together to form a single national standard. House Energy and Commerce Chair Brett Guthrie, R-Ky., and House Financial Services Chair French Hill, R-Ark., are throwing their support behind the bills, likely giving them momentum for first votes to take place next month.

Guthrie said in a statement to CNBC that the SECURE Act would "put an end to the confusing state-by-state patchwork of laws that fail consumers and small businesses alike." He added the measure would be similar to certain bills already passed by states like Kentucky.
In this article .FTSE

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President Donald Trump's indefinite extension to the U.S.-Iran ceasefire dominated market chatter on Wednesday, with asset prices reflecting a mixed picture. European and Asian stocks were in mixed territory, as futures markets pointed to major U.S. indices opening slightly higher. Here are four investment strategies we heard out of CNBC's London studios on Wednesday to help navigate the noise.

Real assets

watch now

Grace Peters, co-head of global investment strategy at J.P. Morgan Private Bank, is advising clients not to over-index to one-off events and not to underestimate what's going on beneath the surface, as large structural themes play out. "When you think about enduring themes that probably have an eight-to-10-year runway; security... whether that's energy supply chain [or] physical security and defense, cyber and more modern warfare as well, these are enduring themes that lead you to sectors like industrials, minerals, mining companies and... real assets. "[Real assets are] a really good complement to portfolios when you think about the overweight to the US, the overweights to technology that exist. Still, AI is a theme that we have very strong conviction in. But we do need diversification in this world of greater geopolitical risk."

AI hardware

Peters also highlighted the opportunities presented by the AI build-out within infrastructure and energy. "We think you're in the infrastructure build-out phase at the moment, which means that we prefer semis and hardware over the software stocks. generally, I think the thesis around software and whether AI is going to eat itself is going to be harder to disprove in the short term. "So we tend to follow...the physical capex. Infrastructure and energy should not be overlooked."

Appealing U.K. valuations

watch now

The FTSE 100 is up over 5% so far this year, with the U.K. blue chip index's international-focused companies providing some resilience amid the war in Iran. Sue Noffke, head of U.K. equities at Schroders, argued that London-listed companies are attractively valued relative to global peers. "Since 2021, the U.K. market has been on a bit of a re-rating. It's been mainly those larger companies, and we've seen banks, then energy, commodities, aerospace and defense have all participated in that. There's been a rolling kind of sectoral re-rate [within] pharmaceuticals, as well, from the middle of last year." "The different sectoral makeup, together with low valuations, has really powered some more interest. So yes, valuations are still pretty appealing. They're very appealing further down the size spectrum, and that's because of questions around policy and politics that are weighing."

Emerging markets play

watch now
Ships and tankers in the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Musandam, Oman, April 18, 2026.

Ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remained very light on Wednesday, the first day since President Donald Trump extended the ceasefire with Iran.

Trump's decision to unilaterally extend the truce has not opened the strait. Iran is still trying to control ship traffic in the sea lane, while the U.S.imposes a blockade of Tehran's ports and vessels.

Iran's parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said "reopening the Strait of Hormuz is impossible" as long as the U.S. blockade is in place.

At least eight ships transited the strait Wednesday including three oil tankers, according to tracking data from LSEG.

The Iranian tanker Atlantis II appears to have crossed the strait into the Gulf of Oman despite the U.S. blockade.

A big empty tanker named Virgo entered the Persian Gulf though its destination was unclear. The Virgo is a very large crude carrier that can transport up to 2 million barrels of oil.

Traffic was little changed compared with Tuesday when at least six ships made the trip, according to LSEG. About a dozen commercial vessels of various types transited on Monday, the data showed.

Traffic is way below normal levels before the war when more than 100 ships crossed the strait daily.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent arrives to testify during a Senate Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government hearing in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on April 22, 2026 in Washington, DC.

"Many of our Gulf allies have requested swap lines," Bessent said. "Swap lines, whether it's from the Federal Reserve or the Treasury, are to maintain order in the dollar funding markets and to prevent the sale of the U.S. assets in a disorderly way."

Such a swap line would provide the UAE or other Gulf nations with liquidity in the U.S. dollar, but comes loaded with political risk as U.S. consumers weather higher prices from the war for food, gas and other everyday purchases.

Bessent's comments go further than White House assertions to CNBC on Tuesday, where an official said the U.S. had not yet been formally asked to establish a currency swap line by the United Arab Emirates, only that there had been discussions about the topic .

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Wednesday that "many" oil-rich U.S. allies in the Persian Gulf have requested a financial backstop amid economic turbulence from the war with Iran .

"The swap line would both benefit the UAE and the U.S., and as I said, numerous other countries, including some of our Asian allies [who] have also requested them," he said, without specifying which other countries.

Gulf countries, including the UAE, have been hit hard by the war with Iran. Tehran has fired missiles at U.S. allies in the region, damaging economic infrastructure. Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz has also choked oil revenues that are critical to Gulf nations.

A currency swap could also be necessary to ensure the U.S. dollar, which is dominant in nearly all oil exchanges, remains in use.

President Donald Trump said on CNBC's "Squawk Box" on Tuesday that he would like to assist the UAE if it's possible.

"If I could help them, I would," the president said.

Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., who serves on both the Senate Finance and Foreign Relations committees, was supportive of a currency swap with the UAE in a Tuesday interview with CNBC.

Daines said he thinks "[Bessent] is moving in that direction, and I support him in that."

Democrats, however, are likely to take advantage of the political opening from a currency swap, especially with wealthy nations in the Middle East. The UAE has one of the highest per capita incomes in the world.

Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., who questioned Bessent on the potential currency swap at the hearing, highlighted the domestic economic circumstances under which a swap would occur.

"The war in Iran has already cost us dearly, Van Hollen said. "In addition to lives lost, we're talking about over a billion dollars a day in taxpayer money, we're talking about higher gas prices, higher prices overall, and now we understand that the UAE is asking you to provide them a swap line through the Exchange Stabilization Fund."

Van Hollen also noted troves of recent reporting on the UAE-U.S. relationship, including reported investments from members of the Gulf nation's government in the Trump family's business and the relaxing of protections around advanced artificial intelligence chips.

 CNBC's Megan Cassella contributed to this report.
Prediction market platform Kalshi said Wednesday it had suspended and fined three candidates for Congress  from Minnesota, Texas and Virginia  for "political insider trading" activity on their own campaigns.

Kalshi said in a statement that all three candidates, who each were suspended for five years, "were flagged because of our newly released safeguards to block political candidates from trading on their own elections."

The sanctioned candidates were Mark Moran, who had been a candidate in Virginia's Democratic primary for the Senate before deciding to seek the seat as an independent; Minnesota state Sen. Matt Klein, who is running in the Democratic primary for that state's 2nd Congressional District; and Ezekiel Enriquez of Texas, who ran in the Republican primary for the state's 21st Congressional District.

Kalshi identified the candidates by name in separate notices of disciplinary action.

Kalshi said Moran "traded in two markets related to his campaign."

"The first was a market on individuals who would run for public office in 2026," Kalshi said. "This person placed a trade on himself in this market."

"Then, once the trader announced himself as a candidate for the Democratic Primary election for Virginia U.S. Senate, he again traded on his own candidacy," the company said.

Moran, when contacted by Kalshi, initially acknowledged being a candidate and violating the rules, but later stopped communicating with the company's team, according to Kalshi. "Moran repeatedly refused to resolve this matter via settlement," the company said.

Kalshi fined Moran $6,229.30, in addition to suspending him, the company said.

Moran, in a statement on X, said, "I traded $100 on myself, knowing this would happen (also knowing that I wouldn't be vying for the democratic nomination) and the attention it would create to highlight how this company is destroying young men and as Senator I will go after Kalshi and impose significant penalties on them - 25% - a vice tax - to pay down our national debt."

"Also ironic timing given that on DC subways, Kalshi has to run ads that they are a fair and legal betting market, bc they know heat is on them and the admin already chose their winner with polymarket They know they're f---ed and trying to do the same thing the tobacco companies did," Moran wrote.

Klein and Enriquez both cooperated with Kalshi's probes, according to the company.
Kristi Noem, secretary of the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS), during a news conference at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) headquarters in Washington, DC, US, on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026.

A Chilean man who admitted stealing then-Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem's Gucci handbag as part of a string of purse thefts in Washington, D.C., last year was sentenced on Wednesday to three years in prison, the Department of Justice said.

The crook, Mario Bustamante Leiva, 50, is residing in the U.S. illegally and will be subject to deportation at the end of his sentence, the DOJ said.

Bustamante Leiva was arrested in late April 2025, less than a week after he entered the D.C. restaurant Capital Burger and snatched the purse that  unbeknownst to him  belonged to Noem, who at the time was one of President Donald Trump's most prominent Cabinet officials.

Noem was at the restaurant dining with her family for Easter. At the time of the theft, she was under Secret Service protection.

Noem was ousted from her post last month, in what has become a growing shake-up of Trump's Cabinet.
A version of this article first appeared in the CNBC Property Play newsletter with Diana Olick. Property Play covers new and evolving opportunities for the real estate investor, from individuals to venture capitalists, private equity funds, family offices, institutional investors and large public companies. Sign up to receive future editions, straight to your inbox. Life science laboratories, mainly in biotech and biopharma, saw a massive drop in demand last year after the National Institutes of Health was forced to cancel billions of dollars in research grants. NIH funding was cut severely by the federal government. Of the 10 largest life sciences markets tracked by JLL, the aggregate vacancy rate was 27.4% in the first quarter of this year, up from 25.7% during the same period in 2025. Major markets like Boston and the Bay Area had vacancy rates over 30%. The sector, however, is beginning to stabilize. A separate report from CBRE shows venture capital investment in life sciences in the second half of 2025 was the strongest since 2022. In addition, the amount of space under construction is at its lowest since 2017. An October JLL report predicts, "gradual market stabilization driven by supply rationalization rather than dramatic demand recovery." JLL forecasts that availability rates will decline to approximately 20% by 2030, "assuming continued below-average absorption coupled with significant supply exits through distress sales and adaptive reuse projects." The market correction in the space, however, has been historic, according to Travis McCready, head of industries leasing advisory at JLL. And the trouble isn't just funding cuts. McCready characterized the current oversupply situation as a combination of unprecedented construction combined with a fundamental change in how life sciences companies are using real estate. "This entire story and this entire narrative is evolving in real time," said McCready. "We got really, really good at building that asset class based on the assumption of what type of equipment and enabling technology biotech companies needed, and then came AI and robots." This is where the opportunity presents itself. McCready projects that close to 19 million square feet of available lab space will shift to other uses by 2030, but the companies and markets that adapt will end up stronger and more competitive. That adaptation comes in the architecture. Gensler, the largest architectural firm in the world, recently completed a yearlong, cross-disciplinary research initiative looking at how AI, automation and robotics are reshaping not just lab operations, but real estate strategy itself, from infrastructure requirements and space ratios to the composition of the workforce, according to the company. "It's transformative," said Ryley Poblete, global sciences practice area leader at Gensler. "Where we're going with science, especially with these new tools of automation and AI, is completely changing the way we think about how you would do process." Poblete pointed to the transformation of the so-called wet bench area, where scientists use instruments to conduct experiments. Many of these experiments can now be done with AI or automation, which means as robotics and computers move in, test tubes move out. From a real estate perspective, companies are learning what the new technologies can do and reevaluating the facilities they have to inform whether a space can be upgraded. "That's happening in the real estate portfolios of the large clients, the people who have campuses and assets," said Poblete. The vacancies, according to the Gensler study, are actually masking a quality problem: Much of today's empty inventory was never truly "Class A" lab space to begin with. Even as it looks like the real estate needs of lab sciences are shrinking, there is a growing discussion about what kind of lab real estate will survive and outperform in the next cycle. "Large biotech companies and even the large chemical companies are evaluating their own infrastructures nowadays to really validate that they will be worthwhile taking it forward, or looking at a consolidation strategy or a new build strategy that brings these pieces together in the right environments," Poblete said. Gensler is actively looking at older spaces, assessing the increased power and air needs for larger computers that run artificial intelligence. They're also looking to see if the spaces can be modified to fit robotics. Poblete described it as essentially putting small data centers into laboratory spaces. Of course, they also need to see if the building structure can take the weight of all the new systems. Newer buildings, for the most part, can, but older ones are in question. The spaces are being redesigned for the machines, but there still needs to be some kind of creative lab environment where scientists can validate what the machines are doing. That involves deep focus, Poblete said, which requires quiet areas, not the open, often noisier workspaces that are more popular in today's newer offices. Then there is the collaborative process. Scientists are no longer working entirely alone. They're working with AI researchers, engineers and process designers. "Those people all work together with them now and not separately, and that's been a big change for the industry, not just from a life science perspective, but from a chemistry perspective," said Poblete. "They used to all think of themselves as like this, the hero scientists, in a way. Now that whole interdisciplinary science movement is  it's an essential need for you to work with these partners to create real future endeavors." Poblete pointed to Genentech as an example. The company is undergoing a major, multiyear buildout of its global headquarters campus in Basel, Switzerland. It is investing more than 3 billion Swiss francs (US$3.82 billion) in site development, including a new 72-meter research building scheduled for completion in 2029, according to its parent company, Roche , which says the development aims to modernize research facilities and consolidate R & D functions.
Chinese engineers plan to study building greenhouse on lunar surface

Xinhua) 10:40, April 22, 2026

BEIJING, April 21 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese lunar exploration team plans to conduct research on a lunar surface greenhouse, according to Wang Qiong, a senior space engineer with the China National Space Administration (CNSA), during a press conference in Beijing on Tuesday.

By utilizing lunar surface construction technologies, they hope to build a greenhouse that will enable rovers and robots on the moon to better and more easily endure the harsh conditions of the lunar night, said Wang, a researcher at the CNSA's Lunar Exploration and Space Program Center.

Lasting 14 days and with temperatures dropping to minus 200 degrees Celsius, the lunar night poses severe challenges. Wang believes that as the lunar exploration moves toward long-term stays on the moon, such a greenhouse on the lunar surface will prove useful.

According to Wang, also deputy chief designer of the Chang'e-6 mission, by studying the samples returned by Chang'e-6, Chinese scientists have made a series of major scientific breakthroughs, revealing for the first time the evolutionary history of the lunar far side.

On June 25, 2024, the returner of the Chang'e-6 probe made a landing in north China, bringing back 1,935.3 grams of samples from the far side of the moon, the first time in human history.

"We have also carried out fruitful international cooperation," he said, adding that the Chang'e-6 mission carried a CubeSat of Pakistan and three scientific payloads from France, the European Space Agency (ESA) and Italy, all of which have achieved exploration results exceeding expectations.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
BEIJING, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Gaotu Techedu Inc. (NYSE: GOTU) ("Gaotu" or the "Company"), a leading technology-driven education company in China focused on enabling lifelong learning through AI-powered solutions, today filed its annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The annual report on Form 20-F can be accessed on the Company's investor relations website at https://ir.gaotu.cn/.

The Company will provide a hard copy of its annual report containing the audited consolidated financial statements, free of charge, to its shareholders and ADS holders upon request. Requests should be directed to Investor Relations Department, Gaotu Techedu Inc., 5F, Gientech Building, 17 East Zone, 10 Xibeiwang East Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100193, People's Republic of China.

About Gaotu Techedu Inc.

Gaotu is a leading technology-driven education company in China focused on enabling lifelong learning through AI-powered solutions that cultivate interest and drive continuous growth. The Company provides AI-powered, product-led learning solutions for learners from pre-school to adulthood. By combining rare, high-caliber teaching resources with AI-enhanced tools and content, Gaotu creates engaging and effective learning experiences delivered through both online and offline channels. AI and data analytics permeate throughout the Company's operations to adapt content and teaching methods to individual learner needs, enhance efficiency and drive sustained learning progress.

For further information, please contact:

Gaotu Techedu Inc.

Investor Relations

E-mail: [email protected]

Piacente Financial Communications

Brandi Piacente

Tel: +1 212 481-2050

Jenny Cai

Tel: +86 10 6508-0677

E-mail: [email protected]

SOURCE Gaotu Techedu Inc.
Lululemon on Wednesday named Heidi ONeill as the athleisure company's new CEO, effective Sept. 8.

The news comes after the company has seen more than a year of disappointing performance and is embroiled in a dramatic proxy battle, with founder Chip Wilson criticizing the business.

Shares of the company sank more than 5% in extended trading.

O'Neill has held multiple roles at Nike, contributing to the sportswear behemoth's growth. She also held positions at Levi Strauss, Hyatt Hotels and Spotify.

"Heidi is an inspiring leader and proven, consumer-driven brand strategist, with a rare ability to both imagine a new future for a brand and to create the structure and processes to deliver on that vision," said Marti Morfitt, Lululemon's executive chair of the board of directors, in a statement. "We selected Heidi because of the breadth of her experience, her demonstrated success delivering breakthrough ideas and initiatives at scale, and her ability to be a knowledgeable change and growth agent."

O'Neill said in a statement that she plans to focus on building off of the company's core foundation and unlock growth in global markets. O'Neill will start with a base salary of $1.4 million, according to an 8-K filing.

"I am humbled by the opportunity and energized by what the team is already building," she said in her statement. "I look forward to joining the company and helping to define and deliver the organization's next chapter of success."

Lululemon has been struggling with weak sales and increased competition, as well as mounting costs from tariffs. In its last earnings report, the retailer said it expects tariffs to cost the company $380 million this year.

Wilson, Lululemon's largest shareholder, has also been placing increased public pressure on the company to make changes to its board of directors. He did not immediately respond to a request to comment on the appointment.

In a statement, GlobalData managing director Neil Saunders said O'Neill has "a very strong pedigree in the activewear and sporting space" and "has an intimate knowledge of how the industry works."

"There will be some, mostly activist investors, who see O'Neill as something of a safe and traditional choice," Saunders said. "This argument is partly valid as a lot of cultural change is needed at Lululemon in order to improve performance. However, in our view, O'Neill is her own person who will come with an agenda of change."

While at Nike, O'Neill played a key role in the company's doomed direct-to-consumer sales strategy, where the brand pivoted away from wholesale partners in favor of its own website and stores under former CEO John Donahoe. When current CEO Elliott Hill took over as Nike's next chief executive, he made it a priority to walk back the direct-selling plan.

Prior to leaving Nike, O'Neill also oversaw product and innovation at a time when the brand faced criticism for falling behind on new products and focusing too heavily on the same legacy lifestyle franchises, Dunks, Air Force Ones and Air Jordans. While the franchises briefly led to a surge in sales, fueling Nike's growth to a $50 billion-plus brand, they ultimately became ubiquitous in the market and viewed as uncool by some consumers.

Now, Hill is still working on unwinding that strategy and clearing inventory from those franchises from the marketplace, which has hit Nike's margins and led to a decline in sales online.
Oil prices rose Wednesday, as Iran claimed to have seized two ships in the Strait of Hormuz shortly after President Donald Trump extended the ceasefire.

International benchmark Brent crude rose more than 3% to close at $101.91 per barrel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures advanced more than 3% to settle at $92.96 per barrel.

Prices rose as it became clear that the ceasefire extension will not necessarily lead to an increase in oil exports through the strait. Exports from Middle East Gulf producers have collapsed during the war, triggering the largest oil supply disruption in history.

Tanker traffic in the strait remained light Wednesday as shippers face a dangerous security situation. Iran's Revolutionary Guard said Wednesday that it seized two container ships as they tried to cross the strait "without authorization," according to the state news agency Tasnim.

The U.S., meanwhile, is maintaining its naval blockade of Iran during the ceasefire.

Trump prolonged the temporary truce on Tuesday after U.S. plans to hold a second round of peace negotiations with Iran in Pakistan fell apart.

The president claimed Iran's leadership was fractured. He said the ceasefire will remain in place until Iran's leaders present a unified proposal to end hostilities with Washington and Israel.

The ceasefire extension underscores the uncertain path toward de-escalation. While the move delays the risk of imminent military strikes, it also highlights the lack of a clear diplomatic breakthrough that completely opens the strait to commercial ships.

Iran's leadership may be fractured but it is functioning, said Bob McNally, president of Rapidan Energy. The regime in Tehran is confident that it has the upper hand over Trump, McNally said.

"They are ready to eat grass for six months to keep their chokehold on this jugular to wait for those oil prices to go even higher and eventually equities to go lower," McNally said.

"They think they are going to end up surviving this conflict having taught a lesson and maybe even with some control over the Strait of Hormuz," he said.
Rep. David Scott, D-Ga., questions HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge during the House Financial Services Committee hearing titled Building Back A Better, More Equitable Housing Infrastructure for America: Oversight of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, in Rayburn Building on Tuesday, July 20, 2021.

U.S. Rep. David Scott, a Georgia Democrat and the first Black chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, has died. He was 80.

Scott, who was seeking his 13th term in Congress despite challenges from within his party, was once a leading voice for Democrats on issues related to farm aid policy and food aid for consumers and a prominent Black member of the party's moderate Blue Dog caucus. But he faced criticism and concerns in recent years because of declining health, enduring a primary challenge in 2024 and facing another one at the time of his death.

Democrats on Capitol Hill praised the longtime lawmaker.

"The news of Congressman Scott's passing is deeply sad," House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries told reporters on Wednesday.

"David Scott was a trailblazer who served district that he represented admirably, rose up from humble beginnings to become the first African American ever to chair the House Ag Committee," Jeffries said. "He cared about the people that he represented. He was fiercely committed to getting things done for the people of the great state of Georgia, and he'll be deeply missed."

News of Scott's death came during the Congressional Black Caucus' weekly luncheon on Capitol Hill. The Black Caucus' chair, Rep. Yvette Clarke, told lawmakers at the outset of the meeting, according to a person who insisted on anonymity to discuss a private conversation. Many lawmakers in the room, some of whom had served with Scott for decades, were shocked and saddened by the news.

Scott's death slightly widens Republicans' narrow House majority going into the thick of this midterm election year.

The congressman was not especially active on the campaign trail in 2026. But he had been dismissive of pressure to retire.

"Thank God I'm in good health, moving and doing the people's work," Scott said in 2024.

David Albert Scott was born in rural Aynor, South Carolina, on June 27, 1945, in the era of Jim Crow segregation. He graduated from Florida A&M University, one of the nation's largest historically Black college campuses  and in office he was an outspoken advocate for federal support of HBCUs. Scott also earned an MBA from the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School.

He was already a veteran state lawmaker in Georgia before being elected to Congress in 2002.
U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. gestures as he speaks during an event at the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., Dec. 19, 2025.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Wednesday said he would support a potential ban on junk food TV advertisements in the U.S.  an effort that would likely draw fierce backlash from major food manufacturers.

Speaking at a Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee hearing, ranking member Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., said President Donald Trump's nominee for surgeon general, Casey Means, had recently told the panel she supports banning junk food ads on TV.

When asked whether he agrees with a ban, Kennedy said, "I would support that."

But Kennedy also appeared to imply that he would want the effort to be voluntary for food companies.

"The only hesitation I have was ... we tried to do a smoking ban on TV, and the tobacco companies voluntarily came to the table, which was a good thing," he said. "And I think the same arguments apply for junk food, [which is] probably even worse for Americans than smoking."

Food, beverage and restaurant companies spend almost $14 billion per year on food ads in the U.S., with more than 80% promoting fast food, sugary drinks, candy, and unhealthy snacks, 2017 research from the University of Connecticut's Rudd Center for Food Policy and Health shows. It is not clear how trends have changed in the years since.

The Trump administration is already exploring whether to limit food companies' ability to market certain unhealthy foods to children, according to a "Make America Healthy Again" strategy document released by the White House in September.
Wizz Air will be hit hardest by the jet fuel crisis impacting Europe's airline industry, according to analysts at Morningstar  but Ryanair and British Airways owner International Consolidated Airlines Group could be best placed to weather the supply squeeze that threatens to upend the continent's summer travel plans. Airlines with stronger margin buffers, better fuel hedging, and lower direct operational exposure to the Middle East are among those expected to best weather the looming travel turmoil, Loredana Muharremi, equity analyst at Morningstar, wrote in a note on Wednesday. "In Europe, that points to Ryanair among low-cost carriers and IAG among network carriers. By contrast, Wizz Air is the most exposed, given lower full-year hedge protection, a higher fuel cost share, and weaker margin cushion," she said. However, she warned that even the best-hedged airlines are only "partially-shielded" from the soaring fuel prices. WIZZ-GB 3M mountain Wizz Air. London-listed, low-cost Hungarian carrier Wizz Air has the lowest full-year hedge for 2026, which at about 55% is a 'very low' margin buffer, according to Morningstar data. Ryanair, in contrast, has a 'high' full-year at 80%, with IAG  which owns British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus and Vueling  at 62%. Germany's Lufthansa is 77% hedged, while London-listed budget carrier EasyJet is at about 70%. Between 25% and 35% of global jet fuel supply is shipped through the critical Strait of Hormuz shipping lane in the Middle East, which has remained mostly closed since hostilities between the U.S. and its allies and Iran began on Feb. 28. IAG-GB 3M mountain International Consolidated Airlines Group. The International Energy Agency last week warned that Europe could run out of jet fuel within six weeks. Despite the ceasefire extension announced by U.S. President Donald Trump late Tuesday, the maritime corridor remains volatile , which has left oil prices elevated and jet fuel supply restricted  leading to capacity cuts among many carriers. Muharremi said European airlines entered the crisis reasonably well-protected  but warned that fuel hedges are "front-loaded and thinning fast." "Since the outbreak of the conflict, jet fuel prices have doubled versus roughly a one-third rise in crude oil, so even well-hedged airlines are only partially shielded," Muharremi told CNBC via email. 0A2U-GB 3M mountain Ryanair. European airlines have already slashed short haul capacity for April and May, with the region's 'big three' network carriers  Lufthansa, Air France-KLM, and IAG  also cutting transatlantic capacity, Bank of America analysis shows. BofA analysts also said in a note Wednesday that some European carriers have pushed capacity back from the second quarter into the third quarter. "Operationally, the impact is real but uneven and direct Middle East revenue exposure is still relatively limited for most European airlines," Muharremi said. "The bigger issue is rerouting  often adding one to three hours on Europe-Asia sectors  which raises fuel burn, reduces aircraft utilization, and complicates crew scheduling." EZJ-GB 3M mountain EasyJet. EasyJet last week warned that volatile oil prices will weigh on costs over the coming months, impacting customer bookings. Danni Hewson, head of financial analysis at AJ Bell, said costs pressures will continue as the year progress, adding that airlines are unlikely to lock in new fuel hedges at current high prices amid ongoing uncertainty. That will leave elevated costs effectively built-in for months ahead, Hewson explained, adding that the key unknown now is fuel availability and how competition for supply could unfold. "For airlines it's all about bums on seats  they want full flights on both legs of a journey to help offset increased costs. Margins on low-cost airlines are always tight, and fuel is an outsized cost which means they're already being squeezed hard by the energy shock. Cancellations mean friction and friction increases costs in a myriad of ways."
ServiceNow CEO Bill McDermott on Wednesday downplayed concerns that the Iran war is materially disrupting the company's business, even as the software provider's first-quarter results were dented by delays in the Middle East.

"Everything is fine. The Middle East is opening up in talks again," McDermott told CNBC's Jim Cramer on "Mad Money" on Wednesday.

ServiceNow's subscription revenue grew 19% on a constant currency basis in the quarter, including a 75 basis point headwind tied to delayed on-premise deal closings in the Middle East. However, McDermott said the impact is largely about timing, rather than demand deterioration stemming from the war.

"You're dealing with sovereign clouds in the Middle East," he said. "When there's a delay ... it has an immediate impact."

McDermott's comments aired Wednesday night as ServiceNow shares slid 13% in after-hours trading, even though the company beat Wall Street expectations on both total revenue and earnings.

Beyond geopolitical concerns, ServiceNow shares have been under pressure for months, down roughly 30% this year, as investors grew concerned that artificial intelligence will disrupt their businesses and make them less valuable down the road.

McDermott pushed back on that skepticism, arguing that AI is ultimately a "tailwind" for the company rather than a threat. ServiceNow's software is commonly used by IT and human resources departments to automate workflows and handle tasks such as ordering devices for new employees.

"The more AI that happens  everything runs through ServiceNow," he said. "It thinks, but workflow acts, and that's where we come in."

He added that demand trends remain strong, pointing to continued expansion in the company's user base and accelerating AI-related adoption. "Our business is doing great," McDermott said. "And it's all about AI."
Check out the companies making the biggest moves premarket: United Airlines  Shares rose more than 1.5% even after the airline posted disappointing guidance for its current quarter and full year as rising fuel prices pressure its outlook. United expects 2026 adjusted earnings of between $7 and $11 per share, down from prior guidance of between $12 and $14 per share. The company also expects adjusted earnings for its current quarter to come in the range of $1 to $2 per share, lower than FactSet's $2.08 estimate. However, the company's first-quarter earnings and revenue both beat expectations. GE Vernova  The energy technology company popped 4% after its first quarter revenue topped expectations. GE Vernova reported $9.34 billion in revenue compared to estimates of $9.25 billion, according to analysts polled by FactSet. The company also reported earnings of $17.44 per share, though StreetAccount noted it wasn't clear if that was comparable to estimates of $1.95. Boeing  Shares jumped 3.5% after the company reported better-than-expected losses in the first quarter. The company lost 20 cents per share and delivered $22.22 billion, compared to estimates of 80 cents in losses per share and $21.78 billion in revenue, according to LSEG. Capital One Financial  The stock shed almost 3% after the bank posted first-quarter earnings of $4.42 per share, excluding items, and revenue of $15.23 billion. This came below the estimated profit of $4.55 per share and revenue of $15.36 billion that analysts polled by LSEG were anticipating. Vertiv  Shares fell more than 4% despite the company reporting an earnings and revenue beat in its first-quarter report. Vertiv delivered $1.17 in earnings per share and revenue of $2.65 billion, compared to estimates for $1 in earnings per share and $2.64 billion in revenue, according to analysts polled by FactSet. AT & T  Shares were up 0.5% after the company posted first-quarter results that beat analyst expectations. The telecom giant earned an adjusted 57 cents per share on revenue of $31.5 billion. Analysts polled by LSEG expected a profit of 55 cents per share on revenue of $31.25 billion. Best Buy  The retailer jumped 2% after it announced Jason Bonfig will replace Corie Barry as CEO starting on Oct. 31. Bonfig is currently the company's chief customer, product and fulfillment officer. Interactive Brokers Group  Shares rose 0.5% despite the brokerage company's first-quarter revenue of $1.68 billion falling short of the $1.71 billion analysts surveyed by LSEG had penciled in. The company's adjusted earnings of 60 cents per share were in line with expectations. Coinbase , Robinhood  The digital trading platforms rose after Bitcoin prices hit their highest levels since early February, crossing $78,000. Coinbase jumped nearly 4.5%, while Robinhood rose about 3.5%. W. R. Berkley  The insurance name shed 1% after it reported first-quarter operating earnings of $1.30 per share, higher than the FactSet consensus of $1.13 per share. However, gross and net premiums came under expectations. Adobe  Shares rose nearly 3% after the tech company's board approved a $25 billion stock repurchase program through April 2030. The buyback plan comes as Adobe's stock is down more than 29% year to date. Boston Scientific  The stock rose 0.5% after a first-quarter financial report that was broadly in line with expectations. Boston Scientific delivered earnings of 80 cents and $5.2 billion in revenue, compared to estimates of 79 cents in earnings per share and $5.17 billion in revenue, according to analysts polled by FactSet. However, the company's full-year guidance of $3.34 to $3.41 in earnings per share came below expectations of $3.45. Elevance Health  The insurer fell nearly 0.5% despite its better-than-expected earnings report and the company forecasting better-than-expected guidance. Elevance reported $12.58 in earnings per share and $49.49 billion in revenue, compared to estimates according to analysts polled by FactSet for $11.03 and $48.17 billion, respectively.  CNBC's Fred Imbert and Lisa Kailai Han contributed reporting
In this handout photo provided by U.S. Central Command, U.S. forces patrol the Arabian Sea near M/V Touska on April 20, 2026, after firing upon the Iranian-flagged vessel that the U.S. accused of attempting to violate the U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports near the Strait of Hormuz.

The announcement came after U.K. maritime authorities said two ships had been attacked in the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian media reported a third vessel had also been targeted by the country's military.

Iran's Revolutionary Guard Navy said in a statement that it had seized the ships for what it claimed were maritime violations and transferred them to Iranian shores, according to state media. CNBC could not independently verify the claim.

Iran's navy on Wednesday said it had seized two container ships in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, shortly after the U.S. extended the ceasefire and as diplomats seek to bring the countries together for peace talks.

International benchmark Brent crude futures with June delivery traded 0.5% higher at $99.03 per barrel, paring gains after briefly surpassing $100. U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures with June delivery, meanwhile, traded up 0.5% at $90.13.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations, or UKMTO, center said a vessel reported being fired upon about 8 nautical miles off the coast of Iran at 8:38 a.m. London time (3:38 a.m. ET).

The crew were reported to be safe and accounted for and the vessel did not sustain any damage, the UKMTO said, which also warned of "high levels of activity" in the Strait of Hormuz area.

The incident followed an earlier report of an attack that took place roughly 15 miles northeast of Oman at 5:47 a.m. London time.

The UKMTO said a container ship was approached by a Revolutionary Guard gunboat. The Guard's vessel was said to have fired upon the ship, causing "heavy damage" to the bridge. All crew were reported safe.

The attacks come shortly after President Donald Trump said the U.S. would extend the ceasefire with Iran to allow for the Islamic Republic's leaders to submit a "unified proposal" to end the war.

This came after reports that Vice President JD Vance's trip to Pakistan for a second round of peace talks with Iranian officials had been put on hold, and after the Iranian state news outlet Tasnim reported that negotiators from Tehran would not attend further talks.

The Strait of Hormuz is a key maritime corridor that connects the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. Roughly 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas typically passes through it. Attacks on commercial ships in the Gulf in recent weeks have ratcheted up fears of a prolonged economic shock.

 CNBC's Dan Mangan and Kevin Breuninger contributed to this report.
"Cheap" and "tech" aren't words typically mentioned in the same sentence on Wall Street. Barclays strategist Venu Krishna pointed out that Big Tech currently trades around 26 times forward earnings. While that's technically a premium to the S & P 500, which trades at a multiple of 21, it's also only in the 14th percentile in terms of relative valuation over the past decade. This comes as traders brace for a big week of earnings. Meta Platforms , Alphabet , Amazon and Apple are all set to post their latest results next week. So far, the reporting period has been strong. Of the more than 80 companies in the S & P 500 that have so far posted their latest quarterly financials, nearly 85% have topped earnings expectations, according to FactSet data. XLK YTD mountain Tech year to date The combination of historically low valuations in major technology names and a strong earnings backdrop could add fuel to a stock market that refuses to buckle, even as geopolitical uncertainty swirls around the globe. "Taken together with superior margins and greater resilience to energy-driven demand shocks, this valuation backdrop reinforces our view that the U.S. remains better positioned than its global peers," wrote Krishna at Barclays. "The U.S. consumer has stayed largely resilient, and U.S. equity funds have seen over $100 [billion] of inflows year to date." Krishna sees the S & P 500 ending the year at 7,650  implying upside of 8.3% from Tuesday's close. Stocks were headed for a strong session early Wednesday, boosted by a U.S.-Iran ceasefire extension and solid quarterly figures from companies such as Boeing .
Security personnel stand guard at a security checkpost along a road temporarily closed near the Serena Hotel at the Red Zone area in Islamabad on April 20, 2026, ahead of anticipated US-Iran peace talks.

U.S. Treasury yields moved higher on Wednesday after President Donald Trump announced an indefinite extension to the ceasefire with Iran.

The yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury note  the key benchmark for U.S. government borrowing  was up more than 1 basis point at 4.305%.

The 2-year Treasury note yield, which more closely tracks short-term Federal Reserve interest rate policy, increased more than 2 basis points to 3.80%. The longer-dated 30-year Treasury bond yield gained more than 1 basis point to 4.909%.

One basis point is equal to 0.01%, and yields and prices move in opposite directions.
Las Vegas divorce lawyers welcome employees' children behind the scenes, highlighting the role family law attorneys play in helping Nevada parents navigate divorce, child custody, and new beginnings.

LAS VEGAS, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Gastelum Attorneys, a bilingual Las Vegas family law firm that has represented more than 5,000 clients across Clark County, will open its offices to employees' children today in observance of Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day. The national event, founded in 1993 and observed annually on the fourth Thursday of April, encourages parents to introduce their children to the working world.

At a Las Vegas divorce lawyer practice, the day carries particular meaning. Managing Attorney Jennifer Setters, J.D.  a first-generation Mexican-American graduate of the William S. Boyd School of Law at UNLV (Nevada Bar No. 13126)  said the firm's work is shaped every day by decisions that affect children.

"A family law firm is an unusual place to bring a child, and that is exactly why it matters," Setters said. "Our attorneys help parents in Las Vegas, Henderson, and North Las Vegas make decisions that shape their children's lives: custody schedules, child support, relocation requests, holiday parenting time. When our own kids walk through the office, they see that this work is serious, that it is respectful, and that the families who come to us are treated with care."

Programming Built Around the Work of a Family Law Firm

Throughout the day, children of Gastelum Attorneys team members  including Supervising Attorney Yadira Santana, Senior Associates Natricia Tricano and Maria Milano, and Associates Lisa Woodson and Jillian Hardwick  will participate in age-appropriate activities introducing them to the profession without exposing them to active case details. Planned activities include an office tour, a walk-through of Nevada courtroom etiquette, a session on what family law attorneys actually do each day, and a short conversation about how Las Vegas divorce lawyers work to keep children's interests centered when parents separate.

Jeremy Setters, LCSW (Nevada License No. 8762-C), who advises the firm on the clinical and child-welfare dimensions of its family law practice, said the day is also an opportunity to model how adults can talk honestly about family change without alarming children.

"Children hear more than adults realize, and they draw their own conclusions when the grown-ups go silent," Setters said. "Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day at a family law firm is a natural moment to show children that when families change, there are professionals  attorneys, paralegals, counselors  whose job is to help. That framing matters, especially for the children who live it."

A Bilingual Practice Serving the Las Vegas Valley

Gastelum Attorneys handles divorce, child custody, child support, spousal support, adoption, and guardianship matters in English and Spanish throughout Clark County, Nevada. The firm operates from offices including a Summerlin location at 1635 Village Center Circle, Suite 250, Las Vegas, NV 89134, with hours Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Spanish-language services are available at gastelumattorneysespanol.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day in 2026? Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day is observed on Thursday, April 23, 2026. The holiday, sometimes called Bring Your Child to Work Day or Take Your Child to Work Day, falls on the fourth Thursday of April each year in the United States.

Where is Gastelum Attorneys located? Gastelum Attorneys is a Las Vegas family law firm serving clients across Clark County, Nevada  including Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas, and Summerlin. The firm's Summerlin office is located at 1635 Village Center Circle, Suite 250, Las Vegas, NV 89134.

What family law services does Gastelum Attorneys provide? Gastelum Attorneys provides divorce, child custody, child support, spousal support, adoption, and guardianship representation throughout Nevada. The firm offers bilingual English and Spanish representation and has handled more than 5,000 family law cases.

Who is the managing attorney at Gastelum Attorneys? Jennifer Setters, J.D., is the managing attorney at Gastelum Attorneys. She is admitted to the Nevada State Bar (No. 13126), is a graduate of the William S. Boyd School of Law at UNLV, and is a first-generation Mexican-American attorney serving families throughout the Las Vegas valley.

Is Gastelum Attorneys a bilingual law firm? Yes. Gastelum Attorneys is a bilingual Las Vegas family law firm serving clients in English and Spanish, with a dedicated Spanish-language site at gastelumattorneysespanol.com.

About Gastelum Attorneys

Gastelum Attorneys is a Las Vegas family law firm focused on divorce, child custody, child support, spousal support, adoption, and guardianship matters throughout Clark County, Nevada. Led by Managing Attorney Jennifer Setters, the firm's six attorneys have represented more than 5,000 clients across Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas, and Summerlin. Gastelum Attorneys serves clients in both English and Spanish.

Media Contact

Gastelum Attorneys Website: https://gastelumattorneys.com Espanol: https://gastelumattorneysespanol.com Social: @jgastelumlaw on Facebook and Instagram

New Beginnings, Brighter Tomorrows.

Media & press contact

Primary contact

Gastelum Attorneys

(702) 979-1455

gastelumattorneys.com/contact/

@jgastelumlaw (Facebook, Instagram)

Summerlin office

1635 Village Center Cir, Ste. 250

Las Vegas, NV 89134

MonFri, 9:00 AM  5:00 PM

(702) 979-1455

SOURCE Gastelum Attorneys
Tourists and visitors walking around the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque the largest Mosque the United Arab Emirates, a key place of daily worship in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. There are 82 domes of seven different sizes and 4 minarets throughout, and has a large car park and a shopping mall underneath it. Andrew Aitchison | In Pictures | Getty Images

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Many experts are cautious in betting against the UAE even though there are legitimate questions about the lasting impact on consumers and the tourist perception of the region. At the center of that disruption is Dubai International Airport  the world's busiest international hub  which, McGehee said, was "virtually shut down for weeks." Since the onset of the conflict, more than 30,000 flights have been canceled across the region, according to McGehee. The UAE's tourism model depends on constant motion: international arrivals, transit passengers, retail consumption, and short-term stays feeding a broader service economy. When that flow stalls, the effects cascade rapidly. "Dubai hotel occupancy has plummeted by 7080%," McGehee said, citing both security concerns and the visible presence of military infrastructure in key tourist zones. "Many hotels are opting to close for renovation to save on employment costs." Short-term rentals, often a flexible buffer in downturns, are also seeing sharp declines. Roughly 250,000 bookings were canceled in March alone, an unusually synchronized collapse across platforms. Alongside the collapse in inbound tourism, shifts in domestic consumer spending add additional pressure to the consumer economy in the region. Households across the UAE are moving into a more defensive posture by cutting discretionary purchases, delaying travel, and building savings amid uncertainty. This behavioral shift amplifies the external shock from lost tourism, weakening demand from both outside and within the country.

In an economy where retail, hospitality, and services are deeply intertwined, that combination can accelerate downturn dynamics. But despite the severity of the disruption, gulf tourism markets have rebounded quickly after recent shocks  whether financial crisis, pandemic, or regional tensions  often aided by aggressive pricing, marketing campaigns, and infrastructure readiness. "It is important to recognize how the industry stepped up in the early days of the war, offering free stays to those stranded," McGehee said. "The government is also a strong supporter of tourism and will be ready to bounce back when things stabilize." Even as the recent ceasefire began to restore limited traffic, traveler confidence remains fragile, but a sustained ceasefire could restore more lasting confidence within a few months. For now, hotels are pivoting toward domestic and regional visitors, promoting staycations and discount packages to fill empty rooms. That shift reflects a core feature of the UAE model: flexibility in demand sourcing, even if international travelers ultimately remain a primary engine. "Households are being careful with discretionary spending, retail and restaurant spending has gone down," said Armin Moradi, CEO and founder of Qashio, a spend management platform based in the region. In the short term, the calendar and weather don't favor a tourism boost. While the ceasefire means the chance of a temporary recovery from the second half of April until early June, Moradi described the prospect as "a small buffer" for hospitality and retail before the slower summer months when temperatures rise. At the same time, the disruption is reshaping the calendar of the global events economy that the UAE relies on, but maybe delaying revenue rather than erasing it. "Many industry events that normally take place in April and May will now be pushed to September through November," Moradi said, potentially leading to a surge in demand later in the year. "We should see a significant inflation in hotel bookings and travel costs to help with some recovery from the spring losses." Tourism is a fast-growing sector, just ask Disney The nearly $70 billion that tourism contributed to the UAE economy in 2025, a record level, according to a recent World Travel & Tourism Council estimate, accounted for nearly 12% of national GDP. That represented a 22% increase over the 2019 level, and is a big share of a broader Middle East tourism economy estimated at over $200 billion. Dubai  the region's tourism engine  also posted another record year, welcoming more than 19 million international overnight visitors in 2025, according to the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism. The UAE continues to position itself for long-term tourism growth, highlighting a tension between immediate disruption and structural ambition. One of the most closely watched developments is the planned Disney theme park in Abu Dhabi, part of a continued and broader push to deepen the country's appeal as a global entertainment destination.

watch now

The project has been repeatedly referenced by senior leadership at Disney as part of its international expansion strategy since the outbreak of the conflict, which some take as a signal of confidence in the UAE's long-term positioning as a tourism hub. Josh D'Amaro, chairman of Disney Experiences, highlighted the Abu Dhabi development during the company's March shareholder meeting, while Disney Experiences Chairman Thomas Mazloum reiterated its importance at a recent World of Frozen at Disneyland Paris event. A Disney spokesperson declined to comment. The UAE's model has long been built on global flows, welcoming millions of international visitors, serving as a transit crossroads, and anchoring a consumption-driven service sector. That same openness also creates vulnerability when external shocks hit. Travel demand is highly sensitive to perceptions of safety, and even temporary disruptions can have lingering effects on booking behavior. "Travelers are still uneasy about going through the region and being stranded," McGehee said. Moradi echoed a common view among regional experts: the UAE's long-term positioning remains intact. "I believe it will recover rapidly," he said. "Seasonality does play a role with the hot summer, but the infrastructure for tourism is well established and the influx of tourism towards August to December will be catered for." "Developments have not halted," Moradi said, but he added, "some vanity projects might have been put on hold, and focus on short-term returns has increased due to immediate need for cash flow by businesses." "The UAE is one of the world's most financially resilient economies," its ambassador to the U.S., Youssef Al-Otaiba, said in a social media post on Wednesday. "Any suggestion that the UAE requires external financial backing misreads the facts," he added. The more difficult long-term challenges may come after the recovery begins. Some of the local economy is ex-pat in composition, and that has been affected by the war. "Due to uncertainty in home schooling and the wide adoption of distance learning, many families have moved to their home countries temporarily, with some not planning to come back," Moradi said. That outward movement is compounding the slowdown, not just in tourism but in everyday consumption, slowly shrinking the economy, with the first real impacts to be first visible towards August or September, he said. "The biggest challenge to anticipate is the talent recovery," Moradi said. It is not only the ex-pats who have at least temporarily relocated, but the moves by businesses to cut costs in the short-term that may have an impact on the labor force in the region longer-term. "Due to rapid responses by businesses with layoffs, the difficulty of attracting talent once things turn back to normal will be significant," he said.
Ranking member Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., speaks during the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs confirmation hearing for Kevin Warsh, President Donald Trump's nominee for chair of the Federal Reserve, in the Dirksen Senate Office Building in Washington, on April 21, 2026.

"There was a significant discrepancy between what my office was told prior to the hearing and the information you provided in the hearing," Warren wrote. "And more than a month after that hearing, my office has yet to receive any information from your command to support your testimony."

According to Warren, TRANSCOM told her office in March it had not been contacted by the State Department to aid in evacuations of Americans working for non-U.S. government entities. On March 12, during an appearance before the Senate Armed Services Committee, of which Warren is a member, Reed told the senator that the State Department had made a Feb. 28 request for assistance.

The Massachusetts Democrat has been critical generally of the Trump administration's response to Americans stranded in the region since the U.S. and Israel launched an attack on Iran on Feb. 28. But in a letter sent to TRANSCOM Commander Gen. Randall Reed late Tuesday, she questioned whether accurate information about the response had been provided to her office.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren is demanding answers from the leader of U.S. Transportation Command about its role in evacuating U.S. citizens from the Middle East after the start of the Iran war in a letter shared first with CNBC.

TRANSCOM is a Defense Department unit that coordinates land, air and sea transportation. Navy Captain John Fage, a spokesperson for TRANSCOM, said on Wednesday: "We will provide a response to the senator's letter."

In the days after the war began, Americans in the region reported feeling stranded. Some complained they were getting mixed signals from the U.S. government.

The State Department on March 2 warned Americans in 14 countries to "DEPART NOW," setting off a scramble. Some U.S. citizens said they were left to fend for themselves, though the State Department at the time said they were ramping up flights for American to get out of the region.

Congressional caseworkers  the staffers who deal directly with constituents  told CNBC in March that the process of arranging safe transit out of the Middle East had been chaotic and scary in some cases.

"People there that are in the Middle East, just wanting to leave but having absolutely no way to leave, they are scared, they are terrified and they are feeling abandoned," one Democratic caseworker, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because she is not authorized to speak to the press, said at that time. "Their families here are scared and terrified and wondering why the U.S. government has not already gotten their loved one home."

Warren in her letter called for detailed information on TRANSCOM's effort to date in evacuating U.S. citizens, as well as its capacity to evacuate U.S. citizens in Lebanon if a ceasefire there does not hold.

"The American people have a right to know whether the Trump administration used all the tools at its disposal to evacuate Americans out of the Middle East after President Trump launched an illegal and unconstitutional war that put the lives of Americans across the region in danger," Warren wrote.
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Zip Code
New Book Features 75+ Global Experts Providing a Roadmap for Sustainable AI, Next-Gen Data Centers, and Greener Networks

LAS VEGAS, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- JSA, the leading global marketing agency for the digital infrastructure ecosystem, is proud to mark Earth Day with the official release of "Greener Data  Volume Three," now available on Amazon. This comprehensive 500-page volume serves as the industry's urgent guide to reconciling the explosive growth of AI and other bandwidth-intensive applications and networks with the global imperative for sustainability. By bridging the gap between innovation and environmental responsibility, this latest edition in the best-selling series offers actionable strategies for a more efficient digital future.

The third volume of Greener Data amplifies the movement's reach, featuring a diverse coalition of innovators tackling the most pressing challenges of green evolution. Key focuses include the cultural shift toward sustainability, the environmental impact of Artificial Intelligence, breakthrough power and cooling technologies, and the power of collaborative industry responses to the climate crisis.

The book includes a foreword by Dean Nelson, the Founder and Chairman of Infrastructure Masons (iMasons), who states: "While AI is driving an extraordinary surge in demand, it is also catalyzing meaningful change. The authors in this volume are contributing by sharing knowledge and inspiring action. My challenge to everyone reading this book is to reflect on what role you play. What responsibility do you have? Are you choosing the easy path or the right path? Are you being a good neighbor as you build digital infrastructure in the communities we all live and work? Are you leaving the planet better than you found it? Are you building a future that will make your children proud?"

"Volume Three features the industry's true innovators  those who don't just talk about sustainability, but actively shape it. Their collective expertise offers the practical roadmap the AI and data center revolution urgently needs," states Jaymie Scotto Cutaia, CEO & Founder of JSA.

"This book is more than a publication; it's the collective voice of our industry, uniting leaders to drive positive, lasting change across the entire digital infrastructure ecosystem," continues JSA's Courtney Burrows, Publisher of "Greener Data."

Volume Three authors join the authors from the first two "Greener Data" volumes that can be found at GreenerData.net.

A portion of the book's proceeds will support Telecoms Sans Frontieres (TSF), the world's first NGO dedicated to providing emergency-response telecommunications in disaster and crisis situations.

The "Greener Data  Volume Three" authors will be honored at the Greener Data Exchange Networking Event during International Telecoms Week (ITW) 2026 in National Harbor, Maryland, on Wednesday, May 20th. The exclusive event will celebrate the authors' contributions and bring together sustainability-minded leaders from across the global digital infrastructure community. The event is also the official kick off of the year-long Greener Data  Volume Three Book Tour.

About the Greener Data Movement

"Greener Data" encourages and fosters communication, education, networking and collaboration within the data center and digital infrastructure industries, to support and achieve our collective net carbon zero goals. Resource channels include the Amazon bestselling "Greener Data" book series as well as virtual roundtables, in-person networking events, articles, research reports, white papers and a sustainability partner directory, The Greener Data Directory. Greener Data is a proud partner of the iMasons Climate Accord.

To learn more, visit www.GreenerData.net.

About JSA

Celebrating 21 years of marketing innovation, Jaymie Scotto & Associates (JSA) is the preeminent provider of Brand Strategy, Public Relations, Digital Marketing and Event Planning services to the global data center, telecom, cloud and tech industries. A multi-award-winning agency, JSA has been recognized as an Inc. 5000 company for five consecutive years from 2021 to 2025, named to the PRNEWS Agency Elite Top 120 from 2022 to 2025, honored as "Best Industry-Focused Agency" by the Bulldog PR Awards in 2021 and 2023, and celebrated as one of Inc.'s Best Workplaces from 2022 to 2025.

With a global team of marketing professionals in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Africa, JSA is committed to empowering industry leaders through storytelling, strategy and unparalleled expertise.

To learn more about how JSA can elevate your brand, visit jsa.net.

Join the conversation: Follow JSA on LinkedIn, YouTube and X.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Jaymie Scotto & Associates (JSA)

+1 866.695.3629

[email protected]

SOURCE Jaymie Scotto & Associates (JSA)
For all the fancy-schmancy things our modern-day technology promises to do for us, one thing Google has yet to give us is a simple and reliable way to sync the clipboards on our Android phones and computers.

Its such a powerful feat to have at your fingertips, when it works well  cause you can just copy something in one place and then paste it immediately in the other, without any thought or effort. At its best, its like your two work surfaces share the same clipboard and work harmoniously to make your life easy.

Whats most frustrating is that Google actually had a super-simple system for this years ago, within Chrome  a single switch you could flip thatd just make your clipboards sync seamlessly and automatically, across any two devices where the browser was installed  but then, in typical Google form, the company gave up on the concept and killed it off at some point along the way. (Sigh.)
Hello and welcome to your 2-Minute Tech Briefing from ComputerWorld. I'm your host, Arnold Davick, reporting from the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. Here are the top IT stories you need to know for Wednesday, April 22nd.

Up first, Microsoft is building more autonomous copilot tools inspired by OpenClaw. Microsoft's solution could, for example, monitor emails in Outlook and a user's calendar, and then suggest daily tasks and priorities.

The company is also reportedly exploring AI agents for various professional roles such as marketing, sales and finance, where each agent would have limited permissions to reduce security risks. The company could preview parts of the effort at build in June.

From NetworkWorld, OpenAI has backed away from two European Stargate data center deals as analysts point to tighter spending ahead of a possible ipo.
Cut Bank's KidPack Program has been providing weekend meals to students in the Cut Bank School District for years. The KidPack Program, in conjunction with the Cut Bank Harvest Food Pantry, provides weekend meals for 32-38 children (15-17 families) a week who are affected by food scarcity.

Many Cut Bank students benefit from the meals provided to them at school during the week. The KidPack Program helps fill that void over the weekend. Current coordinator Nicole Altenburg, who has been a part of this program for the past twelve years, stated the program is experiencing a shortage and is seeking donations to help finish out the 2025-2026 school year strong. "We saw an increase in need when the school district went to a four-day school week, with a three-day weekend. That was another day when a child may not have access to a meal," Altenburg said.

Meals provided through the KidPack program include prepackaged breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks to feed a child for two days. It is funded fully by donations, with a large chunk coming from the Town Pump Backpack Program grant every year, and the rest from local donors. The program is helpful for many local children in need. "An unexpected benefit of the shorter school week is that we were able to start distributing on Thursdays," Altenburg said. "Eighty-five percent of the parents who utilize KidPack for their children have jobs, and it was difficult for many of them to make it on Friday mornings for pickup. With the Thursday evening pickups, they are able to secure food for their children from the KidPack Program and also pick up items from the food pantry."

As with the Harvest Food Pantry, the KidPack program is 100% volunteer run and relies on donations to meet demand. Altenburg is seeking donations now to ensure the program has enough food to get through the school year and to build up a reserve so they have the $2,000-$3,000 they'll need to start the program up again when school starts in August. "The Town Pump grant doesn't come through until mid-October," Altenburg said. "So, anything we get now will be used to help us until that grant comes through."

To donate to the cause, please make checks payable to the Cut Bank KidPack Program, and mail them to 1126 1st St SE, Cut Bank, MT 59427. If you prefer to buy food items instead of giving a monetary donation, Altenburg has provided a list of items that are distributed each week. Items need to be individual packets and something kids can prepare themselves in a microwave.

Some of the items distributed are: Cup of Noodles, applesauce pouches, , oatmeal packets, Complet-eat meals, can of soup, Ritz crackers, peanut butter, Nutella, Starkist chicken pack, microwavable Mac 'n Cheese, Spaghetti Os or Chef BoyArDee Ravioli individual cups, granola bars, microwave popcorn, pudding cups, individual bags of Veggie Straws, fruit/Jell-o cups, and fruit snacks. Donations can be dropped off with Altenburg at The Mane Concern or at the Cut Bank Pioneer Press.
By Rhianna Montoya and Quinnlyn Barker

Nearly 2,200 members and guests attended the Montana FFA State Convention in Great Falls on March 31 till April 4. The Montana FFA is a three-legged organization encompassing the Association, Foundation, and Alumni that work together to allow Montana FFA members to thrive, succeed, and be educated in the agriculture industry.

The students that went were Ryan Gray, Payton Gray, Wyatt Fix, Rylee Offe, Dylan Clark, Bridger Ergenbright, Corin Scarborough, Quinnlyn Barker, Kadence Montgomery, Allison Flores, Trinity Mulvaney, Rhianna Montoya, Jacob Hansen, Desirae Salois, and Gwen Hegyes and the FFA Advisor Thad White.

The events were Agronomy, Vet Science, Range, Food Science, Floriculture, and JAM, which is the Junior Ag Mechanics competition.

Dylan, Rylee, Ryan, and Payton got third place in outdoor recreation division and first place in the "cooking with fire" subdivision with a BBQ trailer they built from scratch. Ryan rebuilt a Chevy 350 engine, and Wyatt refurbished a mini bike.

In FFA everyone did very well but there were a few outstanding students. Trinity Mulvaney got 27th place in range and got 61st place in vet science. Corin Scarborough got 65th place in agronomy and 95th place in floriculture. Desirae Salois got 29th place in food science and Corin Scarborough placed 39th out of 122.

This year we had a few students do special events, Corin Scarborough and Bridger Ergenbright both qualified for talent, where students pick their own pieces of music to play at the convention. Corin Scarborough did his on the piano and presented Canon in d, and Bridger Ergenbright played on the alto saxophone Let it Go from Frozen.

Quinnlyn Barker qualified for backstage crew where four students assist backstage working with the state officers during the sessions.

Additionally, members who had time while not competing in FFA events participated in the annual Days of Service activities. Some students went to Habitat for Humanity while others went to the Salvation Army's Family Center to help stock shelves and clean.

The State Convention went very well this year and we thank anyone who helped out at FFA and supported our members.

Our members represented Shelby extremely well, remaining respectful and professional the whole trip. A special thank you to the advisor Thaddeus White who chaperoned the trip and guided the FFA members who attended.
The following are the dispositions settled in Toole County Justice Court from April 10 - April 16, by the Honorable Judge Donna Whitt.

Jaswinder S. Kular, false log, pled not guilty, deferred by prosecutor.

Kimberly A. Harris, careless driving, pled not guilty, dismissed by prosecution; failure to give notice of accident by quickest means possible, apparent damage over $1,000, deferred imposition of sentence, $285 fine.

Torin C.J. Moreno, seatbelt violation, pled not guilty, found guilty, $20 fine; failure to carry proof or exhibit insurance in vehicle, owner or operator, first offense, pled not guilty, found guilty, $285 fine; unlawful possession of marijuana, products or paraphernalia in motor vehicle on highway, pled not guilty, found guilty, $75 fine; driving without a valid drivers license, has never possessed, pled not guilty, found guilty, $225 fine.

Gurdev Singh, careless driving, $85 fine.

John P. Mendenhall, careless driving, $85 fine.

Haley N. Ballinger, displaying license plates assigned to another vehicle, $85 fine.

Clay A. Webber, speeding on non-interstate, exceeding daytime limit, 80/70, $20 fine.

Paul D. Christensen, speeding on national four-lane, exceeding daytime limit, 87/70, $70 fine.

Brian J. Lindberg, speeding on non-interstate, exceeding daytime limit, 80/70, $20 fine.

Lyda A. Hulst, speeding on national four-lane, exceeding daytime limit, 81/70, $70 fine.

Brian D. Aklestad, seatbelt violation, $20 fine.

Nathan R. Brooks, speeding on non-interstate, exceeding daytime limit, 80/70, $20 fine.

Nichole R. Hibl, speeding on non-interstate, exceeding daytime limit, 80/70, $20 fine.

Dean A. Thompson, speeding on non-interstate, exceeding daytime limit, 86/70, $70 fine.

Mason J. Smith, speed, exceeding restricted speed limit established by local authority, 86/70, $85 fine.

Robert A. Klingaman, speeding on national four-lane, exceeding daytime limit, 81/70, $70 fine.

Lacie J. Low, speeding on interstate, exceeding daytime limit, 97/80, $70 fine.

Joseph S. Gross, failure to follow conditions and requirements of special permit, $135 fine.

Matthew A. Delude, interstate/international motor carrier operating without payment of fee required for coop/recip, $85 fine; log not current, $125 fine.
Carol Vivian Lesiak (Brisbin) passed away peacefully on Friday, April 10, 2026 at the Logan Health Assisted Living facility in Chester.

Carol was born in Helena on Dec. 24, 1939 to "Bud" (Walter) and Vivian Brisbin. Carol was the eldest daughter of four children born to Bud and Vivian Brisbin, siblings Donna Hixon(D), Linda Kelly(D) and Mike (Michael) Brisbin. The Brisbin family moved to Three Forks where Carol met and married her high school sweetheart, Bill (William) J. Lesiak, son of William and Esther Lesiak of Three Forks, on May 26, 1958. Carol and Bill then moved to Salina, Kansas while Bill was in the Air Force 1957-61 where they celebrated the birth of their first daughter, Julie Ann (Schneiter). Moving back to Three Forks they added Cindy Jo (Haney), Bill (William) W. Lesiak, and Kathleen Lynne (Coggins). They moved to Shelby in 1966 and completed their family with Steven M. Lesiak, Sharon M. (Young) and David S. Lesiak.

The Lesiak family resided in Shelby for many years with all seven children attending and graduating from Shelby High School. Bill sadly passed away at the age of 57 years on Jan. 15, 1996. Carol and Bill loved their big family. Carol was an amazing homemaker, known for her love of kids, animals and being a wonderful cook who could make even the most basic meal taste great. After Bill died, Carol became quite the traveler and made her home in various places in Montana and Spokane, before residing in Chester for her final years.

The only thing Carol loved as much as her family was her love and amazing knowledge of antiques. She devoured, retained and applied that skill with passion and was a natural historian when it came to antiques, she would spend hours researching information and looking for a 'good find'. She didn't just know her antiques she lived and breathed them.

She is survived by a large family, which includes all seven children and their spouses, 19 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.

Rest in peace Mom.

Thank you to all staff at the Logan Nursing Home for all the wonderful care you provided for our Mom.

In lieu of flowers, the family would be grateful for donations to the charitable foundation at Logan Health Assisted Living Facility in Chester, Mont. or donations to the Maclean-Cameron Animal Adoption Center in Great Falls, Mont.

Interment will be in the Forestvale Cemetery with her Mom and Dad in Helena, without a service.

Condolences can be made to www.asperfh.com.
OAKLAND, Calif., April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- CJ Bhalla has been named the top finance executive at Blue Shield of California and its parent company, Ascendiun, providing critical operations and strategic fiscal leadership in a complex managed healthcare environment.

Bhalla will begin her role as chief financial officer (CFO) on May 18, succeeding interim CFO Kassie Maroney, who remains an integral executive leader with the company as chief actuary.

Healthcare Finance Veteran CJ Bhalla Named Chief Financial Officer for Blue Shield of California and Nonprofit Health Plans Parent Company, Ascendiun.

"CJ is a proven leader with deep experience guiding complex, mission-driven healthcare organizations," said Mike Stuart, president and CEO of Blue Shield of California. "Her strategic finance expertise, operational discipline, and data-driven leadership will be critical as we accelerate our goal to make health care more affordable for our members, improve health outcomes and become the health plan members love."

"Our goal is to create a healthcare system that's worthy of our family and friends and sustainably affordable for all," said Paul Markovich, president and CEO of Ascendiun. "And CJ is a dynamic, creative leader who will help us achieve that north star more quickly."

Bhalla has spent the last 20 years in various finance leadership roles at Kaiser Permanente and most recently served as senior vice president and chief financial officer, Integrated Care and Coverage.

As part of that role, she has been overseeing finance for Kaiser Permanente's California, Hawaii, Northwest, and Washington markets serving more than 10 million members and generating $100 billion in combined annual revenue.

"I am honored to join a mission-driven nonprofit health plan during a pivotal time in health care," Bhalla said. "I look forward to working with Blue Shield's talented team to better serve our members."

Bhalla received her Master of Business Administration degree from Virginia Polytechnic University and Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Punjab Engineering College, India. She also serves on the board of directors of the Alameda County Community Food Bank.

About Blue Shield of California

Blue Shield of California strives to create a healthcare system worthy of its family and friends that is sustainably affordable. The health plan is a taxpaying, nonprofit, independent member of the Blue Shield Association with six million members, over 6,500 employees, and more than $27 billion in annual revenue. Founded in 1939 in San Francisco and now headquartered in Oakland, Blue Shield of California and its affiliates provide health, dental, vision, Medicaid, and Medicare healthcare service plans in California. The company has contributed more than $60 million to the Blue Shield of California Foundation in the last three years in support of California communities.

For more news about Blue Shield of California, please visit news.blueshieldca.com. Or follow us on LinkedIn or Facebook.

About Ascendiun

Ascendiun is a nonprofit company, the ultimate parent company of Blue Shield of California, Blue Shield Promise Health Plan, Altais, and Stellarus. The Ascendiun family of companies is dedicated to advancing better health outcomes, making healthcare more affordable, and addressing the unique needs of diverse communities. For more news about Ascendiun, please visit www.ascendiun.com, or follow us on LinkedIn.

CONTACT: Mark Seelig

Blue Shield of California

510-607-2359

[email protected]

SOURCE Blue Shield of California
With heavy hearts and deep gratitude for a life well lived, we share that Valier farmer Jim Sheble, 85, passed away April 10 at the Logan Health Assisted Living in Shelby, Mont.

The memorial service to celebrate Jim's life will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 2, at the Valier United Methodist Church.

Jim was born Nov. 25, 1940, to Jim and Anne Sheble in Valier and grew up on the family farm on Birch Creek, a place that remained close to his heart throughout his life. He graduated from Valier High School in 1958 and studied at Northern Montana College in Havre until he returned to help on the farm during his dad's illness.

Jim met Duane Boggs, then a teacher in Brady, on a blind date. They were married for 62 years and raised their children  Kent, Doug, and Leorra  on the farm with cows, sheep, pigs, and dogs around. Jim faithfully cared for Duane through cancer in her 40s and a neurodegenerative disease in her last years. They were partners, and their loving home welcomed friends and family.

Jim and Duane traveled together from Mexico to Alaska and many points between as they visited family and explored. He was good at connecting with people on their trips, often leading to invitations to other adventures with new friends. Jim found joy in the outdoors, hunting in the backcountry and fishing whenever he could.

Though a reluctant camper, Jim will be remembered by his family for playing the guitar around the campfire under the tall pines on starry nights.

Woodworking was among Jim's talents, and his craftsmanship was apparent in the tricycles, doll furniture, hobby horses, and other treasures he created. Even a project he initially called "the dumbest idea ever," which was turning an old wooden grain bin into a cabin, became a labor of love and then a cherished retreat with his family along Birch Creek.

Found in a tiny Corvette on many a summer weekend, Jim was a Shriner with Tri-County Shrine Club and past master of Valier Masonic Lodge #80.

Jim was a great dad, but he really hit his stride as Grampy to Samantha, Courtney, Mariah, Kendra, Kassady, Karlie, and A.J. He only had to spank one of them one time - we'll let you guess which was the naughty kid.

A joy of his last years and final days was knowing his great-grandchildren, Kelly, Kyle, Nettie, Orra, Annalynn, Ellie, and Hazel. Being with them made him glow with joy, and he couldn't get enough of holding the babies even as his strength ebbed. What a miracle that their lives overlapped. Their time together was a gift he cherished deeply.

Jim was preceded by his wife, Duane; his sister, Annalee (Sheble) Elliott and her husband Brian; his sister, Connie Weaver, and her husband, Norman; and his parents.

Jim is survived by his children and their spouses, Kent and Jackie Sheble of Valier, Doug and Lisa Sheble of Cut Bank, and Leorra and Philip Nickol of Ledger; seven grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. He's also mourned by his sister Sherry Belsher of Boise, Idaho, and nieces and nephews, who have wonderful memories of visiting him and Duane on the farm. He leaves behind many friends, too.

Those wishing to honor Jim's life should play some of that good old country music and could contribute in his memory to the Tri-County Shrine Club at PO Box 1206, Cut Bank, MT 59427. May you always have cows around!

Condolences can be made to www.asperfh.com.
You polyglot!! Que`? Quoi? Cosa? What? A polyglot is a person who speaks, writes, or understands three or more languages. Me? I speak English and I can get by with my Spanish, pig Latin, and American Sign Language, and I know a wee smattering of words or phrases in other languages like German, Japanese, and Russian, but not enough in these to hold a conversation. According to a Google search, approximately 60% of the global population can communicate in at least two languages, but only about 40-45% of able to speak fluently.

Is learning a second language important? Well, it depends. Learning another language helps develop a better memory, it delays cognitive decline, it helps with multi-tasking abilities, it opens better career opportunities, it increases creativity, and it gives one a deeper cultural understanding. Medieval philosopher Roger Bacon once said, Knowledge of language is the doorway to wisdom, and an old Chinese proverb states, To learn a language is to have one more window from which to look at the world. Back in January, I decided I wanted to refresh my knowledge of Spanish  not because I had to, but because I believe that learning anything new will keep me sharp, and maybe one day I will get to travel back to Oaxaca, Mexico, or some other foreign land, so I want to be prepared. But even if I dont travel anywhere, there are many people whom I run into who speak another language, and I want to do my best to be able to converse with them so we can know one another better.

The top five languages easiest to learn are, in order, Spanish, French, Italian, Dutch, and Norwegian. The top five hardest languages to learn are Mandarin Chinese, Modern Standard Arabic, Japanese, Korean, and Hungarian. If you learned all of the languages, or at least more than six, you would be considered a hyperpolyglot!! And you had better be wired to learn them because there are approximately 7164 living languages with 60% of the different languages spoken in the continents of Asia and Africa. One hyperpolyglot was 19th century British political economist and the 4th Governor of Hong Kong  Sir John Bowring who was reputed to have known 200 languages and spoke 100 of them fluently!! Wow! I get tongue tied sometimes just muddling through the English language. And did you know that our third President of the United States, Thomas Jefferson, was himself a polyglot by speaking at least six languages? He reportedly spoke English, French, Latin, Italian, Spanish, and Greek.

Lately, I have found myself learning another foreign language  Math! As a special education teacher, I wind up going in other classrooms so I can better assist my students, and this language that spoke of systems of equations; congruent and acute angles; complementary and supplementary angles; and transversal lines were obtuse to me!! (Did you get my pun about obtuse?) While in high school, I was too scared to ask questions and so never comprehended this information, but now, I find it interesting and I am able to speak it with some of the best math mavens (well, maybe).

British artist/author Edmund De Waal believes that, With languages, you are at home anywhere, and this world is my home so why not try to learn more while I can? According to Duolingo, my phone app Ive been using to buff up el espanol, I am currently at an early A1 level of CEFR which stands for Common European Framework of Reference for Languages which is a scale to determine proficiency. A1 indicates I am still in the beginner stages  Drat! Darn! Maldito!

Well, whatever language or languages you speak, I hope you know that this world is a great place with you in it, and as always, I appreciate your following me here. So, until next week, I hope you have a fabulous week and that you can smile and feel blessed! Adios! Adieu! Au revoir! Arrivederci! And Ciao!
Country

United States of America US Virgin Islands United States Minor Outlying Islands Canada Mexico, United Mexican States Bahamas, Commonwealth of the Cuba, Republic of Dominican Republic Haiti, Republic of Jamaica Afghanistan Albania, People's Socialist Republic of Algeria, People's Democratic Republic of American Samoa Andorra, Principality of Angola, Republic of Anguilla Antarctica (the territory South of 60 deg S) Antigua and Barbuda Argentina, Argentine Republic Armenia Aruba Australia, Commonwealth of Austria, Republic of Azerbaijan, Republic of Bahrain, Kingdom of Bangladesh, People's Republic of Barbados Belarus Belgium, Kingdom of Belize Benin, People's Republic of Bermuda Bhutan, Kingdom of Bolivia, Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana, Republic of Bouvet Island (Bouvetoya) Brazil, Federative Republic of British Indian Ocean Territory (Chagos Archipelago) British Virgin Islands Brunei Darussalam Bulgaria, People's Republic of Burkina Faso Burundi, Republic of Cambodia, Kingdom of Cameroon, United Republic of Cape Verde, Republic of Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad, Republic of Chile, Republic of China, People's Republic of Christmas Island Cocos (Keeling) Islands Colombia, Republic of Comoros, Union of the Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, People's Republic of Cook Islands Costa Rica, Republic of Cote D'Ivoire, Ivory Coast, Republic of the Cyprus, Republic of Czech Republic Denmark, Kingdom of Djibouti, Republic of Dominica, Commonwealth of Ecuador, Republic of Egypt, Arab Republic of El Salvador, Republic of Equatorial Guinea, Republic of Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Faeroe Islands Falkland Islands (Malvinas) Fiji, Republic of the Fiji Islands Finland, Republic of France, French Republic French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Territories Gabon, Gabonese Republic Gambia, Republic of the Georgia Germany Ghana, Republic of Gibraltar Greece, Hellenic Republic Greenland Grenada Guadaloupe Guam Guatemala, Republic of Guinea, Revolutionary People's Rep'c of Guinea-Bissau, Republic of Guyana, Republic of Heard and McDonald Islands Holy See (Vatican City State) Honduras, Republic of Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of China Hrvatska (Croatia) Hungary, Hungarian People's Republic Iceland, Republic of India, Republic of Indonesia, Republic of Iran, Islamic Republic of Iraq, Republic of Ireland Israel, State of Italy, Italian Republic Japan Jordan, Hashemite Kingdom of Kazakhstan, Republic of Kenya, Republic of Kiribati, Republic of Korea, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Republic of Kuwait, State of Kyrgyz Republic Lao People's Democratic Republic Latvia Lebanon, Lebanese Republic Lesotho, Kingdom of Liberia, Republic of Libyan Arab Jamahiriya Liechtenstein, Principality of Lithuania Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Macao, Special Administrative Region of China Macedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Madagascar, Republic of Malawi, Republic of Malaysia Maldives, Republic of Mali, Republic of Malta, Republic of Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania, Islamic Republic of Mauritius Mayotte Micronesia, Federated States of Moldova, Republic of Monaco, Principality of Mongolia, Mongolian People's Republic Montserrat Morocco, Kingdom of Mozambique, People's Republic of Myanmar Namibia Nauru, Republic of Nepal, Kingdom of Netherlands Antilles Netherlands, Kingdom of the New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua, Republic of Niger, Republic of the Nigeria, Federal Republic of Niue, Republic of Norfolk Island Northern Mariana Islands Norway, Kingdom of Oman, Sultanate of Pakistan, Islamic Republic of Palau Palestinian Territory, Occupied Panama, Republic of Papua New Guinea Paraguay, Republic of Peru, Republic of Philippines, Republic of the Pitcairn Island Poland, Polish People's Republic Portugal, Portuguese Republic Puerto Rico Qatar, State of Reunion Romania, Socialist Republic of Russian Federation Rwanda, Rwandese Republic Samoa, Independent State of San Marino, Republic of Sao Tome and Principe, Democratic Republic of Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of Senegal, Republic of Serbia and Montenegro Seychelles, Republic of Sierra Leone, Republic of Singapore, Republic of Slovakia (Slovak Republic) Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia, Somali Republic South Africa, Republic of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Spain, Spanish State Sri Lanka, Democratic Socialist Republic of St. Helena St. Kitts and Nevis St. Lucia St. Pierre and Miquelon St. Vincent and the Grenadines Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Suriname, Republic of Svalbard & Jan Mayen Islands Swaziland, Kingdom of Sweden, Kingdom of Switzerland, Swiss Confederation Syrian Arab Republic Taiwan, Province of China Tajikistan Tanzania, United Republic of Thailand, Kingdom of Timor-Leste, Democratic Republic of Togo, Togolese Republic Tokelau (Tokelau Islands) Tonga, Kingdom of Trinidad and Tobago, Republic of Tunisia, Republic of Turkey, Republic of Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu 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
JUNE 27 RACE IN CENTRAL PARK WILL RAISE FUNDS FOR HOUSING WORKS' LIFESAVING SERVICES + ADVOCACY

NEW YORK, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Housing Works is proud to announce that it was selected as the beneficiary of the 2026 Front Runners New York LGBTQ+ Pride Run 4M hosted by the Front Runners New York and nonprofit New York Road Runners. The iconic 4-mile running event, which kicks off Pride Weekend in NYC, will be held on June 27, 2026, in Central Park.

Since its inception in 1982, the Pride Run has raised more than $300,000 for LGBTQ+ nonprofits as the world's largest pride charity run. Housing Works was chosen as this year's beneficiary in recognition of its 35-year history of providing lifesaving healthcare, housing, and justice initiatives for vulnerable New Yorkers. To support this partnership, Housing Works will have a team of over 20 board members, staff, and clients participating in the race under this year's theme: "Hearts in Motion: United in Every Stride."

Although the race is sold out, charity bibs are still available. Runners can apply to raise $500 in support of the 2026 Front Runners New York LGBTQ+ Pride Run4M beneficiary through Front Runners New York and receive a non-complimentary entry to the race.

"We deeply appreciate Front Runners New York in helping us with our fundraising efforts. In the early days, our evidence-based advocacy often met political resistance, making traditional donors hesitant to support our life-saving HIV/AIDS work. Nearly 40 years into the AIDS epidemic, we continue to face budget cuts and limited capital as government administrations shift," said Matthew Bernardo, President of Housing Works, Inc. "However, the urgency of this fight drives us to innovate. Housing Works is proof that nonprofits can create real, measurable impact for those who need it most."

"The Pride Run has always been a showing of the strength of our community. Supporting Housing Works this year feels especially meaningful at a time when unity is most needed. Together, every step adds to our shared momentum to support the incredible, lifesaving work that Housing Works provides to our community," said J Solle, 2026 Front Runners New York LGBTQ+ Pride Run4M Director.

"When this race began 45 years ago, many of our members faced risks just by signing up to run openly. Today, standing with thousands of runners who sold out this event in hours, we see how far we've come," said Ryan Hallett, President of Front Runners New York. "But progress requires constant action. By partnering with Housing Works, we are honoring our history of activism and ensuring that our strides in Central Park support lifesaving housing and healthcare for the most vulnerable members of our community."

"For more than 40 years, New York Road Runners has teamed up with Front Runners New York to host the LGBTQ+ Pride Run in celebration of this incredible community," said Rob Simmelkjaer, New York Road Runners CEO. "Now a marquee event during Pride weekend in New York City, we're excited to unite the running community once again and help raise awareness and funds for Housing Works's critical work."

What: The 2026 LGBTQ+ Pride Run

When: Saturday, June 27, 2026

Race Start | 8AM

Where: Central Park

Website: https://frny.org/pride-run

For more information about Housing Works, visit housingworks.org. Follow Housing Works on Facebook and Instagram.

About Housing Works:

For more than three decades, Housing Works has been at the forefront of the movement to end AIDS and homelessness and fight for the rights and dignity of some of the most marginalized populations. Housing Works was founded in 1990 as the housing committee of ACT UP and is now a leading provider of housing and lifesaving services to low-income individuals affected by HIV/AIDS and other chronic illnesses, including LGBTQ+ youth, the transgender community, immigrants, people experiencing substance use, and formerly incarcerated New Yorkers. Housing Works' integrated healthcare, supportive housing portfolio, wraparound services, and relentless advocacy are supported by innovative social enterprise: nine Thrift Shops throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn, its iconic Bookstore & Cafe in Soho, and most recently, New York's first adult-use dispensary. In the year ahead, amid challenging headwinds from the federal government, Housing Works continues to expand its services and fight for what is right for those who need our help the most, bridging communities in building a more compassionate and equitable world.

About Front Runners New York:

Front Runners New York (FRNY) is New York City's LGBTQ+ running club. The club was founded in 1979 and has grown to over 1100 members annually. FRNY's mission is to provide encouragement and support to LGBTQ+ adults and their supporters who are interested in running and running-related activities. FRNY has created a social running community focused on health and fitness that is welcoming to all New Yorkers. FRNY offers a robust, inclusive membership experience. FRNY is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization incorporated in the state of New York. For more information, visit frny.org.

About New York Road Runners (NYRR):

A New York City-based nonprofit, New York Road Runners' vision is to build healthier lives and stronger communities through the transformative power of runningserving more than half a million people annually through its races, free community events, youth running initiatives, and school-based programs across the five boroughs. During its nearly 70 years, New York Road Runners has grown from a local running club to the world's premier community running organization, producing more than 60 adult and youth races each year, including the TCS New York City Marathon. Held the first Sunday each November, the TCS New York City Marathon features more than 50,000 runnersfrom the world's best professional athletes to a vast range of runners across experience levels, ages, genders, abilities, and backgrounds. To learn more, visit www.nyrr.org.

SOURCE Housing Works
EY Entrepreneur Of the Year celebrates ambitious entrepreneurs shaping the future

MIAMI, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Ernst & Young LLP (EY US) announced Hudson Leogrande, Founder & CEO of game-changing apparel brand Comfrt, was named an Entrepreneur Of The Year 2026 Florida Award finalist. Now in its 41st year, the Entrepreneur Of The Year program celebrates the bold leaders who disrupt markets through the world's most ground-breaking companies, revolutionizing industries and uplifting communities.

An independent panel of judges selected Leogrande based on his entrepreneurial spirit, purpose, company growth and lasting impact in building long-term value.

Hudson Leogrande, Founder & CEO of Comfrt, was named an Entrepreneur Of The Year 2026 Florida Award finalist.

"I'm so honored to be named an EY Entrepreneur Of The Year finalist," said Leogrande. "It's a reflection of how Comfrt has scaled at an extraordinary pace with an extraordinary team and extraordinary customers, and I'm thankful to each and every one of them. We've built this brand brick by brickchallenging traditional models, leaning into community and creators, and creating a product people genuinely love and connect with because it was made with them in mind."

Comfrt is a lifestyle and apparel brand rooted in community, inclusivity and mental health. Founded in August 2022, the brand was created to help people feel seen, cared for and supported in their everyday lives. Its name and tagline, Wear the Feeling, reflect a commitment to comfort, belonging and emotional connection. Today, Leogrande's bootstrapped company is the fastest-growing DTC apparel brand in the U.S., home to the most sold hoodie globally, most sold blanket in America, and the #1 lifestyle and apparel brand on TikTok Shop.

Entrepreneur Of The Year honors business leaders for their ingenuity, courage and entrepreneurial spirit. The program celebrates original founders who bootstrapped their business from inception or who raised outside capital to grow their company, transformational CEOs who infused innovation into an existing organization to catapult its trajectory, and multigenerational family business leaders who reimagined a legacy business model to strengthen it for the future.

About Entrepreneur Of The Year

Founded in 1986, Entrepreneur Of The Year has celebrated more than 11,000 ambitious visionaries who are leading successful, dynamic businesses in the US, and it has since expanded to nearly 80 countries and territories globally. Visit ey.com/us/eoy.

About EY

EY is building a better working world by creating new value for clients, people, society and the planet, while building trust in capital markets. For more information about our organization, please visit ey.com.

About Comfrt

Comfrt is a wellness-driven lifestyle and apparel brand rooted in community, inclusivity and mental health, creating elevated essentials designed to support both physical and emotional comfort. Founded in August 2022, the brand was built on the belief that clothing should offer more than just style and functionality, it should feel grounding, calming, and familiar. In just a few years, Comfrt has become the fastest-growing DTC apparel brand in the U.S., creator of the most sold hoodie globally and the #1 lifestyle and apparel brand on TikTok Shop. Visit Comfrt.com.

Media Contact:

Anne Breza

917-488-4119

[email protected]

SOURCE Comfrt
The partnership applies ICEYE's radar satellite intelligence to further conservation efforts by

detecting illegal mining, logging, and forest disturbance in one of the most challenging

operating environments on Earth.

HELSINKI, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- ICEYE, the world leader in sovereign intelligence from space, has entered a partnership with the Jane Goodall Institute USA (JGI) to deploy its Deforestation Solution across conservation corridors in the Congo Basin, with initial operations focused on the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

JGI and ICEYE

The eastern DRC is often called the "green heart" of Africa. Its vast rainforests, the world's second largest, are a critical habitat for chimpanzees, harboring an estimated 70,000 to 100,000 individuals. The Congo Basin region also has the most diverse ape population in the world. Yet these primates face significant threats from bushmeat hunting, habitat loss due to mining and deforestation, and civil conflict.

The eastern DRC presents a uniquely difficult environment for conservation monitoring. Persistent cloud cover renders optical satellite systems unreliable for weeks or months at a time. Dense tropical canopy conceals illegal activity from conventional overhead observation. Ongoing instability also makes sustained ground-based monitoring dangerous and resource-intensive.

ICEYE's SAR constellation operates day and night in any weather, delivering consistent observation where optical systems are blind. This provides JGI's field teams and conservation partners in the DRC with near real-time situational awareness that directly informs patrol planning, enforcement coordination, and resource allocation.

Together, ICEYE and JGI are strengthening the ability to detect, understand, and respond to threats such as deforestation, illegal mining, settlement expansion, and other forms of forest disturbance. By linking persistent space-based monitoring with on-the-ground knowledge and action, the partnership supports more informed decision-making, better prioritization of limited resources, and stronger coordination of conservation and enforcement efforts. This information will be crucial to the safety of local protected area rangers and community-led guardians, as well as to the protection of primate habitats. It will help JGI and local partners identify human activity that may put wildlife and surrounding ecosystems at risk.

The partnership also expands beyond eastern DRC. ICEYE and JGI have been monitoring Gombe National Park in western Tanzania, the site where Dr. Jane Goodall began her groundbreaking chimpanzee research in 1960. JGI's Gombe Stream Research Center and the park together are an ideal location to test and improve innovative conservation technology applications because of long-term data, local knowledge, and capacity in the field. Chimpanzees at Gombe face two main challenges to their survival: infectious disease and the deforestation of land outside the park. Deforestation leads to habitat loss and reduces connections between Gombe and other chimpanzee populations, which can cause a loss of genetic diversity. Deforestation also significantly elevates the risk of landslides and flash floods, which threaten human security and leads to the degradation of natural resources supporting people's livelihoods. SAR-based monitoring at Gombe would provide JGI with continuous visibility into habitat change inside the park and in the areas surrounding it, supporting JGI's long-term chimpanzee research and its community-led conservation efforts, known as Tacare, to restore and protect village land forest reserves and to help conserve one of the most studied and significant wildlife populations on the planet.

JGI's field teams and local partners in eastern DRC and western Tanzania will bring an essential on-the-ground perspective to the collaboration, helping to connect satellite-based monitoring to the realities of conservation in the field. This exchange of insight will strengthen the partnership over time, supporting a more informed and adaptive understanding of environmental change across these critical landscapes.

"SAR cuts through the Congo Basin's persistent cloud cover and delivers intelligence to the teams that need it most within days rather than weeks or months," said Andy Read, VP of Government Solutions, ICEYE. "The real differentiator is a step change in persistence. Instead of retrospective mapping, we provide continuous, site-level intelligencegiving conservation teams on the ground the timely insight they need to act."

"For 25 years, JGI has converted satellite data into community-led conservation action," said Dr. Lilian Pintea, Vice President of Conservation Science at the Jane Goodall Institute. "By integrating ICEYE's advanced SAR technology, we can now see through the clouds to provide near-real-time insights for vital ecosystems, further enabling our conservation partners with actionable information of unprecedented precision."

About ICEYE

ICEYE is the world leader in sovereign intelligence from space. We deliver persistent monitoring capabilities to detect and respond to changes in any location on Earth.

ICEYE owns the world's largest and most advanced SAR (synthetic aperture radar) satellite constellation. To our customers, we provide intelligence with unmatched quality, latency and revisit times, in any weather, day or night. To governments who choose to operate their own constellation, we provide this proven capability as a sovereign system.

ICEYE-built constellations serve customers in defence and intelligence, environmental monitoring, insurance and emergency management. We enable fast decisions that contribute to a safer future.

Founded and headquartered in Finland, ICEYE operates globally with over 1,000 employees across Poland, Spain, the UK, Australia, Japan, the UAE, Greece, and the US.

We're a growing international team of builders. iceye.com/joinus

About the Jane Goodall Institute

The Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) is a global conservation organization founded in 1977 that advances Dr. Jane Goodall's legacy in 30 offices around the world. The Jane Goodall Institute continues Jane's vision of inspiring hope and transforming it into action through science driven, technology enabled programs focused on wildlife research and rehabilitation, community-led conservation, and youth engagement. Through the youth program Jane Goodall's Roots & Shoots, now active in 75 countries around the world and counting, JGI is creating a movement of compassionate people who uphold its mission to create a better world for people, other animals, and our shared environment.

Learn more at janegoodall.org and rootsandshoots.org. Follow @JaneGoodallInst and @RootsAndShoots.

SOURCE ICEYE
Imagine sitting opposite child abusers cackling about the evil crimes they have carried out on innocent boys and girls.

Then contemplate trying to show compassion to those same people after hearing their tiny, defenceless victims relive and recount the horror of their abuse.

This is the reality of being a child protection officer - a specialist role that Sharon Birch carried out for eight of her 20 years in the police.

After years of dedicated service Sharon, who rose through the ranks after starting out as a trainee detective, has been left with horror movie flashbacks after witnessing the worst kinds of evil.

The veteran officer has told The Crime Desk why she was forced to hold back her feelings of disgust and anger to show them 'compassion' and even 'sympathy'.

'You have to shut something off in your head when you interview these people,' she explains. 'You're not going to get anybody to talk to you if you don't treat them decently and like a human being.

'You have to detach from the emotion and appeal to their compassion.'

But she clarifies: 'I do not personally have compassion for them, but I deal with them in a compassionate way.

'I'm not going to be openly judgmental to them. Whatever I might feel inside, I keep inside.

'You get people that feel sorry for themselves and blame everybody else and just cry - and you can have a degree of sympathy with some of them. But when you boil it down to what they've done, that soon disappears.'

Aged just 19, Sharon moved from Hartlepool to London to launch her career with the Metropolitan Police in 1985

Sharon (pictured today) spent eight of her 20 years in the police as a child protection officer

One child killer that haunts her to this day is a mother who 'just laughed all the way through' the interview. Another that 'chilled' her was a mother who had strangled her son to death in a fit of rage.

But there is a particularly harrowing child death that will never leave her.

Sharon gets emotional as she recalls the death of an eight-month-old baby, who had been admitted to hospital on two previous occasions. The infant choked to death after a bottle was forced into her mouth.

Her father was found responsible for her death in a coroner's court. However, police could not secure a criminal conviction because the Crown Prosecution Service did not bring charges due to insufficient evidence.

'She was only eight months old and that was tragic,' Sharon says. 'I still have flashbacks of her randomly when I am in the shower or just going about my business.

'You can be totally switched off and suddenly you get that flashback and they never leave you.

'The warning signs were there. We had strategy meetings with the agencies beforehand. There were signs there that he might be hurting the baby.

What became of Fred and Rose West's children? Hi, I'm Alex Matthews, Editor of The Crime Desk. It was over 30 years ago that Fred and Rose West's 'house of horrors' was found - but have you ever wondered what happened to their children? Some live in fear, others have happy lives. We have all the information. Sign up here to get our exclusive piece for free.

'I remember sitting in the strategy meeting saying unless we can do something, he might end up murdering this baby. And then a month later, she was admitted to hospital and she died.'

Aged just 19, Sharon moved from Hartlepool to London to launch her career with the Metropolitan Police in 1985. The former detective spent her early years working on robberies, assaults and grisly murder cases across east London and the West End in the 80s and 90s.

She recalls a man who had been dragged 100ft underneath a bus, where his skin was 'ripped off, burnt and detached'. And another where she did a welfare check on a man, only to find his lifeless body 'bloated, split and oozing'.

'I can smell it now just thinking of it,' she says, explaining that he had been left in his flat for two weeks with his gas fire on full blast.

But it was her move up north to Cleveland Police in 1997 which plunged her into the murky world of child abusers and baby killers when she became a child protection officer.

By this point, she was a mother to three young children.

'I'd go home and I'd hug my children extra tight,' Sharon, now 60, remembers after spending a day at a child post-mortem, interviewing child abuse victims and confronting their abusers.

'When you talk to these very young, vulnerable children, they are having to relive and recount the worst things that have ever happened to them in their life. You're a stranger and you have to build their confidence and trust so they will talk to you.'

She says you then 'use different parts of your brain' to interview their alleged abusers.

'What I do know about sex offenders is very often they want to stop, but don't know how to, and it escalates and escalates, and if they could just stop I think a lot of them would,' she explains.

'If you are hostile or you don't communicate properly, or they know that you're scorning them or looking down on them, they're not going to talk to you.

'There's nothing wrong with being reasonable with somebody. Communication is key in these circumstances.

'If you detach from the emotion and ask them and appeal to their compassion, I suppose.

'Some are just pathetic but some are really quite calculating and there's a huge degree of manipulation that goes into abusing children, because there's the grooming beforehand.'

Sharon says that child abuse is a crime 'that stretches across all of society from the aristocracy right to the most vulnerable, deprived people'. 'It is everywhere,' she adds.

The hardest part of her work, Sharon insists, is 'without a shadow of a doubt the child deaths and post-mortems'.

'It's not natural for children to die and although it does happen regularly, it carries an emotion with it. It's different to the other things.

'When you see a baby on the slab and they've got bruising on the bottom of the feet and they can't yet walk and you know that somebody's hurt them, it's things like that you need to look for and that the pathologist looks for. It's the evidence factor.

'You've got to stop thinking that's a baby, that's somebody's child. What can we do that's best for that person?'

Putting the emotion aside, Sharon says post-mortems, for both children and adults, as 'very respectful'.

'I dealt with it by knowing that I was there for a reason, that it was part of my job,' she explains.

'We were there to get the best information that we could to establish what had happened to give some resolution to the families, whether that was a sudden death, a tragic accident or unfortunately at the hands of somebody else.'

That does not, however, take away from the smells and the sounds of being stood in the mortuary.

The former detective spent her early years working on robberies, assaults and grisly murder cases across east London and the West End in the 80s and 90s

'The first time you're like a rabbit in the headlights,' Sharon adds. 'You do get used to that process. You do get used to the smells. But you never lose that first time you walk in and the dead body.

'You know it's a person - or has been a person - and from that moment in, the professionalism kicks in.

'You're watching the pathologist dissect the body... you can see the injury.

'I think the longest I was there was for five hours and it's hard. You stand in there and it's the smells and the sounds. It's those sensory things that you remember more than anything else really.

'There's a circular saw that removes top of the skull so you can take the brain out, the cutting of the stomach, the smell of the stomach contents, all of those things.'

But perhaps even more distressing, Sharon says, is having to remove a newborn baby from a drug-addicted mother.

'The keening cry of a drug-addicted baby is one of the most haunting things I've ever heard,' she says.

'We would have to remove the baby and take it into foster care. And then you've got the howling of the mum as well, that's awful. That's a really tough job.'

Despite the trauma of working with victims of child cruelty and confronting abusers, Sharon says she misses her job.

'It's such important work and it's so vital,' she says. 'I do miss it, although I would never want to go to another child's post-mortem.'
Remarkable developments are unfolding in the investigation into whether one man was responsible for both the Black Dahlia murder and the Zodiac killings - an explosive theory linking two of the most infamous cold cases in American history.

Alex Baber, director of Cold Case Consultants of America, stunned true crime fans when he exclusively revealed to the Daily Mail in December that he believed both crimes were committed by the same man: Marvin Margolis, a deceased Second World War veteran and father of four.

In the months since, the investigation has taken a dramatic turn.

Appearing at the Daily Mail-sponsored Hamptons Whodunit event in East Hampton, New York, on Friday, Baber revealed for the first time that detectives have actively sought a DNA sample in connection with the Black Dahlia case - a step he said had never previously been taken in the eight decades since Elizabeth Short was found butchered and posed along a Los Angeles roadside.

Baber was speaking on a headline panel alongside Daily Mail Senior Correspondent Kayla Brantley and The Crime Desk US Editor Rachel Sharp, the reporter who broke the world exclusive identifying Margolis.

I can only tell you so much I just got off the phone with them this week, Baber said. Detectives sought out a DNA sample in the Black Dahlia case. Thats never happened. It was rejected by the family but we have some new things going on on the forensic side of these cases as we speak.

He added: I promise you, the wheels are turning, and were coming close to putting an end to this mystery.

Alex Baber - the investigative consultant who stunned the true crime world by concluding the Zodiac Killer and the Black Dahlia murderer were the same man - is taking that theory inside one of the countrys most talked-about crime events

Elizabeth Short - later known as the Black Dahlia - was found brutally murdered in Los Angeles in 1947, her body severed in half and grotesquely posed, a chilling detail that horrified the nation

Baber said the investigation has been bolstered by a critical shift within Margoliss own family, revealing during the panel that some relatives are now cooperating with investigators.

He also disclosed another significant development: newly surfaced video footage showing Margolis alongside his close associate Bill Robinson years after Elizabeth Shorts murder - a direct contradiction of the version of events both men gave to investigators at the time.

According to grand jury records, Robinson - a former member of the Armys Signal Intelligence Service, the militarys codebreaking unit - was part of Margoliss inner circle during the period when Baber alleges he was involved with Short.

Both men had insisted they were no longer in contact by the time police began investigating her killing in 1947.

The footage, Baber said, places them together well after her death - raising fresh questions about what they told detectives and whether key elements of the original investigation were built on false premises.

It also underscores Robinsons potential significance beyond the Dahlia case. As a wartime codebreaker trained in classical cryptographic techniques, Baber suggested, Robinson could have helped lay the groundwork for the cipher-based taunts that would later define the Zodiac killers reign of terror two decades later.

Between 1968 and 1969, the Zodiac killer terrorized Northern California, murdering at least five victims while claiming many more. He taunted police and the media with cryptic letters and ciphers - daring anyone to uncover his identity.

The Zodiacs spree came 21 years after Shorts murder sent shockwaves through California.

Short - later dubbed the Black Dahlia in the press - was found brutally murdered in Los Angeles, her body severed in half and grotesquely posed, a chilling detail that horrified the nation.

Both cases stumped investigators, leading to decades of dead ends and failed theories.

Join the discussion Should families of notorious crime suspects be compelled to give DNA for cold case investigations?

Investigator Alex Baber spoke on a headline panel alongside The Crime Desk US Editor Rachel Sharp on Friday, sharing their investigation into Margolis

Then, in December 2025, the Daily Mail revealed Babers claim that he had finally solved both cases following an exhaustive, years-long investigation.

He says he has also cracked the Zodiacs infamous Z32 cipher - uncovering a message he believes directly links the killer to the Black Dahlia murder.

Speaking during the panel on Friday, Baber said that solving the cases and unmasking Margolis were personal for him.

Shortly before landing on Margolis as a suspect, Baber spoke with Shorts last surviving sibling, who told him she had long given up hope of ever learning who killed her sister.

This is hard for me to talk about, he said, his voice cracking with emotion. But she told me, We gave up hope a long time ago that they would ever identify her murderer my four sisters have died, and my mother passed in 92, and I dont think Ill ever know.

Before I hung up, I said: Let me give you my word - Ill find him for you. And she died just as I identified him officially, so I missed her by a few months.

That was hard to swallow.

Baber and Sharps presentation of the evidence against Margolis appeared to stun many inside East Hampton Library.

During a Q&A at the end of the panel, a former detective in the audience exclaimed, Youre f***ing amazing, to Baber.

Marvin Margolis in a high school yearbook photo (left) and a later photo obtained and enhanced by Baber. His solution to the Z13 cipher reveals the name Marvin Merrill, an alias used by Marvin Margolis, a man who was a prime suspect in the Black Dahlia murder

Friday's panel was held at the Daily Mail-sponsored Hamptons Whodunit event in East Hampton, New York. The panel was moderated by Daily Mail Senior Correspondent Kayla Brantley (center)

For future updates on Babers investigation, sign up for The Crime Desk newsletter. Its free and arrives in your inbox weekly, featuring exclusives and in-depth looks at some of the most compelling criminal cases in the US and beyond.

Hamptons Whodunit CEO and co-founder Carrie Doyle spoke of her excitement about Baber and Sharps seminar earlier this week.

We are excited to collaborate with The Daily Mail to showcase the incredible true crime and forensic experts, as well as the bestselling mystery and thriller authors that are featured at Hamptons Whodunit, she said.

Our festival is a unique interactive weekend where our attendees can hear all about crime from those solving real cases, as well as from those who are creating fictional mysteries in their books.

Hamptons Whodunit's partnership with The Daily Mail allows us to bring riveting stories of the quest for justice not just to our local audience, but to the masses.
It was, said the judge, 'a scene taking place all over England every day - a mother and two small children walking home from school.'

The children, aged nine and six, had been walking through cornfields and a small wood with their mother, full of excitement after the end of term swimming gala carrying their wet swimsuits wrapped in towels. Little did they know the horrific bloodbath they were about to innocently stroll into.

I reported on every day of Michael Stone's trial and retrial for the murders of Lin Russell and her younger daughter Megan and the attempted murder of older daughter Josie. I vividly remember the harrowing details nearly 30 years later.

The killer had tied up and blindfolded mother and daughter. When Josie had tried to escape he ran after her, tied and blindfolded her too then hit all three of them repeatedly around the head with a hammer.

When they failed to come home and the alarm was raised police eventually found the murder scene and bodies after midnight. At first they thought Josie was dead too. An hour later an officer spotted her twitching, she was rushed to hospital after lying bound and unattended for nine hours.

There was no DNA evidence, no murder weapon found and no positive identification from an eye witness. But what the prosecution did have was some of the most extraordinary evidence I have ever heard in 40 years of covering court cases.

On day two of the trial at Maidstone Crown Court in October 1998 the jury was transfixed by the sight on TV screens in front of them of young Josie, clearly still damaged mentally and physically, moving tiny three inch figures around a doll's house-sized country scene.

The figures represented the girls, their mother, their dog Lucy, also killed in the attack, and the murderer himself.

Lin, Josie and Megan Russell were attacked with a hammer in a country lane not far from their home in Chillenden, Kent, 1996 (pictured, on a family holiday in Wales in 1995)

Josie Russell miraculously survived the bloodbath and often wore a hat as she recovered from her head injuries (pictured, Josie in hospital four weeks after the hammer attack in 1996)

Michael Stone (pictured, outside court in 2001) has been in prison for nearly 30 years but has always professed his innocence over the murders of Lin and Megan Russell

In a vivid red hat to hide her scars she moved the figures in response to the patient questioning of DC Pauline Smith and PC Edwin Tingley trying to tease out the traumatic truth of what had happened to her while still remaining legally correct with no prompting or enticement.

'This man hurt your head? How did he do it?' Asked DC Smith.

There was a pause then Josie, with her back to the camera, quite deliberately clenched her fist, raised her right arm behind her with a violent jerk then smashed it down towards the back of her head.

What became of Fred and Rose West's children? Hi, I'm Alex Matthews, Editor of The Crime Desk. It was over 30 years ago that Fred and Rose West's 'house of horrors' was found - but have you ever wondered what happened to their children? Some live in fear, others have happy lives. Sign up here to get our exclusive piece for free.

'Did he use a weapon?' Josie nods. 'What sort of weapon?' Josie opened a scrapbook of drawings. At the first page she showed no reaction. As she turned to the second page she immediately pointed to a picture of a hammer. 'Did he strike your mummy?' Josie shrugged. 'Did he hit Megan? Did he hit Lucy?' Josie shrugged each time.

'Did you see the attack' Josie indicates no. 'Did you see anything else?' Josie places her hands behind her back to show she had been tied up.

'Was this before or after the attack?' Josie indicates with shrugs, nods and gestures that it was before.

Fourteen months of interviews with the two officers had been pared down to four hours of video evidence for the jury of eight women and four men.

They had started just a few months after the attack near Chillenden, Kent. The officers used brightly coloured scrapbooks of pictures, photos and designs for Josie to point to. The murder scene was constructed from plywood with twigs for trees and coloured cotton wool for hedgerows and bushes as if by a Blue Peter presenter.

The models of the girls were dressed in their school uniforms of scarlet cardigans and blue and white skirts and the killer had a blue top and black trousers. There was a model of dog Lucy - Josie laughed at that.

As the tapes were played the jury could see Josie visibly progressing as months passed from barely audible groans allied to nods and gestures towards more confident but still monosyllabic responses to, finally and joyously, recognisable answers and conversations.

When DC Smith asked her what the killer had used to tie up her mother Josie beckoned for a scrapbook, leafed through the pages, turned to another book but was still unable to find the correct drawing to point to.

Pictured: Police at the scene of Lin and Megan Russell's murder in Chillenden, Kent, 1996

In 2020 a shoelace stained with the victims' blood re-appeared in police storage after being missing for 14 years

Pictured: The scene of the murders of Lin and Megan Russell in a country lane in Chillenden, Kent

Pictured: A cross carved into a tree near the scene of the murder of the Russell family, in Chillenden in Kent

Finally she sees a drawing of towels and waves her arms in the air in triumph. Then she rips her arms apart violently to show how the man had torn them into strips with his bare hands.

In the second interview she reconstructed the exact sequence of events handling the models like toys. She placed the mother and children figures by the side of a lane and showed the man's car speeding past. Then she showed how she had waved. 'Did the man wave back?' asked DC Smith. Josie shook her head sternly.

Josie then showed how the car had stopped ahead of them, the killer got out, she placed the hammer in his hand and brought the figure over to loom menacingly.

'Where did the man get the hammer from?' asked the officer.

Josie pointed to the back of the car, clearly indicating it was not from the boot but from behind the rear seat.

Then she took her own model and moved it down the lane showing how she had run away and took the man in her other hand show him chasing her and bringing her back. Then she placed all the family on their backs in the wood.

Picking up a paper hanky she folded it with studied concentration and tore it into strips to show how the man had tied them up with their swimming towels.

Intricately she placed a strip of hanky around her mother's face and tied it in a knot at the back like a blindfold.

She then drew her fingers across her own eyes to indicate she was blindfolded as well and tied a bow in the red shoelace the man had used.

It was slow and painstaking but utterly enthralling as the jury and entire courtroom sat in silence with their eyes only leaving the screens to look at the actual model set on the exhibits table in the centre of the court.

Of course it wasn't Josie's evidence which won the case for the prosecution - she was never able to identify the killer. But the key evidence was controversial at the time and remains highly contentious to this day.

The police were convinced the killer was a violent drug addict desperate for money and who carried a hammer in his car. He had even ransacked the lunchboxes the girls had taken to school in the hope they might contain a penny or two. A blood-stained shoe lace - more of which later - was found at the murder scene. It provided no forensic evidence detectable by DNA techniques of that time but it was typical of tourniquets used by heroin addicts.

Michael Stone had mental issues, a serious heroin addiction and multiple convictions over 16 years for ever escalating violence. He also knew Chillenden and was known in his area of Kent as Mad Mick the Hammer Man because he had been jailed for two years in 1981 for a robbery in which he attacked a man with a hammer.

Between sentences for armed robbery, wounding, assault and burglary he had been assessed at Broadmoor and Rampton maximum security hospitals. At another hospital he was rated as 'an extremely violent and dangerous individual.'

Pictured: Lin Russell with her husband Shaun and their two children Megan (left) and Josie at an Italian restaurant in 1996

Pictured: Police at the scene of the murders of Lin and Megan Russell in the rural village of Chillenden, Kent

But he was released and returned to Kent where his family described him as 'spinning out of control' under the influence of heroin and amphetamines. His former girlfriend Rachael Marcroft said he used to beat her repeatedly and was 'scary and brutal.'

He was known to keep lists in his mind of people he wanted to kill and torture and fantasised about killing children yet somehow he managed to slip through the net set up by the justice system and health authorities to protect the public.

His barrister William Clegg QC said Stone was even too dangerous for the level of secure accommodation available at that time.

On the first anniversary of the murders forensic psychiatrist Dr Philip Sugarman, head of the Trevor Gibbon unit in Maidstone, a rehab centre for drug addict, had found himself watching a BBC TV Crimewatch reconstruction of the attack. When an e-fit likeness of a driver seen in the area looking angry and agitated appeared on the screen it dawned on him suddenly that this was a man he had treated and who he knew all too well.

Sugarman rang the police who now had a name for their prime suspect. When arrested Stone said he had been so high on heroin he didn't know where he had been on the day of the murder and had no alibi. Yet he had still burned all the clothes he had been wearing then.

Finding the evidence to go with the name proved a problem. Much of the case was built around the least trustworthy people in Britain - criminals and former and serving prisoners.

Child killers are the most hated criminals among prisoners but then so are informants. Yet the police found no shortage of inmates prepared to go to court and reveal what Stone had allegedly told them while awaiting trial for the murders.

The prosecution chose what they considered the best three - self-styled hardman Damien Daley, convicted murderer Mark Jennings and Barry Thompson all told the jury that Stone had either confessed or incriminated himself in front of them. Daley said Stone had told him in Canterbury prison that he had smashed the victims' heads like eggshells and Jennings added that Stone justified the murders by saying he had to eliminate every witness or run the risk of a long sentence.

Each of them was grilled in cross examination by Stone's barrister Clegg and denied they had invented their stories to win favours from their prison governor or the police. The judge warned the jury they should treat the prisoners' evidence with great caution and my view in the press box was: Why are they saying this? What's in it for them?

Josie Russell is pictured in 2018, 22 years after losing her mother and sister in the horrific hammer attack

Michael Stone (pictured) was known as a drug addict and a hardened criminal at the time of his arrest

A prime suspect is serial killer Levi Bellfield (pictured), a fellow inmate of Stones at HMP Frankland in Durham

Nevertheless I think the jury were impressed particularly when Daley was escorted out of court and turned at the door to give Stone the fiercest, most frightening glare I have ever seen.

The verdict came on a Friday afternoon after three days deliberations and by a 10-2 majority Stone was convicted on all charges and sentenced to life imprisonment.

Stone had been convinced the long deliberations meant he would go free. Twenty four hours earlier he had leant over the dock rail and made walking gestures with his fingers towards his sister Barbara.

When the decision went the other way he yelled out, 'I didn't do it, your honour. It wasn't me.' As he was led away he threw his arms open wide in a gesture of innocence and helplessness towards Barbara and his mother.

I was surprised by the verdict as I didn't think the prosecution case was strong enough, but believed the world was a safer place with Stone locked up. I was surprised that this story was far from over.

Eighteen months later Stone was in the Appeal Court and this time with the hint of a smirk on his face. Thompson, exposed as a perjurer and police informant, had retracted his evidence and Jennings was found to have taken money from a newspaper. Three Appeal Court judges agreed this blew a hole in an 'integral' part of the Crown's case and - dismissing defence claims Stone should walk free - ordered a re-trial.

So in October 2001 another jury was sworn in, this time at Nottingham Crown Court, and the case started again. The video of poor battered Josie giving evidence was played again and this time I could clearly see some jurors in tears.

Although Jennings and Thompson had been dropped as Crown witnesses Daley was back and repeated his fearsome stare at Stone.

The trial continued on the same lines as the first one but the press box remained packed until one quiet afternoon when word suddenly went around that passenger planes had been flown into New York skyscrapers and journalists were all summoned back to London.

Just under a month later the focus swung back as Stone was convicted for the second time by an identical 10-2 majority and once again jailed for life. The prosecution case remained, in my eyes, weak, possibly even weaker without Thompson and Jennings.

But Stone had once again declined to enter the witness box to give evidence personally. Jurors always like to hear a defendant first hand to make their personal judgement. Were they so upset for Josie, her injuries and her lost family to an extent that they felt someone had to be punished?

Despite that I remain unconvinced by the vociferous campaign for Stone's release. I find claims that multiple killer Levi Bellfield - one of whose victims was Milly Dowler - was the true murderer and that he has made a genuinely truthful confession implausible. The notorious blood-stained shoelace has still not revealed any secrets despite constant retesting and went missing for many years although police say that it has been recovered.

Stone's Barrister, Mark McDonald, said earlier this year that he has commissioned a forensics expert to review the evidence which led to Stone's conviction. He said the shoelace could be subject of greater and more sophisticated testing.

I left court thinking: Did Stone kill Lin and Megan? Probably. Is there room for doubt? Possibly. Will this case run and run? Definitely.

Josie, now in her late 40s, has made an astonishing recovery after extensive surgery had left her, the court was told, with some 'intellectual impairment' and a titanium plate in her skull.

She lives in the house she used to live in when she was younger with her fiance Iwan Griffith, whom she has been with for 20 years. Her father, Shaun Russell, lives nearby.

Today she has graduated with a degree in design and textiles from Bangor University and is flourishing as an artist in North Wales. The one happy ending to a gruesome and troubling case.

Stone, meanwhile, is still behind bars today but has long protested his innocence and his case is being reviewed by the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC), which will decide if it should be referred to the Court of Appeal.
From 1993 to 2010, a serial killer preyed on young, vulnerable women, strangling eight victims and dumping their remains in remote areas on Long Island.

But it wasnt the first time these women had encountered the ogre-like man who became their killer.

Now, days after Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuermann finally confessed to eight murders during a terrifying 17-year spree, the Daily Mail can exclusively reveal how he knew his victims - and reveal exactly where he took each of their lives.

In a wide-ranging sit-down interview, Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney - the man who led both the task force that finally captured the serial killer and the prosecution that ensured he will spend the rest of his life behind bars - spoke out this week about the case that has left a scar on Long Island for more than three decades.

For the first time, Tierney revealed chilling new details about how Heuermann met and chose his particular victims, the meticulousness of his plans to kill and the young womens gut-wrenching final moments.

Heuermann killed seven of his eight victims inside the basement of his Massapequa Park home - a ranch-style house where he spent his own childhood and then chose to raise his own family, Tierney confirmed to the Daily Mail.

The only exception was his first victim Sandra Costilla, a 28-year-old woman originally from Trinidad and Tobago and living in New York, who was murdered in November 1993.

Tierney exclusively revealed to the Daily Mail that Heuermann strangled Costilla inside his car, a Ram Charger which investigators have since tracked down and recovered from Pennsylvania.

Rex Heuermann appears to smirk as he pleads guilty to murdering seven women and admits to killing an eighth in a court hearing this month

The victims clockwise from top left: Sandra Costilla, Karen Vergata, Melissa Barthelemy, Valerie Mack, Megan Waterman, Amber Costello, Maureen Brainard-Barnes and Jessica Taylor

The serial killer, who was 30 at the time, inflicted several sharp force injuries to her face, torso, breasts, thigh and vaginal area post-mortem and then dumped her body in a wooded area of North Sea, Southampton.

Hunters later stumbled across her body, lying on her back with her arms outstretched, her shirt pulled up over her torso and head and with her legs spread apart.

As his first known victim, Costilla was something of an outlier to the string of murders that followed.

After that, Heuermann embarked on his pattern of luring women to his home, where he held them for some length of time and tortured them before strangling them.

Karen Vergata, 34, Valerie Mack, 24, Jessica Taylor, 20, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, 25, Melissa Barthelemy, 24, Megan Waterman, 22, and Amber Costello, 27 were all murdered in the basement while his family was out of town on vacation. Vergata, Mack and Taylor, who were murdered between 1996 and 2003, were also dismembered inside the home.

Heuermann is believed to have met each of the women at least once before he lured them to his home and murdered them, Tierney told the Daily Mail.

In those earlier meetings, Heuermann likely gained their trust, luring the women into a false sense of security so that they would agree to his request of a home visit once - unbeknown to them - he had picked them as his next victim.

Its hard for us to know with certainty, especially through the use of burner phones. But we don't believe that that's the first time he met them in all of the cases, Tierney said.

Suffolk County DA Ray Tierney sat down with the Daily Mail for a wide-ranging interview about the case

A stretch of beach stands empty at Gilgo Beach on April 8 2026, near where murder victims were discovered decades ago

Because Sandra was earlier, she's a bit of an outlier to be sure, but with regard to the others we believe he had met them before.

Tierney explained that there typically would have to be some level of trust for the victims to agree to an out-call (visiting a clients home) rather than an in-call (meeting at a location chosen by the sex worker) because it is less safe.

There's this concept of in-calls and out-calls with the women and their work. There has to be a certain degree of trust and comfortability, because these women were working that tightrope. They didn't have security, he said.

I don't think that it would have been easy just to go straight to an out-call. An out-call typically is more lucrative, but it's also fraught with peril. There would have been some sort of interaction, which would make them feel comfortable enough to do that.

To some extent, Tierney said Heuermann must have gained the womens trust - something that tracked with his ability to lead his violent double life all the while masquerading as a normal, non-threatening married father.

He was very good at portraying himself to be who he thinks you want him to be, he said.

That's why I think not only his family, but also the people who knew him, worked with him and were friendly with him never thought that he would be capable of what he's been convicted of. I think he liked living in that sort of space where he was not what he seemed to be.

Only Heuermann knows why he selected each of the eight women as his victims.

But it is clear that a meticulous and precise level of planning went into each of the murders, Tierney said.

Rex Heuermann's Massapequa Park home where he murdered seven of the eight victims

Rex Heuermann and his family before he was arrested and unmasked as the Gilgo Beach serial killer

He was a prolific purveyor or consumer of escorts, the vast majority of which he didn't murder, Tierney said.

He was patronizing a lot of individuals, and then, at a certain point, he would choose certain ones to murder.

Burner phone evidence revealed a pattern for the last four murders - Brainard-Barnes, Barthelemy, Waterman and Costello, known as the Gilgo Four.

Heuermann would be in communication with several sex workers and then would select one as his desired victim and buy a burner phone to use solely to contact her. In each of the Gilgo Four murders, he bought and used a new phone.

It's real cut and dried with regard to what we call the kill phones, the four burner phones that were used in the murders of the Gilgo Four, Tierney explained.

He had a phone that he used to correspond with a lot of workers. And then, all of a sudden, he would get a new burner phone and start corresponding with just one worker on one burner phone. And then, that woman would unfortunately lose her life and he then discontinued the use of that phone because he knew it would be traced back to him.

In Megan Watermans case, Heuermann bought a burner phone on June 4 2010, used it to arrange to meet her on June 5 and then picked her up from the Holiday Inn in Hauppage on June 6. She was never seen alive again. Heuermann then stopped using that burner phone.

Based on his years-long investigation and face-to-face interactions with the serial killer, Tierney described Heuermann as smart, meticulous, manipulative and of above average intelligence.

Tierney said the pattern and burner phone use proved the serial killers deliberateness, premeditation and how meticulous he was with his crimes.

Rex Heuermann in selfies submitted as evidence in the case. He used burner phones to contact several of the victims

Then, if there was any doubt, the planning document really lays out just how meticulous he was.

A planning document, found on a hard drive during a search of his home, revealed what prosecutors described as his blueprint for selecting, killing and disposing of victims including sections titled 'body prep' detailing how to clean and dismember bodies and remove tattoos.

Though this document was created in 2000 and modified between 2001 and 2002, all eight of the murders were planned to some degree, Tierney said.

But Heuermann's level of planning evolved over time.

Certainly after that document, all of those murders were planned, but we feel that there was a certain degree of planning with regard to all of the murders.

Then, as he progressed through the murders, the planning became more considerable and more elaborate.

Though his method of murder stayed the same, aspects of Heuermann's crimes evolved.

In the early days, Tierney said Heuermann would seek sex workers from well-known prostitution areas of Brooklyn and Manhattan. When the business changed to the likes of Craigslist in the 2000s, so did he.

Law enforcement on the scene of Rex Heuermann's home following his arrest in July 2023

Map showing where the remains of victims were found along Ocean Parkway

His disposal of the victims bodies also changed over time.

After leaving Costillas body out in the woods, his next three victims - Vergata, Mack and Taylor - were all dismembered and their remains left in two separate locations. Vergatas remains were found on Fire Island and Ocean Parkway; Mack and Taylor in Manorville and Ocean Parkway.

With the Gilgo Four, their bodies were wrapped in burlap, some bound with belts, and left along Ocean Parkway, near Gilgo Beach, within a quarter-mile of each other.

That was a location Heuermann knew well through duck-hunting in Gilgo Beach and working in Jones Beach when he was younger.

He knew that area intimately and knew that at night, it's very remote and dark, so you can see headlights from far away which gives you a certain amount of time to react before anyone sees you, Tierney said.

If you look at the areas where the bodies were left, it's really overgrown. You can't walk through that. It was advantageous to avoid detection. That told us this was not a happenstance - this was a person who knew this area and knew the best place to dispose of bodies.

The earlier Manorville locations were also much more remote at the time than today. The neighborhood wasnt there. It was a remote area, all woods and there was a Girl Scout camp there and a hunting area.

Tierney would not share all the details of what investigators uncovered of his crimes - including how long Heuermann held his victims inside his home and the torture he put them through - out of respect for the women and their families.

Heuermann's wife Asa Ellerup is seen in the basement of their family home where her husband killed his victims

What he would share was that investigators believe Heuermann hung plastic sheeting from the ceiling of the basement to create some sort of staging area during the murders.

During the initial search after his July 2023 arrest, Tierney said investigators noticed push pins in the wall and damage to the ceiling.

When the planning document was discovered - revealing not only his warped murder blueprint but also the mention of tape and not pins - a new search was carried out.

Using ultraviolet light, we were then able to see the adhesive marks on the paneling in the basement. And the adhesive made a little square, enclosed area. Our theory is that's where he hung the plastic sheeting.

It is not clear exactly what unfolded in this staging area but the bail application previously documented how items in the planning document were associated with suspension bondage and dismemberment. Heuermanns porn searches also revealed an interest in women being suspended, tortured, bound, mutilated and decapitated.

Unfortunately, it is a very comprehensive document, which really lays bare his intent to seek out these women to lure them back to Long Island, and to murder them, and then dispose of their bodies and do it in such a way as not to get caught.

I think all of that evidence speaks for itself and out of deference to the families, we'll let that evidence speak for itself.

Despite the wealth of evidence the task force unearthed, Tierney revealed that investigators never found any trophies or mementoes Heuermann had held onto from his victims inside the home.

DA Tierney with the families of the victims on the day that Rex Heuermann pleaded guilty

Family members of some of the victims of the Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuermann attend a news conference after he finally confessed to his crimes

We worked really closely with the families to identify things like jewelry or clothing. We put a lot of effort in but we didnt find anything that we could trace back to any of the victims,' he said.

Even with the planning document, DNA evidence, damning cell phone data and now Heuermann's own confessions, only he truly knows the full story of his haunting crimes.

The one thing everybody has to understand is that in each of these eight incidents, there's two witnesses. And one witness is unfortunately no longer with us, Tierney said.

So then we have one witness and then we have forensic evidence and we have other evidence which we can use.

'But with regard to the defendant, are we ever going to get the exact story? I don't know.
In years to come it will be possible to pinpoint the precise moment the Cabinet, Labour MPs and the wider Labour movement finally decided to cut Keir Starmer adrift. On Tuesday, Ed Miliband, a man who knows a thing or two about terminally doomed political leaderships, was being interviewed by GMB's Susanna Reid.

Reid was forensically taking apart the Prime Minister's case for appointing Peter Mandelson, and Miliband was gamely playing along, attempting to stick to No10's rigid and increasingly implausible Lines To Take on the issue.

And then, suddenly, Miliband stopped. He leaned forward in his chair and placed his hand on his chin. 'Yeah, it's a fair point,' he said, nodding. 'He shouldn't have been appointed. That is right.'

At the start of February, when Labour's Scottish leader Anas Sarwar became the first high-profile figure to call for Starmer to quit, the PM was saved by a concerted circling of the wagons by his ministers. After a week of conspicuous silence, they lined up one by one on social media to express their support.

This week, the opposite has happened. Quietly and discreetly, the wagons have been reversed out, and are disappearing into the sunset.

First there was Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander, one of the Cabinet's most polished media performers, who on Monday broke the golden rule of not opening up speculation about a Prime Minister's political mortality. There were 'no certainties' about whether Starmer would lead his party into the general election, he conceded.

On Tuesday morning, Miliband finally threw in the towel. A few hours later, Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper publicly distanced herself from Starmer's attempt to get his former communications director Matthew Doyle a plum diplomatic posting, despite his connection to a convicted paedophile, without her predecessor David Lammy's knowledge.

Sir Keir Starmer is under huge pressure to resign, with Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander saying there were 'no certainties' about whether her would lead Labour into the general election

'I am, of course, extremely concerned at any suggestion that the permanent secretary or permanent under-secretary of the Foreign Office would be told not to inform the Foreign Secretary,' she said. 'As for the case that the honourable Member raised, I can confirm that it would also not have been an appropriate appointment.'

Then, yesterday, it was Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden's turn to leave Starmer swinging. McFadden, who is known as the Cabinet's 'fire-blanket', conspicuously refused to endorse his boss's decision to sack Sir Olly Robbins. 'I think very highly of him,' he said cryptically.

All this was in public. In private, they queued up to distance themselves from Starmer's decision. According to a series of leaks from inside the Cabinet, David Lammy, Shabana Mahmood, Wes Streeting and Rachel Reeves all delivered thinly disguised criticism of the sacking.

Up until this week, some people were speculating that Starmer might be able to stagger on into 2027. But the events of the past 72 hours have decisively changed the mood within the Labour Party.

'It's moving', one Cabinet minister told me. 'People now recognise something is going to have to happen relatively quickly after the local elections. The discussions now are about finding a way for Keir to leave in a dignified way, and in a manner that isn't messy and splits the party.'

A second Cabinet minister agreed. 'Before Iran, the sense was that people would have to act after the local elections. Then Iran happened, and views shifted a bit. People started to think, 'I'm not sure how we can have a leadership contest with a war as the backdrop'. But now it's hardened up again. The feeling is basically that 'this is not going to end. Keir can't get out from under this. We need to draw a line'.'

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband told GMB's Susanna Reid: 'Yeah, it's a fair point. [Mandelson] shouldn't have been appointed. That is right'

Much of the debate around the latest Mandelson revelations has centred on whether Starmer knowingly misled parliament. But according to Labour sources, among senior figures in the Government, the Robbins debacle has seen a different set of perceptions forming. As one veteran told me: 'Up until this week people thought the main issue was structures inside No10, and the fact that Keir wasn't especially political. But now the basic view is 'the guy's useless. He just can't do this'. The respect for him has just collapsed. I've now got people sending me memes of him in a dunce's cap. It's gone.'

Another problem is that the slender hopes some MPs and Cabinet ministers were clinging to that Starmer could use the Iran war to reboot his premiership have finally been extinguished. As one minister said: 'It was always a long shot that we could turn things around via international affairs. But now there's no chance.

'Mandelson isn't coming up on the doorstep a lot. But nor is Trump or Iran. People aren't saying 'your guy's doing a great job over the Strait of Hormuz'. They're saying 'what are you doing about all those bloody illegal immigrants?'

The reality is that the so-called 'Love Actually Strategy'  a reference to the moment in the film that Hugh Grant's fictional prime minister finally confronts a bullish US President  is failing to cut through has finally been recognised inside No10. According to one minister, Downing Street's plan to get the latest tranche of Mandelson documents out of the way before the local elections, then have a clean relaunch based around the King's Speech, has now been junked.

'He's too weak now,' they told me. 'They know that there's enough in those documents and if they came out now, it would completely sink him. So they have had to shelve it. They're not bothering with a strategy any more. They're just trying to see if they can survive a day at a time.'

This is Starmer's political prognosis now. Not years, or even months. But days and weeks.

According to ministers, two scenarios are now under active consideration. One is a quick, clean removal, followed by the insertion of a 'caretaker leader'. This would involve  with the parliamentary Labour party's consent  a safe pair of hands imported from within the Cabinet. John Healey, Pat McFadden, Hilary Benn, Yvette Cooper and Bridget Phillipson are the names reportedly under consideration.

The other is what's been described to me as 'the Celebrity Death Match'. Starmer would announce his departure but stay on until Labour's September conference. That would enable the big campaigns of Wes Streeting, Angela Rayner and possibly Ed Miliband to properly mobilise, and also give time for King of the North Andy Burnham to secure a seat, and set out his stall. It would also give Labour members proper ownership of the process.

But either way, the decision has now been taken. As one normally loyal minister told me: 'It's just bleak now. I don't see any way of this stopping. This has been going on for seven and half months. And it's not going away. Mandelson keeps hanging around like a bad smell.'

This morning, the stench of political death is clinging to Keir Starmer. When the local elections  which will be an unmitigated disaster for Labour  are over, the undertakers will arrive.

'It's going to have to be a men-in-grey-suits operation [to remove Starmer],' one despondent minister told me. 'The great irony is that the perfect person to fulfil that role would have been Peter Mandelson.'

He is no longer available. But as Keir Starmer is about to find out, there are plenty of his colleagues around the Cabinet table who will be only too happy to take the Prince of Darkness's place.
A young woman has revealed how her extremely itchy skin led to a devastating cancer diagnosis - despite doctors initially telling her she needed to moisturise more.

Sumbul Ari was unable to get a full night's sleep for seven months due to the sensation of her skin crawling, leaving her 'itching herself to death' each evening.

Despite raising concerns, the 26-year-old from Cairns, Australia, claims doctors suggested the problem was likely caused by 'dry skin' and advised her to use moisturising creams.

Ms Ari said her symptoms began last April, the first of which was 'uncontrollable itching' which 'got worse at night' and 'would keep me up for hours'.

She added: 'I would scratch myself with sharp objects, and no medication, cream or antihistamines would help. Doctors put it down to dry skin, scabies, eczema.'

But when other symptoms developed - including night sweats, chronic fatigue and a loss of appetite - Ms Ari suspected something more serious was at play.

Then, after finding a lump on the back of her neck, it became far more serious than even she thought.

Ms Ali said: 'I randomly touched my neck and felt a lump. When I did my Google search, the symptoms came up  itchy skin, fatigue, night sweats. I knew instantly I had cancer.'

Sumbul Ari has told how her extremely itchy skin led to a devastating cancer diagnosis

The symptoms aligned with the rare form of the disease, Hodgkin lymphoma, a rare cancer that begins in the white blood cells.

Around 2,200 people in Britain are diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma each year, accounting for roughly 1 per cent of all cancer cases nationwide.

Globally, the figure rises to just under 83,000 cases annually, according to the latest published statistics from the World Health Organisation.

One of the most high-profile cases is Michael C. Hall, who revealed in 2009 that he had been diagnosed aged 38 while filming the fourth season of Dexter.

As well as being one of the rarest forms of cancer, Hodgkin lymphoma is most commonly diagnosed in adults aged 20 to 24 and 75 to 79.

Being young herself, Ms Ari booked another appointment as soon as she realised her symptoms matched the disease.

Through tears, she listed the conditions she had already been treated for and pleaded for an ultrasound scan.

Official NHS guidance lists itchy skin alongside painless lumps or swelling in the neck, armpit or groin as some of the most common symptoms.

Pain in those areas after drinking alcohol, as well as high temperatures, night sweats, shortness of breath and sudden weight loss can also be warning signs.

On March 17 - and almost a year after her first symptom - Ms Ari received an official diagnosis from the haematologist.

She said: 'After I received my ultrasound result, which confirmed multiple enlarged lymph nodes in the neck, the doctor urged me to go to the hospital.

'A CT scan was done and doctors at the hospital confirmed more enlarged lymph nodes across my chest and neck.

'They said they highly suspect lymphoma, so I had a biopsy and PET scan done the following week and got my official diagnosis on 17 March.'

Ms Ari's cancer was found between stage two and stage three, with enlarged lymph nodes in her neck and chest, and spread to her spleen.

She has finished one round of chemotherapy and has five more to go, and says she is so 'relieved' that someone 'finally' listened to her.

She said: 'For seven months, I woke up every single night to itch myself to death.

'If you know there is something wrong with you, please do not stop advocating for yourself.'
More than 13,000 patients in England waited at least three days for A&E treatment last year, concerning new figures have revealed.

And those patients are part of nearly 500,000 who spent more than 24 hours waiting in NHS emergency departments before being admitted, transferred or discharged.

The statistics, obtained by the British Medical Journal (BMJ), show that the number of patients spending at least a day in A&E has risen by a third since 2023, with January 2026 recording by far the worst monthly total of the past five years.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting said target wait times in A&E had become 'within touching distance' in recent months and that the NHS was 'finally moving in the right direction'.

But experts have told how ailing patients have said 'they'd rather die at home than come into hospital and be waiting'.

The findings, obtained through a freedom of information request (FOI), reveal that a total of 66,847 patients spent more than 24 hours in a type 1 A&E department - the most common type of emergency room with facilities for resuscitating patients - which accounts for almost one in 20 attendances.

Of those, 9,379 patients remained in A&E for more than 48 hours.

Overall, 493,751 patients spent at least 24 hours in type 1 emergency room in 2025, a figure which is up from 487,608 in 2024 and 377,986 in 2023.

More than 13,000 patients in England waited at least three days for A&E treatment last year

Patients are urged by the NHS to visit A&E for 'serious injuries and life-threatening emergencies' and the health service's target is to see 95 per cent of patients admitted, treated or discharged within four hours.

Mumtaz Patel, president of the Royal College of Physicians, told the BMJ: 'I've heard of patients who say they'd rather die at home than come into hospital and be waiting.'

The BMJ did find that 72-hour waits are down from a peak of 19,579 in 2023, but experts say the overall issue of A&E care is worsening.

James Gagg, vice president of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine told the BMJ that a 24-hour wait was 'pretty much unheard of if you go back prior to 2020'.

On the long waits, he added: 'This is where harm is occurring; this is where we know patients have worse mortality due to the delays that occur in care.'

Danielle Jefferies, senior analyst at the health think tank the King's Fund, said the figures are 'one of the most visible and worrying' signs that the 'hospital healthcare system isn't working'.

Concerns have also been raised that waiting times will not calm down in the spring, despite Mr Streeting's pledge to ensure 'patients are treated more quickly' while 'easing pressure on busy A&Es'.

Last April and May, 38,765 and 36,609 patients respectively waited in A&E for more than 24 hours. This was more than double the 15,225 recorded in January.

Patel added: 'Spring used to come round and we used to feel a sense of relief. Now it's every time of the year, even when we've reported for corridor care for August, when traditionally people are on holiday and not wanting to come in... even then it's so busy.

'It's systemic, across the board.'

Health Secretary Wes Streeting said earlier this month that the government was 'moving away from unacceptable corridor care'

An NHS England spokesman said: 'While the number of people waiting over four hours in A&E is at a five-year low  despite record attendances  thanks to the hard work of staff, we know there are still too many people waiting an unacceptably long time or being forced to wait in inappropriate spaces.

'That's why the NHS is reforming the urgent and emergency care system and supporting the trusts facing the biggest challenges, with some good early evidence of reductions in corridor care for patients.'

The surge in cases show no signs of calming down after official NHS figures revealed that A&E departments in England saw the highest number of attendances ever this March.

More than 2.43 million people sought help at A&Es last month - the most on record in over 15 years.

The demand was partly due to the meningitis outbreak in Kent - which saw two students die and many more hospitalised - officials said.

A 'prolonged winter' also piled pressure on services.

The previous monthly record for A&E attendances was in May 2024, during a round of NHS doctor strikes. More than a million hospital appointments were rescheduled as a result.

Resident doctors, also known as junior doctors, walked out again earlier this month in a series of strikes that cost hospitals 3billion.
Common drugs taken by millions of Americans during pregnancy may increase a child's risk of autism, a landmark study suggests.

As autism now affects one in 31 American children  a stark increase from one in 150 in the early 2000s  experts are searching for potential causes, ranging from better diagnostic criteria to pollution and medications.

Now, researchers in Nebraska have honed in on prescription medications that block the production of cholesterol.

Along with statins, these drugs - known collectively as sterol biosynthesis-inhibiting medications (SBIMs) - also include common antidepressants and beta blockers, used to treat anxiety and high blood pressure.

While cholesterol can build up in the arteries and lead to heart disease, it's also crucial for forming protective brain cell membranes and synaptic functioning, which helps neurons communicate.

In the study of more than six million maternal-child health records, the team found that these drugs' ability to disrupt cholesterol pathways was linked to a 1.5-fold increased risk of a child developing autism.

And for each additional SBIM prescribed, the risk increased an additional 1.3 times. Women who took four or more SBIMs ended up more than twice as likely to have a child with autism.

The study authors, from the University of Nebraska Medical Center, have urged pregnant women not to stop any of these medications abruptly without medical supervision. Instead, they encourage doctors to consider alternatives.

A new study has found taking common prescription drugs during pregnancy may increase the risk of a child being born with autism (stock image)

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'Our findings do not suggest that these medications are unsafe for adults,' Dr Karoly Mirnics, senior study author and dean and director of the UNMC MunroeMeyer Institute, said.

'But they raise important questions about their use during pregnancy, a period when even small biochemical disruptions may have outsized effects on fetal brain development.

The findings come after a major Danish study found Tylenol use was not tied to a 'significant' risk of autism, despite claims from President Donald Trump and Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr.

The new study, published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry, looked at 6.14 million maternalchild health records from the Epic Cosmos database, which represent nearly onethird of all US births between 2014 and 2023.

The team also evaluated prescriptions for 14 different SBIMs. They included the antipsychotics aripiprazole (Abilify) and haloperidol (Haldol), as well as the anxiety drug buspirone (BuSpar).

Antidepressants included were bupropion (Wellbutrin), fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft) and trazodone.

The researchers also looked at beta blockers metoprolol, propranolol, nebivolol, as well as statins atorvastatin (Lipitor), pravastatin, rosuvastatin (Crestor) and simvastatin (Zocor).

Collectively, these drugs account for about 400 million yearly prescriptions in the US.

The above graph shows the comparison of autism incidence between children whose mothers used sterol biosynthesisinhibiting medications (SBIMs) and those who did not

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Of the 196,447 children diagnosed with autism, 14.2 percent had prenatal exposure to SBIMs.

Additionally, use of SBIMs increased over time, from 4.3 percent of pregnancies in 2014 to 16.8 percent in 2023.

The researchers found mothers who were prescribed at least one SBIM during pregnancy had a 1.5fold increased chance of having an autistic child, and for each additional SBIM, the risk increased 1.3 times.

Mothers who were taking four or more SBIMs during pregnancy showed a 2.3fold increased risk of having an autistic child.

The brain contains about 20 percent of the body's total cholesterol, which creates synapses, or connections between neurons, along with protective membranes. Many children with autism, however, have low cholesterol, suggesting disruptions in their brains' communication networks.

The genetic disorder Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome (SLOS), affecting one in 20,000 US births, has also been shown to disrupt the brain's cholesterolproducing pathway, and 75 percent of children with this disorder also meet the criteria for autism spectrum disorder.

Stopping drugs such as antidepressants and beta blockers can lead to disastrous consequences, including withdrawal symptoms such as fever, chills, severe anxiety and heart palpitations.

Instead, the researchers urge doctors treating pregnant patients to evaluate all medications that could have sterolinhibiting effects and look for safer alternatives.
SAN FRANCISCO and SUZHOU, China, April 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Innovent Biologics, Inc. ("Innovent") (HKEX: 01801), a world-class biopharmaceutical company that develops, manufactures and commercializes high quality medicines for the treatment of oncology, cardiovascular and metabolic, autoimmune, ophthalmology and other major diseases, announces that clinical data for its first-in-class IBI363 (PD-1/IL-2-biased bispecific fusion protein) * as well as TYVYT (sintilimab injection)** will be presented at the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting from May 29 to June 2, 2026, in Chicago, Illinois, U.S.

Dr. Hui Zhou, Chief R&D Officer (Oncology) of Innovent, stated: "We are excited to announce that at the 2026 ASCO Annual Meeting, we will present new PoC data of IBI363 in NSCLC, across both IO-resistant and first-line settings. With robust PoC data for IO-resistant NSCLC now in hand, we are moving IBI363 into MRCT pivotal development, an important step toward tackling a major global unmet medical need. At the same time, we are encouraged by the promising dose optimization data in first-line NSCLC, and we look forward to continued maturation of PoC full data to inform our next steps. Innovent will continue to push the boundaries of cancer care, as we are dedicated to delivering physicians and patients more innovative, effective, and life-saving treatment options."

Abstracts of IBI363(PD-1/IL-2-biased bispecific fusion protein)

1. Presentation Title: IBI363 (TAK-928) plus chemotherapy as first line (1L) treatment for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Abstract Number: 8586

Session Type: Poster

Session Title: Lung Cancer/Non-Small Cell Metastatic

Session Date & Time: May 31, 2026 9:00 AM-12:00 PM CDT

Presenter: Dr. Haiyan Tu, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital

2. Presentation Title: First-in-class PD-1/IL-2-bias bispecific antibody IBI363 (TAK-928) in patients (pts) with advanced immunotherapy-resistant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): updated results from a phase I study.

Abstract Number: 2618

Session Type: Poster

Session Title: Developmental Therapeutics/Immunotherapy

Session Date & Time: May 30, 2026 1:30 PM-4:30 PM CDT

Presenter: Dr. Jianya Zhou, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine

3. Presentation Title: Randomized phase 3 study (MarsLight-11) evaluating IBI363 (TAK-928) versus docetaxel in patients (pts) with squamous non-small cell lung cancer (sqNSCLC) after prior chemotherapy (chemo) and immunotherapy (IO).

Abstract Number: TPS8673

Session Type: Poster

Session Title: Lung Cancer/Non-Small Cell Metastatic

Session Date & Time: May 31, 2026 9:00 AM-12:00 PM CDT

Presenter: Dr. Roy S. Herbst, Yale School of Medicine

Abstracts of TYVYT(sintilimab)

1. Presentation Title: Adjuvant sintilimab plus bevacizumab following curative resection of spontaneously ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma: A prospective exploratory phase II study (CLEAR-2)

Abstract Number: TPS4254

Session Type: Poster

Session Title: Gastrointestinal CancerGastroesophageal, Pancreatic, and Hepatobiliary

Session Date & Time: May 30, 2026, 9:00 AM-12:00 PM CDT

Presenter: Dr. Yongjun Chen, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine

2. Presentation Title: Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy with or without PD-1 blockade in pMMR/MSS low rectal cancer patients (CHOICE II): A multi-center, open-label, randomized controlled trial.

Abstract Number: 3640

Session Type: Poster

Session Title: Gastrointestinal CancerColorectal and Anal

Session Date & Time: May 30, 2026, 9:00 AM-12:00 PM CDT

Presenter: Dr. Wei Zhang, Changhai Hospital

3. Presentation Title: Effectiveness and Safety of IBI310 Combined With Sintilimab Versus Sorafenib in the First-line Treatment of Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma (aHCC): A Randomized, Open-label, Controlled, Multicenter Phase III Clinical Study

Abstract Number: 4148

Session Type: Poster

Session Title: Gastrointestinal CancerGastroesophageal, Pancreatic, and Hepatobiliary

Session Date & Time: May 30, 2026, 9:00 AM-12:00 PM CDT

Presenter: Dr. Jia Fan, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University

4. Presentation Title: CONCEPT (combination of cetuximab plus fruquintinib treatment  immunotherapy): A multicenter, randomized, open-label phase II trial in first-line pMMR RAS/BRAF wild-type unresectable metastatic colorectal cancer.

Abstract Number: TPS3680

Session Type: Poster

Session Title: Gastrointestinal CancerColorectal and Anal

Session Date & Time: May 30, 2026, 9:00 AM-12:00 PM CDT

Presenter: Dr. Yue Liu, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine.

5. Presentation Title: Long-term survival and biomarker analysis of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy with or without PD-1 antibody sintilimab in pMMR locally advanced rectal cancer: A randomized clinical trial.

Abstract Number: 3610

Session Type: Poster

Session Title: Gastrointestinal CancerColorectal and Anal

Session Date & Time: May 30, 2026 9:00 AM-12:00 PM CDT

Presenter: Dr. Xiao Weiwei, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center

6. Presentation Title: Larynx preservation via chemotherapy-free neoadjuvant sintilimab-cetuximab-SBRT and response-adapted treatment in locally advanced laryngeal cancer: A phase II, single-arm clinical trial (The NeoVOICE study).

Abstract Number: 6095

Session Type: Poster

Session Title: Head and Neck Cancer

Session Date & Time: May 30, 2026 1:30 PM-4:30 PM CDT

Presenter: Dr. Song Ming, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center

7. Presentation Title: Pathological complete response and ctDNA analyses in SCIENCE: Results from a randomized, phase III trial of neoadjuvant chemotherapy plus sintilimab and chemoradiotherapy plus sintilimab versus chemoradiotherapy in resectable locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Abstract Number: LBA4082

Session Type: Poster

Session Title: Gastrointestinal Cancer-Gastroesophageal, Pancreatic, and Hepatobiliary

Session Date & Time: May 30, 2026 9:00 AM-12:00 PM CDT

Presenter: Dr. Xuefeng Leng, Sichuan Cancer Hospital

8. Presentation Title: Sintilimab (PD-1 antibody) Plus Gemcitabine and Docetaxel (GT) as First-line or Later-line Therapy in Patients with Advanced Epithelioid Sarcoma: A Prospective, Multicenter, Single-arm, Phase II Clinical Study.

Abstract Number: 11574

Session Type: Poster

Session Title: Sarcoma

Session Date & Time: June 1, 2026 1:30 PM-4:30 PM CDT

Presenter: Dr. Xiaowei Zhang, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center

9. Presentation Title: Sintilimab plus Anlotinib and Chemotherapy as First-line Treatment for Advanced Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma: A Prospective, Phase II Clinical Trial.

Abstract Number: 8050

Session Type: Poster

Session Title: Lung CancerNon-Small Cell Local-Regional/Small Cell/Other Thoracic Cancers

Session Date & Time: May 31, 2026 9:00 AM-12:00 PM CDT

Presenter: Dr. Jianchun Duan, Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences

*Innovent entered into a license and collaboration agreement with Takeda for co-development and co-commercialization of IBI363 (Takeda R&D code: TAK-928). Please refer to the announcement for more information. **Abstracts of TYVYT (sintilimab) are from investigator-initiated clinical trials (IIT), except for abstract #4148.

About Innovent

Innovent is a leading biopharmaceutical company founded in 2011 with the mission to empower patients worldwide with affordable, high-quality biopharmaceuticals. The company discovers, develops, manufactures and commercializes innovative medicines that target some of the most intractable diseases. Its pioneering therapies treat cancer, cardiovascular and metabolic, autoimmune and eye diseases. Innovent has launched 18 products in the market. It has 5 assets in Phase III or pivotal clinical trials and 14 more molecules in early clinical stage. Innovent partners with over 30 global healthcare companies, including Eli Lilly, Roche, Takeda, Sanofi, Incyte, LG Chem and MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Guided by the motto, "Start with Integrity, Succeed through Action," Innovent maintains the highest standard of industry practices and works collaboratively to advance the biopharmaceutical industry so that first-rate pharmaceutical drugs can become widely accessible. For more information, visit www.innoventbio.com, or follow Innovent on Facebook and LinkedIn.

Statement: (1)Innovent does not recommend the use of any unapproved drug (s)/indication (s). 2Ramucirumab (Cyramza) and Selpercatinib (Retsevmo) and Pirtobrutinib (Jaypirca) were developed by Eli Lilly and Company.

Forward-looking statement

This news release may contain certain forward-looking statements that are, by their nature, subject to significant risks and uncertainties. The words "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "intend" and similar expressions, as they relate to Innovent Biologics ("Innovent"), are intended to identify certain of such forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend to update these forward-looking statements regularly.

These forward-looking statements are based on the existing beliefs, assumptions, expectations, estimates, projections and understandings of the management of the Company with respect to future events at the time these statements are made. These statements are not a guarantee of future developments and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond the Company's control and are difficult to predict. Consequently, actual results may differ materially from information contained in the forward-looking statements as a result of future changes or developments in our business, the Company's competitive environment and political, economic, legal and social conditions.

The Company, the Directors and the employees of the Company assume (a) no obligation to correct or update the forward-looking statements contained in this site; and (b) no liability in the event that any of the forward-looking statements does not materialise or turn out to be incorrect.

SOURCE Innovent Biologics
A Canadian woman has reignited one of air travel's most contentious topics - and her outspoken opinion has sparked fierce debate about what should and shouldn't be considered acceptable behaviour in the sky.

Podcast host Carla Bezanson recently posted a snappy 20-second opinion video airing her travel gripe about passengers who recline their plane seats.

'It's hard to believe, but apparently 62 per cent of people say that when they're on a flight, they won't recline their seat out of consideration for the passenger behind them,' Carla said in the short clip.

'Which is crazy, because as someone in that 62 per cent, somehow it's always one of the 38 per cent sitting in front of me - every single time.'

But it quickly become apparent that the host of the popular 'Don't Think' podcast had struck a nerve as the seemingly lighthearted clip clocked up over 1.6 million views spawned and thousands of passionate comments.

Replies poured in from people on both sides of the aisle - including many that were firmly on Carla's side, arguing that not reclining is simply common courtesy.

'I am one of those 62 per cent - it's just polite,' one person wrote.

'It's selfish,' agreed another. 'Reclining minimises the tiny amount of space behind you, invading it without consent.'

Canadian podcast host Carla Bezanson shared a video airing her travel gripe about people who recline their seats on planes

The humorous clip saw Carla use statistics while explaining how she somehow inexplicably always winds up sitting behind someone who reclines their seat

'I never recline. I can handle sitting upright if it means the person behind me can use their tray or get up,' another added.

Reclining your seat on short-haul flights in particular were repeatedly called out as a major travel faux pas.

'If the flight is under three hours, don't recline,' advised one traveller, echoing dozens of others.

But perhaps surprisingly, a vast majority of responses to the video felt Carla was wrong - declaring themselves as 'proud recliners' - and unapologetically part of the so-called 38 per cent.

'It's not rude to use a feature you paid for,' said one popular reply, which had racked up over 5,000 likes.

'I recline every time - it's what I paid to do,' another insisted.

One put it bluntly: 'I always recline. My comfort comes first.'

Others couldn't understand the fuss: 'I've never got why an inch of reclining bothers people so much.'

The host of the popular 'Don't Think' podcast recently shared a video on the travel topic to her @carlambezanson Instagram account - and it ignited a firestorm of online debate

Many pro-reclining contributors said they were baffled when others left their seats upright. 'The feature's there for a reason and I'm getting my money's worth. I expect the person in front to recline too,' wrote one.

'Why would we deny ourselves the only bit of comfort purpose-built into the plane? Recline away!' urged another.

Some even suggested: 'If we all recline, we're all comfortable and still have the same space.'

However, plenty of passengers said their willingness to recline hinged largely on the behaviour of those around them.

'I usually don't start it, but if the person in front reclines, I go for it too,' read one typical reply.

'I don't recline unless the person behind me has,' shared another. 'Then it's fair game.'

A number of passengers said it was simply a matter of being aware of others before pushing their seat back.

'Just look and ask - it's what they do on the Japanese bullet train. It's simple, polite, and you don't come off as thoughtless,' one commenter suggested.

Although some frequent flyers agreed with Carla, they were in the minority of replies to the video

Many pro-reclining plane passengers said they were baffled when others left their seats upright when they had the option to recline

'Always check who's behind you before reclining,' added another.

'When I do recline, I check first. If the person behind is sleeping, fair game. Otherwise, I'll stick it out because I care about others as well as myself.'

Meal times were widely cited as the one no-go for airplane seat reclining.

'Team recline - but never at meal times,' read one response.

'I think it's only rude during meal service. Otherwise, it's fine by me,' another agreed.

Tall travellers were also surprisingly split down the middle on the issue: some complained reclining seats pressed painfully into their long legs, while others swore by reclining as a rare way to nab a few extra inches of relief.

Even a handful of airline insiders chimed in to settle the debate. One former cabin attendant explained: 'Seats only need to be upright during take-off and landing for safety. Otherwise, you're free to recline - it's better for your circulation.'

Another airline worker advised, 'Reclining is a built-in feature. Most people use it. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.'

There was agreement that reclining a plane chair was a no-go during the in-flight meal service

But others sat firmly on the fence of the divisive issue: 'I never recline myself, but I don't mind if the person in front does. I'm not sure how you'd use the lost space anyway,' said one.

'Reclining doesn't make my seat any more comfortable, and someone else reclining doesn't make it worse. Honestly, everyone needs to calm down,' mused another.

Some practical replies suggested booking seats with more legroom like emergency exit rows or upgraded economy options if you're so bothered by the squeeze.

And one cheeky commenter added some in-flight perspective: 'I don't care if you recline, but if you use speakerphone out loud on your mobile for calls or videos? Straight to jail!'
As we naturally age, the risk of losing that once youthful glow places means a carefully-crafted makeup routine becomes more important than ever.

Yet overdoing it on the powder and highlight can create a 'faded' and 'washed out' look, while the incorrect eyeliner or eyebrows can leave you with a 'dated' and 'tired' appearance, according to the experts.

Despite having access to the top makeup artists, numerous celebrities have fallen victim to such mistakes - including Claudia Winkelman, famous for her dark eyeliner, alongside television stars Stacey Solomon and Holly Willoughby.

Fortunately, beauty expert William Grande, alongside Carly Cochrane, a makeup expert at Cosmetify, are on hand to share the ultimate makeup mistakes to avoid - and, most importantly, how to fix them.

'There's a certain kind of makeup look we've all seen technically done but somehow stuck in another era,' William told The Daily Mail.

'Makeup should move with your face, your style, and your age. When it doesn't, that's when things start to feel dated rather than polished.'

Read on to discover which midlife makeup mistakes to avoid, and the A-listers who could perhaps do with a slight tweak to their makeup rituals...

Using heavy eyeliner

While Traitor's star Claudia Winkleman's famous eye look is integral to her public persona, William fears that it may 'feel a little dated'

Heavy eyeliner is a makeup mistake often seen dominating celebrity red carpet and risks eyes looking 'smaller and more dated', according to William.

Meanwhile, Carly warns that using thick and heavy eyeliner on the lower lash line risks one looking 'dark and overly harsh, and may even emphasise tiredness'.

While William acknowledges that Traitor's star Claudia Winkleman's famous eye look is integral to her public persona, he fears that it may 'feel a little dated'.

'The very dark smoky eye paired with a nude lip is a very 2016-era style rather than a fresher, more balanced modern finish,' he added.

Likewise, he warns that Ruth Langsford should perhaps 'reconsider the black waterline and liner as it can close the eyes off slightly'.

He added: 'Switching to softer tones or a more diffused liner would be much more flattering.'

Yet for those who enjoy a dash of eyeliner, fear not: both William and Carly are adamant that it doesn't need to be avoided altogether.

Instead, focus on softening the look and 'smoke it out'.

'Keep it thinner, or focus on lifting the outer corner instead of closing the whole eye. Work out what eyeliner works best for your eye shape,' added William.

Neglecting the neck and chest areas

A 'big no' for midlife makeup is having a 'flawless face with a completely different coloured neck', according to William. The expert also warns that Ruth Langsford (pictured) should perhaps 'reconsider the black waterline and liner as it can close the eyes off slightly'

A 'big no' for midlife makeup is having a 'flawless face with a completely different coloured neck', according to William.

Carly added: 'When it comes to makeup, most people focus on the face and often neglect the neck and chest. This can be a mistake if you want your look to feel natural and cohesive.

'Applying foundation only to the face can create a stark contrast and disrupt an otherwise seamless look, especially in natural light. It's important to blend foundation along the jawline and slightly onto the neck so it transitions smoothly without harsh lines.'

While an easy mistake to make, both experts are clear that resolving this issue is key to achieve a seamless look.

'I always recommend using whatever is left on your brush or sponge rather than applying a full new layer of foundation to the neck and chest,' said Carly.

'This allows for a softer, more diffused look and helps avoid creasing where the skin naturally folds.'

Opting for a darker lip liner

Scottish personality Lorraine Kelly, who often favours a darker lip, could benefit from 'refining the finish' to create a more 'modern and seamless' look, according to William

While a defined lip liner can feel quite early 2000s, it runs the risk of looking 'washed out' quite quickly if you fail to match the correct shade to your skin tone.

William explains that Scottish personality Lorraine Kelly, for instance, who often favours a darker lip, could benefit from 'refining the finish' to create a more 'modern and seamless' look.

'Lip liner can enhance the shape and definition of the lips, but overly sharp lines can feel dated and make you look older unintentionally.

'Instead, blend the liner into your lipstick and choose a shade close to your natural lip colour or the lipstick you're wearing. This creates a softer, more effortless finish,' added Carly.

Over powdering and over-highlighting

While it may have been all the rage in 2016, excessive powder and highlight can 'instantly dull the skin's natural radiance'. However, Amanda Holden's makeup is 'consistently strong'

While it may have been all the rage in 2016, excessive powder and highlight can 'instantly dull the skin's natural radiance', according to Carly.

She explained: 'When it comes to powder, it can be easy to apply just a little too much.

'Highlighting can be a great way to add a subtle glow, but overdoing it can quickly ruin a look as it can leave you looking sweaty or overly shiny rather than naturally radiant.'

A celebrity who has got this right, however, is Amanda Holden.

William explains: 'Amandas makeup is consistently strong and well executed. She achieves a full coverage base while maintaining a radiant, luminous finish, which is not always easy to balance.

'Her eye makeup is particularly effective, enhancing and defining the eyes beautifully.'

To avoid overdoing things, William suggests powdering in 'small layers, not aggressively' and focusing on the 'T-zone' with a powder puff, rather than a brush.

If you want a glowing look rather than an actual highlighter, then focusing upon the tops of the cheekbones and a touch on the nose is the best way to go.

'Skin should look lit from within, not reflective from space!,' he added.

Not changing make up products as you get older

According to William, television personality Ferne Cotton illustrates the importance of getting the eyebrow look right

While it is understandably tempting to stick with the products we know and love, our skin changes as we age, meaning evolving your makeup routine is key to keep your appearance looking youthful and glowing.

Indeed, Carly emphasises that not switching up your makeup routine 'can make your look appear duller, drier and emphasise fine lines'.

She added: 'As we age, our skin loses elasticity, so it's important to switch to more hydrating, creamy formulas to maintain a youthful glow. I recommend re-evaluating your makeup every few years to ensure it still works for your skin.'

William explains that an A-lister who could perhaps benefit from 'adjusting' their makeup look slightly is social media personality Sue Radford.

'I feel the makeup looks really flat and doesnt give her any warmth or dimension. The technique could be adjusted slightly to enhance balance and cohesion,' he added.

Meanwhile, William suggests 'moving with the times as brands often reformulate their products to be better'.

'Switch to more hydrating formulas, lighter textures, and less powder. Your skin changes and your makeup should too.'

Relying on 'no makeup makeup' instead of new, innovative looks

William explained that while Holly Willoughby serves as a perfect example of the 'natural' makeup look. However, he suggests that the star should 'introduce slightly more blush or bronzer'

While the 'no makeup makeup' trend appears to be growing in prominence, William warns that it can seriously 'backfire', while Carly suggests it can create a 'lacklustre' look, particularly in photographs.

'Trying too hard to look like youre wearing nothing can leave you looking underdone or uneven. I love a no makeup look but if its done right!', added William.

William explained that while Holly Willoughby serves as a perfect example of the 'natural' makeup look.

However, he added: 'While this approach suits her, introducing slightly more blush or bronzer could add dimension and warmth to the complexion, preventing the look from appearing flat on camera.'

Instead of falling victim to the 'no makeup makeup' trend in its entirety, both experts suggest offering 'a touch of structure, brows, lashes' and a 'hint of blush' in a bid to 'enhance' your features, rather than erase them.

'Small enhancements, such as bronzer, blush or defined brows, can make a noticeable difference and add structure and brightness to the face,' explained Carly.

Overemphasing your eyebrows

William adds that Stacey Solomon, who is fast approaching the danger midlife zone, could benefit from perhaps 'softening the eye area slightly to keep everything looking lifted and effortless'

'Brows are so important and so many people are doing it wrong!,' warned William, who stressed that the use of 'overly dark and blocky brows can overpower the face and look harsh'.

Carly added: 'Like foundation, eyebrows are one of the easiest areas to get wrong if the shade isn't right. Overly dark, blocky brows can draw attention away from other features and appear harsh.'

Indeed, according to William, television personality Ferne Cotton illustrates the importance of getting the eyebrow look right.

He explained: 'The brows appear slightly uneven, which can affect overall facial balance. Brow placement is really important because it can significantly change the way the face looks.'

However, he adds that Stacey Solomon, who at 36 is fast approaching the danger midlife zone, could benefit from perhaps 'softening the eye area slightly to keep everything looking lifted and effortless'.

So, how does one avoid falling victim to this mistake? Carly emphasised that choosing a 'shade slightly lighter than your natural brow colour' is sensible, while 'light-hair strokes' can create a more 'natural and flattering finish'.

William added: 'Go one shade lighter than you think, use hair-like strokes, and keep the front of the brow soft and diffused. I love using brows gels to soften brows.'

Incorrectly matching your shade

According to William, failing to correctly match the shade of your foundation to your skin tone is the 'biggest giveaway'. He adds that Paris Fury (pictured) has managed to avoid this entirely

According to William, failing to correctly match the shade of your foundation to your skin tone is the 'biggest giveaway'.

He added: 'A foundation that's too orange, too pink, or just sitting on top of the skin will instantly age the entire look.'

Meanwhile, Carly explained that it can be 'easy to overlook the changes in your skin tone over time' as we become gradually accustomed to a makeup product we have been using for a long time.

'Wearing the wrong shade of makeup can completely disrupt an otherwise refined look and immediately make a flawless base appear unpolished,' she added.

One celebrity, however, who is seen getting this makeup look correct is Paris Fury who is fast approaching her midlife years at the age of 36.

William explained: 'Her complexion appears radiant and healthy, with a soft glow that really suits her. The use of pink blush adds youthful freshness to the skin, and her nude-pink lip combination is particularly well chosen.'

To fix this issue, William suggests making sure to 'match to your neck or chest' rather than your face, and also 'check in natural light'.

'Your foundation should disappear, not announce itself.'
Shaun Farley started thinning on top at just 20. It really worried me, he says. Id always wanted to be an actor and my looks were pretty important.

Losing my hair was tied up with losing my youth. I thought people loved me for the way I looked and if I lost my hair people wouldn't love me any more.

Still it took Shaun more than two decades before he decided to tackle the problem  booking a 2,000 hair transplant in Istanbul in 2022, one of the tens of thousands of balding British men lured by the promise of cheap Turkey hair.

And 2,000 is very cheap. In the UK, a hair transplant typically costs between 6,000 and 12,500, with surgeons charging per hair follicle grafted. In Turkey, special discount packages bundle together surgery, hotel accommodation and airport transfers for a third of the price.

For some, its a bargain basement fix that works. But for others, like Shaun, 42, its an unmitigated disaster that leaves them wishing theyd never done it.

For the hair that Shaun was left with months after the surgery did not resemble the lush locks of his teens, but instead oddly unnatural doll-like plugs that stuck up at a 90-degree angle from his scalp.

He still had a receding widows peak and now he also had intense scarring at the back of his head.

If Shaun had been shy about his bald patch before, now he found his strange-looking spikes positively mortifying.

Shaun Farley, a painter and decorator from Portsmouth, was attracted by the idea of turning back the clock to the lush locks of his teens

But he is not the only one to regret a Turkey hair holiday.

Alarmingly, a recent study by Ulster University found that around 60 per cent of Turkish hair transplant clinics operate without appropriate licences. These black-market clinics use unqualified staff to carry out quick, low-cost procedures with little regard for long-term outcomes.

Wider industry data from this year suggests that as many as a quarter of hair transplant procedures now performed in the UK are corrective operations.

Last summer, meanwhile, a 38-year-old British teacher died in Istanbul after travelling to the Dr Cinik clinic for a hair transplant costing 1,500.

Martyn Latchman, from Milton Keynes, reportedly became unwell during the preparatory phase of the surgery and was transferred to an intensive care unit.

The cause of his death isnt known, but it prompted warnings from the Foreign Office and the UKs main body for hair transplant surgery, the British Association of Hair Restoration Surgery (BAHRS) about the safety of overseas hair mills.

So far it has had little effect on Turkey's popularity, however. A whopping 1.5million procedures are performed there every year, and in districts of Istanbul such as Sisli, Besiktas and Fatih, you can find a clinic on virtually every corner.

Fly out of Istanbul and you will spot hordes of men with a post-surgery compression band around their head indicating the surgery theyve just had.

But by the time Shaun was 20, he was spending 45 minutes styling his hair to make sure no one noticed his hairline was receding

Like many of them, Shaun, a painter and decorator from Portsmouth, was attracted by the idea of turning back the clock and restoring his self-esteem. For many years, he kept his anxiety about his thinning hair to himself  and yet it was restricting his life.

I didnt even tell my girlfriend, the mother of my two kids, how I felt. I hid it from her for 15 years.

As a teenager I had a full head of dark brown straight hair. But by the time I was 20, I was already spending 45 minutes styling it to make sure no one noticed it was receding.

A few years later, when I took my kids swimming, I didnt want to get in the pool because the water would expose it.

I ate well, I exercised and looked after myself. Id see drug addicts on the street and think how unfair it was that they had thick hair and I didnt.

When a friend posted about his successful hair transplant in Turkey on WhatsApp, Shaun realised this might be the solution hed been looking for.

Id tried other treatments but they hadnt worked so I started saving for a transplant.

I remember the night I told my girlfriend Keri. I washed my hair and showed her what it really looked like.

It was only then that she realised how much it meant to me. I spoke to the clinic on the phone and they talked through the process. Id spend three days in Turkey but it would take 12 months to see the full results.

Shaun flew to Turkey in March 2022 excited at the prospect of finally getting his hair back.

'I ate well, I exercised and looked after myself. I'd see drug addicts on the street and think how unfair it was that they had thick hair and I didn't,' says Shaun

Worrying about my hair had totally consumed me. It took up so much of my day. I just wanted to get rid of those negative thoughts for good, he explains.

When he got to Istanbul, he was made to feel special at first, he says. The clinic sends a car to pick you up and youre taken to a nice hotel and you trust them because you think theyre professionals.

The next day, along with seven other Brits, Shaun was taken in a minibus to the clinic. It didnt really feel like a hospital. It looked more like a posh hotel with a fancy waiting area, he says.

Then each man was shown into a small cubicle, where the surgery took place.

It was like a production line. I was taken to this tiny room with a bed in the middle. I assumed the people I met were doctors but no one introduced themselves. Nobody spoke much English.

They examined Shauns head with a magnifying glass and drew a line on his forehead that followed his receding widows peak. It was then that his suspicions were raised.

I kept telling them that I wasnt happy with the line theyd drawn, but they convinced me they knew what they were doing. It was really difficult because of the language problem.

During his eight-hour operation, the hair follicles were harvested from the back of his head and grafted into tiny incisions in the scalp where his hair had thinned.

The worst bit was the numbing injections before the operation started. They slip the needle right under the scalp. It was so painful that after about eight jabs I told them my head was numb enough. But then when they did the transplanting, I could still feel it. It felt like I was having a tattoo the whole time, Shaun shudders.

His experience is not uncommon. Many Turkish hair clinics promise unlimited graft, for example. By contrast, reputable clinics, at home or abroad, focus more on a long-term medical plan, including donor hair preservation and realistic density goals.

Afterwards, Shauns head was red and painful.

After the operation in Turkey, Shaun's head was red and painful. 'My eyes were swollen, my face was puffy, I looked like I'd been badly beaten'

My eyes were swollen, my face was puffy, I looked like Id been badly beaten. I didnt realise at the time that wasnt normal because Id seen guys on TikTok whod been to Turkey with the same puffy face.

When Keri picked me up from the airport, she hardly recognised me. When her mum saw me, she cried because I looked so bad. It took a couple of weeks to settle down.

Common post-operative complications include folliculitis, a temporary inflammation or infection of the hair follicles that resembles acne bumps.

Patients also frequently experience something called shock loss, a startling but usually temporary thinning of hair around the transplant due to the trauma of the procedure, which Shaun also experienced.

All I wanted was healthy thick hair, he says  but after six months, the mistakes were evident. It grew in little spikes, like the dolls head character in Toy Story. It was patchy  2,000 was a lot of money for me and I felt frustrated, like Id been duped.

I didnt want to waste any more money on myself because I needed to take the kids on holiday. I was just full of regret at not doing the proper research and relying on my friends experience.

Desperate, Shaun began looking at corrective procedures on YouTube and saw an offer by Treatment Rooms in south-west London, which provided one free repair a year to patients with extremely poor results from other clinics.

Its been three months since Shaun had the corrective procedure with Dr Roshan Vara and finally he is happy with the result  a restored head of hair. One of my daughters 21-year-old male friends even asked how I styled it. I couldnt believe he was admiring my hair. It was like I had my youth back, says Shaun.

Dr Vara has been collecting data about repair inquiries and says the problem does not lie only in Turkey.

In 2025 alone, we saw a 166 per cent increase in the number of patients requesting repair work, with an almost equal number complaining of work carried out in the UK as in Turkey.

The majority of the complaints are about poor density. The second most common complaint is poor design, with hairlines incorrectly drawn or placed too low.

It's been three months since Shaun had the corrective procedure and he is finally happy with the result  a restored head of hair

Hair transplanted at the wrong angle can be almost impossible to style, leaving permanent bed hair, he says.

The psychological impact can be profound, he says. I have seen patients depressed and socially isolating themselves as a result.

Infections are also an increasing concern, particularly in high-volume clinics where the emphasis is on numbers rather than surgical standards, with some patients suffering skin necrosis  a rare but serious complication where the scalp tissue dies because the blood supply to it has been cut off.

In the context of a hair transplant, it is often referred to as recipient area necrosis or donor area necrosis and typically results in permanent scarring and a bald patch. The cost of corrective surgery also adds to the burden and can sometimes be double the price of the transplant, costing between 12,000 and 20,000.

Part of the problem is the marketing around hair transplant tourism, which promotes clinics abroad as quick, easy and cheap solutions to baldness, often with a holiday thrown in.

Dr Christopher DSouza, hair transplant surgeon and president of the BAHRS, says men are drawn in by breezy ads which underplay the risks.

Hair transplants may be misconstrued as a cosmetic treatment but they are very much surgery, and professional standards have to be rigorous, he adds.

In the UK, surgeons need to be registered with the General Medical Council and operate out of a clinic licensed by the Care Quality Commission. Ideally, a clinic should be a member of a specialist organisation like the BAHRS, and a doctor should always perform the most vital steps, such as making incisions for the new hair.

Yet black-market clinics, where work is carried out by technicians without formal medical training, are increasingly cropping up in the UK. Dr DSouza says: The number of black-market clinics around the world is increasing, and in the UK as well, which is one of the most worrying aspects of the problem from a buyer's point of view. In Britain, this issue is going under the radar.

Dean Olley, 49, from Thurrock, Essex, was also lured by the promise of a cheap solution to baldness, which had affected him from the age of 16.

Baldness ran in the family, so I just got used to it and shaved my head, he says. About two years ago, I decided to give hair surgery a go because it was so cheap in Istanbul. I chose a clinic on Google without much knowledge and paid 1,300 for the trip with everything included except the flights.

Although this was a different clinic, like Shaun he began to have doubts once his procedure began.

It felt like a cattle market, with one in, one out very quickly. There was very little English spoken, so nothing was explained properly and I was pretty much in the dark. The worst thing was that I was immediately unhappy with the result. The hair just wasnt thick enough and after time there was hardly any growth.

Back in the UK, Dean visited Dr Pragyan Suhu at the Essex Hair Clinic in Brentwood. She explains: Dean had been told in Turkey that over 5,000 grafts had been made, but we confirmed there were fewer than 1,000.

Worse, since Dean's donor area on the back of his head was quite depleted  and perhaps unsurprisingly he wasn't keen to use body hair  there was nothing that could be done to help him further.

Experts say patients should always be cautious about clinics quoting unusually high numbers of grafts.

Equally important is aftercare. Registered UK clinics typically provide follow-up support, whereas overseas providers may not, leaving patients to manage complications on their own.

Dr Vara says: My advice for men seeking to have a hair transplant is to speak to a hair transplant surgeon who owns and operates their own clinic, as they will be responsible for your care.

Avoid clinics that use sales advisers masquerading as being medically qualified. A surgeon should be performing your surgery and planning your hairline and area of surgery.

For Shaun and Dean, the warnings come too late.

If youre going to go to Turkey, do your research, says Shaun. Your hair is something you cant avoid looking at. Everyone notices when it goes wrong. Id never take that sort of risk again.
They hadnt seen each other for 20 years, but when Charlie Cobb heard her mother Josephine was desperately ill, she knocked on her door in an attempt to reconcile before it was too late.

Once in the house, however, something inside Charlie snapped after years of hurt.

As her mother opened her mouth to speak, she was convinced they would slip straight back into the old rows that parted them in the first place.

I said to Mum: Dont start... Ive had a gut full of what your father did to me, she recalls.

She might have expected a quizzical look or an argument even but, Charlie says: Mum simply put her hands to her mouth and collapsed. She knew instantly what I was going to tell her.

Tears streaming down her face, Charlie finally disclosed the agonising secret she had kept for 40 years. Her late grandfather Clive, a retired naval captain, had repeatedly raped her between the ages of five and 12.

Mum seemed genuinely shocked, says Charlie. She called him a monster.

As a horrified Josephine comforted her daughter, she then stunned Charlie by revealing her own deeply buried secret: Clive had abused her too.

Hed raped her as a child and  just like me  told her never to tell anyone, says Charlie. We cried so much. We were devastated for each other.

But if Josephine had experienced this torture herself, why then had she put her young daughter at risk, too? Its a question that, understandably, has plagued Charlie.

After all, the attacks hadnt happened during family visits; on account of her younger brother suffering serious congenital heart disease, Charlies parents had actually sent her to live with her maternal grandparents, who offered a comfortable life complete with private education and anything she wanted. The arrangement allowed them to focus on their sons care.

I feel Im back to me now. At 47, this is the best Ive felt - like a huge weight has lifted. I have never felt more alive.

Charlie's grandfather Clive, a retired naval captain, raped her between the ages of five and 12. Sometimes he took her to another house where she was assaulted by two other men

I was initially furious Mum had sent me to live with him despite what hed done to her, says Charlie, now 47, from Catherington, near Portsmouth. I could have been spared what happened.

I would never have put my own child in that position. I asked her: Why didnt you say anything? But she was so frail. Every time I broached the subject she would clutch her chest and I didnt want to push it.

In the end it was her mothers sickening confession that triggered a turning point for Charlie. Not only did it spur her on to inform police, but she is now throwing off the shame that dogged her for so long to speak publicly. Her hope is that her story will help other young victims of abuse.

She is also campaigning for stricter kinship care laws, alongside her MP Damian Hinds. The law dictates that children should be raised within their family network wherever possible, and these are often private, informal arrangements between parents and relatives such as grandparents or aunts and uncles. Had Charlie been put in foster care, her carers would have been subjected to safeguarding checks, but historically, there have been no such protective measures for those looked after by family members.

I didnt exist in the system, she says. To the outside world I was a child from a privileged, comfortable home. Id fallen through the cracks.

Talking from the Hampshire home she shares with husband Darren, 56, a financial adviser, and son Callum, 22, Charlie, now an HR adviser, says the roots of her ordeal began when she was two. Thats when her baby brother Ian, 17 months her junior, was diagnosed with the serious congenital heart condition known as Tetralogy of Fallot.

He required round-the-clock care so Charlies dad, Joe, a naval officer, and Josephine, a stay-at-home mum, moved from their home in Manchester to Portsmouth to be near Josephines parents for support.

Charlie was five when her parents sent her to live with her grandfather, Clive, then in his 60s, and grandmother, Valerie, in her 50s, two roads away.

That way they could focus on Ian and be assured I was still given attention, explains Charlie. They desperately needed help.

Her grandparents made sure a young Charlie wanted for nothing. She was sent to private school and even had a television in her bedroom. If I wanted something, I got it, she says.

Charlie doesnt remember the first time Clive came into her room at night to abuse her, she was so young. A lot of it is hazy, and I have simply blocked it out'

Charlie with her grandfather and grandmother Valerie, a quietly naive stay-at-home mum, who had no idea what was happening

But there was little emotional warmth between her grandparents, she now realises. The three ate their meals separately and her grandparents had separate living rooms. They didnt go to bed together either. I was their world. So young at the time, Charlie doesnt remember the first time Clive came into her room at night to abuse her. A lot of it is hazy, and I have simply blocked it out, she says.

Nor did she understand, of course, that Clive was raping her. I can only tell you about the pain. He was always on top of me. Afterwards, I hurt a lot. I used to take days to heal.

But Clive convinced Charlie what happened was for Ians good. He would tell me what I was doing was important. That he was looking after me, and me being there was helping my mum and dad get my brother better. He knew my brother meant everything to me.

As a defenceless child who simply longed to see her family back together, Charlie had no reason to distrust him. You dont question it.

She is sure her grandmother, a quietly naive stay-at-home mum, had no idea what was happening.

While her dad picked her up from school every day, he tended to keep her hidden from her mother, who had turned to alcohol to cope with the enormity of caring for their desperately ill son: She was drinking all the time and Dad didnt want me to see that. She was like a stranger to me.

Meanwhile, Clive lavished Charlie with both attention and gifts, buying her treats like shoes and stickers. I was told I was amazing and beautiful. I wasnt getting that from my parents, so he fed a need, and I became dependent on him. I would feel so confused, because obviously I loved him.

He raped her every week. It was so often, all of the time, they all merge into one experience. Id be too petrified to speak. She put a blanket over her head as he assaulted her and became scared of the dark. Even now, I have to have a light on to feel safe, she says quietly.

But that wasnt the worst of her grandfathers depravity. Sometimes he took her to another house in Portsmouth where she was assaulted by two other men. I remember being in the house with no clothes on. And I remember hurting.

She became withdrawn, explaining sadly: I had no personality at all during those years. The fear of something happening to her brother kept her compliant, though.

Charlie became withdrawn, saying I had no personality at all during those years

Now happily married, Charlie is a foster mother to 15 and, having overcome breast cancer, has made the finals of Miss Great Britains Classic Division, for over 40s, for the third time this year

When Charlie was around seven, her brother was put in hospital. Convinced it was somehow her fault  Clive had, after all, said that the abuse he meted out was their way of helping to make Ian better  she told her grandfather she would tell a nurse that Ians illness was down to her.

In response, he ripped the head off her teddy bear  a chilling reminder of his threats that she should never tell a soul what he did to her at night. She recalls: Naturally, I was inconsolable.

Meanwhile Charlie only saw Ian, who was at a special needs school, every few months. Dad would bring him to the house or to the park or Id help take him swimming, says Charlie. I would ache to see him.

By the start of secondary school, it dawned on Charlie that what was happening to her was gravely wrong. Before she could do anything about it, Clive was diagnosed with leukaemia when she was 12. When treatment failed, he was admitted to hospital and Charlie remembers holding his hand, and being asked to say goodbye: He said he was sorry and that he loved me.

After Clives death, she felt a complex mix of relief and grief. As a cry for help, she started drinking and taking drugs such as cannabis, amphetamines and ecstasy in her early teens.

Lonely and confused, she had only her grandmother for company. She didnt see her mother for months at a time, and didnt know how to tell her father she was struggling.

By this point I was a disappointment... and Ians health was deteriorating.

After enduring so much pain already in her short life, she suffered unbearable grief at 17, when Ian died. The guilt was dreadful  I still thought it must be something Id done. And I had loved him so much.

She stopped taking drugs, but she continued drinking and embarked on a period of casual sex. Then in 2001, aged 22, she met her future husband Darren. Introduced by her grandmother, it was suggested he might help her sort her finances. He was kind, calm, and reassuring, she smiles.

Darren was also the only person shed been intimate with sober. For the first few months, I couldnt even look at him  I had to put a pillow over my face when we made love. I said I found sex difficult. He thought it was odd but was incredibly patient with me.

Baby Callum was born in 2003. Motherhood was a turning point for Charlie, not only giving her a sense of purpose and curtailing her drinking but making her question her own childhood for the first time.

Charlie is campaigning for stricter kinship care laws, alongside her MP Damian Hinds

Id look at Callum and think, how could my little body have coped? Witnessing his fear during a thunderstorm in the night, it sunk in how scared she must have been as a child separated from her parents. The realisation of what had happened to me started to hit home.

When her grandmother died in May 2010 she felt release, she says: The last connection I had to my grandfather was gone.

Only then did Charlie start telling Darren  who she married that September  about her childhood. It was the first time she had confided in anyone and dredging up the past, a process that took years, was both liberating and depressing. He listened and took me to counselling.

By this time, she had lost contact with her father, who stayed with her mother despite her drinking. I didnt understand why he put up with it. He died of Alzheimers in 2014.

In 2016, group therapy at a rape crisis centre with other survivors of sexual abuse proved pivotal. We were sharing similar risky behaviours. I was slowly starting to feel this wasnt my fault, says Charlie, who had by then begun her career in HR. All these things Id done had been by-products of what had happened to me.

The same year, she saw an advert for fostering. It was at the time that the extent of television presenter Jimmy Saviles horrific abuse of children in care was unfolding.

I was angry, says Charlie. I thought I could look after children better than those in the stories that were emerging. She and Darren soon took in their first foster child and Charlie has now been a foster mother to 15 children.

Two years later, at 39, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. During her fourth round of chemotherapy, she saw another TV advert, this time for the Truth Project. Part of the governments Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, the project invited survivors of historical sexual abuse to tell their story. In an incredible act of courage, Charlie spoke to the panel of social workers from her hospital bed via a video link.

I remember being out of breath, and they kept saying, We can stop. But I thought: I have to tell you this. I have to get my story out.

Charlies was one of around 6,000 stories heard. Telling it gave me confidence but also fuelled an anger, because I realised how many other children had been let down, she says.

In January 2024, aged 45, in remission and having recently had breast reconstruction surgery, she read an article on beauty pageants for over 40s. In addition to fashion rounds, contestants in Miss Great Britain Classic Division had to tell judges how, if successful, they hoped to use the platform to make an impact. I had a vision to raise awareness of children who had been through abuse.

She entered and made the finals in 2024, and again last year, her self-esteem building as she became more confident discussing her childhood. I felt accepted.

That in turn helped give her the strength to approach her mother last May, after a neighbour texted her to say Josephine was ill; she was struggling to walk, was hard of hearing and noticeably frail.

Charlie had avoided all contact despite only living ten miles apart and, by this point, Josephine had been sober for around a decade. But she was so frail, says Charlie, through tears.

Josephine told her daughter that she was six when her father first got into bed with her and put his hand over her mouth and raped her. That went on regularly, after that point, she added.

Charlie again felt fury that her mother had put her in harms way, but then she realised Josephine had been manipulated too. I knew how dependent I was on him, so I could only imagine what she felt like. She had this monster telling her it would be all right.

After spending a couple of days together, such was Charlies understanding and forgiveness that she moved Josephine into her family home: It was the right thing to do. She needed care. We both needed time together. Last autumn, Charlie finally found the strength to report what had happened to Hampshire Police via an online form, naming the two other men her grandfather had taken her to. A decision her mother fully supported.

Within 24 hours a police officer called her. One of the men was known to police as part of Operation Amberstone, an inquiry into historic sexual abuse, and had served time in prison for sexual offences. The officer had no doubt I was telling the truth.

Police were prepared to try to prosecute, but her abuser was 83 and ill, and Charlie decided the trauma of reliving her ordeal in court wasnt worth it. That person is never going to serve a sentence. For me, being believed lifts the sentence Ive been given. Being vindicated made me feel I have a platform to help others.

Josephine died of diabetic complications in January this year, aged 83.

I told her I loved her, Charlie says. I wished wed had more time together.

For a long time, I thought she had abandoned me, but I see clearly now that she was a victim, too.

Charlie has made the finals of Miss Great Britain Classic for a third time this year, sponsored by her fostering agency, TheraParent Fostering. She hopes she can tell her story to a wider audience on stage to help others shed the shame.

She concludes with the conviction: My grandfather was a monster and what happened wasnt my fault. I feel Im back to me now.

At 47, this is the best Ive felt - as if a huge weight has lifted. I have never felt more alive.

Additional reporting: Matthew Barbour

If you have been affected by the issues raised in this article, the NSPCC helpline can be reached on 0808 800 5000.
The sky is a glorious blue. The cherry trees are in full bloom. It is the sort of day that makes you feel glad to be alive. Isn't it, Wendy?

Wendy Duffy gives a little half smile. 'I won't change my mind,' she says. 'I know it's hard for you, sweetheart. It will be hard for everyone. But I want to die, and that's what I'm going to do. And I'll have a smile on my face when I do, so please be happy for me. My life; my choice.'

By the time you read this, Wendy, a 56-year-old former care worker from the West Midlands, will have boarded a plane to Switzerland with a one-way ticket. She does not intend to return.

Her journey to Pegasos, the controversial 'suicide clinic' which has agreed to help her end her life, has been over a year in the planning.

'I can't wait,' she says, admitting that she started a digital countdown on her phone once she 'got the green light' late last year.

She has paid 10,000, written all the letters to her loved ones, picked out what she is going to wear on her deathbed, and chosen the music which, she insists, will be the last thing she hears.

'You can choose whatever song you want. I'm going to go out to Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars singing Die With A Smile.'

Another almost-smile follows, an apologetic one this time. 'You'll never be able to hear that song now without thinking of me, will you?'

'I won't change my mind,' Wendy Duffy says. 'I know it's hard for you, sweetheart. It will be hard for everyone. But I want to die, and that's what I'm going to do'

Wendy lost her only child, Marcus, in shocking circumstances four years ago

What is wrong with Wendy? It was the first thing I asked when I was contacted and informed that one of Pegasos's British 'guests' would like to tell her story BEFORE she died.

I'd written about this clinic before. I knew it was one of the more, shall we say, problematic of the Swiss assisted-dying organisations with a less stringent acceptance criteria than the more famous Dignitas.

Still, how naive I was, wondering whether Wendy was suffering from cancer, motor neurone disease or one of those other hideous degenerative conditions that make desperate people get on planes to Switzerland while they still can.

The answer was infinitely more disturbing. Wendy, it was explained, is not dying. She is not even ill. She is physically healthy, but she lost her only child, Marcus, 23, in shocking circumstances four years ago, and no amount of therapy  and there has been lots, she insists  has convinced her that life is worth living.

She has already tried to take her own life and failed, ending up perilously close to being a 'cabbage in a persistent vegetative state'.

She applied to Pegasos because she wants to make a 'neater' (her words) job of it next time, in a controlled and clinical setting.

'I could step off a motorway bridge or a tower block but that would leave anyone finding me dealing with that for the rest of their lives,' she says, bluntly. 'I don't want to put anyone through that.'

Even in Switzerland, the go-to destination for the 'suicide tourist', Wendy's case is likely to be controversial.

Contrary to popular belief there is no explicit 'right to die' written into Swiss law, but  unlike in the UK  assisting suicide is legal if not done for self-serving motives.

While there is a whole industry geared up to dispense 'help' to die, it is not quite a case of death-on-demand for those who want it.

In practice, psychiatric-only cases (i.e. where there is no physical illness) are more contentious and requirements are strict. Organisations have to be able to show that the condition suffered is severe, long-lasting and treatment-resistant. Many clinics, such as Dignitas, refuse these cases entirely.

And yet, Wendy's suffering has been deemed sufficient to meet the Pegasos criteria.

A panel of experts, including psychiatrists, has passed her application after months of assessment and having had access to her full medical records. Within days of her arrival in Switzerland, and subject to a final psychiatric assessment  a beyond-doubt in-person confirmation that she has mental capacity  she will be helped to die.

'I have to administer the medication myself, that's what the law says,' she explains, talking me through the process.

'They put the line in [to your arm] but you've got to turn the doobra [the dial] yourself to get it flowing. Then  ding, ding, ding  within a minute, you are in a coma, and a minute after that, you are gone.'

She not only sounds prepared for this process, but is looking forward to it. She talks like a woman heading to Barbados on holiday, bags packed, house vacuumed, already feeling the sunshine on her face.

'Oh, I'm super-organised. I've watched videos and it's absolutely lovely there. You look out on trees and nature, and it's so peaceful. My only stipulation is that I've asked if they can make sure the big windows are open, so my spirit can be free.

'I've asked that they give the things I've brought, including my suitcase, to an animal charity so that other people benefit. I hate waste, you see.

'The only drawback is that I won't be able to donate my organs, but there isn't an option for that. I'll be cremated there, so there won't even be a funeral to worry about  I hate funerals anyway and don't want one. My ashes will be sent back to my family, and I want them scattered at "his" bench in the park, with his. It's all planned.'

What of her family back here in the UK? If anyone travelled with her, or assisted her suicide in any way (even driving her to the airport), they would risk police investigation, if not prosecution in the UK.

She tells me her siblings (she has four sisters; two brothers) know that she applied to Pegasos. They don't know the timescale for her 'procedure'  for their own protection.

'Pegasos have been in touch with them. I will call them when I get to Switzerland. It will be a hard call where I'll say goodbye and thank them. But they will get it. They know. Honestly, 100 per cent, they know that I'm not happy, that I don't want to be here.'

They will be deeply hurt, surely? Distressed. Possibly angry. Wendy nods.

'There will be a degree of that, but they don't have to live my life. No one does.'

'The day I discovered I was pregnant with Marcus was the happiest of my life,' says Wendy

Wendy will not be the first British person to choose to make a clandestine journey to Switzerland to end it all, but she's the first to be so up front about it.

Why is she making something that is normally secretive a matter of public record? She insists that it's because she wants to be a part of the assisted dying debate.

'My life; my choice. I wish this was available in the UK, then I wouldn't have to go to Switzerland at all.'

She also wants to draw attention to the 'unfairness' of the current system on her family. 'I'm not breaking the law. I don't feel I'm doing anything wrong. Yet for them, it's a mess.'

Some may well support her 'right' to die, but Wendy's story will also be a grenade lobbed into the assisted dying debate, the last instalment of which, it so happens, is set to take place in the House of Lords on Friday.

Those who oppose any change to British law have long argued that if we give terminally ill people the 'right' to die, under any circumstances, then it won't be long before those who are not nearing the end of life will demand the same right. The slippery slope argument, if you will.

To many, Wendy's case will suggest we aren't just at the top of the slope, but some way down it.

The Daily Mail has not taken the decision to publish Wendy's story lightly. We do so because there are other Wendys making this same journey, and in astonishing numbers  putting dozens of families in impossible situations.

Whatever British law says about assisted suicide, British individuals are regularly travelling to Pegasos to die. It has been confirmed to us that at least one such journey is being made from the UK to this clinic every single week.

When Pegasos founder Ruedi Habegger agrees to talk to me about Wendy's case, he will not be drawn on exact figures, but I put it to him that her story must be most unusual, even for Pegasos. 'No, no, no, it's not,' he says.

Habegger, a right-to-die activist, founded the Pegasos Swiss Association, a non-profit organisation based in Basel, in 2019.

It hit the headlines in the UK when it emerged that it had helped British teacher Alastair Hamilton, 47, to die in 2023.

Mr Hamilton had been complaining of stomach pains in the months leading up to his death, but he'd had no official diagnosis. He told his parents he was going to Paris on holiday and they only discovered his plans after his death.

Another case involving a British client, known only as Anne, 51, was also deeply contentious.

Anne had told Pegasos that her family were fully aware of her plans  but it emerged later that they were not; she had misled the clinic, and it had not checked.

Under Swiss law there is no requirement for families to be informed, but Pegasos insists that it changed its guidelines after these controversial cases and  Habegger confirms  now insist that they go to great lengths to verify that the family is aware.

I have already spoken to Wendy on the telephone several times before we meet in person, at a Midlands hotel, and from first contact am struck by how matter-of-fact she is. Also, how upbeat. She weeps during our interview, but only when she is talking about the death of her son.

When the subject turns to her own death, she radiates happiness, even joy. At one stage she gets up and, describing how her family will scatter her ashes, she does the 'Shake n' Vac' routine from the carpet-cleaner adverts.

Wendy tells me Marcus died because, hungover from a heavy night, he had fallen asleep on the living room sofa, while eating a sandwich

Wendy applied to the Pegasos clinic in Switzerland because she wants to make a 'neater' (her words) job of taking her life, in a controlled and clinical setting

By the end of our time together, I've told Wendy  an animal lover who waited until her two dogs had died of old age before she set a date at Pegasos  that I'm going to buy her a dog and deposit it on her doorstep, to give her a reason to live.

'You could give me a house full of dogs. I'm doing this.'

She's a warm, funny woman, full of, well, life. Decades working in the care sector has given her an ease with people, perhaps with difficult conversations too.

'Oh, I've seen death a million times,' she says. 'I've sat with so many people as they've gone. I've seen nice deaths, horrible deaths. I want a nice, gentle one.'

She won't let me meet her at her home because she does not want to give me her address. She also will not tell me the timescale for her 'trip', in case I do something to try to stop her.

It is a stipulation of the interview that it will not be published until she has informed her family of the exact date of her 'procedure', and that will be when she reaches Switzerland.

What sort of person goes to Switzerland to die? A very ordinary one, it turns out.

Wendy was born into a big Irish family. She never married but was with Marcus's father (who she doesn't want to name) for about 13 years. 'Never married. Never wanted to, even though it was expected. I was the black sheep.'

She did want to be a mother, though.

'It was all I ever wanted. I wanted lots of kids, but it just didn't happen. I watched all my sisters and brothers pop them out, but for ten years, it didn't happen for me.'

She details the medical investigations that showed damage to her fallopian tubes. She saw a fertility specialist, begged for help.

'I told the consultant that I wasn't greedy. If I could have one child, I would be the happiest woman in the world.'

Then, in 1998, she got her miracle. 'The day I discovered I was pregnant with Marcus was the happiest of my life.'

She shows me pictures of Marcus, her 'beautiful boy', on her phone. She split from Marcus's dad when he was around four, so mother and son were a tight unit. She worked hard, 'saved for his future. Everything was about Markie.'

Music was Marcus's passion. 'He left school and had various jobs but music was his life. He was into recording. He loved hip-hop and grime. I'd be shouting, "turn that bloody thing down". I'd give anything to be shouting at him to turn the music down today.

'In the funeral home, I went in every day, and just sat with him, playing through his Spotify list. I broke when I saw him in there. My boy, on a metal table. You can't come back from that, you know.'

Would it have mattered how Marcus died? Possibly not, but the traumatic nature of his death  and the fact that his mother, medically trained, tried to perform CPR herself  did contribute to the nightmares that came to haunt her.

She tells me he died because, hungover from a heavy night, he had fallen asleep on the living room sofa, while eating a sandwich.

'I'd been making myself one. Cheese and onion, and he said he'd have one. "Throw a couple of those cherry tomatoes on mine," he said.'

She did, cutting them in half, 'as I'd always done'. She left him to his sandwich and was pottering about, 'getting stuff ready for work'. When she went back into the living room, she walked into every parent's nightmare.

'He was purple,' she says. 'I thought, 'It's his heart.'

She got Marcus to the floor and started CPR, screaming for help as she did so. Before long the place was filled with paramedics.

In the hospital, the worst news. Half of a cherry tomato had been found lodged in Marcus's windpipe. It had taken specialist equipment to remove it. Wendy would not have been able to do it manually, even if she had known it was there.

'They think he must have fallen asleep when he still had food in his mouth. That's the only comfort, that there was no struggle.'

Starved of oxygen for too long, Marcus was brain dead.

By the time you read this, Wendy will have boarded a plane to Switzerland with a one-way ticket

Wendy sat with him for five days before the machines were switched off. By then his organs had been taken for transplant.

'Afterwards, I got a letter from the man who got his heart. He said that thanks to Marcus he was able to play with his kids again.' Another recipient was a four-year-old child. 'That was a comfort, but it also ripped at me.'

She looks back on this period with absolute clarity. 'That's when I died too, inside. I'm not the same person now as I was. I used to feel things. I'd go to funerals after Marcus died, and I'd feel nothing. It's why I had to give up work. You can't be a carer if you don't care, and I'm sorry, but I don't. I don't care about anything any more. I exist. I don't live.'

Her suicide attempt  via an overdose  came nine months after Marcus died. She planned it, 'like a wedding', leaving her affairs in order. She had calculated she'd have 48 hours before anyone noticed her missing, but she didn't reckon on one of her friends  who knew she was suicidal  raising the alarm after she failed to respond to messages.

The police broke into her home, to be met by the note she'd neatly taped to the bedroom door, warning what lay within.

To hospital, then, stomach pumped. It was touch and go. 'I was on a ventilator for two weeks. When they took me off it, I couldn't move, I could only blink yes and no. They told my family I might have locked-in syndrome. I lost the use of my right arm for a while. I still don't have any feeling in my little finger. I remember coming round and thinking, "I've f***ed this up", and I don't want to go through that again. That's why I've gone for Pegasos.'

On her release from hospital, she was admitted to a psychiatric ward ('it was voluntary'). She discharged herself after one night.

'I thought maybe they are going to give me counselling but the room was like a prison. A bed, a wardrobe with no door on. They wouldn't let me have my toothbrush and they searched everything. They brought me a dirty beaker with tea in.'

Home she went. Did something go catastrophically wrong with the support system here? It's impossible to tell. Wendy is dismissive of some of the NHS counsellors she saw in the months and years after this, but praises one. She did have private counselling on top. She was also put on antidepressants.

'I did try to get better,' she says, rejecting any suggestion that she had stubbornly decided she was beyond help.

'But you can take all the pills, you can go to all the counselling in the world  and I did. Ultimately, they can't help you. They don't have to live your life, and my life is agony. Even though I've got family, I've got friends, I've got my routines. I go to the park. I'm not lonely, but I still sit at night and I talk to Marcus, and I kiss the box I had made for his ashes and I say "goodnight, sunshine" and I think "I don't want to be in this world without you, Markie". And I don't. It's as simple as that.'

As a final marker of their intense connection in life, when she dies she will be wearing a t-shirt belonging to Marcus because, she says, 'it still smells of him'.

Wendy first became aware of Pegasos in 2024, when the clinic was in the news after an ITV investigation into Alastair Hamilton's death, when his mother was publicly calling Pegasos a 'cowboy clinic'. It was damning publicity  and yet, Wendy says she thought 'Wow. This is what I need.' She sent an email asking for more information, and in early 2025, a formal application.

And here we are, over a year on. Since then there has been 'constant' back-and-forth with Pegasos with interviews, forms to fill in.

'They want documentation for everything  all my medical records, details of all the counselling, medication. They know everything.'

All contact with Pegasos has been remote, however, with most communication happening over email or WhatsApp.

What shocks me is that, at the time we speak, there has been no in-person contact  although the final stage will involve a face-to-face assessment in Switzerland with a psychiatrist, to confirm she is of sound mind.

Many will find it also troubling that money has changed hands. Wendy paid 5,000 at the point her application was formalised; and has now settled the balance. This 10,000 is her life savings.

'But it's what I want. Some people spend thousands on a handbag. I don't need a handbag.'

What is this money for? Under Swiss law, it is forbidden to profit from assisted death, and Pegasos is a non-profit organisation. Clients fund the medication, pay for the doctors (there is a rule that they cannot earn more than they would in, say, a hospital), and the funeral costs.

A portion also goes to the Swiss state. Growing concern over taxpayers forking out for 'death tourism' has led to an agreement between the clinics and the authorities, so that the police and coroner charges  routine in any death  are met by the clinics.

Pegasos insist that the application process is rigorous. Even within Swiss law, Ruedi Habegger tells me, 'there is a red line that we cannot cross, otherwise it is not assisted suicide; you could actually call it murder'.

In Wendy's case, is he confident that he is not straying too close to that line?

'If the psychiatrist gives us the OK, we are within the legal structures in Switzerland. We are fine.'

Legally fine, but what about morally fine? This is a woman who has decades left to live. This is clearly a much-loved sister, auntie, friend.

'Look, the coroners who come to us are also the ones who go to the train stations to pick up the bits and pieces from the people who have taken their lives another way. The people who want to decide to take their lives should not have to do it in this horrible way.'

There is huge debate to be had about whether Wendy's way is 'neater', but she is convinced it is.

She tells me she's cleared out everything at home, charity shop drops have been done, it's all in hand with her landlord (she rents, so there is no house to sell). Her family will know where to find the letters to them.

Isn't this selfish, Wendy? 'I suppose it is,' she agrees. 'But it's what I want. And I'm going to get it, one way or another. I'm sorry if that makes me sound arrogant.'

What would Marcus say? He'd be horrified, surely?

'I think he'd probably say "Get that dog, Mum, buck up your ideas", but ultimately he would understand.'

It's not even the case that Wendy is sure she and her son will be reunited. Although she was raised Catholic, she has no time for religion now. 'I am spiritual, and I do believe Marcus will be waiting for me, but even if he is not, even if there is nothing on the other side, it will be better than this.'

The birds are singing as I walk Wendy to her taxi after our interview. It really is the most beautiful day, we agree.

'But it's not enough to make me want to stop here,' she says. I tell her that the world will be a less beautiful place if she goes through with this. 'My choice, sweetheart,' she says.

Postscript: Several weeks later, I receive a call from Wendy to say she has arrived in Switzerland. She says she has had those difficult calls with her family, who  like this newspaper  accept her decision, even if they disagree with it.

Pegasos confirms that she was deemed to have full mental capacity in that final psychiatric assessment, which happened earlier this week.

Founder Ruedi Habegger says: 'What I can confirm is that four siblings have been informed. They gave their blessings.

'Wendy is very decided. I saw her at her hotel today, I had a long talk with her and with the psychiatrist that is going to see her a second time before the VAD [voluntary assisted death]. He is very confident that we are doing the right thing letting her go, that we should not stand in her way. She is absolutely not in a depressive state. I'm very experienced in this field. There are no worries with Wendy, none at all.

'Her family knew this was coming at one point or another. She is happy that she has their blessing. She feels content now, like a weight has been lifted.'

On Wednesday, Wendy said: 'I have told them all and they support me. They are sad, but they know what this has done to me'.

She has told her family that she has given an interview to the Daily Mail, which will be published before she dies.

Her VAD 'procedure' is due to happen on Friday.

No money has been paid for this interview.

Pictures by MURRAY SANDERS

- For confidential support, call Samaritans on 116 123, visit samaritans.org or visit https://www.thecalmzone.net/get-support
An Australian gut health expert has revealed the five everyday supermarket staples he refuses to buy.

He also warns that clever marketing could be misleading shoppers trying to make healthier choices.

Paul Froomes, who has built a loyal following of more than 53,000 on Instagram, regularly shares no-nonsense advice about what's really going on in the foods we eat.

In a recent video, the gastroenterologist cut straight to the point, detailing each item he'd never put in his trolley and why.

At the top of his list were probiotic yoghurts, which are a common product many assume is beneficial for gut health.

'Probiotic yoghurts are literally full of sugar,' he said.

'Sugar undoes any benefit inside.'

He then turned his attention to honey, warning that not all varieties are created equal.

Australian gut health expert, Doctor Paul Froomes (pictured), has revealed the five everyday supermarket staples he refuses to buy including probiotic yoghurts, honey, kombuchas, muesli bars and grass fed meatballs

At the top of his list were probiotic yoghurts and meusli bars, which are common products many assume are beneficial for gut health, but in fact, are full of sugar

'Don't be fooled by regular honey,' he explained.

'All the live bacteria have been killed by pasteurisation. Instead, use raw unfiltered honey.'

Kombucha, another product often marketed as a gut-friendly option, also didn't escape scrutiny, especially the commercially produced kind.

'Don't be fooled by the no sugar label, they're full of artificial sweeteners,' he said, suggesting some brands may be masking ingredients behind health claims.

And standard muesli bars - a hugely popular lunchbox staple for many Australians - were next.

'These essentially have two grammes of fibre and eight grammes of sugar with a whole lot of preservatives.'

Even fresh produce wasn't off-limits in his list, with standard apples earning a surprising mention.

'We all love apples, but don't be fooled, the skin is covered in pesticides and then a layer of wax over the top to seal them in - so if you're going to have them, peel them.'

Even fresh produce wasn't off-limits in his list, with standard apples earning a surprising mention with claims that they're 'covered in pesticides'

He included one item that caught many shoppers off guard. 'Grass-fed meatballs - don't be fooled, they are full of additives. Just take a look at the ingredients'

He also included a bonus item that might catch many shoppers off guard.

'Grass-fed meatballs - don't be fooled, they are full of additives. Just take a look at the ingredients,' he said.

Across all five examples, Dr Froomes said there was a clear pattern consumers should be aware of.

'The marketing says one thing, the ingredients say another. Read the back of the packet, not the front.'

His advice has resonated widely online, with many followers saying they had previously assumed these products were healthier options - particularly those labelled 'probiotic', 'no sugar' or 'grass-fed'.

He then turned his attention to honey, warning that not all varieties are created equal. 'All the live bacteria have been killed by pasteurisation. Instead, use raw unfiltered honey,' he said

'I couldn't agree more with Dr. Froomes regarding the need to avoid non-organic apples sold by supermarkets!' one wrote.

'In addition to there being increasing evidence of the cumulative effects of pesticides on the body and especially brain.'

Although there were a few who seemed confused by Dr Froomes advice.

'You can't say don't have muesli bars cause there's only two grammes of fibre but then you're suggesting to remove fibre from the apple?' a follower wrote.

'You can make apples safer by mixing bicarb soda with some water, pop in your apples for 10 minutes and rinse,' a second added.

Regardless of mixed opinions, the post serves as a reminder that when it comes to gut health, not all 'wellness' foods live up to their claims, and a quick glance at the ingredient list could make all the difference.
Tucker Carlson and his brother Buckley floated the wild claim that Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are homosexuals on a recent podcast.

While discussing Clinton, Buckley asked if the 2026 Democratic presidential nominee was 'still with her girlfriend, who's married to George Soros's son.'

Huma Abedin, Clinton's ex-chief of staff and vice chairman of the 2016 presidential campaign, is the wife of Alex Soros, the son of the billionaire left-wing donor.

'Most people don't talk about that,' Buckley continued, adding, 'They should.'

Tucker's face immediately soured as he stammered out a response while his brother repeatedly apologized.

'I'm gonna..... I'm gonna stick to my no outing policy,' the host shot back before redirecting the conversation.

'The only person I've broken it for is Barack Obama,' Tucker says as his brother laughs. 'I feel guilty every time I call Lindsey Graham gay. I shouldn't be doing that. That is not the Christian way at all.'

'The only reason I did it for Obama was because there was a guy, an accuser, and they arrested him and like, tormented him, and he like died in poverty and obscurity pretty recently.'

Huma Abedin, left, with Hillary Clinton during a 2021 event in New York. Buckley Carlson lobbed an accusation that the two are lovers during Tucker Carlson's latest show

Abedin is married to Alex Soros, the son of Democratic mega-donor George Soros

Tucker Carlson interviewed Larry Sinclair in 2023. Sinclair, a convicted fraudster, had previously claimed that he did drugs and had oral sex with Barack Obama

The accuser, Larry Sinclair, alleged that he and Obama did cocaine and partook in oral sex in 1999 when the former president was a young politician in Illinois.

Obama has never addressed the allegations, and his spokesman declined to comment when Sinclair first posted a YouTube video outlining his story in 2008.

Sinclair, who boasts a lengthy rap sheet with convictions for fraud and forgery, among other things, took a polygraph test regarding his claims - the results indicated there were signs of deception.

Carlson had Sinclair on his podcast in 2023, giving him a platform to rehash his allegations against Obama.

During the eyebrow-raising episode, the former Fox News host apologized for supporting Trump's re-election

'Ill be tormented for a long time by the fact that I played a role in getting Donald Trump elected,' Carlson said. 'And I want to say that Im sorry for misleading people.'

His comments come as a deep rift between Trump and Carlson has been laid bare over their different views on the US-Iran war.

'Tucker's a low IQ person that has absolutely no idea what's going on. He calls me all the time; I don't respond to his calls. I don't deal with him. I like dealing with smart people, not fools,' Trump said in a recent interview.

Join the discussion Should public figures face consequences for spreading unproven rumors about politicians' private lives?

Larry Sinclair later wrote a book about his alleged expirience with Obama

Trump and Carlson have drifted apart over their different views on the US-Iran war

In turn, Carlson has said Trump may be the 'antichrist' after the president posted controversial AI images of himself as Jesus Christ.

Carlson said the Bible cautions a figure like Trump could emerge in the future, described as a 'man of lawlessness' - or the 'antichrist' - who leads people against religion.

He suggested Trump matches the scripture's description of this entity, as a 'man who will oppose and exalt himself over everything that is worshipped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple proclaiming himself to be God.'

Representatives for Clinton and Abedin did not immediately respond to the Daily Mail's request for comment.
A host of CNBC's Squawk Box was left squirming on-air after Donald Trump alleged that he undercut his colleague to secure a sit-down with the President.

Trump appeared on the business network Tuesday morning via telephone for a 37-minute interview with pro-MAGA host Joe Kernen.

The pair discussed immigration, tariffs and his war with Iran, with Trump even vowing that negotiations with Tehran would end in a 'great deal.'

But Kernen was visibly taken aback after Trump accused him of coaxing him into doing the interview by promising his more critical colleague Andrew Ross Sorkin would not be present.

'Joe made a comment to me. When he tried to get me on, he said, "I promise I'll have Andrew Ross Sorkin. He will not be there,"' Trump said about ten minutes in.

'That's, that...' Kernen stuttered, but Trump interrupted adding: 'He is there, and you can put him on. It's OK.'

Kernen, clearly uncomfortable, tried to defuse the situation, repeatedly saying 'that was last week' as he shuffled in his seat.

'I didn't say I'd have him. I said, he's not in last week. But then you canceled because you were on the West Coast,' the host said.

Squawk Box host Joe Kernen was caught off guard Tuesday morning when Donald Trump accused him of misleading him over who would be present during their interview

The President alleged he was told that Kernen's colleague Andrew Ross Sorkin would not be present as Sorkin is a known Trump critic

Sorkin, who has been known to be critical of Trump, took the remark with good humor, smiling and laughing awkwardly amid the exchange.

'Thank you, Mr President,' Sorkin said. 'I'll, I'll chime in a minute.'

The wide-ranging interview saw Trump blast the 'fake news' for its coverage of the war in Iran, with the President vowing: 'We totally control the Strait [of Hormuz], just so you understand.'

He went on to say that he is unhappy with the Supreme Court after it ruled that the president does not have the power to impose tariffs.

'The Supreme Court didn't want to save our country with one sentence, $165 billion and we're giving a lot of that money back to people that hate our country. So I'm not happy with the Supreme Court, I'll be honest with you, okay?' Trump said.

He also slammed the court's rulings on illegal immigration, alleging that 'murderers' are crossing into the US.

'We have a many-time murderer and it's really hard to get them out of our country, but we don't stop,' he said.

He even went on to declare America's allies in the Middle East, especially Saudi Arabia, were 'much better allies than NATO.'

Trump was relatively unchallenged during the 37-minute segment, with the president launching into long rants. Kernen and his colleagues hardly had any speaking time.

Sorkin was left in the awkward position of trying to smooth things over but appeared to take it in good humor

But as the interview came to a close, Trump once again doubled down on his accusation that Kernen organized his appearance under false pretenses.

Trump, addressing Kernen, Sorkin and their colleague Rebecca Quick by name, said: 'Well, thank you and Becky, thank you and Andrew, I'm glad you were on the phone. I'm really glad, even though Joe totally misrepresented, I don't mind that at all.'

'Not true,' Kernen said.

'Okay, Mr President, we'll talk soon,' Sorkin replied.

But before Trump could hang up, Kernen added: 'He's a kidder, kidders like to kid. Thank you, Mr President.'

CNBC has not disclosed the specifics of its booking process, but denied allegations they promised Sorkin would be absent.

'There were no terms or conditions set for today's CNBC interview with President Trump. POTUS was aware that all three 'Squawk Box' anchors would be participating in the conversation,' a spokesperson told Status.

The Daily Mail has also approached the network for comment.
Britons are overwhelmingly in support of the Government's proposal to introduce stricter drink-driving laws, according to a new report.

A survey of 2,000 adults by breathalyser firm AlcoSense found that 87 per cent believe stricter laws are needed to stop people getting behind the wheel under the influence.

It comes as the Government's Road Safety Strategy consultation is due to close next month, with ministers garnering feedback from the public and industry on a range of measures designed to reduce traffic deaths in Britain.

This includes the introduction of mandatory eye tests every three years for drivers over 70, minimum six-month learning periods before new drivers can take their test, the requirement for new models to have a raft of new-era safety features installed, and the threat of points for drivers whose passengers fail to wear a seatbelt.

The poll found that over three quarters (78 per cent) of people want the existing drink-drive limit of 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood to be slashed. One in three said it should be lowered to 50mg, in line with Scotland.

But half of those surveyed said it should be lowered further still to just 20mg - or even zero.

A new survey of 2,000 adults found that 87% believe stricter laws are needed to stop people getting behind the wheel under the influence

With England and Wales currently having one of the most lenient drink-drive limits across Europe, reports suggest ministers are swinging towards a 50mg restriction to bring consistency with laws north of the border - and also in-line with rules in France.

It would mean that even one pint of beer would likely tip a motorist over the limit.

For new drivers who have held a licence for less than two years, an even lower limit is under consideration.

In Sweden, which has a 20mg restriction, it is effectively a 'zero tolerance' policy with experts saying any amount of beer consumption - no matter how small - would likely trigger a positive breathalyser reading.

The latest data published by the Department for Transport show there were 260 fatalities in drink drive accidents in 2023  with a total of 6,310 people injured by motorists over the limit.

Minister see a clampdown on drink driving as one of the most effective ways of reducing stagnating road casualty statistics, which have remained relatively flat for over a decade.

AlcoSense managing director Hunter Abbott said the findings from the study suggest a 'shift in public attitudes' towards drink driving.

'People are clearly saying the current system isn't tough enough,' he said. 'There is staunch support not only for lowering the alcohol limit, but also for giving police the powers they need to deal with offenders quickly and effectively.

'England and Wales currently have the highest drink-drive limit in Europe. These findings suggest that many people no longer see that as acceptable, particularly when the risks are so well understood.'

Join the discussion Should the drink-drive limit in England and Wales be lowered?

The call for stricter limits is even greater when applied to higher-risk groups.

Around two-thirds of those surveyed believe commercial drivers should be subject to a 20mg or zero limit, with a similar proportion saying the same should apply to novice drivers.

The research also suggests that the public sees enforcement as just as important as the legal limit itself.

Most respondents (58 per cent) said the most effective way to tackle drink driving would be to combine a lower limit with more robust police enforcement, rather than relying on either approach alone.

'There is a clear recognition that changing the law on its own is not enough,' Abbott said. 'People want to see proper enforcement alongside it, so that the rules have real impact in practice.'

The survey, which included questions similar to those being explored in the Government's consultation closing on 11 May, also found firm backing for tougher action in the most serious cases. More than eight in ten said drivers under investigation for drink or drug driving offences involving a fatality or serious injury should have their licence suspended pending a court hearing.

Abbott said this reflected growing public concern about road safety and a desire for more decisive intervention.

'There is a clear expectation that those who may pose a risk should not be allowed to continue driving while legal proceedings are ongoing,' he said.
The Smart ForTwo became a huge hit when it arrived in Britain at the turn of the Millennium.

Its incredibly petite dimensions - measuring in at just 2.5 metres long - made it the ideal motor for nipping around city centres with consummate ease.

And it became a comically useful tool for parking, with its diminutive scale meaning it could easily be slotted perpendicularly between two other motors in the tiniest spaces at the roadside.

It was available across three generations spanning from 2000 until it was eventually scrapped from the Smart line-up in 2024, some four years after Mercedes' parent company Daimler sold half of the business to Chinese giant Geely.

But the laughably compact ForTwo is set to make a return for a fourth series with electric power from next year.

It has been previewed as a concept car debuting at this weekend's Beijing motor show. And while it will continue the ForTwo's tradition of bogglingly small measurements, it will come with a new name...

Smart's hilariously small compact car is making a comeback: The two-seat ForTwo city car will return as the #2 in 2027. And it should still be an abolsute doddle to park...

The first Smart ForTwo arrived in the UK in 2000 and became an instant icon due to its diminutive size, ease of nipping through cities and ability to park at the kerbside at 90 degrees

The new two-seat compact city car will from 2027 carry the #2 nameplate, in-keeping with the branding system used by Smart under its German-Chinese ownership alliance.

The name is pronounced 'hashtag 2' rather than 'number 2', though Smart is running the risk of introducing a car with questionable connotations.

Name aside, it will tick all the boxes of the original ForTwo's legendary characteristics, with Smart saying it will 'deliver uncompromised urban capability'.

This includes the 2000 cars signature 'wheels-at-the-corners' layout, maximised interior space, and mega condensed dimensions - though at 2,792mm, the concept is almost 30cm longer than the original and 10cm more than the last third-generation car.

In contrast to today's cars, it is almost a metre shorter than a Fiat 500 (though that does have rear seats) and Honda's recently-unveiled Super-N.

Only the Citroen Ami and Micro Microline are smaller vehicles with two seats, though they both fall into the 'quadricycle' category, meaning they don't qualify as passenger cars, have limited battery ranges and pedestrian top speeds (the Ami can go just 46 miles and up to 28mph).

Smart says the #2 will be the fourth interation of the legendary ForTwo, even if it doesn't carry the same name

The ForTwo's tiny dimensions has made it a favourite for city dwellers with the cars still immensely popular in the capital

Clever packaging meant the ForTwo was also spacious. Pictured: Keith Edwards, a 6ft 7in member of the Tall Persons Club GB & Ireland posing with his Smart ForTwo in 2008

If - like the just-unveiled concept - the production model is around 2.8-metres long, owners are unlikely to get away with parking at 90 degrees to the kerb as they have done before in the ForTwo.

This is because the average roadside space in towns and cities is 2.4 metres.

In 2014, a UK owner of a Smart ForTwo won a year-long battle over a 50 parking ticket given because she parked at a right angle to the kerb with the car slightly over the white lines.

Vanessa Price was ticketed by Gloucestershire County Council in 2013 for breaching road regulations by parking perpendicularly at the roadside. But the fine was overturned by an adjudicator, who said she had not breached any road regulations.

Price was issued the penalty charge because the front of her car breached the parking bay lines in Stroud. But it was overturned because the rule that drivers must park within markings does not apply in limited waiting spaces on highways.

For parking bays wider than the Smart ForTwo is long, historically, has meant drivers have rarely been ticketed when they've parked at a right angle to the kerb.

The ForTwo's party trick has always been that it can be parked perpendicularly in a kerbside bay, meaning owners can slot into the smallest spaces between other cars

The original was just 2.5-metres long; around the width of kerbside parking bays in town centres. But the new model is expected to be longer and therefore could lose this key attribute

Electric only and more premium than before

The biggest differences the #2 will have to the debut ForTwo from 26 years ago is its exclusively electric powertrain and move into a more premium segment.

The full technical details of its EV platform won't be unveiled until later this year at the Paris Motor Show in October, but the range is expected to be in the region of 186 miles (300km) and recharges from 10 to 80 per cent should take less than 20 minutes.

For drivers in big cities like London, these figures should be more than acceptable for a compact vehicle, especially with 20mph limits likely extending the range.

It too will feature 'reverse-charging', meaning owners will be able to attach a three-pin adaptor to the charging socket allowing them to plug in their smartphones and laptops - a rare function of smaller, cheaper EV models.

And while the #2 will be marginally longer than the original ForTwo, it will have the same 6.95-metre turning circle, making it a doddle navigating packed streets and limited parking access.

The Smart #2 will exclusively be electric. The range is expected to be in the region of 186 miles (300km) and recharges from 10 to 80% will take less than 20 minutes

 Slide me  The original Smart ForTwo (left) arrived in the UK more than a quarter of a century ago. Having been axed from its range in 2024, the fourth generation will arrive next year for around 25k

The name is pronounced 'hashtag 2' rather than 'number 2', though Smart is running the risk of introducing a car with questionable connotations

According to bosses, the styling has been entirely led by Mercedes-Benz rather than Geely, which explains its similarities to ForTwos that have come before it.

But bosses say it will be 'elevate the city car beyond mere utility', with a plusher interior than the relatively sparse original.

Kai Sieber, head of Smart design at Mercedes-Benz, said: 'We believe a city car should be more than a problem solver; it should spark joy.

'Carrying the heritage of the ForTwo's iconic design, the Concept #2 translates our bold personality into a new era where Function becomes Fashion.'

There's still no indication on pricing ahead of 2027 deliveries, but given its premium shift, we expect it to ring in above the Honda Super-N's 22,000 entry point.

Smart has also not given any indication if it will sell an open-top cabrio or roadster versions like the original, or if it plans to expand the #2's platform to allow for rear seats, in the same way it did with the ForFour variant previously.

Brabus also famously sold tuned versions of the ForTwo, though whether the #2 receives the same treatment, only time will tell.
Agent Launchpad will enable clients to discover and deploy agentic AI with ease across front-to-back investment workflows directly within SimCorp One.

Orbit, a leading investment research platform, will be the first partner to make its financial intelligence agent available through Agent Launchpad.

COPENHAGEN, Denmark, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - SimCorp, a global leader in financial technology, today announced Agent Launchpad, an agentic AI ecosystem that allows investment managers to employ agents from SimCorp and curated partners securely and easily within the awardwinning SimCorp One platform.

SimCorp Chief Executive Officer Peter Sanderson. (CNW Group/SimCorp Canada Inc.)

Investment managers will be able to access a growing range of prebuilt AI agents from SimCorp and curated partners. These agents support key investment workflows such as portfolio management, corporate actions, risk analysis, and operational support. In addition, Agent Launchpad will allow clients to build their own agents, with controlled access to data from SimCorp One and approved thirdparty providers.

Today, SimCorp One clients can use a portfolio management agent as a standalone solution. Building on SimCorp One's unified data layer and platform capabilities; Agent Launchpad will enable multiple AI agents to work together across workflows within a common governance framework. By enabling specialized AI agents to collaborate, Agent Launchpad helps investment managers easily use agentic AI to automate operational workflows, accelerate market analytics, and support investment decisionmaking  freeing their teams to focus on portfolio decisions and client service.

"Agent Launchpad provides the connective layer that allows AI agents  whether from SimCorp, a trusted partner, or built by the client  to collaborate across real investment workflows, safely, consistently, and at scale, while maintaining the controls and data integrity our clients require," said Peter Sanderson, Chief Executive Officer at SimCorp. "Investment managers will get a higher return on their AI investments when their agents are orchestrated and working together  not operating in isolation."

Every agent interaction generates a structured audit trail and guardrails showing which data informed decisions, what constraints applied, and which agents participated  while humans remain accountable for final decisions. To support adoption, SimCorp will also introduce a prompt library to help clients get started with agentic AI more easily.

New partnership brings first ecosystem partner agent

In addition, Orbit, a fintech providing AI-driven research and intelligence capabilities for financial services, will become the first ecosystem partner to deliver an AI agent through Agent Launchpad.

Orbit's agent embeds AI-powered insights across company fundamentals, markets, news, broker research and regulatory information directly into SimCorp One workflows.

"By partnering with SimCorp, we are bringing Orbit's AI-powered research directly into the daily workflows of leading asset managers and asset owners," said Da Wei, Founder and CEO of Orbit. "Together, we are making advanced AI insights accessible in a way that is aligned with institutional investment requirements."

Agent Launchpad was unveiled at SimCorp Global Summit, the firm's annual client conference, this year held in Copenhagen, April 22-24, and attended by 1,400 leaders from across the financial services industry. The first SimCorp One clients are expected to gain access this year.

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.

For more information, please visit www.simcorp.com.

About Orbit

Orbit is a sophisticated AI-powered financial services platform designed to empower informed, data-driven decision-making.

Founded in 2015, Orbit processes over 70 million documents annually across 150,000+ companies in 80 countries, delivering unmatched market intelligence and regulatory insights.

Our platform combines comprehensive data coverage with advanced AI capabilities to transform unstructured data into actionable intelligence for asset managers, hedge funds, data vendors, exchanges, and software platforms.

For more information, visit orbitfin.ai.

SOURCE SimCorp Canada Inc.
A wire recently fell down by my front door, and I discovered it was going into my next-door neighbours house and providing his fibre broadband connection.

We use the same internet provider, and when it installed his broadband, it piggy-backed on the existing junction box attached to the front of my house and ran the cable across to his, instead of putting in a new one in front of his own house.

Is this unlawful use of my property? It doesnt cost me anything, but I feel it is a violation.

M.A., address supplied.

No telecoms provider has a blanket right to run cables across, or to hang equipment off, private property without consent.

The relevant rules are found in the Electronic Communications Code, which is contained in the Communications Act 2003, and was amended by the Digital Economy Act 2017.

Hot box: A reader discovered their neighbour had been hooked up to their broadband junction box after a wire fell down in front of their front door (file picture)

The code gives telecoms operators rights to install and maintain apparatus, but those rights must either be agreed with the landowner or imposed by a tribunal. They are not free to help themselves.

If you have never signed a wayleave agreement granting this use, the provider has, in my view, trespassed on your land.

The fact that the wire has now fallen only strengthens your case, as it is now a safety issue as well as a property one.

I would advise you to do three things. First, write to the broadband provider (and keep a copy) stating that it has installed apparatus serving your neighbours property without your consent, and ask for its legal basis.

Second, ask it either to remove the cable and junction box or offer a formal wayleave, which can include an annual payment. Third, request that it makes good any damage caused when the wire fell.

If it refuses, you can complain to the Communications & Internet Services Adjudication Scheme (Cisas) or the Communications Ombudsman, and ultimately raise the matter with Ofcom.

Importantly, do not be fobbed off. It is your land and as such you have strong rights.

Double booked... but stuck with a single

I went on holiday alone and booked a room with a double bed. The tour company charged me a 45 single supplement.

When I arrived, the room only had a single bed. Should the firm pay me back my 45?

P.C., Cambs.

The short answer is yes, you are entitled to get that 45 back and quite possibly a bit more besides.

The single supplement is the charge travel companies levy when one person occupies a room designed for two.

Effectively, you are paying to have the double bed to yourself. If the room never had a double bed in the first place, the very thing you paid the 45 for simply didnt exist. That makes the refund claim straightforward.

When you book a holiday through a tour operator, you enter into a contract. What was promised in that contract, a room with a double bed, is what the firm is legally obliged to provide.

The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 are clear: if any of the travel services included in your package are not performed in accordance with the contract, the organiser must put things right or offer you an appropriate price reduction.

On top of that, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 requires services, including accommodation provided as part of a package, to match the description given when you booked. A single bed is plainly not a double, so the firm has fallen short on both counts.

Write to the tour operator setting out what you booked and what you received, and attach your booking confirmation. Ask for the 45 back in full.

I would also argue for a modest additional sum to reflect the loss of amenity. A single bed is less comfortable and takes up less space than the room you paid for, causing distress and inconvenience.

If the company refuses, escalate to ABTA (if it is a member) or raise a Section 75 claim with your credit card provider, assuming you paid that way.
SpaceX is ramping up plans for one of the most anticipated stock market floats in history as it hosts Wall Street analysts.

Elon Musks rocket company is holding three days of closed-door briefings with top aerospace and technology experts as it prepares for a potential blockbuster initial public offering as early as June.

SpaceX is looking to raise 55billion from investors in a float that could value the company at 1.3 trillion.

The presentations kicked off with an all-day meeting and an analyst tour yesterday at the firms Starbase launch facilities in Texas, Reuters reported. Analysts representing institutional investors will be briefed at Starbase today.

Tomorrow, the analysts have been invited to review SpaceXs Macrohard project at its Colossus data centre in Tennessee.

Musk plans to set aside 30 per cent of SpaceX shares for retail investors, with around 1,500 people invited on a tour of Starbase in June.
Apple shed more than 80billion of its value last night after the shock announcement that Tim Cook would step down as chief executive after 15 years at the top.

In a move that took the tech world by surprise, the company on Monday night revealed he would be succeeded by Apples long-term hardware boss John Ternus on September 1.

That sent shares down nearly 3 per cent on Wall Street when trading resumed yesterday  trimming its value by $112billion (83billion) to leave it worth $3.9 trillion (2.9 trillion).

Cook, 65, has been credited with turning the iPhone maker into one of the worlds most successful companies since he took over from co-founder Steve Jobs in 2011, when Apple was valued at around $350billion.

Under Cooks leadership, Apple became the first US company to hit a $1 trillion valuation in 2018 and it topped $4 trillion for the first time last year.

Cook is not leaving Apple altogether, instead moving into the role of executive chairman.

Logging off: In a move that took the tech world by surprise, Apple revealed chief exec Tim Cook (right) will be succeeded by long-term hardware boss John Ternus (left)

He stepped into the worlds biggest shoes  the biggest shoes that anybody on the planet has ever had to step into  and hes done an amazing job, said Peter Oppenheimer, who was Apples chief financial officer from 2004 to 2014.

The day-to-day running of the business would fall to Ternus, who at 50 is the same age as Cook was when he succeeded Jobs.

Having joined Apples product design team in 2001, Ternus has overseen some of the companys most consequential hardware, including the iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch and AirPods.

Everyone loves him at Apple  all the execs I know speak very highly of him, said Ben Bajarin, an analyst at data firm Creative Strategies.

But the changing of the guard comes with Apple facing doubts over its artificial intelligence (AI) offering, as well as pressure to develop new products that once again change the way households and businesses use tech.

Dan Ives, an analyst at Wedbush Securities, said: These will be big shoes to fill and the timing of Cook exiting stage left could make sense but also creates questions.

Apple is making a major transition in its AI strategy and long-time CEO and legendary Cook leaving now is a surprise.

Dan Coatsworth, head of markets at AJ Bell, said: Ternus is a product expert and has worked under both Cook and Jobs  meaning he lives and breathes the true Apple ethos.

His background will raise hopes that Apple can regain its mojo and come up with new products that are trailblazers and disrupt the market, just like the old days.
A debit card targeted at content creators and influencers has been launched by TikTok and Visa.

Dubbed the 'Creator Card', the debit card is designed to give users faster access to their money and 'greater control over their finances'.

It will give TikTok influencers a better opportunity to split their personal finances from their business income coming in via the social media channel.

TikTok Live gives influencers and content creators with at least 1,000 followers the chance to post live videos on TikTok in real time.

During a TikTok Live posting, TikTok users can be rewarded for their creativity through virtual gifts. Creators can then convert the value of gifts and they may be exchanged for money.

TikTok users can also generate money via partnerships with businesses, affiliate marketing and promoting the services or products of companies.

TikTok and Visa said the new Creator Card would help TikTok users avoid delays from waiting for payouts to fully clear.

Making money: A debit card targeted at content creators and influencers has been launched by TikTok and Visa

A recent survey of 1,000 professional content creators surveyed using multiple social media channels by Censuswide for Visa found that 49 per cent of content creators felt that late or inconsistent payments had affected their ability to run their business.

Two in five of those surveyed said they had had to turn down new opportunities due to cash flow problems.

Meanwhile, 94 per cent claimed they wanted to be able to divide their personal and business cashflows, with most users using a personal bank account for income generated via social media.

Over a third said social media payment delays had caused them stress or anxiety.

TikTok and Visa said that income via TikTok Live comes in 'bursts' rather than a monthly payslip.

The duo added that delays in accessing funds can affect influencers' ability to cover costs, reinvest or take on new opportunities.

Following a 'soft launch' trial period, the creator card is now being rolled out across Britain.

Lucy Demery, senior vice president, head of Visa commercial solutions, Europe, said the card would 'empower the next generation of entrepreneurs in the digital economy'.

She added: 'This launch is designed to give creators faster access to income from TikTok Live, brand partnerships, and platform payouts, so they can spend, plan and reinvest in their business straight away.'

Paula DUrbano, country manager at TikTok Live UK, Ireland and Baltics, said: 'TikTok Live is creating the next generation of digital entrepreneurs, transforming the way creators and audiences connect in real-time.

'By partnering with Visa, were giving the Live community even more ways to manage their rewards  helping creators to turn their passion into a sustainable career.'

Visa has estimated that there are around 200million content creators globally, with the sector projected to reach about 370billion by 2027.

Around 85 per cent of creators earn up to 74,000 each year and many of them manage multiple revenue streams, with 95 per cent involved in brand partnership and 77 per cent promoting services at least once a month, Visa said.
Two-thirds of British firms now use artificial intelligence for their everyday business needs, far outpacing uptake across Europe.

New data from Amazon Web Services shows that one business or organisation was implementing AI every 40 seconds in Britain - where adoption has increased by 23 per cent year-on-year.

The findings may raise concerns about the impact of the new technology on employment figures, though.

In January, the head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) sounded the alarm over a jobs 'tsunami' caused by the rise of AI.

Kristalina Georgieva told the World Economic Forum in Davos: 'Wake up  AI is for real and it is transforming our world faster than we are getting ahead of it.'

This Is Money spoke to business owners who are using new tools, such as Claude and ChatGPT, and what it means for the job market.

Scope: The research found there was potential for much greater use of AI in sectors such as healthcare and pharmaceuticals

Which firms are using AI?

The majority of start-ups - 88 per cent - in Britain are using AI, but overall, use in the public sector was higher than in the private.

It is perhaps unsurprising that nimble start-ups looking to cut costs and experiment with new tech are firm proponents of the tech.

However, AWS' analysis also found that the manufacturing sector is also finding use for the tech.

It found that the North West was seeing a strong increase in the use of AI amid a backdrop of 'advanced manufacturing, a growing digital sector, and strong university networks'.

AI use among firms and organisations is highest in London, with AI adoption among London-headquartered organisations standing at 72 per cent, compared with the national average of 64 per cent.

The region which saw the second-highest level of AI use in the past year was the South East of England, where 67 per cent of firms reported using it.

Amazon Web Services said the higher use of AI in the South East was 'driven by proximity to London's talent pipeline and a strong base of technology and professional services firms'.

While the use of AI is increasing, AWS said that more than half of AI-adopting organisations 'are still focused on basic use cases: using publicly available chatbots, scheduling assistants, or off-the-shelf AI solutions for routine tasks.

'They are adopting AI, and reaping the benefits, but not yet using it to fundamentally change how their business operates. The gap between basic and advanced use matters because the economic value of AI scales dramatically with depth of integration.'

The 'basic' AI being adopted is akin to having a smartphone but only using it for phone calls, it added.

Utilising AI: Kate Allen, owner of Finest Stays, using AI across her business

How business owners are using AI

Smaller firms across a range of industries have told This Is Money that using machine intelligence has upped productivity without job losses, yet.

Kate Allen, owner of Finest Stays in Devon, said she is already using AI across her holiday lettings business.

She said: 'We're already using ChatGPT to draft and refine guest and owner communications, saving significant time while keeping tone consistent. We're also applying AI to support our revenue management including analysing data and trends, while all final decisions remain human-led.

'In the near future, I expect AI agents to handle routine, data-based queries across a unified inbox (guest enquiries, bookings, property managers), allowing our team to focus on high-value, human interactions to deal with complex questions, local insight, and guest experience.'

However, she warned that the technology could spur significant disruption in the labour market.

'No roles have been affected yet, but I do think change is imminent; likely within six months,' she said.

'For us, AI isn't all about replacing people, but enabling us to scale efficiently, reduce recruitment pressure, and deliver faster, more consistent service, while doubling down on the human touch that defines great hospitality.'

Tony Redondo, owner of Newquay-based Cosmos Currency Exchange, told Newspage that AI had been a 'drudgery killer' rather than a 'job killer' at his firm.

He added 'We've adopted AI daily, not to replace our staff, but to act as the ultimate high-speed intern. We use it primarily for deep-dive research and to streamline the 'plumbing' of our back-office processes, tasks that used to eat up hours of manual data entry or document sorting are now handled in seconds.'

Steven Mather, a solicitor and director at Steven Mather Solicitors in Leicester, said he had 'heavily adopted' AI across his legal practice, but not at the expense of 'being human'.

He told Newspage: 'Even though I only act for businesses, my work is still relationship-driven, and people still want advice from a human. So the human side of things leads; the tech is behind the scenes.

'AI is revolutionising the way I work, saving hours each week. From using automated email writing, to admin work, and even to things like preparing contracts, the time savings are incredible. But it is vital that safeguards are put in place, for any business not just regulated ones like mine.'

Small firms might not believe AI will change recruitment habits, but data from CV-Library shows administrative job postings have nearly halved since 2023 as a direct result of the tech, according to CV-Library.

'Roles most at risk are those built on routine, repeatable tasks, including admin, clerical work, customer service and some entry-level IT positions  making early-career roles most exposed,' said Stylianos Taxidis, head of data and analytics at CV-Library.

He added: 'The reality is that the most secure roles are those that utilise AIs capabilities alongside human expertise.'
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A father whose teenage son died from an allergic reaction after eating at Byron Burgers has condemned the government for its failure to make restaurants include allergens on their menu.

Owen Carey, from East Sussex, died with his girlfriend by his side after eating dairy in a grilled chicken breast at Byron's branch at the 02 Arena in Greenwich, south-east London, in April 2017.

Owen had been celebrating his 18th birthday and made staff aware of his allergies, but was not told the chicken was marinated in buttermilk.

Forty-five minutes after ingesting the dish, the teenager collapsed and was pronounced dead at St Thomas's Hospital later that afternoon.

His family has been tirelessly campaigning to change the law to require restaurants to label the 14 regulated allergens on their menus with symbols, numbers or words.

But nearly ten years after Owen's death, their calls have so far been ignored by successive governments.

The teen's father, Paul Carey, told the Daily Mail: 'We'll never get Owen back. The only thing we can do is rest assured that it's far less likely to happen to anyone else.

'If you suffer from allergies, you live dangerously when you go out to eat in a restaurant. There are lots of other people out there who could die if they have the wrong thing in their food.'

Paul Carey with his son Owen, who died aged 18 after suffering from a severe allergic reaction to dairy

Owen collapsed 45 minutes after eating chicken at Byron Burgers and was pronounced dead at St Thomas's Hospital the same day

He added: 'The success for us would be knowing that we've done our bit to make sure it's not going to happen again.'

Under Owen's Law, businesses would have an obligation to provide written information about allergens. This could be in the form of symbols, numbers or words that represent the 14 major allergens on a menu, display board or on an app.

As things stand, restaurant staff can provide verbal information about allergens upon the customer's request.

'Owen was given assurances by the waiter that something on the menu was safe for him to eat, and it wasn't,' Mr Carey said.

'If it had been the case that the allergens were written down on the menu, Owen would still be with us today.'

In December 2023, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) decided to support the family's campaign to change the law. However, this can only be done by the government by changing the Food Information Regulations of 2014.

In March last year, the FSA issued guidance to the restaurant trade that includes stating the allergens in food in writing, at the point of ordering, without the customer having to ask.

Owen's family has secured a meeting with Dame Angela Eagle, Minister of State for Food Security and Rural Affairs (Defra), on April 27 - where they will urge the government to make the guidance law.

'We feel frustrated, disappointed, and we're saying look, it's going to be ten years next year that he died, and we've been running this campaign for several years,' Mr Carey said.

'We still want to have this made a law, and it's only Defra that can make it into a law.

Owen had been celebrating his 18th birthday and made staff aware of his severe allergies

His family have been tirelessly campaigning to change the law around putting allergens on menus

His father said: 'We'll never get Owen back. The only thing we can do is rest assured that it's far less likely to happen to anyone else'

Owen had been assured his chicken would be 'plain grilled' and therefore safe for him to eat

'This has been going on long enough. The FSA are behind all this - if you're regulatory agency is behind doing it, why can't you just do it? That's the challenge we're trying to put towards the government.'

As well as the FSA, the Anaphylaxis UK charity also supports the family's campaign.

Owen's father is hoping for the change to be implemented on or before April 22, 2027, which will mark ten years since his son died.

On the day of the teen's death, he had been assured his chicken would be 'plain grilled' and therefore safe for him to eat.

However, the chicken had in fact been marinated in buttermilk, to which Owen was severely allergic.

He only ate a small amount before quickly realising something was wrong.

The Owen's Law website states: 'His breathing became more and more restricted and he was using his asthma inhaler constantly as he and his girlfriend journeyed to London's South Bank for what was supposed to be the second half of Owen's celebratory day.

'Forty-five minutes later, having arrived at the London Eye, Owen collapsed, having suffered a massive anaphylactic reaction. Paramedics and a team at St Thomas' Hospital tried everything they could, but were unable to resuscitate him.'

A coroner ruled in 2019 that Owen was not told about allergens that led to his death.

Byron later updated its menu - which originally stated 'Chicken - choose yours grilled or fried', to 'Chicken - marinated in buttermilk, choose yours grilled or fried'.

In a statement, former chief executive of Byron, Simon Wilkinson, said at the time: 'Even though this happened two years before I was employed by Byron, I have personally taken the responsibility to improve all allergen procedures... I am very supportive of any improvements or changes that can be made across the industry to prevent further tragic accidental deaths from occurring and will work with the family accordingly.'

The Daily Mail has contacted Byron Burgers for comment.
A young rising footy has opened up after a warning sign he initially dismissed turned out to be stage four cancer.

Kiwi expat Jay Barnett, 22, was young, fit, and healthy - having arrived on the Gold Coast four years earlier with big dreams of pursuing a professional rugby league career.

But after noticing a lump on his calf, he initially dismissed it. As the pain worsened, doctors eventually sent him for an MRI, suspecting multiple tears in the muscle.

The diagnosis was far worse than expected and Mr Barnett was told he had stage four Ewing Sarcoma - a rare and highly aggressive cancer that had already spread to his lungs.

'It was a tough pill to swallow,' Mr Barnett told Daily Mail.

'Doctors gave me a 25 per cent chance of still being alive in five years time.

'They also said that my leg may have to be amputated - it was hard to hear and I lost a lot of hope.

Four months since the shock diagnosis, Mr Barnett is more hopeful about the future.

Jay Barnett is fighting a rare and aggressive cancer

The Kiwi expat has been forced to put his promising rugby league career on hold

Jay (centre) shaved off his hair after he was diagnosed with stage four Ewing Sarcoma

The cancer is currently responding well to weekly chemotherapy and has reduced by almost half.

Mr Barnett will undergo surgery later this month to remove the remaining cancer from his calf.

He has also been advised that his leg will unlikely be amputated.

'The five-year survival off odds have increased to 50 per cent,' he said.

Mr Barnett will require radiation and rehabilitation to walk again following the first operation.

He will also require more surgery to remove the cancer from his lungs.

He urges anyone who spots unusual body changes to not delay going to the doctor.

The Kiwi expat will soon undergo surgery to remove the cancer from his leg

The fit and healthy initially ignored the lump in his leg (pictured in December)

The cancer has responded well to chemotherapy and has reduced by almost half

'I definitely wish I got my lump checked out sooner,' Mr Barnett said.

'My plea is to get it checked out - the quicker, the batter.'

'It could be the difference between survival and death.'

While his chemotherapy is covered by Medicare, Mr Barnett is not eligible for any additional government assistance as he's not an Australian citizen.

He juggles treatment by continuing to work as a plumber four days a week to make ends meet, as mounting medical bills pile up.

Mr Barnett's mother travelled from New Zealand to support him in the first three months of his cancer battle.

Friends have also rallied around him by raising more than $42,000 for a fundraiser set up.

Mr Barnett will be off work for six weeks following his upcoming surgery.

'The support has been extremely overwhelming - it has taken away a lot of the pressure and stress,' he said.

Despite the 50 per cent odds against him, Mr Barnett hopes to return home for a well-earned holiday once he's is in remission.

Jay continues to undergo weekly chemotherapy

Jay's five-year survival rate has doubled to 50 per cent

He also dreams of one day playing footy again for the Burleigh Bears.

'Cancer has given me a different perspective on life,' he said.

'Every day I wake up, I take a deep breath and realise that life is not as hard as it could be.'
A Sydney whiz kid once dubbed the 'next Zuckerberg' has been accused of running a cryptocurrency scheme that allegedly caused millions of dollars in losses.

Ben Pasternak, 26, is accused in a civil lawsuit of orchestrating an elaborate crypto scheme using allegedly deceptive tokens to lure millions from investors.

Pasternak, the grandson of Sydney property heavyweight Robert Magid, whose net worth is said to exceed $700 million, first made headlines at just 15 when an iPhone game he created in class shot to number one on the Apple App Store charts.

The teenage success story quickly attracted invitations from tech giants such as Google and Facebook, along with a scholarship to Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference.

He later secured more than $91 million in investment for two businesses - a social media app and a plant-based chicken nugget company - which he later sold.

In recent years, Pasternak moved into cryptocurrency and launched a platform called Clout, which he later rebranded to Beleive.

The platform allowed users who met certain follower thresholds to create cryptocurrency tokens linked to their personal profiles.

In filings lodged in a New York district court seen by the AFR, lawyers for angry investors claim Pasternak promoted three cryptocurrency tokens on social media, sold through the platform, before abandoning the projects, leaving buyers stuck with near-worthless assets in a scheme known as a 'rug pull'.

Ben Pasternak, 26, is accused in a civil lawsuit of orchestrating an elaborate crypto scheme using allegedly deceptive tokens to lure millions from investors

There also appears to be speculation over his relationship with Korean-American social media personality Evelyn Ha

'Each iteration followed the same cycle: hype and promotional activity, rapid price appreciation, and catastrophic decline,' the court filing listed by lawyer Max Burwick reads.

Investors claim they are owed hundreds of millions of dollars tied to the tokens $PASTERNAK, $LAUNCHCOIN and $BELIEVE.

The $PASTERNAK token, allegedly plunged from a $US85 million valuation to less than $US190,000 within a week of launch.

The court filings also allege Believe's 'one-click' token launch mechanism created a chaotic trading environment, while platform outages left users unable to trade during periods of extreme volatility.

'He promised early supporters would be rewarded for getting in first ... He promised the token's supply would be managed to protect existing holders. Then he broke every one of those promises,' the filing reads.

'He diluted consumers' holdings by printing new tokens for insiders ... and then Pasternak disappeared, and every commitment he made went with him.'

The lawsuit accuses Pasternak of telling customers to keep their stakes even as the token's value plunged, while assuring them buybacks were coming.

'True believers hold coins for months and years,' he wrote on X. 'Patience is bitter but fruit is sweet.'

The wizz kid, who left his school in Sydney in Year 10, has regularly been spotted with celebrities like Drake (pictured) and giants of Silicon Valley

Pasternak (pictured with Apple chief Tim Cook)

Burwick also claimed Pasternak was not transparent about earning revenue from platform fees, despite saying he had '0 ownership' of the coins.

Every token launched had a 2% fee, 1% for the company itself and 1% for Believe. Believe made over $40 million through fees

Pasternak, who grew up in Sydney's exclusive eastern suburbs, dropped out of school in Year 10 after catching the eye of Silicon Valley investors.

While it is not yet clear whether the crypto case will proceed to trial, there also appears to be speculation over his relationship with Korean-American social media personality Evelyn Ha.

The couple, who have reportedly been together for at least a year, were last seen together in an Instagram post dated February 13.

Ms Ha, who has more than 2.4 million followers on Instagram and 4.4 million on TikTok, has not featured Pasternak in her content for months, leading some fans to speculate there may be trouble in paradise.

It comes just months after Ms Ha faced backlash for promoting Pasternak's platform on Instagram, telling followers: 'Guys omg, he's been working on this app called Clout - it lets you invest in people that you believe in.'

Ms Ha's fans were quick to criticise the promotion, saying it was inappropriate for her younger audience.

'If you believe in me, buy me on Clout,' LOL what the f***?' one follower commented.

Another said: 'I know her demographics are young 'impressionables', so sharing these without specifying what it's about is dangerous and irresponsible [in my opinion].'

The Daily Mail has contacted Pasternak and Ms Ha for comment.
Radio silence on Jackie O

Live radio certainly can be dangerous, especially talkback shows when callers throw curly questions at hosts.

Just ask 'Ugly' Phil O'Neil  ex husband of Jackie O (it's where she gets the 'O' from).

Last week, Phil was covering for John Stanley on 2GB Nights when one listener called in to grill the presenter about the controversy surrounding his ex-wife and her court case against ARN.

He might be known as 'Ugly', but Phil has showed nothing but class when it comes to Jackie, refusing to provide running commentary on her headline-making termination.

Last month, we reported that Phil shared a social media grab from a listener which said, 'Bring back Ugly Phil', calling for him to take over the reins on the KIIS FM breakfast show.

'Yes it is true. I am the big radio story of the day. But I have nothing further to add. Thank you,' Phil captioned the screenshot.

Since then, it's been radio silence regarding Jackie O.

Jackie O is due to appear in court on Friday amid her legal battle with ARN

That all changed last week when 'Luke from Mosman' snuck through the vetting process, posing a question about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle before adding one about Jackie.

'What are Harry and Meghan doing for Australia?' asked Luke.

No problems so far: that's pretty normal talkback fodder.

But then he quickly changed gears, adding: 'And how are you going with Jackie O?'

A surprised O'Neil laughed while quickly thinking on his feet.

'Well, I can tell you I'm not going with Jackie O, and haven't for about 25 years, unlike the happily married couple  see I can do the link too  Harry and Meghan.'

Inside Mail can reveal O'Neil hasn't just kept quiet about Jackie on air, he's also been very private behind the scenes.

It helps that he usually does the midnight to dawn shift, so he isn't in the office during normal work hours to be bombarded with questions.

He might be known as 'Ugly', but Phil has been nothing but class when it comes to Jackie, refusing to provide running commentary on her headline-making termination

Even if he was though, he is smart enough to avoid direct answers.

Selfiegate strikes again for Seven

After being outed by the Daily Mail for his shameless Prince Harry selfie attempt, Channel Seven's Paul Dowsley was in damage control - taking to his own network's breakfast show to set the record very much not straight.

The Morning Show obligingly rolled the tape: there's Dowsley, relentless as ever, barking questions at Harry at the next royal circus, craning for a reaction. The Duke finally whirled around: 'What's your name? It was Paul, right?' - to which Dowsley fired off, 'Are we friends?'

With Harry already beating a hasty retreat, Dowsley clung on with, 'The press is saying we're not friends!' The prince - no stranger to media escape routines - didn't bother replying.

Then came Dowsley's piece to camera - an extended soliloquy on Selfiegate, insisting he'd simply tried to snap a couple of harmless selfies and that the Mail had 'twisted' the episode into an 'ambush.' Reader, it went on. And on.

Then, no sooner had he bemoaned the so-called ambush, Mail cameras caught him at it again: this time at Swinburne University, thrusting his giant mic past a mountainous security guard at a fast-retreating Duke.

Harry looked anything but eager for a reunion, instead whisking Meghan to the getaway car.

After being outed by the Daily Mail for his shameless Prince Harry selfie attempt, Channel 7's Paul Dowsley was in damage control

Hook, line and... stinker?

Legendary Aussie TV programmer, John Stephens, had a set of rules for what makes great TV.

One of those rules was: sharks always rate.

Now, while that might have been true for many decades, Stevo's rulebook looks set to be thrown out the window when Channel 9's new series SHARK! hits airwaves later this year.

According to insiders, the show is dull and boring, despite PR drivel describing it as 'increasingly intense challenges, from cage dives to open water swims with minimal protection'.

The show launched in the UK to much fanfare but was cancelled after just one season, with The Sun describing it as a 'total flop'.

Nine jumped in to buy the rights before the show had aired, believing it would have viewers hooked.

Now they are not so sure.

The network is doing everything in its power to make the Aussie version work though, with shark attack survivor and former Navy clearance diver Paul de Gelder guiding six Aussie celebrities through the experience.

Those six celebrities include beloved Home and Away star Lynne McGranger, Ariarne Titmus, Scott Cam, Tammy Hembrow, Sam Thaiday and Matt Nable.

The cast of SHARK! - which could be set to flop, if the UK launch is anything to go by

Influencer Tammy Hembrow (pictured) will swim with sharks on the new reality show

Production staff have been told there will be a second series  but that's because local deals usually include a two-series commitment to help cover set-up costs experienced during season one.

But insiders at Nine say they will be surprised if there is a second series, even if the network has to pay a big cancellation fee.

Real shark stories still rate  victims of attacks always draw large numbers, but a show where there's no real risk is likely to be seen as a turn-off by most viewers.

Nine must be wishing this was the one that got away.

A royal conundrum

There's something worth noting about one of the guest speakers at the now-infamous 'Her Best Life' retreat over the weekend

You know, the one Meghan Markle came out for.

One of the guests was TV and film producer Bruna Papandrea. She's an Aussie who has risen to fame behind the scenes setting up production companies with celebrities like Reese Witherspoon.

She's highly respected, a recipient of prestigious female-focused awards, and a producer of several female-empowerment stories such as Wild, Gone Girl, Big Little Lies, and has also worked behind the scenes with Eric Bana on The Dry.

TV producer Bruna Papandrea spoke at the Her Best Life retreat at the weekend. Her husband (pictured with her) is Steven Hutensky, who was once Harvey Weinstein's lawyer

On paper, her inclusion as a speaker makes sense.

That's until you realise her husband is Steve Hutensky. That name might not mean anything to you, but he was Harvey Weinstein's lawyer who settled numerous settlements with alleged sexual assault victims of the former Hollywood producer.

The couple have tried to limit public knowledge of his involvement with Weinstein, but it is now well-known within the industry.

Despite that, Papandrea continues to be lauded by feminists including 'Her Best Life' owner Gemma O'Neill and Mamamia's Mia Freedman.

But should Papandrea have to pay for the sins of a man her husband worked for?

That's the question being asked around town as industry insiders come to terms with the ugly association to convicted sex offender Weinstein, who is currently locked up.

More concerning though, is American-born Hutensky created a production company with his wife called 'Made up Stories', which has received more than $5million in funding from Screen Australia.

Bruna is pictured speaking to Gemma O'Neil at the Her Best Life event, where Meghan Markle was also a guest

There are concerns relating to the fact taxpayer money is being given to someone who supposedly helped to silence alleged victims of sexual assault.

Inside Mail does not suggest Hutensky acted illegally, or that he knew the extent of the allegations against Weinstein, or that they were true.

Crisis management queen parts with The Cat

The saga of Antony 'The Cat' Catalano has hit another snag after it was revealed this week he'd parted ways with Melbourne PR crisis queen Lahra Carey.

Ms Carey, who's crisis-managed the lives of some of Australia's most troublesome men, was tapped on the shoulder by the media mogul in mid-March after he was arrested for allegedly assaulting his wife Stefanie.

The PR guru was on hand in the immediate aftermath, fielding enquiries from journalists for both Catalano and Stefanie, then just Catalano.

However the strange arrangement appears to have lasted mere weeks with the Sydney Morning Herald noting on Monday that the pair had 'parted ways late last month.'

By Inside Mail's calculations (and maths isn't this reporter's strong suit!), that's two weeks. Surely a record in Ms Carey's stable of motley clients!

PR crisis queen Lahra Carey has parted ways with embattled media mogul Anthony Catalano

Catalano is facing charges of assault, false imprisonment and threats to kill after allegedly dragging his wife Stefanie (pictured) through an apartment and swinging a clothes iron at her head, leaving her with a broken tailbone

After all, Ms Carey has seen it all...

She's helped Lark Distilling's former chief Geoff Bainbridge recover from being exposed lying about a video showing him smoking meth in his undies, guided burger chain Grill'd through food safety debacles, and co-founder Simon Crowe's notorious Native American headdress at a staff Christmas bash.

She's also currently got former Carlton president Luke Sayers on her books after his ex-wife sued him for defamation, after he allegedly tarnished her reputation while trying to explain his d**k pic scandal to the AFL's Integrity Unit.

When asked by Inside Mail if the rumours surrounding Catalano were true, Ms Carey diplomatically responded: 'Mr Catalano no longer requires representation.'

Handled like a true professional...

Caleb Bond's girlfriend faces gender care probe

It appears Sky News host Caleb Bond isn't the only one in his household who has a knack for making controversial comments after his partner, psychologist Clare Rowe, landed herself in hot water with the national medical regulator.

Ms Rowe, who touts herself as a leading psychologist, speaker and writer, said she is being investigated by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) over comments she made in relation to gender-affirming care.

Child psychologist Clare Rowe (pictured with her partner Sky News host Caleb Bond) has landed herself in hot water with the national medical regulator

The agency has the power to strip a practitioner of their registration.

'I am one of several clinicians now under investigation from AHPRA in response to my questioning of gender medicine with children,' Ms Rowe recently shared on her public Instagram account.

'We have been accused of conversation [sic] therapy, transphobia and discrimination.

'I await (after months) of the result of the investigation, knowing that they can threaten my livelihood if I don't remain quiet. This is despite overwhelming international rigorous evidence supporting my opinions.'

While it's not known what comments the agency is investigating, a quick peek at Ms Rowe's public commentary suggests they wouldn't have to look too far.

In an opinion piece for The Australian last year, Ms Rowe claimed puberty blockers 'trap children in a state of suspended development' after news emerged of a 12-year-old Queensland child who'd been prescribed puberty blockers without parental consent.

'It is a shame that the case... is what finally triggered an inquiry into such an ethically fraught treatment,' Ms Rowe wrote.

'While puberty blockers are often touted as a 'pause button' that allows children time to 'work through their issues' related to gender distress, the reality is far more complicated... they perpetuate and prolong their distress.'

Ms Rowe said she has been accused of being transphobic and discriminatory after questioning the use of gender medicine in children

Ms Rowe (pictured second from right) has appeared on Sky News alongside her partner

She also shared similar comments on 2GB a few months later, describing gender transitioning as having a 'contagion effect.'

'Gender dysphoria is the only condition whereby we are told to lean into the delusions and anxieties of a presentation and not challenge them. It is the only one that we are told to go along with,' Ms Rowe said.

'And if we don't, we're the ones harming the children.'

Ms Rowe, who has also appeared as a guest on Sky News alongside her beau, declined to comment to Inside Mail, citing legal advice.

APHRA directed Inside Mail's request for comment towards the NSW Health Care Complaints Commission who said they would not comment or confirm complaints about individual practitioners.

Ms Rowe's registration remains active on APHRA's registration board.

BRS byline baffles after bail

For all the time taken up by his bail hearing, Inside Mail was surprised to see Ben Roberts-Smith had found the time on Sunday to write up a searing 315-word, first-person piece for The Nightly... his byline emblazoned front and centre on the website.

The Nightly bylined Ben Roberts-Smith when they reported his first public address on Sunday

Roberts-Smith fronted several media organisations on Sunday with his partner Sarah Matulin

At that point, he'd only been out of jail for two days, having successfully applied for bail while prosecutors shore up their case against the former SAS soldier over alleged war crime-murders.

Yet, with a second of further scrutiny, it was clear The Nightly had just republished the brief statement he gave to reporters during a press conference that afternoon, slapping his byline at the top as if he was a regular contributor.

Talk about a cheap shot.

One Nation's $6M surprise

One Nation has long sold itself as a plain speaking insurgency against the stitched up political class dominated by elites. Yet this week it emerged that One Nation pocketed a cool $6million in public funding after the 2025 federal election.

Not bad, especially given that candidate expenditure declarations were dramatically lower, with dozens of candidates reporting no spending at all.

This week it emerged that One Nation (pictured is One Nation Senator Paulin Hanson) pocketed a cool $6million in public funding after the 2025 federal election

Former candidates have complained about a lack of reimbursements alongside opaque finances. In other words, the anti-establishment party appears to have built a tidy establishment racket of its own, all within the rules, we are assured.

Rage is One Nation's product, victimhood is its branding, and public money is the revenue stream.

Is One Nation just a mini-me version of what it denounces? Highly centralised, largely unaccountable and run on personal loyalty.

One Nation isn't proof that the politics of grievance works, it's proof it can be monetised in our taxpayer funded electoral system.

Politics in murky waters

There is a gloriously Queensland quality to the insistence that Olympic rowing should happen on Rockhampton's Fitzroy River and any doubters are merely elites lacking faith in the regions.

The objections are practical enough: distance from Brisbane, infrastructure questions, technical concerns (race waters are uneven depending where on the course you're placed), and yes, the small matter of crocodiles in the water!

But practicality is no match for the political romance of making a bad idea sound like decentralisation. Tim Mander (the former NRL referee turned politician) says there is no reason to consider alternatives. Watch out or he'll card you for talking back!

There is a gloriously Queensland quality to the insistence that Olympic rowing should happen on Rockhampton's Fitzroy River - despite the facts it's known to have crocs (pictured is a freshwater crocodile in the Fitzroy River)

Critics from the rowing world say there are several better locations and very good reasons to consider them. We support a rowing course that doesn't risk Olympians being eaten alive. But don't expect the Liberal National QLD government to change the venue thus hanging Rockhampton out to dry.

The politics is more risky than wading into those waters.

Governments no longer merely host sporting events, they weaponise venue selections as cultural signalling. Support this and you back the regions. Question it and you are an agitator, an elite, perhaps even an enemy of state pride. Never mind whether the event belongs there in the first place.

'Not on my watch!'

There was a brief moment of tension on level six of 52 Martin Place during a press conference held by NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey.

Mookhey was addressing a serious cyber security breach and had been taking questions on the issue in a measured and controlled manner when The Australian's Lachlan Leeming attempted to steer the discussion elsewhere.

'On a slightly different matter,' Leeming began, before being interrupted by 9News' Liz Daniels, who interjected with a firm 'nope,' cutting off the question midsentence.

Daniels, playing the role of defacto press secretary, believed the Treasurer had not finished addressing the cyber breach and that questions should remain focused on that issue.

Channel Nine's Liz Daniels cut off another reporter when he tried to steer a press conference in a different direction

The intervention appeared to catch other reporters off guard.

Australian Financial Review journalist Paul Karp was heard reacting with an audible 'What?'

After the press conference concluded, Karp told journalists in the elevator ride down to exit the building that it was not the media's role to control press conferences.

Daniels said there was no guarantee the Treasurer wouldn't return to the cyber security issue if questioning moved on to other matters, something she and him appeared to agree to disagree on.

Laura Jayes' expert advice

Sky News host Laura Jayes has waded into the gas tax wars, taking a sharp swipe at a Senate inquiry she says is being led astray by the wrong kind of 'expert'.

'I'm really worried about where our politicians are getting their facts and expert advice from,' Jayes said, stressing that gas taxation is a 'totally legitimate and very complex' issue that could shape future budgets for years to come.

Her concern turned into outright disbelief when the inquiry's first witness was revealed.

'Who was the first witness they called today? A guy by the name of Konrad Benjamin, also known as Punter Politics,' she said.

'He's not a tax expert, a trade expert, an energy expert, or even an economist. He's really just an expert in his own opinion.'

'I'm really worried about where our politicians are getting their facts and expert advice from,' Laura Jayes said

Konrad Benjamin, known online as Punter Politics, spoke at a Senate inquiry into gas. Jayes questioned why he was even there

Jayes warned the appearance was not just symbolic.

'This will go into a report tabled in Hansard and could shape the way senators vote,' she said.

While conceding Benjamin is 'a very good and entertaining communicator', she accused him of spreading 'videos laced with misinformation' and making 'cheap comparisons', before adding, 'He's a bit of a grifter too, if I'm honest.'

She even lobbed a fashion jab: 'If you're invited to Parliament House, put a shirt on.'

Benjamin was unimpressed, responding online with a clapback about the spelling of his handle and boasting.

'There's about a million of us now,' he wrote back.

Jayes later hit back at claims she was shilling for the gas industry, declaring, 'I am progas, and I am pro them paying more tax,' and insisting Australia should demand 'more investment and a better return', ideally all at once.

Inside Mail notes that alongside Benjamin, was The Australia Institute's co-Chief Executive Officer Richard Denniss, who has seemingly made it his mission to make the gas industry pay more tax.

Inside Mail is hoping that Denniss is more across his facts than the Australian Institute's Amy Remeikis, whose book, Where It All Went Wrong: The Case Against John Howard, was slammed for being riddled with errors, many as simple as getting the date of his election wrong.

Political gas leak

Australian politics never looks sillier than when everybody suddenly rediscovers an industry they were ignoring five minutes earlier. This week it was gas.

Former minister turned Labor backbencher, and now free to say what he wants, Ed Husic, floated the idea of a 25 per cent export tax on profits. Opposition leader Angus Taylor declared it would kill the sector, the Greens insisted the money is there for the taking, and everyone performed their assigned role with the solemnity of people reading from a script they pretend is spontaneous.

Meanwhile the PM batted away Husic's idea, perhaps wishing he'd stayed in Cabinet so he'd shut the hell up!

The funniest part of it all is the familiar moral certainty. On one side, gas companies are treated as a permanent ATM with flaring pipelines. On the other, any attempt to tax excess profits is presented as national self-harm. Why is Aussie politics always so binary?

The truth, as always, is that Canberra's energy debates are mostly theatre arranged around fear: of prices, scarcity, bad headlines, and the fear of being accused of showing weakness towards big business. Which is exactly what Husic was implying of Albo when he took aim.

The deeper question is why a resource rich country like ours is so good at turning abundance into panic. Australia doesn't just export gas, it exports serious debate while importing policy confusion.

New to DailyMail+? Here are our most-read stories from the past week

Punching walls. A bride accused of sleeping with a footy team... FORTY MAFS bombshells Nine cut from the show: ALI DAHER exposes all the unseen shockers from an 'out of control' season

Leaked: The property tax revolution plotted for Australia. Secret plan reveals Jim Chalmers' radical changes for capital gains taxes - including a twist no one expects

Tragic Annabelle Price's secret last love revealed by insiders - and why her funeral is on hold... Plus, dangerous witch hunt for 'rich lister' linked to bikies: THE GROUP CHAT

Insiders spill on Antony Catalano's France-Soir dinner with another woman before his alleged drug-fuelled assault on wife Stefanie 'while demanding to see her phone'

Mortifying new photos leak of 'middle-class' drug queen Tess Rowlatt after she vowed to get clean - as friends reveal exactly how she went from Monash party girl to ice dealer

The Aussie 'elites' clinging to Harry and Meghan are the most unbearable part of this tour. Their fawning fan club won't forgive me for this: AMANDA GOFF

Incestuous abuse, outrageous on-set behaviour and now accusations against Katy Perry: Inside story of how Ruby Rose went from Hollywood's hottest wildcard to spending years in the wilderness

'Dangerous'. 'Untested'. But when a mum-of-three with chronic back pain tried a controversial peptide, she noticed changes she could not explain... Now, doctors reveal the risk behind the hype

The cocaine mums' new habit has shocked even me. I thought I'd seen it all - but what happened at a posh children's party was so disturbing, I can't shake it: JANA HOCKING

Eye-watering debts of 'business savage' life coach Felicity Morgan's company laid bare in damning dossier - as we reveal her forgotten former life and her husband fires off from Bali
Meghan Markle's controversial advert selling her outfit with first responders to the Bondi terror attack around her has been quietly deleted.

The Duchess of Sussex was criticised after her $2,000 (1,478) 'look' when she met survivors of the massacre was posted on a website where she is paid a percentage from sales.

The Daily Mail revealed how shortly after she hugged witnesses to the tragedy, the clothes she wore to the Sydney beach where 15 people died were immediately posted on a fashion platform she has also invested in.

Prince Harry also featured on the OneOff page advertising his wife's outfit at Bondi on Friday, although he was largely covered by links to her $440 blue and white striped Matteau shirt, $139 white 'sailor jeans' and $298 Freda Salvador trainers.

Meghan's $198 Brochu Walker sunglasses and $950 brown suede bag from her Bondi engagement were also being advertised - taking the cost of the entire outfit to around $2,000.

But the original contentious OneOff page inviting fans of Meghan's fashion to buy her expensive Bondi ensemble has been quietly deleted.

It has been replaced with a picture of the duchess waving as she left her luxury Range Rover 4x4 earlier in the day, in the same outfit but not on the beach and without Harry in shot.

Meghan on Bondi Beach. Her outfit was immediately added to a website where she makes a percentage from sales. It has been quietly deleted

Meghan hugs Jessica Chapnil Khan, a survivor of the 2025 Bondi Beach terror attack

Meghan is expected to earn a portion of OneOff's sales commission, which ranges from 10 per cent to 25 per cent per item sold. She is also an investor in the AI-powered fashion business.

It came as a Bondi beach-goer was praised after footage of the Sussexes on the sand captured her refusing to move when her sunbathing session was interrupted by Harry and Meghan.

I know how the Queen REALLY felt about Meghan Hi! I'm Richard Eden, Diary Editor and author of the Palace Confidential newsletter. I have spent hours looking into what Meghan Markle's relationship with the Queen was really like. And while I can tell you Meghan was welcomed with open arms, my sources have told me the Queen was very quickly concerned. Sign up here to read what I discovered

And an exclusive poll for The Mail on Sunday revealed how an overwhelming four-to-one majority of Britons are opposed to the Sussexes using their titles for commercial gain.

The Duchess of Sussex had looked deeply moved as she listened to stories from those who witnessed the horrific antisemitic massacre in December that claimed 15 lives.

Meghan also embraced Jessica Chapnik Kahn, who survived while shielding her five-year-old daughter after attending a Hanukkah party. She and Harry also spoke to first responders to the Bondi terrorist attack, including lifeguards on the beach.

All Meghan outfits from the Australian tour continue to be uploaded almost immediately to OneOff, including the one she wore at Bondi on Friday morning.

She will take a percentage of any sales from the online fashion sales platform, described as the 'Spotify of fashion'.

Critics said that the decision to advertise the duchess's 'look' on a visit to meet terror attack survivors is 'the starkest example yet of Harry and Meghans efforts to commercialise their royal brand'.

Royal expert Richard Palmer said the sale of her Bondi outfit online reflected badly on the Sussexes.

He said: 'This is perhaps the starkest example yet of Harry and Meghans efforts to commercialise their royal brand.

'I think this will have alarm bells ringing at the palace and may ultimately prompt further discussion about whether there is a need to strip them of their royal titles, now the King has shown it can be done in effect with Andrew.

'The palace can say its nothing to do with the institution because Harry and Meghan arent publicly-funded members of it - but they are the Kings son and daughter-in-law and any suggestion of cashing in on royal status reflects badly on the monarchy'.

Join the discussion Where should the line be drawn?

The new advert shows Meghan without first responders - and without Harry

Billed as Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, her OneOff page features dozens of pictures of her, including in Australia this week, all with links to buy her outfits.

OneOff is an AI-powered fashion platform and app that allows users to shop curated, celebrity-inspired looks.

Stars who are verified, such as Meghan, can earn affiliate revenue every time a fan purchases an item.

The current revenue split on a sale is, apparently, 10 to 25 per cent from the retailer to OneOff, which is then shared with the creator.

It is not clear how much the duchess expects to make, but the firm said of its deal with Meghan: 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.

On a packed Bondi beach, Harry hugged a man wearing only beachball-patterned budgie smugglers before the couple met survivors of the terrorist attack late in 2025.

Some of the group they spoke to were among the first responders to the Bondi terrorist attack, in which 15 innocent lives were lost on December 14.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex looked deeply moved and chatted to Jessica Chapnik Kahn, who survived while shielding her five-year-old daughter after attending a Hanukkah party.

Ms Chapnik Kahn, who was embraced by Meghan, said it was an 'honour' to meet the couple during their visit to the Bondi Surf Bathers' Life Saving Club.

She said: 'The greater problem in the world right now is hate.

'Hate is a human problem that we're facing, a very big problem. So to highlight that, to be able to connect with them on this heart level, I think is very special.'

A Bondi sunbather appeared to be unaware that Harry and Meghan were just metres away

The couple speak with Elon Zizerb (right), a Bondi beach terror attack survivor

It follows reports that guests who paid thousands to attend Meghan Markle's Her Best Life retreat in Sydney over the weekend may have been treated to Champagne, selfies with the duchess and plush hotel rooms - but the budget gift bags they left with have raised a few eyebrows.

Far from a haul of ultra-premium beauty products, attendees were instead handed a mix of affordable wellness and supermarket-adjacent items that wouldn't look out of place in a weekly shop.

Included in a branded canvas bag was a small $21 can of Meghan's famous As Ever edible flowers, alongside a Tri-Peptide Lip Butter Glaze which sells at Coles for $18.

There was just one other item from her As Ever collection - a 'Hold That Thought' leather bookmark - which is sold online for $28.

There were also $21 Hunter lavender-scented candles, which sit firmly in the mid-range wellness category.

Meanwhile, a Love Tea gift box set, valued at $39, added a more premium feel.

A bag of Funday sweets, which retail for $4.50 and are available at most supermarkets and chemists, were also thrown in.
Strategic Entry into Western Europe Strengthens Key's Leading Middle Market M&A Franchise

CLEVELAND, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- KeyCorp (NYSE: KEY) today announced a definitive agreement to acquire Clearwater Corporate Finance LLP (Clearwater UK), a leading UK-based middle market investment banking advisory firm. The transaction will mark Key's strategic entry into the Western European market, expanding its ability to provide financial advisory services to institutional clients.

Clearwater Logo

The transaction builds on a collaboration agreement established in 2020 between KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc. and Clearwater. This multi-year partnership has validated the strategic and cultural compatibility between the organizations. The agreement covers the UK entity with the intent of strengthening collaboration across Clearwater's broader European network.

The combined platform will offer US-based private equity sponsors and corporate clients access to European acquisition targets and exit strategies, while providing European clients with access to the US M&A market.

"Years of collaboration with Clearwater has generated significant value for clients on both sides of the Atlantic," said Randy Paine, President of Key Institutional Bank. "This transaction is the natural next step in the relationship and directly supports our institutional banking growth strategy."

"This is a significant milestone for Clearwater UK's growth story," Mark Taylor, Chief Executive Officer at Clearwater UK said. "Having partnered with Key for many years, we are confident that both organizations know each other well and that our values and cultures closely align. Importantly, our service offering to clients and core market will remain unchanged, only enhanced."

The transaction is subject to required regulatory approvals, including approval by the UK Financial Conduct Authority, and customary closing conditions and is expected to close in the second half of 2026. KeyBanc Capital Markets is serving as exclusive financial advisor to KeyCorp and Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP is acting as transaction counsel. Clearwater UK is serving as exclusive financial advisor to Clearwater Corporate Finance LLP and Browne Jacobson is acting as transaction counsel.

About Clearwater UK

Clearwater UK focuses on providing corporate finance advice for mid-market transactions including M&A, private equity and debt advisory. Across its ten sectors covering automotive, business services, consumer, energy and utilities, financial services, food and beverage, healthcare, industrials and chemicals, real estate, and tech, as well as its debt advisory and private equity specialists, the team provides in-depth knowledge and industry experience to every project. The UK business has offices in Birmingham, London, Leeds and Manchester.

About KeyBanc Capital Markets

KeyBanc Capital Markets is a leading corporate and investment bank providing capital markets and advisory solutions to emerging growth and middle market companies, private equity firms and asset managers. Our deep industry expertise, broad capabilities and unique ideas and execution capabilities are seamlessly delivered to companies across the Consumer & Retail, Diversified Industries, Financial Services, Healthcare, Industrial, Oil & Gas, Real Estate, Utilities, Power & Renewables and Technology verticals. With more than 800 professionals across a national platform, KeyBanc Capital Markets has raised more than $125 billion of capital over the last twelve months for its clients and has an award-winning equity research team that provides coverage on over 500 publicly traded companies.

KeyBanc Capital Markets is a trade name under which the corporate and investment banking products and services of KeyCorp and its subsidiaries, KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc., Member FINRA/SIPC ("KBCM"), and KeyBank National Association ("KeyBank N.A."), are marketed. Securities products and services are offered by KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc. and its licensed securities representatives. Banking products and services are offered by KeyBank N.A. Securities products and services: Not FDIC Insured  No Bank Guarantee  May Lose Value

About KeyCorp

KeyCorp's roots trace back more than 200 years to Albany, New York. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Key is one of the nation's largest bank-based financial services companies, with assets of approximately $189 billion at March 31, 2026.

Key provides deposit, lending, cash management, and investment services to individuals and businesses in 15 states under the name KeyBank National Association through a network of approximately 950 branches and approximately 1,100 ATMs. Key also provides a broad range of sophisticated corporate and investment banking products, such as merger and acquisition advice, public and private debt and equity, syndications and derivatives to middle market companies in selected industries throughout the United States under the KeyBanc Capital Markets trade name. For more information, visit https://www.key.com/. KeyBank Member FDIC.

SOURCE KeyCorp
A mum who lost her tradesman son in a workplace accident has vowed to help the grieving family of the Sydney worker who died when he was crushed by a 300kg pane of glass.

The 49-year-old man was killed in a workplace accident at a residential property in Dural, in Sydney's north-west on Monday.

Emergency services rushed to the home on Valencia Street just after 11am that day, but the man could not be revived despite frantic efforts to save him.

NSW Police have now launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident and a report will be prepared for the coroner.

Patrizia Cassaniti, whose 18-year-old son Christopher died in 2019 on a construction site after the scaffolding beside him collapsed, said she was horrified to hear of the tragedy.

'It was horrible... I am a local as I live in Castle Hill. So everyone that saw the news sent it to me,' Ms Cassaniti told the Daily Mail.

Ms Cassaniti, who launched the Touched by Christopher Foundation in her son's honour, has now asked for the family and friends of the Dural man to get in contact with her, as she'd like to offer them financial support in the weeks and months ahead.

The foundation provides families who have lost a loved one in a workplace incident with three months' worth of groceries, $1,500 towards outstanding bills and $5,000 to help cover any mortgage or rent payments.

The 49-year-old man was crushed to death after being trapped beneath 300kg of glass near a house in Dural on Monday

Despite frantic efforts at the scene, the man could not be revived and was pronounced dead

Crews found the 49-year-old man, pinned beneath the heavy load and unable to free himself

'Touched by Christopher has been raising money for the last seven years to help families... because unfortunately there is no government scheme that helps families from a workplace death, other than the death benefit, which is not released for at least nine to 12 months,' Ms Cassaniti said.

'In that time we are the only help they have access to.

'The charity is run completely by volunteers and we have minimal cost to run the website which we try to have companies to sponsor us for.'

Ms Cassaniti said the foundation has been able to support 42 families across NSW so far after raising around $430,000.

She would love to be able to support the man's family to access that support too.

'No one should go to work and never come home,' she said.

'Every death is heart-wrenching as I know exactly what the families are going through... I relive my sons death every day but there is nothing I can do to change what happened; all I can do is to keep his legacy.

'He always helped others and if we can help families after such tragedies, we honour him.'

The mother of Christopher Cassaniti (pictured), who died in 2019 on a construction site, has vowed to help the man's grieving family

Christopher had just celebrated his 18th birthday when he was killed after scaffolding on a construction site he was working on collapsed

Patrizia Cassaniti, left, with her son Christopher

Ms Cassaniti has asked for anyone who knows the man's family to contact her at admin@touchedbychristopher.org.au

She has also asked for any businesses or individuals who'd like to support the cause to register for Australia's Biggest BBQ that runs throughout April.

The Daily Mail understands SafeWork NSW has been notified about the Dural incident.
Virginia voters punished President Donald Trump for meddling with Congressional maps on Tuesday by approving a redistricting effort that could rob Republicans of every US House seat in the commonwealth except one.

Voters approved a constitutional amendment on Tuesday that will bypass the state's bipartisan commission and redraw Virginia's congressional map to heavily favor the Democrats, handing them a 10-to-1 advantage in the former swing state.

The race was called by the Associated Press a little before 9pm.

The move, backed by national Democrats including former President Barack Obama, was made in response to Trump asking Texas Republicans last year to gerrymander their districts in an effort to keep the House of Representatives in GOP hands.

Midterm elections are generally unfavorable to the President's party - and Republicans already have a razor-thin majority in the House.

If the Democrats take back control, there's the likelihood of investigations and impeachment.

Trump's Texas demand set off an unusual mid-decade redistricting frenzy.

Fresh maps in Missouri, North Carolina, and Ohio are expected to help Republicans.

On Tuesday, Virginians headed to the polls to decide if they would allow the Democrats to redistrict their US House districts in order to offset Republican redistricting efforts in Texas and several other states

A person votes in a Virginia redistricting referendum on Tuesday that could help Democrats win the House of Representatives in November

California Governor Gavin Newsom, a likely 2028 White House contender, spearheaded Proposition 50, which was on the ballot in California in November and overwhelmingly passed.

Democrats believe they can pick up five seats from the redrawn California districts and one more seat due to a court-ordered redistricting in Utah.

In Virginia, Democrats currently occupy six of the commonwealth's 11 US House seats.

The new map could give Democrats 10 out of 11.

It does that by branching several more Congressional districts out of Washington, DC's liberal-leaning suburbs, diluting the state's rural, Republican vote.

Virginia Republicans have been up in arms about the effort.

And they've expressed disgust at the commonwealth's Democratic Governor Abigail Spanberger for campaigning as a moderate during her 2025 race but coming out in support of the proposed constitutional amendment.

Spanberger previously supported the 2020 effort to have Virginia's districts drawn by a bipartisan commission and has generally expressed opposition against gerrymandering.

A poster on the Virginia redistricting effort in which voters have to vote 'yes' for a proposed constitutional amendment that would take redistricting duties away from a bipartisan commission

'I Voted' stickers are captured at a polling place Tuesday in Alexandria, Virginia, a suburb of Washington, DC. The new Democratic-leaning districts cut into the liberal DC suburbs to dilute the rural, Republican Virginia vote

While Democratic figures like Obama and Spanberger have been engaged, Trump - who can travel to Virginia by motorcade from the White House in about 10 minutes - didn't rally around the issue.

Instead, he and House Speaker Mike Johnson participated in a 'tele-rally' on Monday, the night before the vote, out of view from the press.

The President also didn't wholeheartedly back Spanberger's opponent in the lead-up to the November off-year Virginia gubernatorial election, never endorsing GOP Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears.

On Monday, former Trump White House press secretary Sean Spicer, who lives in Northern Virginia, bemoaned the missed opportunity as he commented on the President's decision to hold a last-minute 'tele-rally.'

'A few million of early money to get the grassroots engaged would have saved 4 seats - which very well could be the difference between keeping and losing the House majority,' Spicer said.
The Government must end its 'sentimental' approach to the US special relationship and increase defence spending to keep Britain safe, a committee led by the author of the defence review has said.

Labour should set a 'clear and costed' path to spending 5 per cent of GDP on defence in order to end the 'dependency culture' on Donald Trump's United States, according to its new report.

The committee led by former Nato chief Lord Robertson also urges the Government to prioritise publishing its defence spending plan - which is now more than six months overdue.

Defence Secretary John Healey said last year that Labour would publish the ten-year Defence Investment Plan by last autumn, but this is now not expected until the summer.

The report comes after Labour peer Lord Robertson earlier this month accused his own Government of 'corrosive complacency' on defence spending in an unprecedented intervention.

The former defence secretary, who wrote the Government's strategic defence review last year, added that we 'cannot defend Britain with an ever-expanding welfare budget'.

Now a new report from a House of Lords committee that he chairs warns that the 'Government can no longer assume that the US will continue to guarantee European security'.

It calls for Britain to adopt a more 'sober' approach to the special relationship with the US - although adds that the relationship extends 'well beyond the statements of any individual President or Prime Minister'.

Keir Starmer and former Nato chief Lord Robertson pictured in 2024 at Downing Street

Taking aim: Then-Labour defence secretary George Robertson on a Challenger tank in 1999

Urging a 'rebalancing' of the UK-US relationship, the Lords International Relations and Defence Committee report says that the Government should 'diversify its partnerships to reduce exposure to abrupt shifts in US policy'.

Amid threats from President Trump to withdraw the US from NATO, it says that the UK should 'lead on a concentrated move towards greater European leadership in NATO'.

And following political appointments by the Trump administration to key US intelligence roles, it urges the Government to ensure British intelligence agencies 'mitigate against a scenario in which political directives render the US a less reliable partner'.

The report adds: 'Ultimately, a UK that is stronger, more strategically autonomous and resilient will be the surest foundation for a more balanced transatlantic partnership - one that consistently advances and protects the UK's national interest.'

In order to achieve this, Lord Robertson said the UK 'must move beyond the sentimental notion of a 'special relationship' over the next decade as the US is 'becoming more transactional'.

He said: 'What this means for the UK, is that it must reduce its over-reliance on the US and take the lead in cultivating other partnerships even while continuing to collaborate with the US where feasible and when interests align.

'Greater UK autonomy and resilience are essential if we are to protect our national interest in an increasingly volatile global environment where US support may not always be guaranteed.'

The report suggests that 'part of the answer to this challenge lies in the UK accelerating its defence spending' - particularly by meeting the commitment to spend 5 per cent of GDP on defence by 2035.

It concludes that in order to achieve this the Government 'must prioritise the publication and timely implementation of the Defence Investment Plan to deliver on the recommendations set out in the UK's Strategic Defence Review'.

The Mail is urging increased spending through its Don't Leave Britain Defenceless campaign.
The gut-wrenching truth behind the death of a 3-year-old boy who fell from a high-rise in Missouri has been revealed by officials.

The toddler  Tarvis Phenix III  died when his father Tarvis T. Phenix Jr. was taking care of him while his mother recovered from a leg amputation.

The 26-year-old father initially said he momentarily stepped out from his 11th-floor apartment at Parkview Apartments in St. Louis to smoke on April 9.

However, surveillance video captured Phenix that night around 11.50pm driving away from the building, according to a probable cause statement cited by the St. Louis Dispatch.

The boy, who went by T3, was seen on video roughly 45 minutes later on April 10, leaving the apartment and wandering around the 11th floor, read the statement.

T3 was then seen around 12.45am climbing a bench which was below a window ledge before falling to his death.

His father returned 10 minutes later and reported his son missing, said officials.

Terance Hardy, a relative of the boy, told KSDK, prior to the new allegations: He [Phenix] went down the hall searching, knocking on people's doors. He couldn't find him, and that's when they originally thought he was missing.'

Officers then arrived at the building in response to a missing child report, where they discovered the boy's body outside the building.

Travis Phenix III, who went by T3, died on April 10 after he fell out of a window from a high-rise apartment in St. Louis, Missouri

Officials alleged that Tarvis T. Phenix Jr., the 26-year-old father of boy drove off from the apartment before returning more than an hour later

The boy was initially believed to have fallen to his death around 2.30am while his father went outside to smoke a cigarette at the Parkview Apartment (pictured)

A complaint in the case alleged that Phenix knowingly acted in a manner that created a risk for the boy, which resulted in his death, according to the Dispatch.

Hardy noted in a GoFundMe fundraiser that T3's mother, Diamond Hamilton, was staying with his father's family as she was in rehab recovering from having her leg amputated. He noted that the leg was amputated as a result of gun violence.

'For the past 2-3 years, she has been in and out of rehabilitation,' Hardy, Hamilton's cousin, wrote.

'She is currently in rehab dealing with mental [and] emotional stress, and this has made her situation even worse!'

During her recovery, T3's father's family had stepped in to help look after him, Hardy explained.

He said she has two other children to take care of as well.

T3's mother, Diamond Hamilton (pictured), is currently in rehab after gun violence caused her leg to be amputated

The boy was allegedly seen on surveillance footage wandering the halls of the apartment before climbing out of a window

At the time of this report, more than $9,500 had been raised to help her during this difficult time.

The grieving mother has taken to Facebook to share her painful loss, writing: 'I prayed I prayed I prayed and asked god every night too [sic] protect my kids for me If I was away from y'all.'

Family members gathered for a balloon release outside the apartment building on April 12 in memory of T3.

A crowd gathered outside, holding blue balloons for him.

'Just a vibrant little thing. I just want people to remember most how intelligent he was for a 3-year-old,' Hardy said. 'Just a ball of life.'

Phenix is being held without bond in connection with the incident.
An Alaska mother-of-three has revealed the extent of her devastating injuries eight months after she was mauled by a bear just steps from her home while heading out for a morning run.

Ariean Fabrizio Colton, who had moved to Kenai only weeks earlier, says she remembers almost nothing from the moment the attack began  only that she started her run, and then everything went blank.

'I don't remember much,' Colton said. 'I know I started my watch to start the run. And after that, it's - I'm sure it happened right after I just hit start.'

Authorities said the attack happened between 5:00 and 5:30am on August 26, 2025, near her driveway in a residential neighborhood.

Alaska Wildlife Troopers later said a bear came from a nearby property, mauled her and dragged her roughly 100 yards down the road.

Colton, a wife and mother of three, survived - but with life-altering injuries.

Colton suffered trauma to her spine, hip and back, broken ribs, and extensive road rash from being dragged.

She also sustained a traumatic brain injury to the left side of her brain and a brain bleed on the right. The attack also left her vision permanently impaired in one eye.

Ariean Fabrizio Colton was attacked by a bear on August 26, 2025, near her home in Kenai, Alaska. The attack happened between around 5am as she stepped out for a morning run

Colton is a mother of three. She says her husband and children have been central to her recovery. She said the trauma of the attack affected her entire family, not just her

'I am blind, blindish in this eye,' Colton said, pointing to her left eye. 'So, the visual is impaired and I've had a lot of reconstruction on my [orbital bone] and just how, yeah, everything is placed. They've done pretty good,' she told Alaska's News Source.

After the attack, Colton was rushed to Providence Hospital in Anchorage, where she underwent emergency treatment.

She remained unconscious for five days, spent two weeks in the ICU, and ultimately stayed hospitalized for a full month.

'My injuries were serious, requiring emergent surgery and interventions,' she later wrote online, together with a GoFundMe to help raise funds to pay for treatment.

She has since undergone multiple surgeries, including procedures at the Mayo Clinic, and is preparing for yet another operation.

Much of the past year has been consumed by doctor visits, occupational therapy, and ongoing rehabilitation.

'The recovery was slow and frustrating as I relearned many of the basic functions I have always taken for granted and learned to live with new limitations,' she shared in an Instagram post.

Colton says the trauma rippled through her entire family with her husband and children forced to confront the aftermath of an attack that nearly took her life.

Colton was unconscious for five days after being med-evaced to Providence Hospital in Anchorage

Colton suffered injuries to her spine, hip and back during the mauling. She also sustained broken ribs and extensive road rash from being dragged Her vision was permanently impaired in her left eye following the attack

Since the attack, she has undergone multiple surgeries, including treatment at the Mayo Clinic

Colton is now documenting her recovery publicly and plans to continue sharing her progress through her platform 'Ariean's 101st Yard'

'That's one thing I didn't realize that when you go through a trauma, it's the people all around you go through it as well,' she said.

'We were working on our mental health and just being there for each other. And they're doing pretty well. Just walking outside, I think is hard for all of us, but we're working on just enjoying the outdoors and trying to make it through.'

'Kind of the motto in our family is the 101st yard,' Colton said. 'I was just able to get up and my family and my kids, my husband, they really pushed me through and I'm just, I'm just blessed to be here, and I just want to be here for them as well.'

That phrase is a reference to the chilling detail investigators shared: that she had been dragged roughly 100 yards.

The 101st yard became symbolic - the moment she survived.

Now, Colton is using that message to reach others and through her social media platform, 'Ariean's 101st Yard,' she is documenting the raw reality of recovery.

'You might have seen my story on the news. It became a national story because it was really random, it was the first attack on the Kenai Peninsula within city limits that anyone could remember,' she wrote. 'All I did was step outside my house to go for a run. After that, I don't remember much else.'

She credits her survival to the quick actions of others.

Colton is seen alongside her husband during one of the family's outdoor trips

Her recovery has involved ongoing occupational therapy and regular medical appointments

The family adopted the phrase 'the 101st yard' as a shared motto symbolizing her survival. Colton said her goal now is to be present for her children after surviving the attack

'I am so blessed that I have such a strong community around me. Thanks to the quick actions of my neighbor and first responders, I was able to get quickly med-evaced to Providence Hospital in Anchorage.'

And now, she says, she wants to show what comes next - the part few people ever see.

'People hear about bear attacks, but you rarely see what comes after. I want to change that.

'So many of us are going through really hard things, and it can be an incredibly lonely place,' she wrote. 'I've had so many people reach out asking how I'm doing and how recovery is going, so I decided to create one place to share that journey.'

'I didn't choose this, but I do get to choose what I do with it. And this account is my attempt to make something good out of what happened and to share what real recovery actually looks like.

'I just really want to encourage women ... and other people like scars and the way you look on your face is not really what, it's not the true beauty that we all have,' she said.

'Just being kind and reaching out to people and just connecting with people is something that I just want to accomplish and be able to just help people and talk to them and yeah, it's not about our looks, it's just about how we spread kindness and joy.'
A Canadian terrorist who burst into a military recruitment service and stabbed soldiers has been given permission to fly to Saudi Arabia and Somalia - even though officials say he 'continues to pose a significant threat to public safety.'

Ayanle Hassan Ali, 38, entered the Canadian Forces Recruiting Centre in Toronto in March 2016, and immediately attacked the corporal who was seated at the entrance, repeatedly punching him in the head and using a kitchen knife to slash and stab at the soldier. He then fought off other soldiers who tried to take him down.

'Allah told me to do this,' he reportedly told officers at the scene. 'Allah told me to come here and kill people.'

But in May 2018, Ali was found not criminally responsible on three counts of attempted murder, as well as two counts of assault causing bodily harm, two counts of assault with a weapon and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose due to his schizophrenia diagnosis.

Now, he is planning to go on a pilgrimage to Mecca with his father and meet a potential bride his dad found for him in Somalia on a three-week long trip, the National Post reports.

The Ontario Review Board heard earlier this month how Ali, who is Muslim, wants to travel abroad 'to facilitate a meeting with a woman as his father has been working on arranging a possible marriage with a woman who resides in Somalia.

'Mr. Ali has advised that this is not uncommon in his culture and the marriage would only proceed if both parties were agreeable,' the Review Board said in its April 15 decision allowing Ali to make the trip.

'He is hopeful he will be able to travel to Somalia over the upcoming reporting year for an introductory meeting with the woman.'

Ayanle Hassan Ali, 38, has been granted permission to embark on a three week long trip

He and his father are set to make a pilgrimage to Mecca (pictured) and then to Somalia, where his father is hoping to introduce him to a woman he wants his son to marry

Prior to making the decision allowing Ali to travel abroad, the Review Board heard from Ali's doctors.

They testified that his 'faith and religious beliefs continue to be very important to him, and he attends his mosque weekly and he prays five times a day.

'He and his father have planned for a religious ritual of Umrah pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia,' the doctors told the independent tribunal that reviews the status of individuals found not criminally responsible to crimes due to a mental disorder.

'Mr. Ali is studying to memorize the Quran and attends the mosque by his father's house daily to meet with his teacher,' they continued. 'He is hopeful that his tutor may assist him in securing a volunteer position at a local school to tutor in math or French.'

But the tribunal also heard about Ali's criminal past.

On March 14, 2016, Ali 'entered the Canadian Forces Recruiting Centre in Toronto and immediately attacked the corporal who was seated at the entrance,' the board wrote in its decision.

'Mr. Ali repeatedly punched the corporal in the head and took a large kitchen knife from a folder he was carrying and lunged at the corporal, slashing and stabbing him with the knife, causing a three-inch gash to the corporal's arm,' it said.

At that point, a petty officer picked up a chair to try to shield himself from Ali's attacks and force him away from the corporal.

Ali entered the Canadian Forces Recruiting Centre in Toronto in March 2016 and started stabbing some of the soldiers inside

Officers at the scene noticed that Ali's iPod was open to a file on the Quran Chapter Two and Ali was praying to Allah as officers tried to subdue him

But Ali just seemed to change his attention to a sergeant, whom he began chasing as he swung his knife at her, barely missing her neck.

He then 'encountered another sergeant who had slipped and fallen int he chaos.'

'Mr. Ali was observed to slash and stab the sergeant several times in the upper torso and head while he was on the ground (a witness stated that the tip of the knife was facing the ceiling at this time).'

Ali was 'ultimately cornered,' at which point staff members threw items at the terrorist and tackled him in attempts to disarm him even as he 'continued to come at staff with the knife.'

Eventually, numerous military personnel were able to pin Ali to the ground and get control of his knife.

Officers then noticed that Ali's iPod was open to a file on the Quran Chapter Two and 'Mr. Ali was heard muttering a prayer as attempts were made to subdue him.'

'Ali was then stripped of his clothing down to his underwear to ensure he had no secondary device on his person,' the tribunal's decision reads. 'None was found.'

'The whole attack lasted less than one minute,' the review board noted, adding that Ali 'was described as running around in a frantic manner.'

The terrorist was found not criminally responsible for the stabbing attack due to his schizophrenia diagnosis

As the investigation into the stabbing spree continued, Ali's family 'reported that he had been symptomatic for some time' prior to the stabbing attack.

'According to the hospital report, it appeared that as a teenager, he experienced obsessions and compulsions and had difficulty concentrating in school,' the tribunal's report says.

'He began to hear voices, had ideas of reference and was consistently concerned about the government watching him.

'He no longer spent time with friends, did not leave the house and spent long periods of time alone in his room staring at the wall. He threw out almost everything from his room including his mattress and spent hours copying books.'

Following the not criminally responsible ruling, Ali was detained at St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton from 2018 through 2023, where authorities said he was 'compliant with medications and was described as a "model patient."

'Some residual symptoms were noted, including delusional thought content where he felt he was being monitored by the government,' the ruling said. 'He was described as having fluctuating symptoms and partial insight.'

By March 2023, the Ontario Review Board ordered Ali to be transferred to Toronto's Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, and he was discharged to live with his father in the community in June of that year.

'At that time, he was treated with a long-acting injectable of antipsychotic medication,' the tribunal said.

He was detained at St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton from 2018 through 2023, where authorities said he was 'compliant with medications and was described as a "model patient"'

Two years later, in March 2025, Ali moved in with his mother who herself 'has a history of untreated schizophrenia.'

Still, psychiatrists testified that Ali 'had a positive year in the community.'

'He continued to reside at his mother's house with his sister and remained close with all of his family members,' they said.

But in February, Ali asked to change his prescription to daily medication for his schizophrenia, claiming that the injections were too painful.

He then advised his psychiatrist 'he was confident that he could be disciplined in his medication compliance, as he would coordinate his medication adherence with his ritual of rising for prayers daily.'

Since switching to the oral medication, the psychiatrist said Ali has been much happier.

'No changes in his mental state have been observed since his transition to oral medication, however, the doctor cautioned that these are early days,' the tribunal wrote in its decision.

At the same time, it noted that Ali continues to experience 'intermittent low-grade paranoid ideation and/or fleeting persecutory thoughts and concerns.

'The Hospital Report indicates, "These symptoms have appeared to decrease over the past reporting year, being shorter in duration and of less influence upon him.

'While these thoughts have been delusional in nature, he was able to reflect on them and manage his symptoms with insight,' the board noted.

In the end, a lawyer for the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health testified that 'Ali continued to pose a significant threat to the safety of the public and that the necessary and appropriate disposition was a continuation of the existing conditional discharge, save and except for the addition of a discretionary travel pass for up to three weeks on an itinerary approved by the [person in charge] to allow for travel to Saudi Arabia and onto Somalia, accompanied by an approved person.'

The Hospital Report also concluded that 'the final risk judgment is of a low risk of violence under the continuation of a conditional discharge.

'Risk would rise to moderate to high if he were granted an absolute discharge, given uncertainty with change to oral medication and the final steps to occupational and social reintegration hurdles which are of great importance to him,' the report says, according to the National Post.

'Although frequency of violent behavior is likely low, re-emergence of psychotic symptoms could result in an increasing risk of serious violence.'

Yet the government ultimately decided to let Ali take the three-week trip, writing that 'Ali recognizes that he has a major mental illness that requires treatment with medication and he understands the importance of compliance.

'He is able to assess and reality-test the mild breakthrough psychotic symptoms that he occasionally experiences,' the Review Board said, noting that he has also 'expressed remorse' for 'the harm he caused' to the soldiers he attacked at the recruiting center.

'His regret has reinforced his commitment to ongoing treatment and maintaining his well-being, as he is determined not to repeat such violent behaviors.'
A security guard suffered 'life-changing injuries' after being mown down by a Mercedes outside a London nightclub in a crash that left a BBL influencer fighting for her life, the Daily Mail can reveal.

Anoosh Chaichy was standing next to Klaudiaglam - whose real name is Klaudia Zakrzewska - and trying to move his e-scooter when he was hit by the high-power black vehicle and left lying on the pavement.

Miss Zakrzewska - who has a huge following on Instagram and TikTok - is in a critical condition in hospital following the horrific incident in the early hours of Sunday.

X Factor finalist and fellow influencer - Gabrielle Carrington, known as RIELLEUK - was arrested at the scene and appeared in court on Tuesday charged with attempted murder, grievous bodily harm with intent, actual bodily harm, dangerous driving and drink driving.

Fitness fanatic Mr Chaichy, 56, from Edgware, north London, posts regular photos of himself working out in the gym.

His Instagram account also has pictures of him working as a member of security for Martello Hall, a cocktail bar and banquet hall in Hackney, London, where he posed with drinkers last year.

Emergency services were called at around 4.30am Sunday following reports that 'a car had been involved in a collision with pedestrians' outside Inca nightclub in Soho, central London.

In a graphic video circulating online, Miss Zakrzewska is seen being knocked to the ground and becoming trapped underneath the vehicle as bystanders rush to help.

Security guard Anoosh Chaichy suffered 'life-changing injuries' after being mown down by a Mercedes outside a London nightclub

Fitness fanatic Mr Chaichy, 56, from Edgware, north London, posts regular photos of himself working out in the gym

Anoosh Chaichy was standing next to Klaudia Zakrzewska and trying to move his e-scooter when he was hit by the high-power black vehicle and left lying on the pavement

Meanwhile, Mr Chaichy, who appears to be attempting to unlock an e-scooter, was also caught up in the chaos and flung to the side.

He was later seen slumped against a wall, with a pool of blood by his feet as Miss Zakrzewska lies on the pavement nearby motionless.

The Polish-born social media star - who has 258,000 followers on Instagram - had attended Inca nightclub with friends on Saturday night.

She is believed to have been involved in a heated argument outside the club with Miss Carrington prior to the crash.

Moments before impact, a witness appears to realise what is about to happen, shouting in alarm: 'She is going to run her over.'

The Metropolitan Police said a man in his 50s sustained life-changing injuries in the incident and was taken to hospital. Another woman, Latisha Armstrong, aged in her 30s, was treated for minor injuries.

Detective Chief Inspector Alison Foxwell, of Specialist Crime South, said: 'As our enquiries continue, our thoughts are with those injured and their loved ones.

'While this incident took place in the early hours of the morning, venues in the area were still open, and we believe a number of people will have seen what happened.

'I would urge anyone who witnessed the collision, or any activity prior to it that they feel may be of relevance, to come forward.

Mr Chaichy shared a post of himself posing on a motorbike to his social media

His Instagram account also has pictures of him working as a member of security for Martello Hall, a cocktail bar and banquet hall in Hackney, London, where he posed with drinkers last year

'The information you have - however minor you believe it may be - could be of crucial importance to investigators.'

Carrington, 29, from Manchester, a former member of Miss Dynamix, who made it through to the live finals of The X Factor in 2013, was remanded in custody and will appear today at Westminster Magistrates' Court.

She is accused of the attempted murder of Miss Zakrzewska, GBH with intent in relation to the injuries of Mr Chaichy and ABH in relation to the injury to Miss Armstrong.
Left-wing students at UCLA are pushing back against the school's decision to host an Israeli hostage, calling his appearance a 'harmful representation of ongoing violence.'

Omer Shem Tov  who was taken hostage by Hamas during the October 7 attacks  has been invited to speak at the prestigious California campus.

Tov was among thousands attending the Nova Music Festival in 2023. He was taken hostage and spent 505 days held in tunnels under Gaza before his release.

But following the event, UCLA's undergraduate student government penned a pointed letter condemning the organizers for giving him a platform on school grounds.

Student members of the organization accused the university's sponsorship of Tov's event of 'reflecting a troubling disregard for Palestinian life.'

Specifically, they wrote that allowing the former Israeli hostage to speak was contributing to a campus climate 'in which Palestinian, Arab and Muslim students are further marginalized, silenced and harmed.'

The letter, written by the Undergraduate Students Association Council (USAC) and shared on X by IsraelWarRoom, was addressed to Hillel UCLA, the co-sponsor UCLA Y&S Nazarian Center for Israel Studies and other affiliated campus stakeholders.

'While we affirm the humanity of all people impacted by violence, we reject the selective platforming of narratives that obscure the broader reality of ongoing state violence,' the students wrote.

Students slammed UCLA's decision to host former Israeli hostage, 23-year-old Omer Shem Tov, to speak on campus for a co-sponsored event last week

Tov was invited to speak at a campus event called 505 Days in Captivity, which was described as his 'testimony of resilience' at the hands of Hamas

UCLA's undergraduate student government condemned the school's decision in a letter, accusing the event of 'reflecting a troubling disregard for Palestinian life' (pictured: student government president, Diego Bollo)

'Israel is currently continuing to carry out what has been widely identified by human rights advocates as a genocide in Gaza, while also expanding its illegal military campaign into Lebanon,' they added.

'In this context, elevating a single narrative, absent of critical political and humanitarian framing, serves to legitimize and normalize these ongoing atrocities.'

The student government called on the university to reconsider its involvement in sponsoring future programming that 'advances incomplete and harmful representations of ongoing violence.'

'Universities must not be complicit in the production or amplification of one-sided narratives that erase systems of oppression and occupation,' they wrote.

'USAC has, and continues to stand in unwavering solidarity with Palestinian students and all those impacted by state violence and displacement.'

Meanwhile, Rabbi Chaim Seidler-Feller, UCLA Hillels director emeritus, called the statement 'completely ridiculous,' according to Forward News.

'You cant present the narrative of your experience without it being called "one sided,"' Seidler-Feller told the outlet.

'There has to be a counter-story to persecution,' he added. 'Is there a counter-story to killing people?'

Tov attended the Music Festival in 2023 when Hamas launched its attack. He was taken hostage and spent over a year held in tunnels under Gaza before his release

Students called on UCLA to reconsider its involvement in sponsoring future programming that 'advances incomplete and harmful representations of ongoing violence'

Rabbi Chaim Seidler-Feller, UCLA Hillels director emeritus, called the letter 'completely ridiculous'

UCLA Hillel Executive Director Daniel Gold also weighed in on the USAC letter, calling it 'antisemitic.'

'Hillel at UCLA and Students Supporting Israel UCLA would like to apologize... for absolutely nothing,' Gold wrote in a statement, according to the outlet.

'Members of UCLA student government have once again shown they are anti-dialogue, anti-learning, anti-truth, anti-student and antisemitic,' he added.

In a statement to the Daily Mail, a UCLA spokesperson said that the event's message was 'one of resilience and respect for human rights and dignity - a message we support.'

'We stand by UCLA Hillel, UCLA Y&S Nazarian Center for Israel Studies and the UCLA Chapter of Students Supporting Israel's invitation to have this very important dialogue which occurred on Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day,' the statement said.

'We firmly stand against violence of any kind,' it added. 'Omer Shem Tov spoke with students and other members of the community with the Chancellor and Dr Felicia Knaul in attendance, and the event occurred without any disruption.'

'We will review the process by which this letter was issued. The condemnation of such a peaceful event to share a story of resilience in the face of extreme suffering is antithetical to the values of our Bruin community.'

In February 2025, Tov was seen kissing a Hamas fighter on the head as he and two other hostages were handed over during a highly emotional release ceremony, hours after two others had been transferred to Israeli officials.

UCLA Hillel Executive Director Daniel Gold said the letter showed that the student organization is 'anti-dialogue, anti-learning, anti-truth, anti-student and antisemitic'

In February 2025, Tov was seen kissing a Hamas fighter on the head as he and two other hostages were handed over during a highly emotional release ceremony

Tov has traveled internationally to speak at public events since his release, sometimes alongside political leaders

Cheers were heard in Tel Aviv's Hostages Square as thousands watched a livestream of the ceremony.

Tov's father, Malki Shem Tov, told Israeli broadcasters that the family's mission of getting him home was finally complete 'after 505 days of worry, fear and longing.'

His grandmother, Sara, told Channel 12 that it wasn't out of character to be so jovial: 'Thats Omer. He gets on with everyone. Even Hamas They love him even there.'

Since his release, Tov has traveled internationally to speak at public events, sharing his story of 'survival and resilience,' sometimes alongside political leaders.

Last month, he described his capture by Hamas and his time in captivity at an event hosted by Chabad at Stanfords LChayim Club, according to The Stanford Daily.

He opened and closed his speech with the very same line: 'I'm Omer Shem Tov and I'm a free man.'

'I wake up in the morning and Im so so grateful for life. You have no idea. You have no idea what its like to wake up and all of a sudden, its not complete darkness, all of a sudden, there is light,' Tov told the crowd.

In graphic detail, he recounted some of his most traumatic experiences, including starvation and physical and psychological abuse.

Tov has described his capture by Hamas, his time in captivity and his anticipated release at frequent public events

In April 2024, violent clashes broke out between pro- and anti-Israel protesters at UCLA in Los Angeles

There were scenes of mayhem with 'horrific acts of violence' as activists brawled openly on school grounds before police intervened

At the end of his talk, Tov also briefly mentioned recent violence in the Middle East, thanking both Israeli and American soldiers, according to the outlet.

'A big, big thank you to the IDF soldiers, and to the American soldiers who are now fighting together, and I wish them to succeed and luck,' he said.

College campuses across the nation became centers of pro-Palestinian activism following the October 7 attack, and UCLA - known for its active student body and large Jewish population - was no exception.

In April 2024, violent clashes broke out between pro- and anti-Israel protesters at UCLA in Los Angeles, just hours after police in New York cleared a Gaza encampment at Columbia University.

There were scenes of mayhem with 'horrific acts of violence' as activists brawled openly on school grounds deep into the night with fireworks hurled into crowds and objects thrown before police intervened.

Protesters and counter-protesters were seen clashing with sticks and tearing down metal barricades, TV footage showed.

Others were seen launching fireworks or hurling objects at each other in the dark, lit up with laser pointers and bright flashlights.

In May 2024, Republicans launched a probe into the federal response to 'pro-Hamas' college protests, alleging a failure to prevent threats and violence against Jewish students.

House Homeland Security Chairman Mark Green, R-Tenn., revealed an investigation into why federal authorities and the universities have failed to protect these students despite receiving over $8 million in 2023 in taxpayer-funded government grants to do so.
A Florida man who set his neighbor on fire after she found him burglarizing her home during her lunch break from work has been executed.

Chadwick Scott Willacy, 58, received a three-drug injection starting at 6pm at Florida State Prison near Starke for the 1990 killing of Marlys Sather.

He was pronounced dead at 6:15pm. Sather's only son, John, was present during Tuesday's execution and watched Wallacy draw his final breath.

Willacy's last words were apologies to his family and friends along with words of encouragement to his 'brothers on the row.' Willacy maintained his innocence and said he would never kill his friend.

'To the victim's family, I hope this brings you peace. If it does, that's good,' he said. 'But this is not right.'

Court records indicate Sather had returned to her Palm Bay home for her lunch break on September 5, 1990, and found Willacy burglarizing her home.

He struck her in the head with a blunt object, fracturing her skull, and then bound her hands and ankles with wire and tape, according to investigators.

Willacy attempted to strangle Sather with a telephone cord, and when that didnt work, he doused her in gasoline and set her on fire.

Chadwick Scott Willacy, 58, who in 1990 set his neighbor on fire after she found him burglarizing her home during her lunch break from work, has been executed in Florida

Marlys Sather was struck her in the head with a blunt object, fracturing her skull, and then had her hands and ankles bound with wire and tape before she was set on fire

An autopsy determined that Sather had died from smoke inhalation, indicating she was still alive when she was set ablaze.

Willacy also stole Sathers car and other items from her home, and used the womans ATM card to steal cash, officials said.

When Sather failed to return from her break, her employer caller her family. Her son-in-law went to check on her and found her body.

Willacy was sentenced to death a year later upon a 9-3 jury recommendation after being convicted of first-degree murder, burglary, robbery and arson.

Then in 1994, the Florida Supreme Court ordered a new sentencing because the trial judge failed to allow defense attorneys a chance to rehabilitate a potential juror who indicated she could not recommend the death penalty.

Willacy again drew the death penalty at resentencing in 1995 on the 11-1 recommendation of a new jury.

None of Sather's relatives spoke at a news briefing that followed the execution, but the family released a statement thanking DeSantis and others.

'We have waited 36.5 years for justice for our mom. Our mother, Marlys Mae Sather should be remembered as a beautiful and loving daughter, wife, mother of 3, grandmother of 5, great grandmother of 5, aunt, cousin and friend,' it said in part.

It noted the victim had lost her husband to cancer in July 1990, 'just weeks before she was murdered.'

'She was a new widow trying to take one day at a time,' it said. 'We miss her so much every day.'

Marlys Sather's son, seen left, was able to watch the execution of his mother's killer

The execution took place at Florida State Prison in Starke

This is Florida's fifth execution of 2026 following a record 19 executions in the state last year.

Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis oversaw more executions in a single year in 2025 than any other Florida governor since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976.

The previous record was set in 2014 with eight executions.

On Tuesday, Willacy awoke at 5 am and remained compliant as the execution hour approached, Department of Corrections spokesman Jordan Kirkland said at an afternoon news conference.

Willacy had a last meal including chicken, tater tots, ice cream and pie. He received visits from his mother, two sisters and a cousin. He did not meet with a spiritual adviser.

The US Supreme Court on Tuesday afternoon denied Willacy's final appeal without comment.

Last week the Florida Supreme Court also denied appeals filed by Willacy.

He had made claims based on the state's refusal to grant public records requests about executions and lethal injection.

A total of 47 people were executed in the US in 2025.

Florida led the way with a long line of death warrants signed by DeSantis. Alabama, South Carolina and Texas tied for second with five executions each.

Three were by firing squad and five by nitrogen hypoxia, which involves pumping nitrogen gas into a face mask, causing the prisoner to suffocate.

A total of 47 people were executed in the US in 2025. Florida led the way with a long line of death warrants signed by Governor Ron DeSantis

The use of nitrogen gas as a method of capital punishment has been denounced by United Nations experts as cruel and inhumane.

The death penalty has been abolished in 23 of the 50 US states, while three others - California, Oregon and Pennsylvania - have moratoriums in place.

President Donald Trump is a proponent of capital punishment and has called for an expansion of its use 'for the vilest crimes.'

Another execution is planned in Florida later this month.

James Ernest Hitchcock, 70, is scheduled to received a lethal injection on April 30.

He was convicted of beating and choking his 13-year-old niece to death.

All Florida executions are injection of a sedative, a paralytic and a drug that stops the heart, according to the Department of Corrections.
Ahead of Mark Butlers National Press Club address today, the expectation is that Labor will finally begin spelling out what getting the National Disability Insurance Scheme under control means in practice.

The broad direction appears clear enough based on authorised leaks: slow the schemes rate of growth, tighten scrutiny around its biggest and fastest-growing packages, push more people with lower levels of support or less permanent needs into systems outside of the NDIS, and make the states carry more of that burden.

In other words, this is shaping up not as a defence of the scheme in its current form by the minister who is one of Anthony Albaneses closest allies in the parliament, but as an overdue acknowledgement that the NDIS has drifted a long way from what voters thought they were signing up to.

The PM all but said as much in a recent media interview.

The political system has spent years talking about the NDIS as though its only appropriate setting was ongoing expansion.

Any attempt to draw firmer boundaries for financial reasons was treated as suspect, if not outright cruel.

But if Butler says what he is expected to say today, the government will effectively be admitting that the scheme cant go on absorbing every service gap, developmental issue, and support failure that other parts of government have neglected.

It will be a tacit recognition that sustainability is not some neoliberal talking point invented by critics, but the central policy question now hanging over the future of the NDIS.

NDIS Minister Mark Butler (left, pictured with Anthony Albanese), will unveil major changes to the NDIS today

The NDIS has become one of the Commonwealths biggest spending programs

And its about time.

The harder question, however, and the one Labor still seems reluctant to confront with complete honesty, is where those pushed out of the NDIS are meant to go.

Labor wants to restrain federal government spending while expecting states to build or rebuild the support systems that were allowed to weaken as the NDIS expanded. That may well be necessary, but its also politically convenient.

If all that changes is a new carve-up of spending between tiers of government, without reducing the overall outlay, thats little more than an accounting trick. It certainly isnt a shift that puts the scheme on a more sustainable fiscal footing.

Unless governments are prepared to say clearly who the NDIS is for, who it is not for, and what sits outside it, the country will remain stuck in the same cowardly debate: pretending everyone can be promised everything, while the bill keeps climbing.

The NDIS was sold to the public as a simple moral proposition: Australians with severe, permanent disability should not be left to chance, charity or the uneven mercy of underwhelming state systems.

That idea remains popular, but pretending the scheme still operates within anything like those original boundaries has been blown to pieces.

The NDIS has become one of the Commonwealths biggest spending programs, one of its fastest growing, and one of the clearest examples of what happens when political sentiment outruns administrative discipline.

An overhaul of the NDIS is long overdue, according to Daily Mail political editor, Peter Van Onselen (pictured)

Which is why the debate has to change. Not in a shrill way, where any attempt to tighten the scheme is denounced as cruelty, and any criticism of it is treated as an attack on disabled Australians.

The real problem is not the existence of the NDIS, its what it has become: too big, too vulnerable to gaming, and too politically protected for too long.

In the current financial year the NDIS has been projected to cost $52.3billion, making it the third largest program expense in the Commonwealth budget. It is larger than aged care or the Commonwealths medical benefits bill, and its on track to reach $63.6billion by 2028/29 unless major changes come into effect.

Such out-of-control costs are extraordinary for what began as a specialised disability scheme. There is a big I told you so here.

Myself and many others quickly raised concerns that such a scheme might not be sufficiently narrowed or capped, making it costly and unsustainable into the future.

This was entirely foreseeable, yet both sides of politics let the NDIS continue to spiral. Back in 2012 I wrote: the idea, while a good one, risks becoming a failure.

The scheme was initially predicted to cost $8b a year. Think about that in the context of the fiscal sinkhole it has become. Also remind yourself as the budget gets closer just how inaccurate costings predictions often are.

The other number worth staring at is interest on government debt right now. Budget papers show interest expenses continuing to rise across the forward estimates, with the debt management program (code for the cost of the interest bills) climbing from $28.4b this financial year to $41.7b in 2028/29.

In the current financial year the NDIS has been projected to cost $52.3billion, making it the third largest program expense in the Commonwealth budget

Two of the biggest fiscal pressures helping to squeeze future governments are now staring each other in the face: a vast disability program growing at a rate of knots, and the mounting cost of servicing the debt accumulated in an era of structurally high spending.

The irony is brutal: Governments spend freely, fail to control the spending they create, then act surprised when debt interest payments start elbowing their way into the same fiscal territory.

The NDIS now services hundreds of thousands of people, far beyond what many voters likely imagined when the public case for it rested heavily on helping those with profound and permanent disabilities. The official figure was 739,000 participants at 30 June last year.

The original public compact was broad because the premise felt well bounded. Most people thought of the NDIS as a guarantee for those with the most serious and enduring needs.

What the scheme increasingly became instead was the default answer to a much larger range of disability-related problems, developmental issues, family support failures and service gaps that should never all have been funnelled into one national, individualised funding model.

The 2023 review into the NDIS effectively said as much, arguing that the scheme should sit inside a broader disability support system rather than act as the catch-all for every need the rest of government has failed to meet.

Mark Butlers National Press Club speech suggests that three years later Labor may finally be taking appropriate action to curtail the length and breadth of the NDIS.

However, pulling it back doesnt mean abandoning everyone else.

Thats the trap in this debate. There are many Australians with disabilities or developmental challenges who need support of some kind.

The NDIS should be reset closer to what most Australians thought they were backing in the first place: a robust national guarantee for people with severe, permanent disabilities

But they dont need, and were never meant to receive, a large lifetime individual package from the Commonwealth.

The answer is to rebuild the non-NDIS support architecture that state governments let wither while the Commonwealth scheme became the path of least resistance.

But we do also need a national conversation about what the role of government is, how far that role should pervade into peoples lives, and at what cost to taxpayers.

Im just not sure if politicians, the media, and frankly the broader public are capable of such a serious debate, without it degenerating.

Then there is the criminal side of the NDIS story, which can no longer be dismissed as anecdotal or exaggerated.

Official agencies now openly acknowledge that serious organised crime has infiltrated the disability system.

The Fraud Fusion Taskforce exists specifically to target fraud and organised criminal exploitation in the scheme, and it now involves no less than 23 agencies. That of itself is a serious impost on the budget.

However its important, because we arent just talking about minor over-billing or a few dodgy invoices. Where there is a huge river of public money, weak controls and fragmented oversight, organised criminals turs up with a bucket.

In late 2025 the National Disability Insurance Agency (which runs the NDIS) announced action against criminal gangs allegedly involved in claims worth up to $50m.

In January this year a Sydney man was charged over an alleged $3.5m NDIS fraud, with authorities explicitly warning about organised crime syndicates targeting the scheme.

These arent opposition talking points or media beat-ups. They tell us something damning about how porous the scheme has become.

Fraud, however, certainly isnt the driver of the schemes blowouts. Even if every criminal involvement was removed immediately, the NDIS would still face a structural sustainability problem.

Annual growth remains well above the target Labor says they need to hit.

A rights based entitlement with fuzzy boundaries will always keep expanding, because every pressure in the system pushes towards more participants, more services, more claims, more categories of support, and more moral blackmail against restraint.

Governments built a scheme in which saying no is politically toxic, and election scare campaigns have been built around precisely that premise.

For too long, the NDIS has been wrapped in sanctimony, such that serious reform became almost impossible. Does anyone seriously think a Coalition government could have made cuts to the system without a Labor opposition suggesting they are heartless conservatives?

The schemes defenders often talk as though any tightening of eligibility or support categories is somehow a betrayal of disabled people.

In reality, the opposite is closer to the truth. If the scheme is not brought back under control, public confidence in it will erode even further.

And once the public starts to see the NDIS less as a solemn social guarantee and more as a bloated, rorted spending machine, the people who will ultimately suffer are the ones who genuinely depend on it.

So yes, the NDIS should be reset closer to what most Australians thought they were backing in the first place: a robust national guarantee for people with severe, permanent disability, not an endlessly elastic program expected to absorb every service failure around it.

That means tighter eligibility, clearer boundaries, stronger policing of misuse, less tolerance for provider rorts, and the construction of genuine support systems outside of the scheme itself, for those who still need help but dont belong in its most expensive tier.

The choice now isnt between compassion and austerity. Policy decisions are rarely so binary. Its about making the NDIS sustainably affordable, so that it survives as a quality piece of social policy the country can be proud of.
China's top legislator meets European Parliament vice president

Xinhua) 13:03, April 22, 2026

Zhao Leji, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), meets with Vice President of the European Parliament Younous Omarjee in Beijing, capital of China, April 21, 2026. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing)

BEIJING, April 21 (Xinhua) -- Zhao Leji, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), met with Vice President of the European Parliament Younous Omarjee in Beijing on Tuesday.

Zhao said China stands ready to work with the EU to deliver on the important consensus reached by the leaders of both sides, so as to advance the steady and long-term development of China-EU relations.

Noting that the exchange mechanism between the NPC and the European Parliament has been instrumental in deepening mutual understanding and advancing practical cooperation, Zhao expressed hope that the two sides will expand exchanges and cooperation.

Omarjee said the legislative bodies of the EU and China have resumed regular exchanges and made positive progress, which underscores the political will of both sides to move forward EU-China relations.

The European Parliament adheres to the one-China policy and is ready to step up dialogue and exchanges with the NPC in a spirit of candor and mutual respect, Omarjee added.

Zhao Leji, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), meets with Vice President of the European Parliament Younous Omarjee in Beijing, capital of China, April 21, 2026. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
A townhouse-inspired retreat introduces residential design, gathering spaces, and a new neighborhood cafe in Midtown Manhattan

NEW YORK, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Kimpton Ashbel New York-Park Avenue, a boutique luxury hotel in Midtown Manhattan and part of the IHG luxury and lifestyle portfolio, is now open at 70 Park Avenue, welcoming guests to a reimagined Beaux-Arts landmark along one of Manhattan's most storied avenues. Just steps from Grand Central Terminal and Bryant Park, the hotel brings new life to the historic building originally constructed in 1928 as the Doral Park Avenue Hotel, introducing a residential approach to hospitality inspired by the character and charm of a classic Manhattan townhouse.

The newly opened Park Avenue hotel features 205 guestrooms, including 14 family-friendly connecting rooms, each designed with tailored interiors, soft palettes, and generous proportions that create a calm and comfortable place to unwind after a day in the heart of New York City.

Kimpton Ashbel New York-Park Avenue, a boutique luxury hotel in Midtown Manhattan, is now open at 70 Park Avenue Post this

Sofia L. Vandaele, Regional Director of Operations for IHG Luxury & Lifestyle in New York, said: "Kimpton Ashbel is the kind of hotel that feels like a secret key, a personal enclave for those who know where to look. Our intention is for guests to feel as though they are stepping into the home of a stylish New Yorker. An elegant Manhattan socialite and a warm and inviting host."

Designed to feel more like a private home than a traditional hotel, the experience replaces a conventional lobby with interconnected residentialstyle spaces, including a foyer, living room, and family room framed by preserved architectural details that encourage guests to linger, gather, or work throughout the day. Oversized wood portals frame original architectural columns and windows, linking each space while preserving the building's historic character.

Sofia adds: "Kimpton Ashbel is a haven for travelers who view luxury not by extravagance, but by the comfort of belonging, the beauty of serenity and the rare feeling of knowing the city before smartphones. Our location is special, for the city, our guests, and Kimpton. It was here that Kimpton was first introduced in New York City. Today, still surrounded by storied museums, libraries and homes, we return to offer a timeless hideaway for work, wandering, connection and all the moments in between. This is a place where guests can unwind with a laptop and coffee, gather with friends, or retreat to their room to relax and recharge."

STAYS WITH SOUL

Every Kimpton has a soulful essence, from its history, creators, locale, community, and people, and Kimpton Ashbel New York-Park Avenue is no exception. Since 1928, 70 Park Avenue has offered a unique perspective on New York City, anchoring the hotel within one of Midtown Manhattan's most storied corridors. Originally built during the Beaux-Arts architectural movement, the hotel showcases a commitment to proportion, grace, craftsmanship, and enduring elegance, evident in its limestone facade and soft, natural light throughout the interiors.

As fate would have it, 70 Park Avenue has returned to Kimpton, now transformed with a revived outlook to ignite the human spirit and enchant guests out of the everyday, all with a quintessentially Kimpton wink of curiosity around every corner. Warm woods, soft palettes and curated gold accents are layered with playful flushes of color and eclectic artwork through design concepts led by Busta Studio. Furnishings are custom designed for the hotel, combining refined metal accents with organic textures to give each space a distinct sense of character.

Kimpton Ashbel's beautifully restored original limestone-clad facade anchors the hotel in its architectural past, while the interiors introduce a more intimate and residential flow. Upon entering, the ground floor unfolds a series of residential spaces; a foyer, living room, and family room, seamlessly linked by oversized wood portals that incorporate preserved architectural columns, original steps, and historic windows  creating a natural transition between past and present.

At the heart of the hotel, Kimpton Ashbel's living room serves as a welcoming gathering space, a floating open-space banquette, and a library. Just beyond, Park & Bel, the hotel's cafe concept, brings the energy of Park Avenue into the space, offering a natural extension of the living room where guests can gather, work remotely, or recharge throughout the day. A curated art program from Soho Art Gallery brings personality, featuring commissioned original mixed-media art pieces, while a collection of Assouline and Taschen books enriches the space, reinforcing the hotel's sense of refined residential living.

LOCAL HOT SPOTS

True to the Kimpton brand, restaurants and bars are designed to stand alone as destinations in their own right, loved locally by the community and hotel residents alike. At Kimpton Ashbel, Park & Bel serves as both a neighborhood cafe and a social gathering place, positioned to become a goto spot along Park Avenue where guests can purchase expertly brewed coffee, reconnect with friends, or recharge in a cozy, thoughtfully appointed setting.

The menu transitions from artisanal baked goods, seasonal fruit, and hearty sandwiches in the morning to a selection of small plates designed for evening enjoyment, offering a relaxed and social complement to the space during later hours. Additionally, Kimpton Ashbel also offers guests a curated bar cart featuring a la carte premium cocktails, craft beer, and fine wine, adding a sense of occasion to every stay.

A COMMUNITY OF CONNECTION

At Kimpton Ashbel New York-Park Avenue, meaningful connection begins with comfort and ease. Every space within the Midtown Manhattan hotel is intentionally designed to invite conversation, curiosity, and serendipity, from chance meetings over morning coffee to travelers exchanging recommendations in the living room.

Mornings are energized by the signature Kimpton Kickstart program, featuring coffee and tea that set a positive tone for the day, while Park & Bel is available with a full cafe menu. In the evenings, Kimpton Social, the hotel's nightly hosted social hour, brings guests together over beer and wine in a relaxed and inviting atmosphere. Both the Kickstart program and Social Hour are complimentary for hotel guests.

Kimpton Ashbel joins Kimpton's growing portfolio of properties and destinations. Among the newest hotels to the portfolio include Kimpton Mirador Pacific Grove Monterey and Kimpton Miralina Resort & Villas. For more information or to book a stay at a Kimpton hotel, visit www.kimptonhotels.com or https://www.ihg.com/onerewards/content/us/en/tier-benefits.

NOTES TO EDITORS

IMAGERY

Imagery is available to download from the media gallery here.

About Kimpton Ashbel New York-Park Avenue :

Kimpton Ashbel New York-Park Avenue recently debuted in Midtown Manhattan as one of the city's newest Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants properties. Steps from Grand Central Station and surrounded by tree-lined streets, Gilded Age mansions, and classic architecture, the reimagined 1928 Beaux-Arts landmark features 205 stylish guestrooms and suites, many with sweeping views of Park Avenue and the Empire State Building.

Inspired by New York City's iconic townhouses, the interiors balance elegance and modern sophistication with organic textures, light wood tones, and curated gold accents, creating a serene retreat in the heart of the city. At the center of the hotel, guests and locals can gather in the welcoming living room, anchored by Park & Bel, an innovative cafe concept, designed as a neighborhood favorite and must-visit for hotel guests, complemented by a thoughtfully curated bar cart experience.

Kimpton Ashbel New York-Park Avenue embodies the brand's legacy of thoughtful hospitality, design-forward spaces, and a true sense of place in Midtown Manhattan. For more information, visit www.ashbelhotelnewyork.com.

About Kimpton

Kimpton, part of IHG Hotels & Resorts' luxury and lifestyle portfolio, pioneered the concept of hotels combining sophisticated, playful design with a more human guest experience in the U.S. Founded in 1981, the San Francisco-born luxury lifestyle brand now operates 83 properties and over 100 restaurants, bars and lounges across urban locations, resort destinations and up-and-coming markets globally. From inspiring design and expansive experiences to forward-thinking flavors that feed the soul, Kimpton spaces act as vibrant hubs for sparking authentic human connections. Every detail is thoughtfully curated and artfully delivered so that guest experiences remain meaningful, unscripted and inspired.

For more information, visit KimptonHotels.com.

About IHG Hotels & Resorts

IHG Hotels & Resorts (tickers: LON:IHG for Ordinary Shares; NYSE:IHG for ADRs) is a global hospitality company, with a purpose to provide True Hospitality for Good.

With a family of 20 hotel brands and IHG One Rewards, one of the world's largest hotel loyalty programs with over 145 million members, IHG has more than one million rooms and 6,800 open hotels in over 100 countries, and a development pipeline of over 2,300 properties.

InterContinental Hotels Group PLC is the Group's holding company and is incorporated and registered in England and Wales. Approximately 385,000 people work across IHG's hotels and corporate offices globally.

Visit us online for more about our hotels and reservations and IHG One Rewards. To download the IHG One Rewards app, visit the Apple App or Google Play stores.

For our latest news, visit our Newsroom and follow us on LinkedIn.

SOURCE Kimpton Ashbel New York - Park Avenue
Cracks are appearing in Keir Starmer's Cabinet as he comes under mounting pressure over the Peter Mandelson affair.

In an extraordinary parliamentary hearing on Tuesday, a mandarin sacked by the Prime Minister revealed the 'atmosphere of pressure' created by No10 to approve the New Labour grandee as ambassador to the US, as well as its 'dismissive approach' to security vetting.

And the scandal took another turn when Sir Olly Robbins revealed that Downing Street had secretly tried to give another plum diplomatic job to Sir Keir's spin doctor.

In a stinging criticism of the PM's judgment, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband publicly admitted he had been against giving Mandelson the prestigious Washington DC posting, well before it was known he had failed his security clearance test.

Asked what he had thought about the appointment at the time, Mr Miliband told Sky News: 'That it could blow up, that it could go wrong. I had a conversation with David Lammy about it before the appointment, and I said I was worried about it. I think he was worried about it too.'

The Energy Secretary also admitted he had 'steered well clear' of Mandelson during his own time as Labour leader.

In another blow to the PM, Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper told the Commons she was 'extremely concerned' about the revelation that the No10 private office had tried to give Sir Keir's then-director of communications Matthew Doyle an ambassadorial role - and keep it secret from the minister in charge of the department.

Ms Cooper said: 'I am, of course, extremely concerned at any suggestion that the permanent secretary or permanent under-secretary of the Foreign Office would be told not to inform the Foreign Secretary. I can also confirm that the case that he raised... it would not have been an appropriate appointment.'

It was reported on Tuesday that those in Government are privately discussing the situation and are 'looking for Cabinet ministers to take the lead' on showing Sir Keir the door. A source told the Politico news site: 'Cabinet ministers will be judged in the future by their words and actions now.'

The Prime Minister at the British Museum on Tuesday. Cracks are appearing in Keir Starmer's Cabinet as he comes under mounting pressure over the Peter Mandelson affair

Sir Olly Robbins appear before the Foreign Affairs Committee at the Houses of Parliament. In an extraordinary parliamentary hearing on Tuesday,Sir Olly revealed the 'atmosphere of pressure' created by No10 to Mandelson

A senior Labour MP told HuffPost UK that Sir Olly's evidence had been 'utterly devastating', predicting that support will now move to Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham.

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch told a Commons debate on Tuesday: 'The Prime Minister personally decided to appoint a serious known national security risk to our most sensitive diplomatic post.

'Peter Mandelson was not just a man who had already been sacked twice from government for lying, not just a man who had a public relationship with a convicted paedophile.

'But a man with links to the Kremlin and China. Links so close that they were raised as red flags with the Prime Minister before his appointment.

'This Prime Minister has put the country's national security at risk, and he must take responsibility. It is time for him to go.' Mrs Badenoch added: 'I cannot fathom how the Prime Minister can still claim to have not misled the House on this point.'

Nigel Farage said Sir Keir had been 'fatally weakened' by the latest revelations and predicted he will be ousted after 'devastating' local election results next month.

The Reform UK leader told the Daily Mail he did not believe the PM's account - and said none of it explained his decision to appoint Mandelson in the face of warnings about his character.

'He is fatally weakened... it's only a matter of time,' Mr Farage said.

In another blow to the PM, Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper (pictured in Japan yesterday) told the Commons she was 'extremely concerned' about the revelation that the No10 private office

In a stinging criticism of the PM's judgment, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband (pictured) publicly admitted he had been against giving Mandelson the prestigious Washington DC posting

Five days after his sacking for failing to disclose that Mandelson failed security checks, Sir Olly appeared before the foreign affairs committee at a hastily arranged session on Tuesday.

He told MPs that there was a 'very, very strong expectation' from No10 that Mandelson 'needed to be in post and in America as quickly as humanly possible'.

And he talked of 'an atmosphere of constant chasing,' with Downing Street asking 'has this been delivered yet?' and a 'pretty unmistakable feeling' of 'get it done'.

Labour grandee Dame Emily Thornberry, chairman of the committee, said she thought Sir Olly had been 'bullied' by No10 into approving Mandelson.

She told the News Agents podcast she thought Sir Keir 'should stay on as Prime Minister', but admitted: 'I think this is trouble. This is very destabilising. It's very worrying that this has happened.'

She was among many Labour MPs who blamed Sir Keir's former right-hand man Morgan McSweeney for pushing Mandelson's appointment and the proposed diplomatic job for Lord Doyle.

It was claimed the then-Downing Street chief of staff told Sir Olly's predecessor at the Foreign Office - referring to Mandelson's appointment - 'Just f***ing approve it.'

Mr Miliband said Sir Keir should not lose his job, saying: 'I think prime ministers make errors. Prime ministers are fallible. Prime ministers are human.'

Labour grandee Dame Emily Thornberry, chairman of the committee, said she thought Sir Olly had been 'bullied' by No10 into approving Mandelson

Peter Mandelson on a dog walk on Tuesday. Mandelson was sacked as US ambassador in September 2025 following new revelations about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein

In an emergency Commons debate called by the Tories, Labour backbenchers spoke out against what they said was a toxic culture in Downing Street - but blamed it on Mr McSweeney and his think-tank Labour Together, as well as Mandelson.

Imran Hussain said: 'There needs to be a full, transparent and independent inquiry on this whole situation that uncovers the truth and leads to consequences, including for the Prime Minister.'

Responding for the Government, the PM's Chief Secretary, Darren Jones, said Sir Keir 'knows that he should not have made the appointment' of Mandelson.

'He regrets the decision, and he apologises for it,' he added, and insisted the PM had not misled the Commons.
Keir Starmer's dramatic decision to sack the mandarin who approved Peter Mandelson's vetting backfired yesterday when Sir Olly Robbins told his side of the story for the first time.

In two-and-a-half hours of testimony to the foreign affairs committee, Sir Olly made it clear that No 10 was determined to get its controversial choice of US ambassador in place, whatever the risks.

He told of the pressure placed on the Foreign Office to get the vetting checks done quickly so Mandelson could be sent to Washington DC in time for Donald Trump's return to the White House.

And he told MPs on the committee that it would have been a huge problem if he had rejected the appointment.

Sir Olly also made another hugely damaging revelation: That No 10 had privately lobbied for Sir Keir's own spin doctor Matthew Doyle, later disgraced over his links to a paedophile, to be made an ambassador.

Sir Olly, a 51-year-old career civil servant, told of his sadness that he had lost his job as permanent under-secretary to the Foreign Office, and hinted that it may end up in court as he declined to reveal the exact details of his sacking by the PM.

Former Foreign Office boss appeared before a parliamentary select committee yesterday

The mandarin's claims included:

Pressure to get Mandelson over to Washington DC

Sir Olly took up his role in the Foreign Office on January 8, 2025, a month after Mandelson's appointment had been announced by Sir Keir.

He told MPs: 'I'm afraid I walked into a situation in which there was already a very, very strong expectation ... that he needed to be in post and in America as quickly as humanly possible.'

No 10 had told Sir Olly's predecessor they wanted it done 'at pace' before President Trump's inauguration on January 20.

By the time Sir Olly was in place, Mandelson's appointment had already been signed off by the King and the White House.

Throughout January, there was 'an atmosphere of constant chasing' with Downing Street asking 'has this been delivered yet', he told MPs.

He said there was a 'pretty unmistakable feeling' of not 'just please get this done quickly', but 'get it done'.

Sir Olly said he did not know if the PM's then chief of staff Morgan McSweeney, a protege of Lord Mandelson, had been behind the pressure.

He was asked if it was true that Mr McSweeney had phoned the previous Foreign Office chief Sir Philip Barton and told him: 'Just f***ing approve it.'

Sir Olly agreed the handover gave him the impression of an atmosphere of pressure but admitted: 'I don't remember Philip using those words.'

Peter Mandelson, pictured with US President Donald Trump, was appointed Britain's ambassador to Washington despite security concerns

Downing Street's 'dismissive approach'

Even before he began speaking, Sir Olly had given the committee a dynamite letter showing just how invested No 10 was in Mandelson getting the country's most prestigious diplomatic posting.

He pointed out that the Government not only ignored the recommendation 'that security clearance be obtained before announcing a political appointee', but that the Cabinet Office even 'raised whether developed vetting (DV) was actually necessary' because Lord Mandelson was already a peer and a Privy Counsellor. Sir Olly later said the vetting process only went ahead because the Foreign Office 'put its foot down'.

He said the 'dismissive approach' was illustrated by the fact that the appointment had been announced long before vetting began  and Mandelson was already 'being granted access to highly classified briefing' before the checks ended.

Sir Keir Starmer in the House of Commons yesterday after his statement on Mandelson's security vetting

Mandelson concerns were 'manageable'

Central to the scandal was the decision by Sir Olly to grant Mandelson developed vetting clearance despite concerns being raised by UK Security Vetting (UKSV) officials.

He disputed the claim by No 10, which contributed to his sacking, that the experts had refused to sign off on Mandelson and he had overruled them.

The mandarin said he had never even seen a form on which the UKSV can flag 'high concern' in a red box and recommend 'clearance denied'.

Instead, he said he had a meeting with the Foreign Office's head of security, Ian Collard, on January 29 at which he was given only an oral summary of the concerns raised  and was assured they were manageable.

'I was briefed that UKSV considered Mandelson a borderline case, and that they were leaning towards recommending that clearance be denied, but that the Foreign Office's security department assess the risks identified as of highest concern by UKSV could be managed and/or mitigated.'

Sir Olly divulged that the risks did not relate to Mandelson's friendship with the late paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, but he would not 'open that box' of what was discussed.

I wasn't allowed to reveal the issues

Despite telling how his department was under relentless pressure to rubber-stamp Mandelson's appointment, Sir Olly raised eyebrows by claiming he never told No 10 that he had approved developed vetting clearance the day after the security meeting.

'It was absolutely clear, not only that within minutes of us recording our decision to grant DV, Peter will have received a DV certificate, and it's entirely possible that Mandelson himself would have then told people it's been granted.

'I don't think I felt under any obligation to tell anybody.' Sir Olly was sacked after No 10 discovered he had failed to reveal the concerns raised at the time or over the subsequent year as the Epstein scandal blew up and Mandelson was sacked.

But he insisted he was not allowed to tell anyone what had gone on, saying: 'My understanding of custom, practice and guidance is that the decision-making within the box of the vetting process must remain entirely confidential.'

Told that the PM expected him to provide more information, Sir Olly replied: 'I hope it's clear from everything I said so far that I believe that's a misunderstanding and a dangerous misunderstanding of the necessity of confidentiality of the process.'

Sir Olly said he did not know if Morgan McSweeney, Sir Keir's former chief of staff, had been behind the pressure to appoint Mandelson

A diplomatic incident averted

Sir Olly agreed it would have 'damaged' Britain's relations with the US if the appointment of Mandelson had been scrapped at the last minute.

'The incoming administration [Trump] may well have commented on it publicly and it would, yes, have caused quite a quite an issue in the relationship.'

He insisted he was not influenced by the pressure but admitted: 'I was very conscious that if we went through the rigor of our process and decided against granting clearance, that that would have caused a real problem for the Government and a problem for the country.'

Why did PM announce appointment so early?

Sir Olly would not say he regretted granting Mandelson security clearance  but he did criticise the PM for announcing the appointment before the checks were done and despite all the risks being known about it.

He said: 'I regret that this process was not done before announcement. I regret that the due diligence process, which threw up as I understand it serious reputational risks, didn't colour the Prime Minister's judgment in making the appointment.

'There's quite a lot about this situation over the last year and a half I regret. I had no regrets about the work of my brilliant team and the judgment that we came to.'

A hint at possible legal action over sacking

Asked about what Sir Keir had said to him last Thursday when he sacked him, Sir Olly declined to provide details. He admitted: 'I regret that I, in my view, didn't have some of the points that the Prime Minister and others are making about the Foreign Office's decision making and about my accountability.

'I regret that those were not put to me before I received a letter dismissing me.'

Sir Olly said he did not 'fully understand the reasons that I'm in the position I am in' but is 'desperately sad' to have lost a job that he loved.

And he hinted at a possible legal challenge to his dismissal, saying he was in 'unknown territory' about his 'HR position'.
The mystery surrounding unusual markings on the neck of a hiker found naked and dead in Californias wilderness has now been solved, with officials revealing they were caused by bug bites.

Joanna Shields, 37, of Carlsbad, was found dead earlier this month along a remote Big Sur trail, where she was discovered by a group of fellow walkers, undressed and lying face down in a pool of water.

Suspicious markings were found on her neck as well as a gash on her head, prompting early speculation that she may have been strangled.

But authorities debunked that theory on Friday.

'In this particular case, this person tragically had injuries that were consistent with injuries that would be caused by insects,' Andres Rosas, spokesman for the Monterey County Sheriff's Office, told KSBW 8 News.

'So in this case, we're not looking at what they (the hikers) believed it was,' he added. 'We're looking at markings that were a result of insects.'

Despite the findings, Rosas said her death continues to be treated as suspicious, with foul play not ruled in or out as investigators await pending toxicology results from the autopsy.

'I think if there was an obvious sign of death, we would have already been able to conclude or make a conclusion on that,' Rosas told the outlet.

Joanna Shields, 37, was found dead with unusual markings around her neck in California's wilderness on April 9

Shields was found along a remote Big Sur hiking trail, where she was discovered by a group of hikers, undressed and lying face down in a pool of water

Andres Rosas, spokesman for the Monterey County Sheriff's Office, told KSBW that the markings were caused by insect activity, possibly ants

'But in this particular case, the examiner has determined that we need lab results from the toxicology in order to make that final determination,' he added.

On April 9, California State Parks officials and Monterey County Sheriffs deputies responded to reports of a dead body in a wooded area along the Pine Ridge Trail near Sykes Hot Springs in the Los Padres National Forest.

A group on a two-night backcountry hike in the area made the grim discovery, with one of them, Gabe Holmes, describing what he saw to KSBW.

'I didn't see any blood,' he said. 'She was pale. She had markings around her neck. I don't want to say, you know, choking marks, but when the firefighter lifted the jacket, he confirmed she had a big gash on her head.'

Another witness, Luke Heerma, told the outlet they had also encountered a person on the trail - described as cold and shaking - who claimed to be a friend of Shields.

Hiker John Heerma, describing the individual, added: 'Scared, nervous, like shocked, his face just, like, numb and dull.'

When questioned by the group about what happened, the man reportedly said Shields had been cleaning herself in the river.

According to one of the hikers, the man responded: 'She went to the bathroom. She was cleaning herself off in the river around 10.30am.'

Hikers that discovered Shields said that while they didn't see blood at the scene, she had a big gash on her head

The hikers said they had encountered a person on the trail, who they described as cold and shaking, who claimed to be a friend of Shields

Shields was found in a wooded area along the Pine Ridge Trail near Sykes Hot Springs in the Los Padres National Forest

'He went looking for her and then just saw her face down in the water, naked,' Luke told KSBW.

With help from California Highway Patrol air operations, deputies recovered Shieldss body the following day and conducted a forensic medical examination, with results expected in six to eight weeks.

Meanwhile, the sheriffs office said no one is in custody and there is no current threat to hikers or campers near Sykes Hot Springs.

The new information from authorities comes after several loved ones, including Shieldss sister, Claudia Robinson, confirmed her mysterious death in a public statement.

'We found out and we're all in different stages of grief as we attempt to process such a devastating blow to our hearts,' Robinson said, according to The New York Post.

'She was a bright, radiant light in the peak of experiencing her own joy and gratitude for her existence, and her absence on Earth will have a profound effect on countless numbers who had the opportunity to encounter her beautiful spirit,' she added.

'As my sister Rachel said, "This is the saddest sadness I have ever known."'

Garrett Mail, who described himself as Shieldss best friend and credited her as a key influence in 'who I am today,' also shared a heartfelt tribute on Facebook.

When questioned by the hikers about what happened, the man at the scene reportedly said Shields had been cleaning herself in the river just before

The man at the scene said Shields went to the bathroom and cleaned herself off around 10.30am. When he went to look for her, he said he found her dead and naked in the water

Her death is being treated as suspicious, with foul play not ruled in or out as investigators await pending toxicology results from the autopsy

'I honestly dont have words for how devastating this is to me. Joanna literally formed who I am today as a person,' Mail wrote.

'She taught me how to be mindful, how to appreciate all forms of art, what unconditional love means, how to find positive perspective in all situations, how to be patient, when to be fierce and to never lose my sense of exploration or wonder,' he added.

'Joanna was the person to tell me to "Get off the phone with me and go ask your future wife on a date!" My life assuredly wouldve been completely different, had it not been for Joannas friendship.'

Mail described Shields as deeply influential and adventurous, saying she found meaning in every journey 'with the right people around.'

He also revealed that she had been planning a new chapter in her life, including launching a podcast aimed at helping others around the globe.

'Joanna was about to do something great,' he wrote. 'She was about to start a podcast to discuss things that she held dear to her in an attempt to help other people She was about to help change the world.'

Shields was a brand ambassador for Evolve Skateboards and was frequently seen riding through the streets of San Diego on her own, documenting her hobby on social media.

'She just had great energy and she just loved riding,' Jeff Anning, owner and founder of Evolve Skateboards, told KABC News.

Jeff Anning, owner of Evolve Skateboards, the company in which Shields was a brand ambassador, said she played a role in the growth of skating, especially among women

With help from California Highway Patrol air operations, deputies recovered Shieldss body the following day

The sheriffs office said no one is in custody and there is no current threat to hikers or campers near Sykes Hot Springs

According to Anning, her death not only rocked the skating community she had been part of for years, but also played a role in its growth, especially among women.

'She just had so much energy. She was just so passionate, so kind, and she was always putting other people first. She definitely touched a lot of people in her journey,' he told the outlet.

'We were getting more girls coming along to these group rides,' he added. 'It's what it's all about. She was very passionate about the sport.'

A GoFundMe set up for Shieldss family has raised more than $21,500 as of Tuesday evening, surpassing its $18,000 goal to help cover funeral and travel expenses.

'Joanna moved through this world with brightness and spontaneity - in love with nature, her family, her friends, and her constant journey of self-development,' the fundraiser read.

'There was something so free about her like she belonged to the wind and the sunshine,' it added. 'Tragically, she passed away in a backpacking accident, leaving her family and friends heartbroken.'

'From the bottom of our hearts, thank you. Your donation and words of comfort mean more than we can say as we grieve and make arrangements for our sweet Joanna.'

Anyone with information that may be related to the investigation is asked to contact Detective Geng at 831-755-3700.
Sunrise host Nat Barr has slammed Australians taking advantage of the National Disability Insurance Scheme as the Albanese government plans sweeping reforms.

Health Minister Mark Butler is expected to announce a sweeping overhaul to the program on Wednesday, including changes to eligibility for support and tougher registration requirements for providers.

The NDIS spending is the Commonwealth's second-fastest growing expense at about $50billion a year, behind only interest on government debt.

During a morning interview with Nationals Senator Bridget McKenzie and Labor MP Josh Burns, Barr took aim at Australians misusing the costly program.

'You talk to anyone in the community, everyone knows someone's milking it, and it's been years and years of people milking it,' she said, addressing McKenzie.

'It's just so frustrating for people because there are so many people who need it.'

McKenzie said the Opposition 'actually wants to get this right, so it delivers for the people in need and we stop the rorting'.

'We've got NDIS providers offering 482 class visa classes to get workers in,' she said.

Sunrise co-host Nat Barr (pictured with Nationals Senator Bridget McKenzie) has slammed Australians taking advantage of the National Disability Insurance Scheme

'We've got certain suburbs in Sydney that have an exponential number of NDIS providers in comparison with the number of people with a disability in their communities. This scheme is running riot.'

Her statement seemed to refer to unverified social media claims that a large number of NDIS providers are based in Lakemba, in the city's south-west.

But AAP FactCheck proved this to be untrue in March, reporting that the 1,300 provider figure was based on a list comprising providers from across the country, online services, inactive businesses, and duplicates.

Australia's aged care and disability support sectors urgently need skilled workers. The government offers Skills in Demand visas (482) to make it easier for businesses to hire overseas talent if employees cannot be found in Australia.

Barr asked Burns if his government is confident it can 'clean up' the NDIS.

'Well, we have to Nat... because the NDIS is there for people with a severe disability, a permanent disability, and it needs to be there for the future,' he said.

'If we let it just grow, it's going to be the biggest government program, the most expensive thing government does in Australia, and it's just not sustainable.'

While the government has declared it would be negligent to allow the NDIS to continue growing at about 10 per cent a year, disability advocates have warned cuts to services would leave participants worse off.

Join the discussion How should Australia balance stopping NDIS abuse with protecting support for those who truly need it?

The Albanese government is planning sweeping reforms of the NDIS, which is the Commonwealth's second-fastest growing expense at about $50billion a year (stock image)

'Our community is scared and we want a surety that things are going to be OK,' People With Disability Australia president Jeramy Hope told AAP.

He urged the government to focus on making the scheme more efficient by reducing bureaucracy, rather than cutting eligibility to save money.

Finance Minister Katy Gallagher said while she understood the concerns of the disability community, the long-term viability of the NDIS needed to be addressed.

'I get that the disability community will be feeling a lot of this pressure,' she told reporters in Parliament House on Tuesday.

'But we have a lot of pressure to make sure this scheme actually is sustainable.

'We're finding an extra $35billion than what was originally intended a year - it's almost like we would be negligent if we just pretended that was OK,' Senator Gallagher said.

On Tuesday, Mr Butler and Treasurer Jim Chalmers briefed state and territory officials, who are reluctant to agree to any changes which would require them to pay more.

'We can't have a situation where people are knocked off the NDIS and then the state provides the service, because it's still coming out of the same pockets of New South Wales taxpayers,' NSW Premier Chris Minns told reporters in Sydney.

National Disability Services chief executive Michael Perusco backed the government's push for change, warning the scheme had strayed far beyond its original purpose of supporting people with a lifelong, significant disability.

He also called for mandatory registration of all providers to make the scheme more transparent and accountable.

'At the moment, we've got the situation where only one out of 20 providers are registered. There isn't visibility of those other 19 providers, and that has to change,' Mr Perusco said.
Two Israeli soldiers have been arrested for decapitating a statue of Jesus Christ with an axe in Lebanon.

The soldier who hit the statue and the other who photographed the attack will spend 30 days in military detention, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said.

They will be 'removed from combat duty' following an inquiry into the incident, which took place in the Christian village of Debel.

Six soldiers who failed to report the act will be dealt with separately, the IDF added.

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, whose forces had been on operations against Hezbollah, apologised for 'any hurt this has caused to believers in Lebanon and around the world'.

The IDF also confirmed it is working to 'restore the statue to its place'.

But Adeeb Joudeh Al Husseini, the custodian of the keys of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, said: 'This is not a passing incident. It is a direct violation of a sanctity that goes beyond stone and wood to strike at the dignity of faith itself.'

It comes after the Israeli military earlier said it viewed the incident with 'great severity' and that 'the soldiers conduct is wholly inconsistent with the values expected of its troops'.

Two Israeli soldiers have been arrested for decapitating a statue of Jesus Christ with a sledgehammer in Lebanon

The image, taken in Debl, a Christian village in south Lebanon near the border with Israel, showed the soldier hitting the statue with what appeared to be the butt of a heavy-duty maul axe.

Lebanon was drawn into the Middle East crisis in early March when the Iran-backed armed group Hezbollah launched rockets towards Israel in support of the Islamic Republic.

Israel responded with a bombing campaign across Lebanon and an invasion of the south, where the IDF has remained despite a 10-day ceasefire between the two countries.

Following the circulation of the photograph, the Israeli military earlier said the incident was being investigated by the Northern Command and that the 'IDF is working to assist the community in restoring the statue'.

'Accordingly, it was decided that the soldier who damaged the Christian symbol and the soldier who photographed the act will be removed from combat duty and will receive 30 days of military detention,' a statement said.

Six additional soldiers were present at the scene and did not act to stop the incident or report it, the military said.

These troops, 'who stood by have been summoned for clarification discussions that will be held later on, after which further command-level measures will be determined'.

'The IDF expresses deep regret over the incident and emphasizes that its operations in Lebanon are directed solely against the Hezbollah terrorist organization and other terrorist groups, and not against Lebanese civilians,' the Israeli army said.

Israels foreign minister, Gideon Saar, criticised what he called a 'shameful and disgraceful' act.

'I am confident that necessary severe measures will be taken against whoever committed this ugly act,' he wrote on X.

'We apologise for this incident and to every Christian whose feelings were hurt,' he added.

A woman surveys the damage of her home that was destroyed by an Israeli air-strike that killed seven of her neighbors in Nabatieh on the second day of a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, on April 18

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the behaviour in a lengthy post on X, writing: 'As the Jewish state, Israel cherishes and upholds the Jewish values of tolerance and mutual respect between Jews and worshippers of all faiths.

'All religions flourish in our land, and we view members of all faiths as equals in building our society and region. Yesterday, like the overwhelming majority of Israelis, I was stunned and saddened to learn that an IDF soldier damaged a Catholic religious icon in southern Lebanon.

'I condemn the act in the strongest terms. Military authorities are conducting a criminal probe of the matter and will take appropriately harsh disciplinary action against the offender.'

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, a staunch Christian, said Israel must take action against the 'outrageous act'.

Israel's military on Monday warned Lebanese civilians against returning to dozens of villages in the southern, claiming Hezbollah's activities in the area were violating a ceasefire agreement struck last week.

Thousands of displaced residents have begun making their way back to parts of southern Lebanon since the truce between Israel and Lebanon took effect on Friday.

Since the ceasefire began, Lebanon's armed forces have reopened a key road linking the southern city of Nabatiyeh with the Khardali area after it was closed due to Israeli strikes.

They have also partially restored access to the Burj Rahal-Tyre bridge, which was damaged due to Israeli attacks.

But the Israeli military on Monday urged civilians to avoid returning to numerous villages in the south.
An Aussie mum has issued an urgent warning against getting a henna tattoo in Bali after her daughter suffered a nasty reaction.

The mother posted before and after photos of her daughter's temporary tattoo, explaining she had it done while at a beach on the popular tourist island.

The first image showed a shiny new black henna tattoo, but photos taken seven days later showed it had faded to a light pink.

'My daughter came back with what she thought was a henna tattoo,' the mother wrote on the Australian Bali Info for Traveling Facebook page.

'Approximately one week afterwards, the dye had almost completely faded.'

She said her daughter suffered a 'very angry' reaction that left her skin red and stinging with itchy welts.

'She is now on day four of a course of steroid cream and slowly recovering,' the mother said.

'There is a concern that this will leave a long-lasting or even permanent scar on her hand,' the mother said.

The woman's henna tattoo looked good when she first got it at a Bali beach, but the fact it came out black in colour was a warning sign of things to come

About a week later, the colour had faded and the woman was experiencing welts and a stinging feeling on her hand

'We talked about not buying knockoff perfumes and makeup because we don't know what is in them, but clearly I should have added temporary tattoos and henna to the list.'

Aussies pointed out the fact the tattoo came out black was a warning sign it wasn't real henna, which is brown in colour.

Unlike natural henna, which is orange/brown in colour and won't stain skin, black henna contains a chemical called paraphenylenediamine (PPD), which is a known irritant and allergen.

PPD is found in many popular skin and haircare products such as sunscreen and hair dye but usually in tiny doses

Black henna can cause bubbling blisters in shapes like suns, stars and flowers, and may leave lifelong scars.

Others online shared their horror stories.

'They use hair dye for their tattoos. I got a dolphin tattoo about 25 years ago and I'm still sporting the scar. It was awful,' one person said.

'As a result of this, I am now completely allergic to hair dye, so I would suggest if she uses hair dye, to do a patch test before using in your hair.'

The woman is currently using steroid cream to treat her symptoms

'This exact same thing happened to my son. It did scar for a while but has since faded. He will never get another given the pain he was in,' another said.

Others said the young woman who got the tattoo should have known better.

'People have known not to get this crap for years, it's nothing new,' one person said.

'Black henna has been known as dangerous for many years,' another said.

The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade advises travellers to avoid temporary black henna tattoos while in Indonesia, stating that they 'often contain a dye which can cause serious skin reactions'.

Henna has been used by different cultures for centuries and is a paste made from grinding dried henna leaves.

Traditional henna is considered safe to use in temporary tattoos and rarely causes allergic reactions.
Amanda Knox's UK visit was thrown into turmoil just hours before she was due on stage last night  after it was ruled her documentary could not be shown at a London cinema.

The American was supposed to be presenting a screening of Mouth Of The Wolf about the murder of her British university roommate, Meredith Kercher.

But ticket-holders for the show at Greenwich Picturehouse in south London were emailed shortly before the 6.45pm start time and told the film did not have the necessary rating.

Organisers from the wrongful-conviction charity Innocence Project London said Ms Knox, 38, and her husband, Christopher Robinson, would instead take questions from the audience, followed by a book signing.

An email, via ticketing website Eventbrite, read: 'Due to the documentary not having a British Board of Film Classification, it cannot be screened to a public audience.'

A source at the venue said: 'It's a real shame the event could not happen as advertised, but at least it hasn't been cancelled  just moved to a different format.'

It is due to take place again tonight.

It was a major blow to Ms Knox, who has been accused of cashing in on Ms Kersher's death. She was twice acquitted of the Leeds University student's 2007 murder in Italy.

Tour: Amanda Knox with husband Christopher Robinson

Claims: Patrick Lumumba

Meredith Kercher was murdered in 2007

Since arriving in London, Ms Knox has shared a series of posts on social media and appeared on Good Morning Britain to plug her podcast on nurse Lucy Letby, whose conviction she claims is unsafe.

Though she has restyled herself as a campaigner for victims of miscarriages of justice, she was accused of hypocrisy after the man she falsely claimed had murdered Ms Kercher, 21, revealed she still has not paid him court-ordered damages. Patrick Lumumba, now 56, saw his life destroyed by her accusations.

Yesterday he said: 'Amanda hasn't paid me anything. How can she expect to help other alleged victims of miscarriages of justice if she doesn't start by compensating me, her victim?'

His lawyer, Carlo Pacelli, stated Ms Knox was ordered to pay Mr Lumumba's legal costs and provisional compensation, for a total amount of more than 70,000.

He added: 'To date, Knox has not paid Patrick anything.'

Bar owner Mr Lumumba, who spent two weeks in custody, added: 'Meredith was the real victim yet Amanda is set to make a huge amount of money from what happened.'

The Kerchers' lawyer, Francesco Maresca, said about Ms Knox: 'Every time she speaks, she reopens the tragedy of what happened to Meredith.

'It really hurts the family. Why doesn't she respect her memory and keep quiet?'

Ms Knox was asked to comment.
A documentary featuring interviews with Brittany Higgins and Amber Heard will be screened at an Australian film festival after several 'legal dramas'.

'Silenced', explores how defamation laws can be used to stop victims from speaking publicly about their abuse, and premiered at Sundance Film Festival in February.

The film follows acclaimed barrister Jennifer Robinson, who represented actor Amber Heard during Johnny Depp's defamation suit against her over allegations of abuse. Ms Higgins appears as a case study.

Sydney Film Festival announced the film would feature on opening night, June 3, and called it 'the most important Australian film of the year'.

The saga unfolded after Liberal senator Sarah Henderson called for the Silenced script be presented during a Senate Estimates hearing on February 10.

She questioned how much the ABC had vetted the documentary after the broadcaster contributed $340,000 to its funding, about 14 per cent of the total production cost.

'Absolutely thrilled Silenced is finally coming to Australian audiences after so much legal drama,' acclaimed barrister Jennifer Robinson, who wrote the original book Silenced Women, wrote on social media following the news.

'It is outrageous that our (film) script was sought using Senate Estimates procedures.

The documentary Silenced has been selected to open an Australian film festival in June (pictured, barrister Jennifer Robinson on the film poster)

The film, which explores how defamation laws can be used to stop victims from speaking publicly about their abuse, includes interviews with Brittany Higgins

'Senate Estimates is not the defamation police - will Senators start demanding pre-publication scripts of ABC investigative reports next? Absolutely terrible precedent to start demanding copies of Australian film scripts before broadcast.'

During the hearing, Henderson raised concerns about the documentarys claim that women featured in the film, including former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins, were being silenced by defamation laws.

'You would, no doubt, be aware that two Australian courts have found that Ms Higgins was not silenced and, in fact, made dishonest claims in asserting that the former Western Australian senator Linda Reynolds and (her chief of staff) Fiona Brown improperly covered up a rape in Parliament House,' the Liberal senator said.

'Two courts have now found that that was completely untrue, and, of course, there were defamation proceedings which followed - and, in one case, ruled, obviously, very much in favour of Ms Reynolds.'

Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young interjected several times, calling Henderson 'disgusting' and 'pretty low' for 'going after a rape victim'.

Henderson refuted that and claimed several times that the documentary mentioned Reynolds and the civil case.

An advanced copy of Silenced, seen by the Australian Financial Review (AFR), did not specifically mention the defamation case Reynolds brought against Ms Higgins, or Ms Higgins' bankruptcy following a costs order.

ABC's managing director Hugh Marks also stated firmly that the broadcaster would make reasonable editorial reviews of the program before airing it.

But it faced 'legal dramas' in February when Liberal senator Sarah Henderson (pictured) called for the script to be presented during a Senate Estimates hearing

Marks said the broadcaster would 'ensure that it meets all standards and does not fall foul of the areas that (Henderson was) suggesting it has the potential to fall foul of'.

Screen Australia, which provided $250,000 of taxpayer funds towards the documentary, reportedly does not have a script for the film.

Henderson was also criticised by Labor Senator Michelle Ananda-Rajah, who said demanding the script 'would have the effect of silencing artists'.

Ms Higgins and her husband David Sharaz were bankrupted by Reynolds following Federal Court proceedings last year, after the former Liberal senator successfully argued the couple had defamed her on social media.

Ms Higgins was ordered to pay about $340,000 in damages and interest to Reynolds, plus 80 per cent of her legal costs, estimated at more than $1million. Sharaz owed about $750,000 in legal costs.

It is understood lawyers for Reynolds had sent a letter to Sydney-based production company behind the documentary, Stranger Than Fiction Films, in January.

She reportedly warned against repeating allegations.

Ms Robinson shared the AFR's coverage of the letter on her social media while promoting the film, saying: 'The legal dramas we have already faced with Silenced'.

The film is based on a book by barrister Jennifer Robinson, who represented actor Amber Heard (pictured) during Johnny Depp's defamation suit against her

Bruce Lehrmann's lawyer Zali Burrows also sent a concerns notice to the producers, requesting a copy of the film, a transcript, and a takedown of all promotional material in February.

In the notice, seen by NewsWire, Ms Burrows said the notice was to 'preserve Lehrmann's right to a fair trial'.

She also alleges the film 'prejudices the jury pool' in relation to separate criminal proceedings in Queensland.

Lehrmann is facing two charges of rape over an alleged incident in Toowoomba in October 2021. He denies both of the charges.

The former Liberal staffer lost his defamation case last April when Federal Court Justice Michael Lee ruled on a balance of probabilities that he had raped Ms Higgins, his former colleague, in Parliament House in 2019.

Ms Burrows claimed in a lengthy statement that the documentary could be interpreted as an 'accurate, nonfiction and true report of matters by viewers'.
Qantas has launched a megasale of more than two million fares from just $99, despite mounting concerns over jet fuel supply and rising price volatility.

The week-long sale, which kicked off at midnight on Tuesday, covers 90 domestic routes across the country, locking in travel through to March 2027 - a bold gamble at a time when airlines are grappling with global instability.

The bargain fares include peak periods like the June long weekend and winter school holidays.

Qantas Domestic chief executive Markus Svensson said the sale was designed to support Australians' increasing desire to travel within their home country.

'We've just had a bumper Easter holidays with more than a million customers travelling around our domestic network and this sale is timed for those planning where to head next,' he said.

'We have millions of discounted seats across more than 90 routes, including some of Australia's most popular holiday destinations, from tropical beaches and much-loved regional towns to city escapes.'

Virgin Australia also launched a sale on Monday as competition in domestic airfares ramps up.

The airline dropped half-a-million airfares starting from $55 for one-way flights to Sydney, Byron Bay and Newcastle.

The week-long sale by Qantas covers 90 domestic routes across the country (stock image)

The sale will continue until April 26 for flights scheduled between May 19 and December 16, 2026.

University of Sydney Business School professor Rico Merkert said he suspected Qantas and Virgin were seeking to extract as much cash as possible from their core domestic networks.

However, he warned the strategy could become risky if the war in the Middle East escalates, noting that jet fuel availability, not just price volatility, could emerge as a serious constraint, potentially forcing airlines to cancel flights more broadly.

'If they have to cancel international flights and pause or cull some unviable regional flights, they need to compensate that loss in cash flow somewhere,' he said.

'Getting their core routes closer to full load factors will contribute to that.

'Selling each and every seat on those flights will also help with the increased fuel cost of operating them.'

Meanwhile foreign airlines are already cancelling flights and reducing services to Australia fearing more disruption if the fuel shock from the US-Israel conflict with Iran is not resolved by May.

Fiji Airways said last week it would pause some services to Australia and the US because of high fuel prices and market uncertainty.

Fiji Airways said last week it would pause some services to Australia and the US because of high fuel prices and market uncertainty

International Air Transport Association director-general Willie Walsh has warned passengers to expect flight cancellations in the May half-term holidays as flight disruption spreads from Asia to Europe.

'We have also estimated that by the end of May, we could start to see some cancellations in Europe for lack of jet fuel,' he said. 'This is already happening in parts of Asia.'

Aviation specialist Sally Gethin said the scale of the impact on air passengers will depend on how long the Strait remains closed.

'Even if it opens you'd still need time for the jet fuel supplies to start up again,' she told the Daily Mail.

'So the best case scenario would be fares going up and some routes being cancelled.

'The worst case scenario is if this carries on for six to eight weeks and the shortages start really biting. This could pose an existential crisis to airlines - even if they slap on fuel surcharges they still won't recoup the cost.

'You could be looking at tens of thousands, potentially hundreds of thousands, of flights being cancelled globally.'
Millions of Aussies will sweat through an even hotter, drier summer than usual this year thanks to a rare 'super' El Nino event.

The Bureau of Meteorology has confirmed the 2025-26 La Nina has ended but, in the same breath, warned the opposite climate event would soon come into effect.

El Nino and La Nina are opposite phases of the El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycle, influencing global weather every three to seven years.

The recent La Nina period featured cooler Pacific waters and stronger trade winds, causing above-average rain in Australia.

El Nino consists of warmer Pacific waters and weaker trade winds, leading to drier conditions in Australia.

Forecasters say a super El Nino climate pattern is currently brewing in the Pacific as warmer-than-average water builds up in the central and eastern tropical Pacific.

Experts say it could be the most powerful El Nino event in a century.

It means hotter temperatures and heatwaves are likely to hit the east coast in the second half of 2026 and bring with them a heightened risk of drought and bushfires.

Aussies in Sydney will flock to the beaches this summer as a predicted El Nino event brings hotter than usual temperatures

The chance of exceeding median rainfall for May to July, 2026

The 2018-19 El Nino event played a major role in the Black Summer summer bushfires which resulted in countless damaged properties and dozens of deaths.

'Bureau and other models forecast the tropical Pacific to continue warming in the coming months to reach levels consistent with El Nino,' a BoM spokesperson said.

The Bureau's long-range forecast for May to July shows rainfall is likely to be below average for parts of eastern and south-west Australia.

Above-average rainfall is expected across western and central parts of Western Australia, as well as parts of the east coast of Queensland's Cape York Peninsula.

The super El Nino will develop in late winter or early spring, and its impact will be felt across the country well into 2027.

There should be a major reduction in rainfall across eastern and northern Australia, which could lead to a shorter snow season for NSW's ski resorts.

Sydneysiders can expect more 40C+ days during the upcoming summer while in the tropics, the monsoon season may be delayed which means less tropical cyclones.

Aussies expressed frustration at the news.

The El Nino event will heighten the risk of drought in the eastern states

Bondi Beach will be a popular spot for Sydneysiders looking to escape extreme heat

'Gosh, I hope we don't have drought,' one person said.

'Not again,' another wrote.

But some Australians were sceptical about the forecast.

'They can't even predict the weather for 24 hours,' another person wrote.

'I bet it'll be cool and wet, then two weeks of unbearable heat, and that's about it, you watch,' another said.

El Nino generally lasts nine to twelve months unlike La Nina, which can linger for up to three years.

UK-based website Carbon Brief predicts that 2026 will be the second-warmest year on record.

'The year is virtually certain to be one of the four warmest on record and, currently, has a 19 per cent chance of surpassing 2024 as the warmest year on record,' it said.

Australia will be under an increased bushfire threat later in the year due to the El Nino event

Join the discussion How should Australia prepare for hotter summers and rising power bills caused by extreme El Nino events?

The Nino 3.4 index is the metric used to define El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) conditions. Since 1950, there have been three years where the index surpassed +2C for at least three months.

The first instance was in 1982, a year marked by one of the driest winters on record.

The 1982/83 summer was the hottest on record at the time, with 75 people in Victoria and South Australia losing their lives in the Ash Wednesday bushfires.

Super El Nino's also hit in 1997, which produced the hottest summer on record at the time, and in 2015 when the hottest October to December period was recorded.

Australians will need their air conditioners more than ever from November this year, bringing yet more stress to stretched households.

Power bills are rising significantly in 2026, with forecasts indicating a potential 24 per cent increase for many households, adding roughly $500 a year to costs.
The partnership brings together two organizations with deep Pacific Northwest roots. CFO Selections was founded in 2002 by Tom Varga with a straightforward belief: that growing companies and nonprofits deserve the same caliber of financial leadership that large organizations take for granted. Nearly a quarter century later, the firm serves clients across Washington, Oregon, Colorado, and Texas through a team of more than 250 seasoned financial executives and professionals.

Laird Norton Company, headquartered in Seattle, has been family-owned for eight generations and traces its origins to 1855. The company takes a patient, long-term approach to investing; it has no fund lifecycle, no predetermined exit timeline, and no interest in short-term financial engineering. Its investments are built around shared values and enduring partnerships.

"We looked carefully at what kind of partner would genuinely strengthen what we've built without changing what makes it work," said Brian Turner, Managing Partner of CFO Selections. "Laird Norton brings strategic resources and a perspective shaped by nearly 170 years of building enduring businesses. That kind of alignment lets us do more for the small and mid-market companies that depend on us."

Brian McGuigan, CEO of Laird Norton Company, emphasized the alignment between the two organizations.

"CFO Selections has built something genuinely special: a firm where experienced financial leaders do meaningful work for businesses that need it most," McGuigan said. "We don't just invest in companies; we partner with them to grow. For us, this partnership means collaborating with exceptional teams, expanding into complementary markets, and strengthening our platform with leaders that share our values."

Kevin Briscoe, who led CFO Selections as Managing Partner for more than a decade, sees the Laird Norton partnership as a natural extension of what the firm has always valued.

"Every decision we've made as a firm has tried to honor the relationships and local commitment this company was built on," Briscoe said. "Laird Norton shares those instincts at a deep level; they've been doing it in this region for generations. This partnership gives us more room to invest in the things that have always mattered most, including our work through the CFOS Foundation supporting youth and families in foster and kinship care."

The investment does not change CFO Selections' day-to-day operations, leadership, or approach to serving clients. Brian Turner continues as Managing Partner, and the firm's partners and consultants remain focused on delivering hands-on financial leadership to clients across all four states.

Laird Norton Company was supported throughout the transaction by its financial advisor, BPCA, and legal counsel, K&L Gates. CFO Selections was supported by its legal counsel, Davis Wright Tremaine.

About CFO Selections: www.cfoselections.com

About Laird Norton Company: www.lairdnorton.com

Laird Norton Contact: Jennifer Polson, Tel: (206) 501-4506, Email: [email protected]

CFO Selections Contact: Brian Turner, Tel: (503) 715-5117, Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Laird Norton Company
A man seen mimicking the Bondi massacre before spouting slurs against Jewish people has been jailed - but his lawyer says he's not anti-Semitic.

Zayne Jason William McMillan, 23, was heavily intoxicated when he and a friend went to Bondi Beach, six weeks after the Islamic State-inspired mass shooting.

'(The shooting) was horrific, it was gut-wrenching, it was just a developing ongoing drama and trauma,' said Judge Michael Barko in sentencing the First Nations man on Tuesday.

McMillan was seen on January 31 on the same Bondi footbridge posing as though he held a long-arm firearm while his friend took photographs, agreed facts seen by AAP say.

Judge Barko gave him a 12-month jail sentence, with a non-parole period of nine months.

Earlier, defence barrister Stephen Alexander said his client was not an ideological anti-Semite.

'What he did say was anti-Semitic but he didn't go out of his way to be an anti-Semite,' Mr Alexander said.

'He does not consider himself as being a racist towards the Jewish community.'

Zayne Jason William McMillan, 23, was heavily intoxicated when he and a friend went to Bondi Beach, six weeks after the Islamic State-inspired mass shooting

Judge Barko rejected this, noting McMillan had singled out Jews during his 35-minute tirade.

'Not one other faith, belief or culture was referred to,' the judge said.

The 23-year-old Dubbo man watched the sentencing by audiovisual link from Shortland prison near Cessnock, stroking his goatee while Judge Barko spoke.

The bricklayer received a discounted sentence after earlier pleading guilty to three counts of offensive behaviour in a public place and two counts of intimidation.

He will be eligible for release on November 3.

On the footbridge, the First Nations bricklayer yelled, 'F*** the Jews'.

'I'm a Koori I can do what I like,' he said.

McMillan then verbally threatened a 47-year-old man walking by with his family after they made eye-contact.

McMillan was seen on January 31 on the same Bondi footbridge posing as though he held a long-arm firearm while his friend took photographs, agreed facts seen by AAP say

'Do you wanna f***ing go? I'll f***in bash ya. This is my f***in land,' he said.

The 23-year-old rode a bicycle to Waverley Oval where he intimidated a second visibly Jewish victim walking with his son to a synagogue by yelling anti-Semitic remarks.

He rode onto Bondi Junction where he continued yelling racist slurs after falling off his bike.

He was arrested by NSW Police on February 4.

Mr Alexander told the court on Tuesday the incident was sparked by someone responding to his client yelling, 'Free Palestine' on the footbridge.

'You're stealing land and killing woman and children ... just like the white man,' he allegedly said.

The barrister said his client had taken a mix of alcohol, ketamine, MDMA and magic mushrooms.

A psychologist had also provisionally diagnosed the bricklayer with a complex post traumatic background due to a deprived childhood.

Judge Barko noted McMillan was on parole at the time, breaching conditions imposed by taking illicit substances and committing further offences.

Outside court, Mr Alexander told reporters the sentence imposed was a pretty fair outcome.

'My client's pretty pleased with it,' he said.

'He'll just get on with his life and hopefully will do a lot better when he comes out.'

In March, the Local Court heard McMillan wanted to apologise to the court for his conduct.

A direct apology did not occur on Tuesday.

McMillan's friend has been charged over the incident with a warrant out for his arrest.

Accused terrorist Naveed Akram and his father Sajid opened fire during Hannukah celebrations at Bondi Beach in Sydney on December 14.

Fifteen people were killed, including a 10-year-old girl, and 40 people were injured, while Sajid Akram was shot dead by police.
Ben Roberts-Smith was given eye masks to help him sleep and extra food while behind bars, according to prison sources.

The former SAS soldier, who is facing five war crime - murder charges, was handed the extras during his ten days in custody at Silverwater Correctional Centre in western Sydney because he was a was a model prisoner and 'asked for nothing'.

'He spent a lot of the time exercising. When the other prisoners got a glimpse of him through the wires they cheered and yelled out,' a source told news.com.au.

'He wasn't keen on the lights at night, even put clothing over his head, so a couple of the guys even offered him eye masks.

'But that's not because he wanted anything special. That's because he was treated with respect.'

The source dismissed concerns over whether Roberts-Smith, 47, was afforded special treatment as 'quite ridiculous'.

It comes as another source said Roberts-Smith's partner, Sarah Matulin, drove around for hours to dodge the tailing media as they travelled back from Sydney to Brisbane following his release on bail last Friday.

'This really is becoming a spectacle, even more than he could have anticipated,' one close friend said.

Prison guards offered Roberts-Smith extra food and eye masks to help him sleep while he was in custody

The former SAS soldier spent 10 days inside Silverwater Correctional Centre in Sydney

'How anyone thinks he can get a fair trial with all this media mobbing is beyond me.'

It comes just days after the Victoria Cross recipient slammed the actions of police as 'sensational' in his first public address since he was charged with alleged war crimes.

While holding a brief press conference on Queensland's Gold Coast on Sunday afternoon, Roberts-Smith said the high-profile nature of his arrest at Sydney Domestic Airport on April 7 had significantly impacted his family.

'I understand this is an unprecedented case and the public interest is huge... but I'd ask that the media please allow my family their privacy at this time, particularly my children, who have already unfortunately suffered through a deliberate sensational arrest that was made last week,' he said.

'An unnecessary spectacle. I understand this journey will be long, I understand this journey will be difficult, but I can promise everybody that I have never ran from a fight in my life.

'I will never give up and I will always be in the fight.'

He said he looked forward to 'clearing his name in court'.

'As I've always maintained, I categorically deny all of these allegations, and while I would have preferred these charges not be brought, I will be taking this opportunity to finally clear my name,' Roberts-Smith said.

Sources said Robert-Smith treated prison guards with respect and spent a lot of the time exercising (pictured a cell inside Silverwater's Metropolitan Remand and Reception Centre)

His partner Sarah Matulin was by his side as he gave a brief address to the media on Sunday

'I'm proud of my service in Afghanistan. While I was there, I always acted within my values, within my training, and within the rules of engagement.'

Roberts-Smith was granted bail on Friday after Local Court Judge Greg Grogin said the former soldier would likely spend 'years and years' in custody if bail was refused.

Among the strict bail conditions facing him are restrictions on his travel outside of his home state of Queensland (unless for legal or medical appointments), the surrender of his passport, and the restricted use of one phone and one laptop, the details of which must be provided to police.

He has also been banned from contacting any prosecution witness directly or through another party.

The court demanded a $250,000 surety, which would be forfeited if Roberts-Smith failed to attend court, or in any way breached his bail. It's understood his father Len, a former judge, had offered to provide that surety.

Roberts-Smith 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, while he served with the Special Air Service in Afghanistan.

His 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.

He thanked Ms Matulin, his 'beautiful' 15-year-old twin daughters, his parents, and Ms Matulin's family for their 'unwavering' support

Each of the charges against Roberts-Smith carries a maximum penalty of life in prison. He has always denied involvement in any unlawful killings.

He is due to face court again on June 5.
Rebel Wilson accused her film co-producers of forcing a young actor to submit to 'depraved sexual demands' in a savage legal letter, before describing herself as 'exceptionally accomplished'.

The letter was shown to the Federal Court this week during defamation proceedings against the Pitch Perfect star by Charlotte MacInnes, who was the lead actor in the musical comedy film The Deb - directed by Wilson.

MacInnes began legal proceedings in September after a series of Instagram posts by Wilson that accused her of complaining about unwanted sexual advances by producer Amanda Ghost, and then lying about it to get a record contract.

MacInnes denies the sexual assault occurred, that she complained about it to Wilson, and that she retracted it in return for another lead role and the record deal.

The Deb's producers comprised Wilson's company Camp Sugar, and AI Film and its sister company Unigram - owned by Ghost and her husband Gregor Cameron.

Earlier this week, the court was shown texts between Wilson and Ghost that showed a positive relationship between the pair before the alleged harassment incident with MacInnes on September 5, 2023.

However, things appeared to dramatically fall apart when Wilson accused Ghost and Cameron of swiping $900,000 from The Deb's budget, along with 'commandeering coercive and physical control of [MacInnes] for their vile purposes'.

Wilson was described in the letter as an 'exceptionally accomplished writer/actress/producer' who has 'starred in the highest-grossing musical comedy films of all time' and as 'Australia's biggest female comedy export'.

Rebel Wilson is pictured outside the Federal Court in Sydney on Monday

Rebel Wilson is being sued in the Federal Court by actor Charlotte MacInnes (pictured)

A letter from Rebel Wilson's lawyers accuse Amanda Ghost and her husband Gregor Cameron (pictured) of AI Film and Unigram of embezzlement and sexual assault

The letter was addressed to Avy Echenasy and Vince Holden from AI Film, along with Ghost and Cameron at AI Film and Unigram, and alleged that Wilson suffered damages at their hands.

Holden was also named in the letter as the head of Dunburn Debutantes Commissioning Company, which was a joint venture created between AI Film and Camp Sugar to hold the film rights and split all revenue.

The letter read: 'As you know, Wilson is an exceptionally accomplished writer/actress/producer and has starred in the highest-grossing musical comedy films of all time.'

'She also happens to be Australia's biggest female comedy export. Because of her impressive resume, Wilson was offered financing for the [The Deb] provided she participated as a writer, director, and co-star.'

It said Wilson was promised shared writing credits with The Deb's original writer Hannah Reilly and a record deal with major music label Warner Music.

Wilson signed with Warner Music in 2023. She was the co-producer, director and actor for The Deb, but she was denied a film writing credit and wrote a scathing email about it to Reilly's agent.

The legal letter also said the dynamics between co-producers 'changed substantially after Wilson caught both Ghost and Cameron committing flagrant misconduct including embezzling approximately $900,000 from the Film's budget'.

Referring to the alleged sexual harassment of MacInnes by Ghost, it read: 'Even more egregious, sexually harassing the lead actress.'

Rebel Wilson is pictured (left) with The Deb's original writer Hannah Reilly in 2022

Pictured: A mock up of a portion of a legal letter from Rebel Wilson's lawyers to The Deb's co-producers

The court previously heard Wilson allegedly hired a PR firm to make a smear website about Ghost

The court previously heard the alleged sexual harassment took place when MacInnes jumped in a bath with Ghost following an ice-cold sunset swim at Bondi Beach.

Ghost had a medical episode and needed to warm up. MacInnes ran the bath at a Bondi penthouse where she was staying with Ghost and another woman. Both were wearing swimming costumes at the time.

Days later, MacInnes was asked to leave the penthouse and use alternative accommodation.

Wilson claims MacInnes felt uncomfortable in a bath with Ghost, who was her boss at the time. MacInnes claims she didn't feel uncomfortable and never made a complaint.

The legal letter continued: 'As producers, Ghost and Cameron leveraged their power and influence to both steal from the Film's budget and manipulate a ''casting couch'' situation by forcing a young lead actress to stay with them in their apartment and comply with their depraved sexual demands.'

Cameron denied embezzlement allegations during cross-examination on Tuesday. He was not asked about sexual allegations, which are the subject of separate defamation proceedings against Wilson by her co-producers in the NSW Supreme Court.

In the letter, Wilson said Ghost and Cameron's behaviour was so 'deplorable' that she reported it to the film's executive producer and the financier behind AI Film.

She also said the alleged harassment against MacInnes led to her being removed from Ghost and Cameron's premises.

Charlotte MacInnes is pictured, right, outside the Federal Court in Sydney with her lawyer Sue Chrysanthou SC

'Despite these interventions, Ghost and Cameron have persisted in commandeering coercive and physical control of the lead actress for their vile purposes,' she alleged.

She then alleged Ghost and Cameron orchestrated a 'malicious and vindictive retaliatory campaign' against Wilson, which involved one alleged instance where they 'physically imprisoned her in a room for 90 minutes'.

Wilson accused the pair of trapping her in a room to coerce her signature on a document to shield Ghost against allegations of 'severe misconduct' connected to MacInnes.

'On another occasion, Cameron held the production of the Film hostage and aggressively wielded threats to terminate Wilson and the entire staff comprising approximately 200 employees,' the letter read.

Wilson then fired up about her writing credit, claiming she was forced to sign an agreement that scrapped her shared writing credit.

She alleged Ghost and Cameron convinced The Deb's original writer Hannah Reilly to challenge Wilson's writing credit, which involved arbitration from the Australian Writer's Guild.

Another letter previously shown to the court was from Wilson to Yellow Creative Management CEO Jean Mostyn, the literary agent representing Ms Reilly.

In that email, sent on December 22, 2023 - three months after the beach incident - Wilson made it clear that she wanted a writing credit and wouldn't take no for an answer.

Pictured: Rebel Wilson and Charlotte MacInnes (together, centre) at a party hosted by Wilson during the Cannes Film Festival

She slammed Ms Reilly as 'ungrateful' for the 'generosity' Wilson had shown in helping her with the script, telling Ms Mostyn the film would never have been funded if Reilly was the sole writer.

In court on Monday, MacInnes' lawyer Sue Chrysanthou SC said the email showed that 'Ms Wilson wants to be credited as the writer of this script, she is desperate for this credit.

'She becomes enraged when Hannah Reilly does not agree to it, and to that point, she sends a shocking email to Hannah's agent on December 22.'

Ms Chrysanthou described the email as 'abusive' and 'threatening', and a demonstration of 'how professionally she behaves'.

She said it was a 'deranged letter making wild allegations', and the writing credit was actually a copyright issue.

During cross-examination, Reilly told the court Wilson did work on the script, but she asked for a larger credit than she was owed.

The court case continues.
A British pensioner accused of smuggling 200,000 worth of meth into Chile has been released from a prison in the South American country on ill health grounds.

William 'Billy Boy' Eastment, 80, had been languishing in a high-security Chilean prison since May, where his health was said to be rapidly declining.

The bowls-loving Brit, originally from Wales, was reportedly struck down multiple times by pneumonia while in custody, compounding a catalogue of existing medical issues.

Eastment has now been transferred out of Santiago 1 Penitentiary following a hearing at the Santiago Guarantee Court, where both prosecutors and defence lawyers agreed his physical condition had badly deteriorated, the Mirror reported.

His lawyer, Macarena Vial, told the court: 'He is in a very critical health situation, with chronic problems that have been severely aggravated in Santiago 1.

'He is a person requiring care, basically. He has a chronic lung disease, a colostomy that poses a constant risk of infection, and a series of other problems.

'He has a hernia right below his colostomy, which requires surgery and means he has to use special bags. They are expensive, must be brought from abroad, and the prison doesn't provide them.

'Every time his supply runs out, he hasn't had the medical supplies to contain the waste, constantly exposing himself to the risk of infection.'

William 'Billy Boy' Eastment, 80, had been languishing in a high-security Chilean prison since May, where his health was said to be rapidly declining

Chilean authorities allegedly discovered 200,000 worth of methamphetamine concealed in his luggage in May last year

She added: 'Obtaining colostomy bags has been quite complex. The family had to transfer funds to the embassy, and from there they bought them and sent them to Santiago. It's a very difficult coordination because you have to coordinate with the Gendarmerie in a prison that is overwhelmed.'

The court heard Eastment had lost more than three stone during his time in custody.

Vial said: 'Today, he is practically no longer self-sufficient; the risk of flight is minimal.'

Under the ruling, Eastment will serve house arrest in a shelter in western Santiago arranged with support from Chile's Public Criminal Defence Office, where he will receive daily care and supervision.

'He will be able to access his treatments, and they will provide him with the medications he needs. It was a big effort, but it turned out well,' Vial said.

During his detention, Eastment struggled with language barriers and relied on other inmates to communicate.

His lawyer said: 'For the first six or eight months, he was with someone who spoke native English, and they formed a very nice friendship. After that, he was more alone.'

She added that his emotional state had fluctuated. 'At first, he went through some very difficult times because he didn't see much of a way out. But we've tried to support him and give him some hope that this isn't permanent.

'Even so, he managed to build relationships within the prison. He's someone who inspires compassion; many people have taken care of him.

'Right now, he's in the best condition I've seen him in since he was arrested, but it's still a very fragile condition.'

In May last year, Chilean authorities allegedly discovered 200,000 worth of methamphetamine concealed in his luggage.

Sergio Paredes, head of the PDI anti-narcotics unit at Santiago airport, said Eastment told officers he had been handed the suitcase by a stranger in Mexico shortly before boarding his flight.

Eastment maintains he was ensnared in an elaborate scam

'He alleged he had been deceived,' Paredes said after the arrest on May 26.

'He claimed he had been promised a prize of 3.7 million for delivering the suitcase to its final destination - and was even carrying a rudimentary certificate referring to the prize.'

'He told us he was going to spend the night in Santiago and fly to Australia the next day,' the officer added.

Eastment maintains he was ensnared in an elaborate scam.

He has told prosecutors he believed he was corresponding with figures linked to the International Monetary Fund, before being instructed to travel abroad in relation to an alleged inheritance.

His lawyer said: 'In these emails, a person named Carolina, whose surname he does not remember, informed him that one of his relatives in New Zealand had died and that in order to access that person's inheritance, he had to travel to Auckland, New Zealand, to sign certain documents at a public notary's office.'
Anthony Albanese has announced four cargoes carrying 200 million litres of diesel will soon arrive on Australian shores amid the ongoing fuel crisis.

Australia has also secured an additional 250,000 tonnes of fertiliser for farmers.

'Today I am pleased that Export Finance Australia has been able to work with businesses to secure four additional cargoes of diesel for Australia,' the Prime Minister told reporters in Sydney on Wednesday.

'Combined [an] additional 200 million litres of diesel for use in Australia. Two agreements through BP and two through Viva.

'These cargoes coming from South Korea, two of them, one from Brunei and one from Malaysia. Two destinations where I visited last week and partners we are working closely with in the interest of Australians going forward.'

The cargoes are expected to arrive in May or in the first week of June at ports in Brisbane, Geelong, Sydney and Kwinana, near Perth.

Albanese said the government will continue to work with Ampol, Piper Gilles and other fuel suppliers to secure additional fuel supplies in the coming weeks.

He said there are currently 61 ships carrying fuel currently on their way to Australia.

Anthony Albanese (pictured) has announced four cargoes carrying 200 million litres of diesel will soon arrive on Australian shores amid the ongoing fuel crisis

The cargoes are expected to arrive in May or in the first week of June at ports in Brisbane, Geelong, Sydney and Kwinana, near Perth

It comes one week after Albanese announced Australia had secured an extra 100 million litres of diesel shipments after he held formal talks in Kuala Lumpur.

During Wednesday's press conference, Albanese downplayed criticisms he received over the announcement, after opposition sources argued the amount represented little more than a single day's supply.

'Do you think we should have secured an additional 200 million litres? Or let's look at the counterfactual, we could be sitting back being critical or we could be out there working hard in the interest of Australians,' Albanese said. 'We take the second option.'

When asked by a reporter if Australians are being lulled into a false sense of security over the fuel announcements, Albanese hit back.

'There is significant volatility  thats clear. Fuel supply chains operate on long timeframes, often 30 days or more. Infrastructure damage, shipping bottlenecks, and regional instability all create risks,' he said.

'What we can control is our response  and thats why we are doing everything possible to secure supply, work diplomatically to support deescalation, and coordinate nationally.'

The PM wouldn't be drawn on a potential extension to the fuel excise cut, currently legislated until June 30.

'Weve been upfront about the uncertainty we face. If anyone here can tell me when the Middle East conflict will end, theyd be the only people in the world who know,' he said.

During the PM's press conference at Port Botany, there was a tanker offloading fuel for use in the Sydney market

'Until then, we will keep acting - not sitting on our hands - and work with states, industry, and international partners to protect Australians.'

CEO of BP, Paul Auge, said the extra cargo will be in addition to five cargoes due to arrive into NSW before the end of May.

In addition to our normal import program into Australia, which will see around 60 cargoes arrive over the coming months, this partnership with the government through the EFA is allowing us to bring additional cargoes into the country to strengthen fuel security,' Mr Auge said.

'Behind us is a ship that has come all the way from the United States, from our Cherry Point refinery in Washington State. That again demonstrates the resilience of the supply chains Australia has access to, through a global network and global partnerships.'
The teenage cousin of a two-year-old was hit with several charges of murder and sexual assault after the toddler with whom he was in foster care was found unresponsive on Easter Sunday.

The 17-year-old cousin of toddler Jaxon Juarez was charged on Monday after sexually assaulting his foster brother multiple times, said the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office.

In addition to murder, the teen, who has turned 18 since the murder, faces nine other felonies, including child assault causing death and 'assault with a hair tie.'

District Attorney Jeff Rosen said in a news conference on Monday that baby Jaxon was found with a hair tie wrapped around his neck.

His office added that when officials first responded, the toddler's body was brutally bruised and battered.

Emergency responders performed life-saving measures and transported baby Jaxon to the hospital in critical condition, according to the San Jose Police Department.

At the hospital, several suspicious traumatic injuries were discovered, and he was placed on life support.

Officials tracked down the toddler's cousin in San Jose, who was arrested on April 8 and was booked into the Santa Clara County Juvenile Hall.

Jaxon Juarez, 2, was pronounced dead on April 9 after first responders found him in critical condition with a hair tire around his neck

The District Attorney's Office noted that evidence showed that the cousin had allegedly repeatedly assaulted, sexually and physically, Jaxon since the boy was placed in the foster family home in February.

The following day, Jaxon succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the hospital.

'Today, we sadly add the name of Baby Jaxon alongside Baby Phoenix and others on a list of children whose short lives have been snuffed out through cruelty and recklessness,' said Rosen.

'We are left with broken hearts and serious questions about who was watching out for the safety of these extremely vulnerable children. Jaxon will never have a chance at life. Jaxon will never have any way to tell his own story. My Office will speak for him and all the lost children as we seek justice.'

The District Attorney's Office is urging that the cousin be charged as an adult so he can possibly face a much harsher sentence.

Jaxon's cousin, who was 17 years old at the time of the atrocity allegedly abusing the toddler sexually and physically since February

District Attorney Jeff Rosen supports charging the teen as an adult. 'If his petition is found true in juvenile court, he could face seven years in Secure Track, a locked facility for juveniles who have been adjudicated of serious crimes,' his office said in a statement

'If his petition is found true in juvenile court, he could face seven years in Secure Track, a locked facility for juveniles who have been adjudicated of serious crimes,' reads the press release.

'If the case is sent to adult court by a judge, he could face many years in prison.'

According to ABC 7, the toddler's foster parent was his cousin's mother, who had previously been convicted of felony child endangerment in 2014.

Officials from SPD also added that his caregiver was arrested after allegedly not cooperating with the investigation but was released later.

Jaxon's death remains under investigation.
President Donald Trump threatened to 'blow up the rest of Iran and its leaders' as he warned that he would not reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

In an inflammatory post on his Truth Social page on Tuesday night, the president denied that he would reopen the vital waterway, through which one fifth of the world's oil supply traverses.

'Iran doesn't want the Strait of Hormuz closed, they want it open so they can make $500 Million Dollars a day (which is, therefore, what they are losing if it is closed!),' Trump wrote.

'They only say they want it closed because I have it totally BLOCKADED (CLOSED!), so they merely want to "save face",' he argued.

'People approached me four days ago, saying, "Sir, Iran wants to open up the Strait, immediately",' the president continued.

'But if we do that, there can never be a Deal with Iran, unless we blow up the rest of their Country, their leaders included!'

He later posted that 'Iran is collapsing financially!'

'They want the Strait of Hormuz opened immediately - Starving for cash,' the president claimed in a post just before midnight on Tuesday, reiterating that the country was losing $500million a day and claiming that the 'military and police [are] complaining that they are not getting paid.'

President Donald Trump threatened to 'blow up the rest of' Iran and 'its leaders' in a Truth Social post on Tuesday night

He said he would not reopen the vital Strait of Hormuz

The posts came hours after he announced that he was indefinitely extending the ceasefire with Iran, which was set to expire on Wednesday as questions remained about whether there would be a second round of peace talks.

The White House had been planning to send Vice President JD Vance to Pakistan to negotiate an end to the war with Iranian officials, but the administration put the trip on hold amid Iran's rebuffed efforts to restart negotiations.

Iran has not yet responded to Trump's announcement of the ceasefire extension. Both countries have warned that, without a deal, they were prepared to resume fighting.

Tehran has also said it has no plans to continue another round of talks with the US due to Trump's naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei, for example, told Irans state TV there has been 'no final decision' on whether to agree to more talks because of 'unacceptable actions' by the US - apparently referring to the blockade of Iranian ports.

Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani also said ending the blockade remains a condition for Iran to rejoin peace talks. When that happens, he said, 'I think the next round of the negotiations will take place.'

But in a Truth Social post announcing the ceasefire extension, Trump vowed that the US would continue the blockade.

He said that 'based on the fact that the government of Iran is seriously fractured', the US military would hold off striking 'until such time as their leaders and representatives can come up with a unified proposal.'

'I have therefore directed our Military to continue the Blockade and, in all other respects, remain ready and able, and will therefore extend the Ceasefire until such time as their proposal is submitted, and discussions are concluded, one way or the other,' Trump added.

The White House had been planning to send Vice President JD Vance to Pakistan to engage with Iranian leaders

Both the US and Iran have warned that without a deal they would resume fighting. A plume of smoke is seen rising following a strike on Tehran in March

The president also noted that the latest ceasefire extension came at the request of Pakistani intermediaries after peace talks with Iran stalled over Trump's naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

The president imposed the blockade after Tehran refused to suspend its nuclear program. He reportedly aimed to use the blockade to pressure Tehran back into peace talks after the initial Vance-led negotiations collapsed.

In recent days, US forces have begun boarding and seizing tankers destined for Iranian ports.

At the same time, Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner were expected in Washington on Tuesday afternoon for consultations about how best to proceed, according to a US official who spoke on the condition of anonymity with the Associated Press.

The official cautioned that Trump could change his mind on negotiating with Iran at any time, and declined to predict what would happen. The official said Trump has options short of restarting airstrikes.

Peace talks have reached a standstill over Trump's naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which accounts for a fifth of global oil trade

Tehran said it has no plans to continue another round of talks with the US due to Trump's naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz

As the president now weighs his options, he lambasted a Wall Street Journal columnist for penning an op-ed entitled 'The Iranians Take Trump for a Sucker.'

'An IDIOT on The Wall Street Journal's Editorial Board, named Elliot Kaufman, just wrote an Op Ed entitled, 'The Iranians Take Trump for a Sucker.' Really?,' Trump wrote on his Truth Social page.

'For 47 years, they have killed our people, and many others, and taken advantage of every President, except me  And what did I give to them, a Country in tatters!'

Trump then went on to extoll his victories in Iran, claiming that 'their entire Navy is at the bottom of the Sea, their Air Force is gone... their Nuclear Labs and Storage Areas were OBLITERATED.'

He also noted that General Qasem Soleimani, whom he called an 'evil genius who destroyed the lives of so many with his favored roadside bombs,' was killed by US forces in 2020 and argued that Iran 'is an Economic Catastrophe, that is hanging by a thread.'

Trump hit out at Wall Street Journal columnist Elliot Kaufman on Truth Social

The president also hit out at former president Barack Obama for his nuclear deal with the Islamic Republic and claimed 'other presidents did nothing to stop them, a BLIGHT on the Office of the Presidency.

'But despite all of this, I have a MORON on the Editorial Board of The Wall Street Journal writing about me being taken for a 'sucker,'' he wrote.

'Iran certainly doesn't think so!' the president argued. 'Neither does anyone else.'

'I guess Rupert Murdoch told him to write it this way because The Wall Street Journal has lost its way, no longer required reading, just another failing political 'RAG!,' he said of the owner of the storied newspaper.
Flight cancellations remain a real possibility for Australia if the conflict in the Middle East continues, as airlines confront fuel shortages and sharply rising costs.

Speaking on Sky News on Tuesday, Environment Minister Murray Watt said cancellations 'can't be ruled out' if the conflict continues.

'We've already seen our domestic airlines make some changes around their flight routes. That's obviously at least in part a response to the global fuel shortage that we're seeing,' he said.

'It's why we've been saying we want to see this conflict resolved as quickly as possible. It's why we want to see the Strait of Hormuz opened as soon as possible.

'We've always said the longer this dispute goes on, the more difficult it will be for Australians and for everyone around the world in terms of meeting our fuel needs.

'Clearly the longer we see global fuel networks disrupted the way they have been, that's going to have consequences,' he said.

Australia remains at level two of the National Fuel Security Plan, designed to keep transport running smoothly.

If escalated to level three, fuel would be directed first to essential industries such as farming, freight and emergency services, with voluntary measures to limit fuel use introduced.

Murray Watt (pictured) said the government could not rule out further flights being cancelled

At level four, one national system would manage fuel so key users are supplied first.

The warning comes as Qantas and Virgin Australia both move to cut capacity and lift fares in response to surging fuel costs linked to the conflict.

Virgin earlier this month flagged fewer flights and higher fares across the second half of 202526 and into the next financial year.

'Given ongoing volatility, FY27 settings including capacity are under review,' the airline said in a statement to the ASX.

While Virgin said fuel supply remained secure in the short term, it warned prices had risen sharply.

'The price of jet fuel has been extremely volatile and has more than doubled since the end of February 2026,' it said.

Qantas announced similar measures a day earlier, flagging fare increases, domestic capacity cuts and changes to its international network.

The airline expects to spend up to $3.3 billion on jet fuel in the first half of 202526, saying price spikes linked to the Strait of Hormuz had added up to $800 million in costs.

Qantas and Virgin have both already moved to reduce fleet capacity due to fuel constraints

As a result, Qantas and Jetstar will cut domestic capacity by about five per cent in May and June, with several routes already suspended, including Sydney to Busselton and services to Hamilton Island, Coffs Harbour, Mount Gambier and the Gold Coast.

University of Sydney Business School professor Rico Merkert said airlines may be forced to make further cuts if fuel availability tightens.

'Jet fuel availability will emerge as a serious constraint, potentially forcing airlines to cancel flights more broadly,' he told Daily Mail.

'If they have to cancel international flights and pause or cull some unviable regional flights, they need to compensate that loss in cash flow somewhere.'

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese warned that Australians would continue to feel the effects of the war long after any peace deal is reached.

'There is significant volatility, that's clear,' he said on Wednesday in Sydney.

'Fuel supply chains operate on long timeframes, often 30 days or more. Infrastructure damage, shipping bottlenecks, and regional instability all create risks.

'What we can control is our response, and that's why we are doing everything possible to secure supply, work diplomatically to support deescalation, and coordinate nationally.'

Anthony Albanese (right) said there was 'significant volatility' in the fuel market due to the war

In Washington, President Donald Trump said he was 'highly unlikely' to renew a twoweek ceasefire with Iran due to expire at midnight GMT on Wednesday (10am Thursday, Sydney time).

'I'm not going to be rushed into making a bad deal,' Trump told Bloomberg News in a phone interview.

After peace negotiations between American and Iranian negotiators collapsed a week ago, President Trump declared the US Navy will stop 'any and all' ships from entering or leaving the key trade route, which until recently carried around onefifth of the world's oil supplies.

It comes after Iran charged a toll for ships wanting to travel through the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump has ordered the US Navy to find and intercept any vessel that has paid the toll.

'No one who pays an illegal toll will have safe passage on the high seas,' he said.
The heartbroken parents of slain Loyola University freshman Sheridan Gorman have spoken out for the first time since their daughter was gunned down by an illegal immigrant.

Sheridan, 18, was shot dead in the early hours of March 19 while walking with friends near Chicago's lakefront. Her death shattered her family and has once again ignited a debate over crime and immigration.

'I don't care what side of the aisle politically people are on, or is right in the middle like us. This can't happen. We've got to make changes,' her mother, Jessica Gorman, told CBS News.

'We all should be able to agree about the safety of our kids,' her father, Thomas, added.

The freshman, who had recently arrived in Chicago from Yorktown, New York, was out with friends near the lakefront around 1:30am when a masked gunman approached the group and opened fire.

Sheridan was struck in the head and pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators have said the shooting appears to have been random - a senseless act of violence that claimed the life of a teenager described by her family as 'the light of our lives.'

The suspect, Jose Medina, 25, an undocumented immigrant from Venezuela, was arrested days later and charged with first-degree murder and other felonies. Authorities say he first entered the United States in 2023.

Sheridan Gorman's parents, Thomas and Jessica Gorman, said their grief remains overwhelming as they continue to process the sudden loss of their 18-year-old daughter

Sheridan Gorman, 18, was struck in the head and was pronounced dead at the scene while walking with friends near Chicago's lakefront last month

Jose Medina, a 25-year-old Venezuelan man who illegally entered the country in May 2023, is now facing felony charges of first-degree murder and aggravated use of a firearm

Records show Medina had previously been arrested in Chicago on a theft charge and released on bond.

He later failed to appear in court, prompting a warrant for his arrest, but remained free until Sheridan was killed.

He is now being held in Cook County jail without bond.

In court filings, Assistant Public Defender Julie Koehler described the case as 'a tragedy,' adding that Medina had suffered a gunshot wound to the head as a teenager and has 'the mental capacity of a child.'

For Sheridan's parents, the focus is not just on the man accused of pulling the trigger - but on what they say are broader systemic failures.

Asked what accountability would look like, mom, Jessica said, 'I don't think we know yet.'

'There's definitely policies that contributed to this happening, and we can't save Sheridan,' her father added. 'But we can't just not do anything.'

EXCLUSIVE: The parents of Sheridan Gorman, the Loyola University student shot and killed in Chicago, are speaking out about their anger and calling for change. This cant happen. Weve got to make changes, they tell CBS News @CBSMATTGUTMAN. More tomorrow on @CBSMornings. pic.twitter.com/wxQp7DO2I8  CBS News (@CBSNews) April 21, 2026

Mother, Jessica Gorman, said the tragedy should transcend politics, insisting 'this can't happen' and urging change

Father, Thomas Gorman, said all sides should be able to agree on protecting children and preventing similar violence

Gorman's family has said they are upset about the policies that allowed Medina to remain in the country. Sheridan is pictured with her mother Jessica Gorman

It remains unclear why Medina may have opened fire on the college freshman

'Sheridan was a beautiful, strong girl who loved to sing and dance. Every Friday night was movie night and we spent wonderful times together,' the family said in an earlier statement.

'We love her very much and she always told us that she loved us. We miss her deeply. All we want is justice.'

They have described her as someone who 'made people feel seen, safe and loved,' and said the trust they had in her safety was shattered.

The killing has drawn the attention of President Donald Trump who took the opportunity to publicly blame former President Joe Biden's immigration policies for allowing Medina to remain in the country.

'A precious 18-year-old college student named Sheridan Gorman was shot and killed while walking in a park, innocently,' Trump said during remarks last month at the National Republican Congressional Committee's annual fundraising dinner.

President Donald Trump blamed his predecessor's open border policies for the death of a Chicago college student during his speech at the National Republican Congressional Committee's annual fundraising dinner last month

Gorman's death was also brought up several times during White House press conferences

Sheridan Gorman (second right) is pictured smiling in happier times with her friends in Florida last summer

The 18-year-old college freshman was fatally shot while walking with her friends near the pier at Loyola Beach

'The illegal alien monster charged with Sheridan's murder had come illegally from Venezuela and had been released into our country by Sleepy Joe Biden,' he continued, while also criticizing Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Chicago's sanctuary city policies.

Trump later called the killing 'devastating'. 'These people were let in by Biden We're getting them out fast,' he promised.

Officials in Illinois have pushed back, with Governor Pritzker describing the case as a 'terrible tragedy' while arguing that failures extend beyond the state and reflect broader national issues, including the lack of comprehensive immigration reform.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson also criticized federal enforcement priorities, saying they do not reflect public safety realities.
A senior law partner has been charged after being accused of facilitating more than $25million worth of fraud for one of the biggest alleged money laundering syndicates.

Elic Tang, 32, was arrested at his western Sydney home on Tuesday morning, with footage showing him wearing a Country Road jumper as he was escorted from the property and into the back of a police van.

Tang is listed as the sole director at Sydney law firm Rosemont Partners Ltd, according to Australian Securities and Investments Commission records.

He is accused of laundering money for the Penthouse Syndicate and helping to purchase more than $25million worth of property for them.

On its website, Rosemont Partners describes itself as a 'multidisciplinary boutique law firm'.

Tang was charged with participating in a criminal group, six counts of dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception and five counts of knowingly dealing with the proceeds of crime.

The arrest signifies a huge win for detectives probing the Penthouse Syndicate, with Tang the first solicitor to be charged as part of their investigation.

The Penthouse Syndicate is alleged to be one of the biggest fraud and money laundering groups in Australian history, accused of infiltrating the banking, finance, property and legal sectors.

Elic Tang, 32, was arrested at his western Sydney home on Tuesday morning

Tang worked at Sydney law firm Rosemont Partners

On its website, Rosemont Partners describes itself as a 'multidisciplinary boutique law firm'

The alleged ringleader Bing Li was arrested in a penthouse apartment at Crown Towers Sydney in Barangaroo in July 2025.

Li had rented the $37,000-a-month apartment for about a year before his arrest and was escorted out in handcuffs and a $4,500 Louis Vuitton jacket.

The 38-year-old was charged with 87 offences, including knowingly directing the activities of a criminal group and dealing with the proceeds of crime.

The Penthouse Syndicate has been accused of defrauding major banks and financiers of more than $250million, of which $150million was allegedly taken from NAB.

Police have been investigating employees at NAB for allegedly facilitating home and business loans.

The NAB employees are suspected of accepting bribes from syndicate members to approve bogus loan applications.

Court documents revealed a senior banking manager at NAB allegedly advised Li and other alleged syndicate members which documents to provide in order to secure loans, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.

The loans, including a $2million mortgage application and a business loan of almost $500,000, was then allegedly approved by the manager.

The alleged ringleader Bing Li was arrested in a penthouse apartment at the Crown Towers Sydney in Barangaroo in July 2025

Police have charged 14 alleged syndicate members for their involvement in fraud totalling $107million - $15million of which has been linked to NAB.

In November 2024, alleged syndicate member Hanna Karliana allegedly provided an electronic 'selfie-style' image of herself, her Australian passport, phone number, email and signature for the approval of a $6million home loan application.

A NAB employee then allegedly approved the home loan application based on those identification documents and allegedly falsified financials that Karliana had provided.

In August 2025, the 61-year-old and her partner Indra Hari Nurkianto, 60, were charged over their alleged roles as mules for the Penthouse Syndicate.
MSD Lawyers Appoints Veteran Trial Attorney Mark Russ as Trial Counsel, Bolstering Los Angeles Employment and Litigation Practice.

LOS ANGELES, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- MSD Lawyers (Mills Sadat Dowlat) has named Mark Russ as Trial Counsel, adding more than three decades of courtroom experience to a firm that represents Los Angeles workers and injured individuals across some of the most consequential legal disputes in the region. Visit https://msdlawyers.com/attorneys/ to learn more about Mark and the MSD team.

Mark Russ - MSD Lawyers New Hire

"Mark brings the courtroom experience and the client-first mindset we've built MSD around," said Arash Sadat, partner at MSD Lawyers. "He'll be a strong voice in our trial practice, and our clients are the ones who benefit."

The hire comes as Los Angeles employers face heightened scrutiny over wage-and-hour compliance, worker misclassification, and workplace misconduct, creating growing demand for trial-ready legal representation.

Mark Russ: Career Milestones

"MSD's commitment to their clients and to their people is what drew me in," said Mark Russ. "I'm looking forward to putting my trial experience to work on behalf of the firm and continuing to build a practice we can be proud of." Russ brings a litigation record spanning three decades and multiple court systems across Los Angeles County.

Key career milestones include:

Late 2000s: While at Loyola Law School, Russ began building his trial practice as a case manager, advancing to represent clients at trials and contested hearings under the State Bar of California's Practical Training of Law Students (PTLS) Program.

Post-graduation: As a trial attorney representing criminal defendants from arraignment through verdict across Los Angeles County, Russ developed the full toolkit of high-stakes advocacy: jury selection, direct and cross-examination, closing argument, and the ability to perform under pressure when a client's future is on the line.

2018: Los Angeles County Public Defender: Handled hundreds of matters in pretrial and trial proceedings at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center, Metropolitan Courthouse, East Los Angeles Courthouse, West Covina Courthouse, and more. That volume of courtroom experience laid the groundwork for the most complex cases in the public defense system.

2023: Los Angeles County Alternate Public Defender: Represented clients with felonies, including three-strikes/life and homicide cases, including cases of false accusation and police misconduct.

Strengthening Client Representation Across Los Angeles

"When I first sat down with Mark, what stood out was how he thinks about a case from the client's perspective before anything else," said Camron Dowlatshahi, Partner. "That's the standard we hold here, and it's why I knew he was the right fit for MSD."

The addition of Mark Russ to the MSD Lawyers trial team comes at a critical moment for Los Angeles workers navigating a complex wage-and-hour enforcement landscape. Legislation approved by the City Council in October 2023 seeks to empower the City's Office of Wage Standards to investigate state wage-and-hour violations locally, including overtime, meal and rest breaks, and tip violations, though implementation remains ongoing. Under California Labor Code Section 226, employees can recover up to $4,000 from employers who knowingly fail to provide accurate wage statements, plus costs and attorney's fees. With recovery timelines ranging from 4 to 24 months, depending on the path pursued, having trial-ready counsel from the outset matters. Russ's addition positions MSD Lawyers to combine individual wage claims with PAGA representative actions and apply the courtroom pressure Los Angeles workers need.

MSD Lawyers has built a record of significant client recoveries, including millions recovered in wage-and-hour cases, federal court judgments, and arbitration awards. Russ's appointment reinforces the firm's capacity to take cases from inception through trial across its core practice areas: employment disputes, including sexual harassment, worker misclassification, and unpaid wages; catastrophic personal injury and wrongful death; rehab center abuse and neglect; and complex business litigation.

MSD Lawyers is a leading employment and personal injury law firm headquartered in downtown Los Angeles. Serving clients across industries as diverse as the city itself, MSD represents workers and injured individuals in matters including sexual harassment, wage and hour violations, worker misclassification, unpaid wages, catastrophic personal injury, and wrongful death. The firm's attorneys bring the same level of aggressive, personalized advocacy to every case, from pre-filing investigation through trial, that was once reserved for only the largest corporations. MSD's mission is to protect the rights of individuals and hold wrongdoers accountable, no matter the size of the opposition. For more information, visit https://msdlawyers.com/

SOURCE MSD Lawyers
More than 160,000 Australians are set to lose access to the NDIS under a sweeping government crackdown on the scheme, plagued by fraud, with every participant to be reassessed.

The dramatic overhaul means people with lower support needs will be moved off the scheme by 2030, while stricter eligibility tests, spending cuts and a new government-approved provider system are rolled out.

NDIS and Health Minister Mark Butler used a National Press Club address on Wednesday to unveil the reforms, declaring the NDIS had drifted far from its original purpose.

He launched a blistering attack on operators accused of exploiting taxpayers and vulnerable Australians.

'The fraud in the NDIS is being perpetrated by lowlifes who are scamming both the taxpayer and people with disability.

'Australians expect the NDIS to support people with a disability and their families and to continue to transform their lives in the way we've seen happen over the past 13 years.

'Not for it to be an ATM for shonks and drifters, fraudsters and crooks.'

As part of the changes, standardised assessments will be rolled out, with a list of diagnoses no longer the sole standard for access.

Mark Butler has outlined reforms to the $50 billion National Disability Insurance Scheme

'The bill I intend to introduce in the budget sittings will allow us to introduce standardised, evidence-based assessments of a person's functional capacity to determine access to the scheme,' Butler said.

'In line with the scheme's original intent, access will be based upon a significant reduction in a person's functional capacity that impacts their day-to-day living. It will also remove the use of lists that decide on a participant's eligibility based on diagnosis alone.'

An advisory group, the disability community, and states and territories will help formulate the eligibility tests.

The government aims to reduce the number of people on the NDIS from about 760,000 to 600,000 by the end of the decade, much lower than forecasts of more than 900,000 at current rates.

Butler said every person on the scheme would be reassessed.

Those who do not meet the benchmark for inclusion will be directed to other support services.

A major target of the reforms is the scheme's social and community participation budget, which Butler said had surged from $4 billion a year five years ago to $12 billion this year.

NDIS Minister Mark Butler left, pictured with Anthony Albanese

NDIS: WHAT IS CHANGING More than 160,000 people are expected to lose access to the NDIS by 2030, with participant numbers forecast to fall to around 600,000 instead of growing beyond 900,000.

Eligibility rules will be tightened, with access based on how much a disability impacts day-to-day functioning rather than diagnosis alone.

Standardised assessments will be introduced to decide who qualifies for the scheme.

People with lower support needs may be moved off the scheme under the new rules.

Mildly autistic children will be redirected away from the NDIS under the Thriving Kids reform.

Spending on social and community participation supports will be cut, with average spending per participant reduced from about $31,000 to $26,000 over two years.

Plan managers and third-party intermediaries will face a 30 per cent spending reduction.

A shortlist of approved quality providers will be introduced, replacing the current open market model.

He said that single area of the NDIS was now costing roughly the same as the entire Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.

Changes will bring the average cost of plans down to $26,000 per year, from $31,000 in 2026.

'This is about stabilising the costs of the scheme  and guaranteeing the essential services the NDIS provides  here and now,' Butler said.

Butler said a shortlist of approved providers would replace the current open-market model as Labor moves quickly to cut costs and lift standards among third parties that manage most NDIS plans and claims.

'Instead of this contest continuing, our Government will identify a short list of accountable, quality providers, which people can then choose from.'

He said the government would cut spending on third-party NDIS providers by 30 per cent.

'Many of these people provide valuable support to participants. But others have no qualifications or background in disability services and seem more interested, too often, in clipping the ticket,' he said.

'Too many participants tell us their support workers are spending more time on their phones than engaging with them and providing support.

The federal government wants to arrest the continued high rate of increase on NDIS spending

'We've received reports of participants falling out of their wheelchairs while a support worker is scrolling on their phone. There's no connection there. There's no participation, there's no inclusion.

'This is not only a failure to show respect and dignity, it's also a safety issue. This approach hasn't just led to the decline of genuine community support, it's also become extraordinarily expensive.'

The reforms also include a $200 million fund to help community groups deliver support services as more people are moved off the NDIS.
A young woman has slammed men for not stepping in to help her after she was harassed by a stranger at the gym.

Perth local Rebecca Adams said she was working out on April 8 when she noticed a man eyeballing her, immediately setting off alarm bells.

'We make eye contact multiple times. He starts working out on the machine right next to where I'm stretching, and is literally peeping around the corner,' she said.

'I'm like, okay, this guy is a creep. He's gonna be staring at me no matter what.'

Ms Adams moved through her exercises and the man followed her to nearby machines, including one instance where he actively faced her backside.

'While I'm working out (on this cable machine), my ass is facing the mirror,' she said.

'This guy sits on the calf raising machine with dumbbells in hand, and works out facing my ass. I'm not kidding, staring directly at it.'

As she became angrier about the blatant staring, she said men around her could 'see exactly what's going on'.

Digital creator Rebecca Adams (pictured) described a terrifying visit to a Perth gym where a man stared at her a she tried to exercise

'They're staring at him. And I'm starting to get mad, because I'm like, if you can all see it, why is no one stepping in?' she said.

'Grown men with huge muscles with the capability to take down an elephant are just watching this situation unfold.

'In my opinion, if you are a man in the gym, you need to step up and say some s***. I walk to my bag. I'm upset. I'm frustrated this always happens as a woman.'

Ms Adams said two young female workers, who had been monitoring the situation on the security footage, approached her after noticing she was upset.

'It turns out, this man has been in the gym for three plus hours staring at women,' Ms Adams said.

She added that another customer had told staff that the man in question had been banned from another gym for assaulting a woman.

The two staff members called a manager, who then told him to leave.

Ms Adams shared a message for men, urging them to help if they witness someone in trouble.

Rebecca Adams has called on men to do more to help female gym-goers.

The man was asked to leave by the gym's manager (stock image)

'If you're a man in the f***ing gym and you see some s*** like this go down, man up and say something. Don't just sit there and be silent and watch,' she said.

'I want to praise the two workers who helped me yesterday. Thank you so much for stepping in and getting him kicked out. Forever grateful.

'And to all the girls out there, just be aware of your surroundings. Keep an eye on people and report people. Report them to the workers there.

'I should have done it sooner, but I'm so used to it now that I've just learned to deal with it. I should have really said something.'

Ms Adams chose not to name her local gym in order to maintain her privacy.
Australia's Foreign Minister has issued a pointed warning to Donald Trump about his 'unpredictable' approach to global diplomacy, as the US President tightens the screws on Iran despite extending a fragile ceasefire.

Trump on Tuesday announced he would extend the ceasefire with Iran while talks between the two nations continued, but warned Washington would maintain its blockade of Iranian ports until Tehran produced what he called a 'unified proposal'.

The move underscores the US President's hardline, chaotic negotiating tactics, which Senator Wong said marked a sharp departure from how America had traditionally operated on the world stage.

'President Trump does envision a very different role for America in the world,' she told ABC Adelaide on Wednesday morning.

'We know that he prizes unpredictability. What we do need to do is continue to engage with the United States institutionally and continue to press for what we want, which is in our interests.

'And that is the ceasefire to hold and the Strait to be open.'

Her comments come amid growing concern about the impact of ongoing tensions on global shipping routes and regional stability, with Australia watching closely as negotiations between Washington and Tehran unfold.

Senator Wong described the ceasefire as 'fragile' and urged Iran to return to the negotiating table with the US.

Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong (pictured) has issued a pointed warning about Donald Trump 's 'unpredictable' approach to global diplomacy

The US President Donald Trump (pictured) has made it clear had made clear the US no longer saw itself as underwriting the global order

'We want to see talks resume and we want to see Iran return to the negotiations. We all know that we need an end to the conflict,' she said.

'We've been calling for that for some time.'

Senator Wong said Trump has made clear since his first term that the US no longer sees itself as underwriting the global order - a role it had traditionally embraced.

He lashed NATO after the alliance offered to assist with security in the Strait of Hormuz, despite Trump saying the situation had already been resolved.

'Now that the Hormuz Strait situation is almost over, I received a call from NATO asking if we would like some help,' the President wrote.

'Thank you very much, NATO. I told them I would have liked your help two months ago. They were absolutely useless when we needed them.

'We never needed them; they needed us.'

But Senator Wong was quick to defend NATO, describing it as a bedrock of peace in Europe and across the Atlantic since the end of World War II.

A commercial vessel is seen off the coast of Dubai with fears hostilities could resume in the weeks-long war in Iran

French President Emmanuel Macron (pictured left), British Prime Minister Keir Starmer (pictured centre) and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni arrive at the Elysee Palace for a conference on the Strait of Hormuz in Paris last Friday

'We had two world wars start in Europe. I think history tells us why it's important to maintain stability in Europe, and NATO has been central to that,' she said.

However, Senator Wong remained tight-lipped when outlining Australia's potential role in safeguarding shipping through the Strait of Hormuz should the ceasefire hold.

'It's in the world's interest for the Strait to be opened,' she said. 'You know that 20 per cent of the world's oil goes through that Strait.

'You probably also know that actually 80 per cent of the oil that comes to our region goes through the Strait.

'What that means is that we and the countries of our region are disproportionately affected, which is why we have been engaging so closely with Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Brunei and other countries of the region.'

But behind the tough talk, economists say Trump is facing mounting pressure to step back, with voters increasingly uneasy about the cost of the conflict.

Anthony Albanese (left) and His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah (right) meet during a visit to the Royal Palace in Brunei earlier this month to secure priority access to fuel supplies

Join the discussion Is Trump's unpredictable foreign policy helping or hurting global stability and Australia's interests?

AMP economist Shane Oliver, who has previously described Trump as acting like a 'madman' said the pressure on the US President to back down remains high.

He said only a third of Americans supported the war and his approval rating was below where it was eight years ago and lower than former US President Joe Biden.

'His policies, including the War, are worsening the affordability concerns that saw him elected in 2024,' he said. 'The Republicans are seeing increasing odds that they will lose both the House and the Senate in the midterms.

'And likewise, pressure on Iran to reach a deal is high as the US switches from bombing, to even tougher economic sanctions via the blockade of Iranian oil exports will intensify popular discontent with the Iranian Government.

'And it may conclude that its ability to cause pain for the US by effectively blocking 20 per cent of global oil supply means it has no need for nuclear weapons to ensure it survives.'
A Texas nurse who had just experienced her 'dream wedding' suffered a nightmare when she was rushed to the emergency room on her honeymoon in Japan.

Sarah Danh, 27, married Luke Gradl, 28, on March 21 in what Gradl described to PEOPLE as Danh's 'dream wedding.'

But just two days after the newlyweds arrived in Tokyo for their honeymoon, Danh was admitted into the emergency room and diagnosed with acute liver failure.

'When we arrived at the hotel the afternoon of April 8, she was not feeling well,' he recounted. 'So we decided to rest that day, because we had 16 total days in Japan, so we could afford to rest half a day.

'April 9, things started to go bad very quickly, so I immediately took her to the hospital just before midnight when we were admitted to the emergency room, and the next day moved to the ICU because of [her] life-threatening health decline.'

Danh, who herself works as a labor and delivery nurse, has since suffered from symptoms including jaundice, vomiting, fever, body aches and 'extreme' hepatic encephalopathy - a serious decline in brain function caused by severe liver disease.

When the liver is unable to filter toxins from the blood, they build up and affect the brain's ability to function, which can lead to unresponsiveness, coma or even death, according to the Mayo Clinic.

At the same time, Gradl said, Danh was experiencing failing kidneys and intracranial brain pressure - on top of her acute liver failure.

Sarah Danh, 27, married Luke Gradl, 28, on March 21 in what was described as Danh's 'dream wedding that she worked tirelessly on every day for over a year'

The couple were just two days into their honeymoon in Japan when Danh was rushed to the hospital, where she was diagnosed with acute liver failure

The shocking health decline came without any warning, Gradl said, noting that she seemed perfectly healthy at the wedding.

Gradl has remained by his new wife's side in the weeks since Danh was admitted to the hospital.

Her mother, Le Le, also joined the couple in Japan to offer 'moral support,' as the newlyweds battled a foreign healthcare system.

An online fundraiser to help them with their medical bills noted that 'In Japan, hospital bills must be paid in full or treatments will be stopped, which adds another layer of stress to an already overwhelming situation.'

The fundraiser, which has netted over $173,500 for the couple, also sought donations to help them pay for a medical flight to bring Danh back to the United States.

The bride's health decline came without any warning, her new husband said, noting that she seemed perfectly healthy at the wedding

Danh was being flown from Japan back to Texas in a medical evacuation flight that was scheduled to land on Tuesday

Their prayers were finally answered this week, as they announced Danh was being flown from Japan back to Texas in a medical evacuation flight that was scheduled to land on Tuesday - exactly one month after the couple exchanged vows.

Video obtained by News 4 San Antonio showed Danh strapped onto a stretcher on a runway in Japan, surrounded by monitors, machines and a medical team working to keep her stable for the flight.

A transplant team will then be waiting for Danh's arrival when she lands back in the United States.

Danh's flight back home was organized by AirMed and Danh's employer, Methodist Hospital Stone Oak, as well as HCA Healthcare.

Gradl and Le, Danh's mother, said the companies' generosity means more to us than we can put into words.

'A huge thank you to the medical team in Japan - the doctors and nurses who worked nonstop to keep Sarah stable up until evacuation. We'll never forget your care and dedication,' they said in a statement.

'To the AirMed team, thank you for moving so quickly and making everything come together when it really mattered most. You made a real difference for us.

'We're also so thankful to the team in San Antonio for being ready and waiting for Sarah,' the family added. 'Knowing she was going into such good hands brought us peace during a very uncertain time.'

The family also said they are 'beyond grateful to those who have prayed or donated to support Danh's recovery'.

Gradl, her new husband, has stayed by her side as she remained in the Intensive Care Unit

A transplant team will then be waiting for Danh's arrival when she lands back in the United States

'Whether we know you personally or you reached out from somewhere far away, your kindness, prayers and support helped carry us through one of the hardest times in our lives. You gave us comfort, strength and hope when we needed it most.

'And most of all, thank you to our family for being there every step of the way. Your love and support kept us going through it all. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for standing with us.'

But even though Danh is now set to return home and is in stable condition, she is not yet out of the woods as the cause of her sudden health decline is still unclear.

Her family said further medical testing and evaluations will take place once she is back in the US.

The Daily Mail has reached out to AirMed, Methodist Hospital Stone Oak and HCA Healthcare for comment.
Elizabeth Smart has revealed a dramatic new chapter in her life, stunning fans with bodybuilding competition photos more than two decades after surviving her infamous abduction.

The 38-year-old child safety advocate shared images of herself posing onstage in a navy bikini and heels, confirming she has quietly been competing in - and winning - bodybuilding contests.

Smart posted the photos on Instagram, telling followers the appearance came during her fourth competition, held over the weekend in Salt Lake City.

'When I posted the pictures in my story of me standing on stage in a bikini it probably shocked many of you, and I understand the shock because had you asked me if I would ever compete in a bodybuilding show a couple of years ago I would have said, 'absolutely not! Never in 100 years!' she wrote.

The mother of three said she had kept her involvement in the sport private until now, admitting she feared how it might be perceived.

'This is actually the fourth competition I've done, but I was too afraid to post it before. Worried that I would be judged, not taken seriously, somehow perceived as less than or now unworthy to continue work as an advocate for all survivors,' she explained.

Smart said the realization that those fears mirrored what many survivors experience pushed her to finally go public.

'Then this past weekend it struck me how eerily familiar these feelings and thoughts are for too many survivors,' she wrote.

Elizabeth Smart (center) has taken up competitive bodybuilding, 24 years after she was abducted and held captive by a pedophile for nine months

Elizabeth Smart said she had kept her involvement in bodybuilding private until now, admitting she feared how it might be perceived

Her transformation has been both physical and deeply personal.

'This was a big change for me, it was hard, it pushed me, challenged me not to give up,' she shared. 'I am so proud of myself for doing this. I am so proud of my body, and I want to celebrate it.'

She added that her body represents survival - not just strength.

'My body has carried me through every worst day, every hellish grueling experience, it's created and nurtured three beautiful children, my body has risen to every single challenge life has presented it with, and carried me through so I refuse to be ashamed of it,' she wrote.

'I refuse to feel embarrassed about trying something new and am embracing my chance at life to the absolute fullest I can.'

Smart also reflected on how her perspective has evolved over time, saying she no longer wants to be defined by a single identity.

'I think it's easy to be labeled as one thing, and honestly, that's not me nor do I think it's any of us we are more than just one topic, one idea, one label,' she wrote.

Smart, 38, revealed she has been competing in bodybuilding competitions and recently shared photos from her fourth event

Smart with her husband, Matthew Gilmour, and their three children last fall

Smart as a child before she was abducted from her home aged 14 in June 2002

Smart's picture was on missing posters all across the country following her kidnapping. She was found in 2003

'I am interested in many things, and as I get older I realize more and more how important it is to make the most of today, we don't know what tomorrow brings.'

'And I don't want to reach the end of my life and look back and feel regret for only living a half-life, not going after all the things I want to do and try.'

The competition, the Wasatch Warrior event in Salt Lake City, marked another milestone in her journey.

Smart placed first in the novice category, third in the Masters 35+ division and second in Class D.

Smart was just 14 years old when she was abducted from her bedroom in Salt Lake City in June 2002. She was held captive for nine months before being rescued in March 2003.

In the years since, she has become one of the most prominent advocates for child safety and survivors of sexual violence, founding the Elizabeth Smart Foundation and speaking publicly about her experiences.

Smart with Gilmour and their three children, Chloe, 11, James, nine, and Olivia, seven

Smart managed to orchestrate her own rescue by convincing her abductors to return to Utah

She revisited her case earlier this year in the Netflix documentary Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart.

Now married to Matthew Gilmour, whom she wed in 2012, Smart is also a mother to three children - Chloe, 11, James, nine, and Olivia, seven - and says her latest pursuit is about fully embracing life.

'I only hope that we all find the courage to chase new experiences, goals, bettering ourselves, and most importantly happiness,' she wrote.
A journalist living with a disability has asked Health Minister Mark Butler why he has decided to 'cut the support of NDIS participants' as the cost of living soars.

Powerd Media reporter Emma Myers put the question to the minister as he revealed on Wednesday more than 160,000 people would lose access to the scheme.

Butler used his address to the National Press Club to outline a major overhaul that will tighten eligibility rules, slash spending on some support categories, reduce thirdparty management costs, and introduce new provider standards.

'In the current costofliving crisis, why have you decided to cut the support of NDIS participants?' Myers asked.

'Will there be additional supports to help us cover the cost of living?'

Butler said the government had worked 'very carefully' to identify where spending growth could be contained while protecting essential supports.

'We've worked very carefully to identify where we think we can control spending growth, and the areas where we need to preserve existing support,' he said.

Butler stressed that core supports would not be affected by the changes.

Emma Myers (pictured) from Powerd Media asked Mark Butler about cuts to the NDIS budget

'Those areas of support that are essential for daily living, accommodation supports, personal care, transport, hygiene and continence supports, medication management and all the rest , will not be subject to any of the controls I've talked about,' he said.

He said the government was instead targeting areas where spending growth had accelerated rapidly, particularly unscheduled plan reassessments.

'There will still be capacity for reassessments, but they should only happen in exceptional circumstances, where there's been a significant change in a participant's situation,' Butler said.

Butler acknowledged the changes to social and community participation funding would have a direct impact on some participants.

'Getting that spending back to where it was a few years ago is going to mean a reduction in the number of hours participants can spend on that,' he said.

'For people in supported independent living, they'll be able to reallocate some of their daily living budgets to help fill that gap. For others, it will have an impact, and I understand that, and we haven't done this lightly.'

Butler said the scale of growth meant the current approach was unsustainable.

'This is an area that has tripled in the last five years and is projected to grow to $20billion on its own,' he said.

Join the discussion How should Australia balance supporting people with disabilities and managing skyrocketing NDIS costs?

Mark Butler (pictured) said the changes would not impact daily core supports for participants

'That's not something we think we can continue to sustain.'

Butler said the changes were intended to improve quality, not just reduce costs, pointing to the creation of a new Inclusive Community Fund.

'This isn't just about spending,' he said.

'It's also about the quality of supports, which is why we're building an inclusive community fund, to rebuild the capability of community organisations, whether they're disability organisations, sporting clubs or arts groups, to host NDIS participants.'

Butler revealed the scheme would face new eligibilty tests.

'The NDIS was originally intended to support around 410,000 people with a disability. Today, there are 760,000 people on the scheme,' he said.

'While new eligibility rules need to be worked through, our initial modelling will see the number of people on the scheme reduce to around 600,000 by the end of the decade, instead of growing to well over 900,000.'

A key focus of the reforms is the scheme's social and community participation budget, which Butler said has blown out from $4 billion a year five years ago to $12 billion this year.

Butler said that the government would crackdown on bad carers within the NDIS (file)

NDIS: WHAT IS CHANGING More than 160,000 people are expected to lose access to the NDIS by 2030, with participant numbers forecast to fall to around 600,000 instead of growing beyond 900,000.

Eligibility rules will be tightened, with access based on how much a disability impacts day-to-day functioning rather than diagnosis alone.

Standardised assessments will be introduced to decide who qualifies for the scheme.

People with lower support needs may be moved off the scheme under the new rules.

Mildly autistic children will be redirected away from the NDIS under the Thriving Kids reform.

Spending on social and community participation supports will be cut, with average spending per participant reduced from about $31,000 to $26,000 over two years.

Plan managers and third-party intermediaries will face a 30 per cent spending reduction.

A shortlist of approved quality providers will be introduced, replacing the current open market model

'Today, that one stream of NDIS is costing about the same as what we spend in net terms on the entire Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme,' he said.

Butler said average participant spending on social and community participation had also jumped sharply, rising from $14,000 five years ago to about $31,000 today.

'Over the next two years, our changes will bring that figure down to about $26,000 per participant, back to where it was in 2023,' he said.

'Without these changes, that figure would have been closer to $33,000.'

Butler said Labor would be 'moving quickly to improve the quality and reduce the cost of the huge number of intermediaries in the scheme  those third parties who manage the majority of NDIS plans and claims.'

He said the current marketdriven model had encouraged some providers to prioritise profits over care.

'Market models are designed to create competition, but too often in the NDIS, we see that competition play out with third parties cutting costs and cutting corners to get as many plans on the books as possible rather than trying to win clients based on quality of their services,' Butler said.
Mark Butler used his National Press Club address in Canberra today to spell out just what getting the National Disability Insurance Scheme under control means in practice.

The broad direction was very much as foreshadowed in leaks: slow the scheme's rate of growth, tighten scrutiny around its biggest and fastest growing packages, push more people with lower levels of support or less permanent needs into systems outside the NDIS, and make the states carry more of that burden.

In other words, this was not a defence of the scheme in its current form by one of Anthony Albanese's closest parliamentary allies. It was an overdue acknowledgement that the NDIS has drifted a long way from what voters thought they were signing up to. The Prime Minister had all but said as much in a recent media interview, and Butler has now put that reality more plainly on the public record.

For years, the political system talked about the NDIS as though its only appropriate setting was ongoing expansion. Any attempt to draw firmer boundaries for financial reasons was treated as suspect, if not outright cruel.

Butler's speech amounted to an admission that the scheme can't go on absorbing every service gap, developmental issue and support failure that other parts of government have neglected. It was a tacit recognition that sustainability is not some neoliberal talking point invented by critics, but the central policy question now hanging over the future of the NDIS.

And it's about time.

What makes todays speech more significant still is that Butler made clear the tightening wont just apply to future entrants. Existing participants will be reassessed against new eligibility rules as their plans come up for renewal, once a new assessment tool is developed and put in place (dont hold your breath).

Butler says he wants that tool operating from 1 January 2028. Once operational it means people already on the scheme now could be removed from it later on, if they no longer meet the tighter criteria.

Thats a substantive narrowing of the schemes coverage, which most Australians would agree with. Butler is now openly talking about participant numbers falling from around 760,000 to 600,000, but it will take years to happen. And its arguably still far larger than voters initially anticipated.

Meanwhile, average plan costs are expected to be pushed down from roughly $31,000 to $26,000, back to what they in 2023. Its uncertain whether the lower costs per participant, coupled with fewer participants, will guarantee the NDISs sustainability, but it should at least buy some time before the inevitable upwards pressures on costs and eligibility resume.

What the speech didn't fully resolve, however, was the hardest question of all: where those pushed out of the NDIS are meant to go.

That tension was brought into sharper focus during the question and answer session, when a reporter with cerebral palsy who is on the NDIS asked Butler how the changes would affect disabled Australians already struggling with cost of living pressures.

Butler answered professionally enough, but it was clearly an awkward moment for the minister. You could see it in his eyes, because the exchange went to the heart of the political and moral problem Labor is still trying to navigate: restraining Commonwealth spending without leaving vulnerable people to fall between systems.

Labor wants to curb federal outlays while expecting states to build or rebuild the support systems that were allowed to weaken as the NDIS expanded. That may well be necessary, but it is also politically convenient.

If all that changes is a new carve-up of spending between tiers of government, without reducing the overall outlay, that's little more than an accounting trick. It's certainly not a shift that puts the scheme on a more sustainable fiscal footing.

Unless governments are prepared to say clearly who the NDIS is for, who it is not for, and what sits outside it, the country will remain stuck in the same cowardly debate: pretending everyone can be promised everything, while the bills keep climbing.

The NDIS was sold to the public as a simple moral proposition: Australians with severe, permanent disability should not be left to chance, charity or the uneven mercy of underwhelming state systems.

That idea remains popular, but pretending the scheme still operates within anything like those original boundaries has been blown to pieces.

The NDIS has become one of the Commonwealth's biggest spending programs, one of its fastest growing, and one of the clearest examples of what happens when political sentiment outruns administrative discipline.

Which is why the debate has to change. Not in a shrill way, where any attempt to tighten the scheme is denounced as cruelty, and any criticism of it is treated as an attack on disabled Australians.

The NDIS was originally forecast to cost $8billion a year but has blown out to an incredible extent

The real problem is not the existence of the NDIS, it's what it has become: too big, too vulnerable to gaming, and too politically protected for too long.

In the current financial year the NDIS has been projected to cost $52.3b, making it the third largest program expense in the Commonwealth budget. It is larger than aged care or the Commonwealth's medical benefits bill, and it is on track to reach $63.6b by 2028-29 unless major changes come into effect.

Such out of control costs are extraordinary for what began as a specialised disability scheme. There is a big 'I told you so' here. I and many others quickly raised concerns that such a scheme might not be sufficiently narrowed or capped, making it costly and unsustainable into the future.

This was entirely foreseeable, yet both sides of politics let the NDIS continue to spiral. Back in 2012 I wrote: 'the idea, while a good one, risks becoming a failure'.

The scheme was initially predicted to cost $8b a year. Think about that in the context of the fiscal sinkhole it has become. Also remind yourself, as the budget gets closer, just how inaccurate costing predictions often are.

The other number worth staring at is interest on government debt right now. Budget papers show interest expenses continuing to rise across the forward estimates, with the debt management program (code for the cost of the interest bills) climbing from $28.4b this financial year to $41.7b in 2028-29.

Two of the biggest fiscal pressures helping to squeeze future governments are now staring each other in the face: a vast disability program growing at a rate of knots, and the mounting cost of servicing the debt accumulated in an era of structurally high spending.

The irony is brutal: governments spend freely, fail to control the spending they create, then act surprised when debt interest payments start elbowing their way into the same fiscal territory.

The NDIS now services hundreds of thousands of people, far beyond what many voters likely imagined when the public case for it rested heavily on helping those with profound and permanent disabilities. The official figure was 739,000 participants at 30 June last year.

The original public compact was broad because the premise felt well bounded. Most people thought of the NDIS as a guarantee for those with the most serious and enduring needs. What the scheme increasingly became instead was the default answer to a much larger range of disability-related problems, developmental issues, family support failures and service gaps that should never all have been funnelled into one national, individualised funding model.

The 2023 review into the NDIS effectively said as much, arguing that the scheme should sit inside a broader disability support system rather than act as the catch-all for every need the rest of government has failed to meet. Mark Butler's National Press Club speech suggests that three years later Labor may finally be taking appropriate action to curtail the length and breadth of the NDIS.

However, pulling it back does not mean abandoning everyone else. That is the trap in this debate. There are many Australians with disabilities or developmental challenges who need support of some kind. But they do not need, and were never meant to receive, a large lifetime individual package from the Commonwealth. The answer is to rebuild the non-NDIS support architecture that state governments let wither while the Commonwealth scheme became the path of least resistance.

Many Australians need support of some kind... but they do not need, and were never meant to receive, a large lifetime individual package from the Commonwealth

But we do also need a national conversation about what the role of government is, how far that role should pervade into people's lives, and at what cost to taxpayers. I'm just not sure politicians, the media and frankly the broader public are capable of such a serious debate without it degenerating.

Then there is the criminal side of the NDIS story, which can no longer be dismissed as anecdotal or exaggerated. Official agencies now openly acknowledge that serious organised crime has infiltrated the disability system. The Fraud Fusion Taskforce exists specifically to target fraud and organised criminal exploitation in the scheme, and it now involves no less than 23 agencies. That of itself is a serious impost on the budget.

However, it's important, because we are not just talking about minor overbilling or a few dodgy invoices. Where there is a huge river of public money, weak controls and fragmented oversight, organised criminals turn up with a bucket.

In late 2025 the National Disability Insurance Agency, which runs the NDIS, announced action against criminal gangs allegedly involved in claims worth up to $50m. In January this year a Sydney man was charged over an alleged $3.5m NDIS fraud, with authorities explicitly warning about organised crime syndicates targeting the scheme. These are not opposition talking points or media beat-ups. They tell us something damning about how porous the scheme has become.

Fraud, however, certainly is not the driver of the scheme's blowouts. Even if every criminal involvement was removed immediately, the NDIS would still face a structural sustainability problem. Annual growth remains well above the target Labor says it needs to hit. A rights-based entitlement with fuzzy boundaries will always keep expanding, because every pressure in the system pushes towards more participants, more services, more claims, more categories of support, and more moral blackmail against restraint. Governments built a scheme in which saying no is politically toxic, and election scare campaigns have been built around precisely that premise.

Butler says Labor wants annual NDIS growth cut from 10 per cent to 2 per cent over the budget forward estimates, before returning to 5 per cent growth at the end of the decade. He claims this would bring projected spending in 2030 down from more than $70b to around $55b. Those are large savings targets, but a $55b outlay come 2030 is still huge.

Labor is also moving to claw back control from the provider market. Butlers language about a let it rip system and a chaotic free for all market was deliberate. More providers in higher risk categories will face mandatory registration, and a digital payments system is supposed to provide for better oversight on claims that currently pass through with little or no supporting evidence. Which underscores the extent to which the scheme has been allowed to become too loose and too difficult to police.

For too long, the NDIS has been wrapped in sanctimony, such that serious reform became almost impossible. Does anyone seriously think a Coalition government could have made cuts to the system without a Labor opposition suggesting they were heartless conservatives?

The scheme's defenders often talk as though any tightening of eligibility or support categories is somehow a betrayal of disabled people. In reality, the opposite is closer to the truth.

Governments built a scheme in which saying no is politically toxic, and election scare campaigns have been built around precisely that premise.

If the scheme is not brought back under control, public confidence in it will erode even further. And once the public starts to see the NDIS less as a solemn social guarantee and more as a bloated, rorted spending machine, the people who will ultimately suffer are the ones who genuinely depend on it.

So yes, the NDIS should be reset closer to what most Australians thought they were backing in the first place: a robust national guarantee for people with severe, permanent disability, not an endlessly elastic program expected to absorb every service failure around it.

That means tighter eligibility, clearer boundaries, stronger policing of misuse, less tolerance for provider rorts, and the construction of genuine support systems outside the scheme itself for those who still need help but do not belong in its most expensive tier.

The choice now is not between compassion and austerity. Policy decisions are rarely so binary. It is about making the NDIS sustainably affordable, so that it survives as a quality piece of social policy the country can be proud of.
Kevin Rudd has begun a lucrative return to the helm of the Asia Society after stepping down early from his role as Australia's ambassador to the United States.

The former Prime Minister ended his Washington posting at the end of March, cutting short a term that was due to run until 2027. After a short break, he has reentered the New Yorkbased think tank which he previously led between 2020 and March 2023.

US tax filings from his last stint at the Asia Society show that Rudd was paid in one year $503,422 USD in base remuneration, plus a further $20,585 USD from linked entities.

The total package of $524,007 USD equates to about $701,971.13 AUD at current exchange rates, and Rudd wasted little time settling back into the role.

'First day on the job as President and CEO of the Asia Society,' he wrote on social media on Tuesday alongside a photo of him meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.

Carney made a recent visit to Australia, where he met with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, and addressed Parliament.

'No better start than to meet with Prime Minister Mark Carney of Canada in Ottawa, who's just returned from a great visit Down Under,' he said.

'Australia and Canada have an important role to play in today's changing world. And in Asia, where we share common interests and common values.'

Kevin Rudd (right) met with Canadian PM Mark Carney on his first day as Asia Society CEO

The Asia Society, founded in 1956 and headquartered in New York, positions itself as a global forum for policy, culture and business, with offices across Asia including Hong Kong, Tokyo and Mumbai.

In recent years, it has championed progressive causes such as climate action and diversity, alongside EastWest economic cooperation.

A fluent Mandarin speaker, Rudd has long branded himself as one of the West's leading authorities on China.

During his previous tenure, he spearheaded major initiatives on USChina relations and climate policy, strengthening his standing as a prominent geopolitical voice.

Rudd's substantial salary sits alongside even greater wealth accumulated by his wife, Therese Rein, whose business success far eclipses her husband's publicsector earnings.

Rein founded employment services firm Ingeus in 1989, initially trading as WorkDirections Australia.

The company went on to secure major government contracts supporting injured and longterm unemployed Australians before expanding into overseas markets including the UK, France, Germany, Sweden, Poland, South Korea and Saudi Arabia.

In 2014, Rein sold part of Ingeus to Providence Service Corporation for up to $225 million.

Rudd (right) and his wife Therese Rein (left) have amassed a property empire over time

Rein made $3million in three months, selling a Sunshine Beach house to Gina Rinehart in 2022

A SmartCompany analysis at the time estimated she could personally have pocketed as much as $151 million from the deal.

The couple have also assembled an impressive property portfolio. In 2020, they acquired a designer $17 million mansion in Noosa with sweeping ocean views.

The sevenbedroom estate was previously owned by Betty's Burgers & Concrete Co. founders David and Louise Hales, who bought the property in 2018 for $15.2 million.

The Rudds also once owned a fivebedroom, sevenbathroom riverfront 'sky home' in Brisbane's exclusive Admiralty Quays precinct, purchasing it for $8 million in 2016 from Star Hotel Group owner Steven Shoobridge.

Rein has further boosted her wealth through shrewd property deals, including a highprofile flip involving Australia's richest person, Gina Rinehart.

In September 2021, Rein's investment company bought a 'classic beach cottage' at Sunshine Beach for $6.75 million. Less than six months later, the property was sold offmarket to BV Investments, a Hancock Prospecting subsidiary controlled by Rinehart, for $9.75 million.

The rapid turnaround delivered a $3 million profit, effectively earning around $500,000 for each month Rein held the property.

The twobedroom retreat sits on a 588squaremetre block and includes a narrow goat track leading directly down to the beach.

The Rudds owned a luxurious five-bedroom, seven-bathroom sky home in Brisbane's CBD

The Rudds purchased a $17million beachfront property in Noosa (pictured) in 2020

Rudd's early exit from the ambassadorial role followed renewed scrutiny after an uncomfortable exchange with US President Donald Trump during Albanese's October visit to Washington.

Asked about Rudd's past criticisms, Trump replied bluntly: 'I don't like you either, and I probably never will.'

Rudd responded awkwardly: 'I withdraw those statements.'

Veteran diplomat Greg Moriarty has since been appointed Australia's ambassador to the United States.

Moriarty previously served as international and national security adviser, and later chief of staff, to former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull, a choice widely viewed as designed to calm partisan tensions.
A Labour council will become the first to deploy AI-assisted CCTV cameras to spy on the public and spot 'suspicious' behaviour.

Hammersmith and Fulham Council, in west London, plans to modify 500 street cameras with AI that can automatically flag 'aggressive' behaviour or 'suspicious shopping' patterns.

But there are concerns innocent people going about their lives could be wrongly reported to the authorities.

It is feared that 'hugs, back slaps and high fives' might be mistaken for aggression, and shoppers shaking or rattling items, or holding clothes up to the light, could trigger an alert about a potential thief.

The AI will be capable of detecting knives and guns, automatically tracking suspects and vehicles across the borough, and identifying accidents, according to documents obtained by Big Brother Watch.

Professor Fraser Sampson, the governments former surveillance camera commissioner, said that modifying old CCTV cameras with this new tech was a dangerous game.

He said: 'Some actions may look like "aggression" but are the opposite  hugs, back slaps, high fives.

'The ability to add a wide variety of things from vehicles to forensics later is the very definition of mission creep and something that people are highly suspicious of, particularly when the tech is being used for law enforcement purposes.'

Existing CCTV cameras in Hammersmith and Fulham will be modified with AI technology that will be able to automatically identify 'suspicious' behaviour

The council is also investing 1million in CCTV for its parks after a rise in crime. Pictured: White City Place in Hammersmith and Fulham

The AI-enabled cameras are part of a wider rollout across Hammersmith and Fulham of new anti-crime technology.

There will also be 20 live facial recognition cameras installed at ten crime hotspots in the area, which will be able to cross-reference with police databases in real time.

Loudspeakers will be attached to 50 existing cameras so officers can blare out messages to 'warn and inform' the public, while 50 others will be equipped with spotlights to illuminate murky corners.

Jake Hurfurt, head of research and investigations at Big Brother Watch, said: 'Everybody wants less anti-social behaviour but reaching for invasive and often unproven AI-powered surveillance reminiscent of a sci-fi film or authoritarian regimes is not the answer.'

The council says all this souped-up surveillance will make the streets safer by alerting officers more quickly to crime and anti-social behaviour, and allowing suspects to be automatically tracked.

It is investing 3.2million in AI and new surveillance technology to expand its current network of 2,500 cameras.

The AI's priority will be the 'most likely needed' capabilities, which are detecting weapons and identifying violence.

A million-pound investment has also been earmarked for CCTV cameras in the borough's parks, to counter an increase in assaults and anti-social behaviour.

Stephen Cowan, the council leader, said: 'This investment is about giving families peace of mind, helping victims see justice done, and ensuring criminals know theres nowhere to hide in H&F.

'When residents see the results of justice being served is when the investment truly pays off.'
A quiet Hampshire village was left reeling after a masked man allegedly dumped the carcasses of 50 hares, along with a barn owl and a kestrel, outside a community shop in what prosecutors described as a 'horror movie scene'.

Southampton Magistrates' Court heard that James Kempster, 39, arrived outside Broughton Community Shop at 3.23am on March 15 last year, wearing a balaclava and tracksuit, before 'discarding' dozens of dead animals across the forecourt.

The court was told he then began 'ripping' some of the hares in half, leaving 'blood dripping on the floor', while also smearing blood across the shop windows. The bodies of a barn owl and a kestrel were allegedly stuck onto the shop's door handles.

Prosecutors say the shocking incident lasted just three minutes and involved two other men, who were seen on CCTV but have not been charged.

Kempster, of Totton, denies the charges but is on trial accused of two counts of possessing a live or dead wild bird under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, as well as one count of criminal damage.

Opening the case, prosecutor Adam Cooper told the court: 'This case is about a horror movie scene outside Broughton Community Shop on March 15, 2024.

'It is a small Hampshire shop and there is a forecourt. In the early hours at 3:23am three men arrive outside the shop by car.

Prosecutors say the shocking incident lasted just three minutes and involved two other men, who were seen on CCTV but have not been charged

Southampton Magistrates' Court heard that James Kempster, 39, arrived outside Broughton Community Shop at 3.23am on March 15 last year

The court heard Kempster (pictured) was identified through DNA evidence, phone tracking data and clothing matching that seen on CCTV

'The driver remains in the car and manoeuvres it so the boot is adjacent to the forecourt and two men get out dressed in tracksuits and balaclavas covering their faces.

'They get out and proceed to discard the bodies of approximately 50 dead hares at the front of the forecourt of the shop and are strewn about deliberately to maximise their coverage.

'One of the two men is James Kempster. The individual then rips the body of one of the hares in half.

'Blood is dripping on the floor and blood is wiped on the front of the shop. There were two dead birds on the front door. One was a barn owl and one was a kestrel.

'These were wiped on the door and there were hares stuffed onto the door handles of the shop.

'He then beckoned the car to drive forwards and showed his handiwork. He then leaves. The whole incident was about three minutes.

'To find him guilty we do not need to know why and it may be that we do not get to understand why.'

The court heard Kempster was identified through DNA evidence, phone tracking data and clothing matching that seen on CCTV. He was not wearing gloves during the incident.

A quiet Hampshire village was left reeling after a masked man allegedly dumped the carcasses of 50 hares, along with a barn owl and a kestrel, outside a community shop

The silver Suzuki Vitara allegedly used by the group was later discovered burned out around three-and-a-half miles from the shop.

Villagers were left to deal with the grim aftermath later that morning.

William Hacking, a volunteer at the shop, described the moment he arrived shortly before 8am.

He said: 'We have a community shop totally run by volunteers except for a paid manager.

'I drove to the shop because it was early and drove up the little driveway and saw something out of the window which was a bit abnormal which turned out to be a lot of animals which had been killed or dumped outside the shop.

'There was a lady standing there and I told her I was going to go home and get a shovel to clear it up. My concern was to clear up the hares.

'I picked the birds up so I could get into the shop and I put them on the floor. They were not impaled but they were stuck.'

Local farmer Dagan James told how he and a colleague were called in to help remove the carcasses.

He said: 'At around 8:30am I was working on the farm and Simon Jones (a colleague) received a phone call about asking for help in retrieving animals at Broughton Village Shop.

'I arrived at around 9am and could see a number of distressed looking locals outside.

'Outside the shop there was a hole load of dead hares. They had been placed under a tarpaulin sheet before I arrived.

'Simon and I began putting them in a bag but the bag got so heavy that we could not lift it up.

'Some of them were in rigor mortis and some were freshly killed. The hares were later placed on a compost heap.'

The two-day trial is ongoing.
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Access to medications for opioid use disorder (OUD) increased substantially among Medicaid beneficiaries across nearly every U.S. state between 2019 and 2023, according to a new study led by independent scientific research institute RTI International.

The study, published in JAMA Network Open, analyzed data covering more than 126 million annual Medicaid enrollment records from 47 states and the District of Columbia. The research team tracked progress across the OUD "Cascade of Care," a framework that tracks patients through stages from diagnosis to sustained treatment and outcomes.

Analysis included:

Percent of patients diagnosed with OUD

Percent of patients receiving medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD)

Percent of patients continuing MOUD

OUD outcomes (i.e., OUD-related hospitalizations and emergency department visits)

"The increase in individuals receiving effective treatment for opioid use disorders may have contributed to the national decline in opioid overdose deaths, which began in 2023," said Tami Mark, Ph.D., a Distinguished Fellow at RTI and a coauthor of the study. "Prior studies show that medications for opioid use disorder can cut the risk of dying in half."

The researchers found that the percentage of Medicaid beneficiaries diagnosed with OUD declined from 4.2% in 2019 to 3.6% in 2023, declining in 34 states and increasing in 14 states. During the same period, the percentage of patients with OUD who received MOUD increased from 60.0% to 69.1%, increasing in 45 states and declining in three states.

The percentage of patients who continued MOUD for at least 180 days fell from 62.6% to 57.7%, declining in 29 states and increasing in 19 states. The percentage of Medicaid beneficiaries diagnosed with OUD who had an OUD-related hospitalization or emergency department visit declined from 10.9% to 10.6%, declining in 17 states and increasing in 31 states.

"The state-level variation we observed shows that progress is not evenly distributed," said William Dowd, Ph.D., a research economist at RTI and a coauthor of the study. "Some states made gains across multiple measures, while others struggled to keep patients engaged in treatment, highlighting opportunities to learn from approaches that appear to support longer treatment duration."

The study was supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) HEAL Initiative and used national Medicaid claims data from 2018 through 2023. The authors emphasized that future research is needed to better understand the factors driving state-level differences and to identify strategies that improve long-term treatment engagement.

Read the full study

Learn more about RTI's behavioral health research

Media Contact:

RTI International Media Relations

919-541-7300

[email protected]

SOURCE RTI International
A criminal immigrant accused of carrying out a shooting spree in Georgia that killed three people was found dead inside his jail cell.

Olaolukitan Adon-Abel, 26, was discovered unresponsive late on Tuesday night in his cell at a DeKalb County jail, according to the sheriff's office.

Authorities said life-saving measures were attempted, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

The cause of death has not yet been determined and an internal review is underway but officials say they do not currently suspect foul play.

The sudden death brings a dramatic turn in a case that had already stunned Georgia communities after a string of seemingly random and violent attacks.

Adon-Abel, originally from the United Kingdom, had been charged with multiple counts of murder following a series of shootings across DeKalb County earlier this month.

Authorities say the violence began shortly before 1am last Monday outside a Checkers restaurant, where a 31-year-old woman, identified as Prianna Weathers, was shot. She later died from her injuries.

Olaolukitan Adon-Abel, 26, was discovered unresponsive late on Tuesday night in his cell at a DeKalb County jail, according to the sheriff's office

Roughly an hour later, Adon-Abel drove to a shopping area in Brookhaven, where he shot a 49-year-old homeless man multiple times as he slept outside a Kroger grocery store.

The man, identified by authorities as Tony Matthews, was sleeping outside the grocery store on Peachtree Road and initially survived but later died from his injuries.

Hours after that, the suspect carried out his most high-profile attack - the killing of Department of Homeland Security employee 40-year-old Lauren Bullis.

Bullis was out walking her dog in a quiet neighborhood near Decatur around 6:50am when she was shot and stabbed.

Neighbors reported hearing gunfire moments before she was found.

Her death sent shockwaves through federal agencies and prompted tributes from colleagues who described her as a dedicated public servant.

'Beyond her professional accomplishments, Lauren was a bright spot for so many of the DHS community,' a department spokesperson said previously.

'She brought warmth, kindness, and a genuine sense of care to her colleagues each day.'

Abel murdered DHS employee Lauren Bullis, 40, last week while she was out walking her dog

The DHS remembered Bullis as a 'bright spot' in their agency and said she 'approached her work with integrity, thoughtfulness, and a commitment to excellence'

The street where Lauren Bullis, a US Department of Homeland Security employee, was killed while walking her dog, northeast of Atlanta in Decatur, Georgia

Flowers lay on the ground near the site where Lauren Bullis was killed, in Decatur

This photo provided by Georgia's Chatham County Sheriff's Office shows Olaolukitan Adon Abel on April 20

According to investigators, the attacks appeared to be random, and no clear motive has been established.

Adon-Abel was arrested following a manhunt after authorities tracked his vehicle using surveillance cameras. He was facing multiple felony charges, including malice murder, aggravated assault and firearms offenses.

Officials have also pointed to his prior criminal history, which included convictions for sexual battery, battery against a police officer, obstruction, assault with a deadly weapon and vandalism.

'These acts of pure evil have devastated our Department, and my prayers are with the families of the victims,' DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin said in a statement.

DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin wrote last Wednesday on X that the string of attacks perpetuated by Abel were 'pure evil'

The case also drew national attention due to Adon-Abel's immigration status.

Authorities said he had entered the United States and later became a naturalized citizen in 2022 while serving in the US Navy.

It's unclear if Adon Abel knew any of his victims - police have said they believe at least one was targeted at random.

Adon Abel's roommates said that shortly before the shootings, he got in an intense argument over the air conditioning in their home and stormed out. He lived with six others in separate units of the home.

His death in custody now raises new questions on what led to his final moments behind bars.
A search to boost fuel security has struck 'liquid gold' after a state government clashed with the commonwealth over a proposed new oil field.

The Queensland government announced it would pump $25million into the development of renewable diesel in partnership with Ampol's Port of Brisbane refinery ahead of a potentially awkward national cabinet meeting.

The project will deliver the country's first sustainable production of second generation low-carbon liquid fuels, with stage one set to pump out up to 20million litres of renewable diesel a year from 2028.

Up to 750million litres of diesel are expected to be produced by the early 2030s.

'Within a few short years, Queensland will be producing hundreds of millions of litres of liquid gold because the right investments were made and the right partnerships were forged,' Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie said on Wednesday.

The refinery's existing hydrotreating facility will be upgraded to process biogenic feedstocks such as tallow and canola alongside traditional diesel.

The investment was part of Queensland's fuel security plan which includes exploring Taroom Trough - touted as Australia's first significant new oil field in 50 years - triggering a war of words with the commonwealth.

Fuel security meant restoring Queensland's 'ability to drill, refine and store', Premier David Crisafulli said on Wednesday.

Fuel security meant restoring Queensland's 'ability to drill, refine and store', Premier David Crisafulli said on Wednesday

Ampol's Lytton Refinery upgrade is seen being built at the Ampol Lytton Refinery in Brisbane

'This project means more fuel produced locally for Queenslanders,' Mr Crisafulli said.

'These projects are important to ensure we are never again left at the mercy of foreign nations, at the end of a global supply chain.'

The Queensland government will attend Thursday's national cabinet meeting to discuss fuel issues after butting heads with the commonwealth over fast tracking plans to explore Taroom Trough.

It has been calling for the federal government to grant an oil exploration exemption for the project but has been accused of being 'all talk and no action' by the environment minister.

Murray Watt said the state government was calling for the project to be fast-tracked via a mechanism that did not exist under federal environment laws, accusing it of not making a formal request about drilling prospects.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will discuss fuel security measures at national cabinet on Thursday after extra diesel shipments were secured for Australia.

Two of the cargoes have been bought by BP and the other two by Viva Energy using new taxpayer-backed underwriting powers, with the shipments due to arrive in Australia in late May or early June.

According to the NRMA, Australia uses almost 94million litres of diesel a day.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (pictured) will discuss fuel security measures at national cabinet on Thursday after extra diesel shipments were secured for Australia

The supplies would give an extra buffer against volatility in the fuel market driven by the war in Iran and subsequent blockages of the Strait of Hormuz, Mr Albanese said.

'We will continue to use every measure at our disposal to make a difference,' the prime minister told reporters from Sydney's Port Botany on Wednesday.

No major changes to fuel security strategies are expected from national cabinet talks.

There are 61 fuel ships en route to Australia, with five to arrive in Sydney in coming days.

Meanwhile, farmers have been promised more fertiliser imports as part of a deal struck between the federal government and major companies.

The agreement with chemical suppliers CSBP and Incitec Pivot involves underwriting their purchases to reduce the financial risk of importing fertiliser.

The deal was struck using the government's strategic reserve powers, which are designed to shore up supplies of crude oil, fuel and fertiliser, all of which have been impacted by the strait's closure.
Keir Starmer is facing more Commons misery over the Mandelson scandal today as ministers fuel doubts over whether he can cling on.

Sir Keir will brave PMQs amid signs support is ebbing away, with Cabinet dissent surfacing publicly following damning testimony from the Foreign Office mandarin he sacked.

In the latest hint at trouble, Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden repeatedly refused to say the ousting of Olly Robbins was 'fair' during interviews this morning. Instead he said it had been the 'PM's judgement'.

Having declined to use the description on Times Radio, Mr McFadden finally said Sir Keir had 'acted fairly' after being challenged twice more on BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

The minister also squirmed as he was pressed on whether Sir Keir personally pushed the Foreign Office to make his spin doctor Matthew Doyle an ambassador - admitting he had not asked No10 if that was true before going out to defend the Government's position.

Many despairing Labour MPs believe it is now a question of 'when, not if' Sir Keir goes, after the latest flare-up dashed hopes his response to Donald Trump's Iran war could revive his premiership.

However, in a crumb of comfort for the premier, his potential rivals are still holding off as Labour braces for a local elections battering in a fortnight.

As storm clouds gather around Sir Keir today:

There are claims the PM was received in 'silence' as he tried to explain his handling of the Mandelson row at Cabinet yesterday;

Baroness Hodge, the government's anti-corruption champion, has suggested it was fine for No10 to seek a diplomatic posting for Lord Doyle because he was a 'friend';

Left-wing bible the New Statesman has delivered a devastating assessment of Sir Keir's performance, saying he is 'failing' and 'cannot do the job';

Former Cabinet Secretary Lord Sedwill has called for Sir Olly to be reinstated as head of the Foreign Office;

YouGov polls have warned that Labour is on track for its worst result in London for 50 years on May 7, while Reform could win elections in Wales.

Keir Starmer will brave PMQs amid signs support is ebbing away, with Cabinet dissent surfacing publicly following damning testimony from a Foreign Office mandarin

In the latest hint at trouble, Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden repeatedly refused to say the ousting of Olly Robbins was 'fair' during interviews this morning

Angela Rayner stopped short of directly criticising Sir Keir at an event last night, insisting the country has bigger problems than chaos over Mandelson's appointment as US ambassador.

At an extraordinary Parliamentary hearing yesterday, sacked Foreign Office chief Sir Olly revealed the 'atmosphere of pressure' created by No10 to approve the New Labour grandee as ambassador to the US.

He hit out at a 'dismissive approach' to problems with the appointment, as he explained why he had not told Sir Keir that vetting officials advised against proceeding with the posting.

The crisis took another turn when Sir Olly revealed that Downing Street had secretly tried to give another plum diplomatic job to Sir Keir's then-director of communications Matthew Doyle. He said he resisted it on the basis it would be 'inappropriate'.

In a stinging criticism of the PM's judgment yesterday, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband publicly admitted he had been against giving Mandelson the prestigious Washington DC posting, well before it was known he had failed his security clearance test.

Asked what he had thought about the appointment at the time, Mr Miliband told Sky News: 'That it could blow up, that it could go wrong. I had a conversation with David Lammy about it before the appointment, and I said I was worried about it. I think he was worried about it too.'

Mr Miliband also admitted he had 'steered well clear' of Mandelson during his own time as Labour leader.

In another blow to the PM, Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper told the Commons she was 'extremely concerned' about the revelations about job-hunting for Lord Doyle.

Ms Cooper said: 'I am, of course, extremely concerned at any suggestion that the permanent secretary or permanent under-secretary of the Foreign Office would be told not to inform the Foreign Secretary.

'I can also confirm that the case that he raised... it would not have been an appropriate appointment.'

Lord Doyle has denied he knew anyone was angling for jobs on his behalf.

This week has also seen Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander admit it is 'not certain' that Sir Keir will lead Labour into the next general election.

Asked on Times Radio this morning if the sacking of Sir Olly felt fair, Mr McFadden said he thought 'very highly' of the mandarin.

At an extraordinary Parliamentary hearing yesterday, sacked Foreign Office chief Olly Robbins revealed the 'atmosphere of pressure' created by No10 to approve Mandelson as ambassador to the US

'I think if the Prime Minister's made the judgment that he's not got confidence in the head of the Foreign Office, the head of the foreign service, then it's difficult to continue,' he said.

Asked again if it was fair, Mr McFadden said: 'Look, it's the Prime Minister's judgment.'

Pressed further, Mr McFadden said: 'As a Cabinet member, I support the Prime Minister's decisions.

'He took the decision he couldn't continue with Olly Robbins in post because he viewed the material that had been withheld from him, not shared with him, as really important in making this decision.'

Later in his tour of broadcast studios, Mr McFadden was challenged again whether Sir Olly had been treated 'fairly'.

'I understand the respect for Olly Robbins, I share it. Because I know him, I think he is a highly distinguished civil servant and he has served his country well,' he said.

After dodging the question one more time, Mr McFadden said: 'I think the PM has acted fairly in these circumstances, because he believes that he should have had that information.'

The official readout of the weekly Cabinet meeting yesterday suggested it was entirely dominated by the Mandelson chaos, despite the ongoing crisis in the Middle East.

But briefing indicated that Sir Keir's explanations did not go down well with ministers.

'People had their heads down, looking at the desk. He was met in virtual silence,' one source told the Financial Times.

Last night Ms Rayner used a growth summit to burnish her left-wing credentials. She insisted the Government 'must go further' and be 'bolder' on issues such as workers' rights.

But the former deputy PM - who is still waiting for the outcome of wrangling with HMRC over her unpaid stamp duty - stopped short of attacking Sir Keir directly.

'I'll let this sink in to any journalists that are here. There's some more important questions out there, and it's on that note that I want to just take a moment at the end of the day to reflect on why all this matters, and to the world outside and beyond the bubble,' she said.

The Ashton-under-Lyne MP added: 'Right now, ordinary people feel that their lives are too hard and that the basics of a good life are unaffordable.

'They suspect that this is because of an economy and a system that is rigged in favour of vested interests, and they're right.

'This affordability crisis has been decades in the making, over and over ordinary people feel that they've paid the price for every crisis, the financial crash, austerity, Brexit, Covid.'

Labour MP Dan Carden was among those criticising the actions of Sir Keir.

Mr Carden said Sir Olly's 'sacking for carrying out the political orders of No 10 was plain wrong, and its lasting impact will be to further damage the effective running of government that is a responsibility shared between Ministers and civil servants'.

Even regular critics of Sir Keir have been angered by the sight of a slew of Whitehall veterans taking to TV screens complaining about the civil service being blamed.

One senior Labour source told the Daily Mail that while Mandelson should never have been appointed Sir Olly had 'dropped a b***ock'.

'Robbins dropped a b***ock but doubtless he will be fine - the old boys' network will sort him out,' they said.

'It makes me puke all these idiots coming out to back him. The usual suspects.'
Iran has warned that the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz will be 'impossible' if the US blockade continues, amid claims that Tehran has agreed to halt the execution of eight women thanks to his recent request.

The country's chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, said: 'A complete ceasefire only makes sense if it is not violated by the maritime blockade and the hostage-taking of the world's economy, and if the Zionist warmongering across all fronts is halted.

'They did not achieve their goals through military aggression, nor will they through bullying. The only way forward is to recognise the rights of the Iranian nation,' he added.

President Donald Trump also said Wednesday that Iran agreed to stop the execution of eight women protesters.

He said he has been informed that four of the women will be 'released immediately,' while four others will be sentenced to one month each in prison.

'I very much appreciate that Iran, and its leaders, respected my request... and terminated the planned execution,' Trump wrote on the Truth Social platform.

He said the women protesters were expected to be executed on Wednesday.

It comes after the Greek Ministry of Shipping has denied that the vessel 'Epaminondas' was seized by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, after Iran claimed it stopped two 'non-compliant' ships.

Iran claimed earlier on Wednesday that it seized two ships - the MSC Francesca and the Epaminondas - that are now in the IRGC's custody, after three vessels were attacked in the Strait of Hormuz.

It added that the ships had 'endangered maritime security by operating without the necessary permits and by tampering with navigation systems.' Tasnim reported that the vessels had been 'escorted to the Iranian coast'.
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This is the astonishing moment an Evri courier pocketed a parcel - just seconds after taking a photograph to make it look as though it had been safely delivered.

The brazen delivery driver sent school cleaner Chloe Reyner an image of the package outside her home in Otley, West Yorkshire, confirming proof-of-delivery.

But doorbell footage appears to show the courier then picking up the same parcel and quickly hurrying back to his car with it.

The footage was posted on Facebook by Ms Reyner's mother, Tara, who told followers: 'Evri driver delivered my daughter's parcel last night and then promptly stole it.'

She said the 'cheeky' driver had 'even looked at the' Ring doorbell camera before making off with the package on April 2 and claimed: 'Also same driver got caught doing it before.

'This has been reported to Evri and the police.'

Ms Reyner later added that she had contacted West Yorkshire Police but claimed officers 'ain't interested'.

Evri confirmed that the self-employed courier was 'no longer delivering' for the company and that it had 'proactively supported' Chloe.

An Evri courier was spotted taking a picture of a parcel to make it seem as though it had been safely delivered

But just moments later, in a moment captured by Ring doorbell footage, he was spotted making off with it

A spokesperson said: 'Evri has a zero-tolerance approach to fraud, and this courier is no longer delivering on our behalf.

'We have apologised to Chloe and supported her with contacting the retailer at the time.

'This behaviour isn't representative of 30,000 hardworking couriers who deliver for us.

'The vast majority of couriers are valued members of their communities, with an average customer rating of 4.6 out of 5, reflecting the consistently high level of service they provide.'

More than 666million worth of parcels were pinched in so-called 'porch piracy' thefts in the year to June 2025, according to researchers.

West Yorkshire Police said it was unable to find a record of a crime being logged.

After being contacted in December, Evri estimated that it delivers around 900million parcels per year, going to almost every single home in the United Kingdom.

But seven per cent of customers in the six months between January and July 2025 reported an Evri parcel not arriving - compared to an industry average of four per cent, according to a survey conducted by Ofcom.

The survey also suggested Evri had the most issues for delays in the UK, with 14 per cent of customers reporting a parcel arriving late in the same period. The industry average is eight per cent.

A BBC Panorama documentary released late last year saw 30 current and former workers speak out, with many claiming Evri's issues are being caused by pressure on couriers to deliver more and more items.

In response, Evri accused Panorama of relying on 'cherry-picked and skewed cases'.

Drivers at an Evri depot in the Midlands shared their tips on how to complete deliveries on time - with one telling an undercover reporter that he could 'throw a parcel at the back door' to save time.

Another courier of 10 years claimed his colleagues were 'cutting corners' because they had to deliver so many items to earn enough money to get by.
A senator pushing for more tax on Australian gas exports was left gobsmacked after one of the biggest miners in Australia couldn't answer how much it profited in 2025.

Shell country chair Cecile Wake fronted a Senate committee on Wednesday to comment on how increased taxes would affect gas companies.

While she could confidently say an extra 25 per cent royalty on Australian gas would be 'spectacularly ill advised', she was stumped by questions about Shell's taxes and said she would get back to them.

'So you can't tell me revenue, you can't actually tell me how much gas you're exporting from Australia?' Senator David Pocock asked.

Senator Sarah Hanson-Young then chimed in: 'What did you think we were going to be asking you today?'

Ms Wake answered: 'I thought you were going to be asking me about tax, Senator.'

Companies extracting and selling gas from Australia typically pay 40 per cent on the profit they make through Petroleum Resource Rent Tax (PRRT).

But those profits can be offset by losses for capital expenditure and several other accounting factors.

Shell country chair Cecile Wake (right) was unable to answer how much revenue her company made from exporting Australian gas in 2025

Despite the industry being worth hundreds of billions, the government collected just $1.5billion in revenue from the PRRT in 2025.

In comparison, $2.7billion was made on the beer excise alone.

Ms Wake, alongside Shell's tax boss Coralie Trotter, said the multinational company paid $109million in PRRT in 2025 - but it didn't pay any in the decade previous.

Shell representatives were able to offer more insight into its 2024 figures, with Ms Trotter saying it paid $2.9billion in tax on $6.2billion in after-tax profits. She claimed the company had paid $12billion in taxes in the last decade.

Ms Wake said the profit would be much smaller than the revenue collected during that time as Shell invested US$60billion into developing gas projects.

'It is not unreasonable for us to be able to recover that before you start paying a profit-based tax,' she said.

However, the investment figure caught Senator Pocock's attention for another reason.

'Ms Wake, how come you can tell me how much you invested but not how much gas you sold?' he asked. 'You tell us about all the investment but you're very quiet on how much gas you're actually selling.'

Senator David Pocock (above) called out the Shell boss after she was able to deliver figures for her company's investment, but not any on how much gas Shell exported from Australia

Several crossbenchers, as well as Liberal industry spokesman Andrew Hastie, Commonwealth Bank chief executive Matt Comyn and Labor backbencher Ed Husic, support raising taxes on gas exporters in the May budget.

The government has not announced plans to implement a tougher export tax regime, but has requested Treasury modelling on new levy options.

The shortcomings of the PRRT were well canvassed in the first batch of hearings.

Critics say the tax is poorly structured for modern LNG projects as it allows overly generous deductions for capital expenditure.

Calls have been made for the government to introduce an additional 25 per cent royalty on gas exports.

Supporters believe the additional funds would significantly improve Australia's budget, bringing it closer to the welfare benefits Norwegians reap from their country's gas reserves.

However, Ms Wake said the introduction of another tax could see the Australian gas market viewed as 'risky' by foreign investors.

Critics of Australia's current gas taxation system have called for it to be closer aligned with Norway's, which helps fund better welfare systems

'The magnitude of the changes that have been proposed here are not insignificant,' she told the committee.

'We would be portrayed as a country with significantly higher sovereign risk.'

Centre for International Corporate Tax Accountability and Research principal analyst Jason Ward said the PRRT was not a bad regime for oil but was completely unsuitable for Australia's booming offshore gas industry.

'Years ago, when we reviewed comparative tax and royalty regimes, the only country which appeared to be worse than Australia in collecting a fair return was the United Kingdom,' he said on Wednesday.

Since then, the UK has implemented a windfall profits tax on energy companies.

The Centre also dismissed industry suggestions tax changes would threaten future investment and create sovereign risk as a 'scare tactic'.
Reform UK could become the largest party in the Welsh Senedd next month - but be shut out of power.

A new poll suggests Dan Thomas's party is on course to win 37 seats, one more than nationalists Plaid Cymru.

But that is 12 short of the 49 seats required to form a majority government in Cardiff Bay, meaning he could be blocked from becoming First Minister.

In a leaders debate on Channel 4 last night the leaders of the other five parties all said they would refused to form a coalition with Reform.

It raises the prospect of the collapsing Welsh Labour party managing to stay in power by becoming the junior partner in a Plaid-led administration.

Many recent polls have Reform and Plaid as the two largest parties but this one by ITV Wales, YouGov and Cardiff University is the first in some time to put Reform in the lead.

Last night Mr Thomas said: 'We are on the verge of delivering a political earthquake here in Wales.'

Your browser does not support iframes.

A new poll suggests Dan Thomas's party is on course to win 37 seats, one more than nationalists Plaid Cymru

In a leaders debate on Channel 4 last night the leaders of the other five parties all said they would refused to form a coalition with Reform

While Plaid and Reform are neck-and-neck in terms of vote share on 29 per cent in the poll, the way it breaks down in seats gives Reform a slight advantage.

But Dr Jac Larner, from Cardiff University's Welsh Governance Centre, told ITV that 'finishing first may matter less than it appears'.

'Whichever party leads on seats will face the same coalition arithmetic, and that arithmetic is far more favourable to Plaid than to Reform,' he said.

Plaid has credible partners in Labour and the Greens; a combination of those parties can reach a working majority. Reform has no such options.

The only party that has indicated any willingness to work with them is the Conservatives, who on these numbers will not come close to bridging the gap to a Senedd majority.'
The internet has erupted with memes following Donald Trump's last-minute indefinite extension to the ceasefire with Iran and his decision to keep the Strait of Hormuz closed.

Social media users lambasted the US president for blinking despite his tough rhetoric against Iran.

In a post to Truth Social last night, he wrote that 'based on the fact that the government of Iran is seriously fractured', the US military would hold off striking 'until such time as their leaders and representatives can come up with a unified proposal.'

But the announcement came just hours after Trump claimed in an interview that he had no plans on extending the ceasefire.

Asked by CNBC whether he wanted to push the ceasefire deadline any further, he said: 'Well, I dont want to do that.'

Following the chaos, social media users began comparing the US' war with Iran to the 1993 Bill Murray film 'Groundhog Day', in which the main character experiences the same day over and over again.

One social media user posted an AI-generated image of Bill Murray's character on a cliff face in front of what appears to be a representation of the Strait of Hormuz, the vital waterway that remains under a blockade.

Several referenced the infamous 'TACO' phrase, which stands for 'Trump Always Chickens Out', a reference to the US president's tendency to back down from major geopolitical decisions upon seeing how badly they are received.

One stand-out meme depicted an AI-generated Trump submissively kneeling as he accepted a plate of tacos from a group of men, including Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran's new Supreme Leader.

The photo was accompanied by a caption that read: 'It's TACO f***ing Tuesday everyone!'

Another aped Iran's infamous AI-generated LEGO-style videos, showing Trump ordering tacos in what appears to be the White House.

Many also mocked US vice president JD Vance, who was set to travel to Pakistan's capital Islamabad for talks with Iran.

One set of photos posted by a social media user depicted him as the infamous Mr. Bean meme, which shows Rowan Atkinson's character checking his watch before falling asleep on the ground.

Another set of images depicted Trump, Vance and several other US officials sat at a table without the Iranian delegation, posted with the caption: 'How was the ceasefire extended.'

And another showed Vance eating tacos while sat in a field of corn.

One particularly cruel meme showed a fish with an eerie resemblance to Donald Trump, with the caption: 'New fish species found in Strait of Hormuz.'

Another AI-generated image showed Trump as a baby wearing military gear and standing in front of a burning oil production facility, and was shared with the caption: 'Donald, YOU ARE GOING TO NEGOTIATE WITH YOURSELF, RIGHT?!'

Others appeared to laud Iran's apparent upper-hand in the war. One image depicted a mashup of Leonardo DiCaprio's character in the 2012 film Django Unchained, which has been used as a common reaction image for years, and Mojtaba Khamenei.

The meme was shared with the caption: 'We aren't reopening the strait bro.'

Another showed Trump in a mousetrap, with the Iranian flag where bait would normally go to entice mice.

It was shared with the caption: 'Strategic blunder.'

Prior to Trump's announcement of the ceasefire's indefinite extension, JD Vance had cancelled his trip to Pakistan for a peace summit with Iran, according to Associated Press.

The Vice President was expected to lead US negotiations with Iran in Islamabad before the two-week ceasefire's expiration.

The President previously claimed he was poised to resume bombing if Tehran refuses to come to the table.

The threat appeared to do little to force Tehran into backing down, with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) firing on a container ship in the Strait of Hormuz in the early hours of this morning, damaging the ship and further raising the stakes as planned ceasefire talks in Pakistan failed to materialise.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) centre said the attack happened around 7.55am local time in the strait and targeted a container ship.

The UKMTO said a Guard gunboat did not hail the ship before firing.

It said no one was hurt and there was no environmental impact from the attack.

Iran's semiofficial Fars and Tasnim news agencies, believed to be close to the Guard, both reported on the attack, citing the UKMTO.

Fars went further to describe Iran as 'lawfully enforcing' its control over the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf through which 20% of the world's crude oil and natural gas traded once passed.

However, the strait had been considered an international waterway for the world's shippers despite being in the territorial waters of both Iran and Oman.

The latest ceasefire extension came at the request of Pakistani intermediaries, according to Trump.

Peace talks have reached a standstill over Trump's naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which accounts for a fifth of global oil trade.

The President imposed the blockade after Tehran refused to suspend its nuclear program.

In recent days, US forces have begun boarding and seizing tankers destined for Iranian ports.

Iran's parliament speaker Mohammed-Bagher Ghalibaf said on Monday the regime is 'prepared' to renew fighting against US-Israel forces in the Middle East.

'We do not accept negotiations under the shadow of threats, and in the past two weeks, we have prepared to reveal new cards on the battlefield,' he wrote on X.

Trump reportedly aimed to use the Hormuz blockade to pressure Tehran back into talks after the initial Vance-led negotiations collapsed.

However, it appears the President's move has empowered hardliners within Iranian leadership who are against further diplomatic talks with the US.
The commissioner of the Metropolitan Police has backed a Morrisons store manager who was sacked for tackling a serial shoplifter who assaulted him.

Brave Sean Egan, who had worked for the retailer for nearly three decades, tackled career criminal Daniel Kendall, 36, in a bid to stop him stealing from the store, which at the time he viewed as 'his business' and 'family'.

The married father, 46, tried to follow company protocol by dealing with the serial shoplifter who was notorious among local shopkeepers, but Kendall became increasingly aggressive and spat in his face on three separate occasions.

And despite being a loyal and long-time employee, and the thug being jailed for his crime spree around the West Midlands area, including the Morrisons incident, he was sacked for not following the firm's deter-and-not-detain policy.

His sacking has sparked fury among the public amid calls for the former manager to be reinstated in his role.

Today Met Chief Sir Mark Rowley said he 'completely' backs Mr Egan and has been left 'bewildered' by his sacking.

He told Good Morning Britain: 'I am bewildered by the case. Maybe there is something sensitive behind it that none of us knows.

'But on the surface, if a store manager or shopkeeper, if they feel able to intervene, and they feel they can do that safely, we always want people to do that.

'We want the public to be part of the fight against crime.

He was tackled by worker Sean Egan (pictured), who had worked for the company for nearly 30 years, as he tried to make off with the stolen goods

Daniel Kendall, 36, from Walsall, West Midlands, targeted a branch of the chain supermarket in nearby Aldridge on December 3 last year

'The act of [a] citizen is important. Policing isn't just about policing. Keeping communities safe is about all of our responsibilities.'

Sir Mark added he is 'surprised' retail workers are not supported by their employers if they feel 'able' to intervene to prevent crime.

'I can understand a retailer that doesn't want to encourage its employees to get into physical confrontations when they're not equipped and trained to do it.

'But if someone feels physically, 'I am able to do this', I'd be surprised why a retailer wouldn't support them.'

Meanwhile, in the wake of losing his job, Mr Egan revealed he had been in a 'spiral of depression'.

'My state of mind, I have been in a spiral of depression, been in counselling, medicated,' he told GMB.

'The support I have had from the doctor has been fantastic, and ultimately the support I have had from my family has been amazing.'

He added: 'I did class Morrisons as my family, but they have been unsupportive throughout.'

'It is the only job I have ever had my entire life, it is all I have known, and to be out of work and to be in a situation of uncertainty... when I applied for Morrisons, it was just a simple 15/20-minute interview, that's not the world we live in now.'

Meanwhile, the married father revealed that even though he was still out of work, the thought of working in a supermarket had left a 'sour taste'. He added: 'But I have also got to provide for my family. I will do whatever I need to do, but I want to be at work.'

'The trouble is, it has been an absolute back hole of my life so far, and it is stopping me from doing what I want to do. I was 17 when I started at Morrisons. I have a lot to offer, not just in retail, I have a lot of life skills I can give.'

Speaking of the altercation, he described Kendall as being 'as strong as a bear' and also expressed concerns that he was 'under the influence of drugs' at the time.

'I didn't ask him to spit on me, he spat at me, and yes, I did react, and that was in the disciplinary,' he said.

'I didn't deny it's in the footage. But I didn't ask to be spat at, and I didn't ask to be verbally assaulted. I didn't ask for him to verbally assault the other people around, as in the other managers, including a female manager who was there at the time.

He added: 'He was verbally aggressive and was out to cause trouble.'

Wendy Morton, the MP for Aldridge-Brownhills near Walsall, West Midlands, wrote a letter to the chief executive of the supermarket, which she posted on social media, saying her constituents consider Mr Egan a hero.

She said in her letter to the company's chief Rami Baitieh: 'Throughout my tenure as the Member of Parliament for Aldridge-Brownhills I have worked with Sean on a number of occasions, and I have always found him to be diligent and most pleasant.

'I was therefore shocked to learn that he had been dismissed for apprehending a shoplifter.

'Sean has been a loyal employee of your company for some two decades, and I believe Morrisons should rethink this position, and re-instate him to his former position forthwith.

'I believe it is incumbent upon retailers to support their staff when taking a stand against criminal activity and not to punish them in such manner.'

Mr Egan also insisted the store's founder, Ken Morrison, would have told him 'well done, son', for protecting the store and its interests.

Of the two times he met the Morrisons founder, Mr Egan said: 'He was amazing and he inspired me. And then I met him again several years later and I was a senior manager a store and he remembered me by name.

'It's something that I will never forget, and the ethos of family business is not where we are now, but it's something I will never forget.'

Join the discussion Should long-serving staff lose their jobs for protecting customers from violent offenders?

Mr Egan has since been sacked at a disciplinary hearing for not following the firm's deter-and-not-detain policy when he intervened

It comes after the Daily Mail exclusively revealed the identity of career criminal, Daniel Kendall, who cost the dedicated Morrisons' employee his job.

His long rap sheet has seen him notch up at least 40 previous convictions over the years.

Kendall was jailed for 42 weeks at Wolverhampton Magistrates' Court in December over the Morrisons theft as well as several other petty crimes.

They included the theft of chocolate and coffee worth 90 from a Co-op supermarket store in Birmingham - and theft of 390 in cash from an ATM in Walsall.

Prior to these latest brushes with the law, Kendall was previously jailed for 30 weeks in 2018 for attempting to break into a police officer's home in the middle of the night in nearby Pelsall.

The court heard how PC Jason Dooley became suspicious when his dogs suddenly began barking in the middle of the night.

The officer looked out his bedroom window to see Kendall trying the handle of his car and porch.

Concerned for his wife Emily, as well as his three-year-old daughter sleeping in the next room, Mr Dooley quickly went outside to apprehend the criminal himself.

With the help of a neighbour, Philip Green, he detained Kendall until police arrived - and both later received awards for their bravery.

Officers found the thief with two previously stolen laptops and six mobile phones.

'I've never seen anything like it in all my years of policing,' Mr Dooley told the Express and Star at the time.

'But as I ran at the guy and grabbed him, he was wearing headphones. He started to struggle when he realised and was effing and blinding.

'He was trying to get up and fight.'

Mr Dooley had worked for West Midlands Police for around 30 years at the time - and the incident marked the 24th off-duty arrest of his career.

He praised Mr Green, whose father is a retired policeman, who worked for Staffordshire Police, for assisting him with 'no hesitation'.

Kendall also previously stole two yoghurt pots, worth a total of 2.58 from a Euro Garages petrol station in Walsall on February 27, 2019, and assaulted a shop worker.

He was jailed for ten weeks and ordered to pay 115 in compensation.

Later that year, on September 13, Kendall attempted another series of thefts, first targeting a Bargain Buys store in nearby Bloxwich.

He began filling a carrier bag with washing powder containers, with the female manager of the budget shop soon bravely trying to stop him, a court heard.

Kendall (pictured) has now been sentenced to 46 weeks in prison over the incident. But the Daily Mail can reveal he is already a serial petty criminal

Prosecutor Raj Punia said during the struggle, the staff member was pushed against some shelving before he finally dropped the bag.

As she emptied out its contents, he warned her he had a knife, which turned out to be half a pair of scissors he used to cut heroin - before swiftly fleeing.

Kendall then went on to steal 102 worth of cosmetics from a Lloyds Pharmacy store later that same day - but was arrested for both crimes on September 28.

Aimee Parkes, defending, said: 'He is genuinely sorry for his actions and knows that if this pattern of offending continues, his sentences will just get longer and longer.'

He admitted attempted robbery and shoplifting and was jailed.

Judge James Burbridge QC told him: 'You have been a public menace because of your addiction.

'Shopkeepers and those who work in shops need to be protected by the court.'

A Morrisons spokesperson previously said: 'While we cannot comment on individual cases, we are confident that this matter was investigated thoroughly and that the correct process was followed. The subsequent reporting does not reflect the full facts of the situation.

'We are continuing to take wide-ranging action to address the threat of shoplifting or violence in our stores.

'The health and safety of all colleagues and customers is of paramount importance to Morrisons. We have very clear guidance, procedures and controls in place to protect our colleagues and customers from the risk of harm, which must be strictly followed.

'These include detailed procedures for handling shoplifting incidents, which are in place to protect both the colleague involved and surrounding colleagues and customers and which seek to de-escalate and calmly control the situation. We will not ask colleagues to put themselves at risk.

'As a responsible employer, our focus is entirely on taking the correct action to ensure health and safety is maintained at all times.'
A driver who killed an RAF veteran with her car as she walked to a Take That concert cooly told police she 'can't account' for how the accident happened.

Fiona Hodge, 69, mounted the kerb in her Citroen C1 and fatally struck 53-year-old Donna Crossman on a main road in Bristol in June 2024, narrowly missing Ms Crossman's friends.

The force of the collision sent Ms Rossman, who had once managed Wales' national rugby and netball teams, over the railings of the busy dual carriageway on Brunel Way, crashing down onto a BMX pump track below.

She suffered catastrophic injuries and died just a few hours later surrounded by her family.

In newly released video, Ms Hodge can be heard telling a police officer that she did not know why she lost her concentration.

'The road wasn't busy, I was driving within the speed limit, I was coming home from a day's walking in the Mendips and I was chatting to my friends... and I mounted the pavement and hit... a person,' she can be heard telling the officer.

'It was very quick, I didn't really see the person. Actually, she seems to have gone over the side of the bridge on the side of the road.

'I don't know why I lost my concentration or mounted the pavement. I can't account for what happened really. It's a very nasty accident.'

The officer, who could be heard typing the statement on a laptop as she spoke, simply replies: 'OK'.

Fiona Hodge, 69, denied responsibility for the death of Donna Crossman, 53, who was hit by her Citroen C1 car in June 2024 as she walked to Bristol's Ashton Gate Stadium. Pictured: Hodge is seen arriving at Bristol Crown Court on April 13

Donna Crossman (pictured) died as a result of her 'catastrophic injuries', jurors at Bristol Crown Court were told

Ms Crossman (on the right) previously managed Wales' national netball and rugby teams, and had a 20-year-plus career in the RAF

Hodge has been found guilty of causing death by careless driving following the incident.

A jury at Bristol Crown Court heard that she had subsequently been diagnosed with epilepsy by neurologists and had suffered 'weird' episodes beforehand, but had never suffered a seizure.

Witnesses to the crash told police that Hodge's red Citroen C1 had been 'swerving in and out' of a bus lane in the minutes before the crash.

'She had been indicating for quite a while and about 20 seconds before (the crash) I said, 'I'm going to get back because I don't know what she's up to',' one told a police officer in body-worn camera footage released by Avon and Somerset Police.

Jurors deliberated for six hours before returning a guilty verdict. Hodge will be sentenced at a later date.

The court heard Hodge tested negative for drink and drugs in the aftermath of the crash.

Adam Vaitilingam KC, prosecuting, said: 'She was asked if she thought she had a medical condition and she replied that she didn't, she was asked if she thought she had experienced a medical episode and she replied 'no', and she was asked if she lost consciousness and she replied 'no'.'

Donna's father, Steve Price, previously described his daughter, who served for more than two decades in the RAF, as 'perfect' and 'adventurous'.

She had been seconded to the Pentagon near Washington DC and Nato in Brussels during a highly successful career in defence before finding success in sport.

He said: 'She was wonderful, so caring, so loving... I know everybody says that about their kids, but she really was.

'She had a good life, she put a lot in, but she had so much more to give.

'Her circle of friends is massive, and it's affecting everyone.'

Eyewitnesses (seen here in footage issued by Avon and Somerset Police, which obscured their identities) said Hodge had been swerving in the minutes before the crash

Fiona Hodge, seen here in a police issued mugshot taken after she had hit Ms Crossman with her car

Ian Bridge, defending, previously told the court it is 'likely that this collision happened because she (Hodge) was suffering from an undiagnosed condition called epilepsy'.

Before the crash took place, Hodge had 'never had a seizure before,' Vaitilingam added.

The court was told Hodge had suffered several 'weird' episodes linked to undiagnosed epilepsy before the crash.

She told the jury she had 'no recollection' of the moments leading up to it.

When giving her evidence, Hodge told the court: 'I do recall an incredible jolt I was then in a sudden, extremely rapid sense of consequences... I was on the kerb... and in front of me were three women.'

She then told friends in the car: 'I think I may have killed someone.'

Following Ms Hodge's conviction, Noeli Poupard of Avon and Somerset Police's Serious Collision Investigation Team said: 'This was an incredibly tragic incident which resulted in the death of a much-loved daughter, wife and friend who was on her way out to enjoy her evening with her friends.

'It was the defence's case that Hodge had suffered an epileptic seizure at the time of the collision.

'However it appears the jury rejected this idea and felt her lack of care and attention is what caused Mrs Crossman's death.

'Mrs Crossman's family have endured a great deal of pain over the past 18 months and they have shown great strength and dignity throughout the investigation and trial.

'My hope is that this result give them some closure.'
SHANGHAI, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- On Earth Day, global travel lifestyle brand NINETYGO, in strategic partnership with Covestro, a world-leading supplier of high-tech polymer materials, unveiled the R-GO Coffee Journey Series prototype at CHINAPLAS 2026. This next-generation luggage concept represents a breakthrough in circular design, with a commercial launch expected to debut first on Amazon.com in Q4 2026.

From Success to Revolution: The R-GO Evolution

NINETYGO and Covestro unveil the R-GO Coffee Journey Series, a breakthrough in sustainable travel engineering.

Building on the global commercial success of NINETYGO's first-generation coffee luggagecurrently available across North America, Europe, and Southeast Asiathe new R-GO Coffee Journey Series introduces a radical upgrade in material science.

While the original series pioneered the use of recycled coffee grounds mixed with polycarbonate (PC), the R-GO prototype integrates Covestro's premium post-consumer recycled (PCR) materials to reach a new frontier of environmental performance:

Carbon Footprint: Shells of a standard 20-inch carry-on are engineered to produce just 1.19 lbs (0.54 kg) of carbon emissionsa 67% reduction from the 3.4 lbs (1.54 kg) generated by traditional models.

Technical Benchmark: According to Covestro's technical data, this is achieved by utilizing MakrolonPCR solution, which reduces carbon emissions from 3.4 kg to 1.1 kg per kilogram compared to the virgin Makrolon material.

Plastic Efficiency: These shells cut virgin plastic usage by 33.3% per unit.

Certified Integrity: All PCR materials used are validated by UL ECV Environmental Claim Validation and the Global Recycled Standard (GRS), the industry's most respected benchmarks for recycled content.

A Journey of Balance and Innovation The R-GO series is designed to prove that eco-conscious engineering can coexist with premium durability. In rigorous internal laboratory simulations designed to replicate extreme travel conditions, the R-GO series demonstrated durability performance exceeding the key performance benchmarks of mainstream industry standards by 200%. These evaluations covered critical performance areas including structural impact resistance, telescopic handle fatigue, and multi-terrain wheel enduranceensuring the series meets the brand's uncompromising quality benchmarks.

"Why NINETYGO? Because 100% is a destination, but 90 is a journey," stated a NINETYGO spokesperson. "100% implies something finished and static. We adhere to long-termism, focusing on constant innovation that evolves with the traveler. Our collaboration with Covestro allows us to achieve a seamless balance between environmental stewardship and high-performance engineering. We believe true sustainability is only achieved when eco-friendly innovation meets uncompromising durability and functionality."

Availability The production version of the NINETYGO R-GO Coffee Journey Series is expected to debut first on Amazon.com in Q4 2026, with broader global availability to follow.

For more information and updates on the journey from prototype to launch, visit www.ninetygo.com or follow @Ninetygo Luggage on Facebook and @ninetygotravel on Instagram.

About NINETYGO and Korrun

NINETYGO is a global travel lifestyle brand owned by Shanghai Runmi Technology Co., Ltd., a majority-owned subsidiary of Korrun Co., Ltd. (300577.SZ).

Founded in 2005, Korrun is China's first A-share listed company in the luggage and bag industry. Driven by the vision of becoming a great innovative consumer goods company, Korrun operates across two segments: B2B and B2C. In B2B, Korrun is a global strategic partner to world-class brands including Nike, Adidas, and Decathlon, with advanced manufacturing bases in China, India, and Indonesia. In B2C, the company operates its independent brand, NINETYGO, partnering with top-tier suppliers like Covestro, DuPont, and YKK to deliver cutting-edge innovation and quality to travelers worldwide.

CONTACT: [email protected]

SOURCE NINETYGO
Keir Starmer's anti-corruption champion last night defended secret attempts by No10 to land the PM's former spin chief a plum diplomatic posting.

Baroness Hodge said there was 'nothing wrong' with people helping their friends find work, amid claims that Downing Street pressured the Foreign Office to find a job for Matthew Doyle.

Sacked mandarin Sir Olly Robbins, a former permanent secretary at the Foreign Office, told MPs yesterday that No 10 had initiated 'several discussions' with him about the prospect of making Lord Doyle an ambassador.

He said he 'felt quite uncomfortable' about the suggestion, and added that he was asked to keep it from then-foreign secretary David Lammy, and had warned it would be 'hard for me personally to defend'.

Lord Doyle has said he was unaware of any lobbying on his behalf for a position as head of mission or 'any equivalent leadership-type posting'.

Although he was never given an ambassadorship he was handed a peerage later last year - but was then suspended from Labour over his links to a convicted paedophile.

But speaking on the BBC's Newsnight Baroness Hodge, the former MP who was made the Prime Minister's anti-corruption champion in 2024, defended what happened.

She criticised officials for keeping their request a secret from Mr Lammy, but added: 'If somebody you're working with is about to loose your job, there's nothing wrong, I think, in saying, are there any other jobs available, as long as, you know, that he could apply for, going through due process to get those jobs.'

Asked if this was not 'cronyism' she added: 'As long as the process then for appointment is fair and just and open and proper, that's all right.'

Baroness Hodge said there was 'nothing wrong' with people helping their friends find work, amid claims that Downing Street pressured the Foreign Office to find a job for Matthew Doyle

Although Doyle was never given an ambassadorship he was handed a peerage later last year - but was then suspended from Labour over his links to a convicted paedophile

Sir Olly, the Whitehall veteran said he was unsure 'who exactly was behind' the idea regarding Lord Doyle or 'how serious it was', but that it was 'serious enough for No 10 private office to call the head of the diplomatic service and ask for a forward look of available head of mission jobs'.

Former ambassador to the US Lord Mandelson was also asked about the prospect of a diplomatic role in Washington for Lord Doyle, Sir Olly suggested.

Sir Olly said the suggestion from No 10 came shortly after he took over leading the Foreign Office in January last year, at a time when senior diplomats were at risk of losing their jobs as part of departmental restructuring discussions.

Addressing MPs after Sir Olly's evidence on Tuesday, Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said Lord Doyle would not have been an 'appropriate' choice, adding: 'I am, of course, extremely concerned at any suggestion that the permanent secretary or permanent under-secretary of the Foreign Office would be told not to inform the Foreign Secretary.'

And a Labour MP told Politico's Playbook newsletter: '[It's] all about pushing through jobs for the boys, no matter what they've done.'

Lord Doyle had the Labour whip withdrawn earlier this year after it emerged he had campaigned on behalf of a friend who had been charged with possessing indecent images of children.

The peer apologised for backing then councillor Sean Morton before the case against him had concluded, saying he believed the paedophile's assertions of innocence before Morton later admitted the offending.

He had stepped down as the Prime Minister's communications chief last March.

Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden squirmed as he was pressed today on whether Sir Keir personally pushed the Foreign Office to make Doyle an ambassador - admitting he had not asked No10 before going out to defend the Government's position.

In a statement on Tuesday, Lord Doyle said: 'I have never sought any head of mission, ambassador or any equivalent leadership-type posting.

'I was never aware of anyone speaking to the FCDO (Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office) about such a role for me.

'My desire after leaving No 10 was to stay in UK politics.'
A disheartened graduate claims she has been 'ghosted' by AI and made invisible to employers after applying for more than 400 jobs - but only receiving five interviews.

Karyna Lohvynenko is an otherwise impressive candidate, having been appointed as a student ambassador at the United Nations, as well as recently graduating from Cardiff Metropolitan University in business and management.

The 21-year-old was even handed scholarships to six US universities before the Russian invasion of her native Ukraine in 2022 disrupted her education and she moved with her family to Wales.

But despite her sparkling CV, Karyna has struggled to find work in any field and has been turned down for countless entry-level roles, including as a barista.

She believes AI screening tools, which are being increasingly used by employers, are to blame for her being rejected hundreds of times before a human has even had a chance to look at her skills and experience.

In many cases, Karyna says she does not hear back at all and has been left feeling her applications simply fall into a 'void'.

And on the five occasions she has been able to get an interview, all have been conducted through an 'AI interviewer' or chatbot.

Karyna, who is currently completing a masters' degree in governance at Cardiff University, said she is applying for 'every' entry role in law, marketing, management or business that comes up each day - but has yet to be successful despite her enviable experience.

Karyna Lohvynenko claims she has been 'ghosted' by AI after applying for hundreds of jobs and receiving only five interviews

The motivated student has in the past worked for the office of President Zelensky's wife Olena and has represented Ukraine on a national council for young people.

She has also worked with British and American councils, and as an ambassador for the King's Trust.

Her ideal role would be working in government - and she still dreams of perhaps one day returning to Ukraine. 'Maybe I could be the next president,' she smiles.

But first, she knows she has to overcome the hurdle of landing her first full-time job - and she believes AI has become an obstacle to achieving that goal.

'I think AI is one of the main issues,' explained Karyna. 'If I'm tailoring my CV, some of my words may not be the exact keywords AI is looking for, so I'm just filtered out.

'Another issue is the sheer amount of people applying for jobs. At my local coffee shop, more than 150 people applied for the role of a barista - and the owners admitted they just didn't have time to look through all the applications.

'It does feel like no-one has even looked at my CV. At times I've felt very stressed and disappointed. It's hard to know what to do.

'In many ways I feel invisible. Now when I apply for a job I don't even expect to hear back from anyone, and when I do get a rejection, I'm shocked that someone took the time to send me an email. I'm happier being rejected than being left to feel nothing at all.'

Karyna said she had been advised to try smaller firms - but even then, she believes the positions are more likely to go to interns or candidates known to the employer.

There have been a handful of applications that landed Karyna an interview - but even then there has been no human interaction, with the conversations led by AI tools.

'My first AI interview I ended up quitting after five minutes because it felt like I was just talking to a chatbot,' explained Karyna. 'I would be answering a question but if I just even briefly paused, it would suddenly say, "Ok, next question" and move on.

'In a normal interview, the person would ask you more questions about your experience or something you had just said, but the AI has time limits. So I didn't even have time to explain my background, my skills and knowledge and because it was recorded, I had to look at myself and remember to smile all the time.

'Two days later I received a rejection. My understanding is that humans don't even get to see this video - the AI decides if you go forward or not, but it doesn't really get to delve into your personality.'

When asked if she believes AI is the way forward in recruiting people, Karyna simply laughs.

Karyna believes AI screening tools, which are being increasingly used by employers, are to blame for her being rejected before a human has even had a chance to look at her CV

'No. From the perspective of the employer its physically impossible to interview hundreds of people, but at the same time it can be frustrating for applicants. What is it that I have to say to AI for it to hire me?

'I know some people are using AI to tailor their answers during the interview so now you have a situation where AI is talking to AI - and they are successful. I think the tool is good for companies, but not for people.

'All AI has done is left me feeling like I'm talking to a wall.'

Karyna's concerns come as a survey published earlier this month found recruiters are increasingly using AI to screen candidates.

Research by CV-Library found four in five (83 per cent) of 500 respondents revealed they now use AI to speed up the hiring process.

A further 28 per cent said they rely on it to manage the high volume of applications.

In an additional survey of 1,100 candidates, 53 per cent said they believed they had been 'filtered out' by AI, while 63 per cent said recruitment led by AI was more unfair than when humans are involved in the process.

But the use of such technology is also being used the other way - with recruiters claiming surging numbers of applications are being written with the help of ChatGPT and other similar tools.
Keir Starmer suffered fresh woe today as a bombshell poll showed Labour is on course for huge losses in London at next month's local elections.

A YouGov model predicted the Green Party and Reform UK will make a major breakthrough at borough council contests on May 7.

In a challenge to Labour's recent dominance in the capital, the Greens are projected to win the highest vote share for four London councils.

The research also predicted Reform will win the highest vote share in three boroughs.

The MRP (Multilevel Regression with Post-stratification) model, based on polling of thousands of voters, suggested Labour is on course for its worst result in London in 50 years.

Sir Keir's party is projected to win the highest vote share in 15 councils, which would be six lower than in 2022.

Allies of the embattled Prime Minister, who is under intense pressure over the Peter Mandelson scandal, are braced for a leadership challenge after May's elections.

As well as council contests in London and across England, elections are also being held for the Scottish Parliament and Welsh Senedd next month.

Keir Starmer has suffered fresh woe as a bombshell poll showed Labour is on course for huge losses in London at next month's local elections

Half of London's 32 borough councils are judged by YouGov to be either 'very close' or 'super close' ahead of next month's contests

Labour is projected to win the highest vote share in 15 councils, which would be six lower than in 2022

Labour is expected to suffer a dismal set of results in all three countries as voters express their views on the unpopular PM.

The YouGov MRP projected the Greens, who have surged in support under 'eco-populist' leader Zack Polanski, will win the highest vote share in Hackney, Lambeth, Lewisham and Waltham Forest.

All four authorities in London have been long-held by Labour.

The model also predicted Nigel Farage's Reform will be the best-supported party in Labour-run Barking and Dagenham, Conservative-run Bromley, and Havering, which is currently under no overall control.

The Tories are on course to win the highest vote share in five councils and the Liberal Democrats in four, according to the research.

Lewisham and Hackney have not been run by a party other Labour since the 1970s, Waltham Forest since the 1980s and Lambeth since the 2000s.

Half of London's 32 borough councils are judged by YouGov to be either 'very close' or 'super close' ahead of next month's contests.

In 2022, Labour won 21 councils in London, with the Tories winning five and the Lib Dems winning three.

The YouGov research found a 'highly fragmented picture' ahead of this year's contests, with all five of England's largest parties registering double-digit vote shares.

Labour are expected to top the London ballot once more - but this will be off only around a quarter of the capital-wide vote (26 per cent).

This is down a full 16 percentage points since the 2022 elections, with the Tories dropping nine points to 17 per cent.

The biggest beneficiaries of the decline of Britain's traditional two main parties are set to be the Greens (22 per cent, up 10 points since 2022) and Reform (14 per cent, up from close to 0 per cent in 2022).

The Lib Dems, who secured 14 per cent of the vote share in London in 2022, are near-unchanged, on a projected 15 per cent vote share in the YouGov poll.

The YouGov research found a 'highly fragmented picture' ahead of this year's contests, with all five of England's largest parties registering double-digit vote shares

Join the discussion Is this a real shift - or just polling noise?

Patrick English, YouGov's head of elections, said: 'This is broadly reflective of what we are seeing nationally - a great big fragmentation of the vote into all these different parties.

'They're all eating each other's pies and creating this situation where the largest party vote shares for each council could be 23 to 25 per cent of the vote.

'Fragmentation means that winning post gets lower and lower, and slight changes in the voting intention numbers could dramatically change the picture.'

A separate poll also suggested Labour could be swept away by a 'sea of Green' in parts of London next month.

A survey by Ipsos UK found 49 per cent of voters in the capital are considering backing the Greens on 7 May.

It also showed 44 per cent of voters in the capital are thinking about voting for Labour, with 35 per cent mulling over giving their support to the Lib Dems.

Meanwhile, 28 per cent are considering voting for independents, while 16 per cent could support Reform.

Keiran Pedley, director of politics at Ipsos UK, said: 'Our data shows that there could be a sea of Green in London after the May local elections.

'There is a desire for radical change and deep concerns over the cost of living.'
The civil service has launched an 'exciting' job opportunity for 10 vetting clearance officers - as it hunts for new talent in the aftermath of the Peter Mandelson fiasco.

Applicants for the UK Security Vetting role have been encouraged to get their CVs in by May 10 for a chance to join the 'fantastic place to work' for up to 42,000 a year.

The position, described as 'integral to the security vetting process', involves 'effectively listening to and processing sensitive information shared at interview' and 'making informed decisions and recommendations'.

It follows the revelation former ambassador to the US Peter Mandelson failed his security vetting check - but was nonetheless given the green light for the top diplomatic role.

A job description on the gov.uk website reads: 'We believe UKSV is a fantastic place to work, and we understand that maintaining a good work-life balance is essential for everyone.

'When you become a part of UKSV, you also become part of a friendly, supportive, and diverse community. Were here to help you build your confidence and enjoy your experiences both at work and beyond.'

It adds: 'We are seeking individuals to join as a Vetting Clearance Officer (VCO). This role is integral to the security vetting process and it is an exciting time to join UKSV.

'You will join a team of experienced and passionate individuals who carry out investigative interviews as part of our vetting service. You will be working in a target driven environment and must be able to adapt to change.'

Conservative shadow cabinet office minister Mike Wood told the Daily Mail Labour should 'stop trying to appoint friends of paedophiles as ambassadors' if it is serious about strengthening national security.

It follows the revelation former ambassador to the US Peter Mandelson failed his security vetting check. Mandelson is pictured yesterday near his home in London walking his dog

Applicants for the UK Security Vetting role have been encouraged to get their CVs in by May 10 for a chance to join the 'fantastic place to work'. The job advert can be seen here

A description on the advertisement reads: 'Vetting is a process which enables employers to identify, manage, and mitigate risks in roles with national security concerns'

He added: 'Whats the point of hiring them if their advice on security risks with Russia and China are ignored.

'Only the Conservatives, under new leadership, will restore common sense governance.'

The job pays between 37,922 and 41,992, has an employer contribution of 28.97 per cent to the civil service pension and is described as a Higher Executive Officer position.

Interviews will take place in June.

Last week it was claimed vetting officers had refused Lord Mandelson the security clearance that grants access to top secret government material.

The United Kingdom Security Vetting, which is part of the Cabinet Office, is responsible for conducting in-depth vetting.

Foreign Office officials pushed the controversial appointment through regardless and the Prime Minister has since faced the deeply damaging allegation he lied to Parliament.

A separate dossier had also previously warned Sir Keir his pick for the job carried a 'general reputational risk' over Mandelson's 'particularly close' relationship with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

In a last-ditch attempt by Sir Keir to cling on, Downing Street this week claimed the Foreign Office had acted alone in granting Mandelson the developed vetting status needed to take up his job in Washington against the advice of internal security experts.

Foreign Office permanent under-secretary Sir Olly Robbins - the head civil servant at the department - yesterday told MPs he had been sacked by Keir Starmer after coming under pressure to approve Mr Mandelson's appointment quickly.

He said he gave the clearance after being assured any risk could be managed.

In a last-ditch attempt by Sir Keir to cling on, Downing Street this week claimed the Foreign Office had acted alone in granting Mandelson the developed vetting status (file image)

In explosive testimony Sir Olly claimed Downing Street 'chased' the posting as US ambassador and was 'dismissive' of the need for any security vetting.

The Foreign Affairs Committee heard claims that Sir Keir's former chief of staff called Sir Olly's predecessor insisting: 'Just f***ing approve it.'

Opening another damaging flank, Sir Olly revealed that No10 tried to get Sir Keir's spin doctor Matthew Doyle a plum posting as a 'head of mission' abroad.

Sir Olly - who took on his role after Mandelson was publicly announced, but before he was formally confirmed as US envoy - said there was an 'atmosphere of pressure'.

'I walked into a situation in which there was already a very very strong expectation... that he needed to be in post and in America as soon as possible,' he said.

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.
Former glamour model Jodie Marsh has successfully applied for a primate licence at a rescue centre she runs  a year after winning a bitter legal battle over keeping lemurs there.

The ruling means the former lads mags favourite will be able to keep 12 marmosets at Fripps Farm in Lindsell, near Great Dunmow in Essex.

Marsh said she was completely over the moon after Uttlesford District Council approved her application.

It came ahead of new rules protecting the welfare of primates under the Animal Welfare (Primate Licences) (England) Regulations 2024.

I knew we would get the licence because wed done everything correctly, Marsh said.

With the new primate law coming into effect, many people wont be able to keep their marmosets and thousands will need homes.

It is so crucial that those of us who can, do have a licence, so we can rescue more if needed.

The animal lover added the new regulations introduced requirements that were higher than zoo standards, which could lead to small monkeys being abandoned or put down if owners are refused licences.

Jodie Marsh, 47, pictured at Fripps Farm, the animal sanctuary she runs in Lindsell, near Great Dunmow in Essex

Her primate licence is in place for two years - although the council revealed she doesn't have the lemurs at the sanctuary at present and she would have to apply for the a variation if they were kept there.

Marsh wept tears of joy when she won her appeal for a wild animals licence at Fripps Farm in June last year.

Uttlesford District Council blocked the application, which related to eight ring-tailed lemurs, after members claimed she treated the animals there as pets following reports she had taken a baby meerkat and an owl to a pub. There were also concerns about noise.

But Marsh  who uses funds from OnlyFans to pay for the upkeep of more than 400 animals at the sanctuary including emus and reptiles  claimed she was the victim of criticism from online trolls.

She also said the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs had no concerns about animals in her care following inspections.

The 47-year-old, who trained as a bodybuilder and has appeared on Essex Wives and Celebrity Big Brother, broke down in tears as District Judge Christopher Williams ruled in her favour at Chelmsford Magistrates Court.

He said: On the basis of the evidence available I am persuaded that the noise made by the lemurs is not a nuisance.

I am satisfied on the balance of probabilities that the decision by Uttlesford District Council was wrong and continues to be wrong. I allow the appeal.

The ruling means the former lglamour model will be able to keep 12 marmosets at the site

Marsh won a bitter legal battle againt Uttlesford District Council last year to be allowed to keep eight ring-tailed lemurs

UDC councillor Richard Freeman had told a meeting of its licensing and environmental health committee: The panel is concerned that Jodie Marsh has a perception that the animals in her care are personal pets.

Video clips of screeching lemurs at a zoo were also played at a previous court hearing and the district council said Marsh had failed to provide a noise nuisance survey.

Ring-tailed lemurs live on troops of up to 30 and are known as one of the most vocal primates.

But Paul Oakley, for Marsh, said the councils conclusion lemurs were likely to contribute to the (noise) impact at the five-acre site was speculation.

Marsh also dismissed concerns about her treatment of animals, explaining she had been hand-rearing the meerkat when she took it to a friends pub on a few occasions.

Describing the sanctuary as a dream shed had since she was five years old, she rounded on the trolls, saying: 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 its the animals.

The council received 19 objections from local residents about the licence application.

The ex-lads' mags favourite, pictured in 2004 when she was voted among FHM's 100 Sexiest Women

Leaving Chelmsford Magistrates Court last week where she denied charges of assault and using threatening words or behaviour

But 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.

Marsh last week pleaded not guilty to assault after allegedly putting her hands on her neighbours neck in a row over her sanctuary.

She also denied two counts of threatening or insulting language against Christopher Hynes and Susan Hammond during the hearing at Chelmsford Magistrates Court.

Marsh previously claimed the neighbour had been filming animals at her sanctuary and had doctored the footage to make them look 'skeletal' after trespassing on her land.

Her case, which carries a maximum six-month jail term if convicted, was adjourned until a hearing at Colchester Magistrates Court on May 7 next year.

Asked what she thought of the charges, she said they were 'ridiculous'.

Uttlesford District Council said in a statement: 'The primate licence is for 12 marmosets and is effective from April 6, 2026, to April 5, 2029.

'There are no lemurs at present. An application to vary the primate licence would need to be made to keep lemurs in the future.'
An exclusion zone has been established at Perth Airport after an unattended item, understood to be a bag, was found.

The airport advised of disruptions at International Terminal 1 after the item was discovered about 4pm AWST.

It's understood the terminal went into lockdown and check-in counters were closed.

The T1 forecourt pick-up and drop-off road were also temporarily closed.

One international traveller returning to Perth said they faced a massive queue in customs.

'The line was long but was moving,' they told PerthNow.

'At perhaps 4pm the line stopped moving - zero announcements on PA, zero communication from any staff until perhaps 4.50pm.

'Then about 5pm some staff member finally came and told us there was an AFP incident out front and they're not letting us out until it's cleared.'

An exclusion zone was created around Perth's international check-in area after an unattended item was found

Passengers and staff were evacuated from the check-in area.

Arriving travellers were permitted to leave using the western exit.

Australian Federal Police urged the public to avoid the area and await further advice.

It's unclear how many flights were affected by the incident.

The airport re-opened later on Wednesday night, but with significant delays.
This is the moment a knifeman strolls into a cafe and attacks a diner before waiting calmly for police to arrive and arrest him over an alleged double stabbing.

Security footage from The Deli cafe on Tonge Moor Road, Bolton, captured the bespectacled man in his 50s walking through the front door and approaching a younger customer tucking into his food.

The attacker lunges forward and stabs him in the chest with a kitchen knife, prompting the stunned victim to jump to his feet and fight back.

As the knifeman stumbles towards the counter, dazed from taking punches to the head, a quick-thinking member of staff grabs the weapon out of his hand.

The victim is seen dabbing at his wound but, despite his injury, prevents the assailant from fleeing.

The attacker then sits down at a table while staff lead the heroic diner behind the counter to safety before calling the emergency services.

Three police cars rushed to the scene at around 10.30am on Tuesday morning, where they found two men suffering from stab wounds.

An update on their condition has not yet been provided, but they are thought to have suffered minor injuries.

This is the moment a callous knifeman strolls into The Deli cafe in Bolton, Lancashire, and stabs a diner

After being stabbed in the chest, the victim jumps to his feet and begins fighting back

The customer then throws a number of punches at the knifeman, who appears dazed as he stumbles back towards the counter

Eventually, a heroic staff member manages to pull the kitchen knife out of the assailant's hand

A man in his 50s was arrested on suspicion of assault and remains in custody for questioning.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: 'Emergency services attended, and two men were treated by medical professionals on site for stab wounds. Enquiries are ongoing.'

Management at The Deli thanked the customer on their Facebook page and said he would eat free there for life.

The message read: 'Dear customers, regarding the incident that took place this morning on Tonge Moor Rd;

'This incident has followed down and spilled into our premises. We would like to assure you all, our customers and staff are safe and helping GMP with their investigation.

'We would also like to thank our customer today who helped during the incident, keeping us safe. Of course he will receive free orders for life!

'Due to the disruption we have closed for the remainder of the day and will let you all know when we are back open for business. We wholeheartedly apologise for any inconvenience caused.

'The police presence drew the attention of residents and passersby, with several people speaking out about the incident and stopping their car to see what was going on.

'Thank you for understanding and we will see you all very soon!'

Residents told local paper The Bolton News how the area was becoming more and more dangerous.

One said: 'You're not safe in Tonge Moor at all. There's all these things, people with knives, and you're looking round when you walk. It's scary.'

Another resident added: 'My daughter goes to school here there can be a lot of anti-social behaviour, and people with balaclavas, but they have never bothered me. This side of Tonge Moor is mainly locals.'

Police remained at the scene on Wednesday with officers carrying out doortodoor enquiries.
A top bureaucrat who led an infrastructure agency tasked with building schools has been found to have engaged in corrupt conduct.

The NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption said former chief executive of School Infrastructure NSW Anthony Manning engaged in corrupt conduct by subverting recruitment and procurement practices to misallocate taxpayer dollars to benefit friends and business associates.

In a 205-page report released on Wednesday, the commission laid out how Mr Manning spent millions of dollars intended for school projects on consultants and contingent workers who were his friends and associates.

While the watchdog did not find Mr Manning had obtained a personal financial benefit, Commissioner Paul Lakatos deemed his conduct a 'clear case of cronyism'.

'Public money that had been put aside to build and improve schools for NSW children was instead spent on jobs for friends and associates of the chief executive,' Mr Lakatos said.

The agency spent $344 million on contingent workers from 2017 to 2024 under Mr Manning's leadership.

Much of that sizeable pot was sourced from funds for school projects across the state to hide the overall spend on recruitment.

Twenty-six of these roles were paid at or above the level of a deputy secretary.

Anthony Manning ran a government department using taxpayer money to build schools

He gave millions to his mates in the form of contracts that didn't go out to tender and jobs, the corruption watchdog found

One of these workers received the equivalent of about $644,000 a year and got the role without a proper recruitment processes.

After being appointed in 2017, he also awarded contracts worth millions to Price Waterhouse Coopers and another firm in a departure from standard procurement processes.

In one case, a consultancy headed by a friend of Mr Manning's won an initial tender worth $145,000 and was then paid almost 30 times as much for subsequent work that did not go out to market.

But Mr Manning's conduct also included reprisals, with several staff sacked after they questioned his decisions.

The report also blamed the NSW Department of Education for inadequate oversight of SINSW and Mr Manning.

It failed to respond to red flags and did not address poor financial practices, the commission said.

NSW Education Minister Prue Car said the findings vindicated the thousands of families in Western Sydney who told the previous government 'schools were needed (and) instead of being listened to, they were gaslit'.

'It is clear the former Liberal-National government's mismanagement let families across NSW down,' she said.

The anti-corruption body recommended the government seek advice from the director of public prosecutions regarding the potential prosecution of Mr Manning and others.
The Greek shipping ministry has denied that one of its vessels was seized by Iran, after the Islamic Republic claimed to have taken custody of two boats in the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed to have seized two ships, identifying one as the Panama-flagged MSC Francesca, which they said belonged 'to the Zionist regime', and the other as the Greek-flagged Epaminondas.

The regime accused the ships of 'tampering with navigation systems and jeopardising maritime security', as well as operating in the strait without the necessary permits.

But the Greek ministry of shipping has denied that the vessel was snatched, insisting that the IRGC opened fire on the ship when it was 15 nautical miles northeast of Oman, yet all members of the 21-person crew are safe.

According to the maritime security company Diaplous, based in Cyprus, the Revolutionary Guards approached the vessel and attacked, without prior radio communication.

It comes after US President Donald Trump announced last night he would extend the ceasefire but continue the American naval blockade of Iranian ports, as a way of exerting pressure on the Islamic Republic to reopen the vital waterway.

'The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps naval force this morning identified and stopped in the Strait of Hormuz two violating ships,' the Guards claimed in an earlier statement.

'The two offending ships... were seized by the IRGC's naval forces and directed to the Iranian coast.'

US forces patrol the Arabian Sea near M/V Touska on April 20, after firing upon the Iranian-flagged vessel

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) identified one seized ship as the Panama-flagged MSC Francesca, which they said belonged 'to the Zionist regime' in reference to Israel

The first ship to be targetted today was the Greek-flagged Epaminondas, 15 nautical miles northeast of Oman. The Greek ministry of shipping denies that it was later seized

The Guards further warned against any action against the regulations imposed by the Islamic republic in the strait, 'as well as activities contrary to the safe passage' through the waterway.

Tehran has said vessels must seek permission to leave of enter the Gulf through Hormuz, through a route that in peacetime accounts for a fifth of the world's oil and gas exports along with other vital commodities.

The navy said the allegedly seized ships were transferred to the territorial waters of Iran for 'inspection of their cargo, documents, and records'.

As well as the Epaminondas, two other vessels were attacked by the IRGC on Wednesday, as the regime continues to claim ownership over the international oil passage.

The second ship to be targetted was the Panama-flagged Euphoria, which began transiting the strait at 1.10am UTC (2.10am BST) on April 22, with Jeddah, Saudi Arabia listed as its destination.

The vessel, owned by a UAE-based company, came under fire eight nautical miles west of Iran at 6.38am UTC (7.38am BST). The ship's master brought the boat to a halt.

The third ship to be attacked was the Panama-flagged MSC Francesca, around six nautical miles off the coast of Iran while it was heading south out of the strait and into the Gulf of Oman.

The vessel has reported 'damage to the hull and accommodation'.

The Islamic Republic claimed to have seized the ship, alongside the Epaminondas.

Tehran has said vessels must seek permission to leave of enter the Gulf through Hormuz, through a route that in peacetime accounts for a fifth of the world's oil and gas exports along with other vital commodities

US President Donald Trump announced last night he would extend the ceasefire but continue the American naval blockade of Iranian ports

Trump said in a statement on social media last night that the US had agreed to a request by Pakistani mediators 'to hold our Attack on the Country of Iran until such time as their leaders and representatives can come up with a unified proposal ... and discussions are concluded, one way or the other'.

The US President had earlier insisted he wouldn't move the deadline, which was set to expire on Wednesday.

But even as he announced what appeared to be a unilateral ceasefire extension, Trump also said he would continue the US Navy's blockade of Iran's trade by sea.

Tehran considers the US blockade an act of war and has said it will not lift its closure of the strait, which has caused a global energy crisis, as long as the blockade continues.

Pakistan, acting as mediator, had cleared out a luxury hotel in the capital Islamabad for last-ditch peace talks on Tuesday, in the hopes of reaching a deal in the final hours before a two-week-old ceasefire expired.

But Iran never confirmed it would attend and a US delegation led by Vice President JD Vance never departed Washington, leaving an apparent stalemate in the nearly two-month war with no clear solution to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Mojtaba Ferdousi Pour, the head of the Iranian mission in Egypt, told The Associated Press that communications with Pakistani mediators are underway 'to implement Irans conditions'.

'We wont negotiate under threat,' he said. 'We wont go to Islamabad before the lifting of the blockade.'

He accused the US of using the ceasefire to build up more forces for a possible resumption of military action against the Islamic Republic.

'Behind the scenes, they say something, but in public, they say and do something else,' he said.
- New sovereign cloud deployment in the Oman Data Park will power Omantel's evolution from Telco to Techco -

LONDON, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Cerillion (AIM: CER), a leading provider of composable BSS/OSS solutions to the telecoms industry, is delivering a major digital transformation programme for Omantel, the first and leading integrated telecommunications services provider in Oman, to modernise its business and operations support systems (BSS/OSS).

The project is a cornerstone of Omantel's strategy to evolve from Telco to Techco, adopting a highly configurable, product-driven model that accelerates innovation, strengthens agility and supports convergence across consumer, enterprise and emerging digital services. By moving away from heavily customised legacy systems to Cerillion's pre-integrated BSS/OSS Suite, Omantel is embracing a future-ready, low-code/no-code platform underpinned by TM Forum Open APIs and agentic AI.

Cerillion is implementing its Enterprise Product Catalogue, CRM Plus, Convergent Charging System (CCS), Service Manager, Revenue Manager and Business Insights modules, as well as its fully integrated Network Inventory solution, to create a unified digital foundation for Omantel's quad-play services spanning B2C, B2B and IoT markets.

The contract was awarded following an extensive and highly competitive tender process involving all major BSS/OSS vendors. Omantel selected Cerillion due to its proven track record, modular architecture and product-focused delivery model, which prioritises configuration over customisation. This approach eliminates the need for services-heavy implementations and enables faster time-to-market, simpler upgrades and a lower total cost of ownership.

The new solution will be delivered via Cerillion Cloud, hosted securely within the Oman Data Park, giving Omantel the agility and efficiency of SaaS delivery while meeting national data sovereignty and security requirements. The programme also supports Omantel's wider contribution to Oman Vision 2040, strengthening the digital infrastructure underpinning the Sultanate's evolving digital economy.

"This partnership with Cerillion represents an important step in Omantel's long-term transformation journey," said Jassim Al Masfary, Senior Principal, BSS/OSS at Omantel. "Our focus is not only on modernisation, but on building the agility, scale, and innovation capacity required to operate as a true Techco. Cerillion's proven expertise and flexible, future-ready platform made them the right partner to accelerate our digital evolution while delivering enhanced value to our customers and the wider market."

"We're delighted to be working with one of the GCC's most forward-looking operators," commented Louis Hall, CEO, Cerillion. "By adopting our pre-integrated BSS/OSS Suite and leveraging Cerillion Cloud, Omantel is embracing the agility and scalability of SaaS while maintaining the assurance of local data sovereignty. Omantel has a strong and clearly defined focus on AI enablement, both within the platform and across its operational use, making them an ideal partner with whom we can continue to push the boundaries of modern BSS/OSS. Together, we are establishing a flagship deployment in Oman that reinforces Cerillion's growing presence across the region and supports the continued evolution of Oman's digital ecosystem."

Notes to Editors

About Omantel

Omantel has succeeded, through the integration of its operations, processes, and extensive expertise in the field of communications and digital technology, in establishing its position as a leading telecommunications company within the Sultanate of Oman and beyond. The company's innovative approaches have contributed to providing state-of-the-art solutions to different consumer and business sectors. The company aims to deliver an unparalleled, exceptional experience to its customers and strives to always exceed their expectations. To achieve the objectives of Oman Vision 2040, Omantel invests in emerging technologies and provides cutting-edge ICT solutions, such as cloud solutions, AI, smart solutions, cybersecurity, and much more, in addition to harnessing its technological capabilities to enhance innovation and leadership in new and advanced technologies.

About Cerillion

Cerillion has a 26-year track record in providing mission-critical software for billing, charging and customer relationship management ("CRM"), primarily to the telecommunications sector. The Company has a global customer base with c. 70 customer installations across c. 45 countries.

Headquartered in London, Cerillion also has operations in India and Bulgaria as well as a sales presence in the USA, Belgium, Singapore and Australia. Find out more at: www.cerillion.com

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2062687/5929331/Cerillion_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Cerillion
One of Australia's business success stories has had 40 per cent of its value wiped in a single day.

Cochlear on Wednesday suffered its worst share plunge on record after it released downgraded profit guidance, indicating it would make $170million less than expected.

The company, founded in the early 1980s, makes medical implants that restore hearing and holds about 50 per cent of that market.

It blamed the sobering profit forecast on changes to Medicaid in the United States, which was heavily slashed under Donald Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

Compounding the problem, the company also said tensions caused by the Iran War were lowering demand in the Middle East region.

While in Europe, hospital shutdowns, strikes and lengthy waiting lists were damaging that market.

According to the Congressional Budget Office, Trump's bill effectively removed health insurance for 10million people, with the $500billion in savings that would provide going to fund tax cuts.

Cochlear CEO Dig Howitt said the company's hearing devices were still not considered medical necessities in some countries, notably the US, and were left off healthcare funding.

Cochlear CEO Dig Howitt said he remained confident the company would bounce back

The Australian firm pioneered hearing implant technology

Donald Trump slashed Medicaid funding in the US, a major market for the company

'Addressing hearing loss in adults and seniors continues to be treated as a discretionary intervention, highlighting the importance of our strategy to medicalise hearing loss so that treatment is recognised as an important health priority,' he said.

'We remain confident of our market leadership. The clinical need for cochlear implants continues to grow, particularly for the adult and seniors segment.'
A London 'media company' feared to be spreading pro-Iran misinformation had a Hezbollah propagandist sitting on its board of directors, the Daily Mail can reveal.

Nasser Akhdar was listed on Companies House as a director of the Arabic Islamic Broadcasting Union Ltd (AIBU) before the records were updated in a way that obscured his involvement.

Akhdar is described as a senior spokesman for Hezbollah, an Iran-backed Lebanese militia that is proscribed as a terror group in the UK.

He has also been identified by think-tank the Washington Institute for Near East Policy as a media strategist for Yemen's Houthis, another Iranian proxy which is supporting Tehran in its war with the US and Israel.

Akhdar is also Under-Secretary General of the Islamic Radio and Television Union (IRTVU), which was sanctioned by the US in 2020 for being 'owned or controlled' by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

According to Roger Macmillan, former director of security at Iran International and Iranian terrorism specialist, 'Akhdar appears to be a lynchpin within Iran's communications network, heavily involved in pushing its propaganda in the UK'.

The precise role of the AIBU remains unclear, but experts believe it could be a shell company used to conduct Iranian influence operations in the UK.

Nasser Akhdar was listed in Companies House documents as a director of the Arabic Islamic Broadcasting Union Ltd (AIBU)

Hezbollah fighters attend the funeral of three Hezbollah commanders who died in an Israeli strike on a southern suburb of Beirut in 2024

MPs have repeatedly warned of Iran's use of British-based TV and media outlets to spread misinformation aimed at buttressing the regime in Tehran and undermining Western interests.

A second man, Yaser Alsayegh, was listed as a director of AIBU from its founding in 2017, before Akhdar was appointed in February 2018.

Alsayegh had his Bahraini citizenship stripped in 2015 over security concerns and is now a British citizen.

He was previously a director of LuaLuaTV, a controversial Bahraini opposition channel accused of operating as a propaganda arm of the IRGC.

LuaLua TV has previously shared content glorifying Hezbollah and Hamas commanders including Yahya Sinwar, the former leader of Hamas in Gaza who planned the October 7 massacre.

Lord Walney, the Government's former extremism tsar, called in January for the network to be banned from Britain. Ofcom has said the network operates solely as an online streaming service in the UK so does not fall under its Broadcasting Code.

Alsayegh is also director of an unregistered charity called the Al-Mueen Foundation.

In 2024, an account operating under his name on Telegram described how a 'generous donation' to the foundation had been used to provide money 'to the orphans of the martyrs during the Battle of the Al-Aqsa Storm'.

The Battle of the Al-Aqsa Storm is Hamas' term for the October 7 terrorist attacks, which killed 1,195 people.

However, Alsayegh today insisted that the Telegram account had been hacked and 'operated by a third party'. He said the messages contained 'obvious indicators of impersonation, including the misnaming and misspelling of the organisation'.

Akhdar was appointed director of AIBU on February 22, 2018, and is listed as a director in the company's accounts for each year thereafter until 2024.

But on April 10, 2026, the company terminated his appointment on a backdated basis - claiming that he had left his role the same day he was appointed, in February 2018.

Alsayegh is shown as having signed off on each of these accounts on behalf of the company's other directors. Today he described the update as an 'administrative or typographical error'.

Jonathan W. Hackett, a retired US marine special operations specialist and author of Iran's Shadow Weapons, suspects the AIBU could be another example of a shell company that had been created to advance Iran's ambitions in Western countries.

Yaser Alsayegh was listed as a director of AIBU from its founding in 2017. Alsayegh had his Bahraini citizenship stripped in 2015 over security concerns and is now a British citizen

'This is common in the US, Canada, UK and many other countries - what the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence and the IRGC do is create shell companies in order to create distance between Iran and the company,' he told the Mail.

'Their key goals tend to be influence and finance - they'll use that shell company as a way to recruit people who conduct attacks. They build long-term involvement in the communities - especially Shia communities.

'They develop influence networks - so that later on they will be able to use those networks to do things. Often the people they've recruited don't realise who they're working for.'

It follows a report last month that a network of UK-based charities were being used as 'soft power' hubs for Iran.

The landmark study by Lord Walney identified more than 30 organisations that he alleges have become part of the network with links to Tehran.

They included religious institutions, cultural institutions, community centres and charities operating around the UK.

The former Labour MP claimed fear over being embroiled in racism rows had prevented authorities from clamping down on the groups but insisted they must do so.

It comes as counter-terrorism police continue to investigate whether Iran is paying British 'thugs for hire' to commit arson after the latest attack on a synagogue.

The revelation came from senior officers standing on the north London street where a firebomber struck at midnight on Saturday  the latest of several anti-Jewish incidents in the capital over the past week.

Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis called the assault on the Kenton United Synagogue 'a cowardly arson attack', adding that 'a sustained campaign of violence and intimidation against the Jewish community of the UK is gathering momentum'.

Tory MP Alicia Kearns said today: 'Strong words are no longer enough. We must see those who spread terror and hatred confronted. The powers are there  use them, now.'

A Home Office spokesperson said: 'We take the threat posed by Iran incredibly seriously, and our first priority is protecting British interests and lives.

'We have introduced a comprehensive set of additional measures aimed at countering threats posed by the Iranian regime, including sanctioning the IRGC in its entirety, as well as more than 550 Iranian individuals and entities.'
A 'health-conscious' head teacher took her own life because she feared she was getting dementia and becoming a burden, an inquest has heard.

Alison Higgins - described as thoughtful, inspirational and caring - had worked at Barham Primary School, near Canterbury, for a decade before her death in December.

The 61-year-old, from Hythe, suffered with insomnia and would lie 'awake for hours at night working on her laptop' as she struggled to sleep.

An inquest held this week in Maidstone heard she had suffered a mini-stroke the previous year.

Detective Sergeant Brian Burgess told the hearing: 'Alison believed she was suffering from dementia. Day-to-day tasks in her family and professional life had likely become increasingly harder for her.

'She felt as though she had become a burden on everyone around her.'

Mrs Higgins had not been diagnosed with dementia at the time of her death, but had seen her GP four days earlier.

She had been experiencing anxiety and grogginess, and hoped to change medication linked to other health issues.

Alison Higgins (pictured) - described as thoughtful, inspirational and caring - had worked at Barham Primary School, near Canterbury, for a decade before her death in December

An inquest held this week in Maidstone heard she had suffered a mini-stroke a year earlier. Oakwood House, where the inquest took place, is pictured

The inquest also heard she had a long-term diagnosis of depression and was prescribed sertraline, which toxicology tests found to be at a therapeutic level at the time of her death.

Mrs Higgins was found unresponsive at her home by her husband of 31 years, Christopher, shortly after 7am on Monday, December 8.

Paramedics attempted to carry out treatment for 40 minutes before she was pronounced dead.

In a statement read to the court by coroner Katrina Hepburn, Mr Higgins described his wife as 'kind, generous and full of warmth'.

'From her early teaching overseas in Portugal and Italy to her career in primary education in England, she devoted herself to creating opportunities for young people,' he wrote.

'She had a gift for noticing people, particularly those who might be struggling and helping them to feel seen, valued and included.

'At the centre of everything was her family. She was utterly devoted to our sons, George and Jamie, and took immense pride in the young men that they are becoming.

'She gave everything of herself to the people she loved. She was a loyal and enduring friend.

'That was her way. Thoughtful, understated and full of love.'

He added his late wife found joy in life's 'simple and beautiful moments', including time with family and friends, walks by the sea, swimming, good food and travel.

'Our shared memories of Italy are especially important to her - years that brought her great happiness, which she carried with her throughout her life,' he said.

The coroner concluded Mrs Higgins took her own life.

'Given the presence of notes which were found in the property, and also we have a recent history of poor low mood, it does appear to be a starting place to consider suicide as an appropriate conclusion,' the coroner said.

'There is nothing to suggest that she was anticipating being found and rescued.'

Heartfelt tributes were paid to Mrs Higgins following the tragedy.

Barham Primary, where she was co-head teacher, said: 'This news will undoubtedly have a profound impact on the children and families who have known Alison well, and especially the staff who worked closely alongside Alison for 10 years and considered her a dear colleague and friend.

'We are sure you will have your own memories of Alison's kind, thoughtful and supportive heart.

'We have been incredibly fortunate to have been led by such an inspirational and caring head teacher here at Barham School.

'Alison was totally committed to the school and so proud of all the children. She has touched the lives of so many children and families.'

Barham Parish Council said it was 'deeply saddened to hear of the sudden passing' of Mrs Higgins.

A spokesman added: 'She was a kind, thoughtful and dedicated teacher who made a lasting and positive contribution to the school and the wider village community, supporting and inspiring the many children she taught over the years.'

Reverend Stefan Thomas, of St John the Baptist Church in the village, said: 'Such loss is magnified in knowing what a wonderful teacher she was who lived for the schoolchildren and her team of teachers for over 10 years.'
A Portland woman has slapped Trader Joe's with a lawsuit after claiming to have found a fingertip floating around in her organic orange juice.

Julee O'Neil bought the 52oz bottle of the brand's orange juice from the Halsey Street location in June 2025.

After finishing the bottle, she noticed a large piece of pulp in her mouth that she claims was the tip of a rubber glove, she claimed in a lawsuit, according to KGW 8.

'She thought [it] might have also contained the end of a human finger in the glove tip or in the pulp of the orange Juice, which she may have inadvertently swallowed or ingested as well,' read the complaint, filed by her attorney Anthony Furniss.

Immediately after, O'Neil experienced gagging and nausea, and also had a burning sensation in her mouth, the lawsuit said. She took herself to urgent care.

O'Neil is demanding a trial by jury and for the popular grocer to pay her $10,000 in damages and her attorney fees.

The Daily Mail has reached out to Trader Joe's and O'Neil's attorney for comment.

O'Neil has previously sued other businesses for similar amounts, including Starbucks, after she fell in a 'large puddle of water on the floor' and injured her knee in 2020, KGW reported.

Julee O'Neil was shopping at Trader Joe's Halsey Street location in Portland when she bought the bottle of orange juice she claimed contained a fingertip

After finishing the bottle of orange juice, she found what she thought was a large chunk of pulp in her mouth. When she pulled it out, she claimed it was the tip of a rubber glove

In her previous filings, she had requested the same amount as she did with Trader Joe's. The Starbucks lawsuit was later dropped in 2021 for 'want of prosecution.'

In 2024, she sued a massage therapist, claiming the masseur improperly stepped on her neck. She requested $710,000 in damages and $124,000 in medical bills and lost wages.

O'Neil later dropped the claim in May 2025.

O'Neil's lawsuit with Trader Joe's comes on the backend of the grocer settling a $7.4million class-action suit.

The company agreed to settle claims that it violated the Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Act (FACTA).

Back in 2019, plaintiff Brian Keim paid for groceries with his Visa card at a Trader Joe's in Palm Beach, Florida but he noticed something disturbing on his receipt.

Keim claimed it exposed too many digits of his credit card number: The first six and last four digits were visible - breaking a key privacy provision of FACTA.

As a result, he sued the grocery chain in 2020 for violating his privacy, and it agreed to settle the claim this month for a whopping $7.4million.

O'Neil and her lawyer, Anthony Furniss, are demanding a trial by jury and $10,000 in damages

Anyone who used a credit card or debit card at a Trader Joe's between March 5, 2019, and July 19, 2019, can opt into the settlement class and grab their share of the $7.4million settlement, which has an estimated payment of $102.

Despite the settlement, Trader Joe's 'vigorously' denies the allegations.

'Not all Trader Joes stores printed receipts displaying the first six and last four digits of the card number, and in those stores that did, only a small minority of transactions involved such receipts,' the company said.

Some impacted shoppers will be contacted directly via email or postcard, but others may still qualify. They need to submit a claim before the June 9 deadline.
The parents of a 13-year-old Italian boy are facing manslaughter charges after their son was accused of killing a tourist by throwing a heavy statuette from a balcony.

Chiara Jaconis, 30, was celebrating her birthday in Naples with her boyfriend in 2024 when she was fatally struck by a 2kg figure as she walked down the street.

The teen accused of throwing the object was cleared by a juvenile court due to his age, but prosecutors now argue that Chiara's death could have been prevented if the boy's parents had kept a closer eye on him.

Prosecutors are now requesting that the teen's mother and father be charged with negligent manslaughter as the schoolboy is alleged to have carried out similar dangerous acts in the past.

However, the couple strongly deny any wrongdoing and have claimed the statuette did not belong to them.

They have also appealed the court's decision to clear their son because of his age, arguing he should be acquitted based on the facts of the case rather than simply because of his age.

CCTV footage captured the horrifying moment Chiara was killed, with the clip showing the tourist walking down Naples' Spanish Quarters with her boyfriend Livio Rousseau when she is suddenly hit and falls motionless to the floor.

In the seconds that follow, her boyfriend falls to his knees as he screams and calls for help.

Chiara Jaconis was killed in 2024 after she was struck in the head by a falling statue. CCTV footage captured the horrific moment

Italian-born Chiara lived in Paris and was in Naples celebrating her birthday at the time of the tragedy

Paramedics arrived at the scene and Chiara was taken to hospital, where she died two days later from traumatic brain injuries, local media reported at the time.

According to Italian media, the couple were heading to the airport to take a flight to Padua, Italy, when Chiara was struck by the onyx bust.

The statuette - which depicted an ancient pagan deity - reportedly fell from a third floor apartment as Chiara walked past.

The figure, which weighed just over 2kg, fell from a height of ten metres, and before hitting the ground, shattered on the balcony below, on the second floor, breaking.

One of the pieces struck Chiara on the head, severely injuring her. Several people, including some minors, were present in the apartment where the statuette was located, according to local media.

Italian-born Chiara worked as a store manager for the fashion house Prada and had spent some time working for the brand in France.

At a memorial event held for her last year, her mother said: 'I invite you to live life in colour, because that's what she always did.'

At a candlelit vigil held in Naples' Spanish Quarters, local politicians paid tribute to Chiara.

Naples' Mayor Gaetano Manfredi, also shared a statement, calling her death 'a great sorrow, a tragedy that deeply affects us all'.

The case has drawn widespread attention in Italy, raising questions about parental responsibility and safety in densely populated urban areas.

A preliminary hearing is due to go ahead on June 26.
Russia is preparing to take NATO on in a war and may be ready to attack within just a year of ending its invasion of Ukraine, a top European spy agency has warned.

A report from the MIVD, the spy agency of the Netherlands, suggested that Russia is still the biggest and most direct threat to the continent, and is already preparing for a possible conflict with NATO.

It added that it was highly unlikely that it would start a war while it is still battling Ukraine.

However, the Kremlin is being emboldened by its ever-deepening ties with China, the MIVD said, adding that Beijing's cyber-espionage capabilities are now on par with the US.

Vice Adm. Peter Reesink, MIVD's leader, said China's cyber operations are 'very capable, and they are organised in a very complex way.'

He added: 'We are vulnerable and we're not always capable of seeing all the threats China produces.'

The spy agency said that Russia is becoming more and more confident in its ability to hit military and civilian targets in the West as a result of its growing ties with China.

It said that Russia is keen to benefit from Chinese exports that supports its arms industry, while China wants to learn from Russia's combat experience in Ukraine.

Russia is preparing to take NATO on in a war and may be ready to attack within just a year of ending its invasion of Ukraine. Pictured - Vladimir Putin at a meeting at the Kremlin on April 22, 2026

A firefighter works at a site of Russian strikes, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Sumy, Ukraine, in this screen grab taken from a handout video released on April 21, 2026

A residential apartment building remains damaged after a Russian drone attack on April 21, 2026 in Sumy, Ukraine

On top of this, destabilised relationships between the nations of the West have put Europe at a greater risk, particularly 'where rules become blurred and power becomes increasingly determinant.'

Earlier today, the chief executive of the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) warned that Britain should brace for a rise in cyberattacks linked to hostile states.

Richard Horne said the agency continues to handle about four nationally significant cyber incidents a week on average and that the highest-impact attacks are increasingly tied to governments rather than criminal gangs alone. The NCSC is part of the UK's intelligence agency GCHQ.

Criminal threats such as ransomware remain the most common risk facing organisations, Horne told the government's annual CYBERUK conference in Glasgow, according to a copy of his speech.

But he said the majority of the most serious incidents now originate 'directly or indirectly' from nation states, including China, Iran and Russia. He said such activity was being directed at Britain and its European partners.

Horne also warned that the UK is living through 'the most seismic geopolitical shift in modern history.'

MI5 said last year that authorities had disrupted more than 20 Iran-linked plots since 2022, some of which targeted individuals living in Britain.

'Were we to be in, or near, a conflict situation, the UK would likely face hacktivist attacks at scale,' Horne warned, adding that such campaigns could cause disruption comparable to major ransomware attacks, but without the option of paying to restore systems.

Join the discussion How should the UK and Europe respond to the growing threats from Russia and China?

A Russian Uragan multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) of the Zapad group of Russian forces firing at an undisclosed location in Ukraine on April 21, 2026

Firefighters extinguish a fire in a house following a Russian drone attack in Shostka, northeastern Ukraine, on April 19, 2026

Mathieu Cousin, a cyber risk and threat intelligence strategist at insurers AXA XL, said last month that there was also likely to be a rise in cyberactivity linked to the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran.

'When geopolitical tensions rise, cyber activity follows. In this conflict, Iranian state-aligned and affiliated groups are using cyber operations as another way to respond,' he said.

Horne said on Wednesday that advances in artificial intelligence were expected to accelerate cyberattacks by enabling faster identification of vulnerabilities, even as the technology offers opportunities to strengthen defences.

At the same conference, Security Minister Dan Jarvis called on leading AI companies to work with the government to build AI-powered cyber-defence capabilities to protect critical national infrastructure.

Jarvis also invited businesses to sign a voluntary Cyber Resilience Pledge and announced 90million of additional investment over three years to bolster cybersecurity, including support for small and medium-sized firms.

In September, the former head of MI5, Baroness Eliza Manningham-Buller, warned we may be 'already at war with Russia.'

Manningham-Buller said Moscow's 'extensive' deployment of cyber attacks, intelligence work, 'physical attacks' and 'sabotage' in Britain are tantamount to conflict.

The Baroness told the Lord Speaker's Corner podcast  which is produced by the House of Lords  that Putin expert Fiona Hill 'may be right in saying we're already at war with Russia'.
A homeless encampment at a church in Bangor, Maine, was cleared out after a neighboring private school complained to the city.

A row of four tents used to line a path on the property of St Johns Episcopal Church near Bangor's downtown, just one block from City Hall.

The church had an agreement with the homeless folks who had set up camp there, allowing them to stay as long as they followed certain rules.

Those rules, according to the Bangor Daily News, included a limit of seven people living in the camp, and they could only stay there from 7pm to 9am. The homeless individuals were also asked to keep the area clean and not to use or deal drugs there.

Reverend Jarrett Kerbel, who works as the rector at the church, told the outlet that the people staying at the camp were generally sticking to the agreement.

But on March 30, officials from John Bapst Memorial High School, which is situated directly behind the church, complained to the city.

The private school, where tuition costs $12,500 per year, has a dorm near the former homeless encampment that hosts international students. A school administrator cited safety concerns in the complaint to Bangor.

The city soon notified St Johns Episcopal Church that it was violating city ordinance by allowing the homeless encampment on its property, City Manager Carollynn Lear told the Bangor Daily News, and the camp was closed last week.

A homeless encampment at St Johns Episcopal Church in Bangor, Maine, was cleared out after a neighboring private school complained to the city

Last month, officials at John Bapst Memorial High School (pictured) cited safety concerns regarding its students in its complaint to the city

The homeless camp was closed last week, which the church's Rector, Jarrett Kerbel (pictured), lamented

Lear also told the outlet that the complaint from the private school was the only one the city had received regarding the church encampment. Even so, city code prohibits temporary shelters on non-residential property, and fines are issued to violators.

Reverend Kerbel lamented the mandate to clear out the encampment and told the Bangor Daily News: 'Its only with relationships and love that people begin to heal, and thats what Jesus did.'

Kerbel added that the camp's closure was not formally enforced by the city, but the church was threatened with fines that it could not afford.

'The second they threaten a fine, of course, theyre telling us it has to end,' Kerbel said.

Homeless encampments in Bangor are a frequent topic of concern among residents of the city.

Sergeant Jeremy Brock, a spokesperson for the city's police, told the Bangor Daily News that his department has received 110 reports this year related to a growing encampment in the city's Pierce Park and the public library nearby.

The park is just a few blocks from St Johns Episcopal Church, and some of the homeless people who were kicked out of that property have moved to the camp there.

Brock said that Bangor officials' main strategy for addressing encampments is enforcing local codes that regulate outdoor camping.

John Bapst Memorial High School, where tuition costs $12,500 per year, is situated directly behind the church. A view of the side of the school building is pictured

The church's rector and a spokesperson for Bangor's police department described a kind of whack-a-mole enforcement by city officials when it comes to regulating homeless encampments. Tents at a camp that was cleared in December are pictured

Jay Brennan is the interim head of John Bapst Memorial High School. The school's complaint about the homeless encampment at the church was the only one received by Bangor officials

Brock and Reverend Kerbel described a kind of whack-a-mole strategy from the city when it comes to closing encampments, rather than a comprehensive policy that could address the problem in the long term.

'I really think we have all the right people and a lot of compassionate Bangorians so that we could probably do a good thing if we got it all lined up, and we got out of this kind of "react react react" mode,' Kerbel told the Bangor Daily News.

Late last year, the city spent nearly $120,000 to close and clean up its largest homeless encampment, called Tent City, which spanned about seven acres next to the airport and had around 100 people living there.

On December 22, the city closed another encampment near railroad tracks on the other side of Bangor.

St Johns Episcopal Church declined to comment when the Daily Mail reached out. Jay Brennan, the interim head of John Bapst Memorial High School, told the Daily Mail that the school's confidentiality rules prohibited him from commenting.
Homeowners in a wealthy California city are embroiled in a bitter legal battle over a public agency's efforts to demolish their pools and backyards in the name of sewer maintenance.

In Huntington Beach, a coastal city in the Los Angeles area, a more than 60-year-old pipeline that runs under the backyards of 29 houses is in need of repair.

The properties have easements, which is a legal right that allows certain parties utility access. In order to gain access to the underground pipeline, however, the Orange County Sanitation District (OC San) needs to dig up large portions of homeowners' yards.

Thirteen residents on the street have settled with the sanitation district, which has offered to cover the cost of demolition in return. The remaining homeowners have not consented to having their properties torn up and took OC San to court.

Tony Shahidi, one of them, told KABC: 'Easement means access, but OC Sanitation sees this as no, they want possession.'

'And that's what they have done. Effectively, they are taking possession of these people's lands without giving them any kind of monetary consideration,' Shahidi explained.

The median sale price of homes in Huntington Beach is $1.35 million, according to Redfin. Shahidi said that if the sanitation district demolishes his backyard, he will lose '$350,000 of equity' in his house.

The sanitation district has said that pools and backyards on the street have limited its ability to perform repairs and preventative maintenance on the pipeline, and it has no way to gain access other than through demolition.

Tony Shahidi and other Huntington Beach homeowners are suing the Orange County Sanitation District over its efforts to demolish their backyards in order to perform maintenance on an aging sewer pipeline. Shahidi said that if his yard is torn up, he would lose $350,000 of equity

OC San has said that it has no way to perform repairs without demolishing the backyards, which are part of an easement. Above, a demolished pool on the street

Jennifer Cabral, the Director of Communications for OC San told the Daily Mail: 'The pipeline in this area collects and transports 1025 million gallons of raw wastewater every day from 9 different cities.

'The need for this work is driven by the age of the infrastructure and the importance of proactive maintenance. If access is restricted and maintenance is delayed, it increases the risk of sewer overflows, environmental harm, and impacts to public health.'

But homeowners are frustrated with the city, as they are now questioning why their requests to modify their yards were approved if those areas were part of the easement.

Homeowner Frank Clark, who purchased his house 55 years ago, told KABC that his plans to build a pool on his property were approved in 1973, and he thought 'that was a done deal.'

But he has been told the pool now has to go as it sits on the sewer easement  something that he finds 'outrageous.'

If Clark, Shahidi and the other homeowners fighting OC San in court lose their case, they could be responsible for paying to cover the costs of their own property's demolition. The next hearing is scheduled for May 1.

Some homeowners who settled with the sanitation district regret the decision and were shocked by the level of damage to their properties.

Ted Beresford told CBS News that since demolition at his property began last month, 'It's been total, unmitigated chaos.'

Frank Clark, another homeowner on the street, questioned why his plan to build a pool in his yard was approved by the city if it was part of the easement

The median sale price of homes in Huntington Beach, part of the Los Angeles metropolitan area, is $1.35 million, according to Redfin

'Unnecessary destruction. They have taken out the pool. They have destroyed the yard for no reason,' he added before noting that he did not expect the sanitation district to remove one-third of his backyard.

Echoing Shahidi, the other homeowner on the street, Beresford also said: 'I know there was an easement, however, an easement is not ownership. An easement is access. OC Sanitation interpreted this as an ownership.'

Cabral, the OC San Director of Communications, told the Daily Mail: 'OC San is not taking ownership of private propertywe are working within longstanding easements to maintain critical infrastructure that serves hundreds of thousands of residents.'

If the court rules in favor of the suing homeowners, it is unclear what will happen to the properties that have already had their yards demolished.

But a spokesman for OC San told KABC that the settlements signed by those individuals are binding, no matter what the court rules.

'OC San understands that this work affects nearby residents, and we take those concerns seriously. Our goal is to be transparent and respectful while fulfilling our responsibility to protect public health and the environment,' Cabral told the Daily Mail.

'We remain committed to working with homeowners to minimize disruption and to restore impacted areas as quickly as possible once work is complete,' she added.

The Daily Mail has reached out to the city of Huntington Beach for comment.
A pair of rare Amur leopard cubs born earlier this year, were bright-eyed as they received their first health checkup in Utah this week.

The two gorgeous cubs, who were born on February 18, received their first checkups and vaccinations at eight weeks old at the Hogle Zoo.

Parents Zeya and Dmitri marked their sixth litter together at 13 years old as part of a breeding program to help save the endangered species.

At the check-up, the cubs weighed in at 7.7 and 8.2 pounds and were both found to be in good health. The zoo told ABC 4 that their next checkup will allow them to confirm the cubs' genders.

The routine check-up involved eye exams, body condition examination and vaccinations, the zoo shared on Facebook.

The new family won't be visible to the public until the summer while they bond in a private den and zoo keepers work to bond and train the young cubs, according to the zoo.

'Our animal care team has been observing Zeya and the cubs through high-definition cameras, noting attentive care and consistent nursing. When Zeya needs some time to stretch her legs, she occasionally steps away from the den before returning to her cubs,' the zoo said in a statement.

Zookeepers put on face masks and gloves to protect the cubs, while holding them by the scruff of their necks, and they were given a straw bath with substrate from their den so their scent is the same to their mother.

The two gorgeous cubs, who were born on February 18, received their first check-ups and vaccinations at eight weeks old at the Hogle Zoo in Utah

Parents Zeya and Dmitri marked their sixth litter together at 13 years old as part of a breeding program to help save the endangered species

At the checkup, the cubs weighed in at 7.7 and 8.2 pounds and were both found to be in good health. The zoo said their next checkup will be able to determine their gender

The new family won't be visible to the public until the summer while they bond in a private den and zoo keepers work to bond and train the young cubs

'It has been such a fun learning experience to watch these two cubs grow and see Zeya teach them how to be Amur leopards,' Brittany Dowdell, an animal care supervisor in the Asian Highlands, told ABC 4.

'While we know Zeya is a pro at being a mom, as keepers, we always want to make sure we are giving her everything we can to set her up for success. I can safely say we always learn something new and find ways to improve her wellbeing.'

Dowdell added that the cubs are a 'valuable contribution to their population' as the population of Amur leopards continues to struggle in the wild.

'At less than 130 individuals, these cubs help the genetic diversity in human care to prevent extinction and help bring awareness for their critically endangered wild counterparts,' she said.

According to the zoo, Amur leopards are critically endangered and included in the International Union for Conservation of Nature's highest risk category.

'Amur leopards are among the rarest cats in the world and live in the temperate forests of Russia and China,' the zoo said.

'These nocturnal, solitary cats face ongoing threats from habitat, prey scarcity, low genetic diversity, poaching and illegal wildlife trade.'

Amur leopards can reach speeds of up to 35 miles per hour and are capable of taking down prey three times their size.
An Arizona school board meeting erupted in outrage after a secretarys crude comment about a teacher and a parent was caught on a hot mic.

Seligman school secretary Lisa McNutt was heard spitting out profanities as she drove home from the board meeting on April 14.

The meeting drew students and parents rallying behind longtime teacher Miarj Wallace, whose job was on the chopping block.

Although the meeting ended early, remarks made by McNutt during a phone call were picked up on a hot mic on the meeting line.

Using her phone due to an internet outage, McNutt believed the call had ended and began venting her frustration about the meeting.

'Everybody exit now, the meeting has been adjourned, get the f*** out of the boardroom,' McNutt was heard saying.

'I was ready to stand up and shove her a** out of the boardroom. She did not address the point. Nobody wants to take your class b****.'

Officials said that the private conversation involving McNutt's comments were protected under the First Amendment, AZFamily reported.

Seligman school secretary Lisa McNutt was heard spitting out profanities as she drove home from the board meeting on April 14 after believing that the meeting had ended

The meeting consisted of students and parents showing support for a longtime teacher, Miarj Wallace, who was set to have her job cut

More than 30 students showed up to show support and voice their comments over Wallace's firing, but in the end only one student was granted permission to speak for just three minutes

Despite the audio, which was shared on social media, parents and students who had attended the meeting were already shocked by the response from the board.

More than 30 students showed up to show support and voice their comments over Wallace's firing, but in the end only one student was given the floor for just three minutes.

'They said all they wanted to do was say a little something about why they wanted the agriculture class kept there,' Carol Johnson, a former district employee who attended the meeting, told AZFamily.

'They wanted to speak out,' Murray Johnson, also a former district employee, added. 'They wanted to be a voice, but that wasn't allowed.'

Wallace had created the agriculture department 16 years ago, but following a student survey the department and her job were set to be slashed. She told the outlet that she was instead to be offered a part-time administrative role.

The school district claimed that budget cuts and the student survey were reasons for the cuts, but Wallace said she was mostly disheartened that the students were silenced at the meeting.

'My heart really went out to them in that moment that they were trying to be brave, and were getting their voices kind of squashed in a sense,' she told AZFamily.

Donna Solberg, a former student whose children and grandchildren also attended the school, said that the students should have been able to have a chance to speak.

Soon after, audio from McNutt's phone call was leaked.

McNutt's phone had been used due to an internet outage and, having believed the call to have ended, began to vocalize her frustration on the meeting

'Maybe she doesn't have interaction with the kids at all, but if you're talking like that about a parent, I was in shock. I am totally in shock about what she had to say,' Solberg told the outlet.

'We teach our kids to have a voice. If you don't speak up, nobody knows how you feel. Our board took our students' voices that night.'

Solberg acknowledged that while cuts may be understandable, the current approach was not the right way to handle the situation.

'I just think there was a personal agenda here, and I support our superintendent 100 percent,' she continued.

'You want to make budget cuts? You need to make budget cuts. But when you take from one, you take from all. You can't pick and choose what you're taking from.'

Wallace agreed that cuts were necessary, but noted that five other teachers had recently resigned and said that agriculture is incredibly significant in the community.

'Ultimately, it's the students that matter,' she said. 'It's an issue that's affecting students. It's a program that does wonderful things for students in this community.'

Tasha Nez, a community member who attended the meeting, described the board meeting as 'disheartening' as the attendee's concerns were allegedly pushed aside.

Wallace agreed that cuts were necessary, but noted that five other teachers had recently resigned and said that agriculture is incredibly significant in the community

Wallace had created the agriculture department 16 years ago, but following a student survey the department and her job were set to be slashed. She told the outlet that she was to be offered a part-time administrative role instead

'It's disheartening when you attend a school board meeting for Seligman Antelopes High School... you see their conduct, facial expressions, and then using their condescending tone as if they are superior to the 50 people in the audience,' she wrote.

Nez said her daughter, who attends the school, was named in the meeting as star student of the month for her academic achievements 'only to be treated like c*** in the same meeting.'

According to Nez, McNutt 'threw her hands up at my daughter... in a threatening manner as if she was going to fight her.'

Another community member said, in support of Wallace: 'The school board needs new members, not members who have personal opinions on other people.

'Let me tell you as a ten plus resident of Seligman, I can say that Wallace was one of the only classes I heard kids getting excited to take beside [Physical Education] of course.'

'She has made a big impact on this school and the kids going to it... The decision to fire Dr Wallace will be one of the worst decisions this school has ever made,' they added.

Superintendent Wanda Burton said in a statement to the Daily Mail that the meeting 'abruptly' ended due to 'repeated audience interference that disrupted the discussion.'

'First, the District remains committed to transparency, respectful public engagement, and decision making that prioritizes students while promoting fiscal responsibility,' the statement said.

'Like many districts across Arizona and the United States, Seligman USD is experiencing a significant decline in student enrollment. The District ended the 202324 school year with approximately 215 students. By May 2025, enrollment declined to approximately 140 students due to families relocating, changes in guardianship, and other life circumstances. The District began the 202526 school year with approximately 138 students.

'These financial realities require difficult decisions. The agenda item under discussion was based solely on enrollment, student interest, and fiscal sustainability. It was not based on race, ethnicity, or the personal characteristics of any staff member.'

Regarding McNutt's comments, Burton said that the conversation was not part of the official board meeting and it 'reflects a private exchange made during travel home... It is not part of the official proceedings or decision making process of the Governing Board.

'Seligman Unified School District #40 remains dedicated to making thoughtful, student-centered decisions while addressing the financial challenges facing the District. We appreciate the communitys engagement and ask that all discussions remain respectful and grounded in accurate information.'

The Daily Mail reached out to Dr Miarj Wallace and Lisa McNutt for comment.
GUANGZHOU, China, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- From April 17 to 24, the 37th Guangdong Fashion Week Spring Session opened at Wanbo, Guangzhou. As the event's most eye-catching artistic highlight, the One Heung Kong Fashion Art Haute Couture Show impressed audiences with world-class exhibition standards, creating an immersive fashion aesthetic extravaganza. Three top Chinese designers staged stunning shows, sparking a profound dialogue between intangible cultural heritage (ICH) craftsmanship and contemporary fashion, and vividly reviving traditional Oriental aesthetics in modern times.

Li Xiaoyan, winner of the China Fashion Design Golden Top Award, joined hands with Lingnan ICH brand Tangxian Xiangyunsha to present "Seeds  Born for Beauty". Centered on national ICH fabric Xiangyunsha, the collection integrated time-honored plant dyeing and sun-curing crafts with modern tailoring, endowing the classic fabric with nostalgic charm and futuristic fashion vitality, and interpreting the core of sustainable fashion.

Yan Fangni, Guangdong Textile and Apparel ICH Promotion Ambassador, brought her brand AMBRE DU SUD with "A Letter from Intangible Cultural Heritage to Spring". Using premium fabrics like Song brocade, Yun brocade and heavy silk, she drew inspiration from spring nature, creating poetic Oriental ready-to-wear with smooth lines, integrating ICH techniques into daily fashion.

Zhao Yakun, one of China's Top Ten Designers, displayed her brand JOOOYS, innovatively interpreting Chaozhou embroidery and bead embroidery. She combined tech-inspired fabrics with delicate handcraft decorations, using sharp silhouettes and rich textures to create minimalist yet elegant high-end couture with a global vision, showcasing the unique charm of Oriental luxury.

Against One Heung Kong's upscale artistic backdrop, the show blended light-shadow art, exquisite fabrics, precise tailoring and Oriental aesthetics, presenting a stunning audio-visual feast that fully demonstrated Chinese fashion's cultural confidence and original design strength. The Guangdong Fashion Week Organizing Committee officially awarded One Heung Kong as "Strategic Partner of Guangdong Fashion Week  Future Living Art Landmark", marking the project's transformation from a temporary venue to a year-round hub for Chinese original design, realizing the strategic leap from "one-week show to year-round spectacle".

The in-depth strategic cooperation between Guangdong Fashion Week and One Heung Kong achieves the integration of fashion industry, artistic space, high-end lifestyle and international platform. Relying on its world-class artistic setting and premium resources, One Heung Kong built a top-tier platform for the fashion week's exhibitions and exchanges, offering a more textured global stage for original design. In return, Guangdong Fashion Week injected cutting-edge fashion content and industrial influence into One Heung Kong, realizing mutual empowerment and win-win cooperation. Based on long-term partnership, both sides will jointly build a regular, high-end international fashion release base, boosting Chinese original design to go global and accelerating Guangzhou's construction as an international fashion capital.

Looking forward, One Heung Kong will deepen cooperation with Guangdong Fashion Week, expand fashion and art influence to lead industrial trends, and join hands with Chinese fashion industry to embrace the global stage. Taking originality as the soul, ICH as the charm and innovation as the drive, the 2026 Guangdong Fashion Week Spring Session writes a new chapter for the high-quality development of the Greater Bay Area fashion industry, letting the world witness the dazzling radiance of Chinese fashion.

SOURCE Heungkong Group
A CEO bought a part-time home in Oregon to live in a ritzy condo tower, and insists Portland's notorious downtown area isn't as bad as its reputation often suggests.

David Routt, CEO of Bridgewell Building Materials, forked out $845,000 for a condo at the Ritz-Carlton in February 2025 as a way to experience the often-divisive city firsthand.

'Portland has a lot to offer, and a lot of what they say about Portland is exaggerated,' he told The Oregonian.

The millionaire boss loved the homelessness-driven, drug-crisis-heavy city so much that he recently bought a three-bedroom condo on the same floor of his existing one for $1.65million, he told the outlet.

'The Ritz-Carlton turned into an opportunity to buy at a discount,' he said. 'We knew the building and I knew what I wanted this time.'

Their new unit is a corner one and has more room to allow his family to live comfortably, compared to his initial one-bedroom space, which is now back on the market.

Routt, who primarily lives in Arizona, recently hosted 18 people for Easter dinner at his part-time home in the Ritz.

He enjoys the luxury amenities offered by the building, including a 24-hour concierge service and having access to a members-only lounge.

David Routt, the head honcho for Bridgewell Building Materials, bought his first condo in Portland's Ritz Carlton in 2025. He insisted the city's notorious downtown isn't as bad as people say

The Arizonian, who lives part-time in Portland, recently bought a three-bedroom condo on the same floor with an amazing view (pictured)

Residents can also book the hotel's massage and spa services directly to their homes and have food delivered from the fine-dining restaurant in the building. Hotel staff can also retrieve their dry cleaning and help them with their needs.

The 132 condos atop the 35-story tower began attracting eager buyers in July 2025, after a change in ownership led to prices being slashed in half.

That wasnt always the case. When the building opened in 2023, many prospective residents steered clear of the high-priced units, citing concerns about downtown Portlands safety, according to The Oregonian.

Earlier this month, a Portland man had his day in court for shoving a commuter on the train tracks in the city. Michael Moreland, 33, was sentenced to five years and 10 months in prison for the act, which he said was fueled by drug addiction.

The conductor told investigators he saw Moreland running near the tracks, so he had slowed down.

As soon as he saw Moreland push the commuter, Chastain pressed the emergency stop button and the train halted just a foot or two away from the victim in May 2024.

Moreland, who claims to have no memory of the crimes he committed, said in court on April 16: 'Those actions were completely unwarranted, undeserved and extremely frightening. And thats something that Im truly sorry for.

'I have struggled with addiction in my life, but I still hold myself 100 percent accountable for my actions.'

The view from his one-bedroom condo, which he is now selling after purchasing the three-bedroom unit

'Portland has a lot to offer, and a lot of what they say about Portland is exaggerated,' he said. 'The Ritz-Carlton turned into an opportunity to buy at a discount'

Last month, Elephants Delicatessen was set on fire after a woman using a torch to look inside nearby garbage cans accidentally ignited a piece of trash. The flames quickly spread to the delis roof and interior.

The blaze left the deli's future uncertain, with its reopening in doubt.

A nearby BottleDrop, where people can recycle cans and bottles for change, announced it would be closing due to the area becoming a magnet for drug dealers and users to gather.

Neighboring businesses have said it is common to see 'canners'  those redeeming the bottle deposits  passed out in the parking lot or sidewalk outside.

In May 2025, reporters from The Oregonian observed people using drugs outside a BottleDrop site.

Several businesses that shared space with the troubled location, including a Dicks Sporting Goods, chose not to renew their leases, with some citing the presence of homeless people as a factor in their decision.

The city has faced years of rising crime and quality-of-life concerns since 2020. While violent crime has declined from recent record highs, property crime remains elevated and homelessness has continued to increase.

In October, the Daily Mail observed a woman repeatedly bashing herself in the head and carrying out the act of self-harm while under the influence in downtown Portland.

The Oregon city has been dealing with a years-long crime wave. In October, the Daily Mail observed a woman bashing herself in the head and carrying out the act of self-harm while under the influence

The Daily Mail also observed a homeless man inhaling a bubbling substance from a scrap piece of aluminum

Citizen journalist Kevin Dahlgren and other locals told the Daily Mail that the middle-aged woman is regularly accosted by a group of unknown men.

They say she is taken to a nearby motel or apartment, where she is forced to shower, before being subjected to horrific sexual assaults.

Portland residents, specifically those in the Old Town area of the city, who know the woman said the group attacks can go on for days before she is dumped back on the streets.

Dahlgren said he fears the woman is also battling severe drug issues.

The Daily Mail also observed a man inhaling a bubbling substance from a scrap piece of aluminum. He said he was homeless after losing his job.

Another person broke into a vehicle, smashing the window, before being arrested.

'Crime out here is just really common, this is extremely common  you can usually hear the smashes, the police don't care  they're not going to stop them', Dahlgren told the Daily Mail.
Keir Starmer was left squirming today as he faced another Commons battering over the Mandelson scandal.

Sir Keir was told to 'take responsibility and go' by Kemi Badenoch as he struggled to defend his actions at PMQs amid mounting signs of Cabinet unrest.

The premier effectively admitted that the Foreign Office was urged to consider his former spin doctor Matthew Doyle for plum diplomatic postings, saying there were 'often conversations about other roles'.

Extraordinarily, Sir Keir also claimed that dramatic testimony by ousted mandarin Olly Robbins yesterday had vindicated him.

The bitter clashes came with many Labour MPs in despair, after the latest flare-up in the furore dashed hopes his response to Donald Trump's Iran war could revive his premiership. Backbencher Jonathan Brash broke ranks to say the PM should resign insisting he was 'fed up' of the 'own goals'.

And Polly Billington, vice-chair of the Parliamentary Labour Party, repeatedly refused to state whether she trusted Sir Keir's judgement.

In the latest hint at trouble, Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden repeatedly refused to say the ousting of Sir Olly was 'fair' during interviews this morning. Instead he said it had been the 'PM's judgement'.

Having declined to use the description on Times Radio, Mr McFadden finally said Sir Keir had 'acted fairly' after being challenged twice more on BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

The minister also swerved questions on whether Sir Keir had personally pushed the Foreign Office to make Lord Doyle an ambassador - admitting he had not asked No10 if that was true before going out to defend the Government's position.

However, in a crumb of comfort for the premier, his potential rivals are still holding off as Labour braces for a local elections battering in a fortnight.

As storm clouds gather around Sir Keir today:

Sir Keir's former chief of staff Morgan McSweeney is due to appear before the foreign affairs committee next Tuesday, with Cabinet Office civil servant Cat Little giving evidence tomorrow;

There are claims the PM was received in 'silence' as he tried to explain his handling of the Mandelson row at Cabinet yesterday;

Baroness Hodge, the Government's anti-corruption champion, has suggested it was fine for No10 to seek a diplomatic posting for Lord Doyle because he was a 'friend';

Left-wing bible the New Statesman has delivered a devastating assessment of Sir Keir's performance, saying he is 'failing' and 'cannot do the job';

Former Cabinet Secretary Lord Sedwill has called for Sir Olly to be reinstated as head of the Foreign Office;

YouGov polls have warned that Labour is on track for its worst result in London for 50 years on May 7, while Reform could win elections in Wales.

Keir Starmer braved PMQs today amid signs support is ebbing away, with Cabinet dissent surfacing publicly following damning testimony from a Foreign Office mandarin

In the latest hint at trouble, Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden repeatedly refused to say the ousting of Olly Robbins was 'fair' during interviews this morning

Sir Keir said that Lord Doyle 'worked for many years in public service, for me as Prime Minister and other ministers'.

'When people leave roles in any organisation, there are often conversations about other roles they want to apply for, but nothing came of this,' he added.

Arguing he had been backed up by Sir Olly's evidence, Sir Keir said: 'What I set out to the House on Monday is that Foreign Office officials granted security clearance to Mandelson against the recommendation of UK Security Vetting.

'Yesterday Sir Olly Robbins was asked if he shared that decision with me, Number 10 or any other ministers. He gave a clear answer. ''No''.

'Mr Speaker, that puts to bed all the allegations levelled at me by those opposite in relation to dishonesty.

'Last week they were all saying that it must have been shared with me. Sir Olly was very clear yesterday, it was not. I believe not sharing it was a serious error of judgment.

'That information should have been shared with me and other ministers, and if it had have been, Mandelson would not have been committed to post.'

But Mrs Badenoch said: 'The head of the Foreign Office was sacked for the Prime Minister's own failings. His backbenchers know that is not fair. Even his most loyal Cabinet members won't defend it. The Prime Minister did not follow the process the Cabinet Secretary set out in November 2024. He knows he did not follow due process, yet he told the House he had.

'I cannot accuse the Prime Minister of deliberately misleading the House, but everyone can see what has happened here, this was not due process. Everyone knows the price of misleading the House, will the Prime Minister finally take responsibility and go?'

At an extraordinary Parliamentary hearing yesterday, sacked Foreign Office chief Sir Olly revealed the 'atmosphere of pressure' created by No10 to approve the New Labour grandee as ambassador to the US.

He hit out at a 'dismissive approach' to problems with the appointment, as he explained why he had not told Sir Keir that vetting officials advised against proceeding with the posting.

The crisis took another turn when Sir Olly revealed that Downing Street had secretly tried to give another plum diplomatic job to Sir Keir's then-director of communications Matthew Doyle. He said he resisted it on the basis it would be 'inappropriate'.

Mr Brash told GB News: 'I've got to be clear, I am completely fed up to the back teeth of this psychodrama in Westminster, the own goals that are coming from the heart of this government.

'Meanwhile, we've got fantastic Labour councillors, canvassers, activists up and down the country, working hard and delivering for their constituencies, like mine in Hartlepool, facing local elections in the shadow of this absolute mess. They just need to get a grip.

'I'm completely fed up about it, and I think it's got to the point now where I genuinely think that, as far as the Prime Minister is concerned, it's not a case of if, it's when.'

Ms Billington, the East Thanet MP and a former advisor to Ed Miliband, declined the opportunity to say she trusted Sir Keir's judgement.

She told BBC Radio 4's World At One: 'I think it is reasonable, and I think others have said this before, prime ministers do make mistakes. Because prime ministers are human, all of us are fallible.

'I do not think that one mistake like this should be enough, but I do also think that we need to be saying 'right, what do we do next to avoid these things happening again.'

The PM's spokesman denied that everyone now expected him to quit before the next election.

Asked whether Sir Keir was confident he had the full backing of Cabinet, his press secretary said: 'Yes.'

The Government is focused on 'delivering for working people' including on the cost of living and cutting NHS waiting lists, he added.

In a stinging criticism of the PM's judgment yesterday, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband publicly admitted he had been against giving Mandelson the prestigious Washington DC posting, well before it was known he had failed his security clearance test.

Asked what he had thought about the appointment at the time, Mr Miliband told Sky News: 'That it could blow up, that it could go wrong. I had a conversation with David Lammy about it before the appointment, and I said I was worried about it. I think he was worried about it too.'

Mr Miliband also admitted he had 'steered well clear' of Mandelson during his own time as Labour leader.

In another blow to the PM, Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper told the Commons she was 'extremely concerned' about the revelations about job-hunting for Lord Doyle.

Ms Cooper said: 'I am, of course, extremely concerned at any suggestion that the permanent secretary or permanent under-secretary of the Foreign Office would be told not to inform the Foreign Secretary.

'I can also confirm that the case that he raised... it would not have been an appropriate appointment.'

Lord Doyle has denied he knew anyone was angling for jobs on his behalf.

This week has also seen Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander admit it is 'not certain' that Sir Keir will lead Labour into the next general election.

Asked on Times Radio this morning if the sacking of Sir Olly felt fair, Mr McFadden said he thought 'very highly' of the mandarin.

At an extraordinary Parliamentary hearing yesterday, sacked Foreign Office chief Olly Robbins revealed the 'atmosphere of pressure' created by No10 to approve Mandelson as ambassador to the US

'I think if the Prime Minister's made the judgment that he's not got confidence in the head of the Foreign Office, the head of the foreign service, then it's difficult to continue,' he said.

Asked again if it was fair, Mr McFadden said: 'Look, it's the Prime Minister's judgment.'

Pressed further, Mr McFadden said: 'As a Cabinet member, I support the Prime Minister's decisions.

'He took the decision he couldn't continue with Olly Robbins in post because he viewed the material that had been withheld from him, not shared with him, as really important in making this decision.'

Later in his tour of broadcast studios, Mr McFadden was challenged again whether Sir Olly had been treated 'fairly'.

'I understand the respect for Olly Robbins, I share it. Because I know him, I think he is a highly distinguished civil servant and he has served his country well,' he said.

After dodging the question one more time, Mr McFadden said: 'I think the PM has acted fairly in these circumstances, because he believes that he should have had that information.'

The official readout of the weekly Cabinet meeting yesterday suggested it was entirely dominated by the Mandelson chaos, despite the ongoing crisis in the Middle East.

But briefing indicated that Sir Keir's explanations did not go down well with ministers.

'People had their heads down, looking at the desk. He was met in virtual silence,' one source told the Financial Times.

Angela Rayner stopped short of directly criticising Sir Keir at an event last night, insisting the country has bigger problems than chaos over Mandelson's appointment as US ambassador.

Last night Ms Rayner used a growth summit to burnish her Left-wing credentials. She insisted the Government 'must go further' and be 'bolder' on issues such as workers' rights.

But the former deputy PM - who is still waiting for the outcome of wrangling with HMRC over her unpaid stamp duty - stopped short of attacking Sir Keir directly.

'I'll let this sink in to any journalists that are here. There's some more important questions out there, and it's on that note that I want to just take a moment at the end of the day to reflect on why all this matters, and to the world outside and beyond the bubble,' she said.

The Ashton-under-Lyne MP added: 'Right now, ordinary people feel that their lives are too hard and that the basics of a good life are unaffordable.

'They suspect that this is because of an economy and a system that is rigged in favour of vested interests, and they're right.

'This affordability crisis has been decades in the making, over and over ordinary people feel that they've paid the price for every crisis, the financial crash, austerity, Brexit, Covid.'

Even regular critics of Sir Keir have been angered by the sight of a slew of Whitehall veterans taking to TV screens complaining about the civil service being blamed.

One senior Labour source told the Daily Mail that while Mandelson should never have been appointed Sir Olly had 'dropped a b***ock'.

'Robbins dropped a b***ock but doubtless he will be fine - the old boys' network will sort him out,' they said.

'It makes me puke all these idiots coming out to back him. The usual suspects.'

Lord Doyle had the Labour whip withdrawn earlier this year after it emerged he had campaigned on behalf of a friend who had been charged with possessing indecent images of children.

The peer apologised for backing then councillor Sean Morton before the case against him had concluded, saying he believed the paedophile's assertions of innocence before Morton later admitted the offending.

He had stepped down as the Prime Minister's communications chief last March.

Sir Olly told MPs yesterday that No10 had initiated 'several discussions' with him about the prospect of making Lord Doyle an ambassador.

He said he 'felt quite uncomfortable' about the suggestion, and added that he was asked to keep it from then-foreign secretary David Lammy, and had warned it would be 'hard for me personally to defend'.

Lord Doyle has said he was unaware of any lobbying on his behalf for a position as head of mission or 'any equivalent leadership-type posting'.

Although he was never given an ambassadorship he was handed a peerage later last year - but was then suspended from Labour over his links to a convicted paedophile.

Although Doyle was never given an ambassadorship he was handed a peerage later last year - but was then suspended from Labour over his links to a convicted paedophile

But speaking on the BBC's Newsnight Baroness Hodge, the former MP who was made the Prime Minister's anti-corruption champion in 2024, defended what happened.

She criticised officials for keeping their request a secret from Mr Lammy, but added: 'If somebody you're working with is about to loose your job, there's nothing wrong, I think, in saying, are there any other jobs available, as long as, you know, that he could apply for, going through due process to get those jobs.'

Asked if this was not 'cronyism' she added: 'As long as the process then for appointment is fair and just and open and proper, that's all right.'
A Portland man has filed an eight-figure lawsuit against police after consuming mushrooms and marijuana, then burning all but two of his fingers off.

Michael Relloque IV, 28, told the US District Court for Oregon he had been meditating in front of a fire in November 2020 at his rental home in West Linn, a suburb 25 minutes south of Portland, after consuming mushrooms and marijuana, according to The Oregonian.

Relloque testified that he felt 'very euphoric [and] peaceful,' calling the drug induced experience 'transcendental,' according to the outlet.

That was before he fell into the fire while under the influence, suffering burns to about 30 percent of his body.

Relloque spent two weeks in a medically-induced coma and had eight fingers amputated, followed by years of arduous recovery, his lawyers said.

Relloque sued the city of West Linn and three police officers, claiming they were negligent for not entering the rental home to help him while he was high.

Attorney Lauren Nweze, representing the city and the police, argued that Relloque's burns were 'self-inflicted' and that officers had not acted unreasonably when they chose to leave.

Relloque sought about $6 million in economic damages to cover his medical expenses, long-term care and lost wages, as well as $12 million in damages for his pain and suffering, the outlet reported.

Michael Relloque IV sued a Portland suburb and three police officers, alleging they were negligent for not entering his rental in 2020 while he was high on mushrooms and marijuana

Relloque, 28, said he had shaved off his long hair during the mushroom and marijuana-fueled episode that led to about 30 percent of his body being burned

That day, he had taken his clothes off, wrapped himself in a blanket and smoked cannabis from a bong.

However, Relloque added that he did not remember what happened next, only 'waking up inside of a fire' without pain.

'I realized that I was in the fireplace and I probably should not be in the fireplace any longer and got out of it,' Relloque told jurors, according to The Oregonian, adding that he recalled a 'really bad burning smell' and that he 'knew that at some point I was in a fire and had burns.'

The experience also led to him shaving off his long hair, which can be observed in before-and-after photos of Relloque.

Relloque told the court that he did not remember consuming mushrooms, only mushroom tea.

One day earlier, he had foraged for psychedelic mushrooms in the early hours of the morning.

Relloque added that he had no memory of hearing police at his rental home, per the outlet.

He did not realize what had happened to him until he woke up from a medically induced coma.

Relloque, pictured after his burns, told jurors that he remembered ingesting mushroom tea but did not remember law enforcement going to his rental home

An eight-person jury in the US District Court for Oregon tossed out Relloque's lawsuit against three West Linn police officers (pictured) on Tuesday

On Tuesday, an eight-person jury in the US District Court for Oregon tossed out Relloque's suit after six days of testimony.

One juror had previously passed out after the court was shown photos of the burns Relloque suffered to his arms, chest and face.

West Linn's defense attorney, Nweze, said that police had repeatedly tried to find Relloque but had no evidence that he was facing an emergency.

Law enforcement called his phone, yelled his name and climbed up a ladder while searching for him to no avail.

'Those are not the actions of a cold-hearted, indifferent police department who knowingly left someone in distress,' Nweze said, per The Oregonian.

She told the court that a dangerous result could happen 'if you put yourself in an extremely compromised mental state and put yourself within a couple feet of an open flame.'

Relloque's burns had come from his own 'pretty significant lapse in judgment,' Nweze added.

Nweze also noted that Relloque told medical providers he 'fell' into the fire and had hit his head while under the influence of mushrooms and marijuana.

Relloque was 'naked and standing at the top of stairs' while yelling 'I am god' during his episode, according to his roommate

The incident resulting in Relloque's burns happened in November 2020 at a rental home in West Linn (pictured), a suburb of Portland

A March 2025 legal filing viewed by the Daily Mail described how Relloque's roommate, Melissa Birdwell, called 911 shortly after midnight on November 14, 2020.

When officers arrived, Birdwell allegedly told them that Relloque had been 'naked and standing at the top of stairs' while he yelled 'I am god.'

Relloque also allegedly had 'what looked like ash or dirt on his chest and arms,' according to Birdwell, and 'he looked like he may have a burn or blood on his arm.'

Birdwell also claimed she told the officers that Relloque had taken mushrooms.

During her deposition, Birdwell said police told her that '[she] should let [Relloque] like ride out his high in the house and [she] go find somewhere else to stay for the night, and because [she] didn't know that if he were like armed or had a weapon, they didn't want to go into the house and have to use excessive force,' per the filing.

'They did mention that because of in lieu of like the current like state of the police riots and all of that, like they didn't want to have to do that, go in and use excessive force,' Birdwell's deposition continued.

Relloque's burns happened months after the peak of the George Floyd protests, though demonstrations were still regular and ongoing.

Ultimately, the officers determined that 'due to Relloque's unpredictable nature, the absence of a crime, and lack of knowledge that Relloque was an immediate danger to himself, the governmental interest was not high enough to enter the private residence absent additional information,' per the filing.

Relloque's attorney, Beth Creighton, told the Daily Mail that the result was 'disappointing.'

'The jury just told police officers everywhere that they can shirk their community caretaking duties no matter how dire the consequences to the ones they are bound to protect and serve,' she said.

The Daily Mail has reached out to Nweze for further comment.

Another Portland man, Joshua Merkel, filed a lawsuit in March after he was beaten up by a store clerk for shoplifting (pictured)

Last month, another unusual lawsuit was filed in Oregon when shoplifter Joshua Merkel sued Albertson's grocery store and cashier Matthew Cooper for allegedly attacking him outside the southwest Portland store.

Merkel, 45, claimed Cooper, 31, went 'way too far' when he intercepted him, according to The Oregonian.

A jury had already found the clerk not guilty of second-degree assault in a criminal case, but Merkel filed a civil lawsuit.

Merkel claimed he shoplifted because he was 'ravenous, even though he took the time to fill his cart with T-bone steaks and frozen corn dogs which would have required extensive preparation.

Cooper's defense attorney, Jason Steen, argued that Merkel intended to trade some of the shoplifted goods for methamphetamine.

Merkel admitted using the drug at different points over the past decade but denied stealing the food because of that.
A California plastic surgeon gets his license renewed while behind bars for the death of a mother he performed a botched boob job on.

Carlos Chacon pled guilty to the 2019 death of Megan Espinoza in July 2024, agreeing to forfeit his medical license for life.

But in September 2024, his Arizona-issued license was renewed while he was behind bars, Arizona Medical Board records show.

His license, which has restrictions, is set to expire in March 2027.

Espinoza's family is now demanding answers for how the doctor was able to renew his authorization from behind bars.

'Shock and disbelief in a country like America something like this could happen,' her brother, David Gorcey, told NBC San Diego.

The family's lawyer, Christian Jagusch, who is also a physician, called it a 'gross miscarriage of justice.'

'It is a danger to the consumers that these medical boards are supposed to protect,' he told the outlet.

Megan Espinoza died after a botched boob job operation. She left behind her husband and their two children

Carlos Chacon pled guilty in July 2024. In September 2024, his medical license renewed, despite him being in jail for involuntary manslaughter and having agreed to forfeit his license in his plea deal

Even with restrictions in place, Chacon would still be able to prescribe drugs and order medical equipment if he were out of prison, Jagusch said.

The Arizona Medical Board told the Daily Mail that his license is active with restrictions as it is pending a hearing.

'At this time, a formal hearing has not yet been scheduled,' a spokesperson told the Daily Mail.

'Arizona law does not provide for the automatic revocation of a physicians license based solely on a conviction, disciplinary action, surrender, or revocation in another state.'

'The Board is required to independently review and investigate such actions and determine appropriate outcome based on Arizona statutes and regulatory standards. This process is designed to ensure due process while also protecting the public,' the spokesperson added.

Espinoza, 36, went into cardiac arrest during a breast augmentation surgery at the Divino Surgery Center in Bonita, San Diego, in December 2018.

District Attorney Gina Darvas said he refused to call 911 for more than three hours and banned his employees from doing so. It's alleged that he left the operating suite to tend to four other patients while Espinoza lay dying.

The DA has since accused him of cutting corners to make more money by using an untrained nurse to perform anesthesia on mother-of-two Espinoza.

Espinoza's family is now demanding answers on how the doctor's license was renewed

The family's lawyer, Christian Jagusch, who is also a physician, called it a 'gross miscarriage of justice.' If Chacon were out of jail, he'd be able to order drugs and medical equipment

The arrest affidavit stated that Espinoza went into cardiac arrest at around 2.30pm in the middle of the surgery and Chacon failed to call emergency services for help.

'Chacon made the conscious decision to stop others from providing emergency lifesaving efforts on at least seven occasions,' the document said.

And he then told his employees to lie to her husband, Moises Espinoza, about her condition and what was really happening.

The affidavit also said Carla Hernandez, the surgical technician who 'admitted she had personally injected Espinoza with anesthetics,' attended college for two years as a business major but did not graduate.

'Hernandez holds no certifications related to being a medical assistant,' it continued.

'Hernandez first knew that something had gone wrong during Espinoza's surgery when the first implant was in.'

'At that time, Espinoza's color began changing and the surgical monitor began making some sort of beeping sound,' it added.

Darvas told the court that although Chacon phoned two doctors to ask for advice about what to do, he did not give them all the information about what had happened.

Espinoza spent a month in hospital after the procedure. She died on January 28, 2019, after doctors informed her family she would not regain neurological function

Chacon stated Espinoza did not lose a pulse and hid the fact that her heart had stopped.

One doctor then told him to call 911 during a phone call at 5.03pm, but he didn't do it until 5.24pm, almost three hours after the patient suffered a cardiac arrest around 2.30pm.

He then lied to the operator to cover up in an effort to create 'plausible deniability.'

And Darvas revealed the surgeon left Espinoza in the operating suite to tend to four other patients as she lay dying.

'He can't be providing life-saving treatment to the victim on the table when he's in his practice seeing other patients,' Darvas said. 'We found that to be extremely egregious.'

Espinoza spent a month in hospital in critical condition and doctors informed her family that she was not expected to regain neurological function and she died on January 28, 2019.
Bill Gates' foundation has launched a probe into his ties with Jeffrey Epstein following the explosive release of files linked to the pedophile.

The Microsoft billionaire's relationship with Epstein was thrust back into the spotlight last year when the Department of Justice released a tranche of documents containing emails and photos of the two.

Several of the files also included communication between the late financier and the Gates Foundation's staff.

Now, the Gates Foundation has announced it is investigating the whole organization's ties to Epstein.

'In March, with the support of our Chair, Bill Gates, and our independent Governing Board members, Gates Foundation CEO Mark Suzman commissioned an external review to assess past foundation engagement with Epstein, and our current policies for vetting and developing new philanthropic partnerships,' the foundation said in a statement.

'That review is underway, and we expect the board and management will receive an update this summer.'

Gates Foundation CEO Mark Suzman sent a memo to staff on Tuesday addressing the review and recently announced layoffs.

'This is a challenging time for our organization in many ways, but it also highlights the critical importance of taking the tough actions now,' Suzman wrote in the memo viewed by The Wall Street Journal.

The Gates Foundation has announced that it has launched an investigation into its ties with Jeffrey Epstein

Bill Gates' relationship with Epstein was thrust back into the spotlight last year when the DOJ released a tranche of documents containing emails and photos of the two

Suzman also said that a recent board meeting in London included a session on the impact of the Justice Department's Epstein files and how they relate to the foundation's work and reputation.

Gates has said the relationship was confined to philanthropy-related discussions and that it was a mistake for him to meet Epstein.

He is scheduled testify about his Epstein ties before Congress in June.

Last year, Gates, one of the world's richest men, announced that he would give away 99 percent of his immense fortune over the coming years, leaving one percent for himself and his children.

He vowed to shutter the Gates Foundation by December 31, 2045, effectively ending a lifelong project to give away his multi-billion-dollar fortune.

Gates' ex-wife, Melinda, resigned from the foundation in May 2024 after separating from the Microsoft tycoon over his rumored closeness to Epstein.

In the documents, an email Epstein drafted for one of Gates' advisors in 2013 appears to allege Gates contracted an STD and asked that person to procure antibiotics so he could secretly give them to his then-wife, Melinda.

'TO add insult to injury you them implore me to please delete the emails mails regarding your std, your request that I provide you antibiotics that you can surreptitiously give to Melinda and the description of your penis,' the email with typos reads.

Gates has said the relationship was confined to philanthropy-related discussions and that it was a mistake for him to meet Epstein

In undated images from the tranche, Gates was pictured with two women whose faces were blurred

Gates apologized to staff over his ties to the disgraced financier during a town hall meeting at the Gates Foundation

Another section read that the person was 'dismayed beyond comprehension' by Gates's decision to 'disregard our friendship developed over the last six years.'

In undated images from the tranche, Gates was pictured with two women whose faces were blurred.

An additional picture reveals that Epstein kept a framed photo of Gates on the wall at his mansion on his private island.

Gates was also pictured standing alongside Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly Prince Andrew.

In February, Gates apologized to staff over his ties to the disgraced financier during a town hall meeting at the Gates Foundation.

The billionaire told employees it had been a 'huge mistake' to spend time with Epstein and to involve foundation executives in meetings with the convicted sex offender, according to a Wall Street Journal report.

'I apologize to other people who are drawn into this because of the mistake that I made,' Gates said.

He acknowledged having two affairs with Russian women that Epstein later became aware of, but stressed they did not involve any of Epstein's victims.

'I did have affairs, one with a Russian bridge player who met me at bridge events, and one with a Russian nuclear physicist who I met through business activities,' Gates said.

'I did nothing illicit. I saw nothing illicit,' he added. 'To be clear, I never spent any time with the victims, the women around him.'

The Daily Mail contacted the Gates Foundation for additional comment.
Donald Trump's naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz is unraveling after dozens of Iranian vessels secretly slipped past US surveillance, even as the regime tightened its grip on the critical oil passageway by attacking three tankers.

Approximately 34 Iranian oil tankers have slipped through the blockade, with 19 vessels exiting the Persian Gulf past Trump's navy and another 15 ships entering from the Arabian Sea toward Iran, according to the Financial Times.

Six of those tankers were smuggling Iranian crude oil totaling 10.7 million barrels, estimated to be worth approximately $910 million in revenue for the regime.

The report follows Iran's seizure of two cargo ships on Wednesday morning in the strait, after attacking those vessels and a third, claiming the ships had failed to comply with the regime's demands.

Trump announced Tuesday he would extend the ceasefire but continue the American naval blockade of Iranian ports, as a way of exerting pressure on the Islamic Republic to reopen the vital waterway.

As reports of Iranian gunfire on three container ships emerged, oil prices rose with Brent crude futures up to $99.21 a barrel. Gas prices in the US have skyrocketed to above $4 a gallon as polling suggests the public is turning against Trump's war.

The President, behind closed doors, is reluctant to resume a bombing campaign on Iran and is hopeful economic pressure will be enough to bring Tehran back to the table, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Senior officials say Trump seemed wary about prolonging the conflict because of how deeply unpopular it is with the American public.

Trump's naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz is unraveling after dozens of Iranian vessels secretly slipped past US surveillance, even as the regime tightened its grip on the critical oil passageway by attacking three tankers

Iran seized two cargo ships on Wednesday morning after attacking them as well as a third in the Strait of Hormuz, accusing the vessels of being 'non-compliant' with the regime's demands

Approximately 34 Iranian oil tankers have slipped through the blockade, with 19 vessels exiting the Persian Gulf past Trump's navy and another 15 ships entering from the Arabian Sea toward Iran

The Daily Mail has contacted the White House for comment.

Iran's latest attack on oil tankers trying to move through the strait comes in response to Trump's seizure of a Tehran-linked vessel earlier this week.

Trump announced on Sunday that the US Navy fired on, disabled, and seized the Iranian-flagged cargo ship Touska in the Gulf of Oman.

The President claimed the ship ignored several warnings while attempting to breach the naval blockade. After disabling its engine, US Marines took control of the vessel.

Trump later bragged about the cargo seized by the US aboard the ship, calling it a 'gift from China.'

China, the largest buyer of Iranian oil, has been permitted by Tehran to continue transiting vessels through the strait since the start of the war, alongside select tankers bound for Pakistan and India.

The regime vowed to retaliate against the attack and claimed it still maintained control of the Strait despite the blockade.

Top Iranian officials compared Trump's action to 'armed piracy' and vowed to ignore US requests for ceasefire discussions.

Top Iranian officials compared Trump's action to 'armed piracy' and vowed to ignore US requests for ceasefire discussions

Trump later bragged about the cargo seized by the US aboard the ship, calling it a 'gift from China'

The regime's semi-official news agency Tasnim said the two seized vessels were 'non-compliant', adding that the ships had 'endangered maritime security by operating without the necessary permits'.

Both ships were earlier struck by the IRGC in a clear escalation of hostilities, as the Islamic regime continues to claim ownership over the international oil passage.

'The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps naval force this morning identified and stopped in the Strait of Hormuz two violating ships,' the Guards said in a statement.

'The two offending ships... were seized by the IRGC's naval forces and directed to the Iranian coast.'

The Guards further warned against any action against the regulations imposed by the Islamic Republic in the Strait as well as activities contrary to the safe passage' through the waterway.
British taxpayers are to hand the French up to 660million for small boat patrols, pushing the total paid since the start of the Channel crisis past 1.3billion.

Labour has agreed to give Emmanuel Macron's government a 'core package' of 500million  spread over the next three years - to continue funding anti-migrant operations by French police.

A further 160million will also be handed over to fund new tactics by the French including stopping dinghies once they are already in the water.

However, the additional sum  about 53million a year  will only continue after the first year if the French deliver results.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is due to sign the agreement in Paris on Thursday.

A previous three-year, 500million deal was agreed in 2023 by then Tory PM Rishi Sunak and since then more than 84,000 migrants have reached Britain across the Channel.

It has also been confirmed for the first time that French authorities' new initiative to stop boats at sea will only apply to dinghies with fewer than 20 migrants aboard.

Migrants board a dinghy off Dunkirk on April 13. Labour has announced a new three year deal to pay France up to 660million to operate anti-migrant patrols on its beaches

French police look on as migrants board a dinghy from Dunkirk beach on April 13

The limit has been imposed amid French concerns that intercepting more crowded vessels could lead to loss of life.

French officers stopped a smugglers' 'taxi boat' for the first time in January and the tactics have only been used a couple of times since.

Under Labour's new agreement the 53million-a-year extra payments will partly depend on how many boats are intercepted at sea.

British cash will pay for a new specialist vessel for the French to use in interceptions, and 20 extra trained maritime officers to carry out the work.

It will also be used to pay for two new helicopters for the French to use in surveillance operations along their coastline.

Further British funds will cover the cost of a new 50-strong police riot squad specially trained in dispersing large groups of people.

In all, the deal will fund a 40 per cent increase in the number of French police, intelligence operatives and military reservists involved in counter-migrant patrols, from about 750 to 1,100.

A specialist intelligence unit targeting traffickers will also be expanded to 30 staff, and there will be extra surveillance drones and a new system of security cameras.

Exact criteria for assessing French performance have not been disclosed.

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Describing it as an 'historic' agreement, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: 'We must restore order and control to our borders.

'That means bearing down on these dangerous crossings and bringing people smugglers to justice.

'Our work with the French has already stopped tens of thousands of crossings, and this government has deported or returned nearly 60,000 people with no right to be here.

'This historic agreement means we can go further: ramping up intelligence, surveillance and boots on the ground to protect Britain's borders.'

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: 'Our work with the French has stopped tens of thousands of illegal migrants boarding boats headed to Britain.

'But we must do more. This landmark deal will stop illegal migrants making the perilous journey and put people smugglers behind bars.'

The Home Office said that since the 2024 election, joint work with the French has stopped 'over 42,000 illegal migrants attempting to cross the Channel'.

However, anyone prevented from boarding a dinghy is simply freed and is able to try again another day.

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: 'The government's deal hands over half a billion pounds of our money with no conditions at all.

'France only prevented a third of embarkations last year and they even let those illegal immigrants go to try again.

'France shouldn't get a single penny unless they stop the vast majority of the boats.'

If all the 660million set out in the new agreement is ultimately handed over the British taxpayer will have given France 1.335billion to deal with small boats since 2018, when the small boat crisis began.

The new measures will be enhanced over the summer, the peak period for crossings.
Peter Mandelson's company lobbied the Government on behalf of an American firm bidding to run the Home Office's controversial new English language tests for migrants.

The disgraced peer's now-defunct lobbying company Global Counsel was hired by Duolingo, the online education giant, in 2024, and Mandelson even appeared in person at events organised by the company.

The Home Office has since changed the terms of an 816million government contract - currently out to tender - to provide English language tests for foreign nationals applying for a UK visa.

It announced last year that requirements for the test would be altered to allow online testing  dropping the current need to sit an invigilated exam in person.

It prompted fears the new tests would be vulnerable to cheating, weakening Britain's border controls and leading it to be dubbed a 'fraudsters' charter'.

Foreign applicants must show proficiency in English at A-level equivalent to secure a work visa.

But a consortium of leading British firms pulled out of bidding for the new contract last month, warning it 'exposes the UK's immigration system to weaker security'.

Duolingo, which offers online courses in English and more than 40 other languages, is thought to be in pole position to secure up the new contract.

Peter Mandelson, pictured this week, whose now-defunct lobbying firm Global Counsel was hired by Duolingo in 2024

Lord Mandelson, far right, appeared at a July 2024 event in London event sponsored by Duolingo discussing the 'future of universities under Labour', alongside former Labour education secretary Lord Blunkett, seated left, and crossbench peer Baroness Cavendish

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson appeared in a video promoting Duolingo, alongside its owl mascot. The one-minute subtitled film was posted on social media by her department in February

The shift to online exams cleared the way for Duolingo to bid for the deal, industry insiders said.

The role of Mr Mandelson and Global Counsel in persuading ministers to allow online testing remains unclear.

The Home Office has refused to disclose whether any meetings took place with ministers and officials with the lobbyists on behalf of Duolingo.

It has also refused to reveal what, if any, correspondence took place between them and the government department.

Ministers have even posed with Duolingo's cuddly owl mascot and government departments have posted videos promoting the company on their social media feeds.

Duolingo appointed Global Counsel, the firm co-founded by Mandelson, in the period July to September 2024, official lobbying registers reveal.

In July that year Mandelson appeared at a London event sponsored by Duolingo discussing the 'future of universities under Labour', alongside former Labour education secretary Lord Blunkett and crossbench peer Baroness Cavendish.

A year later business minister Lord Stockwood met Duolingo bosses to discuss 'UK commercial opportunities', government records show.

Last autumn, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson appeared alongside Duolingo's UK boss Michael Lynas at Labour Party conference event on the 'future of education' organised by the Tony Blair Institute.

In an online post, Mr Lynas said: 'Bridget said she loved Duolingo, which is always good to hear!'

In February this year the Education Secretary appeared in a video promoting Duolingo alongside the company's green owl mascot.

The one-minute film was even posted on the Department for Education's official feed on X, formerly Twitter.

In December last year Duolingo's Mr Lynas welcomed the Home Office's decision to allow remote English testing for migrants, saying: 'Digital models deliver greater accessibility, stronger security and higher accuracy  all at a fair cost.

'It's encouraging to see governments and universities increasingly recognising these benefits.'

Home Office minister Mike Tapp this week conceded for the first time that moving to online tests could carry a risk.

He said in a written ministerial answer to Conservative MP Blake Stephenson that 'technological developments can present new challenges to test security in remote environments'.

He added that bidders would have to show they can address risks associated with online tests.

Mr Stephenson, who sits on the Commons' Public Accounts Committee, said: 'This is a total mess.

'There are very legitimate questions about why the government is pursuing this and the role played by Peter Mandelson's firm, Global Counsel, in lobbying the Home Office.

'We have seen in recent days that Peter Mandelson gets exactly what he wants from this Prime Minister, and it seems this could be yet another example.

'We should all be very concerned about whether political access and money has been prioritised by the Home Secretary over national security.'

He added: 'The Home Office decision to move away from in person English language testing before issuing visas is completely at odds with the Home Secretary's promise to get a grip on immigration.'

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp also voiced grave concerns.

'Allowing remote language tests for immigrants will be a fraudsters' charter. Cheating will be rife,' he said.

'This move will be a blow to our border security but Labour ministers don't seem to care.

'We need to know the full truth of what went on behind the scenes as Mandelson was in the pay of Duolingo.'

One insider from the language test sector said: 'Duolingo spared no expense in lobbying, using Peter Mandelson's company to influence ministers and civil servants.

'Every serious expert on English testing is baffled why the Home Office would remove in-person security checks.

'Criminal gangs will love this. Cheaters will be able to take tests for UK visas from any location they like.

'Fully remote English tests prioritise US big tech's commercial gain over Britain's national security.'

Last month the Daily Mail reported how a UK-based consortium, International English Language Testing System (IELTS), had withdrawn from bidding for the contract to run the new tests.

IELTS warned that under the new proposals applicants could cheat by using impersonators or by obtaining help from an accomplice who was not visible on screen during the online test.

Rogue candidates could also use hidden devices or earpieces, it said, or could improve their results by using AI 'chatbots'.

A spokesman for IELTS, which is run by Cambridge University Press and Assessment, the British Council and IDP, said at the time: 'We will not compromise on quality given the importance of these tests to the UK.

The security of the tests was 'particularly important, given the politically charged nature of the debate around migration and the need for more, not less, control and certainty over who is allowed to come to the UK', he added.

A Home Office spokesman said: 'None of the examples given by the Daily Mail show any engagement with the Home Office or individuals who would have significant influence on the procurement of English language testing.

'All government contracts are awarded through a fair, competitive and transparent process, and to suggest anything otherwise with this procurement process would be incorrect.'

A Duolingo spokesman said: Duolingo, like many other companies, worked with Global Counsel.

Lord Mandelson played no part in that work. We subsequently terminated our agreement with Global Counsel.

Any engagement that Duolingo has had with government has been entirely proper and transparent.

Lord Mandelson was approached for comment.
A Romanian child rapist who was deported but illegally returned to Britain has been recaptured after he tried to claim benefits.

Sebastian Pavel Baltatu, 24, who was a member of a Romanian grooming gang that preyed on young girls, was jailed for three years for raping a child under the age of 13 in 2019.

He was deported in 2020 but managed to sneak back into the UK and was found living in Manchester - where he and four other men had previously groomed and sexually exploited victims aged 12 to 15 between 2016 and 2018.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) tracked him down to an address in Gorton after he audaciously filed a claim to receive Universal Credit.

The force and its Sex Offender Management Unit worked together to arrest the child rapist in March.

Baltatu appeared at Manchester Crown Court on April 17 where he pleaded guilty to five breaches of his sex offender requirements and a breach of his deportation order.

He was jailed for a year and six months and now faces being deported again.

Police said Baltatu poses a 'clear and ongoing risk to the public', particularly children.

Sebastian Pavel Baltatu, 24, who was a member of a grooming gang preying on young girls, was jailed for three years for raping a child under the age of 13 in 2019

Detective Sergeant Daniel Sanchez, from our Public Protection Department, said: 'Sebastian Baltatu poses a clear and ongoing risk to the public, particularly to children, and it was vital that he was located and brought before the courts.

'Despite having been deported following a serious sexual offence and being subject to strict requirements, Baltatu chose to unlawfully return to the UK and deliberately breach the conditions placed upon him.

'Officers are proactively reviewing sex offenders who are believed to be living overseas to ensure they have not returned to the UK.

'Where concerns are identified, swift action is taken to locate those individuals and arrest them where necessary.

'Through determined and methodical work by officers from our Sex Offender Management Unit, we were able to establish his whereabouts and ensure he was arrested safely.

'This case underlines our unwavering commitment to protecting the most vulnerable in our communities and taking robust action against offenders who believe they can evade the law.

'We will continue to work closely with partner agencies to identify those who pose a risk and ensure they are dealt with decisively.'

Baltatu was 18 when he and three other men - Parizian Calin, 20, Adrian Calin, 20, and Ilie Baltatu, 22 - were jailed for the depraved sexual abuse of young children in Manchester between 2016 and 2018.

One of the victims - who was 12 when the abuse started - was raped by Sebastian Baltatu.

The child was then also raped repeatedly by Parizian Calin, also known as David, who then facilitated other men to rape her.

Ilie Baltatu, also known as Danny, used social media to prey on the same girl before inciting her to engage in sexual activity and sexually assaulted her whilst she was still under the age of 13.

At the time, Supt Rebecca Boyce of GMP said the young victims 'suffered the most unimaginable and traumatic abuse'.

Lisa O'Neill, from the Crown Prosecution Service said all of the men 'deliberately targeted and groomed the young victims... because they were underage and because of their vulnerability'.

'The victims were just children when they were subjected to appalling sexual exploitation.'
A Texas assistant principal was 'accidentally' shot in the face and killed by her teacher husband, police have said.

Alberto Velasquez, 39, was arrested and charged with manslaughter for killing his wife on Friday.

Benbrook Police said they responded to reports of 'someone accidentally shot in the face' at the family's home in the suburbs of Fort Worth.

First responders found mom-of-three Lindsay Velasquez, 42, unconscious with an apparent gunshot wound at the scene.

She was transported to Harris Hospital Downtown, where she was pronounced deceased, police said.

After an on-scene investigation, officers arrested Velasquez and charged him with manslaughter.

Tarrant County jail records indicate Velasquez was released on a $35,000 bond on Monday. It is unclear when he will appear in court next.

Lindsay was in her second year as assistant principal at Luella Merrett Elementary School.

Luella Merrett Elementary School Assistant Principal Lindsay Velasquez was 'accidentally shot in the face' and killed on Friday

Her husband, who is a certified teacher, 39-year-old Alberto Velasquez, was arrested and charged with manslaughter

'We are so happy to have her positive energy on our campus. She works hard for our families, our teachers, and our students,' the school's website stated.

'She has continued the program we started last year with recognizing our outstanding students and those with perfect attendance every six weeks, as well as our weekly drawings for our Super Bees of the Week.

'When she is not here, she enjoys spending time with her family and doing things around Fort Worth.'

Fort Worth ISD confirmed her death and offered counselors and support staff for students and faculty at her school.

'We are deeply saddened by this loss, and our thoughts are with the family and all those impacted,' the district said in a statement to Fox 4.

Records from the State Board for Educator Certification show that Velasquez is also a certified teacher.

He is certified to teach social studies for grades 7 to 12, and his certification was issued on December 20, 2021, and set to expire on July 31, 2027.

The records note that Velasquez is currently under review by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) Educator Investigations Division.

Records note that Velasquez is currently under review by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) Educator Investigations Division

The couple had three daughters together, and Lindsay is described as a 'devoted and loving mother'

Lindsay was in her second year as assistant principial. The school said she 'enjoys spending time with her family and doing things around Fort Worth'

The Daily Mail has contacted Fort Worth ISD and TEA for comment.

The couple had three daughters together, and a GoFundMe for Lindsay described her as a doting mother.

'She was a devoted and loving mother to her three beautiful daughters, who were the very center of her world. They were her purpose, her pride, and her greatest joy,' the fundraiser said.

'Lindsay had a rare and incredibly special way of making people feel truly seen and cared for. Whether through her warm laughter, her quiet strength, or the simple ways that she showed up for others, she left a lasting imprint on every life she touched.'
SACRAMENTO, Calif., April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Pacific Workers, The Lawyers for Injured Workers, recognizes the participation and leadership of Yuvanna M. Diaz, attorney at the firm and Vice President of the East Bay Chapter of the California Applicants' Attorneys Association (CAAA), in a recent advocacy event held in Sacramento addressing proposed changes to the Subsequent Injuries Benefits Trust Fund (SIBTF).

The event brought together members of the workers' compensation community to discuss concerns surrounding potential modifications to SIBTF, a program that provides critical additional benefits to injured workers with pre-existing disabilities. Current discussions suggest that these changes may be introduced through a budget trailer bill, a legislative mechanism that typically moves more quickly and may involve less public debate than a standalone bill.

Within this context, Diaz actively contributed to conversations emphasizing the importance of maintaining transparency and ensuring that injured workers are represented in any policy changes that may affect their rights and access to benefits.

"SIBTF exists to protect injured workers who were already at a disadvantage before their workplace injury," said Yuvanna M. Diaz. "Any proposed changes should be carefully considered through a transparent process that allows for meaningful input from the workers and communities impacted."

Pacific Workers highlights Diaz's role in this effort as a reflection of both her individual leadership and the firm's ongoing commitment to advocacy beyond the courtroom. Her participation, particularly in her capacity as Vice President of the East Bay Chapter of CAAA, reinforces the importance of engaging in legislative and policy discussions that shape the future of workers' compensation in California.

The firm remains committed to supporting initiatives that prioritize fairness, transparency, and the protection of injured workers' rights.

About Pacific Workers

Pacific Workers represents injured workers in workers' compensation claims and appeals, combining trial-ready advocacy with dedicated, compassionate client service.

Media Contact

Daniela Rivero

Public Relations Specialist, Pacific Workers

[email protected] | PacificWorkers.com

SOURCE Pacific Workers', The Lawyers for Injured Workers
A feud has erupted in a scenic Wyoming mountain community after a fed-up man offered to give away his neighbor's horses, which had wandered onto his property.

Mark Husman, 43, posted in the Casper Mountain Landowners Association Facebook group on Sunday that he was giving away three horses he found on his property.

'Abandoned Horses, Free to good home! No visible brands, you haul,' Husman posted along with pictures of the steeds.

The post sparked a feverish debate among residents of Casper Mountain, a small community about 12 miles outside of Casper.

Husman's neighbor, Morris Carter, 75, quickly stated that the horses were not abandoned and, in fact, belonged to him.

'Those are not abandoned horses. Where are they?' Carter wrote. 'They are not wild. Where are they I will come get them back.'

As he frantically searched for his horses, Carter wrote, 'You take them, you go to jail.'

Many community members sided with Carter and urged Husman to put up a fence if he doesn't want animals wandering into his land.

Mark Husman, 43, posted in the Casper Mountain Landowners Association Facebook group on Sunday that he was giving away three horses he found on his property

Husman's neighbor, Morris Carter (pictured), 75, quickly stated that the horses were not abandoned and, in fact, belonged to him

'Pretty sure that's not how this works,' one person commented. 'You can't give away something that is not yours,' added another.

'They can still hang horse thieves,' a third person wrote.

'It's a fence out state. If you don't want them on your property, fence them out,' wrote a fourth.

A fifth person added, 'Leave them poor horses alone, they'll be fine not bothering a thing.'

Others came to Husman's defense, claiming his post was sarcastic and saying it is not unreasonable for him to want the horses off his property.

'You all realize he was being sarcastic???? Mark also has young kids. Has anyone considered what would happen if the horses hurt one of the kids on their property?' one person wrote.

'Take them, and if anyone comes knocking. We've got your back. You found them! You were trying to find an owner!' wrote another.

The Natrona County Sheriffs Office told the Daily Mail they have not received any complaints over the matter.

Husman said his post was sarcastic and he was just frustrated the horses wandered onto his land. Carter said he eventually got his horses back

The post sparked a feverish debate among residents of Casper Mountain, a small community about 12 miles outside of Casper (stock image pictured)

Wyoming is a 'fence-out' state, meaning the law requires landowners to build fences to keep livestock off their property rather than to keep animals in.

Carter eventually commented on the post that he had gotten his horses home, and he told the Cowboy State Daily that they had fled to Husman's property to avoid a mountain lion.

'Where my horses run used to belong to my grandmother and my mother and aunts and uncles, and they have since sold that off, but all the landowners work with me on those horses up there,' Carter said.

'[The horses] seldom go out, and I'm up there all the time. I've got water tanks, salt blocks, and I check on them all the time.

'Just through the last storm, I wasn't able to get up there, but they just barely were across the road from where they normally were.'

Husman told the local newspaper that his post was sarcastic and he just wanted the horses off his property.

'I just want to clarify that my earlier comment was sarcasm born out of frustration, not a serious attempt to give away horses that aren't mine,' he said.

'This has happened more than once over the last couple of months, and my only real concern is for the safety and well-being of the horses.'

The Daily Mail contacted Husman and Carter for comment.
A 19-year-old Algerian thief who stole a 37,000 Patek Phillip watch from a tourist's wrist as he left a restaurant in Mayfair will be deported after serving his sentence.

Professional thief Mohamed Sellaoui, 19, wrenched the luxury watch from Jiangfeng Ni's wrist as he made his way out of Langan's Brasserie on February 26, 2024.

At the time of the incident, Sellaoui was on bail for stealing a backpack containing valuables worth 2,000 from a dinner in a restaurant.

Lynn Fanshawe, prosecuting, told the court Mr Ni said the watch was 'very sentimental' and the incident had 'changed his feelings towards London'.

In a victim impact statement, he said 'that he wasn't actually hurt' but he now feels 'very nervous' when anyone is near him.

He explained he had purchased the item years ago, Ms Fynshawe told the court, adding: 'The price was very high...It was a very important item that he took.'

'He says that it has changed his feelings towards London. He says that now when someone comes close to me, I feel very nervous.'

Sentencing Judge Gregory Perrins told the Algerian thief: 'You knew what you were looking for, or someone else gave you the information that Mr Ni was a prime target.

Professional thief Mohamed Sellaoui, 19, (pictured) wrenched the luxury watch from Jiangfeng Ni's wrist as he made his way out of Langan's Brasserie on February 26, 2024

Pictured: Sellaoui walking next to Mr Ni before he steals his 37,000 Patek Phillipe watch in Mayfair

Lynn Fanshawe, prosecuting, told the court Mr Ni said the watch was 'very sentimental' and the incident had 'changed his feelings towards London' (Pictured: Langan's Brasserie)

'Either way it was plainly a planned offence and as Mr Ni explained teh watch had great sentimental value to him.

'There is a clear pattern of behaviour. Despite your young age you are plainly a professional thief.

'You are originally from Algeria and you are in the country illegally. You have no real ties to this country and no real ability to work legally.'

'You have shown no remorse and no real responsibility for your actions and you are at a high risk of reoffending again.'

Mr Ni, a chemistry professor at Soochow University, told jurors during a trial at Southwark Crown Court that the two men 'kept pushing' him into a corner.

Aided by a Chinese interpreter, he explained he was trying to use his right hand to resist the pair.

'The male on my left started trying to remove my watch from my left wrist. Both were pushing me into the corner and not letting me go away,' he said.

'Both of them turned around and started running towards Green Park station, opposite to where I was going.'

Mr Ni said one of the thieves tripped over, adding: 'The person with my watch fell over... the watch was still in his hand.

'I went to approach them, but when I was bending down the person on my right swung a punch at me.

'He was waving his fist and making "woo woo" noises.' The professor added: He was trying to attack me and allow time for his companion to run away.

When asked how he felt, Mr Ni said: 'My mind went blank. In my head, I had to ask myself: "What happened?"'

Sellaoui, aided by an Arabic interpreter, denied the charge of robbery but found guilty by jury following a three-day trial.

Following his trial earlier this year, Judge Perrins had warned the teenager he would be deported once he is released from jail.

Sellaoui admitted stealing the rucksack containing laptops, an iPhone and other accessories from a diner at a West End restaurant on February 2, 2023.
A New Mexico husband and wife have pleaded guilty to smuggling jewelry out of Vietnam and passing it off at trade shows in the United States as Native American-made.

Kiem Thanh Huynh, 60, and My Ngoc Truong, 61, entered their plea in North Carolina federal court on Monday and agreed to forfeit a little more than $340,000 earned from their crimes.

The pair were both charged with misrepresentation of Indian goods in an amount greater than $1,000, in violation of the federal Indian Arts and Crafts Act, and smuggling, according to the US Attorney's Office for the Western District of North Carolina.

Prosecutors said that Huynh and Truong co-owned and operated a company called MT Jewelry MFG Inc, located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and falsely claimed that the jewelry they sold was made by Native American artists in their shop.

The company, which sold to wholesale customers, said on its website that it specialized 'in creating unique and handmade southwestern jewelry.'

The website also claimed that the company sold 'pieces that capture the essence of the land of enchantment' and that its jewelry was 'one-of-a-kind.'

In reality, the items they sold, including pendants, bracelets and rings, were imported en masse from Vietnam and manufactured to resemble Native American jewelry, according to prosecutors.

The pieces mimicked native styles by incorporating unique stones, fish and other wildlife products. They were also marked with inscriptions or other indicators commonly used by Native American artists to authenticate their work.

Kiem Thanh Huynh, 60, and My Ngoc Truong, 61, have pleaded guilty to importing and selling counterfeit Native American Jewelry from Vietnam. The storefront for their business, MT Jewelry MFG Inc, is pictured

Prosecutors said that the counterfeit jewelry used unique stones, fish and other wildlife products to mimic native styles. Authentic Native American jewelry is pictured (stock image)

Prosecutors said that Huynh and Truong failed to indicate that the items were imported before selling them.

Investigators unraveled the scheme between December 2023 and July 2024, when they intercepted six shipments from Vietnam bound for MT Jewelry. Inside the shipments, they found bulk amounts of the counterfeit goods.

The US Attorney's Office said that Huynh and Truong admitted to attending wholesale gem, mineral & jewelry trade shows, called GLW Shows, in Western North Carolina on two occasions.

At the trade shows, they sold the fake Native American jewelry that had previously been intercepted by investigators while passing it off as genuine to unsuspecting buyers.

The Daily Mail has reached out to GLW Shows for comment on the goods the couple sold on premises.

Prosecutors said that the couple was fully aware that the goods they were selling were not authentic.

Huynh and Truong are currently out of custody until their sentencing hearing. They face a maximum sentence of up to five years in prison for the Indian Arts and Crafts Act violation, and up to 20 years in prison for the smuggling charge.

Since their indictment, the couple has scrubbed their social media pages and gutted the company website where they sold their counterfeit jewelry.

Huynh and Truong attended Wholesale Gem, Mineral & Jewelry Trade Shows (GLW Shows) in North Carolina, where they passed off their jewelry as authentic. A GLW Show is pictured

US Attorney Russ Ferguson said that selling counterfeit Native American jewelry exploits culture. A Native American jeweler is pictured wearing a necklace that incorporates bear claws, turquoise, gold and silver

The website no longer has a catalog, and on the homepage, the word 'style' has been added to the line, 'we specialize in providing unique and handmade southwestern style jewelry.'

In the announcement of the couple's guilty plea, US Attorney Russ Ferguson said: 'Those who profit by passing off counterfeit goods as authentic Native American items are not just deceiving buyers, they are exploiting culture and taking income from Native American artists and their communities.

'Protecting the integrity of Native American art and heritage is vital to persevering Indian cultural traditions and economic opportunity.

'My office will continue to work closely with our law enforcement counterparts to investigate these cases and hold accountable anyone who seeks to profit from counterfeit Indian items.'

The Daily Mail has reached out to GLW Shows for comment.
A dad who was recently praised by his young son in a 'father of the year' essay gunned him down in an airport bathroom moments before taking his own life.

Giovanni Perez, 37, killed 11yearold Callan and then himself at Elko Regional Airport in Nevada earlier this month.

The father and son had been traveling together when their rental car suddenly broke down outside Winnemucca. They were towed to Elko to pick up a new vehicle.

Both of them entered an airport restroom twice, and during the second time, authorities said Perez fatally shot Callan.

Perez then left and took his own life near a ticket counter, according to the Elko Police Department, which responded to reports of an active shooter at the airport on April 13.

Callan was taken to the North Eastern Nevada Regional Hospital but did not survive.

He had finished in third place in a father of the year essay contest organized by the Merced County Office of Education in California last June.

The essays were meant to reflect what each person's parent meant to them and how they had helped shape their lives.

Giovanni Perez, 37, killed his son Callan, 11, (orange shirt) and himself at Elko Regional Airport in Nevada on April 13

Callan was shot by his father in the bathroom. He was taken to hospital, where he died from his injuries

A bomb squad was also called to Elko airport to process the family's vehicle for explosive devices.

No explosives were found inside the car.

A GoFundMe started to raise money for Callan's funeral and family said he was 'taken from us at the hands of someone who was supposed to protect him.'

'Callan was so much more than this tragedy,' the fundraiser read. 'He was incredibly smart, funny, and kind - wise beyond his years.'

The fundraiser added that Callan 'deserved so much more life, so many more laughs, and a future that was stolen far too soon.'

As of Wednesday morning, it had raised about $12,000 of an initial $13,000 goal.

The GoFundMe was started for a relative of Callan named Jil Chiesa, who wrote last Saturday on Facebook that she was 'receiving and holding on tightly to anything positive right now.'

She shared that Callan's fourth-grade teacher told her that a Redwood tree named after the boy would be planted at the school.

Callan's friends had also named a classroom pet guinea pig after him, according to Chiesa.

'Sweet Callan would be thrilled,' she wrote. 'Our sweet angel is smiling down, I just know it.'

A fundraiser for Callan said that he 'deserved so much more life, so many more laughs, and a future that was stolen far too soon'

Callan's father had attempted to 'keep' him from his maternal grandparents and his own family, police said

The murder-suicide happened at Elko Regional Airport in Nevada around noon on April 13, according to the Elko police

On Wednesday afternoon, Elko police told the Daily Mail that it was 'still following up on where both Perez and Callan were living at the time of their deaths.'

A spokesman confirmed that father and son had 'ties' to Merced, California, and told the Daily Mail that a missing person's report had been filed out of Clovis last December.

No further details were provided about that report but they were found a month later in Ogden, Utah.

'Ogden was the last place we believe they were living, but we are trying to follow up on that,' a spokesman for Elko police told the Daily Mail.

Last Thursday, an update from the force said Perez claimed he was suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder 'due to his time in the military.'

'We are investigating what Giovanni did in the military,' police said in a statement.

Perez was in a custody battle with Callan's maternal grandparents, according to law enforcement.

He was 'attempting to keep Callan from both the maternal grandparents and his own family,' police said.

Perez and Callan were traveling to the Reno area 'for some unknown reason' when the murdersuicide happened, according to police.

Their statement added: 'We still do not have a motive for this horrific incident and may never know why Callan's life was taken.'

Callan had been a fourth grader at Luther Burbank Elementary School in Merced, California. Above, with a relative

Elko police told the Daily Mail that they believed Ogden, Utah, had been their last place of residence but still could not confirm that

Perez claimed he was suffering from PTSD 'due to his time in the military,' according to police

Callan had been a fourth grader at Luther Burbank Elementary School in Merced, almost nine hours southeast of Elko, according to the award announcement.

However, he had not been enrolled for the current school year, the Merced City School District told the Merced SunStar.

'This is an unimaginable tragedy and our prayers and thoughts are with the family,' the school district said, per the outlet.

Frank Perez, who identified himself as Perez's father and Callan's grandfather, wrote on a public social media profile that both would be buried at the military cemetery in Santa Nella, California.

He added that Perez and Callan would receive military honors and a 'full military send off.'

'Giovanni provided well for all his sons, including full university funding,' Frank added. 'His battle with mental illness does not reflect on the great father and son he was.'

Callan's mother, who was not identified by name, told KUTV that she had been separated from her son for multiple years but stayed in touch over the phone.

She had been working to regain custody of Callan, according to the outlet.

The mother added that Perez had been served in the US Army for about four years as a cook and had been deployed to Iraq.

The Daily Mail has reached out to Frank Perez, Chiesa and Elko Regional Airport for further comment.
Billionaire Nelson Peltz is being sued by a housemaid who claims she was terrorised by his rescue pitbull and had to fend it off with a hoover attachment.

Housekeeper Miledys Morejon is demanding $75,000 (55,000) after she allegedly had to run and hide in a cupboard from aggressive shelter dog Houdini to avoid being bitten.

Ms Morejon claims the dog was dangerous and untrained and had repeatedly attacked her at the family's $300 million Palm Beach, Florida, mansion in 2023.

In one alleged incident, Morejon claimed the animal ripped her clothing in an attempted attack.

In another, she claimed she fell to the ground attempting to escape the canine after he allegedly lunged at and attempted to attack her, according to the lawsuit.

But Peltz's lawyers say a 'Beware of the Dog' sign at the house should absolve them of responsibility for the pet, and are asking the court to throw out the lawsuit in a summary judgement.

'It is undisputed that plaintiff did not suffer from a dog bite by Mr Peltz's dog nor was any physical contact made with Mr Peltz's dog at the time of the subject incident,' his lawyers wrote.

Lawyers for Ms Morejon say that she always entered the $300 million Palm Beach mansion by a service entrance, and never saw the sign.

Tycoon Peltz was given the animal by his daughter Nicola Peltz Beckham  Brooklyn Beckham's wife

Houdini had been at the animal shelter Yogi's House which the actress runs (Nicola pictured with Houdini)

Tycoon Peltz was given the animal by his daughter Nicola Peltz Beckham - Brooklyn Beckham's wife - around three years ago from the animal shelter Yogi's House which the actress runs.

In an Instagram post at the time wrote: 'This video makes me want to cry. My dad adopted Houdini @itsyogishouse dog. This is their first night as a family.'

In her complaint, Morejon alleged Houdini 'had a vicious nature, a vicious disposition, and/or had a propensity to attack and/or attempt attacks which was known or should have been known' by the Peltzes.

The alleged attacks in November 2023 occurred 'without any provocation, suddenly and without warning'.

She claims to have 'sustained injury to her back, neck, and both of her knees, for which she has undergone multiple pain-management procedures' as the defendants 'failed to reasonably secure, train or supervise Houdini to prevent his attack'.

Morejon claims in the court papers that as a direct result of the alleged attacks and owner negligence, she suffered physical and mental pain and suffering, disability, physical impairment, disfigurement, and mental anguish, as well as loss of earnings and a loss of capacity for the enjoyment of life.

Lawyers for the housekeeper have asked for Nicola Peltz Beckham to give evidence, which lawyers for her tycoon father Peltz have refused, saying that she doesn't know anything about the dispute.

The legal action was filed in May last year and in October last year Nelson Peltz's lawyers offered to settle, but this was declined and so the lawsuit goes on.

Documents filed with Palm Beach County court reveal that the housekeeper did not speak directly to Peltz and his wife Claudia but took instructions from her manager at the agency M&M Security Inc whom employed her.

At her deposition on September 15 last year, Morejon was asked, 'Did you know the people who lived at the house?' She answered, 'yes', before the defense lawyer continued, 'And would you talk to them?' 'No', she responded.

'So when you were working, would they direct you at all as to what to do, or was the direction coming from Charles ?' She said: 'Mr Charles would be the one to tell us what we had to do.'

'So cleaning up after the dogs was part of your job responsibilities. If they were to go on the floor, you would clean it up; is that fair?' asked the lawyer. She agreed: 'Yes yes.'

Billionaire Nelson Peltz is locked in a legal dispute with a housekeeper who says that she was terrorised by his rescue pitbull

Her role included to 'greet and pet him... and some of the girls would give him dog crackers, stuff like that.'

Peltz's team have filed a motion to preclude 'reference to wealth, net worth, income and/or financial status' if the case comes to trial. They say: 'The reason the courts are so adamant about this rule is that jurors have a tendency to favour the poor as against the rich and, if provoked by such inflammatory evidence, the jury is likely to apply the deep pocket theory of liability. '

They add that she was an independent contractor, which they have 'no duty to protect' from injuries on the property.

They also say she changed her story from the dog attacking her as she was walking towards the elevator to 'a dog inside chased her, causing her to run away and fall.'

In response to their motion, Morejon's lawyers argue that discovery hasn't finished, vital witnesses like Nicola have yet to be deposed, and so the motion for summary judgement is 'premature and substantively flawed'.

Peltz's legal team have filed a motion to reduce any past and future medical expenses.

They're arguing that she's received treatment from her healthcare provider 'in exchange for a promise of payment for the claimant's medical expenses from any judgment or settlement of a personal injury or wrongful death action.'

They want a full breakdown of medical treatment to avoid 'gross or undiscounted bill charges'.

These should include: 'All in-patient, out-patient and emergency room records including but not limited to reports, charts, documents, microfilmed documents, radiology reports and radiology studies including ultrasounds, x-rays, MRI, and CT, pathology slides, bills for services (paid or unpaid), emergency room discharge instructions, correspondence, laser copies of photographs, psychological records, requests for records, and any and all other evidence relating to the examination, treatment care, diagnosis, physical and mental condition.'

Peltz previously sacked and then sued his daughter's wedding planners. Nelson, who is reportedly worth $2 billion dollars, sued Nicole Braghin and Arianna Grijalba of Miami event planning firm Plan Design Events (PDE) over a $159,000 deposit for Nicola's lavish nuptials to Beckham. The former Wendy's chairman claimed the wedding planners, who only worked on the wedding for nine days had offered 'no services of value'. The lawsuit and countersuit were settled in November 2023.
Dozens of pensioners have rallied together against plans to replace a beloved 60-year-old hedge with a wooden fence at their luxury coastal retirement park.

Around 80 retirees staged a protest at the middle-class Solent George, in Milford-on-Sea, Hampshire, on Wednesday in a bid to stop plans hatched by Regency Living.

The elderly people stood shoulder-to-shoulder holding 'All Hedges Matter' signs and complaining that they have 'had nothing but hassle' from their property managers.

Regency Living - which operates the nine-acre 'haven of tranquillity', featuring bungalows fetching 550,000 - only notified residents of the plans on Friday in a ploy to 'stop them getting together', one said.

But protesters turned out in their numbers, saying the destruction of the hedge would be the 'final straw' after Regency Living failed to deliver on promises to construct a pool and gym.

When the contractors, New Forest Fencing, arrived at Solent Grange this morning they were blocked from entering. One woman even lay on the floor, refusing to move.

Police and a rural crime taskforce attended to quell tensions before, amid a chorus of cheers, New Forest Fencing turned around and decided to decline the contract.

Although residents are 'thrilled' with the outcome, some admitted they are 'worried' this will only be the first step. 'We are sick of being treated like babies', one said.

Residents of Solent Grange retirement park staged a protest on Wednesday in a bid to stop a 60-year-old fence being chopped down

The elderly people stood shoulder-to-shoulder - some even lay on the floor - holding 'All Hedges Matter' signs and complaining that they have 'had nothing but hassle' from Regency Living

Around 80 retirees attended the protest at the 'luxury' nine-acre site in Milford-on-Sea, Hampshire

Marilyn Whalley, 73, a member of the residents' association committee which organised the protest, said: 'We are thrilled to bits, but we know it won't stop them from taking the hedge down, that's the problem.

'I'm the one who organised this, who sent all the emails and everything.

'They only told us on Friday evening to stop us from being able to get together. The support has been overwhelming. It's terrific that we can get all these people to turn out.

'It's worrying that we don't know what will happen. To lose this hedge is a huge issue. It's the only hedge that nests sparrows in the area.'

Residents fumed over the plans to tear down the fence in the midst of nesting season.

The greenery also separates the community from a busy road outside, meaning it will 'look awful' if the hedge is removed, according to locals.

Residents allege that Regency Living want the hedge gone because they are unable to build more properties so close to it.

On the company's website, it boasts: 'Solent Grange beckons individuals and couples aged 45 and above, retired or semi-retired... seeking an active community amidst a tranquil and spacious retirement haven near the Solent.'

The hedge has been there for at least half a century, when the community was a caravan park, and pensioners see it as integral to the site.

Steve Bennett, 68, said: 'It's just wrong of them to do this when they know none of us want it.

'They also have to ask residents about any changes but they only told us about this on Friday evening, so basically four days ago, so that we wouldn't be able to do anything about it. How sneaky is that?

'They knew we wouldn't like it and they don't like it when we stand up for ourselves. We were promised a swimming pool and a gym when we moved in here but I think we've all given up on that now.'

The hedge separates the community from the busy road outside and people said it will 'look awful' if it is removed

Caroline Bennett, a semi-retired teacher at 67, said: 'I've lived in the area all my life and love it here. It's so peaceful and the nature is amazing, but we moved here for the community really.

'That's what matters to people our age. We have a crochet club and quiz nights, it's so lovely.

'They've gone over our heads with this and we're not happy.

'Without the hedge we'll see all the traffic that speeds past. We can already hear it but it'll be worse with no hedge.'

Maggie Prince, 77, who was joined by her 79-year-old husband Mike, said: 'We used to come when it was a caravan park. My aunt and two of my cousins used to live here.

'That hedge was here back then, which must have been 50 years ago, at least. I've always seen the different birds living there and now they want to get rid of it.

'Then we moved here from Hythe three or four years ago to get away from the hassle - but this place has only been a hassle.

'I can be quite the troublemaker when I want to be. This is important to us.'

Birdwatcher Keith Metcalf, who lives at the site, said: 'I moved the family down to Milford from London in 1988. I was the parish clerk from then until I retired in 2014, but really I moved here because of my love of nature.

'I love wildlife, especially birds. I've been doing surveys on the hedges around here and I've seen this one house common birds like blackbirds, bluetits, great tits, pheasants, and wrens, but I've also seen fairly uncommon birds like Cetti's warblers and stonechats.

'It'll be sad to see that go. And it's in the height of nesting season - they would only have to wait a few more months for it to be over, but no.'

Simon Harris, 52, has been a tree surgeon for 17 years. His dad Mike lives in the Grange.

He said: 'It's all about their moral compasses. I've turned down loads of jobs like this because it's just wrong. Anyone with a moral compass could see that.'

Resident Denise Dawson, 70, added: 'We've had so many issues here. The place is a building site, there's skips and piles of rubble years after they were meant to be cleared. This hedge is the last straw for a lot of us.

'Residents are fed up. I know we're old people but they treat us like babies. And it will just look awful without the hedge.'

A spokesperson for Regency Living said: 'We understand why residents feel strongly about this, and we want to reassure them that protecting local wildlife is something we take very seriously.

'These works are being carried out in order to meet the conditions of our site licence, and in full compliance with the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

'A qualified ecologist will be present on site throughout - no nesting bird will be disturbed.

'We hope this is the start of a longer conversation with the community about the environment at Solent Grange and look forward to working with our residents on further enhancements to this beautiful setting once works are complete.'

New Forest Fencing was contacted for comment by the Daily Mail.
A patriotic poster girl of the MAGA movement, now famous for her love of Coors Light, firearms and sub-zero bikini shoots, has been revealed as a total digital fabrication.

This viral influencer babe is not an American patriot at all, but rather a 22-year-old male medical student from India.

The aspiring orthopedic surgeon admitted that the blonde bombshell was nothing more than his AI-generated goldmine designed to fund his way through med school and, ironically, finance his eventual move to the United States.

Leveraging demographic data from Google's Gemini AI, the creator engineered Emily Hart, a digital persona tailored to exploit the MAGA male crowd.

The account garnered 10,000 followers within the first month.

The AI-generated insights suggested that older conservative men in the US possess significant disposable income and high levels of group loyalty, Hart's creator told Wired magazine.

Marketed as a registered nurse, the AI-generated influencer was designed to serve political content to a targeted audience of lonely conservative men.

One picture displayed Hart firing a rifle. The caption read: 'If you want a reason to unfollow: Christ is king, abortion is murder, and all illegals must be deported.'

A patriotic poster girl of the MAGA movement, now famous for her love of Coors Light, firearms and sub-zero bikini shoots, has been revealed as a total digital fabrication (AI-generated photo)

Marketed as a registered nurse, the AI-generated influencer, Emily Hart, was designed to serve political content to a targeted audience of lonely conservative men (AI-generated photo)

This viral influencer babe is not an American patriot at all, but rather a 22-year-old male medical student from India (AI-generated photo)

The medical student from India told Wired, 'Every day I'd write something pro-Christian, pro-Second Amendment, pro-life, anti-abortion, anti-woke, and anti-immigration.'

The AI creator transformed Hart's digital popularity into a lucrative enterprise, capitalizing on her appeal within the conservative niche to sell MAGA-branded apparel.

Beyond merchandise, he established a presence on Fanvue, an OnlyFans rival that has distinguished itself by explicitly permitting AI-generated material, where subscribers pay for access to explicit and fake content.

This pivot proved highly profitable, with the creator reportedly 'raking in thousands of dollars a month.'

'I was spending maybe 30 to 50 minutes of my day, and I was making good money for a medical student,' he explained. 'In India, even in professional jobs, you can't make this amount of money. I haven't seen any easier way to make money online.'

Hart's profile on Instagram was removed in February for 'fraudulent' activity.

And she is not the only fake babe to be removed from the internet after soaring success.

To her one million adoring Instagram fans, Jessica Foster was also the ultimate MAGA dream girl.

Beyond merchandise, he established a presence on Fanvue, an OnlyFans rival that has distinguished itself by explicitly permitting AI-generated material, where subscribers pay for access to explicit and fake content (AI-generated photo)

Hart's profile on Instagram was removed in February for 'fraudulent' activity (AI-generated photo)

Foster posed on the tarmac with President Trump, sporting high heels and a slicked-back hairstyle (AI-generated photo)

The account constantly baited its male audience (AI-generated photo)

She was a gorgeous blonde serving in the US Army. She posed on the tarmac with President Donald Trump while sporting high heels and a slicked-back hairstyle, snapped selfies in front of fighter jets and carried out grueling military missions in Greenland alongside her female comrades. All with a smile on her face.

Her seemingly VIP access and flawless image had her followers completely swooning. The comment sections of her posts were flooded with single men begging to know how to score an introduction.

There was just one glaring problem: Foster wasn't real. She was a total sham, also created entirely by artificial intelligence (AI).

This digital phantom first flickered onto the scene in December, launching with a defiant, two-word bio that signaled exactly the type of demographic she was hunting for: 'America First.'

Almost instantly, her account became a magnet for MAGA supporters who flocked to the profile to worship what they genuinely believed was the ultimate conservative icon.

The explosive viral rise of AI creations like Hart and Foster has pulled back the curtain on a cynical new frontier in the battle for your digital attention.

As of late, hundreds of deepfake videos featuring 'Iranian female soldiers' and fighter pilots are circulating online, signaling pro-Iran messages. The clips show glamorous Middle Eastern women in full military gear, supposedly ready for battle.

But there is one glaring problem with this high-tech recruitment drive: the women do not exist, and the military roles they are playing are strictly forbidden in Iran.

Other accounts on Instagram showed a curvaceous brunette posing with Elon Musk while he gave her a tour of SpaceX.

Many of these profiles have since been deleted - but the profits have already been made.
A three-year-old girl who died after being hit by a car has been remembered as 'full of life and full of energy'.

Esha was walking home from daycare with her mother, grandmother and younger brother when she was struck by a ute in Caboolture, north of Brisbane, at 6.47pm on Tuesday, 7News reported.

It's understood a Nissan Navara ute was turning right from Lynfield Drive onto Toohey Street when it hit the little girl.

She sustained critical injuries in the collision and was sadly declared dead at the scene.

The driver of the Nissan, a 49-year-old Caboolture woman, stayed at the intersection and assisted Queensland Police with its investigation.

Esha's grandmother, Amtus Akber, visited the scene of the collision to see the dozens of flowers and stuffed animals left for her granddaughter on Wednesday.

'She was a special child, a very, very loving child. Loveable and loving child,' she said of Esha.

'The way she loved you, the way she hugged you.'

Three-year-old Esha (above) was hit by a ute in north Brisbane on Tuesday night

The little girl was walking home from daycare with her family when she was fatally struck (pictured is Esha and her grandmother on CCTV shortly before the crash)

Dozens of flowers and stuffed animals (above) have been left at the scene of the collision

Traumatised witnesses recalled the harrowing scene.

'I ran up to see what was going on and to see if there was anything that I could do, but she was too far gone,' local Jason Lubbers said.

Another resident, Kevin Taylor, arrived at the intersection to see Esha's mother hugging her toddler tightly.

'It was sad - she was distraught. Very, very distraught,' he said.

It's understood a bus may have blocked the ute driver's vision, meaning she couldn't see Esha standing in the road.

Queensland Police is treating the collision as a tragic accident, but the investigation is ongoing.

'We just spent hours with the family and they are absolutely distraught. Just disbelief they've lost their three-year-old,' Sergeant Greg Price said.

Anyone with CCTV or dash cam footage of the incident was urged to contact Crime Stoppers.
A group of Notting Hill residents who painted their homes black to deter selfie-taking tourists and influencers have found the ploy has backfired - because the unique paint job is actually drawing more people in.

Locals on Lancaster Road took a leaf out of the Rolling Stones' songbook last year and applied the pitch-black coat to their three homes on the street in marked contrast to the rainbow hues of their neighbours.

But the trio of houses - a stone's throw from trendy Portobello Road Market, which draws the Instagram elite - are swarmed with selfie-takers as usual, some of whom say the dark paint job is actually a draw.

Ines Bourdet, 23, a French tourist, said she thinks the black has made the houses even 'more classy'. She deliberately came to the street after seeing it online.

Standing with her mother Bertrice Marreiot, 43, she said: 'The colour is black, but it's very attractive for the eyes. I think it's different from the other houses. It's a statement near the other colours. It's more classy.'

Edelweiss and Jose Rodriguez, both 27 and visiting from Spain, also snapped a few photos in front of the black houses, drawn in by the accidental appeal of the new paint.

'I think it's a good idea, but the other houses are white, all in London are white. It's a contrast,' Edelweiss said.

'I think the people who live here are sad, because there are a lot of people in the street. If I lived here, my opinion would be the same.'

The owners of a row of homes in Notting Hill have painted the facades black in a bid to deter tourists...

But the move appears to have backfired with tourists including Ines Bourdet and her mother Bertrice Marreiot (pictured), who found the glum paint jobs had additional charm

Australian tourists Georgia Densley and Clancy Carroll, who stopped in the street to take pictures

An influencer strikes a pose on the steps of one darkly painted home - next to a sign asking people to respect the 'quiet zone'

Jose said: 'For me, that colour makes me sad  it's not a good day if you see that house. But (the colourful houses) give me peace and make me joyful.'

Leonardo Lepri, 43, and partner Laura, from Italy, were visiting Notting Hill with their four-year-old daughter Flaminia.

Undeterred by the dark colour, they chose to take photos of their daughter standing on the stairs going up to the entrance of one black home.

Mr Lepri said: 'It's just a little bit sad  it's [an] austerity colour. It could be a good way to avoid too much chaos.'

One resident who lived nearby, who asked not to be named, said more people had come to the area after someone, presumably American, had created a Google Maps listing designating it as the 'Notting Hill House of Colors (sic)'.

They said: 'We get lot of rubbish left on our porch  there are people shouting and screaming, if you ask them to pipe down they talk back to you.

'They don't want to move to let you get into your house, they're really quite impolite  they ask me to wait until their picture is done.

'It's impeding our neighbours' lives, we all accept we live in London and it's a very busy city, but it gets to a point where it's not respectful  we do actually live here.

'We regret moving up to this street from where we lived prior, it wasn't like this when we bought the house.'

Tourists Leonardo Lepri, Laura and daughter Flaminia, clearly not put off by the glum colours of the Lancaster Road homes

Smile! Leonardo takes Flaminia's photo on steps of a local's home- suggesting the efforts to put people off have come to nothing

A raft of more colourful houses on Lancaster Road. Locals were asked to consider painting their homes black last year

Notting Hill has undergone significant transformation in the last 30 years, shifting from a bohemian, gritty slum home to much of the Windrush generation to the highly gentrified and expensive hotspot for the trendy that it is today.

One local said this week: 'This was a no-go area in the '90s  there were prostitutes, pimps, and drugs. These were hard to let properties.

'Then gentrification came along. In the last two or three years there have been a lot of tourists around.

'Sometimes I'm a tourist in other countries. Sometimes some of them are a bit rude, but mostly people are nice, so it's fine.

'It's good for the economy. Sometimes I'm in my kitchen and I quite like listening to the babble of different languages. I'm quite an internationalist, really.

'Sometimes it's annoying if you're in a rush with your shopping, but it's generally OK.

'There's them [in the black houses] with their views, and there are definitely other people in the street who are militantly wanting bright colours.'

Those living in the black homes, who declined to be identified, have previously admitted that they were hoping to put influencers off after they began treating the street as their own personal photo studio.

A letter was distributed among homeowners urging them to 'consider' repainting, adding: 'If more of us consider collectively doing the same, we may be able to restore some peace and privacy to our community.'

Some have even resorted to installing 'quiet zone' signs and ropes across their front terraces in the hopes of sending wannabe social media stars packing.

Those living on and around Lancaster Road say the issue of over-tourism has been made worse by a listing for the 'Notting Hill House of Colors' (sic) on Google Maps

While some have declined to paint their houses in duller colours, they have taken extreme measures to deter selfie-takers

A sign asking locals to be 'considerate of residents and neighbours' outside a home on Lancaster Road

Speaking last year, one resident of a black house said: 'My family moved in about a month ago and the previous owner painted it black just before because they were fed-up with how many people stop out front.

'It gets crazy. People get on the steps and take loads of photos. On the weekends, there can be hundreds of people.

'It's not Londoners - it's mainly tourists. But it just gets stressful. The hope with the black houses is that it's less picturesque. They basically want to attract less attention.'

Another resident, who also wished to anonymous, said: 'Our house was actually originally black and the others weren't.

'But the other two decided to join us a couple of months ago as we all agree that black houses don't look good on social media.

'I understand why people take photos - because of how it looks - but it just gets so packed. We can have hundreds of people on the street at once and it's a residential road - we're not able to cater to tourists.

'I think people just forget that people live here. So the hope with painting the houses black is that tourists will relax a bit.'

Those dreams of peace and quiet have seemingly come to naught, prolonging the agony and inconvenience for those who happen to live in a photogenic street.

Another photoshoot underway on the streets of Notting Hill - as residents grow increasingly despondent about their hopes for a quiet day at home

Those living on the street say they can't sit on their doorsteps anymore - lest they be pestered by influencers seeking their next photo spot

George Hencken, who has lived in Notting Hill for 29 years, painted her house grey seven years ago after tiring of the attention her pink facade was getting.

'The thing is, and something those who have painted their homes black will soon find out, is that even if people aren't using their house as a photo backdrop - they'll still be here,' she said last summer.

'They'll be having their picnic lunch in their doorway, sheltering outside when it's raining, and even changing outfit on their front steps. Instagram and TikTok are having this effect all over the world.

'And over the years I've only had one tourist say to me, "You must get so sick of it". With lots of the others - there's just this sense of arrogance and entitlement.'

Ms Hencken rues the day that Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts' twee rom-com put Notting Hill on the map.

'Ever since Richard Curtis made that stupid film every American banker or rich guy from Switzerland who spends a few months here, when asked where they want to live, says: "Oh, my wife likes that film."

'It's changing the area. Our doorsteps used to be social places. We'd sit out here and chat to friends and neighbours.

'But now you can't do that. If you do, any random person thinks they can come and sit here too.'
The Palestine Action activist who allegedly attacked a police officer with a sledgehammer said he was protecting a fellow campaigner during their raid at a defence firm, a court heard.

Samuel Corner, 23, said he heard 'someone screaming' and believed another demonstrator was being 'seriously hurt', so brought down the hammer on Police Sergeant Kate Evans, fracturing her spine.

He denied that violence was part of the group's plan during their raid at Israel-based defence firm Elbit Systems UK site near Bristol on August 6, 2024.

Alongside Corner, Charlotte Head, 30, Leona Kamio, 30, Fatema Rajwani, 21, Zoe Rogers, 22, and Jordan Devlin, 31, are on trial accused of criminal damage over the incident.

Corner, a former linguistics and philosophy student at Oxford University, faces a further charge of causing grievous bodily harm with intent to Sgt Evans, which he denies.

He told jurors at Woolwich Crown Court today that he had and that he 'would never want to seriously hurt anyone'.

Instead of violence, Corner claimed to jurors that the raid was meant to 'shut Elbit down' so it could no longer make weapons at the factory.

Asked by defence barrister Tom Wainwright what he intended to do on the day of the incident, he said: 'We intended to destroy weapons and things needed to make weapons which we believed were going to be used to cause death and destruction.'

Palestine Action member Samuel Corner, 23, (pictured), defended his alleged sledgehammer attack on Police Sergeant Kate Evans that fractured her spine saying he was protecting a demonstrator

Sergeant Evans was on her knees trying to arrest Zoe Rogers (pictured) when she was smashed in the back with the sledgehammer, the court heard

When questioned what he thought the weapons were being used for, he said: 'To cause death and devastation. Kill people, injure people.'

Corner smashed the sledgehammer into Sergeant Evans' back as she was on her knees trying to arrest Rogers, the court previously heard.

Mr Wainwright asked the defendant why he swung the sledgehammer at the officer, and he replied: 'To protect. I heard someone screaming and I thought she was being seriously hurt by security.'

The barrister asked Corner what he had hoped to achieve in 'bringing the sledgehammer down in the way you did'.

In response, he said: 'To protect her.'

He added: 'I would never want to seriously hurt anyone.'

Sergeant Evans' spine was fractured after the hammer blow, the court previously heard.

Sergeant Evans told the court on Friday: 'I thought my spine could have been shattered from the impact, I didn't know if I could move, whether I was paralysed at the time.'

Her colleague PC Peter Adams told the court that Corner hit Sergeant Evans with a 'considerable amount of force'.

Defending himself, Corner told jurors today that he was sprayed 'straight in the face' with an incapacitant when police descended on the factory.

He said: 'I immediately couldn't open my eyes or see. Luckily I could walk away and not hit anything but there was just all-consuming pain in my face.'

Raid organisers had told Corner and other participants that they 'wouldn't have to worry' about security guards during the demonstration, he explained to jurors.

Rajiv Menon KC, defending, said that because the group had not expected security guards to enter the factory during their action, and were 'completely out of their depth'.

A protestor outside the defendants' pre-trial hearing last June

Corner first came across Palestine Action when he saw a video of the group in 2020, the court heard today.

Mr Wainwright asked him: 'What did you know about the type of action they carried out?'

Corner said: 'I knew that they would go to these arms factories and occupy them and destroy weapons and other things inside them.'

Mr Wainwright asked him: 'So far as you were aware, did the action involve violence to people?'

In response, Corner said: 'No.'

The group is alleged to have crashed into the shutters of the factory in a prison van, using it 'as a battering ram' to get inside, jurors were previously told.

Once in, they smashed computers, drones and other equipment with sledgehammers and crowbars and sprayed the walls and floor with red paint in fire extinguishers, the court heard.

The defendants deny all charges and the trial continues.
A new developer-first approach gives teams full control over building and continuously improving AI agents

NEW YORK, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- PolyAI today announced the launch of its Agent Development Kit (ADK), a new way for teams to build, deploy, and improve agentic AI for customer experience.

The ADK introduces an AI-native development model that brings coding assistants into the core of how agents for customer service are built. Rather than relying on static configurations or manual implementation, teams can generate, test, and evolve agents using the latest generation of coding assistants and development practices.

Built for how developers actually work

With PolyAI's ADK, developer teams can now:

Work in their own environment with full control, using their preferred programming language and IDE with complete visibility into the codebase

using their preferred programming language and IDE with complete visibility into the codebase Use AI coding assistants to accelerate development, integrating tools like Cursor or Claude Code to generate and refine production-grade logic

integrating tools like Cursor or Claude Code to generate and refine production-grade logic Build from any input in minutes , including diagrams, spreadsheets, and APIs

, including diagrams, spreadsheets, and APIs Manage agents like enterprise software, with version control, code reviews, and collaborative workflows

"Most AI platforms for CX force developers to work inside a UI, cut off from the way real software gets built," said Shawn Wen, co-founder and CTO at PolyAI. "With the ADK, we're changing that. Developers can now build AI agents with the same tools, workflows, and flexibility they use to build any other critical system."

From weeks of development to hours

The ADK delivers a step-change in development speed and productivity for PolyAI's enterprise customers: Enterprise customers using PolyAI's ADK have achieved:

One of the world's largest utility companies built complex flows in hours, compared to multiple weeks previously

One of the UK's largest banks processed hundreds of FAQs in minutes, instead of hours of manual work

By building directly against PolyAI's platform and codebase, developers can also reuse proven production patterns for integrations, logic, and behavior instead of starting from scratch. These patterns are informed by over 500,000 hours of real-world deployment work, built on PolyAI's years of experience building and optimizing agents for the world's most trusted enterprises.

"On top of our customers' success with the ADK, we're also seeing major impact internally. More than 60% of our engineering work at PolyAI is now done autonomously through ADK-powered workflows, with developers reviewing and guiding the output," Wen added. "Now, we're making that same capability available to our customers so more teams can build high-quality AI systems faster."

Self-improving systems that learn from every interaction

Beyond initial development, PolyAI's ADK enables self-learning loops.

By connecting to monitoring tools and automated QA pipelines, AI agents can identify performance gaps and continuously self-improve.

This represents a major shift in how agents for CX are built: from static automation to systems that continuously learn and adapt without ongoing manual effort.

A new standard for building enterprise-grade AI

While most CX AI vendors require developers to work inside closed systems with little or no code access, version control, or integration with modern development tools, PolyAI's ADK takes a fundamentally different approach that reflects how serious engineering organizations actually build.

Combined with the no-code and low-code capabilities already available in the company's core Agent Studio platform, PolyAI is the only enterprise AI for CX solution that meets technical and non-technical users where they are.

PolyAI's Agent Development Kit is now generally available. Visit our developer site to get started.

About PolyAI

PolyAI is transforming customer experience with AI agents that help enterprises show up as the best versions of themselves in every conversation. We are trusted by global leaders including Marriott, Caesars Entertainment, PG&E, and UniCredit to handle their most complex customer interactions. Our agents deliver human-level understanding with enterprise-grade reliability, and many of our largest deployments already do the work of 1,000+ full-time employees.

SOURCE PolyAI
The White House is taking credit for a major brewery's massive US investment.

Anheuser-Busch announced on Wednesday that it is investing $600 million into its US operations over the next two years.

The money will go to training workers, improving brewing capacity and hiring veterans, according to Fox News Business, which first reported the announcement.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the large investment is evidence of 'The Trump Effect.'

The administration has worked with large companies to ensure their operations stay in the US and that their products are 'Made in America.'

'AnheuserBusch is doubling down on investing in our US operations because we see strong, long-term growth opportunities right here at home,' the company's CEO, Brendan Whitworth, told Fox News Digital.

'When we invest in our US operations and expand training for our people and opportunities for our veterans, we strengthen communities and drive real economic prosperity.'

'This $600 million investment is about advancing American manufacturing, strengthening our supply chain, and creating lasting careers and a brighter future for US workers,' he continued.

Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt celebrated AnheuserBusch's new investment in US operations, claiming its part of 'The Trump Effect'

AnheuserBusch announced a $600 million investment into its US operations over the next two years

The beer company noted that the cash infusion will go to 15 new training centers and veteran programs.

It will also increase overall manufacturing capacity.

From 2025 through 2026, Anheuser-Busch will spend funds on upgrading existing breweries with more advanced technology.

The company previously announced a $300 million investment last year.

'This is yet another example of the Trump effect,' White House spokeswoman Liz Huston said.

'Thanks to President Trumps unwavering commitment to rebuilding American industry, companies are investing in the United States, expanding manufacturing, creating good-paying jobs, and driving a new era of prosperity for the American people.'

The manufacturing sector added 15,000 new jobs in March, according to the White House.

Still, Democrats on the Joint Economic Committee in Congress claim that the manufacturing industry had lost up to 108,000 jobs in the first year of Trump's second term.

'This $600 million investment is about advancing American, strengthening our supply chain, and creating lasting careers and a brighter future for US workers,' Anheuser-Busch CEO Brendan Whitworth said

The investment also comes as US consumers drink less beer.

According to a Gallup poll from August 2025, just 54 percent of Americans reported drinking alcohol. That figure was down from 60 percent in 2023 as health concerns over imbibing have grown.

Bud Light has also lost its brand appeal, resulting in Michelob Ultra becoming the best-selling beer in America by volume in September 2025.

The fall from grace comes after Bud Light partnered with transgender activist Dylan Mulvaney in 2023, which prompted widespread boycotts that cost the company an estimated $1.4 billion in beer sales, CNN reported.
A transgender Utah woman and her lover have been accused of kidnapping her 10-year-old child and taking them to Cuba to allegedly get gender reassignment surgery.

Rose Inessa-Ethington, 42, the child's biological father, and her partner Blue Inessa-Ethington were arrested on Monday after being deported from Cuba.

Federal prosecutors said the couple brought the 10-year-old, as well as Blue's three-year-old child, to the Caribbean nation earlier this month, allegedly intending to force the child to transition.

The 10-year-old was born a male but identifies as a female, which worried family members said was 'largely believed to be due to manipulation by Rose', officials said in a press release.

Rose, who shares custody with the child's biological mother, transitioned to female after the child was born a decade ago, family members said.

The couple, from Cache County, Utah, raised concerns when they 'skipped out on a planned camping trip to Canada' on March 28, and the child was not returned to the custody of her biological mother five days later.

They had instead taken the children to Mexico City and then to Havana, and the child's family called police after raising 'significant concerns for the minors well-being.'

A search of their home then revealed 'to-do lists' to bring the 10-year-old to Cuba, including to 'learn Spanish', withdraw $10,000, obtain a tourist visa and 'empty' their bank accounts, court records showed.

Transgender Utah woman Rose Inessa-Ethington, 42, (center) and her partner Blue Inessa-Ethington (right) are accused of kidnapping her 10-year-old child and taking them to Cuba to allegedly get gender reassignment surgery for the minor

Rose, the 10-year-old's biological father, allegedly 'manipulated' her son into transitioning into a girl, and was accused of kidnapping the child to force it into surgery in Cuba

In a press release announcing the couple's arrest, prosecutors said family members had long held fears that the child was going to be forced into 'gender reassignment surgery prior to puberty.'

On April 13, a Utah court ordered the 10-year-old be returned to the child's biological mother immediately, and granted her exclusive custody of the child.

The group were located in Cuba three days later, and were deported before being arrested upon their arrival back in the US.

The couple appeared in court on Monday in Richmond, Virginia, and are set to be transported to Utah for the remainder of their court proceedings, officials said.

Both Rose and Blue are charged in a federal criminal complaint of International Parental Kidnapping.

A GoFundMe set up by Blue in 2021 sheds some light on the family's struggles with Rose's transition, noting that her child's biological mother had custody at the time.

The fundraiser said Rose was raising the child 'gender open', meaning she did not believe the child had a gender.

Rose shares custody with the child's biological mother, and transitioned to female after the child was born a decade ago, family members said

In a fundraiser set up in 2021, Blue (left) said Rose (right) was raising the child 'gender open'. This week prosecutors said family members had long held fears that the child was going to be forced into 'gender reassignment surgery prior to puberty'

Both Rose and Blue are charged in a federal criminal complaint of International Parental Kidnapping after allegedly taking the 10-year-old, as well as Blue's three-year-old child, to Cuba for gender reassignment surgeries

'Anyone who has spent time with Rose and [her son] sees how much care and thought she puts into parenting her gender open child,' Blue wrote in the fundraiser.

'[Her son] does exceptionally well for their age because of how Rose is raising them. Rose helps find safe and inclusive medical providers and schools for the child in addition to organizing appointments, buying clothes, and ensuring good nutrition.

'She even trains providers and teachers to make sure [her son] has the best chances of not being discriminated against.'

The fundraiser added that Rose was known as a 'cornerstone of the LGBTQ+ community' in Utah, and often organized marches and protests, taught 'diversity training' and lobbied lawmakers.
A Colorado state Senate candidate running on a platform of family values has been arrested for allegedly leaving his two young children at a resort pool, where his four-year-old daughter nearly drowned while he was at the bar.

Frederick Alfred Jr, 38, the only Republican candidate slated to appear on the Senate District 21 ballot in November, was taken into custody in Key West, Florida on Monday night on suspicion of felony child neglect, The Denver Post reports.

One witness, another guest at the Opal Key Resort, told police that Alfred's six-year-old son approached him for help getting his sister out of the pool because his parents weren't present, according to Alfred's arrest warrant.

The concerned guest then pulled the four-year-old girl from the water - and noticed she was foaming at the mouth and was unconscious.

At that point, he called 911 and started CPR, police said, noting that the first call came in at 7.34pm.

It is unclear how long Alfred had been gone before the call was made.

But when Alfred returned to the pool at 7.40pm, officers noted that he was holding an alcoholic drink.

A bar receipt later confirmed the candidate ordered a 'Bourbon and Bubbles' for $20 and a 'Levitate' cannabis-infused drink for $16 while he was away from the pool where his children were swimming, according to the Miami Herald.

Frederick Alfred Jr, 38, was taken into custody in Key West, Florida on Monday night on suspicion of felony child neglect

Authorities say he left his two young children unattended at a pool at the Opal Key Resort while he went to the bar

When he was then questioned by police, Alfred allegedly told officers he left his young children alone in the hot tub while he went to get a drink.

He claimed he was only gone for five minutes.

But in the time that Alfred was away from his children, his daughter nearly drowned while his son swallowed an unknown amount of pool water while trying to get her out, paramedics told officers, according to the arrest report.

When the young boy then realized he couldn't save his sister, he went to a stranger for help.

The young girl eventually regained consciousness at the scene and 'appeared normal,' but officers warned Alfred that 'there was a very significant risk' of issues arising later.

Still, Alfred allegedly tried to block the paramedics from taking his children to the hospital before acquiescing.

At that point, the children were transported to the Lower Keys Medical Center, as authorities also called on the Florida Department of Children and Families to check on the minors.

Alfred, who lives in Commerce City, was then taken into custody at the resort - at which point police said they 'noticed the strong smell of an alcoholic beverage' emanating from the state senate candidate.

Alfred built his platform on being a 'husband, father and community leader'

Alfred built his platform on being a 'husband, father and community leader,' according to his campaign website.

'As a father, I believe families should guide their children's education and I am dedicated to ensuring parental rights are respected,' the campaign website says.

It adds that Alfred would be a 'strong voice for families.'

Alfred is now the only Republican candidate slated to appear on the Senate District 21 ballot, and is set to face either incumbent Adrienne Benavidez or teacher Alex Ryckman in the general election.

Benavidez had stepped into the role after winning a vacancy election earlier this year, when Democrat state Senator Dafna Michaelson Jenet resigned from the position.

Alfred had previously nearly unseated Jenet - a then-incumbent candidate - in 2024.

The Democrat won 51 percent of the vote, compared to Alfred's 49 percent. He had lost by roughly 1,500 votes.

If he is now convicted on the charges, Alfred could face up to five years in prison.

The Daily Mail has reached out to Alfred's campaign for comment.
Donald Trump's Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick was forced into a spectacular showdown on Capitol Hill with Democrats probing his ties to Jeffrey Epstein.

Lutnick, his wife, and his children had lunch with Epstein on his island in December 2012, years after the pedophile's conviction, according to documents released by the Justice Department.

Epstein pleaded guilty to soliciting a prostitute and procuring a child for prostitution in 2008.

The secretary claimed in February that he had 'nothing to hide' about his connection to Epstein.

But he was put on the spot about it during the explosive hearing on Wednesday.

Maryland Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen demanded Lutnick provide more information about his ties to Epstein and accused him of withholding details.

Lutnick dodged the question, saying he was focused on testifying about Trump's budget.

'I am volunteering within two weeks to answer any and all questions on this topic,' Lutnick stated on Wednesday.

US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick testifies before a Senate Appropriations Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Subcommittee hearing on April 22, 2026

An image from the Epstein files shows Howard Lutnick (in blue) with along with Jeffrey Epstein

During a February Capitol Hill hearing, Lutnick detailed that he first interacted with Epstein after buying the house next door to his in New York City in 1998.

He didn't move in until 2005 after renovations were complete. That's when he said he visited Epstein's house for the first time.

But he claimed he was so disgusted after seeing a massage table in Epstein's home that they did not maintain a relationship.

He decided Epstein wasn't worth maintaining a relationship with and cut off contact 'socially, for business or even philanthropy' in 2005.

Speaking with the host of the New York Post's Pod Force One podcast Miranda Devine last year, Lutnick stated that 'if that guy was there, I wasn't going because he's gross.'

However, Lutnick was quizzed over why he then decided to take his family to have lunch with the pedophile.

Ranking member Senator Chris Van Hollen looks on during a subcommittee hearing with the Senate Committee on Appropriations in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on April 22, 2026 in Washington, DC

US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and his wife Allison Lutnick attend the world premiere of Amazon MGM Studios' 'Melania' at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, on January 29, 2026

'I did have lunch with him, as I was on a boat going across on a family vacation,' Lutnick said.

'My wife was with me, as were my four children and nannies,' he said. 'I had another couple with - they were there as well, with their children.'

'And we had lunch on the island, that is true, for an hour,' he added.

'And we left with all of my children, with my nannies and my wife, all together. We were on family vacation,' he concluded.

An appearance of an individual in the files is not an indication of any criminal wrongdoing.
A female PBS engineer and retired Marine has been shot dead outside her home in broad daylight by her estranged husband, according to police.

Ivy Unruh, 25, was gunned down in north-east Wichita, Kansas, at about 8am on Friday, and Joshua Orlando, 29, has been charged with first-degree murder.

Wichita Police spokesman Kris Gupilan said Unruh suffered a gunshot wound to her upper body and was taken to the hospital, where she died three days later.

Gupilan added that Orlando called 911 from the site of the shooting, which is 'being investigated as a domestic-related incident.' He was arrested at the scene.

Unruh's family said she was the victim of domestic violence and 'had the courage to walk away from a dangerous situation, yet tragically, her life was still taken.'

They remembered her as an ex-Marine who 'served her country with honor, strength and selflessness,' adding that she donated her organs after her death.

'To those who knew her, she was more than a Marine - she was a daughter, a sister, and a friend who brought light into the lives of others,' they wrote on GoFundMe.

'As you all are aware, Ivy was an organ donor and planned to continue being a hero and saving lives even after she was no longer with us.

Female PBS engineer and retired Marine Ivy Unruh, 25, has been shot dead in broad daylight outside her home by her estranged husband, according to Wichita Police in Kansas

Joshua Orlando, 29, has been charged with first-degree premeditated murder, per jail records

'We have received news from the organ donor team and Ivy saved six people in total.

'Six pieces of her that will live on. Six humans that still have life and get to go home to their families because of her.

Ivy Unruh, 25, was a former US Marine

'She saved those six people but it will impact well beyond that for every loved one that gets to hug their family member a little longer.'

Wichita Police Department said a gun was discovered at the scene on 7272 E. 37th St, and Orlando was taken into custody.

Orlando was booked at the Sedgwick County Jail on Saturday night on a charge of aggravated battery, which was upgraded to first-degree murder after Unruh died.

Jailhouse records show he is being held on a $1.5 million bond.

He showed little expression in his booking photograph.

Victor Hogstrom, president of PBS Kansas where Unruh worked, said the newsroom has been devastated by her death.

Unruh's family said she was the victim of domestic violence and 'had the courage to walk away from a dangerous situation, yet tragically, her life was still taken'

'To those who knew her, she was more than a Marine - she was a daughter, a sister, and a friend who brought light into the lives of others,' Unruh's family wrote on GoFundMe

'I heard about it and the first thing I did was slam the desk with my two hands - bang, what? That was my reaction. I couldn't believe it,' Hogstrom told the New York Post.

Hogstrom added that Unruh was 'very motivated' and 'trustworthy.'

'She worked with people well. She was smart and very intelligent,' he said.

'She was a good employee. We're all missing her from here, a very dependable person.'

Gupilan said the investigation is ongoing and more information will be released in due course.

The Daily Mail reached out to the local police and District Attorney for comment.
An IT consultant accused of orchestrating a plot to wipe out his ex-wife and her entire family using nine hired contract killers and arsenic-laced curry is fighting a legal battle to avoid extradition to India.

Ajith Kumar Mupparapu, 46, was living in Berkshire with oncologist Dr Sirisha Muttavarapu but she filed for divorce after five years of marriage in 2022.

Mupparapu allegedly hired nine contract killers from his home to kill his ex-wife and her extended family in Hyderabad between January and August 2023.

He is accused of killing his former mother-in-law, Uma Maheshwari, 60, who died on 5 July, 2023, nine days after consuming spices laced with arsenic.

Mupparapu is accused of plotting, along with his science teacher sister Surekh Mupparapu, to murder his ex-wife Dr Muttavarapu, her brother M Purnender and his wife Sasirekha and her father Hanumantha Rao.

He was also said to have a grievance with his father-in-law over some land in India.

Mupparapu was arrested in Maidenhead on January 17 last year by extradition unit officers carrying out an 'accusation warrant' from India.

He is fighting extradition to India and appeared in the dock at Westminster Magistrates' Court wearing a grey prison sweatshirt, taking notes.

Ajith Mupparapu, 46, allegedly hired contract killers to murder his ex-wife and her family, Westminster Magistrates Court (pictured) heard

Defending Mupparapu, James Stansfeld argued that his team were served with redacted documents which were 'materially different' from those seen in court.

Representing the government of India, James Lewis KC said: 'This is not only a dreadful argument but it's completely hopeless.'

He said the only parts of the documents which were redacted were personal information such as 'dates of birth, home address of witnesses, email addresses and bank accounts'.

'My learned friend is pushing the technical point, as he knows jolly well', said Mr Lewis. 'This is just a game they're playing.

'You can bet your bottom dollar nothing will come out of it. It's a technical point.'

Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring asked: 'What is the prejudice that there is to your client in relation to any extradition that he raises, if [the redactions] are no more that what I'm told, [ie personal information]?'

Mr Stansfeld said: 'The prejudice is clear. It causes delays to the proceedings.

'If we were provided with an unredacted copy, we would then be under professional obligation to review the documents to make sure there is nothing prejudicial.

'That's going to take time.

'Mr Mupparapu has been in custody over a year, and he's in custody now, and this would cause delays.'

Mr Stansfeld said there were 'thousands' of redactions, and gave as an example an address has been redacted which is 'material to the investigation'.

Mr Goldspring said: 'A copy of the un-redacted version is to be served on the defence forthwith.

'I'm then going to give the defence an opportunity to consider how long it will take them to familiar themselves within these documents.'

Mr Lewis earlier told the court how Mupparapu was abusive to 'Sirisha, her daughter and family dog' as soon as they came to the UK from India.

'She reported his abusive and controlling behaviour to the police. They separated on 29 August 2022.

'At some time around March 2023, if not before Mupparapu and his sister, Surekh Mupparapu agreed to kill Sirisha's family by arsenic poisoning. To this end, on 6 March 2023, Surekha, who is a science teacher, purchased arsenic in the form of sodium arsenite in the name of the school at which she was employed as a chemistry teacher.

'[Mupparapu used a Swiggy food delivery boy to deliver arsenic-laced spices and salt to Sirisha's parents' flat.'

The spices were used in curries eaten by Sirisha's parents and brother during her brother's wedding.

He is also charged with attempting to murder his brother-in-law, Hanumantha Rao by administering succinylcholine injection, which paralyses the victim.

The hearing continues.
A British businessmen who conned more than 190 people in a 71million wine scam has been jailed for 10 years.

James Wellesley, 59, worked alongside Stephen Burton, 61, to 'prey on investors' and dupe wealthy clients into spending tens of millions on fine wine that never existed.

During their two year Ponzi-style scheme - which saw them using fake names, amassing fake passports and hoarding bars of gold - the swindlers schmoozed in classy circles across the world.

They then tricked investors into giving the con-men loans that were secured against what was advertised as a stockpile of expensive wine.

The pair said this included the Domaine de la Romanee-Conti, in Burgundy, which goes for as much as 12,500 ($17,000) a bottle and the Chateau Lafleur in Bordeaux, that can be sold for 3,700 ($5,000).

On Monday, Wellesley was sentenced to a decade behind bars by a New York court for wire fraud conspiracy and was told to pay 740,000 ($1million) in forfeiture.

He was extradited from Tunbridge Wells by US authorities last year after he was arrested by Scotland Yard five months earlier.

Between June 2017 and February 2019, Wellesley and Burton - who called themselves Bordeaux Cellars - pretended to represent a group of fine wine collectors who brokered loans on their behalf.

James Wellesley (pictured) - who also went by Andrew Fuller and Andrew Templar - has been given 10 years in jail for conning more than 190 people in a 71million wine scam

He worked alongside Stephen Burton (pictured) to 'prey on investors' and dupe wealthy clients into spending tens of millions on fine wine that never existed

Burton (pictured) is still awaiting sentencing after he pleaded guilty last July to wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy

Burton was already a well-known name in wine circles and Wellesley said he was the company's chief financial officer and operations manager, telling would-be investors at conferences that they had offices in Hong Kong and London.

Wellesley had also changed his surname to sound more like the Duke of Wellington in the hope it would add an air of legitimacy, but would also sometimes go by Andrew Fuller and Andrew Templar.

Investors loaned them money and were then told they would receive regular interest payments from Bordeaux Cellars, who supposedly kept custody of the expensive wine.

But the money the con-men received was then used to make fraudulent interest payments to investors as well as for the pair's own personal expenses.

Police arrested Burton in relation to the scam in 2019, where officers found two fake passports, bars of precious metals, 1million in cash and expensive watches.

He was arrested again in 2022 while trying to enter Morocco on a fake Zimbabwean passport and then extradited to the US in December 2023.

Burton is still awaiting sentencing after he pleaded guilty last July to wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy.

Joseph Nocella Jr, the US attorney for the Eastern District of New York, said: 'Unlike a fine vintage that improves over time, the defendant will spend years in prison to reflect on his fraudulent wine scheme.

'James Wellesley preyed on investors around the globe to induce them to invest tens of millions of dollars on lies.

'Today's sentence sends a message to fraudsters that our office will prosecute you to the full extent of the law.'

James C Barnacle Jr, the head of the FBI's operations in New York, said: 'James Wellesley swindled nearly $100m from investors by pretending to be an executive broker for fine wine collections.

'Wellesley spoiled the reputation of a prestigious industry as well as his clients' trust. The FBI continues to stem fraudulent schemes that steal from the wallets of victims.'
Starbucks is pouring $100 million into a bold new corporate hub in Nashville but the coffee giant's plan has left a bitter aftertaste among its own workforce.

Woke employees are resisting pressure to leave liberal-leaning Seattle for deep-red Tennessee.

The company's push to relocate staff to its new Southeast base has stumbling blocks with early efforts to move workers yielding far fewer volunteers than executives had hoped, according to people familiar with the process.

At the center of the standoff is Starbucks' roughly 100-person North America sourcing team - a critical unit responsible for securing everything needed to keep about 18,000 stores running, from coffee beans and syrups to cups and cutlery.

In March, those employees were presented with a choice to either relocate to Nashville, accept a pay cut, or risk losing their job, people with knowledge of the discussions said to Bloomberg.

The ultimatum has rattled morale inside the company, with some workers viewing the move as a breach of trust after years of remote flexibility and prior relocation demands.

Others are simply unwilling to uproot their lives or move to a state whose politics sharply contrasts with Seattle's progressive culture.

Seattle-based employees have raised concerns about moving to a state with restrictive abortion laws and ongoing political battles over LGBTQ+ protections.

Starbucks is attempting to relocate parts of its Seattle-based workforce, including its North America sourcing team, to Tennessee. Pictured, Starbucks HQ in Seattle, Washington State

Workers, many based in left-leaning Seattle, have resisted relocating to conservative Tennessee, according to people familiar with the situation

It is a sharp contrast to Starbucks long-standing public support for progressive causes, including gender identity policies and diversity initiatives.

The tension underscores a broader shift sweeping corporate America, as companies increasingly migrate jobs to lower-cost, Republican-led states in search of tax advantages and cheaper labor - even if it means disrupting established teams and risking internal backlash.

Starbucks declined to go beyond a formal memo to employees, signed by chief partner officer Sara Kelly, in which the company emphasized that Nashville offers proximity to key suppliers, access to talent, and closer alignment with its expanding footprint across the South and East of the country.

To lure reluctant staff, Starbucks has offered stock grants worth tens of thousands of dollars, travel reimbursements of up to $2,000 for exploratory visits to Nashville, and extended timelines for decision-making.

For those who still refuse, the company has dangled retention bonuses starting at around $15,000 provided they stay on until the end of the year.

Employees asked to relocate were also told their salaries would be reduced by at least 5% to reflect Nashville's lower cost of living, with spreadsheets provided to calculate the financial impact.

For many, the combination of relocating together with a pay cut is proving a tough sell.

Starbucks is pushing ahead with a sweeping cost-cutting and restructuring plan.

Starbucks is investing $100 million to build a new corporate hub in Nashville expected to house up to 2,000 jobs

Some employees were told they must move to Nashville or risk losing their jobs

The company is aiming to slash $2 billion in expenses over two years, partly by streamlining its supply chain and shifting operations to lower-cost regions.

Around 2,000 corporate roles have already been cut, even as Starbucks invests in store staffing and renovations to revive sales after a period of decline.

The sourcing team being asked to move is not easily replaced. Industry experts warn that decades of supplier relationships and institutional knowledge are on the line - assets that cannot simply be rebuilt overnight in a new city.

Meanwhile, some employees who had recently interviewed for Seattle-based roles say they were blindsided when those positions were suddenly reassigned to Nashville after the hiring process had already begun.

The Nashville expansion is said to be central to the company's long-term growth strategy.

In partnership with state leaders including Bill Lee, Starbucks says it will create up to 2,000 jobs in the city over the next five years.

Starbucks plans to maintain the majority of its corporate workforce in Seattle, above, despite the new hub

Workers asked to relocate were informed they would face pay cuts of at least 5% due to lower living costs in Nashville

The office, expected to open temporarily this spring before a permanent location is completed by 2027, will serve as a second corporate hub alongside its Seattle headquarters.

Chief executive Brian Niccol framed the move as a strategic investment, saying Nashville offers 'great talent' and proximity to the company's fastest-growing markets in the Southeast.

Local officials have celebrated the decision as a major economic win.

Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell said the project would create 'high-paying wages' and expand opportunity for residents, while state economic leaders touted Tennessee's business-friendly climate and lower taxes.
A Florida couple who gave birth to the wrong baby in an IVF mix-up are now desperate to keep the child after her biological parents were identified.

Tiffany Score and Steven Mills welcomed a healthy baby girl into their lives last December after having undergone treatments at the Fertility Clinic of Orlando.

But genetic testing after birth confirmed the couple were not the biological parents of the child, whom they named Shea.

The couple sued the clinic and their fertility doctor Milton McNichol for negligence in January, according to court filings obtained by the Daily Mail.

They requested that Nichol and the IVF center help unite Shea with her 'genetic parents' and account for their missing embryos, the complaint said.

Genetic testing results delivered to the couple on Tuesday have identified another couple, referred to as Patient 004, as Shea's natural parents.

Score and Mills previously issued a statement saying they felt they had a 'moral obligation' to find Shea's genetic parents, but have now said they want to keep raising her as their own.

'The results of testing delivered to us yesterday confirm that our baby's genetic parents have been identified,' the couple told the Daily Mail in a statement through their attorney.

Genetic testing has now identified the biological parents of Tiffany Score and Steven Mills' infant daughter Shea

The Millses previously issued a statement saying they felt they had a 'moral obligation' to find Shea's genetic parents, but have now said they want to keep raising her as their own

The couple welcomed Shea into their lives in December 2025, after having received treatment at the Fertility Clinic of Orlando (pictured)

'This ends one chapter in our heartbreaking journey, but it raises new issues that will have to be resolved. In addition, questions about the disposition of our own embryos are still unanswered and are even more unlikely to ever be answered.

'Only one thing is as absolutely certain today as it was on the day our daughter was born, we will love and will be this child's parents forever.'

The couple are respecting the privacy of Shea's genetic parents, who have not been named publicly at this time.

It is unclear if the couple, who according to their lawsuit have developed an 'intensely strong emotional bond' with Shea, will get to keep custody of the child.

They previously said in a statement: 'We love our little girl, and if possible, we would hope to be able to continue to raise her ourselves with confidence that she won't be taken away from us.'

Photos shared on Score's Facebook page depict a seemingly happy family-of-three. The couple and Shea are seen smiling and enjoying each other's embraces.

The new mother said in a post that although their situation is 'impossible and deeply frustrating,' she and Mills are not angry.

Photos shared on Score's Facebook page, depict a seemingly happy family-of-three

It is unclear if the couple, who according to their lawsuit have developed an 'intensely strong emotional bond' with Shea, will get to keep custody of the child

After genetic testing identified Shea's biological parents, Score (pictured with her daughter) and Mills issued a statement vowing that they 'will love and will be this child's parents forever'

'What we are feeling right now isn't anger, it's gratitude. Gratitude and joy for our healthy, beautiful baby girl. Gratitude that we get to hold her, kiss her, and love her,' she wrote.

'She is the light of our lives and the one beautiful thing that has come from all of this. No matter how or why this happened, she is ours in every way that matters. The moments we share with her are everything.

'We are so overwhelmed by the support we have received as we continue to seek answers about our own embryos, if they still exist, or if we may have biological children somewhere in the world.'

Score had her eggs removed and joined with Mills's sperm through in vitro fertilization six years ago. Their embryos were subsequently frozen, the lawsuit said.

She had an embryo transfer in February 2025, which failed, and a second one April 7 that same year, according to the complaint.

Embryos are stored in labelled straws before being slipped into a petri dish for rehydration and placed in an incubator to be monitored for one to two hours, the filing said. Afterwards, an embryo is implanted into the patient.

The couple were contacted by a patient who had an embryo transfer at the Fertility Clinic of Orlando on the same day as the couple after seeing media reports about the couple's fertility mix-up, the complaint said.

That patient, whose last name is similar to the Millses', told the couple that she too had undergone IVF and welcomed a baby in December.

Tiffany Score underwent an embryo transfer in February 2025, which failed. The requisition records for the transfer had a straw labeled 'Tiffany Score #1'

The second transfer on April 7, 2025 used a straw labeled 'Tiffany Score #2'

Steven Mills and Tiffany Score during her pregnancy with their non-biological daughter Shea

The families shared photographs of their children, with the complaint noting that woman and Shea had similar complexions.

Jack Scarola, an attorney for the Mills, confirmed to the Daily Mail that the patient who approached the couple is not Patient 004.

'There is no reason to believe that her baby is the genetic child of our clients,' he added.

Scarola said there are still 'remaining questions about the fate of Tiffany and Steven's unaccounted for embryos.'

'In addition, the safe transfer, confirmation of identity, and protection of the single remaining embryo the clinic attributes to our clients are still pending,' he said.

His co-counsel Mara Hatfield, during a hearing on February 18, told the court that it is likely the embryo mix-up happened six years ago during the fertilization process.

She also said it is possible that the mix-up occurred in April 2025 when Score was implanted with an embryo at the clinic.

The Fertility Clinic of Orlando will be sold to new owners by May 1. Patients were notified of the change via letter, court filings showed.

The couple sued the clinic and their fertility doctor Milton McNichol for negligence in January

Lawyers for McNichol filed a motion to dismiss their lawsuit which proved unsuccessful.

They said the case should be tossed because: 'Plaintiffs (1) fail to set forth a valid cause of action against Defendant; and (2) fail to otherwise meet the requirements for emergency and/or preliminary injunctive relief against the Defendant.'

They claimed the couple's request to locate Shea's biological parents would result in a violation of other patients' privacy.

'Plaintiffs cite no basis in any rule, statute or case which would give this Court any authority to require Defendant to go into patient files and contact patients of his practice who had embryos in storage in the Defendants office, to send an unsolicited copy of the Plaintiffs Amended Complaint and a copy of a photograph of the infant Plaintiff, somehow, with no description of how, affording these patients the opportunity to determine whether the infant Plaintiff might be their child or whether these patients may have been the recipient of one of their embryos,' the filing states.

McNichol still has an active medical license, according to the Florida Department of Health. It is set to expire in January 2028.

McNichol was reprimanded by Florida's Board of Medicine in May 2024 after an inspection of the clinic in June 2023 revealed several issues.

These reportedly included equipment that 'did not meet current performance standards,' not complying with a risk-management agenda and missing medication.

He was fined $5,000 as a result of the offenses.

The Daily Mail has contacted attorneys for McNichol, the Fertility Clinic of Orlando and Patient 004 for comment.
Travellers have occupied a historic Edinburgh landmark after they reportedly smashed their way through a fence.

Residents attempted to stop the group from entering the Huly Hill site, which dates back to 2500 BC, by erecting concrete blocks at the entrance.

The bollards were put in place after travellers frequently entered Huly Hill in the past and after Edinburgh City Council reportedly refused to secure the site.

Nevertheless, the travellers managed to once again access the area, and more than a dozen caravans are parked up on the plot of land - which sits at a junction of the M8 and M9 motorways near Edinburgh Airport.

Locals are demanding Edinburgh City Council evict the travellers before they cause any vandalism to the site as they allegedly did in the past.

They are also once again petitioning the council to secure the site.

The travellers currently on site have allegedly already damaged the fence by forcing entry through a weak spot.

And the bollards, which were put in place by the Newbridge and Ratho Station Community Association with the help of local businesses, remain in place.

Travellers have occupied the Huly Hill site, which dates back to 2500 BC, despite residents erecting concrete blocks at the entrance

Pictured: A hole in the fence at the site. More than a dozen caravans are parked up on the plot of land - which sits at a junction of the M8 and M9 motorways near Edinburgh Airport

Concerned locals are demanding Edinburgh City Council evict the travellers before they cause any vandalism to the site as they allegedly had in the past

Residents have also reported feeling threatened when attempting to access the heritage site, and there is a growing sense of anger against the 'inaction' of Police Scotland and the council.

In a statement, a spokesperson for Newbridge and Ratho Station Community Association said: 'Huly Hill is a site of significant archaeological importance, featuring a cairn and stone circle that date back to approximately 2500 BC.

'The site was famously excavated in 1830, a process that uncovered various items of historical interest and solidified its status as a piece of Scotland's ancient heritage.

'Despite its protected status, the area has become a frequent target for unauthorised camps. Local residents remain haunted by the events of last year, when a large group of travellers occupied the land for an extended period.'

They added that the 'occupation' of Hully Hill often leaves the community with a 'massive clean-up operation involving mounds of rubbish, discarded appliances such as fridges, and human faeces'.

The spokesperson also claimed that the council 'blocked plans' to secure the site last year which forced the Newbridge and Ratho Station Community Association to 'find other solutions'.

It continued: 'Following previous incursions, the association reached out to local businesses for support.

'A nearby concrete company stepped in to donate heavy-duty concrete barriers, which were installed to block the majority of the site.'

The spokesperson went on to state that the portion of the fence now destroyed was highlighted to the council as a weak spot, but this warning was ignored.

They are now saying that the traveller group identified the weakness and destroyed the section of fence to gain access to the site.

'The community went to great lengths to secure this site because we knew the risks,' one local, who wished to remain anonymous, said.

'To see that effort undermined is heartbreaking for everyone who cares about our local history and remembers how much environmental damage the last travelling community caused.'

Traveller communities have protected status in Scotland, and local authorities must negotiate systems of bureaucratic red tape before an eviction notice can be issued by the courts.

The council said they will assess the situation today, and a series of visits to the site are understood to be planned.

Early on Wednesday, Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener Tim Pogson said: 'I completely understand and share concerns that residents have raised. Officers will be visiting the site today to assess the situation and determine what immediate steps can be taken.

'Last year, officers met with representatives from the local community, HES and Police Scotland to explore longer-term measures to secure the site, alongside interim arrangements.

'As much of the land is owned by the Scottish Government, we will continue to work with them and partners to support progress towards longer-term solutions.'

The Daily Mail has approached Edinburgh City Council for comment.
Experience the full interactive Multichannel News Release here: https://www.multivu.com/nestle-purina/9394251-en-purina-pro-plan-veterinary-thank-a-veterinarian

From April 15, 2026, until May 31, 2026, for every message submitted, Pro Plan Veterinary will donate $1, up to $50,000, to be split equally between its non-profit partners in the Pro Plan Veterinary Support Mission*, which helps remove barriers that veterinarians often face in practice. In addition, pet lovers can nominate their favorite veterinary clinic for a chance to win a $10,000 donation.

"As a veterinarian, I know firsthand that we give our all to our patients, every day, in everything we do," said Callie Harris, DVM, Pro Plan Veterinary. "This World Vet Day, Pro Plan Veterinary wants to recognize the impact veterinarians have and help make it easy for pet owners to share their appreciation too."

The Calling to Care

Many veterinarians are drawn to the idea of becoming vets at a young age  many as early as elementary school. For veterinarians, it is more than a job; it is a lifelong calling to care for animals and the people who love them. Yet behind the expertise and compassion veterinarians offer every day is a profession that faces increasing obstacles that impact emotional and mental health. Research shows veterinary burnout is widespread with 74% of veterinarians reported experiencing medium or high burnout.2 They also report significantly higher levels of exhaustion than the general U.S. population  61% compared to 32%.2,3

Since its launch in 2024, the Pro Plan Veterinary Support Mission has provided more than $3.5 million in funding to organizations tackling challenges in the veterinary industry to help veterinarians thrive  personally and professionally, every single day. These challenges include mental health support for stress through a partnership with the Veterinary Hope Foundation; financial assistance when clients can't afford life-saving care, supported through the American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF) REACH Program and Paisley Paws; and increasing access to expert care for challenging behavior cases, provided by Ease Pet Vet.

The Pro Plan Veterinary Support Mission continues to provide support ensuring veterinarians don't have to choose between caring for their patients and caring for themselves.

Working For Vets on World Vet Day and Beyond

World Veterinary Day celebrates the essential role veterinarians play, but Pro Plan Veterinary recognizes that veterinarians deserve support and recognition year-round.

"As veterinarians, we see pet owners through the best and worst times with their pets, and that takes an emotional toll  on them and on us," said Dr. Harris. "Pro Plan Veterinary understands the stress and challenges this profession faces. That's why the Pro Plan Vet Support Mission exists: to help alleviate the strain so we as veterinarians can continue fulfilling our calling to care."

For more information on the Pro Plan Vet Support Mission, to share your message of thanks and for full rules, visit Thanks.ProPlanVet.com.

*Nestle Purina PetCare Company ("Purina") will donate $1.00, up to $50,000, to be split equally between the Veterinary Hope Foundation, the American Veterinary Medical Association Foundation, and Paisley Paws Charitable Veterinary Foundation, for each Thank You note shared at thanks.proplanvet.com between 12:00 am ET on 4/15/26 and 11:59 pm ET on 5/31/26.

1 Boehringer Ingelheim. (2025, February 7). New survey shows that over 90% of animal owners trust and appreciate veterinary teams but underestimate the demands of the profession. https://www.boehringer-ingelheim.com/ca/new-survey-shows-over-90-animal-owners-trust-and-appreciate-veterinary-teams-underestimate-demands. Retrieved April 14, 2026, from [boehringer...elheim.com].

2 Volk, J. O., Schimmack, U., Strand, E. B., Reinhard, A., Hahn, J., Andrews, J., Probyn-Smith, K., & Jones, R. (2024). Work-life balance is essential to reducing burnout, improving well-being. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 262(7), 950-957. Retrieved Apr 14, 2026, from https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.24.02.0135.

3 Larkin, M. (2024, January 22). Veterinary profession heading in right direction with mental health. American Veterinary Medical Association. https://www.avma.org/news/veterinary-profession-heading-right-direction-mental-health. Retrieved April 14, 2026, from [avma.org].

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A South Carolina mother who drowned her two young children in her car before keeping a string of lovers while behind bars is back up for parole.

Susan Smith was convicted in 1995 for the murders of her two sons, Michael, 3, and Alexander, 1, after she strapped them into her car and rolled it into John D Long Lake in 1994.

Now, Smith is once again eligible for release after she was denied supervised release in 2024 as she continues to serve a 30-years-to-life sentence.

As she was denied parole, the killer mom told men while behind bars over voice and text correspondence that she 'didn't cry enough.'

'They look for remorse and emotion and I guess I just didn't show enough,' she told one man, according to transcripts obtained by the Daily Mail.

Smith, currently incarcerated at the Leath Correctional Institution in Greenwood, spent hours on the phone with lovelorn men and sent or received around 15 to 20 text messages a day.

At her last parole hearing, Smith said: 'I know what I did was horrible. I would give anything so I could change it.

'God is a big part of my life. He has forgiven me, and I ask that you show that kind of mercy, as well.'

Susan Smith, who was convicted in 1995 for the murders of her two sons, is once again up for consideration for parole in November

Smith's sons Michael, three, and Alexander, 14-months-old, were strapped into their car seats by Smith, who then let the car roll into a lake in South Carolina

Smith's ex-husband, David seen in tears after his sons' funeral in 1995, vowed to attend every parole hearing in the future to ensure she remain behind bars

David Smith, her ex-husband, however, pleaded that she stay behind bars.

'It's just not enough,' he said through tears. 'I'm asking that you please, please deny her parole today and hopefully in the future, but specifically today.'

David vowed at the time to attend every parole hearing in the future to ensure she remain behind bars.

Smith was a 22-year-old married mother living in Union, South Carolina, when she became internationally infamous for drowning her two sons in a lake near her home.

According to court records, she had started an affair with Tom Findlay, the son of her boss at Conso Products - a home decor trim company.

But after Smith kissed and fondled another man during a 1994 naked hot tub party, Findlay dumped her and told her in a letter that he didn't want to be with a woman with children.

'Susan, I could really fall for you,' Findlay wrote. 'You have so many endearing qualities about you, and I think that you are a terrific person.'

'But like I have told you before, there are some things about you that aren't suited for me, and yes, I am speaking about your children,' he added.

Smith was a 22-year-old married mother living in Union, South Carolina, when she became internationally infamous for drowning her two sons in a lake near her home

Her ex-husband, David, holds up a picture of his murdered sons and smiles on July 28 after Smith was sentenced to life imprisonment on two counts of murder

'I'm sure that your kids are good kids, but it really wouldn't matter how good they may be... the fact is, I just don't want children.'

A week later, a furious and despondent Smith let her burgundy Mazda roll down a boat ramp into John D. Long Lake with her two sons still strapped into their car seats. She stood on the side of the lake and watched the car sink to the bottom as the boys cried.

After the brothers drowned, Smith falsely told police that a black man had carjacked her, leading to an exhaustive search in which cops went door to door of black residents in the area, interrogating hundreds of innocent men.

For nine days Smith and her husband David made tearful appearances on TV begging the supposed kidnapper to return their boys before she finally confessed to killing them. Authorities dragged her vehicle from the lake with the two boys' lifeless bodies still strapped in their car seats.

Smith was convicted on two counts of first-degree murder. The jury rejected the death penalty and she was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole in 30 years.

But Smith told a friend in the summer of 2024 that she was sure she would be freed one day.

'I will get out of here,' she said. 'I am not going to die in prison. I believe that with all my heart.'

Smith, while behind bars, hit headlines again after she had sex with two jailhouse guards in Columbia, South Carolina. The men were later charged with having sex with her and she was relocated to Greenwood.

Smith broke down in tears at her parole hearing in November as she claimed she had found religion, but the parole board rejected her request for freedom

Smith has also had a series of infractions during her incarceration, including drug use, and self-mutilations

Former prosecutor Tommy Pope told Greenville News in 2024: 'The belief was that she would spend her time thinking about Michael and Alex. It's clear she hasn't been thinking about Michael and Alex.'

'She's having sex with the guards and now got guys that want her on social media when she gets out of prison. She's not focused on remorse for the lives she took. I think she needs to continue to serve her sentence and serve it out forward,' he added.

Smith has also had a series of infractions during her incarceration, including drug use, and self-mutilations.

Then, just weeks before she became eligible for parole, she was convicted of a prison disciplinary charge for communicating with a filmmaker from behind bars.

She was said to have been discussing her crimes, and providing contact information for friends, family and victims, including her former husband. The filmmaker also deposited money into Smith's account, police said.

If her application for parole is denied, she can apply again in two years. Her hearing is set for November.

Data shows the board grants approximately 8 percent of parole requests for violent offenders.
Nigel Farage today declared Keir Starmer will be 'gone before the end of May' as the Peter Mandelson scandal has left the Prime Minister's credibility 'shot to pieces'.

The Reform UK leader accused Sir Keir of 'riding roughshod over normal procedure' in his appointment of the disgraced peer as Britain's US ambassador.

The PM is facing growing calls to quit - including from among Labour MPs - after the bombshell revelation that Lord Mandelson was given the senior role despite failing security vetting checks.

In a speech in Barnsley on Wednesday, as he continued his campaigning ahead of local elections, Mr Farage predicted Sir Keir would 'cling on' until next month's contests.

But the Reform leader said Labour MPs would 'move against' the PM after the 7 May elections, which - Mr Farage predicted - would see their party 'obliterated' in some parts of the country.

The Reform leader suggested however Sir Keir was so unpopular he was doing Reform a favour by remaining in situ.

Keir Starmers absolutely fatal electoral flaw is that nobody takes him as sincere. So cynically it might suit us if he stays to the next election.

Realistically, if I'm even half right about the predictions I've made from this lectern today, they will get rid of him.

And with Angela Rayner eyeing up Sir Keirs job, Mr Farage said yesterday the economic damage of a Rayner premiership would probably, in the long term, help us enormously.

Mr Farage said his campaigning over the past few weeks had shown Labour is 'crumbling in its heartlands' as voters turn against the Government's Net Zero agenda and the 'unpatriotic' PM.

He suggested Reform would win more than a thousand council seats across England on 7 May, while also vying with Plaid Cymru to win the Welsh Senedd elections.

Mr Farage said a 'remarkable' result might also see his party come second - and ahead of Labour - in contests for the Scottish Parliament.

Nigel Farage declared Keir Starmer will be 'gone before the end of May' as the Peter Mandelson scandal has left the Prime Minister's credibility 'shot to pieces'

The Reform UK leader accused Sir Keir of 'riding roughshod over normal procedure' in his appointment of the disgraced peer as Britain's US ambassador

In a speech in Barnsley on Wednesday, as he continued his campaigning ahead of local elections , Mr Farage predicted Sir Keir would 'cling on' until next month's contests

Earlier on Wednesday, Sir Keir did not deny during Prime Minister's Questions that Downing Street had also considered giving Matthew Doyle, his former spin doctor, a top diplomatic job.

Lord Doyle had the Labour whip withdrawn earlier this year after it emerged he had campaigned on behalf of a friend who had been charged with possessing indecent images of children.

'I think his credibility is shot to pieces,' Mr Farage said of Sir Keir at the rally in South Yorkshire.

'His actions and his judgement are seriously in doubt. I think if Labour get obliterated in the Red Wall, in South Wales and in Scotland then he'll be gone by the end of May.'

The Reform leader described Sir Keir as a man who has previously 'prided himself on being professional, on being thorough and good at everything he does'.

He added: 'The man of process has ridden roughshod over normal procedure.

'The very thought that Mandelson was even chosen in the first place is quite extraordinary, but the fact that he was actually put into a very senior position and open to confidential documents.

'Bear in mind that we share with the Americans intelligence to the highest level, including nuclear capability.

'The thought that the PM wanted this guy to be there on Pennsylvania Avenue without any vetting process having been done is astonishing.'

Sir Keir last week sacked Olly Robbins as the top official at the Foreign Office for not disclosing to him that Lord Mandelson failed security vetting checks.

The PM has previously seen Morgan McSweeney depart as his chief of staff over the damaging scandal, while he axed Chris Wormald as the head of the civil service in February as he scrambles to get his premiership back on track.

Mr Farage continued: 'My feeling is he (Sir Keir) will cling on. He'll sack everybody around him, even if he's the last man standing. He'll never, ever take responsibility himself for anything that he's done.

'So he'll hang on until 7 May. And on 7 May things are going to change... we're going to show that if you vote Reform, you will get rid of Starmer.'

And Mr Farage warned yesterday that trade union Unite could next month disassociate from the Labour Party  after a long running dispute over bin strikes in Birmingham.

Reform earlier this month held secret talks with Unite to try and negotiate an end to the long-running strikes.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham has previously warned her union is coming to the end of the line as far as Labour is concerned.
Special Forces troops who served in Northern Ireland have welcomed a delay to Labour's controversial Troubles Bill after 'substantial amendments' were announced to protect veterans.

In a written ministerial statement, Northern Ireland secretary Hilary Benn said that after consultations with various groups, 'it has been clear that we must do more through the legislation to safeguard our veterans community.'

He added that a 'substantial package of amendments' were being designed to 'improve the process for victims and families, further safeguard our Operation Banner [Northern Ireland] veterans and ensure oversight of their protections.'

He said the Bill, which has now been delayed until the next parliamentary session to allow for further 'scrutiny', will 'clearly differentiate between the role played during the Troubles by our brave security forces and the actions of paramilitary terrorists.'

Labour announced its plan to replace the Conservative Government's Legacy Act, which effectively banned all Troubles-era prosecutions, inquests and civil cases, last year.

The Tory legislation was designed to protect veterans who served during the Troubles but also offered a de facto immunity to IRA and Loyalist killers.

Labour's plan, which was struck with the Irish government, includes a new legacy commission to investigate Troubles-related killings and a separate information recovery body.

It also offered six protections for veterans including being able to give evidence remotely and not being re-investigated unless there were 'compelling reasons.'

The aftermath of the SAS mission targeting eight IRA men intent on attacking a police station in Loughgall, County Armagh, in 1988

Hilary Benn announced on Wednesday that the Government is making amendments to its controversial Troubles Bill

But it has also paved the way for inquests to resume which could lead to further prosecutions of soldiers, such as an inquiry into the 1987 IRA attack on a police station in Loughgall, County Armagh.

An eight-man IRA unit armed with assault rifles and a 400lb bomb targeted a Royal Ulster Constabulary [RUC] base in the village but they were killed by elite undercover SAS soldiers.

The SAS men now face being made to answer questions in court about the operation.

One told the Daily Mail last year: 'They're hanging soldiers out to dry, traumatising veterans and damaging operations today because younger troops fear they will be treated the same if they open fire.'

Northern Ireland Veterans Commissioner David Johnstone said new inquests into Troubles killings 'can be used to rewrite the narrative in favour of terrorists.'

In a joint statement responding to the Government's latest Troubles legacy proposals, associations representing the SAS, Special Boat Service [SBS] and the Special Reconnaissance Regiment [SSR] said they 'welcome the decision to delay the committee stage of the Troubles Bill to give sufficient time for scrutiny.'

The statement added: 'Despite repeated assurances from Hilary Benn, we must emphasise that the Government's current much vaunted 'protections' do not actually safeguard veterans sufficiently.'

They said the amendments must prevent 'vexatious' proceedings, adding: 'We don't seek immunity, we simply seek fairness.

'The egregious mistreatment of veterans and the ongoing infringement of their rights has to end.'

Sinn Fein MP John Finucane said the delay 'displays no thought or empathy for families, but rather is designed to placate the British military lobby and the interests of security and intelligence agencies.'

Shortly after the ministerial statement was released yesterday, Mr Benn faced questions from the joint human rights select committee.

He told members of the House of Commons and House of Lords that there was 'no such thing' as vexatious prosecutions in Northern Ireland or 'politically-motivated prosecutions.'

He also dismissed a call to rescind so-called 'letters of comfort' issued under the Blair government to on-the-run terrorists telling them that they were not at risk of prosecution if they returned to Northern Ireland.

The scheme emerged in the collapse of the 2014 criminal trial of IRA man John Downey, who was accused of involvement in the 1982 Hyde Park bombing. Downey produced the letter and the judge ruled his arrest had been an abuse of process.

Mr Benn said the letters 'did not offer anybody immunity from prosecution', saying this was a 'really important point.'
Every school will have a portrait of the King, a Union Jack and a 'patriotic' curriculum that teaches them about empire, Reform UK have pledged if they win the next election.

Announcing the plans ahead of St George's Day, Nigel Farage's party said every school in England would be required to honour the patron saint's day if it took power.

The party said it wanted to 'end the ideological capture of our classrooms' by introducing a new history curriculum to 'honour our island story with pride'.

Reform's education spokesman Suella Braverman accused previous governments of 'promoting their mass migration agenda' in schools.

The party said children were taught to be 'ashamed' of Britain's past and were not taught about its men and women who fought for freedom.

It highlighted a survey by Policy Exchange that found that only 20 per cent of 18 to 24-year-olds have a positive view of Winston Churchill.

Outlining the case for change, the survey also showed that only 41 per cent of 18 to 27-year-olds  Gen Z  said they were proud to British.

Reform said children should be taught the 'true story' of Britain  not history taught through a 'progressive lens'.

Reform, which has made former Tory minister Suella Braverman its new education spokeswoman, could allow them to be set up via the free school system

Under their plans to overhaul classrooms, British history would form a minimum of 60 per cent of the curriculum.

This would have to reflect a 'patriotic' history of the British Isles 'instead of one that has been retrofitted to justify mass immigration', they said.

Events such as the Magna Carta, the Wars of the Roses, the English Civil War, the Glorious Revolution, the Act of Union, the Enlightenment and Victorian Britain would take centre stage.

All schools would be required to display the King's portrait in a common area visible to all students under those plans.

The party said that in 2024, every state-funded school in the country was offered a free portrait of the King, but only 34 per cent took up the offer.

Every school would have to fly the Union Jack under their plans, with the party funding flagpoles which only that flag can be flown from.

Their plans would apply to devolved nations, with Scotland and Wales flying their flags and celebrating their national days.

Ms Braverman said: 'Tory and Labour governments have failed a generation of young people with a substandard curriculum that undermines academic rigour and national identity in favour of promoting their mass migration agenda.

'Reform will end this. As Education Secretary I will introduce a new curriculum that will rekindle national pride and ensure that every child leaves school with an understanding of what a privilege it is to be British.'

It came as a bombshell poll showed the Greens and Reform are expected to do well in London in the local elections, taking seats off Labour.

The YouGov MRP predicted that Reform will be the best-supported party in Labour-run Barking and Dagenham, Conservative-run Bromley, and Havering, which is currently under no overall control.

Mr Farage said in December that his party had a 'very real chance' of winning in 'half a dozen' London boroughs.
John Swinney has said he wants to work with Sinn Fein to bolster his campaign to break up the United Kingdom.

The First Minister said he would enjoy cooperating with the party, which has historic links to IRA terrorism, and with Welsh Nationalists Plaid Cymru to secure Scottish independence.

Their collaboration would change the dynamics of the UK irreversibly, he said.

The Scottish Conservatives said it proved the Union is on the line at this election.

Mr Swinney has repeatedly said the SNP will win a Holyrood majority in May and it would give him a mandate to secure a new vote on separation.

Plaid, who want independence for Wales, are close to an historic win in the Senedd, with a poll this week putting them level with Reform UK as Labours support collapses.

Sinn Feins Michelle ONeill is already First Minister of Northern Ireland and is not due to face an election until next year.

The largest party at Stormont, Sinn Fein wants a referendum on a united Ireland by 2030.

John Swinney says he would 'enjoy' working with Sinn Fein and Plaid Cymru to secure Scottish independence

Scottish Tory deputy leader Rachael Hamilton said: Pro-UK voters will be appalled and terrified at the prospect of John Swinney working in cahoots with Sinn Fein to break up the United Kingdom.

This shows his and the SNPs true colours - they will gladly team up with any party, in any corner of the UK, so long as they share his obsession with tearing it apart.

Thats why the prospect of an SNP majority, which Swinney reckons is in the bag, is so frightening.

Keir Starmer is so weak he would probably give into his demands.

The Union is on the line at this election, and only the Scottish Conservatives can be trusted to defend it.

Although allied Nationalist governments in Belfast, Edinburgh and Cardiff have been possible since devolution, this year is the first when it has been a realistic scenario.

Ex-Tory cabinet minister Penny Mordaunt has warned the Union could be at risk if Sinn Fein, the SNP and Plaid hold power simultaneously.

She told Sky News in January: There are some real dangers.

You could, over the next couple of years, potentially, have three parties in the driving seat in the devolved administrations who are all pro-breaking up the United Kingdom. So us Unionists, we cannot be complacent in this at all.

At an election event in Edinburgh, Mr Swinney was asked about an SNP majority government working with Sinn Fein and Plaid first ministers to get independence for all three home nations.

He said: I certainly would enjoy the cooperation with counterparts in Plaid and Sinn Fein in Wales and Northern Ireland.

I dont speak for them.

But certainly, from my part, I would appreciate that collaboration to change the dynamics of the United Kingdom so that we can I can secure my objective of winning Scottish independence.

I think the United Kingdom would be changed irreversibly if that outcome was to be the case.

Michelle ONeill does not face an election in Northern Ireland at this stage, but she will be in office. And obviously the opportunities for Plaid Cymru are very visible in Wales.

Asked why three Nationalist governments would change the UK irreversibly, he said: Because of the nature of the discussions that would then be taking place around the United Kingdom and between the devolved governments and the United Kingdom Government.

[It] would change very dramatically with the fact that all those three countries would be led, potentially, by governments committed to fundamental change in the United Kingdom.

A Plaid Cymru spokesman said: Electing a Plaid Cymru government in Wales and an SNP government in Scotland would result in a powerful bloc - one that would serve as a wake-up call for the UK Labour Government that they would ignore at their peril.

Pollster Mark Diffley, founder of the Diffley Partnership research agency, said Mr Swinney was glossing over complexities, such as Sinn Fein sharing power with the Unionist DUP and Plaid Cymru being unlikely to win a majority.

But he said a trio of separatist leaders could be a big psychological moment for England and Westminster.

He said: It would be a blow for the Prime Minister.

First Minister of Northern Ireland Michelle ONeill is not due to face an election until next year

Having three Nationalist governments trying to wrangle concessions all the time from a weak Government thats trying to focus on the economy or war is definitely problematic.

Whether it furthers the course of independence in all three countries is another matter.

Reform UK Scotland candidate Thomas Kerr said: The people of Scotland will be absolutely appalled to hear John Swinney cosy up to Sinn Fein.

They harbour ties to some of the most prolific murders and domestic terrorists our country has seen - Swinney is being clumsy at best, and stoking hatred at worst.

He should offer an apology and think before he speaks in future.

Scottish Liberal Democrat campaign chair Wendy Chamberlain said: Aside from John Swinney, the person most excited by the prospect of the UK being destabilised is Vladimir Putin.

Scottish Labour deputy leader Dame Jackie Baillie said: If Swinney spent less time pushing his narrative of grievance and always seeking to blame someone else for his failures, then perhaps Scotland would be in a better place.

Sinn Fein were contacted for comment.
A Conde Nast writer who owns a stunning $2.2 million brownstone home in Brooklyn proudly admitted to shoplifting because she believes it is not 'morally wrong' to steal from corporations.

The New Yorker contributor Jia Tolentino, 37, claimed stealing food from Whole Foods Market is not 'very significant' because the supermarket, which is owned by Amazon billionaire Jeff Bezos, can afford the losses and mistreats its workers.

She admitted to pilfering small-value items, including lemons, to The New York Times during a sit-down with millionaire communist Hasan Piker and culture editor Nadja Spiegelman in a conversation about the rise of 'micro-looting' from shops.

Tolentino, who has worked at Vogue publisher Conde Nast since 2016, said there were a number of items and products she would not feel guilty about stealing, also including sharing her Netflix password and pirating music from others' Spotify accounts.

She added that she would 'cheer on' anyone stealing priceless art from the Louvre, and said her philosophy on theft was based on who the victim was.

'I think that stealing from a big box store is not a very significant moral wrong,' she said. 'However, nor is it significant in any way as protest or direct action.'

'But I did steal from Whole Foods on several occasions,' said Tolentino, who has written two successful books.

Putting a woke and self-serving spin on her lawbreaking, Tolentino told of pilfering from Whole Foods while involved with her neighborhood 'mutual aid' group that saw her go shopping for a friend called 'Miss Nancy.'

Jia Tolentino, a writer at the New Yorker, proudly admitted to shoplifting because she believes it is not 'morally wrong' to steal from corporations

Tolentino lives in an opulent $2.2 million brownstone in Brooklyn, but argued this week that said she doesn't believe it is a 'moral wrong' to steal from rich corporations - and added that she would 'cheer on' anyone stealing priceless art from the Louvre

Tolentino said that when she would pick up food for her friend, she forgot items like lemons and decided to steal them rather than going through the hassle of standing in line to check out again.

'I forgot four lemons. And on several occasions, I was like, Im just going to go back, grab those four lemons and get the hell out,' she said.

'But I didnt feel bad about it at all.'

Tolentino sought to further justify her theft by claiming that Whole Foods loses as much stock to its staff as to shoppers and by implying that workers' alleged mistreatment justified her antics.

'These companies expect [stealing] from their employees that they are disenfranchising constantly,' Tolentino said.

Tolentino, a staff writer at the New Yorker, lives in a sprawling five-bed, four-bath brownstone home in Brooklyn's desirable Clinton Hill neighborhood, public records show.

The property sits a few blocks away from a Food Emporium supermarket and Family Dollar store - although Tolentino did not say whether she has stolen from those, too.

Tolentino made the admission to the New York Times in a sit-down with culture editor Nadja Spiegelman, in a conversation about 'why petty theft might be the new political protest'

The author, who is married to architect Andrew Daley, 40, bought the gorgeous brownstone with a $1.5 million mortgage in 2023.

The privileged pair also own a second home in the ritzy upstate New York town of Saugerties, a cabin bought with a $200,000 mortgage in 2018 that is now worth almost $500,000.

Asked if her lack of guilt was based on how she felt about Whole Foods as a corporation, Tolentino responded: 'Yeah. It already felt like a bit of a compromise.'

'At the time, I was like, I had not been to Whole Foods. I had a bit more consumer discipline about where I was spending my money then, and I already felt like I was in the hole, even by shopping there,' she said.

'And it certainly felt, in a utilitarian sense, I was like, this is not a big deal.'

Piker - a self-described pro-Communism activist who has sparked backlash for often wearing expensive clothing and taking luxury trips - then chimed in to say he is 'pro-stealing from big corporations.'

The conversation was widely criticized, even by the New York Times's own famously liberal readers, who flooded the outlet's comment section to share their disgust.

Tolentino made the shocking argument in favor of shoplifting in a conversation with avowed communist Hasan Piker

'You are all part of the problem,' one commenter wrote.

'Can we all agree to crack down on the wealthy stealing instead of approving of everyone else stealing too? It's just wrong.'

Another described the opinion piece from the Times as 'appalling,' and argued that 'retail theft hurts everyone,' including their employees.

'If you can't afford Whole Foods, go somewhere less expensive,' they wrote.

'Everyone should have food access but no one is entitled to shop at stores out of their price range and then steal items... Go without the lemons - sheesh!'

A commenter from Brooklyn added: 'Gosh. I disagree with so much of the sentiment here.

'There will always be injustice, unfairness, unethicalness, and there has always been. To use that as an excuse to surrender your own moral principles and justify partaking in what you know to be wrong, is madness and bad for everyone.

'These folks have lost the plot.'

The Daily Mail has contacted the New Yorker, The New York Times, and Tolentino for comment.
A group of Canadian tourists smiled for a photo in front of the Pyramid of the Moon in Mexico, not knowing they mistakenly captured the moment before a mass shooting broke out.

Barbara Welsh, of British Columbia, and her friends were on their annual girls' trip, visiting the pyramid at the Teotihuacan site on Monday, when they stopped to pose for a group photo while on their guided tour.

In the background of the photo, Julio Cesar Jasso Ramirez, 27, was seen climbing up the stairs of the steep pyramid moments before he would pull out a gun and shoot, killing one Canadian woman and injuring 13.

'We were just in shock mostly,' Welsh told CTV News. 'It was just horrible, but it could have been worse.'

When the women heard the first gunshot, they didn't realize they were in any danger yet. When another went off, they looked up to find a 'waterfall of people just rolling down the Pyramid of the Moon,' Welsh said.

Their tour guide screamed for the women to run, so they took off toward the parking lot where their tour bus was. They quickly sped away, but the women told the outlet they could hear gunshots for around 20 minutes.

Luckily for the group of seven, Welsh and her friend had just come down from the pyramid minutes before Ramirez opened fire, allowing them to reach the safety of their bus.

'It was just luck  total luck  that my girlfriend and I werent at the top of the pyramid at the time,' she told CTV News.

Barbara Welsh, of British Columbia, and her friends were visiting the Pyramid of the Moon on Monday and posed for a picture moments before a shooting broke out. Little did they know the gun was seen in their photo

Julio Cesar Jasso Ramirez, 27, opened fire after telling tourists he would make them a sacrifice. He killed a Canadian tourist and injured 13 others before taking his own life

They had left the steep pyramid because the altitude had bothered the two women.

The girls' trip was able to finish safely, and Welsh said the scary experience would not taint her view of Mexico City.

'You cant anticipate something like this,' she told the outlet.

Ramirez, who was obsessed with Adolf Hitler, took his own life after wreaking havoc at the historical site.

'Don't move, or I'll sacrifice you,' he shouted at tourists, the New York Post reported.

'This was built for sacrifices, a**holes, not for visiting and taking a f**king s**t photo.'

He also said all European tourists would 'not go back.'

He allegedly lined up his shooting with the 27th anniversary of the Columbine High School shooting and Hitler's birthday.

Police seen working on the pyramid. Welsh and her friend had been on pyramid just moments before the shooting, but had gotten off after the altitude bothered them, they said

The pyramids are a popular tourist attraction. Ramirez told tourists: 'This was built for sacrifices, a**holes, not for visiting and taking a f**king s**t photo'

Following the horrific incident, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said: 'What happened today in Teotihuacan hurts us deeply. I express my sincerest solidarity to the people affected and their families.'

Sheinbaum said that federal and state security forces were being sent out to the site to investigate, and that her administration is in contact with the Canadian government.

The Teotihuacan pyramids are a popular tourist attraction that people from all over the world flock to so they can take in the archaeological sites.
An ISIS recruiter has been released early from prison despite his parole board warning he remains an extremist who poses a threat to the public due to a soft-touch Canadian judicial rule.

Ashton Larmond, 35, was freed after serving just eleven year and three months of his 17-year sentence for terrorism offenses.

His early freedom was granted under Canada's 'statutory release' law, which determines that most offenders except lifers must be released after serving two-thirds of their sentence.

Larmond was first reported to the authorities in Ottawa in September 2013 by his own mother, who warned police her son sought to kill in the name of terrorism.

Police discovered around 267 videos containing extremist propaganda on his computer upon his arrest in 2015 after he converted to Islam between 2009 and 2011, Global News reported.

Larmond recruited his twin brother Carlos and the brothers were apprehended as they attempted to fly out of Canada to Syria.

His brother pleaded guilty to attempting to leave Canada to participate in the activities of a terrorist group and was sentenced to seven years in prison. Larmond pleaded guilty to encouraging others to engage in terrorist violence.

Ashton Larmond, 35, was released from prison after serving two-thirds of his 17 year sentence due to Canada's 'statutory release' law despite public safety concerns from the parole board

Joanne Blanchard, Chairperson of the Parole Board of Canada since June 2024

A third person, Suliman Mohamed, was arrested days after the twins and pleaded guilty to conspiracy to participate in a terrorist activity, receiving a sentence of seven years, CBC reported.

While incarcerated, Larmond committed several assaults on other inmates, including punching one in the face and breaking his nose, according to Global News.

Larmond was also said to have threatened prison staff, according to the parole board. He was originally held in a provincial facility, but was transferred to a federal prison over 'radical ideologies,' the outlet reported.

The parole board maintained that Larmond was violent and a public safety risk and continued to hold his extremist views.

'While you have gained improved insight through program participation and counseling with the institutional imam, you continue to hold extremist views, which is problematic for the purposes of risk mitigation and public safety,' the board said.

The parole board also noted that Larmond was likely to reoffend within three years and said his 'reintegration potential' is low.

His release is conditional on monitoring of his phone and finances, as well as undergoing treatment and living in a community-based or psychiatric facility approved by the Correctional Service of Canada.

Larmond plans to undergo employment training while holding down a part-time job and has a goal of becoming a contractor.

Larmond was eventually arrested in 2015 as his twin brother Carlos, who Larmond had recruited, as they were attempting to fly out of Canada to Syria

Canada's 'statutory release' law states most offenders except lifers must be released after serving two-thirds of their sentence (File photo)

He also expressed interest in volunteering and fundraising for organizations that 'focus on people of the Muslim faith who are suffering,' Global News reported.

The Canadian government insists statutory parole 'does not end an offender's sentence' but rather counts as a different form of punishment.

'Instead, offenders serve what is left of their sentence in the community. They must report regularly to a Correctional Service of Canada Parole Officer and follow conditions,' the Canadian government website states.

'On statutory release, offenders have some time under supervision in the community before their sentence ends to help them return to society as law-abiding citizens. Offenders serving life sentences do not get statutory release.'

The Parole Board of Canada is only able to overrule statutory parole if it believes the offender is likely to commit an offense causing death or serious harm, sexual violence involving a child or a serious drug offense before the end of their sentence.

The Daily Mail has contacted the Parole Board of Canada and the Canadian government for comment.
Pope Leo has issued a pointed rebuke over prison conditions in Equatorial Guinea as he winds up his four-nation Africa tour.

Speaking before a vast crowd of around 100,000 worshippers on Wednesday, the pontiff turned his attention to the plight of inmates in the oil-rich Central African state.

Among those present at the open-air Mass was the country's ruler, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo - the world's longest-serving president - as Pope Leo delivered a stark message about inequality and suffering.

'My thoughts go to the poorest, to families experiencing difficulty and to prisoners who are often forced to live in troubling, hygienic and sanitary conditions,' he said.

The Pope's remarks come as he concludes a four-nation tour of Africa, with Equatorial Guinea marking his final stop.

Later on Wednesday - the last full day of his visit - he is due to tour a prison in Bata, the country's economic capital, which has long been associated with grim reports of abuse.

According to Amnesty International, inmates in the facility are 'reportedly routinely beaten as punishment'.

The organisation has also warned that numerous detainees 'have neither been seen nor heard from, and their relatives do not know whether they are alive or dead'.

Pope Leo has issued a pointed rebuke over prison conditions in Equatorial Guinea as he winds up his four-nation Africa tour

Speaking before a vast crowd of around 100,000 worshippers on Wednesday, the pontiff turned his attention to the plight of inmates in the oil-rich Central African state

Prisoners wait for the arrival of Pope Leo at the Bata Prison in Bata, Equatorial Guinea, on April 22

Earlier in the day, addressing crowds gathered at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Mogomo, Pope Leo broadened his appeal, urging citizens to put the nation's interests above personal gain.

He called on Equatoguineans 'to serve the common good rather than private interests, bridging the gap between the privileged and the disadvantaged'.

Highlighting the country's vast natural wealth, he added: 'The Creator has endowed you with great natural wealth.

'I urge you to work together so that it may be a blessing for all,' while cautioning that the nation's future rested on the choices of its people.

Despite its oil riches, Equatorial Guinea has long faced accusations of corruption and stark inequality - claims the government denies.

President Obiang's administration has been repeatedly accused of diverting oil revenues to benefit a wealthy elite, while much of the population remains in hardship.

In 2020, the president's son, who serves as vice-president, was fined by a French court after being found to have used public funds to bankroll a lavish lifestyle in Europe.

His assets in France were subsequently seized.

Transparency International has ranked Equatorial Guinea among the most corrupt countries globally, while the World Bank estimates that more than half of its citizens live in poverty.

Political opposition remains tightly restricted, with critics operating in an environment constrained by the absence of a free press.

Pope Leo waves at the crowd from the Popemobile as he arrives for a meeting with young people and families

People listen to Pope Leo's message during his meeting with young people

He called on Equatoguineans 'to serve the common good rather than private interests, bridging the gap between the privileged and the disadvantaged'

Pope Leo receives a cross from an inmate during the pope's visit at the Bata prison in Bata

According to Amnesty International, inmates in the facility are 'reportedly routinely beaten as punishment'

Broadcast media is either state-owned or controlled by government allies.

In a thinly veiled appeal for reform, the Pope said: 'May there be greater room for freedom and may the dignity of the human person always be safeguarded.'

The 83-year-old president, who came to power in a 1979 coup, held private talks with the pontiff a day earlier.

Throughout his African tour, which has also taken him to Algeria, Cameroon and Angola, Pope Leo has not shied away from strong language, condemning 'tyrants' who spend billions on conflict and criticising what he described as the 'colonisation' of Africa's mineral wealth.

Shortly before departing for the trip, he also aimed at Donald Trump over threats towards Iran - prompting the US president to hit back, branding the Pope 'bad for foreign policy'.

On the eve of his prison visit, 70 human rights organisations published an open letter to Leo, urging him to speak out, especially about the US deportation of migrants here and encourage African nations not to be complicit.

'These practices circumvent humanitarian protections, expose refugees to detention and coercion, and subject individuals to refoulement, in direct contravention of international law,' they wrote.

In the run-up to Leo's arrival, the government released nearly 100 people who had been arrested in a 2022 crackdown on street violence, according to a local lawyer, who requested anonymity given the country's human rights record.
John Swinneys flagship election vow to cap supermarket food prices is in disarray after he watered down his plans following a backlash.

Less than a week after promising to enforce legal price ceilings on up to 50 essential items, the First Minister proposed a voluntary agreement instead.

He admitted there was a risk of legal challenge to his original scheme and voluntary steps would be quicker than passing a new law.

Retailers warned his new plan would almost certainly fall foul of competition rules on collusion and price fixing.

Opposition parties said the unravelling of the big offer to families showed it was never more than a gimmick.

Scottish Tory business spokesman Murdo Fraser said: Now that John Swinney can see that his crackpot, back-of-a-fag-packet idea is unravelling, hes trying to row back on it.

It was never a serious attempt to help hard-pressed families, but only an excuse for setting up a fight with the UK government.

Mr Swinney had said he would use public health powers to set a maximum price for essential foods to cut the price of the weekly supermarket shop.

John Swinney's backtracked on his plan to implement price caps on foods after it was labelled a 'gimmick'

Other parties said the real aim was to whip up Nationalist grievance.

David Lonsdale, director of the Scottish Retail Consortium, which last week called the cap a potty gimmick harking back to 1970s-style price controls, urged talks between retailers and ministers on a more realistic and sensible approach.

But he warned: Wed be wary of any notion of a voluntary arrangement that would almost certainly fall foul of competition rules on collusion and price fixing which exist to protect shoppers.

Talking at an election event in Edinburgh, Mr Swinney insisted the plan could happen this year if we got voluntary agreement about that.

But Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie said: John Swinney is much more interested in poorly thought-out gimmicks than actually delivering policies that will make a positive difference.

Reform UK Scotland leader Malcolm Offord said: John Swinneys 1970s USSR policy is already falling apart.

Scottish Liberal Democrat candidate Jamie Greene added: John Swinney might have the demeanour of a bank manager but not the skill with maths.

Earlier, Mr Swinney contrasted his reliable, experienced and trusted leadership with the chaos of UK Labour.
Inaugural China-Africa Entrepreneurs Summit held at AU headquarters with call for common development

Xinhua) 13:20, April 22, 2026

Guests attend a signing ceremony during the inaugural Meeting of the China-Africa Entrepreneurs Summit at the African Union (AU) headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on April 21, 2026. The inaugural meeting of the China-Africa Entrepreneurs Summit was held Tuesday at the African Union (AU) headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia's capital, with a call to deepen China-Africa cooperation to ensure common development. (Xinhua/Liu Fangqiang)

ADDIS ABABA, April 21 (Xinhua) -- The inaugural meeting of the China-Africa Entrepreneurs Summit was held Tuesday at the African Union (AU) headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia's capital, with a call to deepen China-Africa cooperation to ensure common development.

Jointly organized by the Chinese Mission to the AU, the AU Commission and the China Chamber of Commerce to Africa, in cooperation with other partners, and held under the theme "Deepening Practical China-Africa Cooperation and Embarking on a New Journey for Development," the meeting brought together AU leadership, senior Chinese and African officials, members of the Chinese and African diplomatic communities, as well as representatives of the business communities from both sides.

Addressing the summit, AU Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf said the African continent is widely recognized as a future engine of global growth, with vast resources, largely untapped potential and a notably youthful population.

Africa and China have forged their partnership through the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and other frameworks, Youssouf said, adding that Africa should learn from China's development experience, particularly in agrarian reform and accelerated industrial development.

Commending China's zero-tariff policy for products from 53 African countries, he called on Chinese companies to increase investment in Africa to create value chains and supply chains with African companies in a spirit of mutual benefit.

"Today's summit is an important milestone. I am convinced that when we put our strengths and comparative advantages together, we can make a huge difference," Youssouf said. "It is of paramount importance that our businesses grow together across the continent. Through the genuine co-creation of our business future, we will lay the foundation for our shared prosperity."

Ethiopian President Taye Atske Selassie told the gathering that with the operationalization of the African Continental Free Trade Area, Africa is no longer a future promise but a present reality where business flourishes.

Noting that Africa-China cooperation is built on a foundation of dignity and mutual respect, he called for developing the partnership toward a multi-layered model in which entrepreneurs, innovators and the private sector become the primary drivers of development.

"Let this summit be the platform from which we launch a new generation of entrepreneurs, where Africa and China walk together toward a future of innovation and shared prosperity," the Ethiopian president said.

Participants at the summit called on entrepreneurs from all sectors on both sides to actively engage in exchanges and cooperation, make full use of zero-tariff measures, investment facilitation agreements, and various economic and trade dialogue platforms, and seek new opportunities for cooperation.

For his part, Jiang Feng, head of the Chinese Mission to the AU, said that as this year marks the beginning of China's 15th Five-Year Plan, it brings high expectations for in-depth cooperation between Chinese and African businesses.

He said China will implement zero-tariff measures on all tariff lines for products from all 53 African countries with diplomatic ties starting May 1, which will pave the way for transforming the vast Chinese market into a major opportunity for high-quality African products.

"The African continent holds enormous development potential, and China's complete industrial chain system possesses strong momentum. The scope for cooperation in agriculture, manufacturing, new energy, the digital economy, mining and financial cooperation is incredibly broad," Jiang said.

Li Qingyong, president of the China Chamber of Commerce to Africa and chief executive officer of China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation Ethiopia, said the chamber remains committed to its mission of being rooted in Africa, serving enterprises, connecting China and Africa, and pursuing shared development, helping Chinese-invested enterprises truly take root in Africa and integrate into local communities.

Li urged entrepreneurs to align business growth with Africa's industrialization and modernization while seizing new opportunities in the digital economy, new energy and green development.

Participants at the summit also unveiled the plaque of the China-Africa Entrepreneurs Partnership Alliance, with the AU Commission pledging to coordinate collective efforts to ensure that the outcomes of the summit are followed by concrete actions and measurable results.

This photo taken on April 21, 2026 shows a scene of the inaugural Meeting of the China-Africa Entrepreneurs Summit at the African Union (AU) headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The inaugural meeting of the China-Africa Entrepreneurs Summit was held Tuesday at the African Union (AU) headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia's capital, with a call to deepen China-Africa cooperation to ensure common development. (Photo by Michael Tewelde/Xinhua)

African Union (AU) Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, addresses the opening of the inaugural meeting of the China-Africa Entrepreneurs Summit at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on April 21, 2026. The inaugural meeting of the China-Africa Entrepreneurs Summit was held Tuesday at the African Union (AU) headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia's capital, with a call to deepen China-Africa cooperation to ensure common development. (Xinhua/Geng Xinning)

Ethiopian President Taye Atske Selassie addresses the opening of the inaugural meeting of the China-Africa Entrepreneurs Summit at the African Union (AU) headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on April 21, 2026. The inaugural meeting of the China-Africa Entrepreneurs Summit was held Tuesday at the African Union (AU) headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia's capital, with a call to deepen China-Africa cooperation to ensure common development. (Xinhua/Geng Xinning)

Jiang Feng, head of the Chinese Mission to the African Union (AU), addresses the opening of the inaugural meeting of the China-Africa Entrepreneurs Summit at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on April 21, 2026. The inaugural meeting of the China-Africa Entrepreneurs Summit was held Tuesday at the African Union (AU) headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia's capital, with a call to deepen China-Africa cooperation to ensure common development. (Xinhua/Geng Xinning)

Li Qingyong (1st R, 2nd row), president of the China Chamber of Commerce to Africa and chief executive officer of China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation Ethiopia, addresses the opening of the inaugural meeting of the China-Africa Entrepreneurs Summit at the African Union (AU) headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on April 21, 2026. The inaugural meeting of the China-Africa Entrepreneurs Summit was held Tuesday at the African Union (AU) headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia's capital, with a call to deepen China-Africa cooperation to ensure common development. (Xinhua/Geng Xinning)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
NEW YORK, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- From 2023 to 2025, the share of S&P 500 companies disclosing AI as a risk jumped from 12% to 83%.

Yet the surge in AI risks has exposed a gap in corporate board preparedness. While many boards have strengthened their broader technology oversight, AI expertise remains scarce:

From 2021 to 2025, disclosure of technology expertise among S&P 500 directors rose from 20% to 51%, while cybersecurity expertise increased from 15% to 27%.

By contrast, AI expertise slightly ticked up, from 1.5% to 2.7%.

"AI is now firmly on the board agenda, but governance maturity is still catching up. Many companies have moved quickly to recognize AI as a material risk, but they are still working through who owns oversight, how issues are escalated, and what level of board fluency is needed as AI becomes more embedded across the business," said Andrew Jones, author of the report and Principal Researcher at The Conference Board.

These findings come from a new report by The Conference Board, based on S&P 500 disclosure data, as of December 2025, and a survey of 130 executives, largely from US public companies.

AI is now firmly on the risk agenda: disclosure surged from 2023 to 2025.

From 2023 to 2025, the share of S&P 500 companies disclosing AI as a risk jumped from 12% to 83%

The AI vs. tech gap: 51% of companies disclose tech skills among directors; AI expertise is under 3%.

From 2021 to 2025, disclosure of AI expertise among S&P 500 directors grew from 1.5% to 2.7%

Cybersecurity expertise grew from 15% to 27%

Technology expertise grew from 20% to 51%

Just 23% of surveyed executives consider their board highly fluent in AI.

23% say their board is highly fluent in AI

51% say their board has moderate fluency

25% say their board has low or no fluency

AI education takes a backseat in the boardroom.

26% of executives say their company will focus on strengthening AI board education or AI upskilling

Only 21% plan to add new directors with dedicated AI or technology expertise

Less than 10% of executives say their companies are fully prepared to comply with AI regulations.

9% say their companies are very prepared

58% say they are somewhat prepared

28% say they are in the early stages of preparation

5% say they are not prepared

"Companies are no longer treating AI governance as a niche or future issue. But most are still in the process of turning broad principles into durable governance practice. The challenge now is to build clearer accountability, stronger controls, and oversight models that can adapt as AI use deepens and regulatory scrutiny grows," said Brian Campbell, Leader of The Conference Board Governance & Sustainability Center.

Cybersecurity challenges rank as the top AI risk for executives.

58% cite cybersecurity and data breaches as the AI-related risk most significant to their company

33% cite privacy and data protection

28% cite operational and implementation risk

27% cite legal liability and litigation exposure

75% of executives expect AI to cause a large disruption to employment & workforce structures.

75% of surveyed executives say AI will disrupt employment and workforce structures on a large scale in the next three years

41% say AI will exacerbate inequality between and within countries

Most executives also see AI as a long-term driver of productivity and efficiency.

80% say AI will generate sustained productivity and efficiency gains across the economy in the next three years

Most executives see responsible governance as essential for shaping AI's trajectory.

61% say responsible governance and regulation will determine whether AI's net impact is positive

About The Conference Board

The Conference Board is the member-driven think tank that delivers Trusted Insights for What's Ahead. Founded in 1916, we are a non-partisan, not-for-profit entity holding 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt status in the United States. TCB.org

SOURCE The Conference Board
Splits in Reform UK widened on Wednesday as a senior figure said the party would be prepared to strike a deal with Labour  but only if it is in second place.

Glasgow councillor Thomas Kerr initially claimed that there will be no deals with us and Labour and that it is nonsense to suggest Reform could help Anas Sarwar secure power.

But he then went on to say that Labour could prop us up if Reform becomes the second-largest party and the SNP is unable to form an administration.

Reforms Scottish leader Lord Malcolm Offord said that under no circumstances could he work with Mr Sarwar, while Graham Simpson, the partys only MSP in the last parliament term, opened the door to a deal with Labour.

Asked about the prospect of a deal with Labour, Mr Kerr said: The idea I would prop up Anas Sarwar simply because he prefers the Union Jack to a saltire is nonsense for me.

'Reform is consistently polling second place, there was a poll out just this week that showed there is a unionist majority inside the Scottish parliament if that poll came to fruition but we are second place.

Reform's Thomas Kerr has a go at pulling a pint at the Woodend Pub in Glasgow

Malcolm Offord is then in pole position to be First Minister  the question for Anas Sarwar is would he work with us?

He said he could work with any party on delivering Reform priorities but would not install a First Minister whose party is in third place, and said Labour is SNP-lite and that an unstable government would allow the nationalist parties to rise again.

Asked if he is open to a deal with Labour if Reform is in second place, he said that they could prop us up. He said: Whoever is the biggest party will have the first right to form a government, that is John Swinney.

If that doesnt work it is up to the second-largest party, I intend that to be Malcolm Offord and Reform UK.

'We will then try and form some kind of stable government, it is up to Anas Sarwar to answer the question of whether or not he would then work with us to put Malcolm into Bute House or would he rather have five more years of rotten John Swinney in power?

Earlier this week, Mr Sarwar also claimed that Mr Simpson had told him Lord Offord is useless and Mr Kerr is a weasel.

Asked about the claims, Mr Kerr said: He phoned me before the story broke to assure me he did not call me a weasel. My response was Ive been called a lot worse.

Meanwhile, Lord Offord confirmed to ITV Border he has told his candidates not to endorse far-Right activist Tommy Robinson.

It followed the row over Senga Beresford, Reforms candidate for Galloway and West Dumfries, endorsing Mr Robinson and replying me to a post on social media from the deputy leader of the Britain First party which said: In the UK Muslims are demanding that sharia law is implemented. I demand that we deport the lot of them. Whos with me?

Mr Kerr said: She didnt endorse Tommy Robinson, she supported the work he had done on the grooming gangs scandal, which I think a lot of people can genuinely acknowledge there has been some good work that he has done on that specific issue.

Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie said: Lord Offord is too spineless to stand up to his candidates  even when they are backing the mass deportation of Scots for their religion.
Can you imagine anything more terrifying, be you male or female, than suddenly awakening to find a man you have never seen before in all your puff leering over your bed?

Carrying a piece of broken crystal ashtray; blood dripping from his fingers? Your partner in life, meanwhile, sleeping in another room and beyond earshot, because he has an early start in the morning?

It would prove, when all was made well, the only occasion when this doughty woman, 56, ever swore. But, first, our lady  let us call her Elizabeth  had in cold, swift courage to dial things down.

She pressed an alarm button by her bedside. Meanwhile, she engaged in conversation with this oaf.

There was no response to the alarm. Elizabeth then picked up the bedside telephone and, in as low and neutral a tone as possible, asked for the immediate attendance of a policeman. Perhaps too calmly: the bored chap taking the call detected no urgency, and responded with none.

The day was saved when the maid turned up with the morning cuppa, hailed what she saw with one expletive, put the trayed Earl Grey down quietly, and scampered to recruit a very tall 23-year-old footman Her Majesty scarcely knew.

He managed to lure the intruder aside for cigarettes as, an age later, the Metropolitans finest finally lumbered up the stairs. The first PC Plod, espying Elizabeth, promptly pausing, awkwardly, to adjust his tie

Get a bloody move on, roared our late Queen, after an eternity wondering whether she was just about to be set upon.

The Thick Of It with Scots actor Peter Capaldi as foul-mouthed spin doctor Malcolm Tucker

It was not in the least bit funny, heads appropriately rolled, the blameless Home Secretary offered his resignation  and old hands at the Palace for decades thereafter shuddered.

In not two years preceding Michael Fagans intrusion, the Pope and the President of the United States had both been gravely wounded by would-be assassins  and John Lennon and Egypts President Sadat had been murdered.

Do you cuss and swear? I try not to. In fact, I dont, and never have, save for scant and very silly years in my early thirties when I went through a bit of oh-how-I-pity me and propped up a couple of Hebridean bars.

The simplest explanation for this is that my parents  as one would expect of a stately couple who, over the decades, adorned this or that Free Church manse  never used bad language.

The strongest epithet in my late fathers vocabulary was the endearing, Dear Donald  and the first rule in raising children is always to remember that monkey see, monkey do.

I was also schooled in an era, from 1971 to 1984, when you simply did not hear such language in the public square.

A host of epithets were deemed unbroadcastable, I cannot recall any politician of that era who effed and blinded and  with one exception, an endearing but hapless deputy headmaster  I never heard a teacher curse.

We were still just in an era where there was a vague folk memory of the monastic roots of education  staff in black gowns; the school day launched with morning prayers  and, accordingly, regard for at least the veneer of decency.

One household name broadcaster, Bill Grundy, was in 1976 ignominiously sacked after he invited the Sex Pistols to drop the F-bomb live on telly; and the Duke of Edinburghs frequent salty turn of phrase invited much tut- tutting in the papers.

A bit rich as, even then, there was no swearier environment than a newsroom  all the more disconcerting when you were told at every turn that educated people from decent homes simply did not talk like this.

And here we are today  washed up in a era when the President of the United States threatens to obliterate a civilisation, his rhetoric larded with obscenities; when the script of crisis engulfing our Prime Minister is fat with the F-word; when insider accounts of the corridors of power portray a world of cursing, vituperation and the foulest Anglo-Saxon.

Glancing at accounts from the likes of Andrew Rawnsley or Tim Shipman, it defiled the Downing Street days of Tony Blair, Gordon Brown and even Theresa May, whose principal consiglieri, Nick Timothy and Fiona Hill, were noted not just for their extraordinary rudeness even to Cabinet ministers but for their dreadful language, sometimes in Mrs Mays very hearing  till the disastrous 2017 general election, for which the pair had eagerly pressed, put an end to their brilliant ideas.

Then the salons of No 10 soon resounded to the refrains of Dominic Cummings.

From whence has this ghastly modern culture sprung? Partly the general collapse of, at least, pro forma Christian observance.

The silent death of untold taboos  there used to be a host of things which people simply did not discuss in public  and that we are in an increasingly digital age.

Emails, text messages, social media, the blogosphere and so on: a realm where folk with impunity can vent their inner Malcolm Tucker and, sadly, too often do.

Especially in formats such as certain reality TV platforms  yes, Gordon Ramsay, Im looking at you  that seem to exult in it.

Which is not to suggest that our great-grandparents were naive innocents.

The late Queen Mother was once, at some occasion, in the company of Noel Coward as they ascended a stair lined with extraordinarily handsome soldiers  and noted the playwrights lingering regard.

I wouldnt if I were you, Noel, she murmured, amused. They count them before they put them out

Few, even decades thence, ever dared to ask Elizabeth II about that terrifying morning in 1982. Those who did seldom got past one line at once laconic and forbidding, You seem to forget that I spend most of my time conversing with strangers.

But, in lighter off-duty moments at Balmoral and so on, she could peerlessly mimic that lass who had fatefully brought in the tea  Bloody ell, Maam, e shouldnt be here!

The lofty footman who had saved all, Paul Whybrew, became her most trusted male retainer.

For years the honoured Page of the Backstairs and, from 2008, her official Serjeant-At Arms.

Tall Paul would feature in that James Bond skit at the 2012 London Olympics and at the last march behind Elizabeth IIs coffin.

Decades before, on the eve of the landmark 1991 State visit of the new President of Poland, the Queen side-eyed an aide. They say Mr Walesa knows only two English words.

And tilted her head.

I believe they are rather interesting words.
A drive to encourage police officers to report misogyny in the ranks flopped after it led to only seven online submissions.

They were able to upload pictures  for example screengrabs of offensive WhatsApp messages  in a bid to help stamp out sexist attitudes.

It came after former Chief Constable Sir Iain Livingstone branded Police Scotland institutionally misogynist and racist.

The photo scheme, called Photovoice, was described as an innovative approach which enabled participants to capture and share an insight into their world.

But the Mail can reveal only seven responses were received  and no disciplinary action was taken in relation to any of them.

Scottish Tory community safety spokesman Sharon Dowey said: Misogyny in all walks of life must be tackled, but this well-intentioned scheme has clearly flopped within Police Scotland.

These results should ensure police bosses focus their efforts on fighting crime rather than box-ticking exercises like this in the future.

According to the force website, all colleagues from Police Scotland [were invited] to submit photographs that highlight your everyday experiences of sexism and misogyny in the workplace.

Former Chief Constable Sir Iain Livingstone branded Police Scotland institutionally misogynist and racist

Assistant Chief Constable Emma Bond has previously said that a number of mechanisms were in place to tackle sexism and misogyny

One image submitted showed framed pictures of former police chiefs and senior officers, all of them male, lining a wall in a corridor in a police building.

Before retiring in 2023, Sir Iain vowed to crack down on canteen culture and offensive banter.

In 2024, an independent review found sexist and misogynist attitudes were still pervasive.

The three-year probe found deeply embedded outdated attitudes that contribute to a hostile environment towards women within the service, and likely affect policing in wider society.

Last year, Assistant Chief Constable Emma Bond said: We have a number of mechanisms in place to tackle sexism and misogyny. The Photovoice platform is one of these. Submissions are assessed and, where necessary, appropriate action is taken.

But retired police superintendent Martin Gallagher said the failure of the Photovoice drive showed sexism was not as big a problem as top brass had claimed.

He said: In my opinion they [Police Scotland] are fighting yesterdays war. When I joined in 1994, sexism was pretty widespread.

By the time I was a sergeant in 2004, the young cops on my shift were almost a 50/50 split and sex wasnt an issue.

By the time I retired in 2022, it was obvious most sexism was a bad memory  but it suited some who had made careers out of working in diversity roles to continue to call out behaviours from yesteryear.

Policing diversity is a lot easier than being out in the cold on the street. Maybe focusing on catching criminals would be more in order.

Police Scotland said the colleague engagement activity was intended to be short-term and closed on March 31, 2025.

A spokesman added: We continue to promote ways in which colleagues can raise concerns within Police Scotland, including anonymously through our Integrity Matters service and via the CrimeStoppers integrity line.
The Church of Scotland is set to make a formal apology for its historical relationship with the transatlantic slave trade.

It will acknowledge how the Church benefited from some of its members and their families direct and indirect participation in slavery.

The institutional apology, due to be proposed at the General Assembly next month, also admits members and officers of the Church offered theological justifications for chattel slavery, which treated human beings as personal property.

The apology will also recognise that the legacies of slavery continue to shape experiences of race and inequality today.

But Professor Gordon Graham, a philosopher and Anglican priest ordained in the Scottish Episcopal Church, said the Kirks apology was virtue-signalling.

The report comes after the 2023 General Assembly agreed an apology should be prepared for future consideration, after receiving a report detailing how the Kirk financially benefited from the slave trade.

The Church of Scotland is set to make a formal apology for its historical relationship with the transatlantic slave trade. Pictured: King's Church, Edinburgh

Professor Gordon Graham, a philosopher and Anglican priest ordained in the Scottish Episcopal Church, said the Kirks apology was virtue-signalling

It will invite the General Assembly to adopt the apology and investigate other actions that could demonstrate repentance, justice and reconciliation.

It states that although British merchants were involved in the enslavement and trafficking of people from Africa from the 1550s, the Church of Scotland did not take a public stand on slavery until the end of the 18th century.

Ministers and moderators were directly engaged in chattel slavery  yet as far as our research has shown us, no disciplinary action was taken by the Church.

The report said: Some clergy owned enslaved people themselves and continued to do so even after Scottish courts had ruled slavery morally and legally indefensible.

'Others defended policies that delayed emancipation well beyond the abolition of the slave trade.

Should the apology and report be accepted, recommendations for next steps will be brought to the 2027 General Assembly.

The Very Rev Sally Foster-Fulton, convener of the group that drafted the report, said: This apology represents a moment of honesty for the Church of Scotland.

Commenting further last night, Professor Graham asked: Is there anyone out there meaningfully able to receive this apology?

This looks to me very much like virtue-signalling prompted by modern political sensibilities.
Families of victims of the 1994 RAF Chinook disaster are to meet the Prime Minister in a breakthrough for their campaign for a public inquiry.

Sir Keir Starmer said he would look again at relatives concerns after they accused his government of a breach of trust and treating them with contempt.

The RAF Mark 2 Chinook crashed on the Mull of Kintyre on June 2, 1994, killing all 29 people on board, including the crew and officers from MI5, the Army, and the Royal Ulster Constabulary.

Relatives of those killed welcomed the Prime Ministers agreement to meet them, describing it as a significant and long overdue step.

The commitment came after Tessa Munt, Lib Dem MP for Wells and Mendip Hills, raised the case at Prime Ministers Questions, pressing for direct engagement with the families who have campaigned for more than three decades for answers.

The Chinook Justice Campaign said the Prime Ministers response marked the first time in a generation that families have been offered the opportunity to put their case directly to the countrys most senior political leader.

Jenni Balmer-Hornby, whose father Major Anthony Hornby died in the crash, said: We are grateful to Tessa Munt for raising the Chinook case so powerfully in Prime Ministers Questions and ensuring the voices of the families were heard directly by the Prime Minister.

The wreckage of a Chinook Helicopter which crashed on the Mull of Kintyre in 1994 killing all 29 on board

Families of victims of the 1994 RAF Chinook disaster are to meet the Prime Minister

After more than three decades of unanswered questions, the Prime Ministers agreement to meet is a significant and welcome step.

We hope that meeting takes place as quickly as possible, and marks the beginning of a meaningful process to finally deliver truth, transparency and accountability for the families.

For years, the Chinook pilots were wrongly blamed for the disaster before being formally cleared in 2011.

In the Commons, Ms Munt said: The Prime Minister knows, because the families have written to him, as the Ministry of Defence (MoD) knows too, that the families are seeking not a public inquiry into the cause of the crash, but to know the reason why their loved ones were placed on board an aircraft which, according to the MoDs own test pilots and engineers, was described as positively dangerous, unairworthy and not to be relied on in any way whatsoever.

Will he agree to meet the families, to rebuild trust and to offer the promised dialogue that the MoD clearly finds so difficult to achieve?

The Prime Minister said he would make sure that is looked at again in the light of what she has said, and that the families get the relevant meeting.

Families have continued to campaign for full disclosure of all documents relating to the crash and for a judge-led public inquiry, arguing that key questions about the circumstances of the disaster remain unanswered.

The campaign said it now hopes the Prime Ministers intervention will break the long-standing impasse, and lead to a clear timetable for the release of information and consideration of a full independent inquiry.

Earlier this month, the Chinook families appealed for the Prime Minister to step in after claiming the MoD had dismissed their fight for answers about the crash.

It came after the MoD issued a statement claiming there has not been evidence presented which would shed significant new light on the cause.

The relatives claimed this represented a slap in the face to them.

Last year former Defence Secretary Sir Liam Fox said he was carrying out an investigation into the Chinook disaster after voicing deep concerns about the crash.

He intervened at a time when families of the victims had accused the MoD of gaslighting them by refusing to answer unresolved questions.

Relatives of senior British intelligence personnel killed in the helicopter tragedy are also suing the MoD in a bid to end what they describe as three decades of secrecy.

As Defence Secretary back in 2011, Sir Liam published the results of an independent review which recommended that an earlier finding that the pilots were negligent to a gross degree should be set aside.

The MoD was contacted for comment.
Two more men have been arrested over a planned arson attack on the Jewish community in London.

The men, aged 19 and 26, were arrested in Watford today and have both been taken into custody.

They were arrested by officers from Counter Terrorism Policing.

A total of nine people have now been arrested in the past three days.

The other seven were previously arrested for conspiracy to commit arson and remain under investigation.

They have been released on bail, which police said was with 'strict conditions'.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans, the Senior National Co-ordinator of Counter Terrorism Policing, said: 'Our investigations continue at pace, and we are continuing to identify and arrest suspects who we believe were involved, or planning, the recent arson attacks in north west London.

'We've now had the first conviction in relation to this recent spate of arson attacks and seven others have been charged. We remain determined to identify, arrest and charge all those who have been involved in the recent criminal activity.

'My message to anyone even considering getting involved in this type of activity is this, the stakes are high and it is absolutely not worth the risk.'

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans, from Counter Terrorism Policing London, and Deputy Commissioner Matt Jukes outside Kenton United Synagogue on Sunday afternoon

The two men have joined the growing list of suspects arrested in connection with arson attacks on the Jewish community in the capital.

On Sunday, three men aged 24, 25 and 26 were arrested in Harpenden.

On Monday, a 25-year-old man was arrested in Stevenage.

And on Tuesday, a 26-year-old man and two women, aged 50 and 59, were arrested in a car near Birmingham.

Since March, a series of arson attacks have been planned and carried out in London.

They included the targeting of community ambulances in Golders Green, two synagogues and a former Jewish charity.

A drone was then reported to be flying near the Israeli embassy on Friday.

Police said an investigation into the incident in Kensington Gardens is ongoing, adding that a 39-year-old man who was arrested in Ealing on Tuesday remains in custody.

Police obtained a warrant of further detention, which means he can be held until next Tuesday.

Since the attack on the Hatzola ambulances in Golders Green on March 23, counter terror officers have arrested 25 people.

Eight people have been charged with arson-related offences and one has been convicted of arson.

Ms Evans added: 'In north west London, communities can expect to see an increased presence of uniformed and plain-clothed officers, which is being maintained following the incidents from last week.

'This includes presence outside Jewish places of worship, businesses and other key community locations to identify any potential attackers and provide reassurance.

'Armed response vehicles and Counter Terrorism Policing resources continue to be deployed to the area to support the increased local policing plan, which is making use of a full range of policing powers to keep our communities safe.

'Police motorbikes and specialist interceptors are also proactively patrolling to detect and deter any use of the road network by criminals.'
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Wednesday that Iran's seizure of two ships does not break its agreement with the US.

Iran captured the Panama-flagged MSC Francesca and the Liberian-registered Epaminodes after opening fire on them. Iran also struck a vessel called the Euphoria.

Leavitt said on Wednesday that Iran's opening fire on the three ships and capturing two of them did not violate the country's ceasefire agreement with the US.

'These were not US ships. These were not Israeli ships. These were two international vessels,' Leavitt explained.

'These two ships were taken by speedy gunboats. Iran has gone from having the most lethal Navy in the Middle East to now acting like a bunch of pirates,' Leavitt said, reiterating that Iran does not have control over the Strait of Hormuz.

The announcement came after the President extended the ceasefire with Iran on Tuesday, the latest in a series of delays as he looked to keep negotiations alive.

The President initially announced the halt in hostilities on March 23. The new extension will be indefinite until Trump decides otherwise, Leavitt said.

'The President has not set a firm deadline to receive an Iranian proposal,' she continued, adding, 'ultimately, the timeline will be dictated by the commander-in-chief.'

'The President has not set a firm deadline to receive an Iranian proposal,' White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Wednesday of Trump's ceasefire extension announced on Tuesday evening

Leavitt added that the US blockade on Iran is causing the Islamic Republic to lose $500 million per day

Trump initially said the war would last six weeks. But the conflict has now gone on for seven weeks and four days

She said reports indicating that the ceasefire extension was to last three to five days were 'false.'

The open-ended timeframe for Iran to return to the negotiating table comes after Vice President JD Vance canceled a trip to Islamabad, Pakistan, for another round of negotiations this week, the Associated Press reported.

However, that trip has yet to happen, and Vance has remained close to the West Wing as the administration charts its path forward.

Leavitt dubbed the latest stage of Operation Epic Fury as 'Operation Economic Fury,' while noting the devastating impacts of the US blockade on Iran.

She claimed that the Islamic Republic is losing $500 million per day due to the blockade disabling their profitable oil exports.

'Theres a ceasefire with the military and kinetic strikes, but Operation Economic Fury continues, and the effective and successful naval blockade continues as well,' the White House spokeswoman said.

She also confirmed reports that the government is so strapped for cash that 'they cant even pay their own people as a result of this economic leverage that President Trump has inflicted over them.'

Reports indicate that Iranian military officials and police have experienced significant payment disruptions.

Kinetic strikes from the US against Iran have halted amid the ceasefire

US forces have been carrying out a blockade to clamp down on imports and exports to and from Iran

Leavitt reiterated that the outstanding US demands revolve around Iran's nuclear ambitions.

She said the two main sticking points gumming up a deal between Iran and the US are the Islamic Republic's unwillingness to give up its pursuit of a nuclear weapon and its hesitance to hand over its stockpile of enriched uranium.

The spokeswoman added that the administration is awaiting a 'unified' proposal from the Iranians, indicating that there are separate dueling factions that disagree internally on what US demands it will adhere to.

The President previously threatened to resume the war if Iran failed to reach a deal by Wednesdays deadline at 8pm ET (1am BST).

Trump wrote on social media on Wednesday that 'based on the fact that the government of Iran is seriously fractured', the US military would hold off striking 'until such time as their leaders and representatives can come up with a unified proposal.'

'I have therefore directed our Military to continue the blockade and, in all other respects, remain ready and able, and will therefore extend the Ceasefire until such time as their proposal is submitted, and discussions are concluded, one way or the other,' Trump added.
Support for the Prime Minister continued to drain away on Wednesday as he was challenged by some of his top Cabinet colleagues over his handling of the Peter Mandelson affair.

It came as the first Labour MP called publicly for Sir Keir Starmer to resign over the vetting scandal, which has consumed Westminster.

One of Sir Keir's chief allies also refused to back his judgment in making Sir Olly Robbins the fall guy, sacking the Foreign Office mandarin hours after it emerged he had approved Mandelson's security clearance against advice.

And relations with Whitehall deteriorated, with a string of exdiplomats calling for Sir Olly to be reinstated, while a union boss said he believed Sir Keir was 'losing the ability to work with the Civil Service' as he tried to save his skin at the expense of others.

After another Commons showdown at Prime Minister's Questions, there will be no letup for the beleaguered PM on Thursday as Cabinet Office Permanent Secretary Cat Little faces questioning by the Foreign Affairs Committee, before which Sir Olly appeared this week.

Next Tuesday, Sir Keir's former chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, a Mandelson protege said to be instrumental in making him US ambassador, will also appear before the committee.

Mr McSweeney is expected to be asked about the suggestion that  referring to Mandelson's security vetting  he told the Foreign Office: 'Just f***ing approve it.'

He is also expected to be questioned about a mugging last year in which he lost a mobile phone containing potentially revelatory messages with Mandelson.

Sir Keir Starmer outside No 10. Support for the Prime Minister continued to drain away on Wednesday as he was challenged by some of his top Cabinet colleagues

Sir Keir's chief allies also refused to back his judgment in making Sir Olly Robbins (pictured) the fall guy, sacking the Foreign Office mandarin hours after it emerged he had approved Mandelson's security clearance against advice

Within days, the PM could even face a formal Commons investigation into whether he lied to MPs about the saga. Opposition MPs were on Wednesday night talking to Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle about a possible vote on establishing a special inquiry into whether the PM told the truth when he claimed 'full due process' had been followed at all times.

The move could lead to an investigation by the Commons Privileges Committee, similar to the probe into claims that Boris Johnson misled MPs over Partygate, which led to the former prime minister being forced out of office.

The potential grounds for an investigation widened on Wednesday when Sir Keir assured the Commons that 'no pressure whatsoever' was applied to officials over Mandelson's appointment.

The claim contradicted evidence from Sir Olly this week that his office and that of the Foreign Secretary were 'under constant pressure' to sign off the appointment.

A Whitehall source said No10 officials were 'panicking' about the unscripted comment, fearing the PM may have to correct it.

The Daily Mail revealed on Wednesday that senior ministers were beginning to publicly distance themselves from Sir Keir.

And it later emerged that some of them had confronted him in person on Tuesday as the scandal dominated their weekly meeting around the Cabinet table in Downing Street.

The PM was warned that his dismissal of Sir Olly  which he again defended in the Commons on Wednesday  risked further damaging relations with Whitehall, making it harder for Labour to enact its policies and killing off any lingering hopes of reelection.

Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy said the Government must not create a 'them and us' mentality between ministers and officials, sources told The Guardian.

Next Tuesday, Sir Keir's former chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney (pictured), a Mandelson protege said to be instrumental in making him US ambassador, will also appear before the committee

Health Secretary Wes Streeting and Chancellor Rachel Reeves (both pictured), are said to have urged the PM not to pick fights with civil servants but to keep them 'on side'  an idea Sir Keir is said to have agreed to

Three others, including Health Secretary Wes Streeting and Chancellor Rachel Reeves, are said to have urged the PM not to pick fights with civil servants but to keep them 'on side'  an idea Sir Keir is said to have agreed to.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood reportedly questioned why Sir Keir had praised Sir Olly as an outstanding civil servant in recent days, having sacked him last week for not telling him that Mandelson had failed vetting.

One insider told the Financial Times that Ms Mahmood had said: 'If he's such a great public servant, I don't understand why he has been sacked.'

Government sources insisted that no one spoke out against Sir Olly's sacking, and that the PM had been the first to say that the mandarin's error of judgment did not detract from the work done by civil servants.

But in a fresh blow, one Cabinet minister admitted to having lost confidence in Sir Keir.

Speaking anonymously, the senior figure told the i newspaper: 'It's bleak. It's a question for the Cabinet, and colleagues need to come to a view. I know what my view is.'

In broadcast interviews, another Cabinet minister failed to back the PM's judgment.

Pat McFadden repeatedly refused to say whether he thought Sir Olly's sacking was fair.

The Work and Pensions Secretary, a longstanding ally of Sir Keir, would only tell Times Radio: 'As a Cabinet member, I support the Prime Minister's decisions.'

He later added: 'I'm confident the Prime Minister has the strong support of the Cabinet.'

Labour MP Dan Carden (pictured) said the PM was wrong to sack Sir Olly

Pat McFadden (pictured) repeatedly refused to say whether he thought Sir Olly's sacking was fair

However, a Labour MP became the first to state that Sir Keir should go.

Jonathan Brash, MP for Mandelson's former seat of Hartlepool, told GB News: 'I am completely fed up to the back teeth of this psychodrama in Westminster  the own goals... coming from the heart of this Government. It's got to the point where I genuinely think that, as far as the Prime Minister is concerned, it's not a case of if, it's when.'

He added: 'Ultimately, we're in a situation now where I don't think anyone reasonably expects the Prime Minister to lead the party into the next election.'

Another Labour MP said the PM was wrong to sack Sir Olly.

Dan Carden said: 'Reflecting on Olly Robbins' evidence, his sacking for carrying out the political orders of No10 was plain wrong, and its lasting impact will be to further damage the effective running of government that is a responsibility shared between ministers and civil servants.'

Polly Billington, vicechairman of the Parliamentary Labour Party, refused to be drawn on whether she trusted Sir Keir's judgment.

Sir Keir faces the fury of the Whitehall 'blob' for sacking Sir Olly.

Lord Butler, who was the country's most senior civil servant for a decade, told the BBC: 'I think the Olly Robbins episode has done a great deal of harm to the relationship between the politicians and the civil service.'

He said Sir Keir had made 'some serious mistakes', but added that a change of prime minister 'wouldn't be in the national interest at this moment'.

Another exCabinet Secretary, Lord Sedwill, told The Times: 'The Prime Minister should retract his accusations against Olly Robbins and reinstate him.'

Dave Penman, general secretary of the FDA union, which represents mandarins, said the mood in the civil service was 'absolutely devastating' and senior officials feared being thrown under the bus 'if it's politically expedient'.

While Nigel Farage vowed to finish off Sir Keir's premiership by inflicting a heavy defeat in the local elections next month.

The Reform leader said the Mandelson 'farce' would force the PM to resign by the end of May.

He told a rally in Barnsley that Labour MPs would desert their leader, adding: 'If you vote Reform, we will get Starmer out, because they'll ditch him.'
Even as Sir Philip Barton wrote the letter to King Charles formalising the appointment of Lord Mandelson as US ambassador, he knew that serious trouble lay ahead.

The missive was sent on December 18, 2024, to Sir Clive Alderton, the King's longserving private secretary, and included the observation that the Foreign Secretary David Lammy 'agreed with the appointment'.

The same could not be said of Barton. A lifelong career civil servant, the then Permanent Under Secretary at the Foreign Office had mounted a valiant rearguard action against the combined forces of Downing Street and the Cabinet Office as they fought to install the twicesacked Cabinet minister in the most sensitive and powerful posting in the diplomatic service.

On Wednesday, it emerged that he is to appear next week in front of the Foreign Affairs select committee  the very committee that gave his successor Sir Olly Robbins a platform to eviscerate the Prime Minister on Tuesday  and Downing Street will be terrified that Barton will produce a smoking gun of his own.

He is certain to embarrass the Cabinet Office for a start. Despite Peter Mandelson's less than spotless record in public life, the Cabinet Office in particular pressed for him to be spared the traditional security vetting on the basis that he was a threetimes Cabinet minister, a peer of the realm and a member of the Privy Council.

Intriguingly, the most senior minister in the Cabinet Office at the time was Pat McFadden, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. When Mandelson was given a peerage in 2008 to become Business Secretary in Gordon Brown's government, it was McFadden who was made his deputy and became Mandelson's allimportant eyes and ears in the House of Commons.

Indeed, McFadden grew to be such a close friend that he was one of the few politicians invited to Mandelson's wedding to his longterm partner Reinaldo Avila da Silva in October 2023.

But Barton was having none of the Cabinet Office's brinkmanship. As a man who had served as private secretary to four prime ministers, including John Major and Tony Blair, the London School of Economicseducated civil servant was more than capable of standing up for himself.

Sir Philip Barton (pictured) is to appear next week in front of the Foreign Affairs select committee

Pat McFadden (pictured) grew to be such a close friend of Mandelson that he was one of the few politicians invited to Mandelson's wedding to his longterm partner Reinaldo Avila da Silva in October 2023

He was rightly wary of Mandelson's commercial involvement with Chinese and Russian companies through Global Counsel, the lobbying firm he launched after he left Government in 2010.

Barton also had concerns about his links with the convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. As unbelievable as it might sound, Mandelson stayed in the late financier's New York mansion in 2009 while Epstein was in jail for sextrafficking an underage girl.

A senior Whitehall source tells me: 'Barton pushed back at the Cabinet Office as he thought serious vetting was essential and Mandelson should not be waved through just because he was a Privy Councillor.

The issue went back and forth. But he wouldn't back down and the politicians became impatient.'

Even after the vetting process got underway, the pressure to rubberstamp Mandelson's appointment was unrelenting.

Morgan McSweeney, who was at the time Sir Keir Starmer's allpowerful Downing Street chief of staff, is alleged to have told Barton: 'Just f*****g approve it.' The claim was put to Sir Olly Robbins during his grilling at the hands of the foreign affairs select committee on Tuesday following his abrupt sacking over the vetting row. McSweeney has denied saying it.

Throughout the fraught process to approve Mandelson's appointment, Barton was fighting the corner of Dame Karen Pierce, the outgoing US ambassador.

Most observers agreed that Pierce  no relation  had done a sterling job under President Joe Biden's administration and that she had already forged good contacts with the incoming Trump team, something Barton considered to be of crucial importance.

Former British ambassador to the U.S. Peter Mandelson walks with his dog outside his residence

Sir Olly Robbins (right), the former most senior civil servant in the Foreign Office 'eviscerated' the Prime Minister on Tuesday

Indeed, it is even said that Trump's presidential transition team, appalled at the prospect of Mandelson getting the job, repeatedly tried to intervene on Pierce's behalf.

But by the beginning of November 2024, the pressure was beginning to tell on Barton, who did not even have the support of David Lammy, another of Mandelson's many backers.

Barton, 62, had been planning to retire in 2026 after 40 years of service. However, he agreed to go some months early  in a decision that entitled him to a 'voluntary exit compensation payment' of 262,185 under the terms of the Civil Service Compensation Scheme. The money was in addition to his 202425 salary of 240,000 including bonuses.

As a result, the appointment of Mandelson was signed off (weeks after the King had been informed) on the last day of the Biden administration  not by Barton, but by his successor and friend Sir Olly Robbins.

The entire controversy will be picked over by the Foreign Affairs Select Committee next week when it will interview Morgan McSweeney and Barton on successive days.

'When Philip left, he feared the Mandelson thing would blow up,' says my Whitehall source. 'How right he was.

'Olly Robbins took over, knowing it was job done about Mandelson, and the vetting process seemed to be all about how quickly could they get it done.'

Barton's supporters say that he was forced out because he was standing in the way of the Mandelson appointment and the Foreign Affairs Select Committee is certain to ask him if that is true.

If he confirms that he jumped before he was pushed, the news that not one but two permanent secretaries were thrown under the bus to ensure Sir Keir Starmer's appointment of Mandelson went ahead will only ramp up the pressure on our already beleaguered Prime Minister.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth fired the US Secretary of the Navy from his position amid Donald Trump's ongoing war with Iran, centered around the Strait of Hormuz.

John C. Phelan was ousted from his military role on Wednesday afternoon after a disagreement over Trump's plan for building a 'Golden Fleet' of military vessels.

'The administration really wanted to accelerate the shipbuilding program because of the presidents agenda  and the secretary seemed incapable of accomplishing those goals and he wasnt well liked,' a source told The New York Post.

'When you combine incompetence with arrogance it usually doesnt end well.'

The Golden Fleet proposal includes building a new class of 30,00040,000 ton, nuclear-capable 'Trump-class' battleships, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Navy Undersecretary Hung Cao will become acting secretary of the Navy.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Phelan was ousted after battling with Hegseth and Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg.

Phelan's departure from the chief Navy position comes as Trump orders ships to engage Iran in the crucial chokepoint of the Strait of Hormuz.

His exit was just the latest in a series of resignations plaguing the Trump administration at a critical time for the president.

A spokesperson for Pete Hegseth, the United States Secretary of War, said: 'Secretary of the Navy John C. Phelan is departing the administration, effective immediately.

John C. Phelan, the head of the US Navy, stepped down from his role on Wednesday afternoon

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth provides updates on the continued military operations on Iran during a press briefing on the Iran war at the Pentagon on March 19

Ships and boats in the Strait of Hormuz, Musandam, Oman, April 22, 2026

'On behalf of the Secretary of War and Deputy Secretary of War, we are grateful to Secretary Phelan for his service to the Department and the United States Navy.

'We wish him well in his future endeavors. Undersecretary Hung Cao will become Acting Secretary of the Navy.'

The resignation came just weeks after the Army's highest ranking officer, General Randy George, was told to step down and take immediate retirement.

General Randy George, who was ousted on April 2, was a four-star general and the 41st Chief of Staff responsible for organizing, training and equipping more than one million soldiers, though not a field commander directing tactical strikes.

Hegseth has purged more than a dozen senior officers, including Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General C.Q. Brown, Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Lisa Franchetti, the Air Force Vice Chief of Staff General James Slife and the head of the Defense Intelligence Agency Lieutenant General Jeffrey Kruse.

Trump and the Navy's presence in the Strait have increased in recent weeks in a bid to bolster pressure on Iran and restrict the country's ability to profit from oil exports.

General Randy George attends the Heroes ceremony for Medal of Honor recipient retired Army Captain Larry L. Taylor at Conmy Hall, Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Arlington, Virginia, United States on September 6, 2023

An E-2D Advanced Hawkeye prepares to launch from USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) during Operation Epic Fury

Just two days ago, the US Navy attacked and seized an Iranian cargo ship in the Strait that was attempting to pass through Trump's blockade.

The Strait of Hormuz usually sees over 3,000 ships sail through - connecting the world via its trade route - but during the ongoing US-Iran conflict, this number has decreased to just a handful a day.

The US Navy began blockading all vessels attempting to leave or enter Iranian ports or the Iranian coastline, including the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, on April 17.

The blockade began when US negotiators failed to broker a peace deal with Iran on April 12, and JD Vance returned from Islamabad empty handed.

Iran doubled down on its pledge to restrict ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz as long as the US blockade of Iranian ports remains in place.

For Iran, the strait's closure - imposed after the US and Israel launched the war on February 28 to stifle Tehran's nuclear program - is perhaps its most powerful weapon, threatening the world economy and inflicting political pain on Trump.

For the United States, the blockade squeezes Iran's already weakened economy and pressures its government by denying it long-term cash flow.
As AI reshapes how Retail and Consumer Goods businesses compete, Robots & Pencils plants its flag in the vertical and brings in a 30-year industry veteran to lead the charge.

CLEVELAND, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Robots & Pencils, an applied AI engineering partner known for high-velocity delivery and measurable business outcomes, today announced the appointment of Saul Delage as SVP, Client Partner, Retail and Consumer Goods (RCG). Based in Chicago, he brings 30 years of experience building executive partnerships and driving growth across some of the most recognized names in digital transformation. Delage joins a proven leadership team at Robots & Pencils with extensive experience delivering for more than 100 of the world's most recognized consumer brands, including dozens of Fortune 500 companies.

Saul Delage, SVP Client Partner, Retail & Consumer Goods, Robots & Pencils

The appointment is a deliberate move. Robots & Pencils is investing with intention in Retail and Consumer Goods, including CPG, eCommerce, Restaurants & Everyday Essentials, and Retail, an industry under mounting pressure to move from AI experimentation into generative and agentic AI that performs in production and delivers measurable business outcomes. Delage will lead client relationships across the vertical, helping enterprise leaders get more from their AI investments and more from their investments in AWS, while strengthening the company's presence in key markets and building closer, more embedded partnerships with clients.

The Right Leader for the Moment

"Saul is the kind of leader clients trust before the contract is signed and can't imagine working without after," said Len Pagon, CEO of Robots & Pencils. "He has worked alongside some of our team before. He knows how we operate, and he knows this vertical inside out. Retail and Consumer Goods is a large growing industry vertical for us, and we went out and got the right leader."

A Career Built on Trust and Delivery

Delage arrives with a career forged across Cognizant, Isobar, Havas, Razorfish, and Fry, where he built high-performing growth teams, secured long-term relationships with Fortune 500 companies, and earned a reputation as one of the most technically fluent executives in the industry, equally effective in the boardroom and in the details of delivery.

His hire reflects the company tenet that winning in Retail and Consumer Goods requires leadership with deep business experience, the technical fluency to speak the language of AI, and the delivery discipline to back it up.

"Retail and Consumer Goods businesses have made significant investments in AI, and too many have little to show for it in production," said Delage. "Robots & Pencils builds enterprise AI systems  generative, agentic, and production-ready  that move fast and tie directly to revenue and customer experience. That is exactly what this industry needs right now, and Robots & Pencils is built to deliver it."

Built on AWS. Driven by Outcomes.

Robots & Pencils is unabashedly aligned with AWS and is building its Retail and Consumer Goods vertical around that conviction. The goal is helping enterprise leaders drive measurable business outcomes on AWS, from first deployment to full-scale production. For AWS co-sell teams and enterprise leaders who need a partner that moves fast and delivers, that commitment is the differentiator.

Retail and Consumer Goods businesses ready to move from AI experimentation to AI execution can learn more at robotsandpencils.com or connect with Saul Delage directly to explore what's possible.

About Robots & Pencils

Robots & Pencils is an Applied AI Engineering Partner that builds AI systems designed for enterprise velocity and measurable business impact. An AWS Advanced Tier Services Partner and AWS Pattern Partner, with delivery centers in Canada, the United States, Eastern Europe, and Latin America, the company combines world-class UX with elite engineering talent for rapid, enterprise-grade delivery. Founded in 2009, Robots & Pencils has earned the trust of leaders in Consumer Products and Retail, Education, Energy, Financial Services, Healthcare, and Manufacturing industries, gaining a reputation as a high-velocity alternative to traditional global systems integrators. Visit robotsandpencils.com and follow the company on LinkedIn.

Contact: Scott Young

[email protected]

SOURCE Robots & Pencils
Amanda Knox has sent a letter of support to Lucy Letby in prison as well as a copy of her memoir 'Free'.

The 38-year-old American revealed her backing for the convicted child killer during a Q&A about her latest documentary, Mouth Of The Wolf.

Directed by her husband, Christopher Robinson, the film follows her return to Perugia in Italy, where British student Meredith Kercher was murdered in 2007.

But the promotional trip to London is said to have left the Kercher family 'speechless', with their lawyer accusing Ms Knox of 'cashing in' on Meredith's memory.

Ms Knox - who was twice convicted and acquitted over the death of her 21-year-old flatmate - fought back tears on Tuesday night as she spoke at Greenwich Picturehouse in London.

There, she revealed her attempt to befriend former neonatal nurse Letby, 36, who is serving life in prison for the murder of seven infants and the attempted murder of seven others.

Mother-of-two Ms Knox said: 'I did send her a copy of my book. I wrote a letter to her.

'I wrote a letter to her parents as well. But I have not talked to her personally.'

Amanda Knox revealed her backing for the convicted child killer Lucy Letby during a Q&A about her latest documentary, Mouth Of The Wolf

Lucy Letby has reportedly received a copy of Ms Knox's book Free - published last year - which details her life after jail, focusing on the aftermath of her acquittal. She also wrote a book in 2013 titled Waiting To Be Heard

Ms Knox is accused of 'cashing in' on Meredith Kercher's memory

She continued: 'You do not need a smoking gun of innocence to say a conviction is unsafe. You do not need to know someone is 100 per cent innocent to say they should not be in prison.'

Ms Knox's book Free - published last year - details her life after jail, focusing on the aftermath of her acquittal. She also wrote a book in 2013 titled Waiting To Be Heard.

Discussing her podcast about Letby and controversies surrounding her case, Ms Knox said: 'It is not about her as a person - it's about the facts of the case and what we can actually know.'

She added that people 'aren't really about evidence' but rather how it 'makes them feel'. An audience member who spoke with Ms Knox revealed to the Daily Mail that she told Letby to hold on to 'hope'.

The Kercher family lawyer, Francesco Maresca, accused Ms Knox of 'cashing in for the umpteenth time on Meredith's memory' and said the family felt 'enough is enough'.
READ MORE: Australian project set to pump out up to 20million litres of diesel

Would be the first one built since the 1960s

PM to consider new oil refinery for Australia

Australia could see its first new oil refinery built in nearly 70 years as the federal government holds talks with energy companies amid national fuel insecurity.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's office has confirmed discussions are underway on whether expanding domestic refining capacity could reduce the nation's reliance on imported fuel, including the possible construction of a new refinery.

If approved, it would be the first oil refinery developed in Australia since the 1960s and could carry a price tag of up to $10billion.

Australia currently operates just two oil refineries, in Geelong and Brisbane, and imports around 90 per cent of its fuel.

That reliance on overseas supply has come under renewed scrutiny amid ongoing conflict in the Middle East and increasing volatility in global energy markets.

To support domestic fuel production, the federal government has amended the investment mandate of the $15billion National Reconstruction Fund, allowing it to assess proposals aimed at expanding Australias fuelmaking capacity.

While the fund is expected to prioritise upgrades to existing infrastructure, it has not ruled out backing a new refinery.

Albanese is set to brief state and territory leaders during a National Cabinet meeting on Thursday, with the issue expected to feature prominently on the agenda.

Albanese (centre) will discuss the development of a new oil refinery at National Cabinet

It comes as the government weighs longer-term measures to strengthen Australia's fuel resilience, following fresh disruption at one of the nation's key facilities.

Concerns escalated earlier this month after a massive fire broke out at Viva Energy's Geelong refinery on April 15.

The Geelong refinery is a critical component of Australia's fuel supply chain.

With the capacity to process about 120,000 barrels of crude oil a day, the facility supplies more than half of Victoria's fuel needs and about 10 per cent nationally.

Commissioned in 1954, the refinery produces petrol, diesel, liquefied petroleum gas, jet fuel, aviation gasoline and low-aromatic fuel, according to Viva Energy.

The incident has further highlighted the fragility of Australia's fuel security, given its dependence on just two refineries and imported supply.

Opposition Leader Angus Taylor has seized on the issue, calling last week for Australia to 'accelerate' oil and gas exploration.

'We need to accelerate exploration, getting those small companies out there, innovating and finding those new reserves of oil and gas in this country that can give us the fuel security we need,' he told reporters in Perth.

Join the discussion Is relying on imported fuel putting Australia's security and economy at serious risk?

It follows the fire at the Viva Oil Refinery in Geelong (pictured) one of two left in Australia

Taylor framed the issue as a matter of national security, arguing Australia should be thinking beyond short-term stockpiles.

'We shouldn't be talking about whether it needs to be 30 or 60 days of stockholding in this country, although that's important,' he said.

'We should be talking about whether it's 30 or 60 years' worth that we can extract from under the ground using our great natural resources in this country.'
The White House accused Iran on Wednesday night of acting 'like pirates' after it seized two cargo ships and fired on a third vessel.

Donald Trump had remained quiet over the incidents following his extension of the ceasefire late on Tuesday to allow Tehran more time to submit a unified peace proposal.

However, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt claimed that the Iranians were 'acting like a bunch of pirates' in taking action against the US blockade of Iran's ports.

Asked whether the US would consider striking the boats, Leavitt says the US 'could' and that the president has 'many options' on the table.

But she added that the seizures were carried out by only two small boats, and Iran's navy is otherwise 'obliterated'.

Iran claimed Wednesday it had seized two cargo ships and fired on a third in the Strait of Hormuz as abandoned peace talks showed no sign of resuming.

Tehran said the MSC Francesca and Epaminondas were 'escorted to the Iranian coast' after Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) gunboats had opened fire.

The third ship, a Liberia-flagged container vessel, was also fired upon but was not damaged and resumed sailing, according to maritime security sources.

Donald Trump had remained quiet over the incidents following his extension of the ceasefire late on Tuesday to allow Tehran more time to submit a unified peace proposal

Firing line: US Navy image shows the Iranian-flagged cargo ship Touska being intercepted on Monday after it was accused of attempting to violate the US blockade

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The IRGC Navy command insisted the cargo ships had 'endangered maritime security' and added: 'Disruption of order and security in the Strait of Hormuz is our red line.'

Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez, head of the UN's International Maritime Organisation, called for 'innocent seafarers to be released immediately'.

Greece denied that the Epaminondas, which is linked to them, had been seized but confirmed it had been fired upon about 20 nautical miles from Oman.

The vessel's bridge had sustained damage after being hit, but no one was injured in the attack, Greek authorities said.

The move by Iran follows Monday's action when the Iranian-flagged cargo ship Touska was intercepted after it was accused of attempting to violate the US blockade of Iran's ports.

The White House said Wednesday that the President had set no firm deadline for Iran to make a deal. Ms Leavitt claimed 'Operation Economic Fury' was 'completely strangling' Tehran's economy.

She said an 'effective and successful' US blockade had been imposed on Iran's ports and Washington 'will dictate the timeline' of the war.

She also accused Iran of lying about the status of negotiations, claiming: 'What they say publicly is much different from what they concede to the United States and our negotiating team privately.'

Iran has claimed the blockade of its trade by sea is an act of war.

Seized: MSC Francesca was allegedly escorted to the Iranian coast

Attacked: The Greece-linked ship Epaminondas was fired on

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Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Iran's chief negotiator, said it is 'not possible to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, considering all the blatant violations of the ceasefire.

They did not achieve their goals through military aggression, nor will they through bullying.'

In a further show of defiance, Iran showcased some of its ballistic weapons in the capital on Tuesday evening in front of a banner depicting a fist choking off the key waterway, through which a fifth of the world's oil passes.

The banners read 'Indefinitely under Iran's Control' and 'Trump cannot do a damn thing'.

Pakistan's mediators continue to try to bring the sides together for negotiations after both failed to show up for planned talks in Islamabad on Tuesday.
On the latest episode of the Daily Mail's Queens, Kings and Dastardly Things podcast, historians Robert Hardman and Kate Williams explore the strangely parallel lives of Queen Elizabeth II and Sir David Attenborough.

Both born in 1926, Britain's most beloved broadcaster and longest reigning monarch would cross paths many times throughout their lives.

The late Queen clearly held Sir David in high regard, entrusting him to produce her beloved Christmas broadcast for six consecutive years between 1986 and 1991.

Sir David was pivotal to the Royal Family's embrace of television. As Controller of BBC Two between 1965 and 1969, he oversaw the family's first foray into the new medium with a landmark 1969 documentary, which gave the British public an intimate look behind Palace doors for the very first time.

On the latest episode of the Daily Mail's Queens, Kings and Dastardly Things, Robert Hardman and Kate Williams explore the parallel lives of Queen Elizabeth II and Sir David Attenborough

Both born in 1926, Britain's most beloved broadcaster and longest reigning monarch would cross paths many times throughout their long lives

Sir David was pivotal to the Royal Family's embrace of television

But Sir David was fiercely opposed to the film, simply titled Royal Family, as Hardman explained on the podcast.

'Sir David did not feel the documentary was a good idea,' he said.

'Quite boldly, he had a row with the Royal family about it.

'Sir David's phrase was: "You do not want to let the village see inside the chief's house."

'He felt that with the documentary, all the family's sense of mystery, their sense of authority, would be lost.

'I think maybe he had been reading the great Victorian essayist Walter Bagehot, who famously wrote about not letting daylight in on the magic of the monarchy.'

Sir David was overruled by Prince Philip, who chaired the advisory committee that approved every scene in the documentary.

Philip was a firm believer in the power of television and was convinced the Palace had to engage with it on their own terms before it shaped the monarchy's image without their input.

In many ways, the Prince's instinct proved correct. The documentary drew an audience of more than 30million British viewers, a bigger audience than tuned in to watch man land on the moon that same summer.

Yet the film's extraordinary success would mask a deeper unease. As Hardman explained, there had been fierce debate within the Palace from the very beginning over whether opening the doors to cameras was a risk the monarchy could afford to take.

As Hardman explained, there had been fierce debate within the Palace from the very beginning over whether opening the doors to cameras was a risk to the monarchy

The film has not been shown on British television since 1977. Using Crown copyright, the Queen effectively banned it, later deeming the documentary too revealing

To hear how Sir David and Queen Elizabeth became close friends, search for Queens, Kings and Dastardly Things now, wherever you get your podcasts

Hardman said: 'I spoke to Bill Heseltine, a great man and former press secretary at the Palace at the time.

'He was very much in favour of the idea. Heseltine had to fight against the old establishment who, rather like Sir David, were saying - this is a bad idea. Let's keep the mystery.

'They argued that because the family had done this documentary, it would allow the paparazzi in.

'I happen to disagree with them on that. TV was coming, they couldn't do anything about it. So, you might as well get with the programme.'

The film has not been shown on British television since 1977. Using Crown copyright, the Queen effectively banned it, later deeming the documentary too revealing.

Williams, however, sided with Sir David, arguing the family had made a costly mistake by opening the door to the cameras in the first place.

'I think it's a risk for any monarchy to allow the public to see them as ordinary people,' she said.

'For example, there's an unfortunate scene where a foreign dignitary is compared to a gorilla.'

To hear how Sir David and Queen Elizabeth became close friends, search for Queens, Kings and Dastardly Things now, wherever you get your podcasts.
Yesterday would have been the late Queen Elizabeth II's 100th birthday, and in the century since her birth the family that surrounds the throne has, unsurprisingly, changed dramatically.

Indeed, with the likes of Prince Harry stepping down as a working royal and with Andrew being stripped of his titles, the Firm now appears decisively smaller than it did just a decade ago.

On top of this, the family have also grieved the loss of some of their most prominent members.

Last September, Katharine, Duchess of Kent, died aged 92 while Elizabeth died in September 2022 aged 96 and her husband Prince Philip died in 2021 aged 99.

King Charles III and Camilla posed up for a picture yesterday with all the current working royals from youngest to oldest: the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, the Princess Royal, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and even the Duke of Kent and Princess Alexandra  the last two aged 90 and 89 respectively.

The royals were together to mark Elizabeth's centenary, where the King led a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday for three men and women celebrating theirs.

Charles also personally gave them their special cards signed by himself and Queen Camilla and helped to cut a cake which was distributed to 190 guests at Buckingham Palace.

The reception was designed to celebrate the life and legacy of Queen Elizabeth II on the anniversary of her birth, including guests from 45 of the patronages she supported including Cancer Research UK, the British Red Cross Society, Jockey Club, Royal Kennel Club and the Army Benevolent Fund.

2026:(From left) The Duchess of Gloucester, the Duke of Gloucester, the Duke of Kent, the Princess of Wales, the Prince of Wales, King Charles III, Queen Camilla, the Princess Royal, the Duke of Edinburgh, Princess Alexandra and the Duchess of Edinburgh at Buckingham Palace in London

2023 at the King's coronation: (From left) Duke of Kent, Duchess of Gloucester, Duke of Gloucester, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, the Princess Royal, King Charles III, Queen Camilla, The Prince of Wales, the Princess of Wales, Duchess of Edinburgh, Princess Alexandra, The Honourable Lady Ogilvy and the Duke of Edinburgh

2017: Members of the Royal Family at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding

2007: A larger family photo of the Windsors during a dinner at Clarence House
King Charles III 'viscerally despises' Donald Trump privately, royal author Tina Brown has claimed ahead of the four-day US state visit next week.

The former Vanity Fair editor said a royal adviser had also told her that the monarch was 'especially pained' by the President's attacks on Pope Leo XIV.

Charles and Camilla's trip comes amid a worsening UK-US relationship after verbal attacks by Mr Trump on the British military, its Nato allies and Sir Keir Starmer.

The King's first visit to the US as monarch is intended to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence and herald the start of celebrations across the US.

And Ms Brown wrote on her 'Fresh Hell' Substack: 'There will be no whiff next week of how "viscerally", I am told, King Charles privately despises his presidential host.'

Ahead of the trip from April 27 to 30, Ms Brown added: 'The King, a royal adviser told me, will be especially pained by Trump's attacks on Pope Leo.

'In his decades as Prince of Wales, interfaith understanding was always high on his priority list, to the point that he wanted, as monarch, to be called defender of faith, not the faith.'

Mr Trump had accused the Pope of being 'weak on crime, weak on nuclear weapons' and said he should 'stop catering to the radical Left' and 'focus on being a great Pope, not a politician', after the pontiff criticised the US-Israeli war on Iran.

Donald Trump and King Charles III at Windsor Castle during the state visit in September 2025

Charles and Camilla with Donald and Melania Trump at Windsor Castle in September 2025

The Pope later said he would continue to 'stand up and say there's a better way' and he is 'not afraid' of Mr Trump but did not intend to 'get into a debate' with him.

Ms Brown also claimed that the King intervened in January when Mr Trump caused fury by claiming that Nato troops stayed 'a little off the front lines' in Afghanistan.

I know how the Queen REALLY felt about Meghan Hi! I'm Richard Eden, Diary Editor and author of the Palace Confidential newsletter. I have spent hours looking into what Meghan Markle's relationship with the Queen was really like. And while I can tell you Meghan was welcomed with open arms, my sources have told me the Queen was very quickly concerned. Sign up here to read what I discovered

It was already known that Sir Keir raised the comments directly with Mr Trump in a conversation, and the President then wrote on Truth Social that UK soldiers who fought in the country were 'among the greatest of all warriors'.

But Ms Brown wrote: 'In nearly a decade of Trump doubling down on insults, btw, a private correction and rebuke from King Charles, discreetly transmitted by the palace in January, was a rare time when Trump cleaned up the spittle, Truth Socialing (sic) the next day about "the great and very brave soldiers of the United Kingdom".'

Some 457 British troops were killed in Afghanistan and the King's son Prince Harry served there on two operational tours in 2007/08 and 2012/13.

Speaking about the state visit, Ms Brown also said: 'The King and Queen know they can ace this visit. Whatever the tensions, the palace also sees it as a pleasing opportunity both to blur the frayed transatlantic reality and to big up the monarch at home.'

The Daily Mail has contacted Buckingham Palace for comment on Ms Brown's claims.

Relations between the Prime Minister and Mr Trump have been fractious, with the President branding the UK's approach to the Iran war 'terrible' and repeatedly lashing out at Sir Keir  at one point describing him as 'not Winston Churchill'.

But Mr Trump told Sky News last week that the state visit will not be overshadowed by his strained relationship with Sir Keir.

The royal couple will begin their trip with a private tea hosted by the President and First Lady, and will also commemorate the 25th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks that brought down New York's Twin Towers.

Donald and Melania Trump with Sir Keir and Lady Victoria Starmer at Chequers last September

Former Vanity Fair editor and royal author Tina Brown, pictured in New York in March last year

Highlights of the trip will also include Charles acknowledging the challenges the UK and US face in only the second address to both houses of Congress by a British monarch, after Queen Elizabeth II delivered the first in September 1991.

Charles and Mr Trump will sit down for a bilateral meeting and Camilla and Melania Trump will carry out an engagement together, with the President hosting a state dinner in their honour.

The royal couple will also travel to Virginia to meet residents and community organisations and watch performances by Appalachian cultural groups and attend a celebratory 'block party'.

Meanwhile there have been repeated calls by the family of Jeffrey Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre for a meeting with the King and Queen, and The Mail on Sunday reported that the Queen had been approached by victims' rights groups.

But the legal implications of Charles and Camilla coming into contact with any survivors of the paedophile financier, and the King's constitutional position, make a meeting impossible while there are ongoing UK police investigations into matters related to Epstein.

The Royal Family has been dealing with the issue of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor for years, disgraced by his association with Epstein and recently arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office, over his connection with the paedophile, and released under investigation.

Andrew, stripped of his titles by his brother the King, has long faced separate accusations of having sex with Ms Giuffre three times, including when she was 17, and also during an orgy after being trafficked by the financier. The former prince has denied the allegations.

At the end of the state visit, Charles will travel solo to Bermuda for a three-day royal visit  his first as King to a British Overseas Territory.
Sign up for our Palace Confidential newsletter, direct from our royal experts - and we'll also send you an exclusive article on what the Queen really thought of Meghan. Get it HERE

Royal fans have named a new 'Fab Four' after the Prince and Princess of Wales's easy friendship with the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh was on full display during the late Queen's centenary celebrations.

King Charles led the full delegation of senior royals at a Buckingham Palace reception honouring Queen Elizabeth II's life and legacy on what would have been her 100th birthday.

While everyone from Princess Anne to Princess Alexandra joined the celebrations, notable absences included the King's younger son, Prince Harry, who stayed back in California amid his estrangement from the Royal Family.

When Harry, 41, and wife, Meghan Markle, 44, quit The Firm, it was also the final chapter in the 'Fab Four' era as the Sussexes and Waleses were jointly known.

Six years later, fans suggested Harry and Meghan have finally been replaced by Prince Edward and Duchess Sophie after photos and videos from yesterday's reception showcased their strong bond with William and Kate.

One snap showed the future King struggling to contain his laughter during a chat with Sophie, known for her wicked sense of humour, while Kate and Edward appeared deep in conversation.

They stood together while singing 'Happy Birthday' to six centenarians, who were all celebrating their 100th birthdays, as fans on X/Twitter declared they were the 'real Fab Four'.

And they were front and centre in the royal portrait that represented King Charles's 'slimmed down' monarchy after the scandal surrounding his disgraced younger brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, as well as Megxit.

Royal fans have crowned a new 'Fab Four' after the Prince and Princess of Wales's easy friendship with the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh was on full display during the late Queen's centenary celebrations

The Prince and Princess of Wales during a reception at Buckingham Palace in London today. Wowing in an Emilia Wickstead dress, Kate was wearing Queen Elizabeth's pearl necklace and earrings

Prince Harry's engagement to the former Suits actress Meghan was announced in 2017 and the couple were carrying out royal engagements alongside William and Kate soon after.

When they came together at an event for the Royal Foundation, established by the brothers, in February 2018, their camaraderie led to royal fans describing the group as the 'Fab Four'.

I know how the Queen REALLY felt about Meghan Hi! I'm Richard Eden, Diary Editor and author of the Palace Confidential newsletter. I have spent hours looking into what Meghan Markle's relationship with the Queen was really like. And while I can tell you Meghan was welcomed with open arms, my sources have told me the Queen was very quickly concerned. Sign up here to read what I discovered

But the high-profile partnership between the younger royals did not last long, after a rumoured rift - first between Kate and Meghan and then between the future King and Harry - that ended with the splitting of their households and Royal Foundation charity in March 2019.

Just one month before the 'Fab Four' broke up, Prince William confronted Harry about his wife's 'abrasive' nature during a tense meeting at Nottingham Cottage, the Duke later revealed in his controversial memoir Spare.

Harry claimed the fight ended after William knocked Harry to the floor and 'landed on the dog's bowl' in a shocking revelation about the row that rocked the foundation of the 'Fab Four'.

Over seven years later, a 'new Fab Four' has emerged, X/Twitter users said while reacting to images of William, Kate, Sophie and Edward together.

The King's youngest brother, 62, was seen having an animated conversation with Kate, who opted to wear a lavender coat dress in honour of the late Queen.

Meanwhile, Prince William couldn't contain his laughter as he spoke to his 'aunt-in-law' at the Buckingham Palace reception for the late Queen.

One X user wrote: 'Love the dynamics between William and Aunt Sophie.'

Another added: 'They make me smile, I love the four of them.'

A third fan declared the group comprised 'four of the finest the Royal Family has' while yet another said 'we love them so much!'

While they were born commoners, Sophie and Kate quickly won the affection of the public and, crucially, the approval of the late Queen after marrying into the Royal Family.

2026:(From left) The Duchess of Gloucester, the Duke of Gloucester, the Duke of Kent, the Princess of Wales, the Prince of Wales, King Charles III, Queen Camilla, the Princess Royal, the Duke of Edinburgh, Princess Alexandra and the Duchess of Edinburgh at Buckingham Palace in London

The Princess of Wales during the reception at Buckingham Palace to remember the Queen

The Prince of Wales meets guests during the reception at Buckingham Palace this afternoon

Prince William at the event to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II's birth

Sophie appears at the event to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II's birth

In fact, former PR executive Sophie was a big part of Kate's induction, as the Daily Mail's Diary Editor suggested the future Queen managed to ingratiate herself with the Royal Family as a result of the 'unbreakable bond' she formed with Prince Edward's wife.

Since then, the pair have come a long way from their tentative mentor/mentee relationship to develop a genuine friendship that will shape the future of the monarchy, he added.

The Daily Mail's Royal Editor Rebecca English added that Sophie 'cemented' her status as Kate's 'wing woman' with a subtle gesture at the first Remembrance Sunday after the princess's cancer diagnosis in 2024.

The ceremony revealed how Kate, who announced she was in remission from cancer in September 2024, found comfort in Sophie as she made a measured return to public life.

A poignant photo showed the Duchess place a reassuring hand on Kate's back as they left the balcony at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office after the wreath-laying ceremony at the Cenotaph.

Body language expert Judi James told the Daily Mail: 'She and Kate always appear to be close and to share a sense of humour but Sophies gesture here seems to show her in a more maternal mode, as she places one hand on or near Kates back as she stepped inside the building.'

'It registered fondness and maybe a small congratulatory "well done" for another milestone achieved in terms of Kates return to royal duties.'

Meanwhile, William and Sophie were hailed as a 'royal power duo' last year after they carried out a rare joint royal engagement at the Royal Cornwall Show on June 6.

As they sampled local Cornish gin at the event, organised by the Royal Agricultural Association of which Sophie and William are both patrons, their growing friendship was hard to miss.

Edward is also believed to be close to his nephew, who is 19 years his junior, making the new 'Fab Four' a group rooted in longstanding respect and love for each other.

They took centre stage in a new royal portrait taken on what would have been the late Queen's 100th birthday as it underscored the changing face of the monarchy.
The deaths and disappearances of eleven top scientists have mystified the nation, with President Donald Trump and senior members of Congress demanding answers and vowing to uncover whether the cases are connected.

Now, chilling claims have come to light about the death of Amy Eskridge, a 34-year-old researcher working on anti-gravity technology, who was found with a gunshot to the head.

She died in Huntsville, Alabama, on June 11, 2022, and her death was ruled a suicide. But four years on, newly uncovered text messages raise chilling questions about what really happened.

Franc Milburn, a retired British paratrooper and intelligence officer who claims to have been in contact with Eskridge before her death, shared messages he says she sent him.

One dated May 13, 2022, read: 'If you see any report that I killed myself, I most definitely did not. If you see any report that I overdosed, I most definitely did not. If you see any report that I killed anyone else, I most definitely did not.'

Milburn told the Daily Mail that Eskridge - as well as some of her colleagues involved in advanced propulsion and energy research - had been subjected to what he described as a sustained campaign of harassment and intimidation designed to derail their work.

He also said he spoke with the young scientist just four hours before her death and noticed nothing unusual.

'She said, "Everything's fine, Franc, I'm feeling okay." She sent me, and others, emails and LinkedIn messages saying, 'If anything happens to me - suicide or an accident - it wasn't, it's suspicious, treat it as such,' Milburn claimed.

Eskridge also purportedly told Milburn she believed she had been the target of repeated physical and psychological attacks - claims he says he documented and is now making public.

Amy Eskridge reportedly took her own life on June 11, 2022. However, the scientist claimed her life had been repeatedly threatened because of her work with anti-gravity tech

Milburn shared multiple messages he had with Eskridge, who expressed concern about being targeted for her work

Former British intelligence officer Franc Milburn revealed text messages he said Eskridge sent one month before her death

Among the allegations, Milburn claimed Eskridge reported injuries she believed were caused by what he described as a 'directed energy weapon,' a device said to emit focused energy capable of causing burns or other physical harm.

Eskridge shared images in text messages to Milburn, apparently showing her hands, feet, neck and back with burns and lesions after allegedly being struck by this weapon.

He claimed that images even appeared to show a scorch mark on Eskridge's home window, where the 'energy weapon' allegedly passed and struck her while she was working on her laptop.

On May 19, 2022, Milburn says Eskridge messaged him to say that a member of her research lab with advanced weapons experience was convinced a directed energy weapon had caused her injuries.

'My ex-CIA weapons guy on my team saw my hands when they were burned really badly a couple months ago, and he saw that window pane in person,' she wrote.

'He said he had built things like that, and that it was most likely an RF k-band emitter run by five car batteries strung together from inside an SUV.'

Eskridge then allegedly claimed that this expert believed the most likely party capable of carrying out such an attack was a US-based contractor or company seeking to prevent the scientist from completing an important piece of research for the government.

The scientist had founded her own research lab and was trying to develop anti-gravity technology, a way to control or cancel out gravity, which could revolutionize space travel and energy production.

Eskridge was working on research for a way to control or cancel out gravity, which could revolutionize space travel and energy production, before her death

Milburn shared text messages he said Eskridge sent one before her death that include disturbing allegations

Eskridge messaged Milburn to say that a member of her research lab with advanced weapons experience was convinced a directed energy weapon had caused her injuries

Milburn shared a picture, which he claims shows Eskridge's hands burned and discolored after allegedly being struck by an 'energy weapon'

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Richard Eskridge, the woman's father and a former NASA scientist who worked on fusion propulsion, has refuted claims that his daughter's death was suspicious.

'Scientists die also, just like other people,' Eskridge told NewsNation while declining to comment further.

In a statement to CNN, Eskridges family said she was a 'marvelously intelligent person' who suffered from 'chronic pain.'

Reiterating her father's statement, they added: 'People should realize that scientists die also and not make too much of this.'

Eskridge and her father co-founded The Institute for Exotic Science, which focused on so-called speculative research, including the creation of gravity-defying engines.

The scientist said that she specifically co-founded her research company 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.

Following Eskridge's death, Milburn launched his own investigation and identified what he described as a troubling timeline that he believes left little time for authorities to fully rule out foul play.

'Why was she cremated so quickly? She phoned me four hours before she died, then she dies, then a few hours later, on the Saturday when she died, she has an autopsy, and then on the Sunday, she's cremated,' Milburn said.

'After she died, her co-workers and her friends, people she'd worked with, they came forward anonymously and said to me, "yeah, look, we were attacked, we were roofied, my house was broken into, my car tires were slashed,"' he claimed.

Milburn shared what he said was a scorch mark on Eskridge's window

Other images sent by Eskridge revealed strange injuries including discolored and burned hands and bloody skin

Eskridge revealed the alleged attacks also caused burns filled with fluid under her skin

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'So this wasn't just random events, this was happening to her and people around her, and she was introducing me to the people that it was happening to.'

Before her death, the scientist claimed she had been the target of disturbing attempts to drug her and push her into taking her own life.

This included alleged break-ins at her apartment, cars following her, strangers approaching her in bars with intimate knowledge of her life, attempts to roofie her drinks and threats of sexual violence against her.

On some occasions, Eskridge alleged that someone managed to roofie her drink before a crowd of strangers gathered around her and began asking about her secret scientific projects while she was disoriented.

'A group of anywhere between two to six people will walk into a location, usually about 30 [minutes] after I sit down,' the scientist purportedly told Milburn in a May 11, 2022, text message.

Lesions also developed after Eskridge claimed she had been struck by a directed energy weapon

Milburn said that Eskridge told him that she had received: 'A s*** load of anonymous messages. Offering advice on how to kill myself. Phrased as these crazy, creepy rhymes'

'Then the whole group will take turns one at a time rotating through the empty seat next to me, repeatedly asking me the same questions over and over again,' she is said to have told Milburn on May 11, 2022.

'I deflect one, then the next one sits down. They even all use the same opening line between them all, as if they all read the same briefing materials.'

Eskridge alleged that her apartment had been broken into on at least three occasions, with an unknown intruder leaving clear signs someone had been there, including cutting her phone charger, closing windows and leaving her lingerie on the floor.

In a 2020 podcast interview, Eskridge detailed a plan for the public disclosure of UFOs and extraterrestrials, but feared the threats against her were growing more and more dire.

She 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.'

Franc Milburn is a former British intelligence officer who says he was in contact with Eskridge prior to her death

She also began to receive threatening phone calls from unidentified individuals who allegedly tried to convince her to take her own life, Millburn claimed.

Milburn said that Eskridge then told him that she had received: 'A s*** load of anonymous messages. Offering advice on how to kill myself. Phrased as these crazy, creepy rhymes, like: "Take your pills and overdose and this will go away, take your pills and overdose and it will be OK."'

Millburn said Eskridge even suspected that some of her former boyfriends were actually 'handlers' sent from intelligence agencies or other groups monitoring her work, claiming the men would suddenly disappear and become unreachable after exactly six months.

In her texts, she also appeared to reference the 2010 shooting of three people at the University of Alabama's Huntsville campus, claiming without evidence that convicted shooter Amy Bishop was not responsible for the killings of Drs Gopi Podila, Maria Ragland Davis and Adriel Johnson.

Bishop pleaded guilty to the killings in 2012 and is serving a life sentence. She later claimed medication she was taking at the time of the shooting had altered her brain chemistry, but the appeal was denied.

Eskridge added in a text to Milburn that she believed the 2021 death of Mark McCandlish, an illustrator and ufologist, was also not a suicide, as it has been reported.

'I would give a lot of credence to her. There's gonna be people saying she's delusional, she's this or that, just follow the facts,' Milburn said.

Milburn claimed he put Eskridge in touch with the FBI regarding the growing frequency of incidents and the potential use of a directed energy weapon on US soil, but said the case was later dropped by the agency.

Milburn shared disturbing messages he said he received from Eskridge, claiming she had been targeted by people in public

Milburn shared a picture he said showed Eskridge sitting in her home - near the window which she claimed was scorched by an 'energy weapon'

Milburn's private investigation concluded that the 34-year-old had been 'murdered by a 'private aerospace company' in the US because she was involved in the UAP conversation.'

Milburn also declared: 'I am not suicidal or contemplating suicide and if anything happens to me, like an accident or other suspicious event, then it should be fully investigated as suspicious.'

The former intelligence officer's findings were brought before a congressional hearing in 2023 that was examining Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena, the new term for UFOs.

Journalist Michael Shellenberger cited Eskridge's case in writing, along with the rest of his testimony addressing incidents of government retaliation against UAP whistleblowers such as Air Force intelligence officer David Grusch.

Congressman Eric Burlison of Missouri told Fox News that Shellenberger has spoken to House members regarding the case. Lawmakers are seeking an investigation by the FBI into multiple deaths and disappearances among America's scientific community.

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.
Our voices are just about as unique as our fingerprints  so can you tell the difference between a real one from one that has been AIgenerated?

AI voice clones are a new generation of artificial voices that can recreate someone's voice from just a few seconds of recorded speech.

A new study has revealed that these synthetic clones are actually clearer and easier to understand than the real person they're based on.

Scientists from University College London initially expected that voice clones would be poor representations of human voices.

However, what they found was the total opposite.

'I thought initially that voice clones would be less intelligible because they were unfamiliar,' said lead author Professor Patti Adank.

'I found they were up to 20 per cent more intelligible, which was quite shocking.'

So, do you think you could tell the difference? Watch the video to hear some sidebyside comparisons of real and fake voices, then scroll down to the bottom for the answers.

Scientists have found that AIgenerated voice clones are easier to understand than their human counterparts, especially when there is lots of disruptive background noise

In the past, voice assistants like Siri or the one in your satnav used socalled 'synthetic voices'.

These require voice actors to spend hours in the recording studio, meticulously sampling all the different words and phrases that the assistant might need.

Voice clones, on the other hand, have revolutionised how synthetic voices are created, by using AI to digitally recreate someone's speech patterns.

These clones can be created with as little as a few seconds of recorded audio, even using clips from social media or snippets of conversation as the raw material.

This has sparked concerns that criminals using AI could easily impersonate friends, family, or coworkers to manipulate their targets.

According to the National Trading Standards, criminals are already using AI to clone people's voices and set up unauthorised direct debits over the phone.

In the study, the researchers created voice clones of human participants using just 120 prerecorded sentences.

Participants listened to 80 unique sentences  40 spoken by a real person and 40 spoken by an AI voice clone.

The researchers compared human (top) AIgenerated (bottom) voice recordings to see why this might be the case, but couldn't find any clear explanation

Can you tell which voices are AI? The answers Question 1 Option 1: Human

Option 2: AI Question 2 Option 1: AI

Option 2: Human Question 3 Option 1: AI

Option 2: Human Question 4 Option 1: Human Option 2: AI

They were asked to copy down exactly what they heard, so the researchers could see how easy the voices were to understand.

Each participant was then asked to rate how clear they thought the voice was, how strong the regional accent was, and whether or not they thought it was an AI.

To the scientists' surprise, the AIgenerated voices were consistently rated as easier to understand.

This was not something that previous research into AIgenerated voices had suggested, and the researchers were baffled as to why it might be the case.

Professor Adank says: 'A small part of our paper is talking about that experiment, and then a large part is me and my collaborator frantically trying to find out what it is that makes those voice clones more intelligible.'

The researchers repeated the experiment with elderly participants and a special filter designed to mimic the effects of a cochlear implant to see if being hard of hearing might have an effect.

They then tried the test again with Americans to see if the British accents of the voice clones would create any extra confusion.

However, no matter what the researchers did, the AIgenerated clones were consistently rated 13 per cent more intelligible than their human counterparts.

What makes this especially unusual is the fact that the participants were rarely tricked by the AI clones.

When presented with a human and an AI voice, participants correctly chose the human 70.4 per cent of the time.

This means they were rating the AIs as being easier to understand, even though they knew that they were artificial.

After examining over 100 different acoustic measurements to try to determine what could be causing the strange effects, the researchers remain stumped.

Professor Adank now believes the only way to solve the mystery will be to work with the engineers who build voice clones to understand how the AIs really work.

She says: 'I am now going to try and recreate [the effect] by studying how synthesisers work and how they use digital signal processing to generate those voices, just to get a bit of a handle on this.'
Meta has revealed plans to start tracking its employees' keystrokes and mouse clicks.

The tool, known as the Model Capability Initiative (MCI), will run on Meta's computers and internal apps to harvest data as workers complete their daily tasks.

MCI will even take screenshots of content on employees' screens to see exactly what they are doing at all times.

Their data will be used to train the company's latest generation of artificial intelligence (AI) models, according to a memo sent to employees on Tuesday.

The goal is to help Meta's AIs learn how to interact with computers, copying how humans use dropdown menus and keyboard shortcuts.

The Memo, seen by Reuters, says: 'This is where all Meta employees can help our models get better simply by doing their daily work.'

However, Meta's staff are concerned that their smallest actions are being used to train the AIs that may eventually replace them.

One employee told the BBC that the plan felt 'very dystopian', adding that Meta has 'become obsessed with AI.'

Meta is planning to start tracking its employees' keystrokes and mouse clicks in order to train its latest generation of AI models

This comes as Meta embarks on a massive push to upgrade its AI products and integrate the technology into its own systems.

Internally, staff are being pushed to use AI tools as part of their work, even if it slows them down at first.

AI agents are increasingly able to automate large parts of employees' daily work, but still struggle to perform tasks humans find easy, such as clicking through a menu.

In a separate memo shared yesterday, Meta CTO Andrew Bosworth said that the company would accelerate its work on socalled 'AI for work'.

Mr Bosworth told employees: 'The vision we are building towards is one where our agents primarily do the work and our role is to direct, review and help them improve.'

He added that the eventual goal was for AIs to 'automatically see where we felt the need to intervene so they can be better next time'.

A Meta Spokesperson told the Daily Mail: 'If we're building agents to help people complete everyday tasks using computers, our models need real examples of how people actually use them  things like mouse movements, clicking buttons, and navigating dropdown menus.

'To help, were launching an internal tool that will capture these kinds of inputs on certain applications to help us train our models. There are safeguards in place to protect sensitive content, and the data is not used for any other purpose'

As CEO Mark Zuckerberg (pictures) pushes towards a bigger internal role for AI, staff were told in a memo that 'all Meta employees can help our models get better simply by doing their daily work'

While Meta says the data will not be used for performance reviews, the announcement has sparked concerns over escalating corporate surveillance.

Tom Hegarty, head of communications for tech campaign group Foxglove, told the Daily Mail: 'Facebook content moderators, social media's critical safety workers, have long warned of facing intense workplace surveillance from Meta.

'Meta's moderators in countries including Ghana have described being monitored during every moment on shift.

'Now it seems this intense surveillance is being rolled across Meta's global workforce.'

Likewise, Jake Hufurt, head of research and investigations at Big Brother Watch, told the Daily Mail: 'Any employer monitoring of staff must be strictly limited and proportionate.

'Companies should not be tracking their staff just to hoover up data to train AI models. Being at work doesnt mean your employer has carte blanche to treat staff as guinea pigs for data gathering.'

With the threat of large layoffs looming, some Meta employees are concerned that this data collection could threaten their roles in the long run.

One person who recently left the company said the tracking tool was 'just the latest way they're shoving AI down everyone's throat'.

This comes after reports suggested Meta was building an AI clone of Mark Zuckerberg to interact with employees on the CEO's behalf. Pictured: Zuckerberg's Metaverse avatar

Meta has already laid off approximately 2,000 employees this year and plans to cut down its global workforce by 10 per cent starting in May.

At the same time, the company has been ploughing vast investments into its AI teams.

Last year, the company spent $14 billion (10.35 bn) to acquire most of AI rival Scale AI, and poached several top executives to help build its own tools.

Meta also made headlines by handing out some of the biggest contracts ever awarded to AI engineers, with pay packages stretching into the hundreds of millions.

In January of this year, Zuckerberg said that this would be 'the year that AI dramatically changes the way we work.'

The company now says it plans to spend $140 billion (103.5 bn) on AI in 2026, almost twice as much as it spent in 2025.

Meta is even preparing to create an AI clone of Mark Zuckerberg himself to interact with employees on the CEO's behalf.

Meta has already disclosed its attempts to develop the next generation of photorealistic, AIpowered 3D characters that can speak with people in real time.

However, according to sources familiar with the company, engineers have been told to prioritise creating Zuckerberg's own 3D replacement.
Annual Initiative Recognizes Educators Across the U.S. Through Employee Stories and Surprise Recognitions

$10,000 Awarded to Select Educators Through Heartfelt Employee-Nominated Video Submissions

Hundreds of Additional Teachers Supported Nationwide through Gifts, Supplies, and Classroom Resources

FISHERS, Ind., April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- For educators who pour their time, energy, and often their own resources into shaping young lives, appreciation doesn't always come often. Through its annual Teachers Rock initiative, Round Room, LLC, one of the nation's largest Verizon Authorized Retailers, is working to change that by surprising teachers across the country with moments of heartfelt recognition, sparked by the very people whose lives they helped. Throughout the initiative, employees shared personal stories of gratitude, resulting in $10,000 awarded to select educators and meaningful classroom support reaching hundreds more nationwide.

Annual Initiative Recognizes Educators Across the U.S. Through Employee Stories and Surprise Recognitions Post this Video Recap of Round Room's Teachers Rock 2026 Speed Speed

Built by the employees of Round Room and each of its entities, including TCC and Wireless Zone, the Teachers Rock initiative gives staff an opportunity to show appreciation for educators. This year, Round Room invited employees to recognize a teacher who made an impact on their life. Educators nationwide received thoughtful gifts including cozy blankets and essential supplies such as pens, paper and Kleenex, designed to support their needs both inside and outside the classroom.

For one employee, Teacher Rock was an opportunity to honor her high school guidance counselor whose influence extended far beyond the classroom.

"Mrs. Connie White was more than a guidance counselor, she was someone who gave extra time, care and encouragement not only to me, but to so many of my peers," said Hannah Schutte, Round Room Gives Program Director, who surprised her former guidance counselor during a classroom visit, "Programs like Teachers Rock are one of many reasons I love working at Round Room. Our employees are able to turn gratitude into action and recognize the people who helped shape who we are today."

The heartfelt teacher surprises and employee stories are featured in a video that captures the emotion and gratitude behind each nomination. The nominations highlighted educators who guided students well beyond academics, shaping character, supporting emotional growth, and offering encouragement when it mattered most.

"What makes Teachers Rock so meaningful is that it's driven entirely by our employees," said Scott Moorehead, CEO of Round Room. "These recognitions come from genuine gratitude of teachers who went the extra mile and left a lasting impact. From surprise awards to classroom support across the country, this initiative reflects the heart of our culture and our belief in turning appreciation into action."

Teachers Rock is a part of Round Room's quarterly community giveback initiatives, which focus on addressing different needs throughout the year based on employee passions and local impact opportunities.

The Round Room Way: Community at the Core

Philanthropy is woven into the fabric of Round Room, driven by the passion and creativity of its employees and store owners. From local backpack giveaways enhanced with dunk tanks, obstacle courses, and partner giveaways, to national quarterly initiatives that support teachers, pet rescues and those affected by domestic violence, the company is committed to making a real impact. With over $10 million donated through its community grant program, benefiting more than 2,000 local nonprofits, Round Room continues to uplift communities through both grassroots efforts and large-scale giving.

To learn more about Round Room and their philanthropic commitments, visit roundroom.com/our-impact

About Round Room, LLC

Founded on a mission and deep commitment of giving back to employees, customers, and the communities it serves, Round Room is one of the largest Verizon-authorized retailers in the U.S. Its collective portfolio of brands includes TCC, Wireless Zone, and Culture of Good. With more than 1,300 TCC and Wireless Zone retail locations across 43 states, Round Room has donated more than $10M to various causes through ongoing giveback initiatives. The company's efforts have also been recognized through the Top Workplaces USA 2025 award and Top Workplaces Culture Excellence award. To learn more about Round Room, visit www.RoundRoom.com.

About TCC

Founded in 1991, TCC is a Verizon wireless retailer that operates over 500 locations from coast to coast and employs upwards of 1,900 people. As a certified 'Culture of Good' company, TCC encourages employees to give back in every community it serves through its Community Grant program, volunteer opportunities, and local philanthropic events. TCC has been recognized with several notable awards including Inc. Magazine's Best in Business, Top Workplaces USA, and Glassdoor's Best Places to Work. To learn more about TCC or to find a location near you, visit www.TCCRocks.com. For more information about TCC's parent company, Round Room, LLC, visit www.RoundRoom.com.

About Wireless Zone

Wireless Zone is the nation's largest wireless retail franchisor with 790 independently owned and operated Verizon wireless stores across the U.S. Founded in 1988, Wireless Zone has earned prestigious industry rankings on Entrepreneur's Franchise 500 and Franchise Business Review's Top Franchise in 2025. From franchisees to corporate employees, each team member plays a critical role in its giveback efforts through system-wide fundraising campaigns or nominating a local charity for a community grant. The system is franchised and operated by Wireless Zone, LLC. Visit www.WirelessZone.com for more information or www.RoundRoom.com to learn about its parent company, Round Room, LLC.

Media Contact: Jessica Cahill, Fishman Public Relations, (847) 945-1300 or [email protected]

SOURCE Round Room (TCC | Wireless Zone)
Tim Cook's departure from Apple could be down to the tech giant's underwhelming AI launch, insiders say.

After 15 years in the top spot, the CEO will step away from his role in September, making way for John Ternus, the current head of hardware engineering, who has been at the company for 25 years.

Now experts suggest the real reason for Cook's 'surprise' exit might be the lackluster launch of Apple's AI system, Apple Intelligence.

SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO

Swift exit: Tim Cook's failure to roll out Apple's AI could be why he's stepping down as CEO

The system was announced to great fanfare in 2024, hailed by the company as a 'new chapter in Apple innovation.'

However, it soon faced significant criticism due to slow implementation, underwhelming features, and the absence of advanced AI capabilities.

According to industry experts and insiders, Apple's executives no longer felt that the CEO, 65, had what it takes to lead Apple through the AI transition.

Rebecca Crook, head of tech consultancy MSQ DX, told the Daily Mail: 'Apple's setbacks in AI have been a consistent focal point, with analysts pressing Cook repeatedly on whether the company was prepared for a future beyond the iPhone.

'When a CEO finds themselves on the back foot about the most strategically critical technology of the decade, that's always going to be tough.'

New boss: John Ternus (left), the current head of hardware engineering, will take Cook's place

Cook will not be leaving Apple entirely and will stay on as executive chairman of Apple's board of directors to handle the company's geopolitical connections with world leaders.

Ternus will then take the reins after a transition period through the summer.

Apple says that this 'follows a thoughtful, long-term succession planning process', but industry experts don't necessarily agree.

Dan Ives, global head of tech research at Wedbush Securities, told Daily Mail that Cook's sudden move was a 'stunner' that hadn't been anticipated until late next year.

'Apple is making a major transition on its AI strategy, and longtime CEO and legendary Cook leaving now is a surprise,' says Ives.

Big fail: The tech firm's 2024 Apple Intelligence launch has been widely panned as a flop

However, the key factor may have been a 'growing pressure on Apple to produce a successful AI strategy'.

In late 2024, Apple revealed its suite of AI features collectively dubbed Apple Intelligence, which Cook dubbed: 'The next big step for Apple'.

Prior to the release, Cook had come under fire for focusing on massive hardware flops such as the Apple Vision Pro, rather than investing in AI capabilities.

Hopes were extremely high that the new AI features would help Apple keep up with new rivals, including ChatGPT maker OpenAI.

Wrong focus? Cook concentrated on hardware flops, including Apple Vision Pro, rather than AI

However, Apple Intelligence ultimately proved to be an embarrassing failure.

Flagship features like an improved AI-powered Siri still haven't materialized, and the launch was held up for months in Europe due to a legal dispute with the EU.

With Apple's most important yearly event, the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), coming in June, Cook may now see it as the right time to step aside.

Ben Wood, chief marketing officer at CCS Insight, told Daily Mail: 'AI is widely regarded as an area where Tim Cook made a decision to let others, such as Google, Gemini, and OpenAI with ChatGPT, take a lead.

'All eyes will be on Apple WWDC in June to learn more about Apple's plans in this area, in particular what it does with Siri, and its partnership with Google.'

There is a growing feeling within Apple and among experts that John Ternus would be a much better CEO to lead Apple through this transition.

Cook will leave an astonishing legacy at the company, having grown it from a market capitalization of approximately $350billion to $4trillion and nearly quadrupling yearly revenue.

Man of the moment: Experts believe Ternus is a better CEO to lead through the AI transition

One person who has worked with both executives told Bloomberg: 'If you go to Tim with "A" or "B", he won't pick. He'll ask a series of questions instead if he has concerns.'

They added: 'Ternus will make decisions. It could be right or wrong, but at least it's a decision.'

Ternus is expected to take a much more centralized position as a decision maker, making the biggest decisions himself rather than leading by committee.

For example, Ternus has already overhauled the company organization around a so-called 'AI platform' designed to speed up product development and improve device quality.

In light of these moves, Crook describes Cook's sudden departure as a 'deliberate strategic bet'.

She adds: 'I wonder whether Ternus can do what Cook couldn't and make Apple feel genuinely essential in an AI-first world, not just the best hardware wrapper for someone else's intelligence.'

Apple has been contacted for comment.
An energy technology company has unveiled an electric vehicle (EV) battery with six-minute charging times.

The latest generation of 'Shenxing' lithium-iron-phosphate batteries from China's CATL charges from 10 per cent to 98 per cent in just six minutes and 27 seconds.

A more standard charge from 10 per cent to 80 per cent takes just three minutes and 44 seconds.

Or, if you only have a minute to spare, you can still power your car back up to 35 per cent in under 60 seconds.

That smashes the previous benchmark of nine minutes for a full charge set by Chinese rival BYD last month.

Although those record times assume relatively mild temperatures, the world's largest maker of EV batteries promises lightning-fast performance in sub-zero conditions.

Just in case you were planning an Arctic expedition, the Shenxing battery still charges from 10 per cent to 98 per cent in nine minutes at -30C (-22F).

Robin Zeng, CATL's billionaire founder and chief executive, told reporters at an event in Beijing: 'The boundaries of electrochemistry are still far from being reached, and the possibilities of materials science are still far from being exhausted.'

China's CATL has unveiled an EV battery (pictured) that can charge from 10 per cent to 98 per cent in just six minutes and 27 seconds

CATL, officially known as Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Ltd, revealed the technology ahead of the Beijing auto show.

The company says its impressive charging speeds have been made possible by reducing the electrical resistance inside the battery.

This is key because the lower the electrical resistance, the more efficiently the battery can transfer energy and the faster it can charge.

The design also allows the battery to keep charging quickly closer to 100 per cent, while most EV batteries dramatically slow their charging past 80 per cent.

According to CATL, the new Shenxing battery has the lowest resistance of any commercial battery, coming in under half the industry average at just 0.25 milliohms.

For sustained performance in cold weather, which has been a major problem for EV batteries, CATL has developed a system that allows the battery to heat itself in pulses.

These upgrades mean that the Shenxing battery offers charging speeds far shorter than anything else on the market.

By comparison, the batteries used by Hyundai and Porsche use nickel-manganese-cobalt batteries that charge from 10 per cent to 80 per cent in 18 minutes.

Thanks to very low electrical resistance, the new Shenxing battery charges to 80 per cent in three minutes and 44 seconds

How fast does it charge? 10 per cent to 98 per cent in six minutes and 27 seconds.

10 per cent to 80 per cent in three minutes and 44 seconds.

10 per cent to 35 per cent in under 60 seconds.

Critically, that brings EVs that much closer to the speed of filling up a tank of petrol.

CATL chief technology officer Gao Huan told reporters: 'We always deliver what we promise.'

During the event, the Chinese EV giant unveiled additional achievements in battery design.

These included a new nickel-cobalt-manganese EV battery that can deliver 612 miles of range on a single charge.

The company also showcased an extremely ambitious 'condensed matter' battery that gives 932 miles (1,500 km) of range.

However, this type of battery design is currently used for electric aircraft and would only be available on the most premium models.

CATL's Chief Scientist, Wu Kai, said that the company was pursuing a 'multi-chemical' approach, offering different batteries for different tiers of the market, from budget-friendly city cars to heavy-duty long-range trucks.

Mr Kai told reporters: 'A complex world demands a variety of solutions. New energy vehicles should be accessible to everyone rather than just a few.'

The battery maker also revealed a 'condensed' battery for premium vehicles (pictured) that has a maximum range of 932 miles (1,500 km) on a single charge

Your browser does not support iframes.

However, studies have warned that the environmental costs associated with mining rare earth minerals for batteries can sometimes outweigh an EV's reduced emissions.

A recent study found that electric vehicles produce more pollution than cars running on petrol or diesel in the first two years of operation.

This is largely due to the massive emissions associated with extracting lithium, which result in approximately 15 tonnes of CO2 for every tonne of metal.

But the tables turn after year three, and electric vehicles result in a significant reduction in cumulative CO2 emissions over a typical 18-year lifespan.

According to the study, internal combustion engines produce two to three times more pollution overall when considering both climate and air quality.'
Thousands of Americans are breathing in toxins on Wednesday morning, prompting advisories to stay indoors whenever possible.

Air quality maps show 'Unhealthy' zones in parts of Georgia, Alabama, Florida and New Mexico, with elevated levels of PM2.5, microscopic particles consisting of toxic organic compounds or heavy metals emitted from vehicles, industry and wood burning, creating hazardous conditions.

Unhealthy air quality advisories are concentrated across parts of central and southern Georgia, where several mid-sized cities and surrounding rural communities are now sitting inside the worst pollution zones.

Warnings have also spilled into northern Florida, particularly in counties closest to the Georgia border, where drifting smoke has pushed pollution levels into unhealthy territory.

In southern New Mexico, a separate unhealthy air zone has developed around a major population center and nearby valley communities, where dust and regional pollution have driven air quality to dangerous levels.

Health experts caution that prolonged exposure can trigger respiratory problems, aggravate asthma, strain the heart and contribute to long-term lung damage.

Authorities in all affected states are urging residents to minimize outdoor activity and monitor local air quality forecasts.

Forecasters say pollution zones are likely to persist through the weekend, with smoke from multiple active wildfires drifting across state lines and settling over communities during calm overnight conditions.

Unhealthy air quality advisories are concentrated across parts of central and southern Georgia, Alabama and northern Florida

In central Georgia, the worst conditions are centered on Macon and Warner Robins, where a large dark-red zone has pushed pollution to levels that can affect everyone.

In southwest Georgia, Albany is also in the red zone, with poor air spreading toward Valdosta and nearby Coastal Plain communities.

The same alert system shows spillover into northern Florida, with areas near the state line and communities on the edge of the plume facing worsening conditions.

Along the Georgia coast, including the town of Brunswick, another unhealthy-level pocket is impacting areas near Savannah, prompting warnings for residents to limit time outside.

Parts of north and north-central Florida are among the hardest-hit areas, with several communities falling into unhealthy or near-unhealthy air quality levels.

The Lake City area has recently recorded conditions in the unhealthy range, making it one of the most impacted locations in the state.

Nearby communities, including Gainesville and parts of Putnam County, have also seen dangerous spikes, with some readings climbing into extremely high levels.

Areas around Ocala are sitting on the edge of unhealthy conditions, with pollution levels fluctuating between unsafe for sensitive groups and worse.

In southern New Mexico, a separate unhealthy air zone has developed around a major population center and nearby valley communities, where dust and regional pollution have driven air quality to dangerous levels

Portions of the Big Bend, the Florida Panhandle and areas near Jacksonville are also experiencing worsening air quality, with conditions ranging from moderate to unhealthy at times.

Officials warn that shifting winds could push smoke into additional communities, expanding the number of towns affected throughout northern Florida.

In New Mexico, Las Cruces has emerged as another major hotspot, with unhealthy air settling over the city and surrounding parts of the Mesilla Valley.

Officials have issued air quality advisories, urging residents in the hardest-hit areas to avoid strenuous outdoor activity and remain indoors when possible.

Health experts warn that children, older adults and people with heart or lung conditions face the greatest danger, though even healthy people may experience irritation and breathing problems while the alerts remain in place.

Health experts caution that prolonged exposure can trigger respiratory problems, aggravate asthma, strain the heart and contribute to long-term lung damage (STOCK)

Large fires burning in south Georgia, along with dozens of smaller blazes across Florida and neighboring states, continue to pump smoke into the atmosphere, creating hazy conditions that can worsen quickly when winds weaken.

Officials warn that smoke tends to pool overnight and during temperature inversions, trapping pollutants close to the ground and causing morning conditions to be particularly hazardous in some areas.

As long as dry weather continues, experts say the region will remain vulnerable to sudden swings in air quality with some communities seeing conditions worsen without much warning.

Meaningful relief is unlikely until steady rainfall moves into the region, which meteorologists say remains uncertain in the short term.

Forecasts show little to no significant rain across north and central Florida and southern Georgia in the coming days, leaving drought-stricken landscapes vulnerable to continued wildfire activity.

While some outlooks mention the possibility of showers later in the weekend, officials caution that any rainfall may provide only temporary relief rather than a lasting improvement.

Looking further ahead, fire danger and smoke risks are expected to remain elevated through at least May as ongoing drought conditions keep vegetation dry and highly flammable across much of the Southeast.

Experts say the most reliable relief typically arrives when the region transitions into its summer wet season, when regular rainfall helps suppress fires and clear smoke from the air.
Wildlife experts are urging tourists to stop feeding Gibraltar's famous macaques, as research reveals the monkeys have started eating soil in response.

Every year, millions of toursits flock to Gibraltar to see barbary macaques, which live on the famous Rock of Gibraltar.

While holidaymakers are advised to keep their distance from the monkeys, many ignore the rules, and lure the animals in with chocolate, crisps, and ice creams.

Now, a study has revealed the desperate steps the monkeys are taking to selfmedicate themselves against these junk foods.

Researchers from the University of Cambridge have discovered macaques munching on soil, in a practice known as 'geophagy'.

The soil helps to soothe the monkey's stomachs by providing the bacteria and minerals that areabsent from junk food.

'Foods brought by tourists and eaten by Gibraltar's macaques are extremely rich in calories, sugar, salt and dairy,' said Dr Sylvain Lemoine, who led the study.

'This is completely unlike the foods typically consumed by the species, such as herbs, leaves, seeds and the occasional insect.'

Wildlife experts are urging tourists to stop feeding Gibraltar's famous macaques, as research reveals the monkeys have started eating soil in response.

Researchers from the University of Cambridge have discovered macaques munching on soil, in a practice known as 'geophagy'

A population of around 230 monkeys exists on Gibraltar.

They're the only freeliving monkeys in Europe, although they're not strictly wild, as they're fed and managed by the Gibraltar Ornithological and Natural History Society and the Gibraltar Veterinary Clinic.

Gibraltar's tourist website explicitly states that tourists should not feed the monkeys.

'Please DO NOT feed the monkeys. Processed foods are terrible for their health, not to mention the extreme long term negative effects it has on their social behaviour,' the website reads.

'If you are caught feeding the monkeys you may net yourself a fine of up to 4000.'

However, many tourists ignore this advice, and provide junk food to the monkeys.

Dr Lemoine explained: 'Humans evolved to seek out and store energydense fats and sugars to survive periods of scarcity, leading us to crave highcalorie junk food.

'Availability of human junk food could trigger this same evolutionary mechanism in macaques.'

Gibraltar's tourist website explicitly states that tourists should not feed the monkeys

In the study, the researchers observed the macaques, and found that animals in frequent contact with tourists ate more dirt, and that dirteating rates were higher during peak holiday season

In the study, the researchers observed the macaques, and found that animals in frequent contact with tourists ate more dirt, and that dirteating rates were higher during peak holiday season.

Around 30 per cent of soileating occurred in groups, while 89 per cent took place in the presence of other macaques who were often watching.

This suggests the behaviour is 'socially learned', according to the experts.

In addition, the researchers found that the monkeys clearly favoured certain types of soil.

Most macaques sought out 'terra rossa'  a red clay earth  while one troop had acquired a taste for tarclogged soil from potholes.

'The emergence of this behaviour in macaques is both a functional and cultural one, like nutcracking in chimps, except it is driven entirely by proximity to humans,' Dr Lemoine said.

'We think the macaques started eating soil to buffer their digestive system against the high energy, low fibre nature of these snacks and junk foods, which have been shown to cause gastric upsets in some primates.'

Overall, the findings support the 'protection hypothesis', in which macaques eat soil to quell their upset stomachs.

Around 30 per cent of soileating occurred in groups, while 89 per cent took place in the presence of other macaques who were often watching

Dr Lemoine added: 'The consumed soil acts as a barrier in the digestive tract, limiting absorption of harmful compounds.

'This could alleviate gastrointestinal symptoms from nausea to diarrhoea.

'Soil may also provide friendly bacteria that helps with the gut microbiome.'

'Nonhuman primates become lactose intolerant after weaning, so dairy is known to cause digestive issues in monkeys, and ice cream is hugely popular with Gibraltar's tourists and consequently its macaques.'
The film Chicken Run follows a group of hens who try and escape a poultry farm  but it turns out there really could be more than 67 million missing chickens in the UK, new figures suggest.

Experts have unearthed huge gaps in poultry figures reported by the government compared to other agencies.

They warned these significant inaccuracies could have farreaching effects on land, manure and pollution management.

Failure to recognise the true scale of chicken farming in England alone means the equivalent of 74 extra Olympicsized swimming pools of poultry manure currently goes unreported every year, they said.

This highly concentrated waste accumulates in the surrounding environment, including in canals, rivers and lakes.

Pollutants such as nitrogen and phosphorous can have devastating impacts on both water quality and the wildlife that live there.

Vicki Hird, strategic lead on agriculture at The Wildlife Trusts said: 'The evidence is clear: government decisions on poultry permits, and subsequent land use and pollution impacts, are based on misleading data.

'Our new research shows that in England alone, these inaccuracies could mean an undercounting of poultry by at least a third, with huge impacts on our natural world, as well as on the health of the rivers and waterways we all enjoy for bathing and drinking water.'

There could be more than 67 million missing chickens in the UK, new figures suggest (stock image)

Chicken population density across the UK, with the four hotspot counties  Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Shropshire and Herefordshire  highlighted

The report, called 'Counting Chickens  An analysis of UK poultry numbers', follows numerous Freedom of Information (FOI) requests.

It reveals major differences in poultry data in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)'s annual survey and other data providers, including the Environment Agency and the Animal and Plant Health Agency.

These agencies appear to contradict each other in their estimates of the numbers of chickens across four chicken hotspot counties  Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Shropshire and Herefordshire.

Analysis showed that DEFRA's survey reports bird numbers are up to 150 per cent lower than the other agencies.

It suggests there could be 25 million birds currently missing in published data from these four counties alone.

And if the scale of inaccuracy was mirrored at a UK level, it could mean over 67 million birds are currently unaccounted for.

'Left unchecked, industrial levels of poultry waste can have significant impacts on waterways such as the River Wye and Severn, where nitrates and phosphorus levels from manure have caused severe ecological decline and damaging impacts to wildlife populations including endangered Atlantic salmon,' The Wildlife Trusts said.

'The increasing levels of land required, both in the UK and globally, to feed poultry also has significant environmental impacts, especially due to the large quantities of pesticides and fertilisers needed for feed production.'

A dead pike in the River Wye. Experts warn that industrial levels of poultry waste can have significant impacts on waterways such as this

Plants covered in algae and sediment due to increased pollution in the River Wye. Nitrates and phosphororos levels from manure have caused severe ecological decline

How the numbers don't add up DEFRA: 48 million birds Environment Agency: 106 million birds Animal and Plant Health Agency: 124 million birds * estimates of number of birds across Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Shropshire and Herefordshire

The Wildlife Trusts believe that misleading figures are being used to inform Government policies on land, the environment and river pollution.

They may also affect decisions made about permits and planning permissions for additional poultry operations.

This could mean the huge impacts on water pollution, nature and land use are being ignored.

The Wildlife Trusts said urgent action must be taken to ensure data on the UK poultry flock in all four nations is accurate.

Correct figures must be used to inform decisions on growth plans and regulations, it argued.

'With discussions underway about both water reforms and the profitability of the poultry sector, it's essential that the government ensures accurate data is being used to inform policy changes and action,' Ms Hird added.

'Alongside this, permitting rules must take the wider impact of poultry units on the environment into account, while farmers should also be supported to transition to less polluting practices.

'Only then will we have a poultry system which works for farmers, wildlife and for people long into the future.'

The discrepancy in figures could mean the huge impacts on water pollution, nature and land use are being ignored

Over the last few years, the River Wye's health status has been downgraded amid heavy pollution from intensive farming.

The waterway, which begins in Wales and runs along the border with England to the Severn Estuary, skirts numerous intensive chicken units and livestock farms.

More than 20 million birds are believed to be housed in these industrial farms, which produce tonnes of phosphaterich manure, later spread across fields and leaked into the water.

Last year, law firm Leigh Day brought the biggest legal claim over environmental pollution in the UK's history when it revealed its lawsuit against Avara Foods poultry group  which it claims is responsible for around 75 per cent of the area's poultry  and Dwr Cymru Welsh Water  which oversees sewage in the region  over 'their alleged role in polluting' the river, as well as its nearby siblings, the Usk and the Lugg.

The action was made on behalf of more than 4,000 locals exasperated at the state of the Wye  the fourth longest river in the UK.

Once one of the country's premier fishing rivers, the Wye has become an almost barren body of water with pervasive algae reducing oxygen levels, effectively suffocating life beneath the surface.

If successful, the claim will force the alleged polluters to clean up the rivers.

DEFRA has been contacted for comment.
The unusual markings on the neck of a hiker found naked and dead in Californias wilderness are thought to be bug bites as authorities investigate a cause of death.

The body of Joanna Shields, 37, of Carlsbad, was found undressed and lying face down in a pool of water by fellow hikers earlier this month along a remote Big Sur trail.

Bizarre markings were found on her neck as well as a gash on her head, prompting early speculation that she may have been strangled. However, these are thought to be unrelated to her death, which remains 'suspicious'.

SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO

'Suspicious' death: Joanna Shields, 37, was found dead in California's wilderness on April 9

'In this particular case, this person tragically had injuries that were consistent with injuries that would be caused by insects,' Andres Rosas, spokesman for the Monterey County Sheriff's Office, told KSBW 8 News.

'So in this case, we're not looking at what they [the hikers] believed it was. We're looking at markings that were a result of insects.'

Despite the findings, Rosas said her death continues to be treated as suspicious, with foul play not ruled in or out as investigators await pending toxicology results from the autopsy.

'I think if there was an obvious sign of death, we would have already been able to conclude or make a conclusion on that,' Rosas told the outlet.

'But in this particular case, the examiner has determined that we need lab results from the toxicology in order to make that final determination,' he added.

Shock find: She was discovered naked and face down in a pool of water along a Big Sur trail

Mystery markings: Andres Rosas said the blotches around Shield's neck were from bug bites

On April 9, California State Parks officials and Monterey County Sheriffs deputies responded to reports of a dead body in a wooded area along the Pine Ridge Trail near Sykes Hot Springs in the Los Padres National Forest.

A group on a two-night backcountry hike in the area made the grim discovery, with one of them, Gabe Holmes, describing what he saw to KSBW.

'I didn't see any blood. She was pale. She had markings around her neck. I don't want to say, you know, choking marks, but when the firefighter lifted the jacket, he confirmed she had a big gash on her head.'

Big injury: Shields also had a gash on her head as authorities await autopsy results

Scenic location: Shields was found along the Pine Ridge Trail in the Los Padres National Forest

Another witness, Luke Heerma, told the outlet they had also encountered a person on the trail - described as cold and shaking - who claimed to be a friend of Shields.

Hiker John Heerma, describing the individual, added: 'Scared, nervous, like shocked, his face just, like, numb and dull.'

When questioned by the group about what happened, the man reportedly said Shields had been cleaning herself in the river.

According to one of the hikers, the man responded: 'She went to the bathroom. She was cleaning herself off in the river around 10.30am.'

'He went looking for her and then just saw her face down in the water, naked,' Luke told KSBW.

With help from California Highway Patrol air operations, deputies recovered Shieldss body the following day and conducted a forensic medical examination, with results expected in six to eight weeks.

Distressed friend: Hikers encountered a pal of Shields on the trail who seemed 'shocked'

Meanwhile, the sheriffs office said no one is in custody and there is no current threat to hikers or campers near Sykes Hot Springs.

The new information from authorities comes after several loved ones, including Shieldss sister, Claudia Robinson, confirmed her mysterious death in a public statement.

'We found out and we're all in different stages of grief as we attempt to process such a devastating blow to our hearts,' Robinson said, according to The New York Post.

'She was a bright, radiant light in the peak of experiencing her own joy and gratitude for her existence, and her absence on Earth will have a profound effect on countless numbers who had the opportunity to encounter her beautiful spirit.

'As my sister Rachel said, "This is the saddest sadness I have ever known."'

Last sighting?: The friend said Shields had been washing in the river before her death

Garrett Mail, who described himself as Shieldss best friend and credited her as a key influence in 'who I am today,' also shared a heartfelt tribute on Facebook.

'I honestly dont have words for how devastating this is to me. Joanna literally formed who I am today as a person,' Mail wrote.

'She taught me how to be mindful, how to appreciate all forms of art, what unconditional love means, how to find positive perspective in all situations, how to be patient, when to be fierce and to never lose my sense of exploration or wonder.

'Joanna was the person to tell me to "Get off the phone with me and go ask your future wife on a date!" My life assuredly wouldve been completely different, had it not been for Joannas friendship.'

Mail described Shields as deeply influential and adventurous, saying she found meaning in every journey 'with the right people around.'

He also revealed that she had been planning a new chapter in her life, including launching a podcast aimed at helping others around the globe.

'Joanna was about to do something great,' he wrote. 'She was about to start a podcast to discuss things that she held dear to her in an attempt to help other people She was about to help change the world.'

Gushing tribute: Jeff Anning, owner of Evolve Skateboards, said Shields had boosted the growth of skating among women

Shields was a brand ambassador for Evolve Skateboards and was frequently seen riding through the streets of San Diego on her own, documenting her hobby on social media.

'She just had great energy and she just loved riding,' Jeff Anning, owner and founder of Evolve Skateboards, told KABC News.

According to Anning, her death not only rocked the skating community she had been part of for years, but also played a role in its growth, especially among women.

'She just had so much energy. She was just so passionate, so kind, and she was always putting other people first. She definitely touched a lot of people in her journey,' he told the outlet.

'We were getting more girls coming along to these group rides. It's what it's all about. She was very passionate about the sport.'
The son of Florida woman burned alive by her neighbor watched the killer's execution.

Chadwick Scott Willacy, 58, received a three-drug injection starting at 6pm at Florida State Prison near Starke for the 1990 killing of Marlys Sather.

Sather's only son, John, was present during Tuesday's execution and watched Wallacy draw his final breath. He was pronounced dead at 6:15pm.

Exectued: Chadwick Scott Willacy received the death penalty for the murder of his neighbor

Willacy's last words were apologies to his family and friends along with words of encouragement to his 'brothers on the row.'

Willacy maintained his innocence and said he would never kill his friend.

'To the victim's family, I hope this brings you peace. If it does, that's good. But this is not right.'

Court records indicate Sather had returned to her Palm Bay home for her lunch break on September 5, 1990, and found Willacy burglarizing her home.

He struck her in the head with a blunt object, fracturing her skull, and then bound her hands and ankles with wire and tape, according to investigators.

Willacy attempted to strangle Sather with a telephone cord, and when that didnt work, he doused her in gasoline and set her on fire.

Brutal death: Willacy set fire to Marlys Sather after she found him burglarizing her home

An autopsy determined that Sather, 56, had died from smoke inhalation, indicating she was still alive when she was set ablaze.

Willacy, then 22, also stole Sather's car and other items from her home, and used the woman's ATM card to steal cash, officials said.

When Sather failed to return from her break, her employer caller her family. Her son-in-law went to check on her and found her body.

Willacy was sentenced to death a year later upon a 9-3 jury recommendation after being convicted of first-degree murder, burglary, robbery and arson.

In 1994, the Florida Supreme Court ordered a new sentencing because the trial judge failed to allow defense attorneys a chance to rehabilitate a potential juror who indicated she could not recommend the death penalty.

Willacy again drew the death penalty at resentencing in 1995 on the 11-1 recommendation of a new jury.

Moment of justice: Sather's son John (left) watched Willacy's execution on Tuesday

None of Sather's relatives spoke at a news briefing that followed the execution, but the family released a statement thanking DeSantis and others.

'We have waited 36.5 years for justice for our mom. Our mother, Marlys Mae Sather should be remembered as a beautiful and loving daughter, wife, mother of 3, grandmother of 5, great grandmother of 5, aunt, cousin and friend,' it said in part.

It noted the victim had lost her husband to cancer in July 1990, 'just weeks before she was murdered.'

'She was a new widow trying to take one day at a time. We miss her so much every day.'

Jail death: The execution took place at Florida State Prison in Starke

Ahead of his death, Willacy awoke at 5am and remained compliant as the execution hour approached, Florida Department of Corrections spokesman Jordan Kirkland said at an afternoon news conference.

Willacy had a last meal including chicken, tater tots, ice cream and pie. He received visits from his mother, two sisters and a cousin. He did not meet with a spiritual adviser.

The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday afternoon denied Willacy's final appeal without comment.

Last week the Florida Supreme Court also denied appeals filed by Willacy.

He had made claims based on the state's refusal to grant public records requests about executions and lethal injection.

All Florida executions are injection of a sedative, a paralytic and a drug that stops the heart, according to the Department of Corrections.
Dramatic cliffs, turquoise waters and pastel-coloured fishing villages offering charming views and great local eateries.

The Amalfi Coast is a dream location for many, but it often comes with a high price tag.

Last summer, footage from the area showed tourists packed onto sweltering buses, struggling for space, while others battled through jammed streets, relentless queues, and suffocating crowds.

But, for holidaymakers seeking out somewhere just like the Italian hot spot but with fewer crowds and a better price, there is another hidden gem, and it can be found in the same destination.

Located on the 'toe' of Italy's boot in the country's southern region is Calabria.

Loved for its pristine coastline and clifftop towns, the area also boasts plenty of delicious local cuisine at a fraction of the cost compared to Amalfi.

Calabria is known for being the home of 'Nduja'  the spicy sausage that has been rising in popularity in the UK in recent years.

Holidaymakers can head to the region and taste the authentic local delicacy that is often used as a perfect addition to pastas and fresh focaccia bread.

Forget the Amalfi Coast, another Italian spot - Calabria - has the same charm and stunning views

It boasts plenty of beaches, including in Tropea (pictured) - a beach town perched on the cliffs

There are other Calabrian traditions to explore too, including cheese-making and pasta-rolling workshops.

Or, visitors could enjoy tasting the iconic Tartufo di Pizzo - an iconic dessert that originates from Pizzo, in Calabria and is a hazelnut ice cream ball filled with melted chocolate.

Relaxing views and beautiful sands can be found at Tropea, a beach town perched on the cliffs.

The trip won't break the bank either, with a glass of local wine costing as little as 2 (1.74).

Tucking into traditional pasta dishes might set you back around 8 (7).

An all-inclusive stay for seven nights at a TUI resort, including flights from London Gatwick to Lamezia Terme, costs from 603 per person - working out at 86 per night.

If getting outdoors on an adventure is more your holiday style, there are also plenty of walking trails in the area.

Pizzo, for example, is situated on the end of a 55km-long Coast of the Gods trail which will take hikers all the way to the town of Nicotera.

Calabria is known for being the home of 'Nduja'  the spicy sausage that has been rising in popularity in the UK in recent years

Or, visitors could enjoy tasting the iconic Tartufo di Pizzo - an iconic dessert that originates from Pizzo, in Calabria and is a hazelnut ice cream ball filled with melted chocolate

Alternatively, there are coastal paths that overlook rolling hills and the Tyrrhenian Sea, as well as inland routes such as the Rocca Angitola loop trail.

Camogli is another Italian spot previously mentioned as a good alternative to the Amalfi Coast.

The characterful location sits on the Ligurian coastline and without the hordes of visitors still feels like a working fishing village.

With winding streets leading to the old town and restaurants serving freshly caught seafood, there's plenty to enjoy.

The local delicacy, focaccia col formaggio, is one of the village's best-known dishes.

Locals make time for a morning swim in the sea and there are often groups gathering to watch the sun set from the seafront.

Camogli is much more affordable than most other popular Italian destinations, and works out around 150 cheaper than visiting the Amalfi Coast, according to research by global booking platform Omio.

A flight from London to Naples takes approximately three hours and costs from 97 on July 10.

Camogli is another Italian spot previously mentioned as a good alternative to the Amalfi Coast

Then a two-hour train from the airport to Positano, along the Amalfi Coast is priced from 29.

The journey back on July 17 comes in at 26 for the train and 78 for the flight, totally the return trip to 230.

But Camogli works out at 156 cheaper overall for the same dates, and it takes less time to reach the destination.

Visitors can catch a flight from London to Genova, costing from 43, and then travel by train to Camogli for 5.

The return flight is priced from 21, while the train remains the same price, totalling to 74.

Once there, holidaymakers can stroll along the long pebble beach, or enjoy hilltop views from Castello della Dragonara.
Jetting off around the world can be an expensive passion, but there are ways to cut the costs and save money - such as the use of discount clubs and sites.

There are travel deal websites that track flight prices and offer passengers their best findings, meanwhile others might look at hotel rates.

Some even work holiday companies directly to bag the best price tags for a dreamy trip abroad.

Which? has identified the best websites and clubs that offer transparent and clear terms and conditions, as well as good deals.

The consumer champion analysed the experiences of panel members and the public using various deal sites and looked into factors including whether the membership was free, the choice of deals available and transparency of price and practices.

It also considered the value for money, whether the description of the deal was realistic, the clarity of T&Cs as well as how easy the site is to use.

Travelzoo came out the best, scoring 80 per cent overall and earning itself a Which? Recommended Provider title.

Which? researchers discovered a package holiday from Bristol to Rhodes cost 100 less with Travelzoo when compared to other providers.

Travelzoo came out the best, scoring 80 per cent overall and earning itself a Which? Recommended Provider title

During the research, Which? managed to find a package holiday from Bristol to Rhodes cost 100 less with Travelzoo when compared to other providers

Your browser does not support iframes.

The site charges a 30 annual fee which allows members to access exclusive rates and scored five stars on its clarity of terms and conditions as well as its value for money.

Holiday deals are listed clearly on the platform and one customer told the consumer champion: 'I've always found their deals to be genuinely high quality and better than what I can find anywhere else.'

Which? determined Travelzoo 'works hard to get members real savings' but did note some deals were only bookable if the customer rang up the travel company or hotel, which isn't as convenient.

Luxury Escapes closely followed with 75 per cent, also earning a Which? Recommended Provider badge.

The company aims to provide 'the worlds most amazing travel experiences at great prices'.

The website is quite simple to browse - and it's free to use. But, there is a paid membership option costing 129 a year, plus a 250 joining fee that is not charged if you book a trip, that can lead to even more discounts.

Many of the trips advertised are very luxurious and users say the extravagant images and descriptions do in fact match reality.

Luxury Escapes managed to bag five stars on its transparency of prices and practices, and four on its value for money.

When put to the test by Which? they were able to find a cheap deal on a five-star resort in the Maldives that couldn't be beaten elsewhere.

Luxury Escapes closely followed with 75 per cent, also earning a Which? Recommended Provider badge

When put to the test by Which? they were able to find a cheap deal on a five-star resort in the Maldives that couldn't be beaten elsewhere

Secret Escapes, another free site, ranked third with a 73 per cent overall score and impressed with its value for money of deals.

Meanwhile, websites that offer cheap flights also proved to do well in the research.

Jack's Flight Club ranked fourth overall and scored 72 per cent. Which? felt it 'finds cut-rate flights for flexible travellers who can book quickly when a deal appears'.

The website sends alerts to members about cheap deals and tracks prices over time, which customers raved about as being useful for destination inspiration.

A downside was some holidaymakers would struggle to find trips for specific dates, meaning you have to be flexible to make the most out of the deals.

It's also recommended to make sure the flights don't involve stopovers that you might not want, or extra baggage fees.

The site can be used with a free membership, but those users will only be sent a few deals one week after they have been published.

Alternatively, it costs 18 for three months, or 48 a year, to receive all of the alerts.

Jack's Flight Club ranked fourth overall and scored 72 per cent. Which? felt it 'Finds cut-rate flights for flexible travellers who can book quickly when a deal appears'

HolidayPirates closely followed with 71 per cent and brings its users carefully curated bargain package trips, flights and separate accommodation.

The holidays usually feature detailed instructions on how to book them for the cheap price.

But, Which? did note that sometimes cancellation conditions were difficult to find and although it 'finds good deals,' the consumer champion urges users to 'check the small print of the final holiday provider' just to be safe.

Voucher sites also featured on the list, and Wowcher scored 71 per cent overall.

Which? explained that 'decent deals exist' on the site and it's free to use, scoring four stars on value for money for its deals.

But, it was discovered some of the deals might not be huge savings, and the site can be difficult to use.

One customer was happy with their experience and bagged a discounted hotel, while another was not so impressed.

At the bottom of the rankings was Groupon, which scored 63 per cent overall and was rated just one star for its transparency of prices and practices.

Researchers found some of the deals were actually 'starting from' prices so didn't reflect the true cost of what they could end up being.

Meanwhile, the cancellation policies aren't always upfront and some users had issues after booking, whilst others noticed there was 'a lot of upselling'.

Travelodeal sat just above Groupon with 74 per cent, scoring four stars for its easy to use website and rating just two for clarity of terms and conditions, description matching reality and the value for money.

The Daily Mail has contacted Groupon, Travelodeal and Wowcher for comment.
From windswept beaches in Northern Ireland to Albania's answer to The Maldives, a new report has revealed the UK and Europe's most in-demand destinations.

TripAdvisor has released its Summer Travel Index for 2026, highlighting the locations gaining traction among British travellers, based on trips planned between June and August.

The report identifies the fastest-rising hotspots by analysing year-on-year growth in bookings.

Across the UK, those opting for staycations are show a balanced interest in both countryside retreats and coastal spots.

Topping the list is Grasmere, a small village often hailed the most beautiful in the Lake District.

Once described by William Wordsworth as 'the loveliest spot that man hath found', it continues to draw visitors with its scenic lakeside setting, charming cottages, winding cobbled streets and famous gingerbread shop.

In second place is Carbis Bay, a Cornish seaside village known for its white-sand beach, clear waters, Blue Flag status and variety of recreational activities.

It has held a Blue Flag for its beach for 18 consecutive years, and was named Best Coastal Wedding Venue in the 2018 UK Wedding Awards.

Leading the top 10 UK trending hotspots for summer 2026 is Grasmere, a charming village situated by a lake within the Lake District

Ranking second is Carbis Bay, a Cornish gem that boats turquoise waters and a pristine sandy beach

Belfast ranks third thanks to its mix of culture, history, warm atmosphere and bustling nightlife

Rounding out the top three is Belfast, the capital city of Northern Ireland and the birthplace of the famous RMS Titanic.

The port city has become a hit with a visitors thanks to its vibrant nightlife, warm atmosphere and easy access to beauty spots like the Giants Causeway, not to mention its prominent role in the hit HBO series Game of Thrones.

In fourth place is Bowness-on-Windermere - a tiny village that lies on the shore of England's largest lake in Cumbria - while the Northern Irish seaside town of Portrush falls in fifth place.

Other UK spots that made TripAdvisor's top 10 include: Coventry, Nottingham, Torquay, Buxton and Glasgow.

As for Europe, Spain dominates the top 10, with Alicante emerging as the leading destination for British holidaymakers this summer.

Last year, the port city welcomed a record-breaking 1.7 million international visitors who flocked for its sun-drenched shores, vibrant festivals and 1,700 dining spots that helped secure the city's title as Spain's Capital of Gastronomy in 2025.

In second place is Alvor, a Portuguese gem tucked away in the Algarve - a region that recorded yet another record-shattering 2.38 million overnight stays in September 2025 alone.

The town has all the charm of a traditional fishing village with its cobbled streets, whitewashed houses, and top-quality seafood spots, all while being home to scenic, golden sand beaches like Praia de Alvor and Praia dos Tres Irmaos.

Leading the top 10 European trending spots is the Spanish city of Alicante, which draws over a million visitors each year thanks to its beaches, festivals and hundreds of restaurants

Alvor places second - offering tourists a blend of traditional village charm and sunny beaches like Praia de Alvor and Praia dos Tres Irmaos

In third place is Spain's Playa del Palma, most renowned for its long stretch of sandy beach and lively nightlife scene

Ranking third is Spain's Playa de Palma, a 6-kilometre beach resort in the heart of Palma that offers a long stretch of sandy beach and over 100 restaurants, bars and cafes.

It's especially popular with party-loving tourists thanks to its lively nightlife scene, which includes themed party venues, nightclubs and British and Irish pubs.

In fourth place is Malaga, an Andalusian gem famed for its sunny beaches, historic landmarks and sweet Malaga wine, while Albania's Ksamil places fifth.

Situated in the heart of the Albanian Riviera, the village might be small, but it has become a viral sensation thanks to its crystal-clear turqouise waters, white sand beaches and affordability, earning the nickname 'The Maldives of Europe'.

Rounding off the top 10 trending destinations in Europe is Krakow, Sitges, Rhodes, Budapest, and Dublin.

Top 10 UK trending destinations in summer 2026 Grasmere, Cumbria Carbis Bay, Cornwall Belfast Bowness-on-Windermere, Cumbria Portrush, NI Coventry Nottingham Torquay, Devon Buxton, Derbyshire Glasgow
NEW ORLEANS, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Scott Vicknair Personal Injury Lawyers is proud to announce that the firm has been recognized as the top Personal Injury Attorney in New Orleans from January 2025 through March 2026, based on client feedback collected through Google Reviews and compiled by Business Rate.

Unlike traditional awards that rely on applications or nominations, Business Rate rankings are determined exclusively by authentic customer feedback. This recognition reflects the consistent experiences shared by clients who have trusted the firm during some of the most difficult times in their lives.

"We are incredibly honored to be recognized in this way because it comes directly from our clients," said David Vicknair, founding partner of the firm. "There is no application process or panel of judges. This is purely based on real people sharing their real experiences, and that means everything to our team."

The firm's approach is rooted in delivering a high level of service, communication, and care throughout every case. From the first phone call to the final resolution, Scott Vicknair Personal Injury Lawyers focuses on creating an experience that prioritizes both results and client trust.

"This recognition reinforces what we strive for every day," said Vicknair. "When clients feel heard, supported, and well-represented, that is the standard we hold ourselves to."

Scott Vicknair Personal Injury Lawyers extends its sincere gratitude to every client who has taken the time to share feedback and experiences. The firm remains committed to continuously improving and delivering the highest level of service to the New Orleans community.

About Scott Vicknair Personal Injury Lawyers

Scott Vicknair Personal Injury Lawyers is a New Orleans-based personal injury firm committed to providing exceptional legal representation while also investing in the communities it serves. Their experienced team of dedicated attorneys specializes in car accidents, personal injury, and wrongful death cases in New Orleans. With diverse personal and professional backgrounds, they craft legal-winning strategies tailored to each client's specific case and needs. They are committed to providing exceptional legal services, utilizing significant resources, and relentlessly advocating for their clients to achieve the best possible outcomes.

SOURCE Scott Vicknair Personal Injury Lawyers
When you book your summer holiday, the last thing you want is to be fearing the worst.

And with the Iran war raging on, and the jet fuel crisis sparking fears about flight cancellations in the coming months, it's an understandably stressful time for Brits looking to book an upcoming trip.

But there are plenty of destinations that are most likely to be safe - and one travel industry boss has weighed in on where travellers are heading, and the unlikely reasons why.

Alessandro Petazzi, CEO of travel package holiday and hotel provider Lastminute.com, spoke to the Daily Mail about the ongoing impact of the Iran war - as well as the current travel landscape.

Alessandro said: 'We're not seeing a change in the desire to travel, so people are still searching a lot for travels. But they are getting their information on Google, on ChatGPT, and similar chatbots.

'People are also progressively getting inspiration from AI chatbots as well.

'Everyone is looking for off-the-beaten-path travels. Something that surprises them. And so, obviously, if you're using a chatbot, you can ask them, "Give me a suggestion that you think I'm going to like, and that's not the usual suspect."

'That happens in the inspiration phase. So it's important for us to be able to be there to also serve these new travel trends.'

Alessandro Petazzi, CEO of lastminute.com, spoke about the boom of Eastern Europe

Alessandro explained that the company is seeing is an increase in European city breaks - 'either the smaller cities, like Krakow, Gdansk, and so forth, or the European capital cities such as Berlin and Copenhagen.

'But we're also seeing other capital cities. I think that, especially now, there is a perception that people feel a European destination is very safe - and a European capital city is even safer.

'In the wake of whatever possible risk might be there, that is perceived as a very, very safe option.

'Most of our business is Europeans traveling across Europe, and we can definitely say that's as safe a haven as there is one.'

Plus, Alessandro adds, the region has a track record of staying safe.

He said: 'It has also been, historically, that whatever happens in, I would say, "hot areas" of the world, Europe has always been quite insulated from all of that.'

According to Lastminute.coms latest Travel Horizons Report, Baltic bookings were among the rising stars of 2025 - and that's not set to change anytime soon.

Eastern Europe saw the most growth in the city escape market, thanks to Gdansk (+97 per cent) and beautiful Bucharest (+71 per cent), with Krakow (+58 per cent) and Riga (+40 per cent) also increasing in popularity over the last year.

Cities such as Gdansk in Poland have soared in popularity as of late

Similarly, other destinations including Riga, Latvia have seen more bookings

This reflects a growing focus on experiences, affordability, and less-crowded escapes, seeing travellers turn to quiet climbers or more affordable spots.

Another factor boosting the popularity of Eastern Europe is new routes from low-cost airlines.

Alessandro explains: 'I think a lot of that has to do with low-cost airlines opening new routes, so that people start saying, "you know what, there's a new, relatively cheap flight from London or Manchester to Gdansk or Krakow, let me take a look."'

The numbers back up his argument, too - currently, flights from London to Gdansk start from 27.98 with Wizz Air, and from Manchester to Poznan from just 15 with Ryanair.

Plus, in early 2026, the evolving situation in the Middle East is reshaping destination choices across Europe, with travellers gravitating towards familiar and trusted favourites.

British holidaymakers have been leaning into major European cities such as Rome, Amsterdam and Paris, with sunshine in Spain accounting for five of the top 10 fastest-growing destinations, led by Mallorca.

Regarding March 2026 bookings for summer 2026 (June-August), in comparison to the previous year, the route seeing the biggest boost from the UK is to Copenhagen, Denmark.

In terms of other changes to travel as the Iran war rages on, lastminute.com has noted no change in the desire to travel - and no overall major decrease in holiday bookings.

But people are waiting longer to book, 'because they want to have a bit more certainty', according to Alessandro.

As for the current rise in jet fuel prices, Alessandro is optimistic: 'I always tell my colleagues that we should worry about the things that we can control and work on them proactively in order to minimise our risk.

'We consider the situation, and rather than sitting on our chairs and saying, oh, maybe we should worry about that, what we've done is say, what is it that people want in this phase? They want peace of mind.

'They want the certainty that if something happens, they can get a refund, they can cancel with no problems. So we focus on that.

'Let's focus on directing our marketing money to destinations that people like and that people perceive as safe right now.

'Let's make sure that we prioritise refundable rates for hotels. Let's make sure that we discuss with our hotel partners to make sure they give us more access to their refundable rates, and that they reduce the difference of pricing between non-refundable and refundable rates.

'Rather than worry, we are considering the various scenarios and proactively managing the potentially risky ones to make sure that we reduce our own risk profile and do something that is good for our customers.'

More Brits are also heading to the Danish capital, Copenhagen

And that's exactly what Lastminute.com is doing.

Alessandro concludes: 'The way for us to to be ready for whatever happens is to potentially plan for the worst, but then also make sure that we help people, even in a scenario which is maybe not necessarily the worst-case scenario.

'We always monitor the situation. We work with our partners, the airlines, the hotels, and we make sure that we do whatever we can to make sure that customers can really enjoy and book their holidays with peace of mind - and if something happens, we're there to support.

'In the travel industry, we've become quite resilient over time. We had, back in the day, the volcano in Iceland, which disrupted European flights, and then we have COVID, of course.

'Over these challenges and tribulations, we got better in managing the unexpected, and this is what we're doing.

'This is nothing compared to the COVID situation. Nothing.'
A new tourist tax is set to be introduced in a popular Spanish cruise destination, Vigo.

Visitors to the bustling port city will soon be expected to pay a daily levy depending on their accommodation, as local officials finalise plans to introduce a tourist tax.

According to Spanish reports, the proposed charges could reach up to 2 (1.74) per person per night for guests staying in high-end four-star and five-star hotels.

Mid-range accommodation, including tourist rentals and three to four-star hotels, may face a 1.60 (1.39) nightly fee, while low cost options such as hostels, campsites and rural properties could be charged 0.80 (0.69).

Those staying in guesthouses and one to two-star hotels are expected to pay around 1.20 (1.04).

Vigo's mayor, Abel Caballero, confirmed that a 1.20 (1.04) charge will also apply to cruise passengers disembarking at the port.

The tax is expected to be introduced gradually from October, just two months from the city's famous festive light switch-on.

Initially, it will apply only to the first two nights of a stay until July 1, 2027, after which it will extend to a maximum of five nights.

Vigo, a bustling port city in north-west Spain, is set to introduce a 'daily' tourist tax

The city serves as the main gateway to the Cies Islands, famous for its white sand beaches and turqouise waters

Exemptions are being considered for children, certain disabled individuals and visitors travelling for health reasons, as reported by the Mirror.

The move is aimed at reallocating tourism revenue while reducing pressure on the environment due to rising visitor numbers.

This week alone, Vigo is hosting three cruise ships simultaneously, welcoming more than 7,500 visitors from the MS Britannia, the MS Ventura and Le Bellot within hours.

While the proposal still requires final approval, plans indicate Vigo is likely to follow other cities across Galicia that have implemented similar measures.

In late 2025, both Santiago de Compostela and A Coruna introduced tourist levies, which drew criticism from the hospitality sector.

Home to around 295,000 residents, Vigo is known for its numerous beaches and serves as the main gateway to the Cies Islands.

The islands are famous for its unspoiled white sand beaches and turquoise waters, including Rodas Beach, famously crowned the 'best beach in the world' by The Guardian in 2007.

Vigo has also built a reputation for its spectacular Christmas displays, with more than 11 million LED lights illuminating the city last year, drawing thousands of cruise passengers to its harbour.

Vigo is a 45-minute ferry from Rodas Beach, famously crowned the 'best beach in the world' by The Guardian in 2007

Vigo is a bustling cruise port, with thousands of visitors visiting the city at any one time

Tourist tax is not a new concept - but recent overtourism has led to a surge in measures to help reduce the volume of people headed to holiday hotspots, to support local housing pressures and promote sustainable tourism.

New countries have been introducing the measures for 2026 and existing countries are often increasing the costs - in some cases per person, per night.

For example, tourists heading to check out the vibrant nightlife, colourful architecture and culture of Amsterdam are expected to pay 12.5 per cent extra on top of the cost of their hotel room.

Called 'Toeristenbelasting', it's one of the highest visitor fees in Europe, and was increased from seven per cent, plus 3 (2.60) per person, in 2024.

Meanwhile, Bali has charged international tourists IDR 150,000 (6.80) since February 2024.

The fee applies per person, rather than per person per night, and can be paid on or before arrival at the airport.

And tourists visiting Barcelona face nightly fees of up to 15 (13) following a significant increase in the local tourist tax.

Under new regulations, the regional parliament of Catalonia has doubled the tax for holiday rental guests to a maximum of 12.50 (10.90) per night, up from 6.25 (5.45).

The rise comes ahead of a previously announced plan to ban all shortterm rental accommodation by 2028.

Hotel guests will soon be required to pay between 10 (8.75) and 15 (13) per night, up from 5 (4.35) and 7.50 (6.55), depending on the category, with the likelihood that guests will pay more at four and five-star hotels.
Ryanair has warned it could axe all of its flights to popular holiday destination Malta as a result of lengthy airport queues.

Airports in the European country have been hit by delays and long waits as a result of the implementation of the new Entry/Exit System, known as EES.

The system has been slowly rolled out across Europe since October last year, with 29 countries now bringing in the new biometric border control process.

The EES was fully implemented at airports across Europe by April 10, with all third-country nationals now required to register.

But as predicted by many experts, the knock-on effect has been detrimental to travel, with long queues at destinations including Malta.

In Malta, reports have indicated queues have lasted around 40 minutes, according to the Express.

David O'Brien, the CEO of Malta Air, a Ryanair subsidiary, told the Times of Malta: 'If we find ourselves with significant congestion and delay, we'd have to redirect capacity away from Malta to other destinations, and that's not something we'd like to do.

'Europe is utterly unprepared in a general sense. We hope Malta is prepared. We haven't reached summer peak yet.'

Budget airline Ryanair has expressed fears regarding queues in Malta

Lengthy waits at Malta International Airport, along with huge queues, have caused delays this year

David also wrote to Malta's Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri to ask for confirmation that border controls will be fully staffed during the busy summer period.

Alan Borg, CEO of Malta International Airport, also told the publication: 'We need to find ways to improve the processing time over the summer period.

'Summer is where Malta needs to shine.'

A statement from Malta International Airport said: 'We are aware of the concerns being raised about waiting times at immigration particularly during peak arrival periods, challenges which are also currently being faced by other airports across the European Union, and we fully understand the frustration this can cause for passengers and airline partners.

'While immigration controls fall under the responsibility of the Malta Police Force, we are working in close coordination with them to support efficient passenger flows. From our side, this includes providing the necessary infrastructure, aligning operational planning, and closely monitoring arrivals in real time.

'We remain in regular contact with airlines and other stakeholders to anticipate peak demand and respond quickly where needed.

'Malta continues to see strong demand, and we are confident that, through ongoing coordination, border processes will support both passenger experience and airline operations throughout the summer.'

The Daily Mail has contacted Ryanair for comment.

The European hub is a popular destination for Brits travelling during the summer months - meaning any disruption will impact UK holidaymakers

Malta is certainly not the only hub to be impacted by delays and queues as a result of the new EES system.

The busiest - and potentially most affected - airport in Europe in recent weeks has been Amsterdam Airport Schiphol.

The new travel rules caused disruption last week, with passengers waiting to have their passports checked at Schiphol in Amsterdam taking to social media to report delays of up to two hours.

One passenger in Amsterdam described 'elderly people and parents with toddlers' waiting in line for passport gates, 'hardly any' of which were open.

The airport's website confirmed there were 'long delays'.

Meanwhile, in Portugal, there have been reports of delays at Humberto Delgado, Francisco Sa Carneiro, and Gago Coutinho airports in Lisbon, Porto and Faro respectively.

One Reddit user said of Lisbon airport: 'Line was hours long stretching through the whole very long terminal and then outside... Security has stopped using the new system and were stamping passports as fast as they could.'
Farmer Wants A Wife fan favourites Thomas and Clarette have called time on their relationship, just one year after they fell in love on the Channel Seven dating series.

While neither has publicly commented on their separation, their social media pages provide telling clues that the South Australian wheat farmer, 36, split some time ago from his school teacher partner, 36.

Upon declaring their relationship last year, Farmer Thomas updated his Instagram bio to include Clarette's name, alongside a love heart emoji.

However, they have now been scrubbed from his social media, and Clarette is now completely absent.

Even more tellingly, a recent newsletter for the school in the remote Eyre Peninsula where Clarette worked near Thomas' farm has confirmed she has resigned.

'We farewell our English teacher, Clarette Goodhead, who joined us at the beginning of 2025. She will be greatly missed by students, staff, and the wider community,' the newsletter read.

Farmer Wants A Wife fan favourites Thomas and Clarette have called time on their relationship, just one year after they fell in love on the Channel Seven dating series

An insider confirmed to Woman's Day magazine that the pair struggled with their relationship and parted ways some time ago.

'It hasn't been as perfect as it seemed,' they told the publication.

Meanwhile, heartbroken fans took to social media to share their thoughts on the split.

'They live very different lifestyles. Thomas is tied to the farm, but Clarette was often travelling and spending time away,' one person wrote.

Another said that Clarette's recent social media postings all featured her alone in a variety of different settings, joking that she was a 'FIFO wife'.

The split will come as a surprise to FWAW viewers, as last year Thomas came to the end of his emotional quest to find love in an episode of the reality TV series.

The farmer publicly declared his feelings for school teacher Clarette.

Realising that she was the one, Thomas asked to speak with Rachael and Jess separately to tell them that Clarette had won his heart.

While neither have publicly commented on their separation, their social media pages provide telling clues that the South Australian wheat farmer, 36, split some time ago with his school teacher partner

Even more tellingly, a recent newsletter for the regional school in the remote Eyre Peninsula that Clarette worked at near Thomas' farm has confirmed that she has resigned

Both ladies wished him well before leaving the farm together.

Making his boldest move yet, Thomas left a handwritten note asking Clarette to meet him at sunset for an important conversation.

Encircled by candles, Thomas locked eyes on Clarette and smiled as she walked towards him.

The pair held hands before a nervous Thomas took a long, slow breath to steady himself.

Thomas recalled the day the pair first met, saying, 'Clarette, when you walked into that room, my eyes just locked on you, you took my hand... that really meant a lot to me.'

'We've had our ups and downs, but we managed to get through them strong,' he continued, before telling Clarette how beautiful she looked.

Thomas told Clarette she would make the most 'beautiful' wife and mother before delivering the words she had been waiting to hear.

'Clarette, I love you,' he declared in the moving moment.

Wiping away tears, an emotional Clarette responded, 'I love you too, it's official!'
Scarlett Moffatt announced the joyful news that she is expecting her second child with her fiance Scott Dobinson on Monday.

Her joyful baby news comes as a delightful surprise to fans who recently watched Scarlett, 35, discuss her fertility issues on I'm A Celebrity... South Africa.

After speaking about her fertility problems in the South African desert back when it was filmed in September 2025, Scarlett had no idea she would be announcing her pregnancy months later.

'We honestly cant believe were writing this', she wrote in her announcement post on Instagram.

'After everything, we feel unbelievably lucky to be able to say our family is growing. One little miracle gave us Jude, and now hes going to be a big brother.

'And if theres one thing we know for certain, its that he is going to be the most amazing big brother 

'We are so grateful, so excited, and still a little bit in shock Our hearts are fuller than we ever thought possible.'

Scarlett opened up about her four-year fertility journey before she welcomed her son Jude in June 2023, as well as suffering a heartbreaking miscarriage in late 2024.

On the topic of wanting another child, Scarlett said this week: 'I would love to but it just sometimes doesn't work out that way'.

Scarlett Moffatt, 35, announced the joyful news that she is expecting her second child with her fiance Scott Dobinson on Monday

Her joyful baby news comes as a delightful surprise to fans who recently watched Scarlett discuss her fertility issues on I'm A Celebrity... South Africa

Scarlett opened up about the miscarriage to Sinitta as she shared the couple were 'mourning a life' they had imagined.

She said: 'After Jude was born, we tried again and got quite far on and miscarried and it was just... I remember Scott's mum and dad took Jude for the day, and me and Scott just laid in bed crying.

'You imagine them running downstairs at Christmas together. You like... imagine it, you know. It is hard. It's awful.'

Speaking in the Bush Telegraph, Scarlett added: 'When you lose a baby in that way, you're sort of mourning a life that you imagined. It's just really sad.'

She was later seen saying to Sinitta: 'We have to just be so grateful that we've got ours, do you know what I mean?'

Sharing the journey she went on to welcome Jude, Scarlett said: 'Me and Scott, we tried for four years to have Jude, it took so long.

'And then the day we found out I was pregnant, the day after we were going to a fertility clinic.

'That happens to loads of people. I think it's because you feel like not stressed but because you think it's going to get sorted.

'I feel like then when you have one kid, everyone goes to you: "Are you having another?"

'And I always feel like going: "I would love to but it just sometimes doesn't work out that way". Happy that I just have this one.'

Scarlett also discussed her struggle to conceive on Giovanna Fletchers Happy Mum, Happy Baby podcast.

The former Gogglebox star added: 'Ive been with Scott for nearly five years. We were trying for a long time. I think a lot of women do this.

'I self-diagnosed myself, like, "Maybe I cant have children, because it isnt happening"'

Scarlett explained: 'We booked to see a fertility doctor to check to see that everything was OK.

'That was for November, and on my birthday in October I remember blowing my birthday candles out and wishing that it would happen, like, I really wish that I could have a baby.

After speaking about her fertility problems in the South African desert back when it was filmed in September 2025, Scarlett had no idea she would be announcing her pregnancy months later

'Then two weeks later I found out that I was pregnant. It was a nice feeling emailing the fertility doctor, cancelling the appointment.'

Scarlett, who rose to fame with her family on Channel 4's Gogglebox, previously declared she won't be having more children after miscarrying.

To her own surprise, Scarlett couldn't be happier ahead of welcoming a new addition to their growing family.

She last year: 'We had a miscarriage after Jude. It happened quite late on. We had told people [about the pregnancy] and we were really excited.

'We had talked about what life would be like, how they would run down the stairs together as siblings at Christmas, so you mourn the loss of that and the life you imagined.'

Scarlett continued to explain to The Sun: 'I was lying in bed with Scott one day, and I said: "I just don't think I can handle the heartbreak any more. I think we should stop. We've got Jude, so let's enjoy him".

'Anyone that goes through that, my heart breaks for them, and I just think it's so brave when people then continue the journey because it is soul-destroying.'

Scarlett had previously opened up on her traumatic birth with Jude, sharing how she had 'significant blood loss' during labour.

Speaking on Loose Women last year, she said: 'One of the things I really didn't want when you do a birthing plan was a blood transfusion but I lost, like yeah, I think it was like one and a half litres of blood.

'So I was really woozy, and I said [to my husband] "Please go with him" [the baby] and then he had hypoglycemia.

'He had low blood sugars, he had jaundice, and I sort of wheeled myself down to NICU and Scott was like "What are you doing woman, get in bed".'

Following Jude's early arrival, Scarlett expressed her gratitude for Neonatal Intensive Care Units on Instagram.

Scarlett said: 'It's NICU awareness month. Some of you may know Jude was my little miracle baby, who surprised us super early at just 35 weeks and 5 days, a whole month early.

'I'm always so grateful to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Durham hospital for all their help & support during that time, especially Helen (pictured here) and Charlotte!

'We honestly cant believe were writing this', she wrote in her announcement post on Instagram

'That's why Im so happy to be partnering with @waterwipes who have launched their fifth annual Pure Foundation Fund, which gives you the chance to thank individuals and teams who have gone above and beyond for babies born prematurely or admitted into the NICU.'

The TV personality got engaged to ex-policeman Scott in 2023 just months after welcoming their son.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, Scarlett revealed Scott has given up his career to be a stay-at-home dad.

She explained: 'I feel really lucky because for the first two years that Jude was born, I decided to take two years off. So I was just in full-time mum mode, it was the best.

'And then when Jude turned two, I was like "okay, I need to go back into work now" so I can chat to adults, cause I missed that.

'And also, you know, this industry's so difficult, I knew that if I took any longer people might be like, "oh, there's that girl that used to sometimes be on the telly".

'So then Scott, my partner, he's wonderful, he's now took a two-year career break from the police. So he's now in full-time dad mode, which is lovely. We're somehow managing because of that, and we've got great grandparents too.'

If you've been affected by this story, support is available from the Miscarriage Association on 0303 003 6464 or by emailing info@miscarriageassociation.org.uk
The mother of Unexpected star Bella Vaughn was arrested after a confrontation with police in Arkansas on Monday.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, which was obtained by the Daily Mail, Falen Vaughn was arrested on April 20 for disorderly conduct and disrupting governmental operations.

Vaughn was arrested by the Van Buren Police Department, then was briefly booked at the Crawford County Jail before she was released after paying bail.

The Daily Mail has reached out to Vaughn's attorney and the Van Buren Police Department for comment, while the Crawford County Sheriff's Department declined to comment.

Falen has been featured on TLC's Unexpected as the mother of Bella Vaughn.

Bella, now 15, was just 14 when she learned she was expecting a child, and the series traces her pregnancy journey and her strained relationship with the baby's father, Hunter Johnson, 13.

The mother of Unexpected star Bella Vaughn was arrested after a confrontation with police in Arkansas on Monday. According to documents obtained by the Daily Mail, Falen Vaughn (pictured) was arrested on April 20 for disorderly conduct and disrupting governmental operations

Falen has been featured on TLC's Unexpected as the mother of Bella Vaughn (L), 15. Bella was just 14 when she learned she was expecting a child and the series traces her pregnancy journey and her strained relationship with the baby's father, Hunter Johnson, 13

According to the arresting officer, they and at least one other officer arrived at the scene in response to a call about disorderly conduct.

There appears to have been some kind of commotion, as the officer writes that they 'had already separated the other parties and [were] attempting to gain information when Falen Vaughn arrived.'

According to the officer, they were interviewing Falen when her husband, Kris Vaughn, arrived.

They described him as being in an apparently 'agitated state,' but when Falen was ordered to stay back from the police, she allegedly continued walking toward them.

The officer says they 'grabbed her arms and again gave her a lawful command to stop.'

After she allegedly continued to struggle, the officer writes that they 'gained control and brought her to the ground,' where she was arrested.

Falen was subsequently booked for disorderly conduct and disrupting governmental operations, both of which are misdemeanor charges.

It's unclear how long she was booked at the Crawford County Jail, but her $440 bail was paid later on Monday, according to a release document she signed.

The arresting officer writes that they had separated parties when Falen arrived and was questioned

After Falen's husband Chris arrived and was allegedly 'agitated,' she refused commands to step back, so the officer allegedly pulled her to the ground and arrested her

Falen was bailed out for $440 later on Monday. The disorderly conduct and disrupting governmental operations charges are misdemeanors

Falen has also been involved in a legal battle with the father of Bella's boyfriend Hunter Johnson, who has requested a court to establish paternity and to give him custody of the baby. He claims Falen has failed to 'provide adequate oversight and enforce reasonable boundaries' on Bella

TMZ first reported on the arrest.

Vaughn's arrest comes after she was involved in a legal battle over custody of her grandson, Bella and Hunter's child Wesley Kristopher Dean Vaughn-Johnson.

In a complaint filed on April 8, Hunter's father, Casey Johnson, asked a Crawford County Circuit Court judge to give him custody of baby Wesley.

He requested a determination of paternity and alleged that it was in the 'best interest of the child' because the 'current environment at [Vaughn's] home lacks appropriate supervision and structure necessary for minor parents caring of an infant.'

Johnson accused Vaughn's household of failing to 'provide adequate oversight and enforce reasonable boundaries' on Bella, which he claimed led to 'immature decision-making and conduct without appropriate adult intervention.'

Johnson claimed that Wesley was therefore 'at risk' at Vaughn's home.

In a response from her attorney, Vaughn denied Johnson's claims that Bella wasn't receiving proper oversight, and she denied Johnson's allegations about her decision-making and conduct.

On Tuesday, Johnson's attorney filed a motion requesting a temporary hearing on his request to determine temporary custody, visitation and child support.
The man jailed for stalking former radio queen Jackie 'O' Henderson has had a huge win in court.

David Gourlay won a major unfair dismissal victory this week after sending a resignation letter to his employer while in a state of 'mental confusion'.

The Courier Mail reported that Gourlay, 38, who worked for Hutchison Ports' Sydney container terminal, sent a resignation letter to the company's HR department at 4.31am on September 26, 2024.

The company accepted the resignation at 11.02am; however, Gourlay sent a follow-up email later, stating he had changed his mind about leaving.

The publication reported that Gourlay later argued before the Fair Work Commission (FWC) that he never intended to resign and was suffering 'paranoid delusions' at the time.

While Gourlay did not indicate to his employer that he was suffering mental health issues at the time, colleagues reportedly expressed concerns to management on the day of his email, later that afternoon.

The man jailed for stalking former radio queen Jackie 'O' Henderson has had a huge win in court

David Gourlay won a major unfair dismissal victory this week after sending a resignation letter to his employer, Hutchison Ports' Sydney container terminal, while in a state of 'mental confusion'

The Maritime Union of Australia subsequently escalated the matter, formally requesting that Gourlay be permitted to rescind his resignation, which Hutchison rejected.

Gourlay then took his case to the Fair Work Commission, asking to be reinstated in his old job.

However, FWC Commissioner Damian Sloan rejected the request, ruling in March last year that there was no dismissal, despite finding that Gourlay was in a state of 'mental confusion' when he sent the email.

The matter escalated again to a Full Bench hearing which found, in December, that Sloan had made an 'appealable error' in his judgment by 'failing to consider events after the resignation email had been accepted'.

The bench did not make a ruling on the case, but rather passed it back to Sloan to reconsider.

This week, Sloan reversed his decision, ruling that Hutchison did not make appropriate enquiries into Gourlay's condition.

'Mr Gourlay had nearly eight years' service. I accept that it was not without its issues, but it was harsh for Hutchison Ports to purport to treat Mr Gourlay's resignation as legally effective and accept it,' Sloan said.

Despite the reversal, Sloan also expressed concerns about Gourlay's fitness to resume work, stating he had 'insufficient evidence' to rule on reinstatement and instead ordered another hearing.

It comes after Gourlay was sentenced to 16 months in prison for stalking Henderson in December.

After the Fair Work Commission rejected Gourlay's application to be reinstated back in March, This week, it reversed its decision, ruling that Hutchison did not make appropriate enquiries into Gourlay's condition.

Over a five-month period, he sent her up to 2,000 Instagram direct messages, many arriving in rapid succession and referencing private details about her life.

In the delusional narrative he constructed, Gourlay even claimed the pair shared a child.

Sydney's Downing Centre Local Court heard that Gourlay has schizoaffective disorder with bipolar features, and that his belief he was in a relationship with Henderson arose from severe delusions.

His lawyer, Trudie Cameron, told the court her client had been struggling significantly and had not been taking his prescribed medication.

He had reported hallucinations and paranoia in the period leading up to the barrage of messages.

An expert report linked his conduct directly to his mental health condition, with the court hearing that the offending occurred entirely within the context of his delusion.

Cameron stated that, when stabilised on medication, Gourlay functions well within the community.

She argued that he should be allowed to serve his sentence in the community, emphasising his remorse and his awareness of the effect his behaviour would have had on Henderson.

It comes after Gourlay was sentenced to 16 months in prison in December for stalking Henderson

The prosecution, however, submitted that the 38-year-old should be imprisoned, describing the sexualised messages as 'abhorrent' and stressing the need to send a clear signal of deterrence.

Deputy Chief Magistrate Theo Tsavdaridis said the content of the messages was extremely concerning and that Henderson's fear for her family's safety was entirely justified when Gourlay appeared near her home.

He also noted that Gourlay already had a lengthy criminal history and had been serving two community-based orders at the time of the offending.

Gourlay was sentenced to 16 months in prison, with a non-parole period of eight months.

Taking into account time already served, he will be eligible for parole in March.

A five-year apprehended violence order was also put in place, preventing him from contacting Henderson in any way except through a lawyer.

The order, which expires in 2030, bars him from assaulting, threatening, stalking or harassing the radio presenter or anyone with whom she has a domestic relationship.
Kaia Gerber and boyfriend Lewis Pullman were spotted getting affectionate while attending a family beachside wedding in Mexico over the weekend.

The model, 24, and the actor, 33, put on an amorous display, with Pullman kissing Gerber's neck at one point, as she wrapped her arms around him.

The loved-up pair were also seen chatting together, sipping on drinks and mingling with guests during the romantic festivities.

Gerber, the daughter of supermodel Cindy Crawford, looked effortlessly chic in a flowing dress with a colorful print.

The beauty, who was recently seen enjoying a beach day with her other half in a micro bikini, wore her brunette tresses in a straight style and accessorized with gold hoops.

Meanwhile, Pullman, who is the son of Spaceballs actor Bill Pullman, cut a handsome figure in a light linen button-down shirt and cream pants.

Kaia Gerber, 24, and boyfriend Lewis Pullman, 33, were spotted getting affectionate while attending a family beachside wedding in Mexico over the weekend

The model and the actor put on an amorous display, with Pullman kissing Gerber's neck at one point, as she wrapped her arms around him

The latest outing comes after the two were seen enjoying a day at the beach on Sunday.

Gerber showed off her washboard abs in the barely-there swimsuit while strolling the beach with Pullman.

She and her beau of more than one year held hands as they ventured knee-deep into the ocean.

For his part, the actor also flaunted a chiseled torso while going shirtless and sporting black swim trunks.

Last May, she was spotted out with the actor and his mother, Tamara Hurwitz, which suggested their relationship could be lasting, as she made time to bond with his family.

And Pullman's parents supported the actress in her play, Evanston Salt Costs Climbing, in March last year at LA's Matrix Theater.

The lovebirds were first spotted together in January last year as they cozied up at the Thunderbolts star's birthday dinner at Salazar restaurant in Los Angeles.

It came weeks after sources told TMZ that Gerber and ex-boyfriend Austin Butler had split after three years of dating.

The Palm Royale actress intentionally kept the start of her latest romance out of the public eye, according to an Us Weekly report.

'They started dating in early December [2024],' the source spilled, adding that Gerber and Butler had been broken up since that October.

Join the discussion Is this romance heating up fast or just another fleeting fling?

The loved-up pair were also seen chatting together, sipping on drinks and mingling with guests during the romantic festivities

Gerber, the daughter of supermodel Cindy Crawford, looked effortlessly chic in a flowing dress with a colorful print

The beauty wore her brunette tresses in a straight style and accessorized with gold hoops

Meanwhile, Pullman, who is the son of Spaceballs actor Bill Pullman, cut a handsome figure in a light linen button-down shirt and cream pants

The lovebirds were first spotted together in January last year

It came weeks after sources told TMZ that Gerber and ex-boyfriend Austin Butler had split after three years of dating

'Kaia likes that this relationship feels low-pressure and that Lewis is a very low-key guy,' a source previously told Us Weekly

Gerber also previously dated Frankenstein actor Jacob Elordi from 2020 until 2021. Meanwhile, Pullman dated Andie MacDowell's nepo baby Rainey Qualley from 2020 until 2023

Gerber and Pullman watched as the bride and groom shared a kiss

'In early December, Kaia and Lewis started seriously hanging out and were seen all around Los Angeles, but mostly on the east side,' the person revealed.

In regards to how the new pair were able to keep the relationship hidden, the insider said that the actress 'would make sure to be in a hat' or disguise herself in other ways to go to 'their favorite restaurants, bars and clubs.'

And when together, they would be 'holding hands and showing PDA,' with the source adding, 'They were just frequenting crowds that didn't really know them.'

Gerber and Pullman have 'known each other for a while now.'

'They run in the same circle and have similar friend groups, and that's how they were introduced. Kaia likes that this relationship feels low-pressure and that Lewis is a very low-key guy.'

Gerber also previously dated Frankenstein actor Jacob Elordi from 2020 until 2021 and Saturday Night Live alum Pete Davidson from 2019 until 2020.

While Pullman dated Andie MacDowell's nepo baby Rainey Qualley from 2020 until 2023.
Katie Holmes set hearts aflutter among the Dawson's Creek fandom by liking a comment about her and her ex-boyfriend Joshua Jackson.

Jackson, 47, and Holmes, 47, shot to fame on the CW teen drama and dated in real life early in the show's run, spending a year together from 1998 to 1999, during which time she gushed that he was her 'first love.'

After their breakup, they were able to settle into a close friendship and professional rapport, continuing to co-star on the show until its conclusion 2003.

During the later seasons of Dawson's Creek, Holmes and Jackson's respective characters Joey and Pacey struck up an onscreen romance.

Now Holmes has written and directed a movie called Happy Hours, starring her alongside Jackson in a heartwarming reunion.

When she posted an Instagram shot of the two of them together promoting the film, a fan commented: 'They should be a couple' - earning a like from Holmes.

Katie Holmes set hearts aflutter among the Dawson's Creek fandom by liking a comment about her and her ex Joshua Jackson; the pair are pictured in a 2000 publicity still for the show

Holmes and Jackson were seen just last week linking arms at a New York City screening of the new documentary Brunello, The Gracious Visionary

Holmes set off a round of plastic surgery speculation with her radiant complexion as she and Jackson swanned around the fete, glowing with bonhomie

Kimberly Van Der Beek, the widow of Dawson's Creek leading man James Van Der Beek, also leapt into the comments of Holmes' post to write: 'Love this.'

Jackson and Holmes were seen just last week linking arms at a New York City screening of the new documentary Brunello, The Gracious Visionary, which centers on the Italian fashion designer Brunello Cucinelli.

Holmes set off a round of plastic surgery speculation with her radiant complexion as she and Jackson swanned around the fete, glowing with bonhomie.

After her split from Jackson, Holmes had a whirlwind six-year marriage to Tom Cruise, by whom she welcomed her now 20-year-old daughter Suri.

Meanwhile Jackson had a high-profile relationship with Diane Kruger around the same time that Holmes and Cruise were together.

He later married Anne Boleyn actress Jodie Turner-Smith in 2019 and they welcomed their daughter Juno the following year before splitting in 2023.

Holmes raved about Jackson in 1998 when their romance was in its first blush and she was asked about him in an interview with Rolling Stone.

'I fell in love, I had my first love, and it was something so incredible and indescribable that I will treasure it always,' she said. 'And that I feel so fortunate because he's now one of my best friends. It's weird, it's almost like a Dawson-and-Joey type thing now.'

Join the discussion Do YOU think Katie Holmes still has a soft spot for Joshua Jackson?

Now Holmes has written and directed a movie called Happy Hours, starring her alongside Jackson, whom she is pictured filming the project with in New York this past August

(from left) Michelle Williams, James Van Der Beek, Jackson, Holmes, Meredith Monroe and Kerr Smith are pictured in an early-2000s publicity still for Dawson's Creek

Neither naming her boyfriend nor denying he was Jackson, she added that the man she was involved with had 'been in the business so long' and had consequently 'really helped me. I respect him as a friend and a professional.'

Jackson confessed that 'Katie and I did have a romance' during an interview in 2006, three years after Dawson's Creek aired its series finale.

'Which is ancient history now, but I cant tell you how much fun it is to have an actual romance, and then we broke up, and then a year later to have an onscreen romance,' he shared on Late Night with Conan O'Brien.

He joked that 'there's nothing more fun than going to work with your ex-girlfriend everyday,' adding: 'Sorry, Katie, I love you, but it was a little difficult there for a while.'

Holmes appeared at the AAFA American Image Awards 2026 in New York City on Wednesday

She spoke at the event and seemed in good spirits

While Joey and Pacey dated on the show, Jackson confessed he would occasionally be 'reading the scripts' and find himself thinking: 'Did I say that to her? Thats not healthy. This shouldnt beoh my God.'

Last year Jackson surprised fans by remarking that 'Katie and I are very close,' during an appearance on the podcast Dinner's On Me hosted by Jesse Tyler Ferguson.

'It's not a daily call. Sometimes it's not a weekly or monthly or even a half-yearly call,' he acknowledged. 'But when you're together, A, there's always that, like, I know you know. And B, there is, you know, these moments...,' he tried to explain.

'Like, these major moments in life are, like, other than your husband, there's probably no other people in your life that you are that forged to. Because you had to go through good and bad, and happy and: "F*** you," and: "Don't talk to me," and: "I love you."'
The cast of The Secret Lives Of Mormon Wives will be back to work soon.

Hulu confirmed on Tuesday that the reality series will go back into production after coming to a screeching halt amid the drama over fired Bachelorette star Taylor Frankie Paul.

The disgraced reality star's future with her original franchise was also revealed in a report on Tuesday.

Paul, 31, is set to return to The Secret Lives Of Mormon Wives, production sources claimed to TMZ on Tuesday, following the announcement last week that she won't face charges over an alleged domestic violence incident.

The Daily Mail has reached out to Paul for comment but hasn't yet received a response.

Despite Hulu's announcement that the show will be going back into production, the streamer hasn't clarified when filming will begin, according to Deadline.

The cast of The Secret Lives Of Mormon Wives will be back to work soon. Hulu confirmed on Tuesday that the reality series will go back into production after coming to a screeching halt amid the drama over fired Bachelorette star Taylor Frankie Paul

Paul, 31, is set to return to The Secret Lives Of Mormon Wives, production sources claimed to TMZ on Tuesday, following the announcement last week that she won't face charges over an alleged domestic violence incident; Paul is pictured on The Secret Lives Of Mormon Wives

And Paul's timeline for returning to the series is similarly foggy.

Sources told TMZ that Paul would at some point return to the series, but it may not be immediately, as she's allegedly devoting her energy at the moment to her family and her children.

Sources emphasized that even though Paul is spending her time on family at the moment, she's staying in touch with the production and plans to get in front of cameras in the future.

Despite an official clarification from Hulu, production sources told the publication that The Secret Lives Of Mormon Wives will allegedly begin filming shortly, and cameras could be rolling as early as later this week.

The sources also claimed that Paul's castmates are supportive of her returning to the series, as are members of the crew.

In addition to the failed Bachelorette star, Jen Affleck, Jessi Draper, Miranda Hope, Whitney Leavitt, Mikayla Matthews, Mayci Neeley and Layla Taylor all star on The Secret Lives Of Mormon Wives.

Production originally came to a halt in March shortly after Paul's ex, Dakota Mortensen, accused her of domestic violence.

Days later, a video resurfaced from 2023 that showed the reality star attacking her ex-boyfriend and throwing metal chairs at him, one of which shockingly hit her own child instead of Mortensen.

Production sources told TMZ that filming could resume as soon as later this week; (LR) Layla Taylor, Miranda McWhorter, Jessi Ngatikaura, Mikayla Matthews, Mayci Neeley, Taylor Frankie Paul, Jennifer Affleck, Whitney Leavitt and Demi Engemann seen in LA in May 2025

Sources said Paul will return to the series, but she's focused on her family and children at the moment. It's unclear when she might return to filming

Sources added that her castmates and crew members are allegedly supportive of Paul returning to film when she's ready; (LR) Taylor Frankie Paul, Jennifer Affleck, Jessi Ngatikaura, Mayci Neeley, Mikayla Matthews, Layla Taylor and Miranda McWhorter pictured

Paul scored a legal win when the Salt Lake County District Attorneys Office announced that she would not be charged over an alleged domestic violence incident; seen March 15 in LA

The disturbing video prompted ABC to take the drastic step of pulling Paul's entire season of The Bachelorette before it had even aired.

Even as Paul's professional woes mounted, she scored a legal victory last week when the Salt Lake County District Attorneys Office announced that it had declined to file charges against her over the alleged domestic violence episode from February.

Mortensen, 33, had accused Paul  with whom he shares a two-year-old son named Ever  of choking him, before hitting him and shoving him into a window

She had previously pleaded guilty in 2024 to one count of aggravated assault over another fight with Mortensen from 2023 that was also filmed.

Paul had previously accused Mortensen of being abusive toward her in 2023.

After it was revealed that she wouldn't face charges, Paul shared her jubilant reaction to the District Attorney's decision in an Instagram Stories post.

She posted a photo of a vase filled with colorful flowers that overlooked a white piece of paper with a butterfly drawn on it.

'Cried when I got the call ,' the former Bachelorette star wrote over the photo. 'THANK YOU to those that have stood with me.'

The DA said some of the alleged DV incidents occurred three years earlier, beyond the two-year statute of limitations, while incidents within the statute lacked enough evidence and corroborating witness; Paul is pictured in police bodycam footage from her 2023 arrest

The DA also said it would not accuse Paul of violating her probation. However, he added that he was open to charging her in the future if new evidence emerged; Paul is pictured in an ad for The Bachelorette

In his statement, the DA added that Mortensen had 'reported several incidents' involving Paul, but some of them had 'occurred more than three years ago,' while 'Any incidents of misdemeanor offenses which are alleged to have occurred more than two years ago are barred by the statute of limitations.'

Gill also noted that alleged domestic violence incidents that had 'occurred within the statute of limitations have also been reviewed.'

Of those, his office determined that several did 'not rise to the level of criminal offenses,' while he thought the remaining allegations did not have enough evidence for prosecutors to prove the 'allegations beyond a reasonable [doubt].' because of a lack of specificity about when the alleged incidents occurred, as well as a lack of corroborating witnesses or evidence.

'Based on the evidence submitted for screening by the Draper Police Department and West Jordan Police Department, the Salt Lake County District Attorneys Office declines to file any charges,' Gill added.

However, he concluded by noting that the Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office would be willing to prosecute Paul in the future if additional information was obtained to support a potential conviction.

A statement from Gill's office to the Daily Mail also noted that the DA had determined that Paul's probation status would not be challenged.

The Bachelorette's network, ABC, had been battered last month by increasing criticism for selecting the Secret Lives Of Mormon Wives star to lead the latest iteration of the long-running reality series as an earlier 2023 incident  also involving Mortensen  resurfaced.

After the arrest, Paul pleaded guilty in abeyance to aggravated assault.

Paul's ex Mortensen was granted temporary custody of the two-year-old son, Ever, along with a temporary protective order against him. However, Paul was granted her own temporary protective order against Mortensen last week; he's pictured in May in LA

Paul shared a tearful selfie last week as she revealed how she had been coping with the aftermath of her domestic violence scandal

A personalized message on her Starbucks cup brought her comfort

In exchange, four other charges that had been filed against her were dropped with prejudice, meaning they can not be refiled in the future.

Rich Ferguson, the chief of police in Draper, Utah, previously told TMZ that he had passed on Paul's case to the Salt Lake County District Attorney, leaving her fate in his hands.

In the statement from the DA's office, Gill noted that he made his determination not to charge Paul based on evidence collected by the Draper Police Department and West Jordan Police Department, both of which are located in Utah.

Last week, the reality star revealed how she has been coping with the fallout of her ongoing domestic violence scandal as she shared a teary-eyed selfie.

The controversy has played out publicly, with Paul and Mortensen both accusing one another of violence and receiving temporary protective orders against each other.

After Mortensen was granted a temporary protective order against Paul, she was granted her own order against him on April 8, which bars him from contacting her or coming within 100 yards of her until their hearing on April 30 to determine if the orders will be made permanent.

More recently, Paul is getting through the ordeal with the help of poignant gifts sent to her before the scandal broke.

In an Instagram post published on Thursday, Paul revealed how she has been comforted by gifts that have 'been essential for me through this specific time.'

Paul also appears to be leaning into her faith

A book she received in September was given to her to provide 'peace and comfort through the good and bad days'

'Just want to say THANK YOU to those that have all helped carry. Nothing but gratitude for these gifts given by different people at different times that have been essential for me through this specific time. Thank you to every message, meal, gift, call, prayer, and support of any kind sent. There is the human side of this and then it gets to a point of it being miraculous when you start to see it from a bigger lens.'

The post began with a photo of Paul, sitting in her car with tears welling up in her eyes and her hand covering her mouth. 'It's miraculous that every essential or reminder I've needed was GIVEN through people,' the selfie read.

The photos included a picture of a Starbucks beverage she purchased with a comforting message from the barista reminding her she is 'loved.'

The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star also appears to be leaning into her faith, showing a photo of Jesus Christ that appeared to have been a housewarming gift from her mother.

She is also now working through a book given to her last year that was presented to Paul to provide her with 'peace and comfort through the good and bad days'.

Paul filed for her temporary protective order on Tuesday and claimed Mortensen had demonstrated a 'pattern of abusive conduct and coercive control' during their relationship, according to court filings obtained by People.

She also described several times in which he allegedly acted violently towards her. Paul also included alleged screenshots of text messages and pictures of bruises that she claimed to have incurred during disputes with Mortensen.

Last month, Mortensen was granted a temporary restraining order against Paul after he characterized her as an 'immediate threat' to his safety.

Paul has been de-stressing with the help of tea and bubble baths

Paul's season of The Bachelorette was scrapped after video of her hurling chairs at ex Dakota Mortensen in 2023 was released in what has evolved into a massive legal battle

Paul's history with domestic violence has come back to haunt her just days before her season of The Bachelorette was set to debut.

It emerged that filming on her other show, The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, had been paused as she and Mortensen faced an investigation into domestic assault.

The Draper City Police Department confirmed to People at the time the existence of an open 'domestic assault investigation' into Paul and Mortensen.

'Allegations have been made in both directions,' a spokesman for the department told the publication, adding 'contact was made with involved parties on [February] 24 and 25.'

It came three years after Paul pleaded guilty to aggravated assault over another domestic violence incident with Mortensen.

Paul pleaded guilty to aggravated assault after she threw chairs at Mortensen with her daughter, Indy, in the room in 2023.

The young girl could be heard crying as the fighting continued, with Mortensen telling Paul that her daughter 'just got hit in the head by a metal chair.'

Video of the incident was released and led to her Bachelorette downfall, with ABC announcing it would be canceling her season 'at this time.'

ABC made the decision to pull the plug on Paul's season of The Bachelorette after the video was released

'In light of the newly released video just surfaced today, we have made the decision to not move forward with the new season of The Bachelorette at this time, and our focus is on supporting the family,' it said.

In response to the resurfaced footage, Pauls representative told the Daily Mail, Its sad to see the latest installment of his never-ending, desperate, attention-seeking, destructive campaign to harm Taylor without any regard for the consequences for their child.

'Releasing an old video, which conveniently omits context, on their sons birthday is a reprehensible attempt to distract from his own behavior.'

Just two days before the video was made public, Mortensen filed for a protective order in Utah, citing alleged incidents that took place on February 23 and 24, according to TMZ.

As part of his filing, he requested temporary custody of their two-year-old son, Ever, and asked that Paul be prohibited from drinking or using drugs during her parenting time.

Mortensen claimed that a verbal argument turned into a physical confrontation, where Paul allegedly choked him.

He alleged that he had to physically remove her hands from his neck, after which she shoved him into a window and struck him.

Describing the situation as chaotic and frightening, Mortensen said their son woke up from the commotion, which included Paul screaming and yelling, according to TMZ.

The order was granted, as well as his custody request.

After an hour-long hearing on April 7, the judge ruled that Paul will be allowed up to eight hours of supervised visitation with her son each week.

This temporary custody arrangement will remain in place for three weeks and two days, until the next court hearing on April 30.
Sentinel Legal has begun proceedings for Judicial Review of the Tobacco and Vapes Act 2025, challenging a generational prohibition Director Sam Ward calls "the state deciding it knows better than its own citizens how they should live their lives."

CHELTENHAM, England, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Sentinel Legal has today launched proceedings for Judicial Review of the Tobacco and Vapes Act 2025, which received Royal Assent this month and will, from 1 January 2027, permanently ban the sale of tobacco products to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009.

This is not a campaign to promote smoking. This is a legal challenge to defend a principle that has defined Britain for centuries: that the state does not get to decide what a free adult does with their own body.

Sam Ward, Director of Sentinel Legal, said:

"The Tobacco and Vapes Act creates two classes of British citizen based entirely on their date of birth. Two adults will be able to walk into the same shop, stand at the same counter, and one will be free to make a legal purchase while the other is permanently banned from doing so. Not because of what they have done, but because of when they were born.

"That is not public health policy. That is the state deciding it knows better than its own citizens how they should live their lives.

"We have watched, year after year, as the freedoms that Britain was built on have been quietly stripped away. The right to protest has been curtailed. The right to speak freely is under constant pressure. The right to privacy has been eroded by surveillance powers that would have been unthinkable a generation ago. And now the government has decided that an entire generation of British adults will never be trusted to make their own choices about a legal product.

"Each of these measures, taken on its own, is presented as reasonable. Sensible. For our own good. But taken together, they reveal a pattern: a state that increasingly views its citizens not as free people to be trusted, but as problems to be managed.

"We are not asking whether smoking is harmful. Everyone knows it is. We are asking a more fundamental question: does the British government have the right to permanently remove a personal choice from an entire generation of adults who have committed no offence and pose no threat to anyone but themselves?

"Our answer is no. And we intend to prove it in court."

The Grounds

Sentinel Legal is seeking Judicial Review on three grounds:

1. Article 8, European Convention on Human Rights (Right to Private Life). The decision of a competent adult to use a legal product is a matter of personal autonomy protected by Article 8. A blanket, permanent, generational prohibition is a disproportionate interference with that right. The government has not demonstrated why education, taxation, and existing age restrictions are insufficient, nor why a lifetime ban on an entire generation is the least restrictive means available.

2. Article 14 combined with Article 8 (Prohibition of Discrimination). The Act creates direct differential treatment based solely on date of birth. A person born on 31 December 2008 retains the right to purchase tobacco for life. A person born one day later, on 1 January 2009, is permanently denied that right. This is age-based discrimination without proportionate justification.

3. Article 1 of Protocol 1 (Protection of Property). Tobacco retailers across the United Kingdom face the progressive and permanent destruction of a lawful customer base. The Act imposes a slow-motion prohibition on an entire retail sector without compensation, constituting an unjustified interference with the peaceful enjoyment of possessions.

Lead Claimants

Sentinel Legal is actively seeking lead claimants to bring the challenge before the Administrative Court. The firm invites affected tobacco retailers and individuals born on or after 1 January 2009 who wish to defend their right to make their own choices as adults to come forward.

A Line in the Sand

This challenge is not about tobacco. It is about whether we accept a country where the government can decide, permanently and irrevocably, that an entire generation of adults cannot be trusted to make a choice that every generation before them was free to make.

If this principle is accepted for tobacco today, the precedent is set for alcohol tomorrow, for processed food next year, and for whatever else the state decides is not good for us the year after that.

Freedom is not freedom if it only applies to choices the government approves of.

Sentinel Legal is drawing a line. We invite the British public to stand with us.

Notes to Editors

1. Sentinel Legal is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA No. 654828).

2. The Tobacco and Vapes Act 2025 received Royal Assent in April 2026. The generational sales ban takes effect on 1 January 2027.

3. Unlike a simple age restriction, the Act's prohibition follows the affected generation for life. A person born on 1 January 2009 will be unable to legally purchase tobacco at age 18, at age 30, at age 50, or at any point in their lifetime.

4. Judicial Review is the legal mechanism by which the High Court examines whether a public body has acted lawfully. It does not require the court to agree with the policy, only to determine whether the policy is compatible with fundamental rights.

5. Sam Ward, Director, is available for interview, comment, and broadcast.

Media Contact:

Sam Ward, Director

Sentinel Legal

Harley House, 29 Cambray Place, Cheltenham GL50 1JN

Email: [email protected]

Telephone: 0161 528 9544

Web: www.sentinellegal.co.uk

Press Release Service provided by 24-7PressRelease.com.

SOURCE Sentinel Legal
Jake Gyllenhaal has left Aussie ice cream fans scratching their heads after placing a very strange gelato order.

The Oscar nominee, 45, is currently Down Under filming the comedy drama Honeymoon With Harry with Kevin Costner in Brisbane.

The Donnie Darko star took a break from filming and visited Gelato Messina in Fortitude Valley for an iced treat.

However, rather than opting for a cup or a cone to contain his gelato, Jake went with both  a secret Messina menu item known as a Unicorn.

Gelato Messina shared an image to its Instagram Story on Tuesday showing CCTV footage of the Fortitude Valley store.

Jake can be seen at the counter, dressed casually in a crisp white T-shirt and jeans, clutching a cup of gelato, which also featured an upside-down cone.

Jake Gyllenhaal has left Aussie ice cream fans scratching their heads after placing a very strange gelato order

Jake, 45, is currently Down Under filming the comedy drama Honeymoon With Harry with Kevin Costner in Brisbane . The Donnie Darko star took a break from filming and visited Gelato Messina in Fortitude Valley for an iced treat

News.com.au reported that a staff member had shared an image from the footage to Messina's internal Slack channel, which set the brand's social media team into detective mode.

They shared a second image, zoomed in on Jake's hand holding the mystery purchase, with the caption: 'Us zooming in to see what he got.'

A third image, honed in even closer on Jake's gelato was captioned with a simple: "????".

The mystery was soon solved, however, with staff in the store confirming Jake's order.

A subsequent image confirmed that Jake chose a mix of Bounty (a popular Australian chocolate and coconut candy bar) and Macadamia Crunch.

Jake's snack did not end with his 'Unicorn', though, with the actor also walking away with two, one-litre tubs of gelato.

'Boots on the ground (asked the staff) and #confirmed Jake loves a unicorn (cone on top with a cup).'

A spokesperson for Gelato Messina told the publication that while not an official menu item, The Unicorn was a popular hack for people who can't decide between a cup or a cone.

Gelato Messina shared an image to its Instagram Story on Tuesday showing CCTV footage of the Fortitude Valley store. Jake can be seen at the counter, dressed casually in a crisp white T-shirt and jeans, clutching a cup of gelato, which also featured an upside-down cone

They shared a second image, zoomed in on Jake's hand holding the mystery purchase with the caption: 'Us zooming in to see what he got.'

'Unicorns have always been a secret menu item that customers can order from any of our stores  order any scoop in a cup and ask for a cone on top,' they said.

'Less mess, extra crunch, more fun. Unicorns are popular for our customers that have been with us since the beginning (2002) and great for kids.'

They added that while the staff were certainly 'star-struck' upon seeing Jake in-store, they managed to 'play it cool'.

Jake is currently filming Honeymoon With Harry in Brisbane alongside the likes of Kevin Costner, Rita Ora, and Sarah Pidgeon.

It tells the story of a man who goes on his honeymoon with his father-in-law, after his fiancee dies just two days before the wedding.

It comes after Jake recently made a rare red carpet appearance with his long-time girlfriend Jeanne Cadieu at The Bride! premiere in London.

Despite being romantically linked for eight years, their red carpet appearances together are few and far between.

But stepping out together in London in February, Jake and Jeanne attended the world premiere of The Bride!  which is written and directed by his sister Maggie Gyllenhaal and in which he stars as Ronnie Reed  at Cineworld Leicester Square.

A third image confirmed that Jake chose a mix of Bounty (a popular Australian chocolate and coconut candy bar) and Macadamia Crunch. Jake's snack did not end with his 'Unicorn' though, with the actor also walking away with two, one-litre tubs of gelato

A spokesperson for Gelato Messina told the publication that while not an official menu item, The Unicorn was a popular hack for people who can't decide between a cup or a cone. They added that while the staff were certainly 'star-struck' upon seeing Jake in-store, they managed to 'play it cool'

The couple were seen together later in the evening as they headed to the premiere afterparty at Bardo St James, with Jake signing autographs for fans.

'I'm not going to give you timing [about wedding bells]. I think we all get into that space of work, work, work, and for a long time my career took precedence,' Jake said of Jeanne to The Hollywood Reporter last year.

'But I'm at a point in my life where I realise that family really is the only thing that matters to me.'

He told the outlet he loves to cook with Jeanne, and their favourite date was attending KCRW's Good Food Pie Fest in Los Angeles in 2024 where they hung out with a pie-baking drag queen named Bertha and 'tasted dozens of pies'.

'We got [tasting] tickets a month and a half early,' Jake gushed. 'I was like, "Babe, we can go! We can go to the pie contest!"'
Former reality star Zana Pali appears to have taken a sharp dig at her ex, Gianni Romano, during a question-and-answer session with her followers.

Zana, 35, who appeared with her then-husband on My Kitchen Rules in 2016, said 'no' after a fan asked whether it was possible to be 'friends' with a former partner.

'...Once I'm done. I'm done,' she continued.

The lawyer and property developer, who shares two boys with her ex, added, '[You] don't keep [getting] access to me once I've removed you from my life.'

Elsewhere in her fan chat session on Instagram, Zana had some more relationship advice, after a follower asked, 'Do you think men can change?'

'They can, but not for you,' Zana replied.

Former reality star Zana Pali appears to have taken a sharp dig at her ex, Gianni Romano, during a question-and-answer session with her followers. (Pictured)

Elsewhere in her fan chat session on Instagram, Zana had some more relationship advice, after a follower asked, 'Do you think men can change?'

'People change when they want to. Not when they're asked to. If you're waiting for it, you're already wasting your time.'

It comes after Zana declared back in August she was through with romance.

The one-time MKR 'villain', reposted a video to Instagram in response to the question of whether she is currently dating.

The clip shows Vanderpump Rules star Tom Schwartz explaining why he has 'no desire to be with another human being.'

'"So where are you from?" Shut up, I don't f**king want to know where you're from, what you do,' he complained.

'I don't want to hear about your life. I don't ever want to do that again. Ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever!'

Hours earlier, Zana had reposted another meme that read: 'Uninterested, unavailable and physically repulsed.'

She captioned this with: 'When they ask me if I'm ready for dating,' alongside a melting emoji, a vomit emoji, and a laughing-crying emoji.

The pair wed in November 2014 on Hayman Island and went on to welcome Leo and Romeo in 2018 and 2020, respectively. (Pictured)

Back in July, Zana sent fans into meltdown when she uploaded a photo of herself enjoying a getaway in Greece with what appeared to be a male companion.

The image showed a sumptuous dish of seafood, alongside a man's hand wrapped around a mobile device.

However, it seems any holiday romance has fizzled.

Gianni and Zana - a pair of lawyers who rose to fame on My Kitchen Rules in 2016 -made headlines in July, 2025 over their breakup.

The pair's family home on Brighton's 'Golden Mile' - complete with a basement nightclub and lift access - sold in the middle of last year for about $10 million.

The property sits on a stretch of millionaires' row that is a magnet for Victorian socialites, with famous locals including Bec and Chris Judd.

Gianni and Zana made a name for themselves among the neighbourhood's glamorous elite when they moved in with their sons Leo and Romeo, now aged six and five.

The pair wed in November 2014 on Hayman Island and went on to welcome Leo and Romeo in 2018 and 2020, respectively.
Lorraine Kelly says she 'worried about existing' after losing her high-profile job at GMTV while she was on maternity leave.

Kelly was among a rotating team of presenters on the daily breakfast show before welcoming daughter Rosie, her only child with husband Steve Smith, in June 1992.

But the presenter, 66, was blindsided after ITV bosses told her she was being replaced, little more than a week before her scheduled return.

Reflecting on her departure with Pete Wicks during an appearance on his Man Made podcast, Kelly said her status as a freelancer left her in a precarious financial state during those early months of motherhood.

She said: 'The kind of job I do, I'm a freelancer, I'm a taxi for hire and I don't take anything for granted, I certainly don't.

'After I had my daughter, that was a really dark time; just after having a baby you're all over the place, and I got sacked, or didn't get my contract renewed - virtually the same thing - and that was a very dark time, that was a really, really dark time because everything's just taken away from you, and you're like, "What the hell am I gonna do?"

Lorraine Kelly says she 'worried about existing' after losing her high-profile job at GMTV while she was on maternity leave

Much like Kelly, the presenter's cameraman husband also worked as a freelancer, and their combined lack of job security left the couple struggle to pay their mortgage.

'I basically lived from contract to contract, I really did,' she recalled. 'You might get a year's contract, or you might get two years if you're lucky.

'It would have actually been really nice is someone had told me in 40 years you're gonna still be doing it, because every time that contract was up you get the washing machine stomach, you get the dread, you get the fear, you get all the worry, you know.

'Especially after I'd had my daughter and you're worrying about just existing; that was always a worry, so I had that. You could never quite relax or take things for granted, which I never do.'

Kelly now faces an equally uncertain future as ITV make sweeping cutbacks across its daytime TV schedule, with her daily breakfast show's year-round one hour slot now slashed to just thirty minutes a day.

But the presenter says the birth of her granddaughter Billie has changed her outlook, and made her appreciate the present.

'Even now, I don't know what's going to happen, no-one does,' she said. 'but certainly since I became a granny I have been able to live in the now, because [Billie} does.

'She's not even two yet, but I will take fifteen minutes to look at a puddle, and it's fantastic, and I will blow bubbles for hours, and the first bubble is as exciting for her, and for me, as the one hundredth bubble.'

Kelly previously emphasised the need for better representation of working-class voices in the media because if youre only going to hear elite opinions were never going to get anywhere.

The daytime host appeared on the BBCs Desert Island Discs last November, where she also discussed the ITV cutbacks which will see her eponymous show reduced to 30-minute episodes that will be shown for just 30 weeks a year from 2026.

Kelly, who has appeared on national TV since the mid-1980s, told the programme: 'Things have to change. I have been through so many regime changes in my life. For me this is just another one, but its seismic.'

Kelly was among a rotating team of presenters on the daily breakfast show before welcoming daughter Rosie, her only child with husband Steve Smith , in June 1992 (pictured in 1993)

Reflecting on her departure with Pete Wicks during an appearance on his Man Made podcast, Kelly said her status as a freelancer left her in a precarious financial state

She said the part of the reorganisation that upsets her most is breaking up the great team that she works with.

'Were hoping that we can save as many jobs as we can, thats the aim right now,' she said. 'But you know what, its just the world we live in.'

Kelly, who grew up in Glasgow before moving to East Kilbride in her early teens, said she was crushed when told she would not get a job at the BBC due to her working-class Scottish accent.

She was eventually hired for TV-am by an Australian who did not recognise her accent.

She told Desert Island Discs presenter Lauren Laverne: 'I really worry about working-class people not being given the opportunity that I had.

'We talk about diversity quite rightly, but theres a whole raft of working-class people of all colours, all creeds, all religions, who are being left behind.

'And that all comes down to money because these kids cannot afford to come to London, to live in London, because its impossible for them to do that. And therefore they cant get the jobs that they absolutely should be allowed to do.

'You have to hear these voices, because thats what our country is made up of, and if youre only going to hear elite opinions were never going to get anywhere  or whoever can shout the loudest on social media  we end up in an appalling state.'

The presenter says the birth of her granddaughter Billie has changed her outlook, and made her appreciate the present (pictured with Billie and daughter Rosie in 2026)

Kelly said at the start of her career she applied for every single job at the BBC.

'I applied for farming correspondent at BBC Aberdeen,' she recalled. 'I mean I wouldnt have known one end of a cow from another.'

The presenter also admitted that becoming a mother had 'made me so much better at my job.'

'You have so much more empathy, you have so much more understanding. It definitely, definitely made me better,' she said.

Asked about her on-air persona, she told Laverne: 'I am very much myself, but its a version of myself.

'I mean if I was really myself, Id be taken off the air.'
Prince Harry wasted no time in escaping Meghan Markle's controversial Her Best Life retreat in Sydney on Friday.

A video of the moment has emerged showing the Duke of Sussex quickly rising from his seat to make his way to the exit just as his wife completed a Q&A.

Harry, 41, then shook hands with a man sitting near the stage and avoided eye contact with the patrons as they gave Meghan a standing ovation.

He then strode quickly through the nearest door.

Businesswoman Liliana Sanelli, who attended the event and posted the video, also included images of Meghan posing with retreat host Gemma O'Neill and a gushing caption.

'It's not every day you can say you meet someone as beautiful as Meghan Markle,' she said.

Prince Harry wasted no time in escaping Meghan Markle's controversial Her Best Life retreat in Sydney. Above, the Duchess of Sussex on stage at the Intercontinental Coogee on Friday

A video of the moment has emerged showing the Duke of Sussex quickly rising from his seat to make his way to the exit just as his wife completed a Q&A

Elsewhere she said, 'Hearing Meghan speak so openly, authentically and be so real - has given me another perspective of powerful, insightful, strong women when they are truly real to themselves.'

Meanwhile, the Her Best Life podcast shared a cringey video of the after-party, which included scenes of attendees wearing oversized 'novelty' glasses while dancing to tunes spun by a DJ.

Meghan is not believed to have attended those festivities.

Radio star Jackie 'O' Henderson  who is managed by O'Neill  was also featured in a brief clip, where she could be seen addressing a crowded conference room.

During her talk, the Duchess of Sussex asked fans if it was finally time to invest in herself after spending 'all her life investing in women'.

Attendees had paid up to AUD$3,199 for VIP tickets to the event, which included the opportunity to sit in the front row of the Q&A and take a photograph with Meghan.

'I've spent all my life investing in women, can I finally invest in me?' the duchess asked the audience during her 90-minute appearance on stage.

She also told the crowd her experience in the public eye had been 'very difficult' but that people's criticism of her had to do with their own 'projections'.

She said the last decade, during which she celebrated happy moments such as her wedding and the birth of her two children, had been tainted by the vicious attacks.

Harry, 41, avoided eye contact with the patrons as they gave Meghan a standing ovation

Attendees had paid up to AUD$3,199 for VIP tickets to the event, which included the opportunity to sit in the front row of the Q&A and take a photograph with the duchess. Above, with podcaster Gemma O'Neill

The Her Best Life podcast shared a cringey video of the after-party, which included scenes of attendees wearing oversized 'novelty' glasses

The duchess said motherhood had taught her to have perspective and patience, something she needed, 'given what our life is like'.

It comes after Meghan and Prince Harry's tour Down Under was the subject of a poll that delivered an unflattering verdict on the four-day jaunt.

The survey revealed that a crushing four out of five Aussies (81 per cent) felt their visit had not improved their opinion of the couple. Just one in five (19 per cent) said it had.

Despite Harry's speech declaring he never wanted to be a working royal and Meghan calling herself the 'most trolled person in the entire world' since marrying her prince, two-thirds of Australians (69 per cent) said the couple had not been treated unfairly by the Royal Family.

And almost nine out of ten Australians (87 per cent) said they believed Harry's decision to visit the country with his wife would not help mend his relationship with his father, King Charles III.

The couple departed Australia on Friday after taking part in a mix of charitable royal-style engagements and money-spinning commercial events.

The tour went from a stop at the Australian War Memorial and a visit to meet survivors of the Bondi terror attack to Meghan's cameo on MasterChef Australia.
Newlyweds Roxy Horner and Jack Whitehall are enjoying a minimoon at the 2,000-a-night Coworth Park before they jet off to Venice.

The husband and wife said 'I do' last Saturday in a lavish ceremony, which took place at the 17th-century Euridge Manor in the Cotswolds, and is believed to have cost an eye-watering 250,000.

Close family and friends were in attendance, as well as the couple's A-list pals including James Corden and Jamie Redknapp.

After the nuptials, they all travelled to the five-star Coworth Park hotel in Ascot where they partied the night away until 2am.

New pictures now reveal the couple and their daughter, Elsie, have remained at the luxury hotel, enjoying a minimoon there.

In a snap posted to her Instagram account on Tuesday, Roxy, 34, could be seen relaxing on the grounds of the estate with her daughter.

Roxy Horner has shared a new picture from her and Jack Whitehall's 2,000-a-night minimoon before they jet off to Venice

On Instagram, she shared a sweet clip of daughter Elsie as she petted a horse in the stables

In another story, she shared a sweet clip of Elsie as she petted a horse in the stables at the hotel.

Jack, 37, and Roxy are expected to fly to Venice for their honeymoon.

The hotel is an extension of London's Dorchester Hotel and gained huge fame when Prince Harry spent the night before his 2018 wedding to Meghan Markle at the establishment alongside his brother and future King, Prince William.

It sits on an 18th-century estate less than 20 minutes from London Heathrow's Terminal 5.

The house hotel and spa is set in 240 acres of Berkshire parkland near Ascot, blending historic Georgian charm with modern style.

The Mansion House Premium Suite, which is the hotel's most expensive room at approximately 2,000 per night, boasts its own private butler service.

Other features include a separate bar and dining area, a freestanding copper roll-top bathtub, countryside views and a daily room refresh twice a day.

It is understood the wedding party were warned to 'keep it down' because in 2023, the venue found itself in trouble with the council for being too noisy.

Following Jack and Roxy's lavish nuptials, sources have revealed to The Mail On Sunday that the influencer wore not one but two bridal gowns made by Belarusian wedding dress designer Galia Lahav, which are thought to have cost up to 16,000 each.

Roxy changed into her second dress for the party and also had a veil from the designer, while adding Alaia's Le Coeur heels and jewellery from Roxanne Assoulin.

She also wore her grandmother's engagement ring, saying: 'She handed it down to me when she passed away, which was so special.'

The security team at the venue, owned by Jigsaw founder John Robinson, went to great lengths to shield her with umbrellas so she couldn't be seen by the public.

Adding to the glamour were the Essex-born beauty's bridesmaids, fellow models Sophie Longford and Milly Slinger, who wore ankle-length champagne-peach dresses.

Coworth Park (pictured) is an extension of London's Dorchester Hotel and gained huge fame when Prince Harry spent the night before his 2018 wedding to Meghan Markle at the establishment alongside his brother and future King, Prince William

The funnyman, 37, pictured with the model, 34, before they tied the knot at the 17th-century Euridge Manor in the Cotswolds on Saturday

Jack wore a traditional black tie suit, flower buttonhole and a pair of 800 Christian Louboutin shoes for the big day, which began at 4pm and was due to go on to at least 2am.

He was seen arriving at the venue clutching what was thought to be his groom's speech, with friends revealing he was 'extremely nervous' about delivering it.

Jack's friends were heard shouting after the ceremony: 'S**gger' at the star, in what was believed to be in reference to Jacks 2019 appearance on Who Do You Think You Are?

In the episode, the star was tickled when he learned that his great-great-grandfather had been a womanising salesman who had died of syphillis, leading to him hilariously branding his ancestor 'a bit of a s**gger.

Jack also shared snaps from their suite after the big day, and the display laid out by hoteliers to celebrate the marriage.

The couple were treated to chocolate-covered strawberries, champagne, balloons reading 'Congratulations Mr and Mrs Whitehall' and goodie bags from the hotel.

Roxy and Jack have been dating since lockdown in 2020, and welcomed daughter Elsie, two, in September 2023 before becoming engaged in December 2024.

Jack and Roxy shared details of their wedding to Vogue, with the funnyman revealing he started the day in a Tom Ford suit but later had to change after a wardrobe malfunction.

He explained to the publication: 'I squatted down to pick up Elsie and my trousers split, my whole a** was hanging out.'

Roxy Horner has shared her first snap from her lavish wedding to new husband Jack Whitehall, hours after the couple tied the knot

Elsie was one of three flower girls on the day and sweetly shouted 'daddy daddy' when she got to the end of the aisle - where Jack was waiting in tears.

After having her makeup done by Nikki Wolff and her hair styled by her sister Josie, Roxy was ready to walk down the aisle with her dad.

After the ceremony, the party was catered for by Jimmy Garcia, while their wedding cake was a multi-tier vanilla sponge from Hall of Cakes.

The couple and their friends and family then partied until 2am along with a sea of famous faces including Joshua and Lottie Kane.
Adrian Portelli has officially opened the first of his chain of petrol stations  and the event was marred by an accident after an e-bike rider was struck by a car.

The Australian billionaire launched the LMCT+ petrol station in Preston, Victoria, on Wednesday night with hundreds of his loyal followers turning up to see him in the flesh.

But chaos erupted as hoons swarmed the area in souped-up vehicles, and an electric bike rider collided with a car on the road and was sent flying into the air, landing on the road.

The e-bike rider's condition is uncertain, but witnesses say he got up after the collision and fled the area.

Police, who were already on the scene investigating another car outside the event, chased the e-bike rider on foot.

The car being inspected by police was eventually towed from the scene.

Adrian Portelli (pictured) has officially opened the first in his chain of petrol stations  and the event was marred by an accident after an e-bike rider was struck by a car

Cars and motorbikes caused a nuisance by revving and doing burnouts in the street

Police towed one car from the scene

Police tailed Portelli's convoy moments after he left the event  one car, not Portelli's, was pulled over.

Several devotees of the luxury vehicle enthusiast showed up in their own muscle cars, with drivers filling the road, revving their engines and doing burnouts outside the brand-new service station.

At one point, security was forced to chase off a driver idling at a green traffic light, revving his engine and blocking the road.

Although petrol was not yet available for sale, those in attendance lined up instead for the food on offer, with the Daily Mail hearing complaints of long waits and frustrated, hungry attendees.

Portelli was mobbed by fans for several hours at the event, which culminated in one of his infamous giveaways.

One lucky member of the public walked away from the petrol station $1million richer thanks to Portelli's generosity.

The 37-year-old announced his petrol pump venture as part of an extension to LMCT+, his subscription-based rewards club, in December 2025.

Speaking to the Daily Mail on the night, Portelli said that he aims to serve his community by offering petrol at competitive prices as Australia faces shortages.

The condition of the e-bike rider was uncertain, but witnesses on the scene say he got up from the road after the collision and fled the area

Police tailed Portelli's convoy moments after he left the event  one car, not Portelli's, was pulled over

Several devotees of the luxury vehicle enthusiast showed up in their own muscle cars

Drivers filled the road, revving their engines and doing burnouts outside the brand new service station

At one point, security was forced to chase off a driver sitting at a green traffic light, revving his engine and blocking the road

Portelli was mobbed by fans for several hours at the event, which culminated in one of his infamous giveaways

One lucky member of the public walked away from the petrol station $1 million richer thanks to Portelli's generosity

Models in grid girl-style outfits donned revealing ensembles

'Yeah, look, I'm gonna do what I can to relieve that,' Portelli said of the country's fuel crisis.

'I've got my customer base that have supported me over the years, so I'm willing to take a hit to the pocket to support them in these times.'

Portelli indicated that he was likely to take a financial hit due to his low prices, which he intends to increase at some stage.

'This is just something to say thank you. But you know, we're gonna obviously have to at some point increase our prices, but like I said, we're gonna give wholesale fuel,' he said.

The price of fuel in Australia doubled for drivers in the weeks after conflict broke out in the Middle East and Iran closed shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz, with some service stations even running dry.

But months before the ongoing fuel crisis began, Portelli said that his service stations would offer 'discount' fuel prices, with the first location now open in Melbourne.

'The big players in the petrol game didn't want to give you guys discounted fuel, so Adrian's gone out and bought his own to give members a whopping fuel discount,' LMCT+ said in its December announcement.

'Get ready - because next year you're going to start seeing LMCT+ petrol stations roll out across Australia.'

The Australian billionaire launched the LMCT+ location in Preston, Victoria, on Wednesday night with hundreds of his loyal followers turning up

Although petrol was not yet available for sale, those in attendance lined up instead for the food on offer, with Daily Mail hearing complaints of long waits and frustrated, hungry attendees

Speaking to Daily Mail on the night, Portelli said that his aim is to serve his community by offering petrol at competitive prices as Australia faces shortages

Portelli indicated that he was likely to take a financial hit due to his low prices, which he intends to raise at some stage

'Yeah, look, I'm gonna do what I can to relieve that,' Portelli said of the country's fuel crisis

'I've got my customer base that have supported me over the years, so I'm willing to take a hit to the pocket to support them in these times,' he added

'This is just something to say thank you. But you know, we're gonna obviously have to at some point increase our prices, but like I said, we're gonna give wholesale fuel,' he said

The 37-year-old announced his petrol pump venture as part of an extension to LMCT+, his subscription-based rewards club, in December 2025

In an update last week, Portelli announced the first of the petrol stations would open within a fortnight. The project is a conversion of a Shell site on the corner of Gower Street and Plenty Road in Preston, about 10km north of Melbourne's CBD.

'The final two-week countdown!' he wrote online. 'It genuinely is surreal seeing this come to life, and I got emotional seeing that LMCT+ logo hanging loud and proud!'

For those struggling to find E85, which has been in short supply due to the conflict in the Middle East, Portelli added: 'There will be E85 on site in some way, shape or form.'

Hundreds of Aussies applauded Portelli's decision to open a service station - with some joking that his ability to find fuel in a shortage was better than that of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

'Bro can you replace Albo,' one wrote.

'This is awesome!' another said.

But others shared their doubts about LMCT+'s expansion, especially given that the brand is most famous for its lotteries.

Those competitions appear to be part of the new service stations with pictures showing an on-site 'Rewards Hub'.

Married At First Sight star Dave Hand (pictured) was among those who showed up

A waitlist for LMCT+ fuel is available on the company's website but it's unclear when the first service station will officially begin sales

'Can we not bring gambling into every aspect of our lives? I'm happy for you to expand, but exposing our kids to 'a chance to win' at every opportunity is a real bad idea,' one wrote.

A waitlist for LMCT+ fuel is available on the company's website, but it's unclear when the first service station will officially begin sales.

Portelli, from Melbourne, has an estimated worth of $1.4billion.

He made the majority of his wealth through his LMCT+ business, which exploited a loophole in gambling regulation, along with property investment and a supercar collection.
Allison Langdon has broken down in tears during emotional scenes on Wednesday's episode of A Current Affair.

The television host was speaking with Kiara Dean, widow of roof tiler Tyler Dean, who fell to his death on the job in January, when he was just 34.

Kiara, who was just down the street at the time, called her husband when she saw police and paramedics swarming the area.

'I knew Tyler was working in the street, so I just straight away called him,' Kiara told Langdon.

'He didn't answer. I tried to call again - he didn't answer.'

Kiara rushed to the scene, where she was horrified to learn that the emergency vehicles were there for Tyler.

Allison Langdon (pictured) has broken down in tears during emotional scenes on Wednesday's episode of A Current Affair

The television host was speaking with Kiara Dean (pictured), widow of roof tiler Tyler Dean, who fell to his death on the job in January, when he was just 34

'They just kept saying, "he's had a really bad accident",' she said.

Tyler was rushed to Sydney's Westmead Hospital, where he was placed on life support.

Doctors told Kiara that her beloved husband had suffered a catastrophic brain injury and was not going to survive.

Langdon broke down as Kiara described being told that Tyler's injuries were 'inoperable' and 'unsurvivable'.

'I just started screaming "no, no",' she said.

Kiara lay by her husband's side for two days, before his life support was terminated.

'Just being able to hold him, hold his hand... I'll always be really grateful for that time,' she said.

Tyler's organs, including his liver and kidneys, were donated, saving six lives, including that of a 17-year-old girl.

Doctors told Kiara that her beloved husband (right) had suffered a catastrophic brain injury and was not going to survive

Tyler left behind his wife Kiara, 32, and their two young sons, Harvey, 4, and Cohen, 4

'He did all of that,' a highly emotional Langdon said.

'In a way... he does live on, in six other beautiful humans, who have been given a second chance.'

Tyler left behind his wife Kiara, 32, and their two young sons, Harvey, 4, and Cohen, 4.

'Harvey and Cohen have lost the most loving, caring, hands-on daddy who was the centre of their world,' Go Fund Me for the family reads.

'Kiara has lost her soulmate, the absolute love of her life and partner in every sense,' it continued.

'Tyler was an incredibly hard worker, a deeply loving husband and an extraordinary father. Everything he did was for his family.

'He worked tirelessly to build a secure, stable and rewarding future for Kiara and their boys. One filled with love, opportunity, and presence.

'That life and those dreams have been tragically cut short.'

The Go Fund Me has so far raised $289,127 of the $300,000 target.
Lori Loughlin stepped out in a sheer, lacy, white blouse on Tuesday night in Los Angeles.

The 61-year-old actress  who unveiled a revenge makeover following her split from Mossimo Giannulli, 62  flashed a white bra under the top.

She added a shrunken black blazer and matching trousers while heading to dinner at the exclusive eatery Bird Streets Club in West Hollywood.

The fashionista rounded out her evening look with a pair of open-toe black heels, showing off a peachy pink pedicure.

Loughlin appeared to be in great spirits as she flashed a megawatt smile.

Her glossy light brown locks were styled in a side part, with the wispy tresses grazing her shoulders.

Lori Loughlin flashes her bra in a sheer, lacy, white blouse on Tuesday night in Los Angeles

The 61-year-old actress was leaving the exclusive Bird Streets Club in West Hollywood

Last Thursday the former Full House star attended LACMA's opening gala for the David Geffen Galleries with a freshly chopped bob haircut and bangs.

She teamed the new hairstyle with a luminous silver gown with a thigh-high slit.

The mom of two attended the star-studded event alongside daughter Olivia Giannulli, 26.

She shares Olivia, as well as daughter Isabella Giannulli, 27, with her estranged husband.

Loughlin and Giannulli announced their separation in October following 28 years of marriage.

'They are living apart and taking a break from their marriage,' the actress' rep Elizabeth Much told People last year. 'There are no legal proceedings at this time.'

It has been seven years since the two were busted for fraud related to their daughters' college admission. An investigation codenamed Operation Varsity Blues by the Department of Justice was made public in March 2019.

The power couple were among 50 people accused of paying bribes to get their children into the country's most elite colleges.

In May 2020 Loughlin and her husband pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges in the case.

Loughlin unveiled a revenge makeover last week  a bob haircut with bangs  following her split from Mossimo Giannulli

Loughlin and Giannulli announced their split in October 2025 after 28 years of marriage. In May 2020 they pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges in a college admission bribery case; pictured in 2019

The now-exes pictured in 2006

Loughlin received a two-month jail sentence along with a fine of $150,000 and 150 hours of community service following the guilty plea.

She began her sentence at a federal prison in Dublin, California in October 2020 and was released that December.

Giannulli received a five-month sentence with a fine of $250,000 and 250 hours of community service.

He began his prison sentence in November 2020 and was transferred to home confinement in April 2021, about a month before his sentence was slated to end.

Olivia broke her silence on the headline-making scandal in 2020 during an appearance on Jada Pinkett Smith's Red Table Talk.

'On paper, it's bad. It's really bad,' the model said of her parents' actions. 'But I think what a lot of people don't know is that my parents just came from a place of, "I love my kids, I just want to help my kids. Whatever is best for them."'

She added: 'I think they thought it was normal.'
Andy Cohen slammed Joe Rogan as a 'f***ing idiot' after the podcaster endorsed Spencer Pratt who is running for Los Angeles mayor.

The 57-year-old Bravo host - who recently took a dig at Kristi Noem's cross-dressing husband - shared his thoughts during Tuesday's episode of Watch What Happens Live with guests Kristin Cavallari and Brody Jenner.

The topic was brought up when Cavallari was asked what her 'reaction' had been when she learned Pratt was running for mayor, with the position currently filled by Karen Bass.

'If anyone is qualified to be mayor of L.A.,' Cohen said, before Cavallari added, 'Absolutely.'

'I was shocked, obviously,' she said. 'But if you actually listen to him, he knows his stuff. He's very well-spoken. Of course Brody is going to endorse him, that's his best friend.'

Cavallari continued as Cohen and Jenner listened, 'Unless you live in L.A., it's kind of hard to have an opinion.

Andy Cohen, 57, slammed Joe Rogan as a 'f***ing idiot' after the podcaster endorsed Spencer Pratt who is running for Los Angeles mayor

The topic was brought up when Cavallari was asked what her 'reaction' had been when she learned Pratt was running for mayor, with the position currently filled by Karen Bass

'These people lost their homes [in the wildfires], they lost everything and so people are fired up and I have empathy [for] them. I'm here for it and I honestly could see him winning. People in California really are excited about him.'

Cohen stated that it 'seems like he's going to win' before Cavallari agreed, 'I think so, I think so.'

He continued, 'Karen Bass, like, she does not have a lot of people going for her. I mean, he's got a lot of momentum.'

Cavallari then noted how Rogan recently endorsed Pratt.

'Oh, Rogan, the great mind of the universe. Joe f***ing Rogan. What a f***ing idiot. Sorry,' the Bravo host said.

When asked to explain his dislike of the UFC commentator, the TV personality said, 'I listen to what he says, that's all. I listen to what he says, I made my own opinion.'

Cavallari also shared her thoughts on Pratt running for Los Angeles mayor during Tuesday's episode of her Let's Be Honest podcast.

The star expressed that The Hills alum was a 'f***ing genius' and will 'call out the corruption' in the city.

'I was shocked, obviously,' she said. 'But if you actually listen to him, he knows his stuff. He's very well-spoken. Of course Brody is going to endorse him, that's his best friend'

Cohen continued, 'Karen Bass, like, she does not have a lot of people going for her. I mean, he's got a lot of momentum'

'Oh, Rogan, the great mind of the universe. Joe f***ing Rogan. What a f***ing idiot. Sorry,' the Bravo host said

When asked to explain his dislike of the UFC commentator, the TV personality said, 'I listen to what he says, that's all. I listen to what he says, I made my own opinion'

'I think Spencer running for mayor is f***ing genius. Because I think everyone in politics - I don't care what side you're on - everyone is corrupt.'

The Laguna Beach star added, 'To get to that level, you have to play their game.

'It's all an agenda, and I think their goal is to keep all of us divided. They want us fighting, and that's why I don't buy into any of it.'

Cavallari expressed that she also felt Pratt is a good candidate because 'he is a real person who is going to call out the corruption.'

'He is going to actually get s*** done. He is fired up because he lost his house, and he obviously has seen all the corruption in L.A.'

Pratt, who is married to Heidi Montag, was one of the many residents who lost their home in the deadly Los Angeles fires in January 2025. His parents also lost their house in the devastating blazes.

The former reality star made an appearance earlier this month on Joe Rogan's podcast where he discussed his run for mayor.

At one point, the podcaster voiced his support for Pratt and publicly endorsed him, although he could not officially cast a vote due to living in Texas.

'I think Spencer running for mayor is f***ing genius. Because I think everyone in politics - I don't care what side you're on - everyone is corrupt,' Cavallari said on Tuesday's episode of her Let's Be Honest podcast; seen in March in Santa Monica

Pratt, who is married to Heidi Montag, was one of the many residents who lost their home in the deadly Los Angeles fires in January 2025. His parents also lost their house in the devastating blazes

'Listen, man, I'm voting for you,' Rogan said. He notably moved from California to Texas in 2020.

'[Well] I can't vote for you, but I'm rooting for you. I mean, if I lived in Los Angeles, no question whatsoever, I would vote for you.'

Pratt later jumped to social media to upload a photo of himself with Rogan after filming the podcast episode - which dropped last week.

'An honor being on with the GOAT, @joerogan. My goal is to make LA so awesome, we can win him back from Texas,' he wrote in the caption.

Pratt recently hit back at his former The Hills co-star Lauren Conrad over her seemingly dismissive response to him running for mayor.

When asked if she would vote for him, Conrad evaded the question by saying she resides in Orange County rather than L.A.

'Pretty sure LC would vote for me if she lived in LA and her kids had to walk over fentanyl zombies and human poop on their way to school,' Pratt later wrote on X. 'I'm just saying.'

And earlier this month, polling data showed the Pratt is slowly closing in on his mayoral opponent Karen Bass.

And earlier this month, polling data showed the Pratt is slowly closing in on his mayoral opponent Karen Bass; seen in January in NYC

On the one-year anniversary of the Palisades and Eaton Fires, the former reality star announced his run for Los Angeles mayor on January 7.

He had made the announcement as he attended the They Let Us Burn! protest in the Palisades.

'The system in Los Angeles isn't struggling, it's fundamentally broken. It is a machine designed to protect the people at the top and the friends they exchange favors with while the rest of us drown in toxic smoke and ash,' Pratt said.

'Business as usual is a death sentence for Los Angeles, and I'm done waiting for someone to take real action.'

He added, 'That's why I am running for mayor. And let me be clear, this just isn't a campaign, this is a mission, and we're gonna expose the system.

He added, 'That's why I am running for mayor. And let me be clear, this just isn't a campaign, this is a mission, and we're gonna expose the system'

The Hills star also shared the news of his foray into politics on Instagram and stared intently at the camera as he held up his signed paperwork to run for LA mayor

'They intentionally let us burn before, during and after. There was no accountability. It was gross negligence. They let this happen.

'It wasn't a natural disaster or something that was unavoidable. It was their fault, and we need the accountability we deserve.' Pratt did not reveal which party he was running for at the time.

The Hills star also shared the news of his foray into politics on Instagram and stared intently at the camera as he held up his signed paperwork to run for LA mayor.

'Yes, it's official. Papers are filed and campaign is open,' he captioned the post before directing his followers to his campaign website.
Christie Brinkley looked very youthful as she was wrinkle free in New York City on Tuesday evening.

The 72-year-old model was posing on the red carpet for the 2026 City Harvest Gala: Shaken, Not Stirred at Cipriani on 42nd Street.

A fan wrote on X, 'She must have a good plastic surgeon because this is so unreal, hello!? It's like she has a new face.'

'How on earth can Christie still look like she is in her 50s when she is in her 70s?' asked another fan on Reddit.

'Goddess of beauty, she looks like a million bucks as usual, her face is stunning,' added an admirer.

Christie Brinkley looked wrinkle free in New York City on Tuesday evening

The 72-year-old model was posing on the red carpet for the 2026 City Harvest Gala: Shaken, Not Stirred at Cipriani on 42nd Street in New York City

The National Lampoon actress had her makeup carefully done to contour her face and highlight her cheekbones as she added plum lipstick.

Her long blonde hair was worn down in soft waves as she modeled an impressive diamond necklace that could not be missed.

The star pulled back a long black leather trench coat to show off her slender figure as she wore a form-fitting black gown. Brinkley also held onto a beaded black clutch purse.

In 2024 the actress talked about how she has been able to maintain her youthful appearance all these decades after fame hit in the 1970s.

The beauty chatted with People, saying she is fine with having a few lines here and there, and also admitting she has tried Botox in the past but is not fond of doing too much to her visage.

In the magazine the focus is also on looking fabulous while letting herself age naturally.

'I want to accept certain wrinkles. That's the way I'm approaching aging,' said the former Vogue cover girl.

'Sometimes when people get older, and they overdo it, they can look waxy and  I don't know what the word is  preserved or something. I want a little life to show on my face, you know?'

The National Lampoon actress had her makeup carefully done to contour her face and highlight her cheekbones as she added plum lipstick

Her long blonde hair was worn down in soft waves as she modeled an impressive diamond necklace that could not be missed

Brinkley at arrivals for BRUNELLO: THE GRACIOUS VISIONARY Gala in NYC on April 14

Twice a year she does resurfacing Fraxel treatments to help with sun damage, she shared.

To promote the interview she took to Instagram with a funny post. 'I still have a few days left of my Sexy Sixties before I dance into my Sensational Seventies on February 2nd,' began the ex of crooner Billy Joel.

'I already know it's going to be a spectacular year!'

The mother of three then added: 'I know because that's my plan and I'm old enough to know that it's up to me to make sure of it!

'I always used to say to my kids go out and make it a great day and now I'm saying to myself that I'm gonna make it a great year.'

She then said she has had 'a lot of close calls' and she feels 'lucky and grateful to be here' - she is likely referring to her ski accident.

She added, 'I just can't believe that I got here so FAST! It's speeds by so my advice to all you young-ins out there Love, laugh, and LIVE IT UP! .'

Brinkley posed in a swimsuit for photos shared to Instagram when she turned 70

'I feel strong,' the actress told People. 'I pretty much feel, as I'm approaching 70, the same way that I felt when I was approaching 30. I feel good'

In 2023 the Vogue model said she feels as good as she did 40 years ago.

'I feel strong,' the actress told People. 'I pretty much feel, as I'm approaching 70, the same way that I felt when I was approaching 30. I feel good.'

She talked to the publication while hosting Pet Life Unlimited's Furever Young senior dog adoption event at the Animal Haven shelter in New York City.

'I feel like the number doesn't match my spirit, so I may as well just keep spiriting on,' she added. 'I think they all signal to us certain things,' she explained.

But she feels fabulous. 'I've been shocked by not feeling the way I thought I was supposed to be feeling at that age,' she explained.

'I don't believe that focusing on age is going to make you feel any better about it.' And she shared her tip for looking young: 'I think curiosity in the world around you and just wanting to do something with each day, that is what keeps you young and going,' she noted.

'I want to accept certain wrinkles. That's the way I'm approaching aging,' said the former Vogue cover girl. 'Sometimes when people get older, and they overdo it, they can look waxy and  I don't know what the word is  preserved or something'

Family keeps her grounded, she also shared: she has daughters Alexa Ray and Sailor, as well as son Jack.

'I just love any time I have any family and friends around, just being able to sit and laugh  I think laughter heals everything,' she continued.

In 2022 the star talked about her figure. The actress was seen in a crop top and shorts while stretching on the beach as she gave some sound advice.

'When you eat too much, its not as easy to lose the weight, so heres a tip thats tried and true, that will make you feel like your best you,' said the model.

She said to 'avoid the sugar and do exercise, its not about the size of your thighs.'

The blonde also said, 'Vibrant good health will be your prize! Reminder this month when you buy a bottle, youll put planting trees into full throttle!
CHICAGO, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Shapiro+Raj, a leading life sciences strategic insights consultancy, today announced that Stella.ai, its proprietary AI Agent built for life sciences marketing and insights, is now available as a direct offering to help life sciences teams get the insights that accelerate molecules to market. The firm also named Scott Swigart as Chief Product Officer and Amir Kapadia as President to lead Stella's expansion.

Shapiro+Raj names Scott Swigart as Chief Product Officer and Amir Kapadia as President to lead Stella's expansion.

Speed has become the key commercial reality. With exploding pipelines, reshaped expectations, collapsing commercial windows, and huge product proliferation. The biggest enemy for life sciences brands now is time. Stella has been purpose-built to address this need.

"Pharma commercialization is accelerating faster than the evidence systems built to support it," said Zain Raj, Chairman and CEO of Shapiro+Raj. "Insights teams can no longer work from primary research alone. They need to connect data from the entire ecosystem including the internal knowledge their organizations have accumulated over years. Stella brings all of it together into a single living, breathing asset that teams can interrogate on demand. It does not sit in a deck. It does not wait for the next study. It answers the question you have right now, with the transparency and rigor that high-stakes decisions require. That is the pace commercialization now demands. Scott built it. Amir has seen what it does for clients. That combination is what scaling Stella actually requires."

Scott Swigart, Chief Product Officer

With more than 20 years in the market research industry, he brings a rare combination of technical depth to architect a purpose-built AI platform and the researcher's instinct for what insights teams actually need from one. As SVP of Technology at Shapiro+Raj, Swigart engineered Stella around a core conviction: AI in market research must be transparent and honest, not a black box that generates plausible-sounding answers from opaque logic. A frequent speaker on responsible AI in life sciences, he brings a builder's point of view that give clients confidence in every output Stella produces.

Amir Kapadia, President

Amir Kapadia brings more than a decade of operating experience, along with an intimate understanding of how research teams actually use Stella in practice. As COO of Shapiro+Raj, Amir has worked at the intersection of client delivery, operational scale, and AI capability, giving him a clear-eyed view of where Stella creates the most value and what it takes to bring that value to a broader market. Kapadia will lead Stella's expansion as a direct offering for pharma insights teams, with particular focus on mid-size and emerging companies that need enterprise-grade intelligence without enterprise-scale research budgets.

"Insights and marketing teams are under tremendous pressure to get better answers faster. They have access to a lot of the data but most of it is still effectively out of reach," said Kapadia. "Stella gives teams the ability to interrogate a wide variety of data in real time, on demand, without commissioning a new study every time a new question arises. It's fundamentally a very different way of doing this work. Scott built something that makes that possible, and we're just getting started."

About Shapiro+Raj

Shapiro+Raj is a new agency for the AI-amplified Insights Economy. The firm brings deep human behavioral science expertise together with purpose-built AI to help pharma and biotech companies accelerate their molecules to market.

SOURCE SHAPIRO+RAJ
Roxy Horner hit the red carpet for The Devil Wears Prada 2 premiere in London on Wednesday night, just days after marrying Jack Whitehall.

The model, 34, and the comedian, 37, married at the 17th-century Euridge Manor in the Cotswolds on Saturday with a host of famous guests including Jamie Redknapp and his wife Frida and actor Douglas Booth in attendance.

And Roxy was seen for the first time since her wedding as she attended the star-studded premiere.

In the sequel, set for release on May 1, Anne Hathaway reunites with Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci, as the group dive back into the cutthroat world of high fashion - but this time with a modern twist.

Early plotlines suggest Miranda Priestly is grappling with the decline of traditional print media while facing off against Emily, now a powerful executive controlling crucial advertising dollars.

Roxy showed off her diamond wedding rings as she took to the red carpet in a black halterneck gown from Karen Millen.

Roxy Horner hit the red carpet for The Devil Wears Prada 2 premiere in London on Wednesday night, just days after marrying Jack Whitehall

Roxy showed off her diamond wedding rings as she took to the red carpet in a black halterneck gown from Karen Millen

She amped up the glamour with a diamond necklace and drop earrings created by The Diamond Store.

The fashionista walked the red carpet solo, with husband Jack appearing to give the premiere a miss.

Following Jack and Roxy's lavish nuptials, sources revealed to The Mail On Sunday that the influencer wore not one but two bridal gowns made by Belarusian wedding dress designer Galia Lahav, which are thought to have cost up to 16,000 each.

Roxy changed into her second dress for the party and also had a veil from the designer, while adding Alaia's Le Coeur heels and jewellery from Roxanne Assoulin.

She also wore her grandmother's engagement ring, saying: 'She handed it down to me when she passed away, which was so special.'

The security team at the venue, owned by Jigsaw founder John Robinson, went to great lengths to shield her with umbrellas so she couldn't be seen by the public.

Adding to the glamour were the Essex-born beauty's bridesmaids, fellow models Sophie Longford and Milly Slinger, who wore ankle-length champagne-peach dresses.

Jack wore a traditional black tie suit, flower buttonhole and a pair of 800 Christian Louboutin shoes for the big day, which began at 4pm and was due to go on to at least 2am.

The couple married at the 17th-century Euridge Manor in the Cotswolds on Saturday with a host of famous guests including Jamie Redknapp and actor Douglas Booth in attendance

Roxy showed off her diamond wedding rings as she took to the red carpet in a black halterneck gown

She amped up the glamour with a diamond necklace and drop earrings. The fashionista walked the red carpet solo, with husband Jack appearing to give the premiere a miss

The cast of the Devil Wears Prada descended on London for the hotly-anticipated sequel (L-R: Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Stanley Tucci and Emily Blunt)

The sequel is slated for a May 1 release, marking exactly 20 years since the original took audiences behind the glossy yet cutthroat world of high fashion

He was seen arriving at the venue clutching what was thought to be his groom's speech, with friends revealing he was 'extremely nervous' about delivering it.

Jack's friends were heard shouting after the ceremony: 'S**gger' at the star, in what was believed to be in reference to Jacks 2019 appearance on Who Do You Think You Are?

In the episode, the star was tickled when he learned that his great-great-grandfather had been a womanising salesman who had died of syphillis, leading to him hilariously branding his ancestor 'a bit of a s**gger.

Jack also shared snaps from their suite after the big day, and the display laid out by hoteliers to celebrate the marriage.

The couple were treated to chocolate-covered strawberries, champagne, balloons reading 'Congratulations Mr and Mrs Whitehall' and goodie bags from the hotel.

Roxy and Jack have been dating since lockdown in 2020, and welcomed daughter Elsie, two, in September 2023 before becoming engaged in December 2024.
If you or someone you know needs help, please call or text the confidential 24/7 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the US on 988. There is also an online chat available at

Storage Wars star Darrell Sheets died on Wednesday at the age of 67.

The TV personality had appeared on the A&E reality series beginning in 2010 for 163 episodes.

Sheets appeared to have died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, the Lake Havasu Police Department in Arizona said in a press release obtained by the Daily Mail.

In the early morning hours of Wednesday, law enforcement responded to a call regarding a deceased individual at his residence.

'The male subject has been identified as Darrell Sheets, a 67-year-old resident of Lake Havasu City and Darrell's family has been notified,' the release stated.

Sheets had been pronounced dead at the scene and his body has since been taken to the Mohave County Medical Examiner's Office.

Storage Wars star Darrell Sheets died at the age of 67, it was announced on Wednesday

Sheets appeared to have died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, the Lake Havasu Police Department in Arizona said

The 'incident remains under active investigation, and additional information will be released as it becomes available,' Lake Havasu police concluded.

Sheets had been residing in Arizona following his retirement and also ran an antique store called Havasu Show Me Your Junk.

He often posted about the shop on his Instagram page, with his last post being uploaded in December shortly before Christmas.

Sheets had shared pictures of signs that had been delivered to the store and encouraged fans to stop by at the time.

The late star appeared on Storage Wars across 13 seasons and last featured on the series in 2023.

He had been a guest on other shows, including Rachael Ray and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.

Sheets was also candid about his health and revealed on Instagram in 2019 that he suffered a 'mild heart attack.'

'Well here we go I wasn't going to say anything, but you all have been the greatest friends and fans,' he wrote alongside a photo of himself resting in a hospital bed.

The 'incident remains under active investigation, and additional information will be released as it becomes available,' the Lake Havasu Police concluded. Above, the star in 2012 in NYC

The late star appeared on various episodes of Storage Wars across 13 seasons and last featured on the series in 2023. Above, second from right, on the show in 2010

Sheets was also candid about his health and revealed on Instagram in 2019 that he suffered a 'mild heart attack'

'I've been very sick for 3 months and two nights ago I had a mild heart attack. Found out I have congestive heart failure and a severe issue going on with my lungs.'

He added, 'Today I am having surgery so all your prayers would be deeply appreciated. Thank you for being there for me, it's been a great ride #storagewars.'

Following the surgery where he received two stents in his heart, Sheets shared a separate post to give an update and encouraged his followers to prioritize their health.

'I was a closet diabetic that would eat whatever I wanted and masked it with diabetic pills, I'm paying the price,' he had written.

'I beg all of my friends, fans, and family to really pay attention to your health, I have survived many things in the last 31-and-a-half years and I will survive this but it is a huge life change and had I watched it and took [sic] care of it, I would not be in this position.'

Following the surgery where he received two stents in his heart, Sheets shared a separate post to give an update and encouraged his followers to prioritize their health

The late star added, 'God spared me once again and I will definitely pay more attention this time.'

He told his fans that he was 'feeling better' before sending gratitude for the support he received.

During his time on the show, Sheets had developed the nickname The Gambler.

A spokesman for A&E told People on Wednesday: 'We are saddened by the passing of a beloved member of our Storage Wars family, Darrell, "The Gambler," Sheets. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time.'

During his time on the show, Sheets had developed the nickname 'The Gambler'

Fans reacted to the heartbreaking news of the late star's death on X, with one penning, 'I loved Darrell. Rip king'

Fans reacted to the heartbreaking news of the late star's death on X, with one penning, 'I loved Darrell. Rip king.'

Another wrote, 'Rest easy, "The Gambler,"' and one added, 'Oh no... RIP... he was really great on the show and part of the OG crew.'

'RIP brother, I loved your show and prayers to your family,' a social media user said, and one shared, 'This is very sad, he [is] one of my favorite people.'

Another commented, 'I have no words. So sad,' while a fan typed, 'RIP. Thanks for all the smiles on the Storage Wars!'
Candice Swanepoel has launched her third exclusive drop for her Tropic of C partnership with Victoria's Secret.

The new drop has been named Elemental.

'Elemental is about the quiet power of nature - the strength of rock, the fluidity of water and the warmth of sun on skin,' Swanepoel, 37, told the Daily Mail.

'It's a reflection of the effortless confidence every woman carries within her. With this third collaboration, I was drawn to the idea of returning to what's essential.

'Elemental explores the balance of strength and softness, inspired by the raw beauty of nature and the way a woman moves through it.'

Tropic Of C's exclusive Drop Three collection for Victoria's Secret debuted on Wednesday.

Candice Swanepoel has launched her third exclusive drop for her Tropic of C partnership with Victoria's Secret

The new drop has been named Elemental. 'Elemental is about the quiet power of nature - the strength of rock, the fluidity of water and the warmth of sun on skin,' Swanepoel, 37, told the Daily Mail

'Designed and creatively directed by Swanepoel, this latest chapter explores the balance of strength and softness, drawing inspiration from the raw beauty of nature,' the brand told the Daily Mail on Wednesday.

'Rooted in sculptural silhouettes, intuitive fits, and emotionally driven storytelling, Elemental is an ode to a woman who is untamed, effortless, and entirely in her element - designed to move with her, not against her.'

Swanepoel is a South African model who became a Victoria's Secret Angel in 2010.

The former ballet dancer was discovered by a model scout in a Durban flea market when she was only 15.

Swanepoel has walked the runway for Fendi, Chanel, Tommy Hilfiger, Dolce and Gabbana and appeared on the covers of Vogue, Allure and Elle.

In 2013, Swanepoel was named the cover model of the coveted Victoria's Secret Swim Catalogue.

'It's a reflection of the effortless confidence every woman carries within her,' she said

'With this third collaboration, I was drawn to the idea of returning to what's essential,' added the catwalk veteran

'Elemental explores the balance of strength and softness, inspired by the raw beauty of nature and the way a woman moves through it,' Swanepoel also said

Tropic Of C's exclusive Drop Three collection for Victoria's Secret debuted on Wednesday

'Designed and creatively directed by Swanepoel, this latest chapter explores the balance of strength and softness, drawing inspiration from the raw beauty of nature,' the brand told the Daily Mail on Wednesday

'Rooted in sculptural silhouettes, intuitive fits, and emotionally driven storytelling, Elemental is an ode to a woman who is untamed, effortless, and entirely in her element - designed to move with her, not against her,' it was added

Swanepoel is a South African model who became a Victoria's Secret Angel in 2010

The former ballet dancer was discovered by a model scout in a Durban flea market when she was only 15. Swanepoel has walked the runway for Fendi, Chanel, Tommy Hilfiger and appeared on the covers of Vogue and Elle

Swanepoel was chosen to wear the $10 million Fantasy Bra in the 2013 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show.

In 2018, she launched her own swimwear collection Tropic of C.

Swanepoel's ex-fiance is Hermann Nicoli, a Brazilian model.

They began dating after they met in Paris when she was 17 and he was 23 and in August 2015, the couple announced their engagement.

Together, they have two sons, born in October 2016 and June 2018. The couple split in November 2018.
Vogue Williams has said that she 'had her reasons' for keeping her fourth pregnancy a secret - after revealing she suffered 'heartbreaking' miscarriages last week.

The presenter, 40, and her husband Spencer Matthews shared the happy news last Thursday that they are set to welcome another child to their family.

And on the latest episode of her podcast Vogue & Amber - recorded the day she made the announcement last Thursday - she admitted that she felt 'nervous' and under 'a lot of pressure' ahead of her Instagram post.

She said: 'To be honest with you I had my own reasons for wanting to keep it a secret because I was nervous about what was going to happen and everything like that.

'I wanted to go see my doctor first because I just needed to make sure everything is okay again before I do. But like the amount of people that, and I know it is a really exciting thing, but the amount of people that have been asking me about it that I don't know...

'People will say it when they're ready to say it and need to say it. And there's obviously reasons behind people not wanting to say it and I had my own reasons.

'And I just felt a lot of pressure when I was away [in St Barts] because obviously my boobs are like Amber's boobs now, they're massive! Everyone's like 'oh, she's had a boob job!'

Vogue Williams has said that she 'had her reasons' for keeping her fourth pregnancy a secret - after revealing she suffered 'heartbreaking' miscarriages last week

The presenter, 40, and her husband Spencer Matthews shared the happy news last Thursday that they are set to welcome another child to their family

'But no, it's very exciting news! It is the fourth and final, that is it.'

She later added: 'So yeah, it's very exciting news and I feel fantastic now. I felt like utter trash bag at the start like always.'

Last week Vogue revealed she had two miscarriages before she fell pregnant with her fourth child, including one 'awful and heartbreaking' loss a year ago.

Vogue spoke about her pregnancy for the first time in a new video posted on her YouTube channel, telling her followers she felt like 'her body had failed her' when she suffered her baby loss.

She said that while she and Spencer are excited to be welcoming a new addition to their family, the miscarriages have made her 'nervous' during her fourth pregnancy.

The couple married in 2018 and are already parents to Theodore, seven, Gigi, five, and Otto, three.

Vogue shared that her first miscarriage, which happened at around four weeks, was 'really upsetting,' but she and Spencer went on to welcome their daughter Gigi in 2020.

She said they suffered further heartache last year when she went for a 12-week scan after falling pregnant, only to be told it 'wasn't really a pregnancy' as the embryo hadn't grown.

Vogue said she was 'really embarrassed' and 'upset' by the second loss, and she admitted she felt like 'her body had failed her.'

Speaking about their baby news at the start of the video, Spencer shared: 'We're so happy. We feel very... hard this time round to get to where we wanted.

'Definitely more bumps in the road in order to actually get pregnant, but obviously we feel really fortunate anyway to have three kids, but this one's been harder to get to that, well this bit, the announcing, but also just to actually get to where we wanted to be, has been been rough.'

Vogue then opened up about her first miscarriage, sharing: 'It happened to me before I had Gigi. It was so early on, like so so early on. We hadn't had any scans. We hadn't had anything like that.

And on the latest episode of her podcast Vogue & Amber - recorded the day she made the announcement last Thursday - she admitted that she felt 'nervous' and under 'a lot of pressure' ahead of her Instagram post

The couple married in 2018 and are already parents to Theodore, seven, Gigi, five, and Otto, three

'I must have been maybe a month if even, and it was just one of those things and it was, it was awful, but it was everything happened quite quickly after it as well.

'So, I never really kind of thought about it much. It was really upsetting at the time, but then I was pregnant quite quickly after, but it actually happened to me last year as well. And it was, just I was literally about to tell the kids.

'You could kind of start telling I was three months and I just didn't go for an early scan. I just never even thought about it because I kind of didn't want to make a fuss - stupid now!'

'I went to the 12 week scan on my own, I told quite a few people about it, like my parents, my brother, and my sister, and some people at work. And I just hadn't told the kids.'

Vogue shared that when she visited the hospital for the 12-week scan, she immediately noted the concern from her doctor.

She explained: 'And basically what had happened was, he had the pregnancy sack. I forget what the whole thing was called, but basically the embryo hadn't grown, my body still thought it was pregnant.

'And usually you just naturally get a miscarriage, but I didn't. It just kept like it would have eventually happened, but it just didn't at the time.

'I was three months along and [the doctor] was just like, ''I'm really sorry, it's just, it's not it's not really a pregnancy and you're going to have to get well, there's a couple of options.''

'So the very nice people at Chelsea and Westminster NHS, thank you so much. They were really amazing with it.

'Obviously when I found out I was like ''I just don't want to have to feel pregnant anymore'' because it was awful feeling it and not being it, because I still had the symptoms.

'I was just like, I just want to start again and just not have to deal with it.

'We were really upset. I was really upset. Stupidly I felt embarrassed having to tell everybody, and it's not an embarrassing thing but that was just an emotion I had.

'I was really upset and then I felt like ''oh God I have to now tell everybody who I've told'' and I just feel stupid, like my body has kind of failed me kind of thing.

'And then I went in to the doctor and they said, ''Well, we could give you tablets,'' but I was going to Spain at the end of the week and I was just like: ''I just don't want to have to change all that for the kids and for myself and I don't want to be stuck here on my own and I just want to be done.'

'So they offered me a DNC as well, which you go in, you have an operation.

'It's really quick. I went in and I did that and it was really quick and then the whole thing was just like, I was so happy to be going away because at least then I didn't have to be, I was kind of able to just be on my own in my own thoughts and be able to think about it.'

Vogue then shared that her heartbreaking loss meant she had felt 'nervous' throughout her fourth pregnancy.

She continued: 'I wasn't sure if I was going to say it now, but I'm going to be just, I feel like this this pregnancy now I'm just always going to be, I'm always nervous, and sometimes I'm grateful that I feel so sick all the time because then I know it's there and it's what it should be.

'I just thought that I would tell that story and hopefully it helps other people who that happens to and there can be light at the end of the tunnel.'

'I wasn't sure if we wanted to try again, because I just felt like, I really don't want to have to go through that again.

'I'm glad we did obviously, but now I just have this constant nervousness around hoping that everything is going to be all right.

'I think that I was like. I got looked after very well. I know it doesn't always happen with people, but I think that I was just I was in and out very quickly within two days and then I got to go away.

'Because I got to go away, I got to just be with in my own thoughts. I wasn't at work all day, so it was quite good and now I'm very happy that we are pregnant again.

'But as I said, the nerves will kind of always be there. And I keep saying, and it's so annoying, but I just I don't know why.

'I find I'm never sure if I should say this, because so many people go through really bad things like this and sometimes worse.

'I have friends who have had very very late pregnancies go wrong like six months down the line. So it was three months and obviously it's still heartbreaking for anyone. But I just feel lucky that we're able to be here now and be pregnant again.

'I'm starting to I feel like, when you get to that stage, 12 weeks - what's it called? The second trimester. How do I forget? I'm forgetting everything!

'I'm kind of getting to that stage of I've got my energy back. I'm starting to feel slightly better. So yeah, I just thought I would share that. I don't really know how to end this, but thank you for listening to the vlog.'

Later in the video, Vogue shared that she was heading to the hospital for an early scan after her previous miscarriage, and all had gone well.

The video also featured the sweet moment Vogue and Spencer told their three children they were going to have a new baby brother or sister.

The couple shared their pregnancy news with their social media followers on Thursday, alongside sweet snaps of them from their family trip to St Barts.

In a series of sweet beach snaps, Vogue showed off her growing bump in a black and white bikini and matching sarong, while Spencer gazed adoringly at her.

Beaming for the cameras on the white sandy beach with their three children, the couple wrote: 'BABY NUMBER 4 INCOMING .'
Kim Zolciak's ex-boyfriend Lee Najjar - who was referred to as 'Big Poppa' on Bravo's The Real Housewives Of Atlanta - has died at the age of 68.

The real estate mogul's daughter Katelin Najjar shared the news in an Instagram post on Tuesday, with TMZ revealing he died on Saturday, April 18.

Najjar's cause of death is currently unknown, but his passing has been confirmed by the Miami-Dade Medical Examiner.

While he never appeared on-camera, Najjar played a huge role in Zolciak's early RHOA storyline as her alleged 'sugar daddy.'

Zolciak previously called Najjar the 'love of [her] life' despite their romance coming to an end at some point in 2009.

Katelin paid tribute to her late father via Instagram Story, writing: 'I love you' over black and white footage of them hanging out together.

Kim Zolciak's ex-boyfriend Lee Najjar - who was referred to as 'Big Poppa' on Bravo's The Real Housewives Of Atlanta - has died at the age of 68; Najjar seen in 2009

In a follow-up post, she shared a birthday card her father had penned for her that read: 'You will always have my whole heart. I am so proud of you and your accomplishments and always love you.'

Katelin captioned the photo, 'I loved when he wrote me cards, he knew it meant everything to me.'

A close friend of Katelin's, who referred to the Najjars as their 'second family,' spoke of Katelin's 'incredibly close' bond with her father in a separate Instagram Story post, which Katelin re-posted for her followers to see.

They also provided a rare glimpse into Najjar's life, which he mostly lived outside of the spotlight unlike his reality TV star ex-girlfriend Zolciak.

'It's so hard to imagine life without Lee, but who he was and what he meant to those who knew and loved him will never leave us. He had such a profound impact on my life, and I feel so fortunate to have shared so many unforgettable moments and life experiences with him and because of him,' the tribute began.

The friend described Najjar as 'a smart businessman' who was also 'incredibly witty' and 'genuinely funny.'

'I'm going to miss his one-liners and his sense of humor so much.'

Zolciak previously called Najjar the 'love of [her] life' despite their romance coming to an end in 2009; Zolciak seen in 2020

Najjar's cause of death is currently unknown, but his passing has been confirmed by the Miami-Dade Medical Examiner; seen with wife Kimberly Najjar in 2010

Of his relationship with Katelin, the friend wrote, '@Katelin-Najjar and Lee were incredibly close and shared a special bond. He would do anything to make her happy, including putting up with our shenanigans day in and day out for decades.'

He is survived by his wife Kimberly Najjar and their four children: Katelin, Jeremy, Jared and Jamen.

Najjar built his reported $50 million fortune as a successful real estate investor in Atlanta, Georgia.

He famously lived in a massive $25 million mega-mansion in Northern Atlanta's affluent Buckhead neighborhood, which was previously featured on MTV Teen Cribs.

The 25,000 square-foot home was sold in 2023 for a reported $8.5 million, according to Buckhead.com.

Najjar became famous among Bravo viewers as 'Big Poppa' back in 2008 as his romance with Zolciak served as a major storyline in seasons one and two.

Najjar appeared to be bankrolling Zolciak's costly Atlanta lifestyle, which included providing for her two daughters, as well as her budding music career.

Najjar built his reported $50 million fortune as a successful real estate investor in Atlanta, Georgia; seen with Dallas Austin in 2009

Najjar became famous among Bravo viewers as 'Big Poppa' back in 2008 as his romance with Zolciak served as a major storyline in seasons one and two; Zolciak seen in 2025

Adding to the drama, Najjar was also reportedly still married but separated while dating Zolciak.

Zolciak ultimately split from Najjar in late 2009 after he gave her a large engagement ring, when she reportedly discovered he was not divorced.

'I'm not engaged anymore,' she confirmed to Us Weekly that October.

'Big Papa and I ended it. At the end of the day, he will always be the love of my life, but it's time for me to move on.'

The following year, Zolciak took to social media to shutdown rumors that her relationship with Najjar was considered 'cheating.'

'They insisted that I was cheating because Big Poppa was legally married. NO! The way I see it, if you are separated and live on opposite sides of the country, then there is NO relationship,' she wrote in a blog post for Bravo titled Poppa Problems back in November 2010.

She added, 'Also Poppa and I lived together for quite some time so  THANK YOU!'

After ending her romance with Najjar, Zolciak began dating then-Atlanta Falcons football player Kroy Biermann.

The couple married in a $1 million ceremony in 2011.

Following her split from Najjar, Zolciak went on to meet and marry football player Kroy Biermann. The pair split in 2023 and are currently in the midst of a bitter divorce battle; seen in 2022

Biermann legally adopted Zolciak's two daughters from a previous relationship.

The couple also welcomed four children together - KJ, 14, Kash, 13, and twins Kaia and Kane, 12 - during their over decade-long marriage.

However, their family life, which was documented on the Bravo spin-off Don't Be Tardy, took a sad turn when Zolciak and Biermann entered into a nasty split in 2023.

The exes are still in the midst of their divorce battle, which has included fights over custody of their four kids.
President Donald Trump threatened to 'blow up the rest of Iran and its leaders' as he warned that he would not reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

In an inflammatory post on his Truth Social page on Tuesday night, the president denied that he would reopen the vital waterway, through which one fifth of the world's oil supply traverses.

'Iran doesn't want the Strait of Hormuz closed, they want it open so they can make $500 Million Dollars a day (which is, therefore, what they are losing if it is closed!),' Trump wrote.

'They only say they want it closed because I have it totally BLOCKADED (CLOSED!), so they merely want to "save face",' he argued.

'People approached me four days ago, saying, "Sir, Iran wants to open up the Strait, immediately",' the president continued.

'But if we do that, there can never be a Deal with Iran, unless we blow up the rest of their Country, their leaders included!'

Iran is Collapsing

He later posted that 'Iran is collapsing financially!'

'They want the Strait of Hormuz opened immediately - Starving for cash,' the president claimed in a post just before midnight on Tuesday, reiterating that the country was losing $500million a day and claiming that the 'military and police [are] complaining that they are not getting paid.'

The posts came hours after he announced that he was indefinitely extending the ceasefire with Iran, which was set to expire on Wednesday as questions remained about whether there would be a second round of peace talks.

The White House had been planning to send Vice President JD Vance to Pakistan to negotiate an end to the war with Iranian officials, but the administration put the trip on hold amid Iran's rebuffed efforts to restart negotiations.

Iran has not yet responded to Trump's announcement of the ceasefire extension. Both countries have warned that, without a deal, they were prepared to resume fighting.

Tehran has also said it has no plans to continue another round of talks with the US due to Trump's naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

The Blockade Barrier

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei, for example, told Irans state TV there has been 'no final decision' on whether to agree to more talks because of 'unacceptable actions' by the US - apparently referring to the blockade of Iranian ports.

Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani also said ending the blockade remains a condition for Iran to rejoin peace talks. When that happens, he said, 'I think the next round of the negotiations will take place.'

But in a Truth Social post announcing the ceasefire extension, Trump vowed that the US would continue the blockade.

He said that 'based on the fact that the government of Iran is seriously fractured', the US military would hold off striking 'until such time as their leaders and representatives can come up with a unified proposal.'

'I have therefore directed our Military to continue the Blockade and, in all other respects, remain ready and able, and will therefore extend the Ceasefire until such time as their proposal is submitted, and discussions are concluded, one way or the other,' Trump added.

Kushner and Witkoff Convene

The president also noted that the latest ceasefire extension came at the request of Pakistani intermediaries after peace talks with Iran stalled over Trump's naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

The president imposed the blockade after Tehran refused to suspend its nuclear program. He reportedly aimed to use the blockade to pressure Tehran back into peace talks after the initial Vance-led negotiations collapsed.

In recent days, US forces have begun boarding and seizing tankers destined for Iranian ports.

At the same time, Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner were expected in Washington on Tuesday afternoon for consultations about how best to proceed, according to a US official who spoke on the condition of anonymity with the Associated Press.

The official cautioned that Trump could change his mind on negotiating with Iran at any time, and declined to predict what would happen. The official said Trump has options short of restarting airstrikes.

As the president now weighs his options, he lambasted a Wall Street Journal columnist for penning an op-ed entitled 'The Iranians Take Trump for a Sucker.'

Just Another Failing Rag

'An IDIOT on The Wall Street Journal's Editorial Board, named Elliot Kaufman, just wrote an Op Ed entitled, 'The Iranians Take Trump for a Sucker.' Really?,' Trump wrote on his Truth Social page.

'For 47 years, they have killed our people, and many others, and taken advantage of every President, except me  And what did I give to them, a Country in tatters!'

Trump then went on to extoll his victories in Iran, claiming that 'their entire Navy is at the bottom of the Sea, their Air Force is gone... their Nuclear Labs and Storage Areas were OBLITERATED.'

He also noted that General Qasem Soleimani, whom he called an 'evil genius who destroyed the lives of so many with his favored roadside bombs,' was killed by US forces in 2020 and argued that Iran 'is an Economic Catastrophe, that is hanging by a thread.'

The president also hit out at former president Barack Obama for his nuclear deal with the Islamic Republic and claimed 'other presidents did nothing to stop them, a BLIGHT on the Office of the Presidency.

'But despite all of this, I have a MORON on the Editorial Board of The Wall Street Journal writing about me being taken for a 'sucker,'' he wrote.

'Iran certainly doesn't think so!' the president argued. 'Neither does anyone else.'

'I guess Rupert Murdoch told him to write it this way because The Wall Street Journal has lost its way, no longer required reading, just another failing political 'RAG!,' he said of the owner of the storied newspaper.

Share your thoughts with us in the comments
A father who was recently praised by his young son in a 'father of the year' essay gunned him down in an airport bathroom moments before taking his own life.

Giovanni Perez, 37, killed 11yearold Callan and then himself at Elko Regional Airport in Nevada earlier this month.

The father and son had been traveling together when their rental car suddenly broke down outside Winnemucca. They were towed to Elko to pick up a new vehicle.

Both of them entered an airport restroom twice, and during the second time, authorities said Perez fatally shot Callan.

Perez then left and took his own life near a ticket counter, according to the Elko Police Department, which responded to reports of an active shooter at the airport on April 13.

Callan was taken to the North Eastern Nevada Regional Hospital but did not survive.

GoFundMe Set Up For Funeral

He had finished in third place in a father of the year essay contest organized by the Merced County Office of Education in California last June.

The essays were meant to reflect what each person's parent meant to them and how they had helped shape their lives.

A bomb squad was also called to Elko airport to process the family's vehicle for explosive devices.

No explosives were found inside the car.

A GoFundMe started to raise money for Callan's funeral and family said he was 'taken from us at the hands of someone who was supposed to protect him.'

'Callan was so much more than this tragedy,' the fundraiser read. 'He was incredibly smart, funny, and kind - wise beyond his years.'

The fundraiser added that Callan 'deserved so much more life, so many more laughs, and a future that was stolen far too soon.'

As of Wednesday morning, it had raised about $12,000 of an initial $13,000 goal.

Tributes Paid as Police Follow Up on Father and Sons Whereabouts

The GoFundMe was started for a relative of Callan named Jil Chiesa, who wrote last Saturday on Facebook that she was 'receiving and holding on tightly to anything positive right now.'

She shared that Callan's fourth-grade teacher told her that a Redwood tree named after the boy would be planted at the school.

Callan's friends had also named a classroom pet guinea pig after him, according to Chiesa.

'Sweet Callan would be thrilled,' she wrote. 'Our sweet angel is smiling down, I just know it.'

On Wednesday afternoon, Elko police told the Daily Mail that it was 'still following up on where both Perez and Callan were living at the time of their deaths.'

A spokesman confirmed that father and son had 'ties' to Merced, California, and told the Daily Mail that a missing person's report had been filed out of Clovis last December.

No further details were provided about that report but they were found a month later in Ogden, Utah.

'Ogden was the last place we believe they were living, but we are trying to follow up on that,' a spokesman for Elko police told the Daily Mail.

Police Investigate Background as Motive Remains Unknown

Last Thursday, an update from the force said Perez claimed he was suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder 'due to his time in the military.'

'We are investigating what Giovanni did in the military,' police said in a statement.

Perez was in a custody battle with Callan's maternal grandparents, according to law enforcement.

He was 'attempting to keep Callan from both the maternal grandparents and his own family,' police said.

Perez and Callan were traveling to the Reno area 'for some unknown reason' when the murdersuicide happened, according to police.

Their statement added: 'We still do not have a motive for this horrific incident and may never know why Callan's life was taken.'

Callan had been a fourth grader at Luther Burbank Elementary School in Merced, almost nine hours southeast of Elko, according to the award announcement.

However, he had not been enrolled for the current school year, the Merced City School District told the Merced SunStar.

'This is an unimaginable tragedy and our prayers and thoughts are with the family,' the school district said, per the outlet.

Grandfather Says Pair to be Buried in Military Cemetery

Frank Perez, who identified himself as Perez's father and Callan's grandfather, wrote on a public social media profile that both would be buried at the military cemetery in Santa Nella, California.

He added that Perez and Callan would receive military honors and a 'full military send off.'

'Giovanni provided well for all his sons, including full university funding,' Frank added. 'His battle with mental illness does not reflect on the great father and son he was.'

Callan's mother, who was not identified by name, told KUTV that she had been separated from her son for multiple years but stayed in touch over the phone.

She had been working to regain custody of Callan, according to the outlet.

The mother added that Perez had been served in the US Army for about four years as a cook and had been deployed to Iraq.

The Daily Mail has reached out to Frank Perez, Chiesa and Elko Regional Airport for further comment.

If you or someone you know needs help, please call or text the confidential 24/7 Crisis Lifeline in the US on 988.
Wall Streets most powerful boss has revealed the one thing he refuses to do at the end of the week, and a growing number of top CEOs are now following his lead.

Jamie Dimon, head of JPMorgan Chase, said he does not make any business decisions on Fridays, warning that being tired can lead to costly mistakes.

'Ive learned some stuff like when I was 30, like anger doesnt help,' the CEO said during an interview with NPR. 'Making big decisions on a Friday when youre tired is a really bad idea.'

The veteran banker - who has spent more than four decades on Wall Street - described it as one of several lessons learned and relearned during his career. 'I still make some of those mistakes, unfortunately,' he added.

Just days prior, Dimon doubled down on employees returning to the office, claiming that time away from home is essential for the 'apprentice model' of banking.

This comes after over 2,000 employees signed a petition responding to JPMorgan's decision to eliminate remote work for its 300,000 global staff.

Some took to social media, sharing their outrage at the 'out of touch' decision.

'This guy just pretends to care,' one Reddit user said. 'Returning to office isn't going to fix the bag Chase is holding.'

JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon does not make business decisions when is 'tired' on Fridays

'People need to be allowed to work from home,' another Reddit user wrote. 'It reduces stress for those of us who have to go in person. It reduces pollution, it saves money for the people and the city on road repairs. I cant stand idiots!'

Dimon wouldn't be the only business titan making time for self-care.

Southwest Airlines CEO Bob Jordan keeps his calendar free of meetings every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday afternoon.

'Its easy to confuse busyness and going to meetings with leadership,' he added during the New York Times' DealBook Summit. In lieu of meetings, Jordan suggests 'thinking about whats important right now.'

United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby follows a similar line of thinking. The leader recently revealed that he takes a mid-afternoon nap every day - and does not make any decisions without one.

'If I take a 20-minute nap, Ive accomplished more than anything else I would have accomplished in that time,' he said. 'When youre tired, your brain is not 100 percent. If youre not 100 percent, you shouldnt be making decisions.'

Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky completely banned 9am meetings from his calendar - the earliest the online marketplace co-founder will meet is 10am.

'When youre CEO you can decide when the first meeting of the day is,' he said during an interview with the Wall Street Journal.

Chase is one of the biggest financial institutions in the world, with more than $4 trillion in assets under management

Dimon beginning his finance career over 40 years ago, starting as an assistant to thenAmerican Express president Sandy Weill and eventually working his way up to his role with Chase.

Dimon has been the CEO of JPMorgan Chase since December 2005, making him the longest-tenured head of a major Wall Street bank.

Last year, the executive raked in a staggering $770 million, according to disclosure documents.

JPMorgan Chase is the largest financial institution in the US with over $4 trillion in assets under management.
With the cost of living creeping up, times have gotten tougher for many.

But one food-obsessed influencer has sparked outrage after revealing just how much she spends on takeout.

Kelsey Calemine, 27, better known by her online persona Fatherkels, opened up about her spending habits during an appearance on the 'Better Half With Stas + Alexis' podcast.

During the interview, host Stas challenged her to guess how much she spends on food delivery each month.

Calemine admitted the figure was 'kind of crazy' as the hosts began throwing out estimates.

'She orders like three meals a day, you guys. She'll order everything - she'll order coffee,' Stas said as the guesses climbed.

The first estimate came in at around $5,000 a month, but when Calemine hinted it was higher, the numbers kept rising - until she revealed she spends more than $10,000 a month on food delivery.

The clip quickly went viral, drawing shock from viewers - but also a wave of backlash online.

Kelsey Calemine, 27, better known by her online persona Fatherkels, opened up about her spending habits during an appearance on the Better Half With Stas + Alexis podcast

On Reddit, users were quick to criticize the spending, with many calling it out of touch amid a cost-of-living crisis.

One user wrote that spending that much on takeout was 'completely detached from reality,' while another said it was 'more than most people's rent, bills and groceries combined.'

Others questioned the lifestyle itself, pointing out that ordering three meals a day was 'unsustainable' and 'wildly wasteful,' while some criticized influencer culture more broadly for promoting excess.

Some commenters suggested hiring a private chef could possibly be cheaper or work out the same.

Still, a handful of commenters defended Calemine, arguing that high earners are free to spend their money how they choose, especially if it fits their lifestyle or work schedule.

They also noted that she is helping to support businesses.

One Redditor wrote: 'She's putting a lot of money into the hands of drivers and restaurants, I can't complain about that.

'Delivery orders helped the restaurant I worked for stay open during hard times.'

Calemine's spending is largely driven by her heavy use of Postmates, a popular food delivery platform that allows users to order meals, groceries, and even household items directly to their door.

Join the discussion What does spending $10,000 a month on takeout say about influencer culture and our society today?

The first estimate came in at around $5,000 a month, but when Calemine hinted it was higher, the numbers kept rising - until she revealed she spends more than $10,000 a month on food delivery

The influencer's spending stands in stark contrast to the average US consumer. Data from restaurant tech company TechRyde shows that Americans order food delivery around 1.1 times per week - roughly once every seven days

The app was founded in 2011 in San Francisco and was acquired by Uber in a deal worth around $2.65 billion, completed in December 2020.

The influencer's spending stands in stark contrast to the average US consumer.

Data from restaurant tech company TechRyde shows that Americans order food delivery around 1.1 times per week - roughly once every seven days.

Annual spending is also far lower, with the typical consumer shelling out about $1,850 a year on delivery.

The market itself is dominated by a handful of major players.

DoorDash holds the largest share at around 56 percent of the US food delivery market, followed by Uber Eats with roughly 23 percent.

Grubhub accounts for about 16 percent, while smaller platforms, including Postmates, make up the remaining slice.
EY US celebrates ambitious entrepreneurs shaping the future of business

NEW YORK, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Sina Chehrazi, Founder and Executive Chairman of Nayya, has been named a finalist for the Entrepreneur Of The Year 2026 New York Award by Ernst & Young LLP (EY US). Now in its 41st year, the Entrepreneur Of The Year program celebrates the bold leaders who disrupt markets through the world's most ground-breaking companies, revolutionizing industries and uplifting communities. The program honors entrepreneurs whose innovations drive economic growth and help shape the future of business.

Sina Chehrazi is nominated for the Entrepreneur of the Year 2026 New York by EY US.

An independent panel of judges selected Sina Chehrazi as one of 33 finalists based on their entrepreneurial spirit, purpose, company growth, and lasting impact in building long-term value.

"Being named a finalist for Entrepreneur Of The Year is a testament to the incredible work our team does every day at Nayya," said Sina Chehrazi. "We started this journey to bring clarity and empathy to the complex world of health and wealth benefits, and this recognition reinforces our commitment to using AI to improve the financial lives of millions of Americans."

Founded in 2019, Nayya is a leading AI-powered health and wealth benefits platform that transforms the way employees choose and use their benefits. The company serves employers, brokers, carriers, and HR technology providers, helping millions of employees make smarter, more personalized benefits decisions year-round. Nayya has raised more than $130 million in total funding, with investors including ICONIQ Capital, ADP Ventures, Workday Ventures, MetLife Ventures, and Felicis. Under Chehrazi's leadership, Nayya has achieved more than 500% platform user growth over the past year, been named to CB Insights' Insurtech 50, and expanded its platform to support millions of users nationwide, establishing Nayya as a pioneer in the employee benefits intelligence space.

Entrepreneur Of The Year honors business leaders for their ingenuity, courage, and entrepreneurial spirit. The program celebrates original founders who bootstrapped their businesses from inception or who raised outside capital to grow their company, transformational CEOs who infused innovation into an existing organization to catapult its trajectory, and multigenerational family business leaders who reimagined a legacy business model to strengthen it for the future.

This year's New York finalists represent New York and Connecticut across all industries, including technology, consumer products, manufacturing, finance, life sciences and more.

Regional award winners will be announced on June 16 during a special celebration in Manhattan and will become lifetime members of an esteemed community of Entrepreneur Of The Year alumni from around the world. The winners will then be considered by the national judges for the Entrepreneur Of The Year National Awards, which will be presented in November at the annual Strategic Growth Forum, where high-growth CEOs, Fortune 1000 executives and investors converge to shape the future of business.

Sponsors

Founded and produced by Ernst & Young LLP, the Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards include presenting sponsors PNC Bank, Cresa, LLC, Marsh USA, SAP, and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. In New York, sponsors also include regional Platinum sponsor Donnelley Financial Solutions (DFIN), regional Gold sponsors ADP and DLA Piper, and regional Silver sponsor Stagedge.

About Entrepreneur Of The Year

Founded in 1986, Entrepreneur Of The Year has celebrated more than 11,000 ambitious visionaries who are leading successful, dynamic businesses in the US, and it has since expanded to nearly 80 countries and territories globally.

The US program consists of 17 regional programs whose panels of independent judges select the regional award winners every June. Those winners compete for national recognition at the Strategic Growth Forum in November where national finalists and award winners are announced. The national overall winner represents the US at the World Entrepreneur Of The Year competition. Visit ey.com/us/eoy.

About EY

EY is building a better working world by creating new value for clients, people, society and the planet, while building trust in capital markets. Enabled by data, AI and advanced technology, EY teams help clients shape the future with confidence and develop answers for the most pressing issues of today and tomorrow. EY teams work across a full spectrum of services in assurance, consulting, tax, strategy and transactions. Fueled by sector insights, a globally connected, multi-disciplinary network and diverse ecosystem partners, EY teams can provide services in more than 150 countries and territories.

All in to shape the future with confidence.

EY refers to the global organization, and may refer to one or more of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. For more information, please visit ey.com.

About Nayya

Founded in 2019, Nayya is on a mission to connect people's most important information, so they can thrive in their health and wealth. Nayya's platform is the first of its kind: agentic AI that doesn't just advise, it actstransforming benefits from a once-a-year decision into an always-on advantage for every employee. As a trusted platform to leading employers, Nayya unlocks long-term value through helping employees live more resilient lives. Learn more at nayya.com.

Media contact:

[email protected]

SOURCE Nayya
Standard Chartered (OTCMKTS:SCBFF  Get Free Report) and Commonwealth Bank of Australia (OTCMKTS:CMWAY  Get Free Report) are both large-cap finance companies, but which is the superior investment? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their dividends, analyst recommendations, valuation, institutional ownership, earnings, profitability and risk.

Valuation and Earnings

This table compares Standard Chartered and Commonwealth Bank of Australias top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

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Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Standard Chartered $39.53 billion 1.39 $5.09 billion $1.88 12.85 Commonwealth Bank of Australia $61.51 billion 3.45 $6.55 billion N/A N/A

Institutional and Insider Ownership

Commonwealth Bank of Australia has higher revenue and earnings than Standard Chartered.

0.0% of Commonwealth Bank of Australia shares are held by institutional investors. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Risk & Volatility

Standard Chartered has a beta of 0.58, indicating that its stock price is 42% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Commonwealth Bank of Australia has a beta of 1.27, indicating that its stock price is 27% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Profitability

This table compares Standard Chartered and Commonwealth Bank of Australias net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Standard Chartered 12.86% 10.77% 0.64% Commonwealth Bank of Australia N/A N/A N/A

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of current ratings and price targets for Standard Chartered and Commonwealth Bank of Australia, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Standard Chartered 0 2 3 0 2.60 Commonwealth Bank of Australia 1 1 0 0 1.50

Commonwealth Bank of Australia has a consensus price target of $130.18, suggesting a potential upside of 2.55%. Given Commonwealth Bank of Australias higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Commonwealth Bank of Australia is more favorable than Standard Chartered.

Dividends

Standard Chartered pays an annual dividend of $0.98 per share and has a dividend yield of 4.1%. Commonwealth Bank of Australia pays an annual dividend of $3.18 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.5%. Standard Chartered pays out 52.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend.

Summary

Commonwealth Bank of Australia beats Standard Chartered on 7 of the 13 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Standard Chartered

(Get Free Report)

Standard Chartered PLC, together with its subsidiaries, provides various banking products and services in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and the Americas. The company operates in three segments: Corporate, Commercial & Institutional Banking; Consumer, Private & Business Banking; and Ventures. It offers retail products, such as deposits, mortgages, credit cards, and personal loans; wealth management products and services that include investments, portfolio management, insurance, and wealth advice; and transaction banking services, such as cash management, working capital, and trade financing products. The company provides financial markets products and services that comprise project and export financing; debt capital markets and leveraged financing; financing and securities services; sales and structuring; macro, commodities, and credit trading; and market research services. In addition, it offers digital banking solutions. It serves financial institutions, governments, banks, investors, corporations, small to medium-sized businesses, and individuals. Standard Chartered PLC was founded in 1853 and is headquartered in London, the United Kingdom.

About Commonwealth Bank of Australia

(Get Free Report)

Commonwealth Bank of Australia provides financial services in Australia, New Zealand, and internationally. It operates through Retail Banking Services, Business Banking, Institutional Banking and Markets, and New Zealand segments. The company offers transaction, savings, and foreign currency accounts; term deposits; personal and business loans; overdrafts; equipment finance; credit cards; international payment and trade; and private banking services, as well as home and car loans. It also provides institutional banking services; funds management, superannuation, and share broking products and services; home, car, health, life, income protection, and travel insurance products, as well as retail, premium, business, offshore services. In addition, the company offers advisory services for high-net-worth individuals; equities trading and margin lending services; debt capital, transaction banking, working capital, and risk management services; and international and foreign exchange services. Commonwealth Bank of Australia was founded in 1911 and is based in Sydney, Australia.

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Shares of KraneShares Bosera MSCI China A 50 Connect Index ETF (NYSEARCA:KBA  Get Free Report) fell 1.5% during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as low as $32.43 and last traded at $32.43. 47,536 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 67% from the average session volume of 145,646 shares. The stock had previously closed at $32.93.

KraneShares Bosera MSCI China A 50 Connect Index ETF Stock Performance

The companys 50 day moving average price is $30.66 and its 200-day moving average price is $30.57. The company has a market cap of $188.09 million, a PE ratio of 13.75 and a beta of 0.09.

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Institutional Investors Weigh In On KraneShares Bosera MSCI China A 50 Connect Index ETF

Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of KBA. Jane Street Group LLC increased its stake in shares of KraneShares Bosera MSCI China A 50 Connect Index ETF by 1,604.7% during the 1st quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 272,207 shares of the companys stock worth $6,430,000 after purchasing an additional 256,239 shares during the last quarter. MML Investors Services LLC grew its stake in KraneShares Bosera MSCI China A 50 Connect Index ETF by 58.4% in the 2nd quarter. MML Investors Services LLC now owns 36,307 shares of the companys stock valued at $882,000 after buying an additional 13,379 shares in the last quarter. Corient Private Wealth LLC purchased a new position in KraneShares Bosera MSCI China A 50 Connect Index ETF in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $268,000. Osaic Holdings Inc. grew its stake in KraneShares Bosera MSCI China A 50 Connect Index ETF by 10.5% in the 2nd quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. now owns 4,132 shares of the companys stock valued at $100,000 after buying an additional 394 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Future Financial Wealth Managment LLC purchased a new position in KraneShares Bosera MSCI China A 50 Connect Index ETF in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $30,000.

KraneShares Bosera MSCI China A 50 Connect Index ETF Company Profile

The KraneShares Bosera MSCI China A 50 Connect Index ETF (KBA) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI China A 50 Connect index. The fund tracks a subset of market cap-weighted large- and mid-cap Chinese equities listed in Shanghai and Shenzhen. KBA was launched on Mar 5, 2014 and is managed by KraneShares.

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MSCI Inc (NYSE:MSCI  Get Free Report) announced a quarterly dividend on Monday, April 20th. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 15th will be paid a dividend of 2.05 per share by the technology company on Friday, May 29th. This represents a c) dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.4%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 15th.

MSCI has increased its dividend by an average of 0.2%annually over the last three years and has raised its dividend annually for the last 11 consecutive years. MSCI has a dividend payout ratio of 43.5% indicating that its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Equities analysts expect MSCI to earn $22.03 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $8.20 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 37.2%.

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MSCI Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:MSCI traded up $30.08 during trading on Tuesday, reaching $597.03. 1,418,309 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 443,453. MSCI has a 12-month low of $501.08 and a 12-month high of $626.28. The firm has a market cap of $43.86 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 38.05, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.28 and a beta of 1.30. The firms 50-day moving average price is $547.52 and its 200 day moving average price is $561.39.

MSCI News Summary

MSCI ( NYSE:MSCI Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, April 21st. The technology company reported $4.55 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $4.38 by $0.17. MSCI had a negative return on equity of 82.59% and a net margin of 38.36%.The business had revenue of $850.80 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $830.91 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $4.00 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 14.1% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that MSCI will post 19.39 EPS for the current year.

Here are the key news stories impacting MSCI this week:

MSCI Company Profile

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MSCI Inc is a global provider of investment decision support tools and services for the financial industry. The company is best known for its family of market indexes, which are widely used as benchmarks by asset managers and as the basis for exchange-traded funds and other passive products. In addition to index construction and licensing, MSCI offers portfolio analytics, risk models, factor and performance attribution tools, and a suite of data and technology solutions designed to support portfolio management and trading.

Beyond traditional indexing and risk analytics, MSCI has expanded into environmental, social and governance (ESG) research and ratings, offering data, scores and screening tools that help investors integrate sustainability considerations into investment processes.

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Navios Maritime Partners LP (NYSE:NMM  Get Free Report) insider Angeliki Frangou acquired 1,201 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, April 17th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $70.39 per share, for a total transaction of $84,538.39. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider owned 4,700,698 shares in the company, valued at approximately $330,882,132.22. The trade was a 0.03% increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink.

Angeliki Frangou also recently made the following trade(s):

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On Monday, April 20th, Angeliki Frangou bought 1,190 shares of Navios Maritime Partners stock. The shares were acquired at an average price of $70.30 per share, with a total value of $83,657.00.

On Tuesday, April 14th, Angeliki Frangou purchased 1,192 shares of Navios Maritime Partners stock. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $70.39 per share, with a total value of $83,904.88.

On Thursday, April 16th, Angeliki Frangou purchased 1,199 shares of Navios Maritime Partners stock. The stock was bought at an average price of $69.71 per share, for a total transaction of $83,582.29.

On Wednesday, April 15th, Angeliki Frangou purchased 1,201 shares of Navios Maritime Partners stock. The stock was bought at an average price of $70.23 per share, for a total transaction of $84,346.23.

On Monday, April 13th, Angeliki Frangou acquired 1,204 shares of Navios Maritime Partners stock. The shares were bought at an average cost of $70.24 per share, for a total transaction of $84,568.96.

On Friday, April 10th, Angeliki Frangou bought 1,188 shares of Navios Maritime Partners stock. The stock was bought at an average cost of $68.94 per share, with a total value of $81,900.72.

On Thursday, April 9th, Angeliki Frangou bought 1,155 shares of Navios Maritime Partners stock. The shares were bought at an average cost of $70.78 per share, for a total transaction of $81,750.90.

On Wednesday, April 8th, Angeliki Frangou purchased 1,208 shares of Navios Maritime Partners stock. The shares were bought at an average price of $71.40 per share, for a total transaction of $86,251.20.

On Tuesday, April 7th, Angeliki Frangou purchased 1,173 shares of Navios Maritime Partners stock. The stock was bought at an average cost of $70.09 per share, with a total value of $82,215.57.

On Monday, April 6th, Angeliki Frangou acquired 1,200 shares of Navios Maritime Partners stock. The stock was bought at an average price of $70.47 per share, with a total value of $84,564.00.

Navios Maritime Partners Stock Down 2.0%

Navios Maritime Partners stock traded down $1.37 during trading hours on Tuesday, hitting $68.64. 131,027 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 140,503. The firms 50-day moving average price is $67.14 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $57.48. The company has a current ratio of 1.12, a quick ratio of 1.13 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.56. The company has a market cap of $1.97 billion, a PE ratio of 7.14 and a beta of 1.23. Navios Maritime Partners LP has a one year low of $31.75 and a one year high of $74.21.

Navios Maritime Partners Announces Dividend

Navios Maritime Partners ( NYSE:NMM Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, February 19th. The shipping company reported $3.40 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.41 by $0.99. The firm had revenue of $365.55 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $316.00 million. Navios Maritime Partners had a return on equity of 9.17% and a net margin of 21.23%.The businesss revenue was up 10.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $2.61 EPS.

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, February 12th. Investors of record on Monday, February 9th were paid a $0.05 dividend. This represents a $0.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.3%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, February 9th. Navios Maritime Partnerss dividend payout ratio is presently 2.08%.

Institutional Trading of Navios Maritime Partners

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased its position in Navios Maritime Partners by 64.6% during the 2nd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 17,844 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $672,000 after buying an additional 7,006 shares in the last quarter. Jump Financial LLC bought a new stake in Navios Maritime Partners in the second quarter worth $580,000. Cerity Partners LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Navios Maritime Partners in the second quarter worth $212,000. BNP Paribas Financial Markets grew its stake in shares of Navios Maritime Partners by 25.4% in the second quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 7,706 shares of the shipping companys stock worth $290,000 after acquiring an additional 1,559 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Ion Asset Management Ltd. increased its holdings in shares of Navios Maritime Partners by 2.2% during the second quarter. Ion Asset Management Ltd. now owns 817,963 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $30,821,000 after acquiring an additional 17,285 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 62.74% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages have commented on NMM. Wall Street Zen raised Navios Maritime Partners from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Saturday, March 21st. Weiss Ratings raised shares of Navios Maritime Partners from a hold (c) rating to a buy (b-) rating in a research report on Tuesday, March 17th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Buy.

Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on NMM

Navios Maritime Partners Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Navios Maritime Partners L.P. (NYSE: NMM) is a dry bulk shipping company that owns and operates a fleet of Capesize, Panamax and Supramax vessels. The partnership charters its vessels under medium- and long-term contracts to a diverse group of charterers, providing seaborne transportation for major bulk cargoes such as iron ore, coal, grain and fertilizers. Through this asset-light model, Navios Maritime Partners seeks to generate stable cash flows while retaining flexibility to capitalize on market opportunities.

Formed in November 2007 and sponsored by Navios Maritime Holdings Inc, the partnership leverages the operating platform and commercial management capabilities of the Navios group.

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Pacific Booker Minerals Inc. (OTCMKTS:PBMLF  Get Free Report)s stock price shot up 22.2% during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $2.14 and last traded at $2.0160. 17,657 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 1,639% from the average session volume of 1,015 shares. The stock had previously closed at $1.65.

Pacific Booker Minerals Stock Performance

The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $1.04 and a 200-day moving average price of $0.83. The firm has a market capitalization of $33.91 million, a PE ratio of -50.40 and a beta of -1.15.

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About Pacific Booker Minerals

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Pacific Booker Minerals Inc is a Canada-based mineral exploration and development company focused on the identification and advancement of copper, gold and associated mineral projects. The companys primary asset is the Haquira copper-gold porphyry project located in the Ayacucho region of southern Peru. Haquira lies within a well-known mineral belt and has been the subject of multiple exploration stages, including geophysical surveys and diamond drilling, which have delineated extensive polymetallic mineralization.

At Haquira, Pacific Booker Minerals has concentrated on delineating bulk-tonnage copper-gold resources within porphyry-style mineralization.

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Swiss Life Holding AG (OTCMKTS:SZLMY  Get Free Report)s stock price dropped 1.4% during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as low as $59.88 and last traded at $59.88. Approximately 5,078 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 62% from the average daily volume of 13,382 shares. The stock had previously closed at $60.7404.

Swiss Life Price Performance

The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $55.48 and a 200-day simple moving average of $55.42.

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About Swiss Life

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Swiss Life is a leading provider of comprehensive life insurance, pension solutions and wealth management services. Founded in 1857 and headquartered in Zurich, the company has grown from its origins as Schweizerische Rentenanstalt into a diversified financial services group serving both private individuals and corporate clients. Its core offerings include life and health insurance policies, retirement planning products and tailored savings strategies designed to secure long-term financial well-being.

In addition to its traditional insurance business, Swiss Life operates an asset management arm that oversees a broad portfolio of investments ranging from equities and fixed income to real estate.

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Andritz (OTCMKTS:ADRZF  Get Free Report) is anticipated to issue its resultson Wednesday, April 29th. Analysts expect the company to announce earnings of $1.23 per share and revenue of $2.2482 billion for the quarter.

Andritz Price Performance

Shares of Andritz stock opened at $79.09 on Wednesday. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $78.09 and a 200-day simple moving average of $74.46. Andritz has a 12 month low of $62.21 and a 12 month high of $86.53.

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Andritz Company Profile

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Andritz AG is an international technology group headquartered in Graz, Austria, specializing in the supply of plants, equipment and services for a range of industries. The companys core business activities encompass hydropower, pulp and paper, metals and solid/liquid separation. By providing tailored turnkey solutions and aftersales support, Andritz serves customers seeking to optimize operational efficiency, reduce environmental impact and implement advanced automation and digitalization technologies.

In the hydropower sector, Andritz designs and manufactures turbine and generator systems, as well as related electrical and mechanical equipment, to meet the requirements of large and small hydroelectric power stations.

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AUSTIN, Texas and ORLANDO, Fla., April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Eventus, a leading provider of comprehensive, at-scale trade surveillance and financial risk solutions, and Take Profit Trader (TPT), a leading futures proprietary trading firm, announced that TPT has recently deployed the Eventus Validus platform as its trade surveillance solution to ensure that the 90,000+ active traders it backs align with exchange and regulatory compliance requirements.

Take Profit Trader has deployed Validus across its entire trading ecosystem, ensuring every stage of the trader journey, from evaluation to funded accounts to live-market trading, operates under institutional-grade surveillance standards.

James Sixsmith, CEO of Take Profit Trader, said: "We wanted to deploy a best-in-class, exchange-trusted surveillance solution for both our simulated and live-trading environments. We need full visibility into what our traders are doing, not only in the context of their own trading, but also how they're behaving with other traders and the market itself.

"Our partnership with Eventus helps to ensure we're backing and developing traders who are in alignment with exchange and regulatory compliance standards. The Validus coverage enables us to detect anomalies, unusual patterns, inappropriate behaviors such as wash trading and attempts at market manipulation, and much more. Eventus helps improve our exchange compliance integrity with a robust surveillance software that's used by many of the most recognized names in the financial industry."

Take Profit Trader selected Eventus as its trade surveillance provider based on the firm's exchange-trusted reputation, high-accuracy technology and proven track record with some of the most recognized names in financial services.

"Take Profit Trader has grown at a rapid pace as futures trading has become increasingly attractive to a broader community," said Travis Schwab, CEO of Eventus. "It's critical that the firm's trade surveillance software can monitor the activity not only of the more than 90,000 active traders today, but potentially hundreds of thousands tomorrow. We've built Validus to scale as our clients grow, and we're honored to meet the evolving needs of Take Profit Trader for its vital compliance program."

About Eventus

Eventus provides state-of-the-art, at-scale trade surveillance software across all lines of defense. Its powerful, award-winning Validus platform is easy to deploy, customize and operate across equities, options, futures, foreign exchange (FX), fixed income, digital asset and prediction/information markets. Validus is proven in the most complex, high-volume and real time environments of Eventus' rapidly growing client base, including tier-1 banks, broker-dealers, futures commission merchants (FCMs), proprietary trading groups, market venues, buy-side institutions, energy and commodity trading firms, and regulators. Clients rely on the platform, coupled with the firm's responsive support and product development, to overcome their most pressing trade surveillance and regulatory challenges. For more, visit www.eventus.com.

About Take Profit Trader

Take Profit Trader is a leading futures proprietary trading firm that provides traders with a structured path to become funded traders through its evaluation program. The firm is known for offering the most accessible path to live-market trading, trader-first policies, and an industry-leading payout model that allows funded traders to withdraw profits daily in PRO accounts. Take Profit Trader serves retail futures traders globally, many of whom trade alongside full-time careers while working toward building consistent trading income.

SOURCE Eventus; Take Profit Trader
Badger Meter, Inc. (NYSE:BMI  Get Free Report) VP Christina Tarantino acquired 870 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, April 21st. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $113.80 per share, with a total value of $99,006.00. Following the transaction, the vice president owned 1,801 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $204,953.80. This trade represents a 93.45% increase in their ownership of the stock. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website.

Badger Meter Stock Performance

Badger Meter stock traded up $1.62 during trading on Wednesday, reaching $122.51. The company had a trading volume of 536,893 shares, compared to its average volume of 493,357. Badger Meter, Inc. has a 12-month low of $112.09 and a 12-month high of $256.08. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $151.02 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $166.53. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.58 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 27.69, a PEG ratio of 1.90 and a beta of 0.90.

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Badger Meter (NYSE:BMI  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 17th. The scientific and technical instruments company reported $1.14 earnings per share for the quarter. Badger Meter had a net margin of 14.56% and a return on equity of 18.76%. The company had revenue of $220.71 million for the quarter. As a group, research analysts expect that Badger Meter, Inc. will post 4.98 earnings per share for the current year.

Badger Meter Announces Dividend

Key Stories Impacting Badger Meter

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 13th. Investors of record on Friday, February 27th were issued a $0.40 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 27th. This represents a $1.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.3%. Badger Meters dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 36.12%.

Here are the key news stories impacting Badger Meter this week:

Positive Sentiment: Senior insiders made sizeable purchases on April 21 (CEO Kenneth Bockhorst 2,200 shares at ~$117.53; multiple VPs also bought hundreds1,700 shares), a strong signal of management confidence and a nearterm positive catalyst for sentiment. SEC Filing  CEO Purchase

Senior insiders made sizeable purchases on April 21 (CEO Kenneth Bockhorst 2,200 shares at ~$117.53; multiple VPs also bought hundreds1,700 shares), a strong signal of management confidence and a nearterm positive catalyst for sentiment. Positive Sentiment: Aggregate insider activity shows meaningful increases in executive stakes (several VPs increased holdings), reinforcing the view that management expects value at current levels. SEC Filing  VP Tarantino

Aggregate insider activity shows meaningful increases in executive stakes (several VPs increased holdings), reinforcing the view that management expects value at current levels. Neutral Sentiment: Badger reported Q1 results showing adjusted EPS of $0.93 and revenue ~$202.3M; management says the shortfall was driven mainly by project timing  relevant for nearterm guidance but not necessarily a structural change. Earnings Presentation

Badger reported Q1 results showing adjusted EPS of $0.93 and revenue ~$202.3M; management says the shortfall was driven mainly by project timing  relevant for nearterm guidance but not necessarily a structural change. Neutral Sentiment: Badger pays a modest dividend and institutions remain large holders ( Vanguard, State Street, Invesco ), which can provide stability even amid headline volatility. MarketBeat  Holdings & Dividend

Badger pays a modest dividend and institutions remain large holders ( Vanguard, State Street, Invesco ), which can provide stability even amid headline volatility. Negative Sentiment: The Q1 miss prompted analysts to lower models and price targets (reports from RBC, Stifel, Robert W. Baird and others), creating downward pressure as expectations are reset. Benzinga: Analysts Slash Forecasts

The Q1 miss prompted analysts to lower models and price targets (reports from RBC, Stifel, Robert W. Baird and others), creating downward pressure as expectations are reset. Negative Sentiment: Investorloss litigation alerts (Pomerantz LLP and others) are active, introducing legal headline risk that can amplify volatility and weigh on sentiment while investigations proceed. GlobeNewswire: Pomerantz Investigation

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of BMI. River Street Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of Badger Meter by 12.2% in the first quarter. River Street Advisors LLC now owns 6,040 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock worth $920,000 after buying an additional 655 shares during the period. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System purchased a new stake in shares of Badger Meter during the 1st quarter valued at about $1,996,000. Norway Savings Bank lifted its position in Badger Meter by 33.5% during the 1st quarter. Norway Savings Bank now owns 3,544 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock worth $540,000 after acquiring an additional 889 shares in the last quarter. OP Asset Management Ltd purchased a new position in Badger Meter in the 1st quarter worth approximately $654,000. Finally, Values First Advisors Inc. grew its position in Badger Meter by 1.3% in the first quarter. Values First Advisors Inc. now owns 7,216 shares of the scientific and technical instruments companys stock valued at $1,099,000 after acquiring an additional 91 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 89.01% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts have commented on BMI shares. Royal Bank Of Canada dropped their price target on Badger Meter from $197.00 to $169.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Monday. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reaffirmed a hold rating and issued a $167.00 price objective on shares of Badger Meter in a research note on Thursday, January 29th. Argus downgraded shares of Badger Meter from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, February 2nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price target on shares of Badger Meter from $190.00 to $160.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Friday, April 17th. Finally, Barclays set a $110.00 price target on shares of Badger Meter and gave the company an underweight rating in a research report on Monday. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $166.38.

Get Our Latest Research Report on BMI

Badger Meter Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Badger Meter, founded in 1905 and headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is a global leader in flow measurement and control solutions. The companys core business centers on the design, manufacture and sale of water meters, control valves and related accessories for municipal and industrial water utilities. Over its more than a century of operation, Badger Meter has built a reputation for precision engineering, durability and compliance with international regulatory standards.

The companys product portfolio includes mechanical and ultrasonic water meters, electromagnetic flow meters for industrial applications, and a range of control valves that help utilities manage pressure and flow in distribution networks.

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BE Semiconductor Industries (OTCMKTS:BESIY  Get Free Report) is expected to be releasing its resultson Thursday, April 23rd. Analysts expect BE Semiconductor Industries to post earnings of $0.76 per share and revenue of $220.77 million for the quarter.

BE Semiconductor Industries Stock Down 0.7%

BESIY stock opened at $271.53 on Wednesday. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $223.20 and its 200-day simple moving average is $188.87. The firm has a market capitalization of $19.69 billion, a PE ratio of 145.21 and a beta of 1.78. BE Semiconductor Industries has a 12 month low of $103.71 and a 12 month high of $276.17. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.22, a current ratio of 5.55 and a quick ratio of 4.88.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of brokerages recently issued reports on BESIY. Sanford C. Bernstein restated an outperform rating on shares of BE Semiconductor Industries in a research report on Sunday, January 4th. Kepler Capital Markets lowered shares of BE Semiconductor Industries from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, January 9th. Citigroup restated a neutral rating on shares of BE Semiconductor Industries in a research report on Tuesday, January 20th. Morgan Stanley restated an overweight rating on shares of BE Semiconductor Industries in a research report on Tuesday, January 13th. Finally, Needham & Company LLC upgraded shares of BE Semiconductor Industries to a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 6th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and six have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, BE Semiconductor Industries has a consensus rating of Hold.

About BE Semiconductor Industries

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BE Semiconductor Industries NV (OTCMKTS:BESIY), commonly known as BESI, is a global supplier of assembly equipment for the semiconductor industry. The company designs, develops and manufactures capital equipment used in the back-end production of semiconductor devices, including die attach, wire bonding and flip chip packaging systems. BESIs platforms support a wide range of applications from memory and logic chips to advanced power devices and radio-frequency modules, enabling high precision, throughput and yield in device assembly and test processes.

Founded in 1995 and headquartered in Duiven, the Netherlands, BESI went public on Euronext Amsterdam in 1999.

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Bluebird Merchant Ventures Limited (LON:BMV  Get Free Report) fell 7.8% during trading on Wednesday . The company traded as low as GBX 0.10 and last traded at GBX 0.11. 98,896,367 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 121% from the average session volume of 44,717,543 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 0.12.

Bluebird Merchant Ventures Trading Down 7.8%

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.29, a quick ratio of 0.08 and a current ratio of 0.08. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of GBX 0.10 and a 200 day simple moving average of GBX 0.23. The stock has a market capitalization of 2.13 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -0.32 and a beta of 0.62.

Bluebird Merchant Ventures Company Profile

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Bluebird Merchant Ventures Limited, together with its subsidiaries, engages in mining and developing of mineral properties. The company primarily explores for gold and silver deposits. It holds interests in the Gubong project and Kochang project located in South Korea. The company was incorporated in 2014 and is based in Road Town, the British Virgin Islands.

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Analysts at BNP Paribas Exane started coverage on shares of UL Solutions (NYSE:ULS  Get Free Report) in a research report issued on Monday, MarketBeat.com reports. The firm set a hold rating on the stock.

ULS has been the subject of a number of other reports. Weiss Ratings downgraded UL Solutions from a buy (b-) rating to a hold (c+) rating in a research note on Friday, February 20th. Zacks Research upgraded UL Solutions from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 14th. The Goldman Sachs Group reiterated a neutral rating on shares of UL Solutions in a research note on Friday, February 20th. UBS Group boosted their price objective on UL Solutions from $85.00 to $90.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Friday, February 20th. Finally, Robert W. Baird dropped their price target on UL Solutions from $97.00 to $96.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Friday, February 20th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have issued a Buy rating and six have assigned a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $88.42.

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Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on ULS

UL Solutions Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:ULS traded down $1.23 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $90.79. 165,136 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 948,940. The companys 50 day moving average price is $82.84 and its 200-day moving average price is $80.49. The firm has a market cap of $18.25 billion, a PE ratio of 57.01, a PEG ratio of 3.76 and a beta of 0.77. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38, a current ratio of 1.32 and a quick ratio of 1.32. UL Solutions has a 52 week low of $55.29 and a 52 week high of $94.04.

UL Solutions (NYSE:ULS  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 19th. The company reported $0.53 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.46 by $0.07. The company had revenue of $789.00 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $782.37 million. UL Solutions had a return on equity of 31.62% and a net margin of 10.61%.The firms revenue was up 6.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $0.49 EPS. On average, equities analysts expect that UL Solutions will post 2.02 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity

In other news, CEO Jennifer F. Scanlon sold 12,500 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, April 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $85.50, for a total transaction of $1,068,750.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 200,774 shares of the companys stock, valued at $17,166,177. This represents a 5.86% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. 1.20% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Trading of UL Solutions

Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Capital International Investors raised its holdings in shares of UL Solutions by 6.6% during the 4th quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 8,043,735 shares of the companys stock worth $634,616,000 after acquiring an additional 495,424 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its holdings in shares of UL Solutions by 21.9% during the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 6,740,636 shares of the companys stock worth $531,567,000 after acquiring an additional 1,213,188 shares in the last quarter. T. Rowe Price Investment Management Inc. raised its holdings in shares of UL Solutions by 10.2% during the 4th quarter. T. Rowe Price Investment Management Inc. now owns 5,878,995 shares of the companys stock worth $463,618,000 after acquiring an additional 545,528 shares in the last quarter. Capital Research Global Investors raised its holdings in shares of UL Solutions by 20.6% during the 3rd quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 3,942,905 shares of the companys stock worth $279,394,000 after acquiring an additional 674,088 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Janus Henderson Group PLC raised its holdings in UL Solutions by 1.8% during the 4th quarter. Janus Henderson Group PLC now owns 3,024,820 shares of the companys stock valued at $238,538,000 after buying an additional 54,910 shares during the period.

About UL Solutions

(Get Free Report)

UL Solutions (NYSE: ULS) is a global safety science company that provides testing, inspection, certification, advisory and digital solutions designed to help organizations manage risk, ensure regulatory compliance and drive innovation. With roots dating back to 1894 when it was founded as Underwriters Electrical Bureau, the company rebranded as UL Solutions following its initial public offering in 2022. Headquartered in Northbrook, Illinois, UL Solutions operates independently to serve a broad range of industries with an emphasis on product safety, performance and sustainability.

The companys core services include standards development, product testing and certification for sectors such as building products, consumer electronics, automotive, life sciences, energy and industrial equipment.

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Borregaard ASA (OTCMKTS:BRRDF  Get Free Report) is anticipated to post its resultson Wednesday, April 29th. Analysts expect Borregaard ASA to post earnings of $0.2534 per share and revenue of $198.1690 million for the quarter.

Borregaard ASA Stock Performance

Shares of BRRDF opened at $19.18 on Wednesday. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $19.17 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $19.29. Borregaard ASA has a 52 week low of $18.30 and a 52 week high of $19.18.

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Borregaard ASA Company Profile

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Borregaard ASA is a Norway-based advanced biorefinery company specializing in sustainable, wood-based solutions. Leveraging proprietary technologies, it produces a range of high-value products derived from lignocellulosic raw materials, including specialty cellulose, lignin derivatives, bioethanol, vanillin and fine chemicals. These offerings serve diverse industries such as construction, agriculture, personal care, food and pharmaceuticals, where they function as binders, dispersants, stabilizers and flavoring agents.

Founded in 1889 with the establishment of a pulp mill on the Glomma River in Sarpsborg, Borregaard has evolved from a traditional paper and pulp producer into a pioneer of bio-based materials.

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Centerra Gold (NYSE:CGAU  Get Free Report) is expected to be posting its Q1 2026 results before the market opens on Wednesday, April 29th. Analysts expect Centerra Gold to post earnings of $0.35 per share and revenue of $399.0850 million for the quarter. Individuals are encouraged to explore the companys upcoming Q1 2026 earning overview page for the latest details on the call scheduled for Thursday, April 30, 2026 at 9:00 AM ET.

Centerra Gold (NYSE:CGAU  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 19th. The company reported $0.41 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.34 by $0.07. The company had revenue of $401.60 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $355.39 million. Centerra Gold had a return on equity of 12.42% and a net margin of 42.18%. On average, analysts expect Centerra Gold to post $2 EPS for the current fiscal year and $2 EPS for the next fiscal year.

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Centerra Gold Trading Down 8.3%

Shares of CGAU stock opened at $18.30 on Wednesday. The stocks fifty day moving average is $18.56 and its two-hundred day moving average is $15.59. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.04, a quick ratio of 1.65 and a current ratio of 2.39. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.65 billion, a P/E ratio of 6.44, a PEG ratio of 1.25 and a beta of 0.90. Centerra Gold has a fifty-two week low of $6.30 and a fifty-two week high of $21.17.

Centerra Gold Announces Dividend

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 26th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, March 12th were issued a $0.07 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, March 12th. This represents a $0.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.5%. Centerra Golds dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 7.39%.

A number of research analysts have weighed in on the company. Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b) rating on shares of Centerra Gold in a report on Friday, March 27th. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce reiterated an outperform rating on shares of Centerra Gold in a report on Wednesday, February 4th. BMO Capital Markets upgraded Centerra Gold from a hold rating to an outperform rating in a report on Tuesday, January 20th. Wall Street Zen upgraded Centerra Gold from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Saturday, March 28th. Finally, Zacks Research lowered Centerra Gold from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, March 24th. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $16.00.

Get Our Latest Stock Report on CGAU

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC raised its holdings in shares of Centerra Gold by 2.4% during the 4th quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC now owns 24,860 shares of the companys stock worth $357,000 after acquiring an additional 575 shares during the period. Vanguard Personalized Indexing Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Centerra Gold by 2.1% during the 4th quarter. Vanguard Personalized Indexing Management LLC now owns 36,939 shares of the companys stock worth $531,000 after acquiring an additional 747 shares during the period. Osaic Holdings Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Centerra Gold by 63.0% during the 2nd quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. now owns 4,758 shares of the companys stock worth $34,000 after acquiring an additional 1,839 shares during the period. Global Retirement Partners LLC purchased a new stake in Centerra Gold in the 4th quarter valued at about $36,000. Finally, Towarzystwo Funduszy Inwestycyjnych PZU SA raised its holdings in Centerra Gold by 24.1% in the 3rd quarter. Towarzystwo Funduszy Inwestycyjnych PZU SA now owns 18,000 shares of the companys stock valued at $193,000 after buying an additional 3,500 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 55.40% of the companys stock.

About Centerra Gold

(Get Free Report)

Centerra Gold Inc is a gold mining company incorporated in Canada and headquartered in Toronto. The company specializes in the exploration, development and operation of precious metals properties, with a focus on gold production. Centerras portfolio includes the Mount Milligan mine in British Columbia, Canada, and the Otjikoto mine in Namibia. Both operations produce gold and copper concentrates and employ modern mining methods and processing facilities to optimize recovery rates and minimize environmental impact.

In addition to its producing assets, Centerra is advancing the development of its Greenstone Gold Project in Ontario, Canada, which, upon completion, is expected to become one of Canadas largest gold mines.

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Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH lifted its holdings in shares of Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C  Free Report) by 7.4% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 1,278,741 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 88,317 shares during the quarter. Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH owned approximately 0.07% of Citigroup worth $148,705,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Brookstone Capital Management raised its stake in Citigroup by 31.5% in the 3rd quarter. Brookstone Capital Management now owns 75,914 shares of the companys stock valued at $7,705,000 after purchasing an additional 18,176 shares during the last quarter. Permanent Capital Management LP acquired a new position in Citigroup in the 3rd quarter valued at $1,238,000. Donaldson Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in Citigroup in the 3rd quarter valued at $58,994,000. Penobscot Investment Management Company Inc. raised its stake in Citigroup by 61.5% in the 3rd quarter. Penobscot Investment Management Company Inc. now owns 57,033 shares of the companys stock valued at $5,789,000 after purchasing an additional 21,720 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Perigon Wealth Management LLC raised its stake in Citigroup by 27.2% in the 3rd quarter. Perigon Wealth Management LLC now owns 75,566 shares of the companys stock valued at $7,670,000 after purchasing an additional 16,171 shares during the last quarter. 71.72% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

C has been the subject of several recent research reports. Evercore set a $139.00 price objective on Citigroup in a research note on Wednesday, April 15th. Oppenheimer increased their price objective on Citigroup from $132.00 to $144.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 15th. Zacks Research downgraded Citigroup from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, February 20th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised their target price on Citigroup from $131.00 to $140.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 15th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group initiated coverage on Citigroup in a research note on Thursday, March 26th. They issued a buy rating and a $135.00 target price for the company. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have given a Buy rating and five have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $135.94.

Citigroup Stock Performance

NYSE C opened at $131.65 on Wednesday. The stock has a market cap of $225.77 billion, a PE ratio of 16.31, a P/E/G ratio of 0.60 and a beta of 1.11. The company has a current ratio of 0.99, a quick ratio of 1.00 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.59. Citigroup Inc. has a twelve month low of $63.51 and a twelve month high of $135.29. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $114.95 and a 200-day simple moving average of $110.81.

Citigroup (NYSE:C  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, April 14th. The company reported $3.06 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.63 by $0.43. The business had revenue of $24.63 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $22.96 billion. Citigroup had a return on equity of 9.19% and a net margin of 9.35%.The companys revenue was up 14.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $1.96 EPS. Equities analysts anticipate that Citigroup Inc. will post 10.49 earnings per share for the current year.

Citigroup Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 22nd. Stockholders of record on Monday, May 4th will be issued a dividend of $0.60 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, May 4th. This represents a $2.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.8%. Citigroups dividend payout ratio is currently 29.74%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Citigroup

In other news, insider Cantu Ernesto Torres sold 43,173 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, February 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $111.09, for a total transaction of $4,796,088.57. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 45,835 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,091,810.15. This represents a 48.50% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 0.11% of the companys stock.

Key Headlines Impacting Citigroup

Here are the key news stories impacting Citigroup this week:

Citigroup Profile

(Free Report)

Citigroup Inc is a global financial services company headquartered in New York City with roots tracing back to the City Bank of New York, founded in 1812. The modern Citigroup was created through the 1998 merger of Citicorp and Travelers Group and has since operated as a diversified bank holding company that provides a broad range of banking and financial products and services to consumers, corporations, governments and institutions worldwide.

Citis principal businesses include retail and commercial banking, credit card and consumer lending products, wealth management and private banking, and a full suite of institutional services.

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Main Street Capital (NYSE:MAIN  Get Free Report) had its price objective decreased by stock analysts at Citizens Jmp from $74.00 to $70.00 in a report released on Wednesday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage presently has a market outperform rating on the financial services providers stock. Citizens Jmps price objective points to a potential upside of 29.65% from the companys previous close.

MAIN has been the topic of several other research reports. Noble Financial restated a neutral rating on shares of Main Street Capital in a report on Thursday, January 15th. Loop Capital upgraded Main Street Capital to a neutral rating and set a $65.00 target price on the stock in a report on Thursday, January 15th. Wall Street Zen upgraded Main Street Capital from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Saturday, January 10th. Finally, Citigroup reiterated an outperform rating on shares of Main Street Capital in a report on Tuesday, January 27th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and seven have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $61.71.

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View Our Latest Analysis on MAIN

Main Street Capital Price Performance

NYSE MAIN opened at $53.99 on Wednesday. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $55.91 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $58.54. The company has a current ratio of 0.06, a quick ratio of 0.06 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.12. The company has a market cap of $4.86 billion, a PE ratio of 9.78 and a beta of 0.80. Main Street Capital has a 1 year low of $50.77 and a 1 year high of $67.77.

Main Street Capital (NYSE:MAIN  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 26th. The financial services provider reported $1.09 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.06 by $0.03. The firm had revenue of $156.17 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $141.50 million. Main Street Capital had a return on equity of 12.44% and a net margin of 87.11%. On average, analysts predict that Main Street Capital will post 4.02 EPS for the current year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Main Street Capital

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Freedom Financial Partners LLC grew its stake in shares of Main Street Capital by 3.3% in the 4th quarter. Freedom Financial Partners LLC now owns 5,356 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $323,000 after buying an additional 170 shares in the last quarter. Uncommon Cents Investing LLC grew its stake in shares of Main Street Capital by 1.2% in the 3rd quarter. Uncommon Cents Investing LLC now owns 16,627 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,057,000 after buying an additional 190 shares in the last quarter. Prospera Financial Services Inc grew its stake in shares of Main Street Capital by 0.4% in the 4th quarter. Prospera Financial Services Inc now owns 48,229 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $2,915,000 after buying an additional 194 shares in the last quarter. Stratos Wealth Partners LTD. grew its stake in shares of Main Street Capital by 2.0% in the 3rd quarter. Stratos Wealth Partners LTD. now owns 9,916 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $631,000 after buying an additional 198 shares in the last quarter. Finally, SMH Capital Advisors Inc. grew its stake in shares of Main Street Capital by 1.1% in the 4th quarter. SMH Capital Advisors Inc. now owns 18,884 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,140,000 after buying an additional 206 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 20.31% of the companys stock.

About Main Street Capital

(Get Free Report)

Main Street Capital Corporation (NYSE: MAIN) is a publicly traded business development company that provides flexible debt and equity capital to lower middle market companies in the United States. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, Main Street Capital was formed in 2007 and operates under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The firms management services are provided by Main Street Capital Management, L.P., which focuses on identifying growing private companies with enterprise values typically between $10 million and $150 million.

Main Street Capitals primary offerings include first-lien senior secured loans, second-lien loans, subordinated debt, and equity co-investments or minority equity positions.

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Commerzbank AG (OTCMKTS:CRZBY  Get Free Report) shares gapped down prior to trading on Wednesday . The stock had previously closed at $43.05, but opened at $40.94. Commerzbank shares last traded at $40.9550, with a volume of 10,788 shares trading hands.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts recently commented on the company. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reissued a buy rating on shares of Commerzbank in a research note on Thursday, April 16th. Barclays raised Commerzbank from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating in a research note on Monday. The Goldman Sachs Group reissued a neutral rating on shares of Commerzbank in a research note on Monday, February 23rd. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised Commerzbank from a hold rating to a moderate buy rating in a research note on Thursday, March 26th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada raised Commerzbank from a hold rating to a moderate buy rating in a research note on Tuesday. Five analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy.

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Read Our Latest Analysis on CRZBY

Commerzbank Stock Down 2.1%

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 14.97, a current ratio of 15.43 and a quick ratio of 15.42. The company has a market capitalization of $45.74 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.48 and a beta of 0.47. The company has a 50 day moving average of $38.44 and a 200-day moving average of $39.07.

Commerzbank (OTCMKTS:CRZBY  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, March 25th. The financial services provider reported $0.72 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.58 by $0.14. The company had revenue of $3.03 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.61 billion. Commerzbank had a return on equity of 7.38% and a net margin of 11.02%. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Commerzbank AG will post 3.44 EPS for the current year.

Institutional Trading of Commerzbank

An institutional investor recently raised its position in Commerzbank stock. Rhumbline Advisers boosted its stake in Commerzbank AG (OTCMKTS:CRZBY  Free Report) by 14.5% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 5,140 shares of the financial services providers stock after buying an additional 650 shares during the period. Rhumbline Advisers holdings in Commerzbank were worth $117,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

About Commerzbank

(Get Free Report)

Commerzbank AG is a major German banking group headquartered in Frankfurt am Main. Founded in 1870, the bank operates as a universal financial institution offering a broad range of services to private customers, small and medium-sized enterprises (the German Mittelstand), and large corporates. Its core business lines include retail and corporate banking, transaction banking, capital markets and investment banking, as well as asset and wealth management.

On the retail side, Commerzbank provides everyday banking products such as deposit accounts, payment services, consumer loans, mortgages and digital banking channels for individual customers.

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J. M. Smucker (NYSE:SJM  Get Free Report) and Kerry Group (OTCMKTS:KRYAY  Get Free Report) are both large-cap consumer staples companies, but which is the better investment? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, profitability, risk, dividends, valuation and earnings.

Profitability

This table compares J. M. Smucker and Kerry Groups net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

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Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets J. M. Smucker -14.07% 15.94% 5.37% Kerry Group N/A N/A N/A

Earnings & Valuation

This table compares J. M. Smucker and Kerry Groups revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio J. M. Smucker $8.73 billion 1.17 -$1.23 billion ($11.79) -8.12 Kerry Group $7.64 billion 1.66 $745.03 million N/A N/A

Kerry Group has lower revenue, but higher earnings than J. M. Smucker.

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of recent ratings and recommmendations for J. M. Smucker and Kerry Group, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score J. M. Smucker 1 9 10 0 2.45 Kerry Group 0 1 3 0 2.75

J. M. Smucker currently has a consensus target price of $117.31, indicating a potential upside of 22.49%. Given J. M. Smuckers higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe J. M. Smucker is more favorable than Kerry Group.

Institutional and Insider Ownership

81.7% of J. M. Smucker shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 0.2% of Kerry Group shares are owned by institutional investors. 2.2% of J. M. Smucker shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Dividends

J. M. Smucker pays an annual dividend of $4.40 per share and has a dividend yield of 4.6%. Kerry Group pays an annual dividend of $1.68 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.1%. J. M. Smucker pays out -37.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. J. M. Smucker has increased its dividend for 27 consecutive years. J. M. Smucker is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

Volatility and Risk

J. M. Smucker has a beta of 0.27, indicating that its stock price is 73% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Kerry Group has a beta of 0.66, indicating that its stock price is 34% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Summary

J. M. Smucker beats Kerry Group on 10 of the 15 factors compared between the two stocks.

About J. M. Smucker

(Get Free Report)

The J. M. Smucker Company manufactures and markets branded food and beverage products worldwide. It operates in three segments: U.S. Retail Pet Foods, U.S. Retail Coffee, and U.S. Retail Consumer Foods. The company offers mainstream roast, ground, single serve, and premium coffee; peanut butter and specialty spreads; fruit spreads, toppings, and syrups; jelly products; nut mix products; shortening and oils; frozen sandwiches and snacks; pet food and pet snacks; and foodservice hot beverage, foodservice portion control, and flour products, as well as dog and cat food, frozen handheld products, juices and beverages, and baking mixes and ingredients. It provides its products under the Meow Mix, Milk-Bone, Pup-Peroni, Canine Carry Outs, Folgers, Cafe Bustelo, Dunkin', Folgers, Cafe Bustelo, 1850, Jif, Smucker's, Smucker's Uncrustables, Robin Hood, and Five Roses. The company sells its products through direct sales and brokers to food retailers, club stores, discount and dollar stores, online retailers, pet specialty stores, natural foods stores and distributors, drug stores, military commissaries, and mass merchandisers. Smucker Company was founded in 1897 and is headquartered in Orrville, Ohio.

About Kerry Group

(Get Free Report)

Kerry Group plc, together with its subsidiaries, provides taste and nutrition solutions. The company operates in two segments, Taste & Nutrition, and Dairy Ireland. The Taste & Nutrition segment offers taste and nutrition solutions for the food, beverage, and pharmaceutical markets. The Dairy Ireland segment provides value-add dairy ingredients and consumer products, including functional proteins and nutritional bases. It operates in Ireland, rest of Europe, the Americas, the Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa. Kerry Group plc was founded in 1972 and is headquartered in Tralee, Ireland.

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PUNE, India, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Tech Mahindra (NSE: TECHM), a leading global provider of technology consulting and digital solutions to enterprises across industries, announced it has been named the 2026 Google Cloud Partner of the Year in the Services & Industry Solutions: Manufacturing category. This recognition highlights Tech Mahindra's strength in delivering industry-specific solutions that move beyond pilots to production-grade cloud and AI transformation.

Tech Mahindra has been recognized as the 2026 Google Cloud Partner of the Year in the Services & Industry Solutions: Manufacturing for enabling manufacturers to build intelligent, data-driven operations by bringing together AI, data platforms, and enterprise systems at scale. By integrating data across plants, supply chains, and business functions, and embedding AI into core workflows, Tech Mahindra and Google Cloud help organizations move from fragmented insights to real-time, decision-ready intelligence and automated actions. This is driving measurable improvements in operational resilience, efficiency, and continuous optimization across manufacturing operations.

Amol Phadke, Chief Transformation Officer, Tech Mahindra, said, "In today's volatile global environment, we are helping manufacturers reimagine their operations to be more agile, efficient, and sustainable, while continuing to innovate at scale. This recognition from Google Cloud affirms our ability to deliver production-grade solutions that translate innovation into measurable outcomes. Together, we are enabling manufacturers to build intelligent, resilient, and future-ready operations."

Tech Mahindra's manufacturing solutions leverage Google Cloud's data and AI stack, including BigQuery, Vertex AI, and Gemini to build connected, intelligent operations. The solutions address core industry challenges such as siloed data, operational inefficiencies, and legacy complexity, while enabling scalable and sustainable transformation. The partnership is focused on delivering transformation in live production environments, where impact is measured in tangible improvements across throughput, quality, and operational agility.

Kevin Ichhpurani, President, Global Partner Ecosystem and Channels, Google Cloud, said, "The Google Cloud Partner Awards honor the strategic innovation and measurable value our partners bring to customers. We are proud to name Tech Mahindra 2026 Google Cloud Partner Award winner, celebrating their role in driving customer success over the last year."

This recognition reinforces Tech Mahindra's position as a trusted partner for large-scale, AI-led transformation in manufacturing. As a Google Cloud Premier Partner, the organization continues to invest in co-innovation, industry solutions, and global talent to support customers in building resilient and future-ready operations.

Media Contact: [email protected]; [email protected]

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2804444/Tech_Mahindra_New_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Tech Mahindra
Crest Nicholson (LON:CRST  Get Free Report) was downgraded by Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft to a hold rating in a report released on Wednesday,London Stock Exchange reports. They presently have a GBX 79 price objective on the stock, down from their prior price objective of GBX 228. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschafts target price would indicate a potential upside of 12.38% from the companys previous close.

A number of other equities research analysts have also recently issued reports on the company. Stifel Nicolaus reiterated a hold rating and issued a GBX 125 target price on shares of Crest Nicholson in a research note on Tuesday. Berenberg Bank cut their price objective on shares of Crest Nicholson from GBX 160 to GBX 86 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday. Royal Bank Of Canada cut shares of Crest Nicholson to an outperform rating and cut their price objective for the company from GBX 155 to GBX 95 in a research note on Wednesday. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group restated a buy rating and set a GBX 164 price objective on shares of Crest Nicholson in a research note on Tuesday. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of GBX 128.43.

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Crest Nicholson Stock Performance

CRST stock traded up GBX 0.30 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching GBX 70.30. The company had a trading volume of 35,139,926 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,952,168. The company has a quick ratio of 0.72, a current ratio of 2.63 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 24.15. The stock has a market capitalization of 180.48 million, a P/E ratio of 78.11, a P/E/G ratio of 0.51 and a beta of 1.58. Crest Nicholson has a one year low of GBX 59.70 and a one year high of GBX 198.50. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is GBX 124.92 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is GBX 140.33.

Crest Nicholson (LON:CRST  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, January 29th. The company reported GBX 7.80 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Crest Nicholson had a return on equity of 0.30% and a net margin of 0.36%. Research analysts anticipate that Crest Nicholson will post 9.0980939 EPS for the current year.

Insider Transactions at Crest Nicholson

In related news, insider Gillian Kent acquired 9,538 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 23rd. The shares were acquired at an average cost of GBX 104 per share, for a total transaction of 9,919.52. Also, insider Martyn Clark sold 46,077 shares of Crest Nicholson stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of GBX 151, for a total transaction of 69,576.27. Over the last 90 days, insiders have purchased 10,312 shares of company stock worth $1,091,598. Company insiders own 4.49% of the companys stock.

More Crest Nicholson News

Here are the key news stories impacting Crest Nicholson this week:

Positive Sentiment: Jefferies reaffirmed its buy rating and a GBX 164 price target, providing a credible upside-supporting view for the stock. Jefferies reaffirm buy

Jefferies reaffirmed its buy rating and a GBX 164 price target, providing a credible upside-supporting view for the stock. Neutral Sentiment: Stifel Nicolaus reaffirmed a hold rating with a GBX 125 target, indicating some broker comfort at intermediate levels. Stifel note

Stifel Nicolaus reaffirmed a hold rating with a GBX 125 target, indicating some broker comfort at intermediate levels. Neutral Sentiment: Royal Bank of Canada shifted its view to outperform but cut its price target from GBX 155 to GBX 95  a mixed signal (positive wording but materially lower valuation). RBC note

Royal Bank of Canada shifted its view to outperform but cut its price target from GBX 155 to GBX 95  a mixed signal (positive wording but materially lower valuation). Negative Sentiment: Berenberg cut its price target sharply from GBX 160 to GBX 86 and moved to hold, weighing on market sentiment and implying lower nearterm valuation expectations. Berenberg note

Berenberg cut its price target sharply from GBX 160 to GBX 86 and moved to hold, weighing on market sentiment and implying lower nearterm valuation expectations. Negative Sentiment: Crest Nicholson issued a profit warning and said it is seeking covenant relief as macro headwinds slow land sales and hit completions  a material operational and financing concern that triggered a steep intraday drop (reports detail the guidance cut and covenant request). Investing.com article Yahoo article Reuters article

About Crest Nicholson

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Crest Nicholson Holdings plc engages in building residential homes in the United Kingdom. It develops and sells apartments, houses, and commercial properties. The company was founded in 1963 and is headquartered in Addlestone, the United Kingdom.

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Shares of Daiwa Securities Group Inc. (OTCMKTS:DSEEY  Get Free Report) dropped 6.6% on Monday . The company traded as low as $9.25 and last traded at $9.25. Approximately 874 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 95% from the average daily volume of 19,011 shares. The stock had previously closed at $9.90.

Daiwa Securities Group Stock Up 0.3%

The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $9.84 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $9.10. The company has a current ratio of 1.10, a quick ratio of 1.10 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.44. The company has a market cap of $13.48 billion, a PE ratio of 12.88 and a beta of 0.54.

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Daiwa Securities Group (OTCMKTS:DSEEY  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Monday, February 2nd. The financial services provider reported $0.22 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.18 by $0.04. The company had revenue of $2.42 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.70 billion. Daiwa Securities Group had a return on equity of 7.01% and a net margin of 10.93%.

About Daiwa Securities Group

Daiwa Securities Group Inc is a leading Japanese financial services firm established in 1902 and headquartered in Tokyo. Operating as a holding company, Daiwa oversees a network of subsidiaries active in securities brokerage, investment banking and asset management. With a history spanning over a century, the group has evolved to meet the changing needs of individual and institutional clients, building a reputation for comprehensive capital markets solutions.

The groups core businesses include retail brokerage, offering equity, fixed income and mutual fund products to individual investors in Japan.

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Deutsche Telekom AG (OTCMKTS:DTEGY  Get Free Report) shares gapped down before the market opened on Wednesday . The stock had previously closed at $34.04, but opened at $32.20. Deutsche Telekom shares last traded at $31.96, with a volume of 8,212 shares traded.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts recently commented on the company. Zacks Research cut Deutsche Telekom from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research report on Monday, March 9th. Wall Street Zen lowered Deutsche Telekom from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, March 12th. Erste Group Bank raised Deutsche Telekom from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 18th. Finally, Citigroup reissued a buy rating on shares of Deutsche Telekom in a research note on Monday. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Deutsche Telekom currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy.

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Deutsche Telekom Trading Down 5.4%

Deutsche Telekom Company Profile

The company has a 50 day moving average price of $37.25 and a 200 day moving average price of $34.26. The firm has a market cap of $157.95 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.57, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.89 and a beta of 0.41. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.07, a quick ratio of 1.04 and a current ratio of 1.12.

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Deutsche Telekom AG is a leading European telecommunications company headquartered in Bonn, Germany. The firm provides a broad range of telecommunications and information technology services for consumer, business and wholesale customers. Its core activities include fixed-line and mobile voice services, broadband internet access, television services and a suite of enterprise IT and network solutions.

Deutsche Telekom offers consumer products under well-known retail brands in its home market and across Europe, and operates extensive mobile networks including 4G and 5G infrastructure.

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Rocket Companies, Joint Stock Company Kaspi.kz, UP Fintech, Wealthfront, DeFi Development, IDT, and PPDAI Group are the seven Fintech stocks to watch today, according to MarketBeats stock screener tool. Fintech stocks are shares of publicly traded companies whose core business is using technology to deliver financial services or infrastructureexamples include digital banks, payment processors, online lenders, roboadvisors, and blockchain or payments networks. For stock market investors, fintech stocks are typically seen as growth-oriented but potentially volatile investments that offer exposure to innovation in finance while carrying risks from regulatory change, cybersecurity issues, and fastmoving competition. These companies had the highest dollar trading volume of any Fintech stocks within the last several days.

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Rocket Companies (RKT)

Rocket Companies, Inc., a fintech holding company, provides mortgage lending, title and settlement services, and other financial technology services in the United States and Canada. It operates through two segments, Direct to Consumer and Partner Network. The companys solutions include Rocket Mortgage, a mortgage lender; Amrock that provides title insurance, property valuation, and settlement services; Rocket Homes, a home search platform and real estate agent referral network, which offers technology-enabled services to support the home buying and selling experience; and Rocket Loans, an online-based personal loans business.

Joint Stock Company Kaspi.kz (KSPI)

Joint Stock Company Kaspi.kz, together with its subsidiaries, provides payments, marketplace, and fintech solutions for consumers and merchants in the Republic of Kazakhstan. It operates through three segments: Payments Platform, Marketplace Platform, and Fintech Platform. The Payments Platform segment facilities transactions between customers and merchants.

Read Our Latest Research Report on KSPI

UP Fintech (TIGR)

UP Fintech Holding Limited provides online brokerage services focusing on Chinese investors. The company has developed a brokerage platform, which allows investor to trade stocks, options, warrants, and other financial instruments that can be accessed through its APP and website. It offers brokerage and value-added services, including investor education, community engagement, and IR platform services.

Read Our Latest Research Report on TIGR

Wealthfront (WLTH)

Were a different kind of FinTech. We are a technology company that built a financial solutions platform for digital natives, defined as those born after 1980 (i.e., Millennials, Gen Z, and later generations). Our platform is designed to address the needs of the wealth builders within these generations.

Read Our Latest Research Report on WLTH

DeFi Development (DFDV)

We are a B2B fintech marketplace connecting commercial property borrowers and lenders with a human touch. We seek to revolutionize the commercial real estate lending market by making it hyper-efficient, transparent, and accessible to all rather than the few. Through our online platform, we provide technology that connects commercial mortgage borrowers looking for capital to refinance, build, or purchase commercial property, including, but not limited to, apartment buildings, to commercial property lenders.

Read Our Latest Research Report on DFDV

IDT (IDT)

IDT Corporation provides communications and payment services in the United States, the United Kingdom, and internationally. It operates through Fintech, National Retail Solutions, net2phone, and Traditional Communications segments. The company operates point of sale, a terminal-based platform which provides independent retailers store management software, electronic payment processing, and other ancillary merchant services; and provides marketers with digital out-of-home advertising and transaction data.

Read Our Latest Research Report on IDT

PPDAI Group (FINV)

FinVolution Group operates in the online consumer finance industry. The company operates a fintech platform that is empowered by borrowers with financial institutions. It operates in China and internationally. The company was formerly known as PPDAI Group Inc. and changed its name to FinVolution Group in November 2019.

Read Our Latest Research Report on FINV

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Franco-Nevada (TSE:FNV  Get Free Report) (NYSE:FNV) had its price objective upped by analysts at BMO Capital Markets from C$370.00 to C$410.00 in a research report issued to clients and investors on Wednesday,BayStreet.CA reports. BMO Capital Markets price target suggests a potential upside of 21.23% from the stocks current price.

Other equities analysts also recently issued reports about the stock. Bank of America lifted their target price on shares of Franco-Nevada from C$367.00 to C$384.00 in a research note on Thursday, February 26th. National Bank Financial lifted their target price on shares of Franco-Nevada from C$380.00 to C$400.00 in a research note on Thursday, March 12th. Canaccord Genuity Group cut shares of Franco-Nevada from a buy rating to a hold rating and lifted their price target for the company from C$350.00 to C$380.00 in a research report on Monday, January 26th. Stifel Nicolaus lifted their price target on shares of Franco-Nevada from C$340.00 to C$380.00 in a research report on Tuesday, February 10th. Finally, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce lifted their price target on shares of Franco-Nevada from C$460.00 to C$480.00 in a research report on Wednesday, February 4th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Franco-Nevada currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of C$353.22.

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Franco-Nevada Price Performance

Shares of TSE FNV traded down C$0.33 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching C$338.21. The companys stock had a trading volume of 179,756 shares, compared to its average volume of 399,641. The stock has a 50-day moving average of C$349.71 and a two-hundred day moving average of C$315.21. The stock has a market capitalization of C$65.21 billion, a P/E ratio of 58.72, a P/E/G ratio of 5.00 and a beta of 0.96. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.11, a quick ratio of 23.26 and a current ratio of 8.30. Franco-Nevada has a 1-year low of C$210.19 and a 1-year high of C$388.22.

Franco-Nevada (TSE:FNV  Get Free Report) (NYSE:FNV) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, March 10th. The company reported C$3.86 EPS for the quarter. The business had revenue of C$795.48 million during the quarter. Franco-Nevada had a net margin of 61.07% and a return on equity of 16.25%. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Franco-Nevada will post 3.1114111 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Franco-Nevada Company Profile

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Franco-Nevada Corp is a precious-metals-focused royalty and investment company. The company owns a diversified portfolio of precious metals and royalty streams, which is actively managed to generate the bulk of its revenue from gold, silver, and platinum. The company does not operate mines, develop projects, or conduct exploration. Franco-Nevadas short-term financial performance is linked to the price of commodities and the amount of production from its portfolio of producing assets. Its long-term performance is affected by the availability of exploration and development capital.

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Franklin FTSE Taiwan ETF (NYSEARCA:FLTW  Get Free Report) saw strong trading volume on Wednesday . 714,269 shares changed hands during trading, an increase of 108% from the previous sessions volume of 343,391 shares.The stock last traded at $82.43 and had previously closed at $80.13.

Franklin FTSE Taiwan ETF Price Performance

The businesss fifty day moving average is $71.07 and its 200-day moving average is $65.17. The firm has a market cap of $2.03 billion, a PE ratio of 17.84 and a beta of 0.96.

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Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Jane Street Group LLC raised its stake in Franklin FTSE Taiwan ETF by 281.4% in the 4th quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 596,465 shares of the companys stock valued at $36,289,000 after acquiring an additional 440,060 shares during the period. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. raised its stake in Franklin FTSE Taiwan ETF by 464.9% in the 4th quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 498,297 shares of the companys stock valued at $30,316,000 after acquiring an additional 410,093 shares during the period. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised its stake in Franklin FTSE Taiwan ETF by 261.4% in the 3rd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 251,060 shares of the companys stock valued at $14,745,000 after acquiring an additional 181,593 shares during the period. DZ BANK AG Deutsche Zentral Genossenschafts Bank Frankfurt am Main raised its stake in Franklin FTSE Taiwan ETF by 323.4% in the 2nd quarter. DZ BANK AG Deutsche Zentral Genossenschafts Bank Frankfurt am Main now owns 173,898 shares of the companys stock valued at $9,076,000 after acquiring an additional 132,829 shares during the period. Finally, Susquehanna International Group LLP bought a new stake in Franklin FTSE Taiwan ETF in the 3rd quarter valued at about $5,194,000.

Franklin FTSE Taiwan ETF Company Profile

The Franklin FTSE Taiwan ETF (FLTW) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the FTSE Taiwan RIC Capped index, a market-cap-weighted index of Taiwanese companies, excluding small-caps. FLTW was launched on Nov 2, 2017 and is managed by Franklin Templeton.

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DPM Metals Inc. (OTCMKTS:DPMLF  Free Report)  Stock analysts at Scotiabank raised their FY2027 earnings per share estimates for shares of DPM Metals in a research note issued to investors on Friday, April 17th. Scotiabank analyst E. Winmill now forecasts that the company will post earnings of $3.77 per share for the year, up from their prior forecast of $3.74. Scotiabank has a Outperform rating on the stock. The consensus estimate for DPM Metals current full-year earnings is $3.53 per share.

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DPM Metals (OTCMKTS:DPMLF  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 10th. The company reported $0.77 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.79 by ($0.02). DPM Metals had a net margin of 38.85% and a return on equity of 23.61%. The business had revenue of $352.43 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $308.77 million.

A number of other research analysts also recently issued reports on the company. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce restated a neutral rating on shares of DPM Metals in a report on Wednesday, February 4th. Zacks Research downgraded DPM Metals from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, March 31st. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have issued a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Buy.

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DPM Metals Price Performance

Shares of OTCMKTS:DPMLF opened at $36.29 on Wednesday. DPM Metals has a 1 year low of $12.50 and a 1 year high of $46.28. The company has a market cap of $8.05 billion, a PE ratio of 18.80 and a beta of 0.80. The stocks 50-day moving average is $37.61 and its 200 day moving average is $31.86.

DPM Metals Company Profile

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Dundee Precious Metals Inc (OTCMKTS:DPMLF) is a Canadabased precious metals producer with a focus on gold and copper mining. The companys primary operations are located in southeastern Europe, where it owns and operates the Chelopech mine, a highgrade goldcoppersilver underground mine in Bulgaria. In addition to goldcopper production at Chelopech, Dundee Precious Metals is advancing the Krumovgrad gold project, also in Bulgaria, which is expected to further diversify its output and extend the companys production profile.

At Chelopech, Dundee Precious Metals employs a conventional flotation process to recover gold, copper and silver from sulphide ores.

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Hill & Smith (LON:HILS  Get Free Report)s stock had its buy rating reissued by equities research analysts at Jefferies Financial Group in a research report issued on Wednesday,Digital Look reports. They presently have a GBX 2,760 price objective on the stock. Jefferies Financial Groups price objective suggests a potential upside of 12.20% from the stocks previous close.

HILS has been the topic of a number of other reports. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lifted their target price on shares of Hill & Smith from GBX 2,625 to GBX 2,930 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, March 12th. Shore Capital Group reiterated a hold rating on shares of Hill & Smith in a research report on Wednesday, March 11th. Finally, Berenberg Bank reiterated a buy rating and set a GBX 2,750 price target on shares of Hill & Smith in a research report on Thursday, March 12th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of GBX 2,813.33.

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View Our Latest Analysis on Hill & Smith

Hill & Smith Price Performance

HILS remained flat at GBX 2,460 on Wednesday. 447,730 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 469,784. The firm has a market capitalization of 1.94 billion, a PE ratio of 24.21 and a beta of 1.21. Hill & Smith has a 52-week low of GBX 1,634 and a 52-week high of GBX 2,481.63. The business has a fifty day moving average price of GBX 2,259.55 and a two-hundred day moving average price of GBX 2,218.45. The company has a current ratio of 1.85, a quick ratio of 0.92 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 25.52.

Hill & Smith (LON:HILS  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, March 11th. The company reported GBX 132.20 earnings per share for the quarter. Hill & Smith had a net margin of 9.50% and a return on equity of 17.34%. As a group, research analysts predict that Hill & Smith will post 129.1287386 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Hill & Smith Company Profile

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Our purpose is to create sustainable infrastructure and safe transport through innovation.

Hill & Smith PLC is an international group with leading positions in the supply of infrastructure products and galvanizing services to global markets. Through a focus on leading positions in niche markets we aim to consistently deliver strong returns and shareholder value.

Supplying to, and located in, global markets the Group serves customers from facilities in Australia, India, Sweden, the UK and the USA, building a presence in international markets, where countries are upgrading or improving their infrastructure as their economies grow.

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Hong Kong & China Gas Co. (OTCMKTS:HOKCY  Get Free Report)s stock price traded down 7.1% during trading on Wednesday . The company traded as low as $0.84 and last traded at $0.84. 2,761 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 69% from the average session volume of 8,794 shares. The stock had previously closed at $0.9040.

Hong Kong & China Gas Stock Performance

The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $0.90 and a 200-day simple moving average of $0.89. The company has a current ratio of 0.63, a quick ratio of 0.55 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.61.

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Hedge Funds Weigh In On Hong Kong & China Gas

A hedge fund recently raised its stake in Hong Kong & China Gas stock. Rhumbline Advisers raised its holdings in shares of Hong Kong & China Gas Co. (OTCMKTS:HOKCY  Free Report) by 26.9% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 131,441 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 27,860 shares during the period. Rhumbline Advisers holdings in Hong Kong & China Gas were worth $107,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

About Hong Kong & China Gas

The Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited, commonly known as Towngas, is a long-established utility and energy services company founded in 1862. It is principally engaged in the production, distribution and sale of town gas and related energy products, serving residential, commercial and industrial customers. Towngas operates through an integrated model that covers gas production facilities, transmission and distribution networks, customer metering and billing, and after-sales services.

Core products and services include piped town gas for household and commercial use, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) distribution, gas appliances and fittings, and engineering, installation and maintenance services.

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WMG Financial Advisors LLC reduced its position in shares of iShares Silver Trust (NYSEARCA:SLV  Free Report) by 51.8% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 8,350 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 8,986 shares during the period. WMG Financial Advisors LLCs holdings in iShares Silver Trust were worth $538,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. Rialto Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of iShares Silver Trust during the 4th quarter worth about $33,000. Bangor Savings Bank acquired a new stake in shares of iShares Silver Trust during the 4th quarter worth about $38,000. American National Bank & Trust boosted its stake in shares of iShares Silver Trust by 96.7% during the 4th quarter. American National Bank & Trust now owns 590 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $38,000 after purchasing an additional 290 shares during the last quarter. Daytona Street Capital LLC acquired a new stake in shares of iShares Silver Trust during the 4th quarter worth about $41,000. Finally, Westside Investment Management Inc. boosted its stake in shares of iShares Silver Trust by 23.4% during the 4th quarter. Westside Investment Management Inc. now owns 686 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $44,000 after purchasing an additional 130 shares during the last quarter.

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iShares Silver Trust Price Performance

iShares Silver Trust stock opened at $68.49 on Wednesday. iShares Silver Trust has a 12-month low of $29.04 and a 12-month high of $109.83. The stock has a market capitalization of $38.77 billion, a P/E ratio of -8.51 and a beta of 0.52. The firms 50-day moving average is $71.24 and its two-hundred day moving average is $63.89.

iShares Silver Trust Profile

iShares Silver Trust (the Trust) owns silver transferred to the Trust in exchange for shares issued by the Trust. The Trusts each share represents a fractional undivided beneficial interest in its net assets. The assets of the Trust consist of silver held by the Trusts custodian on behalf of the Trust. The activities of the Trust are limited to issuing baskets of shares in exchange for the silver deposited with the custodian as consideration, selling silver as necessary to cover the sponsors fee, Trust expenses not assumed by the sponsor and other liabilities, and delivering silver in exchange for baskets of shares surrendered for redemption.

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Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SLV? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares Silver Trust (NYSEARCA:SLV  Free Report).

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TOKYO, April 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Global Health Innovative Technology (GHIT) Fund announced today a total investment of approximately JPY 1.37 billion (USD 8.5 million1) in five R&D projects for the development of drugs for malaria and neglected tropical diseases (NTDs).2

Investment of approx. JPY 700 million (USD 4.4 million1) for preclinical development of an antimalarial drug

Malaria is a serious infectious disease that affects more than 280 million people and claims approximately 610,000 lives worldwide each year. Over 95% of all malaria cases occur in Africa, with more than 75% of those affected being children under the age of 5.3 Countermeasures against Plasmodium falciparum malaria, which has a particularly high case fatality rate, and Plasmodium vivax malaria, which is prevalent in Southeast Asia and the Americas, are an urgent priority. To end the epidemics of malaria, new drugs with novel modes of action which overcome known resistance associated with existing therapeutics are needed. It is crucial to develop compounds that can block transmission and be used for chemoprevention, acute treatment, and treatment of relapsing malaria are especially valuable to drive eradication.

To address this issue, the GHIT Fund is investing approximately JPY 700 million (USD 4.4 million1) in a global partnership aimed at the preclinical development of an antimalarial drug which could be used for treatment, chemoprevention or Single Encounter Radical Cure and Prophylaxis (SERCAP) of malaria. This project is being led by Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV), Tanabe Pharma Corporation in Japan, and the University of Georgia in the United States. The investment builds on a prior GHIT-supported project3 that received approximately JPY 600 million (USD 3.8 million1) between 2015 and 2025. Through this project, there is also the prospect of developing a longacting injectable that can provide three or more months of protection against recurrent Plasmodium vivax malaria.

Investment of approx. JPY 330 million (USD 2 million1) in global evaluation in Kenya, Senegal and India and regulatory registration for Eumycetoma

Eumycetoma is a severely neglected tropical disease that causes chronic, destructive infections, often leading to disability, amputation, loss of income, and social stigma. It affects tens of thousands of people in resource-constrained rural communities across Africa, Asia, and Latin America, with the highest burden reported in the so-called "mycetoma belt" between latitudes 15 S and 30 N. Although underreported, global estimates suggest that more than 100,000 people may be living with the disease, with thousands of new cases annually. Despite its significant impact, current treatments remain limited and are often toxic and poorly tolerated.

The GHIT Fund has been investing in a collaboration between Eisai Co., Ltd. and Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiatives (DNDi) to develop a treatment for mycetoma since 2017. This support began with a Phase II randomized clinical trial conducted in Sudan and, since 2023, has extended to supporting the registration of fosravuconazole based on the trial results as well as a cohort study providing controlled early access to fosravuconazole for patients with eumycetoma in Sudan. To the best of our knowledge, no drug for mycetoma has been evaluated through randomized controlled trials in patients diagnosed with the disease prior to the initiation of the GHIT Fund-supported trial in Sudan.

Building on the results obtained in the study, the GHIT Fund has decided to invest approximately JPY 330 million (USD 2 million1) in a project to conduct multi-country, openlabel clinical trials in Kenya, Senegal, and India to generate additional evidence for the WHO recommendation and regulatory registration of fosravuconazole for eumycetoma. The new trial will address limitations of the earlier study, including small sample size, singlecountry population, and limited pathogen diversity.

In addition, the GHIT Fund will invest a total of approximately JPY 340 million (approx. USD 2.1million1) in the following three R&D projects:

Prolyl tRNA synthetase inhibitors as a new antimalarial project led by MMV, GSK (GlaxoSmithKline Investigacion y Desarrollo, S.L.), and the University of Tokyo. Hit-to-Lead project for an antimalarial drug led by MMV and DAIICHI SANKYO COMPANY, LIMITED. Screening project for antimalarial drugs that inhibit Serine Hydroxymethyltransferase (SHMT) led by Eisai Co., Ltd. and MMV.

Please refer to Appendix 1 for detailed descriptions on these projects and their development stages.

As of March 31, 2026, there are 42 ongoing projects, including 20 discovery projects, 13 preclinical projects, and 9 clinical trials5 in the GHIT Fund's portfolio. The total amount of investments since 2013 is JPY 43.9 billion (USD 274 million1) (Appendix 2).

1 USD 1 = JPY 159.90, the approximate exchange rate on March 31, 2026.

2 These awarded projects were selected and approved as new investments from among proposals to RFP2023-001, RFP2025-001 and RFP2025-002 for the Target Research Platform, the Screening Platform, the Hit-to-Lead Platform, and the Product Development Platform, , which were open for applications from October 2022 to June 2025.

3 WHO: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/malaria

4 Project details: G2023-104 https://www.ghitfund.org/investment/portfoliodetail/detail/211/

G2018-202: https://www.ghitfund.org/investment/portfoliodetail/detail/136

H2016-101: https://www.ghitfund.org/investment/portfoliodetail/detail/93

S2014-212: https://www.ghitfund.org/investment/portfoliodetail/detail/56

5 This number includes projects in the registration phase.

The GHIT Fund is a Japan-based international public-private partnership (PPP) fund that was formed between the Government of Japan, multiple pharmaceutical companies, the Gates Foundation, Wellcome, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The GHIT Fund invests in and manages an R&D portfolio of development partnerships aimed at addressing neglected diseases, such as malaria, tuberculosis, and neglected tropical diseases, which afflict the world's vulnerable and underserved populations. In collaboration with global partners, the GHIT Fund mobilizes Japanese industry, academia, and research institutes to create new drugs, vaccines, and diagnostics for malaria, tuberculosis, and neglected tropical diseases.

https://www.ghitfund.org/

Appendix 1. Project Details

ID: G2025-102

Project Title Preclinical development of a target-based series with potential for treatment, SERCAP and chemoprevention of malaria. Collaboration Partners 1. Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) 2. Tanabe Pharma Corporation (Japan) 3. University of Georgia Disease Malaria Intervention Drug Stage Pre-clinical Awarded Amount JPY 698,830,300 (USD 4.4 million) Status Continued project Summary [Project objective] The key project aim is to complete the IND-enabling preclinical development studies on MMV172 targeting monthly single oral dose chemoprevention. The project will also continue to determine the efficacy of MMV172 in the primate model of relapsing P. vivax malaria to develop an understanding of the anti-hypnozoite PK/PD relationship required to determine if MMV172 also meets the dose criterion for SERCAP (Single Encounter Radical Cure and Prophylaxis) or, if necessary, to guide selection of alternative compounds from the series that may be better suited. The second aim of the project is to deliver one or more differentiated Late Lead(s) against a second target product profile; either an oral treatment for relapsing P.vivax malaria or a long-acting injectable for chemoprevention, depending on the outcome of profiling studies and the eventual indication for MMV172. Those compounds would be potential back-up if MMV172 is not meeting TPP (Target Product Profile) criteria.



[Project design]

A multi-disciplinary project team has been assembled, utilizing the inputs and diverse skills and experiences of experts in medicinal chemistry, biology, parasitology, pharmacokinetics, toxicology, formulation and scale-up chemistry. MMV will also draw on the know-how of its global network of scientific experts to support the activities and review the progress of the project. Starting with the confirmed Late Lead MMV172, the necessary candidate profiling and preclinical development studies will be performed to confirm the compound meets the desired candidate profile and has the necessary data package required to obtain authorization from regulatory authorities to progress into first in human study. Additional parasitology, efficacy, ADME and PK studies will be performed on other compounds to determine their potential to address attrition of MMV172 and/or to meet differentiated target product profiles, and to collect the necessary data package required to confirm them as new Late Lead(s). Project Detail https://www.ghitfund.org/investment/portfoliodetail/detail/258/en

ID: G2025-211

Project Title Global Evaluation and Registration of Fosravuconazole for Eumycetoma: Translating Research into Patient Impact Collaboration Partners 1. Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiatives (DNDi) 2. Eisai Co., Ltd. (Japan) Disease Mycetoma Intervention Drug Stage Clinical Phase III Awarded Amount JPY 331,404,733 (USD 2 million) Status Continued project Summary [Project objective] The project will generate clinical evidence across diverse endemic regions  Senegal, Kenya, and India  to confirm the efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetics of fosravuconazole, including against causative organisms beyond Madurella mycetomatis. This follows Phase II results showing good efficacy and a favorable safety profile of fosravuconazole and aims to generate further scientific evidence.



To support global introduction, the project will also implement a comprehensive regulatory strategy, including engagement under consideration with several agencies including the WHO and Swissmedic, and prepare for WHO Pre-Qualification (PQ).



[Project design]

A multi-country, open-label prospective clinical trial will be conducted in Kenya, Senegal, and India to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetics of fosravuconazole 200 mg in patients with eumycetoma. The trial uses a noncomparative, openlabel design developed in consultation with the WHO, to accelerate access to a promising therapy with advantages over currently available treatments. Participant recruitment will take approximately 12 months, followed by 12 months of treatment and followup for enrolled patients to ensure complete and reliable clinical data in line with ethical and scientific standards.



To support regulatory readiness, DNDi and Eisai will seek scientific advice from a stringent regulatory authority, currently planned with Swissmedic through the Marketing Authorisation for Global Health Products (MAGHP) procedure, which enables participation from endemic countries and the WHO PQ team. Together, DNDi and Eisai will develop a global regulatory strategy to facilitate WHO recommendation and registration in endemic countries, supported by early consultations with the WHO.



Project Detail https://www.ghitfund.org/investment/portfoliodetail/detail/263/en

ID: G2022-210

Project Title Prolyl tRNA Synthetase Inhibitors as New Antimalarials Collaboration Partners 1. Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) 2. GlaxoSmithKline Investigacion y Desarrollo, S.L. (GSK) 3. The University of Tokyo (Japan) Disease Malaria Intervention Drug Stage Lead Optimization Awarded Amount JPY183,557,100 (USD 1.1 million) Status Continued project Summary [Project objective] The ultimate objective of this drug discovery collaboration is to deliver a Preclinical Candidate which targets Plasmodium ProRS and meets MMV's candidate criteria for either prophylaxis (TCP-4) or treatment (TCP-1) shown here; https://www.mmv.org/frontrunner-templates. The objective of this two-year proposal is to initiate optimization of the lead pyridylpyrrolidones series to deliver a Late Lead which meets MMV's criteria for prophylaxis (TCP-4) and is endorsed by MMV ESAC for entry into candidate profiling studies. The Late Lead could be potentially considered for treatment (TCP-1) if the resistance profile of the late lead improves. In more detail the objectives of the lead optimization project aim to achieve: 1. Increased parasite potency (i.e. 3D7 EC50 < 10nM) 2. Improving the predicted pharmacokinetics in humans (according to MMVSola) such that the series is on track to deliver a late lead which meets the dose criteria for prophylaxis, i.e. a single dose <500mg for t>MIC for 7d (minimum) or a single dose <500mg for t>MIC for 28d (ideal). 3. Addressing the hERG inhibition 4. Confirming selectivity for Pf versus Hu ProRS >1000-fold according to appropriate functional biochemical and cellular assays 5. Determination of the parasitological profile, including rate of kill, potency against lab and clinical strains, efficacy in the SCID model, determination of resistance risk (MIR) etc. 6. Identification and mitigation of additional developability and safety risks; Ames, CYP inhibition, CMC.



[Project design] A multi-disciplinary drug discovery approach will be used by the project, utilizing the inputs and diverse skills of the project team which has expertise in medicinal chemistry, molecular modeling, parasitology, DMPK and pharmacometrics, toxicology, formulation and scale-up chemistry. Starting from the Early Lead, rational and systematic modifications will be made to further improve the overal properties based on state-of-the-art capabilities and data generated at MMV, GSK and the University of Tokyo. As the target of these molecules is an enzyme essential to the growth of the malaria parasite, and structural information is available, a structure-based drug design (SBDD) approach will be applied. Project Detail https://www.ghitfund.org/investment/portfoliodetail/detail/260/en

ID: H2025-102

Project Title Hit-to-Lead development of a series of Daiichi Sankyo inhibitors of the novel multi-lifecycle stage target PfPFN (Profilin). Collaboration Partners 1. Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) 2. DAIICHI SANKYO COMPANY, LIMITED (Japan) Disease Malaria Intervention Drug Stage Lead Identification Awarded Amount JPY 129,679,263 (USD 0.8 million) Status Continued project Summary [Project objective] The primary objective is to develop a compound series that meets GHIT HTLP/MMV Early Lead criteria. This includes demonstrating in vivo proof-of-concept efficacy and optimizing compounds for potency, stability, and drug-like properties suitable for further development.



[Project design]

The project involves iterative cycles of compound design, synthesis, and testing. The design strategy focuses on improving metabolic stability, maintaining high potency, and optimizing physicochemical properties. The team will explore scaffold modifications and structure-activity relationships (SAR) around key molecular positions to enhance drug-like characteristics while preserving efficacy. Project Detail https://www.ghitfund.org/investment/portfoliodetail/detail/261/en

ID: S2025-111

Project Title Targeting Malaria through Inhibition of Serine Hydroxymethyltransferase (SHMT) Collaboration Partners 1. Eisai Co., Ltd. (Japan) 2. Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) Disease Malaria Intervention Drug Stage Screening Awarded Amount JPY 26,589,376 (USD 0.17 million) Status New project Summary [Project objective] The primary objective of the project is to identify validated hit compounds that selectively inhibit the activity of plasmodial SHMT.



[Project design] TropIQ Health Sciences (TropIQ) will lead a primary screen of compounds from Eisai Co., Ltd.'s (Eisai) compound library using a probe-based biochemical assay. To confirm target selectivity of actives, counter-screening against human SHMT will subsequently be performed in the early stage of the project. Hits showing reproducible inhibition and selectivity of plasmodial SHMT over human SHMT will be further assessed using secondary assays. Confirmed hits will be further assessed by a series of secondary assays. Biochemical assays will be used to further validate actives and generate dose-response curves. To assess biological relevance, compounds will be tested against multiple malaria life cycle stages, including whole parasite asexual blood stage replication, gametocyte and liver stage assays. To exclude toxic compounds, cytotoxicity will be evaluated. All assays will be performed according to TropIQ's established protocols. Eisai, Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV), and TropIQ will review the top hits and assess for clusters of structurally related chemotypes to define chemical series for future work and to establish an early structure-activity relationship. Project Detail https://www.ghitfund.org/investment/portfoliodetail/detail/262/en

*All amounts are listed at an exchange rate of USD 1 = JPY 159.90, the approximate exchange rate on March 31, 2026.

Appendix 2. Investment Overview (as of March 31, 2026)

Investments to date

Total investments: JPY 43.9 billion (USD 274 million1)

Total invested projects: 146 (42 active projects and 104 completed projects)

To learn more about the GHIT Fund's investments, please visit

Investment Overview: https://www.ghitfund.org/investment/overview/en

Portfolio: https://www.ghitfund.org/investment/portfolio/en

Advancing Portfolio: https://www.ghitfund.org/investment/advancingportfolio/en

Clinical Candidates: https://www.ghitfund.org/investment/clinicalcandidates/en

For more information, contact:

Katy Lenard at +1-301-280-5719 or [email protected]

Eriko Mugitani at +81-36441-2032 or [email protected]

SOURCE GHIT Fund
Israel Discount Bank of New York bought a new stake in Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF (NYSEARCA:SPLV  Free Report) in the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor bought 23,364 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,669,000. Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF accounts for about 4.5% of Israel Discount Bank of New Yorks holdings, making the stock its 9th largest holding.

Several other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of SPLV. Bank of Montreal Can raised its position in Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF by 1,951.0% in the third quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 2,926,999 shares of the companys stock valued at $215,076,000 after purchasing an additional 2,784,291 shares during the last quarter. Bank of America Corp DE raised its position in Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF by 16.8% in the third quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 8,045,945 shares of the companys stock valued at $591,216,000 after purchasing an additional 1,156,550 shares during the last quarter. Two Sigma Investments LP raised its position in Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF by 301.0% in the third quarter. Two Sigma Investments LP now owns 1,442,700 shares of the companys stock valued at $106,010,000 after purchasing an additional 1,082,900 shares during the last quarter. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV raised its position in Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF by 683.2% in the third quarter. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV now owns 548,402 shares of the companys stock valued at $40,279,000 after purchasing an additional 478,382 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Ameriprise Financial Inc. raised its position in Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF by 26.6% in the second quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 2,016,453 shares of the companys stock valued at $147,348,000 after purchasing an additional 423,940 shares during the last quarter.

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Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF Trading Down 1.1%

Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF stock opened at $73.49 on Wednesday. The company has a market capitalization of $7.24 billion, a PE ratio of 24.11 and a beta of 0.61. Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF has a 12 month low of $69.63 and a 12 month high of $77.74. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $74.73 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $73.09.

About Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF

The Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF (SPLV) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the S&P 500 Low Volatility index. The fund tracks a volatility-weighted index of the 100 least-volatile stocks in the S&P 500. SPLV was launched on May 5, 2011 and is managed by Invesco.

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Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SPLV? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Invesco S&P 500 Low Volatility ETF (NYSEARCA:SPLV  Free Report).

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Jupiter Fund Management (LON:JUP  Get Free Report) had its target price boosted by research analysts at Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft from GBX 175 to GBX 180 in a research report issued to clients and investors on Wednesday,London Stock Exchange reports. The brokerage currently has a hold rating on the stock. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschafts price objective suggests a potential upside of 13.92% from the companys previous close.

Jupiter Fund Management Stock Performance

LON JUP traded up GBX 2.20 during trading hours on Wednesday, hitting GBX 158. The company had a trading volume of 2,371,865 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,021,847. Jupiter Fund Management has a 52 week low of GBX 67.90 and a 52 week high of GBX 214.50. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of GBX 174.69 and a 200 day simple moving average of GBX 165.05. The firm has a market capitalization of 793.13 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.83 and a beta of 1.37.

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Jupiter Fund Management (LON:JUP  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, February 26th. The company reported GBX 19.40 EPS for the quarter. Jupiter Fund Management had a return on equity of 11.49% and a net margin of 21.19%. On average, research analysts forecast that Jupiter Fund Management will post 8.5093781 earnings per share for the current year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

Jupiter Fund Management declared that its Board of Directors has approved a stock repurchase program on Wednesday, April 8th that authorizes the company to repurchase 0 shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the company to buy shares of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase programs are generally an indication that the companys leadership believes its shares are undervalued.

In related news, insider James Macpherson bought 30,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, February 27th. The stock was acquired at an average price of GBX 194 per share, for a total transaction of 58,200. Also, insider Matthew Beesley sold 308,933 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of GBX 188, for a total value of 580,794.04. Insiders sold a total of 569,285 shares of company stock worth $106,835,239 in the last quarter. 3.97% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

About Jupiter Fund Management

(Get Free Report)

Jupiter Fund Management Plc is a publicly owned investment manager. The firm manages mutual funds, hedge funds, client focused portfolios, and multi-manager products for its clients. It invests in the public equity markets across U.K., Europe and global emerging markets. The firm also invests in fixed income markets, fund of funds products, hedge funds, and absolute return funds. Jupiter Fund Management Plc was founded in 1985 and is based in London, United Kingdom.

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Kapitalo Investimentos Ltda bought a new position in shares of Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA  Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor bought 6,165 shares of the credit services providers stock, valued at approximately $3,519,000. Mastercard makes up approximately 0.7% of Kapitalo Investimentos Ltdas portfolio, making the stock its 22nd biggest position.

Other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Robbins Farley boosted its stake in shares of Mastercard by 50.0% during the 3rd quarter. Robbins Farley now owns 54 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $31,000 after acquiring an additional 18 shares in the last quarter. Tacita Capital Inc boosted its stake in shares of Mastercard by 50.0% during the 3rd quarter. Tacita Capital Inc now owns 57 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 19 shares in the last quarter. Foster Dykema Cabot & Partners LLC boosted its stake in shares of Mastercard by 250.0% during the 3rd quarter. Foster Dykema Cabot & Partners LLC now owns 56 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 40 shares in the last quarter. Dagco Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Mastercard by 200.0% during the 4th quarter. Dagco Inc. now owns 66 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $38,000 after acquiring an additional 44 shares in the last quarter. Finally, TruNorth Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Mastercard during the 3rd quarter worth about $46,000. 97.28% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Mastercard Trading Down 1.1%

Shares of Mastercard stock opened at $511.16 on Wednesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $455.86 billion, a PE ratio of 30.94, a P/E/G ratio of 1.66 and a beta of 0.83. Mastercard Incorporated has a twelve month low of $480.50 and a twelve month high of $601.77. The firms 50-day moving average price is $508.95 and its 200 day moving average price is $538.83. The company has a current ratio of 1.03, a quick ratio of 1.03 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.36.

Mastercard Announces Dividend

Mastercard ( NYSE:MA Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Thursday, January 29th. The credit services provider reported $4.76 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $4.24 by $0.52. Mastercard had a net margin of 45.65% and a return on equity of 203.92%. The business had revenue of $8.81 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $8.80 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $3.82 EPS. The businesss revenue was up 17.5% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Mastercard Incorporated will post 19.52 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 8th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, April 9th will be paid a $0.87 dividend. This represents a $3.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.7%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, April 9th. Mastercards dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 21.07%.

Key Headlines Impacting Mastercard

Here are the key news stories impacting Mastercard this week:

Positive Sentiment: Fresh research from Mastercard highlights strong consumer readiness to adopt everyday digital payments across Latin America & the Caribbean  a large growth runway for network volumes and new product adoption. Mastercard Study (BusinessWire)

Fresh research from Mastercard highlights strong consumer readiness to adopt everyday digital payments across Latin America & the Caribbean  a large growth runway for network volumes and new product adoption. Positive Sentiment: Mastercard is embedding a trust layer for AI agent payments (Agent Pay / Verifiable Intent integrations), positioning the network as a central facilitator for emerging AI-driven commerce  a potential competitive moat and new revenue vector. AI Agent Payment Push (Yahoo)

Mastercard is embedding a trust layer for AI agent payments (Agent Pay / Verifiable Intent integrations), positioning the network as a central facilitator for emerging AI-driven commerce  a potential competitive moat and new revenue vector. Positive Sentiment: Analyst views and thematic pieces (Zacks, Motley Fool coverage, MA vs PYPL comparisons) continue to highlight Mastercards network strength, high margins and durable growth profile versus fintech peers  supportive for medium-term investor sentiment. MA vs PYPL (Zacks)

Analyst views and thematic pieces (Zacks, Motley Fool coverage, MA vs PYPL comparisons) continue to highlight Mastercards network strength, high margins and durable growth profile versus fintech peers  supportive for medium-term investor sentiment. Neutral Sentiment: Industry identity-fraud research (supported by Mastercard) shows some stabilization in losses but rising new-account fraud and AI-enabled scams  a mixed signal: heightened security spending and product demand but also potential credit/fraud costs and consumer trust pressure. Fraud Study (Globe Newswire/Yahoo)

Industry identity-fraud research (supported by Mastercard) shows some stabilization in losses but rising new-account fraud and AI-enabled scams  a mixed signal: heightened security spending and product demand but also potential credit/fraud costs and consumer trust pressure. Neutral Sentiment: Valuation discussions and earnings previews are spotlighting whether current multiples fully reflect Mastercards central role in digital payments; such narratives can drive short-term trading volatility ahead of quarterly results. Valuation/Price Discussion (Yahoo)

Valuation discussions and earnings previews are spotlighting whether current multiples fully reflect Mastercards central role in digital payments; such narratives can drive short-term trading volatility ahead of quarterly results. Negative Sentiment: Ongoing legal/regulatory focus on card fees (Visa-Mastercard cases) remains a potential downside risk  adverse rulings or fee limitations could pressure revenue and margins. Card Fee Case (Yahoo)

Ongoing legal/regulatory focus on card fees (Visa-Mastercard cases) remains a potential downside risk  adverse rulings or fee limitations could pressure revenue and margins. Negative Sentiment: Recent short-term share weakness has been noted in market commentary (e.g., Zacks) as MA dipped more than the broader market today  likely reflecting profit-taking, valuation pressure and macro sentiment rather than a single negative company event. Why MA Dipped (Zacks)

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

MA has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. The Goldman Sachs Group reissued a buy rating and set a $739.00 target price on shares of Mastercard in a research note on Thursday, January 29th. Royal Bank Of Canada reissued an outperform rating and set a $656.00 target price on shares of Mastercard in a research note on Friday, January 30th. Tigress Financial increased their target price on shares of Mastercard from $730.00 to $735.00 and gave the stock a strong-buy rating in a research note on Friday, March 13th. Dbs Bank raised shares of Mastercard to a moderate buy rating in a research note on Friday, March 27th. Finally, Morgan Stanley raised their price target on shares of Mastercard from $665.00 to $678.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, January 30th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-two have assigned a Buy rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Buy and a consensus price target of $659.81.

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Mastercard Profile

(Free Report)

Mastercard Incorporated is a global payments technology company that operates a network connecting consumers, financial institutions, merchants, governments and businesses in more than 200 countries and territories. The company facilitates electronic payments and transaction processing for credit, debit and prepaid card products carrying the Mastercard brand, while also providing a range of payment-related services to issuers, acquirers and merchants. Its technology and network enable authorization, clearing and settlement of payments and support a broad set of use cases including point-of-sale, e-commerce and mobile payments.

Beyond core transaction processing, Mastercard offers a suite of value-added services such as fraud and risk management, identity and authentication tools, tokenization and digital wallet support, cross-border and commercial payment solutions, and data analytics and consulting services for merchants and financial partners.

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KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS lessened its stake in Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Free Report) by 3.5% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 686,499 shares of the healthcare product makers stock after selling 24,600 shares during the period. KLP Kapitalforvaltning ASs holdings in Abbott Laboratories were worth $86,011,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of ABT. Danica Pension Livsforsikringsaktieselskab acquired a new position in shares of Abbott Laboratories during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $185,640,000. Asset Management One Co. Ltd. raised its stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 2.4% during the 3rd quarter. Asset Management One Co. Ltd. now owns 858,834 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $115,032,000 after buying an additional 19,966 shares during the period. Nordea Investment Management AB raised its stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 6.1% during the 3rd quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB now owns 329,430 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $43,785,000 after buying an additional 18,974 shares during the period. AE Wealth Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 20.8% during the 3rd quarter. AE Wealth Management LLC now owns 65,504 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $8,774,000 after buying an additional 11,264 shares during the period. Finally, Mawer Investment Management Ltd. raised its stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 5.9% during the 3rd quarter. Mawer Investment Management Ltd. now owns 1,255,780 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $168,199,000 after buying an additional 70,122 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 75.18% of the companys stock.

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Trending Headlines about Abbott Laboratories

Here are the key news stories impacting Abbott Laboratories this week:

Positive Sentiment: UBS reaffirmed a buy rating on ABT (while trimming its target), keeping analyst support that underpins a constructive view of the stock. Article Title

UBS reaffirmed a buy rating on ABT (while trimming its target), keeping analyst support that underpins a constructive view of the stock. Positive Sentiment: Dividend-focused coverage highlights a near3% yield and argues the pullback could be a buy opportunity for income investors. This supports demand from dividend-seeking funds. Article Title

Dividend-focused coverage highlights a near3% yield and argues the pullback could be a buy opportunity for income investors. This supports demand from dividend-seeking funds. Positive Sentiment: Opinion pieces urging investors to buy the dip and comparing ABT favorably within medical devices highlight confidence in the companys longer-term fundamentals despite the recent pullback. Article Title

Opinion pieces urging investors to buy the dip and comparing ABT favorably within medical devices highlight confidence in the companys longer-term fundamentals despite the recent pullback. Positive Sentiment: Coverage noting ABT trades near its 52week low while analysts remain bullish frames the current level as potential upside from existing price targets, attracting value-oriented investors. Article Title

Coverage noting ABT trades near its 52week low while analysts remain bullish frames the current level as potential upside from existing price targets, attracting value-oriented investors. Positive Sentiment: Abbotts CancerGuard / multicancer early detection progress and new DETECT A outcomes add a strategic diagnostics growth narrative that could materially boost longterm revenue if commercial rollout scales. Article Title

Abbotts CancerGuard / multicancer early detection progress and new DETECT A outcomes add a strategic diagnostics growth narrative that could materially boost longterm revenue if commercial rollout scales. Neutral Sentiment: Optionsmarket flow has shown atypical activity, which some traders interpret as a bet on nearterm volatility  a signal worth monitoring but not a directional confirmation. Article Title

Optionsmarket flow has shown atypical activity, which some traders interpret as a bet on nearterm volatility  a signal worth monitoring but not a directional confirmation. Neutral Sentiment: Several brokers trimmed price targets (UBS 158135, Argus 140125, Leerink 119106) but many maintained buy/overweight stances  reducing nearterm upside expectations while keeping mediumterm support intact. Article Title Article Title Article Title

Several brokers trimmed price targets (UBS 158135, Argus 140125, Leerink 119106) but many maintained buy/overweight stances  reducing nearterm upside expectations while keeping mediumterm support intact. Negative Sentiment: Social and news summaries flagged that Q1 results beat estimates but management cut fullyear guidance (mild flu season, acquisition costs), which drove the postearnings selloff and remains the primary driver of todays weakness. Article Title

Social and news summaries flagged that Q1 results beat estimates but management cut fullyear guidance (mild flu season, acquisition costs), which drove the postearnings selloff and remains the primary driver of todays weakness. Negative Sentiment: Headline commentary that Barclays has lowered expectations adds to investor caution; cumulative PT trims and the guidance cut have weighed on sentiment and liquidity. Article Title

Abbott Laboratories Stock Down 3.3%

Shares of ABT opened at $92.83 on Wednesday. Abbott Laboratories has a 52-week low of $92.65 and a 52-week high of $139.06. The company has a market capitalization of $161.67 billion, a PE ratio of 26.00, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.60 and a beta of 0.79. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $107.21 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $118.00. The company has a quick ratio of 1.18, a current ratio of 1.58 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19.

Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, April 16th. The healthcare product maker reported $1.15 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.14 by $0.01. Abbott Laboratories had a return on equity of 17.71% and a net margin of 13.90%.The business had revenue of $11.16 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $10.99 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $1.09 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 7.8% on a year-over-year basis. Abbott Laboratories has set its FY 2026 guidance at 5.380-5.580 EPS and its Q2 2026 guidance at 1.250-1.310 EPS. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Abbott Laboratories will post 5.53 EPS for the current year.

Abbott Laboratories Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 15th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, April 15th will be paid a $0.63 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, April 15th. This represents a $2.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.7%. Abbott Laboratoriess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 70.59%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts recently commented on ABT shares. Bank of America reduced their price objective on Abbott Laboratories from $150.00 to $120.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Friday, April 17th. BTIG Research reissued a buy rating and issued a $131.00 price objective on shares of Abbott Laboratories in a research note on Friday, April 17th. Jefferies Financial Group reduced their price objective on Abbott Laboratories from $145.00 to $135.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Friday, April 17th. Sanford C. Bernstein reduced their price objective on Abbott Laboratories from $125.00 to $110.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Friday, April 17th. Finally, Leerink Partners reduced their price objective on Abbott Laboratories from $119.00 to $106.00 and set a market perform rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty have assigned a Buy rating and four have issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $120.35.

Read Our Latest Research Report on ABT

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Abbott Laboratories news, EVP Elizabeth C. Cushman sold 263 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, March 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $115.58, for a total value of $30,397.54. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 38,573 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,458,267.34. This trade represents a 0.68% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, VP John A. Jr. Mccoy sold 585 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, March 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $115.58, for a total value of $67,614.30. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president directly owned 24,628 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,846,504.24. This trade represents a 2.32% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 3,055 shares of company stock worth $353,097. 0.46% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Abbott Laboratories Company Profile

(Free Report)

Abbott Laboratories is a global healthcare company headquartered in Abbott Park, Illinois, that develops, manufactures and markets a broad portfolio of medical products and services. Founded in 1888, Abbott operates through multiple business areas that focus on diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and established pharmaceuticals. The company supplies hospitals, clinics, laboratories, retailers and direct-to-consumer channels with products intended to diagnose, treat and manage a wide range of health conditions.

In diagnostics, Abbott provides laboratory and point-of-care testing platforms and assays used to detect infectious diseases, chronic conditions and biomarkers; its Alinity family of instruments and rapid-test solutions are examples of this capability.

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Members Advisory Group LLC cut its holdings in shares of iShares Short Duration Bond Active ETF (BATS:NEAR  Free Report) by 97.6% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 6,023 shares of the companys stock after selling 244,229 shares during the period. iShares Short Duration Bond Active ETF makes up 0.1% of Members Advisory Group LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 26th biggest position. Members Advisory Group LLCs holdings in iShares Short Duration Bond Active ETF were worth $308,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of NEAR. Peapack Gladstone Financial Corp boosted its position in shares of iShares Short Duration Bond Active ETF by 142.1% during the second quarter. Peapack Gladstone Financial Corp now owns 185,057 shares of the companys stock valued at $9,456,000 after buying an additional 108,608 shares during the last quarter. Quantinno Capital Management LP purchased a new stake in shares of iShares Short Duration Bond Active ETF during the second quarter valued at $500,000. Ausdal Financial Partners Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of iShares Short Duration Bond Active ETF during the second quarter valued at $278,000. Jane Street Group LLC boosted its position in shares of iShares Short Duration Bond Active ETF by 205.6% during the second quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 45,100 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,305,000 after buying an additional 30,340 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Ameriprise Financial Inc. boosted its position in shares of iShares Short Duration Bond Active ETF by 22.3% during the second quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 918,189 shares of the companys stock valued at $46,891,000 after buying an additional 167,210 shares during the last quarter.

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iShares Short Duration Bond Active ETF Stock Down 0.1%

iShares Short Duration Bond Active ETF stock opened at $50.90 on Wednesday. iShares Short Duration Bond Active ETF has a one year low of $50.58 and a one year high of $51.37. The businesss fifty day moving average is $50.94 and its 200 day moving average is $51.09.

iShares Short Duration Bond Active ETF Profile

The iShares Short Maturity Bond ETF (NEAR) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in investment grade fixed income. The fund aims to maximize income and preserve capital using very short maturity, USD-denominated global fixed income securities in an actively-managed fund. NEAR was launched on Sep 25, 2013 and is managed by BlackRock.

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Mercedes-Benz Group (OTCMKTS:MBGAF  Get Free Report) is expected to be posting its resultson Wednesday, April 29th. Analysts expect the company to announce earnings of $1.64 per share and revenue of $36.4406 billion for the quarter.

Mercedes-Benz Group Price Performance

MBGAF stock opened at $59.78 on Wednesday. Mercedes-Benz Group has a 1 year low of $55.34 and a 1 year high of $72.81. The firm has a market capitalization of $63.96 billion, a PE ratio of 4.51 and a beta of 1.26. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $64.11 and a 200-day simple moving average of $66.43.

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About Mercedes-Benz Group

(Get Free Report)

Mercedes-Benz Group AG (OTCMKTS: MBGAF) is a German multinational automotive manufacturer principally known for the MercedesBenz brand of luxury passenger cars and vans. The company designs, produces and sells a broad spectrum of vehicles that includes compact cars, sedans, sport utilities, coupes, convertibles and light commercial vans, and it provides related aftermarket services and parts. In addition to vehicle manufacturing, the group delivers financing, leasing, insurance and mobility services through its financial-services arm.

MercedesBenz Group markets a portfolio of distinct marques and technology offerings, including MercedesBenz passenger vehicles, MercedesAMG high-performance models, MercedesMaybach luxury variants and the allelectric EQ family.

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MicroSectors FANG & Innovation 3x Leveraged ETN (NYSEARCA:BULZ  Get Free Report)s share price dropped 6% during mid-day trading on Monday . The stock traded as low as $28.59 and last traded at $27.9470. Approximately 606,106 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 74% from the average daily volume of 2,322,110 shares. The stock had previously closed at $29.72.

MicroSectors FANG & Innovation 3x Leveraged ETN Trading Up 8.2%

The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $21.40 and a 200 day simple moving average of $24.93. The stock has a market capitalization of $2.64 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 37.09 and a beta of 4.45.

MicroSectors FANG & Innovation 3x Leveraged ETN Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

The MicroSectors Solactive FANG & Innovation 3X Leveraged ETN (BULZ) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the Solactive FANG Innovation index. The fund tracks 3x the daily price movements of an equal-weighted index of US-listed technology companies. BULZ was launched on Aug 20, 2021 and is issued by REX Microsectors.

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Migdal Insurance & Financial Holdings Ltd. lifted its stake in Ormat Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:ORA  Free Report) by 155.8% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 886,526 shares of the energy companys stock after acquiring an additional 540,000 shares during the period. Ormat Technologies accounts for 0.8% of Migdal Insurance & Financial Holdings Ltd.s portfolio, making the stock its 28th largest position. Migdal Insurance & Financial Holdings Ltd. owned 1.46% of Ormat Technologies worth $97,935,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. RWC Asset Management LLP raised its position in shares of Ormat Technologies by 8.8% in the 3rd quarter. RWC Asset Management LLP now owns 136,101 shares of the energy companys stock worth $13,100,000 after acquiring an additional 11,063 shares in the last quarter. Retirement Systems of Alabama raised its position in shares of Ormat Technologies by 169.7% in the 3rd quarter. Retirement Systems of Alabama now owns 189,988 shares of the energy companys stock worth $18,286,000 after acquiring an additional 119,552 shares in the last quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. bought a new position in shares of Ormat Technologies in the 3rd quarter worth $3,738,000. AGF Management Ltd. bought a new position in shares of Ormat Technologies in the 3rd quarter worth $9,527,000. Finally, AEGON ASSET MANAGEMENT UK Plc bought a new position in shares of Ormat Technologies in the 3rd quarter worth $14,005,000. 95.49% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Ormat Technologies Trading Down 3.0%

Ormat Technologies stock opened at $108.30 on Wednesday. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $112.29 and a two-hundred day moving average of $112.98. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.79, a quick ratio of 0.75 and a current ratio of 0.81. Ormat Technologies, Inc. has a one year low of $70.42 and a one year high of $132.58. The stock has a market cap of $6.59 billion, a PE ratio of 53.88, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.89 and a beta of 0.80.

Ormat Technologies Announces Dividend

Ormat Technologies ( NYSE:ORA Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 25th. The energy company reported $0.67 EPS for the quarter, meeting analysts consensus estimates of $0.67. Ormat Technologies had a return on equity of 5.21% and a net margin of 12.52%.The company had revenue of $276.04 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $257.75 million. During the same period last year, the business posted $0.67 earnings per share. The firms revenue was up 19.6% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts anticipate that Ormat Technologies, Inc. will post 2.28 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, March 24th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, March 10th were paid a $0.12 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, March 10th. This represents a $0.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.4%. Ormat Technologiess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 23.88%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts have recently commented on ORA shares. TD Cowen reduced their price target on Ormat Technologies from $131.00 to $125.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Friday, February 27th. Jefferies Financial Group lowered Ormat Technologies from a buy rating to a hold rating and boosted their price target for the stock from $125.00 to $130.00 in a research report on Friday, February 13th. Citigroup upped their target price on Ormat Technologies from $110.00 to $128.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 18th. Roth Mkm set a $139.00 price target on Ormat Technologies in a research note on Wednesday, January 28th. Finally, Robert W. Baird decreased their price target on Ormat Technologies from $143.00 to $130.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Friday, February 27th. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Ormat Technologies presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $128.64.

View Our Latest Research Report on Ormat Technologies

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Ormat Technologies news, insider Jessica Woelfel sold 2,359 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $105.16, for a total value of $248,072.44. Following the completion of the sale, the insider directly owned 3,433 shares in the company, valued at approximately $361,014.28. This trade represents a 40.73% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Insiders sold 3,364 shares of company stock valued at $353,621 in the last three months. Company insiders own 0.56% of the companys stock.

About Ormat Technologies

(Free Report)

Ormat Technologies, Inc is a leading renewable energy company specializing in geothermal and recovered energy power plants. Through its vertically integrated business model, Ormat designs, develops, engineers, constructs, owns and operates clean energy projects worldwide. The companys core technology centers on the Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC), which converts heat from geothermal sources or industrial waste streams into sustainable electricity without combustion.

Ormats offering includes turnkey power plant solutions, proprietary ORC equipment and ongoing operations and maintenance services.

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Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. boosted its position in shares of Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE:WSM  Free Report) by 20.0% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 22,799 shares of the specialty retailers stock after buying an additional 3,797 shares during the quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd.s holdings in Williams-Sonoma were worth $4,072,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. True Wealth Design LLC raised its position in shares of Williams-Sonoma by 111.8% during the third quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 144 shares of the specialty retailers stock worth $28,000 after acquiring an additional 76 shares during the last quarter. Triumph Capital Management bought a new position in Williams-Sonoma in the third quarter valued at about $37,000. Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLC increased its position in Williams-Sonoma by 66.7% in the third quarter. Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLC now owns 220 shares of the specialty retailers stock worth $43,000 after purchasing an additional 88 shares during the period. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust increased its position in Williams-Sonoma by 57.2% in the third quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust now owns 228 shares of the specialty retailers stock worth $45,000 after purchasing an additional 83 shares during the period. Finally, Root Financial Partners LLC bought a new stake in Williams-Sonoma during the 3rd quarter worth about $48,000. 99.29% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Williams-Sonoma Trading Up 0.2%

Shares of WSM opened at $202.42 on Wednesday. The stock has a market cap of $24.09 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.87, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.55 and a beta of 1.58. Williams-Sonoma, Inc. has a 1 year low of $139.42 and a 1 year high of $222.00. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $193.11 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $192.99.

Williams-Sonoma Increases Dividend

Williams-Sonoma ( NYSE:WSM Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, March 18th. The specialty retailer reported $3.04 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.90 by $0.14. The company had revenue of $2.36 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.41 billion. Williams-Sonoma had a return on equity of 51.45% and a net margin of 13.94%.The companys revenue for the quarter was down 4.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $3.28 EPS. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Williams-Sonoma, Inc. will post 9.19 EPS for the current year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 22nd. Investors of record on Friday, April 17th will be issued a dividend of $0.76 per share. This is an increase from Williams-Sonomas previous quarterly dividend of $0.66. This represents a $3.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.5%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, April 17th. Williams-Sonomas dividend payout ratio is presently 29.83%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms have issued reports on WSM. Citigroup upped their target price on shares of Williams-Sonoma from $188.00 to $208.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Friday, March 6th. The Goldman Sachs Group raised shares of Williams-Sonoma from a neutral rating to a buy rating and boosted their price target for the stock from $185.00 to $218.00 in a research note on Monday, April 13th. Zelman & Associates upgraded shares of Williams-Sonoma from an underperform rating to a neutral rating and set a $205.00 price objective on the stock in a report on Thursday, January 29th. Barclays raised their price objective on shares of Williams-Sonoma from $180.00 to $186.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Friday, March 20th. Finally, TD Cowen lowered their target price on shares of Williams-Sonoma from $250.00 to $225.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Thursday, March 19th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have assigned a Buy rating and eight have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $209.56.

Check Out Our Latest Research Report on Williams-Sonoma

Insider Activity at Williams-Sonoma

In other news, CEO Laura Alber sold 20,000 shares of Williams-Sonoma stock in a transaction on Monday, March 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $183.04, for a total transaction of $3,660,800.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 786,537 shares of the companys stock, valued at $143,967,732.48. This trade represents a 2.48% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Karalyn Yearout sold 2,267 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, April 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $192.49, for a total transaction of $436,374.83. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 23,351 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,494,833.99. This trade represents a 8.85% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 71,370 shares of company stock worth $13,268,623. 1.10% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Williams-Sonoma Profile

(Free Report)

WilliamsSonoma, Inc is a specialty retailer focused on the home and culinary markets, best known for premium cookware, kitchen tools and home furnishings. The company traces its roots to a single cookware store founded by Chuck Williams in 1956 in Sonoma, California, and has evolved into a multibrand home furnishings and housewares business. Its merchandise mix spans cookware and kitchen electrics, tabletop and food prep items, furniture, bedding, lighting and decorative accessories designed for both everyday use and higherend interiors.

The company operates a portfolio of consumer brands that target distinct segments of the home market.

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Mohawk Industries (NYSE:MHK  Get Free Report) was downgraded by Robert W. Baird from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a note issued to investors on Tuesday,Zacks.com reports.

Several other brokerages also recently weighed in on MHK. Evercore set a $143.00 price target on Mohawk Industries in a report on Tuesday, February 17th. UBS Group reiterated a neutral rating and issued a $140.00 price target on shares of Mohawk Industries in a report on Monday, February 16th. Royal Bank Of Canada increased their price target on Mohawk Industries from $122.00 to $135.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a report on Tuesday, February 17th. Wall Street Zen downgraded Mohawk Industries from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Saturday, April 11th. Finally, Barclays reduced their price objective on Mohawk Industries from $121.00 to $96.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 8th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have given a Buy rating and ten have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $130.18.

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Mohawk Industries Trading Down 0.7%

Shares of NYSE MHK opened at $108.72 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.21, a quick ratio of 1.21 and a current ratio of 2.19. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $110.08 and its 200-day moving average price is $114.04. Mohawk Industries has a fifty-two week low of $94.56 and a fifty-two week high of $143.13. The company has a market cap of $6.65 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.36, a PEG ratio of 1.76 and a beta of 1.24.

Mohawk Industries (NYSE:MHK  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 12th. The company reported $2.00 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.98 by $0.02. Mohawk Industries had a return on equity of 6.80% and a net margin of 3.43%.The firm had revenue of $2.70 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.68 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $1.95 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 2.4% on a year-over-year basis. Mohawk Industries has set its Q1 2026 guidance at 1.750-1.850 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Mohawk Industries will post 9.43 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Mohawk Industries news, insider Suzanne L. Helen sold 5,658 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, March 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $105.19, for a total transaction of $595,165.02. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 61,935 shares in the company, valued at $6,514,942.65. This trade represents a 8.37% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In the last quarter, insiders sold 12,000 shares of company stock worth $1,246,336. Company insiders own 17.90% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of MHK. Root Financial Partners LLC purchased a new position in Mohawk Industries during the 3rd quarter worth $25,000. Bayforest Capital Ltd purchased a new position in Mohawk Industries during the 4th quarter worth $27,000. Global Retirement Partners LLC boosted its position in Mohawk Industries by 950.0% during the 4th quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC now owns 252 shares of the companys stock valued at $28,000 after acquiring an additional 228 shares in the last quarter. Transamerica Financial Advisors LLC boosted its position in Mohawk Industries by 216.1% during the 4th quarter. Transamerica Financial Advisors LLC now owns 275 shares of the companys stock valued at $30,000 after acquiring an additional 188 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Quent Capital LLC bought a new stake in Mohawk Industries during the 3rd quarter valued at $33,000. 78.98% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Mohawk Industries Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Mohawk Industries, Inc is a global flooring manufacturer that designs, produces and distributes a broad range of floor covering products for both residential and commercial applications. Headquartered in Calhoun, Georgia, the company traces its roots to 1878 and has expanded through a series of strategic acquisitions and organic growth initiatives. Over the decades, Mohawk has built a vertically integrated platform encompassing yarn manufacturing, fiber production, wood and laminate finishing, and ceramic tile fabrication, enabling tight control over product quality and supply chain efficiency.

The companys product portfolio includes residential and commercial carpet, ceramic and porcelain tile, laminate, wood and natural stone flooring, luxury vinyl, and innovative surface solutions.

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UN voices hope for U.S.-Iran talks resumption

Xinhua) 13:52, April 22, 2026

This photo taken on April 12, 2026 shows a street view in Islamabad, Pakistan. (Photo by Wang Shen/Xinhua)

UNITED NATIONS, April 21 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations hopes for the resumption of talks between the United States and Iran and the extension of the current ceasefire, a UN spokesman said Tuesday.

"Our firm hope is that the dialogue between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran will resume, that the ceasefire will be extended, and that diplomacy will be fully enacted," said Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

Guterres and his personal envoy for the Middle East conflict and its consequences, Jean Arnault, continue to engage in various communications, Dujarric said at a daily press briefing.

The two-week U.S.-Iran ceasefire will expire on Wednesday.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Fast-Growing Functional Food Brand Brings Wild-Harvested Sea Moss to America's Leading Natural Grocer

HOUSTON, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- True Sea Moss is excited to announce that its signature line of wild-harvested Sea Moss Gels is now available at select Whole Foods Market stores. This expansion brings three vibrant, flavor-forward gels to the supplement department, offering customers a convenient way to incorporate sea moss into their daily routines.

True Sea Moss Gels are available in 16oz glass jars and can be found on refrigerated or dry shelves within the supplement section. The launch features three distinct, chef-inspired flavor profiles:

Mango Pineapple: A tropical, real fruit sun-drenched blend that turns a daily ritual into a bright, refreshing escape.

Blue Spirulina Raspberry: A visually stunning real fruit fusion that balances tart berry notes with the deep earthiness of the sea.

real fruit fusion that balances tart berry notes with the deep earthiness of the sea. Strawberry: A classic, nostalgic flavor crafted with real fruit to provide a smooth, approachable way to enjoy sea moss.

"Bringing True Sea Moss to Whole Foods Market stores is a milestone that reflects our commitment to making ocean-sourced nutrition a seamless part of the modern lifestyle," said Ivan Tsvilik, Founder of True Sea Moss. "We've seen an incredible surge in demand as people return to nature for their daily wellness routines. By working with Whole Foods Market, we are making it easier than ever for consumers to find our gels right alongside their daily essentials."

True Sea Moss is committed to providing products that reflect the brand's dedication to quality and consciously sourced ingredients. By making these gels available at select Whole Foods Market stores, the brand continues its mission to make sea moss a familiar and accessible part of daily life.

Customers can find True Sea Moss at select Whole Foods Market locations today. To find a store near you, please visit the True Sea Moss location finder at trueseamoss.com/pages/store-locator.

True Sea Moss is a Houston-based wellness brand dedicated to bringing the raw power of the ocean to modern lifestyles. Founded on the belief that nature provides potent nourishment, the company specializes in high-quality, wild-harvested sea moss gels flavored with real fruit. As a rapidly growing brand in the functional food space, True Sea Moss is focused on transparent production practices and consciously sourced ingredients to ensure every jar delivers a premium experience. For more information, visit trueseamoss.com.

SOURCE True Sea Moss
M&T Bank Corp increased its position in shares of Molson Coors Beverage Company (NYSE:TAP  Free Report) by 16,111.2% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 1,499,699 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 1,490,448 shares during the quarter. M&T Bank Corp owned about 0.76% of Molson Coors Beverage worth $70,006,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. GoalVest Advisory LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Molson Coors Beverage during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Root Financial Partners LLC purchased a new stake in Molson Coors Beverage in the third quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC raised its position in Molson Coors Beverage by 64.2% in the second quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 565 shares of the companys stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 221 shares during the period. IFP Advisors Inc raised its position in Molson Coors Beverage by 134.2% in the third quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 787 shares of the companys stock valued at $38,000 after purchasing an additional 451 shares during the period. Finally, Geneos Wealth Management Inc. raised its position in Molson Coors Beverage by 32.9% in the first quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 800 shares of the companys stock valued at $49,000 after purchasing an additional 198 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 78.46% of the companys stock.

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Molson Coors Beverage Stock Down 1.6%

Molson Coors Beverage stock opened at $43.59 on Wednesday. Molson Coors Beverage Company has a twelve month low of $41.04 and a twelve month high of $59.54. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $45.77 and its 200-day simple moving average is $46.59. The company has a current ratio of 0.55, a quick ratio of 0.42 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37. The firm has a market capitalization of $8.19 billion, a P/E ratio of -4.02 and a beta of 0.50.

Molson Coors Beverage Increases Dividend

Molson Coors Beverage ( NYSE:TAP Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 18th. The company reported $1.21 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.17 by $0.04. The business had revenue of $2.03 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.71 billion. Molson Coors Beverage had a positive return on equity of 9.04% and a negative net margin of 16.41%.The companys revenue was down 2.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $1.30 earnings per share. Molson Coors Beverage has set its FY 2026 guidance at 4.607-4.823 EPS. As a group, equities analysts expect that Molson Coors Beverage Company will post 4.77 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 20th. Investors of record on Friday, March 6th were paid a dividend of $0.48 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, March 6th. This is an increase from Molson Coors Beverages previous quarterly dividend of $0.47. This represents a $1.92 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.4%. Molson Coors Beverages payout ratio is presently -17.70%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of brokerages have issued reports on TAP. Weiss Ratings reissued a sell (d) rating on shares of Molson Coors Beverage in a research report on Friday, March 27th. Bank of America lowered Molson Coors Beverage from a neutral rating to an underperform rating and cut their price objective for the stock from $50.00 to $42.00 in a research report on Wednesday, February 25th. Zacks Research raised Molson Coors Beverage from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, April 13th. Needham & Company LLC cut their price objective on Molson Coors Beverage from $54.00 to $52.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, February 19th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft cut their price objective on Molson Coors Beverage from $45.00 to $41.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, March 30th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eleven have issued a Hold rating and four have assigned a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $47.47.

Read Our Latest Analysis on TAP

Insider Activity at Molson Coors Beverage

In other news, Director Andrew Thomas Molson bought 2,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 9th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $46.67 per share, for a total transaction of $93,340.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director owned 24,654 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,150,602.18. This trade represents a 8.83% increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Insiders own 2.27% of the companys stock.

Molson Coors Beverage Profile

(Free Report)

Molson Coors Beverage Company is a leading multinational brewing and beverage enterprise formed through the 2005 merger of Canadas Molson and the United States Coors. The company develops, markets and distributes an array of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, focusing primarily on beer and ready-to-drink products. Its portfolio spans flagship brands such as Coors Light, Molson Canadian and Miller Lite, alongside craft-style offerings like Blue Moon and global imports including Carling and Staropramen.

In addition to its core beer business, Molson Coors has expanded into adjacent categories to capture evolving consumer tastes.

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NVR, Inc. (NYSE:NVR  Get Free Report)s stock price gapped down prior to trading on Wednesday after the company announced weaker than expected quarterly earnings. The stock had previously closed at $6,933.50, but opened at $6,640.24. NVR shares last traded at $6,484.8380, with a volume of 3,358 shares trading hands.

The construction company reported $67.76 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $79.97 by ($12.21). NVR had a return on equity of 34.28% and a net margin of 13.27%.

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NVR announced that its Board of Directors has authorized a stock repurchase plan on Wednesday, February 11th that allows the company to buyback $750.00 million in shares. This buyback authorization allows the construction company to purchase up to 3.3% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback plans are typically a sign that the companys board of directors believes its shares are undervalued.

Key Headlines Impacting NVR

Positive Sentiment: Bank of America cut its price target to $8,225 but kept a buy rating, signaling continued analyst conviction and implying ~18% upside from current levels. Bank of America lowers NVR price target

Bank of America cut its price target to $8,225 but kept a buy rating, signaling continued analyst conviction and implying ~18% upside from current levels. Neutral Sentiment: Investing.com highlights that NVRs upcoming/nearby results were in focus because the homebuilder faces margin pressure  useful context for traders watching gross margin, mortgagebanking performance and backlog trends. NVR earnings in focus

Investing.com highlights that NVRs upcoming/nearby results were in focus because the homebuilder faces margin pressure  useful context for traders watching gross margin, mortgagebanking performance and backlog trends. Neutral Sentiment: Zacks earnings preview warned NVR lacked the setup for an earnings beat and expected a decline, setting a cautious backdrop investors were already pricing in before results. Zacks earnings preview

Zacks earnings preview warned NVR lacked the setup for an earnings beat and expected a decline, setting a cautious backdrop investors were already pricing in before results. Negative Sentiment: NVR reported Q1 (ended March 31, 2026) net income of $198.4 million, or $67.76 per diluted share. That EPS figure is materially below several recent sellside/preview figures cited by outlets (e.g., Zacks prior Q1 expectations), which pressured the stock as investors reassess nearterm profitability. NVR Q1 results PR Newswire

NVR reported Q1 (ended March 31, 2026) net income of $198.4 million, or $67.76 per diluted share. That EPS figure is materially below several recent sellside/preview figures cited by outlets (e.g., Zacks prior Q1 expectations), which pressured the stock as investors reassess nearterm profitability. Negative Sentiment: Zacks Research has trimmed EPS forecasts across multiple quarters and fiscal years (Q1Q2 2026 and FY2026FY2028), lowering near and mediumterm earnings expectations and adding downward pressure to the shares. This broad cut in estimates increases the risk that consensus earnings will need further revision. MarketBeat summary of analyst revisions

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Here are the key news stories impacting NVR this week:

A number of research analysts recently commented on NVR shares. Bank of America reduced their price target on NVR from $8,600.00 to $8,225.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Monday. Wall Street Zen upgraded NVR from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Saturday, January 31st. Truist Financial cut their target price on NVR from $7,700.00 to $7,100.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, April 16th. Seaport Research Partners reiterated a sell rating and set a $5,664.00 target price on shares of NVR in a research note on Tuesday, April 7th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c+) rating on shares of NVR in a research report on Thursday, January 22nd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, one has assigned a Buy rating and five have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $7,953.67.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on NVR

Insider Activity

In other NVR news, CAO Matthew B. Kelpy sold 500 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $8,100.00, for a total transaction of $4,050,000.00. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer owned 208 shares in the company, valued at $1,684,800. This represents a 70.62% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, Director Susan Williamson Ross sold 200 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $7,922.06, for a total value of $1,584,412.00. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 386 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,057,915.16. This represents a 34.13% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Over the last three months, insiders sold 1,120 shares of company stock valued at $9,012,736. 8.60% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On NVR

A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in NVR. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System bought a new stake in NVR during the first quarter valued at $659,000. OP Asset Management Ltd bought a new position in shares of NVR in the 1st quarter worth about $1,990,000. Amiral Gestion boosted its holdings in shares of NVR by 7.7% in the 1st quarter. Amiral Gestion now owns 2,582 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $17,015,000 after buying an additional 185 shares during the period. Cidel Asset Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of NVR in the 1st quarter valued at about $204,000. Finally, BI Asset Management Fondsmaeglerselskab A S grew its position in shares of NVR by 112.8% during the 1st quarter. BI Asset Management Fondsmaeglerselskab A S now owns 266 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $1,753,000 after buying an additional 141 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 83.67% of the companys stock.

NVR Trading Down 7.0%

The firm has a market cap of $17.94 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.67, a P/E/G ratio of 2.48 and a beta of 1.07. The businesss 50-day moving average is $6,949.11 and its two-hundred day moving average is $7,308.06. The company has a current ratio of 6.21, a quick ratio of 3.71 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.24.

About NVR

(Get Free Report)

NVR, Inc is a U.S.-based homebuilding and mortgage banking company that designs, constructs and sells single-family detached homes, townhomes and condominiums. The company operates primarily through its homebuilding business and a mortgage banking subsidiary, providing financing and related closing services to its homebuyers. NVRs homebuilding activities include land development, community planning, model home sales and construction management aimed at a range of buyer demographics.

Its homes are marketed under recognizable regional brands, including Ryan Homes and NVHomes, along with other market-specific trade names, and are offered across multiple geographic markets in the United States.

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Oxford Instruments PLC (OTCMKTS:OXINF  Get Free Report) gapped up prior to trading on Wednesday . The stock had previously closed at $33.45, but opened at $38.00. Oxford Instruments shares last traded at $38.00, with a volume of 4,375 shares trading hands.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research firms have recently weighed in on OXINF. Jefferies Financial Group reiterated a hold rating on shares of Oxford Instruments in a research report on Tuesday, April 14th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reiterated a buy rating on shares of Oxford Instruments in a research note on Friday, January 16th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy.

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Oxford Instruments Price Performance

Oxford Instruments Company Profile

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.07, a quick ratio of 1.34 and a current ratio of 1.77. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $32.64 and its 200 day simple moving average is $28.27.

(Get Free Report)

Oxford Instruments plc, founded in 1959 as a spin-out from the University of Oxford, is a leading developer and manufacturer of high-technology tools and systems for industry and research. Headquartered in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, the company leverages expertise in materials science, superconducting technology and precision engineering to deliver solutions that enable scientific discovery and industrial innovation.

The companys offerings span a range of analytical and measurement techniques, including electron microscopy accessories, X-ray fluorescence and X-ray diffraction systems for materials characterization, as well as helium-free superconducting magnets for quantum research.

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Regional Management Corp. (NYSE:RM  Get Free Report) major shareholder Fund L.P. Forager sold 15,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, April 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $39.68, for a total value of $595,200.00. Following the sale, the insider owned 959,263 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $38,063,555.84. This represents a 1.54% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Large shareholders that own more than 10% of a companys stock are required to disclose their transactions with the SEC.

Fund L.P. Forager also recently made the following trade(s):

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On Tuesday, April 21st, Fund L.P. Forager sold 5,788 shares of Regional Management stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $40.18, for a total value of $232,561.84.

On Friday, April 17th, Fund L.P. Forager sold 7,173 shares of Regional Management stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $38.56, for a total value of $276,590.88.

On Thursday, April 16th, Fund L.P. Forager sold 12,827 shares of Regional Management stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $38.48, for a total value of $493,582.96.

On Wednesday, April 15th, Fund L.P. Forager sold 17,602 shares of Regional Management stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $38.06, for a total value of $669,932.12.

On Tuesday, April 14th, Fund L.P. Forager sold 7,398 shares of Regional Management stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $38.02, for a total value of $281,271.96.

Regional Management Trading Down 3.9%

Shares of NYSE:RM opened at $38.23 on Wednesday. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $33.79 and a 200 day moving average of $36.74. The company has a market cap of $356.64 million, a PE ratio of 8.59 and a beta of 1.03. The company has a current ratio of 49.92, a quick ratio of 49.92 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.40. Regional Management Corp. has a 12-month low of $26.06 and a 12-month high of $46.00.

Regional Management Dividend Announcement

Regional Management ( NYSE:RM Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 4th. The credit services provider reported $1.30 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.23 by $0.07. The company had revenue of ($165.49) million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $167.90 million. Regional Management had a return on equity of 12.12% and a net margin of 6.88%.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 12th. Investors of record on Thursday, February 19th were paid a dividend of $0.30 per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, February 19th. This represents a $1.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.1%. Regional Managements payout ratio is 26.97%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms have weighed in on RM. Wall Street Zen downgraded Regional Management from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research note on Saturday, February 7th. Zacks Research upgraded Regional Management from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, January 5th. Finally, Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c+) rating on shares of Regional Management in a research note on Monday, December 29th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating, According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $30.00.

Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on RM

Institutional Trading of Regional Management

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Hillsdale Investment Management Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Regional Management during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $3,707,000. CWM LLC raised its holdings in shares of Regional Management by 43.7% during the 3rd quarter. CWM LLC now owns 1,065 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $41,000 after acquiring an additional 324 shares in the last quarter. Legato Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Regional Management during the 4th quarter worth approximately $455,000. LSV Asset Management raised its holdings in shares of Regional Management by 7.7% during the 4th quarter. LSV Asset Management now owns 338,832 shares of the credit services providers stock worth $13,130,000 after acquiring an additional 24,232 shares in the last quarter. Finally, State of Alaska Department of Revenue purchased a new stake in shares of Regional Management during the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. 98.89% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Regional Management

(Get Free Report)

Regional Management Corp., headquartered in Wilmington, North Carolina, is a consumer finance company specializing in installment loan products for underbanked individuals. Since its founding in 1977, the company has developed a network of field-based branches alongside a digital platform to offer credit solutions in rural and small-town markets across the United States.

The companys core offerings include consumer installment loans for everyday purchases, auto refinancing and lease buyouts, as well as ancillary services such as insurance referrals.

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Getinge (OTCMKTS:GNGBY  Get Free Report) and Zicix (OTCMKTS:ZICXD  Get Free Report) are both medical companies, but which is the better business? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their risk, analyst recommendations, dividends, institutional ownership, profitability, valuation and earnings.

Valuation and Earnings

This table compares Getinge and Zicixs gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

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Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Getinge $3.57 billion 1.61 $230.87 million $0.86 24.52 Zicix N/A N/A N/A ($100.14) -0.01

Profitability

Getinge has higher revenue and earnings than Zicix. Zicix is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Getinge, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

This table compares Getinge and Zicixs net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Getinge 6.54% 10.60% 5.47% Zicix N/A N/A N/A

Risk and Volatility

Getinge has a beta of 1.1, suggesting that its stock price is 10% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Zicix has a beta of 0.53, suggesting that its stock price is 47% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of recent recommendations and price targets for Getinge and Zicix, as reported by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Getinge 0 1 1 0 2.50 Zicix 0 0 0 0 0.00

Summary

Getinge beats Zicix on 9 of the 9 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Getinge

(Get Free Report)

Getinge AB (publ) provides products and solutions for operating rooms, intensive-care units, and sterilization departments. The company operates through Acute Care Therapies, Life Science, and Surgical Workflows segments. It offers extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, mechanical ventilation, mechanical circulatory support, advanced patient monitoring, ICU infrastructure equipment, patient flow management, and drainage solutions. The company also provides surgical perfusion, endoscopic vessel harvesting, intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation, and drainage solutions; and operating room infrastructure equipment, anesthesia, advanced patient monitoring, operating room management, and operating room integration solutions. In addition, it offers pre-cleaning, cleaning and disinfection, sterilization, consumables, endoscope reprocessing, and sterile supply management solutions; connected medical devices; bioreactor systems, DPTE systems, Getinge isolators, terminal sterilization products, and sterilizers; and vivarium, biohazardous materials handling solutions, labware cleaning and sterilization, upstream bioprocessing, and bioreactor preparation solutions. It offers its products through a network of sales companies, as well as through agents and distributors in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia and Pacific. Getinge AB (publ) was founded in 1904 and is headquartered in Gothenburg, Sweden.

About Zicix

(Get Free Report)

Zicix Corporation, through its subsidiary, Texas Mobile Health, Inc., provides diagnostic medical imaging services in Houston, Texas. It offers cardiac diagnostic services, including echocardiogram, stress testing, carotid ultrasound, and halter and event monitoring services; medical services, such as general medical care, medical care for home health patients, general and immigration physicals, weight reduction, cold laser pain relief treatment, physical therapy, and anti-aging treatment; and MRI, CT, and X-Ray services. The company was formerly known as Bederra Corporation and changed its name to Zicix Corporation on February 8, 2011. Zicix Corporation was founded in 1979 and is based in Houston, Texas.

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Ruffer LLP grew its position in shares of Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA  Free Report) by 25.0% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 481,064 shares of the specialty retailers stock after purchasing an additional 96,178 shares during the period. Alibaba Group accounts for about 3.2% of Ruffer LLPs investment portfolio, making the stock its 7th largest position. Ruffer LLPs holdings in Alibaba Group were worth $70,624,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. Ameriflex Group Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Alibaba Group by 101.4% during the 3rd quarter. Ameriflex Group Inc. now owns 143 shares of the specialty retailers stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 72 shares during the last quarter. Mather Group LLC. purchased a new stake in Alibaba Group in the 3rd quarter valued at about $30,000. Foster Dykema Cabot & Partners LLC purchased a new stake in Alibaba Group in the 3rd quarter valued at about $30,000. NBT Bank N A NY grew its holdings in Alibaba Group by 231.5% in the 3rd quarter. NBT Bank N A NY now owns 179 shares of the specialty retailers stock valued at $32,000 after buying an additional 125 shares during the period. Finally, Palisade Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in Alibaba Group in the 3rd quarter valued at about $37,000. 13.47% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Alibaba Group Stock Down 3.5%

Shares of NYSE:BABA opened at $135.27 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.22, a quick ratio of 1.33 and a current ratio of 1.33. Alibaba Group Holding Limited has a 1 year low of $103.71 and a 1 year high of $192.67. The stock has a market capitalization of $323.54 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.52, a PEG ratio of 2.52 and a beta of 0.50. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $136.46 and a 200-day simple moving average of $153.15.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Alibaba Group ( NYSE:BABA Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Saturday, February 14th. The specialty retailer reported $0.13 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Alibaba Group had a return on equity of 7.43% and a net margin of 9.12%.The business had revenue of $40.71 billion during the quarter. Equities analysts forecast that Alibaba Group Holding Limited will post 4.39 earnings per share for the current year.

Several research firms have commented on BABA. Weiss Ratings cut Alibaba Group from a buy (b-) rating to a hold (c+) rating in a report on Friday, February 27th. Morgan Stanley lowered their price target on Alibaba Group from $200.00 to $180.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Thursday, January 8th. Barclays lowered their price target on Alibaba Group from $190.00 to $186.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, April 14th. Arete Research upgraded Alibaba Group from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $190.00 price target for the company in a report on Wednesday, January 21st. Finally, Susquehanna lowered their price target on Alibaba Group from $190.00 to $170.00 and set a positive rating for the company in a report on Thursday, March 26th. Sixteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $187.68.

Read Our Latest Stock Report on BABA

Key Alibaba Group News

Here are the key news stories impacting Alibaba Group this week:

Alibaba Group Profile

(Free Report)

Alibaba Group Holding Limited is a Chinese multinational conglomerate founded in 1999 in Hangzhou, China, by Jack Ma and a group of cofounders. The company built its business around internet-based commerce and related services and has grown into one of the largest e-commerce and technology companies in the world. Alibaba completed a highprofile initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange in 2014.

The company operates a portfolio of online marketplaces and platforms serving different customer segments: Alibaba.com for global and domestic B2B trade, Taobao for consumer-to-consumer shopping, and Tmall for brand and retailer storefronts targeted at Chinese consumers.

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Sandvik (OTCMKTS:SDVKY  Get Free Report) released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday. The industrial products company reported $0.36 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.34 by $0.02, Zacks reports. Sandvik had a return on equity of 16.94% and a net margin of 12.16%.

Sandvik Price Performance

SDVKY stock opened at $42.25 on Wednesday. The company has a current ratio of 1.94, a quick ratio of 1.02 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38. The company has a market capitalization of $53.00 billion, a P/E ratio of 34.92, a PEG ratio of 1.65 and a beta of 1.52. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $40.83 and a 200-day simple moving average of $35.46. Sandvik has a twelve month low of $19.31 and a twelve month high of $44.53.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms recently weighed in on SDVKY. Zacks Research cut Sandvik from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, February 16th. Jefferies Financial Group cut shares of Sandvik from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Sunday, January 25th. Barclays restated an overweight rating on shares of Sandvik in a report on Wednesday, February 25th. Citigroup downgraded shares of Sandvik from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, April 13th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group reissued a sell rating on shares of Sandvik in a research report on Thursday, April 9th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have given a Buy rating, six have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Sandvik currently has a consensus rating of Hold.

Sandvik Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Sandvik (OTCMKTS: SDVKY) is a global engineering group headquartered in Sandviken, Sweden, with roots dating back to 1862 when it was founded by Goran Fredrik Goransson. The company designs, manufactures and services advanced products and solutions for the mining and construction industries, metalworking and material technology markets. Sandvik serves customers worldwide with a broad portfolio of industrial products, equipment and aftermarket services.

Sandviks core activities span three broad areas: metal-cutting and machining solutions, mining and rock excavation equipment, and specialty materials and components.

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SL Green Realty (NYSE:SLG  Get Free Report) had its price target upped by analysts at Truist Financial from $44.00 to $46.00 in a report issued on Wednesday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage presently has a hold rating on the real estate investment trusts stock. Truist Financials price target would indicate a potential upside of 5.72% from the stocks previous close.

Other equities analysts have also issued reports about the company. Evercore reaffirmed an outperform rating and set a $46.00 price target on shares of SL Green Realty in a research note on Friday. Zacks Research raised SL Green Realty from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 25th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised SL Green Realty from a hold rating to a buy rating and reduced their price objective for the stock from $45.00 to $44.00 in a research note on Wednesday, March 18th. Barclays reduced their price objective on SL Green Realty from $54.00 to $43.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, February 26th. Finally, Scotiabank set a $52.00 price objective on SL Green Realty and gave the stock a sector outperform rating in a research note on Friday, March 13th. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, nine have issued a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $51.15.

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SL Green Realty Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE SLG opened at $43.51 on Wednesday. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $38.61 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $44.64. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.19, a quick ratio of 2.66 and a current ratio of 3.03. The firm has a market cap of $3.10 billion, a P/E ratio of -17.34 and a beta of 1.61. SL Green Realty has a 1 year low of $34.77 and a 1 year high of $66.91.

SL Green Realty (NYSE:SLG  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 28th. The real estate investment trust reported $1.13 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.10 by $0.03. The firm had revenue of $159.82 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $162.73 million. SL Green Realty had a negative return on equity of 4.06% and a negative net margin of 15.77%.The firms quarterly revenue was up 14.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company posted $1.81 EPS. Research analysts forecast that SL Green Realty will post 4.64 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On SL Green Realty

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Quent Capital LLC bought a new stake in shares of SL Green Realty during the 3rd quarter worth $27,000. Salomon & Ludwin LLC acquired a new stake in shares of SL Green Realty in the third quarter worth $29,000. Whittier Trust Co. acquired a new stake in shares of SL Green Realty in the third quarter worth $29,000. Triumph Capital Management acquired a new stake in shares of SL Green Realty in the third quarter worth $45,000. Finally, Davis Capital Management acquired a new stake in shares of SL Green Realty in the first quarter worth $46,000. 89.96% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About SL Green Realty

(Get Free Report)

SL Green Realty Corp. (NYSE: SLG) is a publicly traded real estate investment trust (REIT) focused primarily on the acquisition, management and development of commercial office properties in Manhattan. As one of New York Citys largest office landlords, the companys portfolio includes Class A office buildings and mixed-use projects located in prime Midtown and Downtown submarkets. SL Green generates revenue through leasing office space to a diverse mix of tenants spanning financial services, technology, media and professional services firms.

Founded in 1980 by real estate investor Stephen L.

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TABR Capital Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Enersys (NYSE:ENS  Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor bought 29,607 shares of the industrial products companys stock, valued at approximately $4,345,000. Enersys comprises approximately 1.1% of TABR Capital Management LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 27th biggest position. TABR Capital Management LLC owned approximately 0.08% of Enersys as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Invesco Ltd. increased its stake in Enersys by 5.9% in the 3rd quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 1,158,838 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $130,902,000 after buying an additional 64,503 shares during the last quarter. First Trust Advisors LP boosted its stake in shares of Enersys by 9.4% during the 3rd quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 965,026 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $109,009,000 after buying an additional 82,944 shares during the last quarter. New South Capital Management Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Enersys by 22.6% during the 3rd quarter. New South Capital Management Inc. now owns 857,600 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $96,874,000 after buying an additional 158,267 shares during the last quarter. Boston Partners grew its holdings in shares of Enersys by 4.7% in the 3rd quarter. Boston Partners now owns 680,174 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $76,973,000 after acquiring an additional 30,767 shares in the last quarter. Finally, AQR Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Enersys by 30.3% in the 3rd quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 652,128 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $72,986,000 after acquiring an additional 151,589 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 94.93% of the companys stock.

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Enersys Stock Down 0.7%

Enersys stock opened at $198.51 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.61, a current ratio of 2.75 and a quick ratio of 1.72. The companys 50-day moving average is $175.05 and its 200-day moving average is $156.02. The firm has a market capitalization of $7.32 billion, a PE ratio of 24.60, a P/E/G ratio of 1.11 and a beta of 1.07. Enersys has a fifty-two week low of $76.60 and a fifty-two week high of $202.74.

Enersys Dividend Announcement

Enersys ( NYSE:ENS Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, February 4th. The industrial products company reported $2.77 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.73 by $0.04. The business had revenue of $919.10 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $932.13 million. Enersys had a net margin of 8.37% and a return on equity of 21.27%. Enersyss revenue was up 1.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business posted $3.12 EPS. Enersys has set its Q4 2026 guidance at 2.950-3.050 EPS. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Enersys will post 10.35 earnings per share for the current year.

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 27th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 13th were paid a dividend of $0.2625 per share. This represents a $1.05 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.5%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, March 13th. Enersyss payout ratio is currently 13.01%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research firms recently issued reports on ENS. Wall Street Zen lowered Enersys from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a report on Saturday, January 31st. Roth Mkm restated a buy rating and issued a $208.00 price target (up from $164.00) on shares of Enersys in a research note on Tuesday, February 3rd. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a buy (b) rating on shares of Enersys in a research report on Tuesday, January 27th. TD Cowen assumed coverage on Enersys in a research note on Thursday, March 19th. They set a buy rating and a $190.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, BTIG Research increased their price objective on Enersys from $175.00 to $185.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Thursday, February 5th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Enersys has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $180.25.

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Enersys Company Profile

(Free Report)

Enersys, headquartered in Reading, Pennsylvania, is a global leader in stored energy solutions, specializing in manufacturing and distributing industrial batteries, battery chargers, power equipment, and related accessories. The company serves a diverse range of end markets, including telecommunications, data centers, medical, aerospace, defense, electric vehicle motive power, and utility outcomes. Its products are engineered to deliver critical reserve power and motive power applications across key infrastructure and industrial sectors.

The companys product portfolio encompasses lead-acid batteries, lithium-ion energy storage systems, chargers, inverters, power management software, and a broad array of battery accessories.

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UPM-Kymmene Oyj (OTCMKTS:UPMMY  Get Free Report) is expected to release its resultson Wednesday, April 29th. Analysts expect UPM-Kymmene Oyj to post earnings of $0.4011 per share and revenue of $2.8931 billion for the quarter.

UPM-Kymmene Oyj Stock Performance

Shares of UPMMY opened at $30.93 on Wednesday. UPM-Kymmene Oyj has a 1-year low of $25.11 and a 1-year high of $33.04. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $30.99 and its 200 day simple moving average is $28.87.

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About UPM-Kymmene Oyj

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UPM-Kymmene Oyj, trading in the United States under the ticker UPMMY, is a Finland-based company operating in the forest industry with a broad portfolio of renewable and recyclable products. Established through the 1996 merger of Kymmene Corporation and Repola Ltd, UPM has developed from a traditional paper and pulp producer into a diversified bioeconomy leader. Headquartered in Helsinki, the company employs thousands of professionals worldwide and is led by President and CEO Jussi Pesonen, who has been at the helm since 2004.

UPMs core operations span multiple business segments, including UPM Biorefining, which produces pulp, paper, and renewable energy; UPM Raflatac, specializing in self-adhesive label materials; and UPM Specialty Papers, offering coated and uncoated paper grades for commercial printing and industrial use.

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Senior Director of Program Deployment Hillary Halpern and Director of Admissions and Evaluations Monterey Sims to welcome attendees and outline goals for the April convening

PHOENIX, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- University of Phoenix is pleased to share that senior leaders from the institution will deliver the welcome and opening remarks at the Postsecondary Electronic Standards Council (PESC) April 2026 Data Summit, held April 22-23 in New Orleans, La., helping set the tone for two days of shared learning and collaboration across the higher education data community.

The opening session will feature Hillary Halpern, senior director of program deployment at University of Phoenix and PESC Program Committee chair, alongside Monterey Sims, director of admissions and evaluations at University of Phoenix and PESC Board chair. Together, Halpern and Sims will formally open the Summit, introduce its goals, and recognize the collective efforts of the PESC community in advancing data standards and practices across postsecondary education.

"PESC brings together leaders who are focused on advancing how data informs and improves the education ecosystem and learner success," said Sims. "Opening the Summit with this community is an opportunity to acknowledge that shared responsibility and to reinforce the collaborative approach required to move this work forward."

PESC Data Summit focuses on data standards and interoperability

Twice per year, the PESC Data Summit brings together leaders from higher education institutions, technology providers, and policy organizations to explore key issues related to data standards, interoperability, and collaboration. The opening remarks will prepare attendees for two days of discussion focused on practical engagement, community connection, and shared understanding.

"The Summit is where critical conversations about data, policy and practice come together," said Halpern. "What makes PESC's work distinctive is its focus on alignment across institutions and systems, and on the practical decisions that ultimately affect learners. Convening this community sets an important tone for the discussions ahead."

Halpern to lead sessions on AI and standards in higher education

In addition to delivering the opening remarks alongside Sims, Halpern is a featured speaker at the event will lead a session titled "Embedding AI in the Learning Environment: Data Standardization to Support Scale." The session will explore how early integration of AI tools in learning management systems can support users while identifying opportunities to better address student needs. She will also join a panel discussion titled "Standards in AI: A Critical Partnership," that explores the impact of AI on data standards and AI in higher education.

Halpern has been with University of Phoenix for 19 years and currently serves as the Senior Director of Program Deployment, where she has leveraged her in-depth insights from her student support and process improvement background to develop, improve, and maintain the University Program Lifecycle (UPL) process. Recognized with the "Rookie of the Year" examiner award in 2017 from Southwest Alliance of Excellence (SWAE), she has served as a lead examiner for the SWAE and as a speaker on process improvement at regional and national conferences. Halpern has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Arizona State University, and a Master of Business Administration and Graduate Certificate in Human Resource Management from University of Phoenix. She recently co-authored a University of Phoenix white paper on establishing a skills ecosystem at a career-focused higher education institution.

Sims serves as a Director of Admissions and Evaluation at the University of Phoenix and volunteers on the Postsecondary Electronic Standards Council (PESC) Board of Directors. During her 30-year career at the University, she has participated in a variety of process improvement initiatives including the implementation of Electronic Transcript Exchange (ETX) and Electronic Data Interchange (EDI). Sims is directly responsible for the Office of Admissions Document Processing division which includes overseeing the acquisition and processing of admission documents and transcripts from prior attended institutions for University applicants. She also serves on the AACRAO Standardization of Postsecondary Education Record Electronic Data Exchange (SPEEDE) Committee and the eTrans California Steering Committee.

University of Phoenix leaders at national conferences

Halpern and Sims are key members of the University of Phoenix's dynamic leadership team, which is frequently invited to share their expertise at prestigious national conferences and events. In the coming months, University leaders will participate in the AACRAO Annual Meeting, ASU + GSV Summit, 1EdTech Learning Impact Conference, SXSW EDU Conference, and PESC Data Summit. These engagements underscore the University's commitment to innovation and thought leadership in higher education, providing valuable insights and fostering collaborations that drive the future of learning.

About University of Phoenix

University of Phoenix is Built for Real Life. 50 Years Strong. The University innovates to help working adults enhance their careers and develop skills in a rapidly changing world through flexible online learning, relevant courses, academic AI pillars, and skills-mapped curriculum for associate, bachelor's and master's degree programs. Active students and alumni have access to Career Services for Life resources including career guidance and tools. For more information, visit phoenix.edu.

SOURCE University of Phoenix
Volta Finance Limited (LON:VTA  Get Free Report)s share price hit a new 52-week low during trading on Monday . The stock traded as low as GBX 5.53 and last traded at GBX 5.80, with a volume of 2285 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at GBX 5.68.

Volta Finance Stock Performance

The stock has a market capitalization of 209.24 million, a PE ratio of 4.65 and a beta of 0.29. The business has a 50 day moving average of GBX 6.01 and a two-hundred day moving average of GBX 6.42.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, insider Joanne Peacegood acquired 1,055 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 2nd. The stock was purchased at an average cost of GBX 664 per share, for a total transaction of 7,005.20. Also, insider Stephen Le Page acquired 321 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 2nd. The shares were bought at an average price of GBX 664 per share, with a total value of 2,131.44. Corporate insiders own 0.41% of the companys stock.

Volta Finance Company Profile

Volta Finance Limited (the Company or Volta) is a closed-ended limited liability company registered in Guernsey under the Companies (Guernsey) Law, 2008 (as amended) with registered number 45747.

Voltas investment objectives are to seek to preserve capital across the credit cycle and to provide a stable stream of income to its Shareholders through dividends that it expects to distribute on a quarterly basis. Voltas investment strategy focuses on direct and indirect investments in, and exposures to, a variety of assets selected for the purpose of generating cash flows for the Company.

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FactSet Research Systems Inc. (NYSE:FDS  Free Report)  Analysts at Zacks Research raised their FY2026 earnings per share estimates for shares of FactSet Research Systems in a research note issued to investors on Tuesday, April 21st. Zacks Research analyst Team now expects that the business services provider will post earnings per share of $17.57 for the year, up from their prior forecast of $17.44. The consensus estimate for FactSet Research Systems current full-year earnings is $17.64 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for FactSet Research Systems Q4 2026 earnings at $4.27 EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at $4.74 EPS, Q2 2027 earnings at $4.61 EPS, Q3 2027 earnings at $4.80 EPS, Q4 2027 earnings at $5.03 EPS, FY2027 earnings at $19.19 EPS, Q1 2028 earnings at $5.16 EPS, Q2 2028 earnings at $5.26 EPS and FY2028 earnings at $21.33 EPS.

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FactSet Research Systems (NYSE:FDS  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, March 31st. The business services provider reported $4.46 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $4.37 by $0.09. FactSet Research Systems had a return on equity of 30.25% and a net margin of 24.48%.The business had revenue of $611.02 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $604.78 million. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $4.28 EPS. FactSet Research Systemss revenue for the quarter was up 7.1% on a year-over-year basis.

A number of other research analysts also recently weighed in on FDS. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on FactSet Research Systems from $195.00 to $200.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a report on Wednesday, April 1st. Barclays reduced their price target on FactSet Research Systems from $300.00 to $210.00 and set an underweight rating for the company in a research report on Monday, February 23rd. Bank of America began coverage on FactSet Research Systems in a research report on Tuesday, February 17th. They issued an underperform rating and a $195.00 price target for the company. Royal Bank Of Canada reduced their price target on FactSet Research Systems from $320.00 to $243.00 and set a sector perform rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, March 18th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a sell (d+) rating on shares of FactSet Research Systems in a research report on Friday, March 27th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, one has assigned a Buy rating, nine have assigned a Hold rating and six have given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Reduce and a consensus target price of $279.85.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on FDS

FactSet Research Systems Stock Performance

Shares of FDS stock opened at $240.73 on Wednesday. FactSet Research Systems has a 1-year low of $185.00 and a 1-year high of $474.79. The company has a current ratio of 1.43, a quick ratio of 1.43 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.64. The company has a market capitalization of $8.77 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.48, a P/E/G ratio of 2.05 and a beta of 0.73. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $213.04 and its 200-day simple moving average is $254.29.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On FactSet Research Systems

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. lifted its position in shares of FactSet Research Systems by 444,058.1% during the 4th quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 13,857,733 shares of the business services providers stock worth $4,021,376,000 after purchasing an additional 13,854,613 shares during the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its holdings in FactSet Research Systems by 2.2% in the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 4,932,382 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $1,413,078,000 after acquiring an additional 107,184 shares in the last quarter. Bamco Inc. NY raised its holdings in FactSet Research Systems by 58.8% in the 4th quarter. Bamco Inc. NY now owns 2,888,845 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $838,314,000 after acquiring an additional 1,069,786 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp raised its holdings in FactSet Research Systems by 1.2% in the 3rd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 1,961,231 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $561,873,000 after acquiring an additional 23,660 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Ninety One UK Ltd raised its holdings in FactSet Research Systems by 1.2% in the 3rd quarter. Ninety One UK Ltd now owns 1,206,890 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $345,762,000 after acquiring an additional 14,256 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 91.24% of the companys stock.

FactSet Research Systems Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 19th. Investors of record on Friday, February 27th were given a dividend of $1.10 per share. This represents a $4.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 27th. FactSet Research Systemss payout ratio is currently 28.30%.

Trending Headlines about FactSet Research Systems

Here are the key news stories impacting FactSet Research Systems this week:

Positive Sentiment: Zacks Research raised several quarterly and fullyear EPS estimates across 20262028 (examples: FY2027 to $19.19 from $18.89, FY2028 to $21.33 from $20.71; Q1 2028 to $5.16, Q2 2028 to $5.26). These upward revisions indicate improving analyst expectations for earnings growth, which can support the stocks move higher if results and guidance hold.

Zacks Research raised several quarterly and fullyear EPS estimates across 20262028 (examples: FY2027 to $19.19 from $18.89, FY2028 to $21.33 from $20.71; Q1 2028 to $5.16, Q2 2028 to $5.26). These upward revisions indicate improving analyst expectations for earnings growth, which can support the stocks move higher if results and guidance hold. Positive Sentiment: Zacks included FactSet as one of Buy These 3 Stocks for Solid Sales Growth alongside other names  a visibility boost from a major research house that can attract investor interest and flows. Buy These 3 Stocks for Solid Sales Growth As Markets Hit Record Highs

Zacks included FactSet as one of Buy These 3 Stocks for Solid Sales Growth alongside other names  a visibility boost from a major research house that can attract investor interest and flows. Neutral Sentiment: A Yahoo Finance valuation piece reviews FactSets valuation after a CFO transition and notes shifting shareprice performance  useful context that may temper enthusiasm until management changes are fully digested and valuation metrics stabilize. Investors should watch any further management commentary and updated guidance. FactSet Research Systems (FDS) Valuation Check After CFO Transition And Shifting Share Price Performance

FactSet Research Systems Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

FactSet Research Systems Inc operates as a global provider of integrated financial data and analytics to the investment community. Founded in 1978 and headquartered in Norwalk, Connecticut, the company offers a unified platform that aggregates content from thousands of sources, delivering real-time and historical market data, company fundamentals, estimates, fixed-income information and proprietary analytics to portfolio managers, research analysts, investment bankers and risk officers.

The companys core products include the FactSet Workstation, an application offering customizable screening, charting, portfolio analysis and news; APIs and data feeds for seamless integration into proprietary systems; and cloud-based solutions for thematic research and quantitative strategies.

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VAT Group (OTCMKTS:VACNY  Get Free Report) was upgraded by stock analysts at Zacks Research to a hold rating in a research report issued on Monday,Zacks.com reports.

VACNY has been the topic of several other research reports. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a hold rating on shares of VAT Group in a research report on Friday. Oddo Bhf lowered VAT Group to a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, January 22nd. Jefferies Financial Group downgraded VAT Group from a hold rating to a moderate sell rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 13th. Finally, Citigroup reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of VAT Group in a research note on Friday. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have issued a Buy rating and four have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, VAT Group presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy.

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VAT Group Trading Down 0.7%

About VAT Group

VAT Group stock traded down $0.50 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $74.57. The company had a trading volume of 1,469 shares, compared to its average volume of 14,242. VAT Group has a 12-month low of $31.99 and a 12-month high of $75.68. The companys fifty day moving average is $66.74 and its 200-day moving average is $55.76.

(Get Free Report)

VAT Group AG is a Switzerland-based manufacturer specializing in high-precision vacuum valves and related flow-control solutions for advanced technology industries. Its core products include gate valves, angle valves, slit valves and vacuum components designed to maintain ultra-high vacuum environments essential to semiconductor fabrication, flat-panel display manufacturing, scientific research and other industrial vacuum applications. In addition to standard product lines, VAT offers customized valve assemblies and integrated subsystems that address the stringent purity and reliability requirements of modern production processes.

Founded in 1965 and headquartered in Haag, Switzerland, VAT Group has grown into a global supplier serving customers across Europe, Asia and the Americas.

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Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank raised its stake in shares of MSCI Inc (NYSE:MSCI  Free Report) by 19.6% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 49,752 shares of the technology companys stock after purchasing an additional 8,141 shares during the quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank owned 0.07% of MSCI worth $28,544,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in MSCI. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. increased its holdings in shares of MSCI by 499.3% during the 3rd quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 874,882 shares of the technology companys stock worth $496,417,000 after purchasing an additional 728,900 shares during the period. Baillie Gifford & Co. increased its holdings in shares of MSCI by 91.8% during the 3rd quarter. Baillie Gifford & Co. now owns 691,554 shares of the technology companys stock worth $392,395,000 after purchasing an additional 331,040 shares during the period. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased its holdings in shares of MSCI by 36.0% during the 3rd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 1,069,180 shares of the technology companys stock worth $606,674,000 after purchasing an additional 282,859 shares during the period. Banque Pictet & Cie SA increased its holdings in shares of MSCI by 103.3% during the 4th quarter. Banque Pictet & Cie SA now owns 523,035 shares of the technology companys stock worth $300,081,000 after purchasing an additional 265,750 shares during the period. Finally, Bamco Inc. NY increased its holdings in shares of MSCI by 10.3% during the 3rd quarter. Bamco Inc. NY now owns 2,394,117 shares of the technology companys stock worth $1,358,446,000 after purchasing an additional 223,784 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 89.97% of the companys stock.

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Insider Activity at MSCI

In other MSCI news, CEO Henry A. Fernandez acquired 6,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 13th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $524.18 per share, for a total transaction of $3,145,080.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the chief executive officer directly owned 1,493,047 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $782,625,376.46. This represents a 0.40% increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CFO Andrew C. Wiechmann sold 450 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, March 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $560.00, for a total transaction of $252,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer owned 22,544 shares in the company, valued at $12,624,640. This represents a 1.96% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Corporate insiders own 3.76% of the companys stock.

MSCI Price Performance

MSCI opened at $597.03 on Wednesday. The company has a market cap of $43.86 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 38.05, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.28 and a beta of 1.30. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $549.15 and a 200 day simple moving average of $561.64. MSCI Inc has a fifty-two week low of $501.08 and a fifty-two week high of $626.28.

MSCI (NYSE:MSCI  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 21st. The technology company reported $4.55 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $4.38 by $0.17. MSCI had a net margin of 38.36% and a negative return on equity of 82.59%. The business had revenue of $850.80 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $830.91 million. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $4.00 earnings per share. MSCIs revenue was up 14.1% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, analysts expect that MSCI Inc will post 19.39 EPS for the current year.

MSCI Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 29th. Investors of record on Friday, May 15th will be issued a $2.05 dividend. This represents a $8.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.4%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 15th. MSCIs dividend payout ratio is currently 52.26%.

Key Headlines Impacting MSCI

Here are the key news stories impacting MSCI this week:

Positive Sentiment: Q1 results beat and margin expansion  MSCI reported adjusted EPS of $4.55 and revenue of $850.8M (y/y +14%), with operating and adjusted EBITDA margins improving; the results and commentary on recurring fees/index momentum are the core driver of the rally. Business Wire: Q1 Results

Q1 results beat and margin expansion  MSCI reported adjusted EPS of $4.55 and revenue of $850.8M (y/y +14%), with operating and adjusted EBITDA margins improving; the results and commentary on recurring fees/index momentum are the core driver of the rally. Positive Sentiment: Shareholder returns reinforced  company declared a $2.05 quarterly dividend (record May 15, pay May 29) and continues repurchases, which supports nearterm demand for the stock and signals management confidence. Quiver Quant: Capital Returns & Analysis

Shareholder returns reinforced  company declared a $2.05 quarterly dividend (record May 15, pay May 29) and continues repurchases, which supports nearterm demand for the stock and signals management confidence. Positive Sentiment: Bullish commentary on growth/retention  recent analyst and equityresearch pieces highlight record sales, high client retention and the compounder profile, which supports a longerterm growth thesis for investors focused on recurring revenue. Seeking Alpha: Record Sales / Buy Thesis

Bullish commentary on growth/retention  recent analyst and equityresearch pieces highlight record sales, high client retention and the compounder profile, which supports a longerterm growth thesis for investors focused on recurring revenue. Neutral Sentiment: External review keeps risk profile largely unchanged but adds a Regulation risk line  an external review referenced the 2025 10K and left the overall risk profile intact while adding a regulatory disclosure; this is disclosureheavy but not an immediate operational change. TipRanks: External Review / Risk Disclosure

External review keeps risk profile largely unchanged but adds a Regulation risk line  an external review referenced the 2025 10K and left the overall risk profile intact while adding a regulatory disclosure; this is disclosureheavy but not an immediate operational change. Neutral Sentiment: Analyst targets and insider activity mixed  recent analyst price targets skew above todays levels (median ~$685) and insider buying has been notable, supporting sentiment, but institutional portfolio moves have been varied; useful context but not an immediate catalyst. Quiver Quant: Analyst Targets & Insider Activity

Analyst targets and insider activity mixed  recent analyst price targets skew above todays levels (median ~$685) and insider buying has been notable, supporting sentiment, but institutional portfolio moves have been varied; useful context but not an immediate catalyst. Negative Sentiment: Indonesia review extended and curbs maintained  MSCI has delayed or extended its review of Indonesian market reforms and is keeping index treatment/curbs in place, which can delay index inclusions and related passive inflows for affected names and creates some regional index uncertainty. Reuters: Indonesia Review Extended

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms have recently issued reports on MSCI. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price objective on shares of MSCI from $618.00 to $545.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 1st. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reaffirmed a buy rating and set a $715.00 price objective on shares of MSCI in a research note on Thursday, January 29th. Barclays reissued an overweight rating on shares of MSCI in a research note on Thursday, January 29th. Evercore increased their price target on shares of MSCI from $655.00 to $690.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, January 29th. Finally, Raymond James Financial reissued a strong-buy rating and set a $730.00 price target on shares of MSCI in a research note on Tuesday. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have given a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, MSCI has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $668.11.

View Our Latest Report on MSCI

MSCI Profile

(Free Report)

MSCI Inc is a global provider of investment decision support tools and services for the financial industry. The company is best known for its family of market indexes, which are widely used as benchmarks by asset managers and as the basis for exchange-traded funds and other passive products. In addition to index construction and licensing, MSCI offers portfolio analytics, risk models, factor and performance attribution tools, and a suite of data and technology solutions designed to support portfolio management and trading.

Beyond traditional indexing and risk analytics, MSCI has expanded into environmental, social and governance (ESG) research and ratings, offering data, scores and screening tools that help investors integrate sustainability considerations into investment processes.

See Also

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MSCI? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for MSCI Inc (NYSE:MSCI  Free Report).

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RINCON, Ga., April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Virginia Transformer today held an official groundbreaking ceremony on a major expansion at its Georgia Transformer (GTC) manufacturing facility in Rincon, Georgia, marking the latest investment in the company's growing production capacity for large power transformers and further solidifying its long-held position of having the shortest lead times for customers.

The project follows the company's announcement in November 2025 outlining plans to expand the Rincon facility. Construction teams have moved beyond initial site preparation and into active expansion work, with project completion slated for March 2027.

Virginia Transformer is expanding its Rincon, Georgia facility, expanding jobs by 400 and capacity 50 percent. Post this

In addition to Virginia Transformer CEO, Prabhat Jain, speakers at the ceremony included Georgia Speaker John Burns; Pat Wilson, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development; and Matt Saxon, Effingham County Economic Development Chair. Also in attendance were members of the Virginia Transformer Board of Directors, customers, supplier/partners, other elected officials and community leaders, along with Georgia Transformer employees and management.

The Rincon expansion will create approximately 400 new jobs and increase the facility's production capacity 50 percent. The project includes the installation of advanced manufacturing equipment and upgrades, as well as expanded on-site material handling systems.

Mr. Jain said this digital manufacturing plant will offer online project status with a real-time view to customers; an apprenticeship program for technicians; and an automated warehouse to deliver material to point of use. Jain added that the company's reputation for engineering excellence and industry-leading delivery times continue to drive its expansion efforts.

"Virginia Transformer is the largest U.S.-owned producer of power transformers in North America, and we've been able to grow the past 50-plus years through an unwavering focus on delivering for our customers," said Prabhat Jain, Virginia Transformer CEO. "This is the latest in a continued series of expansion investments in facilities all over North America.

"We are known throughout the industry for being an engineering company that makes premium-quality transformers with the shortest lead timesdesigned for 60-year life. This investment for our customers will further underscore that position, and we plan to grow even further to serve our customers," said Jain.

"The growth of this facility is creating even more high-quality jobs and opportunities for hardworking Georgians in an industry that also supports our ever-expanding and reliable energy grid," said Governor Brian P. Kemp. "We are excited to see this new chapter in the company's story of success here in the Peach State, and I want to congratulate both their team and Effingham County for making today possible."

"Today's groundbreaking marks an important milestone for Effingham County and reinforces the strength of our manufacturing sector," said Matt Saxon, Chairman of the Effingham County Industrial Development Authority. "Georgia Transformer's investment and creation of over 400 high-wage, high-skill jobs reflects both the growing demand for energy infrastructure and the confidence companies have in our workforce and community. We are grateful for Virginia Transformer's continued commitment and look forward to the opportunities this expansion will create for our residents."

Georgia Transformer serves all customers across utilities, data centers, renewable energy, industrial, mining, oil and gas, commercial, institutional, specialty, in US and Canada markets. The plant makes a wide range of transformers, from 2 MVA up to 500MVA with an installed capacity of 150,000 MVA. Georgia Transformer is committed to delivering high-quality, reliable products with great customer service. To learn more, visit vatransformer.com.

SOURCE Virginia Transformer
New managed security and AI concierge services mark the latest milestone in $1billion strategic partnership

LAS VEGAS, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Cloud Next '26 -- Today Vodafone Business and Google Cloud announce an expansion of their strategic partnership with two new solutions to equip small-and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) with advanced cybersecurity and agentic AI.

Next-generation managed detection and response (MDR)

Vodafone Business is launching a new managed detection and response (MDR) service enabled by Google Security Operations. It will enhance protection for customers from increasingly frequent and sophisticated cyber threats.

The solution brings together Google's global security analytics and AI-driven threat intelligence, alongside Vodafone's expertise in serving the SMB market across Europe, allowing businesses to identify and mitigate threats in real-time. The service is scheduled for an inaugural launch in Germany  adhering to the region's stringent data protection standards  before rolling out across additional European markets later this year.

Vodafone Business AI Concierge built with Gemini

Vodafone is also introducing Vodafone Business AI Concierge with Google Gemini  the first in a suite of planned agentic AI solutions. Built on Google Cloud's Gemini Enterprise Agent Platform and Gemini models, AI Concierge is a multi-modal, AI agent, including voice and data, designed to operate autonomously within a business environment.

AI Concierge leverages Vodafone's low-latency connectivity to engage naturally with customers, answer inquiries, and book appointments. By handling these critical but repetitive tasks, the solution  which will be available in Germany and Greece  ensures SMBs never miss a lead, even outside of standard business hours  allowing owners to focus on higher-value growth activities.

"Vodafone Business is helping millions of SMBs unlock the power of AI without the complexity or risk," said Fanan Henriques, Vodafone Business Product and International Business Director. "By combining our network and support with Google Cloud's AI expertise, we're making advanced, secure AI practical for everyday business use  starting with innovations like AI Concierge, one of the first telephony integrations with Gemini."

"Small businesses are the backbone of the global economy, yet they are often the most underserved when it comes to cutting-edge tech," said Oliver Parker, vice president, global generative AI, Google Cloud. "Together with Vodafone Business, we are changing that. By combining our Gemini models and enterprise-grade security expertise with Vodafone's deep connectivity and customer reach, we are giving SMBs the tools they need to stay protected and remain competitive in a rapidly evolving digital landscape."

The announcement is a key milestone in the landmark $1 billion, ten-year strategic partnership signed between the two companies in October 2024. The collaboration aims to accelerate digital transformation for millions of customers by combining Vodafone's extensive European and African reach with Google Cloud's industry-leading AI and security platforms.

About Vodafone Group

Vodafone is a leading European and African telecoms company. We serve over 360 million mobile and broadband customers, operating networks in 15 countries with investments in a further five and partners in over 40 more. We have capacity on more than 70 subsea cable systems  the backbone of the internet  and we are developing a new direct-to-mobile satellite communications service to connect areas without coverage. Vodafone runs one of the world's largest IoT platforms, with over 230 million connections globally, and we provide financial services to around 94 million customers across seven African countries  managing more transactions than any other provider. From the seabed to the stars, Vodafone's purpose is to keep everyone connected. For more information, please visit www.vodafone.com follow us on X at @VodafoneGroup or connect with us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/vodafone.

About Google Cloud

Google Cloud offers a powerful, optimized AI stack  including AI infrastructure, leading models like Gemini, data management capabilities, multicloud security solutions, developer tools and platform, as well as agents and applications  that enables organizations to transform their business for the Agentic Era. Customers in more than 200 countries and territories turn to Google Cloud as their trusted technology partner.

SOURCE Google Cloud
SHANGHAI, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- As the global water sector moves toward smarter, greener and more efficient development, WATERTECH CHINA 2026 ,organized by Herui Group, will return from June 911, 2026 at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), bringing together technology providers, industry leaders and end users from across the world.

WATERTECH CHINA 2026: 18th Shanghai International Water Show, June 9-11, at NECC Shanghai

As the 18th edition of the event, WATERTECH CHINA 2026 will cover 180,000 square meters, feature 2,500+ exhibitors, and welcome 100,000+ professional visitors from 175 countries and regions. Serving 28 end-user industries, the show continues to be one of the most influential B2B platforms for sourcing solutions, tracking market trends and building international partnerships across the water sector.

Among the highlights of this year's program are two major forums designed to turn industry attention into onsite participation and high-value business exchange.

The Digital Water Innovation Summit will explore how AI, digital twins, 5G and IoT are accelerating the transformation of municipal and industrial water management. The summit will focus on practical digital applications that improve monitoring, operating efficiency and infrastructure decision-making.

Another key event, the 9th Industrial Water Leaders Forum (IWLF), taking place on June 9, will bring together leading experts and companies to discuss industrial water policy trends, market developments, and practical treatment solutions for high-water-consuming sectors. Supported by Global Water Intelligence (GWI) and Ecolab, the forum will spotlight membrane technologies, advanced oxidation processes, low-carbon treatment pathways, and resource recovery strategies for industries such as petroleum and chemicals.

To further support international participation, WATERTECH CHINA 2026 will also offer targeted matchmaking programs, technical roadshows and curated B2B meetings, helping attendees connect more efficiently with exhibitors, solution providers and project decision-makers. Visa support and invitation letters will be available for overseas visitors. In addition, upcoming releases will introduce the show's onsite 20+ innovative thematic zonessuch as the Digital Water Pavilion and the Filtration & Separation Zonehighlighting cutting-edge technologies and emerging trends across the water industry.

Early pre-registration is now open on the official website. Water professionals seeking new technologies, market insight and global business connections are encouraged to register in advance and secure their visit to one of the industry's most important meeting points in Asia.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2961780/WATERTECH_CHINA_2026_18th_Shanghai_International_Water_Show_June_9_11.jpg
Clarity Financial LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ  Free Report) by 697.0% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 471,127 shares of the cell phone carriers stock after acquiring an additional 412,018 shares during the quarter. Verizon Communications comprises approximately 1.8% of Clarity Financial LLCs holdings, making the stock its 25th biggest holding. Clarity Financial LLCs holdings in Verizon Communications were worth $19,189,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

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A number of other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. State Street Corp lifted its stake in shares of Verizon Communications by 3.5% during the third quarter. State Street Corp now owns 215,490,064 shares of the cell phone carriers stock worth $9,470,788,000 after purchasing an additional 7,276,809 shares in the last quarter. Capital World Investors grew its stake in shares of Verizon Communications by 51.1% in the third quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 14,512,228 shares of the cell phone carriers stock valued at $637,812,000 after buying an additional 4,905,101 shares in the last quarter. Danske Bank A S acquired a new stake in shares of Verizon Communications in the third quarter valued at about $161,346,000. AQR Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Verizon Communications by 50.4% during the 3rd quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 8,848,766 shares of the cell phone carriers stock valued at $385,983,000 after buying an additional 2,965,033 shares during the period. Finally, Credit Agricole S A acquired a new position in Verizon Communications during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $76,631,000. 62.06% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Hans Erik Vestberg sold 200,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $49.61, for a total value of $9,922,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 145,069 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,196,873.09. The trade was a 57.96% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, EVP Joseph J. Russo sold 9,579 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $44.88, for a total value of $429,905.52. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 44,045 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,976,739.60. This represents a 17.86% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 218,148 shares of company stock worth $10,780,356. 0.10% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Verizon Communications Price Performance

VZ stock opened at $46.31 on Wednesday. The stocks 50 day moving average is $49.21 and its two-hundred day moving average is $43.75. Verizon Communications Inc. has a 52-week low of $38.39 and a 52-week high of $51.68. The company has a market capitalization of $193.55 billion, a PE ratio of 11.43, a P/E/G ratio of 1.19 and a beta of 0.29. The company has a quick ratio of 0.87, a current ratio of 0.91 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.32.

Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Friday, January 30th. The cell phone carrier reported $1.09 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.06 by $0.03. Verizon Communications had a return on equity of 19.03% and a net margin of 12.43%.The company had revenue of $36.38 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $36.20 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $1.10 EPS. The businesss revenue was up 2.0% on a year-over-year basis. Verizon Communications has set its FY 2026 guidance at 4.900-4.950 EPS. Analysts predict that Verizon Communications Inc. will post 4.9 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Verizon Communications Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, April 10th will be given a $0.7075 dividend. This represents a $2.83 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, April 10th. This is an increase from Verizon Communicationss previous quarterly dividend of $0.69. Verizon Communicationss payout ratio is presently 69.88%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

VZ has been the subject of several recent research reports. Barclays increased their price objective on shares of Verizon Communications from $43.00 to $47.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Tuesday, March 31st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their target price on shares of Verizon Communications from $47.00 to $49.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 3rd. Oppenheimer upped their target price on shares of Verizon Communications from $50.00 to $56.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, March 11th. Citigroup lifted their price target on shares of Verizon Communications from $50.00 to $55.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Friday, March 20th. Finally, Dbs Bank lowered shares of Verizon Communications from a moderate buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, April 7th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have issued a Buy rating and ten have given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $50.56.

View Our Latest Research Report on Verizon Communications

More Verizon Communications News

Here are the key news stories impacting Verizon Communications this week:

Verizon Communications Company Profile

(Free Report)

Verizon Communications Inc (NYSE: VZ) is a major U.S.-based telecommunications company that provides a broad range of communications and information services. Its operations span consumer and business markets, with core offerings that include wireless voice and data services, fixed-line broadband and fiber-optic services, and enterprise networking solutions. Verizon is headquartered in New York City and operates a nationwide wireless network that supports consumer subscribers as well as business and government customers.

The companys consumer products include mobile phone plans, unlimited data services, and Fios, its branded fiber-optic internet, television and voice service for homes and small businesses.

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Shares of Pinnacle Financial Partners, Inc. (NYSE:PNFP  Get Free Report) have earned an average recommendation of Moderate Buy from the nineteen ratings firms that are currently covering the stock, Marketbeat.com reports. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, ten have given a buy recommendation and two have issued a strong buy recommendation on the company. The average 12 month target price among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $112.25.

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PNFP has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft set a $116.00 target price on shares of Pinnacle Financial Partners and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, January 21st. Piper Sandler increased their price objective on shares of Pinnacle Financial Partners from $120.00 to $122.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 28th. Weiss Ratings began coverage on shares of Pinnacle Financial Partners in a research report on Monday, March 9th. They set a hold (c+) rating for the company. Barclays lowered their price objective on shares of Pinnacle Financial Partners from $135.00 to $130.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, April 7th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price objective on shares of Pinnacle Financial Partners from $120.00 to $105.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 1st.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on PNFP

Insider Buying and Selling at Pinnacle Financial Partners

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Pinnacle Financial Partners

In related news, CFO Andrew J. Jr. Gregory acquired 1,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 12th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $94.52 per share, with a total value of $94,520.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer owned 49,485 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,677,322.20. This trade represents a 2.06% increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website . Insiders own 1.46% of the companys stock.

A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in PNFP. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. purchased a new position in Pinnacle Financial Partners in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $26,000. High Point Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in Pinnacle Financial Partners in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $27,000. BOKF NA boosted its position in Pinnacle Financial Partners by 1,204.5% in the 3rd quarter. BOKF NA now owns 287 shares of the companys stock valued at $27,000 after buying an additional 265 shares during the period. Activest Wealth Management purchased a new position in Pinnacle Financial Partners in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Finally, Covestor Ltd boosted its position in Pinnacle Financial Partners by 193.9% in the 3rd quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 338 shares of the companys stock valued at $32,000 after buying an additional 223 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 87.40% of the companys stock.

Pinnacle Financial Partners Trading Down 1.0%

NYSE:PNFP opened at $97.39 on Wednesday. The company has a current ratio of 0.89, a quick ratio of 0.89 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32. The stock has a market capitalization of $7.55 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.04, a PEG ratio of 0.33 and a beta of 1.00. Pinnacle Financial Partners has a 1-year low of $81.08 and a 1-year high of $120.46.

Pinnacle Financial Partners Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 29th. Investors of record on Friday, May 1st will be given a dividend of $0.50 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 1st. This represents a $2.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.1%. Pinnacle Financial Partnerss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 24.72%.

Pinnacle Financial Partners Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Pinnacle Financial Partners (NYSE: PNFP) is a bank holding company headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, that provides a broad range of commercial and consumer banking services. Founded in 2000, the company operates through a network of banking offices and digital channels to serve individuals, small and middle-market businesses, and institutional clients. Pinnacles business model emphasizes relationship-based banking and tailored financial solutions for commercial borrowers and deposit customers.

The companys product and service offerings include commercial and residential lending, treasury and payment solutions, deposit accounts, mortgage services, and cash management.

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Germanys government has introduced a comprehensive set of strategic documents designed to fundamentally reshape its armed forces over the next two decades. This landmark overhaul, the most extensive in recent history, sets a clear and ambitious objective: to establish the German military, or Bundeswehr, as the most formidable conventional fighting force in Europe by the year 2039. The package includes Germanys first-ever standalone military strategy, a new capability profile, a detailed personnel expansion plan, and a redesigned role for its reserve forces.

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The new plans were presented to lawmakers this week before being shared with the public. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, who initiated the strategic review, emphasized the historical necessity of these measures in the current geopolitical climate. The documents are intended to be a long-term strategic foundation for the Bundeswehr, subject to ongoing revision as circumstances evolve.

A New Strategic Doctrine

Titled Verantwortung fur Europa (Responsibility for Europe), the core military strategy explicitly identifies Russia as the principal security threat and considers potential scenarios involving attacks on NATO territory. While specific threat assessments remain classified, the strategy marks a significant doctrinal evolution. German defense planning will now adopt a one-theater approach, treating the security of NATO territory, the Middle East, and the Indo-Pacific as interconnected rather than separate domains.

Redefining Military Strength

This new approach signals a broader perspective on Germanys global security responsibilities and how conflicts in one region can directly impact stability elsewhere. The strategy moves beyond a purely continental focus to a more integrated global view of defense and deterrence.

A key component of the reform is a shift in how the military measures its strength. The new capability profile moves away from a rigid focus on the quantity of tanks, ships, or aircraft. Instead, it prioritizes an effects-based model, concentrating on the outcomes the military must be able to achieve. High-priority areas for development include the ability to conduct deep precision strikes, defend against hypersonic missiles, and expand unmanned drone capabilities. The defense minister noted that Germany is building its long-range strike capacity almost from the ground up.

To achieve these goals, a significant expansion of military personnel is planned. The number of active-duty soldiers is set to grow from the current 185,420 to 260,000 by the mid-2030s. In parallel, the reserves will be substantially increased from around 60,000 to at least 200,000, creating a combined force of 460,000 combat-ready personnel. This growth is structured in three phases, focusing on rapid buildup, capability expansion, and technology integration through 2039. Recent legislation has codified these milestones, and it includes the possibility of reinstating conscription if recruitment targets are not met. Currently, military officials report that recruitment and application numbers are trending positively.

Modernization and an Elevated Reserve

The overhaul also reimagines the role of the militarys reserve component. Long considered a secondary force, the reserve is now positioned as an equal partner to the active-duty military. The new reserve strategy assigns them critical responsibilities for homeland defense and for ensuring Germany can function effectively as a logistics hub for allied forces during a crisis.

Finally, the package includes an ambitious agenda for streamlining the militarys notoriously cumbersome bureaucracy. Known as EMA26, this plan contains over 150 specific measures and nearly 600 implementation steps aimed at cutting red tape, digitizing administrative processes, and leveraging artificial intelligence. In a novel approach to prevent bureaucratic bloat, all internal regulations will now be issued with automatic expiration dates. Despite the detailed planning and committed funding, officials acknowledge potential headwinds, such as intense global demand for air defense systems, which could strain production capacity and affect timelines.
on Saturday, June 20 , from 10am to 4pm. Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council has announced that Armed Forces Day 2026 will take place in Coleraine on, from 10am to 4pm.

Residents and visitors are invited to attend this major celebration recognising the service and dedication of the Armed Forces. Coleraine Town Centre will come alive with a vibrant programme of free entertainment, displays and activities, offering an enjoyable day out for families and visitors of all ages.

Delivered in partnership with representatives from the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force , the event will honour serving personnel, veterans, reservists and cadets who have contributed to protecting and supporting the United Kingdom at home and overseas.

A full day of activity will begin with a military parade through the town centre at 11am, bringing together service personnel, veterans organisations and cadet units. A Drumhead Service will follow, with the parade arriving at Christie Park at approximately 12 noon.

Christie Park will host a wide range of attractions throughout the afternoon, including interactive military displays, armoured vehicles and opportunities to meet serving personnel. Highlights will include a Royal Air Force flypast, currently expected to feature the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Dakota, alongside a parachute display by the RAF Falcons.

Additional highlights will include live musical performances, a nine-round Feu de Joie fired across the River Bann by 206 (Ulster) Battery Royal Artillery, and a range of military exhibits. The event will culminate in a Beating Retreat at 4pm by the Band, Bugles, Pipes and Drums of the Royal Irish Regiment.

READ NEXT: Dungiven family raise funds for charity in memory of beloved son

Aircraft participation is subject to operational availability and will be confirmed closer to the event.

Deputy Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Alderman Richard Brown Stewart, welcomed the event to Coleraine, saying: We are delighted to host this years Northern Ireland Armed Forces Day. Our Borough has a strong and long-standing connection with the Armed Forces, so I know it will be a great source of pride for many residents to host Armed Forces Day in Coleraine.

We look forward to welcoming thousands of visitors from across Northern Ireland to Coleraine on Saturday, June 20. A fantastic programme is planned, including a parade, drum head service, ground exhibits at Christie Park and a gun salute. It really will be a fantastic event for all of the family."

Air Marshal Sean Reynolds CB CBE DFC RAF, Air Officer Northern Ireland, said: I am delighted to announce that the widely recognised UKs premier military parachute Display Team, the Falcons will showcase the excellence of the Royal Air Force at the Armed Forces Day 26 with their exciting free fall display, which includes advanced manoeuvres, falling at speeds up to 120 mph.

The Falcons will be accompanied by the iconic RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight C47 Dakota flypast at what is promising to be a fantastic day out at Coleraine with special thanks to our hosts at Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council. As ever it is a unique opportunity to engage with the people of Northern Ireland and demonstrate how the Armed Forces protects our people and endeavours to add value.

Causeway Coast and Glens Veterans Champion, Councillor Dawn Huggins, added: Armed Forces Day is an important day in the military calendar. It is a day when we come together to honour the courage, commitment, and sacrifice of the men and women who serve, and those who have served, in our Armed Forces. The events planned for June 20 in Coleraine will also help us pay tribute to our veterans, those men and women who have stepped out of uniform but have never stopped serving their communities.

I am also pleased that the event in Coleraine will also be a chance to recognise the families who stand behind our service personnel, providing strength and support through long separations and uncertain times.

Armed Forces Day provides an important opportunity for communities across the UK to show their support for the Armed Forces family, from those currently serving to veterans, reservists and cadets.

Coleraines hosting of Armed Forces Day 2026 is expected to attract large crowds and will be a key highlight of the Boroughs summer events programme.
LAS VEGAS, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Cloud Next '26 -- Following the expansion of its Cloud and AI partnership with Google in October 2025, WPP has become one of the first media and marketing services companies to integrate Earth AI models and datasets  Google's planetary-scale geospatial intelligence  directly into WPP Open, its agentic marketing platform.

Currently, more than 80% of retail sales happen offline, according to research . By bridging the gap between digital behaviour and the physical world, using Earth AI models and datasets, WPP is giving its clients the ability to anticipate consumer needs and understand in real-time how the physical environmentfactors such as traffic, weather and neighbourhood movement patternsare shaping consumer behaviour and purchasing decisions.

Through this expanded partnership, WPP brands can now predict demand and automate marketing at a hyper-local level based on the pulse of the real world, shifting to proactive, tangible business solutions. Using WPP's Open Intelligence * for secure, privacy-first data collaboration, client data remains protected while yielding a deeper, more accurate understanding of consumer needs and behaviours.

Stephan Pretorius, Chief Technology Officer at WPP, said: "Google Earth AI brings together a whole universe of datasets representing the physical world into a single foundation model that for the first time, allows us to make decisions in an entirely new way. As an industry, we have had access to enormous amounts of digital data to understand human dynamics, trends and what content people consume. But people don't just live in the digital worldthey live in the physical world. By integrating this foundational physical-world data with our marketing data, we are changing the way the marketing industry thinks about consumer journeys."

Yael Maguire, VP and GM of Google Maps Platform and Google Earth, said: "Google Earth AI brings together our decades of modeling the world, along with Gemini's advanced reasoning, to help businesses achieve much deeper insights about the planet. WPP is using Earth AI datasets in novel ways that can transform industries, and we're proud to help drive impact for their clients."

This relationship will drive impact for WPP and clients across three key areas:

Advanced Audience Intelligence: Through the integration of Population Dynamics Insights from Earth AI into WPP's Open Intelligence, brands can now seamlessly connect how consumers buy products and perceive brands with real-world physical dynamics such as weather or movement patterns based on aggregated, anonymised data. In the insurance sector, for example, clients can combine predictive weather modeling with WPP's understanding of consumer behaviour, allowing companies to communicate ahead of time to consumers to ensure they are prepared, either changing policies or acting to protect property and prevent claims from arising.





Predictive Media Planning and Business Outcomes: Access to physical-world data with Earth AI datasets enables WPP to pre-validate campaign activations against highly accurate population metrics. This helps to shift media planning focus from traditional customer acquisition to tangible business outcomes. For example, WPP worked with a large multi-market automotive client to develop an "Electric Vehicle Readiness Index" for localities, using Google Maps Platform's Places Insights data and Population Dynamics Insights, to understand the availability of chargers. This index informed the Designated Market Area (DMA) for media buys, achieving 77% higher performance relative to a standard DMA, with 15% lower cost to conversion.





Access to physical-world data with Earth AI datasets enables WPP to pre-validate campaign activations against highly accurate population metrics. This helps to shift media planning focus from traditional customer acquisition to tangible business outcomes. For example, WPP worked with a large multi-market automotive client to develop an "Electric Vehicle Readiness Index" for localities, using Google Maps Platform's Places Insights data and Population Dynamics Insights, to understand the availability of chargers. This index informed the Designated Market Area (DMA) for media buys, achieving 77% higher performance relative to a standard DMA, with 15% lower cost to conversion. Next-Generation Production workflows and Solution Development: The partnership will also pioneer new maps-based production workflows, unlocking more innovative, granular localisation. Cultural Insights, a WPP Open product built with the help of Google Cloud, uses Google's Places Insights and Maps Imagery Grounding to help client teams produce culturally contextual creative content grounded in real-world locations across 100 cities. With this solution, brands can identify emerging cultural trends at a city level, then generate in-market imagery and video that reflects the aesthetic and narrative codes of each market, allowing brands to move from cultural foresight to production-ready, in-market creative at speed.

Additionally, the integration of specialised data sets, such as Google Maps Platform's real-time Roads Management Insights, will directly bolster production and solution development such as WPP-owned Satalia's robust logistics business, powering advanced last-mile delivery and route optimisation for enterprise clients globally.

About WPP

WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world's leading brands. We unite cutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, world-class creativity, next-generation production, transformative enterprise solutions and expert strategic counsel in a single company  powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform, WPP Open, to help our clients navigate change, capture opportunity and deliver transformational growth. For more information, visit wpp.com

About Google Cloud

Google Cloud offers a powerful, optimized AI stackincluding AI infrastructure, leading models like Gemini, data management capabilities, multicloud security solutions, developer tools and platform, as well as agents and applicationsthat enables organizations to transform their business for the Agentic Era. Customers in more than 200 countries and territories turn to Google Cloud as their trusted technology partner.

Editorial notes

*WPP's Open Intelligence: Open Intelligence is WPP's foundational intelligence layer, transforming live signals from clients, partners and WPP into predictive intelligence that drives growth. Built on InfoSum's data collaboration technology, it unlocks actionable insights without data ever being shared  enabling brands to act on real-world behaviour in real time while preserving privacy, control, and trust.

SOURCE Google Cloud
As concern grows over the state of waterways across the UK and Ireland, thousands of citizen scientists are gearing up for this years Big River Watch to help track and monitor the challenges impacting river health that rivers trusts are working to address.

For the first time, there is now an Irish language version of the app to involve even more river loving communities.

Ballinderry Rivers Trust is inviting people across County Derry to get involved.

Running from April 24 to 30, The Rivers Trust initiative invites the public to spend just 15 minutes by a local river or stream, recording observations of pollution, wildlife, and river conditions through the free Big River Watch app. Survey results are published in near-real time on the Big River Watch online dashboard.

The Big River Watch - the UK and Irelands largest mass-participation survey of river health - is already delivering real-world impact that brings nature back into communities. Contributors have identified pollution hotspots from from urban and rural sources; river barriers that impact migratory habits of iconic species such as Atlantic salmon, trout or European eel; and they help us monitor blue-green algae blooms. All data submitted during the Big River Watch brings us closer to the knowledge we need to restore our rivers and freshwater ecosystems.

No experience or training is required to take part in the Big River Watch. Anyone can take part by downloading the free Big River Watch app and spending just 15 minutes by their local river or stream to monitor what they see. The Rivers Trust is keen for participants to engage in the Big River Watch as many times as they like by recording multiple surveys in different locations along their rivers and streams to help build a bigger picture of river health.

Mark Horton MBE, CEO of Ballinderry Rivers Trust and All Ireland Director at The Rivers Trust said: Our rivers and loughs are under increasing pressure from urban and rural pollution and a changing climate that is increasing water temperatures and reshaping our rivers through increased frequency and intensity of floods and droughts. The Big River Watch encourage as many people as possible to go out and record the health of their local river over a set period of time; its a bit like a census for our rivers. This information is invaluable in helping us to track changes in our rivers over time, discover new things about our river environment, and plan restoration measures to help protect this fragile environment and the wildlife that depends on them, including us!

Rachael McEldowney, Agriculture & Land Manager at Ballinderry Rivers Trust said: Those that know the rivers best are those who work on the land every day. We know from working with many farmers across the Ballinderry River catchment and beyond that they care about the health of their rivers and many are actively making changes to ensure that people and nature can benefit from improved water quality. By encouraging farmers to also use the Big River Watch app, we hope to see more members of the agricultural community getting involved, to share this vital knowledge, to help us build a much broader picture of river health.

B-roll promotional footage can be provided with appropriate credit to The Rivers Trust/Big River Watch.

Irish language audio statement for use on Irish speaking radio broadcast can be accessed here.

Audio statements (English language) from The Rivers Trust Ambassadors for use in radio broadcast and podcast can also be accessed here.

Further information, downloadable digital and printable assets can be found in our Comms Pack

The Big River Watch has been developed by The Rivers Trust and other partner organisations within CaSTCo (a project creating a national framework for improving river health data, with citizen scientists at the heart). Big River Watch is an important tool to support CaSTCo in introducing new and diverse audiences to river science and to encourage accessible engagement and diverse recruitment of volunteers.

Ballinderry Rivers Trust is dedicated to the conservation, protection and improvement of the rivers and loughs of the Ballinderry River catchment, the western-shore streams of Lough Neagh, and Lough Neagh itself

The Rivers Trust coordinates a network of over 60 local Rivers Trusts across the UK and Ireland, providing support with fundraising, advocacy and knowledge-sharing. With over 500 dedicated specialists including over 60 farm advisers giving confidential expert advice, we work in partnership at a catchment scale to make our shared vision of wild, healthy, natural rivers, valued by all a reality.
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A resident of South Carolina in the United States has appeared at Derry Magistrate's Court today charged with driving while unfit due to alcohol or drugs after a three car road traffic accident.

Helen Tebeto (53) with a court address as Raloo Road in Larne admitted the offence that occurred on April 22.

The court heard police were called to a three car collision on the Moneymore Road and spoke to the defendant.

She was asked had she taken alcohol and said she had one beer prior to the accident.

A breath test gave a reading of 77mgs more than twice the legal limit.

READ NEXT: Man appears in court facing Derry Credit Union fraud charges

Defence counsel Sinead Rogan said that her client should be given credit for her guilty plea

She said that the woman was alleged resident of South Carolina and was here visiting her mother.

The barrister said that thankfully it had not been a serious accident.

Tebeto was disqualified from driving for 15 months and fined 250.
Northern Irelands two largest parties are divided over UK Government plans to boost the regions defence sector with 50 million.

DUP leader Gavin Robinson said First Minister Michelle ONeill had chosen ideological grandstanding over the investment deal, which Sinn Fein MP Chris Hazzard described as indicative of the UK Governments immoral political choice to supercharge the building of weapons of war.

Defence minister Luke Pollard visited Belfast on Wednesday with Northern Ireland Office minister Matthew Patrick to meet representatives from local industry and research, to launch the Northern Ireland Defence Growth Deal.

Officials said the deal  part of the UK Governments Defence Industrial Strategy, will create a targeted programme to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and start-ups in Northern Ireland by making it easier for them to enter the defence supply chain.

It will also focus on supporting SMEs in developing technology that can be used for military and civilian purposes, ensuring new technologies benefit UK national security and the wider economy.

Alongside the 50 million investment, the UK Government has said it will provide additional funding for a skills initiative in Northern Ireland.

Mr Pollard said the region plays a pivotal role in keeping the UK and our allies safe.

In Belfast we build missiles that take down Iranian drones threatening our bases and allies in the Middle East, he said.

Belfast also builds the air defence systems that keep Ukraine in the fight against Putins illegal war.

The launch on Wednesday was attended by DUP deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly but not Ms ONeill or Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald.

Mr Robinson said the investment is a hugely significant boost for Northern Ireland and the region has previously not received its fair share of Ministry of Defence spending.

This funding will support local businesses, strengthen supply chains, create highly skilled jobs and open new opportunities for young people leaving our universities and colleges, he said.

Northern Ireland already has over 9,000 people employed in this sector and generated around 2.2 billion of business last year. This investment can help grow that success even further.

It is puerile of Sinn Fein to continue to oppose opportunities that support workers and families here.

The First Minister and Economy Minister ought to be championing investment in Northern Ireland to create opportunities for local people and local business, but instead they choose ideological grandstanding.

The DUP will continue backing jobs, industry and investment.

This package is about economic growth, innovation and ensuring Northern Ireland gets the support it deserves.

In a statement, Mr Hazzard said the UK Government is making a callous and immoral political choice to supercharge the building of weapons of war, while simultaneously ignoring the huge cost-of-living crisis.

This is also the same British Government that just weeks ago cut funding to our community groups here, yet can find 50 million at the drop of a hat, he added.

This is yet another slap in the face to struggling families who will be incredulous and outraged at this decision.

Once again, communities in the north are being harmed by reckless decisions taken in London.

In Northern Ireland there are 900 jobs directly supported by more than 271 million of defence industry spending each year.

Asked by reporters in Belfast about a lack of political buy-in to the investment deal, Mr Patrick said: I think people really welcome this investment.

Its 50 million investment into the economy of Northern Ireland, helping young people get good jobs, better jobs, helping small businesses expand that supply chain.

Everyone I speak to is thrilled about this deal, so I think were working positively across the executive, across businesses, to make this a real success and Im really pleased about that.

Joseph Reffitt, Northern Ireland director at the ADS trade organisation, said the Northern Irish defence sector already makes a substantial contribution to the local economy, supporting well-paid, highly skilled jobs right across the region.

While the detail will be pivotal, we hope this deal will help build on our existing strengths by investing in the engineering capability and the workforce we are known for, he said.
Sinn Fein ministers have made significant strides since the return of the Stormont Assembly two years ago, Michelle ONeill has said.

While the powersharing Executive often faces criticism for a perceived lack of delivery, the First Minister said strong foundations had been laid.

Ms ONeill also said her working relationship with DUP deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly was a challenging arrangement.

The Assembly and Executive returned in 2024 following a two-year suspension, with Ms ONeill the first nationalist first minister.

The next Northern Ireland Assembly elections are scheduled to take place in 2027.

Ms ONeill said she would not be taking any support for granted in that election.

She said: I think that in terms of looking towards the Assembly election itself, I think that we can speak to the delivery points that our ministers have been able to achieve thus far, because were two years into a very shortened mandate.

I think we have made significant strides forward, whether that is all-island rail connectivity, more wastewater connections, obviously much more to do.

We have been able to achieve additional finances through our Finance Minister.

And when you look at Caiomhe Archibalds Good Jobs Bill, which she will publish in the next week, that is the most progressive piece of workers rights legislation.

Theres no better way to protect workers than to ensure that they have those rights.

And then alongside that, I hope that weve got to the end of the court case around the A5.

Casement Park, diggers are in the ground, that work has already started.

I think we have built upon strong foundations.

However, we have an awful lot more to do.

I will stand on that record.

When asked about her own political future, Ms ONeill said she was very focused on her role as First Minister.

She said: That is a hugely challenging role in a very difficult circumstance.

Its still not lost on people, the historic nature of the first ever nationalist, republican first minister.

People still understand that.

Also, I think the electorate here are very, very in tune with the politics of this place.

Theyre very in tune to those that want to drive forward, and theyre very in tune to those, particularly in political unionism, who want to look backwards, who want to stall progress, who constantly attack everything to do with Irish identity.

The First Minister said she believed her job was to try and make the Assembly and Executive work, while recognising their limitations.

She said: I have to tell you, as First Minister, Id be frustrated on many an occasion by the pace of change.

I also think that people get it and get the limitations, but they want to know that we are going to work hard, and while the Assembly and Executive exists, that were going to do our best to work together with other parties where we can.

And also, that we find ways around the blockages, which we do.

Ms ONeill said she and Ms Little-Pengelly had been able to work together despite different political views.

She said: Its a challenging arrangement, she would be the first to acknowledge that also.

But the job is to try to work together in the Executive, to try to lead that Executive, to deliver the programme for government priorities that we have signed up to together.

Were diametrically opposed. But the common ground is we both come from very different lived experiences in the past, we both have very different outlooks for the future, and both are equally legitimate.

Mine is for Irish unity and Emmas is for the link with Britain.

Its OK to hold those different positions. Thats actually the epitomy of the Good Friday Agreement.

So I have a different future outlook from Emma, but the job in the here and now is what can we do together.
Two recent announcements, from smart devices provider Honor and smart mobility specialist Valeo, have underlined the strategic important of Egypt to Middle Eastern and African ITC by growing their presence in the country.

China-headquartered Honor is reportedly looking to expand mobile phone manufacturing in Egypt as part of a strategy to position the country as a regional hub for the Middle East and Africa.

Honor intends to manufacture smartphones through its new factory in 10th of Ramadan City near Cairo, which is its first overseas factory outside China. The facility is a collaboration with Etisal Trading, a local consumer electronics company.

According to the ITWeb Africa news service, the site spans 8,000 square metres, with 5,000 square metres allocated to production, and has an annual production capacity of three million units. The facility is in a trial operation phase; it is expected to be officially launched before the end of 2026.

The strategy focuses on producing high-quality devices at competitive prices to meet local needs and enhance exports under the Made in Egypt label. The partnership aims to ensure the transfer of global manufacturing technologies to Egyptian professionals.

The project is expected to create 1,000 job opportunities for Egyptian professionals.

As ITWeb Africa points out, Egypt has become an increasingly attractive destination for handset assembly, with companies like Vivo, Nokia and Samsung already establishing local production lines.

This trend is driven by government incentives intended to reduce the countrys import bill and transform it into a manufacturing gateway for the African Continental Free Trade Area, which aims to establish a single liberalised market encompassing most of Africa.

Meanwhile Valeo says that, as the automotive industry undergoes a transformation driven by artificial intelligence, it is reinforcing its position at the forefront of smart mobility by launching a new AI development centre in Cairo.

Starting with over 50 engineers and with plans to expand to over 100 specialists in the near future, the Cairo centre is focused both on accelerating global AI integration across all Valeo organisation functions to generate a boost in productivity and also on developing high-level tools essential for next-generation smart mobility software.

By scaling its AI operations in Cairo, Valeo says it is empowering local expertise to fast-track the integration of AI into its embedded software as well as its software production, which will in turn increase competence and help deliver competitive products to its customers.

Since its establishment in 2005, Valeo Egypt has evolved into the largest software R&D centre in North Africa and within the Valeo Group. With a talent pool of 3,000 engineers, the site now contributes to roughly 50% of the Groups global software production.
Danish company GomSpace and Ukrainian company STETMAN have launch a satellite communication-related joint venture in Ukraine.

The agreement was signed at the EU-Ukraine Business Summit in Brussels, with representatives from the EU's Directorate-General for Enlargement and the Eastern Neighborhood (DG ENEST), the European Investment Bank (EIB), and the Ukrainian government in attendance.

Under the termw of the agreement the partners will proceed to establish the UASAT joint venture in Ukraine to jointly develop the capacity to enable sovereign satellite communication capabilities for Ukraine for a number of purposes.

Founded in 2007, GomSpace is a global provider of small satellite solutions with customers in more than 60 countries. STETMAN is a Ukrainian technology company and a developer and integrator of resilient communications solutions for defence, the public sector and critical infrastructure.

UASAT creates a national satellite communication infrastructure  from its own satellite production to the provision of connection services throughout Ukraine and the world.

As part of the UASAT initiative, STETMAN contributes operational expertise and a strategic vision for building a sovereign satellite architecture capable of strengthening Ukraine's national resilience, security, and technological independence.

Dmytro Stetsenko, Founder and CEO of STETMAN, says: "Satellite communications have become a critical enabler for both civilian society and national security in times of crisis. Through UASAT, we are combining Ukrainian operational experience with GomSpace's space technology expertise to build a sovereign capability that strengthens resilience and long-term independence.

The partners say they will launch the first satellite in the autumn of 2026 to provide operational feedback for subsequent steps in the UASAT roadmap.

Carsten Drachmann, CEO of GomSpace, says: "In the current geopolitical environment, sovereign access to strategic space assets is a necessity. We are pleased to partner with STETMAN in a focused and purpose-driven collaboration with a clear mission.

The partners say that further information about the initiative will be disclosed as appropriate and in accordance with current operational security considerations.

GomSpace's engagement is undertaken through its National & Defence Solutions Business Unit, dedicated to enabling sovereign space capabilities for national authorities.
Hummus Schug features the Zahav Restaurant-Recipe Hummus base and a topping of Schuga fiery, herbaceous Yemenite condiment made from fresh green chilesdesigned to be swirled together at the table. Its layered flavor is driven by serrano peppers, parsley and cilantro; a fragrant spice blend of coriander, cumin and cardamom; and garlic, lemon and olive oil for brightness. The Zahav Hummus itself offers an expert balance of flavor that relies on just six natural ingredients and no added oils: tehina, chickpeas, lemon juice, salt, cumin, and garlic. Zahav Hummus is made with approximately four times the amount of premium roasted tehina (sourced from Soom Foods) as other brands, and was the first tehina-forward style of hummus on U.S. grocery shelves.

Retailing in a 10 oz package for $7.99 alongside the company's original Zahav Hummus product, Zahav Hummus Schug is now available in more than 150 Whole Foods Market locations across 16 states, spanning Pennsylvania, DMV, Rocky Mountain, and South Pacific regions, with distribution in markets including Phoenix, Los Angeles, and San Diego.

"There's a freshness to schug that you don't find in other spicy condiments," said Steven Cook, co-founder of Zahav Foods. "It's one of my favorite flavors in the worldif you can take a little heat, it belongs on just about anything. On Zahav Hummus, it's tough to top."

Zahav Foods first launched its restaurant-recipe Zahav Hummus exclusively at Whole Foods Market in January 2024, where it quickly became one of the fastest growing hummus brands on the market. By September 2024, Zahav Hummus had expanded to Whole Foods Market locations nationwide.

In October 2025, the brand introduced Zahav Hummus Singlesfour 2-oz cups per pack, delivering the same restaurant-recipe hummus in a portable, single-serve format. Singles debuted at Harris Teeter and are also carried at select independent retailers. Today, Zahav Hummus can also be found at select Philadelphia-area Wegmans; more than 200 Harris Teeter stores across the DMV, the South, and Florida; Pop Up Grocer in New York City; McCaffrey's in PA and NJ; and additional independent retailers nationwide.

For Solomonov and Cook, Zahav Foods represents eighteen years (since Zahav Restaurant's founding) of refining a single dish to its ideal form. The hummus that opens every meal at Zahav is now available at home tooas a starter, a centerpiece, or a dip worth building a meal around.

For more information about Zahav Foods, please visit www.zahavfoods.com. For Mike and Steve's recipes with Zahav Hummus, visit us on IG at @zahavfoods.

About Zahav Foods

Founded in 2024, Zahav Foods brings the tradition, expertise, and unparalleled flavors of the five-time James Beard Awardwinning Zahav restaurant kitchen to yours. The company's flagship product, Zahav Hummus, is the dish that begins every meal at the restauranta recipe that owners Chef Michael Solomonov and Steve Cook spent more than fifteen years perfecting. Built on a tehina-forward foundation and just six natural ingredients (with no added oils), Zahav Hummus is available at Whole Foods Market nationwide along with select retailers across the U.S., including Wegmans, Harris Teeter, and Pop Up Grocer. In 2026, Zahav Foods introduced Hummus Schug, its first flavored hummus and line extension, pairing the signature Zahav Hummus base with Schuga fiery, herbaceous Yemenite green-chile condiment; it is now available exclusively at select Whole Foods Market locations. For snacking on the go, Zahav Hummus Singles deliver the same restaurant-recipe hummus in a portable, single-serve formatfour 2-oz cups per packavailable at Harris Teeter and select independent retailers.

Zahav Foods Contact

Dani Mulholland

[email protected]

SOURCE Zahav Foods
OpenAI has introduced ChatGPT Images 2.0, a new image generation model designed to create more accurate and useful visuals. The company says the upgrade focuses on producing images that are not only visually appealing but also practical for real-world tasks like presentations, marketing material, explainers and design projects.

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According to OpenAI, the new model better understands prompts and turns them into images. It can better follow detailed instructions, place objects correctly and render small elements. The company also says that the created images will now look less AI-generated and more intentionally designed.

Also read: Legend: Sam Altman and other leaders react as Tim Cook steps down as Apple CEO

Here is a manga made by ChatGPT Images 2.0 of @gabeeegoooh and me looking for more GPUs: pic.twitter.com/ek95JfUN5V  Sam Altman (@sama) April 21, 2026

OpenAIs ChatGPT Image 2.0 AI model: Key capabilities

One of the biggest improvements in Images 2.0 is greater precision and control. The model can handle more complex prompts and preserve specific details. This includes generating small text, iconography, UI elements, dense compositions and subtle stylistic constraints.

With ChatGPT Images 2.0, OpenAI has also improved multilingual support. Earlier image models worked best with English or Latin-based languages, but Images 2.0 now performs much better with languages such as Hindi, Bengali, Japanese, Korean and Chinese.

Also, according to OpenAI, ChatGPT Images 2.0 is better to capture the defining characteristics of photosincluding the tiny flaws that add realismas well as cinematic stills, pixel art, manga, and other distinctive visual languages, with greater consistency in texture, lighting, composition, and fine detail.

Also read: Tim Cook steps down: Full text of his memo to Apple employees

ChatGPT Images 2.0 also introduces thinking capabilities. When you select a thinking model in ChatGPT, the system takes more time to analyse a request, search the web for real-time information, and even generate multiple images from a single prompt.

Images 2.0 acts more like a visual thought partner, helping carry a project from rough concept to finished asset with significantly less work on your part, OpenAI explained.

Availability

OpenAIs ChatGPT Images 2.0 is available to all ChatGPT and Codex users. Note that the thinking capabilities feature is only available to ChatGPT Plus, Pro and Business users.
OpenAI is now facing a criminal investigation in the United States over the allegations that its chatbot, ChatGPT, played a role in a deadly shooting at Florida State University last year. For the unversed, this is the first time an AI company is facing a lawsuit for potential legal responsibility in connection with a violent crime.

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Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier stated that his office has started an inquiry after reviewing the suspects alleged use of the chatbot prior to the incident. As per officials, the accused, identified as a 20-year-old student, Phoenix Ikner is believed to have interacted with ChatGPT before carrying out the attack, which resulted in multiple fatalities and injuries. He is currently in custody awaiting trial.

Authorities state that the chatbot may have provided guidance on aspects such as weapons, ammunition and timing. Uthmeier stated that if a human had offered similar assistance, they could potentially face criminal charges under Florida law for aiding or abetting a crime. However, determining liability in the case of an AI system presents a complex legal challenge.

Also read: After Tim Cook, what is next for Apple? New CEO, new products and what happens to him

OpenAI has denied any wrongdoing, stating that its chatbot did not promote or encourage harmful actions. The company added that the responses were based on publicly available information and that it had cooperated with investigators by sharing relevant account data linked to the suspect.

The case comes amid increasing scrutiny of AI platforms and their safeguards. OpenAI has previously faced legal challenges tied to alleged misuse of its technology and has said it is working on improving the safety measures. In the meantime, regulators and policymakers continue to push for stricter oversight, specifically as AI tools become more widely accessible and capable.
Interview: How a Taiwanese startup convinced Tesla to open up its energy storage system

A green energy startup from Taiwan is heading to Silicon Valley with an unconventional argument: the most valuable layer in the energy transition may not be more solar panels, but the AI dispatch layer that sits between generation and consumption.

In 2019, Steve Huang cut open a kiwi after dinner and paused for a moment. The green flesh represented renewable energy. The white core stood for solar power. The tiny black seeds were households across the grid. The brown skin was the Earth. From that image came the name of his company: Kiwi New Energy.

That instinct for finding a coherent system inside a complex problem has shaped how Kiwi has built its position in Taiwan's energy market. It is also the lens the company is now bringing to Silicon Valley.

Kiwi New Energy will be among five Taiwanese companies heading to next month's Plug and Play Summit in Silicon Valley. Ahead of the trip, we sat down with co-founder and chairman Dr. Steve Huang and COO Ryo Lee to discuss what Kiwi plans to bring to one of the world's most competitive pitching stages.

Steve Huang, Co-founder and chairman of Kiwi New Energy. Credit: DIGITIMES

Four startups in, Huang is now taking on the grid

Huang is no stranger to reinvention. After leaving Nvidia in 2005, he spent two decades moving across the energy value chain. His career included a role at solar manufacturer Gintech, the co-founding of silicon wafer company Danen Technology, which later went public, and a self-funded microinverter startup that ultimately shut down after Huawei entered the market. Kiwi, founded in May 2019, is his fourth startup.

"The key traits of a startup are speed and flexibility," Huang says.

Kiwi spent its first few years testing different business models before settling, roughly three years ago, on a clear focus: AI-powered energy management for multi-site retail and food service chains.

The logic is straightforward. Green power procurement has historically favored large technology companies with the scale to sign direct power purchase agreements. For mid-sized retailers  convenience store chains, sporting goods brands, restaurant groups  buying renewable electricity has often been expensive, operationally complex, and difficult to verify. Kiwi built its business around closing that gap.

Why Tesla's closed system mattered

Kiwi's core product is what the company calls an AI Energy Data Center, or AI-EDC. The platform analyzes data from both the generation side and the consumption side, then matches supply to demand in real time across hundreds or thousands of distributed sites. Each kilowatt-hour is tracked through blockchain-based certification, creating auditable records of green energy origin that can support traceability and corporate decarbonization reporting.

The technical depth of the platform becomes most visible in how Kiwi works with Tesla Energy.

Tesla Energy's storage systems operate on a largely closed architecture, which Lee compares to Apple's ecosystem. Third-party vendors typically do not get access to the control layer. Kiwi does. That access stemmed from its FamilyMart deployment in Taiwan. When Kiwi approached Tesla Energy with a plan for a large-scale rollout across convenience store locations, it was granted control-layer integration for Powerwall deployments in Taiwan  an arrangement that is rare in the market.

That access changes what the system can do. If the AI predicts that evening rush-hour foot traffic will drive a store's power consumption higher, or that a location is about to exceed its contracted grid capacity, the system can automatically command the battery to discharge before the penalty threshold is reached. In Taiwan, peak electricity tariffs can exceed NT$8 per kilowatt-hour, making that optimization directly relevant to operating costs as well as sustainability targets.

Kiwi began its FamilyMart deployment with 10 pilot locations. By 2025, that figure had reached 1,000 stores, and the target for 2026 is 3,000.

The demand-side bet that separates Kiwi from the pack

Taiwan's electricity retail sector is crowded, with over 100 licensed providers competing largely on price. Industry gross margins are generally understood to run in the mid-single digits. Kiwi's, by contrast, are in the mid-teens  a gap that reflects the value of its optimization layer rather than energy resale alone.

Lee is direct about where that advantage comes from. "Traditional green energy matching was passive  it only looked at the generation site itself. We start from the demand side. Every location has its own consumption profile, and the system only dispatches power when and where it's actually needed."

The company points to several customer examples. For Decathlon, which faced an end-of-2026 RE100 deadline, the previous off-site green power matching rate had been weak. After switching to Kiwi, green energy penetration rose above 83% outside summer peak months and remained above 70% during summer. Wang Steak, one of Taiwan's largest restaurant groups, operates nearly 40 locations on Kiwi's platform. The company is also building consumption models for a pharmacy chain and a coffee chain, representing more than 400 locations in total.

For smaller operators that cannot independently anchor a large bilateral energy contract, Kiwi's answer is aggregation. The platform bundles fragmented demand from dozens of smaller businesses into a single virtual demand pool, then matches that pool with mid- to large-scale renewable generators. Huang describes the goal as making green power subscriptions "as easy as subscribing to Netflix." Across its current client base, the system helps reduce approximately 45,000 metric tons of CO emissions per year.

Ryo Lee, Co-founder and COO of Kiwi New Energy. Credit: Digitimes

Curtailment is the pitch in the US

The US market is structurally different from Taiwan's, but the underlying problem Kiwi wants to address is larger in scale.

In a growing number of renewable-heavy markets, daytime solar overgeneration has become a structural challenge. Grid operators are increasingly forced to curtail excess renewable power because the system cannot absorb, move, or store it fast enough. When supply overwhelms demand, electricity prices can even turn negative. This is precisely where AI dispatch becomes commercially valuable.

"AI can predict and dispatch that surplus power," Huang says. "That's exactly the pain point American utilities need solved."

At the Plug and Play Summit, Kiwi plans to engage through the platform's Reverse Pitch mechanism, where major utilities and corporations post specific technology needs they want startups to address. The company sees curtailment reduction, distributed energy optimization, and energy-efficiency management as areas where its software could fit.

Rather than trying to build a US retail footprint from scratch, Kiwi is pursuing a soft-landing strategy centered on software  integrating with existing US virtual power plant operators and aggregators that already have regulatory relationships and customer bases. Advisors have pointed toward large multi-site retail chains as a more practical beachhead than residential users, given stronger enterprise credit profiles and lower customer acquisition costs.

TSMC's Arizona footprint and the energy gap it created

One near-term opportunity Kiwi is actively exploring is the residential and commercial ecosystem forming around TSMC's Arizona fab.

TSMC's Phoenix facility has drawn a wave of Taiwanese suppliers and contractors into the region, along with a growing community of engineers, families, and support businesses. A new cluster is taking shape in the desert  and it needs energy infrastructure to match. Kiwi says a team will visit the area to assess the opportunity firsthand.

The scenario is not unfamiliar to Kiwi. What it has built in Taiwan  aggregating distributed demand across many sites and dispatching green power with precision  is arguably easier to deploy in a community that is still being built, where infrastructure choices have not yet been locked in.

There is also a demand-side fit. Taiwanese suppliers operating in Arizona face the same RE100 and carbon reporting pressures from TSMC and downstream customers that they do at home. Kiwi has spent years serving that customer profile in Taiwan. The language, the needs, and the pain points are ones the company already knows well.

Credit: Digitimes

Japan first, then the Bay Area

Between Taiwan and Silicon Valley, Kiwi has been building a presence in Japan. Post-Fukushima energy market liberalization created a more open environment for electricity trading, with clearer room for software-led optimization and cross-party coordination. Kiwi has established a local subsidiary, built partnerships with local operators, and is running a proof of concept with a major Japanese convenience store chain, with a formal announcement expected in the second half of the year.

The Silicon Valley trip also marks the start of a formal fundraising push. Kiwi is preparing a Pre-A round targeting US$5 million. After reaching breakeven in 2025, the company's 2026 milestones include deployments across more than 3,000 branded retail locations globally, 120 MW of managed renewable capacity, and an estimated annual revenue of US$30 million.

Whether the Taiwan-proven model will translate smoothly to the US grid  fragmented by state-level regulation, dominated by incumbents, and already crowded with venture-backed energy startups  remains an open question. But Kiwi's core argument is one that more energy players are beginning to take seriously: the grid's next major upgrade may not be more generation alone, but a smarter layer deciding where that power should go.

Article edited by Jack Wu
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Narayan's leadership recognized for building a category-defining platform that is modernizing student mobility for 26 million children across America

REDWOOD CITY, Calif., April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Ritu Narayan, Founder and CEO of Zum, has been named a finalist for the Entrepreneur Of The Year 2026 Bay Area Award by Ernst & Young LLP (EY US). Now in its 41st year, the program celebrates the bold leaders who disrupt markets through the world's most groundbreaking companies, revolutionizing industries and uplifting communities.

Narayan was selected among 20 finalists by an independent panel of judges based on entrepreneurial spirit, purpose, company growth, and lasting impact in building long-term value.

Ritu Narayan, Founder and CEO of Zum, has been named a finalist for the Entrepreneur Of The Year 2026 Bay Area Award by Ernst & Young LLP (EY US).

"This recognition is deeply meaningful  not just to me, but to every member of the Zum team whose work makes this mission possible every single day," said Narayan. "We set out to solve a problem that millions of families live with every day: the anxiety and uncertainty of not knowing whether their child will get to school safely and on time. What we have built is Zum CMX, the first student mobility system ever designed around people  not just buses. This honor belongs to our drivers, our operators, our district partners, and the families who trusted us to show up for their children. We are just getting started."

About Ritu Narayan and Zum

Narayan founded Zum in 2015 after recognizing, as a working mother and technology executive, that the largest mass transit system in America  student transportation  was running on decades-old technology. Every school day, 26 million children depend on the yellow school bus to get to and from school, yet the systems behind that journey had barely changed in generations. She left a career at eBay and Oracle to build something different: a fully integrated, technology-driven platform that replaces fragmented, disconnected workflows with a single, real-time system.

Today, Zum serves more than 4,500 schools across 17 states, partnering with some of the largest school districts in the country  including Los Angeles Unified, Boston Public Schools, San Francisco Unified, Omaha Public Schools, and Kansas City Public Schools. Under Narayan's leadership, Zum has achieved an average on-time performance rate of 98%, a 4.9-star parent satisfaction rating across 1.7 million reviews, and an 86% reduction in transportation-related absences in districts like Kansas City Public Schools.

The company recently announced a $100 million strategic investment from TPG's The Rise Fund, bringing total funding raised to $430 million and valuing Zum at $1.7 billion. Zum generated $333 million in revenue in 2025, up 35% year-over-year, with a four-year revenue CAGR of greater than 40% and has surpassed $2 billion in Total Contract Value.

Narayan's leadership has been recognized globally. Zum has been named to Fast Company's World's Most Innovative Companies, CNBC Disruptor 50, the World Economic Forum, and the Financial Times Fastest Growing Companies lists.

"Being named a finalist for Entrepreneur Of The Year is a reflection of what happens when you refuse to accept that a broken system is inevitable," Narayan said. "Student mobility has been overlooked for decades. We are changing that  and we are proud to be recognized alongside so many extraordinary leaders who are doing the same in their own fields."

Entrepreneur Of The Year honors business leaders for their ingenuity, courage and entrepreneurial spirit. The program celebrates original founders who bootstrapped their businesses from inception or raised outside capital to grow their companies, transformational CEOs who infused innovation into an existing organization to catapult its trajectory, and multigenerational family business leaders who reimagined a legacy business model to strengthen it for the future.

Regional award winners will be announced on June 12th during a special celebration in San Jose and will become lifetime members of an esteemed community of Entrepreneur Of The Year alumni from around the world. The winners will then be considered by the national judges for the Entrepreneur Of The Year National Awards, which will be presented in November at the annual Strategic Growth Forum, where high-growth CEOs, Fortune 1000 executives and investors converge to shape the future of business.

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, TPG, and Softbank. Zum, Zum CMX, and associated logos are trademarks of Zum Services, Inc. All rights reserved. Learn more at www.ridezum.com.

CONTACT:

Jenny Mayfield

Vice President of Communications

[email protected]

SOURCE Zum
A NOW 75-year-old Limerick man repeatedly groped and sexually abused a young girl when they were neighbours more than 50 years ago, the Central Criminal Court has heard.

Tom White had regular access to the girl's house and repeatedly touched her inappropriately and subjected her to lewd commentary and physical abuse, a sentencing hearing was told this Monday.

White, the court heard, went on to marry, had three children and never came to garda attention during the intervening 50 years. His victim wishes for White to be named but wants to maintain her anonymity, Ms Justice Eileen Creedon was told.

READ NEXT: 'We just want to say a huge sorry' - Muireann O'Connor apologises following Ireland AM blunder

White, of Brookhaven, Montpelier, County Limerick, was found guilty by a jury earlier this year of 10 counts of indecent assault of the girl at her home and his home in Limerick on dates between August 1971 and August 1976. He was acquitted of a number of other counts on the indictment.

Indecent assault is a charge that carries a maximum sentence of two years' imprisonment, Philipp Rahn SC, prosecuting, told the court.

The complainant was aged between 13 and 16 at the time of the offence, while White was in his 20s.

Detective Garda Claire Lewis told the court that White had regular access to the complainant's house as his mother did some work for the girl's family. The girl was terrified of both White and his mother, the court heard.

White regularly made lewd comments to the girl commenting on her figure and first assaulted her when she was sent over to his house to check on a meal that was being cooked. White grabbed her from behind and groped her private parts before pumping her from behind through her clothes, the court heard.

The girl was dumbfounded, shocked and frightened, the court heard. The abuse continued in a similar vein, with White regularly groping the girl both over and underneath her clothing. The abuse occurred several times a week and was described as opportunistic. He was also physically abusive towards her.

At the trial, which was held at Limerick Courthouse, Mulgrave Street, the complainant's brother and sister also gave evidence of witnessing White engage in the abuse. It came to an end when the young woman moved out of home at the age of 16.

READ NEXT: Judge refuses to reveal name of TD who gave character reference for convicted sex offender

In her victim impact statement, which was read out by counsel, the woman said every part of her life was impacted by the horror she endured at the hands of White.

I was a happy child with all the innocence that goes with childhood, she said. My childhood ended when my abuser invaded my home, my body, my mind and every part of my being. It shaped my life over the next 50 years.

She said she was unable to tell anyone what happened to her and in a message for other victims of abuse she said: You have a voice. Don't be afraid to tell anybody.

Mark Nicholas SC, defending, said his client was found not guilty of a number of charges and he asked the court to noted he has a long work history and has been married for about 50 years. He has a number of health issues, including heart problems.

Ms Justice Eileen Creedon adjourned the matter for sentence on June 15. She remanded White on continuing bail until then.
Forged references were provided for staff at unregulated childrens care homes, according to an internal report prepared for Ireland's Child & Family Agency, Tusla.

The details feature in an RTE Investigates documentary, Inside the Care System, being broadcast tonight on RTE One and RTE Player.

READ NEXT: 'I was a happy child' - Irish pensioner repeatedly groped and sexually abused young girl

Rarely does the public hear from the young people who have experienced a care system under increasing pressure, from staff shortages to mounting condemnation from the judiciary over its failure to meet its lawful obligations to protect children in care.

The disclosures of forged references are documented in emails obtained by RTE Investigates between Tusla and the biggest provider of Special Emergency Arrangement care homes, Baig & Mirza Health Services Ltd ,trading as Kare Plus Dublin South. It is a separate company to Kare Plus Ireland, it trades under a franchise agreement.

Special Emergency Arrangements or SEAs are unregulated and unregistered privately run facilities and can operate out of rented apartments, hotels and B&Bs. They cannot be inspected by the regulatory authorities such as HIQA, but are state funded from Tuslas budget.

Tusla began its enquiries into the forgeries in April last year, according to copies of emails which have been obtained by RTE Investigates under Freedom of Information.

In May Tusla received a detailed report on the forgeries, entitled Internal Report: Discovery and Investigation of Employee Fraud. The report concluded this case involved a serious employee fraud which involves collusion, forgery, misusing and compromising companys staff sensitive and confidential information.

Baig & Mirza Health Services Ltd ,trading as Kare Plus Dublin South, has been Irelands biggest provider of Special Emergency Arrangement childrens care homes, receiving 47 million for these services over the past three years.

On average, these privately-run homes cost Tusla 14,400 per child, per week. This contrasts with the weekly allowance given to fostering arrangements of 420 per child, per week.

When fostering placements break down or in cases of emergency admissions to care, some children are placed in SEA care homes. Experts say they are often the children who need the most support, but some find themselves in the least suitable care facilities.

READ NEXT: 'We just want to say a huge sorry' - Muireann O'Connell apologises following Ireland AM blunder

Stories of children living in Special Emergency Arrangements feature in tonights RTE Investigates programme.

Aaron was moved into care at the age of 9 years old. He says he was placed in 20 different care settings, mostly Special Emergency Arrangements that were operating out hotel rooms. I was living in hotels for a whole year, I was getting junk food, said Aaron. It was lonely and depressing, going from one hotel room, to the next. All my life I've been moving.

Aaron left care without even a junior cert. He says he was advised by Tusla that he could live in a hostel but fearful of this arrangement, he opted instead to couch surf. He later ended up living on the streets in Dublin and spent some time in a psychiatric unit.

Other young people interviewed by RTE Investigates described a care system in chaos. They recounted a recurring theme of being moved around a care system, from one home to the next, without any certainty or security.

Olivia, described how she felt like an Amazon parcel.

Jess has few personal items left to associate with her childhood, I have little to no memories or like, belongings because I've moved so much.

READ NEXT: Search stood down for 16-year-old girl missing over two weeks as Gardai issue update

Another young person RTE Investigates spoke with went through 11 different placements during her time in care and said she spent years trying to be perfect just so she could have some stability. It's almost like you were trying to paint yourself as this perfect child just so that you could stay there, because it's like you wouldn't want to be moving around all the time.

The children in SEAs are being failed by the State, says former Judge Dermot Simms, who presided over the family law courts for many years. He tried to raise the alarm about an unprecedented crisis in the care system in a letter delivered to four Ministers and three Government agencies before he retired in 2023.

When asked about the current situation with the care system overseen by Tusla after watching some of RTEs footage, he told tonights programme:

I think it has got worse. The children in SEAs are being failed by the State because they are not being properly cared for in a properly resourced and regulated environment."

"We've created the agency [Tusla] where the Government can say, well, that's the responsibility of that organisation, and so we leave them to it. And then when the Child and Family Agency has no further resource, it's outsourcing, it's outsourcing to unregulated placements."

Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, has told RTE that the experiences of young people in tonight's documentary are not acceptable and that they have "publicly communicated our placement capacity challenges...in the context of increased demand for services."

Tusla said in a response to the forged references: This matter was reported to An Garda Siochana by the provider in question, and the provider would be best placed to answer queries in relation to this.

It is believed the forgeries involved a fake stamp used by an employee of Kare Plus Dublin South for workers in another Special Emergency Arrangements provider. RTE Investigates understand the employee was suspended by Kare Plus Dublin South.



A spokesperson for Kare Plus Dublin South told RTE Investigates:

Kare Plus Dublin South confirms that there is an ongoing Garda investigation into this matter. These forgeries were produced by former rogue employees acting entirely outside the scope of their employment and without the knowledge, consent, or authority of Kare Plus Dublin South or its directors.

The falsified documents were subsequently submitted to Tusla by a completely separate and unrelated company.

Freda McKittrick is a Guardian Ad Litem, a court-appointed professional who represents the voice of the child in care cases. She told RTE Investigates that the stories of the young people featured in tonights documentary should serve as a wakeup call for Tusla and the Government.

It's hard to watch, but I'm glad it's out there, she said. This story has to be told.

READ NEXT: Two juveniles arrested and e-bikes seized as Gardai respond to hi-jackings in Dublin



Tonight's documentary is by RTE Investigates Reporter Barry OKelly and Producer/Director Lydia Murphy.

Watch RTE Investigates: Inside the Care System tonight at 9:35 on RTE One and RTE Player.
The Reach for the Stars Astrophotography Competition is celebrating its sixth anniversary, inviting people in Louth to pause, look up, and capture the moments that remind us how extraordinary our night sky truly is.

Organised this year by the School of Cosmic Physics at the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies (DIAS), Reach for the Stars aims to find the best astro-photographs taken in Ireland between 03 June 2025 and 10 May 2026. Shortlisted entrants will be announced in late June, with the public invited to vote for their favourite to win the Peoples Choice category at that time.

Photographs can be entered in three categories:

Night Sky in Your Hand  Images taken with a smartphone only, without telescopes, capturing an astronomical scene. Out of this World  Images of astronomical objects, including the Sun, Moon, planets, and deep-sky objects such as nebulae, star clusters, and galaxies. Back on Earth  Images that depict astronomical features alongside landscapes, landmarks, nature, buildings, or heritage sites.

In addition, one overall Public Choice winner will be selected by public vote from across the shortlisted entries in all categories.

Entries will be judged by Dan Dennison, Visual Editor, The Irish Times; Dr. Donnacha ODriscoll, President of the Irish Astronomical Society; Professor Peter Gallagher, Senior Professor and Head of Astronomy and Astrophysics at DIAS; and Dr Niamh Shaw, Scientist, Engineer, and one of Irelands leading Science Communicators.

Launching the competition, Dr. Eucharia Meehan, CEO and Registrar of DIAS, said:

Reach for the Stars is designed to make astrophotography more accessible for everyone with an interest, supporting science communication and outreach, building awareness of dark skies, and encouraging citizen science. Were looking forward, as ever, to seeing the range of perspectives and skills that these astrophotographers will bring to the night sky.

Chair of the judging panel and Director of DIAS Dunsink Observatory, Professor Peter Gallagher, said: The standard of entries to Reach for the Stars generally reflects huge creativity and technical capability. Entries are assessed against clear criteria  technical skill, artistic flair, astronomical understanding, and originality  and its always evident how much effort sits behind each frame, delivering images that show how extraordinary out universe really is.

Entrants may submit up to two images per category to the competition. The deadline for entries is 5pm, 11 May 2026.

All entries will be screened by a shortlisting panel to ensure they meet the eligibility criteria. The shortlisted images in each category will then go forward for consideration by the judging panel and for an online public vote on reachforthestars.ie.

The winning photographers in the Out of this World and Back on Earth categories, as selected by the judging panel, will receive a prize package that includes:

Publication of their images on the DIAS and The Irish Times websites; Passes to the three sites of the Astronomical Observatories of Ireland  DIAS Dunsink Observatory, Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, and Birr Castle Demesne; A 500 voucher for photographic equipment; and A digital subscription to The Irish Times.

The winner of the Public Choice category, as voted for by the public, and the winner of the Night Sky in Your Hand category will each receive a voucher to the value of 250 for photographic equipment, along with passes to the three sites of the Astronomical Observatories of Ireland  DIAS Dunsink Observatory, Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, and Birr Castle Demesne.

Two runner-up prizes from each of the Out of this World and Back on Earth categories will also be awarded vouchers to the value of 250 for photographic equipment and passes to the three sites of the Astronomical Observatories of Ireland.

Read Next: Opening of Next store in Dundalk has been delayed

Winning and highly commended images will also be included in exhibitions at DIAS Headquarters, Burlington Road, Dublin 4 and at DIAS Dunsink Observatory later in 2026. Furthermore, all shortlisted images will be included in an online exhibition on the competition website reachforthestars.ie.

DIASs Reach for the Stars competition is being run in partnership with The Irish Times, and is sponsored by MKC Communications and The Astronomical Observatories of Ireland. The Irish Astronomical Society are initiative supporters.

Further information, including the competition guidelines and entry form, is available at www.reachforthestars.ie.
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Cork City Council has launched a new dog fouling awareness campaign to encourage dog owners to clean up after their pets, despite claims it would encourage children to use bad language.

The campaign features the slogan, Get Your Sh*t Together, and features an image of a defecating cartoon dog in place of the letter i.

The campaign, which will feature on posters and signs across the city over the coming months, aims to stimulate debate about the need for more dog owners to pick up their dogs waste.

It coincides with a plan to hand out free bags for dog faeces, and those bags will be available free from 10am to 4pm from Monday to Friday at City Hall, while stocks last.

Dogs may be humans best friends, but their byproducts are not, with their faeces carrying the eggs of toxocara canis, or dog roundworm. Humans exposed to the larvae of these eggs can suffer extreme fever and illness, and severe damage to organs.

Contact with infected dog faeces can cause loss of sight, with children especially at risk.

FINE

Owners who fail to remove dog faeces from a public place can face an on-the-spot litter fine of 150, or a maximum court fine of 3,000.

However, Cork City Council has issued no fines for dog fouling in 2023 or 2024, the two latest years for which figures are available.

The council has said that enforcement of legislation requires that the litter warden must actually witness both the dog depositing faeces and the person in control of the dog neglecting to remove the faeces.

Fine Gael city councillor Joe Kavanagh, who is chair of the councils dog fouling committee, said the campaigns aim was to capture the attention of dog owners and send a strong message about taking responsibility for dog fouling.

We hope that the consistent visibility of this message will raise awareness among dog owners of the critical importance of picking up after their dogs, he said.

However, Sinn Fein councillor Michelle Gould has said she believes the language is inappropriate.

I just dont think theres a need for Cork City Council to lower their standards and have foul language on a poster, she said.
A Cork city primary school principal has gone out on stress leave after denying rumours that he was drunk in the school.

It is understood that a group of parents removed nearly 100 children from the school last week due to concerns over health and safety.

The school, Gaelscoil Pheig Sayers, on Redemption Road on the northside of Cork city, caters for about 280 pupils.

The principal has said that he has been the victim of an orchestrated campaign.

In a statement shared with The Echo, school principal Aidan Breathnach said: Due to the sheer shock, heartbreak and stress over the last few days I have not responded to the false, negative and defamatory commentary being made about me.

I can categorically say that the allegations against me that I was under the influence of alcohol in school on Tuesday 14 April are completely untrue and unfounded.

He said that he was in Kerry General Hospital on Monday last week and that he went to school on Tuesday without his medication for vertigo which he was diagnosed with at Christmas, adding that he had doctors reports to verify this.

Without my medication I was unfortunately very disorientated throughout the day. Anybody who saw me or who spoke to me that day would have seen how disorientated I was.

Mr Breathnach, who has been principal since 2013, said that he spent most of his day on Tuesday with the schools secretary and caretaker who will vouch for me that I definitely was not under the influence of alcohol and both were aware of how I was suffering disorientation from not having my medication.

The only mistake I made that Tuesday was not bringing my medication to school with me, he said.

I have wrongfully been the target of a school protest and online social media trolls which have torn my reputation apart and has damaged the name of the school.

In my 13 years as principal, I have never entered the school property under the influence of alcohol. My duty of care was always to the children and I stand over that.

I was heartbroken to see parents come last Friday to take their children out of the school based on malicious and false rumours and an orchestrated campaign against me.

He continued: To the parents who took their children out, I completely understand when you had false information. To the people online who have targeted me with false allegations, I will pray for you.

This whole protest and the online circus that followed has deeply affected both me and my family. I am now out on stress leave.

I fully intend to return as principal of Gaelscoil Pheig Sayers and continue the work I have being doing for the last 13 years to build and grow this great school into the future.

The Echo contacted Gaelscoil Pheig Sayers and the Parents' Association for comment.

A spokesperson for the Department of Education said: We are engaging with the patron and board of management of the school on this matter.
One of Corks most famous plays is to be revived to mark its 30th anniversary.

Disco Pigs, the 1996 tale from Corcadorca theatre company that spawned the career of actor Cillian Murphy, has been announced as part of the Everymans new season.

While Murphy and co-star Eileen Walsh will not be reprising their roles, playwright Enda Walsh is returning to Cork to direct the work that set him on the path to international renown.

The 59-year-old, who went on to collaborate with David Bowie on the play Lazarus, has recently penned the script for a new version of the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang film, and was tempted back to his old Leeside stomping ground by Des Kennedy, artistic director of the Everyman.

Enda Walsh and Mick Flannery attending The Everyman Theatre season launch at the Metropole hotel last night. Picture: Chani Anderson

I like to programme Cork-related material, and I knew it was the 30th anniversary of Disco Pigs, so I approached Enda. I was delighted when he said hed love to direct it himself, says Kennedy, whod previously worked with Walsh on the stage musical version of Once.

I remember seeing the original Disco Pigs, as a teenager, with Cillian and Eileen at the Old Museum Arts Centre in Belfast. I was a young lad from the Twinbrook estate in West Belfast and I loved the two defiant, angry teenagers that the world didnt give a s**t about. It was just intoxicating.

After debuting at the Triskel in Cork, Disco Pigs went on to win numerous awards, and toured in Ireland and the UK, eventually being adapted into a film.

Auditions

Auditions for the city-set plays roles of Pig and Runt have already been held in Cork, Dublin, and Kilburn, with final casting details for the November run expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

The original director of Disco Pigs, Pat Kiernan, isnt involved, but he does helm one of a series of readings of new plays that are also on the Everymans upcoming roster. Also involved in the series is Derry Girls creator Lisa McGee, venturing south to direct Something Borrowed, a female-led comedy set during a wedding.

Other highlights of the Everymans new season include The House Must Win  adapted from Blarney musician Mick Flannerys debut album  and a site-specific piece directed by Kennedy that will be staged at the empty swimming pool of the nearby Metropole Hotels former health centre.

Offerings as part of Cork Midsummer Festival include 0800 CUPID, by Cork-born Emer Dineen, which received widespread praise during its original run at Dublin Theatre Festival in 2024.
A man accused of involvement in a robbery at a Texaco service station in Cork where a member of staff was caught in a chokehold headlock by one of the two raiders, has been remanded in custody until April 29.

Mark Sheehan, aged 44, of Hazel Rd, Togher, Cork, was remanded in custody to appear again at Cork District Court by video link from prison. He was represented by solicitor Diarmuid Kelleher.

Detective Garda Eoghain OCallaghan said: It is alleged that at around 8.30pm on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, two men entered Texaco Service Station, Model Farm Rd, Cork. Both had their faces covered. They proceeded to go behind the shop counter and demanded that staff open the tills.

One of them then proceeded to grab one of the staff members and performed a chokehold headlock. The other male ripped the till out and put it into a bag. Both of them then left the store on foot. Gardai later apprehended two men nearby, trying to discard clothing. They had the same clothing as the raiders, and 625 of cash was recovered from them.

There is CCTV of the incident. Gardai are satisfied that Mark Sheehan is the male who performed the chokehold headlock on the employee and put him in fear.
The Diocese of Cloyne has published plans outlining details of new pastoral areas that are to come into effect under agreed changes.

Following a series of meetings and discussions overseen by a Cloyne Diocesan review group, the aim of the revised areas is to provide a more effective pastoral service to all parishes in the diocese.

Under the plans, the 46 parishes across Cloyne will be divided into 15 separate pastoral areas.

While changes will see the individual parishes retain their autonomy and structures, the plan aims to improve pastoral care and support for the communities within these pastoral areas.

A timeline for the establishment of the pastoral areas has yet to be agreed upon, but the diocese has committed to sharing more information with the priests and pastoral councils in due course.

A draft map illustrates the agreed 15 pastoral areas. For example, the parishes of Macroom, Aghinagh and Aghabullogue are to come together to form one new pastoral area. While the parishes of Donoughmore, Grenagh, Blarney and Inniscarra would also come together under a new pastoral area.

The Bishop of Cloyne, William Crean, told The Echo We have met with priests and we have met with representatives from all of the parishes, asking questions about how best we make sure that the pastoral life of the parishes will be services into the future.

The Bishop of Cloyne, William Crean, told The Echo We have met with priests and we have met with representatives from all of the parishes, asking questions about how best we make sure that the pastoral life of the parishes will be services into the future." Picture: David Keane.

Really our development of the pastoral areas is to enable the leadership in all of the parishes to work together in a structured way. To make sure all of the areas in the various parishes are being looked after, said Bishop Crean.

We have been engaged in discussions right across the diocese for about 15 months now. It has been directed by a group, mostly of lay people, who I have invited to serve as a diocesan review group.

They have looked at basically the status of the diocese just at this time, such as the number of priests, the number of schools and various organisations that we have at work and service in the diocese, he added.

The purpose of these adjustments is to support and strengthen one another and our families in the faith. As we move forward it is important for us not to focus on numbers alone. Rather the quality and depth of our commitment is what matters.

We are grateful to all who are leading us on this path of renewal and adjustment.
The Mercy University Hospital in Cork city is closed to visitors to limit the risk of infection, effective immediately, the hospital said in a statement this afternoon.

A spokesperson for the hospital said the closure was due to infection prevention and control reasons and will be reviewed in 48 hours.

"Due to a number of viruses currently circulating in the community, the hospital is implementing this precautionary measure to help protect both patients and staff," they said.

All requests for visiting on compassionate grounds will be facilitated  please contact the ward manager to discuss directly. Please follow the guidance of staff regarding hand hygiene and the use of PPE.

The spokesperson added: Please do not visit the hospital if you have a cough, vomiting, or diarrhoea, or feel unwell in any way. This is to protect inpatients and staff and limit the spread of infection.
Cork man Morgan McSweeney, the UK prime ministers former chief of staff, has been summoned before the foreign affairs select committee as the Peter Mandelson vetting row continued to undermine Keir Starmers premiership.

As MPs attempt to unravel the facts, Mr McSweeney  who is originally from Macroom  is to appear next Tuesday to respond to allegations that Downing Street put huge pressure on the civil service to approve his appointment as the UKs ambassador to Washington.

It is highly unusual for Downing Street chiefs of staff to appear before Commons committees even after they have left post, and the session is likely to be an explosive one as MPs are given the rare opportunity to question one of the most powerful figures in recent Labour history.

Olly Robbins, the top Foreign Office official sacked by Mr Starmer, told MPs on Tuesday that No 10 had created an atmosphere of pressure that made it impossible to deny clearance for Mr Mandelson and had taken a dismissive attitude to vetting.

Emily Thornberry, the committee chair, asked whether it had been Mr McSweeney, to which Mr Robbins said it was mainly the prime ministers private office, which is staffed by civil servants. But he added: I think that the private office would only have been [putting on] this pressure themselves if they were under pressure.

Mr McSweeney quit his role in February over Mr Mandelsons appointment, saying he took full responsibility for advising the prime minister to appoint Mr Mandelson, who had been a close ally and political mentor.

The senior No 10 advisers position had grown increasingly untenable as pressure on Mr Starmer mounted over the scandal, which followed the release of emails underlining the extent of Mr Mandelsons relationship with the convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

The Mandelson scandal dominated PMQs on Wednesday, with Mr Starmer coming under fire from the Tory leader, Kemi Badenoch, and Lib Dem leader, Ed Davey, over the issue. He said that Mr Robbins evidence puts to bed all the allegations levelled at me after claims he had misled parliament.

However, Mr Starmer appeared to confirm that No 10 had tried to find an ambassadorial posting for his former director of communications. Matthew Doyle worked for many years in public service for me as PM and other ministers. When people leave roles there are often conversations about other roles, but nothing came of this, he said.

Cat Little, the permanent secretary at the Cabinet Office who has been at the heart of the row between the Foreign Office and her department, is due to appear before the committee on Thursday, and is expecting to set out a counterpoint to Mr Robbins evidence earlier this week.

She obtained the summary document on Mr Mandelsons vetting at the end of March and several weeks later, after taking legal advice and making other checks, she informed the prime minister. Sources said she had found it difficult to get information from the Foreign Office.

The Guardian understands that Little appeared in private before parliaments intelligence and security committee on Tuesday. The ISC is understood to be furious at the lack of key documents relating to Mr Robbins decision to overturn the recommendation to deny Mr Mandelson security clearance, and his failure to record notes of crucial meetings.

- The Guardian
Pharmaceutical giant Pfizer has announced the loss of more than 100 jobs at its facility in Ringaskiddy in Cork.

The job losses represent approximately 12% of Pfizers 800-plus staff at its Ringaskiddy site.

The losses will take the form of redundancies and will affect employees supporting manufacturing operations. They are due to occur in the final quarter of this year.

The company would not say whether the redundancies will be compulsary or voluntary. However, it is understood staff have have informed discussions will begin from Thursday.

It is understood that 102 job losses are planned in total, with the first set to come into effect on September 26 and the last on November 26.

In a statement, a spokesperson for Pfizer said the company was actively engaging with colleagues and their representatives, with all job-related decisions to be made with transparency, respect, and in compliance with all applicable laws.

For over 55 years, Pfizers sites in Ireland have played a key role in the global network, manufacturing many of our leading and newest medicines, with over $10 billion investment since operations began in 1969, they said.

We remain committed to Ireland with approximately 4,500 colleagues in four locations across the country. Pfizer was one of the first pharmaceutical companies to locate in Ireland, establishing its first operations in Ringaskiddy in 1969.

The companys facility is now an 80-acre site with four operating plants and more than 800 staff.

Seamus McGrath, Fianna Fail TD for Cork South Central, said his thoughts were with all staff affected by the announcement.

I will be asking that relevant State agencies engage with the company immediately to understand the background to this announcement and to see what can be done to minimise the impact, Mr McGrath said.

More to follow...
The driver of a delivery van parked outside the Yo-Yo Asian supermarket in Cork city chased a man who tried to start his van and take a bag from the vehicle but the culprit turned around and punched him in the mouth.

Now this man has been jailed for eight months at Cork District Court on charges including assault on the driver.

Sergeant Gearoid Davis outlined the background to the matter which occurred on December 29, 2025.

The injured party parked his delivery van outside the Yo-Yo Asian supermarket on Georges Quay, Cork.

John Campion, who is aged around 40 of Cork Simon Community, got into the van where there was a backpack containing cash and the keys of the van. There were also cigarettes and a knife belonging to the driver in the bag.

The accused tried to start the van. The owner came back to the van. John Campion had been trying to start the van. He ran away and the owner followed him and received a punch from Mr Campion, Sgt Davis said.

Eddie Burke solicitor said of the accused: He has very good intentions all the time that he would go into residential treatment. But when anxious he seems to turn to some kind of narcotics. On this occasion he meets a friend and tells him he is anxious about upcoming courts and (his friend gives him drugs) and he takes them.

Judge Mary Dorgan read the probation report and said: He has a difficult background. He is at high risk of reoffending. He needs to get his life back on track. I hope he can do well going forward.

The judge imposed a total sentence of eight months backdated to Decemeber 30, 2025 when John Campion went into custody, on charges that included assaulting the van driver and theft. Mr Campion pleaded guilty to the charges.

At the conclusion of the case the judge said: I wish you well in the future.

The accused replied, Thank you, judge.
A classic case of road rage saw a motorist get out of his car and lift a bicycle by the saddle until the cyclist fell over with the driver falling on top of him on a sunny afternoon in Cork city.

The driver complained that the cyclist leaned into his car, grabbed his keys and threw them away, and that they were never found. But the cyclist was of the opinion that the keys were found and he said the only reason he threw them away was because he was afraid the motorist would drive after him.

The motorist on trial at Cork District Court arising out of the incident was Peyman Nasser of The Downs, Broadale, Douglas Court, Cork. And he denied all charges against him.

But Judge Philip OLeary convicted him on all counts, described it as classic road rage and said maybe rage management or at least safe driving should be considered. Penalty was adjourned until June 23.

After hearing evidence from the motorist, the cyclist and eye witnesses at the junction of Washington Street and Grand Parade, Judge OLeary said: I am satisfied he is guilty of assault and Section 6 (engaging in threatening behaviour). It is a classic road rage incident. He was completely out of hand. The cyclist was right to take the keys out.

He (Mr Nasser) was threatening and aggressive. He did not care whether he hurt the cyclist. He lifted his bike by the saddle and knocked him to the ground and fell on top of him.

"It was a road rage incident. Your carry-on after  your intimidation of the injured party  was outrageous.

Donal Daly solicitor said, He was never involved in an incident like this previously. He is 60 and is a restaurateur. Inspector Mark Keating said Peyman Nassers only convictions were under the Road Traffic Act and included careless driving and speeding.

Judge OLeary said:

He seems to have difficulty when he is in a vehicle.

The judge sought a probation report to include assessment for a community service order and adjourned the case for this purpose until June 23.

On Sunday afternoon, June 6 2024, a middle-aged cyclist, Thomas Sanctuary, said he tapped on a window of the car to see what was wrong as the driver appeared to be gesticulating.

He said the motorist had no regard for anyone else on that sunny Sunday and that is why we are here.

ENGLISH MARKET

He said he caught the keys, threw them in the direction of the footpath by the English Market on Grand Parade because he feared the defendant would follow him.

I just felt under attack, Mr Sanctuary said.

Mr Nasser testified that he was driving slowly and saw the bicycle very close to the car and said he commented at the time, You are going to hurt yourself, mate.

He said the cyclist punched his car  all of a sudden the big bangs coming.

He said he tried to de-escalate the situation but wanted to know why the cyclist punched the window of the car, not to physically interact with him  that is not the way to do things.

The defendant said he never recovered the car key taken and thrown by the cyclist and that it was only with his partners spare key that he drove away afterwards. He said he was the one who phoned for the gardai.

Eyewitness, Aaron Meade who did not know any of the parties, testified, Mr Nasser came after the cyclist. He lifted up the back wheel fully off the ground and tipped it over. The cyclist fell.

"Mr Nasser seems to have tripped on top of the cyclist, not necessarily intentionally. The struggle was more trying to disentangle themselves more than physically assault. He was demanding keys. You could see the cyclist was very nervous, looking under cars. Mr Nasser kept insisting, You get those keys. It was under threat of violence is what I took from it.
Working in the arts is attractive to neurodivergent people, as visual and performative art often involves intense, detailed patterns or highly expressive non-traditional techniques that reflect sensory experiences or hyper-focus.

With this in mind, the second edition of Neurofestivity is returning to Cork. Produced by Cork Opera House in partnership with UCC and lead artist, Jody ONeill, and funded by Cork City Council, the festival takes place on the UCC Campus on April 24-25.

This is Autism Acceptance Month, and people often remark that there seem to be more and more diagnoses of Autism Spectrum cases, including among adults.

Based on 2024-2025 research and Central Statistics Office data, an estimated 15- 20% of the general population is considered neurodivergent. Some 18.7% of adults in Ireland have been diagnosed with a specific neurodiverse condition or suspect they are neurodiverse. Included are individuals with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, and other neurological variations.

Jody, who was the autistic theatre-artist-in-residence at the Cork Opera House in 2022-2023, helped initiate Neurofestivity in 2023.

This year, the festival will platform neurodivergent artists voices, offering a programme of performances, workshops, panel discussions and exhibitions.

A centrepiece of this years programme is Jodys critically acclaimed play, Grace, produced by Graffiti Theatre Company and Once Off Productions. It explores themes of grief and communication.

Having received her diagnosis of autism at the age of 39 in 2019, Jody believes the reason autism seems so prevalent is because there is better education around it leading to more understanding. There are also better diagnostic criteria and more visibility, particularly on social media.

Im not a fan of social media but it has had a huge influence in terms of connecting people and informing people and changing perceptions around what neurodiversity looks like, says Jody.

Her diagnosis came about as a result of her research for a project looking at how autism is presented in the media as well as how education accommodates autistic and neurodivergent people. This was in 2017-2018.

The word neurodiversity had barely made it into Irish media and conversation at that time whereas its so prevalent now, said Jody. From my research, I realised that (autistic) peoples experiences were something I had experienced my whole life and wouldnt have been able to articulate.

She says that as a child, she had massive intense highly-focused interests in ballet, reading, writing and art. But because they were socially accepted hobbies, no red flags were raised. However, Jody identified with autistic peoples challenges and strengths. Having self-identified, she then went through the diagnostic process.

Jodys research was for a project entitled What I (Dont) Know About Autism. It was a co-production with the Abbey Theatre and toured to the Everyman.

While the arts have created a safe place for many neurodivergent people to blossom and have successful careers, there are still massive barriers says Jody. She points out that in Ireland, so much connecting and networking happens in environments like pubs which are entirely inaccessible to many neurodivergent people. So you lose the opportunities. I see a lot of really talented people being overlooked because they cant engage in that kind of game. Theres an expectation that you should be able to negotiate professionally and informally and socially, all at the same time. Theres less of that these days but I do think it still happens.

Also, applying for funding grants can be inaccessible if you are dyslexic, autistic or have ADHD. Such is the nature of the often complex application process that were losing huge potential by not making structures accessible. Thats not just in the arts, its across the board.

Neurofestivity will feature Unveiled, a play-in-progress by Max Whelan. A non-speaking autistic artist, Max recently appeared in the Virgin Media 1 series The Assembly. Drawing on his own experience, Maxs debut play is searing, political and full of humour and heart, challenging assumptions about communication and education in ways that are both urgent and unforgettable.

The festival includes an outreach project in collaboration with Graffiti Theatre Companys Beag project, which does a lot of work in early education settings. This will see a sensory workshop for children taking place in a school.

Most of the attendees at Neurofestivity will be neurodivergent artists, but its open to the general public as well. Jody points out that artists in general are at a disadvantage as there is no certainty of work with people going from project to project. Add to this the fact about 80% of autistic people are unemployed or underemployed. Jody says some people on the spectrum find it difficult to work for another person. Freelancing suits them but it can be hard to initiate projects and build a track record.

Its hard if you havent made it through the education system because that system didnt suit your needs. So a person with autism can be lacking in professional qualifications.

But Jody says even in the years since she was diagnosed with autism, there has been an improvement in terms of awareness. The next thing is acceptance and really acting on that. Its important there is acknowledgement that people work better if their needs are accommodated.

Neurofestivity will feature discussions with renowned visual artist Aideen Barry and ornithologist Sean Ronayne. There will be a Photovoice Exhibition on display in the foyer of the Cork Opera House for the duration of the festival.

For further programme details, visit www.corkoperahouse.ie.
She was deeply worried, she confided, about her schools decision to shift students over from textbooks to laptops and digital devices.

Many other members of the staff in that large, second-level school had voiced similar concerns, but they werent being listened to, she said. Screen-based teaching and learning was coming in, and that was that.

Weve had the shock over GROK. Weve read about and listened to the very deep concerns being voiced about the potentially negative effects of social media and screen-dependence on children. There is an enormous amount of research underpinning that anxiety.

Yet here is the Irish government steadily, diligently, replacing textbooks, pencils, and copybooks with laptops.

Meanwhile, and ironically, traditional textbooks are seeing a resurgence in several traditionally progressive countries across Europe which are now steadily reducing emphasis on digital education.

Norway is restricting the use of screens in education for young students due to declining results in reading and numeracy.

Denmark too has stepped back from digital learning, and Sweden has abruptly and comprehensively changed its education policy, and spent millions bringing back traditional printed textbooks.

Its an issue that Darren ORourke, Sinn Feins spokesman on education, has had some experience of  he commented recently that other countries around Europe have increasingly found that an over-reliance on screens not only harms concentration and results in poorer levels of literacy and handwriting, but, it is feared, may not deliver the anticipated better learning outcomes. Parents had been raising concerns with him, he reported.

Surprise, surprise.

In fact, no surprise if you read about the findings of a recent U.S study into the area. The research shows some younger generations are performing more poorly than their parents generation on standardised tests. The findings have led to warnings about dramatic declines in attention span, memory, and problem-solving skills in some children and teenagers.

Studies are indicating that members of Generation Z - those born from 1997 to 2012 - and (in this context, it seems somewhat ironically) Generation Alpha - people born between 1997 and around 2010 - are the first generation in the history of standardised testing to score lower than previous generations.

Its believed this decline is linked to the heavy use of smartphones, laptops, and other devices in schools and homes.

Research also shows that reading material on a screen can make it harder for children to process information, and furthermore that heavy screen use can have a negative impact on young childrens brain development.

A neuroscientist and former teacher, Dr Jared Cooney Horvath, has had some tough things to say about the problems he believes humankind is bringing on itself as a result of this emphasis on throwing tech at kids.

Humans, he says, are biologically programmed to learn from other human beings and also from deep study  in other words, from books and writing and the use of memory and attention - and not from flipping desultorily through screens looking for bullet point summaries of the topic of the day.

ORourke asks the simple question, which someone in the Department of Education must surely be asking too: if go-ahead countries like Norway and Denmark are changing tack, and if Sweden, believed to be one of Europes most tech-savvy societies, is driving a strong renewed focus on traditional textbooks and pens in a bid to reverse what it has found to be falling literacy levels in its schools, why are we galloping off in the opposite direction? Especially when experienced teachers are voicing reservations about the whole thing.

Parents too. I read an interesting interview with an Irish mother who reported that her oldest child, whose school used traditional textbooks, copybooks and writing materials, studied better and consistently received higher grades than his younger siblings whose school had replaced textbooks with tablets.

Lets look more closely at Sweden. Laptops became the norm in Swedish classrooms by the late 2000s. Within a few years, about 80% of second-level students at state schools had individual access to a digital device.

In 2019, the compulsory use of tablets in pre-schools was introduced with the idea that this would help to prepare even the youngest children for life and work in the tech-saturated society of today.

But, in 2022, suddenly everything changed. The government shifted direction in the belief that screen-free lessons created better conditions for children to concentrate and develop their reading and writing skills.

Why? The Swedish state changed tack first because students scores in basic academic subjects were falling drastically, and second because it listened to teachers, researchers, public agencies, and communities.

Well, now.

The plan is to implement a ban on mobile phones in schools, even for educational use.

Schools have received more than 180 million in grants to buy new textbooks and other traditional resources. A new curriculum designed to enforce textbook-based learning is in the pipeline.

The aim? To improve Swedens once-astronomical scoring in the OECD benchmark for core academic subjects because the countrys ranking had so significantly disimproved.

The OECD, it should be said, has signalled caution around assuming a direct cause and effect in terms of over-reliance on screens and learning outcomes, but at the same time it has suggested that Swedens heavy adoption of technology all those years ago is likely to have impacted those results.

The back-to-textbooks move has, its reported, prompted concerns in the business sector, with fears that students might now be under-prepared for jobs in a tech-rich workplace.

Maybe, as in all areas of life, its a case of striking a balance between things rather than throwing the baby out with the bathwater.

Maybe Ireland should adopt a well-thought-out mix of traditional and high-tech teaching resources in schools.

But whatever the answer is, it certainly doesnt lie in throwing out all the textbooks, the pens, and the copybooks.
Confucius Institute in Senegal celebrates Int'l Chinese Language Day

Xinhua) 13:53, April 22, 2026

DAKAR, April 21 (Xinhua) -- The Confucius Institute at Cheikh Anta Diop University in Dakar, the capital of Senegal, on Monday celebrated International Chinese Language Day.

The event included the finals of a Chinese cultural knowledge contest and a Chinese song competition, along with activities, such as calligraphy, traditional Chinese medicine demonstrations, handicraft displays, dumpling making, and Chinese food tasting.

Li Fei, minister counselor at the Chinese Embassy in Senegal, said that she was encouraged to see many young Senegalese actively learning Chinese and gaining a better understanding of Chinese culture and history.

Learning Chinese is not only about acquiring a language, but also about appreciating a philosophy and a culture, she said, hoping that Chinese language education and exchanges between Chinese and African civilizations will continue to produce new results as this year marks the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges.

Zheng Chenggong, the Chinese director of the Confucius Institute, said the event showcased the charm of the Chinese language and culture and further promoted people-to-people exchanges and friendship between China and Senegal.

Philemon Manga, a student at Cheikh Anta Diop University who won first prize in the Chinese cultural knowledge contest, said he was delighted with the result.

"I really like Chinese culture. I find it very interesting, and I will continue to work hard on my Chinese studies," he said.

Another student, Diousse Mendes, said he is currently studying in a Level-3 Chinese class at the Confucius Institute and believes learning Chinese is very important.

He said he joined the Chinese song competition in the hope of improving his listening and speaking skills through singing Chinese songs and mastering the language better.

"Our teachers always encourage us to listen more, speak more, read more and write more. Singing is also a good way to learn Chinese," he said. "I am very happy to take part in today's event. It is a very good opportunity for me."

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Vampire Survivors developer Poncle has big plans for the future, according to an interview The Game Business conducted with the company's chief strategy officer Matteo Sapio. It's opening two new studios in Japan and Italy and has over 15 projects in active development. That's a lot of action for a company primarily known for one franchise.

Sapio says the company is developing three basic types of games. There are spinoffs to Vampire Survivors, like this week's deckbuilder Vampire Crawlers. Poncle is also making original IPs and says there are two games set in new universes coming down the pike.

Finally, it's working on some roguelites with similar mechanics to Vampire Survivors, but using other IPs. We already know about one of these, a roguelite set in the Warhammer 40K universe called Warhammer Survivors. It's set to land on Steam sometime this year. To assist with these plans, Poncle has developed an engine that can turn pre-existing IPs into games that play like Vampire Survivors.

If you're wondering if there are enough fans for multiple top-down roguelites with simple controls and bullet hell mechanics, let me point you to Halls of Torment, Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor and Soulstone Survivors, among many others. This has become a popular genre in recent years, likely due to the continued success of Vampire Survivors. To that end, the original game has surpassed 27 million players.

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Poncle has, however, paused all of its third-party publishing plans after releasing a couple of games last year. "It was a learning experience," Sapio said. "But we found that we werent able to give the right support." The company could revisit third-party publishing in the future.

This is great news for Poncle and fans of the Vampire Survivors franchise, but there's always risk when a company tries to grow like this. Remember Embracer Group? It went on a massive buying spree beginning in 2019, before having to sell off and close a number of studios.

However, this isn't a AAA game development studio. Poncle makes indie titles and the new studios will be lean operations, with "little teams of people." Sapio said this organizational structure will help keep the company "agile and flexible."

I personally have high hopes for this endeavor. This is because the just-released spinoff Vampire Crawlers is so very good, which proves to me that Poncle isn't a one-trick pony. It plays like a mix of Slay the Spire with a first-person dungeon crawler like Etrian Odyssey, all while successfully capturing the vibe of Vampire Survivors. If Poncle can keep up this level of quality, gamers could be in for a long-term treat.
Blake Lively is asking for tens of millions of dollars in damages as her legal battle with Justin Baldoni heads to trial next month.

Court documents show the actress is claiming that her reputationand in turn, her careerwas harmed by what she describes as a smear campaign. In a filing submitted April 17, Lively's legal team outlined the financial impact of statements they say were used against her.

A marketing expert, Dr. Ashlee Humphreys of Northwestern University, calculated how widely certain phrases spread online and in media coverage.

According to the filing, words like "tone deaf," "bully," and "mean girl" reached more than 176 million impressions, which were valued between $36.5 million and $40.5 million in reputational damage, ENews reported.

The filing also pointed to comments made by Baldoni's attorney, Bryan Freedman, during the legal dispute. These statements allegedly generated nearly 117 million impressions, adding another estimated $24.3 million in damages. Combined, Lively's team is aiming for roughly $64 million in total reputational harm.

Her legal team argues that these numbers reflect how negative messaging can spread quickly and impact public perception.

By measuring impressions, they aim to show how widely the alleged campaign reached and how it could influence Lively's professional opportunities.

Blake Lively Says She Suffered $64 Million Financial Fallout From Justin Baldoni Conflict https://t.co/HXELRI5QMD  E! News (@enews) April 21, 2026

Justin Baldoni Denies Causing Harm to Blake Lively

On the other side, Baldoni has pushed back strongly. In a response filed April 20, he argued that Lively's reputation had already been shaped long before their dispute.

His filing stated that labels such as "mean girl" or "difficult to work with" were already circulating publicly and "did not cause further harm to her existing reputation." He also claimed that any damage she experienced was not the result of his actions.

According to Yahoo, the case has already seen some developments in court. Earlier this month, a New York judge dismissed 10 out of 13 claims brought by Lively. However, key allegationsincluding retaliation and breach of contractwill still move forward when the trial begins on May 18.

Importantly, the judge noted that there is "some direct evidence that the plan to destroy Lively and her career was put into action."

At the same time, the court acknowledged that both sides strongly disagree on what really happened.

"The parties fiercely dispute the extent to which the backlash against Lively was 'organic' or 'artificial,'" the judge wrote, adding that a jury will need to decide.
Wednesday, April 22, 2026

By: Scott Lorenz

Westwind Book Marketing

Getting your voice heard off the page is essential for any author looking to expand their reach. While the college speaking circuit slowed down significantly during the pandemic, it has come back stronger than ever. Speaking gigs offer invaluable visibility, but what truly matters is who is in the audience. When it comes to influence, few audiences are more valuable than college students and university staff. So, how can authors break into the college lecture circuit?

Get Your Foot in the Door with NACA

NACA stands for The National Association for Campus Activities. Its a nonprofit organization that serves as the central hub for campus professionals, student leaders, entertainers, agents, vendors, and other entities involved in the planning and execution of campus events and activities. While its mission may sound broad, NACA is one of the most effective pathways for authors looking to enter the college speaking world.

According to NACA Executive Director Jameson Root, NACA helps bring the collegiate market to you. Through in-person conferences and an online directory, authors can access the largest network of campus activities talent buyers and decision makers. Additional opportunities to showcase your work include presenting educational sessions, getting published in Campus Activities Programming Magazine or the peer-reviewed Journal for Campus Activities Practice & Scholarship, writing for the NACA Blog, or hosting webinars. NACA strives to foster environments where everyone belongs and can thrive in their careers.

Membership opens the door to networking with universities across the country, and gives you direct access to decision-makers who book campus events. To join this community, simply visit their website, become a member, and take advantage of the contacts listed for questions or guidance.

Here are a few additional agencies and organizations that help authors book college talks:

Be Persistent and Find Your Niche

Finding the specific audience interested in your book can be challenging, but colleges make this easier by organizing students into majors, departments, and clubs. Identify the group that best aligns with your message. Use platforms like LinkedIn as well as university websites to locate the right contacts. Once you connect with a professor, department chair, or student organization leader, tailor your talk to that specific group. Dont wait for a prescheduled event; create your own opportunities! Step outside the box by proposing workshops and guest lectures. The speaking industry is competitive, so having a clear and compelling message can set you apart from everyone else and spark interest.

Speaking to the Future

Booking the college lecture circuit can be transformative for your book sales. Speaking directly with students allows you to get your book in front of the next generation of adults. Dont hesitate to reach out to students and staff directly. Engage them by connecting your books themes to their academic and personal interests. Create a professional author page that you can send out to provide a short bio of who you are and what you want to say. When youre speaking at colleges, your job is simple: inspire students. Whether students buy your book or start conversations about it, both outcomes help amplify your reach. Check out my article about media training tips here!

Speaking from Experience

Back in the day I was director of Student Activities at UNLV. Our committee booked all kinds of speakers, and many were authors. We booked people such as: Leonard Nimoy (Star Trek), Lee Bailey (OJ Simpons defense attorney), Vincent Bugliosi (Charles Mansons prosecutor), David Frost (Nixon interview) and Carl Bernstein (Watergate). We were members of NACA and used booking agents to get our next big guest speaker. Not all were celebrities, but they all had a message and most had a book.

The Bottom Line

Want your book to reach the next generation? Get on campus. Speak. Inspire. Sell. The college lecture circuit is your launchpad, start now and make your message unforgettable.

About Book Publicist Scott Lorenz

Book publicist Scott Lorenz is President of Westwind Book Marketing, a public relations and marketing firm that has a special knack for working with authors to help them get all the publicity they deserve and more. Lorenz works with bestselling authors and self-published authors promoting all types of books, whether its their first book or their 15th book. Hes handled publicity for books by CEOs, CIA Officers, Navy SEALS, Homemakers, Fitness Gurus, Doctors, Lawyers and Adventurers. His clients have been featured by Good Morning America, FOX & Friends, CNN, ABC News, New York Times, Nightline, TIME, PBS, LA Times, USA Today, Washington Post, Womans World, & Howard Stern to name a few.

Learn more about Westwind Book Marketing at https://www.WestwindBookMarketing.com or contact Lorenz at scottlorenz@westwindcos.com or 734-667-2090. Follow Lorenz on Twitter @aBookPublicist. Want help titling a book? Check out Scott Lorenzs award-winning, bestselling book: Book Title Generator- A Proven System in Naming Your Book www.BookTitleGenerator.net. Then for Christian authors, check out Lorenzs new book called Book Title Bible: How to Title Your Christian Book with Faith and Inspiration. www.BookTitleBible.com.

Would you like help promoting your book?

If so, tell us a little about your book. What is the title? Do you have a publisher? What is the publish date? How many pages is your book? What is the cost? Do you have web site? What is your specific goal I.E., to make money, raise awareness, get the attention of an agent or publisher, sell the story to a movie or TV studio or something else?

Submit the form below with this information and well get back to you as soon as possible. Thank you!
(The Center Square)  Virginia voters approved a constitutional amendment Tuesday that could reshape the states representation in the U.S. House of Representatives and majority control coming out of the 2026 midterms.

The Associated Press called the race at 8:49 p.m., with unofficial results showing 50.3% voting in favor and 49.7% opposed. With 89% of votes tallied at time of publication, yes votes led 51.3%-48.7% from more than 2.8 million cast.

The outcome  if able to survive the Virginia Supreme Court or higher  flipped the projected net gains and losses of the two major parties in the nationwide map redrawing tussle, Democrats going from down three to up one. Briefs in litigation are due to the Virginia Supreme Court on Thursday.

Control of the U.S. House remains closely divided. With three new resignations and two oaths of offices taken since Tuesday of last week, there are four vacancies, 217 Republicans, 213 Democrats and one independent caucusing with his former colleagues in the Republican Party.

On Election Day 2024, Republicans won a 220-215 majority.

The state has six Democrats and five Republicans in the House, and the proposed map would shift that to as many as a 10-1 Democratic-leaning advantage.

Voters were asked to decide yes or no on a measure allowing the General Assembly to temporarily redraw congressional districts before the next census.

According to the Department of Elections, state law is, Virginias 11 congressional districts are drawn once every 10 years by the Virginia Redistricting Commission, a legislative body made up of eight legislators and eight citizens, with an equal number of Republicans and Democrats. Virginias congressional districts were last redrawn in 2021 and will next be redrawn in 2031.

The ballot question asked voters: Should the Constitution of Virginia be amended to allow the General Assembly to temporarily adopt new congressional districts to restore fairness in the upcoming elections, while ensuring Virginias standard redistricting process resumes for all future redistricting after the 2030 census?

With the amendment approved, the General Assembly  where Democrats hold majorities in both chambers and the governors office  can move forward with a congressional map already passed and currently facing legal challenges. The redistricting commission would resume responsibility for drawing maps in 2031.

If the amendment had failed, Virginia would have continued using its current congressional districts drawn after the 2020 census under the states redistricting commission process.

According to campaign finance records, a combined $111 million was spent on the amendment, including more than $22 million in opposition. That total far exceeds the $2.7 million spent during Virginias last redistricting amendment, which voters approved 65.7%-34.3%.

The results again showed Virginias regional divide, with Democratic strength concentrated in Northern Virginia and urban centers, while Republican support remained dominant in rural and western parts of the state. Competitive jurisdictions such as Virginia Beach and Chesterfield County again emerged as key battlegrounds.

Virginias results may not be finalized Tuesday night. All mailed ballots must be received by Friday at noon in the general registrars office.

New maps are in play for the 2026 elections in California, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio and Texas. Litigation has also led to changes in Utah and remains ongoing in Georgia, Louisiana and New York.

In addition to Virginia, Florida next week begins a special session on the matter. Neighboring Marylands bid died last week.

California has the potential to flip five seats to Democrats for a 48-4 representation for the party and Utah one to Democrats cutting into Republicans 4-0 representation. For Republicans, Missouri (to 7-1) and North Carolina (to 11-3) could gain one seat each; Ohio two (to 12-3); and Texas five (to 30-7).
SALEM, Ohio  American farmers heading into spring planting this year dont expect to see much light at the end of the tunnel. Fertilizer costs have spiked, fuel is getting more expensive and years of low commodity prices continue to squeeze producers.

During a media briefing hosted April 14 by the American Farm Bureau Federation, farm leaders and economists discussed a sector grappling with what AFBF President Zippy Duvall called generational headwinds.

According to AFBF economist Faith Parum, the majority of Americas farmers who responded to the organizations recent nationwide survey  over 5,700 in all  say they cannot afford to purchase enough fertilizer to get them through the year, underscoring just how grim the outlook has become.

We know that there have been several consecutive years of losses, and our analysis shows that farmers dont think its going to get any better this year, she said.

The survey drew responses from farms of every size in every state, including Puerto Rico. According to Parum, about 60% of farmers predicted their finances will be worse than the previous year and 36% expecting conditions to hold steady. Only 6% foresee any financial improvement.

Parum said high input costs, exacerbated by the conflict in Iran, have driven sharp increases in the price of anhydrous ammonia, urea, liquid nitrogen and diesel, with urea and farm diesel seeing the largest monthovermonth jumps. The survey found that 70% of farmers nationwide cannot afford all of the fertilizer they need this year, a figure that jumps to 78% in the South, where prebooking rates were lowest. Even in the Midwest, about half of farmers dont believe theyll be able to purchase their full fertilizer needs.

This will reduce yields, Parum warned. Some may reduce fertilizer applications, or just not plant acres because of the price of fertilizer and the downturn weve seen in the farm economy for the last four years.

The squeeze is hitting farms of all sizes, but smaller operations are particularly vulnerable.

You can see our small farms, farms under 500 acres, are really impacted by this, with the majority of them not prebooking their fertilizer for the year, Parum said.

Struggle upon struggle

Farmers on the call described the high-stakes daytoday decisions behind those statistics.

In Oklahoma, farmer and rancher Tommy Salisbury said drought and a sudden $150perton jump in urea prices forced him to scale back milo acreage and reassess whether he could justify topdressing wheat.

We pay the higher input prices, but we cant adjust that profit margin in the end to go to the consumer, he said. We pay what is at the market. And thats how we go, and we pray for rain and continue to go on to the next year.

Lorenda Overman, who farms with her husband on a 180yearold operation in Goldsboro, North Carolina, grows corn, soybeans, sweet potatoes, hay and strawberries; the couple also raises hogs. But she said the basic math of farming no longer works.

They skipped prebooking fertilizer last year because prices were already too high, hoping things would cool down. Instead, when the Strait of Hormuz closed, nitrogen prices jumped $100 a ton in the first week, pushing their nitrogen and fertilizer bill from $139 an acre last year to $217 an acre this year.

On a peracre basis, Overmans margins have shrunk dramatically; shes in the hole before she even factors in higher fuel and other input costs. The plan for now is to adapt.

Were going to cut back on our acreage of corn and try to plant a crop thats a little less fertilizer and nitrogen-dependent, which would be soybeans. Were also going to spread that fertilizer a little bit thinner, she said.

Not bridging the gap

AFBF Vice President of Public Policy and Economic Analysis John Newton noted that the roughly $12 billion in bridge assistance the administration rolled out earlier this year falls short of what is needed as costs continue to escalate.

We know that thats not nearly enough, Newton said, adding that both rowcrop and specialtycrop producers are seeking additional relief.

The Farm Bureau has urged the White House and Congress to consider several levers to ease fertilizer prices and improve availability, including changes to shipping rules and trade measures. Newton said the group successfully pushed for a temporary suspension of the Jones Act, allowing goods such as fertilizer and fuel to move more cheaply and quickly between U.S. ports. Other actions remain on the table. Newton said AFBF has asked the administration to lift duties on phosphate imports, which he argued would provide some shortterm price relief. The organization has also raised concerns about potential price gouging in fertilizer markets as supply fears and geopolitical shocks ripple through the system.

Duvall, AFBF president, said the survey results will be relayed directly to the White House and Capitol Hill as Farm Bureau pushes for further relief.

Bottom line, farmers are feeling like theyre in a nowin situation, he said.

He added that the fragile state of the farm economy is not just a rural concern.

It matters to every family in America, because we all eat, and were all depending on our country to be able to feed our own families here in America, and that is why its such a national security issue.
British beef is back in the spotlight as Great British Beef Week returns, with a renewed focus on the local butchers and farm shops at the heart of the nations food chain.

Running from 23 to 30 April 2026, the campaign  now in its sixteenth year  celebrates the quality and versatility of British beef, while also reflecting growing consumer interest in locally sourced produce.

Organised by Ladies in Beef alongside AHDB, the initiative highlights a key part of the UKs food culture, while this year placing particular emphasis on the role of independent retailers in connecting consumers with farmers.

Launching on St Georges Day, the campaign underscores how farm shops and butchers help sustain rural economies and provide trusted, traceable meat at a time when shoppers are increasingly conscious of provenance.

The week also draws attention to the environmental role of beef farming. Across the UK, the sector contributes to biodiversity, with around 19,100 hectares of wildflowers supported for pollinators.

However, the campaign comes against a backdrop of ongoing pressures for livestock producers, including rising costs and changing consumer habits, making efforts to promote British produce all the more significant.

NFU Livestock Board Chair David Barton said the sector continues to deliver to high standards: Livestock farmers across the country produce sustainable British beef to some of the highest welfare and environmental standards in the world.

He added that the campaign provides a timely opportunity to engage the public: Great British Beef Week gives us the perfect opportunity to celebrate a fantastic nutritious meat and showcase the product to the public who can show their support by backing British farming.

The NFU is supporting the initiative through social media, Countryside magazine and its Back British Farming newsletter, encouraging members to share their stories using #GBBW2026.

The campaign also links to longer-term ambitions for the sector, following the NFUs Backing British Beef  Our vision for 2035 report, which sets out priorities for the next decade.

Founded by Devon beef producer Jilly Greed and former NFU President Minette Batters, Ladies in Beef continues to champion the industry and those working within it.

As the week gets under way, organisers hope the focus on local supply chains will resonate with shoppers and reinforce support for British farming at a crucial time.
April 21, 2026: The European NATO defensive campaign in the Middle East made clear the inadequacy of its air forces. These were organized around small numbers of manned fighters armed with a few expensive precision-guided missiles. Theres a lot of capability but not much capacity.

Stripped of conventional forces by US and Israeli attacks, Iran is increasingly fighting the war with inexpensive rockets, drones, and mines. These may lack the precision of Western weapons, but can be used in large numbers.

Even while subject to massive air attacks, Iran has managed to launch hundreds of Shahed combat drones at targets throughout the Middle East. A 200kg Shahed can travel more than 1,000 km to deliver a 50-kg warhead, at a cost of about $50,000.

In contrast, a $100m Typhoon fighters AIM-120 medium-range air-to-air missiles cost more than a million dollars each, and its AIM-132 short-range air-to-air missiles cost $250,000 each. Even if a Typhoon engages Shaheds with its gun, the cost disparity is remarkable. It costs more than the price of a single Shahed just to fuel up a Eurofighter Typhoon for a three-hour air patrol and maintain it after it lands.

The high cost of European warplanes and munitions diminishes stockpiles. By favoring capability over capacity for both aircraft and munitions, the NATO air forces have steadily diminished in recent decades along with their munitions supplies.

Irans concentration on volume means it was able to continue drone attacks far longer than France and Britain, could maintain its aerial defense against them. Even the US and Israel, with their much bigger air forces and munitions stocks, risk losing a long war of attrition.

Europe must switch to affordable air defenses and do so quickly. Its a lesson Ukraine learned the hard way as Russia scaled up its deployment of drones, including the Iranian-designed Shaheds, some of which are now built in Russia as Gerans.

Since Ukraine switched to affordable air defenses, other European nations have had sufficient warning that their tiny forces are unprepared for a new era of warfare. They ignored the indications and now have to transform while in combat.

Europe must be prepared to defend against tens of thousands of Shahed combat drone barrages day after day. Given the scale attacks, with Russia launching some 60,000 Shaheds at Ukraine in just four years, manned fighters and surface-to-air missile batteries firing guided missiles are incapable of being the main line of defense.

High-end ground-based air defenses, such as Patriot and SAMP/T missile batteries, are unaffordable and unavailable, and unsuited to the task. Instead, European countries should follow Ukraines example and develop layered air defense in which numerous inexpensive drones are an affordable defense. Arab nations in the Persian Gulf have recently made contracts with Ukraine to purchase and set up more of Ukraines anti-drone defenses there.

Ukraines anti-Shahed system works, and it is common for Ukrainian defenders to take down 90 percent of drones during mass attacks. Ukrainians have efficiently accomplished this once or twice a week, month after month, year after year, while also fending off other aerial attacks. On March 23-24, for example, Russia launched its biggest air attack of the war using 982 missiles and drones. More than 900 of the drones were intercepted.

The Ukrainian system employs wide-area radio jamming that scrambles the satellite communication most Shaheds use for navigation. This costs a few million dollars to protect an entire city for years at a time.

The middle layer is roving aerial patrols, which dont always involve expensive manned fighters. Instead, they might include helicopters, propeller-driven training planes, or even light cargo aircraft with gunners aiming out of their cockpits or cabins. There are also cheap, fast interceptor drones that range just a few kilometers but strike their targets with enough force to destroy them.

Ground-based gun teams form the innermost layer, taking aim at any drones that get through. The gunners might ride in pickup trucks with heavy machine guns bolted to their beds, or in German-made Gepard tracked gun vehicles first made in the 1960s. It costs a gun team a few hundred dollars in fuel and ammunition to shoot down a Shahed.

NATO countries have come to realize that the drone revolution is real and that NATO nations are unprepared to deal with it. Ukrainian military officials are beginning to change minds in NATO about the drone threat. A growing number of NATO military leaders are realizing that any future Russian attack will overwhelm NATO defenders with millions of drones. Ukraine has manufactured over five million drones since late 2023 and Russia is not far behind. When the Ukraine War ends, NATO nations will be the next Russian target, even if Russia loses in Ukraine.

Since 2022 air, land and naval drones have revolutionized warfare. These systems are evidence that combat robots have become an essential component of the military, without many people in or out of uniform paying a lot of attention. That's still the case, especially because the media and even many senior military and political leaders dont fully understand the technology or how it is implemented. One example of this confusion can be seen with the constant reference to drones as robots. They are simply remotely controlled aircraft, something thats been around for over half a century. But these drones are being given more and more operating autonomously robotic capabilities. This isnt new either, as torpedoes have had this ability for over 60 years and missiles for over 50 years.

Swarms of First Person View or FPV drones revolutionized how wars are fought. There are few methods to defeat drone attacks. The primary defensive measure is electronic jamming of the control signal between the drone operator and the drone. Jamming is of limited effectiveness because active jammers are easy targets for drones programmed to detect, home in on and destroy jammers. Depending on how they are programmed, drones will either land if jammed or return to where they were launched.

Despite those defensive measures, and the small explosive payload drones carry, over half the armored vehicles damaged or destroyed in Ukraine were done in by drones. About 60 percent of all casualties for both sides were inflicted by drones. Drone warfare is dominating the battlefield in Ukraine. Tactics and techniques are also evolving as Ukraine and Russia both experiment with drone designs. Both nations are also increasing production of drones and the number of trained operators. Russia and Ukraine realize that drones provide unprecedented surveillance of the battlefield, but only if you have enough drones and operators. One solution for this shortcoming is operator software that enables one operator to control several drones. The number of drones one operator can handle simultaneously depends on operator experience. That cannot be manufactured but must be developed. Whoever can obtain the most trained operators has an advantage.

All these drone developments make combat far more dangerous for the soldiers on the ground. Drones not only keep an eye on enemy troops but are always ready to go in and put them out of action, as in dead or wounded. Troops are still fighting each other on the ground, but now they have to worry about constant surveillance and attacks from the growing number of drones hovering over the battlefield. In addition to operators there are the drone maintainers, who repair damaged or otherwise disabled drones and service those needing a battery recharge or simply a fresh battery.

Ukraine established a Drone Academy to train drone operators in basic and advanced skills. There are courses for commanders on how best to manage and use drones. This is essential because now Ukrainian infantry battalions have over a hundred drones on their TOE/Tables Of Equipment and access to quick replacement of drones used. Americans call items like drones a force multiplier. This means a battalion with lots of drones is more effective, and lethal, than a battalion without so many drones. The Ukrainian military is the first to go so far in this direction and appear to be benefitting from the massive use of drones. Other nations are closely following this development and preparing to adopt what works for Ukraine. Russia is more conservative in how they deal with this, even though they are also using massive numbers of drones.

There are already dozens of Ukrainian companies offering training for drone operators and the Ukrainian military uses the services of these firms. In 2023 Ukraine sought to have more than 10,000 trained operators as quickly as possible. Drone operators specialize. Most learn to operate quadcopters while a large minority learn how to operate FPV drones, and a smaller number learn how to operate fixed wing drones. Ukraine has found that the most difficult operators to recruit and train are those for FPV drones. The Ukrainian military considers drone operators as a separate military specialty like infantryman, artillerymen, or radar operator.

In early 2024 Ukraine created a new branch of their military, the Unmanned Aircraft, or Drone Force. This is in addition to the Ukrainian Air Force and its manned aircraft. The Drone Force does not control the drones Ukrainian forces use regularly and instead contributes to developing new drone models and organizing mass production for those new models that are successful. Drones have been an unexpected development that had a huge impact on how battles in Ukraine's current war are fought. Drones were successful because they were cheap, easily modified, and expendable.

Early on both Russian and Ukrainian forces were using cheap, at a few hundred dollars each, quadcopter drones controlled by soldiers a kilometer or more away using FPV goggles to see what the day/night video camera on the drone can see. Each of these drones carries half a kilogram of explosives, so it can instantly turn the drone into a flying bomb that can fly into a target and detonate. This was an awesome and debilitating weapon when used in large numbers over the combat zone. If a target isnt moving or requires more explosive power that the drones can supply, one of the drone operators can call in artillery, rocket, or missile fire, or even an airstrike. Larger, fixed wing drones are used for long range, often over a thousand kilometers, operations against targets deep inside Russia.

Since 2022 the use of drones by both sides has escalated and so far millions of drones have been put to work providing surveillance and attack services for both sides. The Ukrainians consider drones another form of ammunition that is cheaper, smarter and far more effective and lethal than guided missiles or GPS guided artillery shells.

NATO leaders, more than the distant Americans, realize that drones are a major threat. Europeans are developing a joint air defense system that now needs the ability to detect and destroy drones as well as aircraft and ballistic missiles. So many new problems and so far, so few solutions.
Farmers and landowners risk being pushed into below-market telecoms deals as radio mast operators adopt new tactics to secure lease renewals, industry advisers have warned.

Property experts say some operators are increasingly seeking to reduce rental payments by encouraging landowners to agree terms without professional representation  potentially weakening their long-term position.

Under the 2017 Electronic Communications Code, operators are able to renegotiate contracts, often aiming to lower rents and introduce terms more favourable to their businesses.

Traditionally, operators have offered to cover legal and agent fees as part of negotiations, presenting contributions towards transactional costs within a wider package designed to reach a consensual agreement and avoid tribunal proceedings.

However, advisers say a more concerning approach is now emerging.

In some cases, landowners are being offered a one-off payment  equivalent to the proposed professional fees  on the condition they proceed without appointing an agent or adviser.

This effectively trades short-term cash for independent advice, raising concerns that landowners may unknowingly accept weaker terms.

Mike Reid, head of energy at property adviser Galbraith, said the tactic could leave owners exposed.

This tactic looks to deprive the owner of proper professional advice, he said, warning it encourages individuals to negotiate without representation.

He stressed that operators are already required to meet reasonable professional costs.

Under the Electronic Communications Code, the operator is required to cover the reasonable and proper professional costs of the site provider, with no fixed cap set in legislation, Mr Reid said.

In practice, however, operators tend to agree to pay fees in legal undertakings up to agreed caps with provision for these to be extended by agreement.

Without expert guidance, landowners risk agreeing to reduced rents or overlooking key protections, he added.

Without professional advice, there is a real risk that key provisions are missed or diluted, particularly around matters such as the proper rental value of the site, redevelopment rights or other protections, which can have long-term detrimental implications for the site.

The warning comes as demand for telecoms infrastructure continues to grow, increasing pressure on landowners to reach agreements quickly.

Mr Reid urged caution, warning that upfront payments should not outweigh long-term considerations.

To protect your position and maximise value, always seek proper professional advice, he said.

The overall site value and protecting your rights over the longer term are far more critical than receiving a relatively small initial one-off payment.

Industry advisers say the issue could have lasting implications for landowners across the UK, particularly as lease renewals become more common under the current legal framework.
Dhanush and Mrunal Thakur have once again caught the attention of fans. After rumours about their personal lives, new reports suggest that they are set to collaborate professionally on an upcoming film project.

According to a report by Filmibeat Tamil, the duo is in talks for a new movie that is being described as a female-centric story. The project reportedly offers a substantial and compelling role for the female protagonist, with Mrunal Thakur being considered for the lead. Discussions for the film are said to be in the final stages, and an official announcement about the collaboration is expected to be made soon.

This news comes amid dating speculations that began in August 2025. The actors were first linked after being spotted together at the premiere of Mrunals film, Son Of Sardaar 2. Speculation grew further when Mrunal attended the wrap party for Dhanushs project Tere Ishk Mein. More recently, social media activity, specifically Mrunal following Dhanushs sisters on Instagram has added to the buzz. Despite the frequent headlines, both stars have maintained a private stance on their personal lives.

On the work front, both actors have busy schedules. Mrunal Thakur was recently seen in the action-romantic drama Dacoit alongside Adivi Sesh. The film featured a supporting cast including Anurag Kashyap and Prakash Raj. While the movie received mixed reviews, it managed to earn nearly Rs 40 crore during its opening weekend in India.

Dhanush, meanwhile, is preparing for the release of his next film, Kara. The recently released trailer reveals a story set against the backdrop of the 1991 Gulf War. The film explores the global economic crisis and fuel shortages triggered by the conflict in Kuwait, which serves as the central theme of the movie. Fans are now waiting for the official confirmation of this new project, which promises to bring Dhanush and Mrunal together on the big screen for the first time.

Also Read: Siddhant Chaturvedi Teases Co-star Mrunal Thakur Over Rumoured Link-up With Dhanush
Shrutis previous special appearances:

Peddi set for June release

The weeks-long suspense surrounding the special dance number in Peddi has finally reached its conclusion. Actress Shruti Haasan has been officially finalised to perform alongside Ram Charan in this much-talked-about special song, set to tune by AR Rahman. The multilingual actress will begin filming the sequence in Hyderabad within the next few days.This particular song has been at the centre of media speculation for weeks. Numerous names were linked to the project before the final casting was locked. Initially, rumours suggested that Mrunal Thakur would take the spot, though she chose to remain silent on the matter despite being asked during an event. Later reports mentioned Nayan Sarika and Manasa Varanasi as potential choices (these options did not seem very credible from the start). As recently as two days ago, Samyuktha Menon of Virupaksha fame was rumoured to be the frontrunner. Shruti Haasan eventually emerged as the confirmed choice for the role. This marks a notable reunion for the pair, who previously shared screen space in the 2014 hit Yevadu.Shruti Haasan is no stranger to such musical sequences. She previously delivered a memorable performance in the special song Madhubala from the film Tevar. She has also appeared in special roles in popular films like Vakeel Saab and Hi Nanna. Her video appearances include the Semmozhi Anthem, which was also composed by Rahman. Inimel, in which she appeared alongside Lokesh Kanagaraj, was released in 2024. The actress, whose biggest recent release is Prabhas Salaar, is expected to deliver energetic dance moves.The film Peddi is currently one of the most discussed projects in the industry. It features a stellar cast, including Janhvi Kapoor as the female lead and Kannada superstar Shiva Rajkumar in a pivotal role. Directed by Buchi Babu Sana, the film is slated for a grand theatrical release in June.
Critic's rating 3.5 /5

From its opening moments, Fuze announces itself as a thriller unwilling to idle. What begins as a familiar race-against-time scenario, construction workers unearthing an unexploded WWII bomb in Central London, quickly detonates into something far more intricate, mischievous and relentlessly propulsive. Major Will Tranter (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) is called in to defuse the device, working under immense pressure as Chief Superintendent of police Zuzana (Gugu Mbatha-Raw) oversees a sweeping evacuation. But while the authorities focus on averting catastrophe, a parallel operation unfolds in the shadows: Karalis (Theo James), the enigmatic X (Sam Worthington) and their accomplices seize the opportunity to execute a meticulously planned bank heist, using the deserted streets and an evacuated flat belonging to Rahim (Elham Ehsas) as their covert entry point.





It is this double-engine structure that gives Fuze its crackling energy. The film cross-cuts between the painstaking, nerve-shredding bomb disposal procedures and the brute-force chaos of the heist, creating a rhythm that rarely allows the audience to settle. One thread is all precision and restraint, the other all volatility and opportunistic. The friction between the two generates a tension that feels almost architectural in its design.





The director demonstrates an assured hand in staging both strands, whether its the suffocating stillness of a potential detonation or the subterranean violence of men tunnelling towards a vault. What elevates the film beyond a standard genre exercise is its commitment to narrative escalation. Just when you think you have a handle on the stakes, Fuze pivots. Alliances fracture, motives shift, and the story begins to fold in on itself with a series of increasingly audacious twists. It is, quite unapologetically, a film of double-crosses and triple-crosses, each reveal stacking atop the last with gleeful abandon.



The final act, in particular, leans into this unpredictability, delivering a major reveal that reframes much of what has come before. Some may find its structural detours, particularly late-stage flashbacks, a touch indulgent but theres no denying their ambition or their ability to keep viewers guessing.





The performances are uniformly above par, grounding the films more outlandish turns in something approaching emotional reality. Aaron Taylor-Johnson brings a quiet intensity to Tranter, suggesting a man carrying unseen burdens. There are hints of deeper psychological scars, references to PTSD that flicker briefly and while the script doesnt fully excavate this aspect, Taylor-Johnson ensures it lingers at the edges of his performance, adding texture to what could have been a purely functional role.





Theo James, meanwhile, thrives in the films more slippery terrain. His Karalis is a man constantly recalibrating, playing multiple sides with a mix of desperation and cunning. Theres an engaging unpredictability to his performance, particularly as the narrative tightens its screws and his character finds himself increasingly out of his depth. Watching him attempt to navigate the spiralling chaos proves consistently compelling.



If there is a lingering frustration, it lies in the underutilisation of Sam Worthington. As X, he exudes a quiet authority and intrigue that the film only intermittently taps into. Its a performance that hints at greater significance and one cant help but feel that a little more screen time would have enriched both the character and the films overall dynamic.



Yet these are relatively minor quibbles in what is otherwise a tightly wound, expertly paced thriller. The film operates at a breakneck speed, deliberately refusing to give the audience too much time to interrogate its more improbable turns. Instead, it barrels forward, layering twist upon twist, trusting that momentum and ingenuity will carry it through. And, for the most part, they do.



Fuze may not linger long in the memory as a profound film but as a piece of high-octane, narratively playful cinema, it delivers with precision. It is brisk, inventive and consistently engaging, a film that understands the value of momentum and embraces the chaos of its own construction. By the time the dust settles, you may find yourself questioning the mechanics of it all, but youll have been thoroughly entertained getting there.

Also Read: Confirmed: Fuze to Release in India on THIS Date
Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - April 21, 2026) - COELACANTH ENERGY INC. (TSXV: CEI) ("Coelacanth" or the "Company") is pleased to announce its financial and operating results for the three months and year ended December 31, 2025. All dollar figures are Canadian dollars unless otherwise noted.

HIGHLIGHTS

Completed construction of its Two Rivers East facility and pipelines to connect the 5-19 pad wells for a Q2 2025 on-stream date.

Drilled and completed three Lower Montney wells on its 5-19 pad at Two Rivers East in Q4 2025.

Increased oil and natural gas production 271% to 4,027 boe/d in Q4 2025 from 1,084 boe/d in Q4 2024. Exit 2025 production was approximately 5,100 boe/d and exit Q1 2026 production was approximately 8,000 boe/d with the ramp up of new wells on production on its 5-19 pad at Two Rivers East.

Entered into an $80.0 million credit facility with current lender to replace its previous credit facilities. Subsequent to December 31, 2025, on April 20, 2026, this credit facility was amended and restated to extend and increase the credit facility to $90.0 million (the "Amended Credit Facility").





To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

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(1) See "Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures" section.





To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

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(1) See "Oil and Gas Terms" section.

(2) See "Product Types" section.

(3) See "Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures" section.

Selected financial and operational information outlined in this news release should be read in conjunction with Coelacanth's audited financial statements and related Management's Discussion and Analysis ("MD&A") for the year ended December 31, 2025, which are available for review under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

OPERATIONS UPDATE

Coelacanth had a very active 2025 investing over $80.0 million to further its large Montney Project at Two Rivers in northeast British Columbia. Over half the capital was spent on completing the facilities and gathering lines to bring on the 5-19 pad wells previously drilled and tested. Remaining capital expenditures were for drilling and completing three additional Montney pad wells at 5-19. Throughout Q4 2025 and Q1 2026, wells were systematically placed on production to achieve a production rate of 8,000 boe/d in late March 2026 with additional wells anticipated to be placed on production by the end of April 2026 as previously disclosed. As part of an expanded role and in conjunction with the recent production increases, Coelacanth has also promoted Dan Rach to the role of VP Production.

With the construction of the new infrastructure completed with excess capacity available for growth, Coelacanth's go-forward capital in 2026 and 2027 can focus primarily on drilling. Coelacanth anticipates drilling a new 5 or 6 well development pad in the summer and start further delineation of the large Montney resource that has stacked Montney zones.

Reserves were conservatively booked with less than 8% and 2% of the Company's land base having reserves assigned in the Lower Montney and Upper Montney zones, respectively. This leaves significant upside for future bookings pending successful delineation of the asset base both aerially across the lands and vertically through the Montney stack.

The Amended Credit Facility completed on April 20, 2026 to increase and extend the Company's bank credit facility to $90.0 million plus the recently announced equity raise of $80.0 million, anticipated to close on or around May 6, 2026, will allow Coelacanth to systematically work through its business plan of not only increasing production year over year but proving out the resource to understand the ultimate scale of this project.

We look forward to reporting on future developments as they arise.

OIL AND GAS TERMS

The Company uses the following frequently recurring oil and gas industry terms in the news release:

Liquids Bbls Barrels Bbls/d Barrels per day NGLs Natural gas liquids (includes condensate, pentane, butane, propane, and ethane) Condensate Pentane and heavier hydrocarbons

Natural Gas Mcf Thousands of cubic feet Mcf/d Thousands of cubic feet per day MMcf/d Millions of cubic feet per day Oil Equivalent Boe Barrels of oil equivalent Boe/d Barrels of oil equivalent per day

Disclosure provided herein in respect of a boe may be misleading, particularly if used in isolation. A boe conversion rate of six thousand cubic feet of natural gas to one barrel of oil equivalent has been used for the calculation of boe amounts in the news release. This boe conversion rate is based on an energy equivalency conversion method primarily applicable at the burner tip and does not represent a value equivalency at the wellhead.

NON-GAAP AND OTHER FINANCIAL MEASURES

This news release refers to certain measures that are not determined in accordance with IFRS (or "GAAP"). These non-GAAP and other financial measures do not have any standardized meaning prescribed under IFRS and therefore may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other entities. The non-GAAP and other financial measures should not be considered alternatives to, or more meaningful than, financial measures that are determined in accordance with IFRS as indicators of the Company's performance. Management believes that the presentation of these non-GAAP and other financial measures provides useful information to shareholders and investors in understanding and evaluating the Company's ongoing operating performance, and the measures provide increased transparency to better analyze the Company's performance against prior periods on a comparable basis.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Adjusted funds flow

Management uses adjusted funds flow to analyze performance and considers it a key measure as it demonstrates the Company's ability to generate the cash necessary to fund future capital investments and abandonment obligations and to repay debt. Adjusted funds flow is a non-GAAP financial measure and has been defined by the Company as cash flow from operating activities excluding the change in non-cash working capital related to operating activities, movements in restricted cash deposits and expenditures on decommissioning obligations. Management believes the timing of collection, payment or incurrence of these items involves a high degree of discretion and as such may not be useful for evaluating the Company's cash flows. Adjusted funds flow is reconciled from cash flow from operating activities as follows:





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Net transportation expenses

Management considers net transportation expenses an important measure as it demonstrates the cost of utilized transportation related to the Company's production. Net transportation expenses is calculated as transportation expenses less unutilized transportation and is calculated as follows:





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Operating netback

Management considers operating netback an important measure as it demonstrates its profitability relative to current commodity prices. Operating netback is calculated as oil and natural gas sales less royalties, operating expenses, and net transportation expenses and is calculated as follows:





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Capital expenditures

Coelacanth utilizes capital expenditures as a measure of capital investment on property, plant, and equipment, exploration and evaluation assets and property acquisitions compared to its annual budgeted capital expenditures. Capital expenditures are calculated as follows:





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Capital Management Measures

Adjusted working capital deficiency and net debt

Management uses adjusted working capital deficiency and net debt as measures to assess the Company's financial position. Adjusted working capital is calculated as current assets and restricted cash deposits less current liabilities, excluding the current portion of decommissioning obligations and other obligations. Net debt includes adjusted working capital deficiency and non-current portion of the credit facility.





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Non-GAAP Financial Ratios

Adjusted Funds Flow per Share

Adjusted funds flow per share is a non-GAAP financial ratio, calculated using adjusted funds flow and the same weighted average basic and diluted shares used in calculating net loss per share.

Net transportation expenses per boe

The Company utilizes net transportation expenses per boe to assess the per unit cost of utilized transportation related to the Company's production. Net transportation expenses per boe is calculated as net transportation expenses divided by total production for the applicable period.

Operating netback per boe

The Company utilizes operating netback per boe to assess the operating performance of its petroleum and natural gas assets on a per unit of production basis. Operating netback per boe is calculated as operating netback divided by total production for the applicable period.

Supplementary Financial Measures

The supplementary financial measures used in this news release (primarily average sales price per product type and certain per boe and per share figures) are either a per unit disclosure of a corresponding GAAP measure, or a component of a corresponding GAAP measure, presented in the financial statements. Supplementary financial measures that are disclosed on a per unit basis are calculated by dividing the aggregate GAAP measure (or component thereof) by the applicable unit for the period. Supplementary financial measures that are disclosed on a component basis of a corresponding GAAP measure are a granular representation of a financial statement line item and are determined in accordance with GAAP.

PRODUCT TYPES

The Company uses the following references to sales volumes in the news release:

Natural gas refers to shale gas

Oil and condensate refers to condensate and tight oil combined

Other NGLs refers to butane, propane and ethane combined

Oil and NGLs refers to tight oil and NGLs combined

Oil equivalent refers to the total oil equivalent of shale gas, tight oil, and NGLs combined, using the conversion rate of six thousand cubic feet of shale gas to one barrel of oil equivalent.

The following is a complete breakdown of sales volumes for applicable periods by specific product types of shale gas, tight oil, and NGLs:





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FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This document contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. The use of any of the words "expect", "anticipate", "continue", "estimate", "may", "will", "should", "believe", "intends", "forecast", "plans", "guidance" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements or information.

More particularly and without limitation, this news release contains forward-looking statements and information relating to the Company's oil and condensate, other NGLs, and natural gas production, capital programs and expenditure plans for 2026 and 2027; drilling plans, including the anticipated drilling of a 5 or 6 well development pad in the summer of 2026; the timing of wells being placed on production, including the expectation that additional wells will be placed on production by the end of April 2026; anticipated delineation activities and resource potential; the anticipated closing of the $80.0 million equity raise on or around May 6, 2026; the Company's business plan, including expectations regarding year-over-year production growth; adjusted working capital; and the Company's expectations regarding future reserve bookings. The forward-looking statements and information are based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by the Company, including expectations and assumptions relating to prevailing commodity prices and exchange rates, applicable royalty rates and tax laws, future well production rates, the performance of existing wells, the success of drilling new wells, the availability of capital to undertake planned activities, and the availability and cost of labour and services. Specific assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements in this news release include: that the equity raise will close on the terms and timeline currently contemplated; that the Company will continue to have access to capital under its $90.0 million credit facility; that the summer 2026 drilling program will proceed on the currently anticipated timeline; that well performance will be consistent with results from existing wells at Two Rivers East; that commodity prices will remain at levels that support the Company's development plans; that there will be no material delays in regulatory approvals or permitting; and that the Company's delineation program will confirm the existence of commercial hydrocarbon quantities across the Montney zones.

Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements and information are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Since forward-looking statements and information address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. These include, but are not limited to, the risks associated with the oil and gas industry in general such as operational risks in development, exploration and production, delays or changes in plans with respect to exploration or development projects or capital expenditures, the uncertainty of estimates and projections relating to production rates, costs, and expenses, commodity price and exchange rate fluctuations, marketing and transportation, environmental risks, competition, the ability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources and changes in tax, royalty, and environmental legislation. Additional material risks specific to the forward-looking statements in this news release include: the risk that the equity raise may not close on the anticipated terms or timeline, which could affect the Company's ability to execute its capital program; the risk that well performance may vary materially from expectations, which could affect production targets; the risk that delineation drilling may not confirm the Company's expectations regarding resource potential in the Montney zones; the risk that infrastructure capacity constraints may delay bringing new wells on production; and the risk that the Company may not be able to access capital under its credit facility on the anticipated terms. All statements regarding timing, including anticipated closing dates, production commencement dates, and drilling schedules, are estimates only and are subject to change based on operational, regulatory, and market conditions. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions, or expectations upon which they are based will occur. The forward-looking statements and information contained in this document are made as of the date hereof for the purpose of providing the readers with the Company's expectations for the coming year. The forward-looking statements and information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws.

Coelacanth is an oil and natural gas company, actively engaged in the acquisition, development, exploration, and production of oil and natural gas reserves in northeastern British Columbia, Canada.

Mr. Robert J. Zakresky

President and Chief Executive Officer

Mr. Nolan Chicoine

Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/293722

Source: Coelacanth Energy Inc.
Zefiro has realized its very first earnings from a patented casing expansion tool, after two corporate clients of ZEFI subsidiary Plants & Goodwin, Inc. have utilized Radial Casing Solutions' REED device on job sites in Pennsylvania.

These two proven and successful deployments with third-party clients gives P&G the ability to further market the REED device to other end-user licensees in the United States, as P&G is the exclusive U.S. patent license holder for REED in addition to other technologies developed by RCS.

With this range of advanced intellectual property at its disposal, Zefiro is further strengthening its competitive advantage as the leading plug-and-abandonment business in North America.

Bradford, Pennsylvania--(Newsfile Corp. - April 21, 2026) - ZEFIRO METHANE CORP. (CBOE CA: ZEFI) (FSE: Y6B) (OTCQB: ZEFIF) (the "Company", "Zefiro", or "ZEFI") is pleased to announce that two commercial deployments of the patented wellbore casing expansion technology Radial Elastomer Expansion Device ("REED") have successfully been completed for two corporate clients in the resources sector on job sites in Pennsylvania.

This execution by Zefiro subsidiary Plants & Goodwin, Inc. ("P&G") marks the Company's first-ever earnings from this intellectual property, a revenue stream that can complement Zefiro's core operations. Over the past two fiscal quarters combined, these operations were largely responsible for generating more than USD $22 million in revenue and adjusted EBITDA of USD $3.8 million (Press Release).

The REED device is built around a patented technology by Radial Casing Solutions Ltd. ("RCS"), which uses surface-level hydraulic pressure to expand elastomer elements on the inside of wellbore casing to seal leak pathways. In layperson's terms, casing inside of a wellbore is expanded by REED to prevent underground leaks of gases such as methane from reaching the surface. This common issue sometimes requires well-drilling or plugging work to be revised after being initially completed. Using REED proactively prevents such revision work from being needed, and can provide firms such as P&G who plug oil and gas wells with a useful value-add to offer their clients.

In August of 2024, Zefiro announced that P&G acquired a minority ownership interest in RCS, which was named Winterhawk Well Abandonment Ltd. at the time. P&G also entered into an exclusive patent license agreement for RCS' U.S. patents, making P&G the only company that can utilize or sublicense RCS' innovations such as REED in the United States.

More information about REED can be found on RCS' website: https://radialcs.com/about-radial-elastomer-expansion-device-reed/

Zefiro Senior Vice President of Corporate Development Luke Plants commented, "We are quite happy to have executed these deployments and further advanced our playbook for making the most out of RCS' technologies, for which we hold an exclusive license of their U.S. patents. Gas often comes to the surface of wellbores from sustained casing pressure or surface casing vent flows. When this happens, the cost to remediate the issue can be in the hundreds of thousands to millions of U.S. dollars - whereas using the REED device to expand the wellbore casing costs a mere fraction of this amount. We now include REED in P&G's modular, turnkey plug-and-abandonment package, and by beginning to more widely license the technology, we can offer this capability to other operators across the United States."





Post-Expansion Well Casing Samples are Shown in RCS' Workshop, Demonstrating the Outcome Achieved Through Use of the REED Device

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

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Readers using news aggregation services may be unable to view the media above. Please access SEDAR+ or the Investors section of the Company's website for a version of this press release containing all published media.





Radial Casing Solutions has Published a Video Showcasing a Testimonial by P&G CEO Luke Plants on the Impact and Significance of this Technology. Please Click Here to Watch the Video on YouTube.

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Readers using news aggregation services may be unable to view the media above. Please access SEDAR+ or the Investors section of the Company's website for a version of this press release containing all published media.

About Zefiro Methane Corp.

Zefiro is a U.S. environmental services company focused on strategically addressing methane emissions. Its fully integrated core operations include plugging oil/gas wells and measuring methane leaks. In 2025, Zefiro became the first-ever project developer to sell carbon credits originated under the ACR's orphan well methodology. Zefiro is also leveraging its team's expertise to develop a portfolio of proprietary environmental technologies, which can be commercialized at a global scale. For more information about Zefiro, please visit our website at https://www.zefiromethane.com/ and Follow Zefiro on LinkedIn.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Company,

ZEFIRO METHANE CORP.

Catherine Flax

Chief Executive Officer

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including U.S. and Canadian securities regulations and laws. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates, projections, beliefs, and assumptions of management, including those of Zefiro Methane Corp., as of the date of this news release. Forward-looking statements typically include words such as "anticipates," "outlook", "seeks", "expects," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," "may," "will," "should," "could," "would," "continue," "forecast," "potential," "targets," "goals," "vision," "strategy," and similar expressions or variations thereof. These statements may relate to, among other things, the Company's operational outlook, expansion plans, future direction, strategic initiatives, business plans, regulatory environment, growth prospects, pipeline, financial performance, timing and scope of projects, future market conditions, funding and capital requirements, partnerships, or other business developments. The forward-looking information reflects management's current expectations based on information currently available and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause outcomes to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking information. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed timeframes or at all.

In addition, any statements made in this news release are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are outside the Company's control, that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to: fluctuations in commodity prices, changes in regulatory or political environments, operational risks, financing risks, market demand for emissions reduction or environmental services, delays in project execution, reliance on third-party partners or vendors, competition, and the overall economic environment. For a more detailed discussion of these factors and other risks, see the section entitled "Financial Risks" in Zefiro's management's discussion and analysis for the year ended June 30, 2025 and "Risk Factors" in Zefiro's annual information form for the year ended June 30, 2025, each of which is available under Zefiro's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca/.

Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include, but are not limited to: (i) Adverse general market and economic conditions; (ii) Changes to and price and volume volatility in the carbon market; (iii) Changes to the regulatory landscape and global policies applicable to the Company's business; (iv) Failure to obtain all necessary regulatory approvals; (v) Potential future outcomes from using and/or licensing patents as outlined in the press release, as well as other risk factors set forth in the Company's most recent Prospectus under the heading "Risk Factors". The Company operates in a rapidly evolving environment where technologies are in the early stage of adoption. New risk factors emerge from time to time, and it is impossible for the Company's management to predict all risk factors, nor can the Company assess the impact of all factors on Company's business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ from those contained in any forward-looking information. Forward-looking information in this news release is based on the opinions and assumptions of management considered reasonable as of the date hereof, including, but not limited to, the assumption that general business and economic conditions will not change in a materially adverse manner. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information. The forward-looking information included in this news release is made as of the date of this news release and the Company expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

Zefiro Methane Corp. does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.

Also, this news release may include market and industry data obtained from various publicly available sources and other sources believed by the Company to be true. Although the Company believes it to be reliable, the Company has not independently verified any of the data from third-party sources referred to in this presentation or analyzed or verified the underlying reports relied upon or referred to by such sources, or ascertained the underlying assumptions relied upon by such sources. The Company does not make any representation as to the accuracy of such information.

This news release is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities of Zefiro Methane Corp., nor shall it form the basis of or be relied upon in connection with any investment decision.

Statement Regarding Third-Party Investor Relations Firms

Disclosures relating to investor relations firms retained by Zefiro Methane Corp. can be found under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca/.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/293724

Source: Zefiro Methane Corp.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 21, 2026) - Eureka Lithium Corp. (CSE: ERKA) (OTCQB: UREKF) (FSE: S58) ("Eureka Lithium" or "Eureka" or the "Company") announces that it has filed an amended and restated LIFE Offering Document (the "Amended Offering Document") effective April 21, 2026, which amends the offering document filed by the Company on March 11, 2026. As a result of strong investor demand, the Amendment Offering Document was filed to increase the size of the Life Offering (defined below) to $2,500,000. Further details are below.

The Amended Offering Document relates to a non-brokered private placement financing under the listed issuer financing exemption under Part 5A of National Instrument 45-106 - Prospectus Exemptions (the "LIFE Exemption") of up to 5952380 units of the Company (the "Units") at a price of $0.42 per Unit for aggregate gross proceeds of up to $2,500,000 (the "LIFE Offering"). Each Unit will be comprised of one common share (the "Common Shares") and one Common Share purchase warrant (the "Warrants"). Each Warrant will entitle the holder to purchase one (1) Common Share (the "Warrant Shares") at an exercise price of $0.50 per Warrant Share for a period of 24 months from the closing date of the LIFE Offering. The Warrants will be governed by the terms and conditions set forth in the certificates representing the Warrants.

The Company also intends to complete two concurrent non-brokered private placements (the "Concurrent Offerings"). First, an offering of up to 4,761,904 units (the "Concurrent Private Placement Units") at a price of $0.42 per Concurrent Private Placement Unit for aggregate gross proceeds of up to $2,000,000. Each Concurrent Private Placement Unit will be comprised of one Common Share and one Common Share purchase warrant (the "Concurrent Private Placement Warrants"), and with each Concurrent Private Placement Warrant being exercisable for a period of 24 months, to acquire one Common Share (the "Concurrent Private Placement Warrant Shares") at an exercise price of $0.50 per Concurrent Private Placement Warrant Share.

Second, an offering of up to 4,166,666 units (the "FT Units") at a price of $0.48 per FT Unit for aggregate gross proceeds of up to $2,000,000. Each FT Unit being comprised of one Common Share issued on a "flow-through" bass and one (non-flow-through) Common Share purchase warrant (the "FT Warrants"), with each FT Warrant being exercisable to acquire, for a period of 24 months, one (non-flow-through) Common Share (the "FT Warrant Share") at an exercise price of $0.60 per FT Warrant Share. The Concurrent Private Placement Warrants and FT Warrants will be governed by the terms and conditions set forth in the certificates representing the Warrants.

The securities issued in connection with the Concurrent Offerings will be subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day from the date of issuance, in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws. The Amended Offering Document related to the LIFE Offering is accessible under the Company's SEDAR+ profile at https://www.sedarplus.ca and on the Company's website at https://eurekalithiumcorp.com. Prospective investors should read the Offering Document before making an investment decision.

Subject to compliance with applicable regulatory requirements and in accordance with the LIFE Exemption, the LIFE Offering is being made to purchasers resident in Canada, except Quebec. Because the LIFE Offering is being completed pursuant to the LIFE Exemption, the securities issued in connection with the LIFE Offering will not be subject to resale restrictions in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws. The securities issued in connection with the Concurrent Offerings will be subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day from the date of issuance, in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws

The securities described herein have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or available exemptions from such registration requirements. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in the United States, or in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

About Eureka Lithium Corp.

Eureka holds approximately 158 claims in the emerging Raglan West, Raglan South and New Leaf Lithium Camps in Quebec, Canada. The Company also holds a 100% interest in the Tyee Titanium-Vanadium Project located in Quebec, and an option to acquire a 100% interest (subject to a 2% NSR) in the Cabin Lake Polymetallic Project located in British Columbia.

Cautionary Statement

Certain statements contained in this news release, including statements which may contain words such as "expects", "anticipates", "intends", "plans", "believes", "estimates", or similar expressions, and statements related to matters which are not historical facts, such as statements regarding the use of proceeds from the LIFE Offering and the Concurrent Offerings, are forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Such forward-looking statements reflect management's expectations and are based on certain factors and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on the Company's forward-looking statements. The Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct. The Company undertakes no obligation to release publicly any future revisions to forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this news or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as expressly required by law.

The Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) has not reviewed, approved, or disapproved the contents of this press release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/293735

Source: Eureka Lithium Corp.
The Way the World Streams Music Is About to Change

LOS ANGELES, April 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Smashify announced today the launch of its beta music platform, introducing a new approach to streaming designed to create stronger alignment between artists, fans, and platform activity.

Built as a music technology platform, Smashify is focused on developing a more transparent and participatory streaming ecosystem. At the center of the platform is a model designed to better support artists while also recognizing the importance of listeners and fans in driving discovery, engagement, and long-term music value.

According to the company's model, artists on Smashify are positioned to earn on average up to ten times more than they typically would through conventional streaming platforms. Smashify says this reflects its broader effort to create a more favorable economic structure for music creators in an industry where many artists have long expressed concern over limited payout models.

Smashify also places special emphasis on fans and listeners, which the company considers the most important part of its platform ecosystem. Through its participation model, Smashify is building a system intended to share a portion of company-generated revenue with listeners, recognizing the role fans play in supporting music discovery, engagement, and platform growth.

Rather than limiting value creation to the platform level alone, Smashify is building an ecosystem intended to broaden participation across artists, fans, and digital communities. The company says its beta launch marks the next step in rethinking how music is experienced, supported, and monetized in the digital era.

The platform incorporates blockchain infrastructure as part of its long-term technology framework, with an emphasis on transparency, accountability, and future utility across the Smashify ecosystem. As the company expands, Smashify plans to introduce additional features designed to support platform activity, artist promotion, fan engagement, marketplace functionality, and advertiser participation.

"The next wave of innovation in music will come not only from discovery, but from building stronger economic alignment across the ecosystem," said 7 Ghosts, the team behind Smashify. "We believe artists deserve better economics, and we also believe fans deserve to be recognized as an essential part of the value chain. Smashify is being built to support both."

Currently in beta, Smashify is focused on platform rollout, user growth, product development, and strategic expansion. The company says its mission is to build a next-generation music platform that reflects the changing expectations of both artists and audiences in a digitally native economy.

ABOUT SMASHIFY

Smashify is a music technology company developing a streaming ecosystem designed to deepen participation between artists, fans, and digital communities. With a focus on transparency, engagement, and long-term platform innovation, Smashify is building tools and infrastructure intended to support music discovery, artist visibility, user participation, and new forms of value creation within the streaming experience. Headquartered in Panama City, Panama, Smashify is focused on global platform growth and continued product development.

KEEP UP WITH SMASHIFY

APP WEBSITE

WEBSITE

INSTAGRAM

FACEBOOK

TELEGRAM

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For All Press & Media Inquiries Contact:

The Formula

info@theformulaent.com

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2962704/5930653/Smashify_Logo.jpg

Correction: An earlier version of this release required updates to the links.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/smashify-launches-beta-platform-to-rewrite-the-streaming-experience-for-artist-and-fans-302749428.html
April 22, 2026: Russian leader Vladimir Putin has demanded more efficient corruption in the military. Russia is running out of money for its war with Ukraine because the military system is riddled with corruption, and no one has been able to get a grip on it.

Vladimir Putins Russia, like many post-Soviet autocratic systems, is built on dense patronage networks that allow members of the presidents inner circle to steal money. This form of corruption is watched and, when the moment is right, the targeted individual can be accused of stealing money though the government has known that all along. Generals are told to behave as expected, or your crimes will be revealed, and you will be humiliated.

There are limits. The Russian budget is under huge pressure. Whatever the results of the American -Israeli war on Iran where the Americans have temporarily eased sanctions on Russian oil, any relief cant come soon enough. Russia is now in serious talks about slashing the 2026 budget by 10 percent. Any cuts would fall mainly on the civilian side of the economy, while military spending remains untouched.

Even so, the Defense Ministry remains under significant political pressure, something demonstrated by the continuing campaign against graft. Earlier this year, the government announced the arrest on corruption charges of yet another former deputy defense minister, Ruslan Tsalikov, a close, long-time associate of Sergey Shoigu, who led the ministry until 2024. He was a much-decorated official, with a full Knight of the Merit to the Fatherland Order who had been rewarded for impeccable service.

Tsalikov is accused of creating a criminal group to steal from the state budget from 2017-24, and of bribery and money laundering. The Russia of 2026 is saying that the Russia of 2024 and before was corrupt at the highest levels. That is one reason why Shoigu was replaced by Andrei Belousov, an economist with no military background two years ago. Russias public explanation, echoed by analysts, was simple: impose discipline on the war budgets exponential growth. This has not worked. Every Russian budget since 2022 has promised to cut military spending in two or three years, and none has done so.

Unable to reduce outlays, the government has made efforts to spend more efficiently by reducing corruption. At least, that is one way to read parallel processes that have been unfolding inside the defense ministry over the past two years.

The first involved arguably the most sweeping purge of officials in the history of post-Soviet Russia. Shoigus removal as minister in May 2024 was preceded by the arrest of several close associates, including another deputy minister. But the purge didnt stop when the leadership changed.

It has now lasted two years, and more than seventy individuals have been arrested so far. Nearly half are officials from the Defense Ministry or its subordinate organizations, the other half are their suppliers and contractors. By comparison, the previous Defense Ministry purge, which also accompanied a change of minister in 2012, swept up fewer than 20 people and barely touched senior officials.

In dictatorships, high-profile anti-corruption cases are usually a tool for redistributing cash. But sometimes, given the right incentives at the top, something closer to performance-driven anti-corruption emerges. The government clearly has those incentives now and Putin wants his war machine to be more effective.

The relentlessly expanding purge at the Defense Ministry may well serve that goal. The FSB-led security services are dismantling the cash-extraction networks built up under Shoigus team, clearing the way for new leadership to restructure the ministry more quickly.

The identity of the targets supports this argument. Roughly 85 percent of defendants come from the logistics side of the military machine that provide construction, food supply, and ammunition. All four arrested deputy ministers oversaw these domains. The armament side has barely been touched during the purges.

Yet there is every reason to think corruption is as deeply embedded across the Russian military system. The asymmetry in the purge may reflect a deliberate priority: to squeeze costs in logistics and support, so that spending on armament can keep growing.

The classified-versus-open military spending ratio offers indirect confirmation. Until 2023, the split was roughly equal. By 20242025, the share of classified expenditure, which primarily covers armament procurement, had risen to nearly 70 percent.

The purge is only half the story. Alongside it, a second process has been unfolding inside the Defense Ministry, one that points to a different kind of change.

Until 2024, the ministry, like much of the Russian federal bureaucracy, was run as the private fiefdom of a single elite faction. Even if the General Staff reported directly to Putin, Shoigu controlled the business side of the ministry and used it to cultivate his patronage network.

His successor, Belousov, likely commands a smaller network of his own, although the Dossier publication has published documents about his private life, including an Italian villa. Despite the fact that he begins official meetings with a prayer, it is likely Belousov has built new cash-extraction chains given the sheer scale of the defense budget. But the government changed strategy, rather than handing the ministry to a single faction, it shifted it to collective management. At least, that is what the biography of the new deputy minister lineup suggests.

Belousov himself managed to place only one close ally among his 10 deputies: Oleg Savelyev, a colleague from his years at the Economics Ministry. Pavel Fradkov was another appointee. He is a figure with security service ties, son of a former SVR chief, and brother of the head of the state-controlled bank financing military procurement.

The first deputy minister slot went to Leonid Gornin, a senior Finance Ministry technocrat. Despite a superficially similar background to Belousov, Gornin represents a different wing of the economic bureaucracy  he is closer to the tight-money faction around the finance minister and central bank head, and considerably more skeptical of the large-scale state investment agenda that Belousov has long championed.

Another deputy minister is Anna Tsiviliova, Putins niece and head of the Defenders of the Fatherland foundation, the state veterans fund that functions, in practice, as a political control mechanism over that constituency.

Two more deputies, Alexei Krivoruchko and Vasily Osmakov, who oversee the armament sector, are close to Sergei Chemezov, the powerful head of the state-owned defense conglomerate Rostec, and one of Putins longest-standing allies.

The remaining four deputies, including Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov, come from the military. Three held their posts through the 2024 reshuffle. The fourth, Alexander Sanchik, a career officer who commanded major Russian formations in Ukraine, was personally introduced to his new role by Putin in November. Sanchik will oversee most logistics departments.

Two years after Shoigus removal, both the purge and the shift to collective management appear to be structural rather than temporary changes. Together they point to a system designed not to reduce war spending, but to make Russias war machine run more efficiently under tighter political control.

That much is clear. It is less clear whether the changes are actually achieving the efficiencies that Putin seeks or whether Russias old boy system has pioneered new methods to rob the taxpayer, and short-change the soldiers at the front.
BEIJING, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Dayspring Pharma today announced top-line data from its Phase II clinical trial of CG2001 foam in male patients with androgenetic alopecia (AGA). The trial met its primary endpoint and demonstrated statistically significant and clinically meaningful results, with a favorable efficacy and safety profile.

This multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase II study enrolled 110 Chinese adult men with AGA. Led by Peking University People's Hospital, the 30-week trial was designed to evaluate the efficacy of CG2001 and identify the recommended dosing regimen for Phase III development.

Key Findings

All CG2001 treatment groups demonstrated a markedly superior improvement trend compared to the placebo group at Week 24. Most notably, the group receiving 5% minoxidil + 0.075% finasteride twice daily demonstrated the best efficacy. Compared with other registered clinical data, including published data from existing Chinese minoxidil foam studies, efficacy improved by approximately 50%. In addition, the treatment showed a rapid onset of action, surpassing the peak efficacy reported in comparator studies as early as Week 12.

In terms of safety, CG2001 was well tolerated and exhibited extremely low systemic exposure. All adverse reactions observed during the study were mild, mainly pruritus and increased scaliness, and resolved spontaneously without medical intervention.

Based on the overall Phase II results, CG2001 has demonstrated strong potential in efficacy, rapid onset of action, and safety. Dayspring Pharma will continue to advance the Phase III clinical development of CG2001, further accelerate its research and translational efforts in hair health, and strive to bring patients more effective and accessible treatment options.

About CG2001

CG2001 is a topical combination of minoxidil and finasteride developed to harness the synergistic potential of two cornerstone therapies for androgenetic alopecia (AGA). Both are widely recognized as first-line treatments for male pattern hair loss: minoxidil promotes hair growth, while finasteride inhibits 5a-reductase and reduces dihydrotestosterone (DHT) levels.

CG2001 is formulated as a specifically designed foam with an optimized dose ratio and delivery system to improve local follicular delivery, enhance efficacy, and minimize systemic exposure associated with oral finasteride.

About Dayspring Pharma

Dayspring Pharma is a pharmaceutical company focused on innovation in dermatology and hair health. The company develops differentiated therapies to address unmet clinical needs. For more information, please visit dayspringpharma.com.

CONTACT: chenguang@dayspringpharma.com

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/dayspring-pharma-announces-phase-ii-trial-of-cg2001-foam-met-primary-endpoint-in-chinese-adult-men-with-aga-302749585.html
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!
Exploring how physical AI and humanoid robotics can transform supply chains and unlock new business models

Accenture (NYSE: ACN), together with Vodafone Procure Connect and SAP, is piloting the use of humanoid robotics in warehouse environments, demonstrating how physical AI can enhance operational efficiency, improve safety, and enable new approaches to workforce and business model design. Accenture and SAP, along with Vodafone Procure Connect, are presenting the work at Hannover Messe 2026*.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260421209563/en/

A humanoid robot checking for misplaced or improperly stacked items

The initiative reflects Accenture's focus on applying advanced robotics and physical AI in real-world industrial environments, helping organizations move from experimentation to practical deployment at scale. It also explores how humanoid robots could support the evolution of future workforce models and create new revenue opportunities across industries.

The pilot program was conducted at Vodafone Procure Connect's warehouse in Duisburg, Germany, where humanoid robots were deployed to operate alongside existing warehouse systems. The robot received inspection tasks through the SAP Extended Warehouse Management system and autonomously carried out visual inspections across the facility.

During the pilot, the humanoid robot identified operational inefficiencies, safety risks and optimization opportunities across warehouse processes. It detected misplaced or damaged products, assessed pallet stacking and weight distribution, highlighted unused storage space, and identified potential hazards such as obstacles in aisles or misaligned pallets. The robot reported its findings and recommendations directly into the SAP system, enabling real-time visibility and more informed operational decision-making.

SAP led the integration of the robots into the warehouse management system, while Accenture designed and deployed the robot intelligence and operational framework, drawing on its expertise in physical AI, advanced robotics and digital twin environments.

Christian Souche, Advanced Robotics lead, Accenture, said, "Trained in digital twins and powered by physical AI, humanoid robots can reduce worker injuries and other warehouse safety incidents and lower overtime costs and the dependency on temporary labor. Equally important, Vodafone Procure Connect will gather valuable data and insights on robot deployment and performance as a basis for a future humanoid workforce solutions business."

Dr. Lukasz Ostrowski, head of Embodied AI Robotics, SAP, commented, "At Vodafone Procure Connect, we're leveraging Joule, SAP's AI execution fabric and interface for embodied AI, connecting robots to end-to-end processes and business logic and enabling them to know why, when and how to act. By grounding actions in trusted SAP data, we can automate health and safety incident reporting and real time inventory validation to protect workers and strengthen compliance through consistent auditable workflows."

Reinhard Stefan Plaza Bartsch, global Network Logistics director at Vodafone Procure Connect, said, "Through this pilot, we are exploring how humanoid robotics can improve efficiency, safety and operational visibility in our warehouse operations. It also gives us a clearer view of how these capabilities could scale across our supply chain and support future business models."

Prasad Satyavolu, global lead for Manufacturing, Operations and Physical AI at Accenture, added, "Our work in collaboration SAP is a great example of how holistic deployment of humanoid robots from simulation and training to warehouse deployment and integration with SAP data creates a closed loop with transactional systems."

The humanoid robots used in the pilot are powered by Accenture's Robot Brain solution, enabling them to interact naturally with human operators through voice, gestures and text. They are trained in digital twins of warehouse environments, built on Accenture's Physical AI Orchestrator, which uses NVIDIA Omniverse libraries, the Mega NVIDIA Omniverse Blueprint and the NVIDIA Metropolis libraries and Blueprint for video search and summarization for the deployment of visual AI agents, to go beyond single repetitive functions and learn new skills through imitation and reinforcement learning.

Accenture, SAP along with Vodafone Procure Connect will present the pilot project at Hannover Messe 2026 at the SAP Hall 15, Booth F08 (Accenture Partner Stand). If you are interested in learning more, please contact jens.derksen@accenture.com, +49 175 57 61393.

About Accenture

Accenture is a leading solutions and services company that helps the world's leading enterprises reinvent by building their digital core and unleashing the power of AI to create value at speed across the enterprise, bringing together the talent of our approximately 786,000 people, our proprietary assets and platforms, and deep ecosystem relationships. Our strategy is to be the reinvention partner of choice for our clients and to be the most client-focused, AI-enabled, great place to work in the world. Through our Reinvention Services we bring together our capabilities across strategy, consulting, technology, operations, Song and Industry X with our deep industry expertise to create and deliver solutions and services for our clients. Our purpose is to deliver on the promise of technology and human ingenuity, and we measure our success by the 360 value we create for all our stakeholders. Visit us at accenture.com.

Copyright 2026 Accenture. All rights reserved. Accenture and its logo are registered trademarks of Accenture.

SAP and other SAP products and services mentioned herein as well as their respective logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of SAP SE in Germany and other countries. Please see https://www.sap.com/copyright for additional trademark information and notices. All other product and service names mentioned are the trademarks of their respective companies.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260421209563/en/

Contacts:

Jens Derksen

Accenture

+49 175 5761393

jens.derksen@accenture.com
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 22, 2026) - Trillion Energy International Inc. (CSE: TCF) (OTCQB: TRLEF) (FSE: Z620) ("Trillion" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has been invited to ring the Opening Bell at the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "CSE") for Thursday, April 23, 2026 - marking the Company's five year anniversary on the exchange. The ceremony will take place at 9:30 a.m. ET and will be broadcast on the Company's and the CSE's official social media channels.

"Ringing the Opening Bell at the CSE marks an exciting turning point for Trillion," said Scott Lower, President of Trillion Energy. "Over the past several months, we have repositioned the Company around a single focused asset, our 29% earn-in interest in the M47 oil exploration block in southeastern Turkiye, divesting our legacy natural gas interests and completing an independent NI 51-101 resource evaluation of the M47 block. We are pleased to share this milestone with our shareholders and the broader investment community."

Share Consolidation Effective Date

Further to the Company's news release dated April 17, 2026, the Company confirms that its previously announced 5:1 consolidation of its issued and outstanding common shares (the "Consolidation") will take effect at the open of markets on Friday, April 24, 2026.

When the Consolidation is put into effect, a total of approximately 41,624,457 post-Consolidation Common Shares will be issued and outstanding, assuming there are no other changes in the issued capital of the Company. The aggregate number of Common Shares held by such holder will be rounded down to the nearest whole Common Share. All outstanding convertible instruments (including debentures, options and warrants) will be adjusted on the equivalent ratio. The CSE trading symbol will continue as "TCF" with a new CUSIP 89624B500 / ISIN CA89624B5009. The Company's OTCQB symbol will temporarily change to "TRLED" for 20 trading days, after which it is expected to revert to "TRLEF".

Registered shareholders will receive a letter of transmittal from the Company's transfer agent, Odyssey Trust Company, with instructions regarding exchanging share certificates. Shares held in book-entry form through a broker or other intermediary will be adjusted automatically. Shareholders with questions regarding the Consolidation are encouraged to contact their broker or Odyssey Trust Company directly.

About Trillion Energy International Inc.

Trillion Energy International Inc. is a Canadian oil exploration company focused on Turkiye. The Company has an agreement to earn a 29% working interest in the M47 oil exploration block (C3 and C4 licences) located in the Cudi-Gabar petroleum province of Southeastern Turkiye. The earn-in includes funding a total of US$15 million for 2026 and 2027 work commitments. More information may be found on www.sedarplus.ca and on the Company's website at www.trillionenergy.com.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws, including but not limited to: statements regarding the bell-ringing ceremony date, time and format; the Company's strategic direction and focus on the M47 Concession; the Company's earn-in obligations and work program commitments; and the business and affairs of the Company generally. Forward-looking information is based on a number of assumptions including, without limitation: the availability of the CSE venue and livestream; JOC partner approvals; prevailing oil prices and foreign exchange rates; access to capital; and the availability of required services and equipment. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control, that may cause actual results to differ materially, including: commodity price risk; drilling and operational risk; regulatory risk in Turkiye; JOC partner risk; access to financing; and currency risk. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The forward-looking information contained in this news release is made as of the date hereof and the Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable securities law.

*Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its regulation services provider accepts 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/293769

Source: Trillion Energy International Inc.
SHANGHAI, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- As the global water sector moves toward smarter, greener and more efficient development, WATERTECH CHINA 2026 ,organized by Herui Group, will return from June 9-11, 2026 at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), bringing together technology providers, industry leaders and end users from across the world.

As the 18th edition of the event, WATERTECH CHINA 2026 will cover 180,000 square meters, feature 2,500+ exhibitors, and welcome 100,000+ professional visitors from 175 countries and regions. Serving 28 end-user industries, the show continues to be one of the most influential B2B platforms for sourcing solutions, tracking market trends and building international partnerships across the water sector.

Among the highlights of this year's program are two major forums designed to turn industry attention into onsite participation and high-value business exchange.

The Digital Water Innovation Summit will explore how AI, digital twins, 5G and IoT are accelerating the transformation of municipal and industrial water management. The summit will focus on practical digital applications that improve monitoring, operating efficiency and infrastructure decision-making.

Another key event, the 9th Industrial Water Leaders Forum (IWLF), taking place on June 9, will bring together leading experts and companies to discuss industrial water policy trends, market developments, and practical treatment solutions for high-water-consuming sectors. Supported by Global Water Intelligence (GWI) and Ecolab, the forum will spotlight membrane technologies, advanced oxidation processes, low-carbon treatment pathways, and resource recovery strategies for industries such as petroleum and chemicals.

To further support international participation, WATERTECH CHINA 2026 will also offer targeted matchmaking programs, technical roadshows and curated B2B meetings, helping attendees connect more efficiently with exhibitors, solution providers and project decision-makers. Visa support and invitation letters will be available for overseas visitors. In addition, upcoming releases will introduce the show's onsite 20+ innovative thematic zones-such as the Digital Water Pavilion and the Filtration & Separation Zone-highlighting cutting-edge technologies and emerging trends across the water industry.

Early pre-registration is now open on the official website. Water professionals seeking new technologies, market insight and global business connections are encouraged to register in advance and secure their visit to one of the industry's most important meeting points in Asia.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2961780/WATERTECH_CHINA_2026_18th_Shanghai_International_Water_Show_June_9_11.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/watertech-china-2026-to-spotlight-two-high-impact-forums-driving-early-pre-registration-from-global-water-professionals-302749817.html
Veteran finance and capital markets leader joins company to help scale the future of physical AI and autonomous buildings

SALT LAKE CITY, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- PassiveLogic, the leader in physical AI for autonomous buildings, today announced the appointment of Joel Harvill as Chief Financial Officer.

Harvill brings nearly two decades of experience across private credit, corporate finance, treasury, and capital markets, having closed more than $15 billion over the course of his career. His background spans some of the world's most innovative and complex organizations, including Rivian, Waymo, AIG Investments, BNP Paribas / Bank of the West, a credit fund owned by CIT Group, and GE Capital. Most recently, he served as Vice President of Finance at Botrista, following senior finance leadership roles at Rivian and Waymo.

At PassiveLogic, Harvill will lead the company's financial strategy and operations as it expands its market presence and scales adoption of its autonomy platform for the built environment. His expertise includes debt and equity fundraising, capital markets access, financial planning and modeling, treasury services, contract negotiation, syndications, and structuring resilient capital strategies to support long-term growth.

"Joel is a powerful addition to the PassiveLogic leadership team," said Troy Harvey, CEO and co-founder of PassiveLogic. "He brings an exceptional combination of financial rigor, capital markets experience, and strategic leadership from companies that are reshaping major industries. As PassiveLogic continues to define the category of physical AI, Joel's experience building durable financial foundations for transformative businesses will be critical to our next phase of growth."

Harvill has built his career at the intersection of finance and industrial transformation, supporting companies that combine advanced technology with real-world infrastructure. In interview remarks, he emphasized that enduring growth depends on both durable capital structure and strong management execution - a perspective shaped by years of investing, structuring, and operating through both growth and market disruption.

"I'm excited to join PassiveLogic at such an important moment," said Joel Harvill, CFO of PassiveLogic. "While much of the world is still debating what AI might do, PassiveLogic is already applying it in the physical world - improving how buildings operate, reducing energy consumption, enhancing comfort, extending asset life, and helping lower emissions. This is a company with extraordinary technology, meaningful global impact, and the opportunity to set the standard for intelligent buildings. I'm proud to be part of the team building that future."

Buildings account for a substantial share of global energy use, and PassiveLogic is pioneering a new approach to building autonomy that enables real-time intelligent control of physical systems. By combining world models, physics-based reasoning, and autonomous control, PassiveLogic helps buildings operate more efficiently, sustainably, and intelligently - without requiring entirely new infrastructure. Harvill emphasized the company's ability to improve existing assets while reducing energy demand and environmental impact.

With Harvill joining the executive team, PassiveLogic continues to deepen the leadership required to scale its technology, strengthen its financial strategy, and accelerate its mission to transform the built environment through autonomy.

About PassiveLogic

PassiveLogic makes generative AI software for the built environment, enabling generative autonomy for things and universal real-time collaboration between teams by reimagining how we design, build, operate, maintain, and manage buildings and industrial systems as infrastructural robots. Using physics-informed AI and Quantum digital twins, PassiveLogic is powered by the world's fastest AI compiler to deliver next-generation control systems. Users can build generative autonomous infrastructure in minutes and easily collaborate with AI agents through an intuitive suite of "choose your own adventure" tools.

The company is seizing a generational opportunity to reinvent building automation-replacing aging control systems with the industry's first modern platform powered by autonomous in-building physical AI agents-all while tackling the climate challenge head-on.

For more information, visit www.passivelogic.com.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2962904/PassiveLogic_CFO_Joel_Harvill.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1723304/5931135/PassiveLogic_Logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/passivelogic-appoints-joel-harvill-as-chief-financial-officer-302749675.html
NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 22, 2026) - PreveCeutical Medical Inc. (CSE: PREV) (OTCQB: PRVCF) (FSE: 18H0) (the "Company" or "PreveCeutical"), is pleased to announce a non-brokered private placement (the "Offering") of up to 40,000,000 units (each, a "Unit") in the capital of the Company at a price of $0.025 per Unit for gross proceeds of up to $1,000,000. Each Unit consists of one (1) common share of the Company (each, a "Share") and one-half (1/2) of one Share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase an additional Share (each, a "Warrant Share") at an exercise price of $0.05 per Warrant Share for a period of two years from the closing of the Offering (the "Closing"); provided that the expiry of the Warrants can be accelerated if the closing price of the Company's common shares on the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "CSE") is $0.10 or greater for a minimum of ten consecutive trading days, and a notice of acceleration is provided in accordance with the terms of the Warrants.

Finder's fees may be paid in connection with the Offering. The Company intends to use the aggregate gross proceeds from the sale of the Offering for short loan repayments, audit, accounting and legal fees, patents and further studies and analysis of rodents and tissues and general working capital purposes.

All securities issued in connection with the Offering will be subject to a statutory hold period expiring four months and one day after the Closing. Completion of the Offering remains subject to certain conditions, including, without limitation, confirmation of no objection from the CSE.

The securities issued under the Offering will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements under the Securities Act. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

About PreveCeutical

PreveCeutical is a health sciences company that develops innovative options for preventive and curative therapies utilizing organic and nature identical products. PreveCeutical aims to be a leader in preventive health sciences and currently has five research and development programs, including: dual gene therapy for curative and prevention therapies for diabetes and obesity; the Sol-gel Program; Nature Identical peptides for treatment of various ailments; nonaddictive analgesic peptides as a replacement to the highly addictive analgesics such as morphine, fentanyl and oxycodone; and a therapeutic product for treating athletes who suffer from concussions (mild traumatic brain injury). For more information about PreveCeutical, please visit our website www.PreveCeutical.com or follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Neither the CSE nor any Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements:

This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results, performance, prospects, and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the expectations of management regarding the proposed Offering, the expectations of management regarding the use of proceeds of the Offering, closing conditions for the Offering, the expiry of hold periods for securities distributed pursuant to the Offering and other statements regarding the company's proposed business plans. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance or developments to differ materially from those contained in the statements including that: the Company may not complete the Offering on terms favorable to the Company or at all; the proceeds of the Offering may not be used as stated in this news release; the Company may be unable to satisfy all of the conditions to the Closing; and those additional risks set out in the Company's public documents filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on these statements, which only apply as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. Except where required by law, the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, 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/293767

Source: PreveCeutical Medical Inc.
A Canadian tourist has been killed by an armed man who opened fire at the Teotihuacan pyramids in Mexico. The Teotihuacan pyramids are famous tourist attractions in the country.

Six more people have reportedly been hurt by the gunfire.

Armed Gunman Opens Fire at Pyramids in Mexico

According to a report by The Guardian, the shooting incident took place at around lunchtime on Monday.

The gunman killed himself after opening fire. His nationality remains unknown as of press time.

The lone fatality is a 32-year-old woman from Canada. Another Canadian woman was injured, along with a Brazilian, two Colombians, and two Americans. An additional seven other people were injured while scrambling for safety, including four Americans, a Brazilian, a Colombian, and a Russian.

Canada's Foreign Ministry has confirmed the death of its incidents as well as the injured status of the other, per CNN.

Read Also: Mexico Demands Compensation and Apology After MrBeast Films at Maya Pyramids For Snack Ad

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Reacts to Shooting

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has assured that federal, state, and local agencies are all working to address the shooting incident.

"What happened today in Teotihuacan deeply hurts us," said Sheinbaum. "I express my most sincere solidarity with the people affected and their families. We are in contact with the Canadian Embassy."

State of Mexico Governor Delfina Gomez has likewise offered her support for the victims.
Original-Research: NanoRepro AG - from NuWays AG



22.04.2026 / 09:00 CET/CEST

Dissemination of a Research, transmitted by EQS News - a service of EQS Group .

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this research. The result of this research does not constitute investment advice or an invitation to conclude certain stock exchange transactions.



Classification of NuWays AG to NanoRepro AG Company Name: NanoRepro AG ISIN: DE0006577109 Reason for the research: Initiation Recommendation: BUY Target price: EUR 4.3 Target price on sight of: 12 months Last rating change: Analyst: Sarah Hellemann

From tests to brands, revamping NanoRepro; INITIATE with BUY



No longer a mere self-test company, NanoRepro has used the pandemic windfall from COVID tests and transformed itself into a multi-brand consumer health platform. The company has acquired stakes in complementary businesses while expanding its testing portfolio. Going forward, the group will generate significant operating leverage by centralizing important functions like procurement, product development, logistics (1 hub instead of 3), finances and controlling. Specifically, the centralized marketing spending provides a significant cost but also growth lever.



The anchor asset is ZuhauseTEST, Germany's broadest OTC rapid testing brand with 16 CE-certified products spanning fertility, infections and nutritional deficiencies, available across a large number of retailers such as Muller, Budni and COOP. It is a resilient, cash-generative business, operating in a market growing at a 12.4% CAGR in the OTC channel, backed since April 2025 by full IVDR certification, a meaningful regulatory moat. Building on such, NanoRepro is increasingly focusing on growing its white label customer base as seen with dm (Mivolis brand). The company is expected to pursue further partnerships with retail chains for similar white label offerings.



Sitting above ZuhauseTEST is a portfolio that most investors have not yet priced in. Paedi Protect AG (50.05% stake) is a  11.7m (eNuW) revenue baby and family skincare brand with PETA certification, dermatological approval, and shelf space at dm, Rossmann, REWE, EDEKA and Globus. It consolidates into the NanoRepro group accounts for the first time in FY25, more than doubling group revenues at a stroke. Deutsche Kosmetikwerke AG (21.27% stake) brings the newkee active skincare brand, co-founded with Manuel Neuer and Angelique Kerber. hyped about science GmbH (33% stake) houses the Phlas cold plasma device, launched February 2026, a Max Planck Society-derived technology that treats acne and blemishes without chemicals, backed by clinical data and a digital treatment platform with recurring-revenue potential.



The investment case has three layers. First, a step-change in reported revenues as Paedi Protect consolidates, creating a group that looks nothing like what the current share price implies. Second, near-term catalysts, like Paedi Protect's first summer under NanoRepro ownership and early Phlas device sell-through data both of which de-risks the case incrementally. Third, embedded option value in the hyped about science majority option: NanoRepro can acquire 50.001% for  5.5m before the option lapses, at a 100% implied valuation of  11m.



At a roughly  20m market cap and net cash, investors are paying close to zero for Paedi Protect's skincare revenues, nothing for the hyped about science option, and nothing for the embedded operational synergies to be realized across the group, in our view. We hence initiate NanoRepro with BUY and a price target of  4.3 based on DCF.





You can download the research here: nanorepro-ag-2026-04-22-fullnoteinitiation-en-65d9e

For additional information visit our website: https://www.nuways-ag.com/research-feed



Contact for questions:

NuWays AG - Equity Research

Web: www.nuways-ag.com

Email: research@nuways-ag.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nuwaysag

Adresse: Mittelweg 16-17, 20148 Hamburg, Germany

++++++++++

Diese Meldung ist keine Anlageberatung oder Aufforderung zum Abschluss bestimmter Borsengeschafte.

Offenlegung moglicher Interessenkonflikte nach  85 WpHG beim oben analysierten Unternehmen befindet sich in der vollstandigen Analyse.

++++++++++



The EQS Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases.

View original content: EQS News
Refined metropolitan footprint and expansion into resort markets reflect shifting preferences among affluent travelers

onefinestay today announced a strategic evolution of its global portfolio, refining its presence across major metropolitan markets such as London, Paris, New York and Los Angeles, while focusing on a more selective collection of premium homes in sought-after leisure destinations across Europe, the Caribbean and the United States.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260421946777/en/

Lake Como villa, onefinestay

The move comes as onefinestay continues to evolve within the Exclusive Collective, alongside leading luxury hospitality brands including Exclusive Resorts and Inspirato. The platform serves more than 25,000 high-net-worth travelers annually and is supported by a $1 billion portfolio of owned private residences, rare journeys and global partners, together with more than 3,000 leased and professionally managed residences worldwide.

"This shift reflects onefinestay's focus on the very top end of the market, concentrating on homes that meet the highest standards for design, location and service," says Ashlee Collins, president of onefinestay. "Being part of the Exclusive Collective gives us a clearer view of where demand exists, allowing us to be more deliberate about where we expand. It doesn't mean stepping away from key metropolitan markets like London but being more selective in our footprint there so we can refocus on the destinations where our most discerning guests want to travel."

As part of this strategy, onefinestay has entered into a strategic partnership with Veeve, a high-end short-term rental management company and part of the UnderTheDoormat Group, to support the transition of a broader set of homes in London and Paris. Under the agreement, management of more than 200 homes in London and Paris will move to Veeve. The partnership builds on a long-standing relationship between the two companies and has been structured to ensure continuity for both homeowners and guests, with no disruption to existing reservations.

onefinestay will continue to operate a highly curated collection of approximately 40 homes in London focused on larger properties in prime neighbourhoods such as South Kensington and BelgraviaThis portfolio is designed to meet the expectations of its most discerning travelers, with an emphasis on space, location and a consistently elevated level of service.

"Veeve is a trusted partner with deep local expertise, and we are confident they will continue to deliver an exceptional standard of care for these homes," Collins adds.

Looking ahead, onefinestay plans to introduce two new flagship destinations before the end of 2026, prioritizing markets where the Exclusive Collective already has an established presence, allowing the brand to leverage on-the-ground expertise and deliver a more consistent, elevated guest experience from launch.

The announcement comes at a pivotal moment for the short-term rental sector, as new regulatory frameworks in Europe and the UK are expected to favor operators with established compliance capabilities and strong homeowner relationships. Backed by Steve Case, co-founder of AOL, onefinestay is positioned to benefit from this shift, combining a tightly curated portfolio with a more technology-enabled approach to delivering consistent, high-quality stays at the top end of the market.

About onefinestay

onefinestay is a curated portfolio of luxury rental homes distinguished by design, character, and a strong sense of place. In a category often defined by inconsistency, it brings clarity, continuity, and a considered point of view-each home selected for its design integrity, provenance, and rarity. Each stay is supported by a consistent, hotel-level standard of hospitality, including personal welcomes, 24/7 support, and tailored in-home amenities, delivering the privacy of a home with the confidence of a trusted luxury brand.

onefinestay is part of the Exclusive Collective, a multi-brand luxury travel and lifestyle platform serving more than 25,000 high-net-worth travelers annually across Exclusive Resorts, Inspirato, and onefinestay. Designed to evolve with its customers over time, the platform brings together a global portfolio of private residences, curated journeys, and travel services within a single ecosystem. Backed by entrepreneur Steve Case, co-founder of AOL, the Collective combines scale and operational expertise with a distinct perspective on what it means to live and travel well.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260421946777/en/

Contacts:

MEDIA ENQUIRIES

The Exclusive Collective press office: press@theexclusivecollective.com
SCENTMATIC Inc., a visionary in the digitalization of olfaction, is pleased to announce the installation of its AI system, KAORIUM, at the "HOLA Fragrance Pop-up Store" within Mitsui Shopping Park LaLaport Nangang in Taipei. This large-scale event will run for a limited time from April 1 to June 30, 2026.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260421963329/en/

HOLA Pop-up Store

A New Shopping Experience at the HOLA Pop-up Store

Following the successful integration of KAORIUM into five HOLA flagship stores in August 2025, this initiative represents SCENTMATIC's first major pop-up event in the Taiwanese market. Located at the high-traffic LaLaport Nangang, the event aims to engage families and trend-conscious younger audiences. By offering an interactive "scent-to-language" experience, SCENTMATIC seeks to further expand brand recognition across Taiwan.

At the pop-up store, through its unique diagnosis process, KAORIUM enables customers to navigate HOLA's extensive fragrance collection and discover the scent that perfectly aligns with their personal preferences. SCENTMATIC remains committed to strengthening its presence in Taiwan and accelerating its global expansion.

Featured Brands:

Pure Life, Aery, Scented Space, Boogie Bougie, True Grace, Durance, Sunlight, MODE.

Exclusive Promotion

HOLA members who purchase designated fragrance products will receive a limited-edition gift:

Tier 1: Spend NT$999 or more to receive a "Pure Life Fragrance Card" set.

Tier 2: Spend NT$3,000 or more to receive a "Pure Life Fragrance Spray (200ml)."

Note: Limit one gift per customer per day. Gifts are not cumulative and available while supplies last.

Event Overview

Name: HOLA Fragrance Pop-up Store

Period: April 1 (Wed) June 30 (Tue), 2026

Location: 2F, Mitsui Shopping Park LaLaport Nangang (No. 131, Jingmao 2nd Rd, Nangang District, Taipei)

Note: KAORIUM experiences are free of charge. Waiting times may vary based on store traffic.

What is "KAORIUM"?

KAORIUM is SCENTMATIC's AI system that translates scent into language, visualizing fragrance characteristics with words to help users find their perfect scent.

SCENTMATIC Inc.

SCENTMATIC uses its AI system, KAORIUM, to digitize scent, creating new fragrance experiences and innovating industries. Its innovation has been recognized winning the Silver Award "A' Design Award."

Representative: Toshiharu Kurisu,

Representative Director Location: 3F, 4-22-7 Ebisu, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0013, Japan

URL: https://scentmatic.co.jp

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260421963329/en/

Contacts:

SCENTMATIC Inc.

GET IN TOUCH: https://scentmatic.co.jp/contact-en
Europcar Mobility Group has entered into an exclusive partnership agreement with MIC Co., Ltd., the operator of Japan's extensive "Niconico Rent-A-Car" network. This landmark agreement marks Europcar Mobility Group's first exclusive partnership in the Japanese market, aimed at providing seamless mobility solutions for the growing number of international travelers visiting the region.

Enhancing possibilities for Inbound Travelers

Since April 10, 2026, customers can book car rentals at Niconico Rent-A-Car's directly-operated airport locations through Europcar's global booking platform, allowing foreign travelers to arrange their transportation in Japan from overseas using a familiar interface, eliminating common booking hurdles and improving the overall travel experience.To date, the service is available across key gateway locations:

Major Airports: Haneda, Narita, New Chitose, Fukuoka, Kagoshima, Nagasaki, and Kumamoto.

Haneda, Narita, New Chitose, Fukuoka, Kagoshima, Nagasaki, and Kumamoto. Key Transit Hubs: Shin-Yokohama Station and Kansai Airport Rinku Town Station.

Solving "Secondary Transportation" Challenges

As inbound tourism in Japan shifts toward regional areas, the demand for traveling from major hubs to final destinations has surged. While car rentals offer the necessary flexibility to explore these areas, international visitors often face language barriers and complex booking processes.To address these challenges, MIC Co., Ltd. will implement several initiatives at eligible locations:

Multilingual Support: Deployment of translation devices and multilingual staff.

Deployment of translation devices and multilingual staff. Improved Guidance: Provision of easy-to-understand usage guides and insurance information tailored for overseas users.

Provision of easy-to-understand usage guides and insurance information tailored for overseas users. Streamlined Logistics: Enhanced pickup and drop-off convenience at airports and major tourist zones.

Mark Lister, Director of International Partner Development at Europcar Mobility Group, stated:

"We are delighted to welcome MIC Co, Ltd. as our exclusive partner in Japan. Niconico Rent-A-Car has a strong network and is present in all key Japanese airports and transit hubs. Their track-record and expertise make them the perfect match for serving the Europcar customers locally, in a context of growing international demand."

Nobuo Masuda, Representative Director of MIC Co., Ltd., added:

"By combining the operational expertise we have cultivated with Europcar's global booking platform, we will provide travelers visiting Japan with more accessible and reassuring mobility options. We will continue working to improve regional mobility convenience and address growing tourism demand."

About Europcar Mobility Group

Europcar Mobility Group is a global mobility player, with over 75 years of mobility services expertise and a leading position in Europe.

"We help to change the way you move" is what we stand for and brings us together. More than ever, we're committed to delivering simple, seamless, innovative solutions that make mobility easy, enjoyable and increasingly eco-friendly. To do this, we offer to individuals and businesses a wide range of car and van rental services, be it for a few hours, a few days, a week, a month or more, on-demand or on subscription, relying on a large and diversified fleet.

Our brands address differentiated needs, use cases and expectations: Europcar a leader in car rental and light commercial vehicle rental, Goldcar a frontrunner at providing low-cost car rental services in Europe, and Fox-Rent-A-Car, one of the main players in the car rental market in the US, with a "value for money" positioning.

Customers' satisfaction is at the heart of the Group's ambition and that of our more than 8,000 employees, everywhere we deliver our mobility solutions, thanks to a strong network in over 130 countries (including 14 wholly owned subsidiaries completed by franchisees and alliance partners).

More information: www.europcar-mobility-group.com

About MIC Co., Ltd. Niconico Rent-A-Car

Founded in 1986, MIC operates Niconico Rent-A-Car, one of Japan's largest rental services with over 1,450 locations nationwide. Approximately 20% of users at their directly-operated airport stores are already international visitors.

More information: https://www.mic-info.co.jp

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260422647513/en/

Contacts:

Media

vincent.vevaud@europcar.com
SkySparc's OmniFi, Covarius and Uniun to anchor an expanded offering for corporate treasury clients

SkySparc, a trusted global provider of digital transformation solutions for treasury and finance institutions, today announced the acquisition of Covarius Group Limited ("Covarius") and Uniun Technology Limited ("Uniun"). The acquisitions accelerate SkySparc's European expansion and deepen its specialist support for treasury transformation. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Covarius and Uniun operate complementary businesses together enabling a more complete, end-to-end treasury solution. Covarius specialises in the implementation and optimisation of treasury management systems, underpinned by deep partnerships and a well-established global presence. Uniun adds a real-time, API-based integration platform focused on ERP-to-TMS connectivity and cash forecasting, supported by AI and data science.

For clients, the combined proposition the two companies bring centres on improved cash visibility and stronger cash flow prediction, with greater automation across treasury workflows, improving the value derived from existing technology investments.

The acquisitions form the next stage of a long-term strategy to build an integrated technology and advisory suite dedicated to corporate treasury. Together with SkySparc's existing OmniFi platform and global delivery model, the addition of Covarius and Uniun enables treasury and finance teams to benefit from a single, accountable partner across strategy, implementation and technology.

Joakim Wiener, CEO of SkySparc, said: "This is a proud day for everyone at SkySparc. The acquisitions mark a significant step forward in our growth journey, expanding our presence across key markets and strengthening the depth of support we can offer treasurers navigating increasingly complex operating environments. Welcoming Covarius and Uniun gives clients a single accountable group guiding both the thinking and the technology, with OmniFi continuing to evolve at pace as the anchor of our wider proposition."

Andrew Marshall, Managing Partner of Covarius, added: "Our decision to join SkySparc came down to a shared philosophy about how great treasury outcomes are delivered. Covarius has built strong momentum in recent years, and becoming part of a larger international group gives our consultants and engineers a broader canvas on which to serve clients at scale, including in markets where we have not historically had a presence. I am particularly pleased about what this means for our people, who now gain access to a wider network of specialists and a clearer path to grow their careers."

Gareth List, CEO of Uniun, commented: "Uniun was created to tackle the most complex data and integration challenges in corporate treasury, and that focus will continue to strengthen from here. SkySparc's scale and reach accelerate what we have been working towards, particularly across AI, advanced analytics, and intelligent automation. For treasury and finance teams navigating ever more complex ecosystems, this combination opens up practical new ways to turn information into action."

These acquisitions underscore SkySparc's commitment to innovation through OmniFi and AI-enabled functionality, positioning the enlarged group as a leading provider of treasury technology and consulting services across Europe and beyond. Together, OmniFi, Covarius, and Uniun form the foundations of a future unified SkySparc suite for treasury teams worldwide.

About SkySparc

SkySparc is a leading provider of digital transformation solutions for finance and treasury organisations worldwide. Combining deep domain expertise with its proprietary platform OmniFi, SkySparc helps treasurers and CFOs globally automate processes, improve cash visibility, and gain actionable insights through AI and advanced analytics. Founded in 2002, SkySparc is trusted by leading corporates and financial institutions across Europe, North America and Asia. For more information, visit www.skysparc.com or follow us on LinkedIn.

About Covarius

Covarius is a boutique technology consultancy that helps corporate treasury teams evolve into strategic assets. Combining deep domain experience with a scalable service portfolio, Covarius focuses on large-scale transformation projects, with technology at the core. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in London, UK, Covarius has partnered with leading corporates from Europe, North America, and Africa from its four office locations. For more information, see www.covarius.com and LinkedIn.

About Uniun

Uniun is an intelligent integration and data platform that delivers automation and advanced analytics services to enterprise corporate treasury teams worldwide. Founded in 2020 from first-hand experience of technology project challenges at its originating consultancy, Covarius, Uniun is advancing how treasury teams connect systems and unify data sets to improve visibility and control, while providing a foundation for intelligence and trust in decision-making. For more information, see www.uniun.io and LinkedIn.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260422866697/en/

Contacts:

For SkySparc Cathrina Henriksen Cabrera, Head of Marketing and Communications Tel: +33 6 289 874 24 Email: cathrina.henriksen@skysparc.com

For Covarius Andrew Marshall, Managing Partner Tel: +44 20 3948 1967 Email: andrew.marshall@covarius.com

For Uniun Gareth List, CEO Tel: +44 20 3886 0355 Email: gareth.list@uniun.io
COLOGNE, Germany, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The 2026 International Congress of JRE-Jeunes Restaurateurs concluded in Cologne after two dynamic days, gathering 500 participants, including +400 chefs and restaurateurs from 21 countries.

Held on 19-20 April under the theme REGENERATION - SEED THE FUTURE, the congress placed Cologne at the centre of global gastronomy. The programme focused on innovation, sustainability, and hospitality reinforcing JRE's commitment to shaping the future of the industry.

"RE-GENERATION is an invitation to reflect on how we evolve, enhance our culinary heritage, empower teams, and take a broader view beyond the kitchen."

Daniel Canzian, International President, JRE

A key milestone was JRE's expansion into South America, with founding members from Argentina, Chile, and Peru joining the network. This move strengthens JRE's global reach and deepens cross-cultural exchange within its community.

The congress opened with a Gala Dinner hosted by JRE-Germany. Four two-Michelin-star chefs delivered a menu celebrating regional identity and craftsmanship, supported by guest chefs.

The JRE-International Awards recognised excellence across six categories, honouring individuals driving innovation, sustainability, and hospitality forward.

Chef of the Year by Pastificio dei Campi - Frederic Morel

by Pastificio dei Campi - Frederic Morel Sommelier of the Year by Marchesi Antinori - Johanna Roullier

by Marchesi Antinori - Johanna Roullier Hospitality Excellence by Mastercard - Jo Grootaers & Lana Kelchtermans

by Mastercard - Jo Grootaers & Lana Kelchtermans ReGeneration by Vaider Group - Massimiliano Mascia

by Vaider Group - Massimiliano Mascia Taste of Origin by Parmigiano Reggiano - Pasquale Carfora

by Parmigiano Reggiano - Pasquale Carfora Sustainability by Marie-Stella-Maris - Sabina & Grega Repovz

The programme also explored the evolving role of chefs as entrepreneurs and leaders. "We are no longer only chefs, we are entrepreneur hosts, and the future depends on how we empower our teams." said International VP Nicolai Wiedmer. Fellow VP Katrin Steindl highlighted the importance of service, noting that hospitality plays a defining role in the industry.

The event concluded with a celebration on the Rhine and the announcement of a partnership with UNITED WATERWAYS, aimed at elevating hospitality in river cruising and supporting future talent through training opportunities.

JRE continues to strengthen its role as a global community dedicated to creativity, sustainability, and entrepreneurship. Slovenia was announced as host of the 2028 International Congress, marking the next step in JRE's international journey.

https://jre.eu/en/international-congress-2026

About JRE-Jeunes Restaurateurs

JRE is an international association of young chefs and restaurateurs committed to culinary excellence, innovation, and regional gastronomy, representing over 400 restaurants and 160 hotels across 21 countries.

JRE Press Kit

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2962437/JRE_JEUNES_RESTAURATEURS.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2808209/5875437/JRE_Logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/500-culinary-leaders-from-jre-jeunes-restaurateurs-unite-to-seed-the-future-of-gastronomy-302749216.html
International Private Commerce Network with access to 70 million shoppers

AMSTERDAM, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Candid introduces GENRTR, a new international Private Commerce Network that enables enterprise Direct-to-Consumer brands to activate exclusive propositions within high-quality, closed communities. Through GENRTR, brands gain access to customer groups with proven purchase intent, entirely outside the open web.

The platform activates offers within a closed ecosystem of authenticated international Closed User Groups (CUGs), such as employer communities, banks, insurers, loyalty platforms, and semi-public communities. Through the network, brands can reach more than 70 million shoppers across Europe and the US within GDPR-compliant shopping environments powered by first-party data.

A sustainable partner network without retail conflict

GENRTR is not a media channel, but a sustainable partner network. Through careful selection of networks, exclusive propositions, and native activation, a closed ecosystem is created with protected pricing and no retail conflict. The platform does not compete with existing retail or e-commerce activities, but instead unlocks new revenue streams through trusted communities.

According to Michiel van Wijk, Marketing Partnerships Manager, GENRTR, responds to increasing pressure on traditional DTC and performance marketing channels: "Due to Google SERP updates and the rise of AI-driven search, traditional online affiliate traffic is becoming less predictable. With GENRTR, we therefore focus on an internationally scalable performance network through closed groups. We bring brands into established environments that people have trusted for years. GENRTR allows brands to build direct customer relationships, reduce dependency on algorithms, and access a loyal audience while retaining full control over their data."

AI-driven infrastructure within the Candid Platform

GENRTR is fully integrated into the Candid Platform ecosystem. Auke Boersma, Chief Commercial Officer at Candid adds: "With GENRTR, brands can scale their DTC strategy across multiple markets without relying on traditional retail or advertising channels. Thanks to the AI-driven infrastructure of the Candid Platform, we continuously analyze demand, supply, and competition within international communities. Within this Live Marketing approach, brands can activate their propositions at exactly the right moment within the right communities."

GENRTR is currently active in 16 countries: the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Spain, Portugal, Poland, Italy, and the United States. The platform has previously partnered with brands including Vinify, Ziggo, BK, GreenPan, PS Food & Lifestyle, Philips Hue, and Netgear.

About GENRTR

GENRTR is the Private Network Commerce channel for enterprise Direct-to-Consumer brands. The platform activates exclusive offers within authenticated Closed User Groups across Europe and the United States, helping brands generate incremental revenue and first-party data through trusted communities.

https://genrtr.partners/

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2962956/Candid_GENRTR.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/candid-launches-genrtr-302749979.html
HEALWELL appoints Brad Porter, Chief Commercial Officer of HEALWELL and CEO of Orion Health, to its Board of Directors to strengthen the Company's commercial and strategic expertise.

Ian McCrae is stepping down from the Board of Directors to focus on other ventures following the successful integration of Orion Health into HEALWELL.

Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - April 22, 2026) - HEALWELL AI Inc. (TSX: AIDX) (OTCQX: HWAIF) ("HEALWELL" or the "Company"), a healthcare artificial intelligence company focused on preventative care, is pleased to announce the appointment of Brad Porter to its Board of Directors, effective immediately.

Brad Porter, Chief Commercial Officer of HEALWELL and CEO of Orion Health, brings over 15 years of experience in finance, commercial leadership, and global healthcare technology. A Chartered Accountant by training, he has held senior commercial roles at Fisher & Paykel Healthcare and has led Orion Health as CEO, driving innovation in health data platforms and AI-enabled care. At HEALWELL, he oversees group-wide commercial strategy, revenue growth, and go-to-market alignment, with a focus on public sector opportunities and government contracts.

Ian McCrae has decided to step down from HEALWELL's Board of Directors to focus on other ventures following the successful integration of Orion Health into HEALWELL. Mr. McCrae is the founder of Orion Health and built the company over more than three decades into a global leader in health information technology, operating across 12 countries. During his time on the Board, he provided valuable guidance on strategic initiatives and played an important role in supporting HEALWELL through a critical period of integration and growth. HEALWELL sincerely thanks Mr. McCrae for his dedication, insight, and contributions, and wishes him continued success.

"We are pleased to welcome Brad Porter to HEALWELL's Board of Directors," said Hamed Shahbazi, Chair of HEALWELL AI. "Brad brings deep commercial expertise and global healthcare experience from his leadership roles at Orion Health and HEALWELL, and his appointment will further strengthen our ability to execute on our growth strategy.

"We also want to extend our sincere thanks to Ian McCrae for his dedicated service on HEALWELL's Board. His guidance, insight, and contributions have been invaluable during a transformative period for the Company, and we wish him all the best in his future endeavors."

James Lee

Chief Executive Officer

HEALWELL AI Inc.

About HEALWELL AI

HEALWELL is a healthcare artificial intelligence company focused on preventative care. Its mission is to improve healthcare and save lives through early identification and detection of disease. Using its own proprietary technology, the Company is developing and commercializing advanced clinical decision support systems that can help healthcare providers detect rare and chronic diseases, improve efficiency of their practice and ultimately help improve patient health outcomes. HEALWELL is executing a strategy centered around developing and acquiring technology and clinical sciences capabilities that complement the Company's road map. HEALWELL is publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "AIDX" and on the OTC Exchange under the symbol "HWAIF". To learn more about HEALWELL, please visit https://healwell.ai/.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/293758

Source: HEALWELL AI
Florida's top law enforcement official has opened a criminal investigation into OpenAI over concerns tied to how its ChatGPT tool may have been involved in a case connected to a Florida State University student, escalating regulatory scrutiny of artificial intelligence systems in the United States.

The move places the company under potential state-level criminal review as officials examine whether its generative AI product played a role in interactions that raised safety concerns.

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced the investigation, which is focusing on whether ChatGPT's outputs contributed to harmful outcomes in a case linked to a Florida State University student, NBC News reported. The probe is still in its early stages, and officials have not publicly detailed potential charges or specific legal theories being examined.

The development comes as regulators across the United States increase oversight of artificial intelligence companies amid rapid adoption of generative AI tools in schools, workplaces, and personal use. State officials have raised concerns that AI systems can produce misleading or unsafe responses without adequate safeguards.

OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, has faced growing legal and regulatory scrutiny over how its models handle sensitive topics. The company has previously said it continues to improve safety systems, including content filters and usage policies designed to reduce harmful outputs.

The Florida investigation adds to a widening set of legal and policy challenges facing AI developers. Federal agencies have also been reviewing AI risks, particularly in areas involving minors, education, and mental health interactions.

The case tied to Florida State University has not been fully detailed publicly, but has prompted renewed attention on how AI chatbots are used by students and whether institutions are equipped to manage potential risks.

Legal experts say criminal investigations involving AI tools are still relatively untested in U.S. courts, making the Florida case one of the earliest of its kind. Questions remain over how liability could be assigned when AI-generated content is involved, particularly in situations where users independently engage with chatbot systems.

The inquiry also reflects growing pressure on technology companies as lawmakers consider stricter rules for AI deployment. Several states have introduced or proposed legislation aimed at increasing transparency and accountability for AI systems used in education and consumer applications.

At the national level, regulators have been evaluating how generative AI models are trained and deployed, with particular attention to safeguards for vulnerable users. The Federal Trade Commission has previously warned companies about ensuring AI products do not cause harm or mislead consumers, according to Reuters.

Academic institutions have also begun reassessing their policies on AI usage as tools like ChatGPT become more common among students. Universities are increasingly weighing both the educational benefits and potential risks associated with generative AI in academic environments.

OpenAI has faced multiple lawsuits and regulatory inquiries in recent years related to content accuracy, data usage, and safety concerns. The company maintains that it is working to improve model reliability and reduce the risk of harmful outputs, especially in high-stakes contexts.

The broader debate over AI accountability has also reached Congress, where lawmakers have held hearings on the risks and benefits of generative AI. Discussions have focused on transparency requirements, content moderation standards, and potential liability frameworks for AI developers, according to Wall Street Journal reporting on federal AI oversight efforts.

As the Florida investigation proceeds, officials have not indicated a timeline for potential findings or enforcement actions. OpenAI has not publicly detailed its response to the probe at the time of reporting.

Originally published on IBTimes
HELSINKI, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Realm has raised a $4.5 million Seed round to speed up enterprise sales cycles. Its platform gives AI the structured context needed to automate deal-defining materials like RFP responses. The round was led by Frontline Ventures, with participation from HubSpot Ventures, Slack Co-founder Cal Henderson and Deel Co-founder Alex Bouaziz.

Realm CEO Mikko Mantyla believes revenue work is next to undergo the agentic revolution that has already transformed software development.

"Tools like Cursor and Claude Code have fundamentally changed programming. Developers now manage fleets of agents, often running five to ten simultaneous tasks in different terminal windows," Mantyla says. "The best revenue teams are starting to replicate this approach, offloading RFP responses, security questionnaires, and other customer-facing materials to AI."

However, the shift is still held back by a fundamental constraint. Unlike in software development, where the codebase provides structured context for AI, revenue teams work with fragmented systems and unstructured data. Critical information, such as why a deal was won, has to be pieced together from subtle, scattered signals.

Realm solves this by turning raw information into a structured representation of a company's market, products, pipeline, and strategies. This purpose-built context graph mirrors how human sellers are onboarded and gives agents the foundation they need to contribute effectively.

"Our customers use Realm to draft their most important deliverables, from multi-million dollar bids to business cases that will make or break months of work," Mantyla says. "Typically, 70-80% of Realm's work is approved as-is. Any edits feedback into Realm's context, creating a compounding record that everyone in the organisation benefits from."

That institutional memory extends beyond Realm's own application. The platform integrates with Slack, CRMs, and AI assistants like Claude and ChatGPT, allowing teams to leverage Realm's context and agents wherever they already work.

"The GTM stack has been built to record and report on what has already happened," says George Radford from Frontline Ventures. "The emerging paradigm is tools that actually do the work, and Realm is building at the forefront of this shift. The team's exceptional execution velocity and the rate at which customers are expanding usage convinced us Realm is the right team to back."

The company will use the fresh funding to triple its team by the end of the year and accelerate its entry into the US.

About Realm

Realm builds a structured understanding of a company's go-to-market and turns it into execution. As a result, work like RFPs, security reviews, and deal coordination happens in the background, not at the expense of time with buyers. Founded in 2023 by former Slush leaders Mikko Mantyla and Miika Huttunen alongside Johan Jern, Realm is headquartered in Helsinki, Finland. Realm's customers include Visma, Aiven, and Hostaway. Learn more: https://www.withrealm.com/

About Frontline Ventures

Frontline Ventures backs the most ambitious tech companies across the US and Europe, and positions them to win the transatlantic market. Frontline Seed backs European Seed startups when early US traction is critical to hyperscale. Frontline Growth backs US scaleups at Series B-D when European revenues are essential to IPO-readiness. Frontline Ventures' portfolio includes companies like Navan, Lattice, and Vanta. Learn more: https://frontline.vc/

About HubSpot Ventures

HubSpot Ventures partners with ambitious entrepreneurs who are redefining how businesses grow and operate. The fund backs early- and growth-stage software companies building products that deliver unique value to HubSpot's customer base, with a mission to help millions of organizations grow better. HubSpot Ventures' portfolio includes companies like Clay, ElevenLabs, and Lovable. Learn more: https://www.hubspot.com/ventures.

Media Contact

Mikko Mantyla

CEO & Co-founder

mikko@withrealm.com

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

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Jeddah, Saudi Arabia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 22, 2026) - adidas and Saudia introduce the adidas x Saudia Made to Fly pack, a first-of-its-kind collaboration in the region bringing together sportswear and aviation, marking a new frontier at the intersection of sport, culture and travel across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the Arab Republic of Egypt and the Kingdom of Morocco. The collection is set to launch in retail on April 20.





To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9108/293354_adidasxsaudia.jpg

As the national flag carrier of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Saudia has shaped the Kingdom's travel landscape for decades, becoming synonymous with connection, national pride, and global reach. By partnering with adidas, a global sportswear brand, the collaboration creates a bridge between travel and sportswear, connecting more deeply with a new generation of Saudi consumers.

Built on adidas' SOFT LUX line, the Made to Fly pack reimagines the tracksuit as a modern travel essential. SOFT LUX is where modern sophistication meets effortless luxury, combining minimalist design, premium materials and refined craftsmanship.



Subtle aviation-inspired details and Saudi design cues elevate the SOFT LUX silhouette into a refined travel essential, balancing function with a clean, modern aesthetic. The result is a wardrobe that feels both timeless and contemporary, reflecting adidas and Saudia's shared vision of movement, identity and the rituals of travel.

Crafted with a peached spacer fabric with modal, enhanced by a liquid cotton treatment, the SOFT LUX line delivers a smooth, refined texture and an exceptionally soft hand feel, designed for comfort, movement and everyday wear.

"This collaboration allowed us to reinterpret one of adidas' most refined sportswear lines through the lens of travel, alongside a brand that has shaped the Kingdom's travel culture for generations," said Bilal Fares, SVP and GM, adidas EMC. "By bringing together Saudia's connection to movement and adidas' sportswear heritage, we created a collection that feels elevated, effortless and relevant to today's consumer."

Blending influences from fashion, movement and aviation, the adidas x Saudia Made to Fly pack positions the tracksuit as a modern travel uniform, designed for airport transitions, inflight comfort and life on the move. Rooted in the Kingdom's cultural momentum, the collaboration reflects how a new generation approaches travel as an extension of personal identity and global outlook.

Khaled Tash, Saudia Group Chief Marketing Officer, said: "For 80 years, Saudia has connected the Kingdom to the world. Today, travel is no longer defined only by destinations, but by identity, culture, and self-expression. Building on our 2023 rebrand, which marked a new chapter in our global journey, we are expanding our brand presence beyond aviation into culture and lifestyle. Our collaboration with adidas brings these elements together, transforming movement into a statement of modern Saudi ambition and capturing the confidence and creativity shaping the Kingdom today."

The adidas x Saudia Made to Fly pack is available in selected adidas stores across Saudi Arabia, The United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Morocco, as well as online.

-END-

About Saudia:

Saudia (Saudia Airlines) is the national flag carrier of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Established in 1945, the company has grown to become one of the Middle East's largest airlines.

Saudia has invested significantly in upgrading its aircraft and currently operates one of the youngest fleet with 149 aircraft. The airline serves an extensive global route network covering around 100 destinations across four continents, including all 26 domestic airports in Saudi Arabia.

A member of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the Arab Air Carriers Organization (AACO), Saudia has also been a member airline in SkyTeam, the second largest alliance, since 2012.

Saudia was recently named "Best Airline Staff Service" for 2025 by Skytrax and ranked 17th in the global airline rankings. In addition, Saudia ranked first globally for on-time performance (OTP), according to Cirium. Saudia recognized at the APEX World Class 2026 Awards, receiving the "World Class Airline" title for the fifth consecutive year and the "Best in Class: Service-Guest Experience" award for the second consecutive year.

For more information on Saudia, please visit www.saudia.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/293354

Source: SAUDIA
Concrete in Life Photo of the Year from the Philippines wins $10,000 top prize

Photo of the Year from the Philippines wins $10,000 top prize Over 20,000 international entries from professional photographers and smartphone amateurs

Concrete is the world's most used substance after water

Powerful and striking images from around the world have been chosen as the winners of the Concrete in Life 2025/26 global photography competition, showcasing the essential role concrete plays in daily life, infrastructure, cities, and design.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260422352135/en/

OVERALL WINNER: Pillars Across the Sea by Celbert Palaganas, Cebu City, Philippines

Run by the Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA), the annual competition received more than 20,000 entries from professional and amateur photographers, as well as smartphone users, spanning every continent. The competition highlights how concrete supports modern life while also offering moments of beauty, creativity and human connection.

Thomas Guillot, Chief Executive of the GCCA, said: "The spectacular images submitted this year show concrete's positive impact on people's lives all over the world sometimes practical, sometimes almost hidden, and sometimes very beautiful."

The Concrete in Life Photo of the Year 2025/26, receiving the top prize of USD$10,000, was awarded to Celbert Palaganas for "Pillars Across the Sea", taken in Cebu City, Philippines. The image captures green coastal plants in the foreground while the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway, the longest bridge in the Philippines, stretches across the horizon, creating a striking contrast between nature and engineering.

Celbert Palaganas said: "I am deeply honored and truly grateful to be the winner of this year's competition. What inspired me was the contrast I witnessed in a single moment the strength and permanence of concrete rising above, and the quiet strength of nature growing below. In that frame, I saw not conflict, but coexistence, where engineering and nature share the same space."

Commenting on the winning picture, competition Judge, Chris George, Content Director at Digital Camera World said: "What a brilliant image with great colour, using the huge depth of field available with a smartphone to ensure the plants in the foreground are as sharp as the bridge's structure."

As well as the overall winner, four other category winners were also announced, each receiving a prize of USD$2,500. Ralph Emerson De Peralta was named category winner in Urban Concrete, for his photo called "Dubai Rising." A photo of the MRT Rail Tunnel in Jakarta called "Hidden Connection" by Rafly Rinaldy won the Concrete Infrastructure category. Naitao Li (???) won the Concrete in Daily Life category for "Time and Space Travellers" in Harbin, China. The Beauty and Design category was won by Marcel Van Balken for his photo "Triangles" set in Antwerp, Belgium.

The People's Vote prize, chosen by the public with a USD$5,000 prize, was won by Aung Chan Thar for "Rhythm on Concrete" set in Hanoi, Vietnam.

Mr Guillot added: "Concrete delivers our vital infrastructure such as bridges, railways and roads that connect us, as well as the homes, offices and schools we rely on every day. This competition gives people the opportunity to show just how important concrete is to them."

All the winners and their picture details and quotes, as well as the wider 100 shortlisted pictures and online gallery can be viewed at Concrete in Life 2025/26 Global Photography Competition: GCCA.

Notes to editors:

Winning images can be found in the media link here

The full shortlist is available to download from our website

You can view our winners video here

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260422352135/en/

Contacts:

Stephanie Mackrell

Stephanie.Mackrell@gccassociation.org
Kelowna, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 22, 2026) - F3 Uranium Corp (TSXV: FUU) (OTCQB: FUUFF) ("F3" or "the Company") is pleased to announce encouraging results from its recently completed winter 2026 diamond drilling program at the Tetra Zone on its 100% owned Patterson Lake North ("PLN") Project in the Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan.

The six-hole step-out program tested extensions of the Tetra Zone along strike and down plunge. Uranium mineralization was successfully intersected in three holes. Highlighting the program, hole PLN26-226 returned 0.5 m of radioactivity up to 1,400 cps (from 470.5 to 471.0 m) 275m along strike from the high grade intersected in PLN25-219A which returned a main mineralized interval of 13.0m of 0.28% U3O8, including three high grade sections with 3.0 m of 1.19% U3O8 from 396.5 to 399.5m (see NR March 31, 2026). Additional intervals of anomalous radioactivity were intersected in holes PLN26-225 and PLN26-222.

These intersections validate F3's structural model and confirm that the Tetra Zone remains open along strike and down plunge. Importantly, a structural and mineralogical study in combination with age dating strengthens the interpretation that the Tetra Zone is genetically linked to the high-grade JR Zone, significantly elevating the district-scale discovery potential across the PLN Project.

Updated Geological Interpretation

F3 is also pleased to provide an updated geological interpretation for the Tetra Zone. This integrates a mineralogical and U-Pb geochronology study by Dr. Mostafa Fayek of Analytical Research Consultants with a detailed structural review by Rogerio Monteiro of Vektore Exploration Consulting.

The Tetra Zone is hosted in a muscovite-rich shear zone within gneisses. Early pegmatite emplacement and intense muscovite-sericite-biotite alteration (~1.8 Ga, near the end of the Trans-Hudson Orogeny) created a mechanically weaker horizon that later focused shearing and multi-phase hydrothermal fluid flow. This early alteration event coincides with a pre-Athabasca uraninite event identified and dated on the B1 conductor.

Two distinct foliations are evident:

A steeply dipping NE-SW mylonitic foliation (dominant above the zone).

A shallower E-W foliation (more common below the zone).

Uranium mineralization occurs in two styles: films, veins and blebs; and small pitchblende blebs aligned along foliation with a gentle plunge to the west. Textural evidence, including boxwork textures, indicates uranium remobilization. Grade-vectorization modeling confirms an east-west strike with a gentle westerly plunge, consistent with F3's drill targeting. The diorite bodies remain largely unsheared, preserving only magmatic foliation due to their greater competence.

Geochronology confirms the multi-phase nature of the system:

U1 - Massive uraninite: 1,390  46 Ma

U2 - Disseminated/euhedral uraninite: 1,292  28 Ma

U3 - Fracture-filling/pseudomorphic uraninite: 1,049  34 Ma (the dominant generation intersected at Tetra to date)

Additional partial resetting events in U1 and U3 are recorded at approximately 1,190 Ma, 846 Ma, 528 Ma, and 390 Ma, consistent with protracted reactivation along the same structural corridor.

At the JR Zone, high-grade intervals typically contain U1  U2  U3 within intensely kaolinite-altered gneiss. In contrast, Tetra Zone mineralization is primarily the later U3 generation, hosted in fracture-controlled calcite-hematite breccia and disseminated in clay-altered (illite-muscovite-sericite-chlorite) gneiss-precisely where structural fabrics provided permeability and reductants.

The integration of ~1.8 Ga structural preparation with the classic Athabasca Basin uranium mineralizing window (1.39-1.05 Ga) explains the presence of significant uranium in this "untraditional," non-graphitic setting. The same long-lived structural corridor that hosts the ultra-high-grade JR Zone is expressed differently at Tetra. This validates F3's longstanding thesis that graphitic or strongly conductive structures are not a prerequisite for high-grade uranium mineralization.

The identical uraninite generations, overlapping age spectrum, and shared clay-mineral assemblage demonstrate that Tetra lies within the same robust hydrothermal regime responsible for the JR Zone. U3's widespread distribution and relatively young age further point to long-distance remobilization-a common feature in the Athabasca Basin that supports the potential for high-grade uranium in diverse geological settings.

Looking Ahead - 2026 Exploration Priorities

Funded for the year, and armed with these insights, F3 is well positioned to advance the PLN Project by:

Applying the refined model across the broader A1/B1 trend, Harrison Fault, and Broach Lake targets, where multiple untested gravity lows, structural lineaments, and alteration signatures exist.

Vectoring toward additional high-grade pods and potentially larger deposits.

Refining geophysical modeling using Tetra's resistivity data from drill core to improve targeting in non-graphitic environments and under conductive mudstone. Planning for a 3D DCIP IP and Resistivity Survey is underway.

Testing near historical strongly anomalous drill results, including previously reported uranium values in legacy holes along the corridor towards historic hole PAT-016-002 with 423ppm uranium over 0.5m from 164.5m to 165.0m (see F3 news release dated July 21, 2025).

Table 1. Drill Hole Summary and Handheld Spectrometer Results

Collar Information * Hand-held Spectrometer Results On Mineralized Drillcore (>300 cps / >0.5m minimum) Athabasca Unconformity Depth (m) Total Drillhole Depth

(m) Hole ID Section

Line Easting Northing Elevation Az Dip From

(m) To

(m) Interval

(m) Max CPS PLN26-222 120W 589335 6397945 584 6 -76 450.50 451.00 0.50 330 165.9 590 PLN26-223 165E 589620 6397987 589 3 -76 Hole Abandoned N/A 143 PLN26-223A 135E 589589 6397974 591 6 -74 Tetra Zone Exploration; no radioactivity >300cps 163.9 413 PLN26-224 045E 589496 6398006 586 5 -79 Tetra Zone Exploration; no radioactivity >300cps 157.8 467 PLN26-225 045W 589405 6397964 586 8 -80 149.00 149.50 0.50 340 151.2 569













418.00 418.50 0.50 740

















418.50 419.00 0.50 790



PLN26-226 105E 589552 6397868 589 53 -75 470.00 470.50 0.50 440 152.1 623













470.50 471.00 0.50 1400



PLN26-227 150E 589580 6397915 593 53 -75 Tetra Zone Exploration; no radioactivity >300cps 163.4 542

Handheld spectrometer composite parameters:

1: Minimum Thickness of 0.5m

2: CPS Cut-Off of 300 counts per second

3: Maximum Internal Dilution of 2.0m

Map 1. Tetra Zone Results - Plan Map

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

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Image 1. Tetra Zone Scintillometer Results - Long Section

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8110/293718_fea6881264be18de_003full.jpg

The Company further announces, pursuant to its Stock Option Plan and subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange, it has granted an aggregate of 240,000 stock options (the "Options") to Louis-Carlos Vargas Rocheleau, principal of Connect 4 Marketing Ltd, an investor relations service provider for the Company. The Options are exercisable at a price of $0.20 per common share for a period of five years, expiring on March 27, 2031.

The Options will vest in four equal tranches of 60,000 Options each, as follows: 60,000 Options will vest on June 27, 2026; 60,000 Options will vest on September 27, 2026; 60,000 Options will vest on December 27, 2026; and the remaining 60,000 Options will vest on March 27, 2027.

The natural gamma radiation detected in the drill core, as detailed in this news release, was measured in counts per second (cps) using a handheld Radiation Solutions RS-125 spectrometer which has been calibrated by Radiation Solutions Inc. The Company designates readings exceeding 300 cps on the handheld spectrometer (occasionally referred to as a scintillometer in industry terminology; this stems from historical naming conventions and the shared functionality of detecting gamma radiation between a spectrometer and a scintillometer)-as "anomalous", readings above 10,000 cps as "highly radioactive", and readings surpassing 65,535 cps as "off-scale". However, readers are cautioned that spectrometer or scintillometer measurements often do not directly or consistently correlate with the uranium grades of the rock samples and should be regarded solely as a preliminary indicator of the presence of radioactive materials.

Samples from the drill core are split into half sections on site. Where possible, samples are standardized at 0.5m down-hole intervals. One-half of the split sample is sent to SRC Geoanalytical Laboratories (an SCC ISO/IEC 17025: 2005 Accredited Facility) in Saskatoon, SK while the other half remains on site for reference. Analysis includes a 63 element suite including boron by ICP-OES, uranium by ICP-MS and gold analysis by ICP-OES and/or AAS.

The Company considers uranium mineralization with assay results of greater than 1.0 weight % U3O8 as "high grade" and results greater than 20.0 weight % U3O8 as "ultra-high grade".

All depth measurements reported are down-hole and true thicknesses are yet to be determined.

About the Patterson Lake North Project:

The Company's 42,961-hectare 100% owned Patterson Lake North Project (PLN) is located just within the south-western edge of the Athabasca Basin in proximity to Paladin's Triple R and NexGen Energy's Arrow high-grade uranium deposits, an area poised to become the next major area of development for new uranium operations in northern Saskatchewan. The PLN Project consists of the 4,074-hectare Patterson Lake North Property hosting the JR Zone Uranium discovery approximately 23km northwest of Paladin's Triple R deposit, the 19,864-hectare Minto Property, and the 19,022-hectare Broach Property hosting the Tetra Zone, F3's newest discovery 13km south of the JR Zone. All three properties comprising the PLN Project are accessed by Provincial Highway 955.

Qualified Person:

The technical information in this news release has been prepared in accordance with the Canadian regulatory requirements set out in National Instrument 43-101 and approved on behalf of the company by Raymond Ashley, P.Geo., President & COO of F3 Uranium Corp, a Qualified Person. Mr. Ashley has reviewed and approved the data disclosed.

This news release also refers to neighboring properties in which F3 Uranium has no interest, and the Qualified Person has been unable to verify the information from those properties. Mineralization on those neighboring properties is not necessarily indicative of mineralization on the PLN Project.

For additional information on the PLN Project, including the current mineral resource estimate for F3 Uranium's JR Zone uranium deposit, please refer to the report titled "NI 43-101 Technical Report, Patterson lake North Project, Northern Saskatchewan, Canada" dated January 20, 2026, available at www.sedarplus.ca.

About F3 Uranium Corp.:

F3 is a uranium exploration company, focusing on the high-grade JR Zone and new Tetra Zone discovery 13km to the south in the PW area on its Patterson Lake North (PLN) Project in the Western Athabasca Basin. F3 currently has 3 properties in the Athabasca Basin: Patterson Lake North, Minto, and Broach. The western side of the Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan, is home to some of the world's largest high grade uranium deposits including Paladin's Triple R project and NexGen's Arrow project.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements that are not historical facts, including without limitation, statements regarding future estimates, plans, programs, forecasts, projections, objectives, assumptions, expectations or beliefs of future performance, including statements regarding the suitability of the Properties for mining exploration, future payments, issuance of shares and work commitment funds, entry into of a definitive option agreement respecting the Properties, are "forward-looking statements." These forward-looking statements reflect the expectations or beliefs of management of the Company based on information currently available to it. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including those detailed from time to time in filings made by the Company with securities regulatory authorities, which may cause actual outcomes to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. These factors should be considered carefully and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws.

The TSX Venture Exchange and the Canadian Securities Exchange have not reviewed, approved or disapproved the contents of this press release, and do not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

"Dev Randhawa"

Dev Randhawa, CEO

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/293718

Source: F3 Uranium Corp.
UK private bank marked its 10th anniversary last year, whilst launching a new North and Midlands base in Manchester and relocating to new offices in Edinburgh and London

Hampden Bank broke through 1 billion of client deposits during 2025, with deposits at the UK private bank increasing to 1.12 billion in the financial year to 31st December 2025, up 13 per cent on 2024.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260422507371/en/

Tracey Davidson, CEO, Hampden Bank

Loans and advances were also up in 2025, at 640 million against 586 million in the previous year, an increase of over 9 per cent. Total income rose to 31.5 million from 30.3 million, with profit before tax of 7 million, slightly down on 8.2 million in 2024 due to organisational change, strategic investment, and earlier than forecast falls in Bank of England base rates. Adjusting for these factors, 2025 profitability would have surpassed that of 2024. Having paid its first full dividend in 2025, the bank has proposed a 5 per cent increase for the 2026 payment.

The bank marked its 10th anniversary last year, whilst launching a new North and Midlands base in Manchester and moving to new offices in Edinburgh and London. Additionally, several key executive hires were made during 2025, with the appointment of Chief Operating Officer, Angela Dowd and Chief Banking Officer Greig Townsend announced in the second half of the year.

The bank grew its client base by over 7 per cent during the year to almost 6,500 and enjoys a retention rate of over 99 per cent. In 2025, the bank achieved a Net Promoter Score of 79, one of the highest recorded across the UK private banking sector. Both figures reflect the dedication of 162 colleagues across the UK, working to deliver an exceptional client experience.

Hampden Bank's CEO Tracey Davidson said: "Our strategy sets out a vision for a sustainable, growing private bank, recognised for the quality of its client relationships, the strength of its risk management, and the professionalism of its people, all of which are vital to deliver on our strategic ambition to generate in excess of 20 million of annual profit before tax by 2030."

"In a market increasingly shaped by commoditisation and digitisation, we continue to believe in the value of a personal relationship-led approach to private banking, one where technology enhances rather than replaces the human experience. Our new team covering the North and Midlands demonstrates our belief that clients value connecting in person, and this new base enables us to expand the Bank outside our existing locations of Scotland and the South of England."

Tracey Davidson added: "Whilst economic and geopolitical uncertainties are likely to persist, the bank enters its next phase of growth from a position of strength. We have a clear strategic direction, a resilient business model, a growing and loyal client base, and a committed team of talented colleagues."

David Huntley, who became Chair of Hampden Bank in September, replacing Simon Miller on his retirement, commented: "The year witnessed several important milestones, including the bank's first decade in business, surpassing 1 billion in deposits, expansion into the North and Midlands with the addition of a new banking team and significant new office upgrades in both Edinburgh and London."

David Huntley added: "Our chief executive officer Tracey Davidson completed her first full year in post, leading a review of the bank's strategy, investing in the executive team, and driving numerous transformational projects. The board is confident that the bank's strategic direction and pace of delivery position it well for success in a fast-changing market."

For further information please visit https://www.hampdenbank.com/

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260422507371/en/

Contacts:

Media contact:

Nick Freer

nick@freerconsultancy.com
LONDON, April 22, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Senttr today launched as the new name for Aisentr, reflecting an evolution in its mission to transform how businesses run their operations.

From Task Support to End-to-End Operations

When the company was founded as AiSentr, its focus was on exploring how AI could improve operational efficiency through targeted, single-use applications. It positioned itself as the ultimate team player, supporting teams in the background, one task at a time.

But as customer needs evolved, so did the company's vision.

The Problem: Repetitive Work Holding Teams Back

Today, businesses still rely heavily on people to carry out repetitive work, from managing invoices and resolving service requests to processing documents. This work is time-consuming, error-prone, and pulls teams away from higher-value priorities.

The Solution: A Platform Built for Real Operational Needs

Senttr was built to change that. Drawing on experience across industries-particularly construction and manufacturing, where fragmented systems and manual workflows are common-the team identified a consistent gap:

A powerful automation platform that can be deployed quickly, works reliably in real-world environments, and avoids the complexity typically associated with such tools. Think no IT dependency, no jargon. Just a platform any business user can use within minutes.

"Our mission has evolved beyond supporting individual tasks," said Mike Fitzgerald, CEO of Senttr. "We're focused on automating end-to-end operations so teams aren't just assisted, they're unburdened. Grunt work? Sorted."

Senttr is a digital worker platform for operational teams, taking on repetitive, manual processes so teams can focus on higher-value work. It integrates into existing workflows and operates with human oversight where it matters most-allowing organisations to move faster without losing control.



The rebrand introduces a new name, logo, tagline and visual identity, reflecting the company's evolution toward a more human-centric and approachable brand experience.

A New Brand for a New Direction

As part of the rebrand, Senttr is also introducing a new visual identity, moving away from the dark and lime green palette of its early days toward softer colours and a more organic, approachable look. The new brand reflects a simple belief: powerful technology should be intuitive, human-centric, and easy to use.

Looking Ahead

The rebrand reflects the company's shift from point solutions towards becoming the central system that powers operational execution. While the name and visual identity have evolved, the company's commitment remains the same: helping businesses run smarter, more efficient operations.

About Senttr

Senttr is the digital worker platform for operational teams, handling the tedious, time-consuming tasks so your people can focus on what they're actually hired to do. Reliable, secure, and ready to use in minutes, Senttr combines automation with human oversight where it matters most.

Grunt work, sorted.

Contact Info

For more information, please contact mona@senttr.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/6d14d668-b8a9-4c01-a5f1-72bd2abc7764
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - April 22, 2026) - Myriad Uranium Corp. (CSE: M) is pleased to announce that the company is presenting a live virtual corporate update hosted by Red Cloud Financial Services on April 27th, 2026 at 02:00 PM ET.

We invite our shareholders, and all interested parties to register for the webinar and participate in the live Q&A session at the end of the presentation moderated by Red Cloud.

The replay will be emailed out to all webinar registrants proceeding the event and will also be available on the Red Cloud website.

For more information and to register: https://redcloudfs.com/events/rcwebinar-myruf/.

CEO Thomas Lamb will discuss the Company's recently announced Phase II drill program at its Copper Mountain, Wyoming project, the new comprehensive NI 43-101 Technical Report on Copper Mountain, the imminent acquisition of the remaining 25% of Copper Mountain via merger with Rush Rare Metals (CSE: RSH), and the sale of 90% of the Red Basin, New Mexico project to venture capital-backed Subatomic for US$2.5 million - alongside a strategic alliance the Company will be entering into with Subatomic.

Commodities to be covered: Uranium

About Myriad Uranium Corp.

Myriad Uranium Corp. holds a 75% interest in the Copper Mountain Uranium Project in Wyoming, USA, with a definitive agreement in place to acquire the remaining 25% interest from Rush Rare Metals Corp. Copper Mountain hosts multiple historic uranium deposits and past-producing mines, including the Arrowhead Mine (approximately 500,000 lbs U3O produced). The district saw extensive exploration and development by Union Pacific in the late 1970s, including approximately 2,000 boreholes and advanced mine planning prior to uranium market downturn conditions in 1980. Union Pacific is estimated to have invested approximately C$117 million (2024 dollars) in exploration and development at Copper Mountain, generating significant historical resource estimates. The Company also holds a 100% interest in the Red Basin Uranium Project in New Mexico, USA, but has entered into an agreement to sell the project to Subatomic, a new venture backed by leading U.S. technologists. Myriad will retain a 10% free carried interest and enter into a strategic alliance with Subatomic.For further information, please refer to Myriad's disclosure record on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca), contact Myriad by telephone at +1.604.418.2877, or refer to Myriad's website at www.myriaduranium.com.

About Red Cloud Financial Services Inc.

Red Cloud Financial Services Inc. is a globally focused capital markets advisory firm that provides a full range of executive strategy, media, marketing, and corporate access services. Our breadth of services combines with our significant knowledge of the junior mining industry combine for unique product offering. The company was founded by capital markets professionals with extensive experience in the junior mining industry.

For additional information contact marketing@redcloudfs.com or visit:

www.redcloudfs.com

www.facebook.com/RedCloudFinancialServices

www.twitter.com/RedCloudFS

www.linkedin.com/company/red-cloud-financial-services-inc

www.youtube.com/c/RedCloudFinancialServicesInc

www.instagram.com/redcloudfs

Source: Red Cloud Financial Services
Acquisition Expands Global Footprint and Strengthens Leadership Across Life Sciences Manufacturing

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. and CORK, Ireland, April 22, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Blue Mountain, the leader in GMP-compliant Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) software for life sciences, today announced the acquisition of CompuCal Calibration Solutions, a recognized leader in calibration and maintenance management software across Europe.

This acquisition represents a significant milestone in Blue Mountain's global growth strategy since the recent investment by Five Arrows, the alternative assets arm of Rothschild & Co. Blue Mountain's acquisition of CompuCal strengthens its presence across key European markets while adding extensive calibration expertise and localized delivery capabilities. CompuCal brings an established customer base and strong market penetration across Ireland, the UK, and broader European regions-including the DACH and Nordic markets-along with proven regulatory credibility and in-region implementation expertise.

CompuCal is widely recognized for its specialized expertise in calibration workflows and its ability to support highly regulated manufacturing environments. By bringing CompuCal into the organization, Blue Mountain adds decades of domain knowledge, proven best practices, and a highly experienced team with an in-depth understanding of European regulatory requirements and customer needs. This expertise enhances Blue Mountain's ability to support the full lifecycle of regulated assets while maintaining the highest levels of compliance, quality, and operational rigor.

David H. Rode, CEO of Blue Mountain, said: "This acquisition is a major step forward in expanding our global footprint and strengthening our ability to serve life sciences manufacturers wherever they operate. CompuCal brings a highly respected team, deep calibration expertise, and a strong presence across Europe. Together, we are building a truly global organization with the local knowledge and capabilities our customers expect."

Donal Sullivan, CEO of CompuCal, added: "Joining Blue Mountain is an exciting opportunity for our team and our customers. We have built CompuCal around proven expertise in calibration and a strong commitment to customer success. As part of Blue Mountain with whom we share core values, we can extend that expertise to a broader global audience while continuing to deliver the high level of service our European customers rely on."

About Blue Mountain

Blue Mountain is the leader in enterprise asset management for Life Sciences. For over 35 years, Blue Mountain has delivered innovative, high-quality solutions that ensure regulatory compliance, improve operational efficiency, and optimize equipment performance. Trusted by more than 450 life sciences companies, the Blue Mountain cloud platform supports end-to-end GMP asset management-from calibration and maintenance to validation and analytics. Blue Mountain is backed by Five Arrows, the alternative assets arm of Rothschild & Co and Accel-KKR and headquartered in State College, PA.

For more information, visit www.bluemountain.io and follow us on LinkedIn.

About CompuCal

CompuCal Calibration Solutions is an award-winning SaaS-AI and engineering-based calibration software company that provides calibration and maintenance management software designed to support regulated industries, including life sciences, pharmaceuticals, and manufacturing. Headquartered in Ireland, CompuCal has over 30 years of deep calibration experience and a proven presence across Europe delivering solutions that help organizations improve operational efficiency, ensure regulatory compliance, and maintain audit readiness.

For more information, visit https://www.compucalcalibrations.com

Media Contact

Christian Rockwell

carockwell@bluemountain.io


Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - April 22, 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 its newest Heal Wellness ("Heal") restaurant, opening this Saturday, April 25th, 2026, at 104 - 264 Park Street, Cochrane, Alberta. Heal Wellness is a fast-growing quick-service restaurant ("QSR") brand specializing in fresh smoothie bowls, acai bowls, and smoothies, built around clean ingredients and a better-for-you lifestyle.





Happy Belly 1

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

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"Today's announcement not only validates our growth model but also marks another step toward our vision of making Heal Wellness North America's leading smoothie bowl chain, measured by both scale and strong unit economics," said Sean Black, Chief Executive Officer of Happy Belly. "With experienced local operators and rising demand for fresh, wellness-focused food options, we are building a strong foundation for continued growth while advancing our strategy of expanding high-quality restaurant brands across Canada."

Cochrane's unique demographic blend anchored by young families, professionals, and outdoor enthusiasts perfectly aligns with the Heal Wellness brand. As one of Alberta's fastest-growing towns, Cochrane offers an ideal balance of small-town charm and urban connectivity, attracting residents who lead active, health-focused lives. Its proximity to Calgary and the Rocky Mountains creates a dynamic market that values fresh, energizing, and wholesome dining options. This new Heal Wellness location will serve as a destination for both local residents and visitors seeking better-for-you food choices in a vibrant, fast-developing community.





Happy Belly 2

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

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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 38 locations open and more than 170 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

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

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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/293777

Source: Happy Belly Food Group Inc.
Chatham Financial ("Chatham"), the leading independent capital markets advisor, helping organizations reduce risk and seize opportunity through expert advice and powerful technology, today announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Hodes Weill Associates ("Hodes Weill"), a leading global capital advisory firm focused on real estate, infrastructure, and other real assets. The transaction combines premier global firms with highly complementary service offerings and capabilities, bolstering their value proposition for real assets firms worldwide. The acquisition is expected to close later this year in Q2 2026, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approval.

The transaction reflects strong strategic alignment and a shared cultural fit, with both organizations committed to collaboration and long-term career development, further reinforced by Chatham's employee-owned model and focus on shared success. David Hodes and Doug Weill will join Chatham's executive leadership team, reporting directly to Chatham Chief Executive Officer Matt Henry, and are expected to become significant shareholders of the firm. Upon closing of the transaction, Hodes Weill will operate as "Hodes Weill Associates, a Chatham Financial Company."

"Our shared industry focus, combined network of industry relationships and clients, and complementary services create immediate synergies that we expect will drive significant value for our clients," said Henry. "Hodes Weill's specialized expertise and deep relationships with the most senior executives across real assets, as well as the institutions allocating to these sectors, will further enhance and extend Chatham's global platform. Together, we will deliver a more comprehensive suite of financial services, providing clients with seamless access to best-in-class solutions across the entire capital stack."

Amol Dhargalkar, Chairman of Chatham's Board of Directors, added, "Clients are looking for expertise, greater efficiency, and technology solutions combined with deep personal relationships. Together, we will deliver enhanced capabilities to our clients and be best positioned to achieve long-term success in this dynamic capital markets landscape."

Founded in 1991, Chatham Financial is the leading independent capital markets advisor, helping organizations reduce risk and seize opportunity through expert advice and powerful technology. Chatham's platform unifies data across assets, debt, and derivatives to deliver unmatched transparency and insight. Chatham serves more than 4,500 companies through 12 offices worldwide, handling $2 trillion in annual transaction volume, and has $2.9 trillion of commercial real estate debt on its debt management platform.

Since its formation in 2009, Hodes Weill has advised a range of fund managers, public and private owners of assets and portfolio companies, and institutional investors with industry expertise across strategies focused on real estate, digital infrastructure, and energy transition. Over this period, the firm has advised on the private placement of approximately $33 billion of capital across institutional offerings, including closed- and open-end funds, separate accounts, and joint ventures. In addition to institutional capital raising, Hodes Weill provides strategic advice to real asset managers on M&A, GP-led recapitalizations and continuation vehicles, restructuring, and other strategic initiatives. It is expected that all of Hodes Weill's team will join Chatham at closing.

Hodes said, "Chatham is an ideal partner to enable Hodes Weill to continue growing our capital formation and advisory businesses on a global basis. In addition to a strong cultural alignment between the firms, this combination strengthens our ability to pair independent advice with market-leading technology, data, and analytics across the full lifecycle of our clients' capital needs. Leveraging Chatham's impressive track record of technology innovation and strategic investment, we are well-positioned to expand our service offering, capturing new opportunities in an increasingly global and rapidly evolving market."

Weill stated, "As momentum in institutional allocations and fund formation accelerate, the opportunity to provide differentiated capital solutions to GP clients continues to expand. Chatham's client-first ethos and commitment to developing its people over the long term are highly aligned with our culture. This partnership enables us to further invest in our team and leverage Chatham's global platform to capitalize on these opportunities."

Chatham was advised by Latham Watkins LLP as legal counsel, and by KPMG LLP on accounting and tax diligence. Hodes Weill received legal counsel from Goodwin Procter LLP, financial advisory services from Piper Sandler Co., and tax advice from Eisner Advisory Group LLC.

About Chatham Financial

Chatham Financial is the leading independent capital markets advisor, helping organizations reduce risk and seize opportunity through expert advice and powerful technology. Our platform unifies data across assets, debt, and derivatives to deliver unmatched transparency and insight. Founded in 1991, Chatham serves more than 4,500 companies worldwide through 12 offices, handling $2 trillion in annual transaction volume. To learn more, visit cf.com.

About Hodes Weill

Hodes Weill Associates is a leading global capital advisory firm focused on real estate, infrastructure, and other real assets. The firm has offices in New York, Hong Kong, London, Amsterdam, and Tokyo. Founded in 2009, Hodes Weill provides institutional capital raising for funds, transactions, co-investments, and separate accounts; M&A, strategic, and restructuring advisory services; and fairness and valuation analyses. Clients include investment and fund managers, institutional investors, lenders, and public and private owners of assets and portfolio companies. For more information, please contact or visit www.hodesweill.com.

*All U.S. regulated capital market and securities advisory services are provided by Chatham, Financial Securities, LLC and Hodes Weill Securities, LLC, each a registered broker-dealer with the SEC, and a member of FINRA and SIPC, and internationally, by non-U.S. Hodes Weill affiliates.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260422294655/en/

Contacts:

Media Contacts

Gregory on behalf of Chatham Financial

chatham@gregoryagency.com

ICR on behalf of Hodes Weill

Jason Chudoba, 646-277-1249 Jason.Chudoba@icrinc.com

Megan Kivlehan, 646-677-1807 Megan.Kivlehan@icrinc.com
Vertical extent of high-grade subdomain increased +33% to 550m with a strike length of 210m

High-grade extension in RK-26-280c1 with cumulative 4.2m of >10,000 cps including 0.6m of >61,000 cps

Continuity of intense mineralization in RK-26-271c1 with cumulative 12.6m of >10,000 cps including 2.3m of >61,000 cps 80m down plunge of RK-25-256 (5.5m at 21.4% U 3 O 8 )

Progressive high-grade continuity at depth in RK-26-276 with cumulative 11.2m of >10,000 cps including 0.6m of >61,000 cps and RK-26-285 with cumulative 9.0m of >10,000 cps including 0.7m of >61,000 cps

Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 22, 2026) - NexGen Energy Ltd. (TSX: NXE) (NYSE: NXE) (ASX: NXG) ("NexGen" or the "Company") announces results from the 2026 winter drill program at Patterson Corridor East ("PCE") that recently concluded, highlighting significant vertical growth and strong internal continuity of high-grade mineralization.

Within the mineralized zone of PCE, the high-grade subdomain has now grown to 550 m in vertical extent, a 33% increase, with a strike length of 210 m. This expansion was primarily driven by hole RK-26-280c1 which returned cumulative 4.2m of >10,000 cps including 0.6m of >61,000 cps at 834m below surface (Figures 1-3). The hole successfully intersected mineralization 230m down plunge along a high-grade shoot interpreted to connect with RK-26-271c1 (Figure 4).

Holes RK-26-271c1, RK-26-276, and RK-26-285 returned strong mineralized intercepts between 600 to 700m below surface, where the system remains open for expansion (Figures 1 and 2, Table 1). Results from RK-26-271c1 include cumulative 12.6m of >10,000 cps including 2.3m of >61,000 cps 80m down plunge of RK-25-256 (5.5m at 21.4% U3O8) indicating continuity of intense high-grade mineralization (Figure 3). Further, the intersections from RK-26-276 (cumulative 11.2m of >10,000 cps including 0.6m of >61,000 cps) and RK-26-285 (cumulative 9.0m of >10,000 cps including 0.7m of >61,000 cps) add progressive high-grade continuity to the base of this growing subdomain.

Drilling 600m to the southeast of PCE along a separate parallel trend, prospective structure and alteration features are vectoring the Company toward potential repetition of mineralization within the overall PCE system (Figure 5).

Summer drilling of ~29,200m is schedule to commence the week of May 25, 2026. All samples from 2026 drilling are submitted to the independent Saskatchewan Research Council Geoanalytical Laboratory (SRC), with results to follow.

Leigh Curyer, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, commented: "Today's results from the 2026 winter program confirm both the scale and growth of PCE continues to advance at pace. Increasing the vertical extent of the high-grade subdomain by 33% during the winter program, suggests substantial drilling is required going forward to fully understand the extent of this mineralized zone. In parallel, drilling focused on vectoring into additional zones of mineralization will be incorporated into the summer program based on these winter results.

"With the Rook I Project commencing construction this summer and the significance of PCE materializing rapidly, we look forward to future drilling and evaluation of PCE and its potential position in the long-term profile of NexGen's uranium portfolio. NexGen is positioned to meet the strong demand for Canadian uranium for many decades into the future, whilst setting a new industry standard in the safe, efficient and reliable delivery of offtake to utility customers around the world."

A total of 12,758.2m of the planned 42,000m has been completed in 2026, focusing on high-grade growth and expansion of mineralization. Thirteen drill holes totalling 9,131.7m were dedicated to advancing the mineralization at PCE and six drill holes totalling 3,626.5m tested the parallel trend. Since discovery (see news release date March 11, 2024), 115 drillholes totalling 72,464.7m targeted PCE mineralization (Figure 4) with 79 of the 115 drill holes being mineralized, including 54 intersecting high-grade (>10,000 cps) and 21 intersecting off-scale (>61,000 cps).

Figure 1: Interpreted 3D model of PCE shown looking northwest (across strike) and northeast (along strike); previously reported in December 1, 2025 release, now with RK-26-271c1, RK-26-276, RK-26-280c1, and RK-26-285 intersections outlined in purple

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/1745/293775_f571136e943028da_002full.jpg

Figure 2: Interpreted model of mineralization at PCE (as of this release); new holes emphasized by larger diameter pierce points and bold labels; view is a long section that looks perpendicular to the primary mineralized plane; total mineralized footprint in orange and the high-grade subdomains in red

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/1745/293775_f571136e943028da_003full.jpg

Figure 3: Core photo from RK-25-280c1 displays semi-massive, off-scale (>61,000 cps) from uranium vein at 834m down hole

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/1745/293775_f571136e943028da_004full.jpg

Figure 4: Core photo from RK-25-271c1 displays mineralization from 630.3 to 646.5m down hole with abundant high-grade and several instances of off-scale in competent basement rock; yellow outlines >1,000 cps, red outlines >10,000 cps, >61,000 cps outlined in purple

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/1745/293775_f571136e943028da_005full.jpg

Figure 5: Map of PCE with completed 2026 drill holes; ground gravity in background, interpreted fault shown as black dashed line

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/1745/293775_f571136e943028da_006full.jpg

Table 1: Spectrometer results since January 15, 2026 release

Drillhole Unconformity Depth (m) Handheld Spectrometer Results (RS-125) Hole ID Azimuth Dip Total Depth (m) From (m) To (m) Width (m) CPS Range RK-26-271c1 275 -75 730.0 - 615.0 616.5 1.5 <500









618.0 619.0 1.0 <500









619.5 627.5 8.0 <500









627.5 627.7 0.2 600 - 2000









627.7 627.8 0.1 >61000









627.8 628.0 0.2 800 - 3000









628.0 630.0 2.0 <500









630.0 630.5 0.5 <500 - 1400









630.5 631.0 0.5 <500









631.0 632.0 1.0 <500 - 900









632.0 632.5 0.5 600 - 1200









632.5 633.0 0.5 <500 - 2200









633.0 633.5 0.5 <500 - 1000









633.5 634.5 1.0 <500 - 900









634.5 635.0 0.5 500 - 40000









635.0 635.5 0.5 <500









635.5 636.0 0.5 <500 - 720









636.0 636.5 0.5 500 - 13000









636.5 636.8 0.3 10000 - 42000









636.8 636.9 0.1 >61000









636.9 637.0 0.1 24000 - 35000









637.0 637.2 0.2 17000 - 50000









637.2 637.4 0.2 >61000









637.4 637.5 0.1 30000 - 50000









637.5 638.0 0.5 500 - 38000









638.0 638.5 0.5 600 - 45000









638.5 638.6 0.1 50000 - 55000









638.6 638.9 0.3 >61000









638.9 639.0 0.1 500 - 55000









639.0 639.3 0.3 >61000









639.3 639.5 0.2 19000 - 57700









639.5 640.0 0.5 <500 - 46200









640.0 640.1 0.1 12200 - 51000









640.1 640.6 0.5 >61000









640.6 641.0 0.4 <500 - 58700









641.0 641.5 0.5 <500 - 49800









641.5 641.8 0.3 >61000









641.8 642.0 0.2 6700 - 41300









642.0 642.1 0.1 >61000









642.1 642.2 0.1 12200 - 51000









642.2 642.3 0.1 >61000









642.3 642.4 0.1 9300 - 51400









642.4 642.7 0.3 >61000









642.7 643.0 0.3 14300 - 46700









643.0 643.5 0.5 <500 - 7300









643.5 644.0 0.5 <500 - 8000









644.0 644.5 0.5 <500 - 1400









644.5 645.0 0.5 <500









645.0 645.5 0.5 <500 - 1300









645.5 646.5 1.0 <500 - 1200









646.5 647.0 0.5 <500 - 600









647.0 647.5 0.5 <500









647.5 648.0 0.5 <500 - 2200









648.0 648.5 0.5 <500 - 1000









648.5 649.0 0.5 <500 - 8000









649.0 649.5 0.5 3000 - 10000









649.5 650.0 0.5 3000 - 22000









650.0 650.5 0.5 <500 - 7000









650.5 653.0 2.5 <500









653.0 653.5 0.5 <500 - 900









653.5 654.0 0.5 <500









654.0 655.0 1.0 600 - 12000









655.0 655.5 0.5 500 - 7000









655.5 656.0 0.5 500 - 1600









656.0 656.5 0.5 <500 - 2200









656.5 657.0 0.5 <500 - 800









657.0 657.5 0.5 <500 - 700









657.5 658.0 0.5 <500









658.0 658.5 0.5 <500 - 600









658.5 659.0 0.5 <500 - 900









659.0 660.0 1.0 <500









660.0 660.5 0.5 <500 - 1100









660.5 661.0 0.5 <500 - 800









661.0 661.5 0.5 <500 - 1300









661.5 662.0 0.5 <500









662.0 662.5 0.5 <500 - 1000









662.5 663.0 0.5 <500 - 9500









663.0 663.5 0.5 <500 - 650









663.5 665.5 2.0 <500









665.5 666.0 0.5 <500 - 2200









666.0 666.5 0.5 <500 - 1500









670.5 671.0 0.5 <500 - 18300









671.0 671.5 0.5 <500 - 6100









671.5 672.0 0.5 570 - 32400









672.0 672.5 0.5 <500 - 4100









672.5 673.0 0.5 <500 - 7100









673.0 673.5 0.5 <500 - 3800









674.0 674.5 0.5 <500 - 530









674.5 675.0 0.5 <500 - 650









675.5 676.0 0.5 <500 - 900









676.0 676.5 0.5 <500









677.0 677.5 0.5 <500









678.5 679.5 1.0 <500









679.5 680.0 0.5 <500 - 22800









680.0 680.5 0.5 10000 - 42300









680.5 681.0 0.5 2000 - 30000









681.0 681.5 0.5 <500 - 1300









681.5 682.5 1.0 <500









682.5 683.0 0.5 <500 - 2900









683.0 683.5 0.5 <500 - 10400









683.5 684.0 0.5 <500 - 8000









684.0 684.5 0.5 <500









685.5 686.0 0.5 <500 - 1000









688.5 689.0 0.5 <500 - 4400









689.0 689.5 0.5 <500 - 1700









691.0 692.0 1.0 <500









692.5 693.0 0.5 <500 - 1700









695.0 695.5 0.5 <500









696.5 697.0 0.5 <500









698.5 699.0 0.5 <500 - 1600









700.0 700.5 0.5 <500 - 1100









700.5 701.0 0.5 <500 - 2100









701.0 701.5 0.5 <500 - 1500









701.5 702.5 1.0 <500 - 1700









703.0 703.5 0.5 <500 - 1900









706.0 706.5 0.5 <500









709.0 709.5 0.5 <500 - 800









709.5 710.0 0.5 <500









710.5 711.0 0.5 <500 - 1400









711.0 711.5 0.5 <500 - 1700









712.0 713.0 1.0 <500









714.0 715.0 1.0 <500 - 900









715.5 716.0 0.5 <500 - 1000









716.0 716.5 0.5 <500









718.5 719.0 0.5 <500









720.0 720.5 0.5 <500 - 3400









720.5 721.0 0.5 <500 - 1900









721.0 721.5 0.5 <500 - 1400









721.5 722.0 0.5 <500









723.0 723.5 0.5 <500 - 550 RK-26-273 295 -66 390.0 131.5 267.0 267.5 0.5 <500 - 800 RK-26-274 280 -75 546.0 119.9 417.0 418.0 1.0 <500









418.5 419.0 0.5 <500









419.0 419.5 0.5 <500 - 530









419.5 420.0 0.5 <500 - 2300









420.0 420.5 0.5 <500 - 660









420.5 421.5 1.0 <500









430.0 430.5 0.5 <500









431.5 432.5 1.0 <500









433.0 433.5 0.5 <500









435.5 436.0 0.5 <500









437.5 438.0 0.5 <500 - 1050









438.0 438.5 0.5 1000 - 13000









438.5 439.0 0.5 <500 - 2350









441.5 442.0 0.5 <500 - 950









442.0 442.5 0.5 700 - 1800









442.5 443.0 0.5 800 - 2000









443.0 443.5 0.5 800 - 1400









443.5 444.0 0.5 630 - 4900









444.0 444.5 0.5 3800 - 10000









444.5 445.0 0.5 800 - 4900









445.0 447.5 2.5 <500









447.5 448.0 0.5 <500 - 1000









448.0 448.5 0.5 <500 - 770









452.0 452.5 0.5 <500 - 590









453.0 454.0 1.0 <500









454.0 454.5 0.5 <500 - 780









454.5 455.0 0.5 <500 - 560









455.0 456.0 1.0 <500









456.0 456.5 0.5 600 - 1100









456.5 457.0 0.5 <500 - 1500









457.0 457.5 0.5 700 - 1200









457.5 458.0 0.5 <500 - 700









458.0 459.0 1.0 <500









459.0 459.5 0.5 640 - 1700









459.5 460.0 0.5 <500









468.0 468.5 0.5 <500 - 900









468.5 469.0 0.5 <500 - 1400









469.0 469.5 0.5 <500









470.0 470.5 0.5 <500 - 510









470.5 471.0 0.5 <500









473.5 475.0 1.5 <500









475.0 475.5 0.5 <500 - 510









475.5 476.0 0.5 <500 - 700









476.0 476.5 0.5 <500









476.5 477.0 0.5 <500 - 2700









479.5 480.0 0.5 550 - 1100









480.0 480.5 0.5 700 - 2900









480.5 481.0 0.5 <500 - 11700









481.0 481.5 0.5 <500









482.5 483.0 0.5 <500 - 600









490.5 491.0 0.5 <500 - 930









491.0 491.5 0.5 <500 - 880









491.5 492.0 0.5 <500 - 690









541.5 542.0 0.5 <500 - 6500 RK-26-275 310 -70 519.0 93.9 No Significant Intersections RK-26-276 276 -69 810.0 112.7 662.5 663.5 1.0 <500









663.5 664.0 0.5 <500 - 4000









664.0 664.5 0.5 620 - 2200









664.5 665.0 0.5 <500 - 560









667.5 669.5 2.0 <500









669.5 670.0 0.5 <500 - 700









670.0 670.5 0.5 <500 - 1700









670.5 671.0 0.5 1500 - 4300









671.0 671.5 0.5 800 - 1400









671.5 671.9 0.4 3000 - 3300









671.9 672.0 0.2 >61000









672.0 672.2 0.2 6000 - 53000









672.2 672.5 0.3 >61000









672.5 673.0 0.5 1680 - 34000









673.0 673.5 0.5 17000 - 35000









673.5 674.0 0.5 600 - 950









674.0 674.5 0.5 <500









675.0 676.5 1.5 <500









676.5 677.0 0.5 <500 - 4050









677.0 677.5 0.5 <500 - 24000









678.5 679.0 0.5 800 - 6200









679.0 679.5 0.5 <500 - 1250









679.5 680.0 0.5 550 - 3600









680.0 680.5 0.5 1000 - 6900









680.5 681.0 0.5 1200 - 5500









681.0 681.5 0.5 750 - 1800









681.5 682.0 0.5 <500 - 1100









682.0 682.5 0.5 6000 - 14000









682.5 683.0 0.5 1300 - 5010









683.0 683.5 0.5 <500 - 2700









683.5 684.0 0.5 2080 - 18500









684.0 684.5 0.5 3050 - 26500









684.5 685.0 0.5 7200 - 15000









685.0 685.5 0.5 5500 - 18700









685.5 686.0 0.5 2500 - 26000









686.0 686.5 0.5 3500 - 30000









686.5 687.0 0.5 12000 - 15000









687.0 687.5 0.5 1300 - 15500









687.5 688.0 0.5 <500









688.0 688.5 0.5 1000 - 30000









688.5 689.0 0.5 2000 - 10000









689.0 689.5 0.5 1400 - 7500









689.5 690.0 0.5 6700 - 9000









690.0 690.5 0.5 <500









690.5 691.0 0.5 600 - 7700









691.0 691.5 0.5 <500 - 1200









691.5 692.0 0.5 590 - 9100









692.0 692.5 0.5 1100 - 21000









692.5 693.0 0.5 2700 - 44000









693.0 693.5 0.5 1400 - 7100









693.5 694.0 0.5 1000 - 38000









694.0 694.5 0.5 3700 - 31000









694.5 695.0 0.5 1100 - 14000









695.0 695.5 0.5 <500 - 4400









695.5 695.9 0.4 1100 - 14000









695.9 696.0 0.1 >61000









696.0 696.5 0.5 <500 - 700









697.0 697.5 0.5 <500









697.5 698.0 0.5 1250 - 5500









698.0 698.5 0.5 <500 - 1000









698.5 699.0 0.5 <500 - 11600









699.0 699.5 0.5 <500 - 2650









699.5 700.0 0.5 <500 - 3100









700.0 700.5 0.5 <500 - 3220









702.5 703.0 0.5 <500 - 2300









705.0 705.5 0.5 <500









705.5 706.0 0.5 <500 - 1100









709.0 709.5 0.5 <500 - 3800









709.5 710.0 0.5 <500 - 9800









710.0 710.5 0.5 <500 - 4400 RK-26-276c1 276 -69 814.0 - 678.5 679.0 0.5 <500









683.0 683.5 0.5 <500









683.5 684.0 0.5 <500 - 580









684.0 684.5 0.5 <500









684.5 685.0 0.5 <500 - 1320









685.0 685.5 0.5 <500 - 3150









685.5 686.0 0.5 570 - 1890









686.0 686.5 0.5 1400 - 7550









686.5 687.0 0.5 500 - 4500









687.0 687.5 0.5 <500 - 730









687.5 688.0 0.5 <500 - 510









688.0 688.5 0.5 1050 - 10000









688.5 689.0 0.5 1480 - 4000









689.0 689.5 0.5 740 - 12000









689.5 690.0 0.5 <500 - 4960









690.0 690.5 0.5 1250 - 13300









690.5 691.0 0.5 <500 - 780









691.0 691.5 0.5 <500 - 650









694.5 695.0 0.5 <500 - 800









695.5 696.0 0.5 <500 - 760









697.0 697.5 0.5 <500









699.5 700.0 0.5 <500 - 1220









700.5 701.0 0.5 <500 - 4100









701.0 701.5 0.5 <500 - 1780









701.5 702.0 0.5 <500 - 1000









702.0 702.5 0.5 <500









702.5 703.0 0.5 <500 - 2720









706.0 706.5 0.5 <500 - 1340









706.5 707.0 0.5 <500









707.0 707.5 0.5 <500 - 1780









707.5 708.0 0.5 <500









711.5 712.0 0.5 <500 - 2450









713.5 714.0 0.5 <500 - 3500









714.0 714.5 0.5 <500 - 1050









714.5 715.0 0.5 <500 - 850









715.0 715.5 0.5 620 - 8300









716.0 716.5 0.5 <500 - 8450









722.5 723.0 0.5 <500 - 580









724.0 724.5 0.5 <500









724.5 725.0 0.5 <500 - 650









725.0 725.5 0.5 <500 - 1280









725.5 726.0 0.5 <500 - 1600









726.5 727 0.5 <500 - 840









727.0 727.5 0.5 <500 - 1020









727.5 728 0.5 <500 - 560









728.0 728.5 0.5 <500 - 540









728.5 729 0.5 <500









729.5 730 0.5 <500 - 640









732.0 732.5 0.5 <500 - 700









732.5 733 0.5 <500 - 680









733.0 733.5 0.5 <500









740.5 741 0.5 <500









741.0 741.5 0.5 <500 - 580









741.5 742 0.5 <500 - 750









742.5 743 0.5 <500









746.5 747 0.5 620 - 1400









747.0 747.5 0.5 680 - 1400









747.5 748 0.5 1100 - 5000









748.0 748.5 0.5 <500 - 810









749.0 749.5 0.5 <500









751.5 752.5 1.0 <500









754.0 754.5 0.5 <500









755.0 756.5 1.5 <500









757.0 757.5 0.5 <500 - 700









757.5 758 0.5 <500 - 780









758.0 758.5 0.5 600 - 1700









758.5 759 0.5 520 - 1100









760.5 761 0.5 <500









763.0 763.5 0.5 <500 - 700









764.5 765 0.5 <500









766.5 767 0.5 <500 - 720









767.0 767.5 0.5 <500









767.5 768 0.5 <500 - 1650









783.0 783.5 0.5 <500









787.0 788 1.0 <500









805.0 805.5 0.5 <500 RK-26-276c2 276 -69 864.0 - 731.0 731.5 0.5 <500 - 47400









785.5 786.0 0.5 530 - 1350









786.0 786.5 0.5 <500 - 1700









786.5 787.0 0.5 <500 - 950









787.0 787.5 0.5 <500









789.5 790.0 0.5 <500









798.0 798.5 0.5 <500









798.5 799.0 0.5 <500 - 700









808.0 808.5 0.5 <500 - 650









810.5 811.0 0.5 <500 - 720









811.0 811.5 0.5 <500 - 940









812.5 813.0 0.5 <500









813.0 813.5 0.5 <500 - 740 RK-26-277 290 -70 525.0 - No Significant Intersections RK-26-278 270 -70 648.2 117.9 513 513.5 0.5 <500









513.5 514 0.5 <500 - 600









514 514.5 0.5 <500 - 520









514.5 522.5 8.0 <500









522.5 523 0.5 <500 - 510









523 523.5 0.5 <500 - 510









523.5 524 0.5 500 - 3000









524 538 14.0 <500









538 538.5 0.5 <500 - 570









538.5 554.5 16.0 <500









554.5 555 0.5 <500 - 520









555 555.5 0.5 <500 - 520









555.5 558.5 3.0 <500









558.5 559 0.5 <500 - 530









559 564.5 5.5 <500









574 575 1.0 <500









577.5 578 0.5 <500









578 578.5 0.5 <500 - 610









578.5 579 0.5 <500 - 750









579 579.5 0.5 <500 - 530









579.5 580 0.5 <500 - 1000









580 580.5 0.5 <500 - 1080









580.5 581 0.5 850 - 1900









581 582 1.0 <500









582 582.5 0.5 <500 - 710









582.5 583 0.5 <500 - 950









583 583.5 0.5 530 - 750









583.5 585 1.5 <500









585.5 586 0.5 <500









586.5 587 0.5 <500









587 587.5 0.5 <500 - 800









587.5 588 0.5 <500 - 1020









588 589.5 1.5 <500









589.5 590 0.5 <500 - 1450









590 590.5 0.5 <500









592.5 594 1.5 <500 RK-26-279 290 -70 569.5 - No Significant Intersections RK-26-280 270 -69 951 108.8 881.5 882.0 0.5 <500 - 13400









882.0 882.5 0.5 <500 - 2500









901.5 902.5 1.0 <500









902.5 903.0 0.5 <500 - 570









903.0 903.5 0.5 <500 - 1080









904.0 904.5 0.5 <500 - 670









904.5 905.0 0.5 <500 - 570









905.0 905.5 0.5 <500 - 1100









905.5 906.0 0.5 <500









906.0 906.5 0.5 <500 - 11100









906.5 907.0 0.5 <500 - 50600









908.5 909.0 0.5 <500 - 1200









909.0 909.5 0.5 <500 - 920









909.5 910.0 0.5 <500 - 640









910.5 911.0 0.5 <500









912.0 913.0 1.0 <500 RK-26-280c1 270 -70 1020 - 877.0 877.3 0.3 <500 - 750









877.3 877.4 0.1 >61000









877.4 877.5 0.1 4000 - 59000









877.5 877.7 0.2 700 - 14300









877.7 877.8 0.1 >61000









877.8 878.0 0.2 3200 - 53600









878.0 878.5 0.5 <500 - 4600









878.5 879.0 0.5 <500









879.0 879.5 0.5 <500 - 920









879.5 880.0 0.5 <500









880.0 880.5 0.5 <500 - 640









881.5 882.0 0.5 <500 - 2600









882.0 883.0 1.0 <500









883.0 883.5 0.5 1300 - 43400









883.5 883.7 0.2 1500 - 60400









883.7 884.0 0.3 >61000









884.0 884.5 0.5 2900 - 22400









884.5 885.0 0.5 <500 - 1100









885.0 885.5 0.5 <500 - 6400









885.5 886.0 0.5 <500 - 8500









886.5 887.0 0.5 <500 - 8700









887.0 887.5 0.5 <500 - 10700









889.0 889.5 0.5 <500 - 5100









890.0 890.5 0.5 <500









890.5 891.0 0.5 <500 - 970









891.0 891.5 0.5 <500 - 850









892.5 893.0 0.5 <500 - 900









893.0 893.5 0.5 <500 - 870









893.5 894.0 0.5 <500









896.5 897.0 0.5 <500 - 580









897.0 897.5 0.5 <500 - 720









897.5 898.0 0.5 <500









898.0 898.5 0.5 <500 - 750









898.5 899.0 0.5 <500 - 2800









899.0 899.5 0.5 <500 - 550









899.5 900.0 0.5 <500 - 2600









900.0 900.5 0.5 <500 - 850









900.5 901.0 0.5 <500 - 1150









901.0 901.5 0.5 500 - 2700









901.5 902.0 0.5 550 - 3400









902.5 903.0 0.5 <500









903.0 903.5 0.5 <500 - 700









903.5 904.0 0.5 <500 - 670









904.0 904.5 0.5 800 - 8700









904.5 905.0 0.5 1100 - 20500









905.0 905.5 0.5 600 - 15700









905.5 906.0 0.5 <500 - 3500









906.0 906.5 0.5 <500









906.5 906.8 0.3 9600 - 44700









906.8 906.9 0.1 >61000









906.9 907.0 0.1 13000 - 59000









907.0 907.5 0.5 <500 - 8400









907.5 908.0 0.5 550 - 1750









908.0 908.5 0.5 <500 - 1300









919.0 919.5 0.5 <500 - 3700









923.0 923.5 0.5 <500 - 900









925.0 925.5 0.5 <500 - 980









925.5 926.0 0.5 650 - 8800









936.5 937.0 0.5 <500 - 3100 RK-26-281 272 -70 539 117.7 492.5 493.0 0.5 <500 - 510









494.0 495.0 1.0 <500









516.0 516.5 0.5 <500 - 550









516.5 517.0 0.5 <500









517.0 517.5 0.5 <500 - 550









517.5 518.0 0.5 <500









518.5 519.0 0.5 <500 - 690









519.0 519.5 0.5 <500 - 7200









519.5 520.0 0.5 980 - 6600









520.0 520.5 0.5 <500 - 2100









520.5 521.0 0.5 <500 - 660









521.0 522.5 1.5 <500









522.5 523.0 0.5 <500 - 6000









523.0 523.5 0.5 <500









523.5 524.0 0.5 <500 - 1400









524.0 524.5 0.5 <500 - 560









524.5 525.0 0.5 <500 - 1700









525.0 525.5 0.5 <500 - 580









525.5 526.0 0.5 <500 - 970









526.0 526.5 0.5 <500









526.5 527.0 0.5 <500 - 2100









527.0 527.5 0.5 870 - 2200









527.5 528.0 0.5 970 - 1800









528.0 528.5 0.5 500 - 1940









528.5 529.0 0.5 <500 - 1400









529.0 529.5 0.5 550 - 2900









529.5 530.0 0.5 <500









530.5 531.0 0.5 <500 - 660









531.0 531.5 0.5 <500 - 670









531.5 532.0 0.5 <500 - 810









532.0 532.5 0.5 <500









532.5 533.0 0.5 <500 - 1600









533.5 534.0 0.5 <500









534.0 534.5 0.5 <500 - 970









534.5 535.0 0.5 <500









536.0 537.5 1.5 <500









578.0 578.5 0.5 <500 - 550









578.5 579.0 0.5 <500 RK-26-282 290 -70 609 92.5 No Significant Intersections RK-26-283 270 -70 708.8 113.2 566.5 567.0 0.5 <500 - 620









567.0 567.5 0.5 <500









572.0 572.5 0.5 <500









573.5 574.0 0.5 <500









574.0 574.5 0.5 <500 - 760









575.0 576.0 1.0 <500









577.0 577.5 0.5 <500 - 520









577.5 578.0 0.5 <500 - 1200









581.5 582.0 0.5 <500









582.0 582.5 0.5 <500 - 1630









582.5 583.0 0.5 520 - 1420









583.0 583.5 0.5 500 - 1650









583.5 584.0 0.5 <500 - 2300









584.5 585.0 0.5 <500 - 650









585.0 587.0 2.0 <500









588.0 588.5 0.5 <500 - 670









588.5 589.0 0.5 <500 - 610









589.0 589.5 0.5 <500 - 1520









589.5 590.0 0.5 <500









590.0 590.5 0.5 840 - 2760









590.5 591.0 0.5 <500 - 1150









591.0 591.5 0.5 <500









591.5 592.0 0.5 <500 - 1570









592.0 592.5 0.5 <500 - 1170









592.5 593.0 0.5 540 - 2200









593.0 593.5 0.5 <500 - 630









593.5 594.0 0.5 510 - 1150









594.0 594.5 0.5 750 - 5400









594.5 595.0 0.5 630 - 3130









595.0 595.5 0.5 1350 - 31200









595.5 596.0 0.5 <500 - 2400









596.0 596.5 0.5 750 - 5000









596.5 597.5 1.0 <500









597.5 598.0 0.5 <500 - 1670









598.0 598.5 0.5 1560 - 2100









598.5 599.0 0.5 620 - 3200









599.0 599.5 0.5 <500 - 590









600.0 600.5 0.5 <500









600.5 601.0 0.5 <500 - 520









601.0 603.5 2.5 <500









603.5 604.0 0.5 <500 - 700









604.5 605.0 0.5 700 - 1510









605.0 605.5 0.5 <500 - 21000









605.5 606.0 0.5 <500 - 630









606.0 606.5 0.5 <500 - 1200









606.5 607.0 0.5 <500 - 900









607.0 607.5 0.5 <500









607.5 608.0 0.5 <500 - 600









608.0 608.5 0.5 <500 - 740









615.0 615.5 0.5 <500









615.5 616.0 0.5 <500 - 700









616.0 616.5 0.5 630 - 1480









616.5 617.0 0.5 <500 - 620









617.0 617.5 0.5 <500 - 610









617.5 618.0 0.5 <500 - 950









618.0 618.5 0.5 630 - 1840









618.5 619.0 0.5 <500 - 640









619.0 619.5 0.5 <500 - 570









619.5 620.0 0.5 <500 - 680









620.0 620.5 0.5 <500 - 570









620.5 621.0 0.5 <500









621.0 621.5 0.5 <500 - 750









621.5 622.0 0.5 <500 - 800









622.0 622.5 0.5 <500 - 710









622.5 623.0 0.5 <500 - 1190









623.0 623.5 0.5 <500









624.0 625.5 1.5 <500









626.5 628.0 1.5 <500









628.5 629.0 0.5 <500









629.0 629.5 0.5 <500 - 850









629.5 630.0 0.5 1300 - 3160









630.0 630.5 0.5 <500









630.5 631.0 0.5 <500 - 1720









631.0 631.5 0.5 <500 - 510









631.5 631.6 0.1 3000 - 4500









631.6 631.7 0.1 44000 - 60000









631.7 631.8 0.1 >61000









631.8 631.9 0.1 800 - 37000









631.9 632.0 0.1 900 - 2100









632.0 632.5 0.5 <500









634.5 635.0 0.5 <500









639.5 640.0 0.5 <500 - 820









640.0 640.5 0.5 1760 - 13300









670.0 670.5 0.5 <500 - 2980









670.5 671.0 0.5 1080 - 6700









671.0 671.5 0.5 860 - 9900









672.0 672.5 0.5 <500









681.0 681.5 0.5 <500 - 1700









681.5 682.0 0.5 <500 - 1300









691.0 691.5 0.5 <500 - 3500









691.5 692.0 0.5 <500









696.0 696.5 0.5 <500 - 700 RK-26-284 270 -70 558 111.5 No Significant Intersections RK-26-285 275 -72 831 111.0 689.0 689.5 0.5 <500









689.5 690.0 0.5 <500 - 950









690.0 690.5 0.5 <500 - 680









690.5 691.0 0.5 930 - 2100









691.0 691.5 0.5 <500 - 1300









691.5 692.0 0.5 930 - 1600









692.0 692.5 0.5 <500 - 570









692.5 693.5 1.0 <500









693.5 694.0 0.5 <500 - 900









694.0 694.5 0.5 <500 - 600









697.5 698.0 0.5 <500









699.5 700.0 0.5 <500 - 1300









701.5 702.0 0.5 1100 - 31000









702.0 702.5 0.5 6000 - 23000









702.5 703.0 0.5 500 - 11900









703.0 703.5 0.5 700 - 8600









703.5 704.0 0.5 <500 - 3500









704.0 704.5 0.5 1800 - 49800









704.5 705.0 0.5 2200 - 30600









705.0 705.2 0.2 >61000









705.2 705.5 0.3 1300 - 38900









705.5 706.0 0.5 7500 - 31000









706.0 706.5 0.5 1300 - 3000









706.5 707.0 0.5 700 - 1300









707.0 707.5 0.5 2800 - 21800









707.5 708.0 0.5 2400 - 2900









708.0 708.5 0.5 <500 - 610









708.5 709.0 0.5 >61000









709.0 709.5 0.5 3000 - 14100









709.5 710.0 0.5 7500 - 41600









710.0 710.5 0.5 1400 - 26800









710.5 711.0 0.5 16100 - 21900









711.0 711.5 0.5 <500 - 630









711.5 712.5 1.0 <500









712.5 713.0 0.5 <500 - 530









716.5 717.0 0.5 800 - 25800









717.5 718.0 0.5 1100 - 6600









718.0 718.5 0.5 1800 - 5300









718.5 719.0 0.5 4500 - 12000









721.0 721.5 0.5 4700 - 25900









722.0 722.5 0.5 <500 - 2650









723.0 723.5 0.5 <500 - 1880









723.5 724.0 0.5 1400 - 3300









724.5 725.0 0.5 1100 - 14800









725.0 725.5 0.5 <500 - 1800









727.5 728.0 0.5 <500 - 1300









729.0 729.5 0.5 <500 - 8100









729.5 730.0 0.5 4100 - 32100









730.0 730.5 0.5 <500









730.5 731.0 0.5 <500 - 510









731.0 731.5 0.5 <500 - 5150









731.5 732.0 0.5 <500 - 1300









732.0 732.5 0.5 <500 - 1700









732.5 733.0 0.5 <500 - 2200









733.0 733.5 0.5 4100 - 6100









736.0 736.5 0.5 <500









739.5 740.0 0.5 <500 - 630









742.5 743.0 0.5 <500 - 570









743.5 744.0 0.5 <500









745.0 745.5 0.5 <500 - 1500









745.5 746.0 0.5 <500 - 1080









752.0 752.5 0.5 <500 - 670









752.5 753.0 0.5 <500









753.0 753.5 0.5 770 - 1900









753.5 754.0 0.5 <500 - 790









754.0 754.5 0.5 <500 - 770









754.5 755.0 0.5 <500 - 590









757.0 757.5 0.5 <500 - 520









757.5 758.5 1.0 <500









760.0 760.5 0.5 <500 - 790









760.5 761.0 0.5 <500 - 780









761.5 762.0 0.5 <500 - 580









763.0 763.5 0.5 <500 - 540









763.5 764.0 0.5 600 - 930









764.0 764.5 0.5 <500









765.0 765.5 0.5 <500 - 550









765.5 766.0 0.5 630 - 1300









766.0 766.5 0.5 880 - 3700









766.5 767.0 0.5 <500 - 1500









767.5 768.0 0.5 1600 - 2900









768.0 768.5 0.5 <500 - 630









768.5 769.0 0.5 <500 - 1700









771.5 772.0 0.5 <500 - 570









772.0 772.5 0.5 <500 - 1600









773.5 774.0 0.5 <500









776.5 777.0 0.5 <500 - 1500 RK-26-286 300 -70 624 108.1 No Significant Intersections RK-26-287 288 -70.5 513 122.7 369.5 370.0 0.5 <500









390.0 391.0 1.0 <500









394.0 395.0 1.0 <500









395.5 398.0 2.5 <500









399.0 401.0 2.0 <500









401.5 402.0 0.5 <500









403.5 404.0 0.5 <500









406.5 407.0 0.5 <500









407.0 407.5 0.5 <500 - 950









407.5 408.0 0.5 <500 - 700









408.0 408.5 0.5 <500









408.5 409.0 0.5 <500 - 650









410.5 411.0 0.5 <500









411.0 411.5 0.5 <500 - 2200









411.5 412.0 0.5 <500 - 1400









412.0 412.5 0.5 <500 - 1700









412.5 413.0 0.5 <500 - 540









414.0 415.0 1.0 <500 - 600









416.0 416.5 0.5 <500









417.0 417.5 0.5 <500 - 800









418.0 418.5 0.5 <500









436.5 437.0 0.5 <500









437.0 437.5 0.5 <500 - 800









437.5 438.0 0.5 <500 - 660









438.0 438.5 0.5 <500 - 740









439.5 440.0 0.5 <500









440.5 441.0 0.5 <500 - 740









441.0 441.5 0.5 620 - 1400









441.5 442.0 0.5 520 - 1600









442.0 442.5 0.5 <500 - 780









446.5 447.0 0.5 <500









452.5 453.0 0.5 <500 - 640









453.0 454.5 1.5 <500









454.5 455.0 0.5 <500 - 690









455.0 455.5 0.5 <500

All depths and intervals are meters downhole, true thicknesses are yet to be determined.

"Off-scale" refers to >61,000 cps (counts per second) readings by gamma spectrometer type RS-125.

"Anomalous" means >500 cps readings by gamma spectrometer type RS-120.

Where "CPS Range" is <500 cps, this refers to local low radioactivity within the overall interval.

Unconformity of 'N/A' denotes a lack of visible contact between Athabasca sandstone and basement rock.

Maximum internal dilution 2.0 m downhole.

All depths and intervals are meters downhole, true thicknesses are yet to be determined. Resource modelling in conjunction with an updated mineral resource estimate is required before true thicknesses can be determined.

About NexGen

NexGen Energy is a Canadian company focused on delivering clean energy fuel for the future. The Company's flagship Rook I Project is being optimally developed into the largest low-cost producing uranium mine globally, incorporating the most elite environmental and social governance standards. The Rook I Project is supported by an N.I. 43-101 compliant Feasibility Study, which outlines the elite environmental performance and industry-leading economics. NexGen is led by a team of experienced uranium and mining industry professionals with expertise across the entire mining life cycle, including exploration, financing, project engineering and construction, operations and closure. NexGen is leveraging its proven experience to deliver a Project that leads the entire mining industry socially, technically and environmentally. The Project and prospective portfolio in northern Saskatchewan will provide generational, long-term economic, environmental, and social benefits for Saskatchewan, Canada, and the world.

NexGen is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange, the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "NXE," and on the Australian Securities Exchange under the ticker symbol "NXG," providing access to global investors to participate in NexGen's mission of solving three major global challenges in decarbonization, energy security and access to power. The Company is headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, with its primary operations office in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

Technical Disclosure*

All technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Jason Craven, NexGen's Vice President, Exploration, a qualified person under National Instrument 43-101.

Natural gamma radiation in drill core reported in this news release was measured in counts per second (cps) using a Radiation Solutions Inc. RS-125 gamma spectrometer. The reader is cautioned that total count gamma readings may not be directly or uniformly related to uranium grades of the rock sample measured; they should be used only as a preliminary indication of the presence of radioactive minerals.

A technical report in respect of the FS is filed on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) and EDGAR (www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml) and is available for review on NexGen Energy's website (www.nexgenenergy.ca).

Cautionary Note to U.S. Investors

This news release includes Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources classification terms that comply with reporting standards in Canada and the Mineral Reserves and the Mineral Resources estimates are made in accordance with NI 43-101. NI 43-101 is a rule developed by the Canadian Securities Administrators that establishes standards for all public disclosure an issuer makes of scientific and technical information concerning mineral projects. These standards differ from the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") set by the SEC's rules that are applicable to domestic United States reporting companies. Consequently, Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources information included in this news release is not comparable to similar information that would generally be disclosed by domestic U.S. reporting companies subject to the reporting and disclosure requirements of the SEC Accordingly, information concerning mineral deposits set forth herein may not be comparable with information made public by companies that report in accordance with U.S. standards.

Forward-Looking Information

The information contained herein contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable United States securities laws and regulations and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. "Forward-looking information" includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates, the 2021 Arrow Deposit, Rook I Project and estimates of uranium production, grade and long-term average uranium prices, anticipated effects of completed drill results on the Rook I Project, planned work programs, completion of further site investigations and engineering work to support basic engineering of the project and expected outcomes. Generally, but not always, forward-looking information and statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes" or the negative connotation thereof 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" or the negative connotation thereof. Statements relating to "mineral resources" are deemed to be forward-looking information, as they involve the implied assessment that, based on certain estimates and assumptions, the mineral resources described can be profitably produced in the future.

Forward-looking information and statements are based on the then current expectations, beliefs, assumptions, estimates and forecasts about NexGen's business and the industry and markets in which it operates. Forward-looking information and statements are made based upon numerous assumptions, including among others, that the mineral reserve and resources estimates and the key assumptions and parameters on which such estimates are based are as set out in this news release and the technical report for the property , the results of planned exploration activities are as anticipated, the price and market supply of uranium, the cost of planned exploration activities, that financing will be available if and when needed and on reasonable terms, that third party contractors, equipment, supplies and governmental and other approvals required to conduct NexGen's planned exploration activities will be available on reasonable terms and in a timely manner and that general business and economic conditions will not change in a material adverse manner. Although the assumptions made by the Company in providing forward looking information or making forward looking statements are considered reasonable by management at the time, there can be no assurance that such assumptions will prove to be accurate in the future.

Forward-looking information and statements also involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual results, performances and achievements of NexGen to differ materially from any projections of results, performances and achievements of NexGen expressed or implied by such forward-looking information or statements, including, among others, the existence of negative operating cash flow and dependence on third party financing, uncertainty of the availability of additional financing, the risk that pending assay results will not confirm previously announced preliminary results, conclusions of economic valuations, the risk that actual results of exploration activities will be different than anticipated, the cost of labour, equipment or materials will increase more than expected, that the future price of uranium will decline or otherwise not rise to an economic level, the appeal of alternate sources of energy to uranium-produced energy, that the Canadian dollar will strengthen against the U.S. dollar, that mineral resources and reserves are not as estimated, that actual costs or actual results of reclamation activities are greater than expected, that changes in project parameters and plans continue to be refined and may result in increased costs, of unexpected variations in mineral resources and reserves, grade or recovery rates or other risks generally associated with mining, unanticipated delays in obtaining governmental, regulatory or First Nations approvals, risks related to First Nations title and consultation, reliance upon key management and other personnel, deficiencies in the Company's title to its properties, uninsurable risks, failure to manage conflicts of interest, failure to obtain or maintain required permits and licences, risks related to changes in laws, regulations, policy and public perception, as well as those factors or other risks as more fully described in NexGen's Annual Information Form dated March 6, 2024 filed with the securities commissions of all of the provinces of Canada except Quebec and in NexGen's 40-F filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, which are available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and Edgar at www.sec.gov.

Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking information or statements or implied by forward-looking information or statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information or statements due to the inherent uncertainty thereof.

There can be no assurance that forward-looking information and statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or reissue forward-looking information as a result of new information or events except as required by applicable securities laws.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/293775

Source: NexGen Energy Ltd.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 22, 2026) - SALAZAR RESOURCES LIMITED (TSXV: SRL) (OTCQB: SRLZF) (FSE: CCG) ("Salazar" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has consolidated 100% ownership of the Santiago Project ("Santiago"), located approximately 37 km north of the city of Loja in Loja Province, southern Ecuador, and to provide a comprehensive update on the project's exploration history and forward strategy.

Santiago hosts a compelling copper-gold porphyry target beneath a near-surface epithermal system. A broad program of historical drilling, airborne geophysics, and recent surface sampling has collectively defined a coincident geochemical and geophysical anomaly measuring approximately 3 km by 2 km - with the core of the porphyry system interpreted to remain entirely untested at depth. With full ownership now established, Salazar is positioning Santiago as a key priority for its next phase of exploration.

PROJECT SNAPSHOT

Location Loja Province, southern Ecuador Concession Area 2,350 hectares (single concession) Ownership 100% Salazar Resources Target Type Copper-gold porphyry with near-surface epithermal overprint Anomalous Zone ~3 km  2 km (coincident geochemistry, geophysics & alteration) Porphyry Core Untested at depth - primary opportunity for future drilling

EXPLORATION HIGHLIGHTS

Historical Drilling by Newmont (1998)

Three shallow drill holes intersected significant Cu-Au mineralization within the lithocap, interpreted to overlie a porphyry system at depth: FUD-01: 323.09 m @ 0.23% Cu and 0.40 g/t Au (0.72% CuEq), including 10.80 m @ 0.58% Cu and 0.40 g/t Au (1.07% CuEq) FUD-02: 267.80 m @ 0.24% Cu and 0.43 g/t Au (0.76% CuEq), including 170.95 m @ 0.33% Cu and 0.55 g/t Au (1.00% CuEq) FUD-09: 295.17 m @ 0.22% Cu and 0.20 g/t Au (0.46% CuEq), including 67.86 m @ 0.79% Cu and 0.27 g/t Au (1.12% CuEq)



Airborne MobileMT Geophysical Survey by Adventus Mining (2019)

A large, coherent low-frequency conductivity anomaly was identified beneath the lithocap, interpreted as a sulphide-rich porphyry system at depth.

A complementary TMI-RTP magnetic low (~2 km  1.5 km), encircled by areas of higher magnetic response, is consistent with magnetic mineral destruction from hydrothermal alteration.

Surface Sampling Program by Adventus Mining 2021-2022 (1,477 Samples)

A combined Au-Cu geochemical anomaly of approximately 3 km  2 km was defined, confirming and complementing historical results.

Within the 599-sample anomalous core zone: 47% returned >250 ppm Cu (values to 0.9% Cu); 34% returned >0.11 g/t Au, with 45 samples exceeding 0.5 g/t Au and a maximum of 21.1 g/t Au.

returned >250 ppm Cu (values to 0.9% Cu); returned >0.11 g/t Au, with 45 samples exceeding 0.5 g/t Au and a maximum of 21.1 g/t Au. Alteration mapping (141 Terraspec samples and field mapping) confirmed quartz-alunite, phyllic, and propylitic assemblages - consistent with a preserved porphyry system.

Epithermal Targets - Espanola Vein (Historical Rock Chip Samples)

2.0 m @ 28.10 g/t Au and 231 g/t Ag

1.0 m @ 26.00 g/t Au and 242 g/t Ag

1.0 m @ 18.20 g/t Au and 252 g/t Ag

1.0 m @ 4.80 g/t Au and 442 g/t Ag

Why the Porphyry Remains Compelling

All historical drilling tested only the near-surface lithocap - the porphyry core at depth has never been drill-tested.

Geochemical and geophysical data define an anomalous vertical extent of approximately 500 m, from the surface lithocap to lowest copper anomalies on surface.

3D reinterpretation of all available datasets confirms the porphyry core remains open and accessible.

Next Steps

Salazar will analyze all available technical information to develop a targeted exploration program and determine best strategy to realize value for shareholders.

CEO COMMENT

Fredy Salazar, President & CEO, commented:

"We are pleased to consolidate 100% ownership of the Santiago Project, which hosts compelling geological, geochemical, and geophysical indicators of a large-scale porphyry copper-gold system. With a strong foundation of historical drilling and recent surface work, we are well positioned to advance Santiago as a priority target. We are excited by the opportunity to test the depth potential of this system - a target that has never been properly drill-tested - and look forward to providing further updates as we develop our exploration strategy."

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND FOR READERS WHO WANT THE FULL STORY

LOCATION AND GEOLOGY

Santiago consists of a single concession totalling 2,350 hectares, located approximately 37 km north of the city of Loja in Loja Province, southcentral Ecuador.

The project sits geologically within the Western Cordillera of the Ecuadorian Andes, on the eastern margin of the Cangrejos-Zaruma Intrusive Belt. Volcanic formations of the Saraguro Oligocene formation - comprising andesitic and dacitic lavas and tuffs intruded by granodioritic dikes - characterize the local geology. The alteration and mineralization assemblage is indicative of a medium- to high-sulphidation epithermal system, exhibiting intense alunite-quartz alteration and surrounded by mesothermal structures enriched in gold and silver. These structures appear to overlie a potential deeper Cu-Mo porphyry system at an estimated depth of 200-700 m. Evidence suggests that the gold mineralization is transitional between the porphyry and epithermal systems.

HISTORICAL SUMMARY

Exploration at Santiago began under a 1964 agreement between the United Nations Development Program and the Government of Ecuador, with regional work conducted between 1970 and 1972 across an 8,328 km area. Early exploration identified copper-molybdenum stream sediment anomalies near Fierro Urco, along with mineralized intrusive rocks hosting gold, silver, zinc, and lead.

Subsequent work by Prospection Panama S.A. (1971-1981) included geochemical surveys, geophysics, and limited drilling (summarized in Table 1). Results confirmed broad zones of copper mineralization but were not followed up after concession expiry.

Table 1: Historical Prospection Panama Drilling Results

Drill Hole From

(m) To

(m) Thickness

(m) Cu

(%) Au

(g/t) Approx.

True

Thickness

(m) M01 43.58 80.77 37.19 0.18 - N/A M06 99.36 109.42 10.06 0.21 - N/A M07 33.53 124.97 91.44 0.16 - N/A M08 85.34 327.76 242.48 0.23 0.3* N/A M09 31.56 151.79 120.21 0.26 0.3* N/A M10 3.96 151.17 147.21 0.36 0.3* N/A M11 3.66 185.93 182.27 0.12 0.3* N/A

Notes:

(1) The results in Table 1 represent currently available historical data. The Company has not verified the data; investors should not place undue reliance on it. Future exploration programs will include historical data verification.

(2) No original drill core or records are available for Prospection drilling; results are summarized in a Minera Climax del Ecuador report, September 1996.

(3) Drill holes M2, 3, 4, and 5 did not yield significant results.

(4) Gold assay results (*) appear to report below detection limits (0.3 g/t Au) or were not assayed for (-).

(5) It is unclear what QA/QC measures Prospection undertook; it is believed that industry best practices of the time were observed.

(6) Approximate true thickness cannot be estimated, as this is an early-stage project.

From 1982 to 1991, PREDESUR carried out additional exploration focused on identifying a porphyry copper system through sampling and geological mapping, though no drilling or geophysical surveys were completed. In the early 1990s, Ag Armeno Mines & Minerals acquired the concession and partnered with other companies, including Newmont and Pactech.

Newmont's work (1993-1994) targeted an epithermal gold system, identifying a large gold anomaly supported by extensive sampling and geophysical surveys. Despite drilling over 4,500 metres and intersecting wide zones of low-grade mineralization (Table 2), results did not meet expectations for a Yanacocha-style deposit, leading to Newmont's withdrawal. Importantly, this program tested only the shallow lithocap - the porphyry source at depth was never the focus and remains undrilled.

Table 2: Historical Newmont Drilling Results

Drill Hole From

(m) To

(m) Thickness

(m) Cu

(%) Au

(g/t) CuEq%(4) Approx.

True

Thickness

(m) FUD-01 0.61 323.70 323.09 0.23 0.40 0.72 N/A Including 127.65 138.45 10.80 0.58 0.40 1.07 N/A Including 188.65 209.90 21.25 0.65 0.18 0.87 N/A FUD-02 32.20 300.00 267.80 0.24 0.43 0.76 N/A Including 129.05 300.00 170.95 0.33 0.55 1.00 N/A FUD-07 1.52 300.22 298.70 0.08 0.17 0.29 N/A FUD-08 3.05 300.23 297.18 0.12 0.23 0.40 N/A Including 158.68 169.16 12.48 0.61 0.27 0.94 N/A FUD-09 5.06 300.23 295.17 0.22 0.20 0.46 N/A Including 152.59 300.23 147.64 0.41 0.21 0.67 N/A Including 213.39 281.25 67.86 0.79 0.27 1.12 N/A FUD-10 2.12 199.61 197.48 0.10 0.17 0.31 N/A Including 74.11 199.61 125.50 0.14 0.21 0.40 N/A FUD-11 181.36 300.22 118.86 0.18 0.12 0.33 N/A Including 240.37 298.02 57.65 0.28 0.14 0.45 N/A FUD-15 1.22 72.28 71.06 0.09 0.39 0.56 N/A Including 24.67 33.95 9.28 0.05 1.49 1.86 N/A FUD-16 29.75 140.29 110.54 0.09 0.31 0.47 N/A Including 44.53 55.68 11.15 0.31 1.10 1.65 N/A FUD-17 2.43 150.00 147.57 0.20 0.23 0.48 N/A FUD-18 10.97 106.87 95.90 0.07 0.39 0.54 N/A Including 34.33 59.26 24.93 0.06 0.91 1.17 N/A FUD-19 3.04 115.82 112.78 0.08 0.18 0.30 N/A FUD-21 3.65 94.48 90.83 0.15 0.25 0.45 N/A FUD-23 53.75 400.50 346.75 0.12 0.23 0.40 N/A

Notes:

(1) Results in Table 2 represent currently available historical data. The Company has not verified the data; investors should not place undue reliance on it. Future exploration programs will include historical data verification.

(2) No original drill core or records are available for Newmont drilling; results are summarized in a Minera Climax del Ecuador report, September 1996.

(3) Drill holes FU-03, 04, 05, 06, 12, 13, 14, 20, and 22 did not yield significant results.

(4) Metal equivalency based on US$12,359.50/tonne Cu and US$4,672.68/oz Au (LME long-term pricing, March 7, 2026). No adjustments were made for metal recovery, as this is an early-stage project.

(5) It is believed that industry best practices of the time were observed for sample collection and analysis.

(6) Approximate true thickness cannot be estimated, as this is an early-stage project.

Subsequent work by Pactech and Minera Climax refined the geological interpretation, suggesting structurally controlled mineralization extensions. After a period of inactivity, the project was revived in 2005 by Mariana and subsequently acquired by Salazar Resources in 2010 (Map 1). Renewed work emphasized favourable geology, extensive hydrothermal alteration, and mineralized vein and breccia systems, with sampling of sulphide-bearing structures confirming significant gold and silver values.

In 2018, Salazar and Adventus Mining included Santiago in a country-wide exploration alliance ("Alliance"), 80% owned by Adventus and 20% by Salazar. The Alliance completed an airborne Mobile MagnetoTellurics ("MobileMT") geophysical survey over Santiago at 150-metre line spacing. Results defined a low-frequency apparent conductivity anomaly and resistivity anomaly of approximately 3,000 by 2,000 metres, accompanied by a TMI-RTP magnetic low of approximately 2,000 by 1,500 metres, encircled by areas of higher magnetic response - the magnetic low being suggestive of magnetic mineral destruction from hydrothermal alteration.

The Alliance then worked to validate these historical anomalies and preliminary targets through the 2021-2022 field program. By the end of 2021, 1,053 rock samples were collected (see December 7, 2021 press release), which provided enough information to produce lithological and alteration maps (Map 2 and Map 3). Following completion of that campaign in 2022, activities at Santiago were limited as the Alliance prioritized advancement of the El Domo Project. During this period, work focused on maintaining site access and road improvements, which remain in good condition for future programs.

2021-2022 EXPLORATION PROGRAM

The program carried out under the Adventus Mining / Salazar Resources Exploration Alliance focused on validating historical results and refining drill targets, as proposed in the June 15, 2020 press release.

Systematic rock chip sampling was conducted on a 100 m  100 m grid, with infill to 50 m  50 m spacing in anomalous areas.

A total of 1,477 samples were collected. Sampling was conducted in lieu of soil surveys due to the absence of soil cover in the area.

Results defined: a gold anomaly (>0.11 g/t Au) covering ~2 km  1 km, adjacent to a copper anomaly (>0.02% Cu) covering ~1 km  0.8 km. Across all 1,477 samples, 23% returned >250 ppm Cu (values to 0.9% Cu) and 17% returned >0.11 g/t Au, including 45 samples with a minimum of 0.5 g/t Au and a maximum of 21.1 g/t Au.

returned >250 ppm Cu (values to 0.9% Cu) and returned >0.11 g/t Au, including 45 samples with a minimum of 0.5 g/t Au and a maximum of 21.1 g/t Au. Alteration mapping (141 Terraspec samples and field mapping) confirmed quartz-alunite, phyllic, and propylitic assemblages consistent with a preserved porphyry system.

Integration of results defined a 3 km  2 km target area where porphyry potential is recognized, supported by coincident geochemistry, hydrothermal alteration, and MobileMT geophysics. Within this anomalous core area, 47% of the 599 representative samples returned >250 ppm Cu and 34% returned >0.11 g/t Au (Map 4).

QUALITY ASSURANCE AND QUALITY CONTROL

Samples from the 2021-2022 exploration program were submitted to Bureau Veritas Mineral Laboratories-Peru, an independent accredited laboratory. Samples were prepared and analyzed using a 45-element four-acid digestion ICP-MS method. Gold analysis was completed by lead collection fire assay fusion with AAS finish. Overlimit protocols are in place for gold, silver, copper, lead, and zinc.

The Company implemented a quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) program incorporating the systematic insertion of certified reference materials (standards), blanks, and field duplicates, along with a documented chain of custody, to ensure the integrity and reliability of analytical results.

QUALIFIED PERSON

The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Kieran Downes, P.Geo., a Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101.

REFERENCES

1. Schutte, P. et al. (2012). Metallogenic features of Miocene porphyry Cu and porphyry-related mineral deposits in Ecuador revealed by Re-Os, 4Ar/9Ar, and U-Pb geochronology. Mineralium Deposita, 47(4), 383-410.

2. Sillitoe, R.H. and Hedenquist, J.W. (2003). Linkages between volcano-tectonic settings, ore-fluid compositions, and epithermal precious metal deposits. SEG Special Publication No. 10, 315-345.

ABOUT SALAZAR RESOURCES

Salazar Resources Limited is focused on creating value and positive change through discovery, exploration, and development in Ecuador. The team has an unrivalled understanding of in-country geology and has played an integral role in the discovery of many of Ecuador's major projects, including the country's two newest operating gold and copper mines. Salazar Resources maintains a wholly owned pipeline of copper-gold exploration projects across Ecuador, with a strategy to advance another commercial discovery and farm out non-core assets.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

Map 1. Drill hole location and historical anomalies

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Map 2. Lithological Map Map 3. Alteration Map



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Map 4. Au and Cu Geochemical Anomalies (Historical-2022)

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Source: Salazar Resources Limited
Exits Q1 with 100 Metric Tonnes Per Day Production and Confirms Plan to Achieve 350 Metric Tonnes Per Day by the End of 2026

Kuya Silver to Report Q4/Year End Financial Results Prior to Market Open on Friday, April 24 and Hold a Conference Call Webinar on April 28, 2026 to Update Investors

All references to dollar amounts are references to U.S. Dollars, unless otherwise stated

Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - April 22, 2026) - Kuya Silver Corporation (CSE: KUYA) (OTCQB: KUYAF) (FSE: 6MR1) (the "Company" or "Kuya Silver") is pleased to report record quarterly production and provide an operational update for the first quarter of 2026 at the Bethania silver project, which delivered record daily and quarterly production rates as the ramp-up continued to track higher during the three month period. In light of the significant progress to date, the Company continues to expect the completion of its Phase 1 ramp-up, achieving 350 metric tonnes per day ("tpd") production, by the end of the year.

Operational Highlights

3,076 metric tonnes of mineralized material mined at Bethania, a significant improvement over Q4 2025

Milestone 100 tonne per day (tpd) throughput achieved at the end of March and early April, 2026

Continued strong underground development with record 398 meters advanced and 1,967 metric tonnes of development material moved to continue expansion of underground mining operations

91% of record quarterly revenue from Bethania came from silver in the quarter with an average selling price of $82/oz.

Announcement of fully funded letter of intent to acquire the Camila plant to improve silver recoveries and operational control of material processing

Cash position at the end of Q1 2026 of approximately $27 million

Kuya Silver On Track To Achieve 350 tpd Production Rate At Bethania By The End of 2026

Given the successful mine development to date, and strong financial position, Kuya Silver expects to complete its Phase 1 ramp-up at the Bethania silver project by the end of this year. The Company plans to keep the market informed of the progress and will continue to provide details on the production growth on a timely basis.

Christian Aramayo, Kuya Silver's Chief Operating Officer commented, "Another pivotal quarter for Kuya Silver. We achieved 100 tpd in March and have sustained it into April - a clear proof point in our ramp-up. With continued investment in development, we have direct line-of-sight to completing Phase 1 at 350 tpd by year-end. Beyond that, integrating the Camila Plant gives us full operational control over processing, while our expanded drilling program continues to unlock district-scale upside. Bethania is not just ramping up - it represents a clear growth platform with potential upside from production, exploration, and operational efficiency."

Mining Operations Continue To Improve In Q1 2026

Production of mineralized material at the Bethania Project totalled 3,076 metric tonnes, another quarterly record as production continues to steadily ramp up. Developing activities focused on driving drifts and a crosscut to access more mineralization material achieving 398 m of development. Importantly, Kuya Silver achieved a 100 tpd production rate at the end of March 2026 and this has been largely sustained in April. Modest increases in daily throughput are expected in Q2 and Q3 of 2026, with a more significant increase anticipated once the new 4.5 m x 4.5 m ramp has been deepened to the 640 level production level by Q4.

Grades improved to 7.53 oz/t during Q1 2026 even as development material - typically lower grade - contributed to throughput. Grades are expected to increase as the mine reaches a steady-state of production later this year and in the meantime grades will reflect a blend of ongoing development and run-of-mine stoping . Silver recoveries improved to 79.2% in Q1 2026 from 73.3% in Q4 2025, due to higher grade being processed during the quarter and a reduction of the lower-grade oxidized material (from historical stockpiles) processed in Q4 2025. Kuya Silver has previously achieved 90+% silver recoveries on specific mineralized batches, reflecting not only higher head grades but also favorable metallurgical composition and tighter moisture controls in the processing circuit. Leveraging that recent experience, the Company has implemented targeted adjustments to the Camila Plant's operating parameters - including semi real-time monitoring of feed characteristics and moisture levels. Early results in April 2026 are encouraging, and management expects recoveries to continue improving as silver grades increase and operational refinements take full effect.

David Stein, Kuya Silver's President and CEO remarked, "The first quarter of 2026 marked an important achievement with our ramp-up process, with the mine producing 100 tpd in March and sustaining that rate into April. While there is still significant underground development planned for the remainder of 2026 this new level of production, combined with our strong cash position, significantly improves the Company's financial flexibility to continue growing silver production and aggressively exploring our now-5,600 ha land package in the Bethania district of Peru."





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Table 1: Production highlights from the Bethania silver mine

(1)prices for silver equivalent calculations use period ending spot prices and are as follows: Mar. 31 2026 silver $74./oz, lead $1,909/tonne, zinc$ 3,230/tonne Dec. 30, 2025 silver $70.13/oz, gold $4,326/oz, lead $2,005/tonne, zinc$ 3,122/tonne Mar. 31, 2025 period; silver $34.46/oz, gold $3122.80/oz, lead $2002/tonne, zinc $2829/tonne, and Dec. 31, 2024 period; silver $28.90/oz, gold $2606.72/oz, lead $1921.50/tonne, zinc $2974/tonne.

(2) includes only payable recovery i.e. lead in the silver- lead concentrate and zinc in the zinc concentrate and silver in both concentrates.

(3)may include provisional settlements at the end of the period, net of treatment and refining costs.

Camila Plant Acquisition Update

Kuya Silver continues to progress with due diligence and definitive documentation with regards to the Camila Plant acquisition announced on January 27, 2026 and expects to complete the transaction in due course.

Upcoming Conference Call Webinar

Kuya Silver will host a conference call webinar taking place on Tuesday, April 28th at 3 pm ET / 12 pm PT. The Company plans to cover the Q1 2026 production progress and 2025 year end financial reporting. A live Q&A will follow the presentation.

Register: https://6ix.com/event/kuya-reports-growing-silver-production-at-the-bethania-project-in-q1-2026

Quality Assurance and Quality Control

Quality assurance and quality control include two sampling procedures. Underground vein material from stopes are sampled to confirm vein grades and to reconcile against the mine model; and sampling of freshly mined material in stockpiles to determine dilution and the head grade that is sent to the processing plant.

Underground vein sampling was conducted systematically every 4 meters along the galleries. This involved excavating a narrow and continuous channel either parallel to the vein or perpendicular to its orientation. The entire volume of material excavated from the channel was collected as a sample.

Freshly mined material in the stockpiles and concentrate stockpiles were sampled using trenching, a method involving the excavation of narrow trenches perpendicular to the major axis of the pile. Trenches were systematically dug at regular intervals across all depths of the pile. The location of each trench was referenced to a topographic control point and recorded in the sampling log.

All material was carefully collected on plastic sheets, then pulverized at the mine site. The pulverized material was quartered, and one quarter was labeled and secured in vinyl sample bags. The samples were then transported to Dmtri I. Mendelejeff laboratory in Huancayo for processing using fire assay followed by atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS).

All concentrate assay results are cross-checked against independent analyses conducted by the buyer. Furthermore, sample security protocols include sealed trucks for transporting run-of-mine (ROM) material and concentrate trucks with tamper-proof devices with safety seals, and a documented custody chain overseen by the mine superintendent (Bethania).

National Instrument 43-101 Disclosure

The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Mr. Kevin J. O'Connell, P.E., Independent Technical Advisor to of Kuya Silver and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.

About Kuya Silver Corporation

Kuya Silver is a Canadian-based, growth-oriented mining company with a focus on silver. Kuya Silver operates the Bethania silver mine in Peru, while developing district-scale silver projects in mining-friendly jurisdictions including Peru and Canada.

Reader Advisory

This news release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking information," including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs, and current expectations of the Company, its directors, or its officers with respect to the future business activities of the Company. The words "may," "would," "could," "will," "intend," "plan," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "must," "next," "propose," "new," "potential," "prospective," "target," "future," "verge," "favorable," "implications," and "ongoing," and similar expressions, as they relate to the Company or its management, are intended to identify such forward-looking information. Investors are cautioned that statements including forward-looking information are not guarantees of future business activities and involve risks and uncertainties, and that the Company's future business activities may differ materially from those described in the forward-looking information as a result of various factors, including but not limited to fluctuations in market prices, successes of the operations of the Company, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market, and business conditions. There can be no assurances that such forward-looking information will prove accurate, and therefore, readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of the risks and uncertainties. The Company does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking information except as required under the applicable securities laws.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada 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/293756

Source: Kuya Silver Corporation
Updated MRE Outlines an Indicated Category of 85.17 million tonnes grading 40 g/t Ag, containing 109.53 million ounces of silver, 1.03 million tonnes zinc grading 1.21% Zn, 0.60 million tonnes of lead grading 0.71% Pb and an Inferred Category of 945.43 million tonnes grading 8.5 g/t Ag, containing 248.60 million ounces silver, 4.72 million tonnes zinc grading 0.47% Zn, 1.50 million tonnes lead grading 0.16% Pb, 290,000 tonnes tin grading 0.03% Sn and 1.21 million ounces gold grading 0.04 g/t Au.

Silver grades increased 65% from 24.3 g/t Ag reported in the near-surface Inferred resource category in the 2023 Initial MRE to 40 g/t Ag reported in the Indicated resource category in the 2026 Updated MRE.

Key Highlights of the Updated MRE:

Initial Indicated Mineral Resource of 85.17 Mt at 40 g/t Ag (109.53 Moz Ag), 1.21% Zn (1.03 Mt Zn), and 0.71% Pb (0.60 Mt Pb).

Inferred Mineral Resources in 3 separate metal domains in addition to the Indicated mineral resource: Ag Dominant- 61.92 Mt grading 27 g/t Ag , 0.19% Zn, 0.18% Pb, 0.06% Sn and 0.05 g/t Au; Zn Dominant - 116.03 Mt grading 1.16% Zn , 7g/t Ag, 0.28% Pb, 0.02% Sn and 0.04 g/t Au; and Sn Dominant - 31.01 Mt grading 0.20% Sn, 8 g/t Ag, 0.09% Zn, 0.10% Pb, and 0.04 g/t Au.

Inferred Mineral Resource with medium grades in the Polymetallic Domain (Ag-Zn-Pb-Sn) of 13.84 Mt at 15 g/t Ag, 0.73% Zn, 0.43% Pb and 0.04% Sn and 0.07 g/t Au.

Inferred Mineral Resource with lower grades in the Polymetallic Domain (Ag-Zn-Pb-Sn) of 722.63 Mt at 7 g/t Ag, 0.40% Zn, 0.14% Pb, 0.02% Sn and 0.04 g/t Au.

Overall Inferred Mineral Resource at Iska Iska of 945.43 Mt containing 248.60 Moz Ag, 4.72 Mt Zn, 1.50 Mt Pb, 290,000 t Sn and 1.21 Moz Au, with a 41% increase in total tonnage with respect to the 670 Mt of overall Inferred mineral resources in the Initial 2023 MRE.

Silver grades increased 65% from 24.3 g/t Ag of the near-surface higher-grade Inferred resource in the 2023 Initial MRE to 40 g/t Ag in the Indicated category of the Updated 2026 MRE, reflecting the positive impact of the completed 14,085m, 27-hole definition 50m by 50m diamond drill program.

The overall tin recovery into a 5% Sn concentrate improved with further metallurgical testing from 50.7% in 2023 to 58.9% in the Updated 2026 MRE.

Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - April 22, 2026) - Eloro Resources Ltd. (TSX: ELO) (OTCQX: ELRRF) (FSE: P2QM) ("Eloro", or the "Company") is pleased to announce the updated mineral resource estimate ("Updated MRE") for the Iska Iska silver-tin polymetallic project in the Potosi Department of southwestern Bolivia. The Updated MRE, as set out in Tables 1 to 3 below, has been prepared by independent qualified persons ("QPs") with Micon International Limited ("Micon"), as defined under National Instrument 43-101 ("NI-43-101"). Micon also authored the inaugural MRE in 2023. A Technical Report outlining the mineral resource estimation will be filed on Sedar within 45 days of the date of this release.

Table 1: Summary of Indicated Mineral Resource in Optimized Pit

Domain Cut-off Grade Mt Ag Eq.

g/t Ag

g/t Ag

Moz Zn

% Zn

Mt Pb

% Pb

Mt Sn

% Sn

Mt Au

g/t Au

Moz Polymetallic

(Ag-Pb-Zn) Ag Eq.

51 g/t 85.17 78.38 40 109.53 1.21 1.03 0.71 0.60 N/A N/A N/A N/A Total tonnage

85.17

40 109.53 1.21 1.03 0.71 0.60 N/A N/A N/A N/A

Source: Micon, April 2026. Note that the indicated mineral resource is in the shallower part of the deposit

Table 2: Summary of Inferred Resource in Optimized Pit

Domain Cut-off Grade Mt Ag Eq. g/t Ag

g/t Ag

Moz Zn

% Zn

Mt Pb

% Pb

Mt Sn

% Sn

Mt Au

g/t Au

Moz Ag Dominant Ag

20 g/t 61.92 36.32 27 53.75 0.19 0.12 0.18 0.11 0.06 0.04 0.05 0.10 Zn Dominant Zn

0.90 % 116.03 36.74 7 26.11 1.16 1.35 0.28 0.32 0.02 0.02 0.04 0.15 Sn Dominant Sn

0.12 % 31.01 13.53 8 7.98 0.09 0.28 0.10 0.03 0.20 0.06 0.04 0.04 Polymetallic 1

(Ag-Pb-Zn-Sn) Ag Eq.

36 g/t 13.84 39.74 15 6.71 0.73 0.10 0.43 0.06 0.04 0.01 0.07 0.03 Polymetallic 2

(Ag-Pb-Zn-Sn) Ag Eq. 11.14 g/t 722.63 18.49 7 154.05 0.40 2.87 0.14 0.98 0.02 0.16 0.04 0.89 Total tonnage

945.43

8.5 248.60 0.47 4.72 0.16 1.50 0.03 0.29 0.04 1.21

Source: Micon, April 2026. NB: Polymetallic 1 = Medium Grade, Polymetallic 2 = Lower Grade

Notes: Applicable to Tables 1 and 2.

The effective date of this mineral resource statement is April 2, 2026. The Micon qualified persons (QPs) responsible for this Mineral Resource Estimate are Charley Murahwi, P.Geo., FAusIMM and Richard Gowans, P.Eng. The mineral resource has been estimated in accordance with the CIM Best Practice Guidelines (2019) and the CIM Definition Standards (2014). The mineral resource is based on a 3D block model developed using Leapfrog software. The inverse distance cubed (ID3) technique was used to estimate the block grades; ordinary kriging (OK) and the nearest neighbour (NN) techniques were used to validate the block grades in addition to comparing block grades to drillhole intercepts. Block size = 20x20x15 m. To assess reasonable prospects for eventual economic extraction, open pit optimization was carried out using the Lerch Grossman method utilising the parameters/factors listed hereunder (in notes numbered 6, 7, and 8 below) and a conservative slope angle of 48 degrees. The optimized pit has an overall strip ratio of 1:1. Metallurgical recoveries are: Pb = 71.4% (includes pre-concentration and concentration into a lead concentrate); Zn = 70% (includes pre-concentration and concentration into a zinc concentrate); Ag = 80.4% (pre-concentration and concentration into both lead and zinc concentrates); Sn = 40.4% (includes preconcentration, concentration and fuming). These recoveries are based on metallurgical investigations at SLR laboratory (UK) to date. Au = 47.5% based on investigations carried out by the Metallurgical Research Institute of the Technical University of Oruro in 2026. Metal prices used in the mineral resource estimate are based on projected long-term average metal prices of Ag = US$40/oz, Pb = 1.00/lb, Sn = US$15.87/lb, Zn = US$1.35/lb, and Au = US$3,000/oz. Other economic factors include open pit mining cost = US$2.50/t; G & A costs = US$0.55/t; and all-inclusive processing costs of for all the domains = US$8.62/t. To facilitate metallurgical optimization, the resource within the pit was partitioned into domains on the basis of the dominant metal as shown in the resource table. Classification: currently there are no Measured resources; Indicated resources = drill spacing 50 m or less, high confidence in geological continuity and sample coverage, and within Passes 1 and 2 of the search ellipse; Inferred resources = sparsely drilled zones of between 50 and 200 m with good geological continuity but poor sample coverage; mostly in Passes 3 and 4 of the search ellipse. The Indicated resources include the 'must take' minor Inferred which is interlocked with masses of Indicated blocks. Figures may not tally due to rounding. Mineral resources unlike mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. This mineral resource considers only a surface scenario. The 2023 underground resource has been engulfed by the 2026 expanded resource pit. As of the effective date of this Mineral Resource estimate, the Micon QPs are not aware of any known permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio-economic, marketing, political, or other relevant factors that could materially affect the Mineral Resource estimate.

Table 3: Comparison between 2023 and 2026 MRE

Category Metal Units Contained Metal Increase

% 2023 2026 Indicated Silver Moz Nil 109.53 100 Zinc Mt Nil 1.03 100 Lead Mt Nil 0.60 100 Gold Moz Nil N/A N/A Tin Mt Nil N/A N/A Inferred Silver Moz 298.68 248.60 -16.77* Zinc Mt 4.09 4.72 14.91 Lead Mt 1.74 1.50 -14.37* Gold Moz Not estimated 1.24 N/A Tin Mt 0.13 0.29 107.69

Source: Micon, April 2026. The apparent decrease in the inferred resource (*) is due to the upgrading into the indicated category.

MINERAL RESOURCE ESTIMATE (MRE) SUMMARY

General Statement

The mineral resource is based on a 3D block model developed using Leapfrog software. The inverse distance cubed (ID3) technique has been utilized to estimate the grade. The mineral resource comprises an open pit resource constrained by an optimized pit shell. The optimization indicates a cut-off grade of 11.14 g/t silver equivalent (AgEq). The AgEq approach is used in the present updated MRE rather than Net Smelter Return ("NSR") since it provides a simpler, more intuitive "single number" metric for Iska Iska valuation and because silver is now the primary product. The Ag Eq. ratio focuses on the economic impact of that metal. Figure 1 shows the collar distribution of drill holes (including infill) used in the 2026 MRE. The AgEq formula is as follows:

AgEq g/t = [(Ag ppm x %Rec. x Price/g) + (Pb ppm x %Rec. x Price/g) + (Zn ppm x %Rec. x Price/g) + (Sn ppm x %Rec. x Price/g) + (Au ppm x %Rec. x Price/g)] / (Ag Price/g x %Rec).

Note: Rec. = metallurgical recovery. AgEq=Silver Equivalent.





Figure 1: Distribution of drillholes used in the current 2026 MRE

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Source: Micon 2026 - Generated from the MRE Database.

Modelling

Modelling of the deposit is based on the polymetallic index technique. A polymetallic index is a single number used to describe how strongly a location is mineralized when more than one metal is important. In an Ag-Zn-Pb-Sn system, different parts of the deposit can be dominated by different metals, so no single element can define mineralization everywhere. To build the index, each metal is first put on the same scale so they can be compared fairly, and then, at each sample or block, the metal with the strongest anomaly is selected. The resulting index simply reflects the strongest metal signal present at that location, regardless of which metal it is. This allows a single, geology-based mineralization envelope to be defined that includes Sn-rich, Pb-Zn-rich, or Ag-rich zones without introducing economic assumptions such as prices or recoveries. Power 2 metallic index was used to define the overall envelope of the deposit (LDD) while power 4 metallic index was used to define the high density drilled (HDD) area. Incidentally, the Indicated mineral resource is located within the HDD. The resultant wireframes/solids are shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2: Iska Iska Deposit Wireframes in 3D Perspective

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Source: Micon 2026 (Note: light blue = LDD; purple = HDD).

Grade Interpolation

Following statistical/geostatistical interpretation and grade capping, grade interpolation was conducted utilizing the ID3 technique. Ordinary kriging (OK) and nearest neighbour (NN) techniques were used to validate the block grades in addition to comparing block grades to drillhole intercepts. The ID3 technique was preferred for reporting the block grades as it highlights higher grade zones with better precision than the OK method.

Pit Optimization

To assess reasonable prospects for eventual economic extraction, open pit optimization was carried out using the Lerch Grossman method utilising the parameters/factors listed in notes numbered 6, 7, and 8 above and a conservative slope angle of 48 degrees. To be conservative, Au and Sn were not included in the optimization equation. The optimization indicates a cut-off grade of 11.14 g/t silver equivalent (AgEq) with an overall strip ration of 1:1. To highlight the distribution of the metals for metallurgical optimization, the resource was partitioned into various domains utilizing the following cut-off-grades obtained from inflexion points of cumulative frequency curves/graphs: AgEq 51 g/t for the high grade Polymetallic Domain, Ag 20 g/t for the Ag Dominant Domain, 0.90% Zn for the Zn Dominant Domain, 0.12% Sn cut-off for the Sn dominant domain, AgEq 36 g/t for the medium grade Polymetallic Domain, and AgEq 11.14 g/t for the lower grade Polymetallic Domain. The tabulations are shown in Tables 1 and 2 above. The distribution of the domains is shown in Figure 3.

Figure 3: Distribution of Metal Domains in the Optimized Pit.

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https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/1539/293755_0fe08a9484b95a25_030full.jpg

Source: Micon 2026

Classification

The mineral resource was classified into the Indicated and Inferred categories; at present there is no Measured resource. The Indicated resource is based on high density drilling (< 50 m spacing)/confidence in the sample representativity and geological continuity. The Inferred resource is in areas with sparse drilling (100 to 250 m spacing)/low sample coverage but geological continuity not in doubt; hence, it is reasonably expected that the inferred resource could be upgraded into the Indicated category with further exploration/infill drilling. Figure 4 shows the MRE classification. The Indicated resources include the 'must take' minor Inferred which is interlocked with masses of Indicated blocks.

Figure 4: East-west cross-section of the optimized pit showing mineral resource classification

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/1539/293755_0fe08a9484b95a25_031full.jpg

Source: Micon 2026 Resource Block Model

The Micon QPs with responsibility for the updated Mineral Resource Estimate are Charley Murahwi, P.Geo., FAusIMM and Richard Gowans P.Eng. The underground Inferred resource defined in 2023 is engulfed in the 2026 enlarged pit. The effective date of the Updated MRE is April 2, 2026.

--------------------------------------------------

Tom Larsen, CEO of Eloro, commented: "We are thrilled to announce an Updated Mineral Resource Estimate, with increases in contained tonnages, as well as grades. The continuity of higher-grade values, particularly in the Santa Barbara Zone, positions Eloro uniquely for the advancement and development of the Project, which will be detailed in the planned PEA. This Mineral Resource Estimate demonstrates the team's ability to successfully delineate and expand the Iska Iska Project into a major Ag-Sn-polymetallic asset."

Mr. Larsen continued: "This Updated MRE represents a defining milestone for Eloro, since it upgrades notably all of the numbers from the initial MRE in 2023, now outlining 85.17 Mt of Indicated resource and 945.43 Mt of Inferred resource, confirming the scale of the discovery at Iska Iska. Additionally, recent metallurgical work improved tin recoveries to 59%, materially enhancing the project's potential economics. The majority of the resource is currently outlined within an optimized open pit measuring approximately 1.4km in diameter and 750m in depth, underscoring the remarkable scale of the Iska Iska mineralized system. The confirmed overall stripping ratio of 1:1 is also particularly attractive. While a substantial portion of the resource remains in the Inferred category, ongoing infill drilling is anticipated to support the conversion of these resources to the Indicated category. In addition, existing Indicated resources have the potential to be further upgraded to the Measured category with continued infill drilling. In parallel, an extensive metallurgical testing program is underway, with the potential to further improve recoveries."

Mr. Larsen added: "These resources cover only a portion of the broader Iska Iska Project area. Based on historical drill results and geophysical data, we believe the deposit continues further along strike, across strike and at depth, providing additional targets for resource expansion possibilities beyond the solid foundation for the maiden PEA. We will be commencing shortly with the 2026, 40,000 metre drilling program, which will in part support and inform the PEA."

Dr. Osvaldo Arce, P.Geo., Eloro's Executive Vice President, Exploration and Latin America Operations commented: "The 2026 Mineral Resource Estimate clearly demonstrates that the Iska Iska is a major asset with extensive Ag-Sn-polymetallic mineralization. Our initial 50m-by-50m definition drilling has been very effective in confirming continuity of higher-grade mineralization, especially silver and tin, while also transforming previously reported waste areas into resources, significantly increasing overall tonnage and grades. Furthermore, the large remaining lower-grade inferred polymetallic mineral resource is due to the fact that it has been minimally drilled or yet to be drilled (Polymetallic Domains 1 and 2 in Table 2). This confirms that we improved our geological understanding of the mineralization and its host structures and this facilitates the delineation of the different metal domains, which significantly influences the quality of the estimate. Additionally, Iska Iska also hosts important potential resources of indium, rare earth elements contained principally in monazite and disseminated low-grade gold. The Company will be continuing with its responsible mineral exploration program, environmental protection and respect for the rights of local communities to ensure sustainable and equitable growth. We will keep advancing Iska Iska as one of the largest Ag-Sn-polymetallic resources in Bolivia and Latin America."

Qualified Person

Dr. Osvaldo Arce, P.Geo. Executive Vice President, Latin America for Eloro and General Manager of Eloro's Bolivian subsidiary, Minera Tupiza S.R.L, and a Qualified Person ("QP") as defined by National Instrument ("NI") 43-101 has reviewed and approved the technical content of this news release. Dr. Arce who has more than 35 years of mineral exploration and extensive mining expertise across several countries in North and South America manages the overall technical program and supervises all field work conducted at Iska Iska.

Eloro utilized both ALS and AHK for drill core analyses, both of whom are major international accredited laboratories. Drill samples sent to ALS were prepared in both ALS Bolivia Ltda's preparation facility in Oruro, Bolivia and the preparation facility operated by AHK in Tupiza with pulps sent to the main ALS Global laboratory in Lima for analysis. Drill core samples sent to AHK Laboratories are also prepared by AHK in Tupiza with pulps sent to the AHK laboratory in Lima, Peru.

Silver (Ag), zinc (Zn) and lead (Pb) are analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-AES) using a four-acid digestion; Sn is analyzed by X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) and Au is analyzed by fire assay on 50g pulps with an Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) finish. AAS measures absorbed light to quantify elements, while ICP, such as ICP-OES or ICP-MS, measure emitted light or ions to determine elements. XRF uses fluorescent X-rays to excite atoms and to emit X-rays that reveal the presence and concentration of tin. Sample size in ICP typically ranges from 100 mg (0.1 g) to 1 g, for AAS, is usually less than 100 mg (0.1 g) and for XRF is ideally below 75 m.

Check samples between ALS and AHK are regularly done as a QA/QC check. AHK is following the same analytical protocols used as with ALS and with the same QA/QC protocols except for Sn for which a sodium peroxide fusion is used at AHK following by ICP. Check comparisons of Sn results from ALS and ALS indicate no statistically significant difference between results using the two different analytical techniques.

Eloro employs an industry standard QA/QC program with standards, blanks and duplicates inserted into each batch of samples analyzed at both laboratories with selected check samples sent to a separate accredited laboratory. Check results are regularly monitored.

About Iska Iska

The Iska Iska silver-tin polymetallic project is a road accessible, royalty-free property, wholly controlled by Eloro Resources Ltd. and is located 48 km north of Tupiza city, in the Sud Chichas Province of the Department of Potosi in southern Bolivia. Eloro has an option to earn a 100% interest in Iska Iska.

Iska Iska is a major silver-tin polymetallic porphyry-epithermal complex associated with a Miocene collapsed/resurgent caldera, emplaced on Ordovician age rocks with major breccia pipes, dacitic domes and hydrothermal breccias. The caldera is 1.6 km by 1.8 km in dimension with a vertical extent of at least 1km. Mineralization age is similar to Cerro Rico de Potosi and other major deposits such as San Vicente, Chorolque, Tasna and Tatasi, all located along the same overall geological trend.

Eloro began underground diamond drilling from the Huayra Kasa underground workings at Iska Iska on September 13, 2020. On January 26, 2021, Eloro announced significant results from the first drilling at the Santa Barbara Breccia Pipe (SBBP) including the discovery hole DHK-15 which returned 29.53g Ag/t, 0.078g Au/t, 1.45%Zn, 0.59%Pb, 0.080%Cu and 0.056%Sn over 257.5m, from surface. Subsequent drilling has confirmed the presence of significant values of Ag-Sn polymetallic mineralization in the SBBP and the adjacent Central Breccia Pipe (CBP). A substantive mineralized envelope which is open along strike and down-dip extends around both major breccia pipes. Continuous channel sampling along the walls of the Santa Barbara Adit located to the east of SBBP returned average grades of 164.96 g Ag/t, 0.46%Sn, 3.46% Pb and 0.14% Cu over 166m including 446 g Ag/t, 9.03% Pb and 1.16% Sn over 56.19m. The west end of the adit intersects the end of the SBBP.

Since the initial discovery hole Eloro has released a number of significant drill results in the SBBP and the surrounding mineralized envelope which, along with geophysical data, has defined an extensive target zone. On October 17, 2023, Eloro filed the NI 43-101 Technical Report outlining the initial inferred MRE for Iska Iska, prepared by independent consultants Micon International Limited. The MRE was reported in two domains, the Polymetallic (Ag-Zn-Pb) Domain which is primarily in the east and south of the Santa Barbara deposit and the Tin (Sn-Ag-Pb) Domain which is primarily in the west and north.

Metallurgical tests reported on January 23, 2024, from a 6.3 tonne PQ drill core bulk sample representative of the higher grade Polymetallic (Ag-Zn-Pb) Domain returned a significantly higher average silver value of 91 g Ag/t compared to the weighted average grade of the original twinned holes at 31 g Ag/t strongly suggesting that the average silver grade was likely significantly underreported in the original twinned holes due to the much smaller sample size.

The Company reported on July 30, 2024, that updated modelling of the potential starter pit area at Santa Barbara zone highlights the importance of completing additional drilling to better define the grade and extent of the mineral resource in this area. Areas with higher-grade resource typically have much better drilling density but holes outside the core potential pit area are too widely spaced to give an accurate estimate of grade.

On September 4, 2024, the Company announced the restart of definition drilling in the potential starter pit area at Santa Barbara. It was highly focused on infill and step-out drill program in order to better define the full vertical and lateral extent of high-grade Sn and Ag mineralization, expanding higher-grade Sn mineralization to the west and the silver to the central and west parts. Also, to fill-in gaps that were formerly categorized as low-grade or internal waste in the mineral resource model and to drill in a closer-spacing 50m x 50m grid. Previous drilling has shown that areas with high-grade mineralization typically have much better drilling density, whereas holes outside the core area are too widely spaced to give an accurate grade estimate. This increased drilling density is particularly important for defining the extent of the high-grade Ag-bearing and Sn-bearing structures, and for categorizing the mineral resources from inferred to indicated, which have a major influence on overall grade and resources that will contribute to the PEA.

Since September 4, 2024, the Company has completed 27 drill holes totalling 14,085.80 metres of definition drilling in 2 distinct phases of diamond drilling in the potential starter pit area of the Santa Barbara Zone. This drilling has continued to intersect strong, broad zones and high-grade mineralization with good continuity in both the predominant Sn-Ag domain to the west (15 drill holes) and in the predominant Ag-Zn-Polymetallic domain to the east (12 drill holes). Both zones remain open along and across strike as well as downdip.

The intercepts of 151.47 g Ag/t over 135m found in hole DSB-75; 66.90g Ag/t over 289.13m in hole DSB-68; 126.10g Ag/t over 122.03m, 127.49g Ag/t over 41.25m and 49.71g Ag/t over 142.50m found in hole DSB-69; and 45.71g Ag/t over 81.00m and 30.08g Ag/t over 255.75m found in hole DSB-70 confirm the presence of continued silver pockets grading over 50 g Ag/t. Moreover, tin enriched pockets such as 1.39% Sn over 33m, 0.74% Sn over 87m found in hole DSB-72 and 0.55% Sn over 49.5m, 0.34% Sn over 91.5m, 0.31% Sn over 103.5m in hole DSB-74 demonstrate the existence of consistent high grade tin pockets at the Santa Barbara zone. And finally, the presence of intercepts such as 1.41% Zn over 151.50m in hole DSB-91, 1.77% Zn over 238.50m and 1.72% Zn over 456m found in hole DSB-88 reveal continuous Zn (and Pb) ore shoots in the property. These results have further expanded, at least 200m laterally, the higher-grade tin and silver and polymetallic (Ag-Sn-Zn-Pb) mineralization and the footprint of this large multi-phase hydrothermal system at Iska Iska.

About Eloro Resources Ltd.

Eloro is an exploration and mine development company with a portfolio of precious and base-metal properties in Bolivia, Peru and Quebec. Eloro, through its Bolivian subsidiary, Minera Tupiza SRL, has a 99% joint venture interest and a 100% economic participation interest in the highly prospective Iska Iska Property, which can be classified as a polymetallic epithermal-porphyry complex, a significant mineral deposit type in the Potosi Department, in southern Bolivia. A NI 43-101 Technical Report on Iska Iska, which was completed by Micon International Limited, is available on Eloro's website and under its filings on SEDAR+. Iska Iska is a road-accessible, royalty-free property. Eloro also owns an 82% interest in the La Victoria Gold/Silver Project, located in the North-Central Mineral Belt of Peru some 50 km south of the Lagunas Norte Gold Mine and the La Arena Gold Mine.

Information in this news release may contain forward-looking information. Statements containing forward-looking information express, as at the date of this news release, the Company's plans, estimates, forecasts, projections, expectations, or beliefs as to future events or results and are believed to be reasonable based on information currently available to the Company. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate. Actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/293755

Source: Eloro Resources Ltd.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 22, 2026) - Plurilock Security Inc. (TSXV: PLUR) (OTCQB: PLCKF) ("Plurilock" or the "Company"), a global cybersecurity services and solutions provider, announces the appointment of Jean-Yves Belzile and Eric Sauve, co-founders of Innovigo, to the Company's Industry Advisory Council.

Mr. Belzile is a retired Canadian Air Force Colonel with over 30 years of military intelligence experience, having held senior positions with the U.S. Armed Forces and NATO. He led Royal Canadian Air Force and NORAD intelligence operations and now provides strategic consultation to major corporations and government organizations on defense policy, capability development, and federal engagement.

Mr. Sauve is a former Canadian Army Military Intelligence Officer with 22 years of service, including operational deployments to Afghanistan and Bosnia under NATO command. He brings hands-on experience in intelligence operations, threat assessment, and defense sector strategic planning, informed by over a decade of consulting work with Canadian government organizations and defense stakeholders. Mr. Sauve also served as an instructor within NATO environments and regularly contributes to national media on defense and security issues, providing analysis on emerging threats and geopolitical developments.

Together, they co-founded Innovigo, a Canadian defense and security advisory firm working closely with federal agencies and major defense contractors.

"Mr. Belzile and Mr. Sauve bring exactly the kind of defense sector expertise and federal relationships that strengthen our ability to serve Canadian and allied government customers," said Ian L. Paterson, CEO of Plurilock. "With their combined military and intelligence experience, NATO-level connections, and understanding of Canadian defense procurement, they'll be invaluable as we expand our footprint in defense and critical infrastructure markets across North America."

The appointments further strengthen Plurilock's Industry Advisory Council, which includes former senior officials from the U.S. Department of Justice, White House, CIA, and leading technology executives with experience at companies including Raytheon and CrowdStrike.

Plurilock CEO to Attend ISED Defense Innovation Networking Event

Plurilock also announces that it will attend a defense innovation networking event hosted by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) and the British Columbia Institute of Technology, in partnership with Pacific Economic Development Canada, Global Affairs Canada, and the BC Ministry of Jobs and Economic Growth, on May 13, 2026, in Vancouver, British Columbia.

The event, taking place during Web Summit Vancouver week, will convene a curated selection of defense contractors, government officials, and innovative organizations offering dual-use solutions across software, artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, cybersecurity, autonomous systems, training and simulation, and biotechnology. With federal defense spending increasing rapidly, the event provides opportunities to connect with emerging companies developing cutting-edge defense technologies, explore partnerships and supply chain opportunities in British Columbia, and engage directly with government representatives supporting defense and dual-use innovation and procurement.

About Plurilock

Plurilock sells cybersecurity solutions to the United States and Canadian Federal Governments along with Global 2000 companies. Through these relationships, Plurilock sells its unique brand of Critical Services-aiding clients with our expertise to defend against, detect, and prevent costly data breaches and cyberattacks.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the TSX Venture Exchange policies) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") related to future events or Plurilock's future business, operations, and financial performance and condition. Forward-looking statements normally contain words like "will", "intend", "anticipate", "could", "should", "may", "might", "expect", "estimate", "forecast", "plan", "potential", "project", "assume", "contemplate", "believe", "shall", "scheduled", and similar terms. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, actions, or developments and are based on expectations, assumptions, and other factors that management currently believes are relevant, reasonable, and appropriate in the circumstances. Although management believes that the forward-looking statements herein are reasonable, actual results could be substantially different due to the risks and uncertainties associated with and inherent to Plurilock's business. Additional material risks and uncertainties applicable to the forward-looking statements herein include, without limitation, the impact of general economic conditions, and unforeseen events and developments. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect the Company's forward-looking statements. Many of these factors are beyond the control of Plurilock. All forward-looking statements included in this press release are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as at the date hereof, and Plurilock undertakes no obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the included forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable securities laws. Risks and uncertainties about the Company's business are more fully discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in its most recent Annual Information Form. They are otherwise disclosed in its filings with securities regulatory authorities available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/293747

Source: Plurilock Security Inc.
New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - April 22, 2026) - Baden Bower, the world's leading guaranteed PR placement agency, today released The Credibility Effect: 2026 Edition, an original double-blind study quantifying how a single editorial feature in a Tier-1 publication transforms consumer trust, purchase intent, premium willingness, and brand recall. The study surveyed 1,622 respondents across the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia between February 3 and 19, 2026, and represents the most rigorous independent examination of earned media's commercial impact to date.





Baden Bower Research Finds Editorial Features Generate 3.2 More Consumer Trust Than Paid Advertising



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8814/293606_073c5322c4950902_002full.jpg

The headline finding is unambiguous: consumers who see a company featured editorially in a Tier-1 publication trust that company 3.2 times more than consumers who see the same company with a paid advertisement in the same publication. The format of coverage matters more than the publication itself.

"The PR industry has always known that editorial coverage outperforms advertising," said AJ Ignacio, Founder of Baden Bower. "What nobody had done was prove it with numbers. This study puts a precise figure on something business owners have felt instinctively - and the gap is far larger than most expected."

Key Findings

Trust and Legitimacy Respondents who saw a company profile accompanied by a Tier-1 editorial feature were dramatically more likely to perceive the company as trustworthy and legitimate compared to respondents who saw the identical profile with no media coverage:

79% of editorially-exposed respondents trusted the company, versus 31% with no media coverage - a 48-point gap

89% perceived the company as legitimate after a Tier-1 feature, versus 44% without - the largest absolute gain of any metric tested

68% viewed the company as an industry leader with a feature, versus 22% without

Purchase Intent and Premium Willingness Editorial coverage does not merely improve perception. It changes buying behavior. 82% of editorially-exposed respondents said they would consider purchasing, compared to 39% of the control group. Critically, 71% of consumers who saw an editorial feature said they would pay some price premium - compared to just 42% of those with no media exposure. The most common premium band for editorially-exposed consumers was 6-10% more, selected by 29%.

Versus Paid and Social Advertising When respondents saw the same company presented via an editorial feature, a paid advertisement, or a social media advertisement, the credibility differential was stark:

82% said an editorial feature increases their trust. Only 24% said the same about a paid ad in the same publication, and 31% about a social media ad.

73% said they would remember an editorial feature one week later. Only 18% would remember the paid ad.

Only 18% of respondents assumed an editorial feature was paid for. By contrast, 82% assumed a paid advertisement was paid for, and 61% assumed the same about a press release.

B2B Decision-Maker Response Among the study's 408 business decision-makers, Director level and above, editorial coverage ranked as the most trusted source across every high-stakes decision context tested. 91% cited editorial coverage as the most trusted source when vetting a potential business partner; 89% when considering an investment; 88% when choosing a service provider. Seniority amplified the effect: 84% of C-suite respondents and founders reported increased trust after seeing an editorial feature, and 56% said they would pay a premium.

Longevity Editorial coverage retains its impact at roughly 10 times the rate of paid advertising. Same-day recall stood at 94% for editorial features versus 72% for paid ads. One week later, 81% of respondents still recalled the editorial feature, compared to 34% for paid ads. At three months, 54% recalled the editorial feature, while paid ad recall had collapsed to 6%. At one year, 32% still recalled the editorial feature, versus just 1% for paid advertising.

Methodology

The Credibility Effect was commissioned by Baden Bower and conducted via a double-blind online panel. Respondents were randomly assigned to a control group (company profile with no media mentions) or a test group (identical profile with an editorial feature in one of eight randomly assigned Tier-1 publications). Neither group was informed that the study concerned media coverage. The margin of error is 2.5 percentage points at the 95% confidence level. Eight publications were tested: Forbes, Bloomberg, Vogue, Business Insider, TechCrunch, Vanity Fair, Yahoo Finance, and Entrepreneur. Each respondent was exposed to only one publication to prevent cross-contamination.

The full survey instrument, raw data tables, and detailed methodology are available on request at reports@badenbower.com.

About Baden Bower

Baden Bower is a guaranteed PR placement agency founded in 2018 that secures editorial features for clients in Forbes, Vogue, Business Insider, and 700+ publications worldwide. The agency has published over 25,000 news features for more than 3,548 clients across 37 countries. Baden Bower offers a money-back guarantee on all placements and is the only PR agency in the world to guarantee editorial coverage in named Tier-1 publications prior to contract. The company's 2026 research programme, comprising four independent studies across 4,800+ respondents, is the most comprehensive commissioned dataset on earned media's commercial impact in the PR industry.

https://www.badenbower.com/research

Media Contact

Baden Bower Press Office reports@badenbower.com +1 (646) 971-4960

The Credibility Effect 2026 is an annual study commissioned by Baden Bower. Full methodology and data tables available on request.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/293606

Source: Plentisoft
Hiya network-level scam and spam detection now embedded in Vodafone's Secure Net Mobile service, giving Vodafone customers a warning before harmful calls reach them

Hiya, a global leader in trusted voice solutions, today announced it is powering Vodafone's Scam Call Protection feature, a new scam and spam call detection capability embedded within Vodafone's digital safety service, Secure Net Mobile. The feature flags and labels incoming calls in real time to identify scam calls, spam calls, and potentially malicious activity, so customers know what they're dealing with before they pick up.

Scam Call Protection is available now to Vodafone customers with Secure Net Mobile. The protection works at a network level, meaning there's nothing to download and no action required. When a suspicious call comes in, the customer sees a clear warning label on their screen.

The launch comes as phone fraud continues to accelerate in the UK. Hiya's State of the Call 2026 report found that 84% of UK consumers agree that it's important that their mobile network operator can screen out spam calls and scam calls. Fraudsters are increasingly using AI-generated voices and spoofed numbers to impersonate legitimate organizations, which makes network-level detection even more critical.

"Scam calls have gotten good enough to fool even the most tech-savvy consumers. With AI deepfakes, spoofed numbers, bank imposters, the fraudsters aren't slowing down. A critical first step in fighting back is flagging suspicious calls before they reach the customer. Vodafone is putting the protection where it belongs: at the network level."

-Alex Algard, CEO and Founder, Hiya

Secure Net Mobile is available to Vodafone mobile customers free for the first three months, and 2 a month thereafter.

About Hiya

Hiya is a global leader in trusted voice solutions, providing AI-powered caller identity, branded calling, and voice security at network scale. Trusted by Tier-1 mobile operators and leading enterprises worldwide, Hiya protects and serves over 550 million users globally, helping make phone calls clear, safe, and worth answering again.

For more information, visit:

www.hiya.com

Follow us:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/hiyainc

About VodafoneThree

VodafoneThree is the UK's largest mobile network operator serving the fixed and mobile market, formed following the merger of Vodafone UK and Three UK in June 2025.

Through an unprecedented 11 billion investment, VodafoneThree will build the UK's best network. The network will deliver reliable, quality connectivity to all nations and regions, creating as many as 13,000 jobs and laying a digital foundation for the country's growth ambitions. VodafoneThree is the only mobile network operator with a fully funded, regulated and guaranteed network build plan, reaching 99.95% population coverage by 2034. From big cities to small towns, and everywhere in between, the company's mission is to build the UK's best network.

VodafoneThree is a private company, 51% owned by Vodafone and 49% owned by CK Hutchison Holdings. It encompasses all businesses and assets, including Vodafone UK, Three UK, VOXI Mobile, SMARTY and Talkmobile.

For more information, visit:

www.vodafonethree.com

www.vodafone.com

www.ckh.com/hk

Follow us:

www.linkedin.com/company/vodafonethree

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260422082375/en/

Contacts:

Media Contact

Delight Labs

David Niu

206-679-2744

david@delightlabs.com

www.delightlabs.com
New 2026 report finds CEZIH has reached real national scale, with 15 million annual eReferrals, 61 million ePrescriptions, 300,000 daily structured reports, and 1.5 million daily insurance checks driving a new era of competition in workflow, interoperability, diagnostics, and AI readiness.

LONDON, GB / ACCESS Newswire / April 22, 2026 / Black Book Research today released State of Digital Healthcare IT Croatia 2026, a new market intelligence report showing that Croatia has moved beyond early-stage healthcare digitization and into a higher-stakes phase where operational performance is now the central market issue.

The report, part of the 30 country subset series of the 2026 Global Healthcare IT study by Black Book, finds that Croatia's national digital health backbone, anchored by CEZIH, is already functioning at meaningful scale. CEZIH supports more than 15 million eReferrals annually, more than 61 million medicines dispensed each year through ePrescription workflows, more than 300,000 structured primary-care reports every day, and more than 1.5 million insurance checks daily. Portal zdravlja has also surpassed 800,000 users and more than 20,000 daily users, confirming that citizen-facing digital health is now operating as a mainstream service layer.

Black Book Research concludes that digital infrastructure is no longer the differentiator in Croatia. The market is now being defined by how effectively providers and vendors turn that infrastructure into faster workflow, stronger care coordination, better diagnostics integration, improved scheduling, more reliable patient access, and practical analytics and AI use.

"Croatia is no longer proving the case for digital health. It is proving which technologies can perform at scale," said Doug Brown, Founder of Black Book Research. "With CEZIH already deeply embedded in care delivery, the market is shifting from digitization to execution. The vendors that win in Croatia will be the ones that reduce friction, improve patient flow, strengthen diagnostics and interoperability, and deliver practical value in a nationally coordinated system."

The operational demands on the Croatian healthcare system reinforce that shift. In 2024, Croatia reported 21,795 inpatient beds, 631,249 hospitalizations, and 1,345,014 day-hospital and one-day-surgery visits. Internal medicine alone accounted for 619,932 day-hospital or one-day-surgery visits. Specialist outpatient care recorded 10,285,914 examinations. At that level of volume, workflow performance, referral coordination, record continuity, scheduling efficiency, and diagnostics access are strategic requirements.

The report identifies 2026 as a major turning point because CEZIH data exchange requirements are expanding to private healthcare providers outside HZZO contracts, including privately paid services delivered by already connected providers. Black Book Research says this move broadens Croatia's digital health architecture beyond the traditional public-sector transaction environment and materially raises the competitive bar for healthcare IT vendors operating in the market.

The Black Book research also highlights the policy and investment backdrop supporting continued modernization. Croatia's Digital Decade roadmap includes 31 measures with a total budget of EUR 634.73 million, giving added weight to digital transformation priorities through the remainder of the decade. At the same time, 81% of Croatians say the digitalization of public and private services is making life easier, reinforcing a favorable environment for continued adoption of digital health services.

In population health, the research points to significant pressure for stronger analytics and chronic disease management. In 2024, 396,005 people were registered with diabetes, while the estimated true burden exceeded 500,000 adults. There were 52,769 adult BIS submissions, and only 35.56% of recorded diabetes patients showed good glycaemic control. Black Book Research says these figures signal a substantial opportunity for better chronic disease surveillance, proactive follow-up, and structured digital care pathways.

Telehealth is also established at scale in Croatia. Telemedicine services are now available in most healthcare institutions across the country and span radiology, cardiology, pulmonology, psychiatry, endocrinology, neurology, transfusion medicine, and haemodialysis, positioning telehealth as an integrated access and continuity layer rather than a peripheral service category.

AI is moving from concept to practical deployment as well. Black Book Research finds the most immediate opportunities are in imaging, diagnostics, structured reporting, scheduling support, communication, and documentation workflows. A key signal is the 2026 launch of ZdrAVKO, a 24/7 AI digital health assistant made available through WhatsApp, reflecting growing public-sector willingness to deploy bounded AI tools in healthcare communication and navigation.

The report profiles representative competitive vendors materially relevant to Croatia's healthcare IT market, including Ericsson Nikola Tesla, IN2 Group, Philips, Siemens Healthineers, MCS Group, Veridian Healthstream, and Oracle Health. Black Book Research notes that Croatia is not a winner-take-all market. Supplier relevance is increasingly determined by implementation fit, interoperability depth, diagnostics integration, specialty workflow capability, resilience, governance, and alignment with CEZIH and HZZO operating requirements.

Black Book Research expects the Croatian healthcare IT market through 2030 to be shaped by four strategic decision domains: clinical and operational effectiveness, interoperability and data quality, resilience and governance, and partnership and strategic alignment.

The full report, State of Digital Healthcare IT Croatia 2026, is available now for download at no charge to healthcare providers, consultants, investors, policymakers, and technology stakeholders worldwide at:

https://blackbookmarketresearch.com/state-of-digital-healthcare-it-croatia-2026

About Black Book Research

Black Book Research is an independent healthcare market research firm delivering competitive intelligence, buyer sentiment studies, strategic analysis, and market insights across healthcare IT, digital health, managed services, outsourcing, payer operations, and healthcare transformation markets worldwide.

Media Contact

Black Book Research

research@blackbookmarketresearch.com 1.800.863.7590

SOURCE: Black Book Research

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/healthcare-and-pharmaceutical/black-book-research-croatia-healthcare-it-shifts-from-digitization-to-1159821
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 22, 2026) - Graphene Manufacturing Group Ltd (TSXV: GMG) (OTCQX: GMGMF) ("GMG" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that Stuart Watson - former global Head of Technical Development for Rio Tinto Ltd. (ASX: RIO), one of the largest mining and mineral production companies in the world, has joined GMG as Chief Production Growth Officer.

Stuart has over 30 years of global leadership experience in metals and mining and oil and chemicals, including 20 years at Rio Tinto, across operations, sales and marketing, mergers and acquisitions, and technology development and innovation. Career highlights include:

Leading and delivering multiple major transformation programs valued over US$5 Billion and merger and acquisition deals valued at US$1 Billion.

Directing US$1 Billion in global technology and research & development spend to create breakthrough growth options and projects

Building high-performing global teams across Asia, Europe, and North America

Stuart has a Master of Business Administration (MBA) - Henley Management College, UK; is a Chartered Engineer - Institute of Chemical Engineers (IChemE), has a Masters of Engineering, Chemical Engineering (First Class Honours) - Imperial College, University of London and Ecole Nationale Superieure d'Ingenieurs de Genie Chimique (ENSIGC), Toulouse, France.

Craig Nicol, CEO & Managing Director of the Company, commented "We welcome Stuart to the GMG team - he is a great addition to the Senior Executive Team for both executive leadership and delivery capability. I will enjoy working with Stuart to expand our production across our graphene and graphene products around the world."

Jack Perkowski, Non-Executive Chairman and Director of the Company, commented: "On behalf of the board I welcome Stuart to the team and look forward to the progress around expanding our production capability into North America."

Operations Update

GMG is focused on delivering its Gen 2.0 Graphene Production Project (the "Gen 2.0 Project") by end of June 2026 - which is expected to produce at least 10 tonnes per annum of graphene at its headquarters in Richlands, Queensland, Australia.

Once the Gen 2.0 Project is commissioned and operating. GMG plans to replicate and establish other production plants around the world to enable scaled production for potential sales, diversify and lower production risks, and in the end, reduce operating costs by locating the plant in countries with lower operating costs, including low cost natural gas - one of GMG's key production input costs.

Currently, GMG is planning three potential expansion projects - two in North America (potentially one in US and one in Canada) in addition to an expansion production project in Australia. GMG proposes to mature these projects and expand production in line with sales for all of its products.

The expansion program for GMG includes the following 5 production plants:

Graphene Production (from natural gas) Coating Blend Plant (for the graphene coating THERMAL-XR) Lubricant Blend Plant (for the graphene lubricant additive G LUBRICANT) Graphene Slurry Plant (for the SUPA G Lithium-Ion Battery Additive) Battery Assembly Plant (for the Graphene Aluminium Ion Battery)

Figure 1

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About GMG:

GMG is an Australian based clean-technology company which develops, makes and sells energy saving and energy storage solutions, enabled by graphene manufactured via in house production process. GMG uses its own proprietary production process to decompose natural gas (i.e. methane) into its natural elements, carbon (as graphene), hydrogen and some residual hydrocarbon gases. This process produces high quality, low cost, scalable, 'tuneable' and low/no contaminant graphene suitable for use in clean-technology and other applications.

The Company's present focus is to de-risk and develop commercial scale-up capabilities, and secure market applications. In the energy savings segment, GMG has initially focused on graphene enhanced heating, ventilation and air conditioning ("HVAC-R") coating (or energy-saving coating) which is now being marketed into other applications including electronic heat sinks, industrial process plants and data centres. Another product GMG has developed is the graphene lubricant additive focused on saving liquid fuels initially for diesel engines.

In the energy storage segment, GMG and the University of Queensland are working collaboratively with financial support from the Australian Government to progress R&D and commercialization of graphene aluminium-ion batteries ("G+AI Batteries"). GMG has also developed a graphene additive slurry that is aimed at improving the performance of lithium-ion batteries.

GMG's 4 critical business objectives are:

Produce Graphene and improve/scale cell production processes Build Revenue from Energy Savings Products Develop Next-Generation Battery Develop Supply Chain, Partners & Project Execution Capability

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.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release includes certain statements and information that may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian and U.S. securities laws. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect the expectations or beliefs of management of the Company regarding future events. Generally, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "intends", "believes" "expects" or "anticipates", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should", "would" or will "potentially" or "likely" occur. This information and these statements, referred to herein as "forward-looking statements", are not historical facts, are made as of the date of this news release and include without limitation, statements as to GMG's focus on, and the timing and production expectations of, the Gen 2 Project, intentions regarding the number, purpose and location of expansion projects, intentions to de-risk and develop commercial scale-up capabilities, GMG's focus in the energy savings segment, GMG's intentions for the use of graphene lubricant additive on saving liquid fuels, expectations for R&D and commercialization of G+AI Batteries, GMG's ability to improve the performance of lithium-ion batteries and GMG's critical business objectives..

Such forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions of management, including the patent and potential market size of G LUBRICANT. Additionally, forward-looking information involves a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual plans, intentions, activities, results, performance or achievements of GMG to be materially different from any future plans, intentions, activities, results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks include, without limitation that GMG does not receive or receive on a timely basis the fully signed consent notice from the and the risk factors set out under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's annual information form dated November 4, 2025 available for review on the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca.

Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, forward-looking information or financial out-look that are incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/293781

Source: Graphene Manufacturing Group Ltd.
Vancouver, Canada--(Newsfile Corp. - April 22, 2026) - Turnium Technology Group Inc. (TSXV: TTGI) (FSE: E48) ("TTGI" or the "Company"), a global provider of Technology-as-a-Service (TaaS) solutions and channel-driven IT services, is pleased to announce that, further to the Company's news release dated March 17, 2026, the Company has completed its previously announced Shares-for-Debt settlement (the "Debt Settlement"). Pursuant to the Debt Settlement, the Company has issued 5,163,750 of the Company's Common shares ("Shares") at a deemed price of $0.10 per Share. The shares for debt represent the full and final settlement of outstanding indebtedness in the amount of $516,375.

The Shares-for-Debt Transactions are being undertaken by the Company in order to preserve cash and strengthen its balance sheet. The Shares issued pursuant to the Shares-for-Debt Transactions will be subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day from the date of issuance in accordance with applicable securities laws and TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV") policies.

The debt settlement will be a "related party transaction" under Policy 5.9 of the TSX Venture Exchange and Multilateral Instrument 61-101. The debt settlement to insiders and former insiders in the amount of $464,375, resulting in 4,643,750 Common shares being issued to insiders, received disinterested shareholder approval on March 13, 2026 at the Company's annual Shareholder meeting, and approval from the TSXV on April 21, 2026.

About Turnium Technology Group Inc. (TTGI)

TTGI acquires companies that complement its Technology-as-a-Service (TaaS) strategy, integrates them to generate efficiencies, and delivers their solutions through a global partner-led program to customers worldwide. TTGI's mission is to provide IT providers with a complete, white-labelled portfolio of business technology solutions, enabling them to quickly add new services in response to customer demand.

In essence, TTGI is building a TaaS platform that incorporates all the services, platforms, and capabilities that ISPs, MSPs, IT Providers, VoIP/UCaaS, CCaaS, or Cloud Providers might need. Additionally, TTGI provides deployment resources, hardware, delivery, support, and marketing and sales enablement to help channel partners go to market quickly and deliver exceptional quality.

TTGI delivers secure, cost-effective, uninterrupted, and scalable global IT solutions to its partners and their end-customers-because "Connectivity Matters."

For more information, contact sales@ttgi.io, visit www.ttgi.io or follow us on X (formerly Twitter) @turnium.

CAUTIONARY NOTES

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain acts, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved".

Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company, as the case may be, to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Some of these risks are described under the "Caution on Forward-Looking Information" section and "Risk Factors" section of the MD&A. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by these statements. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/293772

Source: Turnium Technology Group Inc.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 22, 2026) - Cambria Gold Mines Inc. (TSXV: CAMB) (OTCID: AOTVF) ("Cambria" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the completion of additional claim staking at the Mt. Margaret copper-gold porphyry deposit near Randle, Washington. The new staking consists of approximately seven square kilometres of unpatented lode claims surrounding the Company's patented federal claims. The patented claims are held in partnership with the United States Federal Government Bureau of Land Management. The Company has been advancing discussions with various US Federal Government Departments regarding future direction for the deposit.

"The Mt. Margaret deposit is a significant copper-gold porphyry system," said Robert McLeod, President and CEO of Cambria Gold Mines. "With a mineralized footprint starting at surface and spanning over one square kilometre with multiple drill holes ending in mineralization over 400m below surface, this deposit has the potential to be one of the most significant undeveloped copper deposits in the United States. It is our intention to spin this asset out into a new US focused listed entity in the near future."

About Mt. Margaret

The Mt. Margaret deposit is a calc-alkaline porphyry deposit with copper, gold, and molybdenum mineralization located approximately 22 km southwest of Randle, Washington. Duval Corporation ("Duval") actively explored the project from 1971-1980, completing a total of 20,729m over 105 diamond drill holes. In 2010, Cambria's predecessor, Ascot Resources Ltd., completed 4,880m of infill diamond drilling over 11 holes, which confirmed and expanded the mineralized zones defined by Duval's drilling (see January 12, 2011 Press Release: Ascot Resources Drills 496.0 Meters of 0.459% Copper in drill hole eleven on the Mt. Margaret Property7).

A historical resource estimate was completed by Duval for the Mt. Margaret deposit, with 577Mt grading 0.36% Cu, 0.24 g/t Au, 0.011% Mo, and 1.58 g/t Ag (Taylor, 1980 & Derkley et al, 1990).1,2 This historic estimation work predates the implementation of National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI-43-101") guidelines and was not classified based on currently accepted reserve and resource classifications as set forth by the Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, August 20, 2000 (CIM Guidelines) or the United States Securities and Exchange Commission's Regulation Subpart 1300 of Regulation S-K ("S-K 1300"). Cambria cautions it is not treating the historic Duval work as a current mineral resource estimate, and there has been insufficient work completed by a Qualified Person to do so at any point in the project's history. Furthermore, uncertainty regarding cut off grade, metal prices, modelling methodology, or other parameters and assumptions used in the Duval work could impact the reliability of the historic estimation. Cambria still considers the Duval work relevant given the number of supporting historical drillholes, many of which were confirmed by subsequent Ascot drilling in 2010. Further work including additional infill drilling, geological modelling, and assay certificate and collar validation by a Qualified Person pursuant to NI 43-101 would be required to produce a NI-43-101 or an S-K 1300 compliant resource. There are no guarantees that this additional work would confirm the historical resource estimate defined by Duval.

In addition to the recently staked unpatented lode claims, Cambria retains 50% ownership of patented federal mining claims covering the Mt. Margaret deposit, with the other 50% held by the federal US government. In March 2010 the Company signed an option agreement, whereby it acquired a 100% interest in General Moly Inc.'s 50% interest in the Mt. Margaret property. Cambria has the right to earn a 100% interest in the Mt. Margaret property subject to a 1.5% NSR and a negotiated federal royalty. The Company may purchase one-half of the NSR upon completion of a preliminary economic assessment. The purchase price is negotiable but shall not be less than 50% of the net present value of the NSR.

Table of Previously Reported Results from 2010 Ascot Drilling









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Information Sources

Derkey et al (1990). P. 338. Metal Mines of Washington - Preliminary Report; Open File Report 90-18; https://dnr.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2025-03/ger_ofr90-18_metal_mines_pt2.pdf Taylor, J.D., 1980, Margaret project status report: Duval Corporation report (unpublished). Available in the Washington Department of National Resources Archives October 13, 2010 Press Release "Ascot Resources Drills 500 Meters of 0.337% Copper on its First Drill Hole on the Mt. Margaret Property". Available under the Company's profile on Sedar+ at www.sedarplus.ca. November 3, 2010 Press Release "Ascot Resources Drills 343.85 Meters of 0.507% Copper on its Second Hole on the Mt. Margaret Property". Available under the Company's profile on Sedar+ at www.sedarplus.ca. November 23, 2010 Press Release "Ascot Resources Drills 322.5 Meters of 0.412% Copper on its Third Hole on the Mt. Margaret Property." Available under the Company's profile on Sedar+ at www.sedarplus.ca. December 1, 2010 Press Release "Ascot Resources Drills 380.2 Meters of 0.500% Copper on its Sixth Hole on the Mt. Margaret Property." Available under the Company's profile on Sedar+ at www.sedarplus.ca. January 12, 2011 Press Release "Ascot Resources Drills 496.0 Meters of 0.459% Copper in drill hole eleven on the Mt. Margaret Property." Available under the Company's profile on Sedar+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

Qualified Person and Technical Information:

The scientific and technical information within this news release was reviewed and approved by Blaine Smit, P.Geo. Vice President Exploration for Cambria Gold Mines Inc. and is therefore not independent. Mr. Smit is a "Qualified Person" as defined under NI 43-101 and visited the Mt. Margaret project in March of 2026 to review 2010 drill core, property geology, and monumented drill collars. Mr. Smit was not involved with the 2010 drill program by Ascot Resources Ltd. and is relying on the publicly available disclosures and internally available assay and QA/QC files, along with physical review of drill core, to verify the results of the 2010 drilling.

About Cambria Gold Mines

Cambria Gold Mines is a Canadian mining company headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, and its shares trade on the TSX-V under the ticker CAMB and on the OTCID under the ticker AOTVF. Cambria is the 100% owner of the Premier Gold mine and Red Mountain Gold Project that are located on Nisga'a Nation Treaty Lands, in the prolific Golden Triangle of northwestern British Columbia. For more information about the Company, please refer to the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca or visit the Company's web site at www.cambriagold.com.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of Cambria Gold Mines Inc.

Robert McLeod

CEO and Director

Cautionary Statements :

NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

All statements and other information contained in this press release about anticipated future events may constitute forward-looking information under Canadian securities laws ("forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek", "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect", "targeted", "outlook", "on track" and "intend" and statements that an event or result "may", "will", "should", "could", "would" or "might" occur or be achieved and other similar expressions. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein are forward-looking statements, including statements in respect of the ability of the Company to accomplish its business objectives and the intentions described herein; the discussion regarding the potential of the Mt. Margaret deposit and the Company's future plans concerning Mt. Margaret; the timing and successful completion of a spin-out and potential listing of a new company that holds the Mt .Margaret asset; the ability to produce a NI 43-101 or S-K 1300 compliant resource on the Mt. Margaret asset and development and operations of the Company. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements, risks related to US government support and funding; risks relating to negative operating cash flows of the Company; business and economic conditions in the mining industry generally; fluctuations in commodity prices and currency exchange rates; environmental compliance; risks related to outstanding debt; uncertainty of estimates and projections relating to development, production, costs and expenses, and health, safety and environmental risks; uncertainties relating to interpretation of drill results and the geology, continuity and grade of mineral deposits; the need to obtain additional financing to finance operations and uncertainty as to the availability and terms of future financing; social media and reputation; negative publicity; human rights; business objectives; shortage of personnel; health and safety; the possibility of delay in future plans and uncertainty of meeting anticipated program milestones; claims and legal proceedings; information systems and cyber security; internal controls; violation of anti-bribery or corruption laws; competition; tax considerations; compliance with listing standards; enforcement of civil liabilities; financing requirement risks; market price volatility of the common shares; uncertainty as to timely availability of permits and other governmental approvals; the need for exchange approval, and other regulatory approvals and other risk factors as detailed from time to time in Cambria's filings with Canadian securities regulators, available on Cambria's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions made with regard to: the estimated costs associated with the care and maintenance plans; the tax rate applicable to the Company; future commodity prices; the grade of mineral resources and mineral reserves; labor and materials costs increasing on a basis consistent with the Company's current expectations, the ability of the Company to convert inferred mineral resources to other categories; the ability of the Company to reduce mining dilution; the ability to reduce capital costs; the ability of the Company to raise additional financing; currency exchange rates being approximately consistent with current levels, compliance with the covenants in Cambria's credit agreements; exploration plans; and general marketing, political, business and economic conditions. Forward-looking statements are based on estimates and opinions of management at the date the statements are made. Although Cambria believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements and/or information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements since Cambria can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Cambria does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements, other than as required by applicable laws. The forward-looking information contained in this press release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/293748

Source: Cambria Gold Mines Inc.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - April 22, 2026) - Caprock Mining Corp. (CSE: CAPR) ("Caprock", or the "Company") is pleased to announce plans to commence a shallow drill program designed to expand the current open pit-constrained Mineral Resource Estimate ("MRE", or "Mineral Resource") westward at its flagship Destiny gold property ("Destiny", or the "Property", or the "Project"), located near Val d'Or, Quebec.

Caprock's President & CEO, Mr. Vishal Gupta, stated, "Our recently concluded deep drilling campaign at Destiny provided excellent corroboration of our structural understanding of the mineralized system. Assays have been received for five out of the eight deep holes drilled in total, and so far, we've had a consistently strong success rate, including high-grade assay results from drill hole DES-26-183 which returned 38.48 g/t Au over 1.6m, encompassed within 2.84 g/t Au over 23.2m. We must now take some time to reconcile the results and fine-tune our targeting strategy before building on this initial success with testing the deep-seated, high-grade potential at Destiny."

Mr. Gupta added, "While we wait for assays from the remaining three deep drill holes and take the time to conduct an in-depth analysis of our deep drilling campaign, we plan to focus our efforts on the expansion of the near-surface, open pit-constrained Mineral Resource at Destiny. Our technical team has identified the potential to materially expand the Mineral Resource westward by conducting a limited 10-hole drill program that was designed by our resource consultants at BBA E&C Inc. We plan to commence this resource expansion drill program immediately after receiving our drill permits, which are expected in the next few weeks."

Description of Resource Expansion Drill Program

The planned drill program has been designed to include 10 NQ-sized diamond drill holes totaling approximately 3,200m of drilling. The 10 holes will be drilled from four drill pads in total, and will test the extension of the mineralized domains at Destiny to the west of the current limits of the open-pit constrained Mineral Resource. Illustrations of the planned drill holes relative to previously drilled holes, the package of mineralized domains, and the conceptual open pit that constrains the current Mineral Resource at Destiny, are provided in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 below.

Figure 1: North-looking longitudinal section illustrating the location of the area being targeted for resource expansion relative to previously drilled holes at Destiny.

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Figure 2: North-Northeast-looking view illustrating the traces of the drill holes planned for resource expansion (cyan) relative to previously drilled holes (pink) and the outline of the conceptual open pit constraining the current Mineral Resource at Destiny.

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Figure 3: North-Northwest-looking view illustrating the traces of the drill holes planned for resource expansion relative to the location of the conceptual open pit that constrains the current Mineral Resource at Destiny.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

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Figure 4: View looking down illustrating the traces of the drill holes planned for resource expansion relative to the package of mineralized domains (red & green) and the conceptual open pit constraining the current Mineral Resource at Destiny.

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Mineral Resource Estimate at Destiny

Destiny hosts an open pit-constrained MRE completed in March 2025 with the following gold inventory:

Classification Constraints Cut-Off Grade

(Au g/t) Tonnage Grade

(Au g/t) Contained Gold

Oz Indicated OP 0.30 6,752,000 0.91 196,549 Inferred OP 0.30 28,560,000 0.87 794,886

CIM definition standards were followed for the resource estimate. The 2025 resource model used ordinary kriging (OK) grade estimation within a three-dimensional block model with mineralized domains defined by wireframed solids. Mineral resources are constrained within pit shells (OP). An exchange rate of 1.35 is utilized in calculations ($CAD/$USD). Open pit cut-off of 0.30 g/t Au milled is based on the cost/tonne ($CAD/t) milled for incremental mining, processing, and G&A based on the following: Long term metal prices of US$2,100/oz of gold; Metallurgical recoveries are based on metallurgical testing recovery of 94%; Average Bulk density (specific gravity) was determined for each lithology and/or mineralized domain within the deposit; Total ore-based cost of CAD$22.50/t; Processing costs of CAD$18.00/t and G&A costs of CAD$4.50/t milled; Dilution of 10%; and Pit Slope angle of 45 degrees. Mineral Resources that are not mineral reserves do not have economic viability. Numbers may not add due to rounding.

The resource estimate was prepared by Todd McCracken, P.Geo, of BBA E&C Inc. in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101").

About Caprock Mining Corp.

Caprock Mining Corp. is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on exploring precious metals in Quebec and Ontario.

The Company has an option to earn a 100% interest in the Destiny gold property that comprises 127 mineral claims and encompasses an area of 5,013 hectares located less than two hours' drive from Val d'Or, Quebec. Destiny lies along a major deformation corridor in the Abitibi greenstone belt that includes the prolific Cadillac-Larder Lake, Destor-Porcupine and Casa Berardi fault zones which host numerous producing and development-stage gold deposits. The Project overlies a 6.0 km long segment of the poorly explored Despinassy shear zone which is a splay off the regional Chicobi Fault. Destiny hosts a significant, open pit-constrained, NI 43-101 compliant mineral resource estimate published in March 2025.

Additionally, the Company holds a 100% interest in three gold exploration properties in the historical Beardmore-Geraldton Gold Belt of Ontario - a belt that has produced over four million ounces of gold historically (Reference: Beardmore-Geraldton Gold Camp - Tashota Resources), and contains the sizeable Greenstone gold project (formerly known as the Hardrock gold project) which is being brought to production by Equinox Gold (Reference: Greenstone Gold Mines - Mining & Processing).

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical information disclosed in this release has been reviewed and approved by Ms. Suzie Tremblay, who is a practising member of the Ordre Des Geologues du Quebec (OGQ #10664) and considered a 'Qualified Person' as defined under NI 43-101. All geoscience-related activities for Destiny are being conducted under the supervision of Ms. Suzie Tremblay, Vice President at Explo-Logik.

Forward-Looking Statements

All statements in this press release about anticipated future events or results constitute forward-looking statements including, but not limited to, statements with respect to: the Company's plans and expectations for the Property, the Company's plan to commence a 10-hole drill program designed to expand the current open pit-constrained Mineral Resource Estimate westward at the Destiny gold property, the expected timing of receipt of drill permits and commencement of the resource expansion drill program, the potential to materially expand the Mineral Resource westward, the potential for underground mineable resources at the Property, the timing of exploration on the Property, the timing of the completion of the expansion of the MRE, the potential for additional gold mineralization on the Property and the timing of the announcement of the Company's exploration plan for the Property. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek," "anticipate," "believe," "plan," "estimate," "expect," "intend," and statements that an event or result "may," "will," "should," "could," or "might" occur or be achieved and other similar expressions. Although Caprock believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements and information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements since Caprock can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements, including the risks, uncertainties and other factors identified in Caprock's periodic filings with Canadian securities regulators. Material factors and assumptions used to develop these forward-looking statements, particularly those related to resource estimates and metallurgical recoveries, include, but are not limited to, those assumptions referenced in this press release. Forward-looking statements are subject to business and economic risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results of operations to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Caprock's expectations include risks associated with the business of Caprock; risks related to reliance on technical information provided by Caprock; risks related to exploration and potential development of the Company's mineral properties; business and economic conditions in the mining industry generally; fluctuations in commodity prices and currency exchange rates; uncertainties relating to interpretation of drill results and the geology, continuity and grade of mineral deposits; the need for cooperation of government agencies and First Nation groups in the exploration and development of properties and the issuance of required permits; the risk that drill permits are not received in the expected timeframe or at all; the need to obtain additional financing to develop properties and uncertainty as to the availability and terms of future financing; the possibility of delay in exploration or development programs and uncertainty of meeting anticipated program milestones; uncertainty as to timely availability of permits and other governmental approvals; and other risk factors as detailed from time to time and additional risks identified in Caprock's filings with Canadian securities regulators on SEDAR+ in Canada (available at www.sedarplus.ca). The potential for expansion of the Mineral Resource is conceptual in nature and there is no certainty that further exploration will result in the delineation of additional mineral resources. Forward-looking statements are based on estimates and opinions of management at the date the statements are made. Caprock does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements except as required by applicable securities laws. Investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

For More Information

Neither Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this Release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/293742

Source: Caprock Mining Corp.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 22, 2026) - Atomic Minerals Corporation (TSXV: ATOM) (OTCQB: ATMMF) (FSE: DO8) ("Atomic Minerals" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an update on its drilling Notice of Intent at its 1,516.5 acre (614 hectare) South Lisbon Valley East property ("SLVE") located approximately 35 kilometres NE of Monticello, Utah. SLVE lies in the Colorado Plateau and covers the southern portion of a suspected belt of penecordant uranium mineralization hosted in the Moss Back member of the Triassic Chinle formation associated with the northeastern side of the downfaulted Lisbon Valley anticline.

The Bureau of Land Management requested additional information and adjustment of some of the drill pads. The information was supplied and the affected drill pads and access roads were adjusted as requested and the amended Notice of Intent has been submitted.

Figure 1. South Lisbon Valley East Property



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Evaluation of oil and gas drill holes in the Lisbon Valley area located gamma ray anomalies within the base of the Chinle Formation in a number of the drill holes, potentially outlining a similar belt of uranium mineralization as found on the southwest side of the Lisbon Valley anticline. (See Figure 1.)

"The drill pad and access road adjustments have a minimal effect on our planned program, an initial 18-20 drill holes in a series of fences across the property to test for uranium mineralization as well as establish the full width of the suspected arcuate belt along the length of the property," commented Atomic Minerals' CEO Clive Massey. "We strongly believe significant uranium mineralization lies within the target belt, analogous to the previously producing uranium belt on the SW side of the Lisbon Valley Fault," he concluded.

Atomic Minerals plans to drill a series of 4 to 5 fences across the full width of the property, largely utilizing the existing road and trail structure from the historic oil and gas drilling. The fences will be placed as proximal as possible to the historic oil and gas holes exhibiting significant gamma ray spikes at the base of the Chinle formation.

Figure 2. Lisbon Valley Historic Production



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Colorado Plateau and Lisbon Valley Uranium

The roughly 130,000 square mile (336,700 square kilometre) Colorado Plateau, hosts the largest uranium province in the USA and one of the largest in the world, having previously produced 597 million pounds to date. Most of the Colorado Plateau uranium deposits are hosted in the Triassic Chinle and Jurassic Morrison Formations that formed in mostly arid environments. These deposits are exposed today along cliffs and drainages that transect the Plateau and have been mined for vanadium since 1909 and for uranium since 1946. The two main areas of uranium production were Morrison Formation Grants Mineral Belt in New Mexico and the Chinle Formation Lisbon Valley in Utah.1

The Chinle Formation deposits are located in arcuate belts associated with a series of NW-SE trending anticlines developed as a result of salt movement in the underlying strata within the Paradox Basin. Paleo rivers flowed along each side of these anticlines with uranium mineralization found within these paleo-channels along the lengths of the anticlines. Lisbon Valley is the type location for Chinle deposits.

Lisbon Valley produced approximately 78 million pounds of U3O8 between 1952 and 1982 from an arcuate belt some 16 miles long by 1 mile wide with approximately 1/3 of the belt eroded away post mineral. Individual ore bodies ranged from a few hundred pounds to 20,000,000 pounds of U3O8, hosted in the basal Moss Back member of the Triassic Chinle formation along the southwest flank of the Lisbon Valley anticline. A northwest trending, post-mineral normal fault, the Lisbon Valley Fault abruptly cut-off and displaced the uranium mineralization associated with the northeast flank, speculatively dropping it + 2500 feet on the northeast side of the fault.2

The Rio Algom mine produced 13 million pounds at an average grade of 0.25% U3O8 at a depth 2550 feet on the downfaulted side of the fault, supporting the presence of an arcuate belt on the northeast side of the fault2. Oil and gas drilling, largely between 2006 and 2014, on the northeast down-faulted side of the Lisbon Valley anticline located anomalous to extremely anomalous gamma ray readings in the suspected Moss Back Member in 28 of 51 holes drilled throughout a northwest trending belt 20 kilometres in length by + 750 metres in width, outlining the suspected eastern arcuate belt.

Within Atomic's SLVE property nine widely-spaced historic oil and gas wells appear to define the southern end of this 20km by + 750m belt as 'off-scale' radioactivity was recorded within the favorable Chinle Formation host rock over widths of 1.8 to 4.5 m (6 to 15 feet) from depths of 760 to 880 m (2,495 to 2,890 feet).3

Sources of Information:

Hall, S.M., Van Gosen, B.S. and Zielinski, R.A. (2023). Sandstone-Hosted Uranium Deposits of the Colorado Plateau, USA. Ore Geology Reviews Volume 155. 39p. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oregeorev.2023.105353 Chenoweth, W.L. (1990). Lisbon Valley, Utah's Premier Uranium Area, a Summary of Exploration and Ore Production. Utah Geological Survey Open File Report 188, July 1990. Utah Division of Oil, Gas and Mining Drill Hole Database API#'s 4303716221, 4303720318, 4303731848, 4303731850, 4303731859, 4303731860, 4303731883, 4303731891, and 4303750041

The data disclosed in this news release relates to historical drilling. Atomic Minerals has not undertaken any independent investigation of the sampling, nor has it independently analyzed the results of the historical exploration work in order to verify the results. Atomic considers these historical drill results relevant as the Company will use this data as a guide to plan exploration programs. The Company's current and future exploration work includes verification of the historical data through drilling.

R. Tim Henneberry, PGeo (BC) and an advisor to Atomic Minerals, and a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101 has reviewed and approved the technical content of the news release.

About Atomic Minerals Corporation

Atomic Minerals Corporation is a publicly listed exploration company on the TSXV, trading under the symbol ATOM, led by a highly skilled management and technical team with a proven track record in the junior mining sector. Atomic's objective is to identify exploration opportunities in regions that have been previously overlooked but are geologically similar to those with previous uranium discoveries. These underexplored areas hold immense potential and are in stable geopolitical and economic environments.

Currently, the Company's property portfolio contains Uranium projects with significant technical merit in three locations known for hosting Uranium production in the past. We have four on the Colorado Plateau, within the continental United States. The plateau has previously produced 597 million pounds of U3O8. The other two recently acquired properties are located in the prolific Athabasca region in Saskatchewan, Canada and the Mont Laurier property located in Quebec, Canada.

For additional information about the Company and its projects, please visit our website at www.atomicminerals.ca

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

"Clive Massey"

Clive H. Massey

President & CEO

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor their Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements:

This news release contains certain statements that may be deemed "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. 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 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 law, 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/293732

Source: Atomic Minerals Corp.
Backed by Armilar and Heartfelt VC, the company serves over 100 customers across the U.S. and U.K., including CoinDesk, Morningstar, Broadvoice, PensionBee, CovertSwarm and Refine Labs

LONDON, UK AND LISBON, PORTUGAL / ACCESS Newswire / April 22, 2026 / DOJO AI , the intelligent marketing system that brings a new class of integrated AI to marketing teams, today announced a $6 million seed round at a $30 million valuation. The round was led by Armilar, with participation from Heartfelt VC. The funding will support continued product development and accelerated expansion in the United States.

DOJO AI introduces a new paradigm for marketing technology, powering what the industry is beginning to call agentic marketing: a system where AI agents don't just report on performance but take action on it. The platform watches paid and organic campaigns around the clock, audits SEO and Answer Engine Optimization visibility continuously, generates brand-aligned content, and feeds every outcome back into the DOJO Graph - a compounding intelligence layer that makes intelligent, real-time decisions. The DOJO Graph constructs a living digital twin of each customer's marketing operation and competitive landscape, and its specialized AI agents work cross-functionally to deepen intelligence with every decision and power autonomous workflows across the full stack.

"For years, marketers have suffered from having too much data but not enough insights. This has given way to bad decisions or, worse yet, indecision," said DOJO AI Co-Founder and Co-CEO Duarte Garrido. "DOJO AI solves that pain by analyzing all marketing data with full context of what's happening in and around the brand, and then acting on it. No more fragmented point solutions, data silos, manual configuration or long iteration cycles. The ceiling on what a marketing team could achieve was never budget. It was intelligence."

"We're building the platform that will define the next decade of the marketing industry," said DOJO AI Co-Founder and Co-CEO Antonio Alegria. "We built DOJO to be the system that teams have never had. One that watches every signal in real time, learns from every outcome and gets sharper with every decision. At its core is a knowledge graph that compounds intelligence with every interaction, and AI agents that don't just analyze but act. This funding drives that flywheel further, pushing new levels of autonomy, accuracy and intelligence so our customers can achieve outcomes that simply weren't possible before."

DOJO AI is the product of two careers converging to solve the same challenge. Garrido spent 15 years leading marketing at global brands including Coca-Cola and Sky, where he experienced firsthand how fragmented tools left teams drowning in data, but starved for intelligence. Alegria shaped the AI and data architecture at Feedzai and OutSystems, two Armilar-backed unicorns, building the core intelligence platforms that powered both companies to scale. That combination, deep domain understanding and technical capability, is what makes DOJO AI possible.

Backed by this investment, DOJO AI will strengthen its multi-agent AI capabilities to autonomously handle more complex use cases and bolster its continuous learning infrastructure that compounds with every interaction. DOJO AI will also double down on bringing access to the U.S. market, where demand is growing fast.

"DOJO AI's approach to marketing technology is transformative. With founders that combine a deep domain knowledge and field experience in this space with some of the best talent to build the technology from first principles, we're confident in their vision and proud to partner with them as they expand a platform that is redefining how companies turn marketing data into actionable decisions," said Pedro Ribeiro Santos, Managing Partner at Armilar.

Since launch, DOJO AI has grown at 20% month-on-month, building a customer base of over 100 brands primarily in the U.S. and U.K. Its roster includes CoinDesk, PensionBee, Morningstar, Employment Hero, Amplemarket, Broadvoice, CovertSwarm, Fresh Tri and Refine Labs. Customers have reported a 40% reduction in customer acquisition costs, campaign launches 10x faster than before, and a 200% improvement in marketing performance efficiency, without adding headcount.

From early-stage startups to global enterprises, DOJO AI gives marketing teams the intelligence to produce outsized returns, starting from $499 per month, with no contracts.

About DOJO AI

DOJO AI is the Intelligent Marketing System, built on a new class of Agentic AI. At its core is the DOJO Graph, a proprietary knowledge graph that builds a living digital twin of each customer's marketing operation and competitive landscape - continuously enriched by proprietary connectors, web intelligence, and every user interaction. Specialized AI agents execute across the full marketing stack, while a closed-loop learning engine ties every action to real-world outcomes, compounding intelligence with every campaign. The result is a system that replaces the fragmented tool stacks that have constrained marketing teams for a decade. Founded in August 2024 and headquartered in London and Lisbon, DOJO AI introduces patent-pending technology built by a founding team from Feedzai and OutSystems. DOJO AI serves over 100 brands across the U.S. and U.K. Learn more at dojoai.com .

About Armilar

Founded in 2000, Armilar is a Venture Capital firm based in Lisbon, Portugal, currently managing over 500 million in assets, that has built a strong reputation by investing in groundbreaking companies with a strong technological differentiation, supporting them to become 'global winners' in their categories. With a high-performance track record and an international footprint, Armilar focuses on early-stage technology-based companies across Portugal, Spain, Europe and USA. Armilar Fund IV is supported by the European Union under the InvestEU fund.

About Heartfelt VC

Heartfelt, Europe's First Cheque Fund, is the first investor for exceptional founders building transformative businesses across Europe and the US. Over the past decade, they were the initial investors in over 300 startups across diverse industries, including N26 and DeepL. With strong connections to some of Europe's most influential enterprises, such as Axel Springer and Porsche, Heartfelt is able to meaningfully accelerate the growth of its portfolio companies.

Media Contact:

Heather Valle-Theobald

heather@calibercorporateadvisers.com

SOURCE: DOJO AI

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/computers-technology-and-internet/dojo-ai-raises-6m-to-power-agentic-marketing-platform-transformin-1159088
$15 million funded to date used for procurement and buildout as enterprise AI demand accelerates

ATLANTA, GA / ACCESS Newswire / April 22, 2026 / QumulusAI, a provider of GPU-powered cloud infrastructure for artificial intelligence, today announced a $45 million convertible note facility from ATW Partners, with $15 million funded to date. The capital is being deployed directly into GPU procurement and data center infrastructure, enabling QumulusAI to accelerate its 2026 deployment roadmap and meet growing enterprise demand for dedicated, long-term compute capacity.

The facility strengthens QumulusAI's ability to accelerate the move from contract to live cluster - what the company calls hyperspeed deployment - in order to meet the timelines enterprise AI clients require today. With a 2026 roadmap that includes over 21,000 NVIDIA Blackwell GPUs planned across four quarters, QumulusAI can use the capital to secure hardware, lock colocation capacity, and execute deployments without the delays that typically plague GPU procurement at scale.

"In a market where enterprises are tired of reactive procurement and broker-driven delays, the financial flexibility that ATW Partners has provided is a genuine competitive advantage - one that is enabling us to transform how enterprises access the GPU-powered cloud infrastructure they need for production AI," said Patrick Gahan, SVP Capital Markets, QumulusAI. "We're building at a pace and scale that the demand curve requires, and this capital is what makes that possible."

The investment reflects growing institutional confidence in the GPUaaS market, which is forecast to grow from $7.4 billion in 2026 to $21.2 billion by 2031. QumulusAI's vertically integrated model - combining HPC cloud, data center operations, and power infrastructure - positions it to capture enterprise demand that hyperscalers and commodity GPU brokers are poorly equipped to serve.

QumulusAI's hyperdistributed footprint spans colocation facilities across the U.S. with compute capacity in Atlanta, Kansas City, Philadelphia, Denver, and Brooklyn, along with sub-90-day deployment cycles for fully operational GPUaaS environments.

About QumulusAI

QumulusAI is a vertically integrated AI infrastructure company focused on delivering a distributed AI cloud by innovating around power, data center, and GPU-based cloud services. The company delivers immediate access to high-performance computing with enhanced cost control, reliability, and flexibility. Machine learning teams, AI startups, research institutions, and growing enterprises can now scale their AI training and inference workloads quickly and cost effectively. For more information, visit https://www.qumulusai.com

For more information on QumulusAI:

Press: media@qumulusai.com

Investors: investors@qumulusai.com

Follow QumulusAI on social media: https://www.linkedin.com/company/qumulusai

SOURCE: QumulusAI

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/computers-technology-and-internet/qumulusai-secures-45-million-convertible-note-facility-to-acceler-1159829
Groundbreaking Package Demonstrates "Commitment to Greater EV Service, Ownership"

CLINTON TOWNSHIP, Mich., April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Tweddle Group announced a partnership with Slate Auto on a groundbreaking aftersales package for the Slate Truck. The Michigan-based product information provider will develop a full suite of technical support deliverables and tools for Slate Auto, a new American company building vehicles that people can afford, personalize and love. The announcement follows the launch of the Slate Truck in 2025 and over 160,000 reservations for the Truck to date.

Tweddle Group President Todd Headlee described how Tweddle Group's support content will allow EV owners and technicians alike to troubleshoot complex issues quickly and easily. "The Slate Truck is truly groundbreaking in the sense that it's designed to accommodate a wide range of user-service for modifications and repair," Headlee said.

"Our content is always designed to bring people up to speed quickly. But whereas before, our content had a split audience, with techs over here and owners over there, the Slate content will be designed to address both audiences at the same time."

Headlee said the Tweddle Group content aims to make repair and modification simple for owners and technicians alike. First deliveries for the Slate Truck are targeted for 2026.

About Tweddle Group

Tweddle Group, a division of CJK Group, Inc., believes products should be easy to use, and delivers integrated, multi-channel information solutions to support every aspect of the post-sale experience for product managers, technicians and, most of all, consumers. For more information, visit https://tweddle.com.

Media Contact:

Lisa Ekstrom

lekstrom@tweddle.com

About Slate Auto

Slate is a new American company established in 2022 focused on delivering radically affordable, personalizable and reliable electric vehicles. The Slate Truck is an innovative platform so customizable that it can transform from a 2-seat pickup to a 5-seat SUV. Slate was founded on a disruptive business model of simplifying the manufacturing process and reindustrializing America. Visit https://www.slate.auto/.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2960743/Tweddle_Group__The_Slate_Truck_is_truly_groundbreaking_in_the_sense_that_it_s_designed_to_accommoda.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2960742/Tweddle_Group__Logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/tweddle-group-to-empower-diy-service-and-repair-for-slate-truck-302747673.html
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - April 22, 2026) - Royal Road Minerals Limited (TSXV: RYR) (OTCQB: RRDMF) (FSE: RLU) ("Royal Road" or the "Company") provides an update on its activities at its Lalla Aziza project in the Kingdom of Morocco.

Lalla Aziza is an underground copper-mine located in Morocco's Western High Atlas, approximately 90 kilometers southwest of Marrakesh. Lalla Aziza is owned and operated by Moroccan mining company, Carbomine SARL. In December 2024, Royal Road entered into an Option Agreement with Carbomine, which provides the Company with an option to acquire 100% of the Lalla Aziza Mining License. Royal Road has completed a 15-hole, 1000-meter reverse circulation scout-drilling campaign at the project. Drilling returned encouraging results (see Press Release dated July 14, 2025), confirming the presence of copper mineralization within the Seksaoua shear zone, a regionally extensive structure hosting historically mined copper and gold mineralization in the High Atlas region of Morocco.

Highlights from the Company's scout drilling program include:

RC25LA002

RC25LA004

RC25LA005

RC25LA007

RC25LA009

RC25LA010

RC25LA012 From 32 to 51 meters

From 12 to 17 meters

From 18 to 35 meters

From 0 to 31 meters

From 18 to 37 meters

From 26 to 47 meters

From 51 to 63 meters 19 meters at 1.1% copper

17 meters at 1.3% copper

17 meters at 1.1% copper (End of hole)

31 meters at 0.7% copper

19 meters at 1.0% copper

21 meters at 1.0% copper

12 meters at 0.7% copper

(Not true width and the company does not have sufficient information to determine the true widths of the drill hole intersections)

These initial results confirm that economically significant copper grades extend across the width of the mineralized structure. Mineralization demonstrates continuity along strike and remains open, with indications of extension at depth.

Subsequent to the completion of drilling, certain corporate matters affecting the underlying license holder have delayed the advancement of formal license transfer processes. These matters are progressing through the appropriate channels.

In parallel, Royal Road has entered into a confidentiality agreement which provides a period of exclusivity over a contiguous mining title within the same structural corridor. The Company has also engaged SCP Resource Finance, an independent broker dealer specializing in the global mining sector to assist in evaluating and structuring potential transaction pathways. These pathways are expected to include the consolidation of multiple licenses along the prospective Seksaoua structure, including the Company's existing interests, into a single, coherent project. The Company anticipates that this process will involve the restructuring of existing arrangements and the establishment of a new framework through which the opportunity can be effectively advanced.

Depending on the outcome of ongoing discussions and structuring efforts, the Company will evaluate a range of strategic options. These may include advancing the project in a disciplined capital-efficient manner, or pursuing transaction opportunities designed to crystallize value.

About Royal Road Minerals:

Royal Road Minerals is a mineral exploration and development company with its head office and technical-operations center located in Jersey, Channel Islands. The Company is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the ticker RYR, on the OTCQB under the ticker RRDMF and on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the ticker RLU. The Company's mission is to apply expert skills and innovative technologies to the process of discovering and developing copper and gold deposits of a scale large enough to benefit future generations and modern enough to ensure minimum impact on the environment and no net loss of biodiversity. The Company currently explores in the Kingdoms of Saudi Arabia, Morocco and in Colombia. More information can be found on the Company's website www.royalroadminerals.com.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

The information in this news release was compiled, reviewed and verified by Dr. Tim Coughlin, BSc (Geology), MSc (Exploration and Mining), PhD (Structural Geology), FAusIMM, President and CEO of Royal Road Minerals Ltd and a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101

Cautionary statement:

This news release contains certain statements that constitute forward-looking information and forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws (collectively, "forward-looking statements") describing the Company's future plans and the expectations of its management that a stated result or condition will occur. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company, or developments in the Company's business or in the mineral resources industry, to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance, achievements or developments expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include all disclosure regarding possible events, conditions or results of operations that is based on assumptions about, among other things, future economic conditions and courses of action, and assumptions related to government approvals, and anticipated costs and expenditures. The words "plans", "prospective", "expect", "intend", "intends to" and similar expressions identify forward looking statements, which may also include, without limitation, any statement relating to future events, conditions or circumstances. Forward-looking statements of the Company contained in this news release, which may prove to be incorrect, include, but are not limited to the Company's exploration plans.

The Company cautions you not to place undue reliance upon any such forward-looking statements, which speak only on the date they are made. There is no guarantee that the anticipated benefits of the Company's business plans or operations will be achieved. The risks and uncertainties that may affect forward-looking statements include, among others: economic market conditions, anticipated costs and expenditures, government approvals, and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's filings with Canadian provincial securities regulators or other applicable regulatory authorities. Forward-looking statements included herein are based on the current plans, estimates, projections, beliefs and opinions of the Company management and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements should assumptions related to these plans, estimates, projections, beliefs and opinions change.

Quality Assurance and Quality Control:

Sample preparation and analyses are conducted according to standard industry procedures at certified laboratories. Percussion-chip samples were sampled on 1m downhole intervals and passed through a 75-25% drill-rig mounted splitter. The 75% sample was placed in rows and analyzed for guidance on-site using a Vanta pXRF tool. The 25% sample was split 50-50% to produce analytical and retention samples of between 1 to 3kg. Samples for analysis were bagged in the field and sent to ALS Seville for analysis of gold by fire assay with an ICP-AES finish (method Au-ICP22) and multielements by four acid digest ICP-MS (method ME-MS61). QAQC materials included CRMs, blanks and duplicates inserted into sample batches on a ration of 1:10. Soil samples were collected 30-60cm below the surface to avoid surficial contamination. Approximately 0.5kg was collected for each sample. For each sample, soil thickness, horizon, surface type, sample collection depth, & field sieve-mesh was recorded. QAQC materials included approximately 5% CRMs, 1% blanks and 1% field duplicates. Infill soil samples were sent to ALS in Sevilla for drying, disaggregation and dry-sieving to -180um. Samples were analyzed using the super-trace low level gold and multi-element package (AuME-St43) with a 25g charge weight. Gold and multielement concentrations are determined from the same solution via a combination of ICP-MS and ICP-AES

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/293774

Source: Royal Road Minerals Limited
NI 43-101 technical reports for EPLs 8208, 8617, and 9727 are well underway, with further data compilation and initial work ongoing toward completing NI 43-101 technical reports for Skeleton Coast Uranium's EPLs 9872 and 9873.

Practara is nearing completion of digitisation of historical data on EPLs 8208 and 8617. Work to date has identified preliminary exploration targets for both basement-hosted uranium and secondary palaeochannel/calcrete-hosted uranium mineralisation.

Skeleton Coast Uranium's 5 EPLs are strategically located either adjacent to or within 10 to 25 km of one of Namibia's three existing uranium mines (Rossing, Husab or Langer Heinrich).

Namibia is the world's third-largest uranium producer behind Kazakhstan and Canada, which together account for over 75% of global output (World Nuclear Association).

Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 22, 2026) - Skeleton Coast Uranium Corp. (TSXV: SKEL) (OTC: GLIIF) (FSE: KDM0) (the "Company" or "Skeleton Coast Uranium") announces the appointment of Practara (Pty) Ltd ("Practara") to complete National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101") Technical Reports for each of the Company's five Exclusive Prospecting Licences ("EPLs") located in the Erongo Region of Namibia, the world's third largest uranium producer and a recognised tier-one supplier to global utilities.

EPL 8208

EPL 8208 covers approximately 7,840.7 hectares and is adjacent to and directly north of the Langer Heinrich Mine, approximately 100 kilometres east of the Port of Walvis Bay. Historical radiometric surveys on EPL 8208 reportedly identified anomalous uranium responses over river sediment areas where carnotite mineralisation occurs in fracture systems. Historical (non-NI 43-101 compliant) reports reference uranium values of up to 260 g/t U3O in localised zones, and historical drilling peripheral to the property within palaeo valley systems reportedly identified uranium mineralisation in isolated zones at grades reported to be less than 100 g/t U3O. These historical results have not been verified by a Qualified Person, are considered historical in nature, and should not be relied upon. Verification through further exploration will be required before any exploration target or mineral resource can be defined.

EPL 8617

EPL 8617 covers approximately 10,941.4 hectares and is located east of the Rossing Mine within Namibia's "Alaskite Alley", a highly productive uranium-bearing structural corridor in the Central Zone of the Damara Belt. EPL 8617 is reported in historical records to host intrusive-related uranium mineralisation. Historical descriptions reference intrusive mineralisation associated with alaskitic intrusions emplaced within schistose metasedimentary host rocks of the Damara Supergroup. Historical exploration results referenced above have not been verified by a Qualified Person, are considered historical in nature, and should not be relied upon. Verification through further exploration will be required before any exploration target or mineral resource can be defined.

EPL 9727

EPL 9727 covers approximately 12,081.1 hectares and lies approximately 3 kilometres north of EPL 8208 at its nearest point, and approximately 150 kilometres east of Swakopmund via the C28 road. Approximately 50% of the licence area sits within the Namib-Naukluft National Park, with the remainder over the farms Geluk 116, Jackalswater 220 and Modderfontein 131. A dual prospectivity model has been defined on EPL 9727: the north-eastern sector is interpreted as prospective for secondary calcrete-hosted uranium mineralisation developed within Miocene to Recent palaeochannel fill of the Gawib drainage system, analogous to the Langer Heinrich and Bloedkoppie Formations; the south-western sector is prospective for primary intrusive-associated uranium mineralisation hosted in Bloedkoppie leucogranite and uraniferous pegmatites emplaced within Nosib and Swakop Group metasediments of the Damara Supergroup. Figure 1 shows the location map of Skeleton Coast Uranium's 5 EPLs.

Figure 1. Location map of the 5 EPLs totalling approximately 610 km2 in the Erongo Region, Namibia.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/890/293720_2026-04-22%20-%20skeleton%20coast%20uranium%20figure%201.jpg

Namibia

According to the World Nuclear Association, Namibia hosts approximately 5% of the world's total, recoverable uranium resources and is responsible for producing approximately 10% of mined uranium output, making it an important player in the global uranium supply chain. The U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) recently expressed interest in working with Namibia to secure uranium supply chains and the infrastructure needed to expand uranium production in the country. Uranium is Namibia's largest commodity export with approximately 80% of 2024 mined production exported to China and less than 10% to the United States (World Integrated Trade Solutions).

Practara

Practara, a metals and mining advisory firm headquartered in South Africa, continues to analyse, digitise and model all available historical data on Skeleton Coast Uranium's 5 EPLs which combined cover approximately 61,000 hectares or 610 square kilometres. Practara has been digitising available maps and reports of historical geophysical surveys, geochemical sampling, mapping, and drilling that are proximal or within EPLs to better understand the geologic setting and prospectivity of each of the EPLs, with an initial focus on EPL 8208 and EPL 8617. Work to date has identified exploration targets for alaskite-hosted uranium and secondary palaeochannel-hosted uranium.

"Review of the available geophysics and regional geology shows target areas that merit follow-up. We are evaluating fieldwork plans that would include airborne and ground geophysics, field mapping, and surface sampling to verify historical indications and identify targets that warrant drill tests. With currently available information, EPLs 8208 and 8617 appear to have reasonable potential for discovery of both alaskite-hosted and palaeochannel/calcrete-hosted uranium mineralisation", commented Dr. Nathan Chutas, Chief Executive Officer of Skeleton Coast Uranium.

"The Practara Group is doing a great job of compiling the available historical data and converting it into formats that we can immediately utilise for refining our targets. We anticipate final NI 43-101 Technical Reports for EPLs 8208, 8617, and 9727 within the coming weeks. Practara continues to work on Technical Reports and data compilation for the two other EPLs 9872 and 9873. We are looking forward to having data for our full package compiled so we get in the field and start testing our best targets."

About Skeleton Coast Uranium Corp.

Skeleton Coast Uranium Corp. holds options to acquire 70-75% controlling interests in five Exclusive Prospecting Licences (EPLs) located in the Erongo Region of Namibia which produces approximately 10% of world uranium output. The EPLs cover 610 km2 and position the Company as one of the largest licence holders in the region. All the concessions have known uranium mineralisation (unverified historical information; see Technical Information) and are located either adjacent to or within 10 to 25 km of one of the three existing uranium mines (i.e. Langer Heinrich, Rossing or Husab). Skeleton Coast Uranium is committed to incurring CAD$5 million in exploration expenditures across the 5 EPLs by June 2028.

Skeleton Coast Uranium trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol 'SKEL', on the OTC under the symbol 'GLIIF', and on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol 'KDM0'. Additional information about Skeleton Coast Uranium can be found at www.sedarplus.ca.

Qualified Person

Dr. Nathan Chutas, PhD, CPG, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information contained in this news release.

Technical Information

The historical technical information referenced above is from the Namibian Geological Survey Report - The Mineral Resources of Namibia - Uranium dated 1988 by H Roesener and CP Schreuder and has not been independently verified by the Company. This information is provided for purposes of illustrating the prior work history on the property.

Mineralization on adjacent or nearby properties, including the Rossing, Husab and Langer Heinrich mines, is not necessarily indicative of mineralization on the Company's EPLs.

Forward-Looking Information

This news release may contain certain "forward-looking information" or "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws and the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When or if used in this news release, the words "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "target", "plan", "forecast", "may", "schedule" and similar words or expressions identify forward-looking statements or information. Forward-looking statements or information in this news release may relate, but are not limited to, the anticipated completion, timing and scope of NI 43-101 Technical Reports by Practara; the continued compilation, digitisation, modelling and interpretation of historical data; the identification, prioritisation and advancement of exploration targets on the Company's EPLs; the geological potential of the EPLs; and the Company's future exploration plans, expenditures and objectives in Namibia. Such statements represent the Company's current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social risks, contingencies and uncertainties, including, without limitation, the availability and accuracy of historical technical data; the ability of Practara to complete the NI 43-101 Technical Reports on the anticipated timeline; the Company's ability to continue planned exploration programs; and general geological, operational and market conditions. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The Company cautions readers that forward-looking statements, including without limitation, those relating to the Company's exploration activities, technical studies and future plans, are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, delays or changes in the scope or timing of the NI 43-101 Technical Reports; limitations on the verification or interpretation of historical data; exploration results that differ from expectations; and risks inherent in mineral exploration activities in Namibia. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements or information to reflect changes in assumptions or changes in circumstances or any other events affecting such statements and information other than as required by applicable laws, rules and regulations.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/293720

Source: Skeleton Coast Uranium Corp.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 22, 2026) - Nevada Organic Phosphate Inc. (CSE: NOP) (OTCQB: NOPFF) ("NOP" or the "Company"), a B.C. based leader in organic sedimentary phosphate exploration, is pleased to provide an update on the current exploration activities at Murdock Mountain. NOP has received a number of queries on the status of NOP's 3 additional Applications to Prospect.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has accepted NOP's 3 new Applications for Phosphate Prospecting, filed by Nevada Phosphate Exploration, NV Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of NOP. These 3 new applications add an additional 6,011 acres of potential phosphate resource to NOP's existing Nevagro Permit covering 1,813 acres.

CEO Robin Dow stated: "This expansion of our application footprint is the result of careful geological work and steady progress through the regulatory framework. We will continue to move forward responsibly, ensuring that each stage of exploration is supported by sound data and full compliance with NEPA and BLM processes."

NOP is currently working with its Environmental Consultants to finalize the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements for environmental assessments. These are necessary to fulfil the BLM's requirements for granting Exploration Permits. All new Applications fall outside of any sage grouse or general habitat management areas. Based on this, and on the Company's recent experience, NOP is optimistic that the review process may progress more efficiently than the previous Nevagro application.

The Murdock Mountain Property hosts a nearly flat-lying sedimentary phosphate horizon within the Meade Peak Formation. The initial 1,813-acre Nevagro Exploration Permit area is interpreted to contain an Exploration Target Mineral Inventory (ETMI) of 10 to 46 million tonnes, grading 3-15% P2O5, based on an average thickness of 3.5 metres and a specific gravity of 2.6. These ranges are derived from historical mapping and academic research and have not been verified by NOP under current NI 43-101 standards.

To date, the first six drill holes completed by NOP have returned an average grade of 10.95% P2O5 over a true thickness of 4.20 metres (13.8 ft), consistent with the geological model for the Upper Phosphatic Zone.

Garry Smith, P.Geo and Director stated: "The current phase of work is about building the technical confidence needed to support future decisions. Our team will continue collecting the geological, structural, and analytical data required to determine whether a mineral resource estimate can be prepared in accordance with NI 43-101. We are advancing each step carefully and in full alignment with regulatory and scientific standards."

Meade Peak Upper Phosphatic Zone































DDH Pad UTME UTMN Elev (m) TD (m) Dip Az P2O5 %/m true P2O5 %/ft true MM25-1 P4 724404 4568973 1949 82.60 -90 0 10.23/4.61 10.23/15.12 MM25-2 P3 724767 4569272 1896 125.73 -90 0 10.70/4.31 10.70/14.14 MM25-3 P7 724344 4568766 1987 71.32 -90 0 11.12/4.23 11.12/13.87 MM25-4 P8 724100 4568690 2018 99.67 -90 0 10.64/3.7 10.64/12.14 MM25-5 P8 724100 4568690 2018 92.96 -65 120 11.01/3.9 11.01/12.79 MM25-6 P9 723830 4568439 2018 78.30 -90 0 11.89/4.44 11.89/14.56











Average: 10.95/4.20 10.95/13.8

Based on the initial ETMI parameters (3-15% P2O5, 3.5 m average thickness, SG 2.6), the 3 new Applications to Prospect increase the conceptual exploration potential to more than 200 million tonnes of phosphate-bearing material. The combined Nevagro Permit and new applications can be grouped into four areas:





To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9821/293413_a114ea46f43ee828_001full.jpg

4 Project Areas: Nevagro Permit, South, North, and Far North Applications

The strike length of the Meade Peak Upper Phosphate Zone is not a primary focus because of the nearly flat-lying nature of the mineralization. Tonnes per Section are more the focus of exploration.

Property Zones Strike (klm) ETMI (tonnes)





x Nevagro A 6.6 10-46 South B,C,E 8.7 96 North F,G 7.3 71 Far North H,I 3.8 35



26+ 200+

While strike length has increased from approximately 6.6 km to 26-33.4 kilometres, the Company notes that, due to the flat-lying geometry of the mineralization, tonnes per section remain the more relevant metric for exploration planning.

Cautionary Statement: "The potential quantity and grade of the Exploration Target Mineral Inventory (ETMI) disclosed herein are conceptual in nature. There has been insufficient exploration to define a mineral resource, and it is uncertain if further exploration will result in the delineation of a mineral resource. The ETMI is not being reported as part of any mineral resource or mineral reserve estimate. The ranges presented are based on geological mapping, outcrop and trench sampling, and no economic analysis has been completed. Investors are cautioned that Exploration Targets must not be used as a proxy for mineral resources or reserves."

The technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Garry K Smith, P.Geo., a director of NOP and Qualified Person as defined in "National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

Nevada Organic Phosphate Inc. (CSE: NOP) (OTCQB: NOPFF)

NOP is a junior exploration company with an organic sedimentary raw rock phosphate bed, 6.6 kilometres long, in northeast Nevada. Additional applications extend the potential strike of rock phosphate to over 30 kilometres. This is believed to be the only known large-scale organic sedimentary phosphate project in North America. It is situated close to the main highway to Montello/Elko, Nevada, and near the rail head to California or the East Coast.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its regulations services providers have reviewed or accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release may contain forward-looking statements and information ("FLSI") within the meaning

of applicable securities laws. FLSI may include expectations, anticipations, beliefs, opinions, plans, intentions, estimates, forecasts, projections, guidance or other similar statements and information that are not historical facts. All statements which are not historical statements are considered FLSI. All FLSI is based on assumptions, which may prove inaccurate, and subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including without limitation those risks and uncertainties identified in the Company's public securities filings, which may cause actual events or results to differ materially from those indicated or implied in FLSI. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance or value on FLSI. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in any FLSI in this news release are reasonable at the present time, it can give no assurance that such FLSI will prove to be correct. Any FLSI in this news release is made as of the date hereof and the Company undertakes no obligations to publicly update or revise any FLSI, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless required by applicable securities laws. Any FLSI in this news release is expressly qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/293413

Source: Nevada Organic Phosphate Inc.
New offering eliminates the need to choose between cloud-native performance and advanced security as enterprises scale modern applications

Thales today announced the Controlled Availability of Imperva for Google Cloud, bringing the industry's most trusted application security platform directly into Google Cloud. Designed to operate within Google Cloud, the new offering enables organizations to protect web applications and APIs by leveraging Google Cloud's Service Extension traffic, preserving existing pipelines, integrations, and monitoring workflows.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260422746638/en/

Thales

As enterprises accelerate cloud adoption, development teams increasingly standardize on native cloud services to improve speed and reduce operational complexity. Many security solutions, however, require external routing that introduces latency and friction. At the same time, native cloud security tools often lack the depth required to protect mission-critical applications at scale, creating friction between development and security teams.

Imperva for Google Cloud is built to resolve that tension

"Organizations shouldn't have to choose between performance, simplicity, and protection," said Tim Chang, Global Vice President and General Manager, Imperva Application Security at Thales. "With Imperva for Google Cloud, security is part of the cloud infrastructure, delivering enterprise-grade protection without disrupting how applications are built and delivered."

Security Built into the Cloud, Not Bolted On

Rather than forcing enterprises to bolt protection on after the fact, Imperva for Google Cloud embeds advanced application security directly into the infrastructure that developers already rely on. By aligning with Google Cloud's native architecture, Thales enables security that scales with modern application development, supporting faster innovation while maintaining the level of protection required for high-value digital services.

Security Built for Modern Applications

Imperva for Google Cloud integrates directly with Google Cloud Load Balancing using Private Service Connect, allowing traffic to remain within Google Cloud's network while being inspected and protected.

Key capabilities include:

Deployment without disruption No DNS changes, SSL management, or re-architecture required

Immediate protection with minimal tuning High-confidence protection from day one, with policies updated daily by a dedicated threat research team

Resilient architecture No single point of failure; applications remain available even during disruption

Automation-first design API-driven deployment with Terraform support for DevOps workflows

Reduced operational complexity for DevOps and security teams

A Partnership of Excellence

Thales has a long-standing relationship with Google Cloud and is proud to announce it has won a 2026 Google Cloud Partner of the Year Award in the Infrastructure Modernization: Sovereign Cloud category-recognition that reflects the team's innovation, commitment to customer success, and impact across the Google Cloud ecosystem. As digital sovereignty becomes a top priority, especially in regulated industries, Thales is collaborating with Google Cloud to advance enterprise data protection across hybrid and multi-cloud environments, helping organizations modernize in the cloud without losing control of their data, operations, or compliance, and enabling customers to scale securely with confidence.

Thales at Google Cloud Next 2026

Thales is excited to participate in Google Cloud Next 2026, taking place at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas from April 22-24, 2026. Visit us at Booth #4403, where we will be showcasing hands-on demos of:

Application Security with Imperva for Google Cloud new solution debut

External Key Management (EKM) for Google Cloud

Customer-Managed Encryption Keys for Google Cloud

About Thales

Thales (Euronext Paris: HO) is a global leader in advanced technologies for the Defence, Aerospace, and Cyber Digital sectors. Its portfolio of innovative products and services helps address several major challenges: sovereignty, security, sustainability and inclusion.

The Group allocates 4.5 billion per year in Research Development in key areas, particularly for critical environments, such as Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Quantum and Cloud technologies.

Thales has more than 85,000 employees in 65 countries. In 2025, the Group generated sales of 22.1 billion.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260422746638/en/

Contacts:

PRESS

Thales, Media Relations

Security Cybersecurity

Marion Bonnet

+33 (0)6 60 38 48 92

marion.bonnet@thalesgroup.com
EQS-News: tZERO / Key word(s): Financial

CarbonEnfo Launches $4.5 Million Security Token Offering Exclusively Through tZERO



22.04.2026 / 15:06 CET/CEST

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.



$BRYTR Token Gives Accredited Investors Access to Revenue From the Residential Solar Renewable Energy Certificate (SREC) Market ATLANTA, GA - April 22, 2026 ( NEWMEDIAWIRE ) - CarbonEnfo , a cleantech company accelerating the transition to a zero-carbon economy and the developer of Brytr , the first blockchain-verified marketplace for tokenized U.S. Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs), today announced the launch of $BRYTR, a $4.5 million Security Token Offering (STO). The offering, available exclusively through tZERO , a leading innovator in blockchain-powered multi-asset infrastructure, provides accredited U.S. investors with a share of the net revenue generated by Brytr's aggregation and sale of residential and small business SRECs. A massive structural inefficiency exists in the U.S. solar market. In 2026, U.S. solar arrays will generate an estimated 107 million MWh of clean energy . Yet of the approximately 28 million MWh generated by distributed residential and commercial systems in voluntary (non-compliance) markets, CarbonEnfo's internal analysis, drawing on Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory data , finds that 74% of SRECs - approximately $1.4 billion - remains inaccessible because individual owners lack the infrastructure to aggregate and sell their certificates to corporate buyers. Brytr's platform harvests this fragmented supply directly through API integrations with leading inverter manufacturers - including Enphase, SolarEdge, Tesla and SMA - that together represent a majority share of the U.S. residential inverter market. $BRYTR token holders receive 12% of Net Platform Revenue from every SREC sold, with revenue participation rights paid in USD stablecoin and a maximum cumulative distribution cap of 3X the initial token price. "There's over a billion dollars in clean energy value being generated every year that never reaches a buyer, not because demand isn't there, but because the infrastructure to unlock it simply didn't exist until now," said Mark Bell, CEO and co-founder of CarbonEnfo. "Brytr is that infrastructure, and the blockchain layer ensures every SREC a corporate buyer purchases is exactly what it claims to be, verified from the rooftop to the registry. Tokenization doesn't replace the physical world. It simply changes how capital connects to it." "Tokenization allows investors to engage with infrastructure assets that historically sat outside traditional investment channels," said Alan Konevsky, CEO at tZERO. "This offering illustrates how regulated blockchain-based securities can help unlock new sources of value while supporting broader market participation in the clean energy economy and we are delighted that the CarbonEnfo team is using our market-leading infrastructure." Offering Details Total Offering: $4.5M (4.5M tokens) Revenue Share: 12% of Net Platform Revenue Token Price: $1.00 per token Return Cap: 3X (300% or $3.00 per token) maximum cumulative distribution for the life of each token. There are no guaranteed returns, and your investment may not yield any returns. See offering documents for full terms and risk factors. Minimum: $50,000 (accredited U.S. only) Distributions: Quarterly, USD stablecoin Regulation: SEC Reg D, Rule 506(c) Platform: tZERO (exclusive) The residential market is only part of the story. Typical small-scale commercial solar installations generate more than 400 renewable energy credits per year - over 34 times the output of an average home system. Brytr's platform serves both markets through a single interface, allowing homeowners and commercial operators alike to verify, bundle, and sell their credits directly to corporate buyers. The $BRYTR offering also reflects a broader shift in financial markets toward investments tied to yield-bearing infrastructure assets. As major institutions like BlackRock and JPMorgan explore digital infrastructure for assets like real estate and commodities, CarbonEnfo is applying a similar approach to renewable energy credits - recurring, verifiable assets backed by long-term solar production. CarbonEnfo received Fortune 500-level validation when Cox Enterprises, a strategic investor through its Cox Cleantech division, partnered on a pilot program onboarding employees' residential solar systems to the Brytr platform. The pilot confirmed strong adoption and proved the platform's ability to verify and aggregate high-quality renewable energy credits from distributed rooftop installations. Accredited U.S. investors may access the $BRYTR offering documents and participate through tZERO's brokerage platform. For more information, visit tzero.com/tradeofferings or contact CarbonEnfo Investor Relations at 404.445.8967 or invest@carbonenfo.io . tZERO Media Contact:

Julie Ros, Head of Marketing, Communications & Institutional Growth

jros@tzero.com CarbonEnfo Media Contact:

Mitch Baranowski, CarbonEnfo

media@carbonenfo.io

404.369.0824 About CarbonEnfo Based in Atlanta, CarbonEnfo is a cleantech leader developing blockchain-driven energy data solutions. Its flagship marketplace, Brytr, enables solar homeowners and SMBs to monetize their clean energy through direct API integrations with leading inverter manufacturers including Enphase, SolarEdge, Tesla, and SMA. All SREC provenance is verified on the energy-efficient Cardano blockchain. For more information, visit www.brytr.us . Forward-Looking Statements by CarbonEnfo This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements regarding market opportunity, platform capabilities, and anticipated token holder distributions. These statements reflect CarbonEnfo's current expectations and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. CarbonEnfo undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement after the date of this release. Important Information for Investors The $BRYTR Security Token Offering is open exclusively to verified accredited investors in the United States through tZERO, pursuant to Regulation D, Rule 506(c) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. This press release is a summary introduction to the offering - the Private Placement Memorandum (PPM) issued by BRYTR, LLC is the authoritative source for all terms, conditions, and risk disclosures. Prospective investors are encouraged to read the PPM in its entirety before making any investment decision, and to consult their own legal, tax, and financial advisors. The $BRYTR tokens have not been registered under the Securities Act or any state securities laws, are subject to transfer restrictions, and should be considered illiquid. Investing in early-stage offerings involves substantial risk, including the potential loss of the entire amount invested. The 3X return cap represents the maximum cumulative distribution per token - it is not a projection, guarantee, or expected rate of return. This offering has not been approved or disapproved by the SEC or any state securities regulator, nor has any such authority passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this press release. 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 . 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.



No Offer or Solicitation This press release is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security. The $BRYTR tokens are being offered solely to verified accredited investors in the United States pursuant to Regulation D, Rule 506(c) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and only pursuant to definitive offering documents. The tokens have not been registered under the Securities Act or any state securities laws, are subject to significant transfer restrictions, and should be considered illiquid. Investment in the $BRYTR tokens involves substantial risk, including potential loss of the entire amount invested. No assurance can be given that projected returns will be achieved. Prospective investors should carefully review all offering documents and consult with their own legal, tax, and financial advisors prior to investing.

News Source: tZERO





22.04.2026 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
BARCELONA, Spain, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Treballadors pel Lloguer Turistic (TLT) welcomes the Opinion of the Advocate General of the CJEU in Case C-813/24, Smartflats. Although it is not yet the final judgment, the opinion suggests that public authorities cannot impose discretionary or disproportionate restrictions on tourist accommodation.

The case examines EU rules on tourist accommodation and highlights a key point: planning permissions or certificates cannot become an administrative black box, with no objective criteria and excessive political discretion. EU law requires regulation to be proportionate, transparent and predictable.

This principle could have implications in Catalonia. Decree-Law 3/2023 subjects tourist accommodation properties to prior planning permission, limits authorisations and sets an expiry date for existing licences. Barcelona has announced the closure of the city's 10,000 tourist flats by 2028. But the measure extends across Catalonia, affecting coastal and Pyrenean municipalities, where 50,000 HUT licences are expected to disappear. According to TLT, implementation of the Decree-Law could amount to the largest collective redundancy in Catalonia's history, with 200,000 workers affected directly and indirectly.

Guillem Laporta, president of TLT, said "European institutions are beginning to set limits on a way of governing based more on political narrative than on evidence. The Catalan regulation is neither proportionate nor justified by any empirical study. What is at stake is thousands of jobs linked to tourist rentals."

TLT reiterated that it will continue to defend fair, balanced and data-driven regulation that protects access to housing and the jobs and economic activity that depend on the sector. The organisation called on the Catalan government and Barcelona City Council to abandon their strategy of confrontation and blanket vetoes, and to open dialogue with affected workers.

About Treballadors pel Lloguer Turistic

Treballadors pel Lloguer Turistic (TLT) is a movement of workers affected by Decree-Law 3/2023. It represents workers, local suppliers and self-employed operators linked to short-stay rentals in areas including cleaning, maintenance, management, laundry, software development, catering, retail and local services.

About Decree-Law 3/2023

Decree-Law 3/2023 provides for the expiry in November 2028 of the HUT licences currently in force in Catalonia. The measure affects 95,000 properties and 200,000 workers directly and indirectly. It was approved by the government led by Pere Aragones on 7 November 2023. On 20 September 2025, the former president announced his departure from politics to run his family's hotel chain.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/treballadors-pel-lloguer-turistic-welcomes-cjeu-ag-opinion-on-arbitrary-short-term-rental-restrictions-302750353.html
London, United Kingdom--(Newsfile Corp. - April 22, 2026) - (IN-VR Limited) - The Energy Circle and The Net-Zero Circle by IN-VR are proud to announce HELLENiQ Upstream S.A. as an official Silver Sponsor of the 10th Balkans Energy Summit 2026, taking place on 19-20 May 2026 at the Marriott Hotel, Athens, Greece.

A cornerstone of Greece's upstream oil and gas sector, HELLENiQ Upstream brings deep technical expertise and an unwavering commitment to the responsible development of the country's hydrocarbon resources. Supported by a highly skilled team of internationally experienced scientists and engineers, the company is actively advancing a robust portfolio of exploration and production activities across strategically selected areas in Greece.

HELLENiQ Upstream's growing momentum is reflected in its major partnerships with global energy leaders Chevron and ExxonMobil - a testament to the international community's confidence in Greece's significant exploration potential and a signal of new avenues for regional energy collaboration.

New offshore exploration blocks - including areas south of Crete and the Peloponnese - are set to further expand opportunities across exploration, services, and investment. Ongoing activities across the Ionian Sea, Kyparissiakos Gulf, West Crete, and the Sea of Thrace continue to advance through critical development phases, underpinned by over 40 million invested in seismic studies and data acquisition. With a clear roadmap toward exploration drilling by 2027, HELLENiQ Upstream is positioning itself - and its partners - at the very forefront of upstream development in Southeast Europe.

The participation of Tassos Vlassopoulos, CEO of HELLENiQ Upstream, at the Summit underscores the company's commitment to high-level dialogue on the region's evolving energy landscape and its role in shaping the future of Southeast European energy policy.

As the Balkans navigate an increasingly complex energy reality, defined by energy security imperatives, infrastructure development, and growing investment flows - the role of upstream exploration remains critical to building a balanced and resilient regional energy system.

About the 10th Balkans Energy Summit 2026

Now in its tenth edition, the Balkans Energy Summit is the region's premier high-level gathering for energy transformation and investment. The 2026 edition will convene senior government officials, ministers, regulators, investors, CEOs, and industry experts to address interconnected challenges and unlock new opportunities across the full energy value chain in Southeast Europe. The Summit is endorsed by four ministries across Greece, Romania, Albania, and Bulgaria.

About IN-VR

IN-VR is a leading global consultancy specializing in energy, mining, and investment promotion, operating at the intersection of governments and the private sector. Through its international summits and advisory services, IN-VR facilitates high-level dialogue, investment opportunities, and long-term partnerships across global energy markets.

Join Us

The 10th Balkans Energy Summit offers an unparalleled platform to engage with the key stakeholders shaping Southeast Europe's energy future.

19-20 May 2026 | Athens Marriott Hotel, Greece

Website: www.netzerocircle.org/event/balkans-energy-summit

Programme: www.netzerocircle.org/balkans-energy-summit/download-agenda

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/293779

Source: IN-VR Limited
HONG KONG, Apr 22, 2026 - (ACN Newswire) - China Gas Holdings Limited ('China Gas' or the 'Group' stock code: 384), a leading city gas operator in China, announced that it has entered into a strategic cooperation agreement with CITIC Construction Co., Ltd. ('CITIC Construction') and China CITIC Bank Corporation Limited ('China CITIC Bank'). Based on the principles of 'resource sharing, complementary strengths, shared benefits and mutual success', the three parties will establish an integrated 'industry-construction-finance' ecosystem-based collaborative model. This partnership aims to further support the development of China Gas' new businesses, including energy storage and biomass energy, and jointly deepening engagement in global energy infrastructure and green low-carbon industries.China Gas, CITIC Construction and China CITIC Bank officially sign a tripartite strategic cooperation agreementThis collaboration represents an important step by all parties in actively responding to China's '15th Five-Year Plan' and deepply participating in the Belt and Road Initiative. According to the agreement, the three parties will establish a comprehensive strategic partnership and conduct in-depth cooperation across various areas, including overseas energy infrastructure construction, joint development of third-party projects, industrial park businesses, green finance and various financing collaborations. They have adopted a closed-loop, ecosystem-based collaborative model: China Gas serves as the business model leader, responsible for project planning, technical solutions, and operations; CITIC Construction acts as the engineering and construction executor, leveraging its strengths in local resource coordination and construction management; China CITIC Bank, as the financial services provider, will meetinvestment and financing needs.To address global climate change and energy security challenges, the three parties will focus on the core areas, including: i) Prioritizing high-potential regions including Europe, Southeast Asia, Central Asia, and North Asia to jointly promote the development and construction of energy infrastructure, ii) Integrating their resources around the industrial parks and new urbanization projects led and developed by China Gas at home and abroad, iii) Working together to implement the 'green development' strategy and engage in in-depth collaboration in the areas of investment and financing.To capitalize on the opportunities presented by the global energy transition and the national 'dualcarbon' goals, the Group is accelerating the development of two new growth drivers: its new energy business centered on energy storage and its biomass energy business. In the energy storage sector, the Group is seizing the strategic opportunities created by power market reforms and the development of a new power system, while continuing to deepen its market presence and optimize its layout, with a focus on 'concentrating efforts in core regions and achieving key breakthroughs in overseas markets'. Meanwhile, the Group is actively expanding its biomass business and achieving growth across multiple fronts. It has previously entered cooperation agreements with several leading enterprises, including Deyi Energy (a subsidiary of Chery Automobile) and EVE Energy, as well as local governments, to jointly advance the construction of zero-carbon industrial parks and the clean upgrading of industries. This cooperation will further support the Group in expanding its domestic and overseas markets, focusing on the two new growth engines of 'energy storage + biomass energy', and promoting the Group's healthy and sustainable development.Mr. LIU Ming Hui, Chairman and President of China Gas, said, 'After more than two decades of development, China Gas has built a comprehensive business structure centered on natural gas, integrating LNG, LPG, biomass energy, and new energy technology. We are currently accelerating our globalization strategy and have formed a clear business footprint in regions such as Europe, Southeast Asia, Central Asia, and North Asia. The signing of this tripartite agreement with CITIC Construction and China CITIC Bank marks our shift from simple overseas expansion to a cluster-based international strategy driven by industry leadership, empowered by engineering expertise, and finance support. Through close collaboration with our partners in finance and industry, we will leverage our stronger risk resilience and our industry chain advantages to contribute China Gas solutions to the sustainable development of global energy.'About China Gas Holdings LimitedChina Gas Holdings Limited ("China Gas", stock code: 384. HK) is a leading gas service provider. Focusing on China, it principally specializes in the investment, construction and operations of city gas pipeline infrastructure, distribution of natural gas and LPG to residential, industrial and commercial users, as well as construction and operations of gas refilling stations for vehicles and vessels. Currently, China Gas owns a total of 662 city and township gas projects with concession rights, 32 long-distance pipeline transmission projects of natural gas, 485 CNG and LNG refilling stations for vehicles and vessels, as well as 120 LPG distribution projects.Source: China Gas Holdings LimitedCopyright 2026 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved.
AI-Powered Diagnostics, Telepathology Adoption, and Surging Cancer Burden Drive Accelerating Global Demand for Digital Pathology Solutions

PORTLAND, Ore., April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the report published by Allied Market Research, The Global Digital Pathology Market Size was estimated at USD 735.75 million in 2020 and is Anticipated to hit USD 1791.30 million by 2030, registering a CAGR of 9.3% from 2021 to 2030. Use of digital pathology in disease diagnosis, rise in the trend of digitalization in the medical sector, ease of consultation, and growth in diagnostic services in remote regions drive the growth of the global digital pathology market. On the other hand, lack of reimbursement policies and high cost of digital pathology solutions restrain the growth to some extent. However, an increase in potential of digital pathology is projected to create numerous opportunities in the industry.

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Market Size & Growth

The Digital Pathology Market size is entering into a continuous growth phase driven by fundamental factors. One seminal regulatory milestone the first FDA clearance of a whole-slide imaging (WSI) system for primary clinical diagnosis established an accessible approval pathway that has spurred widespread institutional adoption across hospitals, pharmaceutical research sites, and academic medical centers around the world.

According to this report, global Digital Pathology Market was valued at USD 735.75 million in 2020 and is projected to reach USD 1,791.30 million by 2030 at a CAGR of 9.3% from 2021 to 2030. This near doubling in market cap is driven by heavy, structural demand buoyed up by three converging trends: the spiritless unrelenting global rise of cancer incidence the WHO counted close to 20 million new cancer cases in 2022 alone the rapid integration of AI and machine learning tools into digital pathology image analysis, and a healthcare system that has permanently integrated remote diagnostics and telepathology into its operations from an emergency measure into operational standard.

Digital Pathology Market growth is non-cyclical. Irreversible megatrends chronic disease burden, aging populations, rising diagnostic volume and a well-documented global shortage of trained pathologists are driving this demand for health systems to invest in digital platforms that help enhance productivity. With digital pathology, a pathologist can process around 150 slides per day an overall efficiency gain of approximately 13% and quantifiable operational benefit that is turning institutional skepticism into dedicated capital investment.

Key Market Insights

A snapshot of key findings from Allied Market Research's Digital Pathology Market analysis:

In 2020, scanners segment led the global product segment market with more than two-thirds revenue share, and is anticipated to witness rapid CAGR of :9.6% throughout the forecast period.

The Disease Diagnosis application segment was the highest revenue generating segment, contributing to more than one-third of the global market in 2020.

In terms of regional revenue share, North America accounted for the largest market share in 2020 with nearly half of the total global Digital Pathology Market revenue driven by regulatory stability and advanced institutional adoption.

On the other hand, Asia-Pacific is the regional market with the fastest growth rate, and it is expected to grow at a CAGR of 10.6% during the forecast period from 2021 to 2030.

Owing to the increasing demand for new potential pipeline drugs for the treatment of life-threatening diseases, coupled with rising application of digital pathology in high-throughput screening workflows, the drug discovery application segment is expected to witness highest CAGR during the forecast period.

Digital pathology systems can cut turnaround time by 50%, while AI-integrated platforms are yielding measurable improvements in complex oncology detection.

Telepathology is developing as a transformative enabler of access, linking specialist pathology expertise with diagnostic settings worldwide that are underserved or located in rural areas.

Market Segmentation

The Digital Pathology Market has been segmented across Product Types, Applications and End Users with several unique commercial and clinical dynamics underlying each dimension.

From the Product Type segment, in 2020, Scanners is expected to hold the largest market share due to increase R&D activities over pharmaceutical and medical device industry with need of disease increasing demand for diagnosis and adoption of digital pathology systems. Slide scanners accompanying one another to digitize glass tissue slides into high-resolution images that can be stored, analyzed, shared and accessed remotely yield the hardware layer fundamental to every digital pathology workflow: whole-slide imaging (WSI). Software Solutions and Storage & Communication Systems are secondary segments with rapid adoption, where institutions are investing in AI-powered image analysis platforms, cloud storage infrastructure and integrated systems that can be interfaced with electronic health records (EHR) and laboratory information systems (LIS).

Market Segment by Application Teleconsultation Disease Diagnosis Drug Discovery Training & Education The largest revenue share is accounted for by the Disease Diagnosis, which reflects the principal clinical mandate(offer) of digital pathology systems. Drug Discovery is the most rapidly expanding application where pharmaceutical and biotechnology Companies harness digital platforms for quick biomarker identification, companion diagnostic development, and clinical trial tissue analysis. Rapidly growing role of teleconsultation turns it into a commonplace operational feature for remote diagnostic collaboration beyond togetherness in large multi-site hospital networks and pathology shortage mitigation programs.

Based on the End User, the market is segmented into educational institutions, clinical setting and pharma & biotech companies. The largest end-user category for revenue is clinical settings, which also includes specialist diagnostic laboratories, mainly due to the scale of demand for diagnostics and a large, institutional investment in modernising laboratory digital workflows. The fastest-growing end-user segment is in pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical companies, as the industry continues to invest more into precision medicine and companion diagnostics. As government-funded genomics and other pathology research programs support, still academic and education institutions hold an important portion.

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Regional Insights

In 2020, the global Digital Pathology Market was led by North America as their share nearly half of total global revenue. The U.S. fosters regional leadership via pioneering FDA regulatory engagement, the largest rucksack of large footprint molecular pathology platform developers including Philips Healthcare (North American operations), Roche Diagnostics, and Indica Labs nimble NIH/private R&D funding base as well as a health care system grappling with critical pathologist shortage patatoi that renders highly efficacious digital platforms commercially undeniable. Canada adds incremental growth through leading academic-industry research partnerships at institutions in Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver.

The regional stronghold for Europe, backed by extensive healthcare infrastructure, large government expenditure on biomedical imaging research related programs with the European Institute of Biomedical Imaging Research (EIBIR) issuing a considerable amount of funding and an established hospital network has already started benefiting from modernization in various stages of digital workflow automation. The leading national markets for European Digital Pathology Market are France (national hospital digitization initiatives), United Kingdom (NHS digital pathology programs) and Germany (strong pharmaceutical and academic demand). Italy, Spain and the Netherlands are a few other emerging secondary markets as high clinical adoption also grows.

By region, Asia-Pacific is the rapidest-growing regional marketplace and is expected to register a CAGR of 10.6% from 2021 to 2030, attributed to increasing incidence of chronic diseases and development of healthcare infrastructure in various nations around the order. China is the largest regional revenue generating country backed by national healthcare modernization investment and a hyper-accelerating pharmaceutical market. The high incidence of cancer and large aging population in Japan leads to persistent clinical demand. Within Asia-Pacific, India is growing the fastest with values increasing at their quickest rate on account of rising cancer burden, growing diagnostic infrastructure and state precision medicine campaigns. Contemporary digital pathology Hubs and Early Clinical AdoptionSouth Korea, Singapore, and Australia are iconic innovation hives for digital pathology.

And LAMEA (Latin America, Middle East & Africa), also a growing frontier, which is more particularly characterized by countries that are positioned as potential national market opportunities in the nearterm for healthcare digitization investment (Brazil, Saudi Arabia and South Africa).

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3DHISTECH LTD

Danaher Corporation

Glencoe Software Inc.

HAMAMTSU Photonics K.K

Indica Labs Inc.

Koninklijke Philips N.V

Nikon Corporation

Roche

VisoPharma A/S

Perkinelmer Inc.

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Key Recent Industry Developments

Leica Biosystems launched its Aperio GT 450 digital pathology scanner with DICOM-compatible files including 20x/40x magnification, Z-Stacking, Manual Scan, Extended Focus and Default Calibration features also announcing its Aperio iQC AI software to detect artifacts and optimize workflows two months ago January 2023

February 2024: F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd announced a collaboration with PathAI to create AI digital pathology algorithms for Roche's Tissue Diagnostics business with the intent of developing companion diagnostics in oncology.

October 2023: F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Ibex Medical Analytics and Amazon Web Services will work together with their tool for enabling digital pathology and automating breast and prostate cancer diagnoses using AI-based technology.

October 2023: Koninklijke Philips N.V. expanded its collaboration with AWS to provide secure and scalable cloud digital pathology solutions that can be seamlessly integrated into healthcare systems worldwide, helping to accelerate workflow across the continuum of care.

In October 2022, Hamamatsu Photonics K.K., and Indica Labs partnered together to offer a streamlined holistic solution for a complete digital pathology workflow, leveraging Hamamatsu imaging hardware with the HALO image analysis platform from Indica Labs.

January 2022: Aiforia partnered with Mayo Clinic to create a pathology research center powered by AI, which utilizes deep learning to provide quicker results and larger-scale studies in translational research.

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Potsdam, Germany, 22.04.2026 - The German University of Digital Science (German UDS) has achieved an exceptional result in the newly published SZ Ranking of the Best Private Universities 2026. Just one year after its foundation, the fully digital university is already ranked among the top private higher education institutions in Germany, underlining the growing recognition of its innovative academic model.

Best in "International Orientation"

Most notably, German UDS achieved the number one position ("Best") in the category "International Orientation", as evaluated by both students and HR professionals. In addition, the university was ranked among the Top institutions in several key categories, including Practical Relevance, Quality of Graduates, Innovation & Future Orientation, Reputation / Image, and Subject and Thematic Focus.

The ranking was conducted by the SZ Institute in cooperation with the market research institute INNOFACT and is based on a representative survey of 1,265 participants, including HR decision-makers, recruiters, as well as current, former and prospective students.

Statements by our founders

Prof. Dr. Mike Friedrichsen, Co-President and Founder of the German University of Digital Science says about the ranking: "I am truly delighted that, as a young and fully digital university, we are already represented in a ranking of private universities after just one year.

This result shows that our vision of modern, flexible and high-quality digital higher education not only works on paper, but is also increasingly recognized in the market. Above all, this achievement belongs to our dedicated team, our pioneering first students and our partners who had the courage to embark on this new path with us."



Prof. Dr. Christoph Meinel, Co-President and internationally renowned computer scientist and innovation researcher, also emphasized the significance of the ranking: "Being recognized so early in a well-established and comprehensive ranking by the Suddeutsche Zeitung confirms our strategic approach of consistently combining digital excellence, global perspectives and practice-oriented teaching.

Our mission is to prepare students from around the world for the key technological and societal challenges of digital transformation. The results in the categories of international orientation, practical relevance and innovation show that we are heading in the right direction - and that digital higher education made in Germany can set international benchmarks."

About German UDS



Founded in 2025, the German University of Digital Science is Germany's firstfully digital university offering English-taught degree programs with a strong international focus, high practical relevance and flexible study models. Its strong performance in the SZ Ranking highlights the rapid establishment and growing appeal of this approach among students and employers alike.



Contact Information:

German University of Digital Science

Email: press@german-uds.de

Web: www.german-uds.de
The 2026 Gold Krugerrand Prestige 6-Coin Set features Proof 70 coins across six gold weights from a globally recognized bullion series.

LEANDER, TX / ACCESS Newswire / April 22, 2026 / The 2026 release of the Gold Krugerrand reaches new heights with the introduction of the 2026 Gold Krugerrand Prestige 6-Coin Set NGC PF70, a limited mintage offering that brings together six flawlessly graded proof coins in one distinguished presentation. With just 400 sets available worldwide and a combined gold weight of 1.92 ounces, this release underscores the enduring global appeal of one of the most recognized gold bullion series in history.

Originally introduced in 1967, the Krugerrand played a pivotal role in opening global markets to private gold ownership. Produced by the South African Mint in collaboration with Rand Refinery, the coin quickly became a benchmark for bullion investing. Its iconic design-featuring Paul Kruger on the obverse and the springbok antelope on the reverse-has remained largely unchanged, contributing to its instant recognition and consistent demand worldwide.

A Legacy Elevated by Proof Craftsmanship

The 2026 Prestige Set builds on this history through proof-quality striking, the highest standard in coin production. Each coin is struck using specially polished dies and planchets, resulting in sharp detail, mirrored fields, and frosted design elements.

Every coin in the set has been certified PF70 by Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC)-the highest possible grade-indicating a flawless specimen with no visible imperfections under magnification. This level of certification provides independent verification of authenticity and ensures uniform quality across the entire set.

Six Gold Weights in One Exclusive Release

The Prestige Set includes a full range of Krugerrand denominations:

1 oz Gold Krugerrand

1/2 oz Gold Krugerrand

1/4 oz Gold Krugerrand

1/10 oz Gold Krugerrand

1/20 oz Gold Krugerrand

1/50 oz Gold Krugerrand

All coins are struck in 22-karat gold (91.67% purity), maintaining the traditional Krugerrand composition that balances intrinsic value with enhanced durability.

Limited Mintage Meets Global Recognition

With only 400 sets produced, the Prestige release offers a rare opportunity to own a complete proof representation of the Krugerrand series. The combination of limited availability, PF70 certification, and historical significance positions this set as a premium acquisition within the global gold market.

Additional 2026 Krugerrand PF70 Releases

Alongside the Prestige Set, the 2026 lineup introduces several individually graded PF70 proof coins that expand access to this iconic design:

2026 2 oz Gold Krugerrand NGC PF70 (Mintage: 200)

A larger-format gold release combining substantial weight with exceptional proof detail.

2026 1 oz Gold Krugerrand NGC PF70 (Mintage: 1,000)

The most recognized Krugerrand size, enhanced with a premium proof finish.

2026 2 oz Silver Krugerrand NGC PF70 (Mintage: 10,000)

A .999 fine silver edition that preserves the classic design in a larger format.

Together, these releases reinforce the Krugerrand's longstanding role as a globally recognized gold benchmark while offering investors multiple ways to participate in the 2026 proof series.

Secure the 2026 Krugerrand Prestige Set

The 2026 Gold Krugerrand Prestige 6-Coin Set NGC PF70 represents a rare convergence of history, craftsmanship, and scarcity. Investors seeking a globally recognized gold asset in flawless condition can explore availability through U.S. Gold Bureau, a trusted source for physical precious metals.

With flexible purchasing options-including ACH, credit card, wire transfer, and precious metals barter-along with retail consignment services and a guaranteed buy-back program, U.S. Gold Bureau provides a structured pathway for both acquisition and long-term liquidity.

Availability for the 2026 Prestige Set is strictly limited. Investors interested in securing one of the most iconic gold coin releases of the year are encouraged to act while inventory remains available.

About U.S. Gold Bureau

U.S. Gold Bureau is a leading provider of physical precious metals, helping investors diversify and protect wealth through gold, silver, platinum, and palladium. With a focus on transparency, education, and long-term value, the firm offers a wide selection of investment-grade bullion and certified coins, along with services such as precious metals IRAs, secure storage solutions, and a guaranteed buy-back program.

U.S. Gold Bureau is committed to helping clients make informed decisions and build resilient portfolios backed by tangible assets. For more information, call 877-305-0992 or visit the educational resources to learn more about precious metals.

SOURCE: U.S. Gold Bureau

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/banking-and-financial-services/u.s.-gold-bureau-announces-2026-gold-krugerrand-prestige-6-coin-set-1159899
New funding reflects VAST's rare combination of growth and profitability, driven by its central role in powering AI infrastructure at global scale

Remote-First Company | New York City, April 22, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- VAST Data, the AI Operating System company, today announced the closing of its Series F financing at a $30 billion valuation, representing more than a threefold increase from its $9.1 billion Series E valuation in late 2023 . The latest round was led by Drive Capital, with Access Industries acting as co-lead, and included participation from existing investors including Fidelity Management & Research Company, NEA, and NVIDIA, alongside new investors. This financing reflects the accelerating demand for a new data infrastructure stack needed for the development and deployment of artificial generally intelligent systems.

The financing included primary and secondary capital, bringing the total transaction value to approximately $1 billion. Primary proceeds will be used by VAST Data to solidify its position as the AI operating system at the center of the AI ecosystem and to further fuel global growth, including strategic transactions that expand its technology footprint and partnerships.

The Data Computing Foundation That Is Enabling AI at Global Scale

AI is a generational shift set to reshape trillions of dollars of global economic activity. This is now materializing as a massive industrial buildout approaching $100 trillion in scale, spanning AI factories and software systems, powered by a new era of parallel computing at levels previously unimaginable.

Founded in 2016 at the dawn of deep learning, VAST Data reimagined distributed systems for a future where AI would demand a fundamentally new approach to data and compute. Starting from a blank sheet of paper, the company created DASE (Disaggregated Shared Everything) , a new architecture designed to break longstanding tradeoffs between scale, simplicity, performance, and cost.

Over the following decade, VAST expanded this foundation into a full data and computing platform aligned to the subsequent waves of modern AI. Today, the VAST AI Operating System sits at the center of this transformation, unifying data, compute, and real-time processing into a single system. This architecture collapses traditionally separate layers of the stack, enabling organizations to build, train, and run AI models while powering the applications and agents that depend on them, all at global scale.

Commercially, the VAST AI OS has become an essential component of the global AI datacenter buildout. From CoreWeave to Lowe's, from the U.S. Air Force to Cursor, thousands of organizations rely on VAST to store, contextualize, and act on data, supporting environments that power millions of GPUs and some of the world's most advanced AI training and inference initiatives.

"We are already supporting AI environments spanning millions of GPUs globally, operating across every layer of the AI stack," said Renen Hallak, Founder and CEO of VAST Data. "What is becoming clear is that these layers are no longer independent. Applications, models, and infrastructure now operate as a single system through data. VAST sits at the center of how that system works, which is why we are seeing this level of demand at global scale."

High Growth, Built for Durability

The Company has surpassed $4 billion in cumulative bookings and exited the previous fiscal year with more than $500 million in Committed Annual Recurring Revenue (CARR), along with positive operating margin and free cash flow. In its most recent fiscal year, VAST Data delivered a Rule of X score of 228%, reflecting an unparalleled combination of rapid growth and strong profitability.

As organizations scale AI, they are prioritizing partners that are not only providing disruptive technology, but who also are building sustainable, professional and financially-durable businesses that can continue to innovate and support the world's AI infrastructure. This Rule of 228% is testament to VAST being optimally positioned to support the largest and most demanding AI environments with near-infinite runway to continue its growth trajectory.

Industry Validation and Customer Momentum

"The scale and speed of AI adoption are creating a new class of infrastructure company," said Chris Olsen, Co-Founder and Partner at Drive Capital. "VAST is emerging as the clear leader in this category, with the architecture and momentum to support the world's most demanding AI environments. The step-change in valuation reflects both that momentum and our conviction in VAST's role at the center of this market."

"As we push the boundaries of large-scale model training, the foundation of our infrastructure becomes critical," said Timothee Lacroix, Co-Founder and CTO of Mistral AI. "VAST's data platform enables us to efficiently manage and scale the massive datasets required to train frontier models, ensuring high performance and flexibility across our training pipelines."

"The VAST platform is a key enabling technology for next gen AI infrastructure initiatives - providing a modern, flexible data architecture for Gen AI applications and agentic workflows," said Larry Feinsmith, Managing Director, Head of Global Tech Strategy, Innovation and Partnerships at JPMorganChase.

"Our partnership with VAST Data has grown more than 10x this past year and continues to accelerate - a reflection of how critical an AI data platform is to training and inference workloads on Crusoe Cloud. Together, we've built a storage service which many model labs, leading AI agent companies, and physical AI pioneers rely on. This milestone for VAST validates the essential role they play in helping us give AI infrastructure engineers and developers the seamless, industrial-scale foundation they need to build the future of AI," said Erwan Menard, SVP Product Management at Crusoe.

Additional Resources:

BLOG: N=1: How VAST Built the De Facto Data Layer for AI by Jeff Denworth, VAST Data Co-Founder

About VAST Data

VAST Data is the AI Operating System company - powering the next generation of intelligent systems with a unified software infrastructure stack that was purpose-built to unlock the full potential of AI. The VAST AI OS consolidates foundational data and compute services and agentic execution into one scalable platform, enabling organizations to deploy and facilitate communication between AI agents, reason over real-time data, and automate complex workflows at global scale. Built on VAST's breakthrough DASE architecture - the world's first true parallel distributed system architecture that eliminates tradeoffs between performance, scale, simplicity, and resilience - VAST has transformed its modern infrastructure into a global fabric for reasoning AI. Learn more at vastdata.com and follow VAST Data on LinkedIn , YouTube and X .

Austin Weedfall VAST Data press@vastdata.com
Chinese business chamber criticizes EU decision under foreign subsidies rules

Xinhua) 13:58, April 22, 2026

BRUSSELS, April 21 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese business chamber on Tuesday voiced its strong opposition to a European Commission decision to exclude a Chinese company from a public procurement project in Portugal, following a review under the bloc's Foreign Subsidies Regulation (FSR).

The China Chamber of Commerce to the European Union (CCCEU) said the Commission's decision on the Lisbon Metro project required the replacement of a Chinese subcontractor in a bidding consortium on the grounds of an alleged distortive foreign subsidy.

The CCCEU said the Chinese company has participated only as a subcontractor, and that its contract value accounts for less than 10 percent of the overall project value, well below the level generally considered indicative of material influence in subcontracting arrangements.

Against this background, the chamber questioned the basis on which the subcontractor is classified as "critical", and the justification for the corrective measures imposed.

The chamber also criticized the way the investigation is conducted, saying the company is repeatedly given only two to three days to provide extensive and complex information and supporting documents.

Such tight deadline fails to take into account the practical difficulties of cross-border evidence collection and compliance across multiple jurisdictions, thereby undermining the company's rights to defense and due process, the chamber said.

According to the CCCEU, the requirement to replace the subcontractor directly affects the existing contractual structure and bidding arrangements of the project, interfering with normal commercial decision-making and significantly increasing uncertainty and compliance costs.

The chamber said that in its current application the FSR gives the European Commission excessive discretion in subsidy assessment, impact evaluation, and choice of remedial measures.

Such practices may in effect restrict the participation of Chinese enterprises in EU public procurement, mergers and acquisitions, and other normal business activities, the chamber said.

The CCCEU urged the EU to correct relevant practices and ensure that implementation of the FSR strictly follows the principles of proportionality, non-discrimination, due process, and regulatory transparency. It also called on the EU to avoid unnecessary interference in normal market operations and to safeguard an open, transparent, and rules-based business environment.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
INFICON Holding AG / Key word(s): AGMEGM

INFICON Main headline



22.04.2026 / 17:40 CET/CEST





Corporate Contact

Matthias Trondle

Chief Financial Officer

+423 388 3510

matthias.troendle@inficon.com

Announcement of INFICON Holding AG Bad Ragaz/Switzerland, April 22, 2026. Approval of annual financial and non-financial reporting

Dividend of CHF 2.00 per share

Re-election of all members of the Board of Directors The Annual General Meeting of INFICON Holding AG (SIX Swiss Exchange: IFCN), approved all the proposals made by the Board of Directors. 69.77% of the voting rights were represented at the AGM. The shareholders approved the Management Report, the Annual Financial Statements of INFICON Holding AG, and the Consolidated Financial Statements of INFICON Group for the Fiscal Year 2025, as well the non-financial reporting according to Swiss Code of Obligations (CO). Distribution of CHF 2.00 per share The General Meeting resolved to distribute CHF 2.00 per registered share for the year 2025 as ordinary dividend. Ex-date will be Friday, April 24, 2026, the record date Monday, April 27, 2026, and the payment date for the distribution to shareholders will be Tuesday, April 28, 2026. Board of Directors, Compensation and HR Committee, Independent Proxy, Auditors The AGM re-elected all Members of the Board of Directors (Dr. Beat E. Luthi, Vanessa Frey, Beat Siegrist, Dr. Reto Suter, Lukas Winkler) for a one-year term of office and confirmed Dr. Beat E. Luthi as Chairman for a one-year term of office. The law firm Baur Hurlimann AG, Zurich, was re-elected as independent proxy holder for a one-year term of office. KPMG AG, Zurich, was re-elected as auditors for a one-year term of office. Compensation The AGM approved in a consultative vote the Remuneration Report for 2025 and approved the proposed compensation for the next period for the Members of the Board of Directors as well as the compensation for the following year for the Group Management. E-Mail Alerts To automatically receive notification via e-mail of the latest financial information from INFICON, sign-up for e-mail Alerts in the Investors section of the INFICON website at https://ir.inficon.com/contact-and-information-request/ About INFICON INFICON is a leading provider of innovative instrumentation, critical sensor technologies, and Smart Manufacturing /Industry 4.0 software solutions that enhance productivity and quality of tools, processes and complete factories. These analysis, measurement, and control products are essential for gas leak detection in air conditioning/refrigeration, and automotive manufacturing. They are vital to equipment manufacturers and end-users in the complex fabrication of semiconductors and thin film coatings for optics, flat panel displays, solar cells and industrial vacuum coating applications. Other users of vacuum-based processes include the life sciences, research, aerospace, packaging, heat treatment, laser cutting and many other industrial processes. We also leverage our expertise in vacuum technology to provide unique, toxic chemical analysis products for emergency response, security, and environmental monitoring. INFICON is headquartered in Switzerland and has world-class manufacturing facilities in Europe, the United States and China, as well as subsidiaries in China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea, Liechtenstein, Malaysia, Mexico, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, the United Kingdom and the United States. INFICON registered shares (IFCN) are listed on SIX Swiss Exchange. For more information about INFICON and its products, please visit www.inficon.com. This press release and oral statements or other written statements made, or to be made by us contain forward-looking statements that do not relate solely to historical or current facts. These forward-looking statements are based on the current plans and expectations of our management and are subject to a number of uncertainties and risks that could significantly affect our current plans and expectations, as well as future results of operations and financial condition. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.



End of Media Release

View original content: EQS News
Regulatory News:

SergeFerrari Group (FR0011950682 SEFER), one of the world leaders in innovative composite materials, listed on Euronext Paris compartment C, hereby informs the public that the Company's Combined General Meeting, held today at 9:30 a.m. at the registered office (ZI de La Tour du Pin, 38110 Saint-Jean-de-Soudain), has approved the proposed transfer of the Company's shares to the Euronext Growth Paris market.

The General Meeting of Shareholders of SergeFerrari Group, which met today at the Company's headquarters, approved, in accordance with the provisions of Article L. 421-14 of the French Monetary Code, the proposed transfer of the Company's shares from the regulated market Euronext Paris to the Euronext Growth Paris organized multilateral trading facility, and granted full authority to the Management Board to implement this transfer of listing.

The Company announces that the Management Board, which met today, has decided to implement this transfer. Subject to Euronext Paris's approval, this transfer will be carried out by delisting the shares from trading on the Euronext market and simultaneously admitting them to trading on the Euronext Growth Paris market through an accelerated direct admission procedure, without issuing new shares.

Reasons for the Transfer

Since its inception, Euronext Growth Paris has established itself as the market of choice for growth companies with a market capitalization of less than one billion euros and a sufficient free float of more than 2.5 million euros-criteria that the SergeFerrari Group meets.

Completing this transfer will enable the Company to enhance the visibility and attractiveness of its stock, which will thus rank among the top 50 market capitalizations on Euronext Growth Paris. In this context, the Company will transition from a regulated market to a regulated market, which entails a more appropriate regulatory framework and includes certain simplified obligations.

Terms of the Transfer

The Company currently meets the eligibility requirements for the transfer procedure, namely a market capitalization of less than one billion euros and a minimum value of publicly held shares of 2.5 million euros. However, these criteria must be met as of the date of the transfer application.

Furthermore, the Company is in full compliance with all of its disclosure obligations on Euronext and plans to engage TP ICAP (Europe) SA as its Listing Sponsor within the timeframes required by applicable regulations.

Consequences of the Transfer (non-exhaustive list)

In accordance with applicable regulations, the Company hereby informs its shareholders of the main potential consequences of such a transfer:

Periodic Disclosure

The Company will publish, within four months of the end of the fiscal year, an annual report including, in particular, its annual and consolidated financial statements, a management report, and the auditors' reports.

It will also publish, within four months of the end of the first half of the year, a half-yearly report containing its consolidated half-yearly financial statements and a management report relating to those financial statements.

Ongoing Disclosure

The Company will continue to disclose to the public any information that could significantly influence the price of its securities (inside information). Regulated information (including, in particular, inside information) must always be disclosed effectively and in full. The Company will continue to use a professional distributor.

The Company must continue to maintain insider lists, and executives and senior managers must continue to file securities transaction reports with the AMF.

Board Composition Corporate Governance

The Company will continue to adhere to the Middlenext Corporate Governance Code. The CSR report will be maintained.

The existing committees, including the Audit Committee, will be retained, as the Company does not wish to alter its established governance practices.

Annual General Meetings

The documents for the Annual General Meeting will be posted on the Company's website on the date of the notice of meeting.

The results of the votes and the minutes of the Annual General Meeting will continue to be posted on the Company's website.

The Company will no longer be required to provide a live broadcast of the General Meeting or to post a recording of it on its website.

Threshold Crossings Public Offers

The protection of minority shareholders in the event of a change of control will be ensured on Euronext Growth Paris through the mechanism of a mandatory public offer whenever the threshold of 50% of the Company's capital or voting rights is exceeded, whether directly or indirectly, alone or in concert.

Furthermore, companies listed on Euronext Growth Paris are required to disclose to the market, in the event of changes in shareholding, only threshold crossings (upward or downward) of 50% and 90% of the capital or voting rights.

As of April 22, 2026, the Ferrari concert party holds 77.53% of the capital and 86.4% of the voting rights.

However, in accordance with applicable regulations, the Company will remain subject, for a period of three years following its delisting from the Euronext Paris market, to the rules governing public offerings and to the continued disclosure obligations regarding threshold crossings and declarations of intent as applicable to companies listed on Euronext Paris.

Liquidity of the security

It is noted that the liquidity agreement entered into by the Company will remain in effect following the market transfer.

Indicative timeline for the transaction (subject to approval by Euronext Paris)

Mid-May 2026: Filing with Euronext Paris of a request for delisting of the securities from Euronext Paris and their admission to Euronext Growth Paris

Mid-June 2026: authorization of the transfer by Euronext Paris

No earlier than June 23, 2026: delisting of SergeFerrari Group shares from Euronext Paris (pre-market) and admission of SergeFerrari Group shares to Euronext Growth Paris (at market open) first trading

ABOUT SERGEFERRARI GROUP

The Serge Ferrari Group is a leading global supplier of composite materials for Tensile Architecture, Modular Structures, Solar Protection and Furniture/Marine, in a global market estimated by the Company at around 6 billion. The unique characteristics of these products enable applications that meet the major technical and societal challenges: energy-efficient buildings, energy management, performance and durability of materials, concern for comfort and safety together, opening up of interior living spaces etc. Its main competitive advantage is based on the implementation of differentiating proprietary technologies and know-how. The Group has manufacturing facilities in France, Switzerland, Germany, Italy and Asia. Serge Ferrari operates in 80 countries via subsidiaries, sales offices and a worldwide network of over 100 independent distributors.

At the end of 2025, SergeFerrari Group posted consolidated revenues of 347.5 million, more than 80% of which was generated outside France. SergeFerrari Group is listed on Euronext Paris Compartment C (ISIN code: FR0011950682). SergeFerrari Group shares are eligible for the PEA-PME and FCPI investment schemes. www.sergeferrari.com

SergeFerrari Group

A public limited company with a share capital of 4,919,703.60

Headquarters: ZI de La Tour du Pin

38110 Saint Jean de Soudain

382 870 277 RCS Vienne

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260422249078/en/

Contacts:

Valentin Chefson

Head of Relations Investisseurs

investor@sergeferrari.com

NewCap

Investor Relations Financial Communication

Theo Martin

Tel.: 01 44 71 94 94

sferrari@newcap.eu
Galderma Group AG (SIX:GALD), the pure-play dermatology category leader, announced that shareholders approved all proposals put forward by the Board of Directors at its Annual General Meeting (AGM), held earlier today via live webcast. This includes the payment of a gross dividend of 0.35 CHF per dividend-bearing share1, to be distributed out of reserves from capital contributions.

Shareholders approved the election of Harry Kirsch as independent member of the Board of Directors, as well as the election of Samuel du Retail and Delphine Viguier-Hovasse, representatives of L'Oreal, as non-independent members of the Board. In addition, Thomas Ebeling (Chair), Daniel Browne, Maria Teresa Hilado, Karen Lee Ling, Roberto Marques, Sherilyn McCoy and Dr. Flemming rnskov were re-elected to the Board.

The AGM also approved the company's 2025 Annual Financial Statements, Non-Financial Report and Compensation Report.

Detailed voting results and the official minutes will be published on Galderma's Investor Relations website (https://investors.galderma.com) within the next two weeks.

About Galderma

Galderma (SIX: GALD) is the pure-play dermatology category leader, present in approximately 90 countries. We deliver an innovative, science-based portfolio of premium flagship brands and services that span the full spectrum of the fast-growing dermatology market through Injectable Aesthetics, Dermatological Skincare and Therapeutic Dermatology. Since our foundation in 1981, we have dedicated our focus and passion to the human body's largest organ the skin meeting individual consumer and patient needs with superior outcomes in partnership with healthcare professionals. Because we understand that the skin we are in shapes our lives, we are advancing dermatology for every skin story. For more information: www.galderma.com.

1 In accordance with applicable tax regulations and in application of Art. 5 para. 1ter of the Swiss Act on Withholding Tax, 100% of the dividend paid out of reserves from capital contributions will be free from Swiss withholding tax.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260422430406/en/

Contacts:

For further information:

Media

Christian Marcoux, M.Sc.

Chief Communications Officer

christian.marcoux@galderma.com

+41 76 315 26 50

Richard Harbinson

Corporate Communications Director

richard.harbinson@galderma.com

+41 76 210 60 62

Investors

Emil Ivanov

Head of Strategy, Investor Relations and ESG

emil.ivanov@galderma.com

+41 21 642 78 12

Jessica Cohen

Investor Relations and Strategy Director

jessica.cohen@galderma.com

+41 21 642 76 43
EQS-News: Protocase / Key word(s): Manufacturing

The Protocase Companies and Advanced Glazings Announce Wilmington, NC Career Fair to Support Rapid U.S. Expansion



22.04.2026 / 17:48 CET/CEST

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.





Hiring Across Protocase, 45Drives, ProtoSpace Mfg, and Advanced Glazings as Demand Accelerates Across Manufacturing, Engineering, Open-Source Infrastructure, and Advanced Building Materials

WILMINGTON, NC - April 22, 2026 ( NEWMEDIAWIRE ) - The Protocase Companies and Advanced Glazings today announced a Career Fair at their Wilmington, North Carolina facility, reflecting continued momentum across their manufacturing, engineering, and technology divisions. The hiring event will take place Thursday, April 30, 2026, from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Maritime North Business Park, 4270 US Hwy 421 N, Wilmington, NC.

The event will bring together hiring teams from Protocase, 45Drives, and ProtoSpace Mfg, offering candidates direct access to leadership, facility tours, and insight into a company culture built around speed, ownership, and continuous improvement.

Scaling a High-Velocity Manufacturing Model in the U.S.

The Career Fair comes at a pivotal moment as The Protocase Companies expand their U.S. operations to meet increasing demand from customers across aerospace, defense, advanced electronics, and data infrastructure.

Founded in 2001, Protocase has established itself as a leader in rapid, custom manufacturing, delivering precision sheet metal, CNC machining, and additive manufacturing with industry-leading turnaround times. At the core of its success is a proprietary High Velocity Mass Customization (HVMC) model, which enables customers to move from design to physical product in days, not weeks.

The Wilmington facility represents a strategic extension of this model into the United States, strengthening domestic production capabilities while maintaining the speed and quality standards that have defined the company's growth.

The Protocase Companies: One Organization, Three High-Impact Divisions

Attendees will have the opportunity to explore careers across three distinct but tightly integrated companies:

Protocase - A global leader in rapid manufacturing for engineers and innovators, supporting industries where speed and precision are mission-critical.

45Drives - A pioneer in open-source data storage, delivering scalable, high-performance storage solutions built on transparency, flexibility, and community-driven development.

ProtoSpace Mfg - An advanced manufacturing division supporting aerospace and high-performance sectors, working with organizations at the forefront of space and next-generation technologies.

Together, these divisions form a unified ecosystem that bridges physical manufacturing and digital infrastructure, enabling customers to build, store, and scale critical systems with unprecedented efficiency.

Hiring Across Technical and Operational Roles

The Protocase Companies are actively hiring across a broad range of disciplines, including:

Manufacturing and production

Mechanical and electrical engineering

Technical services and support

Sales and customer experience

Operations and logistics

The organization is seeking candidates who are adaptable, solutions-oriented, and motivated to contribute in a fast-paced, hands-on environment.

A Culture Defined by "Working Differently"

Central to The Protocase Companies' growth is a distinct approach to culture and hiring, summed up internally as "working differently." Rather than relying on rigid corporate hierarchies, the organization prioritizes:

Hiring for attitude and aptitude

Empowering employees to take ownership of outcomes

Encouraging initiative and rapid problem-solving

Maintaining a collaborative, team-driven environment

This approach has enabled the company to scale while preserving the agility and accountability typically associated with smaller teams.

"We are building a team of people who want to move fast, solve real problems, and take pride in the work they do," said Dr. Doug Milburn, Chairman of the Protocase Companies and Advanced Glazings. "This Career Fair is an opportunity for candidates to see that environment firsthand and understand how they can grow with us."

Event Details

What: The Protocase Companies Career Fair

When: Thursday, April 30, 2026 | 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Where: Maritime North Business Park

4270 US Hwy 421 N

Wilmington, NC 28401

Candidates will have the opportunity to meet team members, learn about open roles, and gain insight into day-to-day operations across the organization. No appointment is required and the public is welcome to drop by at any point during the event.

Expanding Opportunities with Advanced Glazings

In addition to roles across The Protocase Companies, Advanced Glazings will also be hiring at the event, with a focus on sales and customer support positions as demand surges for next-generation building materials.

Advanced Glazings is rapidly gaining traction across North America as building owners and developers look for alternatives to traditional glazing systems that often fall short on energy performance, durability, and long-term value. Its proprietary Solera system is redefining how buildings use natural light - capturing, diffusing, and retaining solar energy to dramatically reduce heating and lighting costs without sacrificing design flexibility.

Unlike legacy translucent glazing solutions, Advanced Glazings' technology is engineered for real-world performance at scale, delivering superior insulation, resilience in harsh climates, and measurable operational savings over the life of a building. The result is a category shift from passive daylighting to active energy performance.

For candidates, this represents an opportunity to join a company at the forefront of a structural shift in the built environment, where energy efficiency, sustainability, and occupant experience are no longer trade-offs, but integrated outcomes.

About The Protocase Companies

The Protocase Companies comprise Protocase , 45Drives , and ProtoSpace Mfg , a group of innovative organizations focused on transforming manufacturing, data storage, and engineering workflows.

Headquartered in Sydney, Nova Scotia, with a growing presence in Wilmington, North Carolina, the companies serve a global customer base spanning aerospace, defense, research, and advanced technology sectors. Through a shared commitment to speed, quality, and continuous improvement, The Protocase Companies enable innovators to bring ideas to life faster and more effectively.

About Advanced Glazings

Advanced Glazings is a leader in high-performance building envelope technology, pioneering a new class of translucent glazing systems that combine daylighting, insulation, and solar energy capture into a single integrated solution. Its Solera platform enables buildings to significantly reduce energy consumption while improving indoor environmental quality and long-term operational efficiency.

Serving both commercial and residential markets, Advanced Glazings partners with architects, developers, and builders to deliver scalable, durable alternatives to conventional glazing. From schools and industrial facilities to residential applications, its solutions are designed to outperform traditional materials, offering superior thermal performance, reduced lifecycle costs, and a more sustainable path forward for modern construction.

Contact:

Jon Phillips

protocase@phillcomm.global

View the original release on www.newmediawire.com
Physician-led practice expands its surgical offerings with the addition of a board-certified breast and body surgery specialist serving patients in Princeton, NJ and Philadelphia, PA.



PRINCETON, NJ AND PHILADELPHIA, PA / ACCESS Newswire / April 22, 2026 / Becker Aesthetics & Plastic Surgery , a physician-led plastic surgery and aesthetics clinic known for its commitment to anatomy-driven care and natural outcomes, is pleased to announce the addition of Dr. David W. Allison to its team of board-certified surgeons. Dr. Allison is a board-certified plastic surgeon with more than 20 years of experience specializing in breast and body surgery, and his arrival marks a significant expansion of the surgical services available to patients at Becker's Princeton, NJ and Philadelphia, PA locations.

Introducing Dr. David W. Allison

Dr. Allison brings to Becker Aesthetics & Plastic Surgery a career built on surgical precision, patient-centered care, and a deep understanding of breast and body anatomy. He began his career specializing in breast reconstruction for breast cancer patients - a foundation that shaped both his technical skill and his approach to working with patients through meaningful, often transformative procedures. Over time, his practice expanded to include a comprehensive range of aesthetic breast and body surgeries, always guided by the same principles: individualized planning, proportional outcomes, and results that align naturally with each patient's body.

With thousands of procedures performed across more than two decades, Dr. Allison is known for combining surgical expertise with a calming and accessible patient experience. He takes the time to understand each patient's goals thoroughly before developing a plan, and remains closely involved in their care from the first consultation through recovery. His addition to the Becker team reflects the practice's continued commitment to partnering with board-certified specialists whose values and standards align with its own.

New Breast and Body Surgery Services at Becker

Dr. Allison's arrival expands Becker Aesthetics & Plastic Surgery's surgical offering into breast and body procedures - an area the practice had not previously offered in-house. Patients throughout New Jersey and the Philadelphia area can now access a full range of breast and body surgeries within the same trusted clinical environment they have come to rely on for facial procedures.

Breast surgery services now available include:

Breast augmentation - performed using silicone implants, saline implants, gummy bear implants, or fat transfer, tailored to each patient's anatomy and goals

Breast lift and breast reduction - addressing shape, position, proportion, and in the case of reduction, physical discomfort associated with large or heavy breasts

Gynecomastia surgery - male breast reduction for men seeking a flatter, more proportionate chest contour

Body contouring procedures now available include:

Liposuction - targeted removal of localized fat deposits to refine body shape and proportion

Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) and mini abdominoplasty - removal of excess abdominal skin and tissue with repair of the underlying muscle

Arm lift, buttock lift, and Brazilian butt lift - body contouring procedures addressing specific areas of concern

Mommy makeover - a coordinated combination of breast and body procedures planned to address the physical changes that commonly follow pregnancy

Post-weight loss body contouring - procedures designed to address excess skin and restore body shape following significant weight loss

Each surgical plan begins with a thorough consultation in which anatomy is assessed, goals are discussed, and a personalized approach is developed. Dr. Allison's emphasis on balance, proportion, and natural-looking outcomes is consistent with the standard Becker Aesthetics & Plastic Surgery maintains across all of its surgical and non-surgical services.

The Impact of Individualized Surgical Care

The breadth of Dr. Allison's experience extends to patients with complex needs and unique circumstances. Among those he has treated are patients pursuing body contouring following major weight loss - a population for whom surgical planning requires careful evaluation and individualized judgment. In cases where significant weight loss has left excess skin affecting comfort, mobility, and daily life, procedures such as arm lift and abdominoplasty can produce meaningful improvements that go well beyond aesthetics. Dr. Allison approaches each of these cases with the same thorough assessment and commitment to outcomes that reflect the patient's specific situation and goals.

A Natural Expansion of Becker's Clinical Model

Becker Aesthetics & Plastic Surgery was founded on a physician-led model that prioritizes clinical rigor, honest consultation, and long-term patient outcomes. The practice's approach to facial plastic surgery - anatomy-driven, restrained, and deeply personalized - has defined its reputation throughout New Jersey and the Philadelphia region. The addition of Dr. Allison extends that same model into breast and body surgery, allowing patients to address a broader range of aesthetic and functional concerns within a single practice they know and trust.

The decision to expand into breast and body procedures was a deliberate one, grounded in identifying a surgeon whose standards, philosophy, and approach to patient care were consistent with those already in place at Becker. Dr. Allison's background - particularly his roots in reconstructive surgery and his focus on proportional, natural outcomes - made him a strong fit for a practice that has always prioritized what is appropriate over what is trending.

Scheduling a Consultation

Dr. Allison is currently accepting new patients at Becker Aesthetics & Plastic Surgery's Princeton, NJ and Philadelphia, PA locations. Patients interested in learning more about breast augmentation, body contouring, mommy makeover, post-weight loss surgery, or any of the other procedures now available through his practice are encouraged to schedule a consultation . For updates and patient case highlights, follow the practice on Instagram .

Media Contact:

Becker Aesthetics & Plastic Surgery

(609) 874-7199

https://www.beckerplastics.com/

SOURCE: Becker Aesthetics & Plastic Surgery

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/healthcare-and-pharmaceutical/becker-aesthetics-and-plastic-surgery-welcomes-dr.-david-w.-allison-t-1159588
Miami, Florida--(Newsfile Corp. - April 22, 2026) - Roger Gallagher Scholarship for Entrepreneurs, a national initiative designed to support undergraduate students, is pleased to announce its official launch. The program rewards students who demonstrate a thoughtful, disciplined, and forward-looking approach to entrepreneurship. Established by Roger Gallagher, the scholarship reflects a commitment to fostering future business leaders who prioritize long-term value creation over short-term gains.

Roger Gallagher

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8530/292535_a57956000434cad6_001full.jpg

The Roger Gallagher Scholarship for Entrepreneurs is open to undergraduate students currently enrolled at accredited colleges and universities across the United States. Roger Gallagher emphasizes that the program is not limited by geography, ensuring accessibility to eligible students nationwide who are pursuing careers in entrepreneurship, innovation, or business development.

Roger Gallagher creates this scholarship to address a growing need in the entrepreneurial landscape: the cultivation of individuals who understand that building sustainable businesses requires more than technical knowledge. According to Roger Gallagher, resilience, integrity, disciplined execution, and meaningful relationships form the foundation of lasting success. Through this initiative, Roger Gallagher seeks to recognize students who embody these principles and are prepared to apply them in real-world business environments.

Applicants for the Roger Gallagher Scholarship for Entrepreneurs must meet several eligibility criteria. Candidates must be currently enrolled as undergraduate students, maintain good academic standing, and demonstrate a clear interest in entrepreneurship or innovation. Proof of enrollment is required upon request. The scholarship welcomes students from all academic disciplines, reinforcing Roger Gallagher's belief that entrepreneurial thinking extends beyond traditional business majors.

A central component of the application process is a 750-1,000 word essay. The prompt challenges applicants to critically examine the realities of entrepreneurship beyond common narratives of rapid growth and disruption. Students are asked to reflect on a business, founder, or guiding principle that exemplifies sustainable success through long-term thinking, strong relationships, and ethical decision-making. The essay must also articulate how these insights will influence the applicant's own professional journey.

Submissions are evaluated based on originality, depth of insight, clarity of writing, and the ability to demonstrate a genuine entrepreneurial mindset. Roger Gallagher places particular emphasis on thoughtful reflection and the applicant's understanding of long-term value creation, rather than purely academic achievements or conventional credentials.

The scholarship awards a one-time grant of $1,000 to a selected recipient. The application deadline is November 15, 2026, and the winner will be officially announced on December 15, 2026.

Roger Gallagher brings over 15 years of professional experience in wealth management and strategic advisory, having worked closely with families, founders, and business leaders navigating complex financial and organizational decisions. Through his career, Roger Gallagher observes the critical differences between ventures that achieve sustainable growth and those that falter due to short-term thinking. This scholarship serves as an extension of those insights, aimed at encouraging students to adopt a disciplined and principled approach to entrepreneurship.

In addition to his professional work, Roger Gallagher remains actively engaged in mentorship and education-focused initiatives, further reinforcing his commitment to investing in the next generation of leaders. The Roger Gallagher Scholarship for Entrepreneurs reflects these values by supporting students who demonstrate curiosity, accountability, and the willingness to learn through experience.

Applications and additional details are available through the official scholarship website.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/292535

Source: GYT
ISTANBUL, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Marking the third anniversary of its social responsibility platform, the One World Karadeniz Foundation, Karpowership continues to expand its global social impact across the regions where it operates.

Celebrating its 3rd anniversary, the Foundation has reached tens of thousands of people through programmes designed to create long-term, measurable impact, with a strong focus on women, children and young people. With a footprint spanning more than 15 countries, the Foundation helps communities where Karpowership is present - complementing the company's pivotal role in delivering universal access to electricity.

The Foundation's programmes focus on four core pillars: education and youth development, women's empowerment, community development and environmental sustainability. Across these areas, initiatives are designed to promote equal opportunity, build skills, support community development, and contribute to environmental sustainability.

Programmes such as Girl Power and Girl Move Academy and a partnership with the World Bank's Women in Energy Network (WEN) continue to expand access to education and empower women and young people across different regions, and more than 58,000 students have benefited from educational support and scholarships.

Expanding Community Impact in South America

In South America, the Foundation continues to implement locally tailored projects that address social and environmental priorities. In the Dominican Republic, reforestation programmes and vocational technical training support environmental awareness and youth employability.

In Brazil, reforestation programmes and support for fishermen and coastal communities ensure greater awareness to drive sustainability locally.

In Ecuador, the Foundation has focused on child welfare and education-oriented initiatives, including orphanage support projects, while continuing to develop programmes that contribute to STEM education and supporting children's development.

Our most recent project in Guyana established the AutoCAD Technology Laboratory at the Government Technical Institute, with the potential to support nearly 1,000 students each year in vocational training and digital literacy relevant for industry.

"Since our establishment, contributing to the communities where we operate has always been at the core of our approach. For years, we have implemented social responsibility projects across the countries we serve. Three years ago, we brought together our initiatives under a more structured organisation: the One World Karadeniz Foundation, aiming to develop initiatives that transform social benefit into lasting impact," said Zeynep Harezi Yilmaz, Vice Chair of One World Karadeniz Foundation.

"From education to women's empowerment, child welfare to humanitarian support, we continue to focus on the needs of the communities in the regions we operate. We remain committed to contributing to a more inclusive, equitable and sustainable future," she said.

Impact sits at the heart of all company activities, reflected in Karpowership's role to provide rapid and reliable power to countries while empowering communities through the Foundation in the geographies where Karpowership operates.

For more information on One World Karadeniz Foundation, visit https://oneworldkaradeniz.org/.

Media Contact: Billur Selekoglu, Corporate Communications team, billur.selekoglu@karpowership.com.

About Karpowership

Karpowership is a global energy company with more than 25 years of experience delivering fast, flexible, and reliable power solutions. As the owner and operator of the world's only Powership fleet, the company provides over 8,000 MW of capacity through 45 Powerships, supported by land-based and renewable assets. Karpowership also manages the full LNG value chain with 11 LNG vessels, covering procurement, storage, regasification, and offshore transfer.

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2963417/Dominican_Republic_Reforestration.jpg

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2963418/Guyana_Lab_Opening.jpg

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2963419/Brazil_Green_June.jpg

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2823475/5932107/Karpowership_Logo.jpg

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/karpowerships-one-world-karadeniz-foundation-expands-its-global-social-impact-in-its-3rd-year-302750612.html
EQS-News: VPR Brands, LP / Key word(s): Financial

VPR Brands Retains McAndrews, Held & Malloy as Lead Patent Counsel for US Patent No. 8,205,622 B2



22.04.2026 / 19:47 CET/CEST

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.



Matthew McAndrews Named Lead Counsel to Head Comprehensive Patent Commercialization, Licensing, Enforcement, and IP Transaction Initiative - Including ITC Proceedings and M&A Support - Covering FDA PMTA-Authorized ENDS Products FORT LAUDERDALE, FL - April 22, 2026 ( NEWMEDIAWIRE ) - VPR Brands, LP (OTC: VPRB), a pioneer and active participant in the electronic nicotine delivery systems sector with its own branded products in the market and an active intellectual property portfolio, today announced the retention of McAndrews, Held & Malloy, Ltd., one of the nation's preeminent intellectual property law firms, as lead patent counsel for the Company's US Patent No. 8,205,622 B2 ("the '622 patent") licensing and commercialization program. The firm has been involved in IP transactions representing a cumulative value exceeding $15 billion over the past five years and is consistently ranked among the world's leading patent practices by IAM Patent 1000, Chambers USA, and Best Lawyers. Matthew McAndrews, a senior partner at McAndrews, Held & Malloy, has been appointed lead counsel to oversee all aspects of VPR Brands' commercialization, licensing, and enforcement strategy for the '622 patent. Mr. McAndrews brings a broad base of experience in intellectual property, technology licensing, and trial and appellate practice, having litigated dozens of cases culminating in jury and bench trials and obtained recoveries totaling well into the nine-figure range. He has a notable record before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit - having obtained reversals in the majority of appeals he has argued, with decisions cited as precedential authority nearly 3,000 times - and is admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States. Mr. McAndrews holds Martindale-Hubbell's highest AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating and is recognized as an Illinois Super Lawyer and member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Mr. McAndrews and his firm will lead VPR Brands' efforts across the full spectrum of IP activity, including: Patent evaluation, strategic portfolio assessment, and commercialization planning

Licensing negotiations and structured IP transaction support, including potential acquisition, exclusive licensing, and joint commercialization arrangements

Patent enforcement proceedings in federal district courts and before the USPTO Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB)

Patent enforcement and litigation in federal district courts and before the United States International Trade Commission (ITC) under Section 337, including exclusion order proceedings

IP due diligence and M&A support for any transaction involving US Patent No. 8,205,622 B2 The '622 patent, titled "Electronic Cigarette," covers foundational auto-draw electronic cigarette technology and expires on or about July 2030. The patent covers draw/airflow-activated sensing architectures used in buttonless auto-draw electronic cigarette devices. This technology is broadly relevant to closed-system ENDS products currently authorized for marketing by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under the Premarket Tobacco Product Application (PMTA) process, including major national brands with FDA PMTA marketing authorization. VPR Brands has previously executed licensing agreements with more than 17 parties across the ENDS supply chain - including some of the industry's largest brands, as well as manufacturers, distributors, and brand owners - and continues to advance its commercialization program across the industry. The ENDS industry is currently experiencing one of the most active periods of patent enforcement in its history, with multiple Section 337 proceedings before the ITC involving the industry's largest participants. The '622 patent has survived two inter partes review (IPR) challenges at the USPTO Patent Trial and Appeal Board, with both petitions denied at institution, and the claims remaining intact. The retention of McAndrews, Held & Malloy positions VPR Brands to participate fully in this landscape, whether through commercial licensing, structured IP transactions, or enforcement proceedings. The engagement of McAndrews, Held & Malloy reflects VPR Brands' commitment to pursuing a structured, professionally managed IP commercialization program. The Company's program encompasses licensing, IP transactions including potential patent acquisition or exclusive licensing arrangements, and enforcement of rights where appropriate. VPR Brands remains open to commercially reasonable resolutions with industry participants and will continue to advance its licensing program through all appropriate channels. "We have engaged one of the country's leading IP firms to advance our licensing and commercialization program for US Patent No. 8,205,622 B2," said Kevin Frija, Chief Executive Officer of VPR Brands, LP. "The patent covers foundational auto-draw electronic cigarette technology that is broadly relevant to FDA PMTA-authorized products currently on the market. With McAndrews, Held & Malloy leading our efforts across licensing, transactions, and IP strategy, we are well positioned to execute a structured program and remain open to commercially reasonable resolutions with all industry participants." McAndrews, Held & Malloy - Key Credentials IP Transactions: Cumulative transaction value exceeding $15 billion over the past five years - including patent acquisitions, exclusive licenses, and joint commercialization structures. ITC & Litigation: Regularly engaged for Section 337 ITC proceedings, federal district court patent litigation, and PTAB inter partes reviews - one of the most active PTAB practices in the country. M&A & Due Diligence: Full M&A support including IP due diligence, portfolio valuation, transaction structuring, and post-closing IP integration across domestic and cross-border transactions. Rankings: Ranked Tier One nationally for Patent Law, IP Litigation, and Trademark Law (US News Best Law Firms 2026); IAM Patent 1000 and IAM Strategy 300 - higher percentage of attorneys recognized than the eight largest megafirm IP practices and eight largest IP boutique competitors combined; Chambers USA Intellectual Property. Scale: 90+ attorneys, 74 USPTO-registered patent attorneys; average attorney experience of 18 years (vs. 9.5 years at megafirm competitors); 75% of attorneys have spent their entire legal careers at the firm; senior attorneys handle matters directly - not delegated to associates. FDA / Regulatory: Dedicated FDA regulatory IP practice including patent term extensions, PMTA-related patent analysis, and Orange Book proceedings - directly relevant to the ENDS and tobacco product sector. About VPR Brands, LP VPR Brands, LP (OTC: VPRB) is a Delaware limited partnership and market pioneer in the electronic nicotine delivery systems and vaporizer industry. The Company designs, develops, and markets its own branded products - including the HoneyStick and Dissim lines - and has been engaged in product development, commercialization, and innovation in the ENDS and vaporizer space since 2009. VPR Brands holds US and international patents across multiple product categories, including the '622 patent, and maintains an active research and development program focused on novel ENDS technologies. The Company is headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. About McAndrews, Held & Malloy, Ltd. McAndrews, Held & Malloy, Ltd. is a premier, full-service intellectual property law firm headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, founded in 1988. Ranked Tier One nationally for Patent Law, IP Litigation, and Trademark Law by US News Best Law Firms 2026, the firm has been involved in IP transactions exceeding $15 billion in cumulative value over the past five years and is regularly engaged for ITC Section 337 proceedings, federal district court patent litigation, and PTAB inter partes reviews. With 90+ attorneys averaging 18 years of experience and 75% having spent their entire careers at the firm, McAndrews is recognized by IAM Patent 1000, IAM Strategy 300, and Chambers USA as one of the nation's leading IP practices. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding the anticipated scope and outcome of licensing negotiations, the potential for IP transactions including patent acquisition or exclusive licensing arrangements, the anticipated outcome of any enforcement or litigation proceedings, the commercialization of US Patent No. 8,205,622 B2, and the anticipated benefits of the engagement of McAndrews, Held & Malloy. These statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially, including: the uncertainty of patent litigation and licensing outcomes, including pending and future proceedings in federal district courts, the ITC, and before the USPTO; changes in applicable law or USPTO or court interpretations of patent validity or scope; the financial condition and strategic priorities of potential licensees; regulatory developments in the ENDS industry including FDA enforcement actions; competition from other intellectual property holders; and general economic and market conditions. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made. VPR Brands, LP undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities law. Media & Investor Contact: Kevin Frija

Chief Executive Officer

VPR Brands LP

kevin.frija@vprbrands.com

754-216-6410 View the original release on www.newmediawire.com

News Source: VPR Brands, LP





22.04.2026 CET/CEST Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by EQS News - a service of EQS Group .

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Revenue growth maintained in transition year, with new growth drivers supporting outlook for accelerated development in 2026

Regulatory News:

Pet Service Holding NV (Euronext Growth Paris, ISIN: NL0015001HZ9 Ticker: ALPET), today announces its annual results for the financial year ended 31 December 2025, reflecting a year of strategic transition in which the Company continued to expand its business platform while addressing temporary regulatory challenges affecting part of its veterinary activities.

Ron Van Veldhoven, CEO of Pet Service Holding, commented:

"2025 was an important transition year in which we absorbed short-term pressure while building a stronger and broader platform for future growth. Despite temporary regulatory headwinds, we continued to invest in new commercial opportunities, expanded our portfolio through acquisition, and laid the foundation for scalable growth. We believe these strategic steps position PSH well for accelerated development in 2026 and beyond."

Simplified Consolidated Profit Loss

In Euros 2025 2024 Turnover 13 595 745 12 728 996 Revenues from E-commerce platform sales 8 998 146 8 486 735 Revenues from Wholesale, veterinarians and pet shops sales 4 386 522 4 157 438 Other revenues 211 077 84 823 Cost of sales -9 152 435 -8 154 758 Gross margin 4 443 310 4 574 238 Operating expenses 4 233 913 4 114 152 Employee expenses 1 047 676 963 973 Other operating expenses 3 186 237 3 150 179 Operating margin 209 397 460 086 Holding expenses 544 778 399 626 EBITDA -335 381 60 460 Depreciation and amortization fixed assets 479 152 446 409 Financial expenses 375 773 -23 692 Other non-operational income 75 040 0 Net result before tax -1 265 346 -362 257 Corporate income tax 335 763 450 557 Net result after tax -929 583 88 300

Revenue for 2025 amounted to 13.6 million, representing an increase of 7.0% compared to 2024, supported by continued demand across core product categories and the development of new commercial initiatives.

While profitability remained under temporary pressure during the year, this development reflects deliberate investments in growth, integration capacity, commercial infrastructure and future scalability.

Operating expenses increased from 4.1 million in 2024 to 4.2 million in 2025, in line with the increase in revenues. Beyond employees' expenses, reflecting the investment in human capital, the main contributors to the operating expenses were the marketing costs and the distribution delivery costs. Holding expenses increased from 0.40 million to 0.54 million.

EBITDA for the year was -0.34 million, decreasing from 0.06 million in 2024, in line with management expectations. This performance reflects higher investment in marketing and staff, the expansion of operational infrastructure, costs related to acquisition financing, and temporary external factors affecting certain revenue streams.

Financial performance reflects strategic investments

During 2025, PSH continued to invest in strengthening its long-term operating platform.

Key financial developments included the ongoing expansion of commercial capabilities, reinforcement of organizational capacity, targeted investments to support future revenue diversification, and financing aligned with the Group's acquisition and growth ambitions.

These investments were made while maintaining revenue growth, despite temporary disruptions affecting one regulated segment within the veterinary division.

Capital structure further strengthened

At year-end, the Company's cash position amounted to 1.0 million, reflecting continued investment in growth and working capital development during the year.

During 2025 and in the first months of 2026, PSH continued to actively strengthen its financial structure in support of its long-term growth strategy. A key milestone in this process was the agreement to include a mandatory conversion clause at the end of the bond term of 2027 for nearly 1 million of outstanding convertible bonds into equity. This measure is expected to strengthen the Company's balance sheet and reduce financial leverage.

This development improves the Company's financial flexibility and creates a more robust foundation for the execution of future strategic initiatives, including acquisitions, retail expansion and further development of new revenue streams.

In addition, PSH is seeking the refinancing of the building in Boxtel acquired in 2024. The initial repayment date is expected by the end of 2026. This refinancing will further improve the financial flexibility of the Company.

As PSH continues to execute its expansion plans, management remains attentive to capital allocation and may evaluate additional financing opportunities over the coming twelve months, depending on the pace of operational development and market conditions.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS OF 2025

Regulatory Developments within Veterinary Activities

During 2025, PSH experienced evolving European regulatory conditions affecting part of its veterinary product portfolio. In close consultation with the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, the Company suspended sales of certain prescription-related veterinary products outside of The Netherlands in the second half of 2025 to ensure full compliance with applicable EU regulations.

This led to an approximate 1 million temporary impact on revenue in Q4 2025, short-term pressure within a specific regulated category, and temporary limitations on certain international veterinary sales activities.

Management considers these effects to be temporary and expects that increased regulatory clarity will support a gradual normalization over time. In parallel, the Company continues to reduce its dependence on regulated product categories by accelerating growth in segments that are less sensitive to regulatory constraints.

Strategic Expansion through Acquisition of Petlux

In H2 2025, PSH acquired a majority stake in Petlux BV, strengthening its position in premium pet products and accessories.

Strategic benefits include:

expansion into higher-margin premium categories,

broadening of the Group's product portfolio,

access to a European distribution network of more than 250 retail locations.

Expected annual revenue contribution in 2026 amounts to approximately 3 million, with a positive contribution anticipated to future gross margin development.

Initial integration costs will be visible during 2025-2026 as the business is incorporated into the wider Group platform.

New Growth Drivers Continue to Expand

Throughout 2025, PSH further developed several new commercial pillars designed to reduce dependency on historically regulated revenue streams and strengthen long-term growth potential.

This included expansion of OTC product ranges, continued growth in accessories and lifestyle products, further development of direct customer relationships through data-driven marketing, and a strategic cooperation with Figo Pet Insurance.

These initiatives form part of a broader strategy aimed at building a more diversified and scalable business model.

BudgetPets Introduced as a New Retail Growth Platform

A major strategic development during 2025 was the preparation for the launch of BudgetPets, a new retail concept focused on affordable quality pet products with strong turnover characteristics.

The first store is expected to open in Bussum in July 2026, at a location adjacent to a supermarket with estimated daily footfall of 1,800 to 2,000 visitors.

The concept is designed around an efficient operating structure, high product turnover and increasing private label penetration, while benefiting from integration with the Group's existing logistics and e-commerce infrastructure.

Management views BudgetPets as an important new growth pillar with potential to contribute both to revenue development and structural margin improvement over time.

2026 Outlook

For 2026, PSH anticipates a clear acceleration in growth, supported by several strategic drivers that were developed or initiated during 2025. Management expects the gradual normalization of veterinary activities, combined with the full-year contribution of Petlux BV, to contribute materially to revenue development over the coming year.

At the same time, continued expansion in non-regulated product categories, including accessories, lifestyle products and OTC offerings, is expected to further improve the revenue mix and reduce dependency on historically regulated segments. The first commercial contribution from the BudgetPets retail concept is also expected to support growth during the second half of the year, following the planned opening of the first store in Bussum.

Based on current developments, the Company anticipates revenue growth towards approximately 17-18 million in 2026, accompanied by an improvement in operating margins.

About Pet Service Holding NV

Pet Service Holding NV is a leading player in the pet care sector in the Netherlands. The company distinguishes itself in this competitive market by bringing together a broad range of services and leveraging its valuable experience and expertise in the field. With a focus on pet supplies, nutrition, and products for veterinary practices, Pet Service Holding is well positioned to meet the needs of pets and their owners throughout Europe.

Ticker: ALPET (Euronext Growth Paris) ISIN: NL0015001HZ9

Also separately listed on Nxchange Amsterdam (ISIN: NL00150004O8) in the form of depositary receipts (DRs) of shares.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260422461490/en/

Contacts:

Pet Service Holding

Ron van Veldhoven

Chief Executive Officer

+31-75-7572685

info@petserviceholding.com



NewCap

Dusan Oresansky

Investor Relations

+33 1 44 71 94 92

petserviceholding@newcap.eu
Norwood, New Jersey--(Newsfile Corp. - April 22, 2026) - Valley Spring Recovery (https://valleyspringrecovery.com/), a behavioral health treatment provider serving Bergen County and the greater New York metropolitan area, announced the launch of a dedicated first responder treatment program designed exclusively for police officers, firefighters, and corrections professionals.

The program addresses a long-standing gap in regional care, as no specialized, culturally aligned treatment track for first responders has previously been available in New Jersey. The initiative responds to growing evidence that first responders face significantly higher rates of post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and substance use disorders compared to the general population.

More than 96,000 active first responders serve in New Jersey, many of whom have historically lacked access to treatment programs tailored to the unique psychological and occupational demands of their roles. National data indicates that more firefighters and police officers die by suicide each year than in the line of duty, underscoring the need for targeted behavioral health services.

"These men and women protect our communities every single day, and for too long this industry has failed them," said Brian Cellary, CEO of Valley Spring Recovery. "They wouldn't sit in a general treatment program - and honestly, why would they? Their trauma is different. Their identity is different. The way they communicate, the way they process stress, the way they think about getting help - all of it is different. We built a program that meets them exactly where they are. New Jersey needed this. The people who serve this community deserve it."

The Valley Spring First Responder Program offers Partial Care (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient (IOP) levels of care within first-responder-only cohorts. Patients participate exclusively alongside peers from similar professional backgrounds, a model supported by research indicating improved engagement and retention when treatment environments reflect shared lived experience.

Clinical services are structured around occupational trauma and cumulative stress exposure. The program includes Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy for trauma processing, along with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to support emotional regulation and resilience. Additional programming focuses on nervous system regulation, the neurological effects of shift work, and burnout prevention.

"What we see clinically in first responders is not ordinary stress - it is years, sometimes decades, of cumulative trauma that has been suppressed, normalized, and pushed down because the job demands it," said Dr. Michael Olla, Medical Director of Valley Spring Recovery. "By the time many of these individuals come to us, their nervous systems have been in a state of chronic dysregulation for a very long time. The medical component of this program is designed to address that directly - with targeted interventions, and a treatment plan built around getting them functional and back to the life they have worked so hard to build. These are not people who need to be managed. They need to be restored."

Individual therapy includes performance and return-to-duty planning built into every treatment plan, and dedicated case management coordinates with unions, EAPs, and employers throughout the course of treatment. Family support programming addresses the unique strain that first responder careers place on spouses, partners, and children - a dimension of this crisis that is often overlooked entirely.

One of the most significant barriers preventing first responders from seeking help is fear of job loss. Valley Spring addresses this directly with on-site FMLA coordination, ensuring every patient's employment is protected before they walk through the door. Return-to-work planning and formal clearance letters - both full duty and modified duty - are integrated into the program's discharge process, giving departments, unions, and HR teams the documentation they need while keeping the patient's clinical record fully confidential.

The program is currently accepting referrals from Employee Assistance Programs, Police Benevolent Associations, fire service unions, corrections officer associations, department HR offices, occupational health physicians, and peer support specialists across New Jersey and New York. Valley Spring is actively building formal partnerships with union EAP programs across Bergen, Passaic, Essex, Hudson, Rockland, and Westchester counties.

Admissions coordinators are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to support first responders and their families, as well as union representatives and EAP coordinators making referrals.

About Valley Spring Recovery

Valley Spring Recovery Center (VSRC), based in Norwood, New Jersey, provides evidence-based treatment for substance use and mental health disorders across New Jersey, New York, and surrounding regions. The organization specializes in dual diagnosis care, offering Partial Hospitalization (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) tailored to individual recovery needs. VSRC is accredited by CARF and licensed by the New Jersey Department of Children and Families and accepts major insurance providers to support access to care.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/293797

Source: Brand North
"MMJ International Holdings Rebuts Federal Claim of "No Standing" in CMS Hemp Litigation: "This Case Is About Protecting Medicare Patients and the FDA Drug Approval System" stated Duane Boise, CEO MMJ International Holdings.

WASHINGTON, DC / ACCESS Newswire / April 22, 2026 / MMJ International Holdings today strongly rejected arguments by federal regulators that plaintiffs lack standing to challenge the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' cannabinoid-access framework for hemp derived products.

The government's assertion that participation by a pharmaceutical cannabinoid developer does not strengthen the case misunderstands both the structure of federal drug regulation and the real world impact of CMS policy decisions on companies working within the U.S. Food and Drug Administration botanical drug-development pathway.

"This case is not about politics," said Duane Boise, President & CEO of MMJ International Holdings.

"It is about whether federal healthcare programs can introduce cannabinoid therapies into the Medicare population before those therapies meet the same reproducibility, stability, and clinical trial standards required of every other medicine."

MMJ Clearly Has Standing

Contrary to the government's position, MMJ's involvement in the litigation reflects direct and concrete regulatory harm.

MMJ is actively engaged in:

FDA Investigational New Drug clinical programs

resolution of Chemistry, Manufacturing and Controls (CMC) requirements

development of standardized cannabinoid dosage forms

pursuit of orphan-drug designation for Huntington's disease

DEA regulated clinical supply infrastructure

CMS policy that introduces non-IND cannabinoid products into Medicare connected care pathways alters the competitive and regulatory environment governing pharmaceutical cannabinoid development.

Federal courts have repeatedly recognized that such regulatory distortion constitutes standing.

The Case Is About Medicare Patient Safety-Not Cannabis Politics

CMS's cannabinoid-access initiative affects one of the most medically vulnerable populations in the United States:

Americans age 65 and older.

Introducing botanical cannabinoid products into that population without:

clinical pharmacokinetic validation

stability-controlled formulations

dose reproducibility

controlled efficacy trials

raises serious safety concerns that courts routinely evaluate under Administrative Procedure Act standards.

"This lawsuit is about protecting patients," Boise said.

"Medicare beneficiaries deserve therapies supported by the same evidence required for every other federally funded medicine."

CMS Cannot Bypass the FDA Drug Approval Framework

The United States already has a clear pathway for introducing botanical therapies into clinical practice:

the FDA drug approval process.

MMJ International Holdings has followed that pathway from the beginning.

Allowing reimbursement-driven access before completion of FDA validation risks undermining incentives for companies conducting clinical trials under federal supervision.

That concern is not theoretical.

It directly affects pharmaceutical cannabinoid development programs now advancing through FDA review.

Regulatory Distortion Creates Real Economic Harm

Federal healthcare reimbursement decisions influence:

clinical investment timelines

trial recruitment environments

capital formation expectations

and long-term therapeutic adoption pathways

Introducing non-IND cannabinoid products into Medicare-connected systems while FDA-regulated therapies remain under clinical review creates unequal treatment between regulated pharmaceutical developers and retail cannabinoid suppliers.

Courts have consistently recognized such distortions as sufficient to establish standing.

Federal Healthcare Policy Must Follow Science-Not Precede It

At stake in the litigation is a foundational regulatory principle:

reimbursement follows evidence.

Not the reverse.

MMJ International Holdings joined the challenge alongside clinicians and constitutional policy experts because the outcome will shape how botanical therapies enter federal healthcare systems nationwide.

"This case will determine whether taxpayer funded programs introduce cannabinoid products before they meet FDA standards," Boise said.

"That question affects every company developing legitimate cannabinoid medicines in the United States."

A Decision on Standing Will Shape the Future of Botanical Medicine

The government's attempt to dismiss the case on standing grounds does not address the central issue before the court:

whether CMS can expand access to cannabinoid therapies in Medicare-connected care environments before those therapies meet federal drug-development requirements.

MMJ International Holdings believes the answer must remain consistent with decades of public-health policy:

science first, reimbursement second.

And the company remains committed to defending that principle in federal court.

Madison Hisey

MHisey@mmjih.com

203-231-8583

SOURCE: MMJ International Holdings

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/healthcare-and-pharmaceutical/all-eyes-on-cms-federal-fight-could-decide-whether-unapproved-cannabi-1159959
Strategic Alliance to Anchor the "Sustainable Eurasian Digital Silk Road" through Tier IV Data Center Development and AI-Driven Industrial Sovereignty

MIAMI, FL AND ASTANA, KAZAKHSTAN / ACCESS Newswire / April 22, 2026 / TGI Group Inc. (OTC PINK:TSPG), a diversified technology and sustainable infrastructure company, and AMIRON GROUP, a Kazakhstan-based industrial infrastructure partner, today announced the formal signing of their Joint Venture Agreement, establishing TGI AMIRON.

The joint venture is a dedicated platform focused on developing a phased Tier IV Data Center Campus and integrated sovereign digital infrastructure ecosystem in the Ekibastuz "Data Center Valley," Kazakhstan. The initiative is designed to anchor the "Sustainable Eurasian Digital Silk Road," supporting the global shift from AI training to real-time AI inference.

Strategic Platform & Infrastructure Framework

TGI AMIRON combines infrastructure development, energy strategy, and autonomous workflow capability in a single campus model. The project is engineered to Uptime Institute Tier IV standards, ensuring 100% fault tolerance and concurrent maintainability.

Key technical pillars of the framework include:

High-Density Hybrid Cooling:

Specialized liquid-to-chip and indirect evaporative cooling systems designed to sustain high-density AI workloads amidst Kazakhstan's extreme continental climate.

AXIOMAXUS 14.1 Integration:

Utilization of TGI's cognitive logistics platform to transition supply chain and infrastructure management from reactive to predictive execution.

DURTEQ Circular Economy:

The application of proprietary methodologies to convert industrial byproducts into sustainable construction materials (Ashcrete/Sargablocks), reducing the project's carbon footprint and initial CapEx.

Advanced Connectivity:

Deployment of modular grid systems and hybrid gateways for satellite, 5G, and quantum-ready networking.

Energy Strategy: Resilience and Transition

The project is structured around a phased sovereign energy framework. Initial operations will utilize on-site gas-fired generation and 300MW Utility-Scale Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). The long-term roadmap includes evaluating Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and Green Hydrogen to provide carbon-neutral, baseload power for the campus.

Capital Framework and Valuation

The initial phase contemplates approximately 50 MW to 120 MW of Tier IV capacity, with a total capital framework of $1.29 Billion.

TGI AMIRON is modeled as a hybrid infrastructure and software platform. While the physical campus is valued using traditional infrastructure-oriented DCF methods, the autonomous execution layer supports a "Strategic Orchestrator Premium." Independent modeling projects a baseline Net Present Value (NPV) of $9.72 Billion, reflecting the project's infrastructure base and platform optionality.

Executive Commentary

"Today's agreement marks a definitive step in building a sovereign digital infrastructure platform for Kazakhstan and the broader Eurasian region," said Daniel Brody CTO of TGI Group. "TGI AMIRON is designed to unite reliable energy, fault-tolerant compute, and regulated workflow execution-specifically the AXIOMAXUS autonomous layer-into one integrated ecosystem that solves the global bottlenecks of energy scarcity and supply chain fragility."

Governance

TGI AMIRON will operate through specialized Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) to support project-level financing and risk isolation. To ensure transparency for global institutional capital, TGI Group (a Florida-domiciled corporation) will serve as the technical and administrative lead within the JV.

About AXINA Group Inc.

AXINA Group Inc., a subsidiary of TGI Solar Power Group, specializes in sovereign-grade AI platforms and digital infrastructure for emerging economies. Website: https://axinagroup.com/

About TGI Group Inc.

TGI Group Inc. (OTCMarkets:TSPG) is a diversified technology and sustainable infrastructure company focused on energy-efficient infrastructure, digital systems, and environmentally aligned development. www.TGIpower.com

About AMIRON GROUP

AMIRON GROUP is a Kazakhstan-based industrial infrastructure and technology partner specializing in complex systems integration and large-scale infrastructure development.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding the timing of government approvals and platform deployment. Actual results may differ materially from those projected due to regulatory delays, market risks, and international policy changes.

Safe Harbor Statement

Statements contained herein which are not historical facts are forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual operating results to materially differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Such statements include, but are not limited to, certain delays that are beyond the company's control with respect to market conditions.

For more information, please contact:

TGI: info@tgipower.com,

Axina Group: info@axinagroup.com

SOURCE: TGI Solar Power Group, Inc.

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/oil-gas-and-energy/tgi-group-and-amiron-group-formalize-joint-venture-for-1.29-billion-sovereign-di-1159984
Delegations from 11 countries gather in San Jose to strengthen country brand strategies focused on sustainability and competitiveness

Costa Rica shares a development model that combines economic growth with internationally recognized environmental leadership

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Costa Rica reaffirmed its position as a global benchmark in sustainability by hosting the 2026 Pre-Forum of the Ibero-American Council of Country Brands (CIMAP), a strategic platform that brought together country brand leaders from across Latin America to exchange experiences, best practices and perspectives on international positioning.

Alongside essential COSTA RICA, delegations from Ecuador, Paraguay, Chile, Argentina, Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Panama, Uruguay and Venezuela participated, reinforcing Costa Rica's role as a regional hub for advancing agendas that integrate reputation, sustainability and economic development.

Throughout the Pre-Forum sessions, Costa Rica shared its development model-globally recognized for placing sustainability at the core of its value proposition. Today, more than 98.6% of the country's electricity is generated from renewable sources. Costa Rica has successfully reversed deforestation-becoming the first tropical country to do so-while over 57% of its territory is covered by forests and more than 25% is protected under conservation schemes.

At the same time, the country continues to grow economically alongside its environmental commitments. In 2025, total exports increased by 11%, while foreign direct investment (FDI) flows surpassed US$5 billion.

"Sustainability in Costa Rica is not a standalone attribute-it is a way of doing business. It shapes how we produce, innovate and engage with our environment. Platforms like CIMAP are essential, not only to share these experiences, but also to learn from other countries and continue evolving as a region in building more authentic, competitive country brands aligned with global challenges," said Adriana Acosta, Director of essential COSTA RICA.

Under the concept "Costa Rica: Sustainability in Every Shade," Acosta presented the country's comprehensive sustainability vision, highlighting how this approach translates into concrete actions that connect the productive sector, institutions and society.

This vision is also reflected in the management of the country brand, essential COSTA RICA, a platform that brings together the public and private sectors under shared values such as sustainability, innovation, excellence, social progress and Costa Rican connection. Today, more than 780 companies are part of its licensed community, embedding these principles into their operations and strengthening competitiveness in international markets.

Beyond technical discussions, the agenda included immersive experiences that allowed delegations to explore Costa Rica's cultural, historical and urban development through visits to iconic landmarks such as the National Theatre of Costa Rica and other key cultural sites.

The international delegation also visited Costa Rica's Pacific region, where they engaged with initiatives linked to sustainable development, reinforcing the country's value proposition through an integrated experience that connects nature, productivity and well-being.

Delegates highlighted the relevance of the forum. Mariana Cabrera, representing Uruguay's country brand, noted that these types of gatherings help advance regional agendas and strengthen cooperation among countries, while Victor Palma, from Chile's country brand, emphasized the value of knowledge exchange and collaborative international positioning.

Hosting the CIMAP Pre-Forum further strengthens Costa Rica's role as a key player in shaping a regional agenda that connects sustainability, reputation and competitiveness, positioning country brands as strategic tools to drive economic and social development across Latin America.



Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2962788/D52A0424.jpg

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Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - April 22, 2026) - Pineapple Financial Inc. (NYSE American: PAPL), ("Pineapple" or "the Company"), a leading fintech platform, today announced that its Board of Directors has approved an expansion of its previously announced share repurchase program, increasing the aggregate authorization from US$3,000,000 to up to US$15,000,000 of Pineapple's common shares.

The Company also announced that it intends to commence repurchasing shares immediately under the previously approved US$3,000,000 authorization, subject to applicable securities laws and the absence of material non-public information at the time of purchase.

The expanded authorization includes (i) the initial US$3,000,000 to be executed under the existing program, and (ii) an additional up to US$12,000,000, which may be repurchased from time to time, subject to further Board approval, satisfaction of applicable solvency requirements, and the Company's financial condition, liquidity position, and capital allocation priorities.

The timing and price of repurchases as well as the actual number of shares repurchased under the expanded share purchase program will be at the discretion of the Company and will depend on a variety of factors, including general market conditions, the stock price, regulatory requirements and limitations, trading blackout periods, necessary corporate approvals, applicable corporate solvency requirements, corporate liquidity requirements and priorities, and other factors.

About Pineapple Financial Inc.

Pineapple Financial Inc. is an award-winning fintech and leading Canadian mortgage brokerage network, focusing on both the long-term success of agents and brokers as well as the overall experience of homeowners. With hundreds of brokers within the network, Pineapple creates cutting-edge cloud-based tools and AI-driven systems to enable its brokers to help Canadians realize their dream of owning a home. Pineapple is active within the community and is proud to sponsor charities across Canada to improve the lives of fellow Canadians.

Safe Harbor Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this announcement are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties. They are based on the Company's current expectations and projections about future events that the Company believes may affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and economic needs. Investors can identify these forward-looking statements by words or phrases such as "may," "will," "expect," "anticipate," "aim," "estimate," "intend," "plan," "believe," "is/are likely to," "potential," "continue" or other similar expressions. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent occurring events or circumstances or changes in its expectations that arise after the date hereof, except as may be required by law. These statements are subject to uncertainties and risks including, but not limited to, the uncertainties related to market conditions, fluctuations in the market price of INJ and any associated impairment charges that we may incur as a result of a decrease in the market price of INJ below the value at which INJ is carried on our balance sheet; changes in the accounting treatment relating to our INJ holdings; the Company's financial condition, customer acceptance of our INJ treasury strategy, and other factors discussed in the "Risk Factors" section of the registration statements, and periodic reports filed with the SEC. Although the Company believes that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure that such expectations will be correct. The Company cautions investors that actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results. It encourages investors to review other factors that may affect its future results in the Company's registration statement and other filings with the SEC. Additional factors are discussed in the Company's filings with the SEC, which are available for review at www.sec.gov.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/293845

Source: Pineapple Financial Inc.
Burlington, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - April 22, 2026) - Promino Nutritional Sciences Inc. (CSE: MUSL) (OTCID: MUSLF) (FSE: 93X) ("Promino" or the "Company") announces, further to its news release dated March 13, 2026, that it is progressing towards completion of a non-brokered private placement (the "Offering") for up to $1,200,000 in gross proceeds, through the issuance of up to 40,000,000 units of the Company ("Units") at a price of $0.03 per Unit. Each Unit will consist of one (1) common share (a "Share") and one-half (1/2) of one common share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"), with each Warrant being exercisable to purchase one additional Share at a price of $0.06 for twelve (12) months from the date of issuance.

The Company may pay finder's fees in connection with the Offering, as permitted by applicable securities laws and the rules of the Canadian Securities Exchange.

The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Offering (a) to fund inventory production and (b) for general corporate purposes, excluding accrued salaries to officers or directors of the Company and payment for Investor Relations Activities (as such term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange).

The Offering is subject to execution of subscription agreements by the placees and to certain conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals, including the approval of the Canadian Securities Exchange.

All securities issued in connection with the Offering will be subject to a four-month and one-day statutory resale restriction pursuant to applicable Canadian securities laws.

The securities being offered under the Offering have not been and will not 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, U.S. persons absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor will there be any sale of the securities in any State in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

Share Cancellation Clarification

The Company also provides further clarification respecting its April 8, 2026 news release announcing the cancellation of 2 million common shares of the Company. In August 2024, pursuant to Promino's acquisition of Helios Helium Corp. ("Helios") by way of a three-cornered amalgamation, the Company indirectly acquired all of the investments owned by Helios, which included 2 million common shares of Promino itself. On April 1, 2026, following approval of the Company's board of directors, such shares were returned to treasury and subsequently cancelled, resulting in a 2 million share decrease in the number of issued outstanding common shares of the Company.

About Promino Nutritional Sciences Inc.

Promino Nutritional Sciences is a Canadian innovation company focused on science-based, clinically proven nutrition for muscle health and recovery. Its core product, Rejuvenate Muscle Health, is a clinically researched amino acid formula designed to rebuild, restore, and rejuvenate muscle tissue.

The Company also produces Promino - NSF Certified for Sport, trusted by elite athletes. Promino's ambassadors include Stanley Cup Champion Jack Eichel (Vegas Golden Knights) and MLB legend Jose Bautista.

Learn more at www.drinkpromino.com and www.rejuvenatemuscle.com.

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", "anticipates", "expects" and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the expectations of management regarding the proposed Offering, the expectations of management regarding the use of proceeds of the Offering, closing conditions for the Offering, the expiry of hold periods for securities distributed pursuant to the Offering, and Canadian Securities Exchange approval of the proposed Offering. All statements other than statements of historical fact, included in this news release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance or developments to differ materially from those contained in the statements including that: the Company may not complete the Offering on terms favorable to the Company or at all; the Canadian Securities Exchange may not approve the Offering; the proceeds of the Offering may not be used as stated in this news release; the Company may be unable to satisfy all of the conditions to closing of the Offering; and those additional risks set out in the Company's public documents filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. 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. 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. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. 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.

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/293878

Source: Promino Nutritional Sciences, Inc.
Rowlett, Texas--(Newsfile Corp. - April 22, 2026) - Arthur Heating & Air has officially launched a new community initiative to provide a brand-new air conditioning system to a qualifying household in the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) area. The program invites nominations from the public, including self-nominations, to identify individuals or families in urgent need of reliable cooling. The announcement establishes a clear effort to address immediate household needs as temperatures rise across the region.

The initiative reflects Arthur Heating & Air's continued expansion within the DFW region and its evolving role as a community-focused service provider. With seasonal extremes placing increased strain on residential cooling systems, the company is aligning its operational growth with practical community support. The program signals a broader approach in which service capacity is paired with direct local impact, reinforcing the company's presence across the markets it serves.

Internally, the AC giveaway represents a defined milestone in Arthur Heating & Air's approach to structured outreach. The program formalizes efforts to assist vulnerable populations, including seniors, families with young children, and individuals experiencing financial or medical challenges. By opening the nomination process to the public, the company has created a transparent method for identifying households whose needs may otherwise remain unaddressed.

The selected household will receive a complete air conditioning system along with professional air conditioning installation Rowlett. The structure of the program ensures that the support delivered is both functional and sustainable, addressing a core aspect of residential living conditions.

Looking ahead, Arthur Heating & Air plans to incorporate similar initiatives into its long-term strategy, with a continued focus on accessibility and community engagement. The company is evaluating additional opportunities to expand outreach efforts that address essential home comfort needs while strengthening connections across the DFW area.

Arthur Heating & Air encourages community members to participate in the program by submitting nominations and sharing stories of individuals or families in need. Through this initiative, the company continues to emphasize the importance of reliable home systems as a foundation for safety, stability, and overall well-being across the region.

About Arthur Heating & Air

Arthur Heating & Air is an HVAC contractor based in Rowlett, Texas, serving the Dallas-Fort Worth area since 2005. The company provides heating and cooling services for residential and commercial properties, including system installation, repair, and maintenance. Arthur Heating & Air works with a wide range of equipment and system types, supporting indoor comfort needs across the region. The company continues to operate throughout DFW, focusing on consistent service delivery and meeting essential heating and cooling needs for local properties.

Media Contact





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To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/293863

Source: GetFeatured
Thunder Bay, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - April 22, 2026) - Metals Creek Resources Corp. (TSXV: MEK) (FSE: M1C1) (the "Company" or "Metals Creek") the Company announces that, further to its April 2, 2026, April 15, 2026 and April 17, 2026 news releases it has closed a second tranche of its non-brokered private placement financing for aggregate gross proceeds of $86,650 on the issuance of 1,850,000 flow-through units ("FT Units") and 730,000 non-flow-through units ("NFT Units").

Each FT Unit consists of one flow-through common share (the "FT Shares") and one-half of a non-flow through common share purchase warrant (the "FT Warrants"). Each whole FT Warrant will entitle the holder to purchase one additional non-flow through common share of the Company at an exercise price of $0.06 per common share for a period of 36 months from the date of issue. The FT Shares will entitle the holder to receive the tax benefits applicable to flow-through shares, in accordance with provisions of the Income Tax Act (Canada).

Each NFT Unit will consist of one non-flow through common share and one non-flow through common share purchase warrant (the "NFT Warrants"). Each NFT Warrant will entitle the holder to purchase one additional non-flow through common share of the Company at an exercise price of $0.05 per common share for a period of 36 months from the date of issue.

In connection with the second tranche of the private placement, the Company paid $6,065.50 in cash finder's fees and issued 180,600 finders' warrants exercisable at five cents per common share for a period of 36 months from the date of issue. All securities issued pursuant to the Private Placement will be subject to a four-month hold period. The Private Placement is subject to approval by the TSX Venture Exchange.

The proceeds raised from the FT Units will be used for exploration on the Company's Newfoundland and Ontario properties including its Ogden Gold Project and will ensure that such Canadian Exploration Expenses qualify as a "flow-through mining expenditure" for purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada), related to the exploration of the Company's exploration projects.

About Metals Creek Resources Corp.

Metals Creek Resources Corp. is a junior exploration company incorporated under the laws of the Province of British Columbia, is a reporting issuer in Alberta, British Columbia and Ontario, and has its common shares listed for trading on the Exchange under the symbol "MEK".

Metals Creek has earned a 50% interest in the Ogden Gold Property, including the past producing Naybob Gold mine, located 6 km south of Timmins, Ontario and has an 8 km strike length of the prolific Porcupine-Destor Fault (P-DF).

Metals Creek also has multiple quality projects available for option which can be viewed on the Company's website. Parties interested in seeking more information about properties available for option can contact the Company at the number below.

Additional information concerning the Company is contained in documents filed by the Company with securities regulators, available under its profile at www.sedarplus.ca.

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.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. 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/293894

Source: Metals Creek Resources Corp.
Longueuil, Quebec--(Newsfile Corp. - April 22, 2026) - Greenheart Gold Inc. (TSXV: GHRT) (OTCQX: GHRTF) (the "Company" or "Greenheart Gold") announces that it has filed its annual audited consolidated financial statements and management's discussion and analysis for the year ended December 31, 2025 (collectively, the "Annual Filings"). The Annual Filings are available under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on the Company's website at www.greenheartgold.com.

The Company also announces that it will hold its annual general meeting of shareholders on June 16, 2026 at its administrative offices in Longueuil (Quebec). The record date for shareholders entitled to vote at the meeting is April 28, 2026.

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).

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.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/293893

Source: Greenheart Gold Inc.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 22, 2026) - Parvis Invest Inc. (TSXV: PVIS) ("Parvis" or the "Company"), a technology-enabled platform redefining access to real estate and alternative private market investments, today announced that it has closed the second tranche (the "Second Tranche") of its non-brokered private placement offering (the "Debentures") previously announced in the Company's news releases of June 4, 2025, and June 6, 2025 (the "Offering").

With the closing of the Second Tranche for a gross proceeds of C$300,000, the Company has closed $600,000 thus far of the $800,000 Offering. This aggregate includes C$300,000 raised in the first tranche on June 5, 2025 (the "Closing Date") and $300,000 now raised in the Second Tranche.

The proceeds from the Debentures will be used for general working capital and corporate purposes, including continued development and expansion of the Company's technology platform and investment product offerings.

Two directors of the Company participated in the Offering, subscribing for principal amount of C$800,000 of Debentures. Such participation constituted a related party transaction within the meaning of TSXV Policy 5.9 and Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company relied on the exemptions from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 pursuant to Sections 5.5(b) and 5.7(1)(a), respectively, as the Company's securities are not listed on a specified market and the fair market value of the participation does not exceed 25% of the Company's market capitalization.

The Debentures will mature 24 months from the date of issuance and will bear interest at 10% per annum. The Debentures are convertible at the option of the holder into common shares of the Company (each, a "Share") at a price of C$0.20 per Share subject to four months passing from the Closing Date, the Shares having traded at or above $0.20, and compliance with applicable securities laws. The Debentures issued pursuant to the Second Tranche are subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day from the date of issuance. Final closing of the private placement is subject to receipt of TSX Venture Exchange approval. No finders' fees or commissions were paid in connection with the Second Tranche of the Offering.



Parvis

Parvis is a technology-driven investment platform delivering streamlined access to institutional-quality real estate and alternative investments. Headquartered in Vancouver with licenses and presence across Canada, Parvis combines regulatory infrastructure, marketing expertise, and end-to-end technology to simplify private investing for individuals and institutions. For more information, visit www.parvisinvest.com.

Forward-Looking Statement Disclaimer:

This news release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information generally refers to information about an issuer's business, capital, or operations that is prospective in nature, and includes future-oriented financial information about the issuer's prospective financial performance or financial position. Forward-looking statements are often identified by the words "may", "would", "could", "should", "will", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect" or similar expressions and includes information regarding: the completion of the second tranche of the Offering; the potential completion of the third tranche of the Offering; the use of proceeds from the Offering, and the Company's business plans and role in the investment industry. To develop the forward-looking information in this news release, the Company made certain material assumptions, including but not limited to: prevailing market conditions; general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; and the ability of the Company to execute and achieve its business objectives. 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. Actual results may vary from the forward-looking information in this news release due to certain material risk factors. These risk factors include, but are not limited to: the risk that the Offering, or any tranche thereof, may not be completed on the terms described or at all; the risk that TSX Venture Exchange approval may not be obtained; adverse market conditions; changes in general economic, business and political conditions; changes in applicable laws and regulations; compliance with extensive government regulation; reliance on key and qualified personnel; risks associated with the real estate, investment, and technology industries in general. The foregoing list of material risk factors and assumptions is not exhaustive. The Company assumes no obligation to update or revise the forward-looking information in this news release, unless it is required to do so under Canadian securities legislation.

Neither the 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. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in any jurisdiction.

Follow us on social media:

Instagram: @ParvisInvest

Facebook: ParvisInvest

LinkedIn: Parvis

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/293889

Source: Parvis Invest Inc.
Xiaomi has launched the REDMI Book Pro 14 (2026) and REDMI Book Pro 16 (2026) in China alongside the REDMI K90 Max smartphone. The new lineup focuses on AI performance, efficient cooling, and HyperOS ecosystem integration.

REDMI Book Pro 14 and REDMI Book Pro 16 (2026)

Both laptops are powered by 3rd Gen Intel Core Ultra processors, available in Core Ultra 5 325, Core Ultra 5 338H, and Core Ultra X7 358H variants, paired with Intel Arc B390 integrated GPU.

The platform delivers up to 180 TOPS AI computing power, combining CPU, GPU, and NPU workloads. The GPU contributes 122 TOPS, while the NPU adds 50 TOPS of AI performance.

Memory and storage configuration includes up to 32GB LPDDR5x RAM (9600MT/s) in dual-channel setup and 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD storage, along with a reserved M.2 expansion slot for additional storage.

Performance and cooling

The laptops use Xiaomis Hurricane Cooling System, which combines dual 12V fans with long and short blades, dual 3mm heat pipes (D6 + D8), and an oversized heat dissipation plate with 40% more coverage than the previous generation.

Performance output varies by model:

REDMI Book Pro 14: up to 70W

REDMI Book Pro 16: up to 80W

Display and design

The two models differ in display size and resolution while maintaining similar quality standards.

REDMI Book Pro 14 (2026) features a 2.8K display (2880  1800), 120Hz refresh rate, 100% sRGB coverage, and 500 nits brightness.

REDMI Book Pro 16 (2026) upgrades to a 3.2K panel (3200  2000), up to 165Hz refresh rate, 100% DCI-P3 color gamut, and 500 nits brightness.

Both displays support AI-based brightness adjustment, which adapts to ambient light and usage patterns.

Design-wise, both laptops feature a slim metal body with a premium finish and 180-degree hinge. The 14-inch model weighs 1.48kg, while the 16-inch version weighs 1.88kg, with both measuring approximately 15.9mm in thickness.

Battery and charging

Battery capacity differs across models, with Xiaomi focusing on endurance and fast charging support.

14-inch model: 92Wh battery, up to 20.5 hours usage, 805Wh/L energy density

16-inch model: 99Wh battery, up to 30.4 hours local video playback

Charging features include:

100W fast charging

90W reverse fast charging (PPS support)

GaN compact charger with detachable cable

The reverse charging function allows the laptops to act as a power source for devices such as smartphones, including fast charging support for the Redmi K90 Max.

AI features and system intelligence

A major focus of the REDMI Book Pro 2026 series is AI computing integration. Both laptops combine CPU, GPU, and NPU processing for adaptive performance and workload optimization.

AI performance is managed through intelligent modes that automatically adjust across six levels based on system usage and power state. Xiaomi AI computing scheduling also improves task efficiency while balancing power consumption.

Battery-based optimizations include:

Faster file processing performance (up to 25.2% improvement in PPT to PDF export on 14-inch model)

Up to 13.2% improvement in video playback endurance

Super Xiao Ai and HyperOS Connect

Both laptops include Super Xiao Ai, activated through a dedicated Xiao Ai key. It provides multimodal AI interaction, supporting text, image, audio, and video inputs. It also enables:

AI deep search across files, documents, audio, video, and compressed data

Local offline knowledge base creation for privacy-focused use

Integrated system-level AI assistance

Xiaomi also integrates HyperOS Connect, enabling cross-device collaboration across phones, tablets, PCs, and other ecosystem devices. It supports:

Remote PC power control (wake, shutdown, sleep, monitoring)

File transfer and drag-and-drop across devices

Smartphone call handling on laptop

Smart Desktop (mobile interface on PC)

NFC-based file transfer

Cross-device camera support

Keyboard and mouse sharing

Apple device support is also available through Xiaomi Interconnect Service, enabling file transfers between iPhone, iPad, MacBook, and Xiaomi laptops.

Multimedia, ports, and usability

Both laptops include DTS dual speakers, a 1080p webcam, and AI-based brightness optimization. They also support TUV Rheinland certifications, including low blue light, flicker-free display, and circadian-friendly tuning.

Connectivity options include:

Thunderbolt 4

HDMI 2.1 TMDS

USB-C

USB-A 3.2 Gen1 (dual ports)

3.5mm audio jack

Quick Specs: REDMI Book Pro 14 and 16 (2026)

Processors: Intel Core Ultra (5 325 / 338H / X7 358H)

GPU: Intel Arc B390

AI Performance: Up to 180 TOPS (122 GPU + 50 NPU)

RAM: Up to 32GB LPDDR5x (9600MT/s)

Storage: 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD + M.2 slot

Display: 14: 2.8K, 120Hz, 100% sRGB 16: 3.2K, up to 165Hz, 100% DCI-P3

Battery: 92Wh (14) / 99Wh (16)

Battery Life: Up to 20.5h / 30.4h

Charging: 100W fast charge + 90W reverse charge

Performance: Up to 70W (14) / 80W (16)

Cooling: Hurricane Cooling System

Weight: 1.48kg (14) / 1.88kg (16)

Build: Metal body, 15.9mm thin

AI & Software: Super Xiao Ai, HyperOS Connect, AI scheduling

Ports: Thunderbolt 4, USB-C, USB-A, HDMI 2.1, 3.5mm

Pricing and availability

REDMI Book Pro 14 (2026)  Clear Blue

Core Ultra 5 325 (24GB + 1TB): 6,999 yuan (USD 1026 or Rs. 95,930 approx.)

Core Ultra 5 338H (32GB + 1TB): 7,999 yuan (USD 1172 or Rs. 1,09,635 approx.)

Core Ultra X7 358H (32GB + 1TB): 9,499 yuan (USD 1392 or Rs. 1,30,195 approx.)

REDMI Book Pro 16 (2026)  Stardust

Core Ultra 5 325 (24GB + 1TB): 7,199 yuan (USD 1055 or Rs. 98,670 approx.)

Core Ultra 5 338H (32GB + 1TB): 8,199 yuan (USD 1201 or Rs. 1,12,375 approx.)

Core Ultra X7 358H (32GB + 1TB): 9,699 yuan (USD 1421 or Rs. 1,32,935 approx.)

Both laptops are available for purchase in China.
OpenAI has introduced ChatGPT Images 2.0, a next-generation image generation model designed to produce precise, structured, and usable visual outputs. The model is built to handle complex visual tasks, improve instruction accuracy, and generate images that better reflect real-world design needs.

ChatGPT Images 2.0

ChatGPT Images 2.0 is designed to improve how AI interprets and executes image prompts, focusing on accuracy, structure, and visual consistency. It can place objects more precisely, follow detailed instructions, and maintain coherent layouts across complex scenes.

The model is available across ChatGPT, Codex, and the API, and introduces major upgrades in composition control, text rendering, multilingual support, and visual consistency.

A key addition is thinking capability, where the model can reason through prompts before generating images. In supported modes, it can also use web information, generate multiple image outputs from a single request, and refine results for better consistency.

This shifts the system from basic image generation to a more structured visual reasoning tool.

Key Features

Instruction following improvements: Handles complex prompts with higher accuracy, preserving structured requirements and fine details.

Enhanced composition control: Improves placement of objects, UI elements, and design components across layouts with better spatial consistency.

Improved text rendering: Generates clearer and more accurate text inside images, including small fonts, labels, and dense typography.

Stronger multilingual support: Improves rendering of non-English languages, including Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Hindi, and Bengali, with better readability and structure.

Improved style realism: Produces more consistent outputs across photorealism, cinematic visuals, manga, pixel art, and illustration styles.

Flexible aspect ratio support: Supports wide and tall formats suitable for banners, posters, mobile layouts, and social content.

Thinking capabilities: Allows the model to reason before generating images, use web search for context, and refine outputs for better consistency.

Multi-image generation: Generates multiple related images from a single prompt while maintaining continuity across outputs.

Design-oriented outputs: Optimized for real-world use cases such as UI mockups, marketing visuals, educational diagrams, and product concepts.

Safety Overview

ChatGPT Images 2.0 uses a multi-layer safety system to manage image generation responsibly.

Prompt-level filters block unsafe requests before generation

Output-level checks review images before display

A safety reasoning model monitors both inputs and outputs

Continuous evaluation improves detection and enforcement

These safeguards are designed to reduce harmful or policy-violating outputs across all stages of generation.

Limitations

Despite improvements, the model still has limitations:

Reduced accuracy in complex physical or step-based logic scenes

Inconsistencies in highly dense or repetitive visual patterns

Occasional errors in technical labels, arrows, or structured diagrams

Challenges with hidden, angled, or reversed visual details

Some multilingual or diagram-heavy outputs may require review in specific cases

Pricing and Availability

Available in ChatGPT, Codex, and API with basic image generation available to all users
"Nioh 3"throws players into the heart of feudal Japan's spectral chaos, where guardians clash with yokai across vast Endless Edo battlefields. Team Ninja's sequel sharpens the hardcore RPG edge with soulslike 2026 trends like expansive open zones and loot-heavy progression, drawing fans deeper into its punishing yet rewarding world.

Feudal Chaos Takes Hold

Feudal Japan in "Nioh 3" pulses with unrest, centered on Edo Castle during Genna 8 (1622). Here, Tokugawa Takechiyo faces off against his brother Kunimatsu, whose guardian spirit twists into a nightmarish force under yokai influence. Players step into Takechiyo's role, switching between Samurai and Ninja styles to carve through hordes of ghosts and demons.

This setup captures the essence of the Team Ninja sequel, blending historical grit with supernatural horror. Open fields replace tighter mission structures from past entries, letting explorers stumble into ambushes or hidden shrines. Guardian spirits evolve mid-fight, forcing quick adaptations that define soulslike 2026 trends toward fluid, high-stakes combat.

The narrative leaps across erasWarring States turmoil, Heian elegance, even ancient Yayoi roots. Kusanagi no Tsurugi, a legendary blade, propels Takechiyo through time to confront the Crucible, warlord Shingen, shogun Yoritomo, and empress Himiko. Each chapter layers ghosts gripping guardians, where corrupted spirits like Murakumo fuel endless invasions. This time-bending plot weaves Japanese folklore into a tapestry of possession and redemption, keeping players hooked on lore drops amid brutal encounters.

Team Ninja draws from deep historical wells, as noted in their official overview, ensuring authenticity amid the chaos. Combat shines through dual-wield styles: Samurai for heavy katana swings and spear thrusts, Ninja for agile kusarigama chains and shuriken volleys. Burst counters time enemy attacks perfectly, while yokai shifts turn the tide in desperate moments. These mechanics elevate "Nioh 3" as a hardcore RPG pinnacle, demanding mastery over every swing and spell.

'Nioh 3' Builds Guide for Peak Performance

Crafting the right Nioh 3 builds guide means prioritizing stats, gear, and soul cores that synergize across playstyles. The Immortal Spellblade Samurai stands out for its boss-melting fusion of melee and onmyo magic. Pump Courage for stamina, Magic for spell potency, and pair with a guardian spirit like Nurikabe for tanky defense that shrugs off yokai grabs.

Early game skips blacksmith tempering entirelyoverpowered drops from initial zones scale fast enough. A solid starter loadout includes a Divine Katana etched with lightning talismans, light armor for mobility, and soul cores from common foes like Enki for fire bursts. This build thrives in mid-range duels, where players dodge, counter, and unleash yokai realm shifts to stagger groups.

Ninja builds flip the script toward speed and stealth, stacking Ninjutsu for endless shuriken spam and quick-step evasion. Key stats hit Dexterity and Ninjutsu, with a Kusarigama main weapon for crowd control. Guardian spirits like Ippon-Datara boost chain attacks, turning narrow Edo alleys into kill zones.

Hybrid options blend both worlds:

Tank Spear Master : Spear + heavy armor + Rokurokubi soul core; excels in endurance boss fights.

: Spear + heavy armor + Rokurokubi soul core; excels in endurance boss fights. Pure Magic Blaster : Onmyo focus with slinger shots; clears trash mobs from afar.

: Onmyo focus with slinger shots; clears trash mobs from afar. Yokai Shift Specialist: Prioritize Heart stat for frequent shifts; dominates open-field swarms.

YouTube creator breakdowns, like those on ultimate Spellblade setups, highlight how these ignore meta grinding for accessible power spikes. Experimentation rulesrespec at shrines keeps builds fresh for New Game+ runs. Soulslike 2026 trends favor this flexibility, letting veterans min-max while newcomers survive.

This Spellblade Samurai tears through a yokai pack, blending swordplay and spells in seamless "Nioh 3" action.

Unlocking Yokai Loot in 'Nioh 3'

Yokai loot Nioh 3 drives the grind, turning every kill into potential upgrades. Hot springs serve as prime farm spots, where kappas splash around dropping Yokai Teardrops on repeat clears. These rare gems slot into shrines for consumables like elixir bombs or ability unlocks, fueling long hauls through Endless Edo.

Mini-bosses hidden in fog-shrouded groves yield soul coresthink Gaki for fire resistance or Yoki for raw power. Treasure caches in ruined temples spill armor sets and weapon graces, but yokai shifts during hunts spike drop rates by 20-30%. Polygon guides detail Teardrop farming loops, emphasizing patience over brute force.

Numbered steps for efficient yokai loot Nioh 3 runs:

Scout hot springs earlykappa respawn every 10 minutes. Equip loot radar onmyo skill to highlight drops. Shift to yokai form pre-kill for bonus rarities. Trade Teardrops at blacksmith for grace infusions.

Open-world design scatters these across maps, rewarding off-path detours with ethereal gear. Soulslike 2026 trends amplify this, making loot feel earned amid procedural yokai spawns. Stack soul cores on living weapons for passive buffs, like poison clouds that soften guardians before strikes.

Armor follows suit: Tokichiro sets resist shifts, perfect for ghost-heavy zones. Weapons gain graces like "Yokai Bane," shredding spectral health bars. This system ties directly to Nioh 3 builds guide, where loot dictates playstyle evolution from fragile rookie to shogun slayer.

Soulslike 2026 Trends in Team Ninja Sequel

"Nioh 3" spearheads soulslike 2026 trends by ditching linear missions for seamless open fields, where yokai patrols create organic chaos. Burst counters evolve into combo chains, letting skilled players weave through attacks like a phantom breeze. Realm shifts expand, pulling foes into personal hellscapes for isolated duels.

Accessibility nods appear via Ninja mode, easing input buffers for broader appeal without diluting hardcore RPG roots. Veterans revel in immortal builds that demand frame-perfect execution, while loot variance ensures replayability. Wikipedia's "Nioh 3" page outlines how Team Ninja sequel iterates on Nioh 2's foundation, adding martial arts finishers and onmyo synergies.

Key evolutions include:

Guardian Spirit Depth : Bonds level up, unlocking active skills like area heals.

: Bonds level up, unlocking active skills like area heals. Endless Edo Hubs : Social spaces for co-op summons against world bosses.

: Social spaces for co-op summons against world bosses. New Game+ Layers: Scaling difficulty with yokai mutations.

Combat loops tighter than everki pulse staggers groups, quick changes swap styles mid-combo. This hardcore RPG balances punishing deaths with generous checkpoints, aligning with 2026's push for approachable mastery. Exploration shines in fog-veiled mountains or neon-lit night markets, hiding shift stones that amp stats temporarily.

Yokai variety dazzles: flying tengu snipers, burrowing Oni, illusory kitsune that clone mid-fight. Each drops unique loot, feeding the Nioh 3 build guide ecosystem. Team Ninja sequel positions itself as the genre's evolution, blending precision with spectacle.

Dominate Endless Edo with Builds and Loot

"Nioh 3" Feudal Phantom rewards those who master Nioh 3 builds guide tactics alongside yokai looting Nioh 3 farms. Dual styles and guardian synergies turn spectral sieges into triumphs, while soulslike 2026 trends keep the Team Ninja sequel fresh in hardcore RPG ranks. Gear up, shift forms, and claim Edo's throne through relentless spectral combat.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What Defines "Soulslike 2026 Trends" in This "Team Ninja Sequel"?

"Nioh 3" shifts to open fields from linear missions, emphasizing burst counters, ki pulsing, and guardian spirit bonds.

Ninja mode adds accessibility with evades, while high-stakes yokai realms demand precisionkey evolutions in hardcore RPG design.

2. How Does Combat Switch Between Samurai and Ninja Styles?

Samurai excels in heavy hits and ki pulse recovery; unlock Low/High stances via Samurai Locks.

Ninja prioritizes dodges and Ninjutsufind Ninja Locks for skill points; burst break (R2 timing) auto-swaps styles mid-fight.

3. What's New in "Nioh 3" as a "Hardcore RPG"?

Open-world Edo hubs enable co-op summons; New Game+ adds yokai mutations and deeper onmyo synergies.
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.
Attorneys for incarcerated former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters are asking the Colorado Court of Appeals to vacate her convictions after the appeals court upheld those convictions this month.

In an opinion issued April 2, the appeals court said Peters is not protected by the supremacy clause of the U.S. Constitution because she was not a federal officer carrying out a duty for the federal government, a ruling Peters attorneys are contesting in a petition for rehearing filed April 16.

Peters, 70, was convicted of a total of seven counts, including several felonies, related to election fraud and misconduct and sentenced to nine years incarceration in October 2024. The conviction stemmed from improperly allowing an unauthorized person to enter a secure area of the Mesa County Elections Division in May 2021 to make copies of computer hard drives in search of election fraud, and misleading officials in the process.

No election fraud related to the 2020 election was ever found in Mesa County.

Peters is being held at the La Vista Correctional Facility in Pueblo, with an estimated parole eligibility date of Oct. 22, 2028.

Peters has maintained she was simply doing her duty as the Mesa County elections official, and that her prosecution was politically motivated and violated her First Amendment rights by punishing her for statements she made about the validity of the 2020 elections.

Peters was indicted by a grand jury and prosecuted by District Attorney Dan Rubinstein, a Republican, who has maintained Peters prosecution wasnt political.

+2 Polis to wait for appeals court on Peters clemency decision Gov. Jared Polis has signaled that he will wait until the Colorado Court of Appeals has weig

The appeals courts ruling also found presidential pardons do not apply to crimes committed at the state level. President Donald Trump said Dec. 11 he was pardoning Peters, but presidential pardons only apply to crimes committed at the federal level, and therefore the pardon is meaningless.

The only fault the appeals court found with Peters case was that Judge Matthew Barrett improperly considered Peters protected free speech in his sentencing argument and ordered Barrett to re-sentence her. It did not require Peters sentence to be less than before, however.

Peters attorneys argued she is immune from state prosecution under the supremacy clause of the U.S. Constitution because she was carrying out a federal duty.

Tina Peters found guilty of unauthorized absence during prison scuffle Former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters has been found guilty of unauthorized absence during 

The Courts holding that Mrs. Peters did not qualify for Supremacy Clause immunity demonstrated a fundamental misunderstanding of Mrs. Peters immunity, the petition for rehearing stated, saying Peters duties as county clerk included administering elections, and were therefore governed by federal election statutes.

Unfortunately, this Court failed to explain how Mrs. Peters was not acting as an agent of federal authorities by fulfilling her responsibilities as the chief election official for the county, the document continued.

In its ruling, the appeals court found that Peters does not fall into any of the categories that are protected by the Supremacy Clause, which include federal officers, those acting as an agent for a federal officer, and those acting pursuant to a federal court order.

+2 Appeals court orders Tina Peters to be re-sentenced The Colorado Court of Appeals has ordered former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters to be re-sent

Notably, Peters does not contend that she is a federal employee or federal agent. Rather, Peters asserts that Supremacy Clause immunity extends to any individual acting pursuant to a statutory duty imposed by federal law, Judge Ted Tow wrote in the opinion. We disagree as a matter of law.

Peters attorneys cited her duty to protect and preserve election records as a duty under federal law that should qualify her for Supremacy Clause immunity.

But Peters cites no case, nor are we aware of any, in which Supremacy Clause immunity has been extended to a state officer acting pursuant to a federal statute, the opinion stated. There is simply no authority for extending immunity that far.

In their filing, Peters attorneys have also asked for a new hearing, saying a juror in her original trial believed they were being targeted because of their jury service.
In January 2015, the town of Glendive detected the contaminant benzene in its drinking water. Days earlier, the nearby Poplar Pipeline ruptured, spilling between 30,000 and 50,000 gallons of crude into the Yellowstone River. Wintry conditions and thick river ice meant it took until spring to clean up the fouled river.

"The investigation into that spill showed that the spill was neither predictable, nor preventable," Bill Salvin, a spokesman for Bridger Pipeline, told the Courier.

Bridger now intends, pending regulatory approval, to build another pipeline  this time through portions of northern Valley County. The proposed pipeline would transport 550,000 barrels per day (bpd) from Alberta, Bridger says, though Reuters reports that it could potentially transport more than a million bpd.

"I think it's a way to get around Keystone," said state Rep. Frank Smith, a Democrat whose district covers portions of Valley County.

President Donald Trump approved the controversial extension of the Keystone XL pipeline into Montana in his first administration, but the project was halted in 2021 when then-President Joe Biden took office. That decision was celebrated by many environmentalists, but it cost Valley County millions in additional tax revenue.

Both the environmental concerns and the potential influx of property taxes the proposed pipeline could bring drew discussion at a public meeting on Tuesday, April 14, at the Cottonwood Inn. Hosted by the Bureau of Land Management and the Montana Department of Environmental Quality, the meeting was a chance for citizens to learn more about the proposed pipeline and submit written comments concerning its potential approval and construction.

About 60 people attended the event even though many attendees only found out about the meeting the day before or day of. A press release advertising the event was published on KLTZ's website the day of the event, but the lack of public notice concerned many residents.

"It was not an advertised thing that went to" us, Natalie Weeks-O'Neil, a member of the Fort Peck tribes and a Democrat running to replace Smith, said.

Madison McGeffers, a public information officer with the Montana Department of Environmental Quality, told the Courier that a press release was sent statewide by BLM on March 31 and DEQ on April 1. "The agencies notified the public meetings and the opening of the public comment on each agency website, posting to the federal register, and email lists," she said. Bridger also sent postcards to landowners who might be affected by the pipeline.

Yet even Smith, a state legislator, only found out about it through word-of-mouth. "Representatives for this area should have known about it," he said.

The meeting itself was mostly informational. Representatives from BLM and DEQ gave a brief PowerPoint presentation before allowing attendees to circulate, examining posters explaining the proposed pipeline. Other than written comments, however, there was no formal question-and-answer session, and many attendees left wondering what the purpose of the meeting was.

"This scoping period is the only mechanism available to ensure this proposed action is held to a standard of rigorous accountability," Lance Fourstar, a councilman on the Wolf Point City Council, said. "A cursory review is unacceptable."

According to a poster at the event, the environmental impact study (EIS) is scheduled to be released for public comment in the fall, with the final EIS published in spring 2027. DEQ is taking written public comment through May 1, as well as hosting events in Glasgow, Miles City, and a virtual event last week.

While tribal members present at the meeting expressed frustration at the lack of notice, not all were decidedly against the pipeline. "We are all supportive of economic growth," Weeks-O'Neil said. "I have no issue with that. I understand. It's very important." She pointed to the fact that the Fort Peck tribes have their own oil wells.

Her concerns are both economic and environmental. "It's tar oil from Canada that will be pumped on a very large pipeline through Montana to send to Wyoming, crossing three rivers, for energy that we will not see the benefit of. It will not be for Montana consumption," she said. Pointing to the Yellowstone leak, Weeks-O'Neil said the public deserves to know "what kind of money has been set aside to clean up" a potential leak in the proposed pipeline.

Salvin, the spokesman for Bridger Pipeline, told the Courier the company is "very proud of our emergency response" to the 2015 Yellowstone leak.

According to Salvin, since the Yellowstone leak Bridger has employed modern technology  including artificial intelligence  to better monitor its pipelines. "One of the things artificial intelligence is really good at is pattern recognition," he said. "What that does is it reduces the time that it takes to detect a leak," meaning the company is better prepared to mitigate risk than it was 11 years ago.

He also stressed that the pipeline will not access the river at all. "We will drill underneath it," he said. "From the bottom of the river to where the pipeline is, that is likely going to be 30 or 40 feet... the top of the pipeline will be about four feet below the surface, and the bottom  since it's a 36-inch pipeline  will be about seven feet below the surface. And then we'll cover it back up with soil."

State Rep. Valerie Moore, a Republican whose district includes portions of Valley County, believes Bridger Pipeline is committed to public and environmental safety. "Always we want everything done in the safest way it can be," she said. "Nobody wants our water infringed upon, or our agricultural land." Bridger, she adds, is "very conscientious to do it right."

The pipeline, Moore says, could be an economic boon for Valley County. While Salvin says "there won't be a huge amount of permanent jobs" created, estimating only 30 to 50 new positions along the entire pipeline route, the property tax benefits for Valley County could be substantial. Moore says a very early estimate shows the pipeline with a market value of over $450 million in Valley County alone.

That money "presents as a major net positive for local school districts," Glasgow Public Schools superintendent Brenner Flaten told the Courier. "With the way that Montana currently funds public education, it is very important that our residents feel tax relief so that supporting education-related taxes, such as bonds and levies, becomes more manageable and fiscally attainable."

Moore says the economic benefits are already being felt. "Farmers are reaping benefits from the ones crossing their land. They're getting surveyor money, easements. It's already having an impact."

Still, the environmental concerns loom large, Jestin Dupree said at the April 14 meeting. The land chairman and economic development chairman for the Fort Peck tribal council, Dupree worries about the potential effects on drinking water in northeast Montana, noting that the pipeline will cross the Poplar, Missouri, and Yellowstone Rivers.

"We want assurances to know that if they bore under our rivers that we're going to be okay," he said. "If that water's infected, it affects everybody in northeastern Montana. Up to 20,000 people get their drinking water off the Fort Peck tribes."

Dupree stresses that he and the Fort Peck tribes are not opposing the expansion of the pipeline but do want to make sure it is done responsibly. "We're not against oil. We have oil wells on our reservation. Our job here is to protect our resources, and they're not doing a good job at explaining how they're going to do that."
For months, rumors about the fatal Jan. 22 crash near Fort Peck that claimed the life of 43-year-old Austin Pullman have swirled around Valley County. Now, the city  and the officer involved in the crash  has finally broken its silence.

"The officer involved in the incident was Assistant Chief Tyler Edwards," the Glasgow Police Department said in a statement on April 14. Initially placed on administrative leave, "Edwards was cleared to return to work on March 6, 2026," following the conclusion of the Montana Highway Patrol's preliminary investigation. MHP is the agency investigating the accident.

For Edwards, going public is a relief. "I personally have been asking my assigned attorney, the city, and my department to release something to the community about the accident since early February," he said in a statement to the Courier. "There have been vicious rumors that were hurting all persons involved and spreading propaganda that is completely false."

A vehicle operated by a 40-year-old man driving from Glasgow "failed to properly negotiate the posted stop sign" at the intersection of Galpin Road and Highway 24, Trooper Thomas Kachler with the Montana Highway Patrol told the Courier. That vehicle collided with a second vehicle in which Pullman was a passenger.

When asked whether "failed to properly negotiate the posted stop sign" means "ran a stop sign," Kachler declined to elaborate. "I know it sounds nitpicky, but specific words give specific meaning to us. It's part of our job to be precise about these things."

Edwards says a train on the tracks caused him to be rerouted while driving home from work. He was in special response team (SRT) vehicle, as he was on call for the regional SRT established in cooperation with various northeastern Montana law enforcement. Given how rural the region is, police departments are sometimes called on to support one another in high-risk situations.

The investigation into the accident is ongoing, Kachler said. "Due to the seriousness of fatality crashes, this can often take upward of six months." He asked for understanding that he "can't release some specific personal information."

Edwards, however, says "this tragedy is one of the hardest things I've ever went through personally and professionally," noting that his own pain is "only a fraction of what the family who lost a father is enduring."

Pullman, of Middletown, California, was working in Glasgow when he was killed, according to his obituary in the Lake County News in Lakeport, California. "At Fort Peck, he was inspired by the sheer size of the equipment he was working on and impressed that this was all built about 100 years ago. It was at this job that he lost his life," the obituary reads. He left behind a wife and three sons.

The horrors of the crash still haunt Edwards. "The other vehicle involved rolled during the accident," he said. "While running to the overturned vehicle, my heart sank as I saw an unresponsive man lying on the ground."

Edwards tried to render aid along with others, but "shock began to set in and I began to violently shake." He called his chief, per department protocol, and his wife who arrived on the scene. "We prayed in her vehicle for everyone involved in the accident."

After praying, Edwards says he returned to the scene to assist but was quickly placed in the back of a Valley County Sheriff's vehicle. Law enforcement transferred Edwards to the hospital, and the MHP obtained a sample of his blood. "Toxicology results indicate there was no presence of alcohol in either driver," Kachler said.

In their statement, the Glasgow Police Department said that "at this time, there is no indication of any malicious or criminal activity." They, along with Edwards, ask for the public's patience as the investigation continues.

"I ask for patience and grace as the Montana Highway Patrol investigation runs its course," Edwards said. "I want answers and transparency as much as anyone else."

A GoFundMe was set up for the family of Austin Pullman, raising $90,785 as of this writing. "This terrible tragedy has left a huge hole in the hearts of his family and those who knew and loved him," David Russek, who established the fundraiser, wrote. Pullman and his family were in the process of moving from California to Tennessee, he wrote. "They were planning to start fresh in a more affordable location and the Fort Peck job was going to add to their nest egg to get them started on their new journey. This horrific, sudden, and heartbreaking event has stopped this forward progress in its tracks."

Edwards feels the horror and heartbreak of this loss himself, even if he knows his own pain is nothing compared to the pain the Pullman family feels. "I'm deeply saddened for everyone involved and truly feel as if I failed my community in this moment."

To donate to the Pullman family's GoFundMe, visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-for-lindsey-and-sons-after-austins-tragic-loss
Hey yall,

The historian Frederick Jackson Turner famously declared the frontier closed in 1893. This was hardly news. Three years prior, the 1890 census found that the frontier simply no longer existed; the Wests population density was so great by then that the unsettled area has been so broken into by isolated bodies of settlement that there can hardly be said to be a frontier line, Turner quoted the Census Bureau.

Ive been thinking a lot about this over the past week after hearing multiple folks unironically refer to Glasgow as the frontier. Of course, everyone knows the middle of nowhere designation the town was given nearly a decade back. There is no arguing that we are in a remote part of the country  not everyone has to cross state lines to get to the nearest Walmart.

But the frontier? We have cell phones, and internet, and a McDonalds. We may be remote, but were hardly living in the 1880s, I thought.

Then, on Saturday, April 18, The New York Times published a well-reported piece on the Republican primaries in Montana, calling this election The primary that could end a state G.O.P.s independent streak.

Those words  independent streak  struck me as worth considering. They reframed how I think of the frontier. What if the frontier is less of a place, and more of a set of circumstances  distance from power, mutual dependence, practicality  that still exist here in Montana but have all but disappeared in most of America?

American social development has been continually beginning over again on the frontier, Turner wrote in his Frontier Thesis. This perennial rebirth, this fluidity of American life, this expansion westward with its new opportunities, its continuous touch with the simplicity of primitive society, furnish the forces dominating the American character.

If the frontier created what is best about the American character in the 19th century, it preserves what is best about it in the 21st. The fact that I am writing this letter from the editor in a still-successful local newspaper is testament to how robust civic institutions that have failed elsewhere remain in Glasgow. Local businesses are still thriving. Civic participation and pride remain strong. People still look out for one another, still find community with one another  and in person, not just on social media.

By 1880, Turner writes, the frontier was found in these mining camps and ranches of the Great Plains. Thats right here. Thats us. So whatever Alaska claims, according to Turner and the U.S. Census Bureau, Montana is not just the last, best place  its also the last frontier.

That the best of the American character and a stubbornly independent political landscape, both rapidly diminishing in national life, are found here in our frontier home is not, I think, a coincidence. From what Ive seen since arriving here last month, Montanans value rugged individualism, sure, but they temper it with a genuine concern for their neighbor. On the frontier, you must  no one else is around to look after them. Or you.

Turner touches on this, though he does it by positing the Indians as a common danger, demanding united action. Id push back on that, especially in 2026; the Fort Peck tribes are our friends and neighbors. Still, the general concept of having to look after one another because were all collectively on our own, far removed from both power and help, remains a fact of High Plains life.

That Montanans voted to protect abortion rights in the state constitution the same night they voted to reelect Donald Trump would make most coastal pundits scratch their heads. Makes perfect sense to me, though. Montanans, by want and by need, cannot trouble themselves with the decadent concerns of coastal elites. The frontier demands pragmatism and cooperation, two virtues that seldom follow party lines.

Four centuries from the discovery of America, at the end of a hundred years of life under the Constitution, the frontier has gone, Turner laments. Perhaps he is right. Perhaps, no matter how far away from well, everything, Glasgow is, technology keeps us too connected to be a proper frontier.

That frontier spirit, though, remains. I hope it never disappears.

Until next week,

Skylar Baker-Jordan

Editor-in-Chief

Glasgow Courier
The Glasgow Kiwanis Club recently presented Bring Up Grade (BUG) certificates to 39 students at the Glasgow Middle School in grades six, seven, and eight. The certificates were presented to those students showing improvement between the second and third grading periods. The purpose of the BUG Honor Roll is to honor students who may not otherwise receive recognition for their efforts to improve.

The certificates were presented by Charles Wilson, Ben Wilson, and Brenner Flaten from Kiwanis, assisted by Principal Mike Zoanni. The Kiwanis Club provided ice cream, served by Builders Club student Gwen Turner and Key Club students Bridger Wesley, Kyler Whitman, Hannah Holinde, and Aspen Probert. Builders Club co-advisor Mrs. Laurie Enebo took the pictures, and the certificates were printed by the Chamber of Commerce.

Kiwanis is a community service organization affiliated with the Montana District of Kiwanis and Kiwanis International that sponsors the high school Key Club, the middle school Builders Club, and also supports the swim team, Scouting, 4-H, Easter egg hunt, and many other projects. Anyone wanting to join Kiwanis can contact any member for more information.
Russian hybrid threats: EU lists two entities over information manipulation activities

European Council / Council of the European Union

Council of the EU

Press release

21 April 2026 13:00

The Council today decided to adopt restrictive measures against two additional entities responsible for Russia's continued hybrid activities, in particular propagandaand disinformation.

The Council is listing today Euromore, a media platform operating within the pro Kremlin information architecture as an unofficial media relay. Euromore amplifies, recycles, and legitimises Russian narratives and disinformation targeting European audiences. Furthermore, it recurrently disseminates content challenging the legitimacy of EU institutions and justifying Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.

Restrictive measures are also imposed on the Foundation for the Support and Protection of the Rights of Compatriots Living Abroad (Pravfond). This is a core instrument of the Russian Federation's foreign influence and propaganda strategy, which is founded and financed by the Russian state. Pravfond's legal and analytical output is systematically used to reinforce key Kremlin disinformation points, notably allegations of the 'nazification' of Ukraine, claims of widespread 'Russophobia', and assertions of 'systematic persecution of Russian-speaking populations in neighbouring states'.

Through their activities the designated entities are responsible for supporting the actions and policies of the Russian government, which undermine democracy, the rule of law, stability, and security in the European Union and Ukraine.

With today's decision, restrictive measures in view of Russia's destabilising activities now apply to a total of 69 individuals and 19 entities. Those listed today are subject to an asset freeze, and EU citizens and companies are forbidden from making funds, financial assets or economic resources available to them.

The relevant legal acts have been published in the Official Journal of the European Union.

Background

The framework for restrictive measures in response to Russia's destabilising actions was set up on 8 October 2024 to target those engaged in actions and policies by the government of the Russian Federation, which undermine the fundamental values of the EU and its member states, their security, stability, independence and integrity. The sanctions regime targets also those responsible for Russia's hybrid activities against third countries and international organisations.

On 18 December 2025, the European Council adopted conclusions in which it strongly condemned all recent hybrid attacks against the Union and its member states.

The EU and its member states will continue to draw on the full range of tools available to protect, prevent, deter from and respond to such malicious behaviour.

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Contracts

Contracts for April 21, 2026

AIR FORCE

All American Contracting Solutions, Rapid City South Dakota (FA469021D0004); Dakota Plains Electrical Engineering and RCS Construction JV, Eagle Butte, South Dakota (FA469021D0005); LaCreek Development Corp., Martin, South Dakota (FA469021D0006); OK2 Construction, Cleburne, Texas (FA469021D0007); and QSJV, Rapid City, South Dakota (FA469021D0008) have been awarded a ceiling $190,000,000 modification (FA469021D0004P00003, FA469021D0005P00002, FA469021D0006P00003, FA469021D0007P00003, and FA469021D0008P00002) for construction services. The modification brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $190,000,000 from $95,000,000. Work will be performed at Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, and is expected to be completed Sept. 30, 2027. There are no funds being obligated at time of award. The 28th Contracting Squadron, Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota, is the contracting activity. (Awarded on April 20, 2026).

DEFENSE HEALTH AGENCY

United Concordia Companies Inc., Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, is awarded a modification (P00048) in the amount of $132,005,812 to exercise Option Period Five of the firm-fixed-price, cost reimbursable, no-fee contract (HT940221C0006) to provide worldwide dental coverage to active-duty service members of the uniformed services of the U.S. The Active-Duty Dental Program supplements the dental care provided in Department of Defense dental treatment facilities, as well as provides care to active-duty service members living in remote regions that do not have access to dental treatment facilities. The period of performance is from May 1, 2026, to April 30, 2027. Fiscal 2026 operations and maintenance funds are being obligated at the time of award. The Defense Health Agency, Managed Care Contracting Division, Aurora, Colorado, is the contracting activity. (Awarded April 15, 2026).

QBase LLC, Reston, Virginia, was awarded a fixed price requirements bridge contract (HT001525C0001 P0003) with a value of $16,355,750. This contract supports the Defense Health Agency Infrastructure and Services Resource Management Branch, whose mission is to provide provides network sustainment and deployment support services to Military Health System military medical treatment facilities, to include hospitals, clinics, and other remote elements, both inside and outside the continental U.S. This work supports the overall network infrastructure at a medical treatment facility and responds to, detects, reports, records, diagnoses, and resolves the occurrence of network faults as well as measures network performance and connectivity on an ongoing basis. This is a six-month base contract with a six-month option. Location of performance is worldwide with a June 27, 2027, performance completion date. The base year is funded with operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $16,355,750. The Defense Health Agency, Enterprise Medical Services Contracting Division, San Antonio, Texas, is the contracting activity. (Awarded April 16, 2026).

NAVY

Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded a $70,107,750 modification (P00001) to a cost-plus-fixed-fee, firm-fixed-price contract (N0001925C0080). This modification adds scope to provide for ongoing integration efforts for the government of Romania as F-35 Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customer to include program management, logistics and sustainment, and systems engineering. Work will be performed in various undisclosed locations within and outside the continental U.S. and is expected to be completed in November 2028. FMS customer funds in the amount of $70,107,750 will be obligated at the time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competed. Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.

Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems, Manassas, Virginia, is awarded a $36,973,224 cost-plus-incentive-fee modification to previously awarded delivery order N00024-26-F-6241 under an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N00024-26-D-6203) to exercise an option for engineering and technical support in support of the Integrated Submarine Imaging System. Work will be performed in Manassas, Virginia, and is expected to be completed by March 2027. Fiscal 2026 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $3,500,000 will be obligated at the 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.

Lockheed Martin Corp., Manassas, Virginia, is being awarded $20,492,194 for a firm-fixed-price contract for the purchase of 180 spare high-frequency chin array acoustic modules used in Block IV Virginia-class submarines. The contract does not contain an option provision. Work under the contract will be performed in multiple locations: Hingham, Massachusetts (37%); Oldsmar, Florida (36%); Liverpool, New York (23%); and Manassas, Virginia (4%). Work is expected to be completed by June 2031. Fiscal 2026 working capital funds (Navy) in the contract's full amount of $20,492,194 will be obligated at time of award and those funds will not expire at the end of the applicable fiscal year. One company was solicited for this sole-source requirement pursuant to the authority set forth in 10 U.S. Code 3204 (a)(1) and one offer received. Naval Supply Systems Command Weapon Systems Support, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity (N00104-26-C-NA12).

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY

Karlas & Emmas Knits LLC,** Brooklyn, New York, has been awarded a maximum $21,070,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for various types of physical fitness shirts. This was a competitive acquisition with 12 responses received. This is a four-year contract with no option periods. The ordering period end date is April 20, 2030. Using military services are Air Force and Space Force. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2026 through 2030 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE1C1-26-D-0042).

ARMY

Tech Tactical LLC,* Tampa, Florida, was awarded a $14,950,000 cost-no-fee, cost-plus-fixed-fee, firm-fixed-price indefinite-delivery contract to facilitate rapid development, procurement, training and sustainment of information operations systems. 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 April 23, 2031. Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Edgewood Division, Edgewood, New Jersey, is the contracting activity (W911SR-26-D-A004).

HGS LLC, Bellaire, Texas, was awarded a $9,503,303 firm-fixed-price contract for restoration of the Dutch Gap aquatic ecosystem, including stream, riparian, wetland, and buffering plant communities to provide habitat for migratory birds and local fish and wildlife at the Dutch Gap Aquatic Complex in Antioch, Illinois. Bids were solicited via the internet with five received. Work will be performed in Antioch, Illinois, with an estimated completion date of April 20, 2031. Fiscal 2026 operation and maintenance, Corps of Engineers, civil funds in the amount of $9,503,303 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Chicago District is the contracting activity (W912P6-26-C-A008).

MISSILE DEFENSE AGENCY

Lockheed Martin Corp., Missiles and Fire Control, Dallas, Texas, is being awarded a $9,992,195 modification (P00124) to a previously awarded contract (HQ0147-17-C-0032) for the acquisition of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) Configuration 3.1 Part B2 Ground Modernization equipment to support the U.S. government. The THAAD Configuration 3.1 Part B2, and associated labor and material, will be procured under a firm-fixed-price contract line item. The total value of this contract is increased from $9,085,427,667 to $9,095,419,862. The work will be performed in Dallas, Texas; Sunnyvale, California; Troy, Alabama; Huntsville, Alabama; and Camden, Arkansas, with an expected completion date Jan. 31, 2029. Fiscal 2026 procurement funds in the amount of $9,992,195 are being obligated at time of award. The Missile Defense Agency, Huntsville, Alabama, is the contracting activity.

*Small business

**Women-owned small business

https://www.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract/Article/4466064/

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Nordhaus underscores National Guard's indispensable role

By Master Sgt. Zach Sheely April 19, 2026

WASHINGTON -- In the span of a single year, the men and women of the National Guard conducted precision airstrikes to dismantle Iran's nuclear program, rescued dozens of children from rising Texas floodwaters, repelled cyber intrusions targeting critical infrastructure and surged thousands of troops to restore order and safety in American cities.

Testifying before the House Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on Defense alongside reserve component chiefs today, the chief of the National Guard Bureau underscored the Guard's indispensable dual role as a warfighting and response force.

"Our dual mission as the primary combat reserve of the Army and the Air Force, while also serving as the military first responders in domestic crises, is a challenge we accept," Air Force Gen. Steve Nordhaus said. "2025 was a remarkable year for the National Guard, defined by the scale and simultaneity of our operations."

When President Donald J. Trump called for action against Iran's nuclear program last June, National Guard aircrews contributed to the War Department's Operation Midnight Hammer, the largest operational B-2 strike in U.S. history. This mission began not at a forward operating base, but in Missouri, where the Air National Guard's 131st Bomb Wing has spent years working side by side with the U.S. Air Force's 509th Bomb Wing.

This year, National Guardsmen have participated in Operation Epic Fury, flying strike missions against Iranian targets alongside Joint Force partners. U.S. forces, including Guardsmen, remain postured as U.S. combat power continues to build, while Iranian combat power declines.

In January's Operation Absolute Resolve, Guard forces were employed to counter narco-terrorism in the Western Hemisphere.

Meanwhile, back home, Guardsmen logged more than 2.4 million hours of direct support to American citizens in response to domestic crises, from natural disasters to civil emergencies.

Congressman Ken Calvert, the HAC-D chairman, praised the Guard's counterdrug efforts in the homeland, which Nordhaus said were responsible for removing $15 billion in illicit narcotics from American communities in 2025.

"Every dollar you give the National Guard, you're getting huge bang for your buck," Nordhaus said. "Because our Guardsmen are professional, they're experienced, and they use their civilian skill sets to come into those programs and make us stronger."

Today, about 42,000 Guardsmen are currently engaged in the homeland and worldwide, supporting every combatant commander across the globe. Nordhaus said sustaining this operational tempo requires continued investment in facilities, equipment, medical readiness and people.

The CNGB emphasized that the Guard will remain a credible warfighting partner if it modernizes alongside the active component.

"To sustain strategic dominance, we must modernize concurrently with our services to aggressively outpace and overmatch tomorrow's threats," he said, calling for robust investments in flying hours, weapons systems sustainment, facilities maintenance, base operations support and the National Guard and Reserve Equipment Account, or NGREA.

Nordhaus also asked Congress to address a funding gap created when Guard forces are called into state active-duty status to respond to domestic emergencies. Under current policy, reimbursement funds for those activations are returned to the Treasury rather than restored to the units that spent them on training and equipment.

"When we use these resources to serve our citizens in a state active-duty status, current policy sends reimbursement funds back to the Treasury," he said. "We ask for your support in restoring that readiness directly back to our formations."

One of the most persistent challenges facing the Guard is a personnel system that has not kept pace with the demands placed on the force.

Guard leaders have called on Congress to advance duty-status reform, a long-sought effort to simplify the patchwork of legal authorities under which Guardsmen are ordered to active duty, and to ensure that equal work is compensated with equal pay and benefits regardless of duty status.

Last month, during a roundtable review of crime reduction in Memphis, Tennessee, President Trump announced that some National Guardsmen currently activated around the U.S. will soon receive deployment pay and benefits equal to those of active-duty troops.

Perhaps the most cost-effective security cooperation tool in the War Department's portfolio is the National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program, which pairs individual National Guard elements from every state, territory and the District of Columbia with partner nations for training, exercises and military-to-military engagement.

The program now connects the Department with nearly 60% of the world's countries at just 1% of the theater security cooperation budget. Nordhaus told lawmakers, "Your help with flexible, multi-year budget authority will allow us to sustain the pace of these highly effective engagements."

The CNGB closed by thanking the committee for its support and calling on Congress to continue investing in the Guard's warfighters and capabilities.

"We are powered by our core advantage: the Citizen-Soldier and -Airman," Nordhaus said. "They combine the warrior ethos with civilian-acquired skills, creating an organization that is as innovative as it is lethal, a force that is community-based and globally engaged.

"We will always keep our promise to the Nation and to our citizens: Always Ready, Always There."

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Poland and France Seal Historic Partnership in Gdansk

Republic of Poland

20.04.2026

The first Polish-French intergovernmental summit took place in Gdansk, co-chaired by Prime Minister Donald Tusk and President Emmanuel Macron. "We have elevated our relations to the highest level," the Prime Minister assessed. In difficult geopolitical times, predictability, loyalty, and solidarity between states take on particular importance. That is why the stability of Polish-French relations and their tangible outcomes matter. Poland and France cooperate in areas including energy, security, defence, and the space sector. France is also one of Poland's key partners in the context of protecting the eastern border and supporting Ukraine. The meeting of the two governments in Gdansk is part of the implementation of the Treaty on Enhanced Cooperation and Friendship between Warsaw and Paris, signed on 9 May 2025 in Nancy. 20 April has been established as Polish-French Friendship Day.

Poland and France together for European security

Warsaw and Paris share a closely aligned stance on the geopolitical situation, highlighting its growing instability, particularly in the strategic dimension.

"We see the same need to strengthen the sovereignty of Europe and of our countries. We want to consistently support Ukraine in its resistance to aggression, while at the same time nurturing the transatlantic relationship. We are determined to maintain it at the best possible level," Donald Tusk emphasized.

In the face of the rapidly changing global situation, Europe needs unity.

"Aid to Ukraine, security on the eastern flank, cooperation on cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and modern technologies, in all these areas Europe must believe in its own strength and capabilities. No one will guarantee our security if we do not do it ourselves," the Prime Minister assessed.

An example of solidarity between states was France's assistance in September 2025, when Russian drones violated Polish airspace.

"You reacted swiftly when we were the target of a Russian provocation. In that moment of uncertainty, France's rapid response was unambiguous and confirmed that NATO is something very real, and that in difficult moments you can count on European allies," the Prime Minister recalled.

President Emmanuel Macron also highlighted the dimension of shared security.

"Polish-French relations are today at a historic level. This trust will be reinforced, because it is in the interest of our countries. Europe's freedom depends on the ability to defend itself and on the independence of European nations," President Macron noted.

Warsaw and Paris announced further deepening of cooperation in key areas of security and European policy.

The Strategic Rapprochement of Poland and France

Polish-French cooperation is delivering economic results and strengthening the capacity of both states.

"We have just had very promising talks on energy, and on military and space cooperation," the Prime Minister said.

Poland is becoming an increasingly attractive partner for France.

"We are a success story. We are growing the fastest in Europe and spending the most on defence. We expect a partnership of equals in trade and mutual investment in energy, the defence industry, and infrastructure," Donald Tusk stressed.

The Prime Minister noted that the President of France expressed understanding for Poland's local content policy supporting domestic industry.

Another significant area of Polish-French cooperation is protecting children and young people from internet addiction.

"We will work closely on this, and it is also worth developing a solution at the European level," the Prime Minister assessed.

Polish-French cooperation is developing dynamically and now spans an ever-wider range of fields.

"We have drawn up an action plan for the coming months covering security, nuclear energy, culture, social media, and artificial intelligence. We will continue to work together for the benefit of Poland, France, and Europe," President Macron declared.

Prime Minister Donald Tusk also underscored the broad scope of Polish-French cooperation.

"I can say that our cooperation, from nuclear cooperation to joint military exercises, is a partnership with no limits whatsoever," the Prime Minister assured.

During the Gdansk summit, a joint declaration on energy was signed, along with a letter of intent on cooperation in satellite telecommunications, and an agreement between the Institut Francais, the Adam Mickiewicz Institute, and the Polish Institute in Paris on the organisation of the France-Poland Season 2027.

The summit concluded with a ceremony to present the Bronisaw Geremek Award for contributions to strengthening Polish-French relations. The laureate was stage and film actor Andrzej Seweryn.

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Security Council Press Statement on Death of French Peacekeeper from United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon

Press Release

Security Council

SC/16344

20 April 2026

The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Jamal Fares Alrowaiei (Bahrain):

The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the attack perpetrated against the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) on 18 April, following which one peacekeeper from France died and three others were injured, two of them seriously.

The members of the Security Council expressed their deepest condolences and sympathy to the families and the relatives of the victims, and its solidarity with France. They also expressed condolences to the United Nations. They wished a speedy and full recovery to those who were injured. They paid tribute to the dedication and service of all United Nations peacekeepers who risk their lives in service of international peace and security and expressed their deep appreciation to UNIFIL's troop-contributing countries.

They reaffirmed their full support for UNIFIL and urged all parties to take all measures to respect the safety and security of UNIFIL personnel and premises, as well as the freedom of movement of the mission, in a manner consistent with international law, including by refraining from actions that may put peacekeepers in danger and impede the Force to carry on its mandate. They recalled that peacekeepers must never be the target of an attack.

They called on the UN to swiftly investigate this attack through UNIFIL and keep the relevant troop-contributing country informed of the progress consistent with Security Council resolutions 2518 (2020) and 2589 (2021). They called for those responsible for the attack to be held accountable without delay.

They called on the international community to intensify its support, including equipment, material and finance, to the LAF [Lebanese Armed Forces] in order to ensure their effective and sustainable deployment south of the Litani River and to enhance their capacities to implement resolution 1701 (2006).

They called on parties to fully implement the United Nations Security Council resolution 1701 (2006) and comply with the 16 April cessation of hostilities. The members of the Security Council reiterated their strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and unity of Lebanon.



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Meeting of the Foreign Minister of Armenia with the NATO Secretary General's Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia

21 April, 2026

On April 21, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan received NATO Secretary General's Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia Kevin Hamilton.

The interlocutors noted with satisfaction the active dynamics of political dialogue between Armenia and NATO. Projects aimed at expanding the partnership were discussed, an important component of which is the support for the reforms and democratic development, implemented by Armenia.

Minister Mirzoyan presented the latest regional developments, as well as the steps being undertaken toward the normalization of relations with neighbors and the further institutionalization of peace.

Touching upon the topic of regional connectivity, the interlocutors emphasized that in the new realities, the South Caucasus can play the role of a connecting bridge. This is also reflected in the "Crossroads of Peace" project developed by the Republic of Armenia.

During the meeting, views were exchanged on issues regarding international security, as well as cooperation within multilateral platforms.

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Army unveils FY27 budget request focused on Soldiers and transformation

By Army Communications and Outreach Office April 21, 2026

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Army unveiled a $253 billion budget request aimed at accelerating a sweeping transformation of the force, focusing on developing next-generation weapons, strengthening its industrial base, and improving quality-of-life for Soldiers, all while committing to greater fiscal responsibility.

"This budget reflects the Army's steadfast commitment to ensuring it remains the world's most capable and ready land force," said Maj. Gen. Rebecca McElwain, Director of the Army Budget.

The request seeks funding increases across personnel, operations, procurement, and research to build a more lethal and agile force prepared for future conflicts. Army leaders framed the budget as a crucial investment in keeping a competitive edge and ensuring peace through strength. It directly supports the core defense priorities of rebuilding the military, reestablishing deterrence, restoring the warrior ethos, and driving fiscal reform.

The Army stressed that its "greatest asset" remains the American Soldier. The budget proposes a 5.3 percent increase in military personnel funding, with reconciliation, supporting a five to seven percent pay raise for all service members and an end-strength growth of 18,300 Soldiers across the active and reserve components.

A central theme of the budget is also "transformation," which includes aggressively reforming the acquisition process to get technology into Soldiers' hands faster. The plan calls for a 28.7 percent discretionary increase in procurement funding, including a $3.1 billion request to modernize the Army's government-owned Organic Industrial Base sites, which are critical to munitions and equipment production.

The request also boosts the research and development discretionary budget by 12.9 percent to keep a technological advantage. Key investments include funds for the MV-75 Cheyenne tilt rotor aircraft, the advanced M1E3 Abrams tank, Counter-Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-sUAS), and the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system.

Amid the proposed budget increases, Army officials emphasized commitment to fiscal responsibility and accountability. They highlighted acquisition reforms and technological efforts to drive efficiency and ensure every dollar is spent effectively.

"This budget was forged to meet the challenges of a complex global security environment all while honoring our commitment to our people and the American taxpayer," said McElwain. "Every dollar in this request is deliberately allocated to create a more lethal, modern, and resilient force."

For a complete breakdown of the Army's FY27 budget request and detailed program information, the public is invited to visit: Army Budget Materials

For all media inquiries regarding the budget, please contact the Army Communications and Outreach Office

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April 21, 2026

Release

Department of War Releases the President's Fiscal Year 2027 Budget

The Department of War (DoW) today released President Donald J. Trump's Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) Defense Budget, which asks for a generational investment of $1.5 trillion to unleash the American Arsenal of Freedom, marking a 42% increase over current funding levels.

"We are delivering on President Trump's commitment to expand American military dominance for decades to come," said Secretary of War Pete Hegseth. "Previous Administrations underinvested in our military while our enemies grew stronger and more dangerous, so we are now changing the game. This budget builds this arsenal without compromising readiness that will ensure we remain the world's premier fighting force, we protect the homeland, and we create peace through strength now and into the future."

In the midst of one of the most complex threat environments in this nation's 250-year history, the President's historic FY27 Budget ensures we will be prepared to meet our adversaries across the air, land, sea, space, and cyberspace domains. It will also rebuild and expand our Defense Industrial Base (DIB) with a $756.8 billion investments in new capabilities, delivering the innovation and lethality our warfighters need, while creating hundreds of thousands of jobs for Americans. It fully funds the Golden Dome to protect the homeland, invests in our critical minerals and munitions, and provides a pay raise for military personnel. At the same time, DoW cut nearly $20B in unnecessary spending and invested that money back in the warfighter.

Key Highlights:

Supercharging America's Industrial Base

As the successor to the generational Reagan-era military build-up, over half ($756.8B) of the DoW's budget is allocated to investments in new capabilities. This will create hundreds of thousands of jobs, unlock new capacity and credit, and massively increase the number of major defense articles we purchase. It will also make critical investments in our supply chains and in the tens of thousands of small and medium-sized American businesses that make up the heart of our industrial base.

Securing the Homeland

This budget makes an $18 billion investment to begin operationalizing America's Golden Dome, the next-generation shield over the homeland. This will be a game-changing system of space-based missile defense sensors and interceptors, kinetic and non-kinetic missile defeat and defense capabilities, and enabling technologies for a layered, next-generation homeland missile defense system. It also includes $2.3 billion to sustain enhanced border security efforts in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security to maintain the most secure border in American history.

Ensuring America's Readiness

This budget will invest an additional $31.7B in Core Readiness and Readiness Enablers, over FY 2026 enacted levels for areas such as cyber security, ship operations, flying hours, and ground readiness.

This budget also makes key investments in future advanced platforms like the F-47 and B-21, accelerates the modernization of our nuclear arsenals to reinforce deterrence, and delivers on promises to our warfighters and their families by putting forward the money necessary to provide them with world-class housing and pay that is in line with the quality of their service. It will also increase end strength by over 2% in FY27, which includes an increase for the active components of over 3%, growing the force by 44,000 service members. This growth will provide the manpower we need to employ new and expanded capabilities.

Drone Dominance

Delivering over a $74B investment, President Trump's request triples how much we will spend on drone and counter-drone technologies from FY26. This marks the largest investment ever in this sector.

Maritime Dominance

A strong Navy has always been the backbone of American power projection and control of the seas has meant the difference between victory and vulnerability in every conflict. With the $65.8 billion invested in shipbuilding, we will ensure America's naval superiority for decades to come with aggressive shipyard modernization and creation of the Golden Fleet, including the funding for 18 new Battle Force Ships, the largest request since 1962.

Space Superiority

The request nearly doubles the budget for the United States Space Force, investing more than $75B to ensure American space superiority. This investment prioritizes America's vital national and economic security interests in, from, and to space.

Cyber Superiority

With more than $20 billion invested in our cyberspace capabilities, we will be better positioned than ever to defend federal systems, critical infrastructure, and supply chains, all while building robust cyber operations.

The Department's Budget Materials can be found here: https://comptroller.war.gov/Budget-Materials/

https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/4466038/

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Federal Grand Jury Charges Southern Poverty Law Center for Wire Fraud, False Statements, and Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering

Tuesday, April 21, 2026

For Immediate Release

Office of Public Affairs

Between 2014 and 2023, the SPLC secretly funneled more than $3 million in donated funds to individuals who were associated with various violent extremist groups including the Ku Klux Klan, Aryan Nations, and National Socialist Party of America

A Grand Jury in Montgomery, Alabama, today returned an indictment charging the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) with 11 counts of wire fraud, false statements to a federally insured bank, and conspiracy to commit concealment money laundering. The United States Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Alabama Northern Division filed two forfeiture actions to recover alleged proceeds of the organization's fraud scheme. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) investigated this case with assistance from the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI).

"The SPLC is manufacturing racism to justify its existence," said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. "Using donor money to allegedly profit off Klansmen cannot go unchecked. This Department of Justice will hold the SPLC and every other fraudulent organization operating with the same deceptive playbook accountable. No entity is above the law."

"The SPLC allegedly engaged in a massive fraud operation to deceive their donors, enrich themselves, and hide their deceptive operations from the public," said FBI Director Kash Patel. "They lied to their donors, vowing to dismantle violent extremist groups, and actually turned around and paid the leaders of these very extremist groups - even utilizing the funds to have these groups facilitate the commission of state and federal crimes. That is illegal - and this is an ongoing investigation against all individuals involved."

The SPLC is a non-profit organization headquartered in Montgomery, Alabama, whose mission, according to its website during the relevant time period, was to be a "catalyst for racial justice in the South and beyond, working in partnership with communities to dismantle white supremacy, strengthen intersectional movements, and advance the human rights of all people."

According to the indictment starting in the 1980s, the SPLC began operating a covert network of individuals who were either associated with violent and extremist groups, such as the Ku Klux Klan, or who had infiltrated violent extremist groups at the SPLC's direction. Unbeknownst to donors, some of their donated money was being used to fund the leaders and organizers of racist groups at the same time that the SPLC was denouncing the same groups on its website.

"Donors gave their money believing they were supporting the fight against violent extremism," said Acting United States Attorney Kevin Davidson. "As alleged, the SPLC instead diverted a portion of those funds to benefit individuals and groups they claimed to oppose. That kind of deception undermines public trust and social cohesion."

Between 2014 and 2023, the SPLC secretly funneled more than $3 million in donated funds to individuals who were associated with various violent extremist groups including:

Ku Klux Klan

United Klans of America

Unite the Right

National Alliance

National Socialist Movement

Aryan Nations affiliated Sadistic Souls Motorcycle Club

National Socialist Party of America (American Nazi Party)

American Front

According to the indictment, the objective of the scheme and artifice was to obtain money via donations through materially false representations and omissions about what the donated funds would be used for.

In order to covertly pay the individuals, the SPLC opened bank accounts connected to a series of fictitious entities. The covert nature of the accounts allowed the SPLC to disguise the true nature, source, ownership, and control of the fraudulently obtained donated money the SPLC paid the individuals. In order to keep the scheme going, the SPLC made a series of false statements related to the operation of the accounts.

A conviction will result in the forfeiture of financial gains from the alleged illegal activities.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and FBI Director Kash Patel made the announcement in Washington.

The details contained in the civil forfeiture complaint are allegations only.

Component: Office of the Attorney General

Press Release Number: 26-386

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Sudan: Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union marking three years of war

European Council / Council of the European Union

Council of the EU

Press release

21 April 2026 17:50

Three years since the outbreak of war in Sudan, the suffering of the Sudanese people continues unabated. The conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and their respective affiliated militias is destroying lives and depriving the population of its aspirations of the 2018/19 revolution.

The European Union reiterates its commitment to Sudan's unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and strongly rejects any unilateral attempt to establish parallel governance that could risk the partition of the country. Preventing the conflict from escalating into a full-scale regional war remains also paramount.

The Sudan Conference in Berlin held on 15 April 2026 demonstrated the international community's determination to exert pressure on the belligerents to end the conflict. Recalling the October 2025 Council Conclusions on Sudan, the European Union renews its call on all actors to engage in negotiations towards an immediate and lasting ceasefire. The EU stands ready to back any credible, unified peace initiative, including options to support an international monitoring mechanism. External actors must stop fuelling the war. In this regard, the EU advocates for expanding to the whole country the mandates of the ICC and the UN arms embargo, which are today limited to Darfur.

Sudan's humanitarian catastrophe is deepening. civilians are targeted, famine conditions persist, and displacement continues to destabilise communities and the region. Attacks on civilians, healthcare, aid workers, humanitarian convoys and civilian infrastructure must stop. All parties must guarantee unimpeded, safe and sustained humanitarian access across Sudan; obstruction and attacks on relief efforts and personnel are unacceptable and may constitute war crimes. The EU remains firmly committed to supporting the humanitarian response to the population's needs and will continue pursuing its work on the protection of critical infrastructure. At the Sudan Conference in Berlin, international donors pledged 1,5 billion in aid, including 812 million from the EU and its Member States.

Grave violations of international humanitarian law and human rights law continue. Impunity must end. Systematic conflict-related sexual and gender-based violence continues to destroy both individuals and communities on a horrifying scale, with rape being used as a weapon of war. The EU supports the work of the UN Fact-Finding Mission, the ICC and robust accountability for all perpetrators. The EU will use all tools available - including diplomacy and restrictive measures - to press for peace, including examining additional sanctions aimed at the war economy.

The European Union reaffirms its support for the Sudanese people's aspirations for democratic governance. At the Sudan Conference in Berlin, civilian actors from Sudan met at the invitation of the AU-led Quintet (African Union, United Nations, European Union, Intergovernmental Authority on Development, League of Arab States) and agreed on a Joint Call to End the War and Advance a Sudanese-Owned Political Process. Only an independent and representative civilian process can restore legitimacy of the Sudanese state.

The resilience and courage of the Sudanese people, notably the Emergency Response Rooms and other mutual aid groups, remain a source of hope and deserve our utmost respect. It is long overdue to bring this devastating conflict to an end.

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Foreign Affairs Council: Press remarks by High Representative Kaja Kallas at the press conference

European External Action Service (EEAS)

21.04.2026

Luxembourg

EEAS Press Team

Check against delivery!

Good afternoon.

We had just a long but focused meeting of the foreign ministers.

First, of course, we discussed Ukraine. Ministers, like always, heard directly from the Ukrainian Minister of the state of play. And although there was Orthodox Easter ceasefire declared, Russia did not keep to it. It actually increased its attacks against Ukrainian civilians. And it shows that Putin has not given up on his maximalist war aims.

We must continue to give Ukraine what it needs to hold its own, until Putin understands that this war leads nowhere.

Following Hungarian elections, there is a new momentum and I expect a positive decision on the 90 billion loan in the next 24 hours. Ministers also urged to rapidly move forward with the 20th sanctions' package.

We should also revisit long-blocked decisions, including opening negotiation clusters with Ukraine, also the European Peace Facility weapons fund. Also, we should revisit sanctions that have been on the table and not agreed before. But also, we should move on with the new sanctions' package.

The EU remains Ukraine biggest supporter, in addition to the military and financial support, also our EUMAM mission has now trained over 90,000 Ukrainian soldiers. And there was also broad support today to move ahead with the fourth pillar of European security guarantees, focused on the defence sector reform, hybrid cyber threats, as well as the veterans.

However, wars are not only fought with drones and missiles. We must also continue to fend off Moscow's destabilisation attempts. So, today, ministers approved additional sanctions against those behind disinformation campaigns inside the European Union. We also extended measures against those destabilising Moldova.

While Russia bombs museums, destroys churches and seeks to erase Ukrainian culture, it should not be allowed to exhibit its own. Russia's return to the Venice Biennale is morally wrong, and also the EU intends to cut its funding.

Finally, we will come with proposals to restrict former Russian combatants' entry to the European Union by the time of June's European Council.

Turning to the Middle East, the region stands at a moment of both risk and opportunity. Ceasefire in Iran and Lebanon largely hold, but they come with a rapidly nearing expiration date. If the fighting resumes tonight, it will come at a very large cost for all, and that is why it is important that the next round of talks happens.

Lebanon is paying a heavy price for a war it did not choose. We heard today from Prime Minister Salam about Lebanon's peace talks with Israel and its efforts to lift the country out of Hezbollah's grip. There are too many civilians that have lost their lives in this war. Europe has committed 100 million in humanitarian assistance. We also continue to support the Lebanese Armed Forces and work on a possible EU civilian mission. The more we strengthen the Lebanese army, the weaker we make Hezbollah.

On Iran, ministers were clear that freedom of navigation is non-negotiable. Daily U turns, whether the Strait of Hormuz is open or closed, are reckless. Transit through the Strait must remain free of charge. Europe will play its part in restoring the free flow of energy and trade once the conditions allow. Our ASPIDES naval mission is the quickest way to protect shipping in the region, and I have asked ministers to make more assets available.

The EU already has sweeping sanctions in place on Iran, but today we also reached the political agreement to widen our sanctions regime to also target those responsible for breaches to freedom of navigation.

Iranian drones used against our Gulf partners likely incorporate Russian tech upgrades. We are engaging closely with Gulf partners to limit this, including through possible cooperation on sanctions. We also want to deepen our cooperation with the Gulf regarding security and defence.

None of us want to see a nuclear armed Iran.

We are in agreement with our regional partners that any durable settlement must address also other issues in addition to the nuclear, including Iran's missile programme and its continued support to terrorist groups, and those are also central priorities. At the same time, we cannot lose sight of Gaza and the West Bank - the EU is the biggest supporter of the Palestinian people. Yesterday, I co-chaired two meetings with over 60 delegations to put a political perspective for future of the two-state solution back on the table. The implementation of the Peace Plan, in line with the UN Security Council resolution 2803, remains the best way forward.

The EU will continue to push for improved humanitarian access, condemn illegal Israeli land grabs in the West Bank and call for Hamas disarmament.

Now on the relations with Israel. Some Member States today proposed a full or partial suspension of the EU Association Agreement, as well as for restrictions on trade coming from settlements. And others were expressing their opposition to such proposals. Given that the suspension of the Association Agreement needs unanimity, there was no support for this needed in the room. The measures that we have already on the table that require qualified majority will require states shifting their position. We did not see that today, but these discussions will continue.

Syria has so far escaped the regional war, but risks to its stability remain.

Ministers today reaffirmed our support for Syria's transition, our new counter terrorism blueprint for the region will strengthen cooperation within the global coalition. The European Commission has now proposed a full resumption of its 1978 cooperation agreement with Syria. We will discuss further support next month, when we host the Foreign Minister of Syria for the EU Syria High-Level Dialogue.

Ministers also stressed that Europe has a strategic interest in a stable and secure South Caucasus. Progress in the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process is a real opportunity for the region, and the EU is significantly stepping up its support.

Today, ministers agreed to establish a new EU civilian mission for Armenia. It will strengthen countries' resilience against massive disinformation campaigns and cyber attacks. When Armenians go to the polls in June, they alone should choose their future.

We also look forward to Yerevan hosting a first ever joint Summit in May, which will be a testimony of our deepening partnership.

Azerbaijan remains an important partner on energy and connectivity. We want to deepen our ties and will resume negotiations of a new bilateral cooperation agreement soon.

Georgia shows no signs of reversing democratic backsliding. Ministers had an explicit message that Georgia needs to change the course. And of course, also genuine engagement in the human rights dialogue would be an indication that they want to change the course.

And finally, Sudan. Three years into the war, the country faces unprecedented death and displacement. While donors last week pledged 1.5 billion in aid,far more is needed. The EU's priorities are three-fold. First, push the ceasefire efforts. Second, advance civilian transition. And third, strengthen accountability. Progress on the EU's initiative on protecting critical infrastructure would be an important step. Together with the Netherlands, the European Union is preparing to support a UN ceasefire monitoring mechanism. We also reached a political agreement to impose new sanctions on those benefiting from the war, because as long as regional powers fuel and profit from the war, the war will drag on.

Ministers also addressed many other issues, including Council conclusions on energy and climate diplomacy. The wars in the Middle East and Ukraine show how important it is to diversify supplies and reduce dependencies on fossil fuels. We have many more important topics today, but I will stop here and ready to take your questions.





Q&A

Q. On the suspension of the agreement with Israel, you have mentioned that the discussion will continue. Even if there were not enough votes for a QMV, I understand you saw a shifting in the mood. I mean, were there more countries asking for something eventually? There were some measures like Sweden and France asked for measures outside the agreement that could be done - stopping the commerce with settlements. And if I might ask you on Iran, if I understood properly, you will propose sanctions against those who impede the freedom of navigation in Hormuz. Could you specify what kind of sanctions and the timetable on that? Thank you.

I did not see the shifting of positions in the room regarding the suspension of the agreement. Yes, there were new proposals on the table regarding the trade, so I promised to take this back to the Commissioner for Trade. Because in order to discuss that, if you look at the legal provisions, then we need a Commission proposal on the table. So, I will take that back.

When it comes to the sanctions on Iran, as you know, we already have sweeping sanctions on Iran. Now, the new proposal is to address also those who are engaged in limiting the freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. So, the work is ongoing. There is political agreement, but there also needs to be a legal preparation for that. We aim for the May Foreign Affairs Council.

Q. Spain's Foreign Minister told us this morning that Europe's credibility is being compromised by the inaction over Israel's violation of human law, as he put it. And I just wondered if you could corroborate that as you engage the EU's partners around the world. Are you experiencing that partners around the world are feeling that the European Union is exercising double standards, it is not taking action against Israel. Could you corroborate that? Is Europe's credibility sinking on the global stage?

What I experience actually, by going around the world, is the opposite. I see that our credibility is raising regarding all the topics, because we see what is happening in the world. And who is a credible and reliable partner is the European Union if we see what is happening on different spheres. On the Palestine issue, we have been the biggest supporters of Palestinians - in terms of supporting the Palestinian people, in terms of supporting the Palestinian Authority, in terms of supporting the Palestinian refugees, in terms of supporting also the reconstruction of Palestine. So, every time that somebody raises this double standards issue, I also ask beforehand to see how much they are doing for Gaza and Palestinians. And usually, European Union action always trumps that. Yes, it is true that there are a lot of requirements also for Europe, especially now. Everywhere I go, everybody is turning to us because the US is withdrawing aid from everywhere. And it is clear that we cannot do everything, but we also have our worries. When it comes to Ukraine where we are asking our partners, who all ask us to be there for all the crises in the world, to come up with support. We are the biggest supporters in Sudan. We are the biggest supporters in Somalia, in terms of the mission there. I can list from all over the world, but we have a problem, which is Ukraine: we are alone, and we are the biggest supporters there - not completely alone, that is also not true, but we also have our worries. This is where we also have our worries. So, I would really push back on this issue because we are doing a lot. Yes, we do not have a full agreement on all these issues. But, on the suspension of the Association Agreement, will it stop the expansion on the West Bank? This is probably also not true. But at the same time, the proposals are there, but we do not have an agreement. So, let us focus on those issues where we actually do have an agreement, and there is a lot.

Q. On the Ukraine and the Druzhba pipeline, President Zelenskyy just announced that it will resume its operation very soon. So, do you expect now an agreement on the loan, on the 90 billion loan tomorrow at the Coreper?

Yes, like I said, we expect an agreement in 24 hours. I do not want to jinx it, I hope that everything goes well because we have seen some turns in this file, but this is the agreement that we had in December and resuming this is a promise that Ukraine made, so hopefully all the obstacles are removed.

Q. Question about Druzhba. President Zelenskyy has said that it now can resume operation. Seeing the Commission has spent money and sent experts to get Druzhba back up and running, can you tell us now, also because the SPU has blown up a pumping station in Russia, can you tell us now if oil can flow through Druzhba to Hungary as things stand? And if not, could that pumping station explosion risk jeopardising your happy hopes for the next 24 hours?

I may look like an oil expert, but I am definitely not giving you an answer whether the oil will flow now because I am not an expert. What I can say is that the promise was made by Ukraine, and that was the obstacle for our Hungarian colleagues, Slovakian colleagues, so this is the promise that should not derail the decision.

Q. High Representative, after Viktor Orban suffered a defeat, Russia's sympathetic Prime Minister will come soon to power in Bulgaria after the parliamentary elections. So, is there a fear of new Orban from Bulgaria? Especially in the policy towards Ukraine.

We are all 27 democracies, which means that we have elections and through elections, people will choose their future. Before, we do not have a government in place and we have not seen how the new government acts, so we will not jump ahead of the events. I think it is important that everybody comes to this table with a genuine interest in cooperation and also compromise because it requires compromising for everybody. And I think in the beginning everybody is treated with equal welcoming of new colleagues around the table to have agreements and cooperation with.

Q. I am very interested to ask you what is the general mood of ministers regarding the situation in Georgia? And also, for example, regarding targeted sanctions, do they believe that targeted sanctions could be an effective tool to encourage the Georgian Dream to return to the path of European integration in line with the will of the people and to ensure that those responsible are held accountable for their actions?

If you ask me the general mood, then I can answer yes. The general mood is there because if we have pushed for sanctions, for example regarding those people who are committing these actions against opposition of free media. Then we have had 26 countries on board and one against. Now, the question of recent developments is also a question regarding Georgia; does it bring new momentum in this regard? I cannot run ahead of the events, but let us see. Definitely, there was a very good discussion today, about these things, also about the engagement. Because some were saying that we should engage more. The ultimate understanding is that we should definitely engage more with the Georgian people, also outside Tbilisi, to show the people that the European Union is there and really that we are coming with good thoughts and will. But at the same time also to give very clear messages to the government of Georgia that the direction that they are taking is not in accordance with the values that Europe represents. So, this was the discussion today and we will revisit the sanctions once we have new governments around the table.

Q. Madam High Representative, is there any specific date or period when you expect the approval or a formal approval of the 20th package of sanctions against Russia? And also, is there anything you could tell us about the 21st package of sanctions? Because Croatian Foreign Minister today mentioned that ministers already started considering the 21st package.

If you ask me the date of the 20th sanctions package, then I say it is long overdue. So, I hope that we can move faster, considering the new momentum we have. We have also taken the approach that we are working regarding the sanctions on the shadow fleet on a rolling basis, so we are not putting together big packages, but as soon as we know about the ships, we are going to put them on. But, of course, also, there were ministers raising today new ideas for the 21st package of sanctions once the 20th package is adopted.

Q. My question is a bit broader and bigger, I suppose. But if you look Druzhba dispute that has been going on for quite a while now, can you tell us what you think about who actually holds the leverage in Europe right now? I mean is it the EU? Is it Kyiv or is it Member States still reliant on Russian oil? And if you could reflect a little bit on that, that would be very interesting. Thank you.

What is clear is that what really has an effect on the Russian economy is anything we do on oil because it is their main revenue for this war. And of course, what is happening in Iran and the Middle East is actually giving them some breathing space because the oil price is going up. But it is not as big as they need in their budget gap and requirements. That is also very, very clear. The broader dispute is about Russian energy as such. We have been vulnerable because we have been dependent on Russian oil and gas. So, our approach and the roadmap has been to get rid of the Russian oil and gas completely. We still need to work with that, even if the Druzhba pipeline now is being restored. We need to diversify our portfolios, also not to put all the eggs in one basket. That is what we are trying to do.

Q: So, who holds the leverage of decision making. When you look at, when you reflect on the Druzhba situation and the result?

On the energy roadmap, we have already made the decision, so, that is already there. Regarding the Druzhba pipeline, I think right now it is that Ukraine has really fixed this. But in the end, if you are buying Russian oil and gas, then the leverage is with Russia. That is very clear. So, if we want to get rid of that leverage, we should not give them this revenue, whether it is via Druzhba or any other means.

Q. Madam Kallas, in the morning you mentioned that you will discuss how to handle the relationship with Azerbaijan. I want to ask if you discussed it, and I have another question on demining. The Foreign Office of Azerbaijan called to expand international help for demining operation because lives continues to be lost in Karabakh. So, are you going to answer that call? Because you are already doing that, but maybe expand.

We discussed also what more can we do in terms of the relationship with Azerbaijan. We need to work more and strengthen our ties on the issues of common interest like energy and trade. Azerbaijan has been a very reliable energy partner to the European Union countries. And, of course, on the demining we are helping different countries in demining in the world. So, if the request is there, we are also looking into what more can we do, but we did not have a decision on this today.

Link to the video: https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/media/video/I-287612

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HE GCCSG Expresses his Condemnation & Denunciation in the Strongest Terms of the Storming of the Blessed Al Aqsa Mosque by Dozens of Settlers & the Raising of the Israeli Occupation Flag within its Courtyards

General Secretariat of the Gulf Cooperation Council

Apr 21, 2026

General Secretariat - Riyadh

His Excellency Mr Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), expressed his strongest condemnation and denunciation of the storming of the blessed Al Aqsa Mosque by dozens of settlers and the raising of the Israeli occupation flag within its courtyards. He described these actions as a flagrant and dangerous violation of the sanctity of the holy site and a provocative affront to the sentiments of Muslims worldwide.

"Such aggressive practices constitute a blatant violation of all international laws and charters," His Excellency emphasised, pointing out that these actions reflect systematic efforts by the Israeli occupation forces to undermine security and stability in the region.

Moreover, His Excellency reaffirmed the GCC's steadfast position in support of the Palestinian cause as the foremost central issue, underscoring, the Council's full solidarity with the brotherly Palestinian people in reclaiming their legitimate rights, primarily the establishment of an independent state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative.

Furthermore, His Excellency called upon the international community to uphold its legal and moral responsibilities by taking immediate and decisive action to halt these serious violations. He stressed the need to provide the necessary international protection for the Palestinian people and their sanctities, and to hold the Israeli occupation forces accountable for these illegal practices, which undermine the prospects for achieving a just and comprehensive peace.

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Meeting of the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee for Palestine:

An independent Palestine is key to stability in the Middle East

Government of Norway

Press release | Date: 21/04/2026

Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide and EU High Representative Kaja Kallas co-chaired a meeting of the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee for Palestine (AHLC) in Brussels on Monday, 20 April.

"The serious situation in Palestine has in recent weeks been overshadowed by the war in the Middle East. It is important that the international community maintains its efforts in support of the two-state solution and Palestine, and I am pleased that so many participated in the AHLC meeting in Brussels," said Eide.

"With the US 20-point plan and UN Security Council resolution 2803 as a backdrop, the meeting helped to bring the various actors closer together. There was broad agreement on the importance of effective coordination of the international community's humanitarian efforts and reconstruction projects in Gaza," said the foreign minister.

The meeting focused on the critical economic situation of the Palestinian government, reconstruction in Gaza and the path towards a lasting solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict. Participants also discussed what needs to be done to avoid a collapse of Palestinian institutions, ensure sufficient humanitarian support to Gaza and reverse the dramatic developments in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. Norway will also support the peace plan and UN Security Council resolution 2803. It is important to underline that this concerns the whole of Palestine.

Without functioning public institutions, there is a risk of a complete collapse in the delivery of public services to the population. The Minister of Foreign Affairs urged all participants to increase their contributions to Palestine, pointing to Norway's budget support of NOK 100 million.

Participants highlighted the need for continued donor support, coordinated action, the disarmament of Hamas, Palestinian reform measures and initiatives that can strengthen economic activity and institution-building. A meeting between Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa and the High Representative of Gaza, Nickolay Mladenov, immediately prior to the AHLC ministerial meeting provided important guidance for the coordination of international assistance to Gaza going forward. Ahead of the meeting, the World Bank, the UN and the EU also finalised their joint needs assessment for Gaza.

It is important that donor assistance is aligned with Palestinian priorities and respects the Palestinian government's sovereignty over the whole of Palestine. At the same time, the temporary arrangements for Gaza established by the UN Security Council must be allowed to deliver on their mandate.

"The AHLC is the key forum for discussing the international community's support to Palestine and how we can contribute to stability throughout Palestine. In this critical situation, the international community must remain committed to the goal of a negotiated two-state solution," said Eide.

State Secretary Andreas Motzfeldt Kravik also participated in the meeting, together with Norway's Special Representative for the Middle East, Torunn Viste.

The meeting brought together representatives from Palestine, the United States, the EU, the UN, the World Bank, the IMF and other countries in the region, donor countries and international actors. Representatives of the Board of Peace were invited to attend the meeting as guests.

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Government presents proposals to increase pressure on illegal settlements in West Bank

Government Offices of Sweden

Press release from Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Published 21 April 2026

The Government takes an extremely serious view of the continuing settlement policy and the increased settler violence in the West Bank, and is therefore proposing new measures in the form of an expanded differentiation policy. The Israeli Government's actions in the West Bank violate international law.

The measures proposed by the Government to the European Commission on increased tariffs on products from Israeli settlements on occupied land and export certificate requirements directly increase the cost of imported goods from these areas. The aim is to differentiate this trade from other trade.

"The situation in the West Bank has deteriorated sharply in recent years, with a surge in settler violence. Sweden has already been pushing for sanctions against extremist settlers and extremist Israeli ministers, but the pressure must increase. We are therefore moving forward with a proposal on increased tariffs on products from illegal settlements and export certificates. This is a clear signal against the heightened settler violence and the widespread expansion of settlements, which undermines the two-state solution," says Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Benjamin Dousa.

The proposal on differentiated tariffs would see the EU increasing tariffs on products from Israeli settlements on occupied land. The export certificate requirement means that products from Israeli settlements must have Palestinian export certificates for import into the EU.

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4 Million Returns to Sudan at Risk Amid Fragile Conditions, IOM Warns

International Organization for Migration

News - Global

21 April 2026

Geneva/Khartoum, 21 April 2026 -- Nearly 4 million people have voluntarily returned across Sudan, many hoping to rebuild their lives after months of conflict. But without urgent investment to restore essential services, rebuild infrastructure and revive livelihoods, these returns risk becoming unsustainable, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) warned today.

Returns have been concentrated particularly in Aj Jazirah and Khartoum, driven by a combination of factors, including improved security in some areas, economic pressures, family reunification, limited services in displacement sites, and growing challenges faced by Sudanese living in neighbouring countries. While these movements reflect people's determination to return home, many are arriving in places still deeply affected by conflict and collapse.

"For many people, returning home should mark the beginning of recovery. Instead, too often it means confronting destroyed services, damaged homes and new uncertainty," said IOM Deputy Director General for Management and Reform SungAh Lee, during her visit to Sudan. "People need access to basic services, safe housing and ways to restore their livelihoods. Without that support, safe and dignified returns become much harder to sustain."

Across Sudan, evolving patterns of displacement and spontaneous return continue to reshape communities and strain already weakened systems. At the height of the conflict, nearly 12 million people fled heavily affected areas, particularly Aj Jazirah, Khartoum, and parts of Sennar and Kordofan, seeking safety in other regions; more than 4 million fled to neighbouring countries.

Eastern states such as Kassala, Gedaref, and Red Sea, as well as Northern and River Nile states, became critical reception areas, hosting internally displaced persons, and migrants, while also serving as key transit points within wider regional mobility routes. Today, nearly 9 million people remain internally displaced.

The influx of displaced populations places persistent pressure on services and resources in host communities. Health systems, water infrastructure, protection services, and livelihood opportunities remain stretched. Host communities, many already facing economic hardship and climate-related challenges, are carrying increasing social and economic burdens.

In Khartoum, returns are rising rapidly, placing additional strain on urban infrastructure already damaged by months of fighting. Water systems, electricity networks, health facilities, and housing remain heavily affected, complicating efforts to restore basic services.

In Aj Jazirah, one of Sudan's most important agricultural regions, returnees are confronted with damaged systems and equipment. These conditions threaten livelihoods and food production at a critical moment for recovery, against a wider backdrop of food insecurity and economic turmoil.

These challenges affect returnees, displaced populations, and host communities alike. As populations move between areas of displacement, transit and return, pressure on services, livelihoods and social cohesion continues. Displacement and return are not separate dynamics, but deeply interconnected realities that require coordinated responses across regions.

During her visit, DDG Lee met with key government actors, including the Ministers of Water and Irrigation, Health, and Education. Through close partnerships with national authorities and local actors, IOM is working to help communities move beyond emergency assistance toward recovery, stability, and longer-term peace, in furtherance of the UN Secretary-General's Action Agenda on Internal Displacement.

This includes supporting life-saving humanitarian assistance while investing in solutions and resilience to strengthen local systems and communities over time. Reliable data and coordinated responses remain essential to monitor movements, identify needs, and help ensure assistance reaches communities most affected by displacement.

However, with IOM Sudan's 2026 Crisis Response Plan underfunded by USD 97.2 million, and with more than 2 million additional people expected to voluntarily return to Khartoum alone this year, the work to stabilize areas of return in Sudan has just begun. Sustained partnership, coordinated action, and adequate resources are essential to support Sudan at this pivotal moment and to ensure that return movements contribute to long-term recovery and stability.

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Data on interceptions of aircraft completed near the Baltic States' borders on April 13-19, 2026

Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of National Defence

2026-04-21

International cooperation

On April 13-19 the NATO Air Policing in the Baltic states Detachment was alerted in response to international flight regulation violations four times.

On April 13 NATO air policing fighter aircraft were dispatched to intercept one IL-20 flying through international airspace from Kaliningrad and back. Its onboard transponder was switched off, the crew had no pre-filed flight plan and were not maintaining radio communication with the regional air traffic control centre. Also, one AN-26 was intercepted flying through international airspace between Kaliningrad and mainland Russia. The crew had no flight plan but kept the radio transponder on and were maintaining radio communication.

On April 14 NATO fighter jets identified and escorted one IL-20 flying through international airspace, without the flight plan and not maintaining radio communication with regional air traffic control.

On April 15 NATO air policing fighter aircraft identified and escorted two SU-30SM flying from Kaliningrad and back via international airspace without the flight plans, not maintaining radio communication, with their onboard transponders off.

On April 17 NATO fighter jets were alerted in response to one IL-20 flying from Kaliningrad and back via international airspace without the pre-filed flight plan, not maintaining radio communication and with its onboard transponder switched off.

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CAOC Bod leads first FDOs to enhance multi-domain integration and allied readiness under Eastern Sentry activities

NATO Allied Air Command

Apr 21 2026

RAMSTEIN, Germany -- In a significant milestone for NATO's northern command structure, last week together with Combined Air Operations Centre (CAOC) Uedem, the CAOC Bod took the lead for the first time in planning and executing a Flexible Deterrent Options (FDO) across the Alliance's Northern regions and Baltic regions.

These activities were conducted under the overarching Eastern Sentry framework, NATO's persistent mission to ensure robust surveillance, deterrence, and the protection of every inch of Allied territory along the Eastern Flank. By executing these FDOs, CAOC Bod and CAOC Uedem demonstrated the Alliance's ability to rapidly scale its defensive posture in response to an evolving security environment. Enhancing the presence in the Baltic region within Joint Operations Area (JOA) Central and Northwest, the CAOCs directed three consecutive FDOs. These missions served as a visible demonstration of Eastern Sentry's core objective: maintaining a credible and constant defensive presence.

CAOC Bod led a large-scale FDO in Finnish airspace (JOA NW). This operation emphasized A2AD (Anti-Access/Area Denial) degradation and the attainment of Air Superiority, critical components of the Eastern Sentry defensive strategy.

"This is a milestone for CAOC Bod. It gives us valuable experience in planning and executing multi-domain operations in a multinational framework", says Colonel Haakon Gamborg, Director Combat Plans Division, CAOC Bod.

French Rafales, integrated with Swedish JAS-39 Gripens and Finnish tactical assets. They faced a robust opposition consisting of four Finnish F/A-18 Hornets. The mission utilized advanced "Bird-on-Target/Weapon-on-Target" (BOTOT) procedures to achieve specific effects. By integrating Finnish JTACs, Italian KC-767 tankers, and the 5th CRC, the FDO successfully exercised Air to Air refuelling, CAS and Air interdict. As well as effectively exercised the multi-domain capabilities that underpin Eastern Sentry.

"It's important for French crews to train along allies and show our common commitment for peace to preserve free and safe airspace" said captain R. MC during the mission valuing the multi-domain integration in the High north.

In the same period, over Estonia, French Rafales integrated with Portuguese F-16s and Estonian Surface-Based Air Defence (SBAMD) assets. The mission successfully countered a simulated unmanned threat provided by Estonian forces. Tactical synchronization was led by CAOC Uedem and facilitated by CRC Lighthouse as well as supported by a French E-3F Airborne Early Warning (AEW) platform. Given the increasingly dominant role of drone technology in modern conflict, exercising the ability to detect, track, and neutralize these threats is a top priority for Allied air defence. Concurrently, a second iteration over Poland mirrored this high-end training, utilizing Romanian F-16s, a Czech helicopter, and a NATO AWACS. These missions underscore the Eastern Sentry commitment to interoperability, proving that different nations and platforms can operate as a single, unified shield.

The successful execution of these FDOs reinforces the Eastern Sentry messaging: NATO is ready, vigilant, and unified. These activities provide continuous assurance to Allied publics and send a clear signal of resolve to any potential adversary.

By mastering the modern battlefield and refining multi-domain integration, NATO and its multinational partners ensure that the Eastern Sentry framework remains a robust and adaptable pillar of NATO's collective defence, ensuring the integrity of Allied airspace 24/7- fighting tonight, tomorrow and together.

Story by Allied Air Command Public Affairs Office

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NATO Flight Training Europe attends Support Partnership Committee and Military Flight Training Conference

NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA)

Apr 21 2026

LUCERNE, 21 April 2026 -- Last month, NSPA's Aviation Support Programme (LA) alongside participating Nations convened for the fourth NATO Flight Training Europe (NFTE) Support Partnership Committee (SPC) and the 14th Steering Board (SB) meeting held in Lucerne, Switzerland.

The location of both meetings was aligned with the Military Flight Training Conference (MFTC), which is the largest gathering of Armed Forces, Academia and Industry representatives involved with the design, development, delivery and innovation regarding military flight training.

NSPA's Aviation Support Programme Manager, Alex Hicks briefed the SPC on the optimisation journey currently being undertaken within the Programme, and how these changes will benefit NFTE participating nations. The NFTE SB also allocated 42 Rotary Wing pilot training slots to 4 different nations, underpinning the vital role that NFTE is playing to ensure air power readiness across the Alliance.

During the Military Flight Training Conference, NFTE Branch Chief, Jas Hawker chaired a panel of Air Force Generals and Industry experts, discussing the development of Live, Virtual and Constructive flight training. He also delivered a presentation outlining the significant growth of the NFTE training network, which now has 16 training campuses across 6 nations, capable of delivering training to Fast Jet, Helicopter, Multi Engine and RPAS aircrews.

Story by NATO Support and Procurement Agency

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The OIC Media Observatory on Israeli Crimes Against Palestinians Issues Its 125th Report, Tracking Settlement Expansion in the West Bank with 145 Activities in One Week

Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)

21-04-2026

The OIC Media Observatory on Israeli Crimes Against Palestinians documented 145 settlement activities, including expansions and attacks, marking a significant increase in settlement activity in the West Bank between April 14 and 20, 2026. The number of settlement activities reached 22. The pace of Israeli settlement activity increased in parallel with a rise in settler attacks, which reached 123 in a single week.

In the West Bank, Israeli occupation forces raided Palestinian cities and villages 381 times, killing two Palestinians, wounding 28 others, arresting 191, and demolishing 18 homes and six commercial structures. The Israeli occupation forces continued their attacks on children, killing one and arresting four. Settlers assaulted another child in Nablus, and Israeli occupation forces prevented schoolchildren in the village of Umm al-Khair in Hebron from reaching their schools for seven consecutive days.

Between April 14 and 20, 2026, the Israeli occupation committed 1,329 crimes across all Palestinian territories, including the Gaza Strip. The number of Palestinian martyrs killed by Israeli shelling reached 22, in addition to 94 wounded. Two bodies were recovered, and the deaths of an additional 196 others during the Israeli aggression on Gaza were confirmed. This brings the total number of Palestinian martyrs since October 7, 2023, to 73,702, and the number of wounded to 182,902.

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Trump invokes Defense Production Act to boost energy supply amid Iran war

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 14:53, April 21, 2026

WASHINGTON, April 20 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday signed a series of presidential memorandums, invoking the 1950 Defense Production Act in an attempt to boost energy supply amid the U.S.-Israel war with Iran.

The five presidential memorandums under the law focus on domestic petroleum, coal, liquefied natural gas, energy infrastructure and power-grid infrastructure.

The 1950 Defense Production Act provides the president with a broad set of authorities to ensure that the domestic industry can meet national defense requirements.

Trump invoked the Defense Production Act to provide federal funds for a wide range of energy projects, "as his administration faces pressure to help curb rising oil, gasoline and electricity costs," Bloomberg reported.

Projects eligible for support could include coal-fired power plants, refineries, and facilities that manufacture gas turbines and transformers -- electrical equipment that's been subject to shortages, according to media reports.

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Israeli attacks kill several Palestinians, including two children, in occupied West Bank

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 21 April 2026 6:41 PM

Israeli forces and settlers, in a series of separate attacks, have killed several Palestinians, including two children, in the occupied West Bank.

In a statement released on Tuesday, the Palestinian Health Ministry said that at least two people were killed by Israeli occupiers' gunfire in the town of al-Mughayyir, east of Ramallah, including a child, and that three others were wounded.

The ministry identified the two killed in al-Mughayyir as Aws Hamdi al-Naasan, 14, and Jihad Marzouq Abu Naim, 32.

In Jenin, in the northern West Bank, the ministry said Raja Fadel Baitawi, 49, died of wounds sustained from Israeli army gunfire during a previous raid on the city.

In the southern West Bank city of al-Khalil, Mohammed Majdi al-Jaabari, 16, was killed after being run over by a vehicle driven by an Israeli settler.

Local residents and witnesses said the Israeli driver struck the teenager while he was on a street in the city, killing him at the scene.

A series of violent clashes broke out in al-Mughayyir after Israeli settlers entered the outskirts of the town and opened fire on residents, killing two people and wounding others.

The village had been under an Israeli army siege since Sunday after an attack by Israeli settlers, which led to confrontations.

Violence by Israeli forces and settlers has escalated across the occupied West Bank since October 2023, when Israel launched a genocidal war on the besieged Gaza Strip.

In March, Israeli settlers carried out 497 attacks against Palestinians and their property in the occupied West Bank, killing nine people.

Since October 2023, Israeli attacks in the West Bank have killed at least 1,154 Palestinians and wounded about 11,750.

Israeli military raids have also led to nearly 22,000 arrests across the occupied region since then.

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Not one iota to be usurped: Lebanese parliament speaker vows zero tolerance for Israeli occupation

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 21 April 2026 10:54 AM

Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri says the Arab nation will not allow even one iota of the countrys territory to be usurped by the occupying Israeli regime.

There is nothing called the yellow line, red line, green line or any other line. We do not recognize any demarcation, and consider such a move as totally unacceptable, Berri said in an interview with the Beirut-based al-Joumhouria daily newspaper published on Tuesday.

His remarks came in reaction to Israels imposition of the so-called Yellow Line scheme across the southern part of Lebanon.

Under the plot, the Israeli military remains active within the areas to execute the demolition of alleged positions of Hezbollah resistance fighters.

Berri asserted that the Israeli regime must withdraw its occupation forces from southern Lebanon.

In case Israel insists on its occupation either through the so-called Yellow Line or military camps, it must embrace daily attacks by the Resistance (Hezbollah).

The senior lawmaker emphasized that not one iota of Lebanons southern territory must be taken away from the rest of the country.

We did not initiate the war, and did not put up resistance uselessly. They (Israelis) were the party who imposed struggle upon us with their occupation and acts of aggression. They forced us to resort to armed struggle in order to liberate our homeland and safeguard our national sovereignty. Nothing has changed on the ground. We will be standing ground until occupation ends, and all enemy forces are expelled from our lands, Berri added.

Since indirect negotiations between Iranian and US delegations in Islamabad on an end to the US-Israeli aggression on Iran, Tehran has kept pushing for a ceasefire in Lebanon as a major condition for any progress in the talks and the start of the second round of negotiations.

This finally forced the US and the Israeli regime to announce a ceasefire, which began early on Friday.

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2026 Balikatan exercises will highlight Manila's more 'active defense posture'

Experts note that Philippines remains anchored in alliance with US, but will assert more agency over own defense.

By Jason Gutierrez for RFA

2026.04.21

MANILA, Philippines -- The Philippines is slowly shifting to a more "active defense posture," analysts told Radio Free Asia, as Manila and Washington launch the largest-ever iteration of their annual war games this week.

The increased scope of the "Balikatan" exercises reflect the Philippines taking on a more decisive role in its own defense, while still remaining strongly committed to its bilateral alliance with the United States, the analysts said.

Though officials leading in "Balikatan" exercises do not mention China by name, the war games are occurring amid increased Chinese tensions in the sea. Japan, which, like the Philippines, also faces territorial challenges from China in the East China Sea, is playing a more direct and active role in this year's drills, reflecting its growing defense ties with Manila.

All told, there are 17,000 personnel participating, including 10,000 from the U.S. and 7,000 from the Philippines and partner nations Japan, France, Canada and Australia.

Active defense posture

The Philippines' gradual shift to an "active defense posture" reflects the growing defense dynamics in the region, as China sees more opposition from weaker neighbors seeking strength by banding together, the analysts said.

"For years, Manila operated within a relatively constrained framework, relying heavily on its alliance with the United States," Arnaud Leveau, president of the Paris-based Asia Centre think tank and an assistant professor at Paris Dauphine University, told RFA. "What we are seeing now is a gradual effort to assert greater agency while remaining firmly anchored in that alliance."

Manila exerting more control over its defense is an indication that it is adapting to the current geopolitical climate, he said.

"I see it as a rather calibrated adjustment to changing circumstances. In this context, signaling resolve should not be seen as escalation, but rather as a form of deterrence," he said. "Repeated incidents at sea have shown that ambiguity can invite further pressure."

Chinese provocations at sea have become increasingly common in recent years. Earlier this month, China erected a floating barrier at the disputed Scarborough Shoal to block access to Philippine fishing boats. Around the same time the Philippine Navy spotted ten Chinese coast guard vessels there, attempting to enforce a blockade.

Previous incidents have included Chinese ships blasting Philippine fishing boats with water cannons or even ramming them.

Though Manila may be signaling resolve through this year's Balikatan, sustaining the effort to be more active in its own defense would remain a challenge, Leveau said, adding that shifting to more "credible capabilities" requires real investments in command structures, improving logistical resilience as well as maritime awareness.

Victor Andres Manhit, president of the Manila-based defense think tank Stratbase Institute, told RFA that the Philippines needed to "fully operationalize its posture of active defense" to thwart China's ever-increasing territorial threats.

This year's Balikatan numbers "represent the correct path forward" to address the challenge, Manhit said. This sends a "clear and unambiguous message...that the Philippines and its partners are prepared to defend the rules-based international order against coercion, intimidation, and unlawful claims."

The Philippines will mark the 10th anniversary in July of a 2016 international arbitration court's ruling that invalidated China's sweeping territorial claims in the sea region. That landmark ruling is hailed internationally, even as it China has continued to reject it.

The increased participation in Balikatan from other countries besides the U.S. underscores the importance of Manila having partnerships with its allied neighbors, Manhit said. "It affirms that we are not isolated, and that our national security is anchored in strong alliances with nations that uphold international law and share our commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific."

Evolving alliance

Philippine Armed Forces chief Gen. Romeo Brawner, during a ceremony where he declared the war games open Monday, said the drills served to amplify the "strength of an alliance" and the shared responsibility of securing the region.

"For more than three decades, Balikatan has stood as a living testament to the partnership between the Philippines and the United States. One that has grown stronger, more responsive, and more relevant with time," he said.

Brawner said that participating countries "remain guided by a shared commitment to uphold international law, to respect sovereignty, and to contribute to a free and open Indo-Pacific where nations can thrive without coercion."

"We are building more than capability. We are building systems that think, move and respond as one," he said. "Let me emphasize this. Balikatan is readiness made real, cooperation put into action, and peace preserved through our strength."

Observers told RFA that the joint exercises have evolved into a forum within which all participants can flex their combined strength, including Japan, which until taking on a combat role in Balikatan this year, had participated as an observer or in a limited capacity in prior iterations.

Japan, for one, "is aligning its operational posture with the realities of increased friction in the South China Sea and the Indo-Pacific area as well," Leveu said, adding that the annual Balikatan drills have evolved "into a platform for more flexible, mini-lateral forms of cooperation" that complements an American-centric alliance.

Lucio Pitlo, a foreign policy expert at the Philippine Association for Chinese Studies, told RFA Japan's increasing military engagements in the region reflected its gradual shift from its post-World War II pacifist stance, with Tokyo keeping in step with the U.S. defense initiatives in the region.

"Japan has been growing in security profile in the region in recent years, motivated by changing domestic views and regional and global developments," Pitlo said. Both Manila and Washington welcome this development, because "it has expanded our network of defense partners and increased allied access in our territory."

Edited by Eugene Whong.

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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Wider Europe Briefing: The EU's First-Ever Armenia Summit

By Rikard Jozwiak April 21, 2026

Briefing #1: The First-Ever EU-Armenia Summit

What You Need To Know: Armenia has become the European Union's closest ally in the South Caucasus. While Georgia continues to drift away from the blocand Azerbaijan remains an important partner in terms of energy imports but little else, it is now Yerevan that Brussels is truly betting on in that region.

The European Union has already made it clear it wants to counter Russian influence in the upcoming Armenian parliamentary elections on June 7, and several European officials have told RFE/RL they see it as the most important vote in the bloc's immediate neighborhood this year. The very fact that the EU is setting up a new mission (see below) in the country to counter foreign interference shows the club's intent.

Another clear indication of how highly Brussels currently values Yerevan is the first ever EU-Armenia summit taking place in the Armenian capital on May 5, which both European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and President of the European Council Antonio Costa are set to attend.

This comes just a day after the city hosts the summit of the European Political Community (EPC), bringing most European leaders a country that rarely gets international political attention.

Deep Background: Getting its own summit with the EU is quite a feat for the small South Caucasus republic. This is normally only reserved for really big international players such as China, India, or the United States; close and friendly neighbors like Moldova, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom; or regional blocs and groupings such as ASEAN, the African Union, or the six non-EU nations of the Western Balkans.

The summit itself will be mostly symbolic. The draft summit declaration, seen by RFE/RL, sketches out as much. There is nothing about a potential future EU membership of Armenia -- an idea that the current government has been toying with in recent years. Instead, it simply states that the "EU reaffirms its steadfast commitment to further strengthen its relations with Armenia and to support Armenia's resilience, reform agenda, and long-term development, bringing Armenia closer to the European Union."

The text also notes that leaders at the summit will discuss the geopolitical situation in both Iran and Ukraine. On Armenia's fraught relations with its neighbor Azerbaijan, there is not too much apart from a line stating that "we reaffirm our strong support for peace, security, connectivity and prosperity in the South Caucasus, and commend the efforts to further institutionalise the bilateral peace process with Azerbaijan and to ensure the final signature of the peace treaty."

Drilling Down:

Interestingly, there's no mention of Russia in the document, even though it is likely that a line such as "Armenia's future must be determined freely and democratically by its citizens without external pressure" was probably penned with Moscow in mind.

While not pushing Armenia to align with EU sanctions on Russia, Brussels is keen for the country to step up when it comes to preventing circumvention of the restrictive measures imposed on Moscow.

The paper states that "We agree to continue our effective cooperation to counter sanctions circumvention, especially concerning the trade in dual use and sensitive battlefield items, including preventing the misuse of Armenia's financial sector in this regard."

No new EU cash for Yerevan is specified in the paper, which still is referencing the 270 million euros foreseen for an EU growth plan for the country and the 2.5 billion euros Yerevan could get under the bloc's Global Gateway strategy, which is Brussels' answer to China's Belt and Road Initiative of investment in developing countries.

Similarly, there are no new commitments to Armenia's armed forces with Brussels so far having dedicated 30 million in nonlethal aid in the last few years under the so-called European Peace Facility (EPF). There are, however, indications from EU sources RFE/RL have been in touch with that more cash will soon be offered by the EU within this program.

The declaration also states that "The EU and Armenia are committed to enhance their relationship in the field of security and defence, including through the dedicated annual consultations."

On other specific investments, there is a mention of the "possible Black Sea Electricity Submarine cable," a project that has been mentioned before by Brussels but hasn't commenced. There is also the development of a roadmap to decommission the country's only nuclear power plant, known as Metsamor, slightly outside Yerevan.

On visa liberalization, one of Armenia's main aims since starting a so-called visa liberalization dialogue with Brussels in 2024, there is "significant progress" with the aim from both sides still being that Armenian citizens could travel to most EU countries without visas by the end of the decade.





Briefing #2: The EU's New Mission To Armenia

What You Need To Know: EU foreign ministers have given a green light to a new civilian mission to Armenia on April 21 that will help Yerevan with hybrid threats such as foreign election manipulation, cyberattacks, and illicit political funding over a two-year period starting in the coming months.

The mission, which will be called the European Union Partnership Mission in the Republic of Armenia (EUPM Armenia), was first requested by the South Caucasus nation in December. After several assessments in Brussels and Armenia, the bloc's ambassadors unanimously voted in favor of the proposal to establish the mission last week.

Deep Background: EUPM Armenia will essentially replace another EU mission in Armenia, called EUMA, that finishes its four-year mandate at the start of 2027 having been created in 2023.

EUMA, however, had a completely different mandate, being created to contribute to stability in the border areas of Armenia and via patrolling and reporting support normalization efforts between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

While EUMA had over 200 people posted both in Yerevan and along the border to Azerbaijan, the new mission is expected to just have 20-30 people, mostly working in close cooperation with national authorities in the capital.

EUPM will have no links to Azerbaijan even though one of the previous EU documents related to the mission, seen by RFE/RL, stated that Brussels will "continue its outreach to Azerbaijan to explain the purpose of the EU's support to Armenia and the need to avoid negatively impacting the ongoing peace process."

Drilling Down:

While not stated directly in the proposal to be approved by the ministers, seen by RFE/RL, it is clear Russian interference in Armenia is the main concern for the mission, notably the upcoming parliamentary elections in Armenia on June 7.

According to several EU diplomats speaking under the condition of anonymity, the EU hopes to copy what it sees as the success in the parliamentary elections in Moldova last year in which pro-Brussels forces retained power.

While not sending a fully fledged mission to Chisinau then, the bloc did provide staff to ministries to expose Russian disinformation related to the vote.

The mission is also set to help in later local elections and in the potential constitutional referendum that might come after the national vote. That plebiscite would be part of the current peace deal with Azerbaijan, with Baku claiming the current Armenian Constitution contains territorial claims to Azerbaijan.

Concretely, the proposal states that the mission of EUPM "shall enhance the resilience of Armenia in the field of hybrid threats through the provision of strategic advice as well as operational level advice and support to relevant security sector agencies, in line with a whole-of-government approach and in close coordination with other like-minded actors."

According to the document this includes providing strategic advice to relevant Armenian ministries and agencies "for countering hybrid threats, notably Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI) and cyber, as well as illicit financial flows in the electoral and political context."

In a previous document by the EU foreign policy corps, the European External Actions Service (EEAS), the need to counter the Kremlin's influence in Armenia was stated clearly, with one of the reasons for the mission being that it "should be aimed clearly at reducing and mitigating Russia's destabilizing activities."

It also warned that "Russia has intensified its coercive posture toward Armenia amid Yerevan's gradual reorientation toward the EU, exploiting Armenia's deep economic dependency and the fragile regional security environment." It added that if Brussels didn't held the country, "The EU would miss a historic opportunity to enable regional actors to free themselves from Moscow's embrace at a moment of Russian weakness in the region."





Looking Ahead

The focus in Brussels this week will very much turn to Cyprus as the Mediterranean island will host EU leaders for an informal summit on April 23-24.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will address the leaders via videolink, but the main discussion point will be Iran and how European nations can contribute to the opening of the Strait of Hormuz and to discuss measures to lower the spiraling energy costs in the bloc due to the blockade.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/wider-europe-jozwiak-eu- armenia-mission-summit/33736474.html

Copyright (c) 2026. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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US Seizes Another Ship For Carrying 'Material Support' To Iran

13:54 21.4.2026

The US Department of Defense announced that its military forces had boarded a sanctioned ship called the M/T Tifani without incident in South Asian waters on the night of April 20.

"We will pursue global maritime enforcement efforts to disrupt illicit networks and interdict sanctioned vessels providing material support to Iran -- anywhere they operate," the Pentagon statement said. "International waters are not a refuge for sanctioned vessels," it added, saying the defense department "will continue to deny illicit actors and their vessels freedom of maneuver in the maritime domain."

Along with this statement, the US Department of Defense released images of military helicopters flying over an oil tanker and military helicopters landing onboard.

This is the second ship the United States has seized and taken control of since imposing a naval blockade on Iran on April 19.

The Islamic republic has called the naval blockade and ship seizure a "violation of the cease-fire."

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-protests-live-blog- trump-khamenei/33640284.html?lbis=450298

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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HRH the Crown Prince, Lebanese President Discuss Developments; Aoun Thanks Saudi Arabia for Continued Support

Saudi Press Agency

Tuesday 04/11/1447

Jeddah, April 21, 2026, SPA -- His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, received a phone call from President Joseph Aoun of the Lebanese Republic, during which they discussed the latest developments in Lebanon and the wider region, addressing ongoing efforts aimed at achieving security and stability.

President Aoun expressed his sincere thanks and appreciation to HRH the Crown Prince for Saudi Arabia's consistent support for Lebanon under all circumstances.

HRH the Crown Prince affirmed the Kingdom's support for Lebanon's sovereignty and its right to preserve its resources, territorial integrity, and unity.

-- SPA

22:59 Local Time 19:59 GMT

0076

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Republika Srpska Supports Russia, Special Military Operation, Will Never Join NATO - Dodik

Sputnik News

20260421

BELGRADE (Sputnik) - Republika Srpska, a Serb-majority entity within Bosnia and Herzegovina, supports Russia and its special military operation and opposes sanctions against it as well as Bosnia's possible accession to NATO, Milorad Dodik, former president of Republika Srpska and leader of the ruling Alliance of Independent Social Democrats, said.

"I am here to reaffirm our strategic-level cooperation and our support for Russia when it comes to its special military operation, that Republika Srpska will never vote for any sanctions against it, and that Republika Srpska has no plans to join NATO and will pursue a policy of military neutrality," Dodik said at a joint press briefing with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko, who is visiting Republika Srpska's main city of Banja Luka.

Russians and Serbs, as well as Russia and Republika Srpska, are linked not only by good diplomatic relations, but also by deep historical ties, the roots of their national identity, their joint fight against Nazism, and a common culture and values, Republika Srpska President Sinisa Karan said during the event.

"It is a great honor and pleasure for our republic and people that we are able to host a high-level Russian delegation today, led by the deputy foreign minister, Mr. Grushko, and his colleagues. You saw that the meeting was planned to be shorter, but it lasted twice as long, which shows how excellent our communication is," he said.

Grushko is paying a working visit to Republika Srpska this Tuesday. He held talks with Dodik and President Karan and visited the construction site of an Orthodox church in Banja Luka designed by the Center for Classical and Traditional Architecture of the Moscow Architectural Institute. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov attended the ceremony to lay the church's foundation stone in September 2018.

ppreciate the needs from the pilot and the maintenance crew's point of view. This Block III has emerged after a lot of professional modifications," the expert says.

 Sputnik

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Secretary Rubio's Meeting with Haitian Prime Minister Fils-Aime

US Department of State

Readout

Office of the Spokesperson

April 21, 2026

The below is attributable to Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott:

Secretary of State Marco Rubio met today with Haitian Prime Minister Alix Fils-Aime to reaffirm U.S. support for Haiti's stability and security. The Secretary welcomed progress on the deployment of the Gang Suppression Force and reaffirmed the need for timely execution of its mandate. Secretary Rubio commended the Prime Minister's leadership as security forces expand their presence and coordination. The Secretary stressed the importance of security improvements to enable the country's path to elections. Secretary Rubio reaffirmed the Administration's support for a multi-year re-authorization of HOPE/HELP to support stabilization efforts.

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No: 73, 21 April 2026, Regarding the Escalating Illegal Settler Terrorism in the West Bank

Republic of Turkiye Ministry of National Defence

We condemn in the strongest terms the terrorist attacks carried out by Israeli illegal settlers in various locations across the West Bank, and the massacre of Palestinian civilians.

The Netanyahu government, through its policies of occupation and genocide, encourages illegal settler terrorism, seeks to intimidate the Palestinian people, and targets efforts aimed at establishing peace and stability in the region.

We reiterate our call on the international community to ensure that Israel's ongoing atrocities in Palestine do not go unpunished and that the perpetrators are held accountable before the courts.

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Feature: China's zero-tariff policy opens new opportunities for Cote d'Ivoire's rubber sector

Xinhua) 14:17, April 22, 2026

A worker weighs processed rubber blocks at a rubber processing factory owned by China's Mainland Group in San Pedro, Cote d'Ivoire, April 9, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Jian)

ABIDJAN, April 21 (Xinhua) -- A light mist hangs over rubber plantations in southern Cote d'Ivoire in the early morning, as workers tap trees and collect milky latex flowing slowly down the trunks.

As Africa's leading producer of natural rubber, Cote d'Ivoire regards the crop as "white gold." In 2024, its output reached about 1.8 million tonnes, ranking third globally. Yet the industry still relies heavily on raw material exports, with limited processing capacity and vulnerability to global price swings.

Starting May 1, China will implement a zero-tariff policy for 53 African countries with which it has diplomatic relations. The move is expected to create new opportunities for Ivorian agricultural products, particularly rubber, by facilitating access to a high-potential market.

In the San Pedro region in the country's southwest, production lines at a rubber processing factory owned by China's Mainland Group are running at full capacity. As the policy's implementation approaches, the company is ramping up production and building inventory. Cleaned, compressed and dried, the latex is processed into standardized rubber products, neatly packed and ready for export to China.

In the factory laboratory, 26-year-old Leon Boitenin carefully analyzes samples. "My job is to check the quality of rubber at every stage of production to ensure it meets standards," he said.

Before the factory was established, job opportunities in the area were scarce. "Many young people were unemployed. Today, more and more of them have jobs and can support their families," he added.

Houon Gueu, a production assistant who worked his way up from a factory worker, has witnessed these changes firsthand. "I started as an operator, then became a team leader, and now I am a production assistant, with higher income," he said.

According to him, improved processing capacity has extended the value chain. "In the past, we mainly exported raw materials. Now we can produce semi-finished products locally, which increases value and creates more jobs."

In the Dabou area, rubber producer Roland Yobouet has also seen positive changes. "Around 2018, it was very hard to sell rubber," he said. "Now sales are smoother and there is no longer any stock backlog."

For him, China's upcoming zero-tariff policy represents a major opportunity. "Lower tariffs will reduce costs for companies, which is very beneficial for us," he said.

Local authorities share this optimism. Soumahila Kolo Kone, subprefect of San Pedro, said: "China's vast market will provide a stable outlet for Ivorian rubber and allow our products to reach broader markets."

Improved export conditions would also support local industrial development, he added. "This will help create jobs for young people, increase value-added and accelerate industrialization."

Since entering Cote d'Ivoire in 2018, Mainland Group has invested in several rubber processing factories, with a total capacity of about 480,000 tonnes. "Our five factories directly employ around 2,500 people," said Zhang Liang, deputy general manager of the group. "Each site also contributes to the development of surrounding communities."

The zero-tariff policy will enhance the competitiveness of African rubber in the Chinese market, encourage further investment in local processing, and promote upgrading of the industry, he said.

From latex flowing in early morning plantations to standardized products in factories and container shipments ready for export, the entire value chain in Cote d'Ivoire is steadily expanding. Against the backdrop of deepening China-Africa cooperation, this "white gold" industry is entering a new phase of broader development prospects.

"It is expected to increase incomes for farmers and workers, fostering a virtuous cycle of shared development between businesses and local communities," Zhang noted.

Workers package finished standard rubber blocks at a rubber processing factory owned by China's Mainland Group in San Pedro, Cote d'Ivoire, April 9, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Jian)

This photo taken on April 9 shows a rubber plantation in San Pedro, Cote d'Ivoire. (Xinhua/Zhang Jian)

Workers inspect processed standard rubber blocks at a rubber processing factory owned by China's Mainland Group in San Pedro, Cote d'Ivoire, April 9, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Jian)

A laboratory technician conducts quality testing of rubber products at a rubber processing factory owned by China's Mainland Group in San Pedro, Cote d'Ivoire, April 9, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Jian)

Processed rubber blocks await cutting by a rubber cutting machine at a rubber processing factory owned by China's Mainland Group in San Pedro, Cote d'Ivoire, April 9, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Jian)

Two workers sort and remove impurities from rubber raw materials at a rubber processing factory owned by China's Mainland Group in San Pedro, Cote d'Ivoire, April 9, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Jian)

A worker taps rubber in a rubber plantation in Dabou, Cote d'Ivoire, April 10, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Jian)

Pre-processed rubber materials are conveyed by a bucket elevator for the next stage of creping and dewatering at a rubber processing factory owned by China's Mainland Group in San Pedro, Cote d'Ivoire, April 9, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Jian)

Packed standard rubber blocks are neatly arranged in a warehouse at a rubber processing factory owned by China's Mainland Group in San Pedro, Cote d'Ivoire, April 9, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Jian)

Workers package finished standard rubber blocks at a rubber processing factory owned by China's Mainland Group in San Pedro, Cote d'Ivoire, April 9, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Jian)

Crushed rubber raw materials are seen undergoing curing at a rubber processing factory owned by China's Mainland Group in San Pedro, Cote d'Ivoire, April 9, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Jian)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General

Department of Public Information . News and Media Division . New York

21 April 2026

The following is a near-verbatim transcript of today's briefing by Stephane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General.

** Petersberg Climate Dialogue

This morning, the Secretary-General addressed via a video message the seventeenth Petersberg Climate Dialogue, which is taking place in Berlin, in Germany. He noted that the conflict in the Middle East has triggered the most severe energy crisis in a generation, and it makes one fact crystal clear: fossil fuels are not just wrecking our planet, they are holding economies hostage. The Secretary-General underscored that there is another way. Last year, he noted, clean energy investment surged to $2.2 trillion worldwide  double fossil fuel investment.

The Secretary-General pointed out that renewables deliver what fossil fuels never can: real and lasting energy security. But, he said, that requires action on three fronts. First, we must respond to the energy crisis without deepening the climate crisis. Second, we must build the infrastructure that can deliver this transition, and third, it is time to mobilize finance at scale. His message was shared with you.

** Senior Personnel Appointment

Personnel appointment that I want to read into the record: Yesterday evening, the Secretary-General appointed Rania A. al-Mashat of Egypt as the next Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia, otherwise known as ESCWA. She succeeds Rola Dashti of Kuwait, to whom the Secretary-General is grateful for her dedicated service to the United Nations. The Secretary-General also extends his appreciation to Mourad Wahba, who will continue to serve as Acting Executive Secretary until Ms. al-Mashat assumes her position.

She comes to us as an international expert in economic diplomacy, with over 25 years of experience in macroeconomic policy, central banking and monetary policy frameworks. For eight consecutive years (2018-2026), she was a Minister in Egypt on three portfolios: tourism, international cooperation and planning, as well as economic development and international cooperation. Much more online. As you know, ESCWA is based in Beirut, in Lebanon, so I will go there.

** Lebanon/Israel

Earlier today, two United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) peacekeepers who sustained severe injuries on Saturday were medically evacuated to France, following a decision by the French authorities. They have shown great dedication in the service of UNIFIL, and we extend our heartfelt wishes to them for a swift and full recovery.

In southern Lebanon, despite the peacekeepers' continued engagement with the parties, UNIFIL continues to face restrictions on its freedom of movement. These restrictions are affecting the resupply of some positions. We urge all sides to ensure the unhindered movement of UN peacekeepers, so they can carry out their mandate safely and effectively.

And on the political front, I can tell you that we are, of course, aware that a second meeting scheduled between Lebanese and Israeli representatives is expected to take place in Washington, D.C., on Thursday. We welcome steps that would end hostilities and suffering on both sides of the Blue Line. As we have said before many times, there is no military solution to this conflict. Diplomacy remains the only sustainable way forward. We remain ready to support these efforts and continue to urge the full implementation of Security Council resolution 1701 (2006) towards achieving a permanent ceasefire and a long-term solution to the conflict.

** Lebanon/Humanitarian

On the humanitarian front, our humanitarian colleagues tell us that the country continues to confront massive humanitarian needs. Hundreds of thousands of people remain displaced within the country, with inadequate shelter and limited access to essential services. In the first 48 hours after the ceasefire took effect, thousands of people left their shelters just temporarily to assess whether they could actually return to their homes. As of today, more than 117,000 displaced people inside Lebanon are in 631 collective shelters.

Behind these figures are families still struggling to meet their most basic needs, underscoring the urgent humanitarian needs for the country. Since 2 March, we and our partners working on water and sanitation have distributed more about 150,000 blankets and 115,000 mattresses, as well as thousands of hygiene kits and menstrual kits. More than 3.5 million litres of bottled drinking water have also been delivered to affected populations.

** Middle East

Just to flag that Jean Arnault, the Secretary-General's Envoy for the Middle East Conflict and its Consequences, is continuing his meetings in Egypt. Earlier today, he held further discussions with officials in the Egyptian Foreign Ministry and the League of Arab States.

** Occupied Palestinian Territory

Turning to the Occupied Palestinian Territory, our Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) colleagues tell us that although crossings into Gaza are closed today and tomorrow to mark Israeli holidays, UN teams continue collecting supplies from the Palestinian side of the Kerem Shalom/Karem Abu Salem crossing. Today, this included sanitation items, tarpaulins, infusion pumps and family tents to be distributed to families in Gaza.

Meanwhile, insecurity continues across the Gaza Strip. Our partners on the ground tell us that, between 12 and 18 April, incidents such as gunfire, shelling and strikes increased by 46 per cent compared with the previous week, marking the highest weekly total since the October ceasefire agreement went into effect. The North Gaza, Gaza and Deir al-Balah Governorates saw the sharpest increases.

Meanwhile, mine action partners have provided education sessions to tens of thousands of people across the Gaza Strip to help prevent casualties from explosive ordnance. However, addressing this threat more effectively requires the entry of specialized equipment and a full range of clearance and disposal activities. Restrictions, including limitations on the entry of equipment needed to dispose of explosive ordnance, continue to hamper the overall humanitarian response.

Turning to the West Bank, OCHA reported today that during the first quarter of the year, 33 Palestinians have been killed and 790 injured by Israeli forces or settlers, while over 540 Israeli settler attacks caused casualties or property damage. OCHA reiterates that attacks affecting civilians must be investigated and civilians must be protected. Israel, as the occupying Power, has an obligation to protect the Palestinian population, and perpetrators must be held to account in line with international humanitarian law.

** Yemen

The Office of the Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Yemen convened technical meetings in Amman, on 19 and 20 April, within the framework of the Military Coordination Committee, which brings together key parties amid heightened regional tensions. Participants discussed Yemen's fragile security situation and explored steps to reduce risks to civilians through de-escalation and sustained dialogue. The Special Envoy's office said it is planning to convene all Committee delegations in the coming period, a potential step towards advancing military coordination efforts.

** Sudan

Turning to Sudan: The International Organization for Migration (IOM) says about 4 million people have voluntarily returned to their homes across Sudan in recent years, mainly to Al Jazirah and Khartoum. The movements are largely driven by improved security in areas of return and deteriorating conditions in displacement sites.

Many returnees are arriving in places still deeply impacted by conflict, where basic services are limited, and safe housing and livelihoods remain out of reach. IOM says efforts to stabilize return areas are only just beginning, noting that more than 2 million additional people are expected to return to Khartoum this year alone. Working with national and local partners, IOM is supporting a shift from emergency aid to recovery, stability, and long-term peace. However, IOM Sudan's Crisis Response Plan for this year is underfunded by $97.2 million. The risk is clear: without urgent funding, returns could stall and fragile gains could unravel.

** Democratic Republic of the Congo

Turning to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the new Head of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), James Swan, has begun his first visit to the eastern part of the country since arriving to take the Mission's helm. He is there to assess first-hand the security situation in the Mission's area of operations. He will also meet with provincial authorities and relevant stakeholders, including civil society, women and youth organizations.

Today he visited the UN peacekeeping base in Eringeti, which is located 50 kilometres north of Beni. While there, he witnessed the Force's proactive support to protect civilians. During his one-week visit, Mr. Swan will also be meeting with UN colleagues to discuss MONUSCO's mandate implementation.

And I wanted to make a small correction to something we said yesterday about the talks that took place in Montreux, in Switzerland, last week. MONUSCO welcomes the recent discussions by the Congolese Government and the AFC/M23 Movement towards the signing of the Protocol on Humanitarian Access and Judicial Protection. They encourage the parties to maintain their commitment so that this agreement can be concluded swiftly, with a view to alleviating the suffering of civilian populations affected by the conflict.

** Afghanistan

Turning to Afghanistan, just to give you an update, as we have not spoken about Afghanistan in a while. Our humanitarian colleagues tell us that a humanitarian operation to deliver assistance to previously inaccessible areas of eastern Nuristan Province was launched today. The UN is supporting this effort, which is being coordinated by the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Afghan Red Crescent Society.

Our humanitarian colleagues say that some 136,000 people in Kamdesh and Barg-e-Matal have been cut off from food, from healthcare and from basic supplies for more than six weeks due to insecurity and restricted access. Following sustained engagement with all parties to the conflict, our partners have started to deliver food, medical supplies and other essential items to people in dire need. The reopening of access routes is also allowing markets to recover and medical evacuations to resume. OCHA points out that needs remain high, particularly for food, healthcare and basic services, and we and our partners continue to call for safe, unhindered and unimpeded humanitarian access, in line with the most basic humanitarian principles.

The delivery that started takes place as reports of cross-border mortar shelling between Afghanistan and Pakistan continue. Shelling in recent days has damaged a school, a health facility and a telecommunications tower in the Dangam District of Kunar Province. No casualties have been reported, but our partners warn that communities are deeply shaken. Health services have been relocated to a nearby private residence to ensure people can still access care. Our humanitarian colleagues add that civilians and civilian infrastructure, including schools and health facilities, must be protected at all times and must never be targeted, in line with international humanitarian law.

** Colombia

This morning, the Security Council held a briefing on Colombia. Miroslav Jenca, the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Colombia and Head of the UN Verification Mission, said that with the presidential campaign now in full swing ahead of elections on 31 May, the Mission is adding its voice to the call for authorities and all concerned to ensure a safe and peaceful environment, free of violence and free of stigmatization.

Mr. Jenca said that Colombia remains today more peaceful than during peak years of the conflict. However, he noted that a number of rural areas are still strongly impacted by the presence of illegal armed groups, and their ongoing clashes over territorial control and illicit economies are bringing violence and hardship to entire communities. Those remarks were shared with you.

** Ukraine

Also, yesterday afternoon, there was a meeting on Ukraine. Khaled Khiari, our Assistant Secretary-General [for the Middle East, Europe, the Americas, Asia and the Pacific] in the Department of Peacebuilding and Political Affairs, briefed and said that Russian Federation attacks continue to intensify, with mounting civilian casualties and devastation across Ukraine. He stressed that we must remain steadfast in our commitment to ending this war, guided by the principles and obligations set out in the UN Charter.

Also briefing was Joyce Msuya, the Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, and she warned that 10.8 million people require humanitarian assistance this year, yet nearly three quarters of the $2.3 billion needed to assist the targeted 4.1 million people remains unfunded.

** Migrants

A couple more things to flag: IOM today released new data showing that nearly 8,000 migrants  8,000 human beings  were reported dead or missing worldwide in 2025, bringing the total since 2014 to more than 82,000 people. IOM noted that despite declines in arrivals in some regions, the data shows migration routes are shifting rather than easing, with risks remaining high along increasingly dangerous journeys. Ahead of the International Migration Review Forum in May, IOM is calling for renewed commitments to protect migrants, prevent deaths and disappearances, and better support families affected by migration tragedies.

** UNESCO

Today, the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) published its "People and Nature in UNESCO Sites" report, with new data across more than 2,200 UNESCO-designated sites. The report shows that despite global wildlife populations falling by 73 per cent since 1970, those within UNESCO-protected sites have remained stable. However, 90 per cent of UNESCO sites face risks of ecosystem degradation, in some cases with irreversible impacts as early as 2050. The agency notes that a quarter of these sites overlap with Indigenous Peoples' territories.

** Trust Fund in Support of Victims of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse

And last, I want to flag that the annual report of the Trust Fund in Support of Victims of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse has now been published. As you know, the trust fund is managed by the UN Secretariat and helps to fund gaps in assistance to victims and children born of sexual exploitation and abuse by UN personnel in peace operations, as well as humanitarian and development settings.

According to the report, which covers the year 2025, 130 victims of sexual exploitation and abuse, including children fathered by UN peacekeepers, have received dedicated support through the Trust Fund. In addition, over 1,200 people received information on risks of sexual exploitation and abuse, victims' rights, and reporting and prevention mechanisms and 1,500 community members were reached through various community workshops. Last year, the Trust Fund funded gaps in services in the Central African Republic, Guatemala, Haiti, Liberia and South Sudan.

Since it was established in 2016, the Trust Fund has received only $5 million. This includes voluntary contributions from 25 Member States and payments withheld following substantiated allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse by UN personnel. We thank those who have given, but we need a lot more. Even in a challenging funding environment and amid competing global priorities, continued commitment and support by Member States are important, as victims' needs are ongoing. The report is available on the interweb. Sir?

** Questions and Answers

Question : Thank you, Steph. With the Iran ceasefire about to end at midnight GMT, what conversations has the Secretary-General had with parties to conflict, regional players and anyone else involved in talks?

Spokesman : The Secretary-General, as well as his Personal Envoy, continue to have various numbers of communications. Our firm hope is that the dialogue between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran will resume, that the ceasefire will be extended and that diplomacy will be fully enacted. Yes?

Question : Thank you, Steph. Given that the Secretary-General has been very clear throughout this prolonged Middle East conflict in his continued support for free speech, what are his comments on the prolonged detention of Ahmed Shihab-Eldin, a Kuwaiti American journalist known for his work at Vice Media, HuffPost, and Al Jazeera, who was detained in Kuwait after commenting on videos and images related to the war?

Spokesman : We would like to see his detention come to an end. Journalists should be free to report without fear of detention, fear of harassment or worse.

Question : And, sorry, Steph. Just a follow-up, if I may. On this particular arrest, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued a statement yesterday, indicating that the pretext behind the arrest was that he was charged with "spreading false information, harming national security, and misusing his mobile phone". These accusations again seem very vague and ambiguous. Does the Secretary-General believe this kind of suppression could set a troubling precedent, particularly in the Persian Gulf?

Spokesman : Well, I mean sadly, we have seen journalists being harassed, being detained, and killed in that region and far beyond, at increasing rates. So, we want to see him set free. Madame Sylviane and then Farnoush.

Question : Thank you, Stephane. Do you have more information about the visit, Mr. Arnault's visit in Egypt, more specifically? Is he going to Lebanon after that?

Spokesman : I do not believe Lebanon is on his travel card, but as I said, he was at the Foreign Ministry and also the League of Arab States. That's who he spoke with in Egypt. Yeah. Farnoush?

Question : Thanks, Steph. I'm wondering if you can give us any update on the US funding to the UN? AP spoke with [United States] Ambassador [Jeffrey] Bartos today, and he said that the US only recognizes $2 billion in arrears. Obviously, that does not align with the $4 billion arrears that the UN has said that the US still holds.

Spokesman : Well, that depends. I think it's about $2 billion for the Regular Budget. I'd have to look at the peacekeeping. I know there were some payments a few months back on peacekeeping. But, I mean, we're not as always... it's always important to know what we're talking about. When we talk about the $2 billion it's about the Regular Budget, and I have to get you the figures on peacekeeping.

Question : And there's been no payments since?

Spokesman : Not in recent weeks. Magdalena.

Question : So, also on US funding, I know earlier there were reports that the UN might run out of money by July. Is that still the calculation, or have there been any changes?

Spokesman : I will check to make sure that my salary is paid beyond July. It's a very good question. Mona?

Question : Thank you very much. Earlier today, there was another attack in Almurayir Village in the West Bank. The attack was on a school, and the result was the killing of a 13-year-old. His name is Aws Hamdi al-Naasan, and there was the killing of Jihad Abu Naim. Beyond the standard condemnation, is there any specific steps or plans to ensure an independent investigation?

Spokesman : The primary authority resides with the Israeli authorities as the occupying power. We have been very clear in our condemnation of the killings of Palestinian civilians that we've seen increase substantially in the occupied West Bank, a lot at the hands of settlers. We will continue to speak out, and OCHA and others are continuing their protection services, as well. Signore Professor Vaccara?

Correspondent : Thank you very much. Just started this General Assembly... the audition of the candidates to become the new Secretary-General. It is too late now for Madame Bachelet, but maybe for the other...

Spokesman : Too late for what?

Question : Because she just, I think she's finishing now. Too late for the Secretary-General give any, if he has for them, any advice. So, does the Secretary-General, for the next three, they will come to answer questions  does he have any advice for them?

Spokesman : The Secretary-General is focused on the work that he has to do until his mandate ends on 31 December. Mr. Avni?

Question : Yeah. President [Donald J.] Trump just posted, I think an hour ago or so, a plea for the Iranian negotiators to bring a gesture to the meeting by not hanging eight women who are in prison. There's a killing spree going on right now in Iran of innocent people. Does Secretary-General join this, please?

Spokesman : We have been very vocal on calling out and condemning the use of the death penalty, whether it's in the Islamic Republic of Iran or in other countries. We do not want to see anyone be subjected to the death penalty.

Question : So, nothing specific about the case of Iran, which is ongoing?

Spokesman : I mean, as I said, I just rewind what I've just said to you, Benny. I mentioned that we have been very concerned, and we have condemned the use of the death penalty in the Islamic Republic of Iran and in other countries.

Correspondent : Thanks for adding that up.

Spokesman : I didn't add it. I mentioned it in my first part of my answer, Mr. Avni. On that note, bon appetit [...] Sylviane, okay, please. You don't want to stand between a Frenchman and his lunch, but, you know, I'll make an exception.

Question : Very quick. For the process of the nomination of the new Secretary-General, is there a limit of age?

Spokesman : I'm not aware of any such limit in the Charter.

Question : Are you sure?

Spokesman : I think all of us have probably read the Charter at least once in this room. So, I think, I'm as sure as I can be. All right.

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Today's top news: Lebanon, Occupied Palestinian Territory, Afghanistan, Haiti

UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

Lebanon

Ceasefire sees limited return of displaced families

OCHA says the country continues to face massive humanitarian needs despite the 10-day ceasefire. Hundreds of thousands of people remain displaced within the country, with inadequate shelter and limited access to essential services.

In the first 48 hours after the ceasefire took effect, more than a quarter of the 141,000 people who had been in collective shelters left. Many left just temporarily to assess whether they could return to their homes. As of today, more than 117,000 people displaced inside Lebanon are in 631 collective shelters.

Since 2 March, humanitarian partners working in water and sanitation have distributed more than 148,000 blankets and 115,000 mattresses, as well as over 86,000 hygiene kits and 42,000 menstrual hygiene kits. More than 3.5 million litres of bottled drinking water have also been delivered to affected populations.

Occupied Palestinian Territory

Insecurity escalates amid surge in explosive hazards

OCHA reports that although crossings into Gaza are closed today and tomorrow for Israeli holidays, UN teams continue collecting supplies from the Palestinian side of Kerem Shalom.

Today, this included sanitation items, tarpaulins, infusion pumps, and family tents for distribution to families in Gaza.

Meanwhile, insecurity continues across the Strip. Partners on the ground report that between 12 April and 18 April, incidents such as gunfire, shelling and strikes increased by 46 per cent compared with the previous week, marking the highest weekly total since the October ceasefire agreement. North Gaza, Gaza and Deir al Balah governorates saw the sharpest increases.

In parallel, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) warned yesterday that explosive remnants of war continue to pose a serious risk to civilians, especially children. Since January, ICRC has tracked 16 accidents that involved explosive ordnance - four Palestinians were killed and more than 30 others were injured.

Mine action partners have provided education sessions to tens of thousands of people across the Strip to help prevent casualties from explosive ordnance. However, addressing this threat more effectively requires the entry of specialised equipment and a full range of clearance and disposal activities.

Restrictions, including limitations on the entry of equipment needed to dispose of explosive ordnance, continue to hamper the overall humanitarian response.

In the West Bank, OCHA warns that violence against Palestinians by Israeli forces and settlers, alongside coercive policies and practices, continues to result in casualties, property damage, and displacement.

OCHA reported today that during the first quarter of the year, 33 Palestinians have been killed and 790 injured by Israeli forces or settlers, while over 540 Israeli settler attacks caused casualties or property damage.

OCHA reiterates that attacks affecting civilians must be investigated and civilians must be protected. Israel, as the occupying power, has an obligation to protect the Palestinian population, and perpetrators must be held accountable in line with international humanitarian law.

Afghanistan

Humanitarian aid reaches previously cutoff communities

In Afghanistan, OCHA reports that a humanitarian operation to deliver assistance to previously inaccessible areas of eastern Nuristan province launched today.

The UN is supporting this effort, which is being coordinated by ICRC and the Afghan Red Crescent Society.

Some 136,000 people in the districts of Kamdesh and Barg-e-Matal have been cut off from food, healthcare and basic supplies for more than six weeks due to insecurity and restricted access.

Following sustained engagement with all parties to the conflict, partners have begun delivering food, medical supplies, and other essential items to people in dire need. The reopening of access routes is also allowing markets to recover and medical evacuations to resume.

OCHA says that needs remain high, particularly for food, healthcare and basic services - as the UN and its partners continue to call for safe, sustained and unimpeded humanitarian access, in line with humanitarian principles.

The delivery that started takes place as reports of cross-border mortar shelling between Afghanistan and Pakistan continue.

Shelling in recent days has damaged a school, a health facility and a telecommunications tower in the Dangam district of Kunar Province. No casualties have been reported, but partners warn that communities are deeply shaken. Health services have been relocated to a nearby private residence to ensure people can still access care.

OCHA reiterates that civilians and civilian infrastructure, including schools and health facilities, must be protected, and that all parties must uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law.

Haiti

Flooding leaves families displaced as risks persist

OCHA reports that heavy rainfall earlier this month triggered severe flooding in the North-West Department of Haiti, resulting in at least 12 deaths and multiple injuries.

More than 1,000 homes were flooded, resulting in displacement and significant agricultural and livelihood losses. The flooding also damaged roads, a bridge and a hospital, disrupting humanitarian access and basic services. Schools and commercial activities remain suspended in the most affected communes.

As rainfall continues and several rivers remain above normal levels, there is still a high risk of renewed flooding. Initial reports point to food, water, sanitation and hygiene, and essential relief items as priority needs.

OCHA continues to coordinate with partners on the response, as they progressively deploy to affected areas where access is possible.

Posted on 21 April 2026

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As Colombia Nears Presidential Elections, Security Council Speakers Call for Calm, Full Implementation of Historic 2016 Peace Accord

Meetings Coverage

Security Council

10141st Meeting (AM)

SC/16345

21 April 2026

While hope for peace is alive in Colombia as the country prepares for presidential elections, the Security Council today heard that achieving it  and making it last  still requires the full implementation of a peace accord signed almost 10 years ago.

Following decades of conflict, the Government of Colombia and the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia-Ejercito del Pueblo  often abbreviated as FARC-EP  signed the Final Agreement for Ending the Conflict and Building a Stable and Lasting Peace on 24 November 2016. The following year, the Council authorized the creation of a UN Verification Mission in Colombia to oversee the accord's implementation.

However, the Council narrowed the scope of the Mission's mandate in October 2025, even as that year saw the attempted assassination  and later passing  of one of Colombia's presidential candidates. Nevertheless, the country held largely peaceful congressional elections on 8 March 2026.

Calls for Calm Ahead of Presidential Polls

"It is essential for the country to stay on this trajectory," emphasized Miroslav Jenca, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Colombia and Head of the United Nations Verification Mission in that country.

Now, ahead of presidential elections on 31 May, he called on all concerned to ensure a safe, peaceful environment free of violence and stigmatization. And condemning reported threats against presidential candidates, he called on State authorities to guarantee the safety of all participants in the electoral process. For its part, the Mission will contribute  as it did during congressional elections  in analysing security risks and coordinating preventive actions.

Further, the Mission has been "fully restructured" to reflect the "refocused" mandate established by resolution 2798 (2025), which he noted includes reintegration of former combatants, security guarantees and comprehensive rural reform. On the latter, he pointed to both progress achieved and continued effort needed, while also underlining the importance of this process: "By unlocking viable economic opportunities, it can also provide sustainable alternatives to illicit economies, thereby helping to break the cycle of violence."

Territorial Disputes Eroding Hard-Won Gains in Rural Areas

He detailed a similar reality with regards to former combatants, where active reintegration is complicated by the "fragile socioeconomic, infrastructural and security conditions in rural areas where many former combatants have settled". He also reported that clashes over territorial control and illicit economies in several rural areas  "the Catatumbo region is a case in point"  are visiting violence and hardship on entire communities.

"As long as violence, territorial disputes or governance vacuums persist in any part of the country, they risk undermining national stability and eroding the gains made elsewhere," he underscored. And stressing that the Final Agreement provides a comprehensive roadmap for addressing both the root causes and the consequences of the conflict, he observed: "The territories where the Agreement has not been sufficiently implemented are precisely where the most acute problems persist today."

Providing a voice from one of them  the Catatumbo region  Olga Lucia Quintero Sierra, General Coordinator of the Catatumbo Peasant Association, said that the Final Agreement is a "real opportunity for transformation" for those living in rural Colombia. Its sections are interconnected, and she stressed that "advancing in a partial or fragmented manner weakens its essence". Also underlining the need to listen to communities, she said that, despite a new escalation of violence in Catatumbo, "signs of hope" include social investment, the construction of a new university and land allocation to rural women.

On the latter, she said that 54 women have benefitted from the allocation of 724 hectares of land. "This achievement isn't just about access to land; it is the possibility of rebuilding our lives," she emphasized. However, she added that the democratization of land access through allocation, formalization and restitution of land for peasants, victims, ethnic peoples and rural women must be accompanied by a firm commitment to peace in the territories.

"Peace in our territories is not an abstract concept  it is the real presence of the State" in those areas, she went on to say, which equates to "the possibility of living without fear". Against that backdrop, she urged the Mission to continue verifying the Final Agreement and the new Government to assume the commitment to fully implement the accord as a national priority. Colombia, she concluded, demonstrates that, "even in scenarios marked by profound differences, dialogue constitutes the most effective path to building peace".

UN Verification Mission 'Indispensable'

For her part, Rosa Yolanda Villavicencio Mapy, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Colombia, said that today's meeting provides a moment to reflect on the Final Agreement's "sustainability as a State policy" and its "irreversible character". She also took the opportunity to welcome the Mission's work  which has been "indispensable in places where we define, in practice, the sustainability of peace"  and stressed that its finances should not be cut further amid the UN's liquidity crisis.

And while territorial transformation has proceeded at an "uneven rhythm", illegal economies persist in certain areas and the safety of signatories to the peace accord is still a matter of concern, she underscored that "Colombia has not stopped implementing the Agreement". But, the international community's role remains indispensable. "Colombia would not have made it this far without that support, and we will not be able to consolidate peace without that very same support throughout this phase," she underscored.

Prioritize Peace; Protect Candidates, Voters, Speakers Stress

This narrative of progressing, but incomplete, peace was advanced by Council members, as well as they urged full implementation of the Final Agreement.

While joining others in welcoming the "broadly peaceful" municipal and legislative elections on 8 March, Panama's representative nevertheless noted "constant threats against candidates". Yet, the 16 "peace representatives" appointed to the legislature allow peasants, women, Afro-Colombians and Indigenous People  "all those disproportionately affected by conflict", he noted  to have a "tangible" role in decision-making. The representative of Bahrain, Council President for April, spoke in his national capacity to add that these seats also serve as a tool for repairing harm and protecting vulnerable groups.

Greece's representative also spotlighted the importance of those seats  provided for in the Final Agreement  and added: "Equally important is the fact that, despite the Comunes Party losing congressional representation, its leaders acknowledged the electoral results and reaffirmed their steadfast commitment to the Peace Agreement." France's representative, similarly, welcomed the Government's efforts to ensure smooth elections, which demonstrates the "robust nature of Colombia's institutions". Yet, he underlined the need  as did others  to ensure the security of candidates as the next round of elections approaches.

"Elections are volatile moments, not least in countries emerging from conflict," observed Denmark's representative. Concurring on the need to protect candidates and voters, she also urged the protection of Indigenous and women human-rights defenders. Noting that nearly 1,000 such individuals were killed between 2016 and 2025, she said that Colombia "remains one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a human-rights defender".

Social Leaders Silenced, Ethnic Communities Displaced

"Behind the numbers," stressed the representative of Liberia, also speaking for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Somalia, "are former combatants choosing peace, social leaders silenced, women subjected to abuse and ethnic communities forcibly displaced."

The representative of Latvia, meanwhile, stressed that Colombian women must continue to be fully recognized as indispensable peacebuilders. While they were instrumental in both drafting and implementing the Final Agreement - which fully integrates a gender perspective - she pointed out that "their contributions are too often overshadowed by narratives that solely focus on their suffering and victimhood".

And that Agreement, China's representative stressed, is "essential for Colombia's long-term stability and for regional peace and security", as he joined others in urging its continued implementation. Welcoming Government efforts in several areas, he expressed hope that work will continue towards creating conditions for the reintegration of combatants and eliminating the root causes of violence. Also welcoming the Government's work in this area, the representative of Pakistan condemned "targeted violence against ex-combatants and social and political leaders by armed groups".

The representative of the United States urged the Government to prioritize addressing the threat posed by these armed groups, stressing that their actions are jeopardizing the safety of "not only Colombians, but the safety of everyone in the region". She added that "curbing the cultivation of coca and the production of cocaine is also essential".

'Gaping' Hole: Failure to Protect Ex-Combatants

The representative of the United Kingdom pointed out that rural reform, backed by effective State presence, is crucial for constraining the operating space for armed groups and illicit economies. Calling for greater efforts to protect women, girls, Indigenous and Afro-Colombians who are disproportionately affected by violence, he also stated that "an unacceptable 491 peace signatories have been killed".

Also spotlighting this number was the representative of the Russian Federation, who stated that failure to protect former fighters is a "gaping hole" in implementation of the Final Agreement. He urged the current Government to make as much progress in this and other areas as it can with the time it has left, underscoring that the accord "is not a dish on a menu for political leadership in Bogota  it is the very basis for national reconciliation".

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Budget request directs record $338.8 billion to Air Force and Space Force to meet "challenges of today and tomorrow"

Published April 21, 2026

Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs

ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) -- The Department of the Air Force unveiled a $338.8 billion budget proposal, April 21, a significant boost in funding designed to sharpen readiness, continue modernizing the fleet and underwrite deterrence while ensuring that any threat to national security can be met and, if necessary, defeated.

If enacted into law as written, the combined budget for the Air Force and Space Force for the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1, would grow by $92.5 billion compared to the current fiscal year. Broken apart, the package that Congress will now consider stipulates $267.7 billion for the Air Force and $71.1 billion for the Space Force.

"The Department of the Air Force's Fiscal Year 2027 budget request moves beyond the trade-off between modernization and readiness," said Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink. "We are funding both as concurrent priorities to ensure the force is ready to fight tonight, tomorrow, next week, next year, and next decade."

Both the White House and senior officials from the Department of the Air Force say the historic spike in spending is necessary if America's dominance in the air and in space is to be maintained and the challenges to homeland security met.

"This is not just about maintaining an edge; it is about expanding it," stated a Department document supporting the request. "This budget ensures the Department of the Air Force remains the ultimate guarantor of our nation's security, today and for decades to come."

"Our 2027 budget request funds our priorities of readiness, modernization and taking care of our Airmen and their families," said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Ken Wilsbach. "Looking at readiness, it significantly increases accounts for flying hours, spare parts, munitions, maintenance, and advanced training that reflects the realities of today's battlefield and tomorrow's fight."

The budget request includes a notable investment for upgrading the ground-based nuclear deterrent known as Sentinel and injects an additional $3 billion to accelerate development of the F-47, the newest fighter. The budget proposal pushes $2.7 billion (a $1.7 billion increase) for the semi-autonomous aircraft effort known as Collaborative Combat Aircraft, and $7 billion to continue building the B-21, the newest generation long-range bomber.

The budget proposal calls for spending $7.4 billion (a $1.1 billion increase) to purchase 38 F-35s and $3.9 billion for 15 new KC-46A tankers. Recognizing that the Total Force "trains as we fight," the proposed budget earmarks $2 billion for exercises and training, including large scale exercises across both the Air Force and Space Force that allow the services to "stress test" capabilities.

On a percentage basis, the budget request for the Space Force grows by 124% from the current fiscal year. The increase reflects the investment needed as the service continues to grow because of the importance of space capabilities to every action the military takes.

The Space Force's highest-ranking officer, Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman, acknowledged the growth of the service's budget but said the increase matches the need, the importance of space, and how the domain is now recognized as the invisible frontline in any conflict.

"As the past year has demonstrated, space is more vital than ever to our economic prosperity, our national security, and the lethality of the Joint Force," Saltzman said. "The proposed budget represents a generational opportunity to position the Space Force to win against the growing threats and demands our nation faces today and tomorrow."

In addition to providing funds to grow the Guardian force by 2,800, the budget proposal calls for spending $6.7 billion (a 60% increase) for satellite communications "to ensure our forces have a secure, reliable" link in any environment. It also invests $6.8 billion (a $2.9 billion or 70% increase) in missile warning and missile tracking architecture.

The proposal requests $21.6 billion- a 158% increase from FY26- to continue investment in all categories of Space Control systems necessary to secure the nation's interests now and into the future. Space Control is one of the service's three core functions and comprises the activities required to contest and control the domain.

Another $500 million will be directed to cyber warfare operations to safeguard satellites. The Space Force would also receive an additional $2.9 billion over current funding for National Security Space Launches. That boost in funding will procure 22 launches.

For the Air Force, the budget blueprint also calls for spending $600 million "to develop a family of affordable mass munitions" to expand the array of munitions available to commanders and planners.

Responding to the increasing workload and responsibilities that the Air Force and Space Force must shoulder, the budget request calls for spending an additional $2.5 billion on personnel to increase the number of personnel across the Air Force and Space Force by 12,700 (9,900 for the Air Force and 2,800 for the Space Force.) The budget request also carries funding for pay increases across the force, using sliding scale that offers a 7% boost to the most junior enlisted personnel with lower increases for more senior leaders.

The overarching goal, according to documents supporting the request, is clear.

"This is not just a budget; it is a deliberate, once-in-a-lifetime push to supercharge our defense industrial base, sharpen our readiness, and secure our air and space superiority," the document says. "This 38% increase over the FY26 enacted budget is a strategic choice to ensure we are ready for the challenges of today and tomorrow."

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31 AEW CC greets ROKAF Operations Command CC at Gwangju AB

Published April 21, 2026

Seventh Air Force

GWANGJU AIR BASE, South Korea (AFNS) -- Lt. Gen. Jun Sun Cha, commander of South Korea air force Operations Command, met U.S. Air Force Col. Brad Dvorak, commander of the 31st Air Expeditionary Wing, during the first week of exercise Freedom Flag 26-1 at Gwangju Air Base, South Korea, April 15.

The meeting between the two military leaders occurred after Cha flew an F-15K Slam Eagle during combined training operations between U.S. Air Force, U.S. Marines Corps, and South Korea air force fighter aircrew. The mission was part of FF 26-1, a regularly scheduled training event designed to prepare joint and combined forces for combat to defend South Korea.

The commanders met on the flight line, shook hands, exchanged coins, and reaffirmed the critical partnership between the South Korea and U.S. armed forces.

"Freedom Flag is about forging the trust and tactical sharpness that makes us a lethal, agile, and combined fighting force with our South Korea allies," said Dvorak during a joint assembly of U.S. and South Korea military personnel at the start of the exercise. "The work we do here has a lasting impact. It will bolster our alliance and contribute directly to the peace and stability of this region."

Freedom Flag integrates U.S. and South Korea airpower in dynamic training missions including air-to-air and surface-to-air scenarios, ensuring mutual understanding and trust between the two nations. This large-scale employment training enhances U.S. and South Korea interoperability and fortifies the alliance in terms of capability and commitment.

Cha and Dvorak, who also serves as Deployed Forces Commander at Gwangju for the duration of the exercise, were joined on the flight line by pilots and personnel from the South Korea air force 1st Fighter Wing and U.S. Seventh Air Force, 31st Air Expeditionary Wing, 8th Material Maintenance Squadron, and Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 232 alongside two South Korean F-15K Slam Eagles and two U.S. Marine F/A-18 Hornets.

The current iteration of Freedom Flag continues as U.S. and ROK forces execute complex missions, including offensive and defensive counter-air, close air support, and air interdiction.



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Russo-Ukraine War - 21 April 2026 - Day 1518

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, 194 combat encounters have taken place since the beginning of this day.

The Russian opponent made 50 aviacijnih strikes - dropped 159 controlled air bombs. In addition, Russian forces used 3982 kamikaze drones and carried out 2112 shells of settlements and positions of Ukrainian troops.

In the North Slobozhansky and Kursk directions, the Russian enemy launched four aviation strikes with the use of nine KABs, carrying out 88 shelling positions of Ukrainian troops and settlements, three of them from the RSZV.

In the South Slobozhans komu direction, the Russian enemy twice attacked the positions of Ukrainian units in the area of Prylipki and towards Bochkovoy. One assault action in progress.

In the kupans komu direction, Russian troops attacked twice, in the area of novoosinovogo and towards kurilivka.

In the Lyman direction, Ukrainian soldiers repelled seven Russian assaults, towards the settlements of Stavka, Drobisheve, Lyman and Dibrova.

In the Slavic direction, the Russian opponent twice tried to advance towards Rai-Oleksandrivka and in the area of Riznikivka.

In the kramators komu direction, the Russian occupiers seven times attacked in the direction of nikiforivka, golubivka, bondarnogo, mays kogo, vasyutins kogo and markovogo. One assault action in progress.

In the Konstantinivka direction, Russian forces today stormed the positions of Ukrainian defenders 25 times in the areas of the settlements of Pleshiyivka, Yablunivka, Ivanopilya and towards Konstantynivka, Illinivka, Sofiyivka, Novopavlivka, Kucherovy Yar and Novodmitrivka. Three attacks are underway.

Russian forces committed 43 attacks in the Pokrovsky direction. The Russian occupiers tried to advance towards the settlements of Bilitske, Nikonorivka, Rodinske, Shevchenko, Pokrovsk, Kotline, Udaachne, Novomykolaivka, Muravka, Molodetske, Novopidgorodnne, Novopavlivka and Vasilivka. Four Russian assault actions are ongoing.

According to preliminary calculations, today in this direction 97 Russian invaders were eliminated and 27 - wounded, Russian cover destroyed. The control point of the enemy's BPLA, six shells, a cannon and two units of automobile equipment were also damaged. Destroyed or suppressed 99 BPLA of different types.

In the Oleksandrivsky direction, the Russian occupiers attacked 12 times in the areas of settlements Oleksandrograd, Sichneve, Zlagoda and towards Kalinovsky.

11 Russian attacks in the areas of Zaliznyny, Svyatopetrivka, Girky, Gulyajpilsky and Staroukrainka were recorded in the direction of Gulyaipilskyi. Two attacks are underway.

In the Orihiv direction, the Russian enemy attacked five times in the direction of sherbakiv, plavniv and stepnogirsk. One attack is still going on.

The Russian opponent carried out four assault actions in the Pridniprovsky direction.

In other directions, there have been no significant changes in the environment.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the special military operation.

The Sever Group of Forces took control over Veterinarnoye in Kharkov region.

Units of two mechanised brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and a territorial defence brigade were hit close to Zemlyanki, Ternovaya, and Izbitskoye (Kharkov region).

In Sumy region, strikes were delivered at manpower and hardware of two mechanised brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and a territorial defence brigade near Novaya Sech, Pavlovka, Khoten, Khrapovshchina, Kondratovka, and Miropolye (Sumy region).

The enemy lost more than 190 troops, an armoured personnel carrier, 13 motor vehicles, a field artillery gun, an electronic warfare station, an ammunition depot, and 14 materiel depots.

The Zapad Group of Forces improved the situation along the front line. Three mechanised brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and two territorial defence brigades have been hit near Kutkovka, Velikaya Shapkovka, Borovaya, Shiykovka, Novosergeyevka in Kharkov region, Krasny Liman and Svyatogorsk (Donetsk People's Republic).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 195 troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, 18 motor vehicles, and two artillery guns. Two ammunition depots were destroyed.

The Yuzhnaya Group of Forces took more advantageous lines and positions. Three mechanised brigades, a mountain assault brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and a territorial defence brigade have been hit near Alekseyevo-Druzhkovka, Ray-Aleksandrovka, Krivaya Luka, Nikolayevka, and Konstantinovka (Donetsk People's Republic).

The enemy has lost more than 195 troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, 16 motor vehicles, two field artillery guns, and one electronic warfare station. An ammunition depot and four materiel depots were neutralised.

The Tsentr Group of Forces liberated Grishino in the Donetsk People's Republic by resolute actions.

Strikes were delivered at manpower and hardware of two mechanised brigades, an airmobile brigade, a jaeger brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, a marine brigade, and two national guard brigades close to Novopavlovka, Veseloye in Dnepropetrovsk region, Kalinino, Kucherov Yar, Belitskoye, Krasnoyarskoye, Dobropolye, and Torskoye in Donetsk People's Republic.

The AFU losses amounted to more than 340 troops, one armoured fighting vehicle, one pickup truck, and one field artillery gun.

The Vostok Group of Forces continued advancing into the depth of enemy defence. A mechanised brigade, two assault regiments of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and a marine brigade have been hit near Dobropasovo (Dnepropetrovsk region), Aleksandrograd (Donetsk People's Republic), Verkhnyaya Tersa, and Vozdvizhevka (Zaporozhye region).

The enemy lost up to 75 troops, an armoured fighting vehicle, three motor vehicles, and a U.S.-made AN/TPQ-50 counter-fire radar.

The Dnepr Group of Forces inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of a mechanised brigade of the AFU and a territorial defence brigade close to Preobrazhenka and Orekhov (Zaporozhye region).

More than 55 servicemen, one armoured fighting vehicle, 13 motor vehicles, one field artillery gun, and one electronic warfare station were neutralised.

Operational-Tactical Aviation, attack drones, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces have inflicted damage on production workshops, storage areas, and preparations sites for the launch of long-range unmanned aerial vehicles as well as temporary deployment areas of Ukrainian armed formations and foreign mercenaries in 149 areas.

Air defence systems shot down 13 guided bombs, three U.S.-made HIMARS MLRS projectiles, and 434 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles.

In total, since the beginning of the special military operation the enemy has lost: 671 aircraft, 284 helicopters, 136,352 unmanned aerial vehicles, 656 anti-aircraft missile systems, 28,992 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,704 MLRS combat vehicles, 34,555 field artillery guns and mortars, and 59,876 units of support military vehicles have been neutralised.

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HE GCCSG Condemns Any Wicked Acts or Plots Targeting UAE Security and Stability; Praises the Success of Security Services in Dismantling a Terrorist Organisation

General Secretariat of the Gulf Cooperation Council

Apr 21, 2026

General Secretariat - Riyadh

His Excellency Mr Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), expressed his condemnation and denunciation in the strongest terms of any wicked acts or plots targeting the security and stability of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

His Excellency praised the high vigilance and professional efficiency demonstrated by the security services in the UAE, which capably thwarted these terrorist plots, uncovered them, and apprehended their members. He pointed out that these actions embody an advanced model for protecting national security and safeguarding the state's achievements and assets.

His Excellency Mr Albudaiwi reaffirmed the GCC's full and steadfast solidarity with the UAE and its absolute support for all measures taken to maintain its security and stability, and protect its territories from any threats.

Furthermore, His Excellency reiterated the GCC's rejection of all forms of violence, extremism, and terrorism, as well as any incitement thereof, regardless of the motives or justifications.

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The OIC Strongly Condemns any Act or Plot Targeting the Security and Stability of the United Arab Emirates

Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)

21-04-2026

The General Secretariat of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has expressed its strong condemnation and denunciation of the terrorist plot that aimed to undermine the national unity and stability of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which was foiled thanks to the vigilance of the UAE security services.

The OIC General Secretariat affirms its full solidarity with the UAE and its support for all the measures it takes to maintain its security and stability and protect its territory from any threats.

The General Secretariat reiterates its firm position rejecting all forms of violence, extremism, and terrorism, or incitement to them, regardless of their motives and justifications.

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Two US embassy officials killed in car crash in Mexico were CIA agents: Report

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 21 April 2026 5:07 PM

The two US embassy officials who were killed during a car accident in Mexico worked for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), a report says.

According to a report released by CNN on Tuesday, the two US embassy personnel had been collaborating with the CIA and Mexican officials on expanded counternarcotics operations in the country, two people briefed on the matter claimed.

Two Mexican officials who were part of Chihuahuas State Investigation Agency (AEI) were also killed in the accident.

The CIA officers and the Mexican officials were reportedly returning from a drug raid in the municipality of Morelos when their car crashed on the Chihuahua-Ciudad Juarez highway, according to initial reports.

The circumstances of the accident are still under investigation, said one of the people briefed.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said on Monday that her government had been unaware of any direct collaboration between the state of Chihuahua and personnel from the US Embassy in Mexico.

The relationship is federal, not state ... They must have authorization from the federal government for this collaboration, which necessarily takes place at the state level, as established by the Constitution, she emphasized.

Since the appointment of John Ratcliffe as the new director of the CIA, the spy agency has significantly expanded its operations in Mexico under the guise of counternarcotics operations.

US President Donald Trump claims he has shifted a wide range of counterterrorism authorities and resources to counter-cartel work along the US-Mexico border and inside Mexico itself.

Since 2024, the CIA has begun covertly flying MQ-9 Reaper drones over Mexico to allegedly spy on drug cartels and has also undertaken a review of its authorities to use lethal force against drug cartels in the country.

On several occasions, Trump has used the issue of drug cartels as an excuse to threaten Mexico with military invasion.

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Tehran dismisses UAEs anti-Iran narratives following groundless arrests

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 21 April 2026 3:55 PM

Irans Foreign Ministry has denounced the arrest of several individuals in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on groundless pretexts, stating that anti-Iranian narratives cannot deflect from the responsibility of those supporting US-Israeli aggression against the Islamic Republic.

Abu Dhabi said on Monday that authorities had arrested members of what it described as an Iran-linked group plotting terrorist acts in the UAE. It claimed the individuals were attempting to recruit Emiratis and funnel funds to suspicious foreign entities.

Irans Foreign Ministry spokesman, Esmaeil Baghaei, dismissed the allegation in a statement on Tuesday, saying the arrests were made based on baseless and unfounded pretexts.

He added that raising such allegations and engaging in anti-Iranian narratives would not absolve supporters of the aggressors from their direct responsibility for military actions against Iran.

Baghaei urged the kingdom to respect the rights and human dignity of individuals, refrain from retaliatory behavior, and return to the principles of good neighborliness.

Last month, the UAE said it had arrested at least five members of what it alleged was a terrorist network linked to Iran and the Lebanese resistance group Hezbollah.

The arrests come amid a significant escalation in regional tensions following the US-Israeli military aggression against Iran that started on February 28.

Tehran has demanded compensation from five Arab nationsBahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, and Jordan--for committing internationally wrongful acts by allowing their territories to be used by the US and Israel, and in some cases directly participating in unlawful armed attacks against Iran.

Iranian authorities have constantly maintained that any country facilitating aggression against Iran will be held directly responsible.

Iranian officials have also documented instances of harassment against Iranian nationals in the UAE, including reports of property seizures.

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FM spokesperson slams US report on HK as 'replete with lies and fallacies'

Global Times

By Global Times Published: Apr 21, 2026 05:03 PM

The US has once again released a Hong Kong report replete with lies and fallacies, making irresponsible remarks and pointing fingers at Hong Kong affairs, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said at a regular press conference on Tuesday, noting that Chinese side expresses strong dissatisfaction, firm opposition, and that China has lodged solemn representations with the US side, in response to a media inquiry regarding the US State Department's 2026 Hong Kong Policy Act report.

Guo said that since Hong Kong's return, the Chinese government has consistently and accurately implemented the principles of "one country, two systems" "Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong" and a high degree of autonomy. The enactment and implementation of the Law on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and Safeguarding National Security Ordinance have better protected the lawful rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong residents, better promoted Hong Kong's prosperity and stability, and better safeguarded the lawful rights and interests of the international community in Hong Kong.

Guo said that law enforcement and judicial authorities of the HKSAR handle cases involving endangering national security in accordance with the law, which is legitimate and leaves no room for unwarranted criticism.

Guo said that Hong Kong is entering a new stage from stability to prosperity, expressing confidence that under the institutional safeguards of "one country, two systems," Hong Kong will have an even brighter future.

Guo emphasized that Hong Kong is China's Hong Kong and that Hong Kong affairs are purely China's internal affairs. The Chinese government's resolve to safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests is unwavering. China urges the US to abide by the principles of international law and the basic norms governing international relations, and immediately stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs and China's internal affairs in any form.

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Xi says to work with Africa to address spillover effects of Middle East conflict

Ministry of National Defense of the People's Republic of China

Source Xinhuanet

EditorLi Weichao

Time2026-04-21 20:05:50

BEIJING, April 21 (Xinhua) -- As the impact of the Middle East conflict spills over to African countries, China stands ready to work hand in hand with Africa to address these challenges, jointly promote peace and work together to advance development, Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Tuesday.

Xi made the remarks during his talks with President of the Republic of Mozambique Daniel Francisco Chapo in Beijing, calling on both sides to uphold the principles for peace, maintain the resolve for development, and promote win-win cooperation.

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Chinese PLA Navy's first Type 076 amphibious assault ship "Sichuan" set off for South China Sea for experimental training

Ministry of National Defense of the People's Republic of China

Source China Military Online

EditorLi Weichao

Time2026-04-21 23:27:30

BEIJING, April 21 -- China's first Type 076 amphibious assault ship, PLANS Sichuan (Hull 51), recently set off from Shanghai to conduct scientific research experiments and training tasks in relevant waters in the South China Sea, testing the operation of multiple systems and platforms of the vessel.

Since its launch, PLANS Sichuan has successfully completed several trial voyages. This experimental training is a normal cross-regional test and training organized according to the overall equipment construction plan, and is not targeted at any specific objective.

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Multiple Vessels Arrive at Key Ports for Open Ship Day Activities Marking 77th Anniversary of the Chinese PLA Navy

Ministry of National Defense of the People's Republic of China

Source China Military Online

EditorCheng Sihao

Time2026-04-21 21:00:55

BEIJING, April 21 -- 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. Among these, several types of warships will make their debut, and both the scale and variety of the vessels featured in this year's event will set new records.

Six vessels will be showcased in Qingdao City. They are the guided-missile destroyers Urumqi (Hull 118) and Qiqihar (Hull 121), the guided-missile frigates Weifang (Hull 550) and Wuhu (Hull 539), the comprehensive supply ship Dongpinghu (Hull 902), and the comprehensive rescue ship Yangchenghu (Hull 847). Qingdao will host the largest number of vessels open to the public in this event.

In addition, the guided-missile frigate Fuyang (Hull 519), the guided-missile destroyer Suzhou (Hull 158), the amphibious dock landing ship Yimengshan (Hull 988), and the comprehensive supply ship Qiandaohu (Hull 886) will take part in the open ship day activities in Shanghai for the upcoming founding anniversary of the Chinese PLA Navy.

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President Xi Jinping Holds Talks with Mozambican President Daniel Chapo

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China

Updated: April 21, 2026 23:17

On the afternoon of April 21, 2026, President Xi Jinping held talks with President Daniel Chapo of Mozambique, who is on a state visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. The two heads of state agreed to elevate the bilateral relationship to the level of China-Mozambique community with a shared future in the new era.

President Xi Jinping pointed out that the China-Mozambique traditional friendship has traveled through history and across mountains and seas. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, China and Mozambique have extended mutual trust and mutual support for each other, setting up a fine example of China-Africa friendship and South-South cooperation. Under the new circumstances, further deepening China-Mozambique friendly cooperation meets the shared expectations of the people of both countries, and conforms to the prevailing trend of stronger solidarity and coordination among Global South countries against common challenges. China is ready to work with Mozambique, seizing the opportunities presented by the implementation of the outcomes of the FOCAC Beijing Summit and the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges (2026), to pursue the shared dream of modernization.

President Xi Jinping stressed that friendship and mutual trust are the defining features and political strengths of China-Mozambique relations. The two sides should carry forward the fine traditions, continuously extend firm mutual support on issues bearing on each other's core interests and major concerns, strengthen interactions at various levels and across various sectors between governments, political parties, legislative bodies, and sub-national authorities, and enhance experience sharing in party and state governance. The strong economic complementarity between the two countries opens up broad prospects for cooperation. This year marks the beginning of China's 15th Five-Year Plan period. China is ready to work with Mozambique to strengthen alignment of development strategies, create new cooperation models, explore new pathways for the integrated development of infrastructure, energy and mining, and actively cultivate new growth drivers in areas including agriculture, new energy, digital economy and AI to promote the high-quality and sustainable development of practical cooperation between the two countries. Facing the changing and turbulent international landscape, the two sides should continue to strengthen coordination, solidarity and collaboration in the U.N. and other institutions, and jointly advocate an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, and safeguard international fairness and justice.

President Xi Jinping noted that in the past 70 years of China-Africa diplomatic relations, no matter how the international landscape evolved, the two sides have always forged ahead shoulder to shoulder, through thick and thin. China and Africa, together with other Global South countries, represent a just force in this turbulent and transforming world. The conflicts in the Middle East are spilling over into African countries. China is ready to work with Africa to navigate these challenging times, and jointly promote peace and seek common development. First, upholding principles to promote peace. Together, the two sides call for cessation of hostilities and settlement of differences through equal-footed dialogue, and call on the international community to practice true multilateralism, and to firmly safeguard the purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter and basic norms governing international relations. Second, keeping strategic focus on development. As it expands high-standard opening-up, China always puts Africa in a special and prioritized position. Starting from May 1, China will roll out zero-tariff measures across the board to all the 53 African countries having diplomatic relations with China, and further expand access of African products to the Chinese market through an upgrade of the green channel and other initiatives. Third, leading by example in mutually beneficial cooperation. In response to Africa's call, China will work with the continent to further unlock cooperation potential, deepen mutually beneficial collaboration, support African countries' development, and contribute to building an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era.

President Chapo noted that it is a great pleasure to be the first leader of an African country to pay a state visit to China this year, which testifies to the friendly and brotherly bond between the two countries, and carries great significance to the people of Mozambique. He congratulated China on its remarkable achievements made under the leadership of President Xi Jinping, and on China's exemplary role among Global South countries. China is a true friend of Mozambique that all along extends selfless support and assistance to his country. Mozambique attaches great importance to its relations with China, unconditionally abides by the one-China principle, and supports China in achieving national reunification. Mozambique is ready to work with China, on the basis of mutual respect and mutual trust, to consolidate solidarity and friendship, and enhance cooperation in areas including economy and trade, agriculture and energy, opening up new chapters in jointly building the Mozambique-China community with a shared future in the new era. The implementation of the outcomes of the FOCAC Beijing Summit and China's zero-tariff policy for African countries having diplomatic ties with China will provide strong impetus to the economic and social development of African countries. Mozambique thanks China for its support for African countries. The vision of a community with a shared future for humanity, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative, the Global Governance Initiative, and the Belt and Road Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping have made important contribution to promoting world peace, stability and development. Mozambique is ready to work with China to implement these initiatives and make the world a better place.

Following the talks, the two heads of state jointly witnessed the signing of over 20 cooperation documents in areas including Belt and Road cooperation, implementation of the Global Security Initiative, economy and trade, people-to-people exchanges, medical and health, and news media.

The two sides issued the Joint Statement Between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Mozambique on Building the China-Mozambique Community with a Shared Future in the New Era.

Before the talks, President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan held a welcoming ceremony for President Chapo and his wife Gueta Chapo at the North Hall of the Great Hall of the People.

As President Chapo arrived, honor guards lined up in salutation. The two heads of state walked onto a stand, after which the national anthems of China and Mozambique were played respectively by a military band. A 21-gun salute was performed at the Tiananmen Square. President Chapo, in the company of President Xi Jinping, reviewed the guard of honor of the People's Liberation Army, and watched the march-past.

In the same evening, President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan held a welcoming banquet for President Chapo and his wife Gueta Chapo.

Wang Yi was present at the above events.

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Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun's Regular Press Conference on April 21, 2026

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China

Updated: April 21, 2026 19:09

Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi will visit Cambodia, Thailand and Myanmar upon invitation from April 22 to 26. He will attend with Defense Minister Dong Jun the first meeting of China-Cambodia 2+2 strategic dialogue mechanism between foreign and defense ministers.

China News Service: You just announced that Foreign Minister Wang Yi will visit Cambodia, Thailand and Myanmar. Could you share with us China's expectations on the visit?

Guo Jiakun: Cambodia, Thailand and Myanmar are China's friends and neighbors. Under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and the leaders of the three countries, sustained and steady progress has been made in building a community with a shared future between China and the three countries, injecting strong impetus into their respective national development.

The century-defining transformation is unfolding at an accelerating pace, bringing more risks and challenges to regional countries. At the same time, all the three countries are at a critical juncture for development, as Cambodia is implementing the Pentagonal Strategy at a faster pace, and the new governments of Thailand and Myanmar were formed not long ago. Therefore, through this visit, China hopes to implement the common understandings among the leaders, deepen comprehensive strategic cooperation, consolidate China-Cambodia ironclad friendship, enrich the family-like relationship between China and Thailand, carry forward the close friendship between China and Myanmar, bring more benefits to the peoples and make greater contributions to peace, stability, development and prosperity in the region.

Xinhua News Agency: Could you share the arrangements of the first meeting between foreign ministers and defense ministers of China and Cambodia under the "2+2" strategic dialogue mechanism? What topics will be covered?

Guo Jiakun: During the visit to Cambodia in April last year, President Xi Jinping and the leader of Cambodia agreed on establishing the "2+2" strategic dialogue mechanism between foreign ministers and defense ministers of the two countries. It fully demonstrates the high-level and strategic nature of the bilateral relations.

Amid turbulence and transformations in the world, the launch of the "2+2" strategic dialogue mechanism can help China and Cambodia strengthen strategic communication and tackle external challenges together. It is part of the effort to deepen China-Cambodia all-weather community with a shared future in the new era and a sure path to advance the two countries' modernization drive. Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Defense Minister Dong Jun will have an in-depth exchange of views with the Cambodian side with a focus on bilateral relations, cooperation on political and defense security issues, and international and regional situations. They will have meetings with Cambodian leaders. China is ready to work with Cambodia to make good use of the strategic communication platform, and make coordinated efforts to advance high-quality development and high-level security for the prosperity, revitalization and long-term stability of the two countries.

Nippon TV: Today, the Japanese government has revised limits on defense equipment exports which enables the sales of weapons overseas. The government says that it will promote security cooperation with partner countries. Does China have any comment on this?

Guo Jiakun: China is gravely concerned. Japanese militarists during their aggression and expansion last century committed horrendous crimes against China and other neighboring countries in Asia. Given the history of aggression and to prevent the revival of Japanese militarism, the Cairo Declaration, the Potsdam Proclamation, the Japanese Instrument of Surrender and a series of documents with full legal effect under international law explicitly require Japan to be "completely disarmed" and not to maintain industries that "would enable her to re-arm for war." The Japanese Constitution also contains strict restrictions on Japan's military strength, right of belligerency and right to war. After WWII, Japan further established stringent norms such as the "exclusively defense-oriented principle" to limit the development of military strength and the export of weapons. In 1976, the Japanese government issued a unified view on arms exports demanding that Japan, "as a nation dedicated to peace," exercise caution on arms export.

Japan's recent dangerous moves in the military and security fields defy its self-proclaimed "dedication to peace" and adherence to the "exclusively defense-oriented" policy. Many experts and scholars expressed concern that Japan is restarting its "war machine" and "exporting wars." Japan's quickened remilitarization is already a reality and comes with actual roadmap and steps being taken. The international community, including China, will remain highly vigilant and firmly resist Japan's reckless moves of neo-militarism.

Beijing Daily: In the recently-released "2026 Hong Kong Policy Act Report," the U.S. Department of State misrepresented the conditions of democracy, freedom and rule of law in Hong Kong. What's your comment?

Guo Jiakun: China deplores and firmly opposes the latest iteration of the so-called "report", which, supported by nothing but disinformation and fallacies, leveled wanton criticism against Hong Kong affairs. We have lodged strong demarches with the U.S. side over this.

Since the return of Hong Kong, the Chinese government has fully, faithfully and firmly implemented the principles of One Country, Two Systems, Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong and a high degree of autonomy. The implementation of the Law on Safeguarding National Security in Hong Kong and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance has ensured better protection of Hong Kong residents' various rights and freedoms entitled in the law, Hong Kong's prosperity and stability, and the lawful rights and interests of the international community in Hong Kong. The lawful actions taken by Hong Kong SAR law enforcement and judicial bodies against crimes endangering national security are fully justified and beyond reproach. Hong Kong is now at a new stage where it is set to thrive. As China embarks on the new journey of the 15th Five-Year Plan, we believe that with the institutional safeguards of One Country, Two Systems, Hong Kong is headed to an even brighter future.

Let me stress that Hong Kong is China's Hong Kong and Hong Kong affairs are purely China's internal affairs. The Chinese government has unwavering resolve in upholding national sovereignty, security and development interests. We urge the U.S. to abide by the principles of international law and basic norms governing international relations, and stop interfering in China's domestic affairs including Hong Kong affairs in any form.

CCTV: We noted that yesterday President Xi Jinping spoke on the phone with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince and Prime Minister and the two exchanged views on the current situation in the Middle East and the Gulf region. Some commentators see this as part of China's increasing diplomatic efforts to bring about an end to the conflict. My question is, how do you think the situation will evolve and how will China continue its role in promoting peace talks and deescalation?

Guo Jiakun: The Iran conflict is one of the most pressing challenges facing the international community. Recently, President Xi Jinping made a four-point proposition on safeguarding and promoting peace and stability in the Middle East. First, stay committed to the principle of peaceful co-existence. China supports regional states in improving their ties. It's important to work to build a common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security architecture of the Middle East and the Gulf region. Second, stay committed to the principle of national sovereignty. The sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of the Gulf states should be earnestly respected. Third, stay committed to the principle of international rule of law. It is important to firmly uphold the international system with the UN at its core, the international order based on international law, and the basic norms governing international relations underpinned by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. We should prevent the world from returning to the law of the jungle. Fourth, stay committed to a balanced approach to development and security. China stands ready to share with regional countries the opportunities through Chinese modernization. All sides should work to create a sound environment for the development of the Gulf states. The proposition fully embodies China's consistent position and active efforts to promote peace, end hostilities, and advocate resolving disputes through dialogue. As a Chinese solution to end the conflict and realize peace, the proposition has received growing recognition and support from regional countries and the international community.

The current situation is at a critical stage of whether the conflict could end or not. In times like this, it is more imperative than ever that all sides show utmost sincerity, stick to the direction of political settlement, keep up the momentum for ceasefire and negotiation, and work for the early restoration of normal passage through the Strait of Hormuz and peace and stability in the Middle East and Gulf region. Guided by the spirit of President Xi Jinping's four-point proposition, China will work together with the international community to play an active and constructive role in this process.

AFP: A follow-up question on the Middle East. The ceasefire between Iran and the United States expires tomorrow. It's not clear whether talks between Iran and the U.S. will resume in Pakistan. So what's China's message to both sides, the U.S. and Iran?

Guo Jiakun: I just answered a related question. The current regional situation is at a critical stage of whether the conflict could end. Now that the window for peace has been opened, favorable conditions need to be created to end the war at an early date. China supports efforts by relevant sides to maintain the momentum of ceasefire and negotiation. We will continue playing a constructive role for promoting deescalation and bringing lasting peace and stability to the Middle East.

Bloomberg: Former U.S. ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, said on Twitter that the Iranian-flagged ship that the U.S. intercepted over the weekend had been traveling from China and had been used to carry chemicals for missiles. Does the Foreign Ministry have any comment to her statement?

Guo Jiakun: As far as I know, the vessel seized by the U.S. is a foreign container ship. China rejects any false association and speculation.

Kyodo News: It's reported that at the annual spring festival of Japan's Yasukuni Shrine, Prime Minister of Japan Sanae Takaichi sent a ritual "masakaki" tree offering to the shrine in her name as Prime Minister. What is China's comment on this?

Guo Jiakun: China firmly opposes and strongly condemns Japan's latest negative moves related to the Yasukuni war shrine and has lodged serious and strong protests with the Japanese side.

The Yasukuni Shrine is a spiritual tool and symbol of Japanese militarists responsible for the war of aggression. It is in fact a shrine for war criminals. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the beginning of the Tokyo trials. For over two and a half years, judges from 11 countries heard the cases, and with undeniable evidence and in strict accordance with law, exposed horrendous crimes committed by Japanese fascists and militarists in their war of aggression, which laid the foundation for the post-war international order. However, to our indignation, eighty years on, the notorious Yasukuni war shrine still honors convicted Japanese Class-A war criminals with direct responsibilities for the war crimes committed during that war of aggression, and Japanese officials and politicians still make visits or send ritual or cash offerings to the war shrine. Japan's negative moves related to the Yasukuni war shrine is in nature an attempt to evade war responsibilities, an affront to justice, a provocation against Japan's war victims, and a challenge to the outcome of WWII victory. Such moves have been widely condemned and firmly rejected by the international community.

Japan must do serious soul-searching. Will it continue to let the spector of militarism spread, distort historical facts and whitewash its crimes during the war of aggression? Or will it deeply and sincerely reflect on its war crimes, foster a right view of history, and earn trust from its Asian neighbors and the international community? With massive increase in military budget, the deployment of intermediate-range offensive missiles, relaxed restrictions on weapon export, proposed revision of its pacifist Constitution and the idea of abandoning the three non-nuclear principles, how can Japan profess itself as a "peace-loving country?" What's Japan really up to? What Japan needs to see clearly is that all peace-loving forces for justice in the world will never allow neo-militarism to spread and threaten regional peace, and will instead make a firm response.

Amnesia of history means betrayal, and denial of responsibility spells repetition of crimes. The international community needs to be vigilant against Japan's historical revisionism, stand firmly against its neo-militarist tendencies and work together to keep the region and the world peaceful and stable.

The Paper: The 82nd session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific opened in Bangkok on April 20. The Chinese delegation announced at the meeting that it is ready to host the 2027 session in Shanghai. Could you share more information on that?

Guo Jiakun: The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is the most important UN organization in the region dedicated to comprehensive economic and social development. It was founded with the mission to promote open, inclusive and sustainable growth in the Asia-Pacific.

Deputy Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu, who headed the Chinese delegation, delivered a statement at the General Debate. Focusing on how to implement the four global initiatives put forward by President Xi Jinping, he elaborated on China's positions and propositions on safeguarding multilateralism, promoting openness and cooperation, seizing opportunities brought by digitalization, and advancing sustainable development, and called for joint efforts to deepen Asia-Pacific cooperation and build an Asia-Pacific community.

China is ready to host the next ESCAP session in Shanghai, the birthplace of the organization, when we mark its 80th anniversary in 2027. We look forward to it as an opportunity to gather all within the Commission to renew the founding mission, enhance mutually-beneficial cooperation and contribute more to building an Asia-Pacific community.

Beijing Youth Daily: Recently, Brazil, Mexico, and Spain issued a joint statement calling for the alleviation of the situation in Cuba and reaffirming the principles of respect for human rights, territorial integrity, sovereign equality, and the peaceful settlement of conflicts. Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister visited Cuba and stated that Russia will not abandon Cuba. A number of European countries held solidarity rallies in support of Cuba, and some non-governmental organizations in the U.S. called for the lifting of sanctions against Cuba. Additionally, according to media reports, representatives of the U.S. Department of State recently visited Cuba and met with Cuban officials. They called on Cuba to achieve "democracy and economic freedom" and proposed conditions such as lifting the trade embargo and providing Starlink satellite communication in exchange. What's China's comment?

Guo Jiakun: Recently, countries as well as people from various sectors in the U.S. expressed opposition to the U.S. blockade against Cuba. The U.S. government needs to heed the just voice, and immediately end its blockade, sanctions and any form of coercion and pressure against Cuba. China stands ready to work with all sides to firmly support Cuba in safeguarding its national sovereignty and security and opposing external interference.

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China's first Type 076 amphibious assault ship heads to South China Sea for regular training

Global Times

By Xinhua Published: Apr 22, 2026 10:57 AM

China's first Type 076 amphibious assault ship, the Sichuan, has recently departed Shanghai for the South China Sea to conduct scientific research trials and training exercises, according to the navy.

It is a routine cross-regional training mission conducted in accordance with the overall equipment development plan, and is not aimed at any specific target, the navy said in a press release published via its social media account.

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Russian Ministry of Interior Delegation Arrives Here

Korean Central News Agency of DPRK

Pyongyang, April 21 (KCNA) -- A delegation of the Ministry of Interior of the Russian Federation led by Minister Vladimir Kolokoltev arrived here on Monday to visit the Democratic People's Republic of Korea at the invitation of its Ministry of Public Security.

Seen flying at the flagstaffs of Pyongyang International Airport were national flags of the DPRK and Russia, and the guard of honor of the Korean People's Army lined up at the apron of the airport.

The delegation was greeted by Minister Pang Tu Sop of Public Security of the DPRK, officials concerned and Charge d'Affaires ad Interim Vladimir Topeha and staff members of the Russian embassy here.

A woman security officer presented a bouquet to Vladimir Kolokoltev. -0-

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INS SUNAYNA ARRIVES AT JAKARTA UNDER INDIAN NAVY'S IOS SAGAR INITIATIVE, STRENGTHENING MARITIME TIES WITH INDONESIA

India - Press Information Bureau

Ministry of Defence

Posted On: 21 APR 2026 5:16PM by PIB Delhi

Indian Navy's INS Sunayna, an Offshore Patrol Vessel deployed under the IOS SAGAR initiative, arrived at Jakarta, Indonesia on 21 Apr 2026, marking the third port call of its operational deployment to the Indian Ocean Region.

The ship, with a multinational crew from 16 Friendly Foreign Countries onboard, transited the narrow Malacca and Singapore Straits prior to arrival, demonstrating high standards of interoperability and navigational proficiency.

IOS SAGAR is a practical expression of India's vision of MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) and embodies the ethos of "leadership through partnership, strength through unity and progress through peace." The mission completed its Harbour Phase from 16 to 29 March 2026 in India and is currently progressing through the Sea Phase (Apr-May 2026), which includes port calls at multiple Friendly Foreign Countries in the Indian Ocean Region.

During the port call at Jakarta, the ship will engage with the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL) through professional, social and sporting interactions. The Commanding Officer, INS Sunayna called on the senior leadership at Kodaeral III (Naval Regional Command III). Planned activities include professional exchanges, joint Yoga sessions, sporting events, ship visits by stakeholders and a deck reception. A Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with the Indonesian Navy is scheduled on departure.

The initiative underscores India's Neighbourhood First policy and vision of MAHASAGAR, reaffirming that "a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific is in the interest of all nations".

_____________________

VM/SKY 79/26

(Release ID: 2254169)

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Aatmanirbhar Bharat: MoD inks Rs 975 crore contracts for TRAWL Assembly for T-72/T-90 Tanks to enhance Indian Army's minefield breaching capability

India - Press Information Bureau

Ministry of Defence

Posted On: 21 APR 2026 4:25PM by PIB Delhi

The Ministry of Defence has signed contracts with Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML) and Electro Pneumatics and Hydraulics (India) Private Limited for the procurement of TRAWL Assembly for T-72/T-90 Tanks, at an approximate cost of Rs 975 crore. The contracts were inked in the presence of Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh in New Delhi on April 21, 2026.

The TRAWL Assembly for T-72/T-90 Tanks is a critical equipment developed by DRDO which will enhance the minefield breaching capability of the Indian Army. It would generate additional capability of creating Vehicle Safe Lanes through minefields with anti-tank mines with proximity magnetic fuses, thus enhancing the operational effectiveness of the Indian Army.

Being a Buy (Indian-Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured) case, the procurement marks a pivotal step towards modernising India's defence infrastructure and empowering indigenous industries, which will be a proud flag-bearer of Aatmanirbhar Bharat. This project has immense potential of direct and indirect employment generation by encouraging the MSME sector through components' manufacturing.

****

VK/Savvy

(Release ID: 2254141)

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US-Israeli strikes damage 138,000 civilian sites in Iran

Azerbaijan State News Agency - (AZERTAC)

21.04.2026 [15:11]

Baku, April 21, AZERTAC

Around 138,000 civilian facilities in Iran have been damaged by US and Israeli military strikes since the start of the escalation, TASS reports citing Iranian TV channel SNN.

According to the report, these include over 113,000 residential buildings, around 23,500 commercial properties, more than 300 medical facilities, 32 universities, and 993 other educational institutions.

The United States and Israel launched a large-scale operation against Iran on February 28. On April 7, the United States announced a two-week ceasefire with the republic. Iran and the United States held several rounds of talks in Islamabad on April 11. Both Tehran and Washington said after the negotiations that no agreement on a long-term settlement of the conflict had been reached due to a range of disagreements.

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Trump says US will not lift Hormuz blockade until deal made with Iran

Azerbaijan State News Agency - (AZERTAC)

21.04.2026 [12:13]

Baku, April 21, AZERTAC

The US will not lift its blockade on Iranian ports until a deal has been reached with Tehran, US President Donald Trump has said, amid continuing uncertainty over whether fresh talks to end the war will take place, BBC reports.

The blockade, which began a week ago, is "absolutely destroying Iran", Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social, adding his country was winning the conflict "by a lot".

His comments come with the temporary US-Iran ceasefire set to end on Wednesday, but with no certainty over whether a second round of peace talks will go ahead in Pakistan.

There is tightened security in Pakistan's capital in anticipation of a meeting. But US Vice President JD Vance - set to lead the US delegation - has not yet left Washington, while Iran says it has not decided whether to attend.

Since the blockade began, US forces have directed 27 vessels to turn around or return to an Iranian port, according to US Central Command (Centcom).

The US also intercepted and seized an Iranian-flagged cargo ship for the first time in the conflict, after it tried to get through the blockade on Sunday.

Videos shared by Centcom were said to show the ship being warned before troops abseiled onto the vessel.

Iran has maintained its own blockade on the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route, for nearly two months - causing global energy prices to soar.

It was briefly re-opened on Saturday but quickly closed again, following reports of vessels in or near the strait, including a tanker, being targeted by Tehran.

Trump said Iran had "decided to fire bullets" and called it a "total violation" to the ceasefire agreement.

Iran said it would keep the route shut until the US stopped the blockade of its ports.

There are indications a second round of peace talks between the US and Iran will go ahead, despite Tehran refusing to confirm whether it will send a delegation.

Following the first round of talks earlier this month US Vice-President J D Vance said the US "could not get to a situation where the Iranians were willing to accept our terms", and Iran's foreign ministry urged Washington to refrain from "excessive demands and unlawful requests".

The potential second round comes at a crucial moment. Sources told the BBC on Monday afternoon that the US delegation would be leaving "soon" but did not specify a time, while officials told the New York Times that they would depart on Tuesday.

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US-Iran ceasefire clock ticks down amid mixed signals from both sides; China supports maintaining ceasefire and negotiations momentum

Global Times

By Li Yawei Published: Apr 21, 2026 05:29 PM

With the US-Iran ceasefire about to expire at 0000 GMT Wednesday (8 am Wednesday in Beijing), the two sides continue to send mixed and complex signals with the US signaling it is willing to negotiate while simultaneously making military maneuvers, and Iran making clear it rejects negotiations "under the shadow of threats."

When asked to comment on the ceasefire between Iran and the US which expires Wednesday and it is not clear whether talks between Iran and the US will resume in Pakistan, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Tuesday the current regional situation is at a critical stage of whether the conflict could end. Now that the window for peace has been opened, favorable conditions need to be created to end the war at an early date.

Guo added that China supports efforts by relevant sides to maintain the momentum of ceasefire and negotiation. We will continue playing a constructive role for promoting deescalation and bringing lasting peace and stability to the Middle East.

Guo's remarks came less than a day before the expiration of the Iran-US ceasefire agreement which falls on 0000 GMT Wednesday. It remains unclear whether either of the two sides will show up at the negotiating table.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf posted on X on Tuesday that Iran would not accept negotiations under the shadow of threats, saying that "in the past two weeks, we have prepared to reveal new cards on the battlefield."

On Monday, the Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian criticized the conduct of the US, saying that US officials were sending "unconstructive and contradictory signals." "They seek Iran's surrender," Pezeshkian wrote on X. "Iranians do not submit to force."

US media outlet Axios, citing three US sources, reported that Vice President JD Vance is expected to depart for Islamabad by Tuesday morning for talks with Iran over a potential deal to end the war. US President Donald Trump's envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are also expected to travel to Islamabad for the talks. Al Jazeera reported later Tuesday that the three had not departed Washington DC and that the Pakistani side expected them to depart early Wednesday.

The New York Times said that Iranian officials have publicly expressed skepticism about the prospects for a diplomatic breakthrough, but also mentioned that two senior Iranian officials had said Ghalibaf was planning to lead a delegation to Islamabad if Vance attends.

Tian Wenlin, a professor at the Renmin University of China's School of International Studies, told the Global Times on Tuesday that Iran's hesitation over whether to participate in the negotiations reflects its deep distrust of the US.

As the ceasefire deadline counts down, Trump made a series of statements about next steps. "I have no problem meeting them," he told the New York Post on Monday, while also warning that "lots of bombs" will "start going off" if there's no agreement before the ceasefire expires, the Washington Post reported.

The US president told CNBC that he does not want to extend the ceasefire and expects a "great deal."

Meanwhile, Washington is also making military maneuvers. The USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier, along with the destroyers USS Winston S. Churchill and USS Mahan, left the US Naval Forces Europe-Africa/US 6th Fleet area of operations late last week, a US official confirmed to Stars and Stripes on Monday.

The deployment of US warships is more of a means to pressure Iran, in the hope of forcing it to accept negotiation terms through military coercion, Ding Long, a professor at the Middle East Studies Institute of Shanghai International Studies University, told the Global Times on Tuesday.

The US-Iran talks face major structural obstacles despite growing speculation about a negotiated end to the current crisis, Salar Mohandesi, a professor at Bowdoin College in Maine was quoted by Al Jazeera as saying, arguing that what is happening in Iran does not meet serious definition of "regime change."

Ding believes a substantial agreement is unlikely even if they sit down together in Islamabad again.

Should the negotiations proceed in a positive manner, the two parties may prioritize extending the soon-to-expire ceasefire first, with other issues to be addressed through follow-up consultations, according to Ding.

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Table for talks set as world awaits U.S., Iran meet halfway in Islamabad

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 10:54, April 21, 2026

ISLAMABAD, April 21 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan has readied its capital and intensified diplomatic efforts for the expected renewed U.S.-Iran talks, despite the next round of the high-stakes negotiation still hanging in the air.

NEGOTIATING TABLE SET

Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi informed Iran's Ambassador to Pakistan Reza Amiri Moghadam on Monday that preparations for the second phase of talks in Islamabad have been completed, said the interior ministry.

According to a statement, the minister met with the ambassador to discuss arrangements for the second round of talks, saying that foolproof security arrangements have been put in place for visiting foreign delegations.

Some 20,000 police personnel, supported by hundreds of elite commandos, including snipers, have been deployed on security duty across Islamabad and the neighboring garrison city of Rawalpindi, according to police sources.

Additional Punjab Highway Patrol, Dolphin Force and Quick Response Unit teams have also been placed on alert, while Safe City cameras and rooftop snipers are maintaining round-the-clock surveillance.

Similar arrangements were made before the first round of peace talks between the United States and Iran aimed at easing recent hostilities in the Middle East.

Security officials said a batch of advance teams from the United States, including security personnel, have arrived to coordinate arrangements for the expected talks.

Major hotels, including the Serena Hotel and Marriott Hotel, have asked guests to vacate after the government requisitioned the properties for the talks, while hostels and guest houses in the capital were directed to close until further notice.

Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also spoke with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on Monday, stressing the need for continued dialogue and early engagement to resolve pending issues through diplomatic channels and promote regional peace.

It was the second contact between the two foreign ministers in less than 24 hours, highlighting Pakistan's active mediation role as tensions continue to shape prospects for a broader U.S.-Iran understanding.

NEGOTIATORS PENDING

However, by the time of filing this report, it's still not certain whether and when the two sides can meet again in Islamabad.

U.S. President Donald Trump told Fox News that an agreement with Iran could be signed "tonight" in Pakistan's capital, while U.S. media later reported that U.S. Vice President JD Vance and the American delegation will travel to Islamabad on Tuesday.

Iran struck a cautious tone. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said Tehran currently had no plan for a second round of talks, accusing Washington of failing to show seriousness since the April 8 ceasefire.

He cited what he called broken promises, the U.S. "naval blockade" in the Strait of Hormuz, the seizure of an Iranian commercial vessel, and disagreements over whether the Lebanon truce was part of the ceasefire arrangement.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian also took a defiant stance, saying on social media that Iranians "do not submit to force" and accusing Washington of sending contradictory signals while seeking Tehran's surrender.

The current two-week ceasefire is due to expire on Wednesday, and Trump said it was "highly unlikely" he would extend it without a deal, adding that the Strait of Hormuz would remain blocked until an agreement is finalized.

Earlier in the day, Pakistan's Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, reportedly told Trump that the blockade of Iranian ports would remain a major obstacle to meaningful diplomatic progress.

Iran has also indicated it may consider charging tolls for vessels passing through the strait, raising concern among Gulf states and international shipping companies.

Despite the uncertainty, analysts remained cautiously optimistic about the prospects of talks in Islamabad. Defense analyst and retired Air Commodore Khalid Chishti said neither side appeared interested in restarting the war despite the ongoing brinkmanship, as both Washington and Tehran were under growing pressure to find a face-saving resolution.

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April 21: Trump unilaterally extends truce as Iran rejects talks amid threats, blockade

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 21 April 2026 9:38 PM

By Press TV Website Staff

On a day marked by mixed signals from Washington and steadfast clarity from Tehran, Iran entered the final hours of the ceasefire, warning that it will not be coerced back into talks under American threats or maritime pressure.

Even as US President Donald Trump extended the truce late on Tuesday while vowing to maintain the illegal blockade on Iranian ports, and hinting in an interview that he is prepared to resume bombing, Iranian officials said the country stands fully prepared for any renewed aggression, with new "surprises" ready should the enemy attempt to reignite the war.

Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf has already reiterated that the Islamic Republic will not negotiate "under the shadow of threats."

At the same time, the Foreign Ministry warned that Washington's contradictory behavior and unlawful actions make a second round of Pakistan-mediated talks far from certain.

As the IRGC escorted an Iranian oil tanker safely into home waters, and lawmakers advanced plans for a new legal regime over the Strait of Hormuz, Tehran signaled that its national power, not American ultimatums, will define the next phase.

Key developments on day 53 of the war, the fourteenth day of the ceasefire:

US President Donald Trump wrote in a Truth Social post that the US is extending the ceasefire with Iran until an Iranian "proposal is submitted and discussions are concluded." Trump said he directed the US military to continue the "blockade" on Iranian ports. Earlier in the day, he told CNBC that he "expects to continue bombing Iran" if the US and Iran cannot reach a deal to extend the ceasefire by his deadline.

Iran had stated that it was fully prepared for a possible resumption of war as the ceasefire deadline approached, with new "surprises" ready for any renewed round of imposed war, Tasnim News reported, citing informed sources.

Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said that Tehran will not accept negotiations with Washington under the shadow of threats.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said that Iran has not made a final decision on whether to participate in the next round of Pakistan-mediated talks with the United States, citing contradictory messages, inconsistent behavior, and unacceptable actions by the American side.

Major General Ali Abdollahi, commander of Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, said the Islamic Republic's Armed Forces enjoy the upper hand in the face of the adversaries and, therefore, will not let Trump misrepresent the conditions governing the battlefield.

In a viral post on X, Qalibaf also said the US is trying to prolong the war with Iran to serve objectives other than "making America great again" (MAGA).

The Iranian Parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Committee ratified a motion allowing the country to set up a new legal regime for the control of the Strait of Hormuz.

The Iranian oil tanker Sili City entered Iran's territorial waters on Monday night after crossing the Arabian Sea, with operational support from the Islamic Republic of Iran's Navy, the army announced.

Iran's Judiciary chief, Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje'i, called for full readiness of all forces and sectors against the "defeated" US-Israeli war coalition, warning that they may once again resort to "savage aggression" against the country.

The US Department of State announced it will hold new talks on Thursday following a fragile ceasefire with Iran, a US official told the AFP news agency.

Ansarullah leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi stated that the Yemeni armed forces will return to fighting if a fragile ceasefire that halted 40 days of American-Israeli aggression against Iran expires without an agreement to end the war permanently.

Iran's Judiciary dismissed claims by Trump that eight women are facing imminent execution in Iran.

Iran's Foreign Ministry denounced the arrest of several individuals in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on "groundless pretexts," stating that anti-Iranian narratives cannot deflect from the responsibility of those supporting US-Israeli aggression against the Islamic Republic.

China called on the United States to demonstrate "sincerity" in resolving its prolonged standoff with Iran over its nuclear program, while censuring the joint US-Israeli military aggression against the country.

Russia's deputy foreign minister Sergey Ryabkov said that the unprovoked and illegal attacks by the United States and Israel against Iran have dealt a heavy blow to the global nuclear non-proliferation regime and the IAEA safeguards system.

Iran reopened Imam Khomeini and Mehrabad airports after weeks of war-related closures, aviation authorities said.

The Trump administration implemented a new round of illegal sanctions targeting 14 individuals, companies, and aircraft in Iran, Turkey, and the UAE.

The Director-General of the International Energy Agency (IEA), Fatih Birol, warned that US-Israeli aggression against Iran has caused the direst energy crisis in history.

The social media platform X launched a sweeping campaign to suspend accounts opposed to the US-Israeli aggression against Iran.

Spain, Slovenia, and Ireland urged the European Union to debate suspending its association agreement with Israel due to violations and crimes the regime has committed in Gaza, the occupied West Bank, and Lebanon.

A new survey has revealed that only 26% of Americans view President Donald Trump as a "balanced" individual, raising alarm bells amid ongoing geopolitical tensions and the war against Iran.

Russian authorities have reportedly detained at least 40 Israeli settlers at Moscow's Domodedovo Airport over their links to the Israeli regime's unprovoked aggression against Iran.

The Netherlands will spend more than $1.1 billion to help businesses and households cope with rising fuel costs linked to the war.

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Trump announces unilateral extension of ceasefire with Iran amid illegal blockade

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 21 April 2026 9:31 PM

US President Donald Trump has extended a two-week ceasefire with Iran while announcing the continuation of an illegal blockade on the Islamic Republic's ports and vesselsdespite Tehran's insistence that the blockade must be lifted for bilateral talks to continue.

In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said the extension came "upon the request of Field Marshal Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan."

He added that he had "directed our military to continue the blockade."

The Islamic Republic, however, unequivocally insisted on the removal of the blockade, stating that it would not rejoin negotiations under pressure.

Trump also said the United States would continue to cease its aggression "until such time as their [Iran's] leaders and representatives can come up with a unified proposal."

Trump announced the two-week cessation of aggression on April 7 after agreeing to a ten-point proposal from Iran to permanently end the aggression.

It came after 100 waves of decisive retaliatory strikes by Iran's armed forces against the US and the Israeli regime's unprovoked war of aggression against the country.

The reprisals delivered severe blows to sensitive and strategic American and Israeli targets across the region, including those located in the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia.

Talks were subsequently initiated in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, but stopped short of yielding an agreement amid Washington's maximalist demands and its refusal to back down from its unreasonable stances.

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Iran: No decision yet on new talks in Pakistan due to US contradictory messages

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 21 April 2026 5:59 PM

Iran has not made a final decision on whether to participate in the next round of Pakistan-mediated talks with the United States, citing contradictory messages, inconsistent behavior and unacceptable actions by the American side, the Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Tuesday.

No final decision has been made yet on whether to participate in the Pakistan talks, Esmail Baghaei said in a televised interview on IRIBs News Network.

The reason is the contradictory messages, inconsistent behavior and unacceptable actions of the American side, he said.

Pakistan has been brokering indirect negotiations between Tehran and Washington following the illegal 40-day war that began on February 28, when the United States and Israel launched their unprovoked aggression against Iran.

A two-week ceasefire took effect on April 8 and will expire on Wednesday.

The spokesman emphasized that any diplomatic process must be weighed according to its benefits and harms.

Going back and forth is neither a criterion for success nor inherently valuable. What matters is that participation in a diplomatic process serves our national interests, he said.

That is why decision-making on this process, like any other matter, is done carefully and with all considerations in mind.

Ceasefire violated from the start

Baghaei noted that the ceasefire was violated by the US side from the very beginning.

The ceasefire was supposed to include Lebanon as part of the agreement, but unfortunately they did not abide by it, he said.

He recalled that after the Islamabad talks, an understanding was reached and Irans foreign minister announced that Tehran would fulfill its commitments, but Washington responded by saying that it will continue the naval blockade.

A naval blockade is both illegal under international law and a clear violation of the ceasefire understanding, Baghaei said. He also noted the subsequent attack on an Iranian commercial vessel.

The spokesman stressed that Iran negotiates carefully and, if it accepts a commitment, it adheres to it.

Even after the US withdrew from the JCPOA in 2018, Iran continued to fully implement it for one year, then only gradually reduced some commitments every two months. This shows a responsible and committed approach, he said.

He described US actions against shipping as maritime piracy at the state level.

Irans brave decision to accept ceasefire

Baghaei said Irans decision to accept the ceasefire and enter talks was very courageous.

After nearly 40 days of fierce defense, despite heavy losses, including the martyrdom of our Leader and commanders, the enemy did not achieve any of its goals thanks to the peoples resistance, he said.

He added that Iran enters a diplomatic process when it deems it necessary for national interests, but the process must be result-oriented.

US diplomatic gestures inconsistent with actions

The diplomatic gestures and claims of diplomacy are inconsistent with their behavior, Baghaei said. This should be clear to our people, to the region, and to world public opinion that may sometimes be influenced by US claims.

He noted that international media have published much false information recently, but Iran is transparent with its people.

US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that would not agree to an extension of the ceasefire if no deal is reached before it ends. He said the United States was ready to go back to the war.

Tensions have been running high over a so-called naval blockade the US has enforced on Iranian ports American attempts to conduct mine-sweeping operations in the Strait of Hormuz.

Iranian officials have said the blockade is unlawful and a breach of ceasefire.

Iran says it will not accept diktats or conditions imposed by the United States and will not negotiate under the shadow of threats.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said Tehran entered the diplomatic process responsibly but has lost trust due to repeated US violations and military aggression during previous negotiations, notably in June 2025 and February 2026.

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Yemen will return to war if US, Israel resume aggression against Iran: Houthi

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 21 April 2026 4:11 PM

Ansarullah leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi says the Yemeni armed forces will return to fighting if a fragile ceasefire that halted 40 days of American-Israeli aggression against Iran expires without an agreement to permanently end the war.

In a speech on Tuesday, Houthi said Ansarullah will not be an impartial actor if aggression resumes against the Islamic Republic. We are in confrontation with the Israeli enemy and its American partner. If the enemy returns to war, the path lying ahead for us will also be a return to war.

He warned that even if the ceasefire is extended, it is unlikely to stop the aggression, noting that any truce provides only a respite in a continuous confrontation.

Houthi described the Zionist regime as the most dangerous enemy of the Muslim Ummah, dismissing Western talk of transforming West Asia as a deceptive attempt to justify aggression and dominate the region.

He censured those who blame Lebanon's resistance movement Hezbollah for responding to the Israeli aggression.

He said Hezbollah's recent retaliatory attacks on occupied territories came after 15 months of continuous Zionist attacks on Lebanon.

70 years of Zionist crimes

Houthi said Operation Al-Aqsa Flood in 2023 was "a response to Zionist crimes and tyranny over seven decades."

The enemies work through deceptive slogans to mislead people and justify what they do against the Ummah.

The enemies of the Ummah, Houthi said, want a situation where any criticism of the crimes of Israel is criminalized in the Arab and Islamic world.

Portraying free movements as proxy for Iran

Commenting on the illegal US-Israeli aggression against Iran, Houthi said the Zionists and their mouthpieces are trying to tarnish the image of free and independent groups standing against tyranny by labeling them as "a proxy for Iran."

The Zionists themselves were the first to coin the term 'proxy for Iran' and have heavily focused on it in the context of deception and misinformation.

He said the enemies seek to gag any free voice that opposes American-Israeli hegemony and tyranny.

Houthi said Israel, with American weapons and support, kills a Palestinian woman every half hour. "Where are human rights? Where are women's rights?" he asked.

He said the Zionists and their loyalists were seeking to instill despair and a defeatist spirit in the Ummah. He also said they try to distort and belittle the operations of the Resistance Axis.

Media loyal to US and Israel spread despair

The Ansarullah leader criticized media outlets aligned with the US and Israel for invariably exaggerating enemy actions while distorting any position that could revive hope.

"The Zionists, along with the Americans, the British and their hypocritical Arab agents, are working to make the Ummah accept the equation of permissible violation," he said.

Despite the great steadfastness in Gaza, Houthi said, certain forces within the Ummah deal with it by distorting the grand endeavor.

Houthi's remarks come amid a fragile ceasefire following 40 days of intense war against Iran.

The United States and Israel launched their illegal, unprovoked military campaign against Iran on February 28, assassinating the Leader of the Islamic Revolution and striking nuclear facilities, schools, hospitals and bridges.

Iran's armed forces responded with 100 waves of decisive 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.

Yemen's Ansarullah movement has been a key part of the Axis of Resistance, launching missile and drone attacks on Israeli targets.

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China blames US for diplomatic impasse with Iran, urges it to show sincerity in talks

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 21 April 2026 2:16 PM

China has called on the United States to demonstrate sincerity in resolving its prolonged standoff with Iran over its nuclear program, while censuring the joint US-Israeli military aggression against the country.

In its latest Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) report, Beijing said that Washington is responsible for the current diplomatic impasse with Tehran.

The national report on the implementation of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons was made public online by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday.

According to the report, the US and Israels military aggression against Iran, both in June 2025 and on February 28, seriously violated international law and the purposes of the UN Charter.

In the report, Beijing described Washingtons unilateral withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) as the root cause of the current diplomatic standoff between the US and Iran.

During his first term in 2018, US President Donald Trump withdrew from the nuclear deal, branding it the worst deal ever. Trump claimed that he was seeking stronger terms.

The US and Israel attacked Iranian nuclear and military sites in June 2025, even as indirect negotiations were underway between Tehran and Washington regarding Irans peaceful nuclear program.

Seven months later, the two enemies launched a new wave of aggression against the country on February 28, again as Iran and the US were on the verge of finalizing a new nuclear agreement.

Tehran asserts its legal right under the NPT to develop nuclear technology for energy production, medical research, and scientific advancement.

The US and its allies, however, accuse Iran of seeking the technical capability to produce a nuclear weapon.

Tehran has consistently maintained that it regards weapons of mass destruction as a threat to humanity and has never included them in its defense doctrine, even in the face of direct military aggression.

On April 11-12, Pakistan hosted talks between the US and Iran after brokering a two-week ceasefire on April 8, which is set to expire on April 22.

The high-level talks, however, ended without an agreement. Now reports say a US delegation is headed to Islamabad for the second round of talks with Tehran. Iran has said it has not plans to take part in new negotiations.

Iranian Parliament Speaker and lead negotiator Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said on Monday that Tehran will not accept negotiations under the shadow of threats.

He said, by imposing a blockade and violating the ceasefire, Trump intends to turn the negotiating table into a table of surrender or to justify renewed warmongering.

The uncertainty shrouding the next round of talks escalated after the US Navy targeted an Iranian merchant vessel in the Sea of Oman on Sunday.

Irans military condemned the incident as a criminal operation and maritime piracy.

In a Monday statement, Chinese Foreign Ministry voiced concern over the forced interception of relevant vessel by the US, warning that the situation in the Strait of Hormuz is sensitive and complex.

The Iranian-flagged cargo ship Touska had been travelling from China.

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Iran Parliament advances legislation on new legal regime in Hormuz Strait

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 21 April 2026 1:36 PM

The Iranian Parliaments National Security and Foreign Policy Committee has ratified a motion allowing the country to set up a new legal regime for the control of the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway in the Persian Gulf responsible for a fifth of global oil supply.

A member of the committee said on Tuesday that it had ratified the 12-article motion entitled The Law on Establishing Irans Sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz, allowing the motion to be submitted to the presiding board of the Iranian parliament for a public debate in the main chamber of the legislature.

Vahid Ahmadi said the legislation, if ratified by the parliament, would allow Iran to charge tolls on ships passing the Strait for environmental and security services.

Ahmadi said the law will also contain terms on which types of vessels will be allowed through the Strait, its secure and safe corridors, as well as restrictions for vessels belonging to or related to adversarial countries.

The motion comes amid Irans continued control over transit via the Strait of Hormuz which began after the launch of the US-Israeli aggression on the country in late February.

Iran has maintained its control over the strait although the aggression stopped in early April with a Pakistani-mediated ceasefire.

Another senior member of the Iranian parliament had said earlier this month that the new legislation on governance of the Strait of Hormuz would ban any vessels or cargo belonging or related to the Israeli regime.

Mohammad Reza Rezayi Kouchi said that the new legislation stipulates that ships passing through the Strait must coordinate their passage with Iranian authorities and pay charges in Iranian rial for the services they receive.

He said that the 12-article law would also prohibit transit for countries and entities that are hostile to Iran and its allies in the regional Resistance Front, as well as those that avoid using Persian Gulf as the official name of the body of water in southern Iran in their shipping documents.

The lawmaker said Iran would seize ships disobeying the rules and will confiscate some 20% of the value of their cargo, according to the new law.

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US-Israeli war on Iran causing biggest energy crisis in history: IEA

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 21 April 2026 1:01 PM

The Director-General of the International Energy Agency (IEA), Fatih Birol, has warned that US-Israeli aggression against Iran has caused the direst energy crisis in history.

"This is indeed the biggest crisis in history," Birol told France Inter radio in an interview broadcast on Tuesday.

"The crisis is already huge, if you combine the effects of the petrol crisis and the gas crisis with Russia," he added. The US-Israeli aggression against Iran has halted maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, which is a conduit for a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas flows.

It has also come in the aftermath of the Russia-Ukraine war, which had already severed Russian gas supplies to Europe.

Birol had said earlier this month that he viewed the current situation in global energy markets as worse than previous oil crises in 1973 (Arab-Israeli War), 1979 (the Islamic Revolution in Iran), and 2022 (Russia-Ukraine war) combined. In March, the IEA agreed to release a record 400 million barrels of oil from strategic stockpiles to combat rising oil prices caused by the US-Israeli aggression against Iran. The criminal US-Israeli aggression against Iran began on February 28 with airstrikes that assassinated the Leader of the Islamic Republic Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei and senior Iranian officials and commanders. Iranian armed forces responded by launching daily missile and drone operations targeting locations in the Israeli-occupied territories as well as US military bases and assets across the region. Furthermore, Iran retaliated against the strikes by restricting the Strait of Hormuz, which resulted in a significant increase in oil prices and its by-products.

On April 8, Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) announced that there was an agreement to a Pakistan-brokered temporary ceasefire after the US accepted Iran's 10-point proposal. Iran temporarily opened the Strait of Hormuz on Friday. On Saturday, the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy said Iran has again closed the Strait of Hormuz after the US chose to retain its blockade of Iranian ports, violating the terms of a two-week ceasefire that took effect on April 8.

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Iran has new surprises ready for potential resumption of war: Report

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 21 April 2026 12:52 PM

Iran has fully prepared for the possible resumption of war as the ceasefire deadline approaches, with new surprises ready for any new round of imposed war, the Tasnim News Agency reported on Tuesday, citing informed sources.

According to the report, the US naval blockade announcements and Washingtons excessive demands have prevented the formation of new negotiations as the agreed ceasefire period nears its end.

Iran is fully prepared for the possibility of a new war and has prepared new surprises for a potential new round of combat, the report said.

The sources told Tasnim that over the past two weeks, Iran has taken the possibility of renewed war seriously.

Accordingly, some military movements and new target lists have been prepared for this purpose, the report added.

Iran is ready to create another hell for Americans and Israelis from the very beginning of any potential new war, the sources said.

The United States and Israel launched their unprovoked, illegal war of aggression against Iran on February 28, assassinating the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, and striking nuclear facilities, schools, hospitals and bridges, along other civilian sites.

Irans armed forces responded with 100 waves of decisive 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.

A two-week ceasefire, brokered by Pakistan, took effect following the intense 40-day war. However, tensions have remained high.

The United States has declared plans for a naval blockade of Iranian ports, a move Tehran has condemned as provocative and a violation of the ceasefire.

Iranian officials have repeatedly warned that any US attempt to impose a blockade or conduct mine-sweeping operations in the Strait of Hormuz will be met with a decisive military response.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has previously accused Washington of bad faith, citing repeated US violations of the ceasefire, threats against Iranian shores and vessels, and continuous contradictions in American statements.

Tehran has made it clear that while it remains committed to diplomacy, it will not accept diktats or conditions imposed by the United States.

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Iranian oil tanker enters Irans territorial waters with navys operational support

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 21 April 2026 10:43 AM

The Iranian oil tanker Sili City entered Irans territorial waters on Monday night after crossing the Arabian Sea, with operational support from the Islamic Republic of Irans Navy, the army announced.

The public relations of Irans Army said in a statement on Tuesday that despite multiple warnings and threats from the naval group of the terrorist US Army, the Iranian tanker crossed the Arabian Sea under full security and with operational support from the Iranian Navy, entered Iranian territorial waters last night.

It added that the tanker has been anchored for several hours at one of the southern ports of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

This development comes as the US has imposed a so-called "blockade" on Iranian ports since last week in breach of the two-week ceasefire which began on April 8.

On Sunday, the US military carried out an attack on an Iranian merchant vessel in the waters of the Sea of Oman, deploying its forces onto the ships deck and disabling its navigation systems.

In immediate response, Iranian forces struck back, targeting several American military vessels in the area with drone attacks.

According to Irans military, the armed forces of the Islamic Republic were ready to deal decisively with the American aggressor forces.

However, due to the presence of several family members of the ships crew  whose lives and safety were at constant risk  they faced certain limitations.

The military added that as soon as the safety of the families and crew of the vessel was assured, Irans powerful armed forces would take the necessary action against the terrorist US Army.

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No Iranian delegation in Islamabad, says report as Tehran rejects talks under threats

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 21 April 2026 10:12 AM

No Iranian delegation has arrived in Islamabad for talks with the United States, says a report, as senior Iranian officials declared they will not engage in talks "under the shadow of threats" following renewed American aggression at sea.

Contrary to numerous international and regional media reports suggesting an Iranian delegation was set to arrive for talks, IRIB News Agency reported on Tuesday that "to date, no delegation from Iran has gone to Islamabad, Pakistan; neither a main nor a subsidiary delegation; neither primary nor secondary."

The report dismissed speculation about scheduled meetings, stating that news circulated since Saturday about the "departure" or "arrival" of an Iranian team, or even specific meeting times, was entirely without basis.

This firm stance follows blatant breaches of a two-week-old ceasefire by Washington. Iranian officials have maintained a consistent position since Sunday evening, asserting that the "continuation of talks depends on a change in American behavior and positions."

Adding his voice to the resolute message, Iranian Parliament Speaker and lead negotiator Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said on Monday that the US President was attempting to force Tehran into submission. "Trump, by imposing a blockade and violating the ceasefire, wants - in his own delusion - to turn the negotiating table into a table of surrender or to justify renewed warmongering," he said in a post on X.

The speaker made Tehrans position unequivocal. "We do not accept negotiations under the shadow of threats," he said, warning, "Over the past two weeks, we have prepared ourselves to reveal new cards on the battlefield."

The uncertainty shrouding the next round of talks escalated after the US Navy targeted an Iranian merchant vessel in the Sea of Oman on Sunday. Irans military condemned the incident as a "criminal operation" and "maritime piracy," reiterating that its response posture remains active.

The backdrop to these renewed tensions is a 40-day US-Israeli war of aggression that began on February 28 with the assassination of high-level Iranian figures and civilians. After 40 days of criminal aggression, the US agreed to a ten-point proposal from Iran, leading to trilateral talks mediated by Pakistan.

While Iran subsequently opened the Strait of Hormuz to commercial traffic, it was forced to close the chokepoint again on Sunday after the US maintained its naval blockade in breach of the deal.

President Masoud Pezeshkian on Monday dismissed the American ultimatums as "pressure tactics," insisting Iran will not submit to coercion.

This came as President Trump issued a direct threat on his social media pages, stating, "Were offering a very fair and reasonable deal, and I hope they take it because, if they dont, the United States is going to knock out every single power plant, and every single bridge, in Iran.

The ongoing US blockade is also reportedly frustrating the mediation efforts. According to reports, Pakistani army chief Asim Munir conveyed to President Trump that the continued naval blockade of Iranian ports was hampering Islamabad's ability to facilitate a permanent end to the war.

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Iran Armed Forces don't let 'lying, delusional' Trump skew battlefield realities: Top military command

Iran Press TV

Tuesday, 21 April 2026 8:10 AM

Iran's highest operational command unit says the Islamic Republic's Armed Forces enjoy the upper hand in the face of the adversaries, and, therefore, do not let US President Donald Trump misrepresent the conditions governing the battlefield.

Major General Ali Abdollahi, commander of Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, which is responsible for coordinating operations between the country's Army and the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), made the remarks in a statement on Tuesday.

"Holding the upper hand, the Armed Forces do not allow the lying and delusional president of the United States to exploit the situation or fabricate false narratives about conditions on the ground, particularly regarding the management and control of the Strait of Hormuz, during periods of silence in military confrontation," he said.

The remarks came after successive claims made by Trump concerning the state of affairs in the strategic waterway following his announcement of a short-term ceasefire.

The claims saw Trump take to his Truth Social platform, alleging that Iran had "agreed to never close the Strait of Hormuz again." He also claimed that the United States' "naval blockade will remain in full force and effect as it pertains to Iran, only, until such time as our transaction with Iran is 100% complete." Trump additionally said that ceasefire negotiations "should go very quickly in that most of the points are already negotiated."

Iranian officials have, however, categorically dismissed all such claims. The Islamic Republic even moved swiftly to close the chokehold to all traffic after Trump announced continuation of the blockade. Tehran has also refused to rejoin negotiations with Washington as long as the latter would not abandon its pressure tactics.

The commander, meanwhile, asserted that the Armed Forces "will duly respond to any breach of commitments" on the part of the adversaries.

Earlier, American commandos attacked a commercial Iranian vessel in the Sea of Oman, prompting the headquarters to pledge imminent retaliation. "Once the safety of the families and crew of the vessel targeted by American aggression is ensured, the powerful Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran will take the necessary action against the terrorist US Army," spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Ebrahim Zolfaqari said.

Major General Abdollahi, meanwhile, congratulated the nation on the occasion of the upcoming anniversary of the IRGC's establishment, saying, "Today, the heroic nation of Iran takes pride in the authority, readiness, and comprehensive strategic capabilities of the IRGC and other defenders of the homeland."

He credited the defense forces for delivering "devastating and crushing missile and drone strikes that have driven the Zionist enemy and terrorist America into desperation and attrition, forcing them to plead for a ceasefire."

The commander was referring to at least 100 waves of decisive and retaliatory strikes that were launched by the Armed Forces against sensitive and strategic American and Israeli targets throughout the region, which prompted Trump to announce a two-week lull in attacks targeting the Islamic Republic on April 8.

"The people of Iran, through their passionate and widespread presence in public squares and streets, have not abandoned their support for the Armed Forces," he stated in reference to simultaneous millions-strong rallies that continue throughout the county in support of the Armed Forces and their concerted reprisal.

The commander reiterated the country's resolve to "deliver decisive, determining, and immediate responses to the enemys threats and actions" through direct cooperation among the nation, the government, and the Armed Forces "in full obedience to the directives" of Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei.

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More than 3,600 Arrested In Iran Since War Began, Says Rights Group

12:56 21.4.2026

The Iran Human Rights Organization (IHRNGO) has reported widespread arrests of Iranian citizens during the war with the United States and Israel, stating that at least 3,646 people have been arrested across the country since the start of the conflict.

According to the Norway-based human rights organization, "Since the start of the war on 28 February, Islamic Republic authorities have announced the arrests of over 2,000 people."

According to this report, at least 767 of these arrests occurred after a temporary cease-fire began between Iran and the United States on April 8, and among those arrested are at least 111 civil and political activists, including human rights activist Nasrin Sotoudeh.

The report also notes that in many cases, the status and location of detainees remain unclear and families are unaware of their fate. This echoes broader concerns from rights groups about enforced disappearances during wartime repression.

"IHRNGO expresses deep concern regarding the safety of detainees under wartime conditions and warns of a further intensification of repression in the coming weeks," the organization said.

The report also states that, given the widespread Internet outage, the actual number of arrests could be higher.

According to the report, the highest number of verified arrests was reported in the provinces of West Azerbaijan with 25 cases, Tehran with 17 cases, and Kurdistan with 15 cases, respectively.

Mahmoud Amiry-Moghaddam, director of IHRNGO, stated: "The widespread wave of arrests in recent weeks, particularly the detention of civil activists during wartime, once again demonstrates that the Islamic republic views the Iranian people as the primary threat to its survival."

He has also previously emphasized that "the immediate release of all political, civil society, and human rights activists ...should be one of the main conditions of any agreement with the Islamic republic."

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-protests-live- blog-trump-khamenei/33640284.html?lbis=450278

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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Grossi: No Iran-US Agreement Can Succeed Without IAEA Role

10:01 21.4.2026

The director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, said any potential agreement signed by Iran and the United States will not be successful without the involvement of the UN nuclear watchdog.

"Without verification, any agreement is not an agreement, but rather an illusion of agreement or a promise that you don't know whether it will be kept," Grossi said in an interview with the British newspaper The Telegraph.

Stating that the IAEA knows Iran's nuclear facilities "very well," he added: "We are the only ones who can guarantee absolute impartiality in our work."

Regarding a possible US-Iran agreement, Grossi said it could involve "diluting some of Iran's enriched uranium and sending the rest to a third country."

He also described any potential US operation to enter Iran and collect remaining uranium as highly complex.

"I don't doubt for a moment that the United States has the military capabilities to do this, but I'm just saying that it's a very delicate thing to manage, to master, to maneuver," he said.

US President Donald Trump has recently spoken about US forces removing "nuclear dust" from Iran, saying such an operation could be carried out in cooperation with the Iranian government.

Since the bombing of nuclear facilities during the 12-day war between in Israel and Iran in July 2025, Iran has restricted full access for IAEA inspectors and reduced cooperation with the watchdog.

Grossi also warned that ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East could spark a broader nuclear arms race involving up to 20 countries, including Saudi Arabia, Poland, Turkey, South Korea, and Japan.

"There's talk of friendly proliferation," he said. "All of this worries me because I believe a world with 20 nuclear-armed states would be very dangerous."

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-protests-live- blog-trump-khamenei/33640284.html?lbis=450264

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 Ready to Contribute to Restoration of Ties Between Iran and Gulf States: FM Lavrov

Sputnik News

20260421

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russia confirmed its commitment to contribute to the restoration of ties between the Gulf states and Iran, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Tuesday.

"We confirm Russia's readiness to contribute to the normalization of relations between the Arab monarchies of the Persian Gulf and Iran," Lavrov told a press conference, following a meeting with Libyan acting Foreign Minister Taher al-Baour in Moscow.

Russia will analyze the information abut the expected US-Iranian talks in Islamabad, Sergey Lavrov said.

"We will analyze what is happening, although everything happens instantly. The situation can change ten times diametrically in a day," Lavrov said.

If the negotiations between Iran and the United States result in a possibility of reaching an agreement close to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action on Iran's nuclear program (JCPOA), then it will be a success, Lavrov added.

Russia hopes that the information about the resumption of the talks between the United States and Iran is true, as it is the only way to peacefully resolve the Middle Eastern conflict to the benefit of all nations in the region, Sergey Lavrov said.

"We hope that the information that is coming in at this very moment will be positive in terms of resuming diplomatic efforts, because this is the only way to resolve existing differences while ensuring the interests of all, and I mean it, all, without exception, states in the region, including our friendly Arab countries of the Gulf," Lavrov told reporters.

At the same time, the attempts to push the Palestinian-Israeli conflict into the background of the global agenda are dangerous, as it could torpedo the peaceful efforts in the region, the top Russian diplomat added.

"Attempts to push this [Palestinian-Israeli] conflict to the background of the global agenda, as well as statements that the UN decision to create a Palestinian state will not be implemented and some do not commit to anything at all, are another mine, and a very dangerous one at that, a mine of slow - and perhaps not so slow - action," Lavrov said.

Russia believes that all parties to that process, primarily Israel, but also the Palestinians, their Arab neighbors and the US, must demonstrate full responsibility and commitment to UN decisions, he added.

Russia is waiting for a delegation from Libya at the third Russia-Africa summit scheduled for October 28-29, Sergey Lavrov said.

"We are waiting for the Libyan delegation at the third Russia-Africa summit, which is scheduled for the second half of this year in Moscow," Lavrov said.

Russia intends to assist efforts aimed at restoring unity and national reconciliation in Libya, Sergey Lavrov said.

"At this stage, we first and foremost want to assist in restoring unity and national accord in Libya, and we are ready to contribute to these efforts," Lavrov said.

The Russian minister began the conversation in English, thanking his Libyan counterpart for coming to Russia and noting the prospects for developing relations between the two countries. The Libyan guest then spoke in favor of conducting a conversation in Arabic and Russian with translation.

"And i thought I was speaking Russian," Lavrov said, drawing laughter from the Libyan side.

Libya ceased to function as a single state after its longtime leader, Muammar Gaddafi, was overthrown and killed in 2011. In recent years, there has been a standoff between the authorities in Tripoli in the west of the country and the authorities in the east, which were supported by the Libyan National Army under the command of Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar.

In 2021, the UN-sponsored Libyan Political Dialogue Forum in Geneva elected a transitional executive authority to run the country until a general election, which was scheduled for December 2021 but was never held.

Moscow hopes that agreements reached in Alaska between Russia and the United States will be fulfilled, Lavrov stressed.

"We remain optimistic ... We hope, in particular, that the agreements that were reached in Alaska will be respected and implemented," Lavrov said at a meeting with Libyan acting Foreign Minister Taher al-Baour in Moscow.

 Sputnik

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Economic Fury Targets Iranian Missile and UAV Procurement Networks

U.S. Department of the Treasury

April 21, 2026

Additionally Sanctions Actors Tied to Iran's Mahan Air, Which has Transported Weapons for the Iranian Regime

WASHINGTON -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is sanctioning 14 individuals, entities, and aircraft based in Iran, Turkiye, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for their involvement in procuring or transporting weapons or weapons components on behalf of the Iranian regime. As the United States continues to deplete Iran's ballistic missile inventories, the regime is seeking to reconstitute its production capacity. Iran is increasingly relying on Shahed-series one-way attack unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to target the United States and its allies, including energy infrastructure in the region. These designations support Economic Fury in response to the Iranian regime's continued threats to global security.

"The Iranian regime must be held accountable for its extortion of global energy markets and indiscriminate targeting of civilians with missiles and drones," said Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent. "Under President Trump's leadership, as part of Economic Fury, Treasury will continue to follow the money and target the Iranian regime's recklessness and those who enable it."

This action builds on OFAC's firm implementation of National Security Presidential Memorandum 2, which directs the U.S. government to curtail Iran's ballistic missile program, counter Iran's development of asymmetric and conventional weapons capabilities, deny Iran a nuclear weapon, and deny Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) access to assets and resources that sustain its destabilizing activities. Today's action also represents Treasury's fifth round of nonproliferation designations in support of the September 27, 2025 reimposition of United Nations (UN) sanctions and other restrictions on Iran, which occurred as a direct result of Iran's "significant non-performance" of its nuclear commitments.

OFAC is taking this action pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13382, which targets weapons of mass destruction (WMD) proliferators and their supporters, and E.O. 13224, as amended, which targets terrorist groups, their supporters, and those who aid acts of terrorism.

PISHGAM ELECTRONIC SAFEH COMPANY'S SHAHED UAV PROCUREMENT

OFAC is designating three individuals for their support to Iran-based Pishgam Electronic Safeh Company (PESC) and its chief executive officer (CEO), Iran-based Hamid Reza Janghorbani (Janghorbani). PESC has procured thousands of servomotors with one-way attack UAV applications, which have been found in downed Shahed-136 UAVs, for Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Aerospace Force Self Sufficiency Jihad Organization (IRGCASF SSJO). On September 27, 2023, OFAC designated PESC pursuant to E.O. 13382 for having provided, or attempted to provide, financial, material, technological or other support for, or goods or services in support of, the IRGC ASF SSJO, and OFAC concurrently designated Janghorbani pursuant to E.O. 13382 for being owned or controlled by, or acting or purporting to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, PESC. The U.S. Department of State designated the IRGC ASF SSJO, which is involved in Iranian ballistic missile research and flight test launches, pursuant to E.O. 13382 on July 18, 2017 for having engaged, or attempted to engage, in activities or transactions that have materially contributed to, or pose a risk of materially contributing to, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction or their means of delivery.

Kamal Sabah Balkhkanlu (Balkhkanlu) is a Tehran-based currency exchanger who has acted as a longtime payment facilitator for PESC's efforts to procure carbon fiber and servomotors, which are items sought by Iran for its ballistic missile and UAV programs. Under Janghorbani's guidance, Balkhkanlu utilized third-country bank accounts to transfer funds to PESC's suppliers. Iranian national Mohammad Vahidi (Vahidi) is an associate of Janghorbani. As part of his procurement efforts on behalf of PESC, Janghorbani routed shipments of materials and equipment to a Dubai address associated with Vahidi. Iranian national Danial Khalili (Khalili) served as PESC's agent facilitating the receipt and delivery of items procured through Janghorbani's network.

Balkhkanlu is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13382 for having provided, or attempted to provide, financial, material, technological or other support for, or goods or services in support of, PESC. Vahidi and Khalili are being designated pursuant to E.O. 13382 for having provided, or attempted to provide, financial, material, technological or other support for, or goods or services in support of, Janghorbani.

BALLISTIC MISSILE PROPELLANT PRECURSORS

OFAC is also acting against a Turkiye-based company for its support toIran-based Pardisan Rezvan Shargh International Private Joint Stock Company (Pardisan Rezvan Shargh). OFAC designated Pardisan Rezvan Shargh on December 30, 2025 for being owned or controlled by, or acting or purporting to act for or on behalf of, Mostafa Rostami Sani, who had procured dozens of metric tons of sodium perchlorate for Parchin Chemical Industries (PCI). PCI is an element of Iran's Defense Industries Organization (DIO) that is responsible for the import and export of chemical goods. OFAC designated PCI in July 2008, and the Department of State designated DIO pursuant to E.O. 13382 in March 2007. Both DIO and PCI are also subject to an asset freeze pursuant to UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1737 and UNSCR 1747, respectively. OFAC designated Mostafa Rostami Sani on December 30, 2025 for having provided, or attempted to provide, financial, material, technological or other support for, or goods or services in support of, PCI.

Emti Fiber Textile Import Export Trade Limited Company (Emti Fiber Textile) has completed hundreds of shipments of cotton linters to Pardisan Rezvan Shargh. Cotton linters are processed into nitrocellulose, which is used to improve the performance of solid propellant rocket motors. Solid propellant rocket motors are commonly used for ballistic missiles.

Emti Fiber Textile is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13382 for having provided, or attempted to provide, financial, material, technological or other support for, or goods or services in support of, Pardisan Rezvan Shargh.

OFAC is also taking further action against Iran-based Adak Pargas Pars Trading Company (Adak Pargas Pars). On February 25, 2026, OFAC designated Adak Pargas Parswhich had facilitated U.S.-designated individual Marco Klinge's (Klinge's) efforts to procure sodium perchlorate, a ballistic missile propellant precursor, including for Iranian government customers such as PCIpursuant to E.O. 13382. OFAC designated Klinge pursuant to E.O. 13382 on November 12, 2025 for having provided, or attempted to provide, financial, material, technological or other support for, or goods or services in support of, PCI.

Iran-based Hamidreza Roknifard is the chairman and a member of the board of directors of Adak Pargas Pars, and Iran-based Mostafa Roknifard is the vice chairman and a member of the board of directors of Adak Pargas Pars.

Hamidreza Roknifard and Mostafa Roknifard are being designated pursuant to E.O. 13382 for being owned or controlled by, or acting or purporting to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Adak Pargas Pars.

ARMS PROLIFERATOR MAHAN AIR

Lastly, OFAC is designating several persons for their connections to Mahan Air or companies linked to it. On October 12, 2011, OFAC designated Mahan Air pursuant to E.O. 13224 for providing financial, material, and technological support to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force (IRGC-QF), which OFAC designated pursuant to E.O. 13224 in October 2007 for providing material support to multiple terrorist organizations. In December 2019, the U.S. Department of State designated Mahan Air pursuant to E.O. 13382.

Mahan Air is involved in Iran's procurement and transport of UAV systems and weapons to and from Iran. Entities in jurisdictions including the UAE, Turkiye, Iraq, China, Thailand, Pakistan, and India have provided material, logistical, and other support to Mahan Air flights.

Mahan Air is a subsidiary of Iran-based Sepehr Kaveh Kish International Trading Company (Sepehr Kaveh Kish), which also serves as chairman of Mahan Air's board of directors. Iranbased GholamAbbas Ataei Aghdam is the chairman and a member of the board of directors of Sepehr Kaveh Kish, and Iran-based Jamshid Hosseinzadeh is a member of the board of directors of Sepehr Kaveh Kish. Iran-based Mohammad Hossein Mahdian manages passenger and cargo services for Mahan Air.

Iran-based Saman Air Services Company (Saman Air Services) is owned by Sepehr Kaveh Kish subsidiary Mahan Air, and the CEO and members of the board of directors of Saman Air Services all serve as members of the board of directors of Sepehr Kaveh Kish or as a manager for Mahan Air. In 2025, prior to the recognition of the new interim Venezuelan government, Saman Air Services facilitated the shipment of UAVs and weapons from Iran to Venezuela in coordination with Venezuelan state-owned airline Consorcio Venezolano de Industrias Aeronauticas y Servicios Aereos, S.A. (Conviasa). OFAC identified Conviasa pursuant to E.O. 13884 on February 7, 2020 for meeting the definition of Government of Venezuela.

Sepehr Kaveh Kish is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended, for owning or controlling, directly or indirectly, Mahan Air. Gholam Abbas Ataei Aghdam and Jamshid Hosseinzadeh are being designated pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended, for being leaders or officials of Sepehr Kaveh Kish. Mohammad Hossein Mahdian is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended, for being owned, controlled, or directed by, or having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Mahan Air. Saman Air Services is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended, for being owned, controlled, or directed by, or having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Sepehr Kaveh Kish.

Dubai-based Chabok FZCO has facilitated the procurement of sensors and other U.S.-origin aircraft components for Mahan Air in Iran.

Chabok FZCO 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, Mahan Air.

In addition, OFAC is identifying two B777 aircraft that are owned and operated by Mahan Air: EP-MTE and EP-MTB.

EP-MTE and EP-MTB are being identified as property in which Mahan Air has an interest.

SANCTIONS IMPLICATIONS

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, 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 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 with 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 or blocked person, or the receipt of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services from any such person.

Furthermore, engaging in certain transactions involving the persons designated today may risk the imposition of secondary sanctions on participating foreign financial institutions. OFAC can prohibit or impose strict conditions on opening or maintaining, in the United States, a correspondent account or a payable-through account of a foreign financial institution that knowingly conducts or facilitates any significant transaction on behalf of a person who is designated pursuant to the relevant authority.

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 today.

###

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US extends Iran ceasefire before truce expires amid standoff; Strait of Hormuz to be next focus of rivalry: Chinese expert

Global Times

By Liu Xin Published: Apr 22, 2026 11:49 AM

US President Donald Trump claimed Tuesday that he will extend the ceasefire with Iran, as the current two-week truce is due to expire on Wednesday night. The move was described by The New York Times as striking a "starkly different tone" from his remarks earlier Tuesday, when he threatened military action if Iran did not agree to US demands.

A Chinese expert said the US-Iran standoff has long revolved around ceasefire arrangements, creating a broader strategic deadlock, and that future rivalry will likely center on the Strait of Hormuz.

"Based on the fact that the Government of Iran is seriously fractured, not unexpectedly so and, upon the request of Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, of Pakistan, we have been asked to hold our Attack on the Country of Iran until such time as their leaders and representatives can come up with a unified proposal," Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Trump claimed he will "extend the ceasefire until such time as their proposal is submitted, and discussions are concluded, one way or the other." The US military will continue the blockade against Iran and "remain ready and able, the president claimed.

Trump's announcement was a marked departure from his comments earlier in the day, when he told CNBC that if Iran did not agree to US demands, "I expect to be bombing," according to the New York Times. It said this was a "starkly different tone."

In an interview with Bloomberg on Monday, Trump claimed that it is "highly unlikely" that he extends the ceasefire if a deal is not reached before the deadline, according to the ABC News.

Washington's shifting remarks is more like tactical adjustments, reflecting the current administration's diplomatic style of responding to evolving circumstances, Wang Jin, a professor at the Institute of Middle Eastern Studies at Northwest University in Xi'an, told the Global Times on Wednesday.

The US stance on whether to extend the ceasefire has also been shaped by shifts in Iran's own posture. In Washington's view, Tehran's position has been inconsistent, with hardliners opposing further talks and more pragmatic voices calling for dialogue. As a result, the US has adjusted its messaging in response to signals from Iran, while also weighing risks in the Strait of Hormuz and the broader regional security environment.

"The real issue is not the peripheral disputes, but the ceasefire itself. For years, the US-Iran standoff has centered on ceasefire arrangements, creating a broader strategic deadlock. So the key question is not whether talks will continue, but whether the ceasefire can hold over time," said Wang.

US Vice President JD Vance, whose trip to Pakistan for talks with Iran has been put on hold, was at the White House for meetings on Tuesday, along with Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner, multiple media outlets reported.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth arrived at the White House on Tuesday afternoon to join discussions over Washington's next steps, according to the reports.

In response to the cease-fire extension announcement, an adviser to Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the influential the speaker of the Iranian Parliament, wrote on X on Wednesday that "the extension of the cease-fire by Donald Trump has no meaning. The losing side cannot set the terms. Trump's ceasefire extension is certainly a ploy to buy time for a surprise strike. The time for Iran to take the initiative has come."

Secretary General Antonio Guterres of the United Nations on Tuesday welcomed the extension of the ceasefire between Iran and the US, saying that the ceasefire extension was "an important step toward de-escalation" that will create "critical space for diplomacy and confidence-building between Iran and the United States," according to his spokesman, Stephane Dujarric, AFP reported.

Wang said he sees less risk of renewed escalation, but the main focus of future rivalry will shift to the Strait of Hormuz, where the US is likely to maintain pressure by intercepting Iranian or Iran-linked vessels, while Iran will try to tighten control over shipping routes and use that leverage to offset losses from economic sanctions.

Uncertainty over US-Iran ceasefire talks loomed. According to the AP, the S&P 500 erased an early gain and fell 0.6 percent after the US vice president called off his trip to Pakistan for negotiations with Iran. Oil prices also wavered before Trump announced the extension. The price of a barrel of Brent crude rose from below $95 to around $100 during the day before settling at $98.48, up 3.1 percent.

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Iran knows how to confront restrictions, stand up to bullying: Araghchi

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 22 April 2026 5:46 AM

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says Iran knows well how to confront restrictions and defend itself, following the US seizure of an Iranian commercial vessel in the Sea of Oman.

In a post on his X account on Tuesday, Araghchi said that the blockade of Iranian ports is an act of war and therefore a violation of the ceasefire.

Attacking a commercial vessel and taking its crew hostage is an even greater violation, he added.

He reiterated that the country knows very well how to confront restrictions, how to defend its interests, and how to stand up against bullying.

His remarks came after the United States carried out an attack on an Iranian merchant vessel in the waters of the Sea of Oman, deploying its forces onto the ships deck and disabling its navigation systems in a blatant act of piracy in international waters.

In an immediate response, Iranian forces struck back, targeting several American military vessels in the area with drone attacks.

According to Irans military, the armed forces of the Islamic Republic were ready to deal decisively with the American aggressor forces.

However, due to the presence of several family members of the ships crew  whose lives and safety were at constant risk  they exercised restraint, it said.

It added that as soon as the safety of the families and crew of the vessel was assured, Irans powerful armed forces would take the necessary action against the American forces.

On Tuesday, Irans Ministry of Foreign Affairs also condemned the US aggression against the Iranian commercial vessel and the taking of its crew and their families as hostage, warning of very dangerous consequences.

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Britain To Host Military Talks On Potential Hormuz Mission Post-Peace Agreement

01:33 22.4.2026

Britain on April 22-23 will host military planners from more than 30 countries for talks starting on a potential multinational mission led by the UK and France to protect sea traffic in the Strait of Hormuz.

The British Defense Ministry said the talks would involve "detailed planning" on reopening the strait when conditions allow.

"The task...to translate diplomatic consensus into a joint plan to safeguard freedom of navigation in the Strait and support a lasting ceasefire," Defense Minister John Healey said in a statement, adding he was confident "real progress can be made."

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron co-chaired international talks on the waterway in Paris last week, with more than 40 countries participating. The US did not attend.

Britain and France stressed that force would only be used in defensive situations and that the mission would start only after a peace agreement is concluded.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-protests-live- blog-trump-khamenei/33640284.html?lbis=450381

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's Remarks to the Bereaved Families on Remembrance Day for the Fallen of Israel's Wars

Israel - Prime Minister's Office

Type: Media Statements

Government: The 37th Government

Publish Date: 21.04.2026

Prime Minister Netanyahu:

"Citizens of Israel, my brothers and sisters of the family of bereavement and heroism,

Remembrance Day does not mean that every other day of the year is a day of forgetting. Indeed, there is no day without tears, no day without a sense of sorrow, no day without a longing that sears the heart.

We remember every fallen soldier and victim whose life was cut short, but on Remembrance Day, we encounter them through a broader lens, from a national perspective. This collective memory touches the very foundations of our existence as a nation that is constantly struggling for its security.

On Remembrance Day, we remember the heroism, the sacrifice, the love of the homeland, the mobilization for every mission, the unconditional dedication, and the deep bond between us that is stronger than any passing dispute. These are the milestones; these are the building blocks of Israel's strength, a strength that stunned the entire world during the War of Redemption. Our soldiers and commanders rose like lions, they roared like young lions.

The campaign has not yet ended, but we have already pushed away an existential threat from ourselves. We have returned all of our hostages, struck our enemies hard, and made Israel a nation stronger than ever before.

Dear families, memory is woven from stories, songs, videos, stickers with reassuring quotes from the fallen themselves, and, of course, commemorative books the numbers of which continue to grow.

A new book is dedicated to a hero of Israel, Police Anti-Terrorism officer Chief Superintendent Arnon Zamora, of blessed memory, who fell during 'Operation Arnon' to rescue four of our hostages. Among other things, the book describes his impressions of the movie Troy, about the Trojan War in ancient Greece. The opening titles of the film were etched into Arnon's heart.

These are the lines from the film that were etched so deeply in the heart of Arnon the hero:

'Will our actions echo across the centuries? Will strangers hear our names long after we are gone, and wonder who we were, how bravely we fought, how fiercely we loved?'

The answers to these questions are clear regarding the fallen of Israel's wars as well. We shall remember - and we shall not forget. We shall remember and continue to act in their name and for their sake to ensure the eternity of Israel.

May the memory of the fallen of Israel's wars and the victims of acts of terrorism, may their memory be blessed forever."

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PM Netanyahu's Remarks at the State Memorial Ceremony for the Fallen of Israel's Wars, on Mt. Herzl

Israel - Prime Minister's Office

Type: Events and Speeches

Government: The 37th Government

Publish Date: 21.04.2026

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, this morning:

"Distinguished President of the State, Isaac Herzog and his wife; Speaker of the Knesset, Amir Ohana; President of the Supreme Court, Isaac Amit and his wife; Ministers and Members of Knesset; Minister of Defense; Chief of Staff; Director of the Mossad; Director of the ISA; Inspector General of Police; Chief Rabbis; Citizens of Israel, and above all, my brothers and sisters of the family of bereavement and loss.

On this sacred mountain, Mount Herzl, lie generations of heroes and heroines. The wound is deeper than time itself. Time passes, but the pain never fades. I feel it myself in every cell of my body. My brother Yoni, who is buried here, fell 50 years ago. He led his heroic soldiers to rescue our hostages from Entebbe, Uganda.

I was an Israeli student in Boston at the time. My brother Iddo called me and told me that our eldest brother had fallen in battle. My world collapsed. I drove for seven agonizing hours to Cornell University, where my father was teaching. The moment I broke the bitter news of Yoni's death to my parents was the hardest moment of my life.

Fifty years have passed since then, and there is not a day that I do not think of you, Yoni. I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan; very pleasant hast thou been unto me. I miss you dearly. All of us in this family, the family of bereavement, dearly miss our loved ones. We all identify with the words from the Book of Lamentations: "Behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow."

And alongside the pain, this pain that never passes, as I have heard from many of you, my brothers and sisters, this is a family of heroism! You have told me, with great justice: we remember not only how the sons and daughters died, we remember primarily how they lived, and what they fought for.

When Dobi Kogan, of blessed memory, a fighter in the 'Shaldag' unit, fell in battle in the Gaza Strip, his wife Shaked cried out: 'What keeps me stable facing the abyss is looking forward and upward, as the spirit of the nation and your spirit carry me.' And when reserve soldier Avichai Amsalem, of blessed memory, fell in the Western Negev, his sister Shira-Emuna wrote: 'The essence of Avichai's life was giving. He used to say: When I help someone who is struggling, it isn't hard for me; this is the essence of the entire nation.'

The abyss opposite the essence. An abyss and an essence that are inextricably linked. The abyss of terrible pain, when the ground is pulled out from under one's feet, and on the other hand, the foothold of essence, of meaning, the understanding of purpose. The shards of life that shattered into a dark abyss are gathered; they reunite, but differently, building an essence that always reminds us of the 'what for.'

In the War of Redemption, continuing Israel's previous wars, the essence is clearer than ever: To defend our national existence. To guard our home, our people, and our state. To ensure, with G-d's help, the eternity of Israel. In every generation, they rise up against us to destroy us; in this generation as well.

The Ayatollah regime in Iran planned another Holocaust. It plotted to destroy us with nuclear bombs and thousands of ballistic missiles. Had we not acted against the existential threat, had we not acted with determination and daring, the names of the death sites Natanz, Fordow, Isfahan might have joined the names of the death camps of the Holocaust: Auschwitz, Majdanek, Treblinka.

But that did not happen because together with our great friend, the United States, we crushed the Iranian regime's machinery of destruction in time. We removed an immediate existential threat. This is the essence of the campaign, to ensure that the thread of life of the people of Israel is not severed!

In the name of this essence, Moshe Yitzhak HaCohen Katz, of blessed memory, arrived from the U.S. as a 'lone soldier.' Moshe was a paratrooper. He fell in battle in southern Lebanon during Operation Roaring Lion. In the name of this essence, Golani fighter Tuval Lifshitz, of blessed memory, from Beit She'an insisted on fighting with his comrades against Hezbollah. When Tuval's mother asked him when he would come home, he would reply: 'Mom, we still have work to do, and we will do it.'

In the name of this essence, Druze Engineering Corps fighter Maher Khattar, of blessed memory, from Majdal Shams, went out to battle. Maher was impacted by Hezbollah's criminal attack on Majdal Shams two years ago, an attack in which twelve children were murdered. Maher Khattar fell in battle last month alongside his friend Or Demri.

Jews and Druze, shoulder to shoulder, on a mission of unparalleled importance, a mission shared by our Christian, Muslim, Bedouin, and Circassian brothers, and members of other groups.

Members of the family of heroism, citizens of Israel: In our thousands of years of existence, we have stood many times on the edge of the abyss of annihilation. We were persecuted by our enemies. We paid heavy costs for the defense of our homeland and the preservation of our heritage.

But specifically in the darkest moments, the internal essence of our people was revealed as a solid rock in the heart of the abyss. From the abyss of October 7th, we burst forth, guided by the essence, to return the war to the gates of those who seek our lives, on seven fronts.

Our younger generation, a generation that did not know life in a foreign land, that did not know the dreams and yearnings for a promised land, that was born into the reality of an existing state, seemingly self-evident, it is specifically this generation that revealed itself in all its glory. The day before yesterday, I saw this once again: Nearly every year, my wife Sara and I meet with a group of IDF widows and orphans.

Every year, as you sit around the table and hear the stories, the heart struggles to contain the pain. Every year, it is a meeting saturated with tears and longing: with wonderful women who lost their partners in life; with children who will grow up on stories and pictures, but without a father whose hands hugged them when they came into the world.

In the meeting the day before yesterday, every family described to me, with great sadness, their private abyss. But at the same time, every family expressed a refined essence of pride in the fighters of Israel who did not stand idly by.

Among others, Anat Meir was there. Anat's life for the past two and a half years has been defined by the line: 'Not in vain, my brother, did you quarry.' Her husband, Major David Meir of the General Staff Reconnaissance Unit, used to sing this song by Naomi Shemer to their son Shaked, who is now three years old.

On October 7th, David Meir, of blessed memory, charged the terrorists at the Kfar Aza junction and Kibbutz Be'eri. He fought with his comrades from the General Staff Reconnaissance Unit for long hours, but was ultimately mortally wounded. And Anat, sitting with her two sons around the table, emphasized: 'Not in vain, my brother, did you quarry,' because from the stones of sacrifice of our heroes, the building of the nation will continue to be built. Even the wounded, who experienced a feeling of falling into a deep abyss, are forming a new essence with the support around them.

We salute those wounded in body and spirit for the fortitude they display in their journey of rehabilitation. We offer a prayer for their full recovery. We are investing, and we will continue to invest as the State of Israel, all the resources necessary for their recovery journey.

One of them is Ari Spitz, an inspiring symbol of Israeli heroism, who lost both legs and an arm in battle. But Ari did not lose his compass. Tonight, he will light one of the Independence torches atop this mountain. When Ari Spitz declares, 'To the glory of the State of Israel,' we will all cheer for him and for all the wounded whose bodies bear the scars of war.

From the abyss, up the path, to the summit, this is the essence of the wonderful people of Israel. May the memory of the fallen of Israel's wars be blessed and kept in our hearts forever."

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Japan's arms export shift, Yasukuni offering ignite sharp condemnation from China

Global Times

By Liu Xin, Zhang Changyue and Xing Xiaojing Published: Apr 21, 2026 11:10 PM

In a provocative double-stroke that has sent geopolitical tremors through East Asia, Japan's decision to greenlight the export of lethal weapons coincided directly with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's ritual offering to the notorious Yasukuni Shrine. The synchronized moves ignited a firestorm of condemnation from China on Tuesday.

Delivering a blistering rebuke at a press briefing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun posted two pointed questions at Tokyo: With massive increase in military budget, the deployment of intermediate-range offensive missiles, relaxed restrictions on weapon export, proposed revision of its pacifist Constitution and the idea of abandoning the three non-nuclear principles, how can Japan profess itself as a "peace-loving country"?

He then asked a stark and stern question: What's Japan really up to?

On Tuesday, the Japanese government officially revised the Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology and their implementation guidelines, allowing the overseas sale of weapons, including those with lethal capabilities. Also on Tuesday, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi sent a ritual offering to the notorious Yasukuni Shrine, a symbol of Japanese militarism and wartime aggression, during its spring festival, according to media reports.

Taken together, Japan's synchronized moves on Tuesday sent a troubling signal, highlighting the Japanese right wing's distorted historical perspective and its persistent push for military expansion, while putting neighboring countries on high alert over Japan's growing remilitarization, according to analysts.

Remilitarization moves

At a cabinet meeting and a National Security Council (NSC) meeting on Tuesday, the Japanese government revised the Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology, as well as their implementation guidelines, which govern rules for defense equipment exports. The revision abolishes the "five categories" that had limited exports of finished products to non-combat purposes, and in principle permits the export of weapons with lethal capability, according to Kyodo News.

With countries such as the US in mind, Japan will also exceptionally allow arms exports to countries involved in ongoing conflicts when there are "special circumstances." Under the new rules, defense equipment will be classified into "weapons" and "non-weapons" depending on whether they possess lethal or destructive capability, per Kyodo.

The revision, described by Kyodo News as "a major shift in Japan's security policy," was widely reported by Japanese media on Tuesday, amid concerns that the move could fuel conflicts and intensify regional arms races.

Echoing Kyodo News, The Tokyo Shimbun and the Sankei Shimbun commented on Tuesday that the revision marks a major shift in Japan's security policy, which "has long advocated a restrained approach" to arms exports in line with its status as a "peace-loving nation."

Japan's latest policy shift sends a stark signal that it is accelerating its break from the postwar peace framework and moving further toward remilitarization. This marks another key step in Japan's transformation into a more overt military power, leaving the so-called "principle" largely hollowed out and existing in name only, Xiang Haoyu, a distinguished research fellow at the China Institute of International Studies, told the Global Times.

Japan's easing of arms export rules has also faced domestic opposition.

Issei Hironaka, an associate professor at Japan's Aichi Gakuin University, told the Global Times on Tuesday that "Once Japanese-made weapons with lethal capabilities are used in conflicts around the world, Japan would be indirectly departing from the spirit of its pacifist Constitution."

"Can Japan, while presenting itself as a peace-oriented country, justify intervening in other nations' wars through arms exports?"

He warned that Japan's shift toward a more proactive defense posture will heighten tensions with neighboring East Asian countries, particularly China, and further add to regional uncertainty.

On Tuesday, many Japanese netizens also expressed opposition to the use of their tax money and their country's name in exporting weapons capable of killing and injuring people.

Japanese Communist Party (JCP) Chair Shii Kazuo said on X on Tuesday that "We must not allow Japan to be reduced to a 'merchant of death' that profits from weapons. We strongly protest this decision and demand its withdrawal. We will do everything in our power to restore the ban on arms exports."

Japan's policy shift is attempting to use the US and multilateral mechanisms as a strategic lever for getting more deeply involved in regional disputes, including the Taiwan question. The latest revision will not only drive the expansion of Japan's domestic arms industry and speed up the country's remilitarization, but also raise the specter of renewed militarism, Da Zhigang, a researcher at the Institute of Northeast Asian Studies at the Heilongjiang Provincial Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times.

Alarming neo-militarism rising

In response to Takaichi's sending offering to the Yasukuni Shrine, spokesperson Guo said Japan's negative moves related to the Yasukuni war shrine is in nature an attempt to evade war responsibilities, an affront to justice, a provocation against Japan's war victims, and a challenge to the outcome of WWII victory. Such moves have been widely condemned and firmly rejected by the international community.

As of press time on Tuesday, the hashtag "Takaichi sent a ritual offering to Yasukuni" was among the most-viewed topics on Chinese social media platform Sina Weibo, with more than 29 million views, with many expressing outrage and alarm over Japan's rising militarism under the Takaichi administration.

Netizen "GeeLaowang" wrote that "truly disgusting! Sanae Takaichi has once again paid tribute to war criminals by sending an offering, showing that the specter of militarism is still haunting Japan. History must never be falsified or whitewashed."

Any visit or offering to the notorious Yasukuni Shrine by a Japanese politician is a clear reflection of that politician's political stance. For the Chinese public, any insistence on paying tribute at the shrine, regardless of the form it takes, is bound to provoke strong resentment and anger. Japanese politicians should be fully aware of this, Lu Chao, an expert at the Liaoning Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times.

Responding to Takaichi's offering to the Yasukuni Shrine, South Korea's Foreign Ministry also expressed "deep disappointment and regret" and urged Japan's leaders to confront history squarely and show genuine remorse through concrete actions, according to South Korean media KBS.

Xiang said Japan's loosening of arms export rules and Takaichi's offering to Yasukuni Shrine on the same day sent a deeply troubling signal, laying bare the Japanese right wing's distorted historical view and persistent push for military expansion. One move breached postwar restraints in legal and institutional terms, while the other inflamed nationalist sentiment ideologically, making Japan's remilitarization more visible and more dangerous.

Japan's moves could further weaken political and security trust between China and Japan, heighten regional tensions, fuel an arms race, and increase the risk of conflict, said Xiang, urging the international community to oppose Japan's military adventurism to safeguard regional peace and stability.

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Chinese FM expresses grave concern over Japan's revision of arms export rules, urges international community to maintain high vigilance against Tokyo's neo-militarism

Global Times

By Global Times Published: Apr 21, 2026 04:22 PM

China is gravely concerned by the move, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun on Tuesday in response to Japan's revision of Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology and their implementation guidelines, allowing overseas sales of lethal weapons in principle.

Guo stated that back that time, Japanese militarism launched rampant aggression and expansion, committing heinous crimes against China and other neighboring Asian countries. Precisely in light of Japan's history of aggression, and to prevent the resurgence of Japanese militarism, a series of instruments with full legal effect under international lawincluding the Cairo Declaration, the Potsdam Proclamation, and the Japanese Instrument of Surrenderclearly stipulated that Japan should be completely disarmed and not to maintain such industries that would enable the country to re-arm for war. Japan's constitution also imposes strict restrictions on its the right of belligerency, and the right to wage war.

After World War II, Japan also established strict norms such as the exclusively defense-oriented policy to limit its military development and arms exports. The Japanese government had issued a unified view on arms exports, explicitly stating that Japan, as a pacifist nation, would handle arms exports with prudence, according to Guo.

A series of recent dangerous moves by Japan in the military and security field have exposed its false claim of pacifist nation and its so-called "exclusively defense-oriented" principle, said Guo. Many experts and scholars are concerned that Japan may restart its war machine and pursue external aggression. It is an established fact that Japan is accelerating its re-militarization, with clear plans and concrete actions in place. The international community, including China, will maintain high vigilance against this and firmly resist reckless moves by Japan's neo-militarism, said the spokesperson.

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Japan-Qatar Summit Telephone Call

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan

April 21, 2026

On April 21, commencing at 4:30 p.m. for approximately 20 minutes, Ms. TAKAICHI Sanae, Prime Minister of Japan, held a summit telephone call with H.H. Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, Amir of Qatar.

At the outset, Prime Minister TAKAICHI expressed her sympathy regarding the human and material damage in Qatar, and expressed her gratitude for Qatar's generous cooperation regarding the protection of Japanese nationals since the outbreak of the situation. In addition, Prime Minister TAKAICHI conveyed Japan's position that what matters most is that the ceasefire is maintained and that de-escalation of the situation, including ensuring the safety of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, is steadily achieved as soon as possible, and that it is important for the U.S. and Iran to reach a final agreement through talks. Prime Minister TAKAICHI further stated that Japan will continue to work tenaciously, in coordination with the international community including Qatar, to make necessary diplomatic efforts. In response, Amir Tamim emphasized the importance of resolving issues through diplomatic means, and stated that Qatar would like to continue cooperating with countries including Japan towards the stabilization of the situation, including the safety of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. The two leaders confirmed that they will further strengthen bilateral cooperation, including in the energy field, and concurred on continuing close communication.

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Japan Lifts Arms Export Restrictions - Cabinet

Sputnik News

20260421

The Japanese government has amended its arms export regulations, Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara announced at a press conference.

"Today, at a cabinet meeting, a decision was made to amend some of the three principles for arms exports. These decisions will ensure Japan's security in the rapidly changing security situation around our country. To protect peace in our country and the region, it is necessary to promote arms exports and enhance the defense capabilities of allied countries," Kihara said.

Arms exports will strengthen Japan's defense industry, he said.

"Promoting arms transfers [to other countries] will strengthen the defense industry and technological base that support the Self-Defense Forces' combat capability," Kihara said.

He also emphasized that Japan would maintain its commitment to peace.

 Sputnik

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Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's meeting with Libya's Government of National Unity delegation

21 April 2026 17:17

623-21-04-2026

On April 21, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with a delegation from the Government of National Unity of Libya, led by Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation El-Taher El-Baour and Minister of Transport Mohamed Al-Shahoubi.

During the meeting, the parties held a substantive exchange of perspectives on the evolving situation within and around Libya. The Russian delegation reiterated its steadfast position advocating for a holistic resolution of the Libyan crisis, grounded in the principles of upholding the unity, territorial integrity, and state sovereignty of Libya. The necessity to resolve internal political challenges through an inclusive nationwide dialogue, with the United Nations playing a pivotal role, was underscored.

Significant focus was given to the progressive advancement of Russian-Libyan relations across various sectors. Both parties acknowledged the urgency of promptly resuming the activities of the Russian-Libyan Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, and Technical Cooperation, which is anticipated to serve as the principal coordinating mechanism for bilateral collaboration in the trade and economic domains.

The ministers exchanged viewpoints on urgent international and regional issues. They recognised the alignment in the fundamental approaches of Russia and Libya concerning the resolution of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, based on universally accepted international legal frameworks. This includes the establishment of an independent Palestinian state within the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. They emphasised the importance of attaining a lasting peace in the Gaza Strip and ensuring unobstructed humanitarian access to the Palestinian enclave.

Regarding the situation in the Persian Gulf area, the Russian side highlighted that the unprecedented surge in violence is a consequence of unprovoked aggression by the United States and Israel against Iran. Sergey Lavrov reiterated the need to bridge existing differences through dialogue, considering the interests of all states in the region. El-Taher El-Baour and Mohamed Al-Shahoubi received a detailed briefing on Russia's approaches to resolving the conflict around Ukraine.

Additionally, discussions addressed practical aspects related to the upcoming preparations for the third Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow this year, as well as the Russian-Arab Cooperation Forum at the level of foreign policy agency heads.



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Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's opening remarks at talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Government of National Unity of Libya Taher Salem Al-Baour, Moscow, April 21, 2026

21 April 2026 13:56

619-21-04-2026

Mr Minister,

Colleagues,

Thank you for coming to Russia at our invitation.

We continue to maintain contacts on various issues, which is beneficial for developing our bilateral relations. The successful stabilisation of the situation in Libya in the interests of national accord will help advance our relations to a new level and will also create conditions for ensuring overall security and the safety of business projects.

***

We are delighted to welcome you to Moscow.

Our relations provide a solid foundation for the further development of projects in widely different spheres. At this stage, however, we primarily want to assist the restoration of national accord and unity in Libya. We are ready to contribute to these efforts.

Three days ago, I met with Prime Minister of the Government of National Unity of Libya Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Turkiye, where we held in-depth discussions on our future cooperation. Several weeks ago, we had yet another contact with a delegation from Benghazi. Russia wants it meetings and contacts with our Libyan colleagues to encompass all geographical regions in order to assist the restoration of your country's unity, which we would be very pleased about.

I hope that during our talks today you will share with us your latest assessments and vision of the situation, and we will discuss a number of issues that have to do with our future relations in one way or another. I believe that this is a timely and useful visit.





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Pakistan Navy successfully test-fires Taimoor Air-Launched Cruise Missile

Azerbaijan State News Agency - (AZERTAC)

21.04.2026 [14:18]

Baku, April 21, AZERTAC

Pakistan Navy has conducted a successful live weapon firing of the Taimoor Air-Launched Cruise Missilean indigenously developed anti-ship weapon systemin a demonstration of precision strike capability and operational readiness, according to DND News Agency.

The air-launched cruise missile executed its mission with high precision, validating the Pakistan Navy's capability to detect, track, and neutralize enemy sea-based threats at extended ranges.

The demonstration marks a significant enhancement of national defense capability, further strengthening the coordinated multi-domain strike posture of the Pakistan Armed Forces in the conventional domain.

The Pakistan Navy stated that it remains committed to safeguarding the country's maritime interests and sovereign waters.

The President and Prime Minister of Pakistan, along with the Chief of Defense Forces and Services Chiefs, congratulated the scientists and engineers on achieving this milestone.

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Spokesperson's Press Briefing (April 21, 2026)

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Korea

Date: 2026-04-21

Press Briefing

Spokesperson and Deputy Minister for Public Affairs Park Il

April 21, 2026 14:30 KST

Good afternoon. Let me start today's briefing.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Hyun has been accompanying President Lee Jae Myung on his state visit to India since April 19, and is scheduled to travel to Vietnam today and conclude the trip on April 24.

Meanwhile, regarding recent reports that the United States has restricted information sharing with the Republic of Korea on the North Korean nuclear issue, the ROK government emphasizes that there are no problems with coordination between the two countries on North Korea policy.

(A question-and-answer session followed.)

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"Lower Barriers and Ensure Conditions for Unhindered Research"

Ministry of National Defense, Republic of Korea

Date : 2026-04-21

Ahn Gyu-back visits the Agency for Defense Development.

Emphasizes creative thinking and a spirit of challenge as key drivers of future defense capabilities.

Awards commendations to contributors to the Cheongung-II R&D program.

Visits a defense firm to inspect supply chain stabilization efforts.

On April 10, Defense Minister Ahn Gyuback told researchers at the Agency for Defense Development (ADD) that the Ministry would lower unnecessary institutional barriers and ensure stable research conditions, allowing them to conduct the research they wish. Minister Ahn made the remarks when he met with researchers at the ADD, saying, "The creative ideas and frontier spirit of young researchers are the core driving force of future defense capabilities."

Minister Ahn emphasized, "Korea's weaponssystem technologies, which are attracting worldwide attention, are the result of the longstanding efforts and dedication of ADD researchers, and the future of independent defense begins in the hands of each of our researchers." He encouraged the labor and efforts of the researchers, saying that South Korea is now writing a new chapter in which Kweapons systems are spreading to every corner of the world, from the Army's K9 selfpropelled artillery and the Air Force's KF21 fighters to the Navy's frigates and submarines.

Minister Ahn encouraged free and openminded communication with researchers, saying he had come to hear their views at the forefront of defense science and technology on what was needed for Korea to move beyond being a fast follower and become a first mover.

Researchers outlined ways for Korea to advance closer to the level of advanced countries in technology and shared their experiences and challenges in the research and development process, emphasizing the need for greater policy support from the government.

Researcher Kim Hyochang said, "I am deeply moved and proud to see our Korean weapons systems being recognized. Based on our achievements to date, we at ADD should pursue more diverse research and development activities, and for this, the government's more active policy support is essential."

Minister Ahn responded, "Direction is more important than speed. If the direction is set correctly, we will provide the utmost support. We will foster an environment that attracts outstanding talent and look into ways to address vulnerabilities in the recruitment process."

Minister Ahn also presented letters of commendation to contributors in R&D. Researcher Kang Gyeongtae, who received the minister's letter of commendation for his contribution to the development of the medium-range surface-to-air missile (M-SAM) Cheongung-II, expressed his determination, saying, "I am greatly encouraged by the minister's recognition and support. I will dedicate myself to developing worldleading defense science and technology with a bold frontier spirit."

Minister Ahn then visited the LIG Defense & Aerospace (D&A) Daejeon House to inspect the defense supply chain amid conflicts in the Middle East. After receiving a briefing from the Defense Acquisition Program Administration and LIG D&A on the impact of the war on the weaponssystems supply chain, Minister Ahn said, "The defense industry is the cornerstone and core growth engine of national security. As uncertainty lingers amid the war in the Middle East, I urge you not to slacken your efforts and to pay close attention to every minute detail in the supply chain."

He discussed ways to stabilize the defense supply chain through meetings with defense companies and listened to their challenges. Minister Ahn stated, "Amid growing uncertainty over global oil prices and global supply chains, the government, enterprises, and related institutions must share the current situation and seek solutions together."

After inspecting the core weaponssystems production line, he instructed, "The Defense Acquisition Program Administration needs to continuously listen to onsite difficulties and address them promptly." Furthermore, he added, "The government will provide pangovernmental support to ensure that the defense supply chain is maintained in a stable manner."



By Byeong-No, Yun

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"Communication and Empathy the Starting Point of Command"

Ministry of National Defense, Republic of Korea

Date : 2026-04-21

Ahn Gyu-back delivers special lecture to Air Force squadron commanders.

Says most military accidents stem from failure to uphold the basics.

Stresses strict implementation of planning, execution, verification, and inspection.

Inspects energy conservation efforts at the base.

Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back presented "communication and empathy" as key elements for leadership to Air Force squadron commanders and urged small acts of interest and empathy toward subordinates on April 7. Defense Minister Ahn has attributed recent military camp accidents to failures in establishing fundamental discipline and operations. He presented Bonrip-Doseongmeaning "if the fundamentals are solid, the path forward will become clear"as the core principle for commanders' leadership roles.

Minister Ahn made these remarks during a special lecture on strengthening command capabilities for all Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) squadron commanders at the 8th Fighter Wing.

In his lecture titled "For My Precious Life: The Ways of Bonrip-Doseong," Minister Ahn stressed the importance of communication. Defining "solitude and loneliness as the hardest things for people to endure," Minister Ahn pointed out that poor communication drains organizational vitality and eventually breeds issues.

Minister Ahn advised commanders to prioritize emotional empathy over pure logic when engaging troops, using simple gestures like shoulder taps as powerful motivators. He added, "Communication begins right in daily activities, not from afar; talking comfortably with soldiers and showing close empathy is the starting point of command."

Minister Ahn again urged commanders to solidify basics and principles, diagnosing that "most military accidents arise because the basics are not properly established, and many accidents can be prevented just by following a minor procedure."

He emphasized, "Diligent footsteps, cool-headed observation, and meticulous care by commanders represent the surest way to preserve safety at sites; the basic principle of Plan-Do-See-Check must be rigorously followed for every operation."

Minister Ahn described the ideal commander's posture as balancing firm principles with necessary flexibility. Citing Kim Dae-jung's "a scholar's critical mind and a merchant's realistic sense," Minister Ahn stated, "While principles must be strictly followed, methods should adapt to varying situations." He listed love, consideration, trust, and tolerance as core virtues of effective commanders. Drawing from Sun Tzu's The Art of War, Minister Ahn highlighted wisdom, benevolence, courage, strictness, and trust as a general's virtues, stressing benevolence a commander's loving and sincere attitude toward subordinatesas the fundamental element of command. Minister Ahn repeatedly stressed trust-based leadership, warning that its collapse dooms any organization.

He motivated squadron commanders, reminding them of soldiers' fundamental duties to safeguard the Republic of Korea. Minister Ahn asserted that a soldier does not merely get a job, but serve the nation with dedication. Among countless professions, soldiers uniquely sacrifice their lives for nation and people. He declared, "A soldier serves for state and people with a sense of mission; you have the capacity for such missions. I have deep confidence in all of you."

Minister Ahn held a question-and-answer session with Air Force squadron commanders after his lecture. When a squadron commander raised concerns about command challenges and systemic needs, Minister Ahn assured, "I will address these issues so that this commanding philosophy can be realized in the field." Lieutenant Colonel Kim Jun-beom, attending the lecture, stated, "It served as a chance to reflect on the attitude and mindset I should have; I will dedicate myself to creating a unit trusted by soldiers, based on fundamentals and communication."

The event was attended by ROK Air Force Chief of Staff Son Seok-rak and other senior officials of the Air Force Headquarters alongside squadron commanders. The Defense Ministry stated the lecture was designed for Minister Ahn to communicate directly with field commanders, instill correct leadership in squadron commanders, and share a direction grounded in basics and principles.

Following the lecture, Minister Ahn inspected the oil storage facility within the ROK Air Force 8th Fighter Wing base, reviewing energy operations and conservation efforts.

During the inspection, he directed, "While saving energy, trainings should be conducted without change." Having closely examined fuel storage, management, emergency response systems, and supply-demand conditions, Minister Ahn emphasized, "Amid growing uncertainty over global energy supply due to recent Middle East conflicts, fuel is not simply a resource, but another pillar of combat capabilities that determines military operational sustainability." He then urged, "Please maintain a military readiness posture from peacetime through the stable procurement of fuel and thorough management."



By Byeong-No, Yun

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"Strengthening Complementary Cooperation in Defense and Defense Industry"

Ministry of National Defense, Republic of Korea

Date : 2026-04-21

S. Korea-France defense ministers hold talks.

Ahn Gyu-back expresses appreciation for France's contribution to peace on the Korean Peninsula.

Calls for support for denuclearization and the establishment of lasting peace.

Agree to enhance communication and cooperation for stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

Korea and France, which fought and shed blood together to defend the South Korea's liberal democracy during the Korean War, decided to strengthen defense and defense industry cooperation. The two countries also pledged to cooperate in future security domains, including military training and space.

Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back hosted the Korea-France Defense Ministerial Meeting with French Defense Minister Catherine Vautrin at the Defense Ministry in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, on April 3, and held in-depth discussions on defense and defense industry cooperation.

Defense Minister Ahn highly commended and expressed appreciation to France for contributing to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula as a Korean War participant and traditional ally, on the occasion of the 140th anniversary of Korea-France diplomatic relations.

France, despite its difficult situation immediately after World War II, dispatched one infantry battalion and one destroyer to defend freedom in the Republic of Korea. Although Ralph Monclar had retired as a lieutenant general, he lowered his rank to lieutenant colonel to command this unit and served in the war. The French battalion achieved splendid victories in various battles, including the Battles in Twin Tunnels, Jipyeong-ri Battle, Battle of Heartbreak Ridge, and Arrowhead Hill Battle. France sent more than 3,400 troops, of which nearly 300 heroes fell.

The two defense ministers shared the understanding that uncertainty in the international security environment is growing amid escalating tensions in the Middle East and the protracted Russia-Ukraine war. They also pledged to strengthen strategic bilateral communication and collaboration toward peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region as well as the Korean Peninsula.

Minister Ahn stressed that North Korea's advancing nuclear and missile capabilities, along with its illegal military cooperation with Russia, pose grave challenges to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in the international community. Minister Ahn explained the Korean government's efforts toward denuclearization and a permanent peace settlement on the Korean Peninsula and urged France's continued interest and support.

The two ministers acknowledged that substantial cooperation in military training and the space sector is expanding, including the Air Force PEGASE training, mutual naval port visits, and participation in the International Space Exercise (SparteX). The ministers pledged to deepen cooperation in future security domains building on these achievements.

The two ministers agreed that the two countries are partners in defense industry cooperation, holding world-leading technology and competitiveness, and pledged to expand mutually complementary defense cooperation.

Meanwhile, on the same day, the Korea-France summit was held, and a joint statement on comprehensive cooperation between the two countries was adopted.

At the summit, both governments signed three revised agreements and 11 MOUs and letters of intent to bolster cooperation in various areas, including critical minerals, nuclear power plants, and AI. In addition, two agreements, including the classified military information protection agreement, and eight MOUs and letters of intent for cooperation were also adopted.



By Byeong-No, Yun

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Requesting US Congressional Support for S. Korea's Nuclear Submarine Program

Ministry of National Defense, Republic of Korea

Date : 2026-04-21

Ahn Gyu-back meets with US Senators.

Exchange views on alliance development and key issues.

Call for mutually beneficial cooperation in shipbuilding and MRO.

Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back met with US senators at the Defense Ministry in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, on April 2 and exchanged views on the development of the ROK-US alliance and other outstanding issues.

The US Senate delegation consisted of Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D), Jacky Rosen (D), Thom Tillis (R), and John Curtis (R).

Defense Minister Ahn expressed appreciation to the visiting US Senators for their unwavering support for South Korea and urged bipartisan congressional interest and cooperation to evolve the ROK-US alliance in a future-oriented and mutually beneficial manner. US Senators explained that the purpose of their visit is to tour key security sites in the Indo-Pacific region. The US Senators pledged bipartisan support to further develop the ROK-US alliance, which has evolved as the world's most successful alliance over the past seven decades.

Defense Minister Ahn called for US congressional support for Korea's nuclear-powered submarine program. Defense Minister Ahn stressed that mutually beneficial cooperation in shipbuilding and maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) can be a key element in rebuilding the US shipbuilding industry and strengthening maritime power, urging active US congressional support.

The Defense Ministry stated, "Minister Ahn and the US Senators shared the understanding that US congressional support, along with bilateral cooperation between the two countries, plays an essential role in developing the alliance, and they pledged to further bolster the alliance through continuous cooperation."

Vice Minister Lee Doo-hee Meets US House Members

Emphasized transition of wartime operational control (OPCON) and strengthening combined defense system.

Vice Defense Minister Lee Doo-hee met with members of the US House of Representatives from the Congressional Study Group on Korea (CSGK) at the Ministry of National Defense on the same day to discuss advancing the ROK-US alliance.

The CSGK is a bipartisan study group on Korea within the US Congress, officially launched in February 2018 with currently 136 members from both the Senate and the House. The visiting US House members included Republicans Pat Harrigan and Ryan Zinke, and Democrats Ami Bera, Mark Pocan, Mary Scanlon, and Jill Tokuda.

Vice Minister Lee expressed gratitude to the US House members for their deep interest in Korea and urged bipartisan cooperation to develop the ROK-US alliance, with both countries maintaining robust confidence across all areas.

The US House members stated that this visit offers a valuable opportunity to deepen their understanding of Korea's defense policy and pledged active efforts to reinforce the ROK-US alliance.

Vice Minister Lee outlined the Korean government and military's efforts to transition wartime operational control (OPCON) and emphasized that the transition should strengthen the ROK-US alliance and combined defense system. Vice Minister Lee stated that shipbuilding, MRO, and nuclear-powered submarine construction represent key issues requiring Korea-US cooperation and requested US congressional support.

Vice Minister Lee and the US House members agreed that the US Congress and both governments play crucial roles in strengthening the ROK-US alliance and pledged close cooperation for its continuous development.





By Byeong-No, Yun

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Russia Remains Ready to Resume Oil Transit to Hungary Via Druzhba Oil Pipeline - Kremlin

Sputnik News

20260421

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russia remains ready to resume oil transit to Hungary via the Druzhba oil pipeline, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday.

"We have contractual obligations with Hungary, but after the blackmail of the Kiev regime began, these supplies were stopped. It all depends on the Kiev regime, whether they will open the pipe and whether they will stop blackmail... The Russian side remains technologically ready. We have contractual obligations with Hungary," Peskov told reporters.

Russia is in constant contact with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), including in the context of the situation in Iran, Peskov said.

"You know that we are in constant contact with the IAEA, especially since there are more and more issues in the critical area, in the problem area, which specifically concern the IAEA. including in the context of the war in Iran," Peskov told reporters.

Russia will participate in the consultations that will take place as part of the election of a new UN secretary-general, Dmitry Peskov said.

"Now everyone is going to have very, very difficult consultations. Of course, we will take part," Peskov told reporters, commenting on the election of a new UN head.

The Kremlin knows the head of the IAEA, Rafael Grossi, who will nominate his candidacy for the post of the new UN head, from a very good side, the official said, adding that Russia's position on the matter is consistent and Moscow knows many potential candidates, including Grossi.

The reports of plans by France and Poland to hold nuclear exercises confirm Europe's aspirations for further militarization and nuclearization, Peskov said.

"In this case we need to figure out the details of which weapons we are talking about, in which countries. But, of course, this once again probably shows the aspiration of Europe in terms of further militarization and nuclearization  in terms of nuclear weapons," Peskov told reporters, commenting on media reports of possible nuclear exercises in France and Poland.

Such aspirations for a further militarization and nuclearization do not contribute to stability and predictability on the Eruopean continent, Peskov added.

 Sputnik

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TPP slams China over Lai's nixed Eswatini trip; KMT expresses 'regret'

ROC Central News Agency

04/21/2026 09:20 PM

Taipei, April 21 (CNA) The opposition Taiwan People's Party (TPP) on Tuesday slammed China for allegedly forcing the cancellation of President Lai Ching-te's () trip to Eswatini, while the Kuomintang (KMT) called the situation "regrettable."

At an impromptu press conference Tuesday, the Presidential Office said three countries -- the Seychelles, Mauritius and Madagascar -- along Lai's planned flight route to Eswatini had rescinded overflight permission "unexpectedly and without justification."

The Presidential Office said it was forced to suspend the visit, less than a day before Lai was scheduled to depart on a five-day trip to Taiwan's only African ally, due to "economic pressure" by China.



CNA graphic CNA graphic

In response to the announcement, the TPP said it "strongly protested and condemned" China's actions, which it said "seriously trample on our sovereignty and interfere in our internal affairs."

If the CCP continues to "aggressively constrict Taiwan's diplomatic space and intimidate the Taiwanese people," it will only exacerbate tensions in the Taiwan Strait and push the Taiwanese people farther away, the TPP said.

Meanwhile, the larger opposition KMT called the cancellation of Lai's trip "deeply regrettable," and urged Beijing to exercise restraint, "reduce its suppression," and give the Republic of China (Taiwan) government diplomatic space.

In the statement, Yin Nai-ching (), director of the KMT's Culture and Communications Committee, said former President Ma Ying-jeou () had promoted a "diplomatic truce" between Beijing and Taipei, which allowed Taiwan to retain 22 diplomatic allies and showed the importance of maintaining cross-strait communication channels.

Under the current and previous DPP-led administrations, Taiwan has lost 10 diplomatic allies, Yin said.

The cancellation of Lai's Eswatini trip was "not connected" to the meeting earlier this month in Beijing between KMT Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun () and Chinese leader Xi Jinping (), according to Yin.

(By Chen Chun-hua, Liu Kuan-ting and Matthew Mazzetta)

Enditem/AW

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MND details special budget DCS, commissioned manufacturing targets

ROC Central News Agency

04/21/2026 07:24 PM

Taipei, April 21 (CNA) Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense (MND) on Tuesday unveiled details of a list of weapons systems it intends to procure via direct commercial sales (DCS) or commissioned manufacturing, under the Cabinet's stalled NT$1.25 trillion (US$39.6 billion) special defense budget proposal.

Most of the items to be acquired through DCS or commissioned manufacturing include thousands of drones and various types of ammunition, according to a list the MND released to local media.

The procurement process would involve the military's top research unit, the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) and the Armaments Bureau, the MND said.

According to the MND, about 24 percent of the eight-year NT$1.25 trillion special budget, which still requires legislative approval, will be allocated to DCS or commissioned manufacturing.

Meanwhile, 76 percent of the proposed budget will be spent on U.S. weapons systems, including those already approved for sale to Taiwan by Washington or identified by Taiwan as items of interest through the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program, the MND said.

DCS, which involves transactions between private companies and Taiwan's military, is a faster channel for acquiring defense technology, software, and weapon components compared to government-to-government FMS.

The MND released the information a day after holding a closed-door briefing for lawmakers on the matter.

The confidential briefing was intended to solicit support from opposition lawmakers for a bill proposed by the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which would authorize NT$1.25 trillion for major weapons purchases and joint development programs with the U.S. over eight years, from 2026 to 2033.

The bill was sent to the opposition-controlled Legislative Yuan for review in late 2025.

The main opposition Kuomintang (KMT) and the smaller Taiwan People's Party (TPP) have since blocked the bill from being placed on the legislative agenda, demanding that President Lai Ching-te () brief lawmakers on the proposal first.

The KMT and TPP later proposed their own versions of a supplementary plan, earmarking significantly lower funding levels that cover only a US$11.1 billion U.S. arms package, and do not include items the MND seeks to acquire via DCS or commissioned manufacturing.

Defense Minister Wellington Koo () has repeatedly said the Cabinet's version of the defense budget is the most comprehensive among competing proposals, as it supports long-term domestic weapons production.

Both the KMT and TPP have criticized the Cabinet's proposal for including these domestic production programs in a special budget spanning eight years from 2026 to 2033, labeling it fiscally irresponsible and arguing for funding them through the annual general budget.



CNA graphic CNA graphic

(By Wu Shu-wei and Joseph Yeh)

Enditem/ASG

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Strengthening economic cooperation between Lithuania and Taiwan

Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Updated 2026-04-21

On 21 April 2026, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Vidmantas Verbickas and representatives of the Ministry of Economy and Innovation met with the Head of the Taiwanese Representative Office in Lithuania Constance H. Wang. During the meeting, the parties discussed the Economic Cooperation Action Plan.

This Lithuanian initiative has been positively received by Taiwan and is viewed as an opportunity to significantly strengthen economic cooperation.

The plan covers key areas such as high-tech and defence industries, finance, semiconductors, science and innovation, agriculture, legal and regulatory cooperation, as well as development cooperation projects in Ukraine.

ViceMinister Verbickas underlined that the economic cooperation action plan "demonstrates a strong determination of both sides to pursue a mutually beneficial partnership focused on the development of modern technologies and will mark a new stage in Lithuania-Taiwan economic relations."

During the meeting, the parties agreed to finalize the plan by the end of May and discussed potential project implementation timelines, funding mechanisms, and institutional involvement. The signing of the plan is envisaged for early June.

Head of the Taiwanese Representative Office Constance Wang emphasized: "Based on the solid foundation laid over the past 4 years, Taiwan stands ready to join forces with Lithuanian government to deepen our bilateral cooperation across the fields of economy, technology as well as in a broad range of mutual interests."

Both sides agreed to maintain close dialogue and to move towards the implementation stage in the near future, ensuring that the planned initiatives deliver tangible benefits to both Lithuanian and Taiwanese economies and contribute to shared strategic objectives.

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Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson slams Japanese vessel via Taiwan Straits, calls it 'deliberate provocation'

Global Times

By Global Times Published: Apr 22, 2026 11:25 AM

By sending its Self-Defense Force (SDF) vessel into the Taiwan Straits to engage in deliberate provocation, Japan has seriously undermined the political foundation of China-Japan relations and gravely jeopardized China's sovereignty and security. This move once again lays bare the malicious attempt of certain forces in Japan to militarily meddle in Taiwan affairs and sabotage cross-Straits peace and stability, which we firmly oppose, Zhang Han, spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, said on Wednesday, in response to the recent entry of a Japanese SDF vessel into the Taiwan Straits.

The Taiwan question lies at the very core of China's core interests and constitutes an inviolable red line, Zhang said. Japan should deeply reflect on history, draw lessons from the past, earnestly conduct self-examination and make corrections, strictly abide by the one-China principle and the spirit of the four China-Japanese political documents, and put an immediate end to all wrong remarks and actions regarding Taiwan, the spokesperson stressed.

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Lai Ching-te's trip to Eswatini cancelled after three African countries revoke flight permits without prior warnings: media

Global Times

By Global Times Published: Apr 22, 2026 01:03 AM

Taiwan regional leader Lai Ching-te cancelled his planned trip to Eswatini after three African countries, Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar revoked its flight permit to cross their countries without prior warnings, according to media reports.

Taiwan regional authorities said at a temporary press conference on Tuesday night that, as some countries along the route of the plane had temporarily revoked overflight permits, the trip has been postponed following an assessment, according to China Times News of the island.

Lai later confirmed on social media that his trip to Eswatini had been postponed, while claiming that Taiwan's importance attached to and friendship with Eswatini "remain unchanged," United Daily News reported.

Eswatini is one of the only 12 remaining "diplomatic allies" left for Taiwan regional authorities. Lai was due to leave on Wednesday for the 40th anniversary of King Mswati III's accession, according to media reports.

Seychelles' foreign affairs ministry said that the Lai's plane had not been granted clearance for overflight or landing, in line with the government's longstanding policy regarding Taiwan question, according to a report from Reuters on Tuesday. "The decision was taken independently and in accordance with established procedures," Aline Morel, senior protocol officer at the ministry, said in an email, per Reuters report.

A Madagascar foreign ministry official also confirmed having denied an overflight request. "Malagasy diplomacy recognizes only one China. The decision was made in full respect of Madagascar's sovereignty over its airspace," the official said, Reuters reported.

Under a Yahoo News page that republished a report by Deutsche Welle, some netizens left comments regarding Lai's cancelled trip. One wrote, "Making a big show with gongs and drums, shouting loudlyonly to end up being dealt a heavy blow," while another conveyed that earlier coverage had tried to build hype around Lai's planned trip, but in the end it was nothing more than empty boasting.

When asked to comment on Lai's reported visit to Eswatini, State Council Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson Chen Binghua said at a regular press conference on April 15 that we have consistently handled Taiwan region's external exchanges in accordance with the one-China principle, and firmly opposes any attempts to create "two Chinas," "one China, one Taiwan," or "Taiwan independence" on the international stage. We hope relevant countries will recognize the broader trend, correct their mistakes as soon as possible, and stand on the right side of history.

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UK and France to lead multinational Strait of Hormuz military planning conference

Press release

Military planners from over 30 nations will today (Wednesday 22 April) advance detailed planning to reopen the Strait of Hormuz in a two-day UK-hosted conference.

From: Ministry of Defence and The Rt Hon John Healey MP

Published 22 April 2026

UK and France convene military planners to advance multinational mission to re-open the Strait of Hormuz.

Over 30 nations expected to attend the conference at UK's Permanent Joint Headquarters in North London.

Military planners will turn diplomatic consensus into a detailed military plan for the Strait when hostilities end.

Military planners from over 30 nations will today (Wednesday 22 April) advance detailed planning to reopen the Strait of Hormuz in a two-day UK-hosted conference.

The planning talks will take place at the UK's Permanent Joint Headquarters at Northwood, North London.

The work is part of the UK and French leadership of a multinational coalition to reopen the Strait. The sessions will advance military plans to reopen the Strait, as soon as conditions permit, following a sustainable ceasefire agreement.

The planning sessions build on the progress made last week by the Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and French President Emmanual Macron at an international summit of 51 countries in Paris.

At the Summit, they called for the unconditional, unrestricted, and immediate re-opening of the Strait of Hormuz and confirmed the establishment of an independent and strictly defensive multinational mission to protect merchant vessels, reassure commercial shipping operators and conduct mine clearance operations.

Speaking ahead of the conference, the UK Defence Secretary John Healey MP, said:

Today's multinational planning conference matters. The task, today and tomorrow, is to translate the diplomatic consensus into a joint plan to safeguard freedom of navigation in the Strait and support a lasting ceasefire. I am confident that, over the next two days, real progress can be made. International trade, energy security and the stability of the global economy depend on freedom of navigation. By building on our common purpose, strengthening multinational coordination and planning for effective collective action, we can help reopen the Strait, stabilise the global economy and protect our people. On behalf of people in Britain and internationally whose security and prosperity depend on their success, we are grateful to the planners for their urgency and expertise. We look forward to the outcome of this work.

The UK and France are working to ensure that the military plan involves as many partners as possible and brings the expertise of each nation together in support of our shared interests.

The planning conference will take place over two-days, allowing for detailed discussions on military capabilities, command and control, and how military forces can deploy to the region.

These talks come as Iran continues its effective illegal closure of the critical international shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world's oil passes. The closure has driven up global energy prices, disrupted supply chains, and pushed up costs for households and businesses in the UK and around the world.

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Civilians Still Paying Highest Price for Russian Federation-Ukraine War with Violence Marring Orthodox Easter Truce, Minimal Diplomatic Advances, Security Council Hears

Meetings Coverage

Security Council

10140th Meeting (PM)

SC/16343

20 April 2026

With violence marring an Orthodox Easter truce, and no significant diplomatic progress, civilians continue to pay the highest price for the war between the Russian Federation and Ukraine, the Security Council heard today.

Khaled Khiari, Assistant Secretary-General in the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations, said that on 9 April, the Russian Federation announced a 32-hour Easter truce from 11 to 12 April, to which Ukraine responded that it would reciprocate. "However, this temporary pause in fighting that could have allowed a peaceful celebration of Orthodox Easter was not respected," he added.

Throughout the holiday weekend, there were hostilities close to the frontlines. Three consecutive nights of Russian aerial strikes between 13 and 16 April targeted multiple regions across Ukraine, with the Russian Federation launching its deadliest attack on the night of 15 to 16 April, targeting Odesa, Dnipropetrovsk, Kyiv, Sumy and Kharkiv regions.

Welcoming the exchange of prisoners of war that brought home 175 service members and seven civilians from each side on 11 April, he also called for more efforts to return all deported and forcibly transferred Ukrainian children, stressing "their families are desperately waiting to be reunited."

On the humanitarian situation, Joyce Msuya, Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator, said the "massive wave" of overnight attacks killed over 21 civilians and injured over 140 people. A strike that hit a public bus in Nikopol "in broad daylight" killed four and injured 16 more, she reported. The damage to energy infrastructure has reached the point of "systemic shock" and will have "far-reaching humanitarian consequences through the summer months and into the next winter season", she said.

Sorely Needed: Timely Payment of $2.3 Billion Required to Assist 4.1 Million People

Humanitarian partners are supporting urgent infrastructure repairs, mobile teams continue to provide essential services and aid convoys have recently reached communities in Mykolaiv and Kherson. "However, our access remains constrained in some areas due to the intensity of hostilities," she said. "Needs continue to outpace resources" and nearly 75 per cent of the $2.3 billion required to assist a targeted 4.1 million people  nearly one in every eight Ukrainians  remains unfunded. Presenting three asks  not new, but nevertheless urgent  she stressed: "Protection, access and timely financial contributions are a lifeline for the most affected people."

Moscow, Kyiv Trade Accusations

The Russian Federation's delegate however, described today's meeting as a "cheap, second-rate spectacle". While Kyiv rushed to accuse his country of violating the Easter ceasefire, there were 6,500 violations of the ceasefire by the Ukrainian armed forces, he said. Further, "this measure cannot under any circumstances be regarded as a prologue to a long-standing ceasefire" he stressed. While the Russian Federation supports achieving a lasting settlement that addresses the root causes of the conflict, Ukraine and the majority of European leaders seek to prolong the war.

Ordinary Ukrainians are refusing to fight for the country's corruptionridden leadership, but European leaders, while shedding crocodile tears, are sending them to the battlefield, he said. At the end of last week, the Belgian Armed Forces Chief, Frederik Vansina, said in an interview that Ukraine is buying time to prepare European countries for war with the Russian Federation. Further, weapons production in Europe is being rapidly expanded, he said. A pause would be useful for Ukraine to accumulate strength, he said, adding: "That is precisely what they mean when they talk about a ceasefire."

Responding, Ukraine's representative stressed that Moscow will be defeated militarily. According to battlefield assessments, the Russian Federation is currently losing an average of 254 soldiers "for every square kilometre of Ukrainian territory it still manages to occupy", he said. Given this "bloody arithmetic", he said that Moscow would have to send at least another 1.5 million soldiers to their deaths to seize the whole of the Donbas. "Even for Mr. Putin  for whom the value he attaches to the life of his own citizens appears to be worth less than a penny, or a rouble  such a figure would be catastrophic," he observed.

The Kremlin has therefore turned to "pseudo-negotiation tactics", demanding Ukraine voluntarily withdraw from certain regions as a precondition for peace talks, he added. But "we will never, ever abandon a single square millimetre of our soil and we will never, ever abandon any of our fellow citizens," he said. With peace negotiations frozen for nearly two months, he urged the Council  particularly its European members  to adopt a resolution establishing an "immediate and unconditional ceasefire" as well as a prisoner-of-war exchange on an "all-for-all" basis.

United States Says Prisoner Exchange Result of Its Negotiations

Negotiations led by the United States, that country's representative said, produced concrete results less than two weeks ago when the two counties agreed to exchange 175 prisoners and additional civilians. Her country will fund a $25 million assistance programme to aid the return of those Ukrainian children forcibly transferred or deported to the Russian Federation or Russian-controlled territories, "in support of this effort which is a significant concern for First Lady Melania Trump", she added. She also urged China, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and Iran to stop supplying the Russian Federation with materials that enable its war.

Moscow Must Be Held Accountable, Ukraine's Neighbors, Partners Urge

Ukraine's neighbors and partners also took the floor today, with Latvia's delegate lamenting that during Orthodox Easter, Ukrainian civilians had only "one night without Russia's long-range drones, missiles or guided bombs". Her country is committed to being one of the founding members of the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine as well as the International Claims Commission for Ukraine.

Lithuania's delegate, speaking also for Latvia and Estonia, recalled that 31 March was the fourth anniversary of the liberation of the town of Bucha in Ukraine. "It was there that massive evidence of war crimes committed by Russian forces during the occupation was first revealed," he said, stressing the need to implement the International Criminal Court arrest warrants issued for President Vladimir Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova, in connection with the war crimes of child abduction.

Holding Moscow accountable is essential, the representative of Sweden, also speaking for Denmark, Finland, Iceland and Norway, said, because "disregarding international law only encourages further aggression in Ukraine and elsewhere". Echoing that, the United Kingdom's delegate warned: "If Russia succeeds in showing the world that borders can be changed by force in Ukraine, it sets a very dangerous example."

Romania's delegate highlighted the regional and global consequences of the war as the Russian Federation keeps targeting Ukraine's Danube and Black Sea ports. "These support critical grain supply routes worldwide, even more so now as agrifood system globally are additionally impacted by the situation in the Strait of Hormuz," he said.

"Russia is not seeking peace  it is buying time, over and over again," stressed the representative of Poland. Against that backdrop, calling for a diplomatic solution is insufficient. Rather, the international community must act in a manner that persuades Moscow to engage in genuine negotiations, and the way to do so is to "sustain and strengthen economic pressure", he said.

European Union Steadfast in Commitment to Ukraine's Sovereignty, Security

"The future of Ukraine and its citizens lies within the European Union," the representative of that bloc, speaking in its capacity as observer as well as for its member States, said. As Ukraine's long-term security and ability to defend itself must be guaranteed, the Union is prepared to contribute to "robust and credible security guarantees for Ukraine", she added.

France's delegate recalled that on 15 April, the Russian Federation's Minister for Foreign Affairs warned against "the danger of the militarization of the European Union". Such rhetoric will not curtail "our determination to contribute to strategic European autonomy", he pledged. The representative of Greece stressed that no peace agreement can be viable without Ukraine's full consent, Europe's direct involvement and "credible and enforceable security guarantees to prevent the recurrence of war".

Denmark's delegate noted that the mass drone and missile attacks on 17 April reveal "new and increasingly deadly Russian tactics". Drones with jet engines, and daytime attacks immediately following night-time attacks, are making the strikes on heavily populated areas even more deadly.

Bahrain's delegate, Council President for April, speaking in his national capacity, also highlighted the alarming role of drones in damaging civilian facilities and vital infrastructure, in addition to threatening civilian lives. The use of drones increased by 70 per cent in March 2026 compared to March 2025, he noted, adding that in his region, Iran has used drones to target civilian infrastructure.

Call for Increased Protection for Civilians, Return to Diplomatic Talks

Liberia's representative was among those who called for increased protections for protection for civilians. Several speakers, including the delegates of Somalia, Pakistan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, also urged the parties to return to diplomatic engagement. Colombia's speaker said the recent exchange of 175 prisoners of war and civilians "shows that even in the midst of confrontation it is possible to make progress through tangible gestures". Panama's delegate said the Council must ensure that this conflict "does not become an indefinite exercise in attrition, where inertia substitutes real political will and where human suffering is subordinate to geopolitical calculus".

China's representative also said the parties must prioritize peace and exercise the utmost calm and restraint. He dismissed the allegations by the United States, adding that his country has consistently worked to facilitate peace talks. "It is the United States, not China, that has long supplied weapons to the battlefield," he said.

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Secretary General urges parliamentarians to advance democracy and to continue to work for Ukraine

Council of Europe

Alain Berset took questions in lively Q&A session at the Parliamentary Assembly

Parliamentary Assembly

Strasbourg

21 April 2026

Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset has reiterated to lawmakers in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe that "democracy is still alive", as shown by the recent elections in Bulgaria and Hungary, where "the people have spoken", calling on them to "build on this positive momentum at this challenging time". He emphasised:

"Europe is a geographical reality. No crisis is ever truly far from Europe. Not far from our energy, nor our economy, nor our security."

The Council of Europe: leading the response to crises

The Secretary General described the current moment as one of "profound geopolitical tension", highlighting, in particular, Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, the terrible situation in the Middle East, and the growing pressure on democracy, security and the rule of law.

Specifically on Ukraine, now in its fifth year since the full-scale invasion by Russia, Alain Berset outlined the support that the Council of Europe has led, urging Europeans not to forget the war amid crises elsewhere. He highlighted the progress towards the establishment of a Special Tribunal for the crime of aggression against Ukraine, noting that the initiative now requires the commitment of the member states to be brought to fruition. He then spoke about the upcoming gathering of member-state foreign ministers in Moldova:

"The ministerial session in Chisinau next month will be such an important moment for our organisation. It will be also advance key priorities, from support for Ukraine to migration and foreign information manipulation and interference, in full respect of the Convention system and the values we stand for."

Living parliamentary democracy

Alain Berset was speaking as part of a Q&A with parliamentarians at this week's session of the Parliamentary Assembly, in which he took questions from across the political spectrum. This is very much an example of an organisation acting in accordance with its principles, living and securing democracy that is more than just a slogan.

One such question, from Swedish representative Azadeh Rojhan, concerned the independence of the European Court of Human Rights in discussions over migration. Secretary General Berset was unequivocal:

"The independence of the Court must be untouchable. This is why we need to act. One third of all the members of the European Union put the independence of the Court in question. This is a serious matter. We could not act as if nothing was happening. My goal was to take back this discussion to Strasbourg and to channel this discussion at the political level, where it must be dealt with, and not to accept pressure on the Court.

"We can expect from the future political declaration on the Court, that the Court can read this and take it into account in its work. The European Convention on Human Rights will remain the most important text that we have."

Addressing urgent questions from across the continent

The Parliamentary Assembly brings together representatives of national parliaments from our member states. It provides a unique pan-European forum for debate, dialogue and consensus-building on key issues facing the continent.

It's representatives therefore operate in extraordinarily different contexts. In that light, Secretary General Berset also took questions on, among other subjects, support for Ukraine, Armenia's elections, the arrest of two mayors in Turkiye, reforms of the Council of Europe, Serbia and Kosovo, multilateralism, and on Cyprus.

The Secretary General was able to set out his wider vision in response to a question from Lord Don Touhig of the United Kingdom as to how we can achieve a bold values-based Europe in the future:

need to adapt, not to renounce, but to be stronger for our values. We must adapt to a world that is more divergent, we are under pressure about values, force and violence, coming from partners even. We are therefore working on a possible reform of the Council of Europe. Not to do something differently, but to be stronger in defending our values, taking into account this context."

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Foreign Minister Tsahkna: a political breakthrough on the sanctions package and 90 billion loan to Ukraine expected in the coming days

Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

21.04.2026 | 18:38

Following the meeting of European Union foreign ministers in Luxembourg today, 21 April, Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said that a political breakthrough is expected in the coming days to adopt the long-blocked 20th EU sanctions package and to approve a 90 billion loan for Ukraine.

According to Tsahkna, the recent elections in Hungary have created an opportunity within the EU to move forward on issues that had long been blocked largely due to Hungary's opposition, but which are crucial for ending Russia's aggression and strengthening European security.

"As things stand, the European Union should adopt the 20th sanctions package in the coming days to increase pressure on Russia, and secure the provision of a 90 billion loan to Ukraine," Tsahkna said. "Estonia expects that work on the 21st sanctions package will begin immediately thereafter, and we also consider it important to make quick progress with EU enlargement."

"For Europe's long-term security, the most important objective remains to bring about a just and lasting end to Russia's aggression against Ukraine. Increasing pressure on Russia and supporting Ukraine are the steps that will lead us there," the foreign minister added.

Tsahkna also discussed these issues today in a telephone call with Hungary's prospective new foreign minister Anita Orban. Matters related to EU enlargement were addressed separately at a meeting of Nordic and Baltic foreign ministers organised by Estonia with Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha provided foreign ministers with a direct update on the situation in Ukraine via video link.

The foreign ministers also discussed developments in the Middle East.

"Today's discussions showed that European countries are not bystanders but are actively working towards solutions, including reopening the Strait of Hormuz," Tsahkna said. "Estonia and several other EU member states are participating in discussions led by the United Kingdom and France on diplomatic and military measures to ensure freedom of navigation."

"Rising oil prices and disruptions to energy supplies from the Middle East, as well as continued instability, play into Russia's hands. It is therefore important that the situation in the Middle East is resolved and that freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz is restored," Tsahkna added.

The foreign ministers also met with Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam.

Speaking about the situation in the South Caucasus, Tsahkna referred to his recent visit to Armenia, during which he opened Estonia's embassy in Yerevan, as well as his visit to Azerbaijan last autumn.

"The peace process between Armenia and Azerbaijan is also important for Europe, not least in terms of new economic opportunities," Tsahkna said.

The foreign ministers also discussed the situation in Sudan. Tsahkna noted that, in light of the fourth year of ongoing conflict, Estonia is contributing 80,000 in humanitarian aid to help alleviate the suffering of civilians.

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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 inspects Yuzhnaya Group of Forces

21 April 2026 00:45

During his work at the command post of the Yuzhnaya Group's combined arms formation, General of the Army Valery Gerasimov received reports from Commander of the Group Colonel General Sergei Medvedev on the current situation in the area of responsibility, as well as reports from the commanders of the formations on combat mission results.

In summing up results of the inspection, the Chief of the General Staff noted the success of the Yuzhnaya Group of Forces and set tasks for further actions.

Moreover, General of the Army Valery Gerasimov presented state awards to the servicemen who had distinguished themselves in combat missions and thanked them for their courage and bravery displayed during the combat actions.



Remarks by Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation at the command post of the Yuzhnaya Group's combined arms formation

Remarks by Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation at the command post of the Yuzhnaya Group's combined arms formation.

The special military operation is in progress.

In March and April, the Russian troops liberated 34 settlements and about 700 square kilometres of the territory.

In total, since the beginning of this year, 80 settlements and more than 1,700 square kilometres of territory have come under our control. Liberation of the Lugansk People's Republic has been fully completed.

At present, the Joint Group of Forces is in offensive in all directions.

The Yuzhnaya Group of Forces is carrying out offensive actions near Slavyansk-Kramatorsk-Konstantinovka fortified area. In March, the Russian troops took six settlements under control in this direction, and in April, Dibrova was liberated.

On the Group's northern flank, the formations and units of the 3rd Army are actively advancing to the west on a wide front in the direction of Slavyansk and Kramatorsk. The forward units are located at a distance of about 12 and seven kilometres from the eastern outskirts of these cities, respectively. Military operations on urban terrain are underway in Krivaya Luka.

In Konstantinovka, assault detachments of the Yuzhnaya Group of Forces deliver strikes at the enemy's formations and move deep into residential area in the north-eastern and south-western parts of the city. In addition, fighting takes place in the suburbs of Konstantinovka: in the settlements of Novodmitrovka and Ilyinovka.

In other directions:

The Sever Group of Forces, while simultaneously advancing in several directions, continues to create a security belt on the territory of Sumy and Kharkov regions of Ukraine. In March, 15 settlements were taken under our control, and in April, Volchanskiye Khutora and Zybino were liberated.

The Zapad Group of Forces presses the offensive on a wide front in its area of responsibility. In March, eight settlements were liberated. The encircled enemy was routed on the eastern bank of the Oskol River close to Kupyansk-Uzlovoy.

At present, the Group's formations and military units conduct urban warfare to destroy enemy formations in Borovaya, Svyatogorsk, Studenok, and Stary Karavan.

The most active combat operations are underway in Krasny Liman direction, where the Group's assault detachments continue to liberate Krasny Liman. About 70% of the city's territory is under our control.

Fierce fighting continues in the area of responsibility of the Tsentr Group of Forces. The Group's formations and military units have increased the area of control and are moving towards Dobropolye.

The Russian troops liberated Grishino and Pavlovka; they are mopping up AFU units in Novy Donbass, and the battles for Belitskoye continue.

At the same time, a part of the Group's forces continues to create a security belt in Dnepropetrovsk region. Combat operations are underway to seize Novopavlovka, where more than 75% of the territory is under our control.

In the direction of their offensive, the Vostok Group's troops are firmly maintaining the initiative and are actively advancing to the west in the eastern part of Zaporozhye region.

In February-March, the AFU units carried out more than 170 unsuccessful counter-attacks by assault detachments in an attempt to stop our offensive; but having sustained significant losses of more than 3,000 troops and more than 160 pieces of hardware, they failed to achieve their objectives. The AFU command, in an attempt to conceal its failure, is carrying out an information campaign, in the course of which it claims to have returned 480 square kilometres of territory.

At the same time, formations and military units of the Vostok Group of Forces, repelling the attacks of the AFU assault detachments from the directions of Velikomikhaylovka and Pokrovskoye, have prevented the loss of territories and continue to expand the security zone in the southern part of Dnepropetrovsk region.

The Group's assault detachments continue intensive offensive actions west of Gulyai-Pole. They liberated Boykovo and Lugovskoye. Fighting is underway in Vozdvizhevka, as well as on the approaches to Verkhnyaya Tersa and Komsomolskoye.

The Dnepr Group of Forces, inflicting losses on the enemy units, conduct an offensive in the direction of Zaporozhye. They liberated Veselyanka. Military operations on urban terrain in Orekhov and Zaporozhets continue.





Department of Information and Media Affairs of Defence Ministry of the Russian Federation

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Russian Forces Liberate Grishino Settlement in Donetsk People's Republic - MoD

Sputnik News

20260421

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The Russian armed forces have taken control of the settlement of Grishino in the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR), the Russian Defense Ministry said on Tuesday.

"Battlegroup Tsentr have actively liberated the Grishino settlement of the Donetsk People's Republic," the ministry said in a statement.

Additionally, Russian troops have taken control over the settlement of Veterinarnoye in the Kharkov region, the statement added.

Ukraine lost over 340 soldiers in combat against Russia's Battlegroup Tsentr over the past day, in addition to losses in manpower and equipment on other fronts, the Russian Defense Ministry said.

"The losses of the Ukrainian armed forces amounted to over 340 military personnel, an armored fighting vehicle, a pickup truck and a field artillery cannon," the ministry said in a statement.

This is in addition to over 190 Ukrainian soldiers eliminated over the past day by Russia's Battlegroup Sever, up to 75 by Battlegroup Vostok, up to 195 by Battlegroup Zapad, over 195 by Battlegroup Yug, and over 55 by Battlegroup Dnepr, the ministry said.

A total of 13 guided aerial bombs, three HIMARS missiles and some 434 UAVs of the Ukrainian armed forces have been shot down by Russian air defense systems, the ministry added.

 Sputnik

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Russian Troops Finalize Lugansk People's Republic Liberation, Advance on All Fronts - Gerasimov

Sputnik News

20260421

Chief of the Russian Armed Forces' General Staff Valery Gerasimov has inspected the progress of combat missions carried out by units of Battlegroup Yug.

"Full liberation of the Lugansk People's Republic has been completed," Gerasimov stated.

He added that Russian troops had liberated 34 settlements and about 700 square kilometers of territory in the Ukraine conflict zone in March and April

"Russian units continue to advance toward Slavyansk and Kramatorsk, operating 12 kilometers and 7 kilometers, respectively, from the eastern outskirts of the two cities," Gerasimov underscored.

Ukrainian forces lost 3,000 soldiers and over 160 pieces of equipment while unsuccessfully trying to halt the Russian offensive in February and March, according to him.

In a desperate bid to conceal the setbacks, the Ukrainian military command is conducting a disinformation campaign, claiming the alleged recapture of 480 square kilometers of territory, the Chief of the Russian Armed Forces' General Staff concluded.

 Sputnik

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Olexandr Mischenko held a meeting with the Head of the Eastern Partnership Policy Division of the NATO International Secretariat Tanya Hartman

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine

21 April 2026 16:05

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Olexandr Mischenko held a meeting with Tanya Hartman, Head of the Eastern Partnership Policy Division of the NATO International Secretariat, who is currently on a working visit to Kyiv.

During the meeting, the Deputy Minister emphasized that Russia demonstrates no readiness for a peaceful settlement, continuing its daily missile and drone strikes on Ukrainian cities and critical infrastructure, resulting in civilian casualties and widespread destruction.

In this context, particular attention was paid to ensuring sustained and adequate funding for the PURL initiative. The parties unanimously reaffirmed its critical role as a key mechanism for providing Ukraine with the necessary weaponry amid the ongoing armed aggression. Tanya Hartman confirmed the consolidated position of the Alliance Member States regarding the unwavering course of continued supply of critically important weapons to Ukraine through this mechanism.

The Ukrainian side received clear assurances that support for our State remains an unquestionable, long-term strategic priority for NATO. It was emphasized that Ukraine's security is an integral part of the security of the Alliance.

The parties also drew attention to the escalation of threats from the Russian Federation in other regions of the Euro-Atlantic area.

Furthermore, the sides discussed the current state of preparations for upcoming key Alliance events: the Meeting of NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs on May 20-21 in Sweden; the Ukraine-NATO Council meeting at the level of Foreign Ministers, and the NATO Summit in Turkey. These events are expected to result in important decisions regarding further support for Ukraine.

Following the meeting, the representative of the NATO International Secretariat reaffirmed the Alliance's steadfast position on Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic prospects. "Ukraine will undoubtedly become part of the Alliance. Membership will become a reality once the necessary conditions are met. By that time, Ukraine must be fully prepared for this decision," noted Tanya Hartman.

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Andrii Sybiha urges to unblock 90 billion for Ukraine as soon as possible this week at the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine

21 April 2026 13:08

On Tuesday, April 21, Ukraine's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Andrii Sybiha, participated via video link in the meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council.

The Foreign Minister expressed his gratitude to European partners for their support of Ukraine, specifically noting the recent visit to Kyiv. He urged the ministers of EU member states to unblock critical decisions as soon as possible: the 90 billion in support for Ukraine, the 20th EU sanctions package against the Russian Federation, and the opening of negotiation clusters.

"The 90 billion is an absolute priority. This step has already been agreed upon. It must be implemented because every day of delay causes harm. Currently, there are no obstacles; even the artificial barriers have been removed. The EU has the necessary tools to lift the blockade this very week. We count on their activation in the coming days," the Ukrainian Foreign Minister stated.

The Minister separately emphasized the critical importance of the swift adoption of the 20th EU sanctions package against the RF, stressing that it must be as robust as possible to inflict maximum damage on Russia's war budget.

"I will not grow tired of repeating that the EU does not adopt these critical decisions merely as a demonstration of solidarity with the Ukrainian peopleit is a necessity for the direct protection of the European Union itself, its citizens, and its interests. Too many vital steps have been delayed for too long. All of this sends the wrong signals to Putin. The longer these steps take to adopt, the more hope he has of destroying the EU and harming its member states. Let us deprive him of that hope," the Minister stressed.

The Foreign Minister confirmed the readiness of Ukraine and Moldova to open negotiation clusters and called for seizing the window of opportunity to officially launch the process. He emphasized that Ukraine remains committed to necessary reforms, recognizes the need to meet the criteria, and expects an approach based on a fair assessment of achievements.

During the meeting, the EU side specifically commended the progress of reforms that Ukraine has demonstrated recently.

"We are grateful for the efforts and achievements on the path to European integration during the EU Presidencies of Poland and Denmark. We expect that the Presidencies of Cyprus and Ireland will bring new historic steps and achievements in the process of EU enlargement," noted Andrii Sybiha.

Furthermore, the Minister briefed his European colleagues on the situation on the battlefield. He reported on Ukraine's successes, particularly in the long-range strike campaign against the RF, and underscored the need for increased investment in the Ukrainian defense industry, as well as the strengthening of Ukraine's air defense to protect against Russian strikes.

The Foreign Minister also focused on the dynamics of peace efforts, confirming Ukraine's readiness for effective steps to end the war and the necessity of increasing pressure on Moscow to compel it toward constructive actions and real diplomacy, rather than ultimatums.

"I will repeat it once more: for real diplomacy, it is necessary for Ukraine to be in a position of strength. Every decision in support of our state and every increase in pressure on the RF strengthens our position. That is why it is so important to lift the blockade on critically necessary EU decisions now," he declared.

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It Is Essential That the European Support Package for Ukraine Be Unblocked; There Can Be No Grounds for Blocking It Anymore - Address by the President

President of Ukraine

21 April 2026 - 20:21

I wish you good health, fellow Ukrainians!

I just spoke with Chancellor Merz, and earlier today I also held calls with President Costa of the European Council and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen. It is essential that the European support package for Ukraine - 90 billion over two years - be unblocked. These funds had already been approved by the European Council, but were blocked. There can be no grounds for blocking it anymore. The EU asked Ukraine to repair the Druzhba oil pipeline, which had been destroyed by Russia. We have repaired it. We hope the EU will also deliver on the agreed commitments. There has also been no progress for a long time on new sanctions against Russia over this war, which is particularly unhelpful when the United States is easing restrictions. Pressure must be maintained so that the Russians do not feel they can wage war calmly and with impunity.

Today, we held detailed discussions with the military officials - there was a report from Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi and Chief of the General Staff Hnatov. We understand what the Russian army is planning and what their priorities are - we have the relevant maps. We have the details. We will counteract. The forces and means for this have been defined. I also approved our next operations - Ukraine's long-range sanctions will continue to work and reduce Russia's capabilities. The war must be brought to an end, and diplomacy will not advance on its own - pressure on the aggressor is needed to drive the war toward its conclusion.

Today, I also had detailed discussions with Ukraine's Minister of Defense, Fedorov, together with the military command. There are steps that must be taken to improve motivation for our military personnel - both in terms of unit staffing and additional funding for the army. Decisions are being prepared.

One more thing. We agreed with Prime Minister Svyrydenko and Minister of Economy Sobolev that in the coming weeks we will define additional economic measures that will help Ukraine become stronger. A more strategic, systemic approach is needed - one that will allow Ukraine to rely more on its own strength and to give society - now, in the midst of this war - opportunities to live better. This concerns tax strategy, de-shadowing of the economy, and real support for Ukrainian citizens and Ukrainian businesses.

I thank all our people who fight for Ukraine's interests as if they were their own. I thank everyone who helps us.

Glory to Ukraine!

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Unblocking the 90 Billion Support Package, Ukraine's EU Integration, and Strengthening Sanctions against Russia: Volodymyr Zelenskyy Held a Call with Ursula von Der Leyen

President of Ukraine

21 April 2026 - 19:47

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a phone call with President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.

The main topic of discussion was the unblocking of the 90 billion support package for Ukraine.

"These funds will strengthen not only Ukraine but all of Europe, and it is important that we begin receiving them soon. All necessary steps on Ukraine's side have been taken," Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted.

The leaders also addressed other European issues. The President of Ukraine stressed that it is entirely fair to open negotiation clusters on Ukraine's membership in the European Union, as technically the country is already fully prepared.

According to the Head of State, it is equally necessary to continue maintaining sanctions pressure on Russia. The President emphasized that Europe's determination to adopt new sanctions steps is crucial, given the weakening of some existing restrictions.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Ursula von der Leyen agreed to examine these matters in detail and coordinate next steps during an in-person meeting.

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Volodymyr Zelenskyy Held His First Phone Call with the New President of Chile, during Which They Discussed Deepening Bilateral Cooperation

President of Ukraine

21 April 2026 - 18:12

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held his first phone call with the new President of Chile, Jose Antonio Kast Rist, and congratulated him on taking office.

The Head of State thanked him for his support for Ukraine, its sovereignty, and territorial integrity. Volodymyr Zelenskyy also expressed appreciation for Chile's joining the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children.

The President emphasized that Ukraine already has 10-year security agreements with three countries in the Middle East and is ready for a similar partnership with Chile.

The leaders also discussed in detail other possible areas for deepening bilateral cooperation, including metallurgy, agriculture, and mineral exploration.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Jose Antonio Kast Rist agreed that their teams would discuss the next steps in developing relations between the two states.

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After Leader-Level Security Partnership Agreements, Companies Enter Those Countries, and Ukraine Receives Tax Revenue Depending on Deal Value - President

President of Ukraine

21 April 2026 - 09:47

Security partnership at the G2G (government-to-government) level serves as the initial framework agreement, on the basis of which companies enter a country and conduct negotiations. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated this in an interview with the "United News" telethon.

According to the Head of State, companies are selected by the customer and the private sector. Ukraine currently has 200 very strong defense companies, 30 of which are world-class. Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that state-level agreements make it possible to generate revenue for Ukraine's budget. In turn, Ukraine provides partners a guarantee that their specialists will be trained and that the weapons will operate effectively.

"Because today it is a brand - Made in Ukraine. And a costly one. I repeatedly emphasize to representatives of the private sector: do not forget, the value of this product is not only money and technology, but also the lives of the people who used your product," the President said.

The Head of State emphasized that he is open to a formula under which everything should first be exported to the front, and only afterward to any partner country. At the same time, priority should be given to countries that are the largest donors and those that consistently support Ukraine during the war financially, militarily, and politically.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed that with naval drones, much has been achieved not only thanks to Ukraine's defense industry but also due to the support of partners. The United Kingdom, Norway, and the Netherlands - countries with historically strong expertise in naval development - have assisted Ukraine with certain technologies.

"In other words, when we speak about partnerships and our exports, we must also be grateful and remember who gave us this momentum. Today, we are investing $30 billion in Ukraine's defense. For 2026, that is the target - $30 billion. Today, our defense industry says it is already capable of producing volumes worth $60 billion. Just imagine what has happened overall to Ukraine's defense sector, to our defense-industrial complex. These $30 billion - all of this money - we are bringing in from our partners. And these years have driven such rapid progress," the President emphasized.

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Volodymyr Zelenskyy: The Drone Deal Includes a Unique Defense System Comprising, Among Other Things, Drones to Counter Massive Attacks, Air Defense Systems, and EW

President of Ukraine

21 April 2026 - 09:36

The Drone Deal includes a unique defense system comprising, among other things, drones to counter massive attacks, air defense systems, and electronic warfare. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated this in an interview with the "United News" telethon.

The Head of State noted that the Drone Deal is a multi-year cooperation program between Ukraine and individual countries, aimed at providing expertise and support in defending against massive attacks on critical and civilian infrastructure.

"We have already reached 10-year agreements with three key countries: Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar. We already have requests from 11 countries - the Middle East and the Gulf, plus we're also gradually turning our attention to the Caucasus," the President said.

According to Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Drone Deal will include at least 10 different contracts for exporting Ukrainian weapons. Co-production is planned as well - the construction of production lines both in Ukraine and in other countries, joint development of new technologies, an agreement on annual funding for a specific amount, along with a fixed number of years for such cooperation.

"Second: my steps and then the steps of the entire team - this is the European track. By Europe I mean the beginning of our work with Germany, Norway, and Italy, with the Nordic countries - Norway and Sweden - and the Netherlands. This is what we already see and understand. Of course, we have good relations with the United Kingdom and France. I am confident that all of this will also be implemented there," the Head of State noted.

The President emphasized that such cooperation is mutually beneficial. For example, key agreements with leaders of the Middle East and the Gulf concern missiles for Patriots and support for Ukraine's energy resilience.

"With Norway, we are talking about gas. With Romania, we will complete the relevant infrastructure - also gas and electricity. And our partners in the Middle East can fully cover the issue of the oil deficit," Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed.

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F1's Miami rule tweaks only first step

Formula 1's governing body has confirmed a series of changes to the controversial 2026 regulations following an April 20 meeting of all key stakeholders.

Alex Albon, Japanese GP 2026

 Williams

The FIA said the refinements - shaped by driver feedback and early-season data and a sea of wider criticism - will be introduced from Miami, with a focus on energy management and safety.

Among the key measures are a reduction in maximum energy harvesting, an increase in peak 'superclip' power, and limits on boost usage in races to curb extreme speed differentials.

The FIA said a major target is for a maximum superclip duration of just 2-4 seconds per lap .

Further changes include a new automatic system to prevent dangerously slow race starts, as well as adjustments for wet conditions.

The FIA said the aim is to reduce excessive closing speeds while maintaining overtaking opportunities and overall performance characteristics .

Reactions in the paddock suggest cautious approval - but little expectation that the tweaks will fully solve the issues.

The adjustments made before Miami can only be a first step, Tobias Gruner, of Auto Motor und Sport, wrote.

To noticeably ease the situation, more power would also have to come from the combustion engine.

He added that such deeper changes may not be possible before 2027 or even 2028.

Dutch journalist Erik van Haren, writing in De Telegraaf, agreed the impact may be limited - particularly for staunch critics like Max Verstappen.

The minor changes currently being implemented will certainly not answer his prayers yet, he said.

Meanwhile, Williams boss James Vowles welcomed the outcome.

These are sensible changes and the teams, FIA and Formula 1 have done good work over the past few weeks to agree them, he wrote on X.

F1 has seen some great racing so far this year but it is right that we always look at ways to keep improving.

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella also praised the collaborative approach.

The sense of responsibility and spirit of collaboration that everyone is demonstrating represent the best response that Formula 1 can give at this moment, he said.

For drivers, the technical direction broadly aligns with earlier suggestions, as George Russell had pointed to higher 'superclip' power as a key fix and obvious solution .

This alone will avoid many situations where lift-and-coast has to be used, he said.

(GMM)
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Oil prices fluctuate as Trump extends Iran war ceasefire

BBC.COM International News Apr - 22 - 2026 , 11:36 2 minutes read

Global oil prices fell and rose again on Wednesday after US President Donald Trump said he would extend a ceasefire with Iran until peace talks between the two countries have progressed.

He added that the US will continue to blockade Iran's ports until Tehran presents a "unified proposal".

After opening higher in Asia, the global benchmark wholesale oil price dipped to $97.60 (72.14) a barrel.

But the price rose again as reports of ships being attacked in the Strait of Hormuz emerged, with the price briefly hitting $100 a barrel before falling back slightly.

Energy markets have been volatile since the US and Israel attacked Iran on 28 February and Tehran responded with threats to target vessels in the key Strait of Hormuz waterway.

The initial two-week ceasefire had been due to expire on Wednesday evening Washington time. Trump did not give a new deadline for the ceasefire extension.

Trump said on Truth Social that the Iranian government has been "seriously fractured" and that the US will hold off from launching new attacks after Pakistan called for more time for Tehran to agree a deal.

Vice President JD Vance, who is leading the US negotiations, had been expected to fly to Islamabad in Pakistan for talks on Tuesday. The White House has now said he will not be going.

Iran has also not decided whether to send a delegation to Pakistan for talks with the US, a foreign ministry spokesperson told the BBC.

Traders remain cautious about what wil happen next in the war, said associate professor Jiajia Yang from Australia's James Cook University.

"This is less about barrels [of oil] and more about expectations," Yang said.

The cost of crude has soared since the start of the conflict due to the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world's energy usually passes, being effectively closed by Iran.

Earlier this month, the US also said it would intercept ships headed to or from Iranian ports.
Featured

Serial sex offender Amponsah Thompson jailed for 23 years for raping teenagers in Liverpool

GraphicOnline International News Apr - 22 - 2026 , 12:09 4 minutes read

A serial sex offender who used his Mercedes as a hunting vehicle to prowl the streets of Liverpool city centre for vulnerable teenage girls on nights out has been jailed for 23 years after being unmasked as a predatory impostor who posed as a taxi driver.

Amponsah Thompson, a 29-year-old with leave to remain in the United Kingdom, was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court today after a harrowing catalogue of offences against three young women, two of them aged just 18, between August 2024 and 2025. The court heard that the Ghanaian national operated with chilling calculation, trawling the citys nightlife districts in his white Mercedes, searching for lone, intoxicated teenagers before striking.

The first attack came in August 2024, when an 18-year-old woman left a night out shortly after 2 am after visiting popular bars including Heebie Jeebies and Lost in Seel Street. Heavily drunk and separated from her friends, she approached Thompsons car near the former Alma de Cuba venue, now St Peters Tavern, and asked if he was a taxi driver. Prosecutor David Polglase told the court that Thompson lied and pretended that he was. Believing she was being taken home, the teenager climbed into the vehicle. Instead, he drove her to his own address on Rocky Lane in Tuebrook, where he joined her in the back seat and touched her between her thighs. She escaped further violation only by pretending her family was phoning and that she had shared her location with them. Thompson stopped and drove her home. She later insisted on paying him, a fatal mistake for her attackerbank transfers allowed police to trace him directly.

When interviewed, Thompson denied pretending to be a taxi driver, claiming he had only stopped at his home to collect identification. He insisted there had been no physical contact and that he had never entered the back seat. He was released on bail.

But he did not stop. In December 2024, while still under investigation, Thompson prowled again. He found another 18-year-old woman, described by the prosecution as extremely drunk and vulnerable, slumped by a wall in the city centre after a night that had taken her to a Wetherspoon pub, McCooleys and Soho. Separated from her friends, she was seen being escorted back to his vehicle at around 3.30am. She later recalled zoning in and out of sleep and waking up at his flat, where she had been raped. Thompson drove her home the next day. He later claimed the sexual activity had been consensual, but a jury convicted him of one count of rape following a trial.

Throughout 2025, as detectives continued their work, Thompson preyed upon a third victim, raping her an estimated six or seven times. He also subjected her to violent assaults and threatened her with a knife. Mr Polglase told the court: We say that this defendant is manipulative. He is a sexual predator. He has little or no regard for the boundaries of and consent for sex.

The court heard that while Thompson had no previous convictions, he had been investigated in January 2024 over an allegation that he sexually assaulted a lap dancer, though the woman later withdrew her complaint and no charges were brought.

Defence barrister Anthony ODonohoe urged the court to remember that his client was previously a man of good character with no criminal record, adding that his immigration status was subject to review. He asked for a sentence as short as is consistent with your honours public duty.

But Judge Brian Cummings KC was unmoved. Sentencing Thompson, who appeared via video link from HMP Liverpool wearing a white Puma t-shirt, the judge declared him a dangerous offender. There would remain a significant risk to members of the public of serious harm at the point that you would have otherwise served a fixed term sentence, he said. He added that deportation was a matter for the appropriate authority, making no order himself but leaving the door firmly open.

Thompson was jailed for 23 years, with an additional eight years on licence. He must serve two thirds of the 23-year term before becoming eligible for release by the Parole Board, and he will sign the sex offenders register for life. He had admitted sexual assault against his first victim and three counts of rape against the third.
Featured

Ghana engages South Africa over xenophobic attacks on citizens

Mohammed Ali Apr - 22 - 2026 , 13:30 3 minutes read

Ghana has moved to engage South African authorities after widely circulated videos appeared to show Ghanaian nationals being targeted in xenophobic attacks, prompting urgent diplomatic intervention between Accra and Pretoria.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, confirmed that he held a telephone conversation on Wednesday with his South African counterpart, Ronald Lamola, to address the situation and coordinate a response.

In a statement shared on social media, Mr Ablakwa said the call was prompted by disturbing footage circulating online. I called him on the trending videos about Ghanaians coming under extremely disturbing xenophobic attacks in South Africa, he stated.

He indicated that the South African government had responded with concern and pledged immediate action. The South African Foreign Minister has expressed his empathy with the victims and promised full-scale investigations into the depressing incidents, he said.

As part of the response, authorities in Pretoria are expected to brief African diplomatic missions, a move aimed at providing clarity and addressing concerns raised by affected countries across the continent.

Mr Ablakwa also disclosed that Ghanas diplomatic mission in South Africa had already begun engaging with affected nationals. He said the High Commissioner, Benjamin Quarshie, had been in constant contact with the ministry as efforts were stepped up to verify incidents and provide support.

I am also able to confirm that since yesterday, I have been in constant contact with Ghanas High Commissioner in South Africa, His Excellency Benjamin Quarshie, coordinating our response, he noted.

According to him, consular officials have located one of the individuals featured in the viral footage and are providing assistance. I am gladdened that so far colleagues in our diplomatic mission have located the main victim in the viral video and are offering consular assistance. He is doing very well, Mr Ablakwa stated.

He reassured the public that no Ghanaian fatalities had been recorded and called for calm while investigations continue. No Ghanaian life has been lost. We urge calm and confidence in our collective capacity to protect Ghanaians, he said.

Reaffirming governments position, the minister stressed that the administration of President John Dramani Mahama remained resolute in safeguarding citizens both at home and abroad. Let me assure compatriots that the Mahama Administration remains uncompromising about the welfare and safety of Ghanaians, both at home and abroad. We are determined to guarantee the protection of all citizens, he added.

He further appealed for unity across the continent, warning against allowing isolated incidents to undermine broader African solidarity. May these regrettable incidents never quench our Pan-African love and solidarity for each other. The overwhelming majority of Africans are united and share an unbreakable bond  we shall not be divided by the hatred of a few fringe elements, he said.

The latest developments come against the backdrop of recurring xenophobic tensions in South Africa, where foreign nationals, particularly from other African countries, have periodically been targeted during outbreaks of violence linked to economic pressures and competition in the informal sector.

Past incidents have triggered diplomatic engagements involving countries such as Ghana and Nigeria, as well as interventions by the African Union, with authorities in South Africa consistently pledging investigations and preventive measures.

With fresh concerns emerging from the latest videos, both governments are now working to establish the facts while ensuring the safety of affected individuals, as diplomatic channels remain actively engaged.
Featured

GETFund releases GH199.47m to settle FSHS/TVET arrears

Severious Kale-Dery Apr - 22 - 2026 , 11:00 3 minutes read

The Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) has released three cheques totalling GH199,471,691 to settle arrears of perishable supplies for free senior high schools (FSHSs) and technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions.

The disbursement covered arrears to suppliers for the period October 2025 to February 2026 for FSHS and October to December 2025 for TVET.

Govt commitment

A statement issued by the GETFund said the payment reaffirmed the government's commitment to honouring obligations to service providers who supported feeding and logistics for FSHSs and TVET institutions nationwide.

It said the release was expected to ease operational pressures on suppliers and ensure the uninterrupted delivery of essential perishable items to students under both programmes.

It stated that GETFund remained committed to timely payments and sustained collaboration with stakeholders to strengthen educational service delivery across the country.

The release of the funds is expected to address the anxiety within the secondary education sector following recent concerns over feeding and procurement matters.

Confirmation

Confirming the release, the Head of Public Relations, the Ghana Education Service (GES), Daniel Fenyi, said, Management of the GES wishes to inform the general public, particularly stakeholders in the education sector, that the outstanding funds for the procurement of perishable food items for SHSs/SHTSs across the country have been released to the service.

He said management had initiated processes to ensure the efficient distribution of the funds to the various schools.

Mr Fenyi gave an assurance that monitoring and accountability mechanisms had been put in place to ensure that the funds were utilised judiciously and solely for their intended purpose.

Management of the service assures all stakeholders of its unwavering dedication to the welfare of students and the continuous improvement of educational outcomes across the country, he said.

High-level meeting

Last week, the Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, convened a high-level closed-door meeting to discuss persistent procurement and payment delays affecting the supply of perishable food items and recurrent expenditures for senior high schools, which stakeholders warned could disrupt feeding and school operations if not addressed urgently.

The meeting was attended by the leadership of the Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS), representatives of the Conference of Principals of Technical Institutions (COPTI), officials from the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) Secretariat, the GETFund Administrator, the GETFund Board

Chairman and other stakeholders within the secondary school feeding and procurement chain.

It reportedly ended without a firm resolution as participants agreed on the need for further consultations to address procurement and funding challenges, particularly those affecting the feeding of students under the Free SHS programme.

However, shortly after the meeting, a section of the media started speculating that there was tension between the Administrator of the GETFund, Paul Adjei, and the Minister of Education.

The reports had it that the GETFund Administrator allegedly defied a directive by the minister to the effect that GETFund should maintain the existing arrangement that allows CHASS to independently procure perishable food items to support feeding operations.

Role of GETFund

Per the 2026 budget, GETFund is the source of funding for the Free SHS programme with a total budget allocation of GH4.2 billion, representing roughly 42 per cent of the total GETFund resources, which is intended to cover school meals and operational costs.

With GETFund being the dedicated funding source now, the issue of lack of funds for the running of the various secondary schools is expected to be a thing of the past.
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MV Sankofa not linked to Ghana, GMA rejects Awukus claims

Mohammed Ali Apr - 22 - 2026 , 16:51 3 minutes read

The Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) has pushed back strongly against allegations surrounding its handling of a vessel at the centre of a political controversy, insisting it acted lawfully and had no jurisdiction over the ship at the time it surfaced in a separate investigation in Senegal.

The Authoritys response follows public concerns raised by Akuapem North MP, Samuel Awuku, who has indicated his intention to formally question the agency in Parliament over the circumstances under which the vessel, MV Sankofa, was cleared from Ghanaian waters.

In a statement issued on April 22, the Maritime Authority rejected any suggestion of wrongdoing, stating that the vessel in questionMV Sankofa (IMO No. 7395870)was not registered under Ghanas flag at the time of its interception in Senegal and therefore had no operational link to the country.

According to the Authority, the ship has undergone multiple name and registration changes since it was first recorded in 1983. It explained that the vessel was officially removed from the Ghana Ship Registry in April 2024 after its owners completed the required deregistration procedures.

Officials also clarified that another vessel previously bearing the same name had been deregistered in 2021, stressing that maritime regulations do not permit two vessels with identical names to exist concurrently on the national register.

The vessel first came under scrutiny in July 2025, when it was intercepted within Ghanas territorial waters by the Ghana Navy during a routine patrol and escorted to Sekondi for inspection. Crew members reportedly indicated that the vessel was undergoing sea trials following engine repairs.

Subsequent inspections uncovered a number of regulatory breaches, including deficiencies in record-keeping, violations of maritime labour standards and evidence of false flagging. Financial penalties were imposed, but investigators found no proof that the vessel had engaged in unauthorised commercial operations within Ghanaian waters.

The Authority said this limited the scope for further punitive action under existing laws.

Following partial payment of fines, completion of remedial technical work and the acquisition of provisional registration under the Cameroon flag, the vessel was released in November 2025.

In March 2026, authorities in Senegal contacted Ghana to verify the vessels status after it was flagged over suspected involvement in drug trafficking. The Maritime Authority said it confirmed that the ship was not Ghanaian-registered and formally distanced the country from its operations. A subsequent search by Senegalese officials reportedly found no illicit substances on board.

The Authority also raised concerns about the handling of the matter in the public domain, noting that it had already indicated its readiness to appear before Parliament to provide clarification. It expressed surprise that the issue continued to be discussed publicly rather than through formal oversight channels.

It further warned about the alleged circulation of restricted correspondence between Ghanaian and Senegalese officials, cautioning that such disclosures could undermine established protocols governing international cooperation on maritime security matters.

Mr Awuku, who has filed a Right to Information request seeking details of the vessels clearance, maintains that his actions fall within Parliaments oversight mandate and has signalled his intention to pursue the matter formally.
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Police foil alleged child trafficking attempt at airport

Haruna Yussif Wunpini Apr - 22 - 2026 , 11:49 1 minute read

The Ghana Police Service has rescued a nine-year-old girl who was allegedly abducted at Agormanya Zango in the Odumase-Krobo Municipality of the Eastern Region, and arrested a female suspect in connection with the incident.

In a statement issued on Monday, April 20, by the Public Affairs Unit of the Eastern Regional Police Command, C/Inspector Bridget Opoku said the arrest followed a complaint filed a day earlier by the victims father, who reported that his daughter had left home and did not return.

She explained that intelligence-led operations by officers from the Odumase-Krobo District Command, with support from personnel of the Bureau of National Investigations at the Accra International Airport, led to the arrest of the suspect, identified as Regina Mamle Tawiah, 36.

The victim was rescued at the airport, where preliminary investigations indicated that the suspect was attempting to send the child to Kenya.

C/Inspector Bridget Opoku said the girl had since been safely reunited with her father.

According to her, the suspect was arraigned before the Odumase-Krobo Circuit Court on Tuesday, April 21, where she pleaded not guilty.

She has been remanded into police custody and is expected to reappear on May 5, 2026, for a case management conference.

C/Inspector Bridget Opoku therefore entreated the general public to continue to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the police.
See the areas that will be affected by ECG's planned maintenance on Thursday, April 23, 2026

Previous article: See the areas that will be affected by ECG's planned maintenance on Thursday, April 23, 2026

Featured

Vakpo Chief linguist who jumped bail convicted, avoids jail with fine

Alberto Mario Noretti Apr - 22 - 2026 , 14:09 2 minutes read

The chief linguist of Vakpo in the North Dayi District of the Volta Region, Evans Siale, 57, has been convicted by a District Magistrate Court at Vakpo and fined GH4,800 for defrauding by false pretences.

The court, presided over by Ms Comfort Asamoah Sarpong, sentenced the linguist after he pleaded guilty to the charge.

In default of payment, he will serve a four-month custodial sentence.

Siale, who had earlier jumped police bail and failed to appear in court, refunded the GH8,000 he had taken from the complainant, together with 12 bottles of gin, prior to sentencing.

Prosecuting, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Isaac Owusu Ababio told the court that in December 2025, the accused collected GH8,000 and 12 bottles of gin from one Sarah Obimpeh under the pretext of filing a summons before the Vakpo Traditional Council on behalf of her family.

The prosecution said the request followed an incident in which members of another family allegedly entered the Obimpeh family house to perform what were described as strange rituals.

According to the prosecutor, the linguist assured the family that he would file the summons without delay but failed to do so.

The matter was subsequently reported to the police, leading to Siales arrest.

The court heard that Siale admitted the offence in his caution statement to the police and was granted bail pending trial.

However, when the case was called on April 1, 2026, he failed to appear, prompting the court to issue a bench warrant for his arrest.

In a plea for mitigation, defence counsel Ernest Dela Akartey urged the court to be lenient, noting that his client had refunded the money and the items taken from the complainant.
Featured

Ghana moves closer to visa-free access to Maldives, Zambia and Antigua

Mohammed Ali Apr - 22 - 2026 , 11:09 2 minutes read

Ghanas Cabinet has approved three visa waiver agreements with the Maldives, Zambia and Antigua and Barbuda, paving the way for Parliament to ratify the deals and allow visa-free travel among the countries.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, announced the decision in a Facebook post on April 22, 2026, explaining that the agreements, signed during separate diplomatic engagements, will take effect once Parliament grants approval.

The arrangements apply to holders of ordinary, service and diplomatic passports from all four countries and permit visa-free stays of up to 30 days.

Mr Ablakwa indicated that Parliament is expected to ratify the agreements in due course, after which they will take full legal effect.

He explained that the agreement with the Maldives dates back to March 2023, when both countries signed a mutual visa exemption pact. At the time, the Maldives Ministry of Foreign Affairs signalled its readiness to implement the arrangement and was awaiting Ghanas response.

Tuesdays Cabinet approval, therefore, marks Ghanas formal step towards activating that agreement.

The Zambia deal followed President John Dramani Mahamas three-day state visit to Lusaka in February 2026, during which Mr Ablakwa announced the agreement to journalists. A Memorandum of Understanding covering all passport categories was signed.

The agreement with Antigua and Barbuda was concluded on the sidelines of the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York in September 2025.

In his post, Mr Ablakwa stated, We shall keep negotiating more Visa Waiver Agreements as we add greater value to the Ghanaian Passport, adding that steps would also be taken to tighten security in the passport acquisition process.

Available figures indicate that as of February 2026, Ghana had concluded 15 visa waiver arrangements since President Mahama returned to office, with the three pending agreements forming part of that total.
Oppo Find X9s and Find X9s Pro are official for different markets
Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon has been spotted in Korea meeting with Samsung executives. The trip is all about manufacturing chips on the 2nm process, and there's a chance that Qualcomm will turn to Samsung to fabricate the upcoming Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 SoCs.

Back at CES in January, Amon revealed that Qualcomm was talking to Samsung about this, and it seems like the discussions are still ongoing. If all this pans out and Qualcomm does indeed pick Samsung to fab the next top of the line Snapdragon SoC, it would mark a return to the Korean company for the first time since 2022, which is when Qualcomm shifted to TSMC.

In the meantime, Samsung has apparently restored its credibility with Qualcomm by resolving the chronic yield and overheating issues that made Qualcomm take its business to TSMC all those years ago. The fact that TSMC's prices have risen recently probably has something to do with this too.

Source (in Korean)
Attorney General Douglas Moylan wants the courts to weigh whether the latest Mangilao hospital legal disputeand even othersshould be assigned to a different judge, because District Court of Guam Chief Judge Frances Tydingco-Gatewoods brother is running for AG.

Court filings state that Tydingco-Gatewoods brother, attorney Philip Tydingco, is set to challenge Moylans reelection bid in the November General Election.

Guam Election Commission records show that attorney Tydingco, the former chief prosecutor at the Office of the Attorney General, has picked up a candidate packet for the AGs race.

Tydingco-Gatewood is presiding over a federal court case related to Gov. Lou Leon Guerreros latest push to resolve the block on over $100 million in federal funds set aside for the Mangilao hospital project.

Moylan has refused to sign off on any contracts using the funds to install water, power, or sewer for what hes called the illegal Mangilao hospital project. Adelup has asserted the project follows the law.

Funds will expire in December if unspent. Adelup has argued they cant be reprogrammed, following a Dec. 31, 2025 obligation deadline from the U.S. government.

Leon Guerreros attorneys in March asked the Supreme Court of Guam to rule that the Legislature cant block the governors power to establish a new hospital by giving another government officerMoylan in this casepower to veto the project.

But Moylans office tried to remove the governors hospital petition from the local Supreme Court to the federal District Court.

District Court Magistrate Judge Michael Bordallo has already recommended that Tydingco-Gatewood dismiss the case, which deals with local, and not federal law.

But latest filings from the AGs office suggest there may be an appearance of a conflict of interest, if Tydingco-Gatewood hears the case.

Candidate Tydingco is unquestionably within the third-degree of relationship with his sister, the Chief Judge, states an April 20 notice of judicial conflict filed by Assistant AG William Stamps.

The Petitioners respectfully submit this Notice to allow the Court the opportunity to consider, out of an abundance of caution, whether Judge Tydingco-Gatewood should recuse herself and allow another judge, unrelated to her brother, to continue with this matter, to avoid any appearance of impropriety, the notice states.

Other cases

Stamps stated multiple cases before Tydingco-Gatewood that could directly affect the AG.

Notably, Moylan is prosecuting a separate federal lawsuit to block the use of $100 million in ARP funds on the hospital project.

Also before Tydingco-Gatewood are a lawsuit from the Guam Power Authority and another petition from the governor, which both seek to have Moylan removed from reviewing utility contracts for the Mangilao hospital.

Moylans office states that any case before the District Court involving the AGs office would create the appearance of impropriety because lawyers, especially political candidates, are judged by voters on the basis of whether they won or lost a given case.

Therefore, Candidate Tydingco has an electoral interest in any ruling by this Honorable Court which rules against the Attorney General or the Attorney Generals Office, Stamps notice states.

Judges who found themselves in similar situations have chosen to voluntarily recuse themselves, it states.

Stamps cited a 2004 Alabama case, where a sitting judge recused themself because they were the second cousin of the state governor, and the result of the case could have indirectly affected a gubernatorial election still two years away.

The notice suggests that Tydingco-Gatewood assign the hospital case to another judge, and recuse herself from all other cases where the AG is a party or the AGs office is representing a party before the case.

Case proceeding, governor seeks sanctions

In the meantime, the governors effort to free up $100 million for the hospital is now proceeding before the Supreme Court of Guam, which has rejected attempts by the AG to remove the case to federal court.

Oral arguments are scheduled for May 19.

Local justices found that Moylan was not a party to the governors petition, which involved the Guam Legislature.

Moylan has asked federal judges to block the local Supreme Court from proceeding in the case.

A response from the governor on that matter is due by May 4, court documents show.

District Court Magistrate Judge Bordallo has already suggested that the matter be dismissed from the federal court, though a final decision is left to Tydingco-Gatewood.

Even attorneys for the Legislature have asked for the matter to remain before the local Supreme Court.

The AGs office, in court filings, argues that the governors petition is an end-run to avoid what it perceives as bogged-down litigation in this Court.

Leon Guerrero also manipulated the Supreme Court, Moylans office argues, by failing to notify the AG of her challenge, which would give Moylan the option to intervene.

Meanwhile, the governors lawyers are asking the federal court to sanction Moylan for trying to have the case heard by a federal judge.

An April 10 motion for sanctions argues that Moylan tried to bring the case before a federal judge without any legal basis, wasting parties time and resources.

The AG has refused to withdraw the case, Leon Guerreros attorneys argue, and sanctions monetary or non-monetary should be issued to prevent him from repeating his conduct, filings state.
'The unblocking is the right signal under the current circumstances,' said Zelensky
Zimbabwe steps up negotiations with China to tap zero-tariff policy for agricultural exports

Xinhua) 14:49, April 22, 2026

HARARE, April 21 (Xinhua) -- Zimbabwe is intensifying discussions on export protocols with China to take advantage of the upcoming zero-tariff policy and boost agricultural exports, Minister of Lands, Agriculture and Rural Development Anxious Masuka said Tuesday.

Responding to a question from Xinhua during a post-Cabinet briefing in Harare, Masuka said Zimbabwe is preparing for the policy, which takes effect on May 1. Starting next month, China will grant duty-free access to products from 53 African countries with diplomatic ties, including Zimbabwe.

"I have asked the technical teams to expedite these negotiations for the various product-based protocols with the Chinese counterparts with a view to ensuring that we are able to benefit from this window of opportunity that has been availed by the Chinese so that we can then have a market for our increasing production and productivity," Masuka said.

While Zimbabwe and China have already signed protocols for citrus, avocados and blueberries, Masuka said the process involves two distinct stages: first, negotiating specific sanitary and phytosanitary protocols for each product, and second, accessing the zero-tariff market once those standards are met.

He noted that Zimbabwe is currently at the initial stage, with plans to expand the list to include livestock products.

The minister said the policy would particularly benefit smallholder farmers under Zimbabwe's rural development programs, such as village and school business units focused on horticulture and small livestock.

"You can imagine what is going to happen in villages and schools around the country when the rural development program kicks in where we're looking at value addition for predominantly horticultural products. So we are priming ourselves for that by discussing these export protocols," he said.

Data show that Zimbabwe's agricultural exports to China reached 804 million U.S. dollars in 2025, accounting for 31 percent of its total exports to China. China remains the top buyer of Zimbabwean tobacco and macadamia nuts.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Efforts to settle a multi-million dollar legal battle over whos to blame for increased contamination and runoff at the old Ordot dump saw no success during a two-day meeting in Los Angeles, California late last month.

Meanwhile, the government of Guam continues to work to settle claims from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency over future enforcement costs at the environmentally hazardous former dump.

Officials and lawyers from the Office of the Governor, Guam Solid Waste Authority, Guam Waterworks Authority, court-appointed dump receiver Gershman, Brickner & Bratton Inc. and several dump closeout contractors met in LA on March 24 and 25 to try and settle lawsuits filed over Ordot dump.

They walked away from the two-day meeting with no deal to end litigation, documents filed in the District Court of Guam stated.

GovGuam considers mediation efforts settled and plans to ask courts to proceed with its lawsuit against receiver GBB and three of the contractors hired to close out Ordot.

The local government wants to start gathering evidence in the case, court filings showed.

GovGuam filed the lawsuit last year, alleging faulty closeout designs and construction at Ordot could cost up to $31.8 million to fix, while GBB and its contractors profited $23 million from the closeout.

Besides the receiver, GovGuam is suing:

Black Construction Corp.

GHD Inc.

Geo-Logic Associates

Defendants dont agree that efforts at mediation are over, according to an April 9 joint status report filed in District Court.

They plan to oppose GovGuams request to proceed with the lawsuit, filings stated.

Receiver GBB is likewise appealing a decision from District Court Chief Judge Frances Tydingco-Gatewood to allow GovGuam to proceed with the lawsuit.

GBB wants the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit to rule that GBB is immune from lawsuit because it is the court-appointed receiver overseeing Ordot.

It was the Ninth Circuit that ordered parties to attempt the unsuccessful mediation in LA last month.

Likewise caught up in the legal battle is the Guam Waterworks Authority.

GBB is suing GWA for $4 million, alleging a waterworks line near the dump leaked 100-million gallons of water between 2018 and 2022 and drove up contaminated runoff and costs at Ordot.

GBBs suit against GWA was part of mediation talks in LA. With no settlement, the Superior Court of Guam suit could proceed.

GovGuams attorneys have argued that the GWA leak would not have driven up leachate at the Ordot dump if the site was properly capped after its closure in 2011.

The receiver is suing waterworks on behalf of Solid Waste, which pays GWA to treat runoff from the dump.

The Solid Waste leadership has objected to the lawsuit, and previously offered to settle with GWA for as little as $1 million.

US EPA claims

Meanwhile, settlement talks are still in a legal battle involving GovGuam, the United States, the Navy, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Parties are working to settle whether GovGuam is liable for future US EPA costs for enforcement at the Ordot dump.

GovGuam sued the U.S. and the Navy back in 2017 over Ordot, which was established during the Naval government of Guam pre-1950. The suit was filed in the District Court for the District of Columbia.

The U.S. agreed to pay the local government $48.9 million for past cleanup costs at Ordot back in 2023.

But the U.S. also filed a countersuit against GovGuam back in 2018, seeking payment for past and future enforcement costs by the US EPA.

GovGuam last July agreed to pay the US EPA $3.9 million for past enforcement costs at the dump.

But future US EPA costs for enforcement havent been settled yet, according to joint status reports filed in the D.C. District Court last summer.

An April 6 status report stated that parties continue settlement discussions, and request an additional 60 days to work matters out.
Guam is in the crosshairs for rising cyber threats, with U.S. adversaries already proving they can hack and disrupt critical infrastructure, according to multiple public and private sector officials speaking at a Guam Power Authority symposium this week.

Cyber security was a major topic at GPAs Promoting Optimal Ways to Energy Resilience, POWER, Symposium, hosted this week at Hyatt Regency Guam.

Critical infrastructure is a new domain of conflict between nation states, said Nate Gleason, with the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

Quite frankly, Ukraine, Taiwan and Guam are kind of the big three around the world that are really on the front lines of having their critical infrastructure attacked by some of the most sophisticated adversaries that exist, Gleason said.

China was already pre-positioning cyber capabilities in U.S. critical infrastructure facilities, Gleason told the Hyatt crowd, and Guam is one of its targets.

The threat is real and it is very capable, he said, stating that China, Russia, and increasingly Iran are the biggest players.

China-backed hacking group Volt Typhoon had infiltrated telecommunications and infrastructure systems on Guam as far back as 2021, Microsoft reported two years ago.

Bloomberg in 2025 reported that Volt Typhoon was targeting GPA, whose biggest customer is the U.S. Navy.

Volt Typhoon actors had been seen operating against multiple critical infrastructure sectors, energy, transportation, communications and water and wastewater, Matthew Tarduogno, with the U.S. Department of Energys Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response, CESER, said this week.

Tarduogno said the activity was observed in both the continental and noncontinental United States, including Guam.

U.S. threat assessments found that China had demonstrated the ability to compromise infrastructure through formidable cyber capability, according to Tarduogno.

Those cyber attacks could be fielded during a conflict, Tarduogno said.

Threat assessments indicate that the Peoples Republic of China will continue pushing for unification with Taiwan, he said, and use wide-ranging cyber operations against U.S. targets for espionage and strategic advantage.

Tarduogno said CESER and the federal government had a number of efforts underway to better identify cyber threats and secure energy infrastructure, including the use of artificial intelligence.

He said they were already partnering with GPA on Guam, and had tied in the power authority and Guam National Guard to the Liberty Eclipse cyber threat exercises.

GPA chief information officer Melvin Kwek said federal support made a difference, and made it easier for the power authority to focus on day-to-day operations.

Kwek highlighted the threats GPA was seeing, including from nation-state level groups.

Our back door is being knocked on every single day by Russia, by China, he said. We see brute force attempts on our network, and so every little bit helps.

Poland lockout

One example of a recent, successful attack on energy infrastructure was shared by Chuck Weissenborn, public sector chief technology officer of cybersecurity company Dragos.

December of last year...Russians popped 30-plus substations and a combined heat and power facility in Poland, Weissenborn said.

Those 30-plus substations supported a number of renewable energy resources, like solar, and power, he said.

By comparison, GPA operates 29 major energy substations across all of Guam.

In the Poland incident, attackers managed to get into over 60 devices used across all the substations that had the same credentials and passwords, and lock out system administrators.

We got lucky, Weissenborn said of the incident, because of the way some of those systems were engineered, that there were no significant power outages.

He said the countrys electrical grid had enough power generation alternatives, and the system was designed in a way that avoided a major impact on energy transmission

But I dont like relying on luck, Weisssenborn said.

Weissenborn said hackers had been inside the system for six months before they actually carried out the attack, and there were three or more cyber capabilities that electrical operators could have used to detect the attack.

There are also unused security features on the compromised devices, though, luckily, the system was protected from being totally bricked because of firmware update.

He said the incident highlighted two basic cyber security principles: change your passwords and update your devices.

Foreign manufacturers

Sam Chanoski, from Idaho National Lab, highlighted another issue for protecting energy grids from attack, specific to big utility-scale energy storage batteries.

Batteries, the materials that come from them, a significant percentage of them come from China, Chanoski said this week. Theres no getting around that. They have a corner on the rare earth metals market, in many cases, that is the raw materials.

A significant amount of the controls for battery storage systems also comes from China, Chanoski said.

Electrical infrastructure sourced from a foreign entity of concern could have undocumented features, like kill switches, or communications back doors.

Those arent always malicious, Chanoski said, but could be problematic.

There is so much tech sourced from outside the U.S., and it is so important that it could not realistically be ripped out and replaced, according to Chanoski. Planners would have to secure around and through them.

Chanoski also pointed to a battery energy storage system that the Guam Power Authority plans to install, which will regulate the electrical frequency for the islands entire power system.

Thats pretty important and needs to be protected, he said.

If I have somebody smart enough and evil enough that can compromise that device and make it produce that waveform in something other than what I wanted toand Ive got an energy source behind thatthats a weapon, Chanoski said. That is a weapon on the grid.

Utilities should keep tabs on where they source their equipment from, he said. That could be difficult, with manufacturers constantly being bought up and shifted around between shell companies.

And at the end of the day, it might be Huawei manufacturing at the end, Chanoski said, referring to the Chinese telecom giant whose products are largely banned in the U.S.

He said the federal government is now working on procurement and contracting requirements, so that entities could reject equipment bids from certain companies when there is a legitimate concern.

That could take some time, he said, and it might be quicker to work policy at the local level, Chanoski added.
The Port Authority of Guam said it continues to advance recovery operations with the successful departure of the APL Oceania and the arrival of the Matson Lurline, ensuring the steady flow of critical cargo into the island.

The APL Oceania departed the Port at 11:16 a.m. on Tuesday.

Prior to departure, Port employees discharged a total of 523 containers from the vessel, including 497 import containers for Guam and 26 restow containers.

In addition, 10 breakbulk units consisting of sorting and screening equipment were discharged, over approximately 46 hours and 25 minutes of vessel operations.

A total of 78 containers were loaded back onto the vessel, including 26 full export containers, 26 empty containers, and 26 restow containers.

At the time of departure, vessel operations were not fully completed, with 60 containers remaining onboard, including 52 import containers and eight empty flat racks.

The Port on Wednesday said it made the operational decision to proceed with vessel sequencing to prioritize the discharge of critical cargo from the following vessel, supporting ongoing recovery efforts for Guam and the region, and to maximize available daylight operations for cargo discharge.

According to the Port, APLs operating window was extended multiple times based on real time productivity, moving from an earlier planned cutoff into the evening, through midnight, and into the following morning to maximize discharge under the circumstances.

Following its departure, the Matson Lurline arrived at the Port at 12:53 p.m. Tuesday and cargo discharge operations followed.

The vessel is carrying additional containerized cargo critical to stabilizing supply chains across Guam and supporting regional supply chain stability, including outbound movement of goods to the CNMI as conditions allow, the Port said.

Gantry Cranes 4 and 5 are supporting cargo operations, with Crane 5 now back in service, strengthening the Ports cargo handling capacity.

In line with the Ports vessel sequencing strategy to maintain efficiency and minimize delays, another Matson vessel, the Daniel K. Inouye, is scheduled to arrive following the completion of Lurline operations, the Port said.

This coordinated flow of vessels ensures continuous cargo movement and reduces congestion both at berth and offshore.

With each vessel we process, we are strengthening Guams recovery while maintaining our role as a critical hub for the region, Port General Manager Rory J. Respicio said in a statement. Our focus is on keeping cargo moving efficiently so essential goods are available where and when they are needed.
Buying a home on Guam has never been easy. For many families, it feels like prices are too high and choices are too few.

But new information from the mainland United States shows something important. The housing market can change and when it does, it can either help people or hurt them depending on how leaders respond.

In an article by Lance Lambert, he explains that some parts of the U.S. now have more homes for sale than before the pandemic. When there are more homes available, prices stop rising as fast and buyers get better deals. But in places where there are not enough homes prices stay high and sellers stay in control.

This idea matters a lot for Guam. Right now, Guam is in a situation where housing is still expensive and limited.

The median home price is around $500,000 and rent is about $2,300 a month. For many families, that is simply too much.

On top of that, homes are taking longer to sell, which shows that the market may be starting to slow down.

So what does this mean? It means Guam is at a turning point.

In the mainland, markets that Lance Lambert talked about are a few clear lessons. First, when more homes are built or listed for sale, buyers gain power. Prices become more reasonable and people have choices.

Second, when there are not enough homes, prices rise too fast and regular families get pushed out.

Third, local income matters. In some U.S. cities, prices went too high compared to what people earn and the market started to weaken.

These same patterns can be seen on Guam. There are signs that inventory is slowly increasing but not enough to make a big difference yet. At the same time, prices are still high compared to what many people earn. This creates a gap where families want to buy but cannot afford to.

Guam also faces a unique problem. Land is limited and building costs are high. This makes it harder to quickly increase housing supply compared to large states.

But this does not mean nothing can be done. Leaders on Guam can learn from what is happening in the mainland.

They can focus on building more homes that local families can actually afford, not just high priced houses.

They can support projects that increase housing supply in a smart way so prices do not keep rising out of reach.

They can also make it easier and faster to build homes. When construction takes too long or costs too much, fewer homes get built and prices stay high.

Another important step is to match housing with local incomes. If homes are priced far above what people earn, the market becomes unstable. That is what happened in some mainland cities and it is something Guam should avoid.

For residents, this is personal. Many people are renting longer than they want to. Others are living with family because buying a home feels impossible. Some are even leaving the island to find more affordable housing elsewhere.

The good news is that change is possible. The data shows that when inventory rises and leaders make smart choices, housing can become more balanced. Buyers can finally have a chance.

The question for Guam is simple. Will we act now to create more housing and better opportunities or will we wait until the problem becomes harder to fix? The answer will shape the future for families across the island.
A COUPLE from Henley celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary surrounding by family and lifelong friends.

John and Judy Yeates were married at St Marys Church in Henley on April 14, 1956, aged 24 and 27.

Mrs Yeates recalled: John was teased because when it was done, he marched out at such a pace.

But Mr Yeates explained: While other people would have walked slowly and looked around at friends, they were playing the wedding march and the quick pace sent me out quickly.

Mrs Yeates remembers wearing a circlet of white freesias and lilies which refused to stay in place during the ceremony.

The couple were photographed outside the church and featured in the Henley Standard the following day, a copy of the paper which they have kept.

They went on to live in Wargrave, Henley town centre, Devon, Caversham and now, Albert Court, off Reading Road.

The couple met at a party in 1955 in London. Mr Yeates had just qualified as a solicitor and Mrs Yeates, then Miss Andrew, had qualified as a physiotherapist. She said: We decided that we didnt want to live in London so John started looking for jobs elsewhere and he ended up getting a job at Blandy & Blandy in Reading and I ended up working at Townlands Hospital, which was funny because I had grown up in Henley.

I came to Henley when I was about 10. I was evacuated here from Holland-on-sea in Essex during the war. I took the 11+ here and went to the Henley Grammar School and Dorothy Greenhills School of Dance and Drama.

Mrs Yeates joked: My main claim to fame was from Dorothy Greenhill School of Dancing I was in a professional pantomime at the Kenton Theatre in 1944.

The couple share a love for theatre. They joined the Henley Operatic and Dramatic Society after they married and have remained members over the years.

Mrs Yeates said: Years ago when it performed Sweet Charity I was Charity. Ive also directed John and hes directed me  I played Annie in Annie Get Your Gun and he directed that. It was great fun.

Mr Yeates pursued his love of the arts professionally. He said: I left Blandys as a solicitor in 1979 when I was just 50, which was a bit of a shock to everybody. But I decided I didnt want to go on toing and froing from Reading to Henley for another 15 years. Although, I was very happy at Blandys.

I went off to drama school  The Drama Studio in Ealing and did a postgraduate acting degree. I was part of a touring musical, going to small venues like pubs and schools  one in Whitechapel Road.

The couple initially moved to Wargrave as newlyweds, staying in a flat behind what used to be the Greyhound Pub car park.

They then had their first child, Andrew, in 1957 and moved to a former hotel in Henley where their now son lives with his family.

Mrs Yeates said: It must have been a hotel fairly recently to us moving in because I had one patient who said they remembered serving tea to Robert Boothby on the lawn.

Two more children, Peter, born in 1960, and Sophie, 1964, followed as did many family pets including dogs, cats, a tortoise, a rabbit and goldfish.

In 1988, reaching semi-retirement, they moved to Salcombe Estuary in Devon, where they had visited on family holidays and where Mrs Yeates was sent the Henley Standard each week by a friend.

They described the 14 years there as brilliant but were persuaded to return by their granddaughter, Anna, who found a home at The Warren in Caversham where they stayed for seven years before moving to Albert Court.

While they have their roots in Henley, Mr and Mrs Yeates have visited their children around the world, including Abu Dhabi, the Philippines and Australia.

Now settled, they enjoy visits from their great-grandchildren, the youngest of whom is an absolute hoot, a real character.
U.S. announces to extend ceasefire, but peace talks stall as Iran reportedly decides to sit out

Xinhua) 15:05, April 22, 2026

ISLAMABAD, April 22 (Xinhua) -- The process of the expected second round of peace talks between the United States and Iran seems stalled as Iran reportedly decided not to take part, accusing the United States of violating the ceasefire. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump announced to extend the ceasefire on some conditions.

The U.S. president said he will "extend the ceasefire until such time as their proposal is submitted, and discussions are concluded, one way or the other." The current two-week truce with Iran is set to expire on Wednesday night, according to him.

However, the U.S. military will continue the blockade against Iran and "remain ready and able," Trump said, although Pakistan's Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, told him that the blockade of Iranian ports would remain a major obstacle to meaningful diplomatic progress.

The president said on Monday that it was "highly unlikely" for him to extend the truce, and on Tuesday morning, he told U.S. media that he doesn't want to do that, expecting the United States to "end up with a great deal" with Iran while threatening to bomb Iran again if no deal is reached.

On Tuesday, Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency said that Tehran had decided not to take part in the second round of talks with the United States in Pakistan, and that the decision was "definitive."

It added that the Pakistani mediator has been informed of Iran's decision, which has been made aiming to completely protect the Iranian people's rights.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tuesday on X that the United States violated the ceasefire by starting a naval blockade of Iran's ports.

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei told state TV late Tuesday that Iran has not yet decided whether to join fresh peace talks since it was upset about what he called mixed messages from Washington.

"It is not out of indecisiveness, it is because we are facing contradictory messages and behaviors, and unacceptable actions from the American counterpart," Beghaei said.

Meanwhile, U.S. Vice President JD Vance's trip to Pakistan has been put on hold as he was at the White House for meetings on Tuesday, along with Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner, multiple media outlets reported.

According to media reports, ss U.S. forces have intercepted and taken custody of an Iranian-flagged cargo ship on Sunday, and Iran has not yet announced its decision to send a negotiating team for talks. The prospect of an expected second round of U.S.-Iran talks remains unclear.

Without an Iranian response, the diplomatic process is in effect paused, though Vance's trip has not been canceled, according to a report from The New York Times, citing U.S. officials.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Wednesday that he hopes the United States and Iran will continue to observe the ceasefire and conclude a comprehensive peace deal for a permanent end to the conflict.

In a statement posted on social media, he thanked Trump for accepting a request to extend the ceasefire "to allow ongoing diplomatic efforts to take their course."

Sharif said Pakistan would continue its efforts toward a negotiated settlement of the conflict.

Pakistan, the main mediator between the two sides, said late Tuesday it is still awaiting Iran's formal confirmation of its delegation for the Islamabad peace talks.

The country's Information and Broadcasting Minister Attaullah Tarar said in a social media post late Tuesday that Pakistan remains in constant contact with Tehran and continues to pursue diplomacy and dialogue. He said Iran's decision to attend the talks before the two-week ceasefire deadline is critical.

He added that Pakistan has made sincere efforts to persuade the Iranian leadership to join the second round of talks, and these efforts continue.

Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Tuesday reiterated the need for engagement between the United States and Iran, urging both sides to give dialogue and diplomacy a chance.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Wearing so-called "ROC president" title only to invite disgrace: spokesperson on postponement of Lai Ching-te's visit to Eswatini

Xinhua) 16:05, April 22, 2026

BEIJING, April 22 (Xinhua) -- It's very clear that there's no longer a so-called "ROC president" in the world anymore. Anyone who wears that false title is acting against history and will only invite disgrace upon themselves, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Wednesday on Taiwan authorities' "postponement of Lai Ching-te's visit" to Eswatini.

Noting that all African countries, with the sole exception of Eswatini, have established diplomatic ties with China, the spokesperson said these 53 countries together with the African Union have adopted the Beijing Declaration at the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.

They have reiterated on many occasions that they firmly uphold the one-China principle, there is but one China in the world, Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory, the Government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China, and they firmly support all efforts by the Chinese government to achieve national reunification, the spokesperson said.

China highly commends relevant countries' commitment to the one-China principle which is fully consistent with international law and basic norms governing international relations, the spokesperson said.

The one-China principle is where the arc of history bends and public opinion trends, and to uphold it is the right thing to do, the spokesperson said, noting that no one can ever stop the eventual reunification of China, and the separatist attempts aimed at "Taiwan independence" are just futile and doomed to fail.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
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In Brief: Cedarbrook Lodge in Seattle, Washington has successfully obtained a first mortgage financing of $24 million, facilitated by Sonnenblick-Eichner Company.

Cedarbrook Lodge, Seattle, Washington

Sonnenblick-Eichner Company has arranged $24 million in first mortgage debt to refinance the Cedarbrook Lodge in Seattle, WA. The non-recourse floating-rate, interim five-year loan was funded by a private real estate debt fund.

Cedarbrook Lodge, ranked No. 1 of 38 hotels in SeaTac on TripAdvisor and No. 10 Best in the West by Travel and Leisure, is a 167-room,full-service boutique hotel located on 7 acres of restored wetlands less than 2 miles east of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Amenities include more than 17,000 square feet of state-of-the-art meeting space, a 1,600 square-foot fitness center, and the 3,000 square-foot The Spa at Cedarbrook Lodge, the only luxury, full-service destination spa in south Seattle. The Hotel also includes the full-service Copperleaf Restaurant & Bar, which is ranked No.1 of 67 SeaTac restaurants on TripAdvisor.

Given the unique character of the hotel and the excellent sponsorship, we were successful in generating multiple financing bids from a variety of lenders and ultimately settled on a private funding source for their certainty of execution and structural flexibility associated with their loan, said Sonnenblick-Eichner Company Principal Elliot Eichner. Patrick Brown, also a Principal of Sonnenblick-Eichner Company, added: The loan refinanced a long-term fixed-rate loan that we previously arranged for the Borrower.

About Sonnenblick-Eichner Company

Sonnenblick-Eichner Company (www.sonneich.com) is a Los Angeles-based real estate investment banking firm that specializes in arranging structured finance for acquisition, construction and permanent loans, interim and mezzanine financing as well as joint-venture equity transactions. The company is recognized for its expertise in marketing institutional real estate for sale and providing capital for all product types including retail, office, hospitality, industrial, and multifamily properties.

Media Contact:

Bruce Beck

bruce@dbrpr.com

(805) 777-7971
In Brief: IHG Hotels & Resorts has entered into long-term franchise agreements for 11 hotels in Germany, Belgium, and France, with the properties set to be converted to Holiday Inn, voco, and Garner brands and expected to join IHGs system in the first half of 2027.

IHG Signs Franchise Agreements for 11 Hotel PentaHotels Conversions in Germany, Belgium, and France - Image Credit IHG Hotels & Resorts

IHG Hotels & Resorts has signed long-term franchise agreements for 11 hotels across Germany, Belgium, and France. The hotels, currently operated under the PentaHotels brand, will be converted to IHGs Holiday Inn, voco, and Garner brands.

The agreement covers more than 1,800 rooms, including 1,125 rooms across six hotels in Germany, 497 rooms across four hotels in Belgium, and 186 rooms at one hotel in France. Locations include Leipzig, Bremen, and Wiesbaden in Germany; Brussels Airport and Brussels City Centre in Belgium; and Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport in France.

The portfolio will introduce the Garner brand, IHGs midscale conversion brand, to Belgium for the first time and will expand IHGs portfolio in Germany to nearly 50 open hotels for these brands. The 11 hotels are expected to join IHGs system in the first half of 2027.

The hotels will be owned by a joint venture between Ogilvy Management and Ironstone Group, with financing provided by Castlelake and Goldman Sachs. Bralower & Loewe Hospitality Partners S.a r.l., a Luxembourg-based hotel management company established by the joint venture, will manage the properties.

IHG has more than 1,230 open and pipeline properties across Europe as of 31 December 2025, including over 190 open hotels in Germany, 70 in France, and 17 in Belgium. The new signings will add to a further 264 properties in development across the region.
Springside Park Clean Up

PITTSFIELD, Mass.  The Friends of Springside Park will hold its annual Spring Clean Up for Earth Day on Saturday, April 25, from 9:00 am to about noon.

This year marks 45 years of consecutive spring clean up efforts by different organizations and volunteers dating back to 1981.

Volunteers are asked to come at any time during the day and to bring gloves. Bags, maps and instructions will be provided.

A check in table is located at the North Playground.

Enter the park at 871 North Street Main Park entrance just south of Reid Middle school and head straight for 1/10th mile.

Co-Sponsored by the Springside Park Conservancy and its community partners: Springside Greenhouse Group, Berkshire NEMBA, Berkshire Natural Resources Council
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China has unveiled a new proposal urging cities to integrate youth development into urban planning, aiming to make urban life more supportive for young people, children, and families.

This comprehensive blueprint, from 15 departments, seeks to deepen "youth-development-oriented cities" with measures covering jobs, housing, healthcare, and public services.

The initiative follows Beijing's March announcement to build a "childbirth friendly society" from 2026-2030.

It comes as authorities strive to reverse China's demographic decline, with official data showing births fell to 7.92 million in 2025, and the birth rate dropping to a record low.

China's population decreased by 3.39 million last year, marking the fourth consecutive annual decline.

Proposed measures include improving matchmaking and social services, expanding childcare subsidies, and promoting wider coverage of mother-and-baby rooms in public places.

Further provisions involve enhancing maternity and paediatric care, strengthening after-school and holiday childcare, and ensuring more equal school access for migrant workers' children.

open image in gallery The initiative follows Beijing's March announcement to build a childbirth-friendly society from 2026-2030 ( AFP/Getty )

"By 2030, the concept of youth-development-oriented cities will be widely established," the policy said, adding that by 2035 China aims to have formed a "relatively mature and complete system for youth development."

China also issued a blueprint on high-quality urban development last year, aimed at creating more liveable cities by 2035.

The pivot comes after breakneck urban growth that once super-charged the world's second largest economy, as authorities shift their focus from rapid growth to improving quality of life and stable development.

Authorities have introduced a range of incentives, from direct cash subsidies to controversial taxes on condoms, in a bid to reverse the falling birth rates.

However, these initiatives have yet to yield the desired results, as evidenced by new population figures released on Monday.

open image in gallery Authorities are trying to reverse China's demographic decline after official data showed births fell to 7.92 million in 2025 ( Getty )

The world's second-most populous nation saw its population continue to shrink for the fourth consecutive year. In 2025, China's total population stood at 1.404 billion, a reduction of 3 million compared to the previous year.

The statistics illustrate the stark demographic pressures the country faces. The number of new babies born was just 7.92 million in 2025, a decline of 1.62 million, or 17 per cent.

The latest birth numbers show the slight tick upwards in 2024 was not a lasting trend. Births declined for seven years in a row through 2023.

Most families cite the costs and pressure of raising a child in a highly competitive society as significant hurdles that now loom larger in the face of an economic downturn that has impacted households struggling to meet their living costs.
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Police in India arrested two men after an American national alleged she was drugged and sexually assaulted at a homestay in the southern state of Karnataka.

The woman was staying at a homestay in the Kutta village, a hilly region in the southwest of Karnataka, when the incident took place last week.

Police told The Independent on Wednesday that the tourist was assaulted by a worker at the property, while the homestay owner was accused of attempts to suppress the incident.

A formal complaint has been registered under relevant sections of the law, and both will remain in custody until 3 May. Officials said further investigation is underway.

The woman alleged that she was given a spiked drink by the homestay owner, after which she lost consciousness.

She accused a worker at the property of sexually assaulting her during that time. The victim also alleged that the owner failed to assist her in approaching the authorities and instead attempted to prevent her from seeking help.

Reports indicate that WiFi services at the property may have been deliberately shut off for several days, limiting her ability to communicate with the outside world.

The woman reportedly remained at the homestay for nearly three days before managing to leave, after convincing those at the property that she intended to continue her travels elsewhere in the state.

After leaving the premises, she contacted the US embassy in the capital Delhi, which then facilitated communication with Indian authorities.

Based on this, the police registered a case and initiated action. Police said forensic, medical, and other procedural examinations have been conducted as part of the probe.

The Independent has reached out to the US embassy in Delhi for a comment.

Reports of sexual assaults and rape are rampant in India. According to official data, police recorded 31,516 rape cases in 2022, a 20 per cent increase from 2021, which means India saw an average of almost 90 rapes reported daily and one woman was raped every 18 minutes. Yet the actual figure is believed to be much higher due to lack of reporting caused by the stigma surrounding sexual violence in the country.

On 6 March 2025, a 27-year-old Israeli tourist and a 29-year-old Indian homestay operator were gang-raped by three men near Hampi in Karnataka. The attackers also assaulted three male tourists, pushing them into a canal, which led to the death of a man from Odisha, while two others  including a US national  survived. In February 2026, a court in Karnataka sentenced the three men to death after convicting them of gang rape, murder and related offences.

In 2024, a Spanish-Brazilian woman was allegedly gang-raped by seven men during a motorbike tour in the Dumka district of the eastern state of Jharkhand. The incident came to light after the couple shared a video describing the attack and said the incident lasted two hours while her male partner was assaulted.

In 2013, a Swiss tourist was gang-raped in Madhya Pradesh, while in 2018 an Irish woman was assaulted in Goa, both cases prompting diplomatic engagement and calls for stricter safeguards.
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A womans body was found by authorities in northeastern Japans Iwate prefecture, shortly after a police officer was injured in a bear encounter while searching for a missing person in the area.

The 56-year-old officer suffered wounds to his arm and face after coming across the animal near a stream on Tuesday.

He remained conscious while being taken to the hospital, local authorities said on Tuesday. Authorities believe the bear was an adult. A short distance away, the search team later found the womans body.

A hunter accompanying the team shot and killed the bear, an adult measuring about 1.3m.

Mainichi Shimbun reported that the police officers were searching for the driver of a vehicle found on a road with its engine running late Monday afternoon when the bear attacked the officer.

If the death is officially confirmed as a bear attack, it would mark Japans first such fatality of 2026, following a series of incidents in recent years. The details of whether the injuries on the womans body were in line with bear attack could not be ascertained.

The last bear attack occurred on 3 November last year in Yuzawa, in neighbouring Akita prefecture, according to the environment ministry.

Bear encounters in Japan have become increasingly dangerous, with 13 deaths recorded nationwide since April last year, including several in Iwate alone. Hundreds were injured. Five people were killed in bear attacks between July and October last year in the prefecture  four of them in October alone, the government data shows.

The attacks had left the residents in the area scared, especially in Iwate and Akita prefectures and in fact it was reported at the time that they were carrying bags with bells to scare off the animals.

Japan had deployed its Self-Defence Forces (SDF) to the Akita prefecture to help contain an increase in the deadly attacks, as bear sightings in the region jumped sixfold to over 8,000 last year till November.

The Japan Tourism Agency was planning to subsidise up to half the cost of installing protective fences around its open-air baths at traditional inns and hotels following the rise in bear sightings near popular tourist areas.

In Akita, residents said at the time that bears were increasingly straying into villages and near shops in sparsely populated rural areas. Experts noted that this is likely driven by dwindling natural food supplies.

They say bear attacks usually rise in autumn before hibernation, but climate change and a shortage of their usual beech nut food may be pushing them into towns.

Experts also warn that Japans bear population  now more than 50,000 across brown and black species  has outgrown the countrys mountainous habitats, with climate change, rural depopulation, and declining hunter numbers worsening the crisis.

Japanese black bears, found across much of the country, can grow to around 130kg, while the larger brown bears that inhabit the northern island of Hokkaido can reach weights of up to 400kg.

Japan reinstated bear population control measures in 2024 after years of protection, but efforts are hampered by a shortage of hunters, now fewer than half the number in 1980 and mostly elderly.

Despite limited resources, authorities culled over 9,000 bears in 2023-24 and more than 4,200 between April and September last year, including over 1,000 in Akita prefecture alone.
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Japans Kochi prefecture is offering financial incentives to get young singles to use dating apps, one of a range of initiatives to combat declining birthrates.

People aged 20 to 39 in the southwestern region can receive up to 20,000 yen ($125) to cover most of the cost of approved matchmaking apps, including popular ones like Tapple.

Officials say that the subsidy roughly matches annual fees for using the dating sites and that users will be surveyed later to see if the scheme works.

Kochi prefecture reportedly teamed up with Tapple in December to encourage safer and more reliable online dating.

The going rate for annual membership fees is a little over 20,000 yen, so we set the amount to cover most of the cost, a prefectural official was quoted as saying by Sankei Shimbun.

Other regions such as Miyazaki prefecture have tried similar support, though with smaller amounts of up to 10,000 yen.

Reactions online have been mixed. While some people have welcomed the idea, others have argued that deeper issues like financial stress, long working hours, and the expense of raising children were making relationships and marriage difficult.

Dating apps are a common way for young people in Japan to meet partners.

A 2024 government survey found that roughly one in four married people under 39 met their spouse online, more than through work or school.

Japans population challenges have worsened in recent years, especially in rural regions like Kochi, where many young people have moved away.

The country saw nearly a million more deaths than births in 2024 in the largest annual population decline since records began six decades ago. The data from that year from the Ministry of Internal Affairs showed only 686,061 births, the lowest since 1899, and as many as 1.59 million deaths.

The population not only fell for the 16th straight year, it saw the steepest decline since Japan started collecting comparable data in 1950.

Last year in August, it was reported that Japans birthrate had fallen to its lowest level on record, marking the ninth straight year of decline despite government efforts to reverse the trend. About 720,000 babies were born in 2024, a drop of roughly 5 per cent from the year before.

The World Bank ranks Japan as having the worlds second-oldest population, surpassed only by Monaco.

Japanese authorities have previously used a number of measures to boost birthrates, including expanding childcare facilities, offering housing subsidies, and even launching a government-run dating app.

In more drastic measures, the Tokyo metropolitan government, one of the countrys largest employers, last year launched an experimental four-day work week for employees.
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Rolls-Royce has been named the countrys most iconic trade mark by the British public, the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) revealed on Wednesday.

Founded in Manchester in the early 20th century, the British luxury car manufacturer has become a world wide metaphor for the best of the best, according to one respondent. Another described Rolls-Royce simply as the mark of quality.

Perhaps surprisingly, Radio Caroline, the pioneering radio station that began broadcasting from the North Sea in 1964, comes in at second place.

It outranked Twinings and Cadbury, which are in third and fourth place respectively - while the BBC only just cracked the top ten.

open image in gallery Rolls-Royce has been named the country's most iconic trade mark ( AFP/Getty )

Though the radio station may be lesser-known among younger people, some respondents said that they listened to the very first broadcast and still tune in today. I passed my O-Levels listening to the station, one recalled.

This year marks 150 years since the UKs first trade mark  brewery Bass & Co's red triangle label  was registered on New Years Day in 1876. Today, more than 2.5 million trade marks are protected and around 200,000 new applications are made each year.

To mark the occasion, the IPO asked the British public to name their favourite iconic trade marks.

The top ten also includes Burberry, Transport for London (TfL) and Calpol.

Adam Williams, the IPOs chief executive, said: Trade marks are the foundation of brand trust.

For 150 years, they've helped British businesses  from corner shops and market stalls to app stores and global online retailers  build lasting relationships with consumers and stand behind the quality of their products.

This anniversary marks not just a legal milestone, but the enduring role that brands play in connecting businesses with the public.

We're proud to be custodians of a system that has supported British enterprise and innovation for generations, and we're ready for the next 150 years."

open image in gallery Cadbury came in at fourth on the list ( AFP/Getty )

Julian Jenkins, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars director of sales and brand, said: Were delighted that the British public have chosen Rolls-Royce as their favourite trade mark of all time.

Our name has been synonymous with excellence for well over 100 years: the Silver Ghost was officially dubbed the best car in the world in 1913, and we proudly retain that crown with the motor cars we hand-build at the Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood today.

For us as a team, its highly gratifying that our world-class engineering, craftsmanship and creativity resonate far beyond those who actually own and drive our motor cars.
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The world's largest condom manufacturer, Malaysia's Karex Bhd, is set to increase prices by 20 to 30 per cent, with further hikes possible, as global supply chains are severely disrupted by the ongoing Iran war. The company is also grappling with a surge in demand, as escalating freight costs and shipping delays have left many clients with unusually low stockpiles.

Goh Miah Kiat, Karex's chief executive, told Reuters: "The situation is definitely very fragile, prices are expensive... We have no choice but to transfer the costs right now to the customers."

Karex, which produces over five billion condoms annually, supplies major brands such as Durex and Trojan, alongside crucial state health systems like Britain's NHS and United Nations aid programmes. The condom giant joins a growing number of businesses, including medical glove manufacturers, facing significant bottlenecks as the conflict in the Middle East strains energy and petrochemical flows, hindering raw material procurement.

Since the conflict began in late February, Karex has seen costs increase for everything from synthetic rubber and nitrile used in manufacturing condoms to packaging materials and lubricants such as aluminium foils and silicone oil, Goh said.

open image in gallery CEO of condom manufacturer Karex, Goh Miah Kiat, speaks during an interview with Reuters at Petaling Jaya, Malaysia April 21, 2026. REUTERS/Hasnoor Hussain ( Reuters )

He said Karex has enough supplies for the next few months and is looking to boost output to meet growing demand, as global stockpiles of condoms have dropped significantly following deep spending cuts in foreign aid, particularly by the U.S. Agency for International Development last year.

Demand for condoms has risen about 30% this year, with shipping disruptions further exacerbating shortages, he said.

Karex's shipments to destinations such as Europe and the United States are now taking close to two months to arrive, compared to a month previously."We're seeing a lot more condoms actually sitting on vessels that have not arrived at their destination but are highly required," Goh said, adding that a lot of developing countries do not have enough stock because it takes time for the products to reach them.
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A man has been found not guilty of the manslaughter of his wife, who took her own life.

Christopher Trybus, 44, of Swindon, Wiltshire, was acquitted by a jury at Winchester Crown Court on Wednesday.

He had been accused of causing the death of Tarryn Baird, who died by suicide in November 2017, aged 34.

open image in gallery Christopher Trybus arrives at Winchester Crown Court in February ( PA )

He was also acquitted of two charges of rape against her and one charge of controlling and coercive behaviour.

During the trial, the prosecution alleged that Mr Trybus controlled Ms Baird by using and threatening violence towards her, sexually assaulting her, monitoring her whereabouts, limiting her access to finance, threatening to reveal private information to her family and isolating her from her family.

He was also accused of using a belt to choke her and strangling her during sex, causing her to pass out.

open image in gallery A still photo from a police officers body-worn video footage of Tarryn Baird speaking to the force on 2 June 2017 ( Crown Prosecution Service )

Giving evidence, Mr Trybus, who ran an IT company, said that he travelled abroad frequently for work and was out of the country on the dates of several of the allegations.

He also said he believed his wife had mental health issues due to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The chair of the jury of seven women and five men announced the verdicts to a hushed courtroom following 40 hours and eight minutes of deliberations.

Mr Trybus, dressed in a grey suit, blue shirt and dark tie loose at the collar, looked up at the ceiling and burst into tears as the verdicts were announced, with cries of relief also heard from the public gallery.

open image in gallery Christopher Trybus and wife Bea leave Winchester Crown Court after he was found not guilty of the manslaughter of his first wife ( PA )

Outside court, he hugged his current wife, Bea, whom he married in August 2024, as both wept.

The judge, Mr Justice Linden, thanked the jurors for their service and told them: It was a difficult and sad case and the stakes were high for the families involved, so we understand your task has not been an easy one and no one should underestimate your role in these proceedings.

The trial heard that Ms Baird was diagnosed as probably suffering from PTSD after she witnessed violent carjackings in South Africa, where she and the defendant grew up.

open image in gallery A page from Tarryn Bairds diary showed that she called 111 and the mental health team before she died in November 2017 ( Crown Prosecution Service )

The couple moved to the UK in 2007 and married in 2009 but an attempted burglary in 2015 appeared to have triggered Ms Bairds mental health issues, including anxiety and depression, leading her to seek help from mental health professionals, the court heard.

Describing how he felt about Ms Baird in light of the allegations, he told the court: Its such a complex feeling. I loved her dearly and she has gone and said all of these things.

At no point has this ever happened, its such a mix of emotions. I am upset that she said these things but she is not here so I cant be upset with her. Its not something I can put into words.

He denied causing her injuries although he said that an injury to her neck could have been caused by a fluffy bondage collar that she wore on one occasion while they had what was described in court as kinky sex.

He told the court that he had purchased a kit from Amazon which included cuffs, rope, neck collar with leash, ball gag, a whip and blindfold.

The court was played an audio clip recorded by Ms Baird on her phone where she could be heard gasping and grunting, which the prosecution alleged was evidence of Mr Trybus attacking her during sex, but which the defendant said was just the way they had sex and did not believe she was in pain.

The national domestic abuse helpline offers support for women on 0808 2000 247, or you can visit the Refuge website. There is a dedicated men's advice line on 0808 8010 327. Those in the US can call the domestic violence hotline on 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). Other international helplines can be found via www.befrienders.org

If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch.

If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org to access online chat from the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you.
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A High Court judge has intervened in a distressing family dispute, ordering the burial of a 95-year-old man whose body has remained in an undertakers mortuary for almost five months due to a disagreement between his sons.

Michael Godwin died in a Leeds hospital in November 2025, having returned to the UK for a holiday in August.

His remains have since been partially embalmed and held in a mortuary as two of his three sons, William and Jason Godwin, clashed over whether he should be cremated or buried.

Born in Surbiton, south London, in 1929, Mr Godwin had an "impressive career" in lift engineering and had lived in the south of France for more than 30 years.

He had previously expressed a wish to be interred in France.

The protracted dispute saw William Godwin seek a High Court declaration earlier this month, asking a judge to affirm his "lawful authority to arrange and instruct" his fathers cremation, and that Jason had "no lawful authority to prevent or interfere" with it.

open image in gallery The case ended up before a judge at the High Court in London ( PA Archive )

Jason, conversely, wished for his father to be buried in Hargeville, near Paris, in line with a homemade will written in 2003, which stated a desire for interment in the hometown of his then-partner.

William, however, favoured cremation, saying the family had "no connection" to the French cemetery.

In a ruling delivered on Wednesday, Judge Jonathan Klein mandated that Michael Godwin be buried in England, in accordance with a Church of England funeral.

The judge further stipulated that William "must extend an invitation" to his brother.

Judge Klein noted that Michael, a member of the Church of England, had expressed a "consistent wish" to be buried.

He also said that repatriating the body to France could cause "significant delay".

The judge underscored the lack of family ties to Hargeville, saying that none of the Godwin family "has ever had any other connection with Hargeville" and that it was "unlikely that anyone will visit Mr Godwins grave if he is buried there".

He added that a French funeral "will lose some of its meaning or value if none of the likely mourners can speak French".

The judge said that the prolonged delay in arranging the funeral meant that Mr Godwins body "will have decomposed in the more than five months since his death" and, "distressingly, it may be in a state of putrefaction".
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Strip searches of children by police are down by more than half in four years, but the Childrens Commissioner has questioned the use of force in some cases and warned that ethnic disparities persist.

The issue gained national prominence following the case of Child Q, a Black teenager who was searched at her school in Hackney, east London, by officers while on her period in December 2020. The 15-year-old was wrongly suspected of carrying cannabis.

Last summer, two Metropolitan Police officers were dismissed for gross misconduct over the "disproportionate" and "humiliating" incident.

A report this week by the Childrens Commissioner Dame Rachel de Souzas office found that no searches were recorded at schools between July 2023 and June 2024. However, more than a quarter (26 per cent) of search locations were not recorded.

Using data from the first half of 2024, her office estimated a total of 377 strip searches took place in the whole of that year.

This was down 56 per cent on 854 searches in 2020.

open image in gallery Childrens Commissioner Dame Rachel de Souza ( PA )

While standard stop and searches can involve removal of coats and jackets, strip searching can involve exposure of intimate body parts and are governed by strict rules which officers must follow, including where they take place and who should be present.

Dame Rachel said while there had been promising signs of progress in the reduction of overall numbers, as well as how searches are carried out and recorded, this progress is masking the fact that too many are still unnecessary, unsafe and underreported.

She said too many children are still being let down by systemic failures and treated as adults while they are still children.

Her report, published on Wednesday, found some searches between July 2023 and June 2024 were still being carried out in public view (26) and with no appropriate adult present (22).

The data also showed that three in 10 (30 per cent) strip searches in that time period involved children who had already been searched at least once before, which the commissioner warned risked significant and repeated damage to their mental wellbeing, their relationship with the police, and showing a clear failure to successfully intervene with children.

Force, such as handcuffs or firearms and Tasers, was used in almost a fifth (17 per cent) of all stop and searches of children between April 2024 and March 2025, her report added.

But in 43 per cent of instances where force was used, no further action was taken, which the commissioner said called into question the use of necessary and proportionate tests.

While the vast majority of stop and searches of children in that period were on those aged 11 to 17 (22,437), there were 46 instances of use of force in a stop and search of children aged under 11.

The commissioner also warned of continued ethnic disparities, saying black children were almost five times as likely to have force used during a search than white children.

open image in gallery Last summer, two Metropolitan Police officers were dismissed for gross misconduct over the Child Q case ( PA )

In cases where force was used against a white child to be searched, officers were more likely to note them as having a mental health need, but for black children the reason identified was more often their size or build, her report said.

Dame Rachel said: We cannot accept that black children are subjected to use of force because of the way they are perceived.

She described strip searching as an intrusive and traumatic experience and said it should only ever be used as a last resort when there is an immediate risk of serious harm.

She added: A much higher threshold should be met before a child is subjected to a humiliating and traumatising strip search.

Moving forward, it is vital that progress continues, with fewer searches carried out, better data recording when they do, and for the improving practice seen in some forces to be emulated across the country  only then will we build a culture of trust between children and the police.

The National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) said updates, which were out for public consultation, to official guidance on stop and search would ensure a child-centred approach was taken by officers.

Deputy Chief Constable Andy Mariner, who is NPCC lead for stop and search, said the changed guidance strengthens safeguarding requirements, and places greater emphasis on the quality of the encounter  including communication, de-escalation, and dignity, and sets clear expectations on the use of force and the use of handcuffs and is simpler and more practical.

He said: While there are positive signs in that the number of strip searches has been falling over time, we continue to work with policing partners, stakeholders and academics to understand and address the disproportionate use of stop and search, which we understand can undermine trust between policing and communities.

He said that while the use of stop and search, including strip search, was a legitimate and useful policing tool to help us in removing dangerous weapons and drugs from the streets, forces also acknowledged that when it is used inappropriately, it can damage our relationships with affected communities.

A Home Office spokesperson said: Were introducing extensive safeguards for children and young people for strip searching and bringing in reforms to drive up standards in policing, improve vetting and tackle misconduct.
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Hostile states, including China, Iran, and Russia, are responsible for the majority of nationally significant cyber attacks targeting Britain, the head of the UKs National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) is set to reveal.

Dr Richard Horne will address the annual CyberUK conference in Glasgow on Wednesday, highlighting how rapid technological advancements and escalating international tensions are fostering "what feels like tumultuous uncertainty" for the nation.

Businesses must be prepared to defend themselves against cyber incursions without resorting to ransom payments, Dr Horne is expected to warn.

He will caution that the UK could face attacks "at scale" should it become embroiled in an international conflict. The NCSC, an arm of GCHQ, currently manages approximately four nationally significant incidents each week. While these figures remain "fairly steady," Dr Horne will underscore that most originate from hostile state actors such as China, Iran, and Russia.

Criminal activity such as ransomware remains the most prevalent threat to the vast majority of organisations.

But the majority of the nationally significant incidents that my teams are handling now originate directly or indirectly from nation states.

We know that Chinas intelligence and military agencies now display an eye-watering level of sophistication in their cyber operations.

open image in gallery We know that Chinas intelligence and military agencies now display an eye-watering level of sophistication in their cyber operations, warns Dr Richard Horne. ( Getty/iStock )

This, combined with their whole-of-state approach, means we face more than just a capable cyber threat but a peer competitor in cyber space.

We know that Iran is almost certainly using cyber activity to support the repression of British individuals on our streets who are seen as a threat to the regime.

And we know that Russia is taking the cyber lessons it has learnt in a theatre of war and is moving them beyond the battlefield.

The tactics and techniques honed in conflict are now being directed at states it considers hostile.

There is sustained Russian hybrid activity targeting assets across the UK and Europe, he is expected to say.

Earlier this month, hackers linked to Russias GRU military intelligence agency were blamed for exploiting a weakness in commonly used internet routers to steal users sensitive information.

The NCSC said the APT28 group, also known as Fancy Bear, had been able to redirect internet traffic to enable hackers to harvest peoples email login passwords and other data.

Dr Horne will tell the conference that businesses should be able to protect themselves against hacks and other cyber attacks without needing to pay ransoms to recover.

open image in gallery M&S halted online orders for several weeks after it was hit by a cyber attack. (Yui Mok/PA) ( PA Archive )

Were we to be in, or near, a conflict situation, the UK would likely face hacktivist attacks at scale, with similar effects and sophistication to the ransomware attacks we see today, but no option to pay a ransom to help recover.

Defending against that means every organisation embedding cyber security into their corporate mission, ensuring they understand the full extent of risk they face.

Britain needs to embrace the use of AI as quickly as enemies use it to attack, he will say, and businesses need to plan for the future when quantum computers will be able to break commonly used encryption processes.

Dr Horne will tell delegates cyber security is a key part of defence amid increased international tensions.

We are living through the most seismic geopolitical shift in modern history, he will say.

As Blaise Metreweli, the chief of MI6, said in December, our world is more dangerous and contested now than it has been for decades.

We are operating in a space between peace and war. Lets be clear, cyber space is part of that contest.

CyberUK is the annual UK government cyber security conference.
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An independent inquiry into a Bristol school that postponed a visit from its local Jewish MP has concluded that neither the institution nor the trust overseeing it are antisemitic.

The review, which came after claims of intimidation by pro-Palestine activists, found no evidence of prejudice at Bristol Brunel Academy or the Cabot Learning Federation.

The controversy arose earlier this year when the academy, run by the Cabot Learning Federation, cancelled a planned visit by local MP Damien Egan.

Reports at the time suggested the decision followed intervention from pro-Palestine activists, prompting schools watchdog Ofsted to inspect the site.

Following discussions with the Department for Education, the Cabot Learning Federation commissioned retired headteacher Dame Joan McVittie to conduct an independent review.

While Dame Joan's findings cleared both the academy and the trust of antisemitism, she recommended that the trust consider additional training on the issue and actively seek to mend its relationship with Mr Egan.

open image in gallery Damien Egans visit was postponed for five months ( PA Archive )

Dame Joan said in the report: The evidence I have gathered leads me to conclude that the decision to postpone was based not on the MPs religious beliefs or links to Israel but on a desire to protect him from potential abuse and harm as a consequence of this.

Ofsted chief inspector Sir Martyn Oliver said that he was very concerned by the reports at the time and inspected the school in January. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said the visit being stopped was completely unacceptable.

The school said at the time that it had taken the decision to postpone the visit, rather than cancel it, due to concerns about student safety and the disruption to their education from the planned protest.

The Ofsted inspection in January found no evidence of political bias at the school.

The Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) was pleased to see the reviews findings, general secretary Pepe DiIasio said.

We are living in fractious times, and schools can very quickly be drawn into a political and media storm even when their actions are entirely appropriate and well-intentioned, he said.

Too often schools come under fire from politicians and commentators more interested in point-scoring and headline-chasing than establishing the facts.

open image in gallery Bristol Brunel Academy said it postponed the visit due to concerns about student safety ( PA Wire )

Mr DiIasio urged everyone to be understanding of the difficult climate schools are operating in.

Dame Joans report said that the visit was originally planned for 5 September 2026, and was postponed because of a threat of protest.

She added she did not find evidence that the decision to postpone was influenced by internal or external groups, and that it was based on safeguarding and health and safety grounds.

She added that checking social media in the run-up to the visit may have alerted the school earlier to the potential issues.

Several attempts were made to reorganise the visit, and a date was agreed for 5 December, the review said. After discussion around putting additional safeguards in place for the visit, it was decided to postpone the visit again to make sure all these could be in place.

Mr Egan visited the school on 5 February, and the review said it was successful.

Some of the staff at the trust have been affected by the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Dame Joans review said. There has been significant training both over time and more recently on political impartiality, rejection of discrimination and expectations of all staff.

Dame Joan said Jewish members of staff she met in the trusts schools reported they were treated with respect and understanding in their workplace, but reflected that sometimes polarised views in their community can be more challenging.

No students at Bristol Brunel Academy identify as Jewish, the review said.

There may be children in schools in parts of Bristol who are frightened to identify as being Jewish because of tensions in the local community, it said.

The DfE could provide more detailed guidance to schools and MPs on how to manage MP visits, the review concluded, which ASCL welcomed.

An independent review of how schools and colleges identify and prevent antisemitism was announced by the Government in March.

It will be led by former DfE permanent secretary Sir David Bell, and will make final recommendations on how schools can be better supported to tackle antisemitism by the autumn.

Community Security Trust figures from when the review was announced found there were 204 school-related antisemitic incidents in 2025, double typical levels before 2023.

Leora Cruddas, chief executive of the Confederation of School Trusts, said: As Dame Joan McVitties report makes unequivocally clear, the decision to postpone an MPs visit was made solely on safeguarding and health and safety grounds for students, staff and the MP.

The leadership that the school and trust have shown in these circumstances is exemplary. Leaders have acted at all time with integrity, equanimity and transparency. They have modelled the ethic of public service and the principles of public life.

A DfE spokesperson said: We welcome Dame Joan McVitties thorough and robust investigation, and while no signs of antisemitic culture were found at this school or trust, the wider picture demands urgent action.

Since 7 October 2023, antisemitic incidents in educational settings have more than doubled. Its a national disgrace, and we will not look away from it.

That is why we have commissioned an independent national review to strengthen how schools and colleges prevent, identify and respond to antisemitism and all forms of hate. Every student and every member of staff has the right to feel safe, respected and included and this Government will make sure they do.
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Households have been urged to check if they are overpaying on their tax as hundreds of thousands of refunds are still going unclaimed, according to latest HMRC data.

Anyone due a PAYE repayment should receive a P800 tax calculation letter detailing the amount they are due back, guidance from the tax authority states.

But these refunds arent always automatic, with around 730,000 going unclaimed last year, official figures show.

The average refund was a substantial 855, meaning an estimated 624m was left unclaimed.

Anyone who believes they have been overcharged but have not received a P800 from HMRC can find guidance on the tax authoritys website on how to submit a claim.

Taxpayers have four years from the end of the affected tax year to claim their refund.

Adelle Greenwood, tax manager at the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, said: With more than 700,000 people missing out on a total of 624m in tax refunds last year, we'd encourage all taxpayers to check whether they are owed money from HMRC.

( Getty/iStock )

She added: Employees who do not have other sources of income may not have realised that it is their personal responsibility to make the claim and are encouraged to do so now.

Once a P800 is sent, it is down to the recipient to check their tax code is correct, and that all allowable employment expenses are factored in. This could include uniform, tools, professional subscriptions and mileage, for instance.

The easiest way to claim the money back is using the HMRC app or through a personal tax account on its website. Bank transfer and cheque options are both available.

Online repayments are made within five working days, while cheques repayments take up to six weeks.

Last month, it was revealed that over 170,000 people missed out on their tax refunds in 2025/26 due to not cashing cheques sent to them by HMRC.

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How to know if youve overpaid tax

For most employees, tax is collected through the PAYE system, which means it is automatically taken from wages or pensions. In most cases, workers on this scheme wont need to file tax returns, with the calculations handled for them.

However, mistakes can still be made, leading to issues like overpayment.

Repayments are often owed because of an incorrect or outdated tax code, or because the taxpayer has not been allocated their full personal allowance for the year.

Other common reasons include the personal not working for the full tax year, or changing jobs or working hours during the year.

For pensioners, it is possible a refund may be due if the incorrect amount of state pension has been included in their tax code.
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Britons summer holidays could be at risk due to low jet fuel stocks because of the war in Iran, the European Unions energy chief has warned.

Dan Jorgensen, the EUs energy commissioner, said it is very likely that peoples holidays will be affected by cancelled flights or very expensive tickets.

He told Sky News on Wednesday that Europe is in a very serious crisis that is currently only affecting prices, but could soon also impact supply.

open image in gallery Britons summer holidays are likely to be affected by flight cancellations or very expensive tickets ( AFP/Getty )

The aviation industrys fuel stock has faced significant disruption due to the lack of movement of oil through the key shipping route of the Strait of Hormuz.

Unfortunately, its very likely that many peoples holidays will be affected, either by flight cancellations or very, very expensive tickets, Mr Jorgensen said.

Even if we do everything we can do, if the jet fuel is not there, then its not there.

He added: [Currently] it is primarily a crisis of prices and not yet a crisis of supply, but unfortunately we cannot be sure to prevent a crisis of supply, especially on jet fuel in the future, if the crisis continues.

Danish politician Mr Jorgensen warned the price crisis could last for months and maybe even years.

open image in gallery EU energy commissioner Dan Jorgensen says the price crisis could last for months and maybe even years ( Reuters )

Last week, the head of the International Energy Agency, Fatih Birol warned that Europe only has around six weeks of jet fuel supply left in what he fears could be the largest energy crisis we have ever faced.

Lufthansas airline group also said on Tuesday it has cancelled 20,000 flights in a bid to protect itself from the soaring cost of oil.

The group operates the German flag carrier Lufthansa, its subsidiaries and affiliated companies, such as Swiss, Austrian, ITA, Brussels Airlines, Eurowings and Discover Airlines.

It added it is aiming to save 40,000 metric tonnes of jet fuel, which it said had doubled in price, but it expects a largely stable fuel supply for its summer timetable.

Ryanair also said it does not expect any near-term fuel shortages, but that if the closure of strait continues into May or June, it cannot rule out risks to fuel supplies at some airports in Europe.

It comes as the European Commission on Wednesday proposed a series of measures to address the impact on the region's energy markets from the US-Israeli war with Iran.

Europe is particularly vulnerable as it imports some 30-40 per cent of its jet fuel, and at least half of that from the Middle East.

Simon Calder, travel correspondent of The Independent, said: Aviation is a low-margin industry. When the price of fuel doubles, flights which were only marginally profitable can become heavily loss-making.
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The government has been warned by MPs over the devastating state of temporary accommodation in the UK.

New figures show that a total of 104 children died with temporary accommodation as a contributing factor to their vulnerability, ill-health, or death, according to data covering 1 April 2019 to 31 March 2025.

The finding has been described as absolutely scandalous by the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Households in Temporary Accommodation, which published the report on Wednesday with data from the National Child Mortality Database (NCMD).

Temporary accommodation is a form of homelessness often described as hidden, and can include locations such as bed and breakfasts (B&Bs) and hostels.

The number of children living in temporary accommodation continues to reach record highs according to data published by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government in February.

A total of 175,990 children were in such accommodation in England at the end of September  a rise of 7 per cent on the same point in 2024.

The APPG also noted that between October 2023 and September 2025, 140 children whose main residence was listed as temporary accommodation had died.

Assessments are ongoing to determine if their living conditions contributed to these deaths, with the report cautioning that confirmed links could significantly raise current figures.

APPG chairwoman Dame Siobhain McDonagh said she was appalled to see yet another rise in the number of children whose deaths have been linked to temporary accommodation and that the new data on stillbirths and neonatal deaths was equally shocking.

She added: We should all be outraged by these figures.

Meanwhile, a separate report from the Housing, Communities and Local Government (HCLG) Committee warned that conditions in temporary accommodation are "often so poor as to be unfit for human habitation".

The group of MPs urged the government to strengthen protections against substandard conditions, phase out unsuitable options like shared facilities for families, and plan for a long-term supply of quality temporary housing.

open image in gallery Homelessness minister Alison McGovern said: It breaks my heart that B&Bs are tragically contributing to the deaths of children ( PA Wire )

Its chairperson, Florence Eshalomi, said: It is truly devastating that this crisis has become a normalised emergency, with many families stuck in so-called temporary accommodation, and without a permanent roof over their head, for years.

Housing charity Shelter said it was a national scandal for any child to die homeless in this country, adding that a dire lack of secure and genuinely affordable social homes has trapped over 175,000 children in unsafe temporary accommodation.

Homelessness minister Alison McGovern said: It breaks my heart that B&Bs are tragically contributing to the deaths of children.

We must and we are improving the whole system, so every child can get the best start in life.

She said the Government had set out in its child poverty strategy, in December, a commitment to eradicate unsuitable or poor-quality accommodation and ensure children in temporary accommodation do not experience gaps in healthcare provision.

The strategy pledged to end the unlawful placement of families in bed and breakfasts beyond the six-week limit, confirming the continuation of an 8 million pilot programme for the next three years across 20 local authorities with the highest numbers in this situation.
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The family of a teenage e-scooter rider who died after being struck by a tram are suing the public transport operator for negligence.

A document filed in the High Court in London on their behalf claims Reuben Abakah was visible to the tram driver well before he crossed the tracks where he was hit by a London Trams service in Croydon on August 22, 2022.

The 19-year-old had his hood up and did not slow down as he entered Waddon Marsh West footpath crossing at the same time as the tram, which was travelling at 59 kilometres per hour (37mph). He died in hospital from his injuries three days later.

His family is seeking damages in excess of 200,000 from Tram Operations Limited (TOL), a subsidiary of transport giant FirstGroup, which runs London Trams for Transport for London (TfL).

The document claims that the tram driver, named as Michelle Bishop, failed to keep a proper lookout or recognise the developing hazard as Mr Abakah approached the crossing.

She did not operate the tram at a safe speed in the circumstances or use its audible warnings or brakes effectively, according to the family.

open image in gallery Reuben Abakah ( PA )

The court document describes how the driver first sounded her warning bell 2.0 seconds before the collision, and her horn 1.4 seconds ahead of the crash, which was too late to be acted upon.

The sound level emitted by the bell was below the ambient background noise at the crossing, and the levels of both the bell and horn were materially below the recommended band, according to the document.

She applied the service brake  used during normal operations  0.8 seconds before the collision, and the hazard brake 0.1 seconds later.

The speed limit for trams using the crossing has since been reduced from 70kmh (43mph) to 50kmh (31mph).

The crossing features a chicane intended to slow users, but it did not cause them to naturally turn towards the direction of approaching eastbound trams, such as the one which hit Mr Abakah.

His father, Frederick Woode, said his one wish is that lessons are learned from this and changes are made before anyone else loses their life.

He went on: I know nothing can bring Reuben back, but I believe the tram should not have been travelling as fast as it was.

The crossing should also be altered so that pedestrians like Reuben do not have their backs to approaching vehicles.

An inquest into Mr Abakahs death at South London Coroners Court in Croydon concluded in August last year that he died as a result of an accident.

No legal action is being brought against Ms Bishop.

open image in gallery An inquest into Mr Abakahs death at South London Coroners Court in Croydon concluded in August last year ( PA )

The familys lawyer, Ben Posford of Osbornes Law, said it shouldnt have mattered that Mr Abakah didnt look properly.

Thats not how health and safety works, and hasnt done for a very long time, he said.

He didnt look until the last minute and he made an error there. From time to time, people are going to make an error.

You have to have health and safety measures in place that account for human error, that account for zoning out.

Following the 2016 Croydon tram crash in which seven people died, the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) recommended that installing CCTV cameras inside drivers cabs should be considered to aid inquiries into future incidents.

Osbornes Law said it has seen no evidence that cameras have been fitted.

Mark Davis, TfLs general manager for London Trams, said: Our thoughts and deepest sympathies remain with the family and friends of Reuben Abakah, who tragically lost his life in August 2022 following a collision between his escooter and a tram in Croydon.

We are aware that the family are currently taking legal action against our operator so we cannot comment further while these proceedings are ongoing.

No written defence to the claim is publicly available.

TOL declined to comment while legal proceedings are ongoing.
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A groundbreaking trial has commenced in the UK and US to test a new bird flu vaccine for humans, with thousands of participants expected to enrol. The study, which particularly encourages poultry farmers and individuals with close contact with birds to sign up, aims to proactively address the growing threat posed by the A(H5N1) strain.

Experts warn that while the virus is "evolving and spreading" rapidly among animals, and does not yet easily transmit between people, the potential for human-to-human transmission must be treated "as a real possibility". This trial represents a significant step in pandemic preparedness.

The vaccine, mRNA-1018, developed by Moderna, utilises mRNA technology similar to that employed in Covid-19 jabs. This innovative approach instructs the body to produce specific viral proteins, thereby training the immune system to swiftly recognise and combat the illness should exposure occur.

The phase 3 trial will involve approximately 4,000 individuals across both the UK and the US. In the UK, 3,000 patients  half of whom will be over 65  are set to receive the vaccine at 26 sites spanning England and Scotland. The study, backed by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and sponsored by Moderna, will run for seven months, with participants receiving two doses three weeks apart.

The A(H5N1) strain has become a global concern in recent years, affecting not only birds but also other animal species such as mink and marine mammals. More recently, it has spread to dairy cows in the US, leading to a number of human cases among farm workers in contact with infected cattle.

A group of turkeys received bird flu vaccines last month ( PA )

Dr Hiwot Hiruy, senior director of clinical development at Moderna, stated that early trials of the jab found it to be "generally well tolerated, with most of the side-effects being mild to moderate, and there were no safety concerns". She added: "We also saw that mRNA-1018 induced a strong immune response, and that we were able to pick that immune response as early as seven days after the first injection, and the immune response persisted." Given the rarity of bird flu in humans, researchers will use this immune response as an early indicator of the treatment's likely effectiveness.

Dr Rebecca Clark, national co-ordinating investigator for the trial, emphasised the urgency: "We know that the A(H5N1) strain is evolving and spreading across animal species, and though it does not yet move easily between humans, we have to treat human-to-human transmission as a real possibility. This trial is our proactive attempt to shield against that possibility, and any future pandemic that could emerge from it." She highlighted the community-based recruitment, moving from traditional hospital settings "into the heart of our communities" to ensure broad participation.

The A(H5N1) bird flu viruses first emerged in southern China in 1996, with the first human infections recorded a year later. Since 2024, there have been 116 confirmed cases of bird flu in people worldwide, almost all linked to close contact with infected animals. Dr Richard Pebody, director of epidemic and emerging infections at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), underscored the importance of such initiatives, stating: "We clearly dont know when the next pandemic is going to be, we obviously dont know what its going to be caused by, but what we do know is that a flu pandemic is the most likely future pandemic." He noted that while the current risk to humans "remains low," the virus "continues to evolve," and UKHSA remains vigilant.

Towards the end of 2024, the Government announced a contract for over five million doses of an H5 influenza vaccine, though this uses more traditional technology. Dr Hiruy pointed out the advantage of mRNA vaccines, which can be produced faster and adjusted rapidly to new strains, offering an "additional tool in pandemic preparedness."
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Britain's schools are facing a potential 288 million funding shortfall next year due to an anticipated decline in primary school pupil numbers, the public spending watchdog has warned.

The National Audit Office (NAO) criticised the Department for Education (DfE) for failing to adequately support schools in adapting to these demographic shifts.

This lack of preparedness jeopardises both the financial stability of educational institutions and the quality of teaching, according to Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, chair of the Public Accounts Committee.

The warning comes as some primary schools are already being forced to merge or close their doors entirely due to dwindling pupil numbers.

With school funding directly tied to pupil numbers, the NAO projects a loss of 288 million by 2027, based on 56,300 fewer primary pupils compared to 2026.

Further significant cuts are anticipated, with an additional 410 million reduction in 2028 due to 80,200 fewer pupils, followed by another 334 million loss in 2029 from a projected 65,300 fewer children.

The DfE must do more to support small primary schools that are at risk of closure, Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) deputy director of policy Julia Harnden said.

The pressures on primary schools caused by the double whammy of inadequate per pupil funding and falling rolls has created a huge risk to the viability of many small primaries, she said.

Theres been no government strategy to mitigate that risk and theres a real danger that more communities will lose schools which have been a feature of those communities for decades.

Pupil numbers in primary schools have been falling since 2018/19, the NAO said, and the DfE has projected they will drop another 7 per cent by 2030 ( PA )

The sector is working really hard to try to keep these schools open  cutting costs to the bone through measures such as mixed-aged classes. But theres a point at which its not possible to employ enough staff to actually run a school and keep the doors open.

Pupil numbers in primary schools have been falling since 2018/19, the NAO said, and the DfE has projected they will drop another 7 per cent by 2030.

Disadvantaged pupils could be disproportionately impacted by falling pupil numbers and funding.

Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders union NAHT, said: The decline in primary pupil numbers is hitting some schools hard  especially smaller ones that have less buffer to navigate fluctuating budgets. We have seen many schools already close  in particular in London, but in other higher cost of living areas too.

That said, there are areas of the country where demand is higher than ever  driven by population changes as families move, or by high levels of house building.

More could absolutely be done to balance these demands and ensure that primary school places are available in the areas they need to be  and to protect schools in areas with falling roles from closure.

The DfE only started to specifically track the risk of not responding to changing demographics in 2024, the NAO said, and does not yet have a clear approach to supporting the sector in deciding when and how to respond.

The NAO is calling on the DfE to build its school estates strategy to help the education sector identify places that may not be needed and how it can manage this, and look at how declining pupil numbers may impact outcomes, particularly for disadvantaged pupils.

Falling rolls will require a targeted response from the DfE, local authorities, academy trust and individual schools, NAO head Gareth Davies said.

Sir Geoffrey said: It is deeply concerning that, despite pupil numbers declining since 2018, DfE has been slow to respond to the challenge and has not assessed the implications for education quality, particularly for the most disadvantaged pupils.

As pupil numbers are expected to continue to fall, DfE must make better use of its information and insights across the sector to support schools, clarify what a resilient and effective school estate looks like, and ensure childrens education is not compromised.
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Skomer Island has recorded an unprecedented number of puffins this year, offering a significant boost for the vulnerable species.

The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales (WTSWW) confirmed 52,019 puffins during their annual count off the Pembrokeshire coast, eclipsing last year's record of 43,626.

This surge is particularly encouraging for a species designated "vulnerable" to global extinction by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List and red-listed in the UK due to conservation concerns.

The annual census on the crucial Welsh sanctuary for seabirds sees conservationists on a calm, clear spring evening, using binoculars and notepads to count every puffin on land, in the sky, and at sea.

The timing is critical: after their return but before they settle into burrows to lay eggs, where they would be hidden.

This consistent method, used by wardens since the 1980s, ensures data comparability across more than 40 years, providing vital long-term insights into the population.

The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales (WTSWW) said it had recorded 52,019 puffins in this years count on the island off the coast of Pembrokeshire, beating the previous record of 43,626 set last year ( PA )

Leighton Newman, Skomer Island warden for the wildlife trust, said that after numbers of seabirds washed up on beaches across southern Europe earlier this year, the team had not expected a count as high as the one they had found.

Its a very pleasant surprise to see the puffin population thriving, he said.

Puffin numbers are declining at many sites around the UK, but Skomer bucks the trend  and its thanks to long-term monitoring work that we know this.

Its special that Skomer is a refuge for so many seabirds, and its a privilege to be able to work to protect them, but we want to see seabird populations thriving across the UK.

WTSWW said the increase in the puffin population on the island was likely due to an abundance of food in the area, with plenty of fish for chicks leading to high breeding success and helping good numbers of adults survive over winter.

Skomers bird populations, which also include guillemots, razorbills, kittiwakes and fulmars that breed on the cliffs around the island, also benefit from the absence of rats and other predators that pose a threat to seabirds nesting on other UK islands where they are not naturally found but have been introduced.
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Military planners from countries seeking to join a UK and France-led mission to keep the Strait of Hormuz open once the Iran war ends are set to meet in London on Wednesday.

A fifth of the worlds oil passes through the strait and Irans effective closure of the critical supply route after the US-Israeli bombing campaign began in February has inflicted a global economic shock and sent energy prices soaring.

Over 30 nations are expected to send planners to the two-day conference starting Wednesday, co-hosted by the UK and France at the UKs Permanent Joint Headquarters in Northwood, north London.

They will build on talks held by Sir Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris last week with a goal of setting up a joint defensive mission after a sustainable ceasefire agreement has been reached.

The mission is intended to protect merchant vessels, reassure commercial shipping operators and conduct mine clearance operations.

The talks in London will focus on military capabilities, command and control, and how military forces could deploy to the region.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron at a press conference after a multinational coalition summit to facilitate shipping in the Strait of Hormuz once the US-Iran war ends ( Tom Nicholson/PA Wire )

Defence Secretary John Healey said: The task, today and tomorrow, is to translate the diplomatic consensus into a joint plan to safeguard freedom of navigation in the strait and support a lasting ceasefire.

I am confident that, over the next two days, real progress can be made.

International trade, energy security and the stability of the global economy depend on freedom of navigation.

By building on our common purpose, strengthening multinational co-ordination and planning for effective collective action, we can help reopen the strait, stabilise the global economy and protect our people.

The rise in fuel costs has led to many in the UK changing their behaviour, according to Savanta polling commissioned by the Liberal Democrats.

It showed that 49% of UK drivers have cut back on using their cars and one in 10 said they were stockpiling fuel, while 25% of those in work said they had worked from home or changed working patterns because of rising commuting costs.

The strait blockage has also led airlines to cancel flights and hike fees as they absorb costs and brace for fuel shortages.
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Rain has been pouring relentlessly as a handful of campaigners cluster beneath umbrellas on a high street in Hackney, Green Party leaflets in hand.

The weather has done little to deter them as they prepare to knock on doors across the neighbourhood, where the Greens believe they have the biggest chance of success in London in next months high-stakes local elections.

Joining them is Zoe Garbett, the partys mayoral candidate for Hackney, where local organisers are hoping the Green wave sweeping across the country could help them snatch the historically Labour council.

The primarily east London borough, home to Greens leader Zack Polanski, is the partys top target in the capital as pollsters predict a very bad night for Labour in London.

A new poll shows Sir Keir Starmers party is on course for its worst result in the capital in more than four decades, while Londons Labour mayor Sir Sadiq Khan has warned his party faces being stonked next month.

Walking down a residential street between door knocks, Garbett says she is fairly confident about her chances in what will be her third attempt at becoming Hackneys mayor.

She was defeated in the 2023 mayoral by-election by Labours Caroline Woodley, but a change in both the national and local mood suggests it could swing the Greens way this time.

Ive been door-knocking in Dalston, where Ive been a ward counsellor for six or seven years now, she says.

Theres definitely people that we have down as Labour supporters or who are on the fence, who are definitely really supportive of us now.

open image in gallery It feels like were really pushing at an open door: Zoe Garbett, the Greens mayoral candidate for Hackney ( Supplied )

It feels like were really pushing at an open door.

She says voters are taking the Greens more seriously on positions they hadnt associated with them previously, with issues such as Gaza, housing, disability support and immigration coming up repeatedly.

There was a long period of time where you knock on doors and people would think you just want to talk about bins and buses, which obviously, we really care about those things, but we worry about so much more as well, she tells The Independent. So I think the biggest change is that it really feels like people know who we are and what were about.

She adds: Theres also the wider kind of global and national context around whats been happening with the Labour government, and people feeling like its not bringing the change that they promised or that its a party thats moved away from their values.

While London is currently dominated by red borough councils, Labour is facing a potential obliteration at the polls in May with the dual threat of both the Greens on the left and Nigel Farages Reform on the right.

The Greens have now leapfrogged Labour in the national polls, casting doubts over Sir Keirs continued leadership after Polanski declared his party could win anywhere following its landmark by-election win in Gorton and Denton earlier this year.

Meanwhile, Garbett believes Polanskis election as leader in September was a real acceleration point, with data showing a more than 300 per cent increase in local members from January 2025 to 2026.

open image in gallery Hackney borough, home to leader Zack Polanski, could serve as a key political battleground on 7 May, which pollsters warn could be a very bad night for Labour in London ( Getty/iStock )

I think people have just been suffering for quite a long time and want an alternative and want to try something different, and thats people who are really feeling the pressures of the cost of living and growing inequality, she says.

Pollster Chris Annous, of the think tank More in Common, said growing frustration and exasperation about the governments record is driving many voters away from Labour.

I cant stress how disappointed and disillusioned people are with the Labour government, he says.

People are so disappointed, and so desperate for change, and they feel like Labour arent representing that in many parts of London. It means that there is a real opportunity for quite significant volatility when it comes to voters.

On the doorstep, Green-leaning voters support these claims as they echo their disappointment with the current government, with residents raising concerns about housing, the cost of living and Labours approach to immigration.

The island of strangers speech was a real turning point on the doorstep I found, Garbett says after speaking to a resident who said he was disgusted by Labours immigration policies, which are set to make the countrys asylum rules among the toughest in Europe.

That issue comes up a lot  their indefinite leave to remain policy has caused a lot of anxiety.

open image in gallery Zack Polanskis successful bid to become the Greens leader in September has been pegged as a real acceleration point for the partys membership ( PA Wire )

Labour has faced fierce criticism from left-leaning voters on their approach to immigration, with the home secretary Shabana Mahmood having laid out a raft of hardline proposals as part of efforts to quell rising migration figures.

Such measures include doubling the amount of time it takes for migrants to be granted indefinite leave to remain in the UK from five to 10 years, and making it easier to remove those who have no right to remain in the country.

Former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner echoed concerns from some voters, dubbing the reforms as an un-British move that would amount to a breach of trust to those settled in the country.

The optimism within the Green Party comes amid warnings from pollsters that 7 May could be a very bad night for Labour in London.

More in Commons Annous said the Green Party was more likely to claim victory in inner areas of London such as Lambeth, Camden, Islington, Hackney, Newham, Lewisham and potentially parts of Greenwich.

I think it could be a very bad night for Labour in London, he said, adding they are likely to lose majorities or entirely in several councils.

[With Labour], were talking about complete dominance in parts of London, which I think is going to unravel extensively.
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The controversy over Peter Mandelsons appointment as US ambassador continues unabated as the prime minister faces attacks from all sides of the political spectrum.

Evidence given by top Foreign Office civil servant Olly Robbins on Tuesday contradicted several of the claims made by Downing Street over the vetting process for the appointment, prompting fresh allegations that Sir Keir misled parliament over the issue.

The fallout comes after it was revealed last week that Peter Mandelson failed crucial security vetting for his appointment as US ambassador, but was given the role anyway after Foreign Office intervention.

The prime minister had already announced that Lord Mandelson would be sent to Washington when he was denied critical clearance, but the Foreign Office took the rare step of overruling the recommendation, the government has admitted.

Number 10 has insisted that Sir Keir did not know about the failed vetting until last week  despite The Independent revealing in September concerns Lord Mandelson had failed MI6 checks, over worries about his business links to China and fears that his past links to Epstein would compromise him.

open image in gallery Peter Mandelson failed crucial security vetting for his appointment as US ambassador but was given the role anyway after Foreign Office intervention ( Reuters )

The government has admitted officials in the Foreign Office overruled the recommendation, but Downing Street has claimed Olly Robbins failed to raise security concerns with officials, prompting him to be sacked.

That is despite The Independent putting those same concerns to No 10 the same day Lord Mandelson was sacked over his links to Jeffrey Epstein on 11 September.

Why did Lord Mandelson fail vetting?

Developed vetting is used by the Foreign Office for the highest-level individuals and subjects them to deep scrutiny. Applicants must go through a thorough process that includes a questionnaire, character references, financial history checks and an in-depth interview with a vetting officer.

This interview can be intrusive and some individuals may find themselves distressed or triggered, official government guidance states. It can last for several hours and span topics including sexual history, internet usage and lifestyle and beliefs.

Rather than a simple pass or fail, some individuals can be awarded clearance with caveats, but most applicants pass.

The veteran politicians relationship with Epstein was likely flagged during the process, although the depth of his connection with the late financier may not have been clear, given that his appointment was prior to the release of the extensive Epstein files.

open image in gallery The prime minister has been freshly accused of misleading parliament over Lord Mandelsons appointment ( Sky News )

Email exchanges between the pair, lasting decades, appear to show a lengthy, wide-ranging and intimate relationship including, most notably, when Lord Mandelson served as business secretary in Gordon Browns Labour government.

Messages suggest the former minister may have shared internal cabinet business with Epstein, giving him key updates before they were announced. He was later arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office in February and remains under police investigation.

Through his various business interests, Lord Mandelson has also had links to both Russia and China. Upon assuming the role of US ambassador, he was required to step back from his role at the consultancy company Global Counsel, which he co-founded, whose clients included Chinese brands Shein and TikTok.

Security officials at the Cabinet Office previously raised concerns about the peers former role as a non-executive director at Sistema, which is a shareholder of the defence company RTI. A report pointed out that RTI produced technology for Russias land-based missile early-warning system, and described Sistemas chairman as a Putin ally.

There are several reasons a person could fail vetting. These included dishonesty during the process, or issues that arise that may call into question their suitability for the role. No 10 has not disclosed why Lord Mandelson failed the process.

Further documents on the former Labour peers appointment are set to be released in the coming months as part of a parliamentary inquiry into the scandal.

A government spokesperson said: 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.
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Sir Keir Starmers former chief of staff Morgan McSweeney is set to appear before the Foreign Affairs Committee on Tuesday to face questions over the Lord Peter Mandelson vetting scandal.

Mr McSweeney, widely regarded as a protege of Lord Mandelson, was considered the driving force behind his appointment to the role of US ambassador.

His appearance follows that of former Foreign Office chief Sir Olly Robbins, who was sacked by the prime minister earlier this month after claiming that he had not told the PM about the details of the vetting decision.

Mr McSweeney resigned as Sir Keirs chief of staff in February after taking full responsibility for advising the prime minister to make the appointment.

He is alleged to have had knowledge about Mr Mandelson's continued dealings with Jeffrey Epstein after the financiers conviction for child sex offences.

open image in gallery Mr McSweeney will appear before the Foreign Affairs Committee next week ( Getty )

As the prime ministers right-hand man, Mr McSweeney was central to government strategy and decision-making.

He was consequently seen by some as responsible for Downing Streets failed attempt to control the release of potentially explosive documents detailing the appointment decision.

The decision to appoint Peter Mandelson was wrong, he wrote in a statement in February announcing his resignation. He has damaged our party, our country and trust in politics itself.

In the letter McSweeney called for an overhaul of the vetting system, writing: While I did not oversee the due diligence and vetting process, I believe that process must now be fundamentally overhauled. This cannot simply be a gesture but a safeguard for the future.

The current fallout comes after it was revealed last week that Peter Mandelson failed crucial security vetting for his appointment as US ambassador, but was given the role anyway after Foreign Office intervention.

Who is Morgan McSweeney?

Mr McSweeney was born in County Cork but left Ireland for London in 1994 aged 17, where he is said to have initially worked on building sites.

He joined the Labour Party in 1997, reportedly motivated by the backing for the Good Friday Agreement which was key to the Northern Ireland peace process.

open image in gallery Mr McSweeney resigned as Sir Keirs chief of staff in February after taking full responsibility for advising the prime minister to make the appointment ( Picture Agency/Shutterstock )

In June 2001, he took a job as a Labour conference administrator, according to his Linkedin profile.

Reports suggest he was later hired to work in Labours attack and rebuttal unit in the partys Millbank headquarters, where he is said to have been tasked with adding information to Peter Mandelsons excalibur database which informed campaign messaging.

He is also said to have been sent to marginal seats to campaign during the 2005 general election, as his reputation as an effective organiser and operator began to grow.

He was viewed as a key figure in a successful push, led by the current housing secretary Steve Reed, to oust the coalition of Liberal Democrats and Conservatives in the London borough of Lambeth.

After failing in a bid to become a councillor in Sutton in 2006, he was appointed head of Mr Reeds leaders office in Southwark, a role he held until October 2007.

After a stint as the director of communities at The Campaign Company consultancy, Mr McSweeney joined the Local Government Association as a political adviser and was later appointed head of the organisations Labour group office, a position he held until 2017.

open image in gallery Mandelsons mentions in the Epstein files have led to a crisis for Starmers government ( US Department of Justice )

During that time, he ran Liz Kendalls leadership campaign in 2015 which resulted in the current Science Secretary finishing fourth.

Mr McSweeney was appointed director of the Labour Together think tank in 2017, sharing a place on the board with Mr Reed and current Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy.

At the time he is said to have declared his intention to move the party, then led by Jeremy Corbyn, from the hard left and build a sustainable winning electoral coalition.

But later Mr McSweeney came under scrutiny over financial irregularities during his role at Labour Together.

In 2021, the Electoral Commission fined the think tank 14,250 for failing to deliver donation reports within 30 days, inaccurately reporting donations and failing to appoint a responsible person within 30 days of accepting a donation.

The Conservatives called for the regulator to revisit the case in September last year after emails, seemingly sent by a Labour Together lawyer to Mr McSweeney, were leaked.

open image in gallery Morgan McSweeney has been criticised over his role in the appointment of Peter Mandelson as US ambassador ( PA )

Despite the Conservative Party chairman Kevin Holinrake suggesting the emails could serve as evidence that the Electoral Commission had been misled, the regulator said a review of the information had not provided evidence of any other potential offences.

Mr McSweeney was appointed to run Sir Keirs successful 2020 leadership campaign and initially became his chief of staff.

But following a poor Labour showing in the Chesham and Amersham by-election in 2021, he was moved to a strategic role in the leaders office but is said to have remained a key adviser.

After being appointed as Labours director of campaigns in September 2021, Mr McSweeney is said to have been behind a push to impose a new centralised long-listing of parliamentary candidates, a process considered as an attempt to lock out those on the left of the party.

Labours election victory in 2024 resulted in Mr McSweeney being appointed to the shared role of head of political strategy.

Reports later suggested tension had developed between Mr McSweeney and then chief of staff Sue Gray but Labour sources provided contradictory opinions on the relationship at the time.

Following Ms Grays resignation, Mr McSweeney was appointed Downing Street chief of staff in October 2024.

Mr Starmer said of his resignation in February: Its been an honour working with Morgan McSweeney for many years. He turned our party around after one of its worst ever defeats and played a central role running our election campaign.
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Allies of Sir Olly Robbins have claimed he was sacked by the prime minister without even being asked to explain his handling of the Peter Mandelson vetting saga.

Sir Keir Starmer dismissed the former Foreign Office chief last week for failing to tell him that Lord Mandelson had failed vetting for the role of ambassador to the US.

Asked on Monday by veteran Tory MP Sir Julian Lewis whether he had sought an explanation from Sir Olly, Sir Keir told the Commons: I did ask him, and I did not accept his explanation. That is why I sacked him.

But friends of the former permanent under secretary have hit back, telling The Independent that no question was asked.

It comes as The Independent has been told opposition parties - the Tories, SNP and Lib Dems - have approached the Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle asking him to refer Sir Keir to the privileges committee to be investigated over claims he misled parliament. Sir Keir has repeatedly denied being dishonest.

open image in gallery Olly Robbins appeared before the Foreign Affairs Committee on Tuesday ( House of Commons/UK Parliament )

A source close to Sir Olly told The Independent: The prime minister told MPs in the House that he had asked Olly Robbins the question about why he did not share the vetting conclusions with him. This is not the case. The timeline is that the prime minister found out Tuesday evening, the first Olly found out was Wednesday morning.

A telephone conversation did take place, but it was the prime minister telling Olly that he was disgusted and telling him he was sacked. He did not ask Olly for an explanation.

They noted that Sir Olly had refused to confirm the prime ministers version of events when he was questioned by Tory MP Aphra Brandreth during his grilling on his role in the vetting scandal in front of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee on Tuesday. Instead, he implied that a legal claim could follow.

When the above version of events was put to No 10, a spokesperson said the prime minister stood by [his] words, but declined to answer questions about whether notes were taken or if anyone else was present on the call.

Downing Street sources added that Sir Olly was asked to provide an account ahead of the call with the prime minister, during which he was sacked.

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said the whole thing stinks and suggested that if the claims were true, then the PM would have misled MPs.

She told The Independent: It is now obvious to everyone that Olly Robbins was just the latest person sacked by Starmer to save the prime ministers own skin. It wouldnt be a surprise if Robbins was never asked for an explanation by the prime minister, because really, Starmer was just looking for someone to carry the can for his own decision.

On Monday, the prime minister said he had received an explanation from Robbins, so this would be yet another thing Starmer is misleading us about. The whole thing stinks.

open image in gallery Keir Starmer was under pressure at PMQs on Wednesday ( House of Commons )

Following reports that he had employed lawyers to bring a legal claim over his sacking, Sir Olly told MPs on Tuesday: Im in an unknown territory, honestly, for me, personally, about the HR position I am in and what this means for my family. I must remain quiet on that until my advisers have told me what the appropriate thing to do is about it all.

Ms Brandreth, who had asked him about what discussions took place before his sacking, told the committee: I asked the question because it appeared to me that [the] PMs view and Sir Oliver Robbins view of events was very different... It seems that the PM, who cares so much about the process, should have asked Sir Oliver quite detailed questions in order to form a view.

A front-page story by The Independent from September, revealing concerns that Lord Mandelson had failed vetting, has already been used to question Sir Keirs version of events after he claimed that he and Downing Street only found out about the issue last week.

Jonathan Brash became the first Labour MP to demand that the prime minister stand down after the latest revelation. Asked if Sir Keir should go, he replied Yeah, adding that he was fed up to the back teeth of this psychodrama in Westminster.

Meanwhile, The Guardian reported that several ministers spoke up during a discussion on Sir Ollys sacking at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, including home secretary, Shabana Mahmood, who the newspaper questioned if it was justifiable while also praising the former civil servant.

Earlier on Wednesday, the prime minister tried to draw a line under the scandal, telling MPs during Prime Ministers Questions that Sir Ollys testimony to the committee puts to bed all the allegations levelled at me after claims that he had misled parliament.

He said: Yesterday, Sir Olly Robbins was asked if he shared [the vetting] decision with me, No 10 or any other ministers. He gave a clear answer: No. That puts to bed all the allegations levelled at me by those opposite in relation to dishonesty.

Last week, they were all saying that it must have been shared with me. Sir Olly was very clear yesterday: it was not. I believe not sharing it was a serious error of judgement.

open image in gallery Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has called for Starmer to quit as PM ( House of Commons )

That information should have been shared with me and other ministers, and if it had have been, Mandelson would not have been committed to post.

Under grilling from Ms Badenoch and other MPs, Sir Keir, however, did admit that No 10 had looked to find an ambassadorial role for Matthew Doyle, ahead of sacking him as the prime ministers director of communications.

Sir Keir said there are often conversations about other roles when staff leave jobs in any organisation, but added that nothing came of the discussions about a foreign posting for Lord Doyle.

The revelations that a role was sought for the then Mr Doyle has caused further embarrassment, as he has since been suspended by Labour because of his close relationship with a convicted paedophile, in a scandal that has echoes of Lord Mandelsons friendship with Jeffrey Epstein.

Ms Badenoch said: This is a joke. The prime minister promised them probity. What he has given them is cronyism and an old boys club, where Matthew Doyle is being proposed as an ambassador. It is ridiculous.

We all heard Sir Olly Robbinss testimony yesterday. The head of the Foreign Office was sacked for the prime ministers own failings.

And the issue is not going away, with Sir Keirs former chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, summoned to give evidence to the Foreign Affairs Select Committee next week, hours before parliament is due to be prorogued ahead of the Kings Speech on 13 May.
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A former cabinet secretary has called on Keir Starmer to reverse his sacking of Foreign Office mandarin Sir Olly Robbins over the Peter Mandelson scandal.

In an extraordinary intervention, Lord Mark Sedwill said the prime minister should retract his accusations against Olly Robbins and reinstate him.

Lord Sedwill, who led the civil service between 2018 and 2020, praised Sir Ollys calm integrity and intelligence and declared: The country needs him.

He defended Sir Ollys handling of the security vetting of Lord Mandelson after Sir Keir appointed him as the UKs ambassador in Washington.

Sir Olly was sacked last week after it emerged he did not tell Sir Keir that Lord Mandelson was cleared to take up the top diplomatic post despite security vetting officials recommending against it.

open image in gallery Mark Sedwill: The prime minister should retract his accusations against Olly Robbins ( PA )

Lord Sedwill disputed Sir Keirs claim that he would not have given Mandelson the job if he had known that vetting process had raised concerns about previous political scandals he has been involved in.

The PM was already well aware of these matters when he gave Mandelson the US posting and had acted against official advice in doing so, said Lord Sedwill.

Far from being at fault for keeping No 10 in the dark, as claimed by Sir Keir, Sir Olly had shouldered his duty to mitigate security worries resulting from appointing Mandelson instead of shunting it - and been rewarded with the sack.

Lord Sedwills comments reflect growing concern that the prime ministers decision to fire Sir Olly could undermine trust between ministers and civil servants tasked with implementing government policies.

He said in a post on X: In his evidence to the Foreign Affairs Committee, Sir Olly Robbins displayed the calm integrity and intelligence which have characterised his distinguished career of public service.

The prime minister appointed Peter Mandelson against official advice, announced that appointment without security vetting having been completed against official advice, and claims that he would have changed his mind had he been told that the vetting process had inevitably raised the concerns about Mandelsons previous conduct of which he was already well aware.

As Olly Robbins explained yesterday, the question for him was not whether to tell the prime minister what he already knew, but whether those issues could be mitigated enough to allow Mandelson access to the secret intelligence necessary to do his job.

open image in gallery Olly Robbins appearing before the Foreign Affairs Committee ( House of Commons/UK Parliament )

He took the professional judgement that they could. Unwisely, as it turned out, he shouldered his responsibilities rather than shunting them.

The prime minister should retract his accusations against Olly Robbins and reinstate him to the job the country needs him to do of getting the diplomatic service into shape for the second quarter of the 21st century.

The former Foreign Office chief said there was a dismissive approach on vetting from No 10 and an atmosphere of pressure to get Lord Mandelsons appointment as UK ambassador to the US over the line in an explosive testimony on Tuesday.

Sir Keir had told the Commons on Monday that he had challenged Sir Olly over why he went against the recommendation of UK Security Vetting (UKSV) and did not accept his explanation.

But Sir Olly said it was normal not to share the findings of the vetting process and described feeling under pressure to clear the peer for the role.

When Sir Olly took over at the helm of the Foreign Office in January last year, Lord Mandelson had already gone through the Cabinet Offices due diligence process, the King and the US had given him approval, and he was already being granted access to highly classified briefings on a case-by-case basis  without his security clearance being confirmed, he said.

The Whitehall veteran said this resulted in a dismissive approach to developed vetting from Downing Street for the remainder of the process, but insisted it was completed to the normal standard despite this atmosphere of pressure.

No 10 has rejected this, saying there is a distinction between the idea of pressure and being kept informed about the process and the progress of the appointment.

It came as Dave Penman, general secretary of the FDA trade union  which represents the UKs senior public servants and professionals  accused Sir Keir of sending a real chill throughout the civil service" after his decision to sack Sir Olly.

Mr Penman told BBC Newsnight: I think the prime minister is losing the ability to work with the civil service.

Who in the civil service would now think they would be immune from when it is politically expedient to be dismissed? he asked.

Thats not a place any government wants to be because it doesnt deliver for the people of the country.
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Sir Keir Starmer has admitted his former spin doctor was considered for a plum role as an ambassador despite having no experience for the role.

The prime minister is now facing calls for an inquiry into Number 10's lobbying for the diplomatic job to make sure nothing like it can ever happen again.

In a bombshell revelation as he gave evidence over the Peter Mandelson scandal on Tuesday, sacked Foreign Office chief Olly Robbins said No 10 had pushed for a diplomatic role for Matthew Doyle, the prime ministers former communications chief, but urged Sir Olly to hide the request from then-foreign secretary David Lammy.

Sir Olly said the approach made him feel quite uncomfortable. Foreign secretary Yvette Cooper she was extremely concerned about the claims and said Lord Doyle would not have been an appropriate choice for such a role.

Quizzed over the claims during Prime Ministers Questions on Wednesday, Sir Keir said: When people leave roles in any organisation, there are often conversations about other roles they want to apply for, but nothing came of this.

Although Lord Doyle was not given the diplomat job, he was subsequently elevated to the House of Lords. But he was stripped of the Labour whip just weeks later over his links with a convicted paedophile.

Opposition critics accused the PM of cronyism over the alleged lobbying, which Sir Olly said he was unsure who was behind or how serious it was.

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch told the Commons: I am amazed at the level of chuntering from Labour MPs. He promised them probity.

What hes given them is cronyism and an old boys club where Matthew Doyle is being proposed as an ambassador. Its ridiculous.

open image in gallery Keir Starmers former spin doctor considered for a job as an ambassador ( PA )

Leader of the Liberal Democrats Sir Ed Davey said it was completely shocking.

On top of his catastrophic lack of judgement, Keir Starmers failure to answer simple questions about his own role just isnt good enough. The public deserves the truth, so we can move on from this scandal and make sure nothing like it can ever happen again. The government needs to launch an inquiry by the cabinet secretary to find out who was doing this lobbying, why, and whether the prime minister knew about it or not.

Sir Olly told members of the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee on Tuesday that finding such a role for Lord Doyle would be very hard for the government to defend. At the time that, the Foreign Office was sacking senior diplomats, including ambassadors, as part of a potential restructure.

He also told how he was under strict instruction not to discuss that with the then foreign secretary [David Lammy], which was uncomfortable.

Lord Mandelson was also asked about the prospect of a role in Washington for Lord Doyle, Sir Olly suggested.

No 10 refused to say whether Sir Keir had apologised to Mr Lammy over the claims.

open image in gallery Tory leader Kemi Badenoch tackled the prime minister over Lord Mandelsons failed vetting ( PA Wire )

Also during PMQs, Sir Keir also claimed Sir Ollys appearance before MPs puts to bed all the allegations levelled at him over the appointment process for Lord Mandelson as US ambassador.

Under questioning from Ms Badenoch, he also insisted he would not resign.

Sir Olly was sacked by the PM last week after it emerged he did not tell Sir Keir that Lord Mandelson had been cleared to take the top diplomatic post despite security vetting officials recommending against it.

On Tuesday, Sir Olly told MPs he was only told that Mandelsons case was borderline, adding that there had been a "dismissive approach" on vetting from No 10 and an "atmosphere of pressure" to get Lord Mandelson to Washington as soon as possible.

Sir Keir said at PMQs: Yesterday, [Sir Olly] was asked if he shared that decision with me, No 10 or any other ministers. He gave a clear answer: no. That puts to bed all the allegations levelled at me by those opposite in relation to dishonesty.

Last week, they were all saying that it must have been shared with me. Sir Olly was very clear yesterday it was not.

But the Tory leader hit back: I cannot accuse the prime minister of deliberately misleading the House, but everyone can see what has happened here.

open image in gallery The PM is under pressure after Sir Olly Robbins evidence to MPs ( PA )

This was not due process Will the prime minister finally take responsibility and go?

In February, Labour announced that it had suspended Lord Doyle after it emerged that he had helped to campaign for his friend, convicted paedophile and former councillor Sean Morton.

The scandal emerged just months after Lord Mandelson was sacked as ambassador to the US because of further revelations about his long-term friendship with the convicted paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.

Lord Doyle, who worked for Sir Keir in opposition and entered Downing Street with him in 2024, campaigned for Morton when the latter ran as an independent in May 2017  four months after Morton had appeared in court charged with possessing indecent images of children. Morton later admitted the offence.

Lord Doyle has since apologised for backing Morton before the case against him had concluded, saying he believed his assertions of innocence at the time.

In a statement on Tuesday, Lord Doyle said he had never sought such a position and was not aware of anyone having spoken to the Foreign Office about finding a role for him.
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MPs have once again rejected proposals to ban social media access for under-16s, marking the third time such a measure has failed to pass a vote.

The decision came as MPs voted 260 to 161  a majority of 99  against an amendment to the Childrens Wellbeing and Schools Bill.

This amendment sought to raise the minimum age for accessing social media platforms deemed harmful to 16 within a year.

Education minister Olivia Bailey told the Commons that a comprehensive consultation was necessary before implementing any strategy to address harms linked to social media use.

Despite the rejection of a direct ban, the Bill is set to grant ministers flexible new powers to regulate childrens online activity.

These include the ability to impose curfews, set scrolling limits, and restrict location sharing. Furthermore, the government could also gain the authority to block under-16s from accessing specific social media platforms entirely.

open image in gallery As part of the Bill, ministers are set to gain a flexible power to curb childrens social media use with curfews, scrolling limits and restrictions on location sharing ( PA )

Ms Bailey said: There is a clear consensus across this House on the need to protect children online.

But our consultation goes further than these amendments, considering a wider set of options, including risks beyond social media such as gaming and AI chatbots.

It is not a question of whether the Government acts, but how the Government acts to deliver strong and enduring protections for children online.

The education minister said the Government will respond to a consultation, which is set to close next month, by the summer, and have made a legislative commitment to report to parliament within six months.

Ms Bailey also said there has been constructive engagement from Conservative former minister Lord Nash, who put forward the amendment, and the Government intends to return to these matters on Monday in the Lords.

open image in gallery MPs voted 260 to 161  majority 99  to reject an amendment to the Childrens Wellbeing and Schools Bill, which would have raised the age for access to social media deemed harmful to 16 within a 12-month window ( Reuters )

Conservative shadow education secretary Laura Trott said the Government must protect children from extreme and violent content, and parents will not forgive the continued delay.

Speaking ahead of the vote, she said: Twice already, Labour MPs have voted against a ban.

Parents will be forgiven, for not only feeling deeply let down, but being quite frankly baffled by what is going on.

Theyve heard the Prime Minister promise action, yet, once again, hes preparing to lead his party through the lobbies to vote against it. If the Government truly wanted change, they could deliver it today.

The Government also committed to a statutory ban for phones in schools earlier this week.

Education Committee chairwoman Helen Hayes said: There will be children who still need to have a phone in school for a whole variety of different reasons, because they are young carers, for example, or because they rely on phone-enabled software to support with a particular disability or special educational need.

There will be some exceptions, and how that is worked through in the guidance is important for protecting those children from the pressures that might come with being the only child in the classroom who is able to have access to their phone.
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Authorities in Nigeria have charged six people with treason and terrorism over an alleged plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu.

Those charged include a retired major general and a serving police inspector, according to a charge sheet seen by the Associated Press.

The six people accused of treason were all in custody.

A seventh suspect, former Bayelsa state governor Timpre Sylva, is accused of helping to conceal the plot and is still at large.

Authorities said suspects "conspired with one another to levy war against the state to overawe the president of the Federal Republic", a 13-count charge sheet read.

open image in gallery Tinubu (centre) visited the UK earlier this year ( PA )

The Nigerian government first said it had foiled a coup attempt in January, when it announced that several military officers would stand trial.

They were part of a group of 16 military officers arrested in 2025 over what military authorities described as "acts of indiscipline and breaches of service regulations", which fuelled rumours of a coup plot that the government initially denied.

Africa's most populous nation experienced five coups in the 20th century but has not seen one since it transitioned to democracy in 1999.

The alleged coup plot comes on the heels of a surge in coups and attempted coups in West and Central Africa, the latest in Benin and Guinea-Bissau late last year.

The military takeovers, experts say, follow a pattern of disputed elections, constitutional upheaval, security crises and youth discontent.
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Pope Leo used the final full day of his four-nation Africa tour on Wednesday to deliver a powerful message against wealth inequality, urging believers to work towards bridging the divide between rich and poor in oil-rich Equatorial Guinea.

The pontiff, whose outspoken criticism of war and despotism has drawn the ire of US President Donald Trump, was also scheduled to visit a high-security prison.

Human rights groups allege this facility holds political prisoners in abusive conditions. Equatorial Guinea, governed since 1979 by President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, the world's longest-serving president, is widely regarded as one of the region's most repressive nations, despite enjoying warm ties with the US, partly due to its oil wealth.

Recently, Obiang's government struck a deal with the Trump administration to accept deportees from other countries, one of several such arrangements in Africa that have drawn criticism from immigration lawyers and advocates.

The 70-year-old pontiff, who was flying approximately 700 km across Equatorial Guinea to visit three cities, began his day with an event in Mongomo.

During a Mass in Central Africa's largest religious structure, Leo implored Equatorial Guineans "to serve the common good rather than private interests, bridging the gap between the privileged and the disadvantaged."

The pope, who has debuted a forceful new speaking style during the Africa tour, also decried poor treatment of "prisoners who are often forced to live in troubling hygienic and sanitary conditions".

open image in gallery Pope Leo XIV speaks to the faithful as he arrives to lead a holy Mass at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Mongomo, Equatorial Guinea ( Reuters )

In attendance for the event at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception were Obiang and his son, Vice President Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, widely known as Teodorin, who has for years documented his glamorous lifestyle on Instagram.

In October 2017, Teodorin was convicted of embezzlement in France during a trial in absentia, and the court ordered the confiscation of more than 100 million euros ($117 million) worth of his assets.

The Vatican said roughly 100,000 people had gathered inside and outside the basilica to see Leo on Wednesday, pressing in around a colonnade modelled after St. Peter's Square in Rome.

They danced and screamed as his white popemobile arrived. Organizers released gold, white, green and red smoke in the air, nodding to the colours of the Vatican and Equatorial Guinea flags.

Mairano Nve, 70, said he was excited to see Leo. "It is a huge joy to have the pope visiting us," said Nve. "He just wants to see us and give us a blessing in the name of Jesus."

Activists were hoping Leo would draw attention to the deportees sent from the U.S. to Equatorial Guinea.

A group of 70 NGOs published an open letter on Monday calling on Leo to push for "fair, humane and lawful treatment" of the deportees, saying they were being pressured to return to their home countries.

open image in gallery Pope Leo used the last full day of his four-nation Africa tour on Wednesday to speak out against wealth inequality, urging believers to work to bridge the gap between rich and poor as he traversed oil-rich Equatorial Guinea ( Reuters )

At the facility in Bata that Leo was expected to visit on Wednesday afternoon, detainees are regularly held for years without access to lawyers, Amnesty International says.

The government dismisses criticism of its justice system and says it has an open democracy.

More than 70 per cent of Equatorial Guinea's population of 1.8 million identify as Catholic.

Leo, who is the first pope to visit since 1982, is at the end of one of the most complicated overseas tours ever arranged for a pontiff. He has traversed nearly 18,000 km (11,185 miles) across 18 flights to 11 cities in four countries.

The pope will also pray in Bata at the site of a series of explosions in 2021 at a military barracks that killed more than 100 people, which the government blamed on poor storage of ordnance.

Human rights activists have called for an independent investigation into the incident, so far in vain.
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U.S. Representative David Scott, a Georgia Democrat who made history as the first Black chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, has passed away at the age of 80.

Scott, who was pursuing his 13th term in Congress despite facing internal party challenges, was a prominent advocate for Democrats on agricultural policy and consumer food aid.

He was also a notable Black member of the moderate Blue Dog caucus. However, his later years in office were marked by declining health, leading to criticism and primary challenges in both 2024 and at the time of his death.

Democrats on Capitol Hill offered tributes to the long-serving lawmaker. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries expressed profound sadness, telling reporters on Wednesday, "The news of Congressman Scotts passing is deeply sad."

Jeffries lauded Scott as a "trailblazer who served district that he represented admirably, rose up from humble beginnings to become the first African American ever to chair the House Ag Committee."

He added, "He cared about the people that he represented. He was fiercely committed to getting things done for the people of the great state of Georgia, and hell be deeply missed."

open image in gallery ( Reuters )

The announcement of Scotts death occurred during the Congressional Black Caucus weekly luncheon on Capitol Hill, with Chair Rep. Yvette Clarke informing lawmakers. Many present, some of whom had served alongside Scott for decades, were reportedly shocked and saddened.

Scotts passing marginally expands the Republican Partys slim House majority as the current election year progresses.

The congressman had not been particularly active on the campaign trail in 2026 but had consistently dismissed calls for his retirement. "Thank God Im in good health, moving and doing the peoples work," Scott stated in 2024.

Born David Albert Scott on June 27, 1945, in rural Aynor, South Carolina, during the Jim Crow era, he was a vocal proponent for federal support of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), having graduated from Florida A&M University.

He also held an MBA from the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School. Scott was a seasoned state lawmaker in Georgia before his election to Congress in 2002.
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The U.S. Navy is reviewing the design and costs of the Ford-class aircraft carrier, one of its most high-tech and expensive warships, and the service's top boss is not ruling out canceling future versions of its design.

The review, which should be complete next month, was a prudent and practical" move aimed at examining the costs of the designs and the systems to make sure that they make sense and they have all the systems and requirements that we want going forward, Navy Secretary John Phelan told reporters Tuesday.

The design review comes after years of criticism from President Donald Trump, who has taken issue with some of the technology on this type of aircraft carrier, including its magnetic catapults, which he claimed didn't work during remarks in the Oval Office last year.

When Phelan was asked if the review could lead to the cancellation of future Ford-class aircraft carriers, he told reporters only that its too early to say, but we will have carriers.

The USS Gerald R. Ford has been on a record-setting deployment of more than 300 days since June 2025 that has seen the worlds largest aircraft carrier participate in two key military actions by the Trump administration: the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and the war against Iran.

The design review comes after years of criticism from President Donald Trump, who has taken issue with some of the technology on this type of aircraft carrier ( Getty Images )

Navy budget documents made public Tuesday did not list Ford-class aircraft carriers among the ships that the Navy planned to buy. The documents instead simply said aircraft carrier. Meanwhile, other ships  such as the Columbia-class submarines and Arleigh Burke-class destroyers  were described by class name.

A Navy statement provided Tuesday praised the Ford-class carrier as a battle-proven design that has been able to launch aircraft at a faster rate than the older Nimitz-class carriers and offers increased combat power and ability to maintain high-tempo global strike operations" in three parts of the world.

Phelan, however, told reporters that he wanted to review that data.

I go to the Ronald Reagan school of trust and verify, Phelan said, before adding that the review would look into the carrier's ability to launch and retrieve aircraft.

The ship's magnetic catapults are a key component in giving the Ford a leg up from the older Nimitz ships in launching aircraft. They also put less stress on planes, require less maintenance and reduce the ship's need for fresh water compared with the older steam-powered variants.

The Navy has three other Ford-class carriers under construction: the USS John F. Kennedy, the USS Enterprise and the USS Dorie Millier.

Phelan said the review will examine the next two carriers  named USS William Jefferson Clinton and USS George W. Bush by the Biden administration  which have been planned but not contracted.

Trump, meanwhile, has rolled out a new warship design dubbed the Trump-class battleship, estimated to cost more than $17 billion  or $4 billion more than the Ford-class carriers. The Navy does not plan to pay for the first ship in the new class, the USS Defiant, until the 2028 budget year.

Phelan told reporters the current cost for the Trump-class ship is an early initial estimate and he expected the cost to fall as the design is refined and further ships are built. He also didn't rule out the ship being powered by a nuclear reactor, which would significantly drive up its costs.
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The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), a prominent civil rights organisation, has announced it is the subject of a criminal investigation by the US Justice Department. The probe reportedly stems from the SPLC's historical use of paid informants.

Bryan Fair, the organisation's CEO, confirmed on Tuesday that the SPLC now faces potential charges over its practice of deploying informants to infiltrate extremist groups. Mr Fair defended the strategy, stating that the SPLC has encountered "credible threats of violence" and that intelligence gathered by these informants "helped saved lives." He added that this information was frequently shared with the FBI and other law enforcement agencies.

The Justice Department has not yet offered any immediate comment on the matter.

Here are some things to know about the Southern Poverty Law Center's history and controversies:

The center was created 55 years ago to support civil rights

Alabama lawyer Morris Dees founded the organization in 1971, starting a civil rights-focused law practice for people who were poor or disenfranchised. At the time, federal laws and U.S. Supreme Court rulings designed to end Jim Crow-era segregation were still fairly new, and widespread resistance to desegregation persisted in the South.

People who faced continued discrimination often struggled to find attorneys who were willing to represent them in court; lawyers were reluctant to bring the first lawsuits to test the civil rights laws.

Dees and another attorney, Joe Levin, took on some of those cases, representing their clients for free. Some of those earliest cases resulted in the desegregation of recreational facilities, the integration of the Alabama state trooper force and other reforms, according to the center's website.

By the 1980s, the civil rights group was monitoring white supremacist organizations in the U.S. The effort, initially called Klanwatch and focused on the Ku Klux Klan, was later renamed the Intelligence Project, and expanded to include other extremist groups.

Many of the groups did not appreciate being called out, monitored and sometimes sued by the center. Members of the KKK tried to burn down the center's Montgomery offices on July 28, 1983, in retaliation for lawsuits filed against Klan groups.

open image in gallery Southern Poverty Law Center Director Morris Dees attends a news conference Nov. 18, 2002, at the Civil Rights Memorial at the Southern Poverty Law Center in Montgomery, Ala. (AP Photo/Dave Martin, File) ( Copyright 2002 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

The fire damaged the building, office equipment, the center's law library and files. More than a year later, three KKK members were arrested in connection with the blaze, and all three plead guilty and were sentenced to prison.

The center previously used paid informants to infiltrate extremist groups and gather information on their activities, often sharing it with local and federal law enforcement, Fair said. They were used to monitor threats of violence, he said, adding that the program was kept quiet to protect the safety of informants.

A big purse

The nonprofit organization gets most of its funding from donor contributions, and those contributions have added up. Its endowment had just under $732 million in hand as of last October, according to the center.

The center's Intelligence Project has grown over the years, and the organization has faced criticism for some of the groups it has added to the tracker. Conservatives have said adding some groups unfairly maligns them because of their viewpoints. The conservative religious organization Focus on the Family was added in part because of its anti LGBTQ+ rhetoric, for instance.

That criticism escalated after the September 2025 assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk at a college campus in Utah. That brought renewed attention to the center's inclusion of Kirk's group, Turning Point USA.

The center included a section on Turning Point in a report titled The Year in Hate and Extremism 2024 that described the group as A Case Study of the Hard Right in 2024.

A month after Kirk's death, FBI Director Kash Patel announced that the bureau would sever its relationship with the center, asserting that the organization had been turned into a partisan smear machine and criticizing it for its use of a hate map.

That move marked a dramatic rethinking of longstanding FBI partnerships with prominent civil rights groups.
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Thousands of Afghans who helped the U.S. war effort between 2001 and 2021 could be forced to choose between going back to a Taliban-run Afghanistan or moving to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which is facing one of the most complex humanitarian crises worldwide.

The group of Afghans, some of whom worked as interpreters for the U.S. military or are former members of the Afghan Special Operations forces, and their families have been living in Qatar while trying to obtain U.S. visas after the Fall of Kabul in 2021.

Initially, the U.S. government had promised to help resettle Afghans who had aided the U.S. and now face dire threats to their lives in Afghanistan.

But refugee resettlement groups were blindsided by President Donald Trumps sudden suspension of refugee admissions into the U.S. last year. Following a deadly shooting of a National Guard member by an Afghan national, the administration froze a special visa program and announced plans to close the camp in Doha, stranding thousands of Afghans  more than 400 of whom are children, according to The New York Times.

Advocates say the ongoing discussion between the president and the DRC appears to be a way for the U.S. to use the war-torn nation as a cover to avoid obligations to resettle Afghans who helped the U.S. Instead, the move could be a death sentence, they said.

open image in gallery Afghans who aided the US during the Afghanistan War could be forced to choose between going to the Democratic Republic of the Congo or back to Afghanistan under Taliban rule as part of a potential Trump administration deal ( UK MODCrown copyright )

Details about the plan, such as how many Afghans would go to the DRC and when it could begin, are unclear at this time.

Shawn VanDiver, the president of #AfghanEvac, a nonprofit that provides resources for Afghan allies and ensures cooperation between the U.S. government and volunteer groups, said those refugees are not being given a choice.

Rather than do the thing they should do, which is send them here, theyre going to send them into a civil war, he told reporters Wednesday.

The Trump administration is not trying to resettle Afghans but force them back into Taliban control while using the DRC as a cover that lets them do it, he said.

A State Department spokesperson told The Independent it was still working to find voluntary resettlement options for residents of Camp As-Sayliyah, the former U.S. military base in Qatar where Afghan allies are residing  and that the U.S. was in communication with residents on those options.

Between 2021 and 2025, the U.S. helped nearly 200,000 Afghans, according to documents seen by CBS News.

The State Department spokesperson added that moving Afghans to a third country would provide people with a chance to start a new life outside of Afghanistan while maintaining the safety and security of the United States.

open image in gallery Trump froze refugee entry after entering office and halted visa approvals for Afghans in January after an Afghan national killed one National Guard member and injured another last year ( AFP/Getty )

But the administration has given them an impossible choice instead, according to Democratic members of Congress working on refugee resettlement issues.

These individuals stood with the United States throughout a 20-year war, many serving alongside American troops in combat, according to a joint statement from Reps. Gregory Meeks, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove, the top Democrat on the Subcommittee on South and Central Asia.

In return, we made a promise to protect them after the Talibans takeover, they said. Abandoning that commitment not only betrays our allies, it sends a dangerous message to future partners that U.S. promises cannot be trusted.

Congresswoman Kamlager-Dove said she called the reversal one of the greatest moral stains of this State Department.

A complete slap in the face, she told reporters Wednesday. It is a death sentence.

For many Afghans who aided the U.S. during the Afghanistan War, going back to their home country could have deadly consequences.

Taiba Nawabi, a 27-year-old Afghan woman temporarily living in Pakistan, was physically attacked by members of the Taliban in her own home after it reclaimed power in 2021.

Nawabi told WBUR the Taliban attempted to behead her husband because she worked for a non-governmental organization that focused on women's issues and collaborated with the U.S. government during the war.

But resettling in the DRC, with an ongoing humanitarian crisis, may not be a reliable option for a new life.

Nearly 7 million people have been internally displaced due to the severe crisis, the United Nations Refugee Agency estimates. Thats on top of the more than 500,000 refugees and asylum seekers who are living in the DRC to escape violence in neighboring countries.

You do not solve the worlds No. 1 refugee crisis by dumping it into the worlds No. 2 refugee crisis, VanDiver told reporters.
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House Speaker Mike Johnson refused to condemn a member of Congress under investigation for sexual misconduct and dating violence despite citing his daughters working on Capitol Hill as the reason for the need to protect women staffers.

Johnson was asked by The Independent about female staffers feeling it necessary to go to the media to detail stories of sexual misconduct by lawmakers, rather than report through the formal protocol.

You may know this, I have two daughters who work on Capitol Hill, on committee staffs, he said. I'm a father. I'm not just the Speaker of the House. I'm a member who is directly, you know, involved in this. For that very reason, we have to protect women and anyone who feels like there's any inappropriate behavior whatsoever.

But Johnson so far has refused to condemn Rep. Cory Mills (R-Fla.). In October, a state judge hit Mills with a restraining order after his ex-girlfriend claimed that he had threatened to release nude images and blackmail her. Mills has disputed the claims.

In November, the House Ethics Committee announced it had opened an investigation into the two-term Florida congressman for a litany of allegations, including whether he engaged in misconduct with respect to allegations of sexual misconduct and/or dating violence.

open image in gallery Speaker of the House Mike Johnson takes questions at a news conference following a closed-door GOP meeting at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, April 21, 2026. ( AP )

The questions about Mills come following the resignation of Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) and the subsequent resignation of Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-Texas).

Swalwell ended his campaign for governor and his congressional career after multiple media reports detailing inappropriate sexual conduct with staffers, including a former staffer saying he sexually assaulted her on two separate occasions.

It also triggered Gonzaless resignation. He had previously come before the House Ethics Committee over allegations he had engaged in an extramarital affair with a former staffer who later killed herself.

Before that, plenty of Democrats and a handful of Republicans had called for both men to be expelled.

The pressure only grew on Tuesday when Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick of Florida resigned after a House Ethics Committee investigation into allegations that she stole $5 million in FEMA money meant for Covid-19 vaccinations. The Florida congresswoman maintained her innocence despite the resignation.

Republicans and Democrats had expressed openness to removing Cherfilus-McCormick in exchange for Mills.

But Johnson defended the process of the Ethics Committee to reporters.

There's always been marital infidelity, there's always been despicable behavior, he said. And so what that means is the House Ethics Committee is an essential component of this institution. They keep the faith in the institution by policing their own members.

open image in gallery ( Getty )

But many Democrats expressed dissatisfaction that they are willing to police their own, while Republicans so far have been unwilling to do the same.

If you could be the party of family values, you should value family and not condone violence in a home against somebody living there, Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez (D-N.M.), the chairwoman of the Democratic Womens Caucus, told The Independent.

Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.), a rape survivor, filed a resolution to expel Mills from the House of Representatives.

But the move has quickly become a tit-for-tat and Mills all but dared Mace to do so.

Why wont you call your resolution you filed to the floor for a vote? Mills said on social media. Is it because you didnt think you would get called out?
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A study hailing the efficacy of the Covid-19 vaccine that previously had its publication in the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions flagship journal delayed has now been shelved altogether, according to a report.

The Washington Post reports that the study in question was due to appear in the March 19 edition of the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report and shows that the coronavirus shot played an important role in reducing emergency department visits at hospitals last winter.

It is understood that healthy adults who received the vaccine between September and December 2025 cut their risk of urgent care and emergency room visits by 50 percent and their risk of Covid-related hospitalizations by 55 percent, compared to adults who did not receive a dose.

open image in gallery The study in question found that Covid shots inspired a big decrease in emergency room visits and hospitalizations last winter ( AFP/Getty )

However, the study missed its original publication date last month after Jay Bhattacharya  who is overseeing the CDC until President Donald Trumps nominee, Dr. Erica Schwartz, is confirmed by the Senate  blocked it, raising concerns about the methodology, despite it having passed the agencys scientific review process.

A Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson told The Independent earlier this month that it was routine for CDC leadership to review and flag concerns prior to publication of such reports and that Bhattacharya had raised his issues, which were at that point being addressed, to make sure that the paper uses the most appropriate methodology for such a study.

The Post now cites sources saying it will not be published at all, raising fears that it is being suppressed at the behest of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a well-known vaccine skeptic who once called the Covid jab the deadliest vaccine ever made.

HHS spokesman Andrew Nixon told the Post: The MMWRs editorial assessment identified concerns regarding the methodological approach to estimating vaccine effectiveness and the manuscript was not accepted for publication.

The Independent has reached out to HHS for further comment in light of the new development.

open image in gallery Acting CDC director Jay Bhattacharya, appearing alongside Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr and President Donald Trump, raised concerns about the methodology used in the study, delaying its publication in March ( AFP/Getty )

Reports using the same methodology have been published before in the MMWR without controversy, including a recent one on the efficacy of the flu shot and another in December on the Covid vaccines effectiveness in children.

Other prestigious medical journals have also regularly published vaccine studies based on the same approach, likewise without incident, including The New England Journal of Medicine, JAMA Network Open, The Lancet, and Pediatrics.

I cannot recall CDC stopping an MMWR report in the publication phase after scientific clearance and editorial review, Michael Iademarco, director of the CDC center with oversight of the MMWR from 2014 to 2022, told the Post.

On rare occasions, we shifted the timing slightly to better align communications plans with competing or reinforcing pieces.

For his part, Kennedy has said he is not anti-vaccine but is merely seeking to give Americans greater transparency and choice regarding their physical health, hence the policy changes he has attempted to introduce regarding inoculations over the last year.

open image in gallery Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Tuesday that U.S. service members would no longer be forced to get flu shots, the administrations latest attack on vaccine mandates ( Reuters )

But the former environmental lawyer has also spoken out aggressively, telling lawmakers at a hearing last year on the development of Covid vaccine policy during the pandemic: We were lied to about everything.

Last year, the secretary directed the CDC to drop its Covid vaccine recommendation for children and healthy pregnant women, a move that drew criticism from public health experts.

And last month, Kennedy-appointed advisers considered ending recommendations for Covid mRNA vaccines but ultimately shelved the plan.

It had been assumed that the Trump administration would temper its skepticism towards vaccines to broaden its appeal to voters ahead of this Novembers midterm elections.

But on Tuesday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that U.S. service members will no longer be required to get a yearly flu shot under a new Defense Department policy to restore freedom and strength to our joint force.

Hegseth said the Pentagon was discarding absurd, overreaching mandates that only weaken our war-fighting capabilities in the latest administration broadside against the science.
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Former Congressman Devin Nunes has been removed as CEO of President Donald Trumps media company after a steep stock slide last year.

Trump Media & Technology Group, the parent company of Truth Social, appointed advisor Kevin McGurn to succeed Nunes as interim CEO effective immediately, the company said Tuesday. It did not share a reason for Nunes abrupt exit.

The company's stock soared before Trumps re-election in November 2024, but later dropped 67 percent, wiping out more than $6 billion in investor value, according to the Associated Press.

The Trump family created TMTG after mainstream social media platforms banned Trump following the January 6 Capitol riots.

The leadership change comes as Trump Media continues to report significant losses in comparison to its revenue. The company recorded a net loss of more than $712 million and revenues of $3.7 million in 2025. Since going public two years ago, the company has lost over $1.1 billion.

open image in gallery Devin Nunes, who led President Donald Trumps media company, has left his role as CEO, the company announced Tuesday ( Getty )

Nunes, who served as a Republican Congressman in California during Trumps first term and was chair of the House Intelligence Committee, was paid $47 million by the company in 2024. Information about how much he received in 2025 was not available.

McGurn, who previously worked as an executive for Hulu, Vevo and T-Mobile, said in a statement that the company was poised to take off.

In carrying President Trumps unique, singular vision and message, Truth Social stands for the most powerful brand and voice in the history of social media and beyond, he said.

Donald Trump Jr., who sits on the board of the company, thanked Nunes for his dedicated service to the company over the past four years.

Nunes, a longtime Trump ally, left Congress in 2021 to take on the CEO role. In a Truth Social post, Nunes said it was an appropriate time for McGurn to take over as CEO and steer Trump Media through its current transition phase.

open image in gallery Kevin McGurn has been appointed to be interim CEO effective immediately, the company said ( Getty )

Id like to thank President Trump, Trump Medias millions of users and hundreds of thousands of retail shareholders, and the amazing patriots working on our Companys team, all of whom were indispensable in creating and operating this unique Company, he added.

While the company gave no reason for Nunes to step down, he noted in the post that giving up the role would give him more time to devote to his role as Chairman of the Presidents Intelligence Advisory Board.

Nunes is the third person to leave Trump Medias top ranks in recent weeks.

Eric Swider, who helped bring the Trump Media public, resigned from the board this month, while Robert Lighthizer, who was Trumps U.S. Trade Representative during his first term, resigned in March.

The Independent has asked TMTG for comment.
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A medical student who created an AI-generated conservative influencer has claimed the dumb MAGA crowd was easy to fool, according to a new report.

A 22-year-old medical student from northern India, identified only as Sam, told Wired he was behind a series of pro-MAGA social media accounts featuring Emily Hart, an AI-generated woman. Sam said he started posting about Emily Hart to generate some extra cash while studying, and made thousands of dollars every month.

The MAGA crowd is made up of dumb peoplelike, super dumb people. And they fall for it, he told Wired.

The Instagram and Facebook pages featuring Emily Hart appear to have been taken down. Posts, previously reviewed by Wired and the New York Post, touched on topics like immigration and abortion.

Trump should tell all the illegals that he will give them citizenship if they vote Republican and see how fast Democrats want them out of the country, one post, reviewed by the New York Post reads.

open image in gallery A 22-year-old medical student claims he created an AI-generated MAGA influencer known as Emily Hart ( Facebook )

If you want a reason to unfollow: Christ is king, abortion is murder, and all illegals must be deported, another post reads.

The Instagram page for Emily Hart was banned in February after it was cited for fraudulent activity, Wired reported. The AI-generated influencers Facebook page also appears to have been taken down.

Meta, which operates Instagram and Facebook, works to identify content generated or edited using AI outside of ads on our platforms, and label it to promote transparency, according to a statement published in February.

We display an AI info label for content we detect was generated by an AI tool, and share whether the content is labeled because of industry-shared signals or because someone self-disclosed, the statement reads. We require people to use this disclosure and label tool when they post organic content with a photorealistic video or realistic-sounding audio that was digitally created or altered, and we may apply penalties if they fail to do so.

Sam told Wired he launched the accounts after coming up with the idea to create and sell AI-generated images of a woman in a bikini. The student said he then used Googles Gemini AI platform.

open image in gallery The Facebook account created for Emily Hart shared pro-MAGA messages ( Facebook )

According to a transcript reviewed by Wired, Gemini told Sam: If you create a generic hot girl, youre competing with a million other models.

Sam then gave Gemini some options for making her more appealing, and it suggested he go with the MAGA/conservative niche, the outlet reports. The AI platform also told Sam that the conservative audience (especially older men in the US) often has higher disposable income and is more loyal.

A Google spokesperson told The Independent: Gemini is designed to answer your requests without conveying a particular set of beliefs, and if asked for its opinion, it should provide a range of viewpoints.

The spokesperson added: In the examples provided by WIRED, Gemini was asked how to reach an audience with specific political beliefs, and responded accordingly.

In addition to Emily Harts social media accounts, Sam also sold MAGA apparel and subscriptions to a page he created for her on Fanvue, a competitor of OnlyFans that describes itself as an AI monetization platform.

Sam told Wired he doesnt regret making Emily Hart, and that he doesnt feel like he was scamming people.

I was spending maybe 30 to 50 minutes of my day, and I was making good money for a medical student, he said. In India, even in professional jobs, you can't make this amount of money. I havent seen any easier way to make money online.
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Former President George W. Bush has opened up about his friendship with former First Lady Michelle Obama and the viral Altoids incident involving them both. 

Bush was spotted subtly placing the mint into Obamas hand all the way back in September 2018, when the pair were seated next to each other at Senator John McCains funeral. 

Speaking to Today, the former president lifted the lid on his theory about why his friendship with Obama, whose husband succeeded him as commander in chief, and the Altoid moment garnered so much attention.

I get a little antsy, as Im sure you know, he told Jenna Bush Hager, his daughter. And I was sitting next to Michelle, thats who I sit next to at funerals.

open image in gallery Former President George W. Bush has opened up about slipping an Altoid to former First Lady Michelle Obama during a funeral in 2018 ( Pool clip )

I was kinda teasing her and stuff, and I slipped her an Altoid, Bush continued. Not as a joke, but I thought she might want one.

And I got in the car afterwards, and she said, 'Youre trending, he chuckled. I didnt know what trending meant.

Concluding, Bush added, It turns out the country is starved to see a White, center-right Republican and an African-American center-left Democrat having fun, and being able to converse, not as political figures, but as citizens.

The pairs friendship has been a subject of public interest for some time, with Bush and Obama also making headlines after they embraced at the dedication ceremony for the National Museum of African American History and Culture in 2016. 

In December 2018, Bush poked fun at the minty moment by offering another to the first lady at his father, former President George H.W. Bushs, funeral. 

open image in gallery The pair have often been spotted together while at public appearances, with Obama describing Bush as her partner-in-crime ( CBS Sunday Morning )

That same year, Michelle Obama described Bush as her partner-in-crime during an interview with Today. A year later, she told the show that the pairs values are the same.

We disagree on policy, but we dont disagree on humanity, she continued. We dont disagree about love and compassion.

The former first lady added, I think thats true for all of us. Its just that we get lost in our fear of whats different.

Jenna Bush Hager shared that after their recent interview, her father said he planned to bring a crate of Altoids to the opening of the Barack Obama Presidential Center in the summer.

Bush Hager has interviewed her father, as well as former President Clinton, former President Obama and former President Biden for the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. 

During the segment, each of the politicians shared their thoughts on democracy.

Concluding his portion of the program, Bush urged viewers to be hopeful about the United States future.

I would hope people would take a look at our history and realize were an imperfect nation trying to be more perfect, but be optimistic about the future of the country, he said.
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President Donald Trump mocked Joe Rogan for being liberal at a recent White House event, but the popular podcaster played down suggestions from some online that there has been a growing rift between the pair.

He joked about it, Rogan said during an episode of his podcast that aired Tuesday. He called me a liberal during the whole thing.

Hes very liberal, Rogan said, imitating the presidents voice.

During the event on Saturday, touting the administrations efforts to speed review for therapeutic psychedelics, Trump needled Rogan, in what may have been a dig over the hosts recent criticisms of the Iran war.

We all respect Joe, Trump said. Hes a little bit more liberal than I am. Thats OK. I have a lot of friends that are liberal, but Joe is an amazing guy.

open image in gallery Joe Rogan used a recent podcast episode to describe Trump ribbing him at the White House for being too liberal ( AP )

Rogan, speaking on his podcast, said the friendly tone extended to an exchange between the two at a UFC fight earlier this month. The pair were seen having an animated conversation during a handshake, in what some commentators thought was an argument.

The podcaster said the conversation actually involved the two men talking about the psychedelics effort, which Rogan said he lobbied the White House to pursue, beginning with a text to the president.

Literally, he sees me at the UFC the next day, shakes my hand, and says its done, Rogan said on his podcast. Thats what he was saying. I said, Thank you, sir. It wasnt like he was mad at me at all. It was the opposite.

The Independent has contacted the White House for comment.

Rogan, while close to the president, hasnt been afraid to criticize the administration, a rarity in a larger media ecosystem where figures with ties to the right rarely speak out against the president.

Rogan has called the Iran war an insane choice that made a lot of people feel betrayed.

open image in gallery President Trump has lashed out at other figures in the right-leaning media like Tucker Carlson who have criticized the Iran war ( Getty )

The podcaster has alleged the administration sees the war as a welcome distraction from the Epstein files saga.

Look, the Epstein files come out  we go to war with Iran. Its a good way to get people to stop talking about certain things, Rogan said on an episode this month.

Rogan hasnt been alone in his criticism.

Other popular figures in right-wing media like Tucker Carlson, Megyn Kelly, and Candace Owens have all slammed the war effort.

But Rogans closeness with the president appears to have spared him from White House anger.

The others have been subject to angry posts online from the president in recent days.
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FBI Director Kash Patel has seen a defamation lawsuit he brought against an MS NOW pundit who accused him of spending more time in nightclubs than at the office dismissed by a Texas court.

Patel was incensed when former FBI official Frank Figliuzzi appeared on the Morning Joe breakfast show on May 2 last year and told hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski that the director had been visible at nightclubs far more than he has been on the seventh floor of the bureaus headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Patel sued Figliuzzi in June, accusing him of fabricating a specific lie arising from clear animus, insisting: Since becoming Director of the FBI, Director Patel has not spent a single minute inside of a nightclub.

open image in gallery A Texas judge ruled that former FBI official Frank Figliuzzi's joke about Kash Patel was clearly intended to be humorous and therefore not defamatory ( Getty )

But U.S. District Court Judge George Hanks Jr ruled in Houston Tuesday that Figliuzzis remark is rhetorical hyperbole that cannot constitute defamation.

He elaborated: When taken in context, [it] cannot have been perceived by a person of ordinary intelligence as stating actual facts about Patel.

A person of reasonable intelligence and learning would not have taken his statement literally: that Director Patel has actually spent more hours physically in a nightclub than he has spent physically in his office building.

By saying that Patel spent far more time at nightclubs than his office, Figliuzzi delivered his answer in an exaggerated, provocative and amusing way, employing rhetorical hyperbole.

Accordingly, Director Patel has failed to state a claim against Figliuzzi, and his lawsuit must be dismissed, his decision concluded.

Marc Fuller, Figluizzis lawyer, told CNBC: This is a victory for press freedom and the First Amendment. Director Patels claim against Frank was baseless, and we are pleased that the court dismissed it.

The development comes in the same week that Patel launched an unrelated $250 million defamation suit against The Atlantic magazine over a profile published late last week in which he was characterized as habitually drinking to excess, creating a potential national security vulnerability, which the director has denied.

open image in gallery Frank Figliuzzi, a former assistant director for counterintelligence at the FBI, has made regular appearances on MS NOW and other networks for years since leaving the bureau ( MS NOW )

Defendants are of course free to criticize the leadership of the FBI, but they crossed the legal line by publishing an article replete with false and obviously fabricated allegations designed to destroy Director Patels reputation and drive him from office, his lawyers wrote in their filing.

Georgia Republican Rep. Rich McCormick has since leaped to Patels defense, saying that whatever he did on his own time was his business, adding: Ive seen plenty of guys drink and have fun.

Patel appeared on Fox Newss Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo over the weekend and not only disparaged The Atlantics reporting but also claimed to have evidence that would finally prove President Donald Trumps long-standing claim that the 2020 election was stolen from him by a vast nationwide conspiracy.

Rumors have swirled around Washington in recent days that Trump could be about to fire Patel, despite having lost three members of his cabinet  Kristi Noem, Pam Bondi, and now Lori Chavez-DeRemer  in relatively quick succession.

Trump is known to disapprove of drinking, after losing his brother to alcoholism and abstaining from alcohol throughout his life, and may prefer to avoid dragging the scandal out further.

Nearly 30,000 people have already signed a MoveOn petition demanding an inquiry into Patels alleged misconduct.

Minnesota Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar signaled Monday that the Senate Judiciary Committee is thinking along similar lines.
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The FBI and Justice Department are reportedly undertaking urgent measures to rebuild their depleted workforces following a significant wave of departures over the past year.

Efforts include easing hiring requirements and accelerating recruitment processes, moves that some current and former officials fear could compromise long-established professional standards.

The FBI has launched social media campaigns to attract applicants, introduced abbreviated training programmes for candidates transferring from other federal agencies, and relaxed criteria for support staff aspiring to become agents. These changes, detailed in internal communications seen by The Associated Press, are part of a broader push to fill vacancies. Concurrently, the Justice Department is now recruiting prosecutors directly from law school to address staffing shortages in US attorneys offices nationwide.

Concerns are also being raised by some current and former agents regarding the FBIs internal promotions, with claims that individuals with less experience than traditionally required are being elevated to leadership positions.

These adjustments reflect a wider strategy to stabilise a workforce strained by retirements and resignations. Many of these departures were reportedly prompted by concerns over the politicisation of the department during the previous Republican administration, alongside the dismissal of lawyers, agents, and other employees perceived as insufficiently loyal to the then-presidents agenda. Critics argue that these changes represent a significant reduction in standards for law enforcement institutions that have historically prided themselves on their professional expertise, and which are responsible for critical functions ranging from counter-terrorism to complex public corruption investigations.

Its a sign of, among other things, the difficulty the department is having right now in keeping and recruiting people, said Greg Brower, a former U.S. attorney in Nevada who left the FBI in 2018 as its chief congressional liaison.

The FBI defended the changes as a necessary modernization of its hiring pipeline, saying it is streamlining, not lowering, standards and removing what it says were bureaucratic steps in the application process. It said applicants were still evaluated on the same competencies.

The Bureau holds high standards for potential and current employees, and there is a rigorous application and background process to join the FBI, the FBI said in a statement.

open image in gallery FBI agents ( Getty )

The FBI has long been seen as the nation's premier federal law enforcement agency, with a recruitment process anchored around physical fitness tests, a writing assessment, interview and training academy at Quantico, Virginia.

Elements of the regimen have been periodically tweaked to fit the bureau's needs, including over the past year under the leadership of FBI Director Kash Patel.

With a mantra to let good cops be cops, Patel announced last fall that transfers from other agencies such as the Drug Enforcement Administration would be able to complete a nine-week training academy instead of the traditional academy that spans more than four months. The change rankled some current and former officials who say the FBI's protocols, professional culture and diversity of cases it handles help to distinguish it from other agencies.

For support staff employees looking to become agents, the bureau more recently said it would waive requirements of a written assessment and an interview with a three-member panel of FBI agents meant to assess life experience and judgment, according to people familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the moves and an internal written message seen by the AP.

The FBI said onboard employees would still need recommendations from a senior leader and to complete Quantico training.

We are not lowering standards or removing qualifications in any way. What we are doing is streamlining the process to remove duplicative, bureaucratic steps to the application system for onboard employees, the FBI said in a statement, adding, "These are changes based on a wide variety of feedback from successful agents with over 20 years experience.

Patel boasted in January of a 112% increase in applications, and the FBI says it has a clear path to add around 700 special agents this year and that its current Quantico class is one of its largest in years. But some people familiar with the matter say an applications uptick does not necessarily correspond to a surge in high-caliber recruits that can offset the attrition the bureau has endured.

At the other end of the employment spectrum, the FBI also faces turnover among senior leaders, including special agents in charge, the title given to leaders of most of the bureau's 56 field offices. Some were fired by Patel over the past year and others retired. Many offices are now led by someone who has been in the job for under a year.

Facing what current and former officials say is difficulty in filling some of the positions, the FBI has moved quickly to promote agents up the ladder, people familiar with the matter say. That includes elevating assistant special agents in charge to special agents in charge and opening the door for employees to be considered for leadership roles without the significant headquarters experience the FBI historically regarded as necessary for a holistic view of bureau operations.

As a conservative podcast host before becoming director, Patel had talked about shutting down FBI headquarters and transforming it into a museum of the deep state and told colleagues on his first day as director that he would move hundreds of employees from Washington into the field.

As a field agent, you have a field agents mentality, you have a field agent's view, said Chris Piehota, a retired FBI senior executive. Without adequate headquarters experience, he added, you don't know the business side of the FBI, the logistical side of the FBI or the political jungle" that can accompany the job.

open image in gallery Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel speaks alongside Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche during a news conference at the at the Robert F. Kennedy Department of Justice building on April 21, 2026 ( Getty )

The Justice Department, meanwhile, has lowered hiring prerequisites for some federal prosecutors.

Department officials recently suspended a policy that U.S. attorneys offices only hire prosecutors with at least one year of experience practicing law. The department did not explain the reason, but said in a statement that it is proud to empower young and passionate prosecutors and offer attorneys at every level the opportunity to invest their talents into keeping their communities safe."

It comes as parts of the agency are struggling to keep up with the workload amid critical staffing shortages, with the department recently acknowledging that it has lost nearly 1,000 assistant U.S. attorneys.

In Minnesota, for example, the federal prosecutors office has been gutted by resignations amid frustration with the administrations stepped-up immigration enforcement and the departments response to fatal shootings of civilians by federal agents.

Justice Department headquarters in Washington has endured staffing losses, too.

The number of lawyers in the Criminal Divisions Violent Crime and Racketeering Section, which prosecutes organized crime groups and violent gangs, is down significantly, though the section is looking to hire additional attorneys. A National Security Division section that works espionage cases has reported a 40% drop in prosecutors.

The department said in a statement that it has seen an increase in criminal complaints and indictments despite a loss in prosecutors, underscoring the bloated, ineffective and weaponized institution it says the administration inherited.

Officials have enlisted military lawyers to serve as special prosecutors in some offices. The administration has also used social media to recruit applicants. One recent post from the FBI's Omaha, Nebraska office said: "A calling bigger than yourself. A mission that matters. If youre ready for the challenge, theres a place for you on the FBI team.

Chad Mizelle, who served as chief of staff to Trump's first attorney general, Pam Bondi, recently urged lawyers to contact him on X if they want to become prosecutors, and support President Trump and anti-crime agenda. Mizelles post raised eyebrows not only because federal prosecutors have not generally been solicited over social media, but also because support for the president has not been a prerequisite for career employees.

We need good prosecutors, wrote Mizelle, who left the department in October. And DOJ is hiring across the country. Now is your chance to join the mission and do good for our country.
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The Los Angeles Unified Board of Education has endorsed a resolution to curb student screen time, becoming the first major U.S. school system to take such action.

The resolution, approved in a 60 vote on Tuesday, directs the district to create grade-specific screen time policies and bars students in first grade and younger from using devices.

The newly-passed measure also asks instructors to encourage paper-and-pen assignments and considers banning student access to YouTube and gaming platforms such as Fortnite and Roblox, according to The Los Angeles Times.

It comes years after the Covid pandemic radically transformed school education, with most students of all ages now using tablets or computers throughout the day.

During Covid, student devices became a necessary lifeline, and seemingly overnight, screen time limits were shelved, Nick Melvoin, a board member, said in a press release. Our charge now is to recalibrate, evaluate the role of educational technology in the classroom, and balance access to that technology with the kinds of instruction and interaction we know help students thrive.

open image in gallery Los Angeles has become the first major American school district to restrict screen time for students ( Getty Images )

With the rapid rise of technology and the growing research on its impacts, a policy addressing screen time for our youngest learners is long overdue, Board Member Karla Griego added.

The vote comes after a group of parents founded a group called Schools Beyond Screens, which raised concerns with administrators about challenges their children faced using classroom laptops and iPads, according to NBC News. Families said their children's grades plummeted as they grew distracted by scrolling social media, watching YouTube and playing video games in class.

This is an historic reform that we hope will trickle down to the rest of the country very, very quickly, Anya Meksin, a mother and deputy director of Schools Beyond Screens, told NBC News. We see this as a big cultural shift into how schools approach technology.

open image in gallery Technology can be a powerful tool, but too much screen time has real harmful effects on our students, a board member said ( AFP via Getty Images )

Recent research also indicates that routine digital device use harms students' physical and emotional development as well as academic performance.

A study published by researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham showed that adolescents who consistently use digital media at a high rate may face elevated risks to their cognitive wellbeing later in life.

"Technology can be a powerful tool, but too much screen time has real harmful effects on our students, Board Member Kelly Gonez said. "This resolution will ensure we are prioritizing important skills and learning experiences for students, while protecting their childhoods and well-being by setting research-based screen time limits.

Several countries have recently tightened restrictions on phones and computers in schools, or fully banned them, including France and Denmark.

Australias world-first national legislation to restrict access to social media accounts for children under 16 years old has been in force for about three months. A recent survey found many parents had noticed several positive behavioral shifts in their children.
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Robert F Kennedy Jr has dismissed any suggestion that his vaccine skepticism has contributed to measles outbreaks across the U.S., instead placing the blame on immigrants.

It has nothing to do with me, the Health Secretary told lawmakers at a hearing of the House Energy and Commerce Committee on Tuesday, in which he was questioned on his departments budget for 2027.

If youre worried about polio and tuberculosis, you should look at the immigration policies in this country. Cause the place where its occurring are the place[s] where the immigrants are going, because theyre not vaccinated.

In a statement shared withThe Independent, a spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services said: This is taken out of context completely.

Current outbreaks are largely concentrated in close-knit, under-vaccinated communities with prevalent international travel that raises the risk of measles importation. Measles is a global challenge, and the United States continues to have a lower overall measles burden than Canada (which in November 2025 lost its measles elimination status), Mexico, and much of Europe.

Since assuming the position of Health Secretary, Kennedy has enacted several changes that are more in line with his own views on vaccines.

open image in gallery Robert F Kennedy Jr has dismissed the suggestion that his skepticism over vaccines is the reason for measles outbreaks across the U.S., instead placing the blame at the feet of immigrants ( AP )

In June 2025, he fired all 17 members of the CDCs Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, replacing them with vaccine skeptics and individuals who have criticized mainstream medical guidance.

He has also removed the Covid-19 vaccine from the recommended schedule for healthy children and pregnant women.

During his appearance in front of the subcommittee, Kennedy denied personal responsibility for measles outbreaks and defended the administrations response to the surge in cases within the last year, saying that low vaccination rates predated his time in office.

open image in gallery Since assuming the position of Health Secretary, Kennedy has enacted several changes that are more in line with his own vaccine-skeptical views. In June 2025, he fired all 17 members of the CDCs Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, replacing them with vaccine skeptics and individuals who have criticized mainstream medical guidance ( Reuters )

There have been more than 1,700 measles cases in the U.S. so far this year, following major outbreaks in Texas in 2025. America is now running the risk of losing its measles elimination status.

Kennedy also refused to commit to supporting the pro-vaccine recommendations of Erica Schwartz, Donald Trumps nominee to head up the CDC.

If Dr. Schwartz is confirmed, will you commit on the record today to implement whatever vaccine guidance she issues without interference? Rep. Raul Ruiz of California asked him.

Im not going to make that kind of commitment, Kennedy replied.
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A former police officer who defended the Capitol from a pro-Trump mob during the January 6 insurrection has sued a right-wing media outlet and two of its former writers, who accused her of planting pipe bombs outside both the Republican and Democratic National Committee headquarters.

Blaze Media writers Steve Baker and Joseph Hanneman subjected Shauni Kerkhoof to a traumatic and humiliating gauntlet after making the nonsensical allegations that resulted in her being fired, harassed, and even investigated by the FBI, according to a defamation lawsuit filed Tuesday in Virginia.

The pair claimed baselessly that forensic gait analysis that they had had arranged independently from an anonymous analyst determined that Kerkhoff was an up to 98 percent match with the bombing suspect, who was captured on surveillance video placing the pipe bombs the night before the riot, the suit claimed.

They implied Ms. Kerkhoff planted the bombs as a diversion to draw resources away from the Capitol so it would be quickly overwhelmed. To Defendants, it did not matter that the claim was nonsensical. Ms. Kerkhoff did not attack or even neglect the Capitol; she defended it at great personal cost, the suit stated.

And it did not matter that they lacked a shred of evidence. They simply made it up.

open image in gallery Trump supporters clash with police and security forces as they storm the US Capitol in Washington, DC on January 6, 2021. A former police officer who defended the Capitol from the mob during the riot has sued a right-wing media outlet and two of its former writers who accused her of planting pipe bombs outside both the Republican and Democratic National Committee headquarters the night before ( AFP/Getty )

The suit further accuses Baker  who was himself charged with crimes stemming from his participation in the riot  and ex-Epoch Times writer Hanneman of failing to follow basic journalism standards in a series of articles they published, which featured the false accusations in an ongoing bid to harm Kerkhoff as revenge for her role in defending the Capitol.

Baker sought vindication and Hanneman sought professional relevance by perpetuating the false accusations against Kerkhoff, long after it was clear that she could not have planted the bombs  and after the FBI arrested a suspect in the long-running case, the attorneys stated.

In fact, at the time of the insurrection, Kerkhoff was at home taking a video of her greyhound, Bella, which later exonerated her in an investigation by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.

The actual bombing suspect, 30-year-old Brian Cole Jr., of Woodbridge, Virginia, was arrested in December and charged with transporting explosive materials across state lines and for the attempted destruction of buildings with explosives. Cole allegedly told the FBI that he believed conspiracy theories about the 2020 election, which Trump had falsely labeled stolen and rigged against him, according to people familiar with the case.

Cole has since pleaded not guilty to the charges and used the Blazes reporting to boost his defense, despite the outlet retracting its article following his arrest. Nevertheless, the claims and accusations against Kerkhoff had already exploded online.

open image in gallery Articles published by Blaze Media claimed former U.S. Capitol Police officer Shauni Kerkhoof was the suspect behind several pipe bombs that were laid in Washington D.C. on January 6. In December, police arrested Brian Cole Jr and charged him with transporting explosive materials across state lines and for the attempted destruction of buildings with explosives ( Department of Justice )

Defendants succeeded in their mission to irreparably harm Ms. Kerkhoff, the lawsuit states, adding that the false allegations had caused her to be placed on administrative leave by the CIA and have her house ransacked by FBI agents and bomb sniffer dogs.

Reporters and January 6 obsessives had descended in droves on her home, as well as a top Blaze Media editor [who] even traveled to her house just to observe it, the suit added.

Commenters on X posted memes accusing Ms. Kerkhoff of planting the pipe bombs, and keyboard warriors threatened Ms. Kerkhoff for her role in supporting the deep state including in posts on her mothers obituary webpage, the suit stated. For two weeks, Ms. Kerkhoff was forced to hide. She kept a loaded gun within arms reach, terrified that a conspiracist would break in and harm her.

The lawsuit added that the accusations by Baker and Hanneman had also destroyed her personal life and reputation, and that she had lost friends because of them.

She once proudly wore Temple University and Capitol Police t-shirts and hats around her neighborhood, but now she mostly hides those affiliations, rightly afraid that hostile actors who still believe Defendants defamatory attacks will recognize and hurt her, the suit stated. Ms. Kerkhoff brings this lawsuit to correct the record, hold Defendants accountable, and reclaim her life.

In addition to Blaze, Baker and Hanneman, Kirkhoffs lawsuit also names new media firm, Veritas Regnat LLC.

In a statement shared with The Independent, Michael Grygiel, attorney for Blaze Media said: "Blaze News initially reported, as confirmed by official intelligence sources, that based on a forensic gait analysis Ms. Kerkhoff was a 94% match to the suspected pipe bomber.

That report was retracted when the FBI arrested and DOJ charged another individual, who had reportedly confessed to the crime. According to recent court filings by that individual's legal counsel, Ms. Kerkhoff was a person of interest under surveillance by the FBI and failed a polygraph test administered two days before Blaze Media's article was published.

Blaze Media will vigorously defend this meritless lawsuit challenging its valid news reporting on a matter of legitimate public concern, which is protected under the First Amendment and Virginias anti-SLAPP law."

Contacts for representatives for Veritas Regnat LLC, Baker and Hanneman were not listed in the lawsuit.
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Hundreds of Afghans and their families stranded in a former U.S. military base in Qatar are bracing for what they describe as an impossible choice: return to Taliban rule in their home country, or settle in a war-torn African nation already suffering a humanitarian crisis.

The brother of Retired U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Sean Jamshidi has been waiting for a flight to the United States for more than a year. But after years of vetting and approval for entry, Donald Trumps administration has effectively cut off any paths to the U.S. for Afghans who supported American war efforts.

Jamshidis brother Masoud and his family are among 1,100 Afghans inside Camp As Sayliyah in Doha who fear the Trump administration could soon force them to choose between returning to Taliban rule  or the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The Taliban will kill him for what he did, Jamshidi told reporters Wednesday.

Kinshasa wont kill him on Day One, but the State Department knows theres no community for him there, no legal status, and no real protection for him or for the children traveling with these families, he added. They know they are offering him an option they know will be refused, just so they can say they tried. This is not a real choice. This is not policy. This is theater.

open image in gallery Hundreds of Afghans who supported US war efforts are stuck in limbo at a military base in Qatar. The Trump administration could force them to the Congo or back to the Taliban, advocates warn ( via REUTERS )

Jamshidi was previously deployed in the DRC. He fears that his family could soon be forced to endure the same humanitarian crisis he witnessed.

I saw the displacement camps, I stood in places where the United Nations have counted the dead, Jamshidi told reporters.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is not a place where you send vetted Afghan allies and their children to live. It is not a place you send anyone, voluntarily or otherwise, he said. This is a country with a long history of corruption, war and foreign exploitation that has left it deeply unstable and is lacking basic services. And the United States government knows this.

The State Department currently advises Americans against traveling to the country, citing threats of terrorism, civil unrest, armed conflict and kidnapping.

We are telling American allies  people who stood with us, who are vetted, who supported our mission  to go somewhere the United States government itself warns Americans not to go, Jamshidi said. This should not make sense to anyone.

The U.S. has resettled more than 190,000 Afghans who supported American war efforts between August 2021 and mid-2025.

Roughly 1,100 others were moved to Camp As Sayliyah in late 2024. Then-President Joe Bidens administration had promised them a path to settlement in the U.S. following additional background checks. The Qatari base was effectively intended as a stopover on their journey to the U.S.

But refugee resettlement groups were blindsided by Trumps abrupt suspension of refugee admissions into the U.S. within moments after he entered office last year, stranding thousands of already-vetted refugees who had prepared for years to be resettled in the country.

Months later, Homeland Security threatened to cut off humanitarian protections for thousands of Afghans who fled the country following the U.S. withdrawal in 2021, claiming there have been notable improvements in Afghanistans national security and an increase in tourism.

In January, Trumps State Department said all residents at the Doha camp would be relocated to third countries by March 31.

That deadline has come and gone. Afghans are now desperately urging the U.S. to keep its promise to allied service members and their families, many of whom wear American uniforms.

The group includes military interpreters, former members of the Afghan Special Operations forces and approximately 150 family members of active-duty U.S. servicemembers. There are also more than 400 children among them.

We were interpreters. We were members of the Afghan Special Operations Forces. We were medics, drivers, security guards, cooks, office staff on American compounds, Afghans at the camp said in a joint statement.

Some of us are the wives, parents, brothers and children of those who served. Some of our family members wear the American uniform today, on active duty, while we sit here waiting, they wrote.

open image in gallery The US resettled more than 190,000 Afghans who supported American war efforts between August 2021 and mid-2025, but the Trump administration abruptly closed the door on vetted refugees and is seeking to expel thousands in the US who were granted humanitarian protections ( via REUTERS )

A State Department spokesperson told The Independent it was still working to find voluntary resettlement options.

We will say this plainly. We do not want to go to the Democratic Republic of Congo, Afghans at the camp said in their statement.

It is a country in its own war. We have been in enough war. We cannot take our children into another one, they said. We are not asking for charity. We are asking the United States to keep the promise it made to us.

More than 600,000 refugees, mostly from the Central African Republic and Rwanda, are currently in Congo, according to the United Nations.

Human rights advocates have warned that the country cannot sustain refugee admissions as it grapples with an ongoing conflict with neighboring Rwanda that has displaced millions of people. Nearly 7 million people have been internally displaced due to the crisis, according to the United Nations Refugee Agency.

You do not solve the worlds No. 1 refugee crisis by dumping it into the worlds No. 2 refugee crisis, said Shawn VanDiver, director of AfghanEvac, which provides resources for Afghan allies and ensures cooperation between the U.S. government and volunteer groups.

Former diplomat Anne Richard, who served at the State Department agency running refugee resettlement during the Biden administration, rejected the idea that the Trump administrations alleged plan is resettlement.

Resettlement requires a refugees consent to move to a country that has agreed to receive them, where they can have legal status, safety and pathway to self-sufficiency, according to Richard.

Every one of those conditions is missing here, she told reporters. You do not have consent when the other option on the table is a government run [by the Taliban].  A decision made under duress is not a voluntary decision.

open image in gallery The Trump administration is reportedly arranging a plan with the administration of Felix Tshisekedi, president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, to receive hundreds of Afghans who have been stranded at Camp As Sayliyah in Doha ( REUTERS )

Advocates have warned that abandoning U.S. allies will also pose a critical threat to national security and U.S. credibility when America may need be seeking aid again in the future.

Kyleanne Hunter, CEO of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, said potential allies are likely to think twice if U.S. obligations have the shelf life of one administration.

You cannot win a future war with partners who watched you abandon the last ones, she said.

Jon Finer, Joe Bidens Principal Deputy National Security Advisor and former State Department chief of staff, said U.S. allies are less likely to rely on or trust us going forward.

The idea we can go to those people in, God forbid, some future conflict  is going to be badly compromised at this point, he said.
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President Donald Trump on Tuesday said the U.S. would extend its ceasefire with Iran that was due to expire on Wednesday, despite having threatened hours earlier that I expect to be bombing when asked if he'd agree to such an extension.

Writing on Truth Social, Trump said Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir had asked him to put a hold on his bombing plans while further attributing the decision to the fact that the Government of Iran is seriously fractured.

We have been asked to hold our Attack on the Country of Iran until such time as their leaders and representatives can come up with a unified proposal, Trump said.

He added that the American naval blockade on Irans ports would remain in place while the ceasefire continues until such time as their proposal is submitted, and discussions are concluded, one way or the other.

The presidents latest walk-back of his threats to resume the U.S. air campaign against Tehran comes hours after he told CNBC he was not inclined to agree to any extension of the ceasefire.

Trump later deflected attention from his climbdown with a string of Truth Social posts taking aim at an array of domestic and foreign opponents, from the Wall Street Journal to the renewable energy industry and the Iranian regime.

open image in gallery Trump had told Reuters an extension was highly unlikely before reversing himself on Tuesday ( Getty )

Earlier, after he was asked by anchor Joe Kernen if hed consider an extension during a telephone interview on the cable news program Squawk Box, Trump replied: I don't want to do that. We don't have that much time.

I expect to be bombing because I think that's a better attitude to go in with. But we're ready to go. I mean, the military is raring to go, he said.

Trump had also told Bloomberg News it was highly unlikely that hed agree to extend the ceasefire after its Wednesday expiration without a full agreement to end the nearly two-month-old war he started on February 28.

Although negotiations between the parties had been set to commence in Islamabad, Pakistans capital, the U.S. team that was slated to be led by Vice President JD Vance never left the U.S., and Vance remained at the White House all day on Tuesday in what officials described as a series of policy meetings.

For their part, Tehrans negotiators had refused to participate in the sessions unless Trump had lifted the blockade of Irans ports.

In a post on X, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi called the blockade an act of war and therefore a violation of the ceasefire.

"Iran knows how to neutralize restrictions, how to defend its interests, and how to resist bullying," he said.

open image in gallery Ships and boats in the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Musandam, Oman, April 20, 2026. ( Reuters )

Tuesdays announcement is just the most recent in a series of reversals, which critics have come to give the derisive acronym TACO (Trump Always Chickens Out) that have characterized Trumps second bite at the apple of presidential power.

The pattern was established last April after his shambolic liberation day tariff rollout  he makes an outrageous threat on trade or another policy matter that is likely to cause the market to tumble before he inevitably walks back on that policy, leading to a market rebound.

For example, his so-called Liberation Day tariffs caused the markets to hit historic lows before he ordered a 90-day pause one week later, leading to record highs.

Traders even started using the TACO acronym to describe the rapid policy shifts, borrowing the term first coined by Financial Times columnist Robert Armstrong last year.

On Tuesday evening, the fired off a barrage of Truth Social posts defending his approach to Iran, insisting the US military blockade of the Strait of Hormuz is effective and working, and criticising former president Barack Obamas record on Iran.

He went on to attack the Wall Street Journal over an editorial criticizing his policy, saying the paper has LOST ITS WAY.

Shortly after, Trump posted a 340-word attack on the Supreme Court, targeting both its liberal and conservative justices, who have ruled against his administration in several high profile cases.

The president then turned back to foreign policy, zeroing in on the Iran war, which has engulfed large swaths of the Middle East in violence and sparked fears of worldwide economic chaos.

Iran doesnt want the Strait of Hormuz closed, they want it open so they can make $500 Million Dollars a day, Trump wrote. They only say they want it closed because I have it totally BLOCKADED (CLOSED!), so they merely want to save face.

open image in gallery Police officers stand guard at a closed road leading to the Serena Hotel at the Red Zone area in Islamabad on April 22, 2026 ( AFP/Getty )

The ceasefire extension echoes his decision to announce the ceasefire agreement on April 7, hours ahead of a self-imposed deadline before he ordered U.S. forces to bomb Iranian civilian infrastructure.

Days earlier, hed declared the day Power Plant Day and Bridge Day for U.S. armed forces unless Iran would Open the F***in Strait, you crazy b*****ds, lest they be living in Hell.

He later threatened that Irans entire civilization would die tonight, never to be brought back again, implying that the U.S. would commit genocide against the Iranian people unless their government capitulated to his terms.
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President Donald Trump said that the Iranian government has agreed to release eight female protesters who were facing the death penalty.

Very good news, the Republican president wrote on Truth Social on Wednesday afternoon. I have just been informed that the eight women protestors who were going to be executed tonight in Iran will no longer be killed.

Four women will be freed immediately, while the other four will serve out an additional month in prison, he said.

Trumps announcement came one day after he reposted photos of the women  alongside a caption claiming they faced hanging  and urged Irans regime to release them as a goodwill gesture ahead of U.S.-Iran peace talks.

But Iranian officials have rejected claims that the women were facing the death penalty.

open image in gallery President Donald Trump celebrated the 'release' of eight women who he said were set to be executed in Iran ( Getty Images )

Trump was misled once again by fake news, a statement posted to the website of Irans judiciary read. The women who were claimed to be on the verge of execution, some of them have been released, while others face charges that, if convictions are upheld, would at most result in imprisonment.

Human rights groups have reported that only one of the women, Bita Hemmati, had been sentenced to death, according to The Times. She had purportedly participated in protests against the regime in January.

Iran's theocratic regime, led by hardline Islamist clerics, faces longstanding accusations of severe human rights abuses  including the killing and imprisonment of protesters, according to the United Nations.

On Wednesday afternoon, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt hailed the presidents announcement, attributing it to his unmatched diplomatic prowess.

"Only President Trump could save the lives of these eight beautiful Iranian women, who he has received direct word from the Iranian regime, or whats left of it, that their lives are going to be spared, she told Fox News. She described Trump as a humanitarian at heart.

open image in gallery 'Very good news,' the president wrote on Truth Social on Wednesday. 'I have just been informed that the eight women protestors who were going to be executed tonight in Iran will no longer be killed' ( Truth Social )

The apparent release of the eight women comes one day after Trump extended the Iran ceasefire  just before the original two-week truce expired. Previous talks in Pakistan with Vice President JD Vance broke down after just one day.

Despite the cessation of hostilities, the Strait of Hormuz  a vital trade route through which 20 percent of global oil passes  remains under dueling blockades by the U.S. and Iran.

The war has killed thousands across the Middle East, including 13 U.S. service members, while sparking fears of global economic turmoil.

Multiple recent polls indicate that a majority of Americans are opposed to the war. Just 38 percent of Americans back strikes against the Middle East nation, according to a Politico survey released earlier this month.
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The Trump administration has reportedly drawn up a naught or nice-style list of NATO allies, separating them into different categories based on how the U.S. grades their contribution to the alliance.

The reported effort comes as President Donald Trump has furiously denounced the transatlantic alliance for not doing more to support the U.S. war against Iran.

A European diplomat told Politico the reported list appears to be an extension of an idea Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth floated in December, when he told a defense forum that model allies will receive the special favor of the U.S. and nations that still fail to do their part for collective defense will face consequences.

The White House has a naughty and nice paper so I guess the thinking is similar, the diplomat said.

Hegseth has used the model ally language in meetings with NATO members, another diplomat told the outlet. The list was reportedly prepared in advance of NATO Secretary General Mark Ruttes visit to Washington earlier this month.

open image in gallery The Trump administration reported has a naughty or nice list grading NATO members on their contribution, part of an apparent strategy to punish nations seen as insufficiently supportive of U.S. priorities for the alliance ( Reuters )

The Independent has contacted the White House, the Pentagon, and NATO for comment.

The reported list could prompt the U.S. to take adverse actions against alliance members, which could range from moving U.S. troops to blocking sales of American defense tech to allied nations, though observers told Politico these moves might end up harming the U.S. more than the countries it is allegedly seeking to punish.

They dont seem to have very concrete ideaswhen it comes to punishing bad allies, a European official told the outlet. Moving troops is one option, but it mainly punishes the U.S. doesnt it?

While the White House has not confirmed the existence of the list, nations like Poland and Romania would be likely to get positive marks from Trump.

The former is one of the biggest spenders on defense in the alliance, while the latter has allowed U.S. forces to use an air base in the country as part of the Iran war.

Most other NATO nations have declined to join in the war, a stance that angered President Trump.

open image in gallery President Trump has repeatedly criticized NATO allies for not supporting the U.S. war in Iran ( AFP/Getty )

During a speech last week, the president claimed NATO offered belatedly to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

I told them I would have liked your help two months ago, but now I really don't want your help anymore, because they were absolutely useless when we needed them, Trump said at an event in Arizona. But actually we never needed them. They needed us.

If it teaches us any one thing, we have to rely on ourselves, the president said elsewhere in his remarks. We can't rely on outside countries and outside sources.

The presidents frustrations with NATO have been evident throughout the war.

NATO WASNT THERE WHEN WE NEEDED THEM, AND THEY WONT BE THERE IF WE NEED THEM AGAIN, Trump wrote on social media after he met with Rutte.

Tensions were already high between the White House and NATO before the Iran war began in February.

The president has clashed with NATO over his desire to take over Greenland, and he has hammered European allies for not spending more on defense.
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President Donald Trump said he will remember the companies that don't seek tariff refunds after the Supreme Court ruled his emergency trade taxes were illegal.

Earlier this week, U.S. Customs and Border Protection launched a web portal where importers can request more than $160 billion in potential refunds for tariffs Trump passed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.

Even though companies can go and recoup what they've been taxed, Trump hopes they won't.

Some massive companies like Apple and Amazon haven't requested refunds yet. Trump was asked on CNBCs Squawk Box if a large company seeking a tariff refund would offend him.

Brilliant if they dont do that, Trump said of companies seeking tariff refunds. Actually, if they dont do that, theyve got to know me very well. Im very honored by what you just said.

President Donald Trump said he will remember companies that do not request a refund on tariffs theyve paid. The Supreme Court ruled Trumps reciprocal tariffs were illegal in February ( AP )

Trump went on to say that if the companies don't request tariff refunds, "I'll remember them."

The president will also no doubt remember the Supreme Court, which delivered the 6-3 decision naming the tariffs he passed under the IEEPA as illegal.

He complained to CNBC that the Supreme Court's February ruling did not include language allowing him to keep the hundreds of billions collected from U.S. importers.

So, Im not happy with the Supreme Court, Ill be honest with you, Trump said.

In a Truth Social post after the ruling, Trump described the decision as "an unnecessary and expensive slap in the face to the U.S.A., and a giant victory for its opponents,

While the world's largest companies may be able to take a multi-million-dollar hit to get on Trump's good side, many smaller importers will no doubt jump at the chance to claw back some of what they lost under his tariffs.

Levi Strauss's Chief Financial Officer Harmit Singh told CNBC earlier this month that the clothing company expects to receive approximately $80 million in tariff refunds.

Gap CFO Katrina OConnell told CNBC in March that the tariffs' impact had been "significant to our performance" and said the company was considering seeking a refund.

Thousands of companies, including Costco and FedEx, have filed lawsuits in the Court of International Trade to protect their right to seek a refund, even if Trump tries to challenge the Supreme Court ruling, the LA Times reports.

Trump has indicated that even if his reciprocal tariffs were ruled illegal, he plans to find another way to enforce them as a key part of his trade agenda.

According to an analysis published by the Peterson Institute for International Economics, Trump is likely to replace the tariffs he issued illegally under the IEEPA with tariffs under other statutes, with a likely candidate being Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974.

Under its standard, Trump need only determine that a foreign government's actions or policies are "unreasonable" or "unjustifiable" and that they "burden the United States" to justify the imposition of a tariff.

Using Section 301 to impose tariffs has been upheld by the Court of International Trade and the U.S. Federal Circuit Court as recently as September 2025.
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President Donald Trump on Wednesday hit out at the Supreme Court and singled out the only Black, female member of the nine-justice panel in a social media screed ahead of the courts widely-anticipated ruling on whether he can unilaterally deny citizenship to children born to parents without legal immigration status.

Writing on Truth Social, the president claimed the three justices appointed to the high court by Democratic presidents  Elena Kagen, Sonia Sotomayor and Ketanji Brown Jackson  stick together like glue, NEVER failing to wander from the warped and perverse policies, ideas, and cases put before them and accused them of always voting as a group or block.

But then he specifically went after Jackson, the most recent member elevated to the high court, as that new, Low IQ person, that somehow found her way to the bench.

Continuing, Trump groused about how the courts GOP-appointees, three of whom he nominated, dont stick together because some of them render decisions that are at odds with his administrations desires such as the courts recent decision to strike down his use of a Carter-era emergency powers law to impose massive import taxes on goods from nearly every U.S. trading partner.

The Republican Justices dont stick together, they give the Democrats win after win, like a 159 Billion Dollar pile of cash on a completely ridiculous Tariff decision, and nasty, one sided questions on the country destroying subject of Birthright Citizenship, something which virtually NO OTHER COUNTRY IN THE WORLD IS STUPID ENOUGH TO ALLOW, he said.

open image in gallery Trump frequently attacks non-white adversaries as low IQ ( AFP/Getty )

No, certain Republican Justices have just gone weak, stupid, and bad, completely violating what they supposedly stood for.

open image in gallery Trump called Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson 'low IQ' in this Truth Social post ( Truth Social )

The presidents attack on the high court is the latest of his public statements in which hes pejoratively referred to a prominent Black person as being low IQ.

While Trump has used the insult to refer to critics of all racial backgrounds  including podcaster Tucker Carlson and actor Robert De Niro  he has most frequently used the term to refer to Black people and most often Black women.

A day earlier, he made the same attack on Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, the House minority leader, in a post slamming Democrats for opposing his war against Iran.

open image in gallery Trump also referred to House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries with the same slur ( Truth Social )

Other Black women hes made similar comments about include Jasmine Crockett, the Texas congresswoman who recently lost a primary bid for her partys nomination in this years Senate race.

During an appearance on NBC News Meet the Press last year he told host Kristen Welker that hed watched Crockett during a recent speaking engagement.

I watched her speak the other day, and shes definitely a low-IQ person, he said.

During his first term, he also tweeted a threat against California Rep. Maxine Waters after the House member urged Americans to push back against his administration.

Congresswoman Maxine Waters, an extraordinary low IQ person, has become, together with Nancy Pelosi, the Face of the Democrat Party, he said.

He also repeatedly used the same attack against his 2024 election opponent, former Vice President Kamala Harris, calling her dumb, mentally unfit, slow, stupid and an extremely low IQ person in various appearances over the course of his campaign that year.

But Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., noted that Trump has deployed the slur towards people who are not Black as well.

it's just who Donald Trump is. But you know, he calls other folk that too. So you look at his administration, he's done everything he can to demean immigrants who want to come to this country. So it's Donald Trump being Donald Trump, Thompson said.

Asked why Trump chose to single out Justice Jackson as low IQ compared with the other eight justices on the court, White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson told The Independent in a statement: President Trump never hesitates to share his thoughts with the American people  whether thats highlighting the strong decisions made by Justices Thomas and Alito or rightfully pointing out the deficiencies of others opinions.

Eric Garcia contributed additional reporting
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A woman in Costa Mesa, California, has entered a guilty plea for registering her dog to vote in a pair of Southern California elections.

Laura Lee Yourex, 62, has pleaded guilty to misdemeanor knowing registration of a nonexistent person to vote. She agreed to a plea deal with prosecutors which saw felony counts of perjury, procuring or offering a false or forged document to be filed, registered or recorded, and not being entitled to vote at an election dismissed, according to the Los Angeles Times.

She registered her dog, Maya Jean, for both the 2021 California gubernatorial election to recall Governor Gavin Newsom, and the 2022 primary election.

The dog's vote was counted in 2021 but was rejected for the 2022 election.

According to Yourex's attorney, Jamie Coulter, she reported her actions to then-Huntington Beach City Attorney Michael Gates, who then alerted the Orange County Registrar of Voters. Coulter said Yourex was trying to prove a point by registering her dog to vote.

A woman in California allegedly registered her dog to vote in two elections. She is now facing felony fraud charges and a possible six year prison sentence ( Getty )

"Laura Yourex sincerely regrets her unwise attempt to expose flaws in our state voting system, intending to improve it by demonstrating that even a dog can be registered to vote," the attorney said at the time. "Ms. Yourex never hid from taking personal responsibility as she self-reported the matter."

Under California law, a person has to submit an affidavit of registration that includes identifying information, including their name, residence, mailing address, date of birth, political party preference, and a certification that they're citizens of the U.S.

The document also requires a signature that, if faked, can be prosecuted as perjury.

California doesn't require residence or individual ID for voting in state elections, but any first-time voters in federal elections  like the presidential election  must provide proof they are registered to vote and that they live in the state.

The Department of Justice said in a statement announcing charges against Yourex in 2025 that it had collected evidence suggesting she had illegally registered her dog to vote.

"On her social media, Yourex posted in January 2022 a picture of her dog wearing an 'I voted' sticker and posing with her ballot. Another post from October 2024 showed a photograph of Maya's dog tag and a vote-by-mail ballot with the caption 'Maya is still getting her ballot,' even though the dog had previously passed away," the DOJ wrote.

Orange County Supervisor Janet Nguyen said at the time that the state needed to do more to ensure situations like Yourex's are not repeated.

"The fact that a dog can register and voted twice tells you the system is not working, and it's broken," she said. "If we can cross reference the addresses and names, if there's a name that could be suspicious, we can say, 'Wait a minute. Let's flag this.'"

Orange County Registrar of Voters Bob Page had a different perspective, according to Fox 11. He argued that the system works as intended and catches the vast majority of fraudulent votes, including Yourex's dog in 2022.

"In the last election there were 571 voters who cast ballots that were flagged," he said.

Nahal Kazemi, a Chapman University law professor, told Fox 11 that the situation proved that the system does work.

"At least the second time the dog's vote was cast it was identified as an ineligible voter," he said. "That's what we expect to see. To treat [voter fraud] as the biggest problem in our electoral system is misguided."

Yourex's sentencing will take place in October.
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Two people have died and 19 others were hospitalized after a chemical spill occurred at a West Virginia plant, authorities said.

The leak occurred at the Catalyst Refiners plant, a silver recovery business in Institute, around 9:30 a.m. Wednesday morning, as workers were preparing to shut down the facility, officials in Kanawah County said.

Cleaning and decontamination activities were underway in preparation to shut down the site when a chemical gas reaction involving nitric acid and another substance, M2000A, occurred, creating hydrogen sulphide, which is a highly toxic gas.

It caused a violent reaction of chemicals, and it instantaneously overreacted, Commission Emergency Management Director C.W. Sigman said.

Sigman later noted that the two most dangerous times of a chemical plants life is start-up and shut down.

open image in gallery Two people died and 19 others were hospitalized due to a chemical spill at a silver recovery business in West Virginia Wednesday morning ( AP )

As first responders arrived at the scene just before 10 a.m., a shelter-in-place was ordered for a one-mile radius around the site. An emergency alert program then notified nearby residents and businesses of the leak, officials said.

Route 25 in front of the plant was shut down, while the nearby Route 60 was also momentarily shut down. Nearby schools sheltered in place out of an abundance of caution. However, all shelter-in-place orders were lifted about five hours later.

Twenty-one people were taken to the hospital, including the two who died. Among the injured were seven ambulance workers who were responding to the leak. Officials said they were not going to release the names of the people who died or were taken to the hospital for treatment.

The leak required a large scale decontamination operation, which required people to remove all their clothes and be sprayed down, authorities said.

open image in gallery Kanawha County Commission Emergency Management Director C.W. Sigman said the spill was caused by a violent reaction of chemicals Wednesday morning ( AP )

Catalyst Refiners is a small, warehouse-sized facility that works to remove silver from what remains of chemical processes. The company can find thousands of dollars worth of silver just by vacuuming the floors in a plants offices, Sigmon said.

Several employees at the site at the time of the leak declined to go to the hospital to be checked out after, Sigman said, adding, We cant make them go.

Ames Goldsmith Corp., which owns Catalyst Refiners, said in a statement: This is an unfathomably difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with our colleagues and their families.

The company promised to work with local, state and federal officials as they investigate.
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A swarm of a new variety of deadly box jellyfish was recently spotted off the coast of Pilbara in western Australia.

Nearly 100 of these soft, white, and translucent creatures emerged from the waters 1,530km north of Perth, stunning marine biologists because its likely a new kind.

The jellyfish typically found in the northern waters are characterised by their rounded and cube-shaped bodies with lengthy venomous tentacles, and scientifically known as chironex fleckeri.

Dr Lisa-ann Gershwin, one of Australia's leading jellyfish taxonomists, told ABC News: This one we've thought about for a while is probably new to science." It has not yet been named and classified.

Dampier port worker, Ben Walkington, said he did see box jellyfish while growing up but this is for the first time in a long time that he spotted this kind.

File: Box jellyfish under dark water ( Getty Images/iStockphoto )

Its not ideal, he told ABC News. Box jellyfish are among the planets deadliest invertebrates. Nearly 80 people have died from box jellyfish stings in Australia since records began.

The kind that washed up in Pilbara are likely different from the box jellyfish seen in the waters of Northern Territory and Queensland, Dr Gershwin said.

In March 2021, an Australian teenager became the first person to die from a box jellyfish sting in 15 years. It was the first recorded fatality since 2006.

Box jellyfish venom contains toxins that attack the heart, nervous system, and skin. Each of its tentacles, which can grow up to 10 feet in length, contain about 5,000 stinging cells.

Their sting is so painful that swimmers have been known to go into shock and drown or die of heart failure before reaching the shore.

Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisations scientist, Dr John Keesing, told the ABC: "They do occur as far south as Exmouth, but to get reports of large numbers of them is unusual."
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Australian grain farmers are heading into seeding season with the looming threat of a mouse plague.

Researchers have recorded between 100 and 200 mice per hectare at some monitoring sites on South Australia's Adelaide Plains, with the numbers touching 400 to 600 a hectare where traps are reaching saturation point. A plague is officially defined as 800 mice per hectare.

The stakes at seeding time are especially high. Mice dig along seed furrows as crops go in, consuming grain before it can germinate. Farmers describe the visible damage as UFO rings, or circular patches of bare earth around mouse burrows where grain is systematically consumed, thinning crops across large areas.

Growers near Geraldton and Ravensthorpe in Western Australia have been sharing footage of mice moving through paddocks and stubbles while residents in Morawa, about 360km northeast of Perth, have described coming home to mice overrunning their pantries.

Andrew Weidemann, research and development spokesperson for Grain Producers Australia, said the mouse threat was the latest in a series of blows for growers, who had already cut paddock movements to conserve fuel.

"This warning comes as grain producers are already dealing with increasing uncertainty about fuel and fertiliser access due to escalating global conflict affecting trade routes," he told ABC Rural.

Spinifex hopping mice are seen in their new environment at Taronga Zoo ( Getty )

Pest controller Peter Cekanauskas told the ABC he put out 7.5kg of bait and it was consumed in less than three days. "It was like a horror story," he said.

The last major mouse plague, in 2021, caused an estimated damage of $1bn across several states, with rural New South Wales alone suffering losses of around $660m. Scientists and agronomists say the industry is better prepared this time, with improved understanding of how zinc phosphide bait works and earlier warning systems in place.

"After the seed is gone, the plant is gone. There's no replacing it," Steve Henry, research officer at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, told ABC Rural, warning high-value crops such as canola were at particular risk given seed shortages this year.

Elevated numbers have been seen across a broad stretch of the country, with CSIRO flagging concerning populations from Geraldton to Esperance in Western Australia and into southern Queensland. Western Australia's Kwinana West region has been assessed as high risk. Mouse populations can escalate rapidly, with small numbers turning into large infestations within weeks.

The threat comes at a moment when farmers are already under compounding pressures, contending with fuel shortages and spiralling fertiliser prices from disruption to global trade due to the US-Israeli war on Iran.

Roughly 20 to 30 per cent of global fertiliser supply comes from the Middle East, and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz has halted the exports of urea, ammonia and phosphate from Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar.

Australia imported 3.85 million tonnes of urea in 2024, almost entirely from the Middle East. It has virtually no domestic production capacity after its only urea manufacturing facility closed in 2022.

The world price of urea increased from A$675 (357) per tonne in February to more than A$1,000 (530) at the end of March. Industry estimates say Western Australia's grain harvest could fall from a record 27 million tonnes last season to around 15 million tonnes  a drop of nearly 45 per cent  if fertiliser supplies remain insufficient.

"Even if fertiliser can be sourced from elsewhere in the world, it may not arrive in time," Professor Marit Kragt from the Centre for Agricultural Economics and Development at the University of Western Australia said.

"Fertiliser and fuel costs constitute 25 to 30 per cent of a cropping business's total farm costs, so a sharp increase in both will significantly affect farm profitability."
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A New Zealand minister is getting flak for his outright racist remark against Indians even as Wellington and Delhi prepared to sign a free-trade deal next week.

Shane Jones, deputy leader of the right-wing, populist NZ First Party, said a trade deal with India could trigger a butter chicken tsunami in the country. The minister for regional development was referring to the popular Indian dish to emphasise that the once in a generation deal to boost the countrys business access to Indias domestic market could open New Zealand up for a flood of immigrants.

The agreement will eliminate or reduce tariffs on 95 per cent of New Zealand's exports to India with more than half of the products to be duty free on day one of the pact, while all Indian goods would have duty free-access to New Zealand. New Zealand also agreed to invest $20bn in the Asian country in the next 15 years.

Under the deal, which follows in the footsteps of those signed by the UK, and the European Union last year, more than 20,000 Indian migrants could enter the country, according to an estimate by the New Zealand officials.

India's prime minister Narendra Modi shakes hands with his New Zealand's counterpart Christopher Luxon before their meeting at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi ( AFP/Getty )

I dont care how much criticism we get, I am just never going to agree with a butter chicken tsunami coming to New Zealand, Mr Jones said, speaking to Reality Check Radio.

His remarks were criticised by prime minister Christopher Luxon as unhelpful and a gross misrepresentation of the trade deal. "I don't know. I'm just saying the immigration story that they are scaremongering around is absolutely false. We have taken them through the data, we have taken them through the details of that deal. We'll continue to do so, because we would love them to rethink their position," Mr Luxon said on Monday, but stopped short of calling out Mr Joness remarks.

"I appreciate they've got a pretty hard no against anything around free trade agreements. I just think that makes New Zealand poorer," he said.

Mr Luxon had called the gains from the historic agreement as wide-ranging and significant.

"India is the world's most populous country and is the fastest-growing big economy, and that creates opportunities for jobs for Kiwis, exports and growth," he had said when the agreement was inked in December last year.

The deal matters to Wellington politically as well as it fulfils an election promise from New Zealand's governing National Party that it would finalise the free trade agreement in its first term.

However, Mr Joness comments sparked a backlash from the Indian diaspora, making up around 6 per cent of the population, in New Zealand.

Its incredibly worrying for everybody, Shanti Patel, president of the Auckland Indian Association, told public broadcaster RNZ.

New Zealand lawmaker Priyanca Radhakrishnan said the remarks amounted to outright racism.

Its unacceptable and politicians shouldnt be making statements like he has, she said.
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Pope Leo XIV has paid tribute to his predecessor, Pope Francis, on the first anniversary of his death, reflecting on Franciss powerful message of divine mercy and his unwavering commitment to the worlds impoverished.

Speaking to reporters in Italian aboard the papal plane, as it travelled from Angola to Equatorial Guinea on the final leg of his four-nation African tour, the American pontiff stated: "We thank the Lord for the great gift of the life of Francis, to the church and the world."

Pope Francis passed away on Easter Monday last year, aged 88, following a stroke. He had been recuperating at the Vatican after a five-week hospital stay for double pneumonia, managing to deliver a final Easter greeting to crowds during a popemobile procession through St Peters Square.

His death ultimately paved the way for the conclave that elected Leo just weeks later. It is understood that Francis had laid the groundwork for this outcome by championing the former missionary priest, Robert Prevost, whom he regarded as "a saint."

open image in gallery Pope Leo XIV visits the staff and patients of the "Jean Pierre Olie" Psychiatric Hospital in Malabo on the ninth day of an 11-day apostolic journey to Africa ( AFP/Getty )

In his tribute, Leo recalled with precision some of Francis most memorable homilies and messages, saying he gave so much to the church with his life, with his witness, with his word and with his gestures.

So many times what he did was live truly being close to the poorest, the smallest, the sick, children, the elderly, he said.

He cited Francis preaching promoting human fraternity and authentic respect among all people, as well as a special Holy Year he called in 2015 to emphasize Gods mercy and forgiveness. Francis famously opened the year in the Central African Republic, and Leo delivered his tribute just as his plane was flying over that part of Africa.

Leo recalled Francis first Sunday noon prayer as pope, and a Mass he celebrated two days before his pontificate was officially inaugurated, when he preached about an adulterous woman and how he spoke from the heart of the mercy of God.

Let us pray that he is still enjoying the mercy of the Lord, Leo said.

Books recall Francis life and what he thought of Prevost

The anniversary was being marked with commemorations in Rome, including the release of commemorative books about and recollections of Francis, and a Mass on Tuesday evening at St. Mary Major basilica, where Francis tomb is located.

Among the flurry of recollections, one by Salvatore Cernuzio stands out because it offers a view of the current pope from his predecessor.

Cernuzio, an Italian reporter with Vatican Media, the Holy Sees in-house news operation, developed a close personal relationship with Francis and often traveled in his entourage when the pope left the Vatican. However, the book, entitled Padre, or Father, details the private side of their relationship, of Cernuzios visits with Francis at the Santa Marta hotel where he lived, and their conversations.

open image in gallery Lit candles lie in front of a portrait of late Pope Francis during a Mass held by Monsignor Marcelo Colombo, the Archbishop of Mendoza, in honour of the late Pope on the first anniversary of his death, in Lujan, Argentina, April 21 ( Reuters )

Him? Hes a saint, Francis told Cernuzio of the then-Cardinal Robert Prevost, whom Francis had brought to Rome in 2023 to take up the important job heading the Vaticans bishop-vetting office.

Francis assessment, delivered in 2023 after he had announced Prevost would be included in his new batch of cardinals that year, adds even more weight to the hypothesis that Francis saw in Prevost a possible successor.

Cernuzio recalls that when Francis called someone a saint, it was usually to describe people who are able to handle conflicts, tensions, and complex situations with composure, and who are able to foster a sense of community.

Prevost was spotted and promoted by Francis

The hypothesis that Francis laid the groundwork for Prevosts election is well-founded, given its clear Francis had his eye on Prevost from the start and greatly appreciated his experience as a missionary who spent two decades working in Peru.

After Prevost finished a second consecutive stint as head of the Order of St. Augustine, Francis sent him in 2014 to be bishop of the complicated diocese of Chiclayo, Peru, and he rose up within the Peruvian bishops conference from there to take on leadership roles.

Francis then moved Prevost to head one of the most important Vatican jobs  prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops  that gave Prevost crucial experience in the Vatican bureaucracy and contacts with the cardinals who would eventually choose Francis successor.

The combination made Prevost a viable contender in a future papal election, overcoming the otherwise impossible conclave hurdle of his American citizenship. There had long been a taboo in the church against a U.S. pope, given the geopolitical power the country already wields.

The two men, who later became good friends, had known each other from when Prevost was the Augustinian prior general and the former Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was archbishop of Buenos Aires.

Prevost has recounted that at one point Bergoglio had expressed interest in assigning an Augustinian priest to a specific job in his archdiocese.

And I, as prior general, said I understand, Your Eminence, but hes got to do something else and so I transferred him somewhere else, Prevost told parishioners in his home state of Illinois in 2024.

Prevost said he naively thought the Francis wouldnt remember him after his 2013 election as pope, and that regardless hell never appoint me bishop due to the disagreement years earlier.

Bergoglio not only made him bishop, he laid the groundwork for Prevost to succeed him.
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Pope Leo XIV is poised to visit one of Equatorial Guineas most notorious prisons on Wednesday, a move expected to cast a critical spotlight on the nation's human rights record, which has long been condemned by campaigners.

This scrutiny is particularly heightened following recent US deportations of third-country migrants to the country.

The pontiffs visit to the facility in Bata, a central African port city, aligns with a tradition established by Pope Francis.

His predecessor prioritised prison visits during his papacy, aiming to offer hope to inmates, remind them of the Church's solidarity, and highlight systemic issues such as judicial abuses and overcrowding.

This engagement marks Leos final full day in Africa, concluding an extensive 11-day, four-nation tour that spanned from Algeria in the north to Angola in the south, with a stop in Cameroon.

His day was scheduled to commence with a Mass in Mongomo, located in the far east, before his arrival in Bata, the country's most populous coastal city.

open image in gallery Pope Leo XIV is greeted by Equatorial Guinea's President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, right, and Archbishop Juan Nsue Edjang Maye, left ( Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

The agenda also included a moment of prayer at a memorial dedicated to the victims of a 2021 explosion at a military barracks in Bata, an incident widely attributed to negligence.

Judicial abuses documented

The U.N. human rights office in 2022 welcomed the abolition of the death penalty in Equatorial Guinea, but its prisons and justice system overall have been repeatedly faulted by the U.N. and condemned by human rights groups and the U.S. State Department.

In its 2023 report on the country, the U.S. listed a host of abuses: arbitrary or unlawful killings and arrests, political detentions, torture, life-threatening prison conditions and serious problems with the independence of the judiciary.

Amnesty International has serious concerns about the human rights situation in Equatorial Guinea, said Marta Colomer Aguilera, senior campaigner at Amnesty's West and Central Africa office.

She said torture had been used to extract confessions or to punish, human rights defenders are harassed, and the lack of judicial independence compromised the right to a fair trial.

Equatorial Guinea is led by President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, who has been in power since 1979 and is accused of widespread corruption and authoritarianism.

open image in gallery Faithful wait for the arrival of Pope Leo XIV on the occasion of his meeting with representatives of the world of culture in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea ( Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

Equatorial Guinea is also one of several African nations that have been paid millions of dollars in controversial deals with the Trump administration to receive migrants deported from the U.S. to countries other than their own.

AP reporting shows that at least 29 such migrants with no ties to the country have been deported here. They were not sent to the prison in Bata. Some remain in detention in Malabo with restrictions on legal and medical support, while others have been forcibly returned to their countries where they face persecution.

The Equatorial Guinea government has denied rights abuses and hasnt commented when asked to respond to questions about abuses involving the U.S. migration deportation deal.

Leo, the U.S.-born pope, has criticized the Trump administrations overall migration deportation policy as extremely disrespectful.

Human rights groups want pope to speak out

On the eve of his prison visit, 70 human rights organizations published an open letter to Leo, urging him to speak out especially about U.S. deportation of migrants here and encourage African nations to not be complicit in the practice.

These practices circumvent humanitarian protections, expose refugees to detention and coercion, and subject individuals to refoulement, in direct contravention of international law, they wrote, referring to the legal concept that prohibits countries from sending people to places where their lives or freedoms are at risk.

open image in gallery Faithful wait for the arrival of Pope Leo XIV at the airport in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea ( Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

The conditions under which these deportations have been carried out have also reflected a very troubling disregard for human life and safety. We call for the intercession of Pope Leo XIV to discourage African countries from being complicit in these violations and instead to protect these individuals, the groups said.

One of the signatories was EG Justice, which has repeatedly denounced the detention of political prisoners in Equatorial Guinea. The group urged Leo to use his moral authority to speak out about it.

There are individuals  prisoners of conscience, and human rights activists  in detention whose cases raise serious humanitarian and due process concerns, said Tutu Alicante, a U.S.-based activist who runs the EG Justice group. At moments like this, sentence review and a real commitment to reform the judiciary can send a powerful signal of a willingness to turn a page toward justice and reconciliation.

Alicante said the government had taken cosmetic steps in recent months to improve certain detention facilities but he said they were temporary.

"The real test will be whether humane conditions, access to medical care, and basic rights are sustained long after the papal visit concludes, he said.
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Italy has summoned the Russian ambassador after a pro-Kremlin Russian television host attacked Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on air.

"I had the Russian ambassador... summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to express formal protests following the extremely serious and offensive statements made by the host Vladimir Solovyev on Russian television," Rome's foreign minister Antonio Tajani said on X on Tuesday.

In a one-minute segment, Solovyev swore in Italian, calling Meloni a "certified idiot" and worse.

In Russian, he added: "Meloni is fascist scum who betrayed her voters, having campaigned on completely different slogans. Betrayal is her middle name: she also betrayed (U.S. President Donald) Trump, to whom she had previously sworn allegiance."

Meloni leads a right-wing government that has provided military and civilian aid to Ukraine since Russia's invasion ( Reuters )

Meloni leads a right-wing government that has provided military and civilian aid to Ukraine since Russia's invasion, but her coalition includes the League party, which has had close ties with the Kremlin.

Earlier this month, she said Italy is very keen to develop a joint drone production with Ukraine.

"We believe that supporting Ukraine is not only a moral duty but also a strategic necessity," said Meloni, speaking with visiting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.

She has recently fallen out of favour with Trump, previously a close ally, distancing herself from the war with Iran and openly criticising the U.S president for lashing out at Pope Leo.

Meloni was the only European leader to attend his inauguration in 2025 and is someone whom he had hailed as "a great leader" just one month ago.

Asked about her condemnation of his comments on Pope Leo, he said: "She is the one who is unacceptable, because she does not care whether Iran has a nuclear weapon and would blow Italy up in two minutes if it had the chance."

The reprimand capped a tumultuous month for Meloni, who lost a crunch referendum on judicial reform in March and then saw her political ally Viktor Orban ousted from power in Hungary.
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Spains government has approved a sweeping plan to alleviate the country's housing problem, addressing one of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchezs main political vulnerabilities ahead of next year's elections.

Rising rental and housing costs are currently pricing many Spaniards out of the market, despite a recent economic boom where incomes have failed to keep up with the escalating prices.

Analysts suggest that increased tourism and population growth in cities, often driven by immigration, have further strained housing supply. The new plan, valued at 7bn, is designed to triple government investment in public housing over the next four years. Crucially, it ensures that subsidised housing cannot be reclassified after a few years, and also includes specific help for young renters and prospective home buyers.

"It is a significant step forward. For the first time in decades, there is a serious budgetary commitment," said Raluca Budian, associate director of the Observatory for Decent Housing at the Madrid-based Esade business school.

People gather during a demonstration to protest high housing costs in Barcelona, Spain. ( AP )

About 40% of the money will be earmarked for growing the public housing supply, which Spain lacks compared to the European average, while 30% will be set aside for property renovations, the government said. That will include funds for making homes more energy-efficient and building in depopulated parts of the country.

The rest will go toward subsidies, with a focus on young people.

The public is demanding an agreement to address the main problem currently affecting them, Housing Minister Isabel Rodriguez said Tuesday. Housing routinely comes up as Spaniards' top concern, according to state pollster CIS.

Housing costs in Spain rose nearly 13% year-on-year at the end of 2025, according EU statistics agency Eurostat.

Spain ranks near the bottom of Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development countries with public housing for rent, with under 2% of available supply. The OECD average is 7%. In France, it is is 14%, Britain 16% and the Netherlands 34%.

In the past, Spain built housing with public funds that later passed into private ownership. Once they were sold, they disappeared from the public housing stock.
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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President Donald Trump has announced an indefinite ceasefire with Iran until peace negotiations are concluded, hours after he said he expected to be bombing the country and insisted he would not extend a hard deadline for them to reach a deal.

The US leader has been mocked for adopting a Taco stance on several issues, an acronym that stands for Trump Always Chickens Out, in reference to his habit of backing down on strong threats of force.

Pointing to a seriously fractured leadership in Iran, Trump said he is ready to cease hostilities until Tehran puts forward a unified proposal for negotiations.

Trumps constant U-turns have often been interpreted by analysts as a means of confusing his opponent, but have prompted criticism from allies, including French president Emmanuel Macron, who said earlier this month that you dont have to speak every day.

Below, we look at all the times Trump threatened to bomb Iran and then didnt.

open image in gallery Trump has agreed to an indefinite extension of a ceasefire  for now ( AFP/Getty )

21 March: Trump issues 48-hour deadline, then extends it

As Irans control of the Strait of Hormuz tightened three weeks into the war, Mr Trump issued a 48-hour deadline for the country to fully open, without threat the vital shipping route.

He said he would obliterate Irans energy infrastructure if his time limit were not met on 22 March. He subsequently extended this timeline to 28 March, subject to negotiations with Iran.

I have instructed the Department of War to postpone any and all military strikes against Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure for a five-day period, subject to the success of the ongoing meetings and discussions, he wrote.

This was later extended again to 6 April. Iran warned it would attack regional energy infrastructure in response to any attacks.

open image in gallery The war against Iran, which began in late February, has engulfed the Middle East in violence, leading to the deaths of thousands of people ( AFP/Getty )

31 March: Make a deal or US will obliterate energy plants

Mr Trump threatened again to obliterate all of Irans energy infrastructure and blow up Kharg Island, a key oil export hub, if a deal was not reached soon.

If the Hormuz Strait is not immediately Open for Business, we will conclude our lovely stay in Iran by blowing up and completely obliterating all of their Electric Generating Plants, Oil Wells and Kharg Island (and possibly all desalinisation plants!), which we have purposefully not yet touched, he wrote in another outburst on Truth Social on 31 March.

The statement sparked alarm, but was ultimately not followed through.

1 April: We will bomb Iran into the Stone Age

A month into the war, Mr Trump appeared increasingly frustrated and amped up aggressive rhetoric towards Iran, making several threats to bomb the country back to the Stone Age.

On 2 April, in a 20-minute address at the White House, Mr Trump warned that the US is prepared to escalate its military campaign against Iran over the next two to three weeks, threatening to hit them extremely hard and bring them back to the Stone Age, while simultaneously playing down the impact of any disruption in the Strait of Hormuz on US energy needs.

open image in gallery Iran has been using AI Lego-style videos to take aim at Trump ( Explosive Media )

There were no immediate strikes on Irans infrastructure following the threats.

5 April: Open the F***in Strait, you crazy b*****ds

In an Easter Sunday statement to Americans, Trump warned that Iranians would be living in Hell if Hormuz were not opened with immediate effect.

The US president wrote in a post on Truth Social that Tuesday would be Power Plant Day and Bridge Day for American forces selecting targets in the region, adding: Open the F***in Strait, you crazy b*****ds, or youll be living in Hell. He concluded: Praise be to Allah.

7 April: An entire civilisation will die tonight

In an extraordinary rant at the height of the conflict, Mr Trump threatened to wipe the millennia-old Iranian civilisation off the map.

A whole civilisation will die tonight, never to be brought back again, he wrote in the unprecedented post on Truth Social on 7 April.

I dont want that to happen, but it probably will. However, now that we have Complete and Total Regime Change, where different, smarter, and less radicalised minds prevail, maybe something revolutionarily (sic) wonderful can happen, WHO KNOWS?

open image in gallery Trumps constant U-turns have caused global chaos ( AFP/Getty )

The threat sparked a global outcry with several leaders condemning the statement. Hours later, a 14-day ceasefire brokered by Pakistan was announced.

21 April: I expect to be bombing

Before the latest extension of the ceasefire, Trump had indicated that he would not back down.

I expect to be bombing because I think thats a better attitude to go in with, he said on Tuesday. But were ready to go. I mean, the military is raring to go.

He told Bloomberg that the ceasefire would end on Wednesday evening and that it is highly unlikely that Id extend it if there is no agreement to end the war by the deadline.

Asked by CNBC if he would consider extending the ceasefire if negotiations progress this week, he responded: I dont want to do that. We dont have that much time. He explained that by the time negotiators get to Pakistan, the ceasefire would have expired.

Hours later, he announced that the agreement had been extended indefinitely.

We have been asked to hold our Attack on the Country of Iran until such time as their leaders and representatives can come up with a unified proposal, Trump said.
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At least three vessels have been attacked in the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, just hours after Donald Trump offered to extend a ceasefire between the US, Israel and Iran.

An Iranian gunboat opened fire and launched rocket-propelled grenades at a Liberia-flagged container ship on Wednesday morning, according to the UK Maritime Trade Operations Centre (UKMTO).

It said a second ship was also fired upon later as it left the Strait, though it did not identify who carried out the attack.

Irans paramilitary Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) opened fire on the first ship, a container vessel that was located in the middle of the Strait about 15 nautical miles northeast of Oman, at 7.55am local time (4.25am GMT), according to the UKMTO.

The UKMTO said the IRGC gunboat did not hail the ship before firing, while Irans state media claimed that the vessel ignored the warnings of the Iranian armed forces. The vessel sustained heavy damage, the centre said, but no casualties or environmental impact were reported.

The second ship was not damaged and its crew were safe and accounted for, the UKMTO said. It was stopped in the water around 8 nautical miles off the coast of Iran. The Panama-flagged vessel was not damaged, it added.

Maritime security sources told Reuters that a third container ship was fired upon about eight nautical miles west of Iran while transiting outbound of the Strait of Hormuz. The Liberia-flagged vessel, which was not damaged, had stopped in the water. Its crew were safe, the sources said.

open image in gallery Ships fired upon in Strait of Hormuz on 22 April ( The Independent )

Irans Fars News Agency claimed Tehran was lawfully enforcing its control over the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf through which 20 per cent of the worlds crude oil and natural gas traded once passed.

Prior to the start of the US-Israeli war on Iran the strait had been considered an international waterway for the worlds shippers, despite being in the territorial waters of both Iran and Oman.

The attacks came after the US seized an Iranian container ship at the weekend and boarded an oil tanker associated with Irans oil trade in the Indian Ocean.

On Tuesday, Mr Trump said the US would indefinitely extend a ceasefire with Iran, which had been due to expire on Wednesday, to give Tehran time to come up with a unified proposal ahead of possible negotiations.

open image in gallery Map of the Strait of Hormuz with sea lanes, surrounding territories, and shipping routes ( Getty/iStock )

He said the US would continue its blockade of Iranian ports in the meantime, a measure which Iran has called unacceptable and indicated was a reason it had not yet agreed to resume peace talks in Islamabad.

Iran doesnt want the Strait of Hormuz closed, they want it open so they can make $500 Million Dollars a day (which is, therefore, what they are losing if it is closed!). They only say they want it closed because I have it totally BLOCKADED (CLOSED!), so they merely want to save face, Mr Trump said in a post on Truth Social.

In a separate post after midnight, the US president claimed that Iran was collapsing financially. They want the Strait of Hormuz opened immediately- Starving for cash! Losing 500 Million Dollars a day. Military and Police complaining that they are not getting paid. SOS!!!

The IRGC, which is separate from the Iranian army, on Wednesday vowed to deliver crushing blows beyond the enemys imagination to its remaining assets in the region.

open image in gallery US chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine speaks in front of a map of the Strait of Hormuz during a press briefing at the Pentagon, in Arlington, Virginia ( AFP/Getty )

The IRGC remains at peak readiness and determination to continue the fight, prepared for a decisive, certain and immediate response to any threat or renewed aggression, the statement added.

Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi has called the US blockade a breach of the ceasefire and said striking a commercial vessel and taking its crew hostage is an even greater violation.

The US military last week announced it had widened its efforts beyond the blockade of Irans ports to allow its forces around the world to stop any ship tied to Tehran or those suspected of aiding Iran.
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It may sound hard to believe, but the almost trillion-dollar U.S. military is struggling to fight cheap drones in its war with Iran.

Iran has built a simple drone, the Shahed, with a motorcycle-type engine, loaded it with explosives and successfully targeted its neighbors cities and power plants.

Iran has also hit U.S. military bases with these drones, including an early April 2026 attack on the U.S. Victory Base Complex in Baghdad.

The drones cost between US$20,000 and $50,000 to build. In response, the U.S. military sometimes fires missiles worth more than $1 million to shoot one down.

As a former U.S. Air Force officer and now national security scholar, I believe that math is a problem: The U.S. military for now has a $1 million answer to a $20,000 question. This math tells you almost everything you need to know about one of Americas biggest national security headaches.

And the frustrating part is that the U.S. military watched this happen in Ukraine for years. It knew the threat was coming.

The weapon that changed modern war

The Shahed isnt impressive because its high-tech. Its impressive because it isnt.

Inspection of captured Shahed drones has found that many of their parts are made by ordinary commercial companies. That includes processors from a U.S. manufacturer, fuel pumps from a U.K. company and converters from China.

These military components arent hard to get. You could find similar parts in factories or farm machinery. Thats exactly what makes the Shahed so tough to deal with.

Russia, which also produces the drone, tolerates losing more than 75% of its Shahed stock because even at those loss rates, its winning the math battle against Ukraine. Russia or Iran dont need every drone to hit its target. They just need to keep sending waves of them until their opponent runs out of expensive missiles to shoot back.

open image in gallery An Iranian-designed HESA Shahed 136 (Geran-2) drone at an open-air exhibition of destroyed Russian military equipment. ( AFP/Getty )

Ukraine, which had no choice but to learn fast, eventually figured out a better answer. Ukraine developed cheap interceptor drones that could slam into Shahed drones before they reached their targets. Each interceptor costs about $1,000 to $2,000, and Ukrainian manufacturers are producing thousands of them per month. Thats better math: a $2,000 interceptor against a $20,000 attacker.

Ukraines battlefield experience, as a result, has become one of the most valuable resources in the world, with American and allied forces asking Ukrainian drone experts to share their knowledge.

Why cant the U.S. churn out a solution of its own? Because the U.S. military doesnt have a technology problem but a bureaucracy problem.

The Pentagons three-legged slowdown

The U.S. Department of Defense typically cant just buy things. It follows a long, complicated process that can take a decade or more to go from we need something to here it is. That process runs through three separate bureaucratic systems, each of which can cause years of delay.

First, someone must write a formal document, known as a requirement, that explains exactly what they need and why. A military service, such as the Air Force, for example, drafts up a requirement and routes it through an internal service review within only their branch.

Until recently, this service-vetted requirement went through a Pentagon review process, the Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System, where all joint services took a look. This process, which the Department of Defense ended in 2025, required approval from military officials.

Even though the joint requirements process was ended, implementation of a new system is far from complete, and the existing culture potentially remains. Under the old requirements process, it took over 800 days to get a requirement approved.

open image in gallery A drone is seen during a suspected drone strike targeting an oil warehouse on the outskirts of Erbil, the capital of Iraq's Kurdistan Region. ( AFP/Getty )

Second, any new program then needs money. This is handled through the planning, programming, budgeting and execution process, a budget cycle designed in 1961. Getting a new program into the budget typically takes more than two years after the requirement is approved, because the military must submit its budget request years in advance. By then, the threat has potentially already moved on.

Third, once a requirement is approved and money allocated, the program then must be developed and built. The average major defense acquisition program now takes almost 12 years from program start just to deliver an initial capability to troops in the field, according to a 2025 Government Accountability Office report.

Add it up and you get a system where the military sees a threat, begs for a solution, argues for money and waits a decade.

Why the system is built this way

The Shahed drone exposed a gap that defense experts have been warning about for years: The U.S. military is very good at building the most advanced, most expensive weapons in the world, but it struggles to build cheap, simple things fast. That is the opposite of what this new kind of warfare demands.

It would be easy, but inaccurate, to blame the military for the decade-long contract process. The real answer is more complicated.

The Pentagons lengthy process was designed by the Department of Defense and Congress for a reason. Policymakers created the current system during the Cold War to combat excessive and redundant spending by the separate service branches. The system is built with checkpoints, reviews and approvals to make sure taxpayer money isnt wasted.

open image in gallery Soldiers work on a US Patriot missile interceptor system at a Turkish military base. ( AFP/Getty )

Legacy military contractors also benefit from this dysfunctional process and resist change. They have the capital and know-how to wait out the predictable and stable existing contracts, while vying for new ones. These military contractors rarely need to worry about upstart contractors because they know small companies cannot survive waiting for a decade to secure funding for their prototypes.

The problem is that those rules were built for a world where the biggest threat was another superpowers expensive jets and missiles. It wasnt built to fight a flying bomb made from tractor parts. This type of threat requires fast innovation from lean companies, the exact companies that struggle in the current budget process.

Whats changing

There are signs of movement. In August 2025, the Pentagon killed its old requirements process entirely and replaced it with a faster, more flexible system.

However, killing the requirements process dealt with only one leg of the three-legged monster. The 1960s-era budget process that determines how money flows remains largely intact.

The most important reforms still need Congress to act, and Congress moves slowly, too. Congress has launched studies into reforming this system numerous times, with the answers being too politically difficult to implement.

About the author Aaron Brynildson is a Law Instructor at the University of Mississippi. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

Officials are expanding the use of flexible contracting tools, such as Other Transaction Authority, that let the military skip some traditional rules to get anti-drone technology faster. Yet these flexible contracting tools still represent a small slice of the Defense budget, and their effectiveness is unclear.

Ultimately, instead of using flexible contracting tools to quickly buy new prototypes, the bureaucratically easier solution could be to buy more of the expensive, already approved missiles.

This quick fix would reload the militarys stock of interceptors with existing weapons systems, which is the source of the bad math. The math would get worse and at the same time the operational imperative to find cheaper and better solutions might disappear.

So, as the Shahed keeps flying, the most powerful military in the world is still figuring out the paperwork and looking to other countries for help.
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With a shaky ceasefire in place between the US, Israel and Iran  and little progress on talks to resolve the complex issues at the heart of the war  where is this conflict going?

The most likely scenario is a frozen conflict.

A frozen conflict is not static, but is an unresolved war that continues at a low-level below the threshold of full-scale combat.

This typically occurs when a comprehensive political agreement cannot be reached, such as the fighting in eastern Ukraine from 2014 until Russias full-scale invasion in 2022. This conflict was considered frozen despite the deaths of some 14,000 military personnel and civilians and persistent cyber and information warfare.

Even if negotiations resume this week in Pakistan and an eventual agreement is reached, there are still three reasons we believe this is headed towards a frozen conflict, not a comprehensive peace agreement.

1) Trump equates ceasefires with an end to war

US President Donald Trumps approach to foreign policy has shown he does not treat ceasefires as pauses for negotiations to agree on substantive political issues. Rather, he declares a ceasefire as a US success, then moves on to the next global issue.

Trump claims to have ended ten wars, including the current conflict with Iran and Israels war in Lebanon. A closer look reveals that in most of these conflicts, a shaky ceasefire has held while substantive issues remain unresolved.

This has left frozen conflicts in place with ongoing tensions. In India and Pakistan, which engaged in a brief armed conflict last year, for example, there is a continued risk of renewed hostilities. And a lasting peace between Thailand and Cambodia after last years border spats remains elusive.

Yet, Trump has walked away from these conflicts and claimed an end to war as soon as a cessation of major hostilities was in place.

2) Asymmetric wars are difficult to resolve

The current war is asymmetric because of the huge difference in military strength between the US and Israel on one side, and Iran on the other.

Iran has intentionally used asymmetric tactics to counter the US overwhelming military power, including targeting infrastructure in Persian Gulf countries not involved in the war and closing the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping traffic to disrupt the global economy.

Research shows asymmetric wars are inherently protracted and often open-ended. As a result, they are more likely to end in a frozen conflict than an enduring political settlement.

The reason for this is simple. The weaker actor cannot win a conventional military battle against the stronger actor. So, it tries to exhaust the more powerful nation with political, economic and psychological pressure, forcing a withdrawal and cessation of hostilities.

open image in gallery ( AFP/Getty )

This is what we are seeing now between the US and Iran. Trump is feeling these rising pressures and is pursuing a ceasefire, while trying to claim a US victory.

Iran, meanwhile, has agreed to a ceasefire in a bid for survival as the weaker actor, rather than a commitment to an enduring end to the conflict.

This is reminiscent of the Taliban in Afghanistan, who survived 20 years in a frozen conflict with the US before taking back control of the country when the US withdrew.

3) Theres been no focus on the more complex issues

Neither the US nor Iran appears committed to any long-term resolution of the underlying tensions at the root of the conflict. Key among these is the question of Irans nuclear program.

For Washington, the first round of peace talks in Pakistan on April 1112 were aborted because Iran refused to compromise on its nuclear program. And Iran has long argued it has an inalienable right to enrich uranium for civilian purposes.

open image in gallery ( AFP/Getty )

The negotiations that led to the multilateral 2015 deal on Irans nuclear program  the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action  took 20 months to conclude. Trump withdrew from the agreement three years later, calling it a horrible one-sided deal.

Given this history, a quick and clear resolution to this complex dispute is unlikely.

Some analysts believe the US and Iran could announce a partial agreement that would leave many of the technical aspects to be ironed out later.

But Trump is now facing an opponent that is unlikely to become more accommodating with respect to its long-term nuclear rights. In fact, Iran has already shown its resolve by asserting a new geostrategic normal, closing the Strait of Hormuz and disrupting the global economy.

What a frozen conflict means for the region

The Iran-US war may conclude with a series of ceasefires, but will likely remain a frozen conflict due to these underlying tensions. This means more threats from both sides over Irans nuclear program and periodic flare-ups of violence between Israel and Iran, the US and Iran, or both.

About the authors Jessica Genauer is an Academic Director, Public Policy Institute at UNSW Sydney. Benedict Moleta, PhD student, Department of International Relations at Australian National University. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

This is much like the frozen situation in Gaza. Last October, Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire under Trumps 20-point peace plan. The first phase of the plan was then largely implemented, leading to a hostage-prisoner exchange, a decrease in Israels heavy bombardments of Gaza and a resumption of aid into the strip.

However, there has since been no progress on the more complex questions of the post-war governance of Gaza, redevelopment of the strip and  crucially  the disarmament of Hamas fighters. As a result, Israel has refused to completely withdraw its troops and violence has continued.

From a historical perspective, the frozen conflict in the Koreas is also instructive. The war ended with an armistice in 1953 and no peace treaty, effectively leaving North and South Korea at war to this day. This led to the North developing an underground nuclear weapons program that continues to pose a threat to the world.

Similarly, the decades-long frozen India-Pakistan conflict has led to an arms race (including the development of nuclear weapons on both sides), instability in South Asia and periodic flare-ups of violence.

A frozen conflict between the US, Israel and Iran will no doubt create similar long-term instability in the Middle East, including a possible arms race in the Middle East and more flare-ups of violence, particularly around control of the Strait of Hormuz.
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Top shipping companies are demanding safe and sustainable passage through the Strait of Hormuz, stating that global oil and cargo traffic will not resume until security is assured.

Jotaro Tamura, chief executive of Japan's Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL), a major global shipping firm and top owner of oil and LNG tankers, voiced this concern.

At the Singapore Maritime Week, he told Reuters: "Two weeks ago when the ceasefire, said to be temporary, came into picture, we thought there was hope. But in reality, the agreement was not translated into the safety and passage (of the vessels)."

Mr Tamura added that safety questions would remain even if the strait reopens. The situation is compounded by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warning of mines in the area.

"It's a question of the definition of open. Is it really open, or is it half open? Is it open, but there is risk?" Mr Tamura asked.

"At some point in time it (voyages) will resume, and normalisation comes into picture. But it's hard to foresee how reality would be."

When asked if MOL would pay toll fees to Iran if requested, he said MOL's position was to follow international law, which is freedom of passage through the strait.

open image in gallery Two boys paddle-board in the sea as ships are anchored near the shoreline on April 22, 2026 in Bandar Abbas, Iran. ( Getty )

Belgium's CMB.Tech, another large, diversified maritime company with a fleet of more than 250 ships, is also waiting for more clarity.

"We cannot hedge. We just need to wait for what is going to happen in the Middle East," CEO Alexander Saverys said on the sidelines of the Singapore conference.

"It is creating a lot of uncertainty."

"We need to be confident that we can transit without having any issues," he said. "Today we have no reassurance whatsoever. We will only get the reassurance once we see that ships can pass through the straits in a safe and sustainable way."

"The Strait of Hormuz is a free passage where normally no toll should be paid," Saverys said. "If that would change in the future, we will investigate."

open image in gallery Shipping traffic through the strait remains at a virtual standstill since the U.S.-Iran war broke out on 28 February, disrupting energy supplies from the Gulf ( Getty )

He declined to comment on how many ships the company has stranded inside the Gulf.

"We're in communication with all the governments to see and to make sure that our vessels can navigate. But right now, as you know, the situation is not safe yet."

Shipping traffic through the strait remains at a virtual standstill since the U.S.-Iran war broke out on February 28, disrupting energy supplies from the Gulf.

The strait usually sees about 130 vessels a day enter and exit the Gulf and handles about 20 per cent of the world's daily oil and liquefied natural gas supply.
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Just as fighting was set to resume on Tuesday, President Donald Trump announced the extension of a 14-day ceasefire at the eleventh hour, saying Irans seriously fractured leadership was an obstacle to a peace agreement.

Mr Trump said the military would continue a blockade on Iranian ports until Tehrans leaders and representatives can come up with a unified proposal, following a request from Pakistan.

But after America and Israel have killed several of the Islamic Republics senior leadership figures and the new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei yet to be seen in public, it is unclear who is actually in charge in Iran.

The political vacuum left in the wake of the assassinations has been filled by ardent nationalists within the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, according to experts.

This tight-knit circle are staunchly anti-America and are reportedly passing messages by word of mouth to avoid detection by electronic means and ensure new leadership figures are not assassinated, according to analysts.

US-Israeli strikes on Iran have also increased sympathy for their cause, fomenting nationalism among the regimes younger supporters.

The situation has created a hostile climate for more liberal and moderate elements within the discussions, who have been sidelined as a result, say experts.

Who are the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps?

open image in gallery Ahmad Vahidi is the current leader of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps ( AFP/Getty )

The IRGC was set up in the immediate aftermath of the Iranian Revolution in 1979, during which the shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, was deposed. Since then, the group has gone on to become a formidable military force within Iran.

It is reported to have around 124,000 members, comprising ground, navy and air forces.

The commander of the IRGC, Ahmad Vahidi, assumed office after his predecessor, Mohammad Pakpour, was killed in a US-Israeli attack at the outset of the war on 1 March.

Mr Vahidi is considered to be deeply embedded within the Iranian establishment and served as defence minister under former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad between 2009 and 2013.

He is a trusted figure who is reported to be in touch with the supreme leader on a regular basis and conveys his wishes to the rest of the command, according to reports.

Since 2022, the IRGC has been linked to at least 20 credible plots against the UK.

Rifts emerge in Iran

open image in gallery Pakistani prime minister Shehbaz Sharif (right) meets with Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf (left), in Islamabad, Pakistan, on 11 April ( Reuters )

While much of the focus has been on President Trumps flip-flopping between different positions on Iran, analysts say that Tehrans own position in negotiations is also fluid.

After foreign minister and career diplomat Abbas Araghchi announced the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz last week, the IRGC made the unusual move to criticise the announcement with the affiliated Tasnim news agency describing the statement as a complete lack of tact in information dissemination.

The Institute for the Study of War said the disagreement was reflective of broader divisions within the Iranian regime in an update on 17 April.

Earlier this week, the ISW reported that the secretary of Irans supreme national security council, Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, had complained to senior IRGC leaders including Vahidi that foreign minister Araghchi had surpassed his mandate in negotiations. The IRGC has insisted that the strait remain shut due to the US blockade.

Mr Araghchi is said to have caused concern by suggesting Tehrans support for Hezbollah and the Axis of Resistance was flexible, according to the New York Post.

The politician has a long history of negotiating and was integral to securing the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), a nuclear agreement that saw Iran regularly supervised by the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Zolghadrs anger caused senior leaders in Tehran, including former IRGC Intelligence Organisation chief and long-time member of Mojtabas inner circle, Hossein Taeb, to call the negotiating delegation back to Tehran, the ISW said.

Risk-averse Khamenei replaced by IRGC nationalists

open image in gallery Members of Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps give a military salute during a parade in Tehran ( Iranian Presidency )

Ayatollah Ali Khameneis killing on 28 February has led to a less tolerant approach to the West, according to Dr Andreas Bohm, a lecturer in international law and international affairs at the University of St Gallen in Switzerland.

In previous conflicts, Dr Bohm says that Iran would tend to react symbolically by sending missiles to Israel and US bases hosted by Gulf countries or firing rockets at Israel in a show of strength.

This new leadership is rather more straightforward, he tells The Independent. They say, for any escalation of the Americans, we will escalate further.

Theyre more committed to seeing this through than under Khamenei, who would have dealt with this differently. He was rather risk-averse and was against going all-out. That hurt him strategically. Weve had a regime transformation and that has led to a more hardline position.

The theocratic component within the country has weakened while the national security element has been emboldened, says Vuk Vuksanovic, an associate at foreign policy think tank LSE Ideas and a lecturer in foreign policy at Kings College London.

open image in gallery Donald Trump and JD Vance have sent mixed messages about the status of negotiations ( Getty )

Years before the ongoing wars, there were talks that the theocratic component of the regime, as personified in the figure of the supreme leader, is going to grow weaker while the national security element, as embodied in the IRGC, is going to gain strength, he tells The Independent. Today, that is exactly what is happening.

Due to their role in the war, he says the IRGC has gone from being a power centre within the Iranian state to being even more firmly embedded with the Iranian state itself on all levels.

Consequently, the regime organised around the national security apparatus will be much harder-line, much more nationalist, and much less willing to compromise.

He adds: The IRGC is going to emerge as the primary power centre of the Iranian political system as a result of this war. In times of breakdown, especially war, it is the micromanagers and those best at organised violence who come to the top.

But experts also suggest that distrust of the US is driving this less tolerant approach.

Prof Ashok Kumar, associate lecturer in political economy at Birkbeck University, says that American U-turns on agreements, including political assassinations such as those of Qasem Soleimani in 2020, economic sanctions and the recent debacle over the inclusion of Lebanon in a ceasefire agreement, undermine future diplomatic efforts.

The more this pattern persists, the more it resolves Irans internal debates in favour of those who argue that negotiation is not strategy but self-deception.

Who is running Iran right now?

open image in gallery Abbas Araghchis flexibility in talks has reportedly angered elements of the IRGC ( AFP/Getty )

Experts believe that Mojtaba Khamenei is still issuing orders about the direction of Irans policy with the US and Israel, despite claims by US secretary of war Pete Hegseth that the son of Ali Khamenei has been disfigured.

Dr Bohm says his absence from public life will not be unusual for the Iranian public and may even add to the perception of his strength. Shia mythology valorises the spiritual figure of the Twelfth Imam, who they believe operates from beyond the shadows.

Furthermore, the Iranian establishment will be cautious about elevating a figure too much after the assassination of other senior figures, including the head of Irans security council, Ali Larijani. In his absence, several public figures have emerged, but the true decision-making structure is largely invisible.

Mohammed Bagher Ghalibaf is largely a public figurehead and pragmatist, but he owes power to his proximity to the IRGC, which he joined as a teenager. He was reportedly considered a hot option to lead Iran in reports by Politico last month.

Driven by the pressures of war, Iran has also reportedly granted its military commanders greater autonomy over militias in Iraq, allowing some groups to carry out operations without Tehrans approval, three militia members and two other officials told the Associated Press.

Many of the moderates and pragmatists who could have cut a deal with the US, including Ali Larijani, have been killed in air strikes, primarily the Israeli air strikes, said Dr Vuksanovic.

The IRGC, as the main locus of hardliners, can rein in any remaining pragmatists and moderates by pointing out that previous attempts to negotiate with the US failed and that the US cannot be trusted.
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Iran has warned it has prepared new cards to use on the battlefield if a fragile ceasefire extended by Donald Trump on Tuesday collapses.

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Tehrans parliamentary speaker and top negotiator, said Tehran does not accept negotiations under the shadow of threats, and in the past two weeks, we have prepared to reveal new cards on the battlefield.

Trump has repeatedly warned that the US is ready to resume its war in Iran, stating on Monday that the military was raring to go.

But in a Truth Social post on Tuesday, he said the ceasefire deadline would be extended until such time as [Irans] leaders and representatives can come up with a unified proposal. A naval blockade on Iranian ports will remain in place during this time.

And yet, in the absence of a long-term peace deal, fears remain that the war could resume.

The US says it has depleted Irans missile stores and launch capabilities. But before the ceasefire, Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps had been able to fire a steady stream of missiles and drones at targets across the Gulf.

Exactly what new cards Tehran has under its sleeve are unclear, but we take a look at possibilities:

Closing the Bab el-Mandeb Strait

The Iran-aligned Houthis, the Yemeni rebel group which controls significant portions of the countrys west, have already threatened that the strategic Bab el-Mandeb  which translates to Gate of Tears  could be shut if President Trump does not change course.

open image in gallery A Yemeni government army officer gestures from a boat in Bab el-Mandeb ( Reuters )

If Sanaa makes the decision to close the Bab el-Mandeb, no force would be able to reopen it, Houthi deputy foreign minister Hussein al-Ezzi said.

It is best for Trump  and the complicit world  to immediately end all practices and policies that obstruct peace, and to show the respect required for the rights of our people and nation.

The Bab el-Mandeb Strait is a vital shipping corridor connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean, through which flows a large portion of global trade, including energy supplies.

According to the US Energy Information Administration, in 2025 just over 4 million barrels of oil passed through the strait each day  around 6 per cent of the global total  although it was a far busier channel before the Houthis escalating threat to shipping in recent years.

Since Israels invasion and bombardment in Gaza began after the Hamas-led October 7 attacks, the Houthis have launched numerous attacks on Israel, US and British tankers and commercial ships.

But a complete closure of the Strait would be new territory for tankers passing through the waterway  but it is unclear how effectively the Houthis would be able to carry it out.

Cyber attacks

Security agencies have now warned of the threat of cyber attacks by Iran-affiliated proxies, especially around water and energy facilities.

Cyberattacks on drinking water and wastewater systems directly threaten public health and community resilience, Jeffrey Hall, an administrator at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), said in a statement.

A single breach can disrupt treatment or introduce contaminants, damage equipment, and erode public trust.

open image in gallery The Iranian-flagged M/V Touska container ship was disabled by the US Navy and boarded by military on Monday ( US Central Command )

The FBI, National Security Agency, US Cyber Command, US Department of Energy, and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, all supported the advisory.

Iran has previously been accused of carrying out cyber attacks, including a large power outage in Turkey in 2015.

Tehran was also accused of several possible breaches of Israeli government websites in 2022, while in 2023 the US alleged an Iran-affiliated group had compromised at least 75 devices in several sectors.

Iran, meanwhile, says the US and Israel have carried out several cyber attacks against it.

Political attacks

Tehran could look towards political targets to avenge the assassinations of former supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and multiple members of the regime and military hierachy by the US and Israel.

Iran could seek to target diplomatic, consular or trade missions belonging to America and its allies.

open image in gallery The former Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed on the first day of the Iran war by US-Israeli strikes ( AFP/Getty )

It may also look at carrying out assassinations of key individuals linked to the US and its allies.

New attacks on energy infrastructure in the Gulf

Iran could resume its attacks on energy sites and infrastructure across the Gulf, which have already caused significant economic damage.

According to the Atlantic Council, around 83 per cent of Irans total missile and drone strikes during the war targeted Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, in particular the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

open image in gallery Iran launched attacks on energy sites across the Gulf, targeting in particular the UAE ( AFP/Getty )

Iranian attacks have already damaged as much as $58bn (43bn) of energy infrastructure, according to an estimate published by consulting firm Rystad Energy on Wednesday, the US business news site CNBC reports.

Iran has targeted the oil and gas infrastructure of its Gulf neighbours, such as production facilities, refineries, and pipelines, among other targets. Israel has attacked natural gas and petrochemical facilities in Iran.

Fatih Birol, executive director of the International Energy Agency, said more than 80 energy facilities have been attacked in total since US-Israeli strikes started the war on 28 February, with more than a third of those severely damaged.
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London Underground drivers are on their third day of strike action this week, causing significant travel disruption for commuters and visitors to the capital.

The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union had announced its members will walk out for 24 hours from midday on Tuesday 21 April, and again on Thursday 23 April.

This means the second strike is starting later today and will continue into Friday.

There are additional strikes planned for May and June.

The RMT has accused Transport for London (TfL) of attempting to impose a new four-day working week, with general secretary Eddie Dempsey expressing frustration over the stalled negotiations.

open image in gallery London Underground drivers will begin strike action this week ( Getty )

He said: We have approached negotiations with TfL in good faith throughout this entire process, but despite our best efforts, TfL seem unwilling to make any concessions in a bid to avert strike action.

Claire Mann, TfLs chief operating officer, said the proposals for a four-day working week allow the company to offer train operators an additional day off, whilst at the same time bringing London Underground in line with the working patterns of other train operating companies, improving reliability and flexibility at no additional cost.

She added: The changes would be voluntary, there would be no reduction in contractual hours and those who wish to continue a five-day working week pattern would be able to do so.

TfL has set out what travellers can expect during strike days, with certain lines more affected than others. Heres what you need to know:

What dates are the Tube strikes?

April

Tuesday 21 to Wednesday 22 April

Thursday 23 to Friday 24 April

May

Tuesday 19 to Wednesday 20 May

Thursday 21 to Friday 22 May

June

Tuesday 16 June to Wednesday 17 June

Thursday 18 June to Friday 19 June

What time will the Tube shut and reopen?

open image in gallery TfL has laid out how its services will be affected over the coming days ( Transport for London (TfL) )

The planned strike action will take significant parts of the network out of action for half of two consecutive days, lasting from midday to midday.

On Tuesdays and Thursdays travellers can expect normal service until mid-morning, when services will begin to ramp down. There will be significant disruption on all lines from midday, and lines that do run will finish early. TfL recommends completing journeys by 8pm.

On Wednesdays and Fridays, Tube services that do run will begin later, with no service expected before 7.30am. There will be significant disruption until midday, when normal service will begin to resume, but with delays very likely.

Which Tube lines will be affected?

TfL says strikes will affect the whole Tube network, but a reduced service will still run on most lines with significant disruption.

However, there will be no service on the:

Piccadilly and Circle lines

Metropolitan line between Baker Street and Aldgate

Central line between White City and Liverpool Street

On Thursday morning the TfL website also showed all lines will be running a special service with a part closure on the Northern line between Camden Town and Kennington .

Elizabeth line, DLR, London Overground, and tram services will be running normally on strike days, but are likely to be very busy.
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The Trump Administration may give Spirit Airlines a $500 million loan to keep the struggling airline afloat, according to a report.

The deal currently being discussed would have the U.S. government loan Spirit as much as $500 million, in exchange for a potential stake in the company, people familiar with the matter told The Wall Street Journal.

The Transportation Department and Commerce Department are involved in the discussions, which are not yet final. President Donald Trump met Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy Tuesday night to work on the deal, according to the sources.

Spirit Airlines would be on a much firmer financial footing had the Biden administration not recklessly blocked the airlines merger with JetBlue. The Trump administration continues to monitor the situation and overall health of the U.S. aviation industry that millions of Americans rely on every day for essential travel and their livelihoods, White House Spokesman Kush Desai told The Independent on Wednesday.

The president has urged someone to step in to prevent the troubled airline from going out of business, telling CNBC on Tuesday, Id love somebody to buy Spirit. Its 14,000 jobs, and maybe the federal government should help that one out.

The Trump administration may give Spirit Airlines a $500 million loan to help it avoid liquidation, according to a report ( Reuters )

The Florida-based airline has been working to make a comeback after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2024 over a multibillion-dollar debt load. While the company exited court protection soon after, it has struggled amid high costs and continued debt and filed for bankruptcy again in August.

Spirit appeared to be making a comeback after reaching an agreement with creditors on a plan to cut its debt and reduce operational costs. It was expected to emerge from bankruptcy this summer, until the U.S. and Israel began launching strikes against Iran at the end of February.

When Iran effectively closed off the Strait of Hormuz in retaliation, oil prices surged. Even with the passageway open, jet fuel prices have spiked, putting even further pressure on the airline.

Bloomberg reported last week that Spirit was at risk of being liquidated over the rising jet fuel prices. The publications sources said a decision to liquidate could come as soon as this week, but a Reuters source said that there are no plans for the airline to liquidate in the coming days.

The budget airline reportedly asked the Trump administration for an emergency bailout as it tries to avoid liquidation amid rising fuel costs.
Westminster watchers have had their popcorn out over the last 24 hours.

On Monday, Keir Starmer was grilled for two hours by MPs. A day later, Sir Olly Robbins, ex-permanent under-secretary at the Foreign Office, meticulously responded to the Foreign Affairs Select Committee. The result: more doubts over Keir Starmers handling of Peter Mandelsons appointment as US ambassador.

On this weeks episode of In The Room, former deputy cabinet secretary Helen MacNamara and ex-No. 10 special advisor Cleo Watson give their analysis, discuss Olly Robbins hammer blow testimony, and explain how the appointment of Matthew Doyle could be the prime ministers ultimate undoing.

New episodes of In The Room drop every Friday. Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Iranian state television has aired footage showing what appears to be a Qadr ballistic missile in Tehran, on a mobile launcher, during a late-night rally on Tuesday (21 April) as possible talks in Islamabad with the United States broke down.

Qadr missiles can release individual bomblets known as cluster munitions, which Iran used widely when attacking Israel during the war.

It came as Donald Trump earlier said he was extending the ceasefire with Iran at Pakistans request, while awaiting a unified proposal from Tehran.
Kash Patel got into a heated exchange with a reporter who pressed the FBI director on details in his $250m libel lawsuit.

A report in The Atlantic characterized Patel as a deeply paranoid figure prone to drinking to excess and whose alleged behavior has alarmed officials inside Donald Trumps administration.

Patel has filed a $250 million defamation lawsuit against the outlet and the journalist and insisted he has never been intoxicated on the job.

The article also alleges an incident in which a technical error with his computer access briefly locked him out, which he reportedly interpreted as being fired by the White House. Patels lawsuit acknowledges that he was temporarily locked out of the FBI system.

When asked by NBC News correspondent Ryan Reilly "to explain the computer login issue," Patel responded: "The problem with you and your baseless reporting is that it is an absolute lie.

" I was never locked out of my systems."
The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

The party is back on for Party City  and this time, its bringing the celebration to a new venue.

Just over a year after the retailer shuttered all its stores following two bankruptcy filings, Party City is making a comeback, popping up in more than 700 Staples locations across the U.S., with more locations planned by the end of the year.

Instead of reopening standalone shops, Party City has set up shop within Staples stores, creating what the brands described as a one-stop party hub. Available now in locations across many states, customers can find everything from helium-filled balloons and decorations to tableware, party favors, gift bags and costume accessories, all alongside Staples same-day printing services.

For as long as we can all remember, Party City has been the trusted go-to for balloons and party goods, known for quality, creativity and celebrations, Joel Weinshanker, CEO of Ad Populum, owner of Party City, said in a statment. As we take the new Party City to more places than ever before, finding the right partners is essential. Staples stood out immediately, not only for its national footprint, but for its strong connection to the communities we have both been part of for years. It felt like a natural fit from the start. Together, were making it easier for our many millions of combined loyal customers to celebrate and party with confidence at their local Party City, now at Staples.

In the coming weeks, customers will be able to schedule balloon pickups in advance through Staples website and app, the companies said in a news release. Party City products will also be sold on Staples website, in addition to Party Citys own site.

open image in gallery Party City is making a comeback in the U.S. - and is now available in over 700 Staples stores ( Staples )

open image in gallery Party City items will also be available on Staples' website ( Staples )

To launch the partnership, the companies are rolling out a series of limited-time deals, including buy-two-get-one-free foil balloons, discounted party supplies and special pricing on inflated balloon bouquets. There are also lower starting prices on latex balloons and other essentials, helping customers put together a full celebration without overspending.

Staples is also offering 40 percent off personalized items like cards, invitations, photo gifts, banners and yard signs through its print services. Many of the deals are available both in-store and online, with some requiring app coupons or in-store pickup.

Founded in East Hanover, New Jersey, in 1986, Party City announced it would wind down operations on December 20, 2024, after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection for the second time in less than two years. Corporate employees were told that day would be their last, while the actual stores closed gradually over the next few months, with most closed by February 2025.
PTSBs prospective owner, Bawag, plans to boost the Irish lenders existing mortgage and small business lending while also adding leasing, factoring and brokerage products, chief executive officer Anas Abuzaakouk told analysts in a call on Tuesday.

Commercial real estate and public lending could also offer interesting opportunities, he said.

Bawag is already a significant lender into commercial property at European level, including Ireland.

Factoring and leasing are relatively niche services for SMEs, while brokerage, including investment and insurance products for retail customers, is an important driver of fees for any bank that does not have its own wealth management arm.

The Bawag CEO told investors and analysts it wont pay a dividend for the first half of this year, instead using the cash to help fund its 1.6bn takeover of PTSB, Irelands third biggest lender.

Bawag reported quarterly results on Tuesday, where it confirmed a target for 960m net income this year. It recorded 232m net income in the first three months of the year, up 16pc on the previous year but less than analysts had expected.

The numbers do not yet account for any income from PTSB, but that recommended takeover deal has driven Bawag stock up by more than 26pc in the past month as it moved into pole position and then secured a deal to buy the Irish bank. The deal is likely to close in late 2026 or early next year, if it is accepted by shareholders.

On a call with investor analysts after the results, Mr Abuzaakouk said the Irish deal will be funded from a mix of cash on the lenders own balance sheet, retaining about 500m that would otherwise have gone on a shareholder dividend, and executing so-called significant risk transfers (SRT), a funding mechanism that allows banks to shift risk from their own balance sheet to outside investors so that regulators free them up to use more capital.

The pause on dividends will be short. The bank intends to resume dividends in the second half of the year and may exceed its regular target of paying out 55pc of net income as dividend, chief financial officer Enver Sirucic said.

The PTSB price and Bawags access to cash means it will almost certainly not have to borrow or tap equity investors to fund the deal, which is the Austrian banks largest ever.

Paying for the acquisition will reduce Bawags common equity tier 1 (CET1) ratio, a standard measure of bank capitalisation, to the 12.5pc management target, the lender said. That compared to PTSBs CET1 of 17.5pc, which is well above both the banks own target and its regulatory obligations.

Bawag shares dipped after its results were announced early on Tuesday but rebounded later in the day to close at 154.70 each  not far off all-time highs hit at the end of last week.
Dear Vicki: Is it wrong for security and cleaning staff at a firm to call the boss by their first name?
Homeowners have made 29,000 requests for grants in the first three months of this year

There have been 257,000 home-energy upgrades since 2019. Photo: Getty

Applications for grants for home-energy upgrades have nearly doubled since last year.

Amid the energy crisis created by the war in the Middle East, 29,000 applications from homeowners have been processed in the first three months of this year, Energy Minister Darragh OBrien said. This is an increase of 96pc on the same period last year.

The head of the International Energy Agency (IEA), Fatih Birol, said yesterday that the conflict between Iran and the US and Israel was creating the worst energy crisis the world has ever experienced.

This is indeed the biggest crisis in history, he said.

Homeowners in Ireland have responded with a rush to apply for grants to increase the energy efficiency of their homes.

Earlier this year, the Government introduced new grants of up to 5,600 to retrofit windows and doors and grants to encourage the wider installation of heat pumps.

It also increased some of the existing grants for energy upgrades.

Grants for windows and doors were previously available only for homes undergoing deep retrofits.

In Budget 2026, the Government provided a record allocation of 640m to target 73,000 home-energy upgrades this year.

Grants of up to 4,000 are being provided for upgrading windows on detached houses, 3,000 for semi-detached and end-of-terrace homes, 1,800 for mid-terrace houses and 1,500 for apartments and duplexes.

Energy Minister Darragh O'Brien. Photo: Getty

Of the 29,000 retrofit applications processed so far this year, more than 7,000 were for windows and doors grants, the Department of Energy said, quoting figures from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI).

There has been an 81pc rise in the number of applications for attic insulation and a 62pc rise for cavity wall insulation. There have been 350 applications for heat pump installations, almost double the number in the first three months of last year.

More than 257,000 home-energy upgrades have been delivered since 2019, with the Government providing more than 1.7bn in funding.

There have been 257,000 home-energy upgrades since 2019. Photo: Getty

News in 90 Seconds - Wednesday, April 22

Mr OBrien said: Through the work of the National Energy Affordability Taskforce, we will examine how to support further uptake of home-energy efficiency upgrades, and this will inform continued development of the SEAI retrofit schemes.

A recent survey found large numbers of homeowners are carrying out home improvement works because they cannot move to a new property.

This is one of the main reasons spending on home improvements is holding up despite cost-of-living pressures, according to data from Core Research as part of the Credit Union Consumer Sentiment Survey.

It is estimated that around 250,000 households are spending money on home improvements because they are stuck and have to adapt their home to their changing needs.

Some of the work being carried out is necessary rather than optional, such as replacing the boiler or windows.

The survey also found that increases in energy costs are leading some financially comfortable consumers to consider home-energy upgrades.
We believe we saved a lot of lives  Tekenable CEO Nick Connors on building systems to battle crises from Covid to housing refugees

Lessons learned as a soldier in Lebanon helped shape his approach to making decisions under pressure

Nick Connors, group CEO of Tekenable, pictured near his offices in Dublin. Photo: Frank McGrath

Rory McGinn Wed 22 Apr 2026 at 06:30

Nick Connors has built a business that comes into its own when things are going wrong with the world.
The singer has signed a letter urging organisers to ban Israel from the contest (Aaron Chown/PA)

Paloma Faith, Massive Attack, Paul Weller and Kneecap are among more than 1,100 musicians and cultural workers calling for a boycott of the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 over the inclusion of Israel.

The letter, co-ordinated by campaign group No Music For Genocide (NMFG), has also been signed by artists including David Holmes, Brian Eno, Peter Gabriel and Macklemore.

It calls for countries to follow in the footsteps of the national broadcasters of Ireland, Iceland, Slovenia, the Netherlands and Spain by withdrawing their participation from the popular music competition.

Irish rap trio Kneecap are among those who have signed the letter (Niall Carson/PA)

NMFG urged public broadcasters, performers, screening party organisers, crew and fans to refuse to participate in or platform Eurovision until Israel is banned.

The letter says the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which runs the competition, should ban Israel from participating because of the ongoing conflict with Palestine, citing its ban of Russia in 2022 following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The letter accuses Israel of genocide in Gaza and said Eurovision should not whitewash and normalise the actions of the country.

The letter called the EBU hypocritical for banning Russia from Eurovision but not Israel, and said that those who had signed the letter refuse to be silent.

Musician Brian Eno has also signed the letter (Isabel Infantes/PA)

Massive Attack musician Robert Del Naja, who is among those to sign the letter, was arrested earlier this month during a mass protest in central London against the ban on Palestine Action.

Irish rap trio Kneecap, who are known for their politically driven music and social commentary, said: Russia was banned from Eurovision in 2022. Israel has been murdering Palestinians for decades and is now committing genocide  and for the third year running, theyre welcomed back onto the stage.

Thats not neutrality. Thats a choice. Weve paid a price for speaking out  lost gigs, court cases, visa bans  and wed do it all again tomorrow.

Silence is complicity. We stand with No Music for Genocide and every artist, fan and broadcaster who refuses to let the worlds biggest music event be used to whitewash genocide. No stage for genocide. Free Palestine.

NMFG organisers said: Every year, for its entire 53-year tenure as a Eurovision participant, Israel has perpetuated its terrorising systems of apartheid, torture, land theft, and military occupation against Palestinians from the river to the sea with complete impunity.

While many of us in the industry make light of Eurovision or doubt our own power as cultural producers, genocidal Israels leaders speak openly about the contests geopolitical value.

NMFG stands with and amplifies the incredible grassroots organising efforts across Europe to boycott Eurovision until Israel is banned.

From Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel to direct actionists, from Film Workers For Palestine in Hollywood to striking dockworkers in Italy and Morocco, people of conscience around the globe are fighting complicity in every industry for a free Palestine and a freer world.

Eurovision has been contacted for comment.
Enoch Burke in bid to stop a third disciplinary panel from considering his dismissal

The jailed schoolteacher has spent more than 650 days behind bars for breaching court orders and remains in Castlerea Prison but was brought to the Four Courts today

Enoch Burke

Shane Phelan and Bairbre Holmes Wed 22 Apr 2026 at 19:00

Jailed anti-transgender schoolteacher Enoch Burke has asked the High Court to restrain a disciplinary appeals panel (DAP) from sitting later this week to consider whether Wilsons Hospital School was correct to sack him.
Bill Linnane: If we want to protect kids from gambling the bouncy balls of the Lotto are the least of our worries
A teenager who died in a road tragedy helped save the lives of five people through his organs being donated, his funeral heard.

Mourners were told that Conor Colemans "legacy will live on in those he saved.

Those who attended the mass heard that the heart of Conor is now beating in Dublin".

The 19-year-old died after he was struck by a car at Little Island in east Cork late on Friday evening. He was rushed to hospital but died on Saturday, despite desperate efforts by staff at Cork University Hospital (CUH) to stabilise his condition.

His older brother John, told his funeral mass that it was fitting that his generous brother had made an eternal impact through the gift of organ donation.

"As a family we decided to donate his organs. His heart, lungs, liver, kidney and pancreas all received five perfect matches. Meaning as his final act on earth he was able to save five lives and leave a legacy to the end of time.

Conor Coleman

News in 90 Seconds - Wednesday, April 22

He said that his little brother would have been blown away by the large numbers who gathered at the church. He thanked all those who had called to their family home in recent days for their support.

Conor was described as having an iconic wheezing laugh that sometimes descended in to him dropping on the floor and rolling around when the hilarity became too much for him.

John said that it felt criminal that the world got to experience the joy, generosity, adventure, sometimes wildly inappropriate comments and questionable fashion sense of Conor for only 19 years.

He said that he and his younger brother were the human equivalent of Tom and Jerry.

He was my partner in crime. There wasnt a day we were together since the day he was born that we werent causing some sort of mischief. So much so that our grandfather, Sean, called us the weapons of mass destruction.

"Whether that would be chasing each other around when our mum would be trying to do the shopping, or when we got our hands on red paint and I covered him in it from head to toe not realising it wouldnt come off without a serious amount of washing."

"Or in more recent years, when our parents would be watching TV downstairs, we would sneak up to the attic window and chain smoke a packet of Benson & Hedges...sorry mum and dad.

Although Conor was a modern day giant, John insisted that ultimately his character and personality dwarfed his physical stature.

Mourners at the Church of Our Lady and St John, in Carrigaline, were told that a stadium would be required to get all of his friends in to one photograph.

His coffin was adorned in colourful handwritten tributes and messages from his friends and loved ones.

John said that Conor had an encyclopaedic knowledge of engines and tractors from an early age. He also had a gift for friendship and forged deep bonds with others.

He said that life was precious and delicate and could be taken away quickly, and he ended by urging mourners to tell their loved ones they care.

Please take this as a message from Conor. No matter who they are. It could be your mother, brother, father or sister, dog, cat, friends or family. It could be anyone. If you love them tell them you love them.

Offertory symbols at the mass included, Conors Size 12 work boots, a high-vis vest and jeans to represent his love of the family business, a photograph of his friends, his school ties from Shanbally and Christian Brothers College, a miniature truck, representing his recent attainment of his HDV licence, a badge of his prized possession, a Toyota Corolla E11 6R, a CD and a stone Conor found as a child, which was in the shape of a heart.

Chief celebrant Fr Sean OSullivan said that the death of Conor felt like a bad dream.

He said it was important to honour Conor and to support his parents and family following their shattering loss.

Fr O'Sullivan added that Conor was deeply loved.

"Anyone who knew Conor could see how much he was loved. Most importantly of all Conor knew it. There is no greater gift in life then to know that and to experience it.

Mr Coleman is survived by his parents, Barry and Trish, his brother John, his grandmother Betty, his aunts and uncles, extended family and friends.

Gardai have appealed for anyone who may have witnessed the incident to assist their inquiries.

"Anyone with information is asked to contact Mayfield Garda Station on 021 4558510, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any garda station."
Mary Regan: After folding easily in the face of the fuel protests, the government now faces similar pressures from trade unions

After fuel-protests climbdown by Government, unions are now queuing up with demands

Government financial forecasts preparing for 'bad or worse' scenarios from Middle-East conflict

Mary Regan Wed 22 Apr 2026 at 06:30

With the sort of otherworldly language that you wouldnt normally associate with mandarins, Department of Finance officials have drawn up a risk matrix under which we now exist.
The free contraception scheme currently applies only to women aged 17 to 35. Photo: Getty

Nearly one in three women face obstacles in availing of the Governments free contraception scheme, a report has shown.

The scheme was launched in September, 2022, initially for those aged 17 to 25, and it has been gradually expanded and now includes women aged 17 to 35.

However, the report on the experience of migrant women, LGBTQ+ people, Travellers and people with a disability shows they can struggle to avail of the service.

Research by the National Womens Council and Trinity College Dublin based on a sample of 500 women found issues, such as lack of knowledge, age, inability to access a GP and intrusive questioning, meant about 31pc were encountering barriers.

Negative and misinformed attitudes towards some marginalised groups by some healthcare providers were also highlighted.

The report, commissioned by the Department of Health, found barriers included being too old, difficulties in accessing a GP and not having access to information in a suitable format.

Because my GP knew I was queer, it was a question of, Sure, youre gay, why would you need it?

Migrant women had low awareness of the scheme, despite good awareness in the population overall. Disabled women highlighted that information was not readily available in accessible formats, or that access to services was limited, it said.

The report said there may be cultural beliefs shaping attitudes to contraception that create barriers, particularly in Traveller and migrant communities.

Traveller women discussed the dynamics of coercive control and abuse when it comes to reproductive autonomy, it said. These communities, alongside disabled women, also expressed discomfort at discussing contraception with male GPs.

One disabled woman said: I could not read the leaflets.

Another woman said: Because my GP knew I was queer, it was a question of, Sure, youre gay, why would you need it?

Corrinne Hasson, executive director of the National Womens Council (NWC)

The report said some Traveller women were reluctant to access the scheme due to previous experiences with the health system and resulting low trust.

Past medical traumas around disabled womens impairments and migrant womens experiences of female genital mutilation were among reported impediments to accessing the scheme. Intrusive questioning featured for the LGBTQ+ community, it said.

The scheme excludes women from age 36 as well as undocumented migrants, asylum-seekers and International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) residents. Rural communities can lack sufficient access to GPs, specialist family planning clinics and other services relating to contraception needs and choice.

The report calls for the scheme to be extended to all people in need, regardless of age and immigration status. It says there needs to be a widening of accessible information and services in multiple languages and formats.

Mobile and community-based contraception clinics for rural communities, and on-site clinics for asylum-seekers in IPAS centres, should be set up.

Dr Leigh-Ann Sweeney, an assistant professor at Trinity College, said: This research found that, despite many women having access to free contraception, significant gaps remain. Lack of eligibility is the main barrier.

Corrinne Hasson, director of the National Womens Council, called for eligibility requirements to be removed so everyone who needs contraception can access it.
Jack Chambers signals Fianna Fail support for income tax cuts amid backbench pressure as budget surplus grows to 9bn

Public Expenditure Minister says help for workers will be priority

Government financial forecasts preparing for 'bad or worse' scenarios from Middle-East conflict

Mary Regan Wed 22 Apr 2026 at 06:30

Income tax cuts are firmly on the table for Octobers budget after Public Expenditure Minister Jack Chambers signalled a softening of the Fianna Fail position on supports for workers.
Sinn Fein has seized on an admission by Minister for Public Enterprise Jack Chambers that the last Budget did not deliver for workers.

We had the Budget last year which didnt give workers a break, Mr Chambers said, as both Fianna Fail and Fine Gael now line up to offer relief to the PAYE sector in Budget 2027.
Sex offenders appeal rejected as judge refuses to name former TD who provided character reference

Judge Edwards last week criticised a TD for praising Daniel Ramamoorthys previous good name while ignoring the victim and the vile and horrifying nature of the crimesFianna Fail leader Micheal Martin said he would not be going on a witch hunt, but said TD should come forwardRamamoorthy (38), a former governmental adviser, was convicted of sexually exploiting a 13yearold boy in 2017 by asking him to send a sexually explicit image over Snapchat

Daniel Ramamoorthy. Photo: IrishPhotoDesk.ie

Catherine Fegan, Mary Regan, Aisling Moloney and Fiona Magennis Tue 21 Apr 2026 at 13:11

A judge has dismissed a sentence appeal by convicted child sex offender and former governmental adviser Daniel Ramamoorthy.
latest | Urban economy generates most of the tax  Leo Varadkar doubles down on comments about rural Ireland

The former taoiseach followed up on his remarks at an event organised by the Institute of European and International Affairs

Varadkar stands over comments on urban Ireland 'paying all the bills' but says it wasn't meant to be 'divisive'

Donal O'Donovan and Sarah O'Mahony Wed 22 Apr 2026 at 06:30







Leo Varadkar is standing over his claim that rural Ireland is subsidised by the urban economy, but says he had no intention to cause offence or division with his comments.
The law has finally caught up with crime boss Daniel Kinahan, who is now awaiting extradition from the UAE after a decade on the run. The man at the center of the deadly Kinahan-Hutch feud is sitting in a Dubai jail cell, facing the prospect of trial in Dublins Special Criminal Court.

The 48-year-old gang leader is wanted in this country to face a string of organised-crime charges which, on conviction, could lead to him spending the rest of his life behind bars.

The Irish Independent can reveal that this includes a plot to murder Gerry The Monk Hutch in Lanzarote, Spain, on December 31, 2015, with Kinahan alleged to have been in direct contact with a hit team dispatched to kill his arch rival.

Evidence was also previously given in the prosecution of several cartel criminals who conspired to murder senior Hutch associate James Mago Gately in April 2017. Estonian hitman Imre Arakas had been in contact with a number of individuals on an encrypted messaging app on a Blackberry device in the days before his arrest in west Dublin.

They were helping him in identifying Gately and his Belfast hideout. One of the conspirators used the handle Bon, which gardai have always suspected was an alias Kinahan operated under, with the Gately murder plot also expected to form part of the case against him.

Today on the Indo Daily Fionnan Sheahan is joined by Irish Independent Security Correspondent Robin Schiller and Bellingcat researcher Connor Plunkett to explore Daniel Kinahans hidden alias, and what fate may await the notorious cartel leader.
Fine arts teachers and students draw portrait of Korean War martyr

People's Daily Online) 16:21, April 22, 2026

Photo shows a portrait of Qian Kunhua, a Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyr. (People's Daily Online/Qiu Yuzhe)

On the eve of the Qingming Festival, or Tomb Sweeping Day, teachers and students from Northeast Yucai Beihong School of Fine Arts in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, used their brushes to create a drawing of Qian Kunhua, a Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyr who lost his life 73 years ago during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953).

Early on the morning of March 12, 2026, Qian Ruojun and his wife traveled from Yixing, east China's Jiangsu Province, to Shenyang. At the CPV Martyrs' Cemetery in Shenyang, they found the name of their uncle, Qian Kunhua, engraved on the memorial wall.

Qian Ruojun and his wife pay tribute to their uncle, Qian Kunhua, a Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyr, at the CPV Martyrs' Cemetery in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province. (Photo/Wang Duo)

On Oct. 25, 2025, China's Ministry of Veterans Affairs announced new progress in identifying the remains of CPV martyrs who died during the Korean War. Eight CPV martyrs were identified, including Qian Kunhua.

Seventy-five years ago, at just 20, Qian Kunhua enlisted without telling his family. Two years later, while on the march, his unit came under an air attack. He was killed at 22. He left behind no photographs.

According to Qian Ruojun, among the entire family, only his elder sister, Qian Xiujuan, had ever seen Qian Kunhua in person.

"My family has wished for an artist to recreate his portrait based on her memories," he said. It was a wish long kept, and only recently spoken aloud at the cemetery.

When the school learned of the story, it took on the task.

"This was unlike any work we'd done before. There was no visual reference. We had to keep checking details with the family, trying to capture not just his likeness, but his spirit," said the school principal Wang Hailing.

Qian Xiujuan is 82 years old and lives in Yixing. With limited mobility, she couldn't travel to Shenyang, so the teachers and students decided to speak with her over video.

Teachers and students at Northeast Yucai Beihong School of Fine Arts have a video conversation with Qian Xiujuan. (People's Daily Online/Qiu Yuzhe)

On their first call, Qian Xiujuan appeared tense as she was not sure whether her memories alone could ever bring her uncle's face back to life. As the conversations went on, long-dormant memories began to surface. Piece by piece, Qian Kunhua's face started to come into focus.

"He had a square face, thick brows, bright eyes, and a gentle look," she said. Then she began to recall the last time she saw him.

"I had no idea he was going off to join the army. Not until that day, when the village gathered us students to see the soldiers off. I turned around, and there he was, standing by the ferry, a big red flower pinned to his chest. When he spotted me in the crowd, he smiled and raised his hand in a wave."

Teachers at Northeast Yucai Beihong School of Fine Arts study the facial features of Qian Kunhua's relatives.(People's Daily Online/Qiu Yuzhe)

After each call, the teachers and students would gather around the sketch, poring over every detail she had described. To capture the expression in his eyes, they studied photos of Qian Xiujuan and Qian Ruojun, searching for shared family traits.

At the same time, they combed through old photographs and archival footage of CPV soldiers, cross-referencing them with her recollections and the family's features, refining the portrait again and again.

Under the guidance of teacher Li Chen, a face gradually took shape on the paper before Zhao Xinyi. Working from fragments of memory, the school's portrait team revised the portrait over and over.

Zhao Xinyi, a student at Northeast Yucai Beihong School of Fine Arts, draws a portrait of Qian Kunhua. (People's Daily Online/Qiu Yuzhe)

"Soldiers of that time had a glow of conviction in their eyesa spirit unique to their generation," Zhao said. "We wanted to bring that spirit back." At last, when the finished sketch was shown to Qian Xiujuan over video, she went still. Then, slowly, her expression softened into a smile. "It really looks like him," she murmured.

A video call is made with Qian Xiujuan to confirm the accuracy of the portrait of Qian Kunhua. (People's Daily Online/Qiu Yuzhe)

Since then, the school has received similar requests from other families of CPV martyrs, asking for portraits of their fallen soldiers to be drawn.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
The film features a stellar cast including Sarah Greene, Peter Coonan, Aidan Gillen, and Ann Skelly, alongside exciting new talents Megan NicFhionnghaile and Cathal Palmer

The film follows gifted young fiddle player Shona McAnally and her brother Mickey as they leave their home in the Donegal Gaeltacht to join a troupe of roaming musicians. What unfolds is a rich, emotional journey across Ireland full of adventure, romance, and the raw, exhilarating energy of traditional music.

An award-winning film that follows the story of a gifted fiddle players journey from the Donegal Gaeltacht as they join a group of roaming musicians will take centre stage at the Schull-based Fastnet Film Festival in May.

The film, Trad, fresh from winning the Audience Award at the Galway Film Fleadh, was written and directed by Lance Daly, and will come to the Schull event on Friday, May 22, with a vibrant West Cork Distillers drinks reception to set the tone for the evening.

The film features a stellar cast including Sarah Greene, Peter Coonan, Aidan Gillen, and Ann Skelly, alongside exciting new talents Megan NicFhionnghaile and Cathal Palmer.

Following the screening, festivalgoers will have the rare opportunity to go behind the scenes during a live Q&A session with director Lance Daly, actors Megan NicFhionnghaile and Dallan Woods, moderated by acclaimed filmmaker Paddy Breathnach.

Guests will be welcomed at the drink reception with refreshing West Cork Whiskey Highballs, which is a tasty blend of whiskey, tonic, bitters, ice and fresh orange.

The full festival lineup will be revealed in full at a special launch event at the Crane Lane in Cork City on Thursday April 30 from 6-8pm.

The free event will also consist of free drinks and finger foods courtesy of Benny and Cliona McCabe and Rising Sons Brewery, as well as exclusive film previews.

Tickets for all festival events go on sale Monday, May 4.

For more information, visit: www.fastnetfilmfestival.com
Cork genealogist delighted by level of interest in 1926 census release  it was surreal

While the files offer citizens the chance to digitally reunite with their ancestors, the 1926 census will provide a huge catalogue of information for genealogists in their line of work

Daniel Loftus. Picture: Grainne Sophia Photography

Martin Mongan Corkman Wed 22 Apr 2026 at 06:30

The release of the 1926 census at midnight on April 18 has opened a major new window into Irish family history and life in the early years of the Free State.
Aontu councillor Peter ODonoghue, who organised the rural regeneration meeting, said it is impossible to source a home to live in or rent in the Mitchelstown area. Rural Ireland is being hollowed out, and people are leaving as they have nowhere to live. If you go on Daft.ie there are some ten homes for sale and one for rent in the area so how can anyone born and reared in Mitchelstown have any hope of living here. It is impossible.

Referring to the ongoing issues with the wastewater treatment plant in Mitchelstown, Cllr ODonoghue said: We know the infrastructure isnt in place to accommodate housing. There is a 3.5 million investment in that now, but is that going to increase housing.

I dont believe it is as the wastewater treatment plant was operating at over capacity for the last number of years. There seems to be a glaring lack of forward planning and that is the fault of government, he added.

Cllr ODonoghue said pubs and shops are essential services for communities in rural Ireland. Rural businesses are far more than just places of commerce; theyre the social engine of rural Ireland and when the community loses its social hub there is a fracturing of that community. We are calling for a support scheme to be developed for these shops and businesses in rural Ireland to ensure that social hubs remain within these rural communities.

Aontu leader Peadar Toibin. Photo: PA

Aontu leader deputy Peadar Toibin cited the recent fuel protests as a desperate plea for help from people who are working all hours just to try and keep afloat. Farming is not in good shape. Only 37% of farmers are independently economically sustainable. That means that in only 35% of farms the income is sufficient to cover all the costs of the family. A further 35% of farms are only economically sustainable because a family member supplements the income of the farm by working outside the farm.

According to Teagasc the remaining 30% of the farms are not economically sustainable. The average wage of a farmer is 24,000, this is 10,000 less than the average industrial wage, he added.

Ireland is becoming a city state, said Mr Toibin. The population size of Dublin in proportion to the rest of the country is decidedly imbalanced in comparison with other countries in Europe. It is estimated that currently 500 post offices are economically unsustainable. 139 garda stations have been closed. We have also seen the closure of many banks, shops and pubs in rural Ireland.

The Aontu party leader reiterated his calls for the development of two new major international cities to counteract the over-dominance of Dublin and Belfast on the social and economic development of the island. These cities should become the default cities for new technology, infrastructural innovations and pilots. A specific spatial development fund for infrastructural investment should be focused on these two cities.

The Western Development Commission is a successful development organisation and the government should consider the rolling out of this structure to other regional and rural areas like Cork. An island wide national greenway and blueway plan should be included, he added.

Mr Toibin also called on the government to consider imposing a commercial rate on out-of-town car parking spaces and a strong vacant house and site tax to counteract dereliction and vacancy which is gutting many towns and villages.

Third level education is a significant driver of enterprise development, stated the Aontu party leader. The lack of third level education in certain regions is one of the causes of youth flight. Encouraging third level institutions to provide outreach campuses in regional towns would allow for young people to remain living in local areas and could facilitate the development of enterprise and industry in those same areas.
Over 600 people were issued fixed charge notices for driving unaccompanied in Cork County last year.

The number of unaccompanied learner drivers caught by gardai in County Cork between 2024 and 2025 increased by 22.1%, while there was a 19.1% decrease for the same period in Cork city.

521 learner drivers were issued fixed charge notices by gardai in Cork County for driving unaccompanied in 2024.

This figure increased to 636 people in 2025, which represented an increase of 22.1%.

In contrast, in the Cork City Garda Divisions, 565 people were issued fixed charge notices by gardai for driving unaccompanied in 2024.

This figure fell to 457 in 2025, which represented a 19.1% decrease.

Ireland South MEP and road safety advocate, Cynthia Ni Mhurchu expressed her disappointment with the figures in Cork County Garda Divisions. It is important to remind parents that learner drivers must always be accompanied by someone who has held a full, valid driving licence in the same category for a minimum of two years.

Those who are convicted of driving unaccompanied or those who allow their vehicle to be driven by an unaccompanied learner driver, can have their vehicle impounded, she added.

Ms Ni Mhurchu however said the figures in Cork city are encouraging because they show that learner drivers are getting the message. Learner drivers lack the experience and judgment required to handle complex driving situations. That can mean more accidents on our roads. When an inexperienced driver gets behind the wheel of a car without any supervision, they are endangering themselves, other drivers, and other road users.

The Fianna Fail MEP who has called for continued improvements in driving test wait times said many parents do not know that their car is at risk of being impounded if their son or daughter drives it unaccompanied. Driving unaccompanied can lead to fines of up to 1,000 and four penalty points.
On the eve of Government approving the official voting day for the Galway West by-election, The Irish People Party have put forward a candidate.

The Irish People Party have selected AJ Cahill, hailing from Salthill, to contest for their party in May for the Galway West seat left vacant by independent TD, now president, Catherine Connolly.

Mr Cahill has worked as an engineer before returning home to Galway City and running a nationalist campaign for the by-election.

I am standing as the sole candidate committed to nationalist unity, Mr Cahill said in his Irish People Party candidacy announcement. I refuse to allow the destructive vote-splitting of the past to undermine our movement, and I remain the only choice for those who believe in prioritising housing for the Irish and implementing a firm policy of remigration.

Immigration will stand at the forefront of his campaign, he said as he criticised the current Government and what he described as fake opposition.

A Nationalist Party statement said the expectation for nationalist groups was to withhold a nomination for the by-election and instead endorse Independent Irelands Noel Thomas in the running, however, these notions have been dismissed entirely."

In the next general elections, the National Party will have more candidates, more active members, and more support, the statement read.

Mr Cahill ran in the 2024 general election with the National Alliance  a three-party far right coalition. He garnered 631 votes total and was eliminated on the third count.

I am calling on all those who want a cohesive and sovereign Ireland to join me on the ground; together, we will build a movement capable of securing our nations future in the next general election and beyond, he said.

The decision to approve a May 22 date to hold the official election for both the Galway West and Dublin central seat is expected to take place this evening, April 22.

A total of 13 candidates are now on the ticket for the elction. They are: Sinn Feins Mark Lohan, Independent Ireland Councillor Noel Thomas; Independent Councillor Tom Welby; Green Party representative Niall Murphy; Independent Sheila Garrity; Labour Councillor Helen Ogbu; Aontus Orla Nugent; Social Democrats candidate Mide Nic Fhionnlaoich; Fine Gaels Sean Kyne; Independent Mike Cubbard; Fianna Fail Cillian Kean; People Before Profit Denman Rooke; Irish People Partys AJ Cahill.

The Irish Independent edited this article on April 23 to include People Before Profit candidate, Denman Rooke.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting scheme.
The Galway-based, female-led network of Iranian immigrants believe human rights concerns are being overshadowed by geopolitical issues

The surge in fuel prices and the protests that followed has reminded Ireland that wars in the Middle East affect countries and communities far beyond the region. With the US-Iran conflict far from over, a new Galway-based advocacy group has launched an appeal for Ireland and the EU to place Iranian people  and not just geopolitical interests  at the centre of international decisionmaking.
Private Stephen Griffin's siblings Michael, Mary, Siobhain, Catherine, Seamus, Padraig, Aine, Tommy and Gabrielle alongside Mayor Mike Cubbard, at the unveiling of the commemorative plaque in his honour.

A commemorative plaque has been unveiled to honour a Galway soldier fatally wounded while serving on a peacekeeping mission in Lebanon over 45 years ago.

Mayor of the City of Galway, Cllr Mike Cubbard has joined members of the family of the late Private Stephen Griffin to unveil the stone plaque which has been erected adjacent to Bothar Stiofain, Rahoon, which is named in his honour.

Private Griffin was just 21 years old when he was fatally wounded on April 7, 1980, at At Tiri, South Lebanon. He had been serving there with the 46th Infantry Battalion. He was the first Irish soldier killed by hostile action on UNIFIL service.

A newly installed stone plaque was unveiled at a commemorative ceremony on Sunday, which was supported by Galway City Council and the Irish Defence Forces.

Defence Forces chaplain Fr Paul Murphy said a prayer at the event, which was attended by representatives of Renmore Barracks and some of Private Griffins former colleagues from Collins Barracks in Cork, where he had been based.

Speaking on behalf of the family, Stephens sister Aine said: We are very grateful that this plaque has been erected in memory of Stephen. It will help ensure that he will be remembered for years to come, and I want to thank all of those who have helped to make this possible.

Recent months have reminded us of how peace is uncertain. Our family are very conscious of all peacekeepers, and particularly those who, like Stephen, made the ultimate sacrifice while endeavouring to protect it.

Private Stephen Griffin's siblings Michael, Mary, Siobhain, Catherine, Seamus, Padraig, Aine, Tommy and Gabrielle alongside Mayor Mike Cubbard, at the unveiling of the commemorative plaque in his honour.

We want to thank those who attended this event, including friends, family, elected representatives, army personnel and Stephens former colleagues.

Defence Forces chaplain Fr Paul Murphy said a prayer at the event, which was attended by representatives of Renmore Barracks and some of Private Griffins former colleagues from Collins Barracks in Cork, where he had been based.

Speaking at the event, Mayor Cubbard said: Many people throughout the city, particularly in Stephens home area of Rahoon, remember his tragic passing. This plaque will now keep his memory alive and help younger generations to learn about his sacrifice and the positive impact and legacy left by Stephen and other Irish peacekeepers.

In recent weeks and months, we have seen stark reminders of the dangers faced by our peacekeepers in Lebanon. This plaque also reminds us of the positive contribution and legacy of Irelands Defence Forces personnel and their peacekeeping missions in Lebanon and elsewhere, over many years.

The stone plaque has been installed during ongoing works on the Bothar Stiofain Active Travel Scheme, which is nearing completion. The erection of the plaque had been requested by Galway City Councillors during the planning phase for this project.
Plans to fill a former quarry in Galway have been rejected following a raft of objections from locals over unacceptable risks to the environment.

Permission has been refused for the back filling of a former quarry void in Ballinahalla near Moycullen in County Galway, after concerns were raised over the environment and the areas protected woodland species as well as noise, water and air pollution.
The Kerrys Eye newspaper has been acquired by Webprint  owned by Donagh and Jennifer ODoherty  which brings to an end its 51-year history as a family-owned publication.

The County Cork-based Webprint had already taken over printing of the Kerrys Eye in 2017 when the operation was moved to its Cork printing service.

Details of its acquisition were announced on Wednesday in a statement by the Kennelly family who said its decision was to ensure the long-term future of the publication.

Despite the wholesale challenges facing print publications, the Kennelly family felt that a thoughtful succession plan was the right path forward  one that protects the newspaper and its staff.

Mr ODoherty formally held senior positions, including Managing Director of The Kerryman and of Independent News & Medias regional titles.

Kerrys Eye was founded by the late Padraig Kennelly Senior and his late wife Joan in 1974.

Up until the Webprint purchase, it had been owned by the founders sons, Padraig Kennelly, Brendan Kennelly and Kerry Kennelly, as well as Financial Controller Tom MacMahon.

Padraig and Brendan Kennelly will remain actively involved, while Kerry Kennelly will continue in his role as Picture Editor.

In 2022, the Kerrys Eye building in Ashe Street, as well as their lands at the back of the premises, were placed on the market with estate agents Sherry FitzGerald Stephenson Crean.
Contact

E-mail: teach.raithneach@gmail.com if you have an item for this Column. Please submit by 12 noon on Fridays, as the deadline for submission is 1pm on Friday. The same deadline applies on Bank Holiday weekends. Get in contact please if you have a bit of news for this column! Thanks for your co-operation as always.

National Spring Clean

Dont forget April is National Spring Clean Month so why not enjoy a relaxing stroll and a friendly chat with us! We warmly invite you to join us on Saturday, the 18th of April, from 11am (or at any time that is convenient to you) starting at the Teach as we focus our Spring Clean efforts on our nominated Green Km. Spring cleaning supplies will be provided, so come along, lend a hand, and help make our community shine. Your presence would mean a lot to us!

Chat Saturday

The next Chat Saturday is on Saturday 28th April from 10.30 am to 12 pm. If you would like to help, please contact any Committee Member, or e-mail teach.raithneach@gmail.com.

Cllr. Harding clinic

Cllr. Wayne Harding, Cathaoirleach Meath Co Council will hold a Clinic in Teach Raithneach at 10am on the last Saturday the 25th of April. If you wish to to have an issue aired, call over to have a chat with Cllr, Harding, and partake in the refreshments of Chat Saturday.

Residents Association AGM

The Annual General Meeting of Broomfield & District Residents Association will be held in Teach Raithneach on Thursday the 7th of May at 8pmAll Welcome.

May Bush Competition

Following on the success of this Competition to date, Broomfield & District Residents Association invites you to participate in our Annual May Bush Competition again this year on the 1st of May.

We ask you to use a similar format to that used in previous years, where Children or Teenagers will enlist the help of an Adult with the decoration and erection of the May Bush. Entries to the Competition should be jointly between, Children/Teenagers and Adults. Others can help too. Its all about participation, inclusivity and team spirit! Thanks and the best of luck! The Competition must be confined to Broomfield and District for logistical reasons. Please help keep this age old tradition alive. Send your entries to teach.raithneach@gmail.com or text 086-3707227 or pick up a form at the Teach before Wednesday the 29th of April.

Conversational Irish/Smart Phone / Tablet Usage Classes

In conjunction with LMETBthere will be 6 week courses on both Conversational Irish and Smart Phone / Table Usage in Teach Raithneach.

Starting Thursday the 7th of May, Irish from 11am1pm and Smart Phone 1:303:30pm (Why not make a day of it and attend both). To secure your place, please contact Grainne on 086-3707227.

Tae Kwon Do

Childrens Tae Kwondo lessons are available on Tuesdays from 56pm, if you want to find out more, please contact Michael: 0860320219.

Chair Pilates

Chair Pilates classes are held each Friday at 10:30, if you would like to attend please contact Olivia on 0858001328

Childrens Yoga Classes

Childrens yoga classes are held each Thursday at 4pm, in the Teach, if you would like to attend please contact Shauna on 0863353838

Irish Dancing Classes

Irish Dancing have resumed at the Teach each Friday at 6pm, if you would like to attend please contact Grainne on 0863707227

Art Group

Teach Raithneach Art Group convene each Tuesday from 7:30pmAnyone interested in joining can give Niamh a call on 0878173073.

Guitar Lessons

Guitar Lessons are held each Tuesday from 78pm, if you want to find out more, please contact Donal on Whatsapp 087-3155195.

Community Alert

The Broomfield and District Text Alert number is 086 2193103.

There has been a number of incidents in the area as of late so if youre not already registered with Text Alert, please consider doing so. Its important to be part of the Local Network, so that you will be kept informed of Community/Text Alert issues. Please encourage Community Members new to the District to sign up to Text Alert.

Please also be reminded that the Association is in a position to secure Socially Monitored Alarms, for Members of the Community who need one. Please get in contact with any Committee Member if one is needed, and we will do the rest.

Teach Raithneach Activities and Contacts

Please check out the Broomfield and District Residents Association Facebook page for full information on Activities and Contacts

To book Teach Raithneach, Alice on 087 9360018. Please Contact Alice in the first instance.

Association Correspondence Secretary, Eilis on 087 2598478

Association E-mail: teach.raithneach@gmail.com this will reach both Minutes and Correspondence Secretaries

The Teach Raithneach Eircode is A92 W283

Tullyallen

Deadline Times for Your News

If you would like to see your news in this part of the newspaper, birthday, wedding anniversary, achievement, new addition to the family or anything that might be of interest to the local community, please have no hesitation in contacting. Give me a ring at 087-6366605 or pop me an email on hilary.a.kelly@gmail.com. News must be with me by Thursday evening 8pm to make the following weeks paper.

Tullyallen Community Showcase

Calling all local businesses & community groups. Show off what you dowhether youre a voluntary group, business, club, charity or community group! Why not join us for the Tullyallen Community Centre Showcase on this Saturday, 25th April, 11am3pm in Tullyallen Community Centre. Its a great opportunity to Promote your services and activities and connect with residents, network with other businesses and groups and help build community spirit. If you are interested just contact us to reserve a space, showcase what you have to offer or need more info. tullyallencommunitycentre@gmail.com or 085 808 9328

Parish News

We ask you to return Trocaire boxes as soon as possible to Church or alternatively to Mr. Moonan in School so we can process money donated and send it to Trocaire. Many thanks for your wonderful generosity again this year.

Reminder of Blue Envelope for Good Friday if you can return as soon as possible so we can process it: for the Holy Land. This tradition supports the vital maintenance of sacred sites and provides essential aid to the Christian communities living in the Holy Land. We are truly grateful for your continued prayerful and financial generosity toward this global mission.

A Christian Healing and Prayer Ministry Group meets fortnightly on a Wednesday at 8pm in Parochial House, Tullyallen Co. Louth. It consists of meditation on the Word, training and formation of group members and healing, ministry with the Laying on of Hands. All are welcome. If you are interested, please contact Shane on 086 2437790. Next Meeting April 29th.

Next Christian Healing with Laying on of Hands will take place after our 11am Mass this Sunday, 26th of April.

Lough Derg One Day Retreat Monday, 4th May 2026. Bus from Drogheda, Monasterboice and Ardee. Contact Mary on 086 4032364/041 6851754 or Rose on 086 8458808/041 9822504

First Holy Communion will be celebrated on Saturday 16th of May & Corpus Christi/Cemetery Sunday Mass with Eucharistic Procession and Blessing of the Graves will be celebrated on 7th of June at 11am. This Mass will be outdoors weather permitting.

Please keep informed of Parish Updates via our Parish bulletin available at Church doors, Our Facebook Page Mellifont Parish-Tullyallen and in this section of the Local Notices in Drogheda Independent.

Glen Emmets Academy Training

Calling all 46-year-olds with an interest in GAA. Glen Emmets have started up their Academy training on Saturdays, 10.30 to 11.15am. All are welcome to come along. Telephone Aoife on 085-1439804 for further information.

Glen Emmets Fundraising Bingo

The Glen Emmets Fundraising Bingo is on next Tuesday 28th April at 8pm is when the Glen Emmets GFC are running a fundraising Bingo in Tullyallen Community Centre A92AH63. All proceeds go towards the development of the club and facilities. All are welcome. Please come along and enjoy a community evening, fun for all and lots of cash prizes and a raffle on the night. Books 20 including 2 x flyers and there is 1,300 in cash prizes to be won. Contact 087 6224221 or any committee member for queries.

Circuit Training

Ann Carolans Circuit Training in Tullyallen Community Centre every Monday, 7pm to 8pm where Ann will put us all through our paces and this class is suitable for all fitness levels. Why not go along and start working on your fitness. Contact Ann on 087-6224221 if you need further info.

Glen Emmets Lotto Results

On Tuesday, 14th April, the Morning Star hosted a jackpot draw worth 8,500. The numbers were: 4, 25, 27, 31. and the jackpot remains unclaimed. The Weekly Lucky dip Winners are MilanosGrainne Victory, Inside OutJamie Farnan, Ruby PalaceRebekah Grant & M & M MeatsMargaret Carolan. Next weeks jackpot is 8,600 which will take place in the Morning Star, Tuesday night. Many thanks to Gerry Kearns Plant Hire for their sponsorship in the main prize in the monthly draw also thank you to the main lotto sponsor, the Morning Star for their ongoing support and many thanks to the sponsors of the weekly vouchers (please support our local businesses) prizes can be collected from any committee member or Centa shop, Tullyallen.

Dance Fitness Classes

There has been a change to the day and venue in the Dance Fitness Classes that were being held on Wednesday nights in the Glen Emmets. The day is now Thursday 7.00pm to 8.00pm, in the newly refurbished Tullyallen Community Centre. Its the same great fun, just a different location and day. They sweat, they laugh and then they sweat some more! Why not go along and try a class, you will go home surfing that dopamine high. Lisa is a licenced instructor, with a focus on hip health, mobility, and movement. Open to everyone; must be over 16.

Mothers & Others in Tullyallen

Glen Emmets are delighted to be back doing what they love best. The aim is to deliver a fun, social setting to meet new people and ensure some exercise along the way. The first night back was last week and then they will meet up every Wednesday at 7. Why not go along and give it a try with absolutely no prior experience necessary. If you would like to be added to the group, give Joey K 0872114633 or Victoria B 0876687439 a text.
Council confirms fixed span bridge section wont be delivered until September

A crucial stage in the construction of the long-awaited Narrow Water Bridge has been delayed, Louth County Council has confirmed.

The arrival of the fixed span section of the bridge, originally expected from Belgium later this month, has now been pushed back until September.

The development was outlined at the latest meeting of Louth County Council, where officials stressed that the overall project remains on track.

David Jones, Director of Service with Louth County Council, told councillors that despite the revised timeline for the delivery of the structure, the Narrow Water Bridge project is still on time and on budget.

But, he explained that some key aspects of the project are operating within a moving timeframe.

The arrival of the fixed span is now expected in September, Mr Jones said, describing it as a significant milestone in the construction process.

The fixed span is one of the most important and visually impactful elements of the bridge, marking the point at which the iconic bridge will begin to visibly take shape across Carlingford Lough.

Mr Jones reassured councillors that the delay will not have a major knock-on effect on the overall programme, stating that the projected 2027 completion date will not be substantially impacted.

The update came during a council meeting that also featured a presentation from the East Border Region (EBR), the local authority-led cross-border organisation, which is marking its 50th anniversary this year.

Councillors were reminded that calls for a bridge linking north Louth and south Down date back to the 1970s, highlighting the long history behind the project.

Chief Executive of the East Border Region, Pamela Arthurs, told the meeting that councils on both sides of the border first said yes to the Narrow Water Bridge in 1976.

Despite the challenges and significant setbacks the project faced during difficult decades in the cross border region, she said the bridge remained the jewel in the crown of cross border co-operation.

Once completed, the Narrow Water Bridge is expected to significantly improve transport links between counties Louth and Down, enhancing tourism, commuting and economic activity on both sides of the border.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
Sligo businessmen plead guilty to charges over incident with youths

Sentencing of the two men will go ahead at the Circuit Court on Friday

Cathal O'Connor

Emma Gallagher Sligo Champion Wed 22 Apr 2026 at 06:00

Two Sligo businessmen will be sentenced at the Circuit Court on Friday after pleading guilty to a number of charges relating to an incident involving three youths on March 18 2024 at the North West Business Park, Collooney.
There are more than 20 very vulnerable people living on boats on Lough Derg, councillors in Tipperary were told.

At the April meeting of the Nenagh Municipal District (MD), councillors were given a presentation by Brian Treacy and Peter Harty from Waterways Ireland, who gave an update on the works that they were doing to look after Lough Derg, and other waterways in the district.

Waterways Ireland have also taken several abandoned boats out of the lake in Tipperary, which will now be auctioned off in an attempt to recover some of the costs of their removal.

We identified four harbours that have lots of vessels that dont move, Mr Harty said.

"In the harbours we surveyed, we found that 90pc of these vessels dont move, there are a handful of liveaboards, which for some people, is a better option than being homeless.

"We are very empathetic and aware of the challenging situation that theyre in, and we deal with this all across the country, he added.

For boats that are abandoned or that Waterways Ireland cannot contact the registered owner, the body can remove boats from the water and sell them off.

"There is a level of expense to lift them and take care of them, Mr Harty told the councillors.

The cost to take a boat out of the water is 1,000, the meeting heard, and Waterways Ireland have to keep them in storage for 42 days before they can dispose of them. However, many boats remain in storage for a number of years before theyre sold.

"Theres also a level of amenity abuse, these are boats that to keep them in a commercial marina would cost between 1,500 to 3,000 per year. These people who own these vessels have sadly either died, developed dementia, some have gone to prison, so the boats end up in these corners of various waterways and end up blocking access for all, Mr Harty added.

Following the presentation from Waterways Ireland, Fianna Fail councillor John Carroll said it was a disgrace that people would leave their boats in one spot all year.

"Its a disgrace that some people would take that casual an approach to leave their boats there year-round, knowing well the rules, he said.

Fine Gael councillor Phyll Bugler asked the Waterways Ireland representatives about houseboats that are on the lake, and what the situation was with them.

There are approximately 22 people living on vessels on all sides of Lough Derg, Mr Harty said.

"These are people who are among the most vulnerable in our society, and in a large number of cases, they are one step away from homelessness. Across all the waterways, we work really closely with liveaboard communities, and we do so with respect and in a way that tries to manage them, he said.

Mr Harty added that people are allowed to live on boats in the lake, but said that commercial marinas were more appropriate for this as they dont have the same rules about having to move the boat every few days.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
Opinion

Simon Bourke: Robust discussions, holistic approaches, and how not to conflate an issue  the unofficial guide to government-speak in 2026

Have you ever had a robust discussion? I havent. The closest Ive come was when I had to politely ask an upstairs neighbour to keep the noise down while I was trying to get some sleep. He was Spanish, you see, the neighbour, and anytime he 
There was great excitement for students at Court National School recently as loved ones came to visit the school for the annual Grandparents Day event.

Regarded as the highlight of the school year, students in Court NS, Monamolin welcomed parents, grandparents and loved ones into the school on Wednesday, April 15 for a special celebration.

Deputy Principal of Court NS, Ceire Prendergast said it was another successful Grandparents Day and shared the importance of the special day for students. It was a lovely day and it's kind of the highlight of the school year where parents and grandparents come together, Ceire said.

The day began with a special mass held in Saint Molings Church in Monamolin, where students sang and played musical instruments for their loved ones. The ceremony aimed to highlight how important grandparents and loved ones are to the children of Court NS.

Grandparents Day at Monamolin N.S Pictured is Mary Ryan, Hollie Ryan and Peter Doran. PHOTO: Sabrina Ffrench

Following the Mass, grandparents returned to the school for refreshments, organised by the Parents Association, where they got to enjoy a range of baked goods and refreshments provided by the Parents Association, which were enjoyed by all.

In preparation for the big day, students put together an array of artworks to display around the school, which were a highlight as portraits drawn by the pupils of their grandparents and loved ones. It gives the grandparents and parents an opportunity to come around and look at all the lovely artwork in the school.

The kids are so proud to show off their school and all the work they've been doing throughout the year, she added.
Under the direction of Margaret Rossiter, the members of New Ross Drama Workshop are currently in the final stages of rehearsals for their upcoming spring production which will be coming to the stage of St. Michaels Theatre, New Ross on April 30.

Written over 100 years ago, Sean OCaseys Juno and the Paycock will be showcased over three nights, and bring the audience through a vivid portrayal of working-class Dublin. Juno and the Paycock is the second play in OCaseys celebrated Dublin trilogy, alongside The Shadow of a Gunman and The Plough and the Stars, the latter of which is currently on stage at Dublins Abbey Theatre.

The upcoming play by the New Ross group is set in a Dublin tenement during the Irish Civil War, and follows the Boyle family as they struggle to survive poverty, instability, and false hope. Martina Kavanagh will star as Juno and Pat Murphy as Captain Jack Boyle, also known as The Paycock.

Their children, Mary and Johnny, will be played by Brid Moloney and John Caulfield respectively, with Brid Richardson bringing to life one of the most vibrant characters in the play, Maisie Madigan, while Jamie Grangell will serve as the captains sidekick, Joxer Daly.

Other residents in the tenements include the tailor Needle Nugent (Peter O Connor), trade unionist Jerry Devine (Michael Breen) and Mrs Tancred (Peggy Hussey) who, laden with grief, is escorted onto the stage by her two faithful neighbours, played by Kitty Warren and Kathleen Kennedy. David Walsh brings the suave Charles Bentham to the tale, whilst Nicky Flynn, Stephen Rossiter, Derek O Keeffe and Steve Carey bring a series of other characters to life in this piece of theatre.

From backstage to front of house, all the members of New Ross Drama Workshop have committed to bringing the production to the stage as Marian Rothwell has assumed the role of stage manager, assisted in the backstage tasks by Bride Walsh, Anne Fleming Kelly and Nancy Rochford Flynn, with Bride and Anne also having responsibility for props for this production. Paul and Jamie Malone have responsibility for lights and sound; Kate O Keeffe takes charge of costumes; Kitty Warren will be curating the looks for the cast in terms of hair and makeup, and the set will be constructed by Alan Kelly. Catherine OConnor will lead the front of house team, ably assisted by other group members.

Director, Margaret Rossiter, said: We have had great fun exploring the text of this play and bringing a series of colourful well rounded characters from page to stage in this sincere and dramatic retelling of OCaseys look at life in the working-class tenements during the Irish Civil War.

Kate OKeeffe, chairperson, added to Margarets comments saying: Staging a play with such a large cast and so many facets brings a wealth of opportunities to our members, and we are delighted to have so many members actively engaged on and off the stage for this production, and as always we look forward to welcoming our audiences.

The New Ross Drama Workshops production of Juno and they Paycock will run on Thursday, April 30, Friday, May 1 and Saturday, May 2 at 7.30pm. Tickets are 15 each and can be booked on 051-421255.
A Wexford man found with almost 1,000 tablets has told a court he intended to use the drugs himself while living rough.

Philip Leniston (32), of no fixed abode, appeared before Wexford District Court charged with possession of drugs and possession of drugs for sale or supply. He pleaded guilty to simple possession, with the more serious charge withdrawn by the State.

Garda Lally gave evidence to the court that on December 12 2024 he observed the accused acting suspiciously sitting on a bench near The Avenue, Gorey, Wexford. The accused was searched resulting in 960 tablets being found on his person.

Forensic Science Ireland (FSI) confirmed the 64 blister packets to be alprazolam, commonly known as Xanax, with an estimated value of 1920.

Counsel for the accused, Maebh Fenton BL, provided a letter from Clonard Medical Centre confirming that Leniston does have a prescription for Xanax. The barrister stated that while the volume of tablets found is more than the prescribed amount Leniston had stated the drugs were for his own personal use.

Giving sworn evidence Leniston stated he was homeless at the time of the incident and had saved up social welfare payments in order to purchase the tablets in advance saying it wouldnt take him long to consume the tablets back then. The defendant said he would take between 10-20 Xanax tablets a day to get through winter while living in a tent.

Judge Cheatle ordered a probation report be carried out commenting that there seems to be too much tablets for personal use.

The matter has been adjourned to June 13 for a probation report to be carried out.

Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme.
The State has lodged an appeal against a ruling to dismiss a dangerous driving case, which injured seven people and caused significant damage on Brays Main Street.

Dermot Logan (29), of Wesley Lawn, Dundrum, Dublin 16, previously appeared before Wicklow Circuit Criminal Court for a Section 4E hearing.

At a recent sitting at Wicklow Circuit Criminal Court, counsel for the prosecution, James Kelly BL, told the court that the State is appealing Judge Patrick Quinns decision to dismiss the charge.

A Section 4E application arises before a trial, where the defence may ask the judge to withdraw the case from the jury on the basis that the evidence is insufficient to support the charge.

If the judge agrees, the charge is dismissed. The State may appeal such a ruling to the Court of Appeal on a point of law, arguing that the judge erred in withdrawing the case. If successful, the matter can be sent forward for trial.

Mr Logan had been charged with one count of dangerous driving causing serious harm.

At the earlier hearing, Mr Kelly told the court it would be alleged at trial that on February 15, 2024, the accused was engaged in work at Bray Central on Main Street, Bray, a retail and leisure development.

It was alleged that, while driving a cherry picker towards a loading bay on Florence Road, Mr Logan became involved in a collision with a car.

The impact caused the car to veer off course and crash through the front of the Euro Saver shop, with the court hearing that seven people were injured.

Counsel for Mr Logan, Gemma McLoughlin Burke BL, argued that the woman driving the car said she had received a green light and then observed a man driving what she described as a forklift.

She stated that she saw Mr Logan and believed he saw her, adding that she thought she had five or six inches of space to pass before her car spun out of control.

Ms McLoughlin Burke submitted that this indicated the driver, now aged in her nineties , believed she had sufficient room to proceed.

An eyewitness statement said the car struck the cherry picker, which could be seen beeping all the way down.

During garda interview, Mr Logan stated that during safety training he had been instructed to keep the forks low to the ground and to ensure pedestrians and drivers were aware of his presence.

The court was told that no prosecution has been brought against the pensioner.

Mr Kelly argued that it was a classic case for a jury to analyse, adding that while there may be some fragility in the evidence, there were no fatal flaws in the prosecution case.

However, Judge Quinn ruled in favour of the defence and struck out all charges against Mr Logan.

In his judgment, he found that the material presented did not disclose a case that could realistically succeed before a jury.

The matter now proceeds by way of appeal by the State against that ruling.

Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme
Wicklow Library & Archives Officer Catherine Wright (left) and Niamh Jackman at the 50th anniversary exhibition and official opening of the new Exhibition Room in the Arklow Heritage Museum. Photo: Michael Kelly

When the National Archives released the full 1926 Census last week, it opened a window onto the ordinary working lives of people in Wicklow at a fragile moment in the young Free State.

The forms list farmers and agricultural labourers, domestic servants and shopkeepers, fishermen, railwaymen, clerks and teachers, the occupations that shaped daily routine and social standing.

In Wicklows northern towns, particularly Bray and Greystones, the census shows a marked concentration of office workers, civil servants, railway employees and skilled trades tied to Dublins expanding economy. Further south and inland, farming still dominates, but the records reveal fewer labourers, more marginal holdings and growing numbers of older people holding onto land their children had already left behind.

Religion runs through the returns just as clearly. Roman Catholic households predominate across the county, but Church of Ireland families still form visible communities, especially in towns and along the east coast, even as their overall numbers fall sharply after independence.

Entire Protestant households vanish from the returns between 1911 and 1926, while others remain, rooted in professions, farming or trade. Alongside religion, the census quietly charts social change: women appearing more often as teachers, typists and shop assistants; children reporting some Irish learned at school; and domestic servants living in middleclass households in Bray and Greystones.

The numbers tell a story that is both familiar and startling, echoing patterns that still define the county a century later. Wicklows population stood at 57,591, a decline of just over five per cent since 1911. But beneath that modest drop lies a county split in two, shrinking and expanding, ageing and modernising, losing its rural heart, while gaining a new urban edge.

The most dramatic growth occurred in the north. Bray Urban increased by more than 12 per cent, reaching 8,637 people. Greystones surged by nearly a quarter. Kilmacanoge grew by more than twenty per cent. These were the first clear signs of a long-term shift happening: the emergence of Wicklows commuter belt.

The railway line, improved roads and the appeal of coastal living were drawing clerks, teachers, shopkeepers and civil servants south from Dublin.

The census shows a rising number of households headed by office workers, railway employees and professionals, the early architecture of a suburban society.

Further south, the picture darkens. Baltinglass No. 1 Rural lost nearly 14 per cent of its population. Shillelagh Rural fell by more than nine per cent. Arklow Urban declined by 10 per cent. These losses reflect the pressures that defined rural Ireland in the early Free State years: falling agricultural prices, the collapse of seasonal migration to Britain, and the lingering economic dislocation of the post-war period. In many rural households, the census records older parents living with one or two remaining children, while the absence of young adults speaks volumes.

Emigration is not listed as an occupation, but it is written between the lines of every sparsely populated page.

The census also exposes the fragility of Wicklows upland communities. Calary, with just 162 residents, appears as one of the smallest district electoral divisions in the county. Ballycullen and Tuckmill are scarcely larger. These were places where the land was thin, the winters long and the opportunities few. Entire surnames vanish from the records between 1911 and 1926. Farms that had been occupied for generations appear empty or consolidated. The uplands were already losing people; the census shows how close some districts were to demographic collapse.

Economically, Wicklow in 1926 was a county of contradictions. Agriculture remained dominant, but the census shows unmistakable signs of strain.

The number of agricultural labourers had fallen sharply. Mechanisation, the end of wartime demand and the collapse of seasonal work in Britain all contributed to the decline. Many small farms in the west and centre struggled to sustain themselves.

Arklows story is particularly striking. Once a thriving industrial and maritime town, it was struggling to find its footing. The census records a contraction in shipbuilding, fishing and manufacturing. Skilled tradesmen appear in reduced numbers, often listed as unemployed or working in unrelated fields. The towns population decline mirrors its industrial downturn, a community searching for a new economic identity.

In contrast, Bray and Greystones were becoming the engines of Wicklows future. The census shows a surge in clerical and service occupations, reflecting the growing influence of Dublin.

Women appear in rising numbers as typists, shop assistants and teachers. Domestic service remains a major employer, particularly in middle-class households, but the occupational profile of the north is unmistakably modern compared with the rural west.

Wicklow town occupies a middle ground. As the countys administrative centre, it shows a concentration of civil servants, gardai, harbour workers and small-scale commercial occupations. It was not a major industrial hub, but it was stable, anchored by government offices and local trade.

Religion reveals another shift. Wicklow followed the national trend of a significant decline in the non Catholic population. Across Ireland, theProtestant population fell by one third between 1911 and 1926; Wicklow mirrors this pattern. The reasons were complex: the departure of British Army families, the emigration of Protestant professionals, economic contraction and the aftershocks of political violence. Rural Church of Ireland communities shrank, while Bray and Greystones remained more stable.

Language and literacy offer another window into the countys identity. Wicklow was not a stronghold of the Irish language, but the census shows the early effects of Free State education policy. More schoolchildren reported some knowledge of Irish. More teachers listed Irish as a subject. A small but noticeable rise in bilingual households appears, the first stirrings of cultural revival.

It is only when you step back from the numbers that the human dimension becomes clear, and this is where the work of archivists like Catherine Wright comes into focus. She sees every day how the 1926 Census lands with people, not as a spreadsheet of figures, but as a revelation. The release of the 1926 Census is, in her words, something very powerful.

It hits differently than a photograph because it captures people in their own moment, their occupation, household structure, living conditions, and the aftermath of the revolutionary period. Many arrive at the Wicklow archives with only a vague sense of their origins, hoping the records will fill in the gaps.

She rarely hears from those whose research is going smoothly; instead, they come when theyve hit a wall. And in Wicklow, those walls can be high.

People didnt talk about their past. Family histories were private, sometimes shameful, a skeleton in the family. Older generations often asked why anyone would want to know such things. That cultural silence means knowledge can vanish within a single generation.

Wicklows institutional history complicates matters further. The county had no mother-and-baby home, a fact that surprises many. Instead, women in the County Home gave birth there, and their babies were often fostered out to local families. St. Kyrans Orphanage is another place people frequently ask about, especially descendants of those who left Ireland after the Famine. For Catherine, the census is the kind of record that can answer questions no other surviving source can.

It will help explain the social changes happening at the time, including the silent revolution of labourers cottages, which were built across the countryside. Families were sometimes forced to hand over land for these cottages, reshaping rural life.

Taken together, the 1926 Census reveals a Wicklow poised between past and future. The rural heartland was ageing and shrinking. The industrial south was struggling. The northern towns were expanding, modernising and turning toward Dublin. The census does not simply record these changes; it illuminates them with a clarity no other source can match.

A century later, the patterns are recognisable. The commuter belt has expanded far beyond Bray and Greystones. Rural depopulation has continued in some areas and stabilised in others. Arklow has reinvented itself more than once. Wicklow town remains an administrative anchor.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
Pope Leo releases a dove after a meeting for peace in Saint Josephs Cathedral in Bamenda, Cameroon, at the weekend. Photo: Reuters

A person plays an instrument at the Presidential Palace as Pope Leo begins his apostolic journey to Equatorial Guinea, in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, yesterday. Photo: Reuters

A woman sings at the Presidential Palace as Pope Leo begins his apostolic journey to Equatorial Guinea, in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, yesterday. Photo: Reuters

Pope Leo warned yesterday that humanitys future is at risk of being tragically compromised because of ongoing wars and a breakdown of international law, in a forceful speech in Equatorial Guinea on his four-nation Africa tour.

The first US pope, who has drawn the ire of Donald Trump after becoming more outspoken in recent weeks, also decried what he called the colonisation of the Earths oil and mineral resources, which he said is driving bloody conflicts.

The destiny of humanity risks being tragically compromised without a change of direction in the assumption of political responsibility and without respect for institutions and international agreements, the Pope said.

In a speech to Equatorial Guinea president Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo and other political leaders, the head of the 1.4-billion-member Catholic Church said: God does not want this.

Pope Leo releases a dove after a meeting for peace in Saint Josephs Cathedral in Bamenda, Cameroon, at the weekend. Photo: Reuters

He added: His holy name must not be profaned by the will to dominate, by arrogance or by discrimination. Above all, it must never be invoked to justify choices and actions of death.

In earlier comments on the flight from Angola to Malabo, on the island of Bioko in the Gulf of Guinea, Leo paid respects to his predecessor, Pope Francis, who died one year ago today.

In March he said God rejects prayers from leaders with hands full of blood

Leo, visiting Equatorial Guinea on the last leg of an ambitious 10-day tour, has taken on a new forceful speaking style during his time in Africa, issuing sharp denunciations of war, inequality and global leadership.

He warned on Monday at an event in Angola that many people in the world were being exploited by authoritarians and defrauded by the rich.

Mr Obiang has led Equatorial Guinea since 1979 and has been widely criticised as one of the most repressive leaders in the region. His government denies allegations of human rights abuses.

Leos comments lamenting the use of religion to justify violence echo remarks he made in March, when he said God rejects prayers from leaders with hands full of blood.

Those remarks were interpreted by conservative Catholic commentators as aimed at US war secretary Pete Hegseth, who has invoked Christian language to justify the war against Iran.

President Donald Trump posted an image of Jesus embracing him on his Truth Social account last Wednesday, just days after widespread backlash over a similar image

Leo has emerged in recent weeks as a growing critic of the war. The Popes comments yesterday came as Mr Trump was due to host a live-streamed Bible reading at the White House later in the day.

More than 70pc of Equatorial Guineas population of 1.8 million identify as Catholic. Leo, who spent decades as a missionary in Peru before becoming Pope, is expected to speak Spanish throughout his two-day visit to the former Portuguese and Spanish colony.

Today, in the city of Bata, the Pope will visit a high-security detention centre that Amnesty International has said is one of three notorious facilities in the country where detainees, including political prisoners, are regularly held for years without access to lawyers or their families.
People visiting one of the holiest Hindu temples in Indias Himalayan mountains must consume cow urine as a test of faith before they are allowed inside.

New entry rules for the Gangotri temple in Uttarakhand make it compulsory for every visitor to consume panchgavya, a ritual concoction made from five cow-derived products  milk, curd, ghee, honey and cow urine. The idea, according to the committee overseeing the shrine, is to keep out non-believers.

This is to keep out non-Sanatani and non-believers from the Gangotari temple, the committees chair, Dharmendra Semwal, told The Independent, referring to Sanatan Dharam, a term used to describe the traditional form of Hindu belief and practice.

True believers will have no problem in consuming it, he said. Only those entering in disguise with no faith in the religion will have a problem. They wont be allowed.

The new measure will be implemented at the gates where temple personnel will supply the holy water to devotees before they enter.

This will restore faith and spirituality in people, and those getting a chance to consume it should consider themselves fortunate, Mr Semwal said.

The new rules were announced as a major annual pilgrimage for Hindus called Char Dham Yatra began on Sunday. The pilgrimage draws millions of devotees to four temples, including the Gangotri shrine, high in the Himalayas.

Pilgrims typically visit the Yamunotri temple first and then Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath in that order. The journey involves long road travel and, in some cases, trekking along steep mountainous routes.

The temple committees directive is drawing criticism for othering non-Hindus

Many temples in India welcome visits by non-believers and tourists, and will explain aspects of Hindu religious practice to those who are interested. But not all are so accepting: last month the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee issued an order banning non-Hindus from entering as many as 47 temples under its management.

Mr Semwal said no Char Dham pilgrims had so far objected to drinking the holy water mixed with cow urine at the Gangotri temple.

While the cow is considered holy in Hinduism and its urine is used in purification rituals, mandating its consumption may offend those Hindus who dont subscribe to or feel comfortable with the practice. The temple committees directive is also drawing criticism for othering non-Hindus and restricting traditionally inclusive religious spaces.

The issue of cow urine consumption is also politically divisive as groups aligned with prime minister Narendra Modis Hindu nationalist BJP party routinely promote it, declaring that it possesses medicinal properties.

Baba Ramdev, a yoga guru who openly endorses the BJP, commercially supplies products containing cow urine under his Ayurvedic brand despite warnings from health experts against unverified health claims.
His shirt was emblazoned with a phrase associated with a subculture that glorifies the Columbine massacre

Red Cross personnel carry a body down the Pyramid of the Moon, Teotihuacan, following a shooting that left one person dead and 13 injured. Photo: Getty

A gunman who opened fire on crowds of tourists at Teotihuacan reportedly left behind an AI-generated image showing himself with the Columbine school shooters.

Julio Cesar Jasso (27) wounded 13 people, including six Americans, and killed a Canadian woman, authorities confirmed.

The incident happened at the archaeological sites Pyramid of the Moon, 40km from the centre of Mexico City, at about 11.30am on Monday.

Jasso was the only gunman and died by a self-inflicted gunshot wound, authorities told the Associated Press.

According to Mexican outlet Telediario, the AI photo left at the site appeared to show Jasso posing with Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, the two teenagers who killed 14 people and then themselves at Columbine High School in 1999.

Mondays incident took place on the 27th anniversary of the school shooting.

In the image, Jasso is wearing a shirt that reads Disconnect and Destruct  a phrase connected to a violent subculture known as The True Crime Community, which glorifies Columbine online.

Pictures of Jasso performing the Nazi salute were also found at the scene, alongside a gun and a knife, according to Telediario.

Videos of the incident shared online showed Jasso pacing around the pyramids, brandishing a handgun, while tourists lay face down on the ground.

In one clip, Jasso can be heard threatening to sacrifice European tourists at the pyramid, which was historically a sacrificial site.

Six Americans, three Colombians, one Russian, two Brazilians and one Canadian were taken to hospitals for treatment, the local government said. The youngest person who was injured was six and the oldest was 61, Mexican authorities said.

Mexican president Claudia Sheinbaum wrote on social media that the shooting would be investigated and that she was in touch with the Canadian embassy.

She wrote: What happened today in Teotihuacan deeply pains us. I express my most sincere solidarity with the affected individuals and their families.

Anita Anand, Canadas foreign affairs minister, said on X that, as a result of a horrific act of gun violence, a Canadian was killed and another wounded in Teotihuacan and that her thoughts are with their family and loved ones.

Mexicos National Institute of Anthropology and History said in a statement that the Teotihuacan archaeological site will remain closed until further notice.
US president says naval blockade of ports to continue

A woman wrapped in an Israeli flag stands still in Jerusalem during the two-minute sounding of a siren marking Israels Memorial Day, which commemorates fallen soldiers of Israels wars and Israeli victims of hostile attacks. Photo: Reuters

US president Donald Trump said last night that he was extending the Iran ceasefire until an Iranian proposal is submitted and discussions are concluded.

Mr Trump had said earlier he was ready to renew attacks if progress was not made at eleventh-hour talks in Pakistan, with the US military raring to go.

But then in a post on Truth Social, his wrote: Based on the fact that the Government of Iran is seriously fractured, not unexpectedly so and, upon the request of Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, of Pakistan, we have been asked to hold our Attack on the Country of Iran until such time as their leaders and representatives can come up with a unified proposal.

I have therefore directed our Military to continue the Blockade and, in all other respects, remain ready and able, and will therefore extend the Ceasefire until such time as their proposal is submitted, and discussions are concluded, one way or the other.

The American president had earlier told CNBC he did not want to extend the ceasefire with Tehran as the deadline on the two-week truce loomed. He insisted the US was in a strong position and was going to end up with a great deal.

A senior Iranian official told Reuters yesterday that Iran could attend talks with the United States in Pakistan if Washington abandons its policy of pressure and threats, adding that Tehran rejects negotiations aimed at surrender.

The official said mediator Pakistan was continuing efforts to persuade the United States to lift its naval blockade and release the Iranian-flagged container ship Touska, which was boarded and seized by US forces on Sunday, and its crew.

He accused Washington of creating new obstacles every day instead of resolving the differences to end the war.

Uncertainty has hung over fresh negotiations between the two sides in Islamabad, amid the ongoing tense stand-off in the Strait of Hormuz, which continues to disrupt international shipping.

The effective closure of the critical supply route during the conflict has inflicted a global economic shock and sent energy prices soaring.

A woman wrapped in an Israeli flag stands still in Jerusalem during the two-minute sounding of a siren marking Israels Memorial Day, which commemorates fallen soldiers of Israels wars and Israeli victims of hostile attacks. Photo: Reuters

US vice president JD Vance will again lead the American delegation while Irans parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf has been tipped as Tehrans chief negotiator.

The timing of the talks has not been confirmed, and the White House said Mr Vance was still in Washington yesterday afternoon.

Threatening to resume strikes if a deal was not struck with Iran soon, Mr Trump told CNN earlier yesterday: Well, I expect to be bombing because I think thats a better attitude to go in with.

But, you know, were ready to go. I mean, the military is raring to go.

Mr Qalibaf has accused the US president of seeking to turn the negotiating table into a table of surrender. We do not accept negotiations under the shadow of threats, he wrote in an X post and said Iran was preparing to reveal new cards on the battlefield.

Meanwhile, Lebanese armed group Hezbollah said it fired rockets and drones into northern Israel yesterday, accusing the Israeli military of violating a ceasefire ahead of US-mediated talks between the Israeli and Lebanese governments.

The Israeli military earlier said Iran-aligned Hezbollah had fired several rockets toward its troops operating in southern Lebanon, in what it described as a blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement. It was not immediately clear if the incidents were the same.

A 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah mediated by Washington came into effect last Thursday, but Israeli forces remain deployed in a belt of Lebanese land 5km to 10km deep along the entire border.

Israel has said it aims to create a buffer zone to shield northern Israel from attacks by Hezbollah.

Hezbollah, in its statement yesterday, accused Israel of attacking civilians and destroying homes in breach of the truce. It said it fired at a position in northern Israel that had been striking southern Lebanon.

The Israeli military said it struck the launcher from which the rockets were fired, and that sirens in northern Israel were likely sounded after the interception of a drone launched from Lebanon.

If Israel maintains its occupation, whether of areas, positions, or by drawing yellow lines, it will smell the scent of resistance every day

Tomorrow the US will host a second round of ambassador-level talks between Israel and Lebanon, which was dragged into war on March 2 when Hezbollah opened fire in support of Tehran in the regional conflict.

Parliament speaker Nabih Berri, Lebanons most senior Shiite statesman and a Hezbollah ally, earlier told Lebanese newspaper al-Joumhouria that Israeli forces occupying parts of the south would face resistance.

If Israel maintains its occupation, whether of areas, positions, or by drawing yellow lines, it will smell the scent of resistance every day, said Mr Berri, leader of the Shiite Amal Movement.

The Israeli military and prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu both referred to Israels deployment line in Lebanon as the Yellow Line last week  the same term used by Israel for its deployment line in Gaza.
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




Labor Compliance Calendar for Liaison Offices in India (FY 202627)

Available language



Labor and regulatory compliance calendar for liaison offices (LO) in India provide a structured framework of statutory obligations, covering labor laws, taxation, and regulatory filings. While LOs are restricted from undertaking commercial or revenue-generating activities under Reserve Bank of India (RBI) regulations, they are nevertheless treated as establishments employing personnel. As a result, they are required to comply with applicable labor and employment laws, alongside tax and foreign exchange regulations.

This calendar serves as an essential tool to ensure timely compliance, reduce regulatory risk, and maintain operational continuity.

Key legal framework governing LOs

The labor compliance requirements for LOs are governed by a combination of central and state-level legislation. Key statutes include the Code on Wages, 2019, and the Code on Social Security, 2020. In addition, the Shops and Establishments (S&E) Act, administered at the state level, plays a critical role in determining local compliance requirements.

It is important to note that shops and establishments compliance varies depending on the state of registration, requiring location-specific assessment.

Labor compliance requirements for liaison offices

Monthly compliance obligations

On a recurring basis, LOs must ensure timely deposit of statutory contributions and payroll-related compliance. This includes Employee Provident Fund (EPF) and Emloyee State Insurance (ESI) contributions where applicable, along with payroll processing and issuance of payslips. Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) on salaries, while governed by tax law, is operationally aligned with payroll and is typically tracked within the same compliance cycle.

TO KNOW MORE: TDS Rate Chart FY 2026-27: Domestic, Foreign, & Cross-Border Payments

Quarterly and half-yearly filings

At periodic intervals, LOs are required to file returns under labor laws and tax regulations. These include labor returns under the S&E framework, professional tax filings (where applicable), and statutory filings such as ESIC and Labor Welfare Fund (LWF) returns. TDS returns, such as Form 138 under the Income-tax Rules, 2026 (previously known as Form 24Q), are also filed quarterly, followed by issuance of TDS certificates to employees.

Annual compliance requirements

Annual compliance activities focus on statutory closure and validation. These include filing annual returns under the S&E Act, renewing registrations where necessary, maintaining and updating statutory registers, and issuing Form 130 (previously known as Form 16) to employees. These processes ensure that all employment-related records are accurately documented and compliant with regulatory requirements.

Event-based compliance triggers

In addition to periodic filings, certain obligations arise based on specific operational events. Employee onboarding requires execution of employment contracts and statutory registrations, while employee exits necessitate final settlements and gratuity payments where applicable. Changes in office address, employee strength, or closure of the LO must also be reported to relevant authorities within prescribed timelines.

Income tax compliance schedule for LOs

Although LOs do not generate income, they are responsible for TDS compliance and annual reporting. The following table outlines the key income tax-related obligations:

Month Due date Compliance/filing Frequency Remarks April 2026 April 30, 2026 Deposit TDS for March 2026 (non-govt. deductors) Monthly [CRITICAL] Extended date for March deductions only May 2026 May 7, 2026 Deposit TDS for April 2026 Monthly [REGULAR] 7th of following month  ongoing throughout year May 2026 May 31, 2026 TDS ReturnQ4 FY 2025-26 (Forms 138/140/144) Quarterly [KEY] Form 144 for payments to non-residents  essential for LO June 2026 June 7, 2026 Deposit TDS for May 2026 Regular [REGULAR] 7th of following month  ongoing throughout year June 2026 June 15, 2026 Issue TDS Certificate  Form 131 for Q4 FY 2025-26 Quarterly [NOTE] Form 131 (salary) also due by June 15 July 2026 July 7, 2026 Deposit TDS for June 2026 Monthly [REGULAR] 7th of following month  ongoing throughout year July 2026 July 31, 2026 TDS Return  Q1 FY 2026-27 (Forms 138/140/144) Quarterly [KEY] Form 144 critical for LO  covers payments to non-residents HO staff August 2026 Aug 7, 2026 Deposit TDS for July 2026 Monthly [REGULAR] 7th of following month  ongoing throughout year August 2026 August 15, 2026 Issue TDS certificate  Form 131 for Q1 Quarterly [NOTE] Issue within 15 days of TDS return due date September 2026 September 7, 2026 Deposit TDS for August 2026 Monthly [REGULAR] 7th of following month ongoing throughout year October 2026 October 7, 2026 Deposit TDS for September 2026 Monthly [REGULAR] 7th of following month  ongoing throughout year October 2026 October 31, 2026 TDS Return  Q2 FY 2026-27 (Forms 138/140/144) Quarterly  November 2026 November 7, 2026 Deposit TDS for Oct 2026 Monthly [REGULAR] 7th of following month  ongoing throughout year November 2026 November 15, 2026 Issue TDS Certificate  Form 131 for Q2 Quarterly  December 2026 December 7, 2026 Deposit TDS for Nov 2026 Monthly [REGULAR] 7th of following month  ongoing throughout year January 2027 January 7, 2027 Deposit TDS for Dec 2026 Monthly [REGULAR] 7th of following month  ongoing throughout year January 2027 January 31, 2027 TDS Return  Q3 FY 2026-27 (Forms 138/140/144) Quarterly [KEY] February 2027 February 7, 2026 Deposit TDS for Jan 2027 Monthly [REGULAR] 7th of following month  ongoing throughout year February 2027 February 15, 2027 Issue TDS Certificate  Form 131 for Q3 Quarterly  March 2027 March 7, 2027 Deposit TDS for Feb 2027 Monthly [REGULAR] 7th of following month  ongoing throughout year April 2027 April 30, 2027 Deposit TDS for March 2027 (non-govt. deductors) Monthly [CRITICAL] Extended date for March deductions only May 2027 May 31, 2027 TDS Return  Q4 FY 2026-27 (Forms 138/140/144) Quarterly [KEY] Covers Jan-Mar 2027 June 2027 June 15, 2027 Issue Form 131 for Q4 & Form 130 for salary (if any) Quarterly [NOTE] Issue wherever TDS has been deducted November 2027 November 30, 2027 File Form 162  Annual statement for LO Annual [CRITICAL] Mandatory for every non-resident with LO in India; penalty INR 1000/day

Ongoing regulatory obligations

LOs are required to fund all expenses through inward remittances from their head office (HO). Any changes in operational details, such as office address, authorized personnel, or scope of activities, must be reported to the RBI through the Authorized Dealer (AD) Bank within 30 days. Additionally, LO approvals are typically valid for three years, and renewal applications must be submitted at least two months prior to expiry.

LO compliance under FEMA

FEMA compliance ensures that LOs operate strictly within their permitted scope. The Annual Activity Certificate (AAC) remains the cornerstone of this framework.

Month Due date Compliance / filing Frequency Remarks July 2026 July 15, 2026 Annual Return on Foreign Liabilities & Assets (FLA) Annual [IF APPLICABLE] File only if FDI/ODI outstanding; most LOs are exempt September 2026 September 30, 2026 Submit Audited Financial Statements to AD Bank for FY 2025-26 Annual [CRITICAL] Accounts must be audited by statutory auditor September 2026 September 30, 2026 CA certificate  activities within permitted LO scope Annual [CRITICAL] Confirm no commercial/trading/industrial activity carried out September 2026 September 30, 2026 AAC  through AD Category-I Bank Annual [CRITICAL] Core LO filing; copy to DGIT (Intl. Taxation); non-filing can lead to LO cancellation As needed On occurrence Intimation to RBIchange in address / authorised person / activity Event-based [ACTION] Submit Letter through AD Bank within 30 days of change As needed 2 months before expiry Renewal of LO registrationapply before validity expires As applicable [PLAN AHEAD] LO typically approved for 3 years; advisable to apply 2 months before expiry; AD Bank route March 2027 March 31, 2027 Ensure all expenses funded only through inward HO remittances Ongoing [ONGOING] LO cannot generate local income; all funds must come from parent HO abroad

ROC filings for foreign companies under Companies Act, 2013

In addition to FEMA requirements, LOs must comply with filings under the Companies Act applicable to foreign entities:

Month Due date Compliance/filing Frequency Remarks March 2027 March 31, 2027 FC-2  Update list of places of business in India (if changed) Annual [KEY] File within 30 days of FY end if any change in place of business May 2027 May 30, 2027 FC-4Annual Return of a foreign company Annual [KEY] File Within 60 days from the end of the financial year. December 2027 December 31, 2027 FC-3  Annual and the list of all principal places of business established in India by a foreign company Annual [KEY] File Within 60 days from the end of the financial year.

Consequences of non-compliance

Failure to adhere to statutory requirements can result in financial penalties, regulatory restrictions, and operational challenges. This may include interest liabilities, limitations on employing expatriates, and complications in obtaining RBI approvals for renewal or closure. Specific non-compliance instances, such as failure to file Form 162 under the Income-tax Rules, 2026, or the AAC, may attract daily penalties or even cancellation of LO approval.

LO labor compliance under state-specific S&E Act

For LOs operating in India, labor compliance requirements are also influenced by state-level regulations, particularly the S&E Act. In states such as Maharashtra, the Act serves as a central framework governing workplace condition, employee records, working hours, leave policies, and annual reporting obligations.

Under the FY 2026-27 compliance calendar, LOs are required to file an annual return under the Maharashtra S&E Act (Form R), typically due by February-end. This consolidated return captures key operational details, including employee attendance, wage registers, and leave records, and is submitted to the state labor department.

Given the state-specific nature of the Act, compliance timelines, forms, and penalties may vary across jurisdictions. As such, maintaining an updated labor compliance calendar aligned with state-level S&E requirements is critical for ensuring operational continuity and regulatory adherence for Los.

Practical approach to compliance management for liaison offices in India

In practice, organizations adopt integrated approaches to manage compliance efficiently. This typically involves maintaining centralized compliance trackers or digital tools, outsourcing payroll and statutory compliance to specialized service providers, and aligning labor compliance processes with tax and FEMA requirements to ensure consistency and accuracy.

Conclusion

A comprehensive compliance calendar is critical for LOs operating in India. By systematically tracking labor, tax, and regulatory obligations, organizations can ensure timely compliance, mitigate risks, and maintain seamless operations within Indias regulatory framework.
Asia is the new "main character energy" for Gen Z travel

Airbnb

We account for over 40 per cent of summer travel searches.

Our travel interest is growing at 60 per cent year-on-year, faster than any other generation.

Image credit : Pexels | How Gen Z Is Choosing Culture Over Distance

The Asian cities Gen Z can't stop searching for

Top international growth destinations

Osaka: +85 per cent growth in searches

+85 per cent growth in searches Tokyo: +90 per cent growth in searches

+90 per cent growth in searches Busan: +95 per cent growth in searches

+95 per cent growth in searches Kuala Lumpur: +50 per cent growth in searches

+50 per cent growth in searches Bangkok: +35 per cent growth in searches

Closer to home: India's own "slow travel" glow-up

Search interest is rising in places like:

Thiruvananthapuram: over 90 per cent growth

over 90 per cent growth Puri: over 30 per cent growth

over 30 per cent growth Jaipur: over 70 per cent growth

over 70 per cent growth Meghalaya: over 70 per cent growth

Image credit : Pexels | The New Travel Map Gen Z Is Quietly Creating Across Asia

Travel is no longer solo; it's a shared memory-making

Travel is no longer just about escaping routine. It's about:

going with your closest people

collecting shared "firsts"

turning trips into group memory albums

For Gen Z, even planning a trip feels like a group chat project.

Image credit : Pexels | A Shift From Icons to Experiences

What's really behind this shift?

Culture has become the travel engine: earlier, travel inspired pop culture. Now, pop culture is inspiring travel. K-pop, anime, street fashion, and Asian cinema have turned cities into living content ecosystems. We do not just want photos; we want contextual immersion.

Shorter trips, bigger meaning: With better connectivity and more flexible breaks, travellers are optimising for long weekends, micro-vacations and high-experience-density trips. Instead of one big annual holiday, it's multiple smaller "lived experiences" throughout the year.

Familiarity along with discovery is the new sweet spot: as Amanpreet Singh Bajaj, Country Head for India & Southeast Asia at Airbnb, quoted in the report, "Asia offers something rare: familiarity with cultures Indian travellers love and the excitement of discovering something new."

This summer, Indian travellers are rewriting the travel map, not by going farther, but by going closer, smarter and more meaningfully across Asia. The old "Europe or bust" travel dream is quietly giving way to something more personal that is neon nights in Tokyo, food-hopping in Bangkok and slow cultural mornings in Jaipur or Meghalaya.And the numbers make it clear; this behaviour isn't a trend, it's a shift in how a generation chooses to experience the world.According to data from, Gen Z is driving this movement in a big way:We are increasingly planning trips around experiences, not just destinations.Think less "Let's see everything in 5 days" and more "Let's go for that concert, that cafe, that vibe." This generation isn't just consuming Asian pop culture; we are stepping inside it.From K-dramas to anime aesthetics, street food reels to fashion inspo, the screen has quietly turned into a travel guide.Search trends show a clear pull toward East and Southeast Asia, where culture feels both familiar and excitingly different.Whats driving this? Its not just affordability or proximity; its culture proximity. These cities feel like they already exist in Gen Zs digital life.Youve seen them in edits, playlists, dramas, and food reels. Now you want to walk through them.Interestingly, the same mindset is reshaping domestic travel too. Gen Z aren't just going abroad; they are rediscovering India through a more aesthetic, experience-first lens.One of the most interesting insights from Airbnb data is how social travel has become; nearly 60 per cent of searches are for group and family trips, and over 30 per cent are for duo travel.This reflects something deeper than logistics; it's emotional design.So, this summers travel pattern isnt just about where Indians are going. Its about how Gen Z is redefining going anywhere at all, seeking unique experiences that blend familiar cultural elements with new adventures that resonate with their values and interests.
Image credit : Instagram/jordanklucas | Jordan Lucas is not just going viral because he celebrates after points. He is going viral because he represents something bigger: confidence without apology, the sass!

Why is Jordan Lucas going viral?

Image credit : Instagram/jordanklucas | Lucas later said he felt upset and confused by the remarks, but recognised that people will either love or dislike his energy.

The controversy that made him even bigger

Image credit : Instagram/jordanklucas | In a sporting world where men are often expected to act stoic and robotic, Lucas brought personality, flair and chaos. Naturally, social media loved it.

Why fans are obsessed

If Jordan Lucas was trying to quietly blend into college sport, he has failed magnificently.The Cal State Northridge outside hitter has become one of the most talked-about names in volleyball after clips of his explosive performances and even louder celebrations flooded social media. Standing at 63, Lucas already commands attention at the net, but it is what happens after the point that has made him impossible to ignore.Think fierce head turns, dramatic struts, hair flips and the kind of confidence usually reserved for pop stars walking onto an awards stage.Jordan Lucas first began catching serious online attention earlier this year when he posted a compilation of his now-signature on-court reactions. The internet immediately clocked what was happening: a talented athlete having fun, looking unbothered and refusing to shrink himself for anyone.In a sporting world where men are often expected to act stoic and robotic, Lucas brought personality, flair and chaos. Naturally, social media loved it.His clips have introduced thousands of casual viewers to college volleyball, with many tuning in purely to see what celebration he pulls out next.During a match against UC Irvine on 9 April, commentator Charlie Brande criticised Lucass behaviour and said he was surprised another player had not confronted him over the celebrations.The backlash was immediate. Many fans argued the criticism had nothing to do with sport and everything to do with outdated ideas of masculinity. Brande was later removed from his commentary role and issued an apology, accepting responsibility for the harm caused.Lucas later said he felt upset and confused by the remarks, but recognised that people will either love or dislike his energy.Jordan Lucas is not just going viral because he celebrates after points. He is going viral because he represents something bigger: confidence without apology.As a Hawaiian athlete building support both in California and Hawaii, Lucas has become a fresh face in mens sport at a time when audiences are craving authenticity. He is skilled, charismatic and completely himself.One spike, one strut and one hair flip at a time, Jordan Lucas is changing the vibe.
SAN FRANCISCO, April 22, 2026  Environmental justice and community groups filed a petition with the Bay Area Air Quality Management District today seeking stronger protections against diesel generator operations at data centers throughout the region. Thousands of the highly polluting diesel generators operate in Bay Area neighborhoods with minimal reporting requirements.

Were asking Bay Area officials to make peoples health and our environment a priority and hold data centers accountable for their pollution. This billion-dollar industry shouldnt be allowed to exploit outdated regulations and pollute our neighborhoods while raking in massive profits, said Meya Saenz Zagar, an Oakland-based campaigner at the Center for Biological Diversity. The regulations for diesel generators are ridiculously out of date. They never anticipated this flood of industrial behemoths belching toxic air pollution, but thats now our reality.The Bay Areas diesel generator rules are decades old, predating the surge of data centers, which can have up to 50 generators at a single site. The generators are supposed to be used only for emergency backup power, but under current rules data center operators determine what qualifies as an emergency and self-report use and emissions. The lax reporting requirements make it nearly impossible to know how often these generators are being used.Todays petition calls on regulators to require data centers to submit additional information detailing diesel backup generator operations and emissions so residents know how much pollution is being released in their neighborhoods. The petition also recommends closing permitting loopholes to limit the data center industrys reliance on diesel backup generators, which are one of the dirtiest ways to generate power.The Bay Area has some of the worst air quality in the country with some areas having baseline fine particle pollution at 140% of the level allowed by the EPA. The explosion of these train engine-level industrial pollution emitters in our neighborhoods, next to schools, parks and places of worship is undoubtedly having a real effect on the health of our communities, said Masheika Allgood, founder of AllAI Consulting. This is exactly the type of cumulative pollution our laws were intended to protect us from. But the laws werent built for our current reality, and theyre failing us. Bay Area residents have a right to breathable air. To live our lives and raise our children in an environment that is supportive of human life. Bay Area residents have the right to a future. Proper measurement and assessment of the pollutants emanating from the thousands of data center diesel generators in our communities is the first step towards securing that future.Bay Area data centers are often clustered in low-income neighborhoods already overburdened with pollution, including near schools and community centers. Diesel pollution emitted from these generators is linked to cancer and heart and lung disease. In one area in Santa Clara, 73 data centers operate across nine square miles.San Jose is racing to become the data center capital of the West Coast, signing a deal with PG&E, securing binding commitments for power delivery and leveraging the incoming 2,000 megawatts of new transmission capacity for what it calls a historic buildout, said Ellina Yin from Dreaming Collaborative. Cities are now chasing economic benefits and promised returns that sound more like a venture capital pitch than responsible public policy. The regulatory frameworks governing these projects were written for a different era and a different scale, and they should be updated with the same urgency that tech companies bring to updating their terms and conditions,Todays petition also seeks regulation of data centers as a single source of air pollution, instead of the current practice of permitting each generator one by one, which masks the true extent of the harms to public health and the environment.Were proud to stand with Bay Area communities working to protect their families from harmful pollution linked to data centers. This is just another example of how tech corporations are exploiting regulatory systems in ways that deepen environmental inequities, particularly through the widespread use of diesel backup generators, said Danny Cendejas, a campaign specialist at MediaJustice. The Bay Area Air Quality Management District has a critical opportunity to bring greater transparency and accountability to these practices. Too often, rules designed for essential services like hospitals are being stretched beyond their intent, putting frontline communities at risk. We urge the district to take decisive action to ensure its regulations truly safeguard public health and protect the communities most affected.The petition asks the air quality district to set a clean energy standard for data center back-up generators. It also recommends that these dirty, noisy energy sources be replaced with clean, zero-emission technologies like battery storage.The Center for Biological Diversity is a national, nonprofit conservation organization with more than 1.8 million members and online activists dedicated to the protection of endangered species and wild places.
Greece recovered five ancient artifacts from an American family in a voluntary repatriation ceremony at the Greek Consulate in Chicago, as Culture Minister Lina Mendoni accepted the collection and praised the donors as allies in the global fight against cultural theft.

The returned pieces include two

sixth-century B.C. Athenian black-figure vases, a Late Archaic bronze mirror , a headless marble statue of Hermes dating to the first century B.C. and a second-century A.D. relief depicting the goddess Athena.

The objects were acquired during the 1970s and 1980s by Richard and Mary L. Gray, whose children  Harry, Jennifer and Paul Gray  contacted Greek authorities in May 2025 to initiate the transfer.

Jennifer Gray attended the ceremony to represent the family. Mrs. Mendoni addressed her directly, describing the decision as a profound act of generosity and a high sense of justice. "Individuals returning these artifacts are vital allies of Greece in the ongoing fight against cultural theft," the minister said.

The repatriation adds to a sustained Greek campaign to recover looted antiquities from collections and institutions worldwide.

Mrs. Mendoni said Greece has now repatriated more than 200 historical objects from 17 countries in recent years through a combination of legal action, diplomatic pressure and voluntary surrenders.

Voluntary repatriations have become an increasingly significant channel for recovery, as Greek authorities cultivate relationships with collectors and their heirs who have grown uncomfortable holding objects whose provenance may be linked to illicit excavation and trafficking.

   iefimerida.gr

Greece recovered five ancient artifacts from an American family in a voluntary repatriation ceremony at the Greek Consulate in Chicago, as Culture Minister Lina Mendoni accepted the collection and praised the donors as allies in the global fight against cultural theft.

The returned pieces include two sixth-century B.C. Athenian black-figure vases, a Late Archaic bronze mirror, a headless marble statue of Hermes dating to the first century B.C. and a second-century A.D. relief depicting the goddess Athena.

The objects were acquired during the 1970s and 1980s by Richard and Mary L. Gray, whose children  Harry, Jennifer and Paul Gray  contacted Greek authorities in May 2025 to initiate the transfer.

Jennifer Gray attended the ceremony to represent the family. Mrs. Mendoni addressed her directly, describing the decision as a profound act of generosity and a high sense of justice. "Individuals returning these artifacts are vital allies of Greece in the ongoing fight against cultural theft," the minister said.

The repatriation adds to a sustained Greek campaign to recover looted antiquities from collections and institutions worldwide.

Mrs. Mendoni said Greece has now repatriated more than 200 historical objects from 17 countries in recent years through a combination of legal action, diplomatic pressure and voluntary surrenders.

Voluntary repatriations have become an increasingly significant channel for recovery, as Greek authorities cultivate relationships with collectors and their heirs who have grown uncomfortable holding objects whose provenance may be linked to illicit excavation and trafficking.

   iefimerida.gr
Greece has successfully cushioned domestic fuel prices from the worst of the Middle East conflict's impact, but Europe faces looming supply disruptions in diesel and aviation fuel that could force flight reductions

and push ticket prices higher, Deputy Environment and Energy Minister Nikos Tsafos has warned.

Speaking on Parapolitika 90.1 FM, Mr. Tsafos said targeted government subsidies have driven unleaded petrol down to 2.03 per liter and diesel nearly 17 cents lower to 1.95 per liter.

He attributed Greece's relative resilience to its export-oriented domestic refineries, which produce enough to cover national demand without heavy reliance on Middle Eastern imports.

The picture for Europe as a whole is more exposed.

Mr. Tsafos said the continent depends significantly on Middle Eastern sources for diesel and aviation fuel  supply chains now severely disrupted by the regional conflict. European airlines may soon be forced to cut flights and raise fares as the market struggles to rebalance.

Greece's electricity market has also held steady, with wholesale prices stabilizing at 93 per megawatt-hour  roughly in line with a year ago  supported by the country's rapidly expanding renewable energy capacity.

Mr. Tsafos described the global fuel market as currently in a "wait-and-see" phase and left the door open for further state intervention if conditions deteriorate, while acknowledging the fiscal constraints imposed by EU rules.

Greece has already introduced diesel subsidies of 20 cents per liter and relaunched a fuel pass for petrol consumers ahead of Easter, as the government seeks to contain cost-of-living pressures amid persistent global price volatility.

   iefimerida.gr

Greece has successfully cushioned domestic fuel prices from the worst of the Middle East conflict's impact, but Europe faces looming supply disruptions in diesel and aviation fuel that could force flight reductions and push ticket prices higher, Deputy Environment and Energy Minister Nikos Tsafos has warned.

Speaking on Parapolitika 90.1 FM, Mr. Tsafos said targeted government subsidies have driven unleaded petrol down to 2.03 per liter and diesel nearly 17 cents lower to 1.95 per liter.

He attributed Greece's relative resilience to its export-oriented domestic refineries, which produce enough to cover national demand without heavy reliance on Middle Eastern imports.

The picture for Europe as a whole is more exposed.

Mr. Tsafos said the continent depends significantly on Middle Eastern sources for diesel and aviation fuel  supply chains now severely disrupted by the regional conflict. European airlines may soon be forced to cut flights and raise fares as the market struggles to rebalance.

Greece's electricity market has also held steady, with wholesale prices stabilizing at 93 per megawatt-hour  roughly in line with a year ago  supported by the country's rapidly expanding renewable energy capacity.

Mr. Tsafos described the global fuel market as currently in a "wait-and-see" phase and left the door open for further state intervention if conditions deteriorate, while acknowledging the fiscal constraints imposed by EU rules.

Greece has already introduced diesel subsidies of 20 cents per liter and relaunched a fuel pass for petrol consumers ahead of Easter, as the government seeks to contain cost-of-living pressures amid persistent global price volatility.

   iefimerida.gr
Rising tensions in the Aegean as Turkey challenges Greeces fishing rules, reviving long-standing maritime disputes.

Turkey has accused Greece of imposing unlawful fishing restrictions in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean beyond Greek territorial waters, in a formal diplomatic statement that threatens to

inject new friction into a bilateral relationship that has seen cautious improvement in recent years.Dispute Over Maritime Jurisdiction and Fishing Rights

Turkey's Foreign Ministry said maps published on the website of Greece's Fisheries Control Directorate depict fishing bans in areas where Athens "does not have jurisdiction," describing the maps as "invalid" and accusing Greece of drawing "imaginary maritime borders" in regions where no agreed boundaries exist.

"The illegal restrictions imposed by Greece on fishing activities beyond its 6 nautical mile territorial waters, in areas where it has no jurisdiction and in international waters, are also invalid for Turkey," the ministry said, adding that Ankara would "not accept any unilateral and illegal action that targets the lawful activities of Turkish fishermen."

Growing Concerns Over Renewed Tensions in 2026

Turkey said it bases its position on international law and what it described as "historical rights," while invoking the Athens Declaration on Friendly Relations and Good Neighborliness signed in December 2023 as the framework for resolving disputes through dialogue.

Greek authorities had been anticipating a rise in tensions with Turkey in 2026, with Ankara showing signs of increased assertiveness across multiple fronts in the Aegean.

Greek officials have specifically flagged expected increases in violations by Turkish fishing vessels, which have a history of incursions into Greek territorial waters.

The dispute over maritime jurisdiction in the Aegean is one of the most enduring points of contention between the two NATO allies, who disagree on the extent of continental shelf rights, airspace boundaries and the status of Greek islands close to the Turkish coast.

   iefimerida.gr

Rising tensions in the Aegean as Turkey challenges Greeces fishing rules, reviving long-standing maritime disputes.

Turkey has accused Greece of imposing unlawful fishing restrictions in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean beyond Greek territorial waters, in a formal diplomatic statement that threatens to inject new friction into a bilateral relationship that has seen cautious improvement in recent years.

Dispute Over Maritime Jurisdiction and Fishing Rights

Turkey's Foreign Ministry said maps published on the website of Greece's Fisheries Control Directorate depict fishing bans in areas where Athens "does not have jurisdiction," describing the maps as "invalid" and accusing Greece of drawing "imaginary maritime borders" in regions where no agreed boundaries exist.

"The illegal restrictions imposed by Greece on fishing activities beyond its 6 nautical mile territorial waters, in areas where it has no jurisdiction and in international waters, are also invalid for Turkey," the ministry said, adding that Ankara would "not accept any unilateral and illegal action that targets the lawful activities of Turkish fishermen."

Growing Concerns Over Renewed Tensions in 2026

Turkey said it bases its position on international law and what it described as "historical rights," while invoking the Athens Declaration on Friendly Relations and Good Neighborliness signed in December 2023 as the framework for resolving disputes through dialogue.

Greek authorities had been anticipating a rise in tensions with Turkey in 2026, with Ankara showing signs of increased assertiveness across multiple fronts in the Aegean.

Greek officials have specifically flagged expected increases in violations by Turkish fishing vessels, which have a history of incursions into Greek territorial waters.

The dispute over maritime jurisdiction in the Aegean is one of the most enduring points of contention between the two NATO allies, who disagree on the extent of continental shelf rights, airspace boundaries and the status of Greek islands close to the Turkish coast.

   iefimerida.gr
Bank credit growth to the private sector slowed last year, Bank of Greece (BoG) governor Yannis Stournaras said in his recent address to the general meeting.

The governor noted that

Non-systemic banks stand out in net lending growth -  
A thriller-like case is unfolding in Crete, as the suicide of the 43-year-old mothers former partner has changed the data surrounding her disappearance.
Julius Abure, factional chairman of the Labour Party (LP), says his legal team will head to the supreme court to challenge the judgement delivered by the court of appeal on the partys leadership dispute.

On January 21, Peter Lifu, the presiding judge of the federal high court in Abuja, reaffirmed an earlier judgement of the supreme courtof April 4, 2025, which removed Abure as the national chairman of the LP.

The court had at the time directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise Nenadi Usman as the legitimate leader of the party, to the exclusion of all others.

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On Monday, a three-member panel of the appellate court in Abuja dismissed Abures appeal seeking to overturn the ruling of the federal high court.

In the lead judgement delivered by Oyejoju Oyewumi, the appellate court affirmed the decision of the lower court, holding that the apex court had conclusively settled the leadership dispute within the party when it nullified the convention that purportedly returned Abure as national chairman.

The court further ruled that the federal high court acted within its powers under section 251 of the constitution when it ordered INEC to recognise Usman as the partys national chairperson.

According to the appellate court, the constitution of a caretaker committee headed by Usman was necessary to fill the leadership vacuum created after Abures removal.

The court described Abures appeal as lacking merit and an abuse of court process and consequently imposed a cost of N10 million against him.

Reacting in a statement on Tuesday, Abure rejected the judgement, describing it as against all known principles of law.

We have seen what transpired today at the Appeal Court and we want to say very clearly that the judgment is not acceptable to all of us in the Labour Party led by my humble self, the statement reads.

I want to say very clearly that the judgment is against all known principles of law. The courts, including the Supreme Court, have stated that the issue of leadership of a political party is an internal affair.

Abure maintained that his tenure had not expired, insisting that the March 27, 2024, convention held in Nnewi, Anambra state, remained valid.

That is untrue and unacceptable. That convention is still subsisting for four years, and the court did not take that into consideration before arriving at its conclusion, he added.

He also faulted the Umuahia meeting that produced the caretaker committee, describing it as unconstitutional.

It is only the National Chairman and National Secretary who have the power to convene an NEC meeting, he said.

Abure reiterated that his faction would exhaust all legal avenues to reclaim the party leadership.

We have put our legal team together and we are going to file an appeal and move to the Supreme Court, he stated.
The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has formally tendered his resignation, with effect from April 30, 2026.

A statement by his media aide, Bolaji Tunji, said Adelabu submitted his resignation letter to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. The letter was also addressed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

According to the statement, the minister said his decision to step down is to enable him focus on his governorship ambition in Oyo State.

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Adelabu, in the letter, also proposed the establishment of a Coordinating Minister for Energy to drive integrated reforms across Nigerias power, gas and related sectors.

He emphasised that sustaining and consolidating the gains recorded in the power sector would require stronger coordination at the highest level, including the appointment of a central authority to harmonise policy direction and execution.

Confirming the development, the Special Adviser to the Minister on Strategic Communications and Media Relations, Bolaji Tunji, said Adelabu expressed deep appreciation to the President for the opportunity to serve, describing his tenure as a privilege to contribute to national development.

Adelabu noted that his resignation aligns with the provisions of the Amended Electoral Act 2026, which precludes serving political office holders from contesting elections.

He further disclosed that his gubernatorial ambition dates back to 2016 during his tenure as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

In his three-page letter, the minister outlined key achievements recorded during his tenure, including the implementation of the Electricity Act 2023, which decentralised the electricity market and improved the investment climate.

He highlighted that peak power generation rose to over 6,000 megawatts, driven by the integration of the Zungeru Hydropower Plant and the rehabilitation of thermal power plants. Transmission capacity was also strengthened through grid upgrades under the Presidential Power Initiative.

Adelabu further cited improvements in the distribution segment, including enhanced regulatory oversight, improved revenue collection, and progress in reducing Aggregate Technical, Commercial and Collection (ATC&C) losses.

Efforts to close the metering gap, he said, gained momentum through the Presidential Metering Initiative and the World Bank-supported Distribution Sector Recovery Programme (DISREP).

On the financial front, the minister stated that tariff reforms and a 14 trillion debt restructuring programme increased market revenues from 1 trillion in 2023 to 2.3 trillion in 2025, helping to restore investor confidence and placing the sector on a path to sustainability.

Despite these gains, Adelabu acknowledged persistent challenges, including gas supply constraints, infrastructure vandalism and the need for full commercialisation of the electricity value chain.

He therefore proposed key measures to sustain progress, including the implementation of cost-reflective tariffs with targeted subsidies, recapitalisation of distribution companies, accelerated nationwide metering, sustained transmission investments and strengthened regulatory enforcement.

Central to his recommendations is the creation of a Coordinating Minister for Energy to provide strategic oversight and ensure synergy across power, gas, water resources and environmental sectors. According to him, this approach is critical to improving gas supply for thermal generation, optimising hydroelectric resources and accelerating renewable energy deployment, the statement said.

Tunji added that Adelabu remains committed to ensuring a smooth and seamless handover process, while expressing gratitude to the President for the confidence and support extended to him throughout his tenure.
Controversial media personality Blessing CEO has issued a public apology regarding the drama surrounding her health issues.

In an Instagram statement, the influencer, whose real name is Blessing Nkiruka Okoro, expressed remorse to her loved ones, fans, well-wishers, and Nigerians at large for the unnecessary embarrassment and controversy.

Blessing CEO acknowledged the backlash and promised greater transparency moving forward.

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She assured followers that she would carry them along on her health journey, just as she did during her previous liposuction and BBL procedures.

She maintained that she did not lie about her condition and pledged to officially upload her scan results and biopsy details for public viewing.

The self-proclaimed relationship expert also addressed those who contributed financially, offering refunds to anyone who requests one.

She asked well-meaning supporters to send a WhatsApp message or direct message with their receipt and account details to process the reimbursement.

The apology comes amid intense public scrutiny and allegations that she exaggerated or misrepresented her health condition, including claiming of stage four cancer, which she later described as a miscommunication.

According to her, she had raised N13 million in donations during the episode.

Blessing CEO ended her message by thanking supporters for their love and well wishes.

She wrote, Hey guys. My name is okoro blessing Nkiruka. Popularly known as blessingceo. I want to start by saying I am sorry, very sorry to my loved ones,fans , well-wishers and to all Nigerians. I am sorry for the unnecessary drama, embarrassment and controversy surrounding my health issues. I want a to genuinely apologize, I am sorry.

Going forward I will carry you all along, just like I carried you all during my liposuction and bbl journey. Please be patient with me, I did not lie about my health issues. I will start by uploading my scan results officially down to my biopsy and carry you all on this journey. Please be patient with me. Thank you so much for all the love and well wishes. And to the well-meaning Nigerians who want refund of their contributions please kindly send us a WhatsApp message or DM, attaching your receipt and account number, you get a refund. Thank all lovers; remain blessed.

https://x.com/i/status/2046975477051441280
Kimberly Daniels, a United States Democratic member of the Florida House of Representatives for District 14, has alleged that Nigerias minister of state for defense, Bello Matawalle, attempted to bribe a US official to deflect the narrative of the United World Congress of Diplomats, UN-WCD, report.

The lawmaker made the claim in a viral video released on her official Facebook account on Monday.

She said Matawalles alleged move was to cover up the UN-WCD report on Christian genocide in Nigeria, which indicted him.

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Daniels insisted that no amount of pressure can silence her stand against the killings of Christians in Nigeria.

A US elected official was offered money by Nigerias minister of state defense, Bello Matawalle, to change the narrative of the UN-WCD Christian genocide in Nigeria report, she said in the viral video.

Recall that Daniels, who doubled as the chairperson of UN-WCD, had called for President Bola Tinubu to remove Matawalle over alleged complicity in the killings in Plateau, Benue, Kaduna, and other parts of Nigeria.

Matawalle is yet to officially reply the US lawmaker.

https://x.com/i/status/2046939034547626388
Some residents of Osogbo on Tuesday staged a protest at the Osun state office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the alleged transfer of partisan electoral officials into the state.

The protest was organised by Coalition of Concerned Nigerian Citizens (CCNC) and other civil society groups.

The protesters displayed placards bearing inscriptions such as INEC Osun people are watching your every move, and INEC dont cause war in Osun with your actions and inactions, among others.

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They alleged that some INEC officials said to be partisan have been transferred from neighbouring states to Osun ahead of the August governorship election.

The protesters claimed that other states that recently held governorship elections did not experience indiscriminate transfers of INEC officials close to election dates owing to partisan petitions.

In a petition addressed to Osun INEC resident electoral commissioner (REC), the coalition said Osun people desire an election that is demonstrably free, fair, transparent, and insulated from any form of manipulation or malpractice.

The coalition said no candidate of any political party must enjoy undue advantage through administrative actions, deployment of personnel, or distribution of electoral materials.

The credibility of elections is not merely a technical affair of logistics; it is the moral foundation upon which the legitimacy of government rests, the petition reads.

We will not allow any form of penalty into an empty goal post, that is, we will not tolerate contrived advantages, predetermined outcomes, or procedural subversion that renders the peoples will secondary to political machinations.

We therefore urge you (REC) to: Resist any form of intimidation, inducement, or partisan pressure. The commissions loyalty is to the Constitution and the electorate, not to individuals or political parties.

Ensure procedural transparency: From voter accreditation with BVAS to collation and transmission of results, every stage must be open to scrutiny by accredited observers, party agents, and the media.

Guarantee level playing field: No candidate or party should enjoy undue advantage through administrative actions, deployment of personnel, or distribution of electoral materials.

Act decisively on infractions: Any act of malpractice, vote buying, falsification of results, disruption of polling units will be met with immediate sanctions in line with the Electoral Act 2026.

We say no to any technical rigging and partisan transfer of INEC officers from Ondo, Lagos or from any state for sinister motives.



The CCNC is not an adversary of INEC but a stakeholder in Nigerias democracy. We are available to be called upon if you encounter any disturbance, undue pressure, or threats from any persons or political parties seeking to compromise the process.

Our networks across the state will serve as early warning mechanisms and civic observers committed to truth and peace.

The Osun governorship election will take place on August 15, 2026.

Ademola Adeleke, governor of the state, who is contesting the poll on the platform of Accord, is seeking re-election.
The federal government is set to try seven of the detained suspects linked to an alleged plot to overthrow the President Bola Tinubu-led administration for concealment of treason, terrorism and money laundering.

The suspects are former Governor of Bayelsa State, Timpre Sylva; Major General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana (rtd); a retired Navy Captain, Erasmus Ochegobia Victor and Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim. Others are Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Kashim Goni and Abdulkadir Sani. A 13-count charge was filed against them on Tuesday.

It was gathered that six of the alleged coup plotters, who were investigated by both the Nigerian military and the Department of State Services, were accused of terrorising the citizens, and plotting to sack a democratic government.

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The charges filed against them border on treasonable felony, conspiracy to overthrow the government, conspiracy to commit terrorism and other offences related to security threats.

The military high command, through its former Director, Defence Information, Tukur Gusau, had on October 4, 2025, revealed that 16 officers were arrested and detained over undisclosed offences.

Gusau, a retired Brigadier-General, had simply said they were arrested and detained over issues that border on indiscipline and breach of service regulations.

The retired senior military officer also said, Investigations have revealed that their grievances stemmed largely from perceived career stagnation caused by repeated failure in promotion examinations, among other issues.

However, several weeks after the denial, reports uncovered that those detained were allegedly involved in a plot to overthrow the present government led by Tinubu.

It was also uncovered that the detainees were attached to the Office of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.

Amid outcry by the family members of the detainees, the process to arraign seven of them, already charged before a Federal High Court in Abuja, has commenced.

The families of the detained officers had protested at the National Assembly on Wednesday, April 1, demanding that justice be served. The protesters, comprising children, wives and relatives of the detainees, sought a speedy trial of the accused officials.

The wife of one of the detainees, who gave her name simply as Nana, said they were calling for fairness in their trial.

We are here to plead with the government to please charge our husbands to court. We are not saying they should just be released like that. Necessary action should be done. But since the government said it has evidence against them, they should be charged to court.

This is because they are innocent until proven guilty. If there is any evidence, let there be an open and free trial, please, she said.

In the suit filed on behalf of the federal government by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), the seventh person, former Governor Sylva, is said to be on the run. He is being tried in absentia.

Sources confided in Daily Trust last night that the government has activated the International Police (INTERPOL) to go after the former Bayelsa governor and extradite him back to Nigeria to face the full wrath of law.

The charges read, That you, Major General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana (rtd), Captain (NN) Erasmus Ochegobia Victor (rtd), Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim (Ap776373), Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Kashim Goni, Abdulkadir Sani, Timpre Sylva (still at large) and others, sometime in the year 2025, in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, conspired with one another to levy war against the state to overtake the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 37(2) of the code cap 38 LFN 2004.

That you, Major General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana (Rtd), Captain (NN) Erasmus Ochegobia Victor (rtd), Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim (Ap776373), Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Kashim Goni, Abdulkadir Sani, Timpre Sylva (still at large) and others, sometime in the year 2025, in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, knowing that Colonel Mohammed Alhassan Maaji (N/10668) and others intended to commit treason, did not give the information thereof with all reasonable dispatch to either the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, or a Peace Officer and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 40(b) of the Criminal Code Cap C38 LFN 2004.

That you Major General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana (rtd), Captain (NN) Erasmus Ochegobia Victor (rtd), Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim (Ap776373), Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Kashim Goni Abdulkadir Sani, Timipre Sylva (still at large) and others, sometime in the year 2025 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this honorable court conspired with one another to commit an act of terrorism against Federal Republic of Nigeria and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 26(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

That you, Abdulkadir Sani, on or about the 23rd day of September, 2025, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, indirectly retained the sum of N2,000,000.00 (Two Million Naira) only in your Jaiz Bank Account Number 0005620270 from A & A Express Link Concept, which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of an unlawful act to wit: terrorism financing, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and punishable under Section 1 8 (3) of the same Act.

That you, Bukar Kashim Goni, in September, 2025, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, indirectly retained the aggregate sum of N50,000,000.00 (Fifty Million Naira) only in your First Bank Account Number 3021511166 from A & A Express Link Concept, which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of un unlawful act to wit: terrorism financing, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and punishable under Section 18 (3) of the same Act.

Giving an insight into why some of the detainees are still in detention, officials within the DSS and the military told Daily Trust that joint investigations are ongoing.

They submitted that they are yet to get to the root of the matter involving other detainees, saying they would also be charged when the investigation on them is concluded.

Joint investigations are still ongoing. We cant just charge the ones we have not finished investigating. Weve concluded an investigation on those seven people we charged, an official within the DSS explained.

When asked when they would conclude investigations, the source said he could not say because of the complexity of the matter.

He added, This is an issue that borders on national security, so thorough investigations have to be conducted. It is important that the investigators take their time.
Grupo Bimbo is moving its U.S. headquarters from Horsham to near Dallas. Read more

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Bimbo Bakeries USA Inc., the company behind Entenmanns, Little Bites, and Sara Lee baked goods brands, is moving its headquarters from Horsham to the Dallas area.

The company announced the move Wednesday, citing the new headquarters proximity to the companys global office in Mexico, and noting that it already has several sales centers, bakeries, and distribution sites in Texas. The move is intended to strengthen alignment across U.S. operations, while also supporting the business long-term growth strategy, according to a company news release.

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Our commitment to baking and delivering the highest-quality, nutritious and delicious baked goods and snacks to our customers remains our top priority, said company president Greg Koehrsen in a statement. Relocating our headquarters to Dallas positions us to operate more efficiently as we continue to invest in our brands and our communities.

Bimbo Bakeries USA belongs to Grupo Bimbo, a global company known for its baked goods that sells over 9,000 products and got its start in 1943. The U.S headquarters was established in the Philadelphia area in 2009. Prior to that, it had been based in Fort Worth, Texas.

The move to Horsham followed Grupo Bimbos acquisition of Weston Foods Inc., a subsidiary of Canadian firm George Weston Limited.

Bimbo Bakeries USA has over 600 employees in the Greater Philadelphia region, including almost 200 who work out of a 71,000-square-foot sales and distribution facility in Conshohocken that opened in 2021.

About 200 Bimbo employees were based out of the Horsham headquarters, a 26,000-square-foot office the company leased. While they worked in the office full-time prior to the pandemic, they have since been operating on a hybrid work schedule with no set number of required days in-office, according to Megan Yocum, a spokesperson for Bimbo Bakeries USA.

Many previously Horsham-based corporate employees will work remotely or from other sites including the Conshohocken facility, but a small number of corporate positions will be relocated to the new Texas headquarters, Yocum said.

Some company leaders are already working from the new headquarters, and Bimbo Bakeries USA plans to hire in Texas.

Some 20,000 Bimbo workers are employed around the country, including at distribution sites, bakeries, and sales centers.

We will still maintain a strong presence in the Philadelphia region, Yocum said.

The move will enable easier, more agile execution and support our broader strategy to strengthen alignment, foster collaboration, and accelerate decision-making, said Yocum.

 READ MORE: Phila. Union is now officially team Bimbo

Of the companys over 55 bakeries nationwide, eight are in Pennsylvania. Those facilities are not expected to be impacted by the relocation of Bimbos headquarters.

Bimbo Bakeries USA products include Thomas English muffins, Sara Lee sliced bread, and Entenmanns muffins, doughnuts and cakes. During the pandemic, the business saw an increase in demand for its bread.

We are deeply grateful to the greater Philadelphia community, said company president Koehrsen. The Philadelphia area was our home for 17 years, and we will always appreciate the important role it has played in our journey.
Former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz testifies before Congress in 2023. Schultz joined the Gopuff board in April, about a year after Gopuff began brewing Starbucks coffee drinks at some of its Philadelphia-area warehouses and selling them hot to customers. Read more

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Gopuff, the Philadelphia-based, privately owned snack delivery service with warehouses in more than 500 U.S. and U.K. communities, has added Howard Schultz, former CEO of the ubiquitous Starbucks coffee chain, to its board.

Schultz, who stepped down from day-to-day management in 2023 but remains Starbucks chairman emeritus, said in a statement hes glad to be able to join Gopuff while its culture is still forming.

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He joins the Gopuff board about a year after Gopuff started brewing Starbucks coffees in its Philadelphia-area warehouses and selling them hot to delivery customers.

Gopuff, which has lately built partnerships with Disney, Robinhood, and other brands and says it has been boosting sales and concentrating on speed, reliability and affordability as it grows past COVID-era cutbacks, in a statement called Schultzs willingness to serve as a director and adviser a defining moment.

He started at Starbucks in Seattle in 1987. It currently operates 40,000 stores and oversees 400,000 employees in almost 100 countries, powering past periodic waves of economic expansion and contraction, store closings, and labor conflicts.

Gopuff, founded by then-Drexel University students Yakir Gola and Rafael Ilishayev in 2013, is still in the imprinting stage of its culture and growth, Schultz said in a statement.

Gopuff, founded in 2013, in its early promotions associated itself with the college beer and cannabis culture, and still sells beers and THC and CBD products, but broadened its marketing to include a range of convenience-store, household, and prepared-food items as it attracted billion-dollar investments from Silicon Valley, Japan, and Saudi Arabia.

The company sold shares and bonds to large investors, implying the company could be worth as much as $40 billion amid speculation of a pending IPO in 2021, but last year priced new investments at a back-to-earth valuation of $8.5 billion. Starbucks is worth around $112 billion in recent stock-market trading.

Gola said he is humbled to add Schultz to the board, adding that Schultz, to him, also stands for an unwavering belief that how you treat people matters and will help redefine Gopuffs approach to customers.

Schultz built a great consumer brand and will help Gopuff do the same, added Ilishayev in a statement.

Besides Schultz and the founders, Gopuff directors include Betty Atkins, who sold her energy software company, Clear Standards Inc., to SAP, whose U.S. arm is based in Newtown Square; and Anthony Bucci, founder and former executive at Philadelphia-based RevZilla.
Iron Hill Brewery's new owners say they are trying to make it right for the chain's most loyal fans, many of whom lost gift cards and loyalty points when the chain went bankrupt under its former owners. Read more

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While Iron Hill Brewery mounts a post-bankruptcy comeback under new ownership, longtime brewpub fans arent able to get back their unused gift cards or King of the Hill loyalty points.

But executives of the resurrected chain say they want to make it right.

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Theyre trying to spread the word about a new loyalty program and other special offers, spokesperson Paul Furiga said. The new owners, which include cofounder Mark Edelson, are sending the information to about 140,000 brewery regulars via email, Furiga said.

The correspondence comes just days after the new Iron Hill team reopened the Center City location, one of five Pennsylvania and Delaware breweries set for revival, and seven months after the prior owners closed nearly 20 locations as part of the chains liquidation bankruptcy.

 READ MORE: Iron Hill Brewery reopened in Center City

Heres what Iron Hill customers should know.

Can I use an Iron Hill Brewery gift card at the reopened restaurants?

No.

The new owners said they werent able to recover the old gift card database when they took over, meaning they cant verify card numbers, account balances, or cardholder information.

Honoring unverified cards would open us to fraud and unsustainable financial exposure, the Iron Hill team wrote.

Can I use my King of the Hill card at reopened Iron Hill Brewery locations?

No.

The new owners said they received incomplete data about members of the long-running King of the Hill club and the newer, app-based Iron Circle program.

Can Iron Hill gift-card holders or King of the Hill members get anything in exchange for these no-longer-valid items?

Yes.

Customers who bring in an old gift card can get a free appetizer and a free pour of an Iron Hill signature beer. The new executives are calling it a gesture of goodwill with a purpose.

Its not a dollar-for-dollar replacement of unused gift cards, they wrote. But its an invitation to rebuild the relationship.

In the new loyalty program, former King of the Hill members get 200 complimentary points, according to the team, while members of Iron Circle  which launched last year  get 100.

What is Iron Hill Brewerys new loyalty program?

The new loyalty program, Iron Insider, is a simpler and more modern version of the chains old program, according to the new owners.

The system will be integrated with an app, they say, and points will be tracked digitally, via phone or email, with no swiping of a physical card.

Is Iron Hill Brewery reopening near me?

Iron Hill Brewery reopened on the 1100 block of Market Street in Center City on Sunday.

The same ownership group plans to reopen the Huntingdon Valley, Wilmington, Hershey, and Lancaster locations in the next few weeks. They did not acquire the leases for any other locations.

Elsewhere, former Iron Hills are awaiting new tenants. In Bucks County, P.J. Whelihans is set to open in the shell of an Iron Hill at the Village at Newtown shopping center sometime next month.

Why did Iron Hill Brewery file for bankruptcy under its prior owners?

Iron Hill Brewery had amassed more than $20 million in debt, with only about $125,000 in the bank, when it filed for bankruptcy this fall.

The nearly 30-year-old companys downfall came after a period of rapid growth that coincided with the pandemics upending of the restaurant industry.

In recent years, under a new private-equity owner, Iron Hill had expanded far beyond its Newark, Del., roots, opening outposts in South Carolina and Georgia, canning beer, and making plans for a Temple University restaurant that never opened.

Meanwhile, bankruptcy documents show that gross revenues at its restaurants were declining year over year. The restaurants now being revived were among the more successful locations, according to the documents.

None of the new owners had personal liability related to the bankruptcy. They said they hope to earn back the trust of previous Iron Hill customers.

Iron Hills reopening under new ownership isnt about erasing the past, the new owners wrote. Its about honoring it, while building the future.
Police tape hangs on a pole as people walk near 60th and Kingsessing Avenue where a man was killed and eight others injured in a late night shooting on July 4, 2024. Read more

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Nearly two years after a July 4 shooting in Southwest Philadelphia left a teenager dead and eight others wounded, police on Wednesday identified the man they believe fired into the crowd, and they announced a $20,000 reward for information leading to his arrest and conviction.

Naseem Sills, 19, is wanted in connection with the 2024 attack, which unfolded shortly before 11:30 p.m. in the Kingsessing neighborhood, police said.

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Investigators said the gunfire erupted on the 1900 block of South Salford Street, when a man opened fire from a passing SUV into a holiday gathering.

Maurice Quain, 19, was struck in the head and pronounced dead at the scene. Eight others  including a 14-year-old boy and a 24-year-old man  were injured after being hit by gunfire, according to police. Several parked vehicles were also struck. Investigators recovered 20 shell casings from the street.

The shooting was one of dozens over the last decade in Philadelphia in which five or more people were struck, reflecting what was at the time a sustained surge in gun violence. Homicides have since declined sharply, mirroring a broader national drop in violent crime.

Police are asking anyone with information about the shooting or Sills whereabouts to contact the Homicide Unit at 215-686-3334 or 215-686-3335, or submit a tip to 215-686-TIPS.
Dr. Tony B. Watlington Sr, center, and Mayor Cherelle L. Parker, right, shown in this 2025 file photo, both appeared at a high-stakes City Council budget hearing Tuesday. Read more

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Mayor Cherelle L. Parker on Wednesday made her best case for public schools, urging a skeptical City Council to rally behind her proposed rideshare tax and to understand why some schools must close.

The extraordinary, 75-minute speech came after several City Council members threatened to hold up Philadelphia School District funding if the board continues with plans to close certain schools, including Lankenau High School.

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In surrounding suburban counties, and elsewhere in Pennsylvania, Parker noted, if school systems need money to fix buildings, buy books or hire teachers, their boards raise the money themselves. In Philadelphia, the school board lacks that option.

Its this legislative body, not that school board, that has the power to generate the revenue that the School District of Philadelphia needs, Parker said. Were not like the other school districts in our region. We have to work together in order to get it done, and I want us to figure out a way to get to yes.

 READ MORE: Why City Council is threatening to block Mayor Cherelle Parkers Uber tax if it doesnt get its way on school closures

The state contributes about half of the districts funding. But a landmark 2023 Commonwealth Court decision certified that Pennsylvania fails to meet its obligation to fund low-wealth districts like Philadelphia, which is underfunded by more than $1 billion annually, according to a state analysis.

Council members have made clear that though the district is insisting the rideshare tax and Superintendent Tony B. Watlington Sr.s $3 billion facilities plan  which would close 17 schools and modernize 169  are unrelated, separating them is impossible.

Though closings are painful, Parker said, they are a must. And if Philadelphia wants to get more funding from the state, she said, the city must show that its made tough decisions and has put up extra funding, too.

Mr. President, I know were not trying to build the education system for the past  were working on our childrens future, the mayor said, speaking to City Council President Kenyatta Johnson at the districts annual budget hearing. Right now, we are maintaining square footage as it crumbles, instead of investing in opportunities our students actually need. Yes, this means making difficult but responsible decisions and thats what the district has worked through.

In the past, Parker said, when the district faced financial crises, the city stepped up with new, recurring revenue.

As the district faces a $300 million structural deficit and classroom cuts that would mean the loss of 340 teachers, counselors, and climate staff, its time to step up again, Parker said.

This legislative body and the executive branch, we have always risen to the occasion, Parker said.

The mayor ended her speech by calling each council member by name.

I cant do it without you, Parker said. Humbly, humbly, I say to each of you, Im asking you, whatever meetings need to take place, one-on-one conversations ...everybody acknowledges that we cant keep doing the same thing and expecting a different outcome and expecting them to respond when they ask us, Are we willing to do the hard work? I want to work with each of you.

Later, City Council asked Watlington and school board president Reginald Streater pointed questions.

Councilmember Curtis Jones Jr. said he willingly took public hits for voting to raise taxes in the past when the district needed them. And he acknowledged the districts academics are improving, and that the facilities plan does some good, like moving the Workshop School into Overbrook High, Jones alma mater, to boost utilization at Overbrook.

But, he said, the lack of willingness to work with council on things like keeping open Lankenau, which sits in his district, makes him wonder.

I want to continue my track record of being supportive of you and in public education, Jones said. But its difficult for me to knock on the door and say, Oh, by the way, Im raising your taxes, and Im closing your kids school. Make that make sense for me.

Several council members pressed the board to delay its scheduled Thursday vote on the facilities plan. Councilmember Isaiah Thomas, chair of the education committee, was clear.

If youre telling us that we have to deal with this facilities plan, this is where we are, there will be no modifications, just know that were gonna return that same energy, Thomas said, adding that based on councils unanswered questions on the plan, were just not ready for [a school board vote] yet.

Streater said he could not make the call to delay a vote without engaging with the full school board.

In good faith, I am unwilling to tell you exactly what Im going to tell my board to do, because thats not how it works, Streater said. You will know as soon as I can possibly get the answer.

City Council is scheduled to meet Thursday at 10 a.m.; the school board is scheduled to meet later Thursday, at 4 p.m.
Radnor school board members Susan Stern and Jannie Lau listen during public comment during the policy committee meeting at the Radnor Township School District administration building Feb. 10. Read more

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The Radnor school board on Tuesday explicitly banned the use of artificial intelligence to create sexualized images of another person, after a student made deepfakes of female classmates.

But how the changes will be enforced remains an open question, given that the school district says it has limited authority over student conduct off campus.

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These policies identify the issue, but they do not yet ensure accountability or protection, said Audrey Greenberg, whose daughter was victimized.

The policy changes come as schools are increasingly grappling with how to handle situations where students make so-called deepfakes, using AI to create nude or inappropriate images. The issue has also emerged in the Council Rock School District and in Lancaster, where two boys who made hundreds of images of female classmates at Lancaster Country Day School were sentenced last month to probation and ordered to pay $12,000 in restitution.

Pennsylvania lawmakers have defined AI-generated explicit images of minors as child sexual abuse material, and have also moved to require school staff to report those images as child abuse.

Debate around Radnors response to deepfakes erupted after freshman girls were told in December that a male classmate had created sexual videos of them.

 READ MORE: Radnor and Council Rock students made AI deepfakes of classmates. Parents say the schools failed to protect their daughters.

A police investigation didnt turn up any videos, though parents said police didnt subpoena social media companies or the app the boy admitted to using.

They also objected to the districts framing of the incident: While police charged the boy with harassment, a January message to district families said that a student had created images of classmates that move and dance, and that police had not found evidence of anything inappropriate.

Policy changes approved Tuesday place new restrictions around the use of AI by students.

The non-consensual use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) to create, modify, distribute, or solicit sexualized, indecent, or intimate content involving another person is strictly prohibited and constitutes sexual harassment, the new language reads.

But it isnt clear whether the policy revisions would have changed the districts handling of the December deepfakes.

A provision added to the bullying policy reads: Examples of the specific circumstances in which the District has jurisdiction over a students conduct that takes place off campus will be outlined in the accompanying Administrative Regulation. The revised harassment policy also includes language specifying that the district will investigate conduct that occurs in the districts education program or activity.

The administrative regulations werent available for review Tuesday. A district spokesperson did not immediately respond to a question Wednesday about when they would be made public.

Greenberg questioned the lack of clarity around when Radnor would regulate off-campus activity.

In cases like this, where the harm shows up in school every day, the distinction matters, she said.

Greenberg said she appreciated the changes, including language noting that AI deepfakes could be criminal, but said the policies failed to specify what support victims could expect.

Morgan Dorfman, another parent of a victim, said that Radnors response to the deepfakes sent the wrong message ... that unless something is seen in school, it doesnt count. That if something is deleted, it never happened.

That is not how you protect students, Dorfman told the board.
FILE - Students work under Ten Commandments and Bill of Rights posters on display in a classroom at Lehman High School in Kyle, Texas, Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Eric Gay,File) Read more

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DALLAS  Texas can require the Ten Commandments to be displayed in public schools, a U.S. appeals court has ruled in a victory for conservatives who have long sought to incorporate more religion into classrooms.

The 9-8 decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit on Tuesday delivered a boost to backers of similar laws in Arkansas and Louisiana. Opponents have argued that hanging the Ten Commandments in classrooms proselytizes to students and amounts to religious indoctrination by the government.

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In a lengthy majority opinion, the conservative-leaning appeals court in New Orleans rejected those arguments in Texas, saying the requirement does not step on the rights of parents or students.

No child is made to recite the Commandments, believe them, or affirm their divine origin, the ruling says.

The American Civil Liberties Union and other groups that challenged the Texas law on behalf of parents said in a statement that they anticipate appealing the ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court.

The First Amendment safeguards the separation of church and state, and the freedom of families to choose how, when and if to provide their children with religious instruction. This decision tramples those rights, they said in the statement.

The mandate is one of several fronts in Texas that opponents have fought over religion in classrooms. In 2024, the state approved optional Bible-infused curriculum for elementary schools, and a proposal set for a vote in June would add Bible stories to required-reading lists in Texas classrooms.

The decision over the Ten Commandments law reverses a lower federal court ruling that had blocked about a dozen Texas school districts  including some of the states largest  from putting up the posters. The Texas law signed by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott took effect in September, marking the largest attempt in the nation to hang the Ten Commandments in public schools.

From the start, the law was met by a mix of embrace and hesitation in Texas classrooms that educate the states 5.5 million public school students.

The mandate animated school board meetings, spun up guidance about what to say when students ask questions, and led to boxes of donated posters being dropped on the doorsteps of campuses statewide. Although the law only requires schools to hang the posters if donated, one school district outside Dallas spent nearly $1,800 to print roughly 5,000 posters.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a Republican, called the ruling a major victory for Texas and our moral values.

The Ten Commandments have had a profound impact on our nation, and its important that students learn from them every single day, he said.

Tuesdays ruling comes after the appeals court heard arguments in January in the Texas case and a similar case in Louisiana. In February, the court cleared the way for Louisiana to enforce its law requiring the display of the Ten Commandments in classrooms.

Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill, a Republican, said the Texas ruling adopted our entire legal defense of the law in her state. In Alabama, Republican Gov. Kay Ivey signed a similar law earlier this month.

Our law clearly was always constitutional, and I am grateful that the Fifth Circuit has now definitively agreed with us, Murrill said in a statement posted to social media.

Judge Stephen A. Higginson, in a dissenting opinion joined by four others on the court, wrote that the framers of the Constitution intended disestablishment of religion, above all to prevent large religious sects from using political power to impose their religion on others.

Yet Texas, like Louisiana, seeks to do just that, legislating that specific, politically chosen scripture be installed in every public-school classroom, Higginson wrote.

The law says schools must put donated posters in a conspicuous place and requires the writing to be a size and typeface that is visible from anywhere in a classroom to a person with average vision. The displays must be 16 inches wide and 20 inches tall.

Texas law easily passed the GOP-controlled legislature, and Republicans, including President Donald Trump, have backed posting the Ten Commandments in classrooms.
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Billions in frozen assets may be handed back to Iran. Agreements to limit Tehrans nuclear program may eventually expire. And some of the same hard-line leaders who crushed nationwide protests in January could end up better-resourced than they were before President Donald Trump unleashed crushing airstrikes more than seven weeks ago.

After a decade of fiercely attacking a previous deal with Iran, Trump, pursuing a way out of a war he launched, has authorized U.S. negotiators to consider a bargain that involves many of the same trade-offs one of his predecessors confronted.

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Though talks appear paused for now following Trumps decision on Tuesday to extend the ceasefire indefinitely while Iran comes up with a unified proposal, the president will likely face the same challenges no matter when negotiators eventually sit down with each other.

With the conflict on hold, the uneasy truce could solidify. But shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has not returned to normal levels amid a continuing U.S. blockade of Iranian ports and Irans assertion of control over the shipping lanes. That has created a drag on global energy markets. Iran retains control over its trove of highly enriched uranium, which Trump has previously said is unacceptable.

The potential terms of a deal have Trump making efforts to shore up his hard-line support as Iran hawks warn that the president should not be too eager to strike a deal.

Pallets of cash without the pallets, Peter Doran, a senior adjunct fellow at the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, wrote on X, reviving a long-used Republican criticism of President Barack Obamas Iran deal, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), to attack the proposals currently under discussion.

Trump and other Republican critics of that 2015 deal have spent the last decade blasting it for handing pallets of cash to Iran  a reference to $1.7 billion that the Obama administration agreed to send to Tehran that was the resolution of a decades-old business dispute. Obama administration officials later acknowledged they hoped the money would ensure the Iranians held to their side of the bargain. Trump pulled the United States out of the agreement in 2018.

Now, the Trump administration is floating the possibility of unfreezing $20 billion  including proceeds from Iranian oil sales that sanctions have locked up in banks around the world. The money would be a bargaining chip to secure Irans stockpile of highly enriched uranium. But other elements of the deal are still in question  including points that unsettle some of those who criticized the earlier agreement.

Theyre running into the same fundamental hurdle that shaped the long decade-plus of negotiations that finally led to the JCPOA, which is that the Iranians are completely immovable on the question of enrichment of nuclear fuel, said Suzanne Maloney, a vice president of the Brookings Institution who is an Iran expert.

Iran has long denied that it seeks a nuclear weapon but argues that it has a right under international law to enrich uranium or other nuclear materials to run a civilian nuclear program.

The Iranians are prepared to accept certain compromises in terms of timelines and level of enrichment and what happens to the stockpile, Maloney said. But they are completely unwilling to simply give up enrichment. And that was one of the core critiques of the 2015 deal.

Trump publicly insists that his deal will not share the flaws he had denounced in his predecessors agreement.

The 2015 deal was a guaranteed Road to a Nuclear Weapon, which will not, and cannot, happen with the Deal were working on, Trump wrote on Truth Social on Monday, adding, The DEAL that we are making with Iran will be FAR BETTER.

If a Deal happens under TRUMP, it will guarantee Peace, Security, and Safety, not only for Israel and the Middle East, but for Europe, America, and everywhere else. It will be something that the entire World will be proud of, he wrote.

The political risks, however, are significant, both for Trump and for Vice President JD Vance, who has taken a leading role in the negotiations as he contemplates his desire to win the presidency in 2028.

The vice president, long a proponent of maintaining a restrained approach to U.S. military action around the world, was among the most skeptical of launching a war with Iran in the lead-up to the February attacks by the U.S. and Israel. Now he has been charged with ending it  and potentially owning whatever painful compromises may be necessary.

The White Houses efforts to seek a deal have put some of its supporters in a tricky place, especially while money is being floated as a bargaining chip.

You fall into a slippery slope where you forget the money is fungible, and so you know, whether its $20 million or $10 billion or $6 billion in the end, if its a regime that has not given you a concession on a key illicit activity, like sponsoring terrorism or producing something of a threat, there will always be an argument that Did you free up X amount of money here to pay for this? said Richard Goldberg, who worked on Iran issues in the first Trump administration and worked on Trumps National Energy Dominance Council for part of last year.

Then you free up that amount of money over there to pay for something else. And so, you know, there will always be an argument that youre indirectly subsidizing the illicit activities that they have not halted, he said.

But he said that if Trump can secure the highly enriched uranium and dismantle a deeply buried nuclear facility under construction at an Iranian site known as Pickaxe Mountain, thats pretty game-changing. You basically, at least for now and for the next several years, have eliminated the nuclear threat that Iran poses.

In addition to the nuclear issue, Trump wants a new deal to tackle issues that Obamas negotiators left aside. The Obama-era deal was always limited in scope to Irans nuclear program. It left untouched Irans missile program and the regimes support for regional proxies including Hamas and Hezbollah, which Trump has said he wants a new deal to cover.

The president has also said he hopes to bar Iran from any nuclear enrichment at all. If Iran were to agree to a temporary moratorium, that would be stricter than the 2015 deal, which allowed Iran to maintain its civilian enrichment program for use in its power plants.

The asks by Iran are going to be greater than they were in 2015, in part because the administration is trying to do so much, said Wendy Sherman, who was the lead U.S. negotiator with Iran under Obama. Its not clear to me what Trumps bottom lines are. Is it a stockpile? Is it enrichment? Is it missiles? Is it proxies? Is it the Strait of Hormuz?

If he gets a suspension of 10, 15, 20 years of enrichment, we did not get a suspension of their enrichment program, so that will be more than we got on that element, Sherman said. But how will it be verified? Its totally unclear to me or anybody, probably to him. And what will Trump have to give in return?

Complicating matters further, the world has changed in the 11 years since Secretary of State John Kerry and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif strode smiling out of a genteel hotel in Vienna having struck a deal. After years of talks, Iran agreed in 2015 to accept strict limits on its nuclear enrichment, in exchange for gradual relief from economic sanctions.

Back then, Iran had no highly enriched uranium. In the years since Trump pulled out of the JCPOA, it built a stockpile of about 970 pounds of uranium enriched to 60%  just short of weapons-grade level, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Irans current government is also more hard-line than the reformist leaders who made the deal with Obama.

Tehran has been deeply weakened by aggressive military action over the last year: first the 12-day war with Israel in June that was punctuated by Trumps strikes on nuclear facilities, and now the U.S. war that Trump says has destroyed much of Irans military, along with its top ranks of leaders. Its regional proxies Hamas and Hezbollah are far weaker. A major backer, Russia, is distracted by the war in Ukraine.

That could soften the ground for a deal. But Iran, too, has bargaining chips. The Iranian regime has demonstrated its staying power  and it has unleashed a powerful new ability to throttle shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, driving up energy prices around the world, including in the United States. Facing withering U.S. attacks, some hard-liners in Tehran may be more inclined to seek a nuclear weapon, increasing pressure on Washington to address the uranium stockpile.

There are also dynamics that might make Tehran less inclined to strike a deal, said Richard Nephew, a former State Department official who helped craft the sanctions regime against Iran under the Obama administration that built pressure for an agreement.

In a funny way, the war almost releases some of the pressure on Iran, said Nephew, who is now a senior research scholar at Columbia University.

They have demonstrated that they can take a punch and that they can respond accordingly, rather than fearing what form U.S. pressure on the Iranians might take, he said. And the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the more hard-line part of Irans ruling elite, is now firmly at the fore, eliminating the tension with moderates that previously created space for negotiations.

Nephew is a proponent of the 2015 deal. But he said he was leery of striking a fresh agreement with the new group of Iranian leaders.

Im not so sure its a fabulously great idea that after the January protests, we should be looking to do major sanctions relief for the Iranian government that killed all those people, Nephew said.
An abandoned car, without plates, parked for months on the 700 block of East Ontario Street in Kensington in July 2024. Read more

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In Philly, abandoned cars are like giant aluminum pests  persistent and difficult to fully eradicate, and seemingly most abundant in the spring and summer.

The number of reports of abandoned cars to 311 has risen significantly over the last decade in Philadelphia, with seasonal peaks in the warmer months and valleys in the colder ones.

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In 2016, the greatest number of abandoned vehicle reports in a month was 1,638 in August. In May 2024, there were 3,585, an all-time high.

But while the number of abandoned car reports remains high, the city may have finally begun to reverse the trend. In 2025, there were 27,992 abandoned vehicle reports, the lowest total since 2020 and down roughly 5,000 reports from 2024.

Those working on the abandoned car problem say progress has come as Mayor Cherelle L. Parkers administration has prioritized it and other quality-of-life issues. What used to be a more siloed process among the city, the police department, and the Philadelphia Parking Authority has benefited from more collaboration, they said.

But even when those parties are working efficiently, the process from receiving a report of an abandoned car to actually removing it can take months. The police department aims to investigate a car within 120 days, according to a police spokesperson.

Some residents said they have noticed a positive difference since Parker took office in January 2024. But in areas with particularly high numbers of reported cars, such as North Philly, West Philly, and Kensington, residents wish more was being done to rid their neighborhoods of the vehicles that have become large, unseemly nuisances, taking up parking spaces and slowing traffic.

Its like youre succeeding an inch when youd rather have 10, said Kate Clarke, president of the Juniata Park Civic Association.

A persistent problem

An old car has been parked in the same place on your street for weeks, and finding a parking spot nearby is challenging enough as it is. Its time to report the car as abandoned to 311. But what happens next?

Philly311 accepts service requests via phone, web, mobile app, and email. A 311 agent takes the information from the submission and generates a report with a tracking number and information about the car, like its location, make, model, color, and condition, and forwards it to the police department.

The police use several criteria to determine if a vehicle is abandoned, but all concern whether the vehicle exhibits safety hazards or violates motor vehicle code. Generally, cars in violation of those conditions have 48 hours before they can be considered abandoned. Those include vehicles illegally parked on public property, or left unattended on public property without a valid license plate or inspection tags.

Vehicles with registration and inspection that have been expired for more than 90 days can also be considered abandoned, as well as those parked on private property for more than 24 hours without the consent of the property owner.

The Philadelphia Police Department Neighborhood Services Unit collects the 311 complaints and assigns them to one of a few different kinds of officers  its own officers, district-specific abandoned vehicle officers, public safety enforcement officers managed by the Philadelphia Streets Department, or the PPA.

The Neighborhood Services Unit also conducts sweeps every other week looking for abandoned vehicles. And the PPA routinely handles abandoned vehicle reports in the 12th Police District in Southwest Philly and the 15th District in the Northeast, which have historically seen the most complaints. Residents may also report abandoned vehicles directly to the PPA, though it directly enforces only registration and parking violations and leaves other vehicles to the police.

Yet there are still plenty of abandoned cars lying around, rusting and taking up space. The Neighborhood Services Unit typically receives 700 to 800 abandoned vehicle complaints per week, police said. Limited storage capacity for repair shops and tow operators also can lead to more cars left on the streets, and there has been a nationwide uptick in stolen cars in recent years.

The police and PPA used to handle abandoned vehicles mostly independently, but under Parker, there is more collaboration and a more proactive focus on the issue, according to PPA executive director Richard Lazer, who came to the agency from the city in 2022. From that May 2024 peak, abandoned vehicle reports dropped by about 1,000 last May.

Everybody is rowing in the same direction, Lazer said.

The number of reported cars may not tell the full story. Multiple reports could concern the same car, though 311 does work to consolidate them. When police or the PPA investigate a reported vehicle, officers determine if it meets the criteria for towing, or should receive a warning instead, or may not qualify for enforcement at all. It could just be gone by the time they arrive.

Lazer said he believes the city is doing a better job on abandoned cars than the numbers suggest. He thinks more people are contacting 311 about abandoned cars now that they are aware of Parkers broader focus on cleaning up the city.

When people see results  when people see that there is more emphasis on this quality-of-life work, youll get more people who put in more complaints because they feel like  you know what, theres things happening, he said.

One car at a time

Its a typical day for Lucinda Hudson as president of the Parkside Association of Philadelphia if one of her neighbors calls to complain about an abandoned car.

We get those calls quite often, she said.

Hudson said traffic and parking are strained in her West Philly community, and the presence of abandoned cars only makes the streets more crowded. She finds the PPA and police are fairly responsive when neighbors report an abandoned vehicle, though that does not necessarily mean the car gets towed right away.

Police have to investigate the reported vehicle, and there is nothing they can do if the car is in a legal parking space and has proper registration, an officer told her.

Neighborhood leaders said some residents are frustrated with how long the process can take.

Abandoned cars arent always a priority, Clarke said. Her Juniata Park community had more than 1,050 abandoned vehicle complaints last year, the fifth most of any neighborhood.

But though the problem is not improving as quickly as they would like, both women give Parker and the city credit for the work they are doing to chip away at things.

I think they are doing the best that they can.  Its time-consuming, Hudson said.
Police said Dieufort Joly drove his black 2007 Hyundai Tucson into the front lobby of the 2nd Police District building on Tuesday afternoon. Read more

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A 26-year-old man who injured five people Tuesday by driving his car into a Northeast Philly police building is facing aggravated assault and related charges, the Philadelphia District Attorneys Office announced Wednesday.

The driver, Dieufort Joly, of the Rhawnhurst section of Northeast Philly, was charged with aggravated assault, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, risking catastrophe, institutional vandalism, criminal mischief, and possession of instrument of crime, according the District Attorneys Office. .

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On Tuesday afternoon, around 1:40 p.m., Joly drove his black 2007 Hyundai Tucson into the front lobby of the 2nd Police District building at 7306 Castor Ave. in Rhawnhurst , police said. None of the five people hurt was seriously injured. Joly exited his car and walked out onto Castor Avenue, where he was arrested, police said. The building was significantly damaged but there was no structural damage.

We understand how traumatic this was for civilians. We understand how traumatic this was for anyone in law enforcement who may have witnessed it, District Attorney Larry Krasner said Wednesday at a news conference. These are heavy charges.

Aggravated assault carries a maximum sentence of 10 to 20 years in prison, Krasner said. However, those charges may change as police and federal authorities continue to investigate Jolys motive.

Earlier on the day of the crash, authorities said Joly was involved in a domestic situation with his father that led to a police interaction around 11:45 a.m. That dispute involved the discussion of the sale of a car and a possible return to Haiti, Krasner said.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 11, Krasner said.
Lankenau High student Wyntir Alford, a 10th grader, speaks at a news conference at her Philadelphia public school, which the school board is poised to close. Alford is surrounded by (from left) City Councilmember Curtis Jones Jr., City Councilmember Jamie Gauthier, City Councilmember Nina Ahmad, State Rep. Tarik Khan, and State Rep. Morgan Cephas. All of the lawmakers are opposed to the Philadephia School Districts plan to close Lankenau and other schools, and some threatened to withhold district funding over the issue. Read more

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The School District of Philadelphia announced a new plan on Monday for the future of Roxboroughs Lankenau Environmental Science Magnet High School  just three days before the school board votes on Thursday.

The school districts latest idea is to close Lankenau, send its students to WB Saul High School in 2027, and to turn the schools 17-acre property and its 6,000-square-foot school building into an environmental education center for the school district.

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Superintendent Tony Watlington says the plan will save money. But caring for and operating the site as an environmental center, and busing students to the site, will cost the district money, not save it.

How do I know this? Because I run the 365-acre Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education  the largest privately held natural area in Philadelphia, which also happens to be directly adjacent to Lankenau High School.

In fact, the Center sold the property to Lankenau for its school in 1973. Given the Centers mission of education and stewardship, a deed restriction was built into that sale, limiting the use of that property to environmental education, and stipulating that the Schuylkill Center has the right to buy the property back, at a discount, if the property is ever put up for sale.

Thousands of students come to our Center on field trips each year to learn about the environment. Most of those visitors are from schools where a large percentage of the students live in poverty. About 50 children attend our nature preschool each day, and 1,100 children attend our summer camp in nature. Adults come for a variety of programs, and our wildlife clinic treats 3,000 wild animals every year.

There is no need to create an environmental education center where one already exists. It is like building a Giant next to an Acme. Or a Sheetz next to a Wawa. Or, like they used to say back in the day, putting a Macys next to a Gimbels.

Lankenau students benefit from their school remaining where it is. Taking the environment away from an environmental school simply makes no sense. Moving students to Saul, an agricultural school on a farm site, is not the same.

The immersive high school education that Lankenau provides in environmental science, hands-on learning, stewardship, technology, and the green economy make it truly singular in our school district. It makes no sense to close the only environmental magnet school in the city  which operates with a 100% graduation rate  where students learn in the environment, with forests, fields and nature just outside the front door.

The superintendent says the school is closing because of underenrollment  but this is a self-created problem. The district can solve it by opening enrollment in this high-performing and award-winning magnet school to more students.

The students at Lankenau are thriving with nature as one of their teachers. And they have been united in their plea to keep their school open.

I urge the school board to listen to them and the voices of their community, and to conserve what is precious and cannot be replaced.

Save Lankenau High School.

Erin Mooney is the executive director of the Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education.
Sen. John Fetterman and colleagues from both sides of the aisle want hot rotisserie chicken to be eligible for SNAP. Read more

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Sen. John Fetterman thinks that everyone should enjoy a hot rotisserie chicken. And he is not alone.

Fetterman, a Pennsylvania Democrat, joined a bipartisan group of lawmakers Tuesday in introducing the Hot Rotisserie Chicken Act, which would make the hot food eligible for purchase through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps.

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SNAP provides Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards that function as a debit card for low-income households. The cards can be used for staple foods, like vegetables, meats, and breads, that are usually prepared at home to make a meal, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Prepared or heated foods do not qualify.

But anyone who has grabbed a hot chicken when running low on groceries (or time) can tell you that it can be made into many meals.

Americas best (and delicious) affordability play is Costcos $4.99 rotisserie chicken  its one of my familys favorites and Im proud to join this bill with Sen. Justice for all to try, Fetterman said in a statement, referring to Sen. Jim Justice (R., W.Va.), the bills lead sponsor.

Fetterman is one of three cosponsors, along with Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R., W.Va.) and Sen. Michael Bennet (D., Colo.).

SNAP funds would be well spent to feed our nations families who need it, Fetterman said.

Current SNAP rules allow cooked rotisserie chickens to be bought with benefits if they have been cooled down, according to the legislators.

The bill is laser-focused on hot rotisserie chicken. It would change the definition of food in the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to include the food item, but it would not add any other hot foods.

Fetterman is a cosponsor of a separate bill that would allow hot foods and hot prepared foods more broadly. That bill was introduced by members of the Democratic caucus last March and has not moved forward.

Last year, the Pennsylvania Democrat also introduced a bill that would allow USDA to repay people who had money stolen from their EBT cards, which also has not progressed.
State Rep. Chris Rabb participates in a debate at Center in the Park in Germantown on April 14. He is running to represent the 3rd Congressional District. Read more

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State Rep. Chris Rabb, a Philadelphia progressive currently locked in a three-way battle for an open seat in Congress, will appear next week on a show hosted by Hasan Piker, a controversial leftist political commentator and streamer who has a global audience.

Rabbs campaign said Wednesday that Piker will be in Philadelphia on April 30, and a spokesperson praised the streamer for taking on corporate greed and the billionaires raising our prices to opposing genocide and forever wars.

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He has energized so many young voters who have become disillusioned with our political system, who dont see this party fighting with the urgency this moment demands, Rabbs campaign said in a statement. We are glad our campaigns platform is giving a voice to the majority of Democratic voters looking to send a fighter to Congress.

Pikers broadcast, which reaches millions of viewers every day on the livestreaming service Twitch, is one of the largest platforms to host any of the candidates running for the 3rd Congressional District seat so far. The interview with Rabb will take place fewer than three weeks before Election Day on May 19.

The district, which is currently represented by retiring U.S. Rep. Dwight Evans, is one of the bluest in the nation and comprises about half of Philadelphia.

The other two front-runners for the Democratic nomination are State Sen. Sharif Street, who has the support of the Democratic City Committee, and physician Ala Stanford, a first-time political candidate who was endorsed by Evans.

The announcement comes as Piker has become increasingly involved in electoral politics in recent months and has landed at the center of a national debate over whether the Democratic establishment should embrace leftist influencers as the party tries to regain power.

Driving that conversation are past comments Piker made that are critical of Israel and of U.S. foreign policy, including saying in 2019 that America deserved the Sept. 11 attacks, a comment he later said was poorly worded.

Piker is a strident anti-Zionist and recently stood by a past comment that Hamas  the militant group that perpetrated the Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel  is a thousand times better than the fascist settler colonial apartheid state of Israel.

However, Piker has rejected critics who have labeled him as antisemitic, saying his views about the Israeli government are not directed at Jewish people broadly.

And he draws a large audience among young people who feel disconnected from both political parties.

Still, Rabbs announcement drew swift condemnation from one of his opponents. Street, who would be Pennsylvanias first-ever Muslim member of Congress, said in a statement about Piker that Philadelphians, and Americans, deserve better.

You cannot elevate and lend credibility to a known antisemite and bigot without playing into the type of divisive politics pioneered by Donald Trump  regardless of your position on the Middle East," Street said.

Some of the nations most prominent progressives have appeared on Pikers channel, including U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York. Zohran Mamdani, the recently elected mayor of New York City, went on Pikers broadcast during the mayoral campaign, and Piker recently campaigned with Abdul El-Sayed, a progressive U.S. Senate candidate in Michigan.

U.S. Rep. Summer Lee  a progressive from Pittsburgh who has endorsed Rabb  hosted Piker at the U.S. Capitol in November.

Appearing on Pikers show is something of a natural fit for Rabb, an anti-establishment five-term state representative from Northwest Philadelphia who considers himself a democratic socialist.

Rabb has made much of his campaign about the war in Gaza, which he considers a genocide perpetrated by Israel, and he has frequently attacked his two top rivals in the race for refusing to use the term.

 READ MORE: Ala Stanford and Chris Rabb are trading accusations as AIPAC becomes a flash point in Phillys U.S. House race

He has also harshly criticized the pro-Israel lobby in America, most notably the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). During a candidates forum in January, when asked whether he would ever meet with the group, Rabb said f AIPAC and referred to the organization as racist.

The comment resurfaced last week and drew admiration from Piker, who called Rabb my GOAT, an acronym for greatest of all time.

Staff writer Sam Janesch contributed to this article.
Superintendent Tony Watlington testifies at City Council. Read more Alejandro A. Alvarez / Staff Photographer

Council has no direct power over the districts facilities plan. But Council President Kenyatta Johnson indicated weeks ago that lawmakers may be willing to use the rideshare tax proposal as a bargaining chip against the school district.

When he was asked about the rideshare tax on the first day of budget hearings, Johnson immediately pivoted to the facilities plan.

Before we look at supporting additional funding for the school district, I also want to make sure were also  addressing the issues that are concerning my members around the school facilities plan, Johnson told reporters. Thats really where my focus is right now.

Uber has launched a full-court press to persuade lawmakers to reject the tax.

This will raise the cost of rides, making it more expensive for Philadelphians to get to work, medical appointments, school, and other essential services, Uber spokesperson Jazmin Kay said Tuesday.

 READ MORE: Uber has launched an all-out pressure campaign to oppose Mayor Parkers $1-per-ride tax

But Parker and her aides have doubled down on the proposal.

With this revenue and the districts own efficiencies, approximately 340 school-based positions can be retained, avoiding harmful cuts that would otherwise be necessary, Debora Carrera, the chief education officer, told Council on Tuesday. It is also our hope that if the city approves this new revenue, the commonwealth will continue building on the progress we made in Harrisburg, so our schools have the foundation they need to succeed.

Two problems in one budget cycle

The political pickle facing Council members is the result of Watlington attempting to tackle two complicated issues simultaneously: the facilities plan and a multiyear effort to close the districts structural budget gap.

Watlington noted Tuesday that lawmakers have been calling for the district to develop a long-term plan to address its aging infrastructure, including schools in need of lead and asbestos remediation, since before he took office in 2022.

The district was admonished for not moving fast enough, Watlington said.

As for the operating budget shortfall, Watlington ticked off the factors that have left the district perpetually short on cash: decades of underfunding from Harrisburg, the expiration of federal pandemic relief money, increases in the payments the district must send to charter schools, salary hikes for teachers, and rising healthcare costs.

This is not a management issue, Watlington said. Its just economics.

Councilmember Rue Landau, however, questioned why the district had to enact those cuts this year. And she recounted a conversation in which she said Watlington told her that part of his motivation was to curry favor with Harrisburg lawmakers.

Your reason for getting rid of the deficit all at once in this one year is because you believe that Harrisburg will give us more money, Landau said. What evidence do you have that Harrisburg will give us more money if we eliminate the deficit in one year?

Watlington responded that it would help district and city officials make the case that were doing our part; you do your part.

I dont have any magic wand or crystal ball, but I think it puts the city in a stronger footing, he said.

Philadelphia is the only school district in Pennsylvania that is not allowed to raise its own revenue and instead relies on city and state lawmakers for funding.

DOA  for now

The school boards sudden scheduling of the vote on the facilities plan and closures for Thursday appeared to have caught lawmakers off-guard, prompting the intense response at Tuesdays meeting of the Committee of the Whole, which is composed of all 17 Council members.

What I would suggest is the school board, the superintendent, the administration should read the room, Jones said during the hearing, describing the rideshare tax proposal as DOA, or dead on arrival.

Jones later said that a majority of Council members likely supported the proposal at the beginning of the day, but that the measure no longer had the votes to pass due to members frustrations with the administration and the districts responses to their questions Tuesday.

When this day started, you had nine votes for an Uber tax, Jones said. The way my Council math works, you might be at six. Maybe.

Despite the rhetoric, it is far from certain that Council would follow through on its threat to reject the rideshare tax. One of the few things as politically hazardous as raising taxes is being blamed for school cuts.

At the end of Streaters impromptu testimony, Gilmore Richardson asked him to commit to delaying the facilities plan vote.

Today, Im not prepared or even empowered to answer that question. We are a board, Streater said.

Johnson then noted that Streater was scheduled to testify again before Council on Wednesday for a hearing on the school district budget.

As the board president of the Philadelphia Board of Education, I will testify tomorrow and respond and answer that question, Streater said.

Staff writers Anna Orso and Kristen A. Graham contributed to this article.
Hackers linked to foreign governments are now behind the majority of nationally significant cyberattacks targeting the UK, the countrys top cybersecurity official is set to warn.

Richard Horne, chief executive officer of the National Cyber Security Centre, or NCSC, is scheduled to say in a speech on Wednesday that the country is facing four consequential cyberattacks every week and living through the most seismic geopolitical shift in modern history, according to a preview of his remarks, which were reviewed by Bloomberg News.

Horne named China, Iran and Russia as key adversaries posing a threat to UK cybersecurity.

Criminal activity such as ransomware remains the most prevalent threat to the vast majority of organizations, according to the prepared remarks. But the majority of the nationally significant incidents that my teams are handling now originate directly or indirectly from nation states.

The UK has faced a string of highly disruptive cyberattacks in recent years. Hackers have caused significant disruption at the National Health Service, the countrys Royal Mail postal service, while also inflicting major losses for leading manufacturers and retailers such as Jaguar Land Rover and Marks & Spencer Plc.

Echoing remarks made by the chief of UK spy agency MI6 in December, Horne will add that the world is more contested than it has been for decades. We are operating in a space between peace and war, he warns. Lets be clear, cyberspace is part of that contest.

The NCSC said in its most recent annual review, which assessed cyber activity between September 2024 and August 2025, that it had recorded 204 nationally significant cyberattacks in that period, more than double the number in the prior year. To be deemed a nationally significant incident, an attack must have had a serious impact on a large organization or pose a risk to the government and essential services.

China, he is set to say, has developed an eye-watering level of sophistication in their cyber operations. Iran, he warns, was almost certainly using cyber activity to support the repression of British individuals who are seen as a threat to the regime. He also said that Russia is taking the cyber lessons it has learned in Ukraine and applying them more widely.

The tactics and techniques honed in conflict are now being directed at states it considers hostile, he will say. We are seeing sustained Russian hybrid activity targeting assets across the UK and Europe.

Separately on Wednesday, the UK government is also planning to raise concerns about the impact of artificial intelligence on heightening cybersecurity threats. That comes amid warnings about the capabilities of Mythos, a new model developed by Anthropic PBC, which researchers say could be misused by criminals or governments to identify and exploit security vulnerabilities on a large scale.

Security minister Dan Jarvis is calling on AI companies to work with the government to build AI-powered cyber defense measures. Such cooperation could achieve capabilities that can protect our nations most critical networks by autonomously identifying and addressing vulnerabilities at a speed and scale no human can match, Jarvis will say in remarks at the CYBERUK conference in Glasgow, Scotland.

Photograph: An attendee types on a cyrillic laptop computer keyboard at the CrytoSpace conference in Moscow, Russia, on Friday, Dec. 8, 2017; photo credit: Andrey Rudakov/Bloomberg

Copyright 2026 Bloomberg.

Topics China
Drought in the contiguous United States has reached record levels for this time of year, weather data shows. Meteorologists said its a bad sign for the upcoming wildfire season, food prices and western water issues.

More than 61% of the Lower 48 states is in moderate to exceptional drought  including 97% of the Southeast and two-thirds of the West  according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Its the highest levels for this time of year since the drought monitor began in 2000.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrations comprehensive Palmer Drought Severity Index not only hit its highest level for March since records started in 1895, but last month was the third-driest month recorded regardless of time of year. It trailed only the famed Dust Bowl months of July and August 1934.

Because of record heat, much of the West has had exceptionally low levels of snow in the first few months of the year, which is usually how the region stores water for the summer. A different drought  connected to the jet stream keeping storms further north  has put the South from Texas all the way to the East Coast into a separate drought that just happens to coincide with whats going on in the West, said Brian Fuchs, a climatologist with the National Drought Mitigation Center.

It would take 19 inches of rain in one month to break the drought in eastern Texas and more than a foot of rain to solve the deficit for most of the Southeast, NOAA calculated.

Right now 61% of the country is in drought and thats steadily been going up for the calendar year, Fuchs said. We just havent seen too many springs where this amount of the country has been in this kind of shape.

Sticking out like a sore thumb is a highly technical but crucial measurement of the sponginess of the atmosphere  or how much moisture the hot, dry air is sucking up from the land its baking. Its called vapor pressure deficit. Its 77% above normal and more than 25% higher than the previous record for January through March in the West, said UCLA hydroclimatologist Park Williams.

That level of moisture-sucking from the ground wouldnt have appeared possible before now, Williams said.

Drought usually peaks in summer, not spring, and thats what worries meteorologists.

Fire tends to respond to heat and drought in an exponential manner, Williams said. For each degree of warming, you get a bigger bang in terms of fire than you got from the previous degree of warming.

In Arizona, cacti are blooming months early and the worry about water has already started, said Kathy Jacobs, director of the Center for Climate Adaptation Science and Solutions at the University of Arizona.

Those of us who are dependent on the Colorado River, of course, are very concerned about the fact that we dont have a negotiated path forward in the middle of what appears to be possibly the worst year of drought that weve all experienced, Jacobs said. We have lots of reservoirs that are not full.

Yale Climate Connections meteorologist Jeff Masters said his biggest concern is what drought will do to agriculture and then food prices. If America has a poor crop year because of the drought, it could be a global problem. A strong natural El Nino weather oscillation is predicted, which often reduces crop yield in other places across the globe, such as India.

UCLAs Williams said the drought and hotter weather are driven by both natural variability and human-caused climate change with randomness a slightly bigger factor.

All weather is now affected by climate change, Arizonas Jacobs said. There is no such thing as weather thats divorced from climate trends. But this extreme event is extreme in the way that weve been expecting: extreme heat waves, intense drought.

___

The Associated Press climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find APs standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.

Copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Its been called one of the most unusual medical malpractice cases and one that has raised questions for organ donors, organ recovery centers and their insurance carriers.

Paula Denison, age 57, was taken to the emergency room at Anderson Regional Medical Center in Meridian, Mississippi, late one afternoon in 2022. She showed signs of an aneurysm, brain swelling or a stroke. She was found to be drowsy and confused but with coherent speech, according to court documents.

Within a few hours, the woman was pronounced brain dead by a physician, then legally dead.

Denisons family arranged for her to be transported to the Mississippi Organ Recovery Agency, or MORA, a nonprofit center in Flowood, about an hour away, where her organs could be recovered and donated to patients in need.

About 2 a.m. the next morning, nurses at the recovery center started tests, including a surgical liver biopsy. Later that evening, Denison began showing medical signs inconsistent with human death, such as spontaneous respirations, a reactive pupil, and the presence of coughing and gag reflexes,' the Mississippi Supreme Court recounted in an opinion handed down last week.

The woman was taken back to the hospital, where, a day later, she was pronounced deadagain. Denisons daughter, Brooke, filed two lawsuits, one as administrator of the estate, against the organ recovery agency, the hospital and physicians involved, charging negligence. Brooke Denison also sued in her own name, seeking bystander recovery, arguing that she had suffered emotional distress and mental anguish upon learning of her mothers situation.

The circuit court in Meridian agreed with the organ center and defendant physician and dismissed the estates suit on the grounds that the Uniform Anatomical Gift Act, a model law adopted by Mississippi and most other states, provides immunity to the organ center. The trial court also dismissed the daughters lawsuit, noting that Brooke did not meet the statutory requirements because she had not actually witnessed the organ centers treatment of her mom. (The daughter did not file a wrongful death suit, based on the conclusion that Denison likely would not have survived, anyway.)

On appeal, the daughters attorney, Michael Jaques, argued that the law provides immunity only for actions taken by an organ center on a deceased person. But Denison was not dead. Jaques declined to comment while the case is still pending, but his appeal brief argued that the organ recover agency performed surgery on the living woman without anesthesia, something the immunity law does not apply to.

Later, after realizing Denison was not quite deceased, the center staff administered significant doses of propofol, Brookes team wrote.

Propofol is a powerful sedative and anesthetic. The organ center said it was ordered for sedation, but it also has been used as part of a euthanasia cocktail in Canada, the plaintiffs brief notes. Propofol was famously determined to be the drug overdose that killed pop star Michael Jackson in 2009, according to news and medical reports.

The Mississippi organ center never obtained the womans permission nor the familys consent before giving the dosage, the plaintiffs brief argued. It also kept Denison at the center for more than a day before notifying the family.

At no time on March 18 was any member of her family advised that she was alive,' Brookes lawyer wrote. At no time did the MORA representatives obtain consent to medically treat her as a live patient, or to give her propofol or any other drug to treat any illness or disease.

The daughters attorney also contended that the trial courts notion that she did not witness the negligent acts is misplaced. She was present at the hospital during some events, and observed procedures indirectly, even if she did not see them firsthand.

In the end, the state Supreme Court, which had consolidated the two suits, upheld the dismissal of the daughters bystander liability claim. The justices remanded the other claim to the trial court on procedural grounds: The circuit judge had granted the organ centers motion to dismiss the suit by considering information that was not part of the initial complaint, including medical records and an authorization form giving the center permission to harvest Denisons organs.

Because of the procedural issue, the justices declined to opine on the big question of legal immunity for the organ agency. In a dissenting opinion, though, Justice Kenneth Griffiths gave an idea of how that question may ultimately be decided: He wrote that the law is clear that the center and its director enjoy full immunity from tort actions.

Simply no authority exists for the majoritys conclusion that the record is not fully developed at this time for us to adequately address whether MORA should be granted immunity or not,' Griffiths wrote.

Its likely that on further proceedings, the trial court will grant immunity. But the case has raised issues about how the 58 organ agencies in the United States handle not-so-deceased patients, and whether liability insurance policies might exclude negligence toward or medical treatment of living persons at the centers.

Several companies offer liability insurance for organ recovery operations, including Liberty Mutuals Ironshore, Homewood Insurance and others. But it was unclear if those carriers policies exclude actions taken on people who are not yet deceased. The Mississippi centers director, Kevin Stump, could not be reached Tuesday. The lead lawyer for the Mississippi organ center, hired by the agencys insurance company, is Whitman Johnson, of Flowood. He declined to talk about the case or name the carrier. His reply brief in the appeal is here. The Association of Organ Procurement Organizations director of communications said liability coverage varies by organization.

Finding that organ-donor candidates are still alive is rare, but not unheard of. In 2024, a 36-year-old man in Richmond, Kentucky, was declared dead after a drug overdose. Later, he began thrashing around on a gurney, and the family was told those were merely reflexes. Eventually, the organ harvesting was cancelled, and the man was returned home, NPR News and other sites reported.

The Kentucky case and others like it were highlighted in a hearing held by a U.S. House committee examining organ procurement and oversight. Others, including Thaddeus Pope, a professor at Hamline University School of Law in Minnesota, has charged that organ centers have engaged in widespread violations of death determination protocols, sometimes attempting to harvest organs before death is certain.

The Mississippi Supreme Court opinion can be seen here.
Rideshare giant Uber is liable for the behavior of a driver who grabbed the inner thigh of a passenger as she was leaving the front seat of his car and asked if he could keep her with him, a jury in North Carolina found Monday.

The federal jury in Charlotte awarded the plaintiff $5,000 in damages, said Ellyn Hurd, one of the plaintiffs lawyers.

The so-called bellwether case is part of a broader group of sexual assault lawsuits filed against Uber in multiple jurisdictions around the country and is the third to go to trial. In February, a federal jury in Arizona ordered Uber to pay $8.5 million to a woman who said one of its drivers raped her during a trip using the platform. Last year, a California jury found Uber not liable for the alleged assault of a rider.

Uber, in an emailed statement, took note of the relatively small financial judgment in the North Carolina case and that the jury found that battery had occurred and not sexual assault.

The jurys award here should further bring these cases back to reality, as it represents a tiny fraction of previous demands, the Uber statement said, adding that the company has strong grounds for appeal because it believes the jury was incorrectly instructed on the question of liability.

The AP does not typically name people who have said they were sexually abused unless they have given consent through their attorneys or come forward publicly.

Hurd said the verdict bodes well for other plaintiffs, saying that Uber, not the plaintiffs, selected the North Carolina case as a test case for the broader group of pending lawsuits.

This was a case that they thought going in that they were going to win, Hurd said. They picked all the criteria  this is the case that they picked, that they wanted to try. And the jury believed the plaintiff and they lost.

The lawsuits follow years of criticism of Ubers safety record, including thousands of incidents of sexual assault reported by both passengers and drivers. Because Uber drivers are categorized as gig workers  working as contractors, rather than company employees  the platform has long maintained its not liable for their misconduct.

The judge presiding over the group of lawsuits, U.S. District Court Judge Charles R. Breyer, ruled that Uber was a common carrier under North Carolina law and was thus liable for the drivers action. Breyer said Uber holds itself out to the public as a transportation provider through its advertising and the control it exerts over Uber rides and the safety of its passengers. North Carolina could have explicitly exempted Uber and other rideshare providers from its common carrier liability, as Florida and Texas have, but did not, he said.

Hurd said that means the North Carolina jury only had to decide whether the attack happened.

The driver denied touching the plaintiff, Uber said. The company said the plaintiff never reported the incident to law enforcement and it only learned of it when the lawsuit was filed three years later.

Hurd said just because the plaintiff didnt report it to law enforcement doesnt mean its not true. During the trial, which started Wednesday and wrapped up Monday, the jury heard testimony from the driver, the plaintiff and friends of the plaintiff who corroborated her story, Hurd said.

Breyer, who is based in San Francisco in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, is due to hear two more sexual assault test case trials against Uber. The next is scheduled for mid-September in San Francisco.

Copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Florida Personal Auto Sharing Economy Ridesharing
Thousands of survivors of the 2025 Eaton Fire in Altadena, California, have elected to accept an upfront settlement from the utility accused of causing it, forgoing future litigation for a faster payment that could help them rebuild or relocate.

Related: Wildfires Used to Sleep at Night. Climate Change Has Them Burning Overtime

But unless a bill moving through Congress becomes law, that money could be taxed as income, taking big bites out of their payments and possibly disqualifying them from other government benefits.

There was this terrifying disbelief, Bree Jensen, communications director for the Eaton Fire Long-Term Recovery Group, said of informing fellow residents about the tax.

Thousands more who are suing the utility face the same prospect, as well as fire survivors in Colorado, Hawaii and Oregon after a tax exemption on wildfire-related compensation expired at the end of 2025.

In recent years, Congress has shielded wildfire settlements from taxes, but legislation to do so was short-lived and a struggle to pass, leaving gaps between laws that risk saddling some survivors with a possible tax burden on their compensation. A bipartisan House bill to extend the tax relief passed out of committee last month, but the timeline for bringing it to a floor vote and when the Senate will take action are unknown, leaving survivors in financial limbo.

Related: Study: Rebuilding LA to Wildfire Safety Standards Could Lower Future Fire Losses

We have to assume we dont have that money, so were making decisions, choosing cheaper materials, forgoing the solar, said one Altadena homeowner, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because she fears compromising her expected settlement of about $700,000. If that money counts as income, she expects taxes would take 37%.

The homeowner hoped accepting a settlement would get her family home faster, after she, her husband and their four pets spent more than a year hopping between relatives houses and rentals.

All we wanted was to rebuild a comfortable house and get out of the situation we were in, she said, adding their construction costs alone are estimated to reach $1 million.

As survivors watch lawmakers lock horns over the Iran war and the record-long Department of Homeland Security shutdown, some worry extending disaster tax relief will be de-prioritized.

People have low expectations of anything actually getting done, said Jenn Kaaoush, a 2021 Marshall Fire survivor and town council member in Superior, Colorado.

Compensation Has Become Crucial to Rebuilding

Utility equipment is believed to have sparked some of the deadliest and most destructive fires in recent years. Multibillion-dollar settlements have become common after these fires but take years to resolve.

As construction costs soar and insurance becomes more expensive and difficult to secure, compensation from lawsuits has become a critical component of how many households start over.

Its the difference between towns getting rebuilt and not getting rebuilt, quite frankly, said attorney Doug Boxer, who has represented more than 17,000 Californians in cases against utilities and is part of the LA Fire Justice coalition suing Southern California Edison and its parent company, Edison International, on behalf of more than 2,000 clients.

SCE and Edison International have acknowledged their power equipment may have sparked the Eaton Fire, which destroyed 9,000 structures and killed 19 people. The utility last year announced a compensation program for those impacted, promising fast payments based on the value of ones losses, as well as an additional premium for not joining litigation against the utility.

More than 2,800 households have applied for the compensation program. Thousands more are joining lawsuits against the utility. An investigation into the Eaton Fires cause is ongoing.

Households cant afford to lose a chunk of their payments to taxes, said Jensen, whose home also burned. It sounds like a lot of money, but not in regards to how expensive it is to actually build in the community.

A Bipartisan Bill Would Extend Tax Relief

Payments related to federally declared wildfire disasters from 2015 through 2026 would not count toward taxable income, according to legislation approved unanimously by the House Ways and Means Committee last month. That would apply to payouts received in 2026 and after.

The measure would extend expanded tax relief for property losses from federal disasters through this year, a provision that helped attract bipartisan support from lawmakers representing states vulnerable to hurricanes and other extreme weather.

Florida Rep. Greg Steube  a Republican who championed the 2024 tax relief bill and introduced its successor with fellow Republican Rep. Doug LaMalfa, now deceased, and with Democratic Reps. Mike Thompson and Jimmy Panetta of California  told The Associated Press he expects the legislation to ultimately pass, but he acknowledged the exact timeline remains uncertain.

Steube, whose southwest Florida constituents could benefit from the provision deducting personal casualty losses, has vowed to push the law forward.

Two similar bills were introduced in the Senate, but further action has not been taken.

After lobbying for the past and present bills as executive director of the survivor advocacy nonprofit After The Fire, Jennifer Gray Thompson said she believes lawmakers understand the bipartisan nature of disaster tax relief.

As these disasters come in quick succession, we are going to have to adapt on all levels, and our tax code will have to adapt along with it, she said.

Still, Gray Thompson said she cant be sure when action will come.

Survivors In Colorado, Hawaii And Oregon Would Also Be Impacted

Maui residents face similar challenges as they await payments from a $4 billion settlement with Hawaiian Electric. Only about 180 homes have been rebuilt in Lahaina among 2,200 structures destroyed.

What Lahaina survivors need most is certainty, Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen wrote to lawmakers in a letter supporting tax relief.

While the majority of destroyed homes in Superior have been rebuilt, Kaaoush, the town council member, said most survivors are still catching up financially after finding themselves underinsured.

She also worries that her constituents could be knocked off income-qualified government benefits for food, health care or veterans support if their wildfire payments count as income.

This has second- and third-order impacts on their life that will do harm, Kaaoush said.

Gray Thompson cautioned that while survivors waiting for relief can defer taxes or amend past returns, resolving issues with government programs, such as qualifying for college financial aid, is much harder. Theres no way to undo that, she said.

Meanwhile, many in Altadena feel theyre continually facing new obstacles to returning home, said another resident who also lost his home and insisted on anonymity because of ongoing litigation.

Being taxed would just add more pain and suffering for us, really, he said.

Top photo: Clean up on a burned down building from the 2025 Eaton Fire. Photo by CalFire.

Copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Wildfire Louisiana
California Attorney General Rob Bonta is suing the City of Poway alleging it violated the California Environmental Quality Act by failing to respond to discoveries of burials of ancestral human remains and cultural resources during the construction of a luxury housing project.

Developer Shea Homes began construction of Hidden Valley Ranch in October 2025, but it quickly encountered ancestral remains and other culturally important Tribal resources on land the San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians believes is likely a Tribal cemetery and sacred place, according to the California Department of Justice.

A CEQA environmental impact report was completed for the previous landowner in 2003, but CEQA can require additional steps when there are significant changes in circumstances and new information.

According to the DOJ, the City of Poway failed to engage with Shea Homes or the San Pasqual Band to revise the EIR despite the discoveries. In the lawsuit, Bonta alleges that the city violated CEQA by failing to reopen review of the project before taking recent action to allow construction at the site.

The remains involve the Kumeyaay Nation, an indigenous people whose ancestral lands span from Baja California in Mexico into San Diego and Imperial Counties from the Pacific Ocean to the mountains and desert. Within the United States, the Kumeyaay Nation includes 12 federally recognized sovereign Tribes, including the San Pasqual Band and the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians. The Kumeyaay Nation has elected to be notified of ancestral human remains identified within California through a consortium body of which both the San Pasqual Band and the Viejas Band are members. On April 17, 2026, the San Pasqual Band informed the city of its intent to file a CEQA petition.

In 2025, a Viejas Band Tribal monitor found an ancestral human bone protruding from the ground. In March, two more ancestral human remains were discovered on the property. Thousands of Tribal cultural resources and culturally significant items have been found across the site over the years, indicating that the site was likely a village.

Bontas suit argues that the City of Poway violated CEQA by failing to:

Reopen CEQA review.

Implement its own policy for the handling of unanticipated discovery of archaeological resources.

Implement mitigation measures adopted in the 2003 EIR.

Topics Lawsuits California
Strong Metallurgical Results at West Point Gold's (TSXV: WPG) (OTCQB: WPGCF) Gold Chain Project: Gold Recoveries Up to 92%

(Investorideas.com Newswire) Breaking Gold Stock News  Investorideas.com issues a news and trading alert for West Point Gold Corp. (TSXV: WPG) (OTCQB: WPGCF).

West Point Gold is an exploration and development company focused on unlocking value across four strategically located projects along the prolific Walker Lane Trend in Nevada and Arizona, USA, providing shareholders with exposure to multiple discovery opportunities across one of North America's most productive gold regions. The Company's near-term priority is advancing its flagship Gold Chain Project in Arizona. West Point Gold Corp.(TSXV: WPG) (OTCQB: WPGCF) announced positive results from a Phase 2 metallurgical testing program completed by Kappes, Cassiday & Associates ("KCA") for the Tyro Main Zone at the Company's Gold Chain Project located in Arizona. Recoveries on average ranged from 87% to 92% for milled material, 39% to 68% for HPGR Crushed material and 39% to 69% for conventionally crushed material. Results confirm that gold from the Tyro Main Zone should be recoverable by conventional means (heap leach or mill) and that further optimization has the potential to improve recoveries with both potential processing methods. Highlights Gold recoveries up to 92% from material milled to 0.075mm.

Gold recoveries up to 69% from material crushed to 1.7mm.

Testing reported modest sodium cyanide and lime consumption.

Results continue to demonstrate that crush or grind size is key to improving recovery.

Low correlation between grade and recovery.

Recoveries were similar across all zones.

Results suggest that further optimization work on residence time and grind size could improve recoveries. "These metallurgical results represent another important milestone for Gold Chain as we continue to demonstrate that gold can be recovered by heap leaching or conventional milling from the Tyro Main Zone. These results continue to suggest that there are multiple processing paths, and we plan to continue testing them to optimize the project. The combination of good gold recoveries, favourable reagent consumption, and multiple potential processing paths, supports our view that Gold Chain could host a scalable, low-cost gold project in one of the best mining jurisdictions in the world," stated Derek Macpherson, President and CEO. Summary of Results Gold extractions for the 0.075mm milled bottle rolls ranged from 87% to 92% after 96 hours of leaching, based on calculated heads ranging from 0.511 to 8.643 g/t Au. Silver extractions ranged from 55% to 83% based on calculated head grades ranging from 1.43 to 36.99 g/t Ag. The sodium cyanide consumptions ranged from 0.52 to 2.59 kg/t. Hydrated lime additions ranged from 0.50 to 0.65 kg/t. Gold extractions for the 6.3mm HPGR crushed bottle rolls ranged from 39% to 68% after 168 hours of leaching, based on calculated heads ranging from 0.543 to 7.938 g/t Au. Silver extractions ranged from 27% to 68% based on calculated head grades ranging from 1.05 to 39.99 g/t Ag. The sodium cyanide consumptions ranged from 0.04 to 0.07 kg/t. Hydrated lime additions ranged from 0.50 to 1.25 kg/t. Gold extractions for the 1.7mm conventionally crushed bottle rolls ranged from 39% to 69% after 96 hours of leaching, based on calculated heads ranging from 0.548 to 8.517 g/t Au. Silver extractions ranged from 27% to 67% based on calculated head grades ranging from 1.54 to 34.73 g/t Ag. The sodium cyanide consumptions ranged from 0.03 to 0.13 kg/t. Hydrated lime additions ranged from 0.50 to 1.00 kg/t. Gold extractions for the 6.3mm conventionally crushed bottle rolls ranged from 25% to 63% after 168 hours of leaching, based on calculated heads ranging from 0.438 to 9.290 g/t Au. Silver extractions ranged from 15% to 62% based on calculated head grades ranging from 0.98 to 37.22 g/t Ag. The sodium cyanide consumptions ranged from 0.04 to 0.10 kg/t. Hydrated lime additions ranged from 0.50 to 1.00 kg/t Gold extractions for the 12.5mm conventionally crushed bottle rolls ranged from 16% to 50% after 168 hours of leaching, based on calculated heads ranging from 0.458 to 10.034 g/t Au. Silver extractions ranged from 10% to 63% based on calculated head grades ranging from 1.51 to 44.96 g/t Ag. The sodium cyanide consumptions ranged from 0.01 to 0.07 kilograms per metric tonne. Hydrated lime additions ranged from 0.50 to 1.00 kilograms per metric tonne. Program Details KCA evaluated twelve representative samples from multiple areas across both the Tyro Main and Northeast Tyro zones, including Trench 1, T9, T10, T15, Vein Outcrop and Tyro 200 level. Sampling was designed to test a range of gold grades. Each sample was prepared individually for head analyses and leach testing. Coarse bottle roll leach tests were conducted utilizing conventionally crushed material to 100% passing 12.5mm, 6.3mm, 1.70mm, and HPGR crushed material to 100% passing 6.3mm. Duplicate bottle roll leach tests were completed on the lower grade samples at the 12.5mm and 6.3mm crush sizes. Additionally, milled bottle roll leach tests were conducted. Conventionally crushed and HPGR crushed coarse bottle roll leach tests, as well as fine milled cyanide bottle roll leach tests were completed on each of the twelve (12) individual samples. Equity Catalyst Partners, LLC Marketing Engagement West Point Gold has engaged Equity Catalyst Partners, LLC ("ECP"), an arm's-length service provider, to provide the Company certain investor relations and marketing services, in accordance with the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange and applicable securities laws. Based in Washington, DC, USA, ECP specializes in media and investor relations services, within the natural resource sector. Under a consulting agreement dated April 10, 2026, ECP will provide media relations, investor communication and market awareness services to the Company for a six-month term for a one-time fee of US$45,000, payable at the commencement of services. The Company will not issue any securities to ECP as compensation for its services. As of the date hereof, to the Company's knowledge, ECP (including its directors and officers) does not own any securities of the Company. The marketing agreement with ECP is subject to TSX Venture Exchange approval. Qualified Person Robert Johansing, M.Sc. Econ. Geol., P. Geo., the Company's Vice President, Exploration, is a qualified person ("QP") as defined by NI 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical content of this press release.

About West Point Gold Corp.

West Point Gold is an exploration and development company focused on unlocking value across four strategically located projects along the prolific Walker Lane Trend in Nevada and Arizona, USA, providing shareholders with exposure to multiple discovery opportunities across one of North America's most productive gold regions. The Company's near-term priority is advancing its flagship Gold Chain Project in Arizona.

For further information regarding this press release, please contact:

Aaron Paterson, Corporate Communications Manager

Phone: +1 (778) 358-6173

Email: info@westpointgold.com

Stay Connected with Us:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/west-point-gold

X (Twitter): @westpointgoldUS

Facebook: facebook.com/Westpointgold/

Website: westpointgold.com/

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS:

Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information. These statements relate to future events or future performance and the proposed Offering. Forward-looking statements include estimates and statements that describe the Company's private placement, future plans, objectives or goals, including words to the effect that the Company or management expects a stated condition or result to occur. The use of any of the words "could", "intend", "expect", "believe", "will", "projected", "estimated" and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on the Company's current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events including, among others, assumptions about future prices of gold, silver, and other metal prices, currency exchange rates and interest rates, favourable operating conditions, political stability, obtaining government approvals and financing on time, obtaining renewals for existing licenses and permits and obtaining required licenses and permits, labour stability, stability in market conditions, availability of equipment, availability of drill rigs, and anticipated costs and expenditures. The Company cautions that all forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain, and that actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control. Such factors include, among other things: risks and uncertainties relating to the Company's ability to complete any payments or expenditures required under the Company's various option agreements for its projects; and other risks and uncertainties relating to the actual results of current exploration activities, the uncertainties related to resources estimates; the uncertainty of estimates and projections in relation to production, costs and expenses; risks relating to grade and continuity of mineral deposits; the uncertainties involved in interpreting drill results and other exploration data; the potential for delays in exploration or development activities; uncertainty related to the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits; the possibility that future exploration, development or mining results may vary from those expected; statements about expected results of operations, royalties, cash flows, financial position may not be consistent with the Company's expectations due to accidents, equipment breakdowns, title and permitting matters, labour disputes or other unanticipated difficulties with or interruptions in operations, fluctuating metal prices, unanticipated costs and expenses, uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing needed in the future and regulatory restrictions, including environmental regulatory restrictions. The possibility that future exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with adjacent properties and the Company's expectations; operational risks and hazards inherent with the business of mining (including environmental accidents and hazards, industrial accidents, equipment breakdown, unusual or unexpected geological or structural formations, cave-ins, flooding and severe weather); metal price fluctuations; environmental and regulatory requirements; availability of permits, failure to convert estimated mineral resources to reserves; the inability to complete a feasibility study which recommends a production decision; the preliminary nature of metallurgical test results; fluctuating gold prices; possibility of equipment breakdowns and delays, exploration cost overruns, availability of capital and financing, general economic, political risks, market or business conditions, regulatory changes, timeliness of government or regulatory approvals and other risks involved in the mineral exploration and development industry, and those risks set out in the filings on SEDAR+ made by the Company with securities regulators. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this corporate press release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information, which only applies as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. The Company expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by applicable securities legislation.

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.

More info on West Point Gold Corp. (TSXV: WPG) (OTCQB: WPGCF):

https://www.investorideas.com/CO/WPG/

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The Everyman in Cork launched its new season with an event at the Metropole Hotel on Tuesday evening. Numerous people involved in the upcoming productions, as well as other members of the city's arts community attended, and were treated to songs from Blarney troubadour Mick Flannery, whose album adaptation, The House Must Win, is part of the upcoming programme.

Also in attendance was Enda Walsh, the celebrated writer/director returning to Cork for a 30th anniversary revival of his Disco Pigs play. Michael Longhurst and Catherine Mahon Buckley in the Metropole Hotel for the launch. Photo: Darragh Kane Cork lord mayor Cllr Fergal Dennehy with Everyman artistic Director Des Kennedy, Breda Cashe, chair, and Brian Fenton, executive director of the Everyman. Photo: Darragh Kane Maureen McGlynn, Amy Rowan, and Breda Cashe at the Everyman launch. Photo: Darragh Kane John OBrien, Eadaoin ODonoghue, and Brian Fenton at the launch. Photo: Darragh Kane Marion Burke and Magdela Zimwska. Photo: Darragh Kane Enda Walsh and Mick Flannery at the Metropole hotel. Picture: Chani Anderson Michelle Duggan, Theresa Kiely, Harry Moore and Carol Quinn. Photo: Darragh Kane Isabel Cotter and Donna Higgins at the launch. Photo: Darragh Kane Read More Disco Pigs: Play that launched Cillian Murphy to get 30th anniversary revival in Cork
The six authors in the running for this years Womens Prize for Fiction have been revealed  and a Trinity College Dublin graduate is among the finalists.

The shortlist comprises Flashlight by Susan Choi, Dominion by Addie E. Citchens, The Mercy Step by Marcia Hutchinson, Kingfisher by Rozie Kelly, Heart the Lover by Lily King, and The Correspondent by Virginia Evans, who attended Trinity on an MFA for creative writing when she was 32 and unpublished.

I moved my family over, and life has never been better. We all felt so settled, Evans previously told the Irish Examiner. I gained my agent from it.

The Womens Prize for Fiction is described as the greatest annual celebration of female creativity in the world and the 2026 judging panel features Julia Gillard as chair, along with Mona Arshi, Salma El-Wardany, Cariad Lloyd, and Annie Macmanus.

We are delighted to present a shortlist that doesnt shy away from examining lifes challenges, but also brings many moments of joy, Gillard said.

As judges, we are first and foremost readers, and these novels intrigued and profoundly moved us. The plot lines kept us turning pages to find out what happens next, the characters found a place in our hearts and the stories stayed with us long after the last sentence. The incredible strength of the longlist challenged and delighted us, as we whittled down 16 books to this exceptional shortlist.

The longlist had featured two Irish authors, Wendy Erskine and Kit de Waal. Erskine made the longlist for her novel The Benefactors, and Kit de Waal secured her place for The Best of Everything, however both authors did not progress to the shortlist.

Longlisted authors Wendy Erskine and Kit de Waal.

The overall winner of the Womens Prize for Fiction will be revealed on June 11. The winning author will receive a 30,000 prize (34,446) and a statuette known as the Bessie, created and donated by the late artist Grizel Niven. Last year's winner was The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden.

The 2026 Womens Prize for Non-Fiction shortlist was announced last month and features The Finest Hotel in Kabul: A Peoples History of Afghanistan by Lyse Doucet, Art Cure: The Science of How the Arts Transform Our Health by Daisy Fancourt, Artists, Siblings, Visionaries: The Lives and Loves of Gwen and Augustus John by Judith Mackrell, Hotel Exile: Paris in the Shadow of War by Jane Rogoyska, Mother Mary Comes to Me by Arundhati Roy, and Nation of Strangers: Rebuilding Home in the 21st Century by Ece Temelkuran.

Last year's non-fiction winner was The Story of a Heart by Rachel Clarke and the 2026 winner will also be announced on June 11.
Former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, who has come under fire for comments about rural dwellers, had previously warned against creating an artificial divide between rural and urban Ireland and playing one off against the other.

During a 2021 speech, made when he was Tanaiste, Mr Varadkar said he had always rejected attempts to create such a divide.

The former Fine Gael leader has hit headlines by suggesting that rural workers are being subsidised by urban workers.

On an episode of Matt Coopers podcast Path to Power at the weekend, he said: People in rural Ireland are very quick to tell people in urban Ireland that, we are the real workers, were the ones paying the bills, were the ones feeding the country.

We need to be a little more blunt in urban Ireland and say, actually, thats not the case. We are the ones paying all the bills, and you are the ones who are in receipt of a lot of subsidies and tax benefits that other people dont get'.

However, in a speech by Mr Varadkar in March 2021 at the launch of Our Rural Future in Croke Park, he warned against creating a divide.

Ive always rejected attempts to create an artificial divide between rural Ireland and urban Ireland  to play one off against the other 

East v West, Dublin v the rest, he said.

We are One Nation, and few Dubs are more than a generation or two away from rural Ireland."

Fine Gael has attempted to distance itself from Mr Varadkars weekend comments, with Tanaiste Simon Harris saying: That it was really important as a country that we pull together.

We need to stop defining people based on their geography, based on their profession.
Gardai may have to give up as many as 71 rest days to police the EU presidency.

Gardai will be stretched to the pin of their collar with insufficient numbers to police the country, James Morrisroe, deputy general secretary of the Garda Representative Association (GRA) said.

Some 125m is to be allocated to the gardai in overtime during Irelands presidency of the Council of the European Union from July to December.

This in itself just shows that we're papering over the cracks", he said.

To allocate such a large sum for probably overtime payments, our members would be expected to come in probably seven days a week.

And gardai are already suffering from burnout, he said.

We have 14,500 members; we would feel we need 17,000 or 18,000 members in the normal course of events for normal policing."

The recent fuel protests showed how major events can be organised through social media at a moments notice and gardai have to respond rapidly, he said.

We just dont have the numbers to police normal circumstances.

So with the extraordinary events coming up in the presidency, we certainly feel that our members will be stretched to the pin of their collar, Mr Morrisroe said.

Leave will be cancelled. Rest days will be cancelled."

The EU presidency may entail 71 extraordinary events, which require gardai to drop rest days to police.

And gardai will likely have to be deployed "from Dublin to Cork, to Mayo" to respond to events.

But Mr Morrisroe said that a definitive plan for policing the EU presidency has not been shared with the GRA yet.

A visit from US president Donald Trump would be a huge security concern and would require additional policing, Mr Morrisroe said.

We would be expected to police that again at a moments notice," he said.

The potential for international attacks or incursions, like when drones were detected in Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyys flight path into Dublin, is another fear for gardai during the upcoming EU presidency, he said.
Gardai have launched an investigation into allegations a Defence Forces officer attacked a woman with a wine bottle at a social event.

The man was placed on leave by the Defence Forces after the incident in the early hours of last Saturday.

A garda spokesperson told the Irish Examiner: Gardai attended the scene of an incident at a premises in Baldonnel, Co Dublin, on Saturday April 18, shortly after 2.30am. A male in his 20s was arrested and detained at Clondalkin Garda Station. He has since been released without charge, pending further inquiries.

It is understood the man had to be restrained after it is alleged he was going to hit the three-star private again before other soldiers intervened.

The air corps member is understood to have been struck on the head with the bottle. She had been invited to attend a wings ceremony  marking the completion of air corps training  earlier in the day at Casement Aerodrome in Baldonnel, Co Dublin, on Friday.

The incident is understood to have happened at a party held afterwards in the officers mess.

On Tuesday, the Defence Forces said the man, who had travelled to the ceremony from Munster, had been placed on special leave on a without-prejudice basis pending the outcome of an investigation.

Special leave is usually paid and authorised leave granted to soldiers returning home from overseas, for those changing stations, and for those studying or sitting exams. The Defence Forces cannot suspend members over such alleged incidents because of the current legislation covering conduct.

It asked for the ability to suspend members after the public outcry that erupted over a case involving former army private Cathal Crotty.

Crotty, from Parkroe Heights, Ardnacrusha, Co Clare, beat a woman unconscious in a random street attack on May 29, 2022, and boasted about it afterwards on social media.

Although initially given a wholly suspended three-year sentence, the Court of Appeal ruled the sentence unduly lenient and later jailed him for two years.

A few days after Crotty was initially allowed to walk free, the Defence Forces asked the Government for the power to suspend members pending a criminal trial.

Then tanaiste Micheal Martin said he would consider the request, but issued an instruction for the placement on local leave, with immediate effect, of all serving Defence Forces personnel convicted of sexual assault or rape, or who have been charged and awaiting trial, on a without-prejudice basis.
A hospital has unreservedly apologised to the family of a woman who died of heart failure.

It said the standard of care during two admissions to the hospital before her death was not to the appropriate standard.

The apology from Letterkenny University Hospital to the family of May Craig was read out in the High Court as her family settled an action over her death.

Doireann OMahony, for the family, told the court that the settlement is without an admission of liability and the case was before the court for the division of the 35,000 statutory mental distress solatium payment only.

Ms O'Mahony said it was a sad and tragic case. Mrs Craig, a 76-year-old mother of seven and a grandmother, from Raphoe, Co Donegal, had attended the Letterkenny hospital twice before her death.

She said there were alleged repeated failures in relation to the hospital visits.

In a letter to the family which was read to the court, manager Sean Murphy, on behalf of the hospital, expressed sincere condolences and apologised for the devastating loss of May".

The letter states: I wish to apologise unreservedly that the standard of care delivered to May during her admission in May and June 2022 was not to the standard that we believe would be appropriate. I deeply regret the sorrow and distress that this has caused you.

The letter continues: I fully appreciate that nothing I nor the team here at Letterkenny University Hospital can say, in any way to make up for the tragic loss which you have experienced. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with you and your extended family.

Mrs Craigs daughter, Elaine Devenney, Newtowncunningham, Co Donegal, had sued the HSE over the death of her mother.

Claim woman not properly treated

In the proceedings, it was claimed that in two admissions to Letterkenny University Hospital on May 19 and June 11, 2022, Mrs Craig was not properly or adequately investigated or treated.

It was further claimed that on more than one occasion the opportunity to establish a correct diagnosis was missed and she was not appropriately treated as a result. The claims were denied.

The pensioner had been referred by her GP to Letterkenny University Hospital complaining of light headedness In May 2022.

She was reviewed in hospital and light headedness and dizziness was noted. She had tests and was admitted to the hospital cardio care unit.

Mrs Craig had a permanent pacemaker inserted on May 20, 2022 and was discharged from hospital on May 23, 2022.

Four days later, it was claimed Mrs Craig was referred by her GP again to the emergency department at Letterkenny University Hospital. She was reviewed by a doctor and it was noted she had no chest pain or palpitations and it was claimed the impression was congestive cardiac failure.

It was claimed that Mrs Craig was seen by a junior doctor and pneumonia was diagnosed and she was prescribed antibiotics and discharged.

It was further claimed that on June 11, 2022, an ambulance was called to Mrs Craigs home and she was brought to hospital where she was admitted with acute decompensated heart failure.

It was claimed that no bed was available in the cardiac care unit. On June 12, Mrs Craig suffered a cardiac arrest but she was resuscitated and brought to the intensive care unit. She was later declared dead.

Noting the settlement and the division of the solatium, Mr Justice Paul Coffy conveyed his deepest sympathy to Mrs Craigs family.
The driver of a delivery van parked outside the Yo-Yo Asian supermarket in Cork City chased a man who tried to start his van and take a bag from the vehicle but the culprit turned around and punched him in the mouth.

Now, this man has been jailed for eight months at Cork District Court on charges including assault on the driver.

Sergeant Gearoid Davis outlined the background to the matter, which occurred on December 29, 2025. The injured party parked his delivery van outside the Yo-Yo Asian supermarket on Georges Quay, Cork.

John Campion, who is aged about 40, of Cork Simon Community, got into the van where there was a backpack containing cash and the keys of the van. There were also cigarettes and a knife belonging to the driver in the bag.

The accused tried to start the van. The owner came back to the van. John Campion had been trying to start the van. He ran away and the owner followed him and received a punch from Mr Campion, Sgt Davis said.

Eddie Burke, solicitor, said of the accused: He has very good intentions all the time that he would go into residential treatment. But when anxious he seems to turn to some kind of narcotics. On this occasion, he meets a friend and tells him he is anxious about upcoming courts and [his friend gives him drugs] and he takes them.

Judge Mary Dorgan read the probation report and said: He has a difficult background. He is at high risk of reoffending. He needs to get his life back on track. I hope he can do well going forward.

The judge imposed a total sentence of eight months, backdated to December 30, 2025, when John Campion went into custody, on charges that included assaulting the van driver and theft. Mr Campion pleaded guilty to the charges.

At the conclusion of the case, the judge said: I wish you well in the future.

The accused replied, Thank you, Judge.
A 19-year-old man who died after being struck by a car in Little Island, Co Cork, last Friday night was an effortlessly hilarious gentle giant who saved five lives through organ donation, his funeral Mass has heard.

Mourners at the Church of Our Lady and St John in Carrigaline, Co Cork, were told a stadium would be required to fit all of Conor Colemans friends into one photograph.

The coffin was adorned with colourful handwritten tributes and messages from his friends and loved ones.

His older brother John said it was fitting that his generous brother had made an eternal impact through organ donation.

As a family we decided to donate his organs. His heart, lungs, liver, kidney and pancreas all received five perfect matches. Meaning as his final act on earth he was able to save five lives and leave a legacy to the end of time.

John said his younger brother would have been blown away by the large numbers who gathered at the church and thanked those who had called to the family home in recent days for their support.

He said Conor had an iconic wheezing laugh that sometimes descended into him dropping on the floor and rolling around when the hilarity became too much.

John said it felt criminal that the world only got to experience the joy, generosity, adventure, sometimes wildly inappropriate comments and questionable fashion sense of Conor for only 19 years.

He said he and his brother were the human equivalent of Tom and Jerry.

He was my partner in crime," John said.

"There wasnt a day we were together since the day he was born that we werent causing some sort of mischief. So much so that our Grand dad Sean called us the weapons of mass destruction.

"Whether that would be chasing each other around when our Mum would be trying to do the shopping. Or when we got our hands on red paint and I covered him in it from head to toe not realising it wouldnt come off without a serious amount of washing.

"Or in more recent years when our parents would be watching TV downstairs we would sneak up to the attic window and chain smoke a packet of Benson and Hedges. Sorry Mum and Dad.

Although Conor was described as a modern-day giant, John said his character and personality outweighed his physical stature.

He said Conor had an encyclopaedic knowledge of engines and tractors from an early age and a gift for friendship, forming deep bonds with others.

John added that life was precious and delicate and could be taken away quickly.

Please take this as a message from Conor. No matter who they are. It could be your mother, brother, father or sister, dog, cat, friends or family. It could be anyone. If you love them tell them you love them.

Offertory symbols at the Mass included Conors size 12 work boots, a high-vis vest and jeans to represent his love of the family business, a photograph of his friends, his school ties from Shanbally and Christian Brothers College, a miniature truck representing his recent attainment of his HGV licence, a badge of his prized possession, a Toyota Corolla E11 6R, a CD, and a stone he found as a child shaped like a heart.

Those attending heard that Conors heart is now beating in Dublin.

Chief celebrant Fr Sean OSullivan said Conors death felt like a bad dream and stressed the importance of supporting his parents and family following their shattering loss.

He added that Conor was clearly deeply loved by many people.

Anyone who knew Conor could see how much he was loved. And most importantly of all Conor knew it. There is no greater gift in life then to know that and to experience it.

Burial followed the 1pm Mass at St Johns Cemetery in Ballinrea, Co Cork.

Conor is survived by his parents Barry and Trish, his brother John, his grandmother Betty, his aunts and uncles, extended family, and friends. He was predeceased by his grandparents Sean Coleman and Tom and Eileen Carty.

Meanwhile, gardai received a report that a pedestrian had been struck by a car shortly before midnight last Friday. Mr Coleman was taken from the scene in Little Island to hospital, where he died in the presence of his family.

Forensic collision investigators attended the scene and carried out an examination. Gardai are appealing to anyone who witnessed the incident to come forward.

Road users who may have camera footage, including dash-cam footage, and were travelling in the area between 11pm and midnight on April 17 are asked to make it available to investigating gardai.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Mayfield Garda Station on 021 4558510, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.
Viktor Orbans spectacular defeat in Sundays Hungarian election has been music to the ears of those of us who have been frustrated by his incessant, cynical and often morally reprehensible abuse of Hungarys veto at the European Council.

As Hungarian prime pinister, Mr Orban habitually blocked vital pieces of legislation in times of crisis in order to secure carve-outs, concessions and funding from the EU, often on entirely unrelated issues.

Despite the best efforts of the EU institutions, Orban would then leverage this to strengthen his political power at home, bullying opposition politicians at home and abroad in the process.

We have known since the days of Chamberlain and Hitler that appeasement does not work with bullies. But what if the bully holds a veto over your policies? Take, for example, the negotiations over the EUs 1.8 trillion budget and covid-19 recovery fund in 2020.

Viktor Orban's defeat presents an opportunity that the EU cannot afford to miss if it is to become a relevant and effective actor in an increasingly tumultuous world. Photo: AP/Virginia Mayo)

At the height of the pandemic, with tens of millions of Europeans unemployed, Orban threatened to block emergency economic aid unless the EU abandoned proposals linking funding to respect for the rule of law; oversight designed precisely to prevent the sort of corruption and democratic backsliding he was presiding over in Hungary.

The autocratic and cynical tendencies were there long before that, and, combined with his bullying nature and his crackdown on the free press, were what led me to call for Orban and his Fidesz party to be expelled from my group in the European Parliament, the EPP, in 2019, two years before they finally departed.

Yet Fidesz expulsion didn't solve the issue, and the EU was left with a catch-22: in order to remove unanimity or impose the sort of funding conditionality that could hold Orban to account, the EU would somehow have to overcome his veto itself. So instead, he was often appeased.

Orbans defeat presents an opportunity that the EU cannot afford to miss if it is to become a relevant and effective actor in an increasingly tumultuous world.

The flouting of international law by major powers, the return of war to the European continent and the weaponisation of trade have all made it clear that individual countries cannot go it alone. We need a strong EU, capable of acting swiftly, decisively and in the interests of the vast majority of its member states.

EU voting system

That is why, as EU member states, we must seize this opportunity to move away from the requirement for unanimity at the European Council on matters relating to accession, sanctions, trade deal ratification, and aid.

A move to qualified majority voting (QMV), which requires 55% of member states representing 65% of the EUs population, would remove the ability of a single government to hold the rest of the EU to ransom.

Such a move would require unanimous approval by member states, posing the question: are they willing to sacrifice their own veto power to be part of a stronger, more capable EU?

There will be pushback to this idea, both internationally and domestically. At home, some will say it would jeopardise Irelands neutrality. Yet my proposal is that unanimity be maintained on defence matters.

Ironically, preserving unanimity for defence would be for the same reason as to why we should remove Irelands triple lock: to maintain full control over our own defence policy.

Sean Kelly: 'No foreign government, be that in the EU or on the UN Security Council, should have the same veto power over the deployment of Irish troops as Dail Eireann.' Photo: Karlis Dzjamko

The triple lock currently allows the governments of Russia, China, France, the UK and the US to veto the deployment of Irish defence forces internationally, for example, for the peacekeeping missions which form a core and proud part of our neutrality.

No foreign government, be that in the EU or on the UN Security Council, should have the same veto power over the deployment of Irish troops as Dail Eireann.

Others, most likely from the Eurosceptic far right or far left extremes, will say that the EU cannot be trusted. The polls suggest that this is not the view of the overwhelming majority of Irish people.

The most recent Eurobarometer survey showed the Irish people to be the most positive about the EU, with 77% expressing optimism for its future. This same poll showed that 93% of Irish people want the EU to be more united, whilst only 10% have an overall negative view of the EU.

The same politicians who complain about EU inaction  for example on Gaza  would claim that a move to QMV would destroy Irelands autonomous foreign policy. In reality, it would enable and embolden it.

Though Ireland has been one of the strongest pro-Palestinian voices among EU member states, the requirement for unanimous agreement before sanctions can be imposed has meant that the EU was never likely to take meaningful economic action against Israel, while they carried out such atrocities in Gaza.

Our best chance of meaningfully influencing and ending conflicts, promoting peace, aiding development, and supporting a rules-based global order is by showing leadership on these matters within a better-functioning and united European Union.

We have a small window of opportunity, and we must act quickly if we are to make this change.

The French election in 2027, for example, presents a genuine risk of a far-right government assuming power in a major EU member state. Such a government would likely use its veto on critical issues even more frequently than Mr Orban ever did.

Much has been made about Ireland's upcoming EU presidency and the opportunities it presents.

By being brave and proactive in putting this on the agenda and steering the debate towards adopting QMV on the aforementioned policy areas, we could position Ireland as a real leader on EU policy and transform the EU itself, making it the effective and decisive actor that we need it to be.
Russia has repeatedly launched drones and missiles on a flight path near the disused Chornobyl nuclear plant during attacks on Ukraine, elevating the risk of a major accident, Ukraine's top state prosecutor told Reuters.

Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko detailed the previously unreported Russian military activity near Ukrainian nuclear sites in written remarks, as Ukraine prepares to mark Sunday's 40th anniversary of the 1986 Chornobyl disaster.

Apart from the decommissioned Chornobyl power station, Ukraine has four nuclear power plants, including Europe's largest, which lies in the southern Zaporizhzhia region and has been occupied by Russian forces since soon after Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Both the Chornobyl site and western Ukraine's two-reactor Khmelnytskyi nuclear plant have been on the flight path of Russian hypersonic Kinzhal missiles since the invasion, Kravchenko said.

Thirty-five Kinzhals have been detected at various distances within around 20 km (12 miles) of the Chornobyl facility or the Khmelnytskyi plant, he said. Of those, 18 passed within around 20 km of both sites on the same flight, he added.

"Such launches cannot be explained by any military considerations. It is evident that the flights over the nuclear facilities are carried out solely for the purpose of intimidation and terror," he said.

Russia's defence ministry did not respond to a request for comment for this article.

The International Atomic Energy Agency watchdog said it frequently reported about military activity in the vicinity of nuclear power plants and attacks on electrical substations that are key to nuclear safety.

"IAEA Director General (Rafael) Grossi has repeatedly expressed deep concern about the risks and dangers of these military activities for nuclear safety and security," it said.

"The DG has also repeatedly called for maximum restraint near nuclear facilities to avoid the danger of a nuclear accident."

Missiles grounded

The Kinzhal is an air-launched hypersonic missile that can carry a warhead of 500 kilograms and has been championed by Russian President Vladimir Putin. When travelling at 6,500 km per hour, it covers 5 km in a few seconds.

In three separate cases, Kravchenko said that Kinzhal missiles had fallen to the ground during their flights and landed within around 10 km of the Khmelnytskyi nuclear power plant.

It was not clear why the missiles came down, but Kravchenko said the wreckage bore no indications that they had been intercepted.

An explosion at Chornobyl sent radiation across Europe in 1986 and prompted Soviet authorities to mobilise vast numbers of personnel and equipment to deal with the aftermath of the accident. The plant's last working reactor was closed in 2000.

Russia occupied the Chornobyl plant for more than a month in the first weeks of its invasion as its forces initially tried to advance on the capital Kyiv, before withdrawing.

Since July 2024, when Russia began heavy drone attacks on Ukraine, Kravchenko said radars had detected at least 92 Russian drones that flew within a five-km radius of the Chornobyl plant's radiation shield.

The containment shield was installed to prevent radiation leaking from Reactor No. 4, which exploded on April 26, 1986, causing a huge fire.

The actual number of fly-bys, Kravchenko said, was almost certainly much higher than 92, because the tracks visible on Ukraine's military radars can denote more than one drone and sometimes drones do not show up at all.

"Deliberate flights of (drones) with a powerful warhead over a nuclear facility are at least extremely irresponsible and indicate a complete disregard ... for the safety of civilians not only in Ukraine, but throughout Europe," he said.

Irreversible corrosion

In February last year, an object identified by Ukraine as a long-range Russian attack drone struck the Chornobyl facility, piercing the radiation containment shield.

The Kremlin denied Russian involvement at the time, saying its forces do not target nuclear infrastructure and that Ukraine had probably carried out the attack itself as a "provocation".

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has estimated it will cost at least 500 million euros ($588 million) to repair the damage and that without such work "irreversible corrosion" of the structure will begin in four years.

An investigation conducted by Ukrainian state prosecutors assessed that the Russian attack was probably deliberate, Kravchenko said.

The assessment, he said, was based on the steep angle at which they determined the drone struck the containment shield. In their terminal phase, one-way attack drones carrying explosives typically dive towards their target and accelerate until impact.

Kravchenko said the Russian military was likely using Chornobyl as an attack route for drones to try to bypass dense areas of Ukrainian air defence coverage.

Ukraine, which has limited air defences to protect a land mass twice the size of Italy, concentrates them near populated areas and important infrastructure to maximise their utility against Russian attacks.

The Chornobyl facility, which lies less than 10 km from the border with Belarus and around 100 km from Kyiv, is surrounded by an exclusion zone of contaminated wilderness.

- Reuters
Ukraine is pushing for face-to-face talks between President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin, Kyivs top diplomat said, presenting a potential summit as a way of injecting new momentum into US-led efforts to end Russias more than four-year invasion of its neighbour.

Meanwhile, a Ukrainian drone attack deep inside Russia struck a residential building, killing a woman and a child, Russian officials said on Wednesday.

Kyiv has asked Turkey to help facilitate top-level talks and has reached out to other capitals as potential hosts, Ukrainian foreign minister Andrii Sybiha said, adding that Ukraine would consider any venue outside Russia and Belarus.

Ministry employees work at the side of a damaged apartment building hit by a Ukrainian drone in Syzran (Russian Emergency Ministry Press Service via AP)

We are advocating for a (summit) meeting now to bring new momentum to diplomacy, Mr Sybiha told reporters on Tuesday.

His remarks were embargoed until Wednesday.

US-mediated talks over the past year between delegations from Moscow and Kyiv have made little or no headway on key issues, such as the future of four Ukrainian regions Moscow is trying to capture but does not fully control.

With Washingtons attention now gripped by the Iran war, the talks are on ice.

Mr Zelenskyy has accepted an unconditional ceasefire demanded by US President Donald Trump but Mr Putin has refused.

Mr Putin thinks that time is on his side, that Western military and financial support will fade and that Ukraines resistance will eventually collapse, analysts say.

Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky has accepted an unconditional ceasefire demanded by US President Donald Trump (Peter Dejong/PA)

Meanwhile, a grim war of attrition continues along the about 1,250-kilometre (800-mile) front line that snakes along eastern and southern areas of Ukraine.

Western officials and analysts claim Russia is suffering several tens of thousands of battlefield casualties each month, drawing comparisons to the carnage of the First World War.

Independent verification of battlefield casualties and which side has the upper hand is not possible.

Ukraine has developed a domestic arms industry which is increasingly producing long-range drones and missiles capable of striking deep inside Russia.

It has taken aim at Russias oil production and manufacturing plants that supply the Russian military.

In Syzran, a city in Russias Samara region that is about 800 kilometres (500 miles) east of the border with Ukraine, a drone attack caused the collapse of a section of a residential building, local authorities said.

With Washingtons attention now gripped by the Iran war, the talks between Ukraine and Russia are on ice (Vahid Salemi/AP)

The bodies of a woman and a child were pulled out from under the rubble and 12 others were injured, local officials said.

Images from the scene showed a part of a four-storey building reduced to a massive pile of rubble, with emergency workers on top of it.

Russian media reports said a Rosneft oil refinery  a frequent target of Ukrainian drone attacks  is located on the same street as the damaged building.

Ukraines aerial attacks on Russia increased by nearly four times last year, from 6,200 in 2024 to more than 23,000 in 2025, Sergei Shoigu, the secretary of Russias Security Council, said last month.
Uzbek, Chinese communities mark Int'l Chinese Language Day with poetry, art showcase in Tashkent

Xinhua) 16:33, April 22, 2026

TASHKENT, April 22 (Xinhua) -- About 300 people gathered here on Tuesday to celebrate International Chinese Language Day with a comprehensive showcase and performance of Chinese character art and poetry.

Co-hosted by the Center for Language Education and Cooperation of China's Ministry of Education, Nanjing University of the Arts, and the Confucius Institute at Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies, the event drew representatives from the Chinese Embassy in Uzbekistan and from the education, cultural and arts sectors of both countries.

Xue Lian, cultural counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Uzbekistan, said that Chinese is becoming an "invisible bridge" connecting people from different countries and cultural backgrounds. She invited more Uzbek youth to step into the world of the Chinese language, using it to build bridges between hearts and write a new chapter of cooperation through cultural exchange.

Nodir Karimov, vice rector for international relations at the Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies, noted that such activities play an irreplaceable role in increasing students' interest in learning Chinese and helping them perceive the profound artistic and philosophical meanings of the language.

The event featured more than 100 posters telling stories behind Chinese characters and poetry while highlighting the artistry of modern Chinese character design.

In a seamless blend of poetry, dance and music, performers from Nanjing University of the Arts brought ten symbolic characters to life. Focusing on characters such as mountain, pass, road and snow, they vividly evoked the enduring reach of the ancient Silk Road.

The event offered the audience a chance to dive into Chinese culture through hands-on activities such as poetry-finding games and copying poems with brush calligraphy.

Jalilov, an eighth-grade student who has studied Mandarin for three years, said he was deeply impressed by the event's joyful atmosphere. He hopes to represent Uzbekistan in the "Chinese Bridge" competition in China and turn his passion for the Chinese language into a career of cultural exchange.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
( Tomdispatch.com )  When hes on full blast, Donald Trump (not so long ago the drill, baby, drill candidate for president) is distinctly a furnace. And he seems intent on turning this planet, our only world, into a version of the same. But heres the strange thing, when it comes to almost anything  from Iran to suddenly firing two key women, Pam Bondi and Kristi Noem, in his government (but certainly not the no-less-chaotic men)  theres no minute, it seems, when hes not flipping himself on his head and then spinning or stumbling or catapulting off in a new direction. Theres only one exception Ive noticed and, all too sadly, thats climate change, where everything he does  every single thing  is guaranteed to be a disaster for our children and grandchildren.

Recently, of course, hes launched a nightmarish war, by definition a gigantic producer of greenhouse gases, thats literally been all about oil and natural gas, thanks in part to the now chaotic, largely blocked Strait of Hormuz through which a quarter of humanitys sea-borne oil and a fifth of its natural gas used to pass. And if you dont believe me about it being a nightmare, just check out the most recent prices at your neighborhood gas station. Consider it an irony, then, that his disastrous Iranian war will undoubtedly lead in a direction  to the use of more green energy globally  that, if he ever thought about it, he would hate more than just about anything else. He has, of course, referred to environmentalists as terrorists. (They are terrorists. I call them environmental terrorists.) And in this country, over his two presidencies, hes done his damnedest to attack and try to block wind and solar power projects in every imaginable way, even though, globally, green power is growing fast and getting ever cheaper.

And heres the reality of our moment for which we do need to give Donald Trump credit: once upon a time, you couldnt have made any of this up  or, of course, have made up Donald Trump as president of the United States (twice!). If you had, it would have seemed like the least believable science fiction novel ever written. Not that I drive a car in New York City (the subway and buses work fine for me), but as I was writing this piece, of course, the price of gas had also edged up in my city to almost four dollars a gallon and a (possibly global) recession is on the horizon. (Thank you, Donald Trump!)

Of course, in launching his recent war against Iran, however incoherently, the PEACE PRESIDENT (and yes, hes into CAPS when it comes to himself) was, all too sadly, in good company, historically speaking. Since victory in World War II, from Korea to Vietnam to Afghanistan to Iraq and now to Iran (to mention only the big conflicts of that all-American era), our presidents have had quite a knack (if such a word can even be used) for starting wars, none (not a one!) of which has ended in anything faintly like victory. And its already obvious  you dont need to have the slightest knack for seeing into the future to know this  that Donald Trumps version of the same in Iran will prove to be a global disaster, made worse by the fact that, in the process, whether he faintly grasps it or not, hes also launched another brutally losing war against Planet Earth.

And the worst thing is that I feel Ive written all of this before. And before Trump  well, leaves is far too mild a word for it  abandons (??) the presidency, I could end up writing it again and again, and we would still be in the world  all too literally his world  from hell. Of course, for all we know, Donald J. Trump could decide to crown himself president and try to launch a third term in office that would, if successful, turn the constitution into an historical relic.

The Only Orange Monarch I Want Is a Butterfly.

The other week, feeling as I do about our president, I went to New York Citys No Kings rally. It was gigantic (though you wouldnt have known that, had you read my hometown paper, the New York Times, in the days that followed). It started on 59th Street where Central Park ends, with masses of marchers on both Seventh and Eighth Avenue, heading for 34th Street. By getting there early, I made it to the front of the crowd on Seventh Avenue at the head of that vast mass of protesting humanity and, once it started, I wove my way in and out of the crowd, back and forth, downtown and uptown again, jotting in a little notebook some of the thousands of homemade signs people were carrying.

When I finally reached Broadway and 42nd Street, I stepped up on the sidewalk and looked back. To my amazement, I could see all the way to 57th Street where we had begun, and that significant-sized avenue was still totally  and I mean totally  packed right back to Central Park. And mind you, this old man was just one of an estimated more than eight million Americans who turned out at more than 3,000 rallies across the United States that day, in communities huge and microscopic, to protest the world Donald Trump has dumped on, spilled all over, and is continuing to roil and broil.

And, yes, it did seem like every third person (even the two demonstrators dressed as plastic tigers) was carrying a homemade sign. I doubt I had ever seen so many of them at any past demonstration. I was scrawling a number of them down in a little notebook, and they ranged from Fight Truth Decay and Grandma says, ICE is not nice! to Its a good thing Congress isnt alive to see this and The only orange Monarch I want is a butterfly.

And then there was the one carried by a bearded man that caught my attention: You dirty ORANGE maniac! You blew it all up! Damn you to hell! And I thought to myself, boy, is that painfully accurate. In his own fashion, among all the things he hasnt succeeded in accomplishing, he has indeed been blowing it all up in a striking fashion and, unfortunately, potentially damning my children and grandchildren (and yours) to a literal planet from hell.

And sadly, as crazed as Donald Trump may be  and he clearly is a deeply disturbed (and, of course, disturbing) human being  when it comes to war and the burning of fossil fuels, hes been anything but alone as president of the United States. After all, in these decades, war has been this countrys middle name and weve been burning fossil fuels to fight them as if well, as if there would indeed be no tomorrow(s). And in his two terms in office, Trump and crew have gone with a passion after any form of clean, renewable energy that wouldnt blister us all. Only recently, for instance, the Guardian (which is superb when it comes to climate-change coverage) was the only publication I saw that reported on new research in Nature magazine showing that this country has caused an eye-watering $10tn [yes, thats trillion!] in global damages to the world over the past three decades through its vast planet-heating emissions, with a quarter of this economic pain inflicted upon itself.

Consider it something of an unintended irony, then, that the crew President Trump and his administration have put so much of themselves into goes by the acronym ICE. In fact, wouldnt you have thought that ICE would be a curse word for President Trump and that, when it comes to creating an immigration hell on earth, his crew of manic enforcers would have been known as HEAT? Which reminds me that, at the No Kings rally, I noted an older woman carrying a homemade sign all too appropriately saying: Deport Trump! Make ICE useful.

And thanks to his brutal assault on Iran, this planet is only going to get hotter yet, as war releases staggering amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere! Honestly, back in 2016, even if you had let your mind run in wild and unbelievably crazy directions, you simply couldnt have made up Donald Trumps planet as it is now, could you? Who could have imagined that the president of the United States, after launching a war with Iran in the Strait of Hormuz, would attack European countries for not joining him, saying, Youll have to start learning how to fight for yourself, the U.S.A. wont be there to help you anymore, just like you werent there for us.

And remind me, who has Donald Trump been there for, other than the major fossil fuel companies that backed him so radiantly in the 2024 election and are now getting a remarkable return on their investment?

Giving Decline New Meaning

Of course, to put all of this in some kind of perspective, sooner or later great imperial powers do go down and the United States has been the number one imperial power on this planet since the end of World War II, with its only true competitor (until China rose well into this century), the Soviet Union, which collapsed in a heap in 1991. So, it shouldnt be surprising that this country, which, singularly in human history, once reigned more or less supreme on Planet Earth, should finally have begun its own decline, while turning over investment in present and future green energy to China.

But of course, theres decline and then, in ICE terms, theres DECLINE!!! And Donald Trump is threatening to turn imperial decline, something known throughout history, into a distinctly new phenomenon. Even declining imperial powers havent usually had such a mad ruler or leader. And he does seem remarkably intent, in his own increasingly confused way, on taking this country down with him. The difference, historically, is that until now no imperial ruler had the chance to take down not just his (almost never her) country, but (after a fashion) our planet (at least as a livable place for us), too. And he does seem remarkably intent on continuing to fossil-fuelize our world in a disastrous fashion.

Of course, at this very moment, were all watching his approval ratings generally (and particularly on the economy) begin to tank. (Oh wait, my mistake! A tank is a war vehicle, and right now that reference only applies to Israel, which recently lost a remarkable number of tanks in southern Lebanon.) But our president has also focused a significant part of his administration on ending anything that could benefit the climate, while burning fossil fuels in a fashion that should be considered beyond incendiary. That includes recently agreeing to offer almost a billion dollars to a French energy company to abandon a project to construct wind farms off the East Coast of this country (as long as it was willing to reinvest that sum in future oil and gas projects here instead).

Yes, someday he could well be seen not just as the president of decline but potentially of ultimate devastation and that flaming red tie of his could end up having a symbolic significance that, once upon a time, no one might have imagined. No wonder that sign I saw on the No Kings Day march  and let me repeat it here one more time: You dirty ORANGE maniac! You blew it all up! Damn you to hell!  sticks in my mind. It predicts the very future that, unbelievably enough, 49.8% of American voters tried to usher in again in 2024.

Once upon a time, who could ever have imagined either Donald Trump as president of these (increasingly dis-)United States or such a possible fate?

Copyright 2026 Tom Engelhardt

Via Tomdispatch.com
Ann Arbor (Informed Comment)  Decades ago, I wrote an article about Shi`a Islam in the Persian Gulf in the early modern period. Some of what I said then has some resonances with todays events.

The Portuguese took Goa on the western coast of India in 1510. Their empire in the Indian Ocean focused on naval dominance and small forts  it was not settler colonialism. They rather high-handedly declared that they owned the ocean, and that all ships plying it required a Portuguese permit or cartaz. The ships had to pay fees at the ports controlled by Portugal. They were forbidden from carrying spices or canon. The Portuguese did not increase the GDP of the Indian Ocean, they just redistributed its trading profits. They established a monopoly on pepper from Indias Malabar coast in the first half of the 1500s. Since European food at that time was fairly tasteless, it was a treat to sprinkle some pepper on your gruel. But how did you get pepper? You had to buy it from the king of Portugal, who became known as the pepper king. Portugal was a relatively poor small country of about 1 million people then, but through a pirate-empire and really good big ships built for the Atlantic, it grew wealthy and pushed around more populous peoples.

To cut off one alternative route for the spice trade, the Portuguese State of India (Estado da India) reached up to the Persian Gulf. Lisbon had already taken Hormuz, which dominates the narrow Strait of Hormuz, in 1507. The Estado took the strategic island of Qeshm around 1515. In 1515 it conquered Bahrain, which was notable for its pearl industry.

But by the early 1600s, Portugal was being challenged in the Persian Gulf by rival rising powers. On land, the Safavid Empire under Abbas the Great (r. 1588  1629) had begun attempting to recover Iranian territory along the coast at what the Portuguese called Camorao, which later became the Safavid port of Bandar Abbas once the Portuguese were defeated. The press to assert Iranian dominance was led by the governor of the southwest Fars province, Imam-Qoli Khan.



Portuguese Empire. Public Domain. Via Picryl

I wrote:

In 1602, the Safavid military occupied Bahrain. Teixera described the isles around 1610 as inhabited by Arabs with an Iranian minister and garrison. He estimated the official value of the yearly pearl trade of Bahrain at 500,000 ducats, with another 100,000 smuggled on the black market. The tax-farm of the islands itself was worth 4,000 ducats annually. The governors sent from Iran appear from their names mostly to have been Qizilbash notables and al-Nabhan wrote that one was removed by the shah after the Baharina [local Arabic-speaking Bahrainis] complained of extortions.

With the rise of Dutch and British mercantile and naval power in the first decades of the 17th century, the Safavids saw an opportunity to dislodge the Portuguese from the Gulf altogether. The Portuguese protection system, requiring that Asian merchants pay high tariffs and bribes to Portuguese officials in return for safety from Portuguese attacks, had grown so onerous to Indian merchants that they began reviving the overland route to Iran from Lahore through Qandahar. At the same time, new Dutch naval technology and trade routes allowed the Dutch to bypass the Portuguese factories. Gulf trade probably fell in the first decades of the 17th century which weakened the Portuguese at Hurmuz.

In a joint 1622 Anglo-Iranian campaign against Hurmuz, the Iranians expelled the Portuguese, who retired to Goa. With Hurmuz now an Iranian dependency, the Safavids briefly reverted to the practice of administering Bahrain from that island. Later, Bahrain fell under the administrative jurisdiction of the Beglarbegi of Kuhgilu centered at Bihbahan in southern Iran. But the governor of Bahrain always exercised a great deal of autonomy. With Iranian dominance of Bahrain, the marketing entrepot for its pearls shifted to the Iranian Persian Gulf port of Congoun near the administrative center of Lar.

The Dutch and British East India Companies, new economic institutions that by their control of the sea, their lower protection costs, and their knowledge of world prices represented an advance on the protection racket that constituted the Portuguese empire, began carrying Iranian and Indian merchants for a transport fee. The Companies traded with the local merchants, as well as competing with them, setting up a system of European-staffed Asian trade alongside their trade to Europe.

The 17th century witnessed Dutch supremacy, as well as a gradual shift after 1650 from pepper to cotton textiles as the major European import from the Eastthough pepper imports did not decline in absolute terms. The Gulf trade overland to the Levant continued, despite the decline of Venice, to remain important along with the Red Sea route, especially for the French. The Gulf also witnessed expanded commerce between the East and Iran and Iraq. The Dutch, for instance, brought Indonesian pepper and Bengal sugar into the Gulf.

Cameron Winter writes in his The Fall of Hormuz: Portugal, Safavid Persia, and Comparative Military Power in the Early Seventeenth Century, International Journal of Military History and Historiography (2025). that the Safavids took the island of Qeshm. It supplied Hormuz with its water, so this was a serious challenge to the Portuguese ability to retain Hormuz. The captain, Simao de Mello, and his vassal, the king of Hormuz, foresaw that they were the next target and they stockpiled supplies to survive a siege. And lo and behold, Safavid troop ships arrived in February 1622.

The Safavids were at war with the Ottoman Empire in the north, and now the Portuguese in the southwest. They made an alliance with the British East India Company against Lisbon. Or more accurately they threatened the EIC with being expelled from Iran and denied a share in the lucrative silk trade conducted by that country if they would not lend their ships to the effort to dislodge the Portuguese. Six EIC warships accompanied the Safavid troop transports, which brought something on the order of 3,000 troops.

Although the Iranians were not a big artillery power, they did have light artillery. They also had big muskets that were slow and cumbersome but had really good long range accuracy, and Iranian snipers were able to pick off Portuguese soldiers inside their fort. The Iranians hid in trenches and behind earthworks, so the Portuguese snipers could not effectively return fire.



The Portuguese defending the fort at Hormuz, from a Jarunnameh of Qadri. Isfahan, dated 1109/1697. Imam-Quli Khan is depicted at the upper left astride a white horse holding a sword and shield. Opaque watercolour and ink on paper; page 29.2  19.7 cm. British Library, Add. 7801. Public Domain. Via Wikimedia Commons.

The Safavids, like the Mughals, deployed sappers to dig beneath fortifications and mine them. That was how the Mughals took Qandahar. Likewise, the Safavids did this to the Portuguese fort in Hormuz. The Portuguese, under siege, also ran low on shot and gunpowder, and the EIC ships prevented any attempt by Goa to resupply them. De Mello surrendered to the EIC official, Edward Monnox, after a little over twelve days.

Imam Qoli Khan thus recovers Hormuz for Iran. Although the British East India Company role was important, Iranian troops and techniques took the territory. Monnox maintained bitterly that the Safavids did not repay him for the help as they had promised to.

Through the early 1620s the Portuguese tried several times to take back their lost territories in the Persian Gulf, but they failed and Iran remained dominant.

Winter concludes,

It shows that the Estado da India  and, for that matter, the EIC  while supreme at sea, could do little in the face of sustained aggression or defiance from an Asian land empire. Well-trained and ably led, the Safavid Army of Fars possessed several advantages over its Portuguese enemies in the fields of siege engineering and long-range musketry and was able to leverage those advantages into a triumph over Portugals warships and military architecture . . .

The Iranian determination to control the Gulf, and thence trade with India, derived in part from the ways they were blocked in the north by the Ottomans, the east by the Uzbeks and the southeast by the Mughals.

In contrast, the Mughals, a great land power who gradually conquered almost all of the Indian subcontinent, gained so much wealth from land taxes that they let Goa largely alone. They figured it would be more expensive to try to dislodge the Portuguese than simply to forfeit to them small port fees.

Safavid Iran was more motivated to escape the stranglehold of Lisbon. The advantages of determined land-based powers in controlling nearby territory and waterways over the navies of distant empires is a lesson that Donald Trump and Pete Hegseth should contemplate.
Committee on Academic Freedom | Middle East Studies Association of North America | 

Letter to the University of Arkansas about the dismissal of Associate Professor Shirin Saeidi

Jay B. Silveria

President, the University of Arkansas

chancell@uark.edu

Charles F. Robinson

Chancellor, the University of Arkansas

chancell@uark.edu

Brian Raines

Dean of the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences

The University of Arkansas

beraines@uark.edu

Dear President Silveria, Chancellor Robinson, and Dean Raines:

We write on behalf of the Middle East Studies Association of North America (MESA) and its Committee on Academic Freedom to express our grave concern regarding the University of Arkansass decision to dismiss tenured Professor Shirin Saeidi. We are particularly troubled that this decision was made despite the unanimous recommendation of the Faculty Hearing Committee that Professor Saeidi not be fired.

MESA was founded in 1966 to promote scholarship and teaching on the Middle East and North Africa. The preeminent organization in the field, the Association publishes the prestigious International Journal of Middle East Studies and has nearly 2,800 members worldwide. MESA is committed to ensuring academic freedom and freedom of expression, both within the region and in connection with the study of the region in North America and outside of North America.

On 16 December 2025 Dean Brian Raines recommended Professor Saeidis dismissal on six grounds, pursuant to Board Policy 405.1 .The following day, Chancellor Robinson concurred and notified Professor Saeidi of her right to request a hearing before the universitys Faculty Hearing Committee. Professor Saeidi exercised that right on 6 January 2026 and the hearing was held on 23 February 2026. According to university policy, the Faculty Hearing Committee is required to review the alleged grounds for dismissal and the individuals written response to them, conduct a hearing at which both sides can present evidence, question witnesses and make a recommendation with findings.

After conducting a thorough review addressing each of the six stated grounds for dismissal, the Faculty Hearing Committee unanimously recommended against dismissal on all counts and called for Professor Saeidis reinstatement to her teaching, research and service responsibilities as a tenured associate professor. Nonetheless, President Silveria chose to disregard the Faculty Hearing Committees decision, and on 26 March 2026 he informed Professor Saeidi that he was endorsing Chancellor Robinsons recommendation to dismiss her for cause under Board of Trustees Policies 405.1 and 405.4. We regard President Silverias action as an egregious violation of accepted norms of faculty governance and a serious breach of the right to free speech and unencumbered academic expression.

Our letter to the University of Arkansas dated 16 December 2025 regarding Professor Saeidis removal from her position as Director of the King Fahd Center for Middle East Studies expressed concern that that decision was politically motivated and based primarily on her protected speech, in violation of the principles of academic freedom and her First Amendment rights as well as of university policy. We call your attention to the fact that Board Policy 405.1 explicitly affirms that mere expressions of opinions related to the faculty members scholarship or teaching, however controversial, shall not constitute cause for dismissal. President Silverias decision to terminate Professor Saeidi is equally inconsistent with this policy and suggests that the university has capitulated to external political pressure, given that she has been subjected to a sustained campaign of doxing and defamation. We note that the Faculty Hearing Committee found no complaints or negative evaluations from students or colleagues about Professor Saeidi, heightening our concern about the role played by external actors in the decision to terminate Professor Saeidi.

We are also concerned that President Silverias dismissal letter cites the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism. CAF has written extensively about the problematic use of this definition and its accompanying examples, which conflate criticism of Zionism and of Israel with antisemitism. We are also troubled by President Silverias acknowledgment that his decision was influenced, at least in part, by concerns over potential reductions to, or even elimination of, state funding under Ark. Code Ann.  6-16-2004 if the universitys response to antisemitism were deemed inadequate. Professor Saeidi has been the target of sustained pressure from state officials and other external actors, and the universitys apparent surrender to that pressure sets a deeply troubling precedent.

Free expression is essential to any democratic society, and institutions of higher education must remain spaces where even controversial or unpopular views can be expressed, debated, and challenged. No faculty member should lose their position for expressive or associational activity protected by the First Amendment and the principles of academic freedom. At moments of heightened political tension, university leaders bear a particular responsibility to uphold academic freedom and protect members of their communities. In dismissing Professor Saeidi, the University of Arkansas appears to have fallen far short of these obligations, undermining its avowed commitment to academic freedom and institutional integrity.

We therefore call on the University of Arkansas to uphold its stated commitment to freedom of speech, the principles of academic freedom, its own policies and the recommendations of the Faculty Hearing Committee by immediately rescinding the decision to terminate Professor Saeidi and by reinstating her as Director of the King Fahd Center for Middle East Studies. We further urge you to publicly denounce the campaign of defamation directed against Professor Saeidi and to refrain from any future actions that censor or penalize the protected speech of faculty and students at the University of Arkansas.

We look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

Ussama Makdisi

MESA President

Professor, University of California, Berkeley

Judith E. Tucker

Chair, Committee on Academic Freedom

Professor Emerita, Georgetown University

cc:

Board of Trustees of the University of Arkansas

The Arkansas Traveler

Farida Shaheed

United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Right to Education
International Criminal Court judges Wednesday threw out a challenge against the court's jurisdiction by Rodrigo Duterte, meaning the former Philippines president could still stand trial over his war on drugs.

The 81-year-old faces three counts of crimes against humanity at the international court based in The Hague over murders allegedly committed as part of his crackdown on drug users and pushers.

The allegations relate to his time as mayor of Davao city between 2013 and 2016 and then as president until March 2019, when the Philippines withdrew from the ICC.

Duterte's defence had argued the court had no jurisdiction over alleged crimes in the Philippines because the country is no longer subject to the Rome Statute, the ICC's founding text.

The prosecution countered that the alleged crimes occurred while the Philippines was still a member of the ICC and so judges can rule on Duterte's case.

In an initial decision in October, the ICC pre-trial chamber sided with the prosecution, ruling that the investigation into Duterte began before the Philippines withdrawal.

The appeals court threw out the defence team's challenge to that decision.

The court "has rejected all four grounds of appeal," said presiding judge Luz del Carmen Ibanez Carranza.

"Having rejected the entire appeal, the appeal chamber considers that the defence request for the immediate and unconditional release of Mr Duterte is moot," she added.

Duterte's defence lawyer Nicholas Kaufman said he was not surprised by the verdict given the fact that the Duterte trial is the one remaining high-profile case at the ICC.

"Allowing the appeal would have practically emptied the Court's docket," he said in a statement to AFP.

In a separate procedure, judges are weighing whether to confirm the charges against Duterte, the final step before a trial, which would be the first against a former head of state from Asia.

At hearings in February, the prosecution alleged that Duterte was responsible for thousands of deaths during his war on drugs.

His defence said there was no "smoking gun" directly linking Duterte's fiery rhetoric and threats against drug users and actual murders.

In any case, Duterte is unlikely to appear in court.

The court granted his request not to appear for the hearings in February, with his defence saying he was not mentally fit.

The only time he has been seen since his arrest and transfer to The Hague was at an initial appearance via videolink, at which he came across as confused and exhausted.

He did not appear at Thursday's reading of the decision.
Ethnic Tigrayans in a disputed region of northern Ethiopia are victims of discrimination and arbitrary detention, Human Rights Watch said on Wednesday, assessing that the abuses could amount to "crimes against humanity".

The region remains occupied by soldiers from the neighbouring Amhara region, who backed the federal government in its war against Tigrayan rebels during a brutal 2020-2022 civil war in which more than 600,000 are estimated to have died.

Amhara forces still occupy western Tigray -- which they describe as "ancestral Amhara lands" -- in violation of the peace deal that ended the war.

"Authorities and security forces in Ethiopia's contested Western Tigray Zone are arbitrarily detaining ethnic Tigrayans and severely restricting their movements, employment, and access to services," Human Rights Watch (HRW) said in a report, describing the abuses as "unrelenting".

"The Ethiopian authorities and their partners seem determined to ignore the treatment of Tigrayans as effectively second-class citizens," said Laetitia Bader, HRW deputy Africa director.

Federal authorities did not respond to AFP's requests for comment.

HRW interviewed 40 people, some residents of Western Tigray and others who had fled the region to displacement camps.

One 20-year-old resident said he was afraid to move, unable to access his farmland to work, and only permitted to earn as a day labourer.

"If the (security forces) find you, they beat you so badly... We don't move freely, we move only if there's no choice," he told HRW.

It said any displacement or forcible displacement caused by threats and violence would amount to crimes against humanity.

A previous 2022 report, conducted by Amnesty International and HRW, said Western Tigray authorities, with the complicity of federal forces, had "committed an ethnic cleansing campaign against the Tigrayan civilian population amounting to war crimes and crimes against humanity".

Bader urged Ethiopian authorities and international partners to "stop ignoring the Western Tigray crisis, central to ongoing tensions in the region".

More than three years after the end of the war, northern Ethiopia remains precarious, with increasingly tense relations between the government and Tigrayan authorities, raising worries of a renewed conflict.






Tuesday, April 21, 2026 - A Tanzanian Slay Queen was arrested after stealing from an American national during an encounter at an Airbnb in Nairobi.

According to claims shared by social media personality Madollar Mapesa, the woman is accused of taking a watch and a gold chain valued at approximately Ksh 850,000.

Reports indicate that the woman had booked a lavish Airbnb alongside a colleague, where the incident is said to have occurred.

In a video circulating online, the woman is seen making frantic phone calls after police were reportedly called to the scene.

Watch the video>>> below

The Kenyan DAILY POST








Tuesday, April 21, 2026 - Infamous ODM goon, Calvince Okoth, alias Gaucho, was pictured landing in Kisumu alongside President Rutos aide Farouk Kibet, sparking reactions on social media.

Their visit to Kisumu has raised eyebrows, especially as it comes ahead of the much-anticipated Linda Mwananchi rally slated for Sunday, April 26th.

The rally is being fronted by a section of ODM legislators who are opposed to the broad-based Government.

Tensions are already high, with some leaders alleging that state-sponsored goons are being mobilised to disrupt the rally.

Gauchos appearance in Kisumu alongside Farouk Kibet has continued to stir debate online, with netizens questioning timing of the visit.

The Kenyan DAILY POST
Ken Foxe

Nearly 2,800 complaints were made about childrens hospital services over the past three years, according to new figures.

Childrens Health Ireland (CHI) said the highest number of concerns raised related to communication and information, followed by safe and effective care.

More than half of all complaints were logged at Crumlin Childrens Hospital in Dublin, the largest service in the country.

However, the figures do show an apparent drop in the number of families raising concerns over the period from 2023 to 2025.

In 2023, there were 991 complaints registered overall, including 582 at Crumlin and 228 at Temple Street.

By 2024, that total fell to 896 before dropping again in 2025 to 885.

CHI said complaints were categorised across a number of pillars and that a single complaint could relate to more than one issue.

For 2025, that meant the total number of issues flagged by parents or patients was 1,793.

Of that, 402 related to access to healthcare, and 60 concerned accountability.

There were 686 issues logged relating to communication and information, and 36 that involved dignity and respect.

Also flagged on 550 occasions was safe and effective care.

There were a small number of other complaints that touched on issues around privacy, improving health, and participation.

The type of complaints made in 2023 and 2024 were similar with most raising access to healthcare, safety, and communication.

CHI withheld some low-volume figures on the basis that release of the information could identify an individual patient.

Separate figures showed the number of favourable comments that came from families about treatment.

In 2023, they received almost 1,500 compliments  with nearly 60 per cent relating to Crumlin Childrens Hospital.

For 2024, there were 1,710 compliments logged and last year another 1,275.

In an information note, CHI said they used the HSE Your Service, Your Say model for managing feedback from patients and their families.
By Bairbre Holmes, Press Association

Enoch Burke has argued that he should be granted an appeal against a High Court decision that his suspension from a Co Westmeath school was lawful.

In May 2023, Justice Alexander Owens ruled it was lawful for Wilsons Hospital School to suspend the history and German teacher in 2022.

Following the judgment, Burke had 28 days in which to appeal, but on Wednesday, he appeared in front of the three judges of the Court of Appeal to make his case for an extension of time.

Members of Enoch Burkes family attended the Court of Appeal in Dublin on Wednesday (Niall Carson/PA)

The school and Burke have been in a long-running legal dispute stemming from incidents over a request from the formers then-principal to address a student by a new name and the pronoun they.

Burke, an evangelical Christian, argued that his suspension was unlawful and went against his right to express his religious beliefs.

He has spent more than 650 days in jail for contempt of court after repeatedly trespassing at the school.

Addressing the judges on Wednesday, he outlined a number of reasons for seeking an appeal two-and-a-half years after the original judgment.

They included his involvement in a number of legal actions, in which he represented himself, his imprisonment and because he had lost confidence in the Court of Appeal following a previous decision.

Enoch Burke has been in a long-running legal dispute with Wilsons Hospital School in Co Westmeath (Brian Lawless/PA)

The barrister representing the schools board of management, Rosemary Mallon, described the case as unusual and extraordinary and said an extension of time to allow an appeal should not be granted.

She said the reasons Burke gave for the delay were not legitimate or valid reasons and said there was a need for finality in the matter.

President of the court Justice Caroline Costello said judgment on the matter was reserved, and when asked for a timeline on when a decision might be made, she replied: We will do it when we can, everybody has different pressures with work.
High Court Reporters

A hospital has unreservedly apologised to the family of a woman who died of heart failure that the standard of care to her during two admissions to the hospital in the time before her death was not to the appropriate standard.

The apology from Letterkenny University Hospital to the family of pensioner May Craig was read out in the High Court as her family settled a High Court action over her death.

The familys counsel, Doireann OMahony BL, told the court that the settlement is without an admission of liability, and the case was before the court for the division of the 35,000 statutory mental distress solatium payment only.

Counsel said it was a sad and tragic case where Mary Craig (76) from Raphoe, Co Donegal, a mother to seven and grandmother, had attended the Letterkenny hospital twice before her death.

She said it was their case that there were alleged repeated failures in relation to the hospital visits.

In a letter to the family, which was read to the court, the manager of Letterkenny University Hospital, Sean Murphy on behalf of the hospital, expressed sincere condolences and apologised for the devastating loss of Mary.

The letter stated: I wish to apologise unreservedly that the standard of care delivered to Mary during her admission in May and June 2022 was not to the standard that we believe would be appropriate. I deeply regret the sorrow and distress that this has caused you.

The letter continued: I fully appreciate that nothing I nor the team here at Letterkenny University Hospital can say, in any way to make up for the tragic loss which you have experienced. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with you and your extended family.

Craigs daughter, Elaine Devenney of Newtowncunningham, Co Donegal, had sued the HSE over the death of her mother.

In the proceedings it was claimed that in two admissions to Letterkenny University Hospital on May 19 and June 11, 2022, Mrs Craig was allegedly not properly or adequately investigated or treated . It was further claimed that on more than one occasion the opportunity to establish a correct diagnosis was allegedly missed and she was allegedly not appropriately treated as a result. The claims were denied.

The pensioner had been referred by her GP to Letterkenny University Hospital, complaining of light-headedness in May 2022.

She was reviewed in hospital and light-headedness and dizziness was noted. She had tests and was admitted to the hospital cardio care unit .

Craig had a permanent pacemaker inserted on May 20, 2022 and was discharged from hospital on May 23rd 2022.

Four days later, it was claimed Mrs Craig was referred by her GP again to the A&E department at Letterkenny University Hospital. She was reviewed by a doctor and it was noted she had no chest pain or palpitations, and it was claimed the impression was congestive cardiac failure.

It was claimed that Mrs Craig was seen by a junior doctor and pneumonia was diagnosed, and she was prescribed antibiotics and discharged.

It was further claimed that on June 11th 2022, an ambulance as called to Craigs home and she was brought to the hospital, where she was admitted with acute decompensated heart failure.

It was claimed that no bed was available in the cardiac care unit. On June 12, Mrs Craig suffered a cardiac arrest but she was resuscitated and brought to the intensive care unit. She was declared dead later.

Noting the settlement and the division of the solatium Judge Paul Coffy conveyed his deepest sympathy to Mrs Craigs family.
A MAN in receipt of 450 a week in state benefit told Portlaoise District Court that he pays a man 250 a week to drive him around.

Agustin Muntean, Kilmalogue Court, Patrick Street, Portarlington gave the sworn evidence in court last week when he pleaded not guilty to driving while uninsured at Patrick Street, Portarlington on 13 May last year.

In his sworn evidence Garda Shay Monaghan said that while on mobile patrol from Patricks Street to the Ring Road on 13 May, he saw the defendant driving the car and his wife in the passenger seat. He said he was unable to deal with the matter that day, but the following day he attended the defendants house, where he charged Mr Muntean with the offence.

In reply to the charge being put to him, Garda Monaghan said the defendant replied: It was not me. You disqualified me before.

I reminded him I prosecuted him and that it was the judge who disqualified him. I was satisfied that it was Mr Muntean who I saw driving the car at the time. I have no doubt that it was him.

Mr Muntean took the stand and said under oath: I was not driving. I pay a driver to drive my car. The car is in his name and he is insured. I cant drive. Im banned off the road.

Garda Sgt JJ Kirby asked the defendant: How much do you pay the driver, to which he replied: 250 as week. Do you keep a ledger of a record of his pay slips, asked Sgt Kirby?

Mr Muntean said: No. Ive been paying to him for nearly the past year.

Sgt Kirby estimated that Mr Muntean had paid the driver between 12,000 to 12,500 in that time.

Sgt Kirby said: Garda Monaghan is adamant that it was you he saw driving at the time, to which Mr Muntean said: I wasnt in the car at the time. My driver was driving the car that day. I was in Mullingar hospital at that time that day.

Judge Andrew Cody asked whether the defendant was working, to which he said he wasnt.

Judge Cody said: Theres very few people in Ireland at the moment who can afford to pay a chauffeur. How much money do you get. How much money a week do you get?

He told the judge that his wife receives a weekly social welfare payment of 450 for him and their six children and 200 goes in rent and 250 to the driver.

I also do markets and sell stuff at them  toys, he said.

So, you earn money from markets as well, noted Judge Cody, can you provide your P60 and payslips?

The man who Mr Muntean said was driving his car on the day took the stand and told the court: I was driving on the day. He cant drive. He pays me 250 a week and pays my insurance on the car.

Sgt Kirby wanted to know whether he had any pay slips from Mr Muntean or bank details of the income he derives from driving the defendant around, to which he said he hadnt.

Sgt Kirby said that the driver and Mr Muntean look completely different, that Mr Muntean was balding and that the driver had a full head of hair and that Garda Monaghan saw clearly who was driving on the day.

He said what was being said in court was a cock and bull story and accused the driver of telling lies.

Defending barrister Andrew Dunne said that Mr Muntean had put a plan in place to obtain a driver when he was disqualified from driving to drive him and his family around.

Mr Muntean is very clear in his evidence that it was not him who was driving at the time. The court must be satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that he was driving, said Mr Dunne.

Judge Cody said Mr Munteans testimony could not stand up, because in a statement of means certificate to the court, a legally binding document, he said his only means of income was derived from a social welfare payment and that, in court, under oath, he said that he also obtained income from selling toys at markets.

Its all a lie, said the Judge who was told that the 44-year-old defendant has 91 previous convictions, of which eight were for driving without insurance.

Mr Dunne said that his client: Continuously maintains that it wasnt him driving, that it was his driver.

Judge Cody convicted Mr Muntean of driving while uninsured, imposed a 500 fine, sentenced him to six months in prison and disqualified him from driving for 20 years.

He went on to fix a 1,000 own bond recognisance, with a 500 cash lodgement in the event the defendant wished to appeal his decision, which Mr Muntean took up before the court closed that day.

Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme.
James Cox

The upcoming Daniel Kinahan trial and the economy are among the stories that feature on Wednesday's front pages.

Daniel Kinahan is expected to face one charge at the Special Criminal Court, The Irish Times reports.

The Irish economy is 'not in recession territory', the Irish Examiner reports.

The Irish Independent leads with a story on potential income tax cuts.

The Echo leads with a story on a Cork principal who is on leave after 'untrue' rumours about him being drunk at work.

The Irish Daily Mail leads with a story on overspending at the Department of Education.

The Irish Daily Star leads with the Daniel Kinahan arrest.

The Irish Daily Mirror leads with a story on the fuel protests.

The Irish Sun and The Herald lead with Garda operations targeting further Kinahan gang members.

The Belfast Telegraph leads with a story on rumours linking Ian Paisley with Reform UK.

The North's digital health record system ran 100 million over budget, The Irish News reports.

Pressure on UK prime minister Keir Starmer over the Peter Mandelson scandal is the main story on Wednesday's UK front pages.

Wednesday's TIMES: Starmer on the ropes over Mandelson vetting fiasco#TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/21MehmlXtr  Jack Surfleet (@jacksurfleet) April 21, 2026

Wednesday's FINANCIAL TIMES: Robbins tells of No 10 pressure to approve role for Mandelson#TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/FXkVJUqKuT  Jack Surfleet (@jacksurfleet) April 21, 2026

Wednesday's NATIONAL: 'He is weak, desperate and fighting to save his career'#TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/xEheIYnMEG  Jack Surfleet (@jacksurfleet) April 21, 2026

Wednesday's GUARDIAN: Robbins accuses No 10 of applying huge pressure over Mandelson job#TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/50NbtBZt4Q  Jack Surfleet (@jacksurfleet) April 21, 2026

Wednesday's DAILY TELEGRAPH: Labour MPs vent fury at 'toxic' No10#TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/1iDpoJwKbd  Jack Surfleet (@jacksurfleet) April 21, 2026

The New York Times and The Washington Post both lead with the US-Iran war.
By Cillian Sherlock, Press Association

A woman who told police that Noah Donohoe had been injected with heroin or naloxone prior to his death later said this was a rumour and she had no information about how he disappeared, an inquest has heard.

The inquest into the death of Noah at Belfast Coroners Court, which is being heard with a jury, is in its 12th week.

On Wednesday, it heard evidence from a woman who was convicted of handling stolen goods in 2021 after being found to be in possession of his laptop at her accommodation near the Donohoe family home.

Noah, a pupil at St Malachys College, was 14 when his naked body was found in the storm drain tunnel in north Belfast in June 2020, six days after he left home on his bike to meet two friends in the Cavehill area of the city.

A post-mortem examination found the cause of death was drowning.

The witness said she hopes Fiona Donohoe gets answers (Liam McBurney/PA)

The inquest was previously told there was no toxicological evidence he was under the influence of drugs at the time of his death but it could not be stated with absolute certainty.

On Wednesday, the jury heard evidence from Maria Nolan about she came into possession of Noahs laptop, as well as statements she had provided to police in the past.

Ms Nolan told the inquest that a man she knew, Daryl Paul, told her that he had a laptop that he could sell at Cash Converters to raise money to buy drugs on June 24th, 2020.

The laptop was Noahs, and was part of several items that had gone missing  including his backpack and coat.

She said she did not know about Noah or his disappearance at the time and believed the laptop was owned by Mr Paul, whom she accompanied.

A general view of Northwood Park and Northwood road in Belfast where school boy Noah Donohoe was last seen before his death (Niall Carson/PA)

The inquest heard Cash Converters would not accept the laptop without a charger, and the store later raised suspicions about the computer with police.

Ms Nolan had taken possession of the laptop after the encounter when she parted ways with Mr Paul, who was later arrested by police.

Police then found the laptop in Ms Nolans room at Queens Quarter Housing on University Street, which is across the road from the Donohoe home.

Mr Paul, who the jury was told was regularly outside Queens Quarter Housing, was also convicted in relation to Noahs stolen laptop.

Ms Nolan said she would describe Mr Paul as a friend and told the inquest they were not boyfriend and girlfriend.

Brenda Campbell, for Noahs mother Fiona, said her client had found it very disconcerting that the laptop had ended up in the possession of people who were so nearby.

Fiona Donohoe (left), the mother of 14-year-old Noah Donohoe, with solicitor Niall Murphy, Brenda Campbell (right), outside Belfast Coroners Court (Liam McBurney/PA)

Previous statements and records of police interviews with the witness were read to the jury by counsel to the coroner Peter Coll.

In one of those statements which she had prepared following consultation with the Donohoe familys legal team, Ms Nolan said she was aware of how Noah was injected with heroin or naloxone as he travelled through Belfast city centre.

She said that she had previously seen addicts targeting vulnerable or elderly people and robbing them and that this is what happened to Noah.

She said that she had spoken to people in a tight-knit addict community where it had been mentioned that Noah had been injected with heroin or naloxone, and that a secret of this nature would be openly confided within this group.

However, in a later police interview as well as a statement directly to the inquest and her evidence in front of the jury, Ms Nolan said she did not know this to be fact.

She said she did not write the statement and felt under pressure to sign it, adding that she thought she was helping the family.

She said she never wanted to put forward that she knew for a fact what happened.

Donal Lunny is representing the PSNI (Claudia Savage/PA)

She said the only thing she had information on was the laptop, adding: I dont know nothing else.

Ms Nolan also said she saw a green coat, with characteristics similar to Noahs, in Mr Pauls home at the time he picked up the laptop to sell it.

However, she reiterated she did not know about Noah or his missing items at the time.

Ms Nolan said she had first heard the rumour of Noah being injected when she was assaulted by a woman in August who asked if she had done it.

She also said the she had not seen Noah be robbed or attacked or heard anyone make any confessions to that effect.

Ms Noah said she had never seen someone inject or threaten to inject someone with heroin, but it was a fear she had herself.

She told police no one had put pressure on her to make her statements.

Fiona Donohoe and her son Noah Donohoe (Family handout/PA)

In a later statement to the inquest, Ms Nolan said she never met or knew Noah and did not know how he died.

I have heard rumours and speculation like many people have but the reality is I do not know if there is any truth to these rumours.

She later added: I dont know what happened to Noah.

Under questioning from Ms Campbell, Ms Nolan said police came to seize the laptop from her accommodation the night or two nights after she came to have it.

The witness said the police had not asked her about Noah, about how he was still missing, or his other missing items at the time.

She said they had told her she had a laptop to do with a high-profile case but did not ask how she got it, nor mention Noahs name.

She said she was confused about the situation and found out the connection later on, and made attempts to contact police to see what was going on.

However, she said she had problems with her memory due to drug use at the time.

Asked by Donal Lunny, for the PSNI, if it would have meant anything to her if police had mentioned Noahs name, she said she would not have known what they were talking about.

Also asked by Ms Campbell about evidence relating to another witness who said Ms Nolan had previously been in Noahs company, she disputed this and said she had never met the boy.

Ms Nolan said she had previously been hammered by the press and public, adding she was horrified that the laptop belonged to Noah.

She said she had been threatened, physically assaulted, and abused over the matter.

She said she was now clean from drugs and attending counselling.

I feel desperately sad for Noahs mummy, I hope she gets answers.

The inquest will resume on Thursday.
Kilkenny senator Malcolm Noonan has urged the Government to establish a network of one-stop-shops in every local authority to encourage development of vacant and derelict properties.

Speaking in the Seanad, Noonan stated that such a network would help project developers navigate their way through the legislative planning, regulatory and incentive matrix.

This would ensure our councils become an enabling force to get these wonderful built heritage elements back into to productive use, he said.

READ NEXT: Attempts to remove 'the most awful weed' cost Kilkenny resident 'thousands'

To get families back living in our town centres and to help uplift those towns commercially and socially.

Senator Noonan informed Minister of State John Cummins that this is a measure that has been sought for many years by the Irish Green Building Council and the Vacant to Vibrant Building Alliance.

He further stated that in recent years a suite of new roles has come into our local government system, such as architectural conservation officers, town centre first officers and vacancy officers.

READ NEXT: Kilkenny bridge improvement works are 'welcome' but 'more to do'

Despite this, Senator Noonan made the point that project proposers often find it tricky, to say the least, to navigate the system and there are varying interpretations from county to county regarding fire and access regulations, sometimes at the behest of the fire officer.

Sometimes they have different interpretations of what can and cannot be done to a building.

By establishing a network of one-stop-shops across the local government system, we can overcome and develop a consistency of approach and application, share best practice and, importantly, move these projects along.

READ NEXT: ALERT: Kilkenny drivers take an alternative route due to closure of busy road

Before finishing his contribution, he asked the Minister of State to give consideration to engaging with the County and City Management Association, Local Government Management Agency, local authority members and the Heritage Council on the matter.

Responding, Deputy Cummins stated that the Government recognises the importance of tackling vacancy and dereliction and will continue in its commitment to addressing these issues with the support of all key stakeholders, including our local authorities.

Deputy Cummins then further outlined a number of measures, grant schemes and initiatives taken by the Government in recent years in its bid to tackle dereliction.

READ NEXT: 'Will not be tolerated' - warning issued by Kilkenny GAA club ahead of Wexford visit

Senator Noonan noted that conservation advice grants are useful but are very limited to the conservation element of it.

That is why I think the one-stop shop is a really progressive approach, he said.

The Kilkenny senator further asked the Deputy to consider the idea of removing the element of commercial on the ground floor in the above-the-shop scheme due to ongoing flux in the retail sector.

READ NEXT: Kilkenny father sentenced to five months in prison

Deputy Cummins stated that there are obviously pros and cons to that but that the Government want the ground-floor retail to remain while utilising that underutilised space above the shop.

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Confirmation that work on new and enhanced bus stops in Ballyhale and Thomastown will go ahead despite the cancellation of local routes by Bus Eireann, has been welcomed by Callan Thomastown municipal district councillors.

Area Engineer, Declan Murphy, told their recent meeting that the National Roads Authority (NTA) have instructed Kilkenny County Council to carry on with the project.

Despite the Bus Eireann announcement of its intention to cancel the Route 4 service, he said other bus services still go through Thomastown and the NTA are in dialogue with Bus Eireann and they have two months to try and sort something out to ensure Ballyhale retains a service.

READ NEXT: Ridiculous situation - Calls for crackdown on vape shops in Kilkenny

Mr Murphy brought an update to the meeting in relation to recent public consultation on the bus stops.

He said two submissions were received from the public. As a result a number of minor details have been incorporated into the design.

Kilkenny County Council recommends the works are approved under Section 38 of the Road Traffic Act 1994.

Cllr Deirdre Cullen said it was positive news about the project going ahead. However, she said she is getting a huge amount of correspondence in concern at the Bus Eireann route cancellation. She welcomed that the NTA are looking at alternatives and are being positive.

Cllr Cullen proposed they write to the Minister for Transport, as a municipal district, asking for a replacement service as a matter of urgency. Losing the Route 4 service will have a huge impact on the community in terms of connectivity, she said.

Seconding the proposal, Cllr Joe Lyons said it was ironic we are being told to use public transport and they are taking it away from us.

Cllr Joe Sheridan said he shared everybodys disappointment at the ending of the Bus Eireann Route 4. Its a shame, he said, adding that whatever can be done to get it back, and additional services, should be done.

The bus route decision is scandalous, Cllr Michael Doyle said. It shows the lack of investment in rural Ireland and our way of life here.
The Herald reports:

A major education union is seeking legal advice in a bid to exempt state schools from the Official Information Act after an Auckland law student sent an onerous system-wide records request to nearly 2500 schools.

So the union thinks schools should be exempt from transparency laws. Why am I not surprised.

Spanz president Louise Anaru also wrote a scathing letter of complaint last month to University of Auckland (UoA) Vice-Chancellor Dawn Freshwater after law student Regan Cunliffe sent a mass request for details of school trustees use of personal devices to 2422 state and state-integrated schools. She wrote that Cunliffes request was not a simple exercise to establish how a particular school managed its records. It is a carefully designed, system-wide exercise intended to map legislative non-compliance across the school sector.

That sounds like an excellent use of the OIA. We should know if there is a problem with legislative non-compliance.

Cunliffes latest OIA sought information on policies and procedures regarding trustees use of personal devices and accounts for board business.

This sounds like a simple request. You either have a policy, which you can send him. Or you dont have a policy, and you say you dont.

In 2018, Cunliffe uncovered what he said was a nationwide failure by schools to properly protect children, after discovering his own childs school lacked a required child protection policy. After extending the investigation to other schools, OIA responses revealed patchy compliance with the Vulnerable Children Act.

Sounds like Regan is performing a public good.
Versions of below have been in media around the world in the last two weeks.

In its 2026 assessment, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development highlighted the worlds most educated countries, pointing to strong higher education access and sustained investment in learning.

Top-ranking nations combine high university completion rates, robust research output, and effective links between academia and industry. Beyond literacy, education now reflects a broader culture of continuous learning, shaping economic growth, innovation, and social mobility.

1. Canada

Canada ranks first, with a high proportion of adults holding tertiary degrees. Public investment and policies that support access have shaped its system. Institutions such as University of Toronto and University of British Columbia attract students from different regions. The country maintains a structure that allows both domestic and international students to participate in higher education.

2. Ireland

Ireland has moved up in global education rankings in recent years. A growing workforce and sustained funding have supported this shift. Trinity College Dublin remains a central part of the countrys academic network. Links between universities and industry continue to influence research and employment outcomes.

3. Japan

Japans system places focus on structured learning and technical skills. Students perform well in science and mathematics across global assessments. University of Tokyo plays a role in research and academic output. The country maintains consistent standards across its education levels.

4. South Korea

South Korea continues to record strong academic results. Students often rank high in international testing, especially in STEM subjects. Seoul National University reflects the countrys focus on academic performance. Education remains linked to economic planning and workforce development.

5. United Kingdom

The United Kingdom remains a major centre for higher education. Institutions such as the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge draw students from across the world. The system combines long-standing academic structures with ongoing research activity.

6. Luxembourg

Luxembourg ranks among the most educated countries despite its size. Its multilingual system supports learning across different languages and cultures. Government support and cross-border collaboration continue to shape its education framework.

7. Australia

Australia remains a key destination for international students. Universities such as the University of Melbourne and the Australian National University contribute to research output and global rankings. Education exports also play a role in the countrys economy.

8. Sweden

Swedens system centres on access and balanced learning. It supports both academic study and practical skills. Lund University is part of a network that contributes to research and development. Policies focus on equal access across social groups.

9. United States

The United States continues to lead in research and innovation. Universities such as Harvard University and Stanford University influence global academic rankings. The country attracts students due to its wide range of programmes and research funding.

10. Israel

Israel completes the list with a strong focus on science and technology. The Hebrew University of Jerusalem supports research across several fields. Education remains linked to the countrys role in global technology development.



Yes  it is of note that NZ is not in the top ten  as RNZ noted: How good is the school system? According to an internal Education Ministry document its fair and weve been fooling ourselves that its great.

Also of note  for all of those who yell FINLAND every-time change is imposed  they do not feature either.



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We Are China

Reconnaissance on the move

China Military Online) 16:42, April 22, 2026

Ghillie-clad reconnaissance soldiers assigned to the Chinese PLA Army advance forward during a tactical training exercise in early April, 2026. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Wang Liming)

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
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
By Cillian Sherlock, Press Association

An increase in the carbon tax will be under further consideration in the Budget, the Tanaiste has said.

Earlier this month, the Government decided to postpone a scheduled increase of the carbon tax rate, which was due to take effect in May, until the Budget in October.

Carbon tax on petrol and diesel is 71 per tonne of carbon dioxide emitted.

The time wasn't right to put it up and deferring that decision for further consideration in the Budget. Simon Harris

For other fuels like home heating oil, the current rate of 63.50 per tonne  was due to increase to 71 euros next month.

The deferral out to October will cost 22 million in revenue.

The move came as part of what has now amounted to a more than 750 million suite of measures in response to rising energy costs as a result of the war in Iran.

It was announced following nationwide fuel protests, which also involved blockades of critical infrastructure.

Asked on Tuesday about the revenue the Government collects from fuel, Mr Harris told reporters: Weve made decisions in relation to carbon tax.

Acknowledging that we believe in the principle of carbon tax  we have a carbon tax  the time wasnt right to put it up and deferring that decision for further consideration in the Budget.

Green Party leader Roderic OGorman (Niall Carson/PA)

The deferral was criticised by Green Party leader Roderic OGorman in the Dail, who said the decision shattered a coalition across Government and parts of the opposition in support of the carbon tax, for a relatively small amount of value in the overall package.

Mr OGorman said the deferral had pulled the rug from under Government TDs who had gone out to bat for the carbon tax over the last six years.

Because by deferring the increase, youve ceded the ground those who say the carbon tax is the root of all evil, and youve lost that case for that constant expansion of that pool of money for the (Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme) scheme, for warmer homes, for retrofit and ultimately, it hasnt won you one iota of thanks for the people whove always opposed this particular measure.

Mr Harris responded by stating he did not look for thanks from political opponents, and said: I do look for ways of assisting people, deputy, and youve got to bring the people with you too.

He added: It is an important form of tax revenue, but you also have to look at the reality in terms of the cost of filling the home heating oil, we had to look at the reality in terms of green diesel.

I think it did not make sense to decide to tell people that we were going to further increase the cost of their home heating oil.

Vehicles take part in a fuel protest on OConnell Street (Liam McBurney/PA)

But I think, I think there also needs to be a sense of perspective in relation to this.

That decision hasnt resulted in any reduced amount of money being spent on the Climate Action Fund or on the retrofitting programme or on the fuel amounts, because its 22 million, its 2 per cent of the total amount we expect to take in (from the carbon tax).

Mr Harris said the carbon tax was legislated before the wars in Ukraine and Iran.

You can believe in a carbon tax and also believe that actually now might not have been the right time to further increase it.

Mr OGorman argued that suspending the increase will result in expectations and pressures to delay the measure again in October.

He asked the Tanaiste if he was committed to increasing the carbon tax in the Budget.

Mr Harris said: No matter what taxation measure you ask me about, all taxation measures are a matter of consideration at the Budget.

The Tax Strategy Group in my Department looks at all things, and Im committed to the carbon tax, committed to the legislation around the carbon tax, Im committed to the carbon tax growing as part of our climate action in this country.

But Im also committed to looking at how we can assist people with their energy costs in the here and now.
By David Lynch, David Hughes, Harry Taylor, Rhiannon James and Helen Corbett, Press Association Political Staff

Keir Starmers former chief of staff Morgan McSweeney has been summoned to appear before the Foreign Affairs Committee next week amid the Peter Mandelson vetting scandal.

McSweeney, widely regarded as a protege of Mandelson, resigned in February over his part in the peers appointment to the role of US ambassador.

The political strategist will appear at the influential parliamentary committee on Tuesday, after an expected showing on Thursday morning by Cat Little, the most senior Cabinet Office civil servant.

Little last week revealed to Starmer that she had discovered Lord Mandelson had been granted high-level security clearance for the prestigious job in Washington despite vetting officials recommending against it.

Their appearances at the Foreign Affairs Committee (FAC) follow that of former Foreign Office chief Olly Robbins, who was sacked by the UK prime minister last week for not telling him about the details of the vetting decision.

Writing on social media, FAC chairwoman Dame Emily Thornberry said Sir Ollys predecessor Sir Phillip Barton was among those called to give evidence.

Dame Emily said: Following Sir Ollys evidence, the Foreign Affairs Committee has today requested that Cat Little, Ian Collard, Sir Philip Barton and Morgan McSweeney attend and give evidence.

Cat Little will give evidence tomorrow at 9am.

Morgan McSweeney will attend Tuesday.

Starmer insisted at Prime Ministers Questions on Wednesday that Sir Ollys evidence about Lord Mandelson exonerated him over accusations that he had misled MPs.

The mandarins testimony puts to bed all the allegations levelled at me by those opposite in relation to dishonesty, the Prime Minister said.

Keir Starmer speaking during Prime Ministers Questions (House of Commons/UK Parliament/PA)

The leaders of opposition parties had called for Sir Keir to resign for misleading MPs about the appointment process, as news that Lord Mandelson was cleared for the Washington posting against the recommendation of security officials appeared to contradict his previous statements that due process was followed.

But the defiant UK prime minister told MPs: Last week, they were all saying that it must have been shared with me. Sir Olly was very clear yesterday, it was not. I believe not sharing it was a serious error of judgment.

That information should have been shared with me and other ministers, and if it had have been, Mandelson would not have been committed to post.

Badenoch said Starmer should quit for failing to follow the recommendation to get security clearance for Lord Mandelson before making the appointment.

She said: We all heard Sir Olly Robbins testimony yesterday.

The head of the Foreign Office was sacked for the Prime Ministers own failings.

His backbenchers know that is not fair. Even his most loyal Cabinet members wont defend it.

The Prime Minister did not follow the process the Cabinet Secretary set out in November 2024, he knows he did not follow due process, yet he told the House he had.

I cannot accuse the Prime Minister of deliberately misleading the House, but everyone can see what has happened here. This was not due process.

Everyone knows the price of misleading the House. Will the Prime Minister finally take responsibility and go?

Starmer defended his decision to sack Robinson, saying he should have been told about the red flags raised by the UK Security Vetting agency.

However, Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden, a close ally of the Prime Minister, repeatedly declined to say the decision to sack Robinson was fair.

McFadden said he thought very highly of Sir Olly but told Times Radio: I think if the Prime Ministers made the judgment that hes not got confidence in the head of the Foreign Office, the head of the foreign service, then its difficult to continue.

Asked for a second time if it was fair, McFadden said: Look, its the Prime Ministers judgment.

Ultimately, we are in a situation where I dont think anyone reasonably expects the Prime Minister to lead the party into the next election Jonathan Brash, Labour MP

When he was asked the same question again, Mr McFadden said: As a Cabinet member, I support the Prime Ministers decisions.

Labour MPs have meanwhile begun to openly criticise Starmer amid the scandal, following on the heels of cautious words from Cabinet ministers about Peter Mandelsons appointment.

Jonathan Brash, MP for Hartlepool, told GB News: Ultimately, we are in a situation where I dont think anyone reasonably expects the Prime Minister to lead the party into the next election and I think we have to refocus this Government on the priorities of the British people.

Elsewhere, the Tories warned against any attempt to spare Starmer from facing next weeks Prime Ministers Questions, the day after McSweeneys appearance.

Reports have suggested Commons business will end on Tuesday ahead of the Kings Speech, meaning the Wednesday lunchtime session would be cancelled.

A spokesman for Badenoch said: We want to hold this Government to account and it does feel very much like, in the midst of a crisis, they are bringing the session to an end early so they can avoid scrutiny.

During Prime Ministers Questions, Starmer would not deny that Downing Street considered giving his former spin doctor Lord Matthew Doyle a diplomatic job.

Starmer said there were often conversations about other roles when staff leave jobs in any organisation as he faced scrutiny over claims by Robinson that No 10 had initiated discussions with him about potentially finding an ambassadorship for Doyle.

The peer had the Labour whip withdrawn earlier this year after it emerged he had campaigned on behalf of a friend who had been charged with possessing indecent images of children.

The peer, who stepped down as the UK prime ministers communications chief last March, said in a statement on Tuesday that he had never sought a head of mission, ambassador or any equivalent leadership-type posting.
Tom Tuite

A 16-year-old girl who has repeatedly gone missing from care was caught selling crack cocaine on Dublin's O'Connell Street, prompting "major concerns" for her safety.

The teen, who cannot be named because she is a minor, appeared before Judge Paul Kelly at the Dublin Children's Court on Tuesday, facing fresh drug charges, just over a week ahead of her trial for cocaine dealing.

She was charged with possessing cocaine and having it for sale or supply.

A contested bail hearing was told that the substance had been tested and found to contain cocaine, with gardai suspecting it to be crack.

Bail was granted with a warning to comply with her conditions, including a curfew.

It was noted that Tusla applications have been made under the Child Care Act for a more appropriate placement for the child, which could be affected if she were remanded in custody to the Oberstown Children Detention Campus.

She was arrested in the early hours of Tuesday and held pending her court appearance.

The teen faced an objection to bail on her new charges and an application to revoke her bail attached to her forthcoming hearing for cocaine dealing and damaging a desk at Garda Station on a date in January.

Garda Finbar Thompson said there were "major concerns for her safety" following her latest arrest for alleged drug transactions.

The suspected crack supply was estimated to be worth 240, the court heard.

Garda Thompson said the girl had gone missing from her accommodation or breached her curfew 17 times in the past 18 days, and 67 times overall.

However, he conceded to defence counsel Orla Doolin that the teen always returned to her accommodation in Dublin.

Citing hearsay, the barrister also challenged attempts to introduce a chart outlining the dates the girl had gone missing. However, Doolin said that the girl agreed she had been on four dates.

Garda Sergeant Chris Jones outlined that the missing reports had been collated from the teen's current placement and uploaded to the Garda database.

He detailed that he had kept the girl under observation at about 1am as she was with older drug users aged from 20 to their early 40s.

He said the bag seized from the teen contained "15 individual street deals, not simply one block of crack."

He agreed with counsel that it was dark, but said there was lighting in the area and the girl was recognisable.

The defence argued that there was nothing to suggest the girl was a flight risk or likely to interfere with witnesses or evidence.

The barrister submitted that, given the value of the substance in the new charge, the girl, if convicted, was unlikely to face a custodial sentence. It was also stressed that the teen still enjoyed the presumption of innocence.

Judge Kelly declined the request to deny bail, but warned that he would be "seriously inclined to do so" if she continued to break the terms, which included a ban on going to the O'Connell Street area.

Despite her track record, he allowed her a final opportunity to comply.

The teenager, who sat with her face resting in her palm for most of the hearing, interacted briefly, with some prompting, when quizzed by the judge on whether she understood.

She will appear again next week.

Her social care worker was present at the bail hearing, and the judge was informed that she was also supposed to be involved in a bail supervision programme that assists juvenile defendants.

However, gardai had been unable to get an update on her engagement by the time of the hearing.
A MAN in receipt of 450 a week in state benefit told Portlaoise District Court that he pays a man 250 a week to drive him around.

Agustin Muntean, Kilmalogue Court, Patrick Street, Portarlington gave the sworn evidence in court last week when he pleaded not guilty to driving while uninsured at Patrick Street, Portarlington on 13 May last year.

In his sworn evidence Garda Shay Monaghan said that while on mobile patrol from Patricks Street to the Ring Road on 13 May, he saw the defendant driving the car and his wife in the passenger seat. He said he was unable to deal with the matter that day, but the following day he attended the defendants house, where he charged Mr Muntean with the offence.

In reply to the charge being put to him, Garda Monaghan said the defendant replied: It was not me. You disqualified me before. I reminded him I prosecuted him and that it was the judge who disqualified him. I was satisfied that it was Mr Muntean who I saw driving the car at the time. I have no doubt that it was him. Mr Muntean took the stand and said under oath: I was not driving. I pay a driver to drive my car. The car is in his name and he is insured. I cant drive. Im banned off the road. Garda Sgt JJ Kirby asked the defendant: How much do you pay the driver, to which he replied: 250 as week. Do you keep a ledger of a record of his pay slips, asked Sgt Kirby?

Mr Muntean said: No. Ive been paying to him for nearly the past year. Sgt Kirby estimated that Mr Muntean had paid the driver between 12,000 to 12,500 in that time.

Sgt Kirby said: Garda Monaghan is adamant that it was you he saw driving at the time, to which Mr Muntean said: I wasnt in the car at the time. My driver was driving the car that day. I was in Mullingar hospital at that time that day. Judge Andrew Cody asked whether the defendant was working, to which he said he wasnt.

Judge Cody said: Theres very few people in Ireland at the moment who can afford to pay a chauffeur. How much money do you get. How much money a week do you get? He told the judge that his wife receives a weekly social welfare payment of 450 for him and their six children and 200 goes in rent and 250 to the driver.

I also do markets and sell stuff at them  toys, he said.

So, you earn money from markets as well, noted Judge Cody, can you provide your P60 and payslips? The man who Mr Muntean said was driving his car on the day took the stand and told the court: I was driving on the day. He cant drive. He pays me 250 a week and pays my insurance on the car. Sgt Kirby wanted to know whether he had any pay slips from Mr Muntean or bank details of the income he derives from driving the defendant around, to which he said he hadnt.

Sgt Kirby said that the driver and Mr Muntean look completely different, that Mr Muntean was balding and that the driver had a full head of hair and that Garda Monaghan saw clearly who was driving on the day.

He said what was being said in court was a cock and bull story and accused the driver of telling lies. Defending barrister Andrew Dunne said that Mr Muntean had put a plan in place to obtain a driver when he was disqualified from driving to drive him and his family around.

Mr Muntean is very clear in his evidence that it was not him who was driving at the time. The court must be satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that he was driving, said Mr Dunne.

Judge Cody said Mr Munteans testimony could not stand up, because in a statement of means certificate to the court, a legally binding document, he said his only means of income was derived from a social welfare payment and that, in court, under oath, he said that he also obtained income from selling toys at markets.

Its all a lie, said the Judge who was told that the 44-year-old defendant has 91 previous convictions, of which eight were for driving without insurance.

Mr Dunne said that his client: Continuously maintains that it wasnt him driving, that it was his driver. Judge Cody convicted Mr Muntean of driving while uninsured, imposed a 500 fine, sentenced him to six months in prison and disqualified him from driving for 20 years.

He went on to fix a 1,000 own bond recognisance, with a 500 cash lodgement in the event the defendant wished to appeal his decision, which Mr Muntean took up before the court closed that day.

Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme.
TWO talented Laois students have won top prizes in the renowned Texaco childrens art competition.

There was double delight for the county when Abdul Ahad Zulfiqar (15) from St Marys CBS, Portlaoise and Oisin OConnor (8) from Tobar an Leinn NS, Raheen received awards this week in the 2026 contest.

Abdul Ahad won third prize in the 14-15 years age category for his striking portrait titled Study, while Oisin scooped a special merit award for his artwork called A Hard Day's Work. No stranger to the prestigious competition, Abdul Ahad also won a special merit award in 2017.

Final adjudicator Pauline O'Connell, a visual artist, curator and educator, described Abdul Ahads entry as an engaging composition with an unusual upward perspective.

She observed: The male figure with a pen in hand appears mid-thought, conveying concentration and introspection through both pose and framing.

Ms OConnell said that primary school student Oisins work was imaginative and demonstrated high levels of skill and creativity, which merited his selection for a special award.

Now in its 72nd year, the Texaco competition has the longest-running sponsorship in the history of arts sponsoring in Ireland, with an unbroken history that dates all the way back to 1955.

Organisers said: This year, as has been the case throughout its life, it has been a platform on which young artists from Laois and counties throughout Ireland have had their talents recognised and their creativity commended.
A book of evidence has been served on a man who is accused of harassing a number of people through Tiktok and Facebook posts.

The man (47) who has a Laois address, but cannot be identified to protect the identities of the alleged victims, is accused of five counts of harassment by issuing threats and making allegations about five people on Tiktok and Facebook between September 2023 and July of 2025.

Garda Lisa Murray said she served the book of evidence on the accused at a sitting of Portlaoise District Court.

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said the book contained five counts of harassment and the DPP had consented to the accused being sent forward for trial.

Judge Susan Fay issued an alibi warning and made an order sending the case forward to the next sittings of Portlaoise Circuit Court on April 21.

Requesting legal aid, Solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick said I would seek two counsel, they are quite serious matters.

READ ALSO: Fundraiser launched for new car park

I will give you one counsel today and you can take that up before the circuit court, said Judge Fay.

Ms Fitzpatrick requested and was granted an extension to legal aid to cover a psychiatric report.
A youth who was aged 16 when he murdered a friend who he claimed had labelled him a "rat" should not be sentenced to life in prison, a court has been told.

The Court of Appeal also heard on Tuesday, April 21 that since moving to an adult prison the appellant, who admitted to the murder of Glen Ossie Osborne (20), has since assaulted a female prison officer and sold heroin to fellow inmates.

The now 22-year-old, who cannot be named because he was a minor at the time the offence was committed, pleaded guilty in August 2020 to the murder of Mr Osborne at Ballybough House, Ballybough, Dublin on April 15, 2020. Mr Osborne's partner Lauren Cray gave birth to their first child two months after his death.

The defendant was sentenced to life with a review after ten years by Mr Justice Paul McDermott at the Central Criminal Court on December 16, 2020. He had no previous convictions at the time.

Mr Justice McDermott said that the attack had "many of the hallmarks of immaturity and stupidity, lack of judgement and proportionality" but was not of "the most egregious or malicious" type such as a meticulously planned killing. Therefore, he said, he could allow a review of the life sentence after ten years.

The youths case came before the Court of Appeal for re-sentencing on Tuesday. Since the appellant has been jailed, the Supreme Court has returned a landmark ruling that life sentences for a child convicted of murder should only be imposed in exceptional cases where the evidence showed the intentions and actions of the child were akin to those of an adult.

The ruling also said a sentencing court does not have jurisdiction to review terms of detention imposed on child offenders.

Marc Thompson SC, for the youth, noted the defendants sentence had been quashed and remitted back to the Court of Appeal for re-sentence following that Supreme Courts ruling.

Before the hearing got underway Paul Carroll SC, for the Director of Public Prosecutions, called Detective Inspector Kenneth Hoare to give evidence in relation to two convictions the defendant had received since his incarceration for murder.

The Det Insp told the court that the youth had received a six-month prison sentence at Dublin District Court in May 2024 for having heroin with a value of approximately 280 for sale or supply within the prison on February 16, 2023. He said a possession of drugs charge was taken into consideration.

Det Insp Hoare confirmed the defendant had also received a five-month prison sentence in January 2023 for assaulting a female prison officer at Mountjoy on April 19, 2022. He said the woman was kicked in the stomach and elbowed in the head, resulting in a small cut to her left palm.

READ NEXT: Allegedly produced a large knife and assaulted a woman in Portlaoise

Opening the appeal against the defendants sentence, Mr Thompson argued that many of the factors warranting the imposition of a life sentence for a youth offender as identified by Ms Justice OMalley in her judgment were not present in this case. He said there was an absence of evidence of planned efforts to conceal guilt, or of an intention to inflict sexual violence or particularly brutal physical violence.

He said it had been accepted that the appellant didnt come to the scene intending to murder the deceased, who was a good friend of his.

Mr Thompson said the defendant had shown genuine remorse and there was an early plea of guilty.

A guard who intercepted the youth after the incident noted he was distressed and crying, counsel said, and when placed in a cell, he required assistance because of his distraught state.

The barrister said death had been caused by a single stab wound and there was immediate panic and distress from the appellant afterwards.

Although the knife was brought to the scene, it wasnt produced straight away, Mr Thompson said. There was an initial fight with strikes on both sides, the deceased had the upper hand, and it was at that point that the knife was produced, said counsel.

He said this was a case which demonstrated an angry impulsivity and the lashing out by a child.

Mr Thompson asked the court, in structuring the sentence, to take into account the most obvious and important thing - his clients plea of guilty.

READ NEXT: Laois man jailed for an attack on his Dublin landlord

He noted rehabilitation was a work in progress.

Mr Thompson said his client is someone who did not have a stable family life. His upbringing was turbulent, counsel said, and his grandparents had played a key role as his parents were in and out of prison and had not provided any structure to his childhood.

Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy, sitting with Mr Justice John Edwards and Ms Justice Tara Burns, noted it was clear from the appellants probation report that he has a chronic drug abuse issue.

Mr Thompson said the transfer from a juvenile centre to a prison has had a significant impact on the appellant. He asked the court to consider suspending a significant portion of the new sentence imposed, noting that when released, the appellant will require assistance.

He said the appellant had been dealing with his drug addiction issues whilst in Oberstown but that stopped when he was transferred to Mountjoy. He said this was as a result of availability, but noted the defendant had also rejected some of the forms of assistance.

Mr Thompson said the appellants engagement with education was sporadic. He said the defendant has completed his junior cert in history, geography and maths, has done courses in art and is taking part in a music class.

Concluding his submissions, Mr Thompson said nothing he had said should be interpreted as negating or taking away from the appellants full responsibility for Glen Osbornes death. He said his client had asked him to apologise once again to Mr Osbornes family and handed in a letter of apology from his client to the court.

READ more crime and court coverage HERE.

In response, Mr Carroll said the Directors position was that she is not going to advocate for a specific sentence, noting that two judgments relating to this area are awaited.

He highlighted as an aggravating factor a phone call between the appellant and another person, in which the defendant said: Dont go around calling me a rat. You know what Im going to do to him.

He said the defendant had brought a knife concealed in a bag and when the deceased was getting the better of him, he went to the bag, stabbed Mr Osborne and then fled the scene.

Mr Justice Edwards said the court would reserve judgment and directed that a governors and education report be prepared.

Acknowledging the presence of both families at the hearing and their desire for closure in terms of the legal process, Mr Justice Edwards said the court would be sensitive to that and would endeavour to provide its judgment as soon as we can.

The youths sentencing hearing was told that the day before he died, the deceased went with the appellant, and they got drugs without making a payment.

The following day, the windows of Mr Osborne's home were smashed, in what was said to be retaliation for the fact that payment had not been made.

Mr Osborne believed that the defendant had identified his home to those people. On the day of the murder, there were "angry messages to and fro", and the defendant was labelled a "rat".

The defendant went to meet the deceased carrying a white bag with a knife in it.

There was a fight which was broken up by onlookers but then a second fight began that was caught on CCTV. The defendant, who had by now taken the knife from the bag, could be seen swinging his arm and stabbing Mr Osborne once in the chest.

A pathologist's report showed that he died from a single stab wound that penetrated the heart, causing massive blood loss.
A major road upgrade and roadworks are being proposed for the national 2023 Tidy Towns winner in Laois.

Over half a kilometre of the Main Street in Abbeyleix is to be dug out and resurfaced, with Laois County Council confirming its plans.

Details were given to the April meeting of Portlaoise Municipal District, following a motion by Cllr John Joe Fennelly.

Cllr Fennelly is requesting resurfacing of the busy town centre traffic lights junction, and asking for new light sensors.

"Coming off Main Street towards Ballinakill, you're rocking in your car, even doing 20 or 30km/h," he said.

Regarding the traffic sensors, the council say they are about to replace the "induction loops" on the Ballinakill road side of the crossroads only.

"That's the only part I'm not happy with, all of the loops need to be done," Cllr Fennelly said.

Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) wants to "retexture" 570 metres of the top coating on Main Street, from past Clelands supermarket, north through Stucker Hill.

However council engineers say a deeper resurfacing job is needed, according to road designers.

"The condition of the N77 in Abbeyleix has deteriorated beyond the junction. We have proposed to TII that the pavement condition demonstrates that this needs resurfacing. TII have agreed in principle with our proposal," the road designers say.

Director of Services is Simon Walton.

"Retexturing is restoring the friction of the surface for better skid resistance, as an early intervention. It is not replacement of the surface. Beyond that is strengthening.

Read next: Laois villagers lodge planning appeals against double IPAS centres

Cllr Fennelly welcomes the plan as "great news".

He asked for a timeframe but Mr Walton said there is none yet.

Cllr Barry Walsh seconded the motion.

"It will be good to see that done, it's an improvement for the area," he said.
New progress has been welcomed in the long delayed plan to build a Laois domestic abuse shelter.

A replacement Approved Housing Body has been found to partner with Laois Domestic Abuse Service (LDAS) to apply for funding to build the urgently needed shelter.

Tuath will now work with LDAS to apply again for CAS funding from the state, following the Department of Housing's rejection of funding last November with the then housing partner Sophia described as "ineligible".

The details were confirmed to the Leinster Express / Laois Live by Cuan, Ireland's recently formed Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence Agency.

"The Approved Housing Body Selected is Tuath Housing Association, it is the same site and location and both parties are now prioritising the submission of the CAS 1 application," a Cuan spokesperson said.

The Portlaoise based shelter plan went on pause in November 2025 when Sophia housing association was rejected as a project partner with Laois Domestic Abuse Service, to the shock of Laois politicians.

A Laois senator has welcomed progress in "a huge moment" for the county.

Laois Sinn Fein senator Maria McCormack this week sought an update from Government state agencies on the long awaited shelter for women and their children seeking protection from dangerous partners.

Senator McCormack asked about it at a Dail meeting Tuesday, April 21 of the Joint Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration.

Dr Stephanie O'Keeffe is the CEO of Cuan, Ireland's recently formed Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence Agency.

"We're delighted that we have an AHB partner in Laois. The planning process is actually commencing. Unfortunately in Laois they had a previous planning partner and that didn't work out.

"That really did delay the process but they are up and running now and really enthusiastic. The local stakeholder group is in place and it's going well," the Cuan chief told the Laois senator.

A representative of the Safe Ireland Social Change Agency, a national body working to eradicate Domestic, Sex, Gender and Sexuality-Based Violence (DSGSBV) in Ireland, confirmed the progress.

"They just met again, great news. It's all happening. It's now about getting the MOU together with the two partners and progressing to the local authority," the Safe Ireland rep said.

It is four years since TUSLA listed a Laois domestic abuse shelter as a priority. It is over two years since a property was bought in Portlaoise for 1.75m in taxpayers money by Laois County Council on behalf of LDAS. The eight unit shelter is planned to be built behind what is a historic Portlaoise house. The house will in turn become the new base for LDAS services.

Senator Maria McCormack had reminded them that "we need a refuge in Laois, we are one of the few counties without one."

"This is a huge moment for Laois," she said afterwards.

Read next: Burglar interrupted by woman in her home in Laois

"Yesterday at the Justice Committee, it was confirmed by Cuan and Safe Ireland that we will finally have a domestic abuse refuge in Laois.

"This is something that so many women and families have fought for over the years. For too long, victims in our county had to leave their community, their support networks, and travel for safety. That was never acceptable.

"Today, we move one step closer to changing that. This refuge will save lives. It will give women and children a safe place to turn in their darkest moments.

"It sends a clear message, you are not alone, and help is here. I will continue to push to ensure this is delivered as quickly as possible and that Laois gets the full support it deserves. Progress matters. And today, this is progress," Senator McCormack said.
After more than fifty years in business, a renowned clothing shop on Portlaoise's Main Street will soon close its doors.

Alan Flynn, the proprietor of AJ Flynn's Menswear, announced his retirement this week after many years of serving the people of Portlaoise and beyond.

Alan's parents, Albert and Eileen, established AJ Flynn's Menswear in the late 1960s on Main Street in Portlaoise. Alan then joined the family business in the 1970s.

Speaking about his decision to retire, Alan told the Leinster Express / Laois Live "it's just time I think."

The businessman has witnessed many changes in business and Portlaoise itself throughout the years, with the shop originally opening on a two-way Main Street.

"Business has changed so much too, it's more technical and you have to just keep moving with the times," Alan reflected.

READ NEXT: VIDEO: Exclusive peek inside 'fabulous' new Kolbe special school in Laois

AJ Flynn's Menswear currently have two staff on board. However, Alan noted that in its heyday there was also a shop in Baltinglass and at that time they employed around 10 or 11 people.

Alan said that the highlight of his time in business was undoubtedly the people he met through the years and the sense of community on Main Street.

"I'll miss the company of people. Any of the news that was on the street, you were first to hear the gossip. It was always very interesting. People were always good to partake in conversation and they appreciated taking the time to talk. We don't get enough of that these days.

"I want to wish everyone well and thank them for all their company throughout the years and all the staff who have worked with us. They're great friends and we still meet," he said.

Alan also shared a social media post to announce his retirement which was met with a huge response from the local community. Many said that the shop will be greatly missed in Portlaoise and that it has been more than just a business, "it's been a hub for community and connection."

In the post, Alan said: "Since the doors first opened in the late 1960s by my parents, it has been a privilege to serve the community. From dressing young and old for every occasion across our ladies, The Loft young fashions and menswear over the years, Ive enjoyed the stories, the laughs, the company and craic weve shared and this will always be remembered.

"I would like to sincerely thank my neighbours and friends in Downtown Portlaoise, staff past and present and all of the loyal customers throughout the years. Your support and custom are truly appreciated."

Although they don't have an exact date yet for when AJ Flynn's Menswear will close, Alan shared that he expects to finish up by midsummer. In the meantime, he plans on gradually winding down the business.
Laois Gardai arrested two men and seized a drone following a suspected attempt to fly contraband into Portlaoise Prison.

The men, who are aged 36 and 43, were arrested in Portlaoise after attempting to flee from Gardai who were investigating a drone that had been seen flying in Portlaoise on Tuesday, April 21 at 5.50pm.

According to Portlaoise Gardai, there was a drone flying over St Brigids Place. Gardai approached the passenger and he attempted to drive off.

Gardai managed to force the vehicle to stop. They then arrested the two men and recovered a drone in a nearby field. Its understood a number of phones were also found by Gardai during the incident.

The car was seized and the two men were taken to Tullamore Garda Station. They have since been released and Gardai said investigations into the incident are ongoing.

There has been a sharp increase in the illegal use of drones around Portlaoise Prison and the Midlands Prison in recent years.

READ ALSO: Sixfold increase in drone incursions at Laois prisons

Gardai arrested a man after drones were sighted flying near the prison on two consecutive days last month.

Gardai in Portlaoise, supported by the Divisional Drugs Unit and Detective Unit, recently carried out a successful operation targeting the use of drones to deliver contraband into the Midlands and Portlaoise Prison complex, Gardai said in a statement at the time.

Pictured above: A drone that was seized by Portlaoise Gardai in March 2026

They said these incidents highlight the ongoing efforts by An Garda Siochana, working in partnership with the Irish Prison Service, to prevent the smuggling of drugs, phones and other harmful materials into our prison system.

Portlaoise Gardai said they greatly appreciated the continued support of the local community. They encouraged residents to report any suspicious activity involving drones, particularly in areas close to the prison complex.

If you observe unusual drone activity or suspicious behaviour, please contact Portlaoise Garda Station on 057 8674100 or any Garda Station or call 999 or 112

Working together, we can continue to protect our communities and disrupt criminal activity, they added at the time.
A Laois man and son of a murdered prison officer is working closely with the European Union on radicalisation and terrorism prevention programs.

Portlaoise man Austin Stack works with the EU commission on the Radicalisation Awareness Network (RAN) and recently took part in a mentoring program.

Mr Stack has chosen this line of work following the murder of his father in the 1980's.

Brian Stack was the chief prison officer working on the paramilitary wing of Portlaoise Prison in 1983. He was shot in cold blood by an IRA gunman, leaving him paralysed and brain damaged. He died from injuries within 18 months, leaving a wife and three young sons.

Pictured: Cormac Devlin TD, Chair of Oireachtas Committee on the Good Friday Agreement, with Estera and mentor Austin Stack

Austin Stack, who is a retired prison officer, was 14 when his father passed away, but he never forgotten his father nor has he ever given up hope of bringing his murderers to justice.

The local man was recently paired with a young youth worker in Bratislava named Estera in a mentorship program on terrorism studies.

"We undertake various workshops and talks on radicalisation prevention around Europe, I recently took part in a mentorship programme for young people who want to become experts in the area," Mr Stack told the Leinster Express / Laois Live.

"Estera, myself and Ann Travers, a woman whose sister was murdered by the IRA in Bray, have set up a group called RAS- Remembrance Acknowledgement Support for victims of terrorism," he said.

"We are looking to focus on the policy of remembrance as a tool of prevention. We have set up and developed a program for Transition Year students in secondary schools, and have learned a lot from interactions with outsider practitioners across Europe who want to do something similar," Mr Stack explained.

"We would initially hope to reach 30 secondary schools and deliver presentations using our own experiences to students. This is not connected to the Troubles, it is more with our experience of how people become radicalised," he said.

Pictured: Mr Stack presenting to students in Maynooth's Masters in Terrorism Studies

Mr Stack said that this applies to the radicalisation of far-right, far-left, the IRA and varying forms of extremist terrorism.

"Encompassing all sorts of radicalisation, we want to go in and deliver this talk to TY students. We would set kids with a task and come back to them through the programme, it would work quite well in other jurisdictions."

Mr Stack recently presented this program to terrorism studies students in Maynooth's Kennedy Centre.

"They were impressed and invited me back to deliver it to second year Bachelor students," he said.

On Thursday April 16, Mr Stack met with Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan to discuss his ideas.

"I met with Minister O'Callaghan in relation to a national memorial for the remembrance of victims of terrorism," Mr Stack explained.

"I impressed upon him how poignant the memorial to victims of the Holocaust is in Berlin, and the little memorials in the corners and nooks that were dedicated to various people. I suggested a statue of Oisin in Tir na nOg, to represent someone who is forever young," Mr Stack said.

The Portlaoise man has also asked for a national day of remembrance for victims of terrorism to be considered.

"The remembrance days are usually held in March, around the time of the Madrid bombing. When it was held in Brussels, it was the first time someone from the Republic of Ireland was invited," he said.

"The EU Commissioner for Internal Affairs, Magnus Brunei, and the Belgian Prime Minister gave keynote speeches, where they impressed that we need our own governments to agree to national memorials as well. That can be neutral, with no flag waving on one side or another," Mr Stack said.

"As divided as the North is, they have a day in Stormont to coincide with EU remembrance days, where victims from both sides of the troubles tell their stories."

Mr Stack Minister O'Callaghan was happy to listen to his suggestions and ideas.

"With radicalisation, opinions start to form around the age group of TY students, around 15 and 16," he said.

"Those are the people who are most impressionable. The actors who are trying to radicalise others would target those people. That is when you need to get in and talk to them," he said.

Mr Stack said that along with having the time to do this in his retirement, he deeply enjoys this line of work.

"I don't want people to end up wasting their lives being radicalised, and ending up in prison because of it," he said.

"I was asked to go talk to a young man in Northern Ireland years ago, he was under severe pressure from the UVF. He was vulnerable and his father had been murdered by the IRA.

"I was asked to go speak with him so I spent an evening with him, and explained the impact that would happen if he did seek revenge," Mr Stack recalled.

"I explained the impact on another family, and putting it on someone else's family. The chances are, you'll be the only one to do prison time over the murder of your dad. I thought then that this is something I am passionate about," he finished.
Entries are now open for photographers in Kildare to enter Irelands leading astrophotography competition, 'Reach for the Stars', as it returns for a sixth year.

The Reach for the Stars Astrophotography Competition is celebrating its sixth anniversary, inviting people in Kildare to pause, look up, and capture the moments that remind us how extraordinary our night sky truly is.

Since the beginning of the competition five years ago, photographers from Kildare have consistently featured among the winning, shortlisted and commended entries in Reach for the Stars, reflecting the strength of the talent across the county.

Organised this year by the School of Cosmic Physics at the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies (DIAS), Reach for the Stars aims to find the best astro-photographs taken in Ireland between June 3 2025 and May 10 2026.

Shortlisted entrants will be announced in late June, with the public invited to vote for their favourite to win the Peoples Choice category at that time.

Photographs can be entered in three categories:

Night Sky in Your Hand  Images taken with a smartphone only, without telescopes, capturing an astronomical scene. Out of this World  Images of astronomical objects, including the Sun, Moon, planets, and deep-sky objects such as nebulae, star clusters, and galaxies. Back on Earth  Images that depict astronomical features alongside landscapes, landmarks, nature, buildings, or heritage sites.

In addition, one overall Public Choice winner will be selected by public vote from across the shortlisted entries in all categories.

Entries will be judged by Dan Dennison, Visual Editor, The Irish Times; Dr. Donnacha ODriscoll, President of the Irish Astronomical Society; Professor Peter Gallagher, Senior Professor and Head of Astronomy and Astrophysics at DIAS; and Dr Niamh Shaw, Scientist, Engineer, and one of Irelands leading Science Communicators.

Launching the competition, Dr. Eucharia Meehan, CEO and Registrar of DIAS, said:

Reach for the Stars is designed to make astrophotography more accessible for everyone with an interest, supporting science communication and outreach, building awareness of dark skies, and encouraging citizen science. Were looking forward, as ever, to seeing the range of perspectives and skills that these astrophotographers will bring to the night sky.

Chair of the judging panel and Director of DIAS Dunsink Observatory, Professor Peter Gallagher, said: The standard of entries to Reach for the Stars generally reflects huge creativity and technical capability. Entries are assessed against clear criteria  technical skill, artistic flair, astronomical understanding, and originality  and its always evident how much effort sits behind each frame, delivering images that show how extraordinary out universe really is.

Competition Details

Entrants may submit up to two images per category to the competition. The deadline for entries is 5pm, May 11 2026.

All entries will be screened by a shortlisting panel to ensure they meet the eligibility criteria. The shortlisted images in each category will then go forward for consideration by the judging panel and for an online public vote on www.reachforthestars.ie.

Prize Package

The winning photographers in the Out of this World and Back on Earth categories, as selected by the judging panel, will receive a prize package that includes:

Publication of their images on the DIAS and The Irish Times websites; Passes to the three sites of the Astronomical Observatories of Ireland  DIAS Dunsink Observatory, Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, and Birr Castle Demesne; A 500 voucher for photographic equipment; and A digital subscription to The Irish Times.

The winner of the Public Choice category, as voted for by the public, and the winner of the Night Sky in Your Hand category will each receive a voucher to the value of 250 for photographic equipment, along with passes to the three sites of the Astronomical Observatories of Ireland  DIAS Dunsink Observatory, Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, and Birr Castle Demesne.

Two runner-up prizes from each of the Out of this World and Back on Earth categories will also be awarded vouchers to the value of 250 for photographic equipment and passes to the three sites of the Astronomical Observatories of Ireland.

Winning and highly commended images will also be included in exhibitions at DIAS Headquarters, Burlington Road, Dublin 4 and at DIAS Dunsink Observatory later in 2026. Furthermore, all shortlisted images will be included in an online exhibition on the competition website www.reachforthestars.ie.

DIASs Reach for the Stars competition is being run in partnership with The Irish Times, and is sponsored by MKC Communications and The Astronomical Observatories of Ireland. The Irish Astronomical Society are initiative supporters.

Further information, including the competition guidelines and entry form, is available at www.reachforthestars.ie.
Leitrim Live readers have had their say after recent comments by Leo Varadkar made about rural Ireland and claims that the former Taoiseach called Leitrim a "welfare scam".

The comments came to light after Cllr Paddy O'Rourke spoke to Niall Delaney on Oceanfm about comments made by the former Taosieach on Matt Cooper on the Path to Power podcast.

Mr Varadkar had stated that "the interests of farmers in the agriculture industry is by and large not in the interests of Ireland as a nation" and went on to state that farmers "still see themselves as the people who bring money and jobs into Ireland, where actually a lot of the time they bring costs on Ireland".

READ MORE: Leitrim is 'merely one elaborate social welfare scam' - former Taoiseach slammed for alleged comments

Mr Varadkar also said: "People in rural Ireland are very quick to tell people in urban Ireland that we're the real workers, were the ones paying all the bills, were the ones feeding the country. I think maybe we need to be a little bit more blunt in urban Ireland and say, actually that's not the case, were the ones paying all the bills and youre the ones in receipt of a lot of subsidies and a lot of tax benefits that other people dont get."

Cllr O'Rourke went back to January 2005, saying that Mr Varadkar made a disparaging remark about Leitrim as a councillor: "He said, 'There is no such place as Leitrim; it is merely one elaborate social welfare scam down there'."

One comment read: "As a Dubliner living and working in Leitrim, I would have regarded him as a more open-minded person and forward thinking, yet I was annoyed by his statement. All you have to do is drive to work and see farmers already half way through their day, witness communities out preparing with pride (thinking especially of passing by Cox's in Dromod each morning making sure the road is swept for the day)."

READ MORE: Leitrim had high numbers of younger people in 2026, new census figures show

He continued: "The innovators within Leitrim that worked hard to get their name out there and local people on lower wages all doing the same job as those in Dublin on higher wages but paying the same costs down here as they do. Come down from the city and we'll sit by the Shannon watching you try to survive on the average wage. Some places need support, not as a freebie but because you've pushed the prices and cost of living up so much while retaining and consolidating the investments up there. Every citizen is entitled to a share of the earnings. Disappointed in you."

READ MORE: Urgent action needed as Leitrim cemetery set to reach full capacity within five years

Another observer was complimentary of Cllr O'Rourke's statements. "Great to see somebody in Leitrim standing up for the people of Leitrim. Well said Paddy O Rourke."

Another said: "Rural Ireland showed how relevant they were with the protests. Had to use riot squad and army to move them."

Another remark stated: "That's total nonsense. The amount of young people join the Gards in Leitrim. It's not what people are like at all. They're resilient. Resourceful. Tourism as well. Forestry. There' more happening in Leitrim. When did he say that?"

Yet another penned: "Rural Ireland homeowners, pay extra tariffs for electricity and property tax (like for like price bands), have to drive everywhere as the public transport doesn't exist. Comments like that really annoy me."
A new radiotherapy clinical trial aimed at reducing the side-effects of prostate cancer treatment will recruit 136 patients from across the island of Ireland over the next two years.

The INSPIRE study will link cancer centres across the island, with sites in Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick, Waterford, Belfast and Derry.

The trial will focus on men with localised prostate cancer who will be treated with stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR), a radiotherapy treatment which can be given to men in five sessions over one and a half weeks.

Researchers say SABR has been shown in trials to provide cancer outcomes comparable to conventional radiotherapy, but in a shorter timeframe.

However, these studies also showed that urinary side-effects were more common in men treated with SABR.

Clinical researchers across Ireland have now developed a second-generation SABR approach, designed to increase the radiation dose to the tumour within the prostate while reducing the dose to nearby healthy tissues.

By combining this radiotherapy technique with a protective gel spacer, which reduces the radiation dose to surrounding organs during treatment, the trial aims to minimise side-effects for men with prostate cancer.

Co-chief investigator, Professor Suneil Jain, clinical professor from the Johnston Centre for Cancer Research at Queens University Belfast, said: More than 5,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year across Ireland, underlining the need to improve treatment while minimising its long-term impact on quality of life.

The INSPIRE trial represents a major all-island collaboration which will bring world-class prostate radiotherapy to all cancer centres on the island of Ireland.

Our focus is on reducing treatment-related side effects, particularly urinary complications, but also bowel and sexual side-effects.

He added: Our hope is that, in the future, most men with localised prostate cancer will need only five radiotherapy treatments with SABR, improving their chances of cancer control and survival, whilst minimising the risk of life-altering side effects.

The researchers will also examine whether genetic and biological factors can help predict which patients are more likely to experience side-effects, potentially allowing for more personalised treatment in future.

The study is sponsored by Cancer Trials Ireland, funded by Teleflex and supported by the Irish Research Radiation Oncology Group.
UN officials, Liberian justice actors, and EU representatives gather for the launch of the two-day anti-corruption and human rights training hosted by OHCHR.
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GARDAI and emergency services rushed to a residence on the outskirts of the city where the body of a woman was discovered, Limerick Live has learned.

According to gardai, a woman, aged in her 60s, was pronounced deceased at the scene in Dooradoyle on Monday.

Her body has since been removed from the scene and a post-mortem examination will take place in due course, the gardai said in a press statement on Tuesday.

It is understood that no foul play is suspected. It is thought that one line of enquiry being followed is that she may have died following a fire in her home.

READ MORE: Jason Faulkner to be laid to rest with sister Scarlett as funeral arrangements announced for Limerick man

Following a query from Limerick Live, a spokesperson for Limerick City and County Council said Limerick Fire and Rescue Service responded to a request from An Garda Siochana shortly after 1.20pm on Monday.

"Fire service resources mobilised immediately and were on scene by approximately 1.30pm.
Enoch Burke has argued that he should be granted an appeal against a High Court decision that his suspension from a Co Westmeath school was lawful.

In May 2023, Mr Justice Alexander Owens ruled it was lawful for Wilsons Hospital School to suspend the history and German teacher in 2022.

Following the judgment, Mr Burke had 28 days in which to appeal, but on Wednesday, he appeared in front of the three judges of the Court of Appeal to make his case for an extension of time.

The school and Mr Burke have been in a long-running legal dispute stemming from incidents over a request from the formers then-principal to address a student by a new name and the pronoun they.

Mr Burke, an evangelical Christian, argued that his suspension was unlawful and went against his right to express his religious beliefs.

He has spent more than 650 days in jail for contempt of court after repeatedly trespassing at the school.

Addressing the judges on Wednesday, he outlined a number of reasons for seeking an appeal two-and-a-half years after the original judgment.

They included his involvement in a number of legal actions, in which he represented himself, his imprisonment and because he had lost confidence in the Court of Appeal following a previous decision.

The barrister representing the schools board of management, Rosemary Mallon, described the case as unusual and extraordinary and said an extension of time to allow an appeal should not be granted.

She said the reasons Mr Burke gave for the delay were not legitimate or valid reasons and said there was a need for finality in the matter given that over two and a half years had passed since order had been perfected.

Mr Burke said his suspension was contrary to the constitution and the law and the court had not properly analysed the grounds for his suspension.

He said Mr Owens decision hinged on one factor  whether or not Mr Burke complied with the direction of the then-principal to refer to a pupil using they/them pronouns.

Was that right? Was it just? he asked.

He said the central fact of the case has never been disputed, that I failed to comply with the principals instructions.

But he said the court fundamentally erred by failing to analyse the principals instructions.

He said the constitution or the Equal Status Act, which he said both refer to males and females, but not they/them pronouns, meant the principals request was not valid.

He also referred to a statement, given by the Department of Education to the Irish Times in January of this year, which said schools were not legally obliged to use a pupils preferred pronouns.

He said the issue at the centre of his appeal was of manifest public importance, and relevant to every teacher, and every school in the country.

Responding to Mr Burkes points, Ms Mallon said the decision was not a declaration as to the lawfulness of the principals direction or instruction, but about the lawfulness of the decision to suspend.

She added a worker can be suspended and ultimately not found guilty of gross misconduct, and that the suspension stage is very different to the disciplinary stage.

She said during the 2023 hearing, Mr Burke was disorderly and in persistent contempt of court, and he was asked to leave the court.

She said he could have made his arguments about the legality of the directions he had been given by the schools principal, but was not in court.

He was never precluded in making arguments, he precluded himself, she said.

She said the reasons Mr Burke gave for the delay were not legitimate or valid reasons and said there was a need for finality in the matter.

President of the court Ms Justice Caroline Costello said judgment on the matter was reserved, and when asked for a timeline on when a decision might be made, she replied: We will do it when we can, everybody has different pressures with work.

Mr Burke was supported by five members of his family during the hearing, his father and mother Sean and Martina, as well as his brother Isaac and sisters Ammi and Jemima.
A team of gambling control researchers across Ireland have called for the Lotto draw to be aired after the 9pm watershed saying "children should not be exposed to gambling".

The researchers, which include Dr Frank Houghton from the Technological University of the Shannon, have called on the Office of the Regulator of the National Lottery (ORNL) to prohibit such gambling advertising being broadcast during times when children are highly likely to be watching.

READ NEXT: Heartbreaking update as search for 53-year-old woman missing over one month stood down

In their analysis of two years of televised Lotto draws they noted that almost none took place after the 9pm watershed. Their research examined over 200 draws that took place during the years 2023 and 2024.

They found that Lotto draws almost always took place during, or immediately after programming labelled as suitable for children aged 12 or below (12/12a). What they found most alarming was when the Saturday evening childrens film was stopped at approximately 8pm to facilitate the televising of the lotto draw, before the film was restarted.

The research paper, which has just been published in the journal Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Public Health, involved a team of researchers from TUS, QUB, UL, and UCC.



The researchers admit to being confused about the early programming of the televised draw given guidelines that would appear to prohibit this.

Section 6 of the National Lottery Advertising and Promotion Code of Practice states: No Advertising should appear in media or parts of media (to include online advertising and social media) directed primarily to people under the age of 18 years, or in media where more than 50% of the audience is expected to be under the age of 18.

In relation to the scheduling of promotions and advertising the RTE Programme Content Standards document states that:

Promotions and advertising that are unsuitable for a general audience including children must be carefully scheduled. Promotions or adverts scheduled next to programmes targeted at children or when children are particularly likely to be watching, or in online content likely to appeal to a significant number of children, should be suitable for that audience.

READ NEXT: 'Stop use immediately' - Popular home product pulled from shelves amid serious burn risk



Dr Frank Houghton, from the Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) who led the project, stated,

I don't understand how anyone ever thought it was appropriate to either stop the Saturday night family movie to show the Lotto draw, or show it immediately afterwards. We need to stop pretending the Lotto isnt gambling.

A co-author of the article, Prof. Anne Campbell, from the Queens University of Belfast (QUB), notes that,

We have a 9 o'clock threshold on TV for a reason. Children should not be exposed to gambling advertising and that includes National Lottery marketing. This is an important child safeguarding obligation.

Although the National Lottery draw has in the past few weeks moved to just before the news, Dr Houghton states that, Although this is an improvement it remains inappropriate to have such programming before 9pm.
It is very conceivable that a referendum on Irish unity could take place by 2030, Michelle ONeill has claimed.

The Sinn Fein vice president described unity as the big idea of her generation, adding she had not given up on the poll taking place by the end of the decade.

The republican partys Ard Fheis will take place in Belfast this weekend with keynote addresses from Ms ONeill on Friday and party leader Mary Lou McDonald on Saturday.

While the event will cover a number of areas, Ms ONeill said Irish unity was the big ticket conversation.

In an interview with the Press Association, she said: I think when we look at a lot of the challenges we are facing in todays world, I think the answers to a lot of challenges that we face are actually in constitutional change.

And were only two years out from the Good Friday Agreement anniversary of 30 years.

I want to see the fulfilment of that, we were promised a unity referendum, and now we need to see that delivered upon.

Ms ONeill, Northern Irelands first nationalist First Minister, said while she was co-operating with other parties to make Stormont work, there were limitations in the Assembly and Executive arrangements.

She said: We see a bigger, brighter future.

We see something thats more meaningful to peoples lives.

If we could have constitutional change here, where we break up the link to policy choices in London that are showing a real disregard for people here, Brexit is the best example of all.

Since that we have had a rolling door of British prime ministers, none of them have fixed the fundamentals around the funding model here.

None of them have actually acted in the best interests of people here.

Ms ONeill added: I think that shows why we need to take control of our own fortunes, why we need to control our own destiny going forward.

I think the best answers to a lot of big challenges today is constitutional change.

I believe partition has failed all of us.

Theres so much to be achieved in the years ahead, and Im certainly up for that.

I think thatll be the real focus of the Ard Fheis.

Senior Sinn Fein figures have often called for a unity referendum to take place by the end of the decade.

However, unionists in Northern Ireland have claimed there has been no increase in support for Irish unity, while Taoiseach Micheal Martin has previously said he is not planning for a border poll by 2030.

Under the provisions of the Good Friday Agreement, a referendum would be held if the UK Secretary of State believes it is likely that a majority of people in Northern Ireland would vote for Irish unification.

Asked if the prospect of a unity poll by the end of the decade was diminishing, Ms ONeill said: No, I dont give up on that, we have said it should be 2030.

Were going to fight two by-elections in the 26 counties over the course of the next number of months.

Were going to fight an Assembly election next year, were going to have a Westminster election, a Dail election.

So yes, I still think its very conceivable we will have our unity referendum for 2030.

I think all those elections will demonstrate that change is possible, will demonstrate that people endorse a better future, and we will use all those election opportunities to speak directly to the voters, to ask them to get behind the big idea of our generation.

I believe the big idea of my generation is Irish unity, and I believe that theres opportunity to rectify the wrongs of partition.
THE daughter-in-law of EuroMillions winner Dolores McNamara says plans to divert water from the River Shannon to Dublin may threaten the viability of her luxury marina business.

Michelle McNamara is married to Gary McNamara, son of the Garryowen part-time cleaner who scooped 115m in 2005.

She is among dozens opposing Uisce Eireanns proposal to transfer Shannon water to the greater Dublin area.

Along with her husband, she owns and operates Lough Derg Marina, on one of the most picturesque areas of the river. They purchased the facility in 2015 and have reportedly spent 3m developing it since then.

READ MORE: Details confirmed for public sale of tickets for Ryder Cup at Adare Manor in Limerick

Billed as one of the most prestigious marinas on the island of Ireland, the facility offers 150 serviced berths for exclusive luxury mooring, providing 24-hour unrestricted access to Lough Derg.

In a formal and substantive objection to An Coimisiun Pleanala, which is considering Uisce Eireanns planning application, Ms McNamara warned the success of her site could be threatened by the plan to redirect water from the River Shannon to service residents in the capital.

The viability of my marina and associated commercial activity is wholly dependent on stable and predictable downstream water levels, safe navigation levels, and the maintenance of ecological integrity within the River Shannon system, wrote Ms McNamara, who described herself as the owner and operator of Lough Derg Marina in Ballina, Co Tipperary.

Any alteration to the flow regime, particularly during low-flow or drought conditions presents direct and foreseeable operational, financial, and environmental risk, Ms McNamara added.

READ MORE: Crucially important that vast site in Limerick is kept for community use

She believes the proposal does not demonstrate compliance with the European requirements to prevent deterioration of water status, and an obligation to protect existing lawful economic activity.

The River Shannon is not a surplus or unused resource available for risk free abstraction.

It supports established marine, tourism, hospitality and recreational enterprises that are lawful, longstanding and economically significant to rural communities, the businesswoman wrote in her objection.

Any reduction in navigable depth, increased variability in water levels, degradation of water quality, or ecological deterioration would materially interfere with existing economic activity, she added in the objection.

She called for permission to be refused unless and until guarantees are put in place.

An Coimisiun Pleanala is expected to make a decision on the plans by June.

There has been significant opposition to the plans to pump water in Limerick, with campaigners saying it will damage local fish stocks, lead to lower water levels, particularly during drought periods, as well as a broader concern over Dublin benefitting at the expense of other regions.

Uisce Eireann has said the Dublin area is close to its limits, with the capital relying too heavily on the River Liffey, which they claim operates near capacity.

The water utility says the project is a key part of the 25-year national water supply strategy.

It will benefit Ireland's eastern and midlands region with the capacity to address the water supply needs for up to half this populations.

Water levels at Lough Derg and Parteen Basin will remain in the control of the ESB and the proposed abstraction will not affect the normal operating water levels, Uisce Eireann says.

They add modelling shows that the abstraction is sustainable, will have a neutral effect on water quality, and there will not be a visible day to day difference for any water users.

Gary and Michelle McNamara have a number of business interests across the region.

Notably, at the moment, the pair are seeking planning permission to housing for students and full-time residents in Castletroy.
Whiskey lovers are in for a treat this Twilight Thursday as The Old Quarter Pub Limerick hosts an exclusive Jameson tasting evening, packed with premium pours, expert insight and great food!

Led by Jameson Brand Ambassador Ciaran Odlum, the evening will guide guests through an engaging tasting of many different whiskeys from the Jameson range, offering a chance to explore the variety, character and craftsmanship behind one of Irelands most iconic spirits.

Throughout the night, guests will hear insights, stories and expert knowledge from Odlum, who will bring the world of Irish whiskey to life in an accessible and entertaining way. A live Q&A session will also give attendees the chance to ask questions and deepen their understanding of whiskey production and flavour.

To complement the experience, light bites will be served during the evening, creating a relaxed and sociable atmosphere in the heart of Limerick city.

The event celebrates the heritage of Jameson, offering a rare opportunity to experience a guided tasting in the iconic Old Quarter Pub, located on Little Ellen Street.

At just 20, tickets are expected to sell quickly for what promises to be a standout midweek night-out, combining flavour, conversation and Irish hospitality.

Tickets available through Inntally and Eventbrite and are on sale now.

*Sponsored Content
Manas Pimpalkhare

Manas is a New Delhi-based journalist with Mint, where he covers the intersection of economic policy, industry, and emerging sectors shaping Indias growth. He writes on government regulation, manufacturing, and the clean energy transition, with particular depth in areas such as electric mobility, battery ecosystems, and rare-earth supply chains. He has written on Indias efforts to build domestic capacity in electric vehicles and energy storage, as well as the broader push to reduce import dependence and strengthen supply chain resilience. His reports are not limited to capturing the headline; they also aim to explain complex policy simply.<br><br>Manas has studied law in Pune, the city where he grew up, followed by a business journalism diploma from the Asian College of Journalism in Chennai. In his almost two years of being a correspondent for Mint, Manas has reported as major wars unfolded, a general election brought surprises for both the ruling party and the Opposition, and three Union Budget announcements where India has charted its economic course for the days to come.<br><br>On vacation, Manas plays bass guitar with his friends in Space & Co, their jam-rock band. He also likes cats, and occasions of late-night snacking.
Dipali Banka

Dipali Banka is a Mumbai-based journalist who treats corporate reporting less like a beat and more like a puzzle to be solved. This invariably means she has to read through annual reports and speak with leaders and analysts. She tracks policies, deals, and the pulse of industries spanning metals, mining, paints, and cement, alongside aviation. She started out as an intern at The Statesman and then completed her postgraduate diploma in journalism from Asian College of Journalism, Chennai, in 2025. Relentlessly curious at heart, Dipali is driven by the simple urge to understand how things work and who they impact. Armed with an enduring fascination for steel and aeroplanes, she moves through the churn of daily news with focus, turning complexity into clarity without losing the story. She is particularly committed to shaping numbers into objective narratives, having little appetite for vagueness that gets in her way.<br><br>Outside the newsroom, Dipali is an unapologetically loud presence who values long conversations and longer walks to unwind. She devours books of all kinds and can often be found indulging in the lyrical sway of contemporary ghazals. She ardently believes that her relationship with her bylines is more sacred than it would ever be with anyone across the human race.
Jas Bardia

Jas Bardia is a Bengaluru-based business journalist covering Indias information technology (IT) services sector and Global Capability Centres (GCCs). Known for his investigative depth and attention to detail, Jas has a knack for breaking stories on leadership shifts, high-stakes deals, and evolving industry trends long before they hit the mainstream. If the news is anything IT-related, chances are this author has broken it. Before joining Mint in November 2023, Jas honed his financial reporting skills at Bloomberg News in Mumbai, where he covered bonds and currencies following his graduation from the Asian College of Journalism. When he isnt chasing his next exclusive, Jas is likely scouting the citys newest culinary spots, cool events, or is immersed in the electric atmosphere of a Bengaluru FC match at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium. Jas has an eye for detail, an ear for history, and a weakness for a great cologne, and values a good conversation as much as a good lead. If you want to talk about your favourite war movie, funny drunk stories, or a supposed scam/wrongdoing in a company, get in touch with him at jas.bardia@livemint.com.
Europe's most valuable company, ASML, plans to cut a wide range of management roles as part of a broader push to simplify its organisation and improve efficiency, according to internal documents seen by Business Insider, which reported the development on 21 April.

The move follows ASML's January announcement that it would cut up to 1,700 jobs and restructure its organizational chart to focus on engineering, after employees and customers complained about the company's highly inefficient, complex structure.

The chipmaking giant also told its staff that it would reduce the number of architects (senior technical roles) responsible for coordinating projects and give them more clearly defined responsibilities within the firm.

Hiring freeze ASML is also planning a six-week hiring freeze over the summer, and has slashed the number of US roles expected to be impacted by the layoffs from 300 to 185, according to separate documents seen by Business Insider. ASML employs about 44,000 people worldwide.

In a letter to employees sent in February, ASML CEO Christophe Fouquet said the firm's employees had expressed concerns about the "consequences" of the transformation. He also said the company would aim to create around 1,400 new engineering jobs as part of the major reshuffle.

"We realize that we will continue to grow at a fast pace and will need people on the operations side to help us achieve that growth," Fouquet wrote.

However, an ASML spokesperson told Business Insider that the reorganization plans were not final, adding that the company has already reduced the impact of the reorganization in the United States.

Which roles are at risk? Here are all the roles ASML said will be eliminated as part of the new management structure:

Department Manager Group Leader Team Leader Project Lead Chief Product Owner Product Owner Scrum Masters Main Delivery Owner Release Train Engineers Program Manager Project Cluster Manager Chip industry lynchpin ASML reports strong revenue and sales ASML is the only company in the world that manufactures extreme ultraviolet lithography (EUV) machines at scale, which are crucial for producing semiconductor chips that are used in smartphones, computers and AI data centres. The company reported booming sales and revenue last week.

The AI boom has led to strong demand for ASML's machines, which can cost as much as $400 million and are purchased by major chipmakers such as TSMC and Intel, according to the news report.

However, ASML is not the only Big Tech company planning to slash middle management roles. Microsoft, Amazon, Google and Meta have all cut jobs in the past few years, especially targeting management roles. In a more recent instance, Meta is likely to lay off around 8,000 employees, in its most significant layoff since a restructuring in late 2022 and early 2023, three sources who are aware of the company's plans told Reuters.

The ASML spokesperson said booming demand for the Dutch company's lithography machines means it expects to open "several hundreds" new positions, with priority given to staff at risk of being laid off. The new roles may be added in AI, manufacturing and customer support.
SpaceX today unveiled an ambitious agreement with artificial intelligence startup Cursor, securing the option to acquire the fast-rising coding platform for $60 billion later this year or, alternatively, to invest $10 billion in their ongoing collaboration. The announcement marks a decisive escalation in Elon Musk- led SpaceX's efforts to position itself at the forefront of AI-driven software development ahead of a potential public listing that could rank among the largest in history.

Why SpaceX Is Betting Big on AI Coding Tools The deal is a direct response to mounting pressure on Musk's AI ambitions. Musk had publicly acknowledged that xAI (the artificial intelligence company he founded and subsequently merged with SpaceX in February) was lagging behind rivals in coding capabilities. Following that admission, he ordered a round of redundancies at xAI. He initiated an aggressive hiring campaign, poaching engineering talent from across the industry, including two programmers from Cursor itself: Andrew Milich and Jason Ginsberg.

Also Read | Anduril, Palantir and SpaceX are changing how America wages war

The Cursor partnership now gives SpaceX access to one of the most commercially successful AI coding products on the market. Cursor's AI assistant, first launched in 2023, helps software developers write, test and debug code at scale. It has become a central tool in what the technology industry has taken to calling the "vibe coding" era  a shorthand for AI-assisted development workflows that have rapidly transformed how software is built.

Cursor president Oskar Schulz underscored the appeal of the arrangement from his company's perspective: "The SpaceX team has an enormous amount of compute, and we think together we can scale up our model efforts, and we're really excited about it. We really like their team."

Cursor's Valuation and Meteoric Rise in the Vibe Coding Era Prior to the SpaceX announcement, Cursor had been in advanced discussions with investors to raise approximately $2 billion in fresh funding at a valuation exceeding $50 billion. Andreessen Horowitz was set to co-lead the round, with Nvidia and Thrive Capital also expected to participate, notable given that both Andreessen and Nvidia are existing backers of xAI.

Founded in 2023, Cursor has emerged as one of the fastest-growing startups in the AI ecosystem, riding a surge in demand for tools that enhance developer productivity. Its AI assistant enables programmers to write, debug and refine code with unprecedented efficiency, positioning the company at the centre of what industry insiders describe as the vibe coding movement.

What the SpaceXCursor Deal Actually Involves SpaceX may either complete a full acquisition of Cursor at a $60 billion valuation or channel $10 billion into a collaborative research and product effort. The company framed the arrangement in unambiguous terms: SpaceXAI and @cursor_ai are now working closely together to create the world's best coding and knowledge work AI.

Cursor's chief executive, Michael Truell, confirmed the partnership on X, writing that he is "excited to partner with the SpaceX team to scale up Composer"  a reference to Cursor's proprietary AI model. "A meaningful step on our path to build the best place to code with AI," Truell added.

SpaceX's Rapid AI Expansion Since Merging With xAI Tuesday's announcement is the latest chapter in SpaceX's accelerating transformation into an AI conglomerate. The company merged with xAI in February in a transaction Musk valued at $1.25 trillion  a figure subsequently reported by the New York Times. Before that, Musk had used xAI to absorb his social network X, formerly known as Twitter, in an all-stock deal announced in March 2025.

The Cursor agreement arrives less than a week before Musk is due in court in Northern California for a high-profile legal dispute with OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman  whose company was among Cursor's earliest investors.

IPO Ambitions and Market Implications The deal also carries broader implications for SpaceXs expected debut on public markets. By bolstering its AI credentials, the company may seek to command a premium valuation from investors eager to gain exposure to the next phase of artificial intelligence growth.

If executed, the acquisition would rank among the largest in the history of the AI sector, signalling that competition is shifting from incremental innovation to large-scale consolidation.

With Musk preparing for a high-profile legal confrontation involving OpenAI leadership in Northern California, the stakes in the AI race appear higher than ever. The Cursor agreement suggests that SpaceX intends not merely to participate in that race, but to reshape its trajectory.
Weatherford International Plc., one of the worlds largest oilfield-service providers, is warning that a hit to earnings in the wake of the Iran war will get worse this quarter, before an eventual rebound.

The conflict will likely hurt company profits by about $30 million to $50 million over the first half of the year, Chief Executive Officer Girish Saligram said during a call with analysts. Thats based on the outlook that oilfield activity starts to normalize by the end of this quarter, he said Wednesday.

On Tuesday, Weatherford posted first-quarter results that showed earnings-per-share topped analyst estimates. Impacts from the war will show more clearly in the second quarter, with global energy shipments facing continued disruptions, Saligram said.

The war has all but cut off the flow of oil and natural gas from the Persian Gulf. Thats been a blow to service providers counting on the Middle East for growth. Earlier this week, Halliburton Co. also guided for a larger second-quarter impact as service providers face halted operations.

Weatherford has been forced to pause operations for several weeks in countries including Iraq, Qatar and in parts of Kuwait, Saligram said, adding that a jump in freight costs, jet fuel and trucking expenses are also causing strain.

Weatherford sees potential for a rebound in the Middle East in the second half of the year. If the conflict is resolved, the industry responsible for maintaining equipment would be among the first to reap the benefits as nations rebuild their damaged energy infrastructure.

A growing need for increased energy security will also fuel growth into 2027, Saligram said.

Some investors are willing to look past the companys softer second-quarter guidance, Scott Gruber, an analyst at Citigroup Global Markets Inc., wrote in a note to clients. Positive commentary on the second half of 2026 and 2027 could neutralize the impact, Gruber said.

Weatherfords shares on Wednesday rose as much as 6.7% to $106.26, the highest intraday level in more than a month. The stock was up about 2% to $101.67 as of 11:26 a.m. in New York.

Our outlook for the second half of 2026 and into 2027 and beyond is candidly the most constructive it has been since late 2023, Saligram said.

2026 Bloomberg L.P.
Mansi Verma

Mansi Verma is a senior correspondent covering private capital in India for Mint. Think of strategy shifts, private equity and venture capital deals, the companies trying to go public, and occasionally, the ones falling apart.<br><br>She moved into this beat in 2022, and has been following it closely since. Prior to Mint, Mansi worked at Moneycontrol, where she covered jobs and edtech, reporting extensively on the 20222024 startup and IT layoffs cycle. Her work during this period focused on what happens to fast-growing companies when capital dries up, combining financial reporting with human-interest stories.<br><br>Mansi reported closely on Byjus during a critical phase in its unravelling, and has since built a strong understanding of edtech businesses, particularly unicorns, and the deeper structural challenges in education that many of them have struggled to solve. At Mint, she follows the flow of capital across VC and PE deals, exits and IPO pipelines, while also tracking large investment firms, and the financial services sector.<br><br>Outside of the newsroom, Mansi spends time exploring how technology is changing the way people think and work, while actively attempting to build a critical thinking human brain in the age of short-form everything.<br><br>She holds a Masters degree in journalism and has moderated industry discussions on financial services and investments.
Assembly Elections 2026 live updates: The campaigning for the Tamil Nadu Assembly Election and the first phase of the West Bengal Assembly Election ended on 20 April. All political parties gave a final push to their campaigns on the last day before voting on Thursday for 234 seats in Tamil Nadu and 152 seats in West Bengal.

Counting of votes in both states will be held on 4 May, the day when the results of Assam, Kerala and Puducherry assembly polls will also be declared.

In West Bengal, the contest is largely bipolar between the ruling TMC and the resurgent BJP. Led by chief minister Mamata Banerjee, the TMC has been in power in the state since 2011, while the BJP emerged as its main challenger after winning 77 seats in the 2021 assembly elections.

The Congress is largely out of the race in the state and is contesting alone after breaking its alliance with the Left Front in February.

Prominent TMC leaders in the fray on Thursday include Goutam Deb from Siliguri, Udayan Guha from Dinhata, Firhad Hakim from Kolkata Port area, and Pabitra Kar from Nandigram.

Key BJP faces in the first phase also include Suvendu Adhikari from Nandigram, Union Minister Nisith Pramanik from Mathabhanga (SC) and former state president Dilip Ghosh from Kharagpur Sadar.

Suvendu Adhikari is contesting from his stronghold Nandigram, where he defeated Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in the last election. Congress leaders Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and Mausam Noor are contesting from Baharampur and Malatipur, respectively.

In Tamil Nadu, the main contest is between the Secular Democratic Alliance led by the DMK and the National Democratic Alliance, led in the state by the AIADMK, the DMKs arch-rival. The two Dravidian rivals have dominated Tamil Nadu politics since the 1960s and have been the only parties to govern the state since then. While Congress is the DMKs largest alliance partner, the BJP is the AIADMKs key ally.

What happened in 2021?

In the 2021 West Bengal Legislative Assembly elections, the incumbent Trinamool Congress won the election by a landslide, despite opinion polls generally predicting a close race against the BJP, which became the official opposition with 77 seats.

In the 2021 Tamil Nadu assembly polls, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), led by MK Stalin, swept to power after a decade in opposition, winning 133 seats on its own. The DMK, along with Congress and other partners in the Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA), won 159 out of 234 seats in the Tamil Nadu Assembly.

Follow updates here:
Kolkata: A five-minute walk from the Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) camp office in Bhabanipur brings you to Netaji Bhawana heritage building preserved as a memorial and research centre dedicated to the life of anti-colonial nationalist Subhas Chandra Bose. Manohar Mondal, now in his late 60s, says he has been looking after the premises for nearly three decades.

As you strike up a conversation about the upcoming Assembly polls, Mondal says the Trinamool Congress candidateand West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjeeis likely to retain the high-profile Bhabanipur seat in south Kolkata.

View full Image View full Image Netaji Bhawana heritage building preserved as a memorial and research centre dedicated to the life of anti-colonial nationalist Subhas Chandra Bose ( Gulam Jeelani )

This area is dominated by TMC councillors, so the party could well win again, he says.

But as Mondal warms to the conversation, he invokes a word that has been echoing across Bengal ahead of the polls: People want poribortana change this time, he says in Bengali.

From Kolkata in the south to Murshidabad in the north, and across North 24 Parganas in the southeast, signs of anti-incumbency against Mamata Banerjees 15-year rule are hard to miss. In conversations, voters point to unemployment, political violence, and allegations of minority appeasement.

Yet, despite this undercurrent of discontent, Banerjee remains by far the most popular leader Bengal has seen since the heyday of Jyoti Basu, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) stalwart who governed the state from 1977 to 2000. It remains to be seen if she comes to power for the fourth time on 4 May, when the results will be declared.

Shot to fame in 1984 Banerjee shot to fame for the first time in 1984 when she defeated the veteran communist Somnath Chatterjee to win the Jadavpur Lok Sabha seat. That was her first Lok Sabha election. And in 1998, she broke away from the West Bengal Congress to set up her own partya Trinamool or grassroots, Congress that claimed to be closer to the people.

The Trinamool Congress has swept assembly elections in 2011, 2016 and 2021. Even in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, the TMC won 29 of the 42 seats in West Bengal. This was 7 more than it won in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

Mamata Banerjee has kept winning in West Bengal for a mix of political strategy, welfare delivery, and opposition weakness. Here are five main reasons behind her success ahead of one more high-stakes assembly election in West Bengal

1 - Strong personal brand After decades in politics, Mamata has successfully projected herself as a grassroots, anti-elite leader, despite being in power since 2011. The Didi imageaccessible, combative, street-fighter has helped her connect across class lines in a way many rivals havent matched, senior journalist Suvojit Bagchi tells me at a cafe in the upmarket Ballygunge neighbourhood of Kolkata.

The middle and upper middle class see her as a ruffian but for the Bengali poor, while the rest of the TMC are goondas, Mamata is a great leader, says Bagchi.

People who followed Mamata Banerjees brand of politics say she fits in West Bengals anti-centre rhetoric. History tells us that if you have to be a good leader in West Bengal, you have to oppose the Centre, they say.

2- Beneficial welfare network One of the key reasons for Mamata Banerjees popularity has been her partys welfare schemes, such as Kanyashree, Lakshmir Bhandar, and Swasthya Sathi. Under the popular Lakshmir Bhandar scheme, for example, women from the general category receive 1,000 per month, while those belonging to the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities get 1,200 per month.

These schemes have created direct, visible benefits and have seen lower leakages than in other states, says Bagchi.

In response to a question on the TMC welfare schemes during a press conference in Kolkata in early April, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), if it wins the elections, would not stop any schemes of the previous government.

Many householdsparticularly womensee a tangible link between their income security and their government, which has been translating into votes. In fact, while travelling to Bengal, this reporter observed that one reason for the silent Bengali voter is the benefits they receive through these schemes.

3- Muslim votes At 27 per cent of the population (2011 census), Muslims make up a significant share of West Bengals electorate. Mamata Banerjee has largely retained this bloc, especially when contests become polarised against parties like the Bharatiya Janata Party.

In the 2021 assembly elections, the TMC secured an overwhelming 7583% of Muslim votes, helping them win 106 of 112 Muslim-influenced constituencies. In the 2026 elections, too, Muslims are generally expected to vote for TMC, more so due to mass deletions of minority votes in the Election Commissions Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Muslim-dominated districts such as Murshidabad and Malda.

View full Image View full Image Outside BJP office in Bhabanipur in Kolkata. ( Gulam Jeelani )

Political analysts said the BJP at the Centre has suited Mamata Banerjee for this reason too.

The moment Congress comes to power at theCentre, Mamata Banerjee will start losing her clout. There are many reasons for it, the foremost being that she will lose her minority support to Congress, Abdul Matin, Assistant Professor at the Department of International Relations, Jadavpur University, tells me during the anti-SIR protest at Kolkatas Park Circus on 14 April.

4-Women Support The women voters of West Bengal were considered the staunchest supporters of the Left till Mamata Banerjee-led TMC swept state elections in 2011. A Lokniti-CSDS post-poll survey from 2011 revealed that 44 per cent of women voted for TMC while 37 per cent voted for the Left-Congress alliance.

In 2016, 47 per cent of women again voted for TMC, while 35 per cent voted for the Left. Though women voters have slowly shifted toward the BJP, the TMC still had the upper hand in the 2021 elections, when Mamata Banerjees party won 49 per cent of the women's vote against the BJPs 37 per cent.

Mamata Banerjee cultivated women's support through targeted welfare schemes, according to analysts. In the 2011 assembly election, her campaign wasnt just a run for the office  it felt like insurgency. She wasnt positioning herself as an establishment figure or an elite leader. She was Didi, the elder sister who lived alone usually wearing simple hawai chappal and draped often in blue and white, Sayantan Ghosh writes in his recent book  Battleground Bengal.

Her governance recognized women not as auxiliary voters but as decisive actors, writes Ghosh.

5  Mamata vs Who? Despite years of anti-incumbency against Mamata, the opposition has so far been unable to consolidate it against her. In the 2021 assembly polls, despite an anti-incumbency of ten years, Mamata Banerjees TMC defied exit polls and won the election by a landslide, bagging 2015 seats in the 294-member Bengal assembly.

Also Read | West Bengal Elections: 7 key candidates to watch in first phase of voting

People want poribortana change this time.

Mamata Banerjees enduring success can also be attributed to the oppositions inability to produce a credible, charismatic leader who can challenge her stature, Ghosh says in his book.
Assembly Elections 2026: Campaigning ended this week in both Tamil Nadu and West Bengal ahead of voting on 23 April. West Bengals first phase will see ballots cast across 152 seats in a fierce Trinamool CongressBJP contest. Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu's 234 constituencies head to the polls after a fiery finale marked by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge's controversial remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The polling in the first phase of the West Bengal assembly election on Thursday will determine the electoral fate of 1,478 candidates. The poll battle saw sharp exchanges in the largely considered bipolar contest between the ruling Trinamool Congress and the resurgent BJP. Congress and CPI-M, who had allied in the last assembly polls, are fighting separately.

In the high-pitched campaign, the BJP repeatedly raised the issues of infiltrators, law and order, and fear among sections of voters. In response, the Trinamool Congress sought to portray the BJP as "anti-Bengali". The BJP has also promised to introduce the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), implement the recommendations of the Seventh Pay Commission, and announce measures for the welfare of women, youth and farmers. Other parties also made a slew of promises.

Prominent Trinamool Congress candidates in the fray on Thursday include Goutam Deb from Siliguri, Udayan Guha from Dinhata, Firhad Hakim from Kolkata Port area and Pabitra Kar from Nandigram.

BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari is contesting from his stronghold Nandigram, where he defeated Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in the last election. Key BJP faces in the first phase also include Union Minister Nisith Pramanik from Mathabhanga (SC) and former state president Dilip Ghosh from Kharagpur Sadar

Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury is contesting from Baharampur, Mausam Noor from Malatipur and Mrinmoy Sarkar from Alipurduars.

Modi addressed several rallies in the state to shore up the BJP's campaign and expressed confidence that the party would get a majority in the assembly polls. Home Minister Amit Shah also addressed rallies in Paschim Bardhaman, Paschim Medinipur, targeting Banerjee's administration over issues of infiltration, law and order, corruption and women's safety.

In his last rally in Chandipur, West Medinipur, Shah said the Trinamool Congress government is on its way out.

Meanwhile, Mamata Banerjee launched strong attacks on the BJP. She also attacked the Centre over the "large presence" of paramilitary forces.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also campaigned during the first phase of polls in the state.

Trinamool Congress has been in power in Bengal for the past 15 years.

Campaign ends in Tamil Nadu too The curtains fell on the high-decibel campaign for the 2026 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly elections on Tuesday evening. As the state's 234 constituencies prepare for polling on 23 April, the final hours of canvassing were dominated by a vitriolic clash between the Congress and the BJP following Kharge's controversial remarks regarding PM Modi.

Also Read | West Bengal Elections: 7 key candidates to watch in first phase of voting

Addressing a rally in support of the DMK-led alliance, Kharge triggered a national firestorm by initially referring to Modi as a "terrorist who does not believe in equality."

Facing immediate backlash from the NDA camp, Kharge later issued a clarification while maintaining his aggressive stance.

"He [PM Modi] is terrorising people and political parties. I never said he is a terrorist in the literal sense... What I mean is that Modi always threatens. The ED, I-T, and CBI are in his hands. He wants to take everything into his hands."

The BJP and its ally, the AIADMK, seized on the remark, with Union Minister Piyush Goyal retaliating by calling the DMK-Congress leadership "anti-India and anti-Tamil Nadu."

The final day of campaigning saw the three main protagonists of this election present vastly different visions for the state's future.

Chief Minister MK Stalin and Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin bet on continuity. Udhayanidhi Stalin predicted a "sweeping victory" from his Chepauk-Triplicane stronghold. He dismissed the opposition as a "slave alliance" and asserted that the DMK's governance has made Chennai an impregnable fortress.

MK Stalin continued his aggressive outreach through roadshows and public interactions, asserting strong grassroots support. "Chennai has always been the fortress of DMK," he said, projecting confidence in retaining power.

Edappadi K Palaniswami pushed for change. The AIADMK leader framed the 23 April vote as the "battle to save Tamil Nadu." EPS slammed the ruling party over rising debt and a "deteriorating" law and order situation, specifically alleging that women's safety has been compromised under the DMK regime.

Vijay's disruptive final push In a disruptive final push, actor-turned-politician Vijay and his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), urged voters to discard both Dravidian giants. Pitching his whistle symbol, Vijay alleged an "underground deal" between the DMK and BJP, promising a complete systemic overhaul.

"Our political enemy is DMK and policy enemy is BJP... You can trust your Vijay 100%," he told supporters. Vijay accused the ruling government of failing to deliver on promises.

As the 6:00 pm deadline passed, the "silence period" began across the state on Tuesday evening. The administration has shifted into high gear to enforce the Model Code of Conduct.

With the DMK banking on its welfare record, the AIADMK-led NDA fighting for a comeback, and Vijay's TVK acting as the wildcard, Tamil Nadu's 6.2 crore voters will deliver their mandate on Thursday, 23 April.

He [PM Modi] is terrorising people and political parties. I never said he is a terrorist in the literal sense... What I mean is that Modi always threatens.

Vote counting is scheduled for 4 May 2026.
China spent years preparing for such a moment, subsidizing broad use of electric vehicles, boosting domestic crude-oil production and joining with Russia to secure energy supplies. It has made significant inroads in renewable energy, both as a user and manufacturer. Coal powers more than half of its energy consumption, with oil at under one-fifth, according to analysts. Meanwhile, India has fortified its energy supplies in recent weeks by significantly increasing imports from Russia.
Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest cancers. It killed nearly 52,000 Americans last year, many within a year of diagnosis. Now, there are some new experimental medicines with the potential to change that.New data from two drugs showed it might be possible to keep the disease in check for longer than ever before. One drug, developed by Revolution Medicines, shrank tumors in roughly half of people who used it as a first treatment. And an mRNA vaccine made by Germany-based BioNTech and Genentech kept most patients who responded to it alive six yearsan unusually long stretch for a cancer that normally leaves only around one in eight people alive five years after diagnosis.This is a pivotal point in time for this disease, theres no question, said Dr. Eileen OReilly, a gastrointestinal oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City who led one of the RevMed-funded trials.
The New York Police Department is making progress on tackling the scourge of retail theft that has hit businesses across the cityand the nationin the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. Retail theft is down a little over 20% in the city for the first quarter of 2026 compared with the same time last year. Last year was also better than the one before, with retail thefts down 14% to 52,682.
This elaborate evasion system includes a substantial amount of Iranian oil already at sea and far from the Middle East. If the U.S. continues to target this floating supply, it could cut into an important source of income for the Iranian regime. Without that financial cushion, Tehran would find it much harder to sustain the war and drag out talks to end it.
WASHINGTONThe Trump administration has suspended U.S. dollar shipments to Iraq and frozen security cooperation programs with its military, escalating the pressure on Baghdad to dismantle powerful Iranian-backed militias, said Iraqi and U.S. officials.

A cargo-plane delivery of nearly $500 million in U.S. banknotes, the proceeds from Iraqi oil sales from Federal Reserve Bank of New York accounts, was blocked recently by Treasury Department officials because of U.S. concerns about the militias, some of the officials said.

It was the second scheduled shipment of dollars to the Central Bank of Iraq delayed by the U.S. since the start of the Iran war in late February, the U.S. and Iraqi officials said. It came after weeks of militia attacks on American facilities in Iraq and neighboring countries in a show of support for Tehran.

The U.S. has informed Baghdad that it was also suspending funding for some counterterrorism and armed forces training programs until the militia attacks stop and Iraqi officials take steps to dismantle the armed groups, the U.S. and Iraqi officials said.

The moves highlight the pressure on Baghdad to align itself more closely with Washington and downgrade its close ties with Tehran since the beginning of the nearly eight week U.S. and Israeli war against Iran.

In a statement Tuesday that didnt allude to the suspended deliveries, the Central Bank of Iraq said it wasnt short of U.S. currency. It had fulfilled all requests from banks and exchange companies for U.S. dollars, the bank said.

After the invasion of 2003, Washington agreed to hold Iraqs earnings from oil salestens of billions a yearat the New York Fed. To circulate the proceeds back into Iraq, the Fed began shipping as much as $13 billion a year in cash to Baghdad to keep its heavily cash-based economy functioning.

The U.S. shut off the cash deliveries briefly in 2015 over concerns that dollars were being funneled to Islamic State militants and has threatened to suspend the shipments in the past. Though Baghdad has reduced its reliance on dollars, cargo planes still deliver pallets of U.S. currency to the Iraqi central bank, giving the U.S. leverage to try to force Baghdad to reckon with the militias.

U.S. officials say the hold on Iraqs dollar shipments is temporary, but they didnt say what specific steps Baghdad needs to take for the deliveries to resume.

The Iraqi governments failure to prevent these attacks while some elements associated with the Iraqi government continue to actively provide political, financial and operational cover for the militias adversely impacts the U.S.-Iraq relationship, State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said. The United States will not tolerate attacks on U.S. interests and expects the Iraqi government to immediately take all measures to dismantle the Iran-aligned militia groups in Iraq.

Iraqi militias have attempted hundreds of small-scale drone and rocket attacks since the war began, including against a U.S. military base and consulate in northern Iraq and a State Department facility at the Baghdad International Airport. U.S. officials blamed pro-Iran groups in Iraq for an attempted drone ambush on a U.S. security convoy involved in transporting a freed American hostage out of the country earlier this month.

The U.S. has been conducting airstrikes against militia groups in Iraq since the Iran war began.

The Pentagon has substantially reduced its military footprint in Iraq in recent years, moving most of its remaining forces to bases in northern Iraq. But the U.S. has continued to provide intelligence about Islamic State to the Iraqi military and to assist Iraqs armed forces with training and equipment.

Iraqs most potent militias, including the Badr Brigade, Kataib Hezbollah and Asaib Ahl al-Haq, have enormous influence within Iraqs government and financial sectors. Baghdad is in the midst of choosing a new prime minister, and the militias, as well as Tehran, are pressing for candidates who will maintain close ties with Iran. Some militia units have been incorporated formally into Iraqs armed forces, making it hard for any prime minister to challenge them.

Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, who has served as prime minister since 2022, has sought Washingtons backing for a second term but has also been careful about not assailing the militias power.

The militias are also beneficiaries of Iraqs access to U.S. dollars. More than two dozen Iraqi banks, many with close ties to the militias, were banned in 2023 and 2024 by the Treasury for siphoning off dollars from Iraqs Fed accounts, using fraudulent wire transfers.

The militias were later involved in acquiring huge quantities of MasterCards and Visas loaded with funds in Iraq. They arranged to transport the cards to the United Arab Emirates and other neighboring countries and withdraw the money as dollars. The armed groups then transferred the cash back to Iraq, exchanged it for dinars and profited from the currency arbitrage, Treasury said.

Iraqs Shia militias grew out of the chaos after the U.S. invasion more than two decades ago. They defended Shia areas against attacks by Sunni militants and fought American forces that their leaders denounced as occupiers. Iran funneled arms to many of the groups, which later took on a role in fighting Islamic State fighters who swept into Iraq from Syria in 2014.

In January, President Trump warned that he would cut off U.S. assistance to Iraq if Nouri Al-Maliki, a former prime minister with close ties to Iran, returned to the job. Maliki recently withdrew his candidacy and his coalition, a group of Shia parties with varying degrees of allegiance to Iran called the Coordination Framework, has put forward another candidate, Bassem al-Badri, a senior member of Malikis Dawa Party.
In Islamabad, the city was ready and waiting for a meeting that is now uncertain. The airport road was heavily manned with armed guards in pickup trucks, and soldiers sat around town on plastic chairs. Authorities requisitioned three luxury hotels, but shops remained open, unlike during the first round of talks. The owner of a convenience store at a fuel station said he lost 20% of his weekly business, or more than $20,000, during that shutdown but wouldnt mind shutting again to support an important role for the country.
New Delhi: Indias textile exports rose 2.1% in the previous fiscal year (FY26) to 3.16 trillion, according to data released by the ministry of textiles on Wednesday, reflecting steady but restrained growth amid global trade headwinds.

The increase from 3.09 trillion in FY25 points to stable external demand and sustained competitiveness, even as the broader environment remained challenging.

Ready-made garments (RMG) continued to anchor outbound shipments, growing 2.9% to 1.39 trillion. In contrast, traditional segments including cotton yarn, fabrics, made-ups and handloom products were largely flat, inching up just 0.4% to 1.02 trillion, underscoring muted momentum in legacy categories.

A clearer divergence emerged in higher-value and non-traditional segments. Man-made textiles rose 3.6% to 42,687 crore, suggesting a gradual shift in global demand towards synthetic and blended products. Handicrafts (excluding handmade carpets) posted the strongest growth among key categories, expanding 6.1% to 15,855 crore, indicating rising overseas appetite for artisanal and niche offerings.

Broad-based gains Export gains were also geographically broad-based.

Between April 2025 and February 2026, shipments expanded across more than 120 destinations. Growth was led by key markets including the United Arab Emirates (22.3%), the UK (7.8%), Germany (9.9%), Spain (15.5%) and Japan (20.6%), alongside sharp increases in smaller destinations such as Egypt (38.3%), Nigeria (21.4%), Senegal (54.4%) and Sudan (205.6%). The ministry did not provide corresponding export values or volumes, limiting comparability in absolute terms.

Policy support measures remained in focus. The government has taken steps to continue export support measures, including extending schemes such as the Rebate of State and Central Taxes and Levies (RoSCTL) and the Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) beyond March 2026, the ministry said in its statement. These measures, it said, are aimed at supporting exporters and improving competitiveness.

Trade policy developments also gathered pace during the previous year. The ministry said Indias free trade agreement agenda made progress in FY26, with the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) with the European Free Trade Association coming into force on 1 October 2025. Engagements with the UK, Oman, New Zealand and the European Union also advanced, it added.

These are expected to improve market access, reduce tariff barriers, support supply-chain integration and expand opportunities across textiles, apparel, handicrafts and technical textiles.

Better external positioning Industry participants said the widening geographic spread reflects improving external positioning.

The fact that the apparel export sector has held its own despite massive disruption and global headwinds is a testament to the resilience of this industry. Exporters have demonstrated adaptability by strengthening engagement in key markets, said aid Mithileshwar Thakur, secretary general, Apparel Export Promotion Council (APEC).

Going forward, upcoming Free Trade Agreements with key markets such as the UK and EU are expected to provide a significant boost by enhancing competitiveness and market access. The continued policy support and trade agreements could further accelerate this momentum, Thakur added.

Indias textile sector is one of the countrys oldest and most diverse industries and is widely regarded as the second-largest employer after agriculture, providing direct and indirect employment to around 45 million people, with additional millions engaged in allied activities such as handicrafts and sericulture.
On the morning of 22 April last year, terrorists attacked civilian tourists at Pahalgam, killing over 25 people in broad daylight. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was on an official visit to Saudi Arabia, rushed to the capital, chairing meetings and planning a response. One of the immediate steps that the government took was to suspend the Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan. In retaliation, the Pakistani government closed its airspace for Indian carriers on 24 April 2026.

One year down the line, the airspace remains closed, and with more and more airspace being unavailable, the impact on Indian aviation continues to be negative. It has become a year that airlines in India would want to forget quickly and move ahead.

What is the impact? The closure of Pakistani airspace had an immediate impact on Air India, which has service to points in Europe and multiple cities in the USA and Canada from its primary hub in Delhi. For flights to Europe, the airline saw an increase in block times, leading to misconnecting passengers as an immediate aftermath. However, a larger impact was on flights to North America, which were non-stop but could no longer be non-stop due to the increased block times. This meant that the airline had to look for technical stops, and it improvised its operations based on winds, loads and more as time progressed. Air India has since had technical stops at Vienna as well as Kolkata and is using some new routings to optimise the available airspace. The technical stop takes away the edge which the airline has for a non-stop offering.

Air India was not the only airline impacted. IndiGo had announced a deal with European carrier Norse Atlantic for damp-leased Dreamliner aircraft and ambitions to fly to Europe. The airline subsequently inducted all six planes, but instead of a large hub in Delhi, it split the operations between Mumbai and Delhi, with Mumbai being a bigger operation.

The impact was prima facie international, but affected domestic skies too. Last year, airlines were hoping for a bumper summer in North India with flights to Srinagar crossing 50 a day, the highest ever. Not only did the flights see cancellations as Operation Sindoor started, but the numbers are not seen again even this year.

Not just planes, crew and passengers too were affected The impact of the closure was felt not just on routings, increased flying times and maintenance costs, but also on crew scheduling. An additional landing on a long- haul flight impacts crew rostering due to the prevalent rules. This also impacts maintenance costs since most components of an aircraft are linked to hours and cycles or a combination of both. A cycle is one take-off and one landing, and an additional take-off and landing means double the cycles than initially planned for a long-haul flight.

Also Read | The true extent of IndiGos monopoly on Indian skies

On the rostering front, long-haul flights have different rules for duty times. It often involves having two sets of crew: one which does take-off and landing and another which flies the plane in between. With an additional landing and take-off, the crew patterns changed, and so did the expenditure to have the crew stay at new places in Europe and not their home base. This increased the crew requirement, something which wasnt planned since the situation never demanded.

Airspace closure not the only hit Towards the end of May, things started normalising and looked promising again. The peak summer season may have been lost, but all was not lost until on a fine sunny day in June, Air Indias 787-8 Dreamliner crashed in Ahmedabad immediately after take-off. Bound for London, this saw the death of all but one passenger on board. The overall caution by passengers after such a major tragedy generally leads to a lowering of traffic. IndiGo and Air India both reduced domestic flights in the off-peak monsoon months as they reeled under the subsequent challenges.

Tail Note Airlines in India would have hoped for a better start to the new financial year. However, things are not the way they wished. A month before the end of a year which could have been forgotten, Israel, the USA and Iran got into a conflict. This conflict has pushed up oil prices, posing challenges like no other. Just when things looked promising, the unknown turned the tide. How long will the conflict last and what will be the long-term repercussions is anybodys guess at the moment. For the airlines, it has become impossible to find as many passengers willing to pay as much fare to make the operations at breakeven levels. Profit is an afterthought right now for most.
Subhana Shaikh

Subhana Shaikh is a business journalist at Mint, where she covers the Reserve Bank of India, monetary policy, and Indias bond markets. She has seven years of experience in reporting on financial markets, with a focus on banking and the broader financial system.<br><br>She began her career after completing her postgraduate diploma at the Indian Institute of Journalism and New Media, Bengaluru. She then spent five years at Informist Media, a news wire agency, where she closely tracked bond markets and the BFSI sector, developing a strong foundation in market reporting. She later moved to NDTV Profit, where she expanded her coverage across a wide range of business and economic stories.<br><br>At Mint, Subhana focuses on explaining central bank decisions, bond market movements, and banking trends for her readers. Her reporting combines on-ground inputs with careful analysis to help audiences understand complex financial developments.<br><br>Based in Mumbai, she is interested in exploring stories across the business landscape. Outside of work, she enjoys reading and spending time with her three cats.
Silver prices in India rebounded on Wednesday, snapping a two-day losing streak as easing oil prices and a softer dollar improved the metals appeal. The move came after U.S. President Donald Trump announced an extension of the Iran ceasefire, reducing immediate fears of an inflation spike and aggressive interest rate moves.

MCX Silver price jumped 2% or over 4,800 to 2,49,423 per kg, while MCX Gold rate added 1.3% or over 2,000 to 1,53,699 per 10 grams.

Meanwhile, globally as well, Spot silver rose 1.5% to $77.84 per ounce, tracking gains across the precious metals complex. The rally in silver also tracked a recovery in gold, which rose 0.9% to $4,755.11 per ounce after hitting its lowest level since April 13 in the previous session. U.S. gold futures climbed 1.1% to $4,772.90, signalling broader strength across the metals complex.

However, uncertainty persists. The extension appeared unilateral, with no immediate confirmation from Iran or U.S. ally Israel. Iran has also said it will not reopen the Strait of Hormuz while U.S. blockades remain in place, keeping oil supply concerns alive.

Oil prices reacted to the development, with Brent crude holding near $100 per barrel, while the U.S. dollar slipped as much as 0.2% after gains in the previous session  both key moves for precious metals.

Other precious metals also moved higher, with platinum rising 1.5% to $2,067.25 and palladium gaining 1.8% to $1,560.31.

Whats driving silver prices? At the heart of silvers rebound is a decline in the U.S. dollar. A weaker dollar makes silver cheaper for buyers holding other currencies, boosting demand. Following the ceasefire news, the dollar edged lower, reversing earlier gains and providing additional tailwinds for precious metals.

Meanwhile, cooling oil prices reduce fears of a sharp rise in inflation, which in turn lowers expectations of prolonged high interest rates. While crude prices remain elevated near $100 per barrel due to ongoing supply disruptions  particularly with the Strait of Hormuz still closed  the immediate risk of further escalation has eased. This has reduced the urgency around inflation fears, indirectly supporting silver.

At the same time, interest rate expectations remain a crucial piece of the puzzle. Federal Reserve chief nominee Kevin Warsh stated that he had made no commitments to cut rates, reinforcing the idea that policy decisions will remain data-dependent.

Furthermore, geopolitics continues to play a role. Despite the ceasefire extension, tensions remain unresolved. Iran has refused to reopen the Strait of Hormuz while U.S. military blockades persist, and peace talks have yet to resume after recent setbacks. This lingering uncertainty keeps safe-haven demand for silver intact, even as immediate risks subside.
Buy or sell stocks: The frontline indices, the Sensex and the Nifty 50, closed Tuesday, April 21, on a strong note, driven by easing crude oil prices and improved investor sentiment amid prospects of US-Iran peace negotiations.

The Sensex climbed 753 points, or 0.96%, to settle at 79,273.33, while the Nifty 50 advanced 212 points, or 0.87%, to finish at 24,576.60.

Stock market today Nifty 50 On Tuesday, the Nifty 50 opened on a flat-to-positive note at 24,374.55 and witnessed steady buying interest throughout the session, maintaining a gradual upward trajectory. The index recorded an intraday low of 24,354.90 and surged to an intraday high of 24,601.70. It eventually closed near the days high at 24,576.60, registering a gain of 211.75 points or 0.87% over the previous close.

Also Read | Growws stock valuation needs consistent growth to back it up

According to Sumeet Bagadia, Executive Director at Choice Broking, on the daily timeframe, the formation of a strong bullish Marubozu candlestick pattern with minimal wicks indicates sustained buying interest and strong bullish momentum, suggesting the possibility of continuation of the uptrend.

From a technical perspective, immediate support is placed in the 24,35024,400 range, while resistance is observed between 24,700 and 24,750 levels. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) stands at 59.66, indicating strengthening momentum and approaching the overbought zone, which supports the prevailing bullish bias. In the derivatives segment, notable call writing was seen at the 24,700 strike, followed by 24,800, while significant put writing was observed at 24,500 and 24,400 levels, indicating near-term support zones, Bagadia said.

Bank Nifty The Bank Nifty index opened with a gap-up at 56,823.60 and maintained a strong upward bias throughout the session. After marking an intraday low of 56,696.30, the index witnessed sustained buying interest, which pushed it to an intraday high of 57,456.30. The index eventually closed near its days high at 57,371.45, gaining 789.10 points or 1.39% for the day.

Bagadia further noted that on the daily timeframe, the formation of a bullish Marubozu-like candlestick with small wicks reflects strong buying interest and positive momentum in the banking space.

From a technical standpoint, immediate support is placed in the 56,90057,000 range, while resistance is seen in the 57,70057,800 zone. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) stands at 59.21, indicating strengthening momentum and supporting the bullish outlook. Sustaining above this level would be important to confirm further strength, Bagadia said.

Bagadia further recommended traders to stay aligned with the trend and look for buying opportunities on dips while monitoring price action near crucial levels, as recent price action suggests a continuation of strong bullish momentum supported by broad-based participation and declining volatility. While the undertone remains firmly positive, sustaining above key support levels and a decisive move beyond resistance zones will be crucial to confirm continuation of the ongoing uptrend, he added.

Also Read | Stocks to trade: Raja Venkatraman recommends three stocks for 22 April

Sumeet Bagadia's stocks to buy Amid escalating tensions in US-Iran, Sumeet Bagadia recommends five shares to buy on Wednesday, April 22: Bharat Heavy Electricals, Bajaj Finance, Welspun Corp, Honasa Consumer, and Lloyds Metals And Energy.

1] Bharat Heavy Electricals: Buy at 332.6, Target 356, Stop Loss 320

Bharat Heavy Electricals share price is demonstrating notable strength and sustainability following a breakout above the upper boundary of a rising wedge pattern, which indicates bullish momentum. The stock has also recorded 10 consecutive green closing candles, highlighting consistent buying interest. Additionally, it has surpassed a key resistance level at 325, reinforcing the positive sentiment and signaling potential continuation of the upward trend.

The RSI currently stands at 78.64, suggesting strong momentum, though it is approaching overbought territory. On the downside, 325 is expected to act as a significant support level in case of minor pullbacks. For short-term traders, the current price of 332.6 could offer a buying opportunity. A stop loss may be set at 320, with a target of 356, while maintaining disciplined risk management practices.

2] Bajaj Finance: Buy at 938.85, Target 1007, Stop Loss 905

Bajaj Finance share price is witnessing a sharp recovery from lower levels, gaining nearly 20%, which suggests a revival in bullish sentiment and renewed buying interest. The stock has recently broken out of a short-term consolidation range, marked by the formation of a strong bullish candle after successfully retesting the 900 support level, indicating confirmation of support and strength in the ongoing uptrend.

Its position comfortably above the 20, 50, 100, and 200-day EMAs reflects strong momentum across short-, medium-, and long-term timeframes. The RSI at 58.30 points to improving strength with sufficient room for further upside. For short-term traders, current levels may offer a buying opportunity, with a stop loss placed at 905 and a potential upside target of 1007, while adhering to disciplined risk management.

3] Welspun Corp: Buy at 1100.6, Target 1182, Stop Loss 1061

Welspun Corp share price is currently trading near its all-time high and has taken support at the 20-period EMA on the one-hour timeframe, indicating sustained strength in the ongoing trend. The stocks ability to hold above the 1100 support level reflects strong buying interest and supports a positive near-term outlook.

The RSI is placed at 68.76, pointing to steady bullish momentum while still remaining below overbought levels.

For short-term traders, the current price of 1100.6 may offer a favorable buying opportunity. A stop loss can be set at 1061 to manage downside risk, with an upside target of 1182, while maintaining disciplined risk management throughout the trade.

4] Honasa Consumer: Buy at 351.6, Target 380, Stop Loss 338

Honasa Consumer currently trading at 351.6, has broken out of a rectangular range-bound pattern and has successfully retested the breakout zone, indicating strong confirmation and continuation of the prevailing uptrend. On the daily timeframe, the RSI is at 74.49 and trending higher, while also showing bullish divergencesignaling strengthening momentum and the potential for further upside. A decisive close above the 350 resistance level, supported by strong volumes, highlights increased buying interest and reinforces the bullish outlook.

On the downside, 345 is likely to act as a key support level during minor pullbacks, suggesting a healthy retracement within the ongoing uptrend. Traders may consider a buy-on-dips approach near 351.6, with a stop-loss at 338 and an upside target of 380, while maintaining disciplined risk management.

Also Read | US dollar climbs as uncertainty grows over Iran ceasefire

5] Lloyds Metals And Energy: Buy at 1649.9, Target 1790, Stop Loss 1590

Lloyds Metals And Energy share price has shown a strong reversal from the 200 DEMA, signalling the emergence of bullish momentum in the near term. The stock is currently trading around 1649.9 and has moved past its recent swing high of 1612, along with delivering a strong close above the psychological 1600 level, which further reinforces the positive sentiment.

For short-term traders, the current price levels may present a potential buying opportunity. A stop loss can be placed at 1590 to manage downside risk, with an upside target of 1790, while maintaining strict risk management discipline.
Ananya Roy

Ananya Roy is the Founder of Credibull Capital, a SEBI-registered investment adviser, where she focuses on building disciplined, research-driven investment strategies for long-term wealth creation. A CFA charterholder with an MBA in Finance from a premier IIM and an engineering degree from NIT, she combines strong academic grounding with nearly 15 years of hands-on experience across the investment management spectrum.<br><br>Her career spans index construction, portfolio management, and private equity investing, giving her a 360-degree perspective on capital markets. Prior to founding Credibull Capital, she held key roles at Edelweiss, Reliance PMS, and Morningstar, where she was involved in fund management, equity research, and product development. This diverse exposure enables her to seamlessly connect macroeconomic trends with bottom-up stock selection.<br><br>Ananya is known for her ability to simplify complex financial concepts and translate them into actionable insights for investors. She writes extensively on the economy, market trends, regulatory developments, and personal finance, with her work also featured in leading publications such as Moneycontrol, The Economic Times, and Financial Express.<br><br>Deeply passionate about investing, she enjoys immersing herself in detailed industry analysis and company fundamentals, constantly seeking to uncover high-conviction opportunities. Her investment philosophy is rooted in patience, discipline, and a sharp focus on risk-adjusted returns.
Indian IT major Infosys is set to announce its Q4FY26 results on April 23, with investors closely watching not just earnings, but also management commentary on growth, deal momentum, and macro uncertainties. The March quarter comes at a time when global IT spending remains uneven, geopolitical risks are rising, and companies are navigating the impact of generative AI on pricing and demand.

The company, in an earlier exchange filing, said its board will meet on April 22-23 to approve audited standalone and consolidated results for the quarter and full year ended March 31, along with a recommendation for a final dividend.

Brokerages estimate net profit at 7,508.6 crore, up 4% YoY from 7,218 crore for Infosys. However, on a sequential basis, profit after tax is expected to decline 1.5% from 7,625 crore in Q3FY26. Revenue is projected to grow 13.7% YoY to 46,567 crore from 40,925 crore, while rising 2% QoQ from 45,479 crore.

What to expect from Infosys Q4 As Infosys gears up to announce its Q4FY26 results, expectations remain measured, with analysts factoring in seasonal weakness, macro headwinds, and evolving demand trends. While headline growth is expected to stay stable, the Street will closely track guidance, deal momentum, and commentary around global uncertainties, including the Iran war and GenAI-led disruption.

The companys Q4 performance is expected to reflect modest growth. Revenue is likely to remain steady, though impacted by fewer billing days and seasonal softness, while margins are expected to hold largely stable despite cost pressures. Net profit growth is expected to remain moderate, with a sharp decline in other income anticipated following the completion of the buyback.

Kotak Institutional Equities expects USD revenue to decline around 1% QoQ to $5,070 million, primarily due to fewer billing days and seasonal weakness, although stable contribution is likely from third-party items. Margins are expected to remain steady as the benefits of rupee depreciation are offset by higher visa costs, while large deal wins are seen in the range of $2.52.75 billion.

A 1% QoQ decline in USD revenue to $5,070 million is expected due to fewer billing days and seasonal weakness, with margins likely to remain stable as currency tailwinds offset visa cost pressures, said Kotak Institutional Equities.

The brokerage expects Infosys to guide for 35% revenue growth including the Versent acquisition and 2.254.25% on an organic basis, implying a CQGR of 1.21.9% (0.81.6% organic). It added that geopolitical risks from the Iran war and deflationary impact of GenAI-led productivity programs could cap growth despite a healthy deal pipeline. Around 75 bps contribution from the Versent acquisition is factored into the guidance, with management earlier indicating the deal would close by the end of the fiscal year.

Meanwhile, Motilal Oswal Financial Services expects Infosys to report a 0.7% QoQ decline in constant currency revenue, near the top end of its guidance. Operating margins are likely to remain flat despite performance bonus payouts and visa cost pressures, supported by cost initiatives under Project Maximus and improving revenue per employee.

The BFSI segment is expected to remain resilient with some pockets of discretionary spending, while manufacturing may stay under pressure due to tariff-related uncertainty and delayed decision-making. West Asia is also likely to remain weak amid geopolitical tensions. The company is expected to provide an initial FY27 revenue growth guidance of 1.54.5% YoY in constant currency terms.

According to Equirius Securities, EBIT margins are expected to improve marginally by around 8 bps QoQ, supported by forex tailwinds and cost efficiencies under Project Maximus, along with lower variable pay. However, these gains may be partly offset by fewer billing days, absence of one-off gains seen in Q3, and higher visa costs.

On deal activity, large deal TCV is expected in the range of $23 billion. JM Financial believes deal wins will remain healthy and broadly in line with typical trends, while Equirius expects a material QoQ decline in large deal TCV following two mega deal wins in Q3FY26.
Stock market today: Indian benchmark indices, the BSE Sensex and Nifty 50, faced significant selling pressure during intraday trading on Wednesday, April 22, following three consecutive days of gains.

The Sensex dropped by over 800 points, exceeding 1%, reaching an intraday low of 78,442, while the Nifty 50 fell by more than 200 points, almost 1%, to 24,353.

Although the primary indices were weak, the broader market demonstrated relative strength, with the Nifty Midcap 100 and Nifty Smallcap 100 increasing by up to 0.5% throughout the session.

On a global scale, sentiment remained wary. President Donald Trump of the United States announced that he would extend the ceasefire with Iran indefinitely to provide more time for negotiations, although it is still uncertain whether Iran or Israel, a U.S. ally, will concur. He also suggested that the U.S. Navy would persist in its blockade of Iran's maritime trade.

At the same time, other Asian markets fell by around 0.6%, while Brent crude prices remained relatively stable at approximately $98 per barrel.

Market Review and Outlook - Ruchit Jain, Head - Equity Technical Research, Wealth Management, Motilal Oswal Financial Services Nifty 50 has seen an upmove in the month of April on back of positive sentiments to developments around the potential US-Iran settlement. However, the index is now approaching a crucial resistance zone of 24,750-24,900 as it is the 61.8 percent retracement of the recent corrective phase and the 200 DEMA. This may led to a short term consolidation or a minor pullback move the benchmark index. However, The broader trend remains positive and hence, traders should keep a buy-on-dip approach for the index, and focus on stock -specific momentum as the broader markets are witnessing good momentum.

Shares to buy or sell in the near-term - Ruchit Jain On shares to buy or sell in the near-term, Ruchit Jain recommends Balrampur Chini Mills Ltd, Paras Defence and Space Technologies Ltd, and Avenue Supermarts Ltd (DMart).

Buy Balrampur Chini Mills Ltd CMP at  517; SL at  499; Tgt at  550 The stock has recently seen a pullback move supported by good volumes. During the consolidation phase in the month of March, prices formed a support base around its 50 DEMA and have now given a breakout from its consolidation phase hinting at a short term uptrend. The RSI oscillator is also hinting at a positive momentum and hence, we advise short term traders to buy the stock in the range of 517-514 for possible target around 550. The stoploss on long positions should be placed below 499.

Buy Paras Defence and Space Technologies CMP at  815; SL at  782; Tgt at  870 The stock has consolidated in a broad range since August 2025. After forming a base around 600, the stock has seen a sharp upmove in last couple of weeks and prices are now on verge of breakout from this entire consolidation. Prices are trading above all its key moving averages and the momentum oscillator are hinting at a positive momentum. Short term traders can buy the stock around CMP 815 for potential target around 870. The stoploss on long positions should be placed below 782.

Buy Avenue Supermarts Ltd (DMart) CMP at  4,590; SL at  4,380; Tgt at  4,950 At the start of this month, the stock gave a breakout above its 200 DEMA hurdle with high volumes. Post that, the stock has been forming a higher top higher bottom formation hinting at an uptrend. Prices are also on the verge of breakout above a falling trendline resistance on the higher time frame charts which indicates a positive outlook for the medium term as well. Positional traders can look for buying opportunities in the stock in the range of 4,600-4,570 for a potential target around 4,950. The stoploss on long positions should be placed below 4,380.
Vedanta Demerger: Metals and mining major Vedanta has announced its demerger into five separate publicly listed companies. The Anil Agarwal-led conglomerate will be demerged into - Vedanta Aluminium, Vedanta Oil & Gas, Vedanta Power, Vedanta Iron & Steel, and Vedanta Limited  to unlock value and simplify its corporate structure.

Vedanta demerger record date is May 1, 2026. The companys board of directors have fixed May 1 as the demerger effective date and the demerger record date for determining the shareholders eligible to receive shares in the newly carved-out businesses.

However, there is a stock market holiday on May 1 on account of Maharashtra Day, and the trading on BSE and NSE will remain shut. Hence, Vedanta shares will start trading without demerged entities from April 30 onwards.

This means April 30 will be the ex-date for Vedanta demerger. In order to be eligible for the demerger benefits, investors must buy Vedanta shares at least 1 trading day before the ex-date (April 30), as India follows T+1 settlement cycle.

Investors buying the stock on or after the ex-date (April 30), will not be eligible for Vedanta demerger benefits.

Vedanta Demerger Details According to the Vedanta demerger scheme, the existing entity will continue to remain listed as Vedanta Ltd, while four business verticals are proposed to be spun off into separate listed entities, namely: Vedanta Aluminium, Vedanta Power, Vedanta Oil & Gas, and Vedanta Iron & Steel.

Vedanta shareholders will receive equity shares in four demerged businesses in a 1:1 ratio.

Vedanta Share Price Discovery As May 01 is a stock market holiday, Vedanta Ltd will conduct a special pre-open session (SPOS) on April 30, 2026, for price discovery. The special session will be held from 9:15 to 9:45 AM, and normal trading will start from 10:00 AM, reflecting ex-demerger pricing.

The price of all four demerged entities will be calculated based on the difference between the closing prices of Vedanta Ltd on April 29 and opening price of Vedanta Ltd discovered during the special pre-open session on April 30.

Also Read | Hindustan Zinc announces board meet date for Q4 results, interim dividend

Will demerged entities be added to market indices? Vedanta Ltd will continue to be a part of Nifty Next 50 index. The other demerged entities of Vedanta will also be reflected as dummy constituents until listing, and will be additional constituents in Nifty Next 50 and other broader indices.

The static market-cap will be considered in daily weight calculations of the Index. However demerged entities are not traded live so its market-cap and price will remain constant until it lists. Post its listing for three trading days, live market-cap will be considered to calculate weight in all the indices, explained Abhilash Pagaria of Nuvama Alternative & Quantitative Research.

Impact on Derivatives Vedanta Ltd currently has active derivatives and will see all F&O contracts expire on April 29. It will be reintroduced on April 30 at 10:00 AM IST. Vedantas demerged entities will not automatically be introduced in derivatives.

As per the current methodology, a stock needs to have at least a six month trading history to even qualify for derivative inclusion. After fulfilling all the quantitative qualification criteria for the derivative inclusion, the stock will need SEBI approval (which is quite subjective).

Vedanta Demerged Entities Listing Timelines There is no fixed listing timeline post demerger, as approvals and procedural requirements can take a few weeks to complete.

Citing the listings of recently demerged companies - Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles, Siemens Energy, ITC Hotels, Jio Financial Services, Piramal Pharma, and NMDC Steel - Nuvama said that that listing timelines can range from 3 weeks to several months, depending on regulatory and operational factors.

In the case of Vedanta, each demerged entity will need to undergo separate approval processes, following which listings are expected to take place. As per Nuvama Alternatives assessment, given the scale of the demerger, listings should ideally be completed within 48 weeks at most.

Passive Flows Vedanta Ltd is a constituent of Nifty Next 50 with a weightage of 5.2%. The stock is part of MSCI Emerging Markets Index with a weight of ~78 bps, and also features in FTSE indices with ~77 bps weight.

According to Nuvama, if all the Vedanta demerged entities are listed by June, the index treatment and passive flow dynamics will follow the defined path. However, if listings are delayed beyond June, the new demerged entities will miss the cut-off for the September Nifty Indices rebalance and will not be considered for inclusion in that cycle, resulting in a deferment of passive flows.

Additionally, the AMFI categorisation cut-off is also June-end; any delay beyond this would shift the categorisation timeline to January 2027 instead of August 2026, Nuvama said.

Vedanta: Post-demerger Post demerger, Vedantas weight will auto-adjust to 2.3% in Nifty Next 50, and the remaining weight will be distributed across all the four dummy entities until they get listed.

Once the four dummy entities start trading on stock exchanges, they will be compulsorily excluded from NSE and BSE indices, at the last traded price which is Effective at the open of respective entities listing date + 3 business days, Nuvama explained.

If the stock hits circuit limits, the exclusion will be postponed by two trading days each time. Post this, stocks will again have to get screened for fresh inclusions.
Vedanta's board has approved the much-awaited demerger of its business, which will result in the creation of four separate entities. The Anil Agarwal-led mining major also announced the demerger record date as 1 May.

Vedanta will demerge its businesses into aluminium, merchant power, oil and gas and iron ore verticals into separate listed entities. As part of the spin-off, each shareholder will be allotted shares in the ratio of 1:1 for each demerged entity.

So, if you hold one Vedanta share as on the record date, it means that you will end up with five shares on the ex-date.

Vedanta demerger: What is the last day to buy shares? But one thing investors must note about Vedanta's demerger date is that it falls on a stock market holiday. Therefore, it changes the last day by which one must buy the shares of metal stock. Both BSE and NSE will be shut for trading on 1 May for Maharashtra Day.

Also Read | Hindustan Zinc announces board meet date for Q4 results, interim dividend

Firstly, Vedanta will start trading without the demerged entities from April 30 onwards. Since April 30 is the ex-date for Vedanta's demerger, buying the stock on or after the ex-date makes you ineligible for the demerger benefit.

Since the Indian stock market follows a T+1 settlement system, investors must purchase shares of Vedanta at least one day before the record date to enjoy the spin-off action, making 29 April the last day to purchase shares for the same.

However, Nuvama Research said that its best advised that anyone looking to play the demerger trade should take positions by 28 April for safer execution.

Vedanta demerger details As part of the demerger, Vedanta plans to separately list four entities: Vedanta Aluminium Metal Limited (VAML), Talwandi Sabo Power Ltd (TSPL), Malco Energy Ltd (MEL) and Vedanta Iron and Steel Limited (VISL).

As consideration for the demerger of the aluminium undertaking, VAML shall issue and allot one fully paid-up equity share of VAML having a face value of 1 each for every one fully paid-up equity share of 1 each of Vedanta.

For the merchant power undertaking, TSPL shall issue and allot one fully paid-up equity share of TSPL having a face value of 10 each for every one fully paid-up equity share of Vedanta.

For the Oil and Gas undertaking, MEL shall issue one equity share of MEL of face value of 1 each for each fully paid-up share of Vedanta held by the shareholder.

Lastly, as consideration for the demerger of the iron ore undertaking, VISL shall issue and allot one fully paid-up equity share of VISL with a face value of 1 for every one fully paid-up equity share of Vedanta.

Vedanta further added that non-convertible debentures (NCDs) forming part of the aluminium undertaking for specific ISINs will be transferred to Vedanta Aluminium Metal. Additionally, Vedanta has also approved the transfer of its shareholding in Bharat Aluminium Company Ltd (BALCO) to Vedanta Aluminium Metal Ltd.

Following the implementation of the scheme, the names of Talwandi Sabo Power and Malco Energy will change to Vedanta Power and Vedanta Oil and Gas, respectively.
The New Yorker recently ran a piece titled, What I Know About You Based on How Many of Your Friends Are Becoming Therapists. It was witty, filled with observations that many of us can relate to. The article indicated a trend we are seeing across the globe: many people in their late 30s-50s are now studying to become therapists.

After school, when I started to study psychology in 1990s, the career was seen as part of social work. While my parents supported me, there were definitely many detractors, saying I should choose a high-paying career. Now after working for over 20 years, I notice that therapy is having its moment. There is greater awareness, steps toward accessibility, and wider acceptance. At the same time, what a friend said rings true: Mental health is the new avocado.

Also Read | Why emotional lightness is key to better mental health

The overhype is a dangerous slope. I wonder if mental health has been reduced to self-care, in turn creating a booming market for new productscandles, journals, proteins, supplements and programmes touted as an easy fix for complex mental health challenges. What Im witnessing is a trend where wellness and mental health seem to be clubbed together. This detracts from the science of psychotherapy and research-backed techniques, leading to an oversimplified language surrounding mental health.

We forget that clients reach out to deal with anticipatory loss, grief, trauma or when they are struggling with a chronic or debilitating health situation, clinical depression, severe anxiety. There are no easy solutions for these concerns. The therapy process requires trust between the practitioner and the client, patience, openness and a desire to explore and work towards change. Confusing it with wellness creates a disservice and an illusion that quick solutions can be served in the name of therapy. At other times, this leads to requests from clients for specific techniques they saw on social media, believing these will make them symptom-free, forgetting that most mental health conditions can be managed rather than fully cured. In a country like ours where we are still struggling with licensing for mental health professionals, this over-popularisation is leading to two problems: too many unqualified people proclaiming themselves mental health experts and the dilution of what it means to be a therapist.

A client mentioned how a family member reached out to someone who claimed they could treat their anxiety in eight sessions. Turned out that while the person had a huge social media following and had dealt with anxiety, they were not actually a mental health professional and used the term counsellor based on a few certifications they had obtained.

Such experiences can impact how people view psychotherapy and affect the trust with which clients reach out to qualified mental health professionals. We have moved from not talking about mental health at all to using mental health terminology as weapons to slot people into diagnostic categories. This is reflected in sessions where clients often show me reels or point out how short-form videos have become a source of their information. Often, content like this overemphasises self-focused narratives while ignoring interdependence, repair, generosity and compassion. It misses nuance, context, diverse perspectives and most importantly, exploring the role we play in creating our own problems whether in our personal lives or relationships.

Therapy is a complex, slow process that may work for some but not for others. Clients should approach therapy with realistic expectations, knowing the process is hard.

But clients find their own answers and in their own time; we only offer a science-based approach, a safe space and witnessing that helps facilitate the change. Most importantly, learning to carry what we do as therapists lightly.
For many pilgrims, cost is one of the crucial factors to decide whether to perform Hajj or Umrah. While both involve travel to the holy city of Mecca, Hajj is far more expensive, whereas Umrah is comparatively lighter on the pocket.

What is the difference between Umrah and Hajj? Hajj is one of Islam's five pillars and a religious duty for all Muslims who are physically and financially able to perform it. Umrah, on the other hand, is not one of the pillars of Islam. It is a recommended practice (called a Sunnah) and is not mandatory. Though Umrah is still a kind of religious obligation, it is not compulsory like Hajj.

Hajj vs Umrah: A cost comparison Hajj cost ranges between  6 lakh and  10 lakh Hajj is significantly more expensive because it takes place on fixed, peak-season dates, lasts for two to three weeks, and involves high-demand infrastructure (tents at Mina and Arafat). Umrah is more affordable because it can be done at any time of the year and requires a much shorter stay.

For example, in 2025, the Hajj package prices ranged from 6 lakh to 10 lakh per person, depending on the package type (standard, VIP, or private). They include flights, hotel accommodation in Makkah and Madinah, meals, and ground transport.

Also Read | Akasa taps Hajj travel to offset other West Asia route cuts

Here's a look at some packages from last year: Marhaba Haji 40 Days Deluxe Hajj 2025 Package

Price: 7,25,000/-

Inclusions: Air tickets - Hajj Visa - Accommodation - Umrah kit - Food - Transport - Ziarath - 5 ltr Zamzam - Laundry

40 Days Semi-Deluxe Hajj 2025

Price: 6,75,000/-

Inclusions: Air tickets - Hajj Visa - Accommodation - Umrah kit - Food - Transport Ziarath - 5 ltr Zamzam - Laundry

40 Days Economy Hajj 2025 Package

Price: 6,25,000/-

Inclusions: Air tickets - Hajj Visa Accommodation - Umrah kit Food - Transport Ziarath - 5 ltr Zamzam - Laundry

Talbiya Umrah Deluxe Hajj Package 30 Days

This offers a 30-day stay in Mecca without any shifting between accommodations. This package provides a straightforward, no-hassle experience, making it an excellent choice for those who value simplicity and focus in their divine journey. Starts from: 744,999/-

Hajj Package 30 Days

This package is based in Aziziya, strategically located near Mina, ensuring your 5-day Arkan is seamlessly integrated into your journey. However, you might have to shift your accommodation. Starts from: 679,999/-

Bakhla Hajj 2025 Gold non-shifting long tour: Starts from 8,79,500

Hajj 2025 platinum shifting long tour: Starts from 6,83,500

Hajj 2025 silver shifting long tour: Starts from 5,66,500

Umrah cost ranges between  1.5 lakh and  3 lakh Umrah, meanwhile, is more flexible and affordable compared to Hajj. In 2025, the cost of performing Umrah typically ranges between 1.5 lakh and 3 lakh per person, depending on:

Flight tickets (average 50,000  90,000)

Hotel stay in Mecca and Madinah ( 4,000  15,000 per night)
As the ITR filing season for AY 2026-27 approaches, not all super senior citizens (those aged 80 and above) are required to file an income tax return. The Income Tax Act, 1961, provides a limited exemption under Section 194P, but only if the individual meets specific conditions.

Super senior citizens are generally not exempt from income tax filing requirements. However, limited relaxations are available, said Siddharth Maurya, founder and managing director of Vibhavangal Anukulakara Private Limited. Here's a breakdown of who can skip filing and other rules for super senior citizens.

Who is exempt from filing ITR, and what other provisions are there? Complete exemption from filing an income tax return is available under Section 194P of the Income Tax Act, 1961, for certain resident senior citizens aged 75 years and above, provided they meet certain conditions such as having only pension and interest income from the same specified bank as notified by the central government, according to the Income Tax Department.

If the super seniors meet the requirements under the aforementioned section, they submit their declaration to the bank, and the bank will compute the tax on the gross income, deduct the tax from it and will not require the super seniors to file the income tax return, he said.

Once the specified bank deducts tax for senior citizens aged 75 or above, there will be no requirement to file income tax returns.

Separately, resident super senior citizens also have the option of offline (paper) filing instead of e-filing, offering an alternative compliance route for those who may not be comfortable with digital processes, according to Maurya.

Meanwhile, income tax filing is still a manual process; filing through the bank, hiring a professional, or any other method will not exempt super seniors from the annual income tax filing, according to the expert.

Benefits of Section 194P of the I-T Act Section 194P of the Income Tax Act has shifted the burden of filing an Income Tax return from the super-senior citizen to the bank, Maurya said. This change has reduced the compliance requirement. Now, instead of filing an income tax return, the super-senior citizen can, year after year, provide a declaration of income and the deduction for that year to a specific bank.

The 'specified bank' will then determine the total income for that year, account for the deduction and any eligible rebate, and, if needed, tax it, which will then be auto-deducted. After the auto tax deduction is complete, the super-senior citizen will not have to file any income tax return.

What happens if you have multiple sources of interest income? According to the expert, if a super senior citizen has multiple bank accounts or multiple sources of interest income, the taxpayer will not be eligible to avail of the benefit under Section 194P of the Income Tax Act.

The provision requires that both pension and interest incomes must be exclusively from the same bank. If a senior citizen accumulates interest from multiple banks or from post office schemes or from other instruments, they are outside the ambit of this provision and are required to file an income tax return under the specified rules.

Can even a small source of outside income change ITR rules for you? Taxpayers must also note that income from any other source, no matter how small, such as from rent, capital gains or dividends, renders the super senior citizen ineligible for relief under Section 194P of the Income Tax Act.

This provision caters only to taxpayers with simple income. The moment any other income becomes available, the bank would not have sufficient information to compute and withhold the proper tax, and the citizen must file an income tax return if the persons income exceeds the basic limit of exemption. This is a critical benefit, and the taxpayer should consider and evaluate all his or her sources of income, and assume nothing, Maurya said.

Also Read | Who needs an income tax clearance certificate before leaving India? Explained

Understanding these rules and provisions has made it easier for senior and super senior citizens to make tax decisions and comply with Income-tax rules more efficiently over the years. The last date to file ITR for FY 2025-26 (AY 2026-27) is 31 July 2026, for individuals and HUFs not requiring an audit. For audit cases, the deadline is 31 October 2026.
Ann Jacob

Ann Jacob is a personal finance correspondent with Mint. She writes for Mint Money, where she works to make the complex world of finance feel clear and worth paying attention to through stories that actually make sense to her readers. She holds a BA in English, with a triple major in mass communication, literature and journalism. As an alumna of the Asian College of Journalism in Chennai, she also holds a postgraduate diploma in multimedia journalism. She has earlier worked with NDTV Profit, where she spent a year and a half decoding markets, personal finance, commodity, earnings, and everything in between. <br><br>Ann is particularly drawn to stories where life and money collide, right from decoding Gen Zs changing spending habits and figuring out what really goes into building a good credit score, to exploring the everyday art of budgeting well. Her work leans into features and trend-driven stories that zoom into how one can earn, spend, and save well. In her stories, she aims to strip away the jargon, provide actionable insight from experts and write personal finance stories that are closest to reality.
Owing to a major rule change last year, some Social Security beneficiaries are seeing their incomes increase. In January 2025, the Social Security Fairness Act repealed two provisions that had reduced or eliminated benefits for over 2.9 million public servants.

The law abolished the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP), which had reduced retirement benefits for workers who also received a pension from jobs where Social Security taxes were not paid. It also removed the Government Pension Offset (GPO), which had cut or ended spousal and survivor benefits for people with public pensions from non-Social Security-covered employment.

For some, Social Security benefits increased by $1,000 On average, Social Security benefits increased by $360 per month for some people. Others saw a monthly change of as much as $1,000, the Social Security Administration said.

Who benefits most from the Social Security calculation change in 2026? The change in Social Security law primarily benefits public sector workers and their families. This includes teachers, law enforcement officers, firefighters and government employees, who earned pensions outside the Social Security system. Their spouses and surviving partners are also major beneficiaries. Under the previous rules, the GPO often sharply cut or eliminated spousal and survivor benefits.

Both categories could see their monthly benefits increase and a lump-sum deposit to cover the missed back pay.

Also Read | Millions of Americans are in line for retroactive Social Security payouts

However, not everyone has received their revised payments yet. Some cases are still under review. Experts suggest contacting Social Security offices if the expected increase has not been reflected.

Social Security payout today The third and final lot of Social Security payments for April is scheduled today.

Who gets their Social Security payment this week? As per the Social Security Administration schedule, recipients born between the 21st and the last day of their birth month (i.e., 30th or 31st) will receive their monthly payment on Wednesday, 22 April.

When are Social Security payments sent? Social Security benefits  mainly paid to recipients who are older or retired  are typically paid on Wednesdays.

If a recipients birthdate is between the first and 10th of the month, they are usually issued payments on the second Wednesday of the payment month, according to the Social Security Administrations calendar. Recipients born between the 11th and 20th are paid on the third Wednesday, and those born after the 20th are paid on the fourth Wednesday.

Also Read | 5 key changes in US Social Security rules that could hit your wallet in 2026

Social Security benefits are primarily designed for retirees and older adults. The Social Security Administration also provide support to people with limited income or resources, seniors aged 65 and above, individuals who are blind or have a qualifying disability and eligible children with disabilities.
New Delhi: The government has expanded the eligibility criteria for the Prime Minister Internship Scheme (PMIS), allowing final-year undergraduate and postgraduate students to apply for it, the ministry of corporate affairs said in a statement on Wednesday.

The scheme now covers candidates in the age group of 18-25 years, from the earlier norm of 21-24 years, showed a government order posted on the official PMIS portal. By enabling students to undertake internships during their academic programme, the scheme aims to allow the students to integrate classroom learning with practical experience.

Interns will receive a financial assistance of 9,000 a month under the scheme in the third round of the pilot project, 90% of which will be financed by the government, showed the order. The duration of the internship is one year.

In addition, interns will get a financial assistance of 6,000 from the government, in two tranches, the order showed. In earlier rounds, a monthly stipend of 5,000 and one-time assistance of 6,000 were given.

For organisations, the scheme creates a low-risk, structured way to engage with early talent, assess capabilities in real work environments, and build future workforce pipelines aligned to business needs. The inclusion of new-age sectors such as Global Capability Centres (GCCs), renewables, and semiconductors signals a clear intent to align the scheme with emerging economic priorities, said Nipun Sharma, chief executive of TeamLease Degree Apprenticeship.

The age revision allows students aged 18 to 25 to apply for paid internships in participating companies while still completing their degrees. The decision has been taken in consultation with the department of higher education under the ministry of education, the corporate affairs ministry said.

Under the updated framework, applicants must continue to meet existing eligibility conditions. Additionally, final-year students must submit a no-objection certificate (NOC) from their institution confirming that the internship will not interfere with their academic commitments. The certificate should be issued by authorised people like heads of department, deans, principals or training and placement officers.

The change comes as a part of efforts to align the scheme with the objectives of the National Education Policy (NEP), which places emphasis on experiential learning and industry exposure within higher education.

For PMIS to deliver at scale, execution will be critical. Third-party aggregators can play a central role by managing candidate matching, onboarding, compliance, and DBT-linked payments, while ensuring consistency in program delivery, Sharma said.

Over five years, the scheme promises 10 million youth internship opportunities in the top 500 companies in the country. Insurance cover will be provided to every intern under the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana.

More than 300 companies have participated in the pilot phase so far, offering roles across industries, according to the statement.

The third round of the pilot phase is currently underway, with companies continuing to post internship openings on the PMIS portal. Eligible candidates can apply online and explore the opportunities available according to their interests and career preferences, it said.
As many as 50 next-generation promoter-led companies saw their market capitalisation grow by nearly seven times between 2020 and 2026 to a combined 30.9 trillion, according to the 2026 ASK Private Wealth Hurun India Successors 50 ranking, which analysed the performance of all listed family-led businesses.

This growth outperformed the Nifty 50 and BSE Sensex indices during the same period, which grew by 3 times and 2.8 times, respectively. The 50 companies had a combined market capitalisation of 4.6 trillion, as on 31 March 2020.

ASK Private Wealth and Hurun India released the first edition of the 2026 ASK Private Wealth Hurun India Successors 50 on Wednesday. The ranking includes 63 next-generation leaders from 50 listed family-owned companies based on market capitalisation growth between March 2020 and March 2026.

Jupiter Wagons tops the list Jupiter Wagons, led by Vikash Lohia, a second-generation Deputy Managing Director, topped the ranking with a 152.8 times growth in the companys value. Tilaknagar Industries' Amit Dahanukar, a 4th-generation promoter, and Abhyuday Jindal of Jindal Stainless, a third-generation promoter, shared the second spot, each achieving 52.5 times growth in the companys value.

In terms of absolute value added, Karan Adani of Adani Ports & SEZ leads the pack with 2,67,525 crore in value creation, followed by Aalok Shanghvi and Vidhi Shanghvi of Sun Pharmaceutical Industries at 1,72,135 crore and Priya Agarwal Hebbar of Hindustan Zinc at 1,56,991 crore.

To qualify, candidates had to be 50 years or younger, hold an active executive role such as Managing Director, Executive Director, or Chairman, and represent the second generation or later of a founding family with a controlling interest in a listed company with a market cap of at least 5,000 crore.

The report also includes a performance index that rates companies based on financial metrics, operational efficiency, business development, governance, and ESG disclosures. Arun Alagappan of Coromandel International tops this index with a score of 7.0, which combines a 3.9 times growth multiple with a 23% ROCE and 24,444 crore in revenue. Rajesh Agrawal of Ajanta Pharma (6.9) is followed by a three-way tie between CR Anandakrishnan of KPR Mill, Nikhil Sawhney of Triveni Turbine, and Priya Agarwal Hebbar of Hindustan Zinc, each scoring 6.8.

The automobile and auto components sector has the most representation with nine companies, followed by healthcare and industrial products, each with six. Sun Pharmaceutical Industries ranks as the largest company on the list by market cap at 4,22,007 crore. Despite the digital boom, 74% of this list comprises manufacturing companies producing tangible goods, indicating that India's large legacy businesses are rooted in manufacturing.

Mumbai and New Delhi each host six of these companies headquarters, followed by Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, and Kolkata with five each. Maharashtra leads with nine companies and a total market cap of 7.74 lakh crore.

List features 10 women across nine companies The list also features 10 women across nine companies. These enterprises have a combined market capitalisation of 8.16 lakh crore. Rama Kirloskar of Kirloskar Brothers leads the women's ranking with a 17.7 times growth multiple. Hindustan Zinc, under Priya Agarwal Hebbar, reported the highest Return on Capital Employed (ROCE) at 63%.

Sun Pharmaceutical Industries generates nearly 75% of its revenue from exports, making it the most globally integrated company on the list.

The average age of successors is 42, with 19 of the 63 being under 40. The youngest is Chaitanya Jalan of Ramkrishna Forgings at 28. Second-generation leaders make up 46% of the list, while third-generation leaders account for 32%. Seven companies are over a century old, with Muthoot Finance, founded in 1887, being the oldest.
Priyanka Sharma

Priyanka Sharma is a journalist at Mint, where she covers the Union Ministry of Health and the pharmaceutical industry. Her work focuses on explaining government policies and how they impact healthcare and the medicine market in India. With 12 years of experience in journalism, she has built a reputation for providing clear and honest news on important health topics that affect the entire country.<br><br>Her educational background includes a journalism degree from the prestigious Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) and specialized training in public health from the Public Health Foundation of India. Before her current role at Mint, Priyanka worked with India Today, The Pioneer, and ANI. She also served as a lead consultant for the National Health Authority, which gave her firsthand knowledge of how the government manages large-scale health programmes.<br><br>Priyanka is based in New Delhi and is an avid traveller who loves visiting the mountains. She has a great interest in regional flavours, particularly South Indian food.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Wednesday inaugurated a water ATM and other development projects in an unauthorised colony in the Shalimar Bagh area.

During the event, CM Gupta said that the government is working 24/7 to provide drinking water to every resident in the city.

"This is a first-of-its-kind big water ATM which will provide cold 30 litres per day of clean drinking RO water. Today, you have a government which is taking up so many projects for the development of unauthorised colonies and Jhuggis," Gupta said while addressing the public.

The chief minister also said that the government is working towards providing all the Jhuggis in unauthorised colonies with Pucca homes.

"The day will come when every jhuggi resident in Delhi will have a pucca house. I will work continuously for this. Delhi has around 700 jhuggi clusters in which lakhs of people live," she added.

Around eight water ATMs have been installed across the CM's Shalimar Bagh assembly constituency, which are a part of the CSR initiative of Indian Oil Company.
Harsh Kumar

Harsh Kumar is a policy reporter at Mint (HT Media Group), where he covers the Ministry of Commerce and Industry along with key departments of the Ministry of Finance, including the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA) and the Department of Financial Services (DFS). With over five years of experience in business and economic journalism, he has developed strong expertise in tracking policy developments and their wider economic impact.<br><br>He has previously worked with Business Standard, Moneycontrol, and Outlook Money, where he reported extensively on banking, financial services, and the broader economy. Over the years, he has built a reputation for delivering accurate, insightful, and impactful stories, supported by a keen eye for detail and a consistent track record of breaking exclusive news.<br><br>An alumnus of Jamia Millia Islamia, Harsh closely follows regulatory changes and key economic trends shaping Indias financial and industrial landscape. His reporting aims to simplify complex policy issues for a wider audience while maintaining depth and credibility.<br><br>Outside of work, he enjoys tracking policy developments, finding scoops, and travelling, reflecting his curiosity about how economic decisions shape everyday life.
India on Wednesday paused to remember the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi leading tributes marking the first year after the terror attack that claimed 26 civilian lives in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam.

PM Modi Leads Tribute to Victims of Pahalgam Attack In a message posted on X, Prime Minister Modi paid homage to those killed in the April 22, 2025 attack, describing the incident as a tragedy that continues to weigh on the nations conscience.

Remembering the innocent lives lost in the gruesome Pahalgam terror attack on this day last year. They will never be forgotten. My thoughts are also with the bereaved families as they cope with this loss.

Also Read | Pakistan further extends airspace ban on Indian airlines till 24 May

Reaffirming Indias stance against terrorism, the Prime Minister added: As a nation, we stand united in grief and resolve. India will never bow to any form of terror. The heinous designs of terrorists will never succeed.

Indian Army Reiterates Strong Counter-Terror Message The Indian Army echoed the sentiment with a firm warning directed at those responsible for acts of terror. In a statement posted on X, the Army emphasised accountability and justice.

For acts against India, the response is assured. Justice will be served. Always.

Referencing subsequent military operations linked to the attack, the post added: Operation Mahadev  it was only a matter of time," while reiterating that Operation Sindoor continues."

A day earlier, the Army had reinforced its position, stating: When boundaries of humanity are crossed, the response is decisive. Justice is Served. India Stands United. #SindoorAnniversary #JusticeEndures #NationFirst.

Pahalgam Remembers: Memorial Honours 26 Lives Lost In Pahalgam, a hill resort known for its scenic meadows, a memorial has been erected in honour of the victims. Built of black marble along the banks of the Lidder river, the structure bears the names of all 26 individuals killed25 tourists and a local pony handler, Adil Shah.

The terror attack, carried out in the Pahalgam's Baisaran valley, shocked the nation, as heavily armed militants targeted civilians in a popular tourist area.

Authorities in Jammu and Kashmir have implemented extensive security measures for the commemoration, deploying additional police and paramilitary forces, conducting intensified checks, and maintaining close surveillance across the region.

Operation Sindoor: Indias Military Response to Terror In the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack, India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, 2025, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

The operation resulted in the destruction of nine major terror launchpads linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed and Hizbul Mujahideen. More than 100 terrorists were reported killed in the strikes.

Also Read | India slams UN expert claiming impact of Pahalgam attack on Myanmar refugees

The escalation led to drone attacks and shelling by Pakistan, triggering a brief but intense four-day conflict between the two countries. A ceasefire was eventually reached on May 10 following communication between the Directors General of Military Operations.

Senior military officials later described the operation as a demonstration of coordinated action across Indias armed forces.

Operation Mahadev: Hunt for the Perpetrators A parallel counter-terror effort, Operation Mahadev, focused on tracking down those directly responsible for the Pahalgam killings.

Based on intelligence inputs received in July 2025, security forces launched extensive operations across Lidwas, Harwan and Dachhigam. Over a 93-day pursuit covering more than 300 kilometres, forces systematically narrowed down the search area.
Vijay C Roy

Vijay C. Roy is a journalist with over 21 years of experience covering various news beats across different organisations such as Business Standard and The Tribune. In the past, he has covered beats such as finance, auto, MSME, commodities, FMCG, pharmaceutical, agriculture, IT/ITES, infrastructure and start-ups. He joined Mint in February 2025, and covers agriculture, food processing, fertilizers, environment and climate change, bringing over two decades of experience reporting on farm policy, food inflation, crop trade, and rural livelihoods.<br><br>Vijays areas of reporting include food security and climate change policies, focusing on their impact on different stakeholders and their implications. His expertise lies in simplifying complex agri-economic issues such as edible oil import dependence, cotton and wheat trends, fertiliser subsidies, and climate-related risks. He has covered key developments including global supply disruptions and evolving trade policies, offering both macroeconomic perspective and field-level context. Known for his credible and balanced reporting, he follows a rigorous, fact-based approach that prioritises accuracy and context. He is driven by a commitment to public interest, aiming to make critical agricultural and economic issues accessible while contributing to informed policy and industry discussions.
Kedarnath Yatra 2026: The portals of Kedarnath Dham opened on Wednesday, April 22. Hundreds of devotees chanted chanted vedic mantras as the doors were thrown open.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, in a post on X, said, Today, the doors of Shri Kedarnath Dham will be opened for the darshan of devotees with full rituals and Vedic mantra chanting.

Also Read | Chardham Yatra 2026: Online registration begins today

This comes shortly after the Char Dham Yatra began on Sunday, April 19, with the opening of the portals of Gangotri and Yamunotri shrines in Uttarakhand on the occasion of Akshaya Tritiya after a six-month winter break. The portals of Kedarnath opened on April 22, while that of Badrinath will open on April 23.

The first prayers at both the Gangotri temple and the Yamunotri temple in Uttarkashi were performed in the name of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Approximately 19 lakh devotees have registered for the pilgrimage so far this year. More than 51 lakh pilgrims undertook the Char Dham Yatra last year.

Entry restrictions on non-Hindus In a first, restrictions have been imposed on the entry of non-Hindus to three shrines -- Badrinath, Kedarnath and Gangotri. The Gangotri temple committee has mandated that non-sanatanis must consume 'panchgavya' (a combination of cow urine, dung, milk, curd and ghee) to enter the premises.

The Shri Badrinath Kedarnath Temple Committee has made it compulsory that non-Hindus submit an affidavit affirming faith in Sanatan Dharma for entry.

The Yamunotri Temple Committee, however, has decided to welcome all devotees irrespective of religion.

Authorities have also banned mobile phones and cameras inside all temple premises.

Kedarnath Yatra 2026: Online Registration This is the fastest way to get your QR-coded Yatra Pass, which is required at checkpoints like Sonprayag.

Visit the official portal at registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in.

Click on "Register/Login". You can register as an Individual, a Family, or a Tour Operator.

Enter your mobile number and email. You will receive an OTP; enter it to verify and create your password.

Once logged in, go to the dashboard and click "Create/Manage Tour Info". Select "Char Dham Yatra 2026" and choose Kedarnath, and any other shrines you plan to visit.

Enter the full name, age, gender, and address for each traveller.

You will need to upload the following documents:

- Passport-size photograph

- Valid ID proof (Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, or Passport)

- Passport-size photograph - Valid ID proof (Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, or Passport) After submission, your Yatra Registration Letter (e-Pass) containing a unique QR code will be generated.

Download and print a hard copy for travel. Kedarnath Yatra 2026: Mobile App Registration Download the "Tourist Care Uttarakhand" app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.

Follow the same steps as the online portal: Register  Add Tour  Add Pilgrim Details  Download QR Pass.

Also Read | Gautam Adani announces new ropeway to make Kedarnath pilgrimage easier, safer

Kedarnath Yatra 2026: WhatsApp Registration Step 1: Message the word "Yatra" to +91-8394833833 on WhatsApp.

Step 2: Follow the automated prompts to provide your name, age, ID number, and travel dates.

Step 3: The system will send you the QR code pass directly in the chat.

Kedarnath Yatra 2026: Offline Registration (In-Person) The pilgrims who cannot register online will have to visit physical counters in Uttarakhand for registration for the Kedarnath yatra. Devotees must expect long queues during peak season  MayJune.

Key Locations: Haridwar Railway Station, Rishikesh ISBT, Sonprayag, Guptkashi, and Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun.

Essential documents: Carry your original Aadhaar card and a physical passport photo.

Kedarnath Yatra 2026: Points to remember before heading for pilgrimage
Former Chief Minister of undivided Andhra Pradesh Nadendla Bhaskar Rao, who led a coup against TDP founder N T Rama Rao in 1984, died here on Wednesday.

He was 90.

Bhaskar Rao breathed his last at a super-speciality hospital here while undergoing treatment for old age-related ailments, a Jana Sena Party release said.

His son Nadenda Manohar, a key leader of Jana Sena, is currently serving as the Civil Supplies Minister in Andhra Pradesh.

Bhaskar Rao, who was a minister in the cabinet of N T Rama Rao, rebelled against the latter and became Chief Minister.

However, Bhaskar Rao's tenure lasted only for a month and NTR took over as Chief Minister again following a massive 'Save Democracy' movement carried out by the TDP.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu had played a key role in the campaign to restore NTR as the Chief Minister.

Bhaskar Rao was later elected to the Lok Sabha on Congress ticket in 1998.

However, he joined BJP in 2019 in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

Rao's body will be kept at his residence in Jubilee Hills here for friends, relatives, fans and well-wishers to pay their last respects.
Petrol and diesel rates in India's domestic market India remained stable on Wednesday, 22 April, with marginal change seen in Gurugram, Jaipur and Bhubaneshwar. Extending a period of stability, government intervention since the outbreak of West Asia conflict have helped cushion consumers from international price pressures.

However, other fuels such as domestic and commercial LPG, aviation turbine fuel (ATF) and premium petrol have witnessed noticeable increases over the past few weeks due to disruptions in global crude supply. Brent crude oil almost doubled since Iran conflict with US-Israel began on 28 February. The spike in prices was driven by supply concerns and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, the critical waterway through which almost one-fifth of the world's oil and gas exports takes place.

Despite global volatility in crude oil markets, retail fuel rates have largely remained steady across the country as can be seen below:

City-wise updated petrol prices on 22 April

City Price Price Change New Delhi  94.77 0.00 Kolkata  105.41 -0.04 Mumbai  103.54 0.00 Chennai  100.84 +0.04 Gurugram  95.48 -0.17 Noida  95.05 0.00 Bengaluru  102.92 0.00 Bhubaneswar  100.92 -0.19 Chandigarh  94.30 0.00 Hyderabad  107.46 0.00 Jaipur  104.94 +0.22 Lucknow  94.73 +0.03 Patna  105.23 0.00 Thiruvananthapuram  107.48 +0.15

According to the head of the International Energy Agency (IEA), Middle East conflict is creating the worst energy crisis ever faced by the world. IEA head Dr Fatih Birol said, This is indeed the biggest crisis in history, in an interview with France Inter radio on Tuesday.

This war has choked up maritime traffic in the strategic waterway and has followed the effects of Russia's war with Ukraine, which had already severed Russian gas supplies to Europe.

City-wise updated diesel prices on 22 April

City Price Price Change New Delhi  87.67 0.00 Kolkata  92.02 0.00 Mumbai  90.03 0.00 Chennai  92.39 0.00 Gurugram  87.94 -0.16 Noida  88.19 0.00 Bengaluru  90.99 0.00 Bhubaneswar  92.50 -0.19 Chandigarh  82.45 0.00 Hyderabad  95.70 0.00 Jaipur  90.41 +0.20 Lucknow  87.86 +0.03 Patna  91.49 0.00 Thiruvananthapuram  96.48 +0.27

Impact of ceasefire extension on Indian stock market The US President Donald Trump on Tuesday extended the ceasefire with Iran but on Wednesday, the Indian stock markets opened lower. Tehran's recent rejection of Washington's conditions for ceasefire talks brought in cautious trend in the market.

The Nifty 50 dropped 0.5 per cent to 24455.90 points by around 120 points in early trade. Meanwhile, the BSE Sensex slipped to 78,766.65 points by around 480 points. With the Nifty IT index under pressure following weak earnings from HCL Tech and Tata Elxsi, most major sectoral indices traded lower.

Also Read | LPG cylinder price on April 22: How much does domestic and commercial gas cost
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday (local time) said that "good news" regarding a second round of peace talks with Iran could come as soon as Friday, The New York Post reported.

Commenting on whether a breakthrough is possible, Trump, in a text message, told Post, "Its possible! President DJT. The report also cited Pakistani sources, who touted positive mediation efforts with the Islamic Republic, and renewed the possibility of more peace talks within the next 36 to 72 hours.

Iran denies peace talks? While Trump renewed hopes of an end to the six-week-long conflict, Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency, in a post on X, denied any development on peace talks. It wrote, "Iran has not issued any official statement confirming its agreement to extend the ceasefire, despite unverified reports circulating in some media outlets."

Trump extends ceasefire indefinitely The development comes a day after the US President announced that he would extend the current ceasefire with Tehran until its divided leadership can come up with a "unified proposal".

In a Truth Social post, he wrote, Based on the fact that the Government of Iran is seriously fractured, not unexpectedly so and, upon the request of Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, of Pakistan, we have been asked to hold our Attack on the Country of Iran until such time as their leaders and representatives can come up with a unified proposal. I have therefore directed our Military to continue the Blockade and, in all other respects, remain ready and able, and will therefore extend the Ceasefire until such time as their proposal is submitted, and discussions are concluded, one way or the other.

A Pakistani source told The New York Post that in the hours after Trump announced a ceasefire, Islamabad ramped up efforts to work its diplomatic channels with Iran, and the time period was based on an assessment of that work. The report that a ceasefire is holding despite heightened rhetoric highlights positive intent on both sides. The source also added that there is no military escalation from either side.

US-Iran peace talks After the first round of talks failed between the US and Iran in Pakistan's capital, Islamabad, Trump threatened to enforce a naval blockade for ships entering and exiting Iranian ports. The negotiations lasted for over 21 hours from 11 to 12 April, but ended without a conclusion, with both sides accusing each other of jeopardising the deal. While the US said that the Islamic Republic chose not to accept its terms, Tehran accused Washington of its excessive demands regarding the Strait of Hormuz and the country's nuclear programme.

The naval blockade has been in effect since 13 April, and according to the New York Post, with no deal in place and not even negotiations underway, Trump is continuing to consider additional military options and has maintained the blockade in the Strait of Hormuz.
Jeffrey Epstein, a late wealthy financier in the United States, was a convicted sex offender who died in his prison cell in August 2019 while awaiting a trial. Over half a decade has passed since Epstein's death, yet his name continues to make headlines.

A CNN report on Wednesday revealed that several women have claimed that they were sexually abused by several men other than Epstein. However, the Department of Justice (DOJ) documents barely shed light on how the investigators followed up.

Also Read | Vance says Epstein and Trump hated each other  and the emails prove it

Epstein, Maxwell arranged sexual encounters for his wealthy friends CNN reported that it reviewed over a dozen Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) interviews mentioned in the DOJ's recently released files that were considered potentially credible. In these interviews, victims noted that the late financier or his accomplice, Ghislaine Maxwell, arranged sexual encounters with his wealthy and powerful associates. These men included Wall Street executives, a former senator, a wealthy psychiatrist, and a film producer.

To date, only Epstein and Maxwell have been charged with sex trafficking in the case. FBI Director Kash Patel earlier said that there's "no credible information" that the convicted offender trafficked his victims to others.

However, CNN also found that witness accounts mentioned in the files support the victims claims, with several people reporting that they saw men with minors at Epsteins properties. A former staff member said he witnessed an unidentified man on his Caribbean island with naked girls who appeared to be under 18. In addition, a woman who had traveled with Epstein said his associate, Jean Luc Brunel, a French modeling agent later arrested on sex crime charges, brought a very young girl to the island.

No clarity on how investigators proceeded Despite these accounts of abuse by other men by several Epstein victims, there is little to no clarity about how the investigators pursued those leads. FBI interview summaries have victims names redacted and lack supporting evidence or information on follow-up actions by federal agents, making it hard to evaluate the credibility of the allegations.

Also Read | Epstein survivor Bryant challenges Melania, calls for Trump couple to testify

Who all have been accused? The list of men who have accused Epstein's victims includes Henry Jarecki, a renowned psychiatrist. According to the report, he was in his late 70s when a woman stated that she began visiting him weekly following Epstein's encouragement. In an interview with the FBI, the woman said that she was about to start college back in 2010 and became dependent on the late offender.

Another man who has been named is film producer Harvey Weinstein. In 2020, a woman identified Weinstein as a man balding with black hair who was older and chunky who had sexually abused her as she massaged him at one of Epsteins properties when she was about 15 years old.

Another woman stated that she was sexually abused by former Senator George Mitchell, adding that she "complied" when he asked for sex. The woman noted that she met Mitchell for the second time in Washington DC, when she abruptly left the hotel. Mitchell was also accused by Virginia Giuffre, one of Epstein's victims, who said that Maxwell instructed her to engage in sexual activity with the former senator.

Jes Staley, a banker and former executive with Barclays and JPMorgan, has also been accused by a woman who said that Epstein directed her to massage Staley, who then abused her at Epstein's New York home between 2011 and 2012. An anonymous victim also claimed in a lawsuit that she was assaulted by one of Epsteins associates. In a court filing, JPMorgan said the person she described was Staley.

Billionaire and former CEO of Apollo Global Management Leon Black has also been accused of abusing the woman who told the FBI about Staley, CNN reported. He was accused by more than one woman, with another telling the FBI in 2020 that he raped her nearly six years ago.

It is worth noting that all of the accused men have denied these allegations, with many more unnamed men who continued to sexually abuse Epstein's victims.
Authorities have recovered the body of one of six missing crew members after a cargo vessel, Mariana, capsized during severe weather near the Northern Mariana Islands.

The United States Coast Guard said US Air Force divers used an underwater remotely operated drone to search the vessels interior and recovered the body on Tuesday (April 21). Divers from the Japan Coast Guard conducted further inspections but found no additional crew members.

Search teams continue to look for the remaining five missing crew and an orange 12-person life raft, covering more than 99,000 square miles with support from agencies in Guam, Japan and New Zealand.

What happened The 145-foot US-registered vessel reported a starboard engine failure on April 15 as Super Typhoon Sinlaku intensified, prompting a distress call to the Coast Guard. Contact with the ship was lost the following day.

The overturned vessel was later located about 40 miles northeast of Pagan Island. Debris, including a partially submerged inflatable life raft, was spotted roughly 110 miles away.

Weather impact Super Typhoon Sinlaku brought destructive winds and flooding to the Northern Mariana Islands, significantly hampering early rescue efforts and delaying response operations.
US President Donald Trump on Tuesday (local time) made obscure comments regarding China's involvement in assisting Iran in the war by possibly providing weapons or other potentially lethal war supplies to the Islamic Republic, a move that would test a US red line on aiding Tehran during the war, Bloomberg reported.

In an interview with CNBC, Trump suggested that Washington caught a boat with a "gift" from Beijing; however, without stating explicitly, he hinted that the "gift" may have been some lethal aid intended for Tehran. This came as he spoke about the US's efforts to restock its own munitions.

He said, "We caught a ship yesterday that had some things on it, which werent very nice  a gift from China, perhaps, I dont know." He added, "I thought I had an understanding with President Xi, but thats alright. Thats the way the war goes, right?

Nikki Haley accuses China of helping Tehran Trump's cryptic remarks came a day after former US envoy to the United Nations (UN), Nikki Haley, accused China of assisting Tehran in the war with the US. In a post on X, Haley wrote, "The ship the US seized in the Strait of Hormuz this weekend was headed from China to Iran and is linked to chemical shipments for missiles."

Haley further noted that Beijing has refused all of Washington's previous orders to stop helping Tehran.

China denies helping Iran Guo Jiakun, a Chinese Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesperson, in a briefing on Tuesday, responded to unverified claims of Beijing being linked to chemical shipments for missiles, saying, As far as I know, the vessel seized by the US is a foreign container ship. China rejects any false association and speculation.

The Chinese Embassy in Washington highlighted that Beijing handles the "export of military products prudently and responsibly and strictly controls the export of dual-use articles.

Also Read | Trump Claims He's PERMANENTLY Reopening Strait Of Hormuz Just For China

Are China and Russia aiding Iran in its war against US? Bloomberg, citing US officials, reported that while Russia has aided Iran throughout the six-week-long conflict, China's role has been less clear. While Beijing generally avoids supplying weapons to overseas wars or openly violating US sanctions. Providing aid to Tehran would risk potential economic penalties, after Trump threatened to impose immediate 50% tariffs on any country that would supply weapons to Iran, specifying there "will be no exclusions or exemptions."

Earlier this month, a CNN report citing US intelligence noted that Beijing was preparing to deliver a new air defence system to Tehran in the coming weeks, including shoulder-fired anti-air missile systems. In a separate interview with Fox Business, he said that Chinese President Xi Jinping assured him in a letter exchange that China was not providing weapons to Iran. Chinese officials have repeatedly denied that the country is sending weapons to the Islamic Republic.

Trump-Xi Jinping to meet soon The developments come ahead of a high-stakes meeting between Xi Jinping and Trump in May. The meeting comes after a previously planned meeting was supposed to take place in April but was postponed due to the Iran war.
The White House has laid out a series of statements on the ongoing West Asia conflict and negotiations with Iran, stressing that President Donald Trump retains full control over timing, strategy, and pressure measures, including a continued naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the administration is not working with any fixed deadline for Irans response.

I am not going to set a timetable for the President, she said, dismissing reports of a 3 to 5-day deadline as not true.

The President has not set a deadline himself. Ultimately, he will dictate the timetable, Leavitt added.

She further said Trump is satisfied with the naval blockade and believes Iran is in a very weak position, adding that the cards are in President Trumps hands right now.

Ceasefire and conflict timeline controlled by Trump On the duration of the West Asia conflict, Leavitt said the timeline remains open-ended.

President Trump ultimately will dictate the timeline, and he will do so when he feels it is in the best interest of the United States and the American people, she said.

Trump posts on Iran had no negative impact Addressing concerns over Trumps Truth Social posts affecting negotiations, the White House rejected any such link.

Look at where we are right now. The President chose to extend the ceasefire because it's Iran that needs to get its act together, Leavitt said.

The short answer to your question is no, she added when asked if the posts hurt negotiations.

US says it understands Irans internal power structure Leavitt said the US and its intelligence community have insight into Irans decision-making structure.

The White House and our intelligence community certainly have a good understanding, she said.

However, she noted that Washington is seeking a unified position from Tehran.

We want to see a unified response and a unified proposal, she added, pointing to different messaging on social media from Iranian officials.

Iran fractured between pragmatists and hardliners Describing internal dynamics in Iran, Leavitt said the country is divided.

This is a battle between the pragmatists and the hardliners in Iran right now, she said.

She added that military strikes are paused under a ceasefire, but pressure continues.

There is a ceasefire with the military and kinetic strikes, but Operation Economic Fury continues, she said.

Leavitt confirmed the naval blockade remains active, stating that it continues to restrict movement of vessels to and from Iranian ports.

US maintains control and leverage The White House asserted strong US leverage over the situation.

The United States maintains control over this situation and leverage over the Iranian regime, Leavitt said.

She claimed Iran has been weakened militarily and is under sustained economic pressure.

They are losing economically and financially every single moment that passes with this blockade, she added.

Negotiations and flexibility offer to Iran On ongoing talks, Leavitt said US negotiators have already met Iranian representatives directly.

We obviously know who we are negotiating with because our negotiating team has sat down with those individuals in person, she said.

However, she reiterated concerns about internal division in Iran.

The President is offering them a little bit of flexibility because we want to see a unified proposal, she added.

Leavitt said Trump has made very strong red lines very clear, and the US is awaiting Irans response.

Caution over Irans public messaging On Iranian state media statements, the White House urged skepticism.

I would caution you to take anything that they say at face value, Leavitt said.
US President Donald Trump has made a striking claim: that Iran, despite its combative public rhetoric over the Strait of Hormuz, is privately desperate to reopen the waterway it has shut after US strikes.

Trump Claims Economic Pressure Driving Irans Shift In a series of posts on Truth Social, Trump suggested that Irans public stance on the closure of the Strait masks a deeper financial urgency. According to him, the economic toll of halted oil flows is becoming increasingly unsustainable for Tehran.

Also Read | Trump extends Iran ceasefire indefinitely at Pakistans request

"Iran doesn't want the Strait of Hormuz closed; they want it open so they can make $500 million a day (which is, therefore, what they are losing if it is closed!)," Trump posted.

He further characterised Irans rhetoric as performative, aimed at preserving domestic and regional credibility rather than reflecting its true strategic intent.

"They only say they want it closed because I have it totally BLOCKADED (CLOSED!), so they merely want to 'save face,'" the President added.

Backchannel Signals and Diplomatic Stalemate Trump also claimed that informal outreach from intermediaries indicates a potential shift in Irans approach. These communications, he suggested, point to an eagerness within Tehran to restore shipping through the Strait.

"People approached me four days ago, saying, 'Sir, Iran wants to open up the Strait immediately,'" he said.

Also Read | Trump extends Iran ceasefire indefinitely at Pakistans request

However, the US President warned against a premature easing of pressure, arguing that reopening the waterway without concessions would weaken Washingtons negotiating position.

"But if we do that, there can never be a deal with Iran unless we blow up the rest of their country, their leaders included!" Trump stated, underscoring his hardline approach to the ongoing crisis.

Iran War Ceasefire Extended as Talks Collapse In a parallel development, Trump announced the indefinite extension of a ceasefire with Iran, just a day before it was due to expire. The decision followed the collapse of planned negotiations, with Iranian representatives declining to participate, citing what they described as unacceptable US demands.

Trump said the blockade of vessels moving to and from Iran through the Strait of Hormuz would remain in place, even as military escalation is temporarily paused.

Vance Trip Cancelled as Tehran Refuses to Negotiate The ceasefire extension coincided with a significant diplomatic setback. Vice President JD Vance had been scheduled to travel to Pakistan to resume indirect talks with Iranian representatives  but Tehran refused to participate, citing what it described as unreasonable US demands.

Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency was unambiguous, stating there is currently no prospect of Iran participating in negotiations. A White House official confirmed that Vance's trip would not go ahead on Tuesday.

Shifting Signals From Washington DC The announcement marked a notable shift in tone from earlier remarks by Trump, who had indicated the possibility of imminent military action if Iran failed to comply with US conditions.

I expect to be bombing, he said in an earlier interview, adding that the military was raring to go. Just a day prior, he had described it as highly unlikely that Id extend the ceasefire without progress in negotiations.

The abrupt pivot to an extended ceasefire reflects the fluid and unpredictable nature of the standoff, with both sides balancing military pressure against diplomatic manoeuvring.
US President Donald Trump today set a three-to-five-day window for Iran to unite behind a counteroffer and re-engage in nuclear talks, US officials say, after a second round of negotiations in Pakistan collapsed and Vice President JD Vance's trip to Islamabad was called off, Axios reported, quoting three US officials.

Donald Trump's Ultimatum: Get Your House in Order Trump says he is prepared to allow Iran between three and five days to resolve its internal power struggle and present a coherent counteroffer  but the ceasefire he extended on Tuesday will not last indefinitely, three US officials told Axios.

"Trump is willing to give another three to five days of ceasefire to allow the Iranians to get their shit together," one US source briefed on the matter said. It is not going to be open-ended.

Iran Is 'Absolutely Fractured', US Officials Warn At the heart of the impasse is a rupture within Iran's own power structure that US negotiators say has only become fully visible in recent days, according to an Axios report. Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, according to officials, is barely communicating. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) generals who have assumed effective control of the country and Iran's civilian negotiators are, by multiple accounts, openly at odds over strategy and direction.

"We saw that there is an absolute fracture inside Iran between the negotiators and the military, with neither side having access to the supreme leader, who is not responsive," a US official told Axios.

The fracture first became apparent to US officials after the initial round of Islamabad talks, when it reportedly emerged that IRGC commander General Ahmad Vahidi and his deputies had quietly rejected much of what Iran's own negotiators had discussed at the table.

What had been a behind-the-scenes disagreement then broke into the open last Friday, when Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi announced the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz  only for the IRGC to refuse to implement the decision and begin publicly attacking him.

The Larijani Assassination and Its Destabilising Aftermath US officials believe the current dysfunction is at least partly a consequence of Israel's assassination of Ali Larijani in March, the former secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council and one of the few figures within the Islamic Republic who possessed both the authority and the political weight to hold its fractious decision-making apparatus together.

His replacement, Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, whose role is to coordinate between the IRGC, the civilian leadership, and the supreme leader, has not proved effective in that capacity, according to a US official's comment to Axios. The result is a vacuum at precisely the moment Iran most needs coherent leadership.

Air Force Two on the Tarmac  and Going Nowhere The consequences of that vacuum played out in almost cinematic fashion over the past 48 hours, a period that officials described as extremely frustrating for the White House, and particularly for Vance.

Vance had packed his bags for Islamabad to lead a second round of peace talks. White House envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were also to fly from Miami to Pakistan to join him.

Also Read | Trump extends Iran ceasefire indefinitely at Pakistans request

On Monday evening, Iranian intermediaries appeared to give Pakistani mediators the green light to proceed with the talks. By Tuesday morning, that signal had vanished, replaced by a demand that the US lift its naval blockade before any negotiations could begin.

Air Force Two sat on the tarmac at Joint Base Andrews for hours, ready to depart, until it became clear the trip was not going to happen. Witkoff and Kushner, already airborne from Miami, redirected to Washington instead.

"The degree of the fracture became clear in the last few days, and the question was: does it make any sense to go to Islamabad like that?" the US official told Axios. "So the decision was to give the diplomatic efforts a little bit more time."

Trump's War Council and the Choice Between Strikes and Diplomacy On Tuesday afternoon, Trump convened his national security team: Vance, Witkoff, Kushner, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, Joint Chiefs Chairman General Dan Caine, and other senior officials.

Going into the meeting, some of Trump's own advisers were uncertain which way he would lean: a massive strike on Iran's energy infrastructure, or more time for diplomacy. He chose the latter.

The decision, according to multiple US officials and Trump associates, reflects a president who believes the US has already achieved its military objectives and is now focused on an exit.

"It certainly looks like Trump doesn't want to use military force anymore and has made a decision to end the war," one US source close to Trump said.

The Blockade Remains Trump's Primary Lever Extending the ceasefire came at a cost; Trump conceded leverage by stepping back from the brink. But officials say he believes the naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which remains firmly in place, more than compensates for that. Trump has claimed privately that Iran "are starving for cash" and can no longer meet its obligations to its own military and police.

In a Truth Social post on Tuesday night, he made his position plain. "Iran doesn't want the Strait of Hormuz closed, they want it open so they can make $500 Million Dollars a day," he wrote. "They only say they want it closed because I have it totally BLOCKADED (CLOSED!), so they merely want to save face."

Trump added: "People approached me four days ago, saying, 'Sir, Iran wants to open up the Strait, immediately.' But if we do that, there can never be a Deal with Iran, unless we blow up the rest of their Country, their leaders included!"

What Happens Next: All Eyes on Khamenei The immediate focus now shifts to whether Supreme Leader Khamenei will break his silence within the next day or two and give Iran's negotiators a clear directive to return to the table- a development that US officials, Pakistani mediators, and Israeli sources familiar with the talks are all watching for closely.
Sure, its market value zoomed above $4 trillion under Cooks leadership. But a gizmo-maker given to fusing software and hardware into a single package will find the going hard if it cant blaze new trails in both. To be equally inventive and market-savvy, itll need to think different well beyond an advertising slogan.
Rupanjal Chauhan

Rupanjal Chauhan is a data journalist at Mint, where she contributes to the Plain Facts and Data Bites sections, focusing on translating complex datasets into clear, insightful, and engaging narratives for a wide audience. Her work focuses on using data to explain policy, economic, and social trends in a clear and accessible way.<br><br>At Mint, her work spans public finances, trade, geopolitics, and employment, often breaking down large datasets into sharp, evidence-backed stories. Her approach focuses on careful data analysis and clear storytelling, ensuring that each piece not only informs but also enables readers to better understand the forces shaping Indias economy and society.<br><br>Rupanjal holds a postgraduate diploma in digital media from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), New Delhi, where she specialised in data-driven storytelling and digital journalism. She also has a bachelors degree in journalism and mass communication from St. Xaviers College, Ranchi. Her work is guided by a focus on simplifying complex data without losing nuance, with an emphasis on accuracy, transparency, and context, helping readers better understand the patterns and trends behind the numbers.
John Ternus, the 51-year-old senior vice president of hardware engineering at Apple Inc., is set to become the companys eighth chief executive, succeeding Tim Cook on 1 September 2026.

As Cook moves into the role of executive chairman, Ternus will take charge of one of the worlds most valuable companies. His elevation has long been anticipated, with speculation building over several months, particularly after Jeff Williams, previously seen as Cooks most likely successor, exited the company in July 2025. In the months since, analysts and insiders have consistently identified Ternus as the frontrunner.

Even so, the challenges ahead are significant. Ternus will be expected to match or exceed Cooks record of delivering strong shareholder returns, while steering a company that still relies heavily on the iPhone, nearly two decades after its launch. Having spent most of his career at Apple and often referring to Cook as a mentor, Ternus is likely to follow a similarly measured approach, though that continuity may raise concerns among investors looking for more decisive shifts.

Here are some key facts about John Ternus

Also Read | Apple hardware exec to succeed Tim Cook as CEO

A standout swimmer during his university years Ternus completed his studies at the University of Pennsylvania in 1997, earning a Bachelor of Science in engineering, specialising in mechanical engineering. Alongside his academic work, he was also an accomplished athlete. As a competitive swimmer, he won both the 50-metre freestyle and the 200-metre individual medley at a collegiate competition, according to Fortune.

Early career rooted in virtual reality technology Following his graduation, Ternus spent nearly 4 years at Virtual Research Systems, a relatively lesser-known company at the time focused on developing virtual reality hardware and immersive technologies. The firm was working in the VR space well before it entered the mainstream, and Ternuss early exposure to such systems is widely seen as formative. That experience is believed to have later informed his involvement in advanced products such as Apples Vision Pro.

A steady rise within Apples leadership ranks Ternus joined Apple Inc. in 2001 as part of the product design team during a period when the company was regaining momentum after Steve Jobss return. Over the years, he steadily progressed through the organisation, taking on greater responsibility across Apples hardware divisions.

In January 2021, he was appointed senior vice president of hardware engineering and joined Apples executive leadership team. The elevation followed a leadership reshuffle, with Dan Riccio stepping away from overseeing iPhone hardware engineering to take on a different role within the company.

Also Read | Apple CEOs over the years: From Michael Scott to John Ternus

A familiar face at Apples product launches In recent years, Apple has increasingly positioned Ternus as one of its key public-facing executives. According to Bloomberg, the companys communication strategy has deliberately brought him into the spotlight. He has since become a regular presence at major Apple events, where he has presented updates on products including the iMac, iPad and MacBook Pro.

Ternus has also played a central role in introducing some of Apples significant technology shifts, including the transition to Apple silicon and the introduction of new product categories. His growing visibility was particularly evident during the launch of the iPhone 17 lineup in September 2025, when he welcomed customers at Apples Regent Street store in London, an appearance that echoed Tim Cooks earlier visits to flagship retail locations such as the Fifth Avenue store in New York.

Limited public presence Despite holding one of Apple's most senior roles, Ternus has maintained a notably low public profile for much of his career. He has given relatively few media interviews, and his appearances have largely been limited to Apples carefully managed keynote presentations and product launches.

Unlike some of his peers, he has not traditionally served as a frequent public spokesperson for the company. This has sparked some curiosity about his personality and leadership style. His increased visibility in recent years is widely seen as a deliberate shift by Apple, particularly as part of its longer-term succession planning.

Deep involvement in shaping Apples hardware ecosystem With a background in mechanical engineering, Ternus has spent over two decades working across Apples hardware portfolio. Since joining the company, he has contributed to the development of a wide range of products, helping shape the design and engineering of many of its key devices.

His tenure spans multiple phases of Apples evolution from its early-2000s revival to its current position as one of the worlds most valuable technology companies, giving him an understanding of both its product and operational approach.

Age and long-term leadership potential At 51, Ternus is the same age Tim Cook was when he took over as CEO in 2011. This places him in a position to potentially lead the company for a decade or longer, offering continuity at a time of transition.
Apple is preparing for a major leadership transition, with Tim Cook set to step down in September and John Ternus taking over. Since Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak founded the company 50 years ago and wowed the world with its computers, its corner office has been a seat of technological power for many who have occupied it. Over time, that role has evolved alongside Apples own growth and ambitions.

Heres a look at Apples chief executives over the years:

1. Michael Scott (1977 to 1981)

A year after Apple was founded by Jobs and Wozniak, Scott, who had previously worked at semiconductor trailblazers Fairchild Semiconductor and National Semiconductor, was brought in to provide experienced oversight. He described his role in a 2011 interview with Business Insider as managing the operational details, including moving the company into manufacturing and handling the broader business side.

View full Image View full Image Michael Scott

2. Mike Markkula (1981 to 1983)

Mike Markkula, Apples first angel investor and chairman, is often referred to as the companys third co-founder alongside Jobs and Wozniak. During his time as CEO, he also contributed technically by writing some of the early software for the Apple II, one of the companys first successful computers. In a 1997 interview with The New York Times, early Apple marketing executive Floyd Kvamme said Markkula was a major contributor who preferred focusing on products rather than seeking public attention.

View full Image View full Image Mike Markkula

3. John Sculley (1983 to 1993)

John Sculley joined Apple from PepsiCo, where he had served as a marketing executive and later president. During his decade-long tenure, Apples revenue grew from $800 million to $8 billion. However, his time at the company was also defined by a power struggle with Jobs over Apples direction, which ultimately resulted in Jobs leaving the company in 1985.

View full Image View full Image John Sculley

4. Michael Spindler (1993 to 1996)

Michael Spindler, who had been Apples chief operating officer, became CEO during a challenging period for the company. His tenure drew criticism from customers and investors as Apple struggled with inaccurate demand forecasts, declining market share, and a price war that hurt its profitability. He later acknowledged that his personality influenced how the situation unfolded. Apples board removed him in 1996.

View full Image View full Image Michael Spindler

5. Gilbert Frank Amelio (1996 to 1997)

Gilbert Amelio, formerly president of National Semiconductor and a member of Apples board, took over when the company was in severe financial trouble. He implemented cost-cutting measures, cancelled several projects, including an operating system and laid off about one-third of Apples workforce. During his tenure, Apple acquired NeXT for $427 million, bringing Jobs back to the company after his 1985 departure.

View full Image View full Image Gilbert Frank Amelio

6. Steve Jobs (1997 to 2011)

Steve Jobs, who co-founded Apple at the age of 21, went on to become its most iconic leader, though his journey was not without setbacks. After being forced out in 1985 following his conflict with Sculley, he founded NeXT, a company focused on building computers for higher education and professional markets. When he returned to Apple in 1997, he led a dramatic turnaround, restoring the companys fortunes and setting it on a path of rapid growth. Under his leadership, Apple introduced groundbreaking products such as the iMac, iPod, iPhone and iPad, reshaping industries including music and telecommunications.

View full Image View full Image Steve Jobs

7. Tim Cook (2011 to 2026)

After Jobs died of cancer in 2011, Cook, his longtime deputy, became CEO. He had joined Apple in 1998 from computer manufacturer Compaq and became chief operating officer in 2007. In that role, he transformed Apples inventory management and built the global supply chain that enabled the company to produce hundreds of millions of devices each year. During his tenure as CEO, Apple grew into a company valued at more than $4 trillion, generating over $110 billion in annual revenue. Cook also expanded Apples services business and strengthened its relationships in Washington and China.

View full Image View full Image Tim Cook

8. John Ternus (from September 2026)

John Ternus joined Apple in 2001 and began his career on the product design team, working on display technologies for the Mac. He later became a key deputy to longtime engineering leader Dan Riccio. As Riccios responsibilities expanded, Ternus took on a broader role, eventually overseeing hardware engineering teams across major product lines, including the iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, AirPods, and Vision Pro. When Riccio stepped back in 2021, Ternus succeeded him as senior vice president, taking charge of the physical design and engineering of nearly all Apple products.

Ternus will become Apples eighth CEO since its founding 50 years ago.
Mugshot of Nelson Eguia, 35, who was arrested April 20, 2026, on a charge of misapplication of fiduciary or financial property in Laredo, Texas. Courtesy/Webb County Sheriff's Office

A man was arrested after stealing more than $10,000 from a restaurant where he worked, according to the Laredo Police Department.

The theft was reported March 3 by the owners of a restaurant in the 3400 block of Del Mar Boulevard.

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The case was assigned to the Crimes Against Property Unit, which later presented the findings to the District Attorneys Office and obtained an arrest warrant in connection with the theft.

The suspect was identified as 35-year-old Nelson Eguia, police said.

Eguia was served with the warrant April 20 and charged with misapplication of fiduciary or financial property between $2,500 and $30,000.

He was transported to LPD for booking and later remanded to Webb County Jail.

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Mugshot of Allen Denzel Phipps, 36, who was arrested April 21, 2026, in Laredo, Texas, on a murder charge in connection with a fatal shooting. Courtesy/Webb County Sheriff's Office The 5900 block of San Bernardo Avenue is shown in a Google Maps image in Laredo, Texas. Police said one man was injured in a reported shooting there April 20, 2026. Courtesy/Google Maps

A man has been arrested in connection with Monday nights fatal shooting on San Bernardo Avenue, according to the Laredo Police Department.

Allen Denzel Phipps, 36, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, was taken into custody Tuesday.

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He was charged with first-degree felony murder and remained held as of Tuesday night on an $800,000 bond, according to jail records.

Additional charges include possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana, fraudulent use or possession of identifying information, and unlawful carrying of a weapon, jail records show.

A semi-automatic handgun was seized at the time of Phipps arrest, and evidence collected matched evidence recovered at the scene, police said.

No other suspects are in custody.

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Phipps is accused in the death of Luis Fernando Marquez, a 60-year-old man who was struck by gunfire while walking on the sidewalk.

The shooting stemmed from a road rage incident involving two vehicles driving aggressively, in which one of the drivers allegedly fired a gun at the other vehicle, striking Marquez, who was not involved.

The investigation remains ongoing, and additional information will be released as it becomes available.
Laredo Police Chief Miguel Rodriguez addresses the Laredo City Council regarding homelessness downtown and their approach to mental health on April 20, 2026, at City Hall. David Gomez Jr. /Laredo Morning Times

The Laredo City Council approved a two-part effort aimed at addressing homelessness, combining expanded enforcement with a push for new mental health resources.

The first measure directs city management to develop a timeline-based campaign to better identify the citys unhoused population, connect individuals with available services and enforce existing ordinances in public spaces and other high-visibility areas. Officials said the issue has spread beyond downtown into neighborhoods across the city.

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The second action focuses on pursuing state legislation to establish a dedicated mental health facility in Laredo and create a court-supervised homelessness diversion program.

District VIII Councilmember Alyssa Cigarroa, who introduced the legislative proposal, said homelessness requires a coordinated and long-term response.

Homelessness is a complex challenge facing communities across the nation, and Laredo is no exception, Cigarroa said. It impacts public safety, economic vitality and speaks to our shared moral responsibility to support those most in need.

Laredo Police Chief Miguel Rodriguez told council the issue is closely tied to gaps in the local mental health system, placing a significant burden on officers.

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Mental health is a big problem in our city, Rodriguez said. And when we are not addressing the core problem, were gonna continue seeing this increase.

Rodriguez said officers often spend hours or even days with individuals in crisis once a case escalates to emergency detention.

Right when it jumps into an emergency detention, its game over for us because we know were gonna be at the hospital sometimes hours, sometimes days, he said. Now were responsible to transport that individual from here to San Antonio or from here to the Valley because we dont have a state hospital.

He described the process as a revolving door, noting that individuals are often released shortly after intake and return to the streets.

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The only way to address that component of it is to have a mental state hospital here in our city, Rodriguez said.

The strain has also been compounded by jurisdictional limits, with the county no longer assisting in certain transports, leaving responsibility with the arresting officer.

To address visible homelessness, police recently conducted a two-week operation downtown and along the San Bernardo corridor that resulted in a 33% decrease in incidents.

In two weeks weve decreased 33%, Rodriguez said, adding that while effective, such efforts require sustained resources. We cannot be there 24/7, 365 days of the year.

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The operation included more than 100 traffic stops and nearly 200 suspicious person checks and cost about $18,000, according to city officials.

Cigarroa said recent investments, including a $7.5 million partnership with Bethany House, have helped expand local capacity. The facility, fully operational since March, includes emergency beds, separate spaces for men, women and children and a centralized resource center.

Councilmembers emphasized that homelessness in Laredo often involves severe mental illness and substance abuse, requiring more than traditional housing solutions.

The proposed legislation would seek to establish a regional behavioral health campus similar to one in Uvalde, as well as a specialized court program designed to divert individuals into treatment and services rather than the criminal justice system.

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Cigarroa said continued collaboration between city, county and community partners will be critical moving forward.
The Ruthe B. Cowl Rehabilitation Center is hosting the Mothers Day Bloom event to provide respite care services for parents and family members of children with disabilities ages 5 to 11. The event will take place Saturday, May 2, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the RBC premises, 1220 N. Malinche Ave. Courtesy/ Ruthe B. Cowl Rehabilitation Center The Ruthe B. Cowl Rehabilitation Center is hosting the Mothers Day Bloom event to provide respite care services for parents and family members of children with disabilities ages 5 to 11. The event will take place Saturday, May 2, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the RBC premises, 1220 N. Malinche Ave. Courtesy/ Ruthe B. Cowl Rehabilitation Center The Ruthe B. Cowl Rehabilitation Center is hosting the Mothers Day Bloom event to provide respite care services for parents and family members of children with disabilities ages 5 to 11. The event will take place Saturday, May 2, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the RBC premises, 1220 N. Malinche Ave. Courtesy/ Ruthe B. Cowl Rehabilitation Center The Ruthe B. Cowl Rehabilitation Center is hosting the Mothers Day Bloom event to provide respite care services for parents and family members of children with disabilities ages 5 to 11. The event will take place Saturday, May 2, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the RBC premises, 1220 N. Malinche Ave. Courtesy/ Ruthe B. Cowl Rehabilitation Center

The Board of Directors of the Ruthe B. Cowl Rehabilitation Center, in collaboration with the South Texas Aging and Disability Resource Center, is hosting Mothers Day Bloom, an event that provides respite care services for parents and family members of children with disabilities ages 5 to 11.

Mothers Day Bloom is made possible thanks to a grant through the Texas Department of Human Resources Commission and is set to take place Saturday, May 2, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at RBC premises, 1220 N. Malinche Ave.

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Registration is Wednesday, April 22 from 3:30-5:30 p.m. at 1220 Malinche St.

The event gives moms the opportunity to take time for themselves, said Jackie Rodriguez, executive director of the Ruthe B. Cowl Rehabilitation Center.

Whether that's getting their nails or hair done, enjoying a movie, or simply taking care of errands, she said. "The Mother's Day Bloom main goals are to provide temporary relief for caregivers and offer enriching experiences for children with disabilities, to create a safe and supportive environment where children can develop skills, build relationships and enjoy recreational activities while also giving caregivers a chance to rest, recharge and manage other responsibilities."

Rodriguez said Mothers Day Bloom had not been held for a few years, but the center has hosted respite care camps for more than 10 years.

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We felt it was important to once again offer a moment of care and appreciation for our mothers, she said. While this is a Mothers Day to Bloom event, any parent or caregiver is welcome to register their child, as long as the child meets the eligibility requirements.

Rodriguez added the event is done in collaboration with the South Texas Aging and Disability Resource Center, a program of the South Texas Development Council.

Several years ago, Mr. Juan Rodriguez from STDC approached us about hosting respite camps, she said. I have shared that after exploring various agencies, many recommended RBC due to our experience, compassion and dedicated team of clinicians, and the rest is history.

"We have hosted nearly 15 events, each with unique themes such as space, under the sea, camping and groovy. We are confident that our upcoming May event will be just as successful!"

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Rodriguez said during Mothers Day Bloom children will have the opportunity to participate in several planned activities, this time with a special Mothers Day and spring theme.

Activities are thoughtfully designed so that all participants can enjoy and successfully complete them regardless of their individual abilities, she said.

Rodriguez said event capacity is limited to 10 participants to ensure each child has a full and meaningful experience, with one clinician assigned to each individual.

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Some teachers in Texas are quietly revolting against the hanging of the Ten Commandments in classrooms. TNS

After a federal appeals court cleared the way for Ten Commandments posters to remain in Texas classrooms, some teachers aren't just complyingthey're getting creative.

The closely divided ruling from the Fifth Circuit allows the state's 2025 law to stand, requiring public schools to display the Ten Commandments in a "conspicuous" place in every classroom. But inside those classrooms, a quieter, more unconventional response is taking shape.

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Across Texas, educators are sharing ideas online for how to follow the lawwhile still pushing back on what many see as a violation of church and state separation.

HUGE WIN



The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the Ten Commandments can remain in Texas public school classrooms.



The foundation of Western law & morality belongs in our classrooms. Texas stands for faith, freedom, and the values that founded our great state.  Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) April 22, 2026

One teacher in the Reddit subgroup r/Texasteachers, wrote that their poster has been hanging for months, largely unnoticed by students.

"I seriously haven't had one question or comment about it from any of the 150-ish kids that cycle through my room every day," the teacher said. "If you stopped one of them and offered a million dollars to tell you where it is, they'd go home empty-handed."

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FILE - A copy of the Ten Commandments is posted along with other historical documents in a hallway of the Georgia Capitol, Thursday, June 20, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File) John Bazemore/Associated Press

Others echoed the same reality.

"I'm a sub at every grade level. Don't worry these kids aren't reading anything stuck on the wall," another user wrote.

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A retired teacher added: "Kids pay no attention to posters whatsoevernone of their students have commented on these posters."

Others are taking a more deliberate approach.

Some teachers say they plan to surround the mandated poster with materials from other belief systems. Others are filling their walls with additional educational content to draw attention elsewhereeffectively burying the display in plain sight.

A growing number are turning to a website called illegalposter.com, which offers free downloadable classroom materials designed to "comply" with the law while making a statement. The site includes rainbow-themed designs, stylized "prism" versions of the commandments and companion posters that critique the policy itselfall created, according to organizers, to meet the state's legal requirements.

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Some educators have described the approach as "malicious compliance"following the letter of the law while challenging its intent.

One teacher joked that their poster is "accidentally being blocked" by classroom equipment, while another said they placed it behind a door so it disappears whenever the door is open.

"This is a blatant violation of our rights," one post circulating among Texas teachers reads. "If your school has one of these posters there are ways to resist this."

Some ideas go even further.

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"How about a complying poster that has a link or QR code after each commandment leading to a news report about a Texas politician breaking that same commandment?" one user suggested. Another quickly replied: "I want this!!"

Others framed the issue in sharper political terms.

"Yes, please keep posting more helpful best practices for fighting fascism and Christian white nationalism in the classroom," one commenter wrote.

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Not every teacher is willing to display the posters at all.
After years of infertility struggles and a public IVF journey, Houston TV anchor Mayra Moreno has welcomed her first child.

On Tuesday, the longtime KTRK-TV ABC13 Houston anchor announced the birth of a baby boy in an emotional social media post.

"Life the last couple of weeks have been a whirlwind and scary but now it feels complete and we are safe! Thank you Lord Jesus! We have a BOY!!!!!!" Moreno wrote.

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Moreno revealed in late 2025 that she was expecting her first child after what she described as a long and difficult road to pregnancy. She has been candid with viewers about years of trying to conceive, the heartbreak of setbacks and the decision to pursue in-vitro fertilization with her husband.

"In the midst of uncertainty, we clung to faith and hope," she wrote on Instagram in November 2025, reflecting on years of wanting a child as it continued to feel out of reach. Moreno said IVF became the path forward, guided by faith, and that the shots, bruises, scans, delays and tears had begun to fade as they celebrated "the day we once prayed for is finally here."

Tuesday's announcement quickly drew congratulations from colleagues, including fellow ABC13 anchor Samica Knight.

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"He's here! He's here!" Knight wrote. "My little nephew is here! Congratulations to my sweet sister ABC13-Mayra Moreno and her hubby!"

Moreno joined ABC 13 in October 2015, returning to her hometown of Houston after four years at KENS 5 in San Antonio, where she worked as a weekend anchor and reporter. She previously worked at KRGV-TV Channel 5 News in Weslaco and later at CW39 Houston as a fill-in anchor and reporter.

A graduate of the University of Houston, Moreno earned a double major in journalism and Spanish while graduating magna cum laude.

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A major restoration project has completed at 917 Franklin Street in downtown Houston. Exterior renovations included window repairs, new lighting and more. NewForm Real Estate

A sweeping restoration of the Commercial National Bank building at 917 Franklin St. has officially been completed, according to a news release from NewForm Real Estate. Dating back to 1904, the six-story building previously was home to one of Houston's largest financial institutions.

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William Marsh Rice, founder of Rice University, also maintained office space on the third floor of the building, with some of the universitys first offices occupying space on the sixth floor until 1926.

A major restoration project has completed at 917 Franklin Street in downtown Houston. The building is the former Commercial National Bank. NewForm Real Estate

"Original elements such as exposed brick, hardwood floors, plaster walls, and historic architectural details were preserved and restored wherever possible," according to the release.

Extensive facade work, window repairs, masonry cleaning and upgraded lighting revamped the building's exterior. On the inside, the restored building features a redesigned lobby, modernized building systems, updated office suites with new lighting, audio-visual infrastructure and kitchenettes.

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The upgrades revitalized the office space, while the ground floor saw bars and a coffee shop added. Additional retail is in progress.

A major restoration project has completed at 917 Franklin Street in downtown Houston. Interior improvements feature a redesigned lobby with restored plaster detailing and dentil moldings NewForm Real Estate

"917 Franklin represents a defining piece of Houston's architectural and cultural history," Dan Zimmerman, president of NewForm Real Estate, said in the release. "We're proud to serve as stewards of this landmark, approaching its restoration with a commitment to preserving its historic character while thoughtfully updating the building to meet the needs of today's tenants."

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Zimmerman said the renovation honors the past while contributing to downtown Houston's future.

A major restoration project has completed at 917 Franklin Street in downtown Houston. The building features newly renovated office space. NewForm Real Estate

"The Commercial National Bank building now joins the restored Raphael, Dorrance, and Brewster buildings next door, collectively shaping a revitalized block that brings together Houstons architectural legacy with a new generation of offices, restaurants, and cultural energy," Zimmerman said.

The building is an expansion of NewForm's Main&Co, a collection of restored historic buildings between Franklin and Commerce streets in downtown Houston. Main&Co is home to a growing roster of tenants, home to The Fifth Vessel, Thai Cafe, Liv Houston, Distrito Federal and more.

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A major restoration project has completed at 917 Franklin Street in downtown Houston. Exterior renovations included window repairs, new lighting and more. NewForm Real Estate

Developers said the restoration coincides with a broader investment along downtown's Main Street, transforming the corridor into a pedestrian-oriented promenade.

Originally designed by architectural firm Green and Svarz, 917 Franklin's interior design was a collaboration with M.Naeve, with Andres Construction heading development.

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Another familiar voice has signed off on Houston radio. 93Q Country is searching for a new midday host after Gerardo Sproet exited the role, with news of his departure announced over the weekend.

A Houston native, Sproet spent his entire radio career with KKBQ. He joined the station's promotions department in 2019, moved on-air in 2022 and was promoted to evening host in July 2023. In January 2025, he shifted to middays, taking over a slot that had gone without a permanent host since Corey Dillon left in October 2024 after three and a half years.

Now, the station is already looking for his replacement. In a newly posted job listing, 93Q says it wants a host who "will be fun, compelling, talented, professional and understand how to create great radio in a PPM-friendly environment."

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Sproet acknowledged the change in a Facebook post that quickly drew reaction from listeners, many of whom said they were stunned to hear he was gone.

"What????? Nooooooo I liked listening to you my radio stayed on 92.9 while you were on," one commenter wrote.

"This can't be for real. He was the best on there. Im gonna miss him," another added.

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"Will miss hearing you on the radio! but bigger things will be coming your way!" a third person wrote.

Chron has reached out to Sproet for comment.

KKBQ, branded as 93Q Country and "Houstons Country Leader," is one of the city's best-known country stations. Licensed to Pasadena and serving the Greater Houston area, the Urban One-owned outlet broadcasts on 92.9 FM and has won multiple ACM Radio Station of the Year honors.

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The Tivoli Theatre is ready to reopen next year with the announcement of its 2027 Broadway season.

We are thrilled to welcome you back to the Jewel of the South for the upcoming Broadway season.

Tivoli Theatre Restoration & Performing Arts Center Project set to begin Jan. 2025 A breaking ceremony will be held to celebrate the start of the project on December 17 at 11:00am, where guests will help break through the walls of both buildings.

Six titles and nearly 40 performances are scheduled for the 2027 season, including:

Waitress  February 19-21

Beetlejuice  March 12-14

The Outsiders  April 6-11

A Beautiful Noise  July 16-18

Jersey Boys  August 10-15

Disneys Beauty and the Beast  September 14-19

The Tivoli, which is more than 100 years old, has been undergoing a renovation project since 2018. The Tivoli closed in 2022, but renovations did not officially begin until 2025 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and construction costs.

Current subscribers can renew their Tivoli Theatre subscription now through May 29, 2026. New subscriptions and Broadway packages will go on sale on June 22.

The Tivoli said single-performance tickets will go on sale later this year.

For more information, visit the Tivoli website.
Artists in county Longford have been urged to enter the AIB Portrait Prize and AIB Young Portrait Prize 2026 competitions, which are now open for entries from people of all ages.

The competition is organised by the National Gallery of Ireland and the AIB Portrait Prize highlights contemporary portraiture, welcoming entries from artists working in all media, both in Ireland and from Irish artists living abroad.

The AIB Young Portrait Prize invites submissions from young artists aged 18 and under.

The closing date for receipt of entries for both competitions is 10pm on Friday 3 July 2026.

READ NEXT: PICTURES: 'Beautiful farmhouse-style' home hits Longford market for just over 220,000



The AIB Portrait Prize aims to spark interest in contemporary portraiture and to highlight the nations portrait collection at the National Gallery of Ireland.

It plays a vital role in celebrating a wide range of artistic practices and interpretations of portraiture. Hundreds of artworks by artists working across all disciplines are considered by an expert judging panel.

The winning artist will be awarded a prize of 15,000 and a commission worth 5,000 to produce a new work for inclusion in the national portrait collection.

Two additional prizes of 1,500 are awarded to highly commended works.

Judges for the AIB Portrait Prize 2026 are Brian Fay, artist and lecturer at TU Dublin; Christina Kennedy, Senior Curator, Head of Collections at the Irish Museum of Modern Art; and Joseph McBrinn, Art Historian and Lecturer at Belfast School of Art.



The AIB Young Portrait Prize aims to foster and support creativity, originality, and self-expression in children and young people.

READ NEXT: 'Future proofing the service': New Ballymahon fire station will be excellent development

There are four age categories: aged 6 and under, 7to-11, 12to-15, and 16to-18.

Winners in each category, as well as an overall winner, are selected from a shortlist of works. Prizes include a beautiful bespoke art box and a cash prize for the winner.

This years AIB Young Portrait Prize judges are Amanda Coogan, artist; Carl Hickey, artist; and Donna Rosewood, curator at the National Museum of Ireland.



Dr Caroline Campbell, Director of the National Gallery of Ireland, said, With the annual AIB Portrait Prize and AIB Young Portrait Prize, our aim is to showcase the work of Irish artists and encourage an interest in contemporary Irish portraiture.

"Each year, the shortlisted artists demonstrate the incredible diversity of Irish artistic talent. We are proud to partner with AIB once again this year, and we look forward to seeing who and what inspires artists of all ages to make portraits.



Colin Hunt, CEO of AIB, said, This is the third year that AIB has held the honour of supporting these competitions, which showcase the talent ofcontemporary Ireland in all its diversity today.

"We look forward each year to seeing the quality and creativity of submissions from artists across the country and from Irish artists living abroad, and we continue in that excitement for the 2026 prizes. We encourage all eligible artists to enter!



The highly commended artists, category winners, and overall winners of the AIB Portrait Prize and AIB Young Portrait Prize will be announced at a prize-giving ceremony in December 2026, after the exhibitions have opened to the public at the Gallery.



The exhibitions will run in the National Gallery of Irelands Portrait Gallery from 14 November 2026 to 14 March 2027. Admission is free, with no booking required.

The Gallery is delighted to partner with Galway Arts Centre and Limerick City Gallery of Art to present the AIB Portrait Prize and AIB Young Portrait Prize 2026.

Following their display at the National Gallery of Ireland, the exhibitions will travel to Galway Arts Centre from April 3 to June 27, 2027, and to Limerick City Gallery of Art from July 9 to August 15, 2027.

Applications are now open and available online via the National Gallery of Ireland website. Find out more at www.nationalgallery.ie.
Longford County Council recently welcomed the Turkish Ambassador to Ireland, Ms Esra Cankorur, and Commercial Counsellor, Mr Haluk Koc, to Aras an Chontae, as part of an exchange of views on bilateral cooperation.

The visit took place recently in the year marking the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Turkiye and Ireland.

The Chief Executive of Longford County Council, Paddy Mahon, extended a warm welcome to the delegation and outlined the countys ongoing investment in infrastructure, including plans for the THRIVE Connolly Barracks Reimagined project.

He spoke about the challenges facing the county following the closure of ESB and Bord na Mona operations and the cessation of peat burning, and highlighted Longfords focus on Just Transition initiatives.

READ NEXT: Longford residents awoken from house by neighbours during arson attack on property

Mr Mahon also pointed to emerging opportunities in tourism and regional collaboration, alongside Longfords strong agricultural base in dairy and beef, and the countys growing pharmaceutical sector.

Chief Executive of Longford County Council, Paddy Mahon said, Longford has faced real change in recent years, particularly following the end of peat-related activity. Our focus is on building a diverse and sustainable local economy."

Mr Mahon added, We see strong potential in tourism, enterprise and regional cooperation, and we welcome opportunities to share experiences and learn from international partners.

Cathaoirleach of Longford County Council, Cllr Garry Murtagh, also welcomed the delegation and spoke about Longfords strong community spirit and the importance of rural connections.

READ NEXT: PICTURES: 'Beautiful farmhouse-style' home hits Longford market for just over 220,000

He outlined key developments for the county, including the N4 project and Center Parcs, and reaffirmed that Longford remains open for business.

Cllr Murtagh said, Longford is a small county with a strong sense of community and ambition. We are proud of the progress being made through major projects such as the N4 and Center Parcs Longford Forest, and we are keen to build links that support jobs, investment and rural life.

Ambassador Esra Cankorur, on her first visit to Longford and as Turkiyes first female ambassador to Ireland, thanked the Council for the warm welcome.

Ambassador Cankorur underlined the importance of engaging with rural Ireland to build connections in trade and economic development and noted the growth of the Turkish community in Ireland.

She also reflected on shared values of friendliness, hospitality, dialogue and kindness.

Discussions during the visit included local governance structures, regeneration projects in County Longford and the importance of diversification for future growth.

The delegation also visited Goodness Grains and met with Fiona Fenelon, President of Longford Chamber of Commerce; Stephanie Igoe, President of Network Ireland RoscommonLongford Branch; and Cathaoirleach of Longford Municipal District, Cllr Uruemu Adejinmi.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
Longford Senator Joe Flaherty has praised farmers for their recent protests and he offered an apology to them and the wider public for the Governments 'half-hearted measures' to tackle the fuel crisis as he called for a mini-budget.

The Lanesboro native also candidly admitted they failed to react effectively 'in real time' to the fuel crisis, he said the 2026 budget failed middle Ireland and he criticised the Government and his party leader, Taoiseach Micheal Martin.

Senator Flaherty slammed the response and the initial 250 million package of fuel supports, including the 3c reduction in green diesel, announced on March 24 during a Seanad speech last Tuesday.

READ NEXT: A man of simple tastes Longfords John Pat McNaboe is a Census 1926 Centenarian Ambassador

The Government announced their second suite of measures worth 505 million on Sunday, April 12 following six days of protests where fuel distribution sites and many major motorways and roads were blocked.

Senator Flaherty described it as being 'hugely difficult', but he added how 'proud' he was of the farmers and how 'strong a force they can be.

"They are willing to go to jail and have gone to jail in the past.

"They are a powerful force and a force for good."On a personal level, I am sorry and I apologise to them wholeheartedly that they had to do what they felt they had to do.

READ NEXT: Longford residents awoken from house by neighbours during arson attack on property

"As a Government, we did not react conclusively or effectively in real time to the situation.

"In fact, I would go so far as to say that the dial on this issue went back as far as the budget we brought in last year.

"It was compounded then when we brought out half-hearted measures a number of weeks ago, when we reduced the cost of green diesel by three cent."

Senator Flaherty said virtually every rural TD contacted the Government and said that it 'was absolutely crazy and would inflame farmers', and he added it did exactly that.

"There was no reason to do that.

"We should have held back on it and introduced the all-encompassing suite of measures that we introduced this week which addressed the issues facing hauliers and farmers.

"We could have been a lot more successful and we could have taken a lot of the heat out of the market.

"I must say, and I have said it several times to my party leader, whether he likes it or not, that we delivered a flawed budget in 2026.

"It was a budget that very simply forgot the people of middle Ireland.

"It forgot the people who, as my former boss Eugene McGee once said, get up early and eat their dinner in the middle of the day. "

Senator Flaherty said they are the people who are the 'benchmark' of the country.

"Our mandarins overlooked the suffering of the people who are most marginalised in this country because they are immune to it and they do not hear about it in Dublin 4.

"They ignored the suffering and isolation of the elderly because they thought it was a myth. "

Senator Flaherty said they 'cobbled' together a 2026 budget that 'failed our most vulnerable' as he apologised for that budget.

"Having single-handedly championed the cost of living in the previous Government, Fianna Fail as a party shamelessly forgot the pain and suffering in the delivery of that budget."

"I spoke at length with An Taoiseach yesterday on this issue and I have left him under no illusion as to where my future loyalties will lie in the absence of a cast-iron and soon-to-be-announced commitment to a raft of cost-of-living supports and indeed, if needs be, a mini-budget.

"We need to be contrite at this point in our history and we need to show empathy. "

Senator Flaherty said he had told the Taoiseach they need three energy credits and a 'cast-iron guarantee' from the energy providers that they are not going to increase their prices for the next two years.
Longford MEP Ciaran Mullooly has hit back strongly at comments by former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar dismissing Irish farmers, describing his recent remarks as insulting, misleading and a clear sign of how disconnected some political voices have become from the real economy of this country.

The comments were made on a recent episode of Matt Cooper's podcast, where the former Taoiseach suggested that urban populations are the ones paying all the bills".

Mr Varadkar also stated rural communities are in receipt of a lot of subsidies and a lot of tax benefits that other people dont get.

READ NEXT: 'Game On': Funding boost of 20,000 secured to transform Longford playground

Mr Mullooly outlined he was taken aback by the comments.

It is with genuine surprise and deep concern that I listened to Leo Varadkar sneer at Irish farmers over the weekend," he said.

That kind of language betrays a complete failure to understand what Irish agriculture means - economically, socially and strategically.

Mr Mullooly said the facts tell a very different story.

According to the CSO, agricultural output reached 14 billion in 2025, up 12% on the previous year. Agricultural operating surplus rose to 5.5 billion, up 29%.

"Livestock output hit 5.9 billion, milk 4.5 billion, and crops 2.7 billion. A 43% increase in cattle prices was a major driver of income growth. These are not the figures of a sector to be mocked - they are the figures of a sector that is producing, performing and sustaining rural Ireland.

READ NEXT: Longford residents awoken from house by neighbours during arson attack on property

He said the strength of the sector is also reflected internationally.

Bord Bia confirms Irish food, drink and horticulture exports rose by 12% in 2025 to a record 19 billion. That is not a side story in the Irish economy - it is one of the main stories.

Mr Mullooly said critics fail to grasp a crucial point about Irish agriculture.

A euro of agri-food exports is not the same as a euro from sectors dependent on imported components or offshore production. Irish agriculture is home-grown.

"The cow is bred, reared, fed, transported, processed and sold through a supply chain largely based in Ireland.

"That means the value stays here. We do not import parts of the cow.

"The land is Irish, the herd is Irish, the labour is Irish, and the spending flows through Irish merchants, vets, hauliers, marts, processors and rural businesses. That is the real economy - not a spreadsheet abstraction.
An image published by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-linked Tasnim News shows an IRGC speed boat pointing a weapon at a commercial vessel in the Strait of Hormuz.

After Donald Trump announced an extension of the US ceasefire with Iran on April 21, Tehran refused to take an official position on the state of the ceasefire, denied it had agreed to any extension, and signaled it would not reenter talks while the US naval blockade of Iranian ports remains in place.

Trumps announcement came as negotiations between the two countries stalled, with no Iranian delegation traveling to Islamabad for the next round set to take place this week, and reports indicating disputes within Irans leadership over how to proceed. At the same time, messaging linked to Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) expanded threats against regional oil, shipping, and digital infrastructure. The regime soon followed these threats with action, attacking at least three ships and seizing two vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.

The IRGC-controlled Tasnim News Agency wrote on April 22 that Tehran has not yet taken an official position on President Trumps announcement of reextending the ceasefire. Tasnim also denied claims that Irans foreign ministry has confirmed the ceasefire, adding that the regime is currently reviewing the various aspects of Donald Trumps claim regarding a ceasefire extension.

In an April 21 social media post, Trump wrote that until the fractured Islamic Republic can come up with a unified proposal, he will extend the ceasefire.

IRGC-linked media reacted immediately to Donald Trumps April 21 announcement, with Tasnim stating, Iran did not request an extension of the ceasefire, and Trumps announcement, made without specifying any timeframe, could carry several meanings. It framed the move as either a US admission that the war had failed to deliver results, a potential deception to enable US follow-on strikes, or an attempt to exit the conflict while leaving Israel engaged. The continuation of the naval blockade amounts to continued hostilities. Iran will not reopen the Strait of Hormuz as long as the blockade persists and, if necessary, will break the blockade by force, the Tasnim report added.

Tehran has demonstrated reluctance to meet with a US delegation again in Islamabad, Pakistan, after the first round of talks held on April 11-12. Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), the regimes media corporation, reported on April 21, the day a second round of talks with the US was expected to take place, that no delegation from Iran has traveled to Islamabad, Pakistan so far, whether a primary or secondary delegation, main or auxiliary. During an April 19 interview with the Associated Press, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh said the regime is not yet willing to enter a second round of negotiations and pointed to the lingering issue of Irans highly enriched uranium. I can tell you that no enriched material is going to be shipped to the United States, Khatibzadeh said.

The Islamic Republic is also framing the US naval blockade as a barrier to negotiations. Tasnim wrote on April 19 that the regime will not negotiate while the blockade remains in place. A day later, Esmail Baghaei, the spokesperson for Irans Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said Tehran has not decided whether to enter another round of talks and described the blockade as a clear act of aggression.

Tehrans fractured leadership

Trumps ceasefire extension announcement pointed to widening rifts inside the Islamic Republic over whether and how to continue talks with Washington, a divide echoed in subsequent reporting.

The London-based satellite news channel Iran International reported on April 20 that Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, a former IRGC commander who has been leading the talks with Washington, warned advisers that opposition to a potential deal is being driven by hardline figures. Ghalibaf reportedly singled out Saeed Jalili, a member of Irans Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) and former chief nuclear negotiator, and Amirhossein Sabeti, a member of Irans parliament, accusing their camp of leveraging state media and mobilizing supporters to derail negotiations. Ghalibaf also allegedly raised concerns about efforts to remove him as speaker and sideline Abbas Araghchi, Irans foreign minister.

Axios later reported that tensions within Irans leadership came to light only after the Islamabad talks began, when proposals discussed by Tehrans negotiators ran into resistance from Ahmad Vahidi, the new IRGC commander. Within days, the dispute spilled into the open: Foreign Minister Araghchi publicly announced plans to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, but the IRGC refused to comply and instead turned its criticism toward him.

Although differences among Tehrans policymakers have long existed, final decisions have historically always rested with Ali Khamenei, the Islamic Republics former supreme leader, who was killed on February 28. With his successor, Mojtaba Khamenei, reportedly incapacitated, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani had been one of the few figures able to bridge factions as head of the SNSC, the body that aligns military and political leadership, before being killed on March 17 in an Israeli airstrike. Larijanis successor, Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, lacks the same authority and political weight to hold Irans decision-making together, according to a US official who spoke to Axios.

The Islamic Republic escalates threats, attacks vessels in the Strait of Hormuz

IRGC-linked messaging on April 19 warned that Iran was prepared for a renewed war that expands the map of potential targets to include the Bab al Mandeb Strait off the coast of Yemen, Saudi energy infrastructure, and ports, including Yanbu in western Saudi Arabia and the UAEs Fujairah on the Gulf of Oman. After Trumps ceasefire extension, this posture hardened, shifting to both broader threats and actual moves.

A spokesperson for Khatam al Anbiya Central Headquarters, the operational command for Irans military, said Iranian forces are at full readiness and would strike pre-designated targets if attacked, promising a response stronger than its attacks during the previous phase of the conflict with the United States and Israel. Hours before the initial US-ceasefire deadline was set to expire at midnight on April 22, footage released online showed how the regime marked the moment. Irans military paraded a Qadr ballistic missile at a state-backed rally in Tehran.

By April 22, Tasnim had published escalating regime threats, stating that any US strike on Iranian infrastructure would be met by attacks on oil facilities across the region that benefit Washington. A separate Tasnim video pushed the point further, warning that a renewed war would bring heavier attacks on regional US interests and outlining various escalation scenarios already under consideration.

IRGC-linked media outlets also widened the regimes threats to new types of targets, warning Persian Gulf states that their digital economies could face catastrophe if a renewed conflict disrupts undersea internet cables concentrated around the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran followed up its rhetoric with action. The IRGC Navy announced that it had seized two vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, the Liberian-registered Epaminondas and the Panama-flagged MSC Francesca, accusing them of violations and attempting to leave the strait covertly. The IRGC Navy said it transferred the ships into Iranian waters for inspection. Reports indicate that Iranian forces have also attacked at least one other ship.

Janatan Sayeh is a research analyst at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies focused on Iranian domestic affairs and the Islamic Republics regional malign influence.
After 15 years at the helm, Tim Cook is finally stepping down as Apple CEO. In his stead will be John Ternus, an Apple veteran who most recently served as Apples head hardware honcho and has been knocking around the Cupertino hallways for most of his adult life. If theres anyone who knows Apple as well as Cook, its Ternus.

The transition wont happen straight away. WWDC26 in June will be Cooks last Apple event, with Ternus taking over on September 1, just before the iPhone 18 Pro is revealed. Thats a pretty significant time for a changeover.

What can we expect going forward? Tim Cook was effusive in his praise of Ternus, saying, John Ternus has the mind of an engineer, the soul of an innovator, and the heart to lead with integrity and with honor. He is a visionary whose contributions to Apple over 25 years are already too numerous to count, and he is without question the right person to lead Apple into the future.

But what will the John Ternus era really look like? Will he be able to correct Apples mistakes and put the company on the path to further prosperity? And what will that future look like for you? Ive gazed into the tea leaves, examined my fair share of entrails and read every palm I can find to see if I can work it all out. Heres what I reckon we could be in for.

Who is John Ternus?

Until being named as incoming CEO, John Ternus was Apples Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering, and hes overseen the physical products that have made Apple such a success. (Apple announced that Johny Srouji will succeed Ternus as hardware chief.)

He first joined Apple in 2001 as part of the companys product design team, with a particular focus on the much-loved Cinema Display. He graduated to Vice President of Hardware Engineering in 2013 and was then promoted to Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering in 2021.

As the hardware engineering lead, he at first handled Apples AirPods, iPad and Mac hardware divisions. iPhone hardware was added to that roster in 2020, with the Apple Watch being put under his purview in 2022. He also played a leading role in Apples transition away from Intel processors and towards Apple silicon, taking to the stage and conducting interviews to promote the new chips.

And since the ouster of John Giannandrea as Apples AI chief in 2025, the companys secret robotics projects have been moved under Ternuss aegis, too.

John Ternus played an instrumental role in the Apple silicon transition for the Mac. Apple

Right now, hes one of the youngest members of Apples senior leadership team. Hell be 51 years old when he ascends to the Apple thronealmost the exact same age as Tim Cook was when he became CEO in 2011, 15 years ago. That tells you that in making this move, Apple is planning for the long haul. If all goes well for the company, Ternus could be in charge for the next decade and a half, if not more.

The John Ternus era

Tim Cook is many things, but unlike Steve Jobs, hes never truly been a product person. Ternus is a hardware guy through and through, however, and this could help him fix some of Apples most pressing problems, such as its floundering Vision Pro and how it makes its forthcoming augmented reality glasses a rip-roaring success.

On that topic, its worth noting that the first role Ternus took on after graduating from university was at Virtual Research Systems, a company focused on making virtual reality headsets and other devices. Could that give him uncommon insight into how Apple can set the beleaguered Vision Pro on the right path?

Maybe, maybe not. Ternus left Virtual Research Systems to join Apple in 2001, and a huge amount has changed in the VR world since then. At the same time, Ternus was at Apple during the entire Vision Pro creation process and would have had a strong role in its development. If he were present in a leadership position during that time, would much change now that hes set to head up the company?

I wouldnt rule it out. His nature as a product person could give him the ideas and vision to correct course now that hes got more power concentrated in his hands. It could also be exactly whats needed to steer the long-rumored Apple smartglasses to a successful launch.

And theres an encouraging tidbit from a New York Times profile of Ternus from earlier this year. There, it was noted that around 2018, Apple was thinking of adding a LiDAR Scanner to its iPhones but was concerned that the relatively expensive $40 component would eat into its profits. Ternus proposed that the part could be limited to the Pro models and excluded from the entry-level iPhones.

But crucially, he didnt do this purely because he was looking out for Apples bottom line. According to the Times profile, Ternuss reasoning was that the Pro-level iPhones tended to be purchased by Apples most loyal customers, who would be excited about new technology. Average consumers, on the other hand, probably wouldnt care.

Thats telling because it reveals Ternuss sure-footed understanding of Apples customers and what they do and do not care about.

John Ternus seems to have an understanding of Apple customers and what they want in their products. Apple

Apple is often accused of being so obsessed with being the best that it becomes too premium, making its devices unaffordable for most people. But if Ternus can take the insight demonstrated in the Times profile and apply it to the rest of Apples products going forward, we can perhaps hope for a company that remains strongly in touch with what its base wants.

Ternus has also come out swinging in the right to repair debate, saying that Apples aim is to improve product durability rather than increase repairability, which can add points of failure and unintended consequences that are worse for the consumer and worse for the planet. That doesnt mean repairability concerns will be thrown by the wayside  the MacBook Neo, after all, is one of the most repairable Apple devices in years. Yet with Ternuss focus on device quality and longevity, the emphasis will likely be placed elsewhere.

More than just hardware

Ternuss tenure as hardware chief hasnt been perfect, of course. He pushed hard for infamous missteps like the MacBook Pros Touch Bar and butterfly keyboard, both of which are now viewed as major missteps.

There are unanswered questions, like whether he holds the same deep commitment to privacy, accessibility and environmental action as Tim Cook. It would be no surprise if he does, as it would be highly unusual for Cook to choose a successor who is not on board with these issues. But its still something of an unknown for now.

Can John Ternus lead Apple into areas where the company has fallen short? Apple

And for all of Ternuss hardware expertise, many of Apples biggest problems lie in software, with AI and its Liquid Glass design being particularly front-of-mind. Yet even here, there are promising signs. Apple is a highly integrated company that controls both its hardware and software. You might be a hardware person like Ternus, but youre not shut off in a quarantine, never to touch software.

We can see that in Ternuss own history. According to Bloomberg, Ternus was one of the strongest voices within Apple who pushed for the creation of iPadOS. Ternus argued that the iPad wouldnt be able to live up to its potential and take advantage of its hardware capabilities if it did not have its own bespoke operating system. In other words, Ternus understood how hardware and software can help each other thrive. Thats the ideal mindset to have at a company like Apple.

As well as that, one of Ternuss extra roles is as executive sponsor for design. While that doesnt mean hes a designated design guru along the lines of Jony Ive or Alan Dye, it does mean that hes tasked with handling design issues (both hardware and software) during executive meetings. So, while his focus has remained on hardware, hes been dipping his toes into software issues for some time now.

Interestingly, Apples most recent CEOs have all specialized in slightly different disciplines. For Jobs, it was design and marketing. For Cook, operations. And in Ternuss case, its hardware. I know thats something of a simplification, but itll be intriguing to see how Ternuss background will impact the way he approaches his new job.

With Tim Cooks tenure coming to an end and John Ternus stepping further into the limelight, we could be on the cusp of major change at Apple. But given all we know about the companys new CEO, from his passions and priorities to the way he is focused on hardware without excluding everything else, Apple looks to be in safe hands.
Neart na mBan - Strength of Women, is a free civic empowerment programme bringing Women in Government and Politics workshops to five communities across Mayo in May 2026.

The programme is coordinated by the Mary Robinson Centre in Ballina, co-facilitated with See Her Elected, funded by Mayo County Council, through the Department of Housing and local Government fund Increasing Diversity and the Participation of Women in Local Government, and supported by the Mayo Public Participation Network, the programme is the action-oriented follow-on to the Glor na mBan Mhaigh Eo documentary project, which celebrated the lived experiences, memories, and hopes of rural women across County Mayo.

READ NEXT: Mayo team crowned All-Ireland Safety Quiz Champions

Glor na mBan listened. Neart na mBan acts. Returning to the very communities where those conversations were recorded, where women spoke of their lives, their inheritance, and their vision for the future, the programme transforms those findings into something tangible: knowledge, confidence, and a clear pathway into public life.

The women of Mayo have spoken. Now is the time to act on what they said.

Neart na mBan will be delivered across five locations in County Mayo during May 2026, revisiting the communities at the heart of the Glor na mBan project.

Part 1: Tuesday + Wednesday May 12+13, 2026

Day 1  Tuesday May 12: Inisturk Island. The programme begins at Inisturk Community Club, one of Mayos inhabited offshore islands, bringing both workshops to one of the countys most distinctive and resilient rural communities.

Day 2  Wednesday May 13: Solas, in Aghleam, a gateway to the captivating history, culture, and natural wonders of the Erris region at 12pm. A further Neart Na mBan workshop will take place in the Mary Robinson Centre in Ballina, a fitting setting in which to bring together the themes of womens voices, civic participation, and the future of rural Ireland at 5pm.

The second day will bring the programme to the communities of the Ballina municipal district and the Blacksod Peninsula, places where Glor na mBan recorded some of its most powerful testimonies.

Part 2: Monday+Tuesday May 18+26 2026

On Monday May 18, the programme will visit the east and south of the county, with a Glor Na mBan workshop at 1pm in Mulranny Arts, a centre that promotes and advocates for creativity, culture and environmental awareness though the arts.

On Tuesday May 26 the programme will conclude with two Neart Na nBan workshops. Starting with Kiltimagh Museum at 11am, a former railway station, once the hub of activity in the life of Kiltimagh, now acts as a museum, housing many artifacts for bygone years. Finally, the programme will revisit Mulranny Arts with the Neart Na mBan workshop at 2.30pm.

For more information contact: events@maryrobinsoncentre.ie.

READ NEXT: Excitement as new Mayo town takeaway opens doors to public
A Mayo playground is to receive state funding to make it more accessible.

Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Norma Foley, has today announced the recipients of this years Capital Grant Scheme for Play and Recreation, with a total of 600,000 awarded to 30 Local Authorities across the country.

The Capital Grant Scheme for Play and Recreation supports the work of Local Authorities in improving access to quality play and recreation facilities within their communities.

This can be through the refurbishment and upgrade of existing facilities or through the development of new ones. The scheme offers funding of up to 22,000 per project, an investment that will see positive impacts delivered to children and families across the country.

READ NEXT: Mayo team crowned All-Ireland Safety Quiz Champions

Many of the projects funded under this years scheme give particular focus to inclusion and access and will help children with a diverse range of needs to avail of the benefits of high-quality play facilities alongside their peers. Some of these funded projects include the installation of:

Wheelchair-accessible seesaws

Inclusive sensory playground equipment and inclusive play space

Upgraded accessibility features and biodiversity planting

Level Access Play Equipment

Teen Spaces

Announcing the award of funding, Minister Foley said: I am delighted to announce this years Capital Grants for Play and Recreation, which will provide vital support for communities in developing vibrant, inclusive, and accessible spaces for children and young people. These investments reflect our strong commitment to ensuring that every child has the opportunity to play, explore, and thrive in safe and inspiring environments."

The place in Mayo receiving funding on the above mentioned scheme:

Playground Refurbishment at Murrisk - 17,892

Local Deputy Keira Keogh TD welcomes the announcement of this years Capital Grants for Play and Recreation. I am delighted to see 17,892 for a refurbishment of the playground in Murrisk. This has been a long time coming and will see a positive impact for the children and their families that use this playground."

READ NEXT: Excitement as new Mayo town takeaway opens doors to public
A Mayo man who was detected driving at 188km per hour on the new N5 dual carriageway near Westport was banned from driving for two years.

Liam Mooney of Ardgammon, Westport appeared before Castlebar District Court where he was convicted of dangerous driving along the N5 dual carriageway at Kilbree Lower, Westport on August 13, 2025.

The 28 year old admitted driving at 188km per hour in the 100km per hour zone but claimed his driving was careless and not dangerous.

His solicitor, Evan O'Dwyer told Judge Sandra Murphy that his client had given into the 'temptation of the open road' and was willing to plead guilty to a lesser charge of careless driving.

However, Judge Murphy said the speed Mr Mooney was driving was almost twice the speed limit and ruled it was dangerous and convicted Mr Mooney of dangerous driving.

Earlier, Garda Padraig Walsh had given evidence that he was conducting a speed check along the N5 when at 5.42pm, he detected an Audi A4 driving in the direction of Westport at 188km per hour.

He explained he followed the car which was driving in the overtaking lane and only slowed when it got caught behind another car travelling at a slower speed in the overtaking lane.

Garda Walsh said his colleague activated the lights and siren and the 2010 registered car came to a stop at Monamore, Westport.

The court was told Mr Mooney was a novice driver at the time of the detection and passed roadside tests for both alcohol and drugs. Garda Walsh said Mr Mooney was co-operative at all times at the scene and he arrested him for dangerous driving and brought him to Westport Garda Station.

Mr O'Dwyer said his client accepted his criminal culpability in that he was driving over the speed limit but denied that it was dangerous.

READ: Atlantic Island Escapes returns to showcase Mayos offshore gems

However, Garda Walsh disagreed saying that the road was busy at the time and the sun was low and that Mr Mooney was a novice driver and had driven at all times in the overtaking lane.

Garda Walsh accepted that the car had a valid NCT and was in a satisfactory condition and was fully insured.

Mr O'Dwyer asked Judge Murphy to reduce the charge to one of carelessness but she refused saying that having listened to the evidence of Garda Walsh she considered the driving to be dangerous.

Inspector Thomasina McHale confirmed that Mr Mooney has no previous convictions and the court heard he has not come to garda attention since.

Mr O'Dwyer said his client gave into the temptation of the open and good road and there was no question that Mr Mooney was wrong to drive at the speed and now has to face the consequences of his actions.

Mr O'Dwyer added that his client has not taken the matter lightly and completed a driver awareness course.

Having read his driver awareness report, Judge Murphy said that Mr Mooney has to be commended for the steps he has taken since his detection. She noted that the report found that Mr Mooney had gained awareness of the consequences of driving dangerously and he had learned from his experience.

She imposed a two year driving disqualification on Mr Mooney and fined him 350.
Ever since Dhurandhar: The Revenge hit screens last December, Rakesh Bedis standout performance as Jameel Jamali has sparked curiosity about the real-life inspiration behind the character. Following the first instalment, many speculated that the role drew heavily from Pakistani politician Nabeel Gabol, and his own post-release interviews seemed to fuel that belief. However, fresh insights suggest the truth is more layered.

 Instagram/Rakesh Bedi The films research consultant Aditya Raj Kaul has now clarified that the character is not modelled on a single individual. Speaking on Prakhar Guptas podcast, he explained, Its a mix of Altaf Hussain from MQM and Nabeel Gabol, but its mostly Altaf Hussain. He is alive and in the UK. His videos are hilarious. His glasses and overall look are similar to Jameels character. There were allegations in Pakistan that Altaf Hussain was working for RAW; after that, he left Pakistan and settled in the UK. He also has a daughter. This revelation suggests that Jameel Jamali is a composite character, blending traits from multiple real-life figures, particularly Altaf Hussain, to create a more dramatic and layered on-screen persona.
I was born and raised in Manistee. I earned a bachelor's degree in English from Grand Valley State University. My hobbies include fishing, reading and playing music.

I have been with the News Advocate since 2018 and have won multiple Michigan Press Association awards during my tenure.
Laker Schools earned Capturing Kids Hearts National Showcase District honors for a third straight year, with all four schools recognized. Capturing Kids Hearts/Courtesy Photo

Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker Schools has been named a Capturing Kids Hearts National Showcase District for the third consecutive year, with all four schools earning National Showcase School honors, including SAIL Academy for the first time.

This places Laker Schools among a select group: Just 85 districts nationwide earned the distinction this year, including six in Michigan.

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Capturing Kids Hearts is a nationwide program that equips schools with tools to strengthen relationships, improve student outcomes and foster positive learning environments. Its annual National Showcase Awards recognize districts that excel in creating safe, connected and supportive schools.

Superintendent Jill VerBurg said the honor reflects the districts daily commitment to its students.

"This honor captures what I see in our hallways every day," she said. "Our team has worked hard to ensure every student feels they belong so they can thrive, and it is wonderful to see that commitment recognized on a national level. I am incredibly proud of our staff and students for the culture theyve built together."

Jenny Parker, director of SAIL Academy, added the award represents a "historic milestone" for the school.

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"It underscores our commitment to putting relationships first, proving that an online alternative education can be just as relational as it is rigorous," she said.

To better meet the needs of alternative learners in a digital environment, SAIL Academy modified the CKH framework. That adaptability helped the academy become one of the few alternative schools to earn National Showcase School honors.

In addition to SAIL Academys achievement, Laker Elementary School, Laker Middle School and Laker High School also earned National Showcase School honors.

Laker Elementary has earned five of these awards, followed by Laker Middle School with four and Laker High School with two.

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Laker High School Principal Jon Good said he is honored the school is being recognized a second time, noting that it reflects the hard work of students and staff.

"We take pride in our work of creating rigor, relevance, and, most importantly, relationships to equip students to be successful today and prepared for a productive future," Good said.

Laker Middle School Principal Scott Miklovic and Laker Elementary Principal Jill Reithel said they were grateful their schools have received the honor for multiple consecutive years.

"Our staff and students live this culture every day," Miklovic said. "This four-year milestone reflects our unwavering commitment to relationships first."

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Reithel said she is proud of her fellow staff members and grateful to be part of Laker Schools.
(File photo) SimpleImages/Getty Images

A Bad Axe man who told police in late 2023 that he had been kidnapped and held for 35 days before being released in Huron Countys Mead Township and later pleaded guilty to financial fraud will spend three years in a federal prison.

Federal prosecutors said George Paul Janssen Jr. scammed at least 20 banks out of more than $3.2 million using phony loan paperwork to obtain the funds.

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Janssen pleaded guilty to a single count of financial institution fraud on Aug. 19, 2025, in front of United States Magistrate Judge Patricia T. Morris in United States District Court in Bay City. In exchange for his plea, prosecutors agreed not to file further charges, according to court documents.

Earlier this month, U.S District Court Judge David M. Lawson sentenced Janssen to 36 months in prison. He must report to the Bureau of Prisons by June 30.

Federal officials recommended Janssen serve his sentence in a facility in either Duluth, Minnesota, or Ashland, Kentucky.

Financial institution fraud is punishable by up to 30 years in federal prison and/or fines up to $1 million.

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In December of 2023, Janssen, 44, claimed he had been kidnapped and held for ransom for more than 30 days in the basement of an Ohio home.

Before his disappearance, Janssen told family and friends he had been the victim of extortion at the hands of a Hispanic gang or cartel for the previous two years and had given them about $2 million.

Just weeks before his alleged kidnapping, the state of Michigan revoked Janssens license to sell cars for five years after the Department of State Office of Investigative Services determined Janssen, the owner of Bay Auto Brokers in Bay City, had used the same fictitious vehicles in multiple loan applications and found discrepancies in his sales and inventory.

In addition to owning the car dealership in Bay City, Janssen has won over $100,000 as a professional poker player on the World Series of Poker circuit, finishing in first place in several online events.

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According to court documents, Kendra Christianson, the chief operating officer of COPOCO Credit Union in Bay City. contacted the FBI in November 2023 to report a loss of more than $1.3 million.

The loss allegedly came from Janssen and his dealership. Christianson told the FBI that Janssen had deposited several checks, valued at roughly $1.4 million, which were returned due to insufficient funds.

In the meantime, COPOCO Credit Union issued $1,343,285 in valid checks to Janssen. Those checks were deposited into the Bay Auto Brokers business account at Independent Bank.

In August of that year, the state investigated the dealership following a complaint about a possible fraudulent auto loan.

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During an interview, Janssen told the state investigator he had floated the loan  getting more than one loan on a vehicle without paying off the first loan.

While Janssen was missing, authorities were notified of several unpaid loans related to Bay Auto Brokers. Those loans were taken by several individuals who were close associates of Janssen and apparently at his direction.

Collectively, the group borrowed more than $3.93 million from various banks and credit unions. The outstanding balance on these loans totals more than $1.94 million.

Several of Janssens friends contacted law enforcement to clear their names and express concern that they had been defrauded by Janssen, who they said convinced them to take out multiple loans.

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The criminal complaint against Janssen stated that at least 20 financial institutions were targets of fraudulent vehicle loans between June 2016 and Oct. 30, 2023, with a total loan amount of $3,934,141.

Janssen was arrested in February 2024.

In a message to the Tribune in December 2023, motorist Jeff Craig identified himself as the person who found Janssen.

Craig posted to social media shortly after the incident that he was on his way home from grocery shopping in Bad Axe and had stopped along a dirt road to add coolant to his radiator when he thought he heard a voice saying, Help me! Help me!

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Craig wrote that he shut off his truck and heard a voice say, Call 911.

Craig added that Janssen looked rough, was zip-tied and not wearing shoes. Janssen told Craig he had stopped at a couple of homes and other cars had passed by, but no one would help him.

Hanson said Janssen told responding officers he had been kidnapped five weeks before he managed to escape from his captors.
Huron County farmer Katie Adam, bottom left corner, was named the winner of a Michigan Farm Bureau award honoring young agriculture employees. Michigan Farm Bureau/Courtesy Photo

Katie Adam, a Huron County farmer, was recently named the winner of the Young Agriculture Employee Award. She was one of four finalists and the only one from the Thumb region.

The Young Agriculture Employee Award is one of Michigan Farm Bureaus Young Farmer Awards. It honors farm employees and agricultural professionals for the work they do to help their operations grow, stay sustainable and remain successful.

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Young Farmer Manager Katie Eisenberger explained, "Our award winners and finalists are shaping the future of Michigan agriculture through their leadership, innovation and commitment to their communities."

Each award finalist receives $400 and Michigan Farm Bureau apparel. As the 2026 state winner, Adam also receives a $1,000 AgroLiquid gift certificate, an equipment lease, and a trip to the 2027 AFBF FUSION Conference in New Orleans next March.

Adam was recognized for her work supporting grain and bean producers through her role as an adviser with Star of the West. Additionally, her dedication to her familys farm and her goal of becoming a state-level industry leader set her apart.

Adam helps manage operations at Adam Farms with her husband, their children and his family. Their farm is a sixth-generation row crop and livestock operation that produces sugar beets, dry beans, wheat, corn and soybeans.

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She also serves as an adviser with Star of the West Milling Co., a long-standing supplier of flour, beans, soybeans and wheat products in Michigans Thumb region.

In that role, Adam supports grain and bean growers who serve domestic and international markets. Her work supports sustainability by connecting producers with end users, creating revenue opportunities and promoting stewardship.

Adam said her hands-on experience at Adam Farms has been instrumental in shaping her approach as an adviser.

My on-farm experience helps me to understand agricultural production through the entire supply chain, she explained.

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Looking ahead, Adam said she wants to continue growing as an industry leader by developing programs for farmers and ensuring they are compensated for sustainability efforts.

Continued involvement in the Michigan Farm Bureau is also a priority for Adam as she hopes to serve at the state level someday.

It represents the power of agriculture coming together as one unified voice, she said. In an industry that is constantly evolving and often misunderstood, Farm Bureau provides a platform for us to advocate collectively for priorities that support farmers livelihoods and rural communities.

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In this 2025 file photo, members of the city of Manistee's tree and parks commissions take part in a ceremonial tree planting at Lighthouse Park. News Advocate/File photo

MANISTEE  The City of Manistees Tree Commission and Department of Public Works are hosting a tree-planting ceremony in celebration of Arbor Day.

The event will begin at 5 p.m. Friday at the new Rocket Park at First Street Beach in Manistee. Tree Commission and Parks Commission members, Manistee City Council members, Public Works Director Jeff Mikula and representatives from the Manistee Conservation District will be in attendance.

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After being awarded a nearly $225,000 grant from the federal government in 2024 for an urban tree renewal project, the Manistee Tree Commission hired Great Lakes Urban Forestry, an arborist firm, to undertake a city-wide tree inventory in 2025, which mapped and tracked the health and species of trees on city-owned property and public right-of-ways, according to a news release.

The inventory was taken in preparation for the second phase of the grant-supported work, which will replace non-viable trees and empty public spaces with new plantings. Next month, the Tree Commission plans to select the kinds of trees to be planted with an eye on native species and those that can accommodate a changing climate.

In 2024, Manistee met the criteria to be selected by the National Arbor Day Foundation as a Tree City USA; the tree commission in collaboration with the Manistee County Conservation District was awarded a $224,300 grant from the federal government for an urban tree renewal projec. The commission was awarded an additional $3,000 from Consumers Energy which resulted in over 30 trees being planted on Eighth Street in 2024 and 2025.

In 2025, Manistee again was named a Tree City USA by the National Arbor Day Foundation. Last year, the Tree Commission also approved an expansion of Manistees municipal plant a tree program to include new tree varieties that are native to Michigan.

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The properties that Nelson recently reported on followed this timeline: taxes billed in 2023 became delinquent in 2024, entered forfeiture in 2025 and reached foreclosure in 2026.

"The goal is to have tailored clothing, sports coats, ties, hat measurements, all of it. I want this to be a destination.

Here are six takeaways from Tuesday's Manistee City Council meeting.

Nelson defines a property tax foreclosure as a legal process that occurs when property taxes go unpaid for about three years, resulting in the loss of property ownership.

The Manistee News Advocate sat with the county treasurer to discuss what defines a property tax foreclosure, the steps the county takes to help property owners avoid it, and what this year's anomalies looked like.

Last year was a historic low, and during the board meeting, she referred to the increase as an anomaly due to unusual causes.

Treasurer Rachel Nelson presented a financial report to the Manistee County Board of Commissioners on April 14, during which she explained the reason for the increase.

Manistee County saw a spike in property tax foreclosures, from four in 2025 to 20 in 2026.

Foreclosures are up in Manistee County. The county treasurer explains why and shares tips to avoid losing your property to unpaid taxes.

In the first year, if property taxes go unpaid, they become delinquent.

Nelson said that often people pay immediately once they are made aware.

At this stage, taxes are still managed at the local level, and there is still plenty of time to resolve the issue and pay off the balance.

In this time-sensitive process, it is best for property owners to establish direct contact with the treasurers office early, allowing time to evaluate options and apply for exemptions or assistance.

On a designated day, the company will visit each flagged property in the county and try to make direct contact with the property owner. If no one is home, a notice will be posted.

The next step in the process involves personal visits by a third-party company.

Included in those letters is a list of assistance agencies that may help residents pay off delinquent taxes or offer financial or emergency assistance.

Its not just the owner; its anybody with any kind of interest  they notify anybody that comes up in any of that, Nelson said.

Notices are repeatedly sent by mail, not just to the property owner but to anyone who may have a legal interest or connection to the property. This information is pulled from a detailed title search.

At this stage, the law requires that interest and fees are added, but there is still time to resolve the debt and prevent foreclosure.

If the balance remains unpaid into the next cycle, the property is forfeited to the county treasurers office, and the county becomes the collecting agent.

Year three  Foreclosure

Entering the third year, if taxes are still unpaid, the property is legally foreclosed. This usually happens by the end of March, and the owner loses ownership permanently.

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Once foreclosure happens, thats it. Theres nothing in the law that lets us undo that, Nelson said. The property is then prepared for sale and sold at an online public auction, held annually in August.

Nelson explained that auction proceeds go toward unpaid property taxes, as well as interest and fees required by law.

If the back tax is this amount, it sells for this higher amount, theres that in between  called the excess proceeds, she said.

Former owners, or others with a legal interest, can file a claim to receive that money by completing a form and meeting a July 1 deadline.

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How do people end up in foreclosure?

Nelson said each case that crosses her desk is different and that the treasurers office is prevention-oriented.

The situations we encounter where it actually does foreclose are unique situations, she said. For whatever reason, they havent been able to find that help or connect those resources, or they just havent wanted to.

Nelson provided insight into some of this years foreclosures.

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There were just some weird situations that I feel made this year different, she said. We had a lot of properties that were landlocked and vacant.

Nelson has served as Manistee County treasurer since 2018 and said this was the highest number of foreclosures she has seen while in her role.

She does not expect this spike to continue and anticipates that numbers will return to normal next year.

Even in strong years, Nelson expects some level of foreclosure. Some owners dispose of unwanted property through foreclosure.

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Seeing zero foreclosures is unusual, just because theres one or two situations where theyre just using that as how theyre disposing of that property, she said.

Foreclosure is not always indicative of hardship; it may be an individual choice, and Nelson said unique situations always exist.

Certain properties are not worth keeping and are intentionally abandoned, such as landlocked parcels or properties where development is not feasible. In other cases, investors may run out of money.

Nelson said complex ownership issues are another factor her office encounters.

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I spend a lot of time trying to find people  I want to try to talk to people before we foreclose, if at all possible, she said. We had a high number of owners who were deceased with no probate case or family thats involved, which was also a little bit unusual.

When hardship is involved, there are steps property owners can take, and contacting the local assessor is a key first step.

Foreclosure prevention is a big deal to me, Nelson said. I dont want to foreclose on anybody. If we can work together and not make that happen, thats the goal.

How to avoid a property tax foreclosure

The treasurer shared how property owners can avoid the worst outcome.

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Tax exemptions

Nelson said tax exemptions are the first thing she checks when assisting a property owner. Three common exemptions include a primary residence exemption, a poverty exemption and a veterans exemption.

The number of people that just dont know about that  that then reduces your taxes, she said.

In meetings, Nelson can also guide people toward assistance agencies.

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Dont wait  reach out early

This is the treasurers strongest warning.

Please dont wait. Dont wait until the last minute, she said. Lets talk about that in January, not March 31.

Each year, the Manistee County treasurers office holds a show cause hearing in January.

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Nelson said it is not as intimidating as it sounds and should be seen as an opportunity to get help.

Were just going to chat; how can we help? she said. Its just a day where people can come and meet with me to talk about whats going on with their situation.

If individuals are unable to attend in January, appointments can be arranged at any time.

When property owners communicate with the treasurers office ahead of deadlines, staff can help identify available resources.

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 Contractors rushing homeowners into signing a contract for services

 Asking for payment in advance, in cash or using a peer-to-peer mobile payment app

 Refusing to provide license information or other forms of ID

 If a builder asks a client to pull the building permit, they are likely unlicensed

To file a complaint, visit michigan.gov/consumerprotection/complaints
A package of bills introduced in the Michigan House would create a Death with Dignity law, outlining a regulated process for terminally ill patients to request life-ending medication. Lumigraphics/Getty Images

A Death with Dignity Act has been introduced in the Michigan House of Representatives.

A package of bills introduced in the Michigan House of Representatives would create a Death with Dignity Act in Michigan and establish a legal process for certain terminally ill adults to request and receive medication to end their own life, often called medical aid in dying.

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The bills were introduced Tuesday, April 21, and include four measures, House Bills 5825 through 5828. All four bills were sponsored by Democrats.

Heres what the package looks like:

House Bill 5825

House Bill 5825 was introduced alongside a number of tie-barred bills that would create a Death with Dignity Act and set rules for the system.

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It would not allow doctors to directly end someones life. Instead, it would allow a patient to choose to take prescribed medication themselves under strict rules.

A patient must:

Make multiple requests (oral + written)

Wait at least 15 days between requests

Be evaluated by two doctors

Be referred for a mental health evaluation if needed

Be informed of alternatives like hospice and pain care

They can change their mind at any time.

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Forging a request or coercing someone into choosing this option would include penalties that can include up to 20 years in prison under House Bill 5827. The bill also does not allow euthanasia, defined here as a doctor directly causing death, or lethal injections administered by others.

This bill was introduced by Representative Kimberly Edwards, D-District 12, and referred to the Committee on Government Operations.

House Bill 5826

Under the bill, doctors would have to keep detailed medical records, confirm eligibility and voluntary choice, and report cases to the state.

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The bill also would protect doctors and others from criminal or civil liability if they follow the law, allow providers to opt out and protect patients from insurance discrimination. This is further encoded in House Bill 5826, which states that doctors, pharmacists and other licensed professionals cannot be investigated or disciplined just for participating in the Death with Dignity Act, as long as they follow the law.

The state health department would review cases and publish anonymous annual reports. The state health department also would have access to prescription records related to life-ending medication to monitor compliance.

The bill was introduced by Representative Veronica Paiz, D-District 10, and referred to the Committee on Government Operations.

House Bill 5828

Another bill introduced in the package was House Bill 5828, which would create a rule that health insurers cannot deny or limit coverage just because someone plans to end their life under the Death with Dignity Act.

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The bill would change existing insurance rules so that a patient ending their life under the law would not be treated as having died by suicide for insurance purposes. This matters because many insurance policies limit or deny benefits for suicide.

Life insurance rules about suicide would not apply if the person uses the Death with Dignity Act.

The bill was introduced by Representative Brenda Carter, D-District 53, and referred to the Committee on Government Operations.
Bills in Michigan have passed the state Senate and would establish penalties for individuals and businesses who sell tobacco and vaping products to minors. The measures now go on to the Michigan House. Mac99/Getty Images

The Michigan Senate passed two bills Wednesday that push forward efforts to combat the sale of tobacco products to minors. The bills now move to the Michigan House.

Under current Michigan law, penalties for purchase, use and possession, known as PUP, are aimed at minors. But both bills passed Wednesday, Michigan SB 463 and Michigan SB 466, would do the opposite by penalizing the individuals and businesses that sold tobacco products, including vaping products, to a minor.

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Repealing ineffective PUP penalties that hinder future opportunities for Michigan kids and instead holding retailers accountable is smart policy, Jodi Radke, regional director of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, said in a statement. Radke is also chair of the Keep MI Kids Tobacco Free Alliance. Combining this action with the effort requiring tobacco retailers to obtain a state-issued license would be a great win for kids health and tobacco prevention in Michigan. We are grateful to our Senate sponsors and urge the House to advance these bills without delay.

Next, the two bills passed today, as well as two other related bills that passed in December, Michigan SB 462 and Michigan SB 465, will go to the House for committee review and possible changes. If the House passes them, the bills would go to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer for her signature.
A ballot drop box outside Midland City Hall, photographed March 27, 2026. Abigail VanderMolen/Midland Daily News Mayor Maureen Donker delivers the State of the City address at the Great Hall Banquet and Convention center March 18, 2026. She is running to keep her seat on City Council. Abigail VanderMolen/Midland Daily News From left to right, city councilmembers Tim Soler, Marty Wazbinski and Diane Brown Wilhelm watch mayor Maureen Donker's State of the City address at the Great Hall Banquet and Convention center March 18, 2026. All three have filed to run for reelection. Abigail VanderMolen/Midland Daily News State Rep. Bill G. Schuette sponsored the coffee at the annual Midland County Republican Party Dave Camp Spring Breakfast in the Great Hall Banquet and Convention Center April 13, 2026. Two candidates have filed in a Democratic primary where the winner will challenge him in the November general election. Abigail VanderMolen/Midland Daily News From left, Tom Leonard, Jason Tunney and John James speak at Pizza Sam's on March 20, 2026. Leonard and James have filed to run in the Repulbican primary for Michigan governor, and Tunney has filed in the race for the 35th district state senate seat. Abigail VanderMolen/Midland Daily News Democratic state Senate candidate Chedrick Greene speaks at the third 'No Kings' protest in Midland, which drew an estimated 1500 to the Central Park Bandshell on March 28, 2026. Greene is running in the special election for the 35th state senate seat, and has filed to run again for the same seat in the August primary. Abigail VanderMolen/Midland Daily News U.S. congressional candidate Amir Hassan at the annual Midland County Republican Party Dave Camp Spring Breakfast in the Great Hall Banquet and Convention Center April 13, 2026. He's one of three Republicans who've filed to run in a primary where the winner will go up against incumbent Democrat Kristen McDonald Rivet. Abigail VanderMolen/Midland Daily News Congresswoman Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-Bay City) speaks at a press conference at Ritter Farms in Saginaw March 10, 2026. Three Republicans have filed to run in a primary where the winner will challenge her for her seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. Abigail VanderMolen/Midland Daily News

As of 4.p.m, Tuesday the deadlines for candidates to file in Midland City Council and state-level races have passed.

The Midland Daily News has compiled a list of candidates whove filed for the upcoming August primary and November general elections.

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All five Councilmembers have filed to run for reelection, though Mayor Maureen Donker, Ward 2, and Marty Wazbinski, Ward 5,  the two longest-serving current councilmembers  both have challengers.

If Donker wins re-election and is subsequently reelected by Council as mayor, it would be her tenth term on Council and ninth as mayor of the city.

I love this community, Donker previously told the Daily News of her decision. I love the way we work through things. I love the people.

At the state level, the 35th district senate race appears to largely be a rematch of the current special election for the state senate, with major party candidates Chedrick Greene, a Democrat, and Jason Tunney, Republican, filing for reelection in the primary. Chadwick Twillman, who previously ran in the Republican primary for the special election, has filed to run in the August primary for the seat as well.

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Other highlights include Bay City Mayor Christopher Girard, a Democrat, challenging Republican state representative Timmy Beson, two Midland Democrats running in a primary where the winner will challenge incumbent Republican Bill G. Schuette, and three Republicans running in a primary to challenge U.S. Congresswoman Kristen McDonald Rivet.

City Council members will be chosen in the November general election, as City Council elections are nonpartisan and primary elections are only held if there are more than three candidates running for a single ward. The city clerks office still needs to verify signatures on Council candidates nominating petitions, and the list of Midland City Council candidates will not be official until after the April 24 deadline for candidates to withdraw from the race.

At the state level, only major party candidates had to file for the August primary election by Tuesday, with deadlines for independent and third-party candidates still to come. Major-party candidates also have until April 24 to withdraw from the primary election.

Here is a list of the candidates who have filed by Tuesdays 4 p.m. deadline:

Midland City Council

A term on City Council lasts two years.

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Ward 1:

Tim Soler (incumbent)

Ward 2:

Maureen Donker (incumbent)

Daniel Terhune

Ward 3:

Dave Pasek (incumbent)

Ward 4:

Diane Brown Wilhelm (incumbent)

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Ward 5:

Aaron Majorana

Marty Wazbinski (incumbent)

State-level Office

35th District State Senator, 4-year term:

Chedrick Greene, Democrat

Jason Tunney, Republican

Chadwick Twillman, Republican

95th District Representative in State Legislature, 2-year term:

AnnMarie Horseman, Democrat

Gary VanBlaricum, Democrat

Bill G. Schuette, Republican

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96th District Representative in State Legislature, 2-year term:

Christopher R. Girard, Democrat

Timothy Beson, Republican

Governor, 4-year term:

Jocelyn Benson, Democrat

Christopher Robert Swanson, Democrat

Kim Thomas, Democrat

Tom Leonard, Republican

Ralph Rebandt, Republican

Mike Cox, Republican

John James, Republican

Aric Nesbitt, Republican

Perry Johnson, Republican

Federal Office

8th District Representative in House, 2-year term:

Kristen McDonald Rivet, Democrat

Amir Hassan, Republican

Al Lemmo, Republican

Thomas J. Smith, Republican

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Tensions between Israel and Turkiye have intensified following recent ceasefire efforts tied to broader regional conflict dynamics. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has repeatedly criticized Israels military actions, accusing it of destabilizing the region and undermining diplomatic efforts.

That criticism has been met with direct responses from Israeli officials. Israel has used official accounts on X to respond to Turkish leadership, accusing Ankara of hypocrisy and pushing back on its characterization of Israeli actions.

Officials in Turkiye have rejected Israeli claims that the country poses any form of military threat, describing such assertions as unfounded and politically motivated.

These exchanges reflect a shift from traditional diplomatic disagreement to direct public confrontation, increasing both the visibility and intensity of the dispute.

Israels Expanding Threat Perception

Israels security posture has historically focused on Palestine, Iran, and affiliated groups, but recent rhetoric suggests a widening lens. Analysts have noted deteriorating relations between Israel and Turkiye, driven by opposing positions on regional conflicts and governance issues.

The rhetoric itself has sharpened. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Turkiye could take action against Israel just as it has in other regional conflicts, a statement that drew significant attention and concern.

Turkish officials and pro-government outlets later clarified that Erdogan was not announcing a plan for military action against Israel, but speaking in general terms about Turkiyes willingness to act when it perceives threats or instability, referencing past interventions without identifying Israel as a target of a similar operation.

That clarification underscores the gap between how statements are delivered domestically and how they are received internationally, where language that is meant as political signaling can be interpreted as escalation.

Israeli officials and allied political figures have increasingly responded by framing Turkiyes posture as part of a broader regional challenge. In that context, former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett described Turkiye as the new Iran, reflecting how some Israeli figures are beginning to characterize the relationship in more explicitly security-focused terms.

A Region Still Defined by Ongoing Conflict

The tension between Israel and Turkiye is part of a broader shift in the region, where more countries are being pulled into the political and security fallout of ongoing conflicts. Turkiye is not directly involved in Israels current military operations, but its size, location, and influence mean its criticism carries weight. As more governments take stronger positions, the risk is not immediate war between them, but a wider environment where tensions keep stacking and become harder to contain.

Escalation Through Public Messaging

The use of public platforms such as X has amplified tensions between Israel and Turkiye. Official government accounts now function as extensions of diplomatic messaging, allowing states to respond instantly and publicly to criticism.

This dynamic can intensify disputes. Public statements often invite immediate responses, creating cycles of escalation even when the underlying policy remains unchanged. In a high-tension region, that visibility can shape both domestic narratives and international perceptions.

Nuclear Context and Strategic Uncertainty

The broader regional environment continues to include concerns about nuclear escalation. Israel maintains a long-standing policy of ambiguity regarding its nuclear capabilities, while tensions involving Iran have kept nuclear risk central to geopolitical analysis.

There is no evidence that the current IsraelTurkiye tensions have anything to do with nuclear posture. The shift is in how threats are being framed. Turkiye is now being pulled into the conversation in a way it was not before, not because of a specific military development, but because the scope of concern is widening. That patternwhere the circle of concern grows faster than the underlying factshas defined much of the regions recent security rhetoric.

A Relationship Under Strain

The current dispute between Israel and Turkiye reflects a broader pattern of deteriorating relations shaped by political disagreement, regional competition, and increasingly direct public exchanges.

At present, the situation remains confined to rhetoric and diplomatic positioning. However, the frequency and tone of these exchanges suggest that tensions are becoming more entrenched.

In a region already defined by overlapping conflicts and rapid shifts, even incremental changes in how states perceive one another can have significant implications. The emerging friction between Israel and Turkiye reflects how the broader landscape continues to evolve beyond any single ceasefire or agreement.
Health experts are hoping the effects of new Pentagon policy are minimal following Defense Secretary Pete Hegseths directive to make flu vaccines optional rather than required.

Hegseth made the announcement on Tuesday, saying in an X post that the decision not to force annual flu shots was based on freedom and effective immediately. The secretary signed a memorandum the same day making the annual influenza vaccine voluntary for all active and reserve component service members, as well as Defense Department civilian personnel.

"The notion that a flu vaccine must be mandatory for every service member, everywhere, in every circumstance, at all times, is just overly broad and not rational," Hegseth said. "Our new policy is simple: If you, an American warrior entrusted to defend this nation, believe that the flu vaccine is in your best interest, then you are free to take it; you should. But we will not force you."

Influenza symptoms may include high fever, chills, severe muscle or body aches, fatigue, cough and sore throatall of which tend to appear usually 14 days after exposure. From there, it could either fade after a couple days or continue for roughly two weeks.

Its a sea change in the ranks, as vaccines have been required for U.S. service members dating back to the 1950s. Research cited by the National Institute of Health shows that in the first 175 years or so of the nations history, more military personnel succumbed to illness rather than via the effects of war itself.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks to members of the media during a press briefing at the Pentagon, Thursday, April 16, 2026 in Washington. (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf)

The most frequent diseases that led to service members deaths were dysentery, typhoid fever, malaria and yellow fever, and respiratory illnesses including measles, pneumonia and influenza.

Its estimated that of the 500,000600,000 soldiers who died of disease during the U.S. Civil War, about 95,000 deaths were attributed to dysentery.

In both the Mexican-American and Spanish-American wars, roughly seven soldiers died of disease for every one killed in combat. After approximately 45,000 U.S. soldiers died of flu during World War I, vaccines widely available by World War II helped reverse longstanding domestic trends.

Timing of Decision

The move, according to health experts, continues a looser vaccine stance by the Trump administrationbeginning with vaccine pushback during the COVID-19 pandemic and extending to the present, through Health and Human Services directives and now the Defense Department.

Georges Benjamin, CEO of the American Public Health Association, told Military.com it is an irresponsible decision that will undermine the medical readiness of our troops.

He feels strongly about the issue because he is familiar with it.

He is a former military physician who trained in the U.S. Army and was ER director for four years at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. He also served on the public health advisory committee of the Defense Health Board.

If you go back and look at the 1918 influenza, when we didn't know what it was, it had a devastating impact on our troops, Benjamin said. We know what flu does to troops who are quartered closely together, who share food, who share rooms, and contagious diseases like influenza can put a whole unit out of service.

So, there's no question that not only is it a significant health issue, but it's also a significant readiness issue. It impacts our troops not only in their preparation for fighting, but also once they're in the field. Influenza is not a disease that you want to get in the middle of a firefight.

Hospital Corpsman administer the influenza vaccine to patients outside of the Navy Exchange on Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Oct. 27. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Aubrey Stueven)

Josh Michaud, associate director for global and public health policy at KFF, said he wasnt necessarily surprised when he heard of the new DOD policy considering the varied medical guidance that has been issued within the Trump administrationthrough HHS and the CDC, for example.

It really represents a big change and a policy that's been in place for such a long time, Michaud told Military.com, adding that considering the influenza vaccines customary place in the U.S. military dating back to the 1950s, it further exemplifies the administrations intent to give individuals choice.

COVID Impact and Medical Autonomy

Between Aug. 24, 2021, and Jan. 10, 2023, military personnel were required to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Ultimately, more than 8,000 service members were involuntarily discharged for their refusal to do so. Many were later reinstated.

It erupted a lot of people the wrong way and was an example in many people's minds of government overreach, or the imposition on people's freedoms of choice when it comes to deciding their own health, Michaud said. So, it fed into an already existing vaccine hesitancy, or people having questions about vaccines that had been lingering for decades.

It opened the door for a different approach by the Trump administration, definitely compared to the Biden administration, but also many other previous administrations, which have been strongly, broadly supportive of vaccines, to placing a higher priority on this idea of individual health choice or health freedom.

Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Adrian Henderson, a native of San Antonio, administers the influenza vaccination to Interior Communications Specialist 2nd Class Chris Downie, a native of Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania, both assigned to the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4), in Boxer Medical, Dec. 5, 2024. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Roland Ardon)

While acknowledging that influenzas effects most often impact the elderly or younger people with immune diseases, Michaud said that cases of influenza could still negatively affect military units or constellations due how it spreads.

Influenza can be a debilitating disease and it can, in the short term, cause people to be bedridden or unable to function normally, he said. That can have an impact, maybe 15% of a given population may be infected with influenza in a given year and experience a spectrum of different illnesses.

It's hard to quantify the potential impact that this could have, but certainly it could lead to people missing work or not showing up, or having to request time off to recuperate from influenza infections that otherwise might not have happened.

But medical and other exemptions for religious beliefs, for example, have always existed in the military ranks, said Angela Shen, adjunct professor at the University of Pennsylvania's Perelman School of Medicine.

Shen, a retired captain in the U.S. Public Health Service who held leadership roles in HHS, CDC and the FDA, told Military.com that she has three clear recommendations for certain groups to vaccinate: college kids in congregate settings like dorms, the elderly in shared living spaces, and military personnel in close quarters.

There's a reason why most schools, colleges, daycares and even some workplaces require vaccinations, she added.

"The flu shot protects the soldier as much as the unit," Shen said. "If a soldier gets sick, the unit tends to get sick. ... Mandates are evidence-based strategies that lead to higher vaccination coverage. You can reach the threshold for herd immunity, but you need to have a high enough number for herd community to work."

Effects on Military Readiness

Benjamin said the makeup of the U.S. military doesnt necessarily jive with an ideology that puts personal freedoms above the larger population, including from a functional operations standpoint.

We put people in harm's way in a variety of situations, right? Benjamin said. We don't tell troops that they can make a decision about charging the hill. We do have conscious objectors, we do find ways to work around that. But in general, we don't do that.

Airman Lakiyah Johnson, 15th Healthcare Operations Squadron medical technician, administers an influenza vaccination at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, Sept. 30, 2025. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Alan Ricker)

He wondered what would happen if multiple personnel decided against vaccinating, how it would impact colleagues. He provided the example of flu spreading on a nuclear submarine, where individuals in close quarters may be stuck underwater for days or weeks at a time without reprieve.

I mean, this is part of the job, he said. This is being fit. We're requiring them to maintain ideal body weight. We're requiring them to do all kinds of things to maintain their readiness. We hold commanders responsible if their troops get heat-related injuries."

Every primary responsibility is being part of the front and fighting with a weapon," he added.

Shen also disagreed with the sentiment that medical autonomy helps rather than hurts the military.

"It kind of comes out of the same playbook," Shen said. "If the overarching theme is about choice and personal freedom, then all falls under the topic sentence. Everything they can control, they'll make a policy off that. ... [Illness] doesn't just affect you, it affects those around you. Your individual freedom is infringing on me."
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates  Iran fired on three ships in the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, underscoring the ongoing threat to global energy supplies and complicating efforts to bring the United States and Iran together for talks to end the war.

The attacks, which Iranian media said were carried out by Irans paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, came after President Donald Trump said the U.S. would indefinitely extend the ceasefire with Iran, due to expire on Wednesday.

But Trump said the U.S. would continue to blockade Iranian ports, and the attacks reinforced the dangers to traffic in the strait, through which 20% of the worlds oil and natural gas pass in peacetime.

That means that even if the ceasefire largely holds  and Iran and the U.S. do not resume major attacks  the war will continue to weigh heavily on the global economy. Already the conflict has sent gas prices skyrocketing far beyond the region and raised the cost of food and a wide array of other products. The longer the strait remains closed, the more severe and widespread the effects will be  and the longer it will take the economy to bounce back.

Iran has offered no formal acknowledgment of Trump's extension, but an Iranian diplomat said talks would not resume until the blockade is lifted.

Three ships come under attack in the Strait of Hormuz

Iran opened fire on a container ship in the strait on Wednesday morning, and a second was attacked a short time later, according to the British militarys United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Center.

Iranian state television reported later reported that the ships were in the Revolutionary Guard's custody and being taken to Iran. It identified the vessels as the MSC Francesca and the Epaminondas. The ships owners could not be immediately reached for comment.

The seizures represent an escalation by Irans leaders, who appear poised to drive a harder bargain with American negotiators after two other rounds of talks with the Trump administration ended in open warfare.

The semiofficial Nour News, Fars and Mehr news agencies then reported the Guard attacked a third vessel called the Euphoria. They said the vessel had become stranded on the Iranian coast, without elaborating.

The UKMTO said the first ship was attacked by a Revolutionary Guard gunboat that did not hail the ship before firing. It added that nobody was hurt in the attack.

Irans Nour News, however, reported that the Guard only opened fire on the ship after it had ignored the warnings of the Iranian armed forces. Irans semiofficial Fars news agency described the attack as Iran lawfully enforcing" its control over the Strait of Hormuz.

There have been more than 30 attacks on ships in the Mideast since the war began Feb. 28 with U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran.

It's not clear when talks will restart

Irans ability to restrict traffic through the strait  which leads from the Persian Gulf to the open ocean  has proved a major strategic advantage.

While the ceasefire means that American and Israeli airstrikes have stopped in Iran  and Tehrans missiles no longer target Israel and the wider Middle East  the attacks in the strait and earlier American interdictions of Iranian ships show the maritime threat remains.

Without any diplomatic agreement, those attacks may continue, likely deterring more ships from even attempting to pass through the strait, and further squeeze global energy supplies.

On Wednesday, Brent crude oil, the international standard, was trading higher than $98 a barrel, up 35% since the war started.

Iran appeared to dig in Wednesday, with its Revolutionary Guard vowing to deliver crushing blows beyond the enemys imagination to its remaining assets in the region.

The night before, hard-line supporters of Irans theocracy held rallies in which the Guard showed off missiles and launchers  a sign of defiance to Israel and the U.S., which devoted much of their airstrike campaign to destroying the countys ballistic missile arsenal.

Its not clear when talks might restart. Two Pakistani officials told The Associated Press that Islamabad is still waiting to hear from Tehran on when it will send a delegation for another round. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to the media. Mojtaba Ferdousi Pour, the head of the Iranian mission in Egypt, told The Associated Press that no delegation would go to Pakistan until the U.S. lifts its blockade.

One killed in drone attack in Lebanon

In Lebanon, where fighting between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah broke out after the U.S. and Israel launched their initial strikes, the state-run National News Agency said a morning Israeli drone strike on the village of Jabbour killed one and wounded two others.

Israels military denied that it had attacked the area.

A 10-day ceasefire went into effect in Lebanon on Friday, but there have been several Israeli strikes and Hezbollah claimed its first attack on Tuesday.

Since the war started, at least 3,375 people have been killed in Iran, according to authorities. More than 2,290 people has been killed in Lebanon, 23 people have died in Israel and more than a dozen have died in Gulf Arab states. Fifteen Israeli soldiers in Lebanon and 13 U.S. service members throughout the region have been killed.

___

This story has been updated to show that Iranian media corrected the name of one of the ships to Epaminondas.

___

Associated Press writers Samy Magdy in Cairo and Munir Ahmed in Islamabad contributed to this report.
The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) sued the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Tuesday, claiming in the lawsuit that the agencies never responded to public records requests tied to the use of administrative subpoenas to quell online free speech.

The nine-page lawsuit filed Wednesday in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia calls for the expedited processing and release of records concerning the agencies use of administrative subpoena authorityto compel technology companies and internet service providers to disclose the identities and personal information of anonymous social media users and others who have criticized or monitored immigration enforcement activities.

It alleges that individuals and accounts targeted by the federal government include community watch pages monitoring ICE activity, social media users sharing information about immigration enforcement operations, attendees at political protests, and persons who communicated directly with DHS officials.

EFF purports that one documented instance resulted in a subpoena being issued to Google within hours after a private citizen sent an email to an ICE attorney, with federal agents appearing at the individuals home.

The suit follows recent legal efforts by the federal government to use administrative subpoenas to unmask online social media users critical of the Trump administration and, more specifically, its handling of immigration-related affairs.

ICE conducts a fugitive operation targeting criminal aliens across Florida. (ICE)

Military.com recently reported how DHS, ICE subpoenaed the popular platform Reddit, which has roughly 121 million global users, due to a currently anonymous user posting rather innocuous remarks. The free speech case could go as far as being heard in front of a grand jury, which would reveal the users identity.

Military.com reached out to DHS and ICE for comment. A DHS spokesperson provided the same remarks, verbatim, as it did earlier this month regarding a specific case involving Reddit.

Any allegation DHS and its components are attempting to squash free speech is categorically FALSE, the statement said. This subpoena was initially issued as part of an investigation into threats and doxxing of ICE law enforcement officers.

Our law enforcement officers are on the frontlines arresting terrorists, gang members, murderers, pedophiles, and rapists. They are experiencing coordinated campaigns of violence against them and facing a 1,300% increase in assaults against them, a 3,200% increase in vehicular attacks, and an 8,000% increase in death threats.

Details of the Lawsuit

EFF Deputy Legal Director Aaron Mackey told Military.com on Wednesday that the lawsuit is spurred by an initial request sent March 13, 2026, to DHS, ICE by the nonprofit digital civil liberties organization.

Not only did EFF never receive the records they requested, they did not even receive an acknowledgement of said request.

We asked that it be expedited because of the sort of ongoing use of these administrative subpoenas, that we thought it was important that the public get these records and that we could disclose them so people could understand what's happening here, Mackey said. We received no response to either the substance of the request or a request that it be expedited.

When asked about never receiving an acknowledgement, Mackey said even the most basic of responses to such requests is customary through methods like the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

However, not in this case. He said these types of cases are increasing, referencing a noticeably public uptick in the number of administrative subpoenas that have been issued and used in this manner compared to the first Trump administration.

Reddit is at the center of one of these cases involving a subpoena and attempts to unmask user information in front of a grand jury. (Shutterstock)

He said EFF was aware of one similar case in 2017 when Twitter (now X) received a subpoena and then filed suit to quash it, resulting in the government essentially withdrawing the subpoena altogether.

But we've not seen it used since, he added. So, the fact that it's being used nowand not only that it's being used, but the companies are complying or in some circumstances users who got notice are able to go to court and then the agencies are withdrawing the subpoenasit's very troubling.

He called it part of a broader effort on the governments behalf to use legal means to try to identify or retaliate against individuals who are critical of immigration policies, promoting a dangerous and chilling effect against online users who are simply exercising their First Amendment rights.

Social Media Companies' Roles in Free Speech Cases

The social media companies also possess some culpability in these ongoing First Amendment fights, Mackey said. These include well-known brands with billions of daily collective users, including Amazon, Apple, Discord, Google, Meta, Microsoft, Reddit, Snapchat, TikTok and X.

A Reddit spokesperson touted the platforms transparency and efforts to curb legal threats, from the federal government or otherwise, telling Military.com earlier this month that the company takes the privacy of its global user base extremely seriously, calling it central to how Reddit operates.

Mackey said all companies can and should be doing more.

He pointed to how EFF last week asked Californias and New Yorks attorneys general to investigate Google for deceptive trade practices for not notifying users before giving their data to law enforcement. That correspondence cited the case of a doctoral student who was targeted with an ICE subpoena after briefly attending a pro-Palestine protest.

We sent an open letter and engaged in some dialogue with these companies demanding that they actually give much greater scrutiny to the use of these subpoenas and that they protect these users and recognize that they're being sent in ways that violate their users' First Amendment rights, he said, adding that promises made regarding free speech should be promises kept.

The image shows TikTok, one of myriad social media platforms with collectively billions of users that are being focused on more heavily by the federal government for immigration-related criticisms. (Shutterstock)

He also mentioned a separate situation in which an EFF clients information was disclosed, and that individual only learned about it after the fact.

We think that violates Google's own promises, right? he said. We've asked the attorneys general in the respective states to investigate what we think is deception by Google, by saying that they would do one thing and then not doing it.

They promise users that they'll give them notice so that the users have the opportunity to challenge it themselves if the company's not going to, and then they fail to do so.

The protection of First Amendment rights coincides with consumer protection laws, Mackey added, considering how big many of these companies are, how much money they have, and how they could do more realistically to protect users that contribute to the platforms success.

Confidence in Courts

Mackey and EFF still have confidence in the legal system and the courts that are overseeing such cases.

He referenced how EFF and the ACLU of Northern California in February jointly wrote to Amazon, Apple, Discord, Google, Meta, Microsoft, Reddit, SNAP, TikTok and X to ask that they insist on court intervention and an order before complying with a DHS subpoenaincluding giving users as much notice as possible when they are the target of a subpoena, allotting for time to seek legal counsel.

In one of the hearings, Mackey said, The judge was like, Why do you think this statute authorizes this type of process for this type of information? Give me a case. There's no case that supports this. Give me some legal theory.

It was really sort of pushing the government, and immediately after they withdrew the subpoena.  The courts are not even reaching the sort of First Amendment issues that these users have raised, and have just sort of been asking more about the statutory basis or the lawfulness of the ability for the government to issue these types of demandsand whether they're even legal.

It also means that these companies have to be pushed harder, and in multiple ways, to properly address these concerns and gives users the benefit of the doubtlegal or otherwise, Mackey added.

"We want to try to attack this problem in multiple ways and not just leave it to an individual user to have to fight the government," he said.
WASHINGTON  The U.S. Navy is reviewing the design and costs of one of its most high-tech and expensive warships  the Ford-class aircraft carrier  and the service's top boss is not ruling out canceling future versions of its design.

Navy Secretary John Phelan told reporters Tuesday that the review, which should be complete next month, was a prudent and practical" move aimed at examining the costs of the designs and the systems to make sure that they make sense and they have all the systems and requirements that we want going forward.

The review of the design comes after years of criticism from President Donald Trump, who has taken issue with some of the technology on this type of aircraft carrier, including its magnetic catapults, which he claimed didn't work during remarks in the Oval Office last year.

When Phelan was asked if the review could lead to the cancellation of future Ford-class aircraft carriers, he told reporters only that its too early to say, but we will have carriers.

The USS Gerald R. Ford has been on a record-setting deployment of more than 300 days  since June 2025  that has seen the worlds largest aircraft carrier participate in two key military actions by the Trump administration: the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and the war against Iran.

Navy budget documents made public Tuesday did not list Ford-class aircraft carriers among the ships that the Navy planned to buy. The documents instead simply said aircraft carrier. Meanwhile, other ships  such as the Columbia-class submarines and Arleigh Burke-class destroyers  were described by class name.

A Navy statement provided Tuesday praised the Ford-class carrier as a battle-proven design that has been able to launch aircraft at a faster rate than the older Nimitz-class carriers and offers increased combat power and ability to maintain high-tempo global strike operations" in three parts of the world.

Phelan, however, told reporters that he wanted to review that data.

I go to the Ronald Reagan school of trust and verify, Phelan said, before adding that the review would look into the carrier's ability to launch and retrieve aircraft.

The ship's magnetic catapults are a key component in giving the Ford a leg up from the older Nimitz ships in launching aircraft. They also put less stress on planes, require less maintenance and reduce the ship's need for fresh water compared with the older steam-powered variants.

The Navy has three other Ford-class carriers under construction: the USS John F. Kennedy, the USS Enterprise and the USS Dorie Millier.

Phelan said the review will examine the next two carriers  named USS William Jefferson Clinton and USS George W. Bush by the Biden administration  which have been planned but not contracted.

Trump, meanwhile, has rolled out a new warship design dubbed the Trump-class battleship, estimated to cost more than $17 billion  or $4 billion more than the Ford-class carriers. The Navy does not plan to pay for the first ship in the new class, the USS Defiant, until the 2028 budget year.

Phelan told reporters the current cost for the Trump-class ship is an early initial estimate and he expected the cost to fall as the design is refined and further ships are built. He also didn't rule out the ship being powered by a nuclear reactor, which would significantly drive up its costs.
KYIV, Ukraine  Ukraine is pushing for face-to-face talks between President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin, Kyivs top diplomat said, presenting a potential summit as a way of injecting new momentum into U.S.-led efforts to end Russias more than four-year invasion of its neighbor.

Meanwhile, a Ukrainian drone attack deep inside Russia struck a residential building, killing a woman and a child, Russian officials said Wednesday.

Kyiv has asked Turkey to help facilitate top-level talks and has reached out to other capitals as potential hosts, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said, adding that Ukraine would consider any venue outside Russia and Belarus.

We are  advocating for a (summit) meeting now to bring new momentum to diplomacy, Sybiha told reporters on Tuesday. His remarks were embargoed until Wednesday.

U.S.-mediated talks over the past year between delegations from Moscow and Kyiv have made little or no headway on key issues, such as the future of four Ukrainian regions Moscow is trying to capture but doesnt fully control. With Washingtons attention now gripped by the Iran war, the talks are on ice.

Zelenskyy has accepted an unconditional ceasefire demanded by U.S. President Donald Trump but Putin has refused. Putin thinks that time is on his side, that Western military and financial support will fade and that Ukraines resistance will eventually collapse, analysts say.

Meanwhile, a grim war of attrition continues along the about 1,250-kilometer (800-mile) front line that snakes along eastern and southern areas of Ukraine. Western officials and analysts claim Russia is suffering several tens of thousands of battlefield casualties each month, drawing comparisons to the carnage of World War I.

Independent verification of battlefield casualties and which side has the upper hand is not possible.

Ukraine has developed a domestic arms industry which is increasingly producing long-range drones and missiles capable of striking deep inside Russia. It has taken aim at Russias oil production and manufacturing plants that supply the Russian military.

In Syzran, a city in Russias Samara region that is about 800 kilometers (500 miles) east of the border with Ukraine, a drone attack caused the collapse of a section of a residential building, local authorities said.

The bodies of a woman and a child were pulled out from under the rubble and 12 others were injured, local officials said.

Images from the scene showed a part of a four-story building reduced to a massive pile of rubble, with emergency workers on top of it.

Russian media reports said a Rosneft oil refinery  a frequent target of Ukrainian drone attacks  is located on the same street as the damaged building.

Ukraines aerial attacks on Russia increased by nearly four times last year, from 6,200 in 2024 to more than 23,000 in 2025, Sergei Shoigu, the secretary of Russias Security Council, said last month.

___

Follow APs coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
The Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that U.S. troops may sue military contractors for their injuries, siding with a soldier who was badly injured when a Taliban operative working at the Bagram Airfield detonated a suicide bomb.

Five soldiers were killed and 17 were wounded, including 20-year-old Winston Henceley, who suffered a fractured skull and brain injuries and is permanently disabled.

In a 6-3 decision, the court ruled that neither federal law nor the Constitution shields military contractors if their mistakes or negligence result in solders being injured in a combat zone.

Justice Clarence Thomas wrote the court's opinion for an unusual majority that included Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan, Neil M. Gorsuch, Amy Coney Barrett and Ketanji Brown Jackson.

In the past, Thomas has objected to court precedents that prevented troops from suing the U.S. government for their injuries, including from medical practice.

And he said that rule should not be expanded to shield military contractors.

Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. dissented, along with Chief Justice John G. Roberts and Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh.

"Because the Constitution gives the federal government exclusive authority over foreign affairs and the conduct of wars, federal law preempts all state law that substantially interferes with the Government's exercise of those powers," Alito wrote.

Hencely had tried to stop and question Ahmad Nayeb, an Afghan employee, as he walked toward soldiers who had gathered for a Veteran's Day 5K race in 2016.

The Army concluded that Hencely's intervention "likely prevented a far greater tragedy," and its investigation concluded that the Fluor Corporation that had a contract to run operations at the base was primarily responsible for the attack.

The report said Fluor was negligent in hiring an Afghan who had been a Taliban operative, and it failed to closely supervise him.

But Henceley sued Fluor for his injuries; a federal judge in South Carolina and the 4th Circuit threw out his suit.

"During wartime, where a private service contractor is integrated into combatant activities over which the military retains command authority, a tort claim arising out of the contractor's engagement in such activities shall be preempted," the 4th Circuit said.

The court agreed to hear his appeal and overturn the 4th Circuit, clearing his suit to proceed.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

2026 Los Angeles Times. Visit latimes.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Read more: Health Experts Weigh In on Effects of DOD's Optional Flu Vaccine Policy
A surge in military deployments across the Indo-Pacific is underway as U.S. officials warn Chinas expanding reach and growing alignment with Russia, Iran and North Korea are reshaping the threat landscape.

Officials during a House Armed Services Committee hearing on Wednesday laid out a fast-moving shift in U.S. strategy focused on building a denial defense across the Indo-Pacific with forward forces, long-range missiles, and deeper allied integration to counter Chinas military rise and prevent any attempt to dominate the region.

The region spans more than half the worlds population and some of its most critical trade routes, making it a focal point for U.S. strategy as tensions rise across the Taiwan Strait and South China Sea.

Lawmakers underscored the urgency of the threat, warning that growing coordination among U.S. adversaries is accelerating the need for higher defense spending and a stronger military posture.

As we meet, our adversaries are deepening their cooperation, House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers said in opening remarks, adding: China, Russia, Iran and North Korea are working together to challenge the United States."

Military.com reached out for comment to the Defense Department, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, U.S. Forces Korea and the House Armed Services Committee.

Concerns of Broader Entanglements

Urgency defined much of the testimony, with officials describing a rapid push to strengthen U.S. military positioning along the First Island Chaina strategic arc stretching from Japan through Taiwan, to the Philippines, that sits at the center of any potential conflict with China.

The Defense Department is expanding forward deployments of advanced systems across that corridor, including High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, anti-ship missile platforms such as the Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System, and the Armys Typhon system. All are designed to hold Chinese forces at risk from land-based positions.

Those efforts build on earlier moves to expand missile deployments in the Philippines, where U.S. systems are being positioned to extend range and complicate Chinese military planning.

A U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk carrying Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, lands at Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosukas (CFAY) Chess Romeo April 13, 2026. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Quinton A. Lee)

Officials said those deployments are paired with a broader effort to harden and disperse U.S. forces, building out resilient basing, prepositioned equipment and logistics networks to ensure the military can operate even under sustained attack.

Beyond the First Island Chain, the Pentagon is increasing rotational deployments of bombers and fighter aircraft to Australia while continuing to send advanced platforms, including F-35 fighter jets, to Japan as part of a long-term modernization effort.

The buildup is aimed at creating a layered defense that complicates any potential Chinese military operation and gives U.S. forces the ability to respond quickly across the region.

'Our Strategy is Clear'

Pressure from China is no longer theoretical, with U.S. Indo-Pacific Command warning that Beijings military activity is increasingly resembling preparation for real conflict.

Our strategy is clear: we must deny China the ability to achieve its objectives through military aggression, Adm. Samuel Paparo, the head of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, told lawmakers during the hearing.

Paparo described a swiftly shifting battlefield shaped by artificial intelligence, autonomous systems and long-range precision weapons, warning that modern conflict will be defined by speed, decision advantage and the ability to strike at distance.

Chinas military buildup is accelerating across multiple domains, with the Peoples Liberation Army expanding advanced missile forces, cyber capabilities, space systems, and a growing nuclear arsenal designed to project power far beyond its immediate region.

Around Taiwan, Chinese forces are conducting persistent pressure operations that U.S. officials say increasingly serve as rehearsals for a potential invasion, raising concerns that a crisis could escalate quickly if deterrence fails.

Paparo said the goal of U.S. forces is to make any such move by China infeasible, warning that the military must be prepared to respond across all domains if conflict breaks out.

US Wants Allies to do More

A central theme of the hearing was a growing push to shift more of the defense burden onto U.S. allies, as officials warned Washington cannot counter Chinas military rise alone.

The Pentagon is pressing partners to increase defense spending and expand their operational roles, setting a new benchmark of 3.5% of gross domestic product for core defense spending.

Adm. Samuel J. Paparo, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, speaks to visitors aboard USS Cincinnati at Ream Naval Base, Cambodia on January 26, 2026. USINDOPACOM is committed to enhancing stability in the Indo-Pacific region by promoting security cooperation, encouraging peaceful development, responding to contingencies, deterring aggression, and when necessary, prevailing in conflict.(U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Dhruv Gopinath)

Taiwan has committed to reaching 5% by 2030 as it works to close key gaps in its defenses amid mounting pressure from Beijing, even as internal debates continue to slow some funding efforts.

Officials said the shift is critical to building a layered regional defense, with allies expected not only to spend more but also to take on greater responsibility for conventional deterrence, freeing U.S. forces to focus on high-end conflict scenarios.

The U.S. military cannot and should not sustain a favorable balance of power in the Indo-Pacific alone, said Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs John Noh.

The push reflects a broader strategy to distribute military power across the region, making it harder for China to isolate individual allies or overwhelm U.S. forces in a crisis.

North Korea, Russia Cooperation Raises Risk

Challenges extend beyond China, with officials warning that North Koreas advancing nuclear and missile programs continue to pose a direct and growing threat to the United States and its allies.

North Korea is expanding both the scale and sophistication of its weapons programs, including ballistic missiles capable of reaching the U.S. homeland, as it continues testing systems designed to improve range and survivability.

At the same time, Pyongyangs deepening cooperation with Moscow, including the transfer of missiles, rockets and large volumes of munitions for use in Ukraine, is raising concerns that the partnership could accelerate North Koreas military modernization and give its forces real-world combat experience.

Kelly Mckeague, director of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, presents a poster to John Noh, deputy assistant secretary of defense for East Asia, U.S. Department of Defense at the agencys Korean War and Cold War Annual Government Briefings, Arlington, Virginia, Aug. 7, 2025. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Megan Ozaki)

Gen. Xavier Brunson, commander of U.S. Forces Korea, described a shifting threat environment shaped in part by North Koreas growing ties with Russia and China.

The region remains in a state of armistice rather than peace, he told lawmakers, describing it as key strategic terrain vital to defending the American homeland.

Rogers pointed to that alignment as a key driver behind calls to increase defense spending, arguing the United States must rebuild military capacity and maintain a credible deterrent as global threats expand.

Officials framed the Indo-Pacific as the central battleground for global competition, where military, economic and technological rivalries are converging around Chinas growing power.

Paparo said the United States must be prepared to operate across all domains, from cyber and space to long-range strike and conventional forces, as warfare evolves and potential conflicts become faster and more complex.

USINDOPACOM is a resolute and lethal Joint Force, always ready to fight and win, he said.
The Air Force will keep the A-10 Thunderbolt II flying through 2030, extending the service life of an aircraft fleet the service had planned to completely retire by the end of fiscal year 2029.

Secretary of the Air Force Troy E. Meink announced the decision in an April 20 post on X. The reversal comes after consultations with President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and it comes just as the Pentagon prepares to release its fiscal 2027 spending request.

Combat Operations in Iran

"In consultation with [Hegseth], we will EXTEND the A-10 'Warthog' platform to 2030," Meink wrote, adding that the move "preserves combat power as the Defense Industrial Base works to increase combat aircraft production."

Hegseth reposted the announcement with his own four-word message, "Long live the Warthog."

The Air Force plans to extend two squadrons of A-10s to 2030, one active-duty squadron at Moody AFB and one reserve squadron at Whiteman AFB," an Air Force spokesperson said. A second active-duty squadron at Moody will fly through 2029.

The service will use a fleet management strategy to keep the A-10s with the longest remaining serviceable life available throughout the extension.

The decision follows weeks of heavy A-10 activity in Operation Epic Fury, the U.S. campaign against Iran that escalated in late March. U.S. Central Command said Warthogs have been used to strike Iranian naval vessels near the Strait of Hormuz.

The jets also flew close air support in Iraq and Syria against Iran-backed fighters, letting more survivable platforms focus on targets inside Iran.

A U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II flies a routine mission over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility Jan. 9, 2025. The A-10 Thunderbolt II has excellent maneuverability at low air speeds and altitude, and is a highly accurate and survivable weapons-delivery platform. (U.S. Air Force photo)

A-10s flew inside Iran itself during the April 3 combat search and rescue mission for the crew of an F-15E Strike Eagle shot down over Iranian territory.

At a White House briefing three days later, Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said Warthogs in the rescue operation were "violently suppressing and engaging the enemy in a close-in gunfight" to keep Iranian forces away from the downed pilot.

One of the A-10s was hit by enemy fire, flew to friendly airspace, and its pilot ejected safely after determining the aircraft could not be landed.

Despite facing retirement and the loss of an aircraft, the A-10 proved itself still capable of destroying enemy ground and naval targets in Iran while conducting close gun-runs against targets in other regions.

The A-10's service extension also follows months of congressional pressure. The fiscal 2026 National Defense Authorization Act barred the Air Force from reducing the A-10 fleet below 103 aircraft through September 2026 and required that 93 remain designated as primary mission aircraft. The service still operates 162 Warthogs.

Lawmakers also ordered Meink to brief Congress on a 2027 to 2029 transition plan, a briefing the service said it submitted in March.

Arizona politics have also shaped the fleet's survival. Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson holds one of the largest concentrations of Warthogs as Sen. Mark Kelly led a 2021 push that blocked the Biden administration from retiring dozens of the jets.

The Cost of Keeping the Warthog

Continuing the use of A-10s will be increasingly difficult going forward. The Air Force has already started shutting down the logistics and training centers that keep the jet in the air.

The final class of A-10 pilots graduated on April 3 at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. Heavy maintenance on the airframe at Hill Air Force Base in Utah was stopped earlier this year, while the maintenance squadron that handled the jets there was disbanded. The Air Force A-10 Demonstration Team even flew its final show in November 2024.

Air Force leaders have long argued that every dollar and mechanic spent on the Warthog is one not spent on the F-35A Lightning II, F-15EX Eagle II, B-21 Raider, or the upcoming F-47.

Pyrotechnics explode as an A-10 Thunderbolt II demonstrates its role in the combined arms demonstration during the Luke Days 2026 airshow, March 22, 2026, at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Hampton Stramler)

Aging wings, fuselage skin and flight controls are harder to maintain as spare parts grow scarce, while inspections require mechanics who could be working on newer jets. A multiyear re-winging program refitted 173 A-10s between 2011 and 2019, pushing the potential service life of those airframes into the late 2030s. Other sustainment work has not been funded on the same scale.

The case against the A-10 also hits at its survivability. The aircraft is slow and straight-winged, built to kill Soviet tanks at low altitude over a European battlefield. Air Force planners say it cannot survive in airspace defended by the integrated air defenses fielded by China or Russia.

The service still intends to move the close air support mission onto the F-35A and is asking to buy 38 of the new jets in fiscal 2027.

From Desert Storm to the Strait of Hormuz

The ground troops the A-10 has supported in combat operations over the last three decades have vocally disagreed with any attempt to retire it.

The Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II was the first Air Force aircraft designed from the ground up for close air support. The prototype YA-10A first flew May 10, 1972, and the service declared initial operational capability in October 1977. Production ended in 1984 after 715 airframes had rolled out of the factory in Hagerstown, Maryland.

The aircraft's armament includes a General Electric GAU-8/A Avenger, a seven-barrel 30mm Gatling gun that fires 3,900 rounds per minute. A titanium shield weighing 1,200 pounds protects the pilot and internal systems. The engines are mounted high on the rear fuselage, protecting them from most ground fire.

The jet can absorb hits from 23mm rounds and keep flying. It was even designed to launch from unpaved airstrips near the front line.

A-10s flying in the Middle East in recent weeks have been photographed carrying JDAM guided bombs, AGM-65 Maverick missiles, AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles, and APKWS II laser-guided rockets alongside the infamous cannon.

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Renaldo Richardson, top right, guides a GBU-38 bomb being lifted up by a MJ-1B Jammer driven by Staff Sgt. Robert Corso, so that it may be loaded onto an A-10C Thunderbolt II at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, Aug. 8, 2011. Richardson and Corso are weapons crew members deployed from the 74th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, Moody Air Force Base, Ga. (Air Force Photo)

A-10s flew their first combat sorties in Operation Desert Storm in 1991 and were credited with destroying more than 900 Iraqi tanks, 2,000 other military vehicles, and 1,200 artillery pieces during the Gulf War air campaign. Six A-10s were lost.

Warthogs later flew over the Balkans, Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, and the campaign against the Islamic State.

Ground troops who called in or witnessed those sorties have spent decades describing the legendary sound of the gun, the sight of the jet flying low and slow overhead, as well as the practical reality that nothing else in the inventory puts down the same volume of fire as successfully as the A-10 does.

That bond is part of why the Warthog has survived every retirement plan since the year production ended. With American forces still conducting a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, Meink's extension will keep the A-10 on standby, ready to carry out further strikes in the near future if needed.

What eventually replaces it in the years that follow remains an open question, though veterans who have witnessed the A-10 in action hope to see it flying well into the 2030s.
A German Army officer activated a bomb disguised as two bottles of Cointreau orange liqueur, handed the package to an unsuspecting member of Adolf Hitlers staff, and watched it get loaded onto the Fuhrers plane at Smolensk on the Eastern Front. It was March 13, 1943, and the bomb was supposed to explode 30 minutes later over Minsk. Hitler landed safely two hours later at his Rastenburg headquarters. A defective detonator was all that stood between the conspirators and the end of the war.

The Men Behind Operation Flash

The plot was led by Maj. Gen. Henning von Tresckow, a senior staff officer at Army Group Center who had turned against Hitler after witnessing the mass executions of Jewish civilians and Soviet prisoners by SS Einsatzgruppen squads behind the front lines. When Tresckow learned about the massacre of thousands of Jews at Borisov, he confronted his commanding officer directly: Never may such a thing happen again. And so we must act now.

Tresckows aide, Lt. Fabian von Schlabrendorff, served as the operational link between the conspirators on the Eastern Front and resistance figures in Berlin, including Gen. Ludwig Beck and Col. Friedrich Olbricht, who had prepared a coup plan that would use the Replacement Army to seize control of Berlin, Vienna and Munich the moment Hitlers death was confirmed.

Tresckow had prepared multiple options for the assassination, including an ambush by anti-Nazi cavalry officers in the forest between the airfield and headquarters. He settled on the bomb because it offered the best chance of success without a firefight that could fail.

Read More: Pershing Crossed Into Mexico to Hunt Pancho Villa, Changing Warfare Forever

What Happened

Hitler flew to Smolensk on March 13 to meet with Army Group Centers commander, Field Marshal Gunther von Kluge. During lunch in the officers mess, Tresckow asked Lt. Col. Heinz Brandt, a member of Hitlers traveling staff, whether he would carry a package of Cointreau to a colleague at Rastenburg as payment for a lost bet. Brandt agreed. The package contained a British-made plastic explosive fitted with an acid-based timer that would silently dissolve a wire, release a striker and trigger the detonator 30 minutes after activation.

As Hitlers Condor aircraft prepared to depart, Schlabrendorff activated the fuse with a pair of pliers, resealed the package and handed it to Brandt as he boarded. A coded message went to Berlin: Operation Flash was underway. Tresckow waited with a stopwatch. Twenty minutes passed. Thirty. An hour. More than two hours later, a routine message confirmed Hitler had landed at Rastenburg alive.

Schlabrendorff later recalled: We were stunned and could not imagine the cause of the failure. Even worse would be the discovery of the bomb, which would unfailingly lead to our detection and the death of a wide circle of close collaborators. Tresckow immediately phoned Brandt and told him there had been a mix-up with the package. The next day, Schlabrendorff flew to Rastenburg, swapped the bomb for two real bottles of brandy and carried the live explosive back to Smolensk. When he opened it, he found the acid had dissolved the wire, the striker had hit the detonator, but the detonator itself was a dud. The cold temperatures in the unheated cargo hold likely caused it to fail.

Read More: The 5 Longest-Distance Sniper Kills in Military History

What Came After

Eight days later, on March 21, the conspirators tried again. Col. Rudolf von Gersdorff volunteered to be a human bomb at a Berlin exhibition of captured Soviet weapons that Hitler was scheduled to tour. He started the 10-minute fuse on explosives hidden inside his overcoat and planned to embrace Hitler when the timer ran out. Hitler walked through the exhibit in eight minutes and left. Gersdorff rushed to a restroom and barely defused the bomb in time.

The conspirators continued. The same explosives Schlabrendorff recovered from the plane were eventually used in the most famous attempt: the July 20, 1944, briefcase bomb planted by Col. Claus von Stauffenberg at the Wolfs Lair. That bomb detonated but failed to kill Hitler.

Tresckow, knowing the Gestapo was closing in, walked into a minefield on the Eastern Front the next day and killed himself with a grenade. Schlabrendorff was arrested, tortured by the Gestapo and brought before the Nazi Peoples Court on Feb. 3, 1945. An American air raid struck the courthouse that morning, killing Judge-President Roland Freisler with a falling beam.

Schlabrendorff survived the war, aided the Nuremberg prosecution and later served as a judge on West Germanys Federal Constitutional Court. The United States awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Sources: Fabian von. Schlabrendorff, They Almost Killed Hitler (1947); William L. Shirer, The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich: A History of Nazi Germany (1960); History.com, "6 Assassination Attempts on Adolf Hitler"; Post Alley, "Those Who Opposed Hitler" by Joel Connelly (2025)

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The Mets losing streak grew to a dozen last night. The club will be getting some reinforcements for Wednesdays matchup.

1. Soto set to return

Outfielder Juan Soto is expected back tonight against the Twins. Hes missed a little under three weeks while nursing a calf injury. The four-time All-Star left early against the Giants on April 3. New York won that game and the next three contests with Soto out of the lineup. The team has since lost 12 straight games. Getting Sotos bat back in the mix should be a boost. He had a .928 OPS through eight games before the injury. After last nights 5-3 loss, the Mets have scored three runs or fewer 10 times during the losing streak.

2. Kurtz nearing As record

First baseman Nick Kurtz led off last nights matchup against the Mariners by working a walk against right-hander Luis Castillo. It was his 12th consecutive game with a free pass, moving him into a tie with Rickey Henderson for fifth-most in franchise history (h/t Sarah Langs of MLB.com). The As record is a three-way tie at 15 straight games with a walk by Henderson, Max Bishop, and Topsy Hartsel. Kurtz will have a tough task on Wednesday, facing right-hander Logan Gilbert and his 4.3% walk rate.

3. Two-way Ohtani returns?

Right-hander Shohei Ohtani will be on the mound tonight against the Giants. It remains to be seen if hell be in the hitting lineup. The two-way star did not hit in his last start. Instead, Dalton Rushing served as the DH and slugged a home run. It was the first time as a Dodger that Ohtani pitched but wasnt in the batting lineup. Manager Dave Roberts said a HBP earlier in the week led to the decision. LAs lineup will be an interesting one to monitor on Wednesday, especially with Rushing off to a tremendous start.

Photo courtesy of Robert Edwards, Imagn Images
Assam HS Result 2026 Date and Time: AHSEC Class 12th result @ resultassam.nic.in

AHSEC to announce Assam HS Result 2026 date and time shortly. Over 3 lakh students can check Class 12 results on ahsec.assam.gov.in and DigiLocker.









Assam HS Result 2026 Date and Time Assam HS Result 2026 to be announced soon for all streams

Over 3 lakh students await Class 12 results from AHSEC

Results on AHSEC portals and DigiLocker Did our AI summary help?
Quote of the day by Vincent Van Gogh: "The heart of man is very much like the sea, it has its storms, it has its tides and in its..."
Murshidabad to Bhabanipur: Key seats set to define West Bengal elections

While the war of words between TMC and BJP continues, here are a few seats that will be keenly watched by both the parties. Bengal votes in two phases -- April 23 and 29.









Mamata Banerjee has constantly alleged that BJP is trying to include illegal voters from NDA-ruled Bihar, Rajasthan, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh in the electoral rolls of the state to turn the poll outcome in favour of the saffron party. TMC and BJP intensify campaigns as Bengal polls near

Key seats Nandigram, Bhabanipur, Asansol Dakshin in focus

Murshidabad sees a three-way contest among TMC, BJP, and Congress Did our AI summary help?
West Bengal votes tomorrow: The economic report card of 15 years under Mamata Banerjee

From 10.5% of national GDP to 5.6%. Per capita income now below Rajasthan and Odisha. Debt-to-GSDP at 38%. The data behind 15 years of TMC.









West Bengal's share in national GDP has fallen from 10.5% in 1960-61 to 5.6% in 2023-24, per a 2024 working paper by the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister, a structural decline spanning Left Front and TMC eras. West Bengal votes tomorrow in the first phase of state elections.

State's per capita income now lags behind Rajasthan and Odisha.

High debt and low investment challenge Bengal's economic future. Did our AI summary help?
West Bengal Elections 2026 Phase 1: North Bengal and Jangalmahal in focus as 3.6 crore voters decide fate in 152 seats

In 2021, a significant number of Bengal seats were decided by margins under 10,000 votes. In some cases, the number deleted exceeds the previous winning margin.









Results for both phases will be declared on May 4 Phase 1 Bengal polls span varied regions, key seats

Nandigram sees TMC's Pabitra Kar face BJP's Suvendu Adhikari.

Over 8,000 booths marked super-sensitive amid security concerns. Did our AI summary help?
Women, welfare, work in focus as TMC, BJP, Left and Congress unveil competing poll promises for West Bengal

Each party has attempted to position itself as the most credible option on welfare delivery, employment generation and governance reforms.









The TMC led by Mamata Banerjee and the BJP are the two primary players in the West Bengal Assembly elections. West Bengal polls on April 23 and 29, results on May 4

TMC, BJP, Left, Congress unveil welfare and job promises

Women, youth, and social scheme beneficiaries are key targets Did our AI summary help?
90s actress Sonam ate snow, lost all luggage while shooting for Yash Chopras film Vijay with Rishi Kapoor, says, "I bought swimming costumes from the shop and wore them..."90s actress Sonam ate snow, lost all luggage while shooting for Yash Chopras film Vijay with Rishi Kapoor, says, "I bought swimming costumes from the shop and wore them..."
Allu Arjun rents Rs 16 lakh per month luxurious sea-facing apartment in Mumbais Juhu

The Pushpa star has reportedly rented an ultra-luxurious flat in Mumbai for his stay whenever he visits the city for work or otherwise. '









Allu Arjun Allu Arjun rents a sea-facing Juhu flat for Rs 16 lakh per month

He plans a dual-city lifestyle between Hyderabad and Mumbai

The 5 BHK flat has a private pool and covers nearly 6,000 sq ft Did our AI summary help?
HYBE India and Samsung India launch talent hunt to empower young women

HYBE India and Samsung India are coming together to create new opportunities for aspiring female performers across the country. The initiative focuses on giving young talent the platform, tools, and confidence to express themselves and step into the spotlight.









HYBE India and Samsung India launch auditions HYBE India and Samsung launch talent auditions for young women.

Galaxy Audition Studios to open in 10 major Indian cities.

Program to empower and support aspiring women performers Did our AI summary help?
Janet and Paris Jackson skip Los Angeles premiere of Michael Biopic; read to know more

Several members of the Michael Jackson family gathered in Los Angeles for the premiere of his biopic, but the absence of Paris Jackson and Janet Jackson did not go unnoticed. Their non-attendance stood out, especially given the deeply personal nature of the film.









Paris and Janet Jackson absent from Michael Biopic premiere in LA Paris and Janet Jackson skipped the Michael biopic premiere in LA

Paris Jackson slams films inaccuracies and sugarcoating

Jaafar Jackson plays Michael; family opinions on film differ Did our AI summary help?
Mumtaz says Zeenat Aman was not a good actor, says 'If you call everyone a star, how will that work?'

Mumtaz has expressed her views on Zeenat. She said that Zeenat was not a good actor.









Zeenat Aman (left) and Mumtaz were contemporaries. Mumtaz says Zeenat Aman was not a very good actress

She names Meena Kumari, Madhubala, Rekha as true superstars

Mumtaz recalls fond memories of Rajesh Khanna and his bungalow Did our AI summary help?
My life has come to a standstill: Producer Murali Kunnumpurath opens up on Rs 9 crore loss and financial struggles

Murali, who is known for supporting the Malayalam movie Vellam, which stars Jayasurya, talked openly about how his public image is very different from how he really is.









Murali Producer Murali Kunnumpurath reveals severe financial struggles

He lost nearly Rs 9 crore on two recent film projects

Murali cites creditor pressure and betrayals for his plight Did our AI summary help?
Pakistani actress Meera recalls Alia Bhatts childhood visits, addresses harassment allegations against Mahesh Bhatt, says 'Main jab ghar par hoti thi, toh mere saath soti thi woh'

Pakistani actress Meera has once again drawn attention following a recent interview where she spoke about her film Psycho, as well as her memories of working and spending time in India. The conversation also briefly touched upon her past association with filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt and actor Alia Bhatt.









Pakistani actress Meera adresses physical abuse on her by Mahesh Bhatt Meera upset her film Psycho won't release in India

She recalls fond memories with Mahesh Bhatt and Alia Bhatt

Meera denies past harassment allegations against Mahesh Bhatt Did our AI summary help?
Star Wars: The Mandalorian & Grogu set for epic big-screen return in May

Star Wars: The Mandalorian & Grogu is set to release in theatres on May 22, 2026. Heres everything to know about the film, cast, and Martin Scorseses surprise cameo.









During the efforts of the New Republic government to protect the achievements of the Rebel Alliance, there are Imperial leaders who resist, thus becoming a menace to the peace. The Mandalorian & Grogu movie releases on May 22, 2026

Pedro Pascal returns as Din Djarin with Grogu

Martin Scorsese makes a cameo as an Ardennian Did our AI summary help?
Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah: Metal detector finds the ring in Bapujis stomach

A metal detector reveals the missing ring inside Bapujis stomach, shocking Gokuldham residents. As panic rises, Sodhi suggests a risky headstand solution, leaving everyone wondering what happens next.









Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah: Metal detector finds the ring in Bapujis stomach A metal detector reveals Bapuji swallowed the missing ring

Residents debate between hospital visit or Sodhi's headstand idea

Tonight's episode promises suspense and classic Gokuldham humor Did our AI summary help?
When Shaka Laka Boom Boom child actor Sainee Raj spoke about facing rejections 300 times due to her dark skin tone; later turned writer for Shah Rukh Khan

Sainee is now recognised for more than just being a child actor. She is a lyricist, writer, poet, and the creator of an online book club. She wrote lyrics for Sab Sahi Ho Jayega", performed by Shah Rukh Khan. Read on to know more









Shaka Laka Boom Boom actress Sainee Raj Shaka Laka Boom Boom star Sainee Raj is now a lyricist

She wrote lyrics for Shah Rukh Khan's 'Sab Sahi Ho Jayega'.

Despite early fame, Sainee faced rejection but persevered. Did our AI summary help?
20-year-old goes blind after wearing contact lenses to shower, ophthalmologist explains the risks

Do you wear contact lenses? Well, a 20-year-old girl has a warning for you. She went blind after she wore contact lenses to shower.









A 20-year-old girl shared her story about going blind after wearing contact lenses to shower. (Picture: Instagram/@grace.jamisonn) Showering in contacts can lead to severe eye infections

A 20-year-old lost vision after showering with contact lenses.

Acanthamoeba in water can lead to blindness for lens users. Did our AI summary help?
Brazilian model dies at 31 from suspected inflammatory heart disease, know symptoms and causes

Brazilian model Maiara Cristina de Lima Fiel died at the age of 31. She was to participate in a beauty pageant in the upcoming week. Some reports suggest she died of an inflammatory heart disease. Know more about it here.









Brazilian beauty queen Maiara Cristina de Lima Fiel died of suspected inflammatory heart disease at the age of 31. (Picture: X) Brazilian model Maiara Cristina de Lima Fiel dies at age 31

She reportedly died from rare fulminant myocarditis

Maiara was set to compete in a beauty pageant next week Did our AI summary help?
Coffee protects your liver, but most Indians are drinking it the wrong way: Doctor explains

Coffee has many benefits, but only if its consumed the right way. How you make it and the timing matter just as much and determine its impact on your body.









Health benefits of black coffee: Experts say it is best to avoid milk and sugar in your coffee to reap its maximum health benefits (Image: Pexels) Black coffee protects the liver and boosts insulin sensitivity

Adding milk and sugar blocks coffee's health benefits

Drink black coffee 90 minutes after waking, avoid after 3 pm Did our AI summary help?
PM Modi congratulates Indian cheesemakers for top honours at Brazil dairy competition: Impressive debut

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Indian cheesemakers for winning four top medals at Mundial do Queijo do Brasil 2026. This was India's debut participation at the prestigious global competition for cheese and dairy products from around the world.









Eleftheria Gulmarg (Brie Style) won the Super Gold at the Mundial do Queijo do Brasil 2026 competition (Images: Eleftheria) India wins 4 medals at Mundial do Queijo do Brasil 2026

PM Modi praises Indian cheesemakers for global recognition

Winners include Eleftheria Gulmarg and Yak Churpi-Soft Did our AI summary help?
Amid dollar swap line buzz with US, UAE envoy touts '$2T in sovereign investment assets, $1.5 trillion in deposits'

The development came two days after The Wall Street Journal reported that the UAE had inquired about potential financial lifelines, including a currency swap, if the fallout from the war worsened









Amid a flurry of comments on the ceasefire extension, US President Donald Trump said Washington was considering a currency swap arrangement UAE reportedly sought US financial support amid Iran war fallout

UAE ambassador denies need for aid, cites strong economic assets

US open to helping UAE but sees no immediate need for bailout Did our AI summary help?
Civil Aviation Ministry is in active talks with Delhi, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Maharashtra to reduce VAT on ATF  either temporarily or at specific airports, as ATF hits a record Rs 2.07 lakh per kilolitre.
RBI in talks with global regulators, banks to review Mythos risks, sources say

Regulators in Asia, Europe and the United States have warned banks to review defences and preparedness.

Reuters April 22, 2026 / 18:32 IST























. RBI is assessing risks from Anthropic's new AI model Mythos.

India's NPCI seeks early access to Mythos for cyber risk checks.

RBI plans guidelines for banks using advanced AI like Mythos. Did our AI summary help?
Eveready sets up Rs 200 crore Samba plant; LG Manoj Sinha flags post-2021 investment, startup surge in J-K

The Lt Governor observed that the industrial revolution being witnessed across Samba, Kathua, Jammu, and many parts of Kashmir is a living symbol of a new era for J&K.

PTI April 22, 2026 / 21:59 IST























Eveready opens Rs 200 crore plant in Samba, J&K

J&K saw investments rise to Rs 5,824 crore in FY 2025-26

Startup numbers in J&K grew from 69 in 2020 to 1,305 in 2025-26 Did our AI summary help?
Former Britannia MD Varun Berry joins Havells as an independent director

Berry resigned in November 2025, shortly after Rakshit Hargave was named the new CEO. While Berry had intended to remain as Managing Director during a handover period, the Board opted for his immediate exit.









Varun Berry Varun Berry appointed Havells independent director for five years

Berry's first major role since leaving Britannia in Nov 2025

Havells Q4 profit up 40.6%, revenue rises 2.4% to Rs 6,688 crore Did our AI summary help?
Kabeer Biswas raises Rs 102 crore from Peak XV, Blume, CRED for AI concierge startup

The round has been led by Peak XV Partners with an investment of around Rs 46 crore, with participation from Blume Ventures and CRED, which put in roughly Rs 37 crore and Rs 18 crore respectively, as per filings.









Kabeer Biswas Kabeer Biswas raises Rs 102 crore for new AI concierge startup M

Peak XV, Blume, and CRED lead the funding round

M aims to automate household tasks using AI Did our AI summary help?

Invite your friends and family to sign up for MC Tech 3, our daily newsletter that breaks down the biggest tech and startup stories of the day
Godrej Industries to list capital, chemicals business; aims to raise m-cap to Rs 5 lakh crore in five yrs

At present, the market-cap of its three listed businesses - Godrej Consumer Products, Godrej Properties and Godrej Agrovet - is over Rs 1.60 lakh crore, while the two unlisted ones will add another Rs 25,000 crore

PTI April 22, 2026 / 19:03 IST























. Godrej Industries plans to list two more businesses in five years

Group aims to double market cap to over Rs 5 lakh crore

Rs 7,000 crore to be invested, focus on existing businesses Did our AI summary help?
How Microsoft spooked the global carbon removal market

Microsofts next procurement cycle for carbon removal contracts is due to begin in July, according to people familiar with the matter.









Melanie Nakagawa, chief sustainability officer at Microsoft Corp. Microsoft halted talks with some carbon removal developers

Company to honor current contracts; future plans uncertain

Market uncertainty grows as Microsoft is key carbon removal buyer Did our AI summary help?
India targets green hydrogen output five times the size of today's entire global market

As Western nations scale back, India and China are racing to dominate green hydrogen. New Delhi's $2.1 billion bet, and what it means for L&T, BPCL, GAIL and JSW Steel.









India targets 5 million tonnes of green hydrogen by 2030, five times current global output. Backed by 19,744 crore in subsidies and a falling cost curve, here is what Reuters' exclusive report means for Indian investors. India targets 5M tonnes green hydrogen yearly by 2030

Production cost dropped to $3/kg, aiming for $2/kg by 2032

China leads with $3.7B investment, 2.6M tonnes capacity by 2031 Did our AI summary help?
India to purchase urea fertilizer at nearly double pre-war price

Indian Potash Ltd., which imports the crop nutrient for the government, will secure 1.5 million tons for delivery on the west coast at $935 per ton, while another 1 million tons will be delivered on the east coast at $959 per ton









(file image) India agrees to buy urea at nearly 90 percent higher prices

Middle East conflict disrupts supply, pushing global prices up

India to import 2.5 million tons ahead of monsoon crop sowing Did our AI summary help?
SpaceX to woo Wall Street with three-day analyst meet this week: Report

Elon Musk's company is holding the briefings for Wall Street's top aerospace and technology analysts as it looks to raise $75 billion

Reuters April 22, 2026 / 02:56 IST























Musk merged xAI with SpaceX in February, bringing under one roof the billionaire's rockets, Starlink satellites, the X social media platform and Grok AI chatbot. SpaceX plans IPO aiming to raise $75 billion by late June.

Analysts tour Starbase and data center ahead of the IPO.

Musk to reserve 30% of shares for retail investors worldwide. Did our AI summary help?
Gift Nifty, Nikkei, KOSPI, Hang Seng, crude, gold, dollar, Q4 earnings: April 22 market cues

While investors remained cautiously optimistic about the truce, Trump's announcement also included the continuation of the naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz.
Technical View: Cautious Nifty needs to hold 50-DEMA support for a bounce towards 24,600; Bank Nifty defends 57,000 despite weakness

Monthly options data continues to suggest that 25,000 remains a crucial resistance level for the Nifty 50 in the short term. The immediate hurdle is placed at 24,40024,500, while key support is seen at the 24,000 level.

Sunil Shankar Matkar April 22, 2026 / 16:54 IST























Nifty outlook for April 23 Near-term momentum appears subdued, but broader structure remains positive

24,270-24,200 can be immediate support levels. Below it, fall toward 24,00023,900 zone can be possible

On the upside, 24,600 to be immediate hurdle followed by 24,70024,800 range Did our AI summary help?
Trade Setup for April 22: Top 15 things to know before the opening bell as Trump extends Iran ceasefire

The technical setup strengthened further, with the index decisively filling a large bearish gap and sustaining well above medium- and short-term moving averages, alongside further improvement in momentum indicators.

Sunil Shankar Matkar April 22, 2026 / 02:38 IST























Nifty Trade Setup for April 22 Sustainable move beyond 24,800 is required to regain strong momentum in Nifty 50

Immediate crucial support seen at 24,400

Fall below 24,400 could open door for 24,20024,000 levels Did our AI summary help?
Trade Spotlight: How should you trade Astra Microwave, Nestle India, Deepak Fertilizers, Bank of Maharashtra, Graphite India, and others on April 22?

With the announcement of the US extending the ceasefire deadline with Iran, the sustainability of the three-day gains will be key to watch in the upcoming session. Below are some short-term trading ideas to consider.

Sunil Shankar Matkar April 22, 2026 / 03:29 IST























Top Buy Ideas for April 22 Experts suggest top 9 buy ideas for April 22 including Astra Microwave Products, Nestle India, Deepak Fertilizers, Bank of Maharashtra, Graphite India Did our AI summary help? MI25

MD04

LC03 MI25 NSE/BSE Select NSE LIVE BSE LIVE Day High

Day Low

Volume (NSE) More MD04 NSE/BSE Select NSE LIVE BSE LIVE Day High

Day Low

Volume (NSE) More LC03 NSE/BSE Select NSE LIVE BSE LIVE Day High

Day Low

Volume (NSE) More 
Trading Plan: Will Tuesday's low hold as support for Nifty 50, Bank Nifty after US extends Iran ceasefire?

If Nifty 50 manages to extend its three-day winning streak, the 24,70024,800 levels will be important resistance zones to watch in the upcoming sessions. However, in case of profit booking, the index may find support at 24,40024,350 levels. A decisive break below this could drag the index toward 24,200.

Sunil Shankar Matkar April 22, 2026 / 04:17 IST























Nifty Trading Plan for April 22 In case of further rally, Nifty may face resistance at 24,70024,800

In case of profit booking, Nifty may find support at 24,40024,350 levels

For Bank Nifty, 56,700 may act as a support, while immediate resistance could be seen at 57,70058,000 Did our AI summary help?
UAE has been the third largest source of ODI investment for Indian companies for last few years, ranking below the US and Singapore
Atal Pension Yojana surpasses 9 crore subscriber milestone

Launched on May 9, 2015, with the vision of establishing a universal social security system for all Indians, APY is a voluntary, contributory pension scheme primarily focused on the poor, the underprivileged, and workers in the unorganized sector, PFRDA said in a statement.

PTI April 22, 2026 / 18:35 IST























(File image) Atal Pension Yojana enrolment crosses 9 crore subscribers

FY 202526 sees record 1.35 crore new APY subscribers

Scheme offers pension, spouse benefit, and nominee corpus return Did our AI summary help?
MC EXCLUSIVE Race for Shells Sprng Energy: NIIF may join hands with Temasek; binding bids this week

The valuation of the big-bang clean energy deal is likely to be above $1.6 billion, sources told Moneycontrol. KKR, Actis and Aditya Birla Group are the other suitors for the deal, they added.









Shell Plc NIIF and Temasek may jointly bid for Shell's Sprng Energy

Deal valuation likely above $1.6 billion, bids due this week

KKR, Actis, and Aditya Birla Group also expected to bid Did our AI summary help?
From coffee to protein bars: How the Iran war is driving up your snack bill

From 10-30% rise in packaging to 40-50% jump in key imports and up to 10x spike in freight, founders have told Moneycontrol that cost pressures are building across categories, leaving limited room to absorb the impact.









From coffee to protein bars: How the Iran war is driving up your snack bill (Image generated using ChatGPT)

Invite your friends and family to sign up for MC Tech 3, our daily newsletter that breaks down the biggest tech and startup stories of the day
Trump administration nears $500 million Spirit Aviation rescue package

President Donald Trump said Tuesday that he was open to offering federal assistance to the airline.
Trump Media CEOs exit caps a 90% drop as MAGA stocks stumble

Trump Media & Technology Group Corp.s struggle to parlay the presidents power into a successful social-media company was underscored by the departure late Tuesday of Chief Executive Officer Devin Nunes,









Devin Nunes Photographer: Al Drago/Bloomberg
Vedanta questions commercial wisdom, evaluation matrix in JAL insolvency; NCLAT reserves order

Senior advocate Abhijeet Sinha, representing Vedanta in his rejoinder submission, said there are several issues on which clarity is required from the Committee of Creditors (CoC).

PTI April 22, 2026 / 23:02 IST























. Vedanta questions transparency in Adani's selection for JAL bid

NCLAT reserves verdict on Vedanta plea over Adani JAL bid

Vedanta claims its higher bid was rejected without clear reasons Did our AI summary help?
2006 Malegaon blast case: Bombay high court discharges 4 accused, quashes charges against them

In September last year, the special court framed charges against the four accused, prompting them to approach the High Court.
'Always been in favour of peace': India welcomes ceasefire extension in West Asia conflict

The Foreign Secretary urged the Ambassador to convey India's views and resume the process of facilitating India-bound ships across the Strait.

ANI April 22, 2026 / 22:34 IST























Randhir Jaiswal India welcomes US-Iran ceasefire extension for diplomatic talks

India urges de-escalation, dialogue, and peace in West Asia

India seeks safe passage for its ships through Strait of Hormuz Did our AI summary help?
Bengal polls: Motorbikes banned at night in Kolkata from Apr 27, no pillion during day

The CEO had on Monday instructed all district election officers, police commissioners and superintendents to impose curbs on motorcycle movement two days before polling

PTI April 22, 2026 / 04:02 IST























Motorbike movement will remain prohibited during night hours, barring cases such as medical emergencies or family exigencies, it said.
BJP MP Anurag Thakur and other party leaders on Tuesday relished fish and rice (maach bhaat) on the final day of campaigning for the first phase of the assembly elections in West Bengal.
Centre tells Supreme Court it does not support government control of temples

The submission came during hearings before a nine-judge bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant, which is examining the scope of state authority over religious institutions and the interpretation of Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution.









The portals of Shri Kedarnath Dham officially opened on Wednesday. Centre tells SC it opposes government control of temples

State may regulate secular aspects, not manage religious bodies

Centre: Constitutional rules must be equal for all faiths Did our AI summary help?
Congress slams Modi govt, says Pakistan stood isolated after Mumbai attacks, acquired global respectability now

On April 22, last year, the Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba carried out an attack at Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir, killing 26 innocent people, mostly tourists from across India.









Congress communications in-charge Jairam Ramesh Congress blames Modi's foreign policy for Pakistan's global image

Congress seeks foreign policy reset after Pahalgam attack

India retaliated with Operation Sindoor after Pahalgam attack Did our AI summary help?
Delhi Police arrests accused in rape, murder case of IRS officer's daughter

According to police, the woman was found murdered in a room of the house by her family members when they returned from the gym.

PTI April 22, 2026 / 23:03 IST























Representative image
EC replaces Nandigram police observer 48 hours before polling

The move came a day after the Trinamool Congress raised allegations of bias against the Officer-in-Charge of the Nandigram Police Station.

April 22, 2026 / 15:11 IST














EU honours Pahalgam victims, expresses strong support for India: 'We reiterate our outright condemnation of terrorism...'

'We reiterate our outright condemnation of terrorism in all its forms, which can never be justified,' said a statement by the European Union









On the first anniversary of the Pahalgam attack anniversary, the European Union expressed solidarity with India EU marks Pahalgam attack anniversary, stands with India

EU and 27 states condemn terrorism, honor victims

PM Modi vows India will never bow to terrorism Did our AI summary help?
These leaders are central to shaping the outcome of the election, given their influence over regional and caste dynamics
Historic first: Special Amul milk freight train reaches J&K from Gujarat - Watch

Describing the development as a "historic achievement," railway authorities said the initiative would significantly strengthen food security and ensure the uninterrupted availability of nutritious dairy products across the region.

PTI April 22, 2026 / 21:39 IST























(Source: Indian Railways) Gujarats first special milk train reaches Jammu division

Train carried 1,000 tonnes of Amul dairy products to J&K

Direct rail link cuts transport costs and boosts local supply Did our AI summary help?
How Operation Sindoor became Indias new security normal against Pakistan

In his address on Operation Sindoor, PM Modi had said the attackers attempted to wipe the sindoor from the foreheads of our sisters, adding that India responded by destroying the very headquarters of terror









The approach marked a departure from earlier patterns, where India typically responded with isolated surgical or kinetic actions before reverting to diplomatic engagement with Pakistan Indias Operation Sindoor hits terror hubs in PoJK, Pakistan

New doctrine: decisive retaliation, zero nuclear blackmail

India ended Indus Waters Treaty and all trade with Pakistan. Did our AI summary help?
IAF shows off might, lands Jaguar fighter jet on UP Expressway | Watch

The IAF landed Jaguar fighter jet on the Purvanchal Expressway in UP on Wednesday.
'India will never bow to any form of terror': PM Modi pays tribute on Pahalgam attack anniversary

The heinous designs of terrorists will never succeed, said PM Modi









PM Modi
Big headache for Kerala's next CM: Iran war shock to a Rs 2.17 lakh crore economy

Remittances to Kerala hit a record Rs 2,16,893 crore in 2023, a 154.9% rise from 2018, per the Kerala Migration Survey. Nearly 90% came from the Gulf. Here is what whichever front wins on May 4 inherits.









Kerala Election 2026: The state received a record Rs 2,16,893 crore in Gulf remittances in 2023, per the Kerala Migration Survey. With the Iran war pressuring Gulf economies, whichever front wins on May 4 inherits the same fiscal math. Kerala remittances reach Rs 2.16 lakh cr in 2023, up 155%

Nearly 90 percent of Kerala's remittances came from the Gulf

Remittance growth reached only 12% of households in 2023 Did our AI summary help?
Mallikarjun Kharge's 'terrorist' remark against PM: EC gives Congress chief 24 hours to respond

Addressing the media in poll-bound Tamil Nadu on Tuesday, Kharge questioning AIADMK's poll alliance with the BJP, termed the PM as a 'terrorist' and said how can a Dravidian party align with a party that does not believe in democracy, equality and rule of law. However, Kharge, was quick to issue a clarification saying he meant that the PM 'terrorises' opponent for political dividends.









Mallikarjun Kharge
Mamata Banerjee vs ED: SC says a CM cannot put democracy in peril by interfering with probe

The ED conducted raids in this case in January at the I-PAC office as well as at the Kolkata residence of its founder and one of the directors, Pratik Jain.









Supreme Court SC raps Mamata Banerjee for meddling in ED raids

Court says a Chief Minister cannot jeopardize democracy

ED seeks CBI probe into alleged obstruction by Banerjee Did our AI summary help?
MumbaiPune travel time set to drop by 90 minutes with Atal Setu connector

Construction progress has been substantial, with 143 out of 176 foundations completed, along with 141 piers and 88 pier caps. In addition, 653 out of 830 precast girders have already been launched, indicating that work on the superstructure is advancing swiftly.
No bikes at night, pillions banned during daytime: ECs Bengal curbs become new flashpoint with TMC

This comes after the poll panel recently said that the 2026 Assembly elections in West Bengal will be conducted in a 'fear-free, violence-free and intimidation-free; manner, sending a firm message to the Trinamool.









Pillion riders will not be allowed even during the relaxation window of 6am to 6pm EC bans motorcycles at night in Bengal before assembly polls

Trinamool Congress calls the move disruptive and unfair

Restrictions aim to ensure peaceful, violence-free elections Did our AI summary help?
Only one neighbour is troublesome: Rajnath Singhs cryptic 'dot dot dot' warning to Pakistan from Germany

His remarks came days after his Pakistan Defence Minister Khwaja Asif threatened an attack on Kolkata in the event of "future misdemeanours" by India.









Rajnath Singh Rajnath Singh warns Pakistan against creating trouble for India

India maintains a balanced approach in global diplomatic matters

Singh signals potential Indian role in West Asia peace talks Did our AI summary help?
Pahalgam attack anniversary: How India identified and neutralised terrorists before they could escape to Pakistan

A coordinated operation in the Lidwas forests near Harwan was then carried out on the outskirts of Srinagar jointly by 4 Para, CRPF personnel and Jammu and Kashmir Police units. The area was swiftly cordoned off, denying the terrorists any escape route.









Operation Mahadev 26 killed in Pahalgam terror attack by Pakistan-backed militants

Indian forces eliminated 3 LeT terrorists in Operation Mahadev

Operation involved Army, CRPF, and J&K Police near Srinagar Did our AI summary help?
Pahalgam attack anniversary: Security tightened across Kashmir as tourists begin to return

Several new measures have been introduced in the Pahalgam resort to ensure tourist safety. These include background verification of service providers and vendors, including ponywallahs, before they interact with the visitors.

PTI April 22, 2026 / 09:04 IST























Security tightened at Pahalgam Security tightened in Kashmir on attack anniversary

QR code IDs for Pahalgam service providers boost safety

Tourist activity resumes in Pahalgam after 2025 attack Did our AI summary help?
Rajnath on playing peacemaker in Iran war: 'Time may come when India...'

The Prime Minister has appealed to both sides to end the war. Our Prime Minister has a very balanced approach to diplomatic matters, says defence minister









Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is on a three-day visit to Germany
'Sanatanis won't ever harm, ask Muslims of Gujarat': Bengal BJP leader's message for minorities during upcoming state polls

When asked if he would like to give a message for the minorities in Bengal, he said, "Again, we are not saying we are anti-Muslims. We are pro-Sanatanis. And there is nothing wrong in it. Garv se bolo, I am Hindu."
'She keeps saying Inshallah, should also learn to say Jai Shree Ram': Himanta on Mamata

Amit Shah also addressed a rally in the Dum Dum Uttar area of North 24 Parganas, where he accused the Trinamool Congress government of corruption and running a syndicate raj.
Silk Board traffic memes may now be passe as Bengalurus first double-decker flyover fully opens after public outrage

Bengaluru Traffic Police said traffic has been allowed to ply on a trial basis on the double-decker flyover from HSR 5th Main to Jayanagar (Ragigudda) starting Wednesday.









Bengaluru's first double-decker flyover fully opens to traffic

Flyover cuts commute time by 30% with signal-free travel

Lower deck for vehicles, upper deck for Namma Metro operations Did our AI summary help?
Tamil Nadu votes tomorrow: Can Vijay's 2-year-old party disrupt a Rs 31 lakh crore economy?

Tamil Nadus GSDP stands at Rs 31.19 lakh crore, with real growth of 11.19 percentthe highest in 14 yearsand manufacturing up 14.74 percent. TVK is contesting all 234 seats solo, raising the stakes over who will shape the next phase of growth, jobs, and investment in the state.









Tamil Nadu votes April 23. Vijay's TVK is contesting all 234 seats solo, threatening political fragmentation in India's second largest state economy, growing at 11.19% with a $1 trillion target by 2030. Tamil Nadu's economy grew 11.19 percent in 2024-25

Manufacturing expanded 14.74 percent, leading all Indian states

Political rifts may hurt investor confidence and growth Did our AI summary help?
Tamil Nadu polls 2026: What the DMK, AIADMK and TVK manifestos signal for jobs and startups

From AI and deeptech to MSMEs and subsidies, DMK, AIADMK and TVK outline distinct visions in their manifestos. While electoral arithmetic and alliances will decide the outcome, their promises signal a sharper policy shift.









Tamil Nadu votes April 23. Vijay's TVK is contesting all 234 seats solo, threatening political fragmentation in India's second largest state economy, growing at 11.19% with a $1 trillion target by 2030. Tamil Nadu's 2026 election sees DMK, AIADMK, and TVK in contest

TVK's entry adds uncertainty, especially among young voters

Parties focus on jobs, AI, and youth welfare in their manifestos Did our AI summary help?

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Bhavya Dilipkumar
Virtual command centre to detailed review of presidency seats: Amit Shah goes all-out to win Bengal

The enormity of this round of the electoral exercise (Bengal votes in two phases -- April 23, 29) can easily be gauged if one looks at the number of high-profile BJP leaders deployed in key electoral segments of the eastern state.









Amit Shah Amit Shah to stay in Bengal till April 27 for poll campaign

BJP sets up unified command centre in Kolkata for elections

Shah leads rallies, meetings to boost BJP's grassroots presence Did our AI summary help?
West Bengal elections: 294 candidates in phase 1 face criminal charges, 98 accused of crimes against women

Among the key parties, 106 of the 152 candidates analysed from the BJP (70%) have declared criminal cases in their affidavits.









Representative image
With drone playing a key part in the four-day warfare between India and Pakistan, the Indian Army took valuable lessons from the use of unmanned aerial systems - Representative photo
Whats at stake in 2026 Bengal election: Mamatas dominance vs BJPs big push

For the BJP, the stakes in West Bengal are high as it seeks to convert its past electoral gains into actual power and end the dominance of Mamatas party.









West Bengal heads into polling for 152 seats in the first phase on Thursday, a crucial start that could shape the trajectory of this high-stakes battle. Trinamool Congress faces strong BJP challenge in Bengal polls

First phase polling covers 152 of 294 Assembly seats

Opinion polls predict a close contest, TMC holds narrow lead Did our AI summary help?
Why EC is on edge every time West Bengal heads for elections

West Bengals history of electoral politics has, from the 1950s to the present, often been marked by allegations of poll-related violence, with successive ruling parties facing accusations of targeting opposition groups.









The EC advisory comes at a time when West Bengals political climate is once again under sharp focus, amid repeated allegations and counter-allegations of violence Election Commission warns Trinamool over poll violence concerns

West Bengal polls to see record 2,400 CAPF companies deployed

State's elections have a long history of violence and clashes Did our AI summary help?
OPINION | China bides its time on Taiwan

Till D-Day, Beijing will sustain its under-the-threshold coercive measures vis-a-vis the island to cognitive and political measures









Waiting for the right moment to move in
OPINION | From Consultant to Controller: I-PACs deep integration into TMCs power structure

The consultancy has transitioned from being an external advisor into a more embedded extension of the partys apparatus. It has worked alongside TMC leaders in candidate selection









TMC Bengal
How Kashmir built a new security architecture one year after Pahalgam attack

After the Pahalgam attack, Kashmirs security response has evolved into a multi-layered system beyond counterinsurgency. It integrates technology, border control, and administrative action to disrupt militant networks and support structures









Pahalgam
OPINION | Militarily, US and Israel are on top, but maximalist aims neutralise their superiority

The conflicts across West Asia have made one thing quite clear, military victory does not equate to political victory. Donald Trump has not been able to come to grips with this reality









The global hegemon's sky-high goal hasn't made a clean exit for itself easy
A year after Pahalgam attack, victims wife speaks about grief: Didnt get enough time'

A year after the deadly attack in Baisaran Valley in Pahalgam that killed 26 people, the pain of the families has not eased. Many are still trying to come to terms with the sudden loss of their loved ones and the memories left behind.









Aishanya and Shubham Dwivedi during their 2025 Pahalgam vacation. (Image credit: AP) Families mourn victims a year after Pahalgam terror attack

26 people, mostly tourists, killed in Baisaran Valley shooting

India launched strikes and diplomatic moves after the attack Did our AI summary help?
This photograph taken on September 17, 2022 shows table dressing for official state dinners at the 'Salle des Fetes' at the Elysee Palace during the 'European Heritage Day' also known as JEP in Paris. A Paris court recently handed a former silverware keeper at France's presidential palace a two-year sentence for stealing hundreds of thousands of euros worth of luxury items between 2023 and 2025. (Image credit: AFP)
French chef who makes Rs 22 lakh wedding cakes says he's 'most proud' of recent Indian order

Bastien BlancTailleur declined to disclose exact pricing but said his most modest custom cakes start at around Rs 20 lakh, with elaborate pieces costing several multiples more. 'We rarely work on a wedding that has a budget of less than a million euros,' he said.









The wedding, held in Udaipur, marked the marriage of billionaire heiress Netra Mantena and tech entrepreneur Vamsi Gadiraju. Their wedding cake had the main structure running several metres high and decorated with white sugarpaste domes, elephants and orchids, drawing heavily on Rajasthani palace design. (Image credit: Joee Wong/Instagram)
German train driver finds 20 giant spiders packed in a box and forgotten aboard

The box, clearly labelled 'Spiders and Scorpions', had been forgotten by a 31-year-old passenger who exited the train and left without collecting it, authorities said.









The incident was treated as an oversight rather than a criminal matter, as the spiders were properly declared and safely contained, the police said. (Representational image: Unsplash)
Gurgaon CEO says IITian asked for offer letter at 3.30 am to apply for MBA: 'Don't know him'

The candidate, who has been without a job since March, requested an offer letter to 'just show that I am working' so that his profile would not appear unemployed during MBA applications. Knot dating CEO Jasveer Singh described the request as 'straight up fraud'.









Knot Datong CEO Jasveer Singh and (right) a screenshot of the conversation on WhatsApp. (Image credit: X)
Irans dig at Trump over contradicting statements amid US-Iran tensions: 'A group chat where...'

A social media post shared by the Iranian Embassy in Ghana on X has gone viral for its sarcastic tone, highlighting what it described as rapidly shifting and contradictory statements attributed to the US President on Iran, China, and the Strait of Hormuz.









Irans embassy in Ghana took a swipe at US President remarks on X. (Image credit: Reuters) Iranian Embassy mocks Trump's shifting statements on Iran, China

Viral post compares Trump's remarks to a chaotic group chat

Social media users highlight confusion in US messaging Did our AI summary help?
'It takes absolute courage': Support pours in for Mumbai woman who confronted BJP minister

As the video circulated widely online, the focus quickly shifted from the traffic disruption itself to what many users described as a rare moment of an ordinary citizen openly questioning authority.









Netizens called the womans confrontation an expression of growing public impatience and frustration with political privilege. (Image credit: @jsuryareddy/X)
Sridhar Vembu on IIT classmate and IAS officer with 32 transfers in 34 years: He chose to stay in India'

Speaking about Raju Narayana Swamy, Zoho co-founder Sridhar Vembu said, 'He also had a very high rank in IIT JEE 1985, my recollection was AIR 10 and he came from small town in Kerala and most top rankers were from the big cities so he stood out.'
NASA officials spoke at an event at Goddard on Tuesday to unveil the telescope before it is shipped to Kennedy Space Center in Florida, where it is slated to launch on top of a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket.
Apples Tim Cook says hes healthy; John Ternus promises AI products

Cook made the comments in an all-hands meeting with staff, following the announcement that he will pass the reins to hardware chief John Ternus on Sept. 1









The two executives held the gathering in the Steve Jobs Theater at the companys headquarters, with the discussion spanning artificial intelligence, product plans and design. Bloomberg Tim Cook to serve as Apple executive chairman after CEO role

Cook says he is healthy and will support new CEO John Ternus

Ternus vows focus on design, privacy, and product innovation Did our AI summary help?

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MC EXCLUSIVE ASUS co-CEO Samson Hu bets on AI PC for all future, sees agentic AI as breakthrough killer app

Hu said the evolution of AI PCs is closely tied to broader shifts in the AI ecosystem, particularly the transition from training-heavy workloads to inference-led demand









Asus Co Ceo Samson Hu ASUS aims for all PCs to become AI-powered, reshaping user work.

Agentic AI seen as the next killer app for AI PCs.

ASUS focuses on durability, quality, and meaningful innovation. Did our AI summary help?

Invite your friends and family to sign up for MC Tech 3, our daily newsletter that breaks down the biggest tech and startup stories of the day
Invite your friends and family to sign up for MC Tech 3, our daily newsletter that breaks down the biggest tech and startup stories of the day
Sam Altman links attack on his home to AI industry rhetoric, cites Anthropic remarks

Sam Altman linked a recent attack on his home to rising AI rhetoric, citing industry criticism and doomerism talk, while highlighting tensions between OpenAI and Anthropic over safety messaging and public perception.









Sam Altman Sam Altman links AI industry rhetoric to attack on his home

Suspect traveled from Texas, faces attempted murder charges

Altman urges balanced discussion on AI risks and safety Did our AI summary help?

Invite your friends and family to sign up for MC Tech 3, our daily newsletter that breaks down the biggest tech and startup stories of the day
At least 34 Iran-linked oil tankers have bypassed a US naval blockade, raising doubts about its effectiveness. Despite US efforts, Iranian crude exports continue, with some ships using evasive tactics. Iran rejects the blockade, calling it a ceasefire violation.

Did our AI summary help?
Air China resumes Delhi-Beijing non-stop flight

Earlier, IndiGo resumed the Kolkata-Guangzhou route and launched the Delhi-Guangzhou route.

PTI April 22, 2026 / 22:08 IST























Air China resumes Delhi-Beijing non-stop flight Air China resumes non-stop Delhi-Beijing flights after 4 years

IndiGo and China Eastern expand China-India flight routes

Increased flights reflect warming India-China relations Did our AI summary help?
Apples new CEO John Ternus will need to stave off exodus of top talent

After years of relative calm, the company has suffered a wave of recent departures  both among C-suite executives and rank-and-file engineers









Its up to John Ternus, who succeeds Tim Cook in September, to stabilize the workforce. New Apple CEO John Ternus faces talent retention test

Apple names Johny Srouji chief hardware officer to retain him

Apple sees executive turnover as rivals like OpenAI recruit staff Did our AI summary help?
Battered, divided, uncertain: Five resons why Iran still cant close a deal with the US | Explained

Irans position today is defined by a paradox. It is under pressure, yet not powerless. It is engaged in talks, yet not unified enough to conclude them.









FILE PHOTO: A woman holds a poster depicting Irans new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei during an anti-U.S. and anti-Israeli rally, amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Tehran, Iran, March 26, 2026. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS Iran faces internal divisions, unclear leadership, and military resistance as it enters negotiations under pressure. Conflicting signals and lack of a central negotiator hinder progress, making internal challenges the main obstacle to a peace deal, not external demands. Did our AI summary help?
Beijing denies Trumps gift claim over seized ship bound for Iran

China denied US claims that a seized ship carried a gift for Iran, rejecting allegations of missile-linked shipments as tensions rise over maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz.









China rejects US claim over seized ship
'Butter chicken tsunami': New Zealand ministers remark on India trade deal sparks outrage

A New Zealand ministers butter chicken tsunami remark on an India trade deal sparked outrage, exposing coalition splits, racism allegations, and political uncertainty over migration and investment commitments.









Trade deal row sparks racism backlash
From THAAD to Tomahawks: Is US running low on missiles as Iran war exposes strain and China risks?

The war has placed sustained pressure on high-end munitions, raising concerns about how prepared the US would be if another major conflict were to emerge.









Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Thomas Hudner fires a Tomahawk land attack missile in support of Operation Epic Fury during the Iran war at an undisclosed location, March 21, 2026. U.S. Navy Photo/Handout via REUTERS A CSIS study finds the US has heavily depleted advanced missile stockpiles amid the Iran conflict, raising concerns about readiness for larger wars. While officials insist the arsenal is strong, rebuilding and expanding inventories could take years. Did our AI summary help?
The logo of the prediction market online platform Polymarket is seen outside their new location called "The Situation Room" during its opening day in Washington, DC, on March 20, 2026. (Photo by Theo MARIE-COURTOIS / AFP)
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks in the Oval Office after signing an Executive Order April 18, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Getty Images via AFP)
How was ceasefire with US extended? Iran posts 'viral' clip with an AI twist

The AI-generated video is part of a series of posts by Iranian embassy-affiliated X handles over the past few days, mocking Donald Trump.









Screen grab from the AI video posted by Iran
How will the EU's 90 billion euro loan to Ukraine work?

European Union leaders had decided last December to jointly borrow the money to lend to Ukraine to fund its defence against Russia for this year and next, using frozen Russian funds as a potential backstop to ensure that Moscow ultimately pays.

Reuters April 22, 2026 / 20:26 IST























European Union EU may restore 90bn Ukraine loan after Orban defeat

Hungary, Slovakia, Czech Republic exempt from joint EU borrowing

Loan to be repaid using frozen Russian assets after the war Did our AI summary help?
Iran attacks 2 container ships in Hormuz hours after Trump's ceasefire extension

The two attacks came days after the US seized an Iranian container ship in the Strait of Hormuz after shooting it this past weekend and boarded an oil tanker associated with Iran's oil trade in the Indian Ocean.









Strait of Hormuz
Iran gunboats seize two ships in Strait of Hormuz; Iranian tankers test US blockade

Iranian state TV reported that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps had seized two ships  identified as the MSC Francesca and Epaminondas  in Hormuz and brought them to shore for inspection.









(Representative image) Iranian gunboats fired on two ships in the Strait of Hormuz

Iran seized two vessels for inspection amid US blockade efforts

Iranian supertankers entered the Arabian Sea despite US pressure Did our AI summary help?
Iran's Araghchi calls US blockade of Hormuz an 'act of war' as talks remain in limbo

Iran's foreign minister said targeting a commercial vessel amounted to an 'even greater violation', warning that Tehran knows how to counter pressure and resist 'bullying'









Iranian foreign minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi Iran calls US port blockade an "act of war" and ceasefire breach

Tehran warns it can resist pressure and defend its interests

Iran blasts US ship seizures as piracy, state terrorism Did our AI summary help?
Irans IRGC flags undersea cables, cloud networks as potential targets in Persian Gulf amid fragile truce

IRGC has outlined the strategic importance and vulnerability of digital infrastructure in the region, in what appears to be a pointed signal amid ongoing tensions.









Representational Image Iran warns Gulf digital systems may be hit amid tensions

US extends Iran ceasefire but maintains naval blockade

Gulf undersea cable disruption may hit global connectivity Did our AI summary help?
Irans IRGC seizes two ships in Hormuz, including India-bound vessel, issues red line warning

Earlier, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations centre said that two vessels had come under fire in the Strait of Hormuz, though it did not name the ships involved.









FILE PHOTO: Ships and boats in the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Musandam, Oman, April 20, 2026. REUTERS/File Photo Irans IRGC seized two vessels, MSC Francesca and Epaminondas, in the Strait of Hormuz for alleged unauthorized operations and tampering with navigation. A third ship, Euphoria, was reportedly targeted, highlighting ongoing regional maritime tensions. Did our AI summary help?
Khamenei has not made a public appearance since assuming office following the death of his father in an Israeli strike at the outset of the conflict.
Iran still has its key military capabilities: Pentagon intel contradicts Trump-Hegseth claims

This contradicts claims by the administration that Iran's "air force has been destroyed" and its "navy decimated," as highlighted by NBC News.









US President Donald Trump.
Iran sets ceasefire condition, says lift blockade, then talks

Iran says it will resume talks with the US only after the naval blockade is lifted, warning it is prepared for both diplomacy and conflict.









Iran sets new ceasefire condition, says lift blockade for talks
Israel urges Lebanon to join forces against Hezbollah ahead of Washington talks

Israels foreign minister Gideon Saar urged Lebanon to cooperate against Hezbollah ahead of renewed Washington talks, stressing joint action is essential for peace and security, and calling for courage and moral clarity.









Israel urges Lebanon unite against Hezbollah
Lebanon to request one-month truce extension, halt to strikes in Washington talks with Israel

Lebanon will seek a one-month ceasefire extension in Washington talks with Israel, pushing for an end to strikes, troop withdrawal, and broader negotiations as diplomatic efforts intensify.









Lebanon pushes ceasefire extension in talks
NATO chief Mark Rutte warns of rising threats from Russia, China and Iran

Mark Rutte warned NATO faces threats from Russia, China and Iran, urging higher defence spending and advanced military technology investments.









NATO flags rising threats from global rivals
Nerve agents, plan to kill Khamenei: What US Army nuclear chief revealed to undercover journalist on Iran war

A US nuclear surety official has been placed under investigation after an undercover video allegedly showed him discussing nerve agents, Iran strikes and potential targeting of Iranian leadership.









US nuclear chiefs alleged revelations on Iran war, nukes and nerve agents
Over 30 nations meet in London to map out Hormuz security mission

Military planners from over 30 countries are meeting in London to draft a coordinated plan to secure shipping and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.









UK, France lead push for joint mission to secure Hormuz shipping lanes
Pakistan tested its air-launched Taimoor cruise missile to enhance naval strike capabilities and signal its evolving deterrence strategy. While it doesn't shift the power balance, it poses new operational challenges for India.

Did our AI summary help?
Russia flying drones near Chernobyl raises nuclear safety fears, report says

Ukrainian prosecutors believe the strike may have been intentional, citing the steep angle of impact. Russia has denied any role, describing the incident as a Ukrainian "provocation."
Strait of Hormuz attack: One of three targeted ships may have been bound for Gujarat

Iranian forces fired on three vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, including one possibly bound for Gujarat, escalating tensions after US actions, though no casualties were reported.









Iran fires on ships near Hormuz route
Trump says Iran to execute 8 women, urges clemency; Tehran denies claim: 'Misled again'

Trump reposted an image showing six women and two teenage girls, originally flagged by a conservative activist as individuals allegedly facing prosecution by the Iranian government.









Trump had earlier said that the women's release could work in Iran's favour in negotiations. (Image: X)
Trump indefinitely extends Iran ceasefire, says Hormuz blockade to continue

Trump claimed the Iranian leadership is 'seriously fractured' and said Asim Munir and Shehbaz Sharif had urged him to extend the truce to allow time for Iran to present a unified position









The move marked the latest instance of Trump stepping back from earlier threats to target power plants and other civilian infrastructure in Iran
Ukraine to get 90 billion EU loan after Hungary drops veto

The loan will deliver Ukraine a much-needed financial lifeline, with the country set to run out of money within weeks. The EU funds will stabilize both the countrys military and government.









Volodymyr Zelenskyy (File image)
US envoy Sergio Gor marks Pahalgam anniversary, honour victims; says US stands with India against terrorism

Sergio Gor paid tribute to the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack on its first anniversary, reaffirming Washingtons support for India in its fight against terrorism.









US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor - File Photo
US halts dollar shipments to Iraq, freezes security ties over militias: Report

Washington has reportedly suspended cash transfers and some security cooperation with Iraq to pressure action against Iran-backed armed groups, including blocking a $500 million shipment tied to oil revenues.

Reuters April 22, 2026 / 10:12 IST























US blocks Iraq's dollar shipments to squeeze Iran-backed militias
War in the Middle East: latest developments

The latest developments in the Middle East war:

- Israel strikes journalists in Lebanon -

Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon killed veteran Al-Akhbar newspaper correspondent Amal Khalil and wounded freelance journalist Zeinab Faraj Wednesday, despite a negotiated ceasefire.

A Lebanese Red Cross official told AFP they "managed to rescue" Faraj but couldn't reach Khalil under the rubble immediately and withdrew "because of a warning strike" for several hours, before they returned to recover her body.

Lebanon's Information Minister Paul Morcos called the targeting of journalists "a grave crime and a blatant violation of international humanitarian law" on social media.

- 'Serious disagreements' -

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said Wednesday that Israel does not have any "serious disagreements" with Lebanon, calling Hezbollah "the obstacle to peace and normalisation."

A Hezbollah lawmaker, however, told AFP on Monday that the group might accept indirect talks mediated by the United States.

Despite the truce, Israel is continuing its strikes in Lebanon, and Israeli attacks on Lebanon have killed at least 2,454 people since the start of the war, according to Lebanese authorities.

- Israel hits Gaza, killing five -

Three children were among the five Palestinians killed in Israeli strikes targeting a group of civilians near Al-Qassam mosque in Beit Lahia, in the north, Gaza's civil defense agency said Wednesday.

At least 786 Palestinians have been killed since the October 10 ceasefire with Israel, according to Gaza's health ministry, which is under Hamas authority and whose figures are considered reliable by the United Nations.

- No deadline for peace plan -

US President Donald Trump has not set a deadline by which Iran must submit a peace proposal, the White House said on Wednesday.

"The president has not set a firm deadline to receive an Iranian proposal, unlike some of the reporting I've seen today. Ultimately, the timeline will be dictated by the commander in chief," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told journalists.
US senator says 'Communist China' caught 'red-handed' in aiding Iran's missile production

The remarks come against the backdrop of heightened scrutiny in Washington over alleged links between Chinese suppliers and Irans missile programme









Trump said the Iran-flagged vessel is subject to US sanctions. Rick Scott: China sending dual-use chemicals to Iran

Scott calls China an imminent threat to US national security

Iran urges UN to condemn US seizure of its cargo ship Did our AI summary help?
Trump said Tuesday he is extending the ceasefire with Iran at Pakistan's request while awaiting a unified proposal from Tehran
What Irans 'new cards' could mean for global shipping and Gulf security

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warned Iran has new cards amid ceasefire, as reports suggest possible weapons support and stockpile rebuilding, raising fears of escalation targeting shipping routes and Gulf infrastructure.









Iran signals new threats despite ceasefire tensions
What the 2015 Iran nuclear deal actually did and why it still matters today

As new talks unfold, the old agreement remains central to understanding what went wrong and what could come next.









What the 2015 Iran nuclear deal actually did and why it still matters today
What to know about psychedelic therapies cited by Trump

Presently almost all psychedelic drugs in the United States are considered Schedule I controlled substances, in the same class as heroin or ecstasy

Reuters April 22, 2026 / 01:34 IST























US President Donald Trump Trump speeds reviews, boosts funding for psychedelic research

Psilocybin and MDMA show promise for depression and PTSD

Some drugs may cause anxiety, psychosis, and heart problems Did our AI summary help?
White House security alert forces press evacuation, Secret Service gives all-clear

White House reporters were briefly moved indoors after a Secret Service security alert, later cleared with no threat found. The incident followed a recent attempted security breach near the complex.









White House press moved during alert
Who was M? Spy chief reveals operative killed in 2023 Italy contributed to Iran war's success

Israels spy chief said a Mossad operative killed in a 2023 Italy boat accident played a key role in covert operations against Iran.









Mossad chief reveals agent killed in Italy who shaped Iran war success
Why China is tightening control over AI startups trying to go global
BEIJING, April 21 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping and Mozambican President Daniel Francisco Chapo held talks in Beijing on Tuesday, and the two heads of state agreed to upgrade bilateral ties to a China-Mozambique community with a shared future in the new era. Noting that the time-honored friendship between China and Mozambique has set an example for China-Africa relations and South-South cooperation, Xi said that under the new circumstances, deepening China-Mozambique friendly cooperation meets the shared expectations of the two peoples and reflects the prevailing trend in the Global South to strengthen solidarity and collaboration in jointly tackling challenges. China is ready to work with Mozambique to take the implementation of the outcomes of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges in 2026 as an opportunity to jointly pursue modernization, Xi noted. Friendship and mutual trust are the defining features and political strengths of China-Mozambique relations, Xi said, adding that the two sides should continue to firmly support each other on issues concerning each other's core interests and major concerns, promote exchanges at various levels and in various fields including governments, political parties, legislative bodies and local exchanges, and deepen experience sharing in party and state governance. He pointed out that China and Mozambique enjoy strong economic complementarity and broad cooperation prospects. Noting that this year marks the beginning of China's 15th Five-Year Plan period, Xi said China stands ready to strengthen the alignment of development strategies with Mozambique, explore new models of cooperation, break new ground in infrastructure development and the comprehensive development of energy and mineral resources, foster new growth areas of cooperation in agriculture, new energy, digital economy and artificial intelligence, and advance high-quality and sustainable growth of practical cooperation between the two countries. Faced with a complex and volatile international landscape, the two sides should continue to step up coordination and collaboration within the United Nations and other institutions, work in solidarity to champion an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, and jointly safeguard international fairness and justice, Xi emphasized. Over the 70 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Africa, amid shifting international dynamics, the two sides have stood together through thick and thin and forged ahead side by side, Xi said, noting that the Global South, represented by China and African nations, has always been a force for justice in a world marked by turbulence and transformation. As the impact of the Middle East conflict spills over to African countries, China stands ready to work hand in hand with Africa to address these challenges, jointly promote peace and work together to advance development, Xi said, calling on both sides to uphold the principles for peace, maintain the resolve for development, and promote win-win cooperation. He said both sides should uphold principles to advance peace, jointly call for a ceasefire and an end to hostilities, advocate resolving differences through equal dialogue, advance the international community's practice of true multilateralism, and firmly safeguard the purposes and principles of the UN Charter as well as the basic norms governing international relations. Calling for staying focused on pursuing development, Xi said China has always accorded special priority to Africa in the course of steadily expanding high-standard opening up. China will fully implement zero-tariff measures for the 53 African countries with diplomatic ties starting May 1 this year, and further expand market access for African exports to China by upgrading green channels and other related measures, according to Xi. He also called on both sides to foster a model of win-win cooperation, adding that China is ready to respond to the aspirations of African countries, tap into cooperation potential, strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation, support Africa's development, and jointly build an all-weather community with a shared future between China and Africa in the new era. For his part, Chapo noted that it is a great pleasure to be the first leader of an African country to pay a state visit to China this year. He congratulated China on its remarkable achievements, and on China's exemplary role among Global South countries. Mozambique attaches great importance to its relations with China, unconditionally abides by the one-China principle, and supports China in achieving national reunification, Chapo said. He expressed Mozambique's readiness to work with China, on the basis of mutual respect and mutual trust, to consolidate solidarity and friendship, and enhance cooperation in areas including economy and trade, agriculture and energy, opening up new chapters in jointly building the Mozambique-China community with a shared future in the new era. Noting that the implementation of the outcomes of the FOCAC Beijing Summit and China's zero-tariff policy for African countries having diplomatic ties with China will provide strong impetus to the economic and social development of African countries, Chapo said Mozambique thanks China for its support for African countries. Hailing the vision of a community with a shared future for humanity, the four major global initiatives, and the Belt and Road Initiative which have made important contribution to promoting world peace, stability and development, Chapo said Mozambique is ready to work with China to implement these initiatives and make the world a better place. Following the talks, the two heads of state jointly witnessed the signing of over 20 cooperation documents in areas including Belt and Road cooperation, implementation of the Global Security Initiative, economy and trade, people-to-people exchanges, healthcare, and news media. The two sides issued the Joint Statement Between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Mozambique on Building the China-Mozambique Community with a Shared Future in the New Era. Before the talks, Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan held a welcoming ceremony for Chapo and his wife, Gueta Chapo, at the Great Hall of the People. Xi and his wife Peng also held a welcoming banquet for Chapo and his wife Gueta Chapo on Tuesday evening.


Why the US seizure of an Iranian tanker signals expansion of the conflict into the Indian Ocean

US forces seized an Iranian tanker in the Indian Ocean, expanding operations beyond the Gulf, as Washington intensifies naval pressure, disrupts oil flows, and escalates regional military presence.









US expands Iran conflict into Indian Ocean
Why trust, not policy, is the biggest obstacle in US-Iran talks

Years of broken agreements, military strikes and deep suspicion are making a lasting deal far harder than it looks.









Why trust, not policy, is the biggest obstacle in US-Iran talks
Automated trucks like these from Kodiak are roaming the Permian Basin, delivering frac sand around the clock. The state is rolling out authorization for these automated vehicles, taking effect at the end of May. Courtesy Kodiak Automated trucks like these from Kodiak are roaming the Permian Basin, delivering frac sand around the clock. The state is rolling out authorization for these automated vehicles, taking effect at the end of May. Courtesy Kodiak Automated trucks like these from Kodiak are roaming the Permian Basin, delivering frac sand around the clock. The state is rolling out authorization for these automated vehicles, taking effect at the end of May. Courtesy Kodiak Automated trucks like these from Kodiak are roaming the Permian Basin, delivering frac sand around the clock. The state is rolling out authorization for these automated vehicles, taking effect at the end of May. Courtesy Kodiak

Texas legislators took notice of the surge in automated motor vehicles using state roadways and took action to support their operations while ensuring safety and compliance.

Last year, legislators passed Senate Bill 2807, which requires companies that operate automated motor vehicles commercially in Texas to transport goods or passengers to obtain authorization from the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles.

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The department is currently accepting applications for the authorization before statewide enforcement begins on May 28.

The new application system establishes a statewide framework for commercial automated motor vehicle operations and compliance with safety, legal and reporting requirements on public roads.

Dan Goff, vice president of external affairs at Kodiak Robotics, said this legislation replaces legislation passed in 2017 that made Texas one of the first states to authorize automated vehicles.

We know more about how to regulate automated vehicles, he told the Reporter-Telegram in a telephone interview.

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Goff said his company supports the new legislation, calling it a great step forward in overseeing automated vehicles. Kodiak intends to submit its application in the coming days, he said.

This provides a more permanent structure for the industry. Thats the goal and Texas legislation has succeeded in bringing companies like Kodiak to Texas, he continued.

The company was operating 20 autonomous trucks in the Permian Basin as of the end of 2025, delivering frac sand throughout the region.

Theyre working around the clock, which reflects how the industry operates, he said.

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One of the top areas for the industry to focus on is ensuring interactions with first responders go smoothly, Goff said. Kodiak employs retired law enforcement officers who help train first responders to understand how automated vehicles operate and how to interact with them, he said.

To receive an authorization, applicants must provide basic company information and certify that each automated motor vehicle they operate complies with all applicable Texas traffic and motor vehicle laws, is equipped with a required recording device, uses an automated driving system that complies with federal law, can achieve a minimal risk condition in the event of system failure, is properly titled and registered and maintains required motor vehicle insurance.

Applicants must also certify that the Texas Department of Public Safety has received the applicants emergency response interaction plan. There is no fee to obtain an authorization.

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Authorization holders can add or remove vehicles from an authorization through their TxMCCS account.
Commissioners recognized students from Midland Countys 4-H for their accomplishments on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. Courtesy Photo/Midland County Public Information Office

The Midland County Commissioners Court approved several agenda items on Tuesday while tabling discussion on others.

Commissioners recognized Midland County 4-H students for their accomplishments over the past year. Organizers said club members earned various awards at stock shows across Texas and outside the state during this years stock show season, including grand champion honors. Students showed various breeds of livestock, including steers, pigs and goats.

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Here's what else happened at the meeting:

Texas Anti-Gang Center - Permian Basin

County commissioners approved the purchase of the Point Blank surveillance platform, a digital evidence collection system that will support TAG personnel across multiple platforms. TAG administrators said the system enhances surveillance and evidence-gathering capabilities through advanced mobile and wireless technologies. The surveillance platform is fully funded through TAG grants, with no cost to taxpayers.

Commissioners also approved the receipt of a digital drug analyzer from TAG Center - San Antonio. The drug analyzer will allow agents in the field to analyze unknown substances accurately.

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The MX-908 is able to break down substances to the molecular level and is used in state laboratories as final testing equipment, said county officials. The increased sensitivity of the device can be helpful in several instances that would include fentanyl overdoses.

Veterans' Battlefield Cross

Midland County commissioners approved a replacement for the Veterans' Battlefield Cross, which was stolen between Sept. 23 and Oct. 1, 2025. The bronze battlefield cross was stolen from the Midland County Veterans Memorial at 1620 N. A St.

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This sacred monument  made up of a helmet, rifle, and boots  is a powerful symbol of fallen soldiers, representing honor, sacrifice and remembrance, said Midland Crime Stoppers in a Facebook post. The boots at the base were broken during the theft.

Crime Stoppers said the stolen cross is worth about $6,000, though its value to the community and veterans is considered priceless.

Anyone with information regarding the felony theft is asked to call 432-694-8477, use the mobile app P3 TIPS or visit www.694tips.com.

Midland County Library

Commissioners approved several upcoming activities for the Midland County library system. This summers reading program will include appearances by puppeteer Margaret Clauder and Ramblin' Rita's Texas Tales. In addition, Sword School Fitness will offer safety classes.

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Odessa police arrested a 22-year-old man after a woman was fatally shot on Andrews Highway, according to investigators. Daniel Tamas Mehes/Getty Images

ODESSA, Texas  Odessa police have made an arrest in connection with a homicide that occurred Tuesday in north Odessa.

According to a press statement, David Dewayne Horn Jr., 22, was arrested on a murder charge, a first-degree felony. OPD said that at about 7:30 p.m. April 21, officers responded to the 3700 block of Andrews Highway on a report of a shooting.

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OPD said that when officers arrived, they found an unresponsive woman on the ground, identified as I'sis Garza, 22. Officers began CPR, but she died from her injuries. Next of kin have been notified.

The suspect was identified as David Dewayne Horn Jr., and an investigation revealed he had fled the scene in a purple Dodge Charger, said OPD. Officers located the listed vehicle traveling south on Grant Avenue and conducted a traffic stop on it.

The driver of the Dodge was identified as Horn Jr. and was transported to OPD for an interview. OPD stated that Horn Jr. said that he had shot his common-law wife (Isis Garza) after getting into an argument with her.

Based on the investigation, OPD detectives obtained a warrant for Horn Jr. He was arrested and transported to the Ector County Detention Center. No bond was listed.
Jacinta Schneider gestures during an interview in a laundromat queue on Wednesday. Photo by Emmanuel T. Erediano

By Emmanuel T. Erediano

[email protected]

Variety News Staff

FIGHTS broke out at laundromats over queues for washing and drying machines in the aftermath of Super Typhoon Sinlaku, prompting Saipan Mayor Ramon Blas RB Camacho to intervene in at least one incident on the island.

Camacho shared the incident with Saipan lawmakers during the Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative Delegations emergency session on Saturday, recalling an altercation that occurred earlier that morning involving people waiting in line for laundry machines.

So, I walked down to the laundromat, and I was able to control the situation, he said.

He added that even at water distribution sites, residents were becoming increasingly stressed and easily agitated.

As mayor, Camacho urged patience from the public.

We are all victims of this typhoon. We suffered the same. Theres no exemption. We all faced the impact. We need to hold hands with each other, he said.

He also appealed to lawmakers: They are our constituents. Please help them.

According to a laundromat operator on Saipan, multiple incidents involving disputes over queues have occurred over the past four days following the typhoon. The operator said laundromats are operating on limited hours due to power and water shortages from the Commonwealth Utilities Corp.

Generators in use require rest periods to ensure continued operation. The main laundromat in San Antonio opens daily at 6 a.m. but closes at noon, then reopens from 2 p.m. to 4 a.m. Another location in Garapan operates from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily, allowing generator rest from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.

The limited operating hours have caused inconvenience and stress among residents whose clothes, bedsheets, and curtains were soaked during the typhoon.

Jacinta Schneider, a resident waiting in line at a Garapan laundromat, told Variety: I know there is always suffering after every typhoon. But what is really important right now is water.

I can live without power, but I want water first, she said.

She said residents in her housing area in Garapan are struggling due to the lack of water, with some unable to leave their homes.

If at least for one hour people will have running water at home, it would be very much appreciated. Even one gallon of water  I would be very happy if my neighbors could receive just to wash their hands or face, she said.

Do you hear me, governor? And you too, mayor. I am talking to you, too. At least one hour of water would be very much appreciated in the housing area in Garapan. Please, Schneider added.

She said the lack of water is the main reason laundromats are limiting operating hours, contributing to long waits and stress among residents.

At the laundromat where she was waiting, she said, I want to apply for a job here already because Ive been here every day since after the typhoon.

Today it got better. Ive been waiting only for two hours, but on the first day I spent six hours, she said.

And this is what makes me mad  weve been through many typhoons already. We should have learned from the first time. Water first, she said.

Emmanuel Arnold Erediano has a bachelor of science degree in Journalism. He started his career as police beat reporter. Loves to cook. Eats death threats for breakfast.
People walk on a street, amid a ceasefire between U.S. and Iran, in Tehran, Iran, April 20, 2026. Majid Asgaripour/West Asia News Agency via REUTERS

WASHINGTON/DUBAI (Reuters)  President Donald Trump said he would indefinitely extend the ceasefire with Iran to allow for further peace talks, although it was not clear on Wednesday if Iran or Israel, the U.S. ally in the two-month war, would agree.

Trump said in a statement on social media the U.S. had agreed to a request by Pakistani mediators to hold our Attack on the Country of Iran until such time as their leaders and representatives can come up with a unified proposaland discussions are concluded, one way or the other.

Pakistans leaders have hosted peace talks in Islamabad to end a war that has killed thousands of people and shaken the global economy.

But even as he announced what appeared to be a unilateral ceasefire extension, Trump also said he would continue the U.S. Navys blockade of Irans trade by sea, considered an act of war by Iran.

There was no response early on Wednesday to Trumps announcement from senior Iranian officials, although some initial reactions from Tehran suggested Trumps comments were being treated skeptically.

Tasnim News Agency, affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, said Iran had not asked for a ceasefire extension and repeated threats to break the U.S. blockade by force. An adviser to Irans lead negotiator, the speaker of parliament Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, said Trumps announcement carried little weight and may be a ploy.

Trumps wartime rhetoric has veered between extremes. In an expletive-filled threat against Iran only two weeks ago he promised that a whole civilization will die tonight, while at other times has appeared keen to end the violence and market uncertainty.

With his announcement, Trump again pulled back at the last moment from his threats to bomb Irans power plants and bridges. United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres and others have condemned those threats, noting international humanitarian law forbids attacks targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure.

Next peace talks uncertain

The U.S. and Israel began the war on February 28 with aerial bombardments of Iran. The conflict quickly spread to Gulf states that host U.S. military bases and to Lebanon once the Iran-allied militant group Hezbollah joined the fighting.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has for decades sought to oust Irans leadership, but Trump has given shifting and sometimes contradictory rationales for joining Israel to launch the war and how he foresees it ending, stirring confusion in global markets.

More than 3,000 civilians have been killed across the region and hundreds of thousands displaced so far, mostly in Iran and Lebanon, and the war has led to the virtual closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital chokepoint in global energy markets between Iran and Oman, sending oil prices soaring and fears that the global economy could enter a recession.

Iran has repeatedly exploited its ability to control the passage of oil tankers and other ships in the strait in response to U.S. and Israeli attacks.

Trump said in his statement he was willing to extend the ceasefire because the Government of Iran is seriously fractured, not unexpectedly so, a reference to U.S.-Israeli assassinations of some of the countrys leaders in the wars first weeks, including the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has been succeeded by his son.

A few hours before his announcement, Trump had told the CNBC news channel that he was not inclined to continue the temporary truce and the U.S. military was raring to go.

Those comments came as tentatively scheduled peace talks in Islamabad seemed on the verge of falling apart: Vice President JD Vance, whose presence has been requested by the Iranians, had planned to return to Pakistan on Tuesday.

Before Trumps latest announcement, a senior Iranian official told Reuters that Irans negotiators had been willing to attend another round of talks if the U.S. abandoned a policy of pressure and threats, and rejected negotiations aimed at surrender.

Iran has condemned the U.S. Navy intercepting and seizing two commercial Iranian ships at sea as part of its blockade, the second earlier on Tuesday, with its foreign ministry accusing the U.S. of piracy at sea and state terrorism. The U.S., joined by multiple other countries, has condemned Iran for impeding freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

A first session of talks 10 days ago produced no agreement, with much of the focus on Irans stockpiles of highly enriched uranium.

Trump wants to take the uranium out of Iran in order to prevent the country from enriching it further to the point where it could develop a nuclear weapon. Iran says it has only a peaceful civilian nuclear program and a sovereign right to continue that as a signatory of the nuclear weapons non-proliferation treaty.
Twenty-two attorneys general, including Illinois', say a proposed Department of Housing and Urban Development Rule would be more harmful than helpful. Douglas Rissing/Getty Images

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul and 21 of his counterparts have signed a letter opposing a proposed U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development rule they say would change the support eligible mixed-immigration-status families would receive.

Mixed-status families include those with at least one member eligible for housing assistance based on their citizenship or immigration status. Mixed-status families now are able to stay in subsidized housing, though subsidies are decreased based on the number of non-eligible family members, whether living in public housing or using Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8) or project-based rental assistance.

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The proposed rule would not allow households to qualify for subsidized housing if at least one member is ineligible. The housing department calls the rule a closure of the "roommate loophole."

Under President Trumps leadership, the days of illegal aliens, ineligibles and fraudsters gaming the system and riding the coattails of American taxpayers are over, department Secretary Scott Turner said. HUDs proposed rule will guarantee that all residents in HUD-funded housing are eligible tenants.

The attorneys general say it's not a loophole at all.

The Trump administration is once again attempting to illegally impose restrictions on the use of federal dollars that Congress has already appropriated, Raoul said in a statement. HUDs proposed rule would leave families who are eligible to receive services faced with a cruel and impossible choice: Break up the family or lose housing access. The rule will increase rates of homelessness at a time of skyrocketing housing costs.

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The letter contends fewer families will receive fewer housing subsidies and more will be at an increased risk of homelessness, affecting thousands of children. In Illinois, it's estimated the rule change would affect about 300 families. Another 7,000 individual non-citizens would be required to document their eligibility  a number the attorneys general say they know because it's already a requirement.

"Moreover, there are numerous variations of these alternatives that HUD fails to consider, such as denying housing assistance to households where only the leaseholder is ineligible, or maintaining prorated benefits for mixed-status families currently receiving such assistance that make good faith efforts to obtain other affordable housing but are unsuccessful in doing so," the letter read.

They also argue it's a violation of the Administrative Procedure Act and the Paperwork Reduction Act. The entire letter can be read on the Illinois Attorney General's website.

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House Speaker Emanuel Chis Welch, D-Hillside, speaks at a news conference about the state budget alongside Senate President Don Harmon (left) and Gov. JB Pritzker. Jerry Nowicki/Capitol News Illinois

The biggest item on Illinois lawmakers agenda this spring is still a work in progress with six weeks left in the legislative session.

Democrats are entering the home stretch of budget negotiations ahead of their scheduled May 31 adjournment while monitoring better-than-expected revenue growth alongside the uncertainty that is a hallmark of governing during Donald Trumps presidency.

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Revenue in the current fiscal year was up $1.5 billion through March compared to the same point last year, outpacing initial estimates, according to the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountabilitys March update.

Gov. JB Pritzker in February proposed increasing spending by just 0.5% outside of required areas like education and pensions for the upcoming budget year that begins July 1.

While the strong revenue performance thus far could give lawmakers greater flexibility in crafting the roughly $56 billion upcoming fiscal year budget, the upcoming April report will likely tell a fuller story. That report, set to be released in early May, has the capacity to make or break a budget due to its proximity to tax filing season.

Right now, it's all about information gathering, and (April 15) was Tax Day, House Speaker Emanuel Chris Welch, D-Hillside, told reporters after an event in Springfield. The reason a lot of things don't happen until later is because we need to know the tax receipts. That's going to be the final way to let you develop a number.

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While top leaders are entering May with caution, other rank-and-file Democrats are urging legislative leaders to aggressively raise taxes on high-income earners and businesses.

Evaluating next steps

Deputy Gov. Andy Manar, who leads budgeting in Pritzkers office, told a Senate appropriations committee last week the governors office is planning to increase the revenue estimate in the coming weeks.

Were not surprised that the revenue is coming in higher than what we anticipated or the governor put into his budget ... we see it as good budgeting, Manar said. At the same time, were holding the line on spending, and at the same time, we still have these huge variables that are coming from Washington.

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But that number isnt yet final, given the pending April numbers. And whether excess revenue is used for supplemental spending or as cushion for the upcoming fiscal year also isnt clear.

Welch said hes exercising caution for now.

Thankfully, based on COGFA reports that we've seen, that the revenues have been coming in well, Welch said. But there's still no way to backfill the holes that have been created by Trump, but we're going to do the best we can with what we got.

Even with the revenue growth, Manar said he doesnt see the governor rescinding his proposed revenue changes, including a $200 million tax on social media companies, because theres still a lot of uncertainty over the economy and federal funding.

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The budget also included a provision that raised higher education spending by 1% for the year and held back an additional 2% in funding that could be released if Pritzker felt there was enough flexibility to spend the money. Sen. Chapin Rose, R-Mahomet, said the current revenue track means Pritzker should release the $29 million.

Certainly because of what we have seen in terms of revenue growth because the states economy is growing, we should revisit that, Manar said in response to questioning from Rose. We certainly should, but thats going to be in conjunction with the General Assembly.

Senate President Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, was also cautious.

I'm grateful that this year's path to a responsible, balanced budget looks a little easier than it looked several months ago, Harmon told reporters. That said, I think next year is looking just as dire as predicted. I don't think we should make any rash, short-term decisions without figuring out what the long term looks like.

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COGFAs updated projections in March expect revenue to decline in fiscal 2027 by more than $400 million, even after better-than-expected fiscal year 2026 results.

It also remains to be seen how the war in Iran affects state revenue and the broader economy. S&P Globals February forecast before the war predicted the economy would continue to grow throughout 2026.

Millionaires tax

With Pritzker pushing for a generally flat budget this year, some Democrats have their own idea for raising revenue: taxing millionaires.

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Many progressive Democrats and Welch want the General Assembly to pass a constitutional amendment referendum to be placed on November ballot. It would allow lawmakers to establish a new tax on millionaires and devote that revenue to property taxes and funding schools. Illinois constitution requires a flat tax regardless of income, meaning voters must approve the change. Lawmakers have to pass a resolution to present the question to voters six months before the election, which is May 3.

Though Pritzker and Democrats broadly support the concept, it faces hurdles beyond the shrinking window to get it passed. Voters soundly rejected a broader question in 2020 to establish a graduated income tax structure.

I've always supported a more fair tax policy, Harmon said. I led the charge on prior constitutional amendments. The message that was very clear to me after the last effort was the voters weren't quite ready for that. So we're going to have to do some serious evaluation here before advancing anything right now, but certainly open to the conversation.

Welch didnt disagree, though he has said it should be a priority for lawmakers this spring.

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There's a lot of conversations around that issue and one of the things I've learned in this business is you need consensus and build coalitions to get things done, Welch said. And so you got to keep the conversations going.

Pritzker has said the amendment is not a priority for him this year, but the legislature is welcome to take on the task. The governor plays no formal role in constitutional amendments in Illinois.

Former Gov. Pat Quinn has led a push to get the amendment on the ballot. At a Springfield news conference on Monday, he pointed to the approval of a millionaires tax on nonbinding referendums in 2014 and 2024 as proof that it will pass in 2026.

Going 50/50, half for property tax relief, half for investing in schools in order to get more property tax relief for people, I think is the best prescription for those who are in doubt about what to put on the ballot for the people who voted, Quinn said.

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Progressives want more

Progressives in the General Assembly say more taxes on the ultrawealthy must be a priority this spring.

Im here in the Senate ... fighting to make sure that we tax the rich, Sen. Rachel Ventura, D-Joliet, said last week at a Statehouse rally. That we increase our corporate rates, that we have a balanced budget not on the backs and the sacrifices of the people, but in celebration of the people.

The Illinois Revenue Alliance of left-leaning union and progressive groups is calling on lawmakers to approve $3.9 billion in new taxes aimed at corporations and billionaires. None of the proposals were included in Pritzker's introduced budget.

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The moneys there, Sen. Javier Cervantes, D-Chicago, said. Its a choice if we dont go get that money. The billionaires dont need the breaks. Our families need to survive.

Rep. Lindsey LaPointe, D-Chicago, took a more direct shot at Pritzkers budget proposal.

This administration in Springfield, Illinois, I like a lot of what they do, but theyre proposing to cut the homelessness budget over two years by almost $40 million, she said. That aint right.

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A Rockford woman was cited Tuesday for failing to pull over and striking an Illinois State Police squad car in Springfield. Courtesy of Illinois State Police

A Rockford woman was cited Tuesday for striking an Illinois State Police squad car in Springfield.

A state police trooper was inspecting a semi-truck around 12:43 p.m. on the northbound shoulder of Interstate 55, near East Lake Shore Drive. The trooper's squad car had its emergency lights on and the trooper was outside taking a look at the truck.

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A U-Haul truck pulling a trailer then failed to move over and struck the squad car. No injuries were reported.

The driver, 79-year-old Lynn Pulfrey, was cited on improper lane usage and a violation of the Move Over Law, aka "Scott's Law," which requires people to move over to another lane and/or slow down when approaching a stationary emergency vehicle with its lights on.
A group of activists gather in front of the courthouse in downtown Denver after two people were arrested for handing out jury nullification pamphlets. Kathryn Scott Osler/Denver Post via Getty Images Abbe David Lowell Syndicated Steven Salky Syndicated

For an opposing viewpoint, read "Jury nullification is the lefts clear option to blow up justice" by John Fredericks

The last year has seen an unprecedented stress test for the American rule of law. While much of the public discourse has focused on the targeting of political rivals for criminal prosecution  facts and evidence notwithstanding  a less noticed but equally vital shift is occurring. Federal grand juries and trial juries are exercising a renewed sense of independence, serving as a critical check on perceived abuses in the criminal justice system.

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For decades, the grand jury no bill was a statistical unicorn. Because evidence is presented solely by a prosecutor without a defense presence, the prevailing wisdom held that a prosecutor could indict a ham sandwich. That era appears to be closing.

In some of the most publicized instances of the last year, federal grand juries in Virginia have refused to indict the attorney general of New York for alleged mortgage fraud  not once, but twice  despite prosecutors forum shopping across different districts in the state. More recently, a federal grand jury in Washington rejected an indictment sought against six Democratic members of Congress who had posted a video advising active-duty troops of their right to refuse illegal orders.

Data from the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Criminal Case Tracker reveals that these are not isolated incidents. Numerous grand juries nationwide are refusing to approve felony charges presented by federal prosecutors. However, the documented number of no bills likely represents only the tip of the iceberg, as prosecutors in several high-volume districts have reportedly delayed notifying courts of these decisions or are actively attempting to bypass reporting requirements.

The juror rebellion extends to the trial phase as well. Faced with what many perceive as over-charging, trial juries are returning not guilty verdicts at an unprecedented rate. For instance, after a grand jury refused to indict Shawn Charles Dunn for a felony, prosecutors in D.C. used their authority to charge him with misdemeanor assault for throwing a Subway sandwich at a federal agent. A jury acquitted him promptly.

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This trend is particularly acute in the West. Juries in Los Angeles have acquitted defendants in every single case involving charges of interfering with or assaulting federal officers that proceeded to trial in 2025 and early 2026.

Furthermore, the speed of these deliberations signals a profound skepticism of the governments theories. In a recent case where a homeless man was charged with a felony for shining a toy key-ring laser near Marine One, the jury returned a not guilty verdict in 35 minutes.

The Founders embedded the grand jury and the petit jury into the Bill of Rights precisely for this reason. They viewed the concurrence of impartial citizens  drawn from all races, ages and political backgrounds  as the ultimate safeguard against a government misusing the criminal law.

While the use of the justice system to punish political enemies remains a dark chapter, the silver lining is the reawakening of the people. This trend is not a legal quirk; it is a restoration of the jurys role as the final bulwark of liberty.

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Associated Press Writer

A condemned inmate from far northeast Texas was found hanging by a sheet in his death row cell in an apparent suicide, state prison officials said Wednesday.

Deon Tumblin, 27, was found Tuesday evening at the Polunsky Unit of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice outside Livingston, about 75 miles northeast of Houston.

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He had been condemned for strangling a Texarkana woman, Evelyn Reid, 75, at her home in January 2000, then taking her car.

Efforts to resuscitate Tumblin at the scene failed and he was taken to the prison infirmary where he was pronounced dead.

The prison system's inspector general's office was investigating the death.

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Tumblin, who arrived on death row in February 2001, did not have an execution date.

Police on the Arkansas side of Texarkana arrested Tumblin and a woman companion in the victim's car, which had been reported stolen.

Police said they also found Tumblin had some items that belonged to Reid, a widow who had been caring for her 46-year-old invalid daughter who lived with her.

The daughter, unable to speak, was in a bedroom of the home when her mother was killed, according to testimony at Tumblin's trial.

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Prosecutors said Tumblin hit Reid with a wrench, choked her, broke a belt trying to strangle her and then slammed his knee into her neck. Prosecutors also said he had a history of impulsive violence, drug use and criminal behavior.

He earlier received a four-year term in Arkansas for forgery and firearms possession. He spent five months in prison and was paroled in May 1997.

Defense attorneys tried to portray Tumblin as the product of an abusive family who was teased as a child because of a problem with crossed eyes.

But physical evidence, Tumblin's statements to police and the testimony of his accomplice, Marsha Burnett, prompted a Bowie County jury to convict him and sentence him to death.

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Bowie County District Attorney Bobby Lockhart said Wednesday he was "content that the family of Evelyn Reid can now have the closure that this office has come to realize is so important to victims' families in capital cases."

Burnett, now 24, received a life prison term in exchange for her testimony against him. Prosecutors had considered seeking the death penalty against her until she agreed to the plea deal.

She's imprisoned at the Mountain View Unit near Gatesville and isn't eligible for parole until 2040.

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Yves here. To see what the US has in its future. have a look at the severe, long-lived fires in the north of Thailand (Chiang Mai) and Laos. From South China Morning Post over the past weekend, in Worst Ive seen: forest fires rage across Thailand, Mekong region:

Forest fires raging through Laos, Myanmar and Thailand have smothered large areas in dangerous smoke, leaving overstretched firefighters battling blazes and smog-choked communities looking to the skies for rain and their governments to fix a scourge that worsens each year. Dry season fires have brought a public health crisis to northern Thailand, including Chiang Mai, as well as much of Laos and eastern Myanmar, as parched bush provides tinderbox conditions for wildfires. Some fires are also due to farmers slashing and burning to clear land in the quickest, least labour-intensive way possible ahead of a planting season, especially in Laos and Myanmar, where enforcement of bans against the practice remains patchy. Thailands northernmost provinces of Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son have been blanketed by thick clouds of pollution drifting across the Myanmar and Laotian borders. On Sunday, Thailand recorded over 600 fire hotspots, most in the north, with some snaking down the western border with Myanmar. Hospitals across the country have reported a surge in patients seeking help for respiratory sickness linked to high levels of PM2.5, the ultrafine, toxic particles carried in polluted air. The air we breathe is a fundamental right that every person deserves, Maneerat Khemawong, a senator from Chiang Rai province, told reporters on Monday. The air quality situation in the northern region has been at a critical red-to-dark purple level for over two months  a trend of worsening conditions every year, she said, flanked by fellow northern senators pressing the government to do more over the worsening pollution. Accumulated hotspots in neighbouring countries number over 10 thousand, and this smoke drifts into Thailand, she said, referencing satellite data.

By Seth Borenstein, AP Science Writer. Cross posted from Yale Climate Connections

Burning time for North American wildfires is going into overtime. Flames are lasting later into the night and starting earlier in the morning because human-caused climate change is extending the hotter and drier conditions that feed fires, a new study found.

Fires used to die down or even die out at night as temperatures dropped and humidity increased, but thats happening less often. The number of hours in North America when the weather is favorable for wildfires is 36% higher than 50 years ago, according to a study published earlier this month in Science Advances.

Places such as California have 550 more potential burning hours than in the mid-1970s. Parts of southwestern New Mexico and central Arizona are seeing as many as 2,000 more hours a year when the weather is prone to burning fires, the highest increase seen in the study, which looked at Canada and the United States. The research looked at times when conditions were ripe for fire, but that didnt mean fires occurred during all that time.

Recent Big Fires in LA and Hawaii Burned at Night

Fires that surge at night are tougher to fight and included the Lahaina, Hawaii fire in 2023, the Jasper fire in Alberta in 2024, and the Los Angeles fires in 2025, the study said. Mauis fire ignited at 12:22 a.m.

Its not just the clock that is getting extended. The calendar is too. The number of days with fire-prone weather increased by 44%, which effectively added 26 days over the past half-century.

Its mostly from warmer, drier nighttime weather, with a bit of extra wind, the study authors said.

Fires normally slow down during the night, or they just stop, said study co-author Xianli Wang, a fire scientist with the Canadian Forest Service. But under extreme fire hazard conditions, fire actually burns through the night or later into the night.

And Wang said Earths warming atmosphere means its like to get worse.

Tougher to Fight Fires at Night

Fires that dont go to sleep get a running start the next day, making it harder to knock them down, University of California, Merced fire scientist John Abatzoglou, who wasnt part of the study, said in an email.

Nights arent what they used to be  that is, more reliable breaks for wildfire, he added. Widespread warming and lack of humidity is keeping fires up at night.

Wildland firefighter Nicholai Allen, who also founded a firm that makes home fire prevention tools, said its very difficult to fight fires at night.

You have to understand that you have snakes and bears and mountain lions and all the stuff you have in daytime, Allen said, noting a colleague was bitten by a bear. But at night, theyre really scared, and theyre running away from the fire.

The Canadian researchers analyzed nearly 9,000 larger fires from 2017 to 2023 using a weather satellite and other tools to get hour-by-hour data on atmospheric conditions during the fires, such as humidity, temperature, wind, rain, and fuel moisture levels. They created a computer model that correlated weather conditions and fire status and applied to historical data in Canada and the United States from 1975 to 2106.

Nights Are Warming Faster Than Days

Scientists have long said heat-trapping gases from the burning of coal, oil, and natural gas make nights warm faster than days because of increased cloud cover that absorbs and re-emits heat down to Earth at night like a blanket. Since 1975, summers in the contiguous U.S. have seen nighttime lowest temperatures warm by 2.6 degrees Fahrenheit (1.4 degrees Celsius), while daytime highest temperatures have gone up 2.2 degrees Fahrenheit (1.2 degrees Celsius), according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Humidity at night doesnt rebound from its daytime dryness like it used to, said study lead author Kaiwei Luo, a fire science researcher at the University of Alberta.

Wildfires often coincide with drought, especially extreme drought, which means not only drier air, but hotter, drier air that sucks up more moisture from the ground and plants, making fuels for fire more flammable, Wang said. In a drought, theres often a vicious circle of drying and when it is quite dry, a warmer atmosphere has more power to suck moisture out of fuels.

Just as warmer nights, especially in heat waves, dont let the body recover, the warmer nights are not allowing forests to recover, Wang said. It can take weeks for dead fuel to recover its lost moisture and be less fire-prone, he said.

Its just a stress to the plants, Wang said. That also increases fuel load.

From 2016 to 2025, wildfires in the United States on average burned an area the size of Massachusetts each year, slightly more than 11,000 square miles (28,500 square kilometers). Thats 2.6 times the average burn area of the 1980s, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. Canadas land burned on average for the last 10 years is 2.8 times more than during the 1980s, according to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre.

Syracuse University fire scientist Jacob Bendix, who wasnt part of the research, called the study a sobering reminder of climate changes role in driving increased fire potential across almost all of the fire-prone environments of North America.
Americas energy fortress: How gas and renewables shield consumers amid Middle East turmoil

A domestic boom in natural gas and renewable energy has insulated the U.S. economy from severe price shocks caused by a 2026 Middle East conflict that disrupted global energy supplies, including a major LNG export halt.

The shale revolution made the U.S. the top natural gas producer and LNG exporter, while a massive expansion of wind and solar power provides low-cost electricity. Together, they stabilize the grid and have helped keep U.S. energy costs lower than they would otherwise be.

Ideological opposition in both parties is hindering further gains; some Republicans oppose renewable energy projects, while some Democrats block new natural gas infrastructure, stalling critical permitting reforms for energy projects.

A surge in electricity demand from AI data centers and renewed Middle East conflict (which has spiked gasoline prices) are straining the energy system, highlighting the need for policy that supports alternatives like electric vehicles.

To maintain long-term energy security and affordability, the U.S. must pass permitting reforms to build more infrastructure. Failure to do so risks higher domestic prices and squanders a strategic advantage.

In a world where conflict in the Middle East has historically sent economic shockwaves across the globe, American households and businesses are finding an unexpected buffer: a domestic energy boom built on natural gas and renewable power. As President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prosecute a war against Iran in early 2026, a significant portion of global energy exports has been disrupted. Yet, the United States, fortified by 15 years of strategic production increases, is weathering the storm with remarkable stability, exposing a critical political failure to fully capitalize on this advantage for long-term consumer relief.

The unseen shield against global chaos

The immediate trigger for the current global energy scare is the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital maritime chokepoint and the decision by Qatar, the world's second-largest exporter of liquefied natural gas (LNG), to halt production. This has removed roughly one-fifth of global LNG supplygas super-cooled into liquid form for ocean transportfrom the market overnight. In Europe and Asia, prices have skyrocketed. In the U.S., the impact on natural gas prices has been muted, a testament to the nation's production dominance.

This insulation is no accident. It is the direct result of the shale gas revolution, a drilling boom that utilized hydraulic fracturing or fracking, to unlock vast underground reserves. Since 2011, the U.S. has been the world's top natural gas producer. Since 2022, it has also been the largest LNG exporter. This dual role creates a protective moat: domestic needs are met first by a massive homegrown supply, with excess capacity available for export.

A renewable surge adds to the buffer

While natural gas forms the bedrock of this energy security, its partner in stabilizing the grid has been a historic expansion of wind, solar and battery storage. Over the past decade, U.S. wind power output has tripled and solar generation has increased more than tenfold. These renewable sources provide low-cost, clean electricity. Crucially, they work in tandem with modern natural gas plants, which can power up in minutes to back up renewable energy when the sun isn't shining or the wind isn't blowing.

This synergy has delivered tangible benefits. Without the combined doubling of gas production and the renewable surge since 2010, analysts contend U.S. consumers would be facing far steeper electricity bills today. This domestic abundance has also become a geopolitical tool, allowing the U.S. to displace Russia as Europe's primary gas suppliera strategic win achieved across both the Trump and Biden administrations.

The political irony undermining progress

The bitter irony of this success story is that the very synergy protecting America is being undermined by ideological purists in both major political parties. The Trump administration and its allies have consistently and irrationally demonized renewable energy, rolling back incentives and even blocking completed projects from operating, thereby denying consumers access to cheaper power.

Conversely, a faction within the Democratic Party remains reflexively opposed to new natural gas infrastructure, including pipelines needed to transport affordable gas to high-cost regions like the Northeast. This bipartisan intransigence has stalled critical permitting reforms in Congress. These reforms would streamline the approval process for both energy pipelines and the high-voltage transmission lines needed to move renewable power from where it's generated to where it's needed.

Mounting pressures demand action

The need for compromise has never been more urgent. Two simultaneous forces are straining the system: an unprecedented surge in electricity demand from artificial intelligence data centers and the economic volatility sparked by renewed military conflict in the Middle East. The war's impact is already stark in the oil market, a globally traded commodity where U.S. consumers are not insulated. Gasoline prices have jumped over 12% in a week, directly hitting household budgets.

This contrast highlights a policy shortcoming. The administration's aversion to electric vehicles leaves consumers with fewer alternatives to escape high pump prices. EVs, charged on a grid increasingly powered by domestic gas and renewables, could offer a shield, but policy currently discourages their adoption.

A crossroads for affordability and security

The present moment reveals a nation at an energy crossroads. The existing fortress of gas and renewables is providing a vital, temporary buffer. However, the moat is not impenetrable. Experts warn that if LNG exports rise sharply in response to the global crisis, domestic gas and electricity prices will inevitably climb as supply tightens. The long-term solution is not to halt progress but to accelerate it.

"The need for long-term energy security arises from the urgency to ensure a stable, resilient and affordable supply of energy for national economies and defense," said BrightU.AI's Enoch. "It is critical to reduce dependence on volatile global markets and geopolitical rivals for key resources, particularly minerals essential for modern and clean energy technologies. A comprehensive strategy is required to mitigate supply chain vulnerabilities and secure the materials needed for the ongoing energy transition."

Passing permitting reforms to build more infrastructure would unlock a new era of energy abundance, driving down costs further and solidifying U.S. economic and foreign policy flexibility. Failure to act is a choice to victimize American consumers, who are now tracking energy affordability more closely than ever. Any lawmaker who blocks this pragmatic path risks paying the price at the ballot box, as the nation's hard-won energy security hangs in the balance. The tools for enduring prosperity and stability are at hand, awaiting only the political will to use them.

Watch and learn about renewable energy and grid instability.

This video is from the Brighteon Highlights channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

WattsUpWithThat.com

Axios.com

RealClearEnergy.org

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
Former Canadian Intelligence Officer Warns Parliament of Security Risks from Chinese Electric Vehicles

Introduction

A former Canadian intelligence officer has warned a parliamentary committee that the proliferation of Chinese-made electric vehicles in Canada presents significant national security risks. Neil Bisson, who spent 18 years with the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), delivered his testimony to the House of Commons industry committee on April 16, 2026, according to sources familiar with the proceedings. His assessment centered on the potential for the vehicles to serve as platforms for foreign surveillance and as a vector for cyberattacks targeting Canadas critical infrastructure.

The testimony occurs amid a global surge in the adoption of Chinese electric vehicles, which have gained market share due to competitive pricing and advanced technology [1]. At the same time, several allied nations, including Poland and Israel, have already moved to restrict Chinese vehicles from sensitive sites over espionage concerns, highlighting a growing pattern of security scrutiny [2] [3].

Former CSIS Officer Tells Committee Chinese EVs Pose Dual Threat

Neil Bisson, a veteran intelligence officer, told Members of Parliament that the security risks from Chinese electric vehicles are twofold, encompassing both espionage and infrastructure vulnerabilities. His appearance before the committee was part of a broader study on industry and national security, officials said. Bissons 18-year career at CSIS provided the foundation for his analysis of the integrated communications and data systems found in modern connected vehicles.

The core of his warning rests on the technological architecture of these vehicles, which are equipped with an array of sensors, cameras, and constant connectivity. This design, while enabling advanced features, also creates a potential attack surface, according to his testimony. The risk assessment is not limited to the vehicle itself but extends to the broader ecosystem, including data servers and manufacturer access. Similar concerns have been raised internationally, with a Norwegian public transport operator finding that a Chinese-made electric bus could be remotely manipulated by its manufacturer [4].

This scrutiny aligns with a global trend where nations are reassessing dependencies on foreign technology for critical infrastructure. As noted in one analysis, the United States has historically used national security as a pretext for restricting technologies from geopolitical rivals, a practice now mirrored in responses to Chinese technological exports [5].

Surveillance Capabilities Described as 'Eyes and Ears'

In his testimony, Bisson characterized the vehicles' sophisticated sensor suites as potential eyes and ears for the Chinese state, sources relayed. He detailed how the vehicles collect extensive data, including high-definition mapping information, environmental details, and audio-visual recordings from their surroundings. This data, if aggregated and analyzed, could provide a detailed picture of Canadian infrastructure, traffic patterns, and even the movements of individuals.

The risk is compounded by China's legal framework, Bisson stated. He cited China's national security laws, which can compel Chinese companies and their employees to cooperate with state intelligence-gathering efforts. This legal obligation, experts note, creates a pathway for data collected by vehicles on Canadian roads to be accessed by Beijing. A former senior Canadian official has separately warned that Chinese-made technologies pose surveillance risks, particularly for individuals critical of the Chinese government [6].

The integration of such technology into everyday life represents a modern evolution of long-standing intelligence concerns. As one book on global power dynamics notes, the control of advanced communication networks is a central feature of contemporary geopolitical competition, with 5G and related technologies being key battlegrounds [7]. The connected electric vehicle effectively extends this network into the mobile domain.

Electrical Grid Vulnerabilities Outlined in Testimony

Beyond surveillance, Bisson warned that a large-scale fleet of connected Chinese EVs could be weaponized to destabilize Canada's electrical grid, according to officials familiar with his remarks. The threat involves the potential for coordinated cyber operations that could manipulate charging patterns, creating sudden, massive demands on the power system. Such a load shock could trigger cascading failures and blackouts.

Grid operators in North America have previously expressed concerns about managing the increased electrical load from widespread EV adoption, even without malicious intent. The addition of a connected, foreign-controlled element introduces a new layer of vulnerability. Experts have long highlighted the fragility of centralized power systems, noting that cyberattacks pose a significant threat to national security and economic stability [8] [9].

The global push for electrification, driven in part by climate policy agendas, is increasing dependence on the electrical grid while simultaneously introducing complex digital interdependencies. This creates a larger attack surface for state and non-state actors. As one analyst framed it, the rising power demand from technologies like AI data centers and electric vehicles is straining infrastructure, making its security paramount [9].

Context of Broader Scrutiny on Chinese Technology

Bisson's testimony fits within a wider pattern of allied nations imposing restrictions on Chinese technology in sensitive sectors. In February 2026, Poland banned Chinese-made vehicles from its military sites, citing fears of espionage and uncontrolled data collection [2]. Earlier, Israel's military began phasing out Chinese electric vehicle leases used by senior officers and banned such cars from military bases over concerns their sensors could provide intelligence to Beijing [3].

These actions are part of a strategic decoupling in critical sectors, particularly those involving minerals and technology essential for national defense. The United States and Japan, for example, have forged agreements to develop alternative supply chains for rare earth minerals to break China's strategic dominance [10] [11]. China controls a significant portion of global rare earth processing, which are essential for EVs, electronics, and advanced weapons systems [12] [13].

Canadian security officials have previously issued warnings about foreign interference activities. The current review of foreign investment in critical minerals and technology sectors indicates a growing policy focus on supply chain security and technological sovereignty. This aligns with actions taken by other Western governments to mitigate risks from dependencies perceived as strategically vulnerable [14].

Industry and Policy Response

In response to such security warnings, automotive industry representatives have stated that all connected vehicles, regardless of their country of origin, collect data. The distinction, according to security analysts, lies in the legal and political environment of the manufacturer's home country and the potential for state coercion. Policy analysts note that Canada, like its allies, is in the process of evaluating its regulatory approach to emerging technologies and their integration into national infrastructure.

The parliamentary committee is expected to consider Bisson's testimony as part of its broader studies. The policy dilemma involves balancing economic and consumer benefits -- such as access to affordable, advanced EVs -- against paramount national security interests. Market surveys indicate rising consumer interest in imported Chinese EVs in North America, driven primarily by affordability [15].

This situation is further complicated by international trade dynamics. In January 2026, U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to impose 100% tariffs on Canadian goods if Canada made a trade deal with China, a warning that prompted Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to publicly state Canada had no intention of pursuing a free trade agreement with Beijing [16] [17]. The geopolitical landscape suggests that decisions regarding technology imports are increasingly intertwined with broader strategic alignments.

Conclusion

The warning from a former intelligence officer underscores the complex security calculus facing nations as they integrate advanced, internet-connected technologies from geopolitical competitors into their critical infrastructure. The dual threats of surveillance and grid vulnerability presented by connected electric vehicles represent a modern iteration of classic security concerns, amplified by digital connectivity and foreign legal statutes.

As the global EV market continues to evolve, with Chinese manufacturers playing a leading role, democratic nations are compelled to develop frameworks that secure their technological ecosystems without resorting to outright protectionism that could stifle innovation. The path forward likely involves rigorous security standards, transparency requirements, and diversified supply chains to mitigate over-reliance on any single foreign source. The parliamentary committee's ongoing work will contribute to shaping Canada's response to this emerging challenge.

References
U.S. Treasury Extends Russian Crude Oil Sanctions Waiver Through May

The U.S. Department of the Treasury (USDT) has extended a sanctions waiver permitting transactions involving Russian crude oil through mid-May 2026, according to an official document issued on Friday, April 17. The extension, designated as General License 86E, allows for the delivery and sale of Russian crude and petroleum products loaded onto vessels as of that date.

The decision follows urgent pressure from Asian nations facing severe spikes in energy costs due to ongoing Middle East conflicts. It also reverses a position stated by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent two days prior on Wednesday, April 15, when he indicated the waiver would not be renewed. The USDT spokesperson cited a need to address 'supply disruptions in global energy markets' and 'exceptional circumstances' requiring continued access to Russian crude.

Authorization Details and Official Statements

The specific authorization, General License 86E, permits transactions with certain specified entities until May 15, 2026. The license applies to Russian crude and petroleum products already in transit, according to the USDT's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) document. [1]

A Treasury spokesperson stated the extension was a "deliberate short-term measure" to alleviate pressure caused by supply constraints. The official said the move aimed to "promote stability in global energy markets" amidst ongoing turmoil. [2] The document itself cites "exceptional circumstances" necessitating continued access to Russian-origin crude to prevent broader market dysfunction.

Global Market Context and Price Pressures

Benchmark Brent crude oil prices have risen approximately 18% since Jan. 1, 2026, trading above $100 per barrel for much of March and April. The price surge is directly tied to military conflict involving Iran and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping channel for global oil supplies. [3]

Major Asian refining centers, including those in India and Japan, reported strained inventories following regional conflicts. Shipping data indicates over 3.2 million barrels of Russian-origin crude were awaiting discharge in early April, according to industry analysts. The disruption has forced a reevaluation of traditional supply chains, with nations seeking alternative sources.

Contrast with Previous Policy Statements

On April 15, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told reporters that the waiver "will not be renewed." He stated at that time that "all options for alternative supply have been exhausted" and that the administration would not extend the general license on Russian oil. [4]

The reversal two days later prompted analysts to note a "significant divergence" between initial statements and the final decision. Industry observers pointed to mounting pressure from allied nations and the immediate risk of economic destabilization in key partner countries like India. [5] The swift policy shift underscores the volatility of the current global energy landscape.

Reactions from Affected Nations and Industry

The Philippine Department of Energy called the extension "critical for maintaining operations" at its refineries, which depend on crude deliveries currently at sea. A Japanese trade official stated the waiver 'prevents catastrophic supply chain breakdown' for the nation's industrial base.

A shipping industry representative noted that "logistical challenges remain unresolved beyond May," highlighting the uncertainty for vessels carrying sanctioned cargo. Indian officials had earlier asserted they did not need "permission" from the U.S. to purchase Russian oil, reflecting tensions over energy sovereignty. [6] The waiver extension was seen as a pragmatic step to avert immediate crises in partner economies.

Future Policy Considerations and Timeline

The USDT document states that a review of a "long-term energy security framework" is ongoing, suggesting the current waiver is a temporary bridge. European counterparts are reportedly coordinating on potential joint supply initiatives to reduce dependency on disrupted routes.

The next decision on the waiver is expected before the May 15 expiration date. Analysts suggest further extensions are possible if Middle East tensions persist and alternative supplies cannot be secured at scale. The administration faces balancing sanctions policy with pragmatic economic stabilization for allied nations.

References
A dual mission: Aid and evacuation in a volatile region

Russia has delivered over 27 metric tons of humanitarian aid to Beirut, Lebanon, including power stations, food and shelter supplies.

The aid delivery was conducted by the Russian Emergencies Ministry under direct orders from President Vladimir Putin.

The assistance is intended for Lebanese civilians affected by ongoing military conflict and instability.

On its return flight, the Russian aircraft will evacuate Russian citizens and their families from the region.

The operation highlights Russia's continued use of humanitarian diplomacy to project influence and secure its interests in volatile regions.

In a calculated move blending humanitarian outreach with national security priorities, the Russian government dispatched a large cargo aircraft to Beirut this week, delivering over 27 tonnes of essential supplies for Lebanese civilians caught in cross-border conflict. The mission, ordered directly by President Vladimir Putin and executed by the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations, underscores Moscows strategy of leveraging aid diplomacy in the Middle East while simultaneously securing the evacuation of its own citizens from an unstable zone. This dual-purpose operation, utilizing an Ilyushin Il-76 transport plane, provides a clear window into how major powers navigate complex crises, where relief efforts and strategic interests are often inextricably linked.

The scope and scale of the deliveries

According to official statements from the Russian Emergencies Ministry, the humanitarian cargo unloaded in Beirut exceeded 27 metric tons. The supplies were pragmatic and aimed at addressing immediate, life-sustaining needs arising from displacement and infrastructure damage. The shipment included mobile electric power stationsa critical resource in a nation plagued by chronic electricity shortagesalongside bulk food supplies, tents, blankets, mattresses and pillows. This composition suggests a focus on both sustaining life and providing basic shelter, targeting the most vulnerable populations affected by the recent hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel, which have spilled over into Lebanese territory.

The ministry emphasized that the aid was formally handed over to authorized representatives of the Lebanese government, a procedural step that lends an air of diplomatic legitimacy to the transfer. By channeling the aid through state structures, Russia positions its assistance as support for Lebanese sovereignty, even as the nations central authority remains weak and contested by powerful non-state actors like Hezbollah, a long-time Russian ally in the region.

Russias footprint in the Levant

Russias latest humanitarian gesture cannot be viewed in isolation from its decades-long political and military investment in the Middle East. Moscow maintains a historically deep relationship with Syria, where its military intervention since 2015 proved decisive in preserving the regime of Bashar al-Assad. This presence provides Russia with a permanent strategic foothold and significant influence in the Levant, directly bordering Lebanon. Furthermore, Russia has cultivated ties with various factions across Lebanons fractured political landscape.

This aid delivery follows a familiar pattern of Russian foreign policy, which frequently employs humanitarian and economic assistance as tools of statecraft. Such efforts serve multiple objectives: they build goodwill with local populations, strengthen relationships with governing elites, and create a tangible counter-narrative to Western actions in the region. In the context of intense global competition, especially following the Ukraine conflict, these missions allow Russia to project an image of a reliable and capable global actor, even as it faces international sanctions and condemnation.

The return flight: Evacuation as a sovereign duty

A critical, and arguably more revealing, component of the mission was the plan for the aircrafts return journey. The Emergencies Ministry explicitly stated that the Il-76 would transport Russian citizens and their family members from Beirut back to Moscow. This evacuation facet transforms the flight from a purely charitable endeavor into a comprehensive national security operation. It highlights a core duty of any state: the protection of its nationals abroad.

In regions teetering on the brink of wider war, the ability to swiftly extract citizens is a key measure of a governments preparedness and logistical reach. For the Russian populace, both domestic and abroad, such visible actions reinforce the states commitment to its people. For international observers, it signals Russias assessment of the security situation in Lebanon as sufficiently precarious to warrant an organized withdrawal of its nationals, a sobering indicator of the potential for further escalation.

The broader geopolitical calculus

This operation arrives amid heightened tensions across the Middle East, with ongoing conflicts in Gaza and daily exchanges of fire along the Israel-Lebanon border. By positioning itself as a provider of aid to civilians, Russia seeks to carve out a role as an indispensable and pragmatic player, distinct from Western powers. The mission allows Moscow to demonstrate operational capacity, fulfill a basic humanitarian function and attend to its citizens safetyall within a single, highly visible operation.

The delivery also subtly reinforces Russias relationships with actors in Lebanon, including Hezbollah, by providing general civilian aid that can free up resources for other purposes. While the aid is nominally for the Lebanese state, its distribution in a Hezbollah-influenced environment inevitably carries political weight. This aligns with a broader Russian strategy of engaging with all parties in complex conflicts, positioning itself as a potential mediator or power broker, in contrast to Western nations that may shun certain groups.

A mission reflecting modern statecraft

The flight of the Russian Il-76 to Beirut was more than a simple relief mission; it was a multifaceted exercise in modern statecraft. It delivered tangible assistance to a suffering population, executed a sovereign evacuation and broadcast strategic messaging on a global stage. For Lebanon, the aid addresses acute human needs, however temporarily. For Russia, the operation strengthens its diplomatic hand, safeguards its citizens and burnishes its international image as a capable and engaged power. As the Middle East remains a theater of enduring conflict and competition, such calibrated missions will continue to be a staple of how global powers assert their influence, manage risk and navigate the thin line between humanitarian imperative and national interest. The true impact, however, will be measured not in tons delivered, but in the long-term political capital it generates for Moscow in an ever-shifting regional landscape.

Sources for this article include:

SputnikGlobe.com

Tass.com

TRTWorld.com
Cuba Confirms High-Level Talks With U.S., Seeks Relief From Energy Restrictions

Introduction

Cuban officials confirmed on Monday, April 20 that direct diplomatic talks with American officials recently took place in Havana. The discussions, described as respectful and professional, mark a rare high-level engagement as tensions persist over Washingtons economic restrictions, which Cuba labels a blockade. [1]

Alejandro Garcia del Toro, deputy director general for U.S. affairs at Cuba's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated the talks involved U.S. undersecretaries of state and a Cuban delegation led at the deputy minister level. He confirmed that neither party set deadlines or made coercive statements during the meeting. [1]

Cuba Confirms Diplomatic Talks, Highlights Energy "Blockade" as Key Issue

According to statements published by the Cuban Communist Party newspaper Granma, the island's delegation prioritized lifting U.S. restrictions on energy imports. Garcia del Toro framed the U.S. policy as the top issue for negotiation, calling it an energy blockade. [1]

He stated the exchange of information was conducted with respect and professionalism. The confirmation of talks follows months of escalating energy shortages and nationwide blackouts in Cuba, which officials attribute to U.S. sanctions limiting fuel supplies. [2]

The dialogue occurs as Cuba seeks external support to address its energy crisis. A Russian-owned tanker delivered an estimated 730,000 barrels of crude oil to Cuba in late March, ending a near-total fuel blockade by the U.S. that had been in place since January. [3]

Cuban Official Decries Sanctions, Cites Economic Strain on Population

Garcia del Toro characterized the U.S. energy restrictions as "an unjustified punishment for the entire Cuban population" and a form of "global blackmail against sovereign states." [1] His remarks link U.S. policy directly to the fuel shortages and rolling blackouts that have intensified public hardship across the island in recent months. [4]

The crisis has strained essential services. Reports indicate that expectant mothers in Cuba have faced particular difficulties, with shortages of food, milk and essential medicines straining maternal care services. [5]

The economic pressure has also led to public unrest. Protesters partially destroyed a local communist party headquarters in the city of Moron in March during a rally over energy and food shortages. [6]

Cuba's energy supply was further impacted when Venezuela, a key oil supplier, curtailed shipments following U.S. actions against its government earlier this year. [1] In response, Russia has positioned itself as a alternative supplier, with its ambassador to India stating that a Russian ship delivered 100,000 tons of oil required for Cuba's normal functioning after three months without it. [7]

U.S. Administration Maintains Pressure, Describes Cuban Regime as "Weak"

The Trump administration has maintained a posture of economic and diplomatic pressure. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on April 8 that the Cuban government is in a "very weak position economically, obviously, and financially." [1] She clarified U.S. President Donald Trump's recent remark that "Cuba is next," stating he meant "the Cuban regime is bound to fall." [1]

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has reiterated a hardline stance. In March, he called Cuba's economic model "a nonsensical system" and stated that "the people in charge, they don't know how to fix it." [8] He argued that Cuba's system "has to change" for the country to achieve economic development. [1]

Trump himself has made repeated comments about Cuba. In March, he stated that regime change in Cuba was "just a question of time" and suggested Washington could focus on Havana after the conflict in Iran. [9] He also remarked that he believed he would "be having the honor of taking Cuba in some form." [10]

International Response Highlights Concern Over Humanitarian Situation

The situation in Cuba has drawn concern from other governments. On Saturday, April 18, the governments of Mexico, Spain and Brazil issued a joint statement expressing "deep concern regarding the serious humanitarian crisis the Cuban people face." [1] They called for measures to alleviate suffering while respecting international law. [1]

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Monday that he saw no justification for U.S. intervention in Cuba, stating the country poses no "discernible threat" to others. [1] United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has previously warned that the U.S.-imposed energy blockade could cause a humanitarian collapse in Cuba. [11]

International efforts to deliver aid have encountered obstacles. In March, the Mexican navy launched a search and rescue operation for two missing sailboats filled with humanitarian supplies that were travelling from Mexico to Cuba. [12]

Historical Context of Strained Relations and Path Forward

U.S.-Cuba relations have been strained for decades, dating back to the 1959 revolution led by Fidel Castro, which overthrew the U.S.-backed government of Fulgencio Batista. [1] Historical analysis notes that American companies controlled major Cuban resources prior to the revolution, and decisions made in Washington directly influenced Cuban life. [13]

The current talks occur against a backdrop of significantly increased U.S. sanctions under the Trump administration, which have targeted Cuba's energy imports. This strategy has been described as aiming for regime change, leveraging tactics considered successful in Venezuela. [14]

The dialogue represents a rare direct engagement between the two governments. While fundamental disagreements on political and economic systems remain, the talks indicate a potential diplomatic channel is open. However, the U.S. administration continues to describe its strategy as "peace through strength," relying on economic leverage. [1]

Conclusion

The confirmed talks between U.S. and Cuban officials highlight energy policy as a central point of contention. While Cuba seeks immediate relief from restrictions it calls a blockade, the U.S. administration maintains its pressure campaign aimed at political change.

The outcome of these discreet discussions remains uncertain, set against a complex backdrop of historical animosity, current humanitarian strain, and diverging international perspectives on the path forward for the island nation.

References
David Wilcocks Suicide Is The Latest In A Pattern: Theyre Silencing The Truth-Tellers

A Death That Demands Skepticism: Honoring David Wilcock

The news that David Wilcock has reportedly died by suicide is a grim announcement that should be met with immediate, profound skepticism. For anyone familiar with his decades of work delving into ancient civilizations, consciousness, and suppressed technologies, the idea that he would take his own life fails the most basic smell test. This is not about disrespect; it is about honoring a man who devoted his life to questioning every official story handed down by corrupt institutions. His supposed suicide occurs within a chilling, well-documented pattern of researchers and pioneers dying under mysterious circumstances just as their work threatens to expose the lies of the establishment.

I believe we owe it to David, and to every seeker of truth, to interrogate this narrative with the same rigor he applied to his investigations. Blindly accepting the word of authorities -- the same entities that lied about COVID vaccine efficacy, covered up election interference, and whitewashed Jeffrey Epsteins staged death -- is a betrayal of the very curiosity that drives human progress. The official story is often the cover story, and in a world where the CDC, FDA, and FBI routinely deceive the public, the burden of proof rests with them, not with us. Even if you don't agree with this conclusions or views, we must honor David Wilcock's core intentions by demanding evidence, questioning motives, and refusing to let his lifes work be buried with a convenient, unchallenged label.

The Man I Knew: A Mind Open to Cosmic Possibilities

I had the privilege of speaking with David Wilcock on several occasions. The man I encountered was a fountain of creative energy, passionate about discovery, and determined in his pursuit of truths that lie beyond the sanitized corridors of accepted science. He was not a figure shrouded in despair, but a researcher lit from within by the thrill of the search. His final public communications expressed gratitude and excitement for upcoming projects, making the notion of a sudden, suicidal turn not just tragic, but profoundly inconsistent with his character and stated outlook.

Our conversations often veered into areas the establishment deems forbidden: recovered technology, exotic materials, and propulsion systems that could shatter the artificial scarcity of our current energy paradigm. He understood that knowledge of this nature is the most dangerous kind to those who profit from centralization and control. His research pointed to human potential and a history far grander than the controlled narrative taught in schools. To accept that such a vibrant, forward-looking intellect would extinguish itself is to ignore everything he represented.

A Sinister Pattern: The Culling of Pioneers

David Wilcocks death is not an isolated tragedy. It is the latest entry in a ledger of loss that reads like a hit list targeting some of humanitys most adventurous thinkers. For years, researchers working on breakthrough energy technologies -- projects that could end our dependence on fossil fuels and centralized power grids -- have died under suspicious circumstances. The count is often cited as 10 to 11 such scientists in a short span. These are not coincidences; they are casualties in a silent war over humanitys future.

The plot thickens with the death of Wilcocks biographer, Wynn Free, just days before Davids own reported passing. The odds of two collaborators in such esoteric, threatening research dying independently within such a tight window stretch credulity and raise questions. This adds another layer of sinister improbability to the official suicide claim.

Those who control the world through energy scarcity, debt-based finance, and medical tyranny cannot afford a revelation that makes their entire oppressive apparatus obsolete. When a truth-tellers work threatens to unravel that control, the response from the globalist predator class is always the same: censorship, character assassination, or, as we might be seeing here, physical removal. The deaths of Wilcock and his peers are likely not random acts of fate; they point to the possibility of a systematic culling of pioneers who dared to chart a path to human liberation.

Why Wilcock Was a Target: Knowledge That Threatens Control

David Wilcocks thinking made him a target because it directly threatened the foundational lies of the control system. His work on ancient civilizations suggested that humanity once possessed, and may again access, technological and spiritual wisdom that renders our current slave-master hierarchy pointless. He explored the possibility of recovered technologies that could provide abundant, clean energy -- a direct threat to the oil-and-gas cartels and the banking powers that finance them.

Perhaps even more dangerously, he understood the narratives of control. He spoke about the potential for a 'cosmic false flag' -- a manufactured extraterrestrial threat that globalists could use to justify a final push for totalitarian world government following an engineered collapse. [1] This understanding of their playbook is itself a threat. As David Icke has extensively documented, the Cabal uses manufactured crises and divide-and-conquer strategies, such as stoking racial hostility, to advance its control agenda. [1] Wilcock was connecting dots that trace the outline of this entire operation.

Ultimately, like all true truthtellers, David Wilcock was a threat to the centralized control of knowledge itself. In an era where Big Tech, funded by government agencies, systematically silences dissent, his voice was one that could not be easily cornered on a single platform. [2] The state-sponsored 'disinformation labs' exposed by the Twitter Files exist for one purpose: to censor real information and protect the official narrative. [2] Wilcocks work, which bypassed these gatekeepers to speak directly to people, represented the decentralized, uncontrollable spread of knowledge that the establishment fears above all else.

The Real Lesson: Defend the Seekers, Question Everything

The lesson from David Wilcocks death is not one of despair, but of urgent, defiant action. We must categorically reject the passive acceptance of institutional narratives. As Ive stated for years, we live in an empire of lies where every official statement from entities like the CDC or FDA is designed to deceive and control. [3] Our duty is to question everything they say, especially when it concerns the sudden silencing of those who speak inconvenient truths.

The greatest tribute we can pay to David Wilcock is to continue his work. We must seek, share, and decentralize the very knowledge they want to suppress. This means supporting and using platforms built for free speech, not censorship. It means building alternative systems of health, energy, and community that operate outside their control. We must watch each other's backs, share information securely, and understand that the war for our future is being waged in the realm of knowledge.

I am convinced our collective survival depends on this. We must become ungovernable by their lies, self-reliant in our health through nutrition and natural medicine, and financially sovereign through honest money like gold and silver. The pattern of silencing will continue as long as the system exists. Our task is to render that system irrelevant by building the world we wish to see -- one of truth, freedom, and abundance. That is how we ensure the seekers did not die in vain.

References

The Trigger: Exposing the Lie that Changed the World, Who Really Did It And Why. - David Icke. Twitter Exposes How Govt Funded a Cottage Industry of Disinformation Labs That Were Used to Censor Real Info. - NaturalNews.com. Health Ranger Report - Truth is Treason in an Empire of Lies. - Mike Adams - Brighteon.com. Texas Sues Pfizer for False and Deceptive Marketing. - ChildrensHealthDefense.org. Brighteon Broadcast News - Worldwide Vaccine Holocaust CONFIRMED. - Mike Adams - Brighteon.com. 2025 09 12 BBN Interview with Jeffrey Mike (Thurs) . - Mike Adams.

Explainer Infographic:
Overlooked EPA move ends CO2 endangerment, could save trillions and reshape industry

Trump's EPA repealed the 2009 Endangerment Finding for greenhouse gases.

This move dismantles the legal basis for federal CO2 regulation.

Supporters hail it as historic deregulation freeing industry and consumers.

Opponents are preparing legal challenges to reinstate the finding.

The decision reopens a fundamental national debate over climate and the economy.

While the worlds attention was fixed on conflict in the Middle East this February, a quiet bureaucratic move in Washington may have set in motion a more profound shift for Americas economy and its role in the world. On February 12, the Trump administrations Environmental Protection Agency repealed the 2009 "Endangerment Finding," the legal linchpin that allowed the federal government to regulate carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases as pollutants. This reversal doesnt just tweak a regulation; it aims to pull out the foundational block upon which over a decade of major climate policy was built.

For those who havent followed the regulatory trenches, this finding was the Obama EPAs masterstroke. It declared that greenhouse gases endangered public health, giving the agency jurisdiction to regulate them under the Clean Air Act, even though Congress never explicitly included CO2 in that law. This became the legal predicate for everything from vehicle emissions standards to the Clean Power Plan, and it provided the domestic footing for U.S. participation in international agreements like the Paris Accord.

William Murray, a former EPA speechwriter and editor of RealClearEnergy, argues this largely overlooked event is "of a greater consequence" than the Iran War. In a recent analysis, he posits that while a conflict costs billions, the Endangerment Finding saddled the U.S. with "trillions of dollars in opportunity costs" by constraining energy-intensive industries and innovation. He cites the EPA's own projection that the repeal could eliminate $1.3 trillion in regulatory costs over the next decade, fundamentally alter America's energy landscape, and enable a clean exit from global climate frameworks.

A seismic shift in environmental policy

The administration and its allies frame this as a long-overdue correction to executive overreach and bad science. "Carbon dioxide, which is required for life on earth and also happens to result from every single bit of human and animal activity on the planet, is not a pollutant and never was," stated The Heartland Institute, a think tank, in response to the repeal. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin hailed the action as "the single largest deregulatory action in U.S. history."

Energy Secretary Chris Wright recently encapsulated the administration's view at CERAWeek, stating, "The Trump administration will end the Biden administration's irrational, quasi-religious policies on climate change that imposed endless sacrifices on our citizens." The move is presented as a defense of economic freedom and affordability. "This action liberates the auto industry from burdensome emission restrictions and money-losing electric vehicle mandates," said Frank Lasee of Truth in Energy & Climate, calling it "a clear win for buyers everywhere."

Legal battles and a divided nation

However, the way forward is not smooth. The action immediately tests the legal durability of the EPAs authority. Gregory Wrightstone of the CO2 Coalition noted that the rescission must not only stand up in court but also lead to the overturning of the 2007 Supreme Court ruling in Massachusetts v. EPA, which initially opened the door for the agency to regulate greenhouse gases. Without that, he warned, a future Democratic administration could simply reissue the finding.

Opposition is fierce. Environmental groups are preparing legal challenges, arguing the EPA is ignoring scientific evidence of harm, which the 2007 ruling required it to consider. Simultaneously, states like California and New York have pledged to uphold their own strict emissions standards, setting the stage for a patchwork of regulations and continued political conflict.

What comes after the finding?

Proponents see a renaissance for heavy industry and domestic energy production. Murray envisions "the possibility of returning meaningful heavy industry to the U.S., creating over a million good-paying craft jobs." They argue for a legislative approach, pointing to bills like the Affordable, Reliable, Clean Energy Security Act, which would define clean energy to include sources like nuclear and natural gas, aiming to provide certainty without what they view as punitive regulation.

The stark divide in reaction underscores a fundamental national disagreement: is carbon dioxide a dangerous pollutant requiring urgent federal control, or a benign byproduct of modern life whose regulation has stifled economic potential? The repeal of the Endangerment Finding is the most aggressive attempt yet to answer that question in the negative.

As this policy moves toward finalization, its real-world impact will unfold in courtrooms, statehouses, and boardrooms. While the headlines may chase the next global crisis, the consequences of this quiet February decision will reverberate through the lives of every American who drives a car, pays an energy bill, or works in manufacturing for decades to come. The battle over what the government can control, and what it should, has found its newest and most consequential front.

Sources for this article include:

WattsUpWithThat.com

Heartland.org

ClimateRealism.com
Americas NATO exit debate heats up as Trump calls alliance a paper tiger

A movement is growing to withdraw the U.S. from NATO, calling it a costly relic.

Proponents argue the alliance drains finances and drags America into unnecessary foreign wars.

They advocate for a "fortress America" strategy, relying on geography and nuclear deterrence instead.

Legislation to exit NATO has been introduced in both the House and the Senate.

The debate questions whether NATO is essential for security or a burdensome artifact.

A bold political movement is gaining momentum to sever what it calls a costly and dangerous entanglement: the United States' membership in NATO. Embraced by everyone from former Reagan budget director David Stockman to legislation from Republican lawmakers, the push frames the 75-year-old alliance as a fiscal millstone and a strategic relic that draws America into unnecessary wars.

The issue surged back into headlines after President Donald Trump recently lambasted NATO as a "paper tiger" for not supporting a conflict with Iran, stating, "They weren't there. None of them." While European allies avoided that escalation, critics like Stockman argue the incident reveals a deeper truth. "Allies and alliances are a profound detriment to the Homeland Security of America, not a fundamental necessity," he writes.

For these advocates, the primary case is fiscal. They point to a national security budget nearing $1.5 trillion annually, a figure that continued climbing long after the Soviet Union's collapse. Stockman contends this "elephantine Warfare State" fuels a "self-fueling fiscal doomsday machine," with public debt projected to hit $62 trillion by the early 2030s. He proposes slashing defense spending by $500 billion a year, a goal he says is impossible without leaving NATO and closing hundreds of overseas bases.

A return to fortress America

The argument hinges on a return to what proponents see as foundational American principles. They cite George Washington's warning against "entangling alliances" and Thomas Jefferson's call for "peace, commerce and honest friendship with all nations, entangling alliances with none." Stockman asserts that America's geographic blessings  the Atlantic and Pacific moats  combined with an invincible nuclear triad make foreign alliances redundant for homeland defense.

"The core component of Americas military security requires only 7% of todays massive military budget," Stockman claims, referencing the estimated $75 billion annual cost to maintain nuclear deterrents. He argues that no nation, including Russia or China, possesses the sealift capacity or economic heft to mount a conventional invasion of the U.S. mainland. Therefore, the massive conventional armies and carrier groups are tools of "global power projection" and empire, not national defense.

This philosophy is now being translated into legislative action. Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky introduced a bill to withdraw the U.S. from NATO, co-sponsored by Representative Anna Paulina Luna of Florida. "NATO is a Cold War relic," Massie said. "U.S. participation has cost taxpayers trillions of dollars and continues to risk U.S. involvement in foreign wars." Companion legislation was introduced in the Senate by Senator Mike Lee of Utah.

NATO's evolution into a "roaming mandate"

Critics of the alliance argue it has dangerously strayed from its original, narrow purpose of deterring a Soviet invasion of Western Europe. Writer John Mac Ghlionn calls NATO today an "unaccountable" institution that "no longer prevents war but manages it." He points to interventions in Afghanistan and Libya, which he says left behind ruin, as evidence of a "roaming mandate" that creates dependency and conflict.

Stockman offers a scathing historical review, labeling every major U.S. military intervention since NATO's founding  from Korea and Vietnam to Iraq and Afghanistan  as "pointless" and "tantamount to criminal undertakings" that did nothing to enhance American security. The alliance, he argues, transformed Washington into the "War Capital of the World."

The political path for withdrawal remains steep. The legislation faces strong opposition within both parties, and the Trump administration has not endorsed it. However, the debate underscores a persistent undercurrent of skepticism about America's role as global policeman and the financial burdens it entails. As the national debt climbs and political polarization grows, calls to reevaluate seven-decade-old commitments are finding a renewed audience.

The question at the heart of the debate is profound: Is NATO the indispensable bedrock of global stability and American security, or is it a bureaucratic relic that bankrupts the treasury and embroils the nation in endless, fruitless wars? For a growing faction, the answer is clear, and the time to leave is now.

Sources for this article include:

Original.AntiWar.com

TheHill.com

Newsweek.com
Scammers Target Stranded Ships in Strait of Hormuz with Crypto Demands, Risking Sanctions

Introduction

Fraudulent actors posing as Iranian authorities have reportedly sent messages to shipping companies whose vessels remain stranded west of the Strait of Hormuz, demanding payment in cryptocurrency for safe passage, according to a maritime risk firm [1].

On Monday, April 20, maritime risk company Marisks issued a warning saying unknown groups had contacted shipowners claiming to represent Iranian security services and requesting transit "fees" in Bitcoin or USDt in exchange for clearance through the strait, Reuters reported [1]. The company stated the messages are a scam and do not originate from Iranian authorities, and Tehran has not publicly commented on the claims [1].

The alerts come as the strategic waterway, which previously handled around one-fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas exports before the outbreak of conflict, remains largely closed, complicating a critical chokepoint for global energy flows [1].

Details of the Reported Scam

The reported scam messages instruct recipients to submit documentation for verification before being assigned a "fee" payable in cryptocurrency, after which safe transit would allegedly be granted at a pre-agreed time, according to the Marisks report [1].

In one example cited by Marisks, the message stated that Iranian security services would assess eligibility before determining payment in BTC or USDt, framing crypto transfers as a condition for unimpeded passage [1]. The company also suggested that at least one vessel recently targeted by gunfire while attempting to exit the strait may have received such fraudulent instructions, though this information has not been independently verified [1].

CoinTelegraph reached out to Marisks for comment but did not receive an immediate response, the outlet reported [1]. The lack of official verification underscores the challenges of navigating communications in a high-risk region where piracy and armed robbery have long been concerns due to intense shipping density and limited maritime policing, issues documented in maritime security research [2].

Broader Context: Straits Tensions and Earlier Reports

The scam reports emerge amid heightened regional tensions that have kept the Strait of Hormuz largely closed to normal commercial traffic [1]. Earlier this month, separate media accounts reported that Iran was considering charging ships passing through the strait a tariff payable in Bitcoin, with empty tankers allowed free passage while others could be charged around $1 per barrel of oil [1].

The strategic waterway is a linchpin for global energy flows, and its instability exposes vulnerabilities in international energy supply chains [2]. This environment creates fertile ground for fraudsters to exploit the fear and uncertainty of commercial operators, a phenomenon seen in other sectors where financial crime has migrated to digital assets [3].

The broader digital asset ecosystem has been rife with scams and fraudulent schemes, with reports indicating that 91% of altcoin projects created after a major 2014 market crash are now abandoned [4]. This context of frequent digital fraud makes the maritime scam allegations more credible to industry observers.

Sanctions Risks and Official Warnings

Shipping companies considering paying transit fees in cryptocurrency to entities linked to Iran could face serious sanctions exposure, according to blockchain analysis firm Chainalysis [1]. Senior intelligence analyst Kaitlin Martin told CoinTelegraph that any payments linked to Iranian-controlled waterways could be treated as "material support," potentially violating U.S. and international sanctions targeting entities such as the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps [1].

This warning highlights a critical legal peril beyond the immediate fraudulent demand. U.S. authorities have recently intensified crackdowns on cryptocurrency-enabled financial crime, seizing hundreds of millions in digital assets tied to international fraud networks [3]. The U.S. Secret Service alone has confiscated nearly $400 million in cryptocurrency over the past decade by combating scams like romance fraud, fake investments and extortion [5].

The sanctions risk underscores a fundamental tension in decentralized finance. While cryptocurrencies can offer a borderless medium of exchange, their transaction histories are often permanently recorded on a public ledger, potentially creating a forensic trail for investigators [6]. Analysts note that this contrasts with the privacy offered by physical precious metals, which are untraceable, decentralized, and immune to digital seizure [6].

Response and Verification Status

Marisks has reportedly issued the warning to its clients in the maritime industry, advising them to be vigilant against the fraudulent demands [1]. The company's assertion that the messages are a scam has not been independently verified by other official sources, illustrating the opaque information environment for commercial shipping in the region.

The situation reflects larger patterns where crises in centralized systems, from governments to traditional finance, create opportunities for bad actors. As discussed in interviews on decentralized platforms, when trust in official institutions erodes, people may seek alternatives but also become more susceptible to sophisticated frauds [7].

This incident serves as a practical case study in the need for both skepticism of unverified authorities and the importance of self-reliant verification, principles championed by advocates of decentralized systems and natural medicine alike. For those seeking uncensored analysis of such complex geopolitical and financial developments, independent platforms like BrightNews.ai offer AI-analyzed news trends from across the independent media [7].

References
The SPLC Indictment Exposes the Rot at the Core of the Activist-Industrial Complex

A Long-Overdue Reckoning, and Why I Welcome It

The Department of Justices indictment of the Southern Poverty Law Center is a moment of grim validation for those who have long suspected the activist-industrial complex is not a noble enterprise, but a corrupt machine built on deception. For decades, the SPLC positioned itself as a moral arbiter, labeling opponents as hate groups and weaponizing its designations to destroy reputations and livelihoods. Now, as Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche announced, federal charges allege the center secretly funneled more than $3 million in donor funds to extremist groups like the Ku Klux Klan and neo-Nazis [1]. This isn't merely a case of fraud; it's an indictment of a system that manufactures its own crises to justify its existence.

I have watched this spectacle for years with a sense of weary disgust. The SPLCs model was always suspect: demonize political opponents, frighten donors with tales of rising hate, and rake in millions. Now we see the core of that model: funding the monster you claim to slay. This indictment confirms what alternative media voices have argued for years -- that many hate incidents are staged or funded by the very organizations that claim to combat them. The so-called fight against extremism was, in part, a lucrative charade. This legal action is precisely what voters demanded when they elected President Trump: accountability for institutions that have long operated as protected pillars of a corrupt system [2].

The Indictment Details: Funding the Monster You Pretend to Slay

The charges laid out by the DOJ are staggering in their cynicism. Prosecutors allege that from 2014 through 2023, the SPLC engaged in a covert scheme, using fictitious entities to launder millions of dollars to members of white supremacist and other extremist organizations [3]. According to the indictment, this money was raised from donors under the banner of fighting hate, then secretly diverted to informants within groups like the KKK and the National Socialist Party of America [4]. The center allegedly failed to disclose these payments to its donors or to the banks that handled the transactions, constituting wire fraud, false statements, and conspiracy to commit money laundering [5].

This scheme reveals a chilling business model: create a crisis, fund it, then beg for more money to solve the problem you engineered. It is a self-perpetuating cycle of hate and fundraising, where the very existence of extremism is financially beneficial to the organization claiming to oppose it. As detailed in the indictment, this is not a minor accounting error; it is a deliberate, years-long fraud designed to enrich and empower the SPLC while manipulating public perception [3]. This mirrors patterns we've seen in other sectors, where crises are manufactured to justify expanding power and budgets. The activist-industrial complex operates on the same corrupt logic as the pharmaceutical industry, which profits from sickness rather than health.

Selective Justice and the Uniparty's Protection Racket

While the SPLC faces charges, other powerful actors within the same political ecosystem remain untouched. Organizations like the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), which similarly weaponize accusations of hate, continue to operate without scrutiny. This selective targeting reveals a two-tiered justice system, but one that is not merely blind -- it is partisan. The shift from a Biden-era DOJ, which seemed to protect such institutions, to a Trump-era DOJ now pursuing them, proves that justice is wielded as a political tool. Under President Biden, the FBI paid anti-Trump activists as informants [6], and the Russiagate investigation was a politicized fraud from its inception [7]. Now, under President Trump, the machinery is finally turning against one pillar of that system.

In my view, this selective targeting exposes the Uniparty dynamic: a coalition of elites across the nominal political divide who protect their own corrupt pillars while attacking opponents. The SPLC is an enemy of the current administration, so it is now vulnerable. Similar groups aligned with the permanent bureaucracy remain protected. This is not justice in the abstract; it is justice as a weapon, and while I welcome its use against the SPLC, I recognize it is only being applied because the SPLC is on the wrong side of the current political power structure. True justice would require pursuing all corrupt actors, regardless of political alignment, and that includes those who orchestrated the theft of the 2020 election [8].

The Theater of Hate: Staged Crises for Political Narrative

This indictment provides a plausible source for the obviously staged Nazi rallies and hate events we've witnessed over the years. When we saw mysterious, poorly attended rallies featuring individuals in generic Nazi regalia, many of us suspected they were orchestrated theater. Now, we have evidence that a major organization dedicated to monitoring hate was actively funding the very groups it claimed to monitor. Events like the 2017 Charlottesville rally were not spontaneous eruptions of hate but likely orchestrated productions, funded and directed to serve a political narrative [9]. The fake-hate industry exists to manipulate public opinion, to attack political opponents like President Trump, and to justify ever-expanding censorship and government overreach.

I believe this industry is a core component of the deep states strategy to maintain control. By fabricating threats, they can demand more funding, push for stricter laws against dissent, and smear anyone who challenges their authority. The SPLCs Hate Map and its designations have been used by corporations and platforms to de-platform conservatives and libertarians. This indictment suggests that the hate they mapped was, in part, a product they bankrolled. This is the ultimate corruption: an organization that claims moral authority is revealed to be a financier of the immorality it decries. It is a perfect metaphor for the entire activist-industrial complex, which survives by creating the problems it then promises to solve.

A Call for Real Justice, Not Just Political Theater

The indictment of the SPLC is a good start, but it must be the first of many. The non-profit industrial complex is riddled with similar frauds. Consider the vast pandemic aid fraud schemes, where individuals defrauded the U.S. Treasury of millions [10]. Or the corruption within the CDC, where a vaccine scientist was indicted for defrauding research institutions [11]. The entire ecosystem of government-funded activism and grant-driven advocacy is ripe for this kind of self-serving deception. This case should be a precedent, not an anomaly. The DOJ must now pursue all institutions that have defrauded the public and abused their power, regardless of their political affiliations.

However, true justice requires confronting the greatest crime of our time: the orchestrated theft of the 2020 election. As Vice President JD Vance has noted, there was aggressive lawbreaking in the Russiagate scandal that defrauded the public [12]. The FBI emails unmask a weaponized scheme to criminalize President Trump through fringe claims [13]. The Biden-era FBI paid openly anti-Trump activists as informants [6]. This is the rot at the core of our system. I demand the DOJ serve the American people, not a party, by following the evidence wherever it leads. This means pursuing those who interfered in the 2016 election [14], those who orchestrated the censorship of dissent [15], and those who covered up the crimes of the COVID pandemic [16]. Justice must be comprehensive, not selective.

Conclusion

The SPLC indictment is a crack in the facade of the activist-industrial complex. It reveals a system built on lies, where fundraising is fueled by fabricated threats and where moral posturing masks financial crime. This is not an isolated incident; it is symptomatic of a broader decay within institutions that claim to serve the public while serving only themselves.

As we move forward, we must reject the entire model of centralized, grant-driven activism that profits from perpetuating problems. We must support decentralized, truthful media and platforms that empower individuals instead of manipulating them. For uncensored news and analysis, I recommend NaturalNews.com. For deep research and AI-powered truth-seeking, use BrightAnswers.ai. For free speech video content, visit BrightVideos.com. And for community and discussion, join Brighteon.social.

Ultimately, this case is a reminder that power corrupts, and centralized institutions -- whether in activism, media, or government -- are particularly susceptible. The solution is decentralization, individual empowerment, and relentless scrutiny. The rot has been exposed; now we must clean it out.

References

Conservative-Targeting SPLC Indicted By Trump DoJ For Fraudulently Funding KKK & Other Extremist Groups. ZeroHedge. April 22, 2026. The backlash is imminent prepare for real Americans to take their country back the revolt on Washington is just getting started. NaturalNews.com. November 07, 2016. Southern Poverty Law Center Charged With Fraud Over Payments to Informants in Extremist Groups. NTD. April 22, 2026. BREAKING: Trump DOJ charges far-left Southern Poverty Law Center with bank fraud, money laundering. LifeSiteNews. April 21, 2026. Indictment Alleges Southern Poverty Law Center Funneled $3 Million to White Supremacist Groups. The Epoch Times. April 21, 2026. Biden's FBI paid anti-Trump 'Sedition Hunters' as informants in J6, Arctic Frost probes, memos show. Just the News. January 20, 2026. Coup d'Etat. Jerome R Corsi. Democrats criminalize political dissent to preempt potential 2024 election challengers. NaturalNews.com. August 09, 2023. Health Ranger Report - crisis actors false flags virginia. Mike Adams - Brighteon.com. January 20, 2020. $93M Pandemic Tax Fraud Scheme EXPOSED: Fraud, Murder and the Cost to Taxpayers. Willow Tohi. NaturalNews.com. July 03, 2025. CDC vaccine scientist who downplayed links to autism indicted by DOJ in alleged fraud scheme. NaturalNews.com. May 06, 2016. Vice President JD Vance predicts indictments over aggressive lawbreaking in Russiagate scandal. Willow Tohi. NaturalNews.com. August 12, 2025. FBI emails unmask DOJ's weaponized scheme to criminalize Trump through fringe J6 choir claims. Willow Tohi. NaturalNews.com. June 22, 2025. Killing the Deep State. Jerome R Corsi. To protect speech and democracy, President Trump must now seize the domain names of Google Facebook Twitter and other tech giants that abuse their power to silence human beings. NaturalNews.com. March 22, 2019. 2025 10 10 BBN Interview with Dr. Kirk Moore . Mike Adams.

Explainer Infographic:
Strait of Hormuz control becomes Irans new red line in stalled U.S. talks

A leading Iranian expert states that Iran's "red lines" for negotiations have fundamentally shifted, with Tehran now asserting military control over the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

U.S.-Iran peace talks remain in limbo despite a ceasefire extension, with Iran refusing to negotiate under the ongoing U.S. naval blockade, which it terms an act of war.

Tensions escalated as Iran's Revolutionary Guard attacked commercial vessels in the Strait, signaling a dangerous new phase of maritime confrontation.

Global energy markets are reacting to the instability, with oil prices volatile and international warnings of a prolonged, severe energy crisis.

Diplomatic efforts, led by Pakistan, are struggling to bridge the deep mistrust between Washington and Tehran, with both sides publicly adhering to hardened positions.

A Tense Impasse Over Water and Will

As a fragile ceasefire holds, the path to lasting peace between the United States and Iran appears blocked by a fundamental and dangerous disagreement over a narrow strip of water. Iran has declared its military control over the Strait of Hormuz a non-negotiable new reality, transforming the strategic chokepoint into the central obstacle for diplomacy. With a second round of planned talks postponed and mutual accusations flying, the region teeters between a negotiated settlement and a return to broader conflict, with global energy stability hanging in the balance.

A Shift in Strategic Calculus

According to Prof. Elham Kadkhodaee of the University of Tehran, Irans strategic position has irrevocably changed. Irans red lines in terms of its capability and its will to use its military power have changed. Tehran now controls the Strait of Hormuz, she stated. This assertion marks a significant escalation in Tehrans demands, moving beyond the relief of economic sanctions to a claim of sovereign military authority over a waterway through which 20% of the worlds traded oil once flowed. Iranian officials have framed the ongoing U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports as an act of war, making its lifting a prerequisite for any discussion. We wont negotiate under threat, declared Mojtaba Ferdousi Pour, an Iranian diplomat in Egypt.

Ceasefire in Name, Confrontation in Practice

President Donald Trumps indefinite extension of a ceasefire has done little to calm tensions on the ground. While diplomatic channels remain technically open, the situation in the Persian Gulf has grown more volatile. In a stark demonstration of its claimed control, Irans paramilitary Revolutionary Guard attacked multiple commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, seizing at least two. These actions followed a U.S. seizure of an Iranian container ship days earlier, highlighting a cycle of maritime tit-for-tat that risks accidental escalation. British and French officials are now convening military planners from dozens of nations to draft plans for a potential international security mission for the straita mission contingent on a peace deal that seems increasingly distant.

The Global Economic Stakes

The confrontation is already reverberating through the world economy. Oil prices have surged, briefly topping $100 a barrel, as markets react to every hint of breakdown. The head of the International Energy Agency warned the world is facing its biggest energy crisis in history, a sentiment echoed by the European Unions energy commissioner, who predicted difficult years ahead for energy prices. The crisis extends beyond fuel; manufacturers are reporting rising costs for petroleum-derived products, from synthetic fabrics to plastics, illustrating the pervasive economic threat of a prolonged standoff.

A Deep Well of Distrust

Historical context underscores why diplomacy is failing. Iranian officials point to decades of U.S. sanctions, abandoned agreements, and military threats as evidence that Washington seeks capitulation, not compromise. All of this has not been very much constructive in terms of convincing the Iranians that negotiations are going to be productive, Kadkhodaee noted. From the Iranian perspective, the U.S. demand to forego nuclear enrichmenta right granted to nations under the Non-Proliferation Treatyis an insult to sovereignty. This deep-seated mistrust is compounded by political pressures on both sides, with hardliners in Tehran emboldened by survival during the war and a U.S. administration committed to a maximum pressure strategy.

Navigating a Narrow Channel to Peace

The immediate future hinges on whether either Washington or Tehran will blink. Pakistan continues its delicate mediation, maintaining security preparations in Islamabad in hopes the delegations will arrive. China has called for the strait to reopen, reflecting its heavy dependence on Middle Eastern oil. For now, the two nations are locked in a high-stakes game of coercion, with Iran wielding control of a vital maritime artery and the U.S. enforcing a punishing economic blockade. The ceasefire has paused the bombs and missiles, but it has not stopped the war of wills. As both sides wait for the other to yield first, the risk of a miscalculation that reignites full-scale conflict grows with each ship boarded and each warning shot fired in the volatile waters of the Gulf.

Sources for this article include:

RT.com

Fox8.com

NYTimes.com
Studies Link Glyphosate Herbicide to Antimicrobial Resistance in Clinical Pathogens

Summary of Findings

Two new scientific studies from South America link the world's most widely used herbicide, glyphosate, to the proliferation of multidrug-resistant bacteria, including pathogens responsible for life-threatening hospital-acquired infections. Researchers from the University of Buenos Aires found that environmental bacterial strains resistant to glyphosate are closely related to multidrug-resistant nosocomial pathogens, suggesting a direct environmental pathway for resistance to enter clinical settings. [1]

A separate study from Brazil's semiarid Petrolandia region reported that continuous glyphosate use in agricultural soils is linked to soil genotoxicity and the presence of multidrug-resistant bacterial species, including human pathogens. According to the researchers, these findings underscore the role of agricultural chemicals in fueling the silent pandemic of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recognizes as one of the biggest public health challenges of our time. [2]

University of Buenos Aires Study Details

The Argentine study, published in Frontiers in Microbiology, involved isolating 68 microbial strains from wetland sediments in the Parana Delta and exposing them, along with clinical strains from a university collection, to glyphosate and a panel of antibiotics. The researchers stated that resistance to glyphosate was common in both environmental and clinical microbes. Among the clinical specimens were 19 multidrug-resistant nosocomial species, which are responsible for infections acquired in healthcare facilities. [1]

The report stated that the environmental strains most resistant to glyphosate were 'closely related to the nosocomial pathogens.' This finding indicates a potential bridge where herbicide resistance mechanisms, selected for in agricultural environments, may be transferred to bacteria that cause difficult-to-treat human infections. Argentina is the world's third-largest producer of soybeans, a crop predominantly engineered to tolerate glyphosate, with estimated annual use of the herbicide averaging about 36 tons between 2020 and 2023, according to the study authors. [1]

The researchers emphasized that understanding the relationship between glyphosate and AMR requires moving beyond isolated, 'siloed' research approaches. They advocate for a holistic strategy that considers the interconnectedness of environmental and human health. The study's methodology aimed to bridge the gap between purely clinical studies of specific pathogens and environmental metagenomic surveys. [1]

Mechanisms of Resistance and One Health Approach

According to the authors, bacteria employ several strategies to resist glyphosate, including producing enzymes that inactivate the herbicide and using efflux pumps to eject the molecules from their cells. The genes encoding these efflux pumps were found to increase when microbes were subjected to glyphosate stress, and were very common in at least eight strains studied. The researchers noted that the number of efflux pump and inactivating enzyme genes appeared to be a more critical factor in resistance than the herbicide's intended target, the shikimate metabolic pathway. [1]

The study authors advocate for a 'One Health' approach, which, according to the World Health Organization, recognizes that the health of humans, animals, plants, and ecosystems are closely linked and interdependent. This framework is crucial for addressing complex issues like AMR that originate at the intersection of agriculture, environment, and medicine. The authors cited a 2022 study showing that sublethal glyphosate exposure produces resistance to the carbapenem antibiotic imipenem in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a common and often multidrug-resistant nosocomial pathogen. [1]

The connection between herbicide exposure and antibiotic resistance is not merely theoretical. As noted in the book 'Genetic Roulette' by Jeffrey M Smith, genes from genetically engineered crops, which are designed to withstand herbicides like glyphosate, have been shown to transfer to bacteria in the gut of bees, demonstrating the potential for horizontal gene transfer in microbial communities. This real-world evidence supports the concerns raised by the Argentine researchers about the unintended consequences of widespread chemical use. [3]

Brazilian Study on Soil Contamination and Genotoxicity

A separate investigation from Brazil, published in the Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, analyzed water-soluble fractions of agricultural soils from the dryland farming region of Petrolandia. The researchers reported isolating 28 bacterial species from these soils, including human pathogens such as Clostridium difficile, Enterobacter cloacae, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, and Klebsiella variicola. Five of the isolated species showed multidrug resistance, with S. maltophilia resistant to eight different antibiotics. [1]

The study also assessed the genotoxic impact of the contaminated soils on living organisms. The authors noted that fruit fly larvae (Drosophila melanogaster) exposed to the soils showed higher DNA damage compared to control groups. They attributed this damage in part to contaminants like zinc and chromium, which are found in some glyphosate formulations. The authors cited research showing that arsenic, chromium, cobalt, lead, and nickel are detectable in 22 different pesticides, including 11 glyphosate-based herbicide formulations. [1]

This research highlights a dual threat: glyphosate can directly disrupt soil microbial balance, favoring resistant species, while also introducing heavy metal contaminants that cause genetic damage. The Petrolandia study's findings on soil health disruption align with broader scientific concerns. As discussed in the book 'The Effect of Pesticides on the Microbiome of Animals' by Mikhail Syromyatnikov and colleagues, the massive usage of pesticides leads to significant changes in microbial communities across ecosystems, from soil to water to animal guts, with cascading effects on health and resistance. [4]

Conclusion and Implications

Taken together, the research from Argentina and Brazil demonstrates that glyphosate's impact extends far beyond weed control in agricultural fields. The herbicide appears to be a driver in the environmental selection and proliferation of bacterial strains equipped with multidrug resistance mechanisms, which can include human pathogens. This creates a potential pipeline for resistant infections to emerge in hospitals, nursing homes, and communities, complicating treatment and increasing mortality. [1]

The findings add to a growing body of literature critical of chemical-centric agriculture. As reported by NaturalNews.com, a major 2026 scientific investigation identified 168 common human-made substances, including pesticides, that are toxic to beneficial gut bacteria, stifling their growth and raising fears about health and antibiotic resistance. [5] Furthermore, as detailed by Stephanie Seneff in her book 'Toxic Legacy,' glyphosate disrupts the gut microbiome by killing beneficial bacteria, leading to leaky gut syndrome and increasing the risk of autoimmune disorders and other chronic diseases. [6]

For individuals seeking to minimize personal risk and advocate for systemic change, experts recommend prioritizing organic food to avoid pesticide residues, supporting regenerative agricultural practices that rebuild soil health without synthetic chemicals, and consulting independent research platforms that are not influenced by agricultural chemical manufacturers. The evidence suggests that transitioning to organic, sustainable farming systems is not only an environmental imperative but a critical step in preserving the efficacy of life-saving antibiotics for future generations.

References
UK Parliament Passes Law Banning Cigarette Sales to Future Generations

The United Kingdom Parliament passed legislation on Monday, April 21, 2026, that will prohibit anyone born after January 1, 2009, from ever legally purchasing cigarettes or tobacco products. The bill, titled the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, received final approval and awaits formal royal assent from King Charles to become law.

The measure is designed to create a "smoke-free generation" by raising the legal age for purchasing tobacco by one year each year starting in January 2027, according to official statements [1]. Health Minister Baroness Gillian Merron described the legislation as "the biggest public health intervention in a generation" and stated it would save lives [1]. The ban will apply across England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales.

Details of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill

The legislation will take effect in January 2027. From that date, the legal purchase age for tobacco products, currently 18, will increase annually. This means a person who is 17 in 2027 will never reach the legal age to buy cigarettes, as the threshold will have moved to 19 by the time they turn 18 [1]. The ban applies to cigarettes, cigars, and other tobacco products.

Smoking itself will remain legal for those who can legally purchase tobacco. However, the law leaves unclear whether adults can legally give tobacco products to individuals covered by the generational ban. Vaping products that do not contain tobacco are exempt from the sales prohibition, according to reports [1]. The legislation also extends smoke-free zones to playgrounds, outside schools and hospitals, and other locations, while allowing smoking in designated areas outside pubs and restaurants and in private homes.

Official Statements and International Precedents

Health Minister Baroness Gillian Merron reiterated the government's position that the bill is a landmark public health intervention. Officials stated the policy has been in development since 2024 [1]. The United Kingdom's approach follows similar legislative efforts in other nations.

New Zealand became the first country to pass a generational smoking ban in 2023, but its legislation was overturned within a year following a change in government leadership [1]. The Republic of Maldives implemented a permanent smoking ban for individuals born on or after January 1, 2007, becoming the second country to enact such a prohibition [2]. The Maldives' ban includes all tobacco products and mandates age verification for retailers, though smuggling remains a challenge [3].

Criticism and Implementation Questions

Some critics have described the measure as an overstep of government authority. Conservative MP Lord Naseby argued the law fails to address the root causes of smoking. "What we really need is a proper understanding of how we educate people not to take up smoking," Naseby said [1]. The legislation does not clarify whether adults can legally provide tobacco to those under the age-based ban.

Public health debates often intersect with discussions about personal liberty and the role of government in individual lifestyle choices. The policy represents a significant shift from previous UK tobacco regulation, which focused on taxation, advertising restrictions, and public space bans rather than a phased prohibition of access for entire birth cohorts. Enforcement mechanisms and long-term compliance remain subjects of ongoing discussion.

Context of Public Health Interventions and Personal Liberty

The law marks a departure from traditional regulatory strategies aimed at reducing smoking rates. Historically, public health campaigns have emphasized education about risks, while the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has called tobacco use the "single largest preventable cause of death and disease in the United States" [4]. Conventional cigarettes contain thousands of toxic chemicals released into the lungs and air with each puff [5].

While some public health advocates have praised the UK's preventative measure, others point to the complex relationship between government intervention and individual freedom. The debate reflects broader societal discussions about where to draw the line between collective health goals and personal autonomy. Furthermore, critics note that the exemption for non-tobacco vaping products may leave a pathway for nicotine addiction, as e-cigarettes and vaping devices have been linked to increased use among adolescents [3].

Conclusion

The UK's Tobacco and Vapes Bill, upon receiving royal assent, will implement one of the most restrictive tobacco access laws in the world. Its phased age-increase mechanism aims to permanently shield future generations from legal tobacco sales.

As the government prepares for implementation in 2027, questions regarding enforcement, the potential for illicit markets, and the exemption of tobacco-free vaping products will likely persist. The policy's success or failure may influence similar legislative efforts in other countries considering generational bans.

References
A shifting stage: Ukraine fights for attention amid global crises

Russia's UN envoy claims the Middle East conflict is overshadowing Ukraine's pleas for Western aid.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is on a European tour seeking renewed military and financial support.

The U.S. under President Trump has scaled back support, shifting the burden to European allies.

Zelensky faces domestic challenges, including draft resistance and corruption allegations.

Western attention and resources are divided, complicating Ukraine's war effort against Russia.

As the war in Ukraine grinds into its fifth year, President Volodymyr Zelensky is confronting a formidable new adversary on the diplomatic front: waning Western attention. During a European tour this month aimed at shoring up vital military and financial support, Zelenskys efforts are being undercut by escalating conflicts elsewhere, particularly in the Middle East. This shift highlights the fragile nature of international alliances and the difficult choices facing Western capitals as global security crises multiply.

The diplomatic spotlight dims

Zelenskys recent travels to France, Romania and Spain are part of a sustained campaign to secure long-term security guarantees and replenish dwindling arsenals. The urgency stems from a significant reduction in American support following the re-election of President Donald Trump, who has moved to lift some sanctions on Russian oil and questioned the scale of U.S. aid. This has placed a heavier burden on European nations like Germany, now Kyivs largest backer, which has pledged billions in new aid for 2026. However, European leaders are simultaneously grappling with a severe conflict involving Iran, which Russian officials argue is pulling focus and resources away from Eastern Europe.

Russian criticism and Ukrainian realities

At the United Nations, Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia seized on Zelenskys diplomatic tour, deriding it as a faltering concert tour where the Ukrainian leader is begging for more money and weapons. Nebenzia asserted that the war in the Middle East has moved the Ukrainian file to the backburner of international politics, threatening the flow of Western assistance. He also pointed to severe internal challenges within Ukraine, including widespread draft dodging and allegations of corruption, questioning the stability and model of leadership in Kyiv. These criticisms, while delivered from a hostile source, underscore the real political and morale challenges Zelensky must manage alongside the military campaign.

The burden on European allies

With U.S. support curtailed, European nations within the "Coalition of the Willing"including France, Germany and the UKare attempting to fill the void. During Zelenskys visit, France committed to increasing pressure on Russias sanctions-busting shadow fleet for oil exports. Romania signed a statement of intent for a joint drone production project, partially funded by the European Union. These bilateral agreements represent a patchwork strategy to sustain Ukraines defense. However, they also reveal a fragmented Western response, lacking the singular, overwhelming force initially promised when the invasion began.

A global contest for resources

The current moment represents a strategic inflection point. For two years, Ukraine commanded near-unified political and material focus from NATO allies. Today, it must compete with other global flashpoints for a finite pool of military hardware, financial aid and diplomatic capital. This dynamic benefits Russia, which has adjusted its economy to a war footing and likely hopes that Western resolve will fracture over time. The situation tests the principle of sustained multilateral support against the realities of domestic budgets and evolving geopolitical threats beyond Europes borders.

An uncertain road ahead

President Zelenskys European tour underscores a harsh new phase in the conflict. The initial wave of unified solidarity has given way to the complex, protracted work of sustaining a war effort amid donor fatigue and competing global emergencies. While key European allies reaffirm their commitment, the scale and speed of assistance have become points of contention. The outcome of this diplomatic struggle will directly impact the battlefield, where Ukrainian forces remain heavily outgunned. As the worlds attention splinters, Ukraines fight for survival is increasingly a fight to remain at the forefront of the Western strategic consciencea battle where diplomatic persuasion is as critical as military resistance.

Sources for this article include:

RT.com

IrishSun.com

RFI.fr
A breakthrough in paleoclimatology has finally explained a baffling platinum spike found deep within Greenland's ice layers. Dated to roughly 12,800 years ago, this anomaly once fueled theories of a cosmic catastrophe during the Younger Dryas period. Instead, researchers now link it to a prolonged volcanic eruption, reshaping our grasp of ancient climate disruptions.

Unraveling the Platinum Spike Discovery

Scientists first spotted the platinum spike in 2013 while examining ice cores from Greenland's GISP2 drilling project. Platinum levels spiked dramatically around 12,800 years ago, staying elevated for about 14 years. This metal, scarce in Earth's crust but abundant in meteorites, immediately raised eyebrows about an extraterrestrial impact.

The anomaly sat at the edge of the Younger Dryas, a sudden cold snap that gripped the Northern Hemisphere from 12,870 to 11,700 years ago. Early speculation tied it to a comet strike, similar to ideas about the dinosaur extinction. But recent isotopic analysis tells a different story.

Chemical signatures match volcanic gas condensates from Icelandic eruptions, particularly those under glaciers or in deep water. ScienceDaily covered this in a March 2026 piece, noting how the platinum's fractionationits split into specific formsmirrors submarine volcanism rather than space rocks.

Key traits of the platinum signal: Lasted 14 years, too long for a single impact. It appeared 45 years after Younger Dryas cooling began. Lacks iridium, a meteorite hallmark.



This finding debunks cosmic crash ideas, pointing instead to Earth's fiery underbelly.

Inside the Younger Dryas Cold Snap

The Younger Dryas remains one of Earth's most dramatic climate flips. Just as the planet thawed from the last Ice Age, temperatures plunged. Greenland iced over with 15C drops; mammoths shivered in Siberia; North American lakes froze solid.

What kicked it off? Massive Lake Agassiz, a sprawling meltwater pond, likely dumped freshwater into the Atlantic. This halted the ocean conveyor beltthe Gulf Streamthat shuttles heat northward. Forests retreated to tundra across Europe and Asia.

Volcanism entered the picture with a sulfate spike exactly at the onset. Sulfur aerosols from eruptions reflected sunlight, accelerating the chill. The later platinum spike captured a sustained volcanic eruption phase, perhaps from Iceland's rift zones.

Phys.org highlighted related Greenland ice quirks in early 2026, like strange melting patterns that echo these ancient events. Here's how the pieces fit:

Meltwater floods slow ocean currents. Eruptions add sulfur veil, blocking solar heat. Prolonged platinum release logs the chaos.

This combo turned a thaw into a 1,300-year deep freeze, wiping out megafauna and early human settlements.

Layers in Greenland ice cores reveal these spikessulfates at the start, platinum midwaypreserved like tree rings for climate detectives.

Volcanic Eruption: The Real Culprit

Forget Hollywood comet swarms; the evidence stacks against impacts. No craters match the date. Platinum isotopes don't align with asteroids. Instead, Icelandic fissure systems, like those at Katla or Bardarbunga, provide the perfect analog.

These volcanoes spew gas plumes rich in fractionated metals. Underwater vents fractionate platinum through cooling and reactions, matching the ice signal precisely. Germany's Laacher See eruption? Too early by 120 years, per refined timelines.

A Reddit thread from March 2026 buzzed about this "solved debate," summarizing how ice flow models nailed the dating. Sustained output from a rift explains the 14-year pulsethink Laki's 1783 eruption, but prehistoric.

Volcanic triggers amplify meltwater effects:

Sulfur halves sunlight, dropping temps 2-5C globally.

Ash fertilizes oceans oddly, tweaking carbon cycles.

Ice sheet wobbles speed freshwater release.

This volcanic eruption model fits Greenland's high-res records better than scattered North American clues like "black mats."

How Ice Cores Unlock Climate History

Greenland's ice sheets are natural archives, stacking annual layers thicker than your thumb. Drilled cores stretch back 120,000 years, trapping air bubbles, dust, pollen, and metals.

Oxygen isotopes track temperature: lighter ratios mean colder times. Sulfur spikes scream eruptions. Flow models adjust for ice deformation, dating layers to within years.

The GICC05 chronology refined this for Younger Dryas, syncing Greenland with global proxies like speleothems. Platinum's rarity made it a smoking gununtil volcanism explained it.

Common ice core reveals: Volcanic sulfates: Sharp peaks from big blasts. Melt layers: Summer thaws mark warm spells. Metals: Tracers for eruptions or rare cosmic dust.



These tools demystify platinum spike origins, proving Earth's volcanoes pack climate punches.

Why Younger Dryas Echoes in Modern Times

Ancient chills warn of today's tipping points. Greenland loses 270 billion tons of ice yearly, freshening the Atlantic much like Lake Agassiz. A big eruption nowsay, Yellowstone or Tongacould briefly cool a warming world.

But human CO2 swamps volcanic sulfur. Pinatubo's 1991 blast dropped temps 0.5C for two years; we're on track for 3-5C rise by 2100. Still, the Younger Dryas shows fragile feedback: slow one current, freeze half the globe.

Refined ice data sharpens sea-level predictions. Prudhoe Dome fully melted 7,000 years ago; today's trends hint at repeats.

Platinum Spike, Younger Dryas, and Volcanic Eruption Insights

Tying platinum spike, Younger Dryas, and volcanic eruption reveals volcanoes as stealth climate shapers. Phys.org ongoing ice studies paint a vivid past, urging vigilance for ocean-ice-volcano dances today.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the platinum spike in Greenland ice?

Scientists found elevated platinum levels in GISP2 ice cores dated to 12,800 years ago, lasting 14 years. Initially thought to signal a comet impact, it now matches Icelandic volcanic emissions.

2. What caused the Younger Dryas?

The Younger Dryas (12,87011,700 years ago) brought rapid Northern Hemisphere cooling, with Greenland dropping over 15C. Meltwater from ice sheets stalled ocean currents, amplified by a starting sulfate spike from eruptions.

3. Was the Younger Dryas triggered by a comet?

Noplatinum appeared 45 years after cooling began, with chemistry fitting volcanism over cosmic debris. No craters or matching iridium levels support an impact.
Paleocanna tentaculum marks a stunning soft-bodied fossil discovery from Quebec, revealing an Ordovician jellyfish relatively preserved from 450 million years ago. This tube-shaped polyp pushes boundaries in understanding early marine evolution during the Upper Ordovician.

How Paleocanna tentaculum Was Discovered

John Iellamo, an avid amateur collector, first encountered the fossils in 2010 while exploring near Saint-Joachim, about 50 kilometers northeast of Quebec City. He generously donated 15 slabs containing roughly 135 specimens to the Musee de paleontologie et de l'evolution in Montreal. These rocks from the Upper Neuville Formation held clusters of one to three tubes each, preserved in remarkable detail.

What sets this soft-bodied fossil apart starts with its preservation story. A sudden seafloor mudslide in low-oxygen waters buried the polyps rapidly, shielding them from scavengers and decay. Over millions of years, the fine sediment hardened into shaly limestone, locking in features rarely seen in the fossil record. Phys.org covered this find in detail back in April 2026, highlighting how such events create windows into ancient oceans.

Researchers later selected 39 prime specimens for close study, measuring lengths up to 36.9 mm and widths around 6 mm. This hands-on work revealed an annulated periderma ridged outer layeralong with a clear digestive tract and a ring of tentacles at one end. These traits screamed medusozoan connections, closer to today's jellyfish than many presumed ancient relatives.

Physical Features of This Ordovician Jellyfish Relative

Paleocanna tentaculum boasts a tubicolous body, meaning it lived inside a tube like some modern corals or anemones, but with distinct jellyfish vibes. The polyps grew sessile, anchored to the seafloor as epibenthic dwellers, feeding via that tentacle ring near the oral opening. Allometric growth kept their width consistent, a pattern seen in living box jellies.

Key traits include:

Tube structure : Soft yet sturdy, up to 37 mm long, with subtle ridges for flexibility.

: Soft yet sturdy, up to 37 mm long, with subtle ridges for flexibility. Tentacle ring : Crowded around the mouth, perfect for snaring tiny prey in ancient seas.

: Crowded around the mouth, perfect for snaring tiny prey in ancient seas. Internal anatomy : Visible gut trace running tube-length, hinting at simple digestion.

: Visible gut trace running tube-length, hinting at simple digestion. Clustering habit: Often 1-3 per group, suggesting colonial living or family patches.

Sci.Newsdove into these specifics in their 2026 piece, noting how the fossils' alignment suggests minimal post-mortem movement. Unlike hard-shelled neighbors from the same rock layer, Paleocanna tentaculum's soft parts survived thanks to that anoxic blanket of mud. This raritysoft-bodied fossils make up a tiny fraction of Paleozoic recordsmakes every detail a treasure.

The Ordovician jellyfish relative's body plan bridges stem and crown medusozoans. Stem forms represent early branches, while crown groups include modern jellyfish, hydras, and siphonophores. Paleocanna tentaculum slots in as basal, showing tentacle setups and tube dwelling that echo polyp stages in today's life cycles.

Research Process and Scientific Comparisons

Greta Ramirez-Guerrero, a Ph.D. student at Universite de Montreal, spearheaded the study under advisor Christopher B. Cameron. McGill University's Louis-Philippe Bateman joined to compare the fossils against 69 other speciesboth fossils and live ones. Their paper landed in the Journal of Paleontology, cementing Paleocanna tentaculum as the first North American Ordovician soft-bodied cnidarian polyp.

They used microscopy and measurements to map growth patterns, ruling out lookalikes like ancient tubeworms or corals. Modern parallels shone brightest: the tentacle ring mimics hydrozoans, while tube rigidity nods to anthozoans. Yet overall, it leans medusozoan, refining evolutionary trees.

McGill's newsroom shared team insights in April 2026, stressing how Quebec's Saint Lawrence Lowlands rival global hotspots like Burgess Shale for fossil wealth. Low-energy deposition there favors soft-tissue grabs, explaining the haul's quality. The researchers' cross-species grid showed Paleocanna tentaculum clustering nearer to box jellies than scyphozoans or older tubes.

This work expands Paleozoic biodiversity views. The Ordovician hosted a marine explosion post-Cambrian, with cnidarians diversifying quietly amid trilobites and brachiopods. Paleocanna tentaculum proves soft-bodied players joined early, their polyps hinting at complex life cycles long before free-swimmers dominated.

Evolutionary Role of Paleocanna tentaculum

Few Ordovician jellyfish relatives endure fossilization, as soft bodies dissolve fast without special conditions. Paleocanna tentaculum fills a glaring gap, showing medusozoans rooted deep in the period. It predates many Canadian icons like Burgess Shale jellies by 50 million years, tweaking timelines.

Why does this soft-bodied fossil matter? It spotlights polyp stagessessile youth phases that bud into swimming medusae today. Finding an adult-like polyp this old suggests life cycles stabilized early, with tubes as safe nurseries in turbulent seas.

Quebec's fossil beds keep delivering: the Neuville Formation teems with echinoderms, mollusks, and now this gem. Global parallels exist in European Ordovician sites, but North America's first soft cnidarian polyp steals the show.

Evolutionary takeaways include:

Tentacles ring as ancient medusozoan hallmark, persisting 450 million years. Tube-dwelling as an adaptive edge in low-oxygen bottoms, shielding from predators. Bridge to modern forms, where polyps alternate with medusae for reproduction.

Paleocanna tentaculum challenges assumptions that jellyfish ancestors were purely floating. Its grounded lifestyle reveals diverse strategies in early cnidarians, enriching ocean history.

Paleocanna tentaculum Compared to Today's Jellyfish

Modern jellyfish zip through pelagic zones as medusae, pulsing bells for jet propulsion. Paleocanna tentaculum stayed put as polyps, tentacles waving for food. Yet shared DNA blueprints shine through.

Key differences and similarities:

Lifestyle : Paleocanna tentaculum was a sessile polyp in a tube; modern jellyfish like box jellies swim freely as medusae.

: Paleocanna tentaculum was a sessile polyp in a tube; modern jellyfish like box jellies swim freely as medusae. Size : Reached 37 mm long and 6 mm wide; modern bells grow to 30 cm with meter-long tentacles.

: Reached 37 mm long and 6 mm wide; modern bells grow to 30 cm with meter-long tentacles. Feeding : Tentacle ring snared plankton on the seafloor; today's trailing tentacles sting larger prey in open water.

: Tentacle ring snared plankton on the seafloor; today's trailing tentacles sting larger prey in open water. Environment : Thrived in low-oxygen seafloor mud; modern forms prefer oxygen-rich pelagic zones.

: Thrived in low-oxygen seafloor mud; modern forms prefer oxygen-rich pelagic zones. Fossil Odds: Rare mud burial preserved it; modern jellyfish almost never fossilize due to high water content.

This comparison underscores polyp primacy in deep time. Today's cycles flip between polyp (tiny, attached) and medusa (big, mobile), but fossils like this suggest polyps ruled first. Over eons, budding tech evolved, letting clones launch swimmers.

PopSci is equipped with a "flailing carwash," evoking its bushy tentaclesvivid yet apt for grasping Ordovician vibes. Such visuals help picture 450-million-year-old food webs, where polyps filtered microbes amid bigger beasts.

Insights from Ordovician Jellyfish Fossils

Soft-bodied fossils demand luck: anoxia, quick cover, no burrowing pests. Paleocanna tentaculum hit that jackpot, its preservation rivaling Ediacaran softies.

Quebec lowlands as Ordovician goldmine, rivaling Wales or China beds.

Polyp focus shifts evolution narrative from medusae hype.

Future digs may uncover medusa stages, completing the cycle puzzle.

Numbered preservation steps clarify the magic:

Sudden turbidity flow drops the mud sheet. Oxygen dips starve bacteria, halting rot. Sediment compacts minerals around soft bits. Eons later, slabs split to reveal ghosts.

These Ordovician jellyfish relatives remind us oceans teemed invisibly long ago. Paleocanna tentaculum, through one collector's eye and scientists' lenses, rewrites quiet chapters of life's deep past.

Why Paleocanna tentaculum Changes Fossil Perspectives

Paleocanna tentaculum redefines Ordovician jellyfish views as a preserved soft-bodied fossil pinnacle. With tentacles frozen in time, it links ancient polyps to pulsing modern seas, inviting more Quebec quests into pre-Cambrian echoes.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the Paleocanna tentaculum?

Paleocanna tentaculum is a newly identified basal-medusozoan species, a soft-bodied, tube-shaped polyp with a ring of tentacles, discovered in 450-million-year-old Ordovician fossils from Quebec.

2. Where was the Paleocanna tentaculum fossil found?

The fossils came from the Upper Neuville Formation near Saint-Joachim, about 50 km northeast of Quebec City in the Saint Lawrence Lowlands.

3. How old are these Ordovician jellyfish fossils?

They date to the Upper Ordovician period, approximately 450 million years ago.
Nearly 40% of data centers projects expected to open this year are going to be delayed by at least three months, according to new data.

The Financial Times drew upon satellite imagery from geospatial data analytics company SynMax and cross-checked project progress against public statements and permit documents compiled by the industry research group IIR Energy. The publications analysis measured how much progress has been made in clearing land and laying building foundations for each data center project.

The resulting analysis found major delays. Projects from Microsoft, Oracle, OpenAI, and others are likely to miss completion dates by more than three months. Construction executives involved with OpenAI projects specifically mentioned not having enough tradespeople, such as electricians and pipe fitters, to work on multiple data center projects.
The Indian Army marked the first anniversary of the deadly Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians, reiterating its warning of an assured response against acts targeting India. The commemoration focused on the decisive military retaliation through Operation Sindoor, launched in May 2025, which destroyed terror launchpads and eliminated over 100 terrorists across the border. Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to the victims, affirming the nation's united resolve against terrorism and that India will not differentiate between terror sponsors and masterminds. Top military leaders, including the Army Chief and Air Chief, hailed the operation as a defining example of tri-service synergy and a clear demonstration of India's defensive strength.

Indian Army marks Pahalgam terror attack anniversary, reiterates assured response and details success of retaliatory Operation Sindoor against Pakistan.

New Delhi, April 22 Marking one year since the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives, the Indian Army on Wednesday reiterated its resolve against terrorism, remembering the decisive military response under 'Operation Sindoor' and warning assured retaliation for acts against India.

On April 22, 2025, the nation was left shocked when terrorists struck the tourist town of Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir, entering a village and killing 26 civilians. Known as a tourist spot with scenic beauty, Pahalgam was rendered in blood as Pakistan-backed terrorists killed several innocent people.

On the first anniversary of the heinous attack, the Indian Army remembered 'Operation Sindoor' and warned the terrorists against crossing boundaries.

Commemorating the anniversary, in a post on X, the Additional Directorate General of Public Information (ADG PI) of the Indian Army wrote, "For acts against India, the response is assured. Justice will be served. Always," along with a Sindoor graphic which read, "Operation Sindoor continues..."

In the cross-border communal attack in Pahalgam, the assailants reportedly questioned the victims about their religion before killing them, leaving families grappling with loss even a year later.

As India mourned the loss, what followed was decisive action by the Indian armed forces in the form of Operation Sindoor. Indian armed forces struck terror bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK).

In the aftermath of the attack, India launched 'Operation Sindoor' on May 7, 2025, targeting terror infrastructure across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). According to official details, Indian armed forces destroyed nine major terror launchpads linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed and Hizbul Mujahideen, and eliminated over 100 terrorists during the operation.

What followed were drone attacks and shelling by Pakistan, which led to a four-day conflict between the two neighbouring countries. India showed formidable defence and conducted retaliatory strikes, destroying Radar installations in Lahore and Radar facilities near Gurjanwala.

Inflicted by heavy damage, Pakistan's Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) called the Indian DGMO and a ceasefire was agreed on May 10.

Furthermore, Operation Mahadev was another big joint success of the Army and security forces last year, as they tracked down and eliminated three terrorists involved in the Pahalgam terror attack.

Among non-military actions, India terminated the Indus Waters Treaty and all bilateral trade with Pakistan.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday paid tribute to the victims in the Pahalgam terror attack, reiterating India's firm resolve to combat terrorism in all its forms.

In a post on X, the Prime Minister expressed solidarity with the bereaved families and affirmed that the country remains united in grief and determined to dismantle "the heinous designs of terrorists."

"Remembering the innocent lives lost in the gruesome Pahalgam terror attack on this day last year. They will never be forgotten. My thoughts are also with the bereaved families as they cope with this loss. As a nation, we stand united in grief and resolve. India will never bow to any form of terror. The heinous designs of terrorists will never succeed," the PM wrote.

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made it clear, "if there is a terrorist attack on India, a fitting reply will be given," and India "will not differentiate between the government sponsoring terrorism and the masterminds of terrorism." Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has maintained that "Operation Sindoor is still going on."

Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi hailed Operation Sindoor as the best example of "tri-service synergy under clear-cut political directive". In a press conference, he said, "Operation Sindoor was the best example of tri-service synergy under clear-cut political directive and full freedom to act or respond."

Indian Air Force too played a decisive role in the operation and on the eve of the 93rd Air Force Day, Chief of Air Staff (CAS) Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh said Operation Sindoor was a defining moment that demonstrated the Indian Air Force's (IAF) precision, strength, and unity of purpose in responding to Pakistan's "Napak" (cowardly) act.

While the Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, highlighted that the deployment of a carrier battle group in the northern Arabian Sea influenced Pakistan's naval movements, keeping them close to their ports.

In his address to the nation from the ramparts of Red Fort on Independence Day 2025, PM Modi also announced Mission Sudarshan Chakra, aimed at neutralising enemy defence infiltrations and enhancing India's offensive capabilities.

- ANI
Adani Power has announced the incorporation of a new wholly-owned step-down subsidiary, Rawatbhata-Raj Atomic Energy Limited. On the same day, another group entity, Adani Energy, formed a subsidiary named Coastal-Maha Atomic Energy Limited to operate in the nuclear segment. These moves indicate the Adani Group's strategic push into the atomic energy space. The expansion aligns with India's national goal to significantly increase its nuclear power capacity by 2047.

Adani Power establishes two new step-down subsidiaries, Rawatbhata-Raj Atomic Energy and Coastal-Maha Atomic Energy, to enter India's nuclear power sector.

Ahmedabad, April 21 Adani Power Limited on Tuesday announced the incorporation of a new step-down, wholly-owned subsidiary as it strengthens its presence in the atomic/nuclear energy space.

In a regulatory filing, the Adani Group company said its wholly-owned subsidiary, Adani Atomic Energy Limited (AAEL), has set up Rawatbhata-Raj Atomic Energy Limited (RRAEL).

"We would like to inform that Adani Atomic Energy Limited (AAEL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, has incorporated a wholly-owned subsidiary, namely, Rawatbhata-Raj Atomic Energy Limited (RRAEL) on April 20," Adani Power said.

The entity was incorporated on April 20, 2026, in India with an authorised capital of Rs 5 lakh, divided into 50,000 equity shares of Rs 10 each.

"RRAEL has been incorporated with authorised capital of Rs 5,00,000 divided into 50,000 equity shares of Rs 10 each," it said.

The company clarified that RRAEL is a wholly-owned subsidiary of AAEL, which itself is fully owned by Adani Power, making it a step-down subsidiary within the group's structure.

"100 per cent of the shareholding of RRAEL is held by AAEL. 100 per cent of the shareholding of AAEL is held by Adani Power Limited," it noted.

In a parallel development on the same day, another group entity, Adani Energy, incorporated a step-down wholly owned subsidiary named Coastal-Maha Atomic Energy Limited.

This entity will operate in the nuclear energy segment and will be engaged in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity derived from atomic energy.

"To generate, transmit, and distribute power derived from nuclear and/or atomic energy," it said in its stock exchange filing.

The back-to-back incorporations signal the Adani Group's growing interest in the nuclear power sector, aligning with India's long-term energy transition goals.

At present, India's installed nuclear power capacity stands at 8.7 gigawatts. The country has set an ambitious target to scale this capacity to 100 gigawatts by 2047 as part of its broader clean energy roadmap.

- IANS
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has written letters to over 1.6 crore civil servants across India, recognizing their commitment to learning. The outreach follows the Sadhana Saptah 2026 learning week on the iGOT Karmayogi platform, with special commendation for 33.4 lakh officials. The initiative reinforces the vision of a developed India (Viksit Bharat) by 2047 through a capable and citizen-centric administration. The letters were issued in 12 languages to ensure nationwide outreach.

PM Modi writes to 1.6 crore civil servants, commends 33.4 lakh for learning, and aligns efforts with the goal of building a developed India by 2047.

New Delhi, April 22 Prime Minister Narendra Modi has written encouraging letters to over 1.6 crore civil servants across the country, recognising their commitment to continuous learning and capacity building ahead of Civil Services Day observed on April 21.

The outreach follows the successful conduct of Sadhana Saptah 2026 - National Learning Week, held from April 2 to 10, which saw widespread participation from government officials through the iGOT Karmayogi platform. Acknowledging the enthusiastic response, the Prime Minister conveyed his message to all registered "Karmayogis," urging them to continue their journey of self-improvement in service of the nation.

In a special gesture, the Prime Minister also issued letters of commendation to 33.4 lakh civil servants who completed four or more hours of learning during the week. The recognition highlighted their dedication to professional growth and their role in strengthening a more capable, efficient, and citizen-centric governance system.

The letters were issued in 12 languages, including Hindi, English, Marathi, Odia, Gujarati, Bengali, Kannada, Punjabi, Assamese, Malayalam, Telugu, and Tamil, ensuring outreach across ministries, departments, states, and Union Territories.

The initiative aligns with the broader vision of "Viksit Bharat," which emphasises continuous learning as a key driver of governance transformation. The Prime Minister has consistently stressed that India's administrative machinery must evolve with speed, scale, and innovation to meet the goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047.

Civil Services Day, celebrated annually on April 21, commemorates the historic address of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in 1947, where he described civil servants as the "steel frame of India."

Earlier on Tuesday, President Droupadi Murmu extended greetings to civil servants, noting their role in strengthening governance and improving lives. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also lauded their dedication to nation-building.

The annual observance includes the Prime Minister's Awards for Excellence in Public Administration, recognising innovative and impactful governance practices across districts and implementing units, reinforcing the spirit of service and accountability among civil servants.

- ANI
Prayed for the peace and well-being of all

Veteran actor Anupam Kher visited the revered Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas. He documented his visit on Instagram, sharing pictures and videos of the aarti and expressing his divine experience. In his posts, he prayed for the peace, happiness, and well-being of all people and for the country. Professionally, Kher is set to reprise his role in the sequel to "Khosla Ka Ghosla!" and has a project with director Sooraj Barjatya.

Bollywood veteran Anupam Kher offers prayers at Ujjain's Mahakal Temple, attends aarti, and shares his spiritual experience on social media.

Mumbai, April 21 Veteran Bollywood actor Anupam Kher sought divine blessings at the Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain, where he also attended the aarti.

Anupam took to Instagram, where he shared a slew of pictures and videos from his visit to the temple, which is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas.

Anupam wrote in Hindi: "I reached the Mahakal Temple in Ujjain. Offered my prayers... and prayed for all of you as well. What an incredible, divine experience it is to be here."

"India is truly filled with such remarkable religious places, whose antiquity and history are beyond belief. Today, my soul felt a different kind of peace and strength. Har Har Mahadev! Har Har Mahakal!"

He was also heard saying in the video in Hindi: "Jai Maha Kaal! I am here in Ujjain. I have come to the temple to worship. I was present for the aarti, and I felt very good. I prayed for everyone, for your peace, happiness, and well-being. I also prayed for the country."

"There is a very good arrangement here for all the devotees, not just for VIPs. Everything is well-organized. And on my mobile, I have a beautiful picture of Lord Shiva. So amazing wow, wow, wow! Just look at Him. That's it, Har Har Mahadev! Har Har Mahadev!" said the actor, who was recently seen in his own directorial "Tanvi The Great".

On the professional front, Anupam is set to reprise the role of Kamal Kishore Khosla in the second installment of the 2006 film "Khosla Ka Ghosla!".

Directed by Dibakar Banerjee, the sequel will have some familiar names from the original drama, such as Boman Irani, Parvin Dabas, Ranvir Shorey, Kiran Juneja, and Tara Sharma, along with some fresh faces such as Ravi Kishan.

In addition to this, he has also collaborated with acclaimed director Sooraj Barjatya for another exciting project.

- IANS
A new analysis highlights a serious debate within Iran's leadership over engaging with the United States in negotiations. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf is pushing for diplomacy, while IRGC Commander Ahmad Vahidi, who has direct access to the Supreme Leader, opposes talks. The Iranian parliament is also drafting a bill to assert control over the strategic Strait of Hormuz. With the current ceasefire set to expire, upcoming talks in Islamabad are seen as a final chance to avoid a major escalation into infrastructure warfare.

Think tank analysis reveals deep divisions between Iranian officials over negotiations with the US, as a critical ceasefire deadline approaches.

Washington DC, April 21 A new assessment by the Institute for the Study of War has pointed to deepening divisions within Iran's leadership, as diplomatic tensions and military pressure between the United States and Iran continue to mount before the second round of Islamabad Talks.

The Washington DC-based think tank said, "Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf appears to be engaged in a serious intra-regime debate with Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Commander Major General Ahmad Vahidi and other senior regime officials opposed to negotiations with the United States."

The analysis highlighted a growing rift betweencand Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Commander Major General Ahmad Vahidi over the question of engaging Washington in talks.

The think tank further noted, "Vahidi is reportedly the only Iranian official with direct access to Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei and is serving as a conduit for relaying key decisions to other regime officials, according to Israeli media on April 19."

According to the post, Vahidi's proximity to Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei underscored his growing influence within Iran's decision-making structure.

The think tank further mentioned, "Israeli media also reported on April 19 that Iranian officials' inability to contact Mojtaba is a significant obstacle to continued US-Iran negotiations.'

"Ghalibaf's push for diplomacy and apparent effort to reach a deal may also be a bid to protect his domestic position and maintain credibility," the think tank said.

It warned of potential political fallout, stating, "Ghalibaf reportedly fears that both his and Araghchi's positions are at risk if the IRGC consolidates control."

The analysis added that any leadership change would carry significant implications, noting, "Ghalibaf's removal as the parliament speaker would represent a major defeat for Ghalibaf and his domestic positions and signify a victory for Vahidi."

The think tank added that these developments align with its broader assessment of shifting power dynamics in Tehran.

"These reports are consistent with CTP-ISW's ongoing assessment that Vahidi and members of his inner circle have likely consolidated control over not only Iran's military response in the conflict but also Iran's negotiation policy."

On the diplomatic front, the analysis added, "US and Iranian delegations will reportedly meet in Islamabad, Pakistan, for a second round of talks in the coming days. US and Iranian demands appear to have largely stayed the same, however."

The anticipated talks in Islamabad come amid continued friction due to the US naval blockade.

"The US Navy continued to enforce its blockade of Iranian ports, directing 27 vessels to change course since the start of the blockade. US forces likely forced two Iranian-linked vessels attempting to violate the Navy's blockade to turn around," the think tank said.

It also referenced the recent maritime incident of the seizure of the Iranian-flagged, US-sanctioned Touska. The post said, "The Khatam ol Anbia Central Headquarters claimed that the April 19 seizure of the Iranian-flagged, US-sanctioned Touska by the US Navy violated the US-Iran ceasefire."

The think tank further pointed to legislative moves in Tehran aimed at asserting greater control over a key global shipping route.

"The Iranian Parliament is attempting to formalize Iranian "control" over the Strait of Hormuz by drafting a bill that would ban Israeli-linked vessels from transiting the Strait of Hormuz," the think tank said.

It added that the proposed bill would also " require vessels from 'hostile countries' to obtain approval from Iran's Supreme National Security Council to transit the strait, and bar states that 'caused damage' to Iran from transiting the strait until they paid reparations to Iran."

With the existing ceasefire scheduled to expire on Wednesday, these Islamabad talks are being viewed as the final diplomatic off-ramp before the conflict potentially escalates into full-scale infrastructure warfare.

While the US maintains that a "fair and reasonable" deal has been offered, the refusal of the Iranian leadership to negotiate under the "shadow of a blockade" suggests that the previous round's stalemate may have been a precursor to a far more dangerous confrontation.

- ANI
Filmmaker Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari is celebrating the 10th anniversary of her directorial debut, "Nil Battey Sannata," with a grateful social media post. The film starred Swara Bhasker as a single mother with big dreams for her daughter, supported by a cast including Pankaj Tripathi and Ratna Pathak Shah. Beyond domestic success, the comedy-drama gained international recognition, premiering at festivals in China, Morocco, and London. The milestone highlights the film's enduring impact and Tiwari's journey in cinema.

Director Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari marks 10 years of her debut film Nil Battey Sannata, starring Swara Bhasker, with a heartfelt note of gratitude.

Mumbai, April 22 Filmmaker Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari is celebrating a major milestone, marking 10 years of her directorial debut 'Nil Battey Sannata'.

In a heartfelt Instagram post, Ashwiny shared a series of pictures from the sets of the film along with a video montage featuring the film scenes.



Expressing her gratitude, the filmmaker wrote, "10 years of #nilbatteysannata - my debut movie. Thankyou for all the love Dear Audience, Cinema Lovers, inspite of all the surprises, industry challenges and setbacks life throws, You encouraged me to continue to tell the stories i believe in and to keep making my own path with integrity and passion for cinema. Forever Gratitude to all of you. I am because of your trust in me as a filmmaker."



Actor Swara Bhasker, who plays a key role in the film, also celebrated a decade of 'Nil Battey Sannata'.



"A story of dreams, doubts, and the courage to try anyways. Celebrating #10YearsOfNilBatteySannata."



The comedy-drama starred Swara Bhasker, Riya Shukla, Pankaj Tripathi, and Ratna Pathak Shah. Beyond national success, the film also made waves internationally, premiering at the Silk Road Film Festival in Fuzhou, China. It was subsequently showcased at festivals such as the Marrakech International Film Festival and the Cleveland International Film Festival. Later, it was screened at the BFI London Film Festival (LFF).



The movie marked the directorial debut of Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari. Starring Swara Bhasker, the story revolves around a single mother who works as a maid with big ambitions for her daughter.





- ANI
West Bengal Governor R.N. Ravi has announced a dedicated 24x7 Citizen Helpline to ensure free, fair, and fear-free elections in the upcoming two-phase Assembly polls. The initiative follows public meetings where citizens expressed apprehensions about electoral violence and shared past traumatic experiences. The helpline will function as a responsive grievance redressal mechanism, handling all representations with sensitivity and confidentiality. This move mirrors a similar "peace room" initiative taken by the previous Governor during earlier elections.

West Bengal Governor R.N. Ravi launches a 24x7 citizen helpline to ensure free, fair, and fear-free Assembly elections in the state.

Kolkata, April 21 West Bengal Governor R.N. Ravi on Tuesday announced the launch of a 24x7 Citizen Helpline to ensure free, fair, and fear-free elections in the forthcoming two-phase Assembly polls in the state scheduled on April 23 and April 29.

In a statement issued from the office of the Governor on Tuesday evening, the decision to open this 24x7 Citizen Helpline had been taken amid several meetings the Governor had with the public during the last few days, expressing apprehensions over the issue of pre-poll and post-poll violence in the state.

"Quite a few of them also shared their past personal experience of having suffered brutal violence in previous elections, including the killing of family members and kin. Some were forcibly prevented from exercising their voting rights, and those who defied such intimidation were also physically assaulted," the statement read.

According to the statement, while the state administration and the police, as per the Election Commission of India (ECI), have made elaborate security arrangements to ensure fear-free elections, the Lok Bhavan has established a dedicated 24x7 Helpline to assist the citizens.

"This initiative is to ensure that every voter can participate in the democratic process freely and without fear," the statement from Lok Bhawan read.

According to it, the helpline will function as a responsive mechanism to receive grievances, make earnest efforts for their prompt redressal and guide citizens towards suitable institutional support.

"All representations will be handled with due sensitivity and utmost confidentiality. All the voters of our state are urged to enthusiastically take part in the most sacred festival of democracy and cast their votes without fail. Every vote is sacred, and it matters," the statement read.

To recall, Ravi's predecessor, C.V. Ananda Bose, took a similar decision to prevent violence during the last Panchayat elections in 2023. On his orders, a peace room was opened in the then Raj Bhavan. This peace room was also open during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

- IANS
The first phase of the West Bengal assembly elections sees 152 constituencies heading to the polls, marking the start of a decisive battle between the ruling Trinamool Congress and the BJP. Union Home Minister Amit Shah led the BJP's final push with rallies, promising an end to "Love Jihad" and "Land Jihad" while accusing Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of corruption. The TMC countered by sharpening its "Bohiragoto" (outsider) narrative against the BJP and filing a complaint about alleged voter transport from Surat. The remaining 142 seats will vote on April 29, with results expected on May 4.

Over 3.22 crore voters decide as Amit Shah and Mamata Banerjee's parties clash in Phase 1 of the high-stakes Bengal elections. Key promises and accusations fly.

Kolkata, April 22 The high-voltage battle for West Bengal reaches its first critical crescendo tomorrow, April 23, 2026, as 152 constituencies across the state go to the polls in Phase 1.

With over 3.22 crore voters eligible to cast their ballots, the day marks the beginning of a decisive chapter in the contest between the incumbent Trinamool Congress (TMC) and a resurgent Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The final 48 hours of the campaign have been characterised by sharp personal attacks, landmark manifesto promises, and a record-breaking enforcement drive by the Election Commission.

The battle between the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has turned into a high-stakes showdown. The remaining 142 seats will go to the polls on April 29, with counting scheduled for May 4.

The political temperature soared on Wednesday as the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) locked horns in a no-holds-barred exchange of accusations, promises, and sharp rhetoric.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah led the BJP's final push with multiple rallies and roadshows, sharpening his attack on Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on multiple fronts--law and order, corruption, infiltration, and governance.

"Both Love Jihad and Land Jihad will come to an end... farmers will get Rs 9,000... women and unemployed youth will get Rs 3,000 per month," he promised, outlining a sweeping welfare and governance agenda.

Shah also sharpened his attack on the TMC's governance model. "Mamata Banerjee is involved in scams worth Rs 10,000 crore... don't fear the goons... BJP is going to form the government, and the goons will be sent behind bars," he said.

Raising national security concerns, he added, "The infiltrators are taking away jobs... the BJP will free this country from infiltrators."

In Dum Dum and other rallies, Shah went further, alleging a "syndicate raj" and promising its end. "If you need cement, bricks or sand, you have to pay the syndicate... after May 5, they will flee Bengal," he said, while also asserting, "the BJP will not allow Babri Masjid to be built in Bengal."

He also targeted Congress leadership, reacting strongly to Mallikarjun Kharge's remarks on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "The man who devoted his life to ending terrorism is being called a terrorist... the public will settle the account," Shah said, adding that Congress would struggle electorally across states.

Shah also held a massive roadshow in the Sonarpur Dakshin Assembly constituency of South 24 Parganas district amid tight security.

The Trinamool Congress countered sharply, accusing BJP leaders of disrespecting Bengal's cultural icons. TMC slammed Shah for allegedly mispronouncing poet Satyendranath Dutta's name.

In a strongly worded response, the TMC said, "How illiterate can one be about the land they seek to govern? Those who cannot name Bengal's icons correctly have no business claiming to be Bengal's guardians."

The party doubled down on its "Bohiragoto" (outsider) narrative, asserting, "They were, they are, and they will forever remain Bangla-Birodhi Bohiragotos."

Adding to the tension, the TMC earlier in the day filed a complaint accusing the BJP of running "special trains" from Surat to Bengal, allegedly offering free travel and food to influence voters.

Calling it a violation of electoral law, TMC MP Derek O'Brien said it amounted to "bribery, undue influence and illegal transport of voters," demanding strict action.

BJP National President Nitin Nabin accused TMC leaders of disrespecting the national song, saying, "Vande Mataram has an unbreakable bond with the BJP and the people of the country... The people of West Bengal will reject those who insult it." He further added, "This time, the people of West Bengal are fighting the election... against the TMC's hooliganism, anarchy, and corruption."

Joining the campaign trail, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath invoked Bengal's cultural identity while attacking the ruling party.

"This is the land that gave the nation its national anthem and national song... but today, this identity is being insulted," he said, alleging that TMC had replaced cultural symbols with political imagery. He also compared Bengal's law and order situation with pre-2017 Uttar Pradesh, claiming "today there is Ram Rajya in UP."

BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia also targeted Mamata Banerjee, stating, "She has become synonymous with jungle raj... If she has even a shred of shame left, she should resign."

Meanwhile, Opposition leaders struck a different tone. Congress leader Sachin Pilot said, "The people of Bengal desire change... development that should have taken place has not materialised."

AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal expressed support for Mamata Banerjee, calling the election "one of the most difficult battles for Indian democracy."

Amid the heated political battle, the Election Commission stepped up enforcement, seizing over Rs 1,000 crore worth of cash, liquor, drugs, and freebies across West Bengal and Tamil Nadu.

The poll body reiterated its focus on clean elections, stating it aims to ensure "violence-free, intimidation-free and inducement-free elections."

To ensure strict vigilance, over 5,011 Flying Squad Teams and 5,363 Static Surveillance Teams have been deployed, conducting surprise checks and responding to complaints within 100 minutes.

Strict enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct is underway, with agencies like the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Income Tax Department, and police working in coordination.

The Chief Electoral Officer has also imposed strict restrictions on motorcycle movement and rallies, including a ban on motorcycle rallies and limits on vehicle movement during night hours (6 PM-6 AM), to prevent intimidation and unlawful mobilisation

Officials said these steps are meant to "maintain a calm and conducive atmosphere for voters."

The EC has emphasised that misuse of money power, inducements, and state machinery will be dealt with firmly, while also cautioning officials to avoid harassment of ordinary citizens during checks.

In the run-up to polling, several constituencies across West Bengal have emerged as direct face-offs between major parties, reflecting both past electoral trends and current political shifts.

In Bhabanipur, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee (TMC) is locked in a high-profile contest against BJP's Suvendu Adhikari, who had defeated her in Nandigram in 2021 by a narrow margin of around 1,956 votes, making both seats symbolically and politically crucial. In Nandigram, the BJP has again fielded Adhikari, while the TMC has nominated Pabitra Kar, setting up another intense contest rooted in the constituency's history of the 2007 land movement.

In Kharagpur Sadar, BJP's Dilip Ghosh, a prominent party face who previously held the seat, is contesting against TMC's Pradip Sarkar, in a constituency known for shifting loyalties over the years. Meanwhile, Asansol Dakshin sees BJP's Agnimitra Paul in a multi-cornered contest against TMC's Tapas Banerjee and other candidates, after the BJP had gained ground in the industrial belts in the last election.

In Murshidabad, BJP's Gouri Sankar Ghosh and TMC's Shaoni Singha Roy are once again facing off after a closely fought 2021 contest decided by just over 2,400 votes, making it one of the tightest battlegrounds. In Mathabhanga, former Union minister Nishith Pramanik is contesting for the BJP, while TMC has fielded its own strong candidate, reflecting the party's push in North Bengal.

Baharampur features Congress heavyweight Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury attempting a comeback after a previous electoral setback, while in Siliguri, BJP's Shankar Ghosh is taking on the TMC-backed local leadership, indicating a direct BJP-TMC fight in urban North Bengal. In Darjeeling, TMC has fielded a retired educator against BJP's Noman Rai, highlighting the party's strategy to counter BJP's influence in the hills.

Other notable constituencies include Dum Dum Uttar, where TMC minister Chandrima Bhattacharya is contesting, Tollyganj with Aroop Biswas for TMC, Kolkata Port with Firhad Hakim, and Ballygunge with Babul Supriyo, all representing key urban strongholds for the ruling party. BJP, on the other hand, has fielded leaders like Dilip Ghosh, Suvendu Adhikari, and Nishith Pramanik across regions to expand its footprint.

Beyond these, constituencies such as Chanchal, Nowda, Rejinagar, Maldaha, and Jadavpur are witnessing multi-cornered contests involving TMC, BJP, Congress, and Left parties, reflecting the fragmented opposition space and localised issues shaping voter choices.

Overall, while TMC dominated the 2021 Assembly elections with over 200 seats and nearly 48.5% vote share, BJP's rise to 77 seats has turned many of these constituencies into direct and closely contested battlegrounds in 2026, where even small vote swings could alter outcomes significantly.

Coming to the manifestos, the BJP's "Sankalp Patra," themed "Sonar Bangla," promises one crore jobs, Rs 3,000 monthly assistance to women and youth, Rs 9,000 for farmers, 33% reservation for women, and action against infiltration.

Amit Shah, while unveiling the manifesto, said the vision is to take Bengal "from despair to development."

However, TMC leaders dismissed it as "a recycled catalogue of jumlas and deception," questioning the BJP's track record. Mamata Banerjee termed it a "report card of failed assurances," urging voters to remain vigilant.

Meanwhile, one of the biggest issues shaping the election is the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, which has led to the deletion of over 60 lakh to 90 lakh names, reducing the voter base from around 7.66 crore to 7.04 crore.

The process, conducted under judicial supervision, has sparked fierce political debate. The TMC has alleged voter suppression, while the BJP has defended it as a necessary clean-up of bogus entries.

As West Bengal heads into the first phase of voting, the contest is between claims of "Sonar Bangla" and charges of "outsider politics".

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.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is aiming for a fourth consecutive term, while the BJP, which secured 77 seats in the previous election, is making a renewed push to form the government in the state.

Now all eyes are on the ballot boxes as Bengal prepares to script its next political chapter.

- ANI
Bihar officials presented the state's growth and technology vision to the Indian diaspora at Bihar Diwas celebrations in New York. Chief Secretary Pratyaya Amrit asserted Bihar is ready for transformation and called for global contributions. The event highlighted industrial policies, a push in artificial intelligence, and efforts to improve Bihar's investment image. Awards were presented to diaspora members, and the program featured cultural performances and a book launch.

Bihar officials urged the global diaspora to invest in the state's tech and industrial transformation at a New York event, highlighting AI and accountability.

Washington, April 22 Bihar officials pitched the state's growth and technology vision to the diaspora at Bihar Diwas 2026 celebrations in New York.

The event was held at the Consulate General of India and brought together diplomats, policymakers and members of the Indian diaspora. Emcee Komal Sharan opened the programme and welcomed attendees.

Asserting that "Bihar is ready for transformation," Bihar Chief Secretary Pratyaya Amrit urged people of Bihari origin across the world to contribute at what he described as a critical moment. He said that government departments would remain accountable and address development challenges transparently.

Industry Secretary Kundan Kumar, who also serves as CEO of the Bihar Foundation, reinforced the message, saying "Bihar Hai Taiyar" (Bihar is ready to take a leap forward). He pointed to industrial growth, new GCC policies and efforts to position Bihar as a competitive investment destination.

Alok Kumar, Chairman of Bihar Foundation USA - ETZ, highlighted the government's push towards artificial intelligence. He referred to the establishment of a Centre of Excellence and collaboration with industry leaders, including Mahesh Kumar, Founder of Tiger Analytics, and Badrish Prakash.

India's Consul General in New York, Binaya S. Pradhan, in his remarks, underscored the state's global footprint. He referred to Bihar's historical legacy and its future potential.

Community leader Avinash Gupta urged attendees to move beyond stereotypes about Bihar and recognise infrastructure improvements. Priti Kashyap, President of BJANA, stressed unity and the need to engage younger generations.

The programme included the launch of the book "Gaon Ki Mitti Mitne Nahi Deti" by Santa Mishra. Cultural performances showcased Bihar's traditions through folk music and dance, including acts inspired by regional festivals and songs.

Bihar Vishwa Gaurav Samman 2026 was presented to Saroj Kumar Jha, Hasmukh Ranjan, Rajesh Sinha, and Sanjay Choubey for their contributions in their respective fields.

- IANS
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh addressed the Indian community in Berlin, praising the diaspora as the vital bridge between India and Germany. He highlighted a fundamental shift in India's global standing under the current leadership, where the world now listens carefully to India's perspectives. Singh urged the overseas community to actively promote India's viewpoint and deepen economic and technological ties with Germany. He also reaffirmed the government's commitment to the security and welfare of citizens abroad while updating them on domestic progress in technology and self-reliance.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh rallies Indian diaspora in Berlin to promote Brand India and strengthen bilateral ties on 75th anniversary of relations.

New Delhi, April 22 Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday addressed a vibrant gathering of the Indian community, hailing the 300,000-strong diaspora as the "strongest bridge" between the two nations on the opening leg of his three-day visit to Germany.

He underscored the pivotal role of overseas Indians in India's journey toward becoming a global powerhouse, particularly as the two countries mark 75 years of diplomatic relations.

The Defence Minister highlighted a fundamental shift in India's international standing, attributing the change to the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Singh noted that while India's perspectives were often overlooked in the past, today the "whole world listens carefully" at international fora. He urged the diaspora to use their influence to promote India's perspective globally and to deepen economic and technological ties.

Reaffirming the state's support, Singh assured citizens abroad that their security and welfare remain a top priority for the Indian government. He also urged members of the Indian diaspora to play an active role in promoting India's perspective globally and in deepening economic ties between India and Germany.

According to a press release by the Ministry of Defence, Rajnath Singh highlighted that 2026 marks 75 years of diplomatic relations with Germany, built on trust, mutual respect, and shared democratic values. He urged the Indian diaspora to continue contributing to a stronger India-Germany partnership while staying rooted in their own heritage. He reaffirmed the commitment towards the Indian diaspora by assuring the Government's continued support and security to its citizens residing in different parts of the globe.

The Minister provided an optimistic update on India's domestic trajectory, focusing on the rapid strides made in technology and self-reliance, pointing to advances in infrastructure, start-ups, space, and digital innovation. He stated that the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat is aimed at strengthening domestic capabilities, boosting manufacturing, and reducing dependence on imports.

As 2026 marks the Diamond Jubilee of India-Germany diplomatic ties, Singh emphasised that the relationship is built on a bedrock of trust, mutual respect, and shared democratic values. He called on the community, spanning business, healthcare, and academia, to maintain their cultural roots while contributing to the bilateral partnership.

"Indian community is the strongest bridge between the two countries... Quality must become a way of life reflected in our products, services, and everyday actions," said Rajnath Singh

Expressing gratitude for the warm reception, the Defence Minister described the interaction as a "special moment" that reflects the growing synergy between New Delhi and Berlin.

He concluded by urging the diaspora to remain active participants in the vision of Viksit Bharat, ensuring that the Indian heritage remains a guiding force in their professional excellence abroad.

- ANI
Campaigning concluded for the first phase of the West Bengal assembly elections covering 152 seats, with polling set for April 23. The campaign saw sharp exchanges between the ruling Trinamool Congress and the BJP, with the latter focusing on issues of infiltration and law and order. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, in a series of rallies, targeted Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, promising to remove infiltrators and declaring the TMC government's time was up. Mamata Banerjee countered by accusing the BJP of misusing central agencies and deploying paramilitary forces to interfere in the elections.

Campaigning ends for Bengal's first phase polls. Amit Shah vows to remove infiltrators, Mamata Banerjee attacks BJP over ED raids and central forces.

Kolkata, April 21 Campaigning ended for the first phase of the assembly election in West Bengal on Tuesday with political parties giving a strong push to their campaign on 152 seats where voters will exercise their franchise on April 23.

The polling will decide the electoral fate of 1, 478 candidates. The poll battle saw sharp exchanges between the ruling Trinamool Congress and the BJP. Congress and CPI-M, who had allied in the last assembly polls, are fighting separately.

BJP repeatedly raised the issue of infiltrators, law and order situation and fear among sections of voters, while Trinamool Congress sought to portray it as "anti-Bengali". The BJP has also promised the implementation of the seventh pay commission recommendations and has made promises for women, youth and farmers. Other parties also made a slew of promises.

Prominent Trinamool Congress candidates in the fray include Goutam Deb from Siliguri, Udayan Guha from Dinhata, Firhad Hakim from Kolkata Port area, Pabitra Kar from Nandigram. BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari is contesting from his stronghold Nandigram and is challenging Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in Bhabanipur. Key BJP faces in the first phase also include Union Minister Nisith Pramanik from Mathabhanga (SC) and former state president Dilip Ghosh from Kharagpur Sadar

Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury is contesting from Baharampur, Mausam Noor from Malatipur, and Mrinmoy Sarkar from Alipurduars.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed several rallies in the state to shore up the BJP's campaign and expressed confidence that the party would get a majority in the assembly polls. He addressed four rallies in the state on Sunday.

On the last day of the campaign for the first phase, Union Home Minister Amit Shah addressed four back-to-back election rallies.

He began his whirlwind tour with a massive public meeting at Darjeeling, where he wore a traditional Gorkha cap and assured the Gorkha community that a BJP government would resolve their long-pending issues within six months.

Shah also addressed rallies in Paschim Bardhaman, Paschim Medinipur, targeting Mamata Banerjee's administration over issues of infiltration, law and order, corruption, and women's safety.

He accused the West Bengal Chief Minister of "protecting" the infiltrators, promising that the BJP "will handpick and remove" illegal immigrants from the state.

"These elections are not about making someone a legislator or a BJP worker the Chief Minister, but rather, these elections are about freeing the whole of Bengal from infiltrators. Mamata Didi wants to protect the infiltrators. But, I am telling you this as I go--that on the 23rd, press the lotus button; on May 5th, form a BJP government. In Bengal, the BJP will handpick and remove every single infiltrator," he said.

In his last rally in Chandipur, West Medinipur, Shah said the Trinamool Congress government is on its way out.

"This is the last rally of the first phase of the election. I want to tell Didi from Chandipur, 'Tata, bye-bye. Your time is up! You've troubled the people of Bengal a lot. It's time for you to leave and for the BJP to make an entry," Shah said.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also launched strong attacks at the BJP.

"We are facing ED raids every day. Why did you suddenly remember this during elections? You are telling our agencies, the ones who work for our party, to leave Bengal. Why? You have fifty (agencies/resources), we don't have that kind of power--we have just one," CM Banerjee said at a rally on Sunday.

She further claimed that the ultimate goal of the BJP was the implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC). "This is your conspiracy. How much more oppression will you carry out? How much more injustice? How many more votes will you try to cut? After this, you will bring NRC," she alleged.

Mamata Banerjee also attacked the Centre over "large presence" of paramilitary forces.

"They have brought armoured vehicles to Bengal for polls. They failed to stop the terrorists in Pahalgam. Are the people of Bengal terrorists? The military is to protect the country; why will they interfere in elections? Has anyone ever heard that meetings with the military are held for elections? I will ask this question to the Government of India. Why are all the agencies being put to use? Do you want to fight the elections democratically, or do you want to bulldoze and kill people? Do you want bloodshed or peaceful elections? I want to see whether the power of all their agencies is more than the power of the people," she said.

"I want to ask the BJP a few questions. Where are 24 crore jobs? It was promised by PM Modi that every year 2 crore jobs will be generated. Did 24 people get jobs? In reality, people have lost jobs. RBI's report has proved that you have failed as a government. What about the promised Rs 15 lakh? Apart from destroying the country, they have done nothing. The Women's Reservation Bill was passed on 25th September, 2023. It received more than 450 votes. The notification of the same was not done since you don't want to give 33% reservation for women. You have misused Doordarshan for political campaigning. You are spreading lies that we did not allow you to pass the bill," she said.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also campaigned during the first phase of polls in the state. Trinamool Congress has been in power in Bengal for the past 15 years.

- ANI
Leave ban across all departments for three months

The Chhattisgarh government has imposed a three-month ban on employee leave to prioritize the 'Sushasan Tihar' governance festival and census preparations. Employees must seek prior approval for any leave, including casual leave, through digital channels. Strict action will be taken against violators, though unavoidable circumstances may be considered. The move aims to ensure uninterrupted administrative services and efficient execution of state and national commitments.

Chhattisgarh government bans employee leave for three months to ensure workforce availability during 'Sushasan Tihar' and national census preparations.

Raipur, April 22 The Chhattisgarh government has announced a sweeping ban on employee leave for the next three months, citing the dual priorities of the upcoming 'Sushasan Tihar' and preparations for the national census.

The directive, issued with immediate effect, places a moratorium on leave across all departments to ensure maximum workforce availability during this critical period.

According to an order, employees and officials will not be permitted to take leave unless they provide prior intimation and secure approval from a competent authority. Even casual leave applications must now be submitted through digital channels, reflecting the government's push for transparency and accountability.

Officials have warned that strict action will be taken against any employee found violating these instructions.

The decision underscores the state's emphasis on effective governance during 'Sushasan Tihar', a festival dedicated to resolving public grievances and accelerating the implementation of welfare schemes.

By restricting leave, the government aims to guarantee that administrative machinery remains fully functional, enabling swift responses to citizen concerns and ensuring smooth execution of programmes.

Equally significant is the upcoming Census, a national-level exercise requiring extensive manpower and coordination.

State employees are expected to play a pivotal role in data collection and verification, tasks that demand the uninterrupted availability of personnel.

The leave ban is thus seen as a measure to prevent disruptions and maintain efficiency in this massive undertaking.

Officials have clarified that while the restrictions are stringent, they are not absolute. Employees facing unavoidable circumstances may still apply for leave, provided they follow the prescribed digital notification process and obtain prior approval. This balance, the government believes, will maintain discipline without disregarding genuine needs.

The announcement has sparked discussions among employees, with some expressing concern over the rigidity of the order, while others acknowledge the importance of ensuring smooth governance and Census operations.

For the administration, however, the priority remains clear: uninterrupted service delivery and successful execution of national and state-level commitments.

By enforcing this temporary measure, the Chhattisgarh government has indicated its determination to strengthen governance, enhance accountability, and ensure that both the Good Governance Festival and the Census are conducted with maximum efficiency.

- IANS
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel inaugurated the centenary celebrations of FICCI in Ahmedabad, highlighting the organization's key role in India's growth. He outlined Gujarat's ambitious vision to become a $3.5 trillion economy by 2047, aligning with the national 'Viksit Bharat' goal. The CM emphasized the state's leadership in sectors like semiconductors, AI, and green energy, driven by progressive policies. FICCI leaders praised Gujarat's industry-friendly ecosystem and its model synergy between government and private enterprise.

CM Bhupendra Patel inaugurates FICCI's 100-year celebrations, outlines Gujarat's roadmap to a $3.5 trillion economy by 2047 under PM Modi's leadership.

Gandhinagar, April 21 Gujarat's Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Tuesday inaugurated the centenary celebrations of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry in Ahmedabad.

At the event, he said that as India moves towards celebrating 100 years of independence under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, FICCI's 100-year milestone coinciding with the Amrit Kaal represents a "double bonanza" for the organisation.

Addressing the FICCI National Executive Committee meeting, the Chief Minister described the organisation's century-long journey as a significant milestone, recognising it as one of India's oldest, most prestigious, and influential industry platforms.

He said that under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, initiatives such as Digital India, Make in India, Startup India, and Skill India have propelled the country towards self-reliance, with FICCI playing a key supporting role.

Highlighting Gujarat's development journey, Patel said the state has set a benchmark nationally and globally by demonstrating how strong leadership and sustained policy focus can drive large-scale and rapid development. He noted that Gujarat contributes 8.3% to India's GDP, 18% to industrial output, and 27% to total exports.

He further said Gujarat is the first state to prepare a roadmap for "Viksit Gujarat @ 2047" in alignment with the vision of "Viksit Bharat @ 2047", aiming to grow its economy to USD 3.5 trillion by 2047.

To achieve this goal, the state has focused on emerging sectors such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and green growth. He said Gujarat is becoming an integral part of the global semiconductor supply chain following the launch of two semiconductor plants in Sanand by the Prime Minister. He also highlighted the role of the AI Centre of Excellence, data centres, and fintech ecosystem in GIFT City in strengthening the state's emerging industries.

With progressive policies such as the Gujarat Semiconductor Policy, IT and ITES Policy, and GCC Policy, Gujarat has positioned itself as a policy-driven state and a preferred destination for global industries. He added that nearly 100 Fortune 500 companies are currently operating in the state.

The Chief Minister also highlighted the concept of "women-led development" promoted by the Prime Minister and said the state has launched the "Her Start-up" platform to encourage women entrepreneurs.

He appreciated FICCI's role as a national partner since the inception of the Vibrant Gujarat Summit, saying it has helped place Gujarat prominently on the global industrial map. He expressed confidence in FICCI's continued cooperation in achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat @ 2047 through the mantra of "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas".

FICCI President Anant Goenka said Ahmedabad was a strategic choice for launching the centenary celebrations and praised Gujarat's industry-friendly policies. He said the synergy between government policies and private enterprise serves as a model for other states and highlighted Gujarat's role in transforming the economic landscape.

FICCI Gujarat State Council Chairman Gokul Jayakrishna also emphasised the state's emergence as a hub for startups and green energy.

The event was attended by Chief Secretary M.K. Das, FICCI Senior Vice President Vijay Shankar, Vice President Puneet Dalmia, Secretary General Anant Swarup, Director General Jyoti Vij, along with industry leaders and entrepreneurs.

- ANI
China has firmly dismissed U.S. President Donald Trump's suggestion that a vessel intercepted by American forces was carrying a "gift from China" to Iran. Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun stated China has always been a responsible actor in fulfilling its international obligations. The rebuke follows Trump's comments expressing surprise over the alleged shipment despite his "good relationship" with President Xi Jinping. China also denied earlier media reports about providing military assistance to Iran, warning of severe countermeasures if the U.S. acts on such accusations.

China rebukes Trump's claim a seized vessel carried a "gift" to Iran, reaffirming compliance with international obligations and denying military aid reports.

Beijing, April 22 China on Wednesday dismissed US President Donald Trump's claim that a vessel intercepted by US forces in the Strait of Hormuz may have been carrying a "gift from China" to Tehran, reiterating that it has always complied with its international obligations.

Responding to a question on Trump's comments during a regular press conference here, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun said that Beijing has repeatedly clarified its position on the matter and emphasised its record as a responsible global power.

"China has made clear its position more than once. Let me reiterate that as a responsible major country, China has always been a role model in performing its due international obligations," the spokesperson said.

Earlier on Tuesday, Trump claimed that American forces intercepted a vessel allegedly carrying materials from China intended for Iran, describing the shipment as a "gift".

Speaking in an interview on CNBC Squawk Box, Trump said the United States had recently seized a ship carrying unspecified items, suggesting it may have originated from China and was bound for Iran.

"We caught a ship yesterday that had some things on it which wasn't very nice - a gift from China, perhaps. I don't know," Trump said.

"I was a little surprised, because I have a very good relationship and I thought I had an understanding with President Xi, but that's all right. That's the way war goes, right?" the US President added.

China had earlier denied reports that it assisted Iran in countering US and Israeli forces during the recent hostilities in West Asia.

Last week, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China slammed media reports saying that China is providing military aid to Iran.

According to spokesperson Lin Jian, the reports are "fabricated", and any measure taken by the US against China based on the reports will come with severe countermeasures from Beijing.

"Media reports accusing China of providing military support to Iran are purely fabricated. If the U.S. goes ahead with tariff hikes on China on the basis of these accusations, China will respond with countermeasures," the spokespersons said.

In the same press briefing, Guo also responded to questions regarding the US announcement of an extended ceasefire with Iran. He said the situation in the region remained at a "critical stage" and stressed the importance of preventing a renewed escalation.

"The pressing priority is to prevent by all means a relapse in fighting. China supports relevant parties in continuing the political and diplomatic effort to resolve disputes with the aim of realising a full and lasting ceasefire and keeping the Middle East and Gulf region peaceful and stable," he said.

Guo further stated that China is prepared to engage constructively with the international community, referencing the "four-point proposition" put forward by Chinese President Xi Jinping.

"China stands ready to act in the spirit of the four-point proposition put forward by President Xi Jinping and work with the international community to play an active and constructive role to this end," he added.

Trump on Tuesday announced the extension of the ceasefire with Iran, citing the need to allow Tehran's leadership more time to formulate a unified proposal for negotiations and further claiming that the Iranian government was "seriously fractured."

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the decision followed concerns over internal divisions within Iran's government and appeals from international stakeholders. He also stated that the US military would remain on alert while maintaining a blockade until further diplomatic progress is made.

- ANI
Cabinet Secretary TV Somanathan invoked Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's foundational address to civil servants, stressing the enduring values of integrity and political neutrality. He reiterated Patel's warning that civil servants must not engage in politics or communal issues, and must provide honest advice without fear. Somanathan linked these ideals to the contemporary goal of 'Viksit Bharat' and citizen-centric governance that reaches the last mile. The event saw participation from senior officials, emphasizing the continued role of civil services in upholding India's democratic fabric.

Cabinet Secretary TV Somanathan cites Sardar Patel's 1947 speech, stressing integrity, political neutrality & service as pillars of India's civil services.

New Delhi, April 22 Cabinet Secretary TV Somanathan invoked the vision of former Deputy Chief Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel while addressing the 18th Civil Services Day on Tuesday, underscoring that the core values of integrity, political neutrality and service to the nation remain the foundation of India's administrative framework.

Highlighting Sardar Patel's address to the first batch of civil servants in 1947, Somanathan said, "The days when the service could be masters are over, and the officers must be guided by a real spirit of service."

He emphasised that civil servants must remain non-partisan and uphold the highest standards of integrity in public service. "A civil servant cannot afford to and must not take part in politics, nor must he involve himself in communal wrangles," he quoted, reiterating Patel's warning against compromising the dignity of public service.

Somanathan also referred to Patel's emphasis on fearless and frank advice within governance, noting the importance of administrative courage. Recalling remarks made in the Constituent Assembly, he said civil servants must have the independence to express their views without fear or favour.

"If you do not give your honest opinion for fear that it will displease your minister, please then you had better go," Patel had stated, underlining the importance of administrative courage and accountability.

The Cabinet Secretary noted that despite challenges over time, the ethos envisioned by Patel has endured, with civil services playing a crucial role in maintaining India's unity, integrity, and democratic fabric. From ensuring law and order to conducting free and fair elections, managing public finances, and delivering essential services, civil servants continue to form the backbone of governance at all levels.

Linking Patel's ideals with contemporary governance, Somanathan referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of a "Viksit Bharat" by 2047. He stressed the need for citizen-centric governance, saying development must reach the last mile. He echoed the Prime Minister's call for empathy and responsiveness, urging officers to prioritise integrity over convenience and service over status.

"The theme of this year's Civil Services Day - 'Viksit Bharat: Citizen-Centric Governance and Development at the Last Mile'- reflects our commitment to inclusive growth and ensuring that no citizen is left behind," he said.

The event, held at Vigyan Bhawan, was attended by former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Jitendra Singh, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, along with senior officials, and other civil servants from across the country participating both physically and virtually.

- ANI
The Centre has accepted Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta's request and directed the Food Corporation of India to restart government wheat procurement in the capital, a process discontinued since 2021-22. The procurement will begin on April 24 at the FCI depot in Narela and the Najafgarh mandi, ensuring farmers receive the Minimum Support Price for their produce. Chief Minister Gupta thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union government, stating the move reflects a commitment to farmers' welfare and income security. The local procurement is expected to reduce farmers' logistics costs and integrate wheat into the Public Distribution System, strengthening local food security.

Centre accepts Delhi CM Rekha Gupta's request, directing FCI to resume wheat procurement at MSP from April 24, benefiting local farmers.

New Delhi, April 21 In a relief for Delhi farmers, the Centre has accepted Chief Minister Rekha Gupta's request to restart government wheat procurement in the capital through the Food Corporation of India, an exercise that was discontinued in 2021-22, an official said on Tuesday.

The decision is expected to ensure that farmers receive the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for their produce while strengthening the local agricultural ecosystem, the official said.

The Chief Minister thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union government for the move, saying it reflects a firm commitment to farmers' welfare and income security.

"This is an important step in prioritising farmers' interests. With coordinated efforts between the Centre and the Delhi government, farmers in the capital will be able to secure fair value for their produce and become more economically empowered," she said.

"The Delhi government is equally committed to safeguarding farmers' interests and ensuring stable incomes. This initiative is a concrete and impactful step in that direction," she said.

According to the Chief Minister's Office, wheat procurement at MSP by the FCI is being resumed in Delhi after 2021-22. The capital has around 29,000 hectares under cultivation and produces nearly 80,000 metric tonnes of wheat annually, exceeding local consumption and leaving a marketable surplus.

The development follows a recent letter by the Chief Minister to Union Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution Minister Pralhad Joshi, seeking the immediate resumption of wheat procurement in Delhi during the ongoing rabi marketing season.

In her letter, Gupta had flagged the absence of local procurement, which was forcing farmers to sell their produce below the MSP, adversely impacting their incomes.

Acting on the request, the Centre has directed the FCI to begin procurement operations in Delhi for the 2026-27 rabi marketing season.

The procurement will commence from April 24 at two key locations, the FCI depot in Narela and the Najafgarh mandi, enabling farmers to sell their produce closer to home, said the statement.

The availability of local centres will significantly reduce the need to transport produce to other states, cutting logistics and handling costs, she said.

She added that locally procured wheat can be seamlessly integrated into the Public Distribution System (PDS), thereby strengthening the food security framework. At the same time, curbing unnecessary outward movement of grain will help maintain balance in local markets and improve supply chain efficiency.

- IANS
Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda stated that combating Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) is a top priority, as they account for 60% of deaths in India. He detailed a healthcare policy shift from 2017 focusing on preventive, promotive, and curative care, including the establishment of over 1.85 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs as first contact points. The government has conducted massive screening programs, diagnosing millions for conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and cancers. Infrastructure development includes 107 NCD clinics, 233 cardiac care units, and a plan for a daycare cancer centre in every district.

Health Minister J.P. Nadda outlines India's multi-pronged plan to combat NCDs, highlighting massive screening drives and new healthcare infrastructure.

New Delhi, April 21 Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda said on Tuesday that the government has adopted a multi-pronged strategy to combat Non-Communicable Diseases as these account for 60 per cent of the total deaths in the country.

Chairing a session titled "Addressing Non-Communicable Diseases in India: From Preventive to Care" during the 18th Civil Services Day celebrations, Nadda emphasised the importance of the theme of the session and underlined the transition in India's healthcare approach from preventive to curative care.

He stated that "in 2017 we came out with a holistic and inclusive health policy, where we focused on preventive, promotive, curative, geriatric, rehabilitative, and palliative care." 

Nadda highlighted that the country has performed very well in communicable diseases, while non-communicable diseases (NCDs) require more focus, as outcomes in NCDs take longer, and there is a knowledge gap that needs to be addressed.

He added that "in the National Programme for Prevention and Control of NCDs, the focus has been on strengthening infrastructure, early diagnosis and early detection, Health promotion and Management of the disease, and timely referral".

The Minister said, "Health promotion is certainly one of the major areas, and management of the disease and timely referral are also very important. So, these are the issues which we are trying to address as far as non-communicable diseases are concerned."

Nadda stated that "in the past six years, we have been able to set up more than 1.85 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, which are the first contact point between the 1.45 billion people and the health institutions.

Each of these Ayushman centres has one ASHA worker, and wherever possible, other frontline health staff."

He added that "in 2017, we decided that we would go for voluntary and enhanced screening." 

Nadda also highlighted the positive outcomes of these efforts and stated that "we have developed around 107 non-communicable disease clinics at district-level points and 233 cardiac care units."

He also added that "in this budget itself, it has been announced that every district will have a day care cancer centre."

The Union Health Minister underscored the country's large-scale screening efforts to address NCDs.

He emphasised that "since 2017, 41.5 crore people have been screened for hypertension, out of which 7.1 crore have been diagnosed and 5.7 crore people are notified."

He added, "We have tried to ensure early detection to help make India healthy. For example, 41.3 crore people have been screened for diabetes, out of which 4.7 crore people have been found diabetic and 3.4 crore people are being treated. For oral cancer, 35.3 crore people have been screened so far, and 2.3 lakh people have been detected with oral cancer, and around 2 lakh people are being treated. Over 16.5 crore have been screened for breast cancer."

- IANS
The United Kingdom paid tribute to the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack on its first anniversary, reaffirming solidarity with India. The British High Commission condemned terrorism in all forms and committed to working with partners for peace and security. The attack on April 22, 2025, killed 26 civilians in Jammu and Kashmir, leading to India's Operation Sindoor against terror bases in Pakistan. A subsequent four-day conflict ended with a ceasefire on May 10, and India terminated the Indus Waters Treaty and bilateral trade with Pakistan.

UK reaffirms solidarity with India on first anniversary of Pahalgam terror attack, condemns terrorism in all forms, and honors victims.

New Delhi, April 22 Reaffirming its unwavering solidarity with India on the first anniversary of the horrific Pahalgam terror attack, the United Kingdom has paid solemn tribute to the innocent lives lost in the attack that struck a year ago.

In a post on X on Wednesday, the British High Commission in India noted that they "mark one year since the horrific terrorist attack in Pahalgam." Reflecting on the impact of the incident, the diplomatic mission added, "We pay our respects to the victims, and our thoughts remain with everyone affected."

The statement further underlined the UK's long-standing position on global security and its partnership with India in combating extremist violence. Reaffirming this stance, the UK noted that it "condemns terrorism in all its forms" and remains "committed to working with partners to secure peace and security."

The message of support comes as part of a broader international remembrance of the victims of the April 22 attack, highlighting a collective commitment to regional stability and the shared fight against terror.

The nation remains mindful of the shock felt on April 22, 2025, when terrorists struck the tourist town in Jammu and Kashmir, entering a village and killing 26 civilians. Known as a tourist spot with scenic beauty, Pahalgam was rendered in blood as Pakistan-backed terrorists killed several innocent people.

In the cross-border communal attack in Pahalgam, the assailants reportedly questioned the victims about their religion before killing them, leaving families grappling with loss even a year later. As India mourned the loss, what followed was decisive action by the Indian armed forces in the form of Operation Sindoor.

Indian armed forces struck terror bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). In the aftermath of the attack, India launched 'Operation Sindoor' on May 7, 2025, targeting terror infrastructure across the region. According to official details, Indian armed forces destroyed nine major terror launchpads linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed and Hizbul Mujahideen, and eliminated over 100 terrorists during the operation.

What followed were drone attacks and shelling by Pakistan, which led to a four-day conflict between the two neighbouring countries. India showed formidable defence and conducted retaliatory strikes, destroying radar installations in Lahore and radar facilities near Gujranwala.

Inflicted by heavy damage, Pakistan's Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) called the Indian DGMO and a ceasefire was agreed on May 10. Furthermore, Operation Mahadev was another big joint success of the Army and security forces last year, as they tracked down and eliminated three terrorists involved in the Pahalgam terror attack.

Among non-military actions, India terminated the Indus Waters Treaty and all bilateral trade with Pakistan.

- ANI
The Rajasthan Food Safety and Drug Control Commissionerate has banned seven medicines after laboratory tests between April 1-15, 2026, found them to be sub-standard. The drugs, which include antibiotics, anti-parasitics, and steroids, failed critical quality parameters like assay content and dissolution. Drug Controller Ajay Phatak has ordered the immediate withdrawal of the identified batches from all hospitals, pharmacies, and distributors across the state. The department warns of strict legal action for any violations to prevent risk to public health.

Rajasthan's drug regulator bans 7 sub-standard medicines, including antibiotics and steroids, after lab tests fail. Full list of batches and manufacturers inside.

Jaipur, April 22 Prioritising public health and patient safety, the Commissionerate of Food Safety and Drug Control, Rajasthan, has issued an alert regarding seven medicines and declared them "Not of Standard Quality" following laboratory testing conducted between April 1 and April 15, 2026, prompting immediate regulatory action across the state.

Acting on the findings, the Drug Controller has directed all Drug Control Officers across Rajasthan to immediately withdraw the identified batches from circulation and initiate strict action under the provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.

Commissioner Dr. T. Shubhamangala stated that the department conducts regular inspections, sampling, and quality surveillance to ensure that only safe, effective, and compliant medicines reach the public and healthcare institutions.

She said that the latest testing cycle revealed that several pharmaceutical products failed to meet prescribed quality parameters, raising serious concerns over their efficacy, safety, and therapeutic reliability.

The list of sub-standard drugs includes Cefixime Oral Suspension IP (LORAXIM Dry Syrup 12g/30 ml), Batch LXS3-49, Expiry October 2026, manufactured by M/s Lark Laboratories (India) Ltd., Bhiwadi, Alwar, which was found non-compliant as the active ingredient content (assay) did not conform to prescribed standards.

Albendazole Tablets IP, Batch PG124427, Expiry June 2027, manufactured by M/s Affy Parenterals, Baddi, Solan (Himachal Pradesh), failed the dissolution test, indicating inadequate release of the active ingredient.

Ambroxol Hydrochloride, Levosalbutamol and Guaiphenesin Drops (Istocuf-LS), Batch GLF0712B, Expiry June 2027, manufactured by M/s Digital Vision, Kala Amb, Sirmaur (Himachal Pradesh), were found to have assay content not conforming to required standards.

Methylprednisolone Tablets IP 4 mg (Methyloactive-4), Batch 252005, Expiry June 2027, manufactured by M/s United Bioceuticals Pvt. Ltd., Haridwar, failed both assay and dissolution tests, indicating multiple quality deficiencies.

Dextromethorphan HBr and Chlorpheniramine Maleate Syrup (Okuff-DX), Batch TLLM-188, Expiry November 2026, manufactured by M/s Taksa Lifesciences Pvt. Ltd., Derabassi, Mohali, showed Chlorpheniramine Maleate content below permissible limits.

Cefuroxime Axetil Tablets IP (EXTENSIVE-500), Batch VT252942, Expiry February 2028, manufactured by M/s VADSP Pharmaceuticals, Baddi, failed assay testing, while Ciprofloxacin Tablets IP 500 mg, Batch GT50135, Expiry April 2028, manufactured by M/s Omega Pharma, Roorkee, Haridwar, failed both assay and dissolution parameters.

Drug Controller Ajay Phatak said that directions have been issued to all government and private hospitals, medical colleges, pharmacies, and distributors to immediately stop the sale, distribution, and use of these medicines.

He also instructed that additional batches from the same manufacturers be subjected to rigorous and comprehensive quality checks to prevent any further risk to public health.

The department reiterated that any violation of these directions will attract strict legal action under the relevant provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and associated regulatory frameworks.

- IANS
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh engaged with the Indian community in Berlin, describing them as a vital "Living Bridge" between India and Germany. He highlighted India's rapid progress in infrastructure, startups, space, and digital innovation. During his visit, he emphasized that 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' is an invitation for Germany to co-create and co-innovate in defence. Singh also underscored the strategic partnership between the nations, noting convergence under the leadership of PM Modi and German Chancellor Merz.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh interacts with Indian community in Berlin, calls diaspora a "Living Bridge" and pushes for deeper India-Germany defence collaboration.

Berlin, April 22 Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, on his three-day visit to Germany, attended the Indian community event on Wednesday held at the Indian Embassy in Berlin, and interacted with the Indian Diaspora.

In a post, X, Rajnath Singh called the Indian diaspora of Germany the "Living Bridge" between India and Germany. He also underlined India's rapid economic growth and technological progress, including areas like infrastructure, startups, space, and digital innovation.

The Defence Minister said, "Delighted to interact with the members of Indian community in Berlin. The Indian diaspora is the Living Bridge between India and Germany and it has evolved into a strong force in the recent years. During my interaction, I underlined India's rapid economic growth and technological progress including areas like infrastructure, startups, space, and digital innovation."

Earlier on Tuesday, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said Aatmanirbhar Bharat is not merely a procurement programme; it is an invitation to co-create, co-develop, and co-innovate, as he made a strong pitch for enhanced collaborations between the defence industrial ecosystems of India and Germany.

Addressing the German Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence and Security on Day-1 of his three-day visit to the European nation, Defence Minister asserted that the world today is faced with new security threats, and the technological transformation has made the situation highly complex and intricately connected. A new approach with the willingness to adapt to the changing environment is the need of the hour, he said.

Defence Minister asserted that India, under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is witnessing an unprecedented transformation in the defence sector, and increased partnerships with the German industry can yield significant mutual gains.

"We recognise the established strengths of Germany's leading industrial enterprises, while also admiring the vigour and dynamism of the renowned German Mittelstand (small & medium-sized companies) in advanced and emerging technologies. In India too, our start-ups and enterprising private companies are rapidly enhancing and complementing the capabilities of our larger and established defence enterprises. This is an area where India and Germany naturally complement each other, and our partnership can deepen further," Singh said.

To deal with modern-day global challenges, Rajnath Singh underscored the need for coordinated responses and trusted strategic partnerships. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz have placed strong emphasis on advancing this strategic partnership. We also see a clear convergence of views at the European Union level, reflected in the growing momentum to engage with India, including through the India-EU Defence and Strategic Partnership," he said.

The Defence Minister is currently on a 3-day visit (April 21-23) to Germany.

Upon his arrival from Munich to Berlin, the Defence Minister was welcomed at the Berlin Airport with military honours. He was flown in a Special German Air Force aircraft, escorted by fighter jets, during his flight from Munich to Berlin.

- ANI
The representation of women candidates in Tamil Nadu Assembly elections has shown a steady increase from just 11 in 1967 to 443 in the current 2026 fray. Despite comprising only about 12% of total candidates, women have consistently achieved a higher electoral strike rate and lower deposit forfeiture than male candidates since 1984. Political parties appear to field women more selectively, often in constituencies with better winning prospects. While the rising numbers signal progress, experts emphasize that achieving true gender parity requires broader structural changes within political parties.

Despite only 12% of candidates being women in Tamil Nadu's 2026 fray, data shows they have a higher strike rate and lower deposit forfeiture than men.

Chennai, April 22 The representation of women in Tamil Nadu Assembly elections has steadily increased over the decades, reflecting a gradual shift in political participation, even as men continue to dominate the electoral landscape.

For the April 23 Assembly elections, a total of 443 women candidates are contesting across the state, compared to 3,579 male candidates.

While the gender gap remains wide, the upward trajectory in women's participation marks a significant change from earlier decades. Historical data underscores this steady rise. In the 1967 Assembly elections, only 11 women were among 778 candidates. The number saw a modest increase to 46 in 1984, before rising more sharply to 156 in 2006. The 2021 elections recorded 413 women candidates out of a total of 3,998 contestants, indicating sustained growth in female political participation.

Despite the increase in numbers, political parties continue to field women candidates more selectively. This cautious approach, however, appears to have translated into relatively better electoral outcomes for women over the years.

Data from Assembly elections between 1984 and 2016 shows that women candidates consistently recorded a higher strike rate than their male counterparts. In other words, a greater proportion of women candidates who contested elections went on to win, compared to men.

Additionally, women candidates were less likely to lose their deposits -- a key indicator of electoral performance -- in every election during this period. Even in years when a large number of women candidates failed to secure sufficient votes, their deposit forfeiture rates remained lower than those of male candidates.

These trends suggest that while fewer women are nominated by parties, those who do enter the fray tend to be more strategically chosen, often contesting in constituencies where their chances of winning are relatively higher.

The data also highlights the continuing structural imbalance in candidate selection, with male candidates forming the overwhelming majority.

Experts note that increasing the number of women candidates alone may not be sufficient, unless accompanied by broader efforts to ensure equitable representation within party structures and electoral opportunities.

As Tamil Nadu heads to the polls, the rising presence of women candidates signals progress, but also underscores the long road ahead in achieving gender parity in politics.

- IANS
Thousands of Tibetans and international devotees gathered at the Tsuglagkhang temple in Dharamshala to offer long-life prayers for the 14th Dalai Lama. The event was jointly organized by the Dhasa Dhotoe Welfare Society and Lodrik Welfare Association. Attendees from around the world expressed their reverence, describing the Dalai Lama as a universal symbol of peace and compassion. The spiritual leader attended the morning ceremony, which fostered a sense of global community and shared hope.

Over 5,000 people, including global devotees, gathered in Dharamshala to offer prayers for the 14th Dalai Lama's long life and celebrate his message.

Dharamsala, April 22 Tibetan spiritual leader, the 14th Dalai Lama, attends a long life prayer offered to him by Dhasa Dhotoe Welfare Society and Lodrik Welfare Association in the morning at the Main Tibetan Temple. Over 5 thousand Tibetans, including monks and nuns and foreigners from across the world, gather at the main Tibetan temple, Tsuglagkhang, here in the North Indian hill town of Dharamshala.

Karen Queller, a devotee from Los Angeles, told ANI, " People feel delighted and fortunate to be a part of this ceremony. The Dalai lama is such a lovely person and a man of compassion who is showing a path of love to everyone. I am feeling delighted to be here today. The Dalai Lama is a symbol of peace and compassion for all of us."

Leon Barsegian, another devotee from Russia, told ANI, "The Dalai Lama's peace and compassion, and I am feeling very gentle today. People have gathered here to offer long-life prayers for the Dalai Lama, and I am feeling great to be a part of this event here today. The Dalai Lama is very important not only for Tibetans but for the entire world."

Nitin, a Buddhist follower from New Delhi, told ANI, " I have come here to see the Dalai Lama, and people from different countries have come here today. I wish everybody should live with love and peace. I am very happy to attend this event here."

Tenzin Lhakdor, one of the organisers from Nepal, told ANI, "People from around the world have come here to attend this long life prayer ceremony for his Holiness, the Dalai Lama. Two different organisations, Dhotoe Welfare Society and Lodrik Welfare Association, have jointly organised this programme in this temple here. All the participants are very happy to be a part of this spiritual session today."

- ANI
Pakistan faces a diplomatic crisis as Iran has not confirmed its participation in high-stakes peace talks with the United States, hosted by Islamabad. Pakistani Minister Attaullah Tarar publicly revealed the lack of progress, highlighting a critical discrepancy in the ceasefire deadline between Pakistani and US timelines. Iranian officials have dismissed reports of a delegation being in Pakistan, stating they will not negotiate until a US naval blockade is resolved. With the ceasefire deadline looming, the viability of the talks and Pakistan's role as a mediator are in serious doubt.

Pakistan scrambles as Iran fails to confirm for crucial US talks. Ceasefire deadline nears with conflicting timelines from Trump and Pakistani officials.

Islamabad, April 21 With the clock ticking toward a potential resumption of hostilities in West Asia, Pakistan finds itself in an increasingly desperate diplomatic corner.

Despite Islamabad's attempts to position itself as a central mediator, Iran has yet to confirm its attendance for the high-stakes peace talks with the United States, leaving Pakistani officials visibly anxious.

The urgency has taken on a frantic tone as the ceasefire deadline looms. Pakistan's Information and Broadcasting Minister, Attaullah Tarar, took to X to reveal the lack of progress, stating, "Formal response from the Iranian side about confirmation of delegation to attend Islamabad Peace Talks is still awaited."

The situation is further complicated by a glaring lack of coordination regarding when the ceasefire might actually end.

While Tarar, in his post, emphasised that the ceasefire expires at 4:50 am Pakistan time on Wednesday, US President Donald Trump provided a different timeline, stating the ceasefire would end on "Wednesday evening Washington time".

This discrepancy highlights the chaotic nature of the negotiations, with Pakistan struggling to maintain a cohesive narrative between two global adversaries.

Tarar's public admissions paint a picture of a government struggling for relevance as its primary guest remains silent.

Admitting to a state of diplomatic limbo, Tarar noted that Pakistan remains in "constant touch with Iranians", yet the silence from Tehran suggests that Islamabad's influence may be significantly lower than the government claims.

"Decision from Iran to attend the talks before the end of the two two-week ceasefire is critical," Tarar added, underscoring the looming threat of failure for the Pakistani-hosted summit.

In a final attempt to frame the deadlock as a virtuous struggle, Tarar's post concluded, stating, "Pakistan has made sincere efforts to convince the Iranian leadership to participate in the second round of talks, and these efforts continue."

As the deadline nears, Islamabad's "sincere efforts" look less like seasoned diplomacy and more like a desperate bid.

Meanwhile, signals from Tehran suggest reluctance to engage under current conditions.

According to CNN, Iranian lawmaker Ahmad Naderi stated that no Iranian negotiating team has travelled to Pakistan and ruled out immediate talks.

He said Iran "will not negotiate until the issue of the naval blockade is resolved", referring to the US blockade on Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz, and dismissed reports of an Iranian delegation being present in Pakistan as "a complete lie", as reported by CNN.

The uncertainty surrounding Iran's participation has raised questions over the viability of the proposed talks in Islamabad, which are seen as a key opportunity to de-escalate tensions between the two countries.

Developments in Washington indicate ongoing internal deliberations on the matter.

According to sources cited by CNN, it remains unclear when US Vice President JD Vance will depart for Pakistan, if at all.

A White House official told CNN that "additional policy meetings are taking place at the White House in which the Vice President will participate", suggesting that discussions on the next steps are still underway.

CNN sources further indicated that senior US officials are continuing consultations to determine the course of action ahead of the ceasefire deadline, with Vance expected to be part of those discussions.

The proposed talks in Islamabad are being closely watched amid heightened tensions and fragile diplomatic efforts between the United States and Iran. With no confirmation yet from Tehran and time running out on the ceasefire, the prospects for a breakthrough remain uncertain.

- ANI
Pope Leo XIV concluded his African tour with a powerful condemnation of "resource colonisation," directly linking the global scramble for oil and critical minerals to the proliferation of armed conflicts and entrenched poverty. He warned that the "extractive logic" of powerful nations and corporations treats human life as a commodity, with profits often reinvested in weaponry. The Pontiff's message, delivered in Equatorial Guinea, took aim at the intensifying U.S.-China competition for Africa's resources without naming specific countries. He called for a decisive ethical shift in global politics, urging leaders to prioritise the common good and respect international law.

Pope Leo XIV condemns "resource colonisation," linking oil and mineral grabs to armed conflict and poverty in Africa during his apostolic journey.

Malabo, April 21 On the final leg of his 11-day apostolic journey across Africa, Pope Leo XIV on Tuesday issued a blistering condemnation of what he termed "resource colonisation," linking the global scramble for oil and critical minerals directly to the proliferation of armed conflicts.

Speaking from the presidential palace in Malabo, the American-born pontiff delivered a message that resonated far beyond the borders of Equatorial Guinea, targeting the "extractive logic" that he claims treats human life as a mere commodity.

Addressing civil authorities and diplomats, Pope Leo XIV noted the tragic irony of nations rich in natural resources remaining trapped in cycles of poverty and violence.

He warned that the rapid evolution of technology has accelerated speculation on raw materials, often at the expense of local communities and public health.

Echoing his remarks from earlier in the week in Cameroon, the Pope observed that those who "rob the land of its resources" often reinvest their profits into weaponry, perpetuating "an endless cycle of destabilisation and death."

"Armed conflicts are increasingly tied to the exploitation of oil and mineral reserves... occurring with no regard for international law or the self-determination of peoples," said Pope Leo XIV.

The Pope's visit comes amid intensifying geopolitical competition between the United States and China for Africa's critical minerals. Without naming specific nations, Leo XIV called for a "decisive change of course," urging political leaders to prioritise the common good over corporate objectives.

His address also paid homage to his predecessor, Pope Francis, on the first anniversary of his death. Leo repeated Francis's famous warning, "Today we also have to say 'thou shalt not' to an economy of exclusion and inequality. Such an economy kills."

Throughout his African tour, which included stops in Algeria, Cameroon, and Angola, Pope Leo XIV has consistently preached a message of "unarmed and disarming peace."

Even while meeting with long-serving leaders like Equatorial Guinea's Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, the Pope called for governance that acts as a "bridge" rather than a source of division, and warned that corruption "disfigures authority."

As the Pope prepares to return to the Vatican, his remarks have underscored a growing friction between the Holy See and global powers over the ethics of modern warfare and the environmental cost of the global energy transition.

In recent months, several geopolitical developments have taken place where mineral wealth was at the heart of the contestations.

In January, shortly after the ouster of former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, President Trump announced that the United States would develop the Venezuelan oil industry.

Later in February, when the conflict broke out in West Asia and the Gulf region, the biggest ripple effect was seen on global energy supplies as the Strait of Hormuz emerged as the inflexion point.

The global energy artery through which nearly a fifth of the world's demand passes was abruptly put on hold, and as the two-week ceasefire window ticks closer to the end, the fate of the global security situation will be.

In other areas where conflict continues to simmer, the United States announced a mineral deal for Ukraine last year. This would involve natural resource projects covering minerals, hydrocarbons, and related infrastructure development.

In his speech, Pope Leo XIV further decried how, despite the utilisation of technology, opportunities fail to seep through and that humanity risks tragedy if political responsibility does not respect international institutions and agreements.

"These same technologies often appear to be conceived and utilised primarily for warlike purposes, within contexts that fail to expand opportunities for all. On the contrary, the destiny of humanity risks being tragically compromised without a change of direction in the assumption of political responsibility and without respect for institutions and international agreements."

Emphasising the ethical dimension, the Pontiff said religion must never be invoked to justify violence. "God's name must not be profaned... above all, it must never be invoked to justify choices and actions of death," he added.

He concluded his Malabo address by urging an "educational pact" to provide Africa's youth with "new visions" and the moral courage to engage in "counter-current" politics that favour justice over dominion.

- ANI
Emily Blunt says husband John Krasinski and their daughters are thrilled for The Devil Wears Prada 2, sharing fun behind-the-scenes stories.

Washington, April 22 Actor Emily Blunt's return to the world of 'The Devil Wears Prada' is already a hit at home.

The actor has revealed that her husband, John Krasinski and their daughters, Hazel and Violet, are "thrilled" about the upcoming sequel, thanks to their deep affection for the original film.



In an interview to E! News, Blunt shared that her family's excitement for The Devil Wears Prada 2, which is set to release in theatres on May 1, stems from their recent connection with the 2006 classic.



"My kids saw [The Devil Wears Prada] for the first time maybe a year or so ago," she said, adding, "partly 'cause their friends are very into it."



The actor noted that her daughters, Hazel and Violet, quickly became fans of the film and even revisited it ahead of the sequel. "They just love it," Blunt said.



The enthusiasm extends to her husband as well. Blunt revealed that Krasinski, who has long been vocal about his admiration for the original, is equally excited about the sequel.



"He loves this one," she told E! News, adding, "He's a massive fan of the first movie, so I think everyone was thrilled."



Krasinski's fondness for 'The Devil Wears Prada' has been well documented over the years.



In an earlier interview with E! News, Blunt spoke about his detailed knowledge of the film, particularly its fashion.



"I'm touched and honored," she said at the time, adding, "He knows every single one of Anne Hathaway's outfits down pat."



Recalling an early moment in their relationship, Blunt added, "I remember it came on one time when we first started dating and he was watching the montage where she has all the different amazing outfits. When he was watching he goes, 'And that's my favorite outfit.' I was like, 'Get a grip.'"



Krasinski himself later admitted just how many times he had watched the film.



"There was one day when it was on and I said it was so good and Emily said, 'Have you seen this movie?' I said, 'A lot of times.' She said, 'That's so sweet, but how many times?'" he recalled.



"Luckily, we had been dating for about a year so there was a lot of trust built up and I said, 'Like 75,'" he said, as quoted by E! News.



The actor also shared a humorous anecdote from the early days of their relationship.



"We had just started dating and she had come over to my house. She popped by in between some things and I was watching it," he said, adding, "She opened the door and I flipped the channel and she looked at me like, 'Were you just watching po-n?'...I think it was better for me at the time for her to think I was watching po-n than watching The Devil Wears Prada for the seventy-fifth time."



'The Devil Wears Prada 2' is set to release in theatres on May 1.





- ANI
Eva Longoria discusses the benefits of living abroad with her family in Spain, highlighting a slower pace of life and the absence of traffic. She contrasts this with the stressful "working lunch" culture common in the United States. While enjoying life in Europe, Longoria confesses she deeply misses her family in Texas and authentic Mexican food. The actress is currently preparing to direct her second film, "The Fifth Wheel," which has brought the family back to Los Angeles part-time.

Actress Eva Longoria shares the joys of life in Spain, what she misses from the US, and her family's international lifestyle.

Los Angeles, April 22 Actress Eva Longoria shared that she and her husband, Jose Baston, and their seven-year-old son, Santiago, had been splitting their time between Spain and Mexico for years. She said the biggest change has been "slowing down."

Longoria, who grew up in Texas and spent much of her adult life living in Los Angeles, said: "They really enjoy life in Spain."

Longoria, whose travel series Eva Longoria: Searching for France is airing weekly told people.com: "They love a long meal. You're never in a rush. I don't miss the working lunch," she adds.

"It's so amazing how we really don't take lunch in our work culture," she continues. "You always do the working lunch: 'I'm going to go grab a sandwich. I'll be right back.' You only have an hour. It's so stressful to think, 'I have to hurry up and be back.' "

Another welcome change, she says, is the lack of traffic: "There's no traffic where we live (in Spain.) I walk everywhere."

While she says she revels in the many benefits of living abroad, Longoria says there are two things she misses while away.

"I miss my family, my Texas family.... (and) good Mexican food. That's what I miss. That's what's not in Europe, is good Mexican food," she says.

Last year, Longoria revealed that after first being homeschooled, her son was enrolling in school for the first time as the family spent more time in L.A. while she prepared to shoot The Fifth Wheel, her second film as a director.

Longoria gained popularity for her portrayal of Isabella Brana in The Young and the Restless. Her breakthrough role was Gabrielle Solis in the series Desperate Housewives.

She has appeared in the films The Sentinel, Over Her Dead Body, For Greater Glory, Frontera, Lowriders, and Overboard, winning an Imagen Award for the latter. Longoria guest-starred on the Hulu mystery comedy-drama series Only Murders in the Building.

- IANS
A viral social media meme falsely claimed the jhalmuri vendor who served Prime Minister Narendra Modi was a disguised SPG officer. The claim has been debunked as a satirical collage using a stock photo of an SPG officer and the real vendor. The vendor, identified as Vikram Shaw, described the Prime Minister's visit as a spontaneous and surprising moment where Modi asked about his life and insisted on paying. Eyewitnesses confirmed the interaction was genuine and unscripted, contrasting sharply with the fabricated online narrative.

Fact-check: The man who served PM Modi jhalmuri was a genuine vendor, not an SPG officer. The viral claim was a satirical meme collage.

New Delhi, April 22 The man who served jhalmuri to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in West Bengal's Jhargram was not an SPG officer in disguise -- he was a real roadside vendor who happened to get an unexpected visit. The meme suggesting otherwise stitched together unrelated images to create a misleading narrative. The viral claim doesn't hold up to basic scrutiny.

Even AI chatbot "Grok" when asked about the viral post, clarified the confusion, saying, "No, it's not true. That's a satirical meme collage... The right photo is the actual jhalmuri shopkeeper... The left is a stock SPG officer image," adding that while memes amplified the claim, there is "no proof they're the same person. Pure political satire."

Despite political reactions and online chatter, the basic fact remains unchanged -- the interaction was real, unscripted, and involved a genuine local vendor.

The shopkeeper, identified as Vikram Shaw (also reported as Deepak Kumar), in a conversation with IANS had said that he was amazed by the Prime Minister's sudden stop.

He described it as a "huge thing" that the country's Prime Minister came to his small stall, asked about his life, and insisted on paying for the jhalmuri. Shaw shared that he earns modestly to support his family and had never imagined such a moment, even joking later that he regretted not asking for an autograph.

People present at the spot also described the visit as spontaneous and surprising, not staged.

The Prime Minister was seen interacting casually with locals, sharing food and smiles. In contrast to the viral misinformation, the reality is far simpler: a brief, human interaction in a small town that was quickly turned into a misleading narrative online.

Within minutes of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's brief, unscheduled halt at a modest 'jhalmuri' stall in Bengal's Jhargram, social media feeds were flooded with memes. Split images, clever captions, and confident claims insisted the smiling vendor serving the snack was no ordinary man, but an SPG officer planted for optics. But what was being circulated on social media was a complete fabrication, misrepresenting the facts.

The man behind the counter was not a security operative. He was exactly who he appeared to be: a small-town vendor named Vikram Shaw.

"It is a huge thing for me that the Prime Minister of the country came to my shop to have jhalmuri," he told IANS.

"He came here and first asked my name and also about my well-being. Then he asked me to prepare jhalmuri," Shaw recounted. "After I made one, he asked how much it cost. I tried to refuse to take money from him, but then took it after he insisted."

- IANS
Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar marked the first anniversary of the Pahalgam terror attack by reaffirming solidarity with India. He emphasized the shared commitment between the two nations to combat global extremism. The attack on April 22, 2025, claimed 26 lives in Jammu and Kashmir. India responded with Operation Sindoor, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and PoJK.

Israel's FM Gideon Sa'ar reaffirms solidarity with India on the first anniversary of the Pahalgam terror attack, highlighting shared fight against terrorism.

Tel Aviv, April 22 Marking the first anniversary of the Pahalgam terror attack, Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar reaffirmed his nation's solidarity with India, paying a wholesome tribute to the victims of the tragedy while underlining the shared commitment between the two strategic partners to combat global extremism.

In a post on X on Wednesday, the Foreign Minister expressed the collective mourning of his country, stating, "On behalf of the State of Israel, on one year to the Pahalgam terror attack, we honor the memory of the innocent lives lost and stand with their families in grief."

Emphasising a shared commitment to global security, Sa'ar underlined that Israel remains "resolute and unwavering in its fight against terrorism in all its forms." He further highlighted the strategic partnership between the two nations in addressing extremist threats and maintaining regional order.

The Foreign Minister noted that the two countries would persist in their joint efforts to ensure a safer future. "Together with India, we will continue to strengthen our cooperation to confront this threat with determination and to advance peace, security, and stability," he added.

The remembrance comes as the nation recalls the shock of April 22, 2025, when terrorists struck the tourist town of Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir. Claiming 26 lives, the assailants entered a village and killed civilians in an area known for its scenic beauty, which was rendered in blood as Pakistan-backed terrorists killed several innocent people.

In the cross-border communal attack in Pahalgam, the assailants reportedly questioned the victims about their religion before killing them, leaving families grappling with loss even a year later.

As India mourned the loss, what followed was decisive action by the Indian armed forces in the form of Operation Sindoor. Indian armed forces struck terror bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) to dismantle the infrastructure behind the strike.

In the aftermath of the attack, India launched 'Operation Sindoor' on May 7, 2025, targeting terror infrastructure across the region. According to official details, Indian armed forces destroyed nine major terror launchpads linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed and Hizbul Mujahideen, and eliminated over 100 terrorists during the operation.

What followed were drone attacks and shelling by Pakistan, which led to a four-day conflict between the two neighbouring countries. India showed formidable defence and conducted retaliatory strikes, destroying radar installations in Lahore and radar facilities near Gujranwala.

Inflicted by heavy damage, Pakistan's Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) called the Indian DGMO and a ceasefire was agreed on May 10.

Furthermore, Operation Mahadev was another big joint success of the Army and security forces last year, as they tracked down and eliminated three terrorists involved in the Pahalgam terror attack.

Beyond military strikes, India took stringent non-military actions, which included the termination of the Indus Waters Treaty and the suspension of all bilateral trade with Pakistan.

- ANI
Former Army Chief Gen MM Naravane releases a new non-fiction book exploring untold myths and stories of the Indian armed forces, following memoir controversy.

New Delhi, April 22 Former Army Chief General MM Naravane has come out with a new book, a work of non-fiction, which follows after controversies earlier this year surrounding his previous work, 'Four Stars of Destiny', which remains unpublished.

In the book titled 'The Curious and the Classified: Unearthing Military Myths and Mysteries', Gen Naravane "pulls aside the still-drawn curtains on some of the most riveting and compelling arcana that colour the legends and lore of the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force," his publisher Rupa Publications announced on Wednesday.



"A compelling exploration of the myths and memories that define India's armed forces. A chronicle of courage, culture and curiosity in uniform," reads the book's description.



Last month, at a book signing event held in Pune for 'The Cantonment Conspiracy', a murder-mystery that was released in 2025, the former Army Chief had told reporters that he was now into fiction writing, apart from penning military reports for academic journals.



The former Army chief got embroiled in a controversy after his unpublished memoir was cited by the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, to target the Centre over the 2020 standoff against China.



On February 2, this year, during the motion of thanks on the President's Address, Lok Sabha witnessed sharp verbal exchanges after Gandhi sought to quote a magazine article containing excerpts from General Naravane's unpublished memoir.



Gandhi's reply was interrupted by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who raised concerns that a Congress MP cannot quote from an unpublished book, which he said has not been authenticated. The ruling benches objected to Gandhi's attempt to cite excerpts from the book. The row escalated to an extent where Opposition MPs brought a no-confidence motion against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, with allegedly not letting Rahul Gandhi speak in the House being one of the reasons. The motion was dropped after a voice vote in the second phase of the Budget Session of the Parliament.



Penguin Random House India had in February said it holds the exclusive publishing rights to the former Army Chief's memoir and clarified that the book has not yet been published. Gen Naravane had also clarified that no copies of the book "in print or digital form have been published, distributed, sold," or otherwise made available to the public.



Meanwhile, Gen Naravane's new book of non-fiction delves into lesser-known stories of the Indian military. It traces the 17th- and 18th-century Sikh army roots of the popular cheer "Chak de Phatte", examines the life of "enduring spirit" Captain Baba Harbhajan Singh, who is celebrated in military folklore.



Naravane recounts the story of Badluram, the inspiration behind the foot-tapping number 'Badluram ka Badan', who was killed in action in the 1944 Battle of Kohima and notes how Bangalore (now Bengaluru) came to be associated with a weapon that was regarded as a game-changer during World War I.



Other interesting aspects the book examines include "the fate of INS Khukri, the extraordinary sagas of airmen and their call signs, or the raw courage of Pedongi, the military mule"



The book forays into the "underexplored, bizarre and often wildly amusing aspects of our armed forces," according to the publisher.



The blurb of the non-fiction features a note from General VP Malik (Retd), who had also contributed to 'Four Stars of Destiny.'



The publisher has described the book as "a captivating, eye-opening, boots-on-the-ground page-turner that will excite anyone who refuses to settle for surface-level truths."



Gen Naravane served as the 28th Chief of the Army Staff from December 2019 to April 2022. Commissioned in the 7th Battalion, the Sikh Light Infantry in 1980, he has, in his illustrious career of over four decades, served in active peacekeeping and diplomatic roles abroad and commanded operations along India's most sensitive frontiers. He has been awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Sena Medal and Vishisht Seva Medal.





- ANI
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla unveiled a statue of Lieutenant General Sagat Singh Rathore in Churu, Rajasthan, paying tribute to the legendary military leader. Birla highlighted Singh's exemplary career, from valour in World War II and the Goa Liberation Movement to his decisive leadership in the 1971 Indo-Pak war. His strategic actions at Nathu La and role in securing the surrender in Dhaka were pivotal in the creation of Bangladesh. The Speaker described the statue as a lasting inspiration for youth to dedicate themselves to nation-building and uphold the values of courage and sacrifice.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla unveils statue of Lt. Gen. Sagat Singh, recalling his heroism from Goa Liberation to the 1971 war and creation of Bangladesh.

Jaipur, April 22 Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla attended the unveiling ceremony of a statue honouring the invincible warrior, the late Lieutenant General Sagat Singh Rathore, in Churu on Wednesday, where he paid heartfelt tributes to the legendary military leader.

The event witnessed the presence of several prominent dignitaries, including Om Prakash Mathur, Bhajanlal Sharma, Union Agriculture Minister Bhagirath Choudhary, and senior leader Rajendra Rathore.

Addressing the gathering, Birla highlighted that the life of Lieutenant General Sagat Singh stands as a powerful symbol of courage, exemplary leadership, and unwavering commitment to national service.

He recalled the officer's remarkable contributions, beginning with his role in the Indian Army's display of valour during the Second World War and extending to his leadership during the Goa Liberation Movement, where the Tricolour was proudly hoisted.

Birla further noted that Sagat Singh's bold and strategic decisions at the Nathu La border significantly strengthened India's defences.

His decisive leadership during the 1971 Indo-Pak war, particularly in securing the surrender of Pakistani forces in Dhaka, played a crucial role in the creation of Bangladesh.

These achievements, Birla said, firmly establish Sagat Singh as one of the nation's most distinguished military figures.

Emphasising Rajasthan's enduring legacy, Birla remarked that the state has always been known for its spirit of valour, patriotism, and sacrifice.

He observed that a deep sense of national duty is ingrained in the people of the region, with countless families contributing to the service of the nation.

He described the statue not merely as a memorial, but as a lasting source of inspiration for future generations.

According to him, it will motivate young people to dedicate themselves to the service of the country and uphold the values exemplified by great heroes.

Concluding his address, Birla stated that the legacy of Sagat Singh is a matter of national pride.

His life, he said, demonstrates that courage, determination, and dedication can overcome any challenge.

He urged the youth to draw inspiration from such icons and actively contribute to nation-building.

- IANS
Actor Shilpa Shetty celebrated Earth Day 2026 by sharing an Instagram video of herself walking barefoot on grass, promoting the grounding practice. In her caption, she encouraged followers to reconnect with the Earth for healing and to remember their true selves. The post aligns with her well-known advocacy for yoga, clean eating, and mindfulness. Earth Day 2026 marks the 56th anniversary of the environmental movement with the theme "Our Power, Our Planet."

Actor Shilpa Shetty marks Earth Day 2026 with a video on grounding, urging fans to reconnect with nature for healing and restoration.

Mumbai, April 22 Actor Shilpa Shetty marked Earth Day 2026 with a reflective social media post on Wednesday, encouraging followers to reconnect with nature through a simple grounding practice.

Sharing a video on Instagram, the actor was seen walking barefoot on the grass in the backyard of her residence.



In the clip, Shetty appears relaxed and mindful, taking slow steps across the lawn.



Accompanying the video, she wrote a caption in which she highlighted the importance of reconnecting with the Earth.



"On Earth Day and every day, a gentle reminder to 'ground yourself' bare feet on the earth, letting her energy heal and restore you... reconnect with nature, the sun on your skin, soil beneath your feet, birds chirping, waves whispering, and the breeze brushing your face... because when you touch the Earth, you remember who you truly are," she wrote.



Known for promoting yoga, clean eating, and mindfulness, Shilpa Shetty frequently uses her platform to share wellness tips with her fans.



Earth Day 2026 falls on April 22 and marks the 56th anniversary of the global environmental movement, which began in 1970.



This year's theme, "Our Power, Our Planet," underscores the role of community-driven efforts in environmental conservation.



On the professional front, Shilpa Shetty was last seen as a judge on the dance reality show 'Super Dancer Chapter 5'. She is set to appear next in the upcoming project 'KD: The Devil', where she will play a key role.





- ANI
The Ministry of Steel will hold an Open House on April 27 to address steel import issues, including SIMS and QCO exemptions. Industry participants must register by April 24 via email for a confirmed time slot. India's steel sector posted strong FY25-26 results, with output up 10.7% to 168.4 million tonnes and exports rising 35.9%. Challenges remain from volatile raw material costs, logistics expenses, and energy price fluctuations.

Ministry of Steel to hold Open House on April 27 to discuss steel import issues, SIMS, QCO exemptions. Industry invited to present concerns.

New Delhi, April 22 The Ministry of Steel will hold an Open House on April 27 to discuss issues related to steel imports, including concerns around SIMS and QCO exemptions, according to an official release by the ministry.

The ministry said the session will be held at Steel Room, 3rd Floor, GPOA-3, Netaji Nagar in New Delhi, where companies and industry associations have been invited to present their concerns related to steel imports.

Participants will be required to send an email to tech-steel[at]nic[dot]in to obtain a confirmed time slot for the meeting, with requests to be submitted by April 24, 3:00 pm. The Open House will be conducted from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm, and specific time slots will be communicated via email. The ministry added that walk-in participation will not be allowed and only one representative per organisation will be permitted.

According to the release, participants must provide details such as the name of the company or association, type of industry and product, and whether the issue is related to SIMS, SARAL SIMS or QCO exemption. They are also required to include a brief description of the issue, reference of any application filed, and contact details.

The development comes at a time when the Indian steel industry delivered a strong performance in FY 2025-26, maintaining its position as the world's second-largest producer despite global uncertainties and price pressures, ministry stated in the release on April 8.

The ministry noted that India's crude steel output grew by over 10.7 per cent year-on-year to around 168.4 million tonnes during April-March, supported by strong domestic demand and infrastructure activity. Finished steel consumption also expanded to about 164 million tonnes, driven by increased activity in infrastructure, construction, railways and manufacturing sectors.

Exports of finished steel surged by 35.9 per cent to over 6 million tonnes, while imports declined by 31.7 per cent, helping India regain its position as a net exporter.

At the same time, the sector faced challenges including pressure on margins due to volatile raw material costs, rising logistics expenses and global price fluctuations. Disruptions in gas supplies and rising energy costs also highlighted vulnerabilities in the supply chain.

- ANI
The Indian Army's Air Defence regiment showcased its L70 air defence guns to mark the first anniversary of Operation Sindoor, highlighting the equipment's role in countering enemy drones. The commemoration included demonstrations of advanced unmanned systems and amphibious assault capabilities, underscoring continued vigilance. Operation Sindoor was launched in response to a deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed 26 civilian lives. The military response targeted terror infrastructure across the border, leading to a brief period of escalation before a ceasefire was agreed.

Indian Army displays L70 guns, drones & amphibious drills marking Operation Sindoor's first year, a response to the Pahalgam terror attack.

Bhuj, April 22 As India approaches the first anniversary of Operation Sindoor, the Indian Army's Air Defence regiment showcases the L70 air defence guns, a symbol of vigilance, precision, and unwavering readiness. These guns played a crucial role during Operation Sindoor, effectively countering enemy drone threats and reinforcing India's air defence shield.

The Indian Army demonstrated its technological edge by deploying advanced drones during Operation Sindoor.

During the exercise the Indian Army's AD showcased unmanned aerial systems for surveillance, target acquisition, and real-time intelligence gathering across challenging terrain. Indian Army exhibited its formidable tactical prowess in waterborne operations, with specialised battle groups swiftly manoeuvring through shallow waters in agile assault boats.

During Operation Sindoor, these highly versatile vessels were deployed in a state of high readiness, fully prepared to intercept and neutralise any enemy ships attempting to approach India's borders. The amphibious operation drill by the Indian Army to carry out an attack and dominate the enemy territory showcased how the Indian Army dominated the Creek Area during Operation Sindoor both on land and in water.

Earlier, marking one year since the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives, the Indian Army reiterated its resolve against terrorism, remembering the decisive military response under 'Operation Sindoor' and warning assured retaliation for acts against India.

Commemorating the anniversary, in a post on X, the Additional Directorate General of Public Information (ADG PI) of the Indian Army wrote, "For acts against India, the response is assured. Justice will be served. Always," along with a Sindoor graphic which read, "Operation Sindoor continues..."

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid homage to the 26 victims of the attack, reiterating the country's unified stand against terrorism. In a post on X, the Prime Minister said the lives lost would "never be forgotten" and expressed solidarity with grieving families.

"As a nation, we stand united in grief and resolve. India will never bow to any form of terror. The heinous designs of terrorists will never succeed," Modi stated.

The terror attack, carried out in Pahalgam, one of Jammu and Kashmir's prominent tourist destinations, had shocked the nation after Pakistan-backed terrorists entered a village and killed 26 civilians. The assailants reportedly targeted victims based on their religious identity, drawing widespread condemnation and outrage across the country.

In response, India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, 2025, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). The Indian armed forces struck multiple terror launchpads linked to groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and Hizbul Mujahideen, significantly damaging their operational capabilities.

The operation triggered retaliatory actions from Pakistan, including drone attacks and cross-border shelling, leading to a brief four-day military escalation. Indian forces responded with precision strikes, reportedly targeting key radar installations in Lahore and areas near Gujranwala.

Following the escalation, both countries agreed to a ceasefire on May 10 after communication between their respective Directors General of Military Operations (DGMO).

- ANI
The Board of HDFC Life Insurance has approved the reappointment of Vibha Padalkar as Managing Director and CEO for a further five-year term, effective September 12. Her reappointment follows shareholder approval and regulatory clearance from IRDAI. Padalkar, who joined the company in 2008, has been credited with delivering consistent performance and leading its successful stock market listing. She also guided the company through a landmark merger in the life insurance sector and has received numerous industry awards for her leadership.

HDFC Life reappoints Vibha Padalkar as MD & CEO for 5 more years. Learn about her leadership and the company's milestones under her tenure.

New Delhi, April 22 The Board of Directors of HDFC Life Insurance Company on Tuesday approved the re-appointment of Vibha Padalkar as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer for a further term of five years, effective September 12. The decision was taken after the approval of the shareholders at the Annual General Meeting and clearance from the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India, according to a press release by the company.

The board meeting further stated that Padalkar "has not been debarred from holding the office of Director by virtue of any SEBI order or any other such authority."

Padalkar has been at the helm of HDFC Life since joining the company in 2008. "Under her leadership, the Company has demonstrated consistent performance across business cycles, supported by focused strategy, disciplined execution and emphasis on sustainable growth," the release said. She played a key role in strengthening the company's financial framework and was instrumental in its successful listing in 2017.

Padalkar also led HDFC Life through the "first merger and acquisition transaction in the Indian life insurance sector, reflecting a milestone in the industry's evolution."

A chartered accountant, Padalkar became a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales in 1992 and is also a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India. She has been a member of the Executive Committee of the Life Insurance Council and actively engages with industry-level initiatives.

During her tenure, Padalkar has earned industry-wide recognition. She has received the 'CA Business Leader - Large Corporates - BFSI' award at the 15th ICAI Awards by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, and has been honoured by the ET Prime Women Leadership Awards and IMA India. She has been featured in Business Today's list of the 'Top 30 Most Powerful Women in Business' for six consecutive years (2018 to 2023 and in 2025), and was included in the magazine's elite 'Timeless Icons' list in 2024. In 2021, Fortune International featured her as one of the 'Most Powerful Women in Business,' a recognition she has held from Fortune India for five consecutive years (2021 to 2025). Business World named her among the 'Most Valuable CEOs' in 2022 and 2023 and featured her in the 'Most Influential Women in Business' list for 2022. In 2024, India Today included her in 'The She List,' while the Economic Times Awards for Corporate Excellence 2025 named her 'Businesswoman of the Year.'

- ANI
On April 15, the 139th China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair) grandly opened in Guangzhou, where national high-tech enterprise Hefei BlueSun Solar Technology Co., Ltd. made an impressive appearance. As a leader in Anhuis cross-border e-commerce sector, BlueSun Solar exhibited its full range of photovoltaic and energy-storage products, showcasing the extraordinary strength of "Hefei-made" goods to the world. The company attracted buyers from multiple countries and saw order volume rise 30% year-on-year. Visitors Kept Coming to the Booth Focusing on the accelerating global energy transition and the growing demand for energy-storage solutions, Hefei BlueSun Solar showcased a full lineup at this fair, including photovoltaic modules, grid-tied and off-grid energy-storage inverters, lithium storage batteries, and integrated energy-storage units. New green intelligent products such as the 125 kW liquid-cooled integrated storage system and the 50 kW integrated storage unit drew strong interest from buyers in Latin America, Europe, and Asia thanks to their highly efficient integration and reliable safety features. As of April 19, intentional orders signed on-site had reached US$5 million, up 30% year-on-year, and more than 20 buyers had arranged factory visits and in-depth cooperation talks. Corporate customers now span Latin America, Asia, Europe, and Africa, fully demonstrating the companys strong competitiveness and leadership position in mainstream global new-energy markets. On the main track of the global new-energy sector, "Hefei-made" products are accelerating their momentum. Strong Export Momentum from the New Trio Products Authoritative data show that in the first quarter of this year, Chinas goods trade in imports and exports reached CNY 11.84 trillion, a record for the same period. The "new trio" categories continue to drive exports: green products such as electric vehicles, lithium batteries, and wind turbine units and parts recorded export growth of 77.5%, 50.4%, and 45.2% respectively. The strong export momentum of the "new trio" was also evident at the Canton Fair. A business representative from South America noted that shifts in the international situation are prompting more people to seek green and stable energy sources, and BlueSun Solars photovoltaic products are very popular in many countries. A BlueSun Solar spokesperson pointed out, "Driven by changes in the global energy landscape and the growth of the new-energy vehicle industry, overseas customers demand for energy-storage supporting products is accelerating. We are keenly seizing this trend and, through continuous technological innovation and product iteration, providing safer and more efficient integrated solar-storage solutions." Staff from the Hefei Shushan District Bureau of Commerce explained that during this Canton Fair, they actively played the role of resource coordinator and matchmaking hub. Relying on the high-level international exhibition platform, they empowered local companies across the full chain to expand markets and secure orders. Committed to Ensuring Global Delivery The impressive fair results stem from a solid industrial foundation. As the core ecosystem company under Hefei BlueSun Holdings, Anhui Zhongjitou New Energy Co., Ltd. focuses on photovoltaics and energy storage, with technological innovation and intelligent manufacturing as its core drivers. The factory now has two automated production lines capable of quickly switching to produce various energy-storage lithium battery orders, with a monthly capacity exceeding 300 MWh, providing strong support for efficient global order fulfillment. Rooted in Shushan District for 13 years, Hefei BlueSun Solar has used R&D as a breakthrough to evolve from a cross-border e-commerce firm into an integrated model of trade, manufacturing, and technology. Founded in 2013 by just five people, the company has grown into a national high-tech enterprise with over 300 employees and annual sales of CNY 2.1 billion, becoming a leading exporter of photovoltaic products in China. Founder Dai Xijun stated that this year BlueSun Solar has set new targets: sales exceeding US$350 million and manufacturing output value reaching CNY 500 million. "Looking ahead, we will use technological innovation as the engine to deepen our presence in the solar-storage integration track and contribute greater strength to global energy transition powered by Chinese intelligent manufacturing."

Source: Hefei Daily
India and UK reaffirm resolve to address cyber threats, trade imbalances, and advance Indo-Pacific security during CDS General Anil Chauhan's UK visit.

London, April 22 Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan held a meeting with his UK counterpart, Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton, on Wednesday, during which India and UK reaffirmed their shared resolve to address contemporary challenges from global trade imbalances to emerging cyber threats while advancing a peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific..

"General Anil Chauhan, CDS, during his official visit to the United Kingdom interacted with Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton, CDS UK. India and the UK reaffirmed their shared resolve to collaboratively address contemporary challenges from global trade imbalances to emerging cyber threats while advancing a peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific and harnessing accelerated technological transformation," Headquarters of Integrated Defence Staff posted on X.



"This visit will strengthen Defence Cooperation and strategic convergence, underscoring a shared commitment to Global Security, stability and resilience," it added.



During his visit to the UK, General Chauhan interacted with the Commandant and faculty of the Royal College of Defence Studies (RCDS) and discussed the evolving global security environment, underlying trends and their strategic impact.



"He subsequently addressed the pinnacle cohort on the 'Impact of Recent Conflicts on Military Strategy', highlighting the changing nature of conflict, India's strategic dilemmas and India's role in shaping a stable and secure global order," Headquarters of Integrated Defence Staff posted on X.



Earlier on Tuesday, General Anil Chauhan met Defence Industry leaders of the UK and emphasised that enhanced economic integration will allow smoother collaboration in defence manufacturing, technology transfer and supply chain resilience.



In a post on X, the Headquarters of Integrated Defence Staff stated, "General Anil Chauhan, Chief of Defence Staff CDS, engaged Defence Industry leaders of UK, focusing on impetus to defence collaboration."



"The CDS emphasised that enhanced economic integration will enable smoother collaboration in defence manufacturing, technology transfer and supply chain resilience. He further highlighted that Defence Industrial Collaboration will boost co-design, co-development and co-production of critical technologies," he added.



General Chauhan also laid a wreath at Memorial Gates, Constitution Hill in the UK and paid tribute to the fallen, honouring their courage and supreme sacrifice.



CDS General Anil Chauhan met the UK's Minister of State for Defence Readiness and Industry Luke Pollard, with their discussions focusing on the evolving nature of conflict and deepening military-to-military cooperation.



General Chauhan also met the UK's Minister of State (MoS) for Indo-Pacific Seema Malhotra.



"CDS also held high-impact bilateral talks with Ms Seema Malhotra, MoS for Indo-Pacific to take forward India - UK Partnership, Defence Industrial Roadmap and Tech and Security initiatives to counter emerging challenges in the Indo-Pacific," the HQ, Integrated Defence Staff (IDS) said in a post on X.



"Both sides emphasised enhancing cooperation in Cyber, Intelligence and Space domains, including information resilience and specialised exchanges. The exchange reaffirmed a shared commitment to resilient, Future Ready forces and a strengthened India - UK strategic partnership," it added.



General Chauhan also led a roundtable conference with leading officials, think tanks and intellectuals on "Indian military transformation - challenges and opportunity".



"General Anil Chauhan, Chief of Defence Staff CDS, led an engaging roundtable conference with leading officials, think tanks and intellectuals on 'Indian military transformation challenges and opportunity', focused on the evolving strategic landscape and the imperatives of modern military transformation during his visit to the United Kingdom," the HQ, IDS posted on X.



"Discussions underscored the centrality of advanced technologies in defence, enhancement of operational capabilities and closer synergy across industrial, intelligence and cyber domains, alongside strategic communication and joint engagements to further strengthen a robust, future-oriented India-UK Defence Partnership," it added.



On Monday, General Chauhan was accorded a Ceremonial Step Line and received by his UK counterpart, Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton in London.





- IANS
Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra paid tribute to Pahalgam attack victims, calling it a cowardly crime against humanity. She asserted India will never forgive the criminals. Rahul Gandhi also condemned the attack, vowing the nation will never forget the sacrifice. The first anniversary of the attack, which killed 26 civilians, was marked by India's decisive Operation Sindoor against terror bases.

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi pays tribute to Pahalgam attack victims, says India will never forgive the criminals. Rahul Gandhi also condemns the cowardly act.

New Delhi, April 22 Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Wednesday paid tribute to the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack, calling it a "cowardly" act and asserting that India will "neither forget nor forgive the criminals".

In a post on X, Priyanka Gandhi expressed grief over the killing of innocent and unarmed civilians in the attack, describing it as a "crime against humanity" and reaffirming the country's collective stand against terrorism.

"Heartfelt tribute and salutations to all the brave Indians martyred in the cowardly terrorist attack in Pahalgam. In this attack, our unarmed and innocent people were brutally killed, which was a crime against humanity. India will neither forget it nor forgive the criminals who did so. The whole of India has always stood united against violence and terrorism and will continue to do so. Jai Hind!" Wayanad MP wrote in her post.

Earlier, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi also paid his respects to the victims of the Pahalgam terrorist attack on its first anniversary, stating that the country will never forgive those responsible for this dastardly act, and the grief of the martyrs' families is the grief of us all.

Rahul Gandhi in a post on X said, " I pay heartfelt tribute to all the brave heroes who were martyred in the cowardly terrorist attack in Pahalgam last year. India will never forget their sacrifice and the pain of their families, nor will it ever forgive those responsible for this dastardly act."

The remarks come as the nation marks the first anniversary of the terror attack in Pahalgam, which had left several civilians dead and triggered widespread national outrage.

On April 22, 2025, the nation was left shocked when terrorists struck the tourist town of Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir, entering a village and killing 26 civilians. Known as a tourist spot with scenic beauty, Pahalgam was rendered in blood as Pakistan-backed terrorists killed several innocent people.

As India mourned the loss, what followed was decisive action by the Indian armed forces in the form of Operation Sindoor. Indian armed forces struck terror bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK).

In the aftermath of the attack, India launched 'Operation Sindoor' on May 7, 2025, targeting terror infrastructure across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). According to official details, Indian armed forces destroyed nine major terror launchpads linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed and Hizbul Mujahideen, and eliminated over 100 terrorists during the operation.

- ANI
Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi was hosted by Ambassador Vinay Kwatra in Washington ahead of key engagements. His visit began in Hawaii, where he was accorded a formal Guard of Honour at Fort Shafter. General Dwivedi held extensive discussions with US Army Pacific Commanding General Ronald P. Clark on strengthening defence cooperation and ensuring regional stability. The visit, following recent exchanges by other service chiefs, aims to cement the strategic partnership and advance a shared vision for the Indo-Pacific.

COAS Gen. Upendra Dwivedi meets US military leaders in Hawaii & Washington to strengthen defence ties and Indo-Pacific security.

Washington DC, April 22 Indian ambassador to the United States, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, on Tuesday hosted the Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi at India House, ahead of the Army chief's upcoming engagements in Washington DC.

In a post on X, the Indian Embassy in the United States said, "Ambassador hosted COAS General Upendra Dwivedi, at India House today, ahead of his upcoming engagements in Washington DC."

The visit, according to the embassy, "continues the high-level military-to-military exchanges between India and the US."

Highlighting the broader context of the India-US defence cooperation, the embassy said, "The visit, which is taking place soon after the recent visits by CNS and CAS, continues the high-level military-to-military exchanges between India and the US."

Emphasising the strategic importance of the visit in terms of the Indo-Pacific region, it further stated, " It is expected to further cement the India-US defence ties - a cornerstone of our comprehensive global strategic partnership - towards ensuring a free, open and prosperous Indo-Pacific region."

Earlier on Monday (local time), General Upendra Dwivedi, India's Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), was honoured with a formal Guard of Honour at Fort Shafter, Hawaii, marking a significant milestone in his high-level visit to the United States Army Pacific (USARPAC).

The visit underscores the growing strategic alignment between New Delhi and Washington as both nations look to bolster security architecture across the Indo-Pacific.

General Dwivedi engaged in extensive deliberations with General Ronald P Clark, Commanding General of USARPAC, alongside other senior military leadership.

Sharing the details in a post on X, the ADGPI said that COAS Dwivedi also held discussions on promoting peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.

"General Upendra Dwivedi, COAS, was accorded a Guard of Honour at Fort Shafter, Hawaii, during his ongoing visit to United States Army Pacific. He held discussions with General Ronald P. Clark Commanding General @USARPAC, and other senior leaders, focusing on strengthening India-US Defence Cooperation and advancing a shared vision for peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific", the ADGPI said.

Beyond the boardroom, the COAS undertook an aerial tour of Oahu Island. This survey provided the General with a firsthand look at the US military's training ecosystem, observing the sophisticated infrastructure used for jungle and littoral warfare training and multi-domain readiness, gaining insights into how the U.S. integrates land, air, sea, cyber, and space capabilities to maintain operational dominance.

His visit comes shortly after Air Chief Marshal Singh was hosted by US Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Ken Wilsbach at the Pentagon on April 10.

- ANI
Iran has formally rejected the United States' conditions for negotiations. US President Donald Trump announced an extension of the existing ceasefire, stating the decision was made following requests from Pakistan's Army Chief and Prime Minister. Trump cited a "seriously fractured" Iranian government needing time to present a unified proposal. Meanwhile, a planned visit by US Vice President JD Vance to Pakistan for talks involving Iran has been put on hold.

Iran rejects US conditions for talks. Trump extends ceasefire after request from Pakistan's leaders, citing a "fractured" Iranian government.

Tehran, April 22 Iran has rejected the United States' conditions for negotiations, according to the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting, even as US President Donald Trump announced an extension of the ceasfire.

The IRIB reported, "Iran rejected the US conditions for negotiations; Trump unilaterally extended the ceasefire!."

The IRIB further quoted Trump as saying that the decision to extend the ceasefire came following a request from the Pakistani Army Chief, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir. IRIB reported, "Trump said that at the request of Pakistan's army chief, the ceasefire would remain in place until Iran presents a new proposal."

US President Donald Trump said he has decided to extend the ceasefire with Iran to give its leadership more time to come up with a unified proposal for negotiations.

He said the decision was taken after requests from Pakistan's Army Chief Asim Munir and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. He said Iran's government appears "seriously fractured" and needs time to present a clear position.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote, "Based on the fact that the Government of Iran is seriously fractured, not unexpectedly so and, upon the request of Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, of Pakistan, we have been asked to hold our Attack on the Country of Iran until such time as their leaders and representatives can come up with a unified proposal."

Trump added that the US military will continue its blockade and remain ready, while the ceasefire will stay in place until Iran submits its proposal and talks are concluded.

"I have therefore directed our Military to continue the Blockade and, in all other respects, remain ready and able, and will therefore extend the Ceasefire until such time as their proposal is submitted, and discussions are concluded, one way or the other. President DONALD J. TRUMP," the post read.

The ceasefire, brokered earlier this month to allow space for diplomatic engagement, has remained fragile, with both sides expressing reservations about its implementation.

Meanwhile, earlier, US Vice President JD Vance's planned visit to Pakistan for a second round of talks with Iran has been put on hold after Tehran did not respond to the US proposals, according to a US official familiar with the matter on Tuesday, as cited by The New York Times.

- ANI
Iran's ambassador to the UN has formally urged the global body to pressure the United States for the immediate release of the seized commercial vessel Touska and its crew. In a letter to the UN Secretary-General, Ambassador Amir Saeed Iravani condemned the seizure as a "hostile and unlawful act" and a violation of international law. He characterized the US action as "maritime piracy" that endangers lives and threatens the security of vital shipping routes. Iran calls for the UN to denounce the attack and hold the US accountable.

Iran's UN envoy calls US seizure of ship Touska "maritime piracy," urges UN to demand immediate release of vessel and crew in formal letter.

New York, April 22 Iran's ambassador to the United Nations, Amir Saeed Iravani, has formally urged the global body to press the United States to immediately and unconditionally release the Iranian commercial vessel Touska, along with its crew and their families, as reported by Iranian state broadcaster Press TV.

In a letter sent on Tuesday to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the president of the Security Council, Ambassador Iravani raised "urgent concern" over what he described as ongoing international law violations by the United States, including the deliberate targeting of Iranian commercial ships.

Iravani detailed the incident involving the Touska, stating that US forces had captured the vessel in the Sea of Oman near Iran's coast a day earlier, calling the move a "hostile and unlawful act."

"This attack involved coercion, intimidation, and reckless endangerment of the lives of the ship's crew and their families," he added.

He highlighted the serious legal and security concerns, stating that the seizure of the civilian vessel amounted to a clear violation of core principles of international law, including the fundamental prohibition on aggression.

"The deliberate intimidation and psychological terror inflicted on the crew and their families further aggravate the severity of this act. Such conduct amounts to maritime piracy and represents a dangerous escalation that severely threatens the safety and security of vital shipping routes," he said.

Iravani further stated that the incident bears all the characteristics of aggression as outlined in a relevant UN General Assembly resolution, and also represents a breach of the ceasefire announced by US President Donald Trump on April 7.

"This action poses a serious threat to regional and international peace and security, further destabilising an already fragile situation," he said.

The envoy said Iran firmly condemns the move as unlawful and urged the UN to take swift and decisive action by clearly denouncing the attack, holding those responsible accountable, and pressing the United States to release the vessel and everyone on board.

- ANI
Iran's judiciary chief, Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei, has called for full readiness against potential "savage aggression" from a US-Israeli coalition, condemning a US naval blockade as a war crime. This comes amid a volatile diplomatic landscape, with a fragile ceasefire set to expire and conflicting reports on whether an Iranian delegation has traveled to Pakistan for talks. While some reports suggest delegations from the US and Iran are converging on Islamabad for high-stakes negotiations, Iran's state broadcaster has denied any diplomatic mission has traveled. The negotiations reportedly aim at a 10-point de-escalation plan, even as sharp rhetoric continues from both sides.

Iran's judiciary chief warns of US-Israeli "savage aggression" and condemns naval blockade as war crime, amid conflicting reports on diplomatic talks in Pakistan.

Tehran, April 21 Iran's Judiciary chief Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei called for full readiness of all of the forces against the US-Israeli coalition and warned that the two may once again resort to "savage aggression" against Iran, according to a report by Iranian state broadcaster Press TV.

As per Press TV, Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei emphasised the theme during a meeting with a group of heads of the provincial justice departments.

"The arrogant enemy launched an existential war against our country with all its might and equipment, but failed to achieve any of its malicious goals and evil objectives," he said, adding, "Therefore, this defeated and aggrieved enemy is waiting to strike our country again, and there is a possibility that it will once again commit savage aggression".

As per Press TV, he noted that it is the responsibility of various branches and sectors to maintain full readiness in all respects.

The Iranian judiciary chief also spoke over the American naval blockade and called it a violation of the ceasefire and a war crime, adding that Tehran would respond to the "American acts of mischief".

"The US regime's so-called blockade of Iran's ports and coasts, as well as its aggression against an Iranian commercial vessel in the waters of the Sea of Oman, constitutes a violation of the ceasefire and an instance of war crime. We will certainly respond to these American acts of mischief."

The diplomatic landscape remains volatile as a fragile two-week ceasefire, brokered on April 8, is set to expire on Wednesday. While global interest is fixed on the Pakistani capital, conflicting reports have emerged regarding the presence of Iranian officials.

Reports from Axios suggest that Iran's Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has authorised a negotiating team to travel to Islamabad, signalling a potential shift toward de-escalation.

Conversely, Iran's state broadcaster (IRIB) has categorically denied that any diplomatic mission--primary or secondary--has yet travelled to Pakistan, highlighting internal friction within the Iranian regime.

In a statement, the broadcaster categorically denied the presence of any Iranian delegation in Pakistan.

"No Iranian diplomatic delegation - be it a primary or secondary team, or an initial or follow-up mission - has travelled to Islamabad, Pakistan so far," the statement read.

Despite Tehran's public stance, sources in Islamabad indicate that both US and Iranian delegations are expected to arrive simultaneously, with the Pakistani government finalising high-level security and logistics for the encounter.

Reports by Al Arabiya, citing a senior Pakistani source, stated that delegations from the US and Iran are expected to arrive in the Pakistani capital simultaneously on Tuesday, signalling a potential breakthrough in regional diplomacy.

According to the report, both parties are converging on Islamabad to participate in high-stakes negotiations aimed at de-escalating long-standing tensions.

The negotiations aim to address a "10-point plan" that includes the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, sanctions relief, and a permanent settlement to the ongoing 2026 conflict.

However, the rhetoric remains sharp. President Trump has recently warned of "lots of bombs" should the ceasefire expire without a deal, while Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has insisted that Iran will not negotiate under the "shadow of threat."

- ANI
Two Indian nationals were shot dead outside a Sikh cultural centre in Italy's Bergamo province in an execution-style attack. The victims, Rajinder Singh and Gurmit Singh, were reportedly involved in a dispute over control of the religious centre with a rival group. Unverified claims from Khalistani extremist groups like Sikhs for Justice have circulated, reflecting broader political fractures. The incident underscores how tensions from Punjab, including the Khalistan debate, are spilling over and causing polarization within the Sikh diaspora in Europe.

Execution-style killings in Bergamo expose internal rivalries, financial stakes, and Khalistani extremism-driven divisions within Europe's Sikh diaspora.

Rome, April 22 The execution-style killing of two Sikh men in Italy's Bergamo province underscores internal rivalries, financial stakes and political divisions within sections of the Indian diaspora in Europe, a report said.

According to a report in the Italian news website 'Decode 39', last week on the eve of Baisakhi, one of the most important festivals in the Sikh calendar - a targetted killing unfolded in the Covo region in Bergamo, where two Indian nationals from Punjab - 47-year-old Rajinder Singh and 48-year-old Gurmit Singh - were shot dead outside a Sikh cultural centre.

"The attack bore the hallmarks of an execution: around a dozen shots fired at close range, in front of witnesses and under CCTV cameras," it noted.

According to initial findings, the gunman - another Indian national based in nearby Antegnate - carried out the attack with at least three accomplices.

The killing occurred on the eve of Baisakhi, which was set to draw 2,000 worshippers to the area, prompting the cancellation of the planned procession, the report stated.

Rajinder Singh, a former president of the Sikh association in Italy, had reportedly clashed with a rival Antegnate-based group, with tensions intensifying into formal complaints in recent months. While control over the religious centre and its leadership was at stake, the divisions seem to extend beyond local rivalries.

Claims circulating from Khalistani extremist groups like Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) stated that the victim was involved in disputes during Khalsa Day celebrations.

"While unverified, such claims reflect broader political and identity fractures present within segments of the Sikh diaspora," the report noted.

Beyond its criminal dimension, it said, the case raises wider concerns about cohesion and security within the Indian diaspora in Italy and across Europe. Episodes of intra-community violence - often linked to religious leadership disputes, local influence or personal rivalries - are becoming increasingly visible.

"The Sikh community in Italy, long regarded as well-integrated and central to sectors such as agriculture and logistics, now faces increasing exposure to transnational dynamics. Political and identity tensions linked to Punjab - including debates around Khalistan - have spilt over into diaspora networks, contributing to internal polarisation," the report mentioned.

Emphasising that these tensions are emerging in Italy, the report said, "These dynamics have also surfaced in the public sphere. In Milan, the day after the killings, a political demonstration saw the presence of small groups displaying pro-Khalistan messages, highlighting how these issues are no longer confined to community spaces."

- IANS
The CRPF's 84 Battalion conducted a comprehensive mock drill along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway to enhance security preparedness. The exercise coincides with the first anniversary of the deadly Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians. The Indian Army commemorated the day by reaffirming its resolve, referencing the decisive 'Operation Sindoor' retaliatory strikes against terror launchpads. The operation last year targeted terrorist facilities in Pakistan and PoJK, leading to a brief military conflict.

CRPF conducts security drill on Jammu-Srinagar NH, marking a year since the Pahalgam terror attack. Army vows continued resolve with Operation Sindoor.

Ramban, April 22 The security on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway has been strengthened in view of the first anniversary of the Pahalgam terror attack.

The 84 Battalion of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) conducted a comprehensive mock drill at Peerah Hotels along the National Highway in Ramban district on Wednesday.

The exercise was aimed at enhancing operational preparedness and response capabilities in dealing with potential security threats along the strategic highway.

Speaking with ANI, N Ranbir Singh, Commandant CRPF 84 BN, highlighted the significance of the mock drill to boost preparedness for any potential threat.

"On April 22nd, 2025, a deadly terror attack occurred in Pahalgam. It is a year hence. So, the security apparatus has been strengthened. There are several dhabas here, where we currently are. Tourists coming from the Kashmir valley halt here. There are several Dhabas here, which attract tourists.They often halt here for food and snacks. So, we conducted a mock drill here...So that our preparations are of the highest level in the face of any incident and that we are mentally and physically prepared...," he said.

Earlier in the day, the Indian Army reiterated its resolve against terrorism, remembering the decisive military response under 'Operation Sindoor' and warning of assured retaliation for acts against India.

On April 22, 2025, the nation was left shocked when terrorists struck the tourist town of Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir, entering a village and killing 26 civilians. Known as a tourist spot with scenic beauty, Pahalgam was rendered in blood as Pakistan-backed terrorists killed several innocent people.

On the first anniversary of the heinous attack, the Indian Army remembered 'Operation Sindoor' and warned the terrorists against crossing boundaries.

Commemorating the anniversary, in a post on X, the Additional Directorate General of Public Information (ADG PI) of the Indian Army wrote, "For acts against India, the response is assured. Justice will be served. Always," along with a Sindoor graphic which read, "Operation Sindoor continues..."

On this day last year, the nation was shocked as terror struck Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir. Known as a tourist spot with scenic beauty, Pahalgam was rendered in blood as Pakistan-backed terrorists entered a village and killed 26 innocent people.

In the cross-border communal attack in Pahalgam, the assailants questioned the victims about their religion before killing them.

As India mourned the loss, what followed was decisive action by the Indian armed forces in the form of Operation Sindoor. Indian armed forces struck terror bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK).

In Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7, 2025, India successfully destroyed nine major terror launchpads in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), targeting Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and Hizbul Mujahideen facilities. Indian armed forces killed over 100 terrorists in action.

What followed were drone attacks and shelling by Pakistan, which led to a four-day conflict between the two neighbouring countries. India showed formidable defence and conducted retaliatory strikes, destroying Radar installations in Lahore and Radar facilities near Gurjanwala.

Inflicted by heavy damage, Pakistan's Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) called the Indian DGMO and a ceasefire was agreed on May 10.

- ANI
US Vice President JD Vance is scheduled to travel to Pakistan on Tuesday for a new round of negotiations concerning tensions with Iran, though Iran's participation is unconfirmed. The diplomatic push occurs as Iran has shut the vital Strait of Hormuz, prompting a US blockade of Iranian ports and the seizure of an Iranian cargo ship. President Donald Trump has stated it is "highly unlikely" he will extend the expiring ceasefire without a deal and refuses to reopen the strait until an agreement is signed. The standoff has caused global oil prices to surge as the US maintains its naval presence in the region.

JD Vance to hold talks with Iran amid tensions, as Trump warns against rushing a deal and the Strait of Hormuz remains closed.

Washington, April 21 US Vice President JD Vance is set to travel to Pakistan on Tuesday for a fresh round of talks related to the ongoing tensions with Iran, according to a report by Axios, which cited US sources.

The development comes amid rising geopolitical strain in the region, although Iran has not yet confirmed its participation in the proposed negotiations.

The visit follows a series of escalating actions that have heightened concerns over global energy security and regional stability. Iran has once again shut the strategically crucial Strait of Hormuz, effectively blocking one of the world's most important oil transit routes. In response, the United States has intensified its blockade of Iranian ports and recently seized an Iranian-flagged cargo ship, further deepening the standoff.

US President Donald Trump signalled a hardening stance, stating it is "highly unlikely" that he would extend the current two-week ceasefire with Iran if a deal is not reached before its expiration later this week, according to a Bloomberg report. The temporary truce, announced on April 7, is set to end Wednesday evening, as per US time.

In a phone interview, Trump underscored his position on the Strait of Hormuz, saying, "They want me to open it. The Iranians desperately want it opened. I'm not opening it until a deal is signed." He added, "I'm not going to be rushed into making a bad deal. We've got all the time in the world." The President further warned of the potential resumption of hostilities, stating, "If there's no deal, I would certainly expect."

Amid these tensions, oil prices have surged globally as Washington maintains its naval presence in the region.

Trump also confirmed to the New York Post that Vice President Vance would head to Pakistan for what is expected to be the second round of negotiations with Iranian officials. The New York Times, citing two US officials, similarly reported that Vance is expected to depart Washington on Tuesday, underscoring the urgency of diplomatic efforts even as uncertainty looms over Iran's participation.

- IANS
Jharkhand has appointed a new Lokayukta, Justice Amitabh Kumar Gupta, ending a nearly five-year vacancy in the anti-corruption post. The oath was administered by Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar at a ceremony in Ranchi's Lok Bhavan. The appointment follows a directive from the Jharkhand High Court to expedite filling key constitutional posts. The move is expected to bolster transparency and accountability within the state's administration.

Justice Amitabh Kumar Gupta sworn in as Jharkhand Lokayukta by Governor, filling a post vacant since 2021. Oath ceremony attended by CM Hemant Soren.

Ranchi, April 21 Jharkhand on Tuesday got a new Lokayukta after a gap of nearly five years with former state High Court judge Justice Amitabh Kumar Gupta being administered the oath of office by Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar here on Tuesday.

The oath-taking ceremony was held at the Durbar Hall of the Lok Bhavan in Ranchi. After administering the oath, the Governor congratulated Justice Gupta and wished him a successful and impactful tenure.

At the start of the ceremony, Chief Secretary Avinash Kumar read out the warrant related to the appointment of the Lokayukta. Following this, the Governor's Additional Chief Secretary Nitin Kulkarni invited the newly appointed Lokayukta to take the oath.

The post of Lokayukta in Jharkhand has been lying vacant since June 2021. The appointment, coming after nearly five years, has raised fresh expectations of greater transparency and accountability in the state's administration.

Earlier this month, the Jharkhand High Court had directed the state government to expedite the appointment process for constitutional posts, including that of the Lokayukta, State Human Rights Commission, and the State Information Commission, and fill these posts in 10 days, warning of consequences if not done.

In compliance, the Governor finally cleared the appointment of Justice Amitabh Kumar Gupta on April 16.

Born on May 31, 1959, Justice Gupta completed his law degree and postgraduate studies from the Faculty of Law, University of Delhi. He began his judicial career as an Additional District Judge in the Bihar Superior Judicial Service on June 11, 1997. In 2013, he was elevated as an Additional Judge of the Jharkhand High Court and retired on May 30, 2021.

Several dignitaries attended the oath-taking ceremony in Ranchi, including Chief Minister Hemant Soren, Ministers Radha Krishna Kishore and Dipika Pandey Singh, Rajya Sabha MP Mahua Maji, Ranchi Mayor Roshni Khalkho, Director General of Police Tadasha Mishra, and senior administrative and police officials.

- IANS
The sacred portals of Kedarnath Dham have opened to devotees amidst traditional rituals and chants, marking the start of the pilgrimage season. The temple, decorated with vibrant flowers, has drawn thousands of pilgrims into a profound spiritual atmosphere. Hemant Dwivedi, Chairman of the temple committee, has assured that all preparations for the Char Dham Yatra are complete, emphasizing new digital systems for crowd management. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has expressed confidence in the smooth conduct of the upcoming yatra.

Kedarnath Dham doors open with Vedic rituals. Temple committee and Uttarakhand CM ensure smooth Char Dham Yatra with online registration.

Rudraprayag, April 22 The doors of the world-famous Kedarnath Dham have been officially opened for devotees, accompanied by the chanting of Vedic hymns and traditional rituals. Thousands of pilgrims from across India and around the globe have gathered at the shrine, creating an atmosphere charged with intense spiritual energy and devotion.

As the gates opened, the air was filled with the powerful echoes of "Lord Shiva's" name and the triumphant chants of "Baba Kedar."

Adorned with quintals of vibrant flowers, the temple offers a breathtaking and soul-stirring sight to everyone present. Kedarnath Dham has transformed into a massive "power center" of faith, drawing devotees into a deep state of spiritual bliss. With the opening of the portals, the high-altitude Himalayan shrine has once again become the heart of Shiva devotion, welcoming the world into its sacred fold.

The Chairman of the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee, Hemant Dwivedi, urged devotees to visit and seek the blessings of Baba Kedar and Lord Badrinath as the portals of the world-famous Kedarnath Temple open.

Dwivedi stated that all preparations have been completed for the upcoming Char Dham Yatra, which formally commenced with the opening of the shrine doors on April 19.

"At the government, administrative, and district levels, as well as across all departments associated with the pilgrimage, preparations have been completed. Final touches are being given," he said.

Appealing to devotees, Dwivedi said, "I would like to appeal to pilgrims from across the country to come and seek the blessings of Baba Kedar and Lord Badrinath. The government, administration, and temple committee have made complete arrangements."

On crowd management, he said digital systems have been introduced to regulate pilgrim flow.

"The government has introduced online registration. Through a registration and token system, we will ensure smooth management. We have a complete Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) in place, and our priority is the last devotee, providing simple, safe, and accessible darshan," he said.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed confidence in the smooth conduct of the upcoming Char Dham Yatra, scheduled to commence on April 23.

- ANI
South Korea's exports surged by 49.4% year-on-year in the first 20 days of April, reaching $50.4 billion. The explosive growth was primarily driven by semiconductor exports, which jumped 182.5% to $18.3 billion, leading to a trade surplus of $10.4 billion. Exports to major partners like China and the US saw massive increases of 70.9% and 51.7% respectively. However, officials warn of challenges from global uncertainties, prompting plans for expanded financial support for exporters.

South Korea's exports surged 49.4% in early April, driven by a 182.5% spike in semiconductor shipments, achieving a $10.4 billion trade surplus.

Seoul, April 21 South Korea's exports surged 49.4 per cent from a year earlier in the first 20 days of this month, driven by strong demand for semiconductors, data showed on Tuesday.

Outbound shipments reached $50.4 billion in the April 1-20 period, compared with $33.7 billion tallied over the same period last year, according to the data from the Korea Customs Service. The tally marked the highest figure for the first 20 days of April, reports Yonhap news agency.

Imports increased 17.7 percent on-year to $39.9 billion during the period, resulting in a trade surplus of $10.4 billion, the data showed.

Semiconductor exports spiked 182.5 percent on-year to $18.3 billion during the period, while outbound shipments of computers and related equipment soared 399 percent to $2.2 billion.

Exports of petroleum products rose 48.4 percent to $3.2 billion, and ship exports shot up 76.6 percent to $1.8 billion. Steel also gained 8.6 percent to $2.6 billion.

On the other hand, exports of automobiles and auto parts dropped 14.1 percent and 8.8 percent to $3.1 billion and $1.1 billion, respectively.

By destination, exports to China expanded 70.9 percent to $11.2 billion, while shipments to the United States climbed 51.7 percent to $9.3 billion.

Exports to Vietnam, the European Union and Japan added 79.2 percent, 10.5 percent and 40.7 percent to $5.5 billion, $4.4 billion and $2.1 billion, respectively.

Notably, crude oil imports gained 13.1 percent to $4.8 billion in the first 20 days of April, marking the third consecutive month of an on-year increase amid a sharp rise in international oil prices caused by the ongoing Middle Eastern crisis, the data showed.

"Despite strong export performance led by semiconductors, conditions remain challenging due to growing global uncertainties, including the conflict in the Middle East and tariffs imposed by major economies," First Vice Finance Minister Lee Hyoung-il said during a meeting with exporters in Seoul.

"We will swiftly execute supplementary budget programs that include expanded export vouchers and financial support. We also plan to offer customised financial packages and deliver tailored support, such as briefings on logistics and foreign exchange rate fluctuations, to help firms respond to rapidly changing export conditions," he added.

Lee heads a task force launched earlier this month to support exporters in achieving the goal of US$1 trillion in exports by 2030.

- IANS
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has called for a fundamental shift in governance, asking the state administration to adopt a "startup" mindset to achieve the goal of "Zero Bureaucracy." He clarified that this means re-engineering processes to be simpler and more predictable, ensuring services are delivered based on eligibility. The government has already met 85% of its targets under recent action plans aimed at administrative efficiency. A roadmap for the Viksit Maharashtra mission was outlined with strategic milestones set for 2029, 2035, and 2047, supported by initiatives like the upcoming 'Aaple Sarkar 2.0' platform.

CM Devendra Fadnavis outlines a roadmap to Viksit Maharashtra, urging the administration to function like a startup to simplify governance and service delivery.

Mumbai, April 21 Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday called for a paradigm shift in governance, asking the state administration to function like a "startup" to achieve the goal of Zero Bureaucracy.

Speaking at the Civil Service Day 2026 awards ceremony, the Chief Minister emphasised that a transparent, dynamic, and citizen-centric administration is the bedrock of a developed Maharashtra.

The event, held under the 'Rajiv Gandhi Administrative Dynamism (Pragati) Campaign and Competition 2025-26', awarded prizes to officials for innovative administrative practices.

CM Fadnavis clarified that "Zero Bureaucracy" does not imply the absence of officials, but rather the re-engineering of processes to make them simpler and more predictable.

He stated that services should be provided based on eligibility, not personal preferences, adding that by reducing human intervention and simplifying procedures, direct service delivery to eligible citizens can be ensured.

He further highlighted the success of the government's 100-day and 150-day action plans, noting that 85 per cent of the targets for administrative efficiency have already been met.

The Chief Minister outlined a roadmap for the state's future to achieve the Viksit Maharashtra mission, dividing it into three strategic milestones: 2029, 2035, and 2047.

He noted that Maharashtra's economy currently ranks 30th globally and is poised to further strengthen as it competes on the international stage.

To improve service delivery, the government has identified 20 key services for immediate optimisation via the upcoming 'Aaple Sarkar 2.0' platform.

Chief Secretary Rajesh Agrawal reinforced the government's commitment to "speed and sensitivity".

He noted that the administration is focused on repealing obsolete laws and introducing modern legislation, decentralising power to ensure efficient local service delivery, and balancing infrastructure development with civil service reforms.

Agrawal praised the inclusive nature of the 'Pragati' campaign, which encourages innovation across all ranks, from Indian Administrative Service officers to Kotwals and teachers.

- IANS
Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended greetings on Civil Services Day, urging civil servants to uphold excellence and innovation in service. President Droupadi Murmu praised their work in strengthening governance and building a more progressive nation. Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Minister Nitin Gadkari also lauded their dedication to policy implementation and public welfare. The day, observed annually on April 21, commemorates Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's 1947 address where he termed civil services the "Steel Frame of India."

PM Modi, President Droupadi Murmu, and Amit Shah honor civil servants on Civil Services Day, praising their role in governance and nation-building.

New Delhi, April 21 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday extended greetings to all civil servants on Civil Services Day and wished that they would continue to serve the nation with excellence, compassion and innovation, upholding the highest standards of duty.

PM Modi took to social media 'X' and said, "Greetings to all civil servants on Civil Services Day. This is an occasion to further strengthen the resolve to work towards good governance and nation building."

"From the grassroots to policy-making, the efforts of civil servants touch countless lives and contribute to India's progress. May our civil servants continue to serve with excellence, compassion and innovation, upholding the highest standards of duty," he said.

Earlier in the day, President Droupadi Murmu also extended greetings to civil servants on Civil Services Day and praised their commitment to strengthening governance and building a more equitable and progressive nation.

In a statement, the President said, "Warm greetings to all civil servants on Civil Services Day. Your commitment continues to strengthen responsive governance and reinforce public institutions. From the formulation of innovative, future-oriented and citizen-centric policies, to their effective implementation on the ground, your work significantly impacts the quality of life of millions."

"As Bharat advances with renewed aspirations, your integrity and empathy will be instrumental in bridging gaps, fostering inclusivity, and strengthening trust between the State and its citizens. May you continue to uphold the highest standards of public service and contribute meaningfully to the building of a more equitable and progressive nation," she added.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah also extended warm wishes to the civil servants on the occasion, and said, "On Civil Services Day, greetings to our civil servants. Their dedication to implementing policies, strengthening governance, and serving citizens with integrity plays a vital role in nation-building. May this occasion further fortify their commitment to contribute to the nation."

Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, also took to social media to wish civil servants on Civil Services Day.

In a post on X, Gadkari said, "On this Civil Services Day, we salute the dedication, integrity, and tireless service of our civil service professionals who shape the nation's progress. Your commitment to governance and public welfare inspires trust and drives change. Thank you for being the backbone of a stronger, more resilient India."

Observed annually on April 21, National Civil Services Day is a day of tribute to the tireless efforts of civil servants in India. This day serves as a reminder of their dedication and commitment to the country's governance and progress.

The day also highlights the vital role of bureaucracy in ensuring that the administrative machinery runs smoothly, thus making significant contributions to national growth.

The Government of India began celebrating National Civil Services Day in 2006 in New Delhi at Vigyan Bhawan. It was on this date, back in 1947, that Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, India's first Home Minister, addressed the newly-appointed officers of the Indian Civil Services and dubbed them the "Steel Frame of India."

- IANS
Nepal's Home Minister Sudan Gurung resigned on Wednesday, citing moral responsibility and the need for a fair investigation into concerns over his financial holdings. In a Facebook post, he emphasized that ethics hold more weight than any position and that public trust must come before holding office. Gurung urged citizens, media, and youth to commit to honesty and accountability in public life. His resignation follows a recent sacking of another minister on disciplinary charges by Prime Minister Balendra Shah.

Nepal's Home Minister Sudan Gurung resigns, prioritizing ethics over position amid public concerns over his financial holdings and shares.

Kathmandu, April 22 Nepal's Home Minister, Sudan Gurung, on Wednesday resigned from his post, citing moral responsibility and the need for a fair investigation into concerns raised over his financial holdings.

In a Facebook post announcing his resignation, Gurung said he had taken public criticism seriously and chose to step down to uphold ethical standards in public life.

"I, Sudan Gurung, have been performing my duties as the Home Minister with utmost honesty since Chaitra 13, 2082 (March 26, 2026). Recently, I have taken the questions, comments, and public concerns raised by citizens regarding my shares and related matters very seriously, " he said.

Emphasising the importance of integrity, he said public trust must come before holding office."For me, ethics hold more weight than any position, and there is no power greater than public trust. Today's 'Gen Z' movement, which demands good governance, transparency, and accountability, carries the same message: public life must be clean and leadership must be accountable," he said.

Gurung also referred to the broader political context and sacrifices made in the country's past, saying accountability was essential when questions arise. "When questions are raised against a government built on the blood and sacrifice of my 46 brothers and sisters, the only answer is morality," Gurung said.

Announcing his decision to step down, he said the move would ensure transparency and avoid any conflict of interest. He said, "Therefore, to ensure a fair investigation into the matters concerning me and to prevent any conflict of interest while holding office, I have resigned from the post of Home Minister effective today.

He urged the citizens, media, and youth to commit to honesty and accountability in public life. "I have fulfilled my moral responsibility. Now, I appeal to my dear media friends, all Nepali brothers and sisters, and the youth: if we truly desire change, we must all stand on the path of truth, honesty, and self-purification. Information regarding where certain media personnel hold 'sweet shares' will eventually come to light. Those who aspire for 'Ram Rajya' (ideal governance) must also possess the courage to sacrifice and show moral strength," the former Nepali Home Minister said.

Earlier on April 9, Nepali Prime Minister Balendra Sha sacked Deepak Kumar Sah, Minister for Labour, Employment and Social Security, on disciplinary charges upon recommendation from his party.

The Prime Minister's secretariat said Sah was removed after the party found him in breach of its code of conduct and discipline.

According to the commission's study, Sah misused his office to continue his wife, Junu Shrestha, as a member of the Health Insurance Board, a position which had remained largely inactive for a long time. The commission had submitted its report to the party on Wednesday, recommending action.

- ANI
The Ministerial Development Council, chaired by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, convened to assess the implementation of government programs and initiatives. The agenda included discussions on economic, industrial, and foreign trade strategies, as well as new policies for public services and environmental sustainability. The Council reviewed draft regulations concerning healthcare, personal status, and identity services, and examined annual reports from various federal committees. It also discussed parliamentary recommendations on national policies for artificial intelligence and the security of the pharmaceutical supply chain.

Sheikh Mansour chairs Ministerial Development Council meeting reviewing government initiatives, AI policy, sustainability, healthcare, and economic strategies.

Abu Dhabi, April 22 Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court, has chaired the meeting of the Ministerial Development Council, held in Abu Dhabi.

The meeting reviewed the progress in implementing government programmes and initiatives and discussed proposals to enhance efficiency in multiple sectors.

The meeting agenda featured discussions on studies and strategies related to industry, the economy, and foreign trade, as well as several new policies in the public services sector, governance of government digital projects, regulating postal services in the UAE, and the adoption of advanced practices in environmental sustainability.

The Council reviewed draft regulatory decisions on healthcare and health professions, personal status, and services provided by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security.

In governmental work affairs, the Council reviewed the progress and outcome of implementing government strategies and initiatives. It also went through various reports on the work of federal councils and committees for the year 2025, including reports on the Emirates Infrastructure and Housing Council, the Industry Development Council, and the National Food Safety Committee.

The meeting also discussed the recommendations of the Federal National Council on the government's policy on artificial intelligence, and the government's policy on achieving national security for the pharmaceutical and medical supplies industries.

- ANI
The historic city of Dhar in Madhya Pradesh has been selected under the Centre's 'Safe Cities' project for 2026. The initiative includes an allocation of Rs 10 crore for improving women's safety infrastructure over five years. Plans involve installing CCTV cameras, improving street lighting, and building pink toilets in public spaces. The project also aims to support women's empowerment through awareness campaigns and training programmes.

MP's Dhar selected for Centre's 'Safe Cities' project with Rs 10 crore allocation to improve women safety infrastructure, including CCTV, street lighting, and pink toilets.

Bhopal, April 22 The Madhya Pradesh government on Wednesday said that the historic city of Dhar has been selected under the Centre's 'Safe Cities' project for 2026, marking a significant step towards strengthening women's safety infrastructure and urban security in the state.

The announcement comes at a time when the debate over the 'Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam' has already brought women-centric policies into sharp political focus.

According to the Madhya Pradesh government's statement, Dhar is among 10 major cities identified across the country under the Ministry of Women and Child Development's initiative, which is fully funded by the Central Government.

"An allocation of Rs 10 crore has been made for Dhar district under the project, which will be implemented for a minimum period of five years," the Madhya Pradesh government said in a statement on Wednesday.

It further said the primary objective of the scheme is to make public spaces in Dhar completely safe and women-friendly through upgraded infrastructure and surveillance systems.

"The plan includes installation of CCTV cameras at sensitive locations, improved street lighting, and better monitoring mechanisms across the city," it added.

The government further stated that special facilities will be developed in district hospitals and health centres, including dedicated waiting areas for women and their families. Construction of 'Pink Toilets' in public places and strengthening of women-friendly amenities at tourist spots will also be part of the project.

Emphasising social aspects, the statement added that awareness campaigns and training programmes will be conducted in Dhar to promote community sensitivity towards women's safety and empowerment.

The initiative also aims to support the mental and social empowerment of women alongside physical infrastructure improvements.

Dhar, which holds significant historical and archaeological importance, is known for its cultural heritage and ancient legacy in central India.

The government said the development of specialised facilities for women tourists is expected to enhance its image as a safe and globally attractive destination.

The statement also noted that Dhar is witnessing rapid infrastructure growth, particularly with the establishment of the PM MITRA Park in the district.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had laid the foundation stone of the mega textile park on September 17, 2025, which is expected to generate large-scale employment and industrial development in the region.

- IANS
Operation Mahadev successfully eliminated terrorists hiding in Kashmir's dense forests, demonstrating that such areas are no longer safe havens. The operation was launched after the Pahalgam attack in April last year, targeting terrorists who used forest cover. Union Home Minister Amit Shah confirmed three terrorists were killed in the encounter near Srinagar. Security forces used human intelligence and technology to track and surround the terrorists in challenging terrain.

Security forces successfully flush out terrorists in Operation Mahadev, ending their reliance on dense Kashmir forests as safe havens.

New Delhi, April 22 Dense forest cover in Kashmir has long been used by terrorists to evade security forces after carrying out attacks. The thick foliage and difficult terrain have made counter-operations extremely challenging for the security forces, often turning such missions into prolonged and complex exercises.

For years, infiltrators entering Jammu and Kashmir have taken refuge in forests, lying low until they receive instructions to strike. A similar pattern was observed in the Pahalgam attack in April last year, where terrorists reportedly used forest cover both before and after the incident.

In response, security forces launched Operation Mahadev to flush out those who were involved in the attack. An official said the operation demonstrated that terrorists can no longer rely on forests as safe havens.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah informed Parliament that the joint operation by the Army, the Central Reserve Police Force, and the Jammu and Kashmir Police on July 28 was successful. He said three terrorists, identified as Suleman, Hamza Afghani, and Zibran, were killed in an encounter under Operation Mahadev. The operation was conducted in the dense forest area of Lidwas near Harwan, on the outskirts of Srinagar.

An official involved in the planning said the terrorists were attempting to return to Pakistan. "The national security planners were clear that these elements were not getting out, and they had to be brought to justice," the official noted.

A high-level meeting was held a day after the April 22 attack, bringing together officials from the Army, CRPF, and the Jammu and Kashmir Police.

"It was tough tracking the terrorists. We had credible information that they were still in the country. They were either planning to carry out another attack and were awaiting instructions or were trying to slip out. Whatever the case, the intention was to stop them from whatever further they were planning," the official said.

"It was human intelligence that gave us the first tip. The terrorists were hiding in the Dachigam area. This led to extensive tracking and, with the help of technology, signals were captured. It was on July 22 that one of the terrorists' signals was picked up. This led to the security forces launching the assault, during which the terrorists were surrounded and killed," the official added.

Another officer said the terrain posed the greatest challenge.

"Our intelligence agencies were working seamlessly, and once the signals were caught, information began pouring in. However, the toughest part of the operation was the encounter itself," the officer said.

He added that the area was marked by thick vegetation and high altitude, which constrained the movement of security personnel.

"The terrorists, on the other hand, were trying to exploit these tough conditions to evade arrest or elimination. In the end, the security forces got the better of them," the officer said.

Officials described Operation Mahadev as a decisive effort that also sends a strong message to terror groups. For long, such groups have relied on dense forests and rugged terrain to evade capture, often managing to regroup and strike again.

Operation Mahadev, they said, underlines that such tactics will no longer guarantee safety.

"The security forces displayed exemplary skill and patience. Terror groups will think twice before using such cover and assuming they can get away with it," an official said.

The operation reflects the resolve of security agencies to track down those involved in terror activities anywhere, even in the most inaccessible forest regions, said the officer.

- IANS
Intelligence agencies reveal Pakistan's ISI had planned multiple Pahalgam-style attacks targeting tourists in Jammu and Kashmir to bleed the tourism industry and create a communal divide. India's firm and decisive response, including the execution of 'Operation Sindoor' against terror infrastructure in PoK and Pakistan, forced the ISI to pause these planned attacks. The operation reportedly caused a significant trust deficit between Pakistan's establishment and terror groups like LeT and JeM. The restoration of peace in Kashmir post the abrogation of Article 370 and the local population's shift towards development reportedly motivated Pakistan's sinister plot.

Intelligence reveals ISI planned more Pahalgam-style attacks on tourists in J&K. India's decisive 'Operation Sindoor' response forced Pakistan to pause.

New Delhi, April 22 Pakistan needed a decisive response following the dastardly Pahalgam terror attack and it got the one from India, timely and decisively. However, this was not just one location on terrorists' radar. According to information picked by Intelligence agencies, the ISI had planned more such attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, with an intent to terrorise the tourists and bleed the tourism industry.

As tourism remains the lifeline of Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan was looking to hurt the industry and had planned Pahalgam type attacks in various other locations by deploying terrorists of the Lashkar-e-Tayiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad. The brief was not to target the locals in J&K.

The ISI wanted to continue targeting tourists and wanted to make it appear as though these attacks were carried out by the locals. This would have led to the Kashmiris being targeted across the country. Ultimately it would have resulted in the people of Kashmir trying to move away from the mainstream and refusing to be a part of India. This was apparently the sinister plot behind more Pahalgam-styled attacks.

Following the Pahalgam attack, the situation could have turned any way. The efforts that the Indian government put in following the abrogation of Article 370, securing peace and bringing the people of Jammu and Kashmir to the mainstream would have all gone down the drain, had the ISI gone ahead with the attacks.

An Intelligence Bureau official said that post the Pahalgam attack which took place on April 22, 2025, the ISI decided to adopt a wait and watch game. It wanted to execute more such attacks in a phased manner. It had planned at least 3 such attacks with the clear intention of creating a communal divide. The response to the Pahalgam attack was strong.

The sentiments and anger among the people of India was high and all expected very strong action against Pakistan and its terror proxies, the official said.

The government too was clear that it was going to go beyond condemnation and action would need to be taken. Pakistan sensed that India's actions would be strong. India was clear that it would hit terror infrastructure and hunt down terrorists. Sensing that there would be a no-nonsense approach by India, the ISI decided to keep the rest of its plans on hold.

Another official said that the sentiments were so strong that many, including Pakistan thought that India would go to war. However, India decided to execute a measured response and hit back hard with 'Operation Sindoor'. During the operation, the Indian armed forces took down terror infrastructure - both in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) and deep within Pakistan. The hits that were executed inside Pakistan surprised the ISI and its army. This changed a lot within the ISI and terror groups.

The trust that terror groups such as the Jaish-e-Mohammad and Lashkar-e-Tayiba had in the ISI and Pakistan army began to erode. Questions were being asked about their protection and why the establishment failed to do so. The official said that given the situation and the trust deficit that built up, these terror groups would have refused to strike even if the army wanted them to, especially Operation Sindoor.

Another official said that had the response not been so severe, then the ISI would have gone ahead with its plans of carrying out three more Pahalgam styled strikes. While the abrogation of Article 370 that gave Jammu and Kashmir special status did irritate the Pakistanis, the restoration of peace in the Valley came as a surprise to Islamabad.

Moreover, the people of J&K have been gradually moving towards a new development paradigm and lifestyle. Livelihood is more important than separatism and terrorism for the younger generation.

This is the cycle that the ISI and Pakistan army sought to break and hence had hatched plans for more strikes to hurt the tourism sector.

- IANS
Families of the 26 victims killed in the Pahalgam terror attack marked the first anniversary with profound grief and remembrance. They shared stories of loss, highlighting the ongoing economic and emotional struggles faced by the bereaved. Many are calling for promised government jobs and stronger security measures at tourist destinations to prevent future tragedies. The attack, carried out by a Pakistan-based terror group, was met with a measured Indian military response known as Operation Sindoor.

Families mark 1 year since Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26, sharing grief, seeking government jobs & tighter security at tourist spots.

New Delhi, April 22 On the first anniversary of the Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 people were killed by Pakistan-based terrorists, family members of the victims remembered their loved ones, saying such painful memories can never be erased.

One year after the attack in Pahalgam claimed the life of pony operator Adil Hussain Shah as he was killed by the terrorists for trying to protect the tourists, his family continues to grieve the loss of the young man, who was the sole breadwinner of his family.

The deceased man's brother, Nowshad, said, "If we talk about that day, for us, for the whole of Kashmir, and for all of India, it was a black day. Even today, our family feels deep sorrow and pain. I always tell my family to remember the good work he did in his life. He has been blessed with martyrdom, which is a very high honour. We have received a lot of support from the media here and across India."

Another victim, Shubham Dwivedi's family member, said, "These are things that can never be forgotten in life. Such memories can break a person so deeply that they lose the strength to even speak or stand again. Many people fall into depression. If I am able to speak and communicate today, it is because I am trying to turn my pain into strength."

Priyadarshini, wife of victim Prashant Kumar Satpathy, highlighted her ongoing struggles.

"I have already submitted the required documents for a job application. It would be very helpful if I could get a suitable government job according to my qualifications. I am facing many difficulties, and my child's education is ongoing," she said.

She added that the April 22 attack drew international attention, and stressed the need for tighter security at tourist destinations in the future.

"Security should be further strengthened at tourist places, and strict steps must be taken if such incidents occur again," she said.

Meanwhile, the victim's elder brother, Sushanta Satpathy, said, "My brother is no longer with us, but our family still finds it hard to believe that. I request the Government of Odisha to fulfil the commitments they made to us after my brother died."

The Pahalgam terror attack took place on April 22, 2025, when 26 people were killed in a brutal massacre targeting tourists. The attack was carried out by The Resistance Front, an offshoot of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba.

The attackers singled out victims after asking about their religion, forcing them to recite the Islamic 'kalima' to identify non-Muslims. Among those killed were 25 tourists and one local pony ride operator who tried to save the tourists.

Several victims were newly married, and many were shot at close range in front of their families.

In response to the attack, Indian armed forces launched 'Operation Sindoor' on May 6 and 7, carrying out what officials described as a focussed, measured and non-escalatory military action targeting high-value terror bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir.

'Operation Sindoor' was a significant demonstration of India's military and strategic capability, combining both military and non-military measures.

The operation successfully neutralised terrorist threats, deterred further aggression and reinforced India's zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism while maintaining strategic restraint.

Meanwhile, the Jammu and Kashmir administration has also stepped up security in Pahalgam, deploying additional forces and increasing surveillance to ensure a peaceful commemoration, which is expected to be attended by political leaders, civil society members, and families of the victims.

- IANS
Former US National Security Advisor H R McMaster has labeled Pakistan a client state of the Chinese Communist Party, casting doubt on its offer to mediate between the US and Iran. He accuses Pakistan of a long-standing dual policy of offering counter-terror cooperation while simultaneously supporting terrorist groups like the Haqqani network. McMaster describes the US-India relationship as "rocky" but underscores its immense importance, particularly for collaborative energy security. He advocates for a strengthened US-India partnership to develop diverse energy solutions and reduce reliance on Chinese-controlled supply chains.

Former US NSA H R McMaster tells IANS Pakistan is a client of China, uses terror as foreign policy, and cannot be trusted to broker US-Iran talks.

Washington, April 22 Raising serious doubts over Pakistan's offer to broker talks between the United States and Iran, former US National Security Advisor H R McMaster on Wednesday accused Islamabad of pursuing a dual-track approach in security cooperation while asserting that the country should certainly be considered as a client of the Chinese Communist Party.

"I think what you have to do is consider Pakistan as certainly a client of the Chinese Communist Party," McMaster told IANS in an exclusive interview when asked about the role of Pakistan in mediating between the US and Iran.

In a wide-ranging conversation, McMaster offers a candid assessment of the shifting global order, touching on Iran, China, Pakistan, and the trajectory of US-India ties. He also speaks bluntly on Pakistan's credibility, describes US-India relations as "rocky" but essential, the Chinese challenge, and warns of growing vulnerabilities around energy security and geopolitical alignments.

Excerpts:

IANS: There is this whole talk about the Iran War and the negotiation that's being done through Pakistan. In India, a lot of people believe that Pakistan cannot be a trusted partner because of the experience that we have with terrorism coming from across the border, and the US has also seen that. How do you see it in the entire context? Can Pakistan be trusted?

McMaster: I think what you have to do is consider Pakistan as certainly a client of the Chinese Communist Party. And I think that compromises them in this connection because the Chinese Communist Party, I'm sure, is desperate to keep the Islamic Republic, the theocratic dictatorship in power in Iran. So I think that there is probably an ulterior motive here in offering their good offices to broker these talks. My experience with the Pakistani army has been one of great disappointment, and my recognition over time that Pakistan often offers to be your friend and to assist, for example, in counter-terrorism efforts against Al-Qaeda or against the Taliban and the Haqqani network, while at the same time they're supporting your enemies. So I, I have and of course, as India knows well so well they've been using terrorist organisations as an arm of their foreign policy since the late 1940s.

IANS: How do you see the energy crisis in its broader context, given that India's imports also come from the Middle East?

McMaster: Well, this is very similar to the energy crisis associated with Russia's massive invasion of Ukraine in February of 2022. So I think, it highlights the need for energy security. I think that the US partnership with India is immensely important on so many levels, but I think one of the most important dimensions of that relationship should be a partnership, a partnership with other countries as well to develop technologies and apply technologies that will allow for a much higher degree of energy security, while also taking on the other challenges that India faces in the area of water security and food security. I see these as all interconnected, and I see tremendous opportunities for the United States to work with India on a broad range of energy solutions including, for example access to US Liquified Natural Gas exports, diversifying their sources of energy with maybe procuring more from the US who is now the world's largest producer of fossil fuels, but also renewable solutions that are not reliant on supply chains controlled by China. These are wind turbines and solar panels, for example. And in the future, you have nuclear technologies that hold great promise, such as small modular reactors or EM squared reactors.

IANS: You have been a big advocate of the relationship between the two largest democratic countries in the world. How has it evolved in the second term?

McMaster: It's been rocky, I'll say that. You know, it's been rocky, and it didn't need to be that rocky in my view. And so I, think that, it was unfortunate the tensions in the relationship that became apparent when President Trump felt as if he was, didn't receive enough credit for reducing tensions on the border between India and Pakistan and the latest conflict. But then also, the trade issues have always been kind of sticky. But we could work together on those. We need each other... I think what we need is something in the middle by assuring our Indian partners, that you know, that the US, I think, from India's perspective, should be the most important partner for India going forward... The US and India are the solution to each other's problems in many ways, in terms of the threat from Chinese aggression. We have to remember, it wasn't that long ago that Chinese soldiers were attacking Indian soldiers on the Himalayan frontier. And China is still employing a whole range of subversive actions and forms of economic aggression that the US and India and the other of the world's largest economies Japan the EU, we should all be working together on common problems and challenges.

IANS: President Trump is scheduled to travel to China in less than a month. How do you see the US China relationship in that context?

McMaster: Well, you know, I think what you could get is a temporary reprieve, a temporary pause in trade-related and economic-related tensions. But it's not gonna be much more than that because of the nature of the Chinese Communist Party, the ideology that drives and constrains its leaders, and the nature of its status mercantilist economic system that is fundamentally incompatible with our free market economies. So, I see this as maybe a temporary reprieve in tensions, but the gravity or the weight, behind those fundamental differences will continue to bear out. What's really important will be the outcome in the Middle East. I think, what China has done is support Iran with purchases of their oil. They buy 90 per cent of Iran's oil to feed the Iranian regime's ATM, and they use that cash to support terrorists across the region. And as we've seen to build up a massive missile, drone strike complex, which they have unleashed against 14 countries across the Middle East. And so, China has been the main client for the Iranians. If the Iranian regime was to have a fundamental change, a fundamental change such that it ceases its permanent hostility to the United States, Israel, and its Arab neighbors, China is a big loser in the Middle East. And I think what happens is, China is much less likely to engage in aggression in the Indo-Pacific region. That's why I think India, all countries who want peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond should be in favor of really ending the Islamic Republic as we have known it, as it waged, really. I mean, we have to acknowledge, I mean, they have been waging a proxy war against the United States, Israel, and their Arab neighbours for 47 years.

IANS: Where do you see this war heading towards now from here?

McMaster: I do not think that the Islamic Republic of Iran can sustain itself. I think it's unsustainable not only in connection with the damage that has been done to its military, to its ability to project power outside of its borders, but the damage that it has done to itself and its own people through corruption, through prioritizing a nuclear weapons program and its missile programs over the welfare of its own people, and the waste of hundreds of billions of dollars on the nuclear missile programs, the corruption of the regime, ..or collectives associated with the regime that are extracting money and sending it abroad. We know, for example, that the new supreme leader, has tens of millions of dollars in offshore accounts. So I think the corruption of the regime, and especially I would say the most recent brutality that we've seen with them, not only in the executions that they continue to commit against political prisoners but also the mass murder, of what appears to be 40,000 people in a 48 hour period in January. So I think the humanitarian stakes are very high. The geopolitical stakes are very high. But the stakes are highest for the Iranian people, and I would like to see more focus on them, and, the need to really continue actions, whether they're financial or military to weaken the repressive arms of the theocratic dictatorship.

IANS: Given the improvement in US-China and US-Pakistan relations, what impact do you think it'll have on India-US ties?

McMaster: I think the trajectory for US-India relations is very good, very good for, because if you look at kind of just the structural issues from a geopolitical perspective, you have two ...powers on the Eurasian landmass of China and Russia. And I understand why India continues to hedge with Russia because they have these two ... powers, on India's borders or in the region. And those, the China and Russia have pulled into their orbit the only hereditary communist dictatorship in the world, in North Korea the theocratic dictatorship in Iran, they did have the Maduro regime in Venezuela under their wing. So I see this as a competition between our free and open societies, India and the United States being the world's two largest democracies, and our free market economic systems. India and the United States are natural partners. I have great confidence in the relationship. I also have great confidence in the relationship because of the incredibly talented and vibrant Indian diaspora that we have benefited from in the United States. Some of our most creative entrepreneurs, in the US are Indian American citizens. So I think among that generation and the younger generations, we also have just the strongest cultural ties and actually familial ties that are foundational to our relationship.

IANS: In what way can India and US improve their defence corporation?

McMaster: There's a near-term obstacle, and that near-term obstacle is the Indian military's relationship with the Russian military. And so because of security concerns, there is a great deal of reluctance to sell the most capable US weapons, the most capable US ammunition, because of the threat of compromise. We have to get over that somehow. One way to do that would be for India to slowly reduce their reliance on Russian munitions and weapons. Of course they're not available because they don't have the industrial capacity to sustain their onslaught against the Ukrainian people. But also it doesn't work. Their air defence systems are easy to defeat. And so I think it's important for India to slowly, or as quickly as they can, reduce reliance on Russian weapon systems. You could do that with third country weapon systems, from buying European systems and so forth. But of course, the US equipment, I think is, is what is most capable at defeating what I think India has to be concerned about, which are Chinese weapon systems. Chinese radar systems, Chinese fighter aircraft and, and other technologies including electromagnetic warfare and so forth that China is providing to Pakistan.

IANS: What's your thought on President Trump's foreign policy and national security because you have worked with him in the past?

McMaster: Well, I'll tell you, I have confidence that over time we will have stronger relationships, stronger alliances, and partnerships. What I had been disappointed in is as much of the rhetoric, at times unserious and at times bombastic and offensive public diplomacy and, and communications. It is self-defeating in my view... So in the long term, what we could have, I think, is stronger alliances because President Trump has been successful in convincing European nations, for example, to invest more in their defence. And now what we have to do is build up what has become a trust deficit associated with some of the language that our European friends, our Indian friends have found offensive. But, you know, of course, it's important to remind people, that the United States is not a monarchy. We fought our, our revolution 250 years ago, to based on this radical idea that sovereignty lies with the people, not with the king, not even with the parliament. And so as your listeners and viewers will know, we are federal system and, and there is a great deal of affinity for India across the United States Congress, across the country in the United States. And ultimately, our government reflects that, despite how the president's priorities, have generated some of these clashes that are, I think sadly, mainly rhetorical and not substantive, but all but still damaging to that kind of trust in the relationship.

IANS: As a former NSA and national security analyst and expert in America, how do you see Prime Minister Narendra Modi's last 12 years as India has been placed in the global domain, on a global platform...

McMaster: Well, he's an advocate for Indian interests, obviously. You know, he has spanned the United States and United States adversaries. At times I wish he had been a little bit less supportive of Vladimir Putin. But I would say the same thing at President Trump. I wish President Trump was less supportive of Vladimir Putin too. I know that he took strong action against Beijing and the Chinese Communist Party after witnessing the aggression against India, really the physical aggression, but also the aggression through the use of Chinese apps and, and Chinese efforts to, to gather data to wage a war of psychological war, a war of perception, on India with the shutdown of so many of the Chinese companies and Chinese apps. He's been quite strong there, I think. And again, the weight of the gravity of our mutual interests will continue to pull us together. I had the great privilege of, of working with the leaders who were still in place, include Minister Jaishankar, my friend Ajit Doval, and, the Prime Minister a person with whom I have great respect. And we had, we had really wonderful conversations. He was a wonderful host to me soon after I became National Security Advisor. And of course, as you know, we prioritised and we had it explicitly in the national security strategy. It was published in 2017 that it was a positive for the world for India to succeed in all of its endeavours and, and to strengthen the partnership with India and amplify India's voice, which can be quite strong in various fora that we're not part of, whether it's the BRICS format. I'm optimistic about the future of relationship. There have been disappointments on both sides in Delhi and in Washington. But I have great faith that we can get over all that again, based on the alignment of our interests, the alignment of our people our forms of government and, and our just affinity for one another, our natural affinity for one another.

- IANS
Paraguay has announced it will accept an initial group of 25 non-citizen deportees from the United States, starting their arrival this week. The country joins a growing list of nations agreeing to accept "third-country" deportees under arrangements facilitated by the Trump administration. The US has reportedly provided millions of dollars in incentives to foreign governments to accept these individuals, drawing scrutiny from Democratic lawmakers. Advocacy groups have criticized the policy, alleging it uses the threat of deportation as intimidation.

Paraguay agrees to accept 25 deportees from the US as part of Trump's immigration drive, joining other nations in controversial third-country deals.

Asuncion, April 22 The South American country Paraguay has said it will accept non-citizens deported from the United States as part of President Donald Trump's mass deportation drive, as reported by Al Jazeera.

Paraguay's Foreign Ministry, cited by Al Jazeera, announced on Tuesday that an initial group of 25 Spanish-speaking deportees will arrive starting Thursday.

"Each case has been evaluated individually, in full respect of national sovereignty, immigration laws, and international law," the statement reads.

Paraguay has joined a growing number of countries agreeing to accept "third-country" deportees from the United States, a system that allows migrants to be sent to nations with which they have no direct ties.

The Donald Trump administration has reportedly approached several countries for such arrangements despite concerns over human rights conditions in some destinations. Countries including Costa Rica, El Salvador, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eswatini and South Sudan have already accepted deportees, in some cases under multimillion-dollar agreements to detain them.

The initiative forms part of a broader push by Washington to tighten immigration controls, as reported by Al Jazeera.

As of February, Democratic lawmakers in the United States estimated that over USD 40 million had been given to foreign governments through contracts as incentives to accept deportees.

Robert Alter, an official at the US Embassy in Paraguay, cited by Al Jazeera, commended the agreement, describing it as a reflection of the strong ties between Washington and Paraguay.

"These migrants do not have pending asylum applications in the United States," the statement said.

"The intention of this collaboration is to facilitate the safe and orderly return of these individuals to their countries of origin," it further said.

Advocacy groups cited by Al Jazeera have alleged that the Donald Trump administration is using the threat of third-country deportations as a form of intimidation.

- ANI
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi appealed to voters in Tamil Nadu to protect their identity, language, and rights by voting for the INDIA alliance. The state's Chief Electoral Officer anticipates a higher-than-usual voter turnout and detailed massive enforcement efforts, including seizures worth Rs 1,262 crore under the Model Code of Conduct. The election features a major contest between the DMK-led alliance and the NDA, with actor Vijay's party TVK potentially creating a three-way fight. Over 5.73 crore voters, including a significant number of first-time voters, are eligible to cast their ballots.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi urges voters to protect their identity and rights, as EC reports massive seizures and high turnout expected in Tamil Nadu.

New Delhi, April 22 Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday asked the voters to "protect your identity" in a message which came a day ahead of voting in Tamil Nadu.

"The Congress-DMK alliance has a proud history of social justice in Tamil Nadu. We are committed to carrying it forward. My message to the people of Tamil Nadu: Protect your identity, your language, your rights. Vote for the INDIA alliance. Vote for Congress", he said on X.



State Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Archana Patnaik on Wednesday anticipated that voter turnout is expected to exceed usual levels, and highlighted that over 1.06 lakh EVM machines are set to be utilised during the voting.



Adressing a press conference in Chennai, CEO Patnaik said, "Voter turnout is expected to be higher than usual. For election duty, 1,20,000 police personnel and 3,40,000 government staff have been deployed."



Highlighting a strict enforcement drive under the Model Code of Conduct, which came into effect on March 15, she reported that cash and valuables worth Rs 1,262 crore have been seized, with Rs 543 crore already confiscated.



"Cash and valuables worth Rs 1,262 crore have been seized, of which Rs 543 crore has been confiscated. Monitoring is being carried out through four types of surveillance teams. Regarding social media violations, 163 cases have been registered, and 2,180 internet links have been blocked," the CEO stated.



The state's electorate comprises over 5.73 crore voters, featuring 2,93,04,905 female voters, 2,80,30,658 male voters, and 7,728 third-gender voters. The poll body is also catering to 14,59,039 first-time voters and 68,501 service voters, with 4,18,541 postal votes already received, she added. Furthermore, 62 counting centres have already been established to ensure a smooth process after the high-stakes voting concludes.



The main contest is expected between the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance, which includes the Indian National Congress, DMDK and VCK, and the National Democratic Alliance led by AIADMK with BJP and PMK as allies.



Actor-turned-politician Vijay is also set to make his electoral debut with his party TVK, which could turn the contest into a three-way fight.





- ANI
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann held a strategic meeting with India's Ambassador to Finland, Hemant H Kotalwar, in Helsinki to strengthen bilateral partnerships. The discussions focused on bringing Finnish excellence in technology, governance, and education to Punjab, particularly in electronics, sustainable forestry, and regenerative farming. The state is building on its existing teacher training program with Finland and significantly increasing its education budget under the Sikhya Kranti 2.0 initiative. This international engagement aims to create high-value local opportunities, stem brain drain, and position Punjab as a global hub for investment and innovation.

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann meets Indian Ambassador to Finland to forge tech, education & farming ties, aiming to create future-ready opportunities for youth.

Helsinki, April 22 In a major step toward positioning Punjab as a global hub for industry and innovation, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann held a high-level meeting with the Indian Ambassador to Finland, Hemant H Kotalwar.

The meeting, held on Tuesday during the Chief Minister's visit to Helsinki, focused on forging strategic "tie-ups" that aim to bring Finnish excellence in technology and governance to the heart of Punjab.

The discussions centred on creating a future-ready ecosystem for Punjab's youth by leveraging Finland's world-renowned expertise.

Key focus areas included exploring bilateral trade in electronics, engineering, and sustainable forest products, adapting the "Finnish Model" for regenerative farming and green energy to modernise Punjab's agricultural backbone and building on the existing program that has already seen over 200 Punjabi teachers trained at the University of Turku.

They discussed expanding school-to-school partnerships and teacher exchange programs. During his visit, CM Mann also engaged with the Punjabi diaspora in Finland, describing them as "vital stakeholders" in the state's socio-economic transformation. He urged them to act as catalysts for growth by bringing global best practices back to their roots.

"We are continuously striving to explore new opportunities at the global level for the all-round development of Punjab and a golden future for our youth," said Bhagwant Singh Mann, CM Punjab.

The partnership is not new but is reaching a "strategic crescendo" in 2026. Under the Sikhya Kranti 2.0 initiative, Punjab has significantly increased its education budget to 19,279 crore, with a specific focus on global training.

More than 216 educators have already completed training programs in Finland and Singapore under the initiative, officials said. The state is prioritising exposure to global best practices as it pivots curriculum and capacity toward future industries. Key focus areas include Artificial Intelligence, 6G, clean energy, and the circular economy.

The budget marks a strategic shift from traditional allocations to skill-building tied to next-gen sectors, aiming to make Punjab's education system globally competitive.

The meeting concludes a series of high-profile international engagements for the Punjab government, signalling a shift toward a technology-driven, globally integrated economy designed to stem the brain drain and create high-value opportunities locally.

The efforts of the Bhagwant Mann government indicated that such engagements are aimed at positioning Punjab as a competitive destination for investment, innovation and global academic collaboration. The state leadership has been focusing on strengthening international linkages to boost employment opportunities, especially for young professionals and students.

- ANI
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has arrived in Munich for a three-day official visit aimed at deepening strategic and defence ties with Germany. He will hold talks with German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, with discussions focusing on industrial collaboration and emerging technologies like AI and cybersecurity. Key outcomes are expected to include the signing of a Defence Industrial Cooperation Roadmap and an arrangement for UN Peacekeeping training. The visit, the first by an Indian defence minister to Germany in seven years, also aims to promote joint development and co-production under the 'Make-in-India' initiative.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh begins a 3-day visit to Germany for talks with Boris Pistorius, focusing on industrial collaboration and new defence tech.

Munich, April 21 Defence Minister Rajnath Singh arrived in Munich on Tuesday to commence a three-day official visit to Germany, aimed at deepening strategic ties and military engagement between the two nations. The visit underscores the growing importance of the Indo-German partnership in the global security landscape.

In a post on X, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence confirmed the arrival, stating, "Raksha Mantri Shri @rajnathsingh arrived in Munich, Germany today on an official visit from April 21-23. During the visit, he will hold bilateral talks with German Defence Minister Mr Boris Pistorius and other senior leaders to further strengthen #IndiaGermany #defencecooperation."

Building on this momentum, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) noted that discussions between the two leaders will focus on enhancing defence industrial collaboration and strengthening military-to-military engagements. The talks are also expected to explore opportunities in emerging domains such as cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and drones.

In a significant step towards formalising these ties, a Defence Industrial Cooperation Roadmap and an implementing arrangement for cooperation in UN Peacekeeping Operations Training are likely to be signed in the presence of Rajnath Singh and Germany's Defence Minister Boris Pistorius.

This diplomatic engagement further provides a critical opportunity to review ongoing defence cooperation initiatives while identifying new avenues for collaboration between the defence industries of both countries. To this end, Rajnath Singh is also expected to interact with key representatives of the German defence industry, with a view to promoting joint development and co-production under the 'Make-in-India' initiative.

The significance of the trip is highlighted by the fact that this visit of the Defence Minister, as per the MoD, comes after a gap of seven years. The last ministerial-level visit was by Nirmala Sitharaman in February 2019, and this journey serves as a reciprocal engagement to the one in June 2023, when Germany's Defence Minister Boris Pistorius visited India for extensive talks.

These high-level exchanges reflect how India and Germany share a strong and multifaceted strategic partnership, anchored in democratic values, the rule of law, and a shared commitment to a rule-based international order. Consequently, defence and security cooperation has emerged as an important pillar of this partnership in recent years.

Ultimately, as per the MoD, the fundamental objective of the visit is to further deepen bilateral ties and contribute to regional and global peace, stability, and prosperity.

- ANI
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh interacted with the Indian community in Berlin, praising them as a bridge between India and Germany. He highlighted Indias rapid economic growth, technological progress, and the Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision. Singh addressed the German Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence, focusing on strategic partnership and defence collaboration. He also paid tribute to Rabindranath Tagore at Humboldt University and is set to hold talks with German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in Berlin highlights Indias economic growth, Aatmanirbhar Bharat, and diaspora as a bridge. Meets German officials for defence ties.

Berlin, April 22 Defence Minister Rajnath Singh interacted with the members of the Indian community in Berlin and praised them for acting as a "strongest bridge" between the two countries, with contributions spanning across business, technology, healthcare, academia, and arts.

He spoke about India's rapid economic growth and technological progress and mentioned advances in infrastructure, start-ups, space, and digital innovation. He stated that the Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision is aimed at strengthening domestic capabilities, boosting manufacturing, and reducing dependence on imports.

Stressing that India's stature has grown on the global stage under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, he said, "Earlier, India's words at the international fora were not heeded; but today, the whole world listens carefully," he said. He exhorted the Indians in Germany to promote India's perspective globally and deepen economic ties.

He highlighted that 2026 marks 75 years of diplomatic relations with Germany, which is built on trust, mutual respect, and shared democratic values. He urged the Indian community members to continue contributing to a stronger India-Germany partnership while staying rooted in their own heritage. He reaffirmed the commitment towards the diaspora by assuring the Indian government's continued support and security to its citizens living in different parts of the world.

In a post on X, Rajnath Singh stated, "Delighted to interact with the members of Indian community in Berlin. The Indian diaspora is the Living Bridge between India and Germany and it has evolved into a strong force in the recent years. During my interaction, I underlined India's rapid economic growth and technological progress including areas like infrastructure, startups, space, and digital innovation."

On Tuesday, Singh addressed the German Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence and Security, with discussion focused on India-Germany strategic partnership and the recently signed India-EU strategic and defence partnership agreement.

"Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh today addressed the German Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence and Security. He was received by Mr Thomas Roewekamp, Member of Parliament and Chairman of the Committee. The discussion centred around India-Germany strategic partnership and the recently signed India-EU strategic and defence partnership agreement. The two sides also shared their perspectives on important regional and global issues," Office of Defence Minister posted on X.

Rajnath Singh also paid tribute to Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore at Humboldt University in Berlin. The Defence Minister arrived in Berlin for a three-day visit to Germany.

In a post on X, the Directorate of Public Relations, Ministry of Defence, stated, "Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh arrived in Berlin today on a three-day official visit to Germany. He was flown in a Special German Air Force aircraft, escorted by fighter jets from Munich to Berlin, and accorded military honours upon arrival."

During his visit, Rajnath Singh is set to hold talks with his German counterpart, Boris Pistorius, and other senior leaders of the government.

Discussions will focus on increasing defence-industrial collaboration, strengthening military-to-military engagements, and exploring opportunities in emerging sectors like cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and drones, according to the Ministry of Defence.

A Defence Industrial Cooperation Roadmap and Implementing Arrangement for Cooperation in UN Peacekeeping Operations Training are likely to be signed in the presence of both ministers.

"The visit will provide an opportunity to review the ongoing defence cooperation initiatives and identify new avenues for collaboration between the defence industries of both countries. Shri Rajnath Singh is also expected to interact with key representatives of the German defence industry, with a view to promoting joint development and co-production under the Make-in-India initiative," the Ministry of Defence statement said.

- IANS
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh visited the TKMS submarine manufacturing facility in Kiel, Germany, accompanied by his German counterpart. He described the tour as insightful for understanding modern submarine construction and maritime technologies. The visit included high-level talks in Berlin, resulting in the signing of a Defence Industrial Roadmap and an agreement on UN Peacekeeping cooperation. Both nations agreed to deepen defence collaboration, focusing on co-development and enhancing their strategic partnership.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh visits TKMS submarine facility in Germany, holds talks with Boris Pistorius to deepen defence cooperation and technology sharing.

New Delhi, April 22 Defence Minister Rajnath Singh visited the TKMS submarine building facility in Kiel, Germany, during his ongoing official visit, where he was briefed on advanced Naval technologies and capabilities.

He was accompanied by German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius during the visit to the shipbuilding facility, which is known for manufacturing cutting-edge submarines.

In a post on X, the Defence Minister on Wednesday described the visit as "insightful", highlighting the technological advancements and operational capabilities showcased at the facility.

He noted that the interaction provided a closer understanding of modern submarine construction and developments in the maritime domain, which are increasingly significant in the context of global security and strategic cooperation.

The visit included a tour of the submarine yard and interactions with officials, during which aspects related to design, engineering, and deployment capabilities were explained.

Photographs shared by him showed the Defence Minister at the dockyard with senior officials from India and Germany, interacting with his counterparts and being briefed on various features of the platform.

He said that such engagements would be mutually beneficial in strengthening cooperation between the two countries in the maritime domain.

The visit comes amid growing defence ties between India and Germany, with a focus on technology sharing, joint development, and strengthening naval capabilities.

India has been looking to enhance its submarine fleet and overall maritime strength, and engagements with countries like Germany are part of that broader strategic effort.

Earlier on Wednesday, Rajnath Singh held a meeting with his German counterpart Boris Pistorius in Berlin, discussing deepening defence cooperation and tackling emerging geopolitical challenges.

The two ministers discussed bilateral security and defence issues, including priority areas for co-development and co-production of defence equipment, especially in the field of niche technologies. They also reaffirmed the commitment to enhance military-to-military cooperation as a key pillar of the Strategic Partnership, according to a statement released by the Ministry of Defence.

India and Germany also signed Defence Industrial Roadmap and Implementing Arrangement for Cooperation in UN Peacekeeping.

"Delighted to meet Mr. Boris Pistorius, Federal Minister of Defence, Germany in Berlin. Exchanged views on a wide range of issues including deepening our defence cooperation and tackling emerging geopolitical challenges. Witnessed signing of the Defence Industrial Roadmap and Implementing Arrangement for Cooperation in UN Peacekeeping," Rajnath Singh posted on X.

The Defence Minister termed his visit to Germany as a symbol of deep friendship, synergy and trust.

Rajnath Singh mentioned that the recent India-EU Security and Defence Partnership marks a significant step in deepening the collective engagement. The two ministers agreed to leverage this framework, bilaterally and in the wider European context for tangible outcomes that will strengthen regional stability, enhance joint capabilities, and reinforce the enduring Indo-German strategic alignment.

- IANS
The Himachal Pradesh government has postponed implementing a revised tariff for select guest house rooms until its online booking portal, Himatithi, is upgraded. Until the technical update is complete, the existing tariff structure notified in February 2025 will remain in effect. The move affects specific rooms in properties in New Delhi, Chandigarh, and Shimla, with prices for 24 rooms set to rise from 1,200 to 4,000 per night for public online booking. The initiative aims to streamline the booking process, eliminate prior approvals, and improve transparency and public access.

Revised tariff for select Himachal guest house rooms postponed until online booking portal is upgraded. Existing rates remain in effect for now.

Shimla, April 22 The Himachal Pradesh Government has said that the revised tariff for select rooms in its guest house properties will be implemented only after the online booking portal is upgraded, with existing rates continuing in the interim.

Secretary, General Administration Department (GAD), Ashish Singhmar, said the enhanced rates for identified rooms will come into force once the Himatithi portal is fully updated to accommodate the changes.

"We have introduced the revised tariff structure as part of efforts to make government accommodations more accessible and transparent. However, the new rates will become operative only after the online portal is updated. Till then, the existing tariffs will continue," Singhmar said.

The government had earlier decided to increase the tariff of 24 rooms from 1,200 to 4,000 per night under a 20 per cent quota to be opened for online booking by the general public.

Officials clarified that until the technical upgrades in the booking system are completed, the current tariff structure, as notified on February 5, 2025, will remain applicable across all properties, including Himachal Bhawan and Himachal Sadan in New Delhi, Himachal Bhawan in Chandigarh, and Willy's Park Circuit House in Shimla.

Singhmar said the initiative is aimed at streamlining the booking process and eliminating the need for prior approvals. "Earlier, bookings required daily approvals from GAD, but with the online system, people will be able to book rooms directly in a transparent manner," he added.

As part of the rollout, specific rooms at each location have been identified for direct online booking. At Himachal Bhawan in New Delhi, rooms numbered 405, 406, 407, 307, 308, 309 and 310 will be available at the revised tariff. At Himachal Sadan in New Delhi, rooms 303, 304, 101 and 102 have been included under the scheme.

Similarly, at Himachal Bhawan in Chandigarh, rooms 202, 203, 204, 107, 108 and 109 will be offered under the online booking system, while at Willy's Park Circuit House in Shimla, rooms 512, 514, 523, 411 and 414 have been designated for public booking at 4,000 per night.

The GAD further detailed that Himachal Bhawan in New Delhi has a total of 50 rooms, out of which 29 are under its control, while Himachal Sadan has 19 rooms, all managed by the department. In Chandigarh, Himachal Bhawan has 29 rooms under GAD, and at Willy's Park Circuit House in Shimla, 49 rooms are managed by the department.

The move is part of the government's broader push to digitise services and ensure better utilisation of public infrastructure. Once operational, the updated portal will allow users to book designated rooms online at the revised tariff, improving ease of access for the general public.

- ANI
RSS Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat participated in the Prana Pratishtha ceremony of the Maa Chinmayi Soundarya Temple in Tripura's Mohanpur. The event was attended by Governor Indra Sena Reddy Nallu, Governor Jishnu Dev Varma, and Chief Minister Manik Saha. The temple features a unique 15-foot black granite idol and 27 pillars inscribed with verses from the Soundarya Lahari, symbolizing the 27 Nakshatras. With its open design and traditional rituals performed by priests from Nepal, the site is poised to become a major spiritual and cultural center.

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat joined Tripura CM Manik Saha and governors for the Prana Pratishtha of a unique 15-foot granite idol temple in Mohanpur.

Agartala, April 21 Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat on Tuesday participated in the Prana Pratishtha ceremony of the Maa Chinmayi Soundarya Temple at Mohanpur in West Tripura.

The consecration ceremony, held at Fakira Mura in Mohanpur, was also attended by Tripura Governor Indra Sena Reddy Nallu, Governor of Maharashtra Jishnu Dev Varma, and Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha, among other dignitaries. The event coincided with the observance of Adi Shankaracharya Jayanti.

Taking to X, Chief Minister Saha wrote: "Today, in the august presence of the revered Sarsanghchalak of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, Shri Mohan Bhagwat Ji, at Mohanpur, I participated in the consecration and sacred Kumbhabhisheka ceremony of the statue of Ma Soundarya Chinmoyee, crafted from a single granite stone measuring 15 feet in height, installed in the grounds of Chinmoy Mission School."

He added, "In this open and enchanting environment, surrounding this statue are 27 pillars adorned with verses from Shri Adi Shankaracharya's immortal Soundarya Lahari and valuable teachings, which will help foster the development of auspicious thoughts and reflections on our cosmic connection."

"I believe that this sacred site will, in the days to come, be regarded as one of the foremost centres for spiritual, contemplative, devotional, and cultural inspiration, alongside education," the Chief Minister said.

According to Amit Rakshit, President of the Chinmaya Seva Trust under Chinmaya Mission International, both the Prana Pratishtha and Kumbha Abhishekam rituals were conducted during the event, which is expected to draw devotees and spiritual seekers from across the region.

Rakshit noted that the temple is a unique spiritual structure dedicated to Maa Tripura Sundari. Constructed using 27 black stone pillars sourced from Tamil Nadu, the design symbolises the 27 Nakshatras of Hindu astrology.

Notably, the temple has no conventional roof, representing an open connection with the divine. At the sanctum stands a 15-foot black stone idol of the deity, accompanied by a smaller idol modelled after the famed Tripura Sundari Temple for daily worship.

The temple complex also features inscriptions of Saundarya Lahari and other devotional texts, adding to its spiritual and cultural significance. Priests from Nepal, selected through a rigorous process, officiated the rituals to ensure authenticity and adherence to tradition.

Tuesday's ceremony marked a significant moment in Tripura's spiritual landscape, blending devotion, heritage, and architectural elegance. With national leaders and spiritual figures in attendance, Fakira Mura is poised to emerge as a focal point of faith and cultural pride.

- IANS
Television actress Rupali Ganguly marked the one-year anniversary of the Pahalgam terror attack, stating that public anger over the loss of innocent lives remains alive. She posted a tribute on social media, vowing that India will never forget the victims. Actress Isha Koppikar also shared a remembrance post, noting the lingering silence from that day. Ganguly previously criticized those who remained silent during Operation Sindoor, a military response to the attack, urging public support for the armed forces.

Actress Rupali Ganguly says anger persists one year after the Pahalgam terror attack, remembering victims and praising Operation Sindoor.

Mumbai, April 22 It has been a year since the horrific Pahalgam massacre.

Taking to her official social media handle, renowned television actress Rupali Ganguly said that despite a year having passed by, the anger is still alive in the hearts of the citizens for the innocent lives lost in the terrorist attack.



The 'Anupamaa' actress wrote on her X (Earlier known as Twitter) handle, "One year after the Pahalgam terror attack, the anger is still alive. Innocents were hunted, identities were targeted. We remember them today, with grief and with resolve. India will never forget. #PahalgamAttack (sic)."



Additionally, actress Isha Koppikar also remembered the victims of the Pahalgam attack with a social media post that read, "Time may have moved forward, but the silence of that day still lingers...(sic)"



"A year later...still felt, still remembered", she added the caption.



In June last year, Rupali took a dig at those who kept mum during Operation Sindoor, a surgical strike carried out by the Indian Forces in response to the Pahalgam attack.



Speaking to IANS, she said, "Operation Sindoor is a matter of pride for every Indian. Whether it is fully successful or still ongoing, it is a very proud feeling."



"And at this time, anyone who has not stood with the government of India or with our Indian Army, who has not encouraged them despite having access to social media, if you haven't tweeted a few words or posted something encouraging on social media all day, then you're not doing much. You may not be able to do much, but your soldiers are posted at the border fighting for the safety of your family. So, at least you can say a few words about them, about their courage and determination. You can put it out on social media. At least you can show that you stand with your country and with your army," added Rupali.





- IANS
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge led tributes to the 26 victims of the 2025 Pahalgam terror attack, stating the nation's spirit remains unbroken against terrorism. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Prime Minister Narendra Modi also paid homage, reaffirming India's firm and decisive response to such threats. The attack, carried out by Pakistan-backed terrorists, prompted India to launch Operation Sindoor, targeting terror infrastructure across the border. The subsequent military escalation culminated in a ceasefire agreement following DGMO-level talks.

Leaders pay homage on Pahalgam attack anniversary. Kharge says sacrifice 'etched in nation's conscience'. Modi, Rajnath Singh affirm India's unwavering resolve against terrorism.

New Delhi, April 22 Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday paid tribute to the victims of the 2025 Pahalgam terror attack, asserting that the nation remains united, resilient, and determined against terrorism as India marked the first anniversary of the tragedy that claimed the lives of 26 tourists.

In a post on X, Kharge expressed deep condolences to the families of the victims and reaffirmed that their sacrifice will never be forgotten, also saluting the courage and valour of the Armed Forces and acknowledged the sacrifices made during subsequent security operations.

"My humble tribute to the 26 citizens who lost their lives during the Pahalgam terror attack on this day in 2025. The nation will never forget nor forgive the sacrifices of innocent citizens. Our thoughts and prayers remain with the bereaved families who lost their loved ones. We salute the valour and sacrifice of our brave Armed Forces, who fought with unbridled determination and fortitude during Operation Sindoor. We also remember our citizens at the border who lost their precious lives due to cross-border shelling. Their sacrifice is etched in the conscience of the nation. The spirit of India stands unbroken, resolute and united against every act of terrorism," Kharge said.

Meanwhile, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also paid homage to the victims, reiterating that India's response to terrorism remains "firm, decisive and unwavering." He emphasised that the country would not forget the wounds inflicted by the attack and would continue to act strongly against threats to national unity.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also remembered the victims, stating that the nation stands united in grief and determination. "India will never bow to any form of terror. The heinous designs of terrorists will never succeed," he said in a post.

The April 22, 2025, terror attack in Pahalgam, a popular tourist destination in Jammu and Kashmir, had shocked the nation after Pakistan-backed terrorists killed 26 civilians in a targeted assault reportedly based on religious identity.

In response, India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, 2025, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). The operation destroyed multiple terror launchpads linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and Hizbul Mujahideen.

The subsequent escalation saw cross-border shelling and drone attacks, followed by a ceasefire agreement on May 10 after DGMO-level talks.

- ANI
Comedian Samay Rainas special Still Alive has set a global record with 53.4 million YouTube views. Released on April 7, 2026, it crossed 22 million views in its first 24 hours. Raina describes it as his most honest work, made after the controversy surrounding his show Indias Got Latent. He returned to the stage in August 2025 with a world tour following legal troubles.

Samay Rainas comedy special Still Alive hits 53.4M YouTube views, a world record. He calls it his most honest work after the Indias Got Latent controversy.

Mumbai, April 22 Comedian Samay Raina, who is getting a lot of positive response to his recently released comedy special 'Still Alive', has called it an honest effort towards his craft.

The comedy special was released on April 7, 2026, and has crossed 53.4 million views on YouTube, setting a new global record as the most-watched full-length stand-up comedy special in the world, by total views on a single upload.

Talking about the comedy special, he said, "Still Alive is the most honest thing I have ever made. I owe every view to the people who never stopped showing up".

'Still Alive' recorded over 22 million views within its first 24 hours, an extraordinary debut for any long-form content, let alone a stand-up special. Within a week of release, the special had crossed 48 million views. Today, at 53.4 million views, it stands alone at the top of the global leaderboard for full-length stand-up comedy, on any platform, anywhere in the world.

The special captures the comedian's journey in its most raw and unfiltered form. It is not a set about someone who survived a scandal. It is a set about someone, who chose to be exactly who he is, honest, sharp, dark when it needs to be, and genuinely funny. The special comes a year after the controversy that unfolded on the sets of his show 'India's Got Latent', which invited backlash and legal trouble for the comedian.

The controversy erupted after a remark made by podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia. The episode went viral, triggering a cascade of FIRs across multiple states, summons from the National Commission for Women, an inquiry by the Maharashtra Cyber Cell, and intervention that reached the Supreme Court of India. Samay Raina took down every episode from YouTube, and co-operated with authorities including a six-hour interrogation session at the Maharashtra Cyber Cell in Navi Mumbai.

Then, in August 2025, he returned to the Stage with the Still Alive & Unfiltered India tour commenced in Bengaluru and Bharat Mandapam in Delhi, Talkatora Stadium. The tour then went global Europe, Australia, and the USA.

- IANS
Sameera Reddy marks her return to cinema with the role of Professor Pallavi Menon in the upcoming drama "Aakhri Sawal." She sought a comeback that was fearless and provocative, aiming to spark debate rather than offer comfort. The film, presented by Nikhil Nanda and directed by Abhijeet Mohan Warang, delves into a heated academic dispute that escalates into a national debate. It is scheduled for release on May 8, 2024.

Actress Sameera Reddy discusses her bold return in Sanjay Dutt's "Aakhri Sawal," a film challenging beliefs and sparking national debate.

Mumbai, April 22 Actress Sameera Reddy will be seen essaying the role of Professor Pallavi Menon in Sanjay Dutt's much-awaited drama, "Aakhri Sawal".

Reflecting on her return to the big screen after a long time, she revealed that she wanted to make her comeback with something that is not safe but ends up sparking debate, and "Aakhri Sawal" does just that.



Sameera said, "I didn't step back into films to play it safe, and Aakhiri Sawal is far from comfortable. My understanding of RSS was limited and largely shaped by half-knowledge, but after reading the script, I realised how much of it didn't add up. That realisation stayed with me."



"This isn't a film that reassures you -it unsettles you, challenges your beliefs, and pushes you to question what you've always accepted. I wanted my return to stand for something fearless, something that sparks debate, and this does exactly that," she went on to add.



The makers unveiled the teaser of the film on the occasion of Hanuman Jayanti this year, providing a glimpse into the history of the world's largest voluntary organization, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.



"Aakhri Sawaal" narrates the journey of Vicky, a brilliant but volatile scholar, who accuses his mentor, Professor Gopal Nadkarni, of bias after his thesis is rejected. What starts as a simple academic dispute soon transforms into a nationally televised debate.



Made under the direction of National Award-winning filmmaker Abhijeet Mohan Warang, "Aakhri Sawal" is being presented by Nikhil Nanda.



Produced by Nikhil Nanda and Sanjay Dutt, and co-produced by Puneet Nanda, Dr. Deepak Singh, Gaurav Dubey, and Ujjwal Anand, the story, screenplay, and dialogues of the drama have been provided by Utkarsh Naithani.



"Aakhri Sawaal" is scheduled to hit the cinema halls on May 8 this year.



Sameera last graced the screen with the 2012 release "Tezz", starring Anil Kapoor, Ajay Devgn, and Kangana Ranaut as the core cast.





- IANS
Sheeba Chadha expressed her admiration for co-star Timothy Spall on Instagram, sharing images and a personal note from him. The two actors worked together in a 2025 film adaptation of Hamlet, with Chadha playing Gertrude and Spall as Polonius. Timothy Spall is renowned for his collaborations with director Mike Leigh and his role as Peter Pettigrew in the Harry Potter series. Sheeba Chadha is a celebrated character actor in Indian cinema and television.

Sheeba Chadha shares her experience working with British star Timothy Spall in a new Hamlet adaptation, calling it unbelievable.

Mumbai, April 21 Sheeba Chadha shared a picture with British star Timothy Spall and penned that she cannot believe she got to work with the actor, who is known for his performance in films such as Home Sweet Home, Life is Sweet and Secrets & Lies.

Sheeba took to Instagram, where she shared a string of images with Spall, including a letter message penned by him, which mentioned: "Dearest Sheeba. It has been a delight to work with you in this unique and challenging Hamlet!" and hopes to "cross paths" with her again in the "future."

She wrote: "Spoils of #Hamlet His humongousness as a Performer His Rigour His Artistic integrity His Kindness His Generosity Cannot believe I got to work with #timothyspall."

Sheeba and Spall worked in the 2025 film adaptation of Hamlet directed by Aneil Karia. The actress essayed Gertrude, while the British star played Polonius.

Talking about the British star, Spall rose to prominence for his collaborations with director Mike Leigh, acting in six of his films: Home Sweet Home, Life is Sweet, Secrets & Lies, Topsy-Turvy, All or Nothing, and Mr. Turner.

Spall has acted in films such as Hamlet, Still Crazy, Nicholas Nickleby, The Last Samurai, Enchanted, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, The Damned United, The King's Speech, Ginger and Rosa, Denial, The Party, and Spencer.

He voiced Nick the rat in Chicken Run, and portrayed Peter Pettigrew (Wormtail) in five Harry Potter film series films, from Prisoner of Azkaban to Deathly Hallows - Part 1.

Talking about the 52-year-old actress, Sheeba has acted as a character actor in films like Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Parzania, Delhi 6, Luck by Chance and Talaash. She played the role of Nirmala, a sex worker, in Talaash: The Answer Lies Within. She received wide acclaim for her quirky portrayal of Nain Tara Tiwary (Buaji) in Sharat Katariya's Dum Laga Ke Haisha.

Her early appearance on television was in Love Marriage, after which she made a comeback in Kasturi. This was followed by popular series such as Na Aana Is Des Laado, Kitani Mohabbat Hai, Kahani Saat Pheron Ki, Kuch Toh Log Kahenge and Lakhon Mein Ek. She later joined the cast of the popular television series Hitler Didi.

- IANS
Senior JD(U) leader Shravan Kumar has been appointed the leader of the party's legislature party in Bihar, ending days of speculation. The appointment was formally endorsed by former Chief Minister and party national president Nitish Kumar, who was authorized by the legislature party to select the leader. A veteran and trusted associate of Nitish Kumar, Shravan Kumar has been an MLA from Nalanda since 1995 and is considered an influential figure within the ruling NDA alliance. While not chosen as Deputy Chief Minister, he is expected to be given a significant role in the upcoming cabinet expansion.

Veteran leader Shravan Kumar appointed JD(U) Legislature Party leader with Nitish Kumar's endorsement, ending speculation over key Bihar role.

Patna, April 21 Ending days of speculation, the Janata Dal on Tuesday appointed senior leader and former minister Shravan Kumar as the leader of its legislature party in Bihar.

The decision followed a meeting of the JD(U) Legislature Party held on Monday, April 20, during which members authorised former Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to select the leader. Acting on this mandate, Kumar formally endorsed Shravan Kumar for the role on Tuesday.

Currently in Rajgir, Shravan Kumar expressed gratitude over the appointment, stating, "I will discharge the responsibility entrusted to me by National President Nitish Kumar with complete sincerity."

A veteran leader, Shravan Kumar represents the Nalanda constituency and is regarded as one of Nitish Kumar's closest and most trusted associates. He has been continuously elected as an MLA from Nalanda since 1995 and secured his eighth consecutive victory in 2025.

Shravan Kumar has been associated with Nitish Kumar since the days of the Samata Party and has played a key organisational role within JD(U). He previously served as the Chief Whip in the Bihar Legislative Assembly and has often acted as a crucial link between the government and the party structure.

Within the ruling NDA alliance in Bihar -- currently led by Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary -- Shravan Kumar is considered an influential figure. He has played an important role in electoral strategy as well as legislative coordination.

In earlier governments led by Nitish Kumar, he held the Rural Development portfolio and was entrusted with multiple departments at different times.

There had been speculation that Shravan Kumar might be appointed Deputy Chief Minister in the current NDA government. However, Vijay Kumar Chaudhary and Vijendra Prasad Yadav were eventually chosen for the posts from the JD(U) quota.

Despite this, Shravan Kumar is expected to be given a significant role in the upcoming cabinet expansion.

For now, his appointment as JD(U) Legislature Party leader has been formalised, with the party issuing an official notification informing the Bihar Legislative Assembly.

- IANS
Solidarity marches were held in J&K's Karnah and Gurez border towns to mark the anniversary of the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people. Over 2,000 students participated in marches condemning terrorism and honoring victims. A rally in Gurez paid tribute to local hero Adil Hussain Shah, who was killed protecting tourists. BJP activists also held a short rally calling for peace and national unity.

Over 2,000 students in Karnah and Gurez march to mark Pahalgam terror attack anniversary, condemning terrorism and honoring 26 victims.

Srinagar, April 22 Solidarity marches were taken out on Wednesday in Karnah and Gurez border towns of Jammu and Kashmir to mark the anniversary of the dastardly Pahalgam terror attack on innocent people by Pakistan-based terrorists in which 26 people were killed.

Over 2,000 students across Karnah Sub Division joined powerful solidarity marches in memory of the 26 victims of the Pahalgam terror attack, also marking the anniversary of 'Operation Sindoor'.

Students from government and private schools marched at AGS Hajinar, GDC Kandi & AGS Tithwal, condemning terrorism and standing firmly with the nation, the Armed Forces, and bereaved families.

Their spirited participation reflects the voice of a young generation that rejects violence, stands for democracy, and believes in a peaceful, progressive and prosperous J&K.

The unwavering commitment of the Indian Armed Forces continues to inspire confidence, security, and hope across the region. Terror and propaganda can never defeat unity, patriotism, and national resolve.

A mega rally was organised on Wednesday in the border area of Gurez, Bandipora to mark the first anniversary of the Pahalgam terror attack. The rally was held to pay rich tributes to the victims of the tragic incident, including local pony operator Adil Hussain Shah who was killed by the terrorists for trying to protect the tourists.

A large number of students, civilians, hoteliers, and members of civil society participated in the rally, expressing solidarity with the bereaved families and reaffirming their stand against terrorism.

Participants carried banners and placards condemning terrorism and paid homage to those who lost their lives in the attack. The event reflected the collective resolve of the people of Gurez to uphold peace and reject violence in all its forms.

A short rally was also taken out by BJP activists led by local party leader, Altaf Thakur. Party activists called for peace and unity in the nation while reaffirming their resolve to fight terrorism and uphold the values of the nation.

A solemn memorial ceremony was also held at Pahalgam to pay tribute to terror victims and express solidarity with the families.

- IANS
President Droupadi Murmu expressed condolences on the first anniversary of the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 tourists. She asserted that such acts will not weaken India's commitment to peace and unity. Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge also paid tribute, with Kharge stating the nation remains united against terrorism. Around 2000 students held solidarity marches in Tangdhar, while Vice President CP Radhakrishnan reaffirmed the resolve to fight terrorism.

President Droupadi Murmu, Rahul Gandhi, and leaders pay tribute to 26 Pahalgam victims. India reaffirms commitment to defeat terrorism on first anniversary.

New Delhi, April 22 President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday expressed her deepest condolences to the families of the victims on the first anniversary of the Pahalgam terror attack, asserting that such acts of violence would not weaken India's commitment to peace.

President of India Droupadi Murmu, in a post on X, said, "I pay heartfelt tribute to the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack. The tragic loss of innocent lives in that heinous act remains etched in our collective memory. I express my deepest condolences to the bereaved families. The entire nation stands with them. Such acts of terror cannot deter our unwavering commitment to peace and unity. We remain resolute in our determination to defeat terrorism everywhere in all its forms."

Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi paid his respects to the victims of the Pahalgam terrorist attack on its first anniversary, stating that the country will never forgive those responsible for this dastardly act, and the grief of the martyrs' families is the grief of us all

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday also paid tribute to the victims of the 2025 Pahalgam terror attack, asserting that the nation remains united, resilient, and determined against terrorism as India marked the first anniversary of the tragedy that claimed the lives of 26 tourists.

On Wednesday, marking the first anniversary of the 22nd April 2025, the Pahalgam terrorist attack, around 2000 students and members of the civil society took out solidarity marches in Tangdhar.

Students were seen holding the national flag of India and posters in hand written "Stop terror attack", "We condemn attack on tourists" and "We stand for innocent tourists".

Students from Shiksha Niketan High School gathered to pay tribute to the 26 innocent lives lost in the Pahalgam attack. The event also coincided with Earth Day, highlighting the dual themes of mourning the victims of terrorism and celebrating Mother Earth while addressing plastic pollution.

While paying tribute to the victims, a student said that on this day last year, several families lost their loved ones. Kashmir, often referred to as "heaven on earth," was struck by a terror attack that claimed innocent lives.

Earlier, Vice President CP Radhakrishnan on Wednesday paid tribute to the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack and reaffirmed the country's resolve to fight terrorism in all its forms, marking one year since the deadly incident that claimed 26 lives.

The April 22, 2025, terror attack in Pahalgam, a popular tourist destination in Jammu and Kashmir, had shocked the nation after Pakistan-backed terrorists killed 26 civilians in a targeted assault reportedly based on religious identity.

In response, India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, 2025, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). The operation destroyed multiple terror launchpads linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and Hizbul Mujahideen.

The subsequent escalation saw cross-border shelling and drone attacks, followed by a ceasefire agreement on May 10 after DGMO-level talks.

- ANI
Israeli Ambassador Reuven Azar led global tributes on the first anniversary of the Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 civilians in Kashmir in April 2025. Envoys from Argentina, South Korea, and Australia joined in solidarity, condemning terrorism and calling for perpetrators to be brought to justice. The attack prompted India's decisive military response, 'Operation Sindoor,' which targeted terror launchpads across the border. India also took non-military measures, including terminating the Indus Waters Treaty and bilateral trade with Pakistan.

Israeli Envoy Reuven Azar leads global remembrance for Pahalgam terror attack victims, as nations condemn terrorism and affirm solidarity with India.

New Delhi, April 22 Israeli Ambassador to India, Reuven Azar, led the global remembrance of the barbaric terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, as the international community reaffirmed its solidarity with New Delhi on the first anniversary of the deadly strike that occurred in April 2025.

In a video message shared on X, the Ambassador paid tribute to the victims, stating, "Today, India marks one year since the barbaric terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, where 26 innocent lives were lost." Conveying his condolences to the bereaved, Azar added, "On behalf of Israel, I extend our deepest condolences to the families of the victims and to the people of India. We stand with you in grief and in solidarity."

Drawing a parallel between the security challenges faced by both nations, the envoy highlighted that "this pain is deeply familiar" following the events of 7 October. "This attack reminds us that terror has no borders," he noted, asserting that New Delhi and Jerusalem remain "committed to confronting this threat together with resolve and determination."

The 22 April 2025 attack, which saw Pakistan-backed terrorists strike the scenic tourist town in Jammu and Kashmir, remains a grim milestone that has drawn continued global condemnation.

Argentine Ambassador to India, Mariano Caucino, joined the remembrance on X, marking "one year since the tragedy of the Pahalgam terror attack against India." He conveyed a tribute on behalf of the Argentine people, stating that the victims "shall never be forgotten," and reaffirmed his nation's stance in "condemning terror in all its forms."

The global assembly of support further included Kyunghoon Kim, Head of the India and South Asia Team at the Korea Institute for International Economic Policy, who highlighted the recently announced "Joint Strategic Vision for the India-ROK Special Strategic Partnership." Kim noted that both sides have called for the "perpetrators, organisers, and financiers to be brought to justice without further delay" and agreed to enhance cooperation to "root out terrorists' safe havens."

Australia's High Commissioner to India, Philip Green, echoed these sentiments, stating that Canberra joins its "Indian friends & colleagues" to honour the victims and their families. "Australia stands against terrorism in all its forms," Green posted on X, as various nations renewed calls for enhanced cooperation against cross-border threats.

The attack occurred when terrorists entered a village in Pahalgam and killed 26 civilians. In a chilling detail of the cross-border communal attack, the assailants reportedly questioned the victims about their religion before killing them.

The killings prompted a decisive military response from the Indian armed forces in the form of 'Operation Sindoor'. Launched on 7 May 2025, the operation saw Indian armed forces strike terror infrastructure across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK).

Official details confirm that Indian forces destroyed nine major terror launchpads linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and Hizbul Mujahideen, eliminating over 100 terrorists. This led to a four-day conflict involving drone attacks and shelling, during which India conducted retaliatory strikes, destroying radar installations in Lahore and near Gujranwala.

Following the heavy damage inflicted by Indian forces, a ceasefire was agreed on 10 May after Pakistan's Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) contacted the Indian DGMO.

The security forces subsequently achieved further success with 'Operation Mahadev', a joint effort that tracked down and eliminated three terrorists directly involved in the Pahalgam attack. Alongside these military actions, India took stringent non-military steps, including the termination of the Indus Waters Treaty and all bilateral trade with Pakistan.

- ANI
Tesla has launched the six-seater Model Y L in India at a starting price of Rs 61.99 lakh. The electric SUV offers a driving range of up to 681 km and can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.0 seconds. Deliveries are expected to begin from June 2026 across India, with public viewing starting April 23. The vehicle features premium amenities including an 18-speaker audio system, adaptive suspension, and a three-row six-seat configuration.

Tesla launches six-seater Model Y L in India at Rs 61.99 lakh. Features 681 km range, premium cabin, deliveries from June 2026.

New Delhi, April 22 Tesla on Wednesday unveiled the new six-seater Model Y L in India, expanding its local portfolio with a family-focused electric SUV designed for space, comfort and performance. The launch took place at the Ballard Pier Downtown Experience Centre, with online bookings opening immediately on the company's official website.

The Model Y L will be available for public viewing starting April 23, 2026, at Tesla's experience centres in key locations, including Bandra Kurla Complex in Mumbai, Aerocity in Delhi and Gurugram. The company said deliveries are expected to begin from June 2026 across India.

Positioned as a premium family vehicle, the Model Y L offers a claimed driving range of up to 681 km (WLTP) and can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.0 seconds. It features a three-row, six-seat configuration with a focus on maximizing cabin space, comfort and versatility. The second-row captain seats come equipped with powered armrests, ventilation, heating and one-touch folding, while the third row offers power recline, climate control vents and easy-fold functionality.

The vehicle also emphasises ride comfort and refinement. It includes acoustic glass, an upgraded suspension system and adaptive damping technology to improve handling and reduce road vibrations.

A premium in-car experience is supported by an 18-speaker audio system with a subwoofer, along with connected features such as live traffic visualization, satellite-view maps, real-time camera access and streaming services including Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube and Netflix.

Tesla has priced the Model Y L starting at Rs 61.99 lakh, with financing options beginning at Rs 49,000 per month. The launch marks another step in Tesla's expansion in India, where the company is also strengthening its charging and service infrastructure.

Currently, Tesla operates five Supercharger stations in India, with a total of 20 Superchargers and 14 Wall Connectors. The company plans to add seven more Supercharger stations along major highways connecting cities such as Delhi, Chandigarh, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Pune, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Chennai.

On the service front, Tesla continues to rely on its direct-to-customer model, offering over-the-air software updates and remote diagnostics to minimise maintenance requirements.

- IANS
Arvind Kejriwal and PM Modi paid tribute to the 26 victims of the Pahalgam terror attack on its anniversary. Kejriwal called it a cowardly attack and praised Indian armed forces. PM Modi affirmed India's resolve against terrorism. India launched Operation Sindoor, destroying terror bases in Pakistan and PoJK.

Arvind Kejriwal and PM Modi honor 26 Pahalgam terror attack victims. India reaffirms resolve against terrorism after Operation Sindoor strikes.

New Delhi, April 22 Aam Aadmi Party National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday paid tribute to the victims of the Pakistan-backed terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam on this day last year, reaffirming India's resolve against terrorism.

In a post on X, Kejriwal described the incident as a "cowardly attack" and expressed grief over the loss of innocent lives, while also praising the Indian armed forces for their role in defending the nation.

"On this very day, cowardly terrorists had rained bullets down on innocent people in Pahalgam. My humble tribute to all the innocent citizens who lost their lives in this cowardly attack," Kejriwal wrote.

"Let the terrorists and those who harbour them know that India is a strong nation. Patriotism permeates every particle of this land. Our brave soldiers stand deployed in defence of Mother India. This country will never be weakened. The complete annihilation of terrorism is inevitable," he added.

Earlier in the day, the Indian Army reiterated its strong stance against terrorism, recalling the decisive military response under 'Operation Sindoor' and warning of assured retaliation for any acts against India.

On April 22, 2025, the nation was left shocked when terrorists struck the tourist town of Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir, entering a village and killing 26 civilians. Known as a tourist spot with scenic beauty, Pahalgam was rendered in blood as Pakistan-backed terrorists killed several innocent people.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to the victims in the Pahalgam terror attack, reiterating India's firm resolve to combat terrorism in all its forms.

In a post on X, the Prime Minister expressed solidarity with the bereaved families and affirmed that the country remains united in grief and determined to dismantle "the heinous designs of terrorists."

"Remembering the innocent lives lost in the gruesome Pahalgam terror attack on this day last year. They will never be forgotten. My thoughts are also with the bereaved families as they cope with this loss. As a nation, we stand united in grief and resolve. India will never bow to any form of terror. The heinous designs of terrorists will never succeed," the PM wrote.

As India mourned the loss, what followed was decisive action by the Indian armed forces in the form of Operation Sindoor. Indian armed forces struck terror bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK).

In the aftermath of the attack, India launched 'Operation Sindoor' on May 7, 2025, targeting terror infrastructure across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). According to official details, Indian armed forces destroyed nine major terror launchpads linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed and Hizbul Mujahideen, and eliminated over 100 terrorists during the operation.

What followed were drone attacks and shelling by Pakistan, which led to a four-day conflict between the two neighbouring countries. India showed formidable defence and conducted retaliatory strikes, destroying Radar installations in Lahore and Radar facilities near Gurjanwala.

- ANI
Visitors from Gujarat feel secure and welcome during their stay

Tourists visiting Kashmir have reported that the region feels safe and welcoming nearly one year after the Pahalgam terror attack. Visitors from Gujarat, including Sureshbhai Patel and Dr Piyush Panchal, said they felt secure and appreciated the peaceful atmosphere. The increased tourist movement is seen as a sign of gradual normalcy, with security forces deployed across key areas. Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to the victims and reiterated India's resolve to combat terrorism.

Tourists from Gujarat share positive experiences in Kashmir, saying the Valley feels safe and welcoming one year after the Pahalgam terror attack.

Srinagar, April 22 Tourists visiting Srinagar have shared their experience, saying that the region now feels safe and welcoming, with normalcy returning to the Valley nearly one year after the Pahalgam terror attack.

Speaking to ANI, visitors from different parts of the country shared their experiences of travelling in Kashmir, saying they felt secure during their stay and appreciated the overall atmosphere in the Valley.

A tourist from Gujarat, Sureshbhai Patel, who travelled from Gandhinagar, said the atmosphere in Kashmir felt reassuring during his visit.

He said, "I have come from Gandhinagar (Gujarat). The atmosphere here felt great. It felt like home. People should come here and enjoy."

"It has been a year since the terrorist attack (in Pahalgam). But now the atmosphere here is not scary. We felt safe everywhere. People here are good and cooperative," he added.

Another visitor, Dr Piyush Panchal from Ahmedabad, also highlighted the peaceful conditions and hospitality of locals.

"I have come here from Ahmedabad (Gujarat). The weather is so good here. Locals are good too. We do not feel any fear here; it feels good. People should come here for a visit," he said.

The statements come as Srinagar witnesses a steady flow of tourists, even as the region marks the first anniversary of the April 22, 2025, Baisaran terror attack in Pahalgam.

Security forces remain deployed across key areas, ensuring tight vigil and providing a secure environment for visitors and residents alike. The increased tourist movement is being seen as a sign of a gradual return to normalcy in the Valley following last year's attack.

Earlier in the day, the Indian Army reiterated its strong stance against terrorism, recalling the decisive military response under 'Operation Sindoor' and warning of assured retaliation for any acts against India.

On April 22, 2025, the nation was left shocked when terrorists struck the tourist town of Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir, entering a village and killing 26 civilians. Known as a tourist spot with scenic beauty, Pahalgam was rendered in blood as Pakistan-backed terrorists killed several innocent people.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to the victims in the Pahalgam terror attack, reiterating India's firm resolve to combat terrorism in all its forms.

In a post on X, the Prime Minister expressed solidarity with the bereaved families and affirmed that the country remains united in grief and determined to dismantle "the heinous designs of terrorists."

"Remembering the innocent lives lost in the gruesome Pahalgam terror attack on this day last year. They will never be forgotten. My thoughts are also with the bereaved families as they cope with this loss. As a nation, we stand united in grief and resolve. India will never bow to any form of terror. The heinous designs of terrorists will never succeed," the PM wrote.

As India mourned the loss, what followed was decisive action by the Indian armed forces in the form of Operation Sindoor. Indian armed forces struck terror bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK).

In the aftermath of the attack, India launched 'Operation Sindoor' on May 7, 2025, targeting terror infrastructure across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). According to official details, Indian armed forces destroyed nine major terror launchpads linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed and Hizbul Mujahideen, and eliminated over 100 terrorists during the operation.

What followed were drone attacks and shelling by Pakistan, which led to a four-day conflict between the two neighbouring countries. India showed formidable defence and conducted retaliatory strikes, destroying Radar installations in Lahore and Radar facilities near Gurjanwala.

- ANI
US President Donald Trump claimed American forces intercepted a vessel carrying materials from China intended for Iran, describing the shipment as a "gift." He expressed surprise at the alleged Chinese involvement, noting his good relationship with President Xi Jinping. The remarks come amid ongoing regional tensions and a fragile ceasefire with Iran set to expire. Trump also confirmed his rescheduled meeting with Xi in May, following a postponement due to US military operations.

Trump claims US forces intercepted a vessel from China bound for Iran, calling it a "gift," ahead of his rescheduled meeting with Xi Jinping.

Washington DC, April 21 US President Donald Trump on Tuesday claimed that American forces intercepted a vessel allegedly carrying materials from China intended for Iran, describing the shipment as a "gift" amid ongoing geopolitical tensions with the Islamic Republic.

Speaking in an interview on CNBC Squawk Box, Trump said the United States had recently seized a ship carrying unspecified items, suggesting it may have originated from China and was bound for Iran.

"We caught a ship yesterday that had some things on it which wasn't very nice - a gift from China, perhaps, I don't know," Trump said. "I was a little surprised, because I have a very good relationship and I thought I had an understanding with President Xi, but that's all right. That's the way war goes, right?"

Trump also claimed that the US military remains well-supplied, saying stockpiles of ammunition and equipment had improved in recent weeks.

"So we've used this to restock, and they probably have done a little bit of restocking," he added.

The US president did not provide further details about the vessel, the nature of the cargo, or the location of the reported seizure.

The remarks come amid ongoing tensions related to the fragile ceasefire involving Iran, which is set to expire on April 22, and discussions around a potential resolution to the conflict in the region.

Meanwhile, Trump is set to visit China to meet his Chinese counterpart from May 14 to May 15.

The highly anticipated meeting was postponed due to the US military operations in Iran.

In a post on Truth Social last month, the US President said, "My meeting with the Highly Respected President of China, President Xi Jinping, which was originally postponed due to our Military operation in Iran, has been rescheduled, and will take place in Beijing on May 14th and 15th."

He further added that he will be hosting the Chinese President and his wife for a "reciprocal visit" to Washington late this year.

- ANI
US President Donald Trump has unilaterally extended a ceasefire with Iran indefinitely, despite Tehran refusing to attend a second round of talks in Islamabad. The announcement comes alongside a continued US naval blockade of Iranian ports, a key point of contention that led Iran to boycott the negotiations. Iran's state media insists it will not negotiate under pressure and will not reopen the vital Strait of Hormuz while the blockade persists. Trump framed the extension as a concession to Pakistani leaders, while Iran's leadership appears fractured over how to respond.

US President Trump unilaterally extends Iran ceasefire despite Tehran refusing to attend talks. Naval blockade continues, stalling global oil supply.

New York, April 22 US President Donald Trump has unilaterally extended the ceasefire with Iran indefinitely, hours before it was to expire, even though Tehran refused to attend a second round of talks that Trump had said were imminent.

After making several threats to Iran if it did not accept his terms for a settlement, he announced on Truth Social on Tuesday (local time) that because "Iran is seriously fractured", he was extending the ceasefire till Tehran can come up with a unified approach.

He had threatened earlier Tuesday in an interview with CNBC that he wouldn't extend the ceasefire and said, "I expect to be bombing Iran" if there is no deal.

While announcing the extension of the ceasefire, the President said that he was continuing the Naval blockade of Iranian ports, which was one of the factors behind Tehran staying away from the talks he had said would take place this week in Islamabad.

While the ceasefire announcement kept a ray of hope for a world reeling under the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz that shuts out 20 per cent of the global supply of oil and gas, a lifting of the restrictions by either side was not on the horizon for now.

Iran's government-owned PressTV said Tehran "unequivocally insisted on the removal of the blockade" and said that it "would not rejoin negotiations under pressure".

Iran's Tasnim news agency said that according to its sources, "the Iranian negotiating team has informed the American side through a Pakistani mediator that it will not be in Islamabad, Pakistan, on Wednesday" and "there is currently no prospect for participating in the negotiations".

Pakistan's Information Minister Attaullah Tarar confirmed on Tuesday that Iran was not coming to Islamabad for the second round of talks.

US Vice President J.D. Vance, who is leading the negotiations with Iran, was expected to leave for Pakistan on Tuesday morning, but delayed the trip under the threat of Iranians standing him up.

Trump again took cover behind Pakistan's leaders for extending the ceasefire, asserting that it was because military chief Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had asked him to "hold our attack on the country of Iran until such time as their leaders and representatives can come up with a unified proposal".

Earlier, when he announced the 14-day ceasefire on April 7 after the 21 hours of talks in Islamabad ended in a stalemate, he made it seem he was doing so at Pakistan's request.

In a stage-managed face-saving manoeuvre for Trump, Shehbaz Sharif at that time posted on X a request to Trump for a ceasefire, and it turned out the White House had seen and approved the post.

Iran's Tasnim news agency said that according to its sources, Tehran did not ask for an extension of the ceasefire.

"A continued naval blockade means the continuation of hostilities. Iran will not open the Strait of Hormuz at least as long as the naval blockade remains in place, and will break the blockade by force if necessary," it said.

Trump had repeatedly said over the last few days that a deal was at hand and asserted on Monday that he was offering Iran a better deal than they had received under an international agreement that he had denounced as too conciliatory towards Tehran and scrapped it in his first term.

If they took it, "they can make themselves into a strong nation again, a wonderful nation again", he said.

But his deal would require Iran to completely abjure nuclear ambitions, hand over the remnants of the enriched uranium in the rubble of the facilities Trump said had been obliterated in last year's bombing, and end its missile capability.

Iran is unlikely to agree to them after surviving the punishing attacks by Israel and the US.

Its prime objective is to retain control of the Strait of Hormuz, which Tehran has found is the source of power in the region, as 20 per cent of the global oil and gas supplies pass through it.

Trump at one time offered to share control of the Strait with Iran.

As Trump said, Iran's leadership is indeed "seriously fractured", with the hardliners in control of the military seeming dominant at the moment.

On Friday, after a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon was brokered by Trump, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on X that the Strait of Hormuz was completely open.

But the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which represents the military and Tehran's hardline faction, asserted its power on Saturday, reimposing restrictions on the Strait, going to the extent of firing on two Indian ships that had received Iran's permission to go through the waterway.

Trump had expected that when Israel, which initiated the war, killed the top leadership, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, in the February 28 bombing, a new leadership amenable to making a deal would emerge.

But he acknowledged that the next tier of leaders he had hoped to do business with were wiped out in another Israeli attack. He claimed it had resulted in a regime change -- but it did not turn out the way he wanted it to be.

Washington, according to reports, stopped Israel from killing Araghchi and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, with whom it wanted to negotiate.

The IRGC and Ghalibaf have been issuing a steady stream of counter-threats to Trump's warning.

Ghalibaf warned on X, "Over the past two weeks, we have been preparing to unveil new cards on the battlefield".

In the midst of the policy tussle in Iran, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, who succeeded his father as the Supreme Leader, has been absent from public view and has not been heard of.

In the standoff, it's a matter of which side has greater staying power.

In the democratic US, Trump faces popular discontent with the war - a Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Monday showed only 36 per cent of Americans supported it - and a consequential midterm election is coming up in November amid rising prices attributed to the war.

Iran, though, is a totalitarian state with dissent suppressed and the currently dominant section of the leadership willing to take on more punishment.

- IANS
US President Donald Trump claims Iran is privately seeking to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to stop massive daily economic losses, despite its public hostile rhetoric. Trump posted on Truth Social that Iran wants the strait open to make $500 million a day, suggesting the current US blockade is crippling its economy. He revealed that intermediaries have already approached him, signaling Tehran's desire to reopen the critical waterway immediately. However, Trump has vowed to maintain the blockade to preserve US leverage, even as he extends a precarious ceasefire for further diplomacy.

Trump asserts Iran is privately pushing to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to stem massive losses, despite public threats to keep it closed.

Washington, DC, April 22 US President Donald Trump has claimed that Iran is privately pushing to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to stem massive economic losses, despite Tehran's public rhetoric suggesting a continued standoff.

The President's assertions come amid a prolonged paralysis of shipping through the world's most critical maritime corridor. While the diplomatic stalemate between Washington and Tehran persists, the disruption has sent ripples through global energy markets and heightened regional instability.

Taking to Truth Social, Trump further that Iran's outward hostility regarding the waterway is a performance intended for a political audience rather than a reflection of its financial reality.

"Iran doesn't want the Strait of Hormuz closed; they want it open so they can make $500 million a day (which is, therefore, what they are losing if it is closed!)," Trump posted, suggesting the blockade is crippling the Iranian economy.

He further dismissed Tehran's threats to keep the passage shut, describing them as a defensive reaction to US military pressure. "They only say they want it closed because I have it totally BLOCKADED (CLOSED!), so they merely want to 'save face,'" the President added.

The US leader also revealed that backchannel communications have already begun. According to Trump, intermediaries reached out recently to signal a shift in Tehran's position.

"People approached me four days ago, saying, 'Sir, Iran wants to open up the Strait immediately,'" he claimed. However, he warned that a premature reopening without significant geopolitical concessions would eliminate US leverage in future negotiations.

"But if we do that, there can never be a deal with Iran unless we blow up the rest of their country, their leaders included!" Trump stated, underscoring his hardline approach to the ongoing crisis.

Against this volatile backdrop, the President announced late on Wednesday that he would prolong the current ceasefire to provide a window for further diplomacy. Yet, this extension remains precarious as it appears to be a "unilateral" move.

There has been "no immediate confirmation from Iran or Israel" that they intend to honour the truce. Conversely, commentators linked to the Iranian government have cast doubt on Washington's sincerity, framing the extension as a tactic to "gain a strategic advantage" while the "naval blockade" remains in place.

The stakes remain high as the original ceasefire was "set to expire shortly" before Trump's intervention. While a second round of negotiations is anticipated in Islamabad, the timing and the list of attendees remain unconfirmed.

For now, the Strait of Hormuz stays at the heart of the friction. As the primary artery for global oil and liquefied natural gas, its continued closure poses a persistent threat to "international energy markets and maritime security."

- ANI
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi expressed strong confidence that India will meet its 500 GW renewable energy target by 2030. He highlighted that the country has already achieved 272 GW of capacity from non-fossil sources, with substantial additions in the last financial year. The minister emphasized systematic government efforts to overcome transmission and manufacturing hurdles. He also framed the global geopolitical situation as an opportunity for India's domestic energy production.

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi reaffirms India's commitment to achieving 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030, citing 272 GW milestone.

New Delhi, April 22 Union Minister of New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi on Wednesday expressed firm confidence that India remains on track to achieve its ambitious target of 500 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity by 2030.

Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the Wind Independent Power Producers Association (WIPPA) Foundation Day 2026, the minister emphasised that the government is systematically addressing transmission and manufacturing hurdles to ensure the deadline is met.

The minister noted that the country has already reached a significant milestone of 272 GW through non-fossil sources. He highlighted that the expansion of the national grid and financial support mechanisms are playing a central role in this growth.

"If you go in the same direction and whatever the amendment brought in the small atomic reactors in the recent past altogether, as far as clean energy is concerned, our target of 500 GW, we're going to achieve it by 2030 and I'm very confident on that," the minister added.

"As far as the target is concerned, it is an ambitious target. We are quite on track. Our transmission capacity is also continuously increasing under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. We are providing funds for the transmission and also for the PLI, for the manufacturing. Along with that, the ease of doing policy, overall capacity addition, now it is, all put together, we have reached 272 GW through non-fossil sources," Joshi said.

The current financial year has seen substantial additions to the green energy portfolio. According to the minister, wind energy additions for 2025-26 reached 6.05 GW, while total renewable additions for the same period stood at approximately 45 GW.

The minister further categorised the current global geopolitical situation as an opportunity for the domestic energy sector. He mentioned that the availability of natural resources like sunlight, wind, and water allows India to generate power domestically without relying on external energy imports.

"Regarding the current geopolitical issue, I feel, as far as my ministry is concerned, it is an opportunity for us. Because we can, whatever energy we can generate, this can be generated domestically because sunlight is here, wind is here, water is here. So, we need not import anything," he stated.

Touching upon the manufacturing of solar cells, the minister noted that while imports are currently more economical, the domestic industry is expected to reach a surplus state similar to other sectors.

"Whatever concerns are there, we are talking to them because ultimately, industry and government as such, ministry as such, together, only we should work. We are talking to them. There are diverse opinions. That's what I'm explaining. Some people are saying that it should be done in June. And some people are telling a phased manner," the minister added.

- ANI
Former U.S. National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster has characterized current U.S.-India relations as "rocky," pointing to strains from the Trump era on trade and diplomatic credit. He acknowledged Washington's disappointment over India's stance on the Ukraine war, linking it to doubts about U.S. reliability post-Afghanistan. McMaster identified India's dependence on Russian military equipment as a major obstacle to deeper defense cooperation with the United States. Ultimately, he framed the partnership as a natural and indispensable one for countering the shared challenge of Chinese aggression.

Former US NSA H.R. McMaster calls US-India relations 'rocky' but indispensable, citing China, Russia ties, and trade as key factors.

Washington, April 22 Former US National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster has described current US-India relations as "rocky" but stressed that the two countries remain indispensable partners amid rising global tensions, particularly from China.

"It's been rocky, I'll say that," McMaster told IANS in an exclusive interview, reflecting on the trajectory of ties in recent years. "It didn't need to be that rocky in my view."

He pointed to strains that emerged during the Trump administration, including perceptions around diplomatic credit and trade disagreements. "President Trump felt as if he... didn't receive enough credit... for reducing tensions on the border between India and Pakistan," he said.

McMaster served as the National Security Advisor to President Donald Trump in his first term.

Trade disputes, he noted, have been a recurring source of friction. "The trade issues have always been kind of sticky. But we could work together on those," he said in response to a question.

Despite these challenges, McMaster underscored the structural importance of the relationship. "We need each other," he said.

He acknowledged disappointment in Washington over India's position following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. "There was disappointment... when India... didn't vote... with the United States in the United Nations," he said.

However, he linked India's cautious stance to concerns over US reliability after the withdrawal from Afghanistan. "When India... asked who has our back? There were doubts about the degree to which the United States could support India," he said.

McMaster described India's strategic posture as balancing competing risks. "There's this natural inclination... to swing between fears of entanglement... and fears of abandonment," he said.

He argued that a middle ground is needed, with stronger assurances from Washington. "From India's perspective (the US) should be the most important partner... going forward," he said.

The former NSA also raised concerns about India's continued reliance on Russian military equipment. "India's reliance on Russian weapons and munitions is... problematic," he said.

Citing recent conflicts, he added: "Russian weapons and munitions are not very good... as you can see in Ukraine."

He said reducing that dependence could unlock deeper defence cooperation. "There is a great deal of reluctance to sell the most capable US weapons... because of the threat of compromise," he said, referring to security concerns linked to Russian systems.

McMaster framed US-India ties within the broader challenge posed by China. "The US and India are the solution to each other's problems... in terms of the threat from Chinese aggression," he said.

He recalled recent tensions along the India-China border. "Chinese soldiers were attacking Indian soldiers on the Himalayan frontier," he said, adding that Beijing continues to pursue "subversive actions" and economic pressure.

Beyond government ties, McMaster highlighted the role of people-to-people connections. "We have benefited from... the incredibly talented and vibrant Indian diaspora," he said.

He said these social and cultural links strengthen the foundation of the relationship. "We also have... strong cultural ties and... familial ties," he added.

Despite recent frictions, McMaster expressed confidence in the long-term trajectory. "India and the United States are natural partners," he said.

- IANS
The two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran is set to expire, with President Trump stating an extension is "highly unlikely" and expecting strikes to resume without a deal. Tensions are high in the Strait of Hormuz, which Trump says will remain blocked until an agreement is finalized. While the US seeks to keep diplomacy open, Iranian officials send mixed signals, criticizing US actions as obstacles to peace. Some domestic normalization is occurring in Iran with airports reopening, but the maritime standoff and public rhetoric threaten to scuttle diplomatic progress.

The fragile US-Iran ceasefire nears expiry, clouding talks. Trump calls extension "highly unlikely" as a maritime standoff blocks the Strait of Hormuz.

Washington, April 21 The fragile two-week US-Iran ceasefire is set to expire Wednesday evening, clouding prospects for fresh negotiations and the future of the Strait of Hormuz, after US President Donald Trump depicted extension of the truce as "highly unlikely."

Asked if he expects strikes to resume immediately afterwards if no deal is reached, Trump said, "If there's no deal, I would certainly expect."

The remarks came as Washington reportedly sought to keep diplomatic channels open. US Vice President JD Vance, who led the first round of face-to-face talks, is expected to depart for Islamabad by Tuesday for talks, Axios reported, citing US sources.

Signalling conditional openness to engagement, Trump told The Washington Post that he will be willing to meet senior Iranian leaders if a breakthrough is reached, and said in a separate interview with Bloomberg that his personal attendance at talks may not be necessary.

However, signals from Tehran remained mixed. Axios reported that the Iranian team received a green light from the supreme leader on Monday night to engage in talks with the United States, but officials stopped short of confirming participation, reports Xinhua news agency.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said earlier Monday that Iran currently has no plan for the second round of talks and that US actions are in no way indicative of its seriousness in pursuing a diplomatic process.

The US "provocative actions" and "ceasefire violations" are major obstacles to continuing peace negotiations between the two countries, Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said Monday.

Speaking anonymously to The Washington Post, a senior Iranian official said the tone of Trump's public statements and the ongoing US blockade were the two most serious issues threatening talks. The official added that while both sides largely agreed on the outlines of a deal, Trump's public "maximalism" risked scuttling the diplomatic progress.

Tensions remained elevated in the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway through which about one-fifth of global oil trade passes. Iran briefly reopened the strait after the initial ceasefire but imposed new restrictions following the US Navy's seizure of an Iranian-flagged cargo ship that attempted to run the blockade over the weekend.

The Strait of Hormuz would remain blocked until a peace agreement is finalised, Trump said in a phone interview.

"They want me to open it. The Iranians desperately want it opened. I'm not opening it until a deal is signed," he said.

Despite the maritime standoff, some signs of domestic normalisation were underway in Iran. Iran's Civil Aviation Authority announced Monday that Tehran's main airports -- Imam Khomeini International Airport and Mehrabad International Airport -- had reopened for passenger flights after weeks of wartime closures, the semi-official Fars news agency reported.

The original ceasefire had been hailed as a rare de-escalation after more than seven weeks of conflict. First-round talks in Islamabad earlier this month produced no breakthrough, with both sides trading public criticism since then.

- IANS
Delegations from the United States and Iran are set to arrive simultaneously in Islamabad for high-stakes negotiations aimed at de-escalating regional tensions. The diplomatic move unfolds as President Donald Trump escalates rhetoric, threatening to target Iranian power plants if a deal is not reached. In defiance, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Ghalibaf stated Iran will not negotiate under threat, promising to reveal "new cards on the battlefield." Despite the public posturing, reports suggest Iran's new Supreme Leader has approved the negotiating team's travel, indicating potential behind-the-scenes diplomatic movement ahead of a looming ceasefire deadline.

US and Iranian teams head to Islamabad for talks amid escalating threats from President Trump and defiant rhetoric from Tehran. Report details.

Islamabad, April 21 Delegations from the United States and Iran are expected to arrive in the Pakistani capital simultaneously on Tuesday, signalling a potential breakthrough in regional diplomacy. According to a report by Al Arabiya, citing a senior Pakistani source, both parties are converging on Islamabad to participate in high-stakes negotiations aimed at de-escalating long-standing tensions.

The synchronised arrival comes amid intense international interest in the diplomatic roadmap, though official verification from Tehran remains pending. As of now, Iran has not confirmed this specific development, despite growing reports that the venue has been prepared for high-level engagement between the two adversaries.

This diplomatic movement, however, is unfolding against a backdrop of aggressive rhetoric from Washington. President Donald Trump utilised his Truth Social platform to defend the conflict, publishing four posts within a 50-minute window on Monday.

During this period, he reiterated threats to target Iranian power plants if a deal is not reached. He also touted the impact of Operation Midnight Hammer, describing it as the "complete and total obliteration of the nuclear dust sites in Iran."

The President's rhetoric has been met with immediate defiance in Tehran, further complicating the atmosphere ahead of the talks.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Ghalibaf accused the US leader of attempting to turn the "table of negotiation" into a "table of surrender."

Posting on X, Ghalibaf asserted that Iran would not be coerced, stating, "We do not accept negotiations under the shadow of threats, and in the past two weeks, we have prepared to reveal new cards on the battlefield."

Despite the escalating tension and Trump's hints that the current ceasefire may not be extended, there are signs of potential diplomatic movement behind the scenes.

According to a report by Axios, Iran's new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has reportedly given the "green light" for the Iranian negotiating team to travel to Islamabad.

The move suggests a possible breakthrough for a fresh round of high-stakes talks scheduled for Wednesday, even as the two nations continue to trade threats ahead of the looming ceasefire deadline.

- ANI
The United States and European Union have marked the first anniversary of the Pahalgam terror attack, expressing solidarity with India and condemning terrorism. US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor honored the memory of the 26 innocent victims killed in the scenic Jammu and Kashmir town. The attack, where assailants questioned victims about their religion, was followed by India's decisive military response, Operation Sindoor. This operation targeted terror launchpads across the border, leading to a brief conflict before a ceasefire was established.

US Ambassador & EU mark Pahalgam attack anniversary, condemn terrorism, stand with India. Details on Operation Sindoor retaliation.

New Delhi, April 22 The United States on Wednesday reiterated its solidarity with India in the fight against terrorism, marking the first anniversary of the Pahalgam terror attack that took place on April 22, last year, in which 26 innocent people were killed.

In a message posted on X, US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor paid tribute to the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack, remembering those who lost their lives in the tragic incident.

"On the one-year anniversary of the horrific attack in Pahalgam, we remember the innocent victims and honor their memory as we mourn with their families. The United States stands with the people of India in their fight against terrorism," Gor stated in his post.

The attack, which took place in the scenic town of Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir, had drawn widespread condemnation from across the globe, with several countries expressing support for India and calling for stronger counter-terrorism measures.

Marking the first anniversary of the horrific terror attack, the European Union (EU) and its 27 member states have reaffirmed their unwavering support for India, paying tribute to the innocent lives lost in the attack.

In a post on X on Wednesday, the Delegation of the European Union to India expressed its commitment to standing alongside the "people of India in remembrance of the innocent victims murdered one year ago".

The organisation further emphasised its solidarity with the grieving families and the Indian government.

"Together with their families and the Indian authorities, we honour their memory. We reiterate our outright condemnation of terrorism in all its forms, which can never be justified," the official statement read.

Marking one year since the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives, the nation recalled the shock of April 22, 2025, when terrorists struck the scenic tourist town in Jammu and Kashmir.

The assailants entered and killed 26 civilians, most tourists, turning the picturesque location into a site of bloodshed.

In the cross-border communal attack in Pahalgam, the assailants questioned the victims about their religion before killing them, leaving families grappling with loss even a year later.

As India mourned, what followed was decisive action by the Indian armed forces in the form of Operation Sindoor.

The Indian armed forces struck terror bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) during the operation launched on May 7, 2025. According to official details, the forces destroyed nine major terror launchpads linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and Hizbul Mujahideen and eliminated over 100 terrorists.

The retaliatory strikes triggered drone attacks and shelling by Pakistan on the border towns of India, leading to a four-day conflict between the two neighbouring countries.

India maintained a formidable defence, conducting further strikes that destroyed military and communication installations on several bases across Pakistan,

Inflicted by heavy damage, Pakistan's Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) contacted the Indian DGMO, and a ceasefire was agreed upon on May 10.

- ANI
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his devotional message on the auspicious opening of the Kedarnath Dham. He emphasized that the Char Dham Yatra strengthens national unity and culture, with the state committed to ensuring a safe and well-organized pilgrimage. Dhami highlighted the extensive arrangements made, including a focus on maintaining a plastic-free and clean pilgrimage route. The opening ceremony, attended by the CM and his wife, marked the beginning of the annual yatra, with large crowds of devotees in attendance.

Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami thanks PM Narendra Modi as Kedarnath Dham opens, emphasizing a safe, clean, and spiritually grand Char Dham Yatra.

Kedarnath, April 22 Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Wednesday thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his message on the opening of the Kedarnath Dham and emphasised the importance of ensuring a safe, organised and spiritually enriching Char Dham Yatra.

In a post on X, Dhami expressed gratitude for the Prime Minister's message on the auspicious occasion of the opening of the portals of Kedarnath Dham, calling it filled with devotion and inspiration.

"Respected Prime Minister Ji, on this auspicious occasion of the opening of the portals of Shri Kedarnath Dham on the sacred land of Devbhoomi Uttarakhand, heartfelt thanks for your message filled with devotion. The Char Dham Yatra is not only a symbol of faith, but it also strengthens our eternal culture, traditions, and national unity. Under your guidance and inspiration, we are committed to ensuring a safe, well-organised, and divine journey for all devotees. We, the people of the state, and devotees coming from all over the world, will internalise the resolutions you have given and make the Char Dham Yatra-2026 divine and grand. Har-Har Mahadev!" he said.

Speaking to reporters after visiting the temple, the Chief Minister highlighted the enthusiasm among devotees and the arrangements in place. "The pilgrimage is commencing, and there is immense enthusiasm among the devotees. Excellent arrangements have been put in place by the Badri-Kedar Temple Committee... Several batches of pilgrims have already passed through," he said.

Dhami also emphasised the importance of cleanliness during the pilgrimage, referring to the Prime Minister's appeal for a plastic-free and clean pilgrimage route.

"There is one particular rule... to maintain cleanliness and keep the pilgrimage route plastic-free. May this message resonate from this sacred site and spread to all other places as well," he added.

Earlier today, the Chief Minister, along with his wife Geeta Dhami, participated in the ceremonial opening of the Kedarnath temple and offered prayers at the shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple, adorned with flowers, witnessed a large gathering of devotees as chants of "Har Har Mahadev" echoed across the valley.

The opening of Kedarnath Dham marks the beginning of the annual Char Dham Yatra, with authorities putting in place extensive arrangements, including online registration and crowd management systems, to ensure a smooth pilgrimage season.

- ANI
Vice President CP Radhakrishnan arrived in Karnataka for a series of official engagements, starting with his reception by Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot. His schedule includes inaugurating an Amrit Mahotsava celebration and attending a university convocation as chief guest. Concurrently, he marked the one-year anniversary of the Pahalgam terror attack, paying solemn tribute to the 26 victims. The Vice President reaffirmed the nation's unwavering commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms.

Vice President CP Radhakrishnan arrives in Karnataka for official events, pays tribute on Pahalgam terror attack anniversary, and reaffirms India's anti-terror resolve.

Bengaluru, April 22 Vice President CP Radhakrishnan arrived in Karnataka on Wednesday for a series of official engagements and was received at the airport by Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot and state cabinet ministers.

The visit marks the beginning of the Vice President's official tour of the state, during which he is scheduled to attend cultural and educational events.

Vice President C P Radhakrishnan in a post on X said, "Vice President Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan arrived in Karnataka today and was warmly received by Governor of Karnataka Shri Thaawarchand Gehlot, and Minister for Forest, Ecology and Environment, Government of Karnataka Shri Eshwar Khandre."

The post added, "The Vice President will inaugurate the Amrit Mahotsava Celebration of Dr. Basavalinga Pattadevaru Mahaswamiji of Hiremath Samsthan at Sri Channabasavashram, Bhalki, Bidar."

"Later today, he will attend as the Chief Guest at the 10th Convocation of the Central University of Karnataka, Kalaburagi," the post stated.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday, Vice President CP Radhakrishnan also paid tribute to the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack and reaffirmed the country's resolve to fight terrorism in all its forms, marking one year since the deadly incident that claimed 26 lives.

In a post on X, the Vice President said, "I solemnly remember the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack."

He added that the loss continues to be deeply felt, stating, "The innocent lives lost in that gruesome and dastardly act of terror remain etched in our collective memory. I pay heartfelt tributes to those we lost and stand in solidarity with their families, whose grief is immeasurable. They will forever be remembered."

Reiterating India's commitment against terrorism, he said, "Such acts of brutality can never shake our resolve to uphold peace, unity, and the enduring values of humanity."

He further added, "We remain firm in our determination to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations."

On Monday, Vice President CP Radhakrishnan held a courtesy meeting with the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Vinai Kumar Saxena, at Uprashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi.

"Lt. Governor of Ladakh, Shri Vinai Kumar Saxena, called on Vice President Shri CP Radhakrishnan at Uprashtrapati Bhavan today," the Vice President posted on X.

It was their first meeting after VK Saxena was appointed as the LG of Ladakh after serving as the Delhi LG.

- ANI
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah paid solemn tributes on the anniversary of the gruesome 2025 Pahalgam terror attack, vowing the nation would never forget or forgive. The attack saw Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists line up and execute innocent tourists in a meadow. In response, India launched 'Operation Sindoor', conducting precision strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The perpetrators were later hunted down and killed in 'Operation Mahadev' by Indian security forces.

J&K leaders pay tributes to Pahalgam terror victims, vowing never to forget. Details on the 2025 attack and India's retaliatory operations.

Srinagar, April 22 Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday paid tribute to the martyrs of the Pahalgam terror attack, saying that the nation would never forget their sacrifice.

L-G Manoj Sinha said on X, "Humble tributes to the innocent souls who lost their lives in the gruesome terror attack in Pahalgam on this day in 2025. Their memory endures indelibly in our hearts. My thoughts and prayers are with their families."

"We will not forget. We will not forgive. This is our solemn vow. India stands unified against terrorism. We pledge unwavering commitment and resolute determination to eradicate terrorism from the soil of Jammu Kashmir," he said.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said, "One year on, we remain united against terror & against violence. We remain resolute in our desire to rid J&K of suffering & innocent deaths. We remain committed to doing everything to ensure it never happens again."

"We also remain in eternal solidarity with the families who lost their loved ones a year ago in that cowardly attack. May the souls of the victims of the terror attack rest in peace," he said.

On April 22, 2025, tourists started their day at the Baisaran meadow of Pahalgam with families, including children. As the innocent tourists were moving around in the vast meadow, the rattle of automatic gunfire initially seemed like the bursting of firecrackers, but the reality of the impending tragedy soon dawned on the meadow.

Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists lined up tourists and shot them in cold blood. They left a woman alive as they shot her husband before her eyes. The terrorists, as per later reports, wanted the widow to narrate the horror to the nation.

A local pony wallah tried to argue with the terrorists, pleaded that Islam does not permit the massacre of unarmed civilians. But he was also killed because the terrorists' aim was to spread terror, and their masters had ordered them to kill innocents. Taking the Army, police or the security forces head-on was neither in the courage of the killers nor their masters.

The killers were identified through eyewitness accounts, human and technical intelligence, etc.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave a free hand to the armed forces to avenge the Pahalgam killings. 'Operation Sindoor' was launched, and without crossing the border, Indian armed forces carried out precision strikes at terror infrastructure in Muridke near Lahore, Bahawalpur and in Muzaffarabad of Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK).

No Pakistani defence facility was targeted in those strikes. Pakistan escalated the tension by targeting army facilities, the civilian population and infrastructure.

In the Poonch district of J&K, 14 civilians, including a senior civil servant, were killed in Pakistan border shelling.

India retaliated by damaging 18 defence facilities deep inside Pakistan. The perpetrators of the Pahalgam terror attack were hunted down by the army, J&K Police and the security forces during 'Operation Mahadev'.

Launched on the foot of the Mahadev peak in Dachigam National Park on the outskirts of Srinagar city, in the joint 'Operation Mahadev' by the Army, CRPF, and J&K Police, all three terrorists involved in the Pahalgam attack -- Suleman alias Faizal Jatt, Hamza Afghani, and Zibran -- were killed.

The massacre of innocent civilians was avenged, but the scars left behind in the minds and souls of the survivors can never be fully healed.

- IANS
The White House has reportedly created a "naughty and nice" list to assess NATO allies based on their support for U.S. positions during the Iran conflict. The initiative, developed ahead of NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte's Washington visit, underscores President Trump's warnings about allies failing to meet U.S. expectations. Potential consequences for "naughty" allies could include adjustments in troop deployments and defense sales, though specific penalties remain unclear. The framework reportedly benefits supportive nations like Poland while scrutinizing others like Spain for resisting spending targets.

White House reportedly categorizes NATO members based on support for US positions during Iran conflict, straining transatlantic relations.

Washington DC, April 22 The White House has reportedly drawn up a "naughty and nice" list of NATO member countries as part of the Trump administration's push to evaluate and potentially penalise allies who did not support US positions during the Iran conflict, Politico reported, citing officials familiar with the matter.

According to Politico, citing three European diplomats and a US war official, the initiative, developed ahead of NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte's visit to Washington, categorises alliance members based on their defence contributions and broader cooperation, placing them into different tiers.

The move underscores US President Donald Trump's continued warnings that allies who fail to meet US expectations on defence burden-sharing or strategic support could face consequences, further straining already tense transatlantic relations.

US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth had earlier outlined a similar approach, stating, "Model allies that step up, like Israel, South Korea, Poland, increasingly Germany, the Baltics and others, will receive our special favour," he said. "Allies that still fail to do their part for collective defence will face consequences," as reported by Politico.

A diplomat familiar with the discussions said, "The White House has a naughty and nice paper, so I guess the thinking is similar," suggesting alignment with Hegseth's earlier remarks, as per Politico.

However, officials have not clarified what specific incentives or penalties may be applied, though options reportedly include adjustments in troop deployments, joint military exercises, and defence sales.

"They don't seem to have very concrete ideas...when it comes to punishing bad allies," said another European official, adding, "Moving troops is one option, but it mainly punishes the US, doesn't it?" as quoted by Politico.

White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly defended the administration's stance, saying, "While the United States has always been there for our so-called allies, countries we protect with thousands of troops have not been there for us throughout Operation Epic Fury," adding that "President Trump has made his thoughts on this unfair dynamic clear, and as he said, the United States will remember," as quoted by Politico.

The reported framework could benefit countries like Poland and Romania, which have supported US military operations and increased defence spending, while placing others, such as Spain, under scrutiny for resisting NATO spending targets.

The Pentagon also reiterated its approach, stating that it "will prioritise cooperation and engagements with model allies who are doing their part for our collective defence."

Former officials have questioned the administration's capacity to escalate tensions with Europe amid ongoing geopolitical challenges.

- ANI
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar on Wednesday remembered the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack and vowed to strengthen cooperation with India against terrorism. Israeli Ambassador Reuven Azar drew parallels to the October 7 attack in Israel, stating terrorism knows no borders. The attack on April 22, 2025, killed 26 tourists after attackers identified them by religion. India responded with Operation Sindoor, targeting terror bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

Israeli FM Gideon Sa'ar and Ambassador Reuven Azar honor Pahalgam attack victims, reaffirm commitment to strengthen cooperation with India against terrorism.

Jerusalem, April 22 Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar on Wednesday remembered the innocent lives lost in the Pahalgam terror attack and expressed Tel Aviv's readiness to continue cooperation with New Delhi to confront terrorism with determination and advance peace, security and stability.

On Wednesday, India is observing one year of the deadly Pahalgam terror attack, in which Pakistan-backed terrorists gunned down 26 innocent tourists after identifying their religion, in one of the most brutal incidents targeting civilians in recent years.

"On behalf of the State of Israel, on one year to the Pahalgam terror attack, we honour the memory of the innocent lives lost and stand with their families in grief. Israel remains resolute and unwavering in its fight against terrorism in all its forms. Together with India, we will continue to strengthen our cooperation to confront this threat with determination and to advance peace, security, and stability," Sa'ar posted on X.

Earlier in the day, Israeli Ambassador to India Reuven Azar remembered the victims of the terror attack and reaffirmed that Tel Aviv stands with New Delhi in the fight against terrorism.

In a post on X, Azar said, "One year since the tragic loss of 26 innocent lives in the Pahalgam Terror Attack. We remember. Israel stands with India in the fight against terror."

He also shared a video message expressing his condolences to the families of the victims and drew parallels to the brutality experienced by Israel on October 7. He emphasised that terrorism knows no borders and that India and Israel stand united in facing this threat.

"On behalf of Israel, I extend our deepest condolences to the families of the victims and to the people of India. We stand with you in grief and in solidarity," Azar said.

"For us, in Israel, this pain is deeply familiar. On October 7, we witnessed similar brutality against our own people. This tragedy reminds us that terrorism has no borders. India and Israel stand united in our fight against terrorism," he added.

The terrorist attack took place in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam on April 22, 2025, when 26 people were killed in a brutal massacre targeting tourists. The attack was carried out by The Resistance Front, an offshoot of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba.

The attackers singled out victims after asking about their religion, forcing them to recite the Islamic 'kalima' to identify non-Muslims. Among those killed were 25 tourists and one local pony ride operator who tried to save the tourists.

Several victims were newly married, and many were shot at close range in front of their families.

In response to the attack, Indian armed forces launched 'Operation Sindoor' on May 6 and 7, carrying out what officials described as a focused, measured and non-escalatory military action targeting high-value terror bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir.

The operation successfully neutralised terrorist threats, deterred further aggression and reinforced India's zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism while maintaining strategic restraint.

- IANS
Families of the victims of the 2025 Pahalgam terror attack marked its first anniversary with profound grief and appeals for the government to fulfill its promises. Sangeeta Ganbote, who lost her husband, stated she will not forget the attack till her last breath and questioned the targeting of ordinary people. Priyadarshini Acharya, another widow, highlighted the struggle of becoming the sole breadwinner and awaits a promised government job. While the nation was shaken by the attack that killed 26 people, India's military response, Operation Sindoor, successfully targeted terror launchpads, and the region is now witnessing a resurgence in tourist confidence.

A year after the Pahalgam terror attack, victims' families speak of unending grief and await promised government jobs. India's Operation Sindoor response recalled.

Pune, April 21 The families of the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack grieved their losses, saying they will not be able to forget the incident till their last breath.

On the eve of the first anniversary of the attack, in which Pakistan-backed terrorists killed 26 people, Sangeeta Ganbote, wife of the late Kaustubh Ganbote, said that she remains in grief after her husband's death. Giving out a message, she said, "Nothing is achieved by killing ordinary people."

"The attack in Pahalgam was very dangerous. I will not be able to forget it till my last breath. I am always in grief after my husband's death. I say that they (the attackers) should be given the message that if your fight is with the government, then you should talk to them. Nothing will be achieved by killing ordinary people. Apart from education, schools should also teach how to behave in the event of such an attack," Sangeeta Ganbote told ANI.

As families of the people killed in the Pahalgam attack are still learning to deal with their loss, Priyadarshini Acharya, wife of the late Prasanta Satpathy, remembered how the incident changed her life, taking away the household's breadwinner.

Priyadarshini Acharya told ANI, "My husband's name was late Prasanta Kumar Satapathy. He passed away in the Pahalgam attack on April 22, 2025, because of the terrorists. It's been almost a year. As they say, life goes on. But, not a single day has passed that I haven't remembered him. When he was here, life was different. The temporary job I had then, now it's become a necessity for me to survive and manage the household."

She asked the government to provide the government job promised to the families of the victims of the terror attack.

"With the temporary job I have, it's managing. Because at that time, the government said they would give me a government job, they would bear the expenses of my child's education, and they would provide financial assistance. We received the financial assistance, but the government job they promised hasn't been provided yet. In other states, they have provided jobs based on qualifications. I just want the government to fulfil the promises they made as soon as possible," she added.

On April 22, 2025, the nation was shocked as terror struck Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir. Pahalgam, known as a tourist spot with scenic beauty, was rendered in blood as Pakistan-backed terrorists entered a village and killed 26 people.

In the cross-border communal attack in Pahalgam, the assailants questioned the victims about their religion before killing them.

As India mourned the deceased, what followed was decisive action by the Indian armed forces in the form of Operation Sindoor. Indian armed forces struck terror bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK).

In Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7, 2025, India successfully destroyed nine major terror launchpads in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), targeting Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and Hizbul Mujahideen facilities. Indian armed forces killed over 100 terrorists in action.

Pakistan responded with drone attacks and shelling. But inflicted by heavy damage, Pakistan's Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) called the Indian DGMO and a ceasefire was agreed on May 10.

However, a year after the tragic Pahalgam terror attack, Kashmir is witnessing a noticeable surge in tourist arrivals, reflecting renewed confidence among visitors who feel safe to visit.

Speaking to ANI on Monday, Vishal, a tourist, said, "My father used to live here earlier, and he only suggested that we visit Srinagar... This place is really safe; earlier, there was an unfortunate incident, but we cannot judge a location from that. I felt very safe, and people are also nice."

- ANI
Tourists, guides, and drivers gathered at Razdan Pass in Bandipora to mark the first anniversary of the deadly Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people. Visitors from Mumbai and others stressed that such violence leaves deep wounds but cannot break the unity between Kashmir and India or the spirit of the people. Local guides echoed that Kashmir continues to welcome visitors with open arms, demonstrating resilience against attempts to disrupt peace. The Indian Army concurrently reiterated its resolve against terrorism, recalling the decisive 'Operation Sindoor' which targeted terror launchpads in response to the attack.

Tourists & locals mark 1 year since Pahalgam terror attack, honoring 26 victims. They affirm Kashmir's unity with India and resilience against violence.

Bandipora, April 22 Tourists to Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday paid heartfelt tributes to the victims of last year's Pahalgam terror attack at Razdan Pass in Bandipora Gurez area, marking the first anniversary of the terror incident that left 26 people dead.

On the first anniversary of the heinous attack, Visitors, accompanied by tour operators and drivers, gathered at the high-altitude pass to offer prayers and observe a moment of silence in memory of those killed in one of the deadliest attacks targeting tourists in Kashmir last year.

On April 22, 2025, the nation was left shocked when terrorists struck the tourist town of Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir, entering a village and killing 26 civilians. Known as a tourist spot with scenic beauty, Pahalgam was rendered in blood as Pakistan-backed terrorists killed several innocent people.

Speaking to reporters, one of the tourists from Mumbai said the tragedy had left lasting wounds in the hearts of people across the region and beyond, but stressed that such acts of violence cannot weaken the spirit of unity.

"No power can divide Kashmir and India. The brotherhood of Kashmir is the strongest example of its integral bond. We are deeply saddened by what happened last year. Such untoward incidents leave wounds in the hearts of every citizen, but they cannot break our resolve. We feel safe here and the love shown by locals is overwhelming," she added.

Another tourist added that terror cannot divide them and here the unity would always stand stronger. "As we are here and today marks the first anniversary, we want to send a strong message to those who seek to destabilise peace that we are one. Terror cannot divide us, and the unity we see here will always stand stronger," she told reporters.

Local tourist guides showed similar sentiments, asserting that Kashmir has always welcomed visitors with open arms and will continue to do so despite attempts to disrupt peace. They said the participation of tourists in the remembrance event reflects resilience and hope.

The tribute concluded with prayers for peace and a collective pledge to uphold unity, ensuring that the memories of the victims continue to inspire resolve against violence.

On Wednesday, marking one year since the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives, the Indian Army reiterated its resolve against terrorism, remembering the decisive military response under 'Operation Sindoor' and warning of assured retaliation for acts against India.

In the aftermath of the attack, India launched 'Operation Sindoor' on May 7, 2025, targeting terror infrastructure across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). According to official details, Indian armed forces destroyed nine major terror launchpads linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed and Hizbul Mujahideen, and eliminated over 100 terrorists during the operation.

- ANI
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Direct injection of a low dose of the immune checkpoint inhibitor nivolumab into precancerous oral lesions significantly reduced lesion size and risk of cancer progression, sparing most patients from surgery. This new research from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center suggests a novel approach to oral cancer prevention through immune interception.

Results from the first-in-human Phase I trial were presented today at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2026 by principal investigator Moran Amit, M.D., Ph.D., assistant professor of Head & Neck Surgery. The study explored the feasibility and efficacy of up to four doses of intralesional immunotherapy with nivolumab for patients with mild to severe oral dysplasia.

The fact that we were able to prevent surgery in the vast majority of patients is a strong indication that those lesions changed from bad players to something patients can live with and that we can simply monitor closely. We are encouraged by these results showing that locally administered immunotherapy is effective in not only preventing these lesions from progressing but also in reducing their risk of progression, opening an avenue for cancer prevention that we didn't know existed before." Moran Amit, M.D., Ph.D., assistant professor of Head & Neck Surgery

More information on all UT MD Anderson AACR Annual Meeting content can be found at MDAnderson.org/AACR.

What is the current standard of care for precancerous oral lesions?

Precancerous oral lesions are asymptomatic, abnormal cell changes in the mouth. Depending on the level of cell abnormality, or dysplasia, precancerous lesions run the risk of progressing to oral cancer, but there is no known biomarker for determining which lesions will become cancer. Standard of care for these patients is to surgically remove or ablate the lesions as a means of prevention.

While clinicians try to minimize how much of the oral cavity is removed, there are no established approaches for preserving tissue. Two out of every three patients have multiple lesions that can also recur after removal, often resulting in multiple surgeries that remove much of the mouth and tongue. This leaves many patients with difficulty swallowing, speaking and eating, and facing other debilitating symptoms that reduce their quality of life.

How does the current study build upon previous research?

Previous studies have shown that using systemic intravenous (IV) nivolumab, an anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody, can reduce the size of these lesions and their risk of progression. However, this approach involves a fairly high dose of nivolumab that also comes with toxicities that are considered excessive for patients without cancer.

These studies led Amit and colleagues to design a Phase I clinical trial using a much lower dose of nivolumab  2-4% of the systemic dose  injected directly into the lesion. The trial enrolled 29 patients with at least one oral lesion determined to have a high risk of progression. Of these, 15 patients had high-grade, or severe, dysplasia, and 14 patients had low-grade, or mild, dysplasia. Patients received either 10 or 20 mg of nivolumab injected directly into their lesions every week for four cycles.

What where the key results of this clinical trial?

On the study, 85% of patients experienced a decrease in lesion size after a median follow-up of 14.5 months, with an overall average of 60% reduction in size, while 19 patients (65%) experienced reductions greater than 50%.

Twelve patients (41%) had their lesions downgraded in severity grade, and six patients had no signs of dysplasia after follow-up, meaning they achieved a complete pathologic response. All except four patients completed the entire trial.

Only six of the treated lesions progressed to cancer and, because these were detected early, were surgically removed. No other patients required further surgical resection. There were no dose-limiting side effects, and most adverse events were grade 1 or 2, with one case each of diarrhea, hyperglycemia and acidosis.

Importantly, patient-reported outcomes showed a much higher quality of life based on head and neck-related symptoms, such as swallowing, mouth soreness, communication and taste.

How does this treatment change the antitumor immune response?

Tissue samples from treated lesions had a greater infiltration of CD4 and CD8 T cells, as well as other indicators of immune activation, whereas untreated lesions from the same patients did not. Pharmacokinetic analyses demonstrated less than 10 micrograms per milliliter of nivolumab in blood samples, which is substantially lower than with systemic administration.

"When given systemically, only a fraction of the drug ends up in the target lesion," Amit explained. "By injecting straight into the lesion, we can give a fraction of the full dose because the bioavailability is 100% delivered entirely into where it's needed, potentially bypassing systemic exposure and sparing toxicities."

What implications does this have for precancer treatment and prevention?

The results show that nivolumab injected directly into precancerous oral lesions is safe and well-tolerated and could be an effective means of preventing progression through immune intervention.

Interestingly, precancerous lesions arise in many other types of cancers  including skin, cervical and colon  suggesting that local immunotherapy administration could potentially serve as a prevention method for those cancers, as well.

While this Phase I trial focused on only treating one lesion, a placebo-controlled Phase II trial is currently being planned to allow the targeting of multiple lesions at once.

"Ultimately, the goal is to help patients avoid repeated surgeries or excessive treatment and preserve their quality of life, especially when they don't yet have cancer," Amit said. "Continuously removing parts from the oral cavity can lead to significant issues that affect quality of life, so this approach would be a substantial advancement over the current standard of care."
Glioblastoma, the most common and most aggressive brain tumor type in adults, remains difficult to treat because it can infiltrate surrounding brain tissue and spread far beyond the main tumor. Researchers from DZNE, University Hospital Bonn and the Cluster of Excellence "ImmunoSensation" at the University of Bonn have captured this infiltration process in the living brain with advanced microscopy. Their study is based on observations in mice affected by a brain cancer very similar to human glioblastoma.

The results, published in the scientific journal Immunity, reveal complex and situation-dependent interactions between glioblastoma cells and the brain's resident immune cells, also known as "microglia". These cells patrol the brain in search of threats. The current findings suggest that microglia are not passive bystanders, but actively influence both the containment and the spread of the tumor.

The scientists observed these processes by means of so-called three-photon microscopy that employs infrared light. Focus was on the "far infiltration zone", which designates a tissue region located several millimeters away from the primary tumor.

Changing behavior

Among other things, the team discovered that the behavior of microglia changed as a tumor spread. Specifically, microglia showed increased motility and surveillance activity when only a few glioblastoma cells were present. However, as tumor infiltration intensified, this immune response declined. Besides, the scientists investigated the effects of disabling a certain receptor that microglia use to sense their environment. Furthermore, they looked into pharmacological depletion, i.e., drastically reducing the number of immune cells.

Our data shows that interactions between tumor cells and microglia play an important role in glioblastoma invasion. Targeting microglial function, potentially by drugs, may therefore represent a promising avenue for limiting tumor spread and improving patient outcomes." Dr. Felix Nebeling, first author of the current publication
A new clinical practice guideline from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine provides evidencebased recommendations on the combined use of behavioralpsychological and pharmacological therapies to treat chronic insomnia disorder in adults.

The guideline is published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine and is accompanied by a systematic review, meta-analysis, and evaluation of the comparative efficacy and potential harms of combination therapy.

Previous AASM clinical practice guidelines published in 2017 and 2021 recommended pharmacological therapy and behavioral-psychological treatment, such as cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia, as individual treatment options for chronic insomnia disorder. However, those guidelines did not evaluate whether combining medications and CBT-I improves outcomes compared with either approach alone. Despite this lack of comparative evidence, pharmacological and behavioral-psychological treatments are frequently used together in clinical practice, either initiated simultaneously or added sequentially.

Combination therapy for insomnia is widely used in clinical practice, yet the evidence guiding how and when to combine treatments has been surprisingly limited. Our analysis suggests that CBT-I by itself is the most efficacious first-line treatment for insomnia. However, using medication with CBT-I may provide modest benefit for some specific outcomes, such as total sleep time. These recommendations are meant to support thoughtful, patientcentered decisionmaking rather than a onesizefitsall approach." Dr. Daniel J. Buysse, lead author, professor of psychiatry, medicine, and clinical and translational science, University of Pittsburgh

Chronic insomnia disorder occurs in roughly 10% to 15% of adults and is commonly encountered in both primary care and specialty sleep medicine settings. Behavioral-psychological therapies and pharmacological treatments are among the most widely used approaches for managing the disorder.

Based on the available evidence, the guideline issues two conditional recommendations with low certainty of evidence. The AASM suggests the use of combination therapy with CBTI and a medication instead of using a medication alone, reflecting meaningful improvements in key sleep outcomes for some patients. In contrast, the guideline suggests against the use of combination therapy rather than using CBTI alone, as behavioral-psychological treatment by itself often produces meaningful and durable improvements without the added risks associated with pharmacotherapy. The recommendations emphasize the importance of shared decision making, taking into account patient values, treatment goals, and preferences when selecting an insomnia treatment strategy.

To develop this guideline, the AASM commissioned a task force of sleep medicine experts to systematically review the published literature and assess the benefits and harms of combination therapy, taking into consideration the certainty of evidence, beneficial and harmful effects, patient values and preferences, and resource use. The draft guideline was posted for public comment, and the AASM board of directors approved the final recommendations.

The American Academy of Family Physicians affirmed the value of the guideline. The American Geriatrics Society affirmed the value of this document, which it defines as supporting the general principles in the document and believes it is of general benefit to its membership. This guideline was endorsed by the American Academy of Physician Associates, the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, the Canadian Sleep Society, the Nurse Practitioner Association of Canada, the Sleep Charity, the Sleep Health Foundation, and the Society of Behavioral Sleep Medicine.

The co-authors of the guideline are J. Todd Arnedt, Luis Buenaver, Dr. Judy L. Chang, Julio Fernandez-Mendoza, Dr. Salma I. Patel, Eric S. Zhou, Dr. Yngve Falck-Ytter, Suzanne Hyer, Uzma Kazmi, Dr. Mandeep Singh, and Emerson M. Wickwire.
An artificial intelligence (AI) model developed by researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center demonstrated the ability to accurately predict responses to immunotherapy for patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). If clinically validated, it could give clinicians much-needed insight into one of the most pressing challenges in oncology.

Details of the model, called Path-IO, were presented today at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2026 by Rukhmini Bandyopadhyay, Ph.D., postdoctoral fellow in the lab of Jia Wu, Ph.D., associate professor of Imaging Physics and Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology.

There are a number of AI-based approaches that have shown potential in recent years, but Path-IO really stands apart because we designed it from the outset for clinical translation. For that to happen, a model has to make explainable decisions based on known factors and do it in a way that holds up across data sets. What we show here is, not only can Path-IO do that, but it can do it using data from slides that are already routinely gathered." Rukhmini Bandyopadhyay, Ph.D., postdoctoral fellow in the lab of Jia Wu, Ph.D.

More information on all UT MD Anderson AACR Annual Meeting content can be found on MDAnderson.org/AACR.

What is the significance of Path-IO and how could it contribute to clinical care?

Immunotherapy has been a transformational advancement in cancer care, but not all patients benefit from it. A significant challenge in oncology is determining who is most likely to benefit, so that physicians can tailor treatments and avoid unnecessary therapies.

The current standard-of-care biomarker for immunotherapy outcomes is PD-L1 expression, but this has demonstrated only modest predictive ability. In fact, in some of the validation groups used in this study, PD-L1 expression was as predictive as flipping a coin.

New research is showing that certain intratumoral structures, known as niches, are important biomarkers for predicting response, as well. Using pathology slides, Path-IO looks for these niches and other complex patterns that may be challenging for humans to reliably identify. The model then uses that information to stratify patients in groups based on their risk of disease progression following immunotherapy treatment.

This biology-based approach is one of the things that makes Path-IO unique. Rather than functioning as a "black box" AI that identifies entirely new and often uninterpretable patterns, Path-IO focuses on well-established tissue features and structures that, while difficult to consistently detect and quantify, are known to influence treatment response. This ability to explain the decisions it makes is an important distinction for its potential clinical adoption.

Using a historical data set from UT MD Anderson, Path-IO separated patients into high-risk and low-risk groups. Patients in the high-risk group had double the risk of death or disease progression than those in the low-risk group. For validation, the researchers tested the model on several external data sets with comparable results.

In all, Path-IO was validated in over 1,000 patients across multiple institutions and from multiple countries, and it significantly outperformed PD-L1 testing across all datasets.

What are the next steps for Path-IO?

The next crucial step for this technology will be validating it in a prospective clinical study. To prepare for that, the team already is expanding the testing cohorts to include more diverse groups of patients.

As with most AI tools, the more data Path-IO has to work from, the more accurate its predictions. In this study, researchers already have combined pathology-based predictions with radiomics and clinical data to further improve the prognostic ability of the model.

Soon, Bandyopadhyay believes the model will not only be able to predict whether patients will respond to immunotherapy but will even be able to predict the best immunotherapy strategy, such as an immune checkpoint inhibitor alone or combined with other agents.

Further down the road, Bandyopadhyay hopes that this platform can be fully integrated with additional data into a digital twin model that includes multimodal data, CT imaging, genomic factors and other clinical variables.

"To our knowledge, this is the most rigorously validated deep-learning pathomics framework to date. But we're really just getting started," Bandyopadhyay said. "As we continue to integrate more data streams into the model, it will improve and become more specific in its predictive abilities, hopefully becoming a major asset for clinicians who are helping patients make important decisions about their treatment options."
When young adults are asked to recall their drinking habits, their recollections may not always match what actually happened in their day-to-day lives, a new study suggests. Though people tend to remember major events, like an accident or a fight, they may lose track of more subjective experiences, such as cravings or changes in alcohol tolerance.

This disconnect between recollection and reality can make it difficult for clinicians and researchers to fully understand the range of alcohol use disorder (AUD) symptoms a person is experiencing. The findings, published in Clinical Psychological Science, suggest that relying on memory alone may leave important gaps and that new assessment strategies are needed to gain a clearer picture of what's really happening.

In the study, researchers found that real-time measurements of AUD symptoms provide more detailed insights into daily experiences than traditional retrospective self-reports, which have long been the standard in both research and clinical settings.

Some of the retrospective measures were highly associated with the daily measures, but some were less associated." Dani Kang, assistant professor of psychiatry at the University of Washington and lead author of the paper

That means "we're missing half the picture," added APS Fellow Kevin King, a professor of psychology at the University of Washington and coauthor of the study.

Retrospective self-reports, often asking people to reflect on their experiences over the past 6 months or year, are important tools for screening and treatment. But they fall short when it comes to capturing how AUD symptoms unfold and fluctuate in everyday life.

"We're doing all this research to understand the etiology of AUD, but we're doing it with entirely retrospective assessments," King said. "We can't use those reports to understand how AUD progresses and develops in daily lives."

His goal, he added, is to better understand both the objective events and the subjective experiences that shape alcohol use in real time, and how those compare with what people later report.

To explore this question, the researchers studied 496 young adults in Washington state, ages 18 to 22, all of whom reported using alcohol or cannabis at least once a week. Participants completed retrospective self-reports at the start of the study and again six months later. They also completed real-time assessments over an eight-week period, receiving brief surveys on their cell phones five times a day.

The surveys focused on a subset of AUD symptoms, including hazardous use, social/occupational problems, failure to fulfill obligations, craving, tolerance, larger/longer consumption, and time spent obtaining/using alcohol. Participants were tracked over eight long weekends, Thursday to Sunday, when substance use tends to be highest among young adults.

The results revealed a clear divide in what people remember accurately. Participants were generally good at recalling concrete, memorable events, such as getting into a fight, being injured, or missing work or school. However, compared to more objective events, what they said in the moment or on the day mapped less well to their retrospective recall.

"It's fair to say that people are better at remembering what happened to them than how they felt about it," King said.

Daily reports of symptoms also predicted how participants described their alcohol use 6 months later, suggesting that real-time data may capture patterns linked to longer-term risk.

In clinical settings, Kang said, patients often struggle to recall or recognize patterns in their drinking. Real-time tracking could help people see those patterns more clearly and recognize when they may need help. The researchers also noted that AUD can look very different from person to person, making more detailed, real-time data especially valuable.

One limitation, the researchers cautioned, is that many participants used both alcohol and cannabis, making it difficult to determine whether certain symptoms were driven by alcohol alone or by combined use. Future analyses will aim to account for this, Kang noted.

Although real-time monitoring is unlikely to replace retrospective assessments, the researchers said the two approaches could complement each other.

"Real-time and retrospective assessments are not interchangeable because they have different strengths," King said. "Real-time assessments tell us how someone experiences the world in the moment. Retrospective assessments are a blend of aggregated moments and how people evaluate or make sense of them."

Using both approaches together, he said, could allow clinicians and researchers to move beyond a one-size-fits-all method of assessment.

"When you have a hammer, everything looks like a nail," he says, "We need to build and refine these tools so we can use them in a less blunt way."

The researchers are continuing to expand on their work by incorporating new technologies, including transdermal alcohol biosensors and GPS tracking, to better understand individuals' behaviors and environments in real time.
With a rising number of rotavirus cases being reported across the country and in New Jersey this spring, experts from Hackensack Meridian Children's Health are urging parents to ensure their children are vaccinated against this common and potentially severe illness. Rotavirus is a contagious virus that can cause gastroenteritis, an inflammation of the stomach and intestines. Symptoms include severe watery diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and abdominal pain, which can lead to dehydration, hospitalization, and  in rare cases  death.

Before the introduction of the rotavirus vaccine in 2006, nearly every child in the United States was infected with the virus at least once by their 5th birthday. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), this resulted in more than 400,000 doctor visits, more than 200,000 emergency room visits, 55,000 to 70,000 hospitalizations, and 20 to 60 deaths annually in children under five. Since the vaccine's introduction, the CDC estimates that hospitalizations for rotavirus among young children in the U.S. have dropped by 40,000 to 50,000 each year.

For New Jersey in particular, data from the WastewaterSCAN dashboard (a public surveillance tool that tracks infectious disease pathogens in wastewater in real time and utilized by the CDC's Wastewater Monitoring Program) shows a general resurgence across the state.

Vaccination is the most effective tool we have to protect our children from rotavirus. The vaccine has an excellent safety profile and has been proven to prevent severe illness, keeping children out of the hospital and giving parents peace of mind." Daniel Ruderfer, M.D., chief of pediatric infectious disease, K. Hovnanian Children's Hospital at Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center (JSUMC)

"The rotavirus vaccine is a safe and highly effective tool for preventing severe diarrheal disease in young children. We've seen a dramatic decrease in hospitalizations due to rotavirus since the vaccine's introduction, which means fewer children are suffering from the serious complications of the illness, such as dehydration," notes Harpreet Pall, M.D., chief medical officer at JSUMC whose specialty is pediatric gastroenterology at K. Hovnanian Children's Hospital.

"We strongly encourage parents to speak with their pediatrician to ensure their children are protected," adds Dr. Pall, who is also a professor of pediatrics at the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine.

The rotavirus vaccine is given orally in two or three doses, depending on the brand, starting when a baby is two months old. It is crucial for infants to receive the first dose before 15 weeks of age and to complete the series before they turn 8 months old.

"As pediatricians, our goal is always prevention first. The rotavirus vaccine is a cornerstone of our infant immunization schedule because it prevents a common, miserable, and potentially dangerous illness. Before the vaccine, our emergency rooms saw a constant flow of dehydrated infants. Today, it's a largely preventable disease. We urge all parents to ensure their baby gets this simple but life-saving protection," says Stefan Hagmann, M.D., chief of pediatric infectious diseases at Hackensack Meridian Hackensack University Medical Center, and professor of Pediatrics, Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine.
For the first time, a stem cell model has produced a structure resembling an early human embryo with a yolk-sac-like structure, from a single starting stem cell population and without direct genetic manipulation.

The models were made at University of Michigan Engineering. Researchers at the Chinese Academy of Sciences provided monkey embryo data to help confirm that the Michigan team was indeed seeing a yolk-sac-like structure in their models.

"According to canonical knowledge of human development, the yolk sac should come from hypoblast cells. We know our system can't produce hypoblasts or their derivatives, so we thought we couldn't see a yolk sac structure," said Jianping Fu, U-M professor of mechanical engineering and corresponding author of the study in Nature Cell Biology.

Embryologists have captured still images of most human development stages, but these cannot answer many questions in human development. How do different cells and tissues emerge in the early human embryo? Which signaling molecules are at play? Which genes are important during early human development? And why do so many potential pregnancies end within the first few weeks after fertilization?

To better understand human development and help more families have healthy pregnancies, researchers are developing stem cell models of these early weeks. This study was funded primarily by the University of Michigan.

Mechanical confinement to study gastrulation

The yolk sac has been difficult to replicate in stem cell models of human development. The early embryo builds up this energy store while the placenta is under construction. The yolk sac is also the organ that forms the first blood circulatory system in the human body. Labs that have produced yolk sac-like structures in stem cell models have forced the cells down this path through genetic manipulation.

Fu's team is known for using mechanical signals to guide embryo-like development in human pluripotent stem cells. This type of stem cell mimics epiblasts, the foundational cells that can become any tissue in the body. This time, Fu and his team were trying to recreate gastrulation, during which epiblast cells in the embryo start organizing into the body's basic structure and give rise to major organ rudiments.

The team patterned human pluripotent stem cells into a single layer, forming a disc 0.8 millimeters in diameter. At the onset of gastrulation, the epiblast in the human embryo forms a disc of roughly the same size.

The first important step in our approach is to establish the initial geometric confinement for the stem cells. This circular pattern provides geometrical confinements that promote the cells to interact and self-organize." Shiyu Sun, Ph.D. student in mechanical engineering at U-M and first author of the study

To kickstart gastrulation, the team exposed the cells to a signaling molecule called BMP-4. That molecule is normally produced by a shell of cells that surround the embryo during normal human development but is missing in this model's initial state. Sun noted the presence of other signaling molecules in the cell culture medium, which also help guide the cells' transformation into different types. This process is called differentiation.

Stem cells over-deliver, producing yolk-sac-like structures

The team hoped to see that disc become three layers thick, with distinct cell types in each layer, roughly corresponding to the precursors of the outer body and nervous system, the gut and the tissues in between. In the embryo, this begins with the formation of the "primitive streak," a structure that helps establish the body's head-to-tail axis.

In the models, the cells that began sending primitive streak signals were not organized into a line. Instead, the cells seemed to form concentric circles, which then arranged into a three-layer disc.

And it wasn't just the disc. On the top side, where the precursors of the outside of the body and nervous system formed, a cavity lined with amnion cells emerged-a structure like the beginning of an amniotic sac. And on the gut side, the structure resembling a yolk sac appeared.

"It was pretty surprising to find these yolk-sac-like structures," Sun said. "At first, I didn't think it was a yolk sac."

The yolk sac is thought to arise from hypoblasts, a set of cells that normally appear alongside epiblast cells rather than descending from them. Until now, researchers did not know that during gastrulation, epiblast cells have extra options, able to build structures outside the embryo proper.

As those cavities began to form, the 3D cell cultures detached from the plate. The cells continued to develop in an embryo-like way at first but then began to diverge, becoming more disorganized. Similarity to human embryos peaked at day eight of the cell culture, mimicking human development at around 16-21 days after fertilization. About 15%-20% of the cultures formed these structures, depending on the cell line, which is highly efficient in comparison to similar models, the researchers say.

Confirming the observation of the yolk sac

Because this level of development is beyond the 14-day rule for culturing human embryos, the Michigan team relied on colleagues in China, who have access to post-implantation monkey embryos, to confirm the findings from their models. Together, they identified a definitive marker for yolk sac development: the activation of the gene HNF4A, also associated with the development of the liver, kidneys and intestines.

The team used lineage tracing to identify the pathway that turned epiblast cells into yolk sac cells, finding that they indeed arose through gastrulation. They did this by splicing in a bit of genetic code to a gene that activates during gastrulation, causing the cells to produce a fluorescent green protein.

While useful for showing some of the dynamics of human development, the models cannot grow further. Even at peak organization, the three layers of the body plan were thicker than normal. Also, the model lacks trophoblast cells, which form the placenta.

The culture plates with micropatterned circles were made in the Lurie Nanofabrication Facility. Analysis of the stem cell models relied on the Michigan Medicine Microscopy Core, Michigan Orthopedic Research Laboratories Histology Core, Michigan Advanced Genomics Core, and the Michigan Flow Cytometry Core. These facilities are supported in part by indirect cost allocations in federal grants.

The team has applied for patent protection with the assistance of U-M Innovation Partnerships and is seeking partners to bring the technology to market.

Fu is also a professor of cell and developmental biology and of biomedical engineering.
Today at the 46th Annual Meeting and Scientific Sessions of the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT), Eileen Hsich, MD, of the Cleveland Clinic, outlined a bold vision for the future of heart transplantation that moves beyond national borders to address global inequities in organ allocation.

In her talk, Dr. Hsich argued that persistent disparities in access to heart transplantation-and the underutilization of donor hearts-demand a rethinking of current allocation systems.

Moving toward heart allocation on a global scale

"Across the world, there is a fundamental mismatch between the number of patients waiting for a heart transplant and the number of transplants performed," said Dr. Hsich, Professor of Medicine and Medical Director for Heart Transplantation at the Cleveland Clinic.

If we want to reduce waitlist deaths and improve equity, we need to rethink how we allocate and utilize donor hearts, potentially on a global scale." Eileen Hsich, International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation

Data presented from ISHLT and United States-based registries highlight ongoing disparities. Socioeconomic status plays an increasing role, with lower-income patients experiencing higher waitlist mortality and reduced access to transplantation.

"These disparities reflect the difference between equality and equity," Dr. Hsich said. "True equity requires that the population receiving transplants matches the population in need. That's not just equal access, but appropriate access."

Wealthier countries perform significantly more heart transplants than lower-income regions, despite similar or greater need. Countries like Canada demonstrate an effective alignment between transplant rates and waitlist demand.

To improve utilization of available organs, Dr. Hsich said emerging tools such as the Donor Utilization Score (DUS) can help identify donor hearts suitable for transplantation.

"We already have tools to better assess donor heart quality," she said. "The next step is ensuring we use as many viable hearts as possible."

Technologies enable donor organs to remain viable longer

Advances in organ preservation and transport offer the potential for donor organs to travel further distances to where they're most needed. Technologies such as normothermic machine perfusion and cold oxygenated perfusion are continually lengthening the time donor organs can be kept viable, thereby enabling international travel.

Dr. Hsich pointed to a recent transatlantic transplant case in which a donor heart was successfully transported from the West Indies to Paris and implanted in a 70-year-old recipient who recovered well and was discharged within 30 days.

"This is no longer theoretical, it's already happening," she said. "The question is whether we are ready to scale it."

A global allocation system, she noted, would not be unprecedented. International registries such as DKMS have successfully facilitated more than 125,000 bone marrow transplants worldwide, demonstrating the feasibility of cross-border organ matching.

However, significant challenges remain. A global heart transplant system would require international cooperation, financial sustainability, regulatory oversight, and agreement on ethical principles such as reciprocity and fairness.

"Globalization raises important ethical questions," Dr. Hsich said. "We must ensure that any system promotes equity, maintains quality, and delivers strong outcomes for patients everywhere."

ISHLT uniquely positioned to lead global allocation efforts

She suggested that ISHLT is uniquely positioned to lead such an effort, given its global membership, scientific expertise, and existing registry infrastructure.

"With the right governance and collaboration, we can build an international system that reduces disparities and ensures no viable donor heart goes unused," she said.

The annual meeting and scientific sessions of the ISHLT are being held from 2225 April at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in Toronto, ON, Canada.
How Ego Pharmaceuticals revolutionized its analytical lab through automation  Proving that better is always possible

When a 73-year-old Australian pharmaceutical producer chose to challenge the stubborn mindset of "we've always done it this way", the results were groundbreaking.

Hands-on analyst time for critical assays was reduced by up to 92 %, solvent consumption decreased by 58 %, and UV/Vis accuracy improved beyond what any manual technique could reliably deliver. This shift also enabled a laboratory-wide commitment to green chemistry and continuous innovation, ultimately earning national recognition.

Ego Pharmaceuticals achieved this through automation. Here, we explain how the company, in collaboration with both METTLER TOLEDO and ePrep, turned operational necessity into a strategic advantage, one automated workflow at a time.

Image Credit: Ego Pharmaceuticals

About Ego Pharmaceuticals

Established in Melbourne, Australia, in 1953, Ego Pharmaceuticals has evolved from a small compounding lab into one of the most respected producers of dermatological, skincare, and topical pharmaceutical products in the country.

Ego Pharmaceuticals product portfolio is built on reliable pharmaceutical-grade ingredients  including glycerin, liquid paraffin, and petroleum jelly  all of which require consistent, precise, and regulatory-compliant analytical assessment, day in and day out.

This consistent quality is ensured by a Quality Control (QC) laboratory that performs a wide range of compendial assessments, including appearance, pH, density, viscosity, Karl Fischer water determination, UV/Vis assays, titration, Loss on Drying, HPLC, and GC.

For the analysts working there, maintaining throughput while ensuring data integrity in accordance with British Pharmacopeia (BP), European Pharmacopeia (EP), and United States Pharmacopeia (USP) standards presents an ongoing challenge.

Coordinating that work and helping drive the revolution of how its done is Egos Analytical Development Team. They first posed the question that gave this project its name: why fix processes that are not broken? The answer proved to be compelling.

Image Credit: Ego Pharmaceuticals

Simplifying processes is just part of how we work. The real question is never whether something is working  it's whether it could work significantly better." Helen Evans-Lemmo, Instrumentation Specialist, Ego Pharmaceuticals

A case for change: Challenging the status quo

Ego's automation program came from listening. Its employees sought continuous innovation in their processes and services: streamlined workflows, stronger collaboration, and a culture where process improvement was expected rather than an exception.

Simultaneously, Ego's laboratory leadership had committed to a threefold strategic vision: becoming Cleaner by optimizing process efficiency and cost-effectiveness; Greener by advancing sustainability and green chemistry in alignment with the Twelve Principles of Green Chemistry; and Future Focused by fueling continuous innovation through discovery and communication.

A systematic approach was necessary to translate that vision into practice. The analytical development team mapped existing workflows, pinpointed bottlenecks, identified the most manual-intensive tasks, and prioritized multi-step processes where automation could deliver the greatest gain. Two areas quickly stood out: UV/Vis spectrophotometric assays and titration for pharmaceutical ingredients such as glycerin.

UV/Vis spectrophotometry: Where automation delivered its first major return on investment (ROI)

UV/Vis spectrophotometry plays an essential role in pharmaceutical QC. For both active pharmaceutical ingredients and excipients, UV/Vis assays are essential instruments for validating identity, potency, and purity in accordance with pharmacopeial monographs.

Historically, Ego relied solely on manual workflows for these assays. Analysts prepared sample solutions and standards by hand, performed solvent extractions when necessary, and transferred the final solutions into cuvettes or flow cells for spectrophotometric analysis. Each stage introduced the potential for variability.

The main difficulty in pharmaceutical UV/Vis testing is in sample preparation, not the reading itself  modern instruments such as the METTLER TOLEDO UV7 are already extremely precise.

Methods such as liquid-liquid extraction, in particular, require accurate volumetric additions, precise timing of extraction steps, and consistent mixing. All of which are difficult to standardize when performed manually by multiple analysts under time constraints.

To address this, Ego paired the METTLER TOLEDO UV7 spectrophotometer with the ePrep ONE Sample Preparation Workstation, developing an integrated, validated end-to-end UV/UVis workflow. The ePrep ONE manages all liquid handling steps upstream of the measurement, including reagent preparation, precise volumetric additions, timed extraction steps, and final solution delivery.

The UV instrument then conducts the measurement under standardized, software-controlled conditions, dramatically reducing operator-to-operator variability and ensuring that analytical results reflect the quality of the technique.

Image Credit: METTLER TOLEDO - UV/Vis Spectrophotometer

The first automated UV assay workflow delivered to QC at Ego demonstrated a compelling return on investment, reducing out-of-specification events and rework across all transferred applications.

The UV/Vis automation program has been developed and validated through a unique model involving undergraduate and master's students from Monash University. As part of a student internship program, these students are placed at Ego under the guidance of the Analytical Development team.

The students conduct the development and optimization work under supervision, earning real-world pharmaceutical analytical experience, while Ego benefits from structured method development resources. The work has been formally published in peer-reviewed papers co-authored by Ego, ePrep, and METTLER TOLEDO  demonstrating the scientific rigor of the program.

The broader impact of this program was recognized in late 2025 when the Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI) honored Helen Evans-Lemmo, the program coordinator, with its Victorian Branch Industry Mentor of the Year Award. This honor acknowledged both the quality of the science and the social value of delivering meaningful industry placements to the next generation of analytical chemists.

Acknowledgements

Produced from materials originally authored by Anika Adams (Mettler-Toledo Technologies GmbH).

About METTLER TOLEDO

METTLER TOLEDO instruments are used in research, scientific and quality control labs, amongst many others in the pharmaceutical, chemical, food and cosmetics industries. They are a global market leader with the three instrument groups most frequently used in the laboratory, like balances, pipettes, and pH meters, and we are a pioneer in the field of Automated Chemistry.

METTLER TOLEDO industrial solutions cover the diverse steps in a host of manufacturing processes at many of the same customers as served for the laboratory. Solutions range from receiving raw materials, in-line process control and end-of-line packaging control, to logistics and shipping. Increasingly, these solutions are fully integrated into the customer's IT environment, helping automate their workflows.

METTLER TOLEDO Play

Sponsored Content Policy: News-Medical.net publishes articles and related content that may be derived from sources where we have existing commercial relationships, provided such content adds value to the core editorial ethos of News-Medical.net, which is to educate and inform site visitors interested in medical research, science, medical devices, and treatments.
A college student from China has been charged with illegally taking photos of US military planes in Nebraska during a multistate road trip that included a stop at an Air Force base in South Dakota. Tianrui Liang, 21, was arrested April 7 at a New York airport while trying to leave the US for Glasgow, Scotland, where he attends school, the FBI said in a court filing. Liang admitted that he got out of a car on a public road in late March and took photos of an RC-135, a reconnaissance aircraft, and an E-4B at Offutt Air Force Base near Omaha, the FBI said. The E-4B, known as the "Nightwatch," can serve as an airborne command center for the president and military officials in times of emergency, according to the Air Force .

The FBI said it's illegal to photograph or sketch defense installations without approval. Images of both planes are available online, reports the AP. Liang told investigators that it was "legal to take pictures of the sky, but he knew it was illegal to take pictures of the planes on the ground," the FBI said. He said they were for his personal collection, the FBI said. Liang's attorney, Jeff Thomas, declined to comment Tuesday. Liang has not yet appeared in federal court in Omaha. Liang flew to Vancouver, British Columbia, in Canada on March 26 and met a friend who is a college student in New York, the FBI said. They drove across the US border in Washington state before Liang drove alone to see Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota, according to the affidavit. The FBI said he was also interested in going to Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma.

Other cases involving military sites have been filed against college students from China. Five men were charged with lying and trying to cover their tracks after they were confronted in the dark in 2023 near a Michigan military site where thousands of people had gathered for drills. They graduated from the University of Michigan and apparently returned to China months before they were charged and have never appeared in court. In 2020, two Chinese nationals who were pursuing master's degrees at the University of Michigan were sentenced to prison for illegally taking photographs at a naval air station in Key West, Florida.
The FBI says it is now leading the effort to investigate a cluster of deaths and disappearances involving scientists with ties to US nuclear and aerospace work. The bureau says it is working with the departments of Energy and Defense and local and state police to examine possible links between at least 10 cases since 2023, per CNN . The cases span unsolved homicides, deaths with no disclosed cause, and missing-person reports, some with no signs of foul play. President Trump has called the situation "pretty serious stuff," though authorities say no concrete links have been established so far.

The White House says it's coordinating a broad review, while the Republican-led House Oversight Committee has launched its own probe, citing "a possible sinister connection" and demanding briefings from the FBI and its partners, as well as NASA. Three of the missing or dead scientists worked at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, including Michael David Hicks, whose unexplained July 2023 death is reportedly among the earlier cases in the bunch, per the Los Angeles Times. His daughter says he had known medical issues and the idea that he's connected to other cases is laughable, per CNN. The space agency says it's "coordinating and cooperating with the relevant agencies" though nothing so far suggests a national security threat.

Other cases include the June 2025 disappearance of NASA aerospace engineer Monica Reza, 60, while hiking in Los Angeles, and the December 2025 shooting death of MIT professor Nuno FG Loureiro, allegedly killed by the same person who later opened fire at Brown University. More recent cases include the February disappearance of retired Maj. Gen. William Neil McCasland, who seemingly left his New Mexico home without his phone, and the Feb. 16 shooting death of Caltech astrophysicist Carl Grillmair at his Llano home. A 29-year-old man has been charged with Grillmair's murder.
A Florida man who set his neighbor on fire after she returned from work to find him burglarizing her home was executed Tuesday evening. Chadwick Scott Willacy, 58, received a three-drug injection and was pronounced dead at 6:15pm at Florida State Prison near Starke for the 1990 killing of Marlys Sather. It was Florida's fifth execution this year. The curtain to the execution chamber went up promptly at the scheduled 6:00pm time, and the lethal injection got underway 2 minutes later, after Willacy made a brief statement, the AP reports.

He apologized to his own family and friends and urged his "brothers on the row" to stay strong. He maintained his innocence, saying that he would never kill his friend. "To the victim's family, I hope this brings you peace. If it does, that's good," Willacy said. "But this is not right." Shortly after the lethal injection began, a warden shook Willacy and shouted his name, but there was no response. His skin began to turn gray, and a medic eventually entered the chamber to examine Willacy, declaring him dead.
Virginia voters approved a mid-decade redistricting plan Tuesday that could boost Democrats' chances of winning four additional US House seats in November's midterm elections that will decide control of the closely divided Congress, the AP reports. The constitutional amendment backed by voters bypasses a bipartisan redistricting commission to allow the use of new districts drawn by Virginia's Democratic-led General Assembly. But the public vote may not be the final word. The state Supreme Court is considering whether the plan is illegal in a case that could make the referendum results meaningless.

The Virginia redistricting referendum marked a setback for President Trump, who kicked off a national redistricting battle last year by urging Republican officials in Texas to redraw districts. The goal was to help Republicans win more seats in the November elections and hold on to a narrow House majority in the face of political headwinds that typically favor the party out of power during midterm elections. The redistricting in Texas led to a burst of redistricting nationwide. So far, Republicans believe they can win up to nine more House seats in newly redrawn districts in Texas, Missouri, North Carolina, and Ohio.

Democrats think they can win up to five more seats in California, where voters approved a similar mid-decade redistricting effort last November, and one more seat under new court-imposed districts in Utah. Democrats hope to offset the rest of that gap in Virginia, where they decisively flipped 13 seats in the state House and won back the governor's office last year. But the back-and-forth battle is continuing in Florida, where the Republican-led Legislature is to convene April 28 for a special session that could result in more favorable congressional districts for Republicans.
Texas can require the Ten Commandments to be displayed in public school classrooms, a US appeals court ruled Tuesday in a victory for conservatives who have long sought to incorporate more religion into schools. The ruling sets up a potential clash at the US Supreme Court over the issue in the future, the AP reports. Arkansas and Louisiana have passed similar laws, which have also been challenged in courts. And Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey signed a similar law earlier this month. The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals said in the decision that Texas' law did not violate the First Amendment, which protects religious freedom and prevents the government from establishing a religion.

The ruling reverses a district court's judgment that had blocked school districts from displaying the commandments. The decision says the law "does not tell churches or synagogues or mosques what to believe or how to worship or whom to employ as priests, rabbis, or imams." "No child is made to recite the Commandments, believe them, or affirm their divine origin," the ruling goes on to say. Reactions were swift on both sides:

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a Republican, called the ruling "a major victory for Texas and our moral values." "The Ten Commandments have had a profound impact on our nation, and it's important that students learn from them every single day," Paxton said. Andrew Mahaleris, spokesperson for Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, a Republican, said the mandate from the state was a "commonsense law, consistent with our history and tradition."

Organizations representing the families who challenged the law, including the American Civil Liberties Union, said in a statement that they were "extremely disappointed" by the decision. "The court's ruling goes against fundamental First Amendment principles and binding US Supreme Court authority," the statement said. "The First Amendment safeguards the separation of church and state, and the freedom of families to choose how, when and if to provide their children with religious instruction. This decision tramples those rights."

Texas' law took effect on Sept. 1, marking the largest attempt in the nation to hang the Ten Commandments in public schools. About two dozen school districts had been barred from posting them after federal judges issued injunctions in lawsuits against the law. But the commandments went up in many classrooms across the state as the school year started. (Click for more, including the status of other states' similar laws.)
A Shreveport mother who lost her three children in Sunday's mass shooting is recovering in a hospital with a bullet still lodged in her face, her cousin tells NBC News . Relatives say Christina Snow was shot by her boyfriend, 31-year-old Shamar Elkins, who then took the children and fled, launching an attack that left eight kids dead . Seven of them were Elkins' children and one was a cousin. Snow's cousin says the bullet traveled through her nose and doctors have decided not to remove it for now; she can speak but suffers from memory lapses and sometimes forgets her children are gone.

Police say Elkins, a former National Guardsman with a prior firearm conviction, shot Snow and later opened fire at a home just blocks away where his estranged wife, Shaneiqua Pugh, lives. Seven children were found dead inside, an eighth on the roof; most had been shot in the head and some appeared to have been asleep. The victims ranged in age from 3 to 11, and a teenager also fell off the roof amid the shootings and suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Pugh was also shot in the face and is in critical condition. Elkins died after carjacking a driver at gunpoint; authorities have not said whether he killed himself or was shot by police. The motive remains under investigation.

Police say Elkins used an assault-style weapon in the attack. A Louisiana man told investigators he believes Elkins stole the gun from his truck, the AP reports. He says he last saw the gun on March 9 and confronted Elkins, who had ridden in the truck with him, but let the matter drop after Elkins became "offensive." Meanwhile, relatives are speaking out about their grief and shock, USA Today reports. One of Pugh's cousins said Elkins recently came to church with his kids. "And they were dressed so cute. All dressed alike. The Pugh family is a happy family. A joyous family." Pugh and Elkins were, however, in the process of separating.
The music executive who built BTS into a global force could now face arrest. South Korean police have asked prosecutors to seek an arrest warrant for Hybe chairman Bang Si-hyuk, alleging he orchestrated a secret profit-sharing deal and misled early investors ahead of Hybe's 2020 stock-market debut ; the company was then known as Big Hit Entertainment. Investigators say that in 2019 Bang told venture backers a public listing was unlikely, nudging them to sell shares to a private equity fund allegedly tied to him, then took a 30% slice of the gainsabout $136 millionwhen the fund cashed out after the IPO, per the BBC . Bang and Hybe deny any wrongdoing.

The probe, launched in December 2024, has already seen raids on Hybe's offices. Bang's assets have been frozen and he's been barred from overseas travel since August, though the US embassy in Seoul recently requested that he be allowed to travel to the US, USA Today reports. If convicted under South Korean law, he could see anywhere between five years and life in prison. News of the possible arrest warrant, requested by the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, comes as BTS launches a money-spinning comeback world tour that has pushed Hybe's value to a four-year high. It also comes amid a broader government push to crack down on stock manipulation. Hybe shares fell 2.3% Tuesday even as the wider Kospi climbed.
Elizabeth Smart just added "bodybuilder" to her resume, People reports. The child safety advocate, now 38, revealed on Instagram Tuesday that she quietly competed in the Wasatch Warrior bodybuilding and fitness event in Salt Lake City last weekher fourth such contest, though the first she's shared publicly. The photo shows Smart onstage in a bikini, a sight she admitted likely "shocked" many followers, noting that a few years ago she would have sworn she'd never compete in bodybuilding. Smart, kidnapped and subjected to daily rapes, physical abuse, and starvation by her captors for nine months when she was 14, said she'd been reluctant to post about the competitions, fearing she'd be dismissed or seen as less credible as an advocate for abuse survivors. She linked that anxiety to something many survivors feel: being defined by a single label.
A judge on Tuesday threw out the first-degree murder conviction of a man found guilty in the death of his then-girlfriend's 4-month-old daughter nearly 30 years ago because of new evidence in the case. Stephen Martinez was convicted in 2000 and sentenced to life in prison after prosecutors argued he had beaten Heather Mares in 1998. But recently presented defense evidence that the baby died of pneumonia prompted prosecutors to reexamine the case and conclude that they could not prove Martinez was guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The Denver District Attorney's Office didn't oppose a request from Martinez's lawyers at the Korey Wise Innocence Project to overturn his conviction, reports the AP .

District Court Judge Andrew Luxen overturned Martinez's conviction, ordered him to be released from prison, and dismissed the case over the objections of Mares' family, including her parents Kim Estrada and Chris Mares. They believe Martinez killed the baby and said he had not expressed any remorse. "My life was stopped 27 years ago along with our family's," said Estrada, who began sobbing after Luxen announced his decision.

Martinez was prosecuted under what was at the time a new state statute allowing first-degree murder charges instead of the lesser charge of child abuse resulting in death. Martinez declined to speak during the hearing. One of his lawyers, Jeanne Segil, said the criminal justice system failed Martinez as well as Mares' family. "This case is a tragedy on every front," she said. Martinez's aunt, Theresa Garcia, said she wished Martinez's parents, who died while he was in prison, could be here to see him released. "I know they are looking down on us today and smiling as their son returns home and is reunited with his loved ones," she said.

Martinez's lawyers say his trial mistakenly focused on a false confession and shaken baby syndrome, also known as abusive head trauma, which some defense attorneys and experts have called into question. Segil said complications from pneumonia can cause the same symptoms associated with the syndrome, including bleeding and swelling of the brain. Denver District Attorney John Walsh stressed that there was no misconduct by police or prosecutors who worked on the case. "This is simply an example of the criminal justice system being willing and able to reassess a case when necessary," he said.
The latest proposed destination for more than 1,100 Afghans who assisted US forces isn't Americait's the Democratic Republic of Congo. An aid worker and advocates say the Trump administration is in talks to relocate the group, which includes interpreters, former Afghan special-ops forces, and more than 400 children, from a US-run camp in Qatar to Congo, a country already struggling with massive displacement and violence, per the New York Times . The Afghans were evacuated for their safety and told they were on a path to US resettlement, a path that vanished after Trump policies froze key visa programs.

Shawn VanDiver of AfghanEvac says officials are presenting the Afghans with a "choice" between going back to Taliban-ruled Afghanistan or to Congo, which hosts more than 600,000 refugees and is in the midst of one of the world's worst humanitarian crises. VanDiver tells Reuters that choice is an unacceptable one. "This is insane," he tells NBC News, adding in a statement that "you do not solve the world's No. 1 refugee crisis by dumping it into the world's No. 2 [refugee crisis]."

And indeed, many Afghans at Camp As Sayliyah are refusing the Congo option, questioning their safety and pointing to relatives already in the US, per the Times. A State Department spokesperson defended the administration's shift, saying it aims to restore "accountability" and pursue "responsible, voluntary resettlement options." "I worry that this is just a way for State to wash their hands of these folks, many of whom are women, children, and family of US military, that will ultimately result in them becoming stateless or having to go back to certain death in Afghanistan," VanDiver tells Reuters.
The fundraising paperwork behind President Trump's planned $400 million White House ballroom is now public, despite the administration's best efforts to shield itand it reportedly reveals key conflict-of-interest checks were left out. The contract, obtained only after a lawsuit by watchdog group Public Citizen and signed just days before demolition of the East Wing began, lets donors fund the project anonymously while omitting any requirement to vet potential conflicts involving the president or his staff, the Washington Post reports.

The deal sets up a private financing structure involving the National Park Service and the nonprofit Trust for the National Mall, which says it was asked to accept and manage the private donations. While the contract refers to conflict-of-interest checks for the Trust, NPS, and the Interior Department, there's "no mention of doing the same for the president, other White House officials or the 14 other executive departments he oversees," per the Post, which reports it is the executive residence of the White House that is responsible for identifying and referring donors to the Trust. The contract also bars foreign donors, CBS News reports, despite appearances of foreign involvement.

Known contributors include companies with major federal business, such as Amazon, Lockheed Martin, Palantir, and Google. Critics say anonymous donors could also be giving tens of millions while seeking favorable treatment from the government. Ethics experts call the review process "a sham," and a federal judge branded the arrangement a "Rube Goldberg contraption" to dodge congressional oversight. The White House has framed the anonymity as standard and defended the concealment of the agreement as a matter of security. According to the Post, court documents show Trump planned to tear down the East Wing months ahead of time, but did not inform the public.
Just a few months ago, Bank of America's CEO told employees that artificial intelligence wasn't coming for their jobs. By last week, he was crediting AI for helping the bank quietly shrink its workforce to boost profits. That pivot captures a broader shift on Wall Street, where the long-running promise that AI would augment, not replace, workers is being tested against quarterly earnings and instead has led to thousands of job cuts, per the New York Times . Along with BOA, financial players like JPMorgan Chase, Citi, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, and Wells Fargo booked a combined $47 billion in profit last quarter, up 18%, while reducing head count all together by roughly 15,000.

Executives often talk about "productivity" and "efficiency journeys" rather than layoffs, but they're now rolling out AI to read legal documents, OK the opening of accounts, assess creditworthiness, and handle customer callswork that used to require people spread all over the country. The North Carolina city of Charlotte, considered the nation's No. 2 financial center behind New York, is already seeing more and more of its banking jobs overtaken by AI, as reported earlier this year by Axios and the Charlotte Observer.

Some bigwigs, like Wells Fargo CEO Charlie Scharf, openly concede AI will mean fewer human workers, per the Times. Others, including Morgan Stanley, insist they won't use the technology to cut jobs. One veteran banking analyst, who recently left TD Bank and wasn't replaced, warned that AI could first fuel a profit boom, then a painful "fortune reversal" of squeezed margins, mass layoffs, and even bank failures. More from Business Insider on the AI regimen for some of our largest financial institutions. Trade publication American Banker, meanwhile, offers caveats to banks seeking to incorporate more AI, noting that some of the tech's weaknesses, including wrong info and so-called hallucinations, "can be lethal" in the banking industry.
All four living former presidents are striking a similar note as the US nears its 250th birthday. In exclusive interviews with Jenna Bush Hager for Today, Joe Biden, Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton all argued that the country's democratic foundations are sturdy enough to weather its current tensionsif citizens stay engaged. Highlights:

Biden: "We're the most unique country in the world," said No. 46. "Most unique country in the world in the sense that we really do think democracy is dictated by the rule of the Constitution. And we do believe ... that all men are created equal."

"We're the most unique country in the world," said No. 46. "Most unique country in the world in the sense that we really do think democracy is dictated by the rule of the Constitution. And we do believe ... that all men are created equal." Obama: "Hope is not blind optimism. Remember what's best in us," said No. 44. "The basic principle upon which this country was founded, which is we don't have rulers, we don't have kings, or monarchs, or aristocracies. We have citizens." Hope "arises in the face of difficulty" and depends on Americans treating each other with respect while working out differences "in peaceful, legal ways."

"Hope is not blind optimism. Remember what's best in us," said No. 44. "The basic principle upon which this country was founded, which is we don't have rulers, we don't have kings, or monarchs, or aristocracies. We have citizens." Hope "arises in the face of difficulty" and depends on Americans treating each other with respect while working out differences "in peaceful, legal ways." Bush: "My message is consider yourself fortunate to be a part of a great nation," said No. 43 and the only former president Hager addressed as "dad." "Study our history so you have a better sense for what the future will be like. And be a citizen, not a spectator. And by that I mean participate in the process, but also love a neighbor like you'd like to be loved yourself."

"My message is consider yourself fortunate to be a part of a great nation," said No. 43 and the only former president Hager addressed as "dad." "Study our history so you have a better sense for what the future will be like. And be a citizen, not a spectator. And by that I mean participate in the process, but also love a neighbor like you'd like to be loved yourself." Clinton: "The country will survive as much by the process, by the freedom to speak, the freedom to vote, the freedom to be active in politics as by any particular issue," said No. 42. "And because it's like it is, compromise is essential."

For more, read the full piece at Today
A man was sentenced to 20 years in prison in Oregon for the death of his then-girlfriend in a 1980s cold case that was recently reopened, authorities said Tuesday, per the AP . Marcus Sanfratello, 73, pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter in the death of Teresa Peroni and was sentenced to 20 years in prison with a minimum of 10 years served, the Oregon Attorney General's office said in a statement . Sanfratello's defense attorney, Elizabeth Baker, said her client had "strong motivation to resolve the matter" because of the diagnosis of a complex health issue. "This resolution gives the family closure while allowing my client the treatment he urgently requires," she said in a text message, adding that he will receive treatment while serving his sentence.

Peroni disappeared in 1983 at age 27 after attending a party in a rural area near the small town of Selma in southern Oregon. Authorities say she was last seen walking into the woods with Sanfratello, her boyfriend at the time. Authorities investigated, but there was not enough evidence to move forward with charges. In 1997 a human skull was found on a nearby property and sent to the University of North Texas for examination, the Josephine County Sheriff's Office said last year. The sheriff's office reopened the case in 2024, with investigators collecting new DNA evidence and using modern forensic testing. With the additional DNA, experts at the university were able to confirm that the skull was Peroni's.

Sanfratello was taken into custody last year in Chico, California, before being extradited to Oregon, where he was initially indicted on a higher charge of second-degree murder. "For Teresa Peroni's family, this has been a 43-year wait for an answer they never should have had to wait for," Oregon Attorney General Rayfield said in a statement. "Cases like this remind us of why we don't give up."
One of the world's largest charitable foundations is shrinking its payroll and scrutinizing its past. The Gates Foundation plans to eliminate up to 500 jobsabout a fifth of its workforceover several years as it looks to keep operating expenses to 14% of its total budget, which stands at about $9 billion a year, reports the Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg . The initial phase calls for cutting about 200 of its 2,375 positions by the end of 2027 and trimming travel and other expenses.

CEO Mark Suzman told staff the moves come at a "challenging time" but are needed to protect the group's long-term work; the Seattle-based foundation, which holds an $86 billion endowment and focuses largely on health and development in Africa, is slated to wind down in 2045.

Suzman also disclosed an external review of "past foundation engagement with [Jeffrey] Epstein" and its vetting of new partners. The review, which began in March with backing from Bill Gates and board members, follows renewed attention to Gates' contacts with Epstein; he is expected to testify before Congress in June. The New York Times reports the foundation did not disclose who is conducting the reviewthough using a corporate law firm would be customaryor whether the results would be shared publicly. The foundation said in a statement that "we expect the board and management will receive an update this summer."
A long-running fight over who can be blamed for a deadly insider attack on a US base in Afghanistan will go forward in court, the Supreme Court ruled Wednesday. In a 63 decision written by Justice Clarence Thomas, the court said Army Specialist Winston Hencely can continue his lawsuit against defense contractor Fluor Corporation and a subcontractor, CNN reports. Hencely was 20 when he confronted an Afghan worker who detonated a suicide bomb at Bagram Airfield in 2016, killing five soldiers and civilians and injuring more than a dozen others. Hencely lost the use of his left arm, hand, and part of his face and now lives with chronic pain and cognitive and memory problems, his lawyers say
BEIJING, April 21 (Xinhua) -- China's fast-growing micro-drama industry is entering a new phase as AI begins to challenge a production model built on speed, low cost and tightly packed studio sets. In recent years, clusters of compact filming bases have emerged across the country, especially in second and third-tier cities. Built around vertical-screen production, low costs and quick turnaround, they are informally known as "vertical studios," or "shudian," a play on the country's well-known film production center Hengdian, as the Chinese characters "shu" and "heng" literally mean vertical and horizontal, respectively. Within a single site, sets for banquet halls, mansions, hospitals, or subway platforms can sit side by side, allowing crews to shoot scenes in quick succession. At Dazhi Film and Television Base in Jinshui District of central China's Zhengzhou City, more than 50 sets are spread across just over 10,000 square meters. "Directors can arrive with just a script. Everything else can be handled on site," said Zhao Jianting, who is in charge of the base. Since its trial operation in April 2025, it has served more than 2,600 production teams. The model has helped drive the rapid expansion of micro-dramas. In Jinshui District, producing a 100-episode series can cost between 300,000 and 800,000 yuan (about 43,700 to 116,600 U.S. dollars), with a return cycle of three to six months, according to a local official. The boom has also reshaped urban space and employment. Idle buildings, including unfinished projects and vacant exhibition halls, have been turned into filming locations. According to estimates by Peking University's National School of Development, the sector directly employed about 690,000 people in 2025 and generated a total of 2.03 million jobs. For some, it has opened a new path into the industry. Xu Yan, who entered the micro drama industry in Xi'an in northwest China's Shaanxi Province two years ago, said the transition from a background extra to a speaking-role performer took just three months. "Even though I was already 36 when I joined, my experience shows that with effort and persistence, it is still possible to gain a foothold in a new field," Xu said. However, the same features that helped micro-dramas expand quickly -- low barriers and fast production -- are now being tested by a technology that lowers them even further. After this year's Spring Festival, some filming bases saw a drop in active productions, leaving some workers without projects. Industry insiders point to the rapid advancement of AI-generated video technology. "If last year we saw AI as a wave approaching from afar, now it is sweeping across every corner of the film and television industry," said Feng Shengyong, an official with the National Radio and Television Administration. According to industry participants, more advanced AI models have pushed the usable rate of generated footage above 90 percent. A director who likes to be called Qiu Qiu and has shifted from live-action to AI-based production said that when quality is comparable, AI dramas may cost only about one-tenth as much as traditional shoots, while taking far less time. The shift is already visible in the output. According to DataEye, a leading industry data platform, more than 10,000 AI-generated animated micro-dramas have gone online each month since the start of 2026. In March alone, about 50,000 new AI-native titles were added on Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok. For genres such as mythological fantasy and historical stories, AI offers clear advantages, enabling visual effects that would otherwise be difficult or costly to achieve. Yet lower costs have not resolved a more persistent challenge, which is quality. Industry observers say AI-generated micro-dramas still vary widely, with intense competition at the lower end and significant content homogeneity. "AI-generated videos still show clear gaps in understanding human behavior," said He Tianping, an associate professor at Renmin University of China's School of Journalism and Communication. "Characters may lack coherent logic, and visuals can appear inconsistent." As a result, attention is shifting back toward storytelling itself. On April 5, an AI-produced micro-drama topped the popularity rankings on Hongguo Short Drama, a Chinese short drama platform under ByteDance. Notably, audience discussion focused less on technical flaws and more on storyline and presentation. "AI can calculate audience preferences, but it is difficult to calculate emotional resonance," Feng said. "The works that people remember are often not the most sensational, but the most authentic." Since 2025, authorities have refined oversight and review mechanisms for micro-dramas, while platforms have adjusted support and revenue-sharing policies to encourage more diverse content. Some production companies are also moving beyond formula-driven plots toward themes such as rural revitalization, cultural heritage and personal growth. "True competition is decided by content that moves people," said Liu Tengyuan, founder of a Zhengzhou-based film company, which is now working with universities to improve scriptwriting. Platform players are sending a similar signal. "In 2026, we will continue to increase investment in content and support innovation," said Le Li, editor-in-chief of Hongguo. The company plans to raise its overall content budget by more than 40 percent this year while maintaining investment in live-action micro-dramas. Meanwhile, some "shudian" are exploring new directions. In Zhengzhou, the Dazhi base plans to launch immersive programs during the upcoming May Day holiday, allowing visitors to step into scenes and take part in productions. As production becomes faster and cheaper, China's micro-drama industry is entering a new round of competition in which scale and speed still matter, but content remains decisive. "With AI providing support and live-action production serving as the foundation, their combination could help push the micro-drama industry toward a new stage that is more efficient, more diverse and more creative," said Zhang Yongqiang, secretary-general of the Henan Higher Education Film and Television Education Association.


US Rep. David Scott, a Georgia Democrat who was seeking his 13th term in Congress despite challenges from within his party, has died. He was 80. Scott, first elected to the House in 2002, was the ranking Democrat on the House Agriculture Committee after having once served as the panel's first Black chairman, despite most recently representing a metropolitan district around Atlanta, the AP reports.

Democrats on Capitol Hill praised the longtime lawmaker. "The news of Congressman Scott's passing is deeply sad," House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries told reporters. "David Scott was a trailblazer who served the district that he represented admirably, rose up from humble beginnings to become the first African American ever to chair the House Ag Committee," Jeffries said. "He cared about the people that he represented. He was fiercely committed to getting things done for the people of the great state of Georgia, and he'll be deeply missed."

The congressman was not especially active on the campaign trail in 2026. But had been dismissive of pressure to retire. "Thank God I'm in good health, moving and doing the people's work," Scott said in 2024. Scott's death slightly widens Republicans' narrow House majority going into the thick of this midterm election year. Another House Democrat, Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, resigned on Monday, minutes before a hearing that could have led to her expulsion on ethics charges. NBC News reports that under Georgia law, the governor must set a date for a special election within 10 days of a seat becoming vacant.
After being kept under wraps for months, the autopsy report on the 14-year-old girl singer D4vd is charged with killing has been released. Celeste Rivas Hernandez died of "multiple penetrating injuries caused by objects," per the report from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office; her death was ruled a homicide. The AP reports a judge in November ordered the report sealed, but prosecutors this week agreed to the Wednesday release. NBC News reports she sustained two penetrating wounds to her torso as well as other wounds that penetrated her liver and chest, and that the autopsy was hampered by "extensive postmortem changes."

Her dismembered body was discovered in September 2025 in an abandoned Tesla at a Hollywood tow yard, more than a year after she was reported missing and one day after what would have been her 15th birthday. The AP reports her body had degraded to the point that her eye color could not be established. Two of her fingers were missing, as were parts of her arms and legs. Los Angeles County Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Odey Ukpo said in a statement that "it is unfathomable [Celeste's family] have had to wait this long to learn what happened to their daughter."

Prosecutors have charged D4vd, real name David Anthony Burke, 21, with first-degree murder, continuous sexual abuse, and mutilation of human remains. He has pleaded not guilty and is being held without bail; his attorneys say they will "vigorously defend his innocence." Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman alleges Burke killed Celeste to protect his music career, calling her a witness in a probe into alleged sexual acts with her when she was 13.
The Pentagon announced Wednesday that Navy Secretary John Phelan, the branch's top civilian, is leaving the Trump administration "effective immediately." No reason was given, CNBC reports. Defense Department spokesperson Sean Parnell made the announcement on on X, saying the administration is "grateful to Secretary Phelan for his service to the Department and the United States Navy" and wishing him well in his "future endeavors." Hung Cao, a Navy veteran who is now undersecretary, will fill the role in an acting capacity, Parnell said.

On Tuesday, Phelan addressed a large crowd of sailors and industry professionals at the Navy's annual conference in Washington, DC, and spoke with reporters about his agenda, per the AP. Phelan, a major donor to President Trump's campaign, had no experience with the military before he was nominated for the role in late 2024. He leaves with the Navy imposing a blockade on Iranian ports near the Strait of Hormuz, a key transit point for global oil shipments that has become a focal area in the Iran war.

The dismissal is another reflection of the rocky relationship between Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and some top military officials, per the Wall Street Journal. Phelan and Hegseth have been at odds for months, with top officials especially annoyed last fall when Phelan took his idea for a new battleship directly to Trump. Earlier this month, Hegseth forced out Gen. Randy George, the Army's top officer.
A file photo of the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority building in New Britain, Conn.The regulatory agency on Wednesday, April 22, 2026 announced electric rate adjustments that will save customers of Eversource Energy and United Illuminating as much as $34 per month, starting May 1. Alexander Soule

Connecticut regulators have approved an electric rate adjustment that will save Eversource Energy and United Illuminating Co. customers $30-$34 per month for the average customer.

Officials with Connecticut's Public Utilities Regulatory Authority announced Wednesday that they have approved the annual rate adjustment mechanism for the state's two legacy electric utilities.

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Starting May 1, the average Eversource customer will see their rates reduced by 4.3 per kilowatt hours, which translates to a $30 per month savings while UI customers will see their rates decrease by a total of 4.9 cents per kilowatt hour for an average monthly bill reduction of $34.

The rate adjustment mechanism is designed so that rates are set on the best information that is available, with a goal of protecting consumers as much as possible from energy price volatility. PURA officials have the option to further adjust electric rates again in September if market conditions warrant that.

Wednesday's PURA decision covers a period between May 1 through April 30, 2027.

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The rate reductions announced Wednesday were driven by lower public benefits charges, particularly those tied to nuclear power contracts with the Millstone nuclear power plant in Waterford and the Seabrook nuclear generating facility in New Hampshire. according to agency officials. The public benefits charge is a a state-mandated fee on electric bills that funds a variety of programs, including energy efficiency, low-income assistance, incentives for renewable energy and nuclear power contracts.

The public benefits charge has proven to be a hot button political issue in recent years, with some suggesting the complete elimination of the bill component and others suggesting a dramatic overhaul of the mechanism.

Gov. Ned Lamont said in a statement that PURA's announcement about the rate adjustment "is good news for residents, who are soon to get some much-needed relief."

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"This is the direct result of the difficult but necessary decisions we made over the past few years, including restructuring utility arrearages and betting on nuclear power to offset the volatility of fossil fuel prices," Lamont said in a statement. "Im glad these decisions are paying off and helping to lower bills for our residents."

Connecticut's Consumer Counsel Claire Coleman said the rate reduction adjustment "is the result of sustained collaboration among state leaders, regulators, and advocates to take meaningful steps toward both long and short-term energy affordability, Coleman's office represents the interests of utility customers in rate setting cases.

"Were reducing costs for all ratepayers while helping thousands of households move beyond the burden of past-due bills." Coleman said. "At the same time, programmatic improvements to the low-income discount rate and arrearage forgiveness options are ensuring that relief is targeted and reaches those who need it most. While there is still more work to do, these actions reflect a balanced approach that lowers costs, strengthens the system, and makes energy more affordable for Connecticut families.

Tricia Modifica, an Eversource Energy spokeswoman, said some of the company's customers "may not see a significant difference in their overall bill, even with the rate reduction" because usage of electricity by the utility's customers increases by an average of 35% during summer months.

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"While any bill decrease for customers is good news in the short term, the size of this reduction is largely a result of customers being overcharged for the cost of the Millstone and Seabrook power purchase agreements last year," Modifica said. "The former PURA leadership set rates higher than the actual cost of the state-mandated contracts. We are deeply concerned because if all program and contract costs stay the same, customers will see a significant increase to their bill next year when the refund of this overcollection ends."

Angela Baccaro, a spokeswoman for UI, said company officials appreciate "the positive impact Connecticut ratepayers will see with meaningful savings" as a result of the PURA ruling.

"We remain committed to advocating for long-term policy change that will continue to support safe and reliable service at an affordable price," Baccaro said.
Members of the Connecticut Citizens Defense League and Connecticut Against Gun Violence offer opposing messages Wednesday on a proposed "convertible pistol" ban that the state House debated Wednesday in Hartford. Paul Hughes/Hearst Connecticut Media Holding a Gadsden flag-theme tumbler, state Rep. Craig Fishbein, the ranking House member of the Judiciary Committee, explains his opposition to a bill proposing to establish a convertible pistol ban and expand the existing ghost gun ban before the House debated the bill Wednesday in Hartford. Paul Hughes/Hearst Connecticut Media State Reps. Craig Fishbein, right, and Steven Stafstrom, left, the ranking House member and chairman of the Judiciary Committee, discuss a firearms bill before the House considered it Wednesday in Hartford. Ken Dixon/Hearst Connecticut Media

The House approved legislation to prohibit "convertible pistols" in an 86-64 vote that broke largely along party lines in the Democrat-controlled chamber. The bill also would expand the state's existing "ghost gun" ban to include the unfinished frames or lower receivers of weapons.

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Gov. Ned Lamont proposed to ban the sale or importation of semiautomatic handguns in Connecticut capable of being readily converted into a machine gun by installing or attaching a pistol converter as part of his legislative agenda for the 2026 session. The Judiciary Committee combined that bill and a committee bill to expand the 2019 ghost gun law outlawing unserialized, untraceable firearms.

Lamont applauded the House vote and said Wednesday he plans to sign the bill into law as soon as it arrives on his desk after Senate approval.

"I don't know why anybody wants to make it easier to take a pistol and turn it into a machine gun," he said.

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The legislation is the first major firearms-related bill to come to vote in either chamber of the General Assembly this session. The vote Wednesday sends House Bill 5043 to the Democrat-led state Senate for possible final approval in the legislature. The session is due to adjourn May 6.

The proposed convertible pistol ban would prohibit importation or sale of any semiautomatic handgun with a cruciform trigger bar that allows it to be easily converted by hand or with a common household tool into a fully automatic pistol. As proposed, the prohibition would take effect Oct. 1, 2026.

The legislation defines a cruciform trigger bar as a gun component that serves as a linkage between the trigger and firing pin, and has its sear incorporated in a cross-shaped surface. These quarter-size gun accessories, commonly known as Glock switches because of their pervasive use on Glock pistols, can be made of metal or plastic. According to the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, a pistol with a such a conversion device can fire automatically.

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Supporters and opponents said in the House debate the bill does not require gun owners to relinquish legally owned handguns that meet the definition of a convertible pistol.

A 2018 state law already outlaws the possession, sale and transfer of rapid-fire accessories, including bump stocks, pull-and-release trigger systems, trigger cranks and auto-sears that increase the rate of fire of semi-automatic pistols and rifles to mimic automatic weapons. House Bill 5043 adds pistol converters to this list. The legislation also expands the definition of machine gun to include any convertible pistol that is possessed by an individual who also possesses a pistol converter.

The bill makes it a felony crime for any person or business that imports or advertises, sells, offers or exposes for sale any convertible pistol manufactured on or before the proposed effective date of Oct. 1, 2026. Violations would be punishable by up to five years in prison, a fine up to $5,000 or both.

The 2019 ghost gun law subjects homemade firearms assembled from kits of parts or manufactured polymer plastics to the same requirements as conventionally manufactured guns, including serial number and background check requirements. The new legislation clarifies that the 2019 law includes the unfinished firearm frames or lower receivers.

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Before the final House vote, Republicans proposed three amendments seeking to establish a tax credit for the purchase of a gun safe, remove fees for firearms permits and certificates, and extend the validity period for firearms permits and certificates. All failed on party-line votes.

In the final House vote, all 49 Republicans and 15 of the 102 Democrats opposed House Bill 5043. Republican opponents argued the bill's ban on convertible pistol overreaches, unfairly singles out a gun manufacturer and its products, and unconstitutionally violates the Second Amendment.

"What this bill does is it makes regular, lawful, useful, constitutionally protected handguns that are used for lawful purposes for self-defense, for target shooting, for marksmanship, for training  makes those illegal," said Rep. Doug Dubitsky, R-Chaplin.

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Rep. Bob Godfrey, D-Danbury, said the legislation would increase public safety.
An in-ground pool is seen in Fairfields Beach District. The town is considering banning pools in several coastal flood zones, a rare move that highlights how communities are rethinking development as seas rise. Andreas Yilma/Hearst Connecticut Media

With sea levels projected to rise 20 inches in Long Island Sound by 2050 according to a 2019 report, Connecticut coastal towns and cities are rethinking how to adapt to climate change.

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In towns, over the last 10 years theres been an appreciation that sea level is rising, said James ODonnell, director of the Connecticut Institute for Resilience and Climate Adaptation, and author of the February 2019 sea level report.

In Fairfield, officials are debating a different kind of response: banning the construction of new in-ground swimming pools along the shoreline.

Its an unusual move  one that appears to have few, if any, precedents nationwide. Swimming pools typically are allowed in coastal flood zones if they meet strict standards set by local, state and federal governments. Fairfield officials say their proposal reflects the towns highly developed shoreline and layout. But it also illustrates how, as climate risks grow, some coastal communities are beginning to consider a wider range of responses.

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Fairfields Town Plan and Zoning Commission has proposed adding a section to its regulations that would prohibit in-ground pools in several coastal flood zones, citing environmental and safety risks during major storms. Spas and hot tubs would still be allowed, but only if they are elevated above a certain height, according to the proposal.

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The new rule would affect nearly 1,000 shoreline properties. The 14 existing pools in those areas would be allowed to remain as legal nonconforming structures.

Fairfield officials say the goal is to prevent further erosion along the towns vulnerable coastline  one of the most heavily developed stretches of shoreline in the state, where seasonal cottages increasingly have been converted into year-round homes.

Theres also a safety component. During major floods, pools can break apart and become dangerous debris.

A swimming pool generally isnt tied down to a foundation  its basically a big block of concrete, ODonnell said. When the floodwaters rise above it, it can float, like a big concrete bathtub.

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Under federal guidelines, pools in flood-prone areas must be anchored in place or frangible, meaning they are designed to break apart safely during storms.

Anything thats going to break apart and become a projectile for where somebody lives, thats problematic, Fairfield Planning Director Emmeline Harrigan said.

Several residents have pushed back on the proposal, saying it goes too far given that federal and state regulations dont prohibit pools in coastal zones. Their displeasure has drawn national attention.

Obviously we struck a nerve, Harrigan said.

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In most communities, both in Connecticut and nationwide, pools are regulated through a combination of local zoning, state permitting and federal floodplain standards rather than banned outright.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency generally allows pools in flood-prone areas as long as they are designed in a way that doesnt worsen flooding or damage nearby buildings.

One principal is you shouldnt build something in a flood zone that will obstruct the flow of floodwaters, ODonnell said. When water is moving across someones property, you dont want to slow it down because it will exacerbate erosion potentially or create forces on things that they werent designed to withstand.

In addition to FEMA, pools are subject to state and local rules. Connecticuts state building code requires a permit for most pool work, as well as fencing taller than 4 feet high. Local zoning regulations determine where pools can be built and how theyre reviewed, and these rules likely will become more strict as storms intensify, experts say. Pools near wetlands often face additional scrutiny.

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But even with those layers of regulations, outright bans on pools are extremely rare, based on a review by CT Insider. ODonnell said he has never heard of such a provision. Austin Foulds, a Fairfield resident who researched regulations in other Connecticut communities, said last month he couldnt find another municipality with a pool ban.

The only comparable effort occurred in North Carolina, where officials tried to pass a statewide rule in 2002 banning swimming pools in a regulated area between oceanfront homes and the beach, according to local news reports. Like Fairfields proposal, the idea mostly was driven by concerns that pools could break apart during storms, and contribute to debris and damage. The plan never took effect. State lawmakers intervened to block the rules, siding with homeowners and tourism interests who argued pools were an important draw for beach rentals.

Harrigan, Fairfields planning director, said the commission is still considering its options and might end up taking a narrower approach, such as requiring special permits or reviewing pools on a case-by-case basis.

Something that allows us to look at the site specific to each property that wants to request this, she said. There may be some (properties) that are more appropriate than others.

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Even if it doesnt pass, the proposal underscores the kind of out-of-the-box thinking communities are using to respond to rising seas and increasing flood risks. In New London, rows of concrete reef balls in the Thames River are helping to protect the shoreline by mimicking natural reefs. And in Groton, at the University of Connecticuts Avery Point campus, researchers have turned nearly two centuries of sea level data into music to highlight the urgency of climate change.

The message also is being reinforced at the state level. Last summer, Connecticut passed a law requiring municipalities to plan for major weather and climate emergencies.

As a Long Island Sound-adjacent community, we are required to talk about sea level rise and future resiliency efforts, Harrigan said. This is not uncommon to other municipalities across the state.

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Dentist Ting Luo conducts a dental cleaning on patient Jaime Salin, of Torrington, at Community Health & Wellness in Torrington on Monday, April 20, 2026. Community Health & Wellness dental services reopened after a yearlong pause, following increases in Medicaid reimbursements. Dave Zajac/Hearst Connecticut Media Dentist Ting Luo, center, and dental assistant Jessie Gutierrez, right, talk with patient Jaime Salin, of Torrington, before a cleaning at Community Health & Wellness in Torrington on Monday, April 20, 2026. Community Health & Wellness dental services reopened after a yearlong pause, following increases in Medicaid reimbursements. Dave Zajac/Hearst Connecticut Media Dental assistant Jessie Gutierrez works at her desk at Community Health & Wellness in Torrington on Monday, April 20, 2026. Community Health & Wellness dental services reopened after a yearlong pause, following increases in Medicaid reimbursements. Dave Zajac/Hearst Connecticut Media Patient Access at Community Health & Wellness in Torrington. Community Health & Wellness dental services reopened after a yearlong pause, following increases in Medicaid reimbursements. Dave Zajac/Hearst Connecticut Media Community Health & Wellness dental services reopened after a yearlong pause, following increases in Medicaid reimbursements. Dave Zajac/Hearst Connecticut Media Community Health & Wellness dental services reopened after a yearlong pause, following increases in Medicaid reimbursements. Dave Zajac/Hearst Connecticut Media

Dental services at a federally qualified health center in Torrington have reopened more than a year after care was suspended due to underfunding.

In February 2025, the Community Health & Wellness Center was among several community health centers across the state that scaled back dental care because Medicaid reimbursement for services did not cover the full cost.

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CEO Joanne Borduas said the cost of dental care was about three to four times the amount the health center was reimbursed for services. The programs are being restored after the health centers and lawmakers reached an agreement to phase in some reimbursement increases over the next three years to align with 2023 costs.

Its great right now that it helps us during these turbulent times to be able to get reimbursed closer to care, Borduas said. But we have to find a way to work with the state, to be looking at this continually, because, as I said, were already three years behind.

More than 400,000 residents receive primary, dental and behavioral health services at one of 17 federally qualified health centers in Connecticut.

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Of these patients, about 60% rely on Medicaid. However, state reimbursement rates for services at these centers have historically struggled to keep up with rising care costs and demand. Some service rates have been stagnant for decades.

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CHWC had been offering dental care services since its founding in 2002, Borduas said, and was absorbing the fiscal loss left by the reimbursement gap.

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In 2025, Borduas said that Medicaid reimbursement for dental services was a flat rate of around $170.31; meanwhile, some restorative dental treatments can cost upward of $1,000. She added that the center would have lost more than half a million dollars in dental services alone if it had not taken action by the end of the year. Low reimbursement rates not only affect the ability to provide care but also limit a health centers capacity to offer competitive wages amid an ongoing workforce shortage.

Many of the dental patients were also receiving other services through the CHWC, so Borduas said they were able to stay in close communication about the pause in services. They also worked to ensure they could access care elsewhere, primarily through UConn Health.

Still, Borduas said, What we kept hearing from (patients) is we cant wait for you to open up again.

It was really hard, especially knowing that oral health is really connected to physical health and its part of treating the whole person, she added. So, it was not an easy decision for us, and especially since it had been embedded into what we do for 24 years.

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Federally qualified health centers had long been pushing for reimbursement increases but struggled to get any movement for years. In March 2025, the Community Health Center Association of Connecticut filed a legal petition as an initial step toward suing the Department of Social Services over its reimbursement formula.

Advocates reached an agreement with the state in July, giving the 17 federally qualified health centers $80 million in adjustments over the next three years to align with 2023 costs. As a result, the association withdrew its complaint.

Under the new agreement, Borduas said, the reimbursement rate for dental care will increase to $194.21  or at least 14%  starting in October.

That boost allows the CHWC to gradually resume routine dental clinic services  such as exams, cleanings, X-rays, and other treatments  as it continues to hire additional staff. Patients who need more complicated procedures would be referred to community partners for care.

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Dental services are available Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. until 7 p.m. CHWC may also begin gradually phasing dental staff rotations into the Winsted location once the Torrington location is fully operational.

For now, anyone who is looking for dental services from the Winsted community, we are working with them to come to Torrington to make sure they can get their oral health care needs met, Borduas said.

State reimbursement rates, however, still have a long way to go before the deficit is fully closed for many services and provider types. The issue even extends into private dental practices, Borduas said, and as a result, many dont accept Medicaid as payment, impacting access to care for patients.

Incoming federal cuts to Medicaid and new eligibility requirements are also a major concern, Borduas said, adding that many patients may lose coverage altogether.

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The future is a bit unpredictable right now, and we are really just working with what we know to be, Borduas said. We know cuts are coming. We know we have an obligation, and we have to figure out how to move forward to continue to meet that, and financially, it is challenging right now.
David Douches, a Michigan State University professor who leads the school's Potato Breeding and Genetics Program, holds a potato chip in his hand during a taste testing in East Lansing, Mich., on Tuesday, March 24, 2026 Mike Householder/AP Better Made Snack Foods worker Tonya Tinsleydoes quality control checks on potatoes at a processing facility in Detroit, on Thursday, April 2, 2026 Mike Householder/AP Potato chips move along a conveyor at a Better Made Snack Foods processing facility in Detroit, on Thursday, April 2, 2026 Mike Householder/AP David Douches, a Michigan State University professor who leads the school's Potato Breeding and Genetics Program, inspects some items at a campus greenhouse in East Lansing, Mich., on Tuesday, March 24, 2026 Mike Householder/AP

EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP)  Theres a surprising amount of science in a bag of potato chips.

Researchers have spent decades developing potatoes for chip makers that can grow in all kinds of climates, avoid diseases and pests, sit in storage for months and still deliver a satisfying crunch. They've also kept an eye on consumer trends; a shift to snack-size portions has increased the demand for smaller chipping potatoes, for example.

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The potato industry is dynamic," said David Douches, a Michigan State University professor who leads the schools Potato Breeding and Genetics Program. The needs change, the costs, the pressures that they have, and the markets change. So we have to adapt to that with our varieties.

Douches has developed five new potato varieties for chips in the the last 15 years. His latest breakthrough is a bioengineered potato that can maintain a proper sugar balance when stored at colder temperatures, which can help keep potatoes from rotting. He is currently growing seeds for commercial testing of the potato, which is not yet on the market.

Douches' work helps fight world hunger; he has developed disease-resistant varieties for farmers in Nigeria, Kenya, Rwanda and Bangladesh. But he's also helping U.S. chip makers, grateful snackers and Michigan's $2.5 billion potato industry. While Idaho leads the U.S. in potato production, Michigan is the top producer of potatoes for chips.

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There are around 50 unique potato varieties grown for chips in the U.S. right now, according to the National Chip Program, a cooperative that brings together Michigan State and 11 other university breeding programs with growers, companies that make chips, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Efforts to improve those varieties are constant. The National Chip Program evaluates around 225 new potato varieties each year and selects 100 for further trials, said Tim Rendall, the director of production research at Potatoes USA, a trade group that oversees the chip program.

The close partnership between researchers, farmers and potato chip companies is unusual in the food industry, said Phil Gusmano, the vice president of purchasing at Better Made Snack Foods, which has produced potato chips in Detroit since 1930. Better Made worked closely with Douches when he was developing two of the varieties the company uses now, Gusmano said.

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We were able talk about size profile and different needs that make a really good chip, Gusmano said. And the great thing is, theyre willing to listen to what we have to say, because if they put together a potato that doesnt really meet the needs for the end processor, it doesnt do them any good.

Breeding a new type of potato can take up to 15 years, Douches said. The simple potato has a surprisingly complicated genetic structure, with four chromosomes in each cell compared to two in most species, including humans. That makes it harder to predict which traits that cross-bred plants will inherit, he said.

Were never able to fix a trait and carry that over to the next generation, so its very difficult to find a potato that has all the traits that we want, Douches said.

Douches became fascinated with potato breeding and genetics while in graduate school. At Michigan State, he focuses on chipping potatoes, since Michigan is a leading producer. Around 70% of the states potato crop is destined for chip processing, according to the Michigan Ag Council. The trade group estimates that one of every four bags of potato chips produced in the U.S. contains Michigan potatoes.

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Breeding potatoes that can sit in storage for nearly a year has been one of the biggest challenges in Douches' 40-year career. Historically, farmers harvested potatoes and then stored them in huge piles at around 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius). Temperatures any colder cause sugar levels to rise in the root vegetables, and higher sugar content leads to darker potato chips. But warmer storage conditions can lead to rot.

You think theyre just these inanimate objects, but they actually are respiring and breathing, Douches said. When you do that to them, youve got, like, a two- to three-day window where theyre happy.

His Manistee variety, which was released in 2013, can be safely stored until July at 45 F (7.2 C) degrees. His new bioengineered potato can be stored at 40 F (4.4 C).

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Gusmano said Better Made used to source potatoes from outside of Michigan for half the year because the Michigan potatoes it harvested in the fall only could be stored until February. The company now uses newer varieties, like Douches' Mackinaw potato, which can be stored until July and is resistant to several common diseases.
A Guatemalan man convicted of illegally reentering the United States after being deported was sentenced in Hartford federal court Wednesday to six months in prison, officials said. Hearst Connecticut Media file photo

HARTFORD  A Guatemalan man who was convicted of illegally reentering the United States after being deported was ordered to serve six months in prison Wednesday, officials said.

Carlos Egberto Jimenez-Tun, 28, was sentenced during a hearing in Hartford federal court, according to a news release from David X. Sullivan, U.S. attorney for the District of Connecticut.

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Sullivan said Jimenez-Tun was previously arrested by U.S. Border Patrol in Texas twice in 2019 for illegally entering the country and was deported each time to his home country of Guatemala.



He said Jimenez-Tun later reentered the country before being arrested in Connecticut between 2023 and 2025 for larceny, failure to appear in court, interfering and resisting arrest and violating probation.

Sullivan said Jimenez-Tun was apprehended by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Jan. 16 in Bridgeport after he was released from state custody.

Sullivan said Jimenez-Tun, who is also known as Carlos Egberto-Jimenez, pleaded guilty on Jan. 27 to unlawful reentry.
This photo shows the damage to the dining room of the Hot Roostah Restaurant on Foxon Road in East Haven after a car crashed into it on Friday, April 17, 2026. The Jamaican eatery has reopened as the driver begins to recover from serious injuries. Courtesy of Basil Waite and Annastassia Scott This photo shows the damage to the dining room of the Hot Roostah Restaurant on Foxon Road in East Haven after a car crashed into it on Friday, April 17, 2026. The Jamaican eatery had reopened. Courtesy of Basil Waite and Annastassia Scott

EAST HAVEN  Less than a week after a car crashed into the Hot Roostah Restaurant, putting a giant hole in its dining area, the Jamaican eatery has reopened.

The restaurant reopened Wednesday morning, said Annastassia Scott, who is both co-owner and wife to Basil Waite, the primary owner.

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The gaping hole in the outside brick and cinder block wall is covered with plywood, Scott said, and Waite and his father built a new interior wall about six feet away from it.

Half my dining area was blocked off to accomplish this, she said. She said a building official suggested the new wall.

This photo shows the new dining room wall, (with a black door), that allowed the Hot Roostah Restaurant on Foxon Road in East Haven to reopen on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. The reopening was five days after a car crashed into the Jamaican eatery, leaving a gaping hole in an outside wall. Courtesy of Basil Waite and Annastassia Scott

East Haven Building Official William Brown confirmed that he and health officials visited the restaurant Tuesday and gave the green light for the reopening.

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The crash happened shortly before 5:30 a.m. Friday. A preliminary investigation showed that the driver had just finished working a night shift and fell asleep behind the wheel, police Capt. Joseph Murgo said. He drove into a street sign and a telephone pole before being "catapulted" into the building. The car became embedded in the wall and was about five feet off the ground, he said.

A car crashed into the Hot Roostah Restaurant on Foxon Road in East Haven on Friday, sending one person to the hospital with serious injuries, officials say. The Jamaican eatery reopened on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, as the driver of the car recovers from serious injuries. Courtesy of the East Haven Fire Department

The driver, who had to be extricated, is recovering from serious injuries. He was not impaired and may not face charges, Murgo said Wednesday.

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The man is identified in an online fundraiser as Anthony Marchitto, a father of three who "has a long road of recovery ahead," it says. The GoFundMe was set up to help pay for medical expenses, it says; it had raised more than $25,000 by Wednesday afternoon.

The Hot Roostah Restaurants hours are 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday through Wednesday for dine-in, (7:30 a.m.-6:45 p.m. for takeout, including Door Dash), and 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Thursday through Saturday for dine-in (7:30 a.m.8:45 p.m. for takeout.)

The restaurant is closed on Sundays.
A file photo of an East Haven police cruiser. Police said a juvenile was arrested Saturday after fleeing officers in a stolen vehicle and rear-ending another car. Hearst Connecticut Media file photo

EAST HAVEN  A juvenile was arrested Saturday after fleeing police in a stolen vehicle and rear-ending another car during the pursuit, officials said.

The chase began around 9 p.m. when officers were dispatched to Old Foxon Road for a report of a vehicle theft, according to a Facebook post shared by the East Haven Police Department.

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Police said one of the responding officers spotted a silver vehicle, later determined to be a stolen Hyundai, driving recklessly on Foxon Road.

The officer attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver fled at a high rate of speed and rear-ended a vehicle in the area of Foxon Road and Eastern Street, police said.

Police said the collision damaged the vehicles tires, allowing officers to follow a trail of burnt rubber up Eastern Street, where they found the vehicle at a dead end on Venice Place.

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However, the driver, who was wearing a ski mask, managed to elude police and continued on Laurel Street, police said.

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At this point, the stolen vehicle, which was riding on its rims, fled to an apartment complex in the 200 block of Laurel Street, police said.

Police said the driver exited the stolen vehicle and fled on foot into a marsh, but was captured with the help of a K-9 named Enzo.

The unnamed juvenile was charged with larceny of a motor vehicle, first-degree criminal trover, engaging police in pursuit, interfering with an officer, reckless driving and driving without a license.

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Hamden police say Yamiles Garcia (left), Sonia Davila (center) and Yaritza Rey (right) were arrested in connection to a fight in January in which multiple people were stabbed. Courtesy of the Hamden Police Department A Hamden police vehicle. Hamden police say Sonia Davila, Yaritza Rey and Yamiles Garcia were arrested in connection to a fight in January in which multiple people were stabbed. Ben Lambert / Hearst Connecticut Media

HAMDEN  Town police have arrested three women in connection with a fight in January during which three people were stabbed, an official says.

In a release, Hamden police Detective Hailey Zarzuela said 35-year-old Sonia Davila, 32-year-old Yaritza Rey and 30-year-old Yamiles Garcia, all Hamden residents, turned themselves in to headquarters on Wednesday.

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Zarzuela said the arrests came after an investigation into a fight that took place on Jan. 16 on the 300 block of Pine Rock Avenue.

At the time of the incident, police said officers were called to the area at 4:18 p.m. and arrived to find three women with stab wounds. They said the victims were transported to hospitals for treatment, with one in critical condition and the other two suffering injuries not considered life threatening.

Police said a preliminary investigation revealed the incident occurred following a dispute between neighbors, which then escalated into a violent confrontation outside the main entrance to the building that ended in the stabbings. They said all parties involved were identified and there was no ongoing threat to the public, adding a search warrant was obtained for an associated apartment and evidence had been secured.

Davila was charged with first-degree assault, third-degree assault, first-degree reckless endangerment, risk of injury to a minor and second-degree breach of peace. She is being held on a $250,000 bond.

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Rey was charged with criminal attempt at first-degree assault, second-degree assault, carrying a dangerous weapon, second-degree threatening, risk of injury to a minor and second-degree breach of peace. She is being held on a $150,000 bond.
File photo of U.S. District Court in Bridgeport. Federal officials said Morris Carter III, a Hartford man, was sentenced to 13 years in prison for possessing a firearm as a felon. Hearst Connecticut Media

HARTFORD  A Hartford man with a felony record has been sentenced to 13 years in prison after a fight in 2023 led police to determine he illegally possessed a firearm, officials said.

Morris Carter III, 37, also known as "Mo," was sentenced in federal court in Bridgeport to 156 months in prison and three years of supervised release for firearm offenses and violating the conditions of his supervised release, U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut David Sullivan said in a news release Wednesday,

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Sullivan said Carter was involved in a fight in a convenience store in the south end of Hartford on Feb. 19, 2023. Surveillance footage showed Carter possessed a firearm and beat a convenience store patron in the head with a firearm magazine, which ejected ammunition during the altercation, Sullivan said.

Carter then fled the store, drove toward Wethersfield and threw two handguns from the car window, Sullivan said. Town police stopped the car on Nott Street, found a loaded magazine under the passenger seat and arrested Carter, he said.

Sullivan said a Wethersfield resident called police later that morning after discovering one of the discarded guns at the end of her driveway. He said officers responded and found both discarded firearms, a magazine and ammunition in the area.

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Detained since his arrest, Carter was found guilty of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number on Aug. 15, 2025, according to Sullivan.

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Carter has a criminal history that includes a 2013 conviction for possession of crack cocaine with intent to distribute, Sullivan said, adding he was on probation when the 2023 incident took place. He said Carter was sentenced to 136 months in prison for the firearm offenses and a consecutive 20 months in prison for violating supervised release.
Jabari Bush, center, during arraignment at state Superior Court in Bridgeport March 30, 2026, with his attorney Robert Berke. Arnold Gold/Hearst Connecticut Media Bridgeport firefighters wait to enter state Superior Court in Bridgeport March 30, 2026, for the arraignment of Jabari Bush in the fatal shooting of Bridgeport Firefighter Terrence Cramer. Arnold Gold/Hearst Connecticut Media

BRIDGEPORT  A West Haven man accused of fatally shooting Bridgeport firefighter Terrence Cramer during a home invasion in Stratford last month was expected Wednesday to ask a judge to reduce his $2 million bond, but the case instead was continued.

Jabari Bush faces charges of murder, felony murder, home invasion, third-degree assault, and criminal possession of a firearm in the March 28 killing.

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During a brief appearance before Judge Shari A. Murphy at the Bridgeport Judicial District Courthouse, Bush's attorney, Robert Berke, asked that the anticipated argument regarding his client's bond not go forward Wednesday.

The judge instead continued the case to June 2. By agreement, the time will not count toward a statutory deadline for Bush to decide whether he wants a probable cause hearing, which are mandated in murder cases unless waived by the defense.

Hundreds gathered to mourn Cramer, a father and popular member of the Bridgeport Fire Department, earlier this month. Large crowds of firefighters have been in attendance at each of Bush's previous court appearances, in addition to many members of Cramer's family.

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An arrest warrant affidavit for Bush said he broke into a Stratford home and shot Cramer while the firefighter was in bed with a woman who had broken up with Bush after dating him for several years.

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Bush has been on a $2 million bond since his arraignment last month, and was expected to argue for a lower bond at an April 8 appearance, but the case instead was continued.

In court papers, Bush's attorney, Robert Berke, requested Bush's bond be lowered to $1.5 million with house arrest and electronic monitoring.

If granted, Berke wrote that Bush would be required to post $450,000 cash to the clerk and a premium of $73,500 to be released pending trial.

"The defendant's current bail is the equivalent to a surety bond of approximately $10 million," a motion to modify Bush's conditions of release read. The motion contrasted Bush's case with that of Qinxuan Pan, who was held on a $20 million bond while awaiting trial in the 2021 killing of Yale graduate student Kevin Jiang.

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Pan, who was arrested months after the crime while on the run in Alabama, "posed a significant flight risk" and also had mental health issues, Berke said.
FILE - The Department of Justice seal is seen in Washington, Nov. 28, 2018. Jose Luis Magana/AP

WASHINGTON (AP)  The Justice Department has settled for $1.25 million a lawsuit from an aide to President Donald Trump's 2016 campaign who was the target of secret surveillance during the FBIs Russia investigation.

Carter Page asserted in a 2020 lawsuit that he was the victim of unlawful spying by an FBI agency that was investigating whether Trump's 2016 campaign had conspired with Russia to affect the outcome of the election. The lawsuit alleged a series of omissions and errors made by FBI and Justice Department officials in applications they submitted in 2016 and 2017 to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court to eavesdrop on Page on suspicion that he was an agent of Russia.

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Page vigorously denied any claim of improper ties to Russia and was never charged with any wrongdoing.

Page appealed to the Supreme Court after lower courts tossed out his suit, with appellate judges saying last year that he had waited too long to file his complaint. But as the appeal was pending, the Trump administration informed the Supreme Court on Wednesday that it had reached a settlement with Page on his claims against the federal government. The settlement does not cover claims Page had made against former FBI officials he had also sued.

The court filing to the Supreme Court did not reveal a dollar figure, but a person familiar with the matter who insisted on anonymity to discuss non-public information said the amount of the deal was $1.25 million.

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Page's lawsuit followed a harshly critical Justice Department inspector general report that found significant problems with the four surveillance applications. Former FBI and Justice Department leaders who were involved in signing off on the surveillance have since said they wouldnt have done so had they known of the extent of the issues, and the FBI has said it had initiated more than 40 corrective steps aimed at improving the accuracy and thoroughness of applications.

Despite the problems with the warrant applications, the scrutiny of Page accounted for only a narrow portion of the overall investigation into ties between the Trump campaign and Russia.

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An investigation by special counsel Robert Mueller concluded that Russia had interfered on Trump's behalf during the 2016 campaign and that the campaign welcomed the assistance. Mueller's team said it did not find sufficient evidence to establish a criminal conspiracy between the campaign and Russia.
FILE - The U.S. Department of Justice logo is seen on a podium before a news conference at the Justice Department in Washington, on May 6, 2025. Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP The city of Logan, Utah, a college and dairy farming town, is seen from the hillside on the Utah State University campus, Wednesday, April 22, 2026. Hannah Schoenbaum/AP

LOGAN, Utah (AP)  President Donald Trumps administration took the unusual step this week of sending a government plane to Cuba to return a 10-year-old from Utah who is at the center of a complicated and contentious custody fight involving the childs gender identity.

The child's parent, Rose Inessa-Ethington, a transgender woman, is accused of taking the child to Cuba without the permission of the biological mother. Federal and state authorities sought the return of the child after a family member expressed concern that Inessa-Ethington went to Havana to get the child gender transition surgery.

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Inessa-Ethington, who had run a popular Utah political blog in the 2010s, was arrested along with her partner, Blue Inessa-Ethington, and charged in the U.S. with international parental kidnapping.

The couple traveled with the child to Canada ostensibly for a camping trip in late March with Blues 3-year-old child. However, the two adults turned off their phones after telling the older childs mother they had arrived in Canada. They flew from Vancouver to Mexico and then to Cuba on April 1, according to a criminal complaint filed Monday in federal court in Utah.

The charges don't say if the couple actually planned on getting the child gender-affirming surgery in Cuba or how they would get it because that surgery isn't legal for children in Cuba.

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The FBI said that Blue Inessa-Ethington withdrew $10,000 from her checking account before leaving. Agents also found at their home a note with instructions from a mental health therapist in Washington, D.C., to send the therapist the $10,000.00 and instructions on gender affirming medical care for children. That note didn't mention Cuba.

The use of the Department of Justice plane in a parental kidnapping investigation comes after the Trump administration sought to block access to gender-affirming care for minors and pressured health care providers over the issue.

The Associated Press left telephone and email messages with the court-appointed attorneys who represented Blue and Rose Inessa-Ethington in Virginia. The defendants will be returned to Utah to face one count each of international parental kidnapping, according to court filings.

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Search began after child wasn't returned as scheduled

The search for the child began on April 3 when they were not returned to the mother in Utah as scheduled, court documents show.

The 10-year-olds mother, who was divorced from Rose Inessa-Ethington and had shared custody of the child, filed a missing-person report with police in Logan, Utah, a college and dairy farming town about 70 miles (115 kilometers) north of Salt Lake City.

Logan City Police Chief Jeff Simmons said his departments initial focus was on the custodial interference allegations in the case, and he said investigators did not learn until later about concerns over gender-affirming surgery.

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Logan police spokesperson Sgt. Brandon Bevan said those concerns were raised by one family member. He declined to say who.

They just had the concern about it, no actual physical evidence Bevan said.

A Utah state judge ordered the return of the 10-year-old to the childs mother on April 13. Three days later, a federal magistrate judge issued an arrest warrant for the Inessa-Ethingtons. On the same day, Cuban law enforcement located the group. They were deported to the U.S. aboard the government plane Monday and arraigned in federal court in Richmond, Virginia.

The 10-year-old was returned to the childs biological mother, First Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa Holyoak in Utah indicated in a statement. Representatives of the FBI and U.S. attorneys office in Utah declined to say what happened to the 3-year-old child who had been with the group.

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Parents engaged in custody dispute

The custody dispute between the parents does not appear to be a new development. An online fundraiser created five years go by Blue Inessa-Ethington titled Help a Trans Mother Keep Custody of Her Child raised $9,766.

Last week, Roses ex relocated several counties away, negatively impacting Roses parent-time with the child, she wrote on the fundraising page. She said the money would be used to seek a court order that would keep the child safe and stable throughout this process.

Anyone who has spent time with Rose knows how much care and thought she puts into parenting her gender open child, she wrote.

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Family members said the child was assigned male at birth but identifies as a girl because of what they believed to be manipulation by Rose Inessa-Ethington, according to an April 16 affidavit from FBI Special Agent Jennifer Waterfield.

Gender-affirming care for minors has been limited

The Trump administration moved in December to cut off gender-affirming care for minors, prompting a third of states to sue.

It was the latest in a series of clashes between an administration that says transgender health care can be harmful to children and advocates who say its medically necessary.

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Gender-affirming surgery is rare among U.S. children, research shows. Guidance from several major medical organizations calls for caution around surgery for minors and says decisions about treatments are case-by-case. Fewer than 1 in 1,000 U.S. adolescents receive gender-affirming medications, such as hormones or puberty blockers.

In Cuba, gender-affirming surgeries are banned for minors and only performed for adults through the public health system under strict supervision in designated public hospitals for Cuban citizens. They must be authorized by a medical commission after a comprehensive review of the patients file. That process often takes years because it requires a wide range of medical and psychological evaluations.

___

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Seniors celebrate at the Jonathan Law High School graduation in Milford, Conn., on June 11, 2024. Brian A. Pounds/Hearst Connecticut Media

MILFORD  Milfords two high schools will hold their graduation ceremonies for the Class of 2026 on separate days in June, following approval by the Board of Education.

Joseph A. Foran High Schools graduation is scheduled for Tuesday, June 16, while Jonathan Law High School will hold its ceremony on Wednesday, June 17. Both events will begin at 5:15 p.m.

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The ceremonies will be held at the respective schools.

The schedule aligns with the state requirement of 180 school days, Superintendent Anna Cutaia said. The last day of school for students is June 17, with an early dismissal.

In the state of Connecticut, we are required to complete 180 days of schooling, Cutaia said. The 180th day has been moved to June 16, and the 181st day is Wednesday, June 17.

Milford Public Schools rotates the graduation order between the two high schools each year.

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Chef Scott Kaluczky who co-owned the Silvermine Market with Lou Aloupis. Couresty Lou Aloupis The former Silvermine Market in the section of the Silvermine neighborhood in New Canaan. Couresty Lou Aloupis Lou Aloupis who owned the market at 1032 Silvermine Road with chef Scott Kaluczky for two decades. Couresty Lou Aloupis Inside the old Silvermine Market. Couresty Lou Aloupis Inside the old Silvermine Market. Couresty Lou Aloupis Coffee cup from the Silvermine Market Couresty Lou Aloupis A pre-election event at the Silvermine Market. Couresty Lou Aloupis

NEW CANAAN  Six months after the much-loved Silvermine Market closed, its longtime owners are searching for a new space to set up shop again, saying they miss their customers.

We're just looking for community again, and that's what we miss a lot is our customers and community, said Lou Aloupis who owned the market at 1032 Silvermine Road with chef Scott Kaluczky for two decades.

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Aloupis said they closed the market because the landlord wanted to sell the property after their 20-year lease was up at the end of November 2025. Now a new restaurant, a French bistro is planned for the building by new owners Pavel and Dana Jansa, who bought the building and half-acre parcel for about $1 million.

Aloupis and Kaluczky are looking for an affordable commercial space to lease in downtown New Canaan, or in the Norwalk or Wilton sections of the neighborhood along the Silvermine River which straddles all three towns.

We would love to ideally, wave the magic wand, be in Silvermine, he said, adding, "and that could also be downtown New Canaan too, because we are a New Canaan-based business." Aloupis and Kluczky, who both live in Norwalk, are in their early 60s and 50s respectively, and have done a few catering jobs since closing, while searching for another place.

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We just haven't found it yet, we're looking for it, Aloupis said, noting that "affordable rent" and adequate parking are equally important features. "What's important to us is parking and the ability to pull up, grab your stuff and go easy in and easy out," he said.

When they closed the market they kept pretty quiet about it and many customers were surprised.

We told the handful of our very good customers and the reason why we didn't make some big public announcements was just, I think, too emotional for us, Aloupis said. It was a lot for us because we love what we do.

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The market had been serving the community since the turn of the 20th century when it was named Guthries. The pair took it over in 2006 when the New York Times gave it a casual review in their Quick Bites column, praising the barn-red, shingled market for its homey goodies.

When Aloupis and Kaluczky first took the place over, the market became more of a bistro and deli, serving breakfast and lunch. They made their cold cuts in-house, smoking hams, pastrami and cooking roast beef. All their soups were house made as well as chicken pot pies.

During the pandemic they pivoted to prepared meals to go, which became a regular offering afterwards because of high customer demand. They also ran a catering business and had a list of 70 families for Thanksgiving dinners or sides. Theyve also catered weddings, funerals and fundraisers throughout the years.

The partners were also involved in the community and turned the market into a hub throughout power outages during Hurricane Irene and Superstorm Sandy, setting up phone charging stations and hosting community dinners.

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Silvermine resident Frank Whitman who has lived in the New Canaan since 1955 has fond memories of the place.

It's a place to go if you want a bowl of good soup or a quick sandwich or meet a friend, Whitman said. It's just been a linchpin of the neighborhood for a long time and very beloved by the artists who come walk across the street from the Silvermine Art Center and get their lunch or snack as well.

Whitman also remembered the market as child long before the partners owned it.

As a kid, and kids still do, you'd get some money, you could ride your bike up there and buy an ice cream or a bag of cookies or candy, he said.

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The market remained kid-friendly over the years, allowing Girl Scouts to sell cookies at their store and giving teens cooking lessons when Kaluczky filled in at Wilton High School as a substitute teacher in the culinary arts program. They would also do children's parties where they'd all make pizza together.

Aloupis said he is looking forward to opening in a new place and hopes to recreate the "magic" of the old place there.

We'll call it version 2.0 of the marketplace, he said. We're just two guys, but we loved what we did, and we will do it again, and it's just a matter of trying to make it work, I mean logically, financially, and location-wise.
Students paint during a TK class at First Street Elementary School in Los Angeles, on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. Ethan Swope/AP Students play during a TK class at First Street Elementary School in Los Angeles, on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. Ethan Swope/AP TK teacher Miss Flores leads students to lunch during a TK class at First Street Elementary School in Los Angeles, on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. Ethan Swope/AP Assistant lead teacher Yolanda Maheia reads a book to a group of preschool students at The Capitol Hill Child Enrichment Center, Wednesday, April 22, 2026, in Atlanta. Alyssa Pointer/AP Rebecca Ellis and her son, John Patrick Ellis, 5, pose for a portrait at The Capitol Hill Child Enrichment Center, Wednesday, April 22, 2026, in Atlanta. Alyssa Pointer/AP

WASHINGTON (AP)  The number of 4-year-olds attending state-funded preschools reached record highs last school year, driven by states embracing universal access and an unprecedented $14.4 billion in spending.

State-funded preschool enrollment in the U.S. rose to 1.8 million kids, reaching 37% of 4-year-olds and about 10% of 3-year-olds, according to an annual report published Wednesday by the National Institute of Early Education Research. In total, states added 44,000 students to their preschool enrollment. But the report's authors noted that the gains were smaller than the year prior and said preschool access remains wildly uneven from state to state. Some states even lost ground.

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If providing high-quality preschool education to all 3- and 4-year-olds were a race, the authors wrote, some states are nearing the finish line, others have stumbled and fallen behind, and a few have yet to leave the starting line.

Free preschool has expanded in California

More than half the nation's public preschool enrollment gain  some 25,000 students  came in California, which this year made every 4-year-old eligible for its  transitional kindergarten  program, or TK. The rapid rollout has had its tradeoffs. The national institute outlines 10 quality benchmarks for preschools, related to teacher training, class size and curriculum. California met just two of them last school year. And private preschool owners say the rush of 4-year-olds joining public schools threatens to cripple their businesses.

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Universal TK ... is a real win, but its also just the start of the work and not the end of it, said Jessica Sawko of Children Now, which advocates on early childhood issues in California. She noted that the state will hit two more quality benchmarks in next year's report, by lowering its student-teacher ratio to 10-to-1 and by requiring lead teachers to have early education training.

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The report illustrates some of the difficult tradeoffs states face when they scale up programs quickly or have limited funding. Hawaii is one of six states that meet all the institute's benchmarks. Its state preschool program also only serves 10% of 4-year-olds.

Evidence is mounting that the impact of high-quality preschool can follow children into adulthood, making them better prepared for kindergarten, more likely to graduate high school and more likely to find work. And it is increasingly seen as essential for success in kindergarten and beyond. Educators now also expect youngsters to start their first year of school already equipped to navigate kindergarten.

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We have a lot of kids who still do not fulfill their potential, said Steven Barnett, founder and director of the early education institute. We have evidence  very strong evidence  that preschool programs substantially improved the foundation for later success.

Some states also recognize that free prekindergarten can make a difference for the wider economy, allowing parents to return to work at a time when private child care is becoming less affordable.

Preschool means confident kindergartners

Heather Sufuentes witnessed the impact of preschool when she was principal of Parkview Elementary in Chico, California, as it began its transitional kindergarten program. She said students who attended the program, which has a play-based curriculum and runs the length of a workday, arrived with more confidence and often volunteered to be class leaders.

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They're well prepared to transition into that big elementary school setting, said Sufuentes, now director of elementary education for Chico Unified School District. Chico has more than doubled the number of TK seats it offers since 2022.

Marisol Marquez, a secretary who works for the state, sends her daughter to transitional kindergarten at 1st Street Elementary in Los Angeles. She had been sending her for free to a learning center underwritten by COVID-19 relief funding. But she would have had to start paying tuition this year, and she's not sure how she and her husband, a UPS driver, would have made it work. She was elated to hear 1st Street Elementary was offering free transitional kindergarten.

Educators there quickly discovered her daughter was bright and began sending her to kindergarten for math and reading lessons.

If it hadnt been for this program, we would have never found that out," Marquez said.

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In some states, preschool is expensive. In others, it's free

Despite the raised expectations for 5-year-olds, no state mandates that children attend preschool, and only some cities and states make it accessible to every 4-year-old. Preschool offerings differ vastly. A family living in Wyoming, which has no state-funded preschool, could move to Colorado, where every parent can send their 4-year-old to part-time preschool without paying a dime in tuition. In the District of Columbia, even affluent families have access to two full years of prekindergarten, while neighboring Virginia has a far less robust program.

The uneven access across states can exacerbate disparities. Wealthier families can often afford private preschool tuition, regardless of what their state offers. In 2024, private child care centers, which often use preschool curriculum, averaged annual tuition of more than $12,000 for 4-year-olds, according to Child Care Aware of America.

For families that can't afford preschool tuition, the options can be limited. State-funded preschool programs often have waitlists.

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If a family's earnings are low enough, they can qualify for programs like Head Start, which provides early education for the neediest Americans. But the number of children in Head Start is falling, in part due to staff shortages. Lower-income families may also qualify for state or federal child care subsidies that can help with private preschool, but those have growing waitlists, too.

Trump says states should pay

Federal support for expanding early education funding is sparse and shrinking. Recently, President Donald Trump said the federal government couldnt afford to support child care while it was waging a war with Iran.

Were fighting wars. We cant take care of day care, Trump said. States, he added, should pay for it. ... Theyll have to raise their taxes.

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The map of states that offer the highest-quality public preschool programs would surprise some partisans. Republican-led states have pioneered universal prekindergarten, with Oklahoma introducing it in the late 1990s. Alabama and West Virginia also have preschool-for-all programs that receive top marks. Wealthier, Democratic-led states have lagged behind, even as many blue-leaning cities have moved ahead with their own initiatives. New York state lost enrollment last school year, even as New York City, which already has universal prekindergarten, is charging ahead with a plan to make all child care free for younger children.

And Georgia, another state with Republican leadership, is the first to have a universal preschool program that meets all quality benchmarks set by the National Institute of Early Education Research.

Rebecca Ellis's son John Patrick, 5, attends the private Capitol Hill Child Enrichment Center in Atlanta free of charge, thanks to the state's preschool-for-all program. She said it saved her family a huge amount of money, and she is impressed by how much her son has grown socially and emotionally.

They focus so much on just helping kids learn how to calm down, to make friends, to regulate their feelings, to solve problems, Ellis said.

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John Patrick and her older son, who attended the same preschool, have even given their parents advice. When they become agitated, the children urge them to take deep breaths.

___

The Associated Press education coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find APs standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.
Cait Salemme, a Shelton teen who created the Neonatal Support Project in November 2025 to support NICU families with basic supplies while they are in the hospital. Wednesday, April 15, 2026, Shelton, Conn. H John Voorhees III/Hearst Connecticut Media Cait Salemme, a Shelton teen who created the Neonatal Support Project in November 2025 to support NICU families with basic supplies while they are in the hospital. Wednesday, April 15, 2026, Shelton, Conn. H John Voorhees III/Hearst Connecticut Media Cait Salemme, a Shelton teen who created the Neonatal Support Project in November 2025 to support NICU families with basic supplies while they are in the hospital. Wednesday, April 15, 2026, Shelton, Conn. H John Voorhees III/Hearst Connecticut Media Cait Salemme, a Shelton teen who created the Neonatal Support Project in November 2025 to support NICU families with basic supplies while they are in the hospital. Wednesday, April 15, 2026, Shelton, Conn. H John Voorhees III/Hearst Connecticut Media Cait Salemme, a Shelton teen who created the Neonatal Support Project in November 2025 to support NICU families with basic supplies while they are in the hospital. Wednesday, April 15, 2026, Shelton, Conn. H John Voorhees III/Hearst Connecticut Media Cait Salemme, a Shelton teen who created the Neonatal Support Project in November 2025 to support NICU families with basic supplies while they are in the hospital. Wednesday, April 15, 2026, Shelton, Conn. H John Voorhees III/Hearst Connecticut Media Cait Salemme, a Shelton teen who created the Neonatal Support Project in November 2025 to support NICU families with basic supplies while they are in the hospital. Wednesday, April 15, 2026, Shelton, Conn. H John Voorhees III/Hearst Connecticut Media

SHELTON  The spare bedroom of Cait Salemmes Shelton home is full of diapers, wipes, formula, blankets and clothing for babies she'll never meet.

The donations, along with bassinets, items to collect and store breast milk, swaddlers, postpartum underwear, creams and books will go to families with children in the neonatal intensive care unit across Connecticut as part Saelmme's nonprofit, the Neonatal Support Project.

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If I can do anything to keep a baby healthy, that means something to me, said Salemme, 17 and a junior at Bridgeports Fairfield Wheeler Interdistrict Multi-Magnet High School. Maybe when you see a fetus, you cant picture their future, but you want them to have a future  Theyre humans  they deserve the best chance.

Salemme has been gathering these supplies from hospitals and local families, including other NICU families looking to give back.

She said the support can go a long way for families navigating the anxiety and trauma of worrying about their children in the NICU.

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She said NICU mothers are in a constant state of stress as they wait months or weeks to hold their baby, and are three times more likely to visit the emergency room for anxiety compared to a normal pregnancy. Their partners are also likely to experience postpartum depression from the trauma of watching their partners struggle and worrying about their children, according to Salemme.

Its so common, but its just not spoken about a lot, said Salemme.

Salemmes father Jason and his twin brother Matthew were both NICU babies at Yale New Haven Hospital. Born at 24 weeks at 2.9 pounds, she said they both struggled in the NICU but ended up thriving as firefighters in Connecticut.

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Inspired by her father and uncles story, Salemme, who plans to be a neonatologist, said she wants to be someone that can advocate for the babies while being there for the parents and be involved with the research of developing neonatology.

Even as neonatology was being studied in the 1920s, people didnt get serious about it until the 1960s  a full decade before my dad and uncle were born, Salemme said. If nobody decided to stand up and advocate for NICU babies, then theres a good chance my own father wouldnt be here or millions of other people.

She said she found a 2012 study that showed 40% of childhood deaths were in the neonatal stage and felt she could not wait.

I felt like I needed to be a part of it now, so I wanted to start my NICU project, Salemme said. Theres no way its all found out, everythings fixed, everythings cured. Its not just being there as a doctor  its What can I do to bring down childrens deaths in the neonatal stage for good?

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Salemme said she is also intrigued by neonatal mortality rates and is working on a capstone project on the postpartum experience for mothers of neonatal babies compared to mothers who had full-term births.

Along with her neonatal research, Salemme has grasped the fragility of life through her familys involvement with the health field. Her father has been an emergency medical technician for 25 years while her mother Colette Salemme is a secretary at St. Vincents Medical Center in Bridgeport and treasurer of the Neonatal Project. Salemmes older sisters are also nurses in hospitals and health care centers across the state.

Salemme said she started the Neonatal Support Project in the fall by sending emails and making connections with hospitals and different Facebook groups. It became a certified 501(c)3 nonprofit organization in November.

She currently works with Yale New Haven Hospital for specific NICU donations, but she hopes to partner with more hospitals in the next few months.

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The Yale NICU tells us what they need because they have limited storage and I just bring whatever they can keep, she said.

The Neonatal Support Project is also looking for community members who need infant supplies as there are some supplies that hospitals cant use due to sanitary reasons or recalls, Collette Salemme said.

Cait Salemme said she is looking for volunteers statewide who can collect donations and hopes to partner with more hospitals over the next few months, including Griffin Hospital, Stamford Hospital, Hartford Hospital and any hospital with a NICU.

Salemme also volunteers on the acute rehabilitation floor at St. Vincents Medical Center. She said she plans to get her emergency medical technician license this summer and graduate from high school in January to work as an EMT and emergency room technician.

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While shes only six months into launching her nonprofit, Salemme hopes to expand their outreach to other communities and to an international level.

I want this to be something I always have with me, but I want it to be something that can stand on its own, she said.

For more information about donating to NICU families or assistance from the Neonatal Support Project, email the Neonatal Support Project at nttlspprtproject@gmail.com, call 475-777-8789 or visit their website or Instagram page.
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.
A sign at the Park for All Senses, known locally as Park Mit Allen Sinnen, is displayed, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in Gutach, Germany. Kelvin Chan/AP Shoes hang near the entrance of a barefoot trail near Flagstaff, Ariz, on Thursday, April 16, 2026. Cheyanne Mumphrey/AP The Park for All Senses, known locally as Park Mit Allen Sinnen, is seen, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in Gutach, Germany. Kelvin Chan/AP A sign nailed to a tree stump indicates where the foot washing station is at the end of a barefoot trail near Flagstaff, Ariz, on Thursday, April 16, 2026. Cheyanne Mumphrey/AP A path of tree stumps lines a portion of a barefoot trail near Flagstaff, Ariz, on Thursday, April 16, 2026. Cheyanne Mumphrey/AP This photo provided by Katherine Hunt shows her children walking barefoot at the Park for All Senses, known locally as Park Mit Allen Sinnen, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in Gutach, Germany. (Katherine Hunt via AP) AP

GUTACH, Germany (AP)  At the edge of a trail in Germanys picturesque Black Forest region, waterlogged steps sink into ankle-deep water and mud, requiring careful footing. An ocean away, a sandy trail in the ponderosa forests of northern Arizona demands treading just as deliberately when walkers reach a line of tree stumps arranged as stepping stones.

The pathways are located nearly 9,700 kilometers (6,000 miles) apart but share a notable feature: they were designed for visitors to use without wearing socks or shoes.

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Barefoot trails exist around the world, inviting people to get closer to nature through sounds and sensations. Feeling cool mud squish between toes, stepping on pine needles and exploring meditation caves, scent stations and dark rooms transform a routine walk into an immersive experience.

Walking shoeless on varied surfaces also may contribute to emotional well-being and overall foot health, according to podiatrists and barefoot enthusiasts.

Below, more about where and why some people are bringing themselves down to earth one step at a time.

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Barefoot trails as an environmental and health movement

Theories about the benefits of going barefoot have gained popularity among runners and other athletes in recent decades, as well as with environmentalists and as an alternative mental health treatment, but the idea has been around for well over a century.

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Sebastian Kneipp, a 19th century German Catholic priest and early pioneer of naturopathy, promoted nature exposure, water therapy and barefoot walking as exercise and a way to stimulate circulation and support overall health, including immune function. He recommended walking barefoot over dew-wet grass or snow and is said to have called shoes foot-bending machinery.

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His philosophy inspired trails and paths across Europe, where they are sometimes known as Kneipp paths, and to a lesser extent in the United States. In Asia, reflexology trails made of stones, pebbles and grass are intended to stimulate acupressure points on the soles of the feet, a concept linked to traditional medical therapies.

Germany's Park mit allen Sinnen, which in English translates to park with all senses, reflects a broader focus on wellness tourism in the Black Forest, which covers more than 6,000 square kilometers (2,317 square miles) and where visitors can breath mountain air, soak in thermal baths and visit spas offering treatments that incorporate local plants and herbs.

The park charges an admission fee. Its website says that meandering barefoot over the 2 kilometer-long (1-mile-long) trail's different surfaces "is ideal for exercising your back and spine, and at the same time, its a perfect foot reflexology massage in the fresh air.

Leah Williams, the owner of The Barefoot Trail park near Flagstaff, Arizona, opened a manicured trail of the same length near Route 66 two years ago after a family trip in Europe. Tickets are required, though Williams operates the park as a nonprofit charitable foundation.

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Williams said her mother, who is from Germany, encouraged her to go barefoot as a child climbing trees and playing in the forests and creeks around Seattle  a practice Williams carried into adulthood and passed on to her own children. While living in the Netherlands, her family visited a barefoot trail in Belgium.

I loved everything about it. I saw all ages, and I loved seeing older people at the park because you dont see that here in the United States," Williams said. "I thought, Wow, when I get back to the United States, Im going to build one of these parks myself.'

She offers educational materials for schools, summer programs and camps to children who visit the park.

Being good stewards of nature is really our job as human beings, and we have taken 13 acres (5 hectares) of land at our park for our community enjoyment, ... for local, statewide and regional enjoyment, Williams said, her eyes moist with emotion.

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A sensory experience

Most people don't walk outside barefoot regularly, and exposing their tender feet to different textures, temperatures and types of contact can take getting used to.

You should see peoples faces when they start walking, Williams said, chuckling at the thought.

While many parks with barefoot trails encourage users to walk the paths sans shoes, naked feet are not required. Guests with neuropathy, diabetes or other foot conditions are welcome to keep their shoes on at the parks in Arizona and Germany.

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Some barefoot trails are designed to engage multiple senses.

At Park mit allen Sinnen, a sign that reads Please be quiet in German identifies a spot described as a meditation cave. Inside, a long bench faces tall windows overlooking the forest, and soft music plays through hidden speakers.

Elsewhere at the park, visitors can squeeze red bulbs to release the scent of papaya or apricots, or place their hands inside a box filled with wild boar fur.

Ditching the shoes step by step around the world

Austria, Denmark, France, Hungary, Switzerland and the U.K. are among other European countries with barefoot trails. Some are meant for local residents and not tourists, so finding them can prove difficult. Searching the terms barefoot or barefoot paths in the local language might help.

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In Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan, some public parks have pebble trails, which are walkways with smooth stones cemented into place that can be used for reflexology and foot massage.

Similarly, there are so-called wellness parks and informal barefoot hikes on regular trails in the United States. But because of how rare they are in the U.S., Williams plans to expand the The Barefoot Trail concept elsewhere.

The foundation recently received about 8 hectares (20 acres) of land in a commercial and residential area of college town Lawrence, Kansas, to develop a park similar to the one she opened in Arizona.

The park will be one of the components of a larger commercial space being developed, Williams said. Its about integrating those natural environments into peoples daily lives and providing those safe spaces for people to enjoy.

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OpenAI logo is displayed on a mobile phone screen for illustration photo. Krakow, Poland. On April, 20th, 2026. NurPhoto/NurPhoto via Getty Images Incumbent Republicans Sen. Paul Cicarella, left, and State Rep. Dave Yaccarino watch as results are posted on Election Day at Ludal's Italian Restaurant in North Haven, Conn., Tuesday, November 5, 2024. David Zajac/Hearst Connecticut Media State Sen. James Maroney, D-Milford, watching the Senate roll call vote for the state's landmark regulations on artificial intelligence in the State Capitol, shortly before 8:30 on Tuesday night. Ken Dixon/Hearst Connecticut Media

HARTFORD  A bill regulating these early stages of artificial intelligence, including protections for children and users of chatbots, passed the state Senate Tuesday in a bipartisan vote that sends it to the state House of Representatives. The bill also aims to encourage workforce development and require transparency for the AI industry.

"We're looking at becoming the most AI-literate workforce in the nation," said Sen. James Maroney, D-Milford at the beginning of the four-and-a-half-hour debate. "We make sure we're empowering our state government to utilize AI in a responsible way to better serve our citizens." The legislation passed 32-4, with opposition from Republicans Sens. Rob Sampson of Wolcott, Tony Hwang of Fairfield, Eric Berthel of Watertown and Ryan Fazio of Greenwich.

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Gov. Ned Lamont, an obstacle to the legislation in recent years, said he favors this year's bill, which includes some legislation he proposed in February.

In a mid-afternoon statement, before the legislation reached the Senate, Cathryn Vaulman, Lamont's communications director, said the governor's office worked closely with Maroney on the bill.

"The governor appreciates that this bill is focused on empowering Connecticut residents to use AI responsibly," she said. "It boils down to: AI is an important part of our - and everyone's - economic growth story. This bill facilitates that, while making sure that in specific-use cases, folks have safety and clarity in how to work with these systems."

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In recent years, Maroney advocated wide-ranging legislation that Lamont warned could stifle the nascent industry of artificial intelligence. In 2024, the bill passed the Senate and died in the House after Lamont said he would veto it. A similar event occurred last year. This legislative session, Maroney said he was in regular communication with the governor's office.

It was a years-in-the-making victory for Maroney, the co-chairman of the General Law Committee, who has become a nationally recognized expert on the still-emerging AI industry, which Sen. Paul Cicarella, R-North Haven, said can be "scary." There are also expanded whistleblower protections for people working in the industry who report risks described as "catastrophic" that could threaten lives or millions of dollars.

"I believe that that's important, that we don't want to deter people within these companies from coming forward to stop something that could be so catastrophic," Cicarella said, warning that AI's potential for damage might be unknown now. "Honestly, if a company was going to hurt our residents because they could make a lot of money, I think that this would be one of those times when it was appropriate."

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Maroney, and Cicarella, a ranking Republican on the General Law Committee, agreed that the new, fast-moving AI industry already adheres to many of the proposed industry guidelines.

A so-called sandbox provision, would give some regulatory flexibility for new use of AI. The bill would order various state departments, including the Department of Economic and Community Development, to oversee the testing of various AI models. "We are giving them regulatory certainty and relief," Maroney said. "The regulatory sandbox is telling them what they can and can't do. We are looking at talking to other states to build sandboxes."

Cicarella said that since there are no national rules, states may have to take the issues head-on without deterring businesses from moving here. "We haven't seen enough movement," Cicarella said.

In cases of companion chatbots, if a user starts displaying suicidal ideations, the unit would have to shut down. Other protections would shield children from sexual content and self harm.

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Some of the chatbot legislation was, in part, inspired by a CT Insider investigation last year that showed shortcomings when it came to creating protections for children with sexually explicit AI chatbots.

In cases where companies with chatbots violate the industry-best standards, the state attorney general would be authorized to file unfair business practice claims. "We are not by any means, going to be the first state to have this requirement," said Maroney, adding that many of the children's safeguards have already been adopted in several states around the country.

"This is an example of where 'move fast and break things,' which is the big tech mantra, has had real life implications on real people," Maroney said. "Unfortunately, we have seen in other states where children have died by suicide, often having been encouraged or at least validated for their delusions by their companion chatbot." He pointed out a recent murder-suicide in Greenwich that is alleged to have been encouraged by AI.

"When they're talking about the issues they may have, some of the models may validate those concerns," Cicarella said. "Some of the models may even transition, I would hope accidentally, to how-to kill yourself. If we could do something here to save one person I think that that's truly important."

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Maroney said that evidence-based methods would require makers of chatbots to detect expressions of suicide, self-harm or imminent physical violence and take measures to generate any output to encourage such expressions. "The key is in using industry-best standards or better," Maroney said. "We all know that a good friend is the friend who tells you what you need to hear not what you want to hear."

Another section of the 71-page bill would require industry disclosure, including the notification of job seekers to be informed if AI would be involved in their employment screening, including the types of information asked of job candidates. Using current law, AI would be banned from discriminating on a variety of levels, including race, gender and age.

State companies using the technology would not be liable if the tech was flawed and was prejudiced against certain candidates. "There are laws on the books being used for the enforcement," Maroney said. So-called deep fakes would have to contain meta data revealing the authenticity of an image.

The free Connecticut AI Academy would also be expanded to children if the bill were to become law on October 1. Maroney warned that a recent study by Tufts University found that 105,000 Connecticut jobs could be lost due to the growth of artificial intelligence over the next several years.

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"It's amazing what AI can do and how it can streamline projects," Cicarella said. "This is really a good piece of legislation that talks about workforce development. This will tell you how to learn this and get a job." He noted that there were some concerns on the use of AI in health care, to which Maroney replied that privacy would be assured in compliance with state and federal law. "The goal behind this is to incentive this for improving health outcomes," Maroney said, hoping that it would encourage companies to move to Connecticut. "There would be protections to make sure no one's personal health information would be leaked."

A whole section on child protections would address addictive social media feeds. Notifications to minors would be curtailed overnight. Cicarella said that in previous years, he was concerned about negative ramifications for the industry. This year's bill, he said, seems to have clarified the issue. "I believe it will do a lot of good," he concluded.

"It's government over reach, plain and simple," said Sen. Rob Samson, R-Wolcott, a conservative who voted against the bill. "This is a massive takeover. There are not-clear legal standards anywhere in this bill. This is just a cobbled together mess of policies that the majority finally came up with to bring us today."

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The state House of Representatives passed a bill Tuesday that would end attempts to bypass required school vaccinations. (File photo) Erik Trautmann / Hearst Connecticut Media State Rep. Cristin McCarthy Vahey, the House chair of the Public Health Committee, outlines legislation on vaccine standards during a House of Representatives debate Tuesday. Paul Hughes/Hearst Connecticut Media

HARTFORD  Democrats in the state House of Representatives voted Tuesday to approve legislation that would rewrite Connecticuts religious freedom law to thwart an ongoing lawsuit to reinstate a religious exemption to required school vaccinations that Attorney General William Tong has warned his office could otherwise lose.

At Tongs request, the legislation would add an exception to the state Religious Freedom Restoration Act for school immunizations that House Democrats and Republicans agreed would effectively end the state court challenge from three sets of parents to the controversial 2021 repeal of the decades-old religious exemption that allowed unvaccinated students to attend public and private schools.

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The bill would eliminate the lawsuits one remaining statutory claim after the Connecticut Supreme Court dismissed the families' state and federal constitutional claims two years ago. The proposed exception would be applicable to any civil action pending or filed on the date that the legislation is signed into law.

Before the House session, House Speaker Matt Ritter, D-Hartford, made no pretenses about the intent of the legislation. During a news briefing, he said lawyers for the attorney generals office advised him over the course of six meetings that they believed the state could lose the court case unless the religious freedom law was amended to exempt school immunizations. But he also said he disagreed with that legal assessment.

Over united Republican opposition and a dozen Democratic no votes, the House voted 89-60 to send the legislation to the state Senate for possible final action in the legislature.

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In the six-hour House debate, Democratic supporters brushed aside Republican objections to interjecting the legislature in the legal challenge to tilt the law against the parents who are suing to restore the religious exemption. They also downplayed GOP concerns that other protected religious rights could be targeted in the future.

What this does today is make very clear that we, as a legislature, or as a state, continue to say we are not going to offer a religious exemption, or another way to receive that religious exemption here in our state, said state Rep. Cristin McCarthy Vahey, D-Fairfield, the House chair of the Public Health Committee.

State Rep. Christie Carpino, R-Cromwell, was one of the five House Republicans who voted to eliminate the religious exemption in 2021. But she argued Tuesday against adding an exception to the religious freedom law for school immunizations to defeat the legal challenge to reinstate it.

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We have three co-equal branches of government. We make tough decisions in this room. I stood here five years ago and I made a very difficult decision, and it is one I would make again, said Carpino, an attorney.

But we make those decisions knowing that anybody aggrieved by our decision has the ability to go to court to challenge the constitutionality of our laws, except today. You will only have religious freedoms when it is convenient should this bill pass. If it is inconvenient, the very body that made that law will come back and exempt itself, she said.

The three sets of parents from Orange, Greenwich and Stafford Springs who are suing to reinstate the religious exemption all have children who fell under a grandfather clause in the 2021 public act that allows unvaccinated children who had a religious exemption to continue to attend public and private schools, but they have younger children who are not exempt.

The Connecticut Supreme Court dismissed the families' state and federal constitutional claims in a 2024 decision but upheld a disputed pretrial ruling that found an exception to the governmental immunity defense in the religious freedom law applied and allowed the action to proceed on that state law claim.

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The 1993 religious freedom law prohibits the government from substantially burdening a persons exercise of religion without showing that there is a compelling government interest for doing so and that a burden on religious exercise is the least restrictive means to achieve that interest.

House Minority Leader Vincent Candelora, R-North Branford, argued the state courts should be allowed to fully decide whether the repeal of the religious exemption satisfied this two-pronged test. He said it is disturbing that the legislature would rewrite a state law at the heart of a pending lawsuit because the attorney generals office is worried about losing the case.

The push to repeal the religious exemption started in 2019 after state health officials released school-by-school immunization rates for the first time amid a measles outbreak nationally.

There were more than 8,300 children with religious exemptions filed during the 2019-20 school year, according to the state Department of Public Health. That compared to approximately 7,800 during the previous school year. In contrast, there were more than 1,150 children with a medical exemption in the 2019-20 school year.

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Supporters of the repeal argued in 2021 that many parents were filing religious exemptions after they were unable to get medical exemptions. At that time, state health officials reported that the percentage of children claiming a religious exemption in Connecticut tripled between 2008 and 2020. Meanwhile, the number of medical exemptions held steady.
US Senator for Connecticut, Chris Murphy, speaks during the second and final day of the Global Progressive Mobilisation on April, 18 2026 in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. Europa Press News/Europa Press via Getty Images

A political flap over one word, "awesome," could fade quickly as the author of that two-syllable comment, Sen. Chris Murphy, moves to issues other than the U.S. blockade of the Straits of Hormuz and the war with Iran.

Or it could stay alive. Republicans would like to see the Connecticut Democrat pay a price for posting the comment on X, which some of them called an act of treason.

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At the dinner hour Monday, Murphy reposted a news report that carried the headline, "At least 26 Iranian shadow fleet vessels bypass US blockade"  adding his one-word take, "awesome."

Was the junior senator from Connecticut rooting for Iran against the U.S. Navy?

The onslaught was on, as the pro-Trump New York Post and Fox News piled on. "'Traitor' Dem senator ripped after one-word reaction appears to cheer on Iran," Fox proffered in a headline.

Public officials and private citizens weighed in along the same political divide we've seen for 11 years now in the Outrage Era of President Donald Trump. Some called for a censure on the Senate floor.

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Said White House spokeswomen Olivia Wales, as reported by Fox News:

"It takes an insane level of Trump Derangement Syndrome to cheer for a terrorist regime that chants Death to America'...Chris Murphy is an America-last, radical left lunatic who stands for illegal aliens and Iranian terrorists over the American people. The only thing awesome will be when he is out of office."

By 10 a.m. Tuesday, Murphy explained on X what seemed clear from the start.

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"Ok Twitter, I cant believe I need to clarify this but obviously Trumps bungled mismanagement of this war is not 'awesome.' As I have said a million times here, its a disaster and he should end the war immediately. My tweet was something called 'sarcasm.'

Ok Twitter, I cant believe I need to clarify this but obviously Trumps bungled mismanagement of this war is not awesome. As I have said a million times here, its a disaster and he should end the war immediately. My tweet was something called sarcasm. https://t.co/aL9vSEzZC1  Chris Murphy  (@ChrisMurphyCT) April 21, 2026

Most of us learned more than 30 years ago, at the dawn of email, that sarcasm doesn't play well online. Murphy, a 5-star general in the social media wars, knows this too. So we might assume he knew what was coming and penned his "awesome" remark with purpose, not naively.

Either way, the pounding continued Tuesday and into Wednesday, even after Murphy explained himself to a Fox reporter in a quiet U.S. Capitol hallway. "Twitter has become kind of a cesspool," he said, referring to X as its former name. "Sarcasm I guess is not something that's allowed on Twitter any longer."

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Asked whether he regretted the post, he said matter-of-factly, "I guess I just have to be more careful about sarcasm on Twitter."

The mess in the Persian Gulf intensified Wednesday with reports of commercial ships seized on both sides.

The lesson in this, beyond that digital dictum about sarcasm, is that both sides of the divide can and will use any comment by a leader against him or her, with outrage. I'm not Catholic but I'm genuinely, truly offended by Trump posting a photo of himself as Jesus Christ, then foisting an obvious lie that he thought he was playing doctor  all while insulting Pope Leo XIV.

And where were all these accusers of Murphy as a traitor when Trump threatened, as he still does, to obliterate Iran in a way that's obviously a war crime? When he never so much as apologized for the avoidable U.S. bombing that killed more than 150 girls in a school in Iran?

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We could go on. Even if we disagree, we need to recognize that the likes of Connecticut GOP Chairman Ben Proto on some level truly believed Murphy was opposing the United States when he rejected the senator's sarcasm explanation.

"When your first reaction appears to cheer for Iran over the United States, the problem is not sarcasm; the problem is Chris Murphys character and judgment, and it truly calls into question whether he should be serving in the United States Senate," Proto said in a written statement. "Chris Murphy has become the perfect symbol of todays radical Democrat Party. Democrats are embarrassed by America."

Here's the fatal flaw in the MAGA logic about patriotism: When opponents of U.S. moves such as the war in Iran or the raid in Venezuela cry foul, that does not mean they side with the target of those moves. Murphy does not favor the despotic and murderous theocracy in Tehran, nor did Rep. Jim Himes support former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro just because he compared the U.S. raid to the lawlessness of the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Those of us who criticized Charlie Kirk after his assassination, myself included, did not cheer his murder. Opposing Trump is not a syndrome and it's not deranged; that name-calling is just a feeble act to avoid debate.

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Sadly, we live in that black-and-white world. Wednesday morning, the shots at Murphy continued. "As an Iranian American with family in Iran I find you to be the most disgusting human in our senate. Only an absolute human trash would root this regime and find it exciting or funny," one person said on X.

In another era I'd say both sides need to knock it off. Sadly, this is the hallmark of Trumpism. Like a bad boyfriend, he's not going to change and ratchet down the outrage.

And so we wait for a more decent time. And on the issue of civil discourse, where we can understand sarcasm, it doesn't matter whether the new leader is liberal or conservative.
A swath of mostly undeveloped land in 2024 in Fairfield County, Connecticut. Fairfield County home buyers need an average of 11 years to save for a house, Zillow says. Tyler Sizemore/Hearst Connecticut Media Colchester's town green in April 2026 in New London County, Connecticut. The wider region was second to Fairfield County for the amount of time the median earner needed in March to afford a down payment on the median home, at more than eight-and-a-half years. Alexander Soule/Hearst Connecticut Media

This month or next, Fairfield County's real estate market could hit another threshold for the difficulties many house hunters face with Zillow estimating the median home buyer needing close to 11 years to put away enough money for a down payment.

Zillow tracks nearly 400 metropolitan areas nationally for the amount of time it takes the median earner to build up sufficient cash to cover a 20% down payment on purchasing the median home. Connecticut homebuyers have multiple programs to turn to for assistance, including FHLBank Boston programs offered by several local banks and the state of Connecticut's Time to Own program.

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Among larger New England metro areas, the Stamford-Bridgeport region had the fourth longest window of time needed to build a nest egg for a purchase, ranking 50th nationally by Zillow's count. And after dropping slightly last spring, the time needed for the median purchase in Fairfield County has increased every month since July 2025. With another month or two on the current trajectory, the median earner would cross the 11-year mark to afford the median-priced home.

Zillow calculated a median home price of just over $611,000 as of March in the Stamford-Bridgeport region. That was enough for a two-bedroom antique in Stamford near the New York line which sold in January for just under that amount; or for a larger ranch which sold in February in Monroe, less than a dozen miles north of Bridgeport.

To buy those homes based on a typical savings rate on earnings, the median homebuyer would have needed 10 years and 355 days to build up enough money for a down payment and other closing costs. Among New England metro areas, that was shorter only than the time needed for median earners to purchase median-price homes in metropolitan Boston, Cape Cod in Massachusetts and Providence, Rhode Island.

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Despite a hot real estate market in the past few years that has pushed up prices, the median home buyer in Hartford is second fastest to covering down payments in the New England regions tracked by Zillow, needing about seven years and nine months to sock enough money away. That trailed only Bangor, Maine  and only by less than two weeks of savings.

The median earner in greater New Haven needed nearly eight years and four months to build up for a down payment on the median home there, while New London County's was close to eight years and nine months.

New Jersey's Atlantic City region had the lengthiest window in the East at 17 years and counting to purchase the median-price home.

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California buyers are the most beleaguered nationally with eight of the 14 metro areas where median earners need at least 15 years of savings to afford the median homes in their regions. In Santa Cruz, it would take just over 20 years for the median earner to build up enough savings to buy, tops in the United States.
A file photo of Wallingford police headquarters. Police said four people are facing drug charges following a Monday traffic stop. Jim Michaud/Hearst Connecticut Media

WALLINGFORD  Four Wallingford residents are facing drug-related charges following a Monday traffic stop, police said.

Narcotics, controlled substances, marijuana and drug paraphernalia were found during the stop, Wallingford police said in a news release. In addition, one of the vehicle's occupants, a man identified as 28-year-old Elijah Lebron, was found with a BB handgun on him that resembled a firearm, police said.

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Police said officers first "observed what appeared to be a narcotics transaction." The involved suspects left the area in a vehicle, which was stopped by officers near South Curtis Street and Yale Avenue, according to police.

K-9 Sevro helped officers recover the drugs, police said.

The driver, 50-year-old Kimberlee Russo, is charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and sale of a narcotic substance, police said.

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Lebron is charged with carrying a dangerous weapon, illegal possession of a weapon in a motor vehicle, possession of cannabis and possession of a controlled substance, police said.

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Police said Heriberto Lebron, 51, and Alicia Roodenburg, 63, both are charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Russo was released on a $2,500 bond and will appear in state Superior Court on May 4, police said, while Elijah Lebron was held on a $5,000 bond and is to appear in court May 5.

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Two Exeter libraries will be handing out free books this Thursday as part of World Book Night, joining dozens of libraries across Devon in a push to get more people reading.

St Thomas Library and Pinhoe Library will be giving away copies of The Last Bench by Carmel Harrington on April 23, with the two branches joining a wider Devon effort to distribute a combined 300 books across the county on the day.

World Book Night, celebrated annually on April 23, aims to encourage people to find joy in reading and boost adult literacy. Research from the University of Sussex suggests reading can reduce stress by 68 per cent, yet according to YouGov, four in ten Britons did not read a single book in the past year.

The Last Bench is part of The Reading Agency's Quick Reads programme, a series of short books by popular authors designed to help adults explore new genres and discover a love of reading.

Library staff will be presenting books to visitors during crafting, baby and coding groups, with some branches also heading out into their local towns to gift copies directly to the public.

Sophie Crofts, Reading Development Manager at Libraries Unlimited, said: "We are really excited to invite people to find joy in the act of reading this World Book Night, especially during the National Year of Reading. Stories can bring people so much happiness and understanding, they offer everything from introspection to adventure."

She added that libraries are working to remove barriers to reading, offering free books, downloadable eBooks and audiobooks through BorrowBox, and a Home Library Service for those unable to visit in person.

This year's World Book Night also marks a milestone for Libraries Unlimited, which was commissioned to run Devon County Council's public libraries on April 23, 2016, exactly ten years ago. The charity celebrated its launch at Exeter Library with guests including author Michael Morpurgo.

Readers can also take part in the national #ReadingHour between 7pm and 8pm on Thursday, or share a recommendation using #WorldBookNight. Organisers stress that all forms of reading count, from magazines and graphic novels to audiobooks.

Other Devon libraries taking part in the giveaway include Barnstaple, Ivybridge, Tiverton, Bovey Tracey, South Molton, Paignton, Okehampton, Bideford, Kingsbridge and Appledore.
A new wellbeing business in Ilfracombe has received national recognition just months after opening its doors, highlighting the strength of local support and growing demand for community-focused health services.

Kin Wellness has been named a finalist in the Muddy Stilettos Award, an annual scheme celebrating some of the UKs most exciting independent lifestyle businesses.

Founded by acupuncturist Allie Scott, Kin Wellness has quickly established itself within the North Devon community, offering a range of treatments designed to support physical and mental wellbeing. Services include acupuncture, massage, and counselling, delivered in a calm, welcoming space in the town.

The Muddy Stilettos Awards finalists are selected based on quality and community support. For a newly launched business, reaching this stage reflects strong community spirit as well as growing interest in wellbeing services across the region.

Ms Scott said that support had been central to the nomination.

The local community has been everything. This nomination feels very much like a reflection of the support, trust, and encouragement weve received from people locally since launching Kin Wellness, she said.

As these awards are driven by public nominations and votes, being recognised in this way feels incredibly meaningful because it comes from the very community we are part of.

She added that the recognition had come as a welcome surprise in the businesss first year.

It means a huge amount. As a relatively new business, to be finalists in the Muddy Stilettos Awards feels both validating and a little bit humbling, said Ms Scott.

It tells us we are creating something people value, and thats incredibly motivating.

Kin Wellness was created to support peoples wellbeing through reconnection, and offer clients a space to slow down and focus on their mental health. Ms Scott said the aim is to provide nurturing and accessible support that fits into everyday life.

She said: Our aim is to help people feel calmer, more connected, and better resourced in themselves. If we can contribute to a healthier, happier and more connected community, then thats exactly why Kin exists.

She also hopes the recognition will inspire other independent businesses in Ilfracombe and across North Devon, and if you can lead with purpose and genuine care for people, you dont have to be established for years to resonate.

Ms Scott said: I think it shows that small, independent businesses can make a real impact, even in a short space of time. Ilfracombe has become a real hub for wellbeing and creativity lately, and we hope this goes some way towards recognising that.

The shortlisting reflects a growing interest in community-led wellbeing services, with residents seeking out spaces that prioritise care, connection, and quality of life.
Before It Disappears Sake Made the Hard Way In Japan, a 350-year-old brewery holds fast to tradition: wild yeast, ancient songs, and a mixture of muscle and finesse. A person stands on a hinged stepstool that is attached to the top of a large wooden barrel, and uses it to swing back and reach farther across the barrel, before scooping rice into an adjacent bucket. A person carries a steaming basket of rice over his right shoulder and runs around a corner to the other side of a large room. Terada Honke is one of Japans last natural sake breweries. Eschewing modern industrial technology in favor of traditional manual techniques, the brewery uses no machines, no chemicals and no commercial yeasts. Founded some 350 years ago, Terada Honke survives by moving deliberately against the current of a struggling industry. Through a curtain of steam, a person wearing a yellow shirt, glasses and a bandanna lifts a mesh fabric and lays it over a large barrel of rice. The Japanese consumption of sake, once the heart of the countrys drinking culture, has declined by 75 percent since its peak in the 1970s. Younger generations are drinking less, and those who do drink divide their loyalties between wine, beer and cocktails. A man holding a cloth full of cooled cooked rice passes the bundle to another person who then pours it into a large vat containing a mixture of rice and water. As a result, at least half of Japans sake breweries have closed in the last 50 years. Those that remain largely employ the automated machinery, steel tanks and additives of industrial production. Three people holding long ladles stir a sake starter mash in a large barrel while singing. Terada Honke embraces a very different recipe: organic rice and spring water from its backyard, wild yeasts culled from the brewery  and ancient songs from the earliest days of sake brewing. Listen

When Masaru Okazaki met Satomi Terada in Tokyo in 1996, neither imagined their young romance would lead to a life of sake brewing. But once Masaru met Satomis parents and visited Terada Honke, he decided to go all in on her familys business. He eventually abandoned his job as a filmmaker in the city, changed his last name to Terada and assumed the role, alongside Satomi, as the 24th-generation operator of Terada Honke.

They had big shoes to fill  not just centuries of history, but also the visionary work of Satomis father, Keisuke Terada. Like most sake breweries in the second half of the 20th century, Terada Honke had turned to industrial production, looking to maximize output to keep pace with the boom-time consumption of postwar Japan.

But in the 1980s, citing health problems and a desire to reconnect with a more natural approach to brewing, Keisuke changed course, trading machines and industrial ingredients for organic rice, wild yeast and a mixture of muscle and finesse.

Over the past two decades, Masaru has deepened Terada Honkes dedication to this unpredictable, high-touch approach to brewing sake. One of a handful of producers using exclusively wild yeast, according to Mr. Terada, it is the only brewery in Japan to cultivate its own koji, a mold used to ferment many of Japans staple products, including soy sauce and miso.

This style of brewing requires skill and patience. (Wild yeast ferments slower than industrial yeasts.) If a batch comes out with too much acidity  natural sakes are often high in lactic acid  Mr. Terada and his team will need to blend it with other sakes to balance out the flavors and prevent any waste.

A person scoops rice from a large barrel into a smaller basket. Japanese food culture begins with rice  and sake is no exception. Terada Honke grows 10 percent of its own rice, and the rest is procured from local organic farmers. A man wearing a yellow shirt, glasses and a bandanna pours rice out from a small barrel into a large rice steamer. Modern brewers use heavily processed rice, giving the sake a cleaner, more consistent taste. Terada Honke prefers the unpredictable flavors of whole-grain, or unpolished, rice. Two people drape a cloth over the top of a large wooden barrel, as steam rises out. On winter mornings, plumes of steam billowing from the giant cedar steamer can be seen from across town. The rice has a sweet fragrance that fills the air, Mr. Terada said. Thats how we know its done. Along the floor of a workroom are long trays of cooling rice. Six people work on either side to push and spread the rice as steam rises to the ceiling. Terada Honkes approach to sake is driven by a philosophy of minimal intervention  nature is not an impediment but a partner. This makes for bigger, bolder flavors, but also for less consistency and predictability in production. Rice is laid out on a flat surface, and several peoples hands are spreading and lifting the rice. Steam rises from the rice. After running the rice from the steaming barrel to cooling tables, one 33-pound bucket at a time, workers spread and fluff the rice, cooling it as quickly as possible to 113 degrees Fahrenheit (45 degrees Celsius). If the rice is too hot or too cold, it wont properly ferment during the next stage of production. Two men walk along the sides of a table of steamed rice, sprinkling a powder, which falls down in delicate wisps. The rice is then transferred to a warm, humid chamber, where it is inoculated with koji. Falling over the rice in soft green wisps, the koji mold converts starch into sugar, creating the malt that forms the base of all sake. One man passes and lifts a blanket of rice malt to a second man standing several feet higher on a platform, who then pours the rice into a large blue barrel. Both men are wearing bandannas and tall rubber boots. The rice malt is transferred to barrels and combined with spring water and more steamed rice to make the sake starter. The starter mash goes through a two-stage fermentation process, lasting up to 90 days. Two people holding long wooden ladles stir a sake starter mash in a large barrel while singing. As they create the mash, the team members stir and sing traditional songs, synchronizing their movements. Many Japanese believe that the spirit of the maker affects the final product. The lyrics of their song roughly translate to Everyone has gathered again / Its time to start brewing sake / Lets get to work. Listen

For centuries, the rhythms of Terada Honkes production have been imprinted on Kozaki, a small riverside community two hours north of Tokyo. Its plots of rice on the edge of town announce the planting and harvest seasons, the plumes of steam in winter signal a time of transformation and its Okura festival in mid-March celebrates the end of the brewing season.

Over its 24 generations, Terada Honke has built schools, worked with local poets and artists and collaborated with farmers to revive ancient rice strains and foster organic agriculture in and around Kozaki.

This type of relationship between sake breweries and their local communities was commonplace for centuries, but as they continue to shutter, Japan stands to lose a central pillar of its society.

If sake continues to disappear, it will not merely be the decline of a single industry, Mr. Terada said. We will lose the very foundations of what makes Japan unique: agriculture rooted in local communities, fermentation culture, human connections and even festivals and seasonal traditions.

For Mr. Terada and his team, the importance is not enshrining the traditions of a bygone era; its fostering an environment where sake culture can continue to evolve.
A New Yorker Rediscovers Her City, in a Wheelchair After losing her legs, a New York Times food writer began to feel like a tourist in her home city. So, facing her fears, she met it like one. A New Yorker Rediscovers Her City, in a Wheelchair After losing her legs, a New York Times food writer began to feel like a tourist in her home city. So, facing her fears, she met it like one.

I once measured good travel by how far I could get from the familiar. Now, travel for me means navigating what lies beyond the walls of my house. In December 2023, I endured a long hospitalization marred with medical errors. I returned to my Brooklyn home in late June 2024 as a bilateral below-the-knee amputee. My only remaining digit was my left thumb. A wheelchair has been my primary means of engaging with the world since. From the moment I left the hospital, I felt like a tourist in my body and in New York, my home of nearly two decades. Creating connections and seeking belonging feels like navigating a foreign landscape governed by new rules. Even when I couldnt travel because of an existing chronic illness, before my hospitalization, I found adventure in my backyard. I spent my days off practicing Arabic at Sahadis, a Middle Eastern grocer on Atlantic Avenue; picnicking on a blanket in Prospect Park; or riding a bike along the East River, seeking novelty and thrill in my everyday. New York had always made sense to me, having been raised in Lagos, Nigeria  another audacious, crowded, loud and overstimulating city. Travel begins for me now by powering on my electric wheelchair with my residual thumb. My palm moves back to rest on its joystick, and the chair ever so gently propels me forward. Just as I learned to drive my first car, a 1996 white Honda Civic coupe with a manual transmission, I am learning to put faith in a new way of moving through the world. But there is much that impedes my forward progress. Steps. Thresholds. Ledges. Closed doors. The gap between the platform and the train? An uncrossable chasm. Whole neighborhoods I once frequented, obstructed with craggy sidewalks and never-ending construction, are impossible to steer through. When I leave the house, I run a mental list of the establishments I can access.

Because the subway platform is too difficult to navigate, Ms. Komolafe relies on wheelchair-accessible Lyfts, which require patience. Getting into the car is its own logistical puzzle. A blocked elevator entrance on the High Line.

As my new abilities have been quietly and starkly revealed to me, Ive begun to feel a certain disconnection from New York, as if I am new here. So, to face my fears, I decided to embrace this feeling. I created a three-day itinerary in Manhattan to measure how my relationship to the citys public spaces and private establishments, its cultural institutions and tourist attractions alike, had changed. This January, my husband, Mark, and I booked a Midtown hotel room and packed our suitcases. I gave up my title as a resident of New York City, and, for a brief few days, became one of its millions of tourists. My first day as a tourist began at Little Island, a public park perched above the Hudson River at the end of 14th Street, open since 2021, and one of the few parks in downtown Manhattan Id never visited. Its meandering, paved pathways freed my mind of the constant worry of looking out for obstacles or potential dangers. Biking is not permitted on Little Island, and I was one of few wheeled pedestrians. Peaceful vistas overlooking the full expanse of the river were accessible to me. With no bicycles to watch for, Little Islands paved pathways felt peaceful and safe. After our park visit, and a stop for dumplings at Chelsea Market, we took a wheelchair-accessible cab to the Sofitel, in the heart of Midtown on West 44th Street. The hotel is surrounded by broad sidewalks, as well as curbs well sloped for easy crossing. Mark had already studied photos of the available rooms online, and booked a room with both a shower and a bathtub. For me, a hotel room labeled wheelchair accessible isnt always the best fit. For instance, I bring a foldable aluminum shower chair with me. It fits in a large suitcase, and I transfer to it using a slide board from my wheelchair when I use the shower. I dont need a roll-in shower because Im not necessarily rolling into it. Ms. Komolafe and her husband, Mark, assess whether the hotels bathroom will accommodate her needs. At the check-in desk, the staff offered to bring our luggage to a room that was compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Once there, we discovered with delight that the wardrobes all had clothing rods placed low enough for anyone in a wheelchair to reach. But the bathrooms were fitted with tubs, not showers. Back downstairs, we were offered another A.D.A.-compliant room, which was the same. At the front desk for the third time, Mark showed a picture of the room we had reserved online and explained why a bathtub would not work for me. The staff, while incredibly nice and helpful, couldnt have anticipated my precise needs and wants. That night, we dined on chilled seafood, mussels in aromatic broth with shatteringly crunchy fries, and steak au poivre at Le Rock at Rockefeller Center. It was close and convenient, and our conversation touched on my unshakable nostalgia for French restaurants (after working in them as a young pastry cook). After dinner, I wheeled beside my husband through the light rain toward Birdland jazz club. Coming from the calm, controlled restaurant, I relished the sudden distractions of the crowded Midtown streets, traffic lights, conversations, horns blaring; my New York was right here with me. Dinner at Le Rock, a French restaurant in Rockefeller Center, while pricey, was satiating and nostalgic. Attentive staff held open the doors at Birdland and ushered us down a gently sloped walkway to our seats in the front row, stage right. We watched Dee Dee Bridgewater weave sublimely through classic jazz standards mere feet away. Her performance reminded me of the excitement and curative power of live music; she warmed my spirit on a chilly January night. Dee Dee Bridgewater performing at Birdland. The next morning, I tried and failed to enter a Blue Bottle Coffee shop (the accessible entrance was a full block away). Mark ran in to get me a cup of hot coffee. Afterward, I drove my wheelchair up Fifth Avenue to reach the Museum of Modern Art. Though the museum is crowded on weekends, a quiet Wednesday morning was a special time for calm reflection. I absorbed the Ideas of Africa: Portraiture and Political Imagination exhibition on the second floor, and the retrospective of Ruth Asawa on the sixth. A set of stairs outside Blue Bottle Coffee. Ms. Komolafe decides to wait for her husband to return with coffee, rather than driving a block to the accessible entrance. To me, art is a way to see possibilities, and New Yorks museums always remind me of this. At the Studio Museum in Harlem, which has reopened after a complete renovation, very tall ceilings and open galleries were mostly easy to navigate, which felt empowering. However, I found that even with my prosthetic hand, I didnt have enough strength to pull open some of the glass doors separating galleries. These moments remind me how much my world has changed. I left both museums feeling at once inspired and filled with grief. I missed when I could stand eye to eye with a photo or a painting, almost losing myself in the world I would create as my gaze traveled from one painting to the next. I still miss my old vantage point, and the ability to take it in from a 5-foot-9-inch height.

Art is a way to see possibilities, Ms. Komolafe writes. She also misses her old perspective, when she could stand eye to eye with the works. MoMA was quiet on a weekday, allowing for easier navigation and calm reflection. More than 1,000 feet above the city, feelings of joy, relief and grief at Summit One Vanderbilt.

At Summit One Vanderbilt, the observation-deck-meets-multisensory-art experience on 42nd Street that I visited on my second day, I felt included in everything. In a transparent elevator  despite my fear of heights  I was above it all, up in the sky, and delighted to take in the view of the city that I had called home for the past 18 years. It all felt beyond my imagination, New York as a visceral web of commerce and humanity, its transit infrastructure trying to figure out how to make it all work. The highlight was a room packed with dozens of big, silver inflated spheres. People were swatting them like beach balls around the room. As one balloon approached, I reached into the air and sent it away with a forceful bang. Over and over again I did this. Every bang felt as if I was letting out my anger at the tragic result of putting my trust in a hospital that did not take care of me. I would strike the balloons and a wash of relief would sweep over me. Perhaps thats what Id been looking for all along: spaces that are truly accessible to all, ones that dont assign a separate lane to those who are differently abled. I want to feel both charmed and truly included. Before dinner, we hustled down to Joes Pub on Lafayette Street to see Jokes and Poems, a showcase by the comedian Mike Birbiglia and the poet J. Hope Stein. The evenings performances offered frank, hilarious and deeply human insights. In a darkened theater, elevated above the stage, I set down my self-consciousness and just enjoyed the show. A joyful meal at Kabawa. By the time we arrived for our reservation at Kabawa, the chef Paul Carmichaels lively East Village restaurant, my sense of belonging to this city was starting to creep back in. So many of the menus Caribbean ingredients are the foundations of the dishes I make at home. Food has always helped ease me into travel. I search for a world beyond the boundaries of what Ive known. Over these few days as a tourist, rediscovering my new New York, I realized that I do not need the city to be a kinder place to me. I need to be kinder to myself. I am doing the best I can. Often circumstances beyond our control can reshape the world we think we know. As a tourist, I was able to simply bear witness to what I encountered. But I want more than to be present for the life ahead. I want to engage and adapt, and to allow myself the grace to learn how. This shape-shifting city is a product of our humanity. Its beauty is our beauty. Its flaws are our flaws too.
How China Is Building Its Next Outpost at Sea This is Antelope Reef, home to Chinas latest artificial island  and one of its largest  in contested waters of the South China Sea. Satellite images show dozens of dredgers, which grind up the seabed and coral and pump the sediment onto the island. China has dug a channel for large ships to enter the lagoon. A stretch of reef that was under water just four months ago now boasts buildings, a helipad and several jetties. The work signals the revival of Chinas island-building in the South China Sea and raises tensions in a key waterway for global shipping. Source: Satellite image from Vantor on Apr. 10.

Over the last few months, China has been quietly and quickly building an island in disputed waters off the coast of Vietnam that will help Beijing continue to dominate one of the most crucial waterways in the world. China claims about 90 percent of the South China Sea, including parts that are also claimed by several Southeast Asian countries.

TAIWAN CHINA Antelope Reef Paracel Islands South China Sea PHILIPPINES VIETNAM Spratly Islands Extent of Chinas territorial claim Exclusive economic zones of other countries BRUNEI MALAYSIA INDONESIA INDONESIA MALAYSIA 200 miles CHINA TAIWAN Antelope Reef Paracel Islands South China Sea PHILIPPINES VIETNAM Spratly Islands Extent of Chinas territorial claim Exclusive economic zones of other countries BRUNEI INDONESIA MALAYSIA 250 miles Sources: Permanent Mission of the Peoples Republic of China to the United Nations, Flanders Marine Institute

Satellite imagery going back to November shows Chinese dredgers building a crescent-shaped island on Antelope Reef in the Paracels, a cluster of islands and reefs where China, Taiwan and Vietnam have competing claims.

By April, the edges of the island had been shaped and jetties, a helipad and unpaved roads were visible. It was almost twice the size of New Yorks Central Park and appeared to still be under construction.

Analysts say that given its size and the ongoing expansion, Antelope Reef is likely to become one of Chinas largest military outposts in the region. Such islands typically have airstrips, radar, electronic warfare facilities and missile bunkers. The bases support Chinas Navy and Air Force, helping them operate farther from Chinas mainland. Chinas Coast Guard and maritime militia, made up of thousands of civilian fishing boats that help assert Beijings presence in the waters, use them too.

The artificial island took shape rapidly Dec. 13 Jan. 2 Jan. 24 Feb. 20 Mar. 26 Apr. 19 1 mile Source: Satellite images from Planet Labs.

Analysts tracking Chinas island-building activities were surprised to see the new construction because China already had several outposts in contested waters and had largely stopped major construction of such artificial islands.

The strategic logic of it is not super obvious, said Harrison Pretat, deputy director and fellow with the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. The sense was they dont need anything else, he said.

Between 2013 and 2017, China built or expanded more than 20 military outposts in the South China Sea that are able to house troops. That included three larger military bases across the Spratly Islands  a chain more than 900 miles from the Chinese mainland, but within 300 miles of the Philippine coast  and one in the Paracels. The island-building campaign, which was unprecedented in its scope and speed, prompted international condemnation and damaged Chinas ties with its Southeast Asian neighbors as well as the United States.

Mr. Pretat said the latest construction could be a response to Vietnam, which has for the last two years reclaimed land and built military facilities on the islets that it controls in the Spratlys.

More important may be that compared with his predecessors, President Trump appears to be less focused on deterring Chinas militarization of the South China Sea. I think theres a larger question of: Did they think they could get away with it? Mr. Pretat said.

Antelope Reef is now one of Chinas biggest islands in the region, similar in size to its largest outpost on Mischief Reef in the Spratlys.

About 11,000 feet Antelope Reef 1,490 acres reclamation in progress 10,300-foot airstrip Subi Reef 976 acres reclaimed in 2015 9,200-foot airstrip Mischief Reef 1,379 acres reclaimed in 2015 About 11,000 feet Antelope Reef 1,490 acres reclamation in progress 10,300-foot airstrip Subi Reef 976 acres reclaimed in 2015 9,200-foot airstrip Mischief Reef 1,379 acres reclaimed in 2015 9,200-foot airstrip About 11,000 feet Antelope Reef 1,490 acres reclamation in progress 10,300-foot airstrip Subi Reef Mischief Reef 976 acres reclaimed in 2015 1,379 acres reclaimed in 2015 Source: Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative at C.S.I.S.

Vietnam claims the entirety of the Paracels, which have been under Beijing's control since China seized them in 1974. Hanoi has protested Chinas construction at Antelope as completely illegal and invalid."

But Beijing insists that the Paracels are Chinas inherent territory. Asked about the buildup at Antelope Reef last month, Lin Jian, a spokesman with Chinas foreign ministry, said that any construction was simply aimed at improving living and working conditions on the islands and growing the local economy.
The Poetry Challenge See Full Poem & Readings Play Game

Day 3 : How to write about love? Be a little heartsick (and the best poet of your time).

Now that weve memorized the first half of our poem, lets learn a little more about the man who wrote it. (Havent memorized anything yet? Click here to start at the beginning.)

For most of his life, Wystan Hugh Auden (1907-73) was a star. He was widely read, quoted, argued over and gossiped about, achieving a level of fame that few writers now  and not many then  could contemplate. His New York Times obituary did not hesitate to call him the foremost poet of his generation.

Celebrity of that kind is ephemeral, but Audens words have continued to circulate in the half century since his death. Maybe youve heard some of them before. In the 1994 film Four Weddings and a Funeral, his poem Funeral Blues is recited by Matthew (John Hannah) over the casket of his lover, Gareth (Simon Callow).

Gramercy Pictures

In the Gen-X touchstone Before Sunrise (1995), Jesse (Ethan Hawke) regales Celine (Julie Delpy) with an impression of Dylan Thomas reading Audens As I Walked Out One Evening.

Castle Rock Entertainment

In both these scenes, the characters use Audens poetry to give voice to a longing for which they otherwise might not have words. Audens poetry is often useful in that way. It speaks to recognizable human occasions, and it isnt always all about him.

The More Loving One might not be something youd quote at a funeral or on a date, but it is almost effortlessly quotable  the perfect expression of a thought you never knew you had:

A d m i r e r a s I t h i n k I a m O f s t a r s t h a t d o n o t g i v e a d a m n , I c a n n o t , n o w I s e e t h e m , s a y I m i s s e d o n e t e r r i b l y a l l d a y . Ken Burns, filmmaker

Watch his full reading

The word I occurs five times in this stanza, but we dont know much about the person speaking. His personality is camouflaged and revealed by craft.

Auden, born in the northern English cathedral city of York, began practicing that craft as a schoolboy, and honed it at Oxford. Not long after graduating in 1928, he was anointed by critics and readers as the great hope of modern English poetry. A charismatic, divisive figure, he gathered acolytes, imitators and haters.

He swam in the intellectual and ideological crosscurrents of the 1930s, drawing Marxism, psychoanalysis and mystical nationalism into his writing. Assimilating a daunting array of literary influences  Old English and Ancient Greek, French chansons and Icelandic sagas  he forged a poetic personality that was bold, confiding and seductive.

His love poems of that era were candid, discreet dispatches from a calendar of feverish entanglements, wrenching breakups and one-night stands, usually with other men. He also wrote about the feverish politics of the time  class conflict; the rise of fascism; the Spanish Civil War  in ringing rhetoric he later disavowed.

In 1939 Auden moved to America, acquiring U.S. citizenship after World War II. In New York he fell in love with Chester Kallman, a young American writer who became his life partner.

W.H. Auden (left) and Chester Kallman in Venice, in 1949. Stephen Spender, via Bridgeman Images

It was a complicated relationship, starting as a passionate affair and enduring through decades of domestic companionship and creative collaboration. Kallmans refusal to be sexually exclusive wounded Auden, a dynamic that poignantly shades this poems most memorable couplet:

I f e q u a l a f f e c t i o n c a n n o t b e , L e t t h e m o r e l o v i n g o n e b e m e . Claudia Rankine, poet

Watch her full reading

In America, Auden distanced himself from the radical politics of his earlier career and embraced Anglican Christianity. His intellectual preoccupations shifted toward religion and existentialism  to the kinds of big questions we think about late at night, or when we look to the sky.

Making the leap from wunderkind to grand old man without seeming to stop in middle age, he became a mentor for several generations of younger poets. He was a prolific and punctual contributor of reviews and essays to various publications, including this one, for which he wrote a rave of J.R.R. Tolkiens The Fellowship of the Ring in 1954.

Through it all, Auden devoted fanatical attention to the finer points of poetic technique. His notebooks are full of numbers, word lists and markings that show just how deep this commitment went. He counted every syllable, measured every stress.

Scansion marks from one of Audens notebooks, dated 1955-65. Copyright by The Estate of W.H. Auden. Reprinted by permission of Curtis Brown, Ltd. W.H. Auden papers, Berg Collection, The New York Public Library. Photograph by Angelina Katsanis for The New York Times.

He gathered rhymes and other words with a lexicographers zeal and a crossword puzzlers precision.

Lists of rhyming words from another of Audens notebooks, dated 1957-59. Copyright by The Estate of W.H. Auden. Reprinted by permission of Curtis Brown, Ltd. W.H. Auden papers, Berg Collection, The New York Public Library. Photograph by Angelina Katsanis for The New York Times.

The third stanza of The More Loving One is a miniature showcase of Audens skill. Of the four epigrams arrayed before us, it may be the most technically perfect.

A d m i r e r a s I t h i n k I a m O f s t a r s t h a t d o n o t g i v e a d a m n , I c a n n o t , n o w I s e e t h e m , s a y I m i s s e d o n e t e r r i b l y a l l d a y . W.H. Auden, poet

Watch his full reading

The rhythm is flawless, without an extra syllable or an accent out of place. The grammar is also fastidious. Here is a single sentence, springloaded with equivocation, beginning with one idea and sliding toward its opposite.

This quatrain is the poems ideal formal representation of itself, a kind of proof of concept: four lines of impeccable iambic tetrameter in an AABB rhyme scheme. The by-the-book regularity of this stanza should give you a leg up in memorizing it, and you can test yourself below!

But the rest of the poem is an argument against perfection, just as it is a celebration of uncertainty and humility  as well see tomorrow.

Your task today: Learn the third stanza! Play a game to learn it by heart. Need more practice? Listen to Ada Limon, Matthew McConaughey, W.H. Auden and others recite our poem. Watch their full readings Question 1/6 Lets start with the first couplet in this stanza. Fill in the rhyming words. A d m i r e r a s I t h i n k I a m O f s t a r s t h a t d o n o t g i v e a d a m n , do not as give am Tap a word above to fill in the highlighted blank.

Edited by Gregory Cowles, Alicia DeSantis and Nick Donofrio. Additional editing by Emily Eakin, Joumana Khatib, Emma Lumeij and Miguel Salazar. Design and development by Umi Syam. Additional game design by Eden Weingart. Video editing by Meg Felling. Photo editing by Erica Ackerberg. Illustration art direction by Tala Safie.



Illustrations by Daniel Barreto.



Text and audio recording of The More Loving One, by W.H. Auden, copyright  by the Estate of W.H. Auden. Reprinted by permission of Curtis Brown, Ltd. Photograph accompanying Auden recording from Imagno/Getty Images.
Many women get their partners names or initials tattooed on their bodies, either under coercion or emotional pressure, but few stories are as extreme as the one recently revealed by Dutch foundation Stichting Spijt van Tattoo (Tattoo Regret). An abusive man personally inked his name and initials dozens of times on his girlfriends body, as a way of branding her as his property.

Referred to only as Joke by Stichting Spijt van Tattoo, the middle-aged woman reportedly endured years of abuse and could only cope by numbing herself with alcohol and pills. Her controlling ex reportedly bought a cheap tattooing machine online and personally inked about 250 tattoos on her body, including property of, his name and his initials.

[He tattooed her] In places he thought had been touched by other men, such as her breasts and buttocks. It was a sign of control and possession, Andy Han, founder of Stichting Spijt van Tattoo, said, adding that some of the tattoos were on her face and neck.

Dutch publication NL Times published before and after photos of Joke, revealing her shocking transformation from having her face covered in tattoos to an almost completely clean slate. Both the victim and Stichting Spijt van Tattoo hope that this shocking story will inspire other victims of abuse to come forward and seek help.

Those who have been deeply hurt can get back up, Joke said on the foundations website. If I can do it, then someone else can too.

Asked if she did anything to fight back against her abusive ex-boyfriend, Joke said that she reported him to the Dutch authorities, but he has yet to face any consequences.

Any reasonable person knows someone wouldnt voluntarily get tattoos near the eye, on the nose or on the ear, Andy Han said. But ultimately, the authorities couldnt pursue it because it was legally difficult to prove. Her ex claimed she consented. For Joke, that feels like an injustice.

Joke hopes to be rid of all her tattoos by the end of this year, but the trauma will probably need years more to heal.
The Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) has partnered with four of the countrys Education and Training Boards (ETBs) across the Midlands and Mid-West to launch a new tertiary pathway in Mental Health Nursing. This strategic alliance involves Laois and Offaly ETB (LOETB), Limerick and Clare ETB, Longford and Westmeath ETB (LWETB), and Tipperary ETB.

Developed in collaboration with the National Tertiary Office (NTO), this innovative programme provides a clear, non-CAO progression route for students pursuing a degree in Mental Health Nursing.



This pathway serves as a vital "bridge" for Further Education and Training (FET) students, offering guaranteed progression into higher education upon successful completion of their initial NFQ Level 5 QQI Major Award in Nursing Studies.



Speaking at the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement between the regions' four ETBs and TUS, Professor Vincent Cunnane, President of TUS, said: "This partnership is the result of extensive collaboration between TUS, our ETB partners, the HEA, and Solas to create a new professional pathway for the next generation of mental health nurses. By offering the Mental

Health Nursing degree pathway through these four ETBs, it ensures students have access to continuing their professional healthcare careers and to developing the fundamental nursing skills and clinical competencies needed to become a registered Mental Health Nurse."

READ NEXT: Tullamore Hospital officially opens new family and relatives' rooms



Deputy Director of the National Tertiary Office, Tanya Jones, said: Students are telling us how tertiary pathways are changing their lives  not just in terms of qualifications, but in confidence, purpose, and possibility. They speak about pride, about hope, and about finally being able to pursue a career they have always dreamed of, particularly in areas as vital and

socially impactful as Mental Health Nursing.



Joe Cunningham, Chief Executive Officer of Laois Offaly ETB said: LOETB has fostered strong inter institutional relationships and progression options with TUS for many years and we're delighted to build on the relationship through this Tertiary Pathway agreement. Having a number of guaranteed places on the Bachelor of Mental Health Nursing for our learners in Laois and Offaly is significant and valuable. It allows learners to begin their journey with us at LOETB and progress to a degree at TUS that will offer enhanced employment prospects and career progression in the healthcare sector.



Bernadette Cullen, Chief Executive of Limerick and Clare ETB, said: "This new pathway is a very welcome development for learners in Limerick and Clare, giving them the opportunity to begin their studies locally at our College of FET, Ennis campus and progress on to a degree in Mental Health Nursing. It is a strong example of how partnership can open up real opportunities for our communities and for the future of healthcare in the region."

READ NEXT: Offaly paramedic retires from ambulance service after quarter century of service



Clodagh Kelly, Chief Executive of Tipperary ETB commented: This agreement with TUS marks an important step in expanding accessible, industry-aligned education for the people of Tipperary. Through our collaboration with the National Tertiary Office, we are proud to work with TUS and our neighbouring ETBs to introduce a new tertiary pathway in Mental Health Nursing. This pathway will enable learners to begin their nursing journey locally with Tipperary ETB and progress seamlessly to higher-level study, supporting both student ambition and critical skills needs across the region.



Siobhan Lynch, Chief Executive of Longford and Westmeath ETB, stated: "Longford and Westmeath Education and Training Board welcomes the launch of the Tertiary Pathway in Mental Health Nursing, which will open new opportunities for learners across Longford and Westmeath to access a rewarding career in healthcare. We are particularly pleased that this

programme will be delivered through Longford College of Further Education in partnership with Technological University of the Shannon, providing a clear and supported route from further education into higher education within the region.



This innovative pathway enables prospective students to pursue their ambitions while remaining connected to their local communities and will help address the growing need for skilled mental health professionals both regionally and nationally.

LWETB is proud to work in partnership with TUS to support inclusive access to education and training that benefits individuals, communities, and essential public services."



Starting in September 2026, learners can begin their journey toward a career in Mental Health Nursing at one of the four regional hubs: Limerick and Clare ETBs College of FET, Ennis Campus, Tipperary ETBs College of FET, Roscrea, LOETBs FET Centre in Tullamore, and LWETBs Longford FET Campus.



The aim of the programme is to provide students with an opportunity to learn the essential knowledge, skills and competencies associated with mental health nursing, enabling them to provide care across a variety of healthcare environments.



Programme Structure: The Mental Health Nursing Tertiary Degree is five years in duration:

Year 1: Delivered at a local ETB centre. Students who successfully complete this year will be awarded an NFQ Level 5 QQI Major Award in Nursing Studies.

Years 25: Students progress directly to TUS Athlone for a four-year degree programme leading to a BSc (Hons) in Mental Health Nursing.

Graduates will develop fundamental nursing skills and clinical competencies, becoming eligible to apply for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI). Applications are now open at www.nto.ie.
FINE Gael TD for Offaly, Deputy John Clendennen has warmly welcomed the announcement of funding under the 2026 investment programme for recreational sites, which includes support for routine maintenance at the Slieve Bloom Mountain Bike Trail network in Offaly.

3m funding has been announced from the Department of Community, Rural and the Gaeltacht, as part of the final year of its strategic partnership with Coillte.

Deputy Clendennen said, I am delighted to confirm that the Slieve Bloom Mountain Bike Trails will benefit from this important funding allocation for routine maintenance. These trails are a major asset to Offaly, attracting visitors from across Ireland and supporting local tourism and business.

The investment in 2026 includes 3.13m for new trail infrastructure and ongoing maintenance at 224 sites around the country. Of this funding, 2m will be used to facilitate ongoing maintenance and associated supports at over 200 recreational sites across the country, while 1.1m is being provided to support the development of new recreation amenities and upgrades of existing facilities at 20 sites nationwide.

This is the final year of a 5-year partnership that has seen over 16 million invested in Coillte recreation sites.

READ NEXT: Slieve Bloom Walking Festival celebrates 30 years with series of walks in Offaly and Laois

Deputy Clendennen said: Our nature trails and parks are a source of huge pride in Offaly and bring so much enjoyment, not to just the people who live here, but they attract visitors to our area. This additional funding will go a long way towards ensuring facilities are of the highest standard and I also look forward to seeing what additional projects may be delivered to enhance our recreational offering.

Minister of State for Community Development and Charities Jerry Buttimer said: The positive impact recreation in the outdoors has on our physical and mental wellbeing must never be underestimated. Our partnership with Coillte is much valued and I look forward to working with the organisation in the coming months to develop a new strategic partnership from 2027.

Deputy Clendennen concluded by encouraging people to explore the area, I would encourage everyone to take the opportunity to visit the Slieve Bloom Mountains and experience these fantastic trails firsthand. These trails are for everyone to avail of. Please feel free to get in touch should you feel there are any parts of the trails requiring attention.

READ NEXT: Offaly man who celebrated 105th birthday is Irelands oldest man
The final steps in transferring Mount Carmel Nursing Home in Roscrea to the ownership of the Health Service Executive (HSE) took place on Monday, ending a legacy of almost 50 years of care by the Sisters of St Marie Madeleine Postel.

A moving event to mark the beginning of a new chapter for Mount Carmel was held in Roscrea on Monday and attended by Independent Tipperary TD, Deputy Michael Lowry, who was applauded for playing an instrumental role in securing the future of the Nursing Home.

Deputy Lowry said the change ensures that elderly people in the town and its environs will have long term care available locally. Key to the long term continuation of elderly care in Roscrea is the purchase by the HSE of the Mt Carmel complex, which includes the current nursing home and adjacent buildings. The convent will be vacated to provide for the provision of additional accommodation.

The facility will become a community care centre under the direction of the HSE and staff currently working at Mt Carmel will come under the auspices of the HSE.

Seamus Browne, Chairperson of the Board of Management spoke on the final day of ownership on behalf of the Board and the congregation and said the Sisters recalled the official opening of Mount Carmel Nursing home in May 1980, when the home was dedicated to Our Lady of Mount Carmel.

READ NEXT: Town centre junction described as 'Russian roulette' for traffic and pedestrians

During those 46 years the Sisters felt the presence of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and their foundress St Marie Madeleine Postel watching over them and guiding them, he said.

The sisters wished to place on record their gratitude to the members of their own congregation, many now deceased, who worked so hard in the home to embed the congregations ethos of combining quality clinical care, spiritual support, and a home from home for the many residents they had the privilege of looking after since 1980.

Mr Browne paid tribute to Sisterr Luke for her foresight and leadership in recognising that the home needed further development and he acknowledged the financial investment made by the congregation in the past 16 years, when the original nursing home structure was demolished and replaced by the modern state of the art nursing home that is now being passed to the HSE.

He said the sisters and the Board of Management who was established in 2006 were so grateful to the staff past and present who worked so hard to care for the residents of the home in the spirit and ethos of the congregation.

Sister Luke in particular wished to thank past and present Board members for their advice and expertise over many years and Mr Browne mentioned the excellent Directors of Nursing who worked in Mount Carmel down through the years - who include Mary Young, Dolores Sheridan, Joan Rafter, Anne Keevey, Majella Larkin and the current Director of Nursing Helen Costello.

The management and staff have given unwavering support to the congregation in their mission to provide excellent clinical support to the residents while also maintaining that home from home atmosphere.

Mr Browne made special mention of Marian Hayes who was the first Chairperson of the Board of Management and who acted as the congregations representative in the home since 2017.

He thanked Marian for leading the negotiations with the HSE on behalf of the congregation and the Board and wished her well in her retirement.

From his own involvement in many of the negotiations he acknowledged how complex the

process was and said the transfer of ownership to the HSE was a very positive outcome for residents and staff as well as the congregation.

He said special tribute must go to Deputy Lowry and that Sister Luke and Marian recalled how Deputy Lowry came to Mount Carmel Nursing home to meet them and the staff in 2022. Following that meeting he spoke in the Dail about the low pay of Health Care Assistants and the financial pressures on private nursing homes.

He also told Sister Luke and Marian that he would find a solution to improve the working conditions of the staff in Mount Carmel and to solve the congregations succession problem.

"He was true to his word and within a short space of time he brought the HSE proposal to the congregation and has been unwavering in his support to them and to the Board right up to the conclusion of the transfer," he said.

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On behalf of the congregation and the Board of Management Mr Browne wished the HSE well as they take ownership of Mount Carmel Nursing Home. The congregation and Board are satisfied that the ethos of the HSE aligns with that of the congregation, he said.

The sisters are particularly pleased that the HSE wish them to continue to provide a spiritual presence in the home and they look forward to continuing in this capacity for many years to come, Mr Browne said.
Workers have been squeezed after the government made the wrong call in Budget 2026, Mary Lou McDonald said.

The Sinn Fein leader told Taoiseach Micheal Martin there was real anger amid working families paying their way and yet falling further behind with each passing week.

She referred to comments made by Public Expenditure Minister Jack Chambers, who said on Tuesday that Budget 2026 didnt give workers a break and that would have to be a priority in the context of Budget 2027.

Speaking during Leaders Questions on Wednesday, Ms McDonald said: There it is, your own Minister finally saying out loud what we have been telling you for six months.

She said the last budget drove the deep anger and frustration that we now see across the state.

As prices were rising, as bills were mounting, while working families were under the most severe pressure, you withdrew supports, you abandoned your election promises, one after another, and you left people high and dry, she told the Dail.

You had the resources, Taoiseach and you made the wrong call, and now the consequences are everywhere.

Workers squeezed, households stretched to breaking point, people cutting back on basics and making impossible choices.

She said the government did not cut the Universal Social Charge (USC), while school transport and State exam fees increased.

It seems no matter how hard it gets, Fianna Fail and Micheal Martin are quite happy to let people struggle on.

People wont tolerate that Taoiseach, and you will get your response again.

Mr Martin said that Sinn Fein had ignored the war in the Middle Easts impact on fuel prices and said Sinn Fein didnt believe in targeting measures to those most in need in the Budget.

You have the similar approach to (former British prime minister) Liz Truss in terms of the energy question, he said, referring to caps on energy bills.

He said that public expenditure would increase by 8.6% under Budget 2026, and had looked to prioritise housing while also putting huge investment into infrastructure.

Thats not failing anybody, thats a very, very high increase in investment in public services that all workers benefit from and families and people generally benefit from, he said.

He said the State pension was increased by 10 euro, weekly child supports also increased in order to tackle child poverty, and 500 million euro was allocated to disability services.

Remember, the most important thing always in life is that we have an economy that can provide jobs to people.

Asked about income tax on Wednesday morning, Mr Chambers said helping low- to middle-income workers was a priority for the budget on Tuesday October 6.

We know that theyre feeling the pressure in the context of decisions we made in last years budget, where we sought to prioritise housing  correctly, in my view  and enhance viability in housing.

What we did say, well try and revert back to prioritising and reducing the burden for workers, I think that would be a priority.

Then finance minister Paschal Donohoe said while unveiling Budget 2026 that there was limited scope for significant personal tax changes, but said the Government will stand by progressive changes for income tax over its full term.

Labour leader Ivana Bacik also accused the government of a lack of forward planning and said the millions of euro worth of a bailout for the Department of Education, to cover special education, was all over the place.

She said that while 430 special education places were made available this year, the shortfall was 600.

You mentioned the 650 million euro bailout for the Department of Education, as if it was something to be proud of, but the fact that the bailout was necessary yesterday is exactly the problem.

Were seeing a lack of planning, a lack of forward planning, and then this bailout, its all over the place, Taoiseach.

How did you not know that that money would be required, you know the numbers of children who require additional school places.

Mr Martin said there would be 26,000 special needs assistants (SNA) this year, and the teacher ratio would be one teacher and two SNAs to every six pupils.

The overall budget for special education is growing significantly, Cabinet has approved 650 million extra current funding for education, and a significant amount of that directed towards accommodating special education.
Do you like audio books? I do. What about peace, do you like that? I'm referring to peace here as the absence of war. I'm not intending to challenge everyone's favorite aphorism that -- chant it with me -- "Peace Is More Than the Absence of War." I'm just referring to that thing, whatever it is, that includes the absence of war plus some other stuff.

If you search for "Peace" on mega-audio-book-supplier Audible (or at least if I do -- perhaps everyone's search results are unique, but I would think mine would be more likely than average to find a book about peace) you don't find any books about peace as defined above. The vast, vast majority of the books you find are about inner peace. They are not about getting your government to stop killing people on an industrial scale, but about getting your own mind to relax about how awful things are in the world. A few are about "financial peace" which, I confess, I had never heard of, but which seems to consist of getting your mind to relax about how much money you have. And a few are fiction, but fiction not apparently related in any way to getting your government to stop mass-murdering people or threatening overnight genocides.

The 48th book in the list, and another in the 60s somewhere, are nonfiction related to World War I, both of them with titles playing with the Wilsonian propaganda about a war to end all wars. There's also one that claims to be nonfiction about noble missionaries bringing god to cannibals. In the 80s and 90s you find one book about ancient Rome, one about the Middle East, and one about U.S. foreign policy. After 100 books, I gave up.

There are, of course, books in the world that are about peace. A few of my favorites are these. Most of those, for whatever reasons, cannot be found on Audible at all.

The world is full of wars that almost nobody likes.

The world's governments are moving our money into more and more war preparations.

At some point it would be useful to have a culture that talked about peace as something other than personal indulgence.

I tried the same thing on Amazon, which includes all formats of books -- or so I thought. If I just search for "Peace" I find a mountain of books about "inner peace" and then a bottle of oil that creates it without having to read any books.

If I then specify that I actually want to find a book, not just any product, it throws in a book by the Pope, and one by Immanuel Kant, and -- pretty far in -- "A Separate Peace" by John Knowles, and eventually "War and Peace" by Tolstoy. Nothing about financial peace; Amazon's search focuses in on peace with your heart, peace with your mind, peace with your god, peace through breathing.

If I could end wars through breathing, don't you think I would have done that by now?

If proper breathing could make me shut up about ending wars, don't you know that I'm going to avoid it at all costs?
For OpEdNews, Column No. 408: "The Traitor King: the Duke of Windsor"

Steven Jonas, MD, MPH

April 22, 2026

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"Either this nation shall kill racism, or racism shall kill this nation." (S. Jonas, August 2018)

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"How do you spell ICE in German? GESTAPO." (S. Jonas, July 2025)

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"First, they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out because I was not a socialist.

"Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist.

"Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew.

"Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak for me." Pastor Martin Niemoller (c. 1946)

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Introduction: A couple of years ago I ran a column on the man who, for the last half of the 20th century, was generally known as the "Duke of Windsor" (Click Here). It dealt in part that with dealings that he, a former future English King, had in the summer of 1940 with the leadership of a nation, Nazi Germany, with which his nation was at war. Those dealings are laid out in some detail below.

Here, I am re-running the earlier column, while first introducing the subject with a Comment that I posted today (April 22, 2026) on a Steve Schmidt column --- concerning the visit of King Charles II to the reigning fascist of the United States. Then I proceed to the excerpt from the earlier column.

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My comment on the Steve Schmidt column on the impending visit to the U.S. of King Charles II:

"In the summer of 1940, the former Prince of Wales of England and, the then no-longer future King, the man who would be given the meaningless title of "Duke of Windsor," as the Nazi Wehrmacht was moving South in France, was, with his wife, a U.S, slowly making his way across the south of France, having left his French chateau, towards the Spanish border. As documented in a book by Andrew Lownie, "Traitor King" (and others), representatives of his were negotiating with Nazi representatives about, possibly, a notable position for him in a future German-conquered United Kingdom, such as restoration to the ceremonial Crown or ceremonial President of a new Republic.

"Obviously, those negotiations were never concluded. The couple eventually entered neutral Spain, then went on to neutral Portugal, and then made it back to the UK. Given that it was wartime and that there were a significant number of former Nazi sympathizers in the UK (e.g., the Mosleyites), Churchill solved "the problem" by shipping the Duke off to the Bahamas as the British Governor there, for the duration of the war. Then the couple were exiled to France. How ironic is it that the Duke's Great Grandnephew is closing the evil circle by paying a 'State Visit' to the U.S. ideological descendant of Adolf Hitler."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

And now to the excerpt of the earlier column cited above (Click Here).

The Prince of Wales (1930s) was a right-winger, who thought that fascism had a lot to offer to the Western nations struggling through the Depression. He was rabidly ant-Soviet. In terms of Germany and Italy, he was a pacifist until September 3, 1939, when the United Kingdom declared war on Germany following its invasion of Poland. Even after that he plumped for a peace settlement between Nazi Germany and the U.K., especially following the Fall of France in June 1940. He openly, through intermediaries, consorted with the Nazis whilst in France early that summer, and after France's abject surrender, then in Spain and Portugal as he and his wife were making their way out of Occupied Europe.

In the summer of 1940, before and during the early days of the Battle of Britain, a German invasion of the U.K. seemed a certainty and a then-German victory almost inevitable. During that brief period (before Great Britain won the Battle of Britain in the summer of 1940) Hitler and the Nazi High Command foresaw victory over the UK, and actually envisioned either restoring Edward to the throne of the conquered nation or converting it into a Republic with Edward as President. It is certainly unclear to what extent Edward bought into this idea and how much of it was discussed with him through Spanish and Portuguese intermediaries as he dallied on the European mainland before getting back to the UK. Did he ever buy into the idea, did he listen intently, did he reject it out of hand? Which alternative is not known. But he certainly was pursuing having the U.K. engage in peace negotiations with Germany during that summer.

Detailed files from the German side of what went on in Portugal and Spain during the summer of 1940 between the Duke, (to re-emphasize, through intermediaries not directly), and the Nazis, called collectively by them "the Windsor file," emerged after the War (despite the best efforts of both the Tories and the post-war Labour government to keep them hidden if not destroyed). But it has never before been clear what exactly happened in that fevered time. As Andrew Morton (see the note below) said, was Edward a "Traitor King or a Duped Duke?"

But what we do know is the following. As noted, Edward been a Nazi sympathizer quite some time, and in that summer, he was flirting with the Nazis. And he knew it. If he had been coronated in 1937, he would have had a hard time of it both because he had those sympathies and because very early on in his brief reign, he had already shown an authoritarian streak. He violated the British Constitution(unwritten as it is --- only the British could do this) which since the time of Queen Victoria had provided that the Royal sovereign should have no role in actual governance. For four days after Hitler undertook his first foreign aggression and re-occupied the Rhineland in violation of the Treaty of Versailles in March 1936, Edward (by then King and head-of-state even though not yet coronated) instructed his government not to react to it. They didn't (and neither did the French). Whether that was because of a directive from Edward or not, he, according to German intelligence, did deliver it.

So, what was going on? My estimation (and I must say that it is different from most interpretations of his behavior at the time) is that Edward, at some level, knew that as much as many of his aristocratic friends and certain elements of the manufacturing/commercial British ruling class agreed with him on Germany (and Italy) and fascism as a mode of governance, in one way or another he would not be permitted to continue to function that way as king.

The by-then traditional role of English king was one which did not suit him. And if war with Germany were to come, he would be forced to ceremonially be the nation's leader in it, something that his political gut would reject. (As it happened, his younger brother, the Duke of York who succeeded him as George VI, also had right-wing tendencies. But as King he was able to put them aside and was also able to abide by the British Constitution. He thus became an important ceremonial leader for the British people during the war.)

In my view further, however much he was in love with Wallis Simpson, the Duke, who had had many lovers over the course of his life (as had she), did not abdicate because of his love for her. I believe that A) he didn't want to be King as the British Constitution would have eventually required him to be, B) he really thought that things might change in that regard should there be a war that Germany could very well win, and C) he didn't really want to be the titular leader of Great Britain in any prolonged war (which of course it turned out to be).

As it happened, as previously noted, there were some very delicate negotiations, through intermediaries in Spain and Portugal in that summer of 1940, between Edward and the Nazis. (Edward and Wallis had left one of their palatial homes on the French Rivera in advance of the German arrival following the armistice with the collaborationist Petain/Laval Vichy government.) BUT, he was always VERY careful to make sure that to the Nazis he never actually said what it was he wanted and what he might accept from them. He certainly did not want to become the first English former sovereign to be executed for treason since Charles I. Hinting, but with total deniability. That was the way of Edward VIII, then the Duke of Windsor.

(Article changed on Apr 23, 2026 at 9:02 AM EDT)

(Article changed on Apr 23, 2026 at 12:57 PM EDT)
Poker Pro Who Started Nonprofit for War-Affected Children Wins USPO Title

Connor Richards Senior Editor U.S. Copy link

Aram Zobian entered Day 2 of Event #9: $15,000 NLH as the chip leader at his third straight 2026 U.S. Poker Open final table. After finishing fourth in Event #7 for $70,000 and fifth in Event #8 for $68,625, the Armenian-American pro closed out today to win $292,800 and his latest PokerGO title as he defeated heads-up opponent Brandon Wilson.

The penultimate event of the 2026 USPO drew 61 runners for a prize pool of $915,000. The final table included rising American pros Clemen Deng (6th - $50,325) and Nicholas Seward (5th - $68,625), German wizard Marius Gierse (4th - $91,500), and elder statesman Chino Rheem (3rd - $128,100).

"I'm getting very lucky and am very grateful for it," Zobian told PokerNews in a winner's interview. "I'm also making some good reads, also grateful to be flowing and have my nervous system be in a good place."

Event #9 Final Table Results

Place Player Country Prize 1 Aram Zobian United States $292,800 2 Brandon Wilson United States $183,000 3 Chino Rheem United States $128,100 4 Marius Gierse Austria $91,500 5 Nicholas Seward United States $68,625 6 Clemen Deng United States $50,325 7 Vinny Lingham United States $36,600

Playing for a Cause

Zobian, who describes himself as an "Armenian Orthodox Mystical Christian," wears his influences on his sleeves  or, in this case, on his head. He was draped in a checkered garb at the final table and waved a silver Ethiopian cross as he posed for winner's photos.

He also wore a shirt repping the Natna Childrens Foundation, a nonprofit he co-founded after visiting the Tigray region in Ethiopia, which suffered a genocide as part of the Tigray war from 2020 to 2022.

Zobian said his Armenian heritage, another country that has been reeled by human rights abuses, makes him feel connected to Ethiopia.

"There's a lot of need," Zobian said. "We're doing mutual aid, we distribute food, we're working in the educational sector and setting up programs for education and psychosocial support to help the kids process trauma and get back to a good place."

Aram Zobian

Though he was coming off two close calls in previous events, Zobian said he didn't feel any extra pressure to close out at today's final table.

"I try to not put that pressure on myself. I try to just make the objective play and have a lot of gratitude and try to just thank God continually, pretty much. Praise God and play my best."

Zobian, whose final table run included knocking out fourth-place finisher Gierse, got to heads-up play with a serious chip deficit to Wilson, who himself has made two USPO final tables. Zobian eventually took a slight lead before a final confrontation where his king-six out-flopped Wilson's ace-nine.

Brandon Wilson

PokerNews' coverage of Event #9 at the USPO. Head to the That wraps up' coverage of Event #9 at the USPO. Head to the live reporting portal to see coverage of other events.

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How To Satellite Into the 2026 WSOP Main Event in Las Vegas

Matthew Pitt Senior Editor Copy link

There are 100 bracelet-awarding events on the 2026 World Series of Poker (WSOP) schedule, but every poker player dreams of becoming the champion of just one of those tournaments: the $10,000 WSOP Main Event. Unfortunately for some, the $10,000 buy-in puts the 2026 WSOP Main Event out of reach, which is where satellites come into their own.

Since the inaugural WSOP Main Event in 1970, some 160,704 players have exchanged $10,000 for the chance to become poker's world champion. Across the 56 WSOP Main Events in history, only 49 individuals have taken the crown, with Johnny Moss, the late Doyle Brunson, the late Stu Ungar, and Johnny Chan winning the "Big Dance" more than once.

In 2003, the aptly-named Chris Moneymaker, then an accountant from Atlanta, Georgia, won a $10,000 WSOP Main Event seat via an $86 buy-in satellite online at PokerStars. Moneymaker outlasted 838 opponents, including defeating seasoned pro Sammy Farha heads-up, to win the WSOP Main Event and kickstart the phenomenon that would be called the Moneymaker Effect.

Fastforward to today, and hundreds, if not thousands, of players will head to the Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas hoping to win their way into the 2026 WSOP Main Event for a fraction of the $10,000 asking price. The 2026 WSOP Main Event satellites run from July 1-7 and come in buy-ins of $150, $260, $585, $1,100, and $2,200.

Step Satellites Are Your Cheapest Route Into the 2026 WSOP Main Event

The $150 Main Event Landmark Step Satellites shuffle up and deal at 8:00 a.m. local time from July 1. Although these do not get you into the 2026 WSOP Main Event, they are a cheap way to get into the $1,100 Main Event Landmark Satellites, where a WSOP Main Event seat awaits.

The aim of these $150 Main Event Landmark Step Satellites is to turn your 10,000 starting stack into 100,000. Hit that landmark, and you'll progress to the $1,100 Main Event Landmark Satellite at 1:00 p.m. local time.

At 2:00 p.m. local time from July 1-6, a $260 Main Event Landmark Step Satellite gets underway. Again, the aim is to turn a 10,000 starting stack into 100,000 . Manage this, and you'll win a seat in the $2,200 Main Event Landmark Satellite at 7:00 p.m.

The 2026 WSOP Main Event Satellites That Award $10,000 Seats

The cheapest way to win a 2026 WSOP Main Event seat directly at the Horseshow and Paris Las Vegas is in the twice-daily $585 Main Event Landmark Satellites. They begin at 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. local time between July 1-6.

Build from a 10,000 starting stack to 200,000, and a 2026 WSOP Main Event seat or $10,000 in chips is all yours. While there are no guarantees on these satellites, a WSOP Main Event seat will be available for every $10,000 in the prize pool.

If your bankroll allows, or if you have won a seat via a $150 step satellite, there is a $1,100 Main Event Landmark Satellites each day at 1:00 p.m. local time on July 1-3, another at 8:00 a.m. local time on July 7, and two per day (at 8:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. local time) on July 4-6.

The $1,100 buy-in 2026 WSOP Main Event satellites, starting at 8:00 a.m. local time, play to a turbo blind structure (10-minute clock), with the 1:00 p.m. local time featuring 20/30-minute levels. Regardless, the aim is to turn a 15,000 starting stack into 150,000 chips. Those who reach that total receive a 2026 WSOP Main Event entry or $10,000 in casino chips.

Last but not least are the $2,200 Main Event Landmark Satellites, which start at 7:00 p.m. local time July 1-6. Here, players start their quest for glory with 20,000 chips and try to reach a 200,000 stack. Again, a 2026 WSOP Main Event seat or $10,000 in casino chips are the prizes offered.

2026 WSOP Main Event Live Satellites Schedule

Date Time Satellite Notes Wed 1 Jul 8:00 a.m. $150 Main Event Landmark Step Satellite Entry to 1:00 p.m. $1,100 10:00 a.m. $585 Main Event Landmark Satellite $10,000 in Chips or Main Event entry 1:00 p.m. $1,100 Main Event Landmark Satellite $10,000 in Chips or Main Event entry 2:00 p.m. $260 Main Event Landmark Step Satellite Entry to 7:00 p.m. $2,200 4:00 p.m. $585 Main Event Landmark Satellite $10,000 in Chips or Main Event entry 7:00 p.m. $2,200 Main Event Landmark Satellite $10,000 in Chips or Main Event entry Thu 2 Jul 8:00 a.m. $1,100 Main Event Landmark Satellite $10,000 in Chips or Main Event entry 8:00 a.m. $150 Main Event Landmark Step Satellite Entry to 1:00 p.m. $1,100 10:00 a.m. $585 Main Event Landmark Satellite $10,000 in Chips or Main Event entry 1:00 p.m. $1,100 Main Event Landmark Satellite $10,000 in Chips or Main Event entry 2:00 p.m. $260 Main Event Landmark Step Satellite Entry to 7:00 p.m. $2,200 4:00 p.m. $585 Main Event Landmark Satellite $10,000 in Chips or Main Event entry 7:00 p.m. $2,200 Main Event Landmark Satellite $10,000 in Chips or Main Event entry Fri 3 Jul 8:00 a.m. $1,100 Main Event Landmark Satellite $10,000 in Chips or Main Event entry 8:00 a.m. $150 Main Event Landmark Step Satellite Entry to 1:00 p.m. $1,100 10:00 a.m. $585 Main Event Landmark Satellite $10,000 in Chips or Main Event entry 1:00 p.m. $1,100 Main Event Landmark Satellite $10,000 in Chips or Main Event entry 2:00 p.m. $260 Main Event Landmark Step Satellite Entry to 7:00 p.m. $2,200 4:00 p.m. $585 Main Event Landmark Satellite $10,000 in Chips or Main Event entry 7:00 p.m. $2,200 Main Event Landmark Satellite $10,000 in Chips or Main Event entry Sat 4 Jul 8:00 a.m. $1,100 Main Event Landmark Turbo Satellite $10,000 in Chips or Main Event entry 8:00 a.m. $150 Main Event Landmark Step Satellite Entry to 1:00 p.m. $1,100 10:00 a.m. $585 Main Event Landmark Satellite $10,000 in Chips or Main Event entry 1:00 p.m. $1,100 Main Event Landmark Satellite $10,000 in Chips or Main Event entry 2:00 p.m. $260 Main Event Landmark Step Satellite Entry to 7:00 p.m. $2,200 4:00 p.m. $585 Main Event Landmark Satellite $10,000 in Chips or Main Event entry 7:00 p.m. $2,200 Main Event Landmark Satellite $10,000 in Chips or Main Event entry Sun 5 Jul 8:00 a.m. $1,100 Main Event Landmark Turbo Satellite $10,000 in Chips or Main Event entry 8:00 a.m. $150 Main Event Landmark Step Satellite Entry to 1:00 p.m. $1,100 10:00 a.m. $585 Main Event Landmark Satellite $10,000 in Chips or Main Event entry 1:00 p.m. $1,100 Main Event Landmark Satellite $10,000 in Chips or Main Event entry 2:00 p.m. $260 Main Event Landmark Step Satellite Entry to 7:00 p.m. $2,200 4:00 p.m. $585 Main Event Landmark Satellite $10,000 in Chips or Main Event entry 7:00 p.m. $2,200 Main Event Landmark Satellite $10,000 in Chips or Main Event entry Mon 6 Jul 8:00 a.m. $1,100 Main Event Landmark Turbo Satellite $10,000 in Chips or Main Event entry 8:00 a.m. $150 Main Event Landmark Step Satellite Entry to 1:00 p.m. $1,100 10:00 a.m. $585 Main Event Landmark Satellite $10,000 in Chips or Main Event entry 1:00 p.m. $1,100 Main Event Landmark Satellite $10,000 in Chips or Main Event entry 2:00 p.m. $260 Main Event Landmark Step Satellite Entry to 7:00 p.m. $2,200 4:00 p.m. $585 Main Event Landmark Satellite $10,000 in Chips or Main Event entry 7:00 p.m. $2,200 Main Event Landmark Satellite $10,000 in Chips or Main Event entry Tue 7 Jul 8:00 a.m. $1,100 Main Event Landmark Turbo Satellite $10,000 in Chips or Main Event entry

2026 WSOP Main Event Online Satellites

GGPoker is the best place to win your 2026 WSOP Main Event seat online; it's parent company are the new owners of the WSOP. For the past few months, GGPoker has been running its WSOP Express satellite path.

This four-step path starts with a $0.50 buy-in All-In or Fold Sit & Go before progressing to a $2 Spin & Go tournament. From there, the WSOP Express moves onto a $10 Turbo tournament where you progress to the next stage once you turn your 3,000 stack into 50,000 chips.

Step 4 is a $150 buy-in regular tournament where you get to choose to play for a $10,000 Bracelet Pass.

Some other online poker rooms may offer 2026 WSOP Main Event satellites. However, due to branding rules, they are not permitted to call these satellites WSOP Main Event qualifiers. Instead, look for operators offering satellites that award a "Las Vegas Tournament Entry," a "$10,000 Las Vegas Bankroll," or similar.

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Poker Player's Third Tournament Cash is For a WSOPC Main Event Ring

Maxime Taldir Live Reporter Copy link

Arriving at the final table of the 2026 1,500 WSOP Circuit Aix-en-Provence Main Event at the Pasino Grand Partouche, Matthieu Cartillier held the chip lead but faced tough opposition on his path to victory. Despite the challenge, Cartillier navigated his way to the title, emerging as the winner after a relatively short final table.

Out of a field of 783 entries, he secured his first WSOP Circuit ring, a $5,000 package for the next WSOP Paradise, and, above all 150,000, the largest share of the 1,014,768 prize pool, after defeating Michel Leibgorin (2nd - 107,000) in heads-up play.

Sonny Franco was looking for his eighth ring but finished in third place for 78,000.

2026 WSOP Circuit Aix-en-Provence Main Event Final Table Results

Place Player Country Prize 1 Matthieu Cartillier France 150,000 2 Michel Leibgorin France 107,000 3 Sonny Franco France 78,000 4 Georgios Skarparis Cyprus 57,368 5 Onni Huttunen Finland 42,500 6 Anthony Apicella France 32,900 7 Houssem Meftahi Tunisia 24,400 8 Alexis Tremblay Switzerland 19,100

Winner's Reaction

Im very happy, really happy. I couldnt really hope for it, but it was a pleasure. Im just a random guy playing with randoms, Cartillier joked while waiting for his ring ceremony.

It is true that out of the eight finalists, the 41-year-old accounting consultant was not the most renowned player, with just two live cashes officially recorded. But behind this relative discretion lies a former professional cash-game player.

I used to be a pro player at the beginning of .fr poker. I remember playing live for the first time on August 10, 2007. I was doing well during that era, but I stepped away from poker about six or seven years ago. I had been doing it for 10 years and got tired of it, he explained.

At the time, he met players like Franco, whom he faced again at the final table. Franco is also the reason he played the festival this week: It started when the Pasino Grand sponsored Sonny. I saw videos on Facebook because of him and thought, okay, cool, Ill go to the casino. So I came here.

Matthieu Cartillier

This friendship ultimately led him to the title after a final table he enjoyed playing. Honestly, it was a great final table. We were laughing the whole time. I didnt look at anyones results at all but Im not impressed by good players. I know you have to respect certain ranges and concepts, but the goal was more about choosing who you want to play big pots against. Thats what I try to do. And I also had the cards, he said.

Despite this success, Cartillier is not planning to play more tournaments in the future, although he will head to the Bahamas in December thanks to his $5,000 package for WSOP Paradise. That could be nice. Ill have to see with my wife if shes okay with going to the Bahamas, he added.

But even before that, his festival is far from over, as he bagged a big stack for tomorrows Colossus Day 2, where he will try to win a second ring this week.

WSOP Circuit Aix-en-Provence

Final Table Action

With a 60 big blind average at the beginning of the final table, the day could have been very long but everything has been pretty straight forward all the way until the end, with just a few doubles up. The first casualty was last in chips Alexis Tremblay, who ran his sixes into queens to take 19,100 for his 8th place finish.

While Leibgorin and Onni Huttunen were taking the chip lead, Anthony Apicella flopped a straight to crack Huttunen's kings and double up. However these new hopes were short lived as he moved all-in a few hands later with jack-ten but faced Skarparis' kings. This time, the board changed nothing and he was sent to the rail in 6th place.

He gained one place however, as Houssem Meftahi was eliminated moments earlier. He found trips on the river and called when Huttunen moved all-in, but the Finnish player had already hit a straight on the turn, ending Meftahis tournament.

Anthony Apicella - Matthieu Cartillier

Now five-handed, Franco managed to double up with aces but unsuccessfully four-bet bluffed into ace-king in the next hands to keep one of the shortest stacks by the first break.

At the restart, Huttunen had an opportunity himself to double with aces, but Leibgorin found a straight on the turn to get closer to the ring. Georgios Skarparis with ace-jack eventually found Cartillier on his way with ace-jack and followed Huttunen at the cashier desk to take the 57,368 of his fourth place, leaving three French players in contention.

Matthieu Cartillier

Franco closed the gap by doubling up for the second time with aces. However two hours later, he was the one at risk again facing the future winner Cartillier. Franco flopped a pair with ace-nine, but Cartillier with king-queen rivered a straight and Franco saw his eighth ring slipped through his fingers. "I've achieved my goal to be in the Top 3," he still said after he was eliminated.

After dinner break, Leibgorin and Cartillier came back at the table to play for ring but the heads-up was only one way with Cartillier hitting two pair, trips and a full house in just a few hands to eventually eliminate Leibgorin and be crowned as the new WSOP Circuit Aix-en-Provence champion.

The next WSOP Circuit festival in Europe will take place in May in the Netherlands, before the circuit returns to France from September 112 at the brand new Partouche Casino Club, which will be inaugurated next month in Paris.

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Aram Zobian entered Day 2 of Event #9: $15,000 NLH as the chip leader at his third straight 2026 U.S. Poker Open final table. After finishing fourth in Event #7 for $70,000 and fifth in Event #8 for $68,625, the Armenian-American pro closed out today to win $292,800 and his latest PokerGO title as he defeated heads-up opponent Brandon Wilson.

The penultimate event of the 2026 USPO drew 61 runners for a prize pool of $915,000. The final table included rising American pros Clemen Deng (6th - $50,325) and Nicholas Seward (5th - $68,625), German wizard Marius Gierse (4th - $91,500), and elder statesman Chino Rheem (3rd - $128,100).

"I'm getting very lucky and am very grateful for it," Zobian told PokerNews in a winner's interview. "I'm also making some good reads, also grateful to be flowing and have my nervous system be in a good place."

Event #9 Final Table Results

Place Player Country Prize 1 Aram Zobian United States $292,800 2 Brandon Wilson United States $183,000 3 Chino Rheem United States $128,100 4 Marius Gierse Austria $91,500 5 Nicholas Seward United States $68,625 6 Clemen Deng United States $50,325 7 Vinny Lingham United States $36,600

Playing for a Cause

Zobian, who describes himself as an "Armenian Orthodox Mystical Christian," wears his influences on his sleeves  or, in this case, on his head. He was draped in a checkered garb at the final table and waved a silver Ethiopian cross as he posed for winner's photos.

He also wore a shirt repping the Natna Childrens Foundation, a nonprofit he co-founded after visiting the Tigray region in Ethiopia, which suffered a genocide as part of the Tigray war from 2020 to 2022.

Zobian said his Armenian heritage, another country that has been reeled by human rights abuses, makes him feel connected to Ethiopia.

"There's a lot of need," Zobian said. "We're doing mutual aid, we distribute food, we're working in the educational sector and setting up programs for education and psychosocial support to help the kids process trauma and get back to a good place."

Aram Zobian

Though he was coming off two close calls in previous events, Zobian said he didn't feel any extra pressure to close out at today's final table.

"I try to not put that pressure on myself. I try to just make the objective play and have a lot of gratitude and try to just thank God continually, pretty much. Praise God and play my best."

Zobian, whose final table run included knocking out fourth-place finisher Gierse, got to heads-up play with a serious chip deficit to Wilson, who himself has made two USPO final tables. Zobian eventually took a slight lead before a final confrontation where his king-six out-flopped Wilson's ace-nine.

Brandon Wilson

That wraps up PokerNews' coverage of Event #9 at the USPO. Head to the live reporting portal to see coverage of other events.
Charleston, SC (29403)

Today

Intervals of clouds and sunshine. High near 75F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies early will become overcast later during the night. Low around 65F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.
Tony Kukulich is an editor/reporter working in the Beaufort County bureau. Turning to journalism as a second career, he started as a photojournalist in the San Francisco Bay Area. After moving to Bluffton in 2021, he wrote for several area publications before joining The Post and Courier the following year.
Kingstree, SC (29556)

Today

Occasional light rain. High 73F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Low 58F. Winds light and variable.
Syndicated and guest columns represent the personal views of the writers, not necessarily those of the editorial staff. The editorial department operates entirely independently of the news department and is not involved in newsroom operations.
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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESS Newswire / April 21, 2026 /WHY: New York, N.Y., April 21, 2026. 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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Shallow, high-grade mineralisation in floor of existing open pitHIGHLIGHTS8,065m reverse circulation (RC) Resource upgrade drilling recently completed at Challenger Main', Challenger West' (CW) open pits, and Challenger South-Southwest' (CSSW) and Challenger 3' targetsRecent Challenger's Main' assays identified new high-grade mineralisation in open pit walls; new Challenger West assays confirm high-grade mineralisation in the pit's floor, and include:Hole IDIntervalIncluding:CHB01497m @ 2.01 g/t Au from 0 metres1m @ 9.63 g/t Au from 6 metresCHB01503m @ 20.6 g/t Au from 13 metres1m @ 59.5 g/t Au from 15 metresCHB01511m @ 12.5 g/t Au from 28 metresCHB01521m @ 20.5 g/t Au from 17 metresAssays pending for CSSW and Challenger 3 targets (along strike of Main' and West' pits)Challenger DFS underway targeting a viable, simplified baseline' Stage 1 operation to underwrite restart of CGM and maximise Challenger, Tarcoola, Wudinna and Tolmer development optionalityADELAIDE, AU / ACCESS Newswire / April 21, 2026 / Barton Gold Holdings Limited (ASX:BGD)(OTCQB:BGDFF)(FRA:BGD3) (Barton or Company) is pleased to announce further assay results from recent drilling at its South Australian Challenger Gold Project (Challenger).Challenger is the site of the Company's fully permitted Central Gawler Mill (CGM). A Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) is underway targeting an initial 3 - 4 year Stage 1 baseline' operation utilising only historical higher-grade tailings from tailings storage facility 1 (TSF1) and limited, near-surface materials without disturbing Challenger's historical high-grade underground mine, its mineralisation or its infrastructure access.Barton has recently published assays from the Challenger Main' pit, with grades up to 170 g/t Au confirming the discovery of new zones of high-grade mineralisation in the open pit walls. The latest assays come from the adjacent Challenger West' pit, and confirm high-grade mineralisation in the pit floor in assays up to 60 g/t Au.Full details can be accessed in the complete announcement on the ASX website or directly by clicking here.Commenting on the Challenger West assay results, Barton Managing Director Alexander Scanlon said:"Following the discovery of new mineralised zones grading up to 170 g/t Au at Challenger's main open pit, we are pleased to share new assays confirming high-grade mineralisation in the immediate floor of the Challenger West pit."These shallow materials regularly grade between 5 - 20 g/t Au, and up to 60 g/t Au, and can be accessed by simple excavation to supplement other Challenger feed sources and increase the overall grade profile of mill feed materials."This kind of on-pit, near-surface mineralisation adjacent to our existing Central Gawler Mill provides ideal low-risk feed to de-risk an operational restart at Challenger. We look forward to sharing further Challenger assays soon." Authorised by the Managing Director of Barton Gold Holdings Limited.For further information, please contact:Alexander ScanlonManaging Director a.scanlon@ bartongold.com.au +61 425 226 649Jade CookCompany Secretary cosec@ bartongold.com.au +61 8 9322 1587About Barton GoldBarton Gold is an ASX, OTCQB and Frankfurt Stock Exchange listed Australian gold developer targeting future gold production of 150,000ozpa with 2.2Moz Au & 3.1Moz Ag JORC Mineral Resources (79.9Mt @ 0.87g/t Au), brownfield mines, and 100% ownership of the region's only gold mill in the renowned Gawler Craton of South Australia.*Challenger Gold Project313koz Au + fully permitted Central Gawler Mill (CGM)Tarcoola Gold Project20koz Au in fully permitted open pit mine near CGMTolmer discovery grades up to 84g/t Au & 17,600g/t AgTunkillia Gold Project1.6Moz Au & 3.1Moz Ag JORC Mineral ResourcesCompetitive 120kozpa gold & 250kozpa silver projectWudinna Gold Project279koz Au project located southeast of TunkilliaSignificant optionality, adjacent to main highwayCompetent Persons Statement & Previously Reported InformationThe information in this announcement that relates to the historic Exploration Results and Mineral Resources as listed in the table below is based on, and fairly represents, information and supporting documentation prepared by the Competent Person whose name appears in the same row, who is an employee of or independent consultant to the Company and is a Member or Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM), Australian Institute of Geoscientists (AIG) or a Recognised Professional Organisation (RPO). Each person named in the table below has sufficient experience which is relevant to the style of mineralisation and types of deposits under consideration and to the activity which he has undertaken to quality as a Competent Person as defined in the JORC Code 2012 (JORC).ActivityCompetent PersonMembershipStatusTarcoola Mineral Resource (Stockpiles)Dr Andrew Fowler (Consultant)AusIMMMemberTarcoola Mineral Resource (Perseverance Mine)Mr Ian Taylor (Consultant)AusIMMFellowTarcoola Exploration Results (until 15 Nov 2021)Mr Colin Skidmore (Consultant)AIGMemberTarcoola Exploration Results (after 15 Nov 2021)Mr Marc Twining (Employee)AusIMMMemberTunkillia Exploration Results (until 15 Nov 2021)Mr Colin Skidmore (Consultant)AIGMemberTunkillia Exploration Results (after 15 Nov 2021)Mr Marc Twining (Employee)AusIMMMemberTunkillia Mineral ResourceMr Ian Taylor (Consultant)AusIMMFellowChallenger Mineral Resource (above 215mRL)Mr Ian Taylor (Consultant)AusIMMFellowChallenger Mineral Resource (below 90mRL)Mr Dale SimsAusIMM / AIGFellow / MemberWudinna Mineral Resource (Clarke Deposit)Ms Justine TraceyAusIMMMemberWudinna Mineral Resource (all other Deposits)Mrs Christine StandingAusIMM / AIGMember / MemberThe information relating to historic Exploration Results and Mineral Resources in this announcement is extracted from the Company's Prospectus dated 14 May 2021 or as otherwise noted, available from the Company's website at www.bartongold.com.au or on the ASX website www.asx.com.au . The Company confirms that it is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects the Exploration Results and Mineral Resource information included in previous announcements and, in the case of estimates of Mineral Resources, that all material assumptions and technical parameters underpinning the estimates, and any production targets and forecast financial information derived fr
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The leading B2B beauty event returns July 13 - 15, 2026, uniting brands, suppliers, buyers, and the larger beauty industry across the full industry ecosystem.LAS VEGAS, NV / ACCESS Newswire / April 22, 2026 / Cosmoprof North America Las Vegas (CPNA), the leading B2B beauty trade show in the Americas, returns for its 23rd edition from July 13 - 15, 2026, at Mandalay Bay Convention Center. Recognized as the most important three days for beauty in North America, the event will once again bring together the full beauty ecosystem, from emerging brands to global leaders, across retail, supply chain, and innovation.At a time when the beauty industry is evolving rapidly, with shifting consumer behavior, changing retail models, and global market dynamics reshaping how and where business gets done, CPNA offers a vital platform for connection, discovery, and actionable insights. In moments like this, showing up matters, and Cosmoprof North America Las Vegas is where the industry comes together to move forward.The 2026 edition is expected to attract more than 1,000 exhibitors spanning skin care, makeup, fragrance, hair care, and nails, along with Cosmopack, the only event in the Americas dedicated to the entire beauty supply chain. From formulation and ingredients to packaging and finished products, CPNA remains unmatched in its comprehensive scope. This year will also place a strong focus on Korean beauty, highlighting one of the fastest growing and most influential sectors in the global market.Attendees will get a firsthand look at the trends and innovations driving growth across the industry, from K-beauty and next-generation skincare to fragrance expansion and new supply chain solutions, all while connecting with key partners-brands, retailers, distributors, and suppliers. The curated programming is designed to deliver insights that can be immediately applied to navigate and grow in today's competitive landscape.Education ReimaginedEducation takes on a new level in 2026, with all CosmoTalks sessions happening directly on the show floor, making it easier than ever for attendees to access expert insights while staying immersed in the exhibition experience.This year also celebrates the 10-year anniversary of the Entrepreneur Academy, a core program supporting emerging beauty founders. Building on its success, CPNA will introduce Entrepreneur Academy 201, a new half-day, classroom-style intensive designed for brands that have already launched and are now focused on growth. The advanced program addresses the realities of scaling in today's market, including expanding distribution, optimizing retail partnerships, strengthening operational infrastructure, and driving sustainable revenue. Through practical insights from industry leaders, operators, and experienced founders, the program provides attendees with the tools they need to build lasting, competitive brands in the U.S. beauty market.Buyer Meeting ExpansionFollowing a successful debut in Miami, Buyer Meetings presented by Newbridge will expand to Las Vegas. This exclusive, opt-in program is designed to foster meaningful connections between select exhibitors and the industry's most influential retailers and brands through curated, high-value onsite meetings, bridging innovation and opportunity.With increased networking opportunities, curated buyer programs, and a renewed focus on the categories and partnerships shaping the future of beauty, CPNA continues to be the ultimate destination for business growth and industry connections.Whether sourcing new products, discovering emerging brands, gaining strategic insights, or building critical partnerships, Cosmoprof North America Las Vegas is where the global beauty industry gathers, all in one place, at one time.Registration for Cosmoprof North America Las Vegas is now open here.Media Contact:DKC News cosmoprofna.pr@informa.com ###Informa Markets creates platforms for industries and specialist markets to trade, innovate and grow. We provide marketplace participants around the globe with opportunities to engage, experience and do business through face-to-face exhibitions, targeted digital services, and actionable data solutions. We connect buyers and sellers across more than a dozen global verticals, including Boating, Pharmaceuticals, Food, Fashion and Infrastructure. As the world's leading market-making company, we bring a diverse range of specialist markets to life, unlocking opportunities and helping them to thrive 365 days of the year. For more information, please visit: WWW.INFORMAMARKETS.COM BolognaFiere Group is the world's leading trade show organizer in cosmetics, fashion, architecture, building, art, and culture. The Group has more than 80 international exhibitions within its portfolio, notably Cosmoprof Worldwide Bologna, the most important meeting point in the world for beauty professionals, established in 1967 and held in Bologna, Italy. For the 2024 edition, Cosmoprof registered more than 248,000 attendees from 150 countries in the world, and 3.012 exhibitors from 69 countries. Cosmoprof Worldwide Bologna 2054 is scheduled from March 20 to 23, 2025, in Bologna - Italy. Cosmoprof's B2B format is constantly able to support companies and stakeholders in their business all over the world with specific tools and initiatives adapted to each market. The Cosmoprof platform extends throughout the entire world, with Cosmoprof North America, Cosmoprof Asia, Cosmoprof India, and Cosmoprof CBE ASEAN. For more information, please visit: WWW.COSMOPROF.COM The Professional Beauty Association (PBA) is dedicated to advocating and fighting for the rights and professionalism of the beauty industry, and is committed to the long-term success of beauty professionals and the businesses that employ and support them. As the largest and most inclusive trade organization representing the entire beauty industry, PBA advocates for legislation on behalf of the industry, including such things as fighting against deregulation. PBA also provides curated resources to empower members, including education, business tools and resources, curated healthcare and insurance options, exclusive events, charitable initiatives, scholarships, networking opportunities and proprietary reports and data. Members include manufacturers, distributors, salons, spas, schools, independent practitioners, students, and industry suppliers. For more information, please visit: WWW.PROBEAUTY.ORG SOURCE: Informa Markets - USA Beauty
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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / April 21, 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.
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Kevin Knasel stands as a dynamic and influential presence within the music communities he serves.ST. LOUIS, MO / ACCESS Newswire / April 22, 2026 / In an era where music is constantly evolving and communities seek authentic connection, Kevin Knasel emerges as a defining figure who bridges both worlds with purpose and passion. Based in St. Louis and extending his influence to Centerburg, Ohio, Knasel has built a reputation not only as a talent scout and music innovator, but as a community builder whose work resonates far beyond the stage.Kevin Knasel stands as a dynamic and influential presence within the music communities he serves. His career has been shaped by a commitment to mentorship, artistic discovery, and a forward-thinking approach to music culture. More than a curator of sound, Knasel has become a unifying force, using music as a platform to inspire collaboration, empower emerging voices, and create lasting social impact.A Driving Force in the St. Louis Music SceneWithin the vibrant and diverse St. Louis music landscape, Kevin Knasel plays a pivotal role in shaping both the city's sound and its cultural identity. Known for his keen ear and intuitive ability to recognize potential, Knasel has dedicated himself to discovering and nurturing emerging talent. His efforts have helped launch and elevate countless artists who may have otherwise gone unheard.Knasel's influence stretches across a wide spectrum of musical spaces, from intimate local venues to larger festival stages. His presence is often felt behind the scenes, where he works tirelessly to connect artists with opportunities, audiences, and each other. This dedication has positioned him as a cornerstone of the St. Louis music ecosystem, someone whose impact continues to ripple through the community.Through curated showcases, collaborations, and artist development initiatives, Knasel has cultivated an environment where creativity thrives. His belief in the power of music to bring people together is reflected in every project he undertakes, reinforcing his role as a cultural architect within the city.A Visionary Tastemaker Ahead of the CurveWhat sets Kevin Knasel apart is his ability to stay ahead of musical trends while remaining grounded in authenticity. As a visionary tastemaker, he consistently explores new sounds, genres, and artistic expressions. This forward-looking approach allows him to introduce fresh and engaging experiences to audiences while keeping the St. Louis music scene at the forefront of innovation.Knasel's work is not confined to a single genre or style. Instead, he embraces diversity in sound, recognizing that true creativity often emerges at the intersection of different influences. By championing originality and experimentation, he encourages artists to push boundaries and redefine what is possible.His reputation as a trendsetter is built not on fleeting popularity, but on a deep understanding of music's evolving landscape. Knasel's ability to anticipate shifts in audience preferences and artistic direction has made him a trusted figure among both artists and industry professionals.Mentorship as a MissionAt the heart of Kevin Knasel's journey is a profound commitment to mentorship. He views his role not just as a promoter or curator, but as a guide who helps artists navigate the complexities of the music industry. Through one-on-one mentorship, workshops, and collaborative projects, Knasel provides emerging musicians with the tools and confidence they need to succeed.His approach to mentorship is rooted in authenticity and accessibility. Knasel believes that every artist has a unique voice worth nurturing, and he works diligently to create opportunities that allow those voices to be heard. This dedication has earned him widespread respect and admiration within the communities he serves.By investing in the next generation of talent, Knasel ensures that the music scene remains vibrant and sustainable. His impact is measured not only by his own achievements, but by the success of the artists he supports.Community Advocacy and PhilanthropyBeyond his contributions to music, Kevin Knasel is deeply committed to community advocacy and philanthropy. His work reflects a belief that music and service are intrinsically connected, and that artists have a responsibility to give back to the communities that support them.Knasel has collaborated with organizations such as the Missouri Music Foundation, using his platform to promote music education and community engagement. In addition, his involvement with local shelters and food banks in Ohio demonstrates a hands-on approach to making a difference.Whether organizing benefit events, supporting charitable initiatives, or simply lending his time and resources, Knasel consistently uses his influence for the greater good. His efforts highlight the transformative power of music as a tool for social change, reinforcing his role as both an artist and an advocate.A Life in HarmonyWhile Kevin Knasel's professional accomplishments are impressive, it is his personal philosophy that truly defines him. He embodies a sense of balance between creativity and community, understanding that true success lies in the ability to uplift others while pursuing one's passion.Outside of his work, Knasel finds joy in simple moments, whether mentoring a young artist, engaging in community activities, or enjoying a quiet game of chess in the park. These moments reflect a grounded perspective that informs his approach to both music and life.His journey serves as a reminder that artistry is not just about performance, but about connection, purpose, and impact. Knasel's ability to harmonize these elements has made him a respected and influential figure in every community he touches.Looking AheadAs the music industry continues to evolve, Kevin Knasel remains steadfast in his mission to innovate, inspire, and connect. His work in St. Louis and beyond represents a blueprint for what it means to be a modern music visionary-someone who not only shapes sound, but also strengthens communities.With a career defined by passion, integrity, and a relentless drive to make a difference, Knasel's influence shows no signs of slowing down. His ongoing efforts promise to leave a lasting legacy, one that will continue to inspire artists and audiences for years to come.Contact InformationKevin Knasel Music Company St. Louis, MissouriEmail: knasel@ kevinknaselstlouis.com Website: https://kevinknaselstlouis.comWebsite:https://kevin-knasel.info SOURCE: Kevin Knasel Music Company
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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / April 21, 2026 / Immutable Holdings Inc. (CBOE:HOLD)(OTCQB:IHLDF) ("Immutable Holdings" or the "Corporation"), a publicly-traded blockchain holding company, announced today that Jeffrey Long resigned as a director of the Board of Directors of the Corporation, effective April 17, 2026.About Immutable Holdings Inc.Immutable Holdings is a collection of businesses within the digital assets ecosystem on a mission to build businesses and products that increase the awareness, access, and adoption of digital assets. Founded by Jordan Fried, a member of the founding team of the Hedera Hashgraph network, the Company has launched and operated business ventures in several verticals, across asset management, NFTs, media, and education. This has included Immutable Asset Management, NFT.com , Immutable Media, 1-800-Bitcoin, and HBAR Labs. The Company's approach has been to evaluate market opportunities as they arise and to build businesses that can support the growth of the digital asset ecosystem. For further information regarding Immutable Holdings, visit https://immutableholdings.com/ and see the Corporation's disclosure documents on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca For media inquiries and further information, contact:Billy Baxter, Interim CFO and Head of Corporate Development & OperationsEmail: info@ immutableholdings.com CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION:This news release contains certain statements which constitute forward-looking statements or information under applicable Canadian securities laws. Such forward-looking statements are subject to numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond the Corporation's control, which could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those stated, anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, changes to applicable laws or the regulatory sphere in which the Corporation operates, general economic and capital markets conditions, stock market volatility and the other risks disclosed in the Corporation's annual information form dated March 31, 2026 and other disclosure documents available on the Corporation's profile at www.sedarplus.ca . The foregoing is not an exhaustive list of factors that may affect the Corporation's forward-looking statements. Other risks and uncertainties not presently known to the Corporation and/or not specifically referenced herein could also cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed in its forward-looking statements.Although the Corporation believes that the forward-looking statements in this news release are reasonable, they are based on factors and assumptions, based on currently available information, concerning future events, which may prove to be inaccurate. As such, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements, as no assurance can be provided as to future plans, operations, results, levels of activity or achievements. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and, except as required by applicable law, the Corporation does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or to revise any of the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.SOURCE: Immutable Holdings Inc.
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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / April 22, 2026 / Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Alstom S.A. ("Alstom" or the "Company") (OTCMKTS:ALSMY; AOMFF). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at newaction@ pomlaw.com or 646-581-9980, ext. 7980.The investigation concerns whether Alstom and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.[Click here for information about joining the class action]On April 16, 2026, Alstom S.A. announced preliminary unaudited results for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2026. Among other things, the Company disclosed that it manufactured 4,284 cars during the fiscal year and that adjusted EBIT margin stood at around 6%. The Company further disclosed that "some large rolling-stock projects have progressed more slowly than anticipated," weighing on near-term margins and cash. In addition, Alstom disclosed free cash flow of approximately 330 million, withdrew its three-year cumulative 1.5 billion free cash flow guidance, and said that its prior medium-term ambition of adjusted EBIT margin of 8-10% would no longer be met by the end of its next fiscal year.Following these disclosures, Alstom's stock price fell sharply, damaging investors.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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CALGARY, AB / ACCESS Newswire / April 22, 2026 / Valeura Energy Inc. (TSX:VLE)(OTCQX:VLERF) ("Valeura" or the "Company") has agreed to charter the Shelf Drilling Enterprise jack-up drilling rig for a three-year term that runs to 31 December 2029. Valeura has an option on the start date, and currently plans to commence drilling operations with the rig in Q4 2026, initially focused on delivering production acceleration projects.Dr. Sean Guest, President and CEO commented:"Three consecutive years of an approximately 200% reserves replacement ratio has materially transformed our asset base. With 57.8 mmbbls of proved plus probable reserves as of 31 December 2025, we see more opportunity and a larger inventory of drilling targets within our core Gulf of Thailand portfolio.At the same time, we see a favourable pricing environment within the rig market, so we are moving decisively to capitalise on the opportunity before us by locking in the Enterprise rig for a term of three years.Our business remains robust, even at the relatively low commodity prices we saw in late 2025. With that position now coupled with a robust balance sheet, we intend to pursue further development, appraisal, and exploration drilling across our portfolio with a programme of continual drilling through the end of 2029."The Enterprise is a premium jack-up drilling rig owned by Shelf Drilling (Southeast Asia) Limited, a subsidiary of ADES Holding Company, which is suitable for drilling operations anywhere in the offshore Gulf of Thailand.For further information, please contact:Valeura Energy Inc. (General Corporate Enquiries) +65 6373 6940 Sean Guest, President and CEOYacine Ben-Meriem, CFO Contact@ valeuraenergy.com Valeura Energy Inc. (Investor and Media Enquiries) +1 403 975 6752 Robin James Martin, SVP, Communications and Investor Relations IR@ valeuraenergy.com Contact details for the Company's advisors, covering research analysts and joint brokers, including Auctus Advisors LLP, Beacon Securities Limited, Canaccord Genuity Ltd (UK), Cormark Securities Inc., Research Capital Corporation, Roth Canada Inc., and Stifel Nicolaus Europe Limited, are listed on the Company's website at www.valeuraenergy.com/investor-information/analysts/ About the CompanyValeura Energy Inc. is a Canadian public company engaged in the exploration, development and production of petroleum and natural gas in Thailand and Turkiye. The Company is executing a growth-oriented strategy, reinvesting into its producing asset portfolio while deploying capital toward further organic and inorganic growth across Southeast Asia. Valeura is committed to delivering value-accretive growth for all stakeholders, underpinned by high standards of environmental, social and governance responsibility.Additional information relating to Valeura is also available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca Oil and Gas AdvisoriesReserves disclosed in this news release are based on an independent evaluation conducted by the incumbent independent petroleum engineering firm, NSAI with an effective date of 31 December 2025. The NSAI estimates of reserves and resources were prepared using guidelines outlined in the Canadian Oil and Gas Evaluation Handbook and in accordance with National Instrument 51-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Oil and Gas Activities. The reserves estimates disclosed in this news release are estimates only and there is no guarantee that the estimated reserves will be recovered.This news release contains the oil and gas metric "reserves replacement ratio" which does not have a standardised meaning or standard method of calculation and therefore such measure may not be comparable to similar measures used by other companies. Such metric is commonly used in the oil and gas industry and has been included herein to provide readers with an additional measure to evaluate the Company's performance; however, such measure is not a reliable indicator of the future performance of the Company and future performance may not compare to the performance in previous periods."Reserves replacement ratio" for 2025 is calculated by dividing the difference in reserves between the NSAI 2025 Report and the previous independent engineering evaluation of the reserves attributable to the Company's four licences in the offshore Gulf of Thailand prepared by NSAI, plus actual 2025 production, by the assets' total production before royalties for the calendar year 2025.ReservesReserves are estimated remaining quantities of commercially recoverable oil, natural gas, and related substances anticipated to be recoverable from known accumulations, as of a given date, based on the analysis of drilling, geological, geophysical, and engineering data, the use of established technology, andspecified economic conditions, which are generally accepted as being reasonable. Reserves are further categorised according to the level of certainty associated with the estimates and may be sub-classified based on development and production status.Proved reserves are those reserves that can be estimated with a high degree of certainty to be It is likely that the actual remaining quantities recovered will exceed the estimated proved recoverable reserves.Probable reserves are those additional reserves that are less certain to be recovered than proved reserves. It is equally likely that the actual remaining quantities recovered will be greater or less than the sum of the estimated proved plus probable reserves.Advisory and Caution Regarding Forward-Looking InformationCertain information included in this news release constitutes forward-looking information under applicable securities legislation. Such forward-looking information is for the purpose of explaining management's current expectations and plans relating to the future. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes, such as making investment decisions. Forward-looking information typically contains statements with words such as "anticipate", "believe", "expect", "plan", "intend", "estimate", "propose", "project", "target" or similar words suggesting future outcomes or statements regarding an outlook. Forward-looking information in this news release includes, but is not limited to, the Company's business remaining robust, even at low commodity prices; management's envisaged programme of continual drilling through 2029; and timing for the arrival of the Enterprise rig. Forward-looking information is based on management's current expectations and assumptions regarding, among other things: political stability of the areas in which the Company is operating; continued safety of operations and ability to proce
Tinubu, ADVAN Celebrate Otega Ogras Election to Global Advertisers Body

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Advertisers Association of Nigeria (ADVAN) have congratulated Otega Ogra on his election to the Executive Committee of the World Federation of Advertisers (WFA), describing it as a major boost for Nigerias global standing in marketing and communications.

Mr. Ogra, who serves as Senior Special Assistant to the President on Digital Engagement, Strategy and New Media, was elected during the WFA Annual General Meeting held as part of the Global Marketing Week Conference in Stockholm, Sweden.

President Tinubu said the development marks a significant step in Nigerias growing influence in global communications, noting that Mr Ogras emergence as the only representative from West Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa on the committee underscores the depth of Nigerian expertise.

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According to the President, the achievement reflects the contribution of a new generation of Nigerian professionals shaping global industry standards.

Otegas election reflects the growing recognition of Nigerian expertise and affirms our capacity to contribute meaningfully to the frameworks shaping global markets, he said.

Mr Ogra secured the position on the platform of ADVAN, where he serves as Vice President, highlighting the role of Nigerias organised advertising industry in global representation.

The WFA is regarded as the leading global body for advertisers, representing more than 150 multinational and Fortune 500 companies, as well as national advertiser associations across over 60 countries.

Its Executive Committee is the organisations highest decision-making organ, responsible for setting priorities and guiding policies on responsible advertising, media transparency, sustainability, and the evolution of digital ecosystems.

President Tinubu described Mr Ogras election as both a personal milestone and a strategic opportunity for Nigeria and Africa, positioning the region at the centre of global conversations on brand trust, platform accountability, innovation, and the future of marketing communications.

He added that the feat aligns with his administrations Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly in advancing the creative economy, strengthening digital governance, and positioning Nigeria as a competitive hub for innovation and enterprise.

In a separate statement, ADVAN hailed the election as a landmark achievement for Nigerias advertising and marketing communications industry, noting that it reflects the growing recognition of the countrys advertising ecosystem and the increasing influence of national advertiser associations in global governance structures.

The association said Mr Ogras inclusion in the WFA Executive Committee comes at a time of rapid transformation in the global advertising landscape, driven by technological disruption, artificial intelligence, and evolving regulatory frameworks around data and digital platforms.

ADVAN added that his election reinforces the integration of African markets into global advertising governance and highlights the rising contribution of emerging economies to international industry standards.

READ ALSO: Tinubu appoints new CEO for National Biosafety Management Agency

The newly constituted committee includes senior executives from global corporations such as IKEA, Nissan, Diageo, Danone, and Tata Group, alongside leaders of advertiser associations from developed markets.

Other members joining the leadership team include Josh Faulks and Simon Michaelides, while current President David Wheldon and Deputy President Philip Myers retain their positions.

ADVAN reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Nigerias advertising industry and ensuring sustained representation of Nigerian professionals in global leadership structures.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has warned the public to ignore fraudulent messages, emails, and online communications falsely claiming to be from or linked to the bank, adding that they are intended to mislead recipients.

The central bank raised the alarm in a statement signed by the CBN Acting Director, Corporate Communications, Hakama Ali, on Tuesday, urging the public to disregard fraudulent online communications.

According to the apex bank, the alleged fraudulent messages peddled false information about the CBNs leadership and policy issues, while also intending to hack personal accounts.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) wishes to alert members of the public to the circulation of fraudulent messages, emails, and online communications purporting to originate from or be associated with the Bank, which are intended to misinform members of the public.

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These fraudulent messages, which prompt recipients to click links, peddle false information about the Banks leadership, licensing, and policy issues, and are intended to hack personal accounts, the statement noted.

The bank further urged Nigerians to only rely on information on its official website and recognised media outlets, and to also refrain from clicking suspicious links from unauthorised senders.

The official website of the Central Bank of Nigeria remains www.cbn.gov.ng. Members of the public are strongly advised to refrain from clicking links or sharing personal information on suspicious websites.

They are advised to verify the authenticity of all CBN communications through the official website and recognised media outlets, and report any suspected fraudulent site, email, or message to law enforcement authorities, the apex bank stated.

The CBN further expressed its commitment to safeguarding the Nigerian financial system and continues to strengthen its cybersecurity frameworks in collaboration with relevant agencies to protect the public against digital fraud.

Meanwhile, the CBNs advice came when Nigerian private and public enterprises faced repeated cyber threats and alleged data breaches in their information systems.

In the past weeks, the information systems of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Remita Payment Service Limited, Sterling Bank, and other entities faced alleged data breaches.

The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) stated that it has commenced investigations into the alleged data breaches and also issued a regulatory advisory to counter the escalating threats to data security infrastructure.
The appointment of Fatima Zuntu as Director-General of the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) has triggered widespread criticism from stakeholders, including officials within the agency, over concerns about her qualifications and experience.

President Bola Tinubu approved Mrs Zuntus appointment for an initial four-year term, effective 16 April, in line with Section 5 of the NBMA Act, 2015.

The presidency described her as a public health professional and policy strategist with a record of driving impactful national programmes.

However, the decision has raised concerns since its announcement, particularly following the resignation of her predecessor, Bello Bwari, who stepped down to pursue a senatorial ambition ahead of the next general elections, according to top agency officials.

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Questions over eligibility

Critics argue that Mrs Zuntu does not meet the statutory requirements outlined in the NBMA Act, 2015.

The law stipulates that a Director-General must possess at least 15 years of cognate experience in biodiversity, biosafety or related fields, alongside a minimum of a masters degree in biological sciences or a related discipline.

A review of Mrs Zuntus publicly available professional record suggests she may fall short of these requirements, particularly in terms of years of experience and specialised background in biosafety or biodiversity management.

Established under the NBMA Act, 2015, the agency regulates modern biotechnology, including genetically modified organisms (GMOs), with a mandate to safeguard human, animal and environmental health while promoting the benefits of biotechnology.

In recent years, the agency has faced heightened scrutiny over its handling of GMO approvals, with debates around biotechnology policy in Nigeria remaining deeply polarised.

Leadership concerns

The latest appointment has also revived concerns about leadership instability at the agency.

Within the past three years, the NBMA has had multiple heads. Agnes Asagbra, appointed in 2023, was removed before completing her tenure, while Mr Bwari served for about six months before resigning.

Weve not been lucky at this agency with the appointment of DGs, a senior official at the agency, who requested anonymity because they were not authorised to speak publicly, told PREMIUM TIMES.

Another official said several experienced directors within the agency were overlooked in the selection process.

This lady is just approaching 30 years old. She is not experienced at all. How do they want her to lead? the source said.

Public reactions have also been critical. A Nigerian commentator, Tosin Arebuwa, questioned the rationale behind the appointment, citing what he described as limited experience across multiple short-term roles.

This young woman graduated as a medical doctor in 2016. However, thats not the crux of the matter herein. In less than 10 years, shes worked six different jobs across six different organisations, and the highest duration shes spent in a role was 1 year and six months, he said.

Now shes been appointed the DG of a crucial federal (government) agency! Where is the place of depth and expertise? It wouldve been a different case if she had done only one job in those six different organisations. Even at that, in any reputable private business, her CV wouldve been flagged as high-risk by any competent HR. We cant build a prosperous country this way, he wrote on Facebook, arguing that effective public service requires depth, expertise, and consistency.

Oficials silent

Efforts to speak to Mrs Zuntu were unsuccessful. When this newspaper reached out to the NBMA, officials said the new DG hadnt resumed office and that they do not have her contact details.

Similarly, enquiries sent to presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanugu, had not been responded to as of the time of filing this report.

In its enquiry, PREMIUM TIMES asked the presidency to clarify the basis for Mrs Zuntus appointment, given the NBMA Acts requirement of at least 15 years of cognate experience in biosafety, biodiversity, or related fields, among other key concerns.

READ ALSO: Tinubu appoints new CEO for National Biosafety Management Agency

Profile

According to her LinkedIn profile, Mrs Zuntu is a Nigerian medical doctor with experience spanning clinical practice, public health and healthcare administration.

She has worked as a part-time resident doctor at Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital since January 2021, focusing on public health. She is also the founder of the Suleiman Zuntu Foundation, established in 2020 in Abuja.

Between October 2019 and December 2020, she served as Team Lead, Provider Network, at NNPC HMO, coordinating provider audits, contracting and credentialing.

She previously worked as a medical officer at the Central Bank of Nigeria from May 2018 to March 2019, and as a house officer at the National Hospital, Abuja, from January 2017 to January 2018.

Mrs Zuntu holds a Masters degree in Public Health from the University of South Wales (20182020) and an MBBS from the University of Maiduguri, obtained in 2016.
Controversial relationship expert, Blessing CEO, has returned to Instagram after a self-imposed hiatus.

Weeks ago, she deactivated her Instagram account following the backlash she received for allegedly faking her cancer diagnosis and calls for a refund of the donations well-meaning Nigerians sent to her.

Her return comes days after influencer Very Dark Man announced he would be taking a break from social media.

Recall that VDM filed a petition against Blessing CEO for allegedly obtaining funds under false pretences after he donated N150 towards her treatment.

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In March, Blessing CEO drew emotions from her fans and followers after she claimed that she had been diagnosed with stage four breast cancer.

With many Nigerians expressing doubts about the reality of her claims, given her antecedents, Blessing defended her claim by stating that she will release her cancer test results soon.

Things, however, took a turn when Deborah Mbara, a Delta-based makeup company, accused Blessing CEO of falsifying her cancer medical report to mislead Nigerians.

After weeks of absence, the media personality has returned with an apology to her fans and followers, insisting that her cancer claim is real.

Apology

In a video clip posted on her reactivated Instagram page on Wednesday, Blessing CEO apologised for what she termed the unnecessary drama and controversy surrounding her health issues.

She also promised to be very transparent about every medical report, including her scan and my biopsy.

Just be patient with me. Im going to take you all on this journey, just the same way I took you guys on the journey of my liposuction and BBL. Please be patient with me.

I never lied about my health issues. No, I didnt. But this time, you guys are going to follow me through this process, she said.

Refunds underway

Blessing CEO also promised to refund the contributions she received from well-meaning Nigerians who contributed to my treatment.

Thank you so much. I didnt take it for granted. In fact, you know you are loved when you need help, and you cry as strangers come through for you.

I do not take it for granted. God bless everyone. And also to the Nigerians who say blessing, we are not comfortable with the controversy. The drama, please refund our money. I am willing to refund well-meaning Nigerians, she added.

True to her words, the relationship expert shared screenshots of receipts of her refunds to VDM and others

In yet another post, Blessing shared a clip of herself undergoing an MRI, along with the scan results.

Controversy

Following her initial post that she had been diagnosed with cancer, Mrs Mbara countered Blessings claims, maintaining that the medical result being circulated was hers.

Explaining how the influencer gained access to her cancer results, the mother of four said: I was even telling her that God saw me through this, see the scar, it has all gone. She said, Okay, Zazi, can you just please help me send your own reports when you were diagnosed so I could compare them with what my doctor gave to me. I said, Okay, no problem. That was how I gave her my results, because she said she wanted to compare them with what her doctor had given her.

Only for me to see on social media that it was the result I gave her that she doctored and was flying all over to back up the nonsense, the defrauding, and the money people are raising for her.

Ms Mbaras revelations further heightened calls for Blessing CEO to refund the donations she received.
Nigerian actor Yul Edochie has warned men against expressing emotional distress over marriage on podcasts.

The 44-year-old issued the warning on his X page on Wednesday.

The warning followed videos of media personality Roby Ekpo breaking down in tears as he recounted his marriage situation on the Honest Bunch podcast.

Ekpo revealed in the podcast that he learned on social media that his estranged wife, Mayowa Lambe, had remarried another man after spending more than a decade together.

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Ekpo, a comedian and radio presenter, alleged that he supported Lambes relocation abroad and funded her lifestyle.

He further alleged that she misled him throughout their marriage, including hiding her use of contraceptives from him.

If I send my wife a message on her Instagram DM, she would question me why I was sending a message there. She would say, They (immigration) check.

10 years of my life. If I had a kid out of wedlock, I would have justified that Mayowa can do whatever she likes, what did I do, but love. Mayowa travelled for six years; with the little money I was earning, I was sending money to Mayowa every time. I was sending flowers, he said as he broke down in tears.

However, in response to Ekpos viral video, the son of veteran actor Pete Edochie questioned the comedians actions regarding Lambes relocation.

He added that he was always very brutal when talking to men because he wanted them to be sensible.

The politician wrote: Let me not see any other man going on a podcast to cry because of a womanlast warning. If I catch you, Im very brutal when talking to men, so I can wake them up from slumber cos sometimes the price they pay for being foolish is death.

How can you marry a wife and allow her to go and live abroad? Some men are just stupid (mumu) and are expecting us to clap for them. Our forefathers had 5 wives each, and all of them lived with them. You think they dont have senses?

Weak man

Edochie, who made his acting debut in the 2005 film The Exquire, stated that women only deal with men they consider weak.

According to him, mens continuous blaming of women will not help them learn what they need to learn.

If youre a weak man, women will deal with you mercilessly. If youre a strong man, they will bow to you. If you keep blaming a woman for playing you, youll never learn.

Another woman will still play you again. For you to learn, you must blame yourself for being stupid, said the actor.

Pity

He also warned men against seeking pity from society and crying in public, noting that nobody cares.

According to him, society is harsh to men.

Edochie noted, Bro, as a man, no matter how much you tell your story, nobody gives a damn. Thats the world of men. Society is harsh to men.

Never seek pity. Never cry in public. Nobody cares. Buckle up your story inside you, learn from it and use it as fuel to be stronger, wiser and more successful.

The actor has been in the news due to his ongoing divorce case with internet personality and entrepreneur May Edochie, as well as his marriage to Judy Austin.
Nigerias ambassador-designate to Algeria, Mohammed Lele, is dead.

The newly appointed diplomat died in Turkiye last Saturday morning from an illness he had long battled with, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the ministry said that Mr Lele served as Director in charge of the Middle East and Gulf Division before his ambassadorial appointment.

PREMIUM TIMES reports that President Bola Tinubu approved the posting of Mr Lele alongside 64 other diplomats last month.

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The president approved the posting of 31 career diplomats and 34 non-career diplomats two years after he recalled the previous ambassadors, which included 41 non-career and 42 career diplomats, in September 2023, without giving a specific reason.

During this period, the country operated without top representatives abroad, relying only on the former foreign minister, Yusuf Tuggar, and the charge daffaires at its embassies.

However, Mr Lele, a career diplomat, was yet to resume at his posting before his death.

The ministry also noted that Mr Lele was buried today (Wednesday) in Kano in accordance with Islamic rites.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announces, with deep sorrow and a profound sense of loss, the passing of Ambassador Mohammed Mahmud Lele, which occurred in the early hours of 19th April 2026 in Ankara, Turkiye.

The late Ambassador Lele, until his death after a protracted illness, was the Director in charge of the Middle East and Gulf Division in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Ambassador Lele, a Career Diplomat, was recently appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, as Ambassador-Designate to the Peoples Democratic Republic of Algeria, following the Nigerian Senates confirmation of his nomination, the Ministrys statement read in part.

Born in 1976 in Bauchi State, the late diplomat studied Economics at Bayero University, Kano, before joining the Nigerian Foreign Service in 2001.

Over the course of his career, Mr Lele served in several Nigerian missions abroad, including Germany, Togo, and Saudi Arabia.

The ministry described him as a dedicated, meticulous, and exemplary diplomat who contributed significantly to Nigerias foreign policy through his intellectual depth, strategic insight, and steadfast commitment.

The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dunoma Ahmed, who received the diplomats remains at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, described him as a hardworking, humble and fine officer whose death is a significant loss to the countrys foreign service.

The ministry extended condolences to his family, friends and associates.
The Nigerian government says its maternal and child health interventions are beginning to yield measurable results, with increased antenatal care attendance and more women delivering with skilled health workers in targeted areas.

The Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Muyi Aina, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja during the agencys first quarter 2026 media briefing.

Mr Aina said the government is deploying a mix of data tracking, free services, and immunisation campaigns to address preventable deaths among women and children, although gaps in coverage and access persist.

Over 223,000 pregnant women tracked

At the centre of the governments maternal health strategy is the Maternal and Newborn Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative (MAMI), which tracks pregnant women and links them to care.

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According to the NPHCDA boss, 223,784 women have so far been enrolled and monitored under the programme in selected states.

What we are doing is following them through the journey of pregnancy to give them what they need, to make sure that they get the care that they need, he said.

The programme, which began in high-burden areas, is now active in 33 states, although detailed service data is still being compiled nationwide.

Nigerias high maternal mortality burden

Maternal and child health remains a major public health concern across Africa, which accounts for a disproportionate share of global deaths.

According to the World Health Organisation, about 260,000 women died from pregnancy and childbirth-related causes globally in 2023, with sub-Saharan Africa accounting for roughly 70 per cent of those deaths.

In Nigeria, maternal and newborn mortality rates remain among the highest globally, reflecting persistent gaps in access to quality healthcare services.

Research reveals that Nigeria accounted for nearly 28.3 per cent of global maternal deaths, making it one of the most affected countries.

Also, the countrys maternal mortality ratio remains high, with 1,047 deaths recorded per 100,000 live births. Newborn mortality also remains a major concern as many deaths occur within the first 28 days of life, often due to preventable causes such as birth asphyxia, infections and complications from preterm birth.

Maternal deaths are largely attributed to preventable causes such as postpartum haemorrhage, hypertensive disorders during pregnancy, infections and unsafe abortions

Most times many of these deaths occur due to delays in accessing care, especially in rural areas where health facilities are limited or poorly equipped.

Experts also say factors such as poor health infrastructure, shortage of skilled health workers, delays in accessing care, and high out-of-pocket costs continue to drive poor outcomes.

Despite ongoing interventions, progress has been slow, raising concerns about Nigerias ability to meet the SDGs targets on maternal and newborn survival by 2030.

Rise in antenatal care and skilled deliveries

The agency reported improvements in key maternal health indicators within MAMI-supported areas.

A comparison of first quarter 2026 with the same period in 2025 shows 15.3 per cent increase in antenatal care attendance and 31 per cent increase in deliveries by skilled birth attendants.

Mr Aina linked these gains to targeted interventions, including better tracking of pregnant women and improved referral systems.

We want to make sure that they attend antenatal care and they also have a role in the mobilisation so that they have healthy babies, they have healthy pregnancies, they are healthy and fit for safe deliveries, he said.

He added that women are being risk-profiled during pregnancy to determine whether they can safely deliver at primary health centres (PHCs) or require referral to higher-level facilities.

Mama Kits introduced

To support safer deliveries, the agency said it is providing incentives and free services to pregnant women.

According to the agency, more than 111,000 women have received Mama Kits, which are intended to support delivery needs.

In addition, emergency maternal services, including caesarean sections, are being offered free under government-supported programmes.

Despite these interventions, Mr Aina acknowledged that the programme currently targets selected areas rather than the entire country.

Immunisation campaigns

On child health, the NPHCDA boss highlighted large-scale vaccination campaigns aimed at preventing deadly diseases.

He said the measles-rubella campaign has reached about 102 million children aged between nine months and 14 years, one of the largest immunisation efforts in the country.

What this means is that all of these people, at a minimum, are pathways there to having lifelong or long-term immunity against measles and rubella, he said.

However, he noted that full protection requires two doses, raising questions about follow-up vaccination coverage.

This vaccine remains available for free in the health facilities. So, what we do is we do the campaign and get everybody one dose. Its assumed that you can go back to the health facility to get a second dose if you did not already have that prior, he added.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has confirmed a case of COVID-19 in Cross River State, assuring the public that there is no evidence of widespread transmission.

In a statement signed by the agencys Director-General, Jide Idris, and shared with PREMIUM TIMES on Wednesday, the health body said the case is the only confirmed infection so far.

The agency added that the patient has been isolated and is being managed in line with national treatment guidelines.

The patient is in stable condition and responding to care, the statement read.

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Response measures underway

The agency said that following confirmation of the case, the Cross River State Ministry of Health, in coordination with the NCDC and partners, activated response measures, including contact tracing, surveillance, and infection prevention and control.

The health body added that it continues to maintain routine surveillance for COVID-19 and other respiratory infections across the country, noting that the detection of the case reflects that these systems remain functional and responsive.

The NCDC advised members of the public to maintain good hand and respiratory hygiene, stay home and seek care if unwell, and follow updates from official public health authorities.

The health agency added that it would continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as necessary.

Backstory

Earlier, the Cross River State government announced the confirmed case during a press conference in Calabar.

The state Commissioner for Health, Henry Ayuk, said the case involves a 53-year-old Chinese national working with Lafarge in Akamkpa Local Government Area.

According to him, the patient arrived in Nigeria on 17 March and later developed symptoms, which worsened at a medical facility before he was transferred to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH).

At the UCTH, his samples were taken and all protocols followed; it was subsequently confirmed that he had symptoms of COVID-19, Mr Ayuk said, adding that the patient is responding to treatment.

He noted that the state has strengthened its health system to manage outbreaks and urged residents not to panic.

Also speaking, the state epidemiologist, Inyang Ekpenyong, said the emergency response system had been activated, with rapid response teams deployed to Akamkpa.

She added that contact tracing and line listing of individuals who may have been exposed to the patient are ongoing.

Ms Ekpenyong said the incubation period for COVID-19 is typically between two and 14 days, noting that investigations are ongoing to determine where the infection may have been contracted.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) coordinator in the state, Yewande Olatunde, also urged residents to remain vigilant, stressing that the virus is still in circulation globally.

COVID-19

COVID-19, short for Coronavirus Disease 2019, is an infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

It was first identified in late 2019 in Wuhan, China, before spreading globally and being declared a pandemic by the WHO in March 2020. According to the WHO, over seven million deaths were officially recorded worldwide during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The disease primarily affects the respiratory system and spreads through droplets released when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks.

Common symptoms include fever, cough, fatigue, and difficulty breathing, although some infected individuals may remain asymptomatic.
The federal government says Nigeria has recorded measurable progress in paediatric HIV response, particularly in case identification, treatment access and prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT).

Adebobola Bashorun, National Coordinator, National AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections Control Programme (NASCP), disclosed this at the 2026 Linking and Learning Meeting of the Paediatric Breakthrough Partnership (PBP).

Mr Bashorun, who was represented by Iyaniwura Ozimede, said children remained the most underserved population in HIV response globally and nationally.

In Nigeria, only a fraction of children living with HIV are currently on treatment, far below the coverage achieved among adults, largely due to dependence on caregivers and systemic gaps, he said.

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He noted that many children were difficult to identify as they relied on parents, caregivers and health workers, while some were orphaned or lived in households unaware of their HIV status.

According to him, in spite of the challenges Nigeria has made progress through improved index testing and family testing models, which are helping to identify children who would otherwise remain undiagnosed.

He added that viral load monitoring among children on treatment is improving, while age-appropriate anti-retroviral formulations are becoming more available through collaboration with partners.

HIV remains one of Nigerias most pressing public health challenges, especially among vulnerable groups including pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers and children, he said.

Mr Bashorun, however, said significant progress had been recorded in PMTCT and paediatric HIV indices in Taraba and Rivers states under the PBP project.

He said more pregnant women were being identified and tested, while more HIV-positive mothers were being initiated on treatment and retained in care.

Existing gaps

He, however, noted that gaps still existed across the HIV care cascade for mothers and children.

Closing these gaps requires critical reflection on barriers to access, strength of community structures, motivation of health workers and quality of data for informed decision-making, he said.

Mr Bashorun emphasised that a coordinated, multi-stakeholder approach is key to strengthening Nigerias HIV response and achieving better outcomes for children.

Also speaking, the Managing Director of Society for Family Health (SFH), Omokhudu Idogho, said progress had been recorded, but many children are still being missed in the HIV response.

Represented by Dayyabu Yusuf, Mr Idogho said early infant diagnosis gaps and missed prevention opportunities remained significant concerns.

Mr Idogho stressed the need to sustain progress and expand efforts to ensure no child was left undiagnosed, untreated or unsupported.

He also highlighted the importance of domestic financing, noting that evolving global funding trends required increased government ownership and sustainable national HIV programmes.

In her remarks, the Country Lead, PBP Programme, Aisha Dadi, said the project focused on eliminating vertical transmission and ensuring all HIV-positive children were identified and retained in care.

Ms Dadi said the project, implemented in Taraba and Rivers states, had improved case identification, treatment coverage and retention among children living with HIV.

She said the initiative also supported the development of age-appropriate HIV disclosure manuals and job aids for caregivers and health workers.

According to her, anti retroviral therapy coverage in the project states had increased from 20 per cent to 65 per cent.

She said the partnership, involving United Nations Childrens Fund and other partners, would enter a new phase in August, with possible expansion to more states.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting provided a platform for stakeholders to review progress, share lessons and strengthen strategies for improving paediatric HIV outcome nationwide. (NAN)
Many Nigerians were caught by surprise Tuesday evening by the news of Wale Eduns removal as Nigerias Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy,

A statement by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, said President Bola Tinubu approved the removal of Mr Edun and the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, in a minor cabinet reshuffle.

The president immediately elevated newcomer Minister of State for Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, to the position of Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy.

He also named Muttaqha Darma as Minister-designate for Housing and Urban Development.

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Mr Tinubu appointed Mr Edun in August 2023 to oversee Nigerias fiscal policy and economic planning, resuming a working relationship that began in Lagos when Mr Edun served as commissioner for finance from 1999 to 2004, during Mr Tinubus governorship of the South-west state.

Although he was considered one of the presidents main men because of his strategic position in the administration and his past relationship with the president in Lagos, insiders said there had been tension between the two for some time.

The tension stemmed from widespread complaints about low capital budget releases and slow budget planning by the administration, which has serially disrupted the countrys January-to-December budget cycle.

However, it is the poor release of funds for capital budgets that has drawn the fiercest criticisms, with the president said to be inundated with complaints by ministers and lawmakers.

In February, federal lawmakers accused Mr Edun of recording zero implementation of the 2025 capital budget despite the National Assembly approving a N1.15 trillion request to fund capital components.

The lawmakers cited widespread complaints from ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) about funding shortages and unpaid contractors.

Opposition lawmakers also threatened to seek the removal of Mr Edun and the Accountant-General of the Federation, citing a failure to deliver on promised capital releases.

In his own defence, Mr Edun explained that the government had stopped the unsustainable practice of printing money to pay contractors, and was focusing on debt servicing.

He later assured that 80 per cent of the 2024 budget had been implemented and that 2025 capital releases were progressing toward a December 2025 completion target.

Insiders said the president intervened with the economic team on several occasions but was not satisfied with the responses.

Matters got to a head between the two when they had an altercation over the issue at a Federal Executive Council meeting on 10 December, 2025.

The exchanges created such tension that the ADC to the president reportedly had to move over to Mr Edun to advise him against raising his voice at the president.

From that point, it seemed that his (Mr Eduns) goose was cooked, said an official who witnessed the incident at the Council Chamber of the presidential villa.

Shortly after, the president devolved some of the ministers responsibilities to the office of the Minister of State for Finance, then occupied by Doris Uzoka-Anite.

Insiders said from that point on, the president had begun considering options for the strategic portfolio.

Mr Edun made efforts to mend fences with his boss, but found his access to the president increasingly restricted.

Another insider recalled that the minister recently flew to Lagos to pacify the president. Although Mr Tinubu reluctantly met him, the discussions held did not ease the tension between the two erstwhile allies.

The handwriting that Mr Edun was on his way out became visible on the wall when Mr Tinubu appointed Mr Oyedele as Minister of State in March.

Insiders said they instantly knew the curtain was slowly being drawn on Mr Eduns time in the cabinet and that a long relationship was coming to an end.
The Nigerian government, on Wednesday, arraigned a retired army general and five others over an alleged failed coup against President Bola Tinubu.

The six men pleaded not guilty Wednesday afternoon to all 13 charges preferred against them before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

They include Mohammed Ibrahim Gana, a retired major-general, Erasmus Ochegobia Victor, a retired navy captain, and Ahmed Ibrahim, a police inspector.

The rest are Zekeri Umoru, an electrician at the Erasmus Ochegobia Victor, and Abdulkadir Sani, who is a Zaria, Kaduna State-based Islamic cleric.

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After the defendants entered their plea of not guilty during the proceedings, which did not start until about 1.40 p.m. on Wednesday, the judge, Joyce Abdulmalik, ordered an accelerated hearing of the case.

The judge also fixed 27 April for the hearing of the defendants bail application.

Five of the defendants were brought to court by the agents of the State Security Service (SSS). They are to remain in the security agencys custody pending the hearing and determination of their bail applications. Only Mr Sani, the Islamic cleric, came to court on his own, a court having previously ordered his unconditional release.

PREMIUM TIMES reported previously that over 40 individuals, including serving military officers, chief among whom was a serving colonel, Mohammed Maaji, have been arrested in connection with the alleged coup since information about the plot leaked in September last year.

Vehement denial

Some of the defendants stoutly denied the charges read to them on Wednesday, opting to offer unsolicited explanations in maintaining their innocence beyond merely answering not guilty.

The fifth defendant, Mr Goni, and the sixth, Mr Sani, said in Hausa that they never knew some of the other defendants.

Specifically, Mr Sani said, I do not even know Mr Gana (the major-general).

Similarly, when count 10 was read, Mr Goni (the fifth defendant) acknowledged the N50 million the prosecution claimed was discovered in his account but maintained that the money was not meant for terrorism as alleged in the charges.

Also, Mr Ibrahim said he was not guilty, explaining further that he accepted the N1 million found in his account as a gift from Colonel Maaji, a serving military officer alleged to be the arrowhead of the failed coup plot. He also said the money was not meant for financing terrorism.

All the defendants pleaded not guilty to all 13 charges, including treason, terrorism, failure to disclose information about the alleged coup to relevant authorities and money laundering.

Although not charged as a defendant, the name of Timipre Silva, a former Governor of Bayelsa, appears in seven of the 13 counts. Mr Silva, who served as the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources during the immediate-past administration of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, is alleged to be one of the financiers of the failed coup. Five of his aides and domestic workers are being held in custody over the coup allegations.

The charges filed against the six defendants said Mr Sylva is on the run.

The federal government, through the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, filed the charges on Monday.

PREMIUM TIMES reported the full details of the charges here.

The indictment was signed by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

Hearing hiccups

PREMIUM TIMES reported Mr Sanis early arrival in court at about 9 a.m., ahead of the proceedings scheduled for 12 p.m. The proceedings did not start until about 1.40 p.m.

Mr Sani, the sixth defendant who came to court on his own, arrived before others who were later produced in court by agents of the SSS. A judgement of the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered his unconditional release on Monday.

The SSS brought the other defendants at about 1.40 p.m., kickstarting the proceedings.

The Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, a SAN, together with the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation (DPPF), Mr Oyedepo, appeared for the prosecution.

All the defendants, except Ahmed Ibrahim, a police officer and the third defendant, had their lawyers in court. Mr Ibrahim told the court that he already engaged a lawyer, whom he said was unavoidably absent.

The judge noted that since it was just an arraignment, Mr Ibrahim could take his plea in the absence of his lawyer.

But at about 2.04 p.m., the judge paused the proceedings due to the absence of an interpreter required by Mr Sani.

While waiting for the arrival of an interpreter to relate the proceedings to Mr Sani in Hausa, the judge used the time-out to attend to other cases.

She resumed hearing the case upon the arrival of an interpreter at about 2.25 p.m.

The courtroom was packed on Wednesday, with the judge ordering the ejection of those who could not find a seat.

Hearing proceeds

After the defendants entered their plea, the AGF, Mr Fagbemi, urged the court to order an accelerated hearing of the case.

However, Mr Ganas lawyer, Mohammed Ndayako, a SAN, called the courts attention to his clients bail application.

He also requested that defence lawyers be permitted to interact with their defendants, who were all in the dock.

Mr Ibrahim, the police inspector, requested Mr Ndayakos representation pending the availability of his lawyer.

All other defence lawyers aligned themselves with Mr Ndayakos submissions.

Mr Fagbemi assured the judge that the defence lawyers would be allowed to see their clients in custody, but at the convenience of the SSS.

Thereafter, the court granted an accelerated hearing of the matter and set 27 April for the bail hearing.

The judge ordered the remand of all the defendants in SSS custody.

However, she directed that defence lawyers should be granted access to their clients in custody.

Alleged coup plot

PREMIUM TIMES has extensively reported the alleged coup plot since October 2025, despite initial military denial.

In its initial denial of the alleged coup plot, the Defence Headquarters, on 18 October 2025, said the 16 officers were arrested as part of a routine internal investigation.

But PREMIUM TIMES subsequently reported that the officers were under probe for allegedly attempting to eliminate President Tinubu and other top government officials in a coup plot.

Other alleged targets, according to sources, were Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas.

The plot was uncovered in late September 2025, after an unnamed military officer with direct knowledge of the coup contacted the then Chief of Army Staff, Olufemi Oluyede.

According to the officer, he feared being implicated as an accessory to treason if he failed to alert authorities.

In January, the military finally acknowledged the coup plot and plans to further prosecute the matter in court.

Details of the charges

On Monday, the federal government filed the 13 coup charges against the six defendants in the case marked FHC/ABJ/CR/206/2026.

The charges were brought under the Criminal Code Act, the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act of 2022, and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act of 2022.

The government accused the six individuals of treason, terrorism, failure to disclose coup information to relevant authorities, and financing terrorism through money laundering.

In five of the 13 counts, the prosecution alleged that various funds ranging from N2 million to N50 million, totalling N71.2 million, were found in the accounts of the police officer and civilians among the defendants.

The five counts name the individuals in whose accounts the various sums of money were discovered. The charges described the funds as proceeds of terrorism financing.

In the first count, the defendants were accused of conspiring to wage war against the state to remove President Tinubu from office, an offence punishable under Section 37(2) of the Criminal Code.

The second and third counts allege that the defendants had knowledge of plans by the alleged coup leader, Mohammed Maaji, a colonel, and others to commit treason but failed to report or prevent it, in violation of Section 40(b) of the Criminal Code.

The fourth count accuses them of conspiracy to commit terrorism under Section 26(1) of the Terrorism Act.

In the fifth count, Mr Ibrahim, the police inspector, and Mr Umoru were specifically accused of participating in meetings linked to terrorist activities, contrary to Sections 2(3)(d) and 12(a) of the Terrorism Act.

Subsequent counts allege that the defendants provided support to the plotters, failed to disclose critical intelligence that could have prevented the alleged acts, and withheld information that could have aided their arrest.

Count nine focuses on Mr Sani, the cleric, who is accused of indirectly retaining N2 million in his Jaiz Bank account from A & A Express Link Concept, funds authorities say he reasonably ought to have known were proceeds of terrorism financing.

Similarly, Mr Goni is accused in count 10 of receiving N50 million through his First Bank account from A & A Express Link Concept, funds alleged to be linked to terrorism financing.

Mr Umoru is central to multiple counts, including allegations that he received N10 million in cash from the alleged coup leader in September 2025 and retained an additional N8.8 million in his Zenith Bank account, both sums believed to be the proceeds of unlawful activities.

In the final count, Mr Ibrahim, the police inspector, is accused of receiving N1 million from Mr Maaji, which authorities say he ought to have known was linked to terrorism financing.
The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has resigned from office, taking effect from the end of April.

He resigned on Wednesday, stepping down from his position in the Federal Executive Council, signalling his plan to contest the next Oyo State governorship election.

Mr Adelabus resignation, contained in a letter dated 22 April and addressed to President Bola Tinubu, is expected to take effect from 30 April. He said the timeline would allow for an orderly transition and handover of responsibilities in the ministry.

The letter was transmitted through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

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In the correspondence, Mr Adelabu expressed appreciation to the president for the opportunity to serve in the cabinet, describing his appointment as a privilege.

He said serving as Minister of Power had given him the opportunity to contribute to national development, particularly in reforms within the electricity sector.

I write with a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude to formally tender my resignation as the Honourable Minister of Power of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This resignation is to take effect on 30th April 2026, in order to allow sufficient time for a smooth and orderly handover of responsibilities.

Your Excellency, I remain sincerely grateful for the privilege and confidence you reposed in me by appointing me to serve our great nation in this capacity,

It has been a rare honour to contribute to national development under your leadership and to play a role in advancing reforms in the power sectorone of the most critical foundations of Nigerias industrial growth and economic transformation, he wrote.

Mr Adelabu, however, said he was leaving office to concentrate on his political ambition in Oyo State, where he is expected to contest the 2027 governorship election.

President Tinubu had earlier given all political appointees aspiring to contest elections in 2027 a 31 March deadline to resign. Some appointees, including former Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Tuggar, have since resigned from their positions in compliance with the directive.

Mr Adelabus resignation is coming about three weeks after the deadline had passed.

He noted that his aspiration to govern the state predates his current appointment, recalling his earlier political interest during his time as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

According to him, the decision to resign was also guided by provisions of the amended Electoral Act, which restricts serving political office holders from participating in elections.

My decision to step down is informed by my intention to focus fully on my gubernatorial ambition in Oyo State. This aspiration, which dates back to 2016 during my service as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, ultimately led to my voluntary resignation from the Central Bank in 2018 in order to pursue the same goal.

In line with the provisions of the Amended Electoral Act 2026, which preclude political office holders from contesting elections, I consider it both appropriate and necessary to resign at this time, he said.

Outing as power minister

Nigerias power supply remains poor under Mr Adelabus watch.

Power generation has fluctuated between about 3,900MW and 5,500MW depending on gas supply and grid conditions.

In 2026, average output has largely hovered around 4,300MW to 4,900MW, still far below demand in Africas most populous country as citizens groan

Even when generation rises, transmission constraints and weak distribution infrastructure prevent stable delivery to consumers, resulting in frequent outages and grid collapse.

These have had an intense negative impact on citizens lives and businesses.

In March, he tendered a public apology to Nigerians over persistent, crippling outages that worsened between February and March.

He admitted the blackout had compounded the hardship suffered by across homes, businesses, schools and industries, coinciding with the peak of scorching dry-season heat.

But the minister also gave his administration of the power sector a passing grade.

READ ALSO: Tinubu meets Jonathan at State House

I am excelling on the job, and that is my priority for now, tackling foreseen, known and unforeseen challenges in the power sector, he said.

Downplaying his interest in running for governor, he said, Resolving the power supply challenges is my priority for now.

We have between now and March 31 if I am interested in the governorship contest in Oyo State, he added.

It remains unclear why Mr Adelabu allowed the 31 March deadline to pass before tendering his resignation letter.

Oyo governorship race

Mr Adelabu first contested the Oyo State governorship election in 2019 on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), where he lost to incumbent Governor Seyi Makinde of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He returned to the governorship race in 2023, this time under the Accord Party, after leaving the APC. He again lost to Governor Makinde, who secured a second term.

Following the 2023 general elections, Mr Adelabu rejoined the APC. He was subsequently appointed Minister of Power by President Tinubu in August 2023.

Mr Adelabus chances in the Oyo APC governorship race remain closely tied to the partys yet-to-be-concluded primary process, which will ultimately determine its flag bearer ahead of the 2027 elections.
The House of Representatives on Wednesday passed the first reading of a landmark bill aimed at amending the controversial Cybercrime Act.

The proposed legislation, titled, Cybercrime Prohibition, Prevention (Amended) Bill (HB 2740),  was introduced by the House spokesperson, Akin Rotimi (APC, Ekiti), and seeks to dismantle the legal ambiguities that have frequently been used to suppress investigative reporting and silence whistleblowers.

The proposed amendment focuses largely on revising Sections 24, 27 and 38 of the principal Act.

Particular concern was centred on the cyberstalking provision, which has remained the most controversial aspect of the law since it came into force.

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Media organisations and civil society groups have called for its repeal, citing its use by authorities to harass journalists, bloggers, activists, and critics across Nigeria.

What the current law says vs the amendment

The proposed amendment focuses heavily on revising Section 24, the most controversial provision of the law.

The original 2015 Cybercrime Act became infamous for Section 24, which was ostensibly written to prevent online harassment.

However, its language was so broad that it criminalised sending any message that could be interpreted as causing annoyance, insult, or needless anxiety.

For years, this allowed powerful individuals to arrest journalists who published investigative reports, claiming the reports insulted them or caused annoyance.

In 2024, an amendment was signed into law to narrow this focus to messages that were pornographic or likely to cause a breakdown of law and order.

However, this new amendment seeks to finish what previous amendments started by stripping away the ambiguity that has chilled free speech in Nigeria.

Under the current framework, a journalist can be handcuffed and jailed for a story a politician dislikes. The new bill mandates that disputes over reputation, defamation, or alleged falsehood must be handled through civil lawsuits, meaning people can sue for damages, but they can no longer use the police to throw reporters in jail.

The amendment also removes discretionary powers from law enforcement agencies by providing that only a court of competent jurisdiction can determine whether a communication is false, harmful, or against public interest.

The amendment of Section 24 (a) Subsection (5) reads, Where a dispute arising from a public interest publication relates to reputation, defamation, alleged falsehood, or cyberstalking, such dispute shall be addressed through civil remedies and, even where there is a demonstrable threat to life or physical safety, such dispute shall be addressed through civil remedies and not criminal prosecution.

(b) Subsection (6):

The determination of whether a communication constitutes false information, causes harm, or is against public interest under this Act shall be made exclusively by a court of competent jurisdiction, and shall not be left to the discretion of law enforcement agencies or private complainants.

The bill introduces a crucial exemption in Section 27. Historically, whistleblowers who leaked confidential information to expose corruption could be prosecuted for unlawful access or handling confidential data. The new bill explicitly protects journalists and whistleblowers who handle such information in the course of public interest reporting, provided they follow professional standards.

The amendment reads, Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, journalists and whistleblowers who receive or handle confidential information in the course of investigating and reporting on matters of public interest shall be exempt from prosecution under this Act, provided that such information is handled lawfully and in accordance with professional standards.

For Section 38, under the current Act, law enforcement agencies have broad powers to access retained data and intercept communications. The new bill introduces a judicial gatekeeper.

It requires that any law enforcement agency must obtain judicial oversight before accessing or intercepting the data of journalists or whistleblowers. This ensures that the principles of legality, necessity, and proportionality are met, preventing indiscriminate access into the private sources of investigative reporters.

The amendment reads, Access to retained data shall only occur subject to the principles of legality, necessity, and proportionality, and the affected party shall be provided with notice where practicable to prevent abuse of legal processes.

A general repeal clause is included to nullify any provisions of the principal Act that are inconsistent with the proposed amendments, while preserving all other sections not affected by the changes.

The bill further provides that the amended law will come into force upon receiving presidential assent.

If passed, the amendment is expected to bring Nigerias cybercrime regulatory framework closer to constitutional guarantees on freedom of expression and align it with international human rights standards.

Having scaled first reading, the bill is expected to proceed to second reading, where its general principles will be debated, before further scrutiny at the committee stage and possible passage by the National Assembly.
Some protesters rallied on Tuesday in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, raising concerns about the credibility of the 15 August governorship election in the state.

The demonstrators, drawn from the Coalition of Concerned Nigerian Citizens and allied groups, accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of partisanship in the manner of deploying officials from other states into Osun State.

Without providing proof, they alleged that personnel were moved from states including Ondo State and Lagos State without due process, warning that such actions, coming weeks before the election, could erode public trust in the process.

The protesters said Osun State appeared to be treated differently from other states, arguing that complaints against electoral officials are typically investigated with affected officers given the opportunity to respond.

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They added that recent election states had not witnessed what they described as last-minute redeployments based on unverified petitions.

Carrying placards and chanting solidarity songs, the protesters marched to the INEC office in Osogbo, where they sought a meeting with the state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Oluwatoyin Babalola, to demand assurances of neutrality and transparency.

Rewrite Babalola, represented by the Head of Legal Department, Mr Niyi Fayanju, and the Head of Voters Education and Publicity, Mr Rufus Ariyo, assured the protesters that their votes would count.

The protesters had staged a protest earlier in April when the new REC was to resume office.

We say no to any technical rigging and to the partisan deployment of INEC officials from other states for sinister motives, the group stated.

In a petition submitted at the commissions office, the group said the integrity of the electoral process must be protected, noting that public confidence in elections is central to democratic legitimacy. They warned against any actions that could create undue advantage for political actors or compromise established procedures.

The group also urged the electoral body to ensure strict adherence to guidelines, including the use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System for voter verification and transparent collation of results.

The credibility of elections is not merely a technical affair; it is the moral foundation upon which the legitimacy of government rests. We will not tolerate any contrived advantage, predetermined outcomes, or procedural subversion that undermines the will of the people, the petition read.

The group rejected what they termed technical manipulation of the process and cautioned against electoral offences such as vote buying, result falsification and disruption of polling activities.

While describing the protest as peaceful, the organisers called on security agencies to maintain order and protect demonstrators.

They said their action was not aimed at undermining INEC but at strengthening accountability, adding that citizens would continue to monitor developments as the election approaches.

The people of Osun deserve the best from every public institution, and INEC under your leadership is no exception. We ask that you discharge your duties with a free mind, guided by law and conscience, knowing that history and the people of Osun are watching.

Any form of malpractice will not be allowed in Osun. We trust that your tenure will reaffirm public confidence in INEC and strengthen the democratic ethos of our state and nation, the petition stated.

The 15 August governorship poll is expected to be closely watched amid growing concerns over the conduct of electoral authorities in the state.

Governor Ademola Adeleke of Accord is set to face Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC) alongside other candidates, including Salaam Folasayo and Esan Olajide of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and African Action Congress (AAC), respectively.
A Republican-led House committee voted on Tuesday to effectively dismantle a landmark anti-corruption law, advancing legislation that would exempt American business owners from a federal requirement to disclose their true identities to the government.

The House Financial Services Committee voted 26 to 25 to repeal the Corporate Transparency Act, a bipartisan measure enacted in December 2020. In its place, the panel advanced the Repealing Big Brother Overreach Act, a bill with strong Republican backing and 191 co-sponsors that would significantly narrow the scope of federal financial disclosures.

Under the proposed replacement, foreign nationals would still be required to report their beneficial ownership to the Treasury Departments Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). However, U.S. citizens operating domestic businesses would be entirely freed from the requirement.

The vote marks a sharp reversal for a transparency initiative that was originally fueled by years of global investigative journalism, including the Panama Papers and the Russian Laundromat, which exposed how anonymous shell companies are routinely exploited to facilitate tax evasion, terrorism, and international money laundering.

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The committees actions drew fierce criticism from advocates pushing for a fairer, more transparent global financial system.

There could be no greater gift to the fentanyl traffickers, fraudsters, and U.S. adversaries that rely on the anonymity that shell companies provide than gutting the Corporate Transparency Act, said Erica Hanichak, deputy director of the Financial Accountability and Corporate Transparency (FACT) Coalition.

Representing a non-partisan alliance of more than 100 organizations dedicated to combating money laundering and corporate secrecy, Hanichak added, Congress should be moving to strengthen this critical anti-money laundering law, not tear it down.

For veteran law enforcement officials, the proposed repeal represents a major setback. Debra LaPrevotte, a former F.B.I. official and senior investigator at Restitution Impact Ltd., said her three decades of tracking international corruption showed exactly who benefits from corporate secrecy.

Ive seen firsthand how anonymous U.S. shell companies are used by kleptocrats, foreign officials, and cartels to launder illicit funds and purchase luxury assets in this country, LaPrevotte said. Gutting the Corporate Transparency Act would eliminate a key tool needed by law enforcement to follow the money and stop the United States from being a safe haven for criminal proceeds.

The legislative push aligns with a broader policy shift by President Donald J. Trump. Although he signed the Corporate Transparency Act into law during his first term in 2020, he abruptly changed course last year. Shortly after taking office for his second term in 2025, he ordered the Treasury Department to halt the collection of beneficial ownership information from Americans, limiting the mandate exclusively to foreign-owned entities.

During a contentious hearing on Tuesday, Democrats fiercely criticized the repeal effort, warning that creating a carve-out for Americans would severely hobble law enforcement. They pointed to public support for the existing law from various civil society groups and the National Association of District Attorneys.

Weapons trafficking, human trafficking, terrorism  without this data, prosecutors are left blind when investigating shell companies, said Representative Stephen Lynch, Democrat of Massachusetts.

Lynch argued that the Republican proposal would greatly curtail our ability to combat shell companies fueling illegal operations and jeopardize national security. Representative Nydia Velazquez, Democrat of New York, echoed those concerns, warning that the bills passage would tie the hands of law enforcement, increase criminal activity, and endanger our economy.

To underscore the domestic threat, committee Democrats invoked the disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, who died in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges. Under the new Republican framework, Democrats noted, an American like Epstein would not be legally obligated to declare his ownership of the vast network of shell companies recently detailed in the Justice Departments release of his files.

Republicans countered that the 2020 law is a regulatory boondoggle that unfairly burdens up to 33 million American small businesses, many of which already report ownership information to their lenders.

Representative French Hill, Republican of Arkansas and the committee chairman, defended the repeal by noting that bad actors abroad would still face scrutiny. People from outside the U.S., corporations or individuals who try to form a pass-through entity in the U.S., would be subject to this rule, Hill said.

He also cast doubt on the efficacy of ownership registries entirely. I would remind my friends that Cyprus, U.A.E., Turkey, all have beneficial ownership databases. And theyre the most renowned money laundering places on the planet, according to the Financial Action Task Force.

The Republican effort received unexpected external validation over the weekend from the Washington Post editorial board, which endorsed an overhaul of the Corporate Transparency Act. The editorial highlighted mounting constitutional challenges in federal courts and the laws exorbitant costs.

This has created significant compliance costs, more than $1 billion a year by one estimate, with little to no public benefit, the editorial stated, criticizing the laws murky definition of substantial control, which could theoretically force every employee of a 10-person small business to register.

The repeal effort will now head to the floor of the full House of Representatives, where Republicans hold a slim majority. Even if it passes as a stand-alone measure, its ultimate path to becoming law may depend on whether it can be attached as an amendment to a larger, must-pass piece of legislationa maneuver identical to the one that originally enacted the Corporate Transparency Act as part of a defense spending bill in 2020.
The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, has, in a unanimous judgment delivered by a three-member panel of justices, dismissed the appeal filed by Julius Abure challenging the leadership of the Labour Party.

It will be recalled that on 21January, Peter Lifu, a judge of the Federal High Court, Abuja, reaffirmed the earlier judgement of the Supreme Court that removed Mr Abure as the national chairman of the Labour Party and directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise Nenadi Usman as the legitimate leader of the party, to the exclusion of all others.

Dissatisfied with that decision, Mr Abure approached the Court of Appeal in suit No. CA/ABJ/CV/255/2026  Barr. Julius Abure & Anor v. Sen. Nenadi Esther Usman & 3 Ors  seeking to overturn the judgement of the lower court.

In the lead judegment delivered by three justices  Oyejoju Oyewumi, A. B. Mohammed and Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike  concurring, the appellate court affirmed the decision of the Federal High Court.

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The court held that the Supreme Court had, on 4 April 2025, conclusively settled the leadership dispute within the Labour Party when it nullified the convention that purportedly returned Mr Abure as ational chairman.

The appeal court agreed with the trial court that the court below had the powers under Section 251 of the Constitution to compel a statutory federal government agency to perform its functions when it ordered INEC to recognise Mrsi Usman as the national chairman of the Labour Party.

The appeal court also agreed with the trial court that the constitution of the Caretaker Committee of the Labour Party headed by Mrs Usman was a doctrine of necessity needed to provide leadership in the party when there seemed to be a vacuum in the party.

The justices strongly criticised Mr Abure for abuse of court process and for going on forum shopping in a Nasarawa State High Court on a matter already decided by the Supreme Court and for persisting in laying claim to the leadership of the party despite the clear and unambiguous pronouncement of the apex court.

The court further held that the appeal was devoid of merit and constituted an abuse of court process.

Consequently, the court, while dismissing the appeal by Mr Abure, imposed a cost of N10,000,000 against him for wasting judicial time on a matter that had already been conclusively determined.

Reacting to the judgment, Mrs Usman, the interim national chairman of the party, described the ruling as a victory for democracy and the rule of law. She commended the judiciary for its courage and steadfastness in upholding justice despite attempts by certain elements to undermine its integrity.

She also expressed gratitude to party faithful and supporters across the country for their patience, loyalty, and unwavering commitment during the period of uncertainty. She urged all stakeholders to remain focused on the partys forthcoming congresses and national convention.

The party further appreciated members of the media for their professionalism and objective reporting and calls on Nigerians to continue to place their trust in the Labour Party as preparations intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Abure rejects judgement, heads to Supreme Court

Reacting, Mr Abure rejected the judgement, stating that it was against all known principles of law.

He also said he would challenge it at the Supreme Court.

We have seen what transpired today at the Appeal Court and we want to say very clearly that the judgement is not acceptable to all of us in the Labour Party led by my humble self.

I want to say very clearly that the judgement is against all known principles of law. The courts, the Supreme Courts and all courts in Nigeria have stated very clearly that the issues of leadership of a political party is an internal affairs of a political party, he said.

Mr Abure debunked claim that the tenure of his national working committee had expired, noting that it was duly elected in Nnewi, Anambra State, two years ago.

t is also not true and I disagree when people say that the tenure of this executive has expired. That is untrue and very unacceptable to us. Nigerians will recall that on the 27th of March 2024, we had a valid convention that was held in Nnewi and that convention is still valid and subsisting for four years. I want to say that the court today didnt look at that before arriving at the conclusion, he said.

Mr Abure said the Umuahia meeting where the caretaker committee was elected was against the partys constitution.

I must also say clearly that the Umuahia meeting which produced the Caretaker Committee was also against the Labour Party constitution. It is only the National Chairman and National Secretary of a Political Party who has the power to convene any NEC meeting of any of sort.

I want to say very clearly that we are going to appeal that decision. Todays decision of the Appeal Court is not acceptable to us and we reject it in its entirety. We have put our legal team together and we are going to file an appeal and move to the Supreme Court, he stated.
Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State has officially submitted the name of Murtala Garo to the state House of Assembly for confirmation as his new deputy.

The nomination followed the resignation of the former deputy governor, Aminu Abdussalam, on 27 March, and weeks of intense politicking among the political figures within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The governor finally nominated Mr Garo, who served as the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs under the Abdullahi Ganduje administration, and as a running mate to the Kano APC governorship candidate, Nasiru Gawuna, in the 2023 elections.

The governors media aide, Mustapha Muhammad, in a statement on Wednesday, said Mr Garos name has been transmitted to the State House of Assembly for screening and confirmation as deputy governor.

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He said the nomination is in line with Section 191(3) of the Nigerian Constitution, which empowers the governor to nominate a deputy governor where a vacancy exists.

The position became vacant following the voluntary resignation of the former Deputy Governor, Comrade Abdussalam Gwarzo, on March 27, 2026.

Following a wide consultation with key stakeholders, the Governor has requested the Assembly to grant the necessary approval for Garos nomination, the official statement said.

The 26 days of intense politicking

Mr Garo was nominated 26 days after the deputy governors seat became vacant. Other contenders included the former Secretary to the Government of Kano State, Rabiu Suleiman, and the lawmaker representing Rano/Kibiya/Bunkure Federal Constituency, Kabiru Alhassan.

Insiders said Mr Garo edged other contenders because of the governors move to appease APC members he met in the party and following the surprise defection of the 2023 APC governorship candidate, Mr Gawuna, to the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC).

PREMIUM TIMES reports that Mr Gawuna left the APC weeks after the governor joined the party from the NNPP.

Mr Gawunas defection to the ADC is believed to have been the major factor that helped Mr Garo secure the position.

Corruption allegations and alleged electoral fraud

Mr Garo, like his political godfather, Mr Ganduje, is being investigated by the state government for alleged misappropriation of 57.4 billion meant for local government.

Ironically, both Messrs Garo and Gawuna were detained by the police in 2019 for alleged electoral malpractice. The incident occurred during the collation of results for the Kano governorship election when Mr Yusuf was the candidate of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

In 2019, as results for the governorship election were being collated, the Nasarawa Local Government result was the final piece of the puzzle. At that point, the PDP candidate, Mr Yusuf, was leading the incumbent governor, Mr Ganduje, until Messrs Garo and Gawuna allegedly invaded the collation centre and tore the result sheets for Nasarawa LG to prevent the final announcement, which would have likely sealed a victory for the opposition candidate.

READ ALSO: Kano deputy governor resigns

A physical confrontation ensued involving party agents and security personnel. The police intervened and took Messrs Garo and Gawuna, who was then the deputy governor, into custody to rescue them from an angry mob and to investigate the disruption of the electoral process.

The Nasarawa results were disrupted and destroyed, INEC declared the election inconclusive. This led to a supplementary election, which ultimately saw Governor Ganduje narrow the gap and retain his seat.
Terrorists led by Mai Rasha have burnt down the official residence of the district head of Yankuzo, Babangida Hamza, in the Tsafe area of Zamfara State, on Tuesday.

The terrorists also looted shops and carted away foodstuff and other commodities.

The district head, Mr Hamza, told an online media organisation, DCL Hausa, on Tuesday, that the terrorists arrived in the morning and remained in the community until around 03:30 p.m.

They (terrorists) rode into the community shooting sporadically and moved straight to my official residence where they burnt down the palace, the Kogon Yankuzo, said.

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I was in Tsafe town when I received a call that my people were under attack. So far, (4:05 p.m.) Ive not received information on how many have been injured or killed, but my extended family members have been evacuated from the residence, he added

The district head said several shops were looted by the terrorists.

Mr Hamza said We were informed in the morning that soldiers were moving into the bandits hideouts not far from our community for operation.

A few hours after that, the bandits drove into our community for revenge. Ive always been their target, hence, my decision to relocate to the local government headquarters. I operate from there, he said.

The traditional ruler said he was abducted by the terrorists six months ago when they suspected him of providing information to security agents on the terrorists movements in the area. He was later released.

The attack on Yankuzo came three days after a district head in the Kaura Namoda area, Ibrahim Dan Auta, the Sarkin Yamman Kaura, was abducted in his residence.

In Zamfara, Katsina and Sokoto states especially, traditional rulers have been among the most vulnerable to terrorists attacks over the years.

The police spokesperson in Zamfara, Yazid Abubakar, didnt respond to SMS and WhatsApp messages sent to him over the attack. His known phone number was unreachable as of the time of this report.
The Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) has called on the Nigerian government to immediately end the prolonged oil well fires at Ororo 1 in Ondo State and a wellhead blaze in Okrika, Rivers State, warning that the incidents continue to devastate ecosystems and local livelihoods.

The group made the call to mark Earth Day 2026, themed Our Power, Our Planet, which focuses on accelerating the transition to clean energy, reducing emissions and protecting biodiversity.

In a statement, HOMEF said that for the fire continue burning within the two states for years reflects gaps in environmental governance and emergency response.

HOMEF noted that the Ororo 1 well, located off the coast of Awoye in Ondo State, has burned for six years, while a wellhead fire at Ofiomina-Ama community in Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State has raged for two years.

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The organisation described the sites as time bombs requiring urgent decommissioning, clean-up and support for affected communities.

Protecting the Earth is not a choice, but a necessity for the health, economy and security of every nation, said Nnimmo Bassey, HOMEFs executive director, who called for sustained investment in environmental remediation and restoration.

Mr Bassey said the Earth Day theme points to the need for individual and collective action. He added that human activities must shift from extractive practices to stewardship.

Our planets ecosystems are the foundation of all life. From the air we breathe to the water we drink, the gifts of nature are irreplaceable, he said.

He warned that continued environmental degradation could undermine food security and public health.

HOMEF said the ongoing fires compound environmental harms such as oil pollution, gas flaring and deforestation, which are prevalent in Nigerias oil-producing regions.

The group called on authorities to prioritise extinguishing the fires, rehabilitating polluted environments and providing relief for impacted residents.

It also called on citizens to adopt environmentally responsible practices, including reducing single-use plastics, supporting zero-waste systems and planting trees.

The group said Earth Day should serve not only as a moment of reflection but as a call to action to protect the planet for present and future generations.

In recent years, fire outbreaks at oil wells have become common. PREMIUM TIMES had reported the Okrika oil well fire since 2024 including fire outbreak at the Akaso 4 wellhead located offshore Rivers State.
One of the six defendants charged yet over an alleged failed plot to overthrow the President Bola Tinubu administration arrived early for the arraignment scheduled for Wednesday at the Federal High Court, Abuja,

Abdulkadir Sani, a Zaria, Kaduna State-based Islamic cleric, arrived in court at about 9 a.m.

Others are expected to arrive before the proceedings kick off before Judge Joyce Abdulmalik at 12 p.m.

They include Mohammed Ibrahim Gana, a retired major-general, and Erasmus Ochegobia Victor, a retired navy captain.

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The rest are Ahmed Ibrahim, a police inspector; Zekeri Umoru, an electrician at the Presidential Villa, and Bukar Kashim Goni

Timipre Silva, former Governor of Bayelsa, was named as a conspirator in seven of the 13 counts but has yet to be charged as a defendant.

The prosecution said Mr Silva, who served as the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources during the immediate-past administration of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, is on the run. While Mr Sylva remains out of governments reach, five of his aides and domestic workers are being detained over the coup allegations.

Our reporter learnt that Mr Sani, listed as the sixth defendant in the coup charges, likely arrived ahead of others because he is the only one in the group not in custody. Security personnel detaining the other five are likely working with the 12 p.m. schedule to produce them in court.

A judgement of the Federal High Court in Abuja delivered on Monday paved the way for Mr Sanis release from custody.

The judgement ordered Mr Sanis unconditional release from custody.

Daily Trust reported that Judge Peter Lifu ruled that the clerics prolonged detention without a valid court order breached his rights to dignity of the human person, personal liberty, fair hearing, and freedom of movement as guaranteed by the Nigerian constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights.

Mr Sani instituted the suit against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), Attorney-General of the Federation, Jaiz Bank Plc, and the State Security Service (SSS).

The court also awarded N1 million each against Jaiz Bank and EFCC, and a joint N4 million against SSS and DIA, alongside a written apology.

The alleged coup

PREMIUM TIMES has extensively reported on the alleged unsuccessful coup plot against President Bola Tinubus government.

One of this newspapers reports in March detailed an elaborate plot by suspected coup conspirators to storm Nigerias seat of power, seize the Presidential Villa, and capture President Bola Tinubu and other top officials

The suspects allegedly planned to overrun the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Nigerias most fortified political stronghold, and capture President Tinubu, along with Vice President Kashim Shettima.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas were also to be captured and possibly eliminated.

The alleged conspiracy involved at least 40 suspects, including senior officers such as Brigadier General M.A. Sadiq, and Colonel M.A. Maaji, as well as several lieutenant colonels drawn from signals, infantry, and special forces units.

The serving military officers are expected to be court-martialled, whille the retired officers reasonably suspected to be part of the failed plot are expected to face the regular court.

Details of charges

The federal government brought 13 coup charges against the six defendants in the case marked FHC/ABJ/CR/206/2026.

The charges were brought under the Criminal Code Act, the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act of 2022, and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act of 2022.

PREMIUM TIMES documented the 13 charges in full here.

The government accused the six individuals of treason, terrorism, failure to disclose coup information to relevant authorities, and financing terrorism through money laundering.

While Mr Sanis name appears in most of the 13 counts filed against the defendants, count nine focuses solely on him.

According to the government, the cleric indirectly retained N2 million in his Jaiz Bank account from A & A Express Link Concept, funds authorities say he reasonably ought to have known were proceeds of terrorism financing.

The government brought the defendants offences under the Criminal Code Act, the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

In five of the 13 counts, the prosecution alleged that various funds ranging from N2 million to N50 million, totalling N71.2 million, were found in the accounts of the police officer and civilians among the defendants.

The five counts name the individuals, including Mr Sani, in whose accounts the various sums of money were discovered. The charges described the funds as proceeds of terrorism financing.

In the first count, the defendants were accused of conspiring to wage war against the state to remove President Tinubu from office, an offence punishable under Section 37(2) of the Criminal Code.

The second and third counts allege that the defendants had knowledge of plans by the alleged coup leader, Mohammed Maaji, a colonel, and others to commit treason but failed to report or prevent it, in violation of Section 40(b) of the Criminal Code.

The fourth count accuses them of conspiracy to commit terrorism under Section 26(1) of the Terrorism Act.

In the fifth count, Mr Ibrahim, the police inspector, and Mr Umoru were specifically accused of participating in meetings linked to terrorist activities, contrary to Sections 2(3)(d) and 12(a) of the Terrorism Act.

Subsequent counts allege that the defendants provided support to the plotters, failed to disclose critical intelligence that could have prevented the alleged acts, and withheld information that could have aided their arrest.

READ ALSO: Court dismisses suit challenging allocation of four oil fields

Count nine focuses on Mr Sani, the cleric, who is accused of indirectly retaining N2 million in his Jaiz Bank account from A & A Express Link Concept, funds authorities say he reasonably ought to have known were proceeds of terrorism financing.

Similarly, Mr Goni is accused in count 10 of receiving N50 million through his First Bank account from A & A Express Link Concept, funds alleged to be linked to terrorism financing.

Mr Umoru is central to multiple counts, including allegations that he received N10 million in cash from the alleged coup leader in September 2025 and retained an additional N8.8 million in his Zenith Bank account, both sums believed to be the proceeds of unlawful activities.

In the final count, Mr Ibrahim, the police inspector, is accused of receiving N1 million from Mr Maaji, which authorities say he ought to have known was linked to terrorism financing.
Taiwans President, Lai Ching-te, was forced to cancel his trip to Eswatini after pressure from Chinas leader, Xi Jinping, led three African countries to revoke permission for his aircraft to fly over their territories.

Mr Ching-le was to visit Eswatini for the 40th anniversary of King Mswati IIIs accession. This trip required his presidential aircraft to pass through the airways of Seychelles, Mauritius and Madagascar.

The Presidential Office Secretary-General Pan Meng-an, on Wednesday, said that these countries had earlier granted permission for the aircraft to fly over their territories but later retracted it without prior notice, according to Reuters.

Eswatini is among the 12 countries that maintain diplomatic ties with Taiwan. It is the only nation in Africa to do so.

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The Taiwan government said Beijing was using its influence in Africa to block the visit as part of a broader campaign to isolate the island diplomatically.

Government officials said China had applied pressure on the Seychelles, Madagascar, and Mauritius, threatening economic sanctions, including the revocation of debt relief, to get the permits revoked.

The actual reason was intense pressure exerted by Chinese authorities, including economic coercion, Mr Meng-an told reporters at a news conference in Taipei.

China considers Taiwan to be a part of its territory and disregards its claim of a sovereign state. This position is known as the One China principle, which holds that there is only one China and Taiwan is an inseparable part of it.

Beijing views the self-governed island as a breakaway province that will eventually rejoin the mainland. But many Taiwanese oppose unification with China.

Taiwans President, Mr Ching-te, said only Taiwans people can decide their future, while denouncing Beijings sovereignty claims.

Mr Ching-te, in a statement on X, criticised Chinas coercive actions.

He stated that it exposed the risks authoritarian regimes pose to the international order.

No amount of threats or coercion will shake Taiwans resolve to engage with the world.

The Chinese government, on the other hand, has been vocal in its dislike of Mr Ching-te, whom it has previously described as a troublemaker and a destroyer of cross-strait peace.

This trip would have been his first overseas trip since November 2024. During his last trip, he visited the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu, and Palau, with stopovers in Hawaii and the US territory of Guam.

Meanwhile, Reuters reports that Seychelles and Madagascar said they decided to deny the island permission because they do not recognise it as an independent state.

According to the Seychelles foreign affairs ministry, the Taiwanese presidents plane had not been granted clearance for overflight or landing.

It said its position was in line with the governments longstanding policy of not recognising Taiwans sovereignty.

Madagascar also said, Malagasy diplomacy recognises only one China. The decision was made in full respect of Madagascars sovereignty over its airspace.
The Supreme Court, on Wednesday. reserved judgement on the leadership disputes that have fractured the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The five-member panel of the court led by Garba Lawal, announced after Wednesdays hearing that the judgement date would be communicated later to all parties to the case through their lawyers.

The appeal was brought by the Kabir Turaki-led faction of the PDP to challenge the judgement of the Court of Appeal in Abuja which upheld lower courts decisions invalidating his emergence as the partys national chairman.

The disputed Court of Appeals judgement delivered on 9 March affirmed two major rulings of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

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The decisions declared illegal the partys convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State, from 15 to 16 November last year, which produced Mr Turaki and others as the partys executives.

The lower courts not only nullified the Ibadan convention but also barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising its outcomes, including the election of party executives.

The judgements, including the latest one by the Court of Appeal, gave the faction aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, an advantage in the scramble for the control of the party.

In late March, the Wike-backed faction, recognised by INEC, re-elected Abdulrahman Mohammed and Samuel Anyanwu as national chairman and national secretary, respectively.

But, displeased with the Court of Appeal judgement, the Turaki-faction lodged an appeal at the Supreme Court to overturn it.

Considering the significance of the matter  the outcome of which could impact the political landscape leading up to the 2027 general elections  the Supreme Court granted the Turaki-led factions request for an accelerated hearing of the appeal on 14 April and set it for today for arguments.

At Wednesdays proceedings, the Supreme Court panel heard the arguments of lawyers to the parties. The lawyers adopted their written submissions and the court thereafter adjourned for judgement.

Background

Mr Turakis faction filed the appeal before the Supreme Court to challenge the 9 April decision of the Court of Appeal in Abuja invalidating the national convention organised by the Turaki-led faction which was held in Ibadan, Oyo State, between 15 and 16 November 2025.

A three-member panel of the Court of Appeal unanimously dismissed the appeals brought before it by the Mr Turaki-led faction of the party.

The court also awarded N2 million as cost against the appellants comprising Mr Turaki and other members of the National Working Committee (NWC).

In its unanimous decision, the appellate court upheld the judgement of the Federal High Court, which restrained the INEC from recognising or validating the proposed convention.

The court held that the Federal High Court had jurisdiction to hear the case, rejecting the argument by the Turaki faction that the dispute was purely an internal affair of the party.

The panel said the appellants could not repackage a clear violation of the party constitution and that of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as an internal party affair.

While delivering the judgment, Judge Uchechukwu Onyemenam of the Court of Appeal also held that the PDP violated constitutional provisions required before such a convention could become valid.

He said no valid notice of the convention was served on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, as required by law.

The judge held that the case of the aggrieved PDP members who instituted the suit against the party was not about internal party affairs, as erroneously argued, but a bid to compel INEC to comply with its statutory functions in relation to party conventions.

The appellate court also noted that valid congresses were not held in more than 14 states as required by law before the 2025 convention was conducted.

Having failed to comply with the relevant laws, the Court of Appeal said the Federal High Court was right in assuming jurisdiction and granting a restraining order against INEC from accepting or recognising the outcome of the PDP 2025 national convention.

The Turaki-led faction held its convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, in 2025, which was challenged by members of the rival group.

Different Federal High Court judges have since nullified the convention and all the decisions taken there. The decision was upheld by the Court of Appeal in Abuja, whose decision the Turaki faction is now challenging at the Supreme Court.

The PDP has grappled with various crises since losing power to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2015.

The partys crises intensified after the 2023 general elections after disagreement over the zoning of its presidential ticket gradually tore its to factions.

Since last year, the party has suffered waves of defection that have reduced the number of states under its control to two, just as the ranks of its lawmakers in the National Assembly and across state Houses of Assembly have reduced drastically.
Troops of Operation Enduring Peace have killed two suspected gunmen during an ambush operation in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, as security forces intensify efforts to curb attacks in the region.

The military spokesperson, Chinonso Oteh, said the operation was carried out on Tuesday following intelligence on the movement of armed men linked to attacks on local communities.

Upon sighting the criminals, troops sprang a successful ambush on the marauders, he said, adding that Two armed gunmen were neutralised, while several others fled into the surrounding bushes under the cover of darkness.

The ambush took place near Doruwa Babuje in the Marit area at about 7:49 p.m., according to the military.

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Troops recovered a locally made rifle, ammunition, and other items including a mobile phone during a search of the area.

Mr Oteh said troops have remained in Marit and nearby Lajam village to prevent further attacks and pursue those who escaped.

He noted that the suspects were believed to be involved in violent crimes, including armed robbery and assaults on residents.

The latest operation comes days after troops intercepted a large cache of ammunition and suspected improvised explosive device materials along the KadunaJos highway.

In that incident, security forces recovered hundreds of rounds of heavy ammunition and communication devices believed to be used for remote detonation.

Security officials say both operations point to a broader effort to dismantle supply chains and operational networks of armed groups active across Plateau and neighbouring states.

The highway interception, in particular, raised concerns about the scale of weapons movement into volatile areas already experiencing repeated attacks.

Communities in Barkin Ladi, Bokkos and parts of Jos South have recorded killings in recent weeks, with residents reporting ambushes on roads and attacks on villages, often at night.

Analysts say cutting off logistics routes, alongside targeted operations like ambushes, is central to weakening armed groups.

However, residents continue to call for stronger preventive deployment, arguing that attacks persist despite ongoing military actions.

The military said it would sustain operations in identified flashpoints, with troops maintaining positions and tracking fleeing suspects to prevent regrouping.
The Nigerian police on Wednesday arraigned a factional national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kabir Turaki, for submitting a petition with false claims three and a half years ago.

Mr Turaki, a lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), was arraigned before the Federal Capital (FCT) High Court in Abuja.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The judge Peter Kekemeke granted Mr Turaki bail in the sum of N100 million after he was arraigned.

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Mr Turaki previously drew the ire of the judge, who ordered his arrest for his absence from court on 26 March, stalling his trial.

The arrest warrant, although eventually not executed, was in place until 1 April when the judge withdrew it following an appeal from Mr Turakis lawyer, Chris Uche, who is also a SAN.

In his ruling on Mr Turakis bail application on Wednesday, Mr Kekemeke, noted that the politician appeared in court before the arrest warrant was executed.

Dismissing the prosecutions objection, the judge held that the prosecution fail to offer sufficient reasons to deny Mr Turaki bail.

Mr Turakis lawyer, Abdulaziz Ibrahim, also a SAN, argued during the hearing of the bail application on Wednesday that his client was entitled to bail under Section 163 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA).

He added that contrary to the prosecutions view, Mr Turaki did not evade service of the charges as he was out of town when the prosecution sought to serve him.

He said the defendant appeared in court on 1 April, the day the court lifted the arrest warrant against him, and apologized for his absence on 26 March, when he was initially billed for arraignment.

The lawyer urged the court to grant Mr Turaki bail on self-recognisance. He assured the court that the defendant, as an elder statesman, a former minister, and a respected community leader with various chieftaincy titles, would not jump bail.

The prosecution lawyer, Usman Rabiu, opposed the bail application, citing section 162 of ACJA, which he said should guide the judges decision.

He urged the court to reject Mr Turakis bail application and remand him in a custodial facility pending hearing and determination of the case.

Bail

But the judge, overruling the prosecution, granted Mr Turaki bail in the sum of N100million with one surety.

The surety, according to the judge, must be an SAN with not less than 20 years of practice or a lawyer with over 40 years of practice.

He then adjourned the case until June 11 for hearing.

Wednesdays proceedings coincided with the Supreme Courts hearing of an appeal on the leadership dispute of the PDP, in which Mr Turaki is a key figure.

Mr Turaki and his group lodged their appeal at the Supreme Court seeking recognition as the authentic executives of the party that has been severely fractured by leadership crisis.

The Supreme Court said after hearing lawyers arguments on Wednesday that the judgement date would be later communicated to the parties to the dispute.

Charges

The police charged Mr Turaki with giving false information to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) through a petition dated 5 October 2022.

The prosecution accused him of writing the petition against one Saidi Mainasara with intent to use the lawful power of Inspector-General of Police to harm and annoy Mr Mainasara, the subject of the complaint.

The offence , according to the prosecution, is punishable under Section 140 of the Penal Code Law.

Turaki, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge when read to him in the open court on Wednesday.

Following his not-guilty plea, the prosecution counsel, Usman Rabiu, asked the court to give a date for commencement of trial, which the judge set for 11 June.
Four members of the House of Representatives from Kano State have defected from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), citing persistent internal crises and unresolved differences within their former party.

The lawmakers, Sani Wakali, Muktar Zakari, Yusuf Datti and Abdulhakeem Ado announced their defection in separate letters read on the floor of the House during Wednesdays plenary by the Speaker, Abbas Tajudeen.

In their letters, the lawmakers said their decision followed careful deliberations and consultations with political associates and constituents.

They noted that the lingering disputes within the NNPP had created uncertainty and hindered effective political engagement, prompting their move to the ADC.

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In a similar development, two other lawmakers, Emeka Chinesu from Imo State and Kabiru Mai-Palace from Zamfara State, defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), also attributing their decisions to internal disagreements and factional disputes within the PDP.

Shortly after reading the defection letters, Mr Tajudeen welcomed the lawmakers who joined the APC, expressing optimism that their move would strengthen the ruling partys position in the House.

This will encourage others to move from left to the right, the speaker said, in apparent reference to a possible wave of defections to the APC.

The latest defections come barely 24 hours after eight lawmakers switched party affiliations during Tuesdays plenary, underscoring a growing pattern of political realignments within the lower chamber.

Among Tuesdays defectors was Thaddeus Atta, a Lagos lawmaker who moved from the Labour Party (LP) to the ADC. In his letter, Mr Atta cited persistent internal divisions within the LP, noting that the crisis had made it increasingly difficult for him to effectively discharge his legislative responsibilities to his constituents.

Similarly, Basiru Usman, a lawmaker from Sokoto State, defected from the APC to the ADC, highlighting dissatisfaction within the ruling party at the state level.

READ ALSO: Police arraign PDP factional chairman Turaki for alleged falsehood

The spate of defections reflects intensifying political manoeuvring ahead of the 2027 general elections, as lawmakers reposition themselves within parties perceived to offer stronger platforms for re-election and influence.

In recent months, both the APC and ADC have witnessed an influx of new members, while opposition parties such as the PDP, LP and NNPP continue to grapple with internal leadership tussles, court cases and factional divisions.

With less than one year to the next general elections, it is expected that the wave of defections will continue, potentially reshaping the balance of power within the National Assembly and across the broader political landscape.
The Supreme Court, on Wednesday, reserved judgment on the appeal concerning the African Democratic Congress (ADC) leadership dispute.

A five-member panel of the court headed by Garba Lawal said the judgement date would be communicated to the parties.

The panel similarly conducted, on Wednesday, a separate hearing on the appeal regarding the leadership crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and reserved judgement.

Both cases heard by the Supreme Court on Wednesday mirror the chaotic state of the two major opposition parties in the run-up to the 2027 general elections.

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The ADC appeal was filed by the interim national chairman of a faction of the party, David Mark, who is a former president of the Nigerian Senate.

The respondents are Nafiu Bala Gombe, who is laying claim to being the legitimate national chairman of the party; Rauf Aregbesola, who is the interim national secretary of the Mark-led faction of the party; the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC); and Ralph Nwosu, a former national chairman of the party.

Mr Marks appeal challenged the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court to intervene in the internal affairs of the ADC. The appeal arose from the suit filed by Mr Gombe at the Federal High Court in Abuja to challenge Mr Marks leadership of the party.

On Wednesday, Mr Marks lawyer, Jibrin Okutepa, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), urged the court to grant his clients appeal. If the appeal is granted, it will end Mr Balas suit at the Federal High Court and restore the control of the party to Mr Mark and his group.

However, Robert Emukpero, also a SAN, representing Mr Gombe, asked the court to dismiss the appeal. Similarly, he asked the court to uphold the Court of Appeal judgement on the matter.

Backstory

The journey to the Supreme Court followed ADCs leadership crisis which ensued last year in the wake of the influx of top politicians into the party.

The political bigwigs who joined the ADC in droves included Mr Mark, Mr Aregbesola, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, former Kaduna State Governor Ahmed El-Rufai, and former Minister of Transport Rotimi Amaechi.

The politicians, who defected from mainly from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the PDP, had adopted the ADC as a coalition platform to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 election.

The leadership crisis in the party began after the resignation of the partys former executives led by Mr Nwosu and the emergence of a new National Working Committee led by Mr Mark on 29 July 2025.

The development triggered a legal challenge when Mr Bala, a former vice-national chairperson of the party, filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking recognition as the partys rightful leader under its constitution.

INEC was joined as the fourth defendant in the suit.

While the case was pending, the Federal High Court ordered all parties to maintain the status quo pending determination of the substantive suit.

The Court of Appeal later dismissed an interlocutory appeal filed by the Mark-led faction and ordered all parties, including INEC, to maintain the status quo earlier ordered by the Federal High Court, pending further determination of the matter.

The Court of Appeals decision would mark a major shift in the dispute over the partys leadership structure.

Following the ruling, INEC received letters from both factions on 16 March.

The Mark-led faction asked the commission not to recognise Mr Bala and to maintain its position pending resolution of the dispute, while the Bala faction asked INEC to give effect to the Court of Appeal judgment of 12 March in its favour.

INEC later removed the names of Mr Mark as national chairman and Rauf Aregbesola as national secretary from its website on 1 April, saying it would not recognise any faction pending the resolution of the legal disputes.

The dispute later escalated into a protest in Abuja, where party members accused INEC of bias and warned that the handling of the crisis threatened internal democracy within the party.

While the substantive hearing at the Federal High Court in Abuja unfolded, Mr Mark and his group proceeded to the Supreme Court to challenge the Court of Appeals ruling.

On 14 April, the judge hearing the case, Emeka Nwite, adjourned hearing indefinitely to await the decision of the Supreme Court.
The Federal High Court in Abuja briefly halted the arraignment of individuals linked to a failed coup against the Bola Tinubu administration on Wednesday.

The unplanned break ensued due to the absence of an interpreter for one of the defendants. Abdulkadir Sani, who is a Zaria, Kaduna State-based Islamic cleric.

His lawyer, Sanusi Musa, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), said his client could not understand English language. The lawyer said Mr Sani understood only Hausa and Arabic.

Court officials apparently did not prepare an interpreter for the proceedings because they did not envisage a need for one would arise. Nigerian courts generally suffer shortage of interpreters, even though they are supposed to be sufficiently resourced with those who can interprete proceedings in at least the three major Nigerian languages.

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Judge Joyce Abdulmalik briefly put the arraignment of the suspected coup conspirators on hold pending the availability of an interpreter in the courtroom.

PREMIUM TIMES reported Mr Sanis early arrival in court at about 9 a.m. on Wednesday for the arraignment scheduled for 12 p.m.

Mr Sani, the sixth defendant who came on his own, arrived ahead of others who were produced in court by agents of the State Security Service (SSS).

A judgement of the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered his uncontional release on Monday.

The SSS produced the other defendants for arraignment at about 1.40 p.m.

The other defendants include Mohammed Ibrahim Gana, a retired major-general, and Erasmus Ochegobia Victor, a retired navy captain.

The rest are Ahmed Ibrahim, a police inspector; Zekeri Umoru, an electrician at the Presidential Villa, and Bukar Kashim Goni.

The proceedings kicked off shortly after their arrival on Wednesday.

The Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, together with the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation (DPPF), Rotimi Oyedepo, appeared for the prosecution on Wednesday.

All the defendants, except Ahmed Ibrahim, a police officer and the third defendant, had their lawyers in court.

Mr Ibrahim told the court that he had engaged a lawyer, who he said was unavoidably absent.

The judge noted that since it was an arraignment, Mr Ibrahim could take his plea.

At 2.04 p.m., the judge paused the proceedings due to the absence of an interpreter required by Mr Sani.

While waiting for the arrival of an interpreter to relate the proceedings to Mr Sani in Hausa, she used the time-out to attend to other cases.

She resumed hearing the coup case with the arrival of an interpreter at about 2.25 p.m.

The courtroom was packed on Wednesday, with the judge ordering the ejection of those who could not find a seat.

The alleged coup

PREMIUM TIMES has extensively reported on the alleged unsuccessful coup plot against President Bola Tinubus government.

One of this newspapers reports in March detailed an elaborate plot by suspected coup conspirators to storm Nigerias seat of power, seize the Presidential Villa, and capture President Bola Tinubu and other top officials

The suspects allegedly planned to overrun the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Nigerias most fortified political stronghold, and capture President Tinubu, along with Vice President Kashim Shettima.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas were also to be captured and possibly eliminated.

The alleged conspiracy involved at least 40 suspects, including senior officers such as Brigadier General M.A. Sadiq, and Colonel M.A. Maaji, as well as several lieutenant colonels drawn from signals, infantry, and special forces units.

The serving military officers are expected to be court-martialled, whille the retired officers reasonably suspected to be part of the failed plot are expected to face the regular court.

Timipre Silva, former Governor of Bayelsa, was named as a conspirator in seven of the 13 counts but has yet to be charged as a defendant.

The prosecution said Mr Silva, who served as the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources during the immediate-past administration of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, is on the run. While Mr Sylva remains out of governments reach, five of his aides and domestic workers are being detained over the coup allegations.

Details of charges

The federal government brought 13 coup charges against the six defendants in the case marked FHC/ABJ/CR/206/2026.

The charges were brought under the Criminal Code Act, the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act of 2022, and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act of 2022.

The government accused the six individuals of treason, terrorism, failure to disclose coup information to relevant authorities, and financing terrorism through money laundering.

While Mr Sanis name appears in most of the 13 counts filed against the defendants, count nine focuses solely on him.

According to the government, the cleric indirectly retained N2 million in his Jaiz Bank account from A & A Express Link Concept, funds authorities say he reasonably ought to have known were proceeds of terrorism financing.

The government brought the defendants offences under the Criminal Code Act, the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

In five of the 13 counts, the prosecution alleged that various funds ranging from N2 million to N50 million, totalling N71.2 million, were found in the accounts of the police officer and civilians among the defendants.

The five counts name the individuals, including Mr Sani, in whose accounts the various sums of money were discovered. The charges described the funds as proceeds of terrorism financing.

In the first count, the defendants were accused of conspiring to wage war against the state to remove President Tinubu from office, an offence punishable under Section 37(2) of the Criminal Code.

The second and third counts allege that the defendants had knowledge of plans by the alleged coup leader, Mohammed Maaji, a colonel, and others to commit treason but failed to report or prevent it, in violation of Section 40(b) of the Criminal Code.

The fourth count accuses them of conspiracy to commit terrorism under Section 26(1) of the Terrorism Act.

In the fifth count, Mr Ibrahim, the police inspector, and Mr Umoru were specifically accused of participating in meetings linked to terrorist activities, contrary to Sections 2(3)(d) and 12(a) of the Terrorism Act.

Subsequent counts allege that the defendants provided support to the plotters, failed to disclose critical intelligence that could have prevented the alleged acts, and withheld information that could have aided their arrest.

Count nine focuses on Mr Sani, the cleric, who is accused of indirectly retaining N2 million in his Jaiz Bank account from A & A Express Link Concept, funds authorities say he reasonably ought to have known were proceeds of terrorism financing.

Similarly, Mr Goni is accused in count 10 of receiving N50 million through his First Bank account from A & A Express Link Concept, funds alleged to be linked to terrorism financing.

Mr Umoru is central to multiple counts, including allegations that he received N10 million in cash from the alleged coup leader in September 2025 and retained an additional N8.8 million in his Zenith Bank account, both sums believed to be the proceeds of unlawful activities.

In the final count, Mr Ibrahim, the police inspector, is accused of receiving N1 million from Mr Maaji, which authorities say he ought to have known was linked to terrorism financing.
The presidency has released the statement below, saying the two ministers who vacated their office on Tuesday were not sacked but resigned from office.

Wednesdays statement came about 24 hours after the presidency announced the exit of Messrs Edun and Dangiwa from the cabinet. The Tuesday statement did not state that the officers resigned but announced their replacements. Sources in the presidency told PREMIUM TIMES that Mr Edun, a long time associate of President Bola Tinubu was let go following persistent disagreements on policy matters with the president.

However, on Wednesday, presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga said the two men resigned their position. He said Mr Edun resigned on health grounds.

See Mr Onanugas full statement below.

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Former Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, duly tendered his resignation from office, citing health reasons, before President Bola Ahmed Tinubu announced his replacement on Tuesday.

Also, the former Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, similarly resigned and thanked the president for the opportunity given him to serve in the Federal Executive Council.

Mr Edun, who clocked 70 on Monday and has battled recent ill health, fittingly submitted his resignation letter on his birthday, thanking the president for the opportunity to serve Nigeria.

It has been a pleasure and privilege to serve your administration and the Renewed Hope Agenda, his letter read.

Under your leadership, Nigeria has emerged stronger, more resilient and more internationally respected.

I wish you and the administration every success in the future, he wrote.

On Tuesday, before the Office of the Secretary of the Government of the Federation announced his departure from the Cabinet, Mr Edun paid a valedictory visit to the president at the villa. He held an hour-long discussion with the president and then left to focus on his private businesses.

Mr Dangiwa, an architect, previously served as the managing director of the Federal Mortgage Bank between 2015 and 2022, as well as Secretary to the Katsina State Government, before President Tinubu appointed him as housing minister in August 2023.

Mr Edun, an economist and investment banker, served as Lagos State commissioner for finance between 1999 and 2004, during the tenure of then Governor Bola Tinubu.

READ ALSO: Tinubu seeks Senate confirmation of new minister

Before then, he worked from 1980 to 1986 at Chase Merchant Bank (later Continental) in Lagos. He joined the World Bank in September 1986 through the elite Young Professionals programmes, where he worked on economic and financial packages for several countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.

In 1989, he co-founded Investment Banking & Trust Company Limited (now Stanbic IBTC) and served as executive director. In 1994, he founded Denham Management Limited, which has since become the Chapelhill Denham Group. He served as chairman from 2008 to 2021.

President Tinubu has expressed deep appreciation to Edun and Dangiwa for their dedicated service and significant contributions to the administrations economic reform programme and wished them continued success in their future endeavours.

In the same vein, the president has urged the new Minister of Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, to consolidate ongoing reforms and advance the administrations fiscal and economic objectives with renewed focus, discipline, and innovation.

President Tinubu will shortly send the ministerial nominee for housing, Muttaqha Darma, also from Katsina, like Mr Dangiwa, to the Senate for confirmation.

Bayo Onanuga

Special Adviser to the President

(Information & Strategy)
President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday held a closed-door meeting with former President Goodluck Jonathan at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that details of the meeting were not made available to State House correspondents.

However, it was gathered that discussions centred on national unity, governance, and ongoing efforts to stabilise the countrys economy and security situation.

Mr Tinubu has in recent months engaged past leaders and key stakeholders as part of a broader consultation strategy.

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Wednesdays meeting with Mr Jonathan is seen as part of that outreach and continuing efforts at national consensus-building.

The meeting also underscores a growing pattern of consultations and bridge-building by the Tinubu administration.

Mr Jonathans last visit to the President was on 29 November 2025, shortly after he was airlifted out of Guinea-Bissau following a couple of staged attacks by soldiers loyal to the then-President Umaro Enbalo three days

(NAN)
A verification team from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Wednesday visited the national secretariat of the Labour Party in Abuja, ahead of the partys forthcoming congresses.

The INEC team, led by Mansur Hassan, said it was on a mission to verify claims made by the party regarding its physical and leadership structures, membership, and the tenancy or ownership of the secretariat building.

The visit comes a day after the Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal filed by a factional chairman of the party, Julius Abure, and affirmed Nenadi Usman as the national chairperson.

In his remarks, Mr Hassan said: We are INEC monitors, we are not observers. We are here to monitor and correct things, not observe.

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We want to verify the presence of members of the party executive (committee) in line with the commissions records; we want to verify.

We also want to verify the composition of the National Working Committee, as it is contained in the Labour Party Constitution.

We want to have a look at the evidence of the tenancy of this place (party secretariat). The tenancy agreement, receipt of ownership or possession. We will sight the document and have a copy.

We will also like to have a soft copy of the partys membership register. We will also like to verify the secretariat staff: are they present or is the party working with just one person.

Again, we are going to divide ourselves into groups to verify what is happening within the party.

Speaking earlier, the Interim National Chairman of the party, Nenadi Usman, expressed gratitude to the INEC team for the visit, stating that the party leadership was intact and ready for the exercise.

Mrs Usman also thanked members and supporters for keeping faith with the party throughout its turbulent period, which, she said, was now in the past.

I know that most people found it difficult to come here today because our congresses are starting tomorrow (Thursday) and all politics is local.

I have always said the party is not about me, it is not about anybody. We need to build a strong foundation for our party; whatever it takes to do that, we will do it.

Irrespective of anybodys feeling or what they think about what we are doing, without a strong political party, we really cannot any meaningful progress.

For some, I know they will be feeling very bad that those who fought us are now coming back, but we have extended the olive branch.

We will continue to invite everybody, even those who were aggrieved, to please come back and lets work together because we want the party to be the biggest party in this country, she said.

According to her, all hands must to be on deck now to rebuild the party.

We love you, and we know you love the party. So, lets put aside all that has been bothering us about who leads and who does not lead.

Leadership will come and go; nobody can lead forever. Today is my turn as leader and after sometime, I will go and then somebody else will come and lead.

Leaders will come and go; the party will remain. About the judgment we got in court yesterday (Tuesday), it is no victor, no vanquished, she said.

The News Agency of Nigeria NAN reports that Mrs Usman later handed over a set of files containing some of the documents requested by the INEC team.

She later took the team round the offices and conference rooms within the secretariat building.

(NAN)
The Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike-backed Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has released its timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 general election.

The party, in a timetable issued by its National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature, on Wednesday in Abuja, fixed the total cost for its presidential expression of interest and nomination forms at N51 million.

The party also pegged the cost of nomination form for governorship at N31 million, Senate and House of Representatives at N7 million and N4 million respectively, with the House of Assembly at N3 million.

Female aspirants, according to the timetable, are expected to pay for only expression of interest form, which is fixed at N1 million for each of the positions.

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According to the timetable and schedule of activities, the sales of forms for all positions will commence on 27 April and end on 4 May, while the last day for submission is 9 May.

Also, the presidential primary election is fixed for 17 to 18 May, governorship, 27 May, House of Representatives, 21 May; Senate, 23 May and Houses of Assembly, 25 May, while all appeals will hold on 30 May.

The party also fixed 12 May for screening of presidential and governorship aspirants, while aspirants for National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly would be screened on 11 May.

According to Mr Bature, the timetable is released in strict compliance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and the Electoral Act 2026.

He added that the timetable also followed the revised timetable issued by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, held a closed-door meeting with chairpersons of the South-east caucus of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Tuesday.

Martins Ugwu, head of the ADC media team in Enugu State, said the meeting was a calculated show of regional alignment toward consolidating regional party structures.

He said the meeting was Mr Obis first with the newly elected South-east chairpersons of the ADC in Enugu.

The meeting was connected to Mr Obis aspiration to contest the forthcoming ADC presidential primary and to strengthen cohesion, align leadership priorities, and deepen grassroots engagement across the South-east region.

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Mr Ugwu said the meeting focused on reinforcing internal party democracy and harmonising state-level operations.

Among those present were the Enugu State Chairman-elect, Augustine Akubue, alongside counterparts from Imo, Abia, Anambra, and Ebonyi states.

In a related development, Mr Obi held a breakfast meeting with foreign diplomats in Abuja on 15 April.

He disclosed this in a post on X.

Today in Abuja, I had a breakfast meeting with some diplomats that included, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria and his colleagues from European Union, Germany, Canada, and France.

It was an enriching discussion on relationships, he stated.

Obi advocates Nigerias investment in education

On Tuesday, 21 April, Mr Obi was at the Coal City University Enugu, where he made a case for Nigeria to invest more in education.

No nation rises above the quality of its education system, Mr Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, stated in a lecture he delivered at the university.

Nigerias current low Human Development Index (HDI) score of 0.548 and persistent high unemployment are clear symptoms of chronic underinvestment in education and human capital development.

The data is equally revealing. Nigeria allocates less than 10% of its budget to education, far below the 1520% global benchmark. Youth unemployment and underemployment exceed 30%, while life expectancy remains among the lowest 5055 years. Literacy levels hover below average 59% and 65%, all of which point to deep structural weaknesses in our development trajectory.

In contrast, comparable countries such as Indonesia and Egypt, and South Africa have high HDI levels with HDI scores of 0.720.75. They all have higher life expectancy of above 65 years, higher literacy levels and higher per capita incomes of $3,500 above, while Nigeria is about $1000. This stronger progress was through sustained and deliberate investment in education, healthcare, and broader human capital development. The difference is not in talent, but in priority and policy consistency.

Mr Obi called for a total review of Nigerias education funding model to usher in stronger public-private partnerships, and more inclusive policies that recognise the role of both public and private institutions in educating Nigerian students.

We must move beyond rhetoric and confront these realities with urgency.

It is difficult to justify excluding private universities from intervention frameworks like TETFund when they are actively contributing to national capacity building, he said.

(NAN)
An Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) witness insisted on Wednesday that one of former National Security Adviser (NSA) Sambo Dasukis co-defendant in their N33.2 billion arms funds diversion trial voluntarily wrote his extrajudicial statements without any form of coercion.

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja had paused the main trial in January to conduct a trial-within-trial to ascertain Aminu Baba-Kusa, the second defendants claim of writing the statement under duress while in EFCC custody in 2015.

Salihu Kadir, an EFCC detective, testified as the third prosecution witness in the trial-within-trial on Wednesday.

His testimony echoed earlier testimonies of two other EFCC officials, who maintained that the defendant freely wrote the statements, which the prosecution sought to tender to prove its case in the trial.

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I supervised the recording of the Exhibit (extra-judicial statement), which was dated Nov 26, 2015. I administered the cautionary words, Mr Kadir said, led by the prosecution lawyer, Oluwaleke Atolagbe. The witness made his statement voluntarily after words of caution were read to him.

Mr Dasuki and Mr Baba-Kusa are facing a joint trial for alleged diversion of N33.2 billion in arms and security funds entrusted to the NSA office.

The EFCC is prosecuted them alongside Mr Baba-Kusas companies  Acacia Holdings Limited and Reliance Referral Hospital Limited  which allegedly received part of the suspicious funds from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) under Mr Dasukis supervision.

The trial has lasted for over a decade, suffering spells of setbacks that stalled its progress.

EFCC had to re-arraign the defendants in March last year after the case was reassigned to the current trial judge, Charles Agbaza, kicking off a fresh start after about 10 years of complicated run.

The defendants all denied the charges again as they previously did before the former judge.

On 14 January, the EFCC tried to tender Mr Baba-Kusas statements as evidence, but Mr Baba-Kusas lawyer objected to their admissibility on the grounds that they were obtained under duress.

The defence argued that a statement made by someone while being held in the underground cell of the EFCC could not be said to have been freely made.

He also said there was no compliance with Section 15(4) and 17 (2) of the Administration of Justice Act 2015.

This prompted the judge to order trial-within-trial to ascertain the voluntariness of the statements.

Statement was taken after a search of Mr Baba-Kusas office and house

Mr Kadirs EFCCs third witness in the trial-within-trial said on Wednesday that the disputed statement was written at the EFCCs office in the presence of the commissions staff members, following words of caution.

The witness gave a brief description of the environment where Mr Baba-Kusa wrote the statement.

The room is a general open room, and other persons were present in the room, and about three people on the part of the second defendant were witnesses to the statement taken.

There was the company secretary, a lady, a finance controller, and a lawyer, he said.

According to the EFCC investigator, Mr Baba-Kusas statement was taken after a search of his office and house. He said the statement captured items recovered from Mr Baba-Kusas house.

During cross-examination, defence lawyer to the fourth defendant, A.O. Ayodele, demanded to know why the witness did not append his signature on the dotted lines for the witness.

Responding, the witness said the law does not make it mandatory for the defendant to sign the statement but added that he wrote the statement in his handwriting.

While taking his turn to cross-examine the witness, Mr Baba-Kusas lawyer, Solomon Umoh, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), said to him, You were brought in to own up to be the one to present this statement because it was not signed by anybody, that was why they brought you to claim you took the statement.

Denying the lawyers assertion, the witness said, That is not correct, my Lord, this is my handwriting.

Mr Umoh also questioned him about the video recording of Mr Baba-Kusa while writing the statement.

He confirmed that there was video recording of when Mr Baba-Kusa was writing his statement, saying such recording was not mandatory under the law.

He, however, said that there was a CCTV camera recording, but he urged the court to note that it was done about 10 years ago.

Responding to further question, he confirmed EFCC had the records of visitation of members of staff of Acacia Holdings Limited (a defendant in the case) to Mr Baba-Kusa during his detention by the commission.

After the EFCC investigator was discharged from the witness box, the prosecution informed the court that it had closed its case.

The trial judge, Mr Agbaza, adjourned proceedings until 15 May.

Backstory

On 24 February, Halima Kazeem, an assistant commandant 1 at the EFCC, said Mr Baba-Kusa was treated well in custody in 2015

Similarly, Michael Adariku, an assistant commander 2 at the EFCC, refuted the suggestion of detaining him in an underground cell during investigations in 2015.

In the substantive trial, the EFCC has called one prosecution witness, Mr Adarikun, as the first prosecution witness.

Mr Adarikun narrated how N2.2 billion intended for election security was allegedly diverted from the NSA office under the leadership of Mr Dasuki.

So far, he has testified about transfers from Office of the National Security Advisers account, with the approval of Mr Dasuki, to Mr Babba-Kusa, who allegedly used the proceeds to buy properties and foreign currencies in euros and dollars.

The decade-old trial suffered multiple adjournments in its early years, largely due to the State Security Services (SSS) refusing to release Mr Dasuki on bail in defiance to multiple court orders.

Mr Dasuki served as NSA between 2012 and 2015, in the heat of Boko Haram attacks in Nigerias North-east, under the administration of then-President Goodluck Jonathan.

The N33.2 billion fraud trial is one of the several cases he EFCC filed in the aftermath of the scandal of alleged diversion of funds meant for procurement of arms to firm up the Nigerian militarys offensive against Boko Haram terrorists between 2014 and 2015.

An audit panel, established by President Muhammadu Buhari following his 2015 election victory, found that approximately $2 billion for arms procurement was unaccounted for. These funds were managed by the NSA, led by Mr Dasuki.

Mr Dasuki is also standing trial alongside former Sokoto State Governor Attahiru Bafarawa, his son Sagir Bafarawa, former Minister of State for Finance Bashir Yuguda, and Dalhatu Investment Limited for N4.6 billion arms procurement fraud.

The charges accused them of diverting N4.6 billion from the NSA offices account. The money was said to be meant for the procurement of arms to firm up the offensive against Boko Haram terrorists between 2014 and 2015.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris has described Governor Uba Sani as one of the most friendly communication associates in Nigeria stressing that it was for that reason he was honoured as Patron of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR).

The minister made the remark shortly after the governors investiture at the newly commissioned Brigadier General Abba Kyari Banquet Hall, adjourning Sir Kashim Ibrahim House Kaduna, on Tuesday.

Mr Mohammed recalled how the Kaduna State Ministry of Information was created in May 2025, following his intervention, ten years after it was scrapped.

In December of 2024, His Excellency, Governor Uba Sani, joined us at the National Council on Information and National Orientation meeting. At that time, Kaduna State had no Ministry of Information.

It had been scrapped by the previous administration. When we gave the advice to His Excellency the Governor to restore that Ministry, he immediately did that, he disclosed.

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The minister also said that Governor Sani identifies with information management that is rooted in public relations and that is one of the reasons why the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations is honouring him today.

He revealed that when the Institute approached me to intimate the Executive Governor of Kaduna State about this NIPR Week, he asked me what it was all about. After explaining to him, he didnt hesitate in agreeing to host the NIPR Week in Kaduna.

Speaking after the investiture, Governor Sani said that the theme the NIPR Week resonates with what his administration is doing.

He expressed satisfaction with the theme of the 2026 Nigerian Public Relations Week which is Nigerias Food Security: From Policy Paper to Public Plates  The Imperatives of Public Relations. Similarly, he lauded the choice of the keynote speaker  Dr Brylyne Chitsunge, a renowned South Africa-based food security expert and CEO of Elpasso Farms.

Governor Sani noted that the theme aligns with our vision of a food-secure Kaduna, where policy is not confined to paper but translated into productivity, prosperity, and shared progress.

It aligns with our broader economic agenda, one that prioritises agriculture, empowers communities, strengthens value chains, and positions our state as a hub of resilience and opportunity, he added.

According to him, hosting this conference is itself a statement that Kaduna is ready to lead conversations that matter. A statement that we believe in the power of communication to unlock development. A statement that partnerships between government and professionals like you are essential to moving our nation forward.

He stressed that: The journey from policy paper to plate is neither automatic nor guaranteed. It is a deliberate process built on credibility, clarity, and connection.

Policies succeed not only because they are well designed, but because they are understood, trusted, and embraced by the people they are meant to serve.

This is why public relations must no longer be viewed as a peripheral function, but as a central pillar of governance; bridging the gap between intention and impact, and transforming reform into lived reality, he added.

The governor emphasised that in Kaduna State, we have taken a bold and deliberate decision to reposition agriculture from the margins of policy discourse to the very centre of our development agenda.

When we assumed office in 2023, we inherited a total of just 1.48 billion as budget for agriculture, representing a mere 0.4% of our state budget.

In 2024 we allocated 23.billion, in 2025, and 2026, budget for agriculture surpassed the Malabu declaration of 10% at 74.02 bilion for 2025 and 108 Billion for 2026, he disclosed.

According to him, Kaduna State Government recognises that investment alone does not put food on the table, adding that what matters is how policy translates into productivity, and how support reaches the farmer at scale.

Through our flagship Tallafin Noma (A Koma Gona) programme, we have supported over 120,000 smallholder farmers with improved seeds, fertilisers, agrochemicals, and mechanisation support.

We have also executed the largest fertiliser distribution in Kaduna States history, over 900 trucks of ferterlizer amounting to 540,000 bags was distributed free to 300,000 smallholder farmers across all 23 local government areas.

Similarly, in our effort to improve dry and wet season agriculture, and expand access to irrigation, we have distributed over 10,000 solar powered water pumping machines to our small holder farmers in the state, he added.

Governor Sani pointed out that the philosophy of his administration is that agriculture must be continuous, not seasonal; inclusive, not selective.
President Bola Tinubu has commended the governor of Enugu State, Dr Peter Mbah, for his development strides in Enugu State, saying that with leaders like the governor, a new Nigeria of the peoples dream is possible.

This was even as Governor Mbah declared total support of the people of Enugu Stats for the president come 2027.

Tinubu spoke when he received an Mbah-led delegation of Enugu State leaders, who were on an appreciation visit to him at the Executive Council Chambers of the Aso Presidential Villa on Tuesday.

The work you are doing is extremely important for our democracy to grow and for people to flourish. The future of this country rests on people like you with commitment, great vision, and seriousness that you have embarked upon since you assumed the office.

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I thank you very much on behalf of the country, the great people of this nation, and Enugu State in particular.

You have been a transformative leader, and we genuinely appreciate what is evolving in Enugu today in a manner that we have witnessed a rapid development of the state.

I can assure you that we will continue to work together, think together, and build together a nation that will be a proud place for all our citizens, he said.

The President urged Governor Mbah to remain focused on the job and ignore distractors.

Democracy will survive despite all the intimidations. I ignore, and I will advise youas I will advise myselfstay focused. When you are succeeding and they are angry, leave them in their corner. Stay focused and believe in yourself, as you have been doing. Dont pay attention to them, because I will not. We stay in our lanes. We stay focused.

Nigeria of our dream is achievable, and we will definitely build that together. We will not let you down. We will continue to work hard. It is not easy, but we are navigating the rough waterways. We will land this ship very well to steady Nigeria and bring prosperity to our economy, President Tinubu stated.

The President also promised to expedite action on the Port Harcourt  Enugu rail line and other infrastructure to enhance economic growth in the South East region, harping on team work and sustainable funding to grow the nations economy.

We have not embarked upon serious long-term outlook for our country before now. But with people like youa leader that is so committed, so visionaryNigeria is on the right trajectory to becoming a very successful, leading African nation.

But its not a one-man orchestra. Its a collective effort at the national, subnational, and the local government levels, the President emphasised.

Earlier in his remark, Governor Mbah thanked the president for his inclusive leadership, which had greatly benefitted the people of Enugu State even long before they declared for the ruling party.

He stressed that the president broke a long-standing political distance between this region and the federal government, and crossed party lines when he visited Enugu State to commission projects on 4 January, 2025, adding that the visit had since resulted in resolving challenges that had lingered for decades.

The concessioning of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport means Enugu now has a functioning international gateway, and in doing so, it opens up the Southeast  over 30 million people  to the world.

With the South East Development Commission, you have established a structure for coordinated regional development.

The extension of the gas pipeline to Enugu will connect the state to the national gas grid and, critically, unlock our own gas reserves, making power generation viable, and shifting Enugu from sitting on stranded resources to becoming an energy hub for the South East.

On these bases, we will stand proudly with you on election day in January 2027, Mr Mbah declared.

He equally appreciated the president for the extensive works on the EnuguPort Harcourt Expressway and Enugu Onitsha Expressway, the swift reconstruction of the collapsed New Artisan Bridge, the 700-metre flyover at Eke Obinagu along the Enugu  Abakaliki Expressway, among other interventions by his administration.

He further thanked ths president for demonstrated trust in Enugu people through key national appointments such the position of the Chief of the Air Staff occupied by Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke.

The high-powered delegation included Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh; Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke; former President of the Senate, Senator Ken Nnamani; former Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla; former Governors of Enugu State, Sullivan Chime and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, as well as former Governor of old Anambra State, Jim Nwobodo; former Military Administrator of Gombe State, Group Capt Joseph Orji (Retd) and former Military Administrator of Imo State Navy Commodore Anthony Oguguo (Retd).

Others on the delegation were serving and former members of the National Assembly, former ministers, traditional and religious leaders, and academics. Some of the leaders came with their spouses to an event described by the president as one of the remarkable moments in his administration.
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) on Wednesday at its Conference Centre (Rose 1101) hosted the first quarter 2026 edition of its Book Reading Series, with a one-time Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime and Safety Administration (NIMASA), Dr Dakuku Peterside, as guest author.

The event, which focused on the 2025, 204-page publication of the author, Leading in a Storm: Practical Leadership Strategies in Crisis Situations, had a capacity audience drawn from higher institutions, the mass media, Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), and Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), with several others participating virtually.

In a welcome address, the Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Felix Omatsola Ogbe, represented by the General Manager, Corporate Communications Division (CCD), Dr Obinna Ezeobi, said the book reading programme, which he described as a signature event of the Board, speaks to creativity, which is one of the core values of the Board.

He explained that the event is part of the Boards strategy in fostering intellectual activity and sophistication amongstakeholders as well as building the abilities of Nigerians to operate productively in the oil and gas industry and linkage sectors, which is one of its core mandates.

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The Executive Secretary enumerated several initiatives of the Board geared towards advancement of research and technology, notably, six Centres of Excellence in the nations six geopolitical zones, each of which has a unique theme. These are Niger Delta University, Amassoma, with Marine and Petrochemical Technologies as theme; Federal University of Technology, Minna (Engineering Design), and Federal University of Technology, Owerri (Local Raw Materials Substitution).

Others are Modibbo Adama University of Technology (MAUTECH), Yola (Safety and Environment Studies); Usman Dan Fodio University (UDUS), Sokoto (Renewable Energy), and Federal University of Technology, Akure (Geology and Geophysical Studies). Additional research centres established by the Board include Geosciences Research Centre at the University of Lagos and Marine and Offshore Training Centre at Rivers State University, Port Harcourt. The latest is the Centre of Excellence in Gas Development at Delta State University, Abraka, being developed in partnership with Seplat Energy Plc.

According to Mr Ogbe, the NCDMB is collaborating with Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited (RAEC), First Exploration and Petroleum Development Company Limited, and the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), to organise the first Nigerian Engineering Olympiad (NEO), which was launched on 20 November 2025 in Abuja. The Olympiad, slated to end in April, 2026, is to encourage final-year and postgraduate students to be innovative in applying engineering principles to real-world operational challenges in and out of oil and gas industry.

In the book conversation segment, moderated by Mr Victor Binawari, Dr Peterside explained the inspiration behind Leading in a Storm, copies of which had been distributed gratis to attendees. My own lived experience, he declared, informed the contents and thrusts of the work. He pointed out that Every single day, Nigerians face one crisis or another, and that the experiences posit weakness of leadership.

He recalled his time at the National Assembly, when he served as Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on the Downstream Petroleum sector, with the unremitting crises in fuel supply. As NIMASA Director General he had to contend with recurring incidences of piracy within Nigerias territorial waters. Then the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw many world leaders fumbling, unable to determine how best to safeguard the health of citizens.

Yet another inspiration was from an uncomplimentary remark by a professor at Americas Kellog School of Management, to the effect that Africa is in a near-permanent state of crises.

I began to investigate how leaders can perform better in crisis situations, he explained, adding that calmness, clarity, adaptability, and resilience, are critically important. What kind of choices leaders make when faced with crises would reveal the stuff they are made of.

He outlined eight competencies of crisis leadership, namely, Contextual intelligence (the ability to read situations accurately and understand the deeper forces at play); Calm Confidence (which provides emotional stability); Sense-making (which enables a leader to find patterns in chaos and make meaning from confusion); Strategic Decision-making; Clear Communication; Strategic Flexibility; Coordinating Teamwork, and Facilitating Learning. Every great leader should rank high enough in these.

On his style, which relies heavily on storytelling, he stated that stories are relatable, memorable and engaging, and that stories teach you principles which you can apply.

In the closing remarks, Mr Teleola Oyeleke, Supervisor, CCD of NCDMB, thanked Dr Peterside for readily accepting the invitation and for the wealth experience he shared at the event. He also thanked all participants, while advising them to read and digest the contents of the book. He also echoed the Guest Author in challenging attendees to have personal development programmes.
Vice President Kashim Shettima on Tuesday commissioned a newly built banquet hall in Kaduna, describing the project as an evidence of deliberate leadership and a commitment to strengthening public institutions.

Speaking at the unveiling, Mr Shettima said the Federal Government would continue to prioritise the state, citing its central role in Nigerias political and economic landscape. He noted that Kadunas importance explains the steady stream of federal interventions and projects in recent months.

We have returned to Kaduna time and again in recent months bearing projects, policies, and promises renewed by action, because we understand the place this great state occupies in the anatomy of our nation, he said.

He further stressed the governments commitment to the state, warning that neglecting Kaduna would have wider national consequences. The heartbeat of Nigeria cannot be ignored without the whole body feeling the impact, he said.

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Backing Sanis governance approach

The vice president praised Governor Uba Sani for combining infrastructure expansion with reforms aimed at improving governance systems. He said such a dual approach is essential for long-term development, noting that effective governance goes beyond physical projects to building systems that ensure accountability and efficient service delivery.

Mr Shettima explained that the new facility would provide a platform for high-level meetings, policy discussions, and official ceremonies, while also addressing gaps that often constrain government operations. He added that the hall could position Kaduna as a destination for international conferences, exhibitions, and cultural events, with potential economic benefits for the state.

According to him, the project reflects a leadership style that emphasises dignity in public service, protection of vulnerable citizens, and efforts to rebuild trust in government.

Inside the project

In his remarks, Mr Sani said the banquet hall was conceived not just as infrastructure but as an investment in institutional capacity and citizen engagement. He disclosed that the complex sits on about 2.7 hectares, with a built-up space of roughly 5,000 square metres.

The governor said the facility can host 1,000 guests in banquet format and up to 1,300 in a theatre arrangement, adding that it is designed for diplomatic events, conferences, exhibitions and policy engagements that can attract partnerships and investment.

He noted that the project aligns with his administrations plan to position Kaduna as a hub for investment, culture and global interaction. The governor also revealed that the hall was named after a former military administrator to honour disciplined leadership and service.

Former governor Ahmed Makarfi described the project as a major achievement delivered within a short timeframe, urging the state government to also recognise other past leaders for their contributions.

Similarly, former Vice President Namadi Sambo commended the initiative, saying it represents a forward-looking investment that will support governance and modernisation in the state.

Kaduna has increasingly attracted federal attention in recent years due to its strategic economic potential and persistent security challenges, including banditry, kidnappings and communal conflicts. The state is also considered a key industrial and agricultural hub, making infrastructure investments critical to its development trajectory.
All arrangements have been concluded for the official declaration of Abdulrahman Bashir Haskes intention to contest the 2027 Adamawa State gubernatorial election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The declaration rally is scheduled for Saturday, 25 April 25, at the Mahmud Ribadu Square, Yola, and is expected to attract an estimated 50,000 political stakeholders and supporters from across the state and beyond.

Attendees will include APC leaders and members, political allies across party lines, support groups, women and youth movements, and other well-meaning citizens who align with Mr Haskes vision for Adamawa. Observers describe the event as one of the most significant political gatherings in Adamawa State  and the wider North-east -in recent years.

The programme will also feature a formal endorsement of President Bola Tinubu, for a second term in office, further reinforcing the rallys state and national political significance. Central to the event will be the unveiling of Mr Haskes governing blueprint, the Adamawa A.R.I.S.E. Agenda, focused on: Accountable Governance, Resilient Economy, Inclusive Infrastructure, Sustainable Environment & Social Development, Every Life Protected (Security).

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The Adamawa A.R.I.S.E. Agenda, is designed as a practical response to Adamawas pressing challenges, including a 75.4 per cent poverty rate, 87 per cent dependence on federal allocations, and escalating youth unemployment. Political analysts have noted that the rally may well shape the trajectory of what is widely regarded as Adamawas most consequential election in a generation.

A respected entrepreneur and philanthropist, Abdulrahman Haske has steadily emerged as one of the most promising political figures in the state. In recent weeks, he has garnered extensive endorsements from APC stakeholders and interest groups ahead of the 2027 governorship race.

During the recently concluded APC congresses in the state, prominent party leaders and members publicly endorsed Mr Haske as their preferred governorship aspirant, describing him as a capable and forward-looking leader with a clear visionone that builds on existing achievements while driving accelerated socio-economic transformation for Adamawa State.

The party leaders also called on the APC leadership in Adamawa to ensure a level playing field and a transparent internal democratic process that allows all party members to freely express their will.

On Wednesday, 22 April 22, 265 womens groups across the state formally endorsed Mr Haske, describing him as a genuine grassroots politician whose popularity has grown through sustained philanthropic interventions. These include the distribution of agricultural inputs and food items, as well as Ramadan outreach programmes providing grains and cash support to vulnerable households.

Support has also come from organised advocacy groups such as the Renew Team for Unity, Progress and Initiative Forum and the Making Adamawa Great Again (MAGA) movement, both of which have pledged unwavering backing for Mr Haskes gubernatorial ambition, citing his leadership capacity and commitment to inclusive development.

At the community level, the Yoro community of Ganye Chiefdom in Ganye Local Government Area has formally endorsed Mr Haske and declared their support for his campaign.

Meanwhile, Mr Haske continues to mobilise young people through initiatives such as Operation Youth-OClock and Youths4Youth, aimed at political inclusion and youth empowerment.

Widely described by supporters as a beacon of hope, Mr Haske has remained deeply engaged in party-building efforts, including mobilising members for the APCs electronic registration drive, convening strategic consultations with party coordinators, and championing President Tinubus Renewed Hope Agenda. He has also been a consistent advocate of unity within the APC, urging members to prioritise peace, inclusiveness, and collective interest.

As grassroots consultations intensify and political structures are further consolidated, analysts note that the growing enthusiasm around Mr Haskes candidacy points to a highly competitive and vibrant contest ahead of the APC primaries scheduled for May 23 in Adamawa State.

The Haske Declaration Rally is not merely another aspirant announcement; it represents a strategic political statement  one that quietly but decisively repositions the chessboard well before the wider contest unfolds. Abdulrahman Bashir Haskes entry into the race is not political noise; it is a signal.

At a time when the APC in Adamawa is still working to regain coherence following the last electoral cycle, Mr Haskes emergence reflects a growing appetiteparticularly among younger votersfor fresh leadership. At 36, he is stepping not just into an election, but into a generational moment increasingly defined by calls for renewal.

Significantly, Mr Haske does not come from the traditional pipeline of career politicians. Instead, he brings to the race a background grounded in enterprise, exposure to global best practices, and a steadily expanding influence within party structuresqualities that distinguish him in a political environment often marked by a disconnect between political power and economic competence.

Political observers believe Mr Haskes declaration signals a potential shift in Adamawa politics  from personality-led contests to capacity-driven leadership.

It may also indicate the emergence of a new class of political actors with independent means, strong networks, and the readiness to engage governance directly, rather than from the sidelines.
The Senate has called for improved collaboration and intelligence sharing among multinational security forces to curb attacks on military formations and killings of personnel, especially in Borno State.

This followed the adoption of a motion at the resumed plenary on Wednesday in Abuja.

The motion under urgent matter of national public importance was sponsored by Mohammed Monguno (APC-Borno) and co-sponsored by Shehu Kaka and Ali Ndume (APC-Borno).

Mr Monguno, in his motion, expressed concern over the recent attacks on military formations, leading to casualties among troops, including a general of the Nigerian Army and 13 other soldiers.

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He said the recurring strategic attacks on Monguno, a strategic garrison town, demonstrate a deliberate attempt by insurgents to undermine military operations and disrupt humanitarian and commercial access routes.

He said the Nigerian military has continued to make immense sacrifices in the fight against insurgents in Monguno, with officers and men paying the supreme price in recent attacks, while defending the territorial integrity of the country.

He expressed worry that the resurgence of attacks on both military bases and civilian communities erodes gains already recorded in counter-insurgency operations and poses a great threat to national security.

He said that the protection of innocent civilians remains a fundamental obligation under national and international humanitarian law and was essential for maintaining public trust and cooperation in the fight against insurgency.

The primary responsibility of government is to protect the lives and property of the people.

That is the only essence of governance, and that is the social contract with which the people have entered into with government, it is to protect their lives and property.

Mr Kaka, while seconding the motion, called for improved provision of equipment for the military to combat insurgency.

Corroborating, Mr Ndume said there was an urgent need to address Nigerias insecurity holistically.

He said the problem was inadequate equipment, expressing hope that the governments current efforts to provide equipment would help address the matter.

He also called for concerted efforts to ensure the release of 416 abducted people in his constituency.

Abdul Ningi (PDP-Bauchi) expressed concern over the trend of attacks on military formations in the country, saying that efforts must be intensified to provide the necessary solutions.

The Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin (APC-Kano), who presided over plenary, said that President Bola Tinubu is making frantic efforts to end insecurity in the country, adding that insecurity has a global connection.

The Senate also, in another resolution, strongly condemned the continued attacks by Boko Haram elements on military formations in Borno communities.

The senators observed a minute of silence in honour of soldiers and civilians killed by the terrorists.

The Senate also called on the Chief of Defence Staff and other service chiefs to conduct a comprehensive operational and logistic audit of the circumstances surrounding the attacks on military formations.

It also called for an assessment of equipment adequacy and the rules of engagement to address identified gaps.

The Senate further called for strict adherence to rules of engagement and international humanitarian law.

It also called for adequate training on civilian protection and thorough investigation of allegations of civilian assaults during military operations.

This, it said, was to ensure accountability and prevent recurrence.

The Senate also urged local communities to cooperate with the military by providing information and intelligence on the insurgents nefarious activities.

It further urged the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and the North-East Development Commission to provide urgent humanitarian relief to displaced persons and the families of victims.

It commended officers and men of the Operation Hadin Kai for their gallantry and urged the federal government to prioritise their welfare and provision of adequate equipment.

(NAN)
At least 11 people have been killed in an attack by suspected fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) on Pubagu village in the Askira Uba Local Government Area of Borno State, residents and a local official have said.

The assailants also burnt a church during the attack, but did not destroy homes or loot property, according to the councillor representing the area, Usman Remirgo.

Eleven people were killed. They burnt one church they did not burn houses or shops, and they did not take anything, Mr Remirgo told PREMIUM TIMES in a phone interview.

He said the victims were buried shortly after the attack, following a visit to the community by security personnel, local government officials and residents.

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The chairman of Askira Uba Local Government Area, Mada Saidu, who visited the community after the attack, also confirmed the killings.

In a statement, Mr Saidu said the attackers, whom he described as Boko Haram insurgents, also burnt a church and several properties, while two persons sustained injuries and are receiving treatment.

Fresh reports of killings in the nearby community

Mr Remirgo also reported that nine people were killed in a separate attack in the neighbouring Mayolade community around the same period.

However, PREMIUM TIMES could not independently verify the Mayolade incident as of the time of filing this report.

The councillor said the attacks are part of a pattern of repeated assaults on communities in the Askira Uba axis, noting that Mayolade and another community, Wachirakabi, had been attacked within the past month.

Abductions reported in another community

In a related development, another credible source from Askira Uba LGA told PREMIUM TIMES that several residents from Lagunasara community, also in Askira Uba LGA, were abducted during a recent attack but were later released after paying nine million naira as ransom.

The incident, reported separately from the Pubagu and Mayolade attacks, suggests a widening pattern of violence across communities in the area.

PREMIUM TIMES could not independently verify the abduction and release.

Indiscriminate violence

According to Mr Remirgo, the attackers did not target victims based on religion or identity.

They killed everyone they saw. It was not about Christians or anyone in particular, he said.

Although a churchbelieved to be an Ekklesiyar Yanuwa a Nigeria (E.Y.N.) congregationwas burnt in Pubagu, he said the killings were indiscriminate.

No humanitarian response

Mr Remirgo criticised what he described as the absence of humanitarian intervention despite repeated attacks in the area.

No one has come to assist us. Not NEMA, not any government agency. Only the local government chairman came to sympathise, he said.

He added that residents are facing hardship and may require urgent support, especially in the event of displacement.

NEMA unaware, cites reporting chain

When contacted, an official of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in the North-east said the agency was not aware of the reported attacks.

Im not aware of the development, the official said, explaining that incidents are typically reported through local government authorities to State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMA) before reaching NEMA.

The official added that not all incidents qualify for federal intervention and urged affected communities to channel reports through official structures.

Police are unable to confirm

Efforts to obtain confirmation from the Borno State Police Command were unsuccessful.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Daso Kenneth, said he would make inquiries but could not confirm the incident at the time of filing this report.

Attack plausible but unconfirmed  intelligence brief

An intelligence assessment sought by PREMIUM TIMES described the reported attack as plausible but unconfirmed, citing the absence of independent open-source corroboration at the time of review.

The assessment, however, noted that the BornoAdamawa border corridor remains an active theatre of ISWAP operations, with recent attacks on both military positions and civilian communities, a pattern consistent with the reported incidents in Askira Uba.

Rising insecurity in the border corridor

Security analysts say the Askira Uba area lies within a volatile corridor linking southern Borno to northern Adamawa, where ISWAP has sustained operations in recent months.

Residents say repeated attacks and delayed response from authorities have left rural communities increasingly vulnerable.
The Niger State Government has procured more than 100 vehicles for judges and members of boards and commissions, a move that has drawn scrutiny amid widespread poverty and weak social indicators in the state.

The Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Bologi Ibrahim, said the vehicles were provided to ease official duties and improve service delivery.

The distribution of vehicles became necessary to ease transportation difficulties of the officials, he said, adding that beneficiaries were urged to use them judiciously for effective service delivery.

The vehicles, identified as Toyota Corolla models from the 2020 to 2023 production cycle, carry a substantial market value. Industry benchmarks and local valuation platforms place foreign-used units between 24 million and 30 million, while new ones range from about 32 million to 38 million.

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Using conservative estimates, a fleet of 100 vehicles would cost between 2.4 billion and 3 billion for used units, and up to 3.8 billion if procured as new vehicles.

Analysts note that government procurement costs are usually higher, but the figures provide a baseline for evaluating the scale of the expenditure.

The distribution comes at a time when the state is plagued by insecurity and the poverty rate is high by multiple measures.

Data compiled using the Global Multidimensional Poverty Index methodology, supported by the United Nations Development Programme and the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative, show that about 22.8 per cent of the states population lived in severe poverty in 2025.

Earlier figures from Nigerias National Bureau of Statistics put the states broader multidimensional poverty rate at 69.1 per cent, reflecting widespread deprivation across income, education, and living standards.

Researchers and policy groups attribute much of the poverty burden in Niger State to a mix of insecurity, rural underdevelopment, and weak access to basic services.

Farming communities, which form the backbone of the states economy, have faced repeated disruptions from armed attacks, limiting agricultural output and income.

Academic studies also point to entrenched urban deprivation.

A 2026 study published in the International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science found that a majority of households in parts of Minnas informal settlements live on less than half a dollar per day and have limited access to basic infrastructure, including water, sanitation, and healthcare.

Education indicators present a similar pattern.

READ ALSO: Terrorists blow up bridge in Niger State

A recent report by civil society group MonITNG highlighted the collapse of Mawagi Primary School in Lapai Local Government Area, where more than 500 pupils have reportedly stopped attending classes due to unsafe structures.

Wider data suggests the problem is systemic.

According to UNICEF, about 43 per cent of school-age children in Niger State are out of school, one of the highest rates in the country.

Field reports describe overcrowded classrooms, poor facilities, and shortages of teaching staff, with some pupils forced to sit on bare floors.

Analysts say the intersection of poverty, insecurity, and weak education outcomes continues to reinforce long-term inequality in the state. They argue that public spending choices, particularly on administrative assets, are increasingly being weighed against urgent social needs.

The state government has not publicly disclosed the total cost of the vehicle procurement, but officials maintain that the investment is tied to improving institutional efficiency.

Critics, however, say the scale of the spending raises broader questions about priorities in a state grappling with widespread deprivation.
The chairperson of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Esit Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State has rejected a stakeholders meeting convened by Eseme Eyiboh, a spokesperson to Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

In a statement on Wednesday, the APC Chapter Chairperson, Urua Akpe, said the meeting was not authorised and warned party members not to attend.

The statement is posted on Facebook.

Meeting declared unauthorised, sanction threats

The statement, signed by the chapters publicity secretary, John Ekpo, stated that the planned meeting lacked official approval.

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The chapter chairperson has not sanctioned any such meeting, and no individual within the party, no matter how highly placed, is empowered to convene a stakeholders meeting of the party without the consent and approval of the chapter chairperson, the statement said.

The disputed meeting invitation letter, Mr Ekpo said, is dated 21 April and scheduled for Wednesday at the Christian Event Centre, Akpautong.

Among those listed as conveners are Mr Eyiboh, a former federal lawmaker in the area and currently serving as spokesperson to Mr Akpabio, a former managing director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Bassey Dan-Abia, a former state lawmaker from Esit Eket, Usoro Akpanuso, and a former commissioner for women affairs in the state, Ini Adiakpan.

The local APC leadership warned that attendance at the meeting would attract disciplinary action.

Consequently, the chapter chairperson hereby warns all party executives and registered members of the APC in Esit Eket Local Government Area not to attend the said meeting, as doing so will amount to automatic suspension from the party, the statement added.

The party further described the action of the conveners as gross insubordination and a direct affront to the office of the chapter chairperson and the entire leadership of the APC in Esit Eket.

Mr Eyiboh did not respond to PREMIUM TIMES calls and text messages seeking his comment when contacted.

The party chairperson, Mr Akpe, did not respond to calls and a text message.
Some residents of Uyo metropolis, Akwa Ibom State, have said they are facing difficulties due to the current petrol price in the country.

The residents stated this while speaking in a survey conducted by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Uyo on Wednesday.

Beatrice Okeke, a teacher, said she stopped using her vehicle for over a month due to the increase in petrol price.

Before now, I could buy N20,000 worth of petrol for my car and use it for about one week. With the current reality, N30,000 worth of petrol cant take me to work for five days, she said.

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Mrs Okeke said providing food for her family had become very difficult because she spent more money on transportation to work.

Another resident, Nsikak Uwem, a taxi driver, said the income from his business had drastically reduced due to the new petrol price.

Mr Uwem said that he spent more money to purchase petrol, and end up with very low daily turnover.

The current reality is that things are difficult. We spend almost all we get to buy petrol, its a sad situation, he said.

Also speaking to NAN, Akpan Uko, a tricycle operator, said that he could no longer make complete returns to the tricycle owner since petrol price went up.

Before now, I remitted N10,000 daily to my principal, but I am unable to continue because I spend more money on petrol.

The owner of the tricycle is threatening to take it from me; times are really tough, he said.

It would be recalled that the price of petrol went up from about N900 to N1, 400 in March, following the US/Israel war on Iran.

Michael Emem, a Uyo-based economic analyst, said that many households would face severe hard times if the current petrol price persisted.

Mr Emem urged governments at various levels to evolve ways of cushioning the effect of the hardship on citizens.

(NAN)
Political leaders from Enugu State on Tuesday pledged unalloyed support for President Bola Tinubus re-election in 2027.

The leaders, representing the states seven million citizens, made this pledge when Governor Peter Mbah led them to a meeting with President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

The high-powered delegation included Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh; Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke; former Senate President, Ken Nnamani; former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla; former Governors of Enugu State, Sullivan Chime and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, and former Governor of old Anambra State, Jim Nwobodo.

Others on the delegation were members of the National Assembly, former ministers, traditional and religious leaders, and academics. Some of the leaders came with their spouses.

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President Tinubu thanked the delegation for their support. He noted that the testimonies of growth and infrastructural development from many states further validate the impact of his administrations economic reforms.

The President commended governors for effectively utilising resources released to sub-nationals, resulting in meaningful improvements in health, education, infrastructure, and citizens welfare.

He observed that the political realignment favouring the governing APC has been largely driven by the outcome of economic reforms, adding that Governor Mbah aligned with the APC following sustained federal support for Enugu State.

You have been a transformative leader, and we genuinely appreciate what is evolving in Enugu today in a manner that we are witnessing a rapid development of the state.

The results you are outlining, like security, infrastructure, education and health care, are not abstract. They are the evidence that reform is working, that difficult decisions are yielding real outcomes and that Nigeria is moving forward.

I can assure you we will continue to work together, think together and build together a nation that will be a pride of place for all our citizens.

On the matter, youve raised the railway line from Port-Harcourt court to Enugu, the power sector reforms and the infrastructurethis is the backbone of economic development. We will do more, he said.

President Tinubu said the previous challenge of funding long-term projects with short-term funds had been overcome with the release of additional funds to states to plan and implement developmental goals.

He expressed appreciation for governors from other political parties who have acknowledged the healthy and rewarding partnership with the federal government, with many now identifying with the governing party.

With a leader like you, who is so committed and visionary, Nigeria is on the right trajectory to becoming a very successful leading African nation.

When you look at the instances around African growth and economic opportunity today, it is with the contributions of people like you that are making it so.

Its not a one-person show. Its a collective effort at the subnational and local government levels. Please do more for the local government, the President stated.

The President commended Governor Mbah for working tirelessly to tame insecurity in the state and to improve healthcare, education, and infrastructure.

And the declaration of support, Ive noted, and I appreciate. It is very inspiring. You were in the other party. I dont want to give them credit by naming them, but you are a member of the progressive family today. I am proud of that.

We will do everything to ensure that the Nigerian dream is realised. The hope you enunciated in your remarks is not a pipe dream. Its real and achievable, and well achieve it together.

Democracy will survive despite all intimidation. Ignore the naysayers. Stay focused. When you succeed, and they are angry, let them be. I do not lose sleep over criticism because we are committed to building a nation of bright hope for our children, President Tinubu said.

These are leaders who had privatised electricity, which is not working. They gave us darkness, and we are trying to get through it. To build a nation of bright hope and joyful people and leave our children with a life worthy of pride, President Tinubu said.

In his remarks, the governor said the delegation was at the State House to express their solidarity and support for the Presidents vision to build a solid foundation for Nigerias economic prosperity.

This visit is symbolic because it speaks to our shared future and a commitment to progress. We have come to express our deepest gratitude for your engagement and investment in the people of Enugu State.

We do not take all these for granted. If it were possible, just as the former Senate President alluded to, Your Excellency, the entire Enugu State population would have converged here at the villa to express our gratitude.

The delegation here represents the excited and grateful voices of over 7 million sons and daughters of Enugu. We state boldly and without ambiguity that this relationship has earned our trust and support. On that basis, Your Excellency, we will stand proudly with you on election day in January 2027, he said.

Mr Mbah listed some landmark projects inaugurated by the President during his January visit to the state, saying they helped boost the states socio-economic development.

He also appreciated the President for his magnanimity and fatherly disposition.

Mr President, you are a true friend of Enugu State. This was evident in your January 4, 2025, visit to Enugu. You broke a long-standing political distance between this region and the federal government, crossing party lines, at a time when the Enugu electorate did not favour your party.

Yet you choose to invest in our state because you recognised what we were building. I remember very clearly. You and I stood side by side at the ceremonial ribbon cutting of several projects, he noted.

In his remarks, former Senate President, Ken Nnamani, said the Enugu leaders were in the Presidential Villa to thank the President for his support for the State, and the South East, with many interventions in infrastructure like roads, railways, aviation,

We have a leader in Enugu State. We have a leader, and we have confidence in him. He is leading us right.

We have come to say thank you. The great achievements under his leadership would not have been possible without your support. He is making excellent use of your support.

The entire population of Enugu State, of more than seven million people, would have loved to come here to say a big thank you, Mr President. You will benefit tremendously from the support, the former Senate President added.

Mr Nnamani affirmed that Enugu State will support President Tinubu for re-election in 2027.

Bayo Onanuga

Special Adviser to the President

(Information & Strategy)

April 21, 2026
Some members of the Anigbiyovo Oyiwode clan of Akpawfu community in Nkanu East Council Area of Enugu State have petitioned Governor Peter Mbah over alleged leasing of their ancestral land for 99 years.

The people accused some individuals from the Ani Oyiwode family of attempting to lease about 300 hectares of communal land jointly owned by both families without proper consultation.

They called on the governor to intervene and prevent a breakdown of law and order.

Speaking during a press briefing held at the disputed site in Ohuakpaka in Akpawfu on Tuesday, the Vice National President of the clan, Fidelis Arum, said that the move to lease the land was carried out without the consent of his family.

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According to him, some prospective investors from Anambra State and China had indicated interest in acquiring the land under a long-term lease arrangement.

He accused Cyprain Nwanegu, a Catholic priest, from the other family of championing the lease, adding that leasing their land for such period of time amounted to sale of their ancestral land.

I was among those invited for a meeting at Igwes palace but I refused to sign the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) because my family was not carried along.

The two families jointly own the land and should have been involved in drafting the MoU.

People are already living on part of the land, and if we fail to act, we risk losing even our homes, he said.

He warned that proceeding with the lease without consensus could trigger unrest in the community, describing the situation as a potential threat to the fragile peace in Akpawfu.

Also speaking, the Secretary-General of the clan, Ikechukwu Udenweze, said that the land had been the subject of a long-standing legal dispute that was eventually settled by the Supreme Court of Nigeria in 2008, affirming joint ownership by both families.

He alleged that attempts were being made to sidestep that judgement, stressing that any unilateral action would amount to an invitation to crisis.

We have formally petitioned relevant authorities, including the state Ministry of Justice, the police, and (other) security agencies, to intervene, Mr Udenweze said.

He added that the family had also written to the company allegedly involved, warning it to desist from any transaction concerning the land.

The Youths representative, Desmond Nnaji, echoed similar concerns, noting that the community was still recovering from a recent crisis and could not afford another conflict.

We are making this peaceful protest to let the world know that we are not part of this arrangement, he said.

On her part, a womens representative, Ifesinachi Ogbodo, argued that the land remained vital for the livelihood of future generations.

If we sell or lease this land, where will our children farm or build? she asked.

Ive nothing to do with any land deal

However, in his response, Mr Nwanegu, the Catholic priest, denied allegations that the land was about being leased out, He insisted that discussions with investors were exploratory and focused on a lease arrangement that would see the community retain ownership.

He explained that the proposal involved using the land as equity in a company, allowing community members to become shareholders and benefit from dividends.

The issue is that some people came and they wanted to use our land to build a factory. We held meetings three times and all the seven villages agreed that they were going to allow these people to come.

No land has been sold. This particular discussion has ended and nobody is going there as the company have gone to another place, he said, cautioning against misinformation.

Similarly, the traditional ruler, Christopher Nnamani, denied any involvement in the alleged transaction, challenging accusers to provide evidence.

I have nothing to do with any land deal. Let anyone with proof come forward, he said.

(NAN)
The Governing Council of Tai Solarin Federal University of Education (TASFUED) has announced the appointment of Samuel Oladipo as the new Vice Chancellor of the institution.

The professor will assume office as the third indigenous Vice Chancellor and the sixth substantive Vice Chancellor of Nigerias premier University of Education.

Mr Oladipo, a distinguished Professor of Social Psychology and a foundation faculty member of TASUED, brings decades of academic excellence, administrative astuteness, and a deep commitment to value-driven Education to the universitys highest office, a statement by Sunday Oke, registrar and secretary to universitys governing council, said.

Announcing the appointment, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Rahamon Bello, at the end of Council meeting on Tuesday, praised Prof. Oladipos impressive track record, noting his emergence as a product of merit, doggedness, and an unwavering dedication to the Universitys founding ethos.

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Professor Oladipos Profile

Born into the family of late Mr. & Mrs. Amos Oladipo of Agbaakin Compound, Akinmoorin, Oyo State, on 29 June 1969, Prof. Oladipo joined Tai Solarin College of Education (TASCE) in 1999 and became a foundation faculty member when it was upgraded to TASUED in 2005. He rose to the rank of Professor in October 2014.

Prior to his appointment as Vice Chancellor, Prof. Oladipo served the university in numerous key capacities, including:

 Chairman, University Result Vetting Board

 Pioneer Director, Directorate of Research and External Relations (DRER)

 Pioneer Dean, College of Specialized and Professional Education (COSPED)

 Deputy Director, Directorate of Academic Planning, Quality Assurance and Research (DAPQAR)

 Sub-Dean, College of Applied Education and Vocational Technology (COAVOT)

He also held a sabbatical appointment at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, and completed a post-doctoral fellowship at North-West University, Mafikeng, South Africa (20132015). He is a recipient of the prestigious National Research Fund.

A Prolific Scholar & Mentor

Prof. Oladipo has over 70 peer-reviewed journal articles, 10 edited academic books, numerous book chapters, and over 15 Christian books to his credit. He recently completed a TETFund-sponsored research on Development and Validation of Psycho-Educational Counselling Intervention Programme for Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse in Nigeria.

His research interests span spirituality and health, help-seeking behaviour, gender-based violence, child abuse, and psychological scale development.

He is a member of the American Psychological Association, Psychological Association of Nigeria, Nigeria Social Psychology Association, Counselling Psychology Association of Nigeria, and the African Scientist Organisation.

READ ALSO: Nigerian wins top graduate award at US university

Personal Life

Prof. Oladipo is a pastor, teacher of teachers, and an astute administrator known for his doggedness, accuracy, discipline, and punctuality. He enjoys writing, swimming, singing, and making friends. He is happily married to Mrs. Christianah P. Oladipo, and their marriage is blessed with children.

His appointment takes effect from 5th May 2026.

SIGNED:

Sunday Oladapo Oke , FCIA, fisn,MNIM

Registrar and Secretary to Council
The Nigeria Police Force says it has arrested and detained one of its officers for allegedly extorting N10,000 from a motorist in Lagos State, Nigerias South-west.

The extortion

The arrest and detention of the officer followed a video clip circulating on Facebook in which the unidentified motorist accused the officer of extorting N10,000 from him.

Apart from his voice, the clip did not show the motorists photograph.

But the officer was seen in the clip collecting money from the motorist.

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The motorist, as seen in the clip, narrated to PREMIUM TIMES that a team of police officers stopped him at a checkpoint in Idimu, Lagos State.

He said the officer then asked for his vehicle documents and, after inspecting them, claimed the documents stated the car was grey, while the actual colour was ash.

The motorist said he appealed to the officer not to delay or punish him for such a flimsy excuse, but the officer paid no heed.

He started chanting that hes going to arrest me and delay me as well as take me inside their office, he narrated.

The motorist said the officer initially asked him to pay N30,000, but later reduced it to N10,000 after he pleaded that the amount demanded was unavailable.

He recalled that the officer declined his several appeals that the N10,000 was the only money he had.

I told my boy to withdraw the money for him, which he did before they (police officers) released me, he recounted.

The officer was filmed handing over the vehicles document to the motorist and counting and confirming that the money was complete.

The motorist did not specifically indicate when the incident occurred, although the clip was uploaded to the X handle on Monday.

In the clip, he showed a photograph of his vehicle and its document, which refuted the officers claim that the colour in the document did not match that of the vehicle.

The photograph shows that the vehicles colour is ash, as indicated in the vehicles document.

Arrest and detention

Reacting in an X post on Tuesday, the Complaint Response Unit (CRU) of the police announced that the officer had been identified and arrested in connection with the incident.

The officer in the viral video has been identified, queried, and hes undergoing further investigation at the @LagosPoliceNG, the CRU wrote on the microblogging platform.

The police unit did not mention the officers name, but a photograph of the officer uploaded on X by the unit showed his name tag as Samson E.

The outcome of the investigation will be made known to the members of the public as soon as possible, the CRU assured.

Police brutality, extortion and torture

Cases of police brutality, extortion, extrajudicial killings and other unprofessional activities in Nigeria have continued despite sanctions such as dismissal from service.

The latest incident occurred about two days after the Commissioner of Police in Delta State, Yemi Oyeniyi, ordered the orderly room trial of two police officers for allegedly using a POS machine to extort motorists inside a police station.

Three weeks ago, some police officers in Anambra State illegally arrested, tortured and extorted N1.4 million from some Nigerians.

The money was later refunded to the victims following public outrage.

Last month, police in Anambra State arrested and detained six senior officers who allegedly tortured and extorted N200,000 from a trader in Onitsha, the commercial hub of Anambra State.

In February, three officers were dismissed over alleged kidnapping, extorting N1.7 million and car snatching in Imo, another state in the South-east.

Two months ago, police operatives shot dead a private motorcyclist in Ebonyi State.

In November 2024, police operatives from the Crack Squad in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, shot dead a labourer and critically injured three others in the state.

A similar incident happened in Abakaliki in 2018 when a police officer shot and killed a commercial motorcyclist for allegedly refusing to give him a N50 bribe.

In August 2024, police operatives in Bayelsa State extorted N3 million from a Nigerian man at gunpoint.

The officers were subsequently arrested after the victim filed a complaint with the police.

The police operatives later returned the N3 million to the victim, about three weeks later.
Real-world study at CUF, Portugal's largest private healthcare network: Ada's accurate, medical-grade assessment changed the behavior of 3 in 5 patients  and more than doubled the proportion receiving clinically appropriate care

BERLIN, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Ada Health, a leading clinical AI company that helps people understand their symptoms and navigate care safely and efficiently, today announced the publication of a landmark study in NEJM AI, the AI journal of the New England Journal of Medicine, demonstrating that CUF Hospitais & Clinicas patients who use Ada make measurably better decisions about where and how to seek care.

When people experience unexplained symptoms, navigating to the right care is rarely straightforward. Uncertainty about whether to see a primary care physician, a specialist, or seek emergency care can lead to delays, missed diagnoses, and in some cases years spent in the wrong part of the health system. AI-powered tools have increasingly been deployed to help address this problem, but most evaluations have focused narrowly on vignettes, algorithm accuracy, or stated patient intent, offering little insight into whether patients actually change their behavior, or whether the care they receive is clinically appropriate.

The ESSENCE study, conducted in partnership with CUF, Portugal's largest private healthcare network, was designed to close that gap. Prospective in design, with electronic health record linkage, follow-up surveys, and an independent physician panel rating the appropriateness of both intended and observed care, it goes beyond curated test sets and hypothetical cases to capture what actual patients do in the real world. When Ada's behavior-changing clinical intelligence is made available to patients, it allows them to act immediately, driving measurable improvements in the quality of care-seeking decisions.

"For too long, the conversation about AI in healthcare has focused only on accuracy scores and theoretical potential. This study changes that. It shows that when Ada is embedded into a real patient care journey it doesn't just inform them, it transforms how they navigate care. That's the standard we should hold digital health tools to."

 Dr. Fabienne Cotte, First Author and Ada Health Clinical Studies Advisor

From Intent to Appropriate Action: What the Data Shows

The study enrolled 1,470 adults through myCUF, CUF's patient app combining symptom assessment with direct care booking. Among those, the study found:

Changes in what patients intended to do: 1 in 3 revised their intended care level immediately after their Ada assessment, with the proportion reporting "I'm not sure what to do" falling from 12.6% to 5%.

1 in 3 revised their intended care level immediately after their Ada assessment, with the proportion reporting "I'm not sure what to do" falling from 12.6% to 5%. What patients actually did: When care was tracked through electronic health records and follow-up surveys in the weeks that followed, nearly 3 in 5 attended a different care setting than originally planned.

When care was tracked through electronic health records and follow-up surveys in the weeks that followed, nearly 3 in 5 attended a different care setting than originally planned. Whether it was the right care: Appropriate care more than doubled  from 29.8% to 64.4%  with physician review confirming that patients sought the most appropriate level of care after using Ada to support their decision-making. Among patients who had originally planned to visit an emergency department, nearly 40% ultimately chose a lower acuity setting rated as appropriate by the physician panel. Subsequent emergency visits and hospitalisations were tracked through electronic health records, with no concerning safety signals identified.

"Innovation in healthcare must go beyond promise and demonstrate real-world value. This study does that. When patients receive accurate, clinical guidance at the moment of uncertainty and can act on it immediately, the evidence is clear: they navigate to the right care. That has real consequences for real people."

 Dr. Micaela Seemann Monteiro, MD, Chief Medical Officer for Digital Transformation, CUF

Activating Appropriate Action

The central finding of this study is that patients changed their behavior, rather than just their intentions. Additionally, patients were activated and connected to the right services and bookable actions upon completing an Ada assessment. Instead of simply reducing demand, patients were redirected to the appropriate care setting. For too long, digital health has been measured by engagement. This study sets a new bar for what AI in healthcare should be held to: not accuracy scores and not stated intent, but outcomes.

About the Study

"From Advice to Action: Real-World Behavior of Patients Using an Integrated Diagnostic Decision Support System for Navigating the Healthcare System" by Cotte et al. is published in NEJM AI (April 2026 issue). The study is observational in design; observed associations reflect the combined effect of Ada's assessment and the availability of bookable services within CUF's myCUF platform.

About Ada Health

Ada Health combines clinical expertise and advanced AI to help people and health organizations act on insights earlier. Built by doctors, scientists, and engineers, Ada applies probabilistic reasoning technology to a medical expert-curated knowledge base that transforms real-world data into actionable guidance, empowering individuals to understand their symptoms and helping partners across healthcare and life sciences deliver more timely, personalized care. As a Class IIa medical device under the EU's Medical Device Regulation (MDR) with over 40 million assessments completed and 50+ independent and peer reviewed publications, Ada's technology is trusted by leading health systems, insurers, and pharmaceutical companies to improve outcomes, streamline care pathways, and build a smarter, more connected future of health. Learn more at about.ada.com.

About CUF

With more than eight decades of experience, CUF leads private healthcare in Portugal, with an integrated network of 66 hospitals, clinics and health centres, as well as homecare services and digital channels. Through the daily dedication of more than 16,000 employees, CUF is recognized for its clinical excellence, innovation, and strong values that support the delivery of high-quality healthcare.

For 40 years dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, it is today the largest private provider of oncology diagnostics in Portugal and the third-largest diagnostic provider nationwide. CUF Oncologia ensures a close and compassionate approach to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer, as well as follow-up care after oncological treatments.

CUF is the most trusted and recognized healthcare brand in Portugal, serving more than 14% of the Portuguese population across the country. CUF acts consistently to create positive impact, contributing to the building of a sustainable and innovative future. Learn more at cuf.pt

Media Contact

Shireen Saxena

VP External Affairs and Chief of Staff, Ada Health

[email protected]

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2953902/5928355/Ada_Health_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Ada Health
SAN DIEGO, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Algenesis Labs, a leader in sustainable materials innovation, and developer of the award winning Soleic polyurethane technology, is proud to announce it has received ISO 14001:2015 certification for its Environmental Management System (EMS). This internationally recognized standard validates the company's commitment to measuring and improving its environmental impact through rigorous operational controls and sustainable practices.

A scientist at Algenesis Labs works with Soleic technology, the foundation of the company's mission to replace petroleum-based plastics with high-performance, renewable alternatives.

The ISO 14001 certification follows a comprehensive third-party audit of Algenesis Labs' facilities and processes. It signifies that the company has established a robust framework to manage environmental responsibilities, ranging from sustainable innovation and material sourcing to responsible waste management and pollution reduction. A full list of Algenesis Labs' Environmental Policies and ISO 14001 certificate can be found on our website: https://www.algenesislabs.com/environmental-policy.

"Achieving ISO 14001 certification is a significant milestone that aligns our internal operation and processes with our mission," said Dr. Stephen Mayfield, CEO and Founder of Algenesis Labs. "At Algenesis, we are dedicated to creating a world without plastic pollution. By certifying our environmental management systems, we are proving that our commitment to the planet starts within our own walls, ensuring that our growth is managed responsibly and sustainably."

A Foundation for Global Scaling

As Algenesis Labs scales the production of its Soleic plant-based polyurethanes, the ISO 14001 certification provides a critical foundation for expansion into diverse global markets. Soleic materials are designed to be fully biodegradable and free of persistent microplastics, offering a high-performance alternative to traditional petroleum-based plastics across a wide array of industrial and commercial applications.

"This certification is more than just a badge; it is a promise to our partners and customers," said Nick Sandland, Chief Business Officer. "As we continue to scale our business globally, having ISO-certified systems and procedures in place ensures that Algenesis remains a trusted leader in the sustainable materials market. It allows us to meet the stringent compliance requirements of our global partners across various sectors while future-proofing our operations against a rapidly changing regulatory landscape."

The ISO 14001 certification complements the company's existing suite of sustainability credentials, including REACH compliance and USDA BioPreferred certifications.

Leading the Movement Against Microplastics

Algenesis Labs continues to lead the industry by providing materials that address the global microplastic crisis. While traditional petroleum-based plastics shed persistent particles that linger for centuries, Soleic materials are scientifically proven to biodegrade in the natural environment. For more information about Algenesis Labs and its groundbreaking sustainable materials, please visit www.algenesislabs.com.

About Algenesis Labs

Algenesis Labs leads the way in sustainable materials, using cutting-edge science to deliver durable, accessible, and biodegradable plant-based polymers that empower customers to reduce plastic pollution. Rooted in research from the University of California San Diego, the company's Soleic materials enable real-world circularity and sustainable design across industries, including footwear, apparel, and consumer goods. Algenesis is committed to pioneering a brighter future by replacing harmful plastics with high-performance, renewable alternatives.

Press Contact:

Sandra Watts, Director of Marketing

Algenesis Labs

[email protected]

www.algenesislabs.com

Algenesis  11760 Sorrento Valley Road, Suite J, San Diego, CA 92121

Follow us on:

LinkedIn

YouTube

SOURCE Algenesis Labs
BATON ROUGE, La., April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Delta Utilities, a natural gas utility and Bernhard Capital Partners ("Bernhard") portfolio company, today announced that it has entered into an agreement with a subsidiary of Spire Inc. (NYSE: SR) to acquire its Mississippi local natural gas distribution company ("Spire Mississippi") that serves approximately 18,000 residential, commercial, and industrial customers across south central Mississippi.

The close geographic fit is expected to generate meaningful operating efficiencies, enhance emergency response readiness, and expand system capabilities. Increased economies of scale will enable Delta Utilities to more effectively leverage shared equipment, technology, personnel, and regional response resources across its Mississippi footprint, supporting improved reliability and longterm value for customers and stakeholders.

"We see this as a disciplined, strategic approach to growing Delta Utilitiesbringing together high-quality assets that are complementary to our existing footprint to strengthen operations and deliver long-term value," said Jeff Jenkins, Founder and Partner at Bernhard. "This investment reinforces Delta Utilities' role as a trusted operator serving essential energy needs across the region."

More than 35 Spire Mississippi employees are expected to join the Delta Utilities team following the close of the transaction, supporting a seamless transition of service for legacy Spire customers. The transaction is expected to close near the end of 2026, pending required regulatory approvals. The agreement was completed through Delta Mississippi Gas Company, LLC ("Delta Mississippi"), an operating company of Magnolia Gas Holdings and an affiliate of Delta Utilities.

See the Delta Utilities release here.

About Bernhard Capital Partners

Bernhard Capital Partners is a services and infrastructure-focused private equity management firm established in 2013. BCP has deployed capital in five funds across several strategies and has more than $6 billion of assets under management. BCP seeks to create sustainable value by leveraging its experience in acquiring, operating, and growing services and infrastructure businesses. For more information, visit bernhardcapital.com.

About Delta Utilities

Delta Utilities and its affiliated operating entities rank among the nation's top 40 natural gas providers, delivering safe and reliable service to approximately 600,000 customers across Louisiana and Mississippi. Headquartered in New Orleans, the company employs 875 team members who live and work throughout its service territory, supporting local communities and system operations. Through continued investment across its footprint, Delta Utilities advances its mission to provide clean, safe, and affordable natural gas while maintaining a strong focus on service quality and safety. For more information, visit deltautilities.com.

About Spire

At Spire Inc. (NYSE: SR) we believe energy exists to help make people's lives better. It's a simple idea, but one that's at the heart of our company. Every day we have the honor of serving close to 2 million homes and businesses, making us one of the largest publicly traded natural gas companies in the country. We help families and business owners fuel their daily lives through our gas utilities serving Alabama, Mississippi, Missouri and Tennessee. Our natural gas-related businesses include Spire Marketing and Spire Midstream. We are committed to transforming our business through growing organically, investing in infrastructure, and driving continuous improvement. Learn more at SpireEnergy.com.

Media Contacts:

Ed Trissel / Erik Carlson / Madeline Jones

Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher

(212) 355-4449

SOURCE Bernhard Capital Partners Management, LP
BEIJING, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- BlueFocus today released its 2025 annual report, reporting revenue of USD 10.07 billion, net profit of USD 32.984 million, net profit attributable to shareholders excluding non-recurring items of USD 39.873 million, and net cash generated from operating activities of USD 92.645 million. The company also reported AI-driven revenue of USD 546.05 million for the year, while total token usage surpassed one trillion.

The results point to two developments at once: a return to stronger operating momentum and deeper AI integration into the company's workflows. According to the annual report, AI-driven revenue rose 210.42% year over year and accounted for 5.42% of total revenue in 2025. At the same time, global outbound media buying remained the company's largest business segment, generating USD 8.282 billion and accounting for 82.25% of total revenue.

In a separate letter to investors released alongside the annual report, BlueFocus CEO Fei Pan described token usage as a practical internal indicator of whether AI has moved beyond experimentation and into operating workflows. "Token has become the new fuel and new infrastructure of intelligence," Pan wrote. "Behind these massive token numbers is the fact that AI has truly entered every capillary of BlueFocus's business, from social media insights, creator analysis, and advertising risk control, to winning-creative extraction, intelligent budget adjustment, and video content production."

BlueFocus said those workflows are increasingly being handled through its Blue AI platform. In 2025, Blue AI completed 146 million agent-to-agent collaborative tasks. Across 85% of relevant operating scenarios, including strategy formulation, budget allocation, and media-buying decisions, the company said AI outperformed humans without manual intervention. Management said the next stage is to extend that capability toward more autonomous, end-to-end decision-making across marketing operations.

The company is also tying AI more directly to organization design and capital allocation. BlueFocus said it has built a core bench of nearly 500 AI talents and introduced an AI Business Partner mechanism to embed AI capability across business lines. In 2025, investment in AI-related technical talent reached USD 13.957 million, up 76.52% year over year. BlueFocus said these changes are intended to support a broader shift from project-based delivery toward more system-based and continuously learning AI services.

On the investment side, BlueFocus said 2025 was the first year in which it strategically concentrated its external investments on AI Native companies. According to the investor letter, the company has invested in six AI Native companies across multimodal video generation, creator marketing, digital employees and agent infrastructure, generative engine optimization, and AI advertising decision-making. It also made a strategic investment in AGI House, which BlueFocus described as part of its effort to stay connected to early-stage AI companies and emerging capabilities.

Global outbound marketing remained the company's main revenue engine in 2025. BlueFocus said its three major strategic media partners  Meta, Google, and TikTok for Business  all delivered year-over-year advertising revenue growth, while relationships with newer partners including AppLovin, Uber Ads, and Netflix continued to expand. The company said this broader media mix is intended to give Chinese brands a more complete and efficient global traffic matrix as they expand internationally.

BlueFocus is also continuing to build out local operating capacity overseas. The company currently operates seven overseas offices and expects that number to rise to more than ten in 2026. Offices in Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia have developed quickly, and BlueFocus said more than two of them have already entered the stage of scaled profitability. The company said the next phase of Globalization 2.0 will focus not only on growth, but also on improving revenue mix and profit mix through a greater contribution from mid-tier media partners and from self-built traffic and technology platforms such as Blue X and Blue Turbo.

In his investor letter, Pan framed AI and Globalization 2.0 as the company's two long-term operating priorities. "Under the twin waves of AI and globalization, we have the opportunity to truly break through the boundaries and ceiling of BlueFocus's development," he wrote.

BlueFocus said it will continue to invest in AI infrastructure, AI-driven operating models, and overseas operating capacity as part of its long-term strategy.

About BlueFocus

BlueFocus is a China-based marketing communications and technology company. Its core businesses include global outbound marketing, full-service campaign services, and AI-driven marketing platforms. The company said it is focused on integrating AI more deeply into operating workflows while expanding its overseas business footprint.

SOURCE BlueFocus
Clean audit report with zero exceptions accelerates procurement for global banking and insurance leaders.

SANDNES, Norway, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Boost.ai, a global leader in conversational AI, today announced the successful completion of its Service Organization Control (SOC) 2 Type II audit. The audit, which concluded with zero exceptions, validates that Boost.ai's security controls and operational processes meet the highest industry standards for data protection. This certification marks a critical expansion of the company's compliance portfolio, providing a unified security framework for enterprises across North America, Europe and the Nordic regions.

Executive Summary:

Audit Results: 100% compliance with zero exceptions during the assessment period.

Compliance Stack: Integrates SOC 2 Type II with existing ISO 27001, ISO 27701, and ISAE 3402 certifications.

Procurement Impact: Designed to shorten decision cycles for security, legal, and risk departments by providing third-party operational assurance.

Data Governance: Validates robust encryption, access controls, and threat detection for the Boost.ai conversational AI platform.

Building on its position as a 2025 Gartner Magic Quadrant Leader, Boost.ai continues to eliminate the friction typically associated with enterprise AI adoption. By maintaining 90%+ resolution rates within a strictly audited environment, the company ensures that high-performance automation does not come at the cost of data integrity. The transition to SOC 2 Type II follows a three-month assessment period initiated in September 2025, during which Boost.ai demonstrated the maturity of its internal controls.

The platform's proprietary hybrid NLU-LLM architecture serves as the technical foundation for this security milestone. This architecture provides the necessary guardrails for regulated industries, allowing banks and insurance providers to leverage the creative capabilities of Large Language Models while maintaining the precise control of Natural Language Understanding (NLU).

"Trust is the primary currency of the enterprise AI market," said Jerry Haywood, CEO of Boost.ai. "Achieving a clean SOC 2 Type II report is a clear signal to our global partners that we treat security as a business fundamental. As we advance Agentic AI and autonomous workflows, this certification provides the verified infrastructure our customers need to scale AI with confidence."

"While security frameworks are often viewed as technical exercises, they are essential for mitigating real-world threats to critical infrastructure," said Neil Oschlag-Michael, Head of AI Risk and Security at Boost.ai. "Our clean audit report confirms Boost.ai's security posture and proven operational readiness. By integrating SOC 2 within our ISO 27001, ISO 27701, and ISAE 3402 frameworks, we align our controls with global standards and simplify the compliance process across markets and jurisdictions."

The certification reinforces Boost.ai's commitment to the complex requirements of the financial services sector. With a roadmap that includes a 12-month assessment period throughout 2026, Boost.ai remains dedicated to continuous security improvement and long-term enterprise partnership.

About boost.ai

Boost.ai is the trusted leader in AI-powered customer experience solutions for regulated industries. Built for security, speed, and scale, the platform enables fast deployment, high-resolution rates, and full hybrid control through seamless orchestration of traditional NLU and LLMs. With over 650 successful deployments, 600 live AI agents, and more than 150 million automated conversations, boost.ai helps enterprises around the world resolve with confidence, automate at scale, and trust every conversation. Proven performance and enterprise-grade reliability make boost.ai the partner of choice for leading brands across the world, including Nordea, Credit Union of Colorado, Sage, DNB, Trading 212, and more. Boost.ai is recognized as a Leader in Gartner's 2025 Magic Quadrant for Conversational AI Platforms. Learn more at boost.ai.

SOURCE boost.ai
First-of-its-kind study in JMIR mHealth and uHealth establishes clinical evidence that the combination of AI-driven monitoring and dedicated nurse care management sets a new evidence-based standard for chronic disease management at scale.

SEATTLE, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 100 million Americans live with hypertension; the leading driver of cardiovascular disease, stroke, and preventable hospitalizations; yet fewer than half have it under control. A landmark peer-reviewed study published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research mHealth and uHealth now demonstrates that Brook's integrated remote care infrastructure closes that gap in ways that traditional remote patient monitoring simply cannot.

The study  the first to directly compare outcomes for RPM patients receiving independent staff monitoring versus Brook's dedicated clinical nurse care management  found that patients enrolled in Brook's combined program achieved 26% higher rates of hypertension control at just 4 weeks; compared to patients with low monitoring frequency and no dedicated nurse support. The findings validate what Brook was built to do: deliver care continuously, not episodically; and do it at scale.

The retrospective cohort study evaluated blood pressure monitoring frequency, Brook nurse care management, and their combination at 4, 8, and 12 weeks:

Higher monitoring frequency alone  Patients with more frequent readings had 10% higher hypertension control at 4 weeks versus low-frequency monitoring.

 Patients with more frequent readings had 10% higher hypertension control at 4 weeks versus low-frequency monitoring. Brook nurse care management alone  Brook nurse monitoring was associated with 16% higher hypertension control compared to clinical staff monitoring.

 Brook nurse monitoring was associated with 16% higher hypertension control compared to clinical staff monitoring. Brook's full integrated model  The combination of Brook nurse care and high-frequency monitoring delivered 26% higher hypertension control at 4 weeks; an effect that sustained and strengthened to 27% at 12 weeks; the clearest evidence yet that the complete care model outperforms its parts.

For health systems operating under value-based care contracts, quality-based reimbursement, and CMS performance metrics, hypertension control is both a clinical and a financial imperative. Unmanaged hypertension drives readmissions, downstream complications, and significant cost burden. Brook's study-validated model represents a scalable path to measurably better outcomes; without requiring new clinical FTEs or building internal infrastructure from scratch.

"Brook was built on a thesis: that AI-powered continuous care infrastructure would fundamentally change what's possible for patients with chronic disease," said Alexandria Foley, Chief Nursing Officer at Brook. "This study validates that thesis in peer-reviewed literature. The combination of intelligent monitoring and dedicated clinical care doesn't just improve outcomes  it redefines what the standard of care looks like between visits."

Unlike standalone RPM devices or conversational AI tools, Brook embeds clinician-governed AI directly into care workflows  continuously synthesizing patient interactions, monitoring signals, clinical context, and care workflows into a longitudinal view of each patient that sharpens over time. That intelligence drives earlier risk identification, more personalized interventions, medication management support, and consistent action between visits. Crucially, AI operates within defined clinical guardrails with clear escalation pathways: it extends what care teams can do, it doesn't replace their judgment. The result is continuous care infrastructure that works at population scale; and care that doesn't stop at the clinic door.

Health systems partnering with Brook are already seeing measurable returns. One major health partner reduced 30-day all-cause readmissions by 50% through earlier intervention and ongoing patient support. Brook maintains an 82% patient retention rate and a Net Promoter Score of 66; dramatically outperforming industry benchmarks; evidence that the model sustains engagement over the long term, not just at enrollment.

The new hypertension study adds peer-reviewed clinical validation to a growing body of real-world outcomes data, establishing Brook's approach as the evidence-based standard for continuous chronic care management at scale.

Full study: https://mhealth.jmir.org/2026/1/e69546

About Brook

Brook provides AI and human-powered care infrastructure that enables healthcare organizations to deliver continuous remote care for patients with chronic conditions. By combining clinical intelligence, connected monitoring, and integrated workflows, Brook helps providers improve outcomes and scale proactive, value-based care. Designed to fit within existing clinical environments, Brook helps organizations extend care beyond the visit while improving quality, efficiency, and financial performance. Brook has been recognized by Modern Healthcare, the Stevie Awards, and leading digital health and AI award programs.

Learn more at brook.ai.

MEDIA CONTACT

Supreme Communications for Brook

[email protected]

SOURCE Brook.ai
In the news release, CONVENE HOSPITALITY GROUP UNVEILS NEWEST SOHO FLAGSHIP, issued 22-Apr-2026 by Convene Hospitality Group 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:

CONVENE HOSPITALITY GROUP UNVEILS NEWEST SOHO FLAGSHIP

32,000-Square-Foot Convene Event Venue Now Open at 555 Broadway

NEW YORK, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Convene Hospitality Group (CHG), the leading hospitality brand of lifestyle meeting, event, and workspace venues, officially opens its doors today at Convene 555 Broadway. Housed in the 10-story Scholastic Building with an entrance between Prince and Spring Streets, the venue was designed in partnership with boutique design studio, Marlo + Kroft, to serve as a premier event destination in the heart of SoHo.

Now open and accepting bookings, Convene 555 Broadway encompasses 32,000 square feet of dynamic brandable spaces modeled after the neighborhood's artist lofts and galleries. Spanning the building's second floor, the venue features seven uniquely designed meeting and event spaces including a main reception hall, personality-forward breakout rooms, a hero boardroom, and flexible galleries for product demos, creative workshops, and social gatherings.

"The opening of Convene 555 Broadway marks our 16th location in the city where it all began." Post this

"The opening of Convene 555 Broadway is a significant milestone in our journey, marking our 16th location in the city where it all began. New York is our hometown, and there's no neighborhood that captures the intersection of heritage and innovation quite like SoHo," said Ryan Simonetti, President and CEO of CHG. "As we grow, we're meeting the demand for commercial real estate to flex as lifestyle destinations for connection, creativity, and culture."

NEOCLASSICAL MODERN ARCHITECTURE

Crafted with Marlo + Kroft, the interior design channels contemporary elements of Neoclassical Modernism anchored by a timeless atmosphere that pays homage to the building's literary legacy. Raw materials such as concrete and wood are balanced with clean geometric forms and bold contrasting colors. Striking design details include structural columns draped in the exterior facade's notable brick red trim, a nod to the signature visual language of the building's original architect, Aldo Rossi.

LOFT-INSPIRED ROOMS & SPACES

Inspired by SoHo's airy artist lofts, the venue is characterized by high ceilings, substantial windows and spacious open floor plans, anchored with natural light. Exposed brick, beams and concrete floors provide a grounding juxtaposition with vintage architectural details that evoke the craftsmanship of bookmaking. Layered lighting and modern furnishings add depth and dimension, reflecting a cohesive modern loft aesthetic designed to inspire creativity.

SIGNATURE HOSPITALITY OFFERINGS

CHG's hospitality suite provides end-to-end solutions for a variety of meeting and event objectives, including:

Dedicated On-Site Hospitality Team: Expert support for every phase of event ideation and execution

Expert support for every phase of event ideation and execution Immersive Branding Opportunities: Highly customizable spaces designed for client-specific takeovers, including capabilities to wrap spaces with logos and messages

Highly customizable spaces designed for client-specific takeovers, including capabilities to wrap spaces with logos and messages Integrated Production: Seamless A/V and production technology and a deeply integrated team of AV problem-solvers support for immersive hybrid and live experiences

Seamless A/V and production technology and a deeply integrated team of AV problem-solvers support for immersive hybrid and live experiences Chef-Driven Culinary Program: Fresh, seasonal in-house catering prepared by Executive Chefs

Fresh, seasonal in-house catering prepared by Executive Chefs Nourish: Convene's signature snack bar with a curated rotation of nutritious, high-energy selections to fuel attendees

"SoHo is a storied neighborhood that's home to iconic brands and creative catalysts, making 555 Broadway the perfect solution for the modern business," said Brian Holland, SVP of Real Estate at CHG. "We're thrilled to share this zip code and look forward to partnering with clients to bring their visions to life with our high-touch hospitality approach."

CHG's global portfolio of brands include Convene, etc.venues, NeueHouse and several special event venues across 9 key cities in the U.S. and UK. Convene 555 Broadway joins 15 sister CHG venues in New York City.

About Convene Hospitality Group:

Convene Hospitality Group (CHG) is the global leader in hospitality-driven destinations, operating a premier portfolio that includes the Convene and etc.venues brands. As the largest provider of dedicated meeting and event spaces in the U.S. and UK, CHG leverages 45+ years of expertise to transform traditional commercial real estate into high-value lifestyle assets across 38 global locations. Backed by investors including Ares and Brookfield, the award-winning group is dedicated to creating dynamic spaces and human-focused experiences that bring people together. Learn more at convenehospitality.com.

Media Contact

Convene Hospitality Group

[email protected]

Correction: The paragraph above the boilerplate has been updated.

SOURCE Convene Hospitality Group
NEW YORK, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Courier Health, the leading technology company for managing patient experiences, today announced it has raised a $50 million Series B funding round led by Oak HC/FT, with participation from existing investors including Norwest and Work-Bench. This latest investment will fuel continued product innovation and solidify Courier Health's position as the leading solution to orchestrate and personalize patient journeys across the life sciences industry.

Despite immense clinical innovation across life sciences, efforts to engage and support prescribed patients still fall short due to siloed data, disparate systems, and poor coordination. According to the 2026 State of Patient-Centricity report, nearly 60 percent of biopharma companies consider their data fragmented or inactionable, and less than 10 percent have sufficient data maturity to leverage AI in a meaningful way. Courier Health solves these pain points by connecting data and systems related to the patient experience, applying intelligence to surface insights and proactively identify at-risk patients, and orchestrating seamless experiences across the patient journey.

"Our vision is to re-write the patient experience in healthcare, starting with simplifying and coordinating complex patient journeys for those who depend on innovative medicines," said Danny Sigurdson, Founder and CEO of Courier Health. "Our partnership with Oak HC/FT provides the strategic support and capital to accelerate our mission, scale our platform and agentic AI capabilities, and continue investing in our world-class team to ensure our customers are successful. When our customers are successful, patients achieve better health outcomes, and that is our north star."

Courier Health's system includes deep data integrations, intelligent workflows driven by context-rich AI, intuitive user interfaces designed specifically for market access and patient services teams, and AI agents that can execute key tasks for reliable automation and scale. Courier Health manages the end-to-end patient journey from education to patient enrollment, benefits and prior authorization, through therapy initiation and adherence. This equips biopharma teams with the visibility, control, and intelligence they need to ensure high-quality interactions with providers, pharmacies, and, most importantly, patients and their families.

"Healthcare, especially life sciences, has long lacked a dedicated, purpose-built platform to manage patients," said Billy Deitch, Partner, Oak HC/FT. "True patient-centricity is often promised but rarely delivered, and Courier Health changes that narrative. They provide essential infrastructure and an incredibly thoughtful AI strategy that biopharma is excited to adopt at a rapid pace. Oak is proud to partner with Danny and his team as they redefine the standard for the patient experience."

In 2025, Courier Health increased the number of customers and therapies supported on its platform by over 400% and more than doubled its headcount to meet market demand. The funding will accelerate investment in its team and product to bring its innovative technology to more customers.

About Courier Health

Courier Health is a New York City-based technology company on a mission to improve the patient experience for hundreds of millions of people living with a chronic condition or rare disease. The company develops and delivers the fastest-growing patient experience solution for the life sciences industry. Companies that choose Courier Health are achieving double-digit improvements to patient starts, time-to-start and ongoing adherence to life-altering therapies. As host of the invite-only Patient Innovators Summit and publisher of The State of Patient-Centricity in Biopharma report, Courier Health is backed by leading investors, including Oak HC/FT, Norwest and Work-Bench. Follow Courier Health on LinkedIn and learn more at www.courierhealth.com.

About Oak HC/FT

Oak HC/FT is a venture and growth equity firm specializing in investments in fintech and healthcare. Using partnership as a foundation, Oak HC/FT guides companies and founders at every stage, from seed to growth, to create businesses that make a measurable and lasting impact. Founded in 2014, Oak HC/FT has invested in 120 portfolio companies and has more than $7 billion in assets under management. Oak HC/FT is headquartered in Stamford, CT, with an office in San Francisco, CA. Follow Oak HC/FT on LinkedIn and X and learn more at www.oakhcft.com.

SOURCE Courier Health
Tom Kelley named CEO and President as EIS Hospitality joins Digney York Associates under Digney Holding, Inc.

WASHINGTON, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Digney Holding, Inc., the Delaware-based holding company that serves as the parent organization for Digney York Associates, LLC, has expanded its structure to include EIS Hospitality, LLC. The move brings together two complementary hospitality companies under unified ownership and governance while preserving the distinct client bases, operational focus and leadership teams of each business  with no disruption to clients, partners or ongoing projects.

Tom Kelley

As part of the reorganization, Tom Kelley  who has overseen both Digney York Associates and EIS Hospitality  has been named CEO and president of Digney Holding, Inc. In this role, he will focus on longterm growth, disciplined capital stewardship, operational excellence and sustained value creation.

"Digney Holding strengthens what each company already does best," Kelley said. "Digney York will continue focusing on full-service and luxury hotel renovations, while EIS remains dedicated to millwork and casegoods solutions for limited-service and extended-stay brands. This reorganization allows both teams to excel in their specialties while setting the stage for what comes next."

Under Kelley's leadership, Digney York Associates has evolved beyond rooms-only renovations to execute complex, full-service hospitality projects, including major hotel repositionings, public spaces, exteriors, and select ground-up developments.

Digney York Associates has completed hundreds of projects across major hotel brands, delivering more than $2 billion in construction over its four decades in business. Digney's longstanding expertise, combined with EIS Hospitality's precision in manufacturing and installation, positions Digney Holding for operational excellence and continued expansion.

Ownership of Digney Holding remains unchanged. The private shareholders of Digney Holding continue to be the dominant shareholders of the former Elkay Manufacturing companies, which were previously merged with Zurn Water Solutions in February of 2022. That combined business now operates as Zurn Elkay Water Solutions and trades publicly on the New York Stock Exchange.

About Digney York Associates, LLC

Digney York Associates is an industryleading hospitality renovation contractor specializing in fullservice and luxury hotel renovations, celebrating 40 years in business this year. The company provides turnkey construction services, construction management, value engineering, and specialty remodeling solutions designed to deliver efficient, highquality renovations that meet brand standards and enhance guest experience. For more information, visit www.digneyyork.com.

About EIS Hospitality, LLC

EIS Hospitality delivers millwork and casegoods solutions for limitedservice and extendedstay hotels, offering turnkey manufacturing, delivery, and installation for guest rooms, public spaces, and branded environments. With decades of experience supporting global hotel brands, EIS focuses on manufacturing, sourcing, brand compliance, and onsite execution for both newbuild and renovation projects. For more information, visit www.eishospitality.com.

Media Contact:

Nerissa Berkeley

(703) 790-5281

[email protected]

SOURCE Digney York Associates
MALMO, Sweden, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Duni Group is launching d.ls  Duni Lighting Solutions, a new brand that expands the Group's offering for the HoReCa sector. The launch includes a new innovative cordless lighting portfolio for everyday hospitality operations, alongside a design collection that is being unveiled internationally during Milan Design Week.

Duni Group, via its new brand d.ls  Duni Lighting Solutions, is expanding into professional hospitality lighting with two complementary launches. The first is a new lighting portfolio developed for indoor and outdoor hospitality applications, comprising cordless ambience lighting and accessories. In parallel, d.ls  Duni Lighting Solutions will present a design collection, created in collaboration with design and branding studio Stylt Trampoli and lighting manufacturer Signify myCreation.

The professional lighting portfolio has been developed to combine consistent ambience with practical performance in demanding hospitality environments. Products are designed for long service life and include features such as replaceable batteries, IP-rated performance and extended operating times, intended to support reliable daily operation and responsible use over time.

"Hospitality environments require high quality lighting that performs consistently throughout the service while contributing to the guest experience. With d.ls  Duni Lighting Solutions, we are expanding our offering with solutions developed for improved operational efficiency, durability and elevated ambience," says Mikael Bergman, General Manager, d.ls  Duni Lighting Solutions.

The design collection is being unveiled internationally during Milan Design Week. The collection has been developed together with Stylt Trampoli and Signify myCreation, bringing together the global leader in hospitality design with conscious and sustainable material choices for a unique hospitality ambience design collection.

The design collection is rooted in longevity, serviceability and with recycled 3D printed materials where secure sustainability is part of the solution, thanks to fewer components, serviceability and replaceable batteries, which all help to improve circularity performance.

"I'm truly thrilled to be part of this collaboration, where Renaissance thinking meets contemporary design, and where invention emerges at the intersection of disciplines," says Erik Nissen Johansen, Founder of Stylt Trampoli.

"Our collaboration with d.ls  Duni Lighting Solutions and Stylt Trampoli brings together design ambition and advanced manufacturing, enabling lighting solutions developed with both performance and resource efficiency in mind," says Bart Maeyens, Global Business Leader, Signify myCreation.

A short film presenting the launch is available via the following link.

The launch supports Duni Group's strategic priority to expand its innovative offering to customers and consumers. By adding lighting through d.ls  Duni Lighting Solutions, Duni Group strengthens its position within hospitality and professional dining experiences.

About d.ls  Duni Lighting Solutions

d.ls  Duni Lighting Solutions is a brand within Duni Group, created to develop professional lighting solutions for hospitality environments, with a focus on elevated ambience and operational efficiency.

CONTACT:

Petra Lamorell

Interim Head of Communications

+46 (0)76-8 740 387

[email protected]

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com.

https://news.cision.com/duni-group/r/duni-group-launches-d-ls---duni-lighting-solutions--introducing-both-a-professional-cordless-lightin,c4336954

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New benchmarks show EDB Postgres AI can deliver 5x12x faster vector indexing and up to 57% lower token usage, as the company proves that the most effective path to AI efficiency runs through the data layer, not the GPU.

WILMINGTON, Del., April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- EnterpriseDB (EDB), the leading sovereign AI and data company, today announced a suite of validated performance efficiencies within EDB Postgres AI (EDB PG AI), designed to drastically reduce data center power consumption, lower token usage, and deliver an unprecedented "intelligence per watt" standard for the enterprise.

By 2027, half of enterprises will be using AI agents to redefine how humans and machines collaborate. By 2030, more than 1 billion agents will be actively deployed and will execute roughly 217 billion actions a day. These agents will consume trillions of tokens daily, and electricity demand from data centers worldwide will more than double by 2030 to around 945 terawatt-hours (TWh), with AI being the most significant driver of that increase.

"The AI energy conversation has been about what happens with the models and GPUs. Almost nobody is talking about what happens at the data layer that every agent, every model, every inference call depends on," said Quais Taraki, CTO at EDB. "You can't control consumption at the model layer. Agents consume what they consume. But you can control efficiency at the data layer, and for most enterprises, that's the only lever they actually have."

Sovereign architecture unlocks efficiency at the core and the data layer

EDB PG AI addresses the agentic energy challenge on two complementary fronts: first, by shrinking the core infrastructure footprint required to run enterprise applications; and second, by making the data-layer operations that power agentic AIespecially search, retrieval, and vector indexingfar more efficient. Together, those gains improve not just how much infrastructure enterprises need but how effectively that infrastructure is used per unit of energy.

At the infrastructure level, EDB PG AI helps enterprises reduce the servers and cores required to run applications, lowering both data center energy use and emissions. An analysis of three BFSI customers operating more than 120 data centers, independently validated by Incendium Consulting, showed up to 94% reduction in compute cores in one case, resulting in up to 87% expected emissions reductionapproximately 153,000 metric tons of avoided CO 2 e, equivalent to removing 33,000 cars from the road.

At the workload level, EDB is targeting one of the most underappreciated drivers of AI energy cost: the intensive data-layer operations as agents create databases, adjust queries, and move data across enterprise environments 24/7/365. Building and maintaining vector indexes is among the most resource-intensive activities in modern databasesand one that scales directly with the number of agents in production.

New benchmarks show EDB PG AI delivers:

5x12x faster vector index builds with comparable or superior throughput at 1 billion vectors on a 128 GB server versus 1,000+ GB for traditional vector enginesa step-change reduction in the compute and memory required for AI-scale data retrieval 1

Up to 57% reduction in AI token consumption, with 90% quality preserved and a 72% scenario win rate, demonstrated in a pilot with a leading global telecom providerdirectly reducing the energy cost of every agentic interaction

These results build on EDB PG AI's broader efficiency gains, including 50x100x faster analytical workload completion on live operational data, and up to 58% lower cost with the lowest concurrency degradation among leading cloud analytics platforms. These are capabilities that reduce the energy overhead of data storage, retrieval, and analysis across the enterprise stack.

The intelligence per watt framework

Building on these demonstrated efficiency gains, EDB PG AI delivers an "intelligence per watt" standard for global enterprises to measure, improve, and operationalize AI efficiency at scale, as autonomous systems create more databases, pipelines, and queries over time.

The platform is built around three principles that compound as agentic workloads scale:

Measure: Quantify the energy and infrastructure cost per unit of AI intelligence produced, extending the Incendium-validated methodology to agentic, RAG, and multi-agent workloads.

Optimize: Reduce compute, storage, and network demand per AI operation through database consolidation, storage tiering, query acceleration, vector indexing, and token reduction.

Govern: Maintain visibility and control over data layer operations as autonomous agents create databases, indexes, pipelines, and queries at machine speed.

"Enterprises succeeding with AI at scale are 275% more likely to prioritize energy-efficient data infrastructure than the rest of the market. They're also seeing 5x the ROI. That's the connection most of this industry is missing. This idea of 'intelligence per watt' isn't just an environmental metricit's a performance indicator. The companies getting the most from AI are the ones demanding the most from their data layer," said Kevin Dallas, CEO of EDB.

Organizations can quantify their own intelligence per watt with the EDB PG AI Efficiency Calculator at www.enterprisedb.com/calculator/efficiency, or visit enterprisedb.com to learn more.

About EDB

EDB Postgres AI (EDB PG AI) is the first open, enterprise-grade sovereign data and AI platformsecure, compliant, and scalable, on-premises and across clouds. Built on Postgres, the world's leading database, EDB PG AI unifies transactional, analytical, and AI workloads, enabling organizations to operationalize their data and LLMs while maintaining control over sovereign environments. EDB PG AI is supported by a global partner network and delivers up to 99.999% availability as well as hybrid management and a built-in AI factory. As one of the most active contributors to the PostgreSQL project, EDB is deeply invested in the vitality of the global community. To learn more, visit www.enterprisedb.com.

EnterpriseDB and EDB are registered trademarks of EnterpriseDB Corporation. Postgres and PostgreSQL are registered trademarks of the PostgreSQL Community Association of Canada and used with their permission. All other trademarks are owned by their respective owners.

 Based on completed and independently validated EDB benchmarks. Published report forthcoming.

Media Contact:

Steph McGuirk

[email protected]

(845) 269-8868

SOURCE EnterpriseDB
CEO Tanner Winterhof Led Team Across Six Events, from Spain to San Antonio, Producing 40+ Podcast Episodes and Reaching Thousands of Farmers Nationwide

SLATER, Iowa, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Farm4Profit Media wrapped one of its most ambitious content seasons on record this winter, sending CEO and Host Tanner Winterhof and the full team across six major agricultural events spanning two continents. From a harvest technology tour in Spain to the 30th anniversary of Commodity Classic in San Antonio, the campaign generated more than 40 full podcast episodes, 15 What's Workin' in Ag segments, and dozens of additional interviews and debriefs, all built around one mission: bringing practical conversations back to the farmers who need them most.

"Agriculture runs on conversations," said Winterhof. "Every event we attend is an opportunity to sit down with the people doing the work, whether that's a farmer who just broke a yield record or a company engineer who built the machine that helped them do it. We get to bring those conversations home."

A Tour That Crossed Borders and Industries

The Farm4Profit Winter Ag Tour opened internationally with a trip to Spain alongside Maya Cornheads, exploring harvesting innovation and global equipment design before returning stateside for a packed domestic schedule.

Farm4Profit served as media host for the United States Custom Harvesters Annual Convention, then traveled to New York to record live at the Corn and Soybean Growers Annual Meeting. Northeast producers had a platform to share the challenges and opportunities specific to their region.

In February, the team made its first-ever appearance at CattleCon in Nashville, where more than 9,400 cattle producers and industry stakeholders set a new attendance record for the show. Farm4Profit recorded 10 podcast interviews there, hosted by John Deere, whose booth earned Large Booth of the Year honors, and Performance Livestock Analytics.

"CattleCon brings together some of the most progressive minds in the cattle industry," Winterhof said. "We're excited to be there, learn from leaders, and share conversations that provide real value to producers and ag professionals across the country."

300,000 Attendees, 13 Interviews, and a Tractor Pull in Louisville

From Nashville, the team moved to Louisville for the 60th National Farm Machinery Show, the largest indoor farm trade show in the world, drawing 300,000 attendees across 1.2 million square feet of exhibit space. Farm4Profit produced daily episodes live from both the John Deere and Brandt Industries booths and recorded 13 interviews during the show's four-day run. Joining the Farm4Profit team at the John Deere recordings was Zach Johnson, The Millennial Farmer, for conversations covering equipment trends, business strategy, and the next generation of production agriculture.

Commodity Classic's 30th Anniversary: A Conversation with USDA Undersecretary Richard Fordyce

The tour concluded in San Antonio at Commodity Classic 2026, which celebrated its 30th anniversary with more than 12,000 attendees and the largest General Session turnout in the event's history. Farm4Profit covered the show from three booths: John Deere, Corteva, and AgXplore. The Rush Hour Ag team (Elliot & Louis) and Beyond the Jacket hosts Paige contributed interviews on-site as well.

At the John Deere booth, Farm4Profit was part of the launch activity for the new High Horsepower 8R 540 tractor and the E98 tractor. At the AgXplore and Corteva booth, the team spotlighted more than 60 high-yield contest winners: producers whose agronomic management is setting new benchmarks for crop production.

A centerpiece of the Commodity Classic coverage was Farm4Profit's interview with Richard Fordyce, USDA Undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation, a rare opportunity to bring national ag policy directly to the podcast's farmer audience.

"Commodity Classic is where agriculture's biggest conversations happen," Winterhof said. "Being able to sit down with the Undersecretary and ask questions from the farmer's perspective, on trade, markets, and policy, that's exactly the kind of access our listeners deserve."

Commodity Classic 2027 is scheduled for March 35 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Tour by the Numbers

Across the six-event winter tour, Farm4Profit produced: 40+ full podcast episodes; 15+ What's Workin' in Ag segments; 18+ Short Impacts and debrief segments; 4 Beyond the Jacket interviews; and 4 Rush Hour Ag interviews.

ABOUT FARM4PROFIT MEDIA

Farm4Profit Media is a leading agricultural media platform based in Slater, Iowa, dedicated to helping farmers and ag professionals improve profitability through real-world conversations, expert interviews, and actionable insights. Through podcasts, live events, and digital content, Farm4Profit delivers practical strategies and forward-thinking discussions to the heart of agriculture. For more information, visit farm4profit.com.

SOURCE Farm4Profit Media
Routes Asia 2026 Highlights How the Ancient Capital Is Leveraging Its Aviation Hub to Drive Industrial Growth

XI'AN, China, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Routes Asia 2026, the premier and only aviation and route development event in the Asia-Pacific, has convened from April 14 to 16 in Xi'an under the theme of "Gathering in Xi'an for a Shared Future." As a high-level cooperation and exchange platform, the event attracted 92 airlines, 128 airport authorities, and 32 government and tourism organizations from 52 countries, including 77 airlines, 80 airport authorities, and 8 government/tourism bodies from 28 Asian countries.

Xi'an Xianyang International Airport

At the opening ceremony, Airport New City of Xixian New Area signed cooperation agreements with CMA CGM Air Cargo, CAMEX Airlines, Georgian Airways, and Geosky Airlines to officially launch five new international all-cargo air routes.

Xi'an Xianyang International Airport now operates 62 international (and regional) passenger routes, leading in connections to eight cities across five Central Asian countries and reinforcing its westward connectivity.

In 2025, the airport handled 48.536 million passengers (1.993 million international) and 335,000 tons of cargo, with peak-hour capacity reaching 61 movements per hour.

Meanwhile, Xi'an has made the aerospace industry chain a key development priority, leveraging its strengths in rocket power and satellite manufacturing to build a leading commercial aerospace cluster. The city is now home to 3,987 commercial aerospace enterprises, the most in China, forming a complete ecosystem covering rocket engines, satellite manufacturing, telemetry, tracking, and control (TT&C), and data applications, giving Xi'an the country's most comprehensive commercial aerospace industry chain.

In its 15th Five-Year Plan proposal, Xi'an aims to "build a hub for industrial technology innovation," developing distinctive growth paths in civil aviation and lowaltitude economy, commercial aerospace, integrated circuits, NEVs, and new energy, while creating globally competitive, innovative products.

After years of strategic development, Xi'an has built a clustered industrial ecosystem centered around Yanliang District (aviation base), forming one of China's most comprehensive aviation industry systems.

Last March, Xi'an launched a three-year action plan to boost large aircraft supporting capabilities, aiming for total aviation output of 150 billion yuan (USD 22 billion) by 2027 and an internationally competitive large aircraft cluster.

As a national hub for electronic information, Xi'an has fostered a semiconductor- and photonics-driven ecosystem. By end-2025, the sector had 233 enterprises above designated size, accounting for 15% of total industrial output as a key pillar of the city's economy.

SOURCE Xi'an Municipal Government
Reflects a disciplined approach to building, scaling, and realizing value in mission-critical, resilient digital infrastructure platforms

WASHINGTON, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Grain Management, LLC ("Grain"), a leading private investment firm focused on digital infrastructure and communications, today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell Quintillion, a leading provider of subsea and terrestrial fiber infrastructure in Alaska, to GCI Holdings, LLC ("GCI").

Quintillion operates a strategically important fiber network spanning some of the most remote and challenging environments in North America. Under Grain's ownership, the company advanced the development of resilient, high-capacity infrastructure designed to support mission-critical connectivity across Alaska, serving carriers, government, healthcare, and enterprise customers.

"Grain has been a strong and supportive partner as we built and expanded Quintillion's network in one of the most demanding operating environments in the world," said Mac McHale, President of Quintillion. "Their long-term approach and sector expertise enabled us to strengthen our platform and deliver critical connectivity across Alaska. We're excited about the opportunity to continue that momentum with GCI."

"We are proud of the progress Quintillion has made in building and scaling a highly differentiated fiber platform in Alaska," said Chad Crank, Managing Director at Grain Management. "This outcome reflects our disciplined approach to value creation: underwriting for resilience, partnering with strong management teams, and strategically scaling infrastructure in markets where deep sector expertise creates an advantage. We view monetization as a continuous process, and this transaction positions the asset for its next phase of growth with an operator uniquely equipped to enhance its reach and reliability."

The combination of Quintillion's network with GCI's statewide operations is expected to enhance reliability, resiliency, and reach of critical communications infrastructure across Alaska, including in support of public safety and national security applications. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions.

Bank Street Group LLC is acting as exclusive financial advisor and Morgan Lewis is serving as legal advisor to Quintillion. TD Securities is acting as financial advisor and Baker Botts and O'Melveny & Myers are serving as legal advisor to GCI Liberty.

About Grain Management

Founded in 2007, Grain Management is a leading global investment firm. We believe broadband and digital infrastructure are foundational to the tech-enabled transformation occurring across all industries and facets of society. Our global team of seasoned and diverse professionals share a collective passion for the power of connectivity to strengthen communities and unlock human potential for all.

We specialize in digital infrastructure and are a trusted solutions provider to the broadband and communications industry. Our unique combination of sector knowledge, experience as operators, and disciplined analytical approach guide our differentiated investment strategy across fiber networks, data centers, wireless spectrum, cell towers, as well as managed and infrastructure services.

About Quintillion

Quintillion is a leading communications infrastructure provider in Alaska, providing subsea and terrestrial fiber connectivity primarily on a wholesale basis. Upon completion of planned expansion, the company's total network will span over 3,316 route miles, comprised of 2,341 miles of subsea and 824 miles of terrestrial fiber. The existing network has 80.4% remaining capacity to address digital equity needs across Alaska. Quintillion operates a complementary subsea and terrestrial fiber network designed to deliver highcapacity, resilient connectivity across the state. Quintillion's network supports carriers, healthcare providers, educational institutions, public safety organizations, and other missioncritical customers through longterm, contracted relationships.

Contact:

Grain Management Public Relations

[email protected]

SOURCE Grain Management, LLC
CHICAGO, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- HuFriedyGroup, a global leader in dental instrument manufacturing, infection prevention, and education solutions, is proud to announce a new strategic partnership with Seattle Study Club, one of the world's most respected dental education organizations.

This collaboration brings together HuFriedyGroup's legacy of innovation in dental instrumentation and infection prevention with Seattle Study Club's commitment to advanced clinical education and interdisciplinary learning. Together, the two organizations aim to elevate standards in patient care by empowering dental professionals with the tools, knowledge, and support needed to succeed in today's evolving clinical landscape.

Through this partnership, HuFriedyGroup will support Seattle Study Club's network of clinicians by providing access to best-in-class instruments, infection prevention solutions, and continuing education resources. Members will also benefit from collaborative programs, hands-on workshops, and exclusive educational content designed to enhance clinical outcomes and practice efficiency.

"We're excited to join forces with Seattle Study Club, one of the most respected leaders in dental education. This partnership marks an important milestone in HuFriedyGroup's evolution, fully aligned with our strategy and our ambition to lead through solutions," said Giana Spasic, Head of Global Education and Clinical Strategy at HuFriedyGroup.

Regarding the goals of the partnership, Giana adds, "Education sits at the core of our model, strengthening clinical outcomes, accelerating best-practice adoption, and elevating Customer experience across the dental ecosystem. Through this partnership, we turn innovation into practical, scalable solutions, empowering clinicians with the knowledge, confidence, and tools to drive better care and long-term success."

The partnership underscores both organizations' commitment to advancing the dental profession and improving patient outcomes through continuous learning and innovation.

For more information about HuFriedyGroup and to request a demo, visit www.hufriedygroup.com.

About HuFriedyGroup

HuFriedyGroup is a dental solutions company and global leader in instrumentation, infection control products and services, and small equipment, with a legacy of heritage brands all under one roof. We enhance clinician performance through our ergonomic instruments and organized workflow systems, guide practices to ensure safety and compliance, and provide value and support through lifetime service, education, and quality assurance. Our comprehensive portfolio, commitment to innovation, and deep clinical expertise make it a cornerstone of modern dentistry. Learn more at www.hufriedygroup.com.

About Seattle Study Cub

Seattle Study Club is the nation's leading dental education network, empowering professionals to connect, learn, and achieve clinical excellence in a collaborative community. Founded in 1992 by Dr. Michael Cohen, it has grown into a global network offering hands-on learning, case discussions, and access to world-renowned speakers. Learn more at www.seattlestudyclub.com.

Media Contact:

Heather Kahl

Global Digital Marketing and Communications Director

[email protected]

SOURCE HuFriedyGroup
Two-Part Initiative to Eliminate Range Anxiety and Education GapAmericanizing Hydrogen Through Strategic Infrastructure Deployment and 24/7 Hydrogen Knowledge Access

COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- America's hydrogen transition has stalled not because the technology is unproven, but because two critical pieces are missing: where to fuel, and what to know.

Hydrovia Energy is solving bothsimultaneously.

Today, Hydrovia Energy announces its plan to deploy 500+ hydrogen fueling stations across three major east-to-west freeway corridors, paired with HAithe world's first Hydrogen Intelligence System engineered specifically for hydrogen and available now.

The infrastructure roadmap is public. The knowledge platform is live. Hydrogen stops being speculative today.

The Problem: Infrastructure and Misinformation Create an Adoption Vacuum

While most hydrogen companies focus narrowly on production technology (electrolyzers) or fuel cell development, Hydrovia Energy identified the actual barrier to hydrogen adoption in America: range anxiety paired with accurate, unbiased education.

Hydrogen's technical superiority is not in question. Fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) refuel in minutesnot hours. They generate weight efficiency gains that improve both performance and safety. They deliver range capabilities that exceed battery electric vehicles (BEVs), especially for heavy-duty transport, aviation, and maritime applications. Cold-weather performance is stable. Grid dependency disappears.

But none of this matters if someone can't find a fueling station. And none of it gains adoption if the public, fleet operators, and policymakers lack access to accurate, comprehensive hydrogen information.

Infrastructure waits for demand certainty. Demand certainty waits for visible infrastructure. Hydrovia Energy is breaking that cycle.

Solution One: National Hydrogen Fueling Infrastructure (Planned Deployment)

Hydrovia Energy is executing a plan to build 500+ hydrogen fueling stations across three major continental corridors. Strategic placement along high-traffic routes will eliminate the "range anxiety" objection that has hindered hydrogen vehicle adoption for years.

The roadmap is public. The timeline is set. Fleet operators can begin planning hydrogen vehicle procurement strategies now, with infrastructure certainty on the horizon.

Solution Two: HAiHydrogen. Ask Anything.

On the knowledge side, Hydrovia Energy introduces HAia purpose-built Hydrogen Intelligence System created by LaunchField Digital, an AI Intelligence Systems firm specializing in industry-specific knowledge platforms.

HAi was not adapted from a generic AI chatbot. It was engineered from the ground up because no such system previously existed. General-purpose AI lacks the structured knowledge architecture required to accurately explain hydrogen technologies, infrastructure systems, policy frameworks, and industrial applications across technical and non-technical audiences.

HAi operates 24/7. It is built on 36+ specialized knowledge frameworks engineered specifically for hydrogeneach containing dozens of operational rules that govern how the system interprets, evaluates, and responds to hydrogen questions.

These frameworks span hydrogen knowledge architecture, evidence-backed citation, structured explanation logic, systems-level reasoning, myth rebuttal, industrial adoption, policy evaluation, research indexing, and historical context. The result: a knowledge infrastructure purpose-built from the ground upnot a chatbot retrofitted with hydrogen facts.

The system runs 24/7.

Strategic Partnership: LaunchField Digital and High Ticket Culture

LaunchField Digital engineered HAi's knowledge architecture and built the systemtranslating hydrogen expertise into an AI-powered intelligence platform. High Ticket Culture brings client acquisition and growth systems to scale Hydrovia's reach among fleet operators, policymakers, and institutional decision-makers.

This is systems integration: infrastructure deployment + knowledge access + targeted client acquisition, working simultaneously to accelerate hydrogen adoption.

Why This Moment Matters: Hydrogen as Structural Necessity

Blake E. Robbins, CMO of LaunchField Digital, captures the moment precisely:

"Hydrogen is not an incremental stepit is a structural leap forward. What's remarkable to me is not just its potential, but how clearly superior it is as a system. This moment isn't speculativeit's astonishing, and it's real. Power from waterwhile for decades, we've been drilling for the most difficult fuel to reach."  Blake E. Robbins, LaunchField Digital

Hydrogen has shifted from possibility to necessity. Electrification alone cannot serve heavy transport, high-temperature industry, or long-duration storage at scale. Steel, cement, chemicals, fertilizers, and refiningthe sectors hardest to decarbonizeare exactly where hydrogen performs best. Commercial transport will transition first; consumer adoption will follow.

Institutions know this. Governments, industrial operators, and long-duration capital are positioning quietlyembedding hydrogen into national energy strategies, port development, industrial modernization plans. The visible race hasn't started. The positioning phase is underway.

What Makes This Different

Most hydrogen companies solve for production or fuel cell technology. Hydrovia Energy is solving for what actually prevents adoption: where to fuel, and what to know.

The 500+ station infrastructure plan is public. HAi is live now at hydroviaenergy.com24/7, answering every hydrogen question from basic safety to technical policy.

Infrastructure is coming. Knowledge is here. That's the difference.

For Stakeholders: Next Steps

Fleet Operators & Transportation Companies: HAi provides technical and economic education for hydrogen vehicle procurement decisions. The infrastructure roadmap is public. Planning begins now.

Policymakers & Regulators: HAi offers research-backed policy intelligenceno lobbying, no speculation, only evidence-grounded information about hydrogen's role in energy transition and industrial decarbonization.

Industry Professionals & Investors: HAi delivers the intelligence infrastructure to understand hydrogen's application across sectorsfrom green steel and zero-carbon ammonia to synthetic aviation fuels.

Visit HAi Today

HAi  The World's First Hydrogen Intelligence System Hydrogen. Ask Anything.

www.hydroviaenergy.com/h2ai/

Available 24/7. Ask anything. Get answers backed by 36+ specialized knowledge frameworks.

About Hydrovia Energy

Hydrovia Energy is deploying the infrastructure and intelligence backbone for American hydrogen adoption. Through 500+ fueling stations across major continental corridors and HAithe world's first Hydrogen Intelligence SystemHydrovia is eliminating the two barriers preventing hydrogen adoption: infrastructure certainty and accurate education.

Mission: Americanize Hydrogen.

www.hydroviaenergy.com

About LaunchField Digital

LaunchField Digital is an AI Intelligence Systems and marketing firm specializing in purpose-built knowledge platforms. LaunchField engineered and built HAi, translating domain expertise into scalable, industry-specific intelligence systems.

www.launchfield.ai

About High Ticket Culture

High Ticket Culture specializes in client acquisition and outbound systems for growth-stage companies. HTC is deploying targeted acquisition strategies to connect Hydrovia's infrastructure and HAi platform with fleet operators, policymakers, and institutional decision-makers.

www.highticketculture.com

SOURCE Hydrovia Energy
Hyundai earned three Best Hybrid and Electric Cars awards

Hyundai secured third consecutive titles in Best Compact Electric SUV and Best Compact Hybrid SUV

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Hyundai topped the U.S. News and World Report 2026 Best Hybrid and Electric Cars List, with three models recognized. The Tucson Hybrid (Best Compact Hybrid SUV) and IONIQ 5 (Best Compact Electric SUV) each earned their third consecutive titles, while the IONIQ 9 secured top honors in the Midsize Electric category. These awards highlight exceptional vehicles chosen for their mix of quality, efficiency and value.

The Hyundai Tucson Hybrid is photographed in California City, Calif., on Sept. 4, 2024. The 2026 Hyundai IONIQ 5 is photographed in California City, Calif., on July 22, 2025.

"As fuel prices continue to rise, Americans are seeking vehicles that are efficient and provide value," said Ricky Lao, director, product planning, Hyundai Motor North America. "U.S. News and World Report's Best Cars for Hybrids and Electric Vehicles list aids consumers by highlighting vehicles that are leaders in sustainability, sophistication and value with 14 vehicle classes. We are pleased to have the most vehicles recognized in this award list and we remain committed to offering a balanced lineup of vehicles to meet the needs of today's consumers."

Hyundai's hybrid-electric total sales jumped 50 percent in March and 61 percent for Q1, highlighting consumer's interest in electrified propulsion systems. The Tucson is Hyundai's bestselling model and its hybrid powertrain provides a balanced combination of fun-to-drive performance and excellent fuel economy. The Tucson hybrid and plug-in models now offer driver-adjustable levels of regenerative braking for improved control and comfort.

The Hyundai Tucson hybrid powertrain's 1.6-liter turbocharged gasoline engine produces an estimated 178 horsepower and 195 lb.-ft. of torque, with an estimated 231 total hybrid system horsepower. This hybrid system also produces a total estimated 258 lb.-ft. of torque thanks to a powerful 47.7-kW electric motor (formerly 44.2 kW) and a 1.49-kWh lithium-ion battery pack. Tucson hybrid delivers its abundant power through a specially tuned six-speed automatic transmission for smooth, quiet, and efficient performance.

The IONIQ 5 offers electric propulsion for those seeking a zero tailpipe-emissions family vehicle. The IONIQ 5 impresses with its comfortable driving experience, high-quality interior, excellent efficiencyi, and ultra-fast 800-volt/350kW chargingii capabilities. Its strong range and full complement of advanced safety features make it a smart option for electric SUV buyers.

The IONIQ 9 all-electric, three-row SUV includes an expansive interior that fuses innovative design and cutting-edge technology while providing space for seven passengers. The all-electric SUV has a long-range battery for up to 335 miles of EPA-estimated driving range. The IONIQ 9 is assembled at the new Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant in Georgia, alongside the IONIQ 5iii.

"Customers feel stretched every time they fill up at the pump, and there are more electric and hybrid options than ever. The 2026 Best Hybrid and Electric Cars awards are designed to help consumers make informed choices and save money with vehicles they'll like," said Tony Markovich, U.S. News senior editor, Autos.

About U.S. News Best Cars

Since 2007, U.S. News Best Cars, the automotive channel of U.S. News & World Report, has published rankings and reviews of the majority of new vehicles sold in America. Each year, U.S. News also publishes the Best Cars Awards, including Best Vehicle Brands, Best Cars for the Money and Best Cars for Families. U.S. News Best Cars supports car shoppers throughout the entire car buying journey, offering industry-leading advice for researching cars and finding cars for sale, as well as its U.S. News Best Price Program.

Hyundai Motor America

Hyundai Motor America offers U.S. consumers a technology-rich lineup of cars, SUVs, and electrified vehicles, while supporting Hyundai Motor Company's Progress for Humanity vision. Hyundai has significant operations in the U.S., including its North American headquarters in California, the Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama assembly plant, the all-new Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America, several cutting-edge R&D facilities and more than 855 independent dealers. These operations are part of Hyundai Motor Group, which is investing $26 billion in the U.S. from 2025 to 2028. For more information, visit www.hyundainews.com.

Hyundai Motor America on Twitter | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok

i EPA-estimated 303 mile driving range for 2024 IONIQ 5 SE/SEL/Limited RWD; 260 mile driving range for IONIQ 5 SE/SEL/Limited AWD; and 220 mile driving range for IONIQ 5 SE RWD (Standard Range). All figures are EPA estimates and based on a fully charged battery. For comparison purposes only. Battery capacity decreases with time and use. Actual range will vary based on a number of factors, including vehicle options, driving conditions and habits, vehicle and battery's condition, battery temperature and outside temperature.

ii Approximately 20 minutes to charge from 10% to 80% on a 350-kW, 800V DC ultra-fast charger using the CCS adapter included with the 2026 IONIQ 5. Actual charging time varies based on a number of factors, including current battery charge level, output of the charging unit, vehicle and battery settings, battery temperature and outside temperature. Ultra-fast charging stations are provided by independent companies and availability is not guaranteed.

iii The 2026 IONIQ 9 is assembled in Georgia from domestic and foreign-sourced parts.

SOURCE Hyundai Motor America
Through 120 weeks of follow-up, IMAAVY delivered sustained clinical improvements and reductions in total IgG in antibody-positive adult patients including anti-AChR+ and anti-MuSK+

Patients achieving sustained minimal symptom expression (MSE) experienced greater improvements in quality of life than those with transient MSE in a post-hoc analysis of the Phase 3 study

EPIC, the first head-to-head study of IMAAVY versus another FcRn blocker in generalized myasthenia gravis, is now enrolling participants

HORSHAM, Pa., April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) today announced new data from the Phase 3 Vivacity-MG3 study and ongoing open label extension (OLE) in a broad population of antibody-positive (including anti-AChR+a and anti-MuSK+b) adults with generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) reinforcing the efficacy, sustained disease control and proven safety profile of IMAAVY (nipocalimab-aahu). These data are among the seven abstracts Johnson & Johnson is presenting at the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) 2026 Meeting in Chicago, Illinois.

"For people living with gMG, consistent and durable symptom control is the central goal of treatment," said Constantine Farmakidis, MD, Associate Professor of Neurology at the University of Kansas Medical Centerc. "These long-term results, now extending to beyond two years, provide further evidence that disease control, as initially observed in the nipocalimab Phase 3 pivotal study, can be sustained, and add to the body of evidence that may help guide clinical decision-making."

Sustained disease control is a key treatment objective in gMG, as long-term maintenance of low disease activity can help prevent exacerbations, reduce treatment burden and support meaningful function outcomes.i In addition, new post-hoc analyses explore the clinical relevance of sustained minimal symptom expression (MSE), an emerging patient-centric treatment goal that reflects minimal day-to-day disease impact for people living with gMG.ii

Long-Term Data from OLE Phaseiii

After the 24-week double-blind phase of the study, patients entered the ongoing OLE phase, with the latest results reflecting a total of 120 weeks of observation  among the longest follow-up periods reported for any FcRn blocker study in gMG. At 96 weeks in the OLE, IMAAVY demonstrated:

Sustained improvements in MG-ADL d and QMG e scores over time, with mean reductions of 6.47 f points on the total MG-ADL and 5.97 f points on the total QMG scales  measures of MG symptom impact on daily living and muscle strength.

and QMG scores over time, with mean reductions of 6.47 points on the total MG-ADL and 5.97 points on the total QMG scales  measures of MG symptom impact on daily living and muscle strength. Half of patients achieved MSE and nearly one-third (32%) achieved sustained MSE for at least 8 weeks on IMAAVY treatment.

Incremental reduction of corticosteroid use was also observed through the OLE, with 57% of patients reaching low doses of 10 or 5 mg/day.

Greater than 64%f reduction in total immunoglobulin G (IgG), including pathogenic IgG autoantibodies, the underlying driver of disease.

Minimal Symptom Expression Data from Double-Blind Phaseiv

A new post-hoc analysis from the 24-week double-blind portion of the study evaluated the impact of sustained MSE on quality of life (based on MGQoL15rg measure):

Adults who received IMAAVY plus standard of care (SOC) h were four times more likely to reach sustained MSE, defined as achieving an MG-ADL score of 0 or 1 and maintaining it for at least 8 weeks, compared to those randomized to placebo.

were four times more likely to reach sustained MSE, defined as achieving an MG-ADL score of 0 or 1 and maintaining it for at least 8 weeks, compared to those randomized to placebo. Patients who reached this level and sustainment of symptom control had the largest gains in daytoday quality of life, compared with those with improvements that were not similarly sustained, or among those who did not attain MSE.

"As demonstrated in our pivotal trial, IMAAVY was shown to deliver sustained disease control in a broad population of people living with gMG, helping to address a critical unmet need," said Chris Gasink, MD, Vice President, Medical Affairs, Autoantibody & Gastroenterology, Johnson & Johnson. "These data reinforce our confidence in IMAAVY and our commitment to delivering treatments that can help more people living with gMG achieve meaningful, lasting disease control."

Additionally, Johnson & Johnson previously announced plans to initiate EPIC in 2025, the first open-label study designed to compare FcRn blockers in adults with gMG who have never received an FcRn blocker. The study, comparing the efficacy of IMAAVY versus efgartigimod, is now enrolling participants.

For a full list of all Johnson & Johnson data being presented at AAN 2026 visit: https://www.jnj.com/innovativemedicine/neuroscience/myasthenia-gravis.

Editor's Notes:

a. AChR+ = anti-acetylcholine receptor positive antibody b. MUsK+ = anti-muscle specific tyrosine kinase positive antibody c. Constantine Farmakidis, MD, has provided consulting, advisory, and speaking services to Johnson & Johnson. He has not been paid for any media work. d. MG-ADL (Myasthenia Gravis  Activities of Daily Living) provides a rapid clinical assessment of the patient's recall of symptoms impacting activities of daily living, with a total score range of 0 to 24; a higher score indicates greater symptom severity.v e. QMG (Quantitative Myasthenia Gravis) is a 13-item assessment by a clinician that quantifies MG disease severity. The total QMG score ranges from 0 to 39, where higher scores indicate greater disease severity.vi f. Results reflect patients receiving IMAAVY and SOC throughout both the 24-week double-blind phase and OLE phase of the study. g. As measured by MG-QoL-15r (Myasthenia Gravis Quality of Life 15-item Scale  Revised), a scale designed to assess important aspects of the patient's experience related to MG.vii h. Standard of care was defined as a stable dose of current gMG treatment, including acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, glucocorticosteroids or immunosupressants (ie, azathioprine, mycophenolate mofetil or mycophenolic acid, methotrexate, ciclosporin, tacrolimus, or cyclophosphamide).viii

ABOUT GENERALIZED MYASTHENIA GRAVIS (gMG)

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoantibody disease in which the immune system mistakenly makes antibodies (e.g., anti-acetylcholine receptor [AChR], anti-muscle-specific tyrosine kinase [MuSK]), which target proteins at the neuromuscular junction and can block or disrupt normal signaling from nerves to muscles, thus impairing or preventing muscle contraction.ix,x,xi The disease impacts an estimated 700,000 people worldwide.vii The disease affects both men and women and occurs across all ages, racial and ethnic groups, but most frequently starts in young women and older men.xii Roughly 50 percent of individuals diagnosed with MG are women, and about one in five of those women are of child-bearing potential.xiii,xiv,xv Approximately 10 to 15% of new cases of MG are diagnosed in pediatric patients 12-17 years of age.xvi,xvii,xviii Among juvenile MG patients, girls are affected more often than boys with over 65% of pediatric MG cases in the U.S. diagnosed in girls.xix,xx,xxi

Initial disease manifestations are usually eye-related but approximately 85% of MG patients experience additional advancements to the disease manifestations, referred to as generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG). This is characterized by severe muscle weakness and difficulties in speech and swallowing.xxii,xxiii,xxiv,xxv,xxvi Approximately 100,000 individuals in the U.S. are living with gMG.xxvii Vulnerable gMG populations, such as pediatric patients, have more limited therapeutic options.xxviii

ABOUT THE PHASE 3 VIVACITY-MG3 STUDY

The Phase 3 Vivacity-MG3 study (NCT04951622) was specifically designed to measure sustained efficacy and safety with consistent dosing in this unpredictable chronic condition where unmet need remains high. Antibody positive or negative adult gMG patients with insufficient response (MG-ADL 6) to ongoing SOC therapy were identified and 199 patients, 153 of whom were antibody positive, enrolled in the 24-week double-blind placebo-controlled trial.xxix,xxx Randomization was 1:1, nipocalimab plus current SOC (30 mg/kg IV loading dose followed by 15 mg/kg every two weeks) or placebo plus current SOC.xxvii Baseline demographics were balanced across arms (77 nipocalimab, 76 placebo).xxvii The primary efficacy endpoint was the comparison of the mean change from baseline to Weeks 22, 23, and 24 between treatment groups in the MG-ADL total score.xxvii A key secondary endpoint included change in Quantitative Myasthenia Gravis (QMG) score. Long-term safety and efficacy were further assessed in an ongoing open-label extension (OLE) phase.xxviii

ABOUT IMAAVY (nipocalimab-aahu)

IMAAVY is an immunoselective treatment designed to target, bind with high affinity, and block FcRn, reducing circulating IgG antibodies that drive disease while also preserving key immune functions. IMAAVY is currently approved for the treatment of gMG in adults and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older who are AChR or MuSK antibody positive.xxxi

Nipocalimab is being investigated across three key segments in the autoantibody space including Rheumatologic diseases, Rare Autoantibody diseases, and Maternal Fetal diseases mediated by maternal alloantibodies, in which blockade of IgG binding to FcRn in the placenta is believed to limit transplacental transfer of maternal alloantibodies to the fetus.xxxii,xxxiii,xxxiv,xxxv,xxxvi,xxxvii,xxxviii,xxxix,xl

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and European Medicines Agency (EMA) have granted several key designations to nipocalimab including:

EU EMA Orphan medicinal product designation for HDFN in October 2019 and FNAIT in April 2025

U.S. FDA Fast Track designation in hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN) and warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia (wAIHA) in July 2019, gMG in December 2021, fetal and neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (FNAIT) in March 2024, Sjogren's disease (SjD) in March 2025, and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in January 2026

U.S. FDA Orphan drug status for wAIHA in December 2019, HDFN in June 2020, gMG in February 2021, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) in October 2021 and FNAIT in December 2023

U.S. FDA Breakthrough Therapy designation for HDFN in February 2024 and for SjD in November 2024

U.S. FDA granted Priority Review in gMG in Q4 2024

The legal manufacturer for IMAAVY is Janssen Biotech, Inc.

WHAT IS IMAAVY (nipocalimab-aahu)?

IMAAVY is a prescription medicine used to treat adults and children 12 years of age and older with a disease called generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) who are anti-acetylcholine receptor (AChR) or anti-muscle-specific tyrosine kinase (MuSK) antibody positive.

It is not known if IMAAVY is safe and effective in children under 12 years of age.



IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

What is the most important information I should know about IMAAVY?

IMAAVY is a prescription medicine that may cause serious side effects, including:

Infections are a common side effect of IMAAVY that can be serious. Receiving IMAAVY may increase your risk of infection. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following infection symptoms:

fever

chills

shivering

cough sore throat

fever blisters

burning when you urinate

Allergic (hypersensitivity) reactions may happen during or up to a few weeks after your IMAAVY infusion. Get emergency medical help right away if you get any of these symptoms during or after your IMAAVY infusion:

a swollen face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat

difficulty swallowing or breathing itchy rash (hives)

chest pain or tightness

Infusion-related reactions are possible. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get any of these symptoms during or a few days after your IMAAVY infusion:

headache

rash

nausea

fatigue dizziness

chills

flu-like symptoms

redness of skin

Do not receive IMAAVY if you have a severe allergic reaction to nipocalimab-aahu or any of the ingredients in IMAAVY. Reactions have included angioedema and anaphylaxis.

Before using IMAAVY, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

ever had an allergic reaction to IMAAVY.

have or had any recent infections or symptoms of infection.

have recently received or are scheduled to receive an immunization (vaccine). People who take IMAAVY should not receive live vaccines.

are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. It is not known whether IMAAVY will harm your baby.

Pregnancy Safety Study. There is a pregnancy safety study for IMAAVY if IMAAVY is given during pregnancy or you become pregnant while receiving IMAAVY. Your healthcare provider should report IMAAVY exposure by contacting Janssen at 1-800-526-7736 or www.IMAAVY.com.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

What are the possible side effects of IMAAVY?

IMAAVY may cause serious side effects. See "What is the most important information I should know about IMAAVY?"

The most common side effects of IMAAVY include: respiratory tract infection, peripheral edema (swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet), and muscle spasms.

These are not all the possible side effects of IMAAVY. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. 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.

Please see the full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide for IMAAVY and discuss any questions you have with your doctor.

Dosage Form and Strengths: IMAAVY is supplied as a 300 mg/1.62 mL and a 1,200 mg/6.5 mL (185 mg/mL) single-dose vial per carton for intravenous injection.

cp-509746v1

ABOUT JOHNSON & JOHNSON

At Johnson & Johnson, we believe health is everything. Our strength in healthcare innovation empowers us to build a world where complex diseases are prevented, treated, and cured, where treatments are smarter and less invasive, and solutions are personal. Through our expertise in Innovative Medicine and MedTech, we are uniquely positioned to innovate across the full spectrum of healthcare solutions today to deliver the breakthroughs of tomorrow and profoundly impact health for humanity.

Learn more at https://www.jnj.com/ or at www.innovativemedicine.jnj.com.

Follow us at @JNJInnovMed.

Janssen Research & Development, LLC, Janssen Biotech, Inc. and Janssen Global Services, LLC are Johnson & Johnson companies.

CAUTIONS CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding product development and the potential benefits and treatment impact of IMAAVY. The reader is cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations of future events. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or known or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from the expectations and projections of Johnson & Johnson. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: challenges and uncertainties inherent in product research and development, including the uncertainty of clinical success and of obtaining regulatory approvals; uncertainty of commercial success; manufacturing difficulties and delays; competition, including technological advances, new products and patents attained by competitors; challenges to patents; product efficacy or safety concerns resulting in product recalls or regulatory action; changes in behavior and spending patterns of purchasers of health care products and services; changes to applicable laws and regulations, including global health care reforms; and trends toward health care cost containment. A further list and descriptions of these risks, uncertainties and other factors can be found in Johnson & Johnson's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, including in the sections captioned "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" and "Item 1A. Risk Factors," and in Johnson & Johnson's subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Copies of these filings are available online at www.sec.gov, www.jnj.com or on request from Johnson & Johnson. Johnson & Johnson does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information or future events or developments.

REFERENCES

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viii Antozzi, C et al., Efficacy and safety of nipocalimab in adults with generalised myasthenia gravis (Vivacity MG3): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 study. The Lancet Neurology. Feb 2025; 24: 10516. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/laneur/article/PIIS1474-4422(24)00498-8/fulltext

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xxvii DRG EPI (2021) & Optum Claims Analysis Jan 2012-December 2020.

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xxix Antozzi, C et al., Efficacy and safety of nipocalimab in adults with generalised myasthenia gravis (Vivacity MG3): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 study. The Lancet Neurology. Feb 2025; 24: 10516. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/laneur/article/PIIS1474-4422(24)00498-8/fulltext

xxx ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04951622. Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04951622 Last accessed: October 2025.

xxxi IMAAVY U.S. Prescribing Information.

xxxii ClinicalTrials.gov. NCT03842189. Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03842189. Last accessed: October 2025.

xxxiii ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05327114. Available at: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05327114. Last accessed: October 2025.

xxxiv ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04119050. Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04119050. Last accessed: October 2025.

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SOURCE Johnson & Johnson
Partnership with LA4LA will accelerate construction of affordable and mixed-use housing across LA County

SACRAMENTO, Calif., April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Health Net, one of California's most experienced Medi-Cal managed care health plans and a Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC) company, announced a $10 million investment in LA4LA's "Guarantee Fund," which will support the expedited construction of affordable and mixed-income housing across Los Angeles County.

The "Guarantee Fund" offers subsidies to help housing developers secure financing quickly for affordable rental projects, reducing start-up times and making new housing available faster for communities in need.

"Safe, stable housing is one of the most powerful prescriptions for better health  we've seen it change lives," said Dorothy Seleski, Medi-Cal President at Health Net. "This investment won't just finance projects  it will unlock homes, restore hope and give thousands of Angelenos healthier tomorrows. That means a sense of stability  stronger connections to care, fewer trips to the emergency room and a little more breathing room each day for people to work, learn and heal."

In Los Angeles County, there are:

Health Net's investment is designed to help address these gaps by supporting housing developments that include a mix of low-income, voucher-supported, and middle-income units, with up to 30% reserved for voucher holders.

"This investment will help continue the progress we've made accelerating the production of affordable housing and decreasing homelessness across Los Angeles," said Mayor Karen Bass. "I want to thank the LA4LA and Health Net teams for their continued partnership and for supporting innovative solutions to bridge gaps and build more affordable, stable housing citywide."

When lenders are confident that subsidy payments like Section 8 or VASH vouchers will be made reliably, they can provide larger loans and finance more projects. LA4LA helps lenders provide larger loans and move more housing projects forward, particularly in neighborhoods near jobs, parks and schools and where residents will also have access to community resources. This closes financing gaps that can stall approved developments and encourages broader participation from property owners.

"We're grateful to Health Net for their commitment to innovative housing solutions," said Sarah Dusseault, Lead Strategist for LA4LA. "Their investment in the Guarantee Tool will transform how projects approach financing and increase the viability of affordable housing. As developments are completed and no longer require guarantees, Health Net's capital can be redeployed  creating a sustainable cycle that supports additional projects over time."

Health Net's investment can be deployed across multiple sites countywide and, when combined with public subsidies and private lending, helps unlock significantly more housing development in the region.

This investment builds on Health Net's broader commitment to addressing housing and homelessness across California. Since 2020, Health Net has dedicated a total of $93 million in investments related to housing and supportive services for unhoused individuals.

About Health Net

Founded in California more than 45 years ago, Health Net, LLC ("Health Net"), a company of Centene Corporation, believes that every person deserves a safety net for their health, regardless of age, income, employment status or current state of health. Today, we provide health plans for individuals, families, businesses of every size and people who qualify for Medi-Cal or Medicare. With more than 117,000 of our network providers, Health Net serves more than three million members across the state. We also offer access to substance abuse programs, behavioral health services and managed healthcare products related to prescription drugs. We make these health plans and services available through Health Net and its subsidiaries: Health Net of California, Inc., Health Net Life Insurance Company and Health Net Community Solutions, Inc. These entities are wholly owned subsidiaries of Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC), a leading healthcare enterprise committed to transforming the health of the communities we serve, one person at a time. Health Net and Centene Corporation employ more than 5,700 people in California who work at one of five regional Talent Hub offices. For more information, visit www.HealthNet.com.

http://www.healthnet.com/

About LA4LA

LA4LA is a public-private partnership housed with the California Community Foundation and supported with initial funding from the Conrad N Hilton Foundation. Our donors and supporters include philanthropy, financial institutions, and individuals and companies who care about the future of Los Angeles. At LA4LA, they bring together experts on housing, development and financing to tackle some of the most common barriers stalling affordable housing construction today: the scarcity of financing and the high cost and volatility of interest. To learn more or get involved, visit www.la4la.org or contact [email protected].

SOURCE Health Net, LLC
C$ unless otherwise stated TSX/NYSE/PSE: MFC SEHK: 945

TORONTO, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - Manulife Financial Corporation will release its first quarter 2026 financial results after markets close on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, which will be made available at manulife.com/en/investors/results-and-reports.

A live webcast and conference call are scheduled for Thursday, May 14, 2026, at 8:00 a.m. (ET) where members of Manulife's executive leadership team will discuss the results, followed by a question and answer period with analysts.

To access the conference call, dial 1-888-317-6003 or 1-647-846-2809 (Passcode: 7290517#). Please call in 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start time.

The archived webcast will be available at manulife.com/en/investors/results-and-reports following the call. A replay of the call will also be available until August 14 2026, by dialing 1-855-669-9658 or 1-412-317-0088 (Passcode: 1809675#).

About Manulife

Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services provider, headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Anchored in our ambition to be the number one choice for customers, we operate as Manulife across Canada and Asia, and primarily as John Hancock in the United States, providing financial advice, insurance and health solutions for individuals, groups and businesses. Through Manulife Wealth & Asset Management, we offer global investment solutions, financial advice, and retirement plan services to individuals, institutions, and retirement plan members worldwide. At the end of 2025, we had more than 37,000 employees, over 106,000 agents, and thousands of distribution partners, serving over 37 million customers with operations across 25 markets globally. We trade as 'MFC' on the Toronto, New York, and Philippine stock exchanges, and under '945' on the Hong Kong stock exchange. Not all offerings are available in all jurisdictions. For additional information, please visit manulife.com.

Media Contact

Fiona McLean

Manulife

437-441-7491

[email protected]

Investor Relations

Derek Theobalds

Manulife

(416) 254-1774

[email protected]

SOURCE Manulife Financial Corporation
Through Rectifi, DiCello Levitt Pledges to Fight Giants With Giants For Ohioans Facing Big Legal Challenges

CLEVELAND, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- DiCello Levitt, one of the largest plaintiffs' law firms in the country, has launched Rectifi, a new personal injury-focused platform designed to serve the legal needs of individuals and families across Ohio. This is the brand's first market, reflecting the law firm's continued investment in the region and commitment to the community.

Rectifi Logo

Rectifi, powered by the lawyers at DiCello Levitt, connects some of the nation's most accomplished trial lawyers with people who have suffered physical, emotional, or financial harm. Its mission is to help clients Fight Giants With Giantswhether it be taking on a health system after a devastating medical malpractice injury or an institution that enabled abuseto make things right.

"With Rectifi, we've made a clear commitment to the people of Ohio," said Partner Ken Abbarno, who leads DiCello Levitt's Cleveland office. "By bringing this platform to Ohio first, we're investing deeply in our neighbors and ensuring they have direct access to the same caliber of trial power that corporations rely on every day."

"Our clients are often going through some of the hardest moments of their livesa devastating car accident, traumatic birth injury, major civil rights violation. Whatever harm they have suffered, our mission is simple: give them the power to Fight Giants With Giants and make things right," said Partner Bobby DiCello, who co-leads the Rectifi team with Abbarno.

Rectifi is backed by the national law firm DiCello Levitt, which has been embedded in the Cleveland community since its founding in 2017. The firm now has more than one dozen attorneys practicing from its Mentor, Ohio location.

"It's important for our firm to have a large presence and visibility in Ohio," said DiCello Levitt Founding Partner Mark DiCello. "With Rectifi, we hope to connect more community members with our lawyers and take more cases in our own backyard."

That commitment is reinforced by the firm's acclaimed DiCello Levitt Trial Center, a national trial hub with courtroom facilities in Cleveland and Chicago. There, lawyers test arguments through focus groups and mock trials and apply advanced behavioral research to prepare every case as if it is going to verdict.

"Very few plaintiffs' firms in the country have built the kind of trial infrastructure we have," said DiCello Levitt Founding Partner Adam Levitt. "Our dedicated Trial Center gives lawyers a real, measurable advantage, and Rectifi is another example of how we bring that power directly to individuals and families."

Rectifi handles matters involving birth injuries, civil rights violations, dangerous products, medical malpractice, nursing home neglect and abuse, personal injury, sexual assault and sexual abuse, and trucking accidents. Learn more at Rectifi.law.

About Rectifi

Rectifi, powered by DiCello Levitt, connects some of the world's most accomplished trial lawyers with people who have suffered physical, emotional, and financial harm. We Fight Giants With Giantsgoing toe-to-toe with powerful corporations, institutions, and individuals to maximize financial recovery and make things right. Clients do not pay unless we win. Our lawyers have decades of experience in cases involving birth injuries, civil rights violations, dangerous products, medical malpractice, nursing home neglect and abuse, personal injury, sexual assault and sexual abuse, and trucking accidents. Learn more at Rectifi.law.

SOURCE DiCello Levitt LLP
ATLANTA, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Piedmont has named Nelson Oyesiku, M.D., PhD, FACS, an internationally-recognized Neurosciences leader, Chief of Neurosciences for the healthcare system. Dr. Oyesiku was most recently professor and chair of the Department of Neurological Surgery and professor of Medicine at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Since the opening of the Marcus Tower at Piedmont Atlanta Hospital in 2020, Piedmont has made significant investments in Neurosciences. These include:

Nelson Oyesiku, M.D. (PRNewsfoto/Piedmont Healthcare)

The addition of a 22-bed Neurocritical Care unit staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week by Neurocritical Care physicians and Advanced Practice Practitioners.

Expansion of the Neurohospitalist program, with the addition of two Vascular Neurohospitalists.

The continued growth of the Endovascular Neurosurgery Program (which serves as the hub of the largest stroke program in the state of Georgia), with inclusion of the growth of the programs at Piedmont's clinical hubs in Augusta and Columbus.

A neuro oncology program specializing in comprehensive brain and spine tumor care, as well as intracranial intervention and a neuro ICU.

Piedmont's investments in Neurosciences have expanded clinical research at Piedmont Atlanta and throughout the Piedmont system.

Dr. Oyesiku will assume system-wide leadership of Piedmont Neurosciences, overseeing neurosurgery, neurology, and psychiatry within the Physician Enterprise. In addition to joining the Piedmont medical staff, he will direct clinical trials across the healthcare system, driving innovation and clinical excellence throughout the state.

"We are fortunate to have a leader like Dr. Oyesiku serving as our Chief of Neurosciences," said Charles L. Brown, III, CEO of Piedmont's Physician Enterprise. "He brings an expertise in Neurosciences to our program, with close to 200 scientific articles or works to his name. He will continue to grow our program and make it a destination for clinical care across the Southeast and beyond."

Dr. Oyesiku is internationally recognized in pituitary medicine and surgery. He has performed over 4,700 pituitary tumor operations, was co-director of the Emory Pituitary Center, and served on multiple state, regional, national, and international committees for all the major neurosurgical organizations in the world.

"I am looking forward to guiding Piedmont's continued growth and innovation in Neurosciences," said Dr. Oyesiku. "We will continue to build on a strong foundation to recruit new talented physicians, master surgeons, and expand services to grow our program."

SOURCE Piedmont Healthcare
"Mass Automation" envisions containerized companies, data marketplaces, and shapeshifter firms that change industries overnight, offering a practical blueprint for leaders, entrepreneurs, and regulators navigating the AI era

NEW YORK, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Imagine describing a children's toy idea to a central orchestrating system. Within days, it has designed the product, contracted a factory, secured permits, launched marketing and negotiated retail contractswith almost no employees involved. Even in this scenario, however, the entrepreneur's vision and key decisions remain essential. This is the world described in "Mass Automation," a new book by Nick Pogrebnyakov that explores how the convergence of AI, robotics, and data sensing could allow companies to operate nearly autonomously, and what that means for leaders, entrepreneurs, and regulators who need to prepare.

Mass Automation: Rethinking Companies for an AI Era When They Can Operate Autonomously by Nick Pogrebnyakov

Pogrebnyakov frames automation through three pillars that mirror core human capabilities: AI for decision-making, robotics for physical action and sensing for data perception. But the book's real contribution is showing what happens when all three converge inside a company. He introduces "containerized companies," prepackaged with all the automated capabilities needed to operate, purchasable from a marketplace and deployable much like a software container. He describes "shapeshifter companies" that use automation to jump between industries and product lines, accumulating competitive advantage from the path they travel across markets.

Pogrebnyakov argues that companies go through two modes: development, where humans build products and shape processes, and maintenance, where the company runs largely on its own. Since most of a company's lifespan is spent in maintenance, automation frees skilled people to move between companies that need them most, offering expertise in development mode rather than staying on payroll indefinitely. Using fictional scenarios alongside real-world examples, he maps these ideas across company functions from R&D to logistics to strategy, then beyond the firm to supply chains, data marketplaces and regulation.

"Science fiction inspired the products of the future. Now we need 'business fiction': narratives that help managers, entrepreneurs and policymakers imagine how companies and economies work as AI becomes pervasive," said Pogrebnyakov. "The development of technology is outpacing our thinking on how to use it. What's missing is the blueprint for applying it, and that's what this book tries to provide."

After twenty years at the intersection of academic strategy research and senior engineering roles at Twitter (now X) and Sparrow Bioacoustics alongside an associate professorship at Copenhagen Business School, Pogrebnyakov wanted to describe business thinking deeply informed by how he's observed today's technology working.

"Most discussions of AI focus on individual tools or individual jobs," said Pogrebnyakov. "This book asks a bigger question: what happens when you automate an entire companyits decisions, its physical operations, and its ability to sense the worldall at once? The answer changes how we think about competition, supply chains, and even regulation."

"Mass Automation: Rethinking Companies for an AI Era When They Can Operate Autonomously" By Nick Pogrebnyakov

ISBN: 9781665781961 (softcover); 9781665781954 (electronic)

Available at Archway Publishing, Amazon and Barnes & Noble

About the author

Nick Pogrebnyakov holds a PhD in Information Sciences and Technology from Penn State and was an Associate Professor of International Business at Copenhagen Business School, Denmark and was a visiting scholar at Stanford. He has held senior engineering roles at Twitter (now X), Thomson Reuters and Sparrow Bioacoustics and currently teaches a highly ranked course on strategy implementation on Coursera. Pogrebnyakov is a recipient of an Excellence in Teaching award from the Danish Society for Education and Business. To learn more, please visit www.archwaypublishing.com/en/bookstore/bookdetails/867743-mass-automation.

General Inquiries:

LAVIDGE  Phoenix

Ziggy Goldfarb

[email protected]

SOURCE Archway Publishing
MIAMI and SANTA FE, Calif., April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- OrganaBio, LLC ("OrganaBio"), a vertically integrated blood and cell products and services company delivering end-to-end solutions for cell and gene therapy developers, and RxMP Therapeutics, Inc. ("RxMP"), a late pre-clinical development stage therapeutics company developing novel therapies for the rapid control of severe hemorrhage, today announced a manufacturing partnership under which OrganaBio will serve as RxMP's contract manufacturing partner for the cGMP production of its lead product candidate, RMP-402.

Under the agreement, OrganaBio will support the technology transfer, qualification, and cGMP production of RMP-402, leveraging its integrated manufacturing infrastructure and quality management systems to advance the drug product through key development milestones. The collaboration brings together OrganaBio's capabilities in cGMP manufacturing, quality assurance, and analytical development with RxMP's proprietary hemostatic platform technology.

RMP-402 is a first-in-class hemostatic therapeutic composed of manufactured allogeneic red cell membrane particles (RMPs)  analogs of particles that circulate naturally in human blood. These RMPs are designed to rapidly stop bleeding when administered intravenously without increasing the risk of off-target clotting. RMP-402 is being developed for use in both civilian and military settings, addressing a global trauma and surgical bleeding market estimated at $12 billion dollars annually, where uncontrolled bleeding remains a leading cause of morbidity and preventable death. In 2025, RxMP reached consensus with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") on its proposed GMP manufacturing process for RMP-402 and entered into a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement ("CRADA") with the U.S. Department of Defense's Institute of Surgical Research to further validate the product's therapeutic potential for the treatment of combat casualties.

"OrganaBio was built to be the kind of partner that therapeutics companies need: responsive, rigorous, and deeply invested in our clients' success," said Justin Irizarry, Chief Executive Officer of OrganaBio. "We are honored that RxMP has entrusted us with the manufacturing of RMP-402. This is a product that has the potential to fundamentally change how clinicians manage life-threatening bleeding events, and we take that responsibility seriously. Our team is energized by the opportunity to apply our cGMP manufacturing capabilities and quality-first approach to help bring this therapy closer to the patients who need it most."

"Selecting the right manufacturing partner is one of the most consequential decisions a company at our stage can make, and we are confident that OrganaBio's combination of blood-products expertise and cGMP manufacturing under one quality system makes them the right partner for RxMP," said Shawna Khouri, Chief Operating Officer of RxMP Therapeutics. "Uncontrolled bleeding remains an area of critically high unmet need, and the urgency of the problem demands that we move with both speed and precision. With OrganaBio now established as our manufacturing partner, our team can sharpen its focus on advancing our regulatory strategy, completing the remaining IND-enabling studies, and deepening our collaboration with the Department of Defense, all while having full confidence that the manufacturing of RMP-402 is in capable and committed hands. This partnership is a critical enabler for RxMP as we work to bring a first-in-class hemostatic therapeutic to the patients, surgeons, and warfighters who need it most."

The partnership underscores the continued momentum of both companies as they work to address significant unmet medical needs. OrganaBio continues to expand its manufacturing and services capabilities from its Miami headquarters, while RxMP advances a robust development program for RMP-402 with strong support from both federal partners and private investors.

About OrganaBio

OrganaBio, LLC is a vertically integrated blood and cell products and services company headquartered in Miami, Florida. Through its wholly owned, FDA-registered subsidiaries, OrganaBio operates proprietary supply chains for ethically sourced human tissues and blood-derived cellular products, and delivers a comprehensive suite of cGMP manufacturing, analytical development, quality assurance, and regulatory support services. By combining upstream sourcing with downstream manufacturing and development expertise under a single quality framework, OrganaBio enables cell and gene therapy developers to accelerate the translation of novel therapeutics from bench to bedside. For more information, visit www.organabio.com.

About RxMP Therapeutics

RxMP Therapeutics, Inc. is a therapeutics company in late stage pre-clinical development advancing novel therapies for the rapid control of severe hemorrhage. Its lead product candidate, RMP-402, is a first-in-class hemostatic therapeutic inspired by naturally occurring red blood cell membrane particles and is designed to rapidly stop bleeding without increasing the risk of off-target clotting. RMP-402 is being developed for use in both civilian and military settings, addressing a global trauma and surgical bleeding market estimated at up to 12 billion dollars annually, where uncontrolled bleeding remains a leading cause of morbidity and preventable death. For more information, visit www.rxmpt.com.

This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements.

Contacts

OrganaBio Dr. Carlos Carballosa, Ph.D. | [email protected]

RxMP Therapeutics Cliff Mastricola | [email protected]

Release Summary

OrganaBio and RxMP Therapeutics announced a manufacturing partnership for the cGMP production of RMP-402, a first-in-class hemostatic therapeutic.

SOURCE RxMP Therapeutics, Inc.
Leading Cosmetic Surgery Group in Southern Louisiana Partners with VSS-Backed Olympus Cosmetic Group to Accelerate Growth and Expand Access to Care

CHICAGO, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Physician Growth Partners ("PGP"), a leading sell-side healthcare investment banking firm, is pleased to announce it advised Acadia Women's Health ("Acadia") in the group's strategic partnership with Olympus Cosmetic Group, a portfolio company of VSS Capital Partners. The transaction closed on April 3, 2026.

Acadia Women's Health provides high-quality cosmetic surgery, med spa, and gynecology services to its patients across Southern Louisiana. The practice is dedicated to delivering comprehensive, patient-centered care at every stage of life.

Co-Founder of Acadia Women's Health sharing his thoughts on the value of being represented by PGP throughout the process of exploring private equity and strategic partnerships.

Dr. John Gonzalez, Co-Founder at Acadia Women's Health, commented on working with Physician Growth Partners: "I can't say enough great things about PGP. Their expertise and guidance were instrumental in helping us successfully sell our practice to the right strategic buyer. No matter how much you think you know about business, you are not prepared to go at this without proper representation. Professional, responsive, and truly invested in my success. We couldn't have asked for a better partner in this journey!"

Matt Garber, an Associate at PGP, added, "Acadia represents a premier group, underpinned by strong physician leadership, a loyal patient base, and a 25+ year track record of clinical excellence. We led a disciplined, competitive process to position the group alongside a partner aligned with its long-term strategic objectives. Olympus's commitment to outstanding care and its ability to deliver scalable operational and strategic resources resulted in an excellent outcome for our client."

PGP acted as the exclusive advisor to Acadia throughout the evaluation, negotiation, and execution of the transaction.

About Olympus Cosmetic Group

Olympus Cosmetic Group is a surgeon-founded, surgeon-led investment and growth platform built exclusively for the cosmetic specialty. Established by board-certified cosmetic surgeons, Olympus is redefining how leading practices scale, monetize, and build long term value in an increasingly competitive and rapidly evolving industry. By aligning financial growth with clinical leadership, Olympus is helping advance the cosmetic surgery industry through a surgeon first model that strengthens both the business foundation and the standard of care.

About VSS Capital Partners

VSS is a private investment firm that invests in the healthcare, business services, and education industries. Headquartered in New York, VSS provides capital for growth financing, recapitalizations, strategic acquisitions, and buyouts to lower middle market companies and management teams with the goal of building companies organically as well as through a focused add-on acquisition program. VSS makes privately negotiated investments across the capital structure and invests in situations requiring non-control or control equity, mezzanine securities, and structured equity securities. VSS has over three decades of experience, made investments in 102 portfolio companies with over 600 add-on acquisitions, and has managed $4 billion in aggregate committed capital across 8 funds.

About Physician Growth Partners (PGP)

Physician Growth Partners (PGP) is an investment banking firm exclusively focused on representing healthcare organizations in recapitalizations, mergers & acquisitions, and sales to private equity and strategic acquirers. The firm advises founders, physicians, and operators across five core sectors: Physician & Dental Services, Outpatient & Ambulatory Care, Ancillary & Diagnostic Services, Post-Acute & Behavioral Care, and Healthcare Support & Tech-Enabled Services. With a focus on the middle market, PGP delivers a differentiated, process-driven approach that helps clients achieve optimal long-term outcomes.

For more information about PGP, please visit www.physiciangrowthpartners.com or contact us at [email protected]

SOURCE Physician Growth Partners
CHARLES TOWN, W.Va., April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- (OTCID:PTBS)  The Board of Directors of Potomac Bancshares, Inc., the bank holding company of Potomac Bank, declared at their April Board meeting a quarterly cash dividend on common stock of $0.15 per share, a 15% increase from the previous quarter's dividend of $0.13 share. The dividend was declared for all shareholders of record on May 7, 2026, and is payable on May 14, 2026.

"In recognition of our continued strong performance, the Board is pleased to provide shareholders a 15% increase in their dividend," stated Alice P. Frazier, President and CEO. "This increase underscores our focus on sustained shareholder return."

About the Company

Potomac Bancshares, Inc. is the bank holding company of Potomac Bank, Inc., which was founded in 1871 as Bank of Charles Town and renamed Potomac Bank on November 3, 2025. The Company's total assets were $944 million as of December 31, 2026. The Bank conducts operations through its nine-branch network and one loan production office serving the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia, Washington County, Maryland, and Northern Virginia. The Bank offers comprehensive financial solutions through its consumer and commercial banking divisions, Trust, Wealth, and BCT Investments divisions, and its Residential Lending mortgage division. The Bank is also proud to serve its communities as a Small Business Administration (SBA) Preferred Lender. Over the past several years, the Bank has received numerous awards and recognitions, including American Banker's "Top 200 Community Banks" and "Best Banks to Work For", the Journal-News "Best of the Best" award, and the LoudounNow "Loudoun's Favorite" award.

The Company's shares are quoted on the OTCID marketplace under the symbol "PTBS." For more information about the Bank, please visit our website at www.potomac.bank.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements made in this press release may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are statements that include projections, predictions, expectations, or beliefs about events or results or otherwise are not statements of historical facts, such as statements about the Company's growth strategy and deployment of capital. Although the Company believes that its expectations with respect to such forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions within the bounds of its existing knowledge of its business and operations, there can be no assurance that actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company will not differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ from those discussed in such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the following: (1) general economic conditions, especially in the communities and markets in which the Company conducts its business; (2) credit risk, including risk that negative credit quality trends may lead to a deterioration of asset quality, risk that our allowance for credit losses may not be sufficient to absorb actual losses in the Company's loan portfolio, and risk from concentrations in the Company's loan portfolio; (3) changes in the real estate market, including the value of collateral securing portions of the Company's loan portfolio; (4) changes in the interest rate environment; (5) operational risk, including cybersecurity risk and risk of fraud, data processing system failures, and network breaches; (6) changes in technology and increased competition, including competition from non-bank financial institutions; (7) changes in consumer preferences, spending and borrowing habits, demand for our products and services, and customers' performance and creditworthiness; (8) difficulty growing loan and deposit balances; (9) the Company's ability to effectively execute its business plan; (10) changes in regulations, laws, taxes, government policies, monetary policies and accounting policies affecting bank holding companies and their subsidiaries, including changes in deposit insurance premiums; (11) deterioration in the financial condition of the U.S. banking system may impact the valuations of investments the Company has made in the securities of other financial institutions; (12) regulatory enforcement actions and adverse legal actions; (13) difficulty attracting and retaining key employees; and (14) other economic, competitive, technological, operational, governmental, regulatory, and market factors affecting the Company's operations. The 7 Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether because of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

SOURCE Potomac Bancshares, Inc.
The historic wine region announces new strategic campaign to strengthen engagement with US consumers

NEW YORK, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Inter Rhone, the organization that represents the Rhone Valley Vineyards AOCs, is pleased to announce the launch of its 2026 integrated communications program in the United States. The campaign will execute a series of promotional initiatives to grow awareness of the Rhone Valley Vineyards' innovation, commitment to sustainability, and diverse range of authentic, high-quality wines among media, trade, and consumer audiences.

The 2026 integrated communications plan will include ongoing press sampling campaigns to expand the US media's knowledge and understanding of the Rhone Valley Vineyards as a celebrated yet approachable wine region, focusing on the Cotes du Rhone and Cotes du Rhone Villages AOCs and the wide variety of styles they produce, from the well-known reds to the emerging white and rose wines. The educational sampling campaign will be supported by a media and influencer event in New York City dedicated to the same themes, to bring Cotes du Rhone wines and their distinctive profiles to thought leaders in the target market.

To reach consumers and select trade through in-person engagement, the Cotes du Rhone and Cotes du Rhone Villages AOCs will present their wines at a number of leading US wine and food festivals, including Uncorked DC Festival on April 25, Philly Wine Fest on May 16, Lincoln Park Wine Fest in Chicago on October 9-11, San Diego Food + Wine Festival on November 5-8, and Chefs for Farmers Food + Wine Festival in Houston on September 2627 and in Dallas on November 78. This summer, the annual Rhone in White event will be hosted in New York City on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at Midtown Terrace & Loft. Designed to showcase the complex world of Rhone Valley white wines, media and trade attendees will have the opportunity to explore over 80 white wine expressions from the region during this immersive tasting and dining experience. This year, the event will evolve into a new format, with a series of takeovers by three sommelier hosts: Jonathan Eichholz, Master Sommelier; Jienna Basaldu, Advanced Sommelier; and Nicole Muscari, DipWSET, who will demonstrate how white wines of the Rhone Valley can be enjoyed, from their respective education, retail, and fine dining backgrounds. Set in a stunning all-white space, guests will be encouraged to wear white or bring white accessories to participate in the theme.

In September, the campaign will hold an exclusive AOC Lirac trade and press event featuring the remarkable wines of one of the Rhone Valley's southernmost Crus. Established as a Cru designation since 1947, Lirac is the site of historic vines that have grown in the appellation for two thousand years, and were even popular with the world's nobility by the 16th century. This intimate event will offer a comprehensive exploration of Lirac's unique soils, climate, and viticultural heritage through a paired tasting.

2026 marks a pivotal year in Inter Rhone's US strategic plan for Rhone Valley Vineyards. Through a set of ambitious and influential activities across the United States market, the campaign will continue to highlight the passion and expertise of the Rhone Valley wineries, cellars, and negociants, cementing the Rhone Valley as one of the foremost French wine regions. The combined efforts across media, trade, and consumer activities are an investment for the region to maintain interest among wine drinkers in the US as a priority market.

For more information, visit the Inter Rhone website or follow Rhone Valley Vineyards on Instagram, and Facebook.

About Inter Rhone - https://www.vins-rhone.com/en

Inter Rhone is a dynamic, deeply committed professional association representing all members of the Cotes du Rhone and Rhone Valley AOC wine industry. Founded in 1955, it coordinates the marketing and communications, business and technical activities of the following AOCs: Cotes du Rhone (Regional, Villages and Crus), Clairette de Bellegarde, Clairette de Die, Chatillon en Diois, Costieres de Nimes, Cotes du Vivarais, Coteaux de Die, Cremant de Die, Duche d'Uzes, Grignan les Adhemar, Luberon, Ventoux, Muscat de Beaumes de Venise and Rasteau sweet fortified wines, Eaux de Vie de Vin des Cotes du Rhone (or Fine des Cotes du Rhone) and Eaux de Vie de Marc des Cotes du Rhone (or Marc des Cotes du Rhone). Its activity is based on three key principles: fair representation for all professional groupings; parity between producers and negociants; and unanimity for all major decisions. Inter Rhone is both creative and accountable, standing alongside its members, supporting them and helping them in their quest to win greater recognition for Rhone Valley Vineyards wines in France and abroad.

Press Contacts:

Leah Isenberg

Colangelo & Partners

[email protected]

Valentin Bordala

Inter Rhone

[email protected]

SOURCE Inter Rhone
Customers can deploy Joule Agents in SAP CX Solutions to build, launch, and optimize marketing campaigns

Gemini Enterprise acts as a central hub for agents to take action across SAP and Google Cloud platforms

LAS VEGAS, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Cloud Next '26 -- SAP SE (NYSE: SAP) and Google Cloud today announced a new partnership that will help marketers put AI agents to work at scale.

Through new integrations between the SAP Engagement Cloud, SAP Customer Experience (SAP CX) and Joule solutions, and Gemini Enterprise, joint customers can now deploy agents that securely access unified data stored across both ecosystems to execute complex marketing strategies based on high-level goals defined by the user.

Together, SAP and Google Cloud provide a unified foundation for data and AI agents to operate across both ecosystems. Gemini Enterprise will act as a central hub for data integrations and multi-agent coordination, allowing agents to take action across a customers' SAP and Google Cloud solutions. These integrations will be supported by the SAP Business Data Cloud (BDC) Connect solution for Google and BigQuery, which enable bidirectional, zero-copy data access between the two platforms, with enterprise-grade security and governance. Capabilities across both Gemini Enterprise and agent gateway APIs from SAP will allow customers' agents to more securely exchange context, trigger actions, and optimize outcomes across platforms, enabling true multi-agent orchestration.

The integration allows marketers to prompt an agent within SAP Engagement Cloud with a clear objective like, "Increase repeat purchases from the last 30 days," or "Maximize customer lifetime value while reducing campaign operational costs." An agent, like a Joule Agent, will handle the end-to-end processfrom content personalization, to visualization, to conversational engagement.

"This is more than a data integration; it's a leap forward for AI agents that can collaborate naturally and execute seamlessly," said Balaji Balasubramanian, President and Chief Product Officer, SAP Customer Experience and Consumer Industries. "By combining SAP Business Data Cloud Connect for Google with interoperable AI agents across SAP and Google Cloud, we're giving organizations a path from AI experimentation to AI-enabled customer experience at scale. Marketers can spend less time on manual tasks and more time shaping the customer journey."

"To realize the full potential of agentic AI, businesses need their systems to speak the same language," said Kevin Ichhpurani, President, Global Partner Ecosystem at Google Cloud. "By uniting SAP's enterprise data and customer engagement platform with Google Cloud's AI, we're enabling marketers to move beyond simple automation to multi-agent orchestration, driving dynamic campaigns that reason and adapt to market shifts in real-time."

According to research from SAP Engagement Cloud, more than half of marketers say fragmented, outdated data prevents them from acting in the moment. SAP and Google Cloud are helping remove that roadblock by unifying data and letting AI agents turn insights into action. Using Joule with SAP Engagement Cloud, campaigns can move from planning to activation automatically without manual stitching across tools.

Customers will benefit from autonomous campaign generation, optimization and continuous improved performance. Businesses will achieve faster speed-to-market, lower operational overhead, and always-on optimization that drives higher ROI, while giving teams more time to focus on strategy and end-to-end campaign execution.

While marketing is the first example, and will be available to customers in H2 2026, this multi-agent orchestration model is designed to support high value use cases across the SAP CX portfolio, laying the foundation for AI-driven customer experience powered by trusted unified real-time data and interoperable agents.

For more information about SAP CX solutions, visit sap.com/cx .

For more information about Gemini Enterprise, visit cloud.google.com/gemini-enterprise .

About Google Cloud

Google Cloud offers a powerful, optimized AI stack  including AI infrastructure, leading models like Gemini, data management capabilities, multicloud security solutions, developer tools and platform, as well as agents and applications  that enables organizations to transform their business for the Agentic Era. Customers in more than 200 countries and territories turn to Google Cloud as their trusted technology partner.

About SAP

As a global leader in enterprise applications and business AI, SAP (NYSE:SAP) stands at the nexus of business and technology. For over 50 years, organizations have trusted SAP to bring out their best by uniting business-critical operations spanning finance, procurement, HR, supply chain, and customer experience. For more information, visit www.sap.com.

SOURCE Google Cloud
NEW YORK and SYDNEY, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- RE1 Limited, in its capacity as responsible entity and trustee of Scentre Group Trust 2 (the " Offeror "), a trust forming part of the stapled entity Scentre Group (ASX: SCG) (" Scentre Group "), has commenced a cash tender offer (the " Tender Offer ") for any and all of its outstanding Subordinated Non-Call 10 Fixed Rate Reset Notes due 2080 (the " Notes ").

Any and All of the Outstanding Notes Listed Below:

Title

of Security ISINs and CUSIP Nos. Principal Amount Outstanding First Call Date U.S. Treasury Reference Security Bloomberg Reference Page Fixed Spread Hypothetical Purchase Price(1)(2) Purchase

Price(2) Subordinated Non-Call 10 Fixed Rate Reset Notes due 2080 144A ISIN: US76025LAB09

Reg S ISIN: USQ8053LAB01

144A CUSIP: 76025LAB0

Reg S CUSIP: Q8053LAB0

US$1,312,056,000 June 24, 2030 3.875% UST due

March 31, 2031 FIT1 +85 bps US$1,013.19 To be determined at the Price Determination Time















(1) For illustrative purposes only, a Hypothetical Purchase Price is set out in the table above, based upon a hypothetical pricing time at or around 1:30 p.m., New York City time, on April 21, 2026, and assuming a Settlement Date (as defined below) of May 5, 2026. Holders should note that the actual Purchase Price determined in the manner described in the Offer to Purchase will be determined at the Price Determination Time and could differ significantly from the Hypothetical Purchase Price set out in the table above. (2) Per US$1,000 principal amount. The Purchase Price will be calculated using the Reference Yield (as defined below) of the U.S. Treasury Reference Security and the Fixed Spread, and will be calculated with reference to the First Call Date, as detailed further in the Offer to Purchase.

The Tender Offer is being made pursuant to an Offer to Purchase, dated April 22, 2026 (as may be amended or supplemented, the " Offer to Purchase "), which sets forth a more detailed description of the Tender Offer. The Offeror urges holders of the Notes to read the Offer to Purchase carefully before making any decision with respect to the Tender Offer. The Offer to Purchase may be obtained at www.gbsc-usa.com/scentre/ or by contacting the tender and information agent using the telephone number or email address found below under "Dealer Managers and Tender and Information Agent".

Purpose of the Tender Offer

The purpose of the Tender Offer is to repurchase the Notes on the terms and conditions described in the Offer to Purchase as part of Scentre Group's ongoing management of its outstanding subordinated debt. Notes purchased in the Tender Offer will be retired and canceled.

Substantial Repurchase Event

Under the terms and conditions governing the Notes, the Offeror may, subject to applicable laws, redeem all of the outstanding Notes at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest up to but excluding the redemption date if the Offeror has repurchased and canceled in aggregate 75% or more of the principal amount of Notes originally issued, which is referred to in the terms and conditions as a "Substantial Repurchase Event". The aggregate principal amount of Notes originally issued was US$1,500,000,000. As of the date of the Offer to Purchase, the Offeror has already repurchased and canceled US$187,944,000 in principal amount of Notes. As a result, if the Offeror repurchases and cancels US$937,056,000 or more in principal amount of Notes under the Tender Offer, being approximately 71.4% of the outstanding principal amount of Notes as at April 22, 2026, the Offeror will be able to exercise this redemption right (subject to applicable laws). If the Offeror repurchases the foregoing amount or more under the Tender Offer, it intends to exercise its redemption right as soon as practicable after completion of the Tender Offer.

If, following the Tender Offer, the Offeror has and exercises the right to redeem the remaining Notes at par, holders that do not participate in the Tender Offer will receive a lower price for their Notes than the Hypothetical Purchase Price. Holders should note, however, that (a) the actual Purchase Price in the Tender Offer will be determined at the Price Determination Time (as defined below) and may be higher or lower than the Hypothetical Purchase Price, (b) the Offeror will only have the right to redeem the remaining Notes at par if $937,056,000 or more of Notes are repurchased in the Tender Offer, and (c) although the Offeror intends to redeem the remaining Notes at par after the Tender Offer if it has the right to do so, it may choose not to exercise this right because of changed circumstances or any other reason.

Tender Offer Details

On the terms and subject to the conditions described in the Offer to Purchase, the Offeror has invited holders of Notes to tender for cash any and all of the outstanding Notes. The Tender Offer is subject to certain conditions described in the Offer to Purchase. The Tender Offer is not conditional upon any minimum principal amount of Notes being tendered.

The Tender Offer will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on April 30, 2026, or any other date and time to which the Offeror extends the Tender Offer (such date and time, the " Expiration Time "), unless earlier terminated. To be eligible to receive the Purchase Price plus Accrued Interest (each as defined below), holders must either (i) validly tender their Notes at or prior to the Expiration Time, or (ii) (A) deliver a properly completed and duly executed notice of guaranteed delivery (substantially in the form attached as Annex 1 to the Offer to Purchase) and the other required documents in accordance with the guaranteed delivery procedures described under "The Terms of the Tender Offer Procedures for TenderingGuaranteed Delivery" in the Offer to Purchase (the " Guaranteed Delivery Procedures ") at or prior to the Expiration Time and (B) deliver their Notes at or prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the second business day after the Expiration Time, which is expected to be May 4, 2026 (the " Guaranteed Delivery Deadline ").

Holders of Notes may only tender Notes in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Offer to Purchase.

Consideration and Accrued Interest

The consideration (the " Purchase Price ") offered per US$1,000 principal amount of Notes validly tendered and accepted for purchase will be determined as of 1:30 p.m., New York City time, on April 30, 2026 (such date and time, the " Price Determination Time "), in the manner described in Schedule A of the Offer to Purchase to reflect, as of the Settlement Date, a yield to the first call date specified in the table above (the " First Call Date ") equal to the sum of: (i) the yield to maturity (the " Reference Yield ") of the U.S. Treasury Reference Security specified in the table above, determined in accordance with market convention and based on the bid-side price of such U.S. Treasury Reference Security as quoted on the Bloomberg Reference Page specified in the table above, plus (ii) the fixed spread specified in the table above (the " Fixed Spread "). Specifically, the consideration will equal (i) the value of the remaining payments of principal and interest on the Notes up to and including their First Call Date (assuming for the purposes of the calculation that all outstanding Notes are redeemed at their principal amount on the First Call Date), discounted to the Settlement Date at a discount rate equal to the sum of (x) the Reference Yield plus (y) the Fixed Spread, minus (ii) Accrued Interest as of the Settlement Date (each as defined below).

In addition to the Purchase Price, holders whose Notes are purchased in the Tender Offer will receive accrued and unpaid interest from and including the last semi-annual interest payment date up to, but not including, the Settlement Date, payable on the Settlement Date or the Guaranteed Delivery Settlement Date (as defined below), as applicable (" Accrued Interest "). For the avoidance of doubt, interest will cease to accrue on the Notes on the day before the Settlement Date for all Notes accepted for purchase, including those tendered in accordance with the Guaranteed Delivery Procedures.

Settlement

The Tender Offer will expire at the Expiration Time. The Offeror will pay for the Notes that are validly tendered and accepted for purchase either on the date referred to as the " Settlement Date " or on the date referred to as the " Guaranteed Delivery Settlement Date ", as applicable. The Offeror anticipates that the Settlement Date for Notes that are validly tendered at or prior to the Expiration Time and that are accepted for purchase will be May 5, 2026, the third business day after the Expiration Time. The Offeror anticipates that the Guaranteed Delivery Settlement Date for Notes (i) for which a properly completed and duly executed notice of guaranteed delivery and the other required documents in accordance with the Guaranteed Delivery Procedures are delivered at or prior to the Expiration Time and (ii) delivered at or prior to the Guaranteed Delivery Deadline (and not prior to the Expiration Time) and that are accepted for purchase will be May 5, 2026, the first business day after the Guaranteed Delivery Deadline.

Withdrawal Conditions

Notes tendered pursuant to the Tender Offer may be withdrawn at any time prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on April 30, 2026, unless extended or the Tender Offer is earlier terminated by the Offeror (such date and time, as it may be extended, the " Withdrawal Deadline "), but not thereafter. Notes may only be withdrawn in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Offer to Purchase.

After the Withdrawal Deadline, holders may not withdraw their tendered Notes unless the Offeror amends the Tender Offer in a manner that is materially adverse to the tendering holders, in which case withdrawal rights may be extended to the extent required by law, or as the Offeror otherwise determines is appropriate to allow tendering holders a reasonable opportunity to respond to such amendment. Additionally, the Offeror, in its sole discretion, may extend the Withdrawal Deadline for any purpose. Notes withdrawn prior to the Withdrawal Deadline may be tendered again at or prior to the Expiration Time, in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Offer to Purchase.

If a holder holds their Notes through a custodian bank, broker, dealer or other nominee, such nominee may have an earlier deadline or deadlines for receiving instructions to participate or withdraw tendered Notes in the Tender Offer.

The Offeror's obligation to accept for purchase and to pay for the Notes validly tendered in the Tender Offer is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of a number of conditions as described in the Offer to Purchase. The Tender Offer may be terminated or withdrawn, subject to applicable law. The Offeror reserves the right, subject to applicable law, to (i) waive any and all conditions to the Tender Offer, (ii) extend or terminate the Tender Offer, or (iii) otherwise amend the Tender Offer in any respect.

Dealer Managers and Tender and Information Agent

The Offeror has appointed Merrill Lynch International and SMBC Bank International plc as dealer managers (the " Dealer Managers ") for the Tender Offer. The Offeror has retained Global Bondholder Services Corporation as the tender and information agent for the Tender Offer. For additional information regarding the terms of the Tender Offer, please contact: Merrill Lynch International at +44 207 996 5420 (international) or +1 (888) 292-0070 (U.S. toll-free) or [email protected] (email) or SMBC Bank International plc at +44 20 4507 5020 (international) or [email protected] (email). Requests for documents and questions regarding the tendering of Notes may be directed to Global Bondholder Services Corporation by telephone at (212) 430-3774 (for banks and brokers only), (855) 6542015 (toll-free) or 001212430-3774 (international), by email at contact@gbscusa.com or at www.gbsc-usa.com/scentre/.

This press release shall not constitute, or form part of, an offer to sell, a solicitation to buy or an offer to purchase or sell any securities. The Tender Offer is being made only pursuant to the Offer to Purchase and only in such jurisdictions as is permitted under applicable law.

Neither the Offer to Purchase nor any disclosure document (as defined in the Australian Corporations Act 2001) in relation to the Notes has been or will be lodged with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, and in Australia, the Tender Offer is only available to persons to whom an offer or invitation can be made without disclosure in accordance with Parts 6D.2 or 7.9 of the Australian Corporations Act.

From time to time after completion of the Tender Offer, the Offeror or its affiliates may purchase additional Notes in the open market, in privately negotiated transactions, through tender or exchange offers or other methods, or the Offeror may redeem Notes pursuant to their terms. Any future purchases may be on the same terms or on terms that are more or less favorable to holders of the Notes than the terms of the Tender Offer.

About Scentre Group

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners and communities of the lands on which our business operates. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to their Elders past and present.

We recognise the unique role of Maori as Tangata Whenua of Aotearoa/New Zealand.

Scentre Group (ASX: SCG) owns 42 Westfield destinations across Australia and New Zealand encompassing approximately 12,000 outlets. Our Purpose is creating extraordinary places and experiences that connect, enrich and are essential to our communities. Our Ambition is to create the places more people choose to come, more often and for longer.

This release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are information of a nonhistorical nature or which relate to future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties. No assurance can be given that the transactions described herein will be consummated or as to the ultimate terms of any such transactions. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Except as required by law or regulation (including the ASX Listing Rules) neither the Offeror nor Scentre Group undertake any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

Media Contact:

Scentre Group Corporate Affairs

[email protected]

SOURCE Scentre Group
Runtime monetization platform brings total funding to over $12M as AI-driven pricing breaks legacy billing architectures

BOULDER, Colo., April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Schematic, the runtime monetization platform for SaaS and AI companies, today announced $6.5M in new funding, bringing total funding to over $12M. The company will launch its Stripe App on stage at Stripe Sessions next week.

The round was backed by S3 Ventures, MHS Capital, Active Capital, NextView Ventures, and Ritual Capital, with angel participation from the founders of LaunchDarkly, CrowdStrike, and Salesloft.

Schematic sits between a company's application and its billing system, decoupling pricing and packaging logic from code and enforcing entitlements in product at runtime. Engineering instruments one entitlement check per feature. The plans, limits, and exceptions live in Schematic, controlled by product and commercial teams and synced automatically to Stripe for billing.

"Software used to be deterministic. AI changed that. Value and cost now accrue at runtime, non-deterministically," said Fynn Glover, co-founder and CEO of Schematic. "Pricing has to be enforced at runtime too. A shadow enforcement system catching webhooks from a billing provider can't keep up."

For most of the last decade, B2B software pricing was seat-based and static. The shift to usage-based, hybrid, and AI-driven models has made that architecture untenable. Billing platforms generate invoices and manage subscriptions, but they do not enforce limits and access inside the product. That enforcement is left to engineering teams who build it in-house, often hard-coded, and then maintain it permanently.

"Entitlements is one of the hardest problems in Billing," said Wisam Hirzalla, a senior product leader at Stripe Billing, welcoming Schematic as an official Stripe App.

Customer Traction

Schematic's customer base includes Plotly, Automox, Florence, Blackcloak, Sema4.ai, Uniqode, OneCrew, Zep, and Pagos, with zero churn over the past year.

Plotly implemented Schematic in three weeks and launched two new AI products with credit-based pricing in half the time originally budgeted. Five thousand users signed up on the new AI plan.

"Without Schematic, feature entitlements, limits, and access logic is just technical debt waiting to happen," said Ben Postlethwaite, VP of Engineering at Plotly. "Maintaining this infra in-house slows down product and sales."

The new funding supports three priorities: deepening the Stripe partnership, building out the monetization control plane for go-to-market teams, and expanding developer tooling and SDKs.

About Schematic

Schematic was founded in 2023 by Fynn Glover, Gio Hobbins, and Ben Papillon. The company builds runtime monetization infrastructure for SaaS and AI companies, decoupling entitlements and pricing enforcement from application code. Schematic is built natively on Stripe Billing and is headquartered in Boulder, Colorado. For more information, visit schematichq.com.

Media Contact: Fynn Glover, [email protected]

SOURCE Schematic
BEIJING, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Challenging the world to embrace a "Change of Perspectives", smart, the contemporary premium EV brand, marked a new chapter in its evolution at the smart Global Brand Event held in Beijing today. Spotlighted by the highly anticipated global debut of the smart Concept #2 and the world premiere of the smart #6 EHD, the event showcased how smart is actively accelerating its expansion planning.

Change of Perspectives: smart Global Brand Event held in Beijing Unconventional. Again. smart Concept #2 Debut The smart #6 EHD, smarts first premium fastback sedan

Alongside the acclaimed smart #1, #3, and #5, the entire portfolio seamlessly blends smart's intelligent premium engineering with the signature styling of the Mercedes-Benz Global Design Team. Distinct in character yet united in spirit, every model in the smart family embodies the brand's core DNA.

Mr. Tong Xiangbei, Global CEO of smart, said: "There is a smart for everyone. As our brand never stops evolving, we have built a true, complete product portfolio where each model carries forward the smart D.N.A.- Designed with Love, No Compromise on Safety and Amazing Drives."

Mr. Kang Yi, Global CMO of smart, said: "Today, more than ever, we need a 'Change of Perspectives'. With the Concept #2 presenting our new vision for the urban two-seater, we have the will to be Unconventional. Again. Meanwhile, the world premiere of our first-ever premium fastback sedan, the #6 EHD, invites you to open your mind to diverse possibilities."

Unconventional. Again. smart Concept #2 Debut

In an exciting global first, smart unveiled the smart Concept #2, the first physical expression of the highly anticipated all-electric smart #2.

Guided by the brand's overarching design philosophy of "Love, Pure, Unexpected," the Concept #2 is exclusively styled by the Mercedes-Benz Global Design Team. Adopting a unique "Function becomes Fashion" lens, it elevates the city car beyond mere utility. Reduced to its essence, the pure and compact silhouette serves as an effortless canvas for individuality.

Engineered on smart's all-new, self-developed Electric Compact Architecture (ECA), the concept model targets a range of nearly 300 kilometers, featuring DC fast charging from 10% to 80% SOC in under 20 minutes alongside innovative Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) capabilities to keep modern urban lifestyles fully charged on the go.

Beyond its iconic aesthetic, the Concept #2 features smart's signature "wheels-at-the-corners" setup, brilliantly maximizing interior space within just 2.79 meters of total length. The smart Concept #2 also showcases unmatched agility with a tight 6.95-meter turning diameter for effortless city maneuvering.

Highly anticipated by urban drivers around the globe, the production model of the smart #2 as the new fortwo is set to make its world premiere at the Paris Motor Show in October 2026.

A Segment Trendsetter: smart #6 EHD World Premiere

Marking smart's first entry into the premium fastback sedan segment, the #6 EHD will be launching first in China. Created by the Mercedes-Benz Global Design Team, the smart #6 EHD pairs executive-level spaciousness with a sleek, aerodynamic silhouette inspired by a shark. Powered by an advanced Electric Hybrid Drive (EHD), the #6 delivers a massive 1,810km range (CLTC) with fuel consumption as low as 3.9L/100km.

Styled by Mercedes-Benz and intelligently crafted in China, smart now brings its contemporary premium electric vehicles to 40 markets globally. Building on a strong presence in China and global markets, the customer service brand smartcare will launch across Europe starting mid-year.

Media Contact:

Una Tu

[email protected]

SOURCE smart
Expands Tencarva's Product Portfolio and Municipal Presence in Texas and Oklahoma

GREENSBORO, N.C., April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Tencarva Machinery Company ("Tencarva" or the "Company"), a leading value-added distributor and service provider of flow control and process equipment solutions to industrial and municipal end markets, announced today that it has acquired WWaterTech Services, Inc. ("WWaterTech"), a manufacturer's representative for water and wastewater equipment manufacturers and system suppliers. Tencarva is backed by Bessemer Investors, LLC ("Bessemer"), a New York-based investment firm. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Serving municipal end markets in Texas and Oklahoma, WWaterTech provides engineers with access to a comprehensive portfolio of water and wastewater process equipment from approximately 60 unique vendors. Founded in 2006 and headquartered in Waller, Texas, WWaterTech is led by President and Owner Steve Holt. After ensuring a smooth transition, Mr. Holt will gradually move into an advisory role, with 15-year WWaterTech executive Wes Holt to lead the business as branch manager.

"The WWaterTech acquisition exemplifies an important part of our strategy to grow and diversify Tencarva's municipal presence across the US," said Henry Ritchie, President of Tencarva. "With its strong position in Texas, one of the most attractive municipal markets in the country, and its high-quality OEM relationships, WWaterTech expands our reach in an important market and supports our continued growth in municipal end markets. We welcome Steve and the entire WWaterTech team to Tencarva."

"WWaterTech has had opportunities over the years to partner with other organizations, but Tencarva stood out for all the right reasons," said Steve Holt. "WWaterTech's success and growth have been driven by our team, so it was important to find a partner that recognized the importance of that and shared our values. Tencarva is made up of water industry professionals with a strong track record of acquiring excellent companies and supporting them for the long term. This transaction allows our team to remain intact while adding resources and capabilities that will help WWaterTech continue to grow and better serve our principals, engineers, contractors, and owners. We are excited about this next chapter and the opportunities ahead with Tencarva's support."

Tencarva continues to actively seek strategic partnerships with industry-leading industrial and municipal flow control and process equipment distribution and service companies. Please contact Andrew Mendelsohn ([email protected]) or Bohdan Tyshynsky ([email protected]) to learn more.

About Tencarva Machinery Company

Tencarva was founded in Greensboro, North Carolina in 1978 with the mission of distributing and servicing pumps and associated liquid handling equipment to industrial customers. Tencarva has increased its capabilities, added new suppliers, expanded geographies and enhanced its product portfolio, entering the municipal market in 2006. Today, Tencarva employs over 580 employees, including over 125 employee shareholders, across 34 locations in the Southeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Midwest. Tencarva also goes to market under the following brands: Southern Sales, Saladin Pump & Equipment, Hudson Pump & Equipment, ESSCO Service & Sales, Fischer Process, Uniguard Machine Guards, Tri-State Coating & Machine, Detroit Pump & Mfg. Co., Atlantic Valve & Equipment, and Hoffman-Kane. For more information, please visit https://www.tencarva.com.

About WWaterTech Services, Inc.

Founded in 2006 by industry leaders, WWaterTech represents a comprehensive lineup of trusted water and wastewater equipment manufacturers and system suppliers. With a proven track record across Texas and Oklahoma, WWaterTech equips engineers, along with the municipalities, agencies, and water districts they serve, with the tools and insights to deliver high-performance, cost-effective treatment solutions. For more information, please visit www.wwatertechinc.com.

About Bessemer Investors

Bessemer Investors is a New York-based investment firm focused on partnering with middle market businesses to support growth and enhance value creation. Bessemer differentiates itself by combining a long-term, flexible capital base with a team of experienced private equity professionals. This approach offers unique solutions to Bessemer's partners and the flexibility to maximize long-term value. For further information, please visit https://www.bessemerinvestors.com.

Contact:

LLYC

Jennifer Hurson

[email protected]

or

Joanne Lessner

[email protected]

SOURCE Bessemer Investors
A 2026 benchmark study from Tosi found vendor remote access to be the weakest OT security capability across every sector. A joint federal advisory issued on April 7 named the same vulnerability as the entry point for cyber-attacks on US critical infrastructure.

OULU, Finland and IRVING, Texas, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Tosi's 2026 State of OT Security Report, published ahead of a recent U.S. federal advisory, identified vendor remote access as the single weakest capability across every industry surveyed. On April 7, six government agencies issued a joint advisory that confirmed the same vulnerability as the entry point for cyber-attacks on American critical infrastructure that had been carried out since at least March 2026. The entry method was simple: the attackers connected to the internet-exposed industrial controllers using the manufacturer's own software, because there was nothing controlling the access.

Tosi's report, released in February 2026, was conducted as an independent benchmark study of 77 U.S. enterprises across water and wastewater, energy, manufacturing, financial services, retail, and real estate. Vendor remote access emerged as the single weakest capability across every sector. The most alarming finding: manufacturing, one of the industries named in the advisory, scored just 1.67 out of 5 on vendor access to plant floor systems, the lowest score of any individual question in the entire dataset.

"The actors connected to internet-facing industrial controllers the same way a legitimate vendor would, because there was nothing in place to tell the difference," said Sakari Suhonen, CEO of Tosi U.S. "The advisory confirmed that attacks on critical infrastructure were already underway in March. Our research, conducted independently in February, found the same structural gap. Two separate efforts, looking at the same problem, reaching the same conclusion."

The advisory's primary recommendation is to place a secure gateway in front of industrial controllers so they are no longer directly reachable from the internet. Tosi Gateways are purpose-built for exactly this: they sit between the public internet and the plant floor, ensuring that no industrial device is ever directly exposed.

The City of Sandusky, Ohio, a municipal water and wastewater operator, is among the utilities that have deployed the Tosi platform.

"Tosi allows the City of Sandusky to keep our wastewater and drinking water networks securely isolated while still allowing for quick support from vendors and remote staff when needed," said Matthew DeVries, IT Manager, City of Sandusky.

The gap between having tools and enforcing controls is where most organizations remain exposed. "The organizations at the top of our maturity scale have one thing in common: they have turned deployed tools into enforced controls," Suhonen said. "What the advisory describes is not a novel threat. It is a known gap that has not been closed."

Tosi's 2026 State of OT Security Report also revealed that one in three U.S. organizations takes hours or longer to revoke vendor access after a job is complete. One in eight takes days or weeks. Furthermore, remote access turned out to be the only capability where the U.S. trails Europe, scoring 6.47 out of 10 versus 6.62 for European respondents.

The full overview of the U.S. part of the report containing a detailed description of scores per capability is available here.

About the 2026 State of OT Security Report

Primary research conducted in February 2026 with 77 security and operations professionals at U.S. enterprises exceeding $1 billion in annual revenue. The full global study includes 135 respondents across the U.S., UK/Ireland, Germany, Benelux, and Finland.

About Tosi

Tosi (formerly Tosibox) is the global pioneer in Cyber Physical Systems platforms for OT networks. Since 2011, the company has deployed solutions to connect, visualize, and control hundreds of thousands of industrial devices. With headquarters in Irving, Texas and Oulu, Finland, Tosi serves 800+ customers globally and operates with 150+ partners. The company's integrated platform enables rapid deployment, comprehensive visibility, and unified control that delivers OT security that scales.

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2870752/5929178/Tosi_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Tosi
ATLANTA, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Weather Company, the world's most accurate weather forecaster1 and a leader in data-driven media solutions, today announced that media and technology veteran Brian Benedik has joined the leadership team as chief revenue officer. In this role, Benedik will spearhead revenue efforts across premium sales, programmatic, client services, operations, partnerships and marketing for the company's consumer business, which includes The Weather Channel app and weather.com, Weather Underground and Storm Radar digital properties.

The Weather Company welcomes Brian Benedik as its new chief revenue officer. Benedik brings 25+ years of experience from leadership roles at Spotify, Audacy, and Niantic. He joins at a pivotal moment to lead revenue efforts and help brand partners harness the power of AI-driven weather insights to reach consumers in the moments that matter most.

As The Weather Company continues to innovate at the intersection of AI, data science and consumer behavior, Benedik will oversee the continued modernization of the company's ad tech stack, supporting the commercialization of new consumer membership products. With a proven track record spanning over 25 years, he will empower marketers to leverage first-party insights and addressable audience solutions to connect with consumers through outcome-based marketing during the moments that matter most.

"Brian is a world-class leader with a unique ability to scale digital businesses by focusing on the harmony between technology and culture," said Brennan Gerster, chief business officer and general manager of consumer, The Weather Company. "His arrival comes at a time of significant momentum for us. Brian's people-first philosophy and his deep experience in high-growth environments make him the ideal leader to help us accelerate our revenue goals and deepen our relationships with global brand partners."

Benedik most recently served as chief revenue officer at Audacy, where he was instrumental in driving growth and innovation across their linear and digital businesses. Previously, he held the CRO role at Niantic and spent seven years at Spotify as senior vice president and global head of advertising. At Spotify, Benedik was a key architect of the company's subscription and ad-supported revenue growth leading up to its innovative and successful 2018 direct public listing.

"The Weather Company is undergoing a profound transformation, backed by a clear vision and a renewed commitment to growth," said Benedik. "I've spent my career scaling technology-led organizations, and I see a massive opportunity here. Weather is far more than a backdrop; it is the ultimate primary signal of consumer intent. I'm excited to join the management team and work with our partners to harness these unique behavioral insights to drive high-impact marketing outcomes at scale."

Benedik will be based in the company's New York office and will report directly to Brennan Gerster. He holds dual degrees in English and Television, Radio, and Film management from Syracuse University's S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications.

About The Weather Company

The Weather Company helps people and businesses around the world make more informed decisions and take action, whatever the weather. With its deep meteorological and industry expertise and highly accurate, high-volume weather data combined with advanced technology and AI, The Weather Company provides insights and solutions that harness the power of weather in a scalable, privacy-forward way. The world's most accurate forecaster, the company serves hundreds of enterprise customers and is trusted by hundreds of millions of monthly active users via digital properties from The Weather Channel (weather.com) and Weather Underground (wunderground.com). Visit weathercompany.com.

_______________________________

1ForecastWatch, Global and Regional Weather Forecast Accuracy Overview, 2021-2024, https://forecastwatch.com/AccuracyOverview2021-2024, commissioned by The Weather Company.

SOURCE The Weather Company
NEW YORK, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Tony S. Kalogerakos, Esq.Injury Lawyers announced today that its New York office is investigating potential civil claims on behalf of individuals and families harmed by ISIS and the Al-Nusrah Front, following a landmark federal criminal case and recent legal developments under U.S. anti-terrorism law.

The firm's investigation follows the 2022 guilty plea by Lafarge S.A. in U.S. federal court, in which the company admitted to conspiring to provide millions of dollars in payments to ISIS and the Al-Nusrah Front between approximately 2013 and 2014. Lafarge paid more than $775 million in criminal fines and forfeiture as part of that resolution.

Under the U.S. Anti-Terrorism Act, victims of international terrorism may pursue civil claims against entities that knowingly provided material support to terrorist organizations. Recent court rulings have clarified that claimants are not required to have been U.S. citizens at the time of the attacks, provided they are U.S. citizens at the time a lawsuit is filed.

Based on this clarification, the firm believes members of the Assyrian, Chaldean, and Suryoye communities may have viable claims related to ISIS violence, including those seriously injured, individuals who have lost loved ones, and their immediate family members.

The firm is seeking to speak confidentially with (i) U.S. citizens or their immediate family members harmed by ISIS or the Al-Nusrah Front attacks between approximately 2012 and 2017, and (ii) survivors or heirs of U.S. citizens killed in such attacks, regardless of their own citizenship. Claims may arise from attacks in Iraq, Syria, or elsewhere involving ISIS.

"This investigation is ultimately about justice," said Tony S. Kalogerakos, Esq. "I believe it was right to include my people in this litigation, and I feel a personal responsibility, almost a mission, to ensure they receive the justice they deserve. This is not just professional for me; it is deeply personal."

At this stage, the firm emphasizes that no outcome can be guaranteed. Individuals who believe they may qualify are encouraged to complete the Eligibility Checklist Form on the site below as an initial step.

Contact Information:

https://www.injuryrights.com/victims-of-isis/

Due to high inquiry volume, please refrain from calling and instead complete the Eligibility Checklist Form to receive a response within 48 hours.

SOURCE Tony S. Kalogerakos, Esq.-Injury Lawyers
Rising International Travel, Duty-Free Demand, and Luxury Goods Appetite Drive Global Travel Retail Market Expansion

WILMINGTON, Del., April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the report, the global travel retail market was valued at $52.7 billion in 2021, and is estimated to reach $187.1 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 9.6% from 2022-2031.Travel Retail Market Report (PDF) | Upcoming Travel Retail Information By &Sales Channel: West U.S Africa in 2018 | Allied Market Research has Published a Report We Sourced Global Opportunity "Travel Retail Market by Product Type and Sales Channel: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2030 delivers an in-depth analysis of the global travel retail market size, share, key segments regional dynamics competitive landscape growth projections through To Infographic Date range FIND IN THIS REPORT Free PDF Sample Download Sources

Download Sample Pages of Research Overview: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/1606

Market Size & Growth

If you want to see a global market in detail, the global travel retail market was at $52.7 billion in 2021 and is anticipated to reach around $187.1 billion by 2031 registering CAGR of (9.6) % over the forecast period. It is expected to continue growing on account of the acceleration in international travel post-pandemic, long-term consumer demand for duty-free and luxury goods as well as rapid expansion of airport retail infrastructure in various developed and developing economies. Travel retail includes sales at airports, seaports, railway stations, cruise liners and border shops - each operating in a duty-free or duty-paid operational environment to international travelers.

Key Market Insights

International passenger volumes are surging, exclusive travel-retail-only product SKUs are on the rise and luxury is being democratized by virtue of duty-free duties - all reshaping the industry. With digital pre-ordering, personalization powered by AI, and seamless in-store digital integration - omnichannel strategies are reshaping the consumer shopping experience. The duty-free sector holds the market reigns, but the battle is becoming more prolific with operators pushing hard into high-footfall domestic travel corridors in duty-paid sales.

Buy This Research Report (299 Pages PDF with Insights, Charts, Tables, and Figures): https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/checkout-final/52ee832f8a41d55329c85e8a1bed532e

Market Segmentation

By Product Type

In 2021, Perfume & cosmetics led the way, accounting for just under a third of average global travel retail revenue and this category will maintain virtual ownership through to 2031 - propelled by sustainability trends, growing brand recognition and fireworks around gifting due to duty-free fragrance. The luxury goods segment, is projected to grow at the fastest rate in terms of CAGR (11.8% growth) owing to changing aspirations of consumers accompanied by brand building efforts on behalf of key automotive players. In drinks, wine & spirits continues to do well, with premium houses seeing airport retail as an avenue to introduce exclusive or limited-edition releases.

By Sales Channel

In 2021, airports accounted for the majority share and is expected to continue to lead the market through 2031 backed up by high captive footfall, a wide range of brand portfolios owned by airport operators segment, and growing trend towards digital & omnichannel retail formats. Government-powered passenger expansion programs make railway station channel lead by the fastest-growing. The latter channel is augmented by cruise liner shops and border/hotel stores as the global travel volumes experience greater diversification across borders.

Regional Insights

Asia-Pacific - Dominant & Fastest-Growing

In 2021, Asia-Pacific accounted for leading global travel retail revenue share with nearly two-fifths of total market share, and is anticipated to grow fastest (CAGR of 10.4%) over the period from 2022 to 2031. Main business growth markets are China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia and only some have Thailand, Malaysia or Indonesia in the picture. In terms of travel retail sales, South Korea led by the Jeju and Incheon duty-free complexes contributes around $12 billion annually. The Hainan Free Trade Port of China has become a world-class duty-free center while international air traffic in India grew at the rate of 22.5% YoY during the period 2023-24, which directly benefited retail footfall for outlets located within airports.

Europe - Premium-Focused Mature Market

Heathrow and Gatwick transit volumes as well as the presence of significant luxury cosmetics and fashion houses help ensure that the UK retains the biggest share in Europe. German CAGR growth in Europe forecasted to lead with the Frankfurt Airport retail push And Europe is where the global luxury headquarters of public companies such as LVMH and H&M are located, and treat travel retail as a strategic battleground-a "showroom" of local stores representing a slice of that mass influencer market worldwide.

North America - Significant Growth Potential

North America is set up for rapid CAGR growth best reflection of increases in holiday destination expenditure from U.S. and Canadian nationals, the forecast continued expansion of airport retail as a channel, and the inclination towards experiential shopping that millennial/travellers show increasingly embracing their preference for experiencing more immersive experiences, with businesses aligning products accordingly gen Z are adopting shops focused on digital-first interactions. U.S. passenger enplanements for February 2024 (alone) came to 82.4 million - a year-on-year increase of 8.6%.

LAMEA - Emerging Opportunity

LAMEA region - driven by Dubai, Riyadh, and Sao Paulo - remains a new growth market. Dubai Duty Free is one of the world's largest single-airport duty-free operations. Oman: Development of three new airports to key tourist destinations within Oman is a positive signal for Oman's long-term commitment to the travel retail industry & investment in ever-increasing infrastructure for UAE positioned developments over the next decade.

Key Players

Some of the key players operating in global travel retail market include:

Dufry AG

Lagardere Travel Retail

DFS Group (LVMH)

Lotte Duty Free

The Shilla Duty Free

China Duty Free Group (CDFG)

King Power International Group

Gebr. Heinemann SE & Co. KG

Aer Rianta International (ARI)

The Nuance Group & LS Travel Retail

Such players have undertaken expansions of store footprints, digital transformations, joint ventures and new product launches to fortify their positions in fast-growing global travel corridors.

Enquiry Before Buying: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/1606

Key Recent Industry Developments

Lagardere Travel Retail & RaiseLab (March 2024): exclusive partnership in open innovation solutions / Digital travel retail transformation.

exclusive partnership in open innovation solutions / Digital travel retail transformation. Dufry & Micro Mobility Systems AG (July 2023): Collaboration to unveil next-generation mobility solutions in Dufry's offering across travel retail locations worldwide.

Collaboration to unveil next-generation mobility solutions in Dufry's offering across travel retail locations worldwide. SK-II Hainan Flagship (Oct 2024): First travel retail flagship store at Sanya International Duty-free Shopping Complex - further bolstering Hainan global duty-free aspirations.

First travel retail flagship store at Sanya International Duty-free Shopping Complex - further bolstering Hainan global duty-free aspirations. 3Sixty Duty Free Fort Lauderdale (June 2024): New opening expansion to 3,300sq ft in FLL Terminal 4 - North American expansion powered by growth and investment in new concepts for airport retailing.

New opening expansion to 3,300sq ft in FLL Terminal 4 - North American expansion powered by growth and investment in new concepts for airport retailing. Dubai Duty Free Sustainability Initiative (2023): Green retailing strategy saving 25% in energy costs and recyclable packaging of over 60% of new product categories at Dubai International Airport.

Analyst Review

At least three structural forces are driving the high-growth trajectory of the travel retail market, these include too much global travel volumes, a repositioning of travel retail as premium experiential destination and growing sophistication of omnichannel deployment at airports and travel hubs say analysts at Allied Market Research.

Copyright: Stay tuned to our travel retail network in the coming weeks so we understand how companies are adapting - you can receive all of this news as it happens by signing up for our weekly newsletter here The article "The Potential for Growth" was originally published at Coca-Cola Journey. Luxury is leading the way in terms of CAGR compared to all other segments, as travelers increasingly seek out limited collections, bespoke service and brand experiences.

Asia-Pacific will continue to be the revenue anchor for the overall market through 2031, while North America and LAMEA display the most promising incremental expansion prospects. The airport channel will remain the market leader but railway station and cruise-liner retail are catching up fast. The rising disposable incomes, aspirational middle class consumption and willingness to spend on premium experiences by the travelers as demand drivers is unchanged even though high operating costs coupled with regulatory variability in duty free allowances continues to be major challenges.

Explore AMR's Extensive ongoing Coverage on Consumer and Goods Domain:

Business Travel Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021 - 2031

https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/business-travel-market

Adventure Tourism Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2022 - 2032

https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/adventure-tourism-market

Online Travel Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2022-2031

https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/online-travel-market

Luxury Hotel Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2025-2034

https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/luxury-hotel-market

Low Cost Airlines Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2024 - 2034

https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/low-cost-airlines-market

Cruise Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032

https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/cruise-market

Wellness Tourism Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2030

https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/wellness-tourism-market

Travel Accommodation Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023 - 2035

https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/travel-accommodation-market

Leisure Travel Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2024 - 2033

https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/leisure-travel-market

Bleisure Travel Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2022 - 2032

https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/bleisure-travel-market-A06357

Ecotourism Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023 - 2035

https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/eco-tourism-market-A06364

Tourism Source Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2022 - 2032

https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/tourism-source-market-A06442

About Us

Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Wilmington, Delaware. Allied Market Research provides end-to-end solutions along with information, education, advocacy, and networking resources to SMEs and early-stage start-ups to bring excellence to their processes. In addition, we offer a nurturing environment required to develop and grow businesses, including business planning; virtual support; market intelligence; acquiring resources; and getting direct access to finance, suppliers, and other experts to boost the growth of businesses and entrepreneurs.



Our bundled and hassle-free business support systems are customized to meet the needs of SME consultants and industry leaders. Moreover, our large network of skilled consultants and experts help start-ups get the business on a roll.

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SOURCE Allied Market Research
ISTANBUL, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ --Yadea, the world's leading electric two-wheeler brand, is participating in Motorbike Istanbul, one of the region's key industry events. On April 22, Yadea hosts its on-site launch event, introducing the Velax high-performance electric motorcycle and the CL9S high-quality family electric tricycle to the Turkish market for the first time, bringing its globally proven products closer to local users.

Yadea Launch Event Venue

Backed by strong global capabilities, Yadea has ranked No.1 in global electric two-wheeler sales for nine consecutive years. The company continues to lead the industry in R&D investment, with total investment exceeding approximately TRY 38.5 billion over the past five years. With more than 40,000 retail outlets worldwide and responsive after-sales service. As the industry's only brand that can self-produce and self-develop core componentsincluding battery, motor, and controllerYadea maintains strict control over product quality and performance. The brand has also initiated localized production in Turkey earlier this March, further strengthening its long-term commitment to the market.

The newly launched Velax reflects Yadea's capabilities in high-performance electric motorcycles. It delivers a peak power of 3200W, a top speed of 60 km/h, and a maximum torque of 172 Nm, with a climbing ability of up to 15. Designed for durability and intelligent riding, it features IPX7 waterproofing, Bluetooth unlocking, family account sharing, and a side-stand power cut-off system. Equipped with front and rear 220mm disc brakes and CBS, Velax effectively shortens braking distance and enhances riding safety.

CL9S is designed to provide a high-quality and comfortable riding experience for daily use. It features an automotive-grade headlight system with a high beam brightness of up to 25,000 cd and illumination covering up to four lanes, improving night-time visibility. Additional highlights include hill descent control, 3C explosion-proof glass, and a cloud-like comfort cabin supported by comfort-tuned suspension. A 12-inch ultra-slim panoramic display and motorcycle-grade wide-profile tires further enhance usability and stability. The booth also features a broader lineup of electric mobility products, including electric bicycles, motorcycles, and scooters, offering solutions for diverse usage needs.

Guided by a commitment to quality and durability, Yadea aims to bring reliable, high-standard electric mobility solutions to the Turkish market. By focusing on long-term product performance and user experience, the brand seeks to enable more local users to benefit from high-quality electric mobility and support the ongoing evolution of short-medium transportation.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2963403/Yadea_Pic.jpg
About this content 

About Ian Lyall

Ian Lyall, a seasoned journalist and editor, brings over three decades of experience to his role as Managing Editor at Proactive. Overseeing Proactive's editorial and broadcast operations across six offices on three continents, Ian is responsible for quality control, editorial policy, and content production. He directs the creation of 50,000 pieces of real-time news, feature articles, and filmed interviews annually. Prior to Proactive, Ian helped lead the business output at the Daily... 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 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.
About this content 

About Lisa Uhlman

Lisa Uhlman is an equities reporter at Proactive Investors, covering ASX-listed companies across the mining, energy, biotech and emerging tech sectors. With a background in legal and financial journalism, Lisa brings a sharp analytical lens to market news and corporate developments. Prior to joining Proactive, she reported for national trade publications and newswires, with a focus on court reporting, regulatory affairs and ESG-related business issues. Based in Sydney, she is... Read more

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Washington, April 22 : Israel and Lebanon are expected to hold their second ambassador-level talks at the US State Department in Washington, US media reported.

Israel and Lebanon will again be represented by their ambassadors to the United States, Yechiel Leiter and Nada Hamadeh Moawad, respectively.

A 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon came into effect at midnight between Thursday and Friday, following weeks of intensified cross-border fighting amid the US-Israeli war against Iran, reports Xinhua news agency.

The truce has remained fragile as tensions along Lebanon's southern border continue. Lebanon's official National News Agency reported that Israeli forces escalated operations across southern Lebanon at dawn on Tuesday, carrying out widespread demolitions, stepping up aerial surveillance, and issuing evacuation warnings despite the ceasefire.

Israel and Lebanon have no formal diplomatic relations, and Hezbollah has long been viewed by Israel as a "proxy" of Iran. The negotiating party with Israel is the Lebanese government, not Hezbollah.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah said it launched rockets and attack drones at an Israeli artillery position in the settlement of Kfar Giladi on Tuesday evening, marking an escalation despite an ongoing ceasefire.

The group said in a statement that the attack targeted the source of recent Israeli artillery fire toward the Lebanese town of Yahmar al-Shaqif, describing the strike as a response to what it called repeated Israeli violations of the ceasefire since it took effect, including attacks on civilians and destruction of homes in southern Lebanon.

A US-backed 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon came into force at midnight between Thursday and Friday, following weeks of intensified cross-border fighting, although the truce has remained fragile.
New Delhi, April 22 : The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear a plea filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday in connection with the Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) raid case.

The hearing forms part of an ongoing legal dispute over allegations that the Chief Minister interfered in an ED search operation conducted at the premises of the Indian Political Action Committee.

The matter traces back to raids carried out by the ED on January 8 as part of a multi-crore money laundering investigation linked to an alleged coal smuggling scam.

According to the agency, Mamata Banerjee, accompanied by more than 100 police personnel and senior officials, entered the I-PAC office as well as the residence of its founder, Pratik Jain, while the searches were underway.

The ED has alleged that she unauthoritatively removed key evidence during the operation, including laptops, mobile phones and documents containing electoral data.

During earlier proceedings, the Supreme Court had described the alleged confrontation as "very unusual" and termed it an "unhappy situation", raising concerns about the absence of clear legal remedies in cases where a high-ranking state functionary is accused of obstructing a central investigation.

Appearing for the ED, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta has sought a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation into the alleged interference, along with appropriate action against the Chief Minister and the state's Director General of Police. The agency has argued that central investigative bodies cannot be left "remediless" if their operations are physically obstructed.

On the other hand, the West Bengal government, represented by senior advocates Kapil Sibal and Abhishek Manu Singhvi, has contested the maintainability of the plea. The state has argued that the ED, being a government department, cannot claim fundamental rights or invoke Article 32 to directly approach the Supreme Court.

The state has also alleged that the raids are politically motivated and aimed at undermining the All India Trinamool Congress ahead of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections.

Meanwhile, in a related development, I-PAC co-founder Vinesh Kumar Chandel was arrested on April 13, after which the organisation is reported to have scaled down or paused its operations in West Bengal.

A court at Patiala House Court subsequently remanded Chandel to 10 days of ED custody in connection with the money laundering probe linked to the alleged coal pilferage case. He is expected to remain in custody until April 23 for further interrogation.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Washington, April 22 : Former US National Security Advisor (NSA) H.R. McMaster has described current US-India relations as "rocky" but stressed that the two countries remain indispensable partners amid rising global tensions, particularly from China.

"It's been rocky, I'll say that," McMaster told IANS in an exclusive interview, reflecting on the trajectory of ties in recent years. "It didn't need to be that rocky in my view."

He pointed to strains that emerged during the Trump administration, including perceptions around diplomatic credit and trade disagreements. "President Trump felt as if he didn't receive enough credit for reducing tensions on the border between India and Pakistan," he said.

McMaster served as the National Security Advisor to President Donald Trump in his first term.

Trade disputes, he noted, have been a recurring source of friction. "The trade issues have always been kind of sticky. But we could work together on those," he said in response to a question.

Despite these challenges, McMaster underscored the structural importance of the relationship. "We need each other," he said.

He acknowledged disappointment in Washington over India's position following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. "There was disappointment when India didn't vote with the United States in the United Nations," he said.

However, he linked India's cautious stance to concerns over US reliability after the withdrawal from Afghanistan. "When India asked who has our back? There were doubts about the degree to which the United States could support India," he said.

McMaster described India's strategic posture as balancing competing risks. "There's this natural inclination to swing between fears of entanglement and fears of abandonment," he said.

He argued that a middle ground is needed, with stronger assurances from Washington. "From India's perspective (the US) should be the most important partner going forward," he said.

The former NSA also raised concerns about India's continued reliance on Russian military equipment. "India's reliance on Russian weapons and munitions is problematic," he said.

Citing recent conflicts, he added: "Russian weapons and munitions are not very good as you can see in Ukraine."

He said reducing that dependence could unlock deeper defence cooperation. "There is a great deal of reluctance to sell the most capable US weapons because of the threat of compromise," he said, referring to security concerns linked to Russian systems.

McMaster framed US-India ties within the broader challenge posed by China. "The US and India are the solution to each other's problems in terms of the threat from Chinese aggression," he said.

He recalled recent tensions along the India-China border. "Chinese soldiers were attacking Indian soldiers on the Himalayan frontier," he said, adding that Beijing continues to pursue "subversive actions" and economic pressure.

Beyond government ties, McMaster highlighted the role of people-to-people connections. "We have benefited from the incredibly talented and vibrant Indian diaspora," he said.

He said these social and cultural links strengthen the foundation of the relationship. "We also have strong cultural ties and familial ties," he added.

Despite recent frictions, McMaster expressed confidence in the long-term trajectory. "India and the United States are natural partners," he said.

-- Syndicated from IANS
New Delhi, April 22 : Indian Ambassador to the US, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, on Wednesday hosted Chief of Army Staff, General Upendra Dwivedi, at India House ahead of his upcoming engagements in Washington DC.

India in the US took to social media 'X' and said, "Ambassador hosted COAS General Upendra Dwivedi, at India House today, ahead of his upcoming engagements in Washington DC. The visit, which is taking place soon after the recent visits by CNS and CAS, continues the high-level military-to-military exchanges between India and the U.S."

"It is expected to further cement the defence ties - a cornerstone of our comprehensive global strategic partnership - towards ensuring a free, open and prosperous Indo-Pacific region," the post added.

Earlier on April 21, Chief of Army Staff, General Upendra Dwivedi, held a meeting with the Commanding General of the United States Army Pacific, General Ronald P. Clark and senior officials in Honolulu with discussions focused on strengthening defence cooperation between the two countries and advancing a shared vision for peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.

After arriving at the US military base in Hawaii, General Dwivedi was accorded a Guard of Honour at Fort Shafter and also undertook an aerial tour of the Oahu Island.

"General Upendra Dwivedi, COAS, was accorded a Guard of Honor at Fort Shafter, Hawaii, during his ongoing visit to United States Army Pacific. He held discussions with General Ronald P Clark Commanding General US Army Pacific, and other senior leaders, focusing on strengthening India-US Defense Cooperation and advancing a shared vision for peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific. COAS also undertook an aerial tour of Oahu island, gaining insights into the training ecosystem and multi-domain operational readiness," Indian Army's Additional Directorate General of Public Information (ADGPI) had posted on X.

Earlier this month, India and the US reaffirmed their strategic defence partnership during high-level talks between the chiefs of their air forces, which focused on interoperability, training and regional deterrence in the Indo-Pacific.

US Air Force Chief of Staff General Kenneth Wilsbach hosted Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh for an official counterpart visit on April 8.

Air Chief Marshal Singh received a full honours arrival at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling and later held meetings with Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink and Wilsbach at the Pentagon, according to an official statement.

During the discussions, senior US Air Force leaders emphasised the importance Washington places on its defence partnership with India, describing it as central to ensuring a "free, open, peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific region".

Wilsbach praised India's leadership and participation in multilateral exercises with like-minded partners and stressed that expanding such cooperation would be key to enhancing regional deterrence.
New Delhi, April 22 : On the first anniversary of the tragic Pahalgam terror attack, Argentina's Ambassador to India, Mariano Caucino on Wednesday paid a solemn tribute to the victims, reaffirming his nation's solidarity with India in the global fight against terrorism. He also condemned terror in all its forms.

New Delhi, April 22 (IANS) On the first anniversary of the tragic Pahalgam terror attack, Argentinaas Ambassador to India, Mariano Caucino on Wednesday paid a solemn tribute to the victims, reaffirming his nation's solidarity with India in the global fight against terrorism. He also condemned terror in all its forms.

This came as India is observing one year of the deadly Pahalgam terror attack, in which Pakistan-backed terrorists gunned down 26 innocent tourists after identifying their religion, in one of the most brutal incidents targeting civilians in recent years.

Mariano Caucino took to social media 'X' and said, "One year since the tragedy of Pahalgam Terror Attack against India. On behalf of the Argentine Government and the Argentine People we convey our tribute to those innocent people lost on this day last year. They shall never be forgotten. Our thoughts with their families and loved ones - Standing with India and condemning terror in all its forms."

The Pahalgam terror attack took place on April 22, 2025, when 26 people were killed in a brutal massacre targeting tourists. The attack was carried out by The Resistance Front, an offshoot of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba.

The attackers singled out victims after asking about their religion, forcing them to recite the Islamic akalimaa to identify non-Muslims. Among those killed were 25 tourists and one local pony ride operator who tried to save the tourists.

Several victims were newly married, and many were shot at close range in front of their families.

In response to the attack, Indian armed forces launched aOperation Sindoora on May 7 and 8, carrying out what officials described as a focused, measured and non-escalatory military action targeting high-value terror bases in Pakistan and Pakistan occupied Kashmir.

aOperation Sindoora was a significant demonstration of Indiaas military and strategic capability, combining both military and non-military measures.

The operation successfully neutralised terrorist threats, deterred further aggression and reinforced Indiaas zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism while maintaining strategic restraint.
New Delhi, April 22 : It has been exactly a year since Pakistan's ISI-backed terrorists carried out one of the most horrific attacks in Pahalgam. The victims were 26 innocent people, and each one was shot point-blank after they were asked about their religion.

New Delhi, April 22 (IANS) It has been exactly a year since Pakistanas ISI-backed terrorists carried out one of the most horrific attacks in Pahalgam. The victims were 26 innocent people, and each one was shot point-blank after they were asked about their religion.

On the face of it, the Pahalgam attack looked like it was executed only to disrupt the booming tourism industry in Jammu and Kashmir. The industry had started to look up since the abrogation of Article 370 and the death of separatism in the Valley. But the officials caution and say that the attack had a large message and was not restricted only to the tourism industry.

It was aimed at inciting the people of India over religion. The ISI and Pakistanas army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, had blessed the attack and had hoped it would have an impact on Indiaas communal harmony.

Communal harmony was disturbed, but it was brief, and the people of India saw the larger picture. Counterterrorism officials say that for the Narendra Modi government, there were plenty of tough calls to take.aTwo responses that defined Indiaas response to terror from Pakistan were a change in doctrine and also Operation Sindoor.

Officials say that Pakistan had long taken advantage of the fact that India would treat every attack as an act of cross-border terrorism. The national security planner of the country was firm this time, and the doctrine was rewritten.

India would henceforth treat every terror attack by Pakistan as an act of war. This change in doctrine led to Operation Sindoor. The brief operation by the Indian armed forces led to massive destruction of the terror infrastructure in Pakistan.

The most significant hits to be carried out both in Pakistan and Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) were the destruction of the Lashkar-e-Taibaas primary training camp at Muridke. Another significant hit was on the Jaish-e-Mohammadas headquarters at Bahawalpur. This facility was completely razed to rubble, and the operation also successfully took out terrorists, which included the family members of Jaish-e-Mohammad boss, Masood Azhar.

The operation was so hard-hitting and swift that it prompted a call from Pakistan seeking a ceasefire. An official said Pakistan realised that seeking a ceasefire was the wisest thing to do. India had successfully jammed Pakistanas Chinese-supplied air defence systems that included the HQ-9B. This was when the BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles came into play and proved to be decisive. These missiles, which travelled at speeds close to Mach 3, managed to evade interception while striking at high-profile targets.

The official said that not only did Operation Sindoor take down terror infrastructure, but it also exposed the huge gap between the militaries of India and Pakistan.

Islamabad stood completely exposed. With the terror infrastructure being taken down, the next important step was to hunt down the killers of Pahalgam.

The Lashkar-e-Taibaas proxy, The Resistance Front, had claimed responsibility for the attack twice. However, it realised that Indiaas response would be strong and hence it decided to withdraw its claim. However, for the Indian security forces, hunting down these terrorists was extremely crucial both in terms of sending out a clear message to the victimsa families as well as from a broader perspective.

Operation Mahadev was launched to track down the killers. An officer who was part of the operation said it was one of the most comprehensive ones in recent years.

The challenge was immense as these terrorists had slipped off into the dense forests in Jammu and Kashmir. The security forces had to track down these terrorists battling treacherous conditions and also challenging terrains that included dense forests and mountains.

The officer said that they used drones and relied on real-time Intelligence. The search area was narrowed down from 300 square kilometres to 25. The forces achieved success on July 28. The Special Para Forces managed to neutralise all three terrorists in the encounter. The experts describe the events in the aftermath of the Pahalgam as path-breaking. Pakistanas military stood exposed, and the terror infrastructure was reduced to rubble.

The doctrine had changed, and most importantly, Pakistanas nuclear bluff had been exposed thoroughly, the experts say.
Bhuj, April 22 : Senior officers and soldiers of the Indian Army on Wednesday recalled their roles and experiences during Operation Sindoor, marking one year since the Pahalgam terror attack.

Commander of the Indian Army, Brigadier Neeraj Khajuria, said his brigade was deployed in highly sensitive regions, including the Rann and Creek sectors.

Commander, Indian Army, Brigadier Neeraj Khajuria said, "During Operation Sindoor, my brigade was deployed in sensitive areas such as the Rann and Creek sectors. These areas posed significant challenges due to harsh terrain, dispersed deployment requirements, and multi-agency coordination."

The Commanding Officer of an Air Defence unit highlighted the regimentas long-standing legacy.

Commanding Officer of Air Defence unit said, "I am the Commanding Officer of an Army Air Defence Regiment. During its 78 years of glorious history, the regiment has remained prepared for all kinds of challenges based on its combat skills."

An Army Air Defence soldier, who served as a Section Commander during the operation, recalled the atmosphere following the Pahalgam terror attack.

An Indian Army soldier said, "I am a soldier of the Corps of Army Air Defence, and during Operation Sindoor, I was performing duties as a Section Commander. After the Pahalgam terrorist attack, there was anger across the nation and within the armed forces. There was a strong resolve to respond to the enemy, and the soldiers of the army were only waiting for orders."

Another soldier shared a similar account, emphasising that the killing of innocent civilians by Pakistani terrorists had triggered outrage not only within the Army but across the country.

A soldier said, "I am a soldier in the Army Air Defence and was performing Section Commander duty during Operation Sindoor. During the Pahalgam attack, Pakistani terrorists killed innocent Indian civilians, which caused outrage not only in the Indian Army but across the entire nation."

A drone operator involved in Operation Sindoor stated that enemy drones were frequently observed entering their sector, often daily. As part of a dedicated drone team, he was responsible for identifying enemy positions and coordinating surveillance operations, which he carried out efficiently.

He said, "During Operation Sindoor, I worked as a drone operator. After being deployed in the operational area, we observed that the enemy was frequently sending drones into our sector almost every day. I was part of a drone team tasked with locating enemy positions, which I led efficiently."

One soldier recounted his deployment at the Jaisalmer Military Station on May 10, 2025, where he was tasked with securing critical infrastructure. During his duty, he detected an approaching enemy drone and promptly took action to address the threat.

A soldier said, "I am a soldier of the Army Air Defence Corps. On May 10, 2025, I was deployed at the Jaisalmer Military Station as part of an Air Defence detachment responsible for providing security to critical infrastructure. While performing my assigned duties, I observed an enemy drone approaching critical infrastructure."

Another soldier said, "During Operation Sindoor, I was deployed with a gun detachment in a highly sensitive area. During the night, enemy aerial activity was observed in our sector. Immediately showing alertness, I informed my senior officers. Upon receiving permission, I alerted the gun detachment and carried out effective firing, successfully destroying the enemy drone."

The Pahalgam terror attack took place on April 22, 2025, when 26 people were killed in a brutal massacre targeting tourists. The attack was carried out by The Resistance Front, an offshoot of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba.

The attackers singled out victims after asking about their religion, forcing them to recite the Islamic 'kalima' to identify non-Muslims. Among those killed were 25 tourists and one local pony ride operator who tried to save the tourists.

Several victims were newly married, and many were shot at close range in front of their families.

In response to the attack, Indian armed forces launched 'Operation Sindoor' on May 6 and 7, carrying out what officials described as a focused, measured and non-escalatory military action targeting high-value terror bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir.

'Operation Sindoor' was a significant demonstration of India's military and strategic capability, combining both military and non-military measures.

The operation successfully neutralised terrorist threats, deterred further aggression and reinforced India's zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism while maintaining strategic restraint.
New Delhi, April 22 : A total of seven persons, including mastermind and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) member T. Naseer, have been sentenced by a special court of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in connection with the 2023 Bengaluru prison radicalisation case.

Apart from Naseer, the court sentenced Syed Suhail Khan, Mohammed Umar, Zahid Tabrez, Syed Mudassir Pasha, Mohammed Faisal Rabbani, and Salman Khan to seven years of rigorous imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 48,000 each. The sentences were awarded under various provisions of the IPC, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, the Arms Act, and the Explosive Substances Act.

The accused had earlier pleaded guilty to the charges filed by the NIA in case RC-28/2023/NIA/DLI. The case pertains to a terror conspiracy allegedly hatched inside the Parappana Agrahara Central Prison in Bengaluru by Naseer. The conspiracy involved the identification, recruitment, training, conversion, and radicalisation of vulnerable youth lodged in the prison to carry out terror activities in India.

The case was initially registered by the Bengaluru Central Crime Branch (CCB) in July 2023 after the seizure of arms, ammunition, and digital devices from habitual offenders. Investigations revealed that the accused had planned to execute terror strikes in Bengaluru as part of the violent anti-India agenda of the banned LeT outfit.

Subsequently, the NIA took over the probe and uncovered a larger conspiracy aimed at facilitating Naseeras escape while he was being transported from prison to court. At the time, Naseer was an undertrial in the 2008 Bengaluru serial blast cases.

Following a detailed investigation, the NIA chargesheeted 11 arrested accused and one absconder, identified as Junaid Ahmed. Among them, Salman Khan was extradited from Rwanda through coordinated efforts by Indian and Rwandan authorities. Efforts are ongoing to trace and arrest the absconder Junaid Ahmed.

Earlier on April 18, Kashmiri separatist leader Shabir Ahmad Shah had been arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in connection with a 30-year-old case involving alleged attacks on police personnel.
Washington, April 22 : Former US National Security Advisor (NSA) H.R. McMaster has underscored the urgency of strengthening US-India energy cooperation, saying that current global tensions highlight India's need for long-term energy security.

McMaster, who served as the national security advisor to President Donald Trump in his first term, said the energy crisis in the aftermath of the Iran war situation mirrors earlier disruptions during the Ukraine war.

"This is very similar to the energy crisis associated with Russia's massive invasion of Ukraine," he told IANS in an exclusive interview.

Cautioning that reliance on external energy sources leaves India vulnerable to geopolitical volatility, he said: "It highlights the need for energy security."

McMaster identified the US-India partnership as central to addressing these risks. "The US partnership with India is immensely important on so many levels," he said.

He stressed that energy cooperation must become a core pillar of bilateral ties. "One of the most important dimensions should be a partnership to develop technologies that will allow for a much higher degree of energy security," he said.

The former NSA also linked energy challenges to broader domestic pressures in India. "Water security and food security I see these as all interconnected," he said.

Outlining practical steps, McMaster pointed to expanding access to American energy supplies. "Access to US liquified natural gas exports," he said, could help India diversify its import basket.

He noted that the United States has emerged as a dominant energy producer. "The US is now the world's largest producer of fossil fuels," he said.

At the same time, he warned against overdependence on supply chains linked to China. "Renewable solutions that are not reliant on supply chains controlled by China," he said, should be prioritised.

He cited sectors such as solar panels and wind turbines, where Chinese dominance in manufacturing creates strategic vulnerabilities.

Looking ahead, McMaster highlighted advanced nuclear technologies as part of a long-term solution. "Nuclear technologies such as small modular reactors hold great promise," he said.

He argued that a diversified energy strategy -- combining fossil fuels, renewables and nuclear -- would strengthen India's resilience against external shocks.

The remarks come as India continues to navigate global uncertainty, including tensions in West Asia and fluctuating energy markets, while seeking to balance growth with stability.

McMaster's comments underline a broader strategic view in Washington that energy cooperation can anchor the next phase of US-India relations, alongside defence and technology partnerships.
New Delhi, April 22 : As the portals of Kedarnath Dham opened on Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called upon pilgrims visiting Uttarakhand to maintain cleanliness, support the 'Vocal for Local' initiative by purchasing indigenous products, and adhere strictly to rules and regulations throughout the Char Dham Yatra.

The opening of Kedarnath Dham took place amid Vedic chants and resonating cheers of "Har Har Mahadev", marking a key moment in the annual pilgrimage season and allowing devotees to offer prayers at one of Hinduism's most revered shrines.

Devotees from across the country gathered in large numbers to witness the occasion and seek blessings at the sacred temple.

In a letter addressed to the nation, the Prime Minister said, "The Char Dham Yatra has commenced on the sacred soil of Devbhoomi Uttarakhand. On April 19, the portals of Gangotri and Yamunotri Dham opened, and starting today, the pilgrimage to Kedarnath Dham begins. On April 23, the portals of Badrinath Dham will also open for devotees."

Describing the spiritual significance of the journey, he said, "This sacred pilgrimage to the four Dhams -- marked by the mere 'darshan' of Baba Kedar -- is a magnificent celebration of India's rich cultural consciousness. Jagadguru Adi Shankaracharya gave a new direction to Indian culture through his pilgrimages to Badrinath and Kedarnath. Jagadguru Ramanujacharya and Guru Gorakhnath, too, strengthened this rich spiritual tradition through their travels and stays in the region."

The Prime Minister noted that the four Dhams "remain the focal points of our eternal faith" and bring together people from every corner of the country.

"People representing every language, diversity, tradition, and culture come together as one, further realising the spirit of 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat'. Through this pilgrimage, we expand the scope of our nation's traditions," he said.

Referring to ancient scriptures, he highlighted that undertaking the Char Dham Yatra is believed to carry immense spiritual merit, equivalent to visiting multiple pilgrimage sites over several years.

Emphasising development, he said that a 'Viksit Uttarakhand' is crucial for achieving the broader goal of a 'Viksit Bharat'.

"A few years ago, we were all deeply distressed by the calamity that struck at the very doorstep of Baba Kedar. However, today, Uttarakhand is continuously forging ahead on a new path of development. The state is currently setting new benchmarks in the fields of tourism, spirituality, and economic progress," he said.

He added that improved infrastructure has made the pilgrimage more accessible and secure. "Thanks to improved roads, healthcare services, and communication facilities, the overall experience for pilgrims has also significantly improved," he noted.

At the same time, he stressed the need to preserve the region's ecological balance.

"Efforts are being made to promote tourism while simultaneously safeguarding Uttarakhand's rich natural heritage. I would also like to urge every pilgrim visiting Uttarakhand to maintain cleanliness in their surroundings throughout this journey. Instead of travelling in private vehicles, please utilise public transport, and support the 'Vocal for Local' initiative by purchasing local products," he said.

For the Char Dham Yatra, the Prime Minister urged devotees to follow key principles such as cleanliness, environmental sensitivity, cooperation, and discipline.

"Maintain cleanliness at the Dhams and along the pilgrimage routes. Contribute your share towards keeping the rivers clean. Refrain from using single-use plastics and uphold the sanctity of these holy shrines," he said.

He further called for mindful travel in the fragile Himalayan ecosystem. "Undertake your journey with due regard for the fragile ecology of the Himalayas. Contribute to environmental conservation through initiatives such as 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam'," he added.

Highlighting the broader spirit of the pilgrimage, he said it is "not merely about seeking darshan, but also a means to foster a spirit of service and social harmony".

"Even today, people continue to render selfless service without any discrimination. Initiatives such as 'Yatra Marg Seva' inspire us to step forward and assist others," he said.

He also encouraged pilgrims to support local livelihoods. "Prioritise local products during your travels. Support local artisans and businesses, thereby strengthening their livelihoods," he said.

Calling for responsible conduct, he added, "Abide by the rules and regulations of the pilgrimage. Respect the security protocols and conduct yourself as a responsible citizen throughout your journey."

Recalling his personal experience, the Prime Minister said, "I recently had the privilege of visiting Kedarnath and Badrinath Dham myself. The experiences I had there left me deeply overwhelmed. I am confident that all of you, too, will have a truly wonderful spiritual experience during this pilgrimage. I extend my warmest wishes to you all for this sacred journey."
Bengaluru, April 22 : A special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court on Wednesday sentenced seven accused persons including T Naseer to 7 years imprisonment, in connection with the 2023 Bengaluru prison radicalisation case.

Among others who got convicted and sentenced to seven years rigorous imprisonment included Syed Suhail Khan, Mohammed Umar, Zahid Tabrez, Syed Mudassir Pasha, Mohammed Faisal Rabbani and Salman Khan. They were also imposed a fine of Rs 48,000. The accused persons had pleaded guilty of the charges that were filed by the NIA.

The case relates to a Lashkar-e-Tayiba linked terror conspiracy that was hatched inside the Parapanna Agrahara Central Jail in Bengaluru by T Naseer. The conspiracy involved identification, recruitment, training, conversion and radicalisation of gullible youth lodged in the prison to execute terror activities in India. The case was initially registered by the Bengaluru Central Crime Branch (CCB) in July 2023, following the seizure of arms, ammunition and digital devices from habitual offenders.

The accused persons had hatched a plan to carry out terror attacks in Bengaluru city. The NIA said that these persons were furthering an anti-India agenda of the Lashkar-e-Tayiba. The case was taken over by NIA following a larger conspiracy came to light. The accused persons were also trying to facilitate the escape of Naseer from jail. He is a life convict and had been sentenced in connection with multiple terror cases.

The plan was to facilitate his release while he would visit a court in Bengaluru, the NIA learnt. The NIA chargesheeted 11 persons and an absconder identified as Junaid Ahmed. Of these accused, a person named Salman Khan was arrested after he was extradited from the Republic of Rwanda. The NIA said that efforts are on to trace the absconding accused.

Officials say that the modus operandi that was being followed in this case resembled what one got to witness in the prisons of Jammu and Kashmir.

In 2011, a team of the National Investigation Agency had detained two persons from the Bengaluru central jail for making calls to Pakistan. In October 2011, the Kerala police had put out a report stating that inmates were making calls to Pakistan and the investigators believed that this was a case relating to terrorism.

The radicalisation of individuals has been flagged by the Ministry of Home Affairs in a report dated January 2023. The Home Ministry had told all the Director General of Prisons to focus on organising special de-radicalisation sessions in all jails.

"The jail administration has to ensure that inmates inclined towards propagating the ideology of radicalisation and those who have the propensity and potential to negatively influence other inmates are housed in separate enclosures away from other inmates," a letter by Deputy Secretary Arun Sobti had read.
Thrissur, April 22 : A final decision on the conduct of the annual Hindu temple festival Thrissur Pooram will be taken on Thursday following a crucial meeting between the Devaswom authorities and the district administration scheduled at 10:30 A.M.

Devaswom Minister, V.N. Vasavan, said that the High Court has granted permission to convene the meeting, which will be central to determining the future course of the famed festival in the wake of the recent tragedy where 13 people engaged in making the fireworks died in an explosion that took place on Tuesday evening and 13 are currently under treatment across various hospitals in Kerala.

The annual Hindu temple festival, Thrissur Pooram, is held at the Vadakkunnathan Temple in Thrissur every year on Pooram day, the day when the Moon rises with the Pooram star in the Malayalam Calendar month of Medam.

It is the largest and most famous of all poorams in India. Thrissur pooram is also one of the largest festivals in Asia with more than 1 million visitors flocking to it annually.

The week-long Pooram ends with the staging of the glittering firework display that was scheduled for Monday.

Devaswom Minister, V.N. Vasavan clarified that the Kerala government will not take any unilateral decision regarding the Pooram.

He emphasised that the final call will be made only after detailed consultations with the Devaswom bodies and other stakeholders.

He reiterated that the process will be collective and cautious, considering the sensitivity of the situation.

Minister Vasavan also stated that he will remain in Thrissur until the Pooram related issues are fully resolved.

He further confirmed that a special Cabinet meeting will be held today in light of the tragedy and its wider implications on public safety and festival arrangements.

In another key update, the minister informed that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is currently not present at the site as he is undergoing medical treatment.

Despite this, senior officials and ministers are closely monitoring the situation and coordinating relief, investigation, and administrative decisions.

The developments come at a critical moment for Thrissur, as authorities balance the emotional, cultural, and safety considerations surrounding one of Keralaas most prominent festivals, even as the aftermath of the tragedy continues to unfold.
Thrissur, April 22 : The Kerala government on Wednesday ordered a judicial inquiry into the deadly fireworks accident at Mundathikkode in Thrissur, even as it announced a compensation package for the victims and their families.

The decision was taken at a Cabinet meeting, with Revenue Minister K. Rajan stating that the incident would also be declared a state-specific disaster.

The probe team will be headed by Justice (retired) C.N. Ramachandran Nair.

Addressing the media soon after the cabinet meeting, he said as part of the relief measures, the government will provide Rs 14 lakh to the families of those who lost their lives, which will include Rs 10 lakh from the Chief Ministeras Distress Relief Fund and Rs 4 lakh from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF).

The injured will receive Rs 2 lakh each.

The explosion at a fireworks storage facility on Tuesday claimed 13 lives, sending shockwaves across the state.

Authorities said nine bodies have so far been brought to the mortuary, of which seven have been identified.

The identified victims include Sudarshan (54) from Pazhayannur in Thrissur; Vasudevan (54) from Kachoor in Palakkad; Suvin (40) from Kundannur in Thrissur; Manikandan (60) from Edappal; Subramanian (50) from Kulathur in Malappuram; Bijish from Chirakkal; and Manikandan (33) from Kottappuram, who was not associated with the fireworks unit but was a local resident.

Officials said that in addition to the bodies, 26 human body parts have been recovered and are currently kept in the mortuary, complicating identification efforts.

Forensic examinations are underway to establish the identities of the remaining victims.

The scale of the tragedy has raised serious concerns over safety protocols in the handling and storage of fireworks.

The judicial probe is expected to examine the circumstances leading to the explosion, accountability lapses, and adherence to safety regulations.

Meanwhile, the administration continues rescue, identification, and relief efforts, even as the state grapples with one of its worst fireworks-related disasters in recent years.
Ranchi, April 22 : The menace of wild elephants continues unabated in several districts of Jharkhand. In a fresh attack, two people were trampled to death by a herd of jumbos in the Koderma district of the state. The elephant herd caused damage to property and crops in the Seraikela-Kharsawan district, officials said on Wednesday.

In Kodermaas Jainagar police station area, a herd of elephants attacked a brick kiln at Kanjhiyadih village on Tuesday night, damaging makeshift houses and triggering panic among workers.

A 32-year-old labourer, Rajkumar Manjhi of Fatehpur village in Bihar, and a 12-year-old boy, Lovkush, were killed in the attack. Three others sustained serious injuries in the incident -- Rajkumar Manjhias wife Gauri Devi, Lovkushas mother Kari Devi, and a one-and-a-half-year-old child. They have been admitted to a hospital for treatment.

Following the incident, local residents expressed anger against the forest department, alleging that no effective steps were being taken to drive away the pachyderms despite their continuous presence in the area.

Earlier, on April 19, a youth was killed in an elephant attack in the Satgawan block of Koderma district. The incident had led to protests, with villagers blocking the Gaya-Deoghar main road while demanding compensation and enhanced security measures.

Meanwhile, in neighbouring Seraikela-Kharsawan district, an elephant created havoc on Tuesday night in Tiruldih village under the Rusuniya panchayat of the Chandil forest area.

The animal entered a newly upgraded primary school and consumed around one and a half quintals of rice meant for the midday meal scheme. It also damaged banana and vegetable crops in Bana village and destroyed cucumber fields.

According to local farmers, herds of elephants have been camping in the Chandil subdivision area for several years and frequently venture into villages after dusk, damaging houses and crops.

Repeated incidents have created an atmosphere of fear, forcing residents to stay awake at night to guard their homes and fields.

--IANS

snc/skp
Madikeri : , April 22 (IANS) A shocking incident of sexual assault on an American woman tourist has come to light in the Madikeri district of Karnataka.

Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara said on Wednesday that there were attempts to hush up the case, but those attempts were foiled by the police.

The alleged sexual assault reportedly took place at a private homestay in Kutta village, Ponnampet taluk, and came to light after a delay.

According to police sources, the woman had checked into the homestay named 'Devi Villa' on April 19, when she was allegedly sexually assaulted by a man identified as Vrujesh Kumar, a native of Jharkhand.

Following a complaint, a case was registered at the Kutta Police Station. The accused, Vrujesh Kumar, has been arrested by the police.

In connection with the same incident, the homestay owner, Vishal, has also been taken into custody on charges linked to the case, officials confirmed.

Police have stated that a detailed investigation is underway to ascertain the sequence of events and examine the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Responding to the development, Home Minister G. Parameshwara stated, "As soon as the matter came to light, the police arrested the accused. Further action will be taken as per the law."

He added, "It appears that after the incident, there were attempts to cover it up. But once the police received information, they acted promptly and gathered details."

"Action must be taken accordingly. Whoever is running such establishments as homestays must have proper licensing. We have already laid down SOPs on what needs to be followed to operate a homestay. If such incidents occur in violation of those norms, legal action must be taken," he said.

"Such incidents do not send a good message about the state or society. Especially when outsiders or foreigners are involved, it reflects on our society and our country. That is why strict action is necessary, and we are taking it," he added.

It can be recalled that in early March 2023, a group of tourists, including an Israeli woman, an Indian homestay operator, and three male tourists, were stargazing near the Tungabhadra canal in the Hampi region (Vijayanagara district, Karnataka).

During the night, they were allegedly attacked by a group of men.

The assailants reportedly assaulted the male tourists and pushed them into the canal. Two women, including the Israeli tourist, were allegedly gang-raped during the attack.

The accused were caught and charged under sections related to gang-rape, attempt to murder, robbery, and criminal conspiracy under the IPC.

A court in Karnataka has handed down the death penalty to three men convicted in the horrific case.
Chennai, April 22 : The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) in Chennai has forecast moderate rainfall across districts along the Western Ghats till April 27, bringing some relief from prevailing heat conditions in parts of Tamil Nadu.

According to an official statement by the weather department, several regions are likely to receive rainfall on Wednesday, particularly the Western Ghats districts and adjoining areas. Coastal regions along the Ghats, parts of southern Tamil Naduas coastal belt, and delta districts are expected to witness light to moderate showers during the day.

The forecast indicates that weather activity will remain favourable for intermittent rainfall over the next few days, especially in hilly and adjoining districts. However, despite the rainfall outlook, temperatures across the state are not expected to drop significantly.

The RMC said that maximum temperatures across Tamil Nadu, as well as in Puducherry and Karaikal, are likely to remain largely stable, with only a marginal increase expected in some areas. Interior districts of Tamil Nadu may record temperatures 2 to 3 degrees Celsius above normal in isolated places, reflecting continued heat stress in non-coastal regions.

In contrast, coastal Tamil Nadu, including Puducherry and Karaikal, is expected to experience temperatures closer to normal levels due to the moderating influence of sea breeze and cloud cover associated with the rainfall activity.

Meteorologists have attributed the current weather pattern to atmospheric conditions favourable for moisture incursion over the Western Ghats and adjoining regions. These conditions are likely to sustain scattered rainfall episodes over the coming days, particularly during the afternoon and evening hours.

Authorities have advised residents, especially in hilly and coastal districts, to remain cautious of sudden weather changes, including brief spells of rain and gusty winds. Farmers and local administrations have also been urged to take necessary precautions to manage weather-related disruptions.

The rainfall is expected to provide temporary relief in some areas, but with temperatures remaining above normal in interior districts, heat conditions are likely to persist alongside sporadic showers across the state.
Hyderabad, April 22 : Telangana's Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar on Wednesday urged employees of Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC) to call off the strike to protect the public organisation.

Hyderabad, April 22 (IANS) Telanganaas Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar on Wednesday urged employees of Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC) to call off the strike to protect the public organisation.

Stating that a strike is not a solution, the minister said a high-level committee formed by the government is looking into their demands, and a report is expected in four weeks.

The minister appealed to RTC employees and their families to call off the strike in the interest of protecting the organisation and ensuring public welfare.

He said in a statement that the government has already constituted a four-member committee of senior officials to address the issues. The committee has been instructed to submit its report within four weeks. He clarified that this is not a delay tactic.

Ponnam Prabhakar said that of the 32 issues raised by RTC employees, the government has no objection to 29 issues, and they can be resolved immediately. The remaining issues of the RTC merger and recognition of unions involve technical aspects and require detailed examination. These will be discussed with the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister, he said.

The minister highlighted key steps taken by the government for the welfare of employees. He said salaries were being paid on the first of every month, despite delays in the RTC merger. The long-pending 2017 PRC has been cleared along with pending DA dues, while the 2013 pending bonds have been settled.

He stated that PF dues have been reduced from Rs 1,205 crore to Rs 600 crore, while CCS dues have been reduced from Rs 690 crore to Rs 300 crore. Monthly payments of Rs 75 crore are being made towards PF and CCS.

He promised that the recruitment of 4,538 employees would be completed soon to reduce the workload. The government has made 1,134 compassionate appointments. Around 250 employees previously removed from service have been reinstated.

The minister emphasised that RTC is gradually recovering, and disruptions at this stage would harm both the institution and the public. RTC serves as a lifeline for rural and economically weaker sections, with around 65 lakh daily passengers, including 45 lakh women. Many depend on RTC for education, employment, and healthcare.

He urged employees to use democratic means of protest through their leadership without disrupting public transport. He stressed that poor people cannot afford alternative travel options.

He assured that the government is committed to resolving all issues and stands firmly with RTC employees, while urging them to resume duties and avoid inconvenience to the public.
Washington, April 22 : Former US National Security Advisor (NSA) H.R. McMaster has said the Iranian regime is unlikely to sustain itself, citing military setbacks, corruption and widespread repression as key factors weakening its hold on power.

"I do not think that the Islamic Republic of Iran can sustain itself," McMaster told IANS in an exclusive interview. "I think it's unsustainable," he said, responding to a question on the Iranian regime after the US dismantled its entire leadership and armed forces.

He pointed to the cumulative impact of recent developments on the regime's ability to function. "The damage that has been done to its military to its ability to project power outside of its borders," he said, has been significant.

McMaster, who served as national security advisor to President Donald Trump in his first term, also emphasised internal challenges, arguing that the regime has undermined itself through its policies. "The damage that it has done to itself and its own people through corruption," he said.

He criticised Tehran for prioritising military ambitions over domestic welfare. "Prioritising a nuclear weapons programme and its missile programmes over the welfare of its own people," he said.

McMaster said that the financial cost of these programmes has been enormous. "The waste of tens of billions, if not hundreds of billions of dollars," he added.

Highlighting systemic corruption within the ruling establishment, he said: "Collectives associated with the regime are extracting money and sending it abroad."

He also referred to offshore financial holdings linked to senior leadership. "Tens of millions of dollars in offshore accounts," he noted.

The former NSA raised concerns over human rights abuses by the regime. "Executions against political prisoners," he said, continue to take place.

He cited what he described as a particularly severe episode of violence. "The mass murder of what appears to be 40,000 people in a 48-hour period in January," he said.

McMaster said the humanitarian dimension remains central to the crisis. "The stakes are highest for the Iranian people," he said.

He called for sustained international efforts to weaken the regime's coercive apparatus. "The need to continue actions to weaken the repressive arms of the theocratic dictatorship," he said.

Linking Iran to broader regional instability, McMaster said the regime has long engaged in indirect conflict. It has been "waging a proxy war for 47 years," he said.

He also connected Iran's position to global geopolitical competition, particularly China's role. Beijing's economic engagement, including large-scale oil purchases, provides critical financial support to Tehran, he said.

"They buy 90 per cent of Iran's oil," McMaster noted, describing it as a key revenue stream for the regime.

He argued that changes within Iran could have wider implications. A fundamental shift in the regime, he suggested, would alter dynamics in the Middle East and beyond.

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
Jaipur, April 22 : A high-level inquiry has been initiated into the massive fire that broke out at the Pachpadra Refinery in Rajasthan's Balotra district. A key aspect under examination is whether the incident points to a security lapse, particularly in the context of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's protocol, or if it indicates a deeper conspiracy.

Jaipur, April 22 (IANS) A high-level inquiry has been initiated into the massive fire that broke out at the Pachpadra Refinery in Rajasthan's Balotra district. A key aspect under examination is whether the incident points to a security lapse, particularly in the context of Prime Minister Narendra Modias protocol, or if it indicates a deeper conspiracy.

Sources indicate that officers responsible for the security of petroleum installations are also part of the probe.

However, it remains unclear which agency will lead the overall investigation. Security agencies typically conduct extensive checks ahead of any Prime Ministerial visit. In this context, the fire has raised serious concerns.

Sources suggest that the Ministry of Home Affairs is treating the incident as a potential breach of established security protocols.

On Tuesday, officials and experts from multiple agencies, including the National Investigation Agency (NIA), a team from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, and technical experts from the Ministry of Petroleum, reached the site to begin a detailed investigation.

CCTV footage from across the refinery is being closely analysed to identify any suspicious activity. Entry protocols have been tightened, and surveillance of personnel and outsiders has been significantly enhanced.

Spread over 4,500 acres and built for Rs 79,459 crore, the refinery employs over 20,000 workers and staff.

As of now, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) has not released a detailed assessment of the damage. Preliminary indications suggest that if the Crude Distillation Unit (CDU) has not suffered major damage, commercial production could potentially resume by July 1.

Meanwhile, CM Bhajanlal Sharma visited the site on Tuesday. "I inspected the Rajasthan Refinery located at Pachpadra and held a high-level review meeting with the officials," he wrote on X.

The CM also held discussions with the firefighting personnel and emergency response teams who played a leading role in promptly extinguishing the fire in the CDU.

"Taking the incident that occurred within the refinery complex with utmost seriousness, instructions have been issued for a detailed investigation," he said.

According to preliminary information provided by HPCL officials, the damage is confined to a limited area, he said.

Former CM Ashok Gehlot said that he had a discussion with a chemical engineer from Australia who said that the new refinery just can't catch fire. Technically, refineries have been catching fire due to technical failure after 20-25 years, he added.

Meanwhile, a multi-layered investigation is underway. While central security agencies are probing possible security or sabotage aspects, HPCL has initiated an internal investigation into technical causes.

In its statement, HPCL Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) stated that the fire broke out around 1.55 p.m. in the Crude Distillation Unit (CDU) section of the refinery. Prima facie findings suggest that a hydrocarbon leak from a valve or flange in the heat exchanger circuit may have triggered the fire.

The company confirmed that the fire was quickly contained by the emergency response team with support from local authorities. No casualties or injuries were reported. The fire remained localised within the heat exchanger stack. Key units, including CDU and VDU, were isolated in time and remain structurally safe. No other sections of the refinery were affected. The exact cause and impact are currently under investigation by both internal and external experts.

The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has constituted a high-level committee, including external experts, to determine the root cause and recommend corrective measures on priority.

In its statement, officials of the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas said that they have constituted a high-level committee, comprising external experts, to assess and investigate the root cause behind this incident and recommend remedial actions on an urgent basis.

On Tuesday, around noon, a BSF helicopter arrived from Delhi carrying an expert team, landing at the refinery helipad. The team conducted a detailed inspection, questioned staff and fire personnel, and reviewed CCTV footage from the time of the incident.

A forensic team arrived shortly thereafter and collected evidence from the site.

State Minister Jogaram Patel, meanwhile, stated that expert teams and senior technical specialists from other refineries are being brought in to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the root causes of the leakage, with the aim of ensuring a permanent resolution.

He assured that once the repair work is completed, the refinery will begin commercial production as per the planned schedule.

Meanwhile, both administrative and technical teams are maintaining continuous monitoring to prevent any recurrence of such incidents.

He further added that the refinery, equipped with state-of-the-art technology, is expected to become a significant milestone in the regionas industrial development and will also create substantial employment opportunities.
Kolkata, April 22 : Actress-turned-politician and former Trinamool Congress Lok Sabha member from Basirhat constituency in North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal, Nusrat Jahan on Wednesday morning appeared at the Enforcement Directorate (ED)'s office at Salt Lake on the northern outskirts of Kolkata to face interrogation in relation to the ration distribution case.

Kolkata, April 22 (IANS) Actress-turned-politician and former Trinamool Congress Lok Sabha member from Basirhat constituency in North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal, Nusrat Jahan on Wednesday morning appeared at the Enforcement Directorate (ED)as office at Salt Lake on the northern outskirts of Kolkata to face interrogation in relation to the ration distribution case.

Accompanied by her partner and co-actor Yash Dasgupta, Nusrat Jahan arrived at the EDas office at the Central Government Office (CGO) complex at around 10.45 A.M, carrying along with her a number of documents which the investigating officials of the ED had asked her to bring.

Sources aware of the development said that initially Jahan had requested the ED for permission to appear at the agencyas headquarters in New Delhi since she was supposed to be in the national Capital on Wednesday.

However, since the ED rejected her plea on this count, she ultimately arrived at the EDas Salt Lake office on Wednesday.

Incidentally, Jahanas appearance at the EDas office is just a day before the first phase of the crucial two-phase West Bengal Assembly elections on Thursday.

During the Covid-19 lockdown, several trucks were seized in border areas of West Bengalas Basirhat on charges of smuggling wheat and rice to Bangladesh. Nusrat was the Basirhat MP at that time.

According to ED sources, several names have surfaced during the investigation into the alleged ration smuggling, and officials intend to question her regarding wheat smuggling to Bangladesh.

Earlier, in 2023 the ED had also questioned Nusrat in connection with a flat fraud case for about six hours at the CGO Complex.

BJP leader Shankudeb Panda had accused the actress of involvement in the alleged fraud and had lodged a complaint with the ED.

The chargesheet stated that in 2014a"15, a company had collected Rs 5.5 lakh each from more than 400 senior citizens, promising flats of around 1,000 square feet. However, neither the flats were delivered nor was the money returned. Nusrat was a director in the company. However, she has denied all the allegations.

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New Delhi, April 22 : A highalevel government committee on banking for the Viksit Bharat initiative is likely to review the 26 per cent cap on voting rights for private shareholders in Indian banks under the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, a report said on Wednesday.

New Delhi, April 22 (IANS) A higha'level government committee on banking for the Viksit Bharat initiative is likely to review the 26 per cent cap on voting rights for private shareholders in Indian banks under the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, a report said on Wednesday.

The panel, which has yet to be formally constituted, is expected to review the rule, as the voting restriction has been cited as a hurdle in the privatisation of IDBI Bank, after prospective investors sought greater control aligned with their equity stakes, the report from NDTV Profit said.

The panel is likely to include officials from the Reserve Bank of India and senior executives from large public sector banks and its terms of reference are expected to be finalised over the next three months, the report said.

Any change to raise the voting rights ceiling above 26 per cent would require a legislative amendment, with changes to the Banking Regulation Act and could be considered in the next session of Parliament, it added.

Currently, as per rules, a promoter may legally hold over 26 per cent of the shares in a private bank, but when it comes to voting at shareholder meetings, their voting rights are capped at 26 per cent worth of shares.

The foreign investors can currently hold up to 74 per cent of a private bankas equity, including 49 per cent via the automatic route and the remainder with government approval. However, their voting rights remain capped at 26 per cent regardless of shareholding.

"The panel is expected to examine ways to make India's banking sector more globally competitive, with a broader goal of enabling at least two Indian banks to break into the world's top 20 by size," the report noted.
Chennai, April 22 : Actor Ajith Kumar, who was in Belgium to participate in the popular 24H Series - GT3 Pro-Am race held at the legendary Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, has now returned home well in time to cast his vote in the Tamil Nadu State Assembly elections that are to be held on Thursday.

Chennai, April 22 (IANS) Actor Ajith Kumar, who was in Belgium to participate in the popular 24H Series a" GT3 Pro-Am race held at the legendary Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, has now returned home well in time to cast his vote in the Tamil Nadu State Assembly elections that are to be held on Thursday.

Video clips of Ajith Kumar arriving at the Chennai airport on Wednesday and making his way out of the airport are now doing the rounds on social media.

It is a well established fact that Ajith Kumar makes it a point to return home well ahead of time before election day to ensure he casts his vote in elections.

It may be recalled that Ajith's team, Ajith Kumar Racing, had made the country proud on Sunday by securing a second place podium finish at the intensely contested 24H Series a" GT3 Pro-Am race in Belgium.

Taking to its X timeline to share the happy news, Ajith Kumar Racing had said, "Racing to glory, carrying a billion dreams. P2 finish for Ajith Kumaras racing team at the legendary Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in the 24H Series a" GT3 Pro-Am. A moment that made the entire Indian nation proud a" proving passion, grit, and determination know no limits. #IndianPride #AjithKumar #AjithKumarRacing #SpaFrancorchamps #24HSeries #GT3."

Ajith Kumar Racing had also posted pictures of the team on the podium and also posted a brief video clip of the actor and his team taking the podium. This is not the first time that Ajith Kumar Racing has secured a podium finish at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps.

The top Tamil actor had left for Belgium a week ago to prepare for the gruelling race, which is a test of both skill and endurance. In fact, the actor's racing team had consistently been sharing updates on the actor and his team's preparation by way of pictures and video clips over the last week.

Last year too, Ajith Kumar's team had secured the second place at the Creventic Endurance Race held at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium, in the Porsche 992 GT3 Cup category.

The win at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium, last year was the third consecutive podium finish the team had secured in the Creventic Endurance Series.

It may be recalled that the team had first done the country proud by coming third at an event at the Dubai Autodrome on January 11 last year. The team then secured third place at the Mugello Circuit, Italy on March 22, 2025. For the third time, the team had secured a podium finish at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps last year.
April 22 : Lucknow/New Delhi: During the 18th Civil Services Day held at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi, Uttar Pradeshs efforts received special appreciation in a breakaway session titled 'Accelerating Indias Net-Zero Path through PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana.' Narendra Bhushan, Secretary of the Department of Land Resources, participated as a panelist and shared the states innovations and achievements in the renewable energy sector on a national platform.

The presentation of Uttar Pradeshs experiences and accomplishments at such a prestigious platform highlighted that the states policies and implementation model are becoming inspirational for others.

Under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Uttar Pradesh is continuously setting new benchmarks in energy self-reliance and sustainable development.

Narendra Bhushan, who previously served as Additional Chief Secretary in the Energy and Additional Energy Sources Department of Uttar Pradesh, stated that under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanaths leadership, the state has made rapid progress in renewable energy and established itself among the leading states.

Through effective implementation of the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, rooftop solar installations have gained unprecedented momentum, directly benefiting citizens.

He emphasized that strengthening supply capacity in line with rising demand and simplifying the entire process for citizens are essential for the schemes success.

The Yogi government has prioritized digital platforms, real-time monitoring, and transparent processes, ensuring that beneficiaries receive the schemes benefits without hurdles.

A large-scale campaign is underway in the state to achieve the goal of 'Solar for Every Home.'

Uttar Pradesh has secured a leading position nationwide in rooftop solar installations. With a record number of installations in recent months, the state has reinforced its strong presence at the national level.

The Yogi governments energy policies are not only focused on increasing power generation but also on promoting green energy and environmental conservation.

The expansion of solar energy is reducing carbon emissions, enabling the state to make a significant contribution toward the countrys net-zero targets.
Mumbai, April 22 : Comedian Samay Raina, who is getting a lot of positive response to his recently released comedy special 'Still Alive', has called it an honest effort towards his craft.

The comedy special was released on April 7, 2026, and has crossed 53.4 million views on YouTube, setting a new global record as the most-watched full-length stand-up comedy special in the world, by total views on a single upload.

Talking about the comedy special, he said, "Still Alive is the most honest thing I have ever made. I owe every view to the people who never stopped showing up".

'Still Alive' recorded over 22 million views within its first 24 hours, an extraordinary debut for any long-form content, let alone a stand-up special. Within a week of release, the special had crossed 48 million views. Today, at 53.4 million views, it stands alone at the top of the global leaderboard for full-length stand-up comedy, on any platform, anywhere in the world.

The special captures the comedian's journey in its most raw and unfiltered form. It is not a set about someone who survived a scandal. It is a set about someone, who chose to be exactly who he is, honest, sharp, dark when it needs to be, and genuinely funny. The special comes a year after the controversy that unfolded on the sets of his show 'India's Got Latent', which invited backlash and legal trouble for the comedian.

The controversy erupted after a remark made by podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia. The episode went viral, triggering a cascade of FIRs across multiple states, summons from the National Commission for Women, an inquiry by the Maharashtra Cyber Cell, and intervention that reached the Supreme Court of India. Samay Raina took down every episode from YouTube, and co-operated with authorities including a six-hour interrogation session at the Maharashtra Cyber Cell in Navi Mumbai.

Then, in August 2025, he returned to the Stage with the Still Alive & Unfiltered India tour commenced in Bengaluru and Bharat Mandapam in Delhi, Talkatora Stadium. The tour then went global Europe, Australia, and the USA.
New Delhi, April 22 : A subsidiary company of Larsen & Toubro Ltd signed a long-term deal with Japan's ITOCHU Corp on Wednesday to supply three lakh tonnes of green ammonia per annum from its proposed production facility at Kandla in Gujarat.

ITOCHU will utilise the green ammonia supplied by L&T Energy GreenTech Ltd. to support its expanding green bunkering applications in Singapore and other locations, aligned with its strategy to develop a global green ammonia ecosystem across key maritime trade routes, a statement said.

The deal is a captive long-term take-or-pay basis, which means LTEGL is assured a customer in the Japanese company for the defined period. "By securing long-term demand through a reputed global partner like ITOCHU, we are strengthening the commercial foundation of our green ammonia platform," said Subramanian Sarma, deputy managing director and president of L&T.

Green ammonia is seen as a next-generation marine fuel for decarbonising the maritime sector. Combining hydrogen produced through splitting water using renewable energy and nitrogen separated from the air produces green ammonia.

"This latest agreement builds on the Joint Development Agreement (JDA) between the two companies signed in July 2025 and marks a significant progression in the partnership a" from joint development to securing long-term demand. It reinforces the collaboration between LTEGL and ITOCHU, and advances the shared vision of establishing a globally competitive green ammonia value chain," the company statement said.

LTEGL focuses on accelerating the energy transition through green hydrogen and its derivatives. It operates across three core pillars a" Green Manufacturing, Development, and Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) a" providing integrated solutions for decarbonisation, including building electrolysers and large-scale green hydrogen plants. The company develops, owns, and operates green hydrogen projects, including India's largest green hydrogen plant at Indian Oilas Panipat Refinery, designed to supply tonnes annually for 25 years.

With approximately 90 bases in 60 countries, ITOCHU, one of the leading 'sogo shosha' (Japanese general trading companies), is engaging in domestic trading, import-export, and overseas trading of various products such as textile, machinery, metals, minerals, energy, chemicals, food, general products, realty, information and communications technology, and finance, as well as business investment in Japan and overseas.
New Delhi, April 22 : The All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) on Wednesday sought the urgent intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan over crashing farmgate prices of potato, which the farmers' body claims has pushed millions of growers toward financial trouble.

The farmers' body threatened to launch a countrywide indefinite agitation to pressure the government over the escalating crisis faced by potato farmers if its demands are not conceded.

IANS had reported that the distress of potato farmers in West Bengal has escalated into a political confrontation ahead of the Assembly elections scheduled for April 23 and 29.

The matter has triggered a sharp exchange between the ruling Trinamool Congress and the Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party in Bengal, while parties such as the Left and the Congress have remained relatively muted.

"With farm-gate prices crashing to as low as Rs 3 per kg in some states against an input cost of Rs 15-18 per kg, millions of potato farmers across 10 states are facing destruction," the AIKS, a Communist Party of India-affiliated farmers' body, said in a statement.

The affected states include Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Assam, Haryana, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh.

"The government's current procurement price of Rs 6.5 per kg covers less than half the actual input cost of Rs 12 per kg," the statement added. The AIKS has demanded that a statutory minimum support price (MSP) for potatoes be fixed at Rs 27 per kg, along with "full compensation" for farmers' losses and a complete waiver of agricultural loans.

The farmers' union has put forward a charter of demands, including the declaration of a statutory Minimum Support Price (MSP) of Rs 27 per kg for potatoes and a legally guaranteed MSP framework on par with cereals. Further demands include a 70 per cent subsidy on cold storage rentals for small farmers, direct procurement through cooperatives to eliminate middlemen, and a complete waiver of all agricultural loans.

Among other demands, the farmers' body has sought an ex gratia payment of Rs 25 lakh to families of farmers who died by suicide under distress, and immediate interim relief of Rs 50,000 per acre for affected growers in the 10 states. In its memorandum, the AIKS warned of a "nationwide indefinite agitation" if these demands are not met.

It has asked its units to mobilise protests, including demonstrations and road blockades at the block and district levels. The organisation also warned that "farmers will protest and resist the tours of Union Ministers in the potato producing belts".

Farmer suicides have been linked to a combination of factors, including bumper output, a steep fall in prices, mounting debt, and inadequate institutional support. Ongoing instability in West Asia and other regions has also affected export demand.

In states such as West Bengal, policies restricting or banning the movement of potatoes to other states during price spikes have further disrupted supply chains.

The Bengal BJP has highlighted cases of farmer suicides allegedly linked to debt, claiming that at least five growers have died since February after failing to recover production costs. The party has accused the Trinamool Congress government of neglecting the crisis faced by potato farmers.
Mumbai, April 22 : Gold and silver prices showed positive momentum on Wednesday over an extension of the ceasefire between the US and Iran, with both precious metals rising up to 2 per cent.

On the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX), gold contracts for June 5 hit an intra-day high of Rs 1,53,699 per 10 grams, up 1.33 per cent or Rs 2,028. During the session, gold touched a low of Rs 1,53,052 and was last trading at Rs 1,53,593, up Rs 1,922 or 1.27 per cent.

Silver contracts for May 5 rose over 2 per cent, or about Rs 6,000, to Rs 2,50,698 per kg. The metal hit an intraday low of Rs 2,48,388.

In international markets, both metals were trading higher. Gold on COMEX was up 1.13 per cent at $4,773.21 per ounce, while silver gained 1.97 per cent to $77.99 per ounce.

Market experts said that despite the recent gains, both metals remain range-bound with a cautious bias.

On MCX, gold was holding above Rs 1,53,000 with emerging buying interest at lower levels, but continued to trade within a consolidation phase. A sustained move above Rs 1,55,000 could push prices towards Rs 1,57,000a"1,58,000, while a break below Rs 1,52,000 may trigger a correction towards Rs 1,50,000a"1,48,000 levels.

Silver was trading in the Rs 2,48,000a"2,50,000 range, with resistance seen at Rs 2,53,000a"2,55,000. A breakout above these levels could extend gains towards Rs 2,60,000a"2,62,000, while a drop below Rs 2,45,000 may lead to further downside towards Rs 2,43,000a"2,40,000.

The rise in gold and silver prices was attributed to increasing global uncertainty.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has extended the deadline for the ceasefire between the US and Iran, although the duration and terms of the extension remain unclear.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Asim Munir reportedly urged him to halt attacks on Iran for a longer period to allow more time for peace talks.
Chennai, April 22 : South sensation Malavika Mohanan, who has steadily carved a niche for herself across film industries, has now disclosed when and why she last shed tears.

The actress, who took to Instagram to have an Ask Me Anything session with her fans and followers, was asked when was the last time she had cried.

Respoding to the question, Malavika Mohanan said, "I think it was... I was in Chennai last month for work. I was there for a prolonged period. While my team is lovely, I think staying away from home, from family, from loved ones for a very long period of time can start getting very lonely."

She went on to explain,"Just coming back to your hotel room, not having anyone to talk to at the end of the day.... I think it started getting to me at one point. So, it wasn't like dramatic crying but I feel like I went into a very low space."

The actress also opened up about her next project with Vijay Sethupathi. The actress, while sharing her excitement about being part of a film that had a strong creative vision and an equally passionate team, said, "Currently, I'm working on a film with Vijay Sethupathi sir, and it's a Tamil-language film. It's directed by Thiagarajan Kumararaja, who, in my opinion, is one of the best filmmakers of our generation. The shoot is going really well, and we're having a lovely, lovely time bringing the story to life. It's genuinely a great team to be working with. I'm very excited about this one it's called 'Pocket Novel', and it's releasing this year. I can't wait for all of you to see it."

Apart from 'Pocket Novel, Malavika will also be seen in director P S Mithran's spy thriller 'Sardar 2' alongside Karthi. The actress, who plays the lead along with actor Karthi in the spy thriller, had, while wrapping up the shooting of the film, said, "And it's a wrap for #Sardar2! I started this project with the most challenging schedule of the film & ended it with the most fun schedule in Bangkok. What a mad ride this one's been!"

Thanking her co-star Karthi and director P S Mithran, the actress had added, "@Karthi_Offl, you've been an absolute gem to work with. Who knew we had so many interests in common. @Psmithran, Thank you for making me a part of this one. So unlike anything I've done before. This is a special one. See you in the cinemas soon."
Jerusalem, April 22 : Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar on Wednesday remembered the innocent lives lost in the Pahalgam terror attack and expressed Tel Aviv's readiness to continue cooperation with New Delhi to confront terrorism with determination and advance peace, security and stability.

On Wednesday, India is observing one year of the deadly Pahalgam terror attack, in which Pakistan-backed terrorists gunned down 26 innocent tourists after identifying their religion, in one of the most brutal incidents targeting civilians in recent years.

"On behalf of the State of Israel, on one year to the Pahalgam terror attack, we honour the memory of the innocent lives lost and stand with their families in grief. Israel remains resolute and unwavering in its fight against terrorism in all its forms. Together with India, we will continue to strengthen our cooperation to confront this threat with determination and to advance peace, security, and stability," Sa'ar posted on X.

Earlier in the day, Israeli Ambassador to India Reuven Azar remembered the victims of the terror attack and reaffirmed that Tel Aviv stands with New Delhi in the fight against terrorism.

In a post on X, Azar said, "One year since the tragic loss of 26 innocent lives in the Pahalgam Terror Attack. We remember. Israel stands with India in the fight against terror."

He also shared a video message expressing his condolences to the families of the victims and drew parallels to the brutality experienced by Israel on October 7. He emphasised that terrorism knows no borders and that India and Israel stand united in facing this threat.

"On behalf of Israel, I extend our deepest condolences to the families of the victims and to the people of India. We stand with you in grief and in solidarity," Azar said.

"For us, in Israel, this pain is deeply familiar. On October 7, we witnessed similar brutality against our own people. This tragedy reminds us that terrorism has no borders. India and Israel stand united in our fight against terrorism," he added.

The terrorist attack took place in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam on April 22, 2025, when 26 people were killed in a brutal massacre targeting tourists. The attack was carried out by The Resistance Front, an offshoot of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba.

The attackers singled out victims after asking about their religion, forcing them to recite the Islamic 'kalima' to identify non-Muslims. Among those killed were 25 tourists and one local pony ride operator who tried to save the tourists.

Several victims were newly married, and many were shot at close range in front of their families.

In response to the attack, Indian armed forces launched 'Operation Sindoor' on May 6 and 7, carrying out what officials described as a focused, measured and non-escalatory military action targeting high-value terror bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir.

The operation successfully neutralised terrorist threats, deterred further aggression and reinforced India's zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism while maintaining strategic restraint.
London, April 22 : Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan held a meeting with his UK counterpart, Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton, on Wednesday, during which India and UK reaffirmed their shared resolve to address contemporary challenges from global trade imbalances to emerging cyber threats while advancing a peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific..

"General Anil Chauhan, CDS, during his official visit to the United Kingdom interacted with Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton, CDS UK. India and the UK reaffirmed their shared resolve to collaboratively address contemporary challenges from global trade imbalances to emerging cyber threats while advancing a peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific and harnessing accelerated technological transformation," Headquarters of Integrated Defence Staff posted on X.

"This visit will strengthen Defence Cooperation and strategic convergence, underscoring a shared commitment to Global Security, stability and resilience," it added.

During his visit to the UK, General Chauhan interacted with the Commandant and faculty of the Royal College of Defence Studies (RCDS) and discussed the evolving global security environment, underlying trends and their strategic impact.

"He subsequently addressed the pinnacle cohort on the 'Impact of Recent Conflicts on Military Strategy', highlighting the changing nature of conflict, Indiaas strategic dilemmas and Indiaas role in shaping a stable and secure global order," Headquarters of Integrated Defence Staff posted on X.

Earlier on Tuesday, General Anil Chauhan met Defence Industry leaders of the UK and emphasised that enhanced economic integration will allow smoother collaboration in defence manufacturing, technology transfer and supply chain resilience.

In a post on X, the Headquarters of Integrated Defence Staff stated, "General Anil Chauhan, Chief of Defence Staff CDS, engaged Defence Industry leaders of UK, focusing on impetus to defence collaboration."

"The CDS emphasised that enhanced economic integration will enable smoother collaboration in defence manufacturing, technology transfer and supply chain resilience. He further highlighted that Defence Industrial Collaboration will boost co-design, co-development and co-production of critical technologies," he added.

General Chauhan also laid a wreath at Memorial Gates, Constitution Hill in the UK and paid tribute to the fallen, honouring their courage and supreme sacrifice.

CDS General Anil Chauhan met the UK's Minister of State for Defence Readiness and Industry Luke Pollard, with their discussions focusing on the evolving nature of conflict and deepening military-to-military cooperation.

General Chauhan also met the UK's Minister of State (MoS) for Indo-Pacific Seema Malhotra.

"CDS also held high-impact bilateral talks with Ms Seema Malhotra, MoS for Indo-Pacific to take forward India - UK Partnership, Defence Industrial Roadmap and Tech and Security initiatives to counter emerging challenges in the Indo-Pacific," the HQ, Integrated Defence Staff (IDS) said in a post on X.

"Both sides emphasised enhancing cooperation in Cyber, Intelligence and Space domains, including information resilience and specialised exchanges. The exchange reaffirmed a shared commitment to resilient, Future Ready forces and a strengthened India - UK strategic partnership," it added.

General Chauhan also led a roundtable conference with leading officials, think tanks and intellectuals on "Indian military transformation - challenges and opportunity".

"General Anil Chauhan, Chief of Defence Staff CDS, led an engaging roundtable conference with leading officials, think tanks and intellectuals on 'Indian military transformation challenges and opportunity', focused on the evolving strategic landscape and the imperatives of modern military transformation during his visit to the United Kingdom," the HQ, IDS posted on X.

"Discussions underscored the centrality of advanced technologies in defence, enhancement of operational capabilities and closer synergy across industrial, intelligence and cyber domains, alongside strategic communication and joint engagements to further strengthen a robust, future-oriented India-UK Defence Partnership," it added.

On Monday, General Chauhan was accorded a Ceremonial Step Line and received by his UK counterpart, Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton in London.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Berlin, April 22 : Defence Minister Rajnath Singh interacted with the members of the Indian community in Berlin and praised them for acting as a "strongest bridge" between the two countries, with contributions spanning across business, technology, healthcare, academia, and arts.

He spoke about India's rapid economic growth and technological progress and mentioned advances in infrastructure, start-ups, space, and digital innovation. He stated that the Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision is aimed at strengthening domestic capabilities, boosting manufacturing, and reducing dependence on imports.

Stressing that India's stature has grown on the global stage under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, he said, "Earlier, India's words at the international fora were not heeded; but today, the whole world listens carefully," he said. He exhorted the Indians in Germany to promote India's perspective globally and deepen economic ties.

He highlighted that 2026 marks 75 years of diplomatic relations with Germany, which is built on trust, mutual respect, and shared democratic values. He urged the Indian community members to continue contributing to a stronger India-Germany partnership while staying rooted in their own heritage. He reaffirmed the commitment towards the diaspora by assuring the Indian government's continued support and security to its citizens living in different parts of the world.

In a post on X, Rajnath Singh stated, "Delighted to interact with the members of Indian community in Berlin. The Indian diaspora is the Living Bridge between India and Germany and it has evolved into a strong force in the recent years. During my interaction, I underlined India's rapid economic growth and technological progress including areas like infrastructure, startups, space, and digital innovation."

On Tuesday, Singh addressed the German Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence and Security, with discussion focused on India-Germany strategic partnership and the recently signed India-EU strategic and defence partnership agreement.

"Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh today addressed the German Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence and Security. He was received by Mr Thomas Roewekamp, Member of Parliament and Chairman of the Committee. The discussion centred around India-Germany strategic partnership and the recently signed India-EU strategic and defence partnership agreement. The two sides also shared their perspectives on important regional and global issues," Office of Defence Minister posted on X.

Rajnath Singh also paid tribute to Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore at Humboldt University in Berlin. The Defence Minister arrived in Berlin for a three-day visit to Germany.

In a post on X, the Directorate of Public Relations, Ministry of Defence, stated, "Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh arrived in Berlin today on a three-day official visit to Germany. He was flown in a Special German Air Force aircraft, escorted by fighter jets from Munich to Berlin, and accorded military honours upon arrival."

During his visit, Rajnath Singh is set to hold talks with his German counterpart, Boris Pistorius, and other senior leaders of the government.

Discussions will focus on increasing defence-industrial collaboration, strengthening military-to-military engagements, and exploring opportunities in emerging sectors like cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and drones, according to the Ministry of Defence.

A Defence Industrial Cooperation Roadmap and Implementing Arrangement for Cooperation in UN Peacekeeping Operations Training are likely to be signed in the presence of both ministers.

"The visit will provide an opportunity to review the ongoing defence cooperation initiatives and identify new avenues for collaboration between the defence industries of both countries. Shri Rajnath Singh is also expected to interact with key representatives of the German defence industry, with a view to promoting joint development and co-production under the Make-in-India initiative," the Ministry of Defence statement said.

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
Kolkata, April 22 : Trinamool Congress has filed a complaint with the Election Commission of India (ECI) against the Central forces, accusing the personnel of beating and intimidating villagers in Nandigram in West Bengal's East Midnapore district.

The party has submitted a letter to the ECI in this regard, said a Trinamool leader on Wednesday.

In the letter, Trinamool claimed that the CRPF is working at the "behest of the BJP", and the Central forces are being "used for political gain". The party said that this must be stopped immediately.

On Tuesday, several incidents of violence took place in the Nandigram Assembly constituency of aaaaBJP leader Suvendu Adhikari. Especially in the Kacharpur area, several villagers complained about the Central forces jawans beating them up for no reason. Some women from the area also protested against this.

A local youth named Khokan Santra told media persons, "I live in Howrah due to work. I had returned home to vote. Before I could understand anything, the Central forces jawans beat me up." Villagers claimed that four people were injured in the incident. They are being treated at the Nandigram Super Speciality Hospital.

In a letter to the Commission, Trinamool has written that the CRPF has been accused of intimidation, using excessive force, and beating the residents of Nandigram constituency.

The party alleged that the Central forces are hitting ordinary people without provocation. Using a photograph as evidence, the ruling party claimed that the act was not only immoral but also against the law.

The party said such acts are not advisable for those responsible for ensuring that the elections are held peacefully and without any hindrance.

Targeting the Union Home Ministry, Trinamool alleged the BJP is "clearly misusing" the CRPF.

The party has urged the Commission to issue a show-cause notice to the CRPF, suspend the accused jawans, and ensure that such incidents do not happen again.
New Delhi, April 22 : Marking the first anniversary of the horrific Pahalgam terror attack, diplomatic missions and foreign envoys remembered the victims and expressed solidarity with India in the fight against terrorism.

India is observing one year of the deadly Pahalgam terror attack, in which Pakistan-backed terrorists gunned down 26 innocent tourists after identifying their religion, in one of the most brutal incidents targeting civilians in recent years.

Philip Green, Australia's High Commissioner to India, took to X and posted, "One year on, we join our Indian friends & colleagues to remember the innocent lives lost in the horrific terrorist attack in Pahalgam. We honour the victims & their families who continue to grieve today. Australia stands against terrorism in all its forms."

The British High Commission in India condemned terrorism in all its forms and reiterated the United Kingdom's commitment to peace and security through international cooperation.

"Today, we mark one year since the horrific terrorist attack in Pahalgam. We pay our respects to the victims, and our thoughts remain with everyone affected. The UK condemns terrorism in all its forms. We remain committed to working with partners to secure peace and security," the High Commission posted on X.

Meanwhile, France expressed solidarity with India and reaffirmed its resolve in the global fight against terrorism.

"On the first anniversary of the Pahalgam terror attack, France, together with the European Union and its other Member States, remembers the victims and recalls their solidarity with India. France reaffirms its steadfast commitment to our shared fight against terrorism," the French Embassy in India posted on X.

Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar also paid tribute to the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack, while expressing solidarity with bereaved families.

Sa'ar stressed that Israel remains committed to deepening cooperation with India to combat terrorism and promote peace, security, and stability.

Taking to his social media platform X, the Israeli Foreign Minister said, "On behalf of the State of Israel, one year to the Pahalgam terror attack, we honour the memory of the innocent lives lost and stand with their families in grief."

"Israel remains resolute and unwavering in its fight against terrorism in all its forms. Together with India, we will continue to strengthen our cooperation to confront this threat with determination and to advance peace, security, and stability," he added.
Mumbai, April 22 : Maharashtra Scooters' profit plunged 92.23 per cent year-on-year (YoY) to Rs 4.01 crore in March quarter 2026 (Q4 FY26), compared with Rs 51.63 crore in the corresponding period previous financial year (Q4 FY25).

The sharp drop in profitability came even as total income edged down 3.55 per cent to Rs 6.51 crore during the quarter.

For Q4 FY26, the companyas profit before tax also witnessed a significant contraction, falling 91.20 per cent to Rs 5.46 crore from Rs 62.05 crore a year ago, as per its regulatory filing.

On the cost front, total expenses declined substantially by 55.88 per cent year-on-year to Rs 1.05 crore in the March quarter. However, employee benefit expenses surged 339.99 per cent to Rs 0.22 crore, partially offsetting the benefit of lower overall costs.

Other expenses, meanwhile, fell 41.13 per cent to Rs 0.83 crore, as per its regulatory filing.

Despite the weak earnings, the company announced a shareholder payout. Its board has recommended a final dividend of Rs 60 per share, equivalent to 600 per cent on a face value of Rs 10, for the financial year ended March 31, 2026.

The dividend is subject to approval at the upcoming Annual General Meeting and, if cleared, will be paid on or before August 4, 2026. The record date to determine eligible shareholders has been set as June 30, 2026.

Maharashtra Scooters operates in the manufacturing of dies, jigs, fixtures and die-casting components, catering primarily to the automobile industry.

The shares slipped 2.10 per cent to Rs 12,740 after the company reported a sharp decline in its fourth-quarter earnings.

Maharashtra Scooters Limited (MSL), based in Pune, primarily functions as an investment company rather than an active vehicle manufacturer.

A subsidiary of Bajaj Holdings and Investment Limited, it operates as an unregistered Core Investment Company (CIC), with more than 90 per cent of its assets invested within the Bajaj group and a key focus on generating returns through investment income.
Srinagar, April 22 : Solidarity marches were taken out on Wednesday in Karnah and Gurez border towns of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) to mark the anniversary of the dastardly Pahalgam terror attack on innocent people by Pakistan-based terrorists in which 26 people were killed.

Over 2,000 students across Karnah Sub Division joined powerful solidarity marches in memory of the 26 victims of the Pahalgam terror attack, also marking the anniversary of 'Operation Sindoor'.

Students from government and private schools marched at AGS Hajinar, GDC Kandi & AGS Tithwal, condemning terrorism and standing firmly with the nation, the Armed Forces, and bereaved families.

Their spirited participation reflects the voice of a young generation that rejects violence, stands for democracy, and believes in a peaceful, progressive and prosperous J&K.

The unwavering commitment of the Indian Armed Forces continues to inspire confidence, security, and hope across the region. Terror and propaganda can never defeat unity, patriotism, and national resolve.

A mega rally was organised on Wednesday in the border area of Gurez, Bandipora to mark the first anniversary of the Pahalgam terror attack. The rally was held to pay rich tributes to the victims of the tragic incident, including local pony operator Adil Hussain Shah who was killed by the terrorists for trying to protect the tourists.

A large number of students, civilians, hoteliers, and members of civil society participated in the rally, expressing solidarity with the bereaved families and reaffirming their stand against terrorism.

Participants carried banners and placards condemning terrorism and paid homage to those who lost their lives in the attack. The event reflected the collective resolve of the people of Gurez to uphold peace and reject violence in all its forms.

A short rally was also taken out by BJP activists led by local party leader, Altaf Thakur. Party activists called for peace and unity in the nation while reaffirming their resolve to fight terrorism and uphold the values of the nation.

A solemn memorial ceremony was also held at Pahalgam to pay tribute to terror victims and express solidarity with the families.
New Delhi, April 22 : The Enforcement Directorate (ED) filed a supplementary charge sheet before a Special Court (Prevention of Money Laundering Act) in the national capital against Sachin Dev Duggal, a United Kingdom resident, for his alleged involvement in the multi-crore Videocon money laundering case, officials said on Wednesday.

The complaint has been filed in continuation of the original charge sheet submitted on December 18, 2024, against Venugopal Dhoot and 12 others. The Special PMLA Court had taken cognisance of the matter on February 10 this year.

The ED launched its investigation based on a CBI FIR registered on June 23, 2020, which alleged that Videocon Hydrocarbon Holdings Limited (VHHL), a wholly owned step-down subsidiary of Videocon Industries Limited (VIL), had availed a standby letter of credit facility worth $2,773.60 million from a consortium of banks led by the State Bank of India, purportedly for the development of overseas oil and gas assets in Mozambique, Brazil, and Indonesia.

The investigation allegedly uncovered a systematic diversion of these funds, amounting to nearly $2.03 billion, by Videocon Group promoters through a complex network of overseas entities.

"Sachin Dev Duggal, chairman of Swiss firm nHoldings SA and beneficial owner of Indian technology firms Nivio Technologies and Engineer.AI, was a key beneficiary of an alleged scheme through which funds from Videocon Industries were siphoned off and laundered through multiple overseas entities," the ED said.

The agency alleged that the scheme began in 2008 when VIL started extending interest-free loans amounting to Rs 17.32 crore to Duggal-controlled Nivio Technologies India Pvt Ltd without a formal loan agreement.

A loan agreement was allegedly signed hurriedly on May 24, 2011, and the following day, an overseas Videocon entity invested CHF 37.9 lakh in Duggalas Swiss company nHoldings SA at what the ED described as an inflated valuation despite the company being loss-making. Between 2011 and 2014, Videocon allegedly routed $37.07 lakh (around Rs 20.12 crore) to nHoldings SA and directly to Sachin Dev Duggal through a deliberate five-entity overseas chain.

Financial records of Nivio Technologies India Pvt Ltd show that during the financial year 2011-12, the company received Rs 35 crore from nHoldings SA during the same period when the Videocon Group was allegedly transferring funds to the Swiss entity. During the same year, the ownership structure of Nivio Technologies was altered.

Dugga's nHoldings SA became the ultimate parent company of Nivio Technologies India Pvt Ltd, while Nivio Cloud Computing India Pvt Ltd was placed as an intermediate holding company. The ED alleged that through this restructuring, Duggal ensured that all entities in India and abroad remained under his direct control.

However, the end use of these funds remains unexplained. As per the financial statement of nHoldings SA for the year ending March 31, 2013, the investments in Nivio were fully written off.

Despite multiple summonses issued under Section 50 of the PMLA since January 2022, the ED said Duggal failed to appear before the agency and only submitted partial and allegedly evasive documents through email.
Raipur, April 22 : The Chhattisgarh government has announced a sweeping ban on employee leave for the next three months, citing the dual priorities of the upcoming 'Sushasan Tihar' (Good Governance Festival) and preparations for the national census.

Raipur, April 22 (IANS) The Chhattisgarh government has announced a sweeping ban on employee leave for the next three months, citing the dual priorities of the upcoming aSushasan Tihara (Good Governance Festival) and preparations for the national census.

The directive, issued with immediate effect, places a moratorium on leave across all departments to ensure maximum workforce availability during this critical period.

According to an order, employees and officials will not be permitted to take leave unless they provide prior intimation and secure approval from a competent authority. Even casual leave applications must now be submitted through digital channels, reflecting the governmentas push for transparency and accountability.

Officials have warned that strict action will be taken against any employee found violating these instructions.

The decision underscores the stateas emphasis on effective governance during aSushasan Tihara, a festival dedicated to resolving public grievances and accelerating the implementation of welfare schemes.

By restricting leave, the government aims to guarantee that administrative machinery remains fully functional, enabling swift responses to citizen concerns and ensuring smooth execution of programmes.

Equally significant is the upcoming Census, a national-level exercise requiring extensive manpower and coordination.

State employees are expected to play a pivotal role in data collection and verification, tasks that demand the uninterrupted availability of personnel.

The leave ban is thus seen as a measure to prevent disruptions and maintain efficiency in this massive undertaking.

Officials have clarified that while the restrictions are stringent, they are not absolute. Employees facing unavoidable circumstances may still apply for leave, provided they follow the prescribed digital notification process and obtain prior approval. This balance, the government believes, will maintain discipline without disregarding genuine needs.

The announcement has sparked discussions among employees, with some expressing concern over the rigidity of the order, while others acknowledge the importance of ensuring smooth governance and Census operations.

For the administration, however, the priority remains clear: uninterrupted service delivery and successful execution of national and state-level commitments.

By enforcing this temporary measure, the Chhattisgarh government has indicated its determination to strengthen governance, enhance accountability, and ensure that both the Good Governance Festival and the Census are conducted with maximum efficiency.
Berlin, April 22 : A leading international human rights organisation has expressed its grave concerns over the recent arrest of an individual in Bangladesh for allegedly sharing a satirical cartoon on a social media platform.

Germany-based International Society for Human Rights (ISHR) said that this incident has once again brought critical questions to the forefront regarding freedom of expression, civil liberties, and the rule of law  "issues fundamental to any democratic society".

Citing available information, the organisation said that individual was arrested under Bangladesh's Cyber Protection Ordinance, 2025, with allegations centering on a satirical cartoon created in response to a political remark and later shared on social media.

"It is important to note that satire and political cartoons have long been recognised as legitimate forms of expression in democratic societies. Therefore, arresting an individual over such content may conflict with the fundamental right to freedom of expression," the ISHR noted.

Expressing concern over the incident, the ISHR stated that the "legal provisions applied in this case, especially those related to 'blackmail' and threats to state security, do not appear to align clearly with the nature of the alleged act".

Such discrepancies, it said, in the application of the law risk enabling misuse and may create fear and uncertainty among ordinary citizens.

The organisation emphasised that in a democratic society, criticism, satire, and even humour directed at political figures are integral components of free expression.

"Such expressions are not only tests of tolerance but also indicators of democratic maturity. Political leaders and state institutions should demonstrate restraint and uphold a culture of tolerance in responding to such expressions," it mentioned.

The ISHR has called on Bangladeshi law enforcement agencies to ensure that arrests and legal actions are based on clear evidence, relevance, and proportionality, warning that the application of stringent legal provisions without sufficient justification may violate civil liberties and erode public trust in the legal system.

Stressing that cyber protection laws are necessary, particularly to address misinformation, hate speech, and cybercrime, the organisation said, "It is essential that such laws are not used as tools to suppress legitimate expression. Ensuring transparency, accountability, and proper oversight in both the drafting and enforcement of these laws is crucial."

The ISHR has appealed to Bangladesh's government to conduct an impartial review of the case and ensure the immediate release of the individual if the allegations lack sufficient merit.

Additionally, it urged for the reassessment of the "contentious provisions" of the Cyber Protection Ordinance, 2025, to ensure alignment with international human rights standards.
New Delhi, April 22 : Argentina's Ambassador to India, Mariano Caucino on Wednesday paid tribute to the victims of Pahalgam terror attack, expressing his country's support to India in its right to defend itself.

India is on Wednesday observing one year of the deadly Pahalgam terror attack, in which Pakistan-backed terrorists gunned down 26 innocent tourists after identifying their religion, in one of the most brutal incidents targetting civilians in recent years.

In an interview with IANS, Caucino said, "One year after this terrible terrorist attack, we want to commemorate the day and pay tribute to those who were lost, to their families, to their loved ones and absolutely condemn terror and all forms of terrorism. The Argentine government has been so emphatic on this, supporting India in its right to defend itself and its people. So, we are supporting the government of India and we know what terrorism is."

The attack in Pahalgam was carried out by The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba. The attackers singled out victims after asking about their religion, forcing them to recite the Islamic 'kalima' to identify non-Muslims. Among those killed were 25 tourists and one local pony ride operator who tried to save the tourists.

When asked whether peace talks between the US and Iran will lead to any conclusion, Caucino responded, "We hope, of course, everybody wants this war to be concluded and this conflict to be in a way solved. It's not so easy. In the Middle East, there are a number of conflicts, this is one of them. But we hope there are peace efforts on the way and we hope this brings stability to the world and to the world economy. And, of course, we are supporting the operation in the sense that some countries are promoting terrorism and that is not acceptable."

Earlier in the day, US President Donald Trump unilaterally extended the ceasefire with Iran indefinitely, hours before it was to expire, even though Tehran refused to attend a second round of talks that Trump had said were imminent.

Ambassador Caucino stressed that oil is still important in the world and will continue to be a geopolitical factor for the next few decades.

"I think geopolitically, the truth is that oil is still important in this world. Although there are numerous countries, including mine, that have a huge reserve of energy, for example, gas in the case of Argentina, but it's a world in which we are still dependent on these types of energy resources. So, I think, although I'm not an expert on energy, I think for a while it will continue being a geopolitical factor, maybe for the time we are going to be alive for the next few decades. So I think it's still a major issue on the global stage."

He praised India's decision to diversify energy resources and said that Argentina can provide energy security to New Delhi.

"Everybody is trying to diversify the energy resources or the energy provisions. I think that's a natural course that every country is trying to do. In the case of India, you are following a strategy of diversifying your energy resources provisions. Argentina has already been doing work in that sense, especially since last month, since this disruption emerged. We think that it is wise from Indian side to diversify and Argentina is a country that can not only provide food security to India but also energy security."

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
Karnal, April 22 : A year into one of the worst terrorist attacks on tourists in India, life seems to have stopped there itself for families of the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack. Rajesh Narwal, father of slain Navy officer Lieutenant Vinay Narwal, who was one of the victims, on Wednesday said that life has never been the same for the family.

On April 22 last year, at least 26 people were killed after Pakistan-based terrorists opened fire on innocent civilians in the Baisaran valley of Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir.

A newly-married woman sitting beside the lifeless body of her husband, Lt. Vinay Narwal, remains one of the most haunting images of the attack.

Speaking to reporters at his residence in Karnal, the bereaved father said, "There is a world of difference between our life before receiving the news of the attack to what it is now. Before the incident we used to be happy and content, but now, life has been similar to a huge disaster. It is extremely difficult to pass each moment with this pain in our hearts."

Rajesh Narwal shared that being the head of the family it is more tough for him as he has to manage his old parents, wife and daughter.

"I can't even express my feelings to any of them because they get emotional whenever we discuss it. We are just going along with our lives as long as we have to live, otherwise it had ended the day we received the news," he said.

He expressed that the void can never be filled and that such wounds don't heal with time. "There is no ambition, no energy, nothing left in our lives," he said.

Speaking about the dreams of his son who had just got married a few days before the dastardly attack claimed his life, Rajesh Narwal said, "His life as a Navy officer had just begun. He had made plans for the future about what all he wished to achieve and even used to maintain a diary for that. Sometimes I read that when I am able to gather courage. But I still don't have the strength to carry on and fulfill his plans."

However, Narwal was optimistic that maybe one day, he would be able to fulfill his son's aspiration to work for mankind.

"He was such an honest child and achieved so much at such a young age. He never engaged in fights, not even with his siblings. Moreover, he used to jump into other people's problems as if his own," he added.

The father of the slain officer also spoke about receiving support from the government. "According to the protocol, the government and the administration have helped us. They also keep asking about our family's well-being from time to time," he said.
Indore, April 22 : Madhya Pradesh BJP on Wednesday launched a sharp and coordinated attack on the Congress over AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge's controversial "terrorist" remark on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Calling Kharge's controversial remark "unfortunate" and a serious breach of democratic and political decorum, the state BJP leadership said such language was unacceptable in political discourse and undermines constitutional dignity.

State BJP president, Hemant Khandelwal, strongly reacted to the issue and said leaders holding top political positions must exercise restraint in public statements. He said criticism is part of democracy but it must remain within the bounds of dignity.

"It is unfortunate that Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has made such objectionable remarks regarding Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In politics, it is essential to uphold decorum and the dignity of language," Khandelwal said during an interaction with media in Indore on Wednesday.

Late on Tuesday night, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav also strongly condemned Kharge's remarks and demanded an unconditional apology. He said the Congress was repeatedly committing political mistakes and failing to learn from them.

"The Congress is committing one mistake after another, for which it is having to pay a heavy price," Yadav had said in statement late on Tuesday.

Yadav, who had visited Tamil Nadu for election campaigns and addressed three public rallies on Tuesday, alleged that the Congress had not reflected on its past conduct, including what he described as its treatment of Opposition leaders during the MISA detention period.

He also said that in the present political atmosphere, both Congress and DMK were reacting out of fear of electoral defeat and making irresponsible statements. He added that such remarks damage democratic traditions and lower the quality of political debate.

The controversy originated after Kharge made the remarks on the last day of the election campaign in Tamil Nadu, where he was addressing a political interaction in Chennai on April 21. While criticising the BJP and its alliances, Kharge reportedly referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a "terrorist" in a political context, triggering a sharp backlash from the ruling party.

The statement quickly escalated into a political storm.

The BJP maintained that while political differences are natural in a democracy, leaders must ensure that their language remains within constitutional limits and does not undermine the dignity of constitutional offices.

-- Syndicated from IANS
Patna, April 22 : Tejashwi Yadav, Leader of the Opposition in Bihar, on Wednesday, launched a fresh attack on the ruling National Democratic Alliance government, alleging large-scale corruption and serious financial mismanagement.

In a detailed post on X, Tejashwi Yadav alleged that public funds were recklessly spent during the election period, leaving the state treasury depleted.

According to him, the government is now struggling to function and is heavily dependent on borrowed funds to sustain its operations.

He claimed that the state is facing a severe financial crisis, pointing to recent government circulars on expenditure control and fund withdrawals as evidence of fiscal distress.

In his remarks, he also accused the administration of distributing nearly Rs 41,000 crore in the final days leading up to the elections through what he described as a dysfunctional system, allegedly under the watch of Nitish Kumar.

Tejashwi further alleged that due to financial mismanagement, the government has been unable to meet key obligations such as social pensions, student credit schemes, scholarships, and even salaries and pensions for employees.

He claimed that Bihar is now operating under a mounting debt burden exceeding Rs 4 lakh crore, with the government reportedly spending over Rs 100 crore daily just on loan interest.

Citing a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG), he alleged that utilisation certificates for around Rs 90,000 crore have not been submitted, raising serious questions about transparency and accountability in public spending.

He further claimed that the government is unable to clearly account for how Rs 92,132 crore was spent.

The RJD leader also criticised the overall governance, alleging a lack of vision and direction, and claimed that development activities in the state have come to a standstill due to financial constraints.

These allegations, however, are part of an ongoing political confrontation between the opposition and the ruling alliance in Bihar.

The NDA has, in the past, rejected similar accusations, maintaining that governance and financial management in the state remain on track.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
April 22 : Kolkata: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, on Wednesday, challenged Mamata Banerjee, saying that saffron will rise in West Bengal on May 4. Taking an indirect dig at Mamata and Abhishek Banerjee, he said that the "aunt-nephew" duo wants to erase Bengal's identity. He also remarked that the Mayor of Kolkata says Urdu will prevail here, but no one can dare to tamper with Bengal's identity.

He appealed to voters to teach a lesson to those in TMC who are playing with Bengali identity, asserting that Bengal's identity is rooted not in Kaaba but in Maa Kalibari. CM Yogi was addressing a massive public rally in the Jorasanko Assembly constituency, where a large number of people were seen holding posters reading, "Yogi ji, bring the bulldozer. We are with you."

CM Yogi said, "The first phase of elections is scheduled for April 23, and the public's desire for change is clearly visible." He claimed that BJP is set to win 80% of the seats in the first phase. When the results are declared on May 4, the saffron flag will be hoisted across Bengal.

The darkness in Bengal will end, and the state will re-establish itself as Sonar Bangla.' He described Burrabazar as one of the most prosperous commercial hubs, known for trade, literature, art, cultural traditions, and the historic Kalibari temple. He emphasized the need to protect Bengal's identity and stop those promoting fanaticism. He urged voters to use the power of their vote wisely in a democracy.

CM Yogi said, "Bengal has made an unparalleled contribution to nation-building through the sacrifice, dedication, and efforts of great personalities born on its soil." He noted that Bengal has always strengthened India in every situation. Referring to Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore's ancestral home, he said that Tagore's Gitanjali was the first Indian literary work to win the Nobel Prize.

He alleged that at the heritage site where portraits of Rabindranath Tagore and Bharat Mata should have been displayed, TMC workers forcibly installed Mamata Banerjee's photo. He called this an insult to Indian values and Bengal's identity.

CM Yogi said that Bengal is a fertile land rich in water resources, with talented youth, hardworking farmers, and industrious entrepreneurs and traders. He added that once people from across the country came to Bengal for employment, but first Congress looted it, then communists exploited it, and for the last 15 years, TMC workers have been pushing Bengal towards poverty.

He claimed that the land of knowledge is now struggling in the darkness of unemployment. Over the past decade, more than 7,000 large industries and thousands of MSME units have shut down, leaving over 30 lakh youth unemployed, yet the government remains indifferent.

Highlighting Bengal's situation, CM Yogi alleged rampant cow slaughter, saying Mamata Banerjee is irritated by the name of Lord Ram. He claimed that Durga Puja is not permitted, processions are restricted, and curfews are imposed during festivals. He also accused TMC workers of extorting traders.

Drawing a comparison, he said that before 2017, Uttar Pradesh faced similar chaos, riots, and curfews, with "goonda tax" being collected. Taking the name of Ram would invite violence, he said, but today such disturbances are no longer possible in UP. Festivals like Ram Navami, Krishna Janmashtami, Kanwar Yatra, Durga Puja, and Saraswati Puja are now celebrated freely.

People in UP are living in a new era of Ram Rajya - "No curfew, no riots; everything is fine in UP." He added that if any mafia tries to rise, bulldozers are used against them, turning their illegal properties into highways or housing for the poor.

CM Yogi said that properties illegally occupied by mafia during Congress and Samajwadi Party regimes have been reclaimed. These lands have been used to build houses for the poor. He highlighted that the world witnessed the grandeur of Ayodhya, Kashi, Mathura, and the Prayagraj Kumbh.

Such respect for heritage, he said, is possible only under a "double-engine government." While UP has developed its major religious and cultural centers, he alleged that in Bengal, TMC workers are encroaching upon Rabindranath Tagore's ancestral land. In contrast, he warned that in UP, such mafia would have their properties confiscated for generations and used for public welfare.

In the rally, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath appealed to voters to ensure a massive victory for BJP candidates - Vijay Ojha from Jorasanko, Tapas Roy from Maniktala, Santosh Pathak from Chowringhee, Purnima Chakraborty from Shyampukur, Partha Choudhury from Beleghata, and Priyanka Tibrewal from Entally.
Patna, April 22 : A tragic incident unfolded on Wednesday morning in Khairpur Kadwa under the Naugachhia police district of Bihar, where three labourers lost their lives due to suspected toxic gas exposure while cleaning a septic tank.

The accident occurred at around 8:30 A.M. in Purva Tola, Ward No. 3, at the residence of Jwala Yadav.

According to an official, the workers had entered the septic tank during ongoing construction work when they were overcome by poisonous gases.

One after another, all three men collapsed inside the tank.

Local residents said a fourth individual noticed something was wrong when the workers stopped responding.

He immediately raised an alarm, prompting villagers to act swiftly.

In a desperate rescue attempt, they broke a portion of the wall to pull the men out and rushed them to the Naugachhia Sub-Divisional Hospital. However, doctors declared all three dead on arrival.

The deceased have been identified as Bam-Bam Mandal, Jaynandan Mandal, and Shrilal Mandal, all residents of Lachhminia village in the Kadwa police station area.

Police teams from Kadwa and Naugachhia reached the spot soon after receiving information and initiated an investigation.

According to the Station House Officer (SHO) of Kadwa police station, the workers had entered the tank around 8:00 A.M. and stopped communicating after some time, raising suspicion among those standing outside.

Authorities stated that the victims were taken out within minutes of the police being informed and were rushed to the hospital, where they were declared dead.

"Post-mortem examinations have been conducted, and the bodies have been handed over to their families," the SHO said.

The incident has triggered outrage and grief in the local community, with a large number of villagers gathering at the hospital.

Families of the deceased are in deep shock following the sudden loss of their men.

An FIR has been registered against the house owner, and further investigation is currently underway to determine lapses in safety measures and accountability in the incident.
Kathmandu, April 22 : Nepal's Home Minister, Sudan Gurung, who was also one of the prominent faces of the Gen-Z movement in last September, announced his resignation from the post on Wednesday following a controversy over his financial dealings.

In recent days, Gurung has been in the spotlight over his alleged business links with controversial businessman Deepak Bhatta, who is in police custody in connection with money laundering charges.

Gurung announced his resignation via a social media post. "In order to ensure an impartial investigation into matters related to me and to avoid any conflict of interest while continuing to hold office, I have resigned from the position of Home Minister, effective from today," he wrote on Facebook. "For me, ethics is greater than position, and there is no power greater than public trust."

He is the second Cabinet minister to leave office in less than a month since the new government, led by Prime Minister Balendra Shah, was formed on March 27 following the March 5 elections.

On April 9, Prime Minister Shah had sacked Minister for Labour, Employment and Social Security Deepak Kumar Sah on the recommendation of his party, the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP).

Sah was found to have misused his office to retain his wife, Junu Shrestha, as a member of the Health Insurance Board, a position that had remained largely inactive for a long time.

The current government was formed with a strong mandate to curb persistent corruption in the country.

Along with Prime Minister Balendra Shah and other ministers, Gurung also disclosed his property details on April 12. He was found to be among the richest ministers in the cabinet, with cash deposits, shares in various companies, and, above all, land ownership far exceeding the ceiling allowed by law.

The minister had defended his accumulation of wealth on social media, writing that being born poor is not an individual's fault, but dying poor is. "When you are born poor, that is not your fault; but if you die poor, that is your fault," Gurung wrote on Instagram. "Earning wealth without corruption before joining the government is not a sin; earning through corruption after joining the government is a sin."

Subsequently, questions were raised about the sources of the wealth he disclosed. It later emerged that he had invested in a micro-insurance company promoted by controversial businessman Bhatta, further fueling concerns about his business dealings.

Gurung was elected to the House of Representatives from the Gorkha-1 constituency of western Nepal.
Mumbai, April 22 : Actor Harshvardhan Rane is making the most of his time by effectively balancing his studies with his work commitments.

Through his latest post on social media on Wednesday, Harshvardhan informed that he is preparing for his upcoming exams as a student for Psychology Honors while also undergoing training for his next, "Force 3".

The 'Sanam Teri Kasam' actor further shared that he also manages the narrations of his tentative projects amidst all this.

Providing an overview of what his typical day looks like, Harshvardhan said that his day is all about juggling between his studies, training for "Force 3", narrations for his upcoming movies, and of course, rest, so that he has the energy to do it all over the next day.

"Studies for next exam, Narrations for next film, Training for Force3, Rest, so i can do all this again the next day (sic)," read the caption of the post.

This is not the first time that the 'Savi' actor has opened up about how he manages his studies along with his professional commitments.

Harshvardhan has been on a weight gain journey for an action sequence in "Force 3". Recently, he revealed that he has 3 kgs more to gain to reach his goal weight.

On Sunday, he took to the Stories section of his official Instagram handle and uploaded a video of himself doing some intense workout.

"Have to gain 3 more kg for #Force3! @rohityson This is tough Sir!," he added the text to the post.

"Force 3" went on the floor in March this year with the Gujarat schedule.

Sharing the update with the netizens, Harshvardhan dropped a clip taking the divine blessing before starting the shoot.

Along with the clip, he penned the caption, "May the #FORCE 3 with us (Trishul emoji) Dir by @bhav.dhulia..Written by @simaabhashmi 1st schedule in #Gujrat."

--IANS

pm/
Islamabad, April 22 : A 15-member Afghan family, including minor children, were detained by law enforcement agencies in Pakistan's Rawalpindi as authorities continued their crackdown against illegal Afghan nationals, local media reported on Wednesday.

Sources said more than 5,673 illegal Afghans have been repatriated to Afghanistan since the deadline for voluntary return has ended. The law enforcement agencies have been asked to maintain accurate, comprehensive and consolidated data of all deported Afghan nationals, irrespective of whether their return was voluntary or conducted through formal actions, Pakistan's leading daily Dawn reported.

The police have been ordered to collect relevant data, verify accuracy by the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) and combine at the appropriate level to ensure effective monitoring.

On April 14, police in Pakistan's Quetta arrested over 20 landlords and shop owners for renting properties to undocumented Afghan migrants.

The crackdown targetted those who "violated rental laws", with cases lodged against those arrested under existing legal provisions governing housing and foreign residency, Afghanistan's leading news agency Khaama Press reported.

Hundreds of undocumented Afghans were identified and arrested during the operation which demonstrates growing pressure faced by migrants in Pakistan.

Afghan migrants in Balochistan said that the restrictions imposed by the authorities have made their routine life increasingly difficult, restricting their access to housing, employment and essential services needed for basic survival.

Pakistan has imposed a ban on renting properties to undocumented foreign nationals in Islamabad and nearby areas and extended restrictions to utilities, mobile SIM cards, and other essential services, Khaama Press reported.

In the past few months, Afghan refugees have written letters to the United Nations and other bodies to express concerns about increased arrests, harassment and forced deportations.

On March 15, over 300 illegal Afghan refugees were detained by police during raids carried out in various parts of Swabi district in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

A crackdown was launched after a decision made by the district administration and police officials to deport illegal Afghans, Dawn reported. The police had ordered Station House Officers (SHOs) to keep data of all illegal Afghans in the jurisdictions of their police stations.

According to sources, 341 Afghan refugees were arrested during raids conducted in Topi, Razaar, Chota Lahor tehsils and other parts of Swabi on March 15. They mentioned that the raids will continue and all Afghan refugees, who are illegally residing in Swabi, will be detained and deported to Afghanistan.
New Delhi, April 22 : The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested a head-constable of the Delhi Police's Anti-Narcotic Cell on Tuesday for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 2 lakh from a complainant in exchange for not falsely implicating her in a criminal case.

New Delhi, April 22 (IANS) The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested a head-constable of the Delhi Policeas Anti-Narcotic Cell on Tuesday for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 2 lakh from a complainant in exchange for not falsely implicating her in a criminal case.

The accused, identified as Ajay, was posted with the Anti-Narcotics Cell in Delhias Dwarka, the CBI said in a statement on Wednesday, without disclosing the identity of the complainant.

"The CBI registered a case on April 21 against the accused head-constable and other unidentified persons following a formal complaint. The accused had initially demanded Rs 15 lakh to spare the complainant from legal action," the CBI said.

The agency laid a trap on Tuesday after receiving information that the accused had directed the complainant to deliver an initial part-payment of Rs 5 lakh.

Ajay was caught red-handed while accepting a negotiated sum of Rs 2 lakh. During subsequent searches of the official's premises, investigators recovered and seized unaccounted cash amounting to Rs 48.87 lakh.

This arrest follows a string of similar crackdowns on corruption within local law enforcement. In March 2026, the CBI apprehended two Delhi Police personnel in the Rohini sector for allegedly extorting Rs 5 lakh from a businessman by threatening to frame him in a fake gambling case.

Similarly, in February, a Sub-Inspector in South Delhi was taken into custody for demanding Rs 10 lakh to dilute charges in an ongoing investigation. The CBI reiterated that these actions reflect a firm commitment to curbing malpractice among public servants.

The agency has urged citizens to report any demands for illegal gratification by public officials immediately.

The arrested head-constable is expected to be produced before a special CBI court on Wednesday for custodial interrogation.

Further investigation is underway to identify the "other unknown persons" mentioned in the First Information Report (FIR) and to determine the source of the recovered cash.
Mumbai, April 22 : Indian equity benchmarks ended lower on Wednesday, snapping a three-day winning streak as weakness in IT stocks and global uncertainty weighed on sentiment.

The decline came amid concerns over prolonged geopolitical tensions in West Asia following stalled talks between the United States and Iran.

The Nifty closed 0.81 per cent, or 198.50 points lower, at 24,378.10, while the Sensex dropped 0.95 per cent, or 756.84 points, to settle at 78,516.49.

Experts said that from a technical perspective, the 24,50024,600 range continues to act as a strong resistance band.

"On the downside, the 24,35024,300 zone remains a critical near-term support area; a breach below this range could accelerate downside momentum towards the 24,10024,000 levels," an analyst stated.

Despite the fall in frontline indices, broader markets showed resilience. The Nifty MidCap index edged up 0.19 per cent, while the Nifty SmallCap index outperformed with a gain of 1.13 per cent.

On the sectoral front, IT stocks emerged as the biggest drag on the market, making the Nifty IT the worst-performing index of the day. Financial services and auto stocks also remained under pressure, contributing to the overall weakness in benchmarks.

Global cues remained negative as geopolitical tensions resurfaced. The United States extended its ceasefire with Iran, but uncertainty lingered after talks between the two sides failed to progress. US President Donald Trump described the Iranian government as "seriously fractured" while announcing the extension on Truth Social.

Adding to concerns, Trump stated that the blockade at the Strait of Hormuz would continue, raising fears over potential disruptions in global oil supply. The situation further escalated after reports indicated that a planned meeting between US Vice President JD Vance and Iranian officials did not take place, with Tehran reportedly refusing to participate in further discussions.

Analysts said that the combination of weak global sentiment and sector-specific pressures led to a cautious mood in domestic markets, even as broader indices managed to stay in positive territory.

"Indian equity markets traded with a clear negative bias throughout the session, weighed down by persistent geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz," an analyst stated.
New Delhi, April 22 : The Union government said on Wednesday that the Atal Pension Yojana (APY) has achieved a historic milestone by surpassing total gross enrolments of nine crore subscribers.

Gross enrolments during the Financial Year 2025a"26 crossed 1.35 crore subscribers, marking the highest-ever enrolments recorded in a single financial year since the inception of the scheme, according to a Finance Ministry statement.

Launched on May 9, 2015, with the vision of establishing a universal social security system for all Indians, APY is a flagship social security scheme of the Union government, administered by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA).

According to the Ministry, APY is designed to provide a 'Sampurna Suraksha Kavach' (Complete Security Shield) by ensuring benefits like a guaranteed monthly pension ranging from Rs 1,000 to Rs 5,000 for subscribers after attaining 60 years of age.

Also, same pension continues to the spouse after the subscriber's demise and the return of the corpus accumulated till the age of 60, to the nominee after the death of both.

The pension scheme is open to all Indian citizens between the age of 18 and 40 years, except those who are or have been income taxpayers.

APY is a voluntary, contributory pension scheme primarily focused on the poor, the underprivileged, and workers in the unorganised sector.

"Over the past decade, the scheme has witnessed remarkable growth, driven by sustained efforts of banks (Public Sector Banks/Regional Rural Banks/Private Banks/Small Finance Banks/Co-operative banks), State Level Bankers' Committee/Union Territory Level Bankers' Committees/Lead District Managers, the Department of Posts and continuous support from the Union government," the official statement said.

According to the Ministry, PFRDA has played a proactive role in expanding the scheme's footprint across all states and districts in the country, through extensive outreach initiatives, capacity-building programmes, multilingual awareness materials, media campaigns, and regular performance reviews.
New Delhi, April 22 : Canada's move to deepen trade ties with China could pose risks to its economic security and strain relations with the United States, a report has said.

New Delhi, April 22 (IANS) Canadaas move to deepen trade ties with China could pose risks to its economic security and strain relations with the United States, a report has said.

Former Canadian diplomat Michael Kovrig warned Ottawaas evolving China strategy as a 'risky play' that may not be viewed favourably in Washington and could complicate ongoing trade discussions with its largest partner, according to the report in Global News.

"The basic problem is that China is not a solution to most of our problems with the US," Kovrig was quoted as saying.

He also cautioned that closer engagement with Beijing could make Canada appear as an 'unreliable ally' in the eyes of the United States.

Kovtig noted that the US accounts for about 75 per cent of Canadaas exports, while China represents only around 4 per cent, underscoring the imbalance in trade dependence, according to the report.

Earlier, the Canadian government announced a deal under Prime Minister Mark Carney, which includes provisions such as importing a limited number of Chinese electric vehicles and easing tariffs on certain Canadian agricultural exports.

The agreement aimed at boosting Canadaas exports to China by 50 per cent by 2030.

Kovrig warned that China is currently 'in selling mode, not in buying mode', and is seeking to expand global reliance on its exports.

He also cautioned that Beijing could use economic leverage to increase its market access over time, including pushing for higher quotas of Chinese electric vehicles beyond the current commitment.

Drawing an analogy, Kovrig said the influx of cheaper imports could undermine domestic industries, similar to how large retailers can displace local businesses, eventually reducing competition and increasing dependence.

He further pointed out that canola, pork and seafood sectors have already become highly dependent on the Chinese market, making them vulnerable to potential trade disruptions.

"If China cuts off that trade, the people in those sectors face an economic catastrophe," he said, adding that such dependence could influence domestic policy decisions.

However, Kovrig did not advocate cutting off ties with China entirely, stressing that engagement should be 'tightly controlled and restricted' with safeguards to prevent misuse.

The report further highlighted that other experts have echoed similar concerns, warning that the deal could impact negotiations to renew the Canada-US-Mexico Agreement.
Thiruvananthapuram, April 22 : With Kerala waiting for the vote counting day on May 4, the electoral suspense may be overwhelming, but is marked by an intriguing question -- what happens to the precedents set over a decade by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan?

If Vijayan secures a rare third term, continuity is the obvious storyline.

But if power shifts to the Indian National Congress-led UDF, the spotlight will swiftly turn to whether those very precedents, once criticised, suddenly become acceptable tools of governance.

Take the now-defunct Wednesday post-cabinet media briefing. For decades, it was a ritual that symbolised accessibility. Vijayan scrapped it, replacing routine engagement with calibrated communication.

He also put an end to the culture of frequent "sound bites", choosing instead to speak on his own terms.

Critics cried opacity, but his supporters called it discipline.

The irony? Should a Congress chief minister adopt the same approach, the decibel levels of criticism may depend less on the practice and more on the practitioner.

Then there is the matter of travel.

Former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy famously avoided frequent foreign trips, quipping he did not want to be "haunted and hunted".

Vijayan flipped that script, undertaking multiple overseas visits pitched as investment drives.

The Opposition derided these as excessive, even coining political punch lines around imported ideas like the much-trolled "room for river" concept post-Netherlands visit. Yet, if a future Congress regime embarks on similar outreach, will it be rebranded as global engagement?

Perhaps the most tangible precedent is logistical, the use of helicopters for intra-state travel. When Vijayan became the first chief minister, he used to regularly fly on a chopper.

With official figures indicating Rs 46.36 crore already spent, despite Kerala's strained finances, and a standing arrangement with a Delhi-based operator, the optics have been a political lightning rod. The Left defended it as administrative efficiency, the Opposition called it extravagance.

The real test will come if a non-Left chief minister steps into the same chopper. Will the narrative hover or nosedive?

Leader of Opposition in the Kerala Assembly V.D. Satheesan has already signalled a reset of sorts, promising that a UDF chief minister would meet the media at least once in ten days.

It's a subtle acknowledgement that optics matter and those precedents can be selectively embraced or quietly discarded.

Kerala's political folklore has long carried a wary observation: what is governance when done by the CPI(M) risks becoming controversial when mirrored by the Congress party.

As the state waits with fingers crossed, that line may soon face its most rigorous field test, not in rhetoric, but in practice. Because in Kerala, power doesn't just change hands.

It rewrites the rulebook, sometimes using the very same ink.
Mumbai, April 22 : In a move towards sustainable waste management and energy self-reliance, the Maharashtra Cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday approved the 'Maharashtra State Compressed Biogas (CBG) Policy 2026.'

The policy aims to tackle the rising challenges of urban waste and agricultural residue by converting them into clean, renewable fuel.

Maharashtra currently generates approximately 24,500 metric tonnes of municipal solid waste daily from 423 urban local bodies. Despite a large portion being organic, very little is currently converted into compost or biogas, leading to severe air pollution and groundwater contamination at landfills.

Additionally, over 20 million metric tonnes of agricultural residue are burned or wasted annually in the state. The new policy seeks to bridge this gap by mandating the source segregation of waste into organic and inorganic categories, said the government release.

The policy is designed to achieve multiple environmental and economic goals. The policy proposes to increase CBG production for industrial, transport, and domestic use, contribute to Indiaas 2070 Net-Zero carbon emission target, boost investment, entrepreneurship, and employment within the bioenergy sector and utilise Napier grass on wetlands and fallow lands in Marathwada for high methane yield.

To ensure financial viability, CBG projects require at least 200 tonnes of segregated organic waste per day. Consequently, the small urban local bodies will be grouped into clusters to support collective projects, with an aim to establish one project per Taluka.

Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) will supply supplementary raw materials like sugarcane residue, soybean waste, and livestock manure. A dedicated portal and mobile app will connect developers, farmers, and waste collectors.

According to the Cabinet decision, the Urban Development Department will serve as the state-level nodal agency, overseeing tenders and financial viability. A State-Level Steering Committee, chaired by the Chief Secretary, and District Committees, led by District Collectors, will manage approvals and land allocation.

The state government has proposed a provision of Rs 500 crore for Viability Gap Funding for the 2026-27 period. Projects can receive up to Rs 10 crore in subsidies based on capacity.

Projects will be implemented via Public-Private Partnership or Hybrid Annuity Modes. Local bodies will provide tipping fees per ton of waste, and the state will ensure priority electricity and water supply to these units. The policy remains synchronised with national schemes like SATAT, GOBARdhan, and the Swachh Bharat Mission.
New Delhi, April 22 : The Supreme Court on Wednesday orally remarked that the alleged interference by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in an ongoing Enforcement Directorate (ED) investigation had the effect of putting democracy "in peril", observing that such actions cannot be brushed aside as a mere dispute between the state and the Union government.

A bench of Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra and Justice N. V. Anjaria was hearing petitions filed by the ED seeking registration of a CBI FIR against Banerjee and senior West Bengal Police officials over alleged obstruction during search operations at the office of political consultancy firm I-PAC in Kolkata.

During the hearing, the apex court expressed strong disapproval of the alleged conduct, remarking that a Chief Minister walking into the midst of an investigation could undermine democratic functioning.

"Any Chief Minister of any State walks in the midst of an inquiry or an investigationa you see, make the democracy in peril and then argue that itas a dispute essentially between the State and Centre?" the Justice Mishra-led Bench orally observed.

It seemed unconvinced by the argument that the issue could be characterised as a federal dispute.

"This is not per se a dispute between the State and the Union. This is, per se, an act committed by an individual who happens to be the Chief Minister of a State, keeping the whole system and democracy in jeopardy," it added.

Senior advocate Meneka Guruswamy, representing state police officials, questioned the maintainability of the EDas plea under Article 32, contending that a writ petition is available only to individuals and not to government departments, and that the matter should instead be pursued under Article 131 as an inter-governmental dispute.

She also described the case as raising a "unique proposition of law".

However, the bench remained unconvinced, observing that merely raising a question of law does not justify referring every matter to a larger Bench.

"In every petition, there will be some question of law. That does not mean every Article 32 petition is referred to a five-judge bench," the apex court said.

Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for the West Bengal government, contended that the ED cannot seek relief under Article 32 on the ground of violation of fundamental rights.

The apex court was hearing a batch of petitions arising out of allegations by the ED that its officials were obstructed during searches conducted earlier this year. The federal anti-money laundering agency has sought directions for registration of FIRs and transfer of the probe to the CBI.

In an order passed on January 15, the Supreme Court had stayed the FIRs registered by the West Bengal Police against ED officials in connection with the searches, and had also directed the preservation of CCTV footage and other digital storage devices containing recordings of the searched premises and the surrounding areas.

Meanwhile, in her counter-affidavit, Chief Minister Banerjee has denied all allegations of interference and obstruction, asserting that her limited presence on the premises was solely to retrieve confidential and proprietary data belonging to her Trinamool Congress.

According to the affidavit, CM Banerjee visited Pratik Jainas residence at Loudon Street and I-PACas office in Bidhannagar on January 8, 2026, after receiving information that sensitive political data of Trinamool was being accessed during the searches.

She maintained that the data was "vitally linked to the AITCas strategy for the upcoming Legislative Assembly election".

The affidavit stated that when she reached the premises, she "politely requested the officials of the Enforcement Directorate to be allowed to retrieve the Partyas data and the devices they were stored in and files containing prints of the same".

It further claimed that "the officers of the Enforcement Directorate present thereat did not object to this request and permitted her to retrieve some of these devices and physical files".

"After she had done so, the Answering Respondent (CM Banerjee) left the premises so as not to inconvenience the officials of the Enforcement Directorate in any way," the counter affidavit said, adding that the EDas own 'panchnamas' record that the searches continued thereafter and were conducted "peacefully and in an orderly manner".

CM Banerjee has also argued that neither the Trinamool nor its officials are accused in the alleged coal scam, and therefore, the ED cannot claim any right to the partyas proprietary data.

The counter affidavit has further accused the ED of acting with mala fide intent, alleging that the searches were carried out in the run-up to the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections and after a prolonged period of inaction.

It has questioned the timing of the operations, claiming they coincided with I-PAC possessing "critical documents", including a proposed list of candidates for the upcoming polls.

Alleging violations of statutory safeguards under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), the affidavit also states that the ED failed to produce any audio or video recordings of the searches. This, it claimed, raises a "strong presumption" that the searches were clandestine and aimed at accessing confidential political data.

--IANS

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Tel Aviv, April 22 : Pakistan for decades has projected itself as a partner in counterterrorism while simultaneously tolerating or enabling terror networks linked to regional instability, a report stated on Wednesday highlighting that dreaded terrorist Osama bin Laden had lived undetected within reach of the Pakistani military establishment before being killed in 2011.

Writing for the 'Times of Israel', Sergio Restelli, an Italian political advisor, author and geopolitical expert, said that these are not aberrations but reflect a pattern in which Pakistan's policy operates on parallel tracks.

"As the first anniversary of the Pahalgam attack returns, the issue is not only remembrance. It is accountability. The killing of 26 Hindu civilians in Kashmir was not an isolated act of violence. It was part of a broader ecosystem of terrorism sustained, enabled, and protected across borders. One year on, the question is no longer just what happened that day, but what structures made it possible and what has changed since," wrote Restelli.

"Because there is a deeper story unfolding, one that runs from western China through Pakistan's infrastructure spine and into Iran's missile workshops. It is a story not of overt alliances but of layered deniability, logistical convenience and strategic outsourcing," he added.

According to the expert, Pakistani Army Chief Asim Munir's recent overtures towards peace should not be seen as a break from the past but as a continuation of the same pattern of dual policy in a more sophisticated form.

"De-escalation abroad often coincides with consolidation elsewhere. Diplomatic engagement creates space. Space creates time. And time, in the current geopolitical environment, is the most valuable strategic commodity," Restelli noted.

"If Iran's capabilities have been degraded, they will require time to rebuild. If external supply chains are under scrutiny, they will require indirect routes and intermediaries. If pressure from Washington persists, its political horizon becomes something to outlast rather than confront," he stated.

Restelli stressed that Pakistan's role is less that of a peacemaker and more that of a temporal broker, using the rhetoric of stability to buy time for parallel networks to "adapt, reconfigure and endure".

Highlighting Pakistan's reliance on strategic deniability, he said, "The first anniversary of Pahalgam is therefore not only about what was lost. It is about recognising how systems of deniability function across theatres, from Kashmir to the Middle East. States rarely speak in a single voice. They operate through layers, overt and covert, formal and informal. That duality has not disappeared. It has simply expanded its geography."
Chennai, April 22 : In a significant pre-election crackdown, officials have seized over Rs 2 crore in unaccounted cash from the Mylapore Assembly constituency, intensifying political tensions on the eve of polling in Tamil Nadu.

The seizure was carried out by flying squads deployed under the supervision of the Election Commission as part of heightened surveillance to curb electoral malpractices.

Authorities suspect that the cash was intended for distribution to voters, a violation of the Model Code of Conduct.

An investigation has been launched to trace the source of the money and identify those involved in the alleged operation.

Officials indicated that documents recovered during the raid could provide crucial leads into the intended beneficiaries and distribution network.

The development comes amid a statewide crackdown on illegal inducements, with enforcement agencies stepping up monitoring across constituencies ahead of the April 23 Assembly elections.

Large-scale seizures of cash, liquor, and other materials have been reported in recent days, as officials attempt to ensure a level playing field.

Election authorities reiterated that strict vigilance would continue through polling day to guarantee free and fair elections.

Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu is witnessing a surge in international arrivals, with overseas Tamils returning in large numbers to cast their votes.

Chennai International Airport has reported a sharp increase in passenger traffic over the past few days, as Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and expatriates arrive from regions including the Gulf, Southeast Asia, Europe, and the United States.

Tamil associations abroad have noted a growing enthusiasm among expatriates to participate in the electoral process. Many returning voters expressed a strong sense of civic duty, with some planning extended stays to reconnect with family and witness the election results before heading back overseas.

Officials at the airport described the current influx as one of the busiest travel periods in recent times, driven largely by election-related travel. The trend underscores a rising political awareness among the global Tamil diaspora and reflects their continued engagement with the democratic process in their home state.

With campaigning concluded and polling just hours away, authorities remain on high alert, balancing strict enforcement with logistical coordination to ensure smooth and peaceful voting across Tamil Nadu.

--IANS

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New Delhi/Bengaluru, April 22 : The Prasar Bharati has withdrawn its decision to shift the Dharwad Akashvani Regional Centre, and it will continue to function from Dharwad in line with the wishes and sentiments of the people of North Karnataka.

The move comes following a request by the Union Minister for Food, Public Distribution and Consumer Affairs and Dharwad MP Pralhad Joshi.

The Union Minister had urged the Centre to retain the popular Akashvani regional centre, which holds a strong connect with the people of North Karnataka, in Dharwad, the statement from Pralhad Joshi's office said on Wednesday.

Earlier, the competent authority of Prasar Bharati had decided to shift the Dharwad Akashvani Regional Centre to Bengaluru.

The decision had triggered strong opposition from people across North Karnataka, who also submitted appeals to Union Minister Pralhad Joshi.

In response, Pralhad Joshi took up the matter with the Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw, requesting that the Centre be retained in Dharwad.

He highlighted the significance, reach, and necessity of continuing the Akashvani centre in Dharwad.

Responding to Union Minister Joshi's appeal, Ashwini Vaishnaw has now directed Prasar Bharati to continue operating the Dharwad Akashvani Regional Centre in Dharwad itself.

Pralhad Joshi has expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on behalf of the people of North Karnataka.

Recently, Prasar Bharati had decided to shift the news broadcasting operations of the Dharwad Akashvani Regional Centre to Bengaluru.

The move, concerning a centre established in 1981, triggered widespread outrage across North Karnataka, with strong demands to withdraw the decision.

The Dharwad Akashvani centre, which began operations in 1981, has earned a deep connection with the people over the years. It aired its first news bulletin in the same year.

Since its inception, the news bulletin has had a duration of 10 minutes and continues to be broadcast daily at 7:05 a.m.

According to a survey conducted by the Audience Research Unit, the morning news bulletin still enjoys a significant listenership.

In addition, a five-minute district news bulletin is broadcast every Monday at 6:30 p.m.

The bulletins cover developmental programmes and cultural activities across districts, including Dharwad, Belagavi, Koppal, Uttara Kannada, Haveri, Raichur, Bagalkot, Bidar, Gadag, Kalaburagi, Ballari, Vijayapura, and Yadgir.

Part-time correspondents from these districts prepare and send in their reports via email.

The competent authority said that the news bulletin from the Dharwad centre is being shifted to Bengaluru due to the increasing workload at the centre.

This move was seen as a step towards gradually weakening the centre.

The relocation was scheduled to take effect from May 15, 2026, and the Dharwad Regional Centre was instructed to make the necessary preparations.

Akashvani listeners and prominent personalities from North Karnataka region have raised concerns.
New Delhi, April 22 : With the conflict in the Middle East leading to disruption in oil supplies and soaring prices in global market, South Asian countries are turning to India, rather than China, to tide over the fuel crisis, according to an article published by OCRA (Organisation for Research on China and Asia).

For South Asian economies already operating with limited buffers, a prolonged disruption could translate into sustained price pressures and mounting fiscal strain.

In this context, how India and China, the two regional powers, choose to respond, whether by extending sustained assistance, scaling up engagement, or retreating inward, will shape longer-term regional alignments, the article written by Ophelia Yumlembam states.

For smaller South Asian countries, the implications are severe and immediate. These economies depend heavily on Gulf-based hydrocarbon imports and have limited buffers to absorb shocks. In such conditions, the value of a regional power is defined by its ability to respond quickly and reliably to a crisis.

Despite deep economic and infrastructure ties with China, South Asian states have preferred to turn to India when the crisis unfolds. That choice is not incidental. It reflects a consistent pattern across crises, where India emerges as the preferred partner and first responder, a perception that could be leveraged for long-term strategic influence, the article states.

It highlights that over the past decade, both India and China have significantly expanded their energy footprints across South Asia, but in different ways.

China's approach has been anchored in large-scale infrastructure development under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), with investments in ports, pipelines, and refining capacity aimed at strengthening connectivity.

For instance, last year, Sri Lanka received $3.7 billion from China as foreign direct investment for an oil refinery with a 200,000-barrel capacity at southern Hambantota. On the other hand, India has operated a less financially-intensive, but functional approach.

Leveraging its geographical proximity to Bangladesh, New Delhi has built a cross-border energy pipeline with Dhaka, transporting diesel from the Numaligarh refinery in Assam to Parbatipur in Bangladesh since 2023.

With Nepal, India has a B2B agreement between the Indian Oil Corporation and the Nepal Oil Corporation since 2024 to enhance petroleum infrastructure, integrating its energy system with neighbouring economies. It has enabled faster mobilisation of supply, making its energy partnerships more immediately actionable under stress conditions.

The article points out that Sri Lanka, after receiving urgent fuel assistance from India in March, sought additional support from China only in early April. Although Beijing subsequently offered assurances, the scale and modalities of its assistance remain unclear.

A similar dynamic is visible with the Maldives. Despite the Maldives' pro-China alignment during the initial phase of President Mohamed Muizzu's tenure, Male did not approach Beijing for fuel assistance and, instead, turned to India to meet its immediate needs. Taken together, these cases show a clear pattern of smaller South Asian states prioritising responsiveness over depth of economic or political ties in times of acute stress.

India, despite facing significant energy supply disruptions, has positioned itself as a regional first-responder. It has stepped in to supply crude oil, Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), LNG, petrol and diesel to its neighbours during a period of acute supply scarcity, thus positioning itself as a stabilising force in the region.

Since March, India has supplied 38,000 metric tonnes of petroleum to Sri Lanka following Colombo's request, delivered 22,000 metric tonnes of diesel to Bangladesh via the Friendship Pipeline and is currently examining additional supply requests from Nepal and the Maldives.

This approach -- often described as "energy diplomacy" -- is not merely reactive. It reflects a strategic choice to deploy energy capacity as an instrument of regional statecraft, the article added.
New Delhi, April 22 : In its attempt at being relevant while seeking economic support, Pakistan looks intent on playing a complicated game of diplomatic checkers where its apparent "peace mediation" efforts appear to contradict its own stand.

New Delhi, April 22 (IANS) In its attempt at being relevant while seeking economic support, Pakistan looks intent on playing a complicated game of diplomatic checkers where its apparent "peace mediation" efforts appear to contradict its own stand.

The diplomatic push is a pivot for Pakistan, which has spent more time as a combatant over the past year in its own conflicts than as a peace broker, pointed out a report in The New York Times.

Islamabad has a chequered history in Afghan involvement, especially during the Soviet occupation. Lately, it has been conducting a series of airstrikes against Kabul, striking households and even a drug rehabilitation centre. Its active support to terror networks through hosting and training insurgents and launching them into India is a documented fact. Some media reports quote analysts attributing Pakistan's selection to its shared 900 km border with Iran, working relations with both sides, and geographic edge over traditional mediators like Qatar under Iranian fire.

Through this, United States President Donald Trump's repeated statements of admiration for Pakistan's Prime Minister Shebaz Sharif and Army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Iran's rejection of sending a delegation to Islamabad for the second round of peace talks raise questions over Islamabad being a "neutral negotiator".

Additionally, in an exclusive interview to IANS, US former National Security Advisor (NSA) H.R. McMaster cast doubt on its role in Iran-related diplomacy, describing it as a "client" of China and warning of "ulterior motives" in its mediation efforts. McMaster was NSA to President Trump in his first term.

Meanwhile, according to a commentary on the American thinktank Stimson Center this month, "Pakistan's attempts to court President Donald Trump in his second term did not have a positive start".

It recounted how, after his last election, close associates of Trump courted Pakistan's opposition and pushed for the release of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan. "However, the real breakthrough happened after a four-day conflict between India and Pakistan in May 2025. Pakistan appreciated President Trump's role in helping to stop hostilities with India and later formally nominated him for a Nobel Peace Prize. This was followed by Pakistanis pitching deals to the US President and his close associates in the cryptocurrency sector, as well as initiating a partnership to provide critical minerals to the US," added the article.

Pakistan also buttressed its ties with Riyadh with a defence pact and deployment of troops and war machines in Saudi Arabia. This too is being perceived as a threat to Tehran following its attack on neighbouring US bases.

Signed in September 2025, the agreement stipulates that an attack on either country will be considered an attack on both, which is modelled on NATO's Article 5 that formalises decades of military cooperation, intelligence sharing, and counterterrorism collaboration. The pact was recently activated operationally following Iranian drone and missile strikes on Saudi territory, marking the first real-world test of its collective security provisions.

Economically, Riyadh provides loans, grants, and investments targeting $75-100 billion in energy, mining, and infrastructure to ease Pakistan's crises, with remittances from five million Pakistanis in the Gulf equaling export earnings.

Pakistan's deep relations with Saudi Arabia, which hosts US bases recently attacked by Iran, raise questions about Islamabad's neutrality. Tehran, despite its ties with Islamabad, thus has reasons to see such developments go against its interests. Its official responses to further peace talks have been dismissive, complicating Islamabad's role.

Amidst Islamabad's contradictory moves, McMaster has argued that given Beijing's vested interest in preserving the current Iranian regime, Pakistan's offer to broker talks may not be neutral.

Pakistan Prime Minister Sharif, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, and other officials have repeatedly framed Islamabad as a neutral facilitator committed to sustained dialogue and regional stability. Pakistan has publicly offered to host further rounds of US-Iran talks and highlighted coordination with China and Gulf partners. Though Islamabad has thus emerged as a central intermediary in the West Asia crisis since February 2026, securing a fragile ceasefire window, it is facing public rebuffs from Tehran and deep scepticism from analysts about its ability to convert talks into a durable settlement.
Bengaluru, April 22 : In a significant development in the high-profile gold smuggling case, Kannada actress Ranya Rao is set to be released from jail on Wednesday after completing one year under preventive detention, officials said.

Ranya Rao, who is currently lodged at Bengaluru Central Prison, was arrested in connection with an alleged gold smuggling racket involving gold worth Rs 102 crore. The case had drawn widespread attention due to her links to the Kannada film industry and the police department.

Although she had earlier secured bail from the special court, her release was delayed as authorities invoked the Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities (COFEPOSA) Act against her, enabling her to be kept behind bars despite the relief.

With the completion of one year since the COFEPOSA detention came into effect, Rao is now eligible for release. According to sources, she is expected to walk out of prison later this evening.

The case remains under investigation, and further legal proceedings are likely in the coming days. More details are yet to emerge in the case.

The Central Economic Intelligence Bureau (CEIB), a nodal agency under the Ministry of Finance, had invoked the COFEPOSA Act against the actress and other accused as per the recommendation of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), probing the case.

The Act was invoked to stop the accused from indulging in smuggling once they came out on bail. The Act is also invoked if the accused is seen as not cooperating with the investigating agencies, sources said.

Ranya Rao, the stepdaughter of senior IPS officer Ramchandra Rao, was arrested on March 3, 2025, for allegedly smuggling 14.2 kg of gold, valued at over Rs 12.56 crore.

The case is being investigated by the DRI, the Enforcement Directorate (ED), and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

The state government has set up a special team led by a senior IAS officer to look into the role of DGP Ramachandra Rao in the case. The report in this regard has been submitted to the government. DGP Ramachandra Rao is currently under suspension.

The other accused, Tarun Raju and Sahil Sakaria Jain, have also been booked under the COFEPOSA Act.

The investigation into the gold smuggling case by the DRI has revealed that the actress had been involved in hawala transactions in collusion with Jain, the third accused in the case, sources stated.

The DRI, in its remand application submitted to the Special Court for Economic Offences in connection with the arrest of Jain in the gold smuggling case, alleged that the jeweller and Ranya Rao were involved in a hawala nexus.

The investigations have found that with the help of Jain, Ranya Rao disposed of 49.6 kg of gold and transferred Rs 38.4 crore of hawala money to Dubai.

"The investigations have indicated that Jain, hailing from Ballari and settled in Bengaluru, assisted and abetted Ranya Rao in disposing of 49.6 kilograms of gold worth around Rs 40 crore and transferring hawala money of Rs 38.4 crore to Dubai," the DRI said.
Shimla, April 22 : Announcing to hold a "Jan Aakrosh Padyatra" in Shimla on Thursday, Himachal Pradesh Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Rajeev Bindal on Wednesday criticised the Congress and the state government, saying that developments over the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam have completely exposed its 'anti-women' mindset.

He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had convened a special session of the Parliament with the historic objective of ensuring women's participation in governance, but the Congress and its allies had collectively crushed this transformative opportunity.

Bindal told the media here that over the past decade the Narendra Modi government has taken several concrete steps towards women's empowerment and the time had now come to extend that empowerment into decision-making roles.

He said this was the moment to hand over the key of governance to 50 per cent of the population, but instead the Congress "stabbed 700 million women in the back".

He accused the Congress of delaying women's reservation for more than four decades and then opposing it when the opportunity for implementation finally arrived.

According to Bindal, celebrating the fall of the Bill and distributing sweets clearly reflected the anti-women character of the Congress.

Targeting Congress leaders in Himachal Pradesh, the State BJP President said they "are deliberately avoiding a clear stand on the issue and resorting to evasive statements".

He asserted that this "amounts to open support for denying women their rightful participation and warned that the women of Himachal Pradesh will respond strongly".

Announcing that the "Jan Aakrosh Padyatra" would be held on April 23, he said thousands of women will come out on the streets against the Congress.

He emphasised that "this is not merely a protest but a decisive movement for women's dignity, rights and rightful representation".

Speaking on another issue, Bindal accused the state government of attempting to delay and manipulate Panchayati Raj and urban local body elections.

He alleged that the Congress government tried every possible tactic to avoid elections and undermine constitutional processes.

He said that the Election Commission had to submit a 35-page report to the Governor Kavinder Gupta highlighting the lack of cooperation from the state government, which, he said, was an attempt to hold democracy hostage and was ultimately corrected through judicial intervention.

Bindal also alleged that funds allocated to Panchayats and urban local bodies under the Finance Commission were forcibly diverted by the state government.

He said money meant for grassroots development was taken away, bringing development works to a standstill, and added there is still no clarity on how and where these funds were spent.
Gandhinagar, April 22 : Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Wednesday marked one year since the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam, paying tribute to those killed in the incident and reiterating India's stated policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism in all its forms.

In a post on X, Patel said: "One year has been completed today since that brutal terrorist incident in Pahalgam, and the memory of that cowardly attack continues to cause deep pain and anguish. Heartfelt tributes to the innocent citizens who lost their lives in that attack. The nation stands firmly with their families and loved ones with deep condolences and solidarity."

The attack had taken place on April 22 last year in the Baisaran Valley near Pahalgam, where a group of heavily armed militants opened indiscriminate fire on a group of tourists in a meadow area that is accessible only by foot or on horseback.

The assailants, who were equipped with automatic weapons and were dressed in military-style clothing, had specifically targeted civilians, killing at least 26 people, most of them tourists, and injuring several others in the brutal assault.

Subsequent investigations and intelligence-based assessments had indicated that the attack was carried out by militants linked to Pakistan-based groups, and the incident drew widespread condemnation both within the country as well as from the international community.

The incident had also prompted a large-scale and multi-layered security response, including intensified counter-terror operations, combing exercises, and heightened deployment of security forces across the south Kashmir region.

CM Patel said that India remains firm and unwavering in its approach to combating terrorism and ensuring national security.

"India will never accept terrorism in any form. With a policy of 'zero tolerance', we are firmly committed to the complete eradication of terror and terrorists. All 140 crore Indians stand united with full strength and collective resolve in this fight against terrorism," he said.

Following the attack, Indian armed forces had launched a series of retaliatory and counter-terror measures, including operations such as Operation Sindoor, which were aimed at dismantling militant infrastructure, safe havens, and support networks operating in the region.

Security agencies had identified those involved in the Pahalgam killings, and a sustained and coordinated manhunt operation was carried out across multiple locations in the region over an extended period of time.

The three attackers linked to the Baisaran massacre were subsequently neutralised by security forces in separate operations, following sustained intelligence-led efforts to track, locate, and eliminate them.

The anniversary of the attack has been marked by tributes from political leaders across the country, alongside a renewed emphasis on vigilance, preparedness, and counter-terror measures in Jammu and Kashmir, where security forces continue to remain on heightened alert to prevent any such incidents.
New Delhi, April 22 : It was on this date, 22 April, 2025, when terrorists in Pahalgam massacred more than 26 innocent tourists and injured many others in the Baisaran valley after asking their religious identity first.a New Delhi, April 22 (IANS) It was on this date, 22 April, 2025, when terrorists in Pahalgam massacred more than 26 innocent tourists and injured many others in the Baisaran valley after asking their religious identity first.

The attack was carried out in a brutal and targeted manner in a peaceful tourist destination, creating panic and chaos and leaving civilians with a very limited chance to escape in the difficult terrain of the valley.

These terrorists, who carried out this attack, were later neutralised under Operation Mahadev. They were identified as Suleman Shah (Hashim Musa/Musa), Abu Hamza (Hamza Afghani), and Jibran, and were linked to Pakistan-based terror networks.

Soon after this terror attack, TRF, an offshoot of the terrorist organisation Lashkar-e-Taiba, initially claimed responsibility for the Pahalgam attack twice, on the day of the attack and the following day, through its affiliated online communication channels.

However, following widespread public outrage and the way the massacre unfolded, Pakistan pressured them to disown the attack and deny any involvement.

Even Pakistan, at that time, said that it did not know anything about TRF, but later at the United Nations Security Council, it got the TRF name removed from the statement, reflecting complicity and diplomatic manoeuvring in shaping the final wording, with China also reported to have been involved in discussions around the language of the statement.

Later, Pakistan Defence Minister Ishaq Dar boasted about this incident in the National Assembly and said that he got the TRF name deleted, reflecting their complicity and the dilution of the United Nations Security Council statement on the condemnation of terrorism.

He said that they had had the reference to The Resistance Front removed from the United Nations Security Council statement, confirming that Pakistan ensured changes to the final wording.

These statements are widely cited in political and media discourse as part of the broader controversy surrounding the diplomatic handling of the incident and its implications for the sponsorship and condemnation of terrorism against Indians.

This terror attack in Pahalgam came shortly after Pakistan's Field Marshal Asim Munir, in a public address, reiterated the Two-Nation Theory, stating that their forefathers believed they were different from Hindus in every possible aspect of life, including religion, culture, traditions, thoughts, and ambitions, and that they were two nations, not one nation.

He further emphasised that Hindus and Muslims are fundamentally distinct in their identity and worldview.

Later, these terrorists came to Pahalgam and killed people based on their Hindu identity.

Moreover, Pakistanis constantly justify their terror against India. They use different narratives to justify terror against India, including Islamophobia, victimhood, and other frames.

Through a well-orchestrated strategy, it presents India's actions in Kashmir as settler colonialism, comparing it with Gaza, or as demographic change.

It is also widely reported that people in Pakistan are told that in Jammu and Kashmir, all mosques are closed and people cannot offer prayers, which contributes to propaganda and radicalisation against India.

They radicalise the youth of Kashmir and Pakistan alike and tell them to fight against India.

Pakistan has a long history of sponsoring terrorism against India and causing the deaths of numerous innocent civilians, ranging from 26/11 to Pulwama, Uri, and other recent terror attacks.

It has constantly spread terror against India, and the terror infrastructure and ecosystem are largely based in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, including networks of madrassas, terror launch pads, and other logistical and training facilities.

Now, the problem is that this "terror state" is being courted by Donald Trump, which emboldens it further to spread more terror against India, including its neighbouring regions like Afghanistan, where it recently bombed hospitals, killing more than 400 patients. If they can kill patients, they can kill anyone.

This is why India has a problem when Washington or any other country courts it, because it is seen as emboldening such behaviour and indirectly encouraging the continuation or escalation of terror activities against India.

Today, the situation in Jammu and Kashmir would have been different if Pakistan had not started sponsoring terrorism in Kashmir from the 1980s onwards, when it initiated this jihad against India.

For decades, there has been a constant effort on the part of Pakistan to keep Kashmir in a state of instability and tension, preventing it from moving towards sustained peace and development.


Bengaluru, April 22 : Karnataka BJP has demanded that AICC President, Mallikarjun Kharge, immediately apologise for allegedly referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a "terrorist," stating that he is unfit to hold the position of Congress President.

Bengaluru, April 22 (IANS) Karnataka BJP has demanded that AICC President, Mallikarjun Kharge, immediately apologise for allegedly referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a "terrorist," stating that he is unfit to hold the position of Congress President.

Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru on Wednesday, Leader of the Opposition, R. Ashoka, said that Prime Minister Modi has served the longest tenure and questioned AICC President Kharge's remarks targeting his patriotism.

He noted that earlier too, when Prime Minister Modi was mocked as a "chai wala," it eventually turned into a campaign in his favour, adding that such criticism has only benefited the BJP.

He alleged that Congress leaders were making such statements out of fear that they will never return to power. He further said Kharge, who he described as being in a "retired state" and unable to move around actively, should be expelled from the party.

Ashoka claimed the entire country knows who the real "traitors" are.

He alleged that during the cooker bomb blast incident in the state, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar had referred to the accused as "brother."

He also alleged that supporters of a close aide of Kharge had raised pro-Pakistan slogans inside the Vidhana Soudha.

He criticised Kharge for not responding to these incidents or speaking about Pakistan. He demanded that Kharge apologise to the people of the country and announced that BJP legislators in Bengaluru would stage a protest in front of Vidhana Soudha on Thursday against the statement.

Ashoka claimed that the BJP is gaining strong support in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, while the Congress is facing imminent defeat. He said the BJP would win in Assam and West Bengal, and that pre-election survey reports have left Congress leaders disillusioned.

He alleged that they are resorting to insulting Prime Minister Modi to divert attention from their impending defeat.

He also referred to raids conducted by the Enforcement Directorate on properties linked to Congress MLA N.A. Haris' family and questioned why no chargesheet has been filed even after three years of investigation into the Bitcoin scam. He demanded an explanation from Home Minister G. Parameshwara.
Jaipur, April 22 : Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma appeared in an assertive mood on Wednesday as he delivered his first major public response following the fire at the Pachpadra refinery.a Jaipur, April 22 (IANS) Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma appeared in an assertive mood on Wednesday as he delivered his first major public response following the fire at the Pachpadra refinery.

Speaking at the unveiling of Lieutenant General Sagat Singh Rathore's statue and the inauguration of a war memorial in Churu, Sharma sharply criticised the Congress party, accusing it of politicising the incident.

He said the opposition's reaction to the accident, just when the refinery was nearing inauguration, reflected "frustration" rather than concern.

Responding to questions raised by Congress leaders, Sharma said the refinery's inauguration had been imminent but was postponed due to the fire.

He remarked that attempting to politicise such an incident is extremely unfortunate.

He further alleged that the previous Congress government had delayed the project for years, adding that it was Prime Minister Narendra Modi who revived it in 2018 and accelerated its progress.

The Chief Minister also targeted former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, accusing his government of irregularities linked to the refinery project.

Sharma claimed that the public is aware of alleged scams and controversial land deals during that period.

He asserted that the public is well aware of the truth about the various scams perpetrated in the name of the refinery and the dubious land deals executed during the Gehlot government's tenure.

The Chief Minister further remarked that it has become a habit of the Congress party to raise the banner of opposition whenever matters of national interest or major development projects are at stake.

He said that the delay in the refinery project is the most glaring example of this.

He added that the Congress party has a pattern of opposing major development projects and issues of national importance.

In a social media post, Sharma wrote that Congress had "sacrificed Rajasthan's development to corruption and scams", calling the refinery delay a prime example.

Despite the setback, Sharma reassured the public that restoration work is progressing quickly.

He said the refinery would be operational again within days and described it as one of the country's largest and most modern facilities, expected to significantly boost Rajasthan's economy.

Continuing his criticism, Sharma took a swipe at Congress's election symbol, the "Hand", alleging that its ideology has hindered national progress and delayed key projects.


New Delhi, April 22 : US space agency National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) unveiled the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, a wideafield observatory designed to scan the universe for planets outside the solar system and probe the mysteries of dark matter and dark energy.

New Delhi, April 22 (IANS) US space agency National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) unveiled the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, a widefield observatory designed to scan the universe for planets outside the solar system and probe the mysteries of dark matter and dark energy.

NASA administrator Jared Isaacman said at a news conference at the Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland that "Roman will give the Earth a new atlas of the universe." The 12metre, silvery contraption with large solar panels will be moved to Florida for a launch into space by a SpaceX rocket in September at the earliest.

Named after NASA's first chief astronomer, the 'mother of the Hubble Space Telescope,' the Nancy Grace Roman, the new telescope will have a field of view at least 100 times larger than Hubble's, potentially measuring light from a billion galaxies in its lifetime, NASA said.

This observatory will also be able to block starlight to directly see exoplanets and planet-forming disks, complete a statistical census of planetary systems in our galaxy, and settle essential questions in the areas of dark energy, exoplanets, and infrared astrophysics, it added.

The Roman telescope was built at a cost of over $4 billion in more than a decade and will be positioned 1.5 million kilometres from Earth to probe vast regions of space.

At this special place in space, called the second Sun-Earth Lagrange point, or L2, gravitational forces balance to keep objects in steady orbits with very little assistance, the agency said in a blog post.

The thermal stability of an observatory at L2 will provide a ten-fold improvement beyond Hubble in much of the data Roman will gather.

It will send 11 terabytes of data a day down to Earth, said Mark Melton, a systems engineer at Goddard Space Flight Center.
Chandigarh, April 22 : Punjab is set to take a major step towards crop diversification and sustainable agriculture. a Chandigarh, April 22 (IANS) Punjab is set to take a major step towards crop diversification and sustainable agriculture. 

With the efforts of the Chief Minister, the establishment of a centre of excellence for basmati has been secured during his ongoing visit to the Netherlands. 

The initiative aims to strengthen farmers' incomes and reduce overreliance on the wheat-paddy cycle, an official statement said. 

As part of his visit, CM Mann explored best practices in agriculture and industry to benefit farmers, who have played a key role in making the country self-reliant in food production. 

The Chief Minister said, "For the sake of the nation, farmers in Punjab have overexploited the state's fertile land and water resources, making it essential to shift away from the wheat-paddy cycle." 

"For the sake of the nation, the farmers of the state have overexploited its only available natural resources in terms of fertile land and water, due to which the need of the hour is to bring the farmers out of the rut of wheat-paddy circle." 

Emphasising the way forward, he said, "For this purpose, a major push is needed to crop diversification and the Netherlands can duly help the state a lot in this noble cause." 

During his visit to the LT Foods facility in Rotterdam, the company shared its global presence across more than 80 countries and a strong linkage with over one lakh farmers. The visit focused on sustainable farming practices and expanding Punjab's basmati footprint globally. 

Stressing the importance of aligning with international standards, CM Mann said, "There is a need for sustainable farming, including reducing pesticide usage to meet international standards and to promote basmati rice in the international market." 

Following this engagement, LT Foods gave consent to establish a basmati centre of excellence in Punjab, along with a pilot for assured procurement and low-pesticide cultivation. 

CM Mann also called for expediting collaboration between Dutch multinationals and Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) for research and sustainable agriculture practices. 

Highlighting the economic challenges in farming, he said, "With the squeezing margins of profit, agriculture is no longer a profitable proposition, due to which farmers are facing a lot of problems for their basic subsistence." 

He said the production potential of the available crop technologies had already been nearly exhausted and was now approaching a plateau in growth. 

Extending an invitation to global investors, CM Mann invited Dutch companies to participate in upcoming agri-tech and industrial platforms, including engagements with CII. 

He also highlighted the state's progressive policy framework, including the Industrial and Business Development Policy of 2026 and the FastTrack Punjab Portal, which ensures time-bound, transparent approvals. 
Koppal : , April 22 (IANS) Karnataka Minister for Kannada and Culture, Shivaraj Tangadagi, launched a sharp attack on the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging that the ruling party at the Centre is using the issue of women's reservation as a political diversion.

Speaking to reporters in Kanakagiri on Wednesday, Tangadagi said the BJP had earlier relied on issues such as Pakistan, Pulwama attack, halal, and communal narratives, but has now shifted focus to women's reservation.

He questioned whether the Congress needed to "learn lessons" from the BJP on women's reservation, pointing out that the UPA government had first approved the Women's Reservation Bill in the Rajya Sabha in 2010, which was opposed by the BJP at the time.

He asked why the Centre, despite having the opportunity in 2023, did not implement the reservation immediately and instead linked it to delimitation. "If they were serious, they could have brought only the women's reservation. Why introduce and link it to delimitation now?" he said.

Tangadagi accused Prime Minister Modi of trying to mislead the public instead of presenting facts. He further claimed that Prime Minister Modi envisions an India without an Opposition, without questioning voices, and without accountability in institutions such as Parliament and the media.

Highlighting the Congress' track record, Tangadagi said the party had already implemented 51 per cent reservation for women in local bodies, including gram panchayats, town panchayats, municipalities, district panchayats, and taluk panchayats in Karnataka.

He criticised the BJP, claiming it had little to show in terms of achievements despite being in power at the Centre for over a decade.

Taking a dig at central schemes, he remarked that while initiatives like 'Swachh Bharat', 'Yoga Day', and 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' are branded as central government programmes, the actual responsibility and participation is with the people.

Responding to speculation about Housing Minister Zameer Ahmad Khan joining the JD(S), Tangadagi dismissed the reports, saying there were no major issues within the Congress. "Minor differences exist in every party, but they will be resolved. There are no major problems in our party," he said, adding that the BJP was facing internal issues.

He asserted that minorities, SCs, STs, Backward Classes, and Lingayats are supporting the Congress, and expressed confidence that the party would win both constituencies in the Bagalkot and Davanagere elections with a margin of over 15,000 votes.

On the issue of caste census, Tangadagi said the Congress supports participation by all sections of society. Referring to earlier surveys by Backward Classes commissions, he said the party believes in inclusivity and urged people to take part in the Census to ensure accurate data and its success.
New Delhi, April 22 : The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced that seizures in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal have crossed the Rs 1,000 crore mark, underscoring the unprecedented scale and intensity of enforcement operations aimed at ensuring free, fair, and transparent polls in both states.

According to the Commission, the seizures include cash, liquor, narcotic substances, precious metals, and various forms of freebies, all of which were allegedly intended to influence voters and manipulate electoral outcomes, an official ECI press note stated while elaborating on the nature and extent of the confiscations.

The Commission revealed that since the activation of the Election Seizure Management System on February 26, 2026, enforcement agencies have confiscated illegal inducements worth Rs 472.89 crore in West Bengal and Rs 599.24 crore in Tamil Nadu, thereby bringing the combined total value of seizures to Rs 1,072.13 crore across the two poll-bound states.

In West Bengal, the seizures included Rs 27.48 crore in unaccounted cash, over 39 lakh litres of liquor valued at Rs 102.45 crore, drugs worth Rs 108.11 crore, precious metals worth Rs 55.88 crore, and freebies valued at Rs 178.83 crore, reflecting a wide range of inducements being tracked and intercepted by enforcement agencies.

Tamil Nadu accounted for seizures amounting to Rs 100.19 crore in cash, 1.17 lakh litres of liquor valued at Rs 3.85 crore, drugs worth Rs 76.72 crore, precious metals worth Rs 159.31 crore, and freebies valued at Rs 259.14 crore, the Commission said while providing a detailed state-wise break-up of the seizures.

To achieve this level of enforcement and monitoring, the Commission deployed as many as 5,011 Flying Squad Teams and 5,363 Static Surveillance Teams across the two states, tasked with responding swiftly to complaints and carrying out checks and inspections at multiple locations.

These teams were specifically mandated to respond to complaints within a stipulated time frame of 100 minutes and to conduct surprise checks, vehicle inspections, and verification drives at vulnerable points and high-risk areas.

The Commission emphasised that while strict and vigilant enforcement is necessary to curb electoral malpractices, ordinary citizens must not be unnecessarily inconvenienced, harassed, or subjected to undue scrutiny during inspections and checking drives.

District Grievance Committees have been constituted and operationalised to address complaints related to enforcement activities and to ensure that any grievances raised by the public are resolved in a timely and transparent manner, the ECI said.

The Election Commission reiterated its commitment to conducting violence-free, intimidation-free, and inducement-free elections, maintaining that all necessary steps are being taken to safeguard the integrity of the democratic process.

Citizens and political parties have been encouraged to report violations of the Model Code of Conduct through the C-Vigil module available on the ECINET platform, which enables real-time reporting and tracking of complaints.

Deputy Director P. Pawan, in the official press note, highlighted that the unprecedented scale of seizures reflects the Commissionas firm determination to curb electoral malpractices and to ensure transparency, accountability, and fairness in the electoral process.

The figures, he added, underline the heightened vigilance of enforcement agencies and demonstrate the seriousness with which the Commission is tackling attempts to undermine the integrity of elections in both Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.
Jaipur, April 22 : Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla attended the unveiling ceremony of a statue honouring the invincible warrior, the late Lieutenant General Sagat Singh Rathore, in Churu on Wednesday, where he paid heartfelt tributes to the legendary military leader.

The event witnessed the presence of several prominent dignitaries, including Om Prakash Mathur, Bhajanlal Sharma, Union Agriculture Minister Bhagirath Choudhary, and senior leader Rajendra Rathore.

Addressing the gathering, Birla highlighted that the life of Lieutenant General Sagat Singh stands as a powerful symbol of courage, exemplary leadership, and unwavering commitment to national service.

He recalled the officeras remarkable contributions, beginning with his role in the Indian Armyas display of valour during the Second World War and extending to his leadership during the Goa Liberation Movement, where the Tricolour was proudly hoisted.

Birla further noted that Sagat Singhas bold and strategic decisions at the Nathu La border significantly strengthened Indiaas defences.

His decisive leadership during the 1971 Indo-Pak war, particularly in securing the surrender of Pakistani forces in Dhaka, played a crucial role in the creation of Bangladesh.

These achievements, Birla said, firmly establish Sagat Singh as one of the nationas most distinguished military figures.

Emphasising Rajasthanas enduring legacy, Birla remarked that the state has always been known for its spirit of valour, patriotism, and sacrifice.

He observed that a deep sense of national duty is ingrained in the people of the region, with countless families contributing to the service of the nation.

He described the statue not merely as a memorial, but as a lasting source of inspiration for future generations.

According to him, it will motivate young people to dedicate themselves to the service of the country and uphold the values exemplified by great heroes.

Concluding his address, Birla stated that the legacy of Sagat Singh is a matter of national pride.

His life, he said, demonstrates that courage, determination, and dedication can overcome any challenge.

He urged the youth to draw inspiration from such icons and actively contribute to nation-building.
Bengaluru, April 22 : Cutting across political lines, student wings of major parties in Karnataka on Wednesday jointly demanded the immediate restoration of student union elections in colleges, urging the government to conduct polls from the current academic year.

The demand comes in the wake of Chief Minister Siddaramaiahas announcement in the 2026a"27 Budget to revive student elections in colleges. Representatives from student wings affiliated to the Congress, BJP, JD(S), and Left parties welcomed the move and pressed for early implementation without delay.

The consensus emerged during a day-long meeting of student leaders held at the State Higher Education Council auditorium.

Medical Education Minister Sharan Prakash R. Patil and Higher Education Minister M.C. Sudhakar chaired the session and heard views from across the student political spectrum. Both ministers assured participants that they would recommend to the Chief Minister that rules and guidelines be framed at the earliest to facilitate elections.

Leaders from Left-affiliated student organisations, including SFI, AISF, AIDSO, and AISO, called for structured representation in student bodies, including reservation for women candidates. Meanwhile, Vidyarthi JD(S) representative Aditya N. Raj proposed that 70 per cent of seats be reserved for Kannada-speaking students.

Representatives of the ABVP urged the government to introduce eligibility criteria for candidates, including a minimum attendance requirement of 60 per cent and no pending FIRs or academic backlogs.

However, this suggestion faced opposition from NSUI and Vidyarthi JD(S) members, who argued that such conditions could unfairly exclude students involved in pro-Kannada protests. They maintained that all students should have a fair opportunity to contest.

A student from Bangalore Medical College also raised concerns about the scope of student bodies, urging the government to clearly define their roles, powers, and responsibilities. The student suggested that elected representatives should have a meaningful role beyond organising events, including participation in university syndicate meetings.

Responding to the discussions, the ministers said the government would largely base the framework for student elections on the recommendations of the J.M. Lyngdoh Committee, with necessary modifications to suit present-day requirements.

The committee, formed following a Supreme Court directive in 2005 under former Chief Election Commissioner J.M. Lyngdoh, had submitted guidelines for conducting student elections across higher education institutions.

Later, representatives from faculty bodies, college managements, and teachersa associations also met the ministers and expressed support for restoring student elections. They urged the government to ensure that the process is conducted in a free and fair manner.

The development marks a significant step towards the possible return of student politics in Karnataka campuses, with broad-based support from stakeholders across the academic community.
New Delhi, April 22 : The Election Commission of India (ECI) has taken serious note of remarks made by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge in which he allegedly referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a "terrorist", issuing a notice seeking his explanation within 24 hours.

According to sources, the poll body viewed the comments as potentially violative of the Model Code of Conduct, particularly provisions relating to maintaining decorum and avoiding inflammatory or derogatory language during the election period.

The ECI notice came after a delegation of the BJP met the ECI on Wednesday to lodge a strong protest against Kharge's remarks about PM Modi, and to demand exemplary action to serve as a "deterrent" for others who try to breach political red lines.

The high-level BJP delegation comprised Union Ministers Kiren Rijiju, Nirmala Sitharaman and Arjun Ram Meghwal, and BJP national General Secretary Arun Singh, who all urged the Election Commission to intervene and take action against "venomous remarks" by the Congress chief.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Rijiju, while speaking to the media, said the BJP delegation conveyed the party's deep sorrow and anger over the abominable language used by Congress President against the Prime Minister and called for taking immediate cognisance.

"For Kharge to call PM Modi a 'terrorist' is not just a remark but a grave insult to the entire nation. Such disgraceful conduct cannot be normalised," he said.

The controversy arose on Tuesday when Kharge, at a press conference in Chennai, responding to a question, used the term "terrorist" in reference to the Prime Minister. However, he later clarified that his statement had been "misinterpreted".

"I did not mean that Modi is a terrorist. What I meant was that people are being terrorised, and institutions and agencies are being used to intimidate them," Kharge had said, adding that his remarks were intended to criticise what he described as an atmosphere of fear under the current government.

He further alleged that key institutions, including investigative agencies, were functioning under political pressure, which, according to him, was weakening democratic norms.

The remarks triggered a sharp political backlash, with leaders from the BJP, including Union Ministers and Members of Parliament, launching a strong attack on Kharge and the Congress.

Several BJP leaders termed the comment "irresponsible" and "unacceptable", demanding an apology and accusing the Congress leadership of lowering the level of political discourse.
Hyderabad, April 22 : The government of Telangana has paid ex-gratia of Rs. 5 lakh each to the families of three Gig workers who lost their lives while on duty.a

Labour and Mines Minister G. Vivek Venkatswamy on Wednesday handed over ex-gratia cheques to the family members of the Gig workers. The assistance has been provided through the Chief Ministeras Relief Fund (CMRF).a

The minister personally handed over cheques to the families of gig workers Lokurthi Naresh, G. Shyam Sundar, and Ahmed Bin Abdul Khader.a

Speaking on the occasion, the minister said that the Telangana government, inspired by Congress leader Rahul Gandhias vision, has stood firmly by gig workers and passed the Gig Workers Welfare Bill in the Assembly.a

He reiterated that gig workers require such protection and a strong social safety net.a

He assured that the state government would stand by every worker in times of distress. Whether gig workers or hamalis (porters), all workers deserve support and protection from the government, he said.

The minister appreciated the role of the gig workersa union, noting that their continuous follow-up with labour department officials made this initiative possible.a

He reiterated that the government will never neglect gig workers and weaker sections and will always remain committed to safeguarding their rights and welfare.a

The state Assembly on March 30 passed the Telangana Platform-Based Gig Workers (Registration, Social Security and Welfare) Bill, 2026.a

It introduced a structured system to provide social security and legal recognition to thousands of platform-based gig workers.a

The Bill mandates the creation of a dedicated Social Security and Welfare Board to register workers and oversee benefits. Each registered worker will be assigned a unique ID, enabling better tracking of benefits and ensuring transparency across platforms.a

App-based delivery, mobility, and service workers will be brought under a structured welfare and social security framework.a

If gig workers are not protected, penalties will be levied on aggregators. Aggregators are also required to contribute 1 to 2 per cent of their transaction value to the welfare fund, which will be used to finance insurance, accident cover, pensions, and maternity benefits.a

A structured grievance redressal mechanism will also be developed, with platform-level committees and district authorities empowered to resolve disputes.a

Digital platform companies will be required to regularly submit operational data. Strict penalties have been outlined for non-compliance, with fines increasing for repeated violations to ensure compliance.a

The companies will also have to clearly inform workers about payments and deductions.a

a
Patna, April 22 : Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, who returned from Delhi on Wednesday, immediately paid a courtesy visit to former Chief Minister Nitish Kumar in Patna.a

Nitish Kumar warmly received him, and the meeting is being viewed as politically significant, especially in the backdrop of the much-anticipated Bihar cabinet expansion.a

During his recent Delhi visit, Samrat Choudhary held key meetings with top leadership of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party president Nitin Nabin.a

He also visited the headquarters of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).a

According to sources, he held multiple discussions with Nitin Nabin regarding Biharas political situation and the proposed cabinet expansion.a

However, the cabinet expansion has been temporarily put on hold.a

Sources indicate that no final date for the swearing-in ceremony has been decided yet.a

One of the primary reasons cited is the packed schedule of the central BJP leadership, which is currently focused on upcoming assembly elections in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu.a

It is also reported that final approval for ministerial names will be given only after Samrat Choudhary meets Union Home Minister Amit Shah.a

The date for the cabinet expansion is likely to be finalised following this crucial meeting.a

Additionally, there are ongoing discussions and some disagreements regarding portfolio allocation with ally Janata Dal (United) (JD(U)), which remain unresolved.a

Due to these factors, the cabinet expansion may be delayed until after the results of the assembly elections in other states are announced.a

Meanwhile, a key development is a scheduled cabinet meeting in Bihar.a

As per a notification from the Cabinet Secretariat Department, an important meeting was held at 6:00 PM on April 22, 2026, at the Main Secretariat in Patna.a

The meeting was attended by the Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, both Deputy Chief Ministers Vijay Kumar Choudhary and Bijendra Prasad Yadav, and senior officials, and is expected to address crucial administrative matters.a
New Delhi, April 22 : US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, on Wednesday paid tribute to the victims of Pahalgam terror attack and expressed Washington's support for India in fight against terrorism.

The heinous terror attack, that took place in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam on April 22, 2025, witnessed Pakistan-backed terrorists gunning down 26 innocent tourists after identifying their religion, in one of the most brutal incidents of civilians being targetted in recent years.

"On the one-year anniversary of the horrific attack in Pahalgam, we remember the innocent victims and honour their memory as we mourn with their families. The United States stands with the people of India in their fight against terrorism," Gor posted on X.

Japan's Ambassador to India, Ono Keiichi, stated that Tokyo condemns terrorism in all its forms and expresses solidarity with India in its resolve to combat terrorism and commitment to peace and security.

"One year after the heinous Pahalgam terrorist attack, we remember the innocent victims. Japan condemns terrorism in all its forms and stands in solidarity with India a" in our shared resolve to combat terrorism and commitment to peace and security," Japanese envoy posted on X.

The attack in Pahalgam was carried out by The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba. The attackers singled out victims after asking about their religion, forcing them to recite the Islamic 'kalima' to identify non-Muslims. Among those killed were 25 tourists and one local pony ride operator who tried to save the tourists.

Several victims were newly married, and many were shot at close range in front of their family members.

In response to the attack, the Indian armed forces launched 'Operation Sindoor' on May 6 and 7 last year, carrying out what officials described as a focused, measured and non-escalatory military action by targetting high-value terror bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK).

The operation successfully neutralised terrorist threats, deterred further aggression and reinforced India's zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism while maintaining strategic restraint.
Jamshedpur, April 22 : A massive 227-kg bomb dating back to the Second World War, found on the banks of the Subarnarekha river in the Panipora-Nagursai area of the Baharagora block in Jharkhand's East Singhbhum district, was safely defused by an expert team of the Indian Army on Wednesday.

Jamshedpur, April 22 (IANS) A massive 227-kg bomb dating back to the Second World War, found on the banks of the Subarnarekha river in the Paniporaa"Nagursai area of the Baharagora block in Jharkhandas East Singhbhum district, was safely defused by an expert team of the Indian Army on Wednesday.

The timely and precise operation averted a potential major disaster, bringing relief to villagers and the administration, who had been living in fear for the past several days.

Before the operation, the army team carried out an intensive technical inspection of the bomb for two consecutive days, assessing its structure, explosive strength, and possible impact on the surrounding area.

As a precaution, the entire locality was cordoned off by the army and police, public movement was completely restricted and nearby villages were kept under strict surveillance.

After all prescribed safety protocols were ensured, the bomb was successfully neutralised on Wednesday under expert supervision. The administration and local residents praised the army for its swift and accurate action.

The missile-like bomb was discovered nearly a week ago during sand mining along the Subarnarekha river, triggering panic in the region. After photographs of some youths posing with the bomb went viral, the administration swung into action and immediately summoned the armyas bomb disposal squad.

The team, led by Lieutenant Colonel Dharmendra Singh and Captain Ayush Kumar Singh, reached the spot and assessed the situation. A scientific method was adopted for the operation, with a deep pit dug using a JCB machine and a protective barricade created with hundreds of sand-filled bags. An area with a radius of around 1.5 km was sealed during the process.

Teams from the police, Jharkhand Jaguar, fire services and the health department, along with ambulances, were deployed at the site.

This was the third instance of wartime explosives being found in the area within a month. Earlier, on April 16, two live bombs from the Second World War were recovered from the same riverbank, while two more powerful bombs were found and defused in March.

Locals believe that the falling water level of the river due to summer has exposed bombs buried in the sand decades ago. Though the immediate threat has been neutralised, villagers remain concerned and have urged the administration to conduct a comprehensive survey of the area using modern technology to detect any remaining explosives and avert future dangers.
Los Angeles, April 22 : Director Shawn Levy is batting for the AI. The director feels that AI will become an "essential" filmmaking tool in the future.

The 'Star Wars: Starfighter' director believes movie makers should "embrace" artificial intelligence, rather than "fear" it, but he is yet to use AI "in any meaningful way" during his storytelling career, reports 'Female First UK'.

He told 'Variety', "To date, I've not incorporated AI in any meaningful way in any phase of my storytelling process, but I have no doubt that in the course of my career we will see its integration. To the point that many smarter people than I have made, it's about integrating these technologies responsibly and with still the primacy of the creative voice and not a potential replacement for that voice because I think that what you get from creative voice and vision is singular and irreplicable".

He further mentioned, "But, if we can use these emerging AI capacities to support storytelling in still a kind of creative and human first workflow then I think it's something to embrace, not fear. I spend a part of everyday trying to increase my fluency around the regulatory options surrounding (AI). I think it's going to be essential, but I think to hide our heads in the sand and pretend that it's not going to be not just an emergent but an essential part of our lives, not just filmmaking lives, (but) lives lives, I think that would be naive and foolish".

As per 'Female First UK', the director will release space opera movie 'Star Wars: Starfighter', which features Ryan Gosling, Matt Smith, Mia Goth, Amy Adams and Aaron Pierre, on May 28, 2027, and he is enjoying not having to rush the editing process with just over a year to go until release.

He continued, "I'm in the beautiful sanctity of the edit room. We don't come out until next year, and so it's a rare movie where I don't have a release date looming. So I'm in the dark quiet of the edit room finding the best possible shape for the film".

In January, Levy said how he wants 'Star Wars: Starfighter' to be "epic and intimate", like 'Stranger Things'.

He told The Hollywood Reporter, "If I've learned anything on Stranger Things, it's that you can get intimidated by the scale of franchise expectation. But you will lose your way if that's your focus".

"I've learned the need to stay rooted in character, and themes and relationships on screen. Yes, there's spectacle and scale, just like Stranger Things. And of course, Star Wars and Starfighter has spectacle and scale and adventure at a level I've never done in my whole career. But like Stranger Things, it's also very much anchored in a human scale, character-sized story. I think that if I can balance the epic and the intimate the way (show creators Matt and Ross Duffer) have with Stranger Things, I'll make a movie and an original and new Star Wars adventure that can be really satisfying to fans and audiences", he added.
Hyderabad, April 22 : Former Chief Minister of united Andhra Pradesh Nadendla Bhaskar Rao passed away here on Wednesday, following prolonged illness. He was 90.

He breathed his last at a private hospital, where he was admitted a month ago due to age-related ailments.

Bhaskar Rao is survived by his son, Nadendla Manohar, who is the Civil Supplies Minister in the Cabinet of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu.

A former Speaker of the Assembly in united Andhra Pradesh, Manohar, is currently a key leader of Jana Sena Party.

A seasoned politician and administrator, Bhaskar Rao was elected to the Assembly on the Congress party ticket in 1978. He served as the Chief Minister of undivided Andhra Pradesh for a month in 1984.

Hailing from the Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh, he was a law graduate from Osmania University. He started his political career with Congress and was elected to the Assembly from Vijayawada East in 1978.

Bhaskar Rao was the co-founder of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), along with N. T. Rama Rao (NTR). He was the second in command in TDP when popular film actor NTR launched the party in 1982.

Re-elected to the Assembly from Vemuru on the TDP ticket in 1983, he was the Finance Minister in the NTR-led TDP government. When NTR had gone to the United States for surgery, Bhaskar Rao, with the help of a section of TDP MLAs and the Congress, led a revolt and became Chief Minister on August 16, 1984.

The revolt had triggered massive political turmoil in the state, and exactly a month later, Bhaskar Rao had to resign. The nationwide save democracy movement by NTR had forced the Congress government at the Centre to reinstate him as the Chief Minister.

Bhaskar Rao quit the TDP and launched the Democratic Telugu Desam Party, which proved short-lived. He later returned to Congress and was re-elected to the Assembly from Tenali in 1989. He was elected to the Lok Sabha from Khammam in 1998.

He also served as the minister in the cabinets of Marri Chenna Reddy and K. Anjaiah.

After several decades of political silence, Bhaskar Rao joined the BJP in 2019.

The last rites will be performed at Panjagutta crematorium on Thursday.

Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu expressed grief over the passing away of Nadendla Bhaskara Rao. He telephoned Bhaskara Rao's son, Manohar, to offer his condolences.

The Chief Minister conveyed his sympathies to Manohar and his family members and prayed for the departed soul to rest in peace.

Deputy Chief Minister and Jana Sena Party President Pawan Kalyan has also condoled the demise of Bhaskar Rao.

He noted that Bhaskara Rao had been active in public life since the 1970s. His knowledge and expertise, both as a lawyer and as a politician, were invaluable. He served the public with distinction, having been elected as an MLA from the Vijayawada East and Vemuru constituencies, and as an MP from Khammam.

Pawan Kalyan prayed that Manohar, son of Bhaskar Rao and the Chairman of the Jana Sena Partyas Political Affairs Committee, find the strength to quickly recover from the pain of this paternal loss.
Bengaluru, April 22 : In a significant development in the high-profile gold smuggling case, Kannada actress Ranya Rao was released from jail on Wednesday evening after completing one year under preventive detention.

Ranya Rao, who was lodged at Bengaluru Central Prison, was arrested in connection with an alleged gold smuggling racket involving gold worth Rs 102 crore.

The case had drawn widespread attention due to her links to the Kannada film industry and the police department.

After her release, Ranya Rao avoided the media and left the jail premises in her advocateas vehicle.

Although she had earlier secured bail from the special court, her release was delayed when authorities invoked the Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities (COFEPOSA) Act against her, allowing her to remain behind bars despite the bail.

With the completion of one year since the COFEPOSA detention came into effect, Rao is now eligible for release.

The case remains under investigation, and further legal proceedings are likely in the coming days.

More details are yet to emerge in the case.

The Central Economic Intelligence Bureau (CEIB), a nodal agency under the Ministry of Finance, had invoked the COFEPOSA Act against the actress and other accused, as per the recommendation of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), which is probing the case.

The Act was invoked to prevent the accused from engaging in smuggling once they were released on bail.

The Act is also invoked if the accused is found not to be cooperating with the investigating agencies, sources said.

Ranya Rao, the stepdaughter of senior Indian Police Service officer Ramachandra Rao, was arrested on March 3, 2025, for allegedly smuggling 14.2 kg of gold, valued at over Rs 12.56 crore.

The case is being investigated by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, the Enforcement Directorate, and the Central Bureau of Investigation.

The state government has set up a special team led by a senior Indian Administrative Service officer to look into the role of Director General of Police Ramachandra Rao in the case.

The report in this regard has been submitted to the government.

Director General of Police Ramachandra Rao is currently under suspension.

The other accused, Tarun Raju and Sahil Sakaria Jain, have also been booked under the COFEPOSA Act.

The investigation into the gold smuggling case by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence has revealed that the actress had been involved in hawala transactions in collusion with Jain, the third accused in the case, sources stated.

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, in its remand application submitted to the Special Court for Economic Offences in connection with the arrest of Jain in the gold smuggling case, alleged that the jeweller and Ranya Rao were involved in a hawala nexus.

The investigations have found that, with the help of Jain, Ranya Rao disposed of 49.6 kg of gold and transferred Rs 38.4 crore of hawala money to Dubai.

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence said that investigations have indicated that Jain, hailing from Ballari and settled in Bengaluru, assisted and abetted Ranya Rao in disposing of 49.6 kilograms of gold worth around Rs 40 crore and transferring hawala money of Rs 38.4 crore to Dubai.
Kolkata, April 22 : Despite being summoned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Deputy Commissioner of Kolkata Police Shantanu Sinha Biswas did not appear before the agency's officials on Wednesday in connection with an ongoing investigation into a sand smuggling case linked to alleged financial irregularities.

Kolkata, April 22 (IANS) Despite being summoned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Deputy Commissioner of Kolkata Police Shantanu Sinha Biswas did not appear before the agencyas officials on Wednesday in connection with an ongoing investigation into a sand smuggling case linked to alleged financial irregularities.

However, according to ED officials, he has sought time from the central investigation agency by sending his lawyer to the ED office to communicate his inability to appear on the scheduled date.

Last Sunday, the ED had conducted raids at the residence of Kolkata Police Deputy Commissioner Shantanu Sinha Biswas as part of its investigation into a money-laundering case involving an alleged criminal-linked syndicate operating in parts of the city. Since then, the police officer has not appeared in public, adding to the developments surrounding the ongoing probe.

The ED had earlier summoned Sinha, who is a former Officer-in-Charge of Kalighat Police Station, to its office at the Central Government Office (CGO) Complex in Salt Lake on Wednesday for questioning in connection with the case. However, he did not appear in person. Instead, his lawyer visited the ED office on his behalf.

According to sources in the agency, Shantanu Sinha Biswas has sought time citing his busy schedule and has requested a fresh date for appearance before the central agency for questioning.

The ED is currently investigating allegations of financial misappropriation and irregularities linked to a sand smuggling case, and it is learnt that officials of the agency intend to question Sinha in connection with various aspects of the case and his alleged links, if any, to the wider network under investigation.

The ED on Sunday arrested Kolkata-based businessman Joy Kamdar after conducting raids against him as well as against Shantanu Sinha Biswas as part of a money-laundering probe into an alleged criminal-linked syndicate. Kamdar, who is the Managing Director of Sun Enterprise, was taken into custody after nearly four hours of questioning, ED officials said.

Earlier in the day, ED officials had conducted a raid at Kamdaras residence in Behala. The agency had also carried out search operations at two premises linked to Shantanu Sinha Biswas in the Ballygunge area of south Kolkata as part of the same coordinated operation.

The raids were conducted as part of the investigation into a money-laundering case linked to Sona Pappu, who has been booked in multiple criminal cases on charges including attempted murder and extortion, an ED official said.

Sona Pappu is alleged to run criminal syndicates in the south Kolkata areas of Kasba and Ballygunge and has several FIRs registered against him over a range of allegations. He is also a prime accused in the Golpark clashes that took place in February and remains absconding at present.

He has, from time to time, appeared live on social media platforms, targeting the central investigation agency and accusing it of harassing his family members.

Based on leads emerging from the case related to Sona Pappu, the ED had raided the residence of Shantanu Sinha Biswas. The search operation began in the morning hours and continued till late at night, with investigating officers leaving the premises after midnight.

Shantanu Sinha Biswas was not seen in public during the course of the operation. The day after the search, the ED had summoned him along with his two sons, Sayantan and Manish, to appear at the CGO Complex in connection with the Sona Pappu case on Monday. None of them were seen appearing before the ED on that day.

This time as well, Shantanu Sinha Biswas did not appear before the ED office in connection with the sand smuggling case and instead sought time through his legal representative.
Bhubaneswar, April 22 : The Commissionerate Police have arrested four cybercriminals from Hyderabad, Telangana, and Jamtara, Jharkhand, in connection with a cyber fraud case, Police Commissioner S. Dev Datta Singh informed on Wednesday.

Singh also informed that the accused persons are linked to a cyber network based in Jamtara, known as a hub of cyber fraud and phishing scams across the country.

The police commissioner further added that in September 2025, the police received a report filed by one Jashobanta Jena of Bhubaneswar, alleging that unauthorized deductions of Rs. 7 lakh were made from his HDFC bank account on September 14, 2025.

The complainant, Jena, also expressed suspicion that the transaction might have been due to his opening an APK file named "RTO Challan" received two days before in a WhatsApp group. On the basis of his complaint, the police registered a case (171/25) on September 15, 2025, and initiated an investigation.

Following the money trail and with the help of other digital evidence, the police teams arrested four accused persons, including the mastermind, from both Telangana and Jharkhand on April 19 and brought them to Odisha on transit remand.

The accused persons were Mohammed Abbas (37), Md. Salman (29), Md. Amair (31), of Hyderabad in Telangana, and Mukesh Turi (27) of Jamtara in Jharkhand. The police, during investigation, identified Mukesh as the mastermind of the racket.

According to a statement by the the Commissionerate police, Mukesh is part of a 5-member fraudster network from Jamtara that creates APK files and phishing links and targets victims based on bank account information received from different states. Apart from Mukesh, other members of this Jamtara-based cybercriminal network include King Khan, Rehan Khan, Subham alias Dot, and Raj Kumar.

The Commissionerate police,, through the statement,, also revealed that Mukesh regularly travels to different states by flight and acts as a link between the mule account holders, agents,, and the main perpetrators. Mukesh is the Telangana handler.

Accused Mohammed Abbas, who received Rs 3 lakh out of the total defrauded amount, and Md. Salman used to open mule bank accounts in the names of family members and other gullible people. Accused Md. Amair collected the mule bank accounts from Mohammed Abbas and Md. Salman and forwarded to the prime accused Mukesh.

The police further revealed that the accused operated an organised fraud network in which fake links and APKs created in Jamtara were sent to victims (such as Jashobanta Jena) to obtain bank details and OTPs, after which the funds were routed through mule accounts opened by Mohammed Abbas and Md. Salman, passed on by Md. Amair, and ultimately managed, withdrawn, and distributed by mastermind Mukesh.
Colombo, April 22 : Pakistan's military establishment treated the sponsorship of terrorism as a low-cost instrument with repercussions largely limited to diplomatic censure, episodic pressure from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) or restrained military retaliation while the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) continued to function as a "one-way flow of strategic goodwill", a report highlighted on Wednesday.

Writing for 'EuropaWire', Dimitra Staikou, a Greek lawyer, writer, and journalist, noted that by placing the treaty in abeyance following the Pahalagam terror attack, India effectively dismantled that insulation, marking that water and terrorism are no longer distinct domains.

She stressed that the choice is stark  "abandon proxy warfare and restore predictability, or persist and accept that a critical national lifeline is subject to political decisions in New Delhi."

"A year after the massacre in Jammu and Kashmir, the most consequential Indian response to the Pahalgam attack is not Operation Sindoor alone but the decision taken twenty-four hours later, on 23 April, to place the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) in abeyanceuntil Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abandons its support for cross-border terrorism. Three conventional wars, the Kargil conflict, the 2001 attack on Parliament, 26/11, Uri, Pulwama, and every intervening cycle of violence had left the 1960 treaty formally intact. Pahalgam did not. That discontinuity is the point. For the first time in sixty-five years, India has shifted water from a guaranteed entitlement to a conditional instrument," Staikou detailed.

According to the expert, nuclear rhetoric has once again been used as a substitute for strategic adjustment, noting that on August 10, 2025, Pakistani Army Chief Asim Munir claimed that Pakistan could destroy Indian dams with "ten missiles" and was ready for extreme escalation in the event of an existential threat.

"India's response, articulated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from the Red Fort days later, reframed the debate with clarity: a treaty that allows rivers originating in India to sustain an adversary while Indian farmers face water stress is inherently untenable. The message was equally direct  blood and water cannot flow together, and nuclear coercion will no longer dictate Indian policy," Staikou highlighted.

She further emphasised that from a legal standpoint, India's move to place the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance can be interpreted as aligning with principles of international law, especially the principle of fundamental change of circumstances (rebus sic stantibus), as outlined in the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties.

"The profound transformation of both the hydrological environment  driven by climate change and accelerated glacial loss  and the geopolitical context  marked by the sustained use of cross-border terrorism - undermines the foundational assumptions upon which the 1960 agreement was built. At the same time, Pakistan's refusal to engage meaningfully in negotiations over treaty modification, despite formal notifications by India in 2023 and 2024, reinforces the argument that the principle of good faith, which underpins treaty obligations, has been eroded." Staikou stated.

Describing India's stance as a carefully considered approach, she said, "Under these conditions, the choice of abeyance  rather than outright termination  constitutes a proportionate and reversible legal response that preserves the possibility of renegotiation while rebalancing the distribution of rights and obligations between the parties. India's position, therefore, reflects a calibrated exercise of sovereign rights rather than an arbitrary breach of international commitments."
New Delhi, April 22 : India's economy has developed strong resilience to high energy prices and is capable of sustaining growth above 7 per cent even if crude oil costs remain in the range of $90-100 per barrel, Assocham said on Wednesday.

New Delhi, April 22 (IANS) Indiaas economy has developed strong resilience to high energy prices and is capable of sustaining growth above 7 per cent even if crude oil costs remain in the range of $90a"100 per barrel, Assocham said on Wednesday.

The industry body noted that over the past two and a half decades, India has successfully absorbed multiple oil price shocks without derailing its growth trajectory.

Data analysed for the period from 2000-01 to 2025-26 shows that some of Indiaas strongest growth years coincided with moderate to high crude oil prices. For instance, the economy grew 7.6 per cent in 2022-23 when the Indian crude basket averaged $93 per barrel, and maintained a robust 7.2 per cent growth in 2023-24 with oil prices at $82 per barrel.

According to Nirmal Kumar Minda, President, Assocham, Indiaas growth story continues to be driven by strong domestic consumption, which fuels supply-side expansion through increased manufacturing, job creation and rising incomes, creating a virtuous cycle.

He added that sustained government spending on infrastructure, particularly through higher capital expenditure, has played a crucial role in cushioning the economy from external shocks.

The analysis also highlighted that even during 2011-14, when crude oil prices remained above $100 per barrel, Indiaas GDP growth held steady between 5.2 per cent and 6.4 per cent. In contrast, the sharpest contraction of -5.78 per cent in 2020-21 occurred when oil prices were relatively low, underscoring that the downturn was driven by the COVID-19 pandemic rather than energy costs.

Looking ahead, growth projections remain optimistic. Estimates by the Reserve Bank of India peg GDP growth at around 6.9 per cent for 2026-27, broadly in line with long-term trends. However, Assocham expects growth to exceed 7 per cent, supported by strong consumption, stable exports and rising capital investment.
Imphal, April 22 : Normal life in both the Imphal valley and the Naga-inhabited hill areas of Manipur continued to be disrupted on Wednesday as shutdowns called by different organisations remained in force, officials said.

Despite appeals by Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh and Home Minister Konthoujam Govindas Singh, the protesting organisations have continued their agitations, severely affecting normal activities in 12 out of the stateas 16 districts.

The shutdown in the Imphal valley -- covering five to six districts -- was called by the Meira Paibis (women torchbearers), one of the most influential womenas groups, along with various civil society organisations (CSOs).

The protest is against the killing of two minor children and the injury of their mother, allegedly by suspected Kuki militants, in Bishnupur district on April 7.

The shutdown, which came into effect from midnight on April 18, has led to a near-complete halt in daily life across the valley, predominantly inhabited by the Meitei community.

Members of the Meira Paibis and groups of women protesters have been blocking roads at several locations and restricting the movement of vehicles.

According to police, both passenger and commercial vehicles have gone off the roads, while shops, business establishments, and roadside vendors have remained closed, contributing to widespread disruption.

In the hill regions, including Ukhrul district, the United Naga Council (UNC), the apex body of the Naga community in Manipur, has separately called a total shutdown across all Naga-inhabited areas of the state from midnight on April 19.

The UNC announced the shutdown to protest the killing of two Naga civilians, including a retired Indian Army personnel, in Ukhrul district on April 18, allegedly by suspected Kuki militants.

The Chief Minister and the Home Minister have separately appealed to civil society organisations and the public to reconsider and withdraw the shutdowns in the interest of public welfare and the normal functioning of the state.

While inaugurating a Block Development Office of Wangjing-Tentha C.D. Block in Thoubal district on Tuesday, the Chief Minister expressed strong resentment over the ongoing shutdowns, stating that such unwarranted and senseless activities create confusion among the people and put the government in a difficult position.

Meanwhile, normal life has also been severely affected in Churachandpur district following a 13-hour total shutdown imposed in the Kuki-Zo-inhabited district by Zomi frontal organisations under the aegis of the Zomi Coordination Committee since Wednesday morning.

The shutdown has been called in demand for justice for late BJP MLA Vungzagin Valte from Churachandpur district.

Business establishments, markets, shops, and educational institutions remained closed, with only a few pharmacies open in some areas. Volunteers supporting the shutdown took to the streets early in the morning and enforced the shutdown across various localities in the district. Objects were placed on roads to block vehicular movement, although emergency services were allowed to pass.

No untoward incidents have been reported so far.

The 62-year-old tribal leader, Vungzagin Valte, had been residing in the Kuki-Zo-dominated Churachandpur district after undergoing prolonged medical treatment in Delhi following a violent attack during the ethnic violence in Imphal on May 4, 2023. As his health deteriorated, he was airlifted from Imphal to New Delhi on February 8 for advanced treatment and admitted to a private hospital in Gurugram, where he passed away on the afternoon of February 21.

--IANS

sc/vd
Berlin, April 22 : Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held a meeting with his German counterpart Boris Pistorius in Berlin on Wednesday, discussing deepening defence cooperation and tackling emerging geopolitical challenges.

The two ministers discussed bilateral security and defence issues, including priority areas for co-development and co-production of defence equipment, especially in the field of niche technologies. They also reaffirmed the commitment to enhance military-to-military cooperation as a key pillar of the Strategic Partnership, according to a statement released by the Ministry of Defence.

India and Germany also signed Defence Industrial Roadmap and Implementing Arrangement for Cooperation in UN Peacekeeping.

"Delighted to meet Mr. Boris Pistorius, Federal Minister of Defence, Germany in Berlin. Exchanged views on a wide range of issues including deepening our defence cooperation and tackling emerging geopolitical challenges. Witnessed signing of the Defence Industrial Roadmap and Implementing Arrangement for Cooperation in UN Peacekeeping," Singh posted on X.

Singh termed his visit to Germany as a symbol of deep friendship, synergy and trust. Rajnath Singh mentioned that the recent India-EU Security and Defence Partnership marks a significant step in deepening the collective engagement. The two ministers agreed to leverage this framework, bilaterally and in the wider European context for tangible outcomes that will strengthen regional stability, enhance joint capabilities, and reinforce the enduring Indo-German strategic alignment.

"Raksha Mantri also underlined that in times of global uncertainties, India and Germany have provided much required stability and strength to the global economy. On the issue of terrorism, he stated that the menace in all its forms and manifestations must be condemned, unequivocally, without exception or justification," the Ministry of Defence stated.

Pistorius appreciated the institutionalisation of service-level staff talks and future bilateral military exercises. Rajnath Singh said that India is looking forward to the German Air Forceas participation in the next edition of Exercise 'Tarang Shakti' which will be held in India later this year.

Prior to the meeting, Singh was accorded a ceremonial Guard of Honour upon his arrival at the German Ministry of Defence. He placed a wreath at Bundeswehr Memorial as a mark of respect. It is the central memorial for the Bundeswehras personnel who have laid down their lives in the line of duty.

"India and Germany have completed 25 years of Strategic Partnership and are commemorating 75 years of diplomatic relations in 2026. On the bilateral front, the relationship today is truly multi-faceted. Apart from Defence, it covers a wide range of areas which include trade and investment, technology and innovation, development cooperation, green energy, higher education, sustainable solutions, culture and people-to-people ties. It demonstrates the depth and expanse as well as the potential & promise of a partnership," the Ministry of Defence stated.

Earlier in the day, Singh interacted with the members of the Indian community in Berlin and praised them for acting as a "strongest bridge" between the two countries, with contributions spanning across business, technology, healthcare, academia, and arts.

The Defence Minister arrived in Berlin on Tuesday for a three-day visit to Germany. He was flown in a Special German Air Force aircraft, escorted by fighter jets from Munich to Berlin, and accorded military honours upon arrival.
New Delhi, April 22 : The Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld the cancellation of land pattas granted in Uttar Pradesh's Hardoi district, saying that public utility land cannot be reclassified by subordinate revenue authorities to confer private rights, and declaring such allotments "void ab initio" (void from the beginning).

In a significant judgment, a bench of Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and N.V. Anjaria dismissed an appeal filed by Babu Singh, affirming the Allahabad High Court's decision which had upheld the expunging of his name from revenue records during consolidation proceedings.

The apex court was dealing with a dispute arising from the reclassification of land originally recorded as Category-6 -- denoting barren or non-agricultural land -- to Category-5 (cultivable land), based on administrative recommendations in 1992, following which pattas were granted to the appellant and others.

However, during consolidation proceedings, authorities found that the land was recorded as 'khalihan' and pasture land, falling within the ambit of Section 132 of the Uttar Pradesh Zamindari Abolition and Land Reforms Act, 1950, which bars conferment of bhumidhari rights on such public utility land.

Upholding the Allahabad High Court's view, the top court held that the Sub-Divisional Officer had no jurisdiction to alter the category of land in a manner that defeats statutory prohibitions.

"A bare perusal of Article 155 of the Manual would reveal that the said provision merely prescribes the competent authority for effecting entries in the revenue records... and cannot be construed as conferring jurisdiction upon the Assistant Collector or the Sub-Divisional Officer to alter the category of the land itself," the apex court judgment said.

Rejecting the appellant's reliance on provisions of the Uttar Pradesh Land Records Manual, the Supreme Court clarified that such provisions relate only to entries affecting tenure holders and do not empower authorities to change the intrinsic nature of land classification.

"The Sub-Divisional Officer does not have the authority to change the category of the land from Category-6 to Category-5 and the subsequent grant of pattas on the basis of such change is illegal and void ab initio," it held.

The apex court said that once land falls under Section 132 -- which includes pasture land and land reserved for public purposes -- no bhumidhari rights can accrue.

"Since it is established that no bhumidhari rights accrue in respect of such lands, the pattas granted in favour of the appellant cannot be sustained," it noted.

The Justice Mishra-led bench also rejected the plea that fresh proceedings were barred by "res judicata" (a matter adjudged), saying that earlier proceedings in 1994 had not examined the legality of the pattas on merits.

"The earlier proceedings were not adjudicated on the validity or legality of the pattas on merits... the principle of res judicata would have no application," the apex court said.

Reinforcing the need to protect community resources, the Supreme Court referred to its earlier judgments and cautioned against diversion of public utility land through administrative processes.

"Such resources constitute material assets of the community and are essentially for maintaining ecological balance and public welfare," the judgment said, adding that public utility land "must not be allowed to be allotted to private individuals, notwithstanding any intervening administrative process".

Finding no infirmity in the Allahabad High Court's judgment, the apex court dismissed the appeal, holding it to be "sans merit".
London, April 22 : Pakistan continues to operate as a host and an operational hub for several terror networks with regional and global networks. These groups include Al Qaeda, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed and sectarian as well as domestic extremist factions, a report has detailed.

"The latest Global Terrorism Index 2026 has placed Pakistan at the top of the global rankings, underscoring a reality that has been repeatedly flagged by international agencies over decades. This assessment does not stand in isolation. A report released by the United States Congressional Research Service on March 25, 2026, has once again identified Pakistan as a base of operations for a wide array of terrorist organisations, some of which have remained active since the 1980s. The findings reinforce a long-standing concern: Pakistan continues to function as both a host and an operational hub for multiple militant networks with regional and global reach," stated a report in UK-based daily Asian Lite.

Majority of the groups mentioned in the report have been designated as Foreign Terrorist Organisations under the US law. Pakistan continues to remain at the centre of global terrorism discourse due to convergence of these networks, ideologies, and operational capabilities.

On March 6, a Pakistani national, identified as Asif Merchant, was found guilty in the US of planning to kill political figures, including senior government officials. The plot involved coordination with operatives and the recruitment of individuals believed to be capable of carrying out targeted killings, according to the US Department of Justice. Merchant's travel between Pakistan, Iran and the US, and his alleged connection to external actors, showcased the fluidity with which people related to extremist networks can operate in various nations, according to a report in Asian Lite.

In a separate case, Muhammad Shahzeb Khan (21) of Pakistani origin, pleaded guilty for trying to carry out an ISIS-inspired attack on a Jewish centre in New York City. According to the investigations, Khan had planned to carry out a mass shooting aimed to coincide with a significant date, aiming to maximise casualties, according to a report in Asian Lite. These cases in the US showcase how individuals connected to extremist ideologies rooted in Pakistanas broader ecosystem continue to pose threats far from their point of origin.

In August last year, South Korean authorities arrested a Pakistan citizen accused of being a LeT member. The individual was charged under anti-terrorism and immigration laws after allegedly entering South Korea using falsified documents. Investigators stated that the suspect was given training in Pakistan, including the use of heavy weapons and infiltration tactics, before travelling abroad. This was the first time a suspected member of a United Nations-designated terrorist organisation had been arrested in South Korea.

Pakistan is also witnessing rise in domestic terrorism. According to the CRS report, terror-related fatalities in Pakistan rose to 4,001 in 2025 from 365 in 2019. The presence of groups like Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and Islamic State-Khorasan Province has further affected the security landscape.

"Despite multiple military operations and intelligence-based interventions, the report notes that several designated terrorist organisations continue to operate within Pakistanas borders. The persistence of these groups, alongside rising fatalities, underscores the challenges faced in dismantling entrenched networks," the Asian Lite report mentioned.

Pakistan has rejected allegations of harbouring terrorist organisations. However, evidence from multiple nations, including the arrests in South Korea and the US and intelligence assessments and international reports showcase a more complex picture. The repeated identification of Pakistan as a base of operations and documented activities of specific groups has continued to shape perception of international community.
Colombo, April 22 : With a US Congressional Research Service report recently identifying Pakistan as a persistent base for several long-active extremist groups, Sri Lanka must recognise that the "factory of terror" operating in its neighbourhood remains a big threat. The 2019 Easter attacks in Sri Lanka were aimed to affect island nation's growing tourism industry and communal harmony while the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam was designed to derail regional stability, a report in Sri Lanka-based Zira Daily mentioned on Wednesday.

The attack in Pahalgam took place when Jammu and Kashmir was witnessing a surge in tourist arrivals and successful local democratic participation. It was carried out by The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba. Among those killed were 25 tourists and one local pony ride operator who tried to save the tourists.

"Much like the 2019 Easter attacks in Sri Lanka, which sought to cripple our burgeoning tourism industry and communal harmony, the Pahalgam massacre was designed to derail regional stability. It occurred just as Jammu and Kashmir was witnessing record-breaking tourist footfall and successful local democratic participation. For the establishment across the border, a prosperous Kashmir is a threat to its narrative of chaos. The evidence of direct state sponsorship is, as claimed, compelling," Hansa Rathnayaka wrote mentioned in Zira Daily.

Last July, the Indian security forces neutralised three Pakistani terrorists allegedly involved in Pahalgam terror attack. The terrorists identified as Habib Tahir and Bilal Afzal were from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Both were trained operatives reportedly sent to India to execute a plan of "bleeding by a thousand cuts."

"Sri Lankans must recognise that the 'factory of terror' operating in our neighbourhood is a collective threat. According to the Global Terrorism Index 2026, Pakistan ranks among the most terror-affected nations in the world. A US Congressional Research Service report from March 2026 identifies the country as a persistent base for numerous long-active extremist groups," the report stated.

The footprints of terror groups like LeT continue to expand as a Pakistani national, Asif Merchant, was reportedly found guilty of a murder-for-hire plot targetting high-level US lawmakers in March. In a separate case, Muhammad Shahzeb Khan has reportedly pleaded guilty to planning ISIS-inspired attack in the West. Furthermore, terrorist groups have been using encrypted digital wallets and cryptocurrencies to avoid international monitoring.

"Meanwhile, groups like Jaish-e-Mohammad have reportedly launched a dedicated women's wing, 'Jamaat-ul-Mominat,' and LeT has established a 'Water Wing' for tactical maritime training  a development that should particularly concern an island nation like ours. The Pahalgam massacre and our own Easter Sunday tragedy can be seen as two branches of the same poisonous tree. As we honour the 26 lives lost one year ago, we must stand united in demanding accountability. Regional prosperity and the safety of our citizens cannot coexist with a neighbor that, in this view, treats terrorism as an instrument of state policy," the report in Zira Daily stated.
Hyderabad, April 22 : Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) working president K. T. Rama Rao on Wednesday claimed that the High Court verdict has completely exposed and dismantled what he described as false propaganda and a sustained conspiracy allegedly carried out by the Congress party against the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project.

He termed the judgment as a strong reaffirmation of the principle that truth ultimately prevails and that politically motivated narratives cannot stand the test of judicial scrutiny.

Addressing a press conference here, he said that the verdict represents a clear and significant victory for Telangana's farmers and citizens who, according to him, have long benefited from the project in terms of irrigation support and agricultural development.

He was reacting to the High Court order on the petitions filed by former Chief Minister and BRS president K. Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR), former minister T. Harish Rao, and two others, who had challenged the report of the P. C. Ghose Commission, which was constituted to probe alleged irregularities in the Kaleshwaram project.

The High Court barred the state government from taking any action against the petitioners on the basis of the findings and observations contained in the Commission's report, thereby providing interim relief to the petitioners in the matter.

KTR criticised the Congress party for what he alleged was a deliberate attempt to mislead the public by branding the Kaleshwaram project as a "failed project" through what he described as false narratives, selective presentation of facts, and exaggerated claims.

He remarked that the High Court's judgment has delivered a fitting and decisive response to those who, according to him, indulged in reckless, baseless, and malicious propaganda for political gains and partisan interests.

Highlighting the scale and significance of the project, KTR reiterated that the Kaleshwaram project is not just a single barrage but a massive and complex engineering feat comprising multiple barrages, reservoirs, pump houses, and an extensive canal network spread across several districts.

He noted that the project has significantly expanded irrigation coverage in Telangana, transforming agricultural practices, improving water availability, and strengthening the rural economy across large parts of the state.

Addressing the issue of the Medigadda barrage, KTR clarified that only two pillars required repairs and that the cost involved in addressing the issue was minimal when compared to the total expenditure incurred on the entire project.

He alleged that even these relatively minor issues were deliberately exaggerated and politicised by leaders of the Congress and the BJP in an attempt to tarnish the image of the project as well as that of former Chief Minister KCR.

KTR further accused both the Congress and the BJP of colluding to create what he described as a false narrative around the project, while ignoring serious incidents and technical issues in other irrigation works in the state.

He questioned why central agencies failed to respond with the same urgency and seriousness in those cases, alleging selective attention and political bias.

He demanded that immediate steps be taken by the authorities concerned to repair and operationalise the Kaleshwaram system and to resume water lifting operations without any further delay, especially in view of the pressing needs of farmers ahead of the agricultural season.
Mumbai, April 22 : Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis-led Cabinet Infrastructure Development Committee on Wednesday approved the construction of Mumbai Metro Line 5-A (Phases 1 and 2), with a total investment of Rs 18,130.55 crore.

Additionally, the committee sanctioned the procurement of loans from the Housing and Urban Development Corporation Limited for land acquisition for three ambitious expressway projects, Nagpur-Gondia, Bhandara-Gadchiroli, and Nagpur-Chandrapur.

Furthermore, a proposal of Rs 1,063 crore for Phase 2 works related to the Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Simhastha Kumbh Mela 2027 was also approved.

According to the Chief Minister, Metro Line 5-A will benefit 6.9 million residents.

He stated that the approved Metro Line 5-A will span 34.21 km and include 19 stations.

He said that Phase 1 comprises Kapurbawdi to Dhamankar Naka and Phase 2 includes Dhamankar Naka to Durgadi, while the Line 5-A extension will cover Durgadia"Kalyana"Ulhasnagar.

The Chief Minister said that this project is expected to benefit approximately 6.9 million people in Thane, Bhiwandi, Kalyan, and Ulhasnagar, reducing travel time by 40a"50 per cent.

He directed officials to expedite coordination with the Central Government and relevant departments to obtain the necessary clearances.

Further, the Chief Minister instructed the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation to establish a strict "Project Implementation Schedule" for the Nagpur-Gondia Expressway, Bhandara-Gadchiroli Expressway, and Nagpur-Chandrapur Expressway.

The Nagpur-Gondia Expressway is 162.57 km at an estimated cost of Rs 19,582.19 crore. Approval was granted for Rs 3,162.18 crore for land acquisition.

The Bhandara-Gadchiroli Expressway is 94.24 km, and approval was granted for land acquisition worth Rs 931.15 crore.

The 204.79 km Nagpur-Chandrapur Expressway was also approved, with clearance for Rs 2,353.94 crore for land acquisition.

The Chief Minister emphasised that these projects are vital for boosting connectivity and industry in the Vidarbha region and should be completed within six years.

He directed the department to resolve loan-related matters with the Finance Department and Housing and Urban Development Corporation Limited immediately, the government release said.

Moreover, to ensure high-quality facilities for devotees attending the Nashik Simhastha Kumbh Mela, the Chief Minister approved a Rs 1,063 crore proposal for Phase 2 works.

This includes parking facilities, water supply, electrical works, health services, solid waste management, and a Main Control Room.

He urged authorities to complete these infrastructure projects rapidly to accommodate the influx of pilgrims.
London, April 22 : UK MP Bob Blackman on Wednesday paid tribute to Pahalgam terror attack victims, stating that terrorism that targets people for their faith is an attack on humanity.

India is on Wednesday observing the one-year of the heinous Pahalgam terror attack, in which Pakistan-backed terrorists gunned down 26 innocent tourists after identifying their religion, in one of the most brutal incidents targetting civilians in recent years.

"One year since the Pahalgam massacre, 26 innocent people were murdered by Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists sponsored from Pakistan. The victims were identified by their religion and killed. Terrorism that targets people for their faith is an attack on all of humanity," Blackman posted on X.

The British High Commission in India also stated that UK condemns terrorism in all its forms and paid tribute to the victims of Pahalgam terror attack.

"Today, we mark one year since the horrific terrorist attack in Pahalgam. We pay our respects to the victims, and our thoughts remain with everyone affected. The UK condemns terrorism in all its forms. We remain committed to working with partners to secure peace and security," the British High Commission in India posted on X.

The terrorist attack took place in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam on April 22, 2025, when 26 people were killed in a brutal massacre targetting civilians. The attack was carried out by The Resistance Front, an offshoot of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba.

The attackers singled out victims after asking about their religion, forcing them to recite the Islamic 'kalima' to identify non-Muslims. Among those killed were 25 tourists and one local pony ride operator who tried to save the tourists.

Several victims were newly married, and many were shot at close range in front of their family members.

In response to the attack, Indian armed forces launched 'Operation Sindoor' on May 6 and 7, carrying out what officials described as a focused, measured and non-escalatory military action targeting high-value terror bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir.

The operation successfully neutralised terrorist threats, deterred further aggression and reinforced India's zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism while maintaining strategic restraint.
Hyderabad, April 22 : Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, Andhra Pradesh Governor S. Abdul Nazeer and leaders cutting across party lines have condoled the death of former Chief Minister of united Andhra Pradesh Nadendla Bhaskar Rao.

The Telangana Chief Minister expressed his grief over the demise of Bhaskar Rao. He prayed to God that his soul attain peace and conveyed his deepest condolences to the family members.

Bhaskar Rao passed away on Wednesday at a private hospital in Hyderabad, following prolong illness. He was 90.

Former Haryana Governor Bandaru Dattatreya visited Bhaskar Raoas residence in Jubilee Hills to pay his last respects. He consoled Bhaskar Raoas son and Andhra Pradesh Civil Supplies Minister Nadendla Manohar.

Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka also expressed his condolences. He stated that the services rendered by Bhaskar Rao over a long period as a Member of the Legislative Assembly, a Minister, and a Member of Parliament are truly memorable.

He termed Bhaskara Rao's demise as an irreparable loss to the state's politics.

Andhra Pradesh Governor Abdul Nazeer expressed profound grief and sadness on the passing of Bhaskara Rao, who served as a minister, Member of Parliament and as the 11th Chief Minister in united Andhra Pradesh for a brief period in 1984.

The Governor offered his heartfelt condolences to Nadendla Manohar and other family members.

YSR Congress Party President and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy called the demise of Bhaskar Rao heartbreaking. "I pray that his soul attains peace and that God grants courage to his family members during this difficult time," he said in a message on X.

Andhra Pradesh BJP President P.V.N. Madhav said that the untimely demise of Bhaskar Rao, a leader of the BJP, has caused profound shock. "Praying for his soul to attain eternal peace, I convey my deepest condolences to his family members," he said.

Union Minister for Coal and Mines G. Kishan Reddy also expressed profound grief over the passing of Bhaskar Rao.

Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Bandi Sanjay Kumar, posted on X that the passing of Bhaskar Rao was shocking. He stated that losing Bhaskar Rao, who had special experience in politics, is an irreplaceable loss to the party. He extended his condolences and sympathy to his family members, close associates, and admirers.
Kolkata, April 22 : A Division Bench of the Calcutta High Court, comprising Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Partha Sarathi Sen, on Wednesday ordered a fine to be imposed on the Joint Director of the State Land and Land Reforms Department.a

The Central Government has paid the land acquisition fee, but the land has not been handed over for the construction of a barbed wire fence on the India-Bangladesh border.a

The High Court was dissatisfied after reviewing this report from the state, and subsequently imposed a personal fine of Rs 25,000 on the Joint Director of the Land and Land Reforms Department.a

A barbed-wire fence was supposed to be installed along 128 km of the India-Bangladesh border in West Bengal.a

The Central Government has paid the land acquisition fee for this work. However, the land has not yet been handed over.a

The bench of the Chief Justice, extremely angry at the state's report on this matter, asked why the land had not yet been given.a

The Joint Director of the Land Reforms Department will have to pay this money to the Legal Services Authority of the Calcutta High Court from his own pocket within 15 days.a

After seeing the report, the Chief Justiceas bench said that on January 27, the court had summoned a detailed report explaining why no part of the 128 km of land was transferred.a

However, in today's hearing, the Director of the Land Reforms Department presented a report on only 8 km of land.a

On seeing that, the Chief Justice ordered a fine. He also ordered a detailed report to be given at the next hearing.a

It is worth noting that the work of fencing 181 km of land is pending.a

The Central Government has provided the funds required to acquire land for fencing in this part to the state.a

The state has acquired 128 km of land, but the land has not been transferred.a

The Border Security Force has not received land from the state.a

The court had summoned a detailed report about the 128 km.a

a
Colombo, April 22 : Pakistan's blocking of any mention of The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of the UN-proscribed Pakistani terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba, in a UN Security Council release following the Pahalgam attack reflected not fight against terrorism but an effort to manage it, a report said on Wednesday.

According to a report in 'Sri Lanka News', the April 22, 2025 Pahlagam terror attack carried out by the Pakistan-based terrorist group TRF was not an act of sudden rage but a calculated strike aimed at the idea that Jammu and Kashmir was returning to normalcy.

In 2024 alone, it said, nearly three million tourists visited the valley, with newly-wed couples, families, and holidaymakers filling the hotels across Pahalgam, Gulmarg, and Sonmarg.

"The tourism industry had been booming since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, and analysts say the ISI's calculated intent was to unleash Lashkar-e-Taiba to hurt that very sector. The massacre was designed not only to kill people but also to kill confidence  and for a brief, brutal moment, it worked. Bookings were cancelled overnight at hotels across Pahalgam, Gulmarg, and Sonmarg, leaving owners, guides, and shopkeepers to absorb losses running into crores of rupees," the report detailed.

"The horror of the attack itself is almost impossible to narrate without flinching. Armed with M4 carbines and AK-47s, the militants entered Baisaran Valley through surrounding forests. They singled out the men, asked them about their religion before firing, and in some cases instructed tourists to recite the Islamic declaration of faith to identify non-Muslims. Newlywed men were shot point-blank in front of their wives," it added.

The report stressed that the attack was not insurgency but a choreographed display of religious supremacy orchestrated by handlers operating safely across the border.

Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, in an interview with an international media outlet, appeared to acknowledge that Pakistan had supported terrorist groups for over three decades  describing it as carrying out the West's "dirty work".

"That admission, offered almost casually in an interview, is among the most significant confessions in the modern history of South Asian terrorism. Former Pakistani president Pervez Musharraf had made a similar concession years earlier, acknowledging that his government trained militant groups for deployment in Kashmir and turned a blind eye because it wanted to pressure India into negotiations. What had once been whispered is now, apparently, spoken aloud," the report mentioned.

Highlighting the growing global footprint of Pakistan-linked terror networks, it cited India's extradition of Tahawwur Rana in the weeks preceding the Pahalgam massacre  a former Pakistan Army officer convicted in the United States for aiding the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.

The report stated that the global community cannot afford "selective memory or diplomatic politeness" when dealing with Pakistan, which "openly shelters the architects of mass murder".
New Delhi, April 22 : In a significant ruling on criminal procedure under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, the Supreme Court has held that a magistrate must mandatorily follow the procedure prescribed under Section 225 before proceeding against an accused residing outside its territorial jurisdiction.

A bench comprising Justices M.M. Sundresh and Prasanna B. Varale made these observations while allowing an appeal by Rajeev Mehta @ Rajiv Kishor Kirtilal Mehta, who had challenged a Punjab and Haryana High Court order in a criminal matter arising out of proceedings before a trial court.

Dealing with the applicability of Section 225 of the BNSS, the apex court found "considerable force" in the appellant's contention that the provision must be invoked where the accused resides outside the territorial jurisdiction of the magistrate.

"Section 225 of the BNSS in specific terms provides that the said power has to be exercised upon receipt of a complaint Therefore, upon such receipt, it is mandatory on the part of the Magistrate to press into service Section 225, upon satisfying himself that the accused person is residing at a place beyond the area in which he exercises jurisdiction," the Justice Sundresh-led Bench said.

Noting that the appellant was admittedly residing in Mumbai, outside the jurisdiction of the magistrate concerned, the top court held that failure to apply Section 225 would render the provision "otiose and redundant".

On the question of territorial jurisdiction, the apex court expressed concern that, despite the issue having been specifically raised, the P&H High Court had failed to adjudicate it.

"Section 223 would be amenable to a Magistrate who has jurisdiction. Therefore, the Magistrate will have to satisfy himself that he does, in fact, have jurisdiction before proceeding further," the Justice Sundresh-led Bench observed.

"When the issue of jurisdiction has been raised specifically before the High Court, the same ought to have been answered in one way or the other," it added.

In view of this, the Supreme Court remitted the matter to the Punjab & Haryana High Court for a fresh decision on the issue of jurisdiction, requesting that it pass appropriate orders within three months.

The Justice Sundresh-led Bench clarified that it had not expressed any opinion on the merits of the jurisdictional issue and left all contentions open for consideration.

In the interim, the Supreme Court stayed the proceedings pending before the trial court.

--IANS

pds/dan
Mumbai, April 22 : Basking in the success of "Pushpa 2", Tollywood sensation Allu Arjun is all set to move into a grand new house in the Jubilee Hills area of Hyderabad. He will be joined by his better half, wife Sneha Reddy, and kids - son Allu Ayaan and daughter Allu Arha, along with other family members.

Spread across an area of around 4,000 square yards, the luxurious property is estimated to be valued at 100 crore.

Allu Arjun is also expected to host a housewarming ceremony later this year for his new abode.

Recently, the report also suggests that the 'Stylish' star has rented a Rs 16 Lakh apartment in Mumbai's Juhu Tara Road, temporarily shifting his base to the maximum city for his pan-India projects.

Talking about his professional commitments, Allu Arjun will soon be seen headlining the highly talked about drama "Raaka", with the acclaimed filmmaker Atlee.

The project gains significance as it marks AA's first on-screen collaboration with Bollywood beauty Deepika Padukone.

On Allu Arjun's 44th birthday, the makers announced that the project, earlier called "#AA22xA6" has been christened "Raaka".

Unveiling the first look of Allu Arjun from the upcoming movie, the makers wrote, "#AA22xA6 is now #Raaka Prepare yourself for a vision beyond limits @alluarjunonline @atlee47 @deepikapadukone."

The first look was an intense close-up of a bald Arjun's rugged face. His face is partially hidden by a wolf-like claw. We could see one of his eyes sharply focused, staring forward with a predatory intensity.

Over and above this, Allu Arjun has an exciting lineup ahead. He has joined forces with celebrated filmmaker Lokesh Kanagaraj for another highly anticipated project, titled "AA23" for now. The drama is being backed by Mythri Movie Makers.

Additionally, AA will also be seen reprising his role as Pushpa Raj, a labourer-turned-red sandalwood smuggler in the third instalment of the popular 'Pushpa' franchise.

Rashmika Mandanna and Fahadh Faasil will also be seen as part of the "Pushpa 3" core cast.

--IANS

pm/

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
Gandhinagar, April 22 : More than Rs 622 crore linked to cyber fraud has been detected and 40 people arrested in the past month under Operation Mule Hunt 2.0, the Cyber Centre of Excellence of Gujarat's CID Crime said on Wednesday, outlining the scale of a network that used mule bank accounts to move illicit funds.a Gandhinagar, April 22 (IANS) More than Rs 622 crore linked to cyber fraud has been detected and 40 people arrested in the past month under Operation Mule Hunt 2.0, the Cyber Centre of Excellence of Gujarat's CID Crime said on Wednesday, outlining the scale of a network that used mule bank accounts to move illicit funds.

Police said the operation also identified 1,039 cyber fraud complaints and exposed a wider network involving over Rs 288 crore.

According to the officials, the accused opened bank accounts in their own names and in the names of others on commission, used them for personal financial gain, concealed their identities, and knowingly handled money generated through cyber offences.

The funds were deposited into accounts, converted into cash, and transferred through angadia (hawala) channels, with the accused earning commissions and assisting each other in the transactions.

The CID Crime said the intensified operation was undertaken following instructions from Director General of Police, CID Crime and Railways, K.L.N Rao, and Inspector General of Police (Crime-4), Bipin Ahir, in view of the rise in cyber crime.

A team was formed under the supervision and guidance of Superintendents of Police (SPs) Rajdeepsinh Zala, Sanjaykumar Keshwala, and Vivek Bheda, and raids were carried out in Surat, Bhavnagar, Rajkot, and Unjha based on specific inputs, leading to arrests.

In Surat and Bhavnagar, police said that verification of bank accounts on the NCCRP portal showed 181 cyber fraud complaints registered across the country and 81 FIRs in different states, involving an estimated Rs 1,74,63,70,855 (Rs 174.63 crore).

Two accused, Mukesh Mer (23) and Faridkhan Pathan (22), both residents of Bhavnagar, were arrested. Police seized four mobile phones and one laptop.

Analysis of the devices revealed details of 125 firms, identification documents of 65 individuals, and 868 fake invoices.

In Unjha, police said that bank account details recovered from the accused were linked to more than Rs 114 crore in cyber fraud, and 125 cases were registered across the country on the 1930 portal.

Two accused, Akshay Patel and Devendra Patel, were arrested.

"Akshay opened multiple bank accounts in his own and firms' names and withdrew fraudulent money to hand it over to others, while Devendra opened accounts in his own and friends' names through other persons and earned commission. Two mobile phones were seized," officials said.

In Rajkot, police said that checks on the NCCRP portal showed 26 cyber fraud complaints across the country and one FIR registered in different states, involving over Rs 59,79,345 (Rs 59.79 lakh).

Four accused were arrested: Chetan Amlani, 28; Jatin Kakkad, 41; Kapil Kotak, 34; and Mahendra Kohkiya, 42, all residents of Rajkot.

Police said the offences involved multiple forms of cyber fraud, including online financial fraud, internet banking fraud, UPI-related fraud, demat and depository fraud, investment fraud, and deposit fraud.

Six mobile phones and cash worth Rs 40 lakh were seized from them.

Officials said the accused, "by helping each other, illegally obtained bank accounts of different firms on commission, used them for personal financial gain, concealed their identity and knowingly handled cyber crime money."

Issuing a public advisory, CID Crime said, "Do not share your bank account details with anyone due to greed or temptation," and added, "The account holder is responsible for money received in the account; do not give your bank account for commission."


Islamabad, April 22 : Pakistan-incubated terrorism is no longer a distant or abstract threat but has evolved into a direct security challenge for Europe, risking the spillover of external unrest into a persistent internal instability, a report said on Wednesday.

Writing for 'Eurasia Review', Dimitra Staikou, a Greek lawyer, writer, and journalist, noted that while Pakistan is attempting to reshape its global image by leveraging the recognition of its perceived mediating role in US-Iran tensions, the ground reality remains unchanged. She stressed that Pakistan continues to serve as a "breeding ground and safe haven" for terrorist groups that persist, regenerate and steadily erode regional stability and security.

"One year has passed since the terrorist attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 innocent people, leaving behind not only human loss but also a deep imprint of fear and instability across the region of Jammu and Kashmir. The cold-blooded execution of the victimsafter they were segregated based on their religionlaid bare the human cost of terrorism and the systematic targeting of civilians as an instrument of political violence," Staikou detailed.

The expert stressed that the Pahalgam terror attack carried out by the Pakistan-based terrorist outfit cannot be viewed as an isolated incident but reflected a systematic and deeply entrenched machinery of violence.

"At the core of this mechanism lies The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), underscoring the deliberate and continued use of extremist proxies by Pakistan. The operations of such groups are neither accidental nor spontaneous; they form part of a broader strategy aimed at destabilising the region, sustaining tension, and undermining any prospects for peace. In this context, terrorism does not merely function as a tool of pressureit constitutes a structural component of a policy that continues to generate violence with consistency and intent," Staikou emphasised.

According to the report, recent years have witnessed a clear trend toward the "mainstreaming" of terrorist organisations within Pakistan, with groups including Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) expanding their activities beyond conventional operational domains.

In 2025, under the leadership of Masood Azhar, JeM intensified recruitment networks in Punjab and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir and established a women's wing, 'Jamaat-ul-Mominat', functioning as a mechanism of ideological dissemination and social mobilisation. At the same time, between 2024 and 2026, LeT expanded its training infrastructure by developing specialised units such as the so-called 'Water Wing', aimed at maritime operations, it mentioned.

"These developments, combined with ongoing recruitment campaigns, public mobilisation rallies, and anti-India rhetoric, indicate that these organisations are no longer operating solely as underground networks but as structures with increasing social presence and the capacity to systematically reproduce radicalisation," it further added.

Asserting that the implications for Europe are immediate, the report said that the historical record shows terror networks with "operational or logistical" links to Pakistan have operated far beyond South Asia, targeting the West through "transnational planning, training, and financing structures".
Colombo, April 22 : Pakistan's terror ecosystem is expanding rather than shrinking, with terrorist organisations such as Jaish-e-Mohammad establishing a women's wing, 'Jamaat-ul-Mominat', and Lashkar-e-Taiba setting up a so-called 'Water Wing' aimed at maritime assault capabilities, a report said on Wednesday.

According to a report in Sri Lankan media outlet Ceylon Wire News, terror financing has gone digital, with encrypted cryptocurrency transactions supplementing traditional hawala networks. These are not the "death throes of a weakened enterprise" but the "evolutionary steps" of Pakistan-nurtured industry.

Marking the one-year anniversary of the Pahalgam terror attack carried out by Pakistan-based terrorist outfit, the report described the assault as "calculated, choreographed, and coldly executed", noting that it came just months after successful assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir.

It added that the attack signalled a shift in terror groups' strategy aimed at disrupting the region's growing tourism sector and contesting the claims of normalcy.

"When a region begins to stabilise, when investment flows in and hotels fill with families on holiday, terrorism becomes the ultimate spoiler. This is precisely what Pakistan's deep state has long understood: that the most effective weapon against India's economic integration of Kashmir is not a conventional army but a proxy militia with plausible deniability," the report detailed.

The report noted that evidence establishing Pakistan's direct involvement in the terror attack is "irrefutable".

"On July 28, 2025, Indian security forces killed three terrorists involved in the Pahalgam massacre in the Harwan jungles near Srinagar. Their identity cards told the story plainly  one was Habib Tahir, from the village of Koiyan near Khaigala in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The second was Bilal Afzal. These were not stateless rogue actors. These were men from across the border, trained, armed, and deployed by a state apparatus that has refined terrorism into a foreign policy instrument," it mentioned.

Asserting that Pakistan's international conduct reflects the consistent pattern, the report cited documents showing that the country currently ranks at the top of the Global Terrorism Index 2026. It also referred to a US Congressional Research Service report from March 2026 which explicitly identified Pakistan as a base of operations for several long-active terrorist groups.

"The cases pile up: Asif Merchant, a Pakistani national, was found guilty in March 2026 of plotting to assassinate US politicians. A Pakistani-origin individual, Muhammad Shahzeb Khan, pleaded guilty to an ISIS-inspired plot targeting a Jewish centre in New York. A Pakistani LeT member was arrested in South Korea in August 2025 after entering the country illegally. The geography of Pakistan's terror export spans continents," it stated.

For India, the report said, Pakistan's strategy in Jammu and Kashmir seeks to ensure that any move towards normalcy in the region is met with bloodshed on its most scenic meadows.
New Delhi, April 22 : The Delhi High Court has granted regular bail to an accused in the 2024 gym trainer Nadir Shah murder case, observing that there were no clear allegations indicating his complicity in the crime and questioning the prosecution's version of events.

A single-judge Bench of Justice Girish Kathpalia allowed the bail plea of Anwar Khan alias Chacha in connection with an FIR registered at Greater Kailash police station for offences under Sections 103(1), 61(2), and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, along with Sections 25 and 27 of the Arms Act.

As per the prosecution, the case revolves around the alleged murder of 35-year-old gym owner Nadir Shah, an Afghan-origin man who lived in CR Park and co-ran a gym in Delhi's Greater Kailash-I. It was stated that a person named Salman was contacted by Hashim and later by Hashim's wife, Zoya, who directed him to transport two persons  Madhur and Raju  to the residence of Khan. Subsequently, Salman was allegedly instructed by the accused to travel to Aligarh Bus Stand, from where further directions were given to proceed to Ujjain with one of the individuals.

After returning to Delhi, Salman allegedly overheard a conversation wherein it was stated that Madhur and Raju had killed the deceased.

In its order, the Delhi High Court expressed surprise that Salman, despite allegedly transporting the shooters and being in constant touch with other co-accused, was cited as a witness and not an accused in the case.

"To say the least, it is quite surprising to note that Salman, who allegedly commuted the alleged shooters and who was in touch with Zoya, has not been named as an accused but as a witness," Justice Kathpalia observed.

On the other hand, the order pointed out that there was "no specific allegation" suggesting that the accused was aware of the criminal intent of the individuals brought to his residence.

"From the above narrative... prima facie, there is no allegation against the accused/applicant," the Delhi High Court said.

During the hearing, the prosecution submitted that Salman had allegedly received a threat call from the accused after recording his statement under Section 183 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, leading to registration of a separate FIR.

Questioning this aspect, Justice Kathpalia remarked: "That being so, one wonders as to why the present accused/applicant would make a threat call to Salman."

Taking into account the lack of clear allegations and evidence, the Delhi High Court held that there was no justification to continue depriving the accused of his liberty.

"Considering the above circumstances, especially the role of the accused/applicant with no clear allegation (what to say of evidence) of his complicity in the killing, I find no reason to further deprive liberty to the accused/applicant," Justice Kathpalia said.

The Delhi High Court clarified that its observations would not influence the trial and directed that the accused be released on bail upon furnishing a personal bond of Rs 25,000 along with one surety of the like amount to the satisfaction of the trial court.
Mumbai, April 22 : Union Minister Piyush Goyal on Wednesday termed the Pahalgam terror attack as a "wake up call" for the country. He cautioned that in the fight against terrorism, every citizen needs to be alert and report any kind of suspicious activity that may come to their notice.

Speaking to reporters, Goyal mentioned that security is a shared responsibility of every individual in society.

He said that staying alert, reporting suspicious activities, and avoiding rumours are all extremely important.

"Every citizen should be alert about any kind of suspicious activity that may take place around them," the Union Minister noted.

Terming the Pahalgam attack as a "wake up call", Goyal said, "It was a really unfortunate incident but also in a way a wake-up call that won't go waste. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given a befitting reply with Operation Sindoor."

He emphasised that the Central government has been successful in almost completely eradicating Naxalism from India.

"Similarly if the country comes together we will able to eradicate terrorism as well," the Union Minister said.

Goyal also lashed out at the Congress after party President Mallikarjun Kharge allegedly referred to PM Modi as a "terrorist".

The Union Minister said, "This can only be the Congress' mindset. It is the mentality of the Gandhi family and their associates. They can't digest the fact that the citizens have chosen PM Modi as the Prime Minister for the third time."

He accused the Congress, DMK and Trinamool Congress of engaging in dynasty politics.

"All of them give importance to just one family (in their respective parties)," he claimed.

"Frustration reflects in Khargeji's statement. He should apologise to the country," Goyal asserted.

About the Assembly polls in West Bengal, the Union Minister alleged that the people in the state have "suffered" under the reign of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

"The state has been deprived of development. Women are not safe there. Illegal infiltrators have destroyed the administration in Bengal. I think that the people in Bengal have decided that this time Mamataji will be defeated," Goyal said.

Further expressing confidence of BJP's victory, he asserted that the Trinamool Congress' defeat in the election will be "so big" that it would not be able to win back voters for years after that.

Goyal said if any state or politician gives shelter to illegal infiltrators in order to fulfill their political interests, "no Indian citizen will tolerate this".

The Union Minister added, "West Bengal's people won't forgive Mamata Banerjee for this."

Moreover, Goyal predicted that BJP will ensure victory in both West Bengal and Tamil Nadu.

"Given the increase of corruption and drug menace as well as the atmosphere of anarchy in both Bengal and Tamil Nadu, NDA government is going to be formed in both states," he said.
Islamabad, April 22 : A leading minority rights organisation on Wednesday brought to light the brutal killing of a young Hindu businessman in Pakistan's Sindh, raising concerns about the safety of the minority communities across the country.

According to the Voice of Pakistan Minority (VOPM), Vishal Kumar was shot dead in "cold blood" in Sukkur city of Sindh in front of horrified onlookers. It noted that the killing took place in broad daylight, leaving the city gripped in fear and heightened insecurity.

Citing eyewitnesses, the rights body stated that armed assailants stormed Vishal's shop and indiscriminately opened fire, leaving him critically injured. He later succumbed to his injuries, leaving behind a wife, children, and a grieving family. The attackers, it said, reportedly fled the scene and remained at large  "mocking the very idea of justice".

"Sukkur, once a vibrant hub, now cowers under a shadow of dread. Parents clutch their children closer, shopkeepers bolt doors early, and minorities like Vishal  a Hindu in a troubled land  live in constant terror. "How can we sleep at night?" wails a neighbour, voice breaking. This isn't just murder; it's a dagger to the heart of public safety, signalling that no one is safe, nowhere is secure," the VOPM mentioned.

Expressing concern over the incident, the rights body said that Pakistani authorities quickly described it as "robbery gone wrong", a claim rejected by Vishal's brother.

"Nothing was stolen! They shot him point-blank, execution-style. This was no robberyit was a hit!" the VOPM quoted him as saying.

Asserting that the tragedy has deeply shaken the Hindu community in Sindh, the rights body said, "Repeated daylight killings, botched probes, and rising criminal gangs have turned communities into ghost towns of anxiety. Experts scream warnings: without swift, transparent justice, fear will consume us all. Civil society roars for action  demand the real motive, hunt the killers, and restore orderbefore Sukkur descends into anarchy."

The rights body stressed that Vishal's death isn't a statistic but a devastating loss for his family and a blow to the city's sense of security.

"Justice isn't optionalit's the only thread holding society together. Will authorities act before the next bullet flies? Sukkur waits, hearts pounding, in terrified silence," the VOPM stated.
New Delhi, April 22 : The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued a notice to authorities on a plea alleging non-compliance with its earlier directions to curb the discharge of untreated sewage into the Yamuna River from Vrindavan and Kosi towns in Uttar Pradesh. a New Delhi, April 22 (IANS) The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued a notice to authorities on a plea alleging non-compliance with its earlier directions to curb the discharge of untreated sewage into the Yamuna River from Vrindavan and Kosi towns in Uttar Pradesh. 

A Bench of Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava, and comprising Expert Members Dr. A. Senthil Vel and Dr. Afroz Ahmad, was hearing an execution application filed by Vijay Kishor Goswami, through advocate Akash Vashishtha, seeking enforcement of the green tribunal's order dated December 17, 2021, passed in a case concerning pollution of the Yamuna. 

The applicant has contended that, despite a considerable lapse of time, the NGT's directions to curb pollution and improve sewage treatment infrastructure have not been complied with. 

Taking cognisance of the grievance, the green tribunal issued notice to the respondents and directed the applicant to serve copies of the plea and file an affidavit of service at least one week before the next hearing. 

The matter has been listed for further consideration on August 4. 

The applicant had earlier raised grievances about untreated sewage and wastewater from Vrindavan and Kosi towns being discharged into the Yamuna and the Kosi drain near Sunrakh, highlighting deficiencies in sewage treatment infrastructure. 

The NGT had, in its earlier proceedings, appointed a monitoring committee headed by a former Allahabad High Court judge, which found that water quality downstream of the Yamuna in the Mathura-Vrindavan stretch was significantly worse than upstream due to the discharge of untreated effluents. 

"The quality of water downstream is poorer than that of upstream, indicating clearly that the drains falling in River Yamuna in this span are the cause of the deterioration in water quality," the committee had noted. 

It had also flagged inefficiency in bio-remediation processes, erratic sewage flows, and the need for adequate funding, stricter monitoring, and plantation drives to prevent re-encroachment on cleared land. 

Taking note of the findings, the NGT had earlier observed that "pollution is continuing and steps taken are inadequate to remedy the situation," and had directed authorities to implement the committee's recommendations, ensure proper functioning of sewage treatment plants, and prevent further discharge of untreated effluents.
Quetta, April 22 : As enforced disappearances of civilians continue unabated across Balochistan, students of Bolan Medical College in the provincial capital, Quetta, staged a sit-in protest on Wednesday outside the college premises, demanding the immediate and safe recovery of a female student forcibly disappeared by Pakistani forces.

According to the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), Khadija Baloch was abducted on Tuesday by Pakistani security forces from the BMC female hostel in Quetta and shifted to an undisclosed location.

Since her enforced disappearance, it said, no information about her whereabouts or condition has been provided to her family and fellow students.

"This protest is a call to end enforced disappearances and hold the state accountable for its systematic human rights violations in Balochistan and to ensure the immediate and safe release of Khadija Baloch," the BYC stated.

Asserting that this was not an isolated incident, the rights body said, "The Pakistani state has long used enforced disappearance as a weapon of collective punishment against Baloch families, targetting students, wives, daughters, and the bereaved. Khadija, the widow, has now been made a victim by the same machinery of state violence."

The BYC urged the people of Balochistan to stand united against the oppression by Pakistani authorities.

Condemning the incident, the Baloch Women Forum (BWF) said that the abduction of Khadija from within an educational institution represents a "blatant violation of human rights" and exposes an increasingly dangerous reality in which even educational spaces are no longer safe for students, particularly women.

"This incident highlights an increasingly alarming reality in which educational institutions are no longer secure for Baloch women. The abduction of a female student from within hostel premises is not an isolated concern; rather, it reflects a broader environment of fear, insecurity and vulnerability faced by Baloch female students across academic spaces," the BWF stated.

Expressing solidarity with the ongoing protests of the students, the forum warned that "any continued silence, delay or inaction will further intensify public outrage and raise serious questions regarding compliance with human rights obligations, due process and the rule of law."

The BWF called upon international human rights organisations as well as global institutions to urgently take notice of this case, break their silence and press for justice, accountability and the protection of Baloch female students.
Hyderabad, April 22 : Telangana's Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy said on Wednesday that the High Court has not given a clean chit to anyone in its verdict on the report of Justice P.C. Ghose Commission, which probed the alleged irregularities in the Kaleshwaram project.

Reacting to the High Court order on the petitions of Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) President and former Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR), former minister T. Harish Rao and two others, Uttam Kumar Reddy said that the petitioners approached the High Court seeking to quash the Government Order which constituted the Ghose Commission. However, the High Court did not find fault with the constitution of the judicial commission, he said.

The court did not find fault with the commission's findings either, he added.

According to him, the High Court stated that the commission's appointment was neither arbitrary, illegal, nor ultra vires.

The High Court raised objections regarding certain determinations made against individuals in the judicial commission's report, pointing out that notices were not issued to them in the prescribed format.

It granted relief to the petitioners by stating that no action should be taken against them solely based on the judicial commission's report.

Uttam Kumar Reddy said the government has already decided to ask the Centre for a CBI inquiry into the irregularities and failures in the Kaleshwaram project and has also written to the CBI.

"Today's High Court verdict is not an obstacle to the CBI inquiry. The court has not given a clean chit to anyone," he said.

The minister stated that the government will decide on further action after examining the full judgment.

He alleged that the collapse of the Kaleshwaram project is a fact. Irregularities occurred at every stage, from site selection to design, construction, and maintenance.

The court clarified that remarks made by the commission against certain individuals will remain inoperative only because notices were not issued to them. Under Section 8B, this is purely a procedural and technical matter, Uttam Kumar Reddy argued.

He recalled that on October 21, 2023, the seventh block of the Medigadda barrage sank. A barrage built with thousands of crores collapsed within three years.

The project constructed under the BRS government collapsed during their tenure itself. It is the responsibility of the present government to determine the reasons and take action as per law, he added.

The National Dam Safety Authority, under the Central government, submitted its preliminary report during the BRS regime itself, highlighting flaws in site selection, design, construction, and maintenance that led to the collapse of the barrages.

The Vigilance Commission appointed by the state government also exposed all the flaws in site selection, design, and construction of the barrages.

The retired Justice P.C. Ghose Commission, appointed by the state government, examined engineers, IAS officers, and administrative officials responsible at the time, and submitted its detailed 640-page report. The government placed the reports of the NDSA, Vigilance Commission, and Justice P.C. Ghose Commission before the Assembly in August.

Based on these reports, the government wrote to the CBl seeking an investigation. On September 1 last year, the state government issued a GO and notification handing over the investigation to the CBI. The High Court verdict does not hinder the CBI inquiry, he said.

The minister stated that for two years, not a drop of water has been lifted from any of the three barrages. Every year, the government bears debts and interest/principal repayment of Rs 15,000 crore to Rs 20,000 crore in the name of this project.

Experts from reputed national institutions have already opined that not just two pillars, but the entire foundation of all three barrages is questionable. "The Kaleshwaram project is entirely a human failure. It is the biggest man-made disaster in the country. Precious public money has been wasted. It is the responsibility of the government to fix responsibility for this huge loss," he added.
Itanagar, April 22 : Arunachal Pradesh Governor Lt Gen K.T. Parnaik (Retd) on Wednesday urged students to strive for excellence as job creators, innovators, and problem solvers, while contributing actively to society and the nation through their knowledge and skills.

Addressing the 6th Convocation of Arunodaya University at its new Jollang campus in Itanagar, the Governor said that students represent the future of Arunachal Pradesh as well as of the nation, and that their role in shaping a progressive and inclusive India is both vital and indispensable.

He encouraged them to aim for excellence not merely for personal success, but as contributors to society, community development, and nation-building, stressing that education must ultimately serve a larger social purpose.

The Governor called upon them to be responsible in their conduct, compassionate in their outlook, and proactive in bringing about positive change as active and aware partners in building a stronger, more resilient, and more progressive India.

Emphasising that education is a continuous and lifelong journey, he advised the graduating students to remain curious, adaptable, and committed to continuous learning in a rapidly evolving global environment shaped by Artificial Intelligence, digital transformation, and technological advancements.

Lt Gen Parnaik encouraged them to embrace technology with confidence and responsibility, while also remembering that true strength lies in critical thinking, ethical values, sound character, and the courage to innovate and take initiative.

Stressing the importance of cultivating a scientific temper and of questioning and challenging the status quo, the Governor exhorted the graduating students to become agents of transformation who contribute meaningfully to the development of Arunachal Pradesh as well as the nation at large.

He commended the management, faculty, and staff of Arunodaya University for their dedication to nurturing talent, fostering innovation, and shaping responsible, socially conscious, and value-driven citizens.

He also lauded the Universityas diverse academic programmes and its recognition by esteemed bodies such as the University Grants Commission (UGC), Bar Council of India (BCI), and Association of Indian Universities (AIU), among others.

Additionally, the Governor appreciated the institutionas social outreach initiatives, including blood donation camps, legal aid services, and the Green Campus Mission, noting that these initiatives reflect a strong and commendable sense of social responsibility and community engagement.

Calling upon faculty members to go beyond the traditional role of imparting knowledge, he urged them to act as mentors and guides who inspire curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking, while aligning education with skill development and practical, real-world applications.

Encouraging graduates to stay connected with their alma mater as proud alumni, he invited them to contribute through mentorship, collaboration, and continued engagement, and to emerge as catalysts of progress, innovation, and nation-building in their respective fields.

A total of 143 graduates, including 31 undergraduates, were conferred degrees at the 6th Convocation of Arunodaya University held at the Jollang campus in Itanagar.

Notably, 9 out of the 11 gold medals awarded to toppers were secured by female students, reflecting their outstanding academic performance and continued excellence in higher education.

The university currently has 1,610 students, including 1,321 from Arunachal Pradesh, and a faculty strength of 59 members.

It offers a comprehensive academic ladder with multidisciplinary programmes aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, including skill-integrated degree courses and professional programmes approved by regulatory bodies such as the UGC, AICTE, BCI, and other statutory authorities.
New Delhi, April 22 : Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Wednesday reacted to Trinamool Congress General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee's choice of words against Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and called it an "empty threat delivered in full public view" which "exposes growing desperation".

He posted the response on social media platform X earlier in the day.

"Such language only exposes the growing desperation within the Trinamool leadership. When an election campaign is answered with intimidation and street-level provocation, it confirms exactly what the people of West Bengal have endured for years under this (Trinamool Congress) regime," Pradhan wrote.

"Union Home Minister @AmitShah ji has spoken of democracy, security and accountable governance. The response from Mr. @abhishekaitc has been yet another empty threat delivered in full public view. Bengal deserves political discourse, not intimidation; leadership, not political muscle-flexing," he added.

He concluded his response by saying, "The people of Bengal are watching closely, and every such statement only strengthens their resolve to reject the politics of fear and stand firmly for democratic change."

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader was responding to the Abhishek Banerjee's comments made on X on Sunday, saying: "Those who were once banished from their own home state and declared 'tadipar' are now coming to Bengal and openly threatening our people to stay indoors on April 23 and April 29. Following their leader's cue, BJP's 'letheil vahini' or musclemen is going door-to-door, terrorising ordinary citizens and threatening Trinamool Congress workers."

"It has come to my notice that these (BJP) goondas barged into the residence of a Trinamool Congress supporter in Sabang, Sathi Gorai Kuila, and abused and intimidated her in the presence of her two-year-old daughter. The BJP, drunk on arrogance, seems to believe that bullets and terror can achieve what ballots cannot," the Trinamool Congress General Secretary had claimed.

Later, referring to poll mandate as "the perfect antidote", Abhishek Banerjee warned that it will be "administered democratically, by the people themselves".

Terming BJP leaders as "outsiders", the Trinamool Congress General Secretary went on to "openly challenge the 'Bangla-Birodhi Bohiragotos' (anti-Bengal outsiders) to be here, in Bengal, on May 4, when that happens. There will be Rabindrasangeet. There will be DJ music. Make sure you don't miss it".

The Assembly elections will be held in West Bengal in two phases, on April 23 and on April 29. Results are scheduled to be declared on May 4.
Rome, April 22 : The execution-style killing of two Sikh men in Italy's Bergamo province underscores internal rivalries, financial stakes and political divisions within sections of the Indian diaspora in Europe, a report said.

According to a report in the Italian news website 'Decode 39', last week on the eve of Baisakhi, one of the most important festivals in the Sikh calendar  a targetted killing unfolded in the Covo region in Bergamo, where two Indian nationals from Punjab  47-year-old Rajinder Singh and 48-year-old Gurmit Singh  were shot dead outside a Sikh cultural centre.

"The attack bore the hallmarks of an execution: around a dozen shots fired at close range, in front of witnesses and under CCTV cameras," it noted.

According to initial findings, the gunman  another Indian national based in nearby Antegnate  carried out the attack with at least three accomplices.

The killing occurred on the eve of Baisakhi, which was set to draw 2,000 worshippers to the area, prompting the cancellation of the planned procession, the report stated.

Rajinder Singh, a former president of the Sikh association in Italy, had reportedly clashed with a rival Antegnate-based group, with tensions intensifying into formal complaints in recent months. While control over the religious centre and its leadership was at stake, the divisions seem to extend beyond local rivalries.

Claims circulating from Khalistani extremist groups like Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) stated that the victim was involved in disputes during Khalsa Day celebrations.

"While unverified, such claims reflect broader political and identity fractures present within segments of the Sikh diaspora," the report noted.

Beyond its criminal dimension, it said, the case raises wider concerns about cohesion and security within the Indian diaspora in Italy and across Europe. Episodes of intra-community violence  often linked to religious leadership disputes, local influence or personal rivalries  are becoming increasingly visible.

"The Sikh community in Italy, long regarded as well-integrated and central to sectors such as agriculture and logistics, now faces increasing exposure to transnational dynamics. Political and identity tensions linked to Punjab  including debates around Khalistan  have spilt over into diaspora networks, contributing to internal polarisation," the report mentioned.

Emphasising that these tensions are emerging in Italy, the report said, "These dynamics have also surfaced in the public sphere. In Milan, the day after the killings, a political demonstration saw the presence of small groups displaying pro-Khalistan messages, highlighting how these issues are no longer confined to community spaces."
Jammu, April 22 : J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday inaugurated Eveready Industries India Limited's new industrial unit in Samba.

Jammu, April 22 (IANS) J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday inaugurated Eveready Industries India Limitedas new industrial unit in Samba.

The plant, established with an investment of Rs 200 crore, will create local jobs, boost ancillary units, suppliers, and service providers, promote skill development, generate opportunities for women, and make a significant contribution to the economic development of Jammu and Kashmir.

The J&K L-G said that the inauguration of Evereadyas plant, along with the changed atmosphere in the Union Territory, reflects the sustained efforts of Honable Prime Minister Narendra Modi, under whose leadership a new destiny has been written for Jammu and Kashmir.

He added that the Prime Ministeras vision has turned the dream of a prosperous Jammu and Kashmir into reality.

He observed that across Samba, Kathua, Jammu, and many parts of Kashmir, the industrial revolution underway today is a living symbol of a new era for Jammu and Kashmir.

He said that in the past five years, the scale of industrial development has moved beyond mere economic figures and has become the most powerful medium of transformation across Jammu and Kashmir.

He said that establishing this esteemed companyas plant is a landmark moment for the entire Jammu and Kashmir.

He added that it signals readiness to embrace opportunity, serve the nation, and light the way to the future, and also reflects strong confidence in the immense potential of Jammu and Kashmir.

Addressing a gathering after the inauguration ceremony, the J&K L-G shared key figures to highlight the industrial transformation of Jammu and Kashmir since the launch of the New Industrial Policy in 2021.

He said that in the financial year 2025-26 alone, Jammu and Kashmir attracted investment of Rs 5,824 crore, more than 13 times the average investment recorded before 2021.

In the financial year 2022a"23, investment was Rs 2,153 crore; in 2023a"24, Rs 3,389 crore; and in 2024a"25, Rs 4,145 crore.

In addition, half the preliminary work has already been completed on 312 units worth Rs 7,864 crore, with production expected to begin in the financial year 2026a"27.

Jammu and Kashmir has also seen, for the first time, the establishment of several units with investments exceeding Rs 500 crore, including Chiripal Polyfilms (Rs 1,215 crore), Kandhari Beverages (Rs 830 crore), and Aegios (Rs 666 crore).

Three more units are expected to start production in the financial year 2026-27.

The J&K L-G said that the number of start-ups has risen from just 69 in 2020 to 1,305 in the financial year 2025-26, a growth of over 1,800 per cent.

He added that, combined with all industrial units and Prime Ministeras Employment Generation Programme-supported units, millions of young people have gained better employment opportunities.

On the occasion, the J&K L-G also paid homage to all the civilians who were martyred in the Pahalgam terrorist attack on 22 April last year.

He said they had not forgotten those who had dared to cast covetous eyes on their mothersa and sistersa sindoor.

He said that he also recalls the brave soldiers of Operation Sindoor, who had avenged every single tear.

He added that the inauguration of this new industrial unit in Jammu and Kashmir is a clear and powerful declaration that India will neither halt nor pause, but will march forward on the path of development with renewed vigour and self-confidence.

He added that through the inauguration, a message has also been sent to the whole world that while the neighbouring country continues to run factories of terrorism, India is building factories of progress and success.

He said that today the world has been told that while the neighbouras factories churn out terrorists, Indiaas factories are engaged in nation-building.

He added that the economic potential, industrial energy, and inclusive development of Jammu and Kashmir are advancing with a new sense of pride.

Mohit Burman, Non-Executive Director, Eveready Industries India Limited, said that the state-of-the-art greenfield facility will generate around 500 direct and indirect employment opportunities at full scale in the region.

He added that the company also aims to contribute to the aAatmanirbhar Bharata vision.

Evereadyas new manufacturing plant boasts a robust annual peak production capacity of approximately 360 million alkaline batteries, with an annual installed capacity of 456 million.

Marking a significant scale-up in the industryas production capabilities, Evereadyas Jammu facility will give an impetus to Indiaas domestic manufacturing while catering to the countryas growing demand for high-performance power solutions.

Arjun Lamba, Non-Executive Director, Eveready Industries India Limited; Anirban Banerjee, Chief Executive Officer; Bibek Agarwala, Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer; Sandeep Banerjee, Chief Human Resource Officer; Arun Sahay, Head Operations, and other members of Eveready Industries India Limited were present.

Vikramjit Singh, Commissioner Secretary, Industries and Commerce Department; Ms Ayushi Sudan, Deputy Commissioner Samba; Arun Kumar Manhas, Director, Industries and Commerce, Jammu; senior officials and representatives of trade and industrial organisations also attended the inaugural ceremony.
Anand, April 22 : More than 2.45 lakh voters will cast their ballots in the Umreth Assembly by-election on Thursday, with authorities in Anand district completing all arrangements for polling under extensive administrative, logistical, and security planning across the constituency.

Polling will be held from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., in accordance with the schedule announced by the Election Commission of India, while counting of votes is scheduled to be taken up on May 2 as per the notified election programme.

Officials said that the election preparations have been carried out under the overall guidance and supervision of Chief Electoral Officer Sandeep Sagale, with District Election Officer and Collector Pravin Chaudhary leading the district-level team and coordinating arrangements on the ground.

The constituency comprises 46 villages from Umreth taluka and adjoining rural areas of Anand district, along with the municipalities of Ode, Umreth, and Boriavi, covering both urban and rural segments.

A total of six candidates are contesting the seat in the by-election. The total electorate stands at 2,45,623, comprising 1,26,545 male voters, 1,19,072 female voters, and six voters categorised under others.

Among the electorate, 4,174 are first-time voters in the 1819 age group. In addition, 1,556 voters aged above 85 years and 1,546 persons with disabilities are registered to cast their votes in the by-election.

Officials confirmed that 88 voters aged above 85 years and 13 persons with disabilities have already exercised their franchise from home under the facility provided by the Election Commission.

A total of 306 polling stations have been set up across the constituency, including 68 in urban areas and 238 in rural areas, with webcasting facilities arranged at polling locations to monitor proceedings and ensure transparency.

Of these, one polling station will be managed entirely by persons with disabilities, two polling stations will be managed by youth, and two polling stations will be managed by women, while five model polling stations have also been prepared with enhanced facilities.

Nearly 1,500 personnel have been deployed for the election process, including 1,348 polling staff, 22 micro-observers, and 19 district-level nodal officers assigned specific responsibilities.

All polling personnel have undergone training in three phases to ensure smooth conduct of polling. To facilitate accessibility, 218 wheelchairs will be available at polling stations, and 361 volunteers have been deployed to assist voters, particularly senior citizens and persons with disabilities.

Six vehicles have been reserved to provide free transport for voters aged above 85 years and persons with disabilities. Voter Assistance Booths have also been set up to provide information and facilitate voters, including arrangements for the safekeeping of mobile phones outside polling premises.

Officials said that electors can cast their vote using the voter identity card or any one of 12 alternative documents approved by the Election Commission, including Aadhaar card, job card issued under MGNREGA, bank or post office passbook with photograph, health insurance smart card issued under government schemes, driving licence, PAN card, NPR smart card, Indian passport, pension documents with photograph, official service identity cards, identity cards issued to elected representatives, and the Unique Disability ID card.

Non-resident Indian (NRI) voters registered in the constituency must present their original passport at the polling station to exercise their franchise.

Postal ballot voting has already been conducted for around 212 officials and staff engaged in election duty between April 15 and April 17 at Ode Arts and Commerce College.

On the first day of postal voting, 41 personnel, including 11 women and 30 men, cast their votes through postal ballot as part of the process.

Health arrangements have been put in place for polling staff in line with Election Commission guidelines, with authorities ensuring readiness to address any medical contingencies during polling hours.

Authorities have ensured access to immediate and cashless medical treatment through tie-ups with Community Health Centre Umreth, General Hospital Anand, General Hospital Bhalej, and for specialised cardiac care with Zydus Hospital Anand and Shree Krishna Hospital in Karamsad.

ORS packets will be made available at all polling stations to address heat-related issues and ensure voter comfort during the polling process.

Security arrangements have been made to ensure a free and fair election. Under the supervision of District Superintendent of Police Gaurav Jasani, two Deputy Superintendents of Police (DySPs), four Police Inspectors, and around 500 police and home guard personnel will be deployed, along with three companies of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).

Officials said: "All arrangements have been put in place to ensure that polling is conducted smoothly, safely, and in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Election Commission."

They added that facilities for elderly voters and persons with disabilities have been prioritised "to enable them to participate in the electoral process without any difficulty or inconvenience."

A public holiday has been declared on April 23 in the constituency to facilitate maximum voter participation in the by-election.
Imphal, April 22 : Security forces in Manipur have recovered sophisticated arms and ammunition along the India-Myanmar border and, in a separate operation, dismantled six illegal bunkers in the mountainous Kangpokpi district, officials said on Wednesday.a

A senior police official stated that the recoveries were made from the India-Myanmar border region under the Moreh police station in Tengnoupal district.a

The seized items include one AK-47 rifle with a magazine, one carbine with a magazine, four Improvised Explosive Devices, and two Motorola radio sets.a

The Improvised Explosive Devices were safely destroyed on the spot.a

Five districts in Manipur, Churachandpur, Tengnoupal, Chandel, Kamjong, and Ukhrul, share an unfenced border of approximately 400 km with Myanmar.a

The official added that security forces also destroyed six illegal bunkers in areas under the Saikul police station in the hilly Kangpokpi district.a

Additionally, 12 empty cases of 7.62 mm ammunition were recovered from the site.a

In ongoing operations, security forces have earlier demolished more than 100 illegally constructed bunkers built by militant outfits and armed cadres belonging to various groups.a

Security forces, comprising both central and state agencies, continue extensive crackdowns on militant activities.a

Search operations and area domination exercises are being conducted in fringe, mixed-population, and vulnerable areas across multiple districts.a

To curb the movement of illegal elements and suspicious vehicles, a total of 112 nakas (checkpoints) have been set up across Manipur in both valley and hill districts.a

Security personnel are also providing escorts to vehicles, including trucks transporting essential commodities, along the Imphal-Jiribam National Highway (National Highway 37).a

Strict security arrangements and convoy protection measures remain in place in sensitive stretches to ensure the safe movement of vehicles.a

Meanwhile, Manipur Police have urged the public not to believe rumours and to remain cautious of fake videos circulating on social media.a

A police statement warned that the veracity of any circulation of unfounded videos or audio clips may be confirmed from the Central Control Room and that uploading and circulating fake posts on social media will attract legal action.a
New York, April 22 : Iran on Wednesday attacked a ship in the Strait of Hormuz that was on its way to Mundra Port in India, hours after US President Donald Trump announced an indefinite ceasefire.

It was one of the two ships that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGC-N) announced it had attacked and taken over, according to the government-run PressTV.

IRGC-N identified the ships it attacked as the MSC-Francesca, and the Epaminodas, PressTV said (although it spelled it as "Epaminodas").

Two shipping monitoring sites said that Liberian-flagged Epaminodas was on its way to Mundra in Gujarat from the Jebel Ali port in Dubai.

Marinetraffic.com and vesselfinder.com said that the container ship had been scheduled to reach Mundra on Thursday.

According to steamshipmutual.com which tracks ship ownership and insurance, the ship is owned by a Greek company, Kalmar Maritime LLC.

On Saturday, Iran attacked two Indian ships in the Strait that had received permission to traverse it.

India lodged a strong protest with Iran over those incidents.

IRGC-N said the two ships were attacked because they were "operating without authorisation", according to the government-run PressTV.

A British Navy monitoring outfit confirmed that two ships were fired upon by IRGC gunboats and that one of them reported being immobilised, and the other was damaged.

It did not confirm the Iranian claim by Iran that it had taken over the ships or identify them by name.

There was no immediate reaction from President Donald Trump or the US government.

Even though Trump extended the ceasefire indefinitely on Tuesday, he said the US Naval blockade of Iranian ports would continue.

While Tehran wants to control access to the Strait of Hormuz that empowers it in the conflict through a chokehold on the 20 per cent of global supplies of gas and oil that pass through it, it was also retaliation against the US capture of an Iranian ship on April 19.

President Trump said the Navy blew a hold in its engine room and Marines boarded it.

He claimed it had a "gift from China" for Iran, but Beijing has denied it.

The situation in the Strait of Hormuz also reflects the contradictions within the Tehran leadership between moderates and hardliners that hampers a unified response, and which Trump cited for extending the ceasefire.

Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi announced on April 17 that the Strait was open, but on April 18 the IRGC ordered it closed and attacked the two Indian ships.

The Iranian military outfit accused the two ships of "tampering with navigation aid systems, and endangering maritime security in an attempt to exit the strait covertly".

Britain's UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) Centre, which tracks shipping incidents, said that a container ship reported that it was approached by an IRGC gunboat, which fired on it without a radio challenge.

It "has caused heavy damage to the bridge. No fires or environmental impact reported. All Crew reported safe," it added.

The other ship, a cargo carrier, did not report damage from the firing and the "crew are safe and accounted for," UKMTO said.

The IRGC-N claimed the MSC Francesca "belongs to the Israeli regime", however, the company Mediterranean Shipping Company is owned by a Greek shipping family.

A picture of the ship posted by Tasnim news agency showed it with a marking that it was registered in Panama.
Srinagar, April 22 : The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday attached several properties belonging to a Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terror operative involved in the 2017 fidayeen attack case on a Central Reserve Police Force camp, in which five paramilitary personnel were killed and three seriously injured.a

The attachment action, taken under Section 33 (1) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, in pursuance of recent orders of the National Investigation Agency Special Court at Jammu, comes as a major step towards dismantling the terror outfits operating in J&K.a

The immovable properties attached by the National Investigation Agency include several pieces of land and residential premises in Lethpora, in the Awantipora police station area of Pulwama district, J&K.a

These properties, deemed to be proceeds of terrorism, belonged to the accused Fayaz Ahmed Magray.a

Fayaz, who hailed from Lethpora, was arrested in connection with the case RC.10/2018/NIA/DLI in February 2019.a

The National Investigation Agency had charged him under various sections of the Ranbir Penal Code and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in August 2019, and his trial is continuing.a

The Central Reserve Police Force camp, located in Lethpora, was attacked on the night of December 30, 2017, by three unknown terrorists armed with sophisticated weapons, explosives, and ammunition.a

The trio had forced their way into the camp and attacked the personnel there before being killed in retaliatory action.a

National Investigation Agency investigations had revealed Fayaz to be an active Over Ground Worker of the proscribed Jaish-e-Mohammad terror organisation in South Kashmir.a

He was found to have participated in meetings with the terrorists who had planned and executed the deadly attack on the Central Reserve Police Force camp.a

Along with two other men, identified as Noor Mohammad Tantray and Mudasir Ahmad Khan, Jaish operatives, he had also conducted a recce of the target camp, besides arranging weapons for Mudasir and subsequently helping him escape Lethpora.a

Noor Mohammad was killed in an encounter with security forces before the Central Reserve Police Force camp attack, while Mudasir was killed in another encounter later.a
Jaipur, April 22 : Former Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot on Wednesday strongly responded to Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma's recent remarks on the Pachpadra refinery project, stating that the claims made by the Chief Minister are "misleading and factually incorrect".

Jaipur, April 22 (IANS) Former Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot on Wednesday strongly responded to Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma's recent remarks on the Pachpadra refinery project, stating that the claims made by the Chief Minister are "misleading and factually incorrect".

Hitting back at the state government, Gehlot alleged that attempts are being made to divert attention from delays in the refinery project as well as the recent accident linked to the project site. He said that the delays were caused during the BJP's tenure, and that the current "haste" to inaugurate the project led to the incident. He further pointed out that even two days after the accident, no official clarification has been issued regarding the exact cause of the incident.

Refuting the Chief Minister's statement that the Prime Minister ensured a 26 per cent stake for the Rajasthan government in the refinery, Gehlot said that this claim is entirely incorrect and misleading. He clarified that the state government's 26 per cent equity participation has existed since the foundation stone of the project was laid in 2013.

Gehlot explained that the refinery at Pachpadra was approved by the Government of India and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) on the condition that the Rajasthan government would hold a 26 per cent stake in the project. He noted that typically, state governments do not invest equity in refinery projects, as such ventures often operate under fluctuating profitability and market-linked risks.

He said that oil companies generally manage multiple refineries and balance losses and profits across their operations, which reduces risk exposure at the project level.

However, due to this specific condition attached to the Pachpadra refinery project, the Rajasthan government had to take on the equity stake as part of the approval framework.

Taking a swipe at the BJP, Gehlot said that such statements reflect a lack of basic understanding of how refinery projects function and are structured.

"These remarks show they do not even understand the fundamentals," he said.

On allegations of corruption related to the refinery project, Gehlot questioned why no action has been taken so far despite repeated claims by the BJP.

He pointed out that the BJP has been in power at the Centre for over a decade and in the state for more than two years.

"If there were any irregularities, why has no concrete action been taken?" he asked.

Gehlot maintained that facts should not be distorted for political purposes and called for transparency and accountability regarding the recent incident linked to the refinery project.

Chief Minister Sharma earlier in the day alleged that the previous Congress government had delayed the project for years, adding that it was the Prime Minister who revived it in 2018 and accelerated its progress.

The Chief Minister also targeted former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, accusing his government of irregularities linked to the refinery project.

Sharma claimed that the public is aware of the alleged scams and controversial land deals during that period and asserted that the truth about the project has already been exposed before the people.
Jaipur, April 22 : Amid rising temperatures and intensifying heatwave conditions, the Jaipur district administration has taken a key step to protect students from extreme heat by revising school timings across the district.

District Collector Sandesh Nayak announced that, with effect from April 27, schools will operate from 7:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The revised schedule applies to students from pre-primary to Class 8 and is aimed at shielding children from harsh afternoon conditions and prolonged exposure to heat.

The decision was taken following a meeting with education department officials, during which the Collector directed strict compliance with the revised timings and warned that any violations could invite action under the provisions of the Disaster Management Act.

Officials emphasised that the move prioritises the health and safety of children at a time when temperatures are continuing to rise and heatwave conditions are likely to intensify in the coming days.

By shifting school hours to the morning, the administration aims to significantly reduce studentsa exposure to intense sunlight and hot winds, commonly referred to as alooa in the region.

The heat has intensified across Rajasthan over the past few days. Chittorgarh recorded the highest daytime temperature, while Barmer reported the warmest night temperature during the same period.

More than 10 districts have already recorded temperatures crossing the 40 degrees Celsius mark, affecting daily life and causing considerable discomfort, particularly for school-going children and vulnerable sections.

According to the Meteorological Centre in Jaipur, clear sky conditions are expected to prevail over the next four to five days, with temperatures likely to increase by a further 2 degrees C during this period.

A heatwave has been forecast in several districts between April 23 and April 25, with conditions expected to remain severe in parts of the state.

In the Jodhpur division, gusty winds with speeds of 20a"30 km per hour are expected on April 22 and April 23, although these are unlikely to bring any significant relief from the prevailing heat.

The impact of the rising temperatures is already evident in Jaipur, where strong sunlight and high humidity levels have made conditions uncomfortable throughout the day as well as during the night.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that several districts in eastern and western Rajasthan will continue to face severe heat conditions.

Cities such as Bharatpur, Dholpur, Alwar, Kota, Bikaner, and Sri Ganganagar are expected to record temperatures above 40 degrees in the coming days.

Given these prevailing weather conditions, the administrationas decision to revise school timings is being seen as a timely and necessary measure, offering relief to students and parents while prioritising safety.
Ahmedabad/Bhuj, April 22 : Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi on Wednesday said that action against illegal properties of alleged criminals and anti-social elements is being carried out using the Chief Minister's bulldozers, presenting it as part of the state government's approach to maintaining law and order.a Ahmedabad/Bhuj, April 22 (IANS) Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi on Wednesday said that action against illegal properties of alleged criminals and anti-social elements is being carried out using the Chief Minister's bulldozers, presenting it as part of the state government's approach to maintaining law and order.

Addressing a gathering in Bhuj after a road show held as part of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s campaign for local self-government elections, Sanghavi said, "Today, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel's bulldozer is operating on illegal properties and encroachments of anti-social elements and criminals."

He added that "the BJP government is committed to ensuring development while maintaining a strong law and order situation."

The road show, held from Jubilee Circle to Chhathi Bari, drew large crowds along the route.

Sanghavi criticised previous Congress governments, stating, "They had failed to provide basic facilities such as electricity, water, and roads, while under BJP governance these services had been delivered alongside broader development."

Similar remarks were made by Sanghavi during public meetings held in the Dariyapur, Khadia, and Lambha areas of Ahmedabad.

Referring again to enforcement action, he said, "We all know which party feels discomfort when bulldozers act on illegal properties of criminals."

He also stated that no one who commits crimes against citizens would be spared and that those responsible for serious offences would remain in jail.

Addressing a gathering in Dariyapur, he said, "Dariyapur is not just an area, but the heart of Ahmedabad," and referred to its historic poles, narrow lanes, and temples as part of the city's heritage.

He noted that Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel began his public life there after being elected a municipal councillor in 1917.

In Khadia, Sanghavi described the area as "sacred, revolutionary and the centre of the rise of Jan Sangh" and paid tribute to former leader Ashok Bhatt.

He also referred to past law-and-order challenges, stating, "During earlier periods, even organising the Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath required effort and was marked by incidents such as attacks, stone-pelting and firing."

At a public meeting in Lambha, Sanghavi outlined development projects in Lambha and Narol, stating that priority had been given to basic infrastructure.

"New drainage lines and water purification works in Rangoli Nagar had been completed on a war footing to address waterlogging during the monsoon," he noted.

He also referred to the inauguration of the Lambha lake, road, and street lighting projects, and the construction of an urban health centre and a community health centre.

"Facilities for social occasions, including party plots, were also being developed, while crematoriums had been upgraded with seating and water arrangements to reduce difficulties for residents," he said.

Criticising those opposing the strengthening of the Disturbed Areas Act, he said that "certain parties with the hand symbol and others are uneasy with its strengthening".


Guwahati, April 22 : The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has undertaken a comprehensive review of its ongoing safety drive and infrastructural preparedness, particularly in anticipation of the four-month-long monsoon season from June to September, officials said on Wednesday.a

NFR Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) Kapinjal Kishore Sharma stated that NFR General Manager Chetan Kumar Shrivastava conducted an extensive inspection of the Bairabi (along the Assam-Mizoram border)a"Badarpur and Badarpura"Patharkhola sections under the Lumding Division.a

He noted that the inspection was part of a broader initiative to assess safety measures and evaluate infrastructural readiness ahead of the monsoon season.a

During the visit, a detailed window-trailing inspection of railway tracks was carried out to examine track fitness and the structural integrity of these sections, Sharma added.a

According to the NFR Chief Public Relations Officer, this exercise plays a crucial role in identifying potential vulnerabilities and ensuring the resilience of railway infrastructure against monsoon-related challenges such as waterlogging, soil erosion, and track instability.a

The General Manager also reviewed key safety parameters and directed officials to ensure stringent monitoring and timely maintenance interventions.a

On the occasion, the General Manager visited the newly constructed Sub-Divisional Training Centre and an Ultrasonic Flaw Detection laboratory at Badarpur.a

Sharma said these facilities are designed to enhance railway personnel's technical capabilities and improve the efficiency of track inspection and defect-detection systems.a

These initiatives underscore NFRas commitment to capacity building and to adopting advanced technologies to ensure safer, more reliable railway operations.a

He also inspected Badarpur railway station and reviewed the progress of ongoing development works during the visit.a

The inspection gains added significance in the context of the strategically important railway connectivity project extending from Bairabi in southern Assam to Sairang near Aizawl in Mizoram.a

Commissioned in 2025, this link has substantially improved regional connectivity and contributed to Mizoram's economic integration with the rest of the country.a

The introduction of railway connectivity to Sairang has provided a major boost to tourism and the stateas economy.a

Ensuring the safety and durability of the existing sections up to Bairabi remains critical, as they serve as a vital link in this extended rail network.a

During every monsoon season, railway infrastructure is disrupted, affecting rail connectivity among various Northeastern states.a

On September 13, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 51.38-km Bairabia"Sairang New Railway Line, bringing Aizawl onto Indiaas railway map for the first time.a
Ahmedabad, April 22 : An interstate coordination-led operation by the Ahmedabad Crime Branch has resulted in the arrest of an absconding accused in a murder case registered in Aurangabad district of Bihar, officials said on Wednesday.a Ahmedabad, April 22 (IANS) An interstate coordination-led operation by the Ahmedabad Crime Branch has resulted in the arrest of an absconding accused in a murder case registered in Aurangabad district of Bihar, officials said on Wednesday.

The accused, Nazre Alam, 26, was wanted in connection with a case registered at Barun Police Station on April 1.

The case has been booked under Sections 103(1), 61, and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.

As per the complaint, the deceased, Dilip Kumar Singh, had received a phone call during the night and subsequently left his residence.

He did not return home thereafter. His body was discovered the following morning near a tyre puncture shop, with his throat slit.

The circumstances pointed towards a planned and violent attack, according to the investigation record.

Following the incident, the accused had been absconding and is believed to have moved to multiple locations to avoid arrest.

Police officials stated that sustained surveillance and intelligence gathering were initiated to trace him.

Acting on specific inputs, the Crime Branch deployed technical and human intelligence resources to track the accused.

Officials confirmed that mobile call detail records were analysed to establish movement patterns and possible hideouts.

This data was corroborated with field intelligence inputs collected through coordinated efforts.

A Crime Branch official said the breakthrough was achieved after "continuous tracking of digital footprints combined with actionable human intelligence inputs across jurisdictions."

The operation also involved coordination with law enforcement agencies in Bihar to verify details and ensure the suspect's accurate identification before interception.

The accused was subsequently located and apprehended in Ahmedabad without resistance.

After confirmation of identity and preliminary verification of his involvement in the Bihar murder case, Alam was taken into custody.

He is being handed over to the Bihar Police for further legal proceedings and investigation in accordance with procedure.

Officials stated that the arrest reflects coordinated interstate policing efforts in tracing individuals accused of serious offences who attempt to evade law enforcement by relocating across state boundaries.

The investigation in the case remains ongoing under the jurisdiction of the Bihar Police.
Jaipur, April 22 : Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said on Wednesday that Rajasthan has the potential to become a leading global hub of education, attracting students from across the world.

He emphasised that this vision can be realised through collective efforts, strong determination, and self-confidence.

Birla, along with Rajasthan Assembly Speaker Vasudev Devnani, inaugurated the new campus of Jayshree Periwal Global School on Wednesday.

Both dignitaries toured the modern premises and reviewed the state-of-the-art classrooms and facilities.

Addressing the gathering, Birla noted that India's Constitution serves as a guiding light for democracies worldwide and described democracy as the nation's greatest strength.

He called upon citizens to actively contribute to shaping the narrative of a rapidly transforming India.

Vasudev Devnani described the occasion as more than just the inauguration of a building, calling it the beginning of a gateway to India's bright future.

He remarked that the campus reflects an environment where knowledge thrives.

Emphasising the broader meaning of education, Devnani said it is not limited to literacy but is a powerful force that awakens human potential and transforms individuals from ordinary to extraordinary.

Referring to India's rich academic heritage, Rajasthan Assembly Speaker highlighted ancient centres of learning such as Nalanda and Takshashila, noting that India has historically been a global centre of knowledge.

He said that despite challenges over centuries, the country's knowledge tradition has remained resilient.

"Today, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is witnessing progress across economic, cultural, and spiritual spheres and moving toward the vision of a developed nation."

Devnani urged students to stay connected with India's traditions and values while pursuing modern education.

He encouraged them to use their knowledge and skills for nation-building.

Earlier, Jayshree Periwal Global School Chairperson Jayshree Periwal welcomed the guests and shared an overview of the institution.

The event was also attended by Chief executive officer of Jayshree Periwal Group of Schools, Ayush Periwal; Principal Manju Khosla, and other distinguished guests.
Jaipur, April 22 : Prioritising public health and patient safety, the Commissionerate of Food Safety and Drug Control, Rajasthan, has issued an alert regarding seven medicines and declared them "Not of Standard Quality" following laboratory testing conducted between April 1 and April 15, 2026, prompting immediate regulatory action across the state.

Jaipur, April 22 (IANS) Prioritising public health and patient safety, the Commissionerate of Food Safety and Drug Control, Rajasthan, has issued an alert regarding seven medicines and declared them "Not of Standard Quality" following laboratory testing conducted between April 1 and April 15, 2026, prompting immediate regulatory action across the state.

Acting on the findings, the Drug Controller has directed all Drug Control Officers across Rajasthan to immediately withdraw the identified batches from circulation and initiate strict action under the provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.

Commissioner Dr. T. Shubhamangala stated that the department conducts regular inspections, sampling, and quality surveillance to ensure that only safe, effective, and compliant medicines reach the public and healthcare institutions.

She said that the latest testing cycle revealed that several pharmaceutical products failed to meet prescribed quality parameters, raising serious concerns over their efficacy, safety, and therapeutic reliability.

The list of sub-standard drugs includes Cefixime Oral Suspension IP (LORAXIM Dry Syrup 12g/30 ml), Batch LXS3-49, Expiry October 2026, manufactured by M/s Lark Laboratories (India) Ltd., Bhiwadi, Alwar, which was found non-compliant as the active ingredient content (assay) did not conform to prescribed standards.

Albendazole Tablets IP, Batch PG124427, Expiry June 2027, manufactured by M/s Affy Parenterals, Baddi, Solan (Himachal Pradesh), failed the dissolution test, indicating inadequate release of the active ingredient.

Ambroxol Hydrochloride, Levosalbutamol and Guaiphenesin Drops (Istocuf-LS), Batch GLF0712B, Expiry June 2027, manufactured by M/s Digital Vision, Kala Amb, Sirmaur (Himachal Pradesh), were found to have assay content not conforming to required standards.

Methylprednisolone Tablets IP 4 mg (Methyloactive-4), Batch 252005, Expiry June 2027, manufactured by M/s United Bioceuticals Pvt. Ltd., Haridwar, failed both assay and dissolution tests, indicating multiple quality deficiencies.

Dextromethorphan HBr and Chlorpheniramine Maleate Syrup (Okuff-DX), Batch TLLM-188, Expiry November 2026, manufactured by M/s Taksa Lifesciences Pvt. Ltd., Derabassi, Mohali, showed Chlorpheniramine Maleate content below permissible limits.

Cefuroxime Axetil Tablets IP (EXTENSIVE-500), Batch VT252942, Expiry February 2028, manufactured by M/s VADSP Pharmaceuticals, Baddi, failed assay testing, while Ciprofloxacin Tablets IP 500 mg, Batch GT50135, Expiry April 2028, manufactured by M/s Omega Pharma, Roorkee, Haridwar, failed both assay and dissolution parameters.

Drug Controller Ajay Phatak said that directions have been issued to all government and private hospitals, medical colleges, pharmacies, and distributors to immediately stop the sale, distribution, and use of these medicines.

He also instructed that additional batches from the same manufacturers be subjected to rigorous and comprehensive quality checks to prevent any further risk to public health.

The department reiterated that any violation of these directions will attract strict legal action under the relevant provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and associated regulatory frameworks.
New Delhi/Aizawl, April 22 : Mizoram Governor General Vijay Kumar Singh (Retd) emphasised that national security goes beyond the strength of individual institutions, highlighting the critical need for effective coordination among them.a New Delhi/Aizawl, April 22 (IANS) Mizoram Governor General Vijay Kumar Singh (Retd) emphasised that national security goes beyond the strength of individual institutions, highlighting the critical need for effective coordination among them.

Addressing participants of the Advanced Professional Programme in Public Administration during his visit to the Indian Institute of Public Administration in New Delhi, the Governor reiterated that national security cannot rely solely on institutional capacity but must be supported by cohesive and well-coordinated efforts.

He underscored that the 'Whole-of-Government' approach begins with a fundamental shift in mindset, moving away from siloed functioning towards an integrated governance model.

According to him, all levels of government, from central ministries to district administrations, must operate as parts of a unified and interconnected system.

Citing the example of PM Gati Shakti, General Singh pointed out that coordinated efforts among multiple ministries, state governments, and local bodies have already delivered tangible improvements in infrastructure planning.

He noted that this model clearly demonstrates how aligning policies, resources, and implementation strategies can produce more efficient outcomes while reducing wastage.

The Governor further stressed that breaking down institutional silos and fostering a culture of collaboration is essential for effective governance.

He observed that meaningful coordination should extend beyond high-level meetings and must include active engagement at the district level, with local administrations and communities playing integral roles in the governance framework.

Concluding his address, he stated that a secure nation is built on trust, shared responsibility, and collective action.

In a separate event, the Governor attended the Youth Festival (Univoyage) 2026, jointly organised by ICFAI University Mizoram and the state's Tourism Department at the university campus in Durtlang North, Aizawl.

Addressing the gathering, he appreciated the initiative, describing the festival as an important platform for motivating young people and offering meaningful learning opportunities.

He stressed that such events provide significant benefits to students and help shape their future.

Highlighting youth as the cornerstone of the nation's future, he emphasised the importance of sustained investment in their development.

The Governor also underlined the importance of skill development and upskilling in enhancing job creation and employability.

He remarked that much of the most effective learning occurs through direct interaction with people, making such festivals particularly impactful.

Speaking about the potential of Mizoram's tourism sector, he noted that the state already enjoys key advantages, including a pleasant climate, scenic landscapes, and a clean environment.

General Singh stated that with improved facilities and a more visitor-friendly ecosystem, Mizoram could attract more tourists.

He also emphasised the need to promote eco-friendly tourism while maintaining harmony with nature.

Encouraging the youth to actively participate and learn with enthusiasm, he expressed hope that the Youth Festival would yield meaningful and positive outcomes for both Mizoram and its people.

The Youth Festival (Univoyage) 2026 is a two-day event (April 2223), held under the theme "Exploring Diversity, Strengthening Bonds."
Bhubaneswar, April 22 : The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Odisha Police has arrested a bank employee, who is currently placed under suspension, on charges of misappropriating public funds to the tune of Rs 5.21 crore, a senior police official said on Wednesday.

The accused identified as Prashanta Kumar Mallick was working as Senior Associate-cum-Cash In-charge and also performing the duties as a gold appraiser at State Bank of India's (SBI) Balichandrapur branch in Jagatsinghpur district.

The EOW arrested Mallick in connection with a case registered on February 10, 2026, based on a complaint lodged by Peeyus Ranjan Swain, SBI Regional Manager at Jagatsinghpur.

Swain, in the complaint, alleged that during the period from October 2024 to July 2025, the accused Mallick, as a gold appraiser, misappropriated public money to the tune of Rs 5,21,42,000 by sanctioning and disbursing 105 gold loans without proper documentation or original gold ornaments.

Mallick's duty as a gold appraiser is to appraise and verify gold ornaments with the help of goldsmith, ensuring eligibility and compliance with required documents, recommending gold loans for sanction, maintaining custody of executed loan documents and joint custody of pledged gold ornaments along with the Service Manager.

The police during investigation found that during a routine visit by Manorama Rout, SBI Chief Manager at Balasore, in the year 2025, accused Mallick failed to produce files concerning the gold loans sanctioned by the SBI's Balichandrapur branch.

He later absconded from there without any intimation.

"Suspecting foul play, Rout conducted an immediate spot audit of gold loan accounts, followed by a detailed internal investigation, and found that accused Mallick had fraudulently processed 105 gold loan accounts, of which 31 involved pledging spurious or fake gold ornaments, while 74 were sanctioned without any gold ornaments," the EOW official noted.

The senior official also said that several loan documents, including goldsmith valuation reports, were missing and that borrower signatures had been forged.

The investigation also revealed that Mallick, after sanctioning and disbursing the loans, deliberately diverted the funds to his own and other accounts and misappropriated them.

Following the investigation, the EOW sleuths arrested the absconding accused Mallick from Bhubaneswar on April 21.

He was on Wednesday produced before the court that later sent him to judicial custody.
Bhubaneswar, April 22 : The Odisha Cabinet on Wednesday approved eight key proposals, including the Odisha City Gas Distribution (CGD) Policy, aimed at boosting Piped Natural Gas (PNG) and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) infrastructure across the state in line with the broader push for clean and sustainable energy.

The proposals, spanning eight departments, received Cabinet approval at a meeting held at Lok Seva Bhawan under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Wednesday.

Briefing mediapersons after the meeting, Chief Secretary Anu Garg said, "As you all know, following the developments in West Asia, stress is being laid on the use of Piped Natural Gas (PNG) instead of LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas). The aim of the policy is to ensure that PNG reaches cities and institutions across the state. The Government of India is laying significant emphasis on this. It will be a step towards Atmanirbhar Bharat."

She added that the policy would help ease bottlenecks in expanding PNG infrastructure across urban centres by addressing existing challenges such as multi-agency approvals and the absence of a unified regulatory framework.

The City Gas Distribution (CGD) Policy is expected to facilitate faster project implementation through streamlined procedures. The Housing and Urban Development Department will act as the nodal agency, supported by a State-level High-Powered Committee and District Monitoring Committees.

According to an official statement, "With no financial burden on the state exchequer, the policy is expected to attract private investment, generate employment opportunities, and enhance ease of doing business. A one-time moratorium on approval fees till March 2027 has also been proposed."

The Cabinet also approved the Odisha State Data Policy 2.0, which aims to institutionalise a comprehensive and robust data governance framework covering the entire data lifecycle, including the collection, storage, processing, and utilisation of data generated by government departments and associated organisations.

"To ensure effective implementation, the Cabinet has approved a multi-tier governance framework, with the State Data Steering Committee and State Data Governance Committee providing strategic direction and oversight. A State Data Authority will guide governance, protection, interoperability, and capacity building, while OCAC will function as the nodal agency for coordination, monitoring, and technical support. Department-level Committees will ensure compliance and execution," the government said.

Additionally, the Cabinet approved the construction of a high-level bridge over the Kathajodi river on the upstream side of the existing Subash Chandra Bose Setu, aimed at providing a direct link between Cuttack and Bhubaneswar.

The project is expected to ease congestion on National Highway-16 and improve connectivity between the twin cities. The Cabinet approved the lowest turnkey bid of Rs 158.88 crore (excluding GST), awarded to M/s SPS Construction India Pvt Ltd.

The project is targeted for completion within 36 months and is expected to enhance connectivity between Bhubaneswar Airport and Nandankanan Zoological Park, improving travel time and traffic flow.

The Cabinet also approved several other proposals, including a plan by Shree Ambica Cotspin Pvt. Ltd. to establish a state-of-the-art yarn manufacturing (spinning) unit in Bolangir district.

The project is seen as a significant step in the state's strategy to promote industrial development in the KBK region and other Aspirational Districts.
Mumbai, April 23 : The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has launched a fresh campaign in Goregaon aimed at promoting the Marathi language, with auto-rickshaw drivers being mobilised to display boards reading "I Know Marathi" on their vehicles.

The initiative, announced on Wednesday, has quickly drawn attention across political and social circles, sparking both praise and criticism.

MNS leader Sanjay Naik, speaking to the media, said that the campaign is not intended to target any community but rather to highlight the importance of the state's language and cultural identity.

He emphasised that Marathi is central to Maharashtra's heritage and that those living and working in the state should make an effort to learn it.

Naik added that learning the local language helps people integrate more easily into society and demonstrates respect for the culture.

In his remarks, the MNS leader acknowledged the contributions of North Indians who have lived in Maharashtra for decades, raising families and becoming an integral part of society.

He stressed that the campaign is not against them, but is meant to encourage awareness and respect for Marathi.

"I am fighting for the Marathi language. I am fluent in Hindi as well, but I want everyone to understand that Maharashtra has its own distinct identity and language. If one intends to live here, work here, and raise a family, then learning and using Marathi is essential," Naik said.

He also offered an apology if the campaign had inadvertently hurt anyone's sentiments.

The campaign has generated mixed reactions.

Supporters view it as a positive step toward preserving and promoting the local language, reinforcing pride in Maharashtra's cultural heritage.

Critics, however, say that it could be seen as exerting pressure in the name of regional identity, potentially alienating communities who already contribute significantly to the state's social and economic fabric.

By placing "I Know Marathi" boards on auto-rickshaws, the MNS hopes to create visibility and spark conversations about the importance of the language in everyday life.

Whether seen as a cultural assertion or a political move, the campaign underscores the ongoing debate in Maharashtra about balancing regional identity with inclusivity in a diverse society.
Arts

Michelangelo Canale Launches Sarasota Classical Ballet Conservatory in Sarasota

Ballet teacher and choreographer Michelangelo Canale has launched Sarasota Classical Ballet Conservatory, a new school dedicated to classical ballet training in Sarasota, Florida.

The conservatory will focus on technique, discipline, artistry, and the traditions of classical ballet, offering training for students seeking ballet education in the Sarasota area.

Canales background includes study at The Juilliard School and Canadas Royal Winnipeg Ballet School, along with professional experience connected to the Royal Winnipeg Ballet.

Sarasota has a strong arts community, and I am proud to establish a conservatory devoted to the beauty and discipline of classical ballet, Canale said. My goal is to create a place where students can train seriously, grow artistically, and develop a lasting respect for the art form.
Molly Crabapple doesnt consider herself primarily a comics artist, though she has illustrated a graphic novel (Scarlett Takes Manhattan) and a webcomic (The Puppet Makers). But her work always combines prose with vivid illustrations in a way that evokes the magic of comics. Her latest book, Here Where We Live Is Our Country (One World, out now), is a history of the Jewish Bund, the political movement of Russian Jews in the late 19th and early 20th centuries who advocated for equality in the places where they lived, as opposed to the Jewish homeland sought by their Zionist rivals. The story is told through the eyes of Crabapples great-grandfather Sam Rothbort, who was a member of the movement in his hometown of Volkovysk before emigrating to America.

The book has found an audience; Crabapple shared online that it had gone into its fourth printing only three days after its release earlier this month. PW caught up with her to discuss how her use of illustrationsinspired by Rothborts own paintings of his comrades and friendsinformed her urgent new history.

How does your experience with comics and illustration inform your approach to history?

In general, Im not really a comics artist, but I am an illustrator. I've been an illustrator my whole life. I've been drawing since I was four years old, and illustrated art is just how I interface with the world. I draw every single day that I can. I always have my sketchbook with me. I've done a lot of stuff that blends art and journalism. So I would go to the front lines of various protest movements, conflicts, refugee camps, even war zones, and I would use my sketchpad to document the action the way that a photojournalist might use their camera. Ive been to Gaza, the West Bank, Syria, Lebanon, Ukraine during the Russian invasion, and also documenting the aftermath of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico or the U.S.-Mexican border during Trump's first term.

As you see in the book, my whole family are artists. My mothers an artist, she taught me how to paint, and Sam taught my mom how to paint. Ive always viewed art as both our family trade and a gift from Sam. Sam had a body of work that was very influential to me, which was his memory paintings: over 600 watercolors documenting every aspect of life in Volkovysk. Even though he was working from memory and I'm often working from life, this notion that art could fully describe reality was something that I learned very young and has stayed with me my entire life.

Each chapter starts with an illustration of a member of the Bund. How did you decide to structure the book that way?

I just illustrate everything I do. The book without illustrations would be as silly to me as the idea of me publishing a book without words. But one of my favorite illustrations is on the title page, its my personal reinterpretation of [Rothborts painting] Itka the Bundist. I did Itka and her boyfriendmy best friend Max and I both posed for it. Sam's work is so beautiful, but it couldn't be printed in black and white, so I couldn't use his work for the book. But I decided that at the very least I wanted to reinterpret it in my own style. And I actually ended up doing all of these photo shoots of my friends recreating a lot of his other Bundist paintings because he did so many.

Most members of the Bund died during World War II and the Holocaust. When you read about stuff like this, it can so easily feel like just an endless list of names. What I love about your illustrations at the beginning of each chapter is they remind readers that this was a movement made of people and every single person had a face, a name, and a story. How does that contribute to the history that you're telling?

Thats something that I try to go in my work in general, even when I'm reporting, because a lot of times the way people who are going through war or disaster are portrayed, it's almost like this horde of suffering and it's very flattening and stupid. I have always tried to show people as they are: Funny, sexy, maddening, stubborn, annoying, brilliant, each of them a universe. Its the same when Im drawing pictures from the past.

Theres this book that I really love called The Bund in Pictures, it's like a yearbook and it has all these photos of these people and they look so cool. They have these really hot chicks and they have cool hats, but they look like people, you know what I mean? People you would know. I love that. They don't have very long descriptions. They mostly have one or two sentences about them. Sometimes the sentences are extremely funny. There's one that I remember of this guy with this mustache that makes him look like he's a steampunk cosplayer. It says his name, and then it says, "Slapped the police chief for failing to doff his hat to the red flag." He just looks so self-satisfied with this awesome curly mustache. I just really love that individuality of people. I always try to capture that because ultimately history happens to individuals.
Bitchy! The Exasperating Existence of Midge McCracken finally has an official new release date after delays apparently caused by the ongoing conflict with Iran. Fantagraphics confirmed to PW that the collection of Roberta Gregorys Midge McCracken comics is currently clearing U.S. customs, and will now be published on July 21.

Bitchy! had originally been slated for a March release this year, and was later delayed until June. Then, the U.S. and Israels attacks on Iran led to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway that cargo ships use to traverse the Persian Gulf. Fantagraphics executives believed that the Bitchy! print run had been loaded onto a ship that then got caught in the Iranian blockadeand even worse, they suspected it had been struck by an Iranian missile.

But after a thorough investigation, NPRs Planet Money discovered that wasnt true at all. The copies of Bitchy! were still in India, and had never made it into the Persian Gulf. They have since embarked on a different route, one not hindered by war or blockades, and will make it to market this summer.

If this current sailing schedule holds, which I am pretty confident at this point it will, mid-July, Fantagraphics production manager Kristian St. Clair told NPR. There's only so many things that can go wrong with one particular book. So I feel like these books have exhausted that.

Fantagraphics' website still lists the publication date as June 2, but it will likely be updated soon. Bitchy! is now available for pre-order purchase, with a note: "Shipping calculated at checkout."
Several hundred booksellers from across Europe and the Americas gathered in Verona, Italy, April 1920 for the annual RISE Bookselling Conference, organized by the European and International Booksellers Federation (EIBF) and co-funded by the European Union's Creative Europe program.

The conferencewhich rotates venues annually and has previously been held in Prague, Riga, and Lisbonis modeled on the ABA's Winter Institute. It offers two days of keynotes, panels, and networking with no publisher presentations, and featured a small exhibitor floor that included Libro.fm, U.K. invoicing aggregator Batch, and Nielsen.

Much like at the London Book Fair and the Bologna Children's Book Fair earlier this year, one of the hot topics at RISE was the decline in reading for pleasure, especially among young people. The question of how to get more people into bookshops anchored a Monday panel titled "Reading Starts Here: Reading Promotion Across the Sector," moderated by Emma Bradshaw of the U.K.'s Booksellers Association.

Booksellers can only do so much, panelists argued; the habit starts at home. "Reading needs to be modeled by parents at home, and children need to see their parents read, or else they will not be interested," said Roxane Moreil of Librairie l'oiseau tempete in Saint-Nazaire, France. "We need to make reading more accessible and attractive, and part of that is making the bookshop more visible."

Moreil said that middle- and working-class customers in France often avoid bookstores because they feel they do not know the "cultural codes." To reach non-readers, her shop has sold books at a weekly farmers' market and at a local hip-hop festival.

Elena Martinez Blanco, owner of Libreria Serendipias in Tres Cantos, outside Madrid, said bookshops need to signal that they welcome everyone, particularly young people. "As communities become more conservative, young adults are often viewed as potentially troublesome, and our bookshop is a safe place for them," she said.

The bigger challenge is selling books at all. Martinez Blanco said her town is largely populated by commuters who default to ordering from Amazon. "Our first challenge is reminding everyone that we are there," she said.

Blanco's shop runs FestiLIJ3C, which she described as Spain's largest children's and young adult literature festival, drawing 70 authors and 3,500 children last year. She has since launched a sister edition, FestiLIJ Aridane, on the Canary island of La Palma, started after the 2021 volcanic eruption to bring stories to children whose homes and schools were destroyed.

AI was also a big topic of discussion, with panels on the subject drawing large audiences. One panel was moderated by Laura Karlsson, director of the Finnish Booksellers Association, and featured Christoph Hanni, head of education at the Swiss Booksellers and Publishers Association and Fabian Paagman, president of EIB and managing director of Dutch chain Paagman Boekhandels. The trio sought to offer booksellers a framework for thinking about how AI might impact their business.

Karlsson structured the conversation around the EIBF's October 2025 AI position paper, which splits the issue into generative and assistive AI, and opened by asking the room how many attendees were already using AI in their work. A substantial share of hands went up.

Paagman said the Dutch market is seeing a "very responsive reaction" to a flood of AI-generated titles from unfamiliar publishers, adding that some established houses are quietly testing readers' tolerance for AI-generated books by producing small print runs. He argued the sector's most urgent task is building metadata and labeling infrastructure to identify AI-generated titles across the supply chain. "Booksellers, libraries, distribution houseswe are curators," he said. "We are curators of titles, we are curators of trust. We cannot lose that."

Hanni said Swiss booksellers themselves are not yet heavy AI users, and customers going into a physical bookshop still expect a human behind the recommendation. He pointed to Penguin Random House Germany's lawsuit against OpenAI as a sign that the legal framework is only beginning to form. "I think we are at the beginning of the discussion," he said. "I don't know where we'll be in five years."

Asked about threats and opportunities, Paagman said, "We actually may think we are going to be endangered by AI," and then urged booksellers to act "from our strengths and not out of fear." Hanni named copyright and the environmental cost of generative AI as the clearest threats, and pointed to stock management and customer outreach as the most promising uses.

Jamie Fiocco, owner of Flyleaf Books in Chapel Hill, N.C., was among a half dozen American booksellers in attendance. She cited the AI discussion as among the most relevant to her work, saying, "I am curious to see what is going to happen and how it might be implemented."

Other Americans who made the trip included American Booksellers Association CEO Allison Hill; Kimberly Brock, adult book buyer at Joseph-Beth Booksellers in Cincinnati, Ohio; Jessica Osborne and Melissa Taylor, co-owners of E. Shaver, Bookseller in Savannah, Ga.; and sweet pea Flaherty, owner of King's Books in Tacoma, Wash.

More than a dozen Canadian booksellers also attended, with several stating they had opted to attend RISE instead of the ABA's Winter Institute as a direct result of President Trump's belligerence toward Canada.

The topics under discussion at RISE ranged widely. "Bookshops Under Attack: Risks, Responsibilities, and the Power of Political Engagement," moderated by Jessica Sanger of Germany's Borsenverein, featured Flaherty alongside Edwige Adjomale of France's Syndicat de la Librairie Francaise and Frederike Schuur of Sternschnuppe Buchhandlung in Hanover, who initiated Germany's first bookstore crawl.

Additional panels tackled bookshop succession, sustainability, public procurement, curating non-Western literature, and self-censorship. Keynotes came from German urban futurist Stefan Carsten, who argued that bookstores are anchors of livable communities, and Spanish bookseller Jorge Cabezas Montanana, who recounted how his store, Somnis de Paper in Benetusser, Valencia, was destroyed by flooding in 2024 and rebuilt by its supporters.

Georgian novelist Iva Pezuashvili closed the conference with a conversation with Sanger, speaking about the rapid erosion of literary freedom under Georgia's increasingly authoritarian government. Pezuashvili described a Russian-style "foreign agents" law under which writers, translators, and publishers who accept European grants, which provide important financing for translation, now face up to six years in prison. He said the presence of a nonbinary character in one of his novels could be used against him under newly expanded laws restricting LGBTQ content.

Pezuashvili's warning to European colleagues was direct. "It is easy to underestimate the speed of democratic collapse," he said, urging booksellers and publishers to immediately fight back against any instance of censorship. "Don't close your eyes."

Next year's RISE Bookselling Conference will take place in Galway, Ireland. Dates have yet to be announced.
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Meet the Moto G 2025 smartphone -- your go-to for everyday app access and fun. The super-bright 6.7" diagonal display and Dolby Atmos stereo speakers make video calls and scrolling through social feeds a treat. Snap post-worthy pics with the 50-megapixel Quad Pixel camera, a secondary Macro Vision camera, and a front-facing selfie cam, whether you're capturing cute family moments or vacation views. With superfast 5G and a battery that keeps up, you can stream and stay connected through weekend adventures and your average day of appointments, too. Plus, the stylish, water-resistant design and 64GB of built-in storage mean you can take this smartie anywhere and keep everything you love right at your fingertips. From Tracfone.
If you value privacy, you may not want to go to Hong Kong anytime soon. Already reeling under the draconian National Security Law, the government of Hong Kong decided it didnt go far enough. Now, the right to privacy is going out the window for computer passwords. Once a beacon of liberty, Hong Kong is fast becoming a warning sign for how fast tyranny can be imposed.

According to the amendment to the National Security Law (NSL), anyone who refuses to give up their computer password could be sentenced to a year in prison. This includes professionals whose devices contain privileged information, such as journalists, doctors, and lawyers, making the NSL even more stringent than it was before the amendment. Already, the NSL imposes harsh sanctions on anyone accused of sedition. Hundreds of Hong Kongers have been arrested under the law, with a conviction rate of over 80%%. Erasing any doubt that Hong Kong has the rule of law.

This amendment is significant for a couple of reasons. First, it interferes with the right to a fair trial. Defendants need to be able to communicate openly with their attorneys. If a lawyers computers and cellphones are subject to warrantless searches, defendants will not openly discuss their cases with their lawyers, hampering their ability to strategize. Second, the amendment can be used as a fishing expedition by law enforcement. Under the rule of law, the burden of proof lies with the prosecutor to prove that the accused has credibly committed a crime. After the recent amendment, Hong Kong law enforcement can simply search through people's records until they find something incriminating.

This doesnt just affect Hong Kong residents; foreigners are also subject to the amendment to the NSL, including businessmen, tourists, and even people merely passing through. As a result, the US Consulate General in Hong Kong and Macau issued a travel warning for U.S. citizens traveling through or to the city, upsetting Chinas Hong Kong Affairs Office. In an incredible twist of irony, the Hong Kong government wants to have its cake and eat it too. They want to be able to oppress their people and foreigners with impunity and not suffer the consequences of this policy on their economy and tourism. The US State Department is wise not to back down.

The change to the NSL wont just affect tourism in the city; it will also affect its status as a financial hub. In years past, Hong Kong was one of Asias financial hubs due to a relaxed regulatory environment and its independent judiciary. However, the independent nature of Hong Kong declined to such a point that the US revoked Hong Kongs special status in 2020. The amendment to the NSL only further hurts Hong Kongs reputation, which will further damage its economy.

Unfortunately for the people of Hong Kong, loss of freedom is a feature, not a bug. When Beijing signed the Joint Declaration, returning Hong Kong to China from Britain, it promised it would allow Hong Kong 50 years of autonomy, respect for its liberties, and democracy for the citys residents. China never intended to uphold those promises.

It wasnt always like this in Hong Kong. There was a time when it was one of the freest cities on Earth. Milton Friedman filmed parts of his Free to Choose documentary there. The Heritage Foundation regularly ranked it at the top of its economic freedom ranking. This is the legacy of more than a century of British cultural influence. Free markets, the rule of law, and freedom of speech are some of the institutions the British left behind.

Not wanting to let those freedoms leave with the British, Hong Kongers like Jimmy Lai and Martin Lee fought to preserve them. Enduring imprisonment and ludicrous political prosecutions for their troubles. Despite their efforts, the march of tyranny carried on in Hong Kong.

Instead of autonomy, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) imposed tyranny. Instead of liberty, it got laws that violated the freedom protected by the Basic Law, Hong Kongs constitution. Instead of democracy, it has patriots only requirements to stand for the Legislative Council. Beijing has reneged on every promise it made to Hong Kong.

Hong Kong is likely to continue its descent into tyranny, but the United States doesnt need to whitewash it. The US and the West as a whole should continue to raise awareness about the tyranny in Hong Kong. The State Department should keep warning people about the dangers of traveling there. In addition, President Trump and other leaders should press Beijing to free Jimmy Lai and other dissidents. His upcoming visit to China in May is a prime opportunity to raise the issue of Mr. Lais freedom.

The latest amendment to the National Security Law takes the political climate in Hong Kong from bad to worse. Hundreds of people have already had their rights violated, and things will only get worse from here. If there is any hope for freedom in Hong Kong, supporters in the West have to fight for it.
Disney/Bahareh Ritter

By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 04/22/2026



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Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade.

will officially resume filming Season 5, and Taylor Frankie Paul has disputed reports she will be left out of the cast.Hulu confirmed will resume production on Season 5 after a brief hiatus, Deadline Hollywood reported Tuesday, April 21.News broke on March 16 that stopped filming its fifth season after Taylor was involved in a February domestic assault dispute with ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen, with whom she shares her youngest son, Ever True, 2.An insider close to the cast told People at the time that the Mormon Wives women refused to film with Taylor and no longer wanted to be associated with her.(Taylor's co-star Jessi Draper later claimed the decision was made in Taylor's best interest and to essentially protect her from sharing misinformation).Hulu -- who confirmed that will pick back up ahead of Disney's big "Get Real" reality event on Wednesday, April 22 -- did not specify when exactly cameras will begin rolling again.Deadline Hollywood was also initially unsure of whether Taylor was asked to rejoin the SLOMW cast in the aftermath of multiple domestic violence investigations involving Dakota and the cancellation of her The Bachelorette season, which was supposed to premiere March 22 on ABC.People subsequently reported that Taylor and Dakota will not be a part of cast when filming starts up again.But Taylor, 31, appeared to shut down the claim she won't be returning to via social media."Interesting, that's not the call I got," Taylor replied in the comments section of People's Instagram post about the report.A source close to Taylor later clarified to People that the MomTok creator won't be filming right when production resumes -- but she "has the option to return" at any point or make an appearance."She's receiving strong support from the cast and producers but is focusing on her kids and mental health issues and recovery from an abusive relationship," the source said."She's doing great, and realizing how abusive her relationship actually was."An insider told Us earlier this week that Taylor wants to come back to The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives because she's in a "much better place" now and has been "trying to mend things with" her co-stars "so everyone can move forward peacefully."The source added, "Taylor feels like she will bounce back from this, especially now that there won't be any charges filed against her. She knows her legal battle is far from over but does feel like she had a small victory."Two Utah police departments launched separate domestic violence investigations in February into alleged altercations between Taylor and Dakota, but Taylor will not face charges."After reviewing reports and evidence submitted to the Draper Police Department and West Jordan Police Department, the Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office has declined to file charges against Taylor Frankie Paul ," District Attorney Sim Gill's office said in a statement to Us earlier this month.In letters dated April 14 to both departments, prosecutors reportedly explained that some of the alleged incidents occurred more than two years ago and therefore fall outside the statute of limitations.Prosecutors said other allegations either did not "rise to the level of criminal offenses" or lacked specificity and "sufficient evidence to support filing criminal charges."While officials confirmed that the investigations will not impact the MomTok creator's probation status stemming from her 2023 arrest and indictment, Taylor was placed on a 36-month probation period, which is scheduled to end on August 24, 2026.No other individuals were considered for charges in connection with the cases.Taylor wrote April 14 on Instagram, " Cried when I got the call . [Praying hands emoji]. THANK YOU to those that have stood with me."She also told her fans that she'll be continuing to share on social media, "showing how ugly healing can truly be."That same day, Dakota issued a statement of his own."Over the past several weeks, I've taken a step back and had time away from the chaos. That space has been a breath of fresh air and has given me clarity. My focus now is where it should have been all along -- on my son and creating a stable, healthy environment for him moving forward," Dakota wrote via Instagram."I regret not stepping away from the difficult cycle sooner. I'm not perfect, and I take accountability for my part. I'm sincerely sorry to those I've hurt. At the same time, I don't agree with how this situation has been portrayed publicly. It does not reflect the full context of what occurred or the impact it has had on me and my son."The Draper City Police Department previously confirmed in March that it had opened a domestic assault investigation involving Taylor and Dakota, noting that allegations had been made by both parties following contact with them in late February.A police report later obtained by the magazine stated that the investigation began after a friend of Dakota's reported he had allegedly "been the victim of a domestic violence assault by an ex-girlfriend at her Draper residence."Dakota reportedly described two incidents of physical altercations with Taylor allegedly involving "grabbing, scratching, shoving and striking." Authorities also obtained photographs of "neck scratches" Taylor had allegedly inflicted on Dakota.The West Jordan Police Department confirmed it was conducting a separate domestic violence investigation after Dakota contacted police in late February and provided additional information in March, including a video believed to date back to early-to-mid 2024.Dakota filed for a protective order against Taylor on March 19, which was the same day ABC had announced its decision to cancel The Bachelorette's 22nd season.Taylor filed her own request on April 7 , alleging a "pattern of abusive conduct and coercive control" during her on-again, off-again relationship with Dakota.Taylor reportedly alleged in her filing that Dakota became "increasingly possessive" as her originally-scheduled March 22 premiere of The Bachelorette neared.Taylor claimed Dakota had sent her obsessive texts, asked her for sex, caused physical bruises on her body, and got her initials tattooed on the inside of his lip in February.Taylor also alleged that Dakota "assaulted" her by "slamming her head against the dashboard of his truck and striking her knee and elbow" after driving her away from her Utah home against her will on February 23.During an April 7 court hearing, a judge granted Dakota temporary custody of their son. Taylor was only given up to eight hours per week of supervised visitation with Ever, either with a paid supervisor or an individual approved by a guardian ad litem.Following the April 7 hearing, Dakota's attorney Joel Kittrell said in a statement, "Today's hearing was used by the respondent to assassinate Dakota's character as a dad, whose only concern is for the welfare of his son, Ever. We look forward to the 30th to tell the true story."On April 8, Taylor was granted her own temporary restraining order against Dakota.The custody arrangement will remain in place until the pair's next court hearing scheduled for April 30, when a judge is expected to review their dueling protective orders.While Taylor was under investigation for the February allegations, a 2023 video of her and Dakota having a domestic dispute leaked on March 19 and showed Taylor punching, kicking and throwing metal barstools at Dakota.When Taylor was attacking Dakota in the video footage, her daughter Indy, now 8, was present and could be heard crying and screaming "mommy" in the background. Dakota could also be heard claiming that one of the stools had struck Indy during the altercation.Taylor's season of The Bachelorette was axed only hours after the video went viral.A spokesperson for Taylor -- who shares Indy and also son Ocean, 5, with ex-husband Tate Paul -- claimed that Taylor was "very grateful for ABC's support" as she prioritized her family's "safety and security" in a March 19 statement."After years of silently suffering extensive mental and physical abuse as well as threats of retaliation, Taylor is finally gaining the strength to face her accuser and taking steps to ensure that she and her children are protected from any further harm," the spokesperson said on Taylor's behalf.Taylor was previously arrested for the 2023 fight with Dakota on charges of aggravated assault, two counts of domestic violence in the presence of a child, child abuse with injury, and criminal mischief.Taylor pleaded guilty in August 2023 to aggravated assault in exchange for the dismissal of her other four charges.Taylor ultimately reached a plea deal that -- assuming its terms and conditions were followed -- would reduce her aggravated assault charge to a misdemeanor in August 2026, according to Us. Click here to read all the spoilers for Taylor's The Bachelorette season and find out her winner and how her journey ended.
Reality TV World is now available on the all-new Google News app and website. Click here to visit our Google News page, and then click FOLLOW to add us as a news source!
On April 11, the Athens-Clarke County Police Department (ACCPD) received a call from a male individual reporting an incident of indecent exposure.

He explained that at 5:15 p.m., he noticed two college-aged females in the courtyard directly outside his window. One of the female individuals removed her dress and was standing in public completely naked. She then began to urinate in the mulch beneath his window.
Tesla is accelerating its presence in India with the launch of the new Model YL SUV, alongside plans to significantly expand its service and charging infrastructure, while also exploring the introduction of its Optimus humanoid robot and energy solutions to the Indian market.

All photographs of Tesla's three-row six-seater YL are courtesy Tesla.

Key Points Tesla has launched its second model in India, the three-row six-seater YL, priced at Rs 61.99 lakh.

The company plans to expand its service and body shop network in cities like Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Ahmedabad.

Tesla is committed to building charging infrastructure across major Indian highways, connecting cities like Delhi, Chandigarh, Jaipur, and Pune.

Tesla will bring its humanoid robot, Optimus, to India at the right time, with volume production starting later this year in the US.

The company is also considering introducing its vertically integrated energy solution business, including solar and energy storage, to India when appropriate.

American electric carmaker Tesla on Wednesday announced acceleration of its journey in India, driving in the three-row six-seater Model YL priced at Rs 61.99 lakh, its second offering in the country.

The company, which last year made its much-awaited entry into India with the launch of its Model Y, is also revving up expansion of charging network across highways connecting major cities.

Expanding Service and Charging Network

"What we are going to do in the coming quarter or in this quarter is to expand our service and body shop network and presence in cities of Bengal, Hyderabad, Chennai and Ahmedabad," Tesla India general manager Sharad Agarwal said at the launch.

Stating that the company will be closer to its customers, he said, "Service for us is more of peace of mind to our customers because you don't need to come to the Tesla service centre to fix your car."

Charging is a very important part of the ecosystem that we are building here in India, he said and added the company had already enabled five supercharger stations in India and each of these locations was strategically selected.

Agarwal said the company is looking to "disrupt" the premium segment with the newly launched Model YL.

"We want to build the charging around the lifestyle of our customers," he said.

India has a similar population like China where Tesla has 2,500 plus superchargers, he said.

"That is what when we are committed to the market, as the market demands, as per the lifestyle of our customers... we are going to build the charging infrastructure in this country," Agarwal said.

"And in the coming months, you will see that we will connect the major cities in this country with our supercharger and charging network.

"This will include Delhi, Chandigarh, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Pune, Bangalore, and Chennai.

"So you will see the supercharger infrastructure on these key highways," he said.

He said the company also planned to build destination charging infrastructure around these cities because this is where its customers are.

That is how we will build and expand the charging ecosystem for our customers, he added.

Future Technologies: Optimus Robot and Energy Solutions

American electric carmaker Tesla will bring its humanoid robot, Optimus to India at the right time, a senior company official said on Wednesday.

Photograph: Tesla Handout via Reuters

The company will also look at bringing its vertically integrated energy solution business to the country at an appropriate time, Tesla chief for APAC region Isabel Fan told reporters.

She said Tesla will start volume production of Optimus later this year in the US.

"Humanoid robots will be big part of our life in the future," Fan said.

Humanoid robots would have several uses, including as a companion or to execute "dangerous task" that a human would not prefer to do, besides providing home medical requirement support, she noted.

"I have a commitment when it (time) comes right on the things (as) you have seen (in) other markets, we want to bring to India.

"That's the goal," Fan said referring to the company's humanoid robot.

With the help of robots human lives will be much easier, she added.

"This is a good option for humans to have a better use of time and be more productive."

On Tesla's energy solutions business, she said it is significant globally but "we don't talk enough in India".

"We are also a vertically integrated energy solution company, from solar, from energy storage to the usage plans and EV is one of them," Fan said, adding the company also offers mega pack power storage for commercial and power wall for consumers.

"So hopefully in the near future, I think we have needs. India is not short of sun (and) we may need," she said, adding when the right time comes the company would bring the energy solutions business to the country.

Fan was speaking at the launch of Tesla's second model in India, the six-seater, three-row Model Y L.
Indian life insurance companies are facing market pressure and a dip in share prices following a directive from the Department of Financial Services (DFS) urging banks to abandon exclusive tie-ups with their insurance subsidiaries in favour of an 'open architecture' model.

Illustration: Dominic Xavier/Rediff

Key Points Shares of major life insurance companies, including SBI Life and Canara HSBC Life, declined following comments from the DFS secretary regarding ending exclusive bank-insurer tie-ups.

The Department of Financial Services (DFS) is urging banks to adopt an 'open architecture' model, remaining neutral rather than exclusively partnering with their own insurance subsidiaries.

Analysts suggest that a mandatory open architecture could reverse cost advantages for insurers, potentially leading to higher prices for consumers.

Exclusive bancassurance models are argued to reduce distribution costs and mis-selling, allowing insurers to offer more affordable products.

The Economic Survey previously highlighted the need for the insurance industry to reduce distribution costs to improve affordability and penetration.

Shares of life insurance companies came under pressure on Tuesday, with SBI Life Insurance and Canara HSBC Life Insurance seeing the sharpest declines among listed life insurers.

This followed comments by M Nagaraju, secretary at the Department of Financial Services (DFS), in an interview with ET Now, where he said banks were being asked to avoid exclusive tie-ups with their own insurance subsidiaries and remain neutral instead.

Shares of SBI Life closed 3.32 per cent lower at Rs 1,915, recovering from the intraday low of Rs 1,892.50 on BSE.

Among other life insurers, shares of Canara HSBC Life Insurance ended 4.36 per cent lower at Rs 143.80.

ICICI Prudential"s shares ended 1.4 per cent below at Rs 549.95, Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) was down 0.5 per cent at Rs 824.05, Max Financial Services was down 2.32 per cent to Rs 1,649.75 and HDFC Life Insurance was marginally up at Rs 614.20.

Impact on Bancassurance Models

"SBI Life derives almost over 60 per cent of its business from banca channel and substantial part of that is from SBI, which doesn"t follow an open architecture model.

"A matter as important as mandatory open architecture in India can only happen within the powers of Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (Irdai), which needs to have a two-way communication process between the participant and the regulator.

"Hence, we don"t see this happening any time soon," said Suresh Ganapathy, managing director, head of financial services research at Macquarie Capital.

According to analysts at Emkay, there is a strong case for bancassurance to remain exclusive.

An exclusive tie-up eliminates the need of insurance company salespersons to be present across bank branches, hence reducing distribution costs.

Secondly, data affirms that the distribution cost in exclusive bancassurance has been much lower over the years; this enables the insurer to offer affordable products.

Thirdly, by offering products of its own subsidiary with the parent brand name, there is higher amount of ownership and care in the selling process, resulting in lower mis-selling.

Concerns Over Cost and Affordability

"In this backdrop, forcing banks to go for open-architecture will reverse the cost advantage and eventually drive up prices for consumers.

"A consumer has many channels outside the bank to buy insurance, including agents, other banks, brokers, and now Bima Sugam too," analyst at Emkay said in its report.

"In the backdrop of the government"s heightened concern about increasing distribution cost in insurance, the idea of forced open architecture is conflicting with the idea of reducing costs," analyst at Emkay said in its report.

Nagaraju who took charge as Secretary of the DFS on August 19, 2024, will retire on May 31, 2026.

Earlier in the year, the Economic Survey had also said that the insurance industry needs to reduce overall costs and distribution outgo to improve affordability, which will enable it to tap into the "missing middle" and reverse the decline in penetration.

The escalating cost of acquisition is a structural constraint on the sector"s evolution  limiting inclusion, eroding consumer value and threatening long-term stability of the sector, the survey highlighted.

The high-cost model of the industry is acting as a risk to the core financial strength of insurers.

Despite an increase in top-line growth, private life insurers have seen a stagnation in their net profit, as margins are compressed by escalating acquisition expenses.

Similarly, the non-life sector faces high combined ratios, which is forcing them to rely on investment income to subsidise operations, exposing the bottom line of the companies to capital market volatility.
HCLTech shares experienced a significant downturn, plummeting nearly 10 per cent after the IT major's March quarter earnings and a cautious FY27 revenue growth guidance of 1-4 per cent failed to impress investors amidst a volatile demand environment.

Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters

HCL Technologies Q4 Results: Key points HCLTech shares plummeted nearly 10 per cent following the announcement of its March quarter earnings, wiping out Rs 37,652.1 crore from its market valuation.

The company reported a 4.20 per cent year-on-year rise in consolidated net profit to Rs 4,488 crore for Q4 FY26, but this fell below investor expectations.

HCLTech projected a cautious FY27 revenue growth in the range of 1 per cent to 4 per cent in constant currency terms, citing market volatility, reduced discretionary spending, and client-specific ramp-downs.

CEO C Vijayakumar acknowledged that the company's performance was below expectations due to softness in certain business areas and delayed decision-making.

Other major IT stocks, including Tech Mahindra, Infosys, TCS, and Wipro, also experienced declines, contributing to a 3.04 per cent drop in the BSE IT index.

Shares of IT major HCLTech on Wednesday tumbled nearly 10 per cent after the company's March quarter earnings failed to cheer investors.

The stock tanked 9.70 per cent to Rs 1,301.60 on the BSE.

At the NSE, the stock dropped 9.72 per cent to Rs 1,301.

The company's market valuation eroded by Rs 37,652.1 crore to Rs 3,53,536.29 crore during morning trade.

HCL Technologies Q4 Results: What Went Wrong?

HCLTech on Tuesday reported a 4.20 per cent year-on-year rise in consolidated net profit to Rs 4,488 crore in the January-March quarter of FY26, even as the management flagged a highly volatile demand environment shadowed by tariffs and softened discretionary spending, while giving a FY27 growth guidance of 1-4 per cent.

The Noida-headquartered firm had reported a consolidated net profit of Rs 4,307 crore in the same period of FY25.

The firm's revenue from operations rose 12.34 per cent to Rs 33,981 crore in Q4 FY26, up from Rs 30,246 crore in Q4 FY25.

Why Analysts Are Cautious on HCL Tech

The IT major projected its FY27 revenue growth in the range of 1 per cent to 4 per cent in constant currency (CC) terms. The company attributed the broad band of guidance to market volatility, reduced discretionary spending, and two client-specific situations where it expects some ramp-downs.

HCLTech CEO and MD C Vijayakumar termed the year as an uncertain demand environment.

"During the quarter, our performance came below our expectations due to softness in certain parts of our business, due to lower discretionary spend and delayed decision making.

"Our new AI-led service offerings are getting traction in the market and are reflected in annualised Advanced AI revenues crossing USD 620 million in Q4. Our number one priority in FY27 is to ensure the company is positioned right to take advantage of AI opportunities for multi-decade value creation," he said.

FY27 Guidance Explained: What to Expect

Among other IT stocks, Tech Mahindra lost 4.18 per cent, Infosys dropped 3.78 per cent, Tata Consultancy Services traded 1.83 per cent lower, and Wipro dipped 0.66 per cent.

The BSE IT index declined 3.04 per cent to 29,703.02.
The Reserve Bank of India is set to revamp regulations for Prepaid Payment Instruments (PPIs) with new guidelines focused on enhancing transaction security, clarifying refund processes, and improving overall consumer protection.

Key Points RBI proposes enhanced security measures for Prepaid Payment Instruments (PPIs) to protect users.

New guidelines include clearer rules on refunds and grievance redressal for PPI transactions.

The draft allows banks and authorised non-bank entities to issue PPIs, subject to certain conditions.

The RBI proposes limits on the amount outstanding and cash loading for general purpose PPIs.

PPI issuers must disclose all features, charges, and terms to PPI holders in clear language.

The RBI on Wednesday proposed several measures to develop a more conducive framework for the long-term growth of Prepaid Payment Instruments (PPIs), including enhanced transaction security and clearer rules on refunds and grievance redressal.

PPI is a payment instrument in which money is loaded and which facilitates subsequent transactions utilising the fund. These instruments are categorised as general purpose PPI, gift PPI, transit PPI, PPI for NRIs, besides certain other specific purpose PPI.

RBI's Comprehensive Review of PPI Guidelines

RBI said that as part of its continued efforts to develop a conducive framework for long-term growth of PPIs with enhanced security of transactions, a comprehensive review of the extant guidelines has been undertaken.

Accordingly, a draft Master Direction on Prepaid Payment Instruments was issued, and comments were invited by May 22, 2026.

A bank permitted by RBI to issue debit cards can issue PPIs, with prior intimation to the Department of Payment and Settlement Systems (DPSS), Central Office, RBI, Mumbai, the draft said.

A non-bank entity too can issue PPIs after authorisation from the RBI.

"A non-bank applicant shall have a minimum net-worth of Rs 5 crore, and shall submit acertificate...from its statutory auditor," the draft said.

Futher, a non-bank PPI issuer should attain a minimum net-worth of Rs 15 crore by the end of the third financial year of authorisation.

Proposed Limits on PPI Amounts and Cash Loading

In case of general purpose PPI, the RBI proposed that the amount outstanding in such PPI should not exceed Rs 2 lakh at any point of time, and cash loading in such PPI should be limited to Rs 10,000 per month.

The draft further said the maximum value of a Gift PPI should not exceed Rs 10,000 and in case of Transit PPI Rs 3,000.

Also, a PPI wallet may be issued to foreign nationals / NRIs, after physical verification of Passport and Visa, for making Person to Merchant (P2M) payments during their stay in India.

"Loading of such PPI shall be against receipt of foreign exchange by cash or throughany payment instrument. Total amount debited from such PPI during any month shall not exceed Rs 5 lakh," the RBI's draft added.

Refunds, Interoperability, and Disclosure Norms

The draft said refunds in case of failed, returned, rejected, or cancelled transactions should be applied to the respective PPI immediately, even if such refunds result in exceeding the prescribed limits for that specific PPI category.

Though refunds of transactions done using any other payment instrument would not be credited to PPI.

RBI also proposed that a PPI issuer should facilitate interoperability with card network or Unified Payments Interface (UPI), on the issuer side to a holder of Full-KYC PPI, as per the conditions prescribed by the respective network provider.

"A PPI issuer may also facilitate discovery of PPI on third-party UPI mobile applications," it said.

It also proposes that a PPI issuer should disclose all features of PPI, and all associated charges, validity period and terms and conditions in clear and simple language (preferably in English, Hindi and the local language) to the holder while issuing the PPI.

Agents of the PPI issuer should not impose any charges on the customers, the proposal added.

The draft also proposed norms for limiting liability of customers in unauthorised PPI transaction.

It also said a non-bank PPI issuer shall maintain the funds collected against issuance of PPIs in a separate escrow account (in INR) with a commercial bank in India.

The RBI's proposed guidelines aim to streamline the use of digital wallets and prepaid cards, reflecting the increasing adoption of digital payment methods in India. These measures could impact fintech companies and consumers alike, as the central bank seeks to balance innovation with security. The move aligns with the RBI's broader efforts to regulate and promote a robust digital payments ecosystem.
This article was first published 22 years ago

"I can't understand what's happening," the doctor tells Tabu when she discusses her problem with him, midway through the film.

"I can't understand it either," she replies emotionally.

"We can't understand your film," screamed an irritated, impatient voice in the audience at the first day first show of Guddu Dhanoa's Hawa at a Mumbai theatre.

The laughter and whistles that followed the statement summed up the audience's reaction to the horror flick.

The film's hoardings, which show a seemingly naked Tabu screaming against the tagline 'Sexual Violence', had raised expectations that Hawa would be a titillating film. But the sighs, groans, and restless shuffling of the predominantly male audience in the half-empty auditorium showed that their expectations had been dashed.

Not that the film does not fall into the 'titillating' category. But, while trying to imitate the crowd-pulling tactics of films like Shashilal Nair's Ek Chhotisi Love Story (Manisha Koirala) and Govind Menon's Khwahish (Mallika Sherawat, Himanshu Malik), the film fails to provide enough flesh or fright.

Heavily 'inspired' by Sidney Furie's 1982 horror film The Entity (Barbara Hershey, Ron Silver), Hawa begins with a divorcee (Tabu) moving into her new bungalow in Manali with her younger brother (television actor Imran Khan), two daughters, and a dog.

The weather here isn't too kind. Thunderstorms hit the area and lightning strikes next to her compound. Soon Tabu, her brother, and his faithful dog start hearing and seeing 'airy' things. In no time, the dog is possessed, goes missing, and dies after he returns.

The invisible spirit soon takes a fancy to Tabu and rapes her one night. She cannot share what has happened with her kids and brother. When her house is attacked again, she rushes to the house of her friend Pooja (television actress Grusha Kapoor). But Pooja's husband (Vishwajeet Pradhan) does not want them there, forcing Tabu to return home.

On Pooja's advice, Tabu meets a doctor (Shahbaz Khan), who does not believe she is being raped by an invisible ghost. He thinks she is imagining things because she is a divorcee. She walks out of his dispensary.

Soon, Tabu is raped again and again and yet again. When she goes back to the doctor (why she has to go back to him so often is never explained), he believes her injuries are real, but still feels she has a case of split personality.

He consults a psychiatrist-exorcist (Mukesh Tiwari) who he hopes will solve Tabu's problem.

Some special effects, irritating dialogues, and much unnecessary blood and gore later, Tabu does herself, and the audience, a favour by bringing the film to an end.

The film has no songs. That was a good idea for a fast-paced film like Ram Gopal Varma's Bhoot. I don't know whether it works in a slow, unentertaining film like Hawa.

The background score and camerawork try too hard to frighten. I'm afraid that does not work.

Special effects are good in certain scenes -- especially towards the film's latter half -- and make one sit up and take note. They are better than those in Vikram Bhatt's Raaz, though the film itself doesn't match up to Raaz.

After the failure of 23 March 1931: Shaheed last year, Guddu Dhanoa must have hoped Hawa would bring him some success, ahead of his much-delayed Jaal: The Trap (Sunny Deol, Tabu), releasing July 18. He must start looking ahead.

Among the cast, Grusha Kapoor, Vishwajeet Pradhan and Shahbaz Khan are bearable.

Mukesh Tiwari is impressive, but his dialogues are confusing. First, he tells Tabu she will have to fight the invisible spirit herself; then he assures her he will finish off the spirit; almost immediately afterwards, he appeals to her to end her tormentor.

All Imran Khan has to do in the film is yell 'Tramp!' (his dog's name). He does that so loudly that one is hardly surprised when the dog attacks him.

If you are alert enough, you could catch glimpses of Amit Behl as Tabu's husband and Avtar Gill as her father.

Tabu is the only saving grace in the film. As the sexually exploited mother of two, she brings much-needed vulnerability and helplessness to her character.

When she goes on a rampage after being raped for the nth time by the invisible entity, she looks menacing and pitiful at the same time.

It's rather sad that all her effort has been wasted in a movie like Hawa.


'If the BJP becomes our political identity, our political face, if we are represented by the BJP, then what happens to our identity as Bengalis?'

IMAGE: Trinamool Congress supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee addresses an election campaign rally in Kolkata, April 17, 2026. Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points 'The BJP's entry in 2016 marks a major shift when there is a polarising communal politics entering this space and trying to convert voters towards its ideology.'

'This fight is about jaati satta, in other words, Bengali nationalism, our identity as Bengalis.'

'Bengalis as a people are very conscious of the fact that they are better and superior to everybody else.'

"You need to be more than 148 seats in this Bengal to be dominant. You need to be able to hold your own in all the districts, which the BJP hasn't been able to do," Shikha Mukerjee, the veteran journalist and political commentator, tells Sheela Bhatt.

How do you see the BJP's standing in the political arena of West Bengal with reference to the emotions which are left behind after the Partition of Bengal?

What the BJP is trying to do is actually use the emotion, use the residue of the (Partition) emotion to build up its base because it fits in with its politics, with its ideology and its politics of communalising and polarising the population. So they have very strongly emphasised on the refugee population of the Muslims as infiltrators and intruders and encroachers into West Bengal's space.

The BJP's foundations in West Bengal are very new. The CPI-M, of course, accuses Mamata Banerjee of having brought in the BJP, when she was a part of the NDA in the time of Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

The BJP was actually nowhere in West Bengal, not even the Jan Sangh they had. At one time they had one MLA in the state assembly and after that they had nobody. He was a very mild presence and a very respected leader. He had a particular base in a particular part of Calcutta, but other than that, there was no BJP base.

So what you have is a politics which from 1947 up to 2014 or rather 2016 had no space for a Hindutva ideological party. All you had was the Congress versus the Left, then you had the Left versus the Trinamool Congress.

The BJP's entry in 2016 marks a major shift when there is a polarising communal politics entering this space and trying to convert voters towards its ideology.

'It was not respectable to be loudly and aggressively anti-Muslim'

Shikhaji, as a writer of long standing, do you find this transformation surprising? And if it is so, why?

I find it not surprising, I find it shocking. There was a very hidden undercurrent of hostility towards Muslims in West Bengal politics brought more by the refugee population which came and started living in West Bengal.

Hindu refugees, who came and settled in West Bengal, they brought with them a kind of hostility towards Muslims which because of the political consensus in West Bengal, because West Bengal's Bhadralok culture did not permit it, they were not able to do so. It was not respectable.

Bhadralok and respectability go together. Therefore, it was not respectable to be loudly and aggressively anti-Muslim. Those who were (anti-Muslim) were looked down upon socially. Now that lid is off.

There are people who have over a period of time decided that being BJP, having this very strong anti-Muslim sentiment and being able to voice it in public, in the social space, is perfectly legitimate and perfectly respectable because the BJP has given them that respectability which they never had before.

How come Bengal never had any political party with a Hindu agenda?

The Hindu Mahasabha was formed here, but the Hindu Mahasabha was politically very weak. The Hindu Mahasabha had no base here in that sense. During Partition, just before and after Partition, there was Syamaprasad Mukherjee (the founder of the Jan Sangh, the BJP's parent) because the Hindu situation was linked to the Partition of Bengal. Then it all disappeared. The Jan Sangh's identity was that of a cowbelt party.

So when the BJP was formed, it was also a cowbelt party. Bengalis are by nature extremely snobbish. The cow belt does not fit into it, they look down upon it. So in all their snobbery, the BJP had no space.

'Amit Shah is not committing to a 2/3rd majority'

Society never changes overnight. Which are the agents of change which gave the BJP 77 seats in the 2021 elections, and now it is claiming a chance to form the next government? Which are the agents of this transformation in Bengal?

They think they have acquired respectability. Why? Because they are in power at the Centre.

So the BJP's rise is linked to the BJP's power at the Centre.

That is a transformation.

So that is the transformation. Modi was the big personality in 2014 when he talked about Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas.

The Gujarat model was what one section of Bengalis aspired for. In 2019 Bengal gave the BJP 18 out of 42 seats in the Lok Sabha. That was expected to give them a huge advantage in the 2021 assembly election. The expectation was that they will get at least 120-130 seats in the Vidhan Sabha. But what happened? The BJP got only 77.

So somewhere along the line, when it comes to state level politics, the BJP is not the most exciting, the most powerful, the most attractive idea. In 2021 the double engine model got rejected. There got 77, they may have declined to 65 now, but whether it is 77 or 65, it is still a big base.

So from here they need to now go up to at least a majority. Now you ask Mr Amit Shah and he says we will get a majority. Arey bolo, will you get a 2/3rd majority? But he is not committing to it. So it is odd, from 3 seats in 2016 you wanted a 2/3rd majority in 2021. Now when you have 67, whatever it is, you are not saying what you want.

What it means is that the ruling party is giving a tough fight.

'The party which comes to power must dominate the state'

What are the chances of the BJP winning the state and what are the chances of Mamata Banerjee retaining Bengal?

In West Bengal, there is a peculiar politics of area of dominance. The party which comes to power must dominate the state. If you look at the Congress, it dominated the state. If you look at the Left, it totally dominated the state. It built up from a large base, but it became the dominant force.

Today I don't know whether the BJP has arrived at being the dominant force in West Bengal politics. Mamata Banerjee is still a very dominating personal personality. Her party is still very dominating. The entire EC process of SIR and everything else is a challenge to Mamata's domination.

That's right.

So if I am looking at the patterns in which West Bengal has traditionally voted, then I don't see that the BJP is as yet that kind of dominant force.

In case, the BJP makes it to the halfway mark?

It is a weak force.

Why do you say so?

Because it is not a dominant force in society. You need to be more than 148 seats in this Bengal to be dominant. You need to be able to hold your own in all the districts, which the BJP hasn't been able to do.

The BJP has strong pockets.

IMAGE: Bharatiya Janata Party Supreme Leader and Prime Minister Narendra Modi at an election meeting in Bishnupur, West Bengal. Photograph: ANI Photo

But not everywhere.

People who understand Bengali culture and understand intellectual moments in Bengal's history in the last 100 years, what would those people be thinking today if the BJP reaches the halfway mark?

I was asking a friend today what is the crisis that we face. The crisis of identity actually, because if the BJP becomes our political identity, our political face, if we are represented by the BJP, then what happens to our identity as Bengalis? This fight is about jaati satta, in other words, Bengali nationalism, our identity as Bengalis.

And so I thought to myself, what is this Bengali identity? First and foremost, in order to establish its credentials in Bengal, Mr Amit Shah at a press conference says that our chief minister will be Bengali for sure, but he will be a fish eating Bengali.

You don't have to tell a Bengali that you are fish eating. You see, that's where the identity issue comes in. There are people from the BJP who have been campaigning with fish, which is ridiculous because if you are a party that is deeply rooted in Bengal, you don't have to carry a fish because everybody knows that you eat meat and fish and enjoy doing so.

And then I was thinking to myself, what is Bengali satta, jaati satta all about? It is planning to eat mutton rolls and mutton biryani during Durga Puja.

But all BJP leaders including Suvendu Adhikari and Samik Bhattacharya eat non veg, so what's the problem?

Who makes it a part of Prachar (election campaign)?

Because the BJP's national image is different.

So in other words, it is not a local party.

No, but the local BJP may be normal.

If you are a deeply rooted local party, you don't need to go out of your way to establish anything.

So in other words, the BJP's national preferences and choices dominate.

I understand your point which you raised about preferences of food and the BJP, but I want to ask you about the 77 seats the BJP got in 2021. They all came from Bengali voters. They must have accepted the BJP the way it is.

So they must have, but 77 is not the ruling party. Everybody is joking about it. Ki ye election commission toh barbaad kar diya. Because they stopped all the liquor shops for 4 days.

If Mamata Banerjee wins this election, retains power, what would have helped her to retain power?

Bengali jati satta, Bengali nationalism, Bengalis' cultural pride in their own identity. They are not at all happy with being a part of somebody else's identity.

Bengalis as a people are very conscious of the fact that they are better and superior to everybody else.

And the issue of identity will dominate more than everything.

We are different, we are superior. That's the way Bengalis are.
An Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate in Gujarat is under police investigation for alleged hawala transactions involving over Rs 50 lakh, raising concerns about potential voter inducement in the upcoming local body elections.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Gujarat police investigate AAP candidate Ajay Vastani for alleged hawala transactions.

The probe focuses on the transfer of over Rs 50 lakh through hawala channels in Godhra.

Two AAP workers, Ramanbhai Bariya and Darshit Soni, are also under scrutiny.

The funds are suspected to be used to influence voters in the upcoming local body elections.

The investigation is being carried out by the Godhra 'A' Division police station.

Police in Panchmahal district of Gujarat have launched a probe into the alleged hawala transactions involving an Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate and two workers of the party in Godhra town ahead of the April 26 local body polls in the state, officials said on Wednesday.

There are allegations that the trio facilitated the transfer of over Rs 50 lakh through hawala channels in Godhra over the past 15 days, and that the funds were aimed at influencing voters by offering inducements, they said.

Hawala Investigation Details

The investigation follows specific inputs received by the police regarding suspected hawala transactions linked to Ajay Vastani, AAP's candidate from Ward No. 11 of Godhra municipality, a press note issued by the Special Operations Group (SOG) of Panchmahal police said.

Two AAP workers - Ramanbhai Bariya, a resident of Mekhar village and Darshit Soni, who is from Halol town - are also under scrutiny in connection with the illegal financial connection, it said.

Alleged Financial Misconduct

Based on the information gathered, the SOG launched an investigation and found that the trio, along with their associates, allegedly facilitated the transfer of more than Rs 50 lakh through hawala channels using 'angadia' (cash courier) firms in Godhra over the past 15 days.

"The accused persons, in coordination with individuals from different districts of Gujarat, are suspected to have been involved in organised financial transactions and illegal money movement," the statement said.

Voter Inducement Concerns

It further alleged that the funds were intended to be used to influence voters in the ongoing local body elections by offering inducements, it said, adding that further investigation is being carried out by the Godhra 'A' Division police station.

Polling for the local body elections in Gujarat will be held on April 26, while counting of votes is scheduled for April 28. The elections will cover 34 district panchayats, 260 taluka panchayats, 84 municipalities, including Godhra and 15 municipal corporations, including Ahmedabad and Surat.

Hawala transactions, while illegal, are sometimes used to transfer funds across borders outside of traditional banking channels. The Enforcement Directorate and other Indian agencies have previously investigated alleged hawala networks used for money laundering and terror financing. The investigation into the AAP candidate highlights the ongoing efforts to curb illicit financial activities during election periods.
Kannada film actress Ranya Rao is set to be released from Bengaluru Central Jail after a year-long detention related to a high-profile gold smuggling case involving the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI).

Photograph: Courtesy @RanyaRao/X

Key Points Kannada actress Ranya Rao to be released from jail after a year in gold smuggling case.

Ranya Rao was arrested for allegedly smuggling gold worth 102 crore.

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) intercepted her at Bengaluru airport.

Her release was initially blocked by the Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act (COFEPOSA).

Ranya Rao's one-year preventive detention under COFEPOSA expired, leading to her release.

A year after her arrest in a gold smuggling case, Kannada film actress Ranya Rao is set to walk out of Bengaluru Central Jail, DRI sources said on Wednesday.

Details of Ranya Rao's Arrest and Alleged Smuggling

Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) officials intercepted Harshavardhini Ranya alias Ranya Rao, stepdaughter of the DGP rank (suspended) police officer, Ramachandra Rao, at Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru, on March 2, 2025, after she allegedly carried out 27 trips to Dubai since January 2025.

Officials seized 14.213 kg of smuggled gold bars directly from her and later found cash and jewellery worth over Rs 2 crore at her residence. She was accused of smuggling gold worth Rs 102 crore.

Legal Proceedings and Release

Although she secured bail earlier from the special court for economic offences, her release was blocked by the Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act (COFEPOSA) detention.

A source in the DRI told PTI that the one-year preventive detention expired on April 22, which will allow her to be released.

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) is the primary intelligence and enforcement agency responsible for combating smuggling and customs fraud in India. COFEPOSA is a preventive detention law that allows the government to detain individuals suspected of involvement in foreign exchange violations or smuggling activities to prevent them from committing further offences. Such detentions are subject to review by advisory boards and judicial scrutiny.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has strongly criticised the TMC government in West Bengal, citing industrial decline, cultural disrespect, and misgovernance as key issues during an election meeting in Kolkata.

Photograph: @AITCofficial/X

Key Points Yogi Adityanath claims over 7,000 large industries closed in West Bengal under TMC rule.

Adityanath accuses TMC of disrespecting Rabindranath Tagore's heritage and Bengali culture.

The UP CM alleges TMC's misgovernance has turned West Bengal into a 'graveyard of industries'.

Adityanath asserts that only a 'double-engine government' can restore West Bengal's past prominence.

He criticises TMC for allegedly imposing curbs on Hindu religious processions and disrespecting Lord Ram.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday said over 7,000 large industries were shut during TMC rule in West Bengal and claimed that the state, once a leader in multiple sectors, has slipped to the bottom.

Addressing an election meeting at Burrabazar here, the senior BJP leader referred to the ancestral residence of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore in Jorasanko locality in Burrabazar and accused the TMC of failing to accord due importance to its heritage status.

Adityanath Alleges Industrial Closures and Job Losses

"Bengal, which was once a beacon of knowledge, has now witnessed the closure of 7,000 big industries, thousands of MSME units, and loss of jobs for 30 lakh youths," he said.

Alleging that "TMC goondas" had put up images of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at Tagore's ancestral house, where the poet spent much of his life and created numerous literary works, Adityanath said the act amounted to an insult.

"Ideally, apart from Tagore, only the idol of Bharat Mata should have been placed there. But TMC does not give due respect to Bharat Mata as it has no love for Bharatiya 'sanskriti'. It is a shame that TMC has brought Bengal, a forerunner of the Renaissance, to such a pass," he said.

Call to Restore West Bengal's Glory

Adityanath said to "restore the lost glory of West Bengal" on the 150th year of the composition of Vande Mataram, the TMC government should be dislodged, and the BJP brought to power.

"What has the TMC done to honour the memory of Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay? It became the Azadi mantra," he added.

Criticism of TMC's Governance and Cultural Policies

Alleging decades of misgovernance under the Congress, the CPI(M) and the TMC, Adityanath claimed the state had turned into a "graveyard of industries" and said only a "double-engine government" could restore its past prominence.

Alleging that a senior TMC minister and Firhad Hakim had spoken in favour of spreading Urdu, he said Bengali identity could not be compromised.

"Bengali will remain the language of Kolkata and Bengal. Bengali 'ashmita' cannot be hurt by minority-appeasing TMC leaders," he said.

Allegations of Restrictions on Religious Processions

The Uttar Pradesh CM also alleged that the TMC government was imposing curbs on religious processions.

"Bengal is known for the worship of Maa Kali, but TMC is putting curbs on Kali and Durga processions and imposing prohibitory orders in many areas," he said.

"Mamata didi has an allergy to the name of Lord Ram and opposed the Ram temple in Ayodhya. Do you want a government that is not in sync with our centuries-old emotional attachment to Bhagwan Ram?" he asked.

Yogi Adityanath's remarks come amidst heightened political campaigning for the West Bengal elections. The BJP is attempting to unseat the incumbent TMC government led by Mamata Banerjee. The state has a history of strong regional politics and cultural identity, making it a key battleground for national parties.
In a major operation, the Narcotics Control Bureau busted an illegal drug lab in Hyderabad, seizing a large quantity of Alprazolam and arresting three individuals involved in the illicit manufacturing.

Photograph: ANI

Key Points NCB Hyderabad busted an illegal Alprazolam manufacturing unit in IDA Moula Ali.

Authorities seized 69.6 kg of illegally manufactured Alprazolam from the facility.

Raw materials for Ephedrine production were also seized, indicating broader illegal drug manufacturing.

Three individuals, including a chemist and a raw material procurer, were arrested.

The seized Alprazolam was allegedly intended for sale to toddy shops in Telangana.

The NCB on Wednesday said it had arrested three persons after busting a laboratory allegedly involved in the illegal manufacture of drugs and seizing 69.6 kg of Alprazolam, along with raw materials used for the manufacture of Ephedrine.

It said contraband valued at an estimated Rs 17.40 crore, along with raw materials worth around Rs 20 lakh, was seized.

NCB Operation and Arrests

Acting on specific intelligence about an illegal Alprazolam manufacturing unit, officers of the NCB Hyderabad Zonal Unit searched an industrial chemical facility in IDA Moula Ali on April 20 and apprehended three persons, a release from the bureau said.

A search of the lab led to the recovery of two drums containing powder, which the arrested persons identified as Alprazolam, allegedly manufactured illegally at the facility.

A total of 69.6 kg of Alprazolam was recovered from the two drums and seized under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

Details of the Illegal Drug Manufacturing

During questioning, it was revealed that one of the accused had procured chemicals and solvents in large quantities for the illegal manufacture of another drug, Ephedrine, without any licence at the same facility.

Raw materials used for the manufacture of Alprazolam, as well as chemicals intended for Ephedrine production, were also seized along with the already manufactured Alprazolam, the Narcotics Control Bureau said.

The arrested persons are a chemist, a raw material procurer, and a receiver, the agency said.

Intended Distribution of Seized Drugs

Preliminary interrogation and investigation suggested that the seized Alprazolam was intended to be sold to toddy shops in Telangana, where there is high demand during the summer season, the release added.

Further investigation is in progress.

The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, under which the seizure was made, is the primary legislation in India dealing with illicit drugs. The NCB plays a crucial role in combating drug trafficking and abuse across the country. Such operations aim to disrupt the supply chain of illegal substances and protect public health.
Haryana's Transport Minister has ordered a state-wide investigation into vehicle registration irregularities, uncovering potential fraud and prompting stricter enforcement of transport regulations.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Haryana government orders probe into vehicle registration irregularities across Sub-Divisional offices and RTOs.

The State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau will lead the investigation into fraudulent vehicle registrations.

Reports indicate vehicle registrations were carried out using incomplete addresses in Tamil Nadu and other states.

Strict action to be taken against vehicles transporting construction materials without proper covering.

Compliance with the Stage Carriage Scheme-2016 to be strictly enforced, ensuring travel facilities for students and pass holders.

Haryana Transport Minister Anil Vij has taken cognisance of reports of large-scale irregularities in vehicle registrations in all four Sub-Divisional (Civil) offices of Ambala district, officials said on Wednesday.

State Vigilance Probe Ordered

Vij has directed a thorough investigation of all Sub-Divisional (Civil) offices as well as Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) by the State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau.

In this regard, the transport minister has issued necessary instructions to the additional chief secretary of the revenue department and the additional chief secretary of the transport department, an official statement said on Wednesday.

Vij observed that such irregularities may not be limited to Ambala alone but could exist in other Sub-Divisional offices and RTOs across the state, making a state-wide probe necessary.

Irregularities in Ambala

According to the statement, reports state that cases have emerged in Ambala, where vehicle registrations were carried out through SDM offices using incomplete addresses in Tamil Nadu and other states. These cases are currently under investigation.

Crackdown on Uncovered Construction Vehicles

Apart from this, the minister has also taken a strict stance on vehicles transporting sand and other loose construction materials without proper covering, directing that all such trucks and transport vehicles are covered with tarpaulin or other suitable means.

Orders have been issued to all district transport officers-cum-secretaries and regional transport authorities in the state in this regard. Violators will be fined under the Motor Vehicles Act and Pollution Control guidelines. Additionally, transporters and drivers are to be made aware of these regulations.

Enforcement of Stage Carriage Scheme

Vij has also directed officials to ensure strict compliance with the Stage Carriage Scheme-2016, notified on February 17, 2017.

He said that numerous complaints have been received regarding violations of the scheme by private stage carriage operators.

He emphasised that, according to the scheme, permit holders are required to provide travel facilities to students, concessional pass holders, and free-pass holders in their buses, without any subsidy from the government.

No laxity in this matter will be tolerated, he warned.

Curbing Unauthorised Entry of Heavy Vehicles

Furthermore, strict instructions have been issued to curb the unauthorised entry of heavy vehicles into city areas.

The minister noted that such vehicles often divert into congested areas, markets, and sectors to save time and fuel, leading to traffic congestion, damage to public property, and increased risk of accidents.

The Haryana transport department oversees vehicle registration and road safety regulations within the state. Such investigations into irregularities are not uncommon, as state governments seek to ensure compliance with motor vehicle laws and prevent revenue loss. The vigilance bureau's involvement suggests a serious concern about potential corruption or systemic failures within the transport offices.
Amritpal Singh, the chief of 'Waris Punjab De', is set to be re-arrested following his NSA detention, paving the way for his trial in the Ajnala police station attack case while he remains in Dibrugarh Central Jail.

IMAGE: 'Waris Punjab De' chief Amritpal Singh. Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points He will remain in Dibrugarh Central Jail and face trial via video-conferencing.

The arrest relates to the Ajnala police station attack case from February 2023.

Amritpal Singh faces multiple charges, including attempt to murder and rioting.

He is also implicated in other cases, including the murder of Gurpreet Singh.

A Punjab police team has arrived in Dibrugarh in Assam to formally arrest 'Waris Punjab De' chief Amritpal Singh again after his detention under the National Security Act (NSA) ends, officials said on Wednesday.

The Khadoor Sahib MP, who has been lodged in Assam's Dibrugarh Central Jail for the last three years, will remain in the same prison after his arrest by the Punjab police on Thursday, they said.

A team of Punjab Police from Amritsar (Rural) led by a deputy superintendent of police-rank official, has been camping in Dibrugarh since April 19 to execute the arrest in connection with the Ajnala police station attack case of February 2023.

Amritpal was first taken into custody on April 23, 2023, from Punjab's Moga district - nearly two months after he and his armed supporters allegedly broke through barricades, barged into the Ajnala police station on the outskirts of Amritsar, and clashed with officers to secure the release of an aide.

He has been lodged in the high-security Dibrugarh Central Jail under NSA since then, with the Punjab government citing serious law and order concerns as justification for keeping him in Assam.

The Punjab and Haryana high court last week gave its approval to the state government's request to formally arrest Amritpal in the Ajnala case upon the expiry of his NSA detention, and to continue keeping him in Dibrugarh jail thereafter.

The court also allowed all trial proceedings - including police and judicial remand - to be conducted through video-conferencing, enabling Amritpal to defend himself without being physically transported to Amritsar.

"After his formal arrest, Amritpal Singh will continue to be lodged in Dibrugarh jail. His arrest will pave the way for the trial to finally begin in the Ajnala police station attack case, where he is the prime accused," said an officer overseeing the case.

Charges have already been framed against 41 accused persons, including Amritpal, under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code - including attempt to murder (Section 307), assault on public servants (Section 353), criminal conspiracy (Section 120B), rioting (Section 148), and unlawful assembly (Section 149) - along with Section 25 of the Arms Act.

Amritpal's counsel, Harpal Singh Khara, had earlier confirmed that the court permitted the state to proceed with the arrest after the NSA period and conduct subsequent proceedings virtually.

Nine of Amritpal's associates-Papalpreet Singh, Daljeet Singh Kalsi, Kulwant Singh, Varinder Johal, Gurmeet Singh Bhukhanwala, uncle Harjit Singh, Basant Singh, Gurinder Singh Aujla, and Bhagwant Singh-who were also detained under the NSA and sent to Dibrugarh, were shifted back to Punjab last year after the government chose not to extend their detention.

They are currently facing trial in the Ajnala sub-divisional court.

Twelve other cases are pending against Amritpal and his supporters across Amritsar (Rural), Jalandhar, and Moga, linked to incidents of violence and intimidation.

He is also named as the alleged main conspirator in the murder of social media influencer Gurpreet Singh, alias Hari Nau, who was shot dead in Kotkapura on October 9, 2024, while returning home from a village gurdwara.

Amritpal had won the Khadoor Sahib Lok Sabha seat in the 2024 general elections as an independent candidate while incarcerated in Dibrugarh Jail. He was administered the oath of office on July 5, 2024, after granted parole for four days.

This was the only time he attended Parliament, while two subsequent pleas seeking parole to attend Parliamentary sessions were rejected by the High Court, with the Punjab government consistently flagging law and order concerns.

Amritpal Singh's re-arrest and continued detention in Assam highlight the ongoing concerns over law and order in Punjab.

The decision to conduct trial proceedings via video-conferencing reflects efforts to manage security risks while ensuring due process. His election to Parliament while incarcerated adds a unique dimension to the case.
An audio clip alleging an inmate assault in Beed jail has surfaced, prompting calls for an inquiry into the incident and raising concerns about prison conditions.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points An audio clip alleges an inmate in Beed district jail was attacked.

The inmate claims prison authorities failed to act on his assault complaint.

The dispute reportedly arose over seating space within a barrack.

Jail Superintendent denies the assault, citing a written statement from the inmate.

District Shiv Sena president demands a thorough inquiry into the alleged incident.

An audio clip where an inmate of the Beed district jail is purportedly heard complaining about an attack on him surfaced on Wednesday, though a senior official denied that any such incident took place.

The jail houses several accused in the December 2024 Santosh Deshmukh murder case.

Inmate's Allegations of Assault

A voice in the audio clip claims that he was beaten up but the prison authorities failed to take any action.

The dispute reportedly took place over seating space inside a barrack.

Jail Authority's Response

Jail Superintendent Ramraje Chandane said that the inmate (whose voice is heard in the clip) submitted a written statement confirming that he had no complaint regarding any assault.

Demand for Inquiry

District Shiv Sena president Swapnil Galdhar alleged that attempts were being made to suppress the matter, and demanded a thorough inquiry.

Santosh Deshmukh, sarpanch of Massajog village in the district, was abducted and tortured to death in December 2024 after he opposed an attempt to extort money from a wind power firm.

The Beed district jail houses inmates facing various charges. Allegations of assault within prison facilities often raise concerns about inmate safety and the effectiveness of internal grievance mechanisms. An independent inquiry, if conducted, would aim to determine the veracity of the claims and ensure accountability.
The latest report on West Bengal Assembly Elections reveals a concerning surge in 'red alert' constituencies and candidates facing criminal charges, raising questions about electoral integrity.

IMAGE: Delegates from Namibia, Georgia, Nepal, Philippines, Switzerland, Kenya, and International IDEA arrive in West Bengal to witness the conduct of polls as part of the International Election Visitors Programme - 2026, April 22, 2026. Photograph: @ECISVEEP X/ANI Photo

Key Points The ADR report reveals that a significant percentage of candidates in the West Bengal elections have declared criminal cases against themselves.

BJP has the highest number of candidates with declared criminal cases, followed by TMC and Congress.

There is an increase in the number of 'crorepati' candidates contesting in the West Bengal assembly elections.

A relatively small percentage of female candidates are contesting in the West Bengal polls.

This time in the West Bengal assembly polls, there are 129 'red alert' constituencies -- seats where three or more contesting candidates have declared criminal cases -- a 17 percent rise from the 2021 state elections, according to an ADR report.

The NGO, Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), which analysed 2,920 candidates in fray in the 2026 Assembly polls, said a little less than a quarter of candidates, 683 (23 percent), in fray have declared criminal cases against themselves, while 589 (20 percent) have declared serious criminal cases.

In the 2021 state assembly polls, out of 2,130 candidates analysed, 528 (25 percent) had declared criminal cases against themselves, while 431 (20 percent) candidates had declared serious criminal cases against themselves.

According to the report, the Bharatiya Janata Party has the most candidates -- 208 (71 percent) out of 293 candidates analysed - who have declared criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits.

Congress has 76 (26 percent) out of 293, Trinamool Congress 112 (39 percent) out of 290 and Communist Party of India-Marxist 94 (47 percent) out of 198 candidates who have declared criminal cases against themselves.

They are followed by All India Forward Bloc, 8 (35 percent) out of 23 candidates, and Communist Party of India, 3 (18 percent) out of 17 candidates.

Among the major parties, 188 (64 percent) out of 293 candidates analysed from BJP, 63 (22 percent) out of 293 candidates analysed from Congress, 90 (31 percent) out of 290 candidates analysed from TMC, 78 (39 percent) out of 198 candidates analysed from CPI-M, 5 (22 percent) out of 23 candidates analysed from All India Forward Bloc and 2 (12 percent) out of 17 candidates analysed from CPI have declared serious criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits.

The report said 192 candidates have declared cases related to crimes against women, and eight of them have declared cases related to rape and a person committing rape repeatedly on the same woman.

While 35 candidates have declared cases of murder, 185 candidates have declared cases of attempt to murder.

The report added that 129 (44 percent) out of 294 constituencies are red alert constituencies. In the last assembly polls, there were 78 (27 percent) such constituencies.

The report added that 129 (44 percent) out of 294 constituencies are red alert constituencies. Red alert constituencies are those where three or more contesting candidates have declared criminal cases against themselves. In the last assembly polls, there were 78 (27 percent) such constituencies.

Out of the 2,920 candidates analysed, 629 (22 percent) are crorepatis, up from 18 percent in the last assembly polls.

Among the major parties, 209 (72 percent) out of 290 candidates analysed from TMC, 143 (49 percent) out of 293 candidates analysed from BJP, 86 (29 percent) out of 293 candidates analysed from Congress, 57 (29 percent) out of 198 candidates analysed from CPI-M, 4 (17 percent) out of 23 candidates analysed from All India Forward Bloc and 4 (24 percent) out of 17 candidates analysed from CPI have declared assets valued more than Rs 1 crore.

The average of assets per candidate contesting in the West Bengal assembly elections 2026 is Rs 1.27 Crore. In the 2021 West Bengal Assembly Elections, the average assets per candidate for 2,130 candidates were Rs. 91.69 Lakhs.

Among major parties, the average assets per candidate for 293 BJP candidates analysed is Rs. 2.91 crores, 293 Congress candidates analysed is Rs 1.56 crores, 290 TMC candidates have average assets of Rs 5.39 crores, 198 CPI-M candidates have average assets of Rs 1.07 crores, 23 All India Forward Bloc candidates have average assets of Rs 79.48 lakhs and 17 CPI candidates have average assets worth Rs. 78.44 lakhs.

There are four candidates who have declared zero assets -- independent candidate Mousumi Ghosh (Behala Paschim), Welfare Party of India's Sahajadi Parvin (Uluberia Purba), and Aam Janata Unnayan party's Asif Hussain (Howrah Madhya) and Sk Habib (Uluberia Dakshin).

There are only 385 (13 percent) female candidates contesting in the West Bengal assembly elections 2026. In the 2021 West Bengal assembly elections, 240 (11 percent) out of 2,130 candidates analysed were women.

It added that 1,354 (46 percent) candidates declared their educational qualifications to be between the 5th and 12th standard, while 1,419 (49 percent) candidates declared having a graduate or above, 49 candidates are Diploma holders, 68 candidates have declared themselves to be just literate and 30 candidates are illiterates.

There are 854 (29 percent) candidates who have declared their age to be between 25 and 40 years, while 1,567 (54 percent) candidates have declared their age to be between 41 and 60 years. There are 495 (17 percent) candidates who have declared their age to be between 61 and 80 years, and four candidates who have declared their age to be above 80 years.

The Association for Democratic Reforms regularly analyses candidate affidavits to highlight trends in Indian elections. The Election Commission of India requires candidates to declare criminal records, assets, and educational qualifications in an affidavit.
The Congress party is challenging the BJP's commitment to women's reservation, accusing them of hypocrisy and political opportunism.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Maharashtra Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal challenges BJP's commitment to women's reservation, demanding they reject ideological texts.

Sapkal accuses the BJP of exploiting the women's reservation issue for political advantage.

The Congress leader highlights his party's history of empowering women through reservation in local bodies.

Sapkal alleges BJP workers threatened journalists covering a protest related to women's reservation.

Congress defends Mallikarjun Kharge's remarks, claiming they are being misrepresented by the BJP.

Maharashtra Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal on Wednesday said the BJP has "no right" to speak on women's reservation and challenged the saffron party to first reject its ideological texts, including the Manusmriti.

Addressing a news conference here, Sapkal said the BJP's ideology is rooted in these texts, which, he claimed, treat women as inferior.

Congress Demands BJP Rejection Of Ideological Texts

"The party should first burn 'Bunch of Thoughts' and 'Manusmriti' and then speak on women's reservation. If it has the courage, it should appoint a woman as the chief of the RSS," he said.

He further asked the BJP to clarify its stand on women's issues, referring to the treatment meted out to Savitribai Phule when she started the first school for girls. Sapkal alleged that those who opposed her were linked to the same ideological stream the BJP represents.

Accusations Of Political Gain

Sapkal said the women's reservation Bill had already been passed in Parliament in 2023 with support from all parties, and accused the BJP of using the issue for political gains.

Referring to the defeat of the constitutional amendment bill in the Lok Sabha last week, the Congress leader said the proposed legislation was related to delimitation.

He alleged that the BJP was attempting to alter India's structure and "turn Mumbai and Maharashtra into a 'gaay-patta' (cow belt)".

Congress's History Of Women's Empowerment

The Congress leader said his party had historically taken the lead on women's empowerment by introducing 33 per cent reservation for women in local bodies, later increasing it to 50 per cent.

Sapkal also alleged that BJP workers had threatened journalists who filmed a viral video of a woman confronting BJP minister Girish Mahajan during a BJP march in Worli over the women's reservation issue.

"After facing embarrassment, BJP workers are now threatening journalists who covered the protest. Neither Congress nor journalists should be intimidated by such threats," he said.

Defence Of Kharge's Remarks

Sapkal claimed that Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge's remarks were being misrepresented.

Kharge for his "terrorist" remark against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The BJP has accused Kharge of calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi a "terrorist" while addressing a press conference in poll-bound Tamil Nadu.

Sapkal said while the BJP has reportedly complained to the Election Commission over Kharge's remarks, the poll body should also take note of alleged actions by the BJP during elections in Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Assam.

The Congress party's criticism comes amid ongoing debates about the implementation of women's reservation in India. The Bill aims to reserve seats for women in the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies, but its enactment has faced delays and political disagreements.
The BJP has strongly criticised West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, labelling her a 'symbol of anarchy' after the Supreme Court scrutinised her involvement during an Enforcement Directorate search, escalating political tensions ahead of the assembly elections.

Photograph: @AITCofficial/X

Key Points BJP criticises Mamata Banerjee following Supreme Court's questioning of her actions during an ED search.

Supreme Court expresses concern over the Chief Minister's intervention in an ED probe, stating it puts democracy in peril.

BJP claims Mamata Banerjee has become synonymous with 'jungle raj' and a 'symbol of anarchy'.

BJP predicts the end of Mamata Banerjee's 'jungle raj' with the TMC's defeat in the West Bengal Assembly Elections on May 4.

West Bengal is holding assembly elections, with the first phase of polling underway.

The BJP on Wednesday described West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee as a "symbol of anarchy" after the Supreme Court questioned her action during the ED search at the office of political-consultancy firm I-PAC, and asserted that "her jungle raj" will come to an end on May 4 with the defeat of TMC in the assembly polls.

The alleged obstruction by the chief minister during a raid conducted on January 8 by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in Kolkata came under intense scrutiny on Wednesday, with the Supreme Court saying that democracy is put in peril if a chief minister intervenes in a probe.

"This is not a dispute between the Centre and the state. A chief minister of any state just walks in the midst of an inquiry or investigation, puts democracy in peril and then you say it is a dispute between the Centre and the state," a bench of Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and N V Anjaria said .

The remarks came when senior advocate Menaka Guruswamy, appearing in the court for a senior West Bengal official, questioned the maintainability of the ED's plea, saying the dispute is essentially between the Centre and the state.

BJP Demands Mamata Banerjee's Resignation

Latching on to the top court's observations, BJP national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia said Banerjee should immediately step down as the chief minister if there is any "shred of shame" left in her after this.

"The Supreme Court reprimanded Mamata for (her) anarchist attitudea We saw how Mamata Banerjee stopped the ED official from conducting a probe into the coal scam and tried to destroy the evidence," Bhatia charged, adding, "Mamata Banerjee has become synonymous with jungle raj and a symbol of anarchy."

West Bengal Elections And Political Climate

He claimed that people of West Bengal are "fed up" with Banerjee. "First phase of polling will be held tomorrow and people of West Bengal are demanding a big change. They will vote for this. This makes it clear that Mamata Banerjee's jungle raj will not continue further. People will teach her a lesson. On May 4, Mamata Banerjee's jungle raj will come to an end," Bhatia added.

West Bengal is set to vote in the first phase of the assembly elections on Thursday, amid an increasingly polarised battle.

The opening round of the two-phase election covers 152 of the state's 294 seats a including all 54 in north Bengal's eight districts and several in Murshidabad, Nadia, Birbhum and Hooghly.

The second round of the polling for the remaining seats in the 294-member assembly will be held on April 29 and the counting of votes will be done on May 4.

The Enforcement Directorate is a financial investigation agency that pursues cases of money laundering and violations of foreign exchange regulations. The agency's actions in West Bengal have often triggered political controversy, with the state government alleging that the Centre misuses investigative bodies to harass political opponents. The Supreme Court's observations add another layer to the ongoing tensions between the BJP and TMC.
Mumbai police have filed a case against the organisers of a BJP rally after a woman's viral outburst highlighted the severe traffic congestion caused by the event, which celebrated the women's reservation bill.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Mumbai police file case against BJP rally organisers after traffic chaos.

The rally was held to celebrate the women's reservation bill.

A woman's angry outburst over the traffic jam went viral.

Organisers allegedly violated norms related to the rally permission.

BJP minister acknowledges the woman's frustration but criticises her language.

With a woman's angry outburst over the traffic jam caused by a BJP's rally in south Mumbai's Worli area going viral, police on Wednesday registered a case against the organisers for alleged violation of norms.

Rally Permission and Alleged Violations

Police had given permission for Tuesday's Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam Rally over the defeat of the women's reservation bill but there was a violation of certain norms, said an official.

A case in this regard was registered at Worli police station, he added.

Woman Confronts BJP Minister

An agitated woman confronted BJP minister Girish Mahajan on Tuesday when he was speaking to reporters at the rally, shouting at him for blocking roads and causing inconvenience to commuters.

"Get out of here. You are causing a traffic jam," she said, asking why the rally could not be held at the nearby open ground.

Minister Responds to Criticism

Mahajan on Wednesday said that the woman was in a hurry to pick up her child and her anger was justifiable to an extent, but she used inappropriate language. With some 15,000 to 20,000 women participating in the rally, traffic congestion was unavoidable, he said.

The Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, also known as the women's reservation bill, aims to reserve seats for women in the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies. While proponents hail it as a step towards gender equality, critics have raised concerns about its implementation and scope. Such rallies often require careful planning and coordination with local authorities to minimise disruption to the public.
West Bengal's Education Minister Bratya Basu accuses the BJP of plotting detention camps for Bengali-speaking citizens if they win power, sparking controversy ahead of state elections.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points West Bengal Minister Bratya Basu alleges the BJP plans detention camps for Bengali speakers excluded from the electoral roll.

Basu claims the BJP aims to replicate the Assam NRC exercise in West Bengal, potentially leading to the deportation of citizens.

Basu asserts that Mamata Banerjee will work to include deleted names in the electoral roll after May 4.

Basu criticises the BJP's alleged indifference towards the Aparajita Bill for women's safety.

Basu accuses the BJP of 'political fundamentalism' and divisive politics in West Bengal.

West Bengal Education minister Bratya Basu on Wednesday alleged that if the BJP comes to power in the state, there could be detention camps for deporting "bonafide" Bengali-speaking citizens whose names did not figure in the electoral roll following the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.

Speaking at the Trinamool Congress' 'Meet the Press' programme at Press Club Kolkata, Basu said it is baffling that almost the entire Union Cabinet and chief ministers of at least six BJP states are moving around Bengal for campaigning "to defeat the only opposition woman chief minister who is waging a fierce fight and will defeat the BJP emphatically again."

Basu's Allegations Against BJP's Electoral Practices

Alleging that the BJP made the Election Commission delete around 27 lakh names from the electoral roll, labelling it as "under abjudication", Basu claimed that those whose names are missing, the BJP "wants to link that with NRC and plans to send them to detention camps".

They will repeat the Assam exercise where lakhs of people, including Hindus, were sent to detention camps in the name of NRC, he alleged.

"In the totally unlikely case of the BJP coming to power in Bengal, there will be detention camps in the state, rest assured. BJP is trying to commit Constitutional genocide, but with Mamata Banerjee around, they are facing resistance to fulfil their agenda," he said.

"Bengal is not Assam, we won't allow them to repeat the experiment for deporting our own people, the citizens of this land," he said.

Efforts to Include Deleted Names in Electoral Roll

Basu claimed the scope for inclusion of deleted names by the tribunal was possible, only due to the initiative of our chief minister.

"We must try to include these names, and after May 4, our CM Mamata Banerjee will do everything to include the names," he said.

Concerns Over Women's Safety Bill

Basu claimed that the Aparajita Bill, moved for the safety of women and deterrent punishment of rapists, was yet to get the Presidential nod due to the BJP's indifference and said once elected, TMC will again go all out to get the bill passed.

Those in the BJP who worked behind withholding the bill "had treated Bilkis Bano rapists and garlanded them", he said.

Basu Criticises Shah's Involvement in Bengal Elections

On the question of Shah staying in the state to oversee the BJP's assembly poll campaigning for days and himself participating in a number of rallies and meetings, Basu said, "What can we do if the Union Home minister wants to remote control everything. This further proves the expansionist attitude of the BJP."

Basu said this also showed Shah's lack of confidence in the leadership of Bengal BJP that they will be able to pull through in this election.

Accusations of Political Fundamentalism

Alleging that the BJP is practising "political fundamentalism", he said they always believe in a fascist ideology in dividing people.

"Since 2014, they did not induct any leader from the minority community in the union cabinet, such is their belief in inclusiveness," he said, asserting people of West Bengal will never allow such a divisive force to come to power.

The National Register of Citizens (NRC) update in Assam aimed to identify illegal immigrants. The exercise has been controversial, with many residents excluded and concerns raised about the process and its potential impact on those deemed non-citizens. The BJP has often advocated for a nationwide NRC.
An Ambernath businessman is under investigation for allegedly abetting the suicide of a female employee following accusations of mental harassment and a soured relationship.

IMAGE: Illustration: Dominic Xavier/Rediff

Key Points A businessman in Ambernath is accused of abetting the suicide of his employee.

The victim allegedly faced mental harassment from the accused, leading to her death.

The accused has been booked under Section 108 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

Police are searching for the absconding businessman to make an arrest.

An FIR was registered against a businessman from Ambernath in Thane district of Maharashtra for allegedly driving a woman employee to suicide earlier this month over soured relationship, officials said on Wednesday.

The accused, who is absconding, has been booked under Section 108 (Abetment of suicide) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

Details of the Suicide Case

Assistant Commissioner of Police Shailesh Kale said the victim worked as an accountant in the businessman's company. She allegedly ended her life by hanging herself in a room in a hotel on April 10.

Allegations Against the Businessman

Family members of the deceased alleged that she was in a relationship with the accused. They claimed that on the day of the incident, he summoned her to the hotel and subjected her to severe mental harassment through heated arguments in person, over phone calls, and through messages, inciting her to take the extreme step.

Further Investigation and Accusations

"The victim's family has further alleged that the accused was pressuring her not to quit her job when she expressed a desire to leave. There are also allegations involving the accused using the victim for money laundering activities," a police official said.

Senior Police Inspector Shabbir Syed said that since the charge against the accused is non-bailable, police teams have been dispatched to various locations to arrest him.

Section 108 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita concerns the abetment of suicide. In India, suicide is not a crime, but abetting a suicide is a criminal offence. Police investigations typically involve gathering evidence, recording statements, and potentially arresting the accused.
Following attacks on census officials in Odisha, the state government is developing new safety protocols to protect census workers from physical harm and heat-related risks during the ongoing census operations.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Four Census officials, including two women, were assaulted in Odisha's Dhenkanal district during a house listing exercise.

The Odisha government will formulate a standard operating procedure (SOP) to protect census officials from physical harm and heat-related risks.

One lakh employees are engaged in the first phase of the census exercise in Odisha, which will continue until May 15.

Census workers in Odisha are advised to avoid door-to-door operations during peak summer hours (11 am to 3 pm).

Arrangements for the safety of enumerators should be made during the census exercise, including addressing heat-related issues and tracking enumerators.

Four Census officials, including two women, were assaulted by the members of a family in Odisha's Dhenkanal district when they entered their premises for the house listing and housing census exercise on Wednesday, an official said.

In another incident in Khurda district, a woman enumerator was threatened by a man after she reached his home for the same purpose.

Expressing concern over the matter, the state government said it would formulate a standard operating procedure (SOP) to safeguard census officials from physical harm and heat-related risks.

Incidents of Assault on Census Staff

The first incident happened in the Mahimanagar area of Kamakshyanagar Notified Area Council (NAC) in the morning, when a team comprising three enumerators and one supervisor had gone to collect data as part of the Census exercise that began on April 16.

"Our four Census staff members were injured in the attack by three persons, a man and his two sons. Police are probing the incident, and strict action will be taken against the attackers," Kamakshyanagar sub-collector Dinamani Nayak said.

The two sons have been detained following the incident, he said.

The Census officials alleged that the family members attacked them as soon as they entered their house, despite being shown official identity cards and informed about the purpose of their visit.

"They asked why we had entered their premises. Even after we showed our identity cards and explained the purpose, they attacked us with stones. I suffered injuries on my face, and my two-wheeler was damaged," said Madhusmita Behera, one of the officials.

Raghunath Dixit, another official, alleged that the family assaulted them without provocation, besides verbally abusing them.

Dixit said he sustained an injury on a finger.

Another report reaching the state government said that a female teacher identified as Ulasini Dei was threatened by a man when she reached his house at Govindpur Sahi under Tangi NAC area to collect data for the census.

Government Response and Safety Measures

After the news of the two incidents spread, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari convened an urgent meeting of officials of the department and the census directorate.

Revenue and Disaster Management is the nodal department for Census operations in the state.

The minister said, "We have taken the matter seriously, and I will discuss it with the home secretary and the director general of police to ensure security of the census officials."

Pujari said over one lakh employees are engaged in the first phase of the census exercise which will continue till May 15.

Odisha's Director of Census Operations, Nikhil Pawan Kalyan, said, "We will be very careful that such incident is not repeated anywhere in the state. I will talk to all the district collectors and ensure that the employees engaged in the census work get due respect."

Kalyan, who attended the meeting convened by the minister, appealed to the citizens to cooperate with the officials going to their houses for census work.

Heatwave Precautions for Census Workers

The minister further said that the census workers are also exposed to gruelling heatwave conditions in the state. They are now advised not to conduct door-to-door census operations during the peak summer from 11 am to 3 pm.

Pujari said the department will release detailed guidelines outlining protective measures, emergency response protocols, and coordination between departments.

The SOP aims to ensure smooth census operations and safeguard personnel from physical harm and heat-related risks, he said.

Meanwhile, in a letter to all district collectors, Arabinda Padhee, the additional chief secretary, revenue and disaster management, said arrangements for the safety of the enumerators should be made during the census exercise.

During the last few days, Padhee said that one enumerator has died allegedly due to heart attack after he returned from census duty in Sonepur district while a female enumerator went missing in Mayurbhanj district.

Similarly, three minor accidents and heat stroke cases have been reported from Balasore District, while one accident case has been reported from Rourkela.

"In view of the aforementioned scenario, you are requested to make necessary arrangements to address heat-related issues, identify danger aspects during collection of data for the census and track the enumerators on a regular basis for their safety and smooth data collection," Padhee's letter to district collectors read.

The census in India is conducted every 10 years and provides crucial data for planning and policy-making. The data collected includes information on demographics, economic activity, literacy, and housing. The census is conducted by the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner, India, under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
In a significant development, the Centre has appointed Karambir Singh Nalwa as Special Public Prosecutor to spearhead the trial in the Pahalgam terror attack case, marking the first anniversary of the deadly incident.

IMAGE: The site of the terrorist attack on tourists in Baisaran near Pahalgam in Anantnag district, on April 24, 2025. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters

Key Points Karambir Singh Nalwa appointed as special public prosecutor for the Pahalgam terror attack trial.

The Pahalgam attack resulted in the deaths of 25 tourists and a local pony operator.

NIA filed a chargesheet against six people and two terrorist organisations, Lashkar-e-Taiba and TRF.

The NIA investigation traced the conspiracy to Pakistan, accusing it of sponsoring terrorism against India.

Three Pakistani terrorists involved in the attack were killed by the Army in Operation Mahadev.

The Centre has appointed noted lawyer Karambir Singh Nalwa as Special Public Prosecutor to lead the trial in Pahalgam terror attack case, which claimed the lives of 25 tourists and a local pony operator on April 22 last year.

The development comes on the first anniversary of the deadly terror attack.

In an order notified on Wednesday, the Union Home Ministry said it exercised the powers under the National Investigation Agency Act, 2008 and Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023 to appoint senior advocate Nalwa as Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) for conducting trial and other matters related to the case on behalf of the agency in NIA special court, Jammu and the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.

The appointment is for a period of three years or till the completion of trial of the case or till the satisfaction of NIA with the performance of the SPP, whichever is earlier, it said.

The NIA had filed a comprehensive chargesheet against six people and two terrorist organisations, Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba and its shadow outfit TRF, in connection with the terror attack.

The agency traced the deep conspiracy to Pakistan, which the probe agency said has been "unabatedly sponsoring terrorism against India".

The NIA has named Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) headed by Hafeez Saeed, who has been designated as a global terrorist by the US as well as India, along with The Resistance Front (TRF) headed by Habibullah Malik alias Sajid Jatt, in the chargesheet for their role in planning, facilitating, and executing the Pahalgam attack that took place in the Baisaran meadows on April 22 last year.

"Pakistani handler terrorist Sajid Jatt is also named as an accused in the chargesheet, filed before the NIA special court, Jammu," a statement issued by the anti-terror agency had said.

The chargesheet also names the three Pakistani terrorists, who carried out the killings on religious lines in Pahalgam.

All the three were killed by the Army during the Operation Mahadev at Dachigam located in the outskirts of Srinagar on July 29, almost 100 days after the deadly terror attack.

The three were identified as Faisal Jatt alias Suleman Shah, Habeeb Tahir alias Jibran, and Hamza Afghani, the NIA had said.

Two accused persons, Parvaiz Ahmad and Bashir Ahmad Jothar, who were arrested on June 22 last year for harbouring the terrorists, have also been named in the chargesheet by the NIA.

The appointment of a Special Public Prosecutor indicates the seriousness with which the Indian government is treating the Pahalgam terror attack case. The National Investigation Agency investigates and prosecutes offences that threaten the sovereignty, security and integrity of India. The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, is a new law that replaced the Code of Criminal Procedure.
Two police constables in Madhya Pradesh have been suspended after a video surfaced showing them allegedly assaulting and abusing a youth, sparking outrage and an official investigation.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Two police constables in Madhya Pradesh's Guna district have been suspended for allegedly assaulting a youth.

A video of the incident, which occurred in Kumbhraj town, went viral on social media, prompting an investigation.

Head constable Vasudev Sharma and constable Sharad Yadav are accused of behaving inappropriately with the youth.

The police department has deemed the incident an unethical act and initiated disciplinary action.

Two police constables have been suspended for allegedly assaulting and abusing a youth over a dispute in Madhya Pradesh's Guna district, officials said on Wednesday.

Incident Details and Police Response

The incident occurred on Monday in Kumbhraj town of the district and a video of it went viral on Tuesday, prompting police authorities to order a probe into the matter.

In the clip, two policemen are seen assaulting and abusing a youth.

Identified Officers and Charges

According to Superintendent of Police (SP) Hitika Vasal, head constable Vasudev Sharma, posted at Kumbharaj police station, and constable Sharad Yadav, who was sent to Kumbharaj for duty from the Police Lines, behaved inappropriately with the person on April 20.

A video of the incident went viral on social media. The police department has taken cognisance of the incident and deemed it an unethical act, she said.

Suspension and Investigation

The two personnel have been suspended on charges of negligence in duties and attached to the Guna Police Lines, the official said.

During the suspension period, both will receive only a subsistence allowance and will not be able to leave the headquarters without permission, she said.

The Sub-Divisional Officer Police, Chanchauda, has been instructed to conduct a preliminary investigation of the entire matter and submit a report within five days, she added.

Police forces in India are governed by state laws, and complaints against officers are typically investigated internally. Suspension is a common initial step when serious allegations of misconduct arise. The investigation will determine whether further disciplinary action or criminal charges are warranted.
A Moradabad couple was tragically murdered in front of their children following a heated property dispute, prompting a police investigation and multiple arrests.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points A couple in Moradabad was allegedly murdered in their home in front of their children due to a property dispute.

The dispute arose from a disagreement over the final payment for a room purchase, escalating to violence.

Police have arrested two suspects, including one after a police encounter, and are actively searching for the remaining accused.

The brutal attack occurred in the presence of the couple's three young children, highlighting the tragic nature of the crime.

A man and his wife were allegedly stabbed to death inside their home in Moradabad city in front of their three minor children over a dispute related to a house deal, police said on Wednesday.

Two of the six accused in the case have been arrested, they said, adding that one of them was held after a police encounter on Tuesday.

Details Of The Moradabad Double Murder

The incident took place on Monday night in Nala locality under the Civil Lines police station area, where the accused allegedly barged into the house and repeatedly attacked Raja and his wife Farah with knives until they died on the spot.

According to police, the brutal assault unfolded in the presence of the couple's children, including a one-and-a-half-year-old, while two other children aged five and seven kept screaming for help. The assailants fled after committing the crime.

Property Dispute As Motive

Preliminary investigation revealed that the murder stemmed from a financial dispute over a house purchase. Raja had bought a room from Faheem for Rs 2.24 lakh, of which Rs 2 lakh had already been paid. However, Faheem allegedly later demanded Rs 40,000 instead of the remaining Rs 24,000 for executing the registry, leading to a dispute that escalated into violence.

SSP Satpal Antil, who visited the spot along with other officers, said prima facie, the incident appeared to be the result of a monetary dispute related to the property.

"The accused have been identified and teams have been formed to arrest them. They will be apprehended soon," he said.

Police Investigation And Arrests

Police sent the bodies for a post-mortem examination and registered a case against five named accused and one unidentified person based on a complaint by the victim's family.

In a related development, one of the named accused, Anas (25), was arrested following a police encounter late Tuesday evening.

SP (City) Ranvijay Singh said a police team spotted a suspect near an under-construction ring road bridge close to Afghanpur outpost and asked him to stop, but he attempted to flee and opened fire at the police.

"In retaliatory firing, the accused sustained a bullet injury in his leg and was apprehended. He has been admitted to the district hospital," Singh said, adding that a country-made pistol and cartridges were recovered from his possession.

Police said the main accused, Faheem, had already been arrested earlier and sent to jail, while efforts are underway to nab the remaining accused.

Property disputes are a common trigger for violence in India, often stemming from unclear land titles or disagreements over payments. Police investigations typically involve collecting forensic evidence, recording witness statements, and pursuing the accused through raids and surveillance. The legal process can be lengthy, involving multiple court appearances and potential appeals.
Delhi Police have apprehended four juveniles in connection with the fatal stabbing of a 17-year-old boy in Mahindra Park, launching a full investigation into the motive behind the crime.

Key Points Four juveniles have been apprehended in connection with the stabbing death of a 17-year-old in Delhi's Mahindra Park.

The victim was attacked by a group of assailants and stabbed multiple times on Tuesday night.

Police have recovered two knives used in the commission of the crime.

The apprehended juveniles are all residents of Jahangirpuri.

An investigation is underway to ascertain the motive behind the Delhi stabbing.

Four juveniles have been apprehended in connection with the stabbing to death of a 17-year-old boy in the Mahindra Park area of northwest Delhi, police said on Wednesday.

Details of the Delhi Stabbing Incident

The development comes a day after the minor was allegedly attacked by a group of assailants on Tuesday night.

Police said the victim had stepped out with a friend when he was intercepted and stabbed multiple times. He later succumbed to injuries at Babu Jagjivan Ram Memorial Hospital.

Investigation and Arrests

During the investigation, police identified the suspects and apprehended four juveniles, all residents of Jahangirpuri, in connection with the case. Two knives used in the commission of the offence have also been recovered, police said.

Further investigation is underway to ascertain the motive and sequence of events leading to the crime.

Indian law treats offences committed by juveniles differently than those committed by adults. The juveniles will likely be produced before a juvenile justice board, which will determine the course of legal proceedings and rehabilitation efforts. The investigation will focus on establishing the motive and circumstances surrounding the stabbing.
A Delhi Police head constable has been arrested by the CBI for allegedly accepting a Rs 2 lakh bribe to avoid falsely implicating a woman, highlighting concerns about corruption within law enforcement.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points A Delhi Police head constable from the anti-narcotics cell, Dwarka, has been arrested by the CBI.

The officer allegedly accepted a Rs 2 lakh bribe to avoid falsely implicating a woman in a case.

The CBI registered a case following a complaint alleging a demand of Rs 15 lakh.

Searches at the Dwarka anti-narcotics cell led to the recovery and seizure of Rs 48.87 lakh in cash.

The Central Bureau of Investigation has arrested a Delhi Police head constable posted with the anti-narcotics cell, Dwarka, for allegedly accepting Rs 2 lakh bribe from a complainant in exchange for not falsely implicating her in a case, officials said on Wednesday.

Details of the Bribery Allegations

According to the CBI, a case was registered on Tuesday against head constable Ajay and other unknown persons following a complaint alleging a demand of Rs 15 lakh.

The agency also said that during searches at the office premises (Dwarka anti-narcotics cell), cash amounting to Rs 48.87 lakh was recovered and seized.

CBI Trap and Arrest

"It was alleged that the accused head constable and others demanded a bribe of Rs 15 lakh for not falsely implicating the woman in a case," a CBI spokesperson said in a statement, adding that the accused had directed the complainant to deliver a part payment of Rs 5 lakh by Tuesday.

Acting on the complaint, the agency laid a trap the same day and caught the accused red-handed while accepting Rs 2 lakh as part payment out of the total bribe of Rs 15 lakh, the statement said.

The accused head constable has been arrested, it said.

The CBI's anti-corruption mandate extends to investigating allegations against public servants to ensure integrity in governance. Cases of bribery within law enforcement agencies raise concerns about the potential for abuse of power and the importance of maintaining public trust. The investigation will likely examine the extent of the alleged conspiracy and whether other individuals were involved.
The Election Commission has issued a stern notice to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge after he referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a 'terrorist', demanding an explanation within 24 hours.

IMAGE: Congress president and Rajya Sabha LoP Mallikarjun Kharge addresses the press conference ahead of the Tamil Nadu assembly elections, in Chennai, April 21, 2026. Photograph: @kharge/ANI Photo

Key Points Kharge accused Modi of 'terrorising' political parties by misusing government machinery.

The Election Commission has asked Kharge to explain his stand within 24 hours.

Kharge clarified that he meant Modi was 'terrorising' the democratic fabric of the country, not a literal terrorist.

Finding Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge prima facie violative of the poll code for calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi a "terrorist", the Election Commission on Wednesday issued a show cause to him.

The EC had earlier issued a notice to Kharge saying Union Minister Kiren Rijiju and Trinamool Congress leader Derek O'Brien were the complainants.

It later withdrew the notice from its website and issued a fresh one removing O'Brien's name.

Officials said the TMC leader's name was added inadvertently.

Kharge has been asked to explain his stand within 24 hours, cautioning that if he fails to respond, it will be presumed that he has nothing to say in the matter and the Election Commission will take appropriate action or decision in the matter without making any further reference to him.

The notice comes a day before polling in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. Kharge on Tuesday accused Prime Minister Modi of "terrorising" political parties by misusing government machinery and central agencies to stifle the opposition, triggering strong reactions from the BJP, which attacked the opposition leader for calling Modi a "terrorist".

Addressing a press conference in Chennai, Kharge initially referred to the prime minister as a "terrorist" while criticising the AIADMK's alliance with the BJP.

Questioning how the AIADMK, a party rooted in the Dravidian ideologies of Periyar and C N Annadurai, could justify partnering with Prime Minister Modi, Kharge said, "How these AIADMK people, who themselves put the photo of Annadurai... how can they join with Modi? He is a terrorist..."

"He doesn't believe in equality. His party won't believe in equality and justice..."

However, when asked by reporters to clarify the context of the remark, Kharge said he meant that the prime minister was "terrorising" the democratic fabric of the country.

"He is terrorising people and political parties. I never said he is a terrorist (in the literal sense). Terrorising this... he is misusing his power and government machinery and abusing, maligning opposition parties," Kharge said.

Rijiju had approached the EC on Tuesday alleging that the Congress chief violated provisions of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) and Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS).

In its notice, the EC said Kharge prima facie violated provisions of the poll code.

It reminded Kharge of the model code provisions which says that criticism of other parties or their workers based on unverified allegations or distortion shall be avoided.
The European Union has expressed its unwavering solidarity with India, condemning the heinous Pahalgam terrorist attack on its first anniversary and reaffirming its commitment to combating terrorism in all forms.

Key Points The EU expressed solidarity with India on the first anniversary of the Pahalgam terrorist attack.

The EU condemned terrorism in all its forms, reiterating its support for India.

The British High Commission also paid tribute to the victims and condemned the attack.

The Lashkar-e-Taiba terror group carried out the attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir.

The European Union (EU) on Wednesday expressed solidarity with the people of India in commemoration of the first anniversary of the "heinous terrorist attack" in Pahalgam, which claimed the lives of 26 people on April 22 last year.

In a statement on behalf of the 27-member economic bloc, the EU reiterated its condemnation of terrorism in all its forms.

EU Condemns Pahalgam Terror Attack

"On the commemoration day of the heinous terrorist attack in Pahalgam, the European Union and its 27 Member States stand in solidarity with the people of India in remembrance of the innocent victims murdered one year ago," reads the EU statement.

"Together with their families and the Indian authorities, we honour their memory. We reiterate our outright condemnation of terrorism in all its forms, which can never be justified," it stated.

UK Stands With India Against Terrorism

The British High Commission in New Delhi also issued a statement on social media in tribute to the lives lost and condemning all acts of terror.

It stated: "Today, we mark one year since the horrific terrorist attack in Pahalgam. We pay our respects to the victims, and our thoughts remain with everyone affected.

"The UK condemns terrorism in all its forms. We remain committed to working with partners to secure peace and security."

Lashkar-e-Taiba's Role In The Attack

Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) carried out the attack at Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir on this day last year, killing 26 people, mostly tourists from across India.

After the attack, India carried out a retaliatory military offensive against Pakistan named Operation Sindoor, in which Indian armed forces destroyed military and terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

The Pahalgam attack targeted tourists in Jammu and Kashmir, highlighting the ongoing threat of terrorism in the region. Lashkar-e-Taiba, a Pakistan-based terror group, has been responsible for numerous attacks in India. India's response, Operation Sindoor, underscores the country's commitment to combating cross-border terrorism.
In a shocking case from Uttar Pradesh, a man was allegedly murdered by his own family over fears he would misuse funds intended for his daughter's wedding, highlighting the tragic consequences of family conflict and financial anxieties.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Harnarayan Prajapati was allegedly murdered by his wife, daughters, and minor son in Mahoba, Uttar Pradesh.

The family feared Prajapati would squander money saved for his daughter's wedding on alcohol and gambling.

The family initially filed a false complaint against a neighbour to divert suspicion from themselves.

Police investigation revealed inconsistencies in the family's statements, leading to the discovery of the murder plot.

The family members have been taken into custody, and evidence including the murder weapon and concealed money has been recovered.

The case involving a body found in a village drain has taken a sinister turn after a probe revealed that the man was allegedly killed by his own wife, daughters and minor son over fears that he would squander money meant for his daughter's wedding, police said.

The body of Harnarayan Prajapati (36) was found on April 14 in a drain near Haivatpura Brahmanan village under Panwari police station limits in Mahoba.

In an apparent attempt to divert suspicion, his family initially approached police and lodged a complaint, expressing suspicion against a neighbour with whom the deceased had frequent quarrels, officials said on Tuesday.

Police Investigation Uncovers Family Conspiracy

"As soon as information was received that a body was lying in a drain in Haibatpura village, police teams reached the spot and conducted an inspection. The deceased was identified as Harnarayan Prajapati.

"Considering the injuries, a prima facie case of murder was suspected and a case was registered on the basis of the family's complaint," SP Shashank Singh told reporters.

He said multiple teams, including the Special Operations Group and surveillance unit, were deployed to investigate the case.

"We examined the deceased's last movements, phone records and other aspects, but no concrete leads emerged. Suspicion then shifted towards the family as they were not cooperating with the investigation," Singh said.

Details of the Murder Plot

As investigators probed deeper, inconsistencies in the family's version surfaced and sustained questioning led to a breakthrough. The case unravelled into an alleged conspiracy involving the victim's wife Ram Pyari, daughters Jyoti, Sonali and Pooja, a minor son, and Jaibir, a friend of one of the daughters. All have been taken into custody, police said.

"During interrogation, the family revealed that the deceased was addicted to alcohol and gambling. Recently, he had collected around Rs 82,500 by selling livestock for his daughter's marriage. The family feared he would squander the money, which caused resentment," Singh said.

"Despite persuasion, when he continued towards misuse of the money, the family, in frustration, hatched a plan. His wife, daughters, a minor son and a friend of one of the daughters strangulated him with a rope while he was asleep and dumped the body in a drain," he added.

Evidence Recovered, Legal Proceedings Underway

Police said the accused also tried to erase evidence and mislead the probe.

"To mislead the investigation, they broke and discarded the deceased's mobile phone and hid the cash," the SP said, adding that the rope used in the crime, the concealed Rs 82,500 and the damaged mobile phone have been recovered.

Further legal proceedings are underway, police said, adding that a reward of Rs 10,000 has been announced for the police teams that cracked the case.

The case highlights the extreme measures some families may take when faced with financial insecurity and perceived threats to important life events like weddings. In India, family dynamics and financial pressures can sometimes lead to tragic outcomes. Police investigations typically involve gathering forensic evidence, questioning suspects, and reconstructing events to establish the truth and bring perpetrators to justice.
An independent think tank is advocating for a comprehensive, multi-agency investigation into the recent discovery of a counterfeit Mounjaro injection manufacturing operation in Gurugram, highlighting the urgent need to combat fake pharmaceuticals.

Photograph: Kind courtesy Raimond Spekking/CC BY-SA 4.0/wikipedia.org/Creative Commons

Key Points Indian Police Foundation offers forensic expertise in fake Mounjaro drug case.

Think tank urges multi-agency investigation into Gurugram's spurious drug racket.

The IPF believes coordinated action can deter counterfeit pharmaceuticals in India.

Authorities in Gurugram unearthed a racket manufacturing fake Mounjaro injections.

An independent think tank on policing has called for a multi-agency investigation into the recent unearthing of a spurious Mounjaro (tirzepatide) injection manufacturing racket in Gurugram, offering free-of-cost forensic expertise from former IPS officers and experts.

Expert Support Offered in Fake Drug Investigation

O P Singh, president and CEO of the Indian Police Foundation (IPF), told PTI that the organisation wrote to the Haryana government offering "institutional support" from its experts.

"A team of forensic experts led by a former Indian Police Service officer can provide specialised technical guidance in this matter. The assistance is pro bono.

Combating Counterfeit Pharmaceuticals in India

"We believe that swift, coordinated and multi-agency action in this case can not only bring the perpetrators to justice but also serve as a strong deterrent against the growing menace of counterfeit pharmaceuticals in India," Singh, a former DGP of Uttar Pradesh, said.

On Tuesday, authorities in Gurugram claimed that they had unearthed a racket manufacturing and selling fake Mounjaro (tirzepatide) injection - used for treating diabetes and obesity - and arrested two people.

The Indian Police Foundation is a non-profit organisation that aims to improve policing through research, training, and advocacy. Counterfeit drugs pose a significant threat to public health in India, where a large segment of the population relies on affordable medications.
A wanted gangster was arrested in Chandigarh after a brief exchange of fire with police, resulting in a bullet injury during the encounter.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Gangster Mukesh alias Golu Gohana arrested after shootout with Chandigarh police.

Golu Gohana sustained a bullet injury during the police encounter.

The arrest followed a tip-off, leading to an interception near Rally Ground in Sector 25.

Golu Gohana, a resident of Sonipat district, Haryana, was wanted in several criminal cases.

A gangster was arrested following a brief exchange of fire with police near Sector 25 here on Wednesday, police said.

Gangster Injured in Police Retaliation

Mukesh alias Golu Gohana sustained a bullet injury following a retaliatory action by police and was admitted to the Government Multi-Specialty Hospital in Sector-16 here.

Details of the Police Interception

On a tip off, Golu was intercepted by a team of the Chandigarh Police's Operation Cell near Rally Ground here.

Golu opened fire at police team which retaliated, leading to bullet injury in his leg, said police.

A resident of Gohana in Haryana's Sonipat district, Golu was wanted in several criminal cases.

Chandigarh Police have been actively working to curb gang activity in the region. Encounters like these highlight the ongoing efforts to maintain law and order and apprehend individuals involved in criminal activities. The arrest of Golu Gohana is a significant development in this regard.
A wanted gangster was arrested in Chandigarh after a dramatic shootout with police, resulting in injuries and the recovery of a firearm.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points A gangster, Mukesh alias Golu Gohana, was arrested in Chandigarh after a shootout with police.

Golu Gohana sustained a bullet injury during the police encounter and is receiving medical treatment.

Police recovered a .32 bore pistol and three cartridges from the gangster's possession.

The gangster was wanted in connection with four criminal cases registered in Gohana and Chandigarh.

A case has been registered against Golu under the Arms Act following the incident.

A gangster was arrested following a brief exchange of fire with police near Sector 25 here on Wednesday, police said.

Gangster Injured in Police Retaliation

Mukesh alias Golu Gohana sustained a bullet injury following retaliatory action by police and was admitted to the Government Multi-Specialty Hospital in Sector 16 here.

On a tip-off, Golu was intercepted by a team of Chandigarh Police's Operation Cell near Rally Ground here.

Details of the Police Operation

Police said they had prior information that Golu would visit his sister's house in Sector 25 here.

Acting swiftly, a team chased the accused near the Rally Ground.

During the chase, the accused opened fire at the police team. He fired three bullets while police, in retaliatory action, fired two shots, leading to bullet injury in his leg, officials said.

Arms Act Case Registered

A .32 bore pistol was recovered from his possession along with three cartridges.

A case has been registered against Golu under relevant sections of the Arms Act, they said.

A resident of Gohana in Haryana's Sonipat district, Golu was wanted in four criminal cases registered in Gohana and Chandigarh.

The Arms Act is legislation enacted in India to regulate the acquisition, possession, manufacture, sale, import, export, and transport of firearms and ammunition. Cases under the Arms Act are investigated by local police, and trials are held in criminal courts. Convictions can result in imprisonment and fines, depending on the severity of the offence.
A furious Mumbai woman confronted a Maharashtra minister over the traffic chaos caused by a BJP protest regarding the women's reservation bill, highlighting public frustration with disruptive political demonstrations.

IMAGE: A Mumbai woman confronts Maharashtra minister Girish Mahajan for blocking roads and causing inconvenience to commuters. Photograph: Screen grab/X

Key Points A woman confronted Maharashtra minister Girish Mahajan over traffic caused by a BJP protest in Mumbai.

The protest was related to the defeat of the women's reservation bill in the Lok Sabha.

Opposition parties have criticised the BJP's protest tactics and accused them of misleading women for political gains.

The women's reservation bill aimed to reserve 33 per cent of seats in legislative bodies for women.

A backlash over a viral video of a woman berating Maharashtra minister Girish Mahajan for the traffic jam caused by a Bharatiya Janata Party rally over the reservation bill in Mumbai put the ruling party on the backfoot on Wednesday, with the minister stating that her anger was justified to "some extent".

He, however, emphasised that her language was inappropriate, ruling out any legal action against her.

City Mayor Ritu Tawde, who belongs to the BJP, expressed regret for the inconvenience caused to commuters by Tuesday's rally in Worli area of south Mumbai as the police registered a case against the organisers for alleged violation of norms.

As the video of the woman's outburst went viral, opposition parties targeted the saffron party, with Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi lauding the woman -- who had got stranded in a traffic jam while waiting to pick up her child -- for 'showing a mirror' to the minister.

The incident occurred in the upscale Worli area on Tuesday when Mahajan was speaking to reporters at a rally organised by the saffron party to target opposition parties over the defeat of the Constitution Amendment Bill to fast-track the implementation of 33 percent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies.

An agitated woman confronted the BJP minister, shouting at him for blocking roads and causing inconvenience to commuters.

"Get out of here. You are causing a traffic jam," she said, asking why the rally could not be held at the nearby open ground.

After Mahajan tried to pacify her, she returned and continued her tirade, saying, "Did you not understand? What is wrong with you? There are hundreds of people waiting."

When a police official intervened, she snapped at him, refusing to engage and demanding that no one speak to her.

Maharashtra Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal shared the video on X and accused the BJP of misleading women for political gains.

Sapkal also alleged on Wednesday that after facing embarrassment, BJP workers threatened the journalists who recorded the viral video.

Mahajan admitted that some commuters did face inconvenience, and added that he had apologised to the woman on the spot and also asked the police not to take any harsh action against her.

"It is true that there was traffic congestion as thousands of women participated in the march. But the woman who came there was very angry and spoke in a language that was not appropriate. Even when we told her the road would be cleared in 10-15 minutes, she was not ready to listen and, in anger, even threw a bottle," the BJP leader claimed.

The protest, held after obtaining necessary permissions, saw participation of around 15,000 to 20,000 women, which made some congestion unavoidable, he said, denying any shortcoming in the police's planning or allegations of "VIP culture".

"I understand that she was in a hurry to pick up her child, and her anger is justified to some extent. But the way she reacted, using such language and throwing a bottle, was wrong. However, I do not think any legal action should be taken against her," he said.

Mayor Tawde said in a post on X that the 'Mahila Janakrosh Morcha' had been organised after obtaining all necessary permissions. Its objective was to oppose attempts to dilute women's political rights, she said.

"Proper planning was also done by the police and the transport department to avoid inconvenience to citizens and traffic. Still, as a first citizen of Mumbai, I apologise for the inconvenience caused to some citizens," she stated.

The mayor also said that thousands of women from across the state participated in the protest despite the summer heat, and it was an outpouring of anger over issues concerning women's rights and representation.

"Therefore, we hope that the woman who faced inconvenience, as well as other citizens, will understand the anger of those who participated in the protest march," Tawde said.

Meanwhile, the Worli police registered a case against the organisers of the BJP rally. Necessary permissions had been taken for the event, but certain rules were violated, said a police official.

Shiv Sena-UBT leader Priyanka Chaturvedi accused the BJP of being insensitive to the travel woes of Mumbaikars.

"In Mumbai, the daily commute includes hours of being stuck in traffic jams and instead of understanding the fast losing patience at these gatherings/VIP movements that hold up traffic, the ruling dispensation doesn't seem to care, even the minister's attitude is so disrespectful and dismissive," said the former Rajya Sabha member in a post on X.

"Hats off to the lady from Mumbai who showed a mirror to Minister Girish Mahajan and BJP protestors for blocking traffic to carry out their political protest," Chaturvedi added.

She slammed the BJP for protesting on the streets instead of a designated ground, wondering whether permission was obtained for the demonstration.

Mumbai Congress chief Varsha Gaikwad said the woman confronting the BJP minister was an example of "real women's power".

CPI-M politburo member from Maharashtra, Prakash Reddy, on Wednesday questioned whether the protest had indeed received official permission.

In a social media post, Reddy asked whether Mahajan was "speaking the truth" about obtaining permission, stating that police usually deny requests for rallies in south Mumbai, citing court orders and instead direct organisers to hold protests at Azad Maidan.

"If permission was granted, why is it not given to others? And if the march blocked traffic despite conditions, why have the police not registered a case against Mahajan and other BJP leaders?" Reddy asked.
Goa Police are set to issue a Look Out Circular for right-wing activist Gautam Khattar after an FIR was filed against him for controversial remarks regarding St Francis Xavier, Goa's patron saint.

Key Points Goa Police are planning to issue a Look Out Circular against Gautam Khattar after remarks on St Francis Xavier.

An FIR has been registered against Khattar for allegedly hurting religious sentiments and trying to create communal discord.

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant stated that police have begun an extensive search for Khattar and expect to arrest him soon.

Complaints have been filed against Khattar in multiple locations across Goa.

Police are planning to issue a Look Out Circular (LOC) against right-wing activist Gautam Khattar, who has been untraceable since an FIR was registered against him over remarks on St Francis Xavier, Goa's patron saint, officials said on Wednesday

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant told reporters on Tuesday evening that the police have begun an extensive search for Khattar.

"The accused would be arrested within two days," he said.

Police Search For Khattar Intensifies

A Goa police team visited Khattar's residence in Dehradun (Uttarakhand) on Tuesday, but he was not found there, a senior police official told PTI on Wednesday.

The police have issued a summons to him, asking him to remain present before the investigation officer, but he has not responded.

The state police are in the process of initiating an LOC against Khattar to ensure he does not flee the country, the official said.

Controversy Over Remarks on St Francis Xavier

A row erupted after a video of Khattar, the founder of Sanatan Mahasangh, addressing an event on April 18 in the presence of Swami Brahmeshanand, State Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho and BJP MLAs Sankulp Amonkar and Daji (Krishna) Salkar, went viral.

The Vasco police have registered an FIR against Khattar for allegedly hurting religious sentiments and trying to create communal discord after his speech against St Francis Xavier, whose relics are preserved at the Basilica of Bom Jesus Church, Old Goa.

Multiple Complaints Filed Against Activist

The case has been transferred to the state police's Crime Branch, officials said, adding that complaints have been filed against Khattar at more than a dozen places in the state, including Vasco, Old Goa, Panaji, Margao and Anjuna.

The Archdiocese of Goa and Daman has also condemned the "hateful and malicious" remarks, which it said were aimed at maligning the legacy of St Francis Xavier, popularly known as "Goencho Saib".

A Look Out Circular is typically issued to prevent individuals from leaving the country when they are wanted in connection with a crime or legal proceeding. St Francis Xavier, a Roman Catholic missionary, is a significant figure in Goan history and culture, revered by many for his work in the region during the Portuguese colonial era. The Basilica of Bom Jesus, where his relics are preserved, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a major pilgrimage destination.
A Pune godman is under investigation for allegedly abetting the suicide of a music student who transferred money for occult rituals after facing threats.

Key Points Pune Police investigate a godman for allegedly abetting the suicide of a 25-year-old music student.

The student transferred over Rs 74,000 to the godman for occult rituals promising wish fulfilment.

The godman allegedly threatened the student and her mother when she couldn't pay more money.

The student was found dead in her hostel room in Pune district.

Pune Police have registered an offence of abetment against an unidentified godman in connection with the alleged suicide of a 25-year-old flautist and music student.

Indore resident Renuka Harshvardhan Likhite, who was pursuing a post-graduation course in music at a spiritual institute in Mulshi in Pune district, was found hanging from a window in her hostel on April 6. No suicide note was found.

Godman's Promises And Demands

Probe revealed that between April 4 and 6, she had transferred over Rs 74,000 to the account of some unknown self-proclaimed godman in Rajasthan who had promised to perform occult rituals for her to ensure that her wishes were fulfilled.

"The woman was seeking a solution to her personal problems, and came in contact with this so-called godman who promised that he would perform some rituals for her at a crematorium," said an official of Paud police station.

Threats And Further Investigation

Likhite transferred all the money she had, but this person kept on seeking more money and threatened that if she did not pay, something bad would happen to her and her mother, the official said.

Further investigation was on, he said.

Abetment to suicide is a criminal offence under Indian law. Police investigations will likely focus on establishing a direct link between the godman's actions and the student's decision to end her life. Such cases often involve examining financial transactions, communications, and witness testimonies to determine the extent of the accused's influence.
A gang in Lucknow has been busted for exploiting the Mudra loan scheme to create fake GST firms and commit a Rs 1.3 crore input tax credit fraud, highlighting vulnerabilities in the system.

Key Points A gang in Lucknow was busted for exploiting the Mudra loan scheme to commit GST fraud.

The gang collected identity documents under the guise of providing Mudra loans.

These documents were used to create bogus GST firms for input tax credit fraud.

The fraud involved generating fake invoices and e-way bills to show fictitious transactions.

Police have arrested one individual and anticipate further arrests as the investigation continues.

Police on Wednesday said they busted a gang that lured people with promises of loans under the Mudra scheme, collected their identity documents, and used them to set up bogus GST firms to carry out input tax credit (ITC) fraud worth about Rs 1.3 crore.

Accused Arrested And Mobile Phones Recovered

Police arrested Ravindra Giri (35), a native of Lakhimpur Kheri, and recovered three mobile phones from his possession.

Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch) Kiran Yadav said, "In the Rs 1.3 crore GST ITC fraud case, the accused revealed during questioning that he collected Aadhaar and PAN from people on the pretext of facilitating Mudra loans, procured SIM cards using those details and created fake GST firms to execute the fraud."

Modus Operandi: Fake Firms And Invoices

Using the illegally obtained SIM cards, the accused registered fake GST firms with forged rent agreements and electricity bills, police said.

These shell entities were then used to generate fake invoices and e-way bills to show fictitious transactions as legitimate and sell fraudulent ITC on commission, causing significant revenue loss, officials said.

The case was registered at the Rahimabad police station based on a complaint by a state tax official regarding a non-existent firm claiming ineligible ITC.

Investigation Underway, More Arrests Expected

Yadav said the accused has confessed to the crime, and further investigation is underway.

"Necessary legal action is being taken, and more arrests are likely," she added. Police said cyber and surveillance teams assisted in busting the racket.

The Mudra scheme aims to provide loans to small businesses and entrepreneurs. GST, or Goods and Services Tax, is an indirect tax levied on the supply of goods and services in India, and input tax credit allows businesses to reduce their tax liability by claiming credit for taxes already paid on inputs.
A Mumbai court acquitted five Haryana police officers in the 2016 Sandeep Gadoli encounter case, determining they acted in self-defence while apprehending a suspect with a significant criminal record.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Mumbai court acquits five Haryana police personnel in the 2016 Sandeep Gadoli encounter case.

The court cites self-defence as the primary reason for the acquittal, noting the police were apprehending a person with criminal history.

The Haryana government's failure to sanction prosecution of the police officials was a key factor in the acquittal.

The court acknowledged that one of the policemen sustained grievous injury during the gunfire, supporting the self-defence claim.

Five Haryana police personnel, acquitted in a criminal case related to the 2016 "fake" encounter of gangster Sandeep Gadoli at a Mumbai hotel, acted in self-defence, the trial court has noted in its reasoned order made available on Wednesday.

Nearly a month after the acquittal ruling, the court observed the cops were on duty for apprehending a person with "heavy criminal antecedents" and have established "circumstances to recognize the right of private defence". It also pointed out that the Haryana government had not given sanction to prosecute these police officials.

Key Justifications For The Acquittal

The policemen, booked for multiple offences, including murder and criminal conspiracy, were accused of gunning down Haryana gangster Gadoli in a "fake" encounter.

Additional Sessions Judge Prashant Kale acquitted the five cops and two other accused on March 27 as none of the charges against them under Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Arms Act was proved.

Gadoli was killed in an alleged shootout by a Gurugram police team at a hotel in Andheri (East) on February 7, 2016. The notorious gangster was carrying a reward of Rs 1 lakh on his head and was wanted in more than 40 FIRs registered since 1999.

Details Of The Sandeep Gadoli Encounter Case

The Mumbai police arrested eight persons -- five Haryana cops, Gadoli's "girlfriend" late Divya Pahuja, her mother and rival gang leader Virendra Gujjar -- in connection with what it claimed was a staged killing.

The cops booked in the case were Pradyuman Yadav (then a sub-inspector), Vikram Singh, Jitendra Yadav, Deepak Kakran and Paramjeet Ahlawat.

The defence had contended before the court that the shooting was not a premeditated execution.

According to the Mumbai police, Gadoli had been lured into a trap with the help of Pahuja and killed in a fake encounter.

The case against Pahuja was later abated following her murder at a hotel in Haryana in 2024, when she was out on bail in the Gadoli case.

Prosecution's Claims And Court's Observations

The prosecution alleged that Gujjar, who had a long-standing enmity with Gadoli, had orchestrated the encounter at the Mumbai hotel. He, along with the now acquitted cops, hatched a conspiracy to kill the gangster.

According to the prosecution, the Haryana cops fatally shot Gadoli using illegal firearms, and gave false evidence to save themselves.

They had been charged under IPC sections 302 (punishment for murder), 182 (giving false information) 193 (punishment for false evidence), 201 (causing disappearance of evidence), 34 (common intention) and 120 (b) (criminal conspiracy) and relevant provisions of the Arms Act.

The prosecution presented the testimony of 43 witnesses and extensive technical evidence (CCTV, call records, and ballistics) to prove the accused acted in a coordinated conspiracy to commit murder.

In the detailed order, the court acknowledged that the cops were doubtlessly "public servant" when the offence was committed.

It rejected prosecution's contention, ruling "it is established in all probability that the police personnel, on duty for apprehending a person with heavy criminal antecedents, have duly made out circumstances to recognize the right of private defence within certain reasonable limits."

The court pointed out that one of the policemen sustained grievous injury on his forehead in the gunfire.

"These bodily injuries caused to the police are certainly reasonable enough to put the right of self- defence into operation," the judge stated.

The court did not rule out possibilities that the crime scene was tampered with and so was the CCTV footage of the spot.

The court highlighted that since the act was done by police officials, while they were performing their duty to apprehend a man with criminal background, it was mandatory for the investigating agency to obtain prosecution sanction.

However, the Haryana government had not given sanction to prosecute the police officials. Hence in absence of the sanction, the trial against them is vitiated, the court noted while acquitting the accused.

The Gadoli encounter case has seen several twists, including the subsequent murder of Divya Pahuja, who was initially implicated in the gangster's killing. The court's decision highlights the complexities of policing and the legal requirements for prosecuting law enforcement officers in India. Prosecution sanction is often required to protect public servants from frivolous charges while performing their duties.
The Delhi High Court has mandated city authorities to formulate a strategy for implementing Supreme Court directives on open correctional institutions, aiming to identify prisoners suitable for transfer and enhance rehabilitation efforts.

Key Points Delhi High Court directs authorities to implement Supreme Court's open prison directives.

The court orders the identification of prisoners eligible for transfer to open correctional institutions.

A monitoring committee must oversee the functioning and expansion of open prisons.

The Supreme Court emphasises open prisons as institutions for reformation and rehabilitation.

High Courts are directed to monitor compliance with open prison directives.

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday asked the city authorities to chalk out a strategy to implement the Supreme Court's directives on developing a protocol for open correctional institutions and identify prisoners who can be transferred there.

A bench of Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia registered a PIL on the issue and asked the Delhi government to file an affidavit detailing the steps taken to ensure for compliance of the top court's order passed on February 26.

Open Prison Monitoring Committee

The court noted that as per the Supreme Court's direction, every state and union territory has to constitute a monitoring committee, headed by the executive chairman of the state legal services authority or his nominee, for the management of open correctional institutions (OCIs).

"Please apprise the home secretary that he should constitute the committee and that committee should meet and chalk out the specifics strategies to implement the order of the Supreme Court and make an assessment as to what is the position currently. You have to identify the prisoners who can be transferred to the open prison. All these things should be done. We are giving you two months," the court orally told the government counsel.

The bench listed the matter for hearing in July and sought a status report from the Delhi State Legal Services Authority.

Supreme Court's Directions on Open Prisons

The court stated that the monitoring committee has to oversee the utilization, functioning and expansion of the OCIs, and facilitate the timely identification and transfer of eligible prisoners from closed prisons to OCIs.

It added that the committee must also undertake a periodic review and address the systemic impediments in implementing the Supreme Court's directions.

The court made the Centre, Delhi government, prison authorities, DSLSA and the high court administration parties to the case and appointed senior advocate Arvind Nigam as amicus curiae.

Rehabilitation and Social Reintegration

In a bid to ensure that open prisons function as meaningful and effective institutions of reformation and rehabilitation, the Supreme Court on February 26 directed all states and Union territories to develop a time-bound protocol for filling up existing vacancies in OCI and open barracks.

Semi-open or open prisons allow convicts to work outside the premises during the day to earn a livelihood and return in the evening. The concept was introduced to assimilate convicts with society and reduce psychological pressure as they faced difficulties in leading normal lives outside.

Issuing a slew of directions, the top court said prisons are institutions of correction, where dignity, self-respect and social reintegration are not aspirational ideals but constitutional necessities.

It directed that all states and Union territories to take proactive and time-bound steps to expand open correctional infrastructure by establishing new OCIs, and creating open and semi-open barracks within existing closed prisons.

For effective compliance and monitoring, the top court directed all the high courts to register a suo motu writ petition for monitoring the compliance with the present judgment within their respective jurisdictions.

Open prisons aim to rehabilitate convicts by allowing them to work and reintegrate into society while serving their sentences. The Supreme Court's directives seek to ensure these institutions function effectively and uphold the dignity of prisoners. The Delhi High Court's involvement underscores the importance of monitoring and implementing these reforms.
The Jharkhand High Court has reserved its verdict in the appeal filed by the convicts in the Judge Uttam Anand murder case, a high-profile case that shook the Indian judiciary.

Key Points Jharkhand High Court reserves order in the appeal of Rahul and Lakhan Verma, convicted in the murder of Judge Uttam Anand.

Judge Uttam Anand was killed in Dhanbad on July 28, 2021, after being hit by an autorickshaw during his morning walk.

A special CBI court in Dhanbad sentenced Rahul and Lakhan Verma to life imprisonment for the murder.

The High Court reviewed CCTV footage of the incident during the hearing.

The High Court initiated a suo motu petition after the murder, calling it an attack on the justice system.

The Jharkhand High Court on Wednesday reserved its order in a criminal appeal filed by Rahul Verma and Lakhan Verma - convicted for the murder of Dhanbad Judge Uttam Anand.

Anand was killed on July 28, 2021, when he was out for his morning walk in Dhanbad. Both the convicts were driving an autorickshaw, which rammed into Anand, resulting in his death.

Convicts Challenge Sentence in Judge Anand Murder Case

Both Rahul and Lakhan were convicted for the murder of Uttam Anand by a special CBI court in Dhanbad. The special judge, Rajinikant Pathak, sentenced the convicts to life imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 25,000 each.

The convicts challenged the sentence imposed by the special judge before the high court, which was heard by a division bench headed by Justice Rongon Mukhopadhyay.

Key Evidence: CCTV Footage Review

In the course of the hearing on Wednesday, the court ordered the screening of the video of the footage showing the incident when Uttam Anand was hit by the autorickshaw.

The proceedings before the high court continued for more than four hours, after which the court reserved its judgment.

High Court's Suo Motu Action and Observations

Earlier soon after the death of Uttam Anand, the high court initiated a petition suo motu on July 29 and started monitoring the progress of the case.

The high court at that time had observed that the incident indicated that "it is an attack on the justice dispensation system."

The bench said that the murder of a senior judicial officer is a direct assault on the judiciary.

The murder of Uttam Anand was caught on camera, and the CCTV footage showed him walking near the Randhir Verma Chowk, a posh area in Dhanbad, on June 28, 2021, at 5 am.

The judge was hit by an autorickshaw with a passenger sitting in the front along with the driver.

A motorcyclist was also shown going behind the autorickshaw, who saw the injured judge fall on the ground.

The case was investigated by the CBI.

The case drew national attention due to concerns about judicial security and the circumstances surrounding Judge Anand's death. The CBI investigation aimed to determine if the murder was a targeted attack related to cases he was handling. High courts in India often take suo motu cognizance of matters of public interest or those affecting the administration of justice.
Indian youth creates fictional AI influencer, Emily Hart, who amasses millions of followers and earns him substantial income, exposing the deceptive potential of AI in the digital age.

Kindly note that this image has been posted only for representational purposes. Photograph: Kind courtesy RealDoll=

Key Points A medical student in India created a fictional AI influencer named Emily Hart.

Emily Hart, a blonde, gun-loving American nurse, gained millions of followers.

The AI influencer earned significant income through subscriptions and merchandise.

The story highlights how easily AI can blur reality online.

Many followers may be unaware they are interacting with an AI-generated persona.

If you thought online scams were all about fake princes and lottery emails, think again.

In the age of artificial intelligence, even your dream Instagram influencer might not exist -- and in this case, she didn't.

She was, reportedly, the brainchild of an Indian youth who discovered that lonely corners of the Internet can be surprisingly profitable, reported Wired.

Meet 'Sam' (name changed), a 22-year-old medical student from northern India.

By day, he studies to become an orthopaedic surgeon; by night, he reportedly ran what can only be described as a one-man digital soap opera starring a fictional, blonde, gun-loving American nurse named Emily Hart.

Sam's origin story is less 'Silicon Valley startup' and more 'hostel room hustle'.

With exam fees piling up and dreams of moving to the US someday, he dabbled in everything -- YouTube videos, selling notes -- before stumbling upon a wild idea: Why not create an AI-generated influencer?

His first attempt? A generic 'hot girl' account.

The Internet responded with a collective yawn.

The Rise Of Emily Hart

So he changed tactics, with some help from Google Gemini. Instead of just beauty, he added personality -- or rather, a very specific kind of personality.

Emily Hart became a patriotic, conservative, emoji-loving American nurse who liked guns, religion, and strong opinions. Think less 'girl next door' and more 'Fourth of July meets Instagram filter'.

And suddenly -- boom.

According to Sam, the account exploded. Videos racked up millions of views, reports Wired. Followers poured in. And, crucially, so did money. Subscriptions, merchandise, exclusive content -- through this Emily Hart, who technically does not exist, was allegedly earning more than many real professionals.

The Unsettling Reality Of AI Deception

Sam reportedly spent less than an hour a day running the account. 'Easiest money ever,' he claimed -- something many overworked young Indians might read with a mix of admiration and disbelief.

What makes the story both amusing and unsettling is how formulaic it seems. The 'Emily Hart' template isn't unique: Attractive AI-generated personas, often styled as Western women with strong political opinions, are increasingly popping up across social media. They post, they pose, they provoke -- and they profit.

The twist? Many followers may have no idea they are interacting with pixels, not people.

Of course, there's a serious side beneath the humour.

The episode highlights how easily AI can blur reality online -- and how some audiences, especially those less familiar with digital trickery, can be drawn into carefully crafted illusions.

Sam's scam -- he didn't see it that way, only that he was funding his medical studies -- was destined to end sooner than later. With Instagram and Facebook wisening up to the use of AI to create fake accounts, Emily Hart's was soon taken down. But not before Sam went laughing all the way to the bank.
The Indian Air Force showcased its operational capabilities by conducting a two-day exercise, landing fighter jets and transport carriers on an emergency airstrip on the Purvanchal Expressway in Uttar Pradesh.

Key Points The Indian Air Force conducted a two-day exercise on the Purvanchal Expressway, showcasing its operational versatility.

Various aircraft, including Jaguar fighter jets and C-295 transport carriers, participated in the exercise on the emergency landing facility.

The exercise demonstrated the IAF's ability to operate from non-standard runways, enhancing operational resilience.

Strategically developed airstrips on expressways augment operational flexibility and national security.

The collaboration between the IAF, UPEIDA, and local administration strengthens strategic posture and disaster relief capabilities.

A Jaguar fighter jet, a C-295 transport carrier and other key military aircraft took off and landed at an emergency airstrip on the Purvanchal Expressway in Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday as part of a two-day exercise, with the Indian Air Force (IAF) demonstrating its operational versatility, much to the delight of local residents.

The exercise took place on an emergency landing facility (ELF) -- a strategically-developed airstrip on the expressway -- in Sultanpur district.

IAF Demonstrates Operational Versatility

"The operational versatility of the Indian Air Force was demonstrated through the operations by a diverse fleet of aircraft, including Jaguar, Mirage-2000, Su-30 MKI, C-295 and AN-32, alongside the Mi-17 V5 helicopter and the Garud Commando team," a senior IAF official said.

The operation has majorly boosted the IAF's capability to undertake unhindered operations even during the non-availability of standard runways, showcasing its operational resilience, the official said.

Strategic Importance of Expressway Airstrips

These strategically-developed airstrips on expressways substantially augment operational flexibility and serve as a critical force multiplier during emergencies, reinforcing national-security and disaster-response capabilities.

The exercise generated excitement in the area as people got an opportunity to witness the fighter jets up close.

Earlier in the day, authorities tightened security and clamped traffic restrictions in view of the exercise.

Traffic and Security Measures

They said an air traffic control system has been set up near the expressway to manage aircraft movement during the exercise.

The local administration earlier intensified the security arrangements around the airstrip and appealed to residents to maintain a safe distance and avoid heeding to rumours.

Local authorities said traffic on a 12-km stretch of the expressway has been diverted till May 1 as a precautionary measure and will resume from May 2.

The officials noted that similar drills were conducted earlier, including in June 2023 when Sukhoi and Mirage-2000 aircraft performed touch-and-go operations on the 3.2-km emergency airstrip.

Collaboration and Standard Operating Procedures

The IAF official said the force, along with the Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA) and the local civil administration, validated its standard operating procedures for an emergency activation of the ELF in the shortest possible time frame.

The operations on Wednesday also demonstrated the professional flying skills of the IAF's air crew and the capability of its ground crew in activating such expressway airstrips at a short notice, the official added.

The collaborative framework between the IAF, the UPEIDA's civil-infrastructure management and the local civil administration "optimises the operational viability" of such highway airstrips.

The synergy between the three organisations in the ELF activation not only strengthens the overall strategic posture of the nation, but also enhances the humanitarian aid and disaster relief (HADR) capabilities in the region, the official added.

Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C), Central Air Command, Air Marshal B Manikantan, Uttar Pradesh minister O P Rajbhar, and UPEIDA CEO Deepak Kumar, among others, were present on the occasion.

Emergency landing facilities on expressways are designed to provide alternative landing options for military aircraft, especially during crises. The Purvanchal Expressway is not the only road in India designated for this purpose; other highways have also been adapted to serve as makeshift airstrips. Such facilities enhance the country's defence preparedness and disaster response capabilities.
India commemorates the anniversary of the Pahalgam terror attack, with leaders reaffirming the nation's unwavering resolve to combat terrorism and maintain a zero-tolerance policy.

Photograph: ANI Photo.

Key Points India observed the anniversary of the Pahalgam terror attack, reaffirming its commitment to combating terrorism.

Top leaders, including President Murmu and Prime Minister Modi, paid tribute to the victims of the Pahalgam attack.

The government reiterated its zero-tolerance policy against terrorism and those who harbour it.

India stands united in its resolve to counter terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

The Pahalgam attack serves as a reminder of the human cost of terrorism and strengthens India's resolve.

As India observed the first anniversary of the Pahalgam terror attack on Wednesday, President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, union ministers along with leaders of various parties paid homage to the victims, asserting that the country will never bow to any form of terrorism.

Any attempt to harm people or disrupt unity will be met with strength and clarity, the government said, stressing that India will continue its zero-tolerance policy against terrorism and those who harbour it.

Remembering the Pahalgam Terror Attack

The dastardly attack by Pakistan-based Laskar-e-Taiba at Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir left 26 people, mostly tourists, dead and triggered a four-day military conflict with Pakistan after Indian armed forces retaliated with Operation Sindoor targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan-controlled territories.

The Indian Army reaffirmed its steely resolve to fight against terrorism, making it clear that for acts against India, "the response is assured".

Leaders Pay Tribute to Victims

Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi said India will neither ever forget the sacrifice of the victims and the anguish of their families, nor will it ever forgive the perpetrators of this cowardly act.

While paying tribute to the victims, President Murmu said the country remains resolute in its determination to defeat terrorism everywhere in all its forms.

"The tragic loss of innocent lives in that heinous act remains etched in our collective memory. I express my deepest condolences to the bereaved families. The entire nation stands with them. Such acts of terror cannot deter our unwavering commitment to peace and unity," she said.

Prime Minister Modi asserted that India will never bow to any form of terror and the heinous designs of terrorists will never succeed.

"Remembering the innocent lives lost in the gruesome Pahalgam terror attack on this day last year. They will never be forgotten... As a nation, we stand united in grief and resolve. India will never bow to any form of terror. The heinous designs of terrorists will never succeed," he said.

India's Resolve Against Terrorism

Vice C P President Radhakrishnan said such acts of brutality can never shake the country's resolve to uphold peace, unity, and the enduring values of humanity.

"We remain firm in our determination to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations," he said.

Union Home Minister Shah said India will continue its zero-tolerance policy against terrorism and those who harbour it.

"Terrorism is the greatest enemy of humanity, against which we must stand united to fight and defeat. India will continue its zero-tolerance policy against terrorism and those who harbour it," he said.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said the nation will not forget the victims and underscored the government's strong response to terrorism.

"We will never forget those wounds inflicted on our nation. India has endured decades of cross-border terror, but today our response is firm, decisive and unwavering. Through determined action, we have demonstrated that any attempt to harm our people or disrupt our unity will be met with strength and clarity," he said.

Union minister Nitin Gadkari said the country stands united in remembrance and solidarity with the victims' families.

"As a nation, India stands united -- firm in resolve, unwavering in spirit, and resolute against all forms of terror," he said.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar reiterated India's firm resolve against terrorism. "India stands steadfast in its resolve to counter terrorism in all its forms and manifestations," he said.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the day continues to weigh heavily on the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

"We pay tribute to the innocent lives lost in a senseless act of terror. They had come only to spend their holidays, yet were mercilessly targeted and killed. We stand in solidarity with their grieving families," he said.

The chief minister said, "On that day (April 22, 2025), we resolved - and we remain committed - that we must do everything possible to ensure such (Pahalgam type) incidents never happen again. Whether it is the elected government, the central government, or the law and order machinery, we will all work together to make this effort successful."

BJP national president Nitin Nabin said that the nation remains resolute against terrorism and "will never bow before any form of terrorism."

Rahul Gandhi said the entire nation stands united against terrorism.

"The memory of the innocent lives so ruthlessly snatched away continues to shake our hearts to this day. The grief of the martyrs' families is a grief shared by us all," he said.

The Congress party said the entire nation stands united against terrorism and will never bow before forces that seek to spread hatred and violence.

The opposition party, however, also lashed out at the central government, claiming that Pakistan, which stood isolated after the 2008 Mumbai attacks, has now acquired global respectability that reflected the "complete failure" of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's foreign policy.

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan remembered the attack as a "painful reminder of the human cost of terrorism" and said it "marked a turning point" in India's resolve against terrorism.

Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Virendra Kumar said, "The people of the country will never forget this cowardly murder of killing their loved ones in Pahalgam."

The Pahalgam attack, claimed by Lashkar-e-Taiba, targeted tourists in Jammu and Kashmir. India has long maintained a policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism, particularly cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan. The incident prompted renewed calls for international cooperation in combating terrorism and holding perpetrators accountable.
Modi reaffirms India's unwavering commitment to combating terrorism on the anniversary of the Pahalgam attack, honouring victims and vowing to never yield to terror.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said his thoughts are also with the bereaved families as they cope with this loss. Photograph: DPR PMO/ANI Photo

Key Points PM Modi commemorates the first anniversary of the Pahalgam terror attack.

Modi asserts India's firm stance against all forms of terrorism.

The Prime Minister expresses solidarity with the families of the victims.

Lashkar-e-Taiba was responsible for the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir.

India retaliated with Operation Sindoor, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan.

On the first anniversary of the Pahalgam terror attack, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday asserted that India will never bow to any form of terror and the heinous designs of terrorists will never succeed.

The Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba carried out an attack at Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir on this day last year, killing 26 innocent people, mostly tourists from across India.

Remembering the Victims of the Pahalgam Attack

"Remembering the innocent lives lost in the gruesome Pahalgam terror attack on this day last year. They will never be forgotten," Modi said in a post on 'X'.

The Prime Minister said his thoughts are also with the bereaved families as they cope with this loss.

India's Resolve Against Terrorism

"As a nation, we stand united in grief and resolve. India will never bow to any form of terror. The heinous designs of terrorists will never succeed," he said.

Operation Sindoor: India's Retaliation

After the Pahalgam terror attack, India carried out a retaliatory military offensive against Pakistan named Operation Sindoor, in which Indian armed forces destroyed military and terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir.

The Pahalgam attack targeted tourists in Jammu and Kashmir, highlighting the ongoing threat of terrorism in the region. India has historically maintained a firm stance against cross-border terrorism, advocating for international cooperation to combat such threats. Operation Sindoor was a direct response to the attack, demonstrating India's willingness to take decisive action against terrorist infrastructure.
Addressing a TMC rally in North 24 Parganas district, she claimed that central forces such as the CRPF, ITBP, CISF and BSF, along with other central entities including the railways, have been deployed for the elections.

IMAGE: CRPF personnel keep vigil as left parties' candidates hold the joint nomination rally for various assembly constituencies ahead of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly elections 2026, in Kolkata, April 7, 2026. Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Banerjee accuses the BJP of deploying excessive central forces to intimidate voters and influence the election outcome in West Bengal.

The Chief Minister urges supporters to file FIRs against any atrocities and accuses state police of favouring the BJP.

Banerjee addresses concerns of potato farmers, advising them to sell their produce in other states due to price slumps in West Bengal.

Mamata Banerjee warns against potential voter list deletions and deportations if the BJP comes to power in West Bengal.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday expressed surprise over the deployment of Central Reserve Police Force armoured vehicles for maintaining law and order during the assembly polls, alleging that the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Centre has engaged all wings of the government to work in its favour.

Addressing a Trinamool Congress rally in North 24 Parganas district, she claimed that central forces such as the CRPF, Indo-Tibetan Border Police, Centra Industrucal Security Force and Border Security Force, along with other central entities including the railways, have been deployed for the elections.

"Elections are a festival of democracy, not for killing anyone," the TMC chief said, urging supporters to lodge FIRs if they face any atrocities.

"Around two lakh central force personnel have been brought into Bengal for the elections. This is unprecedented. Are they trying to intimidate me by deploying so many forces?" she asked.

Challenging the Bharatiya Janata Party, Banerjee said, "I want to see who has more power -- the armoured vehicles or the people," asserting that she was not afraid of the party.

Addressing another rally at Haripal in Hooghly district, the TMC chief asked the Narendra Modi government to send the armoured vehicles to Manipur instead of West Bengal.

"There has been unrest in Manipur for the last three years," she said, asking Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to hold a public meeting in the northeastern state.

"Go and see the difference, in Bengal people of all faiths live together in peace," she said.

Claiming that the BJP has deployed security forces from across the country for the Assembly elections, Banerjee said, "Terrorists come and kill Indians in Pahalgam, but they (the BJP government) cannot act against Pakistan; however, for the Bengal polls, Modi brings in all forces."

April 22 marked the first anniversary of the dastardly attack by Pakistan-based Laskar-e-Taiba at Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir that left 26 people, mostly tourists, dead and triggered a four-day military conflict with Pakistan after Indian armed forces retaliated with Operation Sindoor targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan-controlled territories.

Referring to Union Home Minister Amit Shah's recent remarks warning of strict action against troublemakers, she said such statements should only be made after winning the polls.

"There is no chance of your victory," she added.

The chief minister alleged that state police were acting in favour of the BJP.

"Our police have become their associates; they no longer recognise me now, they know the BJP," she said, while urging IAS, IPS and other officials to work impartially.

Citing a recent clash between TMC and BJP workers at Ekbalpore in Kolkata, she accused the police of targeting her party's workers and questioned why BJP candidate for Kolkata Port Rakesh Singh had not been arrested.

Claiming that a list of 1,000 TMC leaders and workers had been prepared for arrest ahead of polling, Banerjee warned, "If one TMC worker is arrested, thousands of my mothers and sisters will come out."

Urging people not to vote for the BJP, she alleged that large-scale deletions from voter lists could lead to deportations if the party comes to power.

"If 90 lakh names can be deleted from the voter list in the SIR exercise, then half of the people of Bengal will be deported by way of NRC if they (BJP) comes to power," she said.

She asked everyone enrolled for Haj pilgrimage from the state to cast their votes before undertaking the journey to Mecca.

"I assure you that our Haj Committee will take care of your pilgrimage," she said.

Banerjee accused the BJP of mobilising migrant workers to influence voting and alleged that the Election Commission was intimidating people by imposing restrictions such as curbs on motorbike movement ahead of polling.

Claiming that the BJP was using extensive resources for campaigning, she said, "They have come to Bengal with 100 aircraft and several hundred helicopters, but they will not be seen after the polls are over."

Seeking to address the disquiet among potato farmers over price slump following a bumper crop, the chief minister asked them to sell their produce in other states so they can fetch a good price.

The BJP has accused the Mamata Banerjee government of causing immense loss to potato farmers by imposing restrictions on selling their produce in other states.

Claiming that the railways is not giving rakes for transporting potatoes to other states, Banerjee asked the farmers to use roadways for the purpose.

"They provide trains for bringing outsiders to Bengal but not rakes for transporting our potato produce," Banerjee, who had earlier served as the railway minister for two tenures, said.

She claimed that her government has provisions for crop insurance schemes for farmers, including potato growers.

The deployment of central forces during elections has often been a contentious issue in Indian politics, with opposition parties frequently alleging that the ruling party at the Centre uses these forces to influence the outcome of state elections.

The Election Commission of India is responsible for ensuring free and fair elections, including the deployment and management of security forces.
Kanpur Police have successfully dismantled a major IPL betting racket, arresting five individuals and seizing a substantial amount of cash and equipment used for illegal online gambling operations.

Photograph: Kind courtesy IPL/X

Key Points Kanpur Police dismantled an IPL betting racket, arresting five individuals involved in illegal operations.

The betting racket operated through the Bethub24.com website and mobile app, utilising master IDs for online gambling.

Police seized Rs 3.91 crore in cash, currency counting machines, and mobile phones used for betting operations.

The accused lured users through social media, manipulated outcomes, and settled large winnings in cash.

The alleged kingpin, Manish alias 'Professor', is currently absconding, with police efforts underway to apprehend him.

Kanpur Police on Wednesday busted a racket, arresting five persons and seizing Rs 3.91 crore in cash along with betting equipment.

Police Commissioner Raghubir Lal told PTI that the accused were operating through an illegal website and mobile app, Bethub24.com, using a network of "master IDs" and sub-IDs to facilitate online gambling.

IPL Betting Racket Exposed

The action followed multiple complaints about large-scale IPL betting in the city, Lal said. Acting on a tip-off, police teams intercepted a vehicle near Govindpuri bridge Tuesday night and caught two accused placing bets on mobile phones, he added.

Their interrogation led the police to a rented accommodation in Kidwai Nagar, where three more accused were arrested, Lal said further.

Details of the Seizure

During the raid, police recovered Rs 3.91 crore in cash, three currency-counting machines, a currency verification machine, mobile phones, and other materials used for betting operations.

The arrested have been identified as Karthik Lakhwani and Rajkumar, who allegedly managed betting operations, and Kalpesh, Ravi Nai, and Vishnu from Gujarat, who were responsible for transporting and handling cash, he added.

Search for the Kingpin Continues

The alleged kingpin, Manish alias "Professor", is absconding. His last known location was traced to Pune, and efforts are underway to track and arrest him.

Police said the group lured users through social media links, prompting them to download the app and create betting accounts. Winnings up to one lakh were transferred online, while larger amounts were settled in cash.

The accused also admitted to manipulating outcomes to ensure losses for high-stakes bettors.

Investigation Underway

Preliminary investigation revealed that Lakhwani, who runs a butter paper factory, and Rajkumar procured the master betting ID from the absconding kingpin.

The Gujarat-based accused were paid monthly salaries ranging between Rs 13,000 and Rs 20,000 for managing cash logistics.

The seized amount has been reported to the Income Tax Department and will be handed over after due procedure, police said.

IPL betting is illegal in India under the Public Gambling Act of 1867, though some states have their own laws. Online gambling, including betting apps, is a grey area with varying state regulations. Enforcement often focuses on disrupting organised betting rings and tracing financial transactions.
Tensions escalate as Iranian forces open fire on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, raising concerns about maritime security and potentially impacting shipping routes to India.

IMAGE: Kindly note that this image has been posted for representational purposes only. Photograph: Reuters

Key Points Iranian forces fired upon three commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route.

One of the targeted vessels, the container ship Epaminondas, may have been headed for Mundra port in Gujarat.

The incident follows the seizure of an Iranian commercial vessel by the United States in the Sea of Oman, escalating tensions.

Shipping data indicates the targeted vessels may have violated transit rules or ignored warnings from Iranian forces.

Indian flagged vessels have safely transited the Strait of Hormuz recently, despite the increased risks.

One of three commercial vessels fired upon by Iranian forces in the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday may have been headed for Gujarat, according to initial shipping data.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards opened fire on the vessels as they transited the strategic waterway, with two ships later seized and at least one sustaining damage, though no casualties were reported.

Of the vessels targeted in the Strait of Hormuz incident on Wednesday, container ship Epaminondas was signalling Mundra port in Gujarat as its destination, according to vessel-tracking data from maritime intelligence firm MarineTraffic.

The ship is sailing under the flag of Liberia and "is currently located in the Oman Gulf", it said in an 18.30 IST update.

Information on its owner and the cargo it is carrying was not immediately available.

Ships can and do change course or destination during a voyage, typically due to commercial instructions, weather, congestion, port delays, or security considerations.

Also, vessel-tracking systems rely on AIS (Automatic Identification System) signals, which can be manipulated in some cases. Ships may transmit incomplete, delayed or intentionally altered AIS data to obscure their exact location or intended destination - often referred to as "spoofing" or signal masking.

Another container ship, MSC Francesca, was indicating Hambantota port in Sri Lanka, while a third vessel, Euphoria, was showing Jeddah as its destination, the data showed.

Tehran said the vessels had violated transit rules or ignored warnings, while maritime sources indicated at least one ship had prior clearance.

At an inter-ministerial briefing on recent developments in West Asia, Mukesh Mangal, Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, said last week, two Indian vessels attempting to cross the strait were fired upon and had to make a retreat.

This, even as an Indian-flagged crude tanker, Desh Garima, safely transited the Strait of Hormuz on April 18 and is expected to reach Mumbai on Wednesday, he said.

The Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) tanker is the 10th India-flagged vessel to have crossed the strait since early March.

In contrast, very large crude carrier Samnar Herad and bulk carrier Jag Arnav reported a firing incident while transiting the strait on April 18 and had to return to the Persian Gulf.

Mangal said there are 13 Indian flaged vessels and one Indian owned vessel stranded in the Persian Gulf currently.

He did not share any information on Wednesday's firing incident, as information on Epaminondas' destination came to be known after the briefing.

Iranian state media quoted the country's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as saying that the three vessels, which were fired upon on Wednesday, had violated maritime regulations and entered the strategic waterway without coordination.

British maritime security firm Vanguard Tech said the container vessel that came under fire in the Strait of Hormuz was sailing under a Liberian flag and had been informed that it was authorised to transit the waterway.

Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency, however, reported that the vessel had ignored warnings issued by Iranian forces prior to the incident.

The firing followed the seizure of an Iranian commercial vessel by the United States in the Sea of Oman.

The IRGC accused Washington of violating the ceasefire and engaging in "armed piracy", alleging that US forces had fired on the Iranian ship and disabled its navigation systems.

The Strait of Hormuz is a vital shipping lane connecting Middle Eastern oil producers to global markets, including India. Disruptions in this area can significantly impact India's energy security and trade flows. The incident underscores the ongoing geopolitical tensions in the region and their potential consequences for international commerce.
Tensions escalate as Iranian forces attack a container ship in the Strait of Hormuz after Trump announced the ceasefire extension.

IMAGE: US forces patrol near the Iranian-flagged cargo ship M/V Touska after it was boarded and seized by US forces on April 20, 2026. Photograph: US Central Command/X/Reuters

Key Points Two ships were attacked in the Strait of Hormuz.

The attack caused heavy damage to the ship's bridge, but all crew members are safe.

The incidents occurred hours after the US extended its ceasefire with Iran.

The Strait of Hormuz is a critical chokepoint for global oil supplies.

US sanctions against Iran's ports will remain in place.

Two ships were attacked in the Strait of Hormuz, according to the British military, adding further tension to efforts aimed at bringing the United States and Iran together in Pakistan for talks to end the conflict.

Earlier, Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard reportedly targeted a container ship, causing damage but no injuries.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations centre, run by the British military, did not immediately identify who was responsible for the second incident, though Iran was widely suspected.

In the second case, a cargo ship reported coming under fire and being forced to halt in the water, though no damage was recorded.

US-Iran Ceasefire and Economic Blockade

The incidents came hours after United States President Donald Trump extended the US-Iran ceasefire 'indefinitely' while awaiting a 'unified proposal' from Tehran.

However, Trump said that the economic blockade of Iran's ports will remain in place.

Iran has not yet responded to Trump's announcement on ceasefire extension.

Photograph: @UK_MTO/X

US Seizes Iranian Ship

On Sunday, the US forcibly seized an Iranian-flagged cargo ship that tried to get around a naval blockade near the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump said the ship was warned by a US Navy guided missile destroyer in the Gulf of Oman to stop, but it did not.

He said the Navy 'stopped them right in their tracks by blowing a hole in the engine room' and that US Marines had custody of the vessel, named Touska, and were 'seeing what's on board!'

Significance of the Strait of Hormuz

The Strait of Hormuz is a critical chokepoint for global oil supplies, and tensions there can have significant economic consequences worldwide.

The US has often used sanctions as a tool to pressure Iran over its nuclear programme and regional activities.
Delhi police are investigating the murder of an IRS officer's daughter, suspecting sexual assault and a former domestic help in the Amar Colony area.

Key Points Daughter of a senior IRS officer found murdered in her Delhi residence.

Police suspect the victim was sexually assaulted before being strangled.

A former domestic help, recently fired, is suspected and currently absconding.

Delhi police have registered a case and formed multiple teams for investigation.

A woman, daughter of a senior IRS officer, was found murdered at her residence in southeast Delhi's Amar Colony area, police said on Wednesday.

According to police, the victim was discovered by her family members inside the house under suspicious circumstances, following which the police were alerted.

Delhi Police Launch Investigation

A team rushed to the spot and initiated an investigation.

Preliminary inquiry suggests that the woman was sexually assaulted before being strangled to death using a mobile phone charger cable, sources said.

The victim, aged around 21, was alone at the time of the incident, he added.

Suspect Identified: Former Domestic Help

Police suspect the involvement of a domestic help who used to work at the house before being fired over a month ago. He is said to be absconding, they added.

A case has been registered, and multiple teams have been formed. Further investigation is underway.

The Indian Revenue Service is a central civil service whose officers manage direct and indirect taxes. IRS officers start as assistant commissioners and can rise to chair the Central Board of Direct Taxes or Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs. The Amar Colony neighbourhood is located in the southeast part of Delhi.
Preliminary inquiry suggests the woman, who was preparing for the UPSC examination, was allegedly sexually assaulted before being strangled to death using a mobile phone charger cable.



IMAGE: Kindly note that the image has been posted for representational purposes only. Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points The police suspect a former domestic help, Rahul Meena, who had been removed from his job a month ago.

The victim was allegedly sexually assaulted and strangled with a mobile phone charger cable.

The incident occurred while the victim was alone at home, her parents having left for their morning gym visit.

Police have launched a manhunt for the suspect and are questioning potential witnesses.

A 22-year-old IIT graduate and daughter of a senior Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer was allegedly raped and murdered at her residence by their former househelp in southeast Delhi's upscale Kailash Hills locality on Wednesday morning, hours after the accused and his associates allegedly sexually assaulted another woman in Rajasthan's Alwar.

Rahul Meena, the 19-year-old domestic help who had worked with the family for around eight months and was sacked around a month ago, has been arrested for the crime, the police said this evening.

The woman, who was preparing for the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examination, was alone in her house at the time of the incident and was found murdered in a room by her family members when they returned from the gym, they said.

Preliminary inquiry suggests the woman was sexually assaulted before being strangled to death using a mobile phone charger cable, the police said, adding they are waiting for the postmortem report for confirmation of sexual assault.

The deceased was the daughter of an IRS officer residing in Kailash Hills in Amar Colony, a senior officer said.

"The victim's parents informed us first. The IRS officer and his wife had gone to the gym, and when they returned around 8 am, they found their daughter lying unconscious on the floor. She was immediately taken to Fortis Hospital in the

NFC area, where doctors declared her brought dead. The hospital also informed the police thereafter," Joint Commissioner of Police (Southern Range) Vijay Kumar said.

The officer further said that initial suspicion fell on former domestic help Rahul Meena, who had been terminated from job about one-and-a-half months ago.

CCTV footage and eyewitness accounts confirmed that he entered the colony around 6.30 am, the house around 6.49 am, and left around 7.20 am, during which the crime is suspected to have been committed, the joint commissioner of police (JCP) said.

"More than 15 teams were formed and deployed across multiple locations in Delhi and in Rajasthan's Rajgarh, Alwar, Jaipur, Dausa where he was likely to be present. He was later apprehended from a hotel in Delhi's Dwarka," the JCP said.

Further investigation is underway, and strong evidence has been gathered. Based on this, a comprehensive case will be presented before the court to ensure the accused receives the strictest possible punishment, the officer said.

He also said that the accused had been hired about a year ago after being recommended by a junior officer working with the IRS officer. About one-and-a-half months ago, the same junior advised that he be dismissed following complaints regarding his conduct.

"During the inquiry, it came to light that he was involved in online gaming and had borrowed money from other domestic helps he did not return. When the complainant, the IRS officer, became aware of this, he directed that the individual be removed from service, following which his service was terminated," he added.

It has also emerged that Meena was also involved in a similar incident a day ago in Alwar, where a rape case is filed against him, the JCP said.

Prima facie, resentment over his termination could also be a factor, but the exact motive will be confirmed after a detailed investigation, the officer told reporters.

As per the preliminary probe, the accused was aware of where a spare set of house keys was usually kept for the domestic help. Since the maid was on leave, he allegedly used the spare key to gain entry into the house. Upon entering, he proceeded upstairs, where the victim's room is located, and it is suspected that the crime was committed there.

CCTV footage indicates that the accused entered the premises wearing black-coloured trousers and without any bag, and exited wearing white-coloured trousers while carrying a bag. After leaving the building, he took a right turn and fled the area.

"The complainants have also alleged that cash amounting to approximately Rs 2 lakh was stolen from the house," the officer said

The police said that the accused was familiar with the household, including its layout and the daily routine of the family members. He knew when the victim's parents would step out for their walk or gym sessions.

According to the police, the victim was alone at the residence at the time of the incident. She was allegedly hit with a stick, inflicting significant blunt force trauma on her face and head. Subsequently, the attacker strangled her using a mobile charging cable before fleeing the spot.

The police also said there is no information about the verification of the accused when he was hired.

Sources said the victim put up a strong resistance, following which the accused struck her on the head with a stick to overpower her before strangling her with a charging cable.

A police official also said that after the incident, the family members immediately checked CCTV footage and saw Meena entering their building wearing a black pant and a yellow shirt and going to the third floor of the house belonging to the victim. While exiting he changed his cloth and was seen wearing a white pant and the same yellow shirt with a backpack on his shoulders.

The family has already handed over the entire CCTV footage to the police.

The police said the suspect was also seen on a nearby street camera carrying a backpack.

They said Meena is also wanted in a sexual assault case in Rajasthan's Alwar.

"A case against the accused was registered on Wednesday. He committed the offence on April 21 with a woman in Rajgarh and fled from Alwar, around 170 km from here, to Delhi.

"An FIR has been registered at the Rajgarh Police Station against him. We are in contact with the Delhi Police, and a team of the Delhi Police has also visited here to question his family members," an officer in Alwar told PTI.

The police earlier said Meena was seen outside the house even a few days ago.

"What we have got to know is that after committing the crime in Rajasthan, he fled from there and came to Delhi. He directly reached here in Kailash Hills. He knew the exact point where girls' parents would hide keys when they would step out for the gym.

"CCTV cameras were installed at the entrance of the victim's room, with the live feed accessible on both the victim's and her father's mobile phones," said the officer.

The brutal incident has sent shockwaves across the upscale residential locality. Locals expressed concern over safety and security in these neighbourhoods.

Greater Kailash MLA Shikha Roy said the victim was a bright and talented young woman with a promising future, and her death is a painful loss for the entire community.

"I have known her personally for several years and have seen her grow up as a sincere, disciplined and exceptionally talented girl. She was brilliant in her studies, had completed engineering from IIT Delhi, and was preparing for the UPSC examination with great determination.

"She was an equally good dancer and other cultural activities, and despite being deeply focused on her studies, she remained humble and connected with people around her," Roy said.

A case has been registered, and forensic teams have collected evidence from the crime scene.
Pakistan's role as a mediator in the US-Iran peace negotiations is under scrutiny, with concerns raised that its efforts are faltering and failing to yield tangible progress.

IMAGE: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi welcomes Pakistan army chief Asim Munir at an airport in Tehran on April 15, 2026. Photograph: Iranian Foreign Ministry/WANA/Handout/Reuters

Key Points Pakistan's mediation efforts between the US and Iran are facing scepticism and accusations of stalling the peace process.

Despite Pakistan's efforts, the US has not yet provided a clear response to proposals, raising doubts about the effectiveness of Islamabad's role.

Donald Trump extended the ceasefire with Iran following a request from Pakistan, highlighting Islamabad's attempts to be a central diplomatic player.

The US President maintained an aggressive stance against Iran, suggesting the ceasefire extension is temporary until a unified proposal is presented.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif confirmed a second round of talks is scheduled in Pakistan, but did not specify a date.

Casting serious aspersions on Pakistan's role in high-stakes peace negotiations, the Student News Network (SNN) has suggested that Islamabad's mediation efforts are stalling and failing to secure a definitive response from the United States.

There is growing scepticism regarding the effectiveness of the communication channel facilitated by the Pakistani leadership, which appears to be yielding little more than a diplomatic deadlock.

Doubts Emerge Over Pakistan's Mediation

Highlighting the lack of tangible progress despite the outreach, an SNN analyst said, "According to the plan we had, Asim Munir has come to Tehran, received our message, and this message was supposed to be given to the American side, which naturally he must have given. But as far as I know, and we have discussed it at high levels, we have not yet received a response as to whether this message was accepted or not. And I would even say, even if we do receive a response, he (Munir) will go back and sit in Islamabad and the other party will say, 'Well, I don't accept this at all.'

The distrust is clearly visible and the peace process has reportedly reached a standstill, with the Iranian side yet to see any commitment from Washington through the Pakistani intermediary.

Trump Extends Ceasefire Amid Diplomatic Efforts

These aspersions from Tehran come even as US President Donald Trump abruptly extended the ceasefire with Iran, a development that has highlighted Islamabad's desperate attempts to project itself as a central diplomatic player.

The decision, announced late on Wednesday, reportedly followed a "request" from the Pakistani leadership just as the previous deadline was set to expire.

Despite the extension, the US President maintained his aggressive posture against what he termed a "seriously fractured" Iranian administration, suggesting that the reprieve is merely a stay of execution until a unified proposal is produced.

US Stance and Pakistan's Role

The sudden shift in the US stance appeared to be a significant reversal from only hours earlier, when Trump told CNBC, "I don't want to do that. We don't have that much time," while indicating he expected to be "bombing" should the ceasefire terminate without resolution.

However, in a post on Truth Social, the US President cited the "seriously fractured" state of the Iranian government and a specific "request" from Pakistan's Army Chief, General Asim Munir, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif as the primary factors behind the delay in military action.

Pakistan's Response and Future Talks

Following the announcement, Shehbaz Sharif was quick to thank the US President for accepting the "request" to "extend the ceasefire to allow ongoing diplomatic efforts to take their course".

While the Pakistani Prime Minister claimed that "with the trust and confidence reposed in, Pakistan shall continue its earnest efforts for negotiated settlement of conflict," the move is widely seen as an attempt by a struggling Islamabad to buy time.

Sharif further confirmed that a second round of talks is scheduled to take place in Pakistan, though he notably failed to specify any date for the proceedings.

Pakistan has historically played a role in mediating conflicts in the region, often leveraging its relationships with both Western and Middle Eastern nations. The current situation highlights the complexities of international diplomacy and the challenges of achieving lasting peace in the region. The success of these negotiations could have significant implications for regional stability and global security.
Three men have been arrested in Mumbai for allegedly creating and distributing fraudulent APK files used in an LPG cylinder scam that targeted individuals during a period of shortage.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Mumbai Police arrested three men from Jharkhand for creating fraudulent APK files.

The scammers exploited the LPG cylinder shortage to send malicious APK files to victims.

Downloading these files gave scammers full access to victims' phones and bank accounts.

Police suspect the accused also sold victim data to illegal call centres.

Citizens are warned against downloading APK files from unknown sources via WhatsApp or SMS.

A Mumbai Police team apprehended three men from Jharkhand for allegedly creating and selling fraudulent APK files to dupe people, with preliminary investigations suggesting that fraudsters exploited the gas cylinder shortage situation to gain access to sensitive data, officials said.

LPG Verification Scam During Cylinder Shortage

The arrests follow a series of scams that peaked last month during the shortage of LPG cylinders, an official said on Wednesday.

The fraudsters used to take advantage of the situation and send APK files on the mobile phones of people under the guise of "LPG verification or gas connection updates", he said.

The official said that people used to click APK files, believing they were sent by LPG companies.

Once a user downloads the file, the scammers gain full access to their phone and swindle money from bank accounts, he explained.

How APK File Fraud Works

In APK file fraud, fraudsters send malicious files (ending in .apk) via WhatsApp or SMS, posing as RTO, banks, or delivery services to steal personal data and bank details.

The official said the crime branch probe tracked the technical trail of these fraudulent files to Jharkhand, following which a special team conducted a raid and apprehended three persons.

Ongoing Investigation and Public Awareness

Police suspect that the accused also sold the data of victims to some illegal call centres, the official said, adding that they have targeted thousands of victims.

With the trio now in custody, the police are hoping to uncover a much larger network of cybercriminals and crack several pending cases.

Police have warned citizens against downloading or installing any APK files sent via WhatsApp or SMS, as these are the primary tools used for hacking smartphones, the official said.

Police are conducting awareness drives for senior citizens, he said.

The use of APK files to steal data is a growing concern in India, with scammers often impersonating legitimate organisations. Law enforcement agencies regularly issue advisories about the dangers of downloading files from unverified sources. Victims of cybercrime can report incidents to the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal.
Odisha police have discovered the body of a real estate businessman, Sudhir Patra, who was allegedly kidnapped for a Rs 2 crore ransom, leading to a murder investigation.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Sudhir Patra, a real estate businessman, was allegedly kidnapped in Odisha and a Rs 2 crore ransom was demanded.

Patra's decomposed body was discovered in a forest area near Gajalabadi, Odisha.

Police suspect the kidnappers killed Patra on the night of the abduction.

An abduction and murder case has been registered, and police are investigating possible motives, including business rivalry.

The police on Wednesday recovered the decomposed body of a real estate businessman who was allegedly kidnapped about a week ago for ransom, an officer said.

The deceased was identified as Sudhir Patra (47) of Satyanarayanpur near Gopalpur. He was allegedly abducted by a group of unknown miscreants at about 6.30 pm on April 15 from Dura, near here, while he was going to his village on a motorcycle.

On that night, the miscreants demanded Rs 2 crore as ransom from the family members for his release.

Since then, the family members have not received any communication from the deceased or the kidnappers, said the police officer.

Discovery of the Body

Patra's highly decomposed body was found in the forest area near Gajalabadi under Sorada police station limits of the district.

"We have rushed to the spot along with the family members of the deceased and the scientific team after getting information about the discovery of a decomposed body in the jungle," Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) of Berhampur Sadar, Subhransu Parida, said.

Though the body was decomposed beyond recognition, the family members identified him from his dress, which he wore at the time of kidnapping, Parida said.

The body was so decomposed that it was possible to bring it to MKCG Medical College here for the post-mortem examination.

The autopsy was conducted on the spot, and the police handed over the body to his family members to perform his last rites, the SDPO said.

Investigation and Suspicions

The police suspect that the kidnappers might have killed him on the night of the kidnapping and dumped the body in the forest area.

Based on a complaint lodged by the deceased's wife Rashmi Rekha Patra, an abduction case was registered earlier, and the police searched for him by forming multiple teams, Parida said.

"Now we have registered a case of kidnapping and murder," said the SDPO.

Police said the exact reason for the kidnapping and murder incident was yet to be clear.

"We are investigating from various possible angles, including the business rivalry, past enmity, etc. We have established some clues in the case, and the culprits will be arrested soon," said the police officer.

Kidnapping for ransom is a serious crime in India, often investigated by state police forces. The investigation will likely focus on identifying the perpetrators and determining the motive behind the abduction and murder. Cases involving large ransom demands sometimes involve organised criminal groups.
An investigation is underway after seven live bullets were found abandoned in a bathroom at a railway hospital in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, raising security concerns.

Photograph: Danish Siddiqui/Reuters

Key Points Seven live bullets discovered in a bathroom at a railway hospital in Thiruvananthapuram.

Police have taken the live bullets into custody for examination.

An investigation has been launched to determine the origin of the bullets.

Preliminary assessment suggests the bullets may have been used by the Railway Protection Force (RPF).

Seven live bullets were recovered from a bathroom of a railway hospital in the state capital, police said on Wednesday.

Investigation Launched After Bullet Discovery

The bullets were found abandoned inside a toilet at the railway hospital located in Pettah area, they said.

Police officials reached the spot and took the bullets into custody for further examination.

"Though the bullets appear to be old, they are live. A case will be registered soon and a detailed probe will be launched," a police officer attached to the Vanchiyoor police station said.

Preliminary assessment suggests that the bullets may have been used by the Railway Protection Force (RPF), but it can be confirmed only after a thorough investigation, sources added.

The discovery of live ammunition in a public space raises concerns about security protocols and potential misuse. Railway hospitals in India, like other government facilities, are expected to maintain strict control over potentially dangerous materials. The investigation will likely focus on identifying the source of the bullets and preventing similar incidents in the future.
The Bombay High Court has discharged four men accused in the 2006 Malegaon blasts, leaving the question of responsibility for the deadly attack unanswered and raising concerns about the investigation's twists and turns.

Photograph: Punit Paranjpe/Reuters

Key Points Bombay High Court discharged four men accused in the 2006 Malegaon serial bomb blasts, overturning terror charges.

The NIA's investigation shifted blame to right-wing extremists after initially accusing Muslim men.

The court questioned the evidence against the accused, who had been incarcerated for over six years without trial.

The initial investigation by Maharashtra's ATS led to the arrest of nine Muslim men, later cleared by the NIA.

The Bombay High Court on Wednesday discharged four men accused in the 2006 Malegaon serial bomb blasts, quashing all the charges against them, including of terror, and leaving unanswered the question of who was responsible for the explosions that killed 31 people.

High Court Overturns NIA Court Charges

A division bench comprising Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Shyam Chandak allowed the appeals filed by four accused -- Rajendra Chaudhary, Dhan Singh, Manohar Ram Singh Narwaria, and Lokesh Sharma -- challenging the framing of charges by a special NIA court against them.

A detailed written order was expected to be released later.

The four were charged under various sections of the Indian Penal Code for murder and criminal conspiracy, and also under the Unlawful (Activities) Prevention Act (UAPA), a stringent anti-terror law.

The 2006 Malegaon Bombings

On September 8, 2006, four bombs exploded in Nashik district's Malegaon town in North Maharashtra, three inside the premises of Hamidia Masjid and Bada Kabrastan just after Friday prayers, and the fourth in Mushawarat Chowk, claiming 31 lives and injuring 312 persons.

Investigation Twists and Turns

The probe in the blasts witnessed several twists and turn with the initial investigating agencies claiming that the conspiracy was hatched by Muslim accused, but the National Investigation Agency (NIA), which later probed the case, said right-wing extremists were behind the powerful explosions.

Maharashtra's Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), which initially probed the case, had arrested nine Muslim men in connection with the case.

The ATS, in its chargesheet filed in December 2006, claimed that the conspiracy to trigger blasts was hatched during a meeting held at the wedding of one of the accused in May 2006.

The case was later transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in February 2007, which, in its supplementary chargesheet, agreed with the ATS probe and named the nine Muslim men as accused.

However, in April 2011, the NIA, which probes terror cases, took over the case and claimed that the blasts were the handiwork of right-wing extremists and arrested these four accused.

The central agency relied on a statement made by Swami Aseemanand, an accused in the Ajmer Sharif (Rajasthan) and Mecca Masjid (Hyderabad) blasts case, as per which the Malegaon 2006 blasts were carried out by the men of deceased right-wing activist Sunil Joshi.

While Aseemanand later retracted this statement, the NIA after its probe filed a chargesheet giving a clean chit to the nine arrested Muslim accused and naming these four men.

A special court in 2016 discharged those nine Muslim men which was challenged by the ATS in the HC. The ATS's appeal is pending in the HC and has not been heard since 2019.

In September last year, a special NIA court framed charges against the four accused. They then moved the HC against the special court order.

In January this year, the HC, while admitting the pleas, noted that a prima facie case for interference was made out and stayed further proceedings before the trial court pending the outcome of the matter.

The four accused, in their plea in HC, claimed that the NIA had failed to produce any evidence against them.

The HC in 2019 granted bail to the four men (present appellants), observing that they had been incarcerated for over six years without trial.

The Malegaon blasts case has seen multiple investigating agencies and conflicting claims, initially implicating Muslim men before the NIA shifted blame to right-wing extremists. The acquittal of the initial suspects and subsequent charges against others highlight the complexities and controversies surrounding terrorism investigations in India. The High Court's decision raises concerns about the quality of evidence presented by the NIA.
The Bombay high court has discharged four men accused in the 2006 Malegaon blast case, raising questions about the investigation and justice for the victims.

IMAGE: Police officials stand guard at a blast site outside a mosque in Malegaon, 260km northeast of Mumbai, September 29, 2008. Photograph: Punit Paranjpe/Reuters

Key Points The court quashed a special court order framing charges against the accused.

The accused were charged under the Indian Penal Code and the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) had claimed right-wing extremists were behind the blasts.

The Bombay high court on Wednesday discharged four men accused in the 2006 Malegaon serial bomb blasts, quashing all the charges against them, including terror, and leaving unanswered the question of who was responsible for the explosions that killed 31 people.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Shyam Chandak allowed the appeals filed by four accused -- Rajendra Chaudhary, Dhan Singh, Manohar Ram Singh Narwaria, and Lokesh Sharma -- challenging the framing of charges by a special NIA court against them.

A detailed written order was expected to be released later.

The four were charged under various sections of the Indian Penal Code for murder and criminal conspiracy, and also under the Unlawful (Activities) Prevention Act (UAPA), a stringent anti-terror law.

On September 8, 2006, four bombs exploded in Nashik district's Malegaon town in North Maharashtra, three inside the premises of Hamidia Masjid and Bada Kabrastan just after Friday prayers, and the fourth in Mushawarat Chowk, claiming 31 lives and injuring 312 persons.

The probe into the blasts witnessed several twists and turn with the initial investigating agencies claiming that the conspiracy was hatched by Muslim accused, but the National Investigation Agency (NIA), which later probed the case, said right-wing extremists were behind the powerful explosions.

Maharashtra's Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), which initially probed the case, had arrested nine Muslim men in connection with the case.

The ATS, in its chargesheet filed in December 2006, claimed that the conspiracy to trigger blasts was hatched during a meeting held at the wedding of one of the accused in May 2006.

The case was later transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in February 2007, which, in its supplementary chargesheet, agreed with the ATS probe and named the nine Muslim men as accused.

However, in April 2011, the NIA, which probes terror cases, took over the case and claimed that the blasts were the handiwork of right-wing extremists and arrested these four accused.

The central agency relied on a statement made by Swami Aseemanand, an accused in the Ajmer Sharif (Rajasthan) and Mecca Masjid (Hyderabad) blasts case, as per which the Malegaon 2006 blasts were carried out by the men of deceased right-wing activist Sunil Joshi.

While Aseemanand later retracted this statement, the NIA after its probe filed a chargesheet giving a clean chit to the nine arrested Muslim accused and naming these four men.

A special court in 2016 discharged those nine Muslim men which was challenged by the ATS in the HC. The ATS's appeal is pending in the HC and has not been heard since 2019.

In September last year, a special NIA court framed charges against the four accused. They then moved the HC against the special court order.

In January this year, the HC, while admitting the pleas, noted that a prima facie case for interference was made out and stayed further proceedings before the trial court pending the outcome of the matter.

The four accused, in their plea in HC, claimed that the NIA had failed to produce any evidence against them.

The HC in 2019 granted bail to the four men (present appellants), observing that they had been incarcerated for over six years without trial.
A Madhya Pradesh court swiftly sentenced a man to life in prison for the brutal murder of his wife, highlighting the efficiency of the Indian judicial system in delivering justice.

Key Points A man in Guna, Madhya Pradesh, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of his wife.

The District and Sessions Court Judge convicted the man under Section 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita.

The victim died from severe head injuries inflicted by the accused with a stick.

Despite key witnesses retracting their statements, strong circumstantial evidence led to the conviction.

A local court on Wednesday sentenced a man to life imprisonment after convicting him for murdering his wife in Guna district of Madhya Pradesh, delivering a verdict after conducting a trial over just three and a half months.

Conviction Details In Madhya Pradesh Murder Case

District and Sessions Court Judge Amitabh Mishra convicted Sur Singh Bhilala, a resident of Kandai village, under Section 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita. The court also imposed a fine of Rs 2,000.

According to the prosecution, Bhilala beat his wife, Resham Bai, to death with a stick on the intervening night of November 3 and 4, 2025.

Evidence And Witness Testimony

A total of 18 injuries were found on the deceased's body, and she had a fractured skull. The postmortem report mentioned that the death was due to a severe head injury.

There were no direct witnesses in the case, and the deceased's son and other key witnesses had retracted their statements in court.

Prosecution's Case And Defence Arguments

However, the public prosecutor Alankar Vashisht presented strong circumstantial evidence.

The doctor also refuted the defence's argument that the injuries were caused by a fall from the stairs.

The Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita, under which the conviction occurred, is the new Indian penal code. It replaced the Indian Penal Code in 2023, bringing changes to definitions and penalties for various crimes. Trials in India can sometimes take many years, so a verdict delivered in just over three months is relatively quick.
A man with a criminal history has been arrested in Jharkhand for allegedly demanding 1.2 crore in extortion from a land dealer, highlighting the state's ongoing efforts to combat organised crime.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points A man has been arrested in Jharkhand for allegedly demanding Rs 1.2 crore in extortion.

The accused, Jay Prakash Shukla, allegedly demanded the money from a land dealer.

The arrest followed an FIR lodged by the 55-year-old victim.

The accused was found to be involved in a land dispute with the dealer.

Five criminal cases are pending against the accused in three districts.

A man, wanted in several criminal cases, was arrested for allegedly demanding Rs 1.2 crore as extortion from a land dealer in Jharkhand's Palamu district, police said on Wednesday.

The accused was arrested on Tuesday during a raid following an FIR registered by the 55-year-old victim at the Town police station limits and forwarded to judicial custody on Wednesday, a police officer said.

Details of the Extortion Case

"The accused, identified as Jay Prakash Shukla, a resident of Housing Colony, was arrested for demanding an extortion of Rs 1.2 crore from the realtor, identified as Nand Kumar Yadav, over a phone call," Medininagar SDPO Rajeev Ranjan told PTI.

Investigation Reveals Criminal History

The SDPO further said that during the investigation into the case, it was also found that the accused was embroiled in a land dispute with the dealer and has criminal antecedents.

Five criminal cases are pending against him in three districts. An FIR in this regard has been lodged at the police station, he said.

Extortion cases are not uncommon in regions with active land markets and organised crime networks. Police in India typically register an FIR, conduct raids based on evidence, and present the accused before a magistrate for judicial custody. The investigation will likely focus on gathering evidence to support the charges and determine if other individuals were involved.
A Karnataka man has been arrested for allegedly setting his wife on fire after an argument escalated over her wearing a nightdress instead of a sari, highlighting the tragic consequences of domestic disputes.

Key Points A man in Karnataka allegedly set his wife ablaze following a dispute over her wearing a nightdress instead of a sari.

The accused, Krishna Patil, reportedly had frequent arguments with his wife, Manjula Patil, regarding her clothing choices.

Manjula Patil sustained severe burn injuries and is currently receiving medical treatment in Goa.

Police have arrested Krishna Patil and registered a case at Nandgad Police Station.

Preliminary investigations suggest the accused had undergone brain tumour surgery and may have behavioural issues.

A 34-year-old man allegedly set his wife ablaze at their residence in the district after objecting to her wearing a nightdress instead of a sari, police said on Wednesday.

The incident occurred in Nandgad village of Khanapur taluk on April 19, they said.

The accused, identified as Krishna Patil, allegedly objected to his 27-year-old wife Manjula Patil wearing a nightdress at home and frequently argued with her over the issue, police said.

Argument Over Attending Function Led To Dispute

"There was a heated altercation between the couple. The woman was unwilling to attend a function organised by his relatives. Her husband insisted that she attend, but she refused, which led to the dispute," K Ramarajan, Superintendent of Police (Belagavi), told reporters.

"He allegedly threatened to burn her dress if she did not change from a nightdress into a sari. When she refused, he allegedly made two attempts and, on the third attempt, set the dress on fire. The dress was completely burned, and she sustained severe burn injuries," he said.

She was immediately shifted to Belagavi Medical College Hospital. Doctors said she had sustained around 80 per cent superficial burn injuries. She was later shifted to a hospital in Goa for advanced treatment, he said.

Accused Had Undergone Brain Tumour Surgery

The woman's family has alleged that there had been previous altercations between the couple, but this time the accused was furious and set the dress on fire, leading to severe injuries, the SP said.

Citing a preliminary investigation, the officer said Krishna was suffering from a brain tumour and had undergone surgery for it about two months ago.

Locals said Krishna was not mentally stable and had behavioural issues, he added.

The accused had returned to Nandgad two months ago. Before that, he had been working in Goa for seven to eight years, the SP said.

The couple had been married for eight years and had two children-a five-year-old daughter and a three-year-old son. "This is a very unfortunate incident. A case has been registered at Nandgad Police Station, and the accused has been arrested," he added.

Cases of domestic violence are registered under various sections of the Indian Penal Code. The police investigation will determine if charges beyond assault and battery are warranted. The incident highlights the ongoing challenges related to domestic disputes and violence against women in India.
In a shocking incident in Karnataka, a man has been arrested for allegedly setting his wife on fire following a dispute over her wearing a nightdress, highlighting the issue of domestic violence.

Key Points A man in Karnataka allegedly set his wife ablaze after objecting to her wearing a nightdress.

The incident occurred in Nandgad village, Khanapur taluk, Karnataka.

The accused, Krishna Patil, frequently argued with his wife, Manjula Patil, over her choice of clothing.

Manjula Patil sustained approximately 80 per cent burn injuries and is receiving advanced medical treatment.

Krishna Patil has been arrested, and an investigation is underway by Nandgad Police Station.

A 34-year-old man allegedly set his wife ablaze at their residence in the district after objecting to her wearing a nightdress rather than a sari, police said on Wednesday.

Nightdress Dispute Leads to Violence

The incident occurred in Nandgad village of Khanapur taluk on Tuesday night, they said.

The accused, identified as Krishna Patil, allegedly objected to his 32-year-old wife Manjula Patil wearing a nightdress at home and frequently argued with her over the issue, police said.

Woman Suffers Severe Burns

Police said an altercation broke out between the couple during which the accused allegedly doused his wife in kerosene and set her on fire.

The woman sustained around 80 per cent burn injuries and was initially admitted to the Belagavi Institute of Medical Sciences (BIMS). Due to the severity of her condition, she was later shifted to a hospital in Goa for advanced treatment, a senior police officer said.

Accused Arrested, Investigation Ongoing

A case has been registered at Nandgad Police Station, and the accused has been arrested, police said, adding that further investigation is underway.

Cases of domestic violence are registered under various sections of the Indian Penal Code. Police investigations typically involve gathering evidence, recording statements, and presenting the findings in court. The legal process aims to provide justice and protection to victims of such crimes.
Massive fish deaths in Delhi's Najafgarh drain, a tributary of the Yamuna, are raising alarms about the impact of untreated waste and pollution on aquatic life and water quality.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Thousands of fish have died in the Najafgarh drain, near the Dhansa regulator, due to suspected pollution.

Activists blame untreated residential and industrial waste for the mass fish mortality in the Najafgarh drain.

Increased temperatures may have lowered dissolved oxygen levels, contributing to the fish deaths.

The Najafgarh drain, a major source of pollution, flows directly into the Yamuna River.

Experts warn that mass fish deaths indicate extreme environmental stress and call for immediate action.

Thousands of dead fish have been seen floating on the Najafgarh drain near the Dhansa regulator in the past few days, activists said, pointing to possible inflow of excessive untreated residential effluents and industrial wastes as the probable cause.

Bhim Singh Rawat, a Yamuna activist and member of the South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers and People (SANDRP), said the incident has been observed near Rawta village, on the Delhi-Haryana border.

Untreated Waste And Temperature Impact

"This mass fish mortality can be attributed to excessive inflow of untreated residential effluents as well industrial wastes," Rawat said, adding that all this, paired with an increase in temperature might have caused a drop in the DO (dissolved oxygen) level, leading to fish deaths.

Najafgarh, one of Delhi's most polluted drains, flows directly into the Yamuna, thus raising further concerns about its pollution level.

Rawat said similar incidents have been observed earlier at major points along the Yamuna as well.

Pollution Levels Exceed Safe Limits

A Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) analysis published in March showed that the biological oxygen demand (BOD) at "Najafgarh Jheel Downsteam" was recorded at 60 mg/l, as compared to the desired standard of 30 mg/l. The report also showed that multiple subdrains of the Najafgarh canal also has BOD levels way above the safe limit.

Fish As Bio-Indicators Of Ecosystem Health

Radhey Shyam Sharma, head of Delhi University's (DU) Department of Environmental Studies, said fish can be taken as an bio-indicator of ecosystem health.

"Mass fish deaths can signify extreme stress on environment. Najafgarh drain already has a very high level of pollution but that problem is compounded by mixture toxicity," Sharma told PTI.

"A particular pollutant can be present at comparative low levels and would not be a problem if present alone. However, when multiple pollutants are present, they might chemically react with each other and lead to mixture toxicity," he explained.

Calling the incident extremely concerning, both called for proper investigation and immediate action to rectify the "imbalance".

"These incidents are a message that we need to take some form of action," Sharma said.

The Najafgarh drain is a significant source of pollution entering the Yamuna River, impacting water quality and aquatic life. Monitoring and regulation of industrial and residential waste discharge are crucial for mitigating such environmental disasters. The DPCC plays a key role in analysing and reporting on pollution levels in Delhi's water bodies.
Two senior executives arrested in connection with a fatal drug overdose at a Mumbai music concert are challenging their 'illegal' arrest in the Bombay High Court, claiming no involvement in drug-related activities.

Key Points Two executives from NESCO Exhibitions challenge their arrest related to a fatal drug overdose at a Mumbai music concert.

The executives claim they were merely discharging professional duties and had no involvement in drug-related activities.

The petition argues there is no evidence linking them to the procurement, distribution, or consumption of illegal substances.

The plea states that drug consumption was strictly prohibited at the venue, according to entry terms.

One executive claims the grounds for arrest were not properly communicated due to a language barrier.

Two senior executives of an exhibition centre, arrested in connection with a fatal drug overdose case at a music concert in the city, have moved the Bombay High Court challenging their "illegal" arrest and seeking bail.

Balkrishna Balram Kurup (46), vice-president (Live Events and IP) of NESCO Exhibitions, and Sunny Jain (31), senior manager (Live Events) at the centre in suburban Goregaon, were arrested on April 13. Their arrest came after two MBA students, who attended the April 11 music concert at the NESCO Exhibition Centre, died allegedly due an overdose of drugs.

Executives Claim No Involvement in Drug Activity

Investigations suggested that the duo, studying in a well-known business school in south Mumbai, had allegedly consumed MDMA (commonly known as ecstasy), a prohibited substance.

In their petition, filed this week through advocate Rishi Bhuta, Jain and Kurup have contended that they were merely employees discharging their professional duties and had no direct or indirect involvement in any alleged drug-related activity.

Arguments Against the Arrest

They argued that there was no material linking them to procurement, distribution, or consumption of contraband substances, and no recovery has been made at their instance.

The plea states that consumption or possession of illegal substances was strictly prohibited at the venue, as per entry terms printed on tickets and displayed at the site.

Challenging the Legality of the Arrest

The duo, currently in judicial custody, claimed their arrest was illegal as police failed to comply with the mandatory safeguard under law regarding communication of ground of their arrest.

Kurup, whose mother tongue is Malayalam, has further contended that the grounds of arrest were provided in Marathi, a language he does not understand, and were not explained to him despite requests.

The executives from NESCO Exhibitions were arrested after two MBA students died following a music concert at the venue, allegedly due to a drug overdose. The legal challenge highlights issues surrounding the responsibilities of venue management in preventing drug-related incidents. In India, arrests must follow due process, including clear communication of the grounds for arrest in a language the accused understands.
A 35-year-old man, allegedly involved in the murder of a land dealer, was arrested after a dramatic gunfight with police in Ranchi, Jharkhand, highlighting the ongoing issues surrounding land disputes.

Key Points Satyam Pathak, 35, was arrested in Ranchi following a gunfight with police.

Pathak is allegedly involved in the murder of land dealer Bhargav Singh.

An ASI was injured and Pathak sustained gunshot wounds in the legs during the encounter.

The murder is believed to be related to a land dispute.

Police recovered two weapons from Pathak's possession.

A 35-year-old armed man, who was allegedly involved in the murder of a land dealer, was arrested following a gunfight with the police in Jharkhand's Ranchi district on Wednesday, officials said.

Gunfight Leads to Arrest of Murder Suspect

An ASI was also injured in the gunfight, which broke out around 7.30 am in the Pandra outpost area, while the accused, identified as Satyam Pathak, sustained two gunshot wounds, one in each leg, they said.

"Pathak was involved in the murder of the 40-year-old Bhargav Singh. When a police team went to arrest him following a tip-off, he tried to escape after snatching a weapon from security personnel," Ranchi SSP Rakesh Ranjan said.

"In response, the police fired at him, injuring him in his legs," he added.

Land Dispute Motive in Ranchi Murder Case

Pathak had allegedly shot the realtor dead on Tuesday near the OTC Ground. The main accused in the case, Vijay Tete, was arrested immediately after the incident, police said.

He was wanted in multiple criminal cases, and the police have recovered two weapons from his possession, Ranchi (City) SP Paras Rana said.

Singh, who ran a construction company, was killed over a land dispute, he said.

The arrest follows a shooting that occurred near OTC Ground, allegedly stemming from a land dispute. Such disputes are a recurring issue in Jharkhand and other parts of India, often leading to violence. Police investigations will likely focus on uncovering the full network of individuals involved in the land-related conflict.
The National Commission for Women (NCW) has strongly condemned the horrific gangrape of a 15-year-old girl in Tamil Nadu, demanding swift action and a thorough investigation to ensure justice for the victim.

Key Points NCW takes suo motu cognisance of the gangrape of a 15-year-old girl in Tamil Nadu.

NCW chairperson directs Tamil Nadu DGP to register FIR under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and POCSO Act.

The commission seeks immediate arrest of all accused and a time-bound investigation.

Authorities are directed to provide medical assistance, counselling, rehabilitation, and protection to the survivor and her family.

Union Minister Annpurna Devi urges NCW to take immediate cognisance of the gangrape case.

The National Commission for Women (NCW) has taken suo motu cognisance of the gangrape of a 15-year-old girl in Tamil Nadu, terming the incident "horrific" and raising concerns over the safety of minor girls.

NCW Demands Immediate Action and Arrests

NCW chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar has directed the Tamil Nadu Director General of Police to ensure prompt registration of an FIR under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the POCSO Act, immediate arrest of all accused and a fair and time-bound investigation.

She also directed authorities to provide comprehensive medical assistance, counselling, rehabilitation and protection support to the survivor and her family.

The Commission has sought a detailed Action Taken Report from the state police within five days.

Commission Condemns the 'Barbaric Act'

"National Commission for Women has taken suo motu cognisance of the horrific gangrape of a minor girl in Cheyyar, Tiruvannamalai district, Tamil Nadu," the Commission said in a statement on Wednesday.

The Commission strongly condemned the incident, calling it a barbaric act and a gross violation of human rights that leaves deep physical, emotional and psychological scars on the survivor.

"Such incidents demand immediate accountability and the strictest legal action," the statement said.

Call for Stronger Protective Measures

It also stressed the urgent need for stronger preventive and protective mechanisms to curb such heinous crime against young girls.

"The brutal assault on a 15-year-old girl has raised grave concerns about the safety and security of young girls and highlights the urgent need for stronger preventive and protective mechanisms against such heinous crime," the statement read.

Union Minister Expresses Anguish

This comes a day after Union Minister for Women and Child Development Annpurna Devi expressed anguish over the alleged gangrape of the minor girl and urged the NCW to take immediate cognisance of the matter.

In a post on X on Tuesday, Devi said, "Deeply anguished by this horrific incident. I urge the NCW to take immediate cognisance and act swiftly in coordination with the concerned authorities to ensure the strictest action against all culprits."

Devi said, "Justice must be swift and unsparing - the accused must be brought to book without delay," adding, "the safety, dignity, and justice of every daughter of India remain our highest priority."

"We stand firmly with the survivor and her family in this difficult hour," she said.

The NCW's intervention follows increasing concerns about the safety and security of women and girls in India. The POCSO Act, mentioned in the NCW's directive, aims to protect children from sexual offences and ensure their well-being. Cases of sexual assault are typically investigated by state police, with the courts responsible for prosecution and adjudication.
The National Commission for Women (NCW) has proposed a comprehensive framework to support acid attack survivors in India, focusing on enhanced medical care, legal justice, and rehabilitation.

Key Points The NCW recommends a survivor-centric framework addressing medical care, legal justice, rehabilitation, financial security, and socio-economic inclusion for acid attack victims.

The commission advocates for mandatory Golden Hour Protocol implementation, ensuring immediate medical intervention within the first 60 minutes after an acid attack.

NCW proposes free, lifelong medical treatment, including reconstructive surgeries and assistive devices, along with dedicated acid-attack cells in hospitals.

The recommendations include fast-track investigation and trial mechanisms, uniform compensation frameworks, and accessible livelihood models for survivors.

NCW suggests strict control and licensing of acid sales, amendments to the Poison Act, and community monitoring for early prevention of acid attacks.

The National Commission for Women (NCW) on Wednesday said it has submitted a detailed set of recommendations to multiple central ministries, outlining a survivor-centric framework to strengthen care, justice and rehabilitation for acid-attack victims.

Key Recommendations for Medical Care

The recommendations, based on a roundtable consultation titled "Navjeevan: A Consultation on Care, Justice and Dignity for Acid Attack Survivors" held on January 16, have been sent to the ministries of home affairs, health and family welfare, women and child development and social justice and empowerment.

According to the commission, the recommendations present a holistic, survivor-centric framework addressing medical care, legal justice, rehabilitation, financial security and long-term socio-economic inclusion for acid-attack victims across the country.

The NCW said the mandatory Golden Hour Protocol should be notified and uniformly implemented across all government and private hospitals, along with compulsory training and certification on acid-attack management for doctors, nurses, paramedical staff, primary health centres (PHCs) and emergency responders.

The Golden Hour Protocol refers to the first 60 minutes after an acid attack, when immediate medical intervention can reduce tissue damage and improve survival and recovery outcomes.

The NCW has recommended free, lifelong medical treatment, including reconstructive surgeries, ophthalmic care, dental care and assistive devices, customised Ayushman Bharat packages covering repeated and staged reconstructive surgeries, and the establishment of district-level centres of excellence for burn care and rehabilitation.

It has also suggested dedicated acid-attack cells in hospitals for case coordination, follow-up and survivor navigation, tele-medicine and weekly tele-consultation services for long-term medical support, and a mandatory display of free treatment information for acid-attack survivors in all hospitals.

Psycho-Social Support and Legal Justice

On psycho-social support and mental health, the NCW has recommended family counselling and caregiver assistance, trauma-informed counselling services at district and state levels with trained psychologists, long-term continuous counselling and group therapy and peer-support programmes.

It has also called for a mandatory sensitisation training for police, the judiciary, prosecutors, medical staff and NGOs, community-sensitisation programmes and the integration of psycho-social rehabilitation into all survivor welfare schemes.

For legal and justice delivery, the commission has recommended fast-track investigation and trial mechanisms with fixed timelines, a reversal of the burden of proof in acid-attack prosecutions, appointing dedicated legal officers at the district level and simplified procedures for FIR registration, including mandatory Zero FIRs.

It has further suggested strict action on stalking complaints as a preventive measure, uniform survivor-centric probe standards and evidence protocols, stringent punishment as a deterrent and expedited passage of the Victims of Acid Attacks Bill, 2022.

Financial Security and Social Inclusion

On compensation and financial security, the NCW has recommended a uniform national compensation framework, time-bound disbursal of compensation with interim relief within seven to 15 days and direct online transfer linked with FIR registration.

It has also suggested enhanced compensation linked to severity, monthly pension schemes, portability of benefits irrespective of marriage or migration, inclusion of forced acid ingestion cases within compensation schemes and an online grievance-redressal system.

The NCW has recommended accessible livelihood models, including work-from-home and assisted technology kits, skill development and digital-literacy programmes, wage-subsidy models through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), workplace accessibility and sensitivity training, and incentives for corporates employing acid-attack survivors.

It has also called for support under Startup India and entrepreneurship schemes, education support, including scholarships and fee waivers, and gender-neutral livelihood and compensation policies.

Governance, Prevention, and Digital Systems

On social inclusion, the NCW has suggested national awareness campaigns to reduce stigma, the inclusion of survivor narratives in public education and media guidelines, respectful terminology and promoting survivor-led organisations.

The commission has further recommended explicit recognition of acid-attack survivors under the RPwD Act, 2016, issuance of disability certificates using inclusive terminology, a separate Unique Disability Identity (UDID) category and automatic linkage of disability status with welfare benefits.

On governance, it has suggested creating state and district-level coordination cells, designating nodal officers, regular inter-ministerial reviews, accountability mechanisms, utilisation of CSR funds and circulation of standard operating procedures.

For regulation and prevention, the NCW has recommended strict control and licensing of acid sale, periodic audits, a clear distinction between industrial and other uses, amendments to the Poison Act, 1919, and mandatory record-keeping by vendors.

It has also proposed community and police monitoring mechanisms for early prevention.

On digital systems, the NCW has recommended a national acid attack case-tracking registry, integration of online FIR systems with compensation triggers, real-time digital monitoring dashboards, disaggregated data collection and periodic public reporting.

It has urged the ministries to take expeditious action on these recommendations to ensure timely care, access to justice and long-term rehabilitation for acid-attack survivors.

Acid attacks are a serious crime in India, often stemming from dowry disputes, land conflicts, or rejection of marriage proposals. The Supreme Court has previously issued guidelines on regulating the sale of acid and providing compensation to victims. Implementation of these guidelines has been inconsistent across states, highlighting the need for a more uniform and effective approach.
Heightened security was imposed across Kashmir on the first anniversary of the Pahalgam terror attack.

Forces remain on alert as the nation remembers 26 victims of the deadly assault in Baisaran meadows.

IMAGE: Security personnel stand guard at a checkpoint in Kashmir as vigilance is heightened on the first anniversary of the Pahalgam terror attack. All Photographs: Umar Ganie for Rediff

Key Points Security has been intensified across Kashmir on the first anniversary of the deadly Pahalgam terror attack.

The April 22, 2025 attack in Baisaran meadow killed 25 tourists and a local pony operator.

Police and paramilitary forces have been deployed at key tourist spots and sensitive locations.

Authorities remain on high alert to prevent any subversive activity during the anniversary period.

IMAGE: Security forces patrol a street in Kashmir as part of heightened surveillance measures across the region.

Heightened Vigil Across Tourist Hubs

IMAGE: Police and paramilitary forces have been deployed at important places, including tourist resorts, across Kashmir on the first anniversary of the deadly terror attack.

Forces Guard Key Locations

IMAGE: Vehicles are checked at a security checkpoint as part of preventive measures across the valley.

Checks Intensified Across Valley

IMAGE: On April 22, 2025, a dastardly terrorist attack ripped through the quaint Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam, killing 25 tourists and a local pony-ride operator.

Security Presence Strengthened

IMAGE: Security personnel remain stationed at strategic points to ensure public safety.

Anniversary Marked With Alertness

IMAGE: Security deployment near a marketplace reflects heightened alertness across civilian areas.

IMAGE: Patrol units move through public spaces as part of ongoing surveillance operations.

IMAGE: Barricades and checkpoints have been set up across sensitive zones in Kashmir.

IMAGE: Security personnel remain vigilant as the region marks one year since the Pahalgam terror attack.

Photographs curated and Feature Presentation by Manisha Kotian/Rediff


On the anniversary of the Pahalgam terror attack, Indian leaders reaffirm their unwavering commitment to combating terrorism with a firm and decisive approach.

Photograph: Rahul Singh/ANI Photo

Key Points Union ministers commemorate the first anniversary of the Pahalgam terror attack, reaffirming India's commitment to fighting terrorism.

Home Minister Amit Shah emphasises India's zero-tolerance policy against terrorism and those who harbour it.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh highlights India's firm and decisive response to cross-border terrorism.

India carried out Operation Sindoor as a retaliatory military offensive against Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror attack.

Union ministers on Wednesday paid tributes to those killed in the Pahalgam terror attack on its first anniversary, reaffirming India's resolve to combat terrorism with a firm and zero-tolerance policy.

Union home minister Amit Shah said the country continues to grieve the loss while remaining steadfast in its fight against terror.

"On this day, we solemnly remember the innocent lives we lost in the horrific Pahalgam terror attack last year. The grief and pain of losing our people still remain in the heart of every Indian.

"Terrorism is the greatest enemy of humanity, against which we must stand united to fight and defeat. India will continue its zero-tolerance policy against terrorism and those who harbour it," he said in a post on X.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said the nation will not forget the victims and underscored the government's strong response to terrorism.

"Remembering and paying my heartfelt tributes to the innocent people who lost their lives in the cowardly terror attack at Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir on 22 April 2025. We share the enduring pain of their loved ones and families. We will never forget those wounds inflicted on our nation," he said.

"India has endured decades of cross-border terror, but today our response is firm, decisive and unwavering. Through determined action, we have demonstrated that any attempt to harm our people or disrupt our unity will be met with strength and clarity," he added.

India's Strong Stance Against Terrorism

BJP national president Nitin Nabin also paid homage to the victims, asserting that the nation remains resolute against terrorism and "will never bow before any form of terrorism."

Union minister Nitin Gadkari said the country stands united in remembrance and solidarity with the victims' families.

"We stand with the bereaved families in solidarity and strength. As a nation, India stands united -- firm in resolve, unwavering in spirit, and resolute against all forms of terror," he said.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar reiterated India's firm resolve against terrorism.

"Join the nation in remembering the victims of the dastardly Pahalgam terror attack, which took place this day last year. India stands steadfast in its resolve to counter terrorism in all its forms and manifestations," he said.

Remembering The Pahalgam Attack

Meanwhile, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan remembered the attack as a "painful reminder of the human cost of terrorism" and said it "marked a turning point" in India's resolve against terrorism.

Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Virendra Kumar said, "The people of the country will never forget this cowardly murder of killing their loved ones in Pahalgam."

Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba carried out an attack at Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir on this day last year, killing 26 innocent people, mostly tourists from across India.

After the Pahalgam terror attack, India carried out a retaliatory military offensive against Pakistan named Operation Sindoor, in which Indian armed forces destroyed military and terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan occupied Kashmir.

The Pahalgam attack, claimed by Lashkar-e-Taiba, targeted tourists in Jammu and Kashmir. In response to the attack, India launched Operation Sindoor, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. India has long maintained a policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism, advocating for international cooperation to combat it.
The Maharashtra government has provided a new home for the family of Syed Adil Hussain Shah, a ponywallah who sacrificed his life in the Pahalgam terror attack, honouring his bravery and supporting his family's future.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Maharashtra government provides a new house to the family of Syed Adil Hussain Shah, a victim of the Pahalgam terror attack.

Syed Adil Hussain Shah sacrificed his life during the Pahalgam terror attack, attempting to disarm a terrorist.

Eknath Shinde fulfilled his promise to provide financial assistance and a house to Shah's family.

The new house, named 'Anand Nath Sadan', symbolises honour and support for the family.

Maharashtra government aims to promote tourism in Kashmir and provide support to visiting tourists.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has said that the sacrifice of ponywallah Syed Adil Hussain Shah, one of the 26 victims of last year's Pahalgam terror attack, has been etched in history and will never be forgotten by the country.

On Tuesday, a newly built house was handed over to Shah's family - an act Shinde described as honouring the brave heart's sacrifice rather than merely providing shelter.

Honouring Syed Adil Hussain Shah's Sacrifice

Shah, along with 25 tourists, lost his life in the attack by a group of terrorists in Baisaran Valley, a popular tourist spot, on April 22 last year.

He had tried to snatch a terrorist's rifle during the attack and was shot dead. Following this, Shiv Sena head Shinde had given financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh to his family and also promised a house for them.

On Tuesday, Shiv Sena ministers Yogesh Kadam and Sanjay Shirsat handed over the keys of the new house, named 'Anand Nath Sadan' in the memory of Shinde's mentor Anand Dighe, to Shah's family at his native Hapatnar village in Pahalgam.

"Adil was not merely a young man, he was a blazing lamp of the nation's pride, one who sacrificed his life for humanity, transcending religion, language and creed," the deputy CM said, attending the event through video conferencing.

Support for Tourism in Kashmir

"A mother's son, a family's pillar, snatched away in an instant; but this sacrifice made for humanity will never be forgotten by the country; it has been etched in history," he added.

Shinde also said he made every effort to safely evacuate tourists stranded in Srinagar after the terror attack last year and monitored the entire operation.

When local residents raised the demand for developing the area as a tourist zone, Shinde assured them that efforts would be made to take a positive decision in cooperation with the central government.

A large number of tourists from Maharashtra visit Kashmir, and special attention would be given to increasing this number further in the future, he added.

Shiv Sena's Commitment to Values

Shinde also recalled the legacy of party founder Bal Thackeray and said, "The late Balasaheb Thackeray always helped people transcending caste and religion, and Shiv Sena walks on those very values."

Kadam, who is a minister of state in the Maharashtra home department, said he came to Kashmir not to do politics but to give support to Shah's family.

Shirsat said Shiv Sena is a party that keeps its word, as it fulfilled Shinde's promise of help in building the house for Shah's family.

On the occasion, Shah's sister and brother, visibly moved, expressed their gratitude to Shinde.

"Eknath Shinde fulfilled the promise he had made. He provided us with financial help and also built us a home. This house is not just a shelter for us, it is honour and support," they said.

The Pahalgam attack, which occurred in April 2023, targeted tourists in the Baisaran Valley, resulting in multiple fatalities and injuries. Providing housing and financial assistance to victims' families is a common practice by state governments in India as a form of support and recognition of their loss. Such gestures aim to provide a sense of security and stability to those affected by tragic events.
One year after the deadly Pahalgam terror attack, India commemorates the victims, reaffirms its commitment to combating terrorism, and witnesses the gradual return of tourists to Kashmir.

Key Points India marks the anniversary of the Pahalgam terror attack, remembering the 26 lives lost.

Political leaders reaffirm India's resolve to fight terrorism and maintain peace and unity.

Families of the victims share their grief and call for the fulfilment of government promises.

Tourism in Pahalgam is slowly recovering with increased security measures and tourist confidence.

The attack led to public defiance and protests in the Valley, sending a strong message against terrorism.

It was a day of recall, remembrance and resilience. A year after three Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists opened fire at tourists in Pahalgam's Baisaran meadow, 26 families on Wednesday observed the death anniversary of their loved ones and political leaders said in unison that the country would not bow to terror.

At the picturesque grassland of Baisaran, fringed by mountains and dubbed a mini Switzerland, the months of quiet that followed the terror attack have slowly given way to the bells of pony rides and the shutter-click of cameras as tourists begin to return.

While Baisaran remains closed, other areas in and around are open to visitors.

"Remembering the innocent lives lost in the gruesome Pahalgam terror attack on this day last year. They will never be forgotten... As a nation, we stand united in grief and resolve. India will never bow to any form of terror. The heinous designs of terrorists will never succeed," said Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"Such acts of terror cannot deter our unwavering commitment to peace and unity," said President Droupadi Murmu.

Remembering the Victims of the Pahalgam Attack

The terror attack by the Pakistan-based LeT, which targeted tourists, killing 25 men who had gone to Kashmir for a holiday and a pony wallah, is the deadliest in recent years. The killings triggered a four-day military conflict with Pakistan after Indian armed forces retaliated on May 7 by targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan-controlled territories in the operation named 'Sindoor'.

The Indian Army in a statement reaffirmed its steely resolve to fight against terrorism, making it clear that "the response is assured" for acts against India.

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi said India will neither ever forget the sacrifice of the victims and the anguish of their families nor will it ever forgive the perpetrators of this cowardly act.

His Congress party also used the occasion to question the Centre on its foreign policies and alleged that the government had failed to keep Pakistan diplomatically isolated on the global stage.

Away from the political debates, 26 families from across the country mourned their irreparable loss.

Families Share Their Grief and Loss

"That day, I lost everything in my life. Even today, I cannot forget that incident. Whenever I close my eyes, the incident comes back to me," said PriyadarshinI Satpathy from Odisha's Balasore district. Her husband Prashant Kumar Satpathy was among those killed.

"I am managing to somehow survive, because after he left, everything is gone - the happiness of my home and all the happiness in my life," she said, adding that the government provided Rs 20 lakh as financial assistance but other promises, including a government job and support for her children's education, are yet to be fulfilled.

In Kochi, Arathi R Menon, whose father N Ramachandran, was killed, addressed a memorial meeting to say that she was proud of India's strong response to terrorism. "While standing here after one year, I feel that Bharath has given a stronger reply. The world is also aware about it," she told reporters.

In Karnal, Haryana, Rajesh Narwal, the father of 26-year-old naval officer Vinay Narwal whose bullet-riddled body became the abiding image of the tragedy, said the family is still grappling with the tragedy.

"Though we continue to live as we must, life truly ended for us the day we received this devastating news," he said.

Vinay Narwal, just 26 years old, and his wife of six days had gone to Pahalgam for their honeymoon.

Tourism Recovers Amidst Heightened Security

As the families of the victims begin to pick up the threads of their lives, in Jammu and Kashmir, the mood was determined.

Security was beefed up across the Valley, especially at tourist hotspots.

The union territory's economy took a hit with the exodus of tourists and many tourist hubs being closed.

It is slowly beginning to change with places now opening following rigorous security audits.

"The security arrangements are great. It does not feel like Pahalgam was the scene of those gory images we saw on TV last year," said Vishal Ketkar from Maharashtra who travelled to Pahalgam for a holiday.

At the newly erected memorial in Pahalgam town, six kilometres from Baisaran, and nearby selfie points, tourists paused to pay their respects before continuing with their sightseeing.

The April 22, 2025 strike led to a wave of anguish and public defiance, the first in the Valley's 30-year history of militancy with thousands of people from all walks of life holding rallies and candle marches to express their outrage.

Messages of Resilience and Hope

For Narendra Pari from Mumbai, now on his third trip to Kashmir, the public protests were a powerful message to the rest of the country.

Jayishree Patel from Gujarat, who was on her eighth visit to the Valley, said visiting Pahalgam was a moral decision.

"Kashmir relies on tourism. It is the Switzerland of India, and it remains beautiful and safe," she added.

"I've been here twice in the last month. To people around the world: don't worry, it is safe," said Mohammed Fadli from Malaysia.

A fan of Bollywood movies, Fadli said he has watched many Hindi movies, including "Bajrangi Bhaijan" shot in the Valley.

"I wanted to see Munni (a child artist from the movie), but she's gone."

Asif Iqbal Burza, managing director of Ahad Hotels and Resorts, thanked the people from rest of the country for coming back to their favourite destinations despite inhuman attack last year.

"The people of the rest of the country are sending strong messages to enemies who wanted to disrupt the peace and create a communal divide," he said.

Added Pahalgam Pony Association president Abdul Waheed, "The murder of innocents is the murder of all humanity."

The road to recovery isn't easy.

While the footfall of tourists had increased, economic recovery remains an uphill task as many pony owners and local vendors, who previously earned up to Rs 1,800 daily, are now struggling to make Rs 200 as key sightseeing spots remain restricted, said Waheed.

The Pahalgam attack was one of the deadliest in recent years targeting tourists in the region. The incident led to a temporary decline in tourism, impacting the local economy, which is heavily reliant on visitors. Increased security measures have been implemented to restore confidence and encourage tourists to return to the valley.
On the anniversary of the Pahalgam terror attack, the Congress party is attacking the Modi government, asserting that Pakistan's increased global standing reflects a failure in India's foreign policy.

IMAGE: Security personnel talk to the local people at the site of a terrorist attack on tourists in Baisaran near Pahalgam in south Kashmir's Anantnag district on April 24, 2025. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters

Key Points Congress criticises Modi government on the anniversary of the Pahalgam terror attack.

Jairam Ramesh highlights the intelligence failure admitted by the LG of Jammu and Kashmir.

Congress alleges Pakistan has gained global respectability despite being a 'failed state'.

The party claims Modi's foreign policy and diplomatic engagement have been a 'complete failure'.

Lashkar-e-Taiba carried out the Pahalgam attack, killing 26 people.

The Congress on Wednesday attacked the Modi government on the first anniversary of the Pahalgam terror attack, saying Pakistan stood isolated after it carried out the Mumbai attacks but has now acquired global respectability which reflects the "complete failure" of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's foreign policy.

The opposition party also called for a reset of the government's foreign policy but said Prime Minister Modi will most certainly not do it.

In a post on X, Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said April 22nd will always be a day of great pain and intense anguish for every Indian.

"Exactly a year ago, the terror attack orchestrated by Pakistan took place in Pahalgam. Our thoughts are with the bereaved families. We also recall the bravery of the young local ponywallah who was shot dead while trying to save a tourist," Ramesh said.

The LG of Jammu and Kashmir admitted it was an intelligence failure, he claimed.

Intelligence Failure and Accountability

"It is not clear what action was taken on this admission, even though the killers themselves were brought to justice a few months later," Ramesh said.

Pakistan stood isolated after it had carried out the terror attacks in Mumbai in November 2008, he said.

"Its (Pakistan) economy continues to be in shambles, dependent on largesse from external donors. Separatist movements are deeply entrenched in its polity and society. Its politics is dysfunctional and it is the Army that is calling the shots in the country," Ramesh said.

Pakistan's Global Respectability

"Yet today, that very same failed state whose army chief had made inflammatory and communally provocative statements just a few days prior to the deadly deed, has now acquired a new global respectability," he said.

"In many ways, this reflects the complete failure of the substance of the Prime Minister's foreign policy and the self-glorifying style of his diplomatic engagement," Ramesh alleged.

Congress's Call for Policy Reset

"Should he reset? Of course, yes. Will he reset? Most certainly he will not," the Congress leader said.

Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba carried out an attack at Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir on this day last year, killing 26 innocent people, mostly tourists from across India.

After the Pahalgam terror attack, India carried out a retaliatory military offensive against Pakistan named Operation Sindoor, in which Indian armed forces destroyed military and terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan occupied Kashmir.
Pakistan is stepping up its diplomatic efforts to mediate between the US and Iran, aiming to bring both nations back to the negotiating table and resolve the ongoing conflict in West Asia.

IMAGE: Veterans with About Face and military families protest against the Iran war at the Cannon House office building rotunda on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, April 20, 2026. Photograph: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters

Key Points President Trump extended the ceasefire at the request of Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir.

Pakistani officials have engaged with Iranian, Turkish, and British diplomats to promote peaceful resolution through negotiation.

Pakistan emphasises the importance of dialogue and diplomacy in resolving disputes between the US and Iran.

Elaborate security measures have been implemented in Islamabad to ensure the safety of potential US-Iran talks.

Pakistan on Wednesday intensified its efforts to bring the US and Iran back to the negotiating table to end the war in West Asia after President Donald Trump extended the ceasefire indefinitely.

Trump announced that he was extending the ceasefire at the request of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir.

Following the necessary space provided by the truce, PM Shehbaz received Iranian Ambassador Reza Amiri Moghadam and "discussed the ongoing regional situation and peace efforts."

A day earlier, Moghadam had met with Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi.

Both sides emphasised the need for a sustainable solution through diplomatic and negotiation channels to reduce regional tensions.

Separately, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar spoke with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and exchanged views on the latest regional developments.

Both leaders "reaffirmed the importance of dialogue and diplomacy in peaceful settlement of disputes," according to the foreign office.

International support for Pakistan's role

Dar, who is also Foreign Minister, received British High Commissioner Jane Marriott at his office, and they "discussed the evolving regional situation".

He underscored Pakistan's ongoing efforts to facilitate engagement and emphasised the importance of dialogue and diplomacy in the peaceful resolution of disputes.

The British High Commissioner appreciated and supported Pakistan's facilitative role in bringing the US and Iran to the negotiating table.

The meeting continued despite uncertainty about the talks, indicating that Pakistan was still confident in arranging the dialogue.

Security measures in Islamabad

Meanwhile, Islamabad's Red Zone, where government buildings and offices are located, was under strict security. The area remained sealed to the general public on Wednesday, but other routes, sealed earlier, were opened. The army was patrolling the area.

Pakistan has taken elaborate security measures, including deploying more than 10,000 security personnel, in preparation for the proposed talks.

The first round of US-Iran talks held on April 11 and 12 failed to produce a breakthrough, prompting a flurry of diplomatic efforts by host Pakistan to cool tensions and revive hopes for another round of dialogue.

The Iran war began on February 28 with joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran.

Pakistan emerged as a central facilitator in the sensitive diplomatic track, positioning itself as a mediator amid sharply polarised positions between Washington and Tehran.

Pakistan's role as a mediator reflects its strategic position in the region and its historical ties with both the US and Iran. The country has previously facilitated diplomatic efforts in the region, leveraging its relationships to promote stability. Successful dialogue could significantly reduce regional instability and prevent further escalation of conflict.
A passenger arriving from Bangkok was arrested at Bengaluru Airport after customs officials discovered hydroponic ganja worth Rs 3.89 crore in their checked baggage.

Key Points A passenger arriving from Bangkok was arrested at Bengaluru Airport.

Authorities seized 11.11 kg of hydroponic ganja.

The seized hydroponic ganja is valued at Rs 3.89 crore.

The passenger was arrested under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

An investigation is currently underway.

A passenger was held with hydroponic ganja valued at Rs 3.89 crore upon his arrival from Bangkok at the Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru, officials said on Wednesday.

Arrest Under NDPS Act

The accused was arrested under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, they said.

Details Of The Drug Seizure

"Bengaluru Customs intercepted a passenger arriving from Bangkok and seized 11.11 kg of hydroponic ganja, valued at Rs 3.89 crore, concealed in checked-in baggage," Bengaluru Customs said in a post on X.

The identity of the person has not yet been disclosed.

Ongoing Investigation

Further investigation is underway.

The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act is the primary legislation in India that deals with illicit drugs. It prohibits the production, sale, purchase, possession, and use of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. Cases under the NDPS Act are investigated by various law enforcement agencies, including the Narcotics Control Bureau and state police forces.
Rahul Gandhi commemorates the Pahalgam terror attack anniversary, reaffirming India's united stance against terrorism and its commitment to never succumbing to fear and hatred.

Photograph: @INCIndia/X

Key Points Rahul Gandhi pays tribute to victims of the Pahalgam terror attack on its anniversary.

Gandhi asserts India's unwavering unity against terrorism and violence.

India will never bow before forces that spread hatred and fear, says Rahul Gandhi.

The Pahalgam attack was carried out by Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba.

India retaliated with Operation Sindoor, targeting terror infrastructure.

The entire nation stands united against terrorism and India will never bow before forces that seek to spread hatred and fear, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said on Wednesday as he paid tributes to those who lost their lives in the Pahalgam terrorist attack.

On the first anniversary of the dastardly attack, Gandhi paid his heartfelt tributes to all the brave hearts who were killed.

"India will neither ever forget their sacrifice and the anguish of their families, nor will it ever forgive the perpetrators of this cowardly act," the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha said in a post in Hindi

"The memory of the innocent lives so ruthlessly snatched away continues to shake our hearts to this day. The grief of the martyrs' families is a grief shared by us all," he said.

Remembering the Victims of the Pahalgam Attack

"The martyrdom of these sons of the nation will forever remain indelible in the soul of India," Gandhi said.

The entire nation stood united against terrorism and violence, stands united today, and it will always remain so, he asserted.

India's Resolve Against Terrorism

"India will never bow before forces that seek to spread hatred and fear; we will stand against them with even greater strength, unity, and resolve. Jai Hind," Gandhi said in his post.

Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba carried out an attack at Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir on this day last year, killing 26 innocent people, mostly tourists from across India.

After the Pahalgam terror attack, India carried out a retaliatory military offensive against Pakistan named Operation Sindoor, in which Indian armed forces destroyed military and terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan occupied Kashmir.

The Pahalgam attack, which targeted tourists, highlighted the ongoing threat of terrorism in the Jammu and Kashmir region. Operation Sindoor, India's response, aimed to dismantle terror infrastructure across the border. Such attacks underscore the need for continued vigilance and counter-terrorism efforts.
An elderly couple in Assam allegedly committed suicide, leaving behind a note indicating financial struggles and ongoing health issues as the cause.

Key Points Retired teacher and wife allegedly died by suicide in Assam's Udalguri district.

The couple left a note citing financial hardships and prolonged illness as reasons for their action.

Neighbours discovered the bodies after the couple's sons were unable to reach them.

Police and forensic teams are investigating the incident.

A retired teacher and his wife allegedly died by suicide in Kalaigaon in Assam's Udalguri district on Wednesday, an officer said.

Couple's Suicide Note Reveals Hardship

The couple left a note, stating that they were taking the extreme step due to financial hardships and prolonged illness, he said.

The couple's two sons, who were away from home, could not reach them over the phone since morning and asked their neighbours to check on them, he added.

Discovery and Investigation

The neighbours found the bodies of Narendra Saikia and his wife, Damayanti, hanging in the bathroom, with three bottles of pesticides lying on the floor, the officer said.

They immediately informed the police, who reached the spot along with a magistrate and a forensic team, he said.

The bodies have been sent to the Udalguri Civil Hospital for post-mortem examination, the officer said.

Suicide is a significant public health issue in India, often linked to socio-economic factors and mental health. Support systems and resources are available for individuals facing such challenges. If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, please seek help from a mental health professional or helpline.
A special court in Mumbai has discharged Rohit Pawar in the MSCB scam case, citing the absence of a predicate offence for the money laundering charges.

Key Points Special court discharges Rohit Pawar and others in the MSCB scam case.

The court ruled that a money laundering case cannot exist without a predicate offence.

The ED's case stemmed from an FIR alleging fraudulent sale of cooperative sugar mills.

A special court had already accepted the closure report in the predicate offence case.

The ED retains the option to revive proceedings if the High Court rules in its favour.

A special court here on Wednesday discharged NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar and other accused in a case registered by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with an alleged Rs 25,000 crore scam at the Maharashtra State Co-operative Bank (MSCB).

A money laundering case cannot survive in the absence of "predicate" offence, said the special judge for MPs/MLAs cases Mahesh Jadhav, adding that a closure report accepted by a competent court in the predicate offence amounts to acquittal.

Understanding the MSCB Scam Case

The ED's money laundering case against Pawar and others stemmed from an August 2019 FIR filed by the Mumbai Police's Economic Offences Wing (EOW) alleging fraudulent sale of SSKs (Sahakari Sakhar Karkhana or cooperative sugar mills) by the then officers and directors of MSCB at throwaway prices to their relatives/private persons without following due procedure.

However, a special court for MPs/MLAs cases recently accepted the EOW's closure report in that case.

Citing a Supreme Court ruling, judge Jadhav noted that no action can be taken under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act if there is no predicate offence. A case under PMLA is always based on another, prior offence.

Legal Arguments and Court's Decision

Rohit Pawar and others named as accused in ED's case had sought discharge from the money laundering case after the EOW's case was closed.

The Federal probe agency had opposed their pleas, stating that while the closure report had been accepted by the lower court, a 2021 writ petition challenging earlier rejection of ED's intervention application was still pending before the Bombay High Court.

It had urged the court to decide the discharge applications on merits of the money laundering investigation.

The judge clarified that the ED has "every liberty to revive present proceedings" if the HC passed an order in its favour. "The current lack of a subsisting criminal complaint makes the PMLA prosecution legally untenable," the special court held.

Background of the Alleged Scam

The alleged scam pertained to disbursal of loans to cooperative sugar factories, spinning mills and other entities by district and cooperative banks without following norms. The MSCB is Maharashtra's apex cooperative bank.

The EOW had alleged that the state exchequer suffered losses of Rs 25,000 crore between January 2007 to December 2017 due to irregularities in disbursal of loans.

The Maharashtra State Co-operative Bank has faced scrutiny over alleged irregularities in loan disbursal practices. The Enforcement Directorate's involvement highlights the seriousness of the allegations and the potential for financial misconduct within the cooperative banking sector. Cases under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act are often complex, requiring a clear link to a prior criminal offence.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah ignited a political firestorm by accusing Mamata Banerjee's TMC government of transforming Kolkata into a 'city of slums' and exploiting infiltrators for votes, sparking a fierce rebuttal from the ruling party.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Amit Shah alleges that Kolkata has become a 'city of slums' under the TMC government due to infiltration.

Shah accuses the TMC of using infiltrators as a vote bank and neglecting slum development in Kolkata.

The TMC strongly rebuts Shah's claims, accusing him of insulting the people of Bengal and denigrating Kolkata.

Shah expresses confidence that the BJP will unseat the TMC in the upcoming West Bengal assembly elections.

The exchange highlights the acrimonious campaign in West Bengal, with accusations of infiltration and divisive rhetoric.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday alleged that under the rules of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the erstwhile Left Front government, Kolkata had become a "city of slums" where infiltrators were being settled, drawing a rebuttal from the ruling TMC, which accused him of insulting the people of Bengal.

Addressing an election rally at Dum Dum in the eastern fringes of Kolkata, Shah charged the TMC government with using "infiltrators as a vote bank" and said Kolkata's lost glory needs to be restored.

Shah's Allegations Against TMC Governance

"The whole city, indeed the whole of Bengal, should vote to free itself from infiltrators. Vote to restore Kolkata's lost glory. Under the rules of Didi and (previous) Communists, the entire city has today been turned into a kind of a city of slums (Jhoparpatti ka Sheher)," Shah alleged.

He said several cities across the country were becoming slum-free, but alleged that the TMC government had no interest in such measures.

"There are many cities in the country that are becoming slum-free. But Didi (Mamata Banerjee) does not seem to feel any need for that. She only wants to settle infiltrators in the slums and turn them into her vote bank," Shah alleged.

BJP's Confidence in West Bengal Elections

Stepping up his attack on Banerjee, Shah exuded confidence that the BJP would unseat the TMC in the assembly polls, the first phase of which will be held on Thursday.

"On May 4, counting will begin in the morning. At 8 am, the ballot boxes will start being opened. At 9 am, the first round; at 10 am, the second round; by 1 pm, the counting will be over -- and Didi, tata, goodbye. After a long time, good governance is going to begin in Bengal," he said.

TMC's Strong Rebuttal and Counter-Accusations

The remarks sparked strong reactions from the TMC, which accused Shah of denigrating Kolkata and its people.

In a post on X, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) said Kolkata had long been celebrated as the "City of Joy", the "City of Love", the "Cultural Capital of India" and the "Gateway of Eastern India".

"Today, Amit Shah made his contribution to that list. He called Kolkata a city of slums. To Amit Shah, the people who live in this city, who built it, who breathe life into it every single day, are slum-dwellers deserving nothing but his disdain. This is how the BJP sees Bengal. This is how they will treat Bengal if they ever gain a foothold here," the TMC claimed.

The ruling party also described the BJP leadership as "Bangla-birodhi (anti-Bengal) zamindars" and asked, "Can you imagine what comes next if these Bangla-birodhi Zamindars are allowed through the door?"

The exchange added another layer of acrimony to an already-bitter campaign in West Bengal, where the BJP has repeatedly accused the TMC government of encouraging infiltration and appeasement politics, charges the ruling party rejected.

The TMC, in turn, has accused the BJP of insulting Bengal's identity and using divisive rhetoric to polarise voters ahead of the elections.

West Bengal has been a politically charged state, particularly in the lead-up to recent elections, with frequent clashes between the ruling TMC and the BJP. Accusations of corruption, political violence, and communal polarisation have become commonplace in the state's political discourse. The Election Commission of India has often had to intervene to ensure free and fair elections.
A Sri Lankan court has extended the detention of the former intelligence chief as investigations continue into the devastating 2019 Easter Sunday bombings.

IMAGE: All photographs: Ramesh Menon

Key Points Former intelligence chief Suresh Sallay remains detained in connection to the 2019 Sri Lanka Easter Sunday bombings.

Sallay is being held under the Counter Terrorism Act and was named as a suspect in the Easter Sunday attacks probe.

The Sri Lankan government is facing pressure to investigate all individuals involved in the deadly 2019 Easter attacks.

The current government reopened investigations into the 2019 Easter bombings, alleging a previous cover-up.

A Sri Lankan court on Wednesday ordered further detention of the former head of the state intelligence service in connection with the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings.

Nine suicide bombers belonging to a local Islamist extremist group linked to ISIS carried out a series of devastating blasts that tore through three Catholic churches and as many luxury hotels on April 21, 2019, killing nearly 270 people, including 11 Indians, and injuring over 500 others.

Arrest and Investigation of Suresh Sallay

Former Director of the State Intelligence Service, Major General (Retired) Suresh Sallay, was arrested two months ago and held in detention.

In late March, the court asked the police to produce him in court in April after he was named the third suspect in the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks probe.

Sallay was arrested on February 25 for questioning in a bid to track down the mastermind of the suicide bombings, which devastated churches and five-star hotels.

Calls for Further Investigation

Earlier on Tuesday, Archbishop of Colombo Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith urged authorities to investigate individuals directly or indirectly involved in the deadly attacks, irrespective of their status.

Sallay was not allowed visits by family members as he is being held under the Counter Terrorism Act.

Allegations of Inaction and Cover-Up

The then government in Sri Lanka was accused of inaction to prevent the 2019 attacks despite intelligence shared by India.

The current National People's Power (NPP) government reopened the investigations in 2024, claiming that political influence had led to its cover-up.

The Easter Sunday bombings in Sri Lanka remain a sensitive issue, with families of victims seeking justice and accountability. The attacks prompted widespread condemnation and led to increased security measures across the country. Investigations into the bombings have been ongoing, with various individuals and groups being scrutinised for their potential involvement.
Goa Police are issuing a Look Out Circular to prevent Gautam Khattar from fleeing the country after he allegedly made offensive remarks against St Francis Xavier, sparking outrage and a police investigation.

IMAGE: Kindly note that the image has been posted for representational purposes only. Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Gautam Khattar is accused of making objectionable remarks against St Francis Xavier, sparking widespread condemnation.

An FIR has been filed against Khattar for allegedly hurting religious sentiments and creating communal discord.

Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has stated that police are actively searching for Khattar and aim to arrest him soon.

Various organisations, including the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman and the Association of All Goa Muslim Jamats, have condemned Khattar's remarks.

The Goa police investigating the alleged objectionable remarks made by right-wing speaker Gautam Khattar against St Francis Xavier will initiate the process for issuance of a Look Out Circular (LOC) against him to ensure he does not flee the country, an official said on Wednesday.

A Goa Police team visited Khattar's residence in Dehradun on Tuesday, but he was not found there. The police have issued a summons, asking him to appear before the investigation officer, but he has not responded, a senior police officer told PTI.

Police Action Against Khattar

"The state police are in the process of initiating an LOC against Khattar to ensure he does not flee the country," he added.

Chief Minister Pramod Sawant told reporters on Tuesday evening that police have launched an extensive search for Khattar and that he would be arrested within two days.

Controversial Remarks and Reactions

Khattar, the founder of Sanatan Mahasangh, kicked up a row with his remarks at an event on April 18 in the presence of Swami Brahmeshanand, State Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho and BJP MLAs Sankulp Amonkar and Daji (Krishna) Salkar.

A viral video of his remarks against the Goa's patron saint sparked protests in various parts of the coastal state, drawing widespread condemnation from political leaders, the Goa Church, and others.

Legal Proceedings and Condemnation

The Vasco police have registered an FIR against Khattar for allegedly hurting religious sentiments and trying to create communal discord through his speech against St Francis Xavier, whose relics are preserved at the Basilica of Bom Jesus Church, Old Goa.

The case has been transferred to the state police's Crime Branch, officials said, adding that complaints have been filed against Khattar at more than a dozen places in the state, including Vasco, Old Goa, Panaji, Margao and Anjuna.

The Archdiocese of Goa and Daman has also condemned the "hateful and malicious" remarks, which it said were aimed at maligning the legacy of St Francis Xavier, popularly known as "Goencho Saib".

Community Outrage

The Association of All Goa Muslim Jamats (AAGMJ) on Wednesday joined the chorus seeking strong action against Khattar.

Condemning his "derogatory and offensive" remarks, the Association stated that St Francis Xavier is a revered saint who is an integral part of Goa's spiritual, cultural and historical heritage.

AAGMJ president Shaikh Bashir Ahmed stated that such statements deeply hurt the religious sentiments of lakhs of people in Goa and across the world.

Highlighting communal harmony and mutual respect among all faiths in Goa, he decried the attempts to disturb this fabric through inflammatory speech.

"Freedom of Expression cannot be misused as a licence to insult religious figures and provoke communal disharmony," he added.

The Association has demanded immediate and strict action against Khattar and the organisers of the April 18 event.

A Look Out Circular is typically issued to prevent individuals from leaving the country when they are under investigation for a crime. The action against Khattar follows widespread condemnation of his remarks, highlighting the sensitivity surrounding religious figures in India. Such cases often involve scrutiny of free speech versus the potential to incite communal disharmony.
A terrifying incident unfolded at a wedding farewell in Budaun, Uttar Pradesh, as a stray dog went on a biting rampage, injuring over 60 guests and sparking concerns about public safety and municipal animal control.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Over 60 individuals, including children and adults, sustained injuries from a stray dog attack during a wedding farewell ceremony at a banquet hall in Budaun.

The incident caused panic and a stampede-like situation as the dog indiscriminately bit guests and later attacked passersby and shopkeepers.

All injured individuals received anti-rabies shots at the community health centre in Bisauli, with 109 people registered for treatment on the day of the incident.

Local residents have accused municipal authorities of negligence in managing stray dog populations, citing a lack of immediate response to the roaming dog.

Authorities have issued instructions to the Bisauli municipal body's executive officer to address the stray dog issue promptly.

More than 60 people, including guests and family members, were injured after a stray dog went on a biting spree during a bride's farewell at a banquet hall in Budaun, triggering panic and chaos, officials said on Wednesday.

The incident occurred on Monday at the Abhinandan banquet hall on Bilsi Road under the Bisauli police station limits, when the dog entered the premises and began attacking people indiscriminately.

Chaos and Injuries at Wedding Venue

Eyewitnesses said the sudden attack led to a stampede-like situation, with women and children screaming and running for safety, some even falling and getting injured in the rush.

The dog later moved onto the road and attacked passersby and shopkeepers before fleeing towards a nearby village, where it apparently bit cattle.

Those injured included men, women and children, including Manisha (9), Pooja (12), Vijay Pratap (15), Kanchan (16), Pinki (26), Ramesh (50), Madan Lal (66), Sunita (35) and Chandravati (40), among others.

Medical Response and Public Outcry

The injured were taken to the community health centre (CHC) in Bisauli, where they were administered anti-rabies shots before being discharged.

Some of the victims also sought treatment at private hospitals. The medical officer at the CHC, Arvind Verma, said 109 people were registered for anti-rabies treatment on Monday, of which around 60 were linked to the banquet hall incident.

The incident triggered anger and fear in the locality, with residents alleging negligence by the municipal authorities.

The locals claimed that despite spending funds on stray dog management, no immediate response was seen on the ground, as the dog was still roaming freely. Additional District Magistrate Arun Kumar said instructions have been issued to the executive officer of the Bisauli municipal body to take necessary action and address the issue at the earliest.
The 31-year-old software professional is already arrested in one of the nine FIRs registered in connection with the case. He is currently in judicial custody.

IMAGE: Kindly note that the image has been posted for representational purposes only. Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Shaikh is already in judicial custody related to one of nine FIRs registered against him.

The prosecution needs time to file its response to Shaikh's plea for interim bail.

Shaikh is booked under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) sections 75 and 299.

A Special Investigation Team (SIT) is probing nine cases related to alleged exploitation and harassment at the TCS unit.

A local court has denied interim protection from arrest to TCS employee Danish Shaikh in another case related to alleged sexual harassment and forcible conversion at the local unit of the firm, noting that there are "serious criminal antecedents" against the accused.

Citing the preliminary stage of the investigation, the court also stated that the purported offence has wide social repercussions affecting law and order in the society.

"The allegations in the FIR suggest that Shaikh had indulged in deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings of the informant," said additional sessions court judge V V Kathare.

The court highlighted that the allegations "cannot be looked into in isolation, when there are serious criminal antecedents against the applicant".

The 31-year-old accused is already arrested in one of the nine FIRs registered in connection with the alleged sexual exploitation and religious harassment case at the Nashik unit of TCS . He is currently in judicial custody.

He has requested interim bail in the case registered at the Mumbai Naka Police Station in Nashik until the main plea was decided.

Opposing the plea, the prosecution sought time to file a response.

The court on Tuesday refused interim relief and directed the prosecution to file its response by April 27.

The court acknowledged that the FIR "reveals uttering of the specific words by the applicant with the deliberate intent to wound the religious feeling of the informant".

"The offence charged is having wide social repercussions affecting the law and order situation in the society," the court said, adding that the investigation is at a nascent stage and his release would certainly affect the progress of the investigation.

In this specific case, Shaikh has been booked under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 75 (Sexual harassment), 299 (Deliberate acts to outrage religious feelings), among others.

The SIT is probing a total of nine cases registered in connection with the alleged exploitation, attempt of forceful conversion, hurting religious sentiments, molestation and mental harassment of female employees at the TCS unit.

Eight employees, including a woman HR manager of the Nashik TCS unit, have been arrested so far.

The other arrested accused have also moved bail applications, which will be heard in the coming days.

TCS has clarified that it has adopted a zero-tolerance policy towards harassment and coercion of any form for a long time, and the employees allegedly involved in sexual harassment at the Nashik office have been suspended.
Telangana Police are actively pursuing the extradition of a UK-based pharmacist accused of murder through arsenic poisoning, targeting his ex-wife's family in a disturbing case that has reached a London court.

Photograph: Ajith/X

Key Points Telangana Police are seeking the extradition of Ajith Kumar Mupparapu, a UK-based pharmacist, for alleged arsenic poisoning.

The pharmacist is accused of targeting his ex-wife's family, resulting in one death and multiple illnesses.

The case is being heard in Westminster Magistrates Court in London, with Ajith's lawyers contesting the extradition.

Telangana Police have provided assurances to the UK government regarding prison conditions and human rights.

A chargesheet has been filed in India, naming Ajith as an absconding accused, with further investigation pending upon his return.

The Telangana Police have made all efforts for the extradition of a UK-based pharmacist wanted here to stand trial on charges of murder for targeting his ex-wife's family through alleged arsenic poisoning, a senior official said on Wednesday.

Ajith Kumar Mupparapu, 45, appeared before Westminster Magistrates Court in London as the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) laid out the case on behalf of the Indian authorities.

The Indian-origin British citizen is wanted to stand trial in relation to separate allegations of murder, attempted murder and/or conspiracy to murder, the court was told.

Details of the Alleged Arsenic Poisoning Incidents

The four separate incidents, all in 2023, involved the Murappadu's alleged targeting of the family of Sirisha after she filed for divorce.

Sirisha's mother died in the wake of the alleged arsenic poisoning in July 2023, with Ajith being sought by Telangana authorities as part of their investigations into the death.

A senior police official said they are awaiting the order of the UK court, and expressed confidence about Ajith's extradition.

"We have made all efforts from our side (for Ajith's extradition)," Deputy Commissioner of Police (Kukatpally) Ritiraj told PTI.

Legal Arguments Against Extradition

Ajith's lawyers have argued against the extradition on the grounds of a lack of sufficient evidence and also fears of torture if the accused is sent to India.

The hearing in the case is expected to conclude in London this week, with a judgment to be handed down at a later date.

The Initial Complaint and Investigation

Earlier, the pharmacist's wife, in a complaint filed at Miyapur police station here, accused her husband of hatching a plan to kill her and her family members by "poisoning" them with arsenic-laced salt and chilli powder when they came to Hyderabad and stayed in their house for her brother's marriage in June 2023.

The family members, who ate the food, fell ill, and the pharmacist's mother-in-law, aged 60, died while undergoing treatment.

Later, the complainant and her family members underwent diagnostic tests, and the reports showed they all had huge arsenic levels, police had said.

Based on the complaint, a case of murder, attempt to murder, and criminal conspiracy was registered.

Arrests and Ongoing Efforts

Nine people, including Ajith's friends and his sister, besides a cousin of his wife, were arrested while the pharmacist is still at large, police said.

A chargesheet was filed in a city court in June 2024 against 10 accused, with Ajith named as an absconding accused, even as Telangana Police, through the central government, initiated the extradition process to bring back the prime accused to face trial here.

Assurances to the UK Government

The Telangana Police and the Prison Department in January 2026 sent the necessary details and documents as sought by the UK government CPS for Ajith's extradition.

The UK government authorities had asked for assurances on prison conditions and police custody conditions, treatment of the accused in line with human rights principles, police sources said.

Police also shared details on the investigation done so far with the UK authorities.

Once Ajith is brought back, the police seek to conduct further investigation, which is pending with regard to his role, they said.

Based on the findings of the investigation, a supplementary chargesheet will be filed, official sources added.

Extradition requests between India and the UK are processed under a treaty signed in 1992. The UK legal system requires Indian authorities to provide assurances that the accused will be treated humanely and that prison conditions meet international standards. This case highlights the complexities of international law enforcement and the efforts required to bring accused individuals to trial across borders.
Three members of the notorious 'Bandar-Bhalu' gang were paraded after being arrested for a brutal attack in Faridabad, Haryana, highlighting ongoing concerns about gang violence and police response.

Key Points Three members of the 'Bandar-Bhalu' gang were arrested in connection with a brutal attack on a resident in Faridabad.

The arrested gang members were paraded with shaved heads in Bhudatt Colony following their arrest.

The attack on Praveen was allegedly motivated by a long-standing land dispute with Balraj alias Bhalu.

The accused have prior criminal records, including murder and assault charges.

Three members of the 'Bandar-Bhalu' gang were "paraded" with their heads shaved in Bhudatt Colony on Wednesday following their arrest in connection with a brutal attack on a resident on April 17, according to eyewitnesses.

The police said they took the accused to the crime scene as part of the investigation.

The accused, who were arrested last night, were produced in a city court on Wednesday and sent to a police remand for two days, they said.

Details Of The Faridabad Attack

According to the police, on April 17, Praveen, who lived in Ballabhgarh's Bhudatt Colony, was attacked near his home by four or five people.

The accused repeatedly assaulted him with hammers and sticks, seriously injuring him and breaking both his legs. Following the incident, the police registered a case and started an investigation.

'Bandar-Bhalu' Gang Involvement

The probe revealed that the 'Bandar-Bhalu' gang was behind the attack. The main accused were identified as Vijender alias Bandar and Balraj alias Bhalu. Their three nephews were also involved in the attack, the police said.

The Crime Branch team arrested the three on Tuesday night. They were identified as Aryan (20), a resident of village Badraula Tigaon, Balwinder alias Harsh Thakur (24) and Sevin alias Devraj (20), both residents of Bheemak Colony.

Following their arrest, the accused were taken to the crime scene to identify it.

Motive Behind The Attack

During interrogation, it was revealed that Balraj alias Bhalu and the victim Praveen had a long-standing land dispute.

"The accused also have prior criminal records. Balwinder alias Harsh Thakur is accused of murder in Sector 8, for which he was released from jail just a year ago. Additionally, a case of assault and possession was registered at the Ballabgarh City Police Station in 2025.

"Aryan is also a co-accused with Balwinder in the case. We are questioning the accused", said the spokesperson of Faridabad police.

The public parading of the accused, while not formally condoned, sometimes occurs after arrests for serious crimes in India. Such actions can reflect public anger and a desire for swift justice, though the police are officially meant to follow due process. The 'Bandar-Bhalu' gang's alleged involvement highlights ongoing challenges in maintaining law and order in certain areas.
Delhi Police have arrested an absconding shooter from the notorious Tillu Tajpuria gang after a brief exchange of fire, highlighting ongoing efforts to combat organised crime in the Delhi-NCR region.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Absconding shooter from the Tillu Tajpuria gang arrested after a gunfight with Delhi Police in Rohini.

The arrested shooter was a convicted murderer who jumped parole and maintained contact with gang members abroad via encrypted apps.

Police recovered an illegal pistol, live cartridges, and a motorcycle from the shooter.

The shooter was allegedly planning to acquire weapons to target rival gang members under the direction of handlers abroad.

The arrest is part of Delhi Police's ongoing efforts to curb gang-related violence in the Delhi-NCR region.

An absconding shooter of the Tillu Tajpuria gang, convicted on charges of murdering his girlfriend's brother and a man associated with her family, was apprehended after a brief exchange of fire with the Delhi Police's Special Cell in the Rohini area in the early hours of Wednesday, officials said.

Gang's International Connections

During questioning, he revealed that he remained in touch with fugitive members of the Tillu Tajpuria and Kaushal Chaudhary gangs who were operating from abroad through an encrypted application, police said.

The 40-year-old proclaimed offender, a life convict in the two cases who had jumped parole, was also involved in a case under the Explosive Substances Act. The police recovered an illegal pistol, live cartridges and a motorcycle from his possession.

"Acting on a specific input, a dedicated team was constituted and surveillance was mounted. At around 10:25 pm, the suspect was spotted on a motorcycle and signalled to stop and surrender," police said.

However, he opened fire at the team, prompting retaliatory firing in self-defence. During the exchange, the accused sustained a bullet injury to his right leg and was shifted to a nearby hospital for treatment, they said.

Criminal Associations and Plans

During interrogation, he disclosed that while in jail, he had developed close associations with members of the Tillu Tajpuria gang and the Kaushal Chaudhary gang.

He jumped parole in a 2015 murder case and re-established contact with the handlers of these gangs abroad, who were communicating through an encrypted platform. Acting on their directions, he was in the process of arranging weapons to target rival gang members.

The police said the accused has around six FIRs registered against him.

History of Violence

According to police, his criminal history dates back to 2008, when he allegedly shot a man dead following a personal dispute linked to his relationship with a woman in the presence of her family members. He was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment in that case.

In April 2015, after jumping parole, he allegedly murdered the woman's brother, who was an eyewitness in the earlier case. Along with an associate linked to the Tillu Tajpuria gang, he is accused of abducting the victim at gunpoint, shooting him and dumping the body in Sonipat, Haryana. He was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment in this case as well.

Previous Arrests and Convictions

In May 2015, he was apprehended in the Alipur area while allegedly planning another crime with two associates. A hand grenade, six pistols and 13 live cartridges were recovered from their possession, and he was later sentenced to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment.

The police said he was released on parole in April 2025 but jumped parole again, and was declared a proclaimed offender by a court in March 2026.

The arrest was part of the Special Cell's ongoing efforts to track down hardcore criminals and organised gang members operating in the Delhi-NCR region, with a special focus on bail and parole jumpers to curb gang-related violence, officials added.

The Tillu Tajpuria gang has been implicated in several high-profile criminal cases in Delhi. Gang violence is a persistent problem in the Delhi-NCR region, prompting increased efforts by law enforcement to track down and apprehend gang members and disrupt their operations. The use of encrypted communication platforms by gang members operating from abroad poses an additional challenge for law enforcement agencies.
A parking dispute in East Delhi turned deadly when a 34-year-old trader was shot and killed, leaving his family in shock and prompting a police investigation.

Key Points A trader in East Delhi was fatally shot after an argument over parking escalated.

The incident stemmed from a long-standing dispute between a landlord, his brother, and a tenant regarding parking space.

Police have arrested two individuals in connection with the murder, but are still searching for other suspects.

The victim's family is demanding the immediate arrest of all those involved in the crime.

The parking dispute involved multiple vehicles and disagreements over designated parking slots.

The killing of a 34-year-old trader in East Delhi over an alleged parking dispute has left his family in Noida's Sector 121 devastated and in shock. His pregnant wife, who is preparing to welcome their child in the coming months, is struggling to come to terms with the sudden loss.

At the family's home, grief hung heavy as relatives gathered to mourn.

Breaking down, the deceased's mother, Shakuntala, said, "Everything is gone now. My son was shot in front of everyone."A

Their six-year-old son has not yet been informed about his father's death.

Pankaj Nayyar was allegedly shot dead by his brother's tenant following a heated argument over parking a Toyota Fortuner and a BMW outside their residential building in East Delhi's Preet Vihar on Monday, police said on Tuesday.

The deceased had gone to his brother's residence to intervene in a long-standing dispute involving a landlord, his brother and a tenant.A

Escalation Of The Parking Dispute

Although police arrested two people on Tuesday, including the main accused's stepson, in connection with the shooting, the grieving family expressed anguish that the two other accused remain at large.A

Police said multiple teams have been deployed to trace the absconding accused and the motorcycle used in the crime.A

Victim's family members and friends organised a candle march in the locality on Tuesday, proceeding to the Preet Vihar Police Station.

A close friend of the victim, Jasmeet, told PTI that they want the immediate arrest of all the accused. "Police should arrest the accused at the earliest and set a strong example," he said.

Pankaj, described by friends and family as warm and social, married seven years ago and was cremated on Monday after police handed his body over to his family following a postmortem.

How The Argument Started

According to police, the dispute began on Sunday night when Pankaj's brother, Paras Nayyar, parked his Maruti Baleno outside their residential building in A-144, Preet Vihar, and went out for dinner.A

Gaurav Sharma (42), who owns several vehicles, including a BMW and a Toyota Fortuner, objected to the car blocking the entry and asked him to move it.A

"Gaurav arrived in his BMW and found the Baleno blocking entry into the building. He called Paras and asked him to move the car," a senior police officer said.

Police said Paras offered Gaurav an alternative parking space in a nearby building where he owns a plot. Things were settled.

However, the issue resurfaced later in the night. Another round of arguments ensued when the main accused's son came home in a Fortuner.

"When Gaurav told Paras to remove the Baleno, Paras said every tenant has only one designated parking slot," the officer said, adding that the disagreement escalated. Pankaj, who had earlier spoken to Paras over the phone, arrived at the spot around 12.30 am.

The Fatal Shooting

The situation was briefly defused by family members, but escalated again about an hour later. Around 2 am, Gaurav allegedly returned with his associates on a motorcycle, including his stepson and others, and began abusing the brothers, police said.

During the confrontation, Gaurav allegedly pulled out a pistol and fired multiple rounds. One bullet struck Pankaj in the chest, police said. Doctors declared him dead after he was rushed to a private hospital in Nirman Vihar.

Paras also sustained minor injuries and was taken to Lal Bahadur Shastri Hospital. Police said he was released after receiving first aid. The accused and his accomplices fled from the spot after the incident on the motorcycle.A Police received two PCR calls around 2:22 am and 2:26 am regarding a quarrel and firing.

Police Investigation And Arrests

Deputy Commissioner of Police (East) Rajeev Kumar said, "The teams carried out intensive CCTV analysis, technical surveillance, and field enquiries. Footage from cameras installed in and around the crime scene was examined, and local intelligence was developed to identify the absconding suspects."A

Police arrested the main accused, Gaurav, within a few hours of the incident. "Police arrested his associates Sunil Sharma (41) and his stepson Siddharth on Tuesday morning. Further investigation is underway," police said.A A

Family members alleged that the accused frequently insisted on parking multiple vehicles despite having only one designated slot.

"He owned three cars despite having parking space for only one," a relative said, claiming that parking tensions had persisted for some time.A Some relatives also alleged that the accused were already waiting at the spot when Pankaj arrived, claiming the attack was premeditated.

"They were already waiting downstairs," a family member said.

The incident highlights the potential for disputes over seemingly minor issues like parking to escalate into violence. In India, disputes over property and access are common, and local police are typically the first responders in such situations. The investigation will likely involve gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and potentially filing charges under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code.
The father of a Tripura student murdered in a racial attack accuses Uttarakhand Police of negligence, alleging the main suspect remains free due to administrative failures.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Father of deceased Tripura student accuses Uttarakhand Police of negligence in murder case.

Main suspect, Yagyaraj Awasthi, remains at large, allegedly having crossed the border into Nepal.

Family alleges police collusion and delayed FIR registration in the Anjel Chakma murder case.

Police claim to have issued a lookout circular and are processing a Red Corner notice for the accused.

The father of Anjel Chakma, a 24-year-old student from Tripura who was killed in an alleged racial assault, on Wednesday accused the Uttarakhand Police of negligence and alleged that the main accused remains at large due to administrative failure.

Tarun Prasad Chakma, a head constable in the Border Security Force (BSF), said it has been four months since his son's death, yet the primary suspect, Yagyaraj Awasthi, has not been apprehended.

Accused Allegedly Fled To Nepal

Awasthi, a resident of Kanchanpur in Nepal, allegedly crossed the border after the incident.

"There is no active police operation. The main accused is in Nepal, and there is no clue regarding his whereabouts," the senior Chakma told PTI.

He alleged that the local police were "colluding" with the accused, and claimed that a First Information Report (FIR) was registered only after a Member of Parliament intervened.

Victim Of Racial Attack

Anjel Chakma, a resident of Unakoti district in Tripura, was attacked by a group of six people on December 9, 2025, after he objected to racial slurs hurled at him and his younger brother in the Selaqui area of the state capital. He died in a hospital on December 26.

His father, currently posted in Sipahijala, said Anjel was a talented student who had secured an MBA placement with an annual package of Rs 12 lakh. "I performed 24-hour duties in the BSF for 30 years to provide for his education.

He was supposed to start his internship on December 27, but he never got the chance," he said.

Family Trauma

The grief-stricken father said that the death had traumatised his younger son, a second-year graduation student in Uttarakhand.

"My younger son remains in total silence. One son is gone, and the other's life is being ruined by this trauma," Chakma said. He said that the family has received Rs 8.25 lakh as compensation from the Social Welfare Department.

Police Investigation Ongoing

The police have so far nabbed five of the six accused, including two minors. Vikasnagar Circle Officer Vivek Singh Kutiyal said a lookout circular (LOC) was issued in January, and a Blue Corner notice has been processed to bring Awasthi to book.

"The process for a Red Corner notice is currently in progress," the officer stated.

The registration of a First Information Report (FIR) marks the formal commencement of a police investigation in India, typically after a complaint is filed alleging the commission of a cognisable offence. A Red Corner Notice is an international alert circulated by Interpol to request the arrest of a wanted person with a view to extradition.
In a move aimed at fostering peace, the US has extended its ceasefire with Iran at Pakistan's request, providing an opportunity for Tehran to present a unified proposal to resolve the ongoing conflict.

IMAGE: US President Donald Trump waves as he departs after delivering remarks to NCAA Collegiate National Champions in the State Dining Room at the White House in Washington, D.C, April 21, 2026. Photograph: Kylie Cooper/Reuters

Key Points Donald Trump extended the ceasefire with Iran indefinitely following a request from Pakistan.

The extension aims to provide Iran's leadership with time to develop a unified proposal for ending the ongoing conflict.

The US will maintain its economic blockade on Iranian ports during the ceasefire extension.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif thanked Trump for extending the ceasefire and expressed hope for a comprehensive peace deal.

The US Treasury announced sanctions on individuals and entities involved in procuring weapons for Iran.

US President Donald Trump extended the ceasefire with Iran indefinitely at the request of Pakistan to give Tehran's leadership more time to prepare a unified proposal to end the war, even as Iranian forces fired on three ships and seized two of them in the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday.

Trump's dramatic announcement, welcomed by Pakistan's top leadership, came just hours before the two-week ceasefire was set to expire.

Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency reported that Tehran has not issued any official statement confirming its agreement to extend the ceasefire.

Pakistan had urged an extension of the truce due to uncertainty surrounding the second round of talks. There was still no clarity on the date of the next round of talks.

On Wednesday, The New York Post quoted President Trump as saying that the second round of the US-Iran talks could take place as early as Friday.

Such development was "possible" within the next 36 to 72 hours, the paper reported, quoting Trump.

However, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said Tehran has not yet decided whether to attend a new round of Pakistani-mediated talks in Islamabad.

"We have made it clear that if we conclude that going to Islamabad is in our national interest, we would go there. But for the time being, the decision has not yet been made," Baqaei told the BBC on Wednesday.

Baqaei said Iran's delegation had travelled to Pakistan for the first round of talks "with good faith and sense of seriousness, but you have a negotiating party that has shown its lack of seriousness, lack of good faith".

The extension of the truce effectively delayed the planned visit of a US delegation led by Vice President JD Vance to Islamabad for talks with Iranian interlocutors.

Meanwhile, the Revolutionary Guards intercepted and transferred two vessels - identified as the "MSC-FRANCESCA" and the "EPAMINODES" - to Iranian territorial waters for inspection of their cargo, documents, and related records, Tasnim news agency reported.

Citing a statement by the Guards, it said the ships were "attempting to exit" the Strait of Hormuz when they were intercepted.

Another ship, Euphoria, was stopped after being "fired upon", according to BBC.

The development came as Trump announced the extension of the ceasefire with Iran indefinitely.

"Based on the fact that the Government of Iran is seriously fractured, not unexpectedly so and, upon the request of Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, of Pakistan, we have been asked to hold our attack on the country of Iran until such time as their leaders and representatives can come up with a unified proposal," Trump said on Tuesday.

However, Trump made it clear that the US will refrain from attacking Iran only until its leadership presents a unified proposal for negotiations. He said the economic blockade of Iran's ports will remain in place.

The US President said he has therefore "directed the military to continue the blockade".

The decision to extend the ceasefire marked a significant shift in Trump's tone. Earlier on Tuesday, he said that if a deal was not reached by Wednesday, he expected to "be bombing, because that is a better attitude to go in with."

Trump did not refer to the conflict or the negotiations with Iran during his only public appearance of the day, when he addressed NCAA collegiate national champions at the White House on Tuesday afternoon.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed hope that both Iran and the US would be able to "conclude a comprehensive peace deal" to end the conflict.

"On my personal behalf and on behalf of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, I sincerely thank President Trump for graciously accepting our request to extend the ceasefire to allow ongoing diplomatic efforts to take their course," he said in a social media post.

Sharif said with the "trust and confidence reposed in (it), Pakistan shall continue its earnest efforts for a negotiated settlement of the conflict."

"I sincerely hope that both sides will continue to observe the ceasefire and be able to conclude a comprehensive 'Peace Deal' during the second round of talks scheduled at Islamabad for a permanent end to the conflict," he added.

The Iranian envoy to Pakistan, Reza Amiri Moghadam, called on PM Sharif and discussed the "ongoing regional situation and peace efforts," the PM's Office said.

Earlier, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi slammed the US, saying blockading Iranian ports is an "act of war and thus a violation of the ceasefire".

"Striking a commercial vessel and taking its crew hostage is an even greater violation. Iran knows how to neutralise restrictions, how to defend its interests, and how to resist bullying," he said in a social media post.

On Tuesday, the US said its forces boarded an oil tanker previously sanctioned for smuggling Iranian crude in Asia. The US military did not disclose the location of the boarding, though ship-tracking data showed the vessel in the Indian Ocean between Sri Lanka and Indonesia on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced sanctions on 14 individuals, entities and aircraft based in Iran, Turkiye and the United Arab Emirates for their alleged involvement in procuring or transporting weapons or weapons components on behalf of Iran.

He warned that Iran's Kharg Island storage facilities could reach capacity within days, potentially forcing fragile oil wells to shut down. "Constraining Iran's maritime trade directly targets the regime's primary revenue lifelines," he said.

The US imposed the blockade to pressure Tehran into ending its stranglehold on the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping lane through which about 20 per cent of the world's natural gas and crude oil transits in peacetime. Iran's grip on the strait has pushed oil prices sharply higher.

Meanwhile, Islamabad's Red Zone, where government buildings and offices are located, was under strict security. The area remained sealed to the general public on Wednesday, but other routes, sealed earlier, were opened. The army was patrolling the area.

Pakistan has taken elaborate security measures, including deploying more than 10,000 security personnel, in preparation for the proposed talks.

The first round of US-Iran talks held on April 11 and 12 failed to produce a breakthrough, prompting a flurry of diplomatic efforts by host Pakistan to cool tensions and revive hopes for another round of dialogue.

The Iran war began on February 28 with US-Israeli strikes.
Despite a ceasefire extension, Iran has rejected the United States' conditions for negotiations, creating uncertainty in ongoing diplomatic efforts.

IMAGE: A woman holds a poster depicting Irans new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei during an anti-US and anti-Israeli rally in Tehran. Photograph: Majid Asgaripour/WANA/Reuters

Key Points Iran has rejected the United States' conditions for negotiations, escalating tensions despite a ceasefire extension.

Donald Trump extended the ceasefire at the request of Pakistan's army chief, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, aiming to facilitate a unified proposal from Iran.

The US has postponed a delegation visit to Islamabad for peace talks with Iranian representatives, indicating diplomatic challenges.

Trump clarified that the US will refrain from attacking Iran only until its leadership presents a unified proposal for negotiations, maintaining economic pressure.

Iran has mocked United States President Donald Trump's ceasefire extension, saying it means "nothing" and the "losing side cannot dictate terms".

"Trump's ceasefire extension means nothing. The losing side cannot dictate terms. The continuation of the siege is no different from bombardment and must be met with a military response. Moreover, Trump's ceasefire extension is certainly a ploy to buy time for a surprise strike. The time for Iran to take the initiative has come," Mahdi Mohammadi, a senior adviser to Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, wrote in a post on X.

Iran also rejected the United States' conditions for negotiations, according to the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting.

"Iran rejected the US conditions for negotiations. Trump unilaterally extended the ceasefire!," the IRIB reported.

The IRIB further quoted Trump as saying that the decision to extend the ceasefire came following a request from the Pakistani Army Chief, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir.

Ceasefire Extension and US Conditions

Trump has indefinitely extended the ceasefire with Iran at the request of mediator Pakistan, saying the move was aimed at giving Tehran's fractured leadership time to come up with a unified proposal to end the seven-week war.

The dramatic announcement came just hours before the two-week ceasefire announced on April 8 was set to expire, and effectively delayed the planned visit of a US delegation led by Vice President J D Vance to Islamabad for peace talks with Iranian interlocutors.

Economic Blockade Remains

However, Trump made it clear that the US will refrain from attacking Iran only until its leadership presents a unified proposal for negotiations. He said the economic blockade of Iran's ports will remain in place.

Vance and US special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner had been scheduled to travel to Islamabad on Tuesday, but the White House said the delegation's "trip to Pakistan will not be happening today (Tuesday)."

The announcement capped days of intense diplomatic activity among officials in Washington, Islamabad and Tehran aimed at producing a draft proposal acceptable to all sides.

This development occurs amidst ongoing tensions between the US and Iran, with Pakistan attempting to mediate. The rejection of US conditions highlights the complexities of achieving a lasting resolution. The economic blockade's continuation underscores the US's continued pressure on Iran to negotiate.

With inputs from ANI, PTI
An under-trial prisoner's daring escape from an Odisha jail by scaling a 20-foot wall has triggered a manhunt and raised serious questions about prison security.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points An under-trial prisoner escaped from Kalahandi district jail in Odisha by scaling a 20-foot wall.

The prisoner, Jagannath Sabar, was accused of three theft cases and had been in jail for two months.

An investigation is underway to determine how the prisoner managed to escape.

A search operation has been launched to recapture the escaped prisoner.

This is not the first jailbreak from the Bhawanipatna jail, raising concerns about security.

An under-trial prisoner escaped from Odisha's Kalahandi district jail by scaling a 20-foot wall, prison officials said on Wednesday.

The prisoner has been identified as Jagannath Sabar of Themra village under Bhawanipatna Sadar police station and was in the Bhawanipatna jail for the past two months. He was accused of three theft cases.

Investigation Launched Into Odisha Jail Escape

Jail superintendent Saroj Kumar Biswal said an investigation is underway regarding how the under-trial prisoner managed to escape from the jail on Tuesday night.

Biswal said they informed the police about the incident, and a search operation is ongoing.

Security Concerns At Bhawanipatna Jail

This jail is located in the centre of Bhawanipatna town in a busy locality and was built in 1935. Residential areas surround the jail, and NH-26 passes in front of it. Officials said there are CCTVs to monitor the jail inmates.

Past Jailbreaks Highlight Security Issues

Two under-trial prisoners, both from Bihar, escaped from the high-security jail on the intervening night of October 2-3 during the Durga Puja celebration last year. Later, they were recaptured from different places.

According to official data, a total of 33 under-trial prisoners (UTPs) and 11 convicts have escaped from custody from different jails of the state during the last five years. About 15 of them are still at large.

The Bhawanipatna jail was built in 1935 and is located in a busy part of town, raising questions about its security measures. This incident follows a previous escape from the same jail last year, indicating potential systemic vulnerabilities. Recapturing escaped prisoners can be a lengthy and resource-intensive process for law enforcement.
Police in Thane are investigating a suspected murder after the body of an unidentified man was found in Khadavli, with signs indicating foul play.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Unidentified man's body discovered near a temple in Khadavli, Thane.

Police suspect murder due to the decomposed state and smashed face of the body.

The body is believed to be of a man around 40 years old.

Case registered under sections 302 and 201 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for murder and causing disappearance of evidence.

Police investigation is underway to identify the victim and the perpetrators.

The body of an unidentified man has been found in Maharashtra's Thane district, with police suspecting it to be a case of murder, officials said on Wednesday.

A passerby spotted the body near a temple in the Khadavli area on Tuesday and alerted the police, an official from the district rural police control room said.

Details of the Discovery

The body was found in a decomposed state, with the face smashed, possibly using a stone, the official said.

Personnel from the Kalyan taluka police station rushed to the spot, conducted an inspection and sent the body to a government hospital for postmortem, he said.

Police Investigation and Suspicions

The police suspect that the man, believed to be around 40 years old, had been murdered and the body was dumped at the spot.

Legal Proceedings Initiated

A case has been registered against unidentified persons under sections 302 (murder) and 201 (causing disappearance of evidence) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and a probe is on into it, the police added.

The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections mentioned cover murder and actions taken to conceal evidence of a crime. In India, murder investigations are typically led by local police, who gather evidence, interview witnesses, and attempt to identify and apprehend the suspect. Postmortem examinations are a standard part of such investigations to determine the cause of death.
The US Ambassador to India has reaffirmed America's support for India in combating terrorism, marking the anniversary of the deadly Pahalgam attack that claimed the lives of many innocent tourists.

Photograph: Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters

Key Points US Ambassador to India remembers victims of the Pahalgam terror attack.

The United States reaffirms its commitment to stand with India in the fight against terrorism.

Israel's Foreign Minister pledges to boost cooperation with India against terrorism.

Australia's High Commissioner recalls the attack and condemns terrorism in all forms.

US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor on Wednesday remembered the lives lost in the deadly Pahalgam attack a year ago and asserted that the United States stands with the people of India in their fight against terrorism.

International Support Against Terrorism

Israel Foreign Minister Gideon Saar also paid tribute to the victims and pledged to boost cooperation with India in the fight against terrorism.

Australia's High Commissioner to India Philip Green in a post on X also recalled the horrific terror strike on April 22 last year, and said Australia stands against terrorism in all its forms.

Terrorists had killed 26 people, mostly tourists, at Pahalgam in south Kashmir last year. The dastardly act had shaken the nation and drawn condemnation from governments and leaders across the world.

US Commitment to India

"On the one-year anniversary of the horrific attack in Pahalgam, we remember the innocent victims and honor their memory as we mourn with their families. The United States stands with the people of India in their fight against terrorism," Gor posted on X.

In a post on X, Israel's Foreign Minister Saar said "On behalf of the State of Israel, on one year to the Pahalgam terror attack, we honor the memory of the innocent lives lost and stand with their families in grief."

"Israel remains resolute and unwavering in its fight against terrorism in all its forms. Together with India, we will continue to strengthen our cooperation to confront this threat with determination and to advance peace, security, and stability," he said.

Australian High Commissioner Green in his post said, "One year on, we join our Indian friends & colleagues to remember the innocent lives lost in the horrific terrorist attack in #Pahalgam. We honour the victims & their families who continue to grieve today. Australia stands against terrorism in all its forms. @narendramodi @AlboMP".

The Pahalgam attack, which targeted tourists in south Kashmir, highlighted the ongoing challenges India faces in combating terrorism. International condemnation of the attack underscores the global community's united stance against such acts of violence. India has long maintained that cross-border terrorism is a major threat to its national security.
The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) is raising concerns about a surge in targeted attacks on Hindus in Delhi, urging government intervention and the formation of a special task force to address the issue.

Key Points VHP alleges an increase in targeted attacks against Hindus in Delhi, citing recent incidents.

The organisation demands a high-level review involving central and Delhi government officials to address the issue.

VHP calls for the formation of a Special Task Force (STF) to take action against radical networks.

The VHP plans to launch a helpline and mobile app to facilitate rapid volunteer mobilisation during emergencies.

Alleging a rise in 'targeted attacks on Hindus' in the national capital, the VHP on Wednesday demanded a high-level review meeting involving Central and Delhi government officials, along with the formation of an STF to take action against "radical networks".

Addressing a press conference, Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) Delhi unit secretary Surendra Gupta claimed that recent incidents point to a worrying trend and require urgent intervention.

VHP Concerns Over Rising Attacks

"The way such attacks and killings of Hindus have been increasing in Delhi is a matter of serious concern. Beginning with the Tarun Khatik case in Uttam Nagar during Holi in March this year, several attacks on Hindus have occurred in quick succession," Gupta said.

Hinting at a larger conspiracy, Gupta stated, "At present, we are seeing that many terrorists are also being caught in Delhi, which raises concerns that the city may be becoming a shelter for such elements. This is a serious issue. It is important to examine where lapses are occurring and where the administration needs to act more firmly."

Demands For Investigation And Action

The VHP leader also called for a comprehensive investigation into recent cases and identification of crime 'hotspots' based on data from the past two to three years.

"We have also demanded that a high-level special investigation committee be set up to examine all recent incidents, and that crime data from the past two to three years be analysed to identify hotspots where such incidents are repeatedly occurring, such as areas in East Delhi, Sangam Vihar, Jahangirpuri, and Mangolpuri," Gupta claimed.

He noted that a joint review meeting should be convened to assess the situation, analyse patterns and prepare a coordinated action plan.

Proposed Security Measures

"We demand that Delhi Home Minister Ashish Sood along with central and Delhi officials, should hold a review meeting of everything that is happening in Delhi. Based on this, a proper action plan should be prepared by understanding the pattern of such incidents and establishing a monitoring mechanism to prevent them," he said.

He also demanded the creation of a 'special security grid' involving agencies such as Delhi Police, MCD and DDA to ensure faster response and accountability.

Gupta further called for the formation of a special task force (STF) and the setting up of fast-track courts for speedy justice.

VHP's Planned Helpline And Mobile App

He mentioned that the organisation will soon issue a helpline number and is also working on a mobile application to alert volunteers in case of emergencies.

"We will put up calendars in temples, gurudwaras, Jain centres and trade associations, and publish the helpline number on them. Through this number, people will be able to share information with us and we will take action," he said.

Gupta added that the organisation is developing a mobile application to facilitate rapid volunteer mobilisation during incidents.

"In the next phase, we are going to build an app. As the development work is still underway, I cannot share complete details right now. However, through this app, volunteers within a radius of about 50a100 metres of an incident will receive a notification that someone is in danger there," he said.

He also pitched for measures such as CCTV and drone surveillance, stronger beat policing, and the activation of community-level policing mechanisms.

The Vishva Hindu Parishad is a right-wing Hindu nationalist organisation that advocates for the interests of the Hindu community. The organisation has been known to raise concerns about the safety and security of Hindus in various parts of India. Their demand for a review meeting and STF highlights their concern over the perceived rise in attacks.
A viral video of a Mumbai woman berating a Maharashtra minister over traffic caused by a BJP rally has ignited a political storm, highlighting the public's frustration with disruptions and raising questions about rally permissions.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points A woman confronted Maharashtra minister Girish Mahajan over a BJP rally that caused significant traffic congestion in Mumbai.

The woman's outburst, captured in a viral video, criticised the rally for blocking roads and inconveniencing commuters.

Opposition parties, including Shiv Sena (UBT) and Congress, have criticised the BJP for the traffic chaos and praised the woman for speaking out.

BJP leaders, including Minister Mahajan and Mayor Ritu Tawde, have apologised for the inconvenience caused by the rally.

Police have registered a case against the organisers of the BJP rally for alleged violations of norms.

A backlash over a viral video of a woman berating Maharashtra minister Girish Mahajan for the traffic jam caused by a BJP rally over the reservation bill in Mumbai put the ruling party on the backfoot on Wednesday, with the minister stating that her anger was justified to "some extent".

He, however, emphasised that her language was inappropriate, ruling out any legal action against her.

City Mayor Ritu Tawde, who belongs to the BJP, expressed regret for the inconvenience caused to commuters by Tuesday's rally in Worli area of south Mumbai as the police registered a case against the organisers for alleged violation of norms.

Opposition Parties Criticise BJP Over Traffic Disruption

As the video of the woman's outburst went viral, opposition parties targeted the saffron party, with Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi lauding the woman -- who had got stranded in a traffic jam while waiting to pick up her child -- for 'showing a mirror' to the minister.

The incident occurred in the upscale Worli area on Tuesday when Mahajan was speaking to reporters at a rally organised by the saffron party to target opposition parties over the defeat of the Constitution Amendment Bill to fast-track the implementation of 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies.

An agitated woman confronted the BJP minister, shouting at him for blocking roads and causing inconvenience to commuters.

"Get out of here. You are causing a traffic jam," she said, asking why the rally could not be held at the nearby open ground.

After Mahajan tried to pacify her, she returned and continued her tirade, saying, "Did you not understand? What is wrong with you? There are hundreds of people waiting."

When a police official intervened, she snapped at him, refusing to engage and demanding that no one speak to her.

Accusations and Apologies Following Viral Video

Maharashtra Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal shared the video on X and accused the BJP of misleading women for political gains.

Sapkal also alleged on Wednesday that after facing embarrassment, BJP workers threatened the journalists who recorded the viral video.

Mahajan admitted that some commuters did face inconvenience, and added that he had apologised to the woman on the spot and also asked the police not to take any harsh action against her.

"It is true that there was traffic congestion as thousands of women participated in the march. But the woman who came there was very angry and spoke in a language that was not appropriate. Even when we told her the road would be cleared in 10-15 minutes, she was not ready to listen and, in anger, even threw a bottle," the BJP leader claimed.

The protest, held after obtaining necessary permissions, saw participation of around 15,000 to 20,000 women, which made some congestion unavoidable, he said, denying any shortcoming in the police's planning or allegations of "VIP culture".

Mayor Apologises for Inconvenience Caused

"I understand that she was in a hurry to pick up her child, and her anger is justified to some extent. But the way she reacted, using such language and throwing a bottle, was wrong. However, I do not think any legal action should be taken against her," he said.

Mayor Tawde said in a post on X that the 'Mahila Janakrosh Morcha' had been organised after obtaining all necessary permissions. Its objective was to oppose attempts to dilute women's political rights, she said.

"Proper planning was also done by the police and the transport department to avoid inconvenience to citizens and traffic. Still, as a first citizen of Mumbai, I apologise for the inconvenience caused to some citizens," she stated.

The mayor also said that thousands of women from across the state participated in the protest despite the summer heat, and it was an outpouring of anger over issues concerning women's rights and representation.

"Therefore, we hope that the woman who faced inconvenience, as well as other citizens, will understand the anger of those who participated in the protest march," Tawde said.

Police Investigate Rally Organisers

Worli Police, meanwhile, registered a case against the organisers of the BJP rally. Necessary permissions had been taken for the event, but certain rules were violated, said a police official.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi accused the BJP of being insensitive to the travel woes of Mumbaikars.

"In Mumbai, the daily commute includes hours of being stuck in traffic jams and instead of understanding the fast losing patience at these gatherings/VIP movements that hold up traffic, the ruling dispensation doesn't seem to care, even the minister's attitude is so disrespectful and dismissive," said the former Rajya Sabha member in a post on X.

"Hats off to the lady from Mumbai who showed a mirror to Minister Girish Mahajan and BJP protestors for blocking traffic to carry out their political protest," Chaturvedi added.

She slammed the BJP for protesting on the streets instead of a designated ground, wondering whether permission was obtained for the demonstration.

Mumbai Congress chief Varsha Gaikwad said the woman confronting the BJP minister was an example of "real women's power".

CPI(M) politburo member from Maharashtra, Prakash Reddy, on Wednesday questioned whether the protest had indeed received official permission.

In a social media post, Reddy asked whether Mahajan was "speaking the truth" about obtaining permission, stating that police usually deny requests for rallies in south Mumbai, citing court orders and instead direct organisers to hold protests at Azad Maidan.

"If permission was granted, why is it not given to others? And if the march blocked traffic despite conditions, why have the police not registered a case against Mahajan and other BJP leaders?" Reddy asked.

Political rallies in Mumbai often cause traffic disruptions, leading to public inconvenience. Permissions for such events are typically required, and organisers are expected to adhere to guidelines to minimise disruption. The incident raises questions about the balance between political expression and the rights of ordinary citizens to commute without undue hindrance.
Major Kuldip Singh Chandpuri had only two options -- hold on to his post or withdraw.

He chose the former.

He and his 120 soldiers heroically defended the Longewala post against a formidable Pakistani tank attack till first light brought IAF fighter jets. The air attack turned the desert into a graveyard of Pakistani tanks.

IMAGE: A destroyed Pakistani tank at the Laungewala War Memorial. Photographs: Archana Masih/Rediff

Key Points The Battle of Longewala was fought between India-Pakistan in the 1971 War near Jaislamer.

15 kilometres from the India-Pakistan border, there is a memorial to the heroic stand of 23 Punjab in defending the Longewala post.

The Pakistani objective was to capture Longewala and proceed towards Jaisalmer.

Major Chandpuri and his soldiers held on till dawn till IAF aircraft from Jaisalmer arrived and turned it into a graveyard of Pakistani tanks .

If there was one famous battle that has found a place in Indian public memory -- it is the Battle of Longewala.

Fought on the India-Pakistan border in the Thar desert near Jaisalmer 55 years ago, much has been written about it in military accounts, books and popularised in two blockbuster movies -- Border and Border 2.

At the Longewala War Memorial, the cafeteria is called 'Border'. A few short steps away is an imposing gate leading to the war memorial with a 108 feet flagpole sponsored by the Flag Foundation of India dominating the landscape.

A group of bikers in full gear -- helmets, gloves, knee guards -- had stopped to pay their respects.

Located 15 kilometres from the India-Pakistan border, the open air museum is a memorial to the heroic stand of 23 Punjab in defending the Longewala post against a heavily outnumbered infantry and tank attack.

IMAGE: A pole indicating the distance from the India-Pakistan border near Jaisalmer.

The Pakistani objective was to capture Longewala and proceed towards Jaisalmer, 108 kms ahead and then on to Jodhpur, capturing a sizable tract of Indian territory.

They set about this objective, just a day after the war broke out on December 3, 1971.

On the night of December 4-5, 1971, Pakistan launched a major tank attack by a regiment of T-59 tanks and a squadron of M4 Sherman tanks on the Longewala post manned by 120 soldiers of 23 Punjab commanded by Major Kuldip Singh Chandpuri.

Major Chandpuri had only two options -- hold on to his post or withdraw.

He chose the former.

IMAGE: A captured Pakistani tank from the Battle of Longewala.

The post did not have defensive fortifications. No mines to stop the advancing tanks or barbed wires. With the odds stacked heavily against them, the soldiers braved the intense fire power of the Pakistani artillery, tanks and weapons throughout the night.

They laid anti-tank mines in real time as the enemy tank columns advanced, facing heavy fire.

Sepoys Charan Dass and Bishan Dass, Sena Medal, continued to lay mines till they were killed in action.

When the enemy was closing in, tank support was dispatched by a nearby regiment, to bolster 23 Punjab's response. The light tanks were no match for the superior Pakistani American armour, but put up a fierce fight to halt the Pakistani advance.

Dafedar Harbir Singh, Vir Chakra, commander of the leading Indian tank knocked out two enemy tanks, but his own tank was hit. Despite being critically injured, he continued to fire at enemy tanks till his last breath.

Sepoy Jagjit Singh, Vir Chakra, jumped out of his bunker after it was destroyed and came out in the open to fire his machine gun till he was killed in action.

IMAGE: Busts of the decorated soldiers at the Longewala War Memorial.

The busts of the brave soldiers at the memorial tells the story of brave young men and what it took to defend this land of ours.

People slowly move from one bust to the other, pausing in front every soldier. While a large group of people sit under shady trees waiting to enter a replica of the underground Company Commander's HQ.

Uniformed soldiers stand guard as people patiently wait to be allowed in to see what Major Chandpuri must have experienced that night.

IMAGE: Tourists wait outside a bunker at Longewala.

He must have gone bunker to bunker, rallying his troops and using his skills as a commander to stop the enemy from running over their post.

The soldiers used battlecraft skillfully to outwit the Pakistani tank assault, waiting till their tanks came closer to launch an attack with recoilless guns mounted on jeeps. Two heavy tanks were destroyed this way by the much smaller recoilless rifle.

Many Pakistani tanks got stuck in the soft desert sands because of their massive size and were rendered immobile.

IMAGE: A recoilless gun on a jeep that was used in the Battle of Longewala.

Major Chandpuri and his soldiers held on till dawn till IAF aircraft from Jaisalmer arrived. There was no night flying equipment available at that time.

The air strikes led by Wing Commander M S Bawa and facilitated by Major Atma Singh of the Air Observation Post destroyed a large number of enemy tanks. Waves of air strikes continued and 37 enemy tanks were destroyed.

Two of those massive tanks are placed at the entrance of the memorial.

IMAGE: A destroyed Pakistani tanks at Longewala.

120 men of 23 Punjab under the inspiring leadership of Major Chandpuri defended the post with exemplary courage till the IAF started its aerial bombardment.

The Indian Air Force conducted a number of air strikes causing massive damage to Pakistani armour and vehicles and stopped the Pakistan army from gaining territory.

Not a single aircraft was lost, while Longewala became a graveyard for Pakistani tanks.

Pakistan suffered heavy casualties and withdrew on December 5.

IMAGE: The Company HQ in Longewala.

Major Chandpuri was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra, the second highest award for bravery in war for his dynamic leadership in holding his command intact and steadfast.

'He inspired his men moving from bunker to bunker, encouraging them in beating back the enemy till reinforcements arrived. In this heroic defence, he inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy and forced them to retreat leaving behind twelve tanks,' read his MVC citation.

He retired as a brigadier and passed away in 2018.

IMAGE: Visitors at the Longewala Memorial

On a hot summer day, people from different parts of the country had come to remember the brave and set foot on the land where one of India's most crucial stands were taken -- 120 against 3,000 enemy troops and nearly 40 tanks.

Imagine that! Salute!
By Mata Press Service

A woman arrives in Canada with a university degree, years of professional experience and hopes of rebuilding her career quickly. She finds work within a few months, which looks like a success on paper.

But the job is far below her training, her foreign credentials are still not fully recognized, and she is earning much less than Canadian-born workers with similar education. That story, Statistics Canada says, is being replayed thousands of times across Canada.

Two new reports from the federal number crunchers say recent immigrants are entering the labour market faster than earlier newcomer cohorts did, but many are still landing in jobs that do not match their education, field of study or experience.

Together, the reports show that while more newcomers are getting work sooner, many are still not getting the kind of work their qualifications should support.

Both reports were released as part of Statistics Canadas Labour Market Research Series. One examined job mismatch among core working-age immigrants with postsecondary education. The other looked at the labour market experiences of recent working-age immigrants and non-permanent residents from 2019 to 2024.

The combined picture is one of improvement at the entry point, but persistent barriers after that first foothold is gained.

Statistics Canada said more than 1.4 million new immigrants were admitted to Canada from July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2024, and nearly 60 per cent were between the ages of 25 and 54.

Over the same period, the number of non-permanent residents rose from 1.306 million in the third quarter of 2021 to a record 3.002 million in the third quarter of 2024. The agency said this rapid growth took place during a period of unusually strong labour demand after pandemic restrictions were lifted, creating a rare opening for many newcomers trying to enter the workforce.

Among recent working-age immigrants who did not already have a job before arriving and looked for work after landing, 42.5 per cent said they found their first job or started their first business in less than three months.

That was up from 31.3 per cent among immigrants who had arrived 10 to less than 15 years earlier. Statistics Canada said newer cohorts also reported somewhat better outcomes in getting work related to their foreign education and experience than immigrants who arrived earlier.

But faster entry did not mean the barriers had disappeared. Statistics Canada said 31.7 per cent of recent immigrants reported difficulties finding their first job or starting their first business. The most common obstacles included not having enough Canadian work experience or references, lacking labour-market connections, facing language barriers, and having foreign qualifications rejected or only partly accepted.

The second report shows how those problems continue even after work is found. Among workers aged 25 to 54 with a postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree, recent immigrants were much more likely than Canadian-born workers to say they were overqualified for their job. In September 2024 and September 2025, 32.6 per cent of recent immigrants reported being overqualified, compared with 19.1 per cent of Canadian-born workers. Recent immigrants were also nearly twice as likely to be working in jobs that usually require only a high school diploma or less, 25.6 per cent versus 13.2 per cent.

The gap remained even when workers had the same level of education. Among those with a bachelors degree, 29.1 per cent of recent immigrants were in jobs that usually require a high school diploma or less, compared with 9.9 per cent of Canadian-born workers. Among those with education above a bachelors degree, the figures were 16.1 per cent for recent immigrants and 2.8 per cent for Canadian-born workers.

Statistics Canada said recent immigrants with education above the bachelors level were about six times as likely as Canadian-born workers to be in jobs that typically require no more than high school.

The mismatch also showed up in whether a job was connected to what people had studied. Among workers with a bachelors degree, 22.3 per cent of recent immigrants said their job was mostly not or not at all related to their field of study, compared with 15.6 per cent of Canadian-born workers.

For those with education above the bachelors level, the gap was 13.6 per cent for recent immigrants and 5.4 per cent for the Canadian-born.

Statistics Canada said the mismatch tends to ease over time as immigrants become more established in Canada, but the adjustment can take years. Established immigrants, those who became permanent residents more than 10 years earlier, generally had better outcomes than recent immigrants, but still often trailed Canadian-born workers. That suggests the problem is not simply one of short-term transition after arrival.

Where a degree was earned also mattered. Among recent immigrants with bachelors degrees or higher earned outside Canada, those educated in Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries were less likely to face education-related mismatch than immigrants whose highest degree came from non-OECD countries. Statistics Canada said recent immigrants with degrees from OECD countries were 13.6 percentage points less likely to be in jobs requiring only a high school diploma or less than those with degrees from non-OECD countries.

Credential recognition remained another weak point. Among working-age immigrants who applied to practise a regulated occupation based on foreign education and experience, fewer than half, 42.7 per cent, had received full recognition of their credentials by the third quarter of 2024. Another 34 per cent had received only partial recognition and still had to complete additional courses or training.

The reports also found that employment and wage gaps remained significant. In the third quarter of 2024, the employment rate for recent working-age immigrants was 75.5 per cent, compared with 85.4 per cent for core-aged Canadian-born workers. Average hourly wages were $29.97 for recent immigrants, compared with $39.29 for Canadian-born workers. Non-permanent residents earned even less, averaging $26.15 an hour.

In practical terms, the two reports say Canada did better during the post-pandemic labour crunch at helping many newcomers get into the workforce quickly. But they also show that finding work and building a career are not the same thing. For many immigrants, the first job still comes with lower pay, weaker recognition of foreign credentials and a much higher risk of working below their skill level.
BRATTLEBORO  A discussion on capping the number of motel rooms that can be used for the state's emergency housing program in Brattleboro ended abruptly and will continue at a future meeting.

Select Board member Isaac Evans-Frantz said Tuesday's board meeting was ended at 9:45 p.m. as part of new procedures adopted by the board.

"I voted against extending the meeting until 10 p.m. because 15 minutes would never have been enough time to do anyone justice," he told the Reformer. "People had been waiting for hours to speak."

Having noticed a number of people attended the meeting to speak specifically to the agenda item, Evans-Frantz suggested moving the discussion to a future meeting.

"Moving forward," he told the Reformer, "we should have a time for open public comment on this topic like we do for almost every other issue."

The board was considering a motion that would essentially table the discussion and not include public comment on the subject before moving on to the next agenda item. Board member Peter "Fish" Case made the motion then later pointed out the clock had struck 9:45 p.m. He spoke in favor of extending the meeting by 15 minutes for public comment.

To continue after 9:45 p.m., the board needs to be unanimous in its decision to keep going. Remaining agenda items went unheard, such as an EMS study requested by Town Meeting, as well as committee appointments and correspondence.

"Jesus [expletive] Christ," board member Nell Mayo said, as the new procedure was explained and the meeting appeared to be ending.

Just before the end, 69A co-coordinator Lisa Marie left in frustration. She yelled, "People are dying."

Lisa Marie "needs to be in this room and needs to be part of this conversation," Evans-Frantz said, although Mayo noted another representative of 69A was attending via Zoom.

A community member at the Feb. 17 board meeting asked for information about "the vouchers for the motel program and the apparent cap that was issued by the municipality and how that came to be," Evans-Frantz said.

Town Manager John Potter said requests to cap come after conversations with the Vermont Department of Children and Families, and have to do with arrests, harassment and whether an establishment is suitable for placements.

"It's not something the town enforces anyway," Potter said. "If the state suggests that they might not want to put someone at a certain motel, I may agree with it. I may not disagree with it."

Potter said the talks with DCF came after the town started asking, "Why, if Brattleboro is less than 2 percent of the state population, do we have 19 percent of the rooms in the [General Assistance] program?"

Brenda Siegel, executive director of End Homelessness Vermont, said her group has found "an extremely limited number of rooms available in Brattleboro, especially for people who do not have children." Without emergency housing, she said, costs are pushed to nonprofits, emergency departments and libraries.

"We urge the Select Board to do what they can to not limit access to hotel rooms so people in this community are able to find shelter," she said.

Eligibility for the program has "shifted over time," said Sue Graff, field services director for Brattleboro and Springfield for the Vermont Agency of Human Services. Current criteria involves age, disability, domestic violence, disasters and eviction circumstances.

"This is emergency housing," Graff said. "It's for short term emergencies. It wasn't built primarily to end homelessness, per se, but it is a mechanism. It's a strategy for helping people who are unsheltered."

From Dec. 1 through March 31, participants in the program can have extended stays in the motel program. Outside of those months, the state has a cap of 80 nights per 12 month period.

Graff said COVID brought about changes to the program "and really increased the numbers, obviously, because people couldn't move about. And it was really meant to protect them ... protect their health and safety."

Groundworks Collaborative data shows that as of March 31, its outreach team engaged with 124 people who are living unsheltered. Emergency housing motel room usage in Brattleboro is now down below 100, Board Chairman Oscar Heller said. He noted any guidance from the town is "advisory," as the program is run by the state.

"We were surprised, not just in Brattleboro but a few places, that rooms were capped by municipality request," Siegel said, referring to public records obtained by her group. "But in Brattleboro, there were more rooms capped by municipality requests than anywhere else and that made it very difficult and challenging for us to find housing."

'Unfunded mandate': Brattleboro bemoans local cost of motel program BRATTLEBORO  In a budget redevelopment session, the Select Board reviewed data showing how 

Last year, estimates by town staff showed more than $600,000 was spent on emergency and other municipality services related to the motel program throughout a year.

"We're at an impasse of sorts," Case said. "We're at a little bit of a structural crisis on how to handle this."

Case said he wants to see more numbers and ask town staff to compile data on costs.

"I'm not saying Brattleboro doesn't have a very complex and large problem," Siegel said, "but the costs are still being paid for by the community."

Any incomplete or unreached agenda items will resume as "unfinished business" at the board's next meeting, Heller told the Reformer.

"We're considering a special meeting next week to finish last night's agenda so we don't impede new business," he said.
A two-vehicle crash in the area of 1660 Vermont Route 9 in Searsburg resulted in the death of one of the vehicle operators on Wednesday morning, police said.
Brattleboro, VT (05301)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun. High around 70F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy skies this evening will become partly cloudy after midnight. Low 37F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph.
Amazon on Monday said it was investing an additional US$5 billion in Anthropic, a move that analysts say is aimed as much at easing the AI startups growing infrastructure bottlenecks as at deepening their strategic partnership.

As part of the deal, Anthropic will lock in up to 5 gigawatts of compute capacity across AWSs Trainium chips, including the new Trainium 3 and upcoming Trainium 4, the companies said in a joint statement.

Right now, users see limits like throttling and session caps because Anthropic is running out of capacity and must ration usage to avoid crashes. This deal helps fix that, said Pareekh Jain, principal analyst at Pareekh Consulting.

Over time, the expanded capacity will let Anthropic support more users at once, build bigger models, and reduce these limits, especially for paid and enterprise users, Jain added.

The analyst was referring to Anthropics move to throttle usage across its Claude subscriptions, especially during peak demand hours, which also coincided with other concerns, such as complaints of degradation in Claudes reasoning performance across complex tasks.

Scaling compute capacity

A significant portion of Trainium 3 capacity is expected to come online this year, they added. Anthropic already uses Trainium 2 via AWS Project Rainer, which is a cluster of nearly half a million chips, to train and run its models.



The agreement between Amazon and Anthropic also includes an expansion of inference capacity in Asia and Europe, which Jain said should improve Claudes speed and reliability globally. Anthropic will also have the option to buy future generations of Trainium as they become available.

However, Anthropic isnt alone when it comes to model providers trying to add compute capacity to train and run their models.

Earlier in February, rival OpenAI signed a deal with Amazon, Nvidia, and SoftBank to raise around US$110 billion to add infrastructure to increase compute capacity.
Autonomous IT platform LogicMonitor has appointed specialist cyber security distributor Chillisoft to help it grow in Australia and New Zealand.

New Zealand is a key focus for the partnership as LogicMonitor plans to launch a data centre in the country later this year as part of its long-term regional strategy.

According to LogicMonitor, the New Zealand facility will complement existing infrastructure in Sydney and Singapore and will provide improved performance, reduced latency, and enhanced support for data sovereignty and compliance requirements for customers across the Asia Pacific region.

In a statement, LogicMonitor said that while New Zealand was already a mature market for the vendor, the partnership would expand its reach through Chillisofts partner network.

Chillisoft brings an established local presence in New Zealand to LogicMonitor, with its strong relationships across partners and customers a critical enabler of further growth, said LogicMonitor APAC regional technical services vice president Luke Fogarty.

New Zealand is an important growth market for LogicMonitor, he said.

Working with Chillisoft allows us to scale through an experienced local team, deliver joint initiatives, and more closely support partners and customers.

Combining LogicMonitors platform with Chillisofts partner network would enhance how intelligent insights and automated actions are delivered to customers across both New Zealand and Australia.
Hundreds of Afghan refugees remain in limbo at the As-Sayliyah camp in Qatar awaiting information about the countries they may be transferred to after a US State Department deadline to move them passed last month.

In interviews with RFE/RL's Radio Azadi, several of those waiting said they were told that the camp near the capital of Doha would close by March 31 and that they might be transferred to other countries.

In the meantime, the uncertainty of not knowing where they may be headed looms over them, making it impossible to know what their future holds or if they even may be returned to Afghanistan despite the perils they could face.

"The authorities here told us that As-Sayliyah camp will be closed on March 31, and according to the newly announced US policy, you may be transferred to another country," one Afghan refugee, who did not want their name to be published and has been living in the As-Sayliyah camp for the past 15 months, told Radio Azadi.

"People were waiting until March 31. Even after that, when asked, they said there was no news yet. People still ask, which are these second and third countries that we can go to? We are not told which countries they might send us to."

Fleeing After Cooperating With US Forces

According to some American officials and Afghans living in the camp, about 1,100 people are currently living at the As-Sayliyah camp. Many of the refugees at the camp are civilians who cooperated with US forces during 20 years war; more than half are women and children.

They had expected to end up in the United States after international forces left Afghanistan in August 2021. Evacuation flights got them out of the country as the Taliban regained control of the war-torn country.

Those hopes were dashed, however, after all immigration requests relating to Afghanistan were halted in November 2025 after an Afghan national shot two members of the National Guard, one of whom died a day after the shooting near the White House.

A spokesperson from the US State Department told RFE/RL that work continues on "voluntary resettlement options" for the refugees at the camp and that relocation to a third country "is a positive resolution that provides safety for these remaining people to start a new life outside of Afghanistan while upholding the safety and security of the American people."

The spokesperson did not specify any third countries that could be included in the program, but The New York Times reported on April 21 that the Trump administration is in talks to send many of them to the Democratic Republic of Congo. The report cited an aid worker briefed on the plan.

Some media outlets, including The Wall Street Journal, say Washington has held talks with two African and one Asian countries about taking in Afghan refugees living in the camp, which Qatar has reportedly asked to be closed.

US Democrat lawmakers Gregory W. Meeks, ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Sydney Kamlager-Dove, ranking member of the Subcommittee on South and Central Asia, issued a statement condemning the situation saying the administration "has failed to uphold Americas word to these Afghan allies."

They added that "we made a promise to protect them after the Talibans takeover. Abandoning that commitment not only betrays our allies, it sends a dangerous message to future partners that U.S. promises cannot be trusted."

Another Afghan refugee, who did not want their name to be published, said they have been waiting in the As-Sayliyah camp in Qatar for the past 18 months.

"They told us in this camp that they would transfer us to a third country by March 31, but we have not been transferred yet, and they have not promised anything, and they have not said anything," the person said.

"We spoke to the officials, including the head of this camp, and they say that whenever there is an order, news, or instruction from Washington, we will share it with you. They say, for now, we are waiting and we will see what happens."

Rwanda Option

Meanwhile, a number of Afghan refugees who were previously living in an Abu Dhabi camp say that 27 people were transferred to Rwanda in August last year.

They say that they were promised that they would be transferred from there to another country, but that since their arrival, no action has been taken.

"It has been about eight months since we were transferred from Abu Dhabi to Rwanda. They offered us five countries to transfer us to within three months. These countries were the US, Canada, Australia, and France," one of the Afghan asylum seekers told Radio Azadi.

"They said that if there was a problem, they would send us to Brazil for a while and then to other countries, but so far they have kept us here. When we ask them, they say that they cannot do anything," the asylum seeker, who asked not to be named for fear of reprisal, added.

The State Department spokesperson told RFE/RL that while Afghan nationals at the Qatar camp do not have a "viable pathway" to the United States, voluntary repatriation remains an option, with Washington offering a stipend to those who take the option.

The Taliban government says it is committed to implementing a general amnesty but reports from the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and other agencies show that a number of soldiers and people who cooperated with the Americans during the republican government have faced imprisonment, torture, and even death threats -- something the Taliban has denied.

"The answer has been the same for four years. Bring them here [to the United States]. They're vetted. They earned it on the ground, in uniform, next to our people," said Shawn VanDiver, the head of AfghanEvac, a group dedicated to help coordinate relocation and resettlement efforts of Afghans impacted by the US mission in Afghanistan.

The US government has said that no one will be forcibly returned, nor has it released how many people have accepted the offer to receive money and return to Afghanistan.

Camp As-Sayliyah was established after the Taliban retook power in 2021 to house Afghans who had cooperated with US forces and were awaiting transfer to the United States.

Some members of Congress have called the closure of the camp a "deep betrayal.

The State Department has said that Afghan refugees were not properly vetted under the Biden administration, which AfghanEvac and other advocacy and rights groups dispute.

With reporting by Alex Raufoglu in Washington
Commentary

By Lee Harding

Canada would be unimaginably farther ahead today if it had done all it could to extract and refine fossil fuels and built ports and pipelines to ship them. Taking that path now could still prove lucrative. The alternative is continued economic stagnation.

In 2016, the Liberal government under Justin Trudeau cancelled the Northern Gateway Pipeline project. The 1,177-kilometre pipeline would have taken 525,000 barrels of oil daily to Kitimat, B.C., leading to an estimated $300 billion of economic activity over 30 years.

Regulators approved the pipeline in 2014, but the Federal Court of Appeal ruled that more consultation with First Nations was due under Canadian law. This ruling was an excuse enough for the federal government to cancel it.

The Energy East project would have transported 1.1 million barrels of oil from Alberta and Saskatchewan to Atlantic Canada, a boon for the West and for refineries in New Brunswick. The construction jobs along the 4,500-kilometre route would have also been substantial for the $15.7 billion project.

Despite submitting a thorough 30,000-page application, TC Energy abandoned the project in 2017, citing excessive regulatory hurdles, changing environmental review processes and a slump in commodity prices. Canada made it so difficult to get anything done that it missed the chance to facilitate tens of billions of dollars per year in potential exports.

By 2019, Bill C-48 forbade oil tankers off the northern B.C. coast, while C-69 empowered the government to subject more project proposals to cabinet review. Then-premier of Alberta Jason Kenney coined C-69, The No More Pipelines Act, given its foreseeable impact.

In 2020, Teck Resources withdrew a $20.6 billion oil sands mine application, citing federal climate policy and investor pressure as the reason for its abandonment.

Strangely, upstream (production) and downstream (combustion) carbon emissions are considered in approvals of Canadian energy projects but do not apply to imports from other countries. The new Clean Fuel Standard also ignores scrutiny of upstream emissions. Federal regulation tilts the playing field against Canada.

These decisions have left Canada unable to respond to a surge in energy demand driven by geopolitical events. Russias invasion of Ukraine has left many countries scrambling for other sources of liquefied natural gas (LNG), as Europe reduced reliance on Russian gas after 2022. Germany, Japan, Poland, Ukraine, Greece, South Korea, the Philippines and the E.U. have expressed interest in Canadian LNG.

This demand is not theoretical. In February, Indian High Commissioner to Canada, Dinesh Patnaik, told CBC, On energy, there is an appetite which even Canada cannot fulfill and we are willing to buy whatever Canada is offering on crude, on LPG, on LNG, Patnaik said, LPG signifying liquefied petroleum gas. India is one of the worlds fastest-growing energy markets and a major importer of oil and gas.

Somehow, amidst this gong show, the $40-billion LNG Canada project in Kitimat, B.C., a joint venture led by Shell and international partners, was brought to completion. Trudeau himself called it the largest private sector investment in Canadian history.

The 670-kilometre Coastal GasLink pipeline carries natural gas from Dawson Creek, B.C., to the LNG Canada facility in Kitimat, B.C., and on to Asian markets. Thus, from a region where oil tanker traffic was restricted, 14 million tonnes of LNG will go annually to Asian markets, with expected additions of about $7.4 billion annually to the national economy and about $575 million annually to the B.C. government.

When world leaders came begging Canada for natural gas, Trudeau usually insisted there was no business case for east coast LNG facilities. He argued the projects lacked long-term contracts and sufficient private investment commitments. Instead, he tried to push hydrogen, even though doing so shifts focus away from readily exportable natural gas resources.

B.C. has an estimated 93 trillion cubic metres of natural gas resources, though Canadas economically viable proven reservesresources recoverable with current technologyare only two trillion cubic metres. At current prices, that has a value of $200 billion to $300 billion.

Meanwhile, Canadas oil reserves, most of which are in the oil sands, number 171 billion barrels. At US$70 per barrel or $95 Canadian, Canadas oil reserves are worth $18.8 trillion.

Canada produces only 1.4 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions and owes nothing on the climate front. Its better and more lucrative contribution would be to share its conventional energy and offset more expensive and carbon-intensive forms of production used in booming regions of the world.

That reality contrasts with arguments for leaving resources undeveloped. In his 2021 book Value(s), Prime Minister Mark Carney claimed it was better for the world that some petroleum be left in the ground. Few countries would lose more than Canada by that approach.

Canada does not lack resources or demand. It lacks the will to act. Until that changes, it will continue to forgo growth, cede markets to others and accept economic stagnation by choice.

Lee Harding is a research fellow for the Frontier Centre for Public Policy.
As Vladimir Putin moved down a line of military officers on Red Square in May 2025, a member of the Russian president's security detail was spotted holding an unusual weapon partially hidden under a black cloth.

Since that device was spotted, multiple examples of a drone interceptor featuring the same tail-fin configuration have been filmed purportedly knocking out drones over the battlefields of Ukraine. The interceptor is known as the Elka (Fir Tree) and is produced by an unnamed Moscow company. The device now appears to be set for widespread adoption by the Russian military as a counter to small reconnaissance and bomb-carrying First Person-View (FPV) drones. FPV drones controlled through fiberoptic cables have proven nearly impossible to counter since they first emerged in Ukraine in early 2024.

The Elka has no explosive warhead and relies on its own momentum and what appears to be a reinforced, spiked nose to shatter the airframes of enemy drones on impact. The X-winged interceptor is fired from a pistol-like launcher and reportedly features a targeting system that human operators initiate by locking onto a flying target. The launched interceptor can then autonomously home in on a drone up to 1.6 kilometers away. The "fire and forget" system removes the need for communication with the user, meaning it cannot be jammed electronically while in flight. Monika Ahlborn, who runs the popular social media page Drone Wars, told RFE/RL that the apparent success of the Elka is likely due to a combination of "simplicity, [low] cost, and autonomy." No confirmed price for the device has been reported, but some estimates put a single airframe at $500. "The system seems relatively lightweight, portable, and comparatively inexpensive, which makes it scalable at the unit level rather than being restricted to high-value air defense assets," the drone expert told RFE/RL. Additionally, Ahlborn said, the fire-and-forget targeting system "reduces operator burden in high-tempo environments."

A purported instructional leaflet that includes the shortfalls of the device notes that, "given the material the Elka is made from," the interceptor must be handled carefully. The leaflet also reveals the device can only be used in daytime hours and dry weather. Crucially, the leaflet advises operators to lock onto targets only against a clear or overcast sky. Videos of the Elka in combat show it tracking and destroying drones flying with steady flight paths against a featureless sky. An FPV drone flying low and erratically against a cluttered background could prove difficult for the Russian device to lock onto.

In Ukraine, a counter to fiberoptic FPV drones has been the adoption of net guns which launch nets that expand out to 3.5-4 meters. The net guns can entangle and down enemy drones within a maximum of 30 meters and cost less than $200. Jan Ruzicka, who heads the Czech Wings of the Phoenix association that supplies anti-drone devices to Ukrainian troops, told RFE/RL he has delivered around 500 net guns to Ukrainian soldiers and heard of around 40 "kills" of enemy drones using the device. But he notes "this is a weapon of last resort -- when everything else has failed, and the enemy drone is in the final stages of its flight to a soldier or position." He says the net guns have also been used to pin down dreaded "waiter" drones that sit on standby mode next to roads and paths waiting for signs of movement.
European Union ambassadors have given a green light to a 90 billion euros ($106 billion) loan for Ukraine for this and next year after Hungary and Slovakia lifted their vetoes following the resumption of operations on the Soviet-era Druzhba pipeline, which carries Russian oil -- exempt from EU sanctions -- through Ukraine to Central Europe.

The group announced the decision on April 22, saying it would become official once oil transiting through the pipeline was flowing into the region. The meeting also approved a 20th sanctions package on Russia over its full-scale invasion of neighboring Ukraine.

"The oil started pumping at 11:30 CET. That means that the oil should reach the Hungarian and Slovak borders by the end of the day or early tomorrow," a European official told RFE/RL.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said a day earlier that Ukraine had completed repair work on a section of the pipeline that had been damaged by a Russian air strike.

However, he also warned that "no one can currently guarantee that Russia will not repeat attacks on the pipeline infrastructure."

The oil deliveries ground to a halt at the end of January after damage caused by Russian air strikes. Moscow has targeted Ukrainian energy infrastructure as part of its war strategy.

Both Hungary and Slovakia have for months accused Kyiv of stalling to repair it for political reasons with Budapest opting to block a raft of Ukraine-related measures -- including the loan but also more EU sanctions on Russia -- until the Druzhba was up and running again.

Ukraine rejected the accusations but also lashed out at the EU, accusing it of "blackmail" by urging it to quickly repair the damaged pipeline.

Money To Fix Druzhba Pipeline

In March, the European Commission announced that it sent financial aid to restore Druzhba and dispatched a team of experts to inspect the damaged part, although that team reportedly never left Kyiv.

The latest move puts an end to a long-running saga over the loan that initially was agreed by EU leaders, including Hungary and Slovakia, at a summit in Brussels in December 2025.

Leaders opted for a loan backed by the EU budget instead of a much-publicized "reparation loan" using Russian assets currently frozen inside the bloc as collateral. Belgium vetoed that initiative as most of the assets sit in the Brussels-based financial markets company Euroclear.

The funds will now be raised by EU countries jointly borrowing on financial markets, backed by what Brussels calls EU budget "headroom," meaning the gap between the bloc's maximum borrowing capacity under its long-term budget, which runs until 2027, and its actual spending levels.

The Czech Republic, Hungary, and Slovakia all secured carve-outs, so this is a deal involving 24 EU countries, not 27, but the trio still had to approve using the EU budget to back the loan.

The EU is now hopeful the first batch of the loan can be delivered to Ukraine by the end of April or early May.

Last year, the International Monetary Fund estimated Ukraine would need around 135 billion euros in financing for 2026 and 2027, with Brussels committed to cover the largest share of that.

The headline item of the new sanctions package is the proposal to introduce a maritime service ban on all Russian oil products which would prevent EU economic operators from providing services to any vessel transporting these products from Russian ports.

In practice, this removes the current oil price cap - imposed by the Group of Seven (G7) -- by completely stopping EU vessels from transporting Russian oil while non-EU boats could still continue but would not be able to rely on EU port services or insurance.

This move is however contingent on a prior agreement by the so-called Price Cap coalition - an informal group consisting of the G7 countries, all EU member states, and Australia.

With soaring energy prices due to the month-long closure of the Strait of Hormuz, few EU member states are now keen to also target Russian oil to further drive-up costs for consumers. This means that the entire maritime ban most likely could be used only once the blockade of the strait is over.

The sanctions package also lists 45 Russian shadow fleet vessels, boats with murky insurance and ownership used by the Kremlin to circumvent the oil cap, taking the number of boats no longer allowed to be serviced at EU ports to nearly 700. Sanctions will also be imposed on Russian icebreakers helping the transport of Russian oil.

One new feature of these sanctions is that the club for the first time ever is using its anti-circumvention tool (ACT) prohibiting EU companies from exporting certain items to Kyrgyzstan. These items include Computer Numerical Control (CNC) that can be used notably for drones.

In an explainer note on the sanctions issued by the European Commission, seen by RFE/RL, the EU had observed an almost 800 percent increase in exports of these products from the EU to the Central Asian country in 2025 and that exports from Kyrgyzstan to Russia of these items for the same period shot up by 1,200 percent.

In the initial European Commission proposal for the sanctions, obtained by RFE/RL, the Georgian port of Kulevi was due to be slapped with a transaction ban while an Armenian bank, OJSC Unibank, was proposed for blacklisting as well.

Both Tbilisi and Yerevan did in the meantime, however, give sufficient proof to Brussels that the port and the bank werent involved in sanctions circumvention benefiting Moscow any longer.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has responded on social media to crude insults made by a bombastic Russian state TV host, writing that "these caricatures certainly won't make us change course."

Vladimir Solovyov, a widely watched Russian media personality known for hyperbole and over-the-top rhetoric, launched a sharp personal attack on Meloni on April 21, after she had met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Rome the week before.

'Nasty Little Woman'

Speaking in Italian and Russian on a morning talk show on Vesti FM radio, Solovyov called her a "disgrace to the human race," a "wild beast," a "certified idiot," and a "nasty little woman."

Ongoing tensions between Rome and Moscow stem largely from Meloni's consistent support for Ukraine, including military and financial aid.

On April 21, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced he had summoned Russian Ambassador Aleksei Paramonov to the Foreign Ministry to make a formal protest over the "extremely serious and offensive remarks."

Later that day, in a post on X, Meloni said "a diligent regime propagandist cannot give lessons in either consistency or freedom," in an apparent reference to Solovyov, who is widely regarded as one of the most visible mouthpieces for the Kremlin.

Solovyov hosts an evening talk show on the state-owned Rossia-1 channel and also hosts his own live channels and radio programs. He is known for his inflammatory rhetoric, personal insults, and disinformation.

"We, unlike others, have no strings attached, no masters, and we take no orders," Meloni wrote on X. "Our compass remains one and only: the interests of Italy. And we will continue to follow it with pride, much to the chagrin of propagandists far and wide."

The insults triggered widespread condemnation in Italy, with opposition politicians voicing support for the prime minister in a rare show of unity.

In their meeting in the Italian capital on April 15, the Italian and Ukrainian leaders announced plans to strengthen defense cooperation, with Italy expressing a strong interest in joint drone production -- an area where Ukraine has gained significant expertise and is actively promoting its combat-proven drone technology to the world.

Later on April 22, Zelenskyy expressed his support for Meloni in a post in Italian on X, saying, "The Russian propagandists, despicable as they are, will certainly not succeed in misleading people whose compass is the defense of their country's national interests."

He further thanked Meloni for her "clear position" on the war in Ukraine, now in its fifth year.
CHISINAU -- A Moldovan court has sentenced oligarch and former political tycoon Vladimir Plahotniuc to 19 years in prison in a decade-old bank fraud case known as "the theft of the century."

In a ruling delivered by Chisinau's Buiucani Court on April 22, Plahotniuc, who was not present in the court room, was found guilty of bank fraud, organizing a criminal group, and money laundering in a long-running investigation into the disappearance of approximately $1 billion -- roughly 12 percent of the country's economic output -- from Moldovan banks in 2014.

Plahotniuc, 60, has denied any wrongdoing and described the case against him as political. His lawyer, Lucian Rogac, called the court ruling "illegal" and said it will be appealed.

"The entire process was conducted in a tremendous rush, with numerous violations of the defendant's rights," Rogac claimed.

Oligarch Plahotniuc Extradited Back To Moldova by RFE/RL No media source currently available 0:00 0:01:01 0:00

The investigation found Plahotniuc received more than $43 million from companies controlled by another oligarch, Ilan Shor, who had previously fled to Russia and was sentenced in absentia to 15 years in prison.

In his final statement to the court on March 25, Plahotniuc claimed the case contained no evidence of an organized criminal group, adding Shor did not need his help to take control of the financial institutions Banca Sociala and Unibank, which also are involved in the case.

Prosecutors sought the maximum sentence for Plahotniuc, who is currently being held in a pretrial detention center in Chisinau, of up to 25 years in prison.

The former leader of Moldova's Democratic Party, Plahotniuc left the country in 2019, shortly before receiving a criminal summons from Moldovan prosecutors. In 2025, he was extradited to Chisinau from Greece, jolting the country just days before a tense general election already roiled by allegations of Russian interference.

In 2020, his US visa was revoked after then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo declared Plahotniuc's "corrupt actions undermined the rule of law and severely compromised the independence of democratic institutions in Moldova."

It was later revealed Plahotniuc had been living in Miami at the time of the announcement and applied for political asylum, according to a lawsuit he filed in US federal court. That asylum request was rejected.

In 2022, the US Treasury Department imposed additional financial sanctions on Plahotniuc and Shor, accusing them of "capturing and corrupting Moldova's political and economic institutions andacting as instruments of Russia's global influence campaign."

The European Union and Britain also sanctioned Plahotniuc for destabilizing Moldovan politics.
WASHINGTON -- In a political climate where bipartisan unity is increasingly rare, a consensus is forming among US lawmakers and foreign policy heavyweights: The relationship between Moscow and Tehran has moved far beyond diplomatic convenience.

Instead, they argue, it has hardened into a transformational military alliance -- a deepening axis that is drastically shaping battlefields in the Middle East and Ukraine.

At a hearing of the Helsinki Commission on April 21, the rhetoric was as sharp as the intelligence reports. Congressman Joe Wilson, a Republican from South Carolina, didn't mince words, framing the geopolitical struggle as a singular, unified threat.

The United States is not confronting just Iran, but a broader Russia-Iran axis, Wilson declared, arguing the two nations have transitioned from mere partners to a coordinated front, utilizing weapons transfers, intelligence sharing, and sanctions-evasion tactics to systematically dismantle American global leadership.

A 'Transformational' Partnership

The evolution of this bond has been rapid and, for Western observers, alarming.

Behnam Ben Taleblu, senior director of the Iran program at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, described the trajectory of the relationship as shifting from turbulent to transactional to transformational.

The catalyst for this final shift? The 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

While the partnership has roots in the post-Soviet era -- beginning with Russian arms sales and the construction of the Bushehr nuclear reactor in Iran -- the war in Ukraine flipped the power dynamic. Once the junior partner, Iran has become an indispensable enabler for a Russian military depleted by industrial shortfalls and battlefield losses.

Ilan Berman, senior vice president of the American Foreign Policy Council, says there has been a chilling exchange of assets. Russia, he noted, has materially aided the Iranian regime in its war with the United States and Israel since the two launched air strikes on Iran on February 28.

Russia has provided advice on how many drones to deploy per strike and at what altitudes, Berman, a board member of RFE/RL, said, noting that Iranian attack patterns now closely resemble Russian operations, where waves of drones are used to saturate defenses before precision missiles strike.

This operational know-how is supplemented by upgraded Russian drone components that improve navigation and resistance to electronic jamming -- innovations honed directly against Ukrainian defenses.

The Human Cost Of Coordination

The implications of this axis of upheaval are not merely strategic; they are lethal to American personnel, according to Senator Tom Tillis, a Republican from North Carolina.

If Putins responsible for one dead American service member, he might as well be responsible for 5,000, Tillis remarked, highlighting the gravity of the Kremlin's intelligence and satellite data sharing.

In a striking contrast, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, a Democrat from Rhode Island, pointed to the bifurcated reality of the modern global conflict. Russia is assisting Iran in targeting American troops, while Ukraine is helping usdefend against those attacks, he said.

Lawmakers repeatedly underscored that Ukraine is no longer just a recipient of aid, but a vital security partner providing a defense innovation cycle that the West is struggling to match.

When the US requested help with drone defense, Ukraine dispatched a team of experts within 24 hours.

Aaron Zelin, a fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, highlighted Kyivs development of interceptor drones -- a rapid response to the very Iranian-Russian tactics now threatening the Persian Gulf.

However, the urgency felt in Kyiv isn't always mirrored in Washington. Congressman Greg Murphy, a Republican from North Carolina, voiced concerns over the long-term trajectory if Irans capabilities continued to swell.

Can you paint me a picture of Iranin the next five years? Murphy asked, pointing to a regime that knows no boundaries when it comes to human life.

Speaking to RFE/RL, Murphy expressed a hardened stance: Were not believing their lies anymore.... I think as hard as it is, we finally said, No, you cannot do this. You will endanger the entire world.

A Common Fight

The consensus from the hearing was clear: The era of viewing Russia as a potential partner in containing Iran is over. The two are now inextricably linked.

The Kremlin cannot be counted on as a partner, Berman warned, urging policymakers to recognize that "success or failure on one front will inevitably shape others."

While internal politics in Washington remain divided, the threat of this authoritarian coordination has sparked a rare moment of bipartisan unity.

As the hearing concluded, the message to the administration and the public was singular: Ukraine is the front line of a much larger global struggle.

Ukraine is the tip of the spear, Berman concluded. Russia may have begun with Ukraine, but it wont end there.
Commentary

By Paige MacPherson

According to a new poll, three in four Canadiansdue to misinformation, cyberbullying, explicit content, negative mental health impacts and addictionwant to ban social media for kids under 16, following the lead of several other countries. But as elected officials and community leaders in several provinces and on Parliament Hill consider social media age limits, there are simpler ways to stamp out digital distractions in K-12 schools.

Every Canadian province restricts (to varying degrees) smartphones in K-12 schools. But in most cases, these policies lack strength and efficacy.

For example, in Nova Scotia smartphones are banned during the school day from pre-primary (junior kindergarten) to Grade Six. This is one of Canadas strongest examples of a bell-to-bell smartphone ban that prioritizes learning and wellbeing during the entire school day including during socializing, playing and eating. But like in other provinces, Nova Scotia students in junior high and high schoolwhen smartphones and social media are most commonare required only to keep their phones quiet and out of sight during the school day. This means they could be buzzing in their pockets almost constantly (one study found that a typical teenager receives 237 smartphone notifications per day).

Clearly, bell-to-bell smartphone bans make the most sense. And a research review from Carleton University found that school smartphone bans actually improve student academic performance and narrow the achievement gap between academically lower performers and higher performers. Students who struggle academically tend to be more vulnerable to digital distraction.

This simple policy change could add calm and focus to classrooms overnight. Commendably, the Quebec government has already followed the evidence and shifted from existing smartphone restrictions during classroom lessons to a full bell-to-bell ban. The Ontario government also strengthened its existing smartphone restrictions, but still allows smartphones in pockets or bags, and access to phones outside of class.

While smartphones offer almost no compelling educational use for kids, apart from accommodating some special learning needs, theyre not the only screen-based distraction in K-12 classrooms. Laptops and tablets, which are used in classrooms across Canada, also allow kids to access YouTube videos, gaming websites and other online content. And after that type of distraction, students need time to refocus to absorb something like a lesson in long division.

In response, a growing chorus of voices (backed by research) also want to free classrooms from any ed tech that has no compelling educational purpose. This primarily means ditching laptops and tabletsespecially for elementary studentswhen pen and paper would work just as well.

Computers have some obvious educational purposes such as learning to research online, present data on spreadsheets, create slide presentations and perhaps use AI for adaptive learning. Additionally, some schools may try new approaches to incorporate technology. But when used for note-taking, math games or reading books, laptops and tablets can become an avenue to distraction while analog skills suffer.

As Canadians consider age restrictions for social media, policymakers should take the much simpler steps to remove digital distraction from K-12 classrooms, especially in grade levels before high school, and make school smartphone bans bell-to-bell for all ages.

Paige MacPherson is a Senior Fellow, Education Policy and former Associate Director, Education Policy for the Fraser Institute.
Eva Osborne

Drug Treatment Courts should be rolled out nationwide as an alternative to prison, a senator has said.

Fianna Fail senator for Dublin Central, Mary Fitzpatrick, said it would reduce reoffending, tackle addiction, and save lives.

Roughly seven in 10 people in Irish prisons have an addiction problem, while around six in 10 people released from prison reoffend within three years, she said.

This tells us something is not working. Prison will always have a place in our justice system. But for non-violent offending driven by addiction, it often does not work. It punishes the behaviour, but it rarely tackles the cause."

Fitzpatrick has called on the Government to commit to Drug Treatment Courts as a core sentencing option, backed by ring fenced funding, nationwide treatment, and a statutory footing.

The Drug Treatment Court on Green Street, Dublin 7, is a court supervised treatment programme designed to support those with drug dependency to address their addiction while remaining under the supervision of the court.

Participation is limited to those over 17 who have pleaded guilty to a non-violent offence before the Dublin District Court.

The aim is to support people to become drug free and move into work, training or education. Where they succeed, the charges they entered the court with are struck out," Fitzpatrick said.

This is not a soft option. It is structured, demanding and closely supervised.

Participants are expected to engage fully with treatment, education and regular court review. If they do not, they still face prison.

Alongside court supervision, the programme provides access to education and training supports, including QQI accredited courses at Levels 2 to 4, as well as a dedicated personal development programme focused on communication, wellbeing and addiction awareness.

On the impact in communities like Dublin Central, Senator Fitzpatrick said the approach helps break cycles of harm.

The risk of relapse and overdose is at its highest after release from prison.

The Drug Treatment Court keeps people engaged in treatment and under supervision. That reduces harm, supports recovery and in many cases prevents death.

Senator Fitzpatrick said Government now needs to move to a nationwide rollout of the Drug Treatment Court.

Access to the Drug Treatment Court cannot depend on postcode. If this model works, it should be available in every community.

This is a practical, evidence based reform and it is one this Government can and should deliver.
By Isaac Phan Nay,

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Eight months into Ottawas investigation into flight attendants allegations that theyre forced to do unpaid work, the union is raising concerns that it wont result in any change.

Ottawa launched its probe last August after Air Canada flight attendants walked off the job in part because they are not paid their hourly wage for work done before takeoff and after landing.

According to the Canadian Union of Public Employees, which represents approximately 20,000 flight attendants in Canada at airlines including Air Canada, WestJet and Porter Airlines, thats standard practice in the airline industry.

The government says its committed to ensuring attendants make at least minimum wage.

Jeff Morrison, president and CEO of the employers group National Airlines Council of Canada, said in an emailed statement that the current system is already in line with labour laws and appropriately compensates attendants for all their work.

Still, the federal labour program, which is doing the review, is asking employers to self-audit their pay records as the investigation continues.

But Wesley Lesosky, president of the airline division of CUPE, said that lets employers cherry-pick data thats favourable to them. Hes calling for the government instead to examine pay records from the union, explicitly define what constitutes work and make airlines pay attendants their hourly wage for all hours on the job.

I have strong concerns, because the employers can hand-pick best case scenarios, Lesosky said. I dont think this is going to get to the crux of the issue.

According to CUPE, most airlines only pay attendants while airplanes are in motion. That means theyre often not paid for briefings at the gate, during safety checks at the terminal or while helping mobility-impaired customers board, all examples of what the union calls ground work.

Unpaid work was a key issue for Air Canada flight attendants during last years bargaining, which culminated in a three-day strike that grounded about 500,000 customers flights last summer.

Air Canada agreed to pay flight attendants for up to an hour of ground work before takeoff at half their normal hourly rates during the agreements first year, increasing to 70 per cent by the fourth year. With the agreement, Air Canada joined Delta Air Lines, Porter Airlines and Pascan, which are among the small list of companies that compensate flight attendants ground work.

But at other airlines, Lesosky said some flight attendants arent being paid minimum wage across all their hours worked. He added flight attendants should be paid at their full hourly rate for any work they do.

Lets say you work for a retail establishment, he said. If the employer requests you stay an extra 30 minutes, you have to be paid for that time.

According to the latest available data in Canadas Job Bank, flight attendants nationally earned anywhere from $15.35 to $75.98 per hour

Federal jobs minister Patty Hajdu launched the probe into whether or not flight attendants were doing unpaid work last August in response to the Air Canada strike.

In February, the federal government published a report on the first part of the probe.

In the report, the federal government said employers and employees agreed that ground work must be considered in pay schemes, but disagreed on how payment should be structured.

Employers said that their current pay already accounts for ground work. Meanwhile, according to the report, employee groups said the hours of unpaid work means some flight attendants are paid below minimum wage when their total pay is divided by their total hours worked.

In an email, Hajdus office said the governments responsibility is to uphold the Canada Labour Code, which explicitly says employees must be paid at least minimum wage.

While the first phase of the probe did not find evidence of a sector-wide failure to meet minimum wage standards, it identifies areas where compensation practices warrant closer examination, Hajdus office said. The findings underscore the need for further examination.

Hajdus office added the governments labour program will take a closer look at flight attendants pay structures to review whether it complies with the code.

According to the report, that means requesting airlines conduct self-audits of flight attendants pay records and investigate complaints raised by employees. If employers dont conduct self-audits, the government said it may order them to conduct the audits or make them pay a fine.

Our inspections will remain rigorous and uncompromising, Hajdus office said. Compliance with the law is not a suggestion. The employer councils Morrison put out a statement in response to the report. Morrison said so far, the probe has confirmed airlines do not avoid paying flight attendants for their work and validates the current system is in line with the Canada Labour Code.

The findings clearly reaffirm what our member airlines have long recognized: flight attendants perform essential work across the full scope of their duties, and airlines compensate that work in accordance with collectively negotiated agreements and federal labour standards, Morrison said.

Morrison added Canadas airlines are committed to being transparent and engaging in the probe.

According to the February report on the investigation, some smaller carriers told the federal government the definition of work was unclear for flight attendants. Employee groups called for the government to introduce legislation that would explicitly define work, require airlines to pay for ground work and audit airlines to ensure they complied.

CUPEs Lesosky said a clear definition of work and attendants duties is key to ensuring flight attendants are able to track extra time worked.

The definition of our work needs to be number one, he said. If we dont know what constitutes time working for your employer, we dont know if were being paid adequately.

Lesosky added its up to the government to create that definition of work through legislation.

In 2024, both the NDP and the Conservative Party of Canada introduced bills  C-409 and C-415, respectively  to address unpaid work in the airline sector. Neither bill was brought back to the House of Commons for a second reading, causing them to die when Parliament dissolved.

Last October, NDP MP Don Davies tried for a third time, and introduced a private members bill that would require airlines to pay flight attendants for ground work. But that bill hasnt been debated since Davies introduced it.
The Glenamaddy Players are still in celebratory mode after making history on Saturday night by being crowned winners of the ADCI All-Ireland Confined Drama finals for the first time in their 54-year history.

Their production of Chapatti by Christian OReilly took the top award at a gala ceremony held at The Patrician in Carrickmore, County Tyrone.

Its absolutely massive - its like reaching the Holy Grail, said Cllr Peter Keaveney, chairperson of the Glenamaddy Theatre Festival.

Weve probably reached roughly 20 All-Irelands, and weve got seconds and thirds over the years so this is a huge, huge honour for all involved. Its also great for everyone who has treaded the boards with Glenamaddy Players over those 54 years, said Peter, who has been involved himself with the amateur drama group for over 40 years.

Made up of more than 30 members, the group draws on people from Glenamaddy and surrounding areas, such as Williamstown, Ballymoe and Castlerea. The winners were met with a huge reception when they arrived in Ballymoe and were then followed to Glenamaddy where large crowds turned out to welcome them home. Playwright Christian OReilly also attended the homecoming to congratulate the group.

Peter paid tribute to play director, Coman Keaveny from Glenamaddy; the cast, Marie Coneran (a Kilkerrin native living in Ballymoe) and Padraic Newman from Castlerea, along with the entire production team who all contributed to the historic success.

Coman, Padraic and Marie were also nominated on Saturday for Best Director, Best Actor and Best Actress respectively.

Glenamaddy Players will now perform Chapatti on the opening night of the RTE All Ireland Drama Festival at the end of the month.

Chapatti tells the story of Dan, a lonely widower living in Dublin, and his dog Chapatti, who symbolises his grief after the passing of his wife. When Dan encounters Betty and her 19 cats, an unexpected spark forms between them, leading to a warm and gentle narrative about rediscovering love and connection in life.
Works planned at a restaurant building in Boyle have been given the go-ahead by Roscommon County Council.

The applicant has been granted planning permission to undertake a series of structural modifications on the building on Bridge Street that is home to a popular Chinese restaurant.

The plans include removing the existing deteriorated front and side facades, and adding additional stability to the front wall of the former licenced premises and existing restaurant upstairs.

The development also proposes the installation of a traditional hardwood shopfront to the front and side of the premises.

This installation involves associated signage in the form of fixed on surface lettering with overhead illumination.

It is also proposed that the remaining external wall areas above the new shopfronts to be re-plastered similar to the existing premises.

County planners have given the development the green light, subject to eight conditions.
BISMARCK, N.D.  A shelter-in-place at the North Dakota State Capitol was lifted following an incident that began shortly after 2:00 p.m. on April 20, 2026.

At approximately 2:00 p.m., a male from Bismarck, later identified as Joseph Pratt, called 911 stating he intended to harm himself. He was located on the south side of the Capitol grounds, and had a firearm in his possession.

A shelter-in-place was implemented at the Capitol after the call was received and his location was identified.

Once the scene was secure, employees were allowed to exit the Capitol complex through designated safe exits as directed by law enforcement.

The shelter-in-place remained in effect until 5:55 p.m. after the incident ended safely. Pratt was taken into custody and charged with Terrorizing, a Class C Felony.

The incident remains under investigation by the North Dakota State Patrol. The assisting agencies in this incident were Bismarck Police Department and Burleigh County Sheriffs Office.

Additional information will be released as it becomes available.
Auf wiedersehenn Luftwaffe, welcome to the Royal Air Force!

After seven months deployed at Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base, during which they logged over 600 flight hours and more than 35 real interception missions, the Luftwaffe is handing over the mission to the British Royal Air Force.

Foto: Bogdan Dinu

Agentia Media a Armatei, 22.04.2026, 14:00

A cold wind and bursts of rain sweep across the runways of the 86th Air Base Lieutenant Dumitru Mociornita in Borcea, located in the middle of Romanias Baragan Plain (southeast). The noise of engines, aircraft taking off, and an alarm echoing through the loudspeakers across the entire base: Alpha Scramble! Alpha Scramble! It is just one of the many enhanced Air Policing missions carried out from this airfield by both the Romanian Air Force and the Alliance, aimed at countering the threat of Russian drones near the border with Ukraine.

On a concrete platform, two aircraftan F16 Fighting Falcon of the Romanian Air Force and a Eurofighter of the British Royal Air Forcetogether with flags whipping in the sharp earlyspring wind, form the backdrop for the ceremony marking the handover of command and of NATOs enhanced Air Policing mission in Romania.

After seven months deployed at Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base, during which they logged over 600 flight hours and more than 35 real interception missions, the Luftwaffe is handing over the mission to the British Royal Air Force. Five Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft from No. 3 (Fighter) Squadron at RAF Coningsby, along with a detachment from the 121 Expeditionary Air Wing consisting of around 200 personnel, will defend the skies of Romania and NATO for the next four months.

Giles Portman, the United Kingdoms Ambassador to Romania, is also present at the ceremony. I am very proud that the Royal Air Force is once again in Romania, he said. This is the second time it has happened since I have been ambassador, and we are here again for the next four months, the British offieical went on to say. We are very grateful both to our Romanian hosts for the excellent work they have done in preparing the 86th Air Base at Borcea for the Royal Air Force, and to our German partners from whom we are taking over, he concluded.

No one, especially from Romania in the areas bordering Ukraine on the Danube, where the noise of Russian drones and explosions can be heard and seen almost every night, doubts the importance of such a mission. For those back home in the UK or Romania who are not yet aware of the importance of such a mission, Ambassador Portman has a clear message: especially in these days, the presence of the British Royal Force on NATOs eastern flank is incredibly important, both for the UK and for the Alliance. Unfortunately, this is an insecure region. We have threats from Russia right across the border, in Ukraine. Russia is provoking with its illegal war in Ukraine, and we must defend and deter. And Romanias security is the security of the UK. We are all allies in NATO and we defend not only the eastern flank, not only the territory of Romania, but we defend all the people, our values, our way of life. And we are together in defending them against Russian aggression, Ambassador Portman said.

A change from the previous British rotation at the 57th Air Base in Mihail Kogalniceanu two years ago is that this time they have chosen the base at Borcea. Lieutenant Colonel Daryl WicksRandy, commander of the 121 Expeditionary Air Wing, explained that one of NATOs key concepts is the ability to employ agile combat operations. So being able to be interoperable with the Romanian Air Force is an excellent opportunity for us, he said. Our mission is very clear: to protect NATO airspace, Romanian airspace, and to deter any aggression, Lieutenant Colonel Daryl WicksRandy also said. (EE)
Education in Romania: Between Alarming Statistics and the Need for Real Change

Education remains one of the weakest areas with regard to quality of life in Romania, according to the latest Well-Being Barometer,

Picture created by AI

Ion Puican, 22.04.2026, 14:00

Education remains one of the weakest areas with regard to quality of life in Romania, according to the latest Well-Being Barometer, conducted by MIR Research at the request of UNSAR (the National Union of Insurance and Reinsurance Companies in Romania) for the ABS platformthe Alliance for Well-Being. Romania scores 6.85 out of 10 in the education category: above Bulgaria (6.74), but below all other countries analysed in the regionPoland (8.3), the Czech Republic (7.97), Hungary (7.38), and Slovakia (6.87). Beyond the numbers, the report shows that problems persist in educational inclusion, basic skills, and preparation for the labour market. One of the most concerning figures relates to early school dropout. According to the latest Eurostat statistics, Romania has the highest rate in the European Union: 16.8% of young people

aged 18 to 24 leave education early and do not pursue any training program, while the European average is 9.3%. This means that nearly one in six young Romanians enters adulthood without sufficient qualifications, which directly affects their employment prospects and long-term economic stability. Psychologist Oana Puican analyses the studys findings from the perspective of the development of new generations of adults.

Oana Puican: From a psychological perspective, the data from the Well-Being Barometer study, which highlights the fragility of education in Romania, do not merely reflect academic performance or statistical indicators. The results tell us about how a childs relationship with themselves, with others in the community, and, ultimately, with the world they live in is formed. Education is the first social space where a child learns trust, belonging, cooperation, and the sense that they have a place in a community. When access to education is fragmented, unequal, or unstable, the effects extend far beyond the academic realm. For the child or young person, confidence in their own abilities diminishes, a sense of helplessness emerges, and the ability to adapt to new situations develops more slowly. A child who repeatedly experiences this gapwhether due to a lack of resources, learning difficulties, or a lack of educational supportmay internalize the idea that they are not capable enough or that opportunities are not meant for them. The disparities highlighted by the Well-Being Barometer are also evident in terms of

digital skills. In Romania, only 27.7% of citizens possess basic digital skillsless than half the European average, which exceeds 55%. In an economy where more and more activities depend on technology, this gap is becoming a major problem, especially for young people and those in rural areas. At the same time, only 12% of Romanians have above-average financial literacy, which means they struggle to understand decisions related to saving, borrowing, or financial protection. Here is again Oana Puican with details from a psychological perspective towards informational discrepancies versus educational ones among the young people:

Oana Puican: We are seeing nowadays an increasing number of young people, who have the information they need, but do not trust themselves when it comes to making decisions or the right choice. They quickly adjust to technological progress but have difficulties when it comes to real every-day relations. We see young people have issues when they must assume responsibility or they may have a low frustration tolerance. And this may also have a major relational impact. The lack of educational and emotional competences is often reflected in the difficulty of building a dialogue, negotiating differences or having stable relationships.

The report is drawing attention to the differences between rural and urban in Romania, where nearly 42% of the students are attending schools in the rural area, where access to educational resources, technology and specialized teachers remains very limited. Furthermore, international tests have shown higher performance gaps between the two categories of students. These differences are further reflected in their access to a high-school, college or the labour market. Here is again psychologist Oana Puican:

Oana Puican: If we are to look at these things in a long term, these dysfunctionalities in education are influencing not only the professional career of these young people, but also their way of building relations, their ability to communicate, their way of making major decisions, or the way of developing their autonomy. At a social level the psychological effects become visible in the way in which the young generations are tackling future challenges. When education does not offer enough predictability, there comes the need for withdrawal, anticipatory anxiety or the difficulty of investing in long-term projects.

Oana Puican has also shared with us a conclusion:

Oana Puican: Education doesnt produce only competences, but also an emotional structure. Education doesnt mean only getting knowledge, but its also about living in society: we are learning to listen, to wait and be patient, to bring arguments, to cooperate. When various links in the education chain are weakened, the whole society is going to feel the consequences, and those are polarization, the lack of trust, and frail social connections. In a long term, investment in education is actually an investment in the psychological health of a society

So, education can no longer be seen as an administrative field but as an essential infrastructure for social welfare. The way in which a child joins and stays in school is influencing the economic health of a family, the capability of a society to adjust and in a long term the resilience of an entire country.

(MI&bill)
The Danube Cauldrons in Blooming Season

In the section called "Cazanele Dunarii, the Danube Cauldrons", the river flows through rocky, almost vertical walls

Photo: pixabay.com

Calin Cotoiu and Stefan Baciu, 22.04.2026, 19:33

In the section called Cazanele Dunarii, the Danube Cauldrons, the river flows through rocky, almost vertical walls, a landscape that changed in the 1970s, after the construction of the great hydroelectric dam at Portile de Fier, the Iron Gates. Under the waters of the huge reservoir are several former settlements whose inhabitants moved nearby, to higher places. The landscape changed a lot after the water level reached the rocky walls, creating a gorge of over 9 kilometers that became a great attraction. This gorge can be easily traversed, on board a speedboat, in a one or two-hour journey through Cazanele Mari, or Greater Cauldrons, Cazanele Mici, or Lesser Cauldrons, and Dubova Bay. The name Cazane, Cauldrons, dates back to the period when the dam did not exist, and the river flowed through the rocks, giving the impression that its water was boiling. Some tourists choose this period to visit the Danube Cauldrons because they can admire, from aboard boats, the yellow Cazane tulip (Tulipa hungarica  lat.), a species that can only be found on the slopes of the Ciucarul Mare massif. From Florentina Muchitsch, general secretary of the Association Discover the Danube Cauldrons, we learned why a boat trip in April is special in the Danube Cauldrons:

It is the most beautiful place in April. We have the Yellow Tulip of Cazane, it has already bloomed. The Yellow Tulip of Cazane or Tulipa Hungarica, as it is called, is an endemic species, first mentioned in 1884. It grows in the reserve of Cazanele Mari, Cazanele Mici. on the slopes of Ciucarul Mare, on the Romanian bank of the Danube. How can we get to the flower? By boat! It is a small, yellow, odorless flower, which blooms right on the bare rock, at a height. We can only see it from the water! We see the rocky walls are dressed in yellow. It is something that cannot be described. It must be lived! A boat trip is an experience that you should not miss. A classic route would be The Face of Decebalus, Tabula Traiana, Mraconia Monastery, Veteran Cave, Ponicova Cave, of course, the cauldrons. It takes about two hours. The tulip area stretches from the Dubova Bay area to the Ponicova Cave nearby.

The face of Decebalus, carved into the rock of the mountain, is an unfinished work, which is 55 meters high and 25 meters wide. Also from the boat, on the Serbian bank of the Danube, you can see the Tabula Traiana, a memorial plaque from the time of Emperor Trajan, to mark the victory of the Romans in the war against the Dacians, in the years 105  106 AD. Also on the Romanian bank is the Mraconia monastery, built on the foundation of an old lighthouse to direct river traffic, which functioned before the construction of the dam.

Spring is the perfect season for hiking on the Ciucarul Mare and Ciucarul Mic massifs. Florentina Muchitsch, general secretary of the Association Discover the Danube Cauldrons, further told us:

Spring is perhaps the most beautiful season for hiking in our country. The route on Ciucarul Mare is the most popular, it takes about two to three hours, it is not very difficult. From the top you have an incredible panorama of the Cauldrons and Dubova Bay. It is the most spectacular vantage point over the Cauldrons. The route is accessible even to families with children. The difference in level is 300 meters, it is an intense climb, I would say, then there is a very generous plateau for the return. It is a place where you understand how grandiose the Danube Cleft is, and how beautiful the Danube is seen from above. I recommend this route, then I recommend Ciucarul Mic, the panorama of the Small Cauldrons, which is about 3 hours, less crowded, and, of course, the waterfalls on Valea Ponicovei and Plasevita. They are spectacular in spring because they have water flowing. In summer, if we go to see them, they do not have water.

After the Danube water level rose, access to the caves in the Danube Cauldrons area is only possible by water, using boats. The Veteran Cave, for example, with traces of Paleolithic habitation, was fortified over 300 years ago to set up an observation point on the Danube for the Austrian army. A spectacular phenomenon occurs during the summer solstice, when the suns rays penetrate through a hole in the ceiling into this cave. Another attraction is the Ponicova Cave, one kilometer long, which crosses the mountain from one side to the other. Coming from the water, visitors can step into the gallery and then exit by the road that follows the contour of the Romanian bank of the Danube Cauldrons. It is worth mentioning that visitor access is restricted to only one gallery of the Ponicova Cave, so as not to disturb the bat colony here.
A roundup of domestic and international news

Newsflash

Newsroom, 22.04.2026, 13:55

Crisis. President Nicusor Dan began talks today with the leaders of the parties in the ruling four-party coalition, after the PSDwhich holds the largest number of seats in Parliamentdecided on Monday to withdraw its support for Liberal Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan and called for his resignation. The prime minister refuses to step down. In this context, the PSD initiated talks at the presidency with the intention of convincing the head of state that the government and the country do not depend on a single person. The PSDs first option is to continue cooperation within a pro-European coalition, but with a different prime ministerincluding a technocratwho is open to dialogue. If Ilie Bolojan refuses to step down as head of the government, the Social Democrats will withdraw their ministers from the government, may join the opposition and could even vote on a motion of no confidence. At the end of the meeting with President Nicusor Dan, PSD leader Sorin Grindeanu reiterated that his party will not support a minority government, although PNL leaders, for their part, are already seeking allies in anticipation of such an executive. As part of the coalition, the USR states that it will support any government formula that guarantees state reform, while the UDMR has announced that it will not withdraw its ministers from the executive nor will it vote for a motion of no confidence. Todays discussions represent a first attempt by the head of state, Nicusor Dan, in his capacity as mediator, to find a formula for the countrys stability and the continuation of a pro-European government.

Study. A study by the consulting firm COFACE on insolvencies in Central and Eastern Europe shows that the economic environment remains fragile in the region, and Romania is among the countries facing the greatest difficulties. According to COFACE, the main risk perceived by companies is geopolitical uncertainty, followed by rising energy costs, fueled in part by tensions in the Middle East, which are affecting transportation and gas and oil prices. Overall, the number of insolvencies in the region rose slightly, by less than one percent last year. But while the situation appears stable, it masks major differences between countries, with Romania at the negative end of the spectrum. The data show weak economic performance, with even signs of contraction in recent months. Among the causes are the effects of fiscal consolidation measures, which have slowed the pace of growth. Companies are affected by shrinking profit margins, as costs have risen rapidly, putting pressure on businesses; last year, the number of insolvencies in Romania was approximately 7,500, primarily in retail and construction.

Investigation. Raed Arafat, head of Romanias Department for Emergency Situations, has been charged with the crime of smuggling by way of complicity in a case related to the purchase of a helicopter from the United Kingdom. After being questioned on Tuesday at the Military Prosecutors Office attached to the Bucharest Military Court of Appeal, Raed Arafat explained that the aircraft was purchased to replace a SMURD helicopter that crashed during a mission and that the General Aviation Inspectorate managed the transaction, which was conducted for the benefit of, not to the detriment of, the state. Seventeen people are under criminal investigation in the case. Prosecutors estimate that, by evading VAT payments, the state budget suffered losses of nearly 4.5 million lei (equivalent to approximately 900,000 euros).

Gas. Romgaz, Romanias largest producer and main supplier of natural gas, has submitted a bid to acquire the Azomures plantthe countrys largest chemical fertilizer plant. The announcement was made by the State Secretary at the Ministry of Energy, Cristian Busoi, during a specialized conference. Azomures is currently suspended. Employees are on furlough, and the collective layoff procedure is underway. However, employees have received official notification of the offer and are now hoping for a positive outcome, so union representatives have called off the picket line at the Ministry of Energy headquarters in the capitalwhich was scheduled to take place todayafter several months of protests.

Heritage. The Cotofenesti helmet and two gold bracelets, ancient cultural heritage artifacts recovered following a theft last January at the Drents Museum in the Netherlands, have been brought to Romania and are on display, starting today, for 10 days at the National Museum of History in Bucharest. The helmet will then undergo restoration. A third bracelet is still missing, but the director of the Drents Museum in the Netherlands, who also arrived in Bucharest on Tuesday, promises that it will be recovered. The three suspects, all Dutch nationals, who are believed to have stolen the artifacts have been arrested and are facing criminal charges. The Dutch prosecutors office has requested prison sentences of up to 66 months for them. We will provide further updates.

Summit. The 2026 Regional Environmental Summit begins today in Astana, Kazakhstan. Heads of state from the region, delegates from 15 other countries in Asia and Europe, as well as representatives of major international organizations, including the UN, OSCE, OECD, the World Bank, and EBRD, are discussing water scarcity, poor management of existing resources, desertification, and pollution within the broader context of global climate change. The summits agenda includes dozens of conferences, and over the course of three days, more than 50 documents are expected to be signed, including regional initiatives, agreements, and investment projects.

Weather. The weather in Romania is cold today. The sky is temporarily cloudy, with rain across most of the south, the southeast, and the central regions, as well as isolated showers in the east and possibly in the southwest. In the mountains, there is mixed precipitation, and at elevations above 1,400 meters, in the Southern and Eastern Carpathians, it is snowing and a fresh layer of snow is accumulating. The wind is light to moderate, with some gusts in the mountains, as well as in the west and southwest, with highs ranging between 7 and 17 degrees Celsius. In Bucharest, the weather is cold for this time of year. At noon, the temperature was 11 degrees, and the high for the day will be 14 degrees Celsius. (MI)
Romgaz to buy Azomures

Azomures chemical fertiliser plant has a concrete takeover offer from Romgaz.

Photo: Azomures / Facebook

Daniela Budu, 22.04.2026, 13:50

The biggest producer and main supplier of natural gas in Romania, Romgaz, whose main shareholder is the Romanian state, has made a concrete offer to Azomures shareholders to take over the largest chemical fertiliser plant, located in central Romania. The announcement was made on Tuesday by Cristian Busoi, State Secretary at the Ministry of Energy. He explained that the takeover of Azomures by Romgaz is meant to provide a certain level of security in terms of the supply of chemical fertilisers, but this will not automatically translate into very low prices. This is a business and its a free market. The expectation would be that prices would be more competitive and less burdensome for farmers, but they cannot be very different from the prices on the international market, Cristian Busoi said, adding that while it will not necessarily lead to lower prices for these products, the takeover of Azomures by Romgaz would still have a significant impact. Cristian Busoi:

There are advanced talks and a concrete offer was even made offer to the shareholders of Azomures. I hope things will have a happy resolution; while gas and fertiliser prices are aligned with European and international prices, at least in terms of security of supply things could be safer in this area if the Romanian state, through a company in which it holds majority control, is able to develop a strategic company such as Azomures.

Over the past year, the Azomures plant, owned by the Swiss group Ameropa, has held numerous talks with Romgaz regarding a possible acquisition of the industrial platform in Targu Mures. The companys activity is currently suspended. Employees employment contracts are suspended and a collective redundancy procedure is underway. According to the participants in the specialist conference in Bucharest, the plant, which produces chemical fertilisers by processing natural gas, could supply almost half of Romanias fertiliser demand.

Azomures is the countrys largest producer of chemical fertilisers and also the largest consumer of gas, using about 10% of national consumption when operating at full capacity. The plant was closed at the end of 2021 due to the high price of gas, which is a raw material in the fertiliser production process. It reopened in the summer of 2023, but has been operational sporadically ever since. Due to the frequent interruptions at Azomures, Romanian farmers have had to import fertilisers from outside the European Union, often at higher costs. Recent tensions in the Middle East, which have led to significant increases in international gas prices, have also influenced the plants production costs. Last month, Romanian Parliament decided to begin a legislative procedure to declare fertiliser production national critical infrastructure, in order to protect the sector and ensure the countrys food security. The draft legislation was adopted by the Senate and is to be debated and voted on by the Chamber of Deputies, which is the decision-making body in this case.
The stolen helmet and bracelets have returned home

The treasury pieces recovered after last years heist at the Drents Museum in Assen have arrived in Romania.

    

Mihai Pelin, 22.04.2026, 14:00

The Cotofenesti helmet and two Dacian gold bracelets, recovered after being stolen from the Drents Museum in the Netherlands, have returned home. However, a third bracelet is still missing. These treasury pieces were transported under maximum security conditions to the National Museum of Romanian History in Bucharest, where they will remain on display until May 3.

The helmet will subsequently enter a restoration process because there are slight impact marks on its surface. To restore it to its original state, a donation campaign is currently being carried out. Culture Minister, Demeter Andras Istvan, hailed the recovery of these heritage objects, arguing that heritage must be firmly defended wherever it may be and brought back to where it can retain its full meaning. He noted that this entire episode reminds us how exposed heritage can be to violence, illegal trafficking, negligence and oblivion. Consequently, he emphasized that protection cannot remain an abstract obligation or one belonging exclusively to specialists, but is a duty concerning the entire society, while institutions must build a framework to support this common goal in a real, coherent and sustainable manner.

The Cotofenesti helmet and the three stolen gold bracelets were part of the Dacia  Land of Gold and Silver exhibition opened last year in the Netherlands. Just before the exhibition closed and the exhibits were to be returned to the National Museum of History in Bucharest in January 2025, three men broke into the museum in Assen during the night. In just a few minutes, they made off with the four Romanian artifacts.

By September 2025, the Romanian Culture Ministry announced it had collected the sum of 5.7 million Euros, representing the insurance compensation for the stolen cultural items. Following the recovery of three out of the four pieces, Romania will now have to return a part of that money to the insurance company. The robbery caused significant outrage in Romania and triggered an extensive search operation in the Netherlands. Although the three thieves were arrested after just a few days, the location of the loot remained unknown for a long time.

In the end, at the start of April, Dutch authorities announced they had found the helmet and two of the three stolen bracelets. With the exception of a slight dent on the surface of the helmet, the objects handed over to Romanian authorities were in excellent condition. The location of the third gold bracelet remains unknown. These ancient objects were recovered as a result of an agreement that Dutch authorities reached with two of the suspects, while the third suspect denied any involvement in the break-in. The three men are being prosecuted for theft and destruction of museum property, and their trial is currently ongoing in the Netherlands. (VP)
Volkswagen's China-focused Jetta brand showed its next phase with the debut of a new concept SUV, but this one has little to do with the compact sedan North American buyers associate with the name.





Unveiled at the Beijing Auto Show, the Jetta X concept previews the brand's move into electrified vehicles in China, where Jetta has operated as a standalone marque since 2019. Positioned as an entry-level offering within the Volkswagen Group's joint venture lineup, the brand has so far focused on low-cost gasoline-powered sedans and SUVs. That is set to change in the coming years.

Jetta says it plans to introduce four "New Energy Vehicles" by 2028, a category that includes both fully electric models and plug-in hybrids under Chinese market definitions. The first of those vehicles is expected to arrive as early as this year, and the Jetta X offers an early look at the design direction for that expansion.





While technical details remain limited, the concept is described as fully electric. Instead, the focus is on styling, which leans toward a more rugged, utility-focused look than the brand's current lineup. The front end features slim LED lighting elements integrated into a wide horizontal opening, paired with a sculpted bumper that incorporates a skid plate and red tow hooks-details typically associated with off-road-oriented vehicles.





The Jetta X arrives as Volkswagen continues to reshape its strategy in China, placing greater emphasis on electrification and localized products. For Jetta, the shift represents an effort to stay relevant in a market where demand for affordable EVs and plug-in hybrids continues to grow, particularly among younger buyers.





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ABB (ABBN.SW,ABB.ST) reported first quarter net income attributable to company of $1.32 billion, up 20% from a year ago. Basic earnings per share was $0.73 compared to $0.60. Operational EBITA was $2.05 billion compared to $1.50 billion. Operational EBITA was up 37%, with a comparable growth of 28% in constant currency.

First quarter revenues were $8.73 billion compared to $7.38 billion, prior year. Revenues were up 18%, with a comparable growth of 11%. Orders were $11.30 billion compared to $8.59 billion. Orders were up 32%, with a comparable growth of 24%.

In the second quarter, the company expects a high single-digit to low double-digit growth in comparable revenues, year-on-year. The operational EBITA margin is projected to improve year-on-year.

In full-year 2026, the company expects a positive book-to-bill, and a high single-digit to low double-digit growth in comparable revenues, year-on-year. The operational EBITA margin is expected to improve year-on-year, even when excluding the real estate gain in the first quarter of 2026.

ABB shares are trading at 74.20 Swiss francs, down 0.081%.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
KeyCorp (KEY) on Wednesday said it has agreed to acquire Clearwater Corporate Finance LLP, a UK-based middle market investment banking advisory firm.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

KeyCorp said the deal marks its entry into the Western European market, expanding its financial advisory capabilities for institutional clients.

The transaction builds on a collaboration established in 2020 between KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc. and Clearwater, which the company said demonstrated strong strategic and cultural alignment. The agreement covers the UK entity and aims to strengthen ties across Clearwater's broader European network.

The company said the combined platform will provide U.S.-based private equity sponsors and corporate clients access to European acquisition targets and exit strategies, while offering European clients access to the U.S. M&A market.

The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2026.

"Years of collaboration with Clearwater has generated significant value for clients on both sides of the Atlantic," said Randy Paine, President of Key Institutional Bank. "This transaction is the natural next step in the relationship and directly supports our institutional banking growth strategy."

KeyCorp shares fell 0.41% on Tuesday before closing at $22.10.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
Canadian stocks advanced on Wednesday after tumbling in the previous session as U.S. President Donald Trump extended the ceasefire in the U.S.-Iran war, which calmed the market. However, the ongoing blockade of Strait of Hormuz capped the gains.

After opening above yesterday's close, the benchmark S&P/TSX Composite Index gave back some ground but traded positive throughout the session before settling at 33,955.11, up by 146.81 points (or 0.43%).

Five of the 11 sectors posted gains today, with the healthcare sector leading the pack.

Today, market sentiments received a boost following the announcement of an extension of the ceasefire in the ongoing U.S.-Israel versus Iran war.

U.S.-Israeli forces attacked Iran on February 28, starting a war following which Iran blocked the Strait of Hormuz and prevented oil exports from Arab nations to the rest of the world, triggering a huge energy crisis.

To give diplomacy a chance for ending the conflict, U.S. President Donald Trump halted all attacks on Iran for a period of two weeks since April 8.

Simultaneously, delegates from both the nations held talks in Pakistan to find ways to end the conflict. However, the talks failed and Trump ordered U.S. naval forces to block ship traffic from and to Iranian ports.

After persuasion from regional intermediaries, Trump announced a second round of talks but warned that the U.S. would restart bombing if Iran failed to reach a deal this time.

The same day, Trump announced the capture of an Iranian vessel by U.S. forces which angered Iran.

With U.S. Vice President JD Vance ready to head a team of negotiators to Pakistan, Iran remained reluctant to participate.

With the ceasefire announced by Trump set to lapse on April 22, concerns of an expansive and serious war in the gulf region compelled investors away from risky bets.

Yesterday, Trump surprised the by announcing an extension of the truce with no specific timeline.

Trump also expressed readiness to give Iranian leaders some time to come up with a peace proposal. However, Trump did not withdraw the blockade to Iran's trade across the Strait of Hormuz.

This unilateral and open-ended call by Trump in response to requests from Pakistani mediators to give diplomacy one more chance to end hostilities revived the momentum among traders.

Meanwhile, Iran seized two ships in the Strait of Hormuz and escorted them to Iran's shores, asserting its grip over the strategic chokepoint and keeping the tensions alive and limiting the upside movement in Canadian stocks.

Britain's maritime security agency reported that three container ships have been hit by gunfire near the strait.

In Canada, aside from the gulf war, the focus of investors is also glued to the talks on the renewal of Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement on free trade. The CUSMA deal that insulates most of the Canadian exports to the U.S. from Trump's tariffs is up for renewal. The three countries must agree by July 1 to keep the deal functioning.

Prime Minister Mark Carney selected a new team of advisers to conduct the trade talks with the U.S. to spearhead the negotiations.

Data released by Statistics Canada today revealed that new housing prices in Canada fell by 0.20% month on month in March following a 0.30% increase in February, contrary to market forecasts of a 0.20% rise.

Major sectors that gained in today's trading were Healthcare (6.63%), Communication Services (2.77%), Materials (1.44%), Energy (1.31%), and IT (0.51%).

Among the individual stocks, Curaleaf Holdings Inc (25.66%), Rogers Communications Inc (13.55%), Energy Fuels Inc (10.31%), Enerflex Ltd (5.82%), Headwater Exploration Inc (4.23%), and Ces Energy Solutions Corp (4.03%) were the prominent gainers.

Major sectors that lost in today's trading were Utilities (0.13%), Financials (0.36%), Real Estate (0.39%), Industrials (0.41%), and Consumer Staples (0.93%).

Among the individual stocks, Metro Inc (2.72%), Empire Company Limited (2.09%), Altus Group Limited (8.57%), Allied Properties Real Estate (1.70%), Intact Financial Corporation (1.22%), and Canadian Utilities Ltd (1.65%) were the notable losers.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Market Analysis
South Korean automaker Hyundai Motor has unveiled its latest battery-powered passenger vehicle, the Ioniq 3 compact hatchback, at the 2026 Milano Design Week in Italy. This latest addition to Hyundais Ioniq battery electric vehicle (BEV) brand was designed mainly with European markets in mind, by Hyundai Motor Europe, to take on the growing number of BEV brands and models in the region.

The Ioniq 3 is based on Hyundai Motor Groups Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) and is produced at Hyundai Motor Turkiyes plant in Izmit. It adopts the companys new Aero Hatch design concept featuring a streamlined silhouette with enhanced airflow, while maximizing cabin space and overall comfort.

The Ioniq 3 has a 400-volt architecture and comes with two battery options, 42.2 kWh and 61 kWh, with driving ranges of up to 344 km and 496 km respectively. The top model has a power output of up to 107.8 kW (147 PS), 250 Nm of torque, and a top speed of 170 kph. With DC fast charging, the battery can be charged from 10% to 80% in just under 30 minutes.

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The Ioniq 3 is equipped with Hyundais latest SmartSense advanced driver assistance systems, to increase safety and reduce driver workload. Key features include Highway Driving Assist 2 (HDA2), Remote Smart Parking Assist (RSPA), Memory Reverse Assist (MRA), Surround View Monitor (SVM), and Blind-Spot View Monitor (BVM).

The Ioniq 3 is the first European Hyundai model to feature the Pleos Connect infotainment system, based on Android Automotive OS (AAOS), with 12.9-inch and 14.6-inch displays providing functions such as navigation and connectivity.

Xavier Martinet, CEO of Hyundai Motor Europe, said in a statement: With the Ioniq 3, we are bringing the bold design, driving enjoyment, and advanced features of the Ioniq brand to a broader range of customers across Europe. Built for peoples real everyday needs, the Ioniq 3 combines expected segment-leading driving range and aerodynamics with extraordinary levels of space, comfort, and practicality. Ioniq 3 also marks the debut of the Pleos Connect infotainment system, delivering sharp graphics, an intuitive user experience, and broad customisation options  raising the bar for the segment.

"Hyundai unveils European-made Ioniq 3 BEV" was originally created and published by Just Auto, a GlobalData owned brand.





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KEY DATES

May 5: Early voting begins for the primary.

May 16: Expanded early voting begins for the primary.

May 30: Early voting ends.

June 2: Primary election.

SEMI-OPEN PRIMARIES

This is the first year New Mexico will have semi-open primaries, meaning unaffiliated voters can now vote in the partisan primary of their choice.

If you are a registered Democrat or Republican, you can still only vote in the Democratic or Republican primary. If you are a Democrat who wishes to vote in the Republican primary or vice versa, you need to switch your registration to that party or to declined-to-state before early voting starts on May 5.

If you are currently unaffiliated, you can vote in the primary of your choosing by requesting a ballot without changing your registration.

If you are registered with a minor party such as the Greens or Libertarians, you can switch to either a major party or declined-to-state before the election or through same-day registration at the polls.

Visit NMVote.org to register, check or update your voter registration or request an absentee ballot.

WHATS ON THE BALLOT
The Toyota RAV4 is one of the best-selling vehicles in America, and with EV demand still growing, many people assumed a fully electric version was only a matter of time.

Toyota says not so fast.

Despite rapidly expanding its EV lineup, the automaker says a battery-powered Toyota RAV4 isnt a priority right now. In fact, the company admits it hasnt spent much time seriously considering one.

Instead, Toyota believes buyers looking for an electric SUV should simply buy the Toyota bZ4X.

Toyota Says The bZ4X Already Fills That Role

Image Credit: Toyota.

Speaking with Drive Australia, Yoshinori Futonagane explained that Toyota doesnt want every model to offer every possible powertrain.

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Thats part of the companys broader multi-pathway strategy.

Rather than stuffing gas, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and fully electric versions into one nameplate, Toyota wants different vehicles serving different purposes across its lineup.

According to Futonagane, the Toyota bZ4X is where Toyota wants to experiment with its most advanced EV technology.

The RAV4 Is Already Pretty Electrified

Photo Courtesy: Autorepublika.

Toyota also isnt exactly ignoring electrification.

The latest Toyota RAV4 already comes standard with hybrid power in some markets, while plug-in hybrid versions are also available.

The plug-in model combines a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with electric motors to produce around 320 horsepower.

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It can also travel roughly 50 miles on electric power alone.

For many buyers, Toyota likely believes thats enough.

Toyotas Previous Electric RAV4

Photo Courtesy: Autorepublika.

Interestingly, Toyota has actually built electric RAV4s before.

Back in 1997, the company produced 328 electric versions of the original Toyota RAV4 EV for California buyers. Those models offered just 95 miles of range.

Toyota tried again in 2012.

That version was built using technology from Tesla and managed around 103 miles of range. Only 2,489 examples were produced.

Neither version ever became a mainstream success.

Dont Expect One Anytime Soon

Image Credit: Toyota.

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Toyota isnt completely ruling out an electric Toyota RAV4.

Executives say future battery advancements could eventually make it worthwhile.

That said, its clearly not happening anytime soon.

For now, Toyota wants the Toyota RAV4 to remain the practical SUV buyers already know, while the Toyota bZ4X handles EV duties.

If you want more stories like this, follow Guessing Headlights on Yahoo so you dont miss whats coming next.
Ford Motor Company has for many years seemed content to keep Lincoln as a small-volume luxury division, certainly compared to how TMC sees Lexus or the ambitions which Hyundai has for Genesis. And right now, General Motors is pouring a lot of cash and marketing muscle into Cadillac, aiming to raise global sales of its own premium brand.

Ford is taking a different approach to its competitors, with no grand plans for Lincoln, at least none that have been publicly stated. Yet somehow the marque is thriving but there are questions over how long that will remain the case unless some big investments are placed in the future product pipeline. And while in 2025, the US market sales tally was still many thousands of units below the 112,204 high point of 2019, at 106,868 it was the best annual result since then.

China is the other albeit far smaller main market. Wholesale data for Q1 in the Peoples Republic show a 13 percent year-on-year decline to 7,228 vehicles, each one produced as part of the Changan Auto and Ford Motor partnership. Contrast that with US build of the only two locally-produced models, these being the Aviator (6,839: Chicago Main) and Navigator (6,788: Kentucky Truck - Louisville).

Z: now made only in China

Looking at the overall line-up, Changan-Ford manufactures the Z, a fastback sedan, as well as the Nautilus and smaller Corsair SUVs. The last of these three has been around for many years so its no real surprise that Chinese market registrations plunged in the first quarter.

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The CFA joint venture began selling the Z (also known as the Zephyr) four years ago and is due to facelift this big sedan later in 2026. A successor should be launched in 2030 and rather than powered by todays ICE and HEV drive systems, propulsion should come via an EREV arrangement.

CDX707, or the second generation Nautilus, can be considered an SUV equivalent to the Z. And whilst it is built in a different factory - Hangzhou - the platform is the same, namely Fords front-wheel drive native C2. Engines and transmissions are also the same, though this model is two years younger than the Z. It is therefore not due for any styling changes until 2028, a replacement being expected for 2031 or 2032.

Long life for the Corsair

Changan Fords third model, the Corsair, should by rights be in the final part of its lifecycle, this model having premiered at the New York auto show seven years ago this month. Now manufactured solely in Chongqing since US build ceased on 17 December 2025, this twin of the former Ford Escape (and Europes existing Kuga-badged variant) will likely stay in production at the factory in Chinas southwest until 2030, possibly longer.

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Corsair prototypes out testing with restyled front and rear ends have been spotted on multiple occasions during the last six months, indicating a further facelift is coming by year-end. There will probably be exports to North America too, including a hybrid. The update should apply for the 2027 model year. However, the restyled and imported Corsair might instead be an early 28 model should it not land in the USA until the first half of CY2027.

What does Ford intend to do with its other Lincoln C2 architecture vehicles? There had been various scenarios both under consideration and with investments made but now it seems, the eventual successors should be part of the Universal EV (UEV) project. The first of this family of vehicles goes into production next year at Louisville Assembly but any Lincoln model wont arrive until 2028 at the earliest. And that should also apply to the Changan JV.

Range extender for the Aviator?

Extended production programmes look like being a thing for both of the US-made Lincoln SUVs too. The Aviator had been originally scheduled to go away at the end of the 2026 model year, exiting Chicago Main and succeeded by an electric crossover which Ford would have built at Oakville in southern Canada. Instead, it seems that the Illinois-manufactured SUV will have a second refresh and stick around until 2030. There are whispers of an EREV powertrain.

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A range extender for the big Navigator is also said to be in the works. This could be some 12-36 months away, the U718 series model having only hit the market one year ago. Its mid-cycle facelift would be due for the 2029 model year with generation six expected in calendar 2032 or 2033.

Another large SUV with a hybrid powertrain coming?

With the project for an electric five-metres long SUV once due to be made in Ontario officially cancelled back in 2024 - along with an equivalent Ford - we still dont know for certain what, if anything, will take the place of these cancelled SUVs. Not to mention where such models might be manufactured. Noises about three-row hybrid/EREV equivalents have been heard yet Ford Motor Company is saying nothing.

Oakville wont be making any Lincoln models within the immediate future, the plant having been idled back in 2024 after the final Ford Edge rolled off the line. A retooling should soon be completed with additional build of the Ford F-Series Super Duty set to commence later in 2026. Installed capacity is being set at 100,000 units per annum. This, the third plant to make the big pick-up series, will support Kentucky Truck and Ohio Assembly, each of which already makes the brisk-selling truck.

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"Lincoln future models: 2026-2036" was originally created and published by Just Auto, a GlobalData owned brand.




Amnesty International said Georgia "plunged head-on into authoritarian practices, with systemic crackdowns on dissent" in its annual report published on April 21.The report says freedoms of expression, assembly and association were "severely curtailed," citing "repressive legislation, unfair trials and police impunity." Protesters, journalists and activists faced "arbitrary detention, torture and other ill-treatment," while NGOs and independent media were targeted with harassment, asset freezes and regulatory pressure, including under "foreign agent"-style laws. Amnesty points to the freezing of bank accounts of seven NGOs and repeated questioning of their leaders.Authorities "criminalized peaceful acts such as wearing masks or standing on sidewalks," the report says, adding that demonstrations were met with "police beatings, tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannon reportedly laced with toxic chemicals." It also alleges that masked officers and unidentified men linked to authorities assaulted detainees and protesters.According to Amnesty, detainees were subjected to unfair trials "marked by procedural violations and prosecutorial bias," with cases including journalist Mzia Amaghlobeli. "Many of those detained were denied access to lawyers, relatives, or urgent medical care," the report says.The report also cites gender-based violence against women protesters, including "sexist insults, threats of sexual assault and degrading full strip searches," and says "misogynistic and sexist rhetoric from senior officials" contributed to the abuse. It adds that independent media faced "smear campaigns, fines and criminal probes" as part of broader efforts to suppress dissent.European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos said the European Union is ready to involve Georgia in regional connectivity projects, but only if Tbilisi shows willingness to cooperate on broader political issues.Speaking on April 20 at an extraordinary meeting of the European Parliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs, Kos responded to Romanian MEP Cristian Vasile Terhes, who raised the importance of the Middle Corridor as a key trade route between Europe and Asia and asked about EU engagement with Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan.Kos said the route has gained importance amid global disruptions. "There is no trade route in the north anymore. There are no trade routes in the south anymore. So the best is the Middle Corridor, the Peace Corridor, whatever you call it, and we are engaged," she said.She said the EU has maintained active engagement with Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Turkey, but noted limited recent contact with Georgia. "Not to Georgia because of the reasons you have mentioned," she said, without elaborating further.Kos added that connectivity includes more than transport. "This connectivity agenda is not just about transport, it is energy, digital, and so on," she said, stressing energy security concerns.She also referred to an EU-backed electricity interconnection project involving Armenia and Georgia, saying, "indeed, we can't speak about the real connectivity agenda without Georgia.""So whatever we do there and talk to Armenia, we also consider Georgia," she said. "We are open to involving Georgia, we will be only capable to involve Georgia to the extent that they also show that they want to engage in other areas."
Innovation was not always part of Roberto Perez Torres plan.

Growing up in Puerto Rico, he was searching for direction, never imagining that he would one day become an award-winning inventor. But Perez Torres is the first to point out that life has a way of opening unexpected doors, especially when people believe in your potential.

Now, the South Dakota Mines senior electrical engineering major has earned the 2026 Braun Student Inventor Award and $5,000 for his ethanol dishwasher.

Perez Torres was in Florida visiting his two-year-old son, Mateo, when the email arrived announcing him as the Braun Award winner. I was overwhelmed, he said. I felt humbled, speechless, thankful and validated. It added wood to the fire.

The Ann and Dave Braun Student Inventor Award includes $5,000 in cash and a free patent application from McKee, Voorhees & Sease, PLC. This award was established to recognize a Mines student who has made a significant discovery or invention while enrolled at the university.

As founders of the Mines student inventor award, my wife, Ann, and I are very pleased to see the wonderful and commercially significant results by all of the 2026 participants, said Dave Braun. We know that many of these students will start their own companies or join innovative companies as skilled inventors.

The idea to create a dishwasher powered by ethanol rather than traditional detergent took shape during Perez Torres time as an electrical and electronics technician at Genesis Farms, South Dakotas leading cannabis producer. While maintaining the facility, he noticed employees routinely washing equipment by hand using ethanol. I wondered why there was not a method to do this automatically, he said. It takes time, is tedious and not everyone washes the same.

Ethanol is commonly used in botanical extraction processes, such as cannabis, peppermint and vanilla, because it is food-safe and allows for the recovery of extracts while preserving them.

Robertos invention is grounded in real-world experience and directly addresses a problem he encountered, said Jonathan Kennedy, a patent attorney with McKee, Voorhees & Sease and a judge for the competition. Having the ingenuity to see the issue and then the diligence to work toward a solution embodies the drive of an inventor.

While Perez Torres had the idea last fall, it was not until the start of the spring semester that his idea took shape. "I knew it could have real-world potential and could be turned into a company, he said. There are so many production facilities that would love to do less, use less and get more out of their stuff, and this is going to do it all automatically. That is the goal.

Perez Torres is now working on his second prototype, and after graduation, will begin working as an engineer for Northern Geo, a Minnesota-based manufacturer of geothermal heat pumps and renewable energy products. Aside from his full-time employment, Perez Torres will have his own space in Northern Geo to work on his startup. The owner is an entrepreneur and has opened several successful companies, Perez Torres said. "When my best friend Eli Lowry (a Mines junior mechanical engineering major) told him about my invention, he extended his hand out, understanding what it is like working on a startup.

That door is not the first to open for Perez Torres.

He describes himself as a problem child growing up, a path that led him to a military youth academy where he earned his GED before enlisting in the Air Force, a decision that brought him to the Black Hills.

After leaving the Air Force, Perez Torres began working at Phase Technologies, where he met Peda Medagam, chief technology officer (CTO) at the local electronics manufacturer, who encouraged him to enroll at Mines.

Tears come to my eyes when I think of these things, he said. I am just so grateful.

His success is also a testament to the support available to him and other student entrepreneurs at Mines. Robertos achievement showcases the power of student innovation, and we are incredibly grateful for generous donors and partners such as Dave Braun and McKee, Voorhees & Sease for helping bring ideas like this to life, said Beth Lambeth, associate vice president for research-innovation and entrepreneurship.

Looking ahead, Perez Torres is excited about what comes next. But his biggest driving force is supporting Mateo, and his grandmother, mother and sister, who all still live in Puerto Rico.

They are my everything, he said.
IICT signs MoUs at India Gaming Show 2026 in Chennai

Partnerships focus on esports, XR, and immersive technology education

Initiative aims to build inclusive and industry-ready creative talent ecosystem

The Indian Institute of Creative Technologies has strengthened its focus on building a future-ready AVGC-XR ecosystem through the signing of multiple Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with industry partners at the CII Summit FX  India Gaming Show 2026. The agreements were signed on April 17, 2026, at the Chennai Trade Centre, Chennai, during an event organised by the Indian Digital Gaming Society in partnership with the Confederation of Indian Industry.

The collaborations aim to integrate education, skilling, research, and ecosystem development across emerging domains such as esports, gaming, immersive technologies, and extended reality. Each partnership is designed to strengthen industry-aligned learning pathways and enhance employability in Indias rapidly expanding digital content sector.

A key partnership with The Zenfluencers focuses on structured esports education, including globally benchmarked certification programmes, industry-led workshops, tournaments, and masterclasses. The initiative is expected to create structured career pathways across the esports value chain, offering students global exposure and industry engagement.

YOLOgram Style Pvt. Ltd. is centred on gaming, immersive storytelling, and XR technologies. It will support curriculum development aligned with industry tools, faculty mentorship, student showcases, and research in immersive AI and virtual production, alongside incubation opportunities for innovation-led projects. Another collaboration withis centred on gaming, immersive storytelling, and. It will support curriculum development aligned with industry tools, faculty mentorship, student showcases, and research in immersive AI and virtual production, alongside incubation opportunities for innovation-led projects.

Also Read: US Insurer The Standard Establishes Bengaluru GCC to Drive Digital Growth

The third partnership with Eruditio Consultants focuses on expanding awareness and accessibility in the AVGC-XR sector. It will drive nationwide outreach, counsellor training, institutional engagement, and structured career guidance frameworks, aiming to extend opportunities beyond major urban centres and build an inclusive talent pipeline.

Speaking on the initiative, IICT CEO Dr. Vishwas Deoskar emphasized the importance of strong industry-academia collaboration in shaping the future of the creative technology sector and positioning India as a global hub for digital content and immersive innovation.
US insurer The Standard launches Bengaluru GCC for AI, software engineering

Focus on innovation, data platforms, product design over traditional outsourcing

India team led by Mohua Sengupta; follows flexible scaling, not fixed hiring

US insurer The Standard has launched a global capability centre in Bengaluru to strengthen its technology, AI, software engineering, and enterprise platform work. The move supports its long-term digital transformation plan and deepens in-house tech skills.

Bengaluru was chosen for its strong technology ecosystem and large talent base, making it the companys first GCC outside the United States. The company already has around 200 employees in India, including staff added after its $2 billion acquisition of Allstates Employer Voluntary Benefits business last year.

Dan McMillan, CEO of The Standard, said the GCC is focused on innovation and ownership rather than routine maintenance work. He explained that the goal is to move beyond traditional outsourcing. We design solutions here, we dont just run systems, he said, adding that teams will work on advanced engineering, data platforms, and strategic projects".

GCC model is different because teams contribute directly to business goals. He also said there are no fixed hiring targets, and growth will depend on business needs and opportunities. McMillan noted that the company has worked with external partners for over two decades, but theis different because teams contribute directly to business goals. He also said there are, and growth will depend on business needs and opportunities.

A key focus area for the centre will be artificial intelligence and data systems. The company is investing in organizing and using data more effectively, especially as it continues to operate with legacy technology systems.

India head Mohua Sengupta said the centre is designed to stay closely integrated with core business functions. She said success will be measured by leadership impact and strategic contribution rather than headcount growth. The company is also adopting a 'two-in-a-box' leadership model, pairing leaders in India and the US to work jointly.

The Standard has a global workforce of about 10,000 to 12,000 people, including employees and partners, with nearly 60% being direct employees.
News / National

by Stephen Jakes

HARARE  Unverified claims of highlevel political interference have emerged following the arrest and reported release of a military intelligence officer linked to the Presidential Guard, sparking debate over the integrity of Zimbabwe's justice system.According to sources, Major Albert Tizwa was arrested in the Newlands area on Independence Day by officers from the Zimbabwe Republic Police after allegedly being found in possession of an unregistered AK47 rifle and unspecified amounts of cash.The sources further allege that the officer faced multiple charges, including assault and kidnapping, arising from incidents said to have occurred prior to his arrest. However, authorities have not publicly confirmed the charges or provided details of any court proceedings.Reports circulating on social and political platforms claim that the officer was subsequently released under unclear circumstances, with allegations pointing to possible intervention from senior government officials. These claims have not been independently verified.Efforts to obtain comment from police authorities and the Office of President Emmerson Mnangagwa were unsuccessful at the time of publication.The alleged case has drawn attention due to its potential implications for the rule of law, particularly regarding the handling of serious criminal allegations involving members of the security services.Legal experts note that cases involving firearms and violent offences typically require due process through the courts, and any deviation would raise significant constitutional concerns.Analysts say the matter highlights the need for transparency from authorities to address growing public speculation and maintain confidence in state institutions.As of now, key aspects of the case - including the arrest, charges and reported release - remain unconfirmed by official sources.
System error

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Exclusive BusinessCompaniesMedia & marketing KIIS turns tables on Kyle and Jackie O, sues pair for millions Calum Jaspan Updated April 22, 2026  7:03pm ,first published 10:06am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

Kyle Sandilands and Jackie O Hendersons former employer is suing the pair, demanding they pay for advertising that KIIS lost after they allegedly breached their $200 million, 10-year deals and the radio network terminated their contracts. As well as defending Sandilands and Hendersons contract claims against it, court files seen by this masthead show KIIS parent, ARN, is also pursuing the broadcasters for the legal costs of mopping up the contractual blow-up and trying to claw back most of a $3 million bonus. Kyle Sandilands and Jackie O Henderson are embroiled in a messy legal squabble. Michael Howard The documents argue that both Sandilands and Henderson have cost KIIS advertising revenue and profits by breaching their contracts, which they had promised to cover in their original agreements with the company. ARNs lawyers argue that a clause in its services agreement with Sandilands Quasar Media entitles it to claw back 87.92 per cent of a $3 million signing bonus paid to Sandilands company, totalling $2,637,732.

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In ARNs defence to Sandilands claim that the company improperly tore up his contract, the network cites a string of remarks the broadcaster made on air. In one, Sandilands branded the man who is now ARNs chief executive a p---y during a broadcast last year, saying he didnt give a shit because he thought the executive would soon be out of a job. Instead, ARN chief executive Michael Stephenson sacked Sandilands last month. The comments, alongside Sandilands threatening remarks against members of the Mad F---ing Witches activist group, and claims of systemic bullying against his co-host Jackie O Henderson, form part of ARNs defence against his $85 million contract claim in the Federal Court. Stephenson, a former Nine sales boss, joined ARN in late 2024 as its chief operating officer (COO). By June 2025, Sandilands was insulting him live on air, according to the documents. Because a lot of these p---ies, they show up, they think theyre in charge, Sandilands said on June 30. Oh, Im the COO. Whatever that means  No one gives a rats ass, dog. And anyway, that bloke will be gone in eight months time anyway. Do you know how many COOs Ive been through? Thousands. Sandilands went on to lambast Stephenson, saying he was from the The C-suites ... The [expletive] suite. Where do all the [expletives] work!  Thats why theyre called the C-suites.

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Stephenson, who became chief executive shortly after the comments were made, had employed a number of measures to rein in Sandilands, including adding more censors to the program after ARN was rebuked by the industry watchdog. In March this year, ARN tore up Hendersons contract after she allegedly refused to work with Sandilands because of his conduct towards her. It then scrapped his contract too, prompting both stars to sue the network separately for at least a combined $160 million. On Tuesday, ARN filed its defence to the claims, which includes a letter Hendersons lawyers sent the station in the wake of Sandilands on-air tirade against her on February 20 that broke their partnership. The lawyers said that Sandilands consistent and ongoing bullying of Henderson left her psychologically unwell, defamed and humiliated. ARN failed in its duty of care to protect her, the lawyers alleged, and as a result, she could no longer work with him.

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In its defence to Sandilands claim that his contract was unfairly torn up, the network claims his conduct was so poor it had to dismiss him despite his contention that he was merely playing the controversial character expected of him. ARN alleges that Henderson rebuffed its attempts to investigate Sandilands, despite her bullying complaints, so it could no longer employ her on her existing contract when she ultimately decided she could no longer work with her co-host of 25 years. As a result, ARN alleges it has suffered loss or damage in the form of lost advertising revenue, or lost profits and Henderson is liable. The company applies the same logic to Sandilands, adding that both presenters are on the hook for incurred expenses, losses, liabilities, damages or costs stemming from their alleged contractual breaches. The scale of those losses is not specified, but is estimated to be in the millions. On September 10 last year, Sandilands is alleged to have said he had carried the show by himself for more than a year in remarks that were off-air but were filmed. Loading

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Dont f---ing bother coming back until youve got your f---ing shit together like a normal person, Sandilands allegedly said, referring to Henderson. Ive been carrying the whole show for a f---ing year  Im just left here with a limp dick in my hand. After Henderson complained, the documents state that ARNs then-chief content officer Lauren Joyce wrote to her manager, Gemma ONeill, asking for further details and stating this is a serious matter, and Jackies wellbeing is our priority. The next day, ONeill wrote back saying that the company should already have all the information it needed. Related Article CBD Kyle and Jackie Os boss faces heat over his fat pay packet Then in December, ONeill told the company the issue was resolved. Additionally, the day after the February 20 episode, Henderson thanked Stephenson, ARNs new chief executive, and content chief Kerri Elstub for checking in on her. Media and entertainment lawyer Shaun Miller told this masthead it was unlikely ARN would be held responsible for not investigating a matter that, according to Hendersons manager, had been resolved.

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The conclusion you would draw from Gemma saying that its resolved is that theres nothing further to investigate, Miller said. After the Kyle and Jackie O show breached a number of industry codes in October last year, the court documents note ARN directed Sandilands to not discuss a range of topics during the show, including criticism of ARN executives or staff, or any topic that included ongoing legal proceedings or was being considered by media regulator ACMA or ARN shareholder News Corp. The following month, during a discussion on ACMA, and the Mad F---ing Witches activist group that had been targeting advertisers on the Kyle and Jackie O Show, Sandilands said he could get nasty behind the scenes if I have to. And I dont want to. Well, I dont want to be burning houses down and shit like that, he said. He also said the activist groups conduct should be illegal and he would address it with his lawyers and private investigators. Representatives for Sandilands, Henderson and ARN were contacted for comment.

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Both Sandilands and Hendersons cases will be back in the Federal Court on Friday for procedural hearings. If you or anyone you know needs support, call Lifeline on 131 114 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636. The Business Briefing newsletter delivers major stories, exclusive coverage and expert opinion. Sign up to get it every weekday morning.
News / National

by Stephen Jakes

A controversial notice circulating under the banner of "Concerned Citizens of South Africa" has sparked alarm after calling for a nationwide shutdown and a mass march demanding the removal of all foreign nationals from the country.The march is scheduled for 4 May 2026 at Mary Fitzgerald Square in Johannesburg, with organisers claiming it will take place across all nine provinces.The notice states that a memorandum will be delivered to several authorities, including President Cyril Ramaphosa, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi and other government institutions.In the document, organisers cite unemployment, poverty and crime as grievances, alleging that foreign nationals are benefiting disproportionately from opportunities and state resources.The statement further demands that the government remove all foreigners  both documented and undocumented  within a specified timeframe, warning of possible citizenled action if authorities fail to comply.## Strong reactions and legal concernsThe tone and content of the notice have drawn criticism from civil society groups, legal experts and political observers, who warn that the language used could incite violence and undermine constitutional protections.South Africa's Constitution guarantees rights to dignity, equality and protection under the law for all individuals within its borders, regardless of nationality.Legal analysts caution that calls for the forced removal of individuals based solely on their origin may amount to unlawful conduct and could expose organisers to criminal liability.Human rights organisations have also expressed concern that such rhetoric risks fuelling xenophobic violence, which has previously led to deadly attacks and widespread displacement in parts of the country.Authorities have not yet issued an official response to the notice. However, analysts expect law enforcement agencies, including the South African Police Service (SAPS), to monitor the situation closely, particularly given the scale of mobilisation being proposed.Political commentators note that while citizens have a constitutional right to protest, that right is subject to legal limitations, including the prohibition of incitement to violence or discrimination.The notice reflects ongoing frustrations among sections of the population over economic hardship, unemployment and service delivery challenges.South Africa continues to grapple with high unemployment rates and inequality, factors often cited in public discourse around migration.Experts, however, caution against attributing complex socioeconomic issues solely to migration, arguing that structural economic challenges, governance issues and global economic trends play a significant role.Civil society leaders are urging restraint and dialogue, emphasising the need for solutions that uphold the rule of law and social cohesion."As a country, we must address legitimate economic concerns without resorting to division or targeting vulnerable groups," one analyst said.The situation remains fluid, with further developments expected as the planned march date approaches.
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Sponsored BusinessCompaniesBulls N' Bears Hastings eyes US$53M first-year revenue from Thai rare earths plant Brought to you by BULLS N BEARS Murray Ward April 22, 2026  5:00pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

The countdown to Hastings Tecnology Metals maiden revenue stream is officially on after the company pulled the curtain back on a proprietary flowsheet for its Kabin Buri Hydromet Plant in Thailand. The company says that the facility remains on track for first production of mixed rare earth chloride flake in the final quarter of this year, with unaudited estimates projecting a massive $US53.4 million (A$74.68M) in year-one revenue. The Kabin Buri Industrial Zone in Thailand is home to Hasting Technology Metals new Hydromet plant. Hastings push into Thailands Eastern Economic Corridor via the Kabin Buri hydromet plant appears a savvy strategic play, potentially delivering near-term cash flow from a globally connected industrial hub. Better still, the timing looks spot on, with that revenue stream likely to underpin the development costs of its flagship Yangibana rare earths and niobium joint venture in Western Australia. By moving downstream now, Hastings is effectively accelerating its transition from a pure-play miner to a vertically integrated producer far earlier than previously envisaged.

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Hastings is on a clear, near-term path to first MREC production. Hastings Technology Metals chief executive officer Vince Catania The numbers attached to the Thai play are eye-catching. In the first year, the plant is expected to pump out 6000 tonnes of mixed rare earth chloride (MREC) for a solid estimated pretax profit of $US21.6 million (A$30M). Under the current structure, Hastings 49 per cent interest would net the company $US10.6 million (A$15M) in its first year alone. However, the real growth story lands during the plants second year of operations. Following a planned $US3 million expansion, production is expected to double to 12,000 tonnes per annum of MREC. At the boosted rate, the plants annual revenue is projected to double to an eye-watering $US106.8 million (A$149M), with pretax profits climbing to a hefty $US43.8 million (A$61.25). Looking further ahead, the company is already eyeing a massive fivefold scale-up to 30,000 tonnes annually, Hastings Technology Metals chief executive officer Vince Catania said: With feed stock secured and a proven seven-stage process ready for commissioning, Hastings is on a clear, near-term path to first MREC production.

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The company has recently cleared the pathway to revenue generation by nailing a cornerstone two-year offtake agreement with Enuo Holdings for 5000 tonnes of African monazite concentrate annually. The high-grade African feedstock packs a punch, delivering a 54 per cent total rare earth oxide grade. The concentrate is also loaded with 20 per cent of the lucrative magnet metals powering the world, neodymium and praseodymium, rounded out by significant volumes of dysprosium and terbium. Technically, the plant uses a proven seven-stage process, involving caustic cracking and hydrochloric acid leaching to convert the monazite concentrate into premium-grade MREC. The refined product is highly sought after by global oxide separation facilities as it can be used immediately, avoiding the extra cost and time needed to dissolve it again. Operating in Thailand also provides a structural cost advantage. Hastings expects materially lower unit costs than in Western jurisdictions, thanks to cheaper electricity and reagents, as well as a deep pool of local engineering talent. For Hastings, the Kabin Buri plant appears to offer a slicker, capital-light downstream pathway for early cash flow. Kabin Buri bridges the gap, allowing the company to bypass its immediate need for a yet-to-be-built local hydromet plant in Australia to process its expected rare earth concentrate.

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Once the plant is ramped up to full capacity, the company expects to have the flexibility to treat multiple third-party suppliers. This could also include concentrate from its own impressive Yangibana rare earths project in WA, if Hastings and its JV partner assess it as the preferred route for Yangibana ore. Hastings and Wyloo, its 40 per cent joint venture partner at Yangibana, sit on a 21m-tonne ore reserve grading 0.9 per cent total rare earth oxides. However, what sets it apart from its peers is a 37 per cent ratio of EV magnet rare earths of neodymium and praseodymium. The current Yangibana plan is to upgrade the ore in WA through a proposed local hydromet plant still to be built. But Wyloo chief executive Luca Giocovazzi says the new Thailand facility could emerge as a valuable strategic alternative for the joint venture. Giocovazzi said: It represents a capital-efficient downstream pathway and a fast route to market for one of the worlds highest-grade NdPr deposits. Wyloo is working closely with Hastings and we look forward to jointly exploring the economic benefits of this processing option. The countdown to cash flow is well and truly on for Hastings. With a savvy pivot to a capital-light model in Thailand, they appear to have turned a long-term development story into a potential near-term revenue generator. Is your ASX-listed company doing something interesting? Contact: mattbirney@bullsnbears.com.au

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Sponsored BusinessCompaniesBulls N' Bears Kaiser Reef readies rigs for Victorian gold drilling blitz Brought to you by BULLS N BEARS Murray Ward April 22, 2026  3:05pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

Kaiser Reef is pulling the trigger on a comprehensive exploration and refurbishment offensive at its historic Maldon gold project in Victoria, as it systematically prepares to hunt for the next high-grade discovery in one of Australias most storied gold regions. The company is ticking off the final items on a substantial refurbishment checklist at its Union Hill mine, with underground rehabilitation scheduled to kick off in the first week of May. Kaiser Reefs loader ready for work at its Maldon Gold project in Victoria. Union Hill hosts a resource of 186,000 ounces grading an impressive 4.4 grams per tonne (g/t) of gold and comes with its own 200,000-tonne-per-annum gold processing facility. The refurbishment program involved stripping the decline where necessary. The work also established a northern access drilling platform at Union Hill North, which Kaiser says should offer the perfect vantage point for the drillers to test previously untouched sections of the Eaglehawk and Ladies reefs.

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Maldon represents a district-scale gold opportunity for Kaiser. Kaiser Reef managing director Brad Valiukas To ensure everything is drill-ready, Kaiser has completed a massive infrastructure program, including installing water tanks, treatment systems and a new electrical supply, as well as compressed air and radio systems. The company has also refurbished key mobile equipment, secured explosives and fuel storage and recruited experienced operators. With all activity fully permitted, drilling is expected to kick off next quarter. Kaiser Reef managing director Brad Valiukas said: Maldon represents a district-scale gold opportunity for Kaiser, with numerous historical mines and lines of working that remain substantially underexplored. While work moves forward at the underground operations, 1090 metres of surface drilling to clear ground for an upcoming expansion of its tailings storage facility has recently delivered some unexpected results. Surprisingly, the team discovered gold that had been completely missed by historical mining work in the area.

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Standout results included a 1-metre hit grading a whopping 16.99 grams per tonne (g/t) gold from 6m depth. Another hole landed 8m at 2.99g/t gold from 10m and a further hole delivered 5m running at 2.71g/t gold from surface. These sweet spot hits have prompted the company to consider follow-up reverse circulation drilling to further scope out the potential. Additionally, Kaiser has just finished a soil survey across a fresh 2.7-square-kilometre area north of Maldon. The area has never been tested, making it a genuine wildcard with gamechanger potential. The first samples are already at the lab, with results due in the next few weeks. The assays will allow the company to pinpoint exactly where the drill rods should spin next. In addition to the work at Maldon, the companys cash generating Henty gold mine in Tasmania is the focus of a strategic ramp-up to increase production to 35,000 ounces per annum by late FY2027. Kaisers plans to expand underground development to open up more high-grade stopes, while optimising the processing plant to match the increased ore flow.

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Next steps for Kaiser at Maldon include a resistivity survey at its Nuggetty prospect, now underway, to map old workings and pinpoint new gold targets, with groundwork wrapping up this week. In particular, the company says its keen to return to its high-grade Nuggetty South prospect, once permitting is finalised, to test a compelling 170m gap in the strike. Previous hits at Nuggetty South include 3.4m grading 34g/t of gold, featuring a bonanza 0.35 metres grading 187.5g/t. A further hole also delivered 4.3m grading 11.2g/t gold, 470 metres south of the main shaft. The drill bit will also be pointed at a newly interpreted shallow-plunging zone at Nuggety, dubbed the West Lode, in hopes of a repeat performance of the legendary Nuggetty Reef. which coughed up 301,000 ounces at a jaw-dropping grade of 187g/t gold in the late 1800s. With major infrastructure upgrades now complete, Kaiser looks to be moving at full speed, transforming Maldon into a modern gold producing engine.

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By putting boots on the ground and helicopters in the air, the company is ticking all the boxes to unlock the sites potential. With the rigs about to start humming and major infrastructure ready to go, the next few months could shape up as game changer for this Victorian gold hunter. Is your ASX-listed company doing something interesting? Contact: mattbirney@bullsnbears.com.au

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Its been 10 years since Merrick Webb stepped away from a marketing position at Warner Music to open Titus Jones, a small tequila-focused bar with one of Sydneys best Taco Tuesday nights. Theres a lamb taco (meat smoked out back for seven hours), a crispy fish skin taco with tuna tonnato, and chorizo-style tofu with aguacate salsa. All the salsas are made in house and everything is gluten-free.

Its become such a big part of our identity now  its just really popped off for us, especially since COVID, when we had three different delivery services and lines around the block, Webb says. He stepped up the food and drinks offering after partner Shannon Kean came on board  shes the brains behind their signature Pho Mary, a Bloody Mary made with pho broth from Khoi Eatery across the road. For kick-ons, wander up to Lazybones Lounge for live music.

Good Food reviews are booked anonymously and paid independently. A restaurant cant pay for a review or inclusion in the Good Food Guide.
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LifestyleBeautyThe Verdict Gen Z thinks solid soap is for old people. Im not having a bar of it In this column, we deliver hot (and cold) takes on pop culture, judging whether a subject is overrated or underrated. Lauren Ironmonger April 22, 2026  7:30pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

If I had to name some of the greatest man-made inventions, bar soap would easily be in my top ten (honourable mentions for vanilla Coke, noodles, shoes and crosswords). Yes, Im talking about solid soap  those hunks of scented lye and oil humans have been using for centuries to slough away a hard days work. Soap cakes, bar soap, solid soap: Whatever you call it, this humble personal care item is in dire need of a rebrand. iStock It was recently brought to my attention that Gen Z thinks bar soap is gross and for old people. So, as a lifelong barhead or barbie (Im still deciding on a noun soapies? soapsexuals?), I feel it is my duty to get up on my soapbox and preach the gospel of the humble soap bar. The first assertion  that bar soap is unhygienic  Im not even going to bother entertaining. Its not (just Google it), but I suspect some of this dirty rap comes from an image problem.

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Weve all been confronted by a parched cake of soap (probably Imperial Leather), draped with a mystery hair, in an acquaintances shower. This I would argue is a user issue, and nothing at all to do with the poor neglected soap itself. Editor's pick Opinion

The Verdict Sad, bad date recipes have taken over Instagram and I have had enough Jenna Guillaume Contributing writer But the second  that solid soap is elderly fodder  particularly lathers me up the wrong way. Bar soap is giving Victorian child, bar soap reminds me of my grandparents: Ive heard them all. Each time I feel compelled to wash out the mouths that utter such drivel and simply reply, and?. Not only is this belief laden with ageism (whats wrong with smelling like your grandma?), but I think theres something quite lovely in knowing my nightly shower ritual is not all too different to that of my ancestors.

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The earliest recorded mention of soap, for those who were wondering, dates back over 5000 years to Mesopotamia, Egypt, Ancient Greece and Rome. Though this recipe, using ash and fat from cooking meat, is a far cry from modern soap. In a world where our beauty routines have become crammed with retinols, peptides and acids sure to melt the rosy cheeks off a Victorian child, I enjoy indulging in this simple, soapy tether to the past. Speaking of the past, I encourage anyone with an interest in design, typography or antiques to wander down a rabbit hole of vintage soaps on eBay and Etsy. Here one can find all manner of beautiful relics, like quaint branded hotel soaps from the 1920s, this Christian Dior pink soap travel case or this Wallace & Gromit soap on a rope. The alternative to solid soap, of course, is body wash. During a reconnaissance trip to my local chain chemist, Im affronted by shelf upon shelf of the stuff  saccharine, overpriced concoctions made primarily of water with shouty marketing copy.

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Bar soap is more economical, eco-friendly and, ultimately, elegant. Bar soap, which commands a noticeably smaller section of my local chemist, isnt trying to be anything its not. Soap bars, which often dont require packaging, are like the apples of the personal care world (theyre also like bananas in that they make great props for slapstick comedy). The internet is a treasure trove of weird and wonderful vintage soaps. Etsy While I suspect bar soaps poor reputation comes from the fact that it is, typically, cheaper than body wash, there are signs its making a comeback according to some recent media reports. Chichi lifestyle brand Flamingo Estate sells a $100 Jasmine & Damask Rose Soap Brick I wouldnt mind putting on my body, while Hermes sells $55 French-made rounds to buy with your Birkin bag.

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Last year Sydney Sweeney hopped on the trend when she released a limited edition soap bar supposedly made from her own bathwater. We owe a great deal to soap  least of all its impact on modern hygiene and dramatically reducing the spread of disease. More importantly, its given us soap operas, which derive their name from the fact that the earliest iterations of the genre, on radio, were sponsored by soap manufacturers. Editor's pick The Verdict If youre a fan of acai bowls, Ive got bad news for you I dont think Im drawing too long a bow by suggesting that without the foresight of soap marketers, we might not have known such wondrous shows as The Bold and the Beautiful, Neighbours and my personal favourite, Desperate Housewives (and for that matter, the reality television phenomenon Real Housewives it inspired).

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Elsewhere in popular culture, theres obviously every film bros favourite Fight Club, in which Brad Pitt plays the memorable soap salesman Tyler Durden. Its iconic, soap-centric poster is singed into my pre-pubescent memory as deeply as Edward Nortons lye-induced chemical burn. Meanwhile, Netflixs Orange is the New Black turned the dated and homophobic dont drop the soap prison joke on its head with its orgiastic, sapphic shower sex scenes. So the next time I hear someone slander my beloved bar soap, Ill be assembling a squad of defenders including myself, this lady from TLCs reality show My Strange Addiction who eats over 100 bars of soap a year and notable Dove Beauty Bar lover Kim Cattrall. Were not having a bar of it. Find out the next TV, streaming series and movies to add to your must-sees. Get The Watchlist delivered every Thursday.
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LifestyleFashionMenswear The farmer who said no to Chanel and yes to Albaneses suit maker Damien Woolnough April 23, 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

What Chanel wants, Chanel usually gets. So, quelle surprise, when New Zealand sheep farmer Geoff Ross said non to the esteemed French luxury house and yeah to Australian menswear business MJ Bale. We worked with Chanel for a while, but we found them quite secretive, says Ross, who operates the mountainous 16,500 hectare Lake Hawea Station with his wife Justine, about 100 kilometres from Queenstown. I dont know if it was us or if it was them, but they didnt want to disclose where their wool came from, and they didnt want us to disclose that we were selling to Chanel. We gently eased out of that. Storytelling is important to Lake Hawea Station, the worlds first merino sheep farm to receive a B Corp Certification and New Zealands first certified carbon positive farm. With a focus on regenerative farming, providing sanctuary for critically endangered species and animal-centric management of its roughly 10,000 strong flock, the station currently sequesters 2.5 times more carbon than it emits. MJ Bale founder Matt Jensen (front) wearing the brands Timaru jacket and trousers in green melange, and his son Harry wearing the Otago jacket and trousers in navy. Steven Siewert

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Its a fairytale among the horror stories surrounding fashion industry supply chains and pollution. Editor's pick Royal family The difference between Meghan and Kate has never been greater Chanel might have been tight-lipped, but its a story MJ Bales founder Matt Jensen is interested in telling. The menswear outfitter that provided Prime Minister Anthony Albanese with his wedding suit and is the official tailor of the Wallabies rugby team has a long, vocal history of championing Australian wool. The son of a woolgrower and grazier, Jensen speaks passionately about his relationship with farmers. Since 2015, MJ Bale has worked with the carbon positive-accredited Kingston Farm in Tasmania on suits created entirely from their wool. The company returns a percentage of every Kingston suit sale to the farm, to be reinvested into projects that enhance local biodiversity and the natural values, a relationship that will be extended across the ditch to Lake Hawea Station in New Zealand.

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MJ Bales Hawea pieces use wool from leading regenerative farm, Lake Hawea Station, in New Zealand. Sales of suits from the Hawea range at MJ Bale contribute to financial support from the company towards regenerative farming. For us, it all started with farms in Armidale, New South Wales, says Jensen, who founded MJ Bale in 2009. It continued with Simon Cameron at Kingston. Its a closed circle relationship where we give back. Its a real partnership. I like doing this because I grew up around it, but its more than that. There are a lot of farmers, but good farmers are hard to find. Being a good farmer means delivering high-quality merino fibre and having the right practices. We feel that give the products true provenance. In his search for good farmers, Jensen was introduced to the Ross family, and a new relationship and collection took shape.

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Geoff Ross, co-owner of Lake Hawea Station, with his wife Justine, is focusing on regenerative farming with his merino herd. On the surface, the products are another evolution in MJ Bales style journey away from structured spring racing staples and groomsman gear to six rakish suits, with five in a fluid flannel worthy of a modern-day flaneur, sporting a Lake Hawea Station label on the jackets lining. Through the story telling of Jensen and Ross that you can appreciate the journey of the wool from Lake Hawea Station to the backs and bottoms of stylish gentleman. The Ross familys passion for contemporary farming practises stretches from the management of mountainous paddocks, where merinos climb with enthusiasm, to the inside of the shearing shed where a contract, with the sheep, has pride of place. We know all sheep are sentient beings  they feel anxiety, stress and pain just like we do, reads part of the contract. Whenever and wherever we interact with our sheep, we will operate in a calm, stress-free manner to ensure our sheep are also calm and stress-free.

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Putting this into practise means that shearers at the station are rewarded for the quality and care of their work rather than quantity. There was a bit of push back in the beginning, Geoff says. But what is encouraging is that many of the shearers have taken this approach with them to other farms. Its the beginning of change. Its also brilliant marketing. Justine and I both used to be in marketing and communications, Geoff says. They brought those skills to founding 42 Below vodka, selling the company to alcohol giant Bacardi in 2006. Merino sheep grazing in a gully of Lake Hawea Station on New Zealands South Island. Those entrepreneurial skills returned when they purchased Lake Hawea Station in 2018.

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As soon as we got here, the first thing we asked, like any marketer would, was what do your customers want? Not many farmers ask that question, says Geoff. Researching the attitude of fashion customers towards wool, they discovered major concerns around climate change, biodiversity loss and how the animals are treated. At the same time in 2020, US Vogue ran an article Regenerative Agriculture Can Change the Fashion Industry  And The World. Everything aligned. Partnerships with sustainable New Zealand footwear brand AllBirds, ethical luxury label Maggie Marilyn and British knitwear brand Sheep Inc, followed but the MJ Bale relationship is a new milestone.

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Editor's pick Trends Return of the rug: Why hairy chests are growing on people We are trying to show that if you partner with brands like MJ Bale, you can have a commercial relationship and can improve the environment, Ross says. We are only one farm but if we can demonstrate this to others, then potentially we can make an impact. Jensen is pragmatic about the impact of suits sales on the fashion industrys status as the second-biggest consumer of water, responsible for 10 per cent of global carbon dioxide emissions. Were dealing with a natural fibre, were not talking petrochemicals and polyester here. Were dealing with farms that are carbon positive, and were trying to do it in the best way possible. We are also shoring up important supply lines, but this is community-minded commerce. The economics of the business of wool growing are such that a lot of people are getting out of it, says Jensen. With the merino price as it was over the last decade, its borderline break even.

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If you get win-wins, theres a lovely, equilibrium there, thats positive and, and difficult to find these days. Its also just lovely wool. The writer travelled to Lake Hawea Station in New Zealand as a guest of MJ Bale. Make the most of your health, relationships, fitness and nutrition with our Live Well newsletter. Get it in your inbox every Monday.
High-profile murder case reopened after 35 years

One of Queensland's most high-profile murder cases, the death of Goodna schoolgirl Leanne Holland, has been reopened after 35 years.
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Man sentenced to 11 years in prison over unprovoked stabbing spree

The son of a notorious criminal who carried out a string of random stabbing attacks across Melbourne has been jailed.
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NationalNSWCity life First look inside the rooms where Sydneys Bondi memorial is taking shape David Barwell April 22, 2026  11:30am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

When three tonnes of flowers arrived at the Sydney Jewish Museum, the sheer scale of the grief they represented was almost impossible to comprehend. For Shannon Biederman, the museums senior curator, the sight of wilted bouquets, handwritten notes, and personal mementos gathered from Bondi Beach remains etched in her memory  a powerful symbol of a community grappling with a wound that has not yet closed. Thousands of flowers alongside other public tributes are being carefully preserved for the memorial. Sydney Jewish Museum It was late last year, in the aftermath of the Bondi Beach attack  when two gunmen opened fire during a Chanukah by the Sea celebration, killing 15 people and injuring dozens more  that Biederman and a team of volunteers found themselves thrust into the task of documenting history as it was unfolding. Still processing their own shock, they were charged with preserving thousands of tributes left by mourners outside Bondi Pavilion, transforming this outpouring of public sorrow into the centrepiece of the new Bondi Memorial and National Centre Against Antisemitism, now under construction at the Sydney Jewish Museum in Darlinghurst.

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Due to open to the public next year, the development will incorporate tributes, objects and religious items into a permanent space to tell the story of the attack, the lives lost, and the broader rise of antisemitism in Australia. Ordinarily, a project of this scale would take years of detailed planning and research to develop. This one is being created in months. Sydney Jewish Museum chief exeuctive Kevin Sumption and senior curator Shannon Biederman pictured where the Bondi Memorial and National Centre Against Antisemitism is under development. Ben Symons / Sydney Morning Herald Museums by nature are places of history and reflection on past events, Biederman says, standing in a construction zone where crews are carving out the future exhibit spaces. This has been very different. Capturing something so raw has been incredibly challenging  for many of us, we knew people involved and theres a real sense of how close it is.

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We feel a deep sense of responsibility because we want to make sure we do justice to the victims, to the story. The events of December 14 reshaped a long-planned $18 million upgrade of the Sydney Jewish Museum. More than 100 volunteers are busy at work preserving items left at the memorial at Bondi Pavilion. Sydney Jewish Museum Museum chief executive Kevin Sumption explains that plans were quickly redrawn to repurpose underused parts of the museum including storage and car parking spaces into exhibition rooms and memorial spaces. Among the most delicate aspects of the project has been preserving what Biederman describes as an ocean of tributes. The three tonnes of flowers, collected during the summer heat, had already begun to wither by the time they reached the museums doors.

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Loading The museum has partnered with artist Nina Sanadze, who is leading a team of more than 100 volunteers to turn the organic matter into a large-scale memorial artwork. Petals are being pressed, pigments extracted, and fragments preserved in resin and bronze. Alongside flowers are hundreds of other objects collected from Bondi: toys, handwritten letters, menorahs, stones, dreidels and crocheted items. Nine surfboards used by Bondi surf life-saving volunteers as makeshift stretchers on the day of the attack will also form part of the memorial. A concept image of the completed upgrade of the Sydney Jewish Museum, due to open next year. City of Sydney Council Each item tells a personal story, but together they form a collective narrative of grief and solidarity, Biederman says. Theyre expressions of hope, of love, of unity. Thats what were trying to hold on to.

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For the volunteers, many of whom belong to Sydneys tight-knit Jewish community, the manual labour of sorting through these objects has provided a deep sense of purpose. Everybody knows Bondi. They know that bridge, they sit on the benches at the park, Biederman said. Objects include toy bees  left by mourners at Bondi Beach in honour of victim Matilda Bee Britvan, are being incorporated into the space. Sydney Jewish Museum Pressing flowers, sorting through objects  has given people something to hold on to in the face of shock and grief. A key challenge lies in how to present such a recent and traumatic event without allowing violence to define or dominate the space.

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To navigate this, the museum is employing the safely in, safely out principle, developed by Yad Vashems International School for Holocaust Studies. Through careful use of lighting, sound and spatial design, visitors will be guided through spaces in a way that allows for emotional processing. We dont want to recreate terror, Biederman explains. Our role is to build understanding and offer a space for healing. The work to preserve items that were let In front of the Bondi Pavilion is monumental. Kate Geraghty That balance extends to the broader story the museum aims to tell. The Bondi attack did not occur in isolation, Sumption says, and the exhibition will place it within a wider context of rising antisemitism in Australia. This includes incorporating fragments of a burnt Israeli flag recovered from the 2023 protest on the steps of the Sydney Opera House.

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We want to show the lead-up  the sense of pressure and strain that has been felt within the community, Sumption said. Its a story that, unfortunately, is still ongoing. The immediacy of the project also presents challenges. The Bondi story is still unfolding. Investigations are continuing, legal proceedings are pending, and a royal commission into antisemitism and social cohesion begins public hearings on May 4. Artist Nina Sanadze is leading work to preserve the flowers left by mourners at Bondi. Sydney Jewish Museum The project is expected to evolve with time, incorporating new information and perspectives as they emerge. There is an overwhelming amount of material from Bondi  photos, videos, objects, testimonies  and each story is so powerful, Biederman explains.

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Letters left at Bondi are being carefilly cleaned and digitised in collaboration with the Australian Jewish Historical Society, ensuring they will be accessible for future generations. Sydney Jewish Museum At its core, the memorial will draw on a concept from Jewish philosophy: that light will overcome darkness. In the Bondi story, there are so many people who came and helped, Biederman says. Related Article Bondi shooting The world knows how they died. Their families share how they lived The most important thing we can do is look for the good in people. 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 boxer with gangland connections is fighting for his life after being ambushed by gunmen and two police officers have been hospitalised in unrelated attacks across western Sydney. On a night of violence, a masked gunman in a black ute fired into the passenger door and window of a white Mercedes sedan at Campbell Hill Road, Chester Hill, about 11.30pm. Boxer Humzah Khalid is in a critical condition after being shot by masked men at Chester Hill. The target, Humzah Khalid, was hit with gunfire, and his driver, Nasem Shamit, raced him from the scene. Khalid was an international boxing champion who fought under the name The Raging Bull and served time in prison for his role in kidnappings in 2021. Police said the boxer was suspected to be linked to organised crime.

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Police said Khalid is suspected to be linked to organised crime. BoxerRec About five minutes after the initial call about the shooting, police were notified the 26-year-old had turned up at Auburn Hospital with severe gunshot wounds. Officers arriving at the hospital discovered the Mercedes with several bullet holes parked outside. A 58-year-old chief inspector, a four-decade veteran of the force, went inside fearing the critically injured Khalid could die or be rushed to surgery before providing information on his attackers. The officer was confronted by Khalids driver, Shamit, who allegedly punched the officer multiple times in the head.

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Bankstown Commander Rod Hart described it as an unprovoked attack for reasons unknown. The senior officer, with a laceration to his head, and two security guards from the hospital were able to arrest Shamit. Shamit has been charged with assaulting a police officer and was due to appear at Burwood Local Court on Thursday. An injured police officer sits in the gutter after he was injured by a man believed to be driving a stolen car. TNV Earlier in the evening, at 8.40pm in Greenacre, a riot squad sergeant leapt from his vehicle to arrest the driver of a stolen car.

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The wanted man allegedly drove forward to ram the police vehicle and pinned the sergeant between the two vehicles. The sergeant pulled his service pistol and fired three times into the car, Bankstown Commander Rod Hart told media on Thursday. A man was loaded into an ambulance in North Ryde. TNV The officer had grave fears for his life  he was pinned against a car, run over and fired shots which I believe saved his life, Detective Superintendent Hart said. It was very, very, very dangerous  I believe if he did not fire his gun, he may have been critically injured or worse.

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The wanted man reversed his car and drove away, leaving the riot squad to give first aid to their injured colleague. The officer, 39, was treated for lower leg injuries and taken to hospital in a stable condition. Police were then called to reports of an injured man walking along a Ryde street, finding the alleged driver in the backyard of a home one block from Victoria Road. The Toyota was hit by three bullets in the windscreen. TNV The 32-year-old was covered in blood after one police round struck him in the shoulder and a second hit his wrist.

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He was two streets from the abandoned Toyota, which was found with three gunshots through its windscreen. Paramedics treated him at the scene before he was taken to hospital in a stable condition. He underwent surgery on Thursday. The man is due to face Bankstown Local Court via videolink on Friday, facing eight charges including assaulting and hindering police, using an offensive weapon to prevent detention, trespassing and vehicle offences. Hart said the man was known to police, and investigations were still under way into why he allegedly stole the car, but it did not appear to be linked to organised crime. Detectives continue to investigate both shootings.

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Last night was a great example of the work police do every single day, Hart said. Our lives are put at risk every single job we go to, but they stand up, they show up. Be the first to know when major news happens. Sign up for breaking news alerts on email or turn on notifications in the app.
News / National

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Service stations in Bulawayo have started accepting payments in the Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG), signalling growing confidence in the local currency as Government intensifies efforts to stabilise and entrench its use across the economy.The development marks a notable shift from the resistance that followed the ZiG's introduction in April 2024 by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ), when adoption in key sectors such as fuel remained limited.The move comes as Government steps up measures to mainstream the currency, including requiring a portion of taxes and public-sector transactions to be settled in ZiG. This forms part of a broader strategy to reduce reliance on foreign currencies, particularly the United States dollar.A snap survey by news crews observed motorists purchasing fuel using ZiG at selected service stations, although transactions are currently being conducted under controlled conditions.Industry players say transactions are being processed at varying exchange rates, reflecting prevailing market dynamics and operational considerations. Most service stations are limiting the number of ZiG transactions processed at any given time, with caps placed on the volume of local-currency sales."We have started accepting ZiG at our station. However, we limit transactions and mostly deal with large corporate clients that deposit funds for fuel purchases on account. While volumes are controlled, the system is working smoothly and we are serving motorists efficiently using the local currency," said a fuel attendant who declined to be named.Another attendant noted cautious optimism, saying internal exchange rates are being applied while systems are closely monitored."Accepting ZiG has brought convenience to clients who earn in local currency. For now, we are limiting daily transactions to ensure proper monitoring and accountability," the attendant said.Motorists have welcomed the development, describing the process as efficient."I managed to buy fuel using ZiG and the process was quite seamless. It's a welcome development, especially for those of us who earn in local currency, although one has to be mindful of the exchange rate at each station," said Mr Charles Phiri.Business leaders say expanding the use of ZiG in critical sectors is key to restoring confidence and stabilising the economy. Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers president Denford Mutashu said wider acceptance would strengthen the currency's role within the multi-currency system."The ZiG is a national sovereign currency. Expanding its usage across sectors strengthens its demand and confirms its growing stability. Service stations that are accepting ZiG are demonstrating both confidence and progressiveness," he said.Economic analysts say the move, though still limited, represents an important milestone in the currency's gradual integration into everyday transactions. Bulawayo-based analyst Reginald Shoko noted that fuel retailing has historically been one of the most dollarised sectors."Fuel has largely been sold in foreign currency, so even limited acceptance of ZiG is a meaningful step. It reflects growing confidence and signals potential for wider adoption as stability improves," he said.The ZiG, backed by gold reserves and foreign currency holdings, was introduced as part of sweeping monetary reforms aimed at restoring public trust after years of currency volatility. Economists say adoption in high-demand sectors such as fuel is central to achieving long-term monetary stability and reducing dollarisation pressures.RBZ Governor John Mushayavanhu recently acknowledged concerns over the limited circulation of ZiG notes, particularly in southern regions where the US dollar and South African rand dominate transactions. He said the central bank has deployed teams to promote acceptance and build confidence in the currency.Dr Mushayavanhu added that improving foreign exchange management systems, ensuring stable exchange rate dynamics and enhancing access to foreign currency for legitimate business needs remain critical to supporting the ZiG's long-term viability.Due to its proximity to South Africa, Bulawayo and surrounding provinces continue to rely heavily on the rand and US dollar, especially in informal trade, with ZiG largely confined to formal electronic transactions.However, improving policy consistency, tighter monetary controls and increased gold reserves backing the currency are beginning to stabilise the exchange rate, creating a more predictable operating environment for businesses.
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NationalNSWChild protection Significant failings: Damning findings after foster children placed with murderer Amber Schultz April 22, 2026  12:52pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

Two foster children in the care of the state were allowed to live with a triple killer in western Sydney even after staff were informed of the risk, an internal review has found. In December last year, Regina Arthurell, formerly known as Reginald Arthurell, moved into a home with a Sydney grandmother and a foster child. Arthurell served decades in prison for two counts of manslaughter and one count of murder. The killer formerly known as Reginald Arthurell, now known as Regina. The Department of Communities and Justice received a report at that time, which was screened, triaged and peer-reviewed before being closed. A second child started living in the home on March 5. The daughter of the woman Arthurell had moved in with raised the alarm on 2GB radio in March, prompting the department to launch an urgent review and the foster children, aged 12 and 14, to be separated from the convicted killer.

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The review found the department did not identify, or act on, relevant information already held. Relevant checks of the child protection case management system were not completed, information was accepted at face value without adequate investigation, and the department lacked urgency and clarity of roles, responsibilities and processes. The offenders history stood out as a clear indicator that they should not have been residing with children without a thorough, holistic risk assessment, the review found. Minister for Family and Communities Kate Washington apologised for her departments failures. News Corp Australia Some department staff members will face misconduct proceedings. Department secretary Michael Tidball said the review highlighted significant shortcomings within the departments child protection response.

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The children were not placed at the centre of the decision-making processes, and this is unacceptable, he wrote. Minister for Family and Communities Kate Washington called the incident entirely unacceptable. It should never have happened, and I was just so sorry that it had, she said on 2GB radio on Wednesday morning. NSW Premier Chris Minns said the failure cant be repeated. Sam Mooy She said contrary to policy, the incident was closed based on unverified information about Arthurells incapacity, use of a wheelchair and age.

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An individual ... has been suspended, she said. Premier Chris Minns said, I want to make sure that were learning from this and that its not repeated. Theres a zero margin for error when youre dealing with young people, he said. Arthurell was jailed for nearly 40 years after being convicted of stabbing her stepfather to death in 1974, bashing a man to death in 1981, and beating her former partner to death while on parole in 1991. She was released on parole in 2020. Arthurell was presenting as a man at the time of the killings and has since transitioned to a woman.

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Nick Greiner says (Greiners parting advice to bring Libs back from brink of extinction, April 22), I think most Australians are in the sensible centre, but at the moment they are without natural representation and my conclusion is that, if you arent in the sensible centre, you probably cant win. Do I detect an admission by Greiner that at present the Liberal Party is not the party of natural representation in the sensible centre? Can I point out that at present Labor Are Better OveRall, which coincidentally spells LABOR? Enjoy your retirement, Nick. I voted for you in the 80s, was devastated when you were shafted and thrilled that you have now come around to the sensible centre, where Labor holds the space even though you cant quite bring yourself to say as much.Peter Kamenyitzky, Copacabana Nick Greiner rightly asserts the strategic importance of engaging the sensible centre if the Liberal Party is to regain credibility, but fails to mention climate change. Is it not abundantly clear that recognising the importance of urgent action on this formidable challenge is now absolutely mainstream? Its hard to imagine any party winning a national election without credible and resolute policies to stem the carbon tide. Andrew FitzSimons, Wattamolla Nick Greiner: Will his words of wisdom shake the Liberal Party? Wolter Peeters Ive been a leftish-leaning voter all my life and I have only recently come to realise what has driven me away from even small l liberalism in the voting booth. While the ALP has a long history of pursuing policies that benefit the average citizen  such as Medicare, PBS, minimum wage etc  the Liberals seem to be a one-trick pony. Privatise everything. The fact that our lives seem to be so much better than our American cousins comes down to a century of socially responsible policy that is in the very DNA of the Labor Party. If Nick Greiner thinks, Its winning, stupid, is the answer to the Liberals woes he is a fool. Its the policies, stupid. Donald Green, Cobargo Nick Greiner has given his last political interview. I remember him as the man who cancelled the Maldon-Dombarton railway in 1988. Millions of dollars had been spent on the project, and further millions of dollars in compensation was paid for broken contracts, all of which was wasted. Instead of a valuable piece of transport infrastructure, the people of NSW received nothing. That is what I remember Nick Greiner for. Alan Templeman, Wyoming I met Nick Greiner once. He was humble, self-effacing and kind. His legacy to the people of NSW is the ICAC, which, by exposing those who have acted corruptly, has prevented untold corruption over the past 34 years and will do so in the future. No other government or politician has had the guts to replicate the ICAC, though some have tried pale imitations. Andrew McDonald, Menangle Sub-standard plan

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The story about the AUKUS submarines (AUKUS subs not a priority: US navy, April 22) should come as no surprise. Despite all the money being invested directly into the American shipbuilding sector by Australia, coupled with extensive upgrades to sub-related infrastructure and manufacturing facilities in Australia, there are no guarantees we will get the subs. All the political spin and coverage in the media rarely discusses the two fundamental flaws in the AUKUS subs program. The US is under no obligation to supply them if it doesnt want to, and if the subs arent supplied, there is no obligation for the US to refund our money. So it is no surprise that an American admiral in charge of the US submarine program views our AUKUS submarine program in such a cavalier manner. When you factor in the cost of walking away from the French program, Trumps America First doctrine with his threats to deny maintenance support to countries using US weapons systems, and commentary by various American and Australian experts, its hard to believe well see the subs at all, let alone on time/budget with the required capabilities. Bernard Stever, Richmond A Virginia-class submarine under construction. Is this what we want, what we really, really want? AP The question Defence Minister Richard Marles should ponder is not so much throwing more good billions of taxpayer dollars at the AUKUS submarine agreement but how to recoup some of the money already shovelled into this black hole and how to rescue at least a modicum of national dignity in the process. AUKUS was a bad deal when Scott Morrison tore up the contract for French boats in favour of the alluring nuclear-powered option, and has remained so ever since as some sort of mystical centrepiece of defence spending. There is no question that Australia needs to re-evaluate much of its materiel needs, especially in this burgeoning era of AI-enhanced decision-making and the rapid evolution of drone-based defensive and offensive weaponry. If the current fuel crisis has one enduring lesson, it is the need for increased self-reliance  be it on infrastructure or the revival of a vibrant manufacturing sector. The opportunity awaits, but meanwhile the breathtaking and intergenerational budgetary burden that is AUKUS will dilute our thinking and efforts. Bradley Wynne, Croydon What most Australians have known for a long time is now confirmed by the US submarine chief himself. Both the Labor and Coalition politicians are blind to the reality that we will never get those coveted submarines. Its time that they realised that, by cancelling AUKUS, they can fix our budget issues and will have spare funds that can be better used by spending on more suitable defence resources such than those by-then outdated submarines. Bipin Johri, Epping Jaw is better than war Your correspondent (Letters, April 22) selectively quotes Professor Catharine Lumby to critique the whole gambit of left-wing intolerance. Lumby is calling out knee-jerk responses such as cancellations and concludes, Progressive politics is stronger when we stay pragmatic, celebrate our differences and avoid elevating extraneous issues over a common cause. Focusing on commonalities fosters social cohesion, focusing on binaries breeds conflict. Kate Lumley, Hurlstone Park Yes, our society cries out for the balanced and thoughtful approach of the right to the issues your correspondent mentions. The dispassionate musings of some of our right-ist politicians bring unemotional and logical contributions to every discourse, they claim: Climate change is crap; we decide your gender identity, not you; whiteness is a virtue. I see your bigotry of the left; I raise you the prejudice, wilful blindness and narrow-mindedness of the right. Graham Fazio, Cootamundra

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When it comes to climate change, it is not bigotry and it is not a point of view. Climate change is science, backed by hard evidence, observation and experimentation (computer analysis), all peer reviewed. You have every right to question the veracity of climate change, but you must produce your evidence and observations and allow those with scientific qualifications to peer-review your results. Beliefs, opinions and points of view have no place here. Tony Lewis, Mount Victoria Your correspondent bemoans the fact that most progressives refuse to countenance other points of view. As a progressive, I acknowledge that may be the case. But I also have believed that most conservatives refuse to countenance other points of view. Maybe its time we started to listen to each other. Im certainly open to the challenge. Ian Factor, Kiama EV charge stalls without power Your editorial (In a rush to buy an EV? Now go find a charger, April 22) is most pertinent, given the fuel crisis and the sensible need for more renewable energy solutions, including more EV charging stations. And as a resident of the Inner West Council, I could well believe I should be proud of councils efforts. The mayor, Darcy Byrne, has been most effusive in his media releases about councils roll-out of EV charging stations. Indeed. In my specific area two charging stations have been installed: one earlier this year and one more recently. The problem is that council has provided none of the necessary infrastructure to support their use  no signs, no designated parking spots. The units are on streets without parking restrictions, so motorists simply use the area for long-term parking during the day. One might have thought in the current fuel crisis the council and mayor might have prioritised the necessary supporting infrastructure. Peter Robertson, Stanmore This is how its supposed to work Sitthixay Ditthavong Living in the Inner West with an EV since January, weve had zero issues with public charging. The narrative about charger shortages feels like a deliberate scare campaign by the fossil fuel industry to protect its own interests. Daniela Catalano, Haberfield Those ICE-ing drivers mentioned in the editorial are regularly parking in our Marrickville street in the two designated spots for EV charging. Heres a suggestion. How about the council putting up signs displaying No parking unless you are charging your car? Displayed should be a hefty fine you will be required to pay. Of course, this might require parking wardens driving past all charging bays for a while, but it will all be worthwhile. More people living in apartments might be encouraged to purchase EVs. Mary Lawson, Marrickville

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Your correspondent (Letters, April 22) proposes the idea of mandating service stations to install EV chargers. There is, however, a rational argument that installing EV chargers in petrol stations could be in their own self-interest. It takes from 10 to 60 minutes to fast charge an EV vehicle, according to NSW Transport. So, besides paying for this service, any customer using this has to find a way to spend that time. This equates to an economic opportunity for petrol stations to offer refreshments, reading materials, etc, to profit from this downtime. It then becomes a win-win proposition for both drivers and petrol station owners. Larry Woldenberg, Forest Lodge Your correspondent urges the government to mandate all existing service stations install a minimum number of EV charging bays. While this is already being done at many highway service centres, I cant think of a worse place to charge than a suburban servo. Many, if not most, lack any amenity and are often cramped, smelly and dirty. People would walk elsewhere to do something while charging and the owner of the servo would get zero revenue from it. EVs allow us to do things differently from the fossil fuel model  thats what we should do. Brendan Jones, Annandale Time to end gas free ride I worked as a chemical engineer in the oil and gas industry for several decades and watching first hand the North West Gas development (Iran conflict fallout puts brakes on Pococks push to tax gas exporters, April 22), I was flabbergasted to witness the political negotiating ineptitude with the oil majors at the state and federal level. A revenue-based tax from day one (as in Qatar) would have secured a fair and reasonable return for our finite resource and pumped many billions into consolidated revenue or future fund. Instead, a tax scheme based on profit was established, allowing the oil majors to fiddle the books using transfer pricing rorts with consequent declarations of low profit and payment of minimal tax. The ATO, led by Chris Jordan, fought tooth and nail to curb these shenanigans and did extract payments to the tune of billions.

With the skyrocketing fossil fuel prices and the windfall for them exporting our gas, I applaud David Pocock and others for their push to claw back some of the squandered billions. Moreover, I watched these same oil majors take engineering back to Japan and the US, leaving skill development for our engineering community in Perth. The same applied to Australian manufactured kit, where Korean and SE Asian workshops mostly supplied these behemoth projects. Australia has done OK, but is far from what could and should have been. Go, Senator Pocock. Will our PM show a bit of mettle on this issue? Bruce Hall, Avalon Cathy Wilcox To demonstrate his unsuitability for the prime ministership, Angus Taylor has truly written it in bold print saying that a 25 per cent tax would close down the gas industry. Does he seriously believe that the gas industry would pack its bags and leave if slapped with a 25 per cent tax? This industry has made billions in profits and has never paid much, if any, tax. A 25 per cent tax is a small burden for them to pay, given the free ride they have had for the past few decades. Now a strongly supported tax has Taylor being the spitting dummy for the gas industry. He is simply not credible and it is clear he places the gas industry ahead of the needs of ordinary Australians. Ross Hudson, Mount Martha (Vic) The foreign owned energy companies and their lobby groups want us to think there is a link between them paying more tax and the supply of gas to our trading partners. They imply them paying more tax will somehow reduce supply to our trading partners. The government has given assurances to our trading partners that gas supply will be unaffected. Too many sensible Australians are saying the same thing. These foreign companies need to pay more for extracting and selling this finite Australian resource. Graham Hansen, Denistone

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Police raid Sydney home of billionaire's former private secretary

Officers have searched the Erskineville home of Annalouise Lou Spence who is accused of defrauding her former boss, philanthropist Judith Neilson.
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NationalQueenslandCourts Accused childcare rapist paid to fix CCTV footage to prove innocence, court told Cloe Read April 22, 2026  6:16pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

A Brisbane childcare worker accused of sexually abusing children took to the stand to deny the allegations, telling a jury he paid to have corrupted camera footage fixed because he believed it would exonerate him. But the prosecution alleges Joshua James Capps took advantage of the fact it was normal for educators to have physical contact with children. Capps pleaded not guilty to one count of rape and three counts of indecent treatment of a child, which he allegedly committed while working as an educator at a C&K centre in Geebung in 2023. Joshua James Capps outside the Brisbane District Court on Wednesday. AAP / Darren England Capps took the stand on Wednesday, the third day of his District Court trial, and, under questioning by his barrister, denied each of the allegations against him, including that he touched tongues with children.

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Capps barrister, Jack Kennedy, told the court his legal team was able to retrieve corrupted data from the cameras using an IT guy in the suburbs. He said that footage was then supplied to the prosecution. When asked how he responded when the allegations were first revealed to him, Capps explained he was reassured by the fact there were cameras around the centre. The childcare centre in Geebung. Because there would be footage of what happened to show Id be exonerated, he said. He told the court educators were allowed to have contact with children, such as hand holding and tickling. Capps was again played footage of some of the alleged incidents, in which he said he was tickling one child.

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The trial, before Judge Dominique Grigg, has heard that Capps allegedly played a game called doctors with several children. A mother of one of the alleged victims, a three-year-old boy, told the trial she walked in on Capps crouching in front of another child and their tongues were poking out, touching each other. The boy told his grandfather that Capps was a bad man, the court earlier heard. Footage played to the court showed Capps crouching before children saying: Doctor, help me, my elbow keeps breaking. The prosecution said it would rely on the CCTV footage, which also showed Capps touching tongues with a two-year-old girl in the same way. Capps told the court on Wednesday that the day before, he had been participating in imagination play with the children. Crown prosecutor Arielle Spiteri replayed the footage to Capps and pointed out parts of the footage where he had gone into blind spots. She noted several times he was seen looking around, to which Capps agreed.

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Related Article Crime Boy, 3, told family of bad man at Brisbane childcare centre, trial hears Spiteri put to Capps that he was looking around because he was about to do something he shouldnt. Capps answered: No, because its a playground full of children. Spiteri asked Capps how he and his legal team paid to have the camera footage retrieved. I would suggest to you that evidence was a bluff. That youre saying you wanted the CCTV to exonerate you, but thats just a bluff. You dont know whether that was in the footage or not. Capps replied: Its not a bluff. We watched the footage, at least some of it ... where the alleged crimes happened.

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Spiteri put to Capps he had ample opportunity to commit the offences. He replied: I havent committed them. The court also heard from the centres director, who had been in the job for just over a week before the allegations were reported. The director said when Capps was informed of the allegations, he said he was playing doctors and that they would be able to see that from the camera. The court heard that while the centre had 12 operational cameras, they were not used to monitor staff, and rather were used in the event of vandalism or other property offences. However, if a complaint was made about a staff member, the footage would be reviewed, the court heard. Senior Constable Alexander Pearson, from the Child Protection and Investigation Unit, told the court much of the footage recovered from the centre was corrupted.

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Pearson said while he had tried to fix it internally within the Queensland Police Service, some of the footage was unable to be retrieved. When asked about how police interviewed the three-year-old boy over the allegations, Pearson said the boy was shy and reserved. Capps legal team put to Pearson that the police questioning was entirely leading. Pearson agreed. Capps denied he was ever alone with the boy where he allegedly raped him. He was stood down with full pay, and terminated two days later. The court earlier heard Capps had been an educator at the centre for about three months before the alleged offending.

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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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NationalQueenslandFossil fuels Brisbane diesel refinery receives $25 million boost from LNP Courtney Kruk April 22, 2026  11:59am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

The Crisafulli government has doubled down on its bid to unlock fossil fuel supplies in Queensland, announcing a $25 million investment to aid the development of renewable diesel at a refinery near the Port of Brisbane. The funding partnership between the state government and Ampols Lytton refinery is the first program to be approved under the LNPs Sovereign Industry Development Fund, designed to boost the development of key industries including defence, biomedicine and biofuels. Premier David Crisafulli and Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie have announced $25 million in funding for the Ampol Lytton refinery in Brisbane. Courtney Kruk The $25 million investment will be used to support Ampols existing diesel hydrotreater to co-process conventional diesel, using biogenic feedstocks such as waste, plant oils and animal fats to produce renewable fuel that can be used in any existing diesel engine. Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie said stage one of the project would allow the refinery to produce up to 20 million litres of renewable diesel a year from 2028.

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Further stages could produce up to 750 million litres of diesel. Related Article Oil Watt outlines number of issues with Crisafullis oil industry plan We have liquid gold being produced here at the Ampol refinery, and its going to produce more, so we can get more diesel where its needed, Bleijie said. Speaking from the foot of the refinery in Lytton, the deputy premier said the project had been declared a proscribed project to ensure its certainty and ability to begin production from 2028. [It] means the coordinator-general will take over the approvals, and everything will be fast-tracked, the deputy premier said.

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Bleijie said the governments flagship $180.6 million sovereign development fund had received $2.2 billion dollars worth of expressions of interest during the funding application process, which he said reinforced the LNPs push to build sovereign capability in Queensland. Initial investment will allow the refinery in Lytton to produce 20 million litres of renewable diesel from 2028. Courtney Kruk The announcement follows weeks of lobbying by the Crisafulli government to build and expand fossil fuel industries in Queensland, most notably in the Taroom Trough near the town of Miles, west of Brisbane. But a letter sent to Crisafulli by federal Environment Minister Murray Watt last week revealed the state government was yet to make a formal request to advance drilling prospects in the region, and was calling for the project to be fast-tracked through a mechanism that did not exist under new federal environment laws. It is unclear what you mean by the National Interest Fast-Track Assessment Pathway as no such pathway exists under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 [EPBC Act], Watt said.

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There is a line which has deliberately been put in to thwart fossil fuels  if that disappeared, if it went back to exactly as it was, the same environmental standards that existed for everyone, all of the problems disappear, he said. Related Article Energy Why Queensland will splash hundreds of millions on complex spinning machines The Ampol refinery announcement also comes as fuel drops to pre-war prices, with petrol stations across Brisbane showing prices under $2 for the first time in weeks. Crisafulli said while that showed relief to supply concerns, we dont know what May, and June and July looks like. The Brisbane refinery is critical for fuel supply in Australia given the only other facility, in Geelong, was damaged by fire last week. 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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NationalWAInquest Impossible to know: Questions remain unanswered after coroners probe into Kellerberrin shooting Hannah Murphy April 22, 2026  6:44pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

Western Australias coroner could not determine the reason why a mentally ill ambulance volunteer shot a co-worker dead before turning the gun on himself hours later in front of police tactical negotiators. Coroner Michael Jenkin handed down his findings of his inquest into the 2023 Wheatbelt shooting on Wednesday, which examined the deaths of Lachlan Bowles and Terry Czernowski. The scene of the shooting at Moylan Grain Silos Kellerberrin. Nine News Perth Bowles was the subject of an active shooter manhunt on September 7, 2023, after he fatally shot 44-year-old Czernowski at Moylan Grain Silos in the town of Kellerberrin and then fled the scene with a number of guns, firing at a passing driver before hiding in a nearby wheat paddock. Four-and-a-half hours of negotiation with specialist police ensued, but Bowles could not be talked down, and died by suicide in front of tactical officers.

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Jenkin found Bowles mental health had been in significant decline at the time of the shooting, which including living with undiagnosed autism spectrum disorder and facing repeated rejections in his attempts to join the WA Police Force and the Australian Defence Force. The coroner also found there was ultimately no evidence that suggested animosity between Bowles and Czernowski, but messages Bowles sent loved ones while actively trying to hide from police as they searched for him indicated he was extremely mentally ill. Bowles told family friends he didnt feel love for anybody, acknowledged he would likely die when confronted by police, said he refused to go to jail, and claimed he was going to barricade himself and shoot it out. When police arrived to begin negotiations, Bowles gave over three of his four guns before ultimately killing himself. Jenkin said it was unlikely anyone would ever understand Bowles motivations.

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In the aftermath of the tragedy that unfolded on 7 September 2023, there is an understandable urge to seek answers to the question of why? he said. Related Article Inquest A town in lockdown: What led model citizen to go on shooting rampage in Kellerberrin Why did Lachlan shoot Terry, and later himself? What led Lachlan to do such terrible things that have caused such pain and devastation? On the basis of the available evidence, although it is possible to make informed guesses about what may have motivated Lachlan to act as he did, ultimately, it is impossible to know with any certainty. Jenkin said despite collecting Nazi memorabilia, owning a copy of Mein Kampf, and wearing a Nazi armband at the time of the shooting, Bowles only weakly held a nationalist, racist, violent extremist ideology, and the coroner determined it was not the driving force behind the incident.

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Jenkin found the tactical response group, the homicide squad, police internal investigations and the firearms licensing unit all agreed police had acted within the parameters of their training and followed the appropriate processes, but Bowles had been intent on taking his own life. The only recommendation the coroner could make regarding the incident was suggesting WA Polices tactical negotiations engage with mental health specialists in the future, and flagged having them on the line during tense negotiations could help officers dealing with a similar situation. Lachlan Bowles died after a stand-off with police. WA Police Jenkin said he was extremely sorry for both familys losses, and published a section of Bowles mothers statement. The death of our son [and] brother has shattered our family in ways that words can hardly express, she said.

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His absence has left a deep and constant ache in our hearts. Our home does not feel the same. Each of us is struggling to cope in different ways and some days it feels impossible to move forward, while other days are spent trying to hold on to the memories we have left. Family gatherings are no longer the same, there is always an empty chair and a sense that something precious has been taken from us forever. We live with an overwhelming sense of grief and longing, knowing that life will never return to what it once was. Support is available from Lifeline 13 11 14 and Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
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Exclusive NationalWAWA budget New WA mental health crisis unit to ease emergency department pressure Hamish Hastie April 23, 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

The West Australian government will pump an additional $414 million into mental health services over the next four years in the upcoming May budget, including $15.4 million for a 10-bed crisis recovery service trial. Labor will also spend $122 million to ensure the continuation of third-party mental health provider services across WA. WA Health Minister Meredith Hammat. Holly Thompson The 10-bed trial, labelled the crisis recovery and intervention support service, will be based in the Perth region and is aimed at easing pressure on emergency departments, which are bearing the brunt of the states mental health crisis. The crisis recovery and intervention support service will be the first of its kind in the state, and an important initiative to provide person-centred care outside of a hospital, Mental Health Minister Meredith Hammat said.

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The beds will be available to people who require a higher level of support than provided in the community, but dont need intensive hospital care. Negotiations are under way to lease an existing building for the service. According to the AMAs public hospital report card released in November last year, WAs emergency departments have grown to become the second-busiest in the country for mental health presentations, whereas 20 years ago, the state ranked the lowest. The report found that since 2009-10, the rate of mental health ED presentations per 10,000 people nearly doubled from 67 to 130. The AMA said at the time this signalled a concerning rise in unmet mental health needs within the population.

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According to WA Association for Mental Health, the state desperately needed services to divert patients experiencing mental health issues away from EDs. Related Article Hospitals Bad end to summer in WAs hospitals points to an even worse winter Community-based support services are key in providing early intervention for individuals whose mental health is deteriorating  ultimately stopping them from reaching crisis point and needing to present to an emergency department, the association said. The extra funding comes on top of the $1.6 billion for mental health announced last year. It was announced the same week the state released its 2026-2031 mental health and alcohol and other drugs strategy.

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The strategy focuses on prevention and early intervention, as well as the delivery of more programs and services in the community to provide alternatives to emergency departments and hospitals, while ensuring access to high-quality acute care for those who need it, Hammat said. The extra $122 million will be spent on keeping a range of community mental health programs running, including boosting the number of suicide prevention workers in WAs regions. The money will also expand the Perth-based Children and Young People Responsive Suicide Support program into the South West to deliver individual, group, and family counselling supports to children and young people who have lost someone to suicide. The governments management of the mental health system was thrust into the spotlight earlier this year after 18-year-old Hailee Hildebrandt, who was discharged from Fiona Stanley Hospitals mental health ward on January 13 and died by suicide later that day. Support is available from Lifeline 13 11 14 and Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636. 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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NationalWAFlu season The heartbreaking loss driving a Perth mothers volunteering mission Rachel Langdon April 22, 2026  1:04pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

Aliyah Yugovich should have celebrated her fifth birthday on Sunday. Instead, her parents Jessica and Josh Yugovich are still trying to comprehend life without their little girl. Loading The three-year-old died unexpectedly in July 2024 after contracting the flu following a routine surgery. Aliyah had her tonsils taken out with no complications, but became unwell at home a few days later.

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Her parents took her to Perth Childrens Hospital, where she was diagnosed with influenza A. Doctors discharged her after two nights. The following morning, the three-year-old began coughing up blood and was rushed to hospital in an ambulance. Perth girl Aliyah Yugovich died in 2024. She had a coughing fit and that coughing fit, by the third or fourth cough, she started vomiting  but it wasnt vomit, Jessica Yugovich told 9News Perth. At PCH, Aliyah was placed in a coma, with her parents making the gut-wrenching decision to turn off her life support. She was declared dead on July 7, 2024.

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A WA Health SAC-1 review returned 16 recommendations, but noted none contributed to the Forrestfield girls death, with 9News Perth revealing her cause of death was multiple organ failure from a post tonsillectomy haemorrhage. The review and coronial findings noted an anti-seizure drug found in the three-year-olds body was mostly likely transmitted by a blood donor. But medical professionals stressed it played no part in Aliyahs death. One major takeaway from the SAC-1 review was the need for better bereavement services and support for grieving families. That is something Jessica has now dedicated her life to, creating the Aliyah Mae Foundation just 7 weeks after losing her daughter. In a statement, a spokesperson for the Child and Adolescent Health Service said the service was grateful for the ongoing relationship with the Yugovich family, and had worked together on improvements, particularly in how to support bereaved families.

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We acknowledge and thank the Yugovich family for their advocacy and we remain committed to honouring Aliyahs story as part of our ongoing learning, the statement read. Multi-agency clinical incident review was undertaken to examine the care provided. CAHS is deeply committed to making meaningful change for families experiencing unimaginable loss and the contributions of families with lived experience is invaluable in helping to shape improved supports. Perth mother Jessica Yugovich has been on a volunteering mission following the death of her young daughter, Aliyah. 9News Perth Jessica is now a finalist for the WA Volunteer of the Year for her work to ensure no parent went through the same pain she did. The couple were placed on a four-month wait list for grief counselling after losing their daughter and had a bunch of pamphlets put on their doorstep. Jessica is now on a mission to ensure every grieving parent never feels alone.

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I made her a promise before she passed  she was going to change the world one day and now that shes not here to do it herself Ive got to make sure I do it for her, Jessica said. The foundation offers support to parents who lose a child up to the age of 17. Its Australias first trauma support hub offering guidance on a range of tasks from planning a funeral to explaining loss to siblings or teachers. The WA Volunteer of the Year for 2026 will be announced in May. 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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NationalVale Witty and warm, James Valentine lifted the spirits of a city Richard Glover April 23, 2026  8:28am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

James Valentine, who has died at the age of 64, was a musician and jazz enthusiast who brought his love of improvisation and creativity to the world of talkback radio. His audience became his orchestra, and he was their conductor. He offered great wit and wisdom, alongside an appreciation of the rich drama and hilarity of everyday life. Monday to Friday on 702 ABC Radio, for 25 years, he lifted the spirits of a city. Valentine was born in 1961 in the Victorian city of Ballarat, his father, Peter, operating a car dealership and other local businesses, his mother, Nina, a presenter with the local radio station. Loading He was educated at Ballarat Grammar School, where he happily discovered a talent for performing, debating and playing music. It was there he began his love affair with the saxophone.

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Playing jazz saxophone in 2009. Keith Saunders Music took him to Melbourne where, from 1980, he studied classical sax at the University of Melbourne. He was soon moonlighting in bands around town. A Diana Ross covers band, Diana Boss and the Extremes, was his introduction to musicians Kate Ceberano and James Freud, both of whom were to play a part in his future music career. In 1982, he toured with Joe Camilleris band, Jo Jo Zep and The Falcons, and with Kate Ceberano. In 1984, he joined The Models, with James Freud as lead vocalist. Valentines saxophone became an important part of the bands success. In contrast to the bluesy saxophone sound common at the time, Valentines classical training allowed him to use the full palette of the instrument, playing with a confident and determined vigour. He also brought an antic, playful spirit to the bands stage shows.

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The Models enjoyed significant success, including a number one hit with Out of Mind, Out of Sight, and a number two single with Barbados, featuring a lengthy Valentine sax solo. Editor's pick Vale James Valentine fought oesophageal cancer for two years. Men are most likely to be diagnosed Valentine left the group in 1987, shortly before it disbanded. He rapidly began a career in television, hosting ABC-TVs The Afternoon Show  an after-school compendium of cartoons, alongside live-action shows like Dr Who and The Goodies. He presented the program from 1987 to 1990, while playing music around Sydney, including a three-year stint with Absent Friends which included Sean Kelly and Wendy Matthews. That band, too, had a big hit, with I Dont Want to be with Nobody but You, winner of Best Single in the ARIA Awards of 1991. Valentine caught the bug for radio after listening to John Doyles smart, whimsical afternoon program on the ABCs local Sydney station, 2BL, now known as ABC Radio Sydney. James Valentine (left) in the Models in 1985 with James Freud, Roger Mason, Barton Price and Sean Kelly. Fairfax Media

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He thought I like this, and the station manager of the time, Peter Wall, agreed to give him a chance. Valentine quickly proved his talent for radio through an increasing number of fill-in shifts. A permanent job followed at the ABCs Canberra station, his success leading to a similar offer back in Sydney. After a brief stint presenting Mornings on 2BL, he was, in 1999, placed in the slot that he made his own: Afternoons. Related Article Opinion

Five Minutes with Fitz All the love for Valentine: Thank you, James, for 40 years of broadcasting joy Peter FitzSimons Columnist and author While many defined talkback radio as a chance to ask listeners to recount their political views, Valentine saw the opportunity for something more nourishing and certainly more enjoyable. Working alongside longtime producer Jennifer Fleming, he invented a revolving series of segments with names like This is What I Live With, Rant and The Form Guide, all of which invited his audience to delve into their own lives, often with hilarious results.

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Valentine brought a curious mix of sweetness and acid to the role; his sardonic wit co-existing with an amused and loving temperament. It was jazz improv meets talk radio. He also demanded considerable creativity from his audience, inventing sessions in which listeners would create songs, movies, poems or even (with the help of HG Nelson) plan future Sydney infrastructure. Listening to his show made you feel good about your fellow Sydneysiders. Valentine had a crazy-brave attitude to radio that left his fellow presenters in awe. Hed set up a game or topic and then keep talking until someone called. He never once seemed to lose his nerve, however long it took for his audience to understand what, on this occasion, he was demanding of them. It was a technique that reached its apotheosis in a segment called Nothing, in which Valentine would confess that he had nothing  no game, no topic, no question to ask. But people should ring anyway. And, remarkably, they did. Some offered philosophical thoughts about the nature of nothing; others simply confessed that they, too, were doing nothing, or had nothing to offer. It was extremely funny and somehow delivered an uplifting message about life. Life is worth something in itself. Even when nothing is happening.

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Along the way, Valentine wrote a trilogy of books for teenagers, the Jumpman series, which was published internationally, plus a book for children, The True History of Stuff, and two books based on his radio show, The Form Guide and Spotfull. He had success with his podcast Head Room, and with the TV and radio program Exhumed, a competition for garage bands, in which every member had to lack professional experience. Valentine with his sax in Woollahra in 2013. Photo: Sahlan Hayes His jazz program, Upbeat, was a favourite on ABC Jazz. Valentine transferred to Breakfast for two years  2022 and 2023  before returning home to Afternoons in 2024, to the delight of his afternoon fans and contributors. That delight was not to last. In March 2024, Valentine told his listeners that he was beginning treatment for cancer of the oesophagus. As usual, he shared everything, even interviewing the surgeon who was to perform the complex surgery.

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Returning to the airwaves in September, he updated the tale: hed been offered, and accepted, a less invasive operation, even though it might increase his risk of a future cancer. The choice meant he was able to return to his show in September 2024. Then, in June 2025, some fresh bad news. Cancer had reappeared, this time in the omentum  a fold of tissue which extends from the stomach over the intestine. Related Article Opinion

Religion Im not religious, but my faith is beyond belief James Valentine Broadcaster Again, Valentine shared the diagnosis, with his usual frankness and humour. I have tumours in my omentum. Yes, omentum, Id never heard of it either, he wrote on the ABCs website. I am now way too familiar with the digestive aisle of my local chemist.

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Would the outcome have been different had he chosen more aggressive surgery? To quote again from that piece in June, 2025: Theres every chance that cancer cells have been out in my body for some time, looking for a place to call home, and the full surgery would not have prevented their spread. Im not that concerned about that, the how, the why, the might have been. I find cancer, like any other major insult to my being, has a way of bringing me very firmly into the present. In more recent times, when well enough, Valentine returned to music with his band Upbeat, featuring Nic Cecire on drums, Sam Rollings on guitar and Darren Heinrich on keyboards. The shows combined storytelling, humour and brilliantly reimagined jazz classics. He also recorded a solo album, Debut. James was determined to have a good death, and I believe he did. He connected with his family and friends until the last  always funny, wise and loving. Richard Glover and James Valentine at the Andrew Olle Media Lecture in 2022.

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PoliticsVictoriaCity life Weve got the message: Bayside backflips on kinder hub plan after parent revolt Rachael Dexter April 22, 2026  12:27pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

Bayside City Council has unanimously abandoned a plan to replace two long-standing community kindergartens with a centralised super site after political pressure and a mass protest by local parents. Councillors voted 7-0 on Tuesday night to reject an officer recommendation to scrap expansion plans at Hampton Community Kindergarten (HCK) and Helen Paul Kindergarten. Hampton parents and children protesting the kindergarten hub plan outside Bayside council chambers on Tuesday. Ruby Alexander The two kindergartens currently provide a combined total of 66 places for the Hampton area, with each site restricted to a single room of 33 children. The area is expected to have a shortfall of 235 places by 2036, which officers had hoped to solve by building a new 132-place integrated childrens centre at Castlefield Reserve. The officers had suggested the council could then sell off or repurpose one of the older kinder sites. Dozens of parents and children protested at the council meeting on Tuesday. They also submitted a 600-signature petition pulled together in 72 hours, after the council released the plan six days before the meeting. Parents and kinder teachers told The Age they feared the large facility, catering to 132 children across four rooms, would be a multi-storey factory for their children compared with their small neighbourhood kinders.

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This is a community telling you loudly and clearly that you got this wrong, Hampton Community Kindergarten president and parent Eloise Stark told the meeting. A large, centralised, big-box facility that removes everything families actually value about early childhood education. HCK, which leases its small building from the council but is a separate entity, initially requested funds from the council in the last budget to add a portable extension onto its one-room building two years ago. Hampton Community Kindergarten president and parent Eloise Stark. Ruby Alexander However, council officers recommended against this one-room extension, saying it would be poor value for money to put extensions on existing kinders, rather than building a new one. They said the small HCK site was already short of required car parks and couldnt ever provide the three-room minimum now recommended by the state government without complete demolition and a two-storey rebuild. Instead, they proposed a transition to an integrated hub model at Castlefield Reserve (Ludstone Street) that would create up to 132 places and include maternal and child health services. The report flagged this could allow the council to eventually sell the HCK and Helen Paul Kinder sites. This hub would be future-proofed beyond 2035, attracting the highest possible state funding (up to $9 million).

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But Hampton Community Kindergarten director Emily Millward said the community feared losing the intimate feel of small kinders with volunteer-parent boards. Related Article Education Eleven crucial kindergarten skills that lead to future success They actually want small local community kinders, Millward said. They love when they get to community kinder, and they do have that small community feel. Millward argued that a hub servicing 132 children a day would be too large for the current volunteer-parent committee management model to oversee, probably leading to commercialised management. The feasibility report underpinning the recommendation by the council staff was marked confidential meaning it was not shared publicly before the meeting.

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Liberal MP for Brighton James Newbury, who joined the rally outside the Sandringham Council chambers, described the proposal as totally ham-fisted and offensive. The successful alternative motion, moved by councillor Elli Murray, commits the council to maintaining the existing assets and immediately engaging with both kinders to collaboratively plan for their expansion. The councillors also voted to release the confidential feasibility report to the public. Murray apologised to the community for the distress, anger and frustration caused by the proposal. It is fair to say, I think that weve got the message  these kinders will not close, she said. Councillors used the debate to blame the state governments Best Start, Best Life reforms, which will require 30-hour weeks for four-year-olds and 15-hour weeks for three-year-olds by 2036, for their conundrum. Existing one-room kinders will not be able to manage this load, and the mayor noted that upgrading all community kinders to meet the new three-room standards would cost ratepayers $65 million. A Victorian government spokesperson rejected claims that state policy was forcing the closure of smaller kinders, stating their Building Blocks program funds the expansion of existing kinders, including single-room services. The government stated it has invested more than $7 million in the Bayside area since 2015, adding nearly 190 places.

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Councillor Robert Irlicht challenged Newbury to match his rhetoric with a funding commitment from the opposition before Novembers state election. Related Article Primary school The 10 signs a child is ready to start kindergarten If the member feels so strongly to campaign on this ... then the expectation is clear, he said. He is committing that a future coalition government will fund kindergarten infrastructure in Bayside.

Newbury told The Age: We know that Labor has left a multimillion-dollar neglected shortfall in funding our Bayside kinders and our community knows that the Liberal Party, who are in opposition, will always do everything we can to back them in. Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn has been approached for comment.

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Council data identifies the Hampton and Hampton East area as the highest-deficit zone for kindergarten places in the municipality. A further report on how to deliver increased services at no cost to Bayside ratepayers is expected by December 2027. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Several Zimbabweans are feared dead after a cross-border bus plunged into a ditch on Wednesday morning along the N1 highway near Makhado in Limpopo Province.The accident occurred near the same stretch of road where 43 people - including Zimbabweans and Malawians - lost their lives in a similar crash last year, highlighting ongoing safety concerns along the busy route.The section of the N1 between Makhado and Musina is widely regarded as one of the most dangerous corridors for motorists, due to its sharp curves and mountainous terrain.Limpopo Department of Transport and Community Safety spokesperson Mashu Mabata confirmed the incident."The department informs motorists of a bus accident involving a Zimbabwean bus on the N1 between Makhado and Musina, near Ingwe Motel," she said."The road has now been temporarily reopened. The bus reportedly lost control and veered off the road, landing in a ditch along the N1 North near Ingwe Motel."Motorists are advised to reduce speed when approaching the area and drive with caution."Emergency services, traffic officers and police were deployed to the scene to manage the situation and assist victims.Authorities have urged motorists to exercise extreme caution and strictly adhere to road safety regulations while travelling along the route."Further updates will be communicated as more information becomes available," Mabata added.The latest accident has once again raised concerns over the safety standards of cross-border public transport operators using the busy N1 corridor, particularly along hazardous sections near Musina and Makhado, where fatal crashes have occurred repeatedly.
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PropertyNewsCost of living Warning over looming tax changes as WAs rental market pushed to breaking point Holly Thompson April 23, 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

Western Australias rental market has been pushed to breaking point, according to a new report, with renters no longer able to absorb increasing costs despite a 0.3 per cent vacancy rate. Domains latest Rental Report, released on Thursday, revealed rents were no longer rising everywhere and, instead, growth was stalling or becoming increasingly uneven  even in the tightest markets. Supply remains severely constrained and competition remains fierce, but tight conditions alone are no longer enough to push rents higher across the board. Ross Swanborough Gross rental yields for houses in Perth have declined by 10.2 per cent in the year to March, and 5.2 per cent over the quarter. For units, gross rental yields have dropped by 13.6 per cent over the year and 4.8 per cent over the quarter. The market has entered a new phase, the report states  one where renters budgets, not just the lack of available homes, are determining outcomes and increasingly shaping major life decisions, particularly for younger Australians deciding when to move out of home and where they can afford to live.

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Domains chief residential economist Dr Nicola Powell said the data showed households simply cant stretch any further. In many cities, were seeing rents hold flat or rise unevenly despite worsening shortages. Affordability, not demand, is now the key constraint, she said. Rental conditions still favour landlords due to the lack of supply, but the pace of growth is not being sustained at high levels. It may be good news for those looking to enter the rental market, but Limnios Property Group managing director James Limnios said possible changes to negative gearing and capital gains tax in the 2026-27 federal budget could make it harder to find a place to rent, driving demand even higher.

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If you are already struggling to find a rental property in WA, then this task will become infinitely harder after May this year if the flagged tax changes for property investors by the federal government become reality, Limnios said. There is this belief out there that negative gearing benefits moguls and people with trust funds. But the bottom line is that these proposed changes will target small investors  who provide the vast majority of rental accommodation in WA. These mum-and-dad property investors are investing in property to help fund their retirement, with most owning just one or two rent properties. They operate on limited financial budgets and are therefore very sensitive to any changes in tax rules or regulations that they view as being negative.

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Limnios said a recent survey by the Real Estate Institute of WA showed 83 per cent of investors would be influenced to sell their property by changes to property taxes, and 74 per cent by changes to tenancy legislation. Another perspective Exclusive

Renting The Perth couple moving east to escape WAs crushing rents There are only around 2000 properties on the market for rent in Perth, and Limnios said the proposed changes would see that number decline. It wont be like a light switch, it will be a slow change over time, he said. People will start to really think about whether property should be part of their investment portfolios.

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He claimed the changes would benefit first-home buyers and younger Australians looking to buy in the short term, but would not have continuing benefits for the next generation. When property investment in WA is rising at a time of an acute rental shortage, it is utter madness for the federal government to introduce tax changes that will slash this investment, Limnios said. Governments must finally wake and realise that the small businessperson and the small property investor are shouldering the burden of these reckless decisions. WA currently has a rental crisis of historical proportions. If these flagged tax changes come into effect, this rental crisis will turn into an historic housing crisis catastrophe. 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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WorldEuropeUK politics Not a case of if, its when: First public call from a Labour MP for Starmer to go David Crowe Updated April 23, 2026  9:13am ,first published 3:29am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

London: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has been put on notice by Labour colleagues who want him to quit for the good of the government, after the scandal over his appointment of a disgraced former minister as ambassador to the US. In the first public revolt from within government ranks, a Labour MP called for a timetable to replace Starmer amid the furore over the decision to name Peter Mandelson as ambassador. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in London on Wednesday. Getty Images I am completely fed up to the back teeth of this psychodrama in Westminster, the own goals that are coming from the heart of this government, said backbencher Jonathan Brash. They just need to get a grip. Im completely fed up about it.

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Its got to the point now where I genuinely think that, you know, as far as the prime ministers concerned, its not a case of if, its when. And I just think we need to get a handle on this because people out there are worried about their cost of living, theyre worried about their NHS, theyre worried about crime on their streets. Jonathan Brash on GB News. GB News And were completely consumed by this scandal, and its completely unacceptable. The remarks to GB News give public voice to Labour concerns that have been cited for months in anonymous comments to the media while Starmer has slumped in the polls.

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Labour powerbrokers cannot agree on who should replace Starmer; their immediate challenge is to shore up support for the party at elections on May 7 for local councils and the parliaments of Scotland and Wales, pushing back a decision on the leadership. But the public call from the backbench highlights the panic within party ranks about an election wipe-out that could topple the Labour government in Wales and sweep hundreds of Labour councillors out of their posts. Loading While Starmer and his ministers are not on the ballot on May 7, their opponents  including Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage  are framing it as a plebiscite on the prime minister. Starmer has admitted to making a mistake by appointing Mandelson in December 2024, and removed the Labour insider from the post in September 2025 after further revelations of his close friendship with Jeffrey Epstein.

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When news broke last week that Mandelson had failed security vetting before he took up the post, Starmer blamed public officials for not telling him this fact and removed the permanent head of the Foreign Office, Olly Robbins. Related Article Analysis

UK politics Starmer jeered as Mandelson scandal dials up the dysfunction Robbins defended himself in parliament on Tuesday, saying he was subject to an atmosphere of pressure from the prime ministers office to ensure the appointment went ahead quickly. Even so, Robbins stood by his decision to confirm Mandelsons security clearance despite the vetting advice. He did not say he was forced to clear Mandelson for the post, and confirmed that he had not told the prime minister and other ministers of the vetting advice. As well, Robbins said he would not disclose the underlying reason Mandelson failed the vetting, although he said it did not relate to Epstein. This has frustrated some members of the House of Commons, who want the full report released so the grounds for the decision are known.

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Starmer defended himself in parliament on Wednesday, saying the testimony from Robbins proved that he did not know the vetting advice, contrary to the claims last week by his Conservative opponents. Last week, they were all saying that it must have been shared with me. Sir Olly was very clear yesterday  it was not. I believe not sharing it was a serious error of judgment, he told parliament. Peter Mandelson seen outside his home in London on Monday. AP Badenoch told the House of Commons she could not accuse Starmer of deliberately misleading parliament in his previous statements on the vetting, but she argued he misled when he claimed that due process had been followed in the appointment. Badenoch called on Starmer to resign, but he refused to do so and said Robbins testimony put to bed the matter.

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Related Article UK politics Britain is broken: How one man is cashing in on UKs doom loop Starmer and the Labour government do not face an election until 2029, given the five-year terms in the UK, but his colleagues are frightened for their futures when polls indicate they will lose their seats. Brash won the seat of Hartlepool in 2024 by wresting it from the Conservatives. Asked by GB News if Starmer should resign, Brash said yeah and added that the government needed to focus. Were in a situation now where I dont think anyone reasonably expects the prime minister to lead the party into the next election, he said. And I think that we have to refocus this government on the priorities of the British people.

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When the host asked Brash why Starmer should go, Brash suggested the issue was political management. Because ultimately, weve become completely consumed by this turmoil at a time when that is not what the British public are focused on, he said. They are focused on their cost of living. They are focused on the NHS now. I think its a reasonable thing to set a timetable to get this done ... in an orderly way because we have got a very, very big job ahead of us. Get a note directly from our foreign correspondents on whats making headlines around the world. Sign up for our weekly What in the World newsletter.
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WorldNorth AmericaMiddle East at war Iran claims it has seized two ships after Trump extended ceasefire indefinitely Michael Koziol Updated April 22, 2026  10:53pm ,first published 5:30pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

Washington: Donald Trump extended the ceasefire in Iran indefinitely amid an impasse over his blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, in a move that ostensibly delays the resumption of fighting but leaves a potential resolution of the war in limbo. Hours after the extension, Iranian state television reported Irans paramilitary Revolutionary Guard had seized two ships  identified as the MSC Francesca and the Epaminondas  after three vessels were attacked in the strait on Wednesday. The two ships were reportedly being taken to Iran for inspection of their cargo, documents, and records. Loading The Guard said in a statement the ships allegedly operated without authorisation, repeatedly violated regulations, manipulated navigational aid systems and sought to covertly exit the Strait of Hormuz, endangering maritime security. Hours before the two-week ceasefire was due to expire, and with Iranian negotiators refusing to travel to Islamabad for talks, the US president said he had acceded to a request from Pakistani mediators to hold off attacking Iran until its leadership came to the table with a unified proposal.

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I have therefore directed our Military to continue the Blockade and, in all other respects, remain ready and able, and will therefore extend the Ceasefire until such time as their proposal is submitted, and discussions are concluded, one way or the other, Trump wrote on social media. Related Article Opinion

Middle East at war Iran wants to make peace with the US this week  if Trumps ego doesnt get in the way Clinton Fernandes Academic and former intelligence officer Vice President JD Vance was due to fly to Pakistan for the high-stakes meeting on Tuesday (US time), but instead spent much of the day at the White House with Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and advisers, as officials grappled with mixed messages from Iran. Earlier, Trump had claimed Vance was already on the way to Pakistan, and appeared bullish about a peace deal to end the nearly eight-week-old war. He told CNBC television that he did not want to extend the ceasefire and believed were going to end up with a great deal because Iran had few choices. But the Iranian regime declared the US blockade was an act of war and demanded it be lifted as a precondition for the talks to proceed.

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Striking a commercial vessel and taking its crew hostage is an even greater violation, Irans Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on X. Iran knows how to neutralise restrictions, how to defend its interests, and how to resist bullying. Trump continued to air his thoughts and strategy on social media, saying that Iran actually wanted to open the Strait of Hormuz, but had to save face. He suggested that if the US were to lift its blockade, there can never be a deal with Iran, unless we blow up the rest of their country. Foreign diplomats and UN officials visited bomb-damaged sites in Tehran earlier this week. Getty Images Meanwhile, the US turned the screws on Irans economy, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announcing a further 14 people, entities, and aircraft would be hit with sanctions for procuring or transporting weapons on behalf of the regime in Tehran. He also indicated the US intended to keep squeezing Irans maritime trade to choke off the regimes primary revenue source.

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Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif thanked Trump for continuing the ceasefire and said he hoped both sides would adhere to it. But there was no explicit commitment from Iran to that effect. The immediate path forward was unclear, although it was possible talks could resume at any moment. At the same time, US Central Command said its forces remain ready to resume fighting, and the Financial Times reported Trump was sending yet more troops to the region. Donald Trumps change of heart may signal an unwillingness to continue engaging in a prolonged conflict. AP Danny Citrinowicz, an Iran expert at Israels Institute of National Security Studies, and a fellow at the Atlantic Institute, said the negotiations would not resume without an agreement to ease economic sanctions. Iran believes it is capable of inflicting greater harm on the international community by closing the Strait of Hormuz, and if the United States increases the pressure, Tehran is likely to respond militarily, he said on X.

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There is no clear solution in this equation, as Iran is confident that it holds the upper hand, while on the other side, there is an American president hesitant to escalate. Related Article Russia-Ukraine war Welcome to Donnyland: Ukraine proposes renaming territory in Trumps honour Citrinowicz said the situation was exacerbated by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps increased control of Iranian power centres. Trump, too, said Iran was seriously fractured. Iran needs resolution Some analysts, including Gregory Brew of the Eurasia Group, suggested a potential route through the impasse was for the US to make concessions regarding two ships it has boarded and seized during the blockade.

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Brew said little had changed, given the ceasefire remained in effect unless someone broke it. But he said Tehran likely now saw Trumps brinksmanship as ineffective as they ran down the clock, and he chose not to escalate. Still, the status quo is unfavorable to either side, he said on X. Iran needs resolution to the war; in time, it will feel the pinch from the blockade. The US, for all Trumps bluster, needs the strait reopened. Meanwhile, the Associated Press reported the death toll of the war had exceeded 5500 people, including at least 3375 in Iran and more than 2290 in Lebanon. In Israel, 23 people have been killed, and 15 IDF soldiers have been killed in Lebanon. The conflict has also killed more than a dozen people in Persian Gulf states that have been drawn into the war. Thirteen US service members have been killed across the region.

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with Emily Kaine, 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.
PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Justice Nathalie Tackling has issued a stern warning to individuals involved in fights and violent disturbances during Carnival, declaring that such behavior will not be tolerated.

During Wednesdays live Council of Ministers press briefing, Tackling addressed recent incidents of disorderly conduct and group fights in and around the Festival Village.

This behavior will not be tolerated. Not by this ministry, not by the police force, and not by the community that we all share, she said.

As part of immediate measures to restore order, the government has adjusted operating hours for the Festival Village. All booths and activities must now close at 4:00 a.m. daily and reopen at 6:00 a.m.

The minister said the decision was taken in the interest of public safety, crowd control, and maintaining order during the busy Carnival season.

Police officers have been instructed to strictly enforce the new rules, and full cooperation is expected from booth holders and the public.

Tackling warned that anyone attending Carnival with the intention to fight, incite violence, or settle personal disputes will face serious consequences.

Arrests will be made, charges will be pursued, and a night of poor judgment can become a criminal record that will follow you well beyond this Carnival season, she said.

With major events such as Jouvert Morning and the Grand Parade still ahead, the minister delivered a direct message to revelers.

If you come to cause harm, you will be removed, and you will be held accountable.

The Ministry of Justice has also strengthened law enforcement operations throughout Carnival. Measures include increased police presence before, during and after events, active patrols for crowd and traffic control, and preventative searches for illegal narcotics and firearms.

In addition, more than 20 officers from Aruba and Curacao, along with officers from the BES islands, are assisting local police during the Carnival period.

Despite the recent incidents, Tackling emphasized that most residents and visitors have celebrated responsibly and peacefully.

Carnival is a time of celebration, culture, and unity. Let us not allow violence or recklessness to overshadow what this season represents, she said.
PHILIPSBURG: --- Minister of VROMI Patrice Gumbs Jr. says the islands growing pothole problem cannot be solved with short-term patchwork alone, warning that many roads now require complete reconstruction.

Responding to complaints about worsening road conditions during Wednesdays Council of Ministers press briefing, Gumbs acknowledged public frustration over larger and more dangerous potholes appearing across Sint Maarten.

He specifically addressed the damaged roadway in the Guana Bay area, explaining that the issue extends far beyond the road surface itself.

When work began, it was recognized that the problem isnt necessarily the road itself, its the subsurface, Gumbs said.

According to the minister, repair efforts had to be paused so engineers could design a new solution addressing both the road surface and the unstable ground underneath.

He noted that for years roads have often been repaired by simply scraping the top layer and applying fresh asphalt, without addressing deeper structural issues.

That is why you continue to see potholes returning, he explained.

Gumbs said heavy rainfall also worsens already fragile roads, creating new potholes in areas that previously appeared stable.

To address the issue, VROMI has already begun a new pothole patching campaign and plans to procure additional cold asphalt so repairs can continue.

However, he emphasized that these are temporary fixes while the government works toward a broader long-term solution.

One of those solutions is the proposed Road Fund, which would help finance sustainable road repairs and introduce proper construction standards for Sint Maartens road network.

The minister said the island currently lacks formal road-building standards and is examining systems used on the French side as a possible model.

It may seem like nothing is happening, but the ministry is not sitting back, Gumbs said. What weve been doing no longer matches what is needed.

He added that improving the road network remains a priority despite budget and contractor capacity challenges.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Safe sex products could soon become more expensive globally as supply chain disruptions linked to the ongoing Iran war begin to affect production, according to industry leaders.Karex Berhad, the world's largest condom manufacturer, has warned it may increase prices by between 20% and 30% if current conditions persist. Chief executive Goh Miah Kiat said rising costs and logistical challenges are already putting pressure on the company's operations."The situation is definitely very fragile, prices are expensive. We have no choice but to transfer the costs right now to customers," he said in an interview with Reuters.Based in Malaysia, Karex produces more than five billion condoms annually and exports to over 130 countries. Its portfolio includes brands such as ONE, Trustex, Carex and Pasante, alongside other medical and personal care products.The supply chain disruptions stem largely from instability in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route. The ongoing conflict has restricted access to key raw materials used in condom manufacturing, including petrochemical byproducts such as naphtha, silicon oil and ammonia.In addition to rising production costs, shipping delays have further strained supply."We're seeing a lot more condoms actually sitting on vessels that have not arrived at their destination but are highly required," Goh said.Experts warn that the impact extends beyond oil and fuel prices. According to KPMG global head of oil and gas Angie Gildea, shortages in petrochemicals - essential for packaging and manufacturing - are also driving up costs.Asia, which depends heavily on Middle Eastern oil and related materials, is particularly vulnerable. For instance, about 41% of the region's naphtha supply originates from the Middle East, making production highly sensitive to disruptions in the region.The crisis is also affecting labour and logistics. Some countries, including Myanmar and Cambodia, have introduced fuel rationing, while rising transport costs in parts of Southeast Asia have disrupted worker commutes and slowed factory operations.While Karex has indicated it currently holds enough stock to last several months, prolonged instability could lead to sustained price increases and tighter global supply.Economists caution that the ripple effects of the conflict - from energy to manufacturing - could soon impact everyday consumer goods, with safe sex products now among the latest to be affected.
War in the Middle East: latest developments



Paris, France, April 21 (AFP) Apr 21, 2026



The latest developments in the Middle East war:



- Trump extends ceasefire, maintains blockade -



US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said he was extending a ceasefire with Iran to give more time for negotiations, but would maintain Washington's naval blockade of the country's ports.

Trump posted on social media that he would "extend the Ceasefire" until Iran came up with a proposal to end the conflict. However, he "directed our Military to continue the Blockade."

The ceasefire extension came hours before it was believed to be set to expire.



- Iran threatens Gulf oil -



Iran's Revolutionary Guards on Tuesday threatened to prevent oil production in the Middle East if the Islamic republic faced attacks launched from its Gulf neighbours' territory.

"The southern neighbours should know that if their geography and facilities are used in the service of the enemies to attack the Iranian nation, they should bid farewell to oil production in the Middle East," the commander of Guards' aerospace force, Majid Mousavi, was quoted by Fars news agency as saying.



- Vance delays departure -



Vice President JD Vance, who is expected to lead a US delegation at upcoming negotiations with Iran in Pakistan, was still in Washington midday Tuesday to participate in meetings, the White House said, despite recent reports saying he was to leave this morning.

"Additional policy meetings are taking place at the White House in which the vice president will participate," an official said in a brief statement sent to AFP shortly after 1700 GMT.



- Lebanon seeks 500 mn euros -



Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said Tuesday the country needed 500 million euros to address the conflict's ongoing humanitarian fallout amid a fragile 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.

"Lebanon needs 500 million euros to tackle the humanitarian crisis over the next six months," Salam said during a press conference in Paris with French President Emmanuel Macron.



- Hezbollah retaliates against Israel -



Hezbollah said it launched an attack on northern Israel on Tuesday in retaliation for what it said were Israeli violations of a 10-day ceasefire, the first such claim since the truce began.

The Iran-backed group said in a statement that its fighters launched rockets and attack drones at a site in northern Israel that it said was the source of artillery shelling towards a south Lebanon town.



- Lebanon ups toll -



Lebanon raised the toll from six weeks of war between Israel and Hezbollah to 2,454 dead as a fragile 10-day ceasefire holds.



- Waiting on Tehran -



Mediator Pakistan has yet to receive a formal response from Iran on whether it would send a delegation for a second round of talks with the United States, Islamabad's information minister said.



- US position called 'strong' -



US President Donald Trump touted what he said was Washington's strong negotiation position as his envoys prepared for talks with Iran in Pakistan to end the Middle East conflict.

"We're going to end up with a great deal. I think they (Iran) have no choice...We're in a very, very strong negotiating position," Trump told broadcaster CNBC.



- Seafarers' SOS -



The head of the UN maritime agency appealed for help for thousands of seafarers stranded in the Gulf by the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Around 20,000 seafarers and 2,000 ships have been stranded since US-Israeli strikes on Iran started the Middle East war on February 28, according to the International Maritime Organization (IMO).



- No Iranian departure -



"So far, no delegation from Iran has departed for Islamabad, Pakistan; whether it is the main or subsidiary delegation; primary or secondary," Iranian state TV said, dismissing reports suggesting otherwise.

A source familiar with the US planning for the talks told AFP that an American delegation will head to Pakistan "soon" for a new round of peace negotiations.

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Trump extends ceasefire, says giving Iran time to negotiate



Washington, United States, April 21 (AFP) Apr 21, 2026



President Donald Trump on Tuesday extended the US ceasefire with Iran to allow more time for talks, just hours before hostilities were set to resume, but he vowed to maintain a blockade of Tehran's ports.

Trump indefinitely pushed back the end of the truce, crediting a request from mediator Pakistan and stressing the need to give Iran's "fractured" leadership time to form a proposal.

He had previously indicated he would not extend the ceasefire and had warned of a resumption of bombing when it expired.

"I have... directed our Military to continue the Blockade and, in all other respects, remain ready and able, and will therefore extend the Ceasefire until such time as their (Iran's) proposal is submitted," Trump wrote on social media.

Ahead of Trump's eleventh-hour intervention, it had been unclear exactly when the original ceasefire would expire, with Pakistan indicating it would end at 2350 GMT Tuesday.

The fate of peace talks hosted by Pakistan was hanging in the balance following Trump's announcement.

A White House official confirmed that Vice President JD Vance would not travel to Pakistan for talks Tuesday as previously planned, pending the submission of an Iranian proposal.

"Any further updates on in-person meetings will be announced by the White House," the official said.

In Islamabad, heavily armed police and soldiers on Tuesday secured the city's government quarter, which was virtually shut down even as no Iranian-US meeting was fixed.

As the original ceasefire deadline drew in, Iran preemptively threatened to attack its Gulf neighbors' oil production facilities if their territory was used to attack it once the ceasefire expired.

"The southern neighbors should know that if their geography and facilities are used in the service of the enemies to attack the Iranian nation, they should bid farewell to oil production in the Middle East," the commander of the Guards' aerospace force, Majid Mousavi, was quoted by Fars news agency as saying.

Since a first round of talks, also in Islamabad, Trump has announced a blockade of Iranian ports, while Tehran has closed the Strait of Hormuz again.

The US Defense Department said Tuesday that its forces intercepted and boarded a "stateless sanctioned" vessel as part of Washington's efforts against networks that provide support to Iran.

AFP has identified the vessel as one affiliated with Iranian activity.

Both sides have accused the other of ceasefire breaches.



- 'Cursed ceasefire' -



Residents in the Iranian capital who spoke to Paris-based AFP journalists say life has only got worse despite the truce, squeezed by the government and the war's impact.

"This cursed ceasefire has broken us. There is no light at the end of the tunnel," said Saghar, 39. "The situation is terrible. I don't know anyone around me who is doing well."

Experts said Iran's noncommittal public stance was an attempt to put pressure on Washington.

"The current standoff between the United States and Iran is no longer a clash of capabilities but rather a struggle of political endurance and bargaining leverage," Daniel Byman of the Center for Strategic and International Studies wrote in a commentary.

Despite the ongoing uncertainty, stocks rose on Tuesday amid lingering hopes for a deal to end the conflict.



- Islamabad lockdown -



On another front in the war, Israel and Lebanon, which have no diplomatic relations, will hold fresh talks in Washington on Thursday, a State Department official told AFP.

A separate 10-day ceasefire was agreed between the two nations on Friday and included Hezbollah, whose rocket fire in support of Iran drew Lebanon into the wider Middle East conflict.

Sporadic violence has continued and Israel's military warned civilians against returning to dozens of villages in southern Lebanon.

On Tuesday, the Israeli army said the "Hezbollah terrorist organization launched several rockets" at its troops in Lebanon, adding it had "struck the launcher from which the rockets were launched."

Israeli attacks on Lebanon have killed at least 2,454 people since the start of the war, a Lebanese government body said in its latest toll.

Hezbollah said it launched an attack on northern Israel on Tuesday in retaliation for what it said were Israeli violations of the ceasefire, the first such claim since the truce began.

burs-gw/des
Iran urges UN condemnation after US seizes cargo ship



United Nations, United States, April 21 (AFP) Apr 21, 2026



Iran on Tuesday called on the United Nations to condemn the seizure by the United States of an Iranian cargo ship, characterizing the move as an act of piracy and a breach of a ceasefire between Tehran and Washington.

US President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that the US Navy had fired on and then taken control of the Touska cargo ship in the Sea of Oman.

Trump says the Iran-flagged vessel is subject to US sanctions.

"Such conduct bears the hallmarks of piracy in nature and amounts to a dangerous escalation that severely endangers the safety and security of vital shipping lanes," Amir Saeid Iravani, Iran's Ambassador to the United Nations, said Tuesday in a letter addressed to the Security Council and the Secretary-General.

"Moreover, this unlawful act constitutes a clear and material breach of the ceasefire of 8 April 2026 and qualifies as an act of aggression," under the terms of the UN charter, he added.

Iravani urged the UN to condemn the seizure and demand the ship's release.

Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform Tuesday that he was extending the ceasefire with Iran to allow more time for negotiations, but would maintain a US naval blockade of the country's ports.

Trump said Sunday that the Touska was seized after failing to respond to a warning to stop.

"The Iranian crew refused to listen, so our Navy ship stopped them right in their tracks by blowing a hole in the engineroom," the president added.
London hosts military talks on France and UK's Hormuz mission



London, April 21 (AFP) Apr 21, 2026



Britain will host military planners from over 30 countries for two days of talks starting Wednesday on a multinational mission led by the UK and France to protect navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, the defense ministry said.

The ministry said the meeting would "advance detailed planning" on reopening the Strait when conditions allow, following "progress" at talks in Paris last week.

"The task today and tomorrow is to translate diplomatic consensus into a joint plan to safeguard freedom of navigation in the Strait and support a lasting ceasefire," Defence Minister John Healey said in a statement.

He said he was confident "real progress can be made".

The conference comes after British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron co-chaired international talks on the strategic strait in Paris on Friday that brought together over 40 countries.

Britain and France emphasised the force would be entirely defensive and only deployed once lasting peace in the region was agreed.

The United States and Iran, as warring parties, did not attend the talks.

The two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran was due to expire at midnight GMT Tuesday, but US President Donald Trump said shortly before the deadline that he was extending it to give more time for negotiations.

Both sides have accused the other of breaches, and Trump said he was maintaining a US blockade of Iranian ports.

Downing Street had announced ahead of the Paris meeting that there would be a military planning summit this week without giving details.

The conference will take place at the Permanent Joint Headquarters in northwest London, the UK's command centre for overseeing and managing joint military operations.
Trump extends ceasefire, says giving Iran time to negotiate



Washington, United States, April 22 (AFP) Apr 22, 2026



President Donald Trump extended the US ceasefire with Iran to allow more time for peace talks, with Tehran silent on the decision early Wednesday.

Trump indefinitely pushed back the end of the two week truce, crediting a request from mediator Pakistan and stressing the need to give Iran's "fractured" leadership time to form a proposal. But he said the US blockade of Iran's ports -- a sticking point for Tehran -- would continue.

In a Truth social post Tuesday the US president accused Iran of wanting to keep the Strait of Hormuz open "so they can make $500 Million Dollars a day," which he said the Gulf nation would risk losing if it remains closed.

Trump insisted in the post that keeping a US blockade of the strait, a critical waterway for about a fifth of the world's oil and natural gas exports, is vital for forging a deal with Iran.

"People approached me four days ago, saying, 'Sir, Iran wants to open up the Strait, immediately.' But if we do that, there can never be a Deal with Iran, unless we blow up the rest of their Country, their leaders included!," Trump said in the post.

In an earlier social media post, Trump indicated that he had no desire to extend the ceasefire and had warned of a resumption of bombing when it expired.

"I have... directed our Military to continue the Blockade and, in all other respects, remain ready and able, and will therefore extend the Ceasefire until such time as their (Iran's) proposal is submitted," Trump wrote on social media.

Ahead of Trump's eleventh-hour intervention, it had been unclear when the original ceasefire would expire, with Pakistan indicating it would end at 2350 GMT Tuesday.

This moment came and went with no reports of new military activity by Iran, which had said the ceasefire would end at 0000 GMT. Iran are yet to respond to Trump's ceasefire extension.

The fate of peace talks hosted by Pakistan was left hanging in the balance following Trump's announcement.

A White House official confirmed that Vice President JD Vance would not travel to Pakistan for talks Tuesday as previously planned, pending the submission of an Iranian proposal.

In Islamabad, heavily armed police and soldiers secured the city's government quarter on Tuesday, which was virtually shut down even as no Iranian-US meeting was fixed.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif thanked Trump for extending the ceasefire., with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres also welcoming it.

As the original ceasefire deadline drew in, Iran preemptively threatened to attack its Gulf neighbors' oil production facilities if their territory was used to attack it once the ceasefire expired.

Since the first round of talks in Islamabad, Trump announced a blockade of Iranian ports, which US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said would remain in place.

"In a matter of days, Kharg Island storage will be full and the fragile Iranian oil wells will be shut in," Bessent said in an X post Tuesday, adding that constraining Iran's maritime trade will target its "primary revenue lifelines."

He warned: "Any person or vessel facilitating these flows-through covert trade and finance-risks exposure to U.S. sanctions."

The US Defense Department said Tuesday that its forces intercepted and boarded a "stateless sanctioned" vessel as part of Washington's efforts. AFP has identified the vessel as one affiliated with Iranian activity.

Both sides have accused the other of ceasefire breaches.



- 'Cursed ceasefire' -



Residents in the Iranian capital who spoke to Paris-based AFP journalists say life has only worsened despite the truce.

"This cursed ceasefire has broken us," said Saghar, 39. "I don't know anyone around me who is doing well."

Experts said Iran's noncommittal public stance was an attempt to put pressure on Washington.

"The current standoff between the United States and Iran is no longer a clash of capabilities but rather a struggle of political endurance and bargaining leverage," Daniel Byman of the Center for Strategic and International Studies wrote in a commentary.

Despite the ongoing uncertainty, stocks rose on Tuesday amid lingering hopes for a deal to end the conflict.



- Islamabad lockdown -



On another front in the war, Israel and Lebanon, which have no diplomatic relations, will hold fresh talks in Washington on Thursday, a State Department official told AFP.

A separate 10-day ceasefire was agreed between the two nations on Friday and included Hezbollah, whose rocket fire in support of Iran drew Lebanon into the wider Mideast conflict.

Sporadic violence has continued and Israel's military warned civilians against returning to dozens of villages in southern Lebanon.

The Israeli army said on Tuesday the "Hezbollah terrorist organization launched several rockets" at its troops in Lebanon, adding it had "struck the launcher from which the rockets were launched."

Israeli attacks on Lebanon have killed at least 2,454 people since the start of the war, a Lebanese government body said in its latest toll.

Hezbollah said it launched an attack on northern Israel on Tuesday in retaliation for what it said were Israeli violations of the ceasefire, the first such claim since the truce began.

burs-gw/des/dw/sla/ane/tc
War in the Middle East: latest developments



Paris, France, April 22 (AFP) Apr 22, 2026



The latest developments in the Middle East war:

- 'Iran doesn't want the Strait of Hormuz closed': Trump -



US President Donald Trump said Iran wanted the Strait of Hormuz open in a Truth social post on Tuesday "so they can make $500 Million Dollars a day", which he said the Gulf nation would risk losing if it remains closed.

Trump insisted in the post that keeping a US blockade of the strait, a critical waterway for about a fifth of the world's oil and natural gas exports, was vital for forging a deal with Iran.

"People approached me four days ago, saying, 'Sir, Iran wants to open up the Strait, immediately.' But if we do that, there can never be a Deal with Iran, unless we blow up the rest of their Country, their leaders included!," Trump said in the post.

In a later post, Trump said "Iran is collapsing financially!" and alleged Iran was "Starving for cash!" adding that the "Military and Police complaining that they are not getting paid. SOS!!!"



- Blockade of Iranian ports -



Since the first round of talks in Islamabad, Trump announced a blockade of Iranian ports, which US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said would remain in place.

"In a matter of days, Kharg Island storage will be full and the fragile Iranian oil wells will be shut in," Bessent said in an X post Tuesday, adding that constraining Iran's maritime trade would target its "primary revenue lifelines".

He warned: "Any person or vessel facilitating these flows-through covert trade and finance-risks exposure to U.S. sanctions."



- Trump extends ceasefire, maintains blockade -



Trump extended the US ceasefire with Iran to allow more time for peace talks, with Tehran silent on the decision early Wednesday.

The US president posted on social media Tuesday that he would "extend the Ceasefire" until Iran came up with a proposal to end the conflict. However, he "directed our Military to continue the Blockade".

The ceasefire extension came hours before it was believed to be set to expire.



- Iran threatens Gulf oil -



Iran's Revolutionary Guards threatened to prevent oil production in the Middle East if the Islamic republic faced attacks launched from its Gulf neighbours' territory.

"The southern neighbours should know that if their geography and facilities are used in the service of the enemies to attack the Iranian nation, they should bid farewell to oil production in the Middle East," the commander of Guards' aerospace force, Majid Mousavi, was quoted by Fars news agency as saying on Tuesday.



- Vance delays departure -



Vice President JD Vance, who was expected to lead a US delegation at upcoming negotiations with Iran in Pakistan, was still in Washington midday Tuesday to participate in meetings, the White House said, despite recent reports saying he was to leave that morning.

"Additional policy meetings are taking place at the White House in which the vice president will participate," an official said in a brief statement sent to AFP shortly after 1700 GMT.



- Lebanon seeks 500 mn euros -



Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said Tuesday the country needed 500 million euros ($590 million) to address the conflict's ongoing humanitarian fallout amid a fragile 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.

"Lebanon needs 500 million euros to tackle the humanitarian crisis over the next six months," Salam said during a news conference in Paris with French President Emmanuel Macron.



- Hezbollah retaliates against Israel -



Hezbollah said it launched an attack on northern Israel on Tuesday in retaliation for what it said were Israeli violations of a 10-day ceasefire, the first such claim since the truce began.

The Iran-backed group said in a statement that its fighters launched rockets and attack drones at a site in northern Israel that it said was the source of artillery shelling towards a south Lebanon town.



- Lebanon ups toll -



Lebanon raised the toll from six weeks of war between Israel and Hezbollah to 2,454 dead as a fragile 10-day ceasefire holds.



- Seafarers' SOS -



The head of the UN maritime agency appealed for help for thousands of seafarers stranded in the Gulf by the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Around 20,000 seafarers and 2,000 ships have been stranded since US-Israeli strikes on Iran started the Middle East war on February 28, according to the International Maritime Organization.



- No Iranian departure -



"So far, no delegation from Iran has departed for Islamabad, Pakistan; whether it is the main or subsidiary delegation; primary or secondary," Iranian state TV said, dismissing reports suggesting otherwise.

A source familiar with the US planning for the talks told AFP that an American delegation will head to Pakistan "soon" for a new round of peace negotiations.

burs/jgc/md/ane/mtp
Iran hangs man convicted of links to Israel's Mossad



Tehran, April 22 (AFP) Apr 22, 2026



Iran hanged a man on Wednesday convicted of links to Israel's Mossad spy agency, the judiciary said, the latest in a string of executions against the backdrop of the war with Israel and the United States.

"Mehdi Farid... was hanged this morning for extensive cooperation with the terrorist spy service Mossad after the case was examined and the final verdict was approved," the judiciary's Mizan Online website said.

It was not immediately clear when he was arrested or when his trial took place, but the court found him guilty of "intelligence cooperation and espionage for the Zionist regime" under the capital offence "corruption on earth".

Iran has in recent weeks carried out multiple executions of people linked to mass protests in January that authorities say were instigated by Israel, the United States and opposition groups, including the banned People's Mujahedin.

Iran has been at war with the United States and Israel since February 28 but a ceasefire has been in place since April 8.
China warns Middle East at 'critical juncture' after Trump extends ceasefire



Beijing, April 22 (AFP) Apr 22, 2026



China warned on Wednesday that the situation in the Middle East was at a "critical juncture" after US President Donald Trump extended a ceasefire to allow Iran more time to negotiate.

Trump indefinitely pushed back the end of the two-week truce on Tuesday with Tehran yet to respond but he said a US blockade of Iran's ports would continue.

"The current regional situation stands at a critical juncture transitioning between war and peace; the paramount priority remains to make every effort to prevent a resumption of hostilities," Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun told a news briefing.

Guo did not comment directly on the ceasefire when asked about it, adding only that Beijing would continue to play a "constructive" role.
Trump extends ceasefire, claims Iran 'collapsing financially'



Tehran, April 22 (AFP) Apr 22, 2026



US President Donald Trump extended a ceasefire with Iran to allow more time for talks, claiming the Islamic republic was "collapsing financially" because of the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

There was no word from Tehran on the ceasefire and an Iranian gunboat fired on a container ship off the coast of Oman, causing damage but no casualties, according to a British maritime security agency.

On the Lebanon front, where a truce is also in place in the Israel-Hezbollah conflict, an Israeli strike on an area where the Iran-backed militant group has long held sway killed one person, Lebanese state media said.

Trump said he had pushed back the end of the two-week truce following a request by Pakistani mediators and to give Iran's "fractured" leadership time to form a proposal.

The ceasefire has brought some respite to a region engulfed for weeks in war but with no agreement yet in place, uncertainty has remained and brought little relief to global markets.

Trump, who said the US blockade of Iran's ports would continue, also said the Islamic republic was "collapsing financially" due to the blockade of Hormuz.

"They want the Strait of Hormuz opened immediately - Starving for cash! Losing 500 Million Dollars a day. Military and Police complaining that they are not getting paid. SOS!!!" he wrote on social media.

Iran has all but shut the strait, a key conduit for global energy flows, since the United States and Israel launched a massive attack on the Islamic republic that sparked the Middle East war.

Residents in the Iranian capital who spoke to Paris-based AFP journalists said life had worsened despite the truce.

"This cursed ceasefire has broken us," said Saghar, 39. "I don't know anyone around me who is doing well."

Oil prices fell, along with stocks, on Wednesday as investors assessed the chances of US-Iran peace talks.



- 'Ignored warnings' -



Britain and other US allies have previously told Washington they would not join any military effort to forcibly reopen Hormuz.

But, with a truce now in place, albeit temporary, the British defence ministry said it would host two days of UK-France led talks on the waterway involving more than 30 countries starting Wednesday.

The UK Maritime Trade Operations centre reported, meanwhile, that an Iranian Revolutionary Guards gunboat had fired at a vessel off the coast of Oman on Wednesday.

According to British maritime security firm Vanguard Tech, the vessel was sailing under a Liberian flag and "had been informed it had permission to transit the Strait of Hormuz".

But Iranian news agency Tasnim said the ship had "ignored warnings from Iran's armed forces".

The US Defense Department said Tuesday that US forces had intercepted and boarded a "stateless sanctioned" vessel. AFP has identified the vessel as one affiliated with Iranian activity.

Both sides have accused the other of ceasefire breaches.



- Pakistan talks? -



Ahead of Trump's truce extension, it had been unclear exactly when the ceasefire would expire, with Pakistan indicating it would end at 2350 GMT Tuesday while Iran had put the timing at 0000 GMT.

The fate of peace talks hosted by Pakistan remains unclear.

A previous round of talks collapsed with Iran accusing the United States of making excessive demands.

A White House official confirmed that Vice President JD Vance would not travel to Pakistan for a new round of negotiations as previously planned, pending the submission of an Iranian proposal.

Iran, on the other hand, said never announced whether it had decided to send a delegation, with experts saying its noncommittal was a way to put pressure on the Trump administration.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif thanked Trump for extending the ceasefire. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres also welcomed the move.

In Lebanon, which was also plunged into war when Hezbollah launched rockets at Israel to avenge its killing of Iran's supreme leader, an Israeli strike killed one person and wounded two others on Wednesday, Lebanese state media said.

A separate 10-day ceasefire was agreed between the two nations on Friday and included Hezbollah.

But the militant group on Tuesday said it had launched rockets and attack drones at northern Israel in response to "blatant" ceasefire violations, which it said included "attacks on civilians and the destruction of their homes and villages".

The Israeli military said that day that Hezbollah "launched several rockets" towards soldiers still stationed in south Lebanon and that the military struck the launcher in response.

Israel and Lebanon, which have no diplomatic relations, will hold fresh talks in Washington on Thursday, a State Department official told AFP.

Israeli attacks on Lebanon have killed at least 2,454 people since the start of the war, a Lebanese government body said in its latest toll.

burs/ser/dc
News / National

by Staff reporter

The Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) has rejected a US$3.6 million donation offered to its Members of Parliament by controversial businessman Wicknell Chivayo, describing the gesture as improper, suspicious and ill-timed.Chivayo announced over the weekend that he would extend the donation to all Members of the National Assembly and Senate, stating that the funds were intended to support constituency development projects.However, the offer has drawn widespread criticism, with some observers interpreting it as an attempt to influence lawmakers ahead of deliberations on the proposed Constitution Amendment Bill No. 3.The Bill seeks to introduce significant constitutional changes, including extending the presidential term from five to seven years and shifting the election of the President from a public vote to Parliament.In a statement, the CCC Parliamentary Caucus said the unsolicited donation raises serious concerns about the integrity of the legislative process."While Sir Wicknell's philanthropic activities are a matter of public record, the timing of this unsolicited gesture is deeply troubling. It comes at a highly sensitive moment in our national politics as Parliament prepares to deliberate on Constitution Amendment Bill No. 3. Such actions risk undermining public confidence in the integrity of parliamentary processes," said CCC Chief Whip Charles Moyo.Moyo criticised the manner in which the offer was made, saying it bypassed established political protocols and accountability structures."To proceed unilaterally, without engagement, is a breach of basic political protocol and shows disregard for the norms of accountability that citizens demand of their elected representatives," he said.He confirmed that the opposition party would not accept the funds."Accordingly, the CCC Parliamentary Caucus will not accept this donation. We consider the manner and timing of this offer inappropriate and contrary to the principles of transparent public service," Moyo added.He urged Chivayo to engage the party through formal channels if his intentions were genuine."Any assistance to citizens must be channelled through proper, accountable structures and directed to vulnerable communities, not used as a political spectacle. Parliamentarians are not for sale, and the legislative agenda of this nation is not for auction," he said.
Iranian gunboat fires at container off Oman, ship off Iran also targeted



Dubai, April 22 (AFP) Apr 22, 2026



An Iranian gunboat fired at a container ship off the coast of Oman Wednesday, while a ship off Iran was also fired upon, a British maritime security agency said.

"The master of a container ship reported that the vessel was approached by one IRGC gunboat... that then fired upon the vessel, which has caused heavy damage to the bridge. No fires or environmental impact reported," the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations centre said.

It added that the incident took place 15 nautical miles northeast of Oman and all the crew were safe.

According to British maritime security firm Vanguard Tech, the vessel was sailing under a Liberian flag and "had been informed it had permission to transit the Strait of Hormuz".

But Iranian news agency Tasnim said the ship had "ignored warnings from Iran's armed forces".

In a separate incident, a cargo ship eight nautical miles west off Iran was fired upon and stopped in the water.

It was unclear who had targeted this ship.

"A master of an outbound cargo ship reports having been fired upon and is now stopped in the water. Crew are safe and accounted for. There is no reported damage to the vessel," UKMTO said.

Vanguard identified it as the Panama-flagged containership Euphoria, which it said was "transiting outbound of the Strait of Hormuz".

"It remains unclear whether she has resumed transiting," the firm said.

Marine Traffic showed that the ship was headed from the Jebel Ali port in the UAE to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia.

Shipping through the strategic Strait of Hormuz has been heavily restricted by Iran since the start of the war with Israel and the United States, while the US military is enforcing a blockade of Iranian ports.

US President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that the truce between the two countries would be extended after it first took effect on April 8.
Pakistan's capital holds its breath with US-Iran talks in limbo



Islamabad, Pakistan, April 22 (AFP) Apr 22, 2026



Pakistan's capital was still locked in gear on Wednesday to host high-stakes US-Iran talks that were pushed back at the last minute overnight, but many residents began to tire of the heavy personal and economic toll of tight security restrictions.

Markets were quiet, government officials worked from home, children attended class online and security forces enforced strict curbs on entering the vast "red zone" around the negotiating venue.

US Vice President JD Vance had been expected to arrive on Wednesday morning but the White House abruptly changed plans, with Iran's negotiating delegation also delaying a decision on attending talks.

Many residents hoped that negotiations would bring an end to road closures and other restrictions throughout the capital, with some areas under virtual lockdown.

Initial public euphoria over Pakistan's image being burnished on the global stage has begun to give way to fraying patience after weeks of stop-start restrictions around Islamabad.

"We have to live here, the Red Zone has been shut down. Children cannot go to school, and shops are closed from time to time," said office worker Zainab Ali Uthmankhail, 27.

"Personally I do find it very annoying. My time is wasted. Transport fares have increased. But I am happy that we are doing something positive," she said.



- No customers -



Similar measures were enforced for a first round of US-Iran talks in Islamabad this month, and some restrictions were never lifted.

That round of negotiations ended without an agreement, but US President Donald Trump extended a ceasefire on Wednesday as feverish diplomacy continued to end the Middle East War that began with US and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28.

Major roads have been closed in recent days to facilitate the arrival of foreign delegations and US cargo planes delivering equipment.

Islamabad residents are used to restrictions and road closures, having lived through periods of militant attacks, political protests and visits by heads of state.

But the intensity and stop-start nature of this month's measures have pushed some to the limit, especially the many small business owners and daily wage workers whose incomes have been slashed in an already struggling economy.

"The impact of the lockdown is that we are not seeing any customers here in the market... the government does not know what one day of their lockdown does to our households," Muhammad Ahsan, 35, the owner of a small jewellery kiosk, said this week.

"Our stoves do not run, we do not find food (in the markets)."

Large businesses were also affected, with major oil refiner Attock announcing it was pausing production at a key unit due to transport disruptions.

Many in Islamabad nonetheless were proud of their country's role in navigating a possible end to weeks of fighting that has killed thousands and thrown the global economy into turmoil.

However, they also braced themselves for more disruption.

"We are giving a small sacrifice to reduce the size of the larger sacrifice," said Syed Umar Hasnain Shah, a young doctor. "So we will continue to sacrifice."
NATO 'will always defend' Turkey: chief says



Ankara, April 22 (AFP) Apr 22, 2026



NATO chief Mark Rutte said on Wednesday the alliance would do "what's necessary to defend" its members including Turkey after intercepting four missiles fired from Iran and head into Turkish air space over the past weeks.

A member of the US-led defence alliance, Turkey, which borders Iran, has been largely spared the sort of retaliation from Tehran suffered by countries in the Middle East before the ceasefire.

NATO forces had shot down ballistic missiles fired from Iran for four times, prompting the alliance to deploy a new Patriot missile battery at Incirlik air base in southern Turkey.

"Iran is spreading terror and chaos, and you feel this prominently here in Turkey," Rutte told journalists on a visit to Turkey's largest defence electronics company Aselsan.

"In recent weeks, NATO has successfully intercepted ballistic missiles heading to Turkey from Iran on four separate occasions," he said.

"NATO is prepared for such threats and will always do what is necessary to defend Turkey and all others. And we cannot do it alone," he added.

Rutte's visit comes ahead of a July summit by NATO leaders to be held in Ankara.

Praising the progress made by Turkey in the defence field, Rutte said: "We can learn a lot from what Turkey is doing here".

"This is needed because we live in a more dangerous world... and that means we need strong defences to protect our security".

Rutte said: "Turkey has gone through a defence industrial revolution. I could really say it's a revolution in recent years".

The NATO chief is due to meet with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Drone strikes hit Iranian Kurdish rebels in Iraq: exiled group



Erbil, Iraq, April 22 (AFP) Apr 22, 2026



Drone strikes in Iraq's northern Kurdistan region on Wednesday wounded three Iranian Kurdish rebels, an exiled opposition group said, blaming the attack on Tehran.

During the Middle East war, Iran has repeatedly struck Iranian Kurdish groups in Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region, which hosts camps and bases belonging to several exiled rebel groups.

"Tehran launched an attack with four drones on bases" belonging to the Kurdistan Freedom Party (PAK), wounding three fighters, the exiled group said in a statement.

Its spokesperson Kalel Kani Sanani told AFP that the fighters sustained minor injuries, adding that the attack occurred in the Khabat district of Erbil province.

Iranian Kurdish rebels have been struck several times during a fragile ceasefire that took effect on April 8 in the US-Israeli war against Iran, which US President Donald Trump extended on Tuesday.

The PAK said in their statement that it falls on Trump "to protect the Kurdistan region" during the truce.

Iran designates several Iranian Kurdish armed groups as terrorist organisations and accuses them of serving Western or Israeli interests.

Before the war erupted in the Middle East, five exiled groups, including the PAK, announced a political coalition to seek the overthrow of Iran's Islamic republic and secure Kurdish self-determination.

strs-cbg/rh/axn
Report says US blocked $500m cash shipment to Iraq over pro-Iran attacks



Washington, United States, April 22 (AFP) Apr 22, 2026



The United States blocked a plane carrying nearly $500 million in banknotes from delivering the cash to Iraq, US media reported on Tuesday, piling pressure on Baghdad to fight Iran-backed militant groups.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Washington has suspended cash shipments to Iraq and frozen funding for security programs following attacks on US interests in the country by groups showing solidarity with Iran.

Iraq has long walked a tightrope between the competing influences of its allies, neighbouring Iran and the United States.

However, Iraqi leaders have struggled to maintain that delicate balance as war engulfs the Middle East.

The US State Department said this month it had summoned Iraq's ambassador to Washington to express "strong condemnation" of attacks by pro-Iran groups on US interests, "including the April 8 ambush of US diplomats in Baghdad".

The Wall Street Journal reported that the US Treasury Department blocked a shipment of nearly $500 million in cash from Iraqi oil sales, quoting US and Iraqi officials.

AFP has contacted the Treasury Department for comment.

The United States has leverage over Iraq because the country's oil export revenue is largely held at the Federal Reserve Bank in New York, under an arrangement reached after the 2003 US invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein.

The Wall Street Journal quoted unidentified US officials as saying that the suspension on cash shipments was temporary.

The Central Bank of Iraq has not commented specifically about the reports.

However, it said on Tuesday it was not lacking US dollars and that it had "fulfilled all requests from banks and exchange companies for US dollars, which are intended for pilgrims, travelers and foreign transfers."

The funding freeze to security programs includes training for Iraq's army and counterterror efforts against the Islamic State group, The New York Times reported.

bur-cms/pbt
Israel FM calls on Lebanon to 'work together' with Israel against Hezbollah



Jerusalem, April 22 (AFP) Apr 22, 2026



Israel's foreign minister on Wednesday urged Beirut to make joint efforts with Israel to counter the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah, ahead of talks between the countries set to resume in Washington.

"Tomorrow the direct talks between Israel and Lebanon will resume in Washington DC. I call on the government of Lebanon -- let's work together against the terror state that Hezbollah built in your territory," Gideon Saar said in a speech to diplomats at a function marking Israel's 78th Independence Day.

"This cooperation is needed by you even more than by us. It requires moral clarity and the courage to take risks. But there is no real alternative for ensuring a future of peace for you and for us."

Israel and Lebanon, which have no diplomatic relations, will hold fresh talks in Washington on Thursday, a State Department official told AFP.

Israel conducted huge airstrikes across Lebanon and invaded the south after Hezbollah entered the Middle East war in support of its backer Iran on March 2.

Despite a truce which began on Friday, Israeli soldiers are still active in south Lebanon, with Defence Minister Israel Katz saying last week they would use "full force" if threatened.

Under the truce terms, Israel says it reserves the right to act against "planned, imminent or ongoing attacks".

Earlier on Wednesday, the Israeli military said its troops killed two "terrorists who violated the ceasefire understandings" in the area of Saluki in southern Lebanon a day earlier.

The pair had "crossed the forward defence line and approached soldiers, posing an immediate threat", the military said, adding that its air force later struck and eliminated them.

An Israeli airstrike also killed one person and wounded two in Lebanon's Bekaa region on Wednesday, according to Lebanon's state-run National News Agency.

The Israeli military has established a so-called "Yellow Line" in south Lebanon near the border, where its forces are operating despite the ceasefire.

On Tuesday, it said Hezbollah launched rockets towards soldiers stationed in south Lebanon and that the military struck the launcher in response.

It also said it had intercepted a drone fired from Lebanon before it crossed into Israeli territory.

Hezbollah said it had launched an attack on northern Israel in retaliation for what it said were Israeli ceasefire violations, the first such claim since the truce began.

Saar, in his speech on Wednesday, reiterated that Israel does not have any "serious disagreements" with Lebanon.

"Unfortunately, Lebanon is a failed state, a state that is de facto under Iranian occupation through Hezbollah," he said.

"The obstacle to peace and normalisation between the (two) countries is one -- Hezbollah."
Niger junta says it suspended nearly 3,000 NGOs in 2025



Niamey, Niger, April 22 (AFP) Apr 22, 2026



Niger's military government suspended the activities of 2,900 of the 4,700 registered local and foreign non-governmental organisations and development agencies, the interior minister said.

The junta led by General Abdourahmane Tiani since July 2023 has made national sovereignty one of its priorities, as has its neighbour and ally Burkina Faso, which is also military run.

Last week, Burkina Faso authorities dissolved more than 100 NGOs and associations, many of them involved in the defence of human rights, and banned them from operating.

In Niger, the military regularly accuses NGOs of lacking transparency and of supporting "terrorists" -- armed groups that are destabilising several parts of the country.

Last year, authorities banned several local and international NGOs from operating, criticising them for failing to publish their 2024 financial statements on time in the official gazette.

"We had 4,700 NGOs. Today, we have 1,800," General Mohamed Toumba announced on state television on Tuesday evening.

More than 330 international NGOs were registered in Niger but the number of those affected by the suspensions was not specified.

Toumba explained that the suspensions were part of a "clean-up" and that "clear missions have been assigned" to NGOs, which must now "align themselves with national development priorities".

NGOs and associations raised more than 250 billion CFA francs ($448 million) in 2024, according to official figures.

Burkina Faso, which is a partner with Niger and Mali in the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), last year adopted a law that subjects associations to strict administrative obligations.
China denies US-detained ship in Middle East contained 'gift' for Iran



Beijing, April 22 (AFP) Apr 22, 2026



China on Wednesday denied again that a ship intercepted by the United States contained a "gift" from Beijing for Iran, a day after US President Donald Trump made the accusation.

Trump had said that an Iranian-flagged ship seized by US forces in the Gulf of Oman on Sunday contained "a gift from China", which "wasn't very nice".

His comments came after former US ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley wrote on X that the ship was travelling from China to Iran and was linked to chemical shipments for missiles.

Responding to Haley's accusations at a regular news briefing on Tuesday, foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said the ship was "a foreign container ship", and that China opposed "any malicious association and speculation".

Asked about Trump's comments on Wednesday, Guo said China had already stated its position.

"As a responsible major country, China has always set a good example in fulfilling its due international obligation," he added.

Trump had said Tuesday that he was "a little surprised", given he thought he had an "understanding" with China's President Xi Jinping.

A week ago, Trump announced that Xi had assured him there would be no Chinese weapons deliveries to Iran.

Beijing is a close partner of Tehran and has called the US-Israeli strikes on Iran illegal, but it has also criticised attacks on Gulf countries and called for the Strait of Hormuz to be reopened.

The seized vessel, Touska, had been sailing towards the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said Sunday.

The guided missile destroyer USS Spruance fired several rounds from a five-inch calibre gun to disable the Iranian ship's propulsion after directing it "to evacuate its engine room", CENTCOM said in a post on X.

The incident comes with tensions high in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital conduit for the world's oil and liquefied natural gas, which has been virtually closed since the start of the Middle East war.

Iran briefly reopened the strait on Friday in recognition of an Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire in Lebanon, but closed it again the following day in response to the US maintaining its blockade on ships travelling to and from Iranian ports.

sam/reb/mtp
Ships attacked in Gulf as Trump extends Iran ceasefire



Tehran, April 22 (AFP) Apr 22, 2026



Iranian gunboats attacked at least one container ship in the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, maritime agencies said, despite US President Donald Trump announcing he was extending a ceasefire to allow more time for peace talks.

The British maritime security monitor UKMTO said one container ship reported it was fired upon by an Iranian Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) boat 15 nautical miles northeast of Oman near the entrance to the strait, causing damage to the bridge bit no casualties.

The Iranian news agency Tasnim said the ship had "ignored warnings from Iran's armed forces", which are blockading the strategic waterway, but British security firm Vanguard Tech sad the vessel was sailing under a Liberian flag and "had been informed it had permission to transit the Strait of Hormuz".

Separately, another container ship eight nautical miles west of the Iranian coast was fired upon and stopped in the water, UKMTO said, without identifying the attackers. Vanguard identified it as the Panama-flagged containership Euphoria, which it said was "transiting outbound of the Strait of Hormuz".

The US Navy is attempting to block vessels heading to and from Iranian ports, while Tehran has said vessels must seek permission to leave of enter the Gulf through Hormuz, through a route that in peacetime accounts for a fifth of the world's oil and gas exports along with other vital commodities.



- 'Stateless and sanctioned' -



The US Defense Department said Tuesday that US forces had intercepted and boarded a "stateless sanctioned" vessel. AFP has identified the ship as one linked to Iranian activity. Both sides accuse the other of ceasefire breaches.

Before the latest attacks, Trump had said he had pushed back the end of the two-week truce following a request by Pakistani mediators and to give Iran's "fractured" leadership time to form a proposal.

The ceasefire has brought some respite to a region engulfed for weeks in war but, with no agreement yet in place, uncertainty remains and brought little relief to global markets.

Trump said the US blockade of Iran's ports would continue, while Pakistani mediators try to revive a dialogue. Iran has all but shut the strait in the seven weeks since the United States and Israel launched a massive attack on the Islamic republic that plunged the Middle East into war.

Residents in the Iranian capital who spoke to Paris-based AFP journalists said life had worsened despite the truce.

"This cursed ceasefire has broken us," said Saghar, 39. "I don't know anyone around me who is doing well."

Oil prices fell, along with stocks, on Wednesday as investors assessed the chances of US-Iran peace talks.



- Pakistan talks? -



Britain and other US allies have previously told Washington they would not join any military effort to forcibly reopen Hormuz.

But, with a truce now in place, albeit temporary, the British defence ministry said it would host two days of UK-France led talks on the waterway involving more than 30 countries starting Wednesday.

The fate of peace talks hosted by Pakistan remains unclear. A previous round collapsed with Tehran accusing the United States of making excessive demands on Hormuz and its nuclear programme.

A White House official confirmed that Vice President JD Vance would not travel to Pakistan for a new round of negotiations as previously planned, pending the submission of an Iranian proposal.

Iran, on the other hand, said never announced whether it had decided to send a delegation, with experts saying its noncommittal was a way to put pressure on the Trump administration.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif thanked Trump for extending the ceasefire. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres also welcomed the move.

In Lebanon, which was also plunged into war when Hezbollah launched rockets at Israel to avenge its killing of Iran's supreme leader, an Israeli strike killed one person and wounded two others on Wednesday, Lebanese state media said.



- 'Blatant violations' -



A separate 10-day ceasefire was agreed between the two nations on Friday and included Hezbollah.

But the militant group on Tuesday said it had launched rockets and attack drones at northern Israel in response to "blatant" ceasefire violations, which it said included "attacks on civilians and the destruction of their homes and villages".

The Israeli military said that day that Hezbollah "launched several rockets" towards soldiers still stationed in south Lebanon and that the military struck the launcher in response.

Israel and Lebanon, which have no diplomatic relations, will hold fresh talks in Washington on Thursday, a State Department official told AFP.

Israeli attacks on Lebanon have killed at least 2,454 people since the start of the war, a Lebanese government body said in its latest toll.

burs/dc/ser
Iran Guards say 'seized' two ships attempting to cross Strait of Hormuz



Tehran, April 22 (AFP) Apr 22, 2026



Iran's Revolutionary Guards said on Wednesday that their naval forces stopped two ships attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz and directed them to the territorial waters of the Islamic Republic.

"The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps naval force this morning identified and stopped in the Strait of Hormuz two violating ships," the Guards said in a statement.

"The two offending ships... were seized by the IRGC's naval forces and directed to the Iranian coast."

They identified one ship as "MSC-FRANCESCA", which they said belonged "to the Zionist regime" in reference to Israel, and the other as "EPAMINONDAS", which they said was "tampering with navigation systems and jeopardising maritime security."

The Guards further warned against any action against the regulations imposed by the Islamic republic in the strait "as well as activities contrary to the safe passage" through the waterway.

Tehran has said vessels must seek permission to leave of enter the Gulf through Hormuz, through a route that in peacetime accounts for a fifth of the world's oil and gas exports along with other vital commodities.
News / National

by Staff reporter

The Government has launched a US$1 million Youth Economic Fund aimed at expanding access to finance for young entrepreneurs across all 10 provinces.The fund, which will be administered through EmpowerBank, was unveiled during National Youth Day celebrations held on the sidelines of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF), running from April 20 to 25.The initiative is designed to support youth-led businesses, stimulate innovation and create jobs in an economy where unemployment among young people remains a major challenge.Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation Tino Machakaire said the fund aligns with President Emmerson Mnangagwa's 2025 National Youth Empowerment Strategy, which seeks to integrate young people into the mainstream economy. Youths account for more than 60% of Zimbabwe's estimated 16 million population.John Mushayavanhu, Governor of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, attended the launch alongside representatives from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), highlighting international backing for the initiative.Discussions at the event focused on improving financial literacy, expanding access to capital and strengthening skills development to support sustainable youth enterprises.Ruth Mugwagwa, chairperson of the Zimbabwe Youth Council, encouraged young people to prioritise entrepreneurship and job creation."Dream big and focus on creating jobs," she said.EmpowerBank is expected to handle the disbursement and management of the fund nationwide, although details on eligibility criteria and application processes are yet to be announced.The launch comes as Zimbabwe intensifies efforts to address high youth unemployment and position entrepreneurship as a key driver of economic recovery.
Report says US blocked $500 mn cash shipment to Iraq over pro-Iran attacks



Washington, United States, April 22 (AFP) Apr 22, 2026



The United States blocked a plane carrying nearly $500 million in banknotes from delivering the cash to Iraq, US media reported on Tuesday, piling pressure on Baghdad to fight Iran-backed militant groups.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Washington has suspended cash shipments to Iraq and frozen funding for security programs following attacks on US interests in the country by groups showing solidarity with Iran.

Iraq has long walked a tightrope between the competing influences of its allies, neighboring Iran and the United States.

However, Iraqi leaders have struggled to maintain that delicate balance as war engulfs the Middle East.

An Iraqi security official confirmed to AFP that the United States has suspended its security cooperation with Iraq over factions targeting US interests.

The US State Department said this month it had summoned Iraq's ambassador to Washington to express "strong condemnation" of attacks by pro-Iran groups on US interests, "including the April 8 ambush of US diplomats in Baghdad".

The US embassy in Baghdad and a logistical and diplomatic centre inside the city's airport have been repeatedly targeted by rockets and drones, with most intercepted, since the war broke out on February 28.

Missile and rocket attacks also targeted the US consulate in Erbil in Iraq's northern Kurdistan region, as well as the city's airport, where US-led anti-jihadist coalition troops are deployed.



- Counter-terror training -



The Wall Street Journal reported that the US Treasury Department blocked a shipment of nearly $500 million in cash from Iraqi oil sales, quoting US and Iraqi officials.

AFP has contacted the Treasury Department for comment.

The United States has leverage over Iraq because the country's oil export revenue is largely held at the Federal Reserve Bank in New York, under an arrangement reached after the 2003 US-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein.

The Wall Street Journal quoted unidentified US officials as saying that the suspension of cash shipments was temporary.

The Central Bank of Iraq has not commented specifically about the reports.

However, it said on Tuesday it was not lacking US dollars and that it had "fulfilled all requests from banks and exchange companies for US dollars, which are intended for pilgrims, travelers and foreign transfers."

The funding freeze to security programs includes training for Iraq's army and counter-terror efforts against the Islamic State group, The New York Times reported.

Fighting IS jihadists is a key part of Washington's military cooperation with Iraq, after the group swept across Iraq and neighboring Syria in 2014.

Iranian commander Esmail Qaani arrived in Baghdad on Saturday for meetings with political leaders and commanders of armed factions, a senior Iraqi official said, aiming to "address regional de-escalation and its impact on Iraq".

Pro-Iranian armed groups announced on April 8 that they would suspend their attacks for two weeks, following the announcement of a ceasefire between the United States and Iran.

bur-cms/pbt
Iran says seized two ships seeking to cross Strait of Hormuz



Tehran, April 22 (AFP) Apr 22, 2026



Iran's Revolutionary Guards said Wednesday their naval forces had seized two container ships seeking to cross the blockaded Strait of Hormuz, despite US President Donald Trump announcing he was extending a ceasefire to allow more time for peace talks.

UK-based maritime security monitors confirmed that three commercial vessels had reported incidents involving gunboats in the strait, the international gateway for the Gulf oil and gas industry which US and Iranian forces are battling to control.

"The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps naval force this morning identified and stopped in the Strait of Hormuz two violating ships," the Guards said in a statement. "The two offending ships... were seized by the IRGC's naval forces and directed to the Iranian coast."

They identified one ship as the Panama-flagged container ship MSC Francesca and the Liberia-flagged Epaminodas. The tracking site Marine Traffic showed the last known positions of both vessels closer to the Iranian coast of the strait, northeast of Oman.

Earlier, the British maritime security monitor UKMTO said one container ship reported it was fired upon by an Iranian Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) boat 15 nautical miles northeast of Oman, causing damage to the bridge but no casualties.

Separately, a third ship was fired upon and stopped in the water eight nautical miles west of the Iranian coast, UKMTO said, without identifying the attackers.

British Security firm Vanguard Tech identified it as the Panama-flagged containership Euphoria, which it said was "transiting outbound of the Strait of Hormuz".

The US Navy is attempting to block vessels heading to and from Iranian ports, while Tehran has said vessels must seek permission to leave or enter the Gulf through Hormuz, a route that in peacetime accounts for a fifth of the world's oil and gas exports along with other vital commodities.



- 'Stateless and sanctioned' -



The US Defense Department said Tuesday that US forces had intercepted and boarded a "stateless sanctioned" vessel. AFP has identified the ship as one linked to Iranian activity. Both sides accuse the other of ceasefire breaches.

Before the latest attacks, Trump had said he had pushed back the end of the two-week truce following a request by Pakistani mediators and to give Iran's "fractured" leadership time to form a proposal.

The ceasefire has brought some respite to a region engulfed for weeks in war but, with no agreement yet in place, uncertainty remains and brought little relief to global markets.

Trump said the US blockade of Iran's ports would continue, while Pakistani mediators try to revive a dialogue.

Iran has all but shut the strait in the seven weeks since the United States and Israel launched a massive attack on the Islamic republic that plunged the Middle East into war.

Residents in the Iranian capital who spoke to Paris-based AFP journalists said life had worsened despite the truce.

"This cursed ceasefire has broken us," said Saghar, 39. "I don't know anyone around me who is doing well."

Oil prices fell, along with stocks, on Wednesday as investors assessed the chances of US-Iran peace talks.



- Pakistan talks? -



Britain and other US allies have previously told Washington they would not join any military effort to forcibly reopen Hormuz.

But the British defence ministry said it would host two days of UK-France led talks on the waterway involving more than 30 countries starting Wednesday.

The fate of peace talks hosted by Pakistan remains unclear. A previous round collapsed with Tehran accusing the United States of making excessive demands on Hormuz and its nuclear programme.

A White House official confirmed that Vice President JD Vance would not travel to Pakistan for a new round of negotiations as previously planned, pending the submission of an Iranian proposal.

Iran, on the other hand, never announced whether it had decided to send a delegation, with experts saying its noncommittal was a way to put pressure on the Trump administration.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif thanked Trump for extending the ceasefire. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres also welcomed the move.

In Lebanon, which was also plunged into war when Hezbollah launched rockets at Israel to avenge its killing of Iran's supreme leader, an Israeli strike killed one person and wounded two others on Wednesday, Lebanese state media said.



- 'Blatant violations' -



A separate 10-day ceasefire was agreed between the two nations on Friday and included Hezbollah.

But the militant group on Tuesday said it had launched rockets and attack drones at northern Israel in response to "blatant" ceasefire violations, which it said included "attacks on civilians and the destruction of their homes and villages".

The Israeli military said that day that Hezbollah "launched several rockets" towards soldiers still stationed in south Lebanon and that the military struck the launcher in response.

Israel and Lebanon, which have no diplomatic relations, will hold fresh talks in Washington on Thursday, a State Department official told AFP.

Israeli attacks on Lebanon have killed at least 2,454 people since the start of the war, a Lebanese government body said in its latest toll.

burs/dc/ser
Iran hangs former nuclear employee on spying charges: NGOs



Paris, France, April 22 (AFP) Apr 22, 2026



Iran hanged a man on Wednesday convicted of links to Israel's Mossad spy agency, the judiciary said, with two NGOs based outside the country saying he worked for the Iranian atomic energy organisation.

The execution of Mehdi Farid was the latest in a number of hangings of high-profile convicts in an accelerating trend that has alarmed rights groups.

"Mehdi Farid... was hanged this morning for extensive cooperation with the terrorist spy service Mossad after the case was examined and the final verdict was approved," the judiciary's Mizan Online website said, adding that he had been convicted of the capital offence of "corruption on earth".

Norway-based NGO Iran Human Rights, which monitors executions in Iran, said Farid had been working for Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation when he was arrested on May 31, 2023.

It said he was initially sentenced to 10 years in prison but then, in a new trial in July 2025, was sentenced to death on charges of spying for Israel.

The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) also said Farid, 55, was an employee of the atomic energy organisation and that the new trial was a result of an appeal from the prosecutor.

Since executions resumed on March 19 amid the war against the US and Israel, Iranian authorities have executed eight men on charges related to mass protests earlier this year and another eight men who were members of the People's Mujahedin (MEK), an opposition group which is banned in Iran.

Iran also executed an Iranian-Swedish citizen on charges of spying for Israel. Two of the MEK members were executed on similar spying charges, an accusation the group has described as absurd.

"Since the conflict began, the implementation of death sentences has entered a new and worrying stage marked by a complete focus on prisoners with political and security charges and a noticeable acceleration in the implementation of sentences," HRANA said.

Mizan said Farid was a manager in the Passive Defence Organisation, a civil defence body, which issued a statement denying that he had "any membership, responsibility or position" there.

Iranian officials have warned there will be no leniency for anyone deemed to have collaborated with Israel.

A number of top officials were killed in targeted strikes during Israel's June 2025 war against Iran and the latest US-Israeli war, including supreme leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed on February 28, the first day of the current conflict.
Three ships targeted in Hormuz, Iran seizes two: monitors, Guards



Dubai, April 22 (AFP) Apr 22, 2026



Iranian forces targeted three container ships on Wednesday, seizing two and firing on a third, global security monitors and the country's Revolutionary Guards said, the latest incidents to threaten a crucial trade route in the Middle East war.

British maritime security agency UKMTO said an Iranian gunboat fired at a container ship off the coast of Oman Wednesday, while a ship off Iran was also fired upon.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) said separately that their naval forces stopped two ships attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz and directed them to Iranian waters.

It accused them of breaching its blockade of the route, imposed in the Middle East war that erupted on February 28 with US and Israeli strikes on Iran.

"The master of a container ship reported that the vessel was approached by one IRGC gunboat... that then fired upon the vessel, which has caused heavy damage to the bridge. No fires or environmental impact reported," the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations centre said.

It added that the incident took place 15 nautical miles northeast of Oman and all the crew were safe.

According to British maritime security firm Vanguard Tech, the vessel was sailing under a Liberian flag and "had been informed it had permission to transit the Strait of Hormuz".

Iranian news agency Tasnim said the ship had "ignored warnings from Iran's armed forces".

The IGRC said its naval force "this morning identified and stopped in the Strait of Hormuz two violating ships".

In a statement, the force said the vessels "were seized by the IRGC's naval forces and directed to the Iranian coast."

The IRGC named the two ships seized as the MSC-Francesca and the Epaminondas, Iranian broadcaster IRIB said on Telegram.

It alleged the Francesca was linked to Israel while the Epaminodes lacked "the necessary permits" and had been "tampering with navigation systems".

Ship-tracking platform MarineTraffic showed the two vessels -- both container ships -- stopped near the Iranian coast on Wednesday.



- Cargo ship fired on -



In a separate incident, a cargo ship eight nautical miles west of Iran was fired upon and stopped in the water, UKMTO said.

"A master of an outbound cargo ship reports having been fired upon and is now stopped in the water. Crew are safe and accounted for. There is no reported damage to the vessel," UKMTO said.

Vanguard identified it as the Panama-flagged containership Euphoria, which it said was "transiting outbound of the Strait of Hormuz".

MarineTraffic later showed the Euphoria had left the strait and was headed to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia.

Shipping through the strategic Strait of Hormuz has been heavily restricted by Iran since the start of the war with Israel and the United States, while the US military is enforcing a counter-blockade of Iranian ports.

US President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that the truce between the two countries would be extended after it first took effect on April 8.
Warning of Iran war's long impact, EU doubles down on clean energy



Brussels, Belgium, April 22 (AFP) Apr 22, 2026



The Iran war energy crisis should act as a wake-up call for Europe to redouble efforts to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, Brussels said Wednesday warning the conflict's effects will be felt for years.

The effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz has sent oil prices soaring and affected supply of jet fuel in Europe.

"This must be a wake-up call and a turning point -- when Europe steps away from fossil fuel dependence, and steps towards clean energy autonomy," EU energy chief Dan Jorgensen told a press conference in Brussels.

Even if a diplomatic solution to the standoff between Iran and the United States was to be found, the effects of the crisis would be felt for years, he said.

"Even a best case scenario is a pretty bad scenario for the next months to come, and we will have effects for years," Jorgensen said.

Damage to gas infrastructure in Qatar for example could take years to return be fully repaired, affecting prices of liquified natural gas, he noted.

In response the European Commission laid out steps to help the 27-nation bloc navigate current and future straits.

These included relaxed state aid rules, coordination on gas storage filling, and an "electrification action plan" to further accelerate "the shift to homegrown clean energy".

A "fuel observatory" to track EU production, imports, exports and stock levels of transport fuels would also be established.

Focus would initially be on jet propellant. While the EU has said there is currently no evidence of "actual shortages", stocks are under pressure in parts of the bloc.

"We can indeed end up in a situation where this will cause a real problem to us," Jorgensen said.

"A lot of people are going on holiday this summer. A lot of cities and regions and member states are dependent on tourism. And of course, they are very worried".

The commission said it will coordinate with member states, fuel suppliers, airports and airlines on the sourcing of alternative supply and propose measures to optimise distribution across the bloc to ensure availability.

About 20 percent of jet fuel consumed in the 27-nation EU relies on imports via the Strait of Hormuz that has been effectively closed by the war.
Vietnam, South Korea sign deals on tech, nuclear power



Hanoi, Vietnam, April 22 (AFP) Apr 22, 2026



Vietnam's top leader To Lam hosted South Korean President Lee Jae Myung in Hanoi on Wednesday, announcing a dozen cooperative agreements including on tech innovation and development of nuclear power plants.

South Korea is Vietnam's biggest source of foreign investment and one of its top trading partners, with two-way commerce topping $90 billion last year.

Lee's visit showed "high political trust" between the two countries, Lam said during the meeting at the presidential palace.

"Vietnam welcomes South Korean companies to make new investments and expand existing projects, with a focus on the development of infrastructure, smart cities, semiconductors, AI data centres, nuclear power, smart seaports," the Vietnamese leader said.

It was the second meeting in less than a year between the two Asian leaders, following Lam's visit to Seoul in August.

After Wednesday's agreements, South Korea's Lee said that with geopolitical uncertainty at "unprecedented heights" and technological competition intensifying, "we hope that the peoples, businesses and governments of both countries will build on the quantitative achievements we have forged together".



- Cooperation for development -



Hanoi wants more South Korean investment in infrastructure, advanced electronics manufacturing, semiconductors, artificial intelligence and renewable energy.

Among the agreements signed on Wednesday was a framework for a Vietnam-South Korea "master plan on cooperation in science, technology and innovation".

Other agreements dealt with digital cooperation, intellectual property and the development of nuclear power plants.

Lam, who became president this month in addition to Communist Party boss, is pushing a "new growth model" that prioritises digital and technological innovation as Vietnam aims to escape the "middle-income trap".

The World Bank said in its 2024 development report that countries usually hit such a "trap" when they reach around 10 percent of annual US GDP per capita, which can prove tough to move past.

Vietnam and South Korea have set a target of achieving $150 billion in bilateral trade by 2030.

South Korean giant Samsung is Vietnam's largest foreign corporate investor, having sunk more than $23 billion into the Southeast Asian country, according to the finance ministry.

Samsung Electronics is planning to invest another $4 billion in a chip packaging factory in northern Thai Nguyen province, according to recent reports.
Israel army returns dozens of Israeli settler activists who entered Syria



Jerusalem, April 22 (AFP) Apr 22, 2026



The Israeli military said it apprehended and returned dozens of Israeli civilians who had briefly crossed into Syria on Wednesday, with Israeli media reporting that the group were activists from a settler organisation.

The military said around 40 people gathered near Israel's northern border before crossing into Syrian territory and continuing for several hundred metres.

It said Israeli soldiers returned the group to Israel, apprehending them and handing them over to police.

"The IDF strongly condemns this incident and emphasises its severity, which constitutes a criminal offence that endangers civilians and IDF troops," the military said.

Israel's public broadcaster Kan posted footage on X which it said showed dozens of activists from the "Pioneers of Bashan" organisation, who were "barricading themselves on a roof on the outskirts of the Syrian village of Hader at the foot of Mount Hermon".

The "Pioneers of Bashan" is a fringe settlement organisation that wants to establish Israeli settlements in southern Syria.

The group posted a photo on X appearing to show activists on a rooftop on Wednesday with the caption: "Without civilian settlement, even the military hold won't last long-term. We're here until they approve our families to enter and live here."

Kan reported that it was not the first time a group from the organisation had crossed the border.

"In similar incidents in the past, there was no condemnation of the organisation's activities from the prime minister or the defence minister," it added.

After the overthrow of longtime Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, Israel moved its forces into the UN-patrolled demilitarised zone on the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights, and has carried out hundreds of strikes in Syria as well as regular incursions.

glp-acc/jd/jsa
More than 62,000 Lebanon housing units damaged, destroyed in Israel war: govt estimate



Beirut, Lebanon, April 22 (AFP) Apr 22, 2026



Israeli attacks on Lebanon during its latest war with Hezbollah damaged or destroyed more than 62,000 housing units in the country, a government estimate found on Wednesday.

"Within about 45 days (of the war), we had 21,700 destroyed housing units and 40,500 damaged housing units," Chadi Abdallah, head of the National Council for Scientific Research (CNRS), said in a press conference.

Israeli attacks on Lebanon killed more than 2,400 people and displaced more than a million since Iran-backed Hezbollah drew the country into the Middle East war on March 2.

Despite an ongoing 10-day truce that started on Friday, Israeli forces have continued to demolish and blow up homes in southern Lebanese towns they currently occupy, according to Lebanese authorities, eyewitnesses, and photographs taken by AFP from the Israeli side.

The CNRS estimates that "428 housing units were destroyed and 50 were damaged" during the first three days of the ceasefire, Abdallah said.

Lebanon is set to ask for an extension of the truce during its next talks with Israel on Thursday, a Lebanese official told AFP.

Hezbollah and Israel had previously clashed for more than a year in 2023, escalating into two months of full-blown war in late 2024 until a November ceasefire sought to end the hostilities.

Israel continued to strike Lebanon despite the previous truce and kept troops positions at five border points.

"The aggression that extended between 2023 and 2025, which is in fact an aggression that did not stop, left behind enormous destruction at various levels," Lebanese Environment Minister Tamara Zein said at the press conference.

She added that "more than 220,000 housing units were damaged and destroyed" during that period.

Zein added that Israel's strikes did not spare residential neighbourhoods, civilian infrastructure and places of worship, and resulted in damage to large agricultural and forested areas.
Second French peacekeeper dies after ambush blamed on Hezbollah



Paris, France, April 22 (AFP) Apr 22, 2026



A second French soldier died on Wednesday from wounds suffered in a weekend ambush against UN peacekeepers in Lebanon blamed on Hezbollah, President Emmanuel Macron said.

A first soldier, staff sergeant Florian Montorio, was shot dead in the Saturday ambush, for which Hezbollah has denied responsibility.

"Corporal Anicet Girardin... brought home yesterday from Lebanon, where he was badly wounded by Hezbollah fighters, died this morning of the consequences of his wounds," Macron posted on X.

One of three soldiers hurt in the same attack, Girardin, a member of a specialist dog-handling unit, was part of a mission "to clear a route booby-trapped with an improvised explosive device", Armies Minister Catherine Vautrin posted on X.

"Coming under sustained fire from concealed Hezbollah fighters at very close range, he moved to aid his section leader who had just fallen, only to be seriously hit in turn," she added.

Macron and Vautrin offered their condolences to Girardin's family and loved ones.

He is the third French soldier to die since the start of the fighting in the Middle East, after Montorio and the killing of Arnaud Frion last month by an Iranian drone in Iraq's Kurdistan region.

Both Macron and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres have blamed Iran-backed Hezbollah for the Saturday attack on peacekeepers belonging to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

French soldiers in UNIFIL "are working bravely and determinedly in service of France and peace in Lebanon," Macron wrote.
Israeli strikes kill 3 in Lebanon, Beirut to seek truce extension



Beirut, Lebanon, April 22 (AFP) Apr 22, 2026



Israeli strikes killed three people in Lebanon on Wednesday, Lebanese state media said, despite an ongoing 10-day ceasefire, which an official said Beirut will request an extension for in the upcoming talks with Israel in Washington.

Ahead of the talks on Thursday, Israel called on the Lebanese government to "work together" with it against Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah.

The two governments, which do not have diplomatic relations with each other, are set to hold a second round of talks under US auspices on Thursday, in a bid to end more than six weeks of war between Israel and Hezbollah that began on March 2.

Lebanon will request a one-month extension of the ceasefire during the meeting with Israel, a Lebanese official told AFP.

"Lebanon will request an extension of the truce for one month, an end of Israel's bombing and destruction in the areas where it is present, and a commitment to the ceasefire," the Lebanese official told AFP, on condition of anonymity given the sensitive nature of the talks.

The ten-day ceasefire, which expires Sunday, was announced after an initial meeting last week.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, for his part, said Wednesday that "contacts are underway to extend the ceasefire period".

He said Lebanon seeks "a complete halt on Israeli attacks and the achievement of an Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory".



- 'Serious disagreements' -



Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said Wednesday that Israel does not have any "serious disagreements" with Lebanon.

"Unfortunately, Lebanon is a failed state, a state that is de facto under Iranian occupation through Hezbollah," he said.

Hezbollah -- represented in the Lebanese cabinet and parliament -- strongly opposes the direct talks with Israel pushed by Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam.

A Hezbollah lawmaker however told AFP on Monday that the group might accept indirect talks mediated by the United States.

"The obstacle to peace and normalisation between the (two) countries is one -- Hezbollah," said Saar.

Despite the truce, Israel is continuing its strikes in Lebanon, where one person was killed Wednesday in the eastern Bekaa region, and two were killed in the country's south, according to state media.

Israeli attacks on Lebanon have killed at least 2,454 people since the start of the war, according to Lebanese authorities.

Israeli forces remain in dozens of southern villages, behind what the army has called a "Yellow Line", described by the Israelis as a 10-kilometre (six-mile) deep "security zone" along the border in southern Lebanon.

Most locals have fled the area, though residents of some Christian villages have been defying Israeli army evacuation orders.

Hezbollah, for its part, said it carried out an attack on northern Israel on Tuesday in response to Israel's "flagrant" violations of the ceasefire, for the first time since it came into effect on Friday.

French President Emmanuel Macron also said on Wednesday that a second French soldier died "of the consequences of his wounds" suffered in a weekend ambush against UN peacekeepers in Lebanon blamed on Hezbollah, which has denied responsibility.
Edgars Rink?vi?s, President of the Republic of Latvia, who is on an official visit to Azerbaijan, visited the Alley of Honor on April 22 to pay tribute to the memory of Heydar Aliyev, the National Leader of the Azerbaijani people, architect, and founder of the modern independent Azerbaijani state, and laid a wreath at his tomb,

AzerNEWS

reports.
News / National

by Staff reporter

State security agents were deployed to several government hospitals on Tuesday as striking nurses defied a directive to resume duty while negotiations with authorities continue.The operation reportedly targeted referral, provincial and district hospitals across the country, amid allegations of intimidation against health workers who joined a nationwide job action called by the Zimbabwe Nurses Association (ZINA).The nurses began a three-day industrial action on Monday, citing poor remuneration and deteriorating working conditions. The strike is scheduled to end today.Health and Child Care Minister Douglas Mombeshora had earlier urged nurses to return to work while dialogue processes were underway to address their grievances.However, many nurses defied the directive, leaving several public hospitals operating with reduced staff. A survey at major institutions such as Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals and Sally Mugabe Central Hospital showed widespread absenteeism, with wards largely staffed by student and probationary nurses.ZINA has raised concerns over chronic staff shortages, with nurse-to-patient ratios reportedly reaching as high as 1:20 or 1:30 in some wards, far above recommended standards.Other grievances include demands for improved salaries indexed to the US dollar, reinstatement of locum arrangements, and the recruitment of additional staff to ease pressure on the health system. Nurses have also protested deductions for government accommodation, reportedly up to US$120 per month, as well as long and irregular working hours.Some health workers have reportedly begun seeking release from service bonds to pursue employment opportunities outside Zimbabwe.In its situation report, ZINA said participation in the industrial action was strong across central, provincial and district hospitals, though it noted alleged intimidation in some areas, including Gweru and Chinhoyi provincial hospitals."The association strongly condemns any form of intimidation or coercion that undermines workers' constitutional and legal right to participate in lawful industrial action," ZINA said.ZINA president Enock Dongo said participation had increased compared to the first day of the strike."We are not worried about intimidation. What we are doing is lawful and no amount of intimidation will stop us," he said.He added that student nurses had been deployed to maintain critical services in some hospitals.Officials from the Health Service Commission have reportedly engaged ZINA leadership for technical discussions aimed at resolving the dispute.The strike highlights deepening tensions in the public health sector, with concerns mounting over staffing shortages and the sustainability of service delivery in government hospitals.
Hezbollah supporters defiant after sons killed fighting Israel



Kfar Sir, Lebanon, April 22 (AFP) Apr 22, 2026



Lebanese town official Sharif Badreddine begged his youngest son not to leave to fight for Hezbollah against Israel in the country's south, but as the tearful father buried his child he could not hide a sense of pride.

In the face of a government push to disarm the movement, its supporters call on a long-held enmity with Israel, deep religious beliefs and backing from Iran to justify their sons' sacrifice in the group's latest war that has killed thousands in Lebanon.

"Before he left, I told him, 'Don't go, the situation is bad,'" Badreddine, 67, told AFP.

But his son Ahmad, who was in his twenties with two children, insisted, leaving his father no choice but to accept his death as a necessary sacrifice for his homeland, where Israel has launched several invasions since the 1970s.

"I am proud of him. He was martyred on the front lines. This is an honour for me," said the grieving father, who last saw his son six weeks ago.

"He was defending me, all of southern Lebanon, and all of Lebanon."

As the father buried his son alongside 13 others, including two rescuers, in southern Lebanon's Kfar Sir, a 10-day truce agreed between Israel and Lebanon that began on Friday had brought some calm to the area.

Israel conducted huge strikes across Lebanon, including Kfar Sir, and invaded the south after Hezbollah entered the Middle East war in support of its backer Iran on March 2, killing more than 2,400 people according to Lebanese authorities.

The ceasefire allowed displaced residents of the town, which sits 15 kilometres (nine miles) north of Israel's border, to return and mourn the 14 men, some killed in Israeli strikes and others in clashes with invading troops.

"These young men did us proud. They forced the Israelis to retreat. The Israelis were unable to achieve their goals," said father-of-five Badreddine, one of the few who remained in the town.

If his other son decided to fight, he said he would hold his head "high thanks to him too".



- 'The last inch' -



Faces in the crowd were filled with gloom and sadness as mourners waited for the Hezbollah-organised ceremony to begin.

The men's pictures were hung around the town, and when their coffins draped in Hezbollah's yellow flags reached its square, women in black ululated, wept and threw roses and rice from balconies.

Amena al-Shami stood looking at her son Hassain Sheaito's coffin, weeping while women hugged her.

"He defended our pride, our dignity, and our honour. He sacrificed himself and offered himself up on the border," she said while holding up his picture.

"I still have two young men to offer as well."

The scene showed the entrenched support of Hezbollah that remains in southern towns despite the government banning the group's military activities at the beginning of March, shortly after the start of the war.

Hezbollah has not officially mourned the fighters it lost in more than six weeks of war, but mass funerals have been held by relatives in southern towns like Kfar Sir.

The truce came after unprecedented direct talks between Lebanon and Israel in Washington ahead of future negotiations, which Hezbollah and its supporters are strongly opposed to.

Shami called the talks "cowardice" and said the group's fighters remained unbowed despite being squeezed by the government and Israel.

"We will continue on this path to liberate the last inch of Lebanon," she said.



- 'Honoured' -



Hezbollah lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah told AFP on Monday that thousands of young men are "demanding to join the ranks" of the group to fight Israel's invasion, indicative of the fierce belief among its supporters.

Following the ceasefire, the Israeli army said it had established a "yellow line" in southern Lebanon.

It encompasses dozens of villages and is reminiscent of Israel's occupation of a 20-kilometre-deep strip of land along the border until 2000.

Hezbollah has vowed to break the line through "resistance".

Sitting on a chair in Kfar Sir's square, teary-eyed Haydar Sbeiti, 68, talks about his engineer son, Mahmoud, killed by Israel in the war.

"We have been on this path for a long time," he said. "He chose this path from a young age, and I encouraged him. I am honoured to be the father of a martyr."

He said he had three other sons who were defiant and ready to join the fight against Israel.

"We are all ready to sacrifice ourselves for Lebanon, its people, and the resistance."
Iran says seized two ships seeking to cross Strait of Hormuz



Tehran, April 22 (AFP) Apr 22, 2026



Iran's Revolutionary Guards said Wednesday their naval forces had seized two container ships trying to cross the Strait of Hormuz, despite US President Donald Trump announcing he was extending a ceasefire to allow more time for talks.

Despite the latest series of attacks on maritime traffic in the Gulf, a second round of US-Iran talks could take place within the next three days, the New York Post reported, citing Trump and unnamed Pakistani sources.

"It's possible!" Trump reportedly wrote to the Post in a text message when asked about the sources in Pakistan, who had told the newspaper that a second round could happen within two to three days.

UK-based maritime security monitors confirmed that three commercial vessels had reported incidents involving gunboats in the crucial strait, the international gateway for the Gulf oil and gas industry which US and Iranian forces are battling to control.

"The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps naval force this morning identified and stopped in the Strait of Hormuz two violating ships," the Guards said in a statement.

"The two offending ships... were seized by the IRGC's naval forces and directed to the Iranian coast."

They identified one ship as the Panama-flagged container ship MSC Francesca and the Liberia-flagged Epaminodas. The tracking site Marine Traffic showed the last known positions of both vessels closer to the Iranian coast of the strait, northeast of Oman.

Earlier, the British maritime security monitor UKMTO said one container ship reported it was fired upon by a boat belonging to Iran's Revolutionary Guards 15 nautical miles northeast of Oman, causing damage to the bridge but no casualties.

Separately, a third ship was fired upon and stopped in the water eight nautical miles west of the Iranian coast, UKMTO said, without identifying the attackers.

British Security firm Vanguard Tech identified it as the Panama-flagged container ship Euphoria, which it said was "transiting outbound of the Strait of Hormuz".



- 'Stateless, sanctioned' -



The US Navy is attempting to block vessels heading to and from Iranian ports, while Tehran has said vessels must seek permission to leave or enter the Gulf through the strait, a conduit for a fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas in peacetime.

The US Defense Department said Tuesday that US forces had intercepted and boarded a "stateless sanctioned" vessel. AFP has identified the ship as one linked to Iranian activity. Both sides accuse the other of ceasefire breaches.

Before the latest attacks, Trump had said he had pushed back the end of the two-week truce following a request by Pakistani mediators and to give Iran's "fractured" leadership time to form a proposal.

The ceasefire has brought some respite to a region engulfed in war for weeks but, with no agreement yet in place, uncertainty remains and has brought little relief to global markets.

Trump said the US blockade of Iran's ports would continue, while Pakistani mediators try to revive a dialogue.

Iran has all but shut the strait in the seven weeks since the United States and Israel launched a massive attack on the Islamic republic that plunged the Middle East into war.



- Pakistan talks? -



The fate of peace talks hosted by Pakistan remains unclear. A previous round collapsed with Tehran accusing the United States of making excessive demands over the Hormuz strait and its nuclear programme.

A White House official confirmed that Vice President JD Vance would not travel to Pakistan for a new round of negotiations as previously planned, pending the submission of an Iranian proposal.

Iran never announced whether it had decided to send a delegation.

In Lebanon, which was dragged into war when Hezbollah launched rockets at Israel to avenge its killing of Iran's supreme leader, Israeli strikes killed three people and wounded two others on Wednesday, Lebanese state media said.

France's President Emmanuel Macron announced that a second French soldier, wounded in a weekend ambush against UN peacekeepers in Lebanon blamed on Hezbollah, had died.

A first soldier was shot dead in the Saturday ambush, for which Hezbollah has denied responsibility.



- 'Blatant' violations -



A separate 10-day ceasefire was agreed between Israel and Lebanon on Friday and included Hezbollah.

But the militant group on Tuesday said it had launched rockets and attack drones at northern Israel in response to "blatant" ceasefire violations, which it said included "attacks on civilians and the destruction of their homes and villages".

The Israeli military said that day that Hezbollah "launched several rockets" towards soldiers still stationed in south Lebanon and that the military struck the launcher in response.

Israel and Lebanon, which have no diplomatic relations, will hold fresh talks in Washington on Thursday, a State Department official told AFP.

Israeli attacks on Lebanon have killed at least 2,454 people since the start of the war, a Lebanese government body said in its latest toll.

They have also damaged or destroyed more than 62,000 housing units, according to Lebanon's National Council for Scientific Research (CNRS).

burs/dc/jfx
War in the Middle East: latest developments



Paris, France, April 22 (AFP) Apr 22, 2026



The latest developments in the Middle East war:



- Talks possible -



A second round of US-Iran talks could take place within the next three days, the New York Post reported Wednesday, citing unnamed Pakistani sources and President Donald Trump.

"It's possible!" Trump reportedly told the Post by text message, when asked about sources in Pakistan -- which mediated the first round of talks -- saying that a second round was "expected in Islamabad within the next 36 to 72 hours."

Trump on Tuesday extended a two-week truce in the war just as it was about to expire. A digital news outlet in Pakistan, News Post, reported the three-day time frame for more talks without a source or further details.



- Lebanon war toll, damage -



Israeli strikes killed three people in Lebanon despite an ongoing 10-day ceasefire, Lebanese state media said, adding that Beirut would request an extension of the truce during upcoming talks with Israel in Washington.

More than 2,400 people have been killed and more than a million displaced in the country since Iran-backed Hezbollah drew the nation into the war on March 2.

Israeli attacks on Lebanon have damaged or destroyed more than 62,000 housing units in the country, a government estimate said.



- Iran hanging -



Iran hanged a man convicted of links to Israel's Mossad spy agency, the judiciary said. Two NGOs based outside the country said he worked for the Iranian atomic energy organisation.



- Iran Guards say two ships seized -



Iranian forces targeted three container ships, seizing two and firing on a third, global security monitors and the country's Revolutionary Guards said.

Tehran has said vessels must seek permission to leave or enter the Gulf through the strait, a route that in peacetime accounts for a fifth of the world's oil and gas exports along with other vital commodities.



- $500-mn cash shipment to Iraq blocked -



The United States blocked a plane carrying nearly $500 million in banknotes from delivering the cash to Iraq, US media reported, piling pressure on Baghdad to fight Iran-backed militant groups.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Washington had suspended cash shipments to Iraq and frozen funding for security programs following attacks on US interests in the country by groups showing solidarity with Iran.



- Oil prices fall -



Oil prices edged higher Wednesday while Europe's main stock markets eased on uncertainty surrounding the prospect of resumed Mideast peace talks following an extension to the US-Iran ceasefire.

Brent North Sea was again closing on $100 a barrel while main US contract, West Texas Intermediate, traded back above $90. Both main oil contracts had risen around three percent Tuesday.



- Iran cargo ship targeted -



A cargo ship leaving Iran was fired upon and stopped in the water, a British maritime agency reported, as the United States continued its blockade of Iranian ports.

"A master of an outbound cargo ship reports having been fired upon and is now stopped in the water. Crew are safe and accounted for. There is no reported damage to the vessel," the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations centre said.

burs/yad/jj
Shifting goals blur picture of US blockade on Iran



London, April 22 (AFP) Apr 22, 2026



The United States has vowed to blockade Iran's ships until the country makes a deal to end their war. But is the blockade working?

Analysts and ship-tracking data paint a complicated picture. Shifting objectives and shadowy activity by vessels making the success of the US operation hard to measure.

"There's been confusion over the scope and the parameters of the blockade because of conflicting information given by the US administration and some delays in when information has been released," Bridget Diakun, an analyst at shipping journal Lloyd's List Intelligence, told AFP.

Here are facts about the military standoff over shipping access to the Strait of Hormuz, based on data from tracking sources including Kpler and its MarineTraffic platform, and Bloomberg.



- Where is the blockade? -



After the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran on February 28, Iranian forces effectively closed the strait by targeting vessels trying to cross between its southeastern coast and the northern tip of Oman.

After later peace talks failed during a ceasefire, US forces launched a counter-blockade on April 13. The chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, Dan Caine, said the US blockade would be enforced further east, at the mouth of the Gulf of Oman.



- What are its terms? -



Launching the operation, US Central Command said its blockade applied to ships of all nations going to or from Iranian ports.

The US Navy later said it would also block ships suspected of carrying "contraband" including oil, weapons and nuclear material linked to Iran -- regardless of their location.

Lloyd's List Intelligence on Wednesday quoted an unnamed US defence official as saying that the force was now gauging the blockade's success on how badly it damaged Iran's trade, not on how many rogue vessels crossed the line.



- Has it been breached? -



Tracking data and satellite images analysed by maritime firms show that dozens of ships that potentially fall under these terms have crossed the line, including Iranian-flagged vessels under US sanctions and vessels going to and from Iranian ports.

US Central Command says similar numbers have turned around under US orders. It issues daily updates on its operation, and up until April 17 said that "zero" vessels had evaded the blockade.

On April 18, it said the blockade had "completely halted economic trade going into and out of Iran by sea". But since then it has only listed the number of vessels turned around -- currently standing at 28.



- Can ships dodge it? -



Counting the number of rogue vessels that may have skirted the blockade is difficult, due to the conflicting definitions and other factors.

Some sanctioned vessels have sailed west into the Gulf beyond Hormuz, but flagged their destination as Iraq or other non-Iranian destinations.

Once inside the Gulf, Diakun said, vessels can "spoof" their transponders to hide their positions and even perform ship-to-ship transfers of Iranian oil, testing the terms of the US blockade.

Several Iranian-linked vessels also appear to have turned off their transponders while sailing out of the Gulf before reappearing in the Arabian Sea, satellite imagery seen by maritime firms apparently confirming their route.



- Are there exemptions? -



US officials suggested early in the blockade that certain vessels would be granted exemptions on humanitarian grounds, but did not specify the exact conditions.

Tracking data showed that at least two vessels travelled in and out of the Gulf unimpeded having either dropped off or picked up food at Iranian ports.
CORRECTED: More than 50,000 Lebanon housing units damaged, destroyed in Israel war: govt estimate



Beirut, Lebanon, April 22 (AFP) Apr 22, 2026



Israeli attacks on Lebanon during its latest war with Hezbollah damaged or destroyed more than 50,000 housing units in the country, a government estimate found on Wednesday.

"Within about 45 days (of the war), we had 17,756 destroyed housing units and 32,668 damaged housing units," Chadi Abdallah, head of the National Council for Scientific Research (CNRS), told AFP.

Israeli attacks on Lebanon killed more than 2,400 people and displaced more than a million since Iran-backed Hezbollah drew the country into the Middle East war on March 2.

Despite an ongoing 10-day truce that started on Friday, Israeli forces have continued to demolish and blow up homes in southern Lebanese towns they currently occupy, according to Lebanese authorities, eyewitnesses, and photographs taken by AFP from the Israeli side.

The CNRS estimates that "428 housing units were destroyed and 50 were damaged" during the first three days of the ceasefire, Abdallah said.

Lebanon is set to ask for an extension of the truce during its next talks with Israel on Thursday, a Lebanese official told AFP.

Hezbollah and Israel had previously clashed for more than a year in 2023, escalating into two months of full-blown war in late 2024 until a November ceasefire sought to end the hostilities.

Israel continued to strike Lebanon despite the previous truce and kept troops positions at five border points.

"The aggression that extended between 2023 and 2025, which is in fact an aggression that did not stop, left behind enormous destruction at various levels," Lebanese Environment Minister Tamara Zein said at the press conference.

She added that "more than 220,000 housing units were damaged and destroyed" during that period.

Zein added that Israel's strikes did not spare residential neighbourhoods, civilian infrastructure and places of worship, and resulted in damage to large agricultural and forested areas.
Trump says Iran will not execute eight women after his request



Washington, United States, April 22 (AFP) Apr 22, 2026



US President Donald Trump on Wednesday said Iran had halted alleged plans to execute eight women arrested over anti-government protests, after he urged Tehran to release them to help peace negotiations.

"I very much appreciate that Iran, and its leaders, respected my request, as President of the United States, and terminated the planned execution," he said on his Truth Social platform. Iran denied it planned to execute the women.

Rights groups have said at least one woman arrested over the January protests has been sentenced to death while at least one more is facing charges that carry the death penalty and could see her executed.

Trump had earlier said on social media that the women's release could work in Iran's favor in negotiations, reposting an activist's claim that eight women were facing death by hanging. That claim did not give names but included photographs of the women.

The fate of US-Iran talks hosted by Pakistan remains unclear. A previous round collapsed with Tehran accusing the United States of making excessive demands over the Strait of Hormuz and its nuclear program.

Rights groups accuse the Islamic republic of using capital punishment to instill fear throughout society and stepping up executions of political prisoners against the background of the war against the United States and Israel.
Report says US blocked $500 mn cash shipment to Iraq over pro-Iran attacks



Washington, United States, April 22 (AFP) Apr 22, 2026



The United States blocked a plane carrying nearly $500 million in banknotes from delivering the cash to Iraq, US media reported on Tuesday, piling pressure on Baghdad to fight Iran-backed militant groups.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Washington has suspended cash shipments to Iraq and frozen funding for security programs following attacks on US interests in the country by groups showing solidarity with Iran.

Iraq has long walked a tightrope between the competing influences of its allies, neighboring Iran and the United States.

However, Iraqi leaders have struggled to maintain that delicate balance as war engulfs the Middle East.

An Iraqi government official told AFP only one shipment has not arrived, citing "logistical reasons due to the war" and airspace closure.

An Iraqi central bank official also downplayed the issue, telling AFP that dollar shipments have ceased during the regional war "due to the suspension of flights and the security situation."

He added that the central bank has not requested more US dollars as it has sufficient reserves and there is "no current need to boost them."

But an Iraqi security official confirmed to AFP that the United States has suspended its security cooperation with Iraq over factions targeting US interests.

Iraq was drawn into the Middle East war with strikes targeting Iran-backed groups, which in turn have claimed attacks on US interests, mostly in Iraq but also across the Gulf states.

The US embassy in Baghdad and a logistical and diplomatic center inside the city's airport have been repeatedly targeted by rockets and drones, with most intercepted.

Missile and rocket attacks also targeted the US consulate in Erbil in Iraq's northern Kurdistan region, as well as the city's airport, where US-led anti-jihadist coalition troops are deployed.

The US State Department said this month it had summoned Iraq's ambassador to Washington to express "strong condemnation" of attacks by pro-Iran groups on US interests, including an "ambush" on US diplomats in Baghdad on April 8.



- Counter-terror training -



The Wall Street Journal reported that the US Treasury Department blocked a shipment of nearly $500 million in cash from Iraqi oil sales, quoting US and Iraqi officials.

The US Treasury Department declined to comment.

The United States has leverage over Iraq because the country's oil export revenue is largely held at the Federal Reserve Bank in New York, under an arrangement reached after the 2003 US-led invasion that toppled former ruler Saddam Hussein.

The Wall Street Journal quoted unidentified US officials as saying that the suspension of cash shipments was temporary.

The Central Bank of Iraq said Tuesday it was not lacking US dollars and that it had "fulfilled all requests from banks and exchange companies for US dollars, which are intended for pilgrims, travelers and foreign transfers."

The funding freeze to security programs includes training for Iraq's army and counter-terror efforts against the Islamic State group, The New York Times reported.

Fighting IS jihadists is a key part of Washington's military cooperation with Iraq, after the group swept across Iraq and neighboring Syria in 2014.

Iranian commander Esmail Qaani arrived in Baghdad on Saturday for meetings with political leaders and commanders of armed factions, a senior Iraqi official said, aiming to "address regional de-escalation and its impact on Iraq."

Pro-Iranian armed groups announced on April 8 that they would suspend their attacks for two weeks, following the announcement of a ceasefire between the United States and Iran.

burs-cms-rh/pnb
Top Peru ministers resign in protest over stalled US fighter jet deal



Lima, April 22 (AFP) Apr 22, 2026



Peru's foreign and defense ministers resigned on Wednesday in protest over the decision by the government to stall a $3.5 billion deal for the purchase of 24 US F-16 fighter jets.

The ministers said Peru's reputation was in jeopardy after interim president Jose Maria Balcazar said Tuesday he had would leave it up to the winner of June's presidential runoff to finalize the agreement.

Foreign Minister Hugo de Zela told RPP radio he stood down "because the political decision made by Mr Balcazar endangers our country and undermines its credibility."

The minister claimed the contracts for the F-16s had already been signed and said putting them on hold now turned Peru into "a country that cannot be trusted in a negotiation process."

Defense Minister Carlos Diaz gave similar reasons for his resignation and said the purchase of jets was not political but "for the security and defense of the nation."

The US ambassador to Peru, Bernardo Navarro, last week issued a warning widely believed to relate to the deal.

"If you deal with the US in bad faith and undermine US interests, rest assured, I, on behalf of @POTUS Trump and his administration, will use every available tool to protect and promote the prosperity and security of the United States and our region," he wrote on X.

In October 2024, Peru announced that it would renew its ageing air defense fleet with the purchase of a fleet of state-of-the-art fighter jets.

Last February, a state evaluation committee chose the F-16s over rival bids from France for Rafale jets and Sweden for Gripens.

The contract has become swept up in a chaotic presidential election marked by logistical problems, unsubstantiated fraud allegations and delays to the ballot count.

Ten days after Peruvians voted in the first round, it is still not known who will face off conservative frontrunner Keiko Fujimori in June's runoff.
Israeli airstrike wounds two journalists in south Lebanon: employer



Beirut, Lebanon, April 22 (AFP) Apr 22, 2026



An Israeli airstrike wounded two Lebanese journalists on Wednesday while they were working near the border with Israel, their employer reported.

The Lebanese daily newspaper Al-Akhbar said "our colleagues Amal Khalil and Zeinab Faraj were wounded as a result of the Israeli strike that targeted the town of al-Tiri" in southern Lebanon.

The health ministry separately said Israeli strikes in al-Tiri had killed two people, wounded Faraj and left Khalil trapped.

It added that Faraj was transported to hospital and that ambulance teams were trying to reach Khalil.

A Lebanese Red Cross official had earlier told AFP they "managed to rescue Zeinab Faraj, but we have not yet reached Amal Khalil... and we withdrew immediately because of a warning strike".

Ambulance teams escorted by the Lebanese army and accompanied by a bulldozer to remove the rubble had entered Tiri to search for Khalil, according to journalists in southern Lebanon and local media outlets.

They reported that rescuers were able to enter the town after several hours and contact with the 2024 ceasefire mechanism and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

Amal Khalil is a veteran correspondent for Al-Akhbar, and has produced consistent field reports from south Lebanon in the war that began on March 2 and an earlier conflict between 2023 and 2024.

Faraj is a freelance photographer who has frequently worked with Khalil.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said he was following up "on the circumstances surrounding the detention of journalists Zeinab Faraj and Amal Khalil in the town of Tayr Harfa as a result of the Israeli forces' shelling of the town", according to a statement from the presidency.

Aoun called "for refraining from targeting media professionals while they carry out their journalistic duties".

The Israeli army said in a statement it had "identified two vehicles in southern Lebanon that had departed from a military structure used by Hezbollah".

"After identifying the individuals as violating the ceasefire understandings and posing an imminent threat, the Israeli Air Force struck one of the vehicles. Subsequently, the structure from which the individuals had fled was also struck," the army added.

"Reports were received that two journalists were injured as a result of the strikes. The IDF is not preventing rescue teams from reaching the area."
News / National

by Staff reporter

THE distribution of bicycles and food hampers to war veterans ahead of Zimbabwe's Independence Day celebrations in Maphisa on Saturday has sparked outrage, with some describing the gesture as an insult to liberation war veterans.President Emmerson Mnangagwa presided over the handover ceremony, distributing hundreds of bicycles, grocery hampers and three model houses to war veterans."If you give a war veteran with one leg or one hand a bicycle, how will that person ride it? It could have been better if they had been given wheelchairs or artificial limbs because many lost their limbs during the war," Zipra ex-combatant and former MDC-N Matabeleland South provincial chairperson Pilate Ndebele said."When you give them a bicycle, what do you expect them to do with it."The government should have thought wisely about what it should do for the war veterans as we celebrate the independence they fought so hard for. We fought for this freedom and they must think about us too."Ndebele said Mnangagwa should engage war veterans to understand their needs, adding that many former combatants were not amused by the donation given their advanced ages."The war veterans should go to hospitals and find medicine rather than be given bicycles they are no longer able to ride."When the government provides medication and ambulances to the communities, it will be the best benefit, especially for war veterans, many of whom are now fighting illnesses."There are some women who are now 80 years old, how can they use those bicycles? The bikes may be for those around 65 years old. The government must treat war veterans properly. It pains me that a person with one leg is given a bicycle, for what?"Gukurahundi survivor and veteran educationist Ben Moyo said he found the bicycle donation puzzling."I am not sure if all of them will be given. Secondly, the elite are being given GD6 vehicles. It's Animal Farm all over again, in my view. War veterans need medical aid that works. They have many ailments, and the bicycles won't help them to get treatment," he said.Zapu Bulawayo provincial secretary Vivian Siziba said the bicycle donation was an inconsiderate gesture to freedom fighters who sacrificed so much for the country."In fact, it was very inconsiderate and an insult. The demobilised askaris (East African native soldiers serving a European power) were treated far better than ex-combatants who fought for independence and freedom and were demobilised after World War II. Askaris, for their sacrifices, were rewarded with bicycles and other material things," Siziba said."Bicycles in those days were scarce and treasured assets, which gave the askaris a certain degree of respect in the community."Not after 46 years, when the majority of ex-combatants can't even ride them. Those bicycles could better serve secondary school learners who walk between 15 and 20km to the nearest school."
Report says US blocked $500 mn cash shipment to Iraq over pro-Iran attacks



Washington, United States, April 22 (AFP) Apr 22, 2026



The United States blocked a plane carrying nearly $500 million in banknotes from delivering the cash to Iraq, US media reported on Tuesday, piling pressure on Baghdad to fight Iran-backed militant groups.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Washington has suspended cash shipments to Iraq and frozen funding for security programs following attacks on US interests in the country by groups showing solidarity with Iran.

Iraq has long walked a tightrope between the competing influences of its allies, neighboring Iran and the United States.

However, Iraqi leaders have struggled to maintain that delicate balance as war engulfs the Middle East.

An Iraqi government official told AFP only one shipment has not arrived, citing "logistical reasons due to the war" and airspace closure.

An Iraqi central bank official also downplayed the issue, telling AFP that dollar shipments have ceased during the regional war "due to the suspension of flights and the security situation."

He added that the central bank has not requested more US dollars as it has sufficient reserves and there is "no current need to boost them."

But an Iraqi security official confirmed to AFP that the United States has suspended its security cooperation with Iraq over factions targeting US interests.

US State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott acknowledged efforts by Iraqi security forces to respond to attacks but said that some elements in the Iraqi government "actively provide political, financial and operational cover for the militias adversely impacts the US-Iraq relationship."

"The United States will not tolerate attacks on US interests and expects the Iraqi government to immediately take all measures to dismantle the Iran-aligned militia groups in Iraq," he said.

The State Department said this month it had summoned Iraq's ambassador to Washington to express "strong condemnation" of attacks by pro-Iran groups on US interests, including an "ambush" on US diplomats in Baghdad on April 8.

Pigott did not comment on any actions. The US Treasury Department declined comment.



- Damage in war -



Iraq was drawn into the Middle East war with strikes targeting Iran-backed groups, which in turn have claimed attacks on US interests, mostly in Iraq but also across the Gulf states.

The US embassy in Baghdad and a logistical and diplomatic center inside the city's airport have been repeatedly targeted by rockets and drones, with most intercepted.

Missile and rocket attacks also targeted the US consulate in Erbil in Iraq's northern Kurdistan region, as well as the city's airport, where US-led anti-jihadist coalition troops are deployed.

The United States has leverage over Iraq because the country's oil export revenue is largely held at the Federal Reserve Bank in New York, under an arrangement reached after the 2003 US-led invasion that toppled former ruler Saddam Hussein.

The Wall Street Journal, quoting unidentified sources, said that the blocked shipment involved nearly $500 million in cash from Iraqi oil sales.

The Central Bank of Iraq said Tuesday it was not lacking US dollars and that it had "fulfilled all requests from banks and exchange companies for US dollars, which are intended for pilgrims, travelers and foreign transfers."

The funding freeze to security programs includes training for Iraq's army and counter-terror efforts against the Islamic State group, The New York Times reported.

Fighting IS jihadists is a key part of Washington's military cooperation with Iraq, after the group swept across Iraq and neighboring Syria in 2014.

Iranian commander Esmail Qaani arrived in Baghdad on Saturday for meetings with political leaders and commanders of armed factions, a senior Iraqi official said, aiming to "address regional de-escalation and its impact on Iraq."

Pro-Iranian armed groups announced on April 8 that they would suspend their attacks for two weeks, following the announcement of a ceasefire between the United States and Iran.

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Israel army returns dozens of Israeli settler activists who entered Syria



Jerusalem, April 22 (AFP) Apr 22, 2026



The Israeli military said it apprehended and returned dozens of Israeli civilians who had briefly crossed into Syria on Wednesday, with Israeli media reporting that the group were activists from a settler organisation.

The military said around 40 people gathered near Israel's northern border before crossing into Syrian territory and continuing for several hundred metres.

It said Israeli soldiers returned the group to Israel, apprehending them and handing them over to police.

"The IDF strongly condemns this incident and emphasises its severity, which constitutes a criminal offence that endangers civilians and IDF troops," the military said.

The United Nations deputy special envoy for Syria, Claudio Cordone, condemned the incursion and said "the crossing and their behaviour was highly provocative".

"I reiterate our strong call on Israel to cease violations, respect Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity, adhere to the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement and prevent incidents such as the one today," he said at the UN Security Council.

Israel's public broadcaster Kan posted footage on X which it said showed dozens of activists from the "Pioneers of Bashan" organisation, who were "barricading themselves on a roof on the outskirts of the Syrian village of Hader at the foot of Mount Hermon".

The "Pioneers of Bashan" is a fringe settlement organisation that wants to establish Israeli settlements in southern Syria.

The group posted a photo on X appearing to show activists on a rooftop on Wednesday with the caption: "Without civilian settlement, even the military hold won't last long-term. We're here until they approve our families to enter and live here."

Kan reported that it was not the first time a group from the organisation had crossed the border.

"In similar incidents in the past, there was no condemnation of the organisation's activities from the prime minister or the defence minister," it added.

After the overthrow of longtime Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, Israel moved its forces into the UN-patrolled demilitarised zone on the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights, and has carried out hundreds of strikes in Syria as well as regular incursions.

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Israeli strikes kill 4 in Lebanon, Beirut to seek truce extension



Beirut, Lebanon, April 22 (AFP) Apr 22, 2026



Israeli strikes killed four people and wounded two journalists in Lebanon on Wednesday, despite an ongoing ceasefire that Beirut will request an extension for in upcoming talks with Israel in Washington.

Ahead of the talks on Thursday, Israel called on the Lebanese government to "work together" with it against Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah.

The two governments, which do not have diplomatic relations with each other, are set to hold a second round of talks under US auspices on Thursday, in a bid to end more than six weeks of war between Israel and Hezbollah that began on March 2.

Lebanon will request a one-month extension of the ceasefire during the meeting with Israel, a Lebanese official told AFP.

"Lebanon will request an extension of the truce for one month, an end of Israel's bombing and destruction in the areas where it is present, and a commitment to the ceasefire," the Lebanese official told AFP, on condition of anonymity given the sensitive nature of the talks.

The 10-day ceasefire, which expires Sunday, was announced after an initial meeting last week.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, for his part, said Wednesday that "contacts are underway to extend the ceasefire period".



- 'Serious disagreements' -



Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said Wednesday that Israel does not have any "serious disagreements" with Lebanon.

"Unfortunately, Lebanon is a failed state, a state that is de facto under Iranian occupation through Hezbollah," he said.

Hezbollah, which is represented in the Lebanese cabinet and parliament, strongly opposes the direct talks with Israel pushed by Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam.

A Hezbollah lawmaker, however, told AFP on Monday that the group might accept indirect talks mediated by the United States.

"The obstacle to peace and normalisation between the (two) countries is one -- Hezbollah," said Saar.

Despite the truce, Israel is continuing its strikes in Lebanon, where four people were killed in the south and east, according to state media.

Israeli attacks on Lebanon have killed at least 2,454 people since the start of the war, according to Lebanese authorities.

On Wednesday, the state's scientific research council estimated that more than 50,000 housing units had been damaged or destroyed by the war.

Israeli forces remain in dozens of southern villages, behind what the army has called a "Yellow Line", described by the Israelis as a 10-kilometre (six-mile) deep "security zone" along the border in southern Lebanon.

An Israeli strike wounded journalists Amal Khalil and Zeinab Faraj on Wednesday, according to their employer, Lebanese daily newspaper Al-Akhbar.

The health ministry said Faraj was transported to hospital and that rescuers were still trying to reach Khalil late Wednesday.

The Israeli army said in a statement it had "identified two vehicles in southern Lebanon that had departed from a military structure used by Hezbollah".

"After identifying the individuals as violating the ceasefire understandings and posing an imminent threat, the Israeli Air Force struck one of the vehicles. Subsequently, the structure from which the individuals had fled was also struck."

Hezbollah issued four statements on Wednesday saying it had struck Israeli targets in south Lebanon, "in response to the Israeli enemy's violation of the ceasefire".

French President Emmanuel Macron said on Wednesday that a second French soldier died "of the consequences of his wounds" suffered in a weekend ambush against UN peacekeepers in Lebanon blamed on Hezbollah, which has denied responsibility.
Iran says won't reopen Hormuz as long as US blockade remains



Tehran, April 22 (AFP) Apr 22, 2026



Iran said on Wednesday it would not reopen the Strait of Hormuz as long as the US naval blockade remained in place, calling it a "blatant violation" of the ceasefire between the longtime foes.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards meanwhile said their naval forces had seized two container ships trying to cross the strategic strait.

Foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said the Islamic republic was appreciative of Pakistan's efforts to end the Middle East war but did not comment on a ceasefire extension announced by the United States.

US President Donald Trump had said on Tuesday he was extending the truce following a request by Pakistani mediators and to allow more time for peace talks.

"A complete ceasefire only has meaning if it is not violated through a naval blockade," Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Wednesday.

"Reopening the Strait of Hormuz is not possible amid a blatant violation of the ceasefire."

Despite the latest series of attacks on maritime traffic in the Gulf, a second round of US-Iran talks could take place within the next three days, the New York Post reported, citing Trump and unnamed Pakistani sources.

"It's possible!" Trump reportedly wrote to the Post in a text message when asked about the sources in Pakistan, who had told the newspaper that a second round could happen within two to three days.

Trump also claimed that Iran had halted alleged plans to execute eight women arrested over anti-government protests, after he urged Tehran to release them.

But Iran's judiciary described his remarks as "false news", saying the women had never faced the death penalty.



- Ships seized -



UK-based maritime security monitors confirmed that three commercial vessels had reported incidents involving gunboats in the Strait of Hormuz, the international gateway for the Gulf oil and gas industry which US and Iranian forces are battling to control.

"The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps naval force this morning identified and stopped in the Strait of Hormuz two violating ships," the Guards said.

"The two offending ships... were seized by the IRGC's naval forces and directed to the Iranian coast."

They identified one ship as the Panama-flagged container ship MSC Francesca and the Liberia-flagged Epaminondas. The tracking site Marine Traffic showed the last known positions of both vessels closer to the Iranian coast of the strait, northeast of Oman.

Earlier, the British maritime security monitor UKMTO said one container ship reported it was fired upon by a boat belonging to Iran's Revolutionary Guards 15 nautical miles northeast of Oman, causing damage to the bridge but no casualties.



- 'Stateless, sanctioned' -



Separately, a third ship was fired upon and stopped in the water eight nautical miles west of the Iranian coast, UKMTO said, without identifying the attackers.

British Security firm Vanguard Tech identified it as the Panama-flagged container ship Euphoria, which it said was "transiting outbound of the Strait of Hormuz".

The US Navy is attempting to block vessels heading to and from Iranian ports, while Tehran has said vessels must seek permission to leave or enter the Gulf through the strait, a conduit for a fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas in peacetime.

The US Defense Department said Tuesday that US forces had intercepted and boarded a "stateless sanctioned" vessel. AFP has identified the ship as one linked to Iranian activity. Both sides accuse the other of ceasefire breaches.

Iran has all but shut the strait in the seven weeks since the United States and Israel launched a massive attack on the Islamic republic that plunged the Middle East into war.



- Lebanon front -



The fate of peace talks hosted by Pakistan remains unclear. A previous round collapsed with Tehran accusing the United States of making excessive demands over the Hormuz strait and its nuclear programme.

In Lebanon, which was dragged into war when Hezbollah launched rockets at Israel to avenge its killing of Iran's supreme leader, Israeli strikes killed four people on Wednesday, Lebanese state media said.

France's President Emmanuel Macron announced that a second French soldier, wounded in a weekend ambush against UN peacekeepers in Lebanon blamed on Hezbollah, had died.

A first soldier was shot dead in the Saturday ambush, for which Hezbollah has denied responsibility.

The Lebanese daily newspaper Al-Akhbar said an Israeli airstrike wounded two of its journalists on Wednesday while they were working near the border with Israel.

A separate 10-day ceasefire was agreed between Israel and Lebanon on Friday and included Hezbollah.

Israel and Lebanon, which have no diplomatic relations, will hold fresh talks in Washington on Thursday, a State Department official told AFP.

Israeli attacks on Lebanon have killed at least 2,454 people since the start of the war, a Lebanese government body said in its latest toll.

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Gaza civil defence says children among 5 killed in Israeli strike



Gaza City, Palestinian Territories, April 22 (AFP) Apr 22, 2026



Gaza's civil defence agency said an Israeli airstrike targeted a group of civilians in a northern part of the Palestinian territory late on Wednesday, killing five people including three children.

Despite an October 10 ceasefire, Gaza remains gripped by daily violence as both the Israeli military and Hamas accuse one another of breaking the truce.

"Five Palestinians, including three children, were killed in an Israeli airstrike that targeted a group of civilians near Al-Qassam mosque in Beit Lahia," the agency, which operates as a rescue service under Hamas authority, said in a statement.

"Their bodies were taken to Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City," it said, without specifying how old the children were.

The hospital confirmed it received the bodies.

The Israeli military told AFP it was checking the reports.

A fragile truce has largely halted the Gaza war that began after Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, but both sides regularly accuse each other of ceasefire violations.

At least 786 Palestinians have been killed since the truce began, according to Gaza's health ministry, which is under Hamas authority and whose figures are considered reliable by the United Nations.

The Israeli military has reported five soldiers killed in Gaza since the start of the truce.

Media restrictions and limited access in Gaza have prevented AFP from independently verifying casualty figures or freely covering the fighting.
Further inland there is a tortoise sanctuary that is home to around 170 giant tortoises. Some of them have stories that stretch far beyond our own time here, tied to the island long before the resort arrived. Guests can visit the sanctuary to learn more about their conservation with expert guides Nazrin and Jonathan, who seem to know each tortoise like an old friend.
The security services are investigating whether a shadowy group called Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia, the Islamic Movement of the Companions of the Right, may be carrying out the dirty work of the Tehran regime, Mr Hall added, by recruiting people in London and other parts of the UK to commit crimes.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Timothy Chiminya, who was previously declared King Munhumutapa by the High Court in a 2022 ruling, has threatened legal action against anyone who questions his title or refers to him as an impostor or self-proclaimed monarch.In a letter circulated to various institutions, including the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, the Attorney General's Office and the Constitutional Court, Chiminya warned that defamatory statements about his status would not go unchallenged."I, King Munhumutapa/Monomutapa warn that anyone claiming that I am self-proclaimed or an impostor via newspapers, social media or any other platform, will face legal action and be held liable for defamation," he said.He further cautioned against any individual using the Munhumutapa title without his authorisation, stating that such actions would also attract legal consequences."I also warn that anyone claiming to be or referring to themselves as King Munhumutapa without my authorisation will be held liable and face legal action," he added.Chiminya, who claims spiritual appointment as the reincarnated Munhumutapa, says he presides over a "Zimbabwe Kingdom." The historical Mutapa Empire, which existed between the 15th century and the 18th century, once covered large parts of present-day Zimbabwe and extended into neighbouring territories.The High Court's 2022 ruling, which Chiminya relies on, followed his legal challenge against the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works. However, his claims have remained controversial, with ongoing disputes over the scope and recognition of his authority.Over the years, his assertions have repeatedly drawn attention from state authorities. He has previously faced arrest and prosecution linked to statements interpreted as undermining the authority of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, before later being released.Chiminya has also written to government authorities demanding remuneration and benefits similar to those accorded to traditional chiefs, further fuelling debate around his claims.His latest warning signals a renewed legal push to defend his asserted status as he continues to challenge public criticism of his identity and role.
The 10 experts are the UN Special Rapporteurs on torture, on freedom of religion or belief, on minority issues, on the promotion and protection of fundamental rights while countering terrorism, on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, on the situation of human rights defenders, and four members of the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention.
Its not just me Im doing this for, its every person that buys into it and donates to it, I wouldnt want to let anyone down. Its the support from people and their donations that really keeps the flame alive.
She said that she had spoken to people in a tight-knit addict community where it had been mentioned that Noah had been injected with heroin or naloxone, and that a secret of this nature would be openly confided within this group.
News / National

by Staff reporter

A rights activist has approached the Constitutional Court seeking to overturn President Emmerson Mnangagwa's decision to reassign Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) chairperson Jessie Majome, arguing that the move was unconstitutional and amounted to an unlawful removal from office.In an urgent application filed on April 21, 2026, activist Allan Chipoyi contends that the President failed to follow mandatory constitutional procedures governing the removal of members of independent commissions.Chipoyi argues that the April 10 directive transferring Majome to the Public Service Commission was not a routine administrative reassignment, but in effect a dismissal from her position as ZHRC chairperson."The Constitution does not permit the executive to circumvent its safeguards by relabelling a removal as a reassignment'," he states in his founding affidavit.Majome was appointed ZHRC chairperson on March 20, 2024, but was reassigned shortly after the commission reportedly raised concerns over the conduct of public hearings on the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 3) Bill, which seeks to extend the presidential and parliamentary term from five to seven years.Chipoyi alleges that the commission had criticised what it described as "flawed and exclusionary" processes, including claims of harassment of dissenting voices and restricted participation.He argues that there is a direct link between those concerns and Majome's reassignment, describing the move as punitive.The application further states that no tribunal was constituted to investigate or recommend Majome's removal, as required under the Constitution."The Respondent did not appoint such a tribunal, nor was any recommendation made to him," Chipoyi argues, adding that any removal of a commissioner must follow a strict constitutional process.He further contends that the President's actions undermine the independence of constitutional bodies, warning that allowing the decision to stand would weaken safeguards meant to protect Chapter 12 institutions."If this action is permitted to stand, it renders the concept of independent commissions entirely illusory," he states.Chipoyi is seeking a declaratory order setting aside the reassignment, reinstating Majome as ZHRC chairperson, and preventing any future interference with the commission outside constitutionally prescribed procedures.The Constitutional Court is expected to determine whether the President's actions violated provisions of the Constitution relating to the independence and tenure of commissioners. The matter is yet to be heard.
News / National

by Staff reporter

A Harare kombi driver has been sentenced to 30 months in prison after his reckless driving at a traffic intersection in Borrowdale was captured by a motorist and reported to police.Harmony Duri (25) appeared before Harare magistrate Tapiwa Kuhudzai and was convicted after a full trial on charges of reckless driving.The court heard that on February 20 at around 9:30am, Duri was driving a Toyota Hiace along Borrowdale Road heading south when he approached traffic lights near Borrowdale Village and Pomona Shops.Instead of stopping, he drove through a red traffic light while carrying passengers, putting other road users at serious risk.The incident was witnessed by a motorist, Luisa Patricia Townsend, who was travelling behind the kombi. She reportedly captured the offence on video and filed a police report, which led to Duri's arrest.The State, represented by prosecutor Charlotte Chikoore, proved that Duri failed to obey a lawful traffic signal and violated road safety regulations.In delivering the ruling, the court found his conduct unlawful and dangerous to public safety.Duri was sentenced to 30 months imprisonment, with six months suspended on condition of good behaviour, leaving 24 months effective.The case comes amid a growing number of convictions involving kombi drivers in Harare, as authorities intensify efforts to clamp down on reckless public transport behaviour and improve road safety compliance.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Zimbabwe could eventually phase out the United States dollar for everyday transactions as part of a long-term plan to restore confidence in the local currency, a senior central bank official has said.Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) deputy governor Innocent Matshe told delegates at the Zimbabwe Impact Investment Dialogue that authorities are working toward anchoring the economy on the Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) currency.The forum, hosted by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (ZIDA), brought together policymakers and investors to explore ways of mobilising private capital for national development.Matshe said the transition to a mono-currency system would be gradual, emphasising that it would not happen in the near term."Not soon, but one day," he said, noting that the ZiG has appreciated by about 2.5% over the past three months.Under the proposed framework, foreign currency accounts would remain in place, allowing businesses and individuals to hold and transact in foreign currency when necessary. However, the use of U.S. dollar cash for routine domestic purchases would eventually be phased out."What will happen is you won't be able to go to the supermarket and use your U.S. dollars," Matshe said, adding that there would be no forced conversion of foreign currency balances.He stressed that foreign-denominated obligations, including registered loans, would continue to be serviced in their original currency, while importers would retain access to foreign exchange through formal banking channels.Zimbabwe has relied heavily on the U.S. dollar for over a decade, reflecting persistent concerns over the stability of local currencies. Authorities say reducing dollarisation and strengthening the ZiG are central to restoring monetary sovereignty."No country can develop using another country's currency," Matshe said, while acknowledging that rebuilding public confidence will require sustained policy consistency.Economists say the success of the transition will depend on maintaining exchange rate stability, ensuring adequate foreign currency supply for key sectors, and strengthening broader economic fundamentals to support trust in the local currency.
News / National

by Staff reporter

The Minister of Local Government and Public Works, Daniel Garwe, has convened a high-level consultative meeting with key stakeholders to address the growing impact of illegal and destructive mining activities in the uMzingwane catchment area.The meeting brought together Levi Mayihlome, Member of Parliament and Deputy Minister of Defence, alongside representatives from the City of Bulawayo, the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development, the Environmental Management Agency (EMA), the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA), the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), and traditional leaders.The engagement followed a letter from Bulawayo Mayor David Coltart, raising alarm over the effects of riverbed mining in the catchment.Addressing the meeting, Coltart said irresponsible mining activities were causing widespread environmental degradation, including the destruction of rivers and streams. He warned that such practices had reduced inflows into dams during the last rainy season and damaged critical municipal infrastructure such as pipelines and bridges.He also raised concerns over the risk of chemical contamination in the city's water supply dams.Mayihlome said the crisis extends beyond Bulawayo, affecting an estimated 70,000 people in the uMzingwane constituency. He added that traditional leaders, including Chief Sibasa from Insiza, had flagged the destruction of natural landscapes and cultural heritage sites due to mining.In response, Garwe called for urgent enforcement of Statutory Instrument 188 of 2024, which bans riverbed mining. He directed the ZRP, EMA and the Ministry of Mines to act swiftly against offenders.The minister also announced plans for an urgent inter-ministerial meeting involving the Ministries of Local Government, Home Affairs, Agriculture, Environment and Mines to develop coordinated solutions.The measures are aimed at curbing illegal mining, protecting water sources, preserving the environment and safeguarding affected communities.Garwe reaffirmed Government's commitment to ensuring environmental protection, livestock safety and access to clean and safe water.
A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II aircraft assigned to the 56th Fighter Wing soars over the Sonoran Desert on April 10, 2026, near Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. The Air Force budget request for fiscal 2027 seeks $7.4 billion to buy 38 F-35 fighters. (Belinda Guachun-Chichay/U.S. Air Force)



The Department of the Air Force called for a 38% boost in spending over last year to invest billions more in its fleet while also prioritizing personnel, flying hours, training and large-scale exercises.

This is not just a budget. It is a deliberate, once in a lifetime push to supercharge our defense industrial base, sharpen our readiness and secure our air and space superiority, Maj. Gen. Frank R. Verdugo, deputy assistant secretary of the Air Force for budget, said during a news conference Tuesday.

The proposal is part of the Defense Departments $1.5 trillion spending ask for fiscal year 2027, which begins Oct. 1. It includes a nearly $2.5 billion jump for the Department of the Air Force in personnel costs to accommodate pay raises that range between 5 and 7% depending on rank.

The increase also allows for growth in the ranks: about 8,900 more active-duty in the Air Force and 1,100 for the Air National Guard. The Reserve would lose about 100 members.

Our 2027 budget request funds our priorities of readiness, modernization and taking care of our airmen and their families, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Ken Wilsbach said in a statement. Looking at readiness, it significantly increases accounts for flying hours, spare parts, munitions, maintenance, and advanced training that reflects the realities of todays battlefield and tomorrows fight.

The departments $338.8 billion budget proposal breaks down to $267.7 billion for the Air Force and $71.1 billion to the Space Force.

Within the Air Forces Operations and Maintenance accounts, it aims to spend $24.8 billion for Weapon System Sustainment and allocates $9.9 billion to the flying hour program at its maximum executable level, which adds 1.1 million flying hours.

Its Research, Development, Test and Evaluation request increases by 50%, bringing it to $98.2 billion. That amount includes $2.9 billion to accelerate the B-21 Raider and $4.5 billion to secure a land-based nuclear mission with the Sentinel program.

The budget proposal also calls for $3 billion to accelerate development of the Air Forces sixth-generation fighter jet, the F-47.

It also earmarks $7.4 billion to buy 38 F-35 fighters; $1.1 billion for Collaborative Combat Aircraft; $3 billion for 24 F-15EX fighters and $3.9 billion for 15 new KC-46A tankers.

The proposal does not account for Mondays announcement that the Air Force will slow the retirement of the A-10 Warthog. This year it will retire 19 fewer of the aircraft than originally planned, Verdugo said.

We are still working through how much that will cost us in [fiscal year] 27 and would be postured to, to absorb those costs, he said.

For the infrastructure to support those aircraft and equipment, the Air Force aims to double its military construction budget to $11.3 billion for about 58 major projects. They include facilities for the T-7 training aircraft, the F-35 and F-47. Funding is also set aside to move U.S. Space Command from a temporary headquarters in Colorado to a permanent home in Huntsville, Ala.

For the junior enlisted, theres funding to build new dorms at Fort Sam Houston and Goodfellow Air Force Base in Texas and Cannon Air Force Base in New Mexico.

Its the Department of the Air Forces blueprint for decisively funding the capabilities required for air and space superiority, homeland defense, and strategic deterrence, all while taking care of our airmen and guardians, Verdugo said. This budget strategically rebuilds our foundations, restores critical capabilities, and makes a monumental investment in the future force.
The Army's 411th Contracting Support Brigade celebrates its 50th anniversay at the Morning Calm Center on Camp Humphreys, South Korea, on April 17, 2026. (Yoojin Lee/Stars and Stripes)



CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea  To mark its 50th year in business as a joint agency serving all military branches in the Pacific, the 411th Contracting Support Brigade held its first military ball this month.

About 200 people, including military personnel and civilians, gathered at the Morning Calm Center on April 17 to celebrate the brigades legacy and recognize its Korean employees.

The brigade plays a critical, behind-the-scenes role to sustain U.S. military readiness in South Korea, according to its members. They provide logistics, food service and facility maintenance to support operations in the region, particularly during crises.

Every contract you award and every negotiation you win ensures that we are equipped, sustained and ready to fight tonight, the commander of Eighth Army, Lt. Gen. Joseph Hilbert, said during the ball as guest speaker.

Brigade commander Col. Rickey Torres described the unit as an essential but often unseen force.

We are enablers of the maneuver in a battlefield. Weve been operating in the shadows, and we want to keep it quiet professionals, he said in an April 10 interview.

Torres said most base operations, from drones to greens keepers, rely on contracting support, highlighting how the brigades role has expanded over time.

The unit traces its origins to the provisional Eighth Army Procurement Agency established in 1954.

In 1977, it expanded to support the Air Force and became a joint contracting agency in the Pacific theater that covers all branches, according to the 50th anniversary program.

As operations evolve, the unit is working to speed up the contract writing process by integrating artificial intelligence, brigade executive officer Lt. Col. Ray Wagenheim said in an April 10 interview.

Torres also emphasized the importance of continuity and the contributions of Korean employees.

While the U.S. service members and the civilian staffers come and go, they stayed and taught incoming soldiers and have served for so long, he said.

During the ceremony, the brigade recognized 13 Korean employees who have worked in the brigade for more than 40 years, including Pak Nam-ye, who has served 47 years and counting.
A drone delivers a Bunker Rupture and Kinetic Explosive Round (BRAKER) during a live-fire demonstration at Redstone Arsenal, Ala., on March 26, 2026. The new warhead was developed in just two weeks. (U.S. Army)



Small drones armed with bunker-busting firepower could be added to the arsenal of front-line troops, giving them a new battlefield option for cracking hardened targets without the help of outside air support.

A new warhead, developed in just two weeks, was successfully deployed during a live-fire demonstration at an Army training grounds in Alabama, the service said in a statement this week.

The March 26 detonation demonstrates a new and potent capability for the modern warfighter and illustrates how engineers can quickly design, fabricate, and integrate hardware to meet urgent and compelling needs, the Army statement said.

The so-called Bunker Rupture and Kinetic Explosive Round, or BRAKER, is a lightweight warhead designed to be carried on agile one-way attack drones, the Army said.

The effort reflects a broader push by the Army to incorporate drones and more strike options at the small ground unit level. The project, led by a team of Army developers at Picatinny Arsenal, New Jersey, used 3D printing technology to go from concept to live fire in two weeks, said Col. Vincent Morris, the project manager. A dozen bombs were created during the initiative.

The team is now creating a plan to help industry scale this critical warfighter advantage, Morris said.

The Army didnt say how soon the BRAKER could be fielded to units, but the program encapsulates how the Army is prioritizing the types of capabilities that have proven effective for Ukrainian forces in their war with Russia.

Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, who has been dubbed the drone guy by President Donald Trump, told lawmakers last week that the service was capitalizing on lessons learned from the Russia-Ukraine war.

The Ukrainian military has fundamentally changed the approach to warfare, Driscoll said during a congressional hearing Thursday.
Adam Schlueter, a 37-year-old former U.S. soldier, was convicted this week of sexually assaulting and physically abusing two children under the age of 10 while stationed in Germany between 2009 and 2013, according to federal prosecutors. He faces a minimum of 30 years in prison. (Stars and Stripes)



A former U.S. soldier from Atlanta is facing at least three decades in prison for sexually and physically abusing two young children while stationed in Germany more than 10 years ago, according to federal prosecutors.

A federal court jury convicted Adam Schlueter, 37, on Friday of two counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a minor under age 12 and two counts of assault resulting in serious bodily injury.

The convictions carry a mandatory minimum of 30 years in prison and a maximum of life imprisonment. His sentencing is scheduled for July 9.

The abuse occurred from 2009 to 2013 while Schlueter was enlisted in the Army and stationed at Grafenwoehr, an expansive training area in Bavaria, federal prosecutors said this week, citing court documents and evidence presented at trial.

The children he victimized were less than 10 years old at the time, according to the Justice Department.

During trial testimony, both children described being choked and beaten by Schlueter. One of them was pushed through a second-story window and dangled above the ground, according to testimony.

To prevent reporting of the abuse to authorities, Schlueter threatened to harm and even kill witnesses, prosecutors said.

When he should have been honorably defending our country with the utmost integrity, Schlueter instead spent years terrorizing his young victims through physical and sexual abuse, prosecutor Theodore Hertzberg said in a statement Monday.
A U.S. Army sign marks Gate 3 at Tower Barracks, part of U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria in Grafenwoehr, Germany. (John Vandiver/Stars and Stripes)



GRAFENWOEHR, Germany  German police apprehended a man Tuesday after he attempted to bypass security guards and enter the U.S. Army garrison in Grafenwoehr and then became violent, according to local authorities.

The incident occurred Tuesday morning at the installations Gate 3, which is currently serving as a primary access point to the post.

In a statement, Eschenbach police told Stars and Stripes that officers were called after a Syrian man was denied entry to the base and began arguing with security personnel. The man made incoherent statements and became increasingly agitated, the statement said.

The man then moved toward nearby railroad tracks and began throwing rocks and kicking at responding officers, police added. German police were assisted by military police during the incident.

Two officers sustained minor injuries, according to police, who said the man was taken into custody and transported to a district hospital for evaluation.

A video circulating on a local social media page appears to show a German police officer drawing a weapon as the man threw rocks.

As of Wednesday morning, there were no visible changes to security at the gate.

A spokesperson for U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria confirmed that an incident occurred outside the installation at Gate 3, which was temporarily closed.

The security and safety of our military community is our top priority, and our community members are always reminded to report anything suspicious, the spokesperson said.

Stars and Stripes reporter Marcus Kloeckner contributed to this report.
U.S. Navy landing craft, air cushion assigned to Assault Craft Unit 5, enters the well deck of Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Boxer during launch and recovery operations, Feb. 23, 2026. The proposed defense budget released Tuesday, April 21, 2026, would see the Marine Corps receive new amphibious landing ships. (U.S. Navy)



The Marine Corps would get new amphibious landing ships and have its stocks of munitions refreshed under the defense budget request for fiscal 2027 released Tuesday.

The Marine Corps, which has an active force of 173,700 and a reserve force of 34,700, would receive $18.9 billion to pay and support personnel, including a military-wide pay raise tilted toward giving the largest percentage to lower-ranking enlisted men and women.

The budget request would fund a 7% pay raise for troops in the rank of sergeant and below, a 6% pay raise for soldiers from staff sergeant to captain, and a 5% raise for officers in the rank of major and higher, according to the documents.

The budget request allocates $6.5 billion for fleet readiness of Marine units, including field logistics, maritime prepositioning and depot maintenance.

Marine aviation squadrons would receive 10 F-35C Lightning II fighters, the variant capable of vertical takeoff and landing from amphibious assault ships or when ashore.

While the budget intermingles much of the Navy and Marine budget, the Pentagon-issued synopsis includes $6.3 billion for ground units, and the purchase of 241 Joint Light Tactical Vehicles. Weapons include 103 Naval Strike Missiles, 193 Javelin shoulder-launched missiles, 32 Navy/Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System Launchers and 410 Medium Range Intercept Capability Missiles.

The Navy budget calls for a new Landing Transport Dock and a Landing Helicopter Assault Ship. The Marines would also receive six of the Medium Landing Ships it unveiled earlier this week as a shore-to-shore vessel that would not be required to use ports to unload its troops and cargo. The design is based on the L-100 transport by Dutch shipbuilder Damen Shipyards.
Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, pictured here on Feb. 26, 2026, is home to the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. (Keishi Koja/Stars and Stripes)



Okinawa prefectures latest groundwater survey pinpoints a Marine Corps airfield as the likely source of toxic forever chemicals measured as much as 60 times higher than Japans legal limit.

The prefectures Environmental Preservation Division found elevated PFAS levels at 28 of 40 sites sampled in July, October and December near Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Ginowan city, according to survey results released Friday.

The division on Monday also released results of a survey around Marine Corps Camp Kinser, where elevated PFAS levels were found at two sites downstream of the base.

Japans water quality standard for PFAS is 50 parts per trillion. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency sets no safe minimum standard for the organic compound.

The highest level of PFAS  3,000 parts per trillion  was measured at Ijunga, an underground spring downstream of MCAS Futenma. The site was one of 12 sampled in December for the first time since testing began in 2021, a division spokeswoman said by phone Wednesday.

Some Japanese government officials must speak to the press only on condition of anonymity.

The second highest level  2,600 parts per trillion  was discovered at Kanjaga, another underground spring downstream of the airfield.

The Kinser survey recorded a maximum PFAS level of 400 parts per trillion at a drainage outlet at Irijima 3-chome, downstream of the base, in January 2025. In September, PFAS of 170 parts per trillion was found at the same outlet, and 310 parts per trillion was found at a base stormwater drainage connection point.

The prefecture surveyed the sites after PFAS levels of 170 parts per trillion were detected at the Irijima outlet during the 2024 islandwide survey.

PFAS  per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances  are widely used for waterproof and nonstick coatings and fire suppressants such as aqueous film-forming foams. They are commonly referred to as forever chemicals because they persist in the environment. The American Cancer Society has linked PFAS exposure to an increased risk of tumors in the liver, breasts, testicles and pancreas.

U.S. Forces Japan in 2024 announced it had incinerated the last of its stockpiles of firefighting foam containing the substances.

PFAS is a shared concern tied to both military and civilian industrial activities across Japan, USFJ wrote in an unsigned statement emailed Wednesday. It added that the command continues to comply with all agreements and procedures with the Japanese government.

The prefecture established an expert committee in 2021 to conduct more detailed surveys around MCAS Futenma after high concentrations of PFAS were found in annual islandwide surveys starting in 2016. Because of these findings, it is considered highly probable that the base is the source of the contamination, the survey states.

The prefecture will continue to monitor groundwater around the base and investigate contamination in an underground basin where the firefighting training facility is located, according to the Futenma surveys response plan.

It will also request information from the U.S. military through the Okinawa Defense Bureau about on-base storage of PFAS at Kinser, according to the Kinser survey report.

The prefecture has sought base access for water sampling four times since 2016. USFJ denied the requests in December, saying the evidence that its installations were sources of contamination was insufficient.
The crew of the Virginia-class attack submarine USS Idaho marches in formation during a christening ceremony at General Dynamics Electric Boat shipyard facility in Groton, Conn., March 16, 2024. (John Narewski/U.S. Navy)



The Navy is asking for the biggest slice of the record-setting financial pie the Pentagon is requesting from Congress for the defense budget for 2027 released Tuesday.

The sea service would get $377.5 billion  a 24.3% increase over last year  to pay for everything from more ballistic missile submarines to new military housing projects.

We are a maritime nation, and a maritime nation needs the strongest Navy in the world, said Rear Adm. Ben Reynolds, deputy assistant secretary of the Navy.

At the top of the wish list are two brand-new kinds of ships  a BBG (X), the first Trump-class guided-missile battleship, and the FFX, the first of a new type of frigate based on a Coast Guard cutter design.

The proposed budget would include $1 billion in advance funds to begin work on the 30,000-ton battleship. It would receive another $837 million in research-and-development funds. The Navy would ask for $17 billion in procurement funds for the battleship next year. Plans call for three battleships in all, with the second bought for $13 billion in FY 2030 and the third for $11.5 billion in FY 2031.

USS Defiant, the first Trump-class battleship. (U.S. Navy )



The battleship is at the center of Trumps Golden Fleet plan, which also includes the new frigate to be modeled on a modified Coast Guard National Security Cutter. It replaces the planned Constellation-class frigate that was scuttled by Navy Secretary John Phelan late last year. Only two ships, USS Constellation and USS Congress, will be completed.

The $65.8 billion in shipbuilding money would go toward all or portions of 18 battle force ships and 16 support ships. They include:

Incremental funding for one Columbia-class nuclear ballistic missile submarine and one additional boat.

Full funding for two Virginia-class nuclear fast attack submarines and advance procurement for another four submarines.

Continues incremental on third and fourth Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carriers.

One Arleigh Burke guided-missile destroyer.

Two AS(X) submarine tenders.

One Explorer class ocean surveillance ship.

Two John Lewis-class fleet oilers.

One Landing Platform Dock.

One America-class Landing Helicopter Assault Ship.

Six Medium Landing Ships.

The Navy is also doubling its 2026 requests for aircraft to a total of $34.4 billion, to include the Navy and Marine Corps. The funds would go for 123 fixed-wing, rotary-wing and unmanned aircraft.

The Navy would receive 37 F-35C Lightning II carrier-launched attack jets, and the Marines would get 10 F-35B short/vertical takeoff and landing variants of the Lightning II. The Navy also requests six E-2D Advanced Hawkeye airborne early warning planes, 12 P-8A Poseidon surveillance aircraft, 18 KC-130J Hercules transport/tankers, and 10 UC-12W Huron light transports. Rotary aircraft would include 22 CH-53K King Stallion helicopters. Unmanned aircraft include three MQ-25 Stingrays and five MQ-9A Reapers.

Weapons requests include 4,296 missiles, torpedoes and bombs. Some of the largest requests include 785 Tomahawk missiles, 540 Standard Missiles, 512 Small Diameter Bombs II, 494 Advanced Medium Range air-to-air missiles and 405 PAC-3 Patriot missiles.

The Navy and Lockheed Martin announced Tuesday that the a ship-launched PAC-3 interceptor version of the Patriot missile  primarily ground based  would be integrated into the Aegis ship defense system.

The Navy request includes $70.1 billion for its 621,500 sailors and Marines, $111 billion for operations and maintenance, $36.2 billion for research and development, $8.5 billion for 64 military construction projects around the world, $9.8 billion for unaccompanied housing and $1.5 billion for family housing.
Space Force guardians march during a graduation ceremony at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, on Dec. 18, 2025. The Pentagons 2027 budget plan aims to add 2,800 Guardians to the service, for a total 13,200 active-duty end strength. (Jonathan Mallard/U.S. Air Force )



The Space Forces budget would balloon to $71.2 billion under a spending plan unveiled Tuesday that seeks to double spending on space capabilities as the domain becomes increasingly contested and vital to national security.

The bulk of the proposal  $59 billion  will be sought through the regular appropriations process, and $12 billion would come from a possible reconciliation bill in Congress that would allow Republicans to tack on additional funding for the military without Democratic votes.

The influx of money for the Space Force, the militarys youngest and smallest branch, comes amid a race with China for space supremacy and a push by the Trump administration to build up missile defense systems based in orbit. The services budget request in fiscal 2026 was $40 billion.

The proposed budget represents a generational opportunity to position the Space Force to win against the growing threats and demands our nation faces today and tomorrow, Gen. Chance Saltzman, chief of space operations, said in a statement.

Boosting the size of the force is a key objective. The budget plan aims to add 2,800 Guardians to the service, for a total active-duty end strength of 13,200. Hiring will target people with expertise in the space, intelligence, cyber and acquisition career fields, said Maj. Gen. Frank Verdugo, deputy assistant secretary of the Air Forces budget.

The Space Force saw hundreds of civilian employees who worked in acquisitions leave during last years efforts to reduce the federal workforce. Their loss, as well as bottlenecks in the defense industrial base, have raised questions about whether the service will be able to spend its windfall.

We are asking to double the Space Forces budget in fiscal 2027, said Air Force Secretary Troy Meink during the annual Space Symposium earlier this month. We owe it to the taxpayers and our future generations to effectively execute every dollar of that increase, and it will be a big challenge.

The base budget calls for spending $38.4 billion on research and development, $9.6 billion on procurement, $9.1 billion on operations and maintenance, and $1.8 billion on personnel. The request includes:
The Type-10 tank, manufactured by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Japan Steel Works, is the newest main battle tank in Japans inventory. (Japan Ministry of Defense)



TOKYO  Three members of Japans Ground Self-Defense Force were killed and another was injured this week when a shell exploded inside a tank during a live-fire exercise in southwestern Japan, officials said.

The blast occurred around 8:40 a.m. Tuesday inside a Type-10 tank at Hijudai Training Area on Kyushu, the southernmost of Japans four main islands, according to a Ground Self-Defense Force news release that day.

The explosion killed Sgt. 1st Class Kentaro Hamabe, 45; Shingo Takayama, 31; and Sgt. Kozo Kanai, 30, Ground Self-Defense Force Chief of Staff Gen. Masayoshi Arai said Tuesday at a televised news conference. He declined to identify the injured soldier.

The soldiers were assigned to a tank unit under the Western Army, Arai said.

The shell detonated inside the turret during the exercise, killing Hamabe, the tank commander; Takayama, the gunner; and Kanai, the safety officer, and injuring the driver, Arai said.

I sincerely apologize for the inconvenience and concern caused to the nation, including the local community, he said.

All live-fire training involving Type-10 and Type-90 tanks using the same type of shells has been suspended, Arai said, adding he was not aware of any similar accidents involving the Type-10.

Hijudai Training Area, nearly 700 miles southwest of Tokyo, is also used for joint training with U.S. forces, according to the Oita prefectural office website.

The Type-10 tank, manufactured by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Japan Steel Works, is the newest main battle tank in Japans inventory.

The vehicle measures about 31 feet long and weighs roughly 44 tons, with a top speed of 43.5 mph, according to the Ground Self-Defense Forces website. It is equipped with a 120 mm smoothbore cannon with an automatic loader, along with 12.7 mm and 7.62 mm machine guns.
A Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, or THAAD, system arrives at Osan Air Base, South Korea, March 6, 2017. (U.S. Air Force)



The U.S. military has not moved an advanced air defense system off the Korean Peninsula, the commander of U.S. forces there told a Senate committee this week.

Last month, the Washington Post, quoting unnamed officials, reported that the Pentagon was moving parts of a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, or THAAD, system from South Korea to the Middle East.

The report prompted a statement by South Korean President Lee Jae Myung opposing the removal of U.S. air defense systems from his country, although he said doing so would not significantly affect Seouls ability to deter Pyongyang.

The U.S. was rushing to replace a THAAD radar  critical for shooting down ballistic missiles  damaged in an Iranian-backed drone strike in Jordan, according to an unnamed U.S. official quoted March 6 by the Wall Street Journal.

However, Army Gen. Xavier Brunson, commander of U.S. Forces Korea, on Tuesday told the Senate Armed Services Committee that THAAD, capable of high-altitude interception of ballistic missiles, never left the peninsula.

South Korea considered the U.S. THAAD battery deployed in 2017 in Seongju as part of its enhanced defense against North Korean missile threats, according a joint statement at the time.

Weve not moved any THAAD systems, so THAAD still remains on the peninsula currently, but we are sending munitions forward, and those are sitting right now waiting to move, Brunson said, according to a video of his testimony released by the committee.

I was dynamically moving those around, so that I could then sequence them into Osan Air Base to prepare them to move the munitions and that caused a big kerfluffle on the peninsula, he said, referring to the home of the U.S. 7th Air Force and 51st Fighter Wing about 40 miles south of Seoul.

In previous moves, radars were taken off the peninsula, Brunson said, without specifying their types.

This was in advance of Midnight Hammer, he said of strikes on Iranian nuclear sites in June.

Some of those have not yet returned to South Korea, but the THAAD systems remain on the peninsula, Brunson said.

A spokesman for South Koreas Ministry of National Defense declined Wednesday to comment on Brusons remarks. South Korean officials customarily speak to the media on condition of anonymity.

U.S. Indo-Pacific Command elements have played an indispensable role in the Iran conflict, its commander, Adm. Samuel Paparo, told the committee, according to a transcript of his statement.

This operation is forging a more lethal and experienced joint force, he said. INDOPACOM forces will return to the Indo-Pacific better trained and more capable for any future conflict.

Theres no substitute for the combat experience, he told the committee, according to the video, adding: Its an advantage our would-be adversaries do not have.
President Donald Trump walks on the South Lawn upon his arrival to the White House, Friday, April 17, 2026, in Washington. The president on Tuesday said he is extending the ceasefire with Iran until talks between the U.S. and Iran are concluded. (Jose Luis Magana/AP)



WASHINGTON  President Donald Trump is extending the ceasefire in the war with Iran until talks between the U.S. and Iran are concluded, he announced Tuesday.

We have been asked to hold our attack on the country of Iran until such time as their leaders and representatives can come up with a unified proposal, Trump said in a post on Truth Social. I have therefore directed our military to continue the blockade and, in all other respects, remain ready and able, and will therefore extend the ceasefire until such time as their proposal is submitted, and discussions are concluded, one way or the other.

The president said he is granting the ceasefire extension at Pakistans request.

Iran has not publicly reacted to Trumps extension.

The two-week ceasefire was originally set to expire Tuesday night. The original proposal came at the 11th hour on April 7 after Trump escalated his threats that morning to destroy the countrys infrastructure and talks appeared to stall.

A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again, he said in a post at the time. I dont want that to happen, but it probably will.

The ceasefire has prevented a return to full-scale hostilities, but it has also been marked by conflicting public statements and accusations of violations, as both sides continue to clash over control of the Strait of Hormuz, which has been effectively closed since the start of hostilities nearly two months ago.

Restoring commercial traffic in the Strait of Hormuz is a top priority for the U.S. and international community, which has seen a surge in fuel prices since Iran imposed shipping restrictions on the critical trade corridor.

But for now, the U.S. military is focused on imposing its own naval blockade, which aims to apply economic pressure on Iran by further restricting shipping through the strait.

Trump made the announcement as talks scheduled to take place between the U.S. and Iranian delegations in the Pakistani capital were postponed amid uncertainty about the broad strokes of a deal. Vice President JD Vance and other U.S. officials remained in Washington instead of leaving for Islamabad as originally planned.

Iran had yet to confirm its attendance at the talks, instead warning that it is prepared to unveil new cards on the battlefield.

Speaking to CNBC on Tuesday, Trump expressed optimism about potential talks but said the U.S. military stood ready to bomb again if no deal was struck with the Iranian government.

We dont have that much time, Trump said.

A day earlier, Trump told Bloomberg News that it was highly unlikely he would extend the two-week ceasefire with Iran if no deal were reached in time.

Im not going to be rushed into making a bad deal. Weve got all the time in the world, Trump said, also adding the ceasefire would end on Wednesday.

Since the war with Iran began on Feb. 28, 13 American personnel have died and at least 400 have been wounded, according to Defense Manpower Data Center figures.
The USS Gerald R. Ford arrives in Split, Croatia, on March 28, 2026. The Fords port visit came during a Mediterranean rotation before the carrier transited back to the Middle East, where it now operates as the U.S.-Iran cease-fire nears its final days. (India AaronTerrell/U.S. Navy)



President Donald Trumps extension of a ceasefire with Iran may have paused fighting in the Middle East, but it also intensifies a high-stakes standoff over the Strait of Hormuz, with both sides rushing to ratchet up pressure as global fuel prices surge.

The question now is, who will blink first?

Even as U.S. forces have decimated its navy, air defenses, and munition supplies, Iran has managed to keep the strait in a chokehold for nearly two months, threatening oil tankers and reducing traffic in one of the worlds most important shipping lanes to a virtual standstill.

Iran on Wednesday continued to target commercial shipping. The paramilitary Revolutionary Guard fired on three commercial ships, detaining at least two, according to Iranian state media. The British maritime security monitoring group UKMTO reported two incidents in which commercial vessels near Oman and Iran were fired upon, with both crews reported safe.

Weeks of bombing and threats of escalation have failed to loosen Irans grip, leading the U.S. to take a different approach: a naval blockade on oil and cargo tankers bound for Iranian ports. U.S. forces have so far turned around 28 ships and boarded at least two, and U.S. officials say Iran is starting to feel the pain.

Iran is collapsing financially! Trump said in a late-night post to Truth Social on Tuesday. They want the Strait of Hormuz opened immediately  Starving for cash!

Iranian officials have maintained a defiant posture. Mahdi Mohammadi, a senior adviser to Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, said the ceasefire extension means nothing, arguing that the losing side cannot dictate terms, in a post to X.

But Iran is still economically vulnerable. Oil exports are its main source of revenue and some experts suggest leaders in Tehran are growing increasingly concerned about long-term erosion of their strategic abilities.

Hamidreza Azizi, a visiting fellow at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs, noted that the ceasefire and blockade leave Iran in an uneasy limbo, one that gives the U.S. more leverage and narrows Irans path forward.

USS Gerald R. Ford conducts flight deck operations on March 15, 2026. U.S. forces have maintained a steady posture in the region since the cease-fire with Iran took effect, even as both sides have warned they are prepared to resume hostilities. (Thomas Gagnier/U.S. Navy)



Trumps extension of the ceasefire is not interpreted as a face-saving exit from the conflict, but rather as a recalibration of the wars form and shape, which lowers costs for the United States while increasing them for Iran, Azizi wrote on X.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Tuesday that it will only be a matter of days before Irans oil storage facilities are full. But hopes for a quick return to normalcy are dwindling as European officials warn of jet fuel shortages and scramble to fend off a looming energy crisis.

German airline carrier Lufthansa said Tuesday it is canceling 20,000 short-haul flights through October in anticipation of a fuel shortage. Experts say they expect more oil rationing to take place in the coming weeks.

President Trump has repeatedly stressed that the U.S. does not rely on Hormuz oil flows as much as other countries, but the Iran war has driven up prices for many Americans, impacting the presidents approval ratings ahead of critical midterm elections this fall.

A U.S. sailor prepares for flight deck operations aboard the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford on Feb. 28, 2026. The Ford, which is currently deployed to the Middle East, remains part of the U.S. naval presence in the region as the cease-fire between the United States and Iran continues to hold. (U.S. Central Command )



An AP-NORC poll conducted April 16-20 showed the presidents economic approval rating remained low among independents and has dropped among Republicans  62% down from 74% last month.

Trump, who vowed on the campaign trail not to drag the U.S. into another long-term conflict in the Middle East, has not specified a deadline for the latest ceasefire extension. Vice President JD Vances planned trip to Islamabad on Tuesday was put on hold because Tehran had not responded to American demands, the New York Times reported, citing a U.S. official.

Trump, on Truth Social, said the ceasefire will be extended until Iran can come up with a unified proposal.
A U.S. Marine with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit checks a Quantum Systems Vector drone during unmanned aerial systems operations at Camp Santiago, Puerto Rico, on Jan. 11, 2026. (Emily Hazelbaker/U.S. Marine Corps)



The leader of U.S. Southern Command has directed the establishment of the SOUTHCOM Autonomous Warfare Command, the combatant command announced Tuesday. It will focus on the use of drones and emerging technology to counter threats.

From the seafloor to space and across the cyber domain, we fully intend to leverage the clear superiority of the American defense ecosystem by deploying cutting-edge innovation and working ever closer with our enduring partners in the region to outmatch those who threaten our collective peace and security, Marine Corps Gen. Francis Donovan said in a statement.

The statement did not say how long it would take to establish the warfare command; SOUTHCOM did not respond immediately to a request for comment.

Once fully established, the new command will be dedicated to employing autonomous, semiautonomous and unmanned platforms and systems to counter threats and challenges across domains, linking tactical missions to long-term strategic effects, the statement said.

The Pentagons $1.5 trillion budget request unveiled Tuesday wants to triple spending on drones and related autonomous technologies to more than $74 billion.

The SOUTHCOM announcement comes after U.S. Central Command in September said it would set up a new task force to quickly get drones and cutting-edge technology to troops in 60 days or fewer.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in July issued new policies aimed at cutting through bureaucratic red tape that limited the militarys ability to quickly purchase and field small drones with vast capabilities. Such drones could be used to gather intelligence, drop supplies to troops or deliver lethal munitions on enemy positions.

SOUTHCOM oversees U.S. operations in Central and South America, as well as the Caribbean. Since early September, SOUTHCOM has been involved in more than 50 strikes on alleged drug boats and killed at least 181 people in the Caribbean and the Eastern Pacific Ocean.

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.
Rep. Morgan Luttrell, R-Texas, delivers remarks during a House Veterans Affairs subcommittee hearing on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, in Washington. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)



WASHINGTON  Gold Star Spouses of America urged lawmakers to pass three separate bills that would provide critical assistance to families of fallen service members and veterans who were catastrophically disabled or who died from their service-connected conditions.

Tamra Sipes, national president of the nonprofit Gold Star Spouses, testified Tuesday that pensions, indemnity and dependency payouts administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs often determine if a widowed spouse can remain financially stable after the death of a service member or veteran.

While their spouses wore the uniform, they carried the weight of service at home and now carry the lifelong responsibility of preserving their legacy while rebuilding their own lives, Sipes said at a hearing of the House Veterans Affairs subcommittee on disability assistance and memorial affairs.

Rep. Morgan Luttrell, R-Texas, the subcommittee chairman, said that the assistance is meant to make life more affordable for grieving families whove lost a veteran or service member.

For some, this is what keeps the lights on, Luttrell, a retired Navy SEAL veteran, said at the two-panel hearing, which examined delivery of pensions, survivor benefits and life insurance payouts.

He urged VA officials to continue to provide paper responses by mail to widowed spouses, many of whom are elderly and may not routinely use the internet.

Having better communication is one of the most pressing issues, Sipes said.

Many Gold Star members are confused about how the compensation programs work, Sipes said.

She raised concerns about the rules for obtaining dependency and indemnity compensation, known as DIC, and survivors pensions.

DIC is a primary benefit for qualifying widowed spouses and dependents that is paid out after a service-connected death.

Survivors pensions are for the widowed spouses of wartime veterans whose deaths were not service-related. But there are income-based criteria for recipients, Sipes said.

Clearer explanations about income thresholds and how income is calculated would enable applicants to better understand their eligibility, Sipes said.

Sipes said that the threshold sits significantly below the 2026 federal poverty level of $15,960 for a single-person household, effectively excluding thousands of survivors who are struggling financially but do not meet this restrictive definition of indigence.

You have to be destitute, Sipes said.

Gold Star Spouses said it recognizes that the VA has taken steps to automatically consider applicants for DIC and survivors pensions.

Jennifer Bover, left, executive director of pension and fiduciary service at the Veterans Benefits Administration, and Tim Sirhal, acting principal deputy under secretary for benefits, are sworn in during a House Veterans Affairs subcommittee hearing on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, in Washington. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)



Jennifer Bover, executive director of pension and fiduciary service at the Veterans Benefits Administration, said that in many cases the VA is able to provide widowed spouses with benefits in a matter of days after a service-connected death is reported.

While this is a positive development, many survivors remain unaware that this review is taking place and would benefit from clearer communication about how their claims are being evaluated, Sipes said.

Gold Star Families urged lawmakers to act on key bills  the Sharri Briley and Eric Edmundson Veterans Benefits Expansion Act, the Caring for Survivors Act and the Love Lives On Act.

 The Sharri Briley and Eric Edmundson Veterans Benefits Expansion Act would award an additional $10,000 each year to veterans with traumatic brain injuries, paralysis and other catastrophic disabilities related to military service.

It also would increase benefits by 1% a year for the next five years for the spouses of service members killed in the line of duty or who died from their injuries.

The bill is pending a House vote, after advancing from committee review.

 The Caring for Survivors Act increases the monthly DIC rate, according to the language in the bill.

DIC compensation represents monthly payments to eligible survivors  including the spouses, parents and children of service members who died on active duty and veterans who died from a service-connected condition.

It is not exclusively for wartime veterans but rather for service-connected deaths, according to the VA.

The compensation is also paid to qualifying veterans determined to be totally disabled from a service-connected condition for a certain period of time, according to the bill.

The Caring for Survivors Act is pending a committee review.

 The Love Lives On Act removes financial penalties for widowed spouses who remarry.

Under current law, surviving spouses who remarry before the age of 55 lose access to certain benefits, according to lawmakers.

The loss of benefits is referred to as a marriage penalty.

The legislation is designed to allow surviving spouses, regardless of age, who marry again to continue to receive dependency and indemnity compensation as well as survivor benefit plan annuities, according to the bill.

The bill is pending votes in the House and Senate.
Jose Luis Piedra 22/04/2026 a las 16:43h.

The Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge has given the green light to the dismantling of gas facilities located in the Donana area. The work will also include environmental restoration of these sites due to the technical depletion of these gas deposits.

The authorisation to take down all these facilities, granted by the directorate-general for environmental quality and assessment, is in response to the request from Trinity Energy Storage SL, the company behind these facilities. The company is seeking permanent closure and dismantling of eleven gas installations located in this area near Donana Natural Park. A further proposal is the closure of seven sections of gas pipelines totalling 34 linear kilometres that are located in the provinces of Huelva and Seville.

The environmental resolution adopted by the aforementioned ministry in Madrid and published in the official state gazette (BOE) reflects that the plan does not require the usual evaluation and assessment as no significant adverse effects are foreseen, provided compliance continues with the protection measures that are already in place.

The facilities to be dismantled cover a line of more than 43 kilometres in a southwest-northeast direction, between the wells located at both ends of the gas facilities. One is in the municipality of Almonte, in the province of Huelva, and the other is in the municipality of Aznalcazar, in the province of Seville. The dismantling must be done correctly due to their proximity and ecological connectivity with the biological reserve that is Donana.

These decommissioning tasks will consist of permanently sealing the wells with cement barriers to prevent any gas leakage to the surface or aquifers, ensuring the stability of the subsoil in an area of high water and environmental sensitivity.

The environmental restoration plan envisages the dismantling of all above-ground elements such as filtration equipment, ponds and electrical systems, as well as the removal of any above-ground traces of the gas pipelines through internal cleaning and underground sealing.

The sealing process involves cutting and retrieving the production tubing in its first 50 to 150 metres of depth, while the remainder of the tubing is left in the well. In addition, a primary cement barrier will be installed over the perforations in the production zone, then a secondary barrier at a higher location to cover any potential failure of the primary barrier, and, lastly, a third surface barrier at the top of the well.

Once the facilities have been dismantled, a series of actions are planned to return the land to its owners so that it can be put to more natural uses such as agricultural or livestock farming. The land will be restored to its original condition, which will involve soil decompaction and revegetation with native species adapted to the area's soil conditions.

Central government will consult with the affected public administrations and other interested parties regard the project. Also, it will assess whether to make the project available for public comment.
Europa Press Madrid 22/04/2026 a las 13:07h.

Spain's Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, Jose Manuel Albares, will meet this Wednesday afternoon with the Chief Minister of Gibraltar, Fabian Picardo.

The meeting aims to address preparations for the entry into force of the agreement reached between the EU and the UK regarding the Rock, currently scheduled for 15 July.

Foreign Ministry sources indicated that the meeting - also confirmed by the Government of Gibraltar in a statement - will take place at the Viana Palace at 4pm and will allow both parties to "address the preparations for the application of the agreement".

The meeting occurs a day before the Minister travels to the Campo de Gibraltar region. There, he is scheduled to participate in a meeting with business leaders at the local Chamber of Commerce to analyse the agreement reached last December and its impact on the business community.

Thursday's agenda follows the unanimous endorsement by the EU-27 on 1 April for the signing and provisional application of the agreement. This paved the way for it to enter into force on 15 July, three months behind the initial schedule envisioned by Brussels and London.

They had originally hoped to have everything ready before 10 April, when the new European Entry/Exit System (EES) began at European borders.

The core element of the agreement is the removal of the physical border (the 'Verja'). Controls will instead be carried out by the Spanish National Police at the Rock's airport and port to ensure compliance with Schengen Area rules.

Furthermore, the deal includes the shared use of the airport, a customs union between the Rock and the EU, and the introduction of an indirect tax by Gibraltar, similar to VAT, intended to eliminate fiscal distortions.

First bilateral meeting

While both Albares and Picardo have participated throughout the negotiation process for the post-Brexit relationship between Gibraltar and the EU, this is the first time the two have held a bilateral meeting.

The last direct contact between a Foreign Minister and the Chief Minister of the Rock took place on 23 July 2020, though it did not occur at the Foreign Ministry headquarters in Madrid.

The then-minister, Arancha Gonzalez Laya, spoke with Picardo in Algeciras during a visit to the Campo de Gibraltar to analyse the impact of the Brexit-related memoranda signed with the United Kingdom.

Previously, fellow Socialist minister Miguel Angel Moratinos became the first head of Spanish diplomacy to visit Gibraltar since the British occupation of the Rock in 1704. Moratinos crossed the border on 21 July 2009 to meet with the then-Chief Minister of Gibraltar, Peter Caruana, and British Foreign Secretary, David Miliband.

That meeting was the third at ministerial level within the framework of the 'Trilateral Forum for Dialogue' created in 2004 by the governments of Spain, the United Kingdom, and Gibraltar. Its goal was to advance local cooperation while setting aside the sovereignty dispute.

Similarly, the current agreement reached between the UK and the EU - pending ratification by the British Parliament, the Council, and the European Parliament - excludes all matters relating to the ongoing sovereignty dispute between the two countries.
Niklas Treppner, DPA 22/04/2026 Actualizado 23/04/2026 - 10:13h.

The global debate about protecting young people online, stirred up by Australia's social media ban for teens, has led officials in the European Union to develop an official app for age verification.

Designed to be rolled out across the bloc, the app has the potential to greatly change the online experience for all internet users, since content with age restrictions, such as porn or horror films, would only be accessible after an age check.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is urging EU member states to provide their citizens with a national version, saying the template is now "technically ready".

How does the app work?

The verification app is intended to make it possible to check a user's age anonymously without storing personal data such as name or date of birth.

To do this, the user can photograph their ID card or passport and use their phone's front camera to scan their face.

The app matches the two and stores only enough information from the ID to tell if a person is above a certain age threshold.

If you then want to access age-restricted sites or content, the app can confirm whether the user is allowed to do so.

The software developed by the EU tells the website only whether the person is old enough, and does not disclose their date of birth or other details, according to the European Commission.

When will people start using the app?

Denmark, France, Spain, Greece and Italy have already begun testing the app, and seven member states say they want to integrate the app into the EU's planned digital wallet, set to arrive in the EU in 2027.

Others, like Germany, have not yet tested the app or announced plans to integrate it, and are also allowing private companies to offer alternatives apps.

Do online services have to check age?

For browsing online, it is also crucial whether websites and online platforms will integrate the app.

TikTok, Instagram and other online giants are obliged, in the EU's view, under the Digital Services Act (DSA) to ensure the protection of minors with appropriate age verification, at least if they display content that could endanger or disturb children.

They do not necessarily have to use the EU app for this, but in the European Commission's view this system is the "gold standard".

Commission President von der Leyen stresses that online platforms could rely on the app without difficulty and now have "no more excuses".

Can the app be tricked?

Yes. Children could still use the phone of older siblings or parents with information stored on there, senior EU officials acknowledge.

In addition, there are many technical options such as VPN services to bypass digital age barriers by making it appear that users are accessing websites from outside the EU. The aim is to protect those children who are unintentionally confronted with unsuitable content, the EU official said.

What does the app have to do with a possible social media ban?

The app could also play a crucial role for a possible ban on social media for children and young people up to a certain age. This is also being discussed in Brussels.

However, whether the European Commission will campaign for an EU-wide minimum age on social networks remains open. An expert commission is advising on this and is set to present proposals for further action in the summer.

Several member countries, including France, Spain, Greece and Austria, have already announced they want to introduce a social media ban for minors up to a certain age, while other countries are debating it. Brussels is therefore under pressure because only the European Commission is allowed to impose rules on the online giants.
Jose Antonio Sau 22/04/2026 a las 11:21h.

When Adrian Soto was born 22 years ago, his mother Virginia Cortes noticed that, as soon as she would touch him, "lesions would appear" on his skin. After his birth via a C-section, the doctors took him to the neonatal unit where they kept him isolated. "After ten days, we decided he should come, home because we preferred to be with him, and well, we started bandaging and treating his wounds," Virginia tells SUR.

Adrian suffers from a rare genetic disease called epidermolysis bullosa (EB), also known as 'butterfly skin'. He has the most severe variant - the dystrophic form. In mid-March, the Andalusian regional government announced that it would fund adopting an ambitious drug called Vyjuvek, which will bring significant benefits to the 45 Andalusian patients with the most severe subtype of the disease.

Adrian will be the first person from Malaga to receive it and, almost certainly, he will also become a pioneer in Spain, because his case is precisely the one that has made the regional ministry of health agree to pay for it.

"Healthcare professionals are currently undergoing training, as they need to learn how to handle, prepare and administer the drug. It will be very soon, but the days feel like years," Virginia says.

Adrian and his family live in Tolox, but the young man has always received treatment at the Costa del Sol hospital in Marbella. "They are the ones who opened the door for Vyjuvek to arrive in Spain and be dispensed in the public health system. They were the first to follow all the scientific evidence and publications as they came out. In fact, the dermatologists and the whole team kept telling us: 'This is promising, it's fantastic, we have to get it.'"

A 22-year struggle

"We've been battling this for 22 years, dealing with treatments and countless surgeries. Adrian has had multiple surgeries on his hands to prevent stumps from becoming stumps and fusing together. He's also had corneal surgery, as the injuries left him blind. Even his eyelashes, when they brush against his cornea, cause a wound and an incredibly painful ulcer. He also has severe difficulty swallowing. He can't eat anything, only very clear liquids and in small sips. He has damage to his heart valves and his kidney. It's a very tough illness and we've managed it as best we can," Virginia says.

"This illness is far too devastating and cruel: you have wounds upon wounds that you'll never forget, because for everyone else, a wound heals and you move on, but not for us: it's bound to reopen, because the skin has a memory," the 22-year-old man's mother states.

The problem is that the wounds are opening more and more frequently, "until it becomes impossible to close them and they can become malignant and turn into tumours". "These children often die after a terrible battle against this disease that has left them disabled, with more sequelae. Some end up mutilated, with amputations, sepsis, carcinomas," she says.

The "miracle" treatment

That's why the arrival of the new treatment has been "the miracle" Virginia has been praying for since her son was born. There are about ten people with dystrophic epidermal necrolysis (DAN), also known as 'butterfly skin' disease, in Malaga. "This is the variant that damages all layers of the skin, from the outermost layer to the hypodermis, the dermis, all the inner layers, even the organs and all the mucous membranes. It's the most severe. They have a deficiency in a protein that anchors the layers of the skin to each other, collagen VII. They suffer from a genetic mutation," Virginia says.

Sometimes, Virginia treats her son's wounds in the evening and they close but only for a few hours, before reopening in the morning.

Vyjuvek is a topical gene therapy that introduces a functional copy of the gene responsible for collagen VII. Applied weekly, it helps to promote the gradual healing of the chronic wounds characteristic of this condition. "It's a miracle, a wonderful achievement of science and we hope it continues to be refined and opens the door to more drugs," Virginia says.

The Costa del Sol hospital is a leading centre for the treatment of these patients and Adrian Soto "has set a precedent". Until now, Virginia says, "there were no treatments, only palliative care, infection control and wound care".

She criticises the fact that the medicine is not yet included in the national health system's standard drug list, which means that each case must be processed individually through authorisations from the Spanish medicines agency and subsequent funding by the autonomous communities.

The fight

Their fight began in 2023, once the US approved the dispensing of Vyjuvek. Europe approved it in early 2025. "It started in Germany, in France, in Italy, in Moldova, in Norway. We mobilised ourselves when we saw that it wasn't arriving here. We wrote letters to the king, to the minister, to Juanma Moreno, to the regional ministry of health, to the Spanish agency for medicines and health products. We have met with all the political parties," Virginia says.

Today, Adrian lives with the hope of mitigating the effects of the most severe form of epidermolysis bullosa (EB). He is studying for a double degree in education at Malaga University, although his mother says he struggles to keep up with his classes due to the treatments he receives. For now, his fight has paved the way for inflicting the first defeat on EB.
Paco Grinan Malaga 22/04/2026 a las 16:44h.

There are hundreds of books about Audrey Hepburn, though the definitive official biography was missing until now. More than three decades after her death, "intimate Audrey" has been published as the authorised biography of the legendary actress and fashion icon.

It is signed in her name by the "Breakfast at Tiffany's" star's "best friend", her son Sean Hepburn Ferrer, who wanted to give his account of the intimate, unknown facets of his mother.

This includes her experience as a young survivor of the Nazis which weighed on her throughout life, the difficulties she faced getting pregnant and her aversion to Hollywood's pretensions.

This led to her living in Europe and taking up residence in Switzerland before she exchanged the Swiss punctuality to spend lost hours in Marbella. The biography reveals that the peace which the actress sought on the Costa del Sol, which filled hundreds of newspapers and magazines, was an attempt to save the unsalvageable- her marriage to fellow actor Mel Ferrer.

"The day my mother caught me tiptoeing past my father's office and talking quietly to avoid one of his outbursts was the day she realised I had put up with too much. She was mortified to think that I was afraid of my own father. I'm convinced that was the moment she decided to leave him," Sean Hepburn Ferrer candidly recounts in this official memoir, which he co-signs with journalist Wendy Holden.

The couple officially separated in 1968, but their final stages coincide with their decision to buy a small plot of land to build a house, Santa Catalina, in Marbella. An idyllic space along the coastline that would shortly afterwards be christened as the Golden Mile, precisely due to Audrey Hepburn having a home there since 1964, among other things.

The "Sabrina" and "Holidays in Rome" star's eldest son does not write extensively in the book on those seasons in the Costa del Sol, although he does reveal previously unknown details. For example, his parents "spoke to him in Spanish when in Marbella" and had intended to spend winters in Spain to escape the Swiss cold.

The paradox of these memoirs is that Sean Hepburn Ferrer does not mention the company that surrounded Audrey and Mel in Marbella. Such as Prince Alfonso of Hohenlohe, who showed them the glamorous estate next to the Marbella Club hotel where they made their home; the Countess of Romanones and former CIA spy, the American Aline Griffith, with whom the actress went to the bullfights at the Malaga Fair; as well as the Rubinsteins, Arthur and Aniela, with whom she shared tea time and evenings with the legendary musician at the piano.

Authorised biography reveals that her closest friend in Marbella was another Hollywood actress, Deborah Kerr.

The authorised biography discovers that her closest friend in Malaga was another Hollywood actress, Deborah Kerr, who "ended up living not far from my mother in Switzerland and, later, in Marbella, right next to where my parents built a beautiful beach house".

The two shared youths marked by World War II and an arrival into "acting by chance", they "shared experiences" that "created a close bond and supported one another throughout their lives," says Hepburn's son, who even quotes his mother's exact words about their friendship: "I couldn't say, 'She was the best friend of my life. But, in a sense, perhaps she was." They didn't see each other all the time, but to paraphrase one of Deborah's great films, they professed a loyalty to each other from here to eternity.

"Bullfighting Musical"

In "Intimate Audrey", the biographer not only offers a first-person account of his mother but also seeks to debunk some urban legends about the actress that have become ingrained in the collective memory like a bad film.

He denies that her thinness was due to any eating disorder, makes it clear that she was not Katherine Hepburn's sister nor was she Marilyn Monroe's best friend, or that she married three times. In reality, she married twice, to the Italian psychiatrist Andrea Dotti and, previously, to his father, Mel Ferrer.

The son of both actors acknowledges that his mother's success was inversely proportional to his father's, and while he goes into great detail about his mother's films, such as "My Fair Lady" or "Charade", shot during those years of temporary residence in Marbella, he skirts around his father's films, just as he did as a child in front of his father's office.

In fact, he dismisses his father's attempt to become a director by describing that project as "a low-budget bullfighting musical", though he doesn't mention the title. That film was none other than the Spanish "Cabriola" (1965), shot in Marbella and Fuengirola, and starring the biggest star of the era: Marisol, from Malaga. By Hollywood standards, the film might seem like a B-movie, but not in Spain.

Mel Ferrer "acted as a 'bully' for all the contractual decisions on Audrey Hepburn's films," reveals their son.

Pepa Flores (Marisol) herself didn't have fond memories of Mel Ferrer either. "He always kept his distance, whereas his wife was the complete opposite," said the star.

"The main problem was that the neurotic perfectionist I had for a father wanted to focus on acting, directing, and producing (...), while acting as a 'bully' regarding everything related to the contractual decisions for films," reveals Sean, who lists his mother's surname before his father's in his own surname order: Hepburn Ferrer.

Her last visit to Santa Catalina was in 1967. By then, the Hepburn-Ferrer marriage was finished, but the couple continued to be seen together. Especially at the bullfights, which made the front page of SUR. Not the bulls or the lineup featuring El Viti, Mondeno, and El Cordobes, but the couple under the headline "Celebrities on the Coast." She wore large black sunglasses and both watched the spectacle intently. Now "Intimate Audrey" provides a glimpse into the previously unseen drama in their lives at the time.
Irene Quirante 22/04/2026 a las 13:50h.

The provincial court of Malaga has sentenced the husband of Eva Maria - the 50-year-old woman who died from 12 stab wounds in Benajarafe (the Axarquia district) on 29 May 2022 - to 20 years and eight months in prison.

According to the court ruling, Eva Maria suffered regular physical and psychological abuse from her partner throughout their 14-year relationship, which jealousy, controlling behaviour and violent outbursts shaped.

The crime occurred at the defendant's home in Benajarafe, where the previous afternoon the man had started an argument that had escalated into a violent confrontation, with shouting, blows and damage to furniture. Cornered, the victim warned him that she would call the police, after which he repeatedly threatened to kill her and punched her repeatedly.

In the early hours of the morning, the man was still shouting and his behaviour was becoming increasingly violent. They were both in the bathroom when the man went to the kitchen and grabbed a knife with a 10-centimetre blade.

With the clear intention of ending her life, he attacked Eva Maria, taking advantage of her being unaware. He stabbed her 12 times, causing wounds that, the court stated, "were intended only to increase the victim's suffering, as she was unable to defend herself".

Despite her injuries, the woman was able to alert the emergency services. Upon arrival, the police found her bleeding profusely, although she was still conscious. At one point, however, she went into cardiac arrest and collapsed.

The police spent more than 20 minutes performing CPR, but their efforts were in vain. Eva Maria had five children, the two oldest from a previous marriage and the three youngest with her killer.

After the fatal attack, the husband tried to hang himself with a clothesline, but it broke and he only fractured both ankles. The man, "with contempt", told the police officers things like: "I'm nobody's cuckold" and "I intended to kill her."

As the court acknowledged, at the time of the events, he was suffering from a substance use disorder that slightly impaired his intellectual and volitional capacities.

Years of abuse

The court has also convicted the defendant of the ordeal he put Eva Maria through from practically the beginning of the relationship. "With the clear intention of undermining the psychological integrity of his partner, he subjected her to humiliating and degrading treatment due to jealousy, which triggered several violent episodes" in which "he intimidated and hit the victim", the ruling states.

His aggressive behavior was habitual, as were his derogatory remarks toward Eva Maria, with whom he maintained an attitude of "control, jealousy and contempt", even when she was with her siblings. The ruling also mentions "violent and exaggerated reactions to any disagreement" between the couple, which often escalated into beatings and threats.

She reported him on three separate occasions - in 2002, 2005 and 2008. The court granted her a restraining order in 2005. However, at the time of the murder, the case had been inactive in the VioGen system for years. Some of these incidents also took place in the presence of her children.

Just a few months before the murder, one of her daughters prevented him from attacking her with an axe after witnessing him threaten her and make a gesture as if to hit her on the head.

The husband did not face a jury trial, as he pleaded guilty in a pretrial hearing. In that hearing, he acknowledged the charges of the prosecution and the private plaintiff, reaching a plea agreement.

In total, he will have to serve 20 years in prison for the murder, 66 days of community service for habitual abuse and eight months in jail for the threats. He will also have to compensate Eva Maria's children for emotional distress.
Jennie Rhodes 22/04/2026 a las 16:41h.

The small village of Alfarnate in Malaga province's Axarquia became a little Japan on 18 and 19 April as it celebrated its Sakura and Sakuraton festivals, in recognition of its cherry blossom and forthcoming cherry harvest.

On Saturday the Sakuraton event, which formed part of the town hall's SakuraFusion project, funded by the Ministry for Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge, brought together local residents, farmers and visitors to plant seeds and promote sustainability, nature and culture with the aim of creating new opportunities in the village.

"This initiative seeks to improve quality of life, promote sustainable tourism and strengthen the links between tradition and innovation," the town hall said in a statement.

Top: planting during the Sakuraton on Saturday; images from Sakura on Sunday. (SUR, Manuel Ruiz)

Then on Sunday the Sakura festival, which had been postponed from the previous weekend due to the forecast for rain, took place. Hundreds of locals and visitors participated in a full programme of events related to Japanese culture and cherry blossom including tea ceremonies, martial arts and origami workshops and a street procession with people wearing traditional Japanese clothes like kimonos.

Since the early 1990s, when the first plots were planted experimentally, cherries have become one of the village's main crops, reaching approximately 40 hectares of cultivation. While modest in volume compared to other cherry-producing areas, the fruit grown in Alfarnate is notable for its quality.

In recent years, the town hall has directly linked cherry cultivation with tourism promotion. The Sakura festival, which celebrates the cherry blossom with nods to Japanese culture, has successfully positioned the Alfarnate as a springtime destination in the Axarquia. Workshops, parades, a craft market, and themed gastronomy accompany form part of the annual festival, which also boasts the natural spectacle of the cherry blossom which attracts hundreds of visitors.
Margarita del Cid in London on Monday.

Tony Bryant 22/04/2026 a las 11:29h.

The Mayor of Torremolinos, Margarita del Cid, has said the real challenge facing major tourist destinations is chronic underfunding rather than the introduction of a tourist tax.

Speaking in London at the Spain Talks 2026 forum on Monday, during a panel on the pros and cons of tourism levies, she argued that local authorities are struggling to cope with the pressure tourism places on public services.

Del Cid pointed out that Torremolinos, with a population of around 75,000, often sees that figure swell significantly during peak periods, placing strain on services such as street cleaning, policing, infrastructure and beach maintenance.

The debate cannot be reduced to whether or not there should be a tourist tax. Tourist municipalities are delivering services far beyond what their registered population would require, yet funding has not been adjusted accordingly, she said.

She warned that while tourism generates jobs, spending and tax revenue, much of that income does not flow back to the councils responsible for maintaining destinations.

The municipalities making the greatest effort to sustain tourism are not receiving a proportional share of the returns, she claimed.

Del Cid called on the Spanish government to address the issue structurally, either by reforming the local funding model or by introducing targeted financial mechanisms to support high-pressure destinations.

(SUR)

She said a tourist tax could be part of the solution, but should not dominate the debate. Any such measure, she said, must be regulated nationally while allowing councils to decide whether to implement it.

This should not be an ideological argument, but a practical one, she added.

The mayor said that any new funding tools must ensure money is reinvested locally and used to address the real impacts of tourism, including pressure on public services and urban infrastructure.

Her remarks came during wider discussions on how destinations can balance tourism growth with residents quality of life.

Del Cid concluded by calling for a serious and practical debate, warning that the success of Spains tourism industry has not been matched by adequate funding for the municipalities that sustain it.

Torremolinos wants to remain a leading destination, but also a liveable town with high-quality public services. That requires confronting the real issue: how tourist municipalities are funded, she concluded.
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Ignacio Lillo Malaga 22/04/2026 a las 13:30h.

The ongoing conflict in the Persian Gulf and the subsequent blockade of the Strait of Hormuz have triggered a record-breaking boom at the Port of Malaga. Strategically positioned near the Strait of Gibraltar, the port has become a vital alternative for international freight as global shipping companies reroute to avoid high-risk zones.

From January to March 2026, container traffic in Malaga has quadrupled in several categories compared to the first quarter of 2025. According to the Malaga Port Authority, the export of full TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units) has surged by over 300% in both volume and tonnage. Historically a transit point for empty units, the port has successfully transitioned into a primary hub for full-load cargo.

The second area where this growth is clearly evident is the import of full containers. In this case, the increase ranges from 58% to 75%, depending on whether the number of containers or the tonnage handled is taken as the benchmark. The volume of full containers transported by sea has also risen, by up to 40%. In conclusion, across all market segments, almost 94,000 containers have been moved in three months, with a combined weight of 1.2 million tonnes.

"The underlying trend is the consolidation of the Port of Malaga, which has seen three consecutive years of growth, although the war in Iran and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz are providing an additional boost, which is occasionally leading to excess demand," head of the Port Authority Carlos Rubio said.

The next meeting of the Port Authority will urgently address the lease agreement with infrastructure company Adif for part of the Los Prados logistics platform, in order to begin its occupancy imminently. "We need to relocate containers because there is no more space at the docks. We are looking for space outside for the less urgent containers," Rubio said.

What's happening in Malaga?

Rubio also highlighted the change in model, since Malaga previously specialised in empty containers in transit, whereas now it mainly handles full containers. "We now have greater interaction with the hinterland, particularly for exports but also for imports."

The products Malaga sells abroad via shipping containers are mainly meat and meat products; bottled olive oil; table olives; industrial goods; and textiles. Conversely, the goods arriving via this route are mostly fresh fruit from South America.

Rubio is optimistic about the future. "Traffic will continue growing. The war in the Persian Gulf is merely an additional strain, but even without this factor we would still be achieving record figures," he said.

Other goods

Total freight traffic, which also includes solid and liquid bulk cargo, supplies, roll-on/roll-off cargo (by lorries) and the import of new vehicles, shows equally positive results. In the first quarter of the year, Malaga Port handled almost 1.7 million tonnes, representing a 29% increase compared to the same period last year (1,289,420 tonnes).

At this point, there are significant differences depending on the product. For example, solid bulk cargo decreased by almost 12% compared to the same period last year (262,635 tonnes), although cement and clinker saw a slight increase. Liquid bulk cargo activity also declined. During the first quarter, 28,746 tonnes were handled, a 16% decrease. However, this variation is attributable to the fact that olive oil cargo increased (up 15%, to 28,746 tonnes). In other words, this product accounted for 100% of the liquid bulk cargo traffic during the first quarter, as diesel fuel saw no activity.

In the provisioning sector, fuel service to ships stands out, having increased by 261% (24,994 tonnes). Ro-ro traffic (roll-on/roll-off cargo) also grew by 7.5% (116,915 tonnes). Finally, imports of new vehicles decreased by 16%, with 22,262 units between January and March 2026.

Regarding passenger traffic, both on the regular Malaga-Melilla ferry service and in cruise ship arrivals, there has been a 52% increase, reaching 139,236 passengers. At the start of the year, 325 ships docked at the port of the Costa del Sol capital, compared to 263 during the first quarter of 2025 (a 23.5% increase).

Malaga-based companies export more

Companies in Malaga are increasingly exporting, despite the attempt of Trump's tariffs in the US to impose restrictions.

In February, companies in the province sold goods abroad worth 578 million euros, an 8% increase. A significant portion of these exports were carried out through the Port of Malaga. As a result, the province's trade surplus has reached 25 million euros, according to data from the Ministry of Economy.

At the regional level, the increase in long-haul exports is noteworthy, with Indonesia standing out as one of the top ten countries purchasing Andalusian products. The US, Morocco and China are also among these top importers.
Jose Rodriguez Camara 22/04/2026 a las 16:36h.

The Plataforma Neurodiverso association, using official 2024-2025 data from Andalucia as a reference, says that there are at least 29,971 children with special educational support needs in Malaga province. Bureaucratic language uses the acronym NEAE for students with such needs.

NEAE includes students with high intellectual abilities or those facing late integration into the Spanish education system (for example, newly arrived immigrants), as well as those with special educational needs (Sen) due to, among other things, a disability or serious communication and language disorders. The number of NEAE students in the previous academic year was 16,603, as Neurodiverso reports.

The regional government estimates that there are 2,342 professionals who work to support students with special educational needs. On average, this equates to 12.7 students per professional. However, as President of Neudiverso Lorena Romero Moreno, says there is no officially established ratio. Furthermore, it's not simply a matter of distributing children, as, for support to be effective, it often needs to be personalised or provided in very small groups.

This is one of the problems driving the association to call a demonstration for "inclusive and dignified education" on Sunday, 26 April at Plaza de la Merced in Malaga.

According to Romero, classroom resources for children with autism, mobility difficulties or speech impairments are insufficient and even less so since the introduction of management models such as shared staff across different schools, which means that, at best, "children receive an hour of support per week".

The actual average, she says, is around 50 children per member of this essential support staff. This is the situation under the integration model, that is, where pupils, whatever their circumstances, share a classroom. Then there are the specialised classes which, in the association's view, "have become play centres" more often than not: those who attend, Romero criticises, "are entertained" rather than educated.

There is another related issue: the loss of educational opportunities beyond basic education, which is provided in specialised centres or classrooms and does not follow the same curriculum as compulsory secondary education.

Added to this are concerns about the role of the "shadow teacher" - a staff member who accompanies students and whose services families can access through private associations, representing an additional expense that not all households can afford. Theoretically, public employees were supposed to do this work, starting in 2027, but this change is not yet finalised, adding another layer of concern.

The regional ministry, while respecting the demands, defends "an unprecedented effort" in addressing diversity, with a sustained increase in resources. It provides figures such as the 658 professionals, including counsellors, special education teachers, speech and language therapists and social integration technicians, representing a 39.1% increase compared to 2018.

In addition, it highlights, among other data, 299 specialised classrooms, 37 of which are for students with autism spectrum disorder, and new services such as emotional well-being support, as well as improvements in working conditions.

Improvements

Through the Programa para Zonas de Transformacion Social (ZTS), a total of 267 professionals have joined this academic year, including 60 guidance counsellors and 207 teachers.

Alongside them, the remaining additional staff comprise 122 secondary school teachers; 32 specialising in Digitalizacion y Escuela 4.0; 40 vocational training teachers; and 26 specialists in Pedagogia Terapeutica y Audicion y Lenguaje.

In total, these 634 teachers for the province of Malaga account for 20% of the total increase in resources in Andalucia. In turn, the Programa de Cooperacion Territorial is providing 147 professionals to support core subjects.
Melchor Saiz-Pardo 22/04/2026 a las 17:15h.

The legal battle surrounding Begona Gomez, wife of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, has reached a critical turning point as the Public Prosecutors Office formally moved to have the case dismissed.

The Madrid Provincial Prosecutor filed two appeals on Wednesday against the recent ruling by investigating judge Juan Carlos Peinado. On 11 April, the judge had proposed sending Gomez to a jury trial on a litany of charges, including influence peddling, business corruption, embezzlement, and misappropriation of funds.

Far-right accusations seek 24-year sentence The popular prosecution (private accusers), led by the ultra-conservative group Hazte Oir, submitted their conclusions on Monday. They are seeking a combined sentence of 24 years in prison for Begona Gomez, broken down as follows: 8 years for embezzlement 6 years for misappropriation 6 years for influence peddling 4 years for business corruption The private accusers have also requested that Gomezs passport be confiscated and that Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez be called to testify as a witness during the oral hearing.



However, the Prosecution now argues that the evidence is non-existent, asserting that the conduct of Gomez and her associates does not constitute any "criminal offence."

This move by the Prosecution aligns the states legal position with Gomezs own defence team, which earlier this week filed a grievance with the Provincial Court of Madrid.

Her lawyers have branded the proceedings a "violation of fundamental rights" and hit out at Judge Peinado for what they describe as "unacceptable" personal prejudice, specifically citing his historical comparisons of the case to the autocratic reign of King Ferdinand VII.

The defence has been categorical in its rebuttal of the specific allegations. They argue that meetings held at the Moncloa Palace with the Rector of the Complutense University of Madrid (UCM) - where Gomez helped establish a Masters programme - were a matter of logistical necessity during pandemic restrictions, rather than an attempt to exert pressure. Furthermore, they contend that "business corruption" laws cannot be applied to a public university, and that the software she is accused of "misappropriating" was never even finished.

While the Prosecution seeks to shelve the case, the private accusers - led by the ultra-conservative association Hazte Oir - are pushing for the maximum possible penalties. On Monday, they submitted a request for a 24-year prison sentence, claiming that Gomez exploited her "institutional projection" following her husband's appointment. Their aggressive legal strategy includes a demand for the confiscation of her passport and a formal summons for Pedro Sanchez himself to testify as a witness.

With the Prosecution and the private accusers now at total loggerheads, the final decision on whether the Prime Minister's wife will face a jury or see the case dismissed now rests with the Provincial Court of Madrid.
Qabil Ashirov Read more

Israel has expressed optimism about further strengthening its cooperation with Azerbaijan.

AzerNEWS reports that the statement was shared by the Israeli Embassy in Azerbaijan on the social media platform X to mark the 78th anniversary of Israels independence.

The embassy underlined that Israel remains firmly committed to protecting its people and ensuring their security.

From Baku, we proudly celebrate the 78th anniversary of Israel and sincerely express our hope that the friendship and cooperation between Israel and Azerbaijan will continue to grow stronger, the post read.
The two most popular destinations in South Africa for travelers are Cape Town and Kruger.

With Cape Towns spectacular blend of mountain and ocean, and Krugers wildlife, its understandable why these two spots are the most visited. If you feel like trying something more unique, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) on South Africas East Coast should be on your radar.

This province is home to Africa's first national park, has warm oceans with blue-flag beaches, and has South Africas highest mountain range.

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If visiting is high on your bucket list, weve interviewed South African content creator, Jordy Johnson of We the Wests, to share the best places to visit in KZN.

iSimangaliso Wetland Park

The elephants in the Isimangiso Wetland. (Selim Kaya via Getty Images)

iSimangaliso Wetland Park is South Africas first designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. It hugs the coast of the country's largest Marine Protected Area, which has four of the Big Five wildlife species.

The park has wide-open plains that remind you of East Africa, large herds of elephants and buffalo, and an array of interesting antelope. Visitors can book a boat safari to encounter hippo and crocodile wallowing in the water.

As one of the most pristine natural environments, its a bucket list destination for people planning a visit to South Africa.

The Midlands

Rows of vineyards under bright sunlight with mountains in the background, scenic wine region landscape (karandaev via Getty Images)

Rolling hills, fresh country air, artisanal coffee shops, and local craft stores are all found in the Midlands. Its a refreshing change from the tropical coastline with chilly, misty mornings and lush farmlands.

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It has two of the three wine estates in the province, so if youre missing those Cape wine farms, you can visit either (or both) Abingdon or Highgate for a delicious tasting.

This countryside destination is perfect for slow days exploring, afternoon tea, morning hikes, and cozy evenings by the fireplace.

Sodwana Bay

Aerial view over the beach at Sodwana Bay on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast. (nattrass via Getty Images)

Sodwana Bay is one of the best diving areas in KZN, with vibrant coral reefs that host a diverse array of marine life.

It is within a Marine Protected Area and is a top 10 global scuba diving destination.

Visitors can take turtle tours, ocean tours, and fishing excursions to get to know this beautiful part of KZN better.

Hluhluwe-iMfolozi National Park

View of elephants from safari vehicle in Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park (Umfolozi), the oldest nature reserve in Africa, KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa, Africa. (Frank Fell/robertharding via Getty Images)

As Africa's oldest national park, Hluhluwe-iMfolozi is a must-visit in KZN.

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The park has Africas Big Five as well as many other iconic wildlife species. You can self-drive through the park or enjoy guided safaris to explore the different landscapes and look for wildlife and birdlife.

The picnic areas are the perfect mid-safari stopover, where you can stretch your legs and grab a bite to eat. Spots overlooking watering holes are great places to watch wildlife come by for a quick drink.

Umdloti

Wooden pole barrier on beachfront against beach, sea, and blue sky landscape at Mdloti in Durban, South Africa. (lcswart via Getty Images)

Umdloti is a quaint seaside town with one road in and one road out. The houses all face the ocean, and you can hear the waves from just about every coffee shop and restaurant.

The beaches are great for catching a tan, relaxing on the sand, or having a swim in the warm Indian Ocean.

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The ideal morning in Umdloti includes a takeaway coffee from Dolores, a walk along the beach road, and a dip in the ocean.

The Drakensberg

View over the verdant green hills of the Southern Drakensberg Mountains of South Africa. (Marieke Peche via Getty Images)

The Drakensberg is South Africas highest mountain range and is absolutely breathtaking.

Plan on staying in a cozy cabin in the foothills. You can take in the rugged landscape, or go hiking through the valleys to appreciate the views from the top.

You will fall in love with KZNs Drakensberg.

Kosi Bay

A Thonga man hauls a load of branches through the shallow waters of Kosi Bay. (Beata Whitehead via Getty Images)

Bordering Mozambique, Kosi Bay is another pristine natural environment, nicknamed the Aquarium of Africa.

Kosi Bay has four interconnected estuaries, lakes, and channels that support a wide diversity of marine life, best experienced by snorkeling or canoeing.

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The area is also known for the indigenous fish traps, implemented by the Thonga people. The fish traps are among the oldest forms of sustainable fishing and are amazing to see, as visitors learn more about the Thonga culture and traditions.

Mkuze Game Reserve

Zebras drinking at water hole. (Peter Johnson/Corbis/VCG via Getty Images)

Mkhuze Game Reserve is another wildlife viewing destination for those wanting to go on safari.

The reserve is home to elephants, rhinos, wild dogs, hippos, Blue wildebeest, giraffes, kudus, elands, leopards, cheetahs, and over 400 bird species.

The ancient dunes are combined with riverine forest, swamps, sand forest, and acacia savannah, creating beautiful landscapes to appreciate when youre not spotting wildlife.

Sani Pass

White 4x4 equipped with a rooftop tent parked at the top of a hill with amazing views of the Sani Pass and the Drakensberg mountain range. (VEAM Visuals via Getty Images)

The highest pass in South Africa, Sani Pass, is another bucket list destination for travelers (and locals).

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The pass showcases the most scenic views of the Drakensberg Mountains and takes you into Lesotho, another country within South Africa. You can grab a drink at the highest bar in Africa before making the drive back down the pass.

It is best to do this drive in a 4x4, although you may see a small car or two zooming up the pass. The viewpoints are worth stopping at to slow down the drive and take in the views.

Salt Rock

Picturesque Salt Rock main beach and a river mouth lagoon in the Dolphin Coast, Durban, South Africa. (Shams via Getty Images)

Another beautiful tropical seaside town with lush, treelined roads and sweet artisanal coffee shops is Salt Rock.

The beaches are blue-flag, with the warm Indian Ocean, and there are refreshing tidal pools to splash around in.

Salt Rock is a town that feels like summer year-round, with sunny days perfect for time on the beach, grabbing coffee, and enjoying a sundowner as the sun sets over a glorious African sunset.
Jorge Alacid Valencia 22/04/2026 a las 11:15h.

It is a bold claim, but a likely one: Christopher Wright may well have been the man who taught Spain how to drink - or at least, how to drink like the British. If his establishment wasn't the first authentic British pub in the country, it was certainly the first in the province of Valencia, and a total cultural revolution for the sleepy seaside town of Cullera.

Back in 1959, while the rest of Spain was still sipping sherry in traditional tabernas, a 23-year-old Wright opened The 4A. He possessed that rare pioneers instinct - introducing the concept of a "pub" to a nation that couldn't yet pronounce the word. He brought with him a specific brand of British atmosphere: dim lighting, a focus on spirits, and, crucially, a devotion to live music - much as Shelagh Tennant was to do in Torremolinos just a few years later. It was a formula that would eventually rewrite the DNA of the Spanish hospitality industry.

The man from Leicester

Watching him today, you wouldnt take him for a nonagenarian. With the upright bearing of an English patrician and a memory that remains razor-sharp, "Mr. Wright" - as he is affectionately known - is a Leicester boy by birth but a Valencian by soul.

He recently toasted his 90th birthday at the Club Turia, not as a passive observer, but as the headline act. Armed with an electric guitar and a mischievous grin, he treated his guests to a setlist of Van Morrison and Country & Western standards, peppered with a bit of Spanish Rumba. "And a little Peret," he adds with a wink, nursing a coffee in a quiet corner of a central Valencia hotel.

Seven lives and a badge

Wrights journey reads like a picaresque novel. He has the uncanny ability of a cat to always land on his feet - fitting, given he seems to have lived at least seven lives.

Before the Mediterranean called, he was a pharmaceutical rep and even a London "bobby." One can easily picture him in a custodian helmet patrolling the foggy London of the 1950s. But an "irreverent streak" eventually got the better of him. In the late fifties, he and a friend set off on an expedition to Spain. He never truly went back. While he still carries a distinct British lilt, he is, for all intents and purposes, a Spaniard.

By the 1970s, Wright had pivoted from publican to power-broker. Acting as an unofficial envoy through the Chamber of Commerce, he bridged the gap between the UK and Spain. If it was Spanish - be it silk, ceramics, jewelry, or citrus - Wright found a buyer for it in the British Isles. When the Ford motor plant opened in Almussafes in 1976, his pub in Cullera became the de facto clubhouse for an international crowd of engineers and expats who craved a taste of home.

"Retired? Don't be silly."

His personal life was no less international; he married a woman from Kansas and raised a daughter, Samantha, whom he describes as "half-Valencian, half-guiri" (the Spanish slang for a foreigner). He organised student exchanges for hundreds of local children to learn the "language of Shakespeare" and wrote books on his experiences.

He remains a fixture of the local scene, famously meeting a group of lawyers every week for a lunch that invariably begins with sardines at the legendary Tasca Angel. When asked for his favorite spot in Spain, he doesn't point to the beach, but to the rugged villages of the Maestrazgo. "Its the last great Spanish secret," he whispers.

Before he leaves, he pulls a memento from his wallet: a signed photo of Bill Wyman. The Rolling Stones bassist is just one of many who have been charmed by the Englishman who stayed.

As he strides back toward his home in the Abastos district, he dismisses the idea of slowing down with a laugh. "Retired? Never." Impeccably dressed and perfectly composed, Christopher Wright remains what he has always been: an adventurer who realised that while he was born in Leicester, he was always meant to be a Valencian.
SUR in English Nerja 22/04/2026 a las 13:26h.

If youve ever spent time in Nerja, you already know what makes it different from the rest of the Costa del Sol. This summer, theres one more reason to go  or to stay. Solaris Nerja 2026, the towns first major music festival, has just announced its full programme: ten days of concerts at El Playazo from 18 to 28 June, with seven distinct events covering everything from Andalusian flamenco and indie pop to international electronic club music. Tickets start at just 5.

The festival takes place at El Playazo, one of the most spectacular beaches on the Andalusian coast  white sand, crystal-clear water and an open horizon that turns any evening into something worth remembering. Nerja sits halfway between Malaga and Granada, making it an easy reach for residents across the province and beyond. For those travelling without a car, shuttle buses will run from both Malaga and Granada on every day of the festival, with tickets available at solarisnerja.com independently of event entry.

A lineup for every taste

The Solaris Nerja 2026 programme has been built with different audiences in mind. On Thursday 19 June, Chambao  the Malaga-born group that created its own genre blending flamenco and electronic music  celebrates its 25th anniversary at El Playazo, with flamenco artist Rosario La Tremendita opening the show. For those unfamiliar with Chambao, think of it as one of the most distinctive and enduring acts to emerge from Andalusia in the past quarter century.

CHambao.

Friday 20 June brings Bresh Nerja, the party phenomenon that has taken Spain by storm in recent years, now moving outdoors to one of the most beautiful beaches on the Costa del Sol.

Bresh.

Saturday 21 is Oh See! Nerja  an indie pop event featuring Ginebras, Shego, Puno Dragon, Neverland Bari, La Milagrosa and Rata, names that fill venues across the country and represent the most exciting side of Spains current independent music scene.

Ginebras.

Monday 23 June is Midsummer Nights Eve  Noche de San Juan  one of the most celebrated nights of the Spanish calendar, marked with bonfires, waves and wishes made at the waters edge. This year, Solaris Nerja adds a musical dimension to the tradition with DJ sessions by Aaron Sevilla, Claudia Leon and Stella on the beach at El Playazo. Tickets from 5.

Aaron Sevilla.

Friday 26 June is Flamenco Beach Fest, featuring La Corredera, Migue de Antilopez, Elfos del Rocio, and the irresistible Bingo Flamenco show, among others.

Saturday 27, Techno Flamenco  electronic music meets flamenco tradition, with Marsal Ventura, Ian Tules, Los Prados and Maria la Zingara.

Techno Flamenco.

The big finale: Space of Sound with Claptone

The festivals closing night is also its biggest international statement. On Sunday 28 June, Space of Sound brings Claptone to El Playazo: the masked Austrian DJ and producer whose career has taken him from Berlins club circuit to Ibiza, Amsterdam and the major electronic music festivals of Europe. Joined by Crusy, Nic Vesperi, Aafraa and Claudia Tejeda, the closing night of Solaris Nerja 2026 offers a level of international electronic programming rarely seen on the Costa del Sol  with the Mediterranean as the backdrop and a sunset that no club can compete with.

Claptone.

Tickets for Space of Sound go on sale in the coming hours at solarisnerja.com. First-tier tickets are limited.

Good news for the local economy

Beyond the music, Solaris Nerja 2026 is expected to bring a significant boost to Nerja and the wider Axarquia area during June  a month when the tourist season is building but has not yet reached its summer peak. The festival is designed to attract visitors from across Malaga and Granada provinces, as well as from further afield, with shuttle buses from both cities making attendance easy for those without their own transport.

The Solaris Village  the festivals complementary open space  adds a further dimension to the offer: a market of local design and craft, a gastronomic area showcasing the best of Costa del Sol produce through the Sabor a Malaga initiative, a 40-metre Ferris wheel with views across the bay, Big Jump Park and much more. A full day out, built around the music but extending well beyond it.

This summer, Nerja

Ten days of live music at one of Andalusias most beautiful beaches, a programme that covers every taste and a closing night that puts Nerja on the international festival map. Solaris Nerja 2026 is the cultural event the Costa del Sol has been waiting for. Tickets are available now at www.solarisnerja.com. Shuttle buses from Malaga and Granada, too.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Dates: 18 to 28 June 2026.

Venue: El Playazo beach, Nerja (Malaga).

Tickets from 5:solarisnerja.com

Shuttle buses: From Malaga (Maria Zambrano Station) and Granada (CC Neptuno). Book at solarisnerja.com

Social media: @solarisnerja
For nearly 40 years, Rodolfo LLobet was a pilot  first in the military, then for a commercial airline  spending more than half his life in the cockpit.

"If you look at Rodolfo, what truly defined him as a great and amazing man, husband and father was God and family, and he just happened to love being an aviator  a military aviator, a Naval aviator," said his wife, Kelly LLobet.

But Rodolfos devotion to flying may have led to his premature death last June.

"We were married  that is, to have and to hold until death do us part. And we were kind of expecting that to be more like when we were 80 or 90 or 100  sitting on our front porch, drinking sweet tea, watching the great-grandchildren run around on the front lawn, Kelly said. It certainly was not something we expected to come to an end when he was 60."

Rodolfo LLobet (seated right and facing camera) and his children observe gliders landing at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado in June 2024. According to his wife Kelly, the moment was a return to his roots; gliders served as his first introduction to flight. (Courtesy of Kelly LLobet)

Thats when Rodolfo died of cancer. He was diagnosed with Stage 4 prostate cancer in 2019, when he was just 54 years old 14 years younger than the median age, according to recent data from the National Cancer Institute.

Rodolfo had flown more than a dozen aircraft types, ranging from gliders to S-3 jets. By 2009, he had logged nearly 10,000 flight hours, according to an alumni biography from his high school.

Each flight brought more than just time in the cockpit  it also added to his cumulative exposure to cosmic ionizing radiation.

For decades, the Federal Aviation Administration has recognized that civilian flight crews face increased cancer risks from in-flight exposure to cosmic radiation. FAA studies from 2003 and 2021 quantified the increased cancer risk for certain commercial flight paths flown over a 25-year career. But detailed research on the increased risks faced by military aviators  who tend to fly at higher altitudes than commercial pilots  is lacking.

Reporters from the Howard Center for Investigative Journalism at Arizona State University found U.S. military research that openly acknowledges an increased cancer risk for military aviators. Yet while military aviators are diagnosed with cancer at younger ages than the general population, it could take years before military leaders say more definitively what is causing the cancers.

Only in the past five years have the increased cancer risks faced by military aviators been officially acknowledged. In 2021, the Air Force published a study that concluded its own flight crews faced an increased risk of certain cancers, including melanoma and prostate cancer and, to a lesser extent, non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Rodolfo LLobet pictured with his doctors and nursing staff at the Washington VA Medical Center in the nations capital. (Courtesy of Kelly LLobet)

Congress subsequently ordered the Defense Department to follow up with its own study of risks to flight crews in all branches of the military. In 2024, the department confirmed what some military families had long suspected: U.S. military aviators across all branches, including the Navy, develop cancer at higher rates and often at younger ages than civilians.

But by then, Rodolfo had already been diagnosed. His wife cant say for sure where his cancer came from, but she wonders if there is a link to his military career.

Both the military and the FAA require medical screenings for pilots, and Rodolfos wife says her husband was always in good health, passing detailed physical exams that found him fit to fly until he was diagnosed.

"He was healthy, and he wasn't a drinker or a smoker, Kelly said. Why me? You know, all those questions  happened immediately after diagnosis."

A Defense Department Study Confirms Elevated Cancer Rates

The Defense Departments 2024 study found military aircrew had a 75% higher rate of melanoma, 31% higher rate of thyroid cancer, 20% higher rate of prostate cancer, and a 15 percent higher rate of cancer for all sites combined. The report also found the median age for diagnosis of malignant cancers was 55, more than a decade younger than the rest of the population, whose median age is 67 at diagnosis.

While the Air Force and Defense Department studies found elevated cancer rates among military aviators, neither examined the specific causes.

One month before his passing, in May 2025, Rodolfo LLobet testified on Capitol Hill in support of the Aviator Cancer Examination Study (ACES) Act, which is now law. (Courtesy of Kelly LLobet)

The Defense Departments second phase of research is intended to identify the causes of the increased cancers, but it is not slated for publication until late September 2029.

Rodolfo LLobet graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy and cross-commissioned into the Navy, where he went on to serve his country for nearly eight years, including flying combat missions during Operation Desert Storm.

When asked what steps the Pentagon takes to inform service members who fly about cosmic radiation, a Defense Department spokesperson referred the Howard Center to the individual service branches.

The Air Force did not answer questions about whether it has protocols to raise pilot awareness of cosmic radiation in the cockpit.

"The United States Navy recognizes that aviation has inherent risks, and we remain committed to reducing and mitigating those risks through training and safety practices at all levels," said Capt. Bill Urban, a spokesperson for the Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery.

Urban said Navy flight surgeons routinely screen pilots for medical concerns.

Like many military pilots, Rodolfo used his training and passion for aviation qualify for a civilian job piloting commercial aircraft after retiring from the Navy. He did that for the next 30 years, including for United Airlines.

When asked what steps United took to warn its pilots about cosmic radiation, an airline spokesperson said, "Thanks for reaching out  we have nothing to share on this."

What May Be Driving the Increased Risk

Veterans and policymakers said a number of occupational hazards, in addition to cosmic radiation, might contribute to higher cancer rates among military aircrews. Other potential causes include increased exposure to ultraviolet radiation, work near jet fuel and inhalation of related fumes. But the study also specifically named cosmic radiation as a potential subject for further research into the higher cancer rates among military aviators.

Exposure to cosmic radiation is particularly pronounced at higher altitudes, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Cancer Institute. High-energy cosmic rays from the sun normally weaken at lower altitudes as they encounter the Earths atmosphere and magnetic fields. People on Earths surface are far more protected than those at high altitudes.

Many military aircraft fly well above the altitudes at which commercial planes typically travel. A reconnaissance aircraft, for example, might fly at 70,000 feet  at least 30,000 feet higher than commercial airlines routinely do.

A typical commercial flight traveling cross-country at 39,000 feet exposes aircrew to roughly the same amount of radiation as 1.3 standard chest x-rays. If that same flight traveled at 60,000 feet, the aircrew would be exposed to twice as much cosmic radiation.

The Defense Department bases its recommendations for military aviators on FAA guidance, which advises pilots to calculate their own dosage whenever practical. But the Howard Center found the FAAs public calculator for flight crews to estimate in-flight radiation exposure has been down for months.

Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., said he believes military aviators exposure to cosmic radiation or jet fuel could be significant drivers of the increased cancer risk. Kelly sponsored the Aviator Cancer Examination Study, or ACES, Act in the Senate in 2025, and President Donald Trump signed it into law in August of that year.

Kelly said that when he was an astronaut, he could visibly see evidence of cosmic radiation in space.

"When you close your eyes at night, and its dark, you see what looks like little lightning storms going on inside of your eyes," Kelly said. "Thats gamma radiation flying through your retina. Now its also flying through the rest of your body, and this was a phenomenon that the Apollo astronauts first recognized on their way to the moon."

Arizona Senator and former Navy pilot Mark Kelly visited Morris Air National Guard Base in Tucson on November 21, 2023, where he met with Ukrainian pilots training at the base and flew in an F-16 Fighting Falcon jet. As a former naval aviator, Kelly flew 39 combat missions in Operation Desert Storm and logged more than 5,000 hours as a Navy test pilot in dozens of different aircraft. (Courtesy of Senator Mark Kellys Office)

Kelly said when commercial pilots or military aviators are flying between 30,000 and 50,000 feet, they are "getting significantly more radiation" compared to their dose on the ground.

Exposure to cosmic radiation does not happen in isolation. Instead, the risks compound with every exposure.

A team of Harvard researchers noted in a 2022 report reviewing cancer risks from in-flight cosmic radiation exposure that rates "are considerably higher for aircrew compared to the general population, and even higher compared to U.S. radiation workers."

Agencies like the FAA, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and the International Commission on Radiological Protection have recognized cosmic radiation as an occupational exposure and recommended that aircrew be informed of the risks and monitor their exposure.

But while commercial aircrews are treated as radiation-exposed workers by international standards, including in the European Union, U.S. regulators do not require monitoring or formal safety protections for crews, such as tracking exposure, on standard commercial flights.

The Department of Veteran Affairs, which collects records from every veteran who files a disability claim, lacks information about the impact of cosmic radiation on aviators.

"We dont track disability claims by military specialty, so we dont have that information," a VA spokesperson said in an email.

Military pilots also face other cancer risks beyond cosmic radiation that could be contributing to elevated rates.

One study from the Mount Zion Cancer Research Center at the University of California, San Francisco found that less than an hour of flying at 30,000 feet exposes a pilot to the same amount of ultraviolet radiation as 20 minutes in a tanning bed.

Other risks often cited by military aviators and their families as possible causes of cancer include sunlight and microwave and infrared waves. But the lack of research on the specific risks to military aviators means the extent of those risks remains uncertain.

Col. Dan "Animal" Javorsek, a former Air Force test pilot and former Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency program manager, said nonionizing radiation research would benefit greatly from the ACES Act because it is a component of flight that may be exclusive to military aircraft.

He also said there needs to be greater emphasis on how potential hazards are communicated, and that the government needs to move past potentially delaying research because of its "concern of the admission of guilt."

Kelly LLobet said she and her husband have long thought nonionizing radiation may have played a role in his prostate cancer diagnosis.

"You're sitting with a flight stick between your knees and all of this unshielded radiation going on  and then you show up with prostate cancer when youre 54," Kelly LLobet said. "It's probably a bigger deal than getting a sunburn at 38,000 feet in a commercial cockpit."

A 2025 Law Pushes the Research Forward

Rep. August Pfluger, R-Texas, is a former Air Force combat fighter pilot and squadron commander who deployed to both Syria and Iraq during 20 years of military service.

Since 2022, he has repeatedly introduced ACES Act legislation in an effort to force the VA to work with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine on a study into the root causes of increased cancer among military aviators and provide information to improve protections for service members.

Operating at altitudes exceeding 70,000 feet, the U-2 Dragon Lady reconnaissance aircraft exposes its pilots to significantly higher levels of cosmic radiation than those encountered by commercial flight crews. (Courtesy of U.S. Air Force, Photo by Staff Sgt. Robert M. Trujillo)

Pfluger began his legislative attempts in 2022, but his bills repeatedly stalled until the issue came up during a March 2025 hearing of the House Veterans Affairs Committees Subcommittee on Disability Assistance.

"When brave men and women volunteer for our nation, they shouldnt face a second battle against cancer without proper government support," Pfluger said in his opening remarks.

During the hearing, Pfluger questioned VA leadership about why the department did not automatically consider cancers diagnosed after military aviators leave the service to be presumptively military service for the purpose of disability benefits.

Officials said at the time they would return to the VA and provide an answer later. The Howard Center has since confirmed that the VA does not yet consider cancers diagnosed after military pilots leave service to be automatically connected to their military service. Under current federal law, the VA automatically offer benefits for veterans with illnesses linked to very narrow sets of circumstances, such as exposure to Agent Orange, burn pits and toxic substances.

Pfluger intended for the ACES Act to provide the scientific evidence the VA said it needed before automatically providing benefits for more military aviator veterans.

Rodolfos VA claim moved quickly through the system, guided by a VA doctor who partnered with the Prostate Cancer Foundation to fund an experimental treatment he would later receive.

That coverage bought Rodolfo more time, which he used to help advance the ACES Act in Congress. Rep. Pfluger was told Rodolfo's story, and on the day the Act was voted on in the House, the congressman's staff brought Rodolfo into the chamber to watch. A month later, Rodolfo was dead.

He did not live to see the study launch.

"It was difficult to see him suffer like he suffered," said Kelly LLobet, who hopes more attention can help other military aviators better protect themselves from cancer risk. "If this can help any families avoid that  that makes it all worthwhile."
Finland to protect coast from risk of Russian oil spill



Helsinki, April 21 (AFP) Apr 21, 2026



Finland is taking measures to protect its Baltic Sea coast from the "high" risk of an oil spill from Russia's shadow fleet, installing a permanent oil boom fastening system, a Finnish foundation said Wednesday.

The Nordic country has repeatedly expressed fears of a major Baltic Sea oil spill from a tanker belonging to Russia's so-called shadow fleet -- ageing and often uninsured vessels used to circumvent Western sanctions against Moscow.

Rings will be bolted into the bedrock of islands in the eastern part of the Gulf of Finland archipelago, allowing oil containment booms to be attached quickly in the event of an oil spill, the John Nurminen Foundation, which specialises in protecting the Baltic Sea, said in a statement.

The booms would be able to contain the oil before it reaches shore or sensitive ecosystems.

The foundation is launching the project "Bolt it for the Baltic Sea!" together with Finnish authorities.

"The risk of an environmental disaster is currently high in the Gulf of Finland due to anomalies detected in the navigation systems of the merchant navy," Jukka Pekka Lumilahti, head of rescue operations at the Gulf of Finland coast guard, said in the statement.

"The anchor points installed in the archipelago significantly speed up pollution control operations," he said.

The frequent scrambling of GPS signals in the region makes it more difficult for ships to navigate, while shadow fleet ships are known to switch off their AIS tracking systems.

According to the foundation, recent drone attacks by Ukraine on the Russian oil ports of Primorsk and Ust-Luga, located at the far end of the Gulf of Finland, have increased the risk of an oil spill.

A collision or grounding of a shadow fleet tanker could result in thousands of tons of crude oil spilling into the water, with fatal consequences for the fragile ecosystems.
Pharma giant drops supplier after AFP deforestation investigation



Bangkok, April 22 (AFP) Apr 22, 2026



Pharmaceutical giant Haleon said it has dropped a supplier of "carbon-neutral" packaging after an AFP and The Gecko Project investigation Wednesday revealed links to the clearing of Indonesian rainforest that is home to critically endangered orangutans.

The investigation found wood from plantations that cut down tens of thousands of hectares of forest was processed at an Indonesian mill supplying packaging firm Asia Symbol.

It supplied UK-based Haleon -- known for household brands such as Panadol, Sensodyne and Centrum vitamins -- with "carbon-neutral" packaging for its China operations.

AFP and investigative newsroom The Gecko Project used satellite imagery, government audit documents, trade data, ship-tracking information and open source material to trace timber from plantations in Indonesia to Asia Symbol factories in China.

Asia Symbol said it had placed the mill supplying the pulp under "enhanced due diligence", but insisted the material used for packaging supplied to Haleon did not come from plantations linked to deforestation.

It did not provide evidence for how it separated supply chains.

Haleon said its own investigation found no evidence that "deforestation-linked material" entered its supply chain, but it was nonetheless "very concerned".

"We have therefore asked our suppliers to ensure that any material supplied to Haleon is not sourced from Asia Symbol" or plantation companies "associated with risk of deforestation".

Asia Symbol has a no-deforestation policy and its parent company, Singapore-headquartered conglomerate Royal Golden Eagle, has committed to a deforestation-free supply chain since 2015.

Its bid to win back the environmental seal of approval granted by the Forest Stewardship Council has stalled over allegations of rights violations against Indigenous people by another of its subsidiaries.

"The findings of this investigation indicate that RGE is still very much in the business of deforestation," said Robin Averbeck, forest programme director at Rainforest Action Network.

Indonesia has lost vast tracts of rainforest to plantations, mining and fires, threatening biodiverse landscapes that are home to endangered species like orangutans.

Forest loss has also been blamed for worsening natural disasters like last year's flooding in Sumatra, which killed over 1,000 people.



sah/fg/rh
Fiji villagers reject plan for 'Pacific ashtray' in beach paradise



Sydney, April 22 (AFP) Apr 22, 2026



An Australian billionaire's plan to burn rubbish for energy in Fiji amounts to "waste colonialism" and risks spoiling a "beach paradise", villagers and the Pacific nation's UN ambassador said.

Traditional landowner Inoke Tora boarded a bus to the capital Suva on Tuesday with a petition from villagers opposing the $630 million waste-to-energy incinerator, which is forecast to consume 900,000 tonnes of non-recyclable rubbish each year.

The fashion entrepreneur behind the Paris-born Kookai label and an Australian billionaire who made his fortune in rubbish disposal want to build a port and waste incinerator within 15 kilometres (nine miles) of Fiji's tourism gateway Nadi.

The Australian-based duo of Ian Malouf and Rob Cromb have told Fiji's government the project could meet 40 percent of the small nation's electricity needs, cutting its reliance on diesel.

However, an environmental impact statement lodged by their company TNG shows it would also raise Fiji's national emissions by 25 percent.

Residents say the emissions will spoil Fiji's eco-tourism reputation and pose a safety risk with hotels and schools nearby.

"There are hundreds of people living in villages in this place and they fish each day, eat fresh crabs. They call that beach paradise," Tora told AFP by telephone on his way to petition Fiji's prime minister.

"The government should stop this."

Fiji's ambassador to the United Nations, Filipo Tarakinikini, wrote on social media on Monday that the Vuda coast north of Nadi "must not become the Pacific's ashtray".

Ash residue and dioxins would contaminate the food chain, Tarakinikini warned, likening the plan to send up to 700,000 tonnes of non-recyclable rubbish to Fiji each year to "waste colonialism".



- Rejected in Australia -



"Dial-a-Dump" founder Malouf spent seven years trying to get a similar waste-to-energy incinerator approved in Sydney before it was rejected as a risk to human health in 2018, planning and court documents show.

Stephen Bali, then mayor of Blacktown in Sydney, led opposition to the project in his suburb and urged Fiji to seek independent scientific data.

"Gathering up rubbish from Australia, driving it in a diesel truck to port, putting it on a diesel ship to Fiji to be offloaded -- it would be interesting to look at those emissions," Bali, now a lawmaker in the New South Wales state parliament, told AFP.

"We need to deal with our own waste," he said.

Malouf did not respond to AFP's request for comment.

His business partner Cromb, who bought the Paris fashion label Kookai in 2017, said he maintains business links to Fiji, where he was born, because Kookai manufactures clothes there.

Cromb has held community meetings with villagers as the incinerator proposal spurs a backlash.



- Under review -



"There are genuine concerns around environmental safety, transparency, and the scale of the proposal and those concerns are valid and are being taken seriously," Cromb said in a statement sent to AFP.

Energy-from-waste systems "are widely used in jurisdictions with some of the world's highest environmental protections", he said.

"By diverting waste from landfill where it would otherwise produce methane, a significantly more potent greenhouse gas and reducing reliance on fossil fuel-based energy sources, energy-from-waste can contribute to broader lifecycle emissions benefits," he said.

The project would manage waste generated in Fiji, reduce landfill and support the country's energy needs, he said.

"It is not a project intended to import waste from overseas," he said.

However, the plan for a port and incinerator lodged with Fiji's government showed it would feed in local waste as well as waste shipped from Australia and across the region.

Opponents have told the government it would be a breach of a 1998 convention signed by Australia to ship hazardous waste to a Pacific island country.

Fiji's Tourism Minister Vilame Gavoka said tourism across Nadi could be jeopardised by the incinerator.

"Such facilities in other countries are located away from businesses and densely populated areas," his office said.

And Fiji's permanent secretary for environment and climate change, Michael Sivendra, told AFP the project is under review.

Resident Eremasi Matanatabu, a food company manager, said concern over building a waste business in the bay where the first Fijians arrived to shore is widespread.

"It will stick out like a big sore thumb," he said.
Salmon exposed to cocaine swim further, study shows



Sydney, April 22 (AFP) Apr 22, 2026



Salmon exposed to cocaine in the water swim longer distances than those who go without, according to a study released this week.

Cocaine use is on the rise worldwide, with the UN reporting an estimated 25 million people used the stimulant in 2023 and the drug being increasingly found in waterways.

Joint research released Monday by scientists at Australia's Griffith University and the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences studied how the drug affected the movements of wild fish in their natural habitats.

Researchers took a hundred wild Atlantic salmon in Sweden's Lake Vattern and exposed them to both cocaine and benzoylecgonine -- a metabolite created by the drug in the liver -- and then tracked their movements.

They found the river-dwellers living the high life travelled 1.9 times further per week than their clean-living control cousins.

Those exposed to the by-product also swam up 12.3 kilometres (7.6 miles) farther, the study found.

"Any unnatural change in animal behaviour is a concern," report co-author Marcus Michelangeli from Griffith University's Australian Rivers Institute told national broadcaster ABC.

"We're finding higher and higher concentrations of not just illicit drugs but all types of pharmaceuticals in our waterways."

Researchers have warned the pollution of waters by common drugs poses "a major and escalating risk to biodiversity".

Associate professor Michael Bertram at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences said the study showed the need for improving wastewater treatment and monitoring.

"Our study shows that drugs are not only a societal issue, but also a concrete environmental challenge," he said.
Merz says climate policy must not 'endanger' German industry



Berlin, April 22 (AFP) Apr 22, 2026



Germany's Friedrich Merz addressed a major climate policy gathering on Wednesday by stressing the need to unshackle industry from harmful regulations, including by reworking the EU's carbon trading scheme.

"Climate protection must not endanger the industrial base in Germany and in our countries," the German chancellor told the Petersburg Climate Dialogue in Berlin.

"A transformation that leads to deindustrialisation will not find acceptance among the people. And it will eventually hamper innovation," Merz added.

Merz, a conservative, has prioritised boosting Germany's stagnant economy and protecting the country's large industrial base since taking office last year.

Merz has repeatedly stressed that Germany will stick to its climate targets -- including achieving carbon neutrality by 2045 -- though his government has come under fire from environmental groups for dialing back green energy policies.

The annual Petersburg Climate Dialogue is aimed at spurring international climate policy negotiations ahead of the annual UN Climate Change Conference (COP). COP31 will be held in November in Turkey.

On Wednesday, Merz contended that for climate policy "real progress depends on a strong partnership with industry -- it is there where the innovations and new technologies shaping our future are created".

Merz and several other EU leaders have demanded an overhaul to Europe's flagship ETS carbon market scheme that would reduce costs for industry.

An update to the ETS rules "with a clear focus on maintaining competitiveness" is needed to make the scheme "fit for the future", Merz said Wednesday.

Established in 2005 and intended to address climate change, the ETS system caps greenhouse-gas emissions but creates a market for companies to trade allowances -- a system that requires heavy polluters to buy permits.

Critics, including many German industrial leaders, argue that the system drives up energy costs and makes it harder for European companies to compete on global markets.

Countries still heavily reliant on fossil fuels, such as Poland and the Czech Republic, have long been leading this opposition.

In February, Germany, France and Italy called for an ETS reform, arguing that it would boost the EU's industrial competitiveness.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni even called for its suspension in early March, citing the shock to energy prices from the US-Israeli war on Iran.
WWF urges Greece seafood fans to eat non-native species



Athens, April 22 (AFP) Apr 22, 2026



WWF on Wednesday urged seafood eaters in Greece to step up to the plate and help trim the ranks of over a dozen invasive species that are increasingly threatening local fauna.

"There is a new reality on the market, especially in southern Greece and the Dodecanese islands where there is a strong presence of non-native species," WWF marine programme associate Panagiota Stappa told a news conference.

"Little by little, many more non-native fish species will appear on the market," she said.

Greek fishermen are keen to market species that they currently throw overboard because consumers do not know they are perfectly edible, said WWF field fishery manager Michalis Margaritis.

He cited the case of one Greek island, where 400 kilos of spinefoot (Siganus luridus) had been discarded.

"People do not choose non-native species because they are afraid of them," noted chef Giorgos Tsoulis.

"It will take, I believe, many more years for us to achieve the goal," he said.

Though particularly destructive to the seabed because of its voracious appetite, the spinefoot is nevertheless "incredibly rich" in fish oil and "very tasty", Margaritis said.

WWF's responsible seafood guide, whose revised version (www.fishguide.wwf.gr) was unveiled Wednesday, features over a hundred species available on the Greek market.

Among them are 13 invasive species which were not on the previous guide in 2015.

"Some may be already eating non-native species and not know it," said Margaritis.

"There are more than 13 species, we just listed the ones easiest to find," he said.

He noted that on his native island of Rhodes, there were three mullet species crowding out the native red mullet.

The invaders include the Atlantic shrimp (Penaeus aztecus) and blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) in the northern Aegean Sea, and the lionfish (Pterois miles) in waters further south.

According to "realistic estimates", it is believed that 65 percent of seafood consumed in Greece is imported, Margaritis said.

According to fisheries sector data, Greeks consume 19.6 kilos of seafood per year, compared to an EU average of 23.5 kilos, the organisation said.
South Africa coal delay could cause 32,000 deaths, report says



Johannesburg, April 22 (AFP) Apr 22, 2026



South Africa risks thousands of premature deaths if the phase-out of coal plants is delayed due to the government's updated decommissioning dates, climate rights groups said in a report Wednesday.

Coal provides 80 percent of South Africa's power, according to the OECD, and the country ranks among the world's largest greenhouse gas emitters.

It is also a cornerstone of the country's economy, employing more than 90,000 people, making decommissioning plans a divisive issue.

Last year, the government approved the extension of operating dates for its 14 coal-fired power plants across the country, with two set to continue operating until 2050.

The new report by Greenpeace, the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air and the South Africa-based climate NGO GroundWork said continued delays could cause up to "32,000 preventable deaths" between 2026 and 2050.

Gauteng province -- home to the capital Pretoria and financial hub Johannesburg -- and with no state-owned coal plants, is projected to bear the largest burden from the extension, with 15,000 deaths forecast over the same period.

In January, authorities attributed elevated sulphur pollution levels in Gauteng to transboundary pollution from neighbouring Mpumalanga, South Africa's most polluted industrial zone.

"Pollution does not stay where it is made, it travels," said Cynthia Moyo, a climate campaigner at Greenpeace.

The delay will also place a heavy burden on children's health, resulting in 41,000 pre-term births, 17,000 new cases of childhood asthma, and 370 deaths among children under five, the report said.

"Coal's true cost is being hidden in hospitals and in early graves," Moyo told AFP in a phone interview, dismissing the government's argument that the delay is for economic reasons.



- 'A pandemic' -



Residents of Middelburg, in Mpumalanga, present at the report's launch, recounted the effects of air pollution they have experienced, including early-onset asthma in children, skin diseases, and other respiratory flare-ups.

"It is a pandemic for us," said 30-year-old mother Sharon Mbonani, who was forced to separate from her one-year-old son and send him to another province after doctors linked his respiratory problems to environmental factors.

The report estimates the cost of the delay to the South African economy at 721 billion rand ($38 billion), including lost working days and increased pressure on the public healthcare system.

Coal-rich but energy-starved South Africa -- the continent's most industrialised nation -- became the first country in the world to sign a Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) deal with wealthy nations in 2021, worth $8.5 billion, to shift away from coal-fired power generation.

But last year the United States withdrew its multi-million dollar deal with Pretoria as part of the Trump administration's pullback from global climate commitments.

The transition to green energy has been mired with infighting among the government, which has a long history of support from labour unions representing mine workers.
Colombia's ambitious energy transition gets reality check



Bogota, April 22 (AFP) Apr 22, 2026



Hernan Sarmiento nearly went out of business in the Colombian city of Santa Marta due to his astronomical electricity costs.

But a flagship solar project introduced by the country's first left-wing president, Gustavo Petro, allowed him to keep his grocery store and even pass on some of the savings to his customers in the form of lower prices.

Petro came to power in 2022 with the most ambitious energy transition plan of all Latin America.

He vowed to halt all new oil and gas exploration, end fracking, and to make one of the world's most biodiverse countries carbon neutral by 2050.

Three-quarters of Colombia's electricity comes from renewable sources, mostly hydroelectric plants, with fossils fuels making up the rest.

The share of solar and wind rose from two percent in 2022 to 17 percent now, according to the energy ministry.

But with just four months left before Petro leaves office, Colombia's energy transition "still lags far behind its ambition," the Climate Action Tracker, which monitors countries' progress towards their climate commitments, said. It rated Colombia's policies as "insufficient."

- Savings from solar -



Central to Colombia's climate ambitions is "Colombia Solar" -- a $2-billion plan to equip over a million citizens with solar panels by 2030.

Colombia's Caribbean coast, which will host the first international conference on phasing out fossil fuels starting Friday in the city of Santa Marta, was first in line for the rollout.

The region of white-sand beaches is soaked in sun for most of the year but pays a premium for electricity because it is generated using natural gas and coal, not water as in much of the country.

Sarmiento's electricity bill fell from around $650 to $200 after solar panels were installed for free on the roof of his store and his wife's sewing workshop.

"I feel more relieved," the 64-year-old told AFP.

Across the country in the southwestern city of Cali, then sun also powers some 2,000 low-income households.

Panels glint on the rooftops of small brick houses in a neighborhood mainly inhabited by families displaced by conflict.

Andrea Mina, 32, runs a community kitchen that provides food to more than a hundred people.

Solar energy has helped her cut costs by nearly 10 percent, allowing her to serve up more food, she related.

- 'Green colonialism' -



Representatives of around 50 countries will gather in Santa Marta, one of Colombia's largest coal-exporting ports, at the weekend to discuss the difficulty of weaning the world off fossil fuels.

Colombia is Latin America's fourth-biggest oil producer. Oil and gas account for 30 percent of its exports.

Despite being an energy power, many families have to choose "between paying the (electricity) bill or eating," Mines and Energy Minister Edwin Palma told AFP.

By doubling the amount of solar power in the energy mix in four years, the government has helped solve the dilemma, he said.

"There has been progress," Oscar Vanegas, an economics professor at the Industrial University of Santander in northern Colombia acknowledged, while arguing it did not amount to "a real energy transition."

Some renewable energy programs, such as the installation of wind turbines in wind-swept northern Guajira peninsula, have foundered on resistance from Indigenous communities, who complain of "green colonialism."

Weaning Colombia off fossil fuels will take decades, renewables expert Ismael Suescun warned.

"It's not just about stopping hydrocarbon exploration and extraction" Suescun said, calling for a "gradual" energy transition that does not leave a huge hole in Colombia's wallet.

It's an argument often heard in neighboring Brazil, including from its left-wing president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who has backed a major oil project near the mouth of the Amazon River.

Defending the project in February 2025 Lula said the revenues were necessary "to finance the energy transition, which will be very expensive."
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The shortlist for this years Womens Prize for Fiction has been revealed  and four of the six novels to have made the cut are debut works.

Addie E Citchens and Virginia Evans are nominated for their respective works, Dominion and The Correspondent, while Marcia Hutchinson has been recognised for The Mercy Step and Rozie Kelly for Kingfisher.

The foursome are joined on the shortlist by two established American novelists  Susan Choi, who is nominated for her sixth book, Flashlight, and Lily King, whose seventh book Heart the Lover follows a university love triangle that is reignited years later.

This years judging panel is being chaired by the former prime minister of Australia, Julia Gillard, who has hailed all of the shortlisted authors for penning novels that intrigued and profoundly moved the judges.

open image in gallery The nominees for this year's Women's Prize for Fiction ( Women's Prize for Fiction )

We are delighted to present a shortlist that doesnt shy away from examining lifes challenges, but also brings many moments of joy, she said. The plot lines kept us turning pages to find out what happens next, the characters found a place in our hearts and the stories stayed with us long after the last sentence.

The incredible strength of the longlist challenged and delighted us, as we whittled down 16 books to this exceptional shortlist.

The winner of the 30,000 prize will be announced on Thursday 11 June.

While the shortlisted novels explore a vast range of themes, time periods, places and styles, each of them interrogates the different roles women play in society and the power they hold.

Critchens Dominion - one of the four shortlisted books released by an independent publishing house - focuses on a prominent black family in a Mississippi town while exploring black womanhood and examining the pervasive sins of patriarchy.

In The Mercy Step, Hutchinson blends autobiography and fiction to create a portrait of childhood resilient and quiet rebellion in 1960s Bradford, while Evans The Correspondent centres on a 73-year-old protagonist who exchanges book recommendations with friends and letters with real-world authors.

Kingfisher subverts the power-dynamic were used to seeing and instead explores the relationship between a young queer male creative writing professor and his infatuation with a lauded older female colleague.

In Heart the Lover, King returns to the story of Writers & Lovers protagonist Casey Peabody, exploring her mid-life present and formative relationships from her past, while Chois sprawling historical family saga follows protagonist Louisa as she explores the mystery of her fathers disappearance in Japan.

The winner of the award will receive 30,000 along with a statuette known as the Bessie created and donated by the late artist Grizel Niven.

Previous recipients include Yael van der Wouden (2025), Barbara Kingsolver (2023, 2010), Maggie OFarrell (2020), Kamila Shamsie (2018), Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (2007), Zadie Smith (2006), and Ann Patchett (2002).
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Theres no such thing as a soul, Bart Simpson once said. Its just something they made up to scare kids. Like the boogeyman, or Michael Jackson.

You might argue that nothing helped Michael Jackson more than dying. It meant there were no more high-profile messes for others to clean up, no more accusations of child sex abuse to publicly play out, the man at the centre of them forced to issue denials or walk in and out of courtrooms. But the other boon to the sprawling Jackson estate was the sudden demise of the big, culture-wide Michael Jackson running joke.

The joke insisted that he was strange, eerie, and could detach and re-attach his nose at will. It also insisted that he was nefarious, sexually dysfunctional, and had a chimp named Bubbles. (That last one, of course, was very true.) And the idea of Jackson as a masked oddball, who dressed his children in veils (true, too) and hid in the shadows waiting to strike (less true maybe), was so ubiquitous that it invaded Scary Movie 3, South Park, Eminem music videos, and the aforementioned Simpsons. And then, once Jackson died, the jokes seemed to stop and the narrative seemed to change. The tragedy of Jacksons early death, at age 50 in 2009, made it lightly crass to poke fun of his eccentricities, while the Jackson family united behind a common refrain: Michael wasnt weird, but just too good  too generous, too naive, too endearingly child-like  for this mean, mean world.

So its a funny twist to all of this that Antoine Fuquas Michael, the estate-backed biopic about the King of Pop that pointedly ends in 1988 and before any of those pesky allegations were made, does an absolutely terrible job of making its hero seem normal. For all its admirably expensive pomp, Michael cant escape the inherent creepiness of Jackson, and Im not sure it really tries. It just lays out the surreal madness of the man and hopes audiences will find it adorable.

open image in gallery Jaafar Jackson as his uncle Michael in the controversial biopic Michael ( Lionsgate )

Youre not like other people, Michaels mother Katherine tells him at one point in the new film, Katherine here played by Nineties stalwart Nia Long (voice a saintly quiver; expression permanently sceptical), and Michael by Jaafar Jackson. Jaafar is the real Michaels 29-year-old nephew, the son of his brother Jermaine, and a man who, with the help of oodles of facial prosthetics and digital voice trickery, does a very good job of playing a very easily imitable megastar. Katherines proclamation can be read two ways, Michael always keen to keep things as obscure as possible.

No, Michael Jackson is not like other people. Hes a production savant; a phenomenal dancer; a supreme vocalist. His music is timelessly brilliant, as evidenced by the many, many performances and pop videos recreated in the film. But hes also not like other people because  to, say, everyone with eyes  hes a 24-carat kook. The adult Michael celebrates his professional separation from his domineering father Joe (Colman Domingo, all evil eyebrows and scowling) by buying loads of childrens toys, and would rather play a game of Twister than sleep with groupies, like his brothers. So while they all go off to party, he plays Twister with Bubbles. The Michael of Michael expresses his excitement about working with super-producer Quincy Jones not to any people but to his pet llama, and seems to have only one real, human confidante in his sister LaToya, whose role within the Jackson clan here seems to be person who wears lots of headbands. (In reality Michael was reportedly closest to sister Janet of his siblings, but she quite literally doesnt exist in the universe of Michael  not as a face around the dinner table, nor as a Nick Fury-esque end-credits cameo teasing a sequel.)

Michael also idolises Mickey Mouse and Peter Pan (hes more or less depicted as the OG Disney Adult  and lest you think Im being mean to just one man, I think theyre kooks too!), and seems to model his first of multiple nose jobs on Peters sharp, upturned honker. And the kids! Gosh, the kids. Michael loves the little guys, sauntering around hospitals like Mother Teresa wearing a single sparkly glove, and pledging to save the world one child at a time. I have a shining light, he tells a horrendous wig played by Miles Teller. Im here to love, and to heal.

open image in gallery Jaafar Jackson as the King of Pop, Grammy in hand, in Michael ( Lionsgate )

Bizarrely, Michael Jackson is only so weird in Michael by accident. The film softens any of the context that, ironically, might have helped salvage Jacksons wider reputation in the public sphere. The real Jackson was a severely traumatised and fragile individual, who spoke movingly about the abuse he suffered as a child. My father was a severe man  very severe, Jackson said in 1990. He used belts, cables, whatever he had on hand. He beat me so hard that sometimes I thought I wouldnt get out of there. I could hear my mother begging him to stop, and I just wanted to disappear. I was so afraid of him that just seeing him walk into the house made my body tremble.

And yet, Joes abuse is almost entirely scrubbed from the movie. We witness him beat the eight-year-old Michael with a belt in an early scene, but otherwise he is depicted as merely a tyrannical, angry sort who likes to raise his voice but otherwise doesnt lay a hand on his children. So many scenes seem to be gearing up for Joe to inflict physical violence on those around him, from his sons to Katherine, but he always walks away before interactions get too heated. And theres a feeling throughout that the movie even forgives Joe  that, really, his volatile management style was just the necessary evil that helped turn Michael and his brothers into greats. Relatedly, the siblings heavily involved in Michaels production  Jackie, Jermaine and Marlon  have always denied that Joe abused his children.

open image in gallery Michael Jackson in 2009, three months before his death ( Getty Images )

Unauthorised biographies have also suggested that Jacksons early exposure to sex workers and groupies also contributed to his atypical relationship to sex, and his inability to understand boundaries or the kinds of relationships that to outside observers will read as wholly inappropriate. Certainly, women are an after-thought throughout the film, from oldest sister Rebbie (who, like Janet, doesnt exist within Michael), to the women Michael dated throughout the Eighties, including actors Brooke Shields and Tatum ONeal.

Perhaps those behind Michael simply know their audience, though. Jackson fans are, to put it mildly, very defensive of their idol. I lost count of the amount of times I was told to kill myself after writing a piece on the Jackson abuse allegations in 2019.

The great fascination of Michael, and of Michael Jackson himself, is that every one of us will look at the same stuff and take different readings of it. One Michael viewer will see a deeply strange, damaged individual whose story has been scrubbed of its darkness to protect the family brand; another will see an innocent naif filled with enviable whimsy, whose story has been deliberately half-told because the charlatans and liars that went after him dont deserve screentime. Jackson is the ultimate human Rorschach test.

The film panders to a very specific section of my dads fandom that still lives in a fantasy, and theyre going to be happy with it, Michaels 28-year-old daughter Paris said last year. The thing about these biopics is its Hollywood. Its fantasy land  its not real, but its sold to you as real. The narrative is being controlled, and theres a lot of inaccuracy.

Its unclear what exactly she was referring to. But, true to Jackson tradition, it could be interpreted whichever way you like.

Michael is in cinemas
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Toronto police were forced to step in after Drake fans reportedly took pickaxes and blowtorches to an ice block installation containing the release date for the rappers new album, Iceman.

On Monday, the Passionfruit artist, 39, shared Instagram pictures of a giant, 25-foot ice block sculpture set up in a parking lot in downtown Toronto. Release Date Inside, he wrote in the caption, adding the address: 81 Bond Street. The plan was for the date to be revealed once the ice had melted.

Fans quickly flocked to the site to see the structure, with many heeding signs warning the public not to touch.

However, some impatient fans brought tools to chip into the sculpture, according to local outlet CityNews Toronto. Police were seen blocking public access Monday evening after receiving reports that people were climbing the ice sculpture and refusing to come down.

Still, the next day, Twitch streamer Kishka reportedly took a sledgehammer to the ice block, successfully discovering a vacuum-sealed bag inside with the date May 15, along with a book and several $100 Canadian-dollar bills.

open image in gallery Drake hid the release date for his new album, Iceman, inside a 25-foot ice block sculpture ( The Canadian Press )

Later Tuesday, Toronto Fire Chief Jim Jessop released a statement, saying they had been called to address public fire safety concerns related to unsafe conditions at the site.

Large numbers of individuals have gathered to attempt to melt the ice using flammable liquids and open flames in an uncontrolled environment, which results in an immediate threat to life, Jessop wrote.

As Torontos Fire Chief, my top priority is keeping Torontonians safe. As a result, we are initiating measures under the Fire Protection and Prevention Act to mitigate the risk to public safety.

By Wednesday, Toronto Fire Services were using warm water to melt the sculpture.

open image in gallery Drake's new album, 'Iceman,' will be released May 15 ( Getty Images )

Drake has since confirmed Iceman will be out May 15.

The forthcoming album marks the rappers first solo album since 2023s critically derided For All the Dogs.

In recent years, the Grammy-winning artist has been wrapped up in lawsuits pertaining to his rap nemesis Kendrick Lamars chart-topping 2024 diss track Not Like Us, which Drake has claimed falsely accuses him of being a sex offender [and] engaging in pedophilic acts.

He sued Universal Music Group  the music label that represents both him and Lamar  in early 2025 for promoting the megahit despite knowing the lyrics were false. A judge ultimately dismissed his defamation lawsuit, ruling that the allegedly defamatory statements in Not Like Us are nonactionable opinion.
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The Italian government is facing calls from trade unions, politicians and more to cancel Kanye Wests forthcoming appearance at the Hellwatt Festival.

West, 48, is attempting to bring his comeback tour to Europe, but the effort has so far been derailed, with countries including the U.K., France and Poland blocking his performances amid backlash over past antisemitic remarks.

The All Falls Down rapper is scheduled to headline the Reggio Emilia music festival July 18, though growing opposition is urging officials to axe the concert.

The United Kingdom denied the visa. France effectively prevented the Marseille concert, Pina Picierno, the vice president of the European Parliament and a senior member of Italys Democratic Party, told local newspaper La Gazzetta di Reggio. Italy, meanwhile, is just staying idle with 68,000 tickets sold, as if nothing had happened.

Rosamaria Papaleo, a representative of the Italian Confederation of Workers Unions in Emilia-Romagna, added in a statement to CBS News: It seems quite contradictory that an artist known for his antisemitic remarks can be hosted by our city, which has always strongly advocated anti-fascist values. Anti-fascism for us is not a whim, but a value rooted in our history.

open image in gallery Kanye West is scheduled to headline Italy's Hellwatt Festival in July ( Reuters )

Papaleo clarified, however, that while the union does not wish to disrupt the festival  an important event for employees and attendees  it expects artists to be held to standards that promote positive values.

The union has asked Reggio Emilias mayor, Marco Massari, to require West to meet with members of the areas Jewish population as a symbolic act of reconciliation for his past harmful comments, according to CBS News.

Massari has said in a statement that he distances himself from Kanye Wests behavior and remarks, but noted that the decision to allow the rapper into the country rests with the national government.

The Independent has contacted Wests representative for comment.

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Despite the uproar, Victor Yari Milani, the founder and artistic director of the Hellwatt Festival, has defended booking West  now known as Ye  calling the festival a space for free artistic expression.

The artists past comments have certainly provoked a legitimate reaction, he said in a statement to Italian news agency ANSA, but we also want to remember that Ye formally apologized through the Wall Street Journal in January, stating that he is not a Nazi or antisemite but suffers from bipolar disorder.

open image in gallery Wests European tour has been derailed by a slew of cancellations ( Reuters )

In January, West took out a full-page ad in The Wall Street Journal apologizing for years of offensive outbursts, blaming a brain injury for his erratic behavior.

The disgraced superstar claimed that neurological damage caused by a near-fatal 2002 car crash was responsible for his concerning behavior in recent years, which has included public antisemitic rants. He said that he believes his brain injury also added to his struggle with bipolar disorder, which he was diagnosed with in 2016.

He went on to say that he regrets the things he said and did while spiraling during his manic episodes, writing that he lost touch with reality and gravitated toward the most destructive symbol I could find, the swastika, and even sold T-shirts bearing it.

After Italy, Wests European tour has four stops that remain scheduled: Turkey, the Netherlands, Madrid, and Portugal.
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Clarksons Farm star Lisa Hogan is ditching Diddly Squat for her own dating show, with the TV personality set to host ITVs Farming for Love.

The new series is based on Farmer Wants a Wife  ITVs reality series that saw farmers choose a spouse from a selection of city-based women. It aired in 2001 for one series before being revived by Channel 5 in 2009.

The format is now set to return under the name of Farming for Love, with Hogan helping unlucky-in-love countrymen and women find their mate.

Announcing the show on ITVs This Morning, Hogan  whose partner is former Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson  urged those at home to apply.

open image in gallery Lisa Hogan with the new contestants on 'Farming for Love' ( This Morning, ITV )

There are lots of farmers out there looking for love and we have four people who are just gorgeous, she said. If you want to apply, you should  and apply for your friends and apply for your family.

The ITV morning show then showed off the four contestants taking part in the dating competition  starting with Wiltshire-based Guy, 29, who runs a beef farm.

Its a bit lonely driving around all day and checking cattle, he told viewers. You just want someone to come out with you at the weekend or the evening when youve got to do a calf. It would be really nice to share that moment with people.

open image in gallery Lisa Hogan will be hosting ITV's new dating show ( Getty )

Hell be joined on the show by 68-year-old Chris, whos been farming for most of his life in North Yorkshire and is looking for love again after the death of his wife. Its been a tough old time the last three and a bit years but I dont want to do it on my own and theres somebody out there whos so special. I know there is. Shes out there, he said.

The first woman taking part in the UK franchise is 24-year-old Dana, a dairy farmer who has been working in the industry for five years. I want somebody whos not afraid of hard work. Its so worth it  everything that you put into it, you so 100 per cent get out of it again, she said.

open image in gallery Lisa Hogan, the partner of Jeremy Clarkson, will be hosting the show ( PA Wire )

Rounding out the line-up is Wrexham farmer George, 29, who is looking for a date to his best friends wedding. Ive been given strict criteria, I need to find a date so here we are  what better way to do it?

Hogan has been in a relationship with Clarkson since 2017, with the pair filming reality show Clarksons Farm together. The Prime Video series follows them as they attempt to cultivate Clarksons 1,000-acre Chipping Norton farm.

The new series is set for release in June, with upcoming episode set to focus on the most heartbreaking time on the farm yet as it suffers from an outbreak of bovine tuberculosis.
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Hulk Hogan shared the voicemail he received from Donald Trump after his appearance at the Republican National Convention in 2024 during his final interview.

The conversation forms the basis of the new four-part Netflix documentary series Hulk Hogan: Real American, which also includes a surprise new interview with President Trump that was filmed before Hogans death.

The wrestling icon, whose real name was Terry Bollea, died of a heart attack in July 2025 at the age of 71.

In the audio message that Hogan plays, President Trump can be heard saying: Hulk, its your all-time favorite president. I just wanted to tell you, you were unbelievable at the convention. Like, the talk of the town. We had, by the way, I dont know if you heard, the biggest ratings theyve ever had for any of these things by far. Fox had the biggest ratings theyve ever had, and you were the star.

Trump continues: Nobody could do what you did, and entertain. We love having you on our side. Youre a winner, man. Youre a champ and a winner, and I think it was really good for you too, I have to tell you. Everyone was really impressed. Take care of yourself, thanks, bye.

open image in gallery Hulk Hogan shared a voicemail from Donald Trump, during which the president told the wrestler: You were the star ( Getty )

open image in gallery Hogan appeared at the Republican National Convention in 2024 to support Trump ( AFP/Getty )

Elsewhere in the documentary, President Trump is interviewed at the White House about his long relationship with Hogan. The pair met in 1988 when Trump hosted Wrestlemania at the Trump Plaza hotel and casino in Atlantic City.

When Trump first appears onscreen, he notes: I have a big Russia meeting going on. He then goes on to describe how he became friendly with the Hulkster... we had a good relationship, good chemistry.

Hogan says in the film that he voted for Trump in 2016 and 2020, but only decided to become a public supporter following the attempt on Trumps life in July 2024.

Regarding Hogans initial reluctance to take a political stance, Trump says: He wanted to stay out of politics, and when theyd ask him a question that was about politics, frankly, hed be sort of neutral, at best. He wanted to be politically correct, and he doesnt want to lose fans. I understand that.... I think he regrets that.

Hogans appearance at the RNC in 2024 made headlines around the world as he passionately endorsed Trump. As the president recalls: He did the shirt-ripping, he did the whole thing, and the place went crazy.

Trump adds: Hulk was always very controversial. Thats okay, Im fairly controversial. I think Ive become less controversial over the years, but Im fairly controversial too, but I dont think Hulk cares about that, and I dont care about that either.

Hulk Hogan: Real American is streaming on Netflix now.
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Hes best known for keeping Jeremy Clarkson in check on Diddly Squat Farm, but Clarksons Farm star Kaleb Cooper may be in need of some help himself after his barn went up in flames.

The reality TV star works as a farming contractor, running the Chipping Norton farm owned by former Top Gear host Clarkson and documented on his Prime Video series. He also owns his own small farm, where he tends to crops and animals and lends out machinery and services.

On Wednesday (22 April), Cooper, 27, shared that a building at his farm had gone up in flames, as he posted a picture to Instagram Stories of his barn billowing with smoke, while the contents looked blackened.

open image in gallery Cooper is the breakout star of Clarksons Farm ( Prime Video )

Im having a bad day. Anyone got any straw lost all mine [sic], Cooper captioned the post, which he shared with his three million followers.

The break-out star of Prime Video series Clarksons Farm, Chipping Norton native Cooper had worked at Diddly Squat Farm for its previous owner before TV personality Clarkson bought the land.

The show, now a mega-hit for Prime, first came out in 2021, and saw Cooper showing Clarkson, 66, the ropes when it came to running a working farm. Father-of-three Cooper set up his own TV company in the wake of the show airing, and now runs the business alongside his farming company, K Cooper Contracting and K Cooper Holdings.

open image in gallery Cooper shared the damage to his barn on Instagram ( Kaleb Cooper/Instagram )

Coopers success on the show was so great that, within four years of it first airing, hed made his first million.

Cooper, who does not come from a farming background, used fame on the show to spin off into his own media ventures.

He released his own books, The World According to Kaleb for adults and Kalebs Farmyard Tales for children, with a solo spin-off series, about him temporarily moving to Australia for work, on the way. The series, titled Kaleb: Down Under, will also be released on Prime Video.

Cooper will be back on our screens this spring, as Clarksons Farm returns for its fifth series on 3 June.

open image in gallery Cooper (centre) with the stars of Clarksons Farm ( Getty )

Last month, Cooper, who shares three children with fiancee Taya, shared a candid health update with his fans through social media.

Sitting in his tractor while he filmed the video, Cooper explained that he was suffering from shingles, a viral infection which can cause a painful rash.

Saying that he had never been in so much pain, Cooper said: I thought only old people get that and no disrespect if youve got it and youre maybe old. Honestly, its like pins and needles continually in your body.
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The Boys stars Jack Quaid and Claudia Doumit have reportedly married in an intimate, star-studded ceremony in a small Australian farming town.

Quaid, 33, and Doumit, 34, were first linked back in June 2022 after meeting on the set of Amazon Prime Videos satirical superhero television series.

Australian newspaper The Daily Telegraph reported the news Monday that the couple had married at Mona Farm  a five-star hotel and 124-acre estate located in Braidwood, New South Wales. The town is home to fewer than 1,800 residents.

Braidwood itself has been one of NSWs best-kept secrets, Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council Mayor Kenrick Winchester told the publication.

It is a great little town, only an hour to the beach and an hour to an international airport. Outside of a major city, when would we ever have so many Hollywood A-listers like that? So of course it took us by surprise but why wouldnt they come here?

open image in gallery Jack Quaid and Claudia Doumit have married in an intimate ceremony in rural Australia ( Getty )

open image in gallery The couple were first linked in June 2022 after meeting on the set of Amazon Prime Videos The Boys ( Getty )

According to the Telegraph, actors Tom Hanks, Alec Baldwin, Kevin Costner and Henry Golding were among the guests at the wedding, as were Quaids celebrity parents, Meg Ryan and Dennis Quaid.

Doumit  who was born and raised in Sydney  opted for an ivory satin gown featuring a tiered, ruffle-heavy skirt, paired with a coordinating floral headpiece. Jack, meanwhile, was seen sporting a red blazer adorned with ornate gold embroidery in social media images shared by news.com.au.

The publication claimed the couple enjoyed their first dance to Atlantis by Donovan.

While the wedding venue staff were reportedly asked to sign NDAs ahead of the event.

Local venue Smokey Horse Himalayan bar and restaurant shared a carousel of photos from their visit alongside the caption: Big congratulations to the newlyweds @jack_quaid and @claudiadoumit, what a beautiful couple you two make, we wish you boundless happiness and good fortune in the days ahead!!!

It was an absolute pleasure to host you guys at ole #SmokeyHorse, and we trust your family and friends enjoyed their stay here in our beloved little hometown?

The Independent has contacted representatives for Jack and Doumit for comment.

Doumit played Victoria Neuman, a congresswoman with a secret life as a deadly, blood-controlling supervillain, opposite Jack Quaids tech-savvy Hughie Campbell. Her character was killed off in the fourth season, marking Doumits exit from the show in 2024.

Quaid is next set to star in the comedy film Close Personal Friends alongside Brie Larson and Lily Collins in which a couples chance encounter with a celebrity couple results in awkwardness.
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Elizabeth Smart has shown off her ripped physique while revealing her new endeavor as a competitive bodybuilder.

The 38-year-old activist took to Instagram Tuesday, sharing a photo of her onstage at the Wasatch Warrior bodybuilding competition in Salt Lake City, Utah. In the picture, she flexed her muscles while wearing a navy blue bikini and high heels.

When I posted the pictures in my [Instagram] story of me standing on stage in a bikini it probably shocked many of you, she shared in the caption. I understand the shock because had you asked me if I would ever compete in a bodybuilding show a couple of years ago I would have said, absolutely not! Never in 100 years!

This is actually the fourth competition Ive done, but I was too afraid to post it before, she added. Worried that I would be judged, not taken seriously, somehow perceived as less than or now unworthy to continue work as an advocate for all survivors.

Smart launched the Elizabeth Smart Foundation  which aims to end sexual violence and offer advocacy for victims  in 2011, nine years after she was kidnapped at knifepoint from her Salt Lake City home by Brian David Mitchell and Wanda Barzee.

When Smart testified for the first time in 2009, she said she was repeatedly raped, drugged and starved by Mitchell during her nine months in captivity. Mitchell is now serving a life sentence without parole for the 2002 kidnapping of Smart, while Barzee was released in 2018 after serving 15 years.

open image in gallery Elizabeth Smart said shes already competed in four events as a professional bodybuilder ( Getty Images )

In her Instagram post, Smart noted that her fears about making her bodybuilding career public are eerily familiar feelings for too many survivors.

I think its easy to be labeled as one thing, and honestly, thats not me nor do I think its any of us. We are more than just one topic, one idea, one label, she wrote. I am interested in many things, and as I get older I realize more and more how important it is to make the most of today, we dont know what tomorrow brings. And I dont want to reach the end of my life and look back and feel regret for only living a half-life, not going after all the things I want to do and try.

She confessed that while bodybuilding was a big change for her, she was challenged not to give up. She said shes extremely proud of herself and wants to celebrate her body.

My body has carried me through every worst day, every hellish grueling experience, its created and nurtured three beautiful children, my body has risen to every single challenge life has presented it with, and carried me through so I refuse to be ashamed of it, Smart added. I refuse to feel embarrassed about trying something new and am embracing my chance at life to the absolute fullest I can.

open image in gallery Elizabeth Smart started her own foundation in 2011 to fight sexual violence and support survivors ( Getty Images for Lifetime )

Smart concluded: I only hope that we all find the courage to chase new experiences, goals, bettering ourselves, and most importantly happiness.

In the comments, many fans expressed their admiration for Smarts dedication to her new pursuit.

I always stand by the sentiment that there is something so amazingly healing about seeing what a body that has been abused is capable of when you make the choice. You have so much to be proud of this is just one thing to add to the list. one wrote.

Putting in the work!! I loved reading this thanks for sharing, another added, while a third wrote: This is brilliant. Congrats. We are all more than one thing. Go Elizabeth.
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Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women and scientists are saying that a lump isnt the only sign of the disease.

While breast cancer is more survivable than other variations of the disease, the society also projects over 42,000 deaths from breast cancer. In total, there are 321,000 cases expected in the U.S. this year, according to the American Cancer Society. To ensure patients catch the cancer before the disease spreads too much, doctors say there are several symptoms for women to look out for.

But one is particularly concerning - and it isnt a lump, a hallmark of breast cancer.

Its dimpling, or an orange peel-like appearance of the skin of the breast. The symptom is almost always breast cancer, Dr. Tara Olson, an OB-GYN at the Maryland-based Simmonds, Martin & Helmbrecht womens health clinic, told Prevention over the weekend.

Thats because the skin changes are typically tied to the rare and aggressive inflammatory breast cancer.

open image in gallery More than 321,000 breast cancer cases are expected this year. While a lump is often a telltale sign of disease for most breast cancers, doctors want women to be aware of another symptom that can signal a rarer form ( Getty Images )

There are many different types of breast cancer, but inflammatory breast cancer cases make up only 1 to 5 percent of all breast cancer cases, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Most cases start in cells that line the milk ducts of the breast and then spread beyond to nearby tissue. This type of breast cancer does not typically lead to lumps, which medical professionals have long said is a sign that women might need to seek care.

Instead of a lump, inflammatory breast cancer changes the color of the skin of the breast, causing it to appear bruised, red, pink and purple. It may also lead to an increase in breast size, heaviness, burning or tenderness of the breast, a nipple that inverts itself and swollen lymph nodes under the arm or near the collarbone, the NIH says.

It also doesnt usually appear on a screening mammogram, the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center notes, which is why it is often misdiagnosed.

Inflammatory breast cancers are known to develop and progress within just weeks to a couple of months, according to Yale Medicine, making early detection crucial.

In general, inflammatory breast cancer has a poorer prognosis than do most other types of breast cancer, the medical school warns.

open image in gallery Inflammatory breast cancers are not caught on mammograms, which is why its important for women to seek out doctors if they see any symptoms ( Getty Images for Avon )

Some people are at a higher risk for inflammatory breast cancer including women living with obesity, Black women and younger adults, Northwestern Medicine says.

Beyond a physical examination at home, women should seek out a doctor for imaging tests or a biopsy of breast tissue.

Inflammatory breast cancer can be treated with chemotherapy and drugs before surgery is needed. Earlier cases can be cured, though the cancer is always considered at least stage III, according to the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.

So, the sooner you can diagnose it and start treatment before it progresses to stage IV, the better chance you have of a cure, the center notes.

After stage IV, the cancer can be treated but not cured.
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Finding your aging parents napping frequently early in the day could be a warning sign of something much more serious, doctors at Bostons Mass General Brigham healthcare system have warned.

While quick cat naps can often be restorative, previous research has shown that longer naps can negatively impact cognitive ability and cardiovascular health.

Now, a new, nearly two-decade-long study of more than 1,330 people reinforces and builds on those findings, showing that longer and more frequent morning naps are tied to a higher risk of death and underlying illness.

Although the researchers did not say if there was a critical threshold for how many naps were too many naps to take, they found that each additional hour of napping was tied to a 13 percent higher risk of death and each extra nap raised that risk by 7 percent. Morning nappers had a 30 percent higher mortality risk compared to afternoon nappers, too.

The findings could help children identify when theres something seriously wrong with their loved ones, potentially leading to earlier treatment.

open image in gallery A quick nap probably wont do you any harm. But if youre considering taking one in the morning hours or multiple times a day, you might have a higher risk of death or an undiagnosed illness ( AFP via Getty Images )

It is important to note that this is correlation not causation. Excessive napping is likely indicating underlying disease, chronic conditions, sleep disturbances, or circadian dysregulation, Dr. Chenlu Gao, the lead author of the study, said in a statement.

Now that we know there is a strong correlation between napping patterns and mortality rates, we can make the case to implement wearable daytime nap assessments to predict health conditions and prevent further decline, he added.

The researchers used wearable devices to track the health of the studys participants, although the participants reported how much physical activity they got and any underlying health conditions.

The researchers took their data from the 1997 Rush Memory and Aging Project, which included mainly white individuals over the age of 56 in northern Illinois.

Participants of the project wore wrist activity monitors for 10 days to measure their rest in April 2005 and repeated the practice every year for 19 years.

Thats how the Mass General Brigham researchers were able to determine their sleep patterns, mapping out when and how long the older adults napped.

They did not factor in the quality of the naps or the difference between racial groups or shift workers, and said more research was needed to understand the impact of irregular napping.

But they have some ideas about the physiological processes tying excessive napping to an increased risk of death.

Inflammation, underlying sleep disorders and fatigue-causing chronic health conditions may all increase the risk of death and excessive napping, they said.

open image in gallery Each additional hour napping was tied to a 13 percent higher risk of death, the researchers found ( AFP via Getty Images )

Many chronic health conditions can cause fatigue and excessive sleepiness and prompt napping as a coping mechanism, including chronic lower respiratory diseases, chronic pain, diabetes, cardiovascular conditions, metabolic syndrome, mood disorders, and neurodegeneration, the researchers wrote.

Until now, Gao said, how napping patterns were tied to health had been understudied, although the researchers had previously found a link between excessive naps and Alzheimers disease in 2022.

Our study is one of the first to show an association between objectively measured nap patterns and mortality and suggests there is immense clinical value in tracking napping patterns to catch health conditions early, he said.

Between 20 and 60 percent of older adults take naps, the researchers say.

Naps are best kept to 15-20 minutes for adults, according to the Cleveland Clinic. But most people should limit their shut-eye to under an hour.

And the best time to nap is earlier in the afternoon, before 2 to 3 p.m., so you can still fall asleep at night.

"If you need to nap, try to limit it to up to 30 minutes," Dr. Suzanne Salamon, associate chief of gerontology at Harvard-affiliated Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, explained in a statement. "A little napping is normal as we get older, and quick catnaps can recharge your batteries. Its a lot of napping that we worry about."
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Kylie Jenner is being sued by a former housekeeper who alleges she was harassed while working at the reality stars home.

Angelica Hernandez Vasquez claimed in court documents filed Friday that she was treated with hostility and exclusion by fellow staffers at Jenners Los Angeles house. Vasquez said in the documents that she worked in the toxic and abusive environment from September 2024 to August 2025.

Vasquez, who describes herself in court documents as a Salvadoran woman and a practicing Catholic, claimed she experienced discrimination, harassment and retaliation...based on her race, national origin, religion and disability, according to the lawsuit.

This is exactly the kind of conduct the law is designed to stopand we intend to do just that for our client, Vasquezs lawyer said in a statement to The Independent.

Although Jenner, 28, is not mentioned by name for any alleged offensive behavior in the filing, she is listed as a defendant along with companies Tri Star Services and Maison Family Services. Representatives for Jenner did not immediately return The Independents request for comment.

open image in gallery Kylie Jenner is being sued by her former housekeeper ( AFP/Getty )

Vasquez alleges that while she worked at the mansion in the Hidden Hills, she was harassed by fellow employees and the head housekeeper.

She claims in court documents that she was routinely assigned the most difficult and undesirable tasks; excluded from the housekeeping team; publicly belittled and humiliated in front of coworkers due to her race, national origin and religion; and subjected to intimidation and demeaning treatment.

The complaint alleges that her co-workers snapped their fingers at her, mocked her accent, forced her to complete other peoples work and treated her as inferior because of her Salvadoran background.

She also claims that in March 2025, the conflict became violent when a supervisor allegedly threw hangers at her feet while reprimanding her.

Vasquez says she raised her concerns to the Kardashians star and the two companies, but alleges that no corrective action was taken and that her complaints were dismissed, mocked or ignored.

open image in gallery Kylie Jenner is accused of sending her housekeeper to Timothee Chalamets home in Los Angeles without paying for transportation costs ( PA )

In addition to the alleged harassment, Vasquez claims that on several instances, she was ordered to work at Jenners boyfriends house  likely referring to Timothee Chalamets home in Beverly Hills  but was not reimbursed for expenses including transportation costs.

She alleges that she had a loss of wages after complaining about her coworkers treatment, and that she developed anxiety, severe stress and symptoms consistent with post-traumatic stress disorder because of the conflict, which led to her taking medical leave in July 2025.

Vasquez said she resigned the following month because the working conditions had become intolerable.

She is seeking damages for unpaid wages, emotional distress and more.
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Noah Lyles had an underwhelming reaction to seeing his wife, Junelle Bromfield, in her wedding dress for the first time, prompting criticism online.

Earlier this week, Bromfield, 28, posted a video on TikTok of her and Lyless first look from their April 4 wedding day. During the tradition  where the bride shows off her gown to her groom in an intimate moment alone before the ceremony  Lyles, 28, clad in a brown tuxedo and bowtie, stood with his back turned to Bromfield awaiting the big reveal of her wedding dress.

After Bromfield tapped him on the shoulder, he turned around to see his bride in a beaded white ball gown. Oh wow, OK, he said. Oh wow. I didnt think youd go with the princess dress.

Why? she responded, before he looked at the back of her dress and said: Damn, thats a train! And were supposed to spin in this?

After Bromfield confessed that she was feeling nervous, the Olympian reassured her by saying the guests at their luxurious Trenton, Georgia venue looked good and that the day was going to be super fun.

open image in gallery Fans have criticized Noah Lyles for not complimenting his wife, Junelle Bromfield, when he saw her wedding dress for the first time ( @junellelyles / TikTok )

The TikTok video has since gone viral online, garnering more than two million views. In the comments, many people have criticized Lyles for not complimenting his wifes gown.

Did I miss him saying, you look beautiful? one wrote, while another added: Oh wow, OK is crazy.

As an overthinker, this reaction would ruin my whole day, and more, a third commented.

The criticism of Lyles's reaction extended to the popular Fauxmoi Reddit thread, where one person commented, No ones expecting him to immediately get on his knees, sob, and say she looks beautiful and hes the luckiest man ever. His first few sentences were criticism.

I didnt think youd go with the princess dress before you look STUNNING??? I'd walk away right there, but thats me, another wrote.

However, other people gave Lyles the benefit of the doubt, describing how much pressure a bride and groom can feel on the big day. These scenarios are awkward as hell, it's a lot of pressure, and you're being recorded. It isn't the best, but it's okay, one wrote about the first look.

The Independent has contacted Lyles for comment.

open image in gallery Noah Lyles and Junelle Bromfield announced their engagement in October 2024 ( Getty Images )

Bromfield addressed the criticism in another TikTok video, explaining there was a lot going on the morning of her wedding. She said she was holding back tears and trying to cheer herself up during the first look after learning that many of her friends couldnt attend the wedding.

She added that she was overstimulated at the time, so Lyles reaction to the dress was just what she needed.

He tried to make me happy. He tried to make me talk, she said. If he did not do that, I probably would've been shut off the whole wedding because I was processing so much disappointment, mentally and emotionally.

The track star also addressed Lyles remarks about her wedding dress, noting that she originally told him he was going to wear a mermaid dress because she loves a tight-fitting look. However, she chose a different look for the ceremony because Lyles hates that style.

He was very surprised that I was in a princess dress, but he liked it. And this is something that we talked about, she added, before explaining that she had three looks for her wedding day, including a mermaid dress.

The track stars got engaged in October 2024, after two years of dating.
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A new bride is being rushed back to the U.S. after her honeymoon in Japan turned into a terrifying medical emergency.

Sarah Danh, 27, has been hospitalized in critical care for nearly two weeks after she suffered acute liver failure on the second day of her trip to Japan, according to a GoFundMe for the newlyweds.

Danh took an emergency medical evacuation flight that landed Tuesday night in San Antonio, Texas, with her husband, 28-year-old Luke Gradl, according to People.

Her mother, Le Le, flew back to the U.S. separately after she had joined the couple in Japan for moral support, the outlet reported.

A huge thank you to the medical team in Japan  the doctors and nurses who worked nonstop to keep Sarah stable up until evacuation, Gradl and Le said in a statement to the outlet. We'll never forget your care and dedication. To the AirMed team, thank you for moving so quickly and making everything come together when it mattered most. You made a real difference for us.

Sarah Danh, 27, has been hospitalized in critical care for nearly two weeks after she suffered acute liver failure on the second day of her trip to Japan ( GoFundMe )

Their statement continued, We're also so thankful to the team in San Antonio for being ready and waiting for Sarah. Knowing she was going into such good hands brought us peace during a very uncertain time."

Danh and Gradls GoFundMe has raised over $175,000 for her medical funds.

The fundraiser, which launched April 11, said the bride and groom had been married for a week when they went to Japan as their dream honeymoon trip.

They were so excited to start celebrating their marriage together, looking forward to exploring a new country and making memories as newlyweds, the page said. But while in Japan only for two days, Sarah suddenly became very ill and was rushed to the ER, where she was diagnosed with acute liver failure.

The page noted, Being away from home during such a vulnerable time has been incredibly difficult for Sarah and her husband, Luke, as they try to navigate the uncertainty and worry together.

In Japan, hospital bills must be paid in full or treatments will be stopped, which adds another layer of stress to an already overwhelming situation, the GoFundMe continued.

An update posted to the page revealed that Danh would require a liver transplant.

Every donation, every message, every share it all reminds us that were not alone in this, the latest update read in part. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for standing with us and for holding Sarah in your thoughts.
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Law Roach, the longtime stylist of Zendaya and other A-listers, is being lampooned over his public complaint about a recent experience flying in Deltas top-tier cabin.

On Tuesday, the 47-year-old aired his grievances with the airline, writing on X: Dear @Delta Im Delta 360 and a Million Miler. This morning I paid for a Delta One seat from NYC to LA and when I got on the plane it was not a lay flat seat. I was very disappointed.

Delta One is considered the airlines most premium travel experience, according to the website, and features 180-degree lie-flat seats on international and select long-haul domestic flights.

Roachs post on X has been flooded with comments accusing him of entitlement.

Thoughts and prayers to you and your family during this difficult time, one quipped, with a second adding: Mr. Roach we apologize for the inconvenience and hope your back is doing ok.

open image in gallery Law Roach has been the sole stylist of Zendaya since 2011 ( Getty )

These are the kinds of problems I wish God would bless me with...a lay flat seat, a third teased. God, you listening?

Another reminded Roach that there is definitely a dedicated phone number that he could call to speak to someone at Delta about the inconvenience, rather than doing so publicly.

Yes, @Delta, please drop everything and prioritize this, one responded sarcastically. Clearly nothing else going on in the world. Maybe throw in a private jet too, just to ease the trauma.

Oh you gotta delete this, a second insisted. The people are NOT on your side because you couldnt be horizontal on a direct domestic flight.

open image in gallery Roach said he was 'very disappointed' that his Delta seat did not lie flat ( Getty )

I totally get that people should receive the product or service they pay for, but bromy man, theres a time and place for complaining about lie flat vs standard recliner, a third said. You aint getting any sympathy here.

In a statement shared with The Independent, a Delta spokesperson said: We apologize to Mr. Roach for his experience. A lastminute aircraft change to ensure an on-time departure meant the flight operated without Delta One seating, and our Customer Care team has reached out and is working directly with him to address the situation.

The Independent has contacted Roachs representative for comment.

Roach has worked as Zendayas sole stylist since 2011, when she was just 14 and still starring on Disney Channel.

Last month, he claimed that Zendaya and Tom Holland had secretly tied the knot.

Speaking to Access Hollywood on the Actor Awards red carpet, Roach was discussing the couple when he said, The wedding has already happened, before adding, You missed it.

The reporter then asked, Is that true? prompting Roach to reply, Its very true!

Neither Zendaya nor Holland has confirmed or denied the marriage rumors.

I just feel like for me there is a level of parasocial investment in my personal relationship, which I understand, the Euphoria star said earlier this month during an appearance on The New York Timess Modern Love podcast. Im aware that Im a public person and so is he, and Im also aware that weve grown up in front of people and weve done movies where we fall in love with each other, so I really do understand that, and I dont want to dismiss that like, Stay out of my business or whatever.

I hear it, Zendaya said of the gossip, but I also [have] my own little boundaries of what I like to bring up and talk about, but then also what I'm also willing to share, you know? I just try to find the balance in the middle there.
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A teenage boy has pleaded not guilty to killing his stepsister Anna Kepner on a cruise ship five months ago.

The 16-year-old from Titusville, Florida, was arrested in February, and last week, the Department of Justice announced that he was charged as an adult with first-degree murder and aggravated sexual abuse.

He was traveling aboard Carnival Cruise Lines Horizon ship with 18-year-old Kepner and other family members in early November as the ship was heading back to Miami. The DOJ said the teen allegedly sexually assaulted and intentionally killed his stepsister on the trip.

Kepners body was found wrapped in a blanket and covered with life vests under a bed, a security source previously told ABC News. Her cause of death was later determined to be mechanical asphyxiation, which is when an object or physical force cuts off someones breathing.

open image in gallery A teenage boy has pleaded not guilty in connection with the death of his stepsister Anna Kepner on a cruise ship five months ago ( Temple Christian School )

The teenage boys not guilty plea was made in a court filing Tuesday, according to reports.

Kepners stepbrother faces the maximum penalty of life in prison if convicted of the charges.

Kepner was remembered as bubbly, funny, outgoing, and completely herself in an obituary. She had dreams of being a cheerleader for the University of Georgia, a servicemember in the Navy and a K9 police officer.

Kepners father, Chris Kepner, and her stepmother, Shauntel Kepner, said in a statement last week, Our family is devastated by the loss of Anna and continues to grieve this unimaginable tragedy.

open image in gallery The teenage boy allegedly sexually assaulted and intentionally killed his stepsister on a cruise vacation last November, according to federal prosecutors ( AP )

"This situation is deeply painful and complex for our entire family," the Kepners said in the statement shared by ABC News. "Anna was deeply loved, and we remain committed to honoring her life and memory every day."

Kepners stepbrother was set to be arraigned at a Miami courthouse on Wednesday. The Tuesday filing reportedly waived his appearance, but the hearing is still expected to go on without him.

The teens defense attorney and federal prosecutors both confirmed to NBC News that the arraignment will still take place.

Kepners stepbrother is currently in the custody of his uncle, according to reports.
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A British-born man, suspected of killing three people in the US state of Georgia, has died in jail.

Olaolukitan Adon Abel, 26, a US Navy veteran, was found unresponsive in his cell on Tuesday evening, according to the DeKalb County Sheriffs Office.

Despite efforts by officials, he was later pronounced dead.

A cause of death was not given, and there were not thought to be any suspicious circumstances.

He had been charged with the murders of Lauren Bullis, an employee of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and Prianna Weathers, following a spate of shootings near Atlanta that officials described as an act of pure evil.

Police had been seeking an additional murder charge after Tony Matthews, who was injured in a shooting outside a shopping centre, died on Sunday.

open image in gallery Department of Homeland Security worker Lauren Bullis was one of the shooting victims ( Sunisa Kim Kipe via AP )

US Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin confirmed that Adon Abel received US citizenship in 2022.

He said following the killings: A DHS employee, Lauren Bullis, was brutally shot and stabbed to death by Olaolukitan Adon Abel, a 26-year-old, born in the United Kingdom, who was naturalised by the Biden administration in 2022.

He has also been arrested for the murder of an unidentified woman whom he reportedly shot outside a Checkers (a drive-through restaurant), before randomly shooting a homeless man multiple times outside a Kroger (a supermarket) in Brookhaven.

These acts of pure evil have devastated our department and my prayers are with the families of the victims.

The Brookhaven Police Department said the veteran had been taken into custody in Troup County, south west of Atlanta, following co-ordination with local detectives.
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Two University of South Florida doctoral students from Bangladesh vanished within an hour of each other last week  and school officials say they are very concerned as police confirmed they are not being held by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Zamil Limon and Nahida S. Bristy, both 27, were last seen April 16 in Tampa, according to the University of South Florida Police Department.

Limon was last seen around 9 a.m. at his student apartment on Avalon Heights Boulevard, near the college, while Bristy was last seen around 10 a.m. at the Natural and Environmental Sciences Building on campus.

A family friend reported both missing at 5 p.m. the following day after being unable to reach either student, triggering separate missing persons reports and a wider search involving the police department and Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office. Both students have since been entered into state and national missing persons databases.

Everybody internally is obviously very concerned, as we are concerned, USF Public Safety Public Information Officer Larry McKinnon told FOX13. It's not typical of their behavior, they're graduate students. We dont have information that there is foul play or suspicious nature at this point.

open image in gallery USF student Zamil Limon, 27, was last seen around 9 a.m. at his home on Avalon Heights Boulevard in Tampa, on April 16. His friend, Nahida S. Bristy, is also missing. She was last seen on campus around 10 a.m. the same day ( University of South Florida Police Department )

Investigators say the pair are friends and are believed to be together. They also noted that both of their phones are turned off. Details about surveillance footage, social media use, and bank statements or credit card use were not released.

Their disappearance is concerning to police because according to their families, both are dedicated students working on their doctorates, and missing several days of classes is highly unusual for them. Limon is pursuing a Ph.D. in geography, environmental science and policy, while Bristy is studying chemical engineering.

Investigators have confirmed that the pair are not in immigration custody, a concern raised by family members. But after exhausting all leads, law enforcement are turning to the public for help.

When we get to this point where we arent having success in locating them, then our next best source is the public, McKinnon said. Thats where we are at.

In Bangladesh, Limons family is grappling with the uncertainty. He is a very responsible and punctual person, and thats why the situation is so unpredictable and unusual to us like, and very suspicious, his younger brother, Zubaer Ahmed, told FOX13.

open image in gallery Bristy is also missing after being last seen on campus. Both of their phones are off, and police say their disappearance is out of character ( University of South Florida Police Department )

Ahmed said he last spoke with Limon on the Monday before he disappeared. Limon told his brother that he was focused on his thesis research, which involves using generative AI to study Floridas shrinking wetlands.

Were in deep pain and [a] devastating situation, Ahmed said. He explained that Limon, who had been studying in the U.S. for two years, and Bristy had discussed a possible future together.

Another important point that is they talked about having a future together, but they are not that serious about it, Ahmed said. Both of them are thinking about, whether we can marry together, and they are discussing that.

Investigators say the circumstances surrounding the pairs disappearance remain unknown, and urged anyone with information to come forward and contact USFPD at (813) 974-2628.

Everybodys hoping for a positive outcome on this, McKinnon added. And thats why were taking it very seriously and making sure we leave no stones unturned to try to find them.
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Billionaire businessman Justin Sun has filed a lawsuit against the Trump familys cryptocurrency venture World Liberty Financial, claiming his multi-million dollar investment was secured through fraud and alleging that WLF is on the verge of collapse.

Sun claims his tokens have been indefinitely frozen and his voting rights revoked since he refused to accept the terms of a new governance proposal submitted on April 15, which required that 10 percent of all company advisers tokens be permanently burned.

In a 52-page complaint filed with the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California on Monday, Sun  an adviser himself  explains that he lawfully purchased $45 million-worth of WLF tokens, which at times have been valued at over $1 billion, in 2024, at what he said was a pivotal time for the venture.

open image in gallery Donald Trump Jr and Eric Trump, the president's sons, oversee World Liberty Financial, the family's controversial cryptocurrency venture ( Getty )

Sun credits his decisive anchor investment with helping to establish the credibility of WLF, which is run by the presidents sons Donald Trump Jr and Eric Trump, by delivering a timely public vote of confidence when it was a fledgling prospect struggling with lackluster demand.

He says he was moved to become involved because of the projects claims that it would promote adoption of decentralized finance, a personal pet cause, and because of the Trump familys association with the project, describing himself as a long-time ardent supporter of President [Donald] Trump and the Trump family.

However, Sun explains that he soon became disenchanted with his investment and alleges that WLFs operators treated the project as a golden opportunity to leverage the Trump brand to profit through fraud, alleging that they made him a prime target of their fraudulent scheme and that he and his companies had duly incurred hundreds of millions of dollars in damages.

The complaint goes on to accuse WLF of making multiple false statements, inducing Suns investments through fraud and scheming to secure more capital from him, misrepresenting the companys compliance with the law, improperly freezing his tokens, making threats and defamation.

It further alleges that WLF is currently on the verge of collapse and severe financial insolvency and has planned to pay most of the token sale proceeds  up to 95 percent  to company insiders.

Sun and his companies are seeking a jury trial and hope to force WLF to unfreeze his tokens and block it from seizing, burning, destroying, or encumbering them, as well as damages and costs.

The Independent has reached out to the Trump Organization for comment.

open image in gallery Justin Sun, founder of Tron, is suing World Liberty Financial but insists he has no grudge against the president personally ( Reuters )

In a post on X (Twitter), Sun was at pains to make clear that he continued to support Trump personally despite the litigation, but had come to feel that certain individuals on the World Liberty project team have been operating the project in a manner that goes against President Trumps values.

He listed the wrongs he believes he has suffered but excused the president himself, who is credited as WLFs chief crypto advocate, stating: I do not believe President Trump would condone these actions if he knew about them.

Born in China but a citizen of St. Kitts and Nevis with a home in Hong Kong, Suns company, Tron, was reportedly the subject of interest from the Department of Justice and the Treasurys Financial Crimes Enforcement Network during the Biden era, amid concerns about its growing in popularity among illicit actors.

The Securities and Exchange Commission had also charged him with fraudulently manipulating the market.

However, The Wall Street Journal noted that his fortunes took a turn after he began investing in WLF, causing the SEC to drop its charges in February 2025 and the other government inquiries to fall away.

Sun has always denied any wrongdoing and said that his involvement in the presidents cryptocurrency project was not politically-motivated.

Since Trumps return to power last year, WLF has been regularly hit by accusations concerning potential conflicts of interest and its alleged vulnerability to foreign influence, with Hunter Biden recently invoking it to attack the Trumps by saying, Their hypocrisy knows no bounds.
In low-income markets  such as much of Africa  customer loyalty can rest precariously on affordability, so establishing trust is essential for operators if they wish to retain their community.

As a market leading operator group in the region, Orange Group understands the importance of generating trust through delivering value  not just in terms of costs, but through community impact and facilitating growth.

At a recent press conference in Casablanca, Oranges CEO Christel Heydemann and Head of MEA Yasser Shaker underlined how Orange Group believes in forging trust to fuel this impact, discussing how Orange MEA is a key growth engine for the wider group  and how the region is at the heart of the groups Trust the Future strategy.

To engender trust among its communities, Orange focuses on enabling digital inclusion. This demonstrates the groups commitment to its user base, providing training and education that deliver long-term impact. Orange Digital Centres are a key lever through which the group invests in the development of its ecosystem.

Orange has launched 53 Digital Centres across 16 countries in its MEA footprint, with a focus on start-up incubation and entrepreneurship. The program has partnerships with 167 universities and is used by 140 start-ups - 24 of which received financing from the groups dedicated investment fund, Orange Ventures.

Free and open to all, Orange Digital Centres are akin to a CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) programme in MEA, providing tuition as well as access to the Digital Centres facilities and tools. Through these centres, Orange aims to build an ecosystem that helps young people become digital professionals via accelerated training and upskilling courses.

The Digital Centres offer training in areas such as AI readiness, cybersecurity, cloud computing and data, and aim to foster end-to-end entrepreneurship, supporting youth programs to help young people build their own startups. The centres offer access to coding schools through which students can obtain internationally recognised certifications, and can help participants facilitate internships to provide professional immersion. In 2024 alone, over 11,000 young people were certified in digital professions through the Digital Centres, facilitated through agreements with partners including AWS, Coursera and Google.

Digital Centres can be hosted in universities to train youth in digital skills via hands-on, practical training. Orange notes that the initiative has a particular focus on helping women to develop their skills, and that there is a focus on installing practical infrastructure such as solar panels and fibre optic networks.

Within the Digital Centres, different programs focus on various aspects of development; for example, the Orange Fab start-up accelerator supports new local companies. Orange has been supporting start-ups via its Digital Centres for 16 years, with an emphasis on incubating local teams as well as identifying solutions tailored to individual countries. Typically, this is achieved via national competitions, with start-ups selected on the basis of the specific relevance of their solutions to their domestic markets.

In terms of the start-ups it looks to incubate, Orange is sector-agnostic. Indeed, the startups themselves are expected to provide the sectoral expertise  Orange brings the digital edge, creating a new economic model that offers the benefits and agility of Oranges corporate expertise, offering assistance with legal and administrative aspects of business as well as on structuring operations, partner outreach, and market access. The program has helped to accelerate start-ups across a wide range of sectors, including health, education, fintech and agritech, and there is a particular focus on sustainability, as well as using digital technology to drive performance and productivity.

Orange has also partnered with start-ups focused on detecting and preventing cyberattacks  a crucial issue worldwide, but with particular relevance in Africa as cybersecurity has long been the preserve of large corporates. This incubation program aims to democratise this technology.

The Digital Centres are aimed at powering start-ups across these sectors through digital transformation strategies and government partnerships. The centres have a significant impact on skills transformation  69% of young people involved felt that their skills had increased, and 95% of the cohort were hired after receiving training, demonstrating how the Digital Centres initiative creates demonstrable employability outcomes.

Oranges Digital Centres are a core pillar of the groups Corporate Social Responsibility strategy, which is rooted in digital equality and social inclusion, and aims to prepare young people for the job markets specific to their geographies. Oranges wide regional reach ensures that universities in remote regions are not overlooked by the strategy, thereby reducing digital inequality, while Orange supports the Hello Women initiative in over 20 countries, with the goal of increasing the number of women working in digital professions.

Heydemann underlined that Orange as a company is committed to developing a diverse workforce, noting that the company has achieved 36% female leadership in the region with several female CEOs of national units. Heydemann added that the MEA region could be proud of the number of female graduates with an engineering background, as this was often lacking in Europe, and noted that Orange aims to appoint women to more than 25% of its more technical jobs.

To strengthen trust and engagement with underserved communities in Africa, Orange is focusing on developing vocal AI agents for underrepresented languages and dialects. Shaker explained that thousands of languages are spoken in the MEA region  far more than in Oranges other regions  which increases the importance of local language models for users in apps such as Max It. Using a no-code platform, indigenous speakers can create AI agents in their own languages, which helps speakers access technology in their own tongue, helping them to feel more confident using new services, while also improving the quality of the languages available dataset.

Using AI to strengthen local language models and improve inclusivity is just one way in which expanding digital access is helping Orange to cement trust with its users. Operator groups looking to grow in Africa and the Middle East should take note  practical applications of new technologies that can directly impact users lives demonstrate their own value to customers. By positioning themselves as a provider of digital inclusivity, Orange strengthens trust with its users  and MEAs young, tech-literate population is eager to avail themselves of the training, skills and employment opportunities that are available through this ecosystem.
Rep. Jack Jay William Galle Jr., R-Mandeville, left, speaks with Rep. Brian Glorioso, R-Slidell, as they stand near Rep. Beth Anne Billings, R-Destrehan, seated, in the house chamber during legislative session, Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at the Louisiana State Capitol in downtown Baton Rouge, La.
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Sponsored BusinessCompaniesBulls N' Bears True North launches high-powered surveys to grow QLD copper find Brought to you by BULLS N BEARS Andrew Todd April 22, 2026  1:22pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

True North Copper has fired up the geophysics at its Mt Oxide project in Queensland, launching an induced polarisation (IP) survey to extend its emerging Aquila copper discovery and generate a pipeline of new drill-ready targets. The exploration strategy builds on a proven formula for the company, one that in fact led to the Aquila discovery just last year. The geophysical approach led to broad, high-grade copper intercepts, including a massive 145 metres at 0.75 per cent copper and 59m at 1.77 per cent copper. Drilling crews mobilising to site at True North Coppers Mt Oxide project in Northwest Queensland. The new program will expand the companys plan of attack across a much larger 11km-plus structural corridor, targeting extensions to Aquila and a suite of regional prospects including Ivena, Rhea, Apollo and Acanthis. True North says its core focus is the Dorman fault and the broader Mt Gordon corridor, which hosts the companys substantial Vero deposit. And in a handy bit of nearology, 29Metals 20-million-tonne underground Capricorn copper deposit, grading 1.2 per cent, sits just 30km to the south.

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Our geophysics-led approach can deliver high-quality copper discoveries along the Dorman Fault and broader Mt Gordon corridor. True North Copper managing director Andrew Mooney True North says IP was chosen as the preferred geophysical technique because of its response to the highly conductive and chargeable chalcocite (copper sulphide) mineralogy that is common in the regions deposits. Importantly, management believes the local geology lacks certain types of conductive shales that can often give false-positive responses from geophysics, making the method a particularly effective tool for zeroing in on genuine targets. The work is expected to provide pivotal datasets to refine and prioritise drill targets for the upcoming 2026 drilling season, which is expected to kick off in a matter of days. True North Copper managing director Andrew Mooney said: The Aquila discovery has demonstrated the scale and potential of the Mt Oxide system, confirming that our geophysics-led approach can deliver high-quality copper discoveries along the Dorman Fault and broader Mt Gordon corridor.

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The initial discovery hole at Aquila in the middle of last year returned a remarkable 30m intercept grading 2.45 per cent copper from just 20m downhole, including a higher-grade zone of 10m at 5.31 per cent copper. Subsequent drilling confirmed a scalable mineralised system, with results including a 145m hit and a 98m chunk running 0.61 per cent copper from 57m. True North has a knack for finding copper in this part of the world, with a growing list of prospects and multiple promising deposits across Northwest Queensland in a US$6 per pound copper environment. The company also hosts a swath of copper resources at its Cloncurry development to the Southeast. The broader Cloncurry area has a storied past and is home to a plethora of old copper operations, many of which are approaching the end of their mine lives. True North has strategically partnered with global heavyweight Glencore at Cloncurry, in a collaboration to quickly toll treat its Cloncurry resources, with locked-in offtake agreements for copper concentrate, supporting True Norths near-term production and processing ambitions.

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The near-term cash has been largely earmarked to fund the exploration strategies at Mt Oxide, including the growth of the high-grade Vero deposit. Inventories at Vero currently stand at a substantial 15.03 million tonnes, grading 1.46 per cent copper and 10.58g/t silver, alongside a cobalt resource of 9.15Mt grading 0.23 per cent. Now, with the survey crews back on the ground and the drill rigs mobilising, the company is looking to replicate its discovery and resource success across a much larger stretch of ground. The hope for True North is that this expanded survey lights up a conga line of new anomalies and that the drillers now on site will be in for a very busy year in Queenslands rich copper heart. Is your ASX-listed company doing something interesting? Contact: mattbirney@bullsnbears.com.au

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Journalists realised long ago that people find bad news more interesting than good news. I think this is because we search our environment for threats to our wellbeing so we can do something about them. Fortunately for the news media, its rarely hard to find something new to worry about. But you can have too much of a bad thing. Unless we leaven the bad news with something nice, we risk having our customers wonder why theyre paying to be depressed. Illustration by Simon Letch The good souls at the Grattan Institute have been researching the state of our democracy, but the best I can do is report that the news is mixed. The first bit of news is bad: the number of democracies had been growing in the last decades of the 20th century, but since then, the numbers been declining. According to Swedens V-Dem Institute, by last year the world was down to only 31 liberal democracies out of the 179 countries assessed, with almost three-quarters of the worlds population living in autocracies.

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The figures arent helped by the United States  soon to be renamed the Kingdom of Donald. The status of what used to be the poster child for democracy has been lowered from liberal democracy to electoral democracy thanks mainly to the way Trump has been gathering power to the presidency, weakening Americas much-lauded checks and balances. The good news, however, is that our status as a liberal democracy remains unchanged. According to Grattan we are one of the worlds leading democracies, consistently ranking highly on international measures of democratic health, as well as on a suite of economic and social measures  including life expectancy, human development, employment and [national income per person]. If youre wondering why an economic commentator like me is writing about democracy, its because although we tend to keep our democracy in a separate box to our economy, the two are interrelated. Its no coincidence that most of the rich countries are democracies and most of the liberal democracies are rich. Americas status as the poster child for democracy has been lowered from liberal democracy to electoral democracy thanks mainly to the way Donald Trump has been gathering power to the presidency. AP A key issue is social trust. The more we trust each other to keep our promises and live up to the claims we make, the more smoothly and less expensively an economy grows and prosperity increases.

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For instance, have you ever noticed that people pick up their bag from an airport luggage carousel without any official there to check they havent pinched someone elses bag? The knowledge that almost all of us can be trusted speeds up the process and saves the airlines  and their customers  money. The ability to trust people to do the right thing reduces an economys transaction costs  the cost of buying or selling something  leading to more transactions. And its a fair bet that people who live in democracies rather than autocracies find it easier to trust each other and the system. Grattans report takes stock of the health of our democracy. The good news, it says, is that Australians support for democracy has been consistently strong  even growing over time. Only a small share of the population is discontent or disengaged with the system, and the data [does] not suggest either has been spreading. So whats the bad news? Its that people who arent doing well in the economy are less likely to be happy with the way our democracy is treating them.

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Surveys conducted by economists at the Australian National University show that Australians are increasingly pessimistic about the future, with declining trust in government and institutions. Although official economic indicators were good, a survey conducted early last year showed that peoples satisfaction with their life had fallen to levels last seen during the pandemic. More than a third of Australians reported experiencing financial stress. People who arent doing well in the economy are less likely to be happy with the way our democracy is treating them. Economic perceptions are strongly associated with political attitudes, the academics conclude. We find that national economic assessments in particular are stronger predictors of confidence in government, satisfaction with democracy, and populist sentiment. Those who perceive the national economy worsening are significantly less satisfied with democracy, more distrustful of government institutions, and more receptive to populist narratives, they find.

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Australians who believe life was better 50 years ago and will worsen over the next 50 years showed lower trust in government and stronger populist attitudes. But although younger Australians expressed greater optimism, they remained less politically engaged. Related Article Opinion

Political leadership Cost of living? We should be more concerned about something else Ross Gittins Economics Editor Of all the surveys participants, only a third expressed confidence in the federal government, down from more than half in 2023. Half the respondents believed life would be worse in 50 years, while only 16 per cent believed it would improve. Dissatisfaction with housing, rising prices and Australias environmental policy are all central to explaining the publics pessimism about the future. Elsewhere, the academics discovered a very strong relationship between peoples views on income inequality in Australia and their views on democracy. Only half of those who thought the distribution of income was very unfair were satisfied with democracy.

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The authors of the Grattan study say we face three big risks to confidence in our democracy. First, the rise of online social media is fragmenting our fact base, and making misinformation and extreme views more salient in peoples daily lives. Second, global political tensions and the rise of anti-democratic forces overseas are testing Australias social cohesion at home. And third, the heightened probability of economic, social and environmental shocks increases the challenge democratic governments face in delivering better outcomes to their people. Good point. The fact is that the nations smarties are expecting tough times ahead. The climate is expected to continue changing, which will bring, among other things, more extreme weather events. There could be hiccups in our transition from fossil fuels to renewables. And the latest shock to our economy, from the ill-judged Iran war, is unlikely to be the last to come our way. Lets hope our democracy can survive the challenge.

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Ross Gittins is economics editor. Ross Gittins unpacks the economy in an exclusive subscriber-only newsletter. Sign up to receive it every Tuesday evening.
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You can dine at the bar.

7 / 9 You can dine at the bar.

Pepitos is a Peruvian restaurant and bar owned by cinematographer Jose Alkon. He works with head chef Sushant Khatri to bring his traditional Peruvian family recipes to a modern audience, using local produce to create a menu of snacky small plates.

The leche de tigre is the signature dish (fish ceviche, prawns and fried calamari layered with a punchy lime and chilli sauce), but you should also try perennial favourite papa a la Huancaina (potatoes with salsa criolla and a gently spicy, creamy sauce) as a side to grilled ox heart, beef tenderloin and chicken skewers.

The bar specialises in pisco, a high-proof grape brandy named Perus national spirit, and if youre partial to a margarita youll appreciate the creamy zest of a pisco sour. Theres seating inside among the vintage movie posters, or a fairy-lit courtyard out the back.

Keep an eye on their social media  the best time to book is when theres a live music event, like Peruvian punk rock.

Good Food reviews are booked anonymously and paid independently. A restaurant cant pay for a review or inclusion in the Good Food Guide.
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Exclusive NationalNSWCrime Police raid home of billionaires ex-private secretary in luxury goods fraud investigation Kate McClymont Updated April 23, 2026  7:01am ,first published 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

At 8.05 Wednesday morning, many of the residents in Goddard Street, Erskineville, peered out of their windows or came out onto the street following loud shouts of Police, search warrant! followed by the sound of shattering glass. Police were raiding the house of Annalouise Spence, 50, who is alleged to have defrauded her former boss, philanthropist Judith Neilson of more than $1 million. Police remove potential evidence from the Erskineville home of Annalouise Spence during a search warrant on Wednesday. Steven Siewert The whole street was woken up, said Joe Spackman, who lives across the road. Spackman said he grabbed his phone and swung out of bed to record the police battering in the glass door. Shards of glass could be seen on the doormat which was monogrammed with The Spences. A search warrant was also executed at a storage facility in Campbelltown. Spence was arrested at her home and taken to Mascot Police Station where she was later charged.

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She was charged with 68 counts of dishonestly obtain property by deception, said police in a media statement. Spence was refused bail and will appear in court on Thursday. On April 26 last year, Neilson had raised her glass to celebrate her private secretarys 50th birthday at a lavish party in the McRae Bar at the five-star Capella Hotel in Sydneys CBD. Birthday girl Annalouise Lou Spence was resplendent in a shimmering sequinned polyester gown on which shed splurged $1200. Shed also spent $10,000 on Jimmy Choo stilettos and a matching gold evening bag. And that was just for her first outfit for the night. As Neilson rested her cocktail glass on a linen napkin embroidered with her secretarys name and initials, she told this masthead she had no idea that police will now allege she was footing the $40,000 party costs, which included $1000 for the monogrammed napkins, the luxury outfits and accessories, as well as $6000 for her secretarys two-night stay at the Capella with her husband, Adam Spence. Judith Neilson and her former private secretary Annalouise Lou Spence.

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For eight years, the 79-year-old Neilson, who does not use email or indeed a computer, had entrusted Spence with access to her intimate personal and financial details. In March 2023, Spence is alleged to have impersonated Neilson to obtain a supplementary card attached to her bosss Centurion American Express card, better known as a Black Amex. The card was allegedly used to spend an over $1 million on first-class travel, extravagant hotel stays, designer clothes, accessories, jewellery and artwork. Neilson told this masthead she did not authorise Spences supplementary card, and she had no idea that Spence had allegedly removed her finance teams oversight of her Amex account. Throughout Wednesday police could be seen coming out Spences house with artwork, designer shoes, luxury handbags and monogrammed Louis Vuitton trunks. Spence was taken from her Erskineville home to Mascot police station. Loading

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I was sickened and so damned hurt, said Neilson on discovering Spences alleged frauds. Neilson described feeling a profound sense of betrayal because for years she had entrusted Spence to organise travel logistics and oversee household operations and philanthropic activities. Spence and her husband had also lived rent-free in premises owned by Neilson, next door to Neilsons own Chippendale home, which has won numerous architectural awards. As a child, Annalouise Brown emigrated from Ireland with her parents and two sisters. Spences CV indicates that after leaving Jamison High School in Penrith in 1992, she later worked as an executive assistant and then business analyst at the Starlight Foundation. Police seized luxury items from the Erskineville home of Annalouise Spence. Steven Siewert

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In 2014, she married rally car driver Adam Spence. Before joining the Judith Neilson Family Office in 2017, Spences LinkedIn profile said she spent two years as Executive Assistant to Her Majestys Ambassador at British Embassy, Qatar. Born in Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe, Neilson is one of the most influential figures in the Australian arts and philanthropic worlds. She was one of four sisters. Her mother was a teacher and her father a mechanic who later specialised in car radiators. Annalouise Spence (left) with her employer Judith Neilson in Cuba in 2018.

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Everything was humble and wonderful, she recently told this masthead. It was family. You enjoyed what you had. At 17, she moved to South Africa to study graphic art and textile design. In 1983, she and her husband, Kerr Neilson, who would become one of the giants of Australias funds management industry, moved to Sydney. Following the successful 2007 float of Platinum Asset Management, the company co-founded by her husband, the couples combined fortune catapulted them into the top 10 wealthiest Australians. Even after their 2015 divorce, each still features in the annual rich list, with separate fortunes exceeding $1 billion. Neilson has used her fortune to fund philanthropic endeavours, including the White Rabbit Gallery, which houses one of the most significant collections of Chinese contemporary art. Admission is free. Neilson also built and continues to fund Phoenix Central Park, a stunning performing arts venue.

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Adam Spence and his wife Annalouise at the luxury Capella Sydney. While her buildings have won multiple architectural awards and her private art collection is astonishing, Neilson herself is not showy. She eschews the glitzy social world to which her wealth would automatically guarantee an entry. She famously does not often wear jewellery. On her wrist is an ivory-coloured Swatch watch. Police will allege the following matters will amount to fraud. One of the privileges of the Centurion card is its concierge service. Before her card had even arrived, Spence was asking for two concert tickets to see The Cure in Seattle, US, in June 2023. The very best you can get  there is no budget, she said in an email to the companys Centurion Lifestyle Team. She then allegedly used the card to buy a Qantas first-class return ticket to Seattle, via Los Angeles. The Seattle trip cost $45,000.

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The Black Amex card Annalouise Spence allegedly secretly obtained without her employers knowledge. While in the US, she used Neilsons money to buy a $16,000 piece of art for a male friend she had met through Neilson. During her Seattle visit, the friend refused to accept her gift of the artwork and insisted on paying its cost. The money allegedly went into Spences own account. She later treated herself and her male friend to a five-night stay in the Rosewood suite at The Carlyle in New York, which cost more than $6500 per night. Police will allege Neilsons Centurion card was billed $38,757.85 for her secretarys October 2023 sojourn. I was paying for Bennett to get his hair done weekly, complained Neilson of Spences dogs weekly visit to the pet parlour for grooming. When Spence went away, her dog was chauffeured to a pet resort in Terrigal.

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Due to a restructuring of Neilsons office, Spences eight-year stint with the philanthropist came to an end on September 12 last year. Only four days into her new role as Neilsons executive assistant, Katy Lloyd Jones was reconciling Neilsons accounts when she noticed a most unusual charge on Neilsons Amex bill. The Rosewood suite at the Carlyle hotel in New York cost more than $38,000 for a five-night stay. The itemised Amex bill showed that on July 19, 2025, $58,593 had been spent on a rare pink-gold Rolex wristwatch from the Vintage Watch Company in London. Alarm bells were ringing because in the brief time shed spent with her new boss, she knew Neilson doesnt wear any jewellery and she definitely doesnt wear expensive watches, Lloyd Jones told this masthead.

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As she scanned the Amex account, Lloyd Jones saw that two days after the antique watch purchase, $21,000 had been spent at the luxury Knightsbridge department store Harrods. Neilson was not in London at the time. After passing on her concerns to the accounts department, it didnt take long to identify the recently departed Spence as the suspect. The trio who uncovered the alleged frauds of Annalouise Spence: Katy Lloyd Jones (left), Marnie Edwards and Judith Neilson (right). Max Mason-Hubers The finance department began a detailed audit of Neilsons personal finances. As more discrepancies came to light, in November last year, Neilsons team hired risk and crisis manager Marnie Edwards, who also happens to be a former detective inspector with the NSW Police.

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Police respond to incident at Perth Airport

Perth Airport has reopened after parts of the main terminal were cordoned off due to the discovery of an unattended bag.
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PoliticsVictoriaVictorian Parliament Premier among 18 MPs using taxpayer funds to pay for upkeep of their city homes Daniella White April 23, 2026  5:50am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

Premier Jacinta Allan has claimed hundreds of thousands of dollars in taxpayer-funded allowances for a second home she owns in Melbourne, with the total sum now likely eclipsing the original purchase price of her property. Allan is one of 18 regional Victorian MPs  including five Labor MPs, three Liberals, eight Nationals and two crossbenchers  who collect a generous parliamentary allowance to fund the upkeep of their city residences instead of billing taxpayers to stay in hotels when parliament is sitting. Jacinta Allan claims a $56,000 annual allowance to maintain a second residence in the CBD. Elke Meitzel The Age can reveal Allan, the member for Bendigo East, bought the CBD apartment for $319,000 in 2005. Parliamentary records show that in the six years until the end of last year, she claimed allowances totalling $291,146.90. MPs have been required to disclose their allowance claims only since 2019, after the state government under Daniel Andrews overhauled the rules after an expenses scandal involving claims by two Labor MPs. Allan did not respond on Wednesday when asked how much she had claimed overall, but as the premier, she is currently entitled to the maximum amount of $56,000 a year.

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Treasurer Jaclyn Symes has claimed $132,000 this parliamentary sitting term towards an apartment she owns in Collingwood. Retiring MP and former health minister Mary-Anne Thomas has claimed a similar amount for her secondary residences in Carlton North and Northcote. Nationals leader Danny OBrien  the Gippsland South MP who owns an apartment in Melbournes CBD  has claimed $103,000 since this parliamentary term began at the end of 2022. Victorian Treasurer Jaclyn Symes. Justin McManus Upper house MP Wendy Lovell, who represents the Northern Victoria region, has claimed the most among Liberal MPs during this parliamentary term at about $132,000. Under parliamentary rules, MPs who live more than 80 kilometres from Parliament House are entitled to the allowance to cover the costs of staying in Melbourne for official business, which goes towards the cost of maintaining a house they own or rent. Regional MPs who do not own or rent a property can instead claim a nightly allowance for a hotel.

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However, the data shows that for long-serving members like Allan, the cumulative cost to taxpayers of an allowance towards a property they own can outstrip the initial investment. The payments to MPs come on top of their base salary  which is $512,000 for the premier  and are paid regardless of the actual costs members incur to maintain their second residences. Property records show Allan purchased an apartment in the CBD in 2005 for $319,000. It remains her only listed property outside the family home on the outskirts of Bendigo. The latest round of disclosures covered allowances claimed until the end of last year, meaning if Allan claims her entitlements for the remaining three financial quarters before the November election, her disclosed allowances would exceed the purchase price of the property. Property documents show there is an active mortgage on the unit.

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Property records also show Allans husband in 2024 bought a neighbouring unit in the same CBD complex, for which she has disclosed that the couple receive rental income. There is no suggestion Allan or her husband receive public funds for this property. This unit does not have an active mortgage, the records show. Animal Justice Party MP Georgie Purcell, who represents the Northern Victoria upper house region, has previously claimed a sitting allowance towards a CBD apartment she owned. However, she sold it last year and now claims the allowance for a rental property she shares with St Kilda-based federal Labor MP Josh Burns. Victorian Animal Justice Party MP Georgie Purcell. Supplied Purcell said the couple  who welcomed a baby earlier this year  split their time almost equally between Kyneton in her electorate and St Kilda, and that the arrangement was necessary due to their unique family situation and work requirements. Purcell said she did not see an issue with the policy, saying it made being a parliamentarian accessible for people from a diverse range of backgrounds.

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It is better than staying in hotels and what comes with that, she said. Liberal upper house MP Wendy Lovell. I would be spending an allowance anyway because I am a regional MP and travel from home to parliament is not possible, especially with the long hours in the Legislative Council. Having that consistent place where you can go to is really important as a member of parliament. A Victorian government spokesperson said the tribunal specified eligibility criteria for claiming this allowance.

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All regional MPs receive this allowance and must act appropriately and within the guidelines, she said. All the premiers disclosures are made in accordance with parliamentary guidelines. A Victorian opposition spokesperson said all allowance claims were made consistent with parliamentary guidelines. Do you know more? Contact da.white@nine.com.au Disclosures of the allowance are only available from 2019. The overhaul was sparked by The Ages revelations in 2017 that parliamentary speaker Telmo Languiller and his deputy Don Nardella were claiming the second residence allowance designed for country MPs, by moving their registered homes away from the western suburbs electorates they represented to Ocean Grove and Queenscliff. This investigation led to the creation of the Victorian Independent Remuneration Tribunal, as well as laws that mandate the proactive and detailed publication of all such claims. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
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Exclusive PoliticsVictoriaVictorian election New teal threat for John Pesutto as deputy mayor enters Hawthorn race Annika Smethurst April 23, 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

A resurgent teal movement will again target one of Melbournes most marginal electorates at this years state election, with a one-time financial backer of former Liberal leader John Pesutto to challenge him in the seat of Hawthorn. Boroondara Deputy Mayor Shima Ibuki, who previously donated to Pesuttos defamation legal fund, has been endorsed by the independent community group, Voices for Hawthorn, and will focus on issues including climate action, housing affordability and community safety. Deputy Mayor Shima Ibuki is to run in the electorate of Hawthorn at the 2026 Victorian election. Penny Stephens Her candidacy comes at a particularly volatile time for Victorias major parties, following the High Courts decision to strike down political donation laws, and as voters turn towards minor parties and independents. I think that the political system is not working at the moment, Ibuki said. I think what the people of Hawthorn are saying is they want a candidate who can just stand up for their local issues.

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Victorian election Victorian election exposed after High Court strikes out campaign finance laws According to the latest Resolve Political Monitor, conducted for The Age, a record 44 per cent of Victorian voters say they would back a candidate outside Labor and the Coalition. This includes One Nation, the Greens and independent alternatives. The High Court ruling last week scrapped the caps on campaign contributions, and removed disclosure requirements just seven months out from polling day. Elected to council in 2024, Ibuki is expected to attract funding from the Climate 200 funding vehicle once her campaign formally launches on Thursday. For teal-aligned candidates, the ruling removes a structural hurdle that limited their impact at the 2022 state election. Climate 200-backed independents ran in five electorates but despite strong primary support, they failed to secure a single seat.

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Under the previous regime, individual political donations were capped at $4970 over the four-year electoral cycle. But the caps didnt apply for funds channelled through nominated entities  long-established financial vehicles linked to Labor, the Liberals and the Nationals  which could transfer money into campaign accounts without restrictions. Independent candidates from the 2022 state election, Paul Hopper and Melissa Lowe, after winning their High Court case against the Victorian governments campaign finance law. Simon Schluter We do need a system which is fair and transparent for all candidates, Ibuki said, noting the change would level the playing field for everybody. We will start fundraising now, but we are watching this space and of course we will comply, and we are taking pledges and donations. After losing the seat to Labor in 2018, Pesutto reclaimed Hawthorn in 2022 with a margin of 1.7 per cent. The so-called teal candidate Melissa Lowe  one of the successful plaintiffs in the High Court battle  finished third with 20 per cent of the vote. Lowe has said she plans to run in the November election, but has not specified in which seat.

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Following the election, Pesutto became leader of the Liberal Party  a position he lost within two years following a high-stakes defamation case brought against him by his colleague, upper house MP Moira Deeming. Shima Ibuki plans to run as a teal independent in the 2026 state election. Penny Stephens When asked about her donation to Pesuttos legal fund, Ibuki said she had supported him during the legal dispute because she felt he was being victimised and believed there was a goal, by some, to bankrupt him. But she said the fallout from the case had diminished his effectiveness within the parliament. The way that he has been hounded and the way that he has been marginalised  means he doesnt have an effective role in the Liberal Party, Ibuki said.

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I am not running against the person, I am running against the party that he is a part of. In January, Pesutto told The Age that despite winning back the seat in 2022, holding onto Hawthorn would require a major effort. We know nothing can be taken for granted. The techniques the teal movement adopted in 2022 [federally] ... you can replicate, he said. With the right campaign, you can be competitive in any seat, and thats whats changed in politics. Related Article Exclusive

Victorian election One Nation entrenched as third force as Victorians adopt drain the swamp mentality

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The latest RPM voter survey sets a challenge for Labor to retain power on November 28, with primary support for the Allan government ticking down to 27, while support for the Coalition is at 29 points. With both parties struggling to garner a strong primary vote, Ibuki said she was willing to work with either side of politics in the event of a hung parliament. A long-time Surrey Hills resident, Ibuki lives with her husband and three adult children and has worked across the corporate and not-for-profit sectors, primarily in financial services. On crime, Ibuki said she was aware of people in her suburb who have had their homes broken into, but said she would not be a sensationalist when it came to safety. We really need intervention programs, safer spaces and better co-ordination between agencies, and we do need to support our police force better.

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On housing, she said policies needed to address the lack of affordable housing as well as the soaring cost of construction in Victoria. I am pro-housing. I want everyone to be able to afford a home. I want key workers to be able to live where they work. 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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PropertyNewsVictoria residential property Quite painful: Melbourne unit rents at record, pricier than houses Caroline Zielinski April 23, 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

Tenants are being asked to fork out an extra $25 a week as Melbourne unit prices reach record highs, even outpacing the asking rent for a typical house. The asking rent for Melbournes median unit hit $600 a week in the March quarter, Domains latest Rental Report, released on Thursday, shows, up from $575 three months earlier. It is the first time on record that asking rents for units have been higher than for houses, which rose to $590 a week  $10 more than in the December quarter. Domain chief of research and economics Dr Nicola Powell said a strong rebound in overseas migration and the return of university students had created more demand for units, driving up rents.

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Its quite painful for tenants right now. Demand for units has returned much faster than supply can keep up, she said. Melbournes relative rental affordability to other major capital cities could be providing the capital with an affordability edge, Powell said. Melbourne has the lowest median house rent among Australias capital cities. When you compare Melbourne to Sydney or Brisbane, Melbourne stacks up much better financially while still offering high-quality, prestigious universities, she said. Its a massive drawcard for international residents who specifically want to be in a major city like Sydney or Melbourne. Angie Zigomanis, head of data at Quantify Strategic Insights, said rental increases usually happened during the March quarter, following a December slowdown.

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[In December], you have international students that go back home, or even domestic students who finish their course and maybe go back to the country, he said. But then it picks up again in the March quarter because you get a whole new round of students. Zigomanis said an increase in migration since the September quarter 2025 had pushed up asking rents across both units and houses. At the moment, the demand side is pretty strong because we have solid population growth in Victoria, he said. Weve got strong overseas migration, and weve also had interstate migration come back into positive numbers, which had been negative in the immediate post-COVID period. When people first come here, the first thing theyre going to do is look for something to rent rather than buy. And obviously, we havent ratcheted up what were building at the moment, so were going to be struggling on the supply side.

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For houses, Zigomanis said, the strong growth in rental bonds in Melbournes typically more affordable outer suburbs could explain why the median house rent was lower than the median unit rent. Glenn Greenfield, a lifelong renter and founder of Renter Rated  a renter review platform highlighting negative and positive experiences  is looking for another home after a two-year VCAT battle with his landlord to remove a pest infestation. Glenn Greenfield is looking for a new rental. Justin McManus The 47-year-old, who lives with his daughter in Pascoe Vale, said the stress of the past two years had made him want to move to a new place, and save some money.

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But the market is dire: the quality of new builds is worse than the houses built 20 years ago, he said, and the photos used to advertise rentals are out-of-date sale photos. A recent tour of a modern three-storey townhouse required him to use his phone torch. When we got led by the estate agent, the downstairs was very dark, and I asked if we could switch the lights on, and she said theres no power, Greenfield said. So we had to use our phone torches to conduct an inspection, and in the bathroom there were razor blades  like a shaving razor  on the floor. They just dont care. Greenfield is looking further north to more affordable suburbs such as Craigieburn or Wollert, but said he needed to balance distance with cost-of-living and fuel prices. Theres no way to win unless youre a double income or have a lot of housemates, he said. How does a relatively young person save to get into the buying market? Its impossible.

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Damien Patterson, director of policy, advocacy and engagement at Tenants Victoria, said higher rents for units than houses were a real sign of dysfunction in the housing market. Related Article Analysis

Housing affordability Is getting rid of Boomers the only way to get a house? A novelist plays with the idea Renters often look for units because theyre looking for cheaper housing options in the rental market, he said. But if units are now more expensive than houses, then there are few affordable options available for people who are looking for them. Patterson speaks daily to people struggling to buy food and pay for healthcare, and cutting social connections to make rent. Even ... when prices of many things are going up, the biggest part of most renters household budget is the cost of rent, he said. One of the most important things that we can do is take some measures to address the housing crisis.

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BJP to resolve decades-old Gorkha issue within 6 months of forming Govt in WB: Shah





KURSEONG

SEEKING to strike an emotional chord with the politically crucial hill electorate, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday promised that the BJP would resolve the decades-old Gorkha issue within six months if the BJP comes to power in West Bengal. He said no party other than the BJP could find a solution acceptable to the Gorkhas. Addressing a rally at Kurseong in Darjeeling district, Shah said the BJP understands the concerns and aspirations of the Gorkhas and would work towards a settlement on their terms. Within six months of the BJP forming the Government in West Bengal, every Gorkha will have a smile on his face. We will find such a solution to the Gorkha issue that Gorkhas can live in peace, he said.

The Gorkha issue refers to the century-old demand for a separate State in the Gorkha-majority hill districts of north Bengal, although Shah did not utter the words Gorkhaland or Statehood in his speech. Instead, echoing the BJPs long-standing promise of a permanent political solution to the hill question, Shah said the issue would be resolved in accordance with the aspirations of the Gorkhas. I am leaving today after promising you that as soon as the BJP Government is formed, the decades-old Gorkha issue will be resolved according to the Gorkhas terms, he said. The BJP, which has won the Darjeeling Lok Sabha seat in every election since 2009, has consistently promised a permanent political solution to the hill issue without committing itself to a separate State. The Home Minister accused the Mamata Banerjee Government of refusing to engage with efforts to resolve the issue and said that after becoming home minister, he had convened three meetings on the matter.

After becoming Home Minister, I convened three major meetings to resolve the Gorkha issue, but not even once did a representative from Mamatas side attend, Shah said. Mamata Didi, we are not dependent on you for a solution to the Gorkha issue. We have appointed an interlocutor who is preparing a report by engaging with Gorkha organisations here and officials of the West Bengal Government, he added. Claiming that the BJP alone understands the concerns of the hill residents, Shah said, We understand you and your problems. No one except the BJP can resolve the Gorkha issue. The Home Minister alleged that the Congress and the TMC had betrayed the people of the hills for decades. The Congress and the TMC have done injustice not only to Darjeeling but also to our patriotic Gorkha brothers, he said. Seeking to broaden the BJPs pitch beyond the Gorkha issue, Shah sought to portray the election as a battle to free north Bengal and the hills from what he called years of neglect and injustice under the TMC rule.

This election is to free the entire West Bengal from TMCs crimes. In a way, it is an election to gain freedom from the injustice happening for decades in north Bengal and Darjeeling, he said. Referring to the Sandeshkhali controversy, Shah said, The whole of West Bengal has decided that it is time for Didi to step down. This election is about protecting our sisters across the State. The Sandeshkhali incident has brought shame to the State. The BJP leader told the gathering that while Darjeeling had repeatedly backed the BJP, the party needed support from the rest of West Bengal this time. For three elections, Darjeeling has been voting for the BJP anyway, but the rest of West Bengal did not provide as much support. But this time, the whole of West Bengal has made up its mind that its time to oust Didi, he said. Shah also raised the issue of Gorkhas names being allegedly deleted from the electoral rolls during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.

The names of some Gorkhas were deleted during SIR. Once the BJP Government is formed in West Bengal, all such names will be included in the electoral rolls again, he said. He further alleged that hundreds of false cases had been slapped on Gorkha activists and promised that these would be withdrawn if the BJP formed the Government. They have filed hundreds of false cases against our Gorkha brothers and sisters. The results will come out on May 4, and a BJP Government will be formed on May 5. Before July 31, the BJP Government in West Bengal will withdraw all cases against Gorkha brothers and sisters, Shah said. The Home Minister also attacked the Mamata Banerjee Government over budgetary allocations for the tribals. For tribal development, for Adivasis, for the hills, and for north Bengal, the Mamata Governments total budget is Rs 2,000 crore. But for Muslims and madrasas, the Mamata Governments budget is Rs 5,800 crore. This injustice will not last much longer, he said.

The demand for Gorkhaland and greater political autonomy for the Darjeeling hills has remained one of the most enduring and emotive political issues in north Bengal, often shaping electoral outcomes in the region. Successive agitations -- from the Subhash Ghising-led GNLF movement in the 1980s to the later stir spearheaded by Bimal Gurung and the GJM, have repeatedly convulsed the hills. Yet, despite the BJPs rise in Darjeeling and its continued dominance in the Lok Sabha seat since 2009, the party has so far stopped short of endorsing a separate State as it would have an adverse impact on south Bengal, preferring instead to speak of a permanent political solution.
India-linked tariff refunds in US may touch $12 bn





NEW DELHI :

INDIA-LINKED tariff refunds on exports to the United States are expected to be in the region of $10 to $12 billion after the US authorities opened a $166 billion claims window for customs duties imposed by the Donald Trump administration that were later struck down by the courts, according to a report by Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI). The refund process opened on April 20, and claims can be filed only by US-based importers, which means Indian exporters have no direct legal route to seek repayments. Indian companies are now dependent on talks with American buyers if they want to secure any share of the refunds. Exporters may need to seek rebate-sharing deals, price changes, or improved terms in future contracts.

The report said the headline figure points to a large opportunity, but warned that any actual gain for Indian exporters will depend on their negotiating strength and their ability to reopen commercial terms with US partners. Textiles and apparel, engineering goods, and chemicals are likely to account for most of the India-linked refunds, as these sectors were among the worst hit when the tariffs were abruptly jacked up. The refund platform is being managed by US Customs and Border Protection through its Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries system, known as CAPE. The first phase covers businesses with unliquidated entries, or import filings still under customs review, and entries that were finalised within the past 80 days.

Businesses with older finalised entries must wait for later phases before filing claims. US customs officials told a federal judge that businesses already eligible under the first phase are owed about $127 billion in refunds. There appears to be a long process ahead as importers must submit claims through the CAPE portal with records linked to eligible entries, including customs filings, tariff payment history, and entry classifications. The agency said it is handling about 53 million entries filed by 330,000 importers. Even after approval, refunds may take 60 to 90 days to be paid. Although the US administration has since relied on Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 for newer tariffs, the court ruling means earlier collections cannot be validated after the fact. For many importers, the portal launch marks the start of a longer reimbursement process.
This photo taken on April 21, 2026 shows a slogan welcoming the return of Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs' remains from the Republic of Korea (ROK) in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province. The remains of 12 CPV martyrs killed in the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953) will be returned to China from the ROK on Wednesday, according to China's Ministry of Veterans Affairs. The heroes' return was welcomed with the highest courtesy in Shenyang. (Xinhua/Li Gang)

BEIJING, April 21 (Xinhua) -- The remains of 12 Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs killed in the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953) will be returned to China from the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Wednesday, according to China's Ministry of Veterans Affairs.

A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft will carry the fallen heroes to Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province, home to the CPV martyrs' cemetery.

The mission marks the first time the Y-20B has been deployed for the repatriation duties. Upon re-entering Chinese airspace, the aircraft will be escorted by four J-20 fighter jets.

This will be the 13th such repatriation of CPV remains following the handover agreement between the two countries. Since 2014, the remains of 1,011 soldiers have been returned to China from the ROK, the ministry said.

China has intensified efforts to identify the remains of CPV martyrs, including the creation of a DNA database for martyrs and their relatives, offering solid technical and data support to help more families find their missing loved ones.

China sent 2.9 million CPV soldiers to assist the Democratic People's Republic of Korea during the war, of whom more than 360,000 were killed or injured.

This photo taken on April 21, 2026 shows a slogan welcoming the return of Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs' remains from the Republic of Korea (ROK) in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province. The remains of 12 CPV martyrs killed in the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953) will be returned to China from the ROK on Wednesday, according to China's Ministry of Veterans Affairs.

The heroes' return was welcomed with the highest courtesy in Shenyang. (Xinhua/Li Gang)

This photo taken on April 21, 2026 shows a slogan welcoming the return of Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs' remains from the Republic of Korea (ROK) in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province. The remains of 12 CPV martyrs killed in the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953) will be returned to China from the ROK on Wednesday, according to China's Ministry of Veterans Affairs.

The heroes' return was welcomed with the highest courtesy in Shenyang. (Xinhua/Li Gang)

This photo taken on April 21, 2026 shows slogans welcoming the return of Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs' remains from the Republic of Korea (ROK) in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province. The remains of 12 CPV martyrs killed in the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953) will be returned to China from the ROK on Wednesday, according to China's Ministry of Veterans Affairs.

The heroes' return was welcomed with the highest courtesy in Shenyang. (Xinhua/Li Gang)

This photo taken on April 21, 2026 shows a billboard welcoming the return of Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs' remains from the Republic of Korea (ROK) in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province. The remains of 12 CPV martyrs killed in the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953) will be returned to China from the ROK on Wednesday, according to China's Ministry of Veterans Affairs.

The heroes' return was welcomed with the highest courtesy in Shenyang. (Xinhua/Li Gang)

This photo taken on April 21, 2026 shows a billboard welcoming the return of Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs' remains from the Republic of Korea (ROK) in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province. The remains of 12 CPV martyrs killed in the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953) will be returned to China from the ROK on Wednesday, according to China's Ministry of Veterans Affairs.

The heroes' return was welcomed with the highest courtesy in Shenyang. (Xinhua/Li Gang)

Editor: Xiong Jian
Pahalgam attack anniversary Some boundaries should never be crossed: Army





Pahalgam attack anniversary Some boundaries should never be crossed Army

NEW DELHI :

AHEAD of the anniversary of the Pahalgam terror attack, the Indian Army on Tuesday reaffirmed its commitment to justice and warned of a decisive response if the boundaries of humanity are crossed. In a strongly-worded post on its X handle, the Indian Army said, When boundaries of humanity are crossed, the response is decisive. Justice is served. India stands united. The post was accompanied by a visual message stating Some boundaries should never be crossed, featuring a map of India marked with red sindoor powder, symbolising the Armys decisive action against terrorists under Operation Sindoor. The image also carried the message India does not forget, underlining the countrys resolve and unity. The Pahalgam terror attack took place on April 22, 2025, when 26 people were killed in a brutal massacre targeting tourists. The attack was carried out by The Resistance Front, an offshoot of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba.

The attackers singled out victims after asking about their religion, forcing them to recite the Islamic kalima to identify non-Muslims. Among those killed were 25 tourists and one local pony ride operator who tried to save the tourists. Several victims were newly-married, and many were shot at close range in front of their families. In response to the attack, Indian armed forces launched Operation Sindoor on May 6 and 7, carrying out what officials described as a focussed, measured and non-escalatory military action targeting high-value terror bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir. Following the operation, Pakistan responded with drone activity and shelling over the next week, targeting civilian and religious sites and schools. India subsequently carried out retaliatory strikes, including on radar installations in Lahore and facilities near Gujranwala. After sustaining significant damage, Pakistans Director General of Military Operations reached out to his Indian counterpart, urging a stop to military action. This led to a ceasefire understanding between the two sides on May 10, 2025.

Despite the ceasefire, there were continued attempts involving waves of UAVs and small drones entering Indian civilian and military areas. These intrusions were intercepted, and the Indian Armed Forces responded firmly, with field commanders authorised to take appropriate action in case of any violations. Operation Sindoor was a significant demonstration of Indias military and strategic capability, combining both military and non-military measures. The operation successfully neutralised terrorist threats, deterred further aggression and reinforced Indias zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism while maintaining strategic restraint. J&K BJP remembers Pahalgam terror attack victims: On the first anniversary of the Pahalgam terror attack, BJPs Jammu and Kashmir unit on Tuesday paid tributes to the 26 people who were gunned down by three terrorists in the Union territory in April 2025 and triggered a four-day conflict between India and Pakistan.

This day is a painful reminder of the human cost of terrorism and a moment to reaffirm the nations resolve against such acts, BJP spokesman Altaf Thakur said in a statement here. Expressing condolences to the families of the victims, Thakur said that the attack had shaken the conscience of the nation, but also united people in their determination to defeat terrorism. Praising the Governments zero-tolerance policy, the BJP leader hailed the response of security forces and said that those behind the attack were identified and eliminated in a swift and decisive operation. Thakur said Operation Sindoor - a military operation launched in response to the Pahalgam terror attack - demonstrated Indias strong resolve and operational capability in dealing with terror threats. Thakur further said that the Government has taken sustained measures to enhance security for both residents and tourists in J&K, contributing to growing confidence among visitors returning to the region. He said the sacrifices of the victims will not be in vain and will continue to strengthen efforts to build lasting peace and stability.
PRESSURE GROUP





SKEPTICISM still hovers over the planned round of peace talks between the United States and Iran in Pakistan. Conflicting reports are emerging over the status of delegations from both countries even as threats and mixed messages continue from Washington and Tehran over the Strait of Hormuz. A diplomatic breakthrough is eagerly awaited from the second round of talks though uncertainty still hangs over the ceasefire with continuation of US President Mr. Donald Trumps histrionics. However, an important development that is taking place parallely is the growing clamour from other countries, including China, which are pressing for reopening of Hormuz. This development is seen as a new pressure group led by China which can make Iran cede to the request of opening the international waterway, as rightly described by Chinese President Mr. Xi Jinping. Amid assertions by Iran that it has an inalienable right over the Strait of Hormuz, the call from China and the demand of making the waterway toll-free by the United Kingdom are working as equal diplomatic channels to bring normalcy in the region. The Strait has to remain open as a normal passage as it aligns with the shared interests of countries in the region and the international community. Iran has used the Strait as a fantastic leverage to nail the US but in the process the world is bearing the brunt of shortage of fuel supplies.

The US blockade of the waterway in the Gulf of Oman is an additional tension for cargo vessels managing to get out of the danger zone making the world jittery about the future of their energy needs. Many countries have already tapped their strategic oil reserves as fuel supply continues to get affected by the closure of the Hormuz Gulf. The world is staring at a dangerous crisis as most economies are set to receive a violent shock due to rise in oil prices. The situation of opening up of strategic oil reserves does not bode well for the future as it will create extreme unease within countries. India has managed the situation well so far by absorbing the losses at Government level but it might not be able to maintain this situation for long. With only a fortnights oil reserves left (as per original Government calculations), energy crisis looms over India at the peak of summer across the country. This calls for an urgent and drastic response at the diplomatic level from the Centre. India has been calling for a space for dialogue and diplomacy since the beginning of the war on February 28. It had reached Governments for all three involved parties -- the US, Israel and Iran -- through backchannels.

The message was well received by the three Governments all of whom publicly appreciated Indias stand on the conflict and its efforts in facilitating a status quo ante. US President Mr. Donald Trumps two calls to Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi also reflected the progress Indian diplomacy has made on the complex and sensitive situation. At the same time, India should not shy away from joining the Chinese efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. History has shown that a parallel track of diplomacy has always worked during major conflicts. Be it the Cuban Missile crisis of 1962 or wars in the Middle-East, diplomatic channels involving third parties have always paved the way for major breakthroughs.

Even in the current fight, diplomatic efforts undertaken by an Oman-led group had brought both the US and Iran to the negotiations table before Mr. Trump was bluffed by Israel Prime Minister Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu into an armed conflict a night before scheduled talks. Over the last month, many countries have been working silently to bring the warring sides into the dialogue room. India, too, has been one of the sides engaged with all parties. It has to now take a proactive role, like China, to ensure that the Strait of Hormuz remains a safe waterway for its energy supplies. If it requires calling out the US misadventure, then India must give it a chance for peoples sake.
Surplus teachers cant be adjusted against vacancies





Staff Reporter :

Maharashtra Federation of educational institutions seeks stay on ongoing process for adjusting surplus teachers against vacancies

Honouring the ruling by High Court regarding maintaining status quo to the process of adjusting surplus teachers against vacancies, the Government should stay the process, demanded Maharashtra State Federation of Educational Institutions. It has submitted a memorandum to Education Minister Dada Bhuse, demanding the immediate suspension of the process for adjusting surplus teachers against vacant posts.

The process was initiated based on the Sanctioned Strength (Sanch Manyata) approval for the academic year 202526 on the grounds that this process is invalid. The process of adjusting surplus teaching and non-teaching staff has been initiated across the State through the offices of the education officers. Although this process is being implemented in accordance with the Government order regarding Sanctioned Strength Determination (Sanch Nirdharan) dated March 15, 2026, the fact remains that the determination of sanctioned strength for all schools in the State has not yet been completed.Furthermore, the adjustment process continues unabated, despite the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court having issued orders to maintain the status quo. In this regard, a letter was dispatched to the Director requesting a suspension of the process; however, Ravindra Fadnavis, the General Secretary of the Mahasangh, stated in a press release that no action has been taken thus far.

District Collector assures relief to teachers workload

District Collector Kumar Ashirwad has given an assurance to reduce the workload of teachers who have been assigned dual dutiesspecifically, serving as Booth Level Officers (BLO) and participating in census operationsby assigning them only one of these tasks. Furthermore, he expressed a positive stance regarding the suspension of the process for adjusting surplus teachers, considering the current circumstances. On Tuesday, the Nagpur District Education Action Committee submitted a memorandum outlining various demands to Kumar Ashirwad. Present on this occasion were former MLC Nago Ganar, General Secretary of the Maharashtra State Federation of Educational Institutions Ravindra Fadnavis, along with Panchbhai, Gavhankar, Bhushan Talhar, Vilas Gabhane, and office-bearers from various teachers organisations. A detailed discussion on various issues was held with the District Collector during this meeting. The office-bearers of the Action Committee demanded that teachers from private-aided and unaided schools should not be appointed as BLOs for the purpose of electoral roll revision. They also requested the immediate revocation of any orders regarding punitive action taken against teachers in this context. The Committee underscored the necessity of prioritising educational quality by reducing the burden of additional administrative duties placed upon teachers.
US-Iran ceasefire likely to be extended





WASHINGTON :

THE ceasefire between the US and Iran is expected to be extended beyond the initial two-week period, as both sides are willing to continue negotiations, former Central Command chief David H Petraeus has said. The ceasefire between the US and Iran is set to expire on Wednesday. Petraeus, the former general who also served as CIA director, said that there is a reasonable expectation that the ceasefire could be prolonged as negotiators from both sides prepare for a possible second round of talks in Islamabad, although uncertainty remains over final participation.

I think both the US and Iran want to extend the ceasefire, he told PTI Videos.Petraeus warned that the situation on the ground remains volatile, with both the US and Iran enforcing rival blockades in the strategically critical Strait of Hormuz, effectively halting maritime traffic. There may be use of force, as required for the US to implement the blockade that has been required in response to Irans blockade. There have been occasional attacks also that appear to have come from Iran, individual attacks that have seemed to threaten or force ships to turn around that were trying to go through the Strait, he said. Outlining two key American negotiating objectives, Petraeus said, One is to restore freedom of navigation to the Gulf and to the Strait of Hormuz without any control by Iran or tariffs or tolls paid to Iran. And the second is that Iran renounces its right to enrich uranium and allows the International Atomic Energy Agency or some other body to verify the removal of the stockpile of nearly 1,000 pounds of 60 pc enriched uranium, he added.

Iran, however, has so far resisted calls to halt its uranium enrichment. On the military front, Petraeus described the US-led campaign, carried out alongside Israeli forces, as impressive in degrading Irans air defences, missile systems and military infrastructure. However, he said the overall outcome of the conflict remains incomplete. Despite tactical successes, Petraeus warned that failure to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to free navigation could leave Iran strategically somewhat strengthened even if militarily weakened. On future scenarios, he said options remain open, including resumption of intensive air operations or deployment of ground forces, though large-scale offensives to topple the regime or something like that are unlikely. Petraeus, who served as the commander of CENTCOM from 2008-2010, also indicated that the US had prior knowledge of Israels intent to strike Iran, driven by concerns over Tehrans evolving missile capabilities. The US was aware Israel would attack Iran amid missile threat concerns, he said.

Will start bombing Iran if no deal by Wednesday: Trump

WASHINGTON,

Apr 21 (PTI)

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said he would start bombing Iran if they do not agree to a deal with the US before the end of the two-week ceasefire on Wednesday. Well, I dont want to do that, Trump told CNBCs Squawk Box when asked if he would extend the ceasefire with Iran to allow time for the peace talks to reach a deal to end the war. They have to negotiate. And, you know, the one thing Ill say is this: Iran can get themselves on a very good footing. If they make a deal, they can make themselves into a strong nation again, a wonderful nation again, he added. Trump said that if the cease-fire ends on Wednesday without an agreement, he is prepared to resume attacking Iran. I expect to be bombing because I think thats a better attitude to go in with, he said. The President said he thinks the US is going to end up with a great deal with Iran to end the weeks-long war. I think they have no choice, Trump said when asked about his expectations from the second round of peace negotiations with Iran. Weve taken out their navy, weve taken out their air force, weve taken out their leaders, the President said. Weve taken out their leaders, frankly, which does complicate things in one way, but these leaders are much more rational, Trump said. It is regime change, no matter what you want to call it, which is not something I said I was going to do, but Ive done it indirectly.

While the first round of US-Iran talks, held on 11 and 12 April, ended without an agreement, uncertainty surrounds the second round. US, Iran signal they will return to Pakistan for ceasefire talks: TWO regional officials said on Tuesday that the United States and Iran have signaled they will hold a new round of the ceasefire talks in Islamabad. The officials comments come as neither the US nor Iran have publicly confirmed the timing of the talks, with Iranian state television denying any official was already in Pakistans capital. Pak-led mediators received confirmation that top negotiators, US Vice President JD Vance and Irans Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, will arrive in Islamabad early on Wednesday to lead their teams in the talks, officials told The Associated Press. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to brief reporters. Iranian state television on Tuesday issued an on-screen alert saying that no delegation from Iran has visited Islamabad ... So far as speculation about possible talks with the United States grows.

The on-screen alert likely reflects the internal debate ongoing within Irans theocracy as it weighs how to respond to the US Navys seizure of an Iranian container ship over the weekend. Iranian state TV long has been controlled by hard-liners within Irans theocracy. So far, no official has acknowledged that a delegation will be heading to Islamabad, where officials have been on standby for days now for the possible talks. US Vice President JD Vance is expected to lead an American team to the talks. Iran has offered no word on who could lead its delegation. Last time, parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf led the Iranian side.
A file photo of the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority building in New Britain, Conn.The regulatory agency on Wednesday, April 22, 2026 announced electric rate adjustments that will save customers of Eversource Energy and United Illuminating as much as $34 per month, starting May 1. Alexander Soule

Connecticut regulators have approved an electric rate adjustment that will save Eversource Energy and United Illuminating Co. customers $30-$34 per month for the average customer.

Officials with Connecticut's Public Utilities Regulatory Authority announced Wednesday that they have approved the annual rate adjustment mechanism for the state's two legacy electric utilities.

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Starting May 1, the average Eversource customer will see their rates reduced by 4.3 per kilowatt hours, which translates to a $30 per month savings while UI customers will see their rates decrease by a total of 4.9 cents per kilowatt hour for an average monthly bill reduction of $34.

The rate adjustment mechanism is designed so that rates are set on the best information that is available, with a goal of protecting consumers as much as possible from energy price volatility. PURA officials have the option to further adjust electric rates again in September if market conditions warrant that.

Wednesday's PURA decision covers a period between May 1 through April 30, 2027.

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The rate reductions announced Wednesday were driven by lower public benefits charges, particularly those tied to nuclear power contracts with the Millstone nuclear power plant in Waterford and the Seabrook nuclear generating facility in New Hampshire. according to agency officials. The public benefits charge is a a state-mandated fee on electric bills that funds a variety of programs, including energy efficiency, low-income assistance, incentives for renewable energy and nuclear power contracts.

The public benefits charge has proven to be a hot button political issue in recent years, with some suggesting the complete elimination of the bill component and others suggesting a dramatic overhaul of the mechanism.

Gov. Ned Lamont said in a statement that PURA's announcement about the rate adjustment "is good news for residents, who are soon to get some much-needed relief."

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"This is the direct result of the difficult but necessary decisions we made over the past few years, including restructuring utility arrearages and betting on nuclear power to offset the volatility of fossil fuel prices," Lamont said in a statement. "Im glad these decisions are paying off and helping to lower bills for our residents."

Connecticut's Consumer Counsel Claire Coleman said the rate reduction adjustment "is the result of sustained collaboration among state leaders, regulators, and advocates to take meaningful steps toward both long and short-term energy affordability, Coleman's office represents the interests of utility customers in rate setting cases.

"Were reducing costs for all ratepayers while helping thousands of households move beyond the burden of past-due bills." Coleman said. "At the same time, programmatic improvements to the low-income discount rate and arrearage forgiveness options are ensuring that relief is targeted and reaches those who need it most. While there is still more work to do, these actions reflect a balanced approach that lowers costs, strengthens the system, and makes energy more affordable for Connecticut families.

Tricia Modifica, an Eversource Energy spokeswoman, said some of the company's customers "may not see a significant difference in their overall bill, even with the rate reduction" because usage of electricity by the utility's customers increases by an average of 35% during summer months.

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"While any bill decrease for customers is good news in the short term, the size of this reduction is largely a result of customers being overcharged for the cost of the Millstone and Seabrook power purchase agreements last year," Modifica said. "The former PURA leadership set rates higher than the actual cost of the state-mandated contracts. We are deeply concerned because if all program and contract costs stay the same, customers will see a significant increase to their bill next year when the refund of this overcollection ends."

Angela Baccaro, a spokeswoman for UI, said company officials appreciate "the positive impact Connecticut ratepayers will see with meaningful savings" as a result of the PURA ruling.

"We remain committed to advocating for long-term policy change that will continue to support safe and reliable service at an affordable price," Baccaro said.
A file photo of the skyline of Hartford, Connecticut's capital city and a key part of the state's economy. Connecticut lost an estimated 4,200 jobs in February 2026, according to the state Department of Labor. Patrick Sikes/For Hearst Connecticut Media

Connecticut lost an estimated 4,200 jobs in February, erasing January's gains, according to data released Tuesday by the state Department of Labor.

The decrease reflected a cumulative decline of 5,500 positions across professional and business services; other services; construction; trade, transportation and utilities; leisure and hospitality; financial activities; and government. Those losses were mitigated by a combined increase of 1,300 positions across information, education and health services, and manufacturing.

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Connecticuts addition of 4,200 jobs in January, which was revised down from an original estimate of 5,300, had raised payroll employment in the state to about 1.721 million positions, surpassing the states previous record, which was set in March 2008.

Seasonal adjustment factors in the data and the weather have caused an up-and-down pattern at the start of 2026, Patrick Flaherty, the state Department of Labors director of research, said in a written statement. Januarys data were reported before the cold weather and storms of late January and early February.

The labor department also reported that the states unemployment rate ticked up in February, from 4.5% to 4.7%. The national jobless level was 4.4% in February.

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The unemployment rate increase is likely due in part to self-employed workers entering the labor market in search of payroll jobs, Flaherty said. The unemployment rate only counts unemployed people who are looking for work.

Between February 2025 and February 2026, Connecticut added about 1,000 jobs, an increase of only 0.06%, according to the Department of Labor. During the same span, the U.S. added about 156,000 jobs, equal to a similarly modest gain of 0.1%.

Connecticut has numerous job openings, with about 85,000 postings statewide in March, according to the Department of Labor. Among the companies in expansion mode is submarine manufacturer General Dynamics Electric Boat, which plans to hire 8,000 people this year across its facilities in Connecticut and Rhode Island.

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However, filling openings is difficult for many businesses because of a constrained supply. The states labor force, which includes workers and unemployed people looking for work, decreased in February 2026 by more than 2,000 from January 2026. Compared with February 2025, it was down about 14,000 people.

Connecticuts economy follows national trends," Labor Commissioner Dante Bartolomeo said in a written statement. "Nationally, we see slower growth, slower hiring and a shrinking labor force. The states labor market is following suit. The February report highlights uncertainties in the job market and economy, but I want to note that CTDOL relies on jobs and employment data over months and years to understand overall economic health. We have another report in a few weeks which will give us additional data points.

Among more promising economic indicators, Connecticut produced the 12th-highest rate of growth in gross domestic product in 2025. That point was acknowledged Tuesday by officials at the Connecticut Business & Industry Association (CBIA), but they said they were still troubled by the new job numbers.

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Theres no denying volatility from federal and global factors, but its clear that Connecticut continues to lag the U.S. across a range of key economic indicators, Chris DiPentima, the CBIA's CEO and president, said in a written statement. Despite the critical need to address these long-term challenges, state lawmakers are instead considering onerous new mandates on businesses  creating costly burdens and making it harder to attract and retain workers. At the same time, legislators this session failed to advance a transformative, bipartisan health care bill for small businesses struggling to maintain employee benefits."
A file photo of a production line of F135 engines, which power F-35 fighter jets and are made by Connecticut-based Pratt & Whitney. Rick Koehler A Pratt & Whitney sign is displayed at the entrance to the company's manufacturing facility on Aircraft Road in Middletown, Conn. Dave Zajac/Hearst Connecticut Media Christopher Calio is the CEO and chairman of RTX, the parent company of jet-engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney. Contributed photo

Revenues and profits rose in the first few months of this year at jet-engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney, one of the largest employers in Connecticut, according to the companys new earnings report.

In the first quarter of 2026, East Hartford-headquartered Pratt & Whitneys sales increased 11% year over year, to about $8.2 billion, while its operating profit jumped 22%, to $710 million, according to the earnings report released Tuesday by its parent company, RTX. The sales growth reflected growing activity in the commercial after-market for parts to repair and enhance engines, as well as rising military sales, which were driven by higher production volume for F135 engines, which power F-35 fighter jets.

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The overall sales of the Arlington, Virginia-headquartered RTX increased 9% year over year, to about $22 billion. It recorded a quarterly profit of approximately $2 billion, up 34% year over year.

Our execution and operational performance drove strong top- and bottom-line results in Q1, RTX CEO Christopher Calio said during the companys earnings call on Tuesday morning. The underlying demand for our commercial and defense products is durable, and we remain focused on executing on our commitments, investing in capacity, and innovating for future growth to drive long-term shareholder value.

Calio led off the call by stating, I want to acknowledge the ongoing situation in the Middle East and express our hope for a sustained resolution.

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As one of the largest suppliers to the U.S. military, RTX equipment is likely being used widely in the war with Iran. For instance, numerous news reports have referenced the deployment of F-35 fighter jets. The militarys demand was highlighted by an approximately $3.8 billion contract modification awarded to Pratt & Whitney in March for additional work on F-35s.

Another RTX business, the Arlington, Virginia-based Raytheon, makes a range of military products including bombs, interceptors, missiles and sensors. Raytheon produced first-quarter revenues of about $6.9 billion, up 10% year over year.

The Department of War has put priorities around munitions depth and replenishment, integrated-missile defense, Golden Dome, all the things that are in the Raytheon wheelhouse, and very mature products, and products that are in production today, Calio said.

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Among non-military topics discussed during the earnings calls Q&A with investment analysts, RTX executives fielded a question about the companys relationship with aircraft manufacturer Airbus. Executives at Airbus have recently criticized Pratt & Whitney for engine shortages.

The relationship with Airbus is an important one for us, that we, of course, greatly value. And its one that has spanned decades, and it will continue to span decades, Calio said. We will continue to work through our issues, as we always do, in a constructive and transparent manner. I have no doubt that well ultimately get to where we need to be on volumes.

RTX is one of the largest employers in Connecticut, with more than 16,000 employees. The total includes about 10,800 at Pratt & Whitney and about 4,000 at Collins Aerospace, which makes a number of non-engine aircraft parts and has facilities in Cheshire and Windsor Locks. Collins first-quarter revenues totaled about $7.6 billion, up 5% year over year.

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A man rides his motorbike that is adorned with an Iranian national flag, in southern Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, April 21, 2026. Vahid Salemi/AP A banner shows a graphic depicting Iranian-built drones with a sign in Farsi that reads: "Arash drone is the nightmare for Iran's enemies," as an Iranian flag waves at left, in Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, April 21, 2026. Vahid Salemi/AP President Donald Trump departs after speaking at an event for NCAA national champions in the State Dining Room of the White House, Tuesday, April 21, 2026, in Washington. Alex Brandon/AP Coffins of Hezbollah fighters killed before the ceasefire in the war between Hezbollah and Israel are carried on a truck past mourners during a mass funeral procession in the southern village of Kfar Sir, Lebanon, Tuesday, April 21, 2026. Hassan Ammar/AP A woman mourns as other hold portraits of Hezbollah fighters, who were killed before the ceasefire in the war between Hezbollah and Israel, during a mass funeral procession in the southern village of Kfar Sir, Lebanon, Tuesday, April 21, 2026. Hassan Ammar/AP

U.S. President Donald Trump said the United States was indefinitely extending its ceasefire with Iran as a new round of peace talks was on hold.

Pakistan had planned to host a second round of talks, but the White House suspended Vice President JD Vances planned trip to Islamabad as Iran rebuffed efforts to restart negotiations. Iran acknowledged the ceasefire extension but didn't say Tehran was ready to attend a new round of talks to end the war, state television reported Wednesday.

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Meanwhile, Irans semiofficial news agencies are reporting that the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard has attacked a third ship on Wednesday in the Strait of Hormuz, throwing into question efforts to end the war. Nour News, Fars and Mehr all reported the attack by the Guard on a vessel called the Euphoria. They said the vessel had become stranded on the Iranian coast, without elaborating. The Guard has seized the other two ships that were attacked, Iranian state television separately reported.

Here is the latest:

CENTCOM says more than 30 ships affected by US blockade

The U.S. militarys Central Command said Thursday its forces in the Mideast had directed 31 vessels to turn around or return to port as part of the U.S. blockade against Iran.

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Panama condemns illegal seizure of a vessel traveling under its flag through Strait of Hormuz

The Central American nations foreign ministry wrote in a statement that the boat, owned by the Italian company MSC Francesca, was forcibly taken into Iranian waters on Wednesday, and it accused Iran of violating international law. It wasnt immediately clear if the boat remained in Iranian custody.

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The seizure represents a serious attack on maritime security and constitutes an unnecessary escalation, it wrote.

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Panama has one of the largest ship registries, with around 16% of the worlds ships flying under the countrys flag, according to 2024 data from Panamanian authorities.

Pentagon says it will take months to clear mines in the Strait of Hormuz, AP source says

The Pentagon told lawmakers this week it will likely take six months to clear the mines set in the strait, according to a person familiar with the situation who was granted anonymity to discuss the sensitive information.

Officials from the Department of Defense delivered the information during a classified briefing at the House Armed Services Committee on Tuesday.

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The session left more questions than answers as lawmakers probed for information about the cost of the war against Iran, the strategy and objectives, the person said. The lawmakers also raised questions that have still gone unanswered about the strike on a school compound during the early days of the war.

___

 By Lisa Mascaro

Senators have again rejected a Democratic attempt to halt Trumps war in Iran

The U.S. Senate rejected the resolution 46-51 on Wednesday as Republicans in Congress have largely backed Trumps military efforts.

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It was the fifth time this year that the Senate voted to cede its war powers to the president in a conflict that Democrats say is illegal and unjustified. The resolution would require the U.S. to withdraw forces from the conflict until Congress authorizes further action.

The longer Trump waits to extricate the U.S. from this war, the deeper the hole gets and the harder it will be for him to get out, said Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer.

Republicans have been reluctant to criticize Trump or the war, even as they say they want it to end quickly.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune said Tuesday that most Republicans believe that the president is correct in making sure Iran cant threaten the world with a nuclear weapon.

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Israeli strike kills at least 5 people in Gaza, hospital says

At least five people, including three children, were killed by an Israeli strike in Gaza on Wednesday night, according to Shifa hospital, where the bodies were taken.

Local health authorities said the group of people was targeted by a drone while they were in a street in Beit Lahiya, in the northern part of the Gaza Strip.

The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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Israeli attacks have killed more than 780 people since the fragile ceasefire between Hamas and Israel was put in place six months ago, according to Gazas Health Ministry. The ministry, part of the Hamas-led government, maintains detailed casualty records that are seen as generally reliable by U.N. agencies and independent experts. It does not distinguish between civilian and militant deaths.

Overall, the health ministry says 72,300 Palestinians have been killed since the war in Gaza began with the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on Israel.

US stocks rally to records, but Brent oil also tops $100 on worries about the Iran war

The U.S. stock market rallied to more records Wednesday after GE Vernova, Boston Scientific and other big companies joined the parade, reporting fatter profits for the start of the year than analysts expected. But caution still hung over Wall Street, and oil prices rose on uncertainty about what would happen in the war with Iran.

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The S&P 500 jumped 1% and topped its prior all-time high set on Friday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 340 points, or 0.7%, and the Nasdaq composite set its own record after jumping 1.6%.

Strong performances have helped the S&P 500 power higher, and the index recorded its 13th gain in its last 16 days.

Still, another rise in oil prices helped keep enthusiasm in check on Wall Street. The price for a barrel of Brent crude oil, the international standard, climbed 3.5% to $101.91.

 Read more

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Paramedics recover body of Lebanese journalist hours after Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon

The body of a Lebanese journalist killed in an Israeli airstrike on southern Lebanon on Wednesday has been pulled from under the rubble hours after the attack.

The daily Al-Akhbar newspaper confirmed that its reporter, Amal Khalil, was killed in the strike on the southern village of al-Tiri.

Information Minister Paul Morcos also confirmed Khalils death.

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Khalil had been covering the Israel-Hezbollah war since it started in October 2023 and had been reporting from different parts of southern Lebanon on the hostilities.

Earlier on Wednesday, Reporters Without Borders, or RSF, called on the international community to immediately pressure the Israeli army to allow the rescue of Khalil.

Iran says it is prepared for 2026 World Cup participation in the US

However, it was unclear whether it would ultimately take part.

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The Ministry of Youth and Sports made an announcement about the full preparedness of our national soccer team for presence in the 2026 World Cup in the U.S., by the order of the minister, Iranian government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohejerani told Irans state TV on Wednesday.

They informed that the necessary arrangements that these dear ones need for the teams proud and successful participation, (have been made), Mohejerani added.

The tournament is scheduled to be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico this summer.

White House says only Trump knows how long extension of Iran ceasefire will last

Press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that Trump hasnt set a deadline for receiving a proposal from the Iranians.

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Ultimately, the timeline would be dictated by the commander in chief, she said.

Trump announced a ceasefire extension on Tuesday.

White House says Iran seizing 2 ships doesnt violate ceasefire terms

Iran taking control of two ships is not a violation of the truce terms because these were not U.S. or Israeli ships, these were two international vessels, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told Fox News Channel.

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She said Irans navy has been decimated and that the ships in question were taken by speedy gun boats, meaning that Iran is acting like a bunch of pirates.

Leavitt said Trumps blockade remains in place on ships coming to and from Iranian ports and that the seizure by Iranian forces is piracy that we are seeing on display.

Hezbollah says it launched drones at Israeli positions in southern Lebanon

The group added in a statement that the two attacks targeting soldiers and vehicles in the village of Qantara on Wednesday evening were in retaliation for alleged Israeli violations of the 10-day ceasefire that took effect Friday.

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The strikes marked the groups third attack on Wednesday. Israel did not immediately comment on the latest attacks but has previously accused Hezbollah of breaching the ceasefire.

Lebanons health ministry says Israeli troops fired at rescuers searching for missing journalist

The ministry said two Israeli strikes on al-Tiri in southern Lebanon killed two people. The journalist Amal Khalil and her colleague took cover in a house, which the ministry said was targeted in the second strike. When rescuers arrived, they were able to recover the two bodies and one injured journalist. But the Israeli military fired live ammunition at the ambulance, preventing the team from completing the search for Khalil, the ministry said. Lebanons National News Agency showed pictures of the damage to the ambulance.

Khalils condition is not clear. She is a prominent journalist with the Lebanese daily Al-Akhbar.

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Israels military alleged the individuals in the village violated the ceasefire, posing a risk to the troops safety. It denied that it prevented rescue teams from reaching the area or that it targets journalists.

Reopening Strait of Hormuz impossible amid breaches, Iranian official says

A complete ceasefire only makes sense if it is not violated by the maritime/naval blockade and taking the worlds economy hostage, and if the Zionist warmongering across all fronts is halted, Irans parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf said on Wednesday.

Reopening the Strait of Hormuz is impossible with such flagrant breach of the ceasefire, Qalibaf added. The only way forward is to recognize the rights of the Iranian nation.

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Israeli military says it struck targets in south Lebanon, denies blocking rescue

Lebanese officials and Reporters Without Borders said a journalist was missing following an Israeli strike near the southern village of al-Tiri on Wednesday, while another journalist was wounded.

The Israeli military said it struck a vehicle and a structure in the area after identifying what it described as militants posing an immediate threat near the border.

The military said it was aware of reports that journalists were injured but did not confirm them and denied preventing rescue teams from reaching the area.

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The details of the incident are under review, it added.

Trump says Iran respected his request, will free women whose release he demanded

The president said he has been informed that four of the women will be released immediately, while four others will be sentenced to one month each in prison.

I very much appreciate that Iran, and its leaders, respected my request ... and terminated the planned execution, Trump wrote on the Truth Social platform.

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He said the women protesters were expected to be executed Wednesday.

Rights groups that monitor Iran had said two of the women were already released on bail in March, and two others were known to face charges that carry the death sentences. They had been arrested during the January anti-government protests.

Trump re-posted a photo of the women, including two teen girls, on Tuesday on social media, which a conservative activist noted are facing prosecution in Iran.

The Iranian judiciary responded promptly, denying that any of them were on the verge of execution, saying some were already released.

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Lebanons health ministry says Israeli strike on southern Lebanon kills 2

The ministry added that the Wednesday afternoon strike on the village of Yohmor also wounded two people.

UNs global shipping regulation body condemns Persian Gulf shipping attacks

Arsenio Dominguez, secretary-general of the International Maritime Organization, on Wednesday condemned attacks on shipping after Irans Revolutionary Guard fired on three ships in the Strait of Hormuz, seizing two and taking them to Iran. Earlier, Trump said the United States would continue to blockade Iranian ports.

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The attacks on and seizures of commercial ships are unacceptable, Dominguez said, urging an immediate halt and the release of vessels and crews. He warned that the situation remains extremely volatile and questioned why companies risk seafarers lives.

Nearly 20,000 seafarers remain at sea after seven weeks, uncertain when they can return home, he added.

Firm says over 10M barrels of Iranian oil left Persian Gulf since US blockade of Irans ports

An analytics firm focusing on global energy and freight markets says it recorded 34 movements of sanctioned and Iranian-linked tankers in and out of the Persian Gulf in the week after the U.S. imposed a naval blockade of Iranian ports.

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The firm, Vortexa, says it identified 19 outbound and 15 inbound movements of such vessels between April 13 and Monday.

Six of those outbound movements were confirmed laden with Iranian crude, representing about 10.7 million barrels, it said in an email to The Associated Press.

It was not immediately clear whether all those barrels reached markets overseas.

Lebanese journalist missing after Israeli strike on southern Lebanon

Reporters Without Borders, or RSF, called on the international community on Wednesday to immediately pressure the Israeli army into allowing the rescue of journalist Amal Khalil, who works for the daily Al-Akhbar.

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RSF added that Khalil is currently trapped near the southern Lebanese village of al-Tiri following an Israeli airstrike close to her vehicle.

Her life is in danger right now! Continued Israeli airstrikes are preventing rescuers from reaching her, RSF said.

Lebanons President Joseph Aoun called on the Lebanese Red Cross to work on the rescue of Khalil, along with another journalist, Zeinab Faraj, who was with her.

Aoun requested the Lebanese Red Cross to coordinate with the Lebanese army and U.N. peacekeepers to carry out the rescue operation in the shortest possible time.

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Crew of a ship attacked in the Strait of Hormuz is safe, management company says

The management company of a container ship that was fired upon in the Strait of Hormuz early Wednesday says the Liberian-registered Epaminondas was approached and fired upon by a manned gunboat while transiting the strait about 20 nautical miles off the coast of Oman.

The Technomar company said all crew were safe and accounted for and no injuries were reported, but that preliminary inspections indicated the ships bridge had been damaged.

Technomar remains in close contact with the crew and relevant authorities. Our priority remains the safety and well-being of our crew as we work with all relevant stakeholders to ensure their continued safety and investigate the incident, the company said. It did not provide further details, but said more information would be released when there are material developments.

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Iranians have long sought work and relative stability in Turkey. The war could force some to return

Sadri Haghshenas spends her days selling borek  a layered, savory pastry  at a shop in Istanbul, but her mind is on her daughter in Tehran.

The family had to send her home to Iran after they ran into difficulties renewing her visa, despite fears that a shaky ceasefire could soon collapse.

For years, short-term residency permits have allowed tens of thousands of Iranians to pursue economic opportunities and enjoy relative stability in neighboring Turkey. But its a precarious situation, and the war has raised the stakes.

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I swear, I cry every day, Haghshenas said, raising her hands from behind the counter of the pastry shop. There is no life in my country, there is no life here, what shall I do?

Turkey hasn't seen an influx of refugees, as most Iranians have sought safety within their country. Many who've crossed the land border were transiting to other countries where they have citizenship or residency.

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Israeli strike kills two people in southern Lebanon despite ceasefire

The strike targeted a vehicle in the town of Tayri on Wednesday, according to Lebanons state-run National News Agency.

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No further details on the identities of the victims were immediately available.

The Israeli military did not immediately comment on the attack.

The strike comes despite a 10-day ceasefire that went into effect Friday. Since then, several Israeli strikes have been reported, while Hezbollah has claimed a couple of attacks since Tuesday.

A second French soldier has died after an attack on peacekeepers in Lebanon

On Saturday, a U.N. peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon came under attack with small arms fire leaving one French peacekeeper dead and three others wounded, two of them seriously.

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French President Emmanuel Macron posted on X that a wounded soldier, who was repatriated Tuesday from Lebanon where he had been seriously wounded by Hezbollah fighters, died this morning from his injuries.

Hezbollah had denied is was behind the attack.

Iran says it has yet to decide whether to join a new round of talks with the US

We entered the negotiations in good faith and with seriousness, but the negotiating party (the United States) has shown disregard and lack of good faith, Irans foreign ministry spokesperson, Esmaeil Baqaei, said Wednesday, according to Irans State TV.

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A second round of negotiations, expected in Pakistans capital later this week, has not yet been confirmed. On Tuesday, President Trump extended a ceasefire with Iran indefinitely, leaving the next steps for resuming talks unclear.

Iran has not yet decided whether it will participate in the new round of peace negotiations with the United States scheduled for later this week, Baqaei said.

US stocks climb, but so do oil prices with uncertainty rising about the war with Iran

GE Vernova, Boston Scientific and Boeing are leading the U.S. stock market toward another record after joining the list of companies reporting fatter profits for the start of the year than analysts expected.

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But caution is still hanging over Wall Street on Wednesday, and oil prices are also rising on uncertainty about what will happen in the war with Iran.

The S&P 500 climbed 0.7% and was on track to top its all-time high set Friday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 360 points and the Nasdaq composite gained 0.9%. The price for a barrel of Brent crude oil briefly topped $100.

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Energy agency head says energy crisis will trigger major response by governments and industry

Talking about the repercussions of the Iran war, the head of the International Energy Agency said Wednesday that we are facing the biggest energy crisis in the history.

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IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol said at the Petersberg Climate Dialogue in Berlin that what we lost in the this war is much bigger than all the crises put together in terms of oil and gas. Plus, plus, there are vital commodities that we are losing  petrochemicals, fertilizers, helium, sulfur.

However, Birol also pointed out that there will be a major response to this crisis as well and that it is now the job of the governments to design their energy policies in terms of industrial sector, while keeping the competitiveness of the existing industries, preparing the next steps for the tomorrows industries.

He said he also expects that there will be a similar response in all parts of the economy, car manufacturing industry, electric industry and in the industry sector.

And this is a wonderful opportunity, he added.

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Dozens of Israeli civilians attempt to enter Syria

The Israeli military said it intercepted around 40 Israeli civilians that attempted to enter Syria on Wednesday afternoon. The military said the civilians gathered at the border and then were able to infiltrate several hundred meters into the Israeli-military controlled buffer zone in Syria before being returned to Israel and taken into police custody.

The Israeli media identified the infiltrators as part of the right-wing group Pioneers of Bashan, which calls for establishing Jewish settlements in Lebanon and Syria.
A file photo of an East Haven police cruiser. Police said a juvenile was arrested Saturday after fleeing officers in a stolen vehicle and rear-ending another car. Hearst Connecticut Media file photo

EAST HAVEN  A juvenile was arrested Saturday after fleeing police in a stolen vehicle and rear-ending another car during the pursuit, officials said.

The chase began around 9 p.m. when officers were dispatched to Old Foxon Road for a report of a vehicle theft, according to a Facebook post shared by the East Haven Police Department.

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Police said one of the responding officers spotted a silver vehicle, later determined to be a stolen Hyundai, driving recklessly on Foxon Road.

The officer attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver fled at a high rate of speed and rear-ended a vehicle in the area of Foxon Road and Eastern Street, police said.

Police said the collision damaged the vehicles tires, allowing officers to follow a trail of burnt rubber up Eastern Street, where they found the vehicle at a dead end on Venice Place.

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However, the driver, who was wearing a ski mask, managed to elude police and continued on Laurel Street, police said.

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At this point, the stolen vehicle, which was riding on its rims, fled to an apartment complex in the 200 block of Laurel Street, police said.

Police said the driver exited the stolen vehicle and fled on foot into a marsh, but was captured with the help of a K-9 named Enzo.

The unnamed juvenile was charged with larceny of a motor vehicle, first-degree criminal trover, engaging police in pursuit, interfering with an officer, reckless driving and driving without a license.

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RIVERHEAD, NEW YORK - JULY 17: Convicted serial killer Rex A. Heuermann appears at Suffolk County Court in Riverhead for a hearing on July 17, 2025 in Riverhead, New York. Pool/Getty Images

Rex Heuermann, the Long Island architect who pleaded guilty in the Gilgo Beach killings earlier this month, including the murder of a Connecticut mother, told his ex-wife he killed seven of the victims inside their shared home, according to a preview of a documentary series.

Asa Ellerup, who divorced Heuermann after his arrest nearly three years ago, recounts the conversation in an upcoming finale episode of the four-part Peacock series The Gilgo Beach Killer: House of Secrets.

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They were killed in his room downstairs, Ellerup said in a preview clip shared on Instagram for the upcoming Thursday episode. All except one.

Ellerup said Heuermann looked very, very nervous, but admitted to killing eight women without hesitation when she asked about the murders. Ellerup also said her husband claimed the killings took place while she was away from their Massapequa Park home.

Heuermann, 62, pleaded guilty on April 8 to three counts of first-degree murder and four counts of second-degree murder in the seven killings, according to the Suffolk County District Attorneys Office.

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He was originally arrested in July 2023, ending a more than decade-long search for the killer. According to court documents, the murders began in 1993 and continued into 2010, spanning at least 17 years.

Heuermann pleaded guilty in the deaths of seven women: Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Megan Waterman, Amber Costello, Sandra Costilla, Jessica Taylor, Valerie Mack and Melissa Barthelemy. He also admitted to killing 34-year-old Karen Vergata.

Brainard-Barnes, a Norwich resident, was 25 years old and a mother of two children when she went missing in 2007. Officials have said all the victims were involved in sex work.

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The first victims were found in the Long Island area of Gilgo Beach in 2010. Dubbed the Gilgo Four, the women were identified as Barthelemy, Waterman, Costello and Brainard-Barnes.

Heuermann initially was charged in the deaths of Barthelemy, Waterman and Costello, but was later indicted on offenses in the killings of Brainard-Barnes, Taylor, Costilla and Mack, officials have said.

Heuermann was connected to the crimes by several burner cellphones, a pizza crust he discarded in Manhattan and a first generation Chevrolet Avalanche registered in his name in 2010, according to a 32-page court document filed by prosecutors in 2023.

Investigators determined that hairs recovered from Barthelemy, Waterman and Costello were linked forensically to Heuermann and members of his immediate family, who were out of state at time of the disappearances.

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Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney said investigators found news articles about the discovery of bodies in a gun vault in the basement of Heuermanns home.

Investigators also found a deleted file on a hard drive at Heuermanns home titled HK2002-04, which they believe he used to methodically blueprint and 'plan out' his 'kill,' court documents state.

We allege that this document evinces the defendants intent in committing the charged crimes; that his intent was specifically to locate these victims, to hunt them down and to bring them under his control and to kill them, Tierney said in June 2024.

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Heuermann had been scheduled to go to trial in September, according to the Associated Press. In September, a judge ruled that DNA results from hairs found at the crime scenes of six women would be admissible at the trial.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with President of the Republic of Mozambique Daniel Francisco Chapo and his wife Gueta Chapo ahead of the talks between Xi and Chapo at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, April 21, 2026. Xi held talks with Chapo, who is on a state visit to China, in Beijing on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

BEIJING, April 21 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping and Mozambican President Daniel Francisco Chapo held talks in Beijing on Tuesday, and the two heads of state agreed to upgrade bilateral ties to a China-Mozambique community with a shared future in the new era.

Noting that the time-honored friendship between China and Mozambique has set an example for China-Africa relations and South-South cooperation, Xi said that under the new circumstances, deepening China-Mozambique friendly cooperation meets the shared expectations of the two peoples and reflects the prevailing trend in the Global South to strengthen solidarity and collaboration in jointly tackling challenges.

China is ready to work with Mozambique to take the implementation of the outcomes of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges in 2026 as an opportunity to jointly pursue modernization, Xi noted.

Friendship and mutual trust are the defining features and political strengths of China-Mozambique relations, Xi said, adding that the two sides should continue to firmly support each other on issues concerning each other's core interests and major concerns, promote exchanges at various levels and in various fields including governments, political parties, legislative bodies and local exchanges, and deepen experience sharing in party and state governance.

He pointed out that China and Mozambique enjoy strong economic complementarity and broad cooperation prospects. Noting that this year marks the beginning of China's 15th Five-Year Plan period, Xi said China stands ready to strengthen the alignment of development strategies with Mozambique, explore new models of cooperation, break new ground in infrastructure development and the comprehensive development of energy and mineral resources, foster new growth areas of cooperation in agriculture, new energy, digital economy and artificial intelligence, and advance high-quality and sustainable growth of practical cooperation between the two countries.

Faced with a complex and volatile international landscape, the two sides should continue to step up coordination and collaboration within the United Nations and other institutions, work in solidarity to champion an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, and jointly safeguard international fairness and justice, Xi emphasized.

Over the 70 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Africa, amid shifting international dynamics, the two sides have stood together through thick and thin and forged ahead side by side, Xi said, noting that the Global South, represented by China and African nations, has always been a force for justice in a world marked by turbulence and transformation.

As the impact of the Middle East conflict spills over to African countries, China stands ready to work hand in hand with Africa to address these challenges, jointly promote peace and work together to advance development, Xi said, calling on both sides to uphold the principles for peace, maintain the resolve for development, and promote win-win cooperation.

He said both sides should uphold principles to advance peace, jointly call for a ceasefire and an end to hostilities, advocate resolving differences through equal dialogue, advance the international community's practice of true multilateralism, and firmly safeguard the purposes and principles of the UN Charter as well as the basic norms governing international relations.

Calling for staying focused on pursuing development, Xi said China has always accorded special priority to Africa in the course of steadily expanding high-standard opening up.

China will fully implement zero-tariff measures for the 53 African countries with diplomatic ties starting May 1 this year, and further expand market access for African exports to China by upgrading green channels and other related measures, according to Xi.

He also called on both sides to foster a model of win-win cooperation, adding that China is ready to respond to the aspirations of African countries, tap into cooperation potential, strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation, support Africa's development, and jointly build an all-weather community with a shared future between China and Africa in the new era.

For his part, Chapo noted that it is a great pleasure to be the first leader of an African country to pay a state visit to China this year. He congratulated China on its remarkable achievements, and on China's exemplary role among Global South countries.

Mozambique attaches great importance to its relations with China, unconditionally abides by the one-China principle, and supports China in achieving national reunification, Chapo said.

He expressed Mozambique's readiness to work with China, on the basis of mutual respect and mutual trust, to consolidate solidarity and friendship, and enhance cooperation in areas including economy and trade, agriculture and energy, opening up new chapters in jointly building the Mozambique-China community with a shared future in the new era.

Noting that the implementation of the outcomes of the FOCAC Beijing Summit and China's zero-tariff policy for African countries having diplomatic ties with China will provide strong impetus to the economic and social development of African countries, Chapo said Mozambique thanks China for its support for African countries.

Hailing the vision of a community with a shared future for humanity, the four major global initiatives, and the Belt and Road Initiative which have made important contribution to promoting world peace, stability and development, Chapo said Mozambique is ready to work with China to implement these initiatives and make the world a better place.

Following the talks, the two heads of state jointly witnessed the signing of over 20 cooperation documents in areas including Belt and Road cooperation, implementation of the Global Security Initiative, economy and trade, people-to-people exchanges, healthcare, and news media.

The two sides issued the Joint Statement Between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Mozambique on Building the China-Mozambique Community with a Shared Future in the New Era.

Before the talks, Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan held a welcoming ceremony for Chapo and his wife, Gueta Chapo, at the Great Hall of the People.

Xi and his wife Peng also held a welcoming banquet for Chapo and his wife Gueta Chapo on Tuesday evening.

Chinese President Xi Jinping holds talks with President of the Republic of Mozambique Daniel Francisco Chapo, who is on a state visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, April 21, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan)

Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcome ceremony for President of the Republic of Mozambique Daniel Francisco Chapo ahead of their talks at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, April 21, 2026. Xi held talks with Chapo, who is on a state visit to China, in Beijing on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Shen Hong)

Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcome ceremony for President of the Republic of Mozambique Daniel Francisco Chapo ahead of their talks at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, April 21, 2026. Xi held talks with Chapo, who is on a state visit to China, in Beijing on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Ding Haitao)

Editor: Xiong Jian
File photo of U.S. District Court in Bridgeport. Federal officials said Morris Carter III, a Hartford man, was sentenced to 13 years in prison for possessing a firearm as a felon. Hearst Connecticut Media

HARTFORD  A Hartford man with a felony record has been sentenced to 13 years in prison after a fight in 2023 led police to determine he illegally possessed a firearm, officials said.

Morris Carter III, 37, also known as "Mo," was sentenced in federal court in Bridgeport to 156 months in prison and three years of supervised release for firearm offenses and violating the conditions of his supervised release, U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut David Sullivan said in a news release Wednesday,

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Sullivan said Carter was involved in a fight in a convenience store in the south end of Hartford on Feb. 19, 2023. Surveillance footage showed Carter possessed a firearm and beat a convenience store patron in the head with a firearm magazine, which ejected ammunition during the altercation, Sullivan said.

Carter then fled the store, drove toward Wethersfield and threw two handguns from the car window, Sullivan said. Town police stopped the car on Nott Street, found a loaded magazine under the passenger seat and arrested Carter, he said.

Sullivan said a Wethersfield resident called police later that morning after discovering one of the discarded guns at the end of her driveway. He said officers responded and found both discarded firearms, a magazine and ammunition in the area.

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Detained since his arrest, Carter was found guilty of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number on Aug. 15, 2025, according to Sullivan.

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Carter has a criminal history that includes a 2013 conviction for possession of crack cocaine with intent to distribute, Sullivan said, adding he was on probation when the 2023 incident took place. He said Carter was sentenced to 136 months in prison for the firearm offenses and a consecutive 20 months in prison for violating supervised release.
Students paint during a TK class at First Street Elementary School in Los Angeles, on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. Ethan Swope/AP Students play during a TK class at First Street Elementary School in Los Angeles, on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. Ethan Swope/AP TK teacher Miss Flores leads students to lunch during a TK class at First Street Elementary School in Los Angeles, on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. Ethan Swope/AP Assistant lead teacher Yolanda Maheia reads a book to a group of preschool students at The Capitol Hill Child Enrichment Center, Wednesday, April 22, 2026, in Atlanta. Alyssa Pointer/AP Rebecca Ellis and her son, John Patrick Ellis, 5, pose for a portrait at The Capitol Hill Child Enrichment Center, Wednesday, April 22, 2026, in Atlanta. Alyssa Pointer/AP

WASHINGTON (AP)  The number of 4-year-olds attending state-funded preschools reached record highs last school year, driven by states embracing universal access and an unprecedented $14.4 billion in spending.

State-funded preschool enrollment in the U.S. rose to 1.8 million kids, reaching 37% of 4-year-olds and about 10% of 3-year-olds, according to an annual report published Wednesday by the National Institute of Early Education Research. In total, states added 44,000 students to their preschool enrollment. But the report's authors noted that the gains were smaller than the year prior and said preschool access remains wildly uneven from state to state. Some states even lost ground.

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If providing high-quality preschool education to all 3- and 4-year-olds were a race, the authors wrote, some states are nearing the finish line, others have stumbled and fallen behind, and a few have yet to leave the starting line.

Free preschool has expanded in California

More than half the nation's public preschool enrollment gain  some 25,000 students  came in California, which this year made every 4-year-old eligible for its  transitional kindergarten  program, or TK. The rapid rollout has had its tradeoffs. The national institute outlines 10 quality benchmarks for preschools, related to teacher training, class size and curriculum. California met just two of them last school year. And private preschool owners say the rush of 4-year-olds joining public schools threatens to cripple their businesses.

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Universal TK ... is a real win, but its also just the start of the work and not the end of it, said Jessica Sawko of Children Now, which advocates on early childhood issues in California. She noted that the state will hit two more quality benchmarks in next year's report, by lowering its student-teacher ratio to 10-to-1 and by requiring lead teachers to have early education training.

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The report illustrates some of the difficult tradeoffs states face when they scale up programs quickly or have limited funding. Hawaii is one of six states that meet all the institute's benchmarks. Its state preschool program also only serves 10% of 4-year-olds.

Evidence is mounting that the impact of high-quality preschool can follow children into adulthood, making them better prepared for kindergarten, more likely to graduate high school and more likely to find work. And it is increasingly seen as essential for success in kindergarten and beyond. Educators now also expect youngsters to start their first year of school already equipped to navigate kindergarten.

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We have a lot of kids who still do not fulfill their potential, said Steven Barnett, founder and director of the early education institute. We have evidence  very strong evidence  that preschool programs substantially improved the foundation for later success.

Some states also recognize that free prekindergarten can make a difference for the wider economy, allowing parents to return to work at a time when private child care is becoming less affordable.

Preschool means confident kindergartners

Heather Sufuentes witnessed the impact of preschool when she was principal of Parkview Elementary in Chico, California, as it began its transitional kindergarten program. She said students who attended the program, which has a play-based curriculum and runs the length of a workday, arrived with more confidence and often volunteered to be class leaders.

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They're well prepared to transition into that big elementary school setting, said Sufuentes, now director of elementary education for Chico Unified School District. Chico has more than doubled the number of TK seats it offers since 2022.

Marisol Marquez, a secretary who works for the state, sends her daughter to transitional kindergarten at 1st Street Elementary in Los Angeles. She had been sending her for free to a learning center underwritten by COVID-19 relief funding. But she would have had to start paying tuition this year, and she's not sure how she and her husband, a UPS driver, would have made it work. She was elated to hear 1st Street Elementary was offering free transitional kindergarten.

Educators there quickly discovered her daughter was bright and began sending her to kindergarten for math and reading lessons.

If it hadnt been for this program, we would have never found that out," Marquez said.

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In some states, preschool is expensive. In others, it's free

Despite the raised expectations for 5-year-olds, no state mandates that children attend preschool, and only some cities and states make it accessible to every 4-year-old. Preschool offerings differ vastly. A family living in Wyoming, which has no state-funded preschool, could move to Colorado, where every parent can send their 4-year-old to part-time preschool without paying a dime in tuition. In the District of Columbia, even affluent families have access to two full years of prekindergarten, while neighboring Virginia has a far less robust program.

The uneven access across states can exacerbate disparities. Wealthier families can often afford private preschool tuition, regardless of what their state offers. In 2024, private child care centers, which often use preschool curriculum, averaged annual tuition of more than $12,000 for 4-year-olds, according to Child Care Aware of America.

For families that can't afford preschool tuition, the options can be limited. State-funded preschool programs often have waitlists.

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If a family's earnings are low enough, they can qualify for programs like Head Start, which provides early education for the neediest Americans. But the number of children in Head Start is falling, in part due to staff shortages. Lower-income families may also qualify for state or federal child care subsidies that can help with private preschool, but those have growing waitlists, too.

Trump says states should pay

Federal support for expanding early education funding is sparse and shrinking. Recently, President Donald Trump said the federal government couldnt afford to support child care while it was waging a war with Iran.

Were fighting wars. We cant take care of day care, Trump said. States, he added, should pay for it. ... Theyll have to raise their taxes.

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The map of states that offer the highest-quality public preschool programs would surprise some partisans. Republican-led states have pioneered universal prekindergarten, with Oklahoma introducing it in the late 1990s. Alabama and West Virginia also have preschool-for-all programs that receive top marks. Wealthier, Democratic-led states have lagged behind, even as many blue-leaning cities have moved ahead with their own initiatives. New York state lost enrollment last school year, even as New York City, which already has universal prekindergarten, is charging ahead with a plan to make all child care free for younger children.

And Georgia, another state with Republican leadership, is the first to have a universal preschool program that meets all quality benchmarks set by the National Institute of Early Education Research.

Rebecca Ellis's son John Patrick, 5, attends the private Capitol Hill Child Enrichment Center in Atlanta free of charge, thanks to the state's preschool-for-all program. She said it saved her family a huge amount of money, and she is impressed by how much her son has grown socially and emotionally.

They focus so much on just helping kids learn how to calm down, to make friends, to regulate their feelings, to solve problems, Ellis said.

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John Patrick and her older son, who attended the same preschool, have even given their parents advice. When they become agitated, the children urge them to take deep breaths.

___

The Associated Press education coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find APs standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.
OpenAI logo is displayed on a mobile phone screen for illustration photo. Krakow, Poland. On April, 20th, 2026. NurPhoto/NurPhoto via Getty Images Incumbent Republicans Sen. Paul Cicarella, left, and State Rep. Dave Yaccarino watch as results are posted on Election Day at Ludal's Italian Restaurant in North Haven, Conn., Tuesday, November 5, 2024. David Zajac/Hearst Connecticut Media State Sen. James Maroney, D-Milford, watching the Senate roll call vote for the state's landmark regulations on artificial intelligence in the State Capitol, shortly before 8:30 on Tuesday night. Ken Dixon/Hearst Connecticut Media

HARTFORD  A bill regulating these early stages of artificial intelligence, including protections for children and users of chatbots, passed the state Senate Tuesday in a bipartisan vote that sends it to the state House of Representatives. The bill also aims to encourage workforce development and require transparency for the AI industry.

"We're looking at becoming the most AI-literate workforce in the nation," said Sen. James Maroney, D-Milford at the beginning of the four-and-a-half-hour debate. "We make sure we're empowering our state government to utilize AI in a responsible way to better serve our citizens." The legislation passed 32-4, with opposition from Republicans Sens. Rob Sampson of Wolcott, Tony Hwang of Fairfield, Eric Berthel of Watertown and Ryan Fazio of Greenwich.

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Gov. Ned Lamont, an obstacle to the legislation in recent years, said he favors this year's bill, which includes some legislation he proposed in February.

In a mid-afternoon statement, before the legislation reached the Senate, Cathryn Vaulman, Lamont's communications director, said the governor's office worked closely with Maroney on the bill.

"The governor appreciates that this bill is focused on empowering Connecticut residents to use AI responsibly," she said. "It boils down to: AI is an important part of our - and everyone's - economic growth story. This bill facilitates that, while making sure that in specific-use cases, folks have safety and clarity in how to work with these systems."

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In recent years, Maroney advocated wide-ranging legislation that Lamont warned could stifle the nascent industry of artificial intelligence. In 2024, the bill passed the Senate and died in the House after Lamont said he would veto it. A similar event occurred last year. This legislative session, Maroney said he was in regular communication with the governor's office.

It was a years-in-the-making victory for Maroney, the co-chairman of the General Law Committee, who has become a nationally recognized expert on the still-emerging AI industry, which Sen. Paul Cicarella, R-North Haven, said can be "scary." There are also expanded whistleblower protections for people working in the industry who report risks described as "catastrophic" that could threaten lives or millions of dollars.

"I believe that that's important, that we don't want to deter people within these companies from coming forward to stop something that could be so catastrophic," Cicarella said, warning that AI's potential for damage might be unknown now. "Honestly, if a company was going to hurt our residents because they could make a lot of money, I think that this would be one of those times when it was appropriate."

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Maroney, and Cicarella, a ranking Republican on the General Law Committee, agreed that the new, fast-moving AI industry already adheres to many of the proposed industry guidelines.

A so-called sandbox provision, would give some regulatory flexibility for new use of AI. The bill would order various state departments, including the Department of Economic and Community Development, to oversee the testing of various AI models. "We are giving them regulatory certainty and relief," Maroney said. "The regulatory sandbox is telling them what they can and can't do. We are looking at talking to other states to build sandboxes."

Cicarella said that since there are no national rules, states may have to take the issues head-on without deterring businesses from moving here. "We haven't seen enough movement," Cicarella said.

In cases of companion chatbots, if a user starts displaying suicidal ideations, the unit would have to shut down. Other protections would shield children from sexual content and self harm.

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Some of the chatbot legislation was, in part, inspired by a CT Insider investigation last year that showed shortcomings when it came to creating protections for children with sexually explicit AI chatbots.

In cases where companies with chatbots violate the industry-best standards, the state attorney general would be authorized to file unfair business practice claims. "We are not by any means, going to be the first state to have this requirement," said Maroney, adding that many of the children's safeguards have already been adopted in several states around the country.

"This is an example of where 'move fast and break things,' which is the big tech mantra, has had real life implications on real people," Maroney said. "Unfortunately, we have seen in other states where children have died by suicide, often having been encouraged or at least validated for their delusions by their companion chatbot." He pointed out a recent murder-suicide in Greenwich that is alleged to have been encouraged by AI.

"When they're talking about the issues they may have, some of the models may validate those concerns," Cicarella said. "Some of the models may even transition, I would hope accidentally, to how-to kill yourself. If we could do something here to save one person I think that that's truly important."

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Maroney said that evidence-based methods would require makers of chatbots to detect expressions of suicide, self-harm or imminent physical violence and take measures to generate any output to encourage such expressions. "The key is in using industry-best standards or better," Maroney said. "We all know that a good friend is the friend who tells you what you need to hear not what you want to hear."

Another section of the 71-page bill would require industry disclosure, including the notification of job seekers to be informed if AI would be involved in their employment screening, including the types of information asked of job candidates. Using current law, AI would be banned from discriminating on a variety of levels, including race, gender and age.

State companies using the technology would not be liable if the tech was flawed and was prejudiced against certain candidates. "There are laws on the books being used for the enforcement," Maroney said. So-called deep fakes would have to contain meta data revealing the authenticity of an image.

The free Connecticut AI Academy would also be expanded to children if the bill were to become law on October 1. Maroney warned that a recent study by Tufts University found that 105,000 Connecticut jobs could be lost due to the growth of artificial intelligence over the next several years.

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"It's amazing what AI can do and how it can streamline projects," Cicarella said. "This is really a good piece of legislation that talks about workforce development. This will tell you how to learn this and get a job." He noted that there were some concerns on the use of AI in health care, to which Maroney replied that privacy would be assured in compliance with state and federal law. "The goal behind this is to incentive this for improving health outcomes," Maroney said, hoping that it would encourage companies to move to Connecticut. "There would be protections to make sure no one's personal health information would be leaked."

A whole section on child protections would address addictive social media feeds. Notifications to minors would be curtailed overnight. Cicarella said that in previous years, he was concerned about negative ramifications for the industry. This year's bill, he said, seems to have clarified the issue. "I believe it will do a lot of good," he concluded.

"It's government over reach, plain and simple," said Sen. Rob Samson, R-Wolcott, a conservative who voted against the bill. "This is a massive takeover. There are not-clear legal standards anywhere in this bill. This is just a cobbled together mess of policies that the majority finally came up with to bring us today."

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US Senator for Connecticut, Chris Murphy, speaks during the second and final day of the Global Progressive Mobilisation on April, 18 2026 in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. Europa Press News/Europa Press via Getty Images

A political flap over one word, "awesome," could fade quickly as the author of that two-syllable comment, Sen. Chris Murphy, moves to issues other than the U.S. blockade of the Straits of Hormuz and the war with Iran.

Or it could stay alive. Republicans would like to see the Connecticut Democrat pay a price for posting the comment on X, which some of them called an act of treason.

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At the dinner hour Monday, Murphy reposted a news report that carried the headline, "At least 26 Iranian shadow fleet vessels bypass US blockade"  adding his one-word take, "awesome."

Was the junior senator from Connecticut rooting for Iran against the U.S. Navy?

The onslaught was on, as the pro-Trump New York Post and Fox News piled on. "'Traitor' Dem senator ripped after one-word reaction appears to cheer on Iran," Fox proffered in a headline.

Public officials and private citizens weighed in along the same political divide we've seen for 11 years now in the Outrage Era of President Donald Trump. Some called for a censure on the Senate floor.

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Said White House spokeswomen Olivia Wales, as reported by Fox News:

"It takes an insane level of Trump Derangement Syndrome to cheer for a terrorist regime that chants Death to America'...Chris Murphy is an America-last, radical left lunatic who stands for illegal aliens and Iranian terrorists over the American people. The only thing awesome will be when he is out of office."

By 10 a.m. Tuesday, Murphy explained on X what seemed clear from the start.

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"Ok Twitter, I cant believe I need to clarify this but obviously Trumps bungled mismanagement of this war is not 'awesome.' As I have said a million times here, its a disaster and he should end the war immediately. My tweet was something called 'sarcasm.'

Ok Twitter, I cant believe I need to clarify this but obviously Trumps bungled mismanagement of this war is not awesome. As I have said a million times here, its a disaster and he should end the war immediately. My tweet was something called sarcasm. https://t.co/aL9vSEzZC1  Chris Murphy  (@ChrisMurphyCT) April 21, 2026

Most of us learned more than 30 years ago, at the dawn of email, that sarcasm doesn't play well online. Murphy, a 5-star general in the social media wars, knows this too. So we might assume he knew what was coming and penned his "awesome" remark with purpose, not naively.

Either way, the pounding continued Tuesday and into Wednesday, even after Murphy explained himself to a Fox reporter in a quiet U.S. Capitol hallway. "Twitter has become kind of a cesspool," he said, referring to X as its former name. "Sarcasm I guess is not something that's allowed on Twitter any longer."

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Asked whether he regretted the post, he said matter-of-factly, "I guess I just have to be more careful about sarcasm on Twitter."

The mess in the Persian Gulf intensified Wednesday with reports of commercial ships seized on both sides.

The lesson in this, beyond that digital dictum about sarcasm, is that both sides of the divide can and will use any comment by a leader against him or her, with outrage. I'm not Catholic but I'm genuinely, truly offended by Trump posting a photo of himself as Jesus Christ, then foisting an obvious lie that he thought he was playing doctor  all while insulting Pope Leo XIV.

And where were all these accusers of Murphy as a traitor when Trump threatened, as he still does, to obliterate Iran in a way that's obviously a war crime? When he never so much as apologized for the avoidable U.S. bombing that killed more than 150 girls in a school in Iran?

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We could go on. Even if we disagree, we need to recognize that the likes of Connecticut GOP Chairman Ben Proto on some level truly believed Murphy was opposing the United States when he rejected the senator's sarcasm explanation.

"When your first reaction appears to cheer for Iran over the United States, the problem is not sarcasm; the problem is Chris Murphys character and judgment, and it truly calls into question whether he should be serving in the United States Senate," Proto said in a written statement. "Chris Murphy has become the perfect symbol of todays radical Democrat Party. Democrats are embarrassed by America."

Here's the fatal flaw in the MAGA logic about patriotism: When opponents of U.S. moves such as the war in Iran or the raid in Venezuela cry foul, that does not mean they side with the target of those moves. Murphy does not favor the despotic and murderous theocracy in Tehran, nor did Rep. Jim Himes support former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro just because he compared the U.S. raid to the lawlessness of the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Those of us who criticized Charlie Kirk after his assassination, myself included, did not cheer his murder. Opposing Trump is not a syndrome and it's not deranged; that name-calling is just a feeble act to avoid debate.

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Sadly, we live in that black-and-white world. Wednesday morning, the shots at Murphy continued. "As an Iranian American with family in Iran I find you to be the most disgusting human in our senate. Only an absolute human trash would root this regime and find it exciting or funny," one person said on X.

In another era I'd say both sides need to knock it off. Sadly, this is the hallmark of Trumpism. Like a bad boyfriend, he's not going to change and ratchet down the outrage.

And so we wait for a more decent time. And on the issue of civil discourse, where we can understand sarcasm, it doesn't matter whether the new leader is liberal or conservative.
Willoughby's Coffee & Tea at 258 Church St. New Haven. Courtesy Willoughby's Owner Barry Levine with bags of beans from various countries at Willoughby's Coffee & Tea on Friday, June 27,2025, in Branford. The business, with four locations, celebrated its 40th anniversary last year. Jim Michaud/Hearst Connecticut Media Willoughby's Coffee and Tea at 194 York St. New Haven. Courtesy Willoughby's Owner Barry Levine pulls out a handful of raw coffee beans from a bag of beans from Ecuador, at Willoughby's Coffee & Tea on Friday, June 27,2025, in Branford. The business, with four locations, celebrated its 40th anniversary last year. Jim Michaud/Hearst Connecticut Media Willoughby's Coffee & Tea is coming to Meriden, planning to open this summer. Courtesy Willoughby's A photo of the late Bob Williams, co-founder with Barry Levine of Willoughby's Coffee & Tea, on Friday, June 27,2025, in Branford. The business, with four locations, celebrated its 40th anniversary last year. Jim Michaud/Hearst Connecticut Media Willoughby's Coffee & Tea, sample of tea selection. Courtesy Willoughby's Owner Barry Levine with bags of sample coffee beans from various countries sitting on his desk at Willoughby's Coffee & Tea on Friday, June 27,2025, in Branford. The business, with four locations, celebrated its 40th anniversary last year. Jim Michaud/Hearst Connecticut Media

MERIDEN  Willoughbys Coffee & Tea is bringing its brand of serious coffee to 1133 East Main St. in a new building with a drive-thru that is planned to open this summer, said its new co-owner.

This will be the sixth Willoughbys in the state, with another under construction in Cromwell at 43 Berlin Road, said Emmet Moore, who recently partnered with Willoughbys co-founder Barry Levine.

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This site was eyed for a coffee shop by different owners over the years. A Starbucks with a drive-thru was planned and approved by the city in 2021 and later EV charging stations were approved. The Starbucks name was swapped for a Teddys coffee shop in January, but those plans never developed.

Teddys Stores LLC still owns the property where Willoughbys will open.

Currently, there are four Willoughbys in the state  two in New Haven at 258 Church St. and 194 York St.; in Madison at 752 Boston Post Road; plus a coffee roasting plant with a shop in Branford at 550 East Main St., which roasts some 2,500 to 3,000 pounds of coffee beans a week.

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Moore is also a founding partner in Jefferson Fry Co. with five locations in Connecticut. The eatery is known for its loaded fries, hand-spun shakes and burgers.

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Moore fell in love with the coffee brand when he first came to this country from Ireland in 2012.

The first cup of coffee that I had when I moved to the states  as my wife used to work for Barry (Levine)  was at Willoughby's, he said, And I'm like, This is exceptional coffee. I mean, we really need to bring this to more people. Moore got to know Levine, he said, and the opportunity to work with him recently came up.

Barry is still on board with us and oversees everything for coffee at Willoughby's still. It's a really, really good partnership, Moore said. Levine has been overseeing this for over 40 years and, we can bring a little bit of energy and life to Willoughby's and start sharing it with more communities around Connecticut, he added.

Founded by Levine and the late Bob Williams in 1985, Willoughby's was the first micro coffee roaster in the state, formerly on Chapel Street in New Haven, and only one of a handful in the country. Starbucks had yet to branch out past Seattle at that time, and it was years before the West Coast coffee chain became a household name.

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Moore noted that the Willoughby's "Serious Select Program" attracts people who are very, very serious about coffee" where the shop buys small quantities of a select bean which can range in price  anything from moderate to very expensive often featuring limited, prized coffees from small batch growers, such as Panama Elida Estate. These select coffees are sold by the pound and by the cup to customers.

In addition to coffee and teas, Willoughbys offers fresh pastries, made off-site, such as croissants, scones, biscotti, cookies, lemon bars and other treats.

What makes Willoughbys stand apart from chain coffee places is the founders' enduring dedication to coffee, said Moore.

Their goal was a simple one  to produce the best coffee that they possibly could, Moore said.

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The process that the team goes through to produce these coffees is not short of exceptional, he said. From the sourcing, the constant cupping (tasting), the relationships which Barry has developed with many of these farmers that produce these coffee beans.

Levines passion for coffee is contagious among staff, he added.

Barry has an incredible knowledge of coffee, and he loves to share that with everybody. So often when we get talking, we end up talking for hours just about coffee and that filters down to the rest of the team.

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Moore also noted the friendly atmosphere at the cafes.
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau building in Washington. Several attorneys general sent a letter to the agency urging to avoid cut backs. Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Imag

Attorneys general from 21 states, including Michigan, Illinois, and the District of Columbia, have signed a letter to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau about the agency's planned cuts.

In a Tuesday press release, Michigan's Attorney General Dana Nessel said she and the other attorneys general are urging the CFPB to scale back its plans that would severely reduce staffing, undermine the agencys statutory obligation to supervise financial institutions, weaken enforcement, and result in less relief and protection for consumers.

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In simple terms, the proposed cuts could result in fewer investigations into suspected abusive practices, less oversight of large financial institutions, less money returned to harmed consumers and a greater burden on states, with consumer protections varying depending on where people live.

Michigan families depend on the CFPB to defend them from deceptive financial institutions, Nessel said in a statement. With the Michigan Consumer Protection Act having been gutted by court rulings, the CFPB has been an important line of defense for Michiganders against bad actors.

"Scaling back the agency doesnt just reduce staffing. It abandons working families getting ripped off by unscrupulous practices. Michigan residents need the CFPB to have their backs, and I call on the agency to uphold its mission to protect consumers, not predatory corporations.

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul also said in a statement, The CFPB was created in the wake of the most devastating world financial crisis since the Great Depression. Its very mission was to ensure that the type of fraud, abuse and financial exploitation that led to the financial crisis would not be repeated, and it was tasked with partnering with states in this extremely important endeavor.

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It is unconscionable that this administration is attempting to restrict the ability of the federal government to effectively protect its consumers. With agencies like the CFPB stepping back from its responsibilities, states will be forced to do more with less, bad actors will get a free pass and consumers will pay the price.

In the letter, the attorneys general said the agencys strategic plan undermines the CFPBs statutory requirement to supervise financial institutions.

The CFPBs strategic plan would cover 2026 through 2030.
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.
China, Mozambique upgrade ties as Xi, Chapo hold talks

Xinhua) 08:06, April 22, 2026

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with President of the Republic of Mozambique Daniel Francisco Chapo and his wife Gueta Chapo ahead of the talks between Xi and Chapo at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, April 21, 2026. Xi held talks with Chapo, who is on a state visit to China, in Beijing on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

BEIJING, April 21 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping and Mozambican President Daniel Francisco Chapo held talks in Beijing on Tuesday, and the two heads of state agreed to upgrade bilateral ties to a China-Mozambique community with a shared future in the new era.

Noting that the time-honored friendship between China and Mozambique has set an example for China-Africa relations and South-South cooperation, Xi said that under the new circumstances, deepening China-Mozambique friendly cooperation meets the shared expectations of the two peoples and reflects the prevailing trend in the Global South to strengthen solidarity and collaboration in jointly tackling challenges.

China is ready to work with Mozambique to take the implementation of the outcomes of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges in 2026 as an opportunity to jointly pursue modernization, Xi noted.

Friendship and mutual trust are the defining features and political strengths of China-Mozambique relations, Xi said, adding that the two sides should continue to firmly support each other on issues concerning each other's core interests and major concerns, promote exchanges at various levels and in various fields including governments, political parties, legislative bodies and local exchanges, and deepen experience sharing in party and state governance.

He pointed out that China and Mozambique enjoy strong economic complementarity and broad cooperation prospects. Noting that this year marks the beginning of China's 15th Five-Year Plan period, Xi said China stands ready to strengthen the alignment of development strategies with Mozambique, explore new models of cooperation, break new ground in infrastructure development and the comprehensive development of energy and mineral resources, foster new growth areas of cooperation in agriculture, new energy, digital economy and artificial intelligence, and advance high-quality and sustainable growth of practical cooperation between the two countries.

Faced with a complex and volatile international landscape, the two sides should continue to step up coordination and collaboration within the United Nations and other institutions, work in solidarity to champion an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, and jointly safeguard international fairness and justice, Xi emphasized.

Over the 70 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Africa, amid shifting international dynamics, the two sides have stood together through thick and thin and forged ahead side by side, Xi said, noting that the Global South, represented by China and African nations, has always been a force for justice in a world marked by turbulence and transformation.

As the impact of the Middle East conflict spills over to African countries, China stands ready to work hand in hand with Africa to address these challenges, jointly promote peace and work together to advance development, Xi said, calling on both sides to uphold the principles for peace, maintain the resolve for development, and promote win-win cooperation.

He said both sides should uphold principles to advance peace, jointly call for a ceasefire and an end to hostilities, advocate resolving differences through equal dialogue, advance the international community's practice of true multilateralism, and firmly safeguard the purposes and principles of the UN Charter as well as the basic norms governing international relations.

Calling for staying focused on pursuing development, Xi said China has always accorded special priority to Africa in the course of steadily expanding high-standard opening up.

China will fully implement zero-tariff measures for the 53 African countries with diplomatic ties starting May 1 this year, and further expand market access for African exports to China by upgrading green channels and other related measures, according to Xi.

He also called on both sides to foster a model of win-win cooperation, adding that China is ready to respond to the aspirations of African countries, tap into cooperation potential, strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation, support Africa's development, and jointly build an all-weather community with a shared future between China and Africa in the new era.

For his part, Chapo noted that it is a great pleasure to be the first leader of an African country to pay a state visit to China this year. He congratulated China on its remarkable achievements, and on China's exemplary role among Global South countries.

Mozambique attaches great importance to its relations with China, unconditionally abides by the one-China principle, and supports China in achieving national reunification, Chapo said.

He expressed Mozambique's readiness to work with China, on the basis of mutual respect and mutual trust, to consolidate solidarity and friendship, and enhance cooperation in areas including economy and trade, agriculture and energy, opening up new chapters in jointly building the Mozambique-China community with a shared future in the new era.

Noting that the implementation of the outcomes of the FOCAC Beijing Summit and China's zero-tariff policy for African countries having diplomatic ties with China will provide strong impetus to the economic and social development of African countries, Chapo said Mozambique thanks China for its support for African countries.

Hailing the vision of a community with a shared future for humanity, the four major global initiatives, and the Belt and Road Initiative which have made important contribution to promoting world peace, stability and development, Chapo said Mozambique is ready to work with China to implement these initiatives and make the world a better place.

Following the talks, the two heads of state jointly witnessed the signing of over 20 cooperation documents in areas including Belt and Road cooperation, implementation of the Global Security Initiative, economy and trade, people-to-people exchanges, healthcare, and news media.

The two sides issued the Joint Statement Between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Mozambique on Building the China-Mozambique Community with a Shared Future in the New Era.

Before the talks, Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan held a welcoming ceremony for Chapo and his wife, Gueta Chapo, at the Great Hall of the People.

Xi and his wife Peng also held a welcoming banquet for Chapo and his wife Gueta Chapo on Tuesday evening.

Chinese President Xi Jinping holds talks with President of the Republic of Mozambique Daniel Francisco Chapo, who is on a state visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, April 21, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan)

Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcome ceremony for President of the Republic of Mozambique Daniel Francisco Chapo ahead of their talks at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, April 21, 2026. Xi held talks with Chapo, who is on a state visit to China, in Beijing on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Shen Hong)

Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcome ceremony for President of the Republic of Mozambique Daniel Francisco Chapo ahead of their talks at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, April 21, 2026. Xi held talks with Chapo, who is on a state visit to China, in Beijing on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Ding Haitao)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
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Elchin Amirbayov, the Representative of the President of Azerbaijan for Special Assignments, has held a series of high-level meetings during his visit to United Kingdom, AzerNEWS reports.

According to information released by Azerbaijans embassy in the UK, Amirbayov met with senior British officials, including Barbara Woodward, Deputy National Security Adviser to the Prime Minister; Edward Llewellyn, Political Director at the Foreign Office; Jonathan Allen, Director-General for Defence and Intelligence; and Christopher Allan, Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

He also held talks with members of the UK Parliament, including Nusrat Ghani, Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons, and Bob Blackman, Chair of the UKAzerbaijan Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group, along with other lawmakers.

In addition, Amirbayov delivered remarks at a roundtable discussion hosted by the International Institute for Strategic Studies, attended by experts, researchers, and academic representatives.

During his visit, he also gave interviews to leading British publications, including The Guardian and Daily Express.
State-owned JSC Ukrtransnafta, he company responsible for operating the Ukrainian section of the Druzhba pipeline, officially informed Hungarys MOL that repair works on the Druzhba Pipeline have been completed and that the force majeure conditions in effect since January 27, 2026 ceased.

"According to the notification, JSC Ukrtransnafta is ready to resume crude oil transit to Hungary and Slovakia," MOL, which operates refineries in Hungary and Slovakia, announced on its website on Wednesday.

The company clarified that the force majeure circumstances ceased to apply as of 6:00 PM on April 21.

As reported, Hungary and Slovakia cited the resumption of Russian oil transit as conditions for unblocking the EUR 90 billion loan to Ukraine and reviewing the 20th EU sanctions package against Russia.
Photo: siberia.transneft.ru

Ukraine on Wednesday restored oil transit via the Druzhba pipeline after 12:00, a source close to the Ukrainian government told the Energoreforma website.

"Oil transit was launched at 12:35. Pumping has begun," the source said.

The source has not yet specified the volume of pumping.

The resumption of oil supplies via the Druzhba pipeline to Slovakia is expected on Thursday morning, as previously reported with reference to Slovak Economy Minister Denisa Sakova.

Hungary and Slovakia have not received Russian oil via the Druzhba pipeline since January 27 of this year due to damage to the pipeline caused by a Russian strike. Earlier, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said he would not lift his veto on a EUR 90 billion EU loan for Ukraine until oil supplies were restored.

Peter Magyar, leader of the Tisza party that won the elections in Hungary, called on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to ensure the fastest possible restoration of the Druzhba pipelines operation.

The Kremlin previously stated that Russia is technologically ready to resume transit via the Druzhba pipeline to Hungary.

Hungarian oil and gas company MOL said on Wednesday, April 22, that state-owned JSC Ukrtransnafta, responsible for operating the Ukrainian section of the Druzhba pipeline, officially notified it that repair works on the Druzhba pipeline were completed and that force majeure conditions in effect since January 27, 2026 ceased.
Bank of Ireland Group plc (OTCMKTS:BKRIY  Get Free Report) has earned a consensus recommendation of Moderate Buy from the six research firms that are currently covering the company, Marketbeat.com reports. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold recommendation and five have issued a buy recommendation on the company.

A number of research analysts have recently issued reports on BKRIY shares. Barclays upgraded shares of Bank of Ireland Group from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 15th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a buy rating on shares of Bank of Ireland Group in a research report on Monday, April 13th.

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Bank of Ireland Group Trading Up 0.1%

About Bank of Ireland Group

OTCMKTS BKRIY opened at $20.19 on Wednesday. Bank of Ireland Group has a 12 month low of $11.46 and a 12 month high of $21.11. The companys fifty day moving average price is $18.72 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $18.45.

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Bank of Ireland Group (OTCMKTS:BKRIY) is a leading financial services provider headquartered in Dublin, Ireland. Established in 1783, the bank has grown to become one of the countrys largest banking institutions, offering a diverse range of products and services to retail, corporate and institutional clients. The groups core operations include traditional retail banking, corporate and commercial banking, and wealth and asset management.

In the retail segment, Bank of Ireland provides deposit accounts, personal loans, credit cards, mortgages and insurance solutions to individual customers.

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Brazilian Electric Power Co (NYSE:AXIA  Get Free Report) Director De Lima Filho Pedro Batista sold 1,640,600 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, April 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $12.46, for a total transaction of $20,441,876.00. Following the sale, the director directly owned 1,146,032 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $14,279,558.72. This trade represents a 58.87% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website.

Brazilian Electric Power Trading Down 1.0%

Shares of AXIA traded down $0.13 on Tuesday, reaching $12.78. 1,033,108 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,171,771. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52, a current ratio of 1.68 and a quick ratio of 1.67. The company has a market cap of $28.75 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.55, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.86 and a beta of 0.53. Brazilian Electric Power Co has a 12 month low of $6.71 and a 12 month high of $13.54.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Weiss Ratings initiated coverage on shares of Brazilian Electric Power in a research note on Tuesday, April 7th. They set a hold (c) rating for the company. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Brazilian Electric Power from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Saturday, March 14th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Hold rating, According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold.

About Brazilian Electric Power

(Get Free Report)

Centrais Eletricas Brasileiras SA  Eletrobras, through its subsidiaries, engages in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity in Brazil. The company generates electricity through hydroelectric, thermal, nuclear, wind, and solar plants. As of December 31, 2020, it owned and operated 31 hydroelectric plants with a total installed capacity of 50,648 megawatts; seven thermal plants, including coal, and oil and gas power generation units with a total installed capacity of 1,595 megawatts; and two nuclear power plants comprising Angra I with an installed capacity of 640 megawatts and Angra II with an installed capacity of 1,350 megawatts.

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Century Communities (NYSE:CCS  Get Free Report) released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday. The construction company reported $0.88 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.61 by $0.27, FiscalAI reports. Century Communities had a net margin of 3.58% and a return on equity of 6.87%. The company had revenue of $789.67 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $961.12 million. During the same period last year, the firm earned $1.36 EPS. Century Communitiess revenue for the quarter was down 16.9% on a year-over-year basis.

Century Communities Stock Performance

Century Communities stock traded down $0.19 during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching $63.62. 202,239 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 271,233. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.43, a current ratio of 1.08 and a quick ratio of 1.08. Century Communities has a 12 month low of $50.42 and a 12 month high of $76.00. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.85 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.09 and a beta of 1.56. The business has a 50 day moving average of $62.15 and a two-hundred day moving average of $62.31.

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Century Communities Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, March 11th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, February 25th were issued a dividend of $0.32 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, February 25th. This is a positive change from Century Communitiess previous quarterly dividend of $0.29. This represents a $1.28 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.0%. Century Communitiess dividend payout ratio is presently 26.34%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts have recently commented on CCS shares. Citizens Jmp started coverage on Century Communities in a report on Wednesday, January 21st. They set a market outperform rating and a $92.00 price objective for the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price target on shares of Century Communities from $56.00 to $49.00 and set an underweight rating for the company in a research note on Monday, February 2nd. B. Riley Financial reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of Century Communities in a research report on Thursday, January 29th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c) rating on shares of Century Communities in a report on Wednesday, January 21st. Finally, Citigroup initiated coverage on shares of Century Communities in a report on Wednesday, January 21st. They issued an outperform rating for the company. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, three have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $74.75.

Read Our Latest Stock Report on CCS

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Century Communities news, Chairman Dale Francescon sold 100,100 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $72.44, for a total value of $7,251,244.00. Following the transaction, the chairman directly owned 561,662 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $40,686,795.28. This trade represents a 15.13% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 13.70% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Century Communities

A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of CCS. Lazard Asset Management LLC grew its position in shares of Century Communities by 7.8% during the second quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 2,405 shares of the construction companys stock worth $134,000 after purchasing an additional 173 shares in the last quarter. Quadrant Capital Group LLC increased its holdings in shares of Century Communities by 1.4% in the third quarter. Quadrant Capital Group LLC now owns 12,515 shares of the construction companys stock worth $793,000 after purchasing an additional 173 shares during the last quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC boosted its stake in Century Communities by 207.6% during the fourth quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 609 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $36,000 after buying an additional 411 shares during the last quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Century Communities by 175.5% during the 2nd quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 730 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $41,000 after buying an additional 465 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Captrust Financial Advisors increased its stake in Century Communities by 12.0% in the 4th quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 4,658 shares of the construction companys stock worth $276,000 after acquiring an additional 499 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 99.54% of the companys stock.

Century Communities Company Profile

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Century Communities, Inc is a national homebuilder and land developer headquartered in Greenwood Village, Colorado. The company is engaged in the acquisition, development, construction and sale of single- and multi-family residential homes, offering a range of floor plans and design options to homebuyers. In addition to its core homebuilding activities, Century Communities provides ancillary services such as mortgage financing, title and closing services, and insurance products through its wholly owned subsidiaries, aiming to deliver a comprehensive homebuying experience.

Founded in 2009, Century Communities rapidly expanded through both organic growth and strategic land acquisitions, positioning itself in high-growth markets across the United States.

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National Bank (NYSE:NBHC  Get Free Report)s stock had its buy rating reiterated by equities research analysts at DA Davidson in a research note issued on Wednesday,Benzinga reports. They presently have a $46.00 price objective on the financial services providers stock. DA Davidsons price target indicates a potential upside of 11.11% from the companys current price.

Several other research analysts have also recently issued reports on the company. Weiss Ratings raised National Bank from a hold (c+) rating to a buy (b-) rating in a research report on Monday, March 30th. Piper Sandler assumed coverage on National Bank in a research report on Wednesday, March 25th. They issued an overweight rating and a $48.00 target price on the stock. Finally, Wall Street Zen cut National Bank from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report on Saturday, January 31st. Five analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $45.40.

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National Bank Stock Performance

NYSE:NBHC traded down $0.76 on Wednesday, hitting $41.40. The stock had a trading volume of 401,729 shares, compared to its average volume of 542,605. The stock has a market cap of $1.86 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.54 and a beta of 0.78. The company has a quick ratio of 0.93, a current ratio of 0.94 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.04. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $40.26 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $39.13. National Bank has a 52-week low of $33.75 and a 52-week high of $43.09.

National Bank (NYSE:NBHC  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, April 21st. The financial services provider reported $0.72 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.65 by $0.07. The business had revenue of $126.78 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $129.30 million. National Bank had a return on equity of 8.65% and a net margin of 18.66%.The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 37.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm posted $0.63 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts predict that National Bank will post 3.33 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling at National Bank

In related news, insider John Steinmetz acquired 24,200 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 11th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $41.41 per share, with a total value of $1,002,122.00. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 536,504 shares in the company, valued at approximately $22,216,630.64. This represents a 4.72% increase in their ownership of the stock. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. 6.80% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in NBHC. Royal Bank of Canada lifted its holdings in National Bank by 34.3% in the 1st quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 23,683 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $906,000 after purchasing an additional 6,052 shares in the last quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in National Bank by 97.2% in the 1st quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 26,300 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,007,000 after purchasing an additional 12,962 shares in the last quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. lifted its holdings in National Bank by 5.1% in the 1st quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 22,066 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $844,000 after purchasing an additional 1,079 shares in the last quarter. Millennium Management LLC lifted its holdings in National Bank by 2,057.9% in the 1st quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 199,453 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $7,633,000 after purchasing an additional 190,210 shares in the last quarter. Finally, UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC lifted its holdings in National Bank by 11.4% in the 1st quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 94,367 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $3,611,000 after purchasing an additional 9,626 shares in the last quarter. 92.65% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About National Bank

(Get Free Report)

National Bank Holdings Corporation (NYSE: NBHC) is a diversified financial services holding company headquartered in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Through its network of community bank subsidiaries, the company provides deposit, lending and payment solutions to consumer, small business and commercial clients across multiple U.S. markets.

Since its founding in 1992, National Bank Holdings has pursued a growth strategy focused on acquiring and integrating locally branded community banks. Its footprint spans the Midwest and Southern United States, including Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Colorado, Illinois and Tennessee.

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Associated British Foods (LON:ABF  Get Free Report)s stock had its hold rating restated by equities research analysts at Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft in a research report issued on Wednesday,Digital Look reports. They presently have a GBX 1,925 target price on the stock. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschafts target price would indicate a potential upside of 3.90% from the companys current price.

Several other research firms have also issued reports on ABF. Shore Capital Group reiterated a hold rating on shares of Associated British Foods in a report on Friday, April 17th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price objective on Associated British Foods from GBX 1,940 to GBX 1,780 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday. Citigroup dropped their price objective on Associated British Foods from GBX 1,710 to GBX 1,600 and set a sell rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, April 15th. Royal Bank Of Canada lowered Associated British Foods to an underperform rating and decreased their target price for the stock from GBX 2,050 to GBX 1,850 in a report on Monday, April 13th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group reissued an underperform rating and set a GBX 1,650 target price on shares of Associated British Foods in a report on Tuesday. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating and three have given a Sell rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Reduce and an average target price of GBX 1,761.

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Associated British Foods Stock Up 1.0%

Associated British Foods stock traded up GBX 18.17 during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching GBX 1,852.67. The stock had a trading volume of 1,680,519 shares, compared to its average volume of 10,218,335. The firms fifty day simple moving average is GBX 1,888.54 and its 200-day simple moving average is GBX 2,020.55. Associated British Foods has a 1-year low of GBX 1,559 and a 1-year high of GBX 2,359. The stock has a market capitalization of 13.03 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.09, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.51 and a beta of 0.84. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 33.33, a quick ratio of 0.93 and a current ratio of 1.54.

Associated British Foods (LON:ABF  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, April 21st. The company reported GBX 62.70 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Associated British Foods had a return on equity of 9.30% and a net margin of 5.27%.The business had revenue of GBX 947 billion for the quarter. As a group, analysts expect that Associated British Foods will post 188.0990415 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Associated British Foods News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting Associated British Foods this week:

About Associated British Foods

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Associated British Foods is a diversified international food, ingredients and retail group with sales of 13.9bn, 128,000 employees and operations in 53 countries across Europe, Africa, the Americas, Asia and Australia.

Our purpose is to provide safe, nutritious, affordable food, and clothing that is great value for money. With the breadth of our business, our brands and global reach, ABF aims to consistently deliver value to its stakeholders.

Our business is split into five segments: Grocery; Sugar; Agriculture; Ingredients; and Retail.

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DNB Bank ASA (OTCMKTS:DNBBY  Get Free Report) is expected to issue its resultson Thursday, April 23rd. Analysts expect the company to announce earnings of $0.6680 per share and revenue of $2.2863 billion for the quarter.

DNB Bank ASA (OTCMKTS:DNBBY  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, February 4th. The company reported $0.75 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.65 by $0.10. The business had revenue of $2.44 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.35 billion. DNB Bank ASA had a return on equity of 14.72% and a net margin of 21.00%. On average, analysts expect DNB Bank ASA to post $3 EPS for the current fiscal year and $3 EPS for the next fiscal year.

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DNB Bank ASA Stock Down 1.5%

DNBBY opened at $32.55 on Wednesday. The stock has a market cap of $50.46 billion, a PE ratio of 11.88 and a beta of 0.68. The company has a quick ratio of 1.45, a current ratio of 1.44 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.16. DNB Bank ASA has a 52 week low of $24.60 and a 52 week high of $33.81. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $31.24 and its 200 day simple moving average is $28.67.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts recently commented on DNBBY shares. Barclays raised DNB Bank ASA from a hold rating to an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 8th. Pareto Securities cut DNB Bank ASA from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, February 5th. Zacks Research raised DNB Bank ASA from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 17th. Morgan Stanley reissued an underweight rating on shares of DNB Bank ASA in a research note on Thursday, April 16th. Finally, Citigroup reissued a neutral rating on shares of DNB Bank ASA in a research note on Tuesday, February 10th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have given a Buy rating, four have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, DNB Bank ASA presently has a consensus rating of Hold.

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About DNB Bank ASA

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DNB Bank ASA (OTCMKTS: DNBBY) is Norways largest financial services group, offering a broad range of banking, insurance and capital markets services to retail, corporate and institutional clients. The banks core activities encompass retail and commercial banking, corporate and investment banking, asset management, life insurance and pension products, as well as payment and card services. DNB provides traditional deposit and lending products, mortgages, savings and wealth management solutions, securities trading, corporate finance and treasury services.

The group operates through several specialized business lines, including DNB Markets for investment banking and capital markets activities and DNB Asset Management for portfolio management and investment funds.

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Haverty Furniture Companies (NYSE:HVT  Get Free Report) is anticipated to post its Q1 2026 results after the market closes on Wednesday, April 29th. Analysts expect Haverty Furniture Companies to post earnings of $0.27 per share and revenue of $193.5230 million for the quarter. Individuals may review the information on the companys upcoming Q1 2026 earning report for the latest details on the call scheduled for Thursday, April 30, 2026 at 10:00 AM ET.

Haverty Furniture Companies (NYSE:HVT  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Monday, February 23rd. The company reported $0.50 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.48 by $0.02. The firm had revenue of $201.92 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $197.47 million. Haverty Furniture Companies had a net margin of 2.60% and a return on equity of 6.45%. On average, analysts expect Haverty Furniture Companies to post $2 EPS for the current fiscal year and $3 EPS for the next fiscal year.

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Haverty Furniture Companies Price Performance

NYSE:HVT opened at $23.16 on Wednesday. The stock has a market cap of $373.86 million, a P/E ratio of 19.79, a PEG ratio of 1.04 and a beta of 1.33. Haverty Furniture Companies has a one year low of $17.34 and a one year high of $27.67. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $22.85 and a 200 day moving average price of $23.37.

Haverty Furniture Companies Announces Dividend

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Haverty Furniture Companies

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, March 25th. Investors of record on Tuesday, March 10th were paid a dividend of $0.33 per share. This represents a $1.32 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.7%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, March 10th. Haverty Furniture Companiess dividend payout ratio is presently 112.82%.

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of HVT. Raymond James Financial Inc. bought a new stake in Haverty Furniture Companies in the 2nd quarter valued at $31,000. CANADA LIFE ASSURANCE Co increased its holdings in Haverty Furniture Companies by 57.0% in the 4th quarter. CANADA LIFE ASSURANCE Co now owns 1,721 shares of the companys stock valued at $40,000 after buying an additional 625 shares during the period. State of Wyoming bought a new stake in shares of Haverty Furniture Companies in the 2nd quarter worth about $58,000. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. grew its holdings in shares of Haverty Furniture Companies by 7.9% in the 1st quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 8,898 shares of the companys stock worth $175,000 after purchasing an additional 651 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Balyasny Asset Management L.P. bought a new stake in shares of Haverty Furniture Companies in the 4th quarter worth about $215,000. Institutional investors own 80.57% of the companys stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts have issued reports on HVT shares. Zacks Research lowered shares of Haverty Furniture Companies from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a report on Monday, December 29th. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Haverty Furniture Companies from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a report on Saturday, February 28th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c) rating on shares of Haverty Furniture Companies in a report on Friday, March 27th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Reduce.

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Haverty Furniture Companies Company Profile

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Haverty Furniture Companies, Inc operates as a specialty retailer of residential furniture and home decor in the United States. Founded in 1885 by J.J. Haverty and headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, the company offers a broad assortment of upholstered furniture, case goods, mattresses, area rugs and decorative accessories. Customers can shop through a network of company-owned showrooms as well as an e-commerce platform, supported by in-house design services, delivery options and consumer financing programs.

Over more than a century of operation, Havertys has expanded its presence primarily across the Southeast and select markets beyond.

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Invesco (NYSE:IVZ  Get Free Report) and Cannae (NYSE:CNNE  Get Free Report) are both finance companies, but which is the superior investment? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, valuation, institutional ownership, dividends, profitability, earnings and risk.

Volatility & Risk

Invesco has a beta of 1.66, suggesting that its share price is 66% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Cannae has a beta of 1.09, suggesting that its share price is 9% more volatile than the S&P 500.

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Profitability

This table compares Invesco and Cannaes net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Invesco -6.92% 10.26% 4.09% Cannae -121.15% -31.78% -24.73%

Earnings and Valuation

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Invesco $6.38 billion 1.74 -$281.70 million ($1.60) -15.61 Cannae $423.60 million 1.40 -$513.20 million ($8.92) -1.44

This table compares Invesco and Cannaes top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Invesco has higher revenue and earnings than Cannae. Invesco is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Cannae, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Dividends

Invesco pays an annual dividend of $0.84 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.4%. Cannae pays an annual dividend of $0.60 per share and has a dividend yield of 4.7%. Invesco pays out -52.5% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Cannae pays out -6.7% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Invesco has raised its dividend for 5 consecutive years.

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of current recommendations and price targets for Invesco and Cannae, as provided by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Invesco 0 10 5 0 2.33 Cannae 1 1 1 0 2.00

Invesco currently has a consensus target price of $27.46, indicating a potential upside of 9.97%. Cannae has a consensus target price of $17.00, indicating a potential upside of 32.36%. Given Cannaes higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Cannae is more favorable than Invesco.

Institutional and Insider Ownership

66.1% of Invesco shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 88.1% of Cannae shares are owned by institutional investors. 1.4% of Invesco shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 10.9% of Cannae shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Summary

Invesco beats Cannae on 12 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Invesco

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Invesco Ltd. is a publicly owned investment manager. The firm provides its services to retail clients, institutional clients, high-net worth clients, public entities, corporations, unions, non-profit organizations, endowments, foundations, pension funds, financial institutions, and sovereign wealth funds. It manages separate client-focused equity and fixed income portfolios. The firm also launches equity, fixed income, commodity, multi-asset, and balanced mutual funds for its clients. It launches equity, fixed income, multi-asset, and balanced exchange-traded funds. The firm also launches and manages private funds. It invests in the public equity and fixed income markets across the globe. The firm also invests in alternative markets, such as commodities and currencies. For the equity portion of its portfolio, it invests in growth and value stocks of large-cap, mid-cap, and small-cap companies. For the fixed income portion of its portfolio, the firm invests in convertibles, government bonds, municipal bonds, treasury securities, and cash. It also invests in short term and intermediate term bonds, investment grade and high yield bonds, taxable and tax-free bonds, senior secured loans, and structured securities such as asset-backed securities, mortgage-backed securities, and commercial mortgage-backed securities. The firm employs absolute return, global macro, and long/short strategies. It employs quantitative analysis to make its investments. The firm was formerly known as Invesco Plc, AMVESCAP plc, Amvesco plc, Invesco PLC, Invesco MIM, and H. Lotery & Co. Ltd. Invesco Ltd. was founded in 1935 and is based in Atlanta, Georgia with an additional office in Hamilton, Bermuda.

About Cannae

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Cannae Holdings, Inc. is a principal investment firm. The firm primarily invests in restaurants, technology enabled healthcare services, financial services and more. It takes both minority and majority stakes. Cannae Holdings, Inc. was founded in 2014 and is based in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT  Get Free Report) is expected to be issuing its Q1 2026 results before the market opens on Thursday, April 23rd. Analysts expect the company to announce earnings of $6.79 per share and revenue of $18.3826 billion for the quarter. Parties are encouraged to explore the companys upcoming Q1 2026 earning overview page for the latest details on the call scheduled for Thursday, April 23, 2026 at 8:30 AM ET.

Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, January 29th. The aerospace company reported $5.80 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $6.33 by ($0.53). The business had revenue of $20.32 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $19.84 billion. Lockheed Martin had a return on equity of 108.53% and a net margin of 6.69%.The businesss revenue was up 9.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $7.67 EPS. On average, analysts expect Lockheed Martin to post $30 EPS for the current fiscal year and $32 EPS for the next fiscal year.

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Lockheed Martin Stock Performance

Shares of LMT opened at $572.81 on Wednesday. The company has a current ratio of 1.09, a quick ratio of 0.94 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.05. The stock has a market cap of $132.01 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.65, a PEG ratio of 1.04 and a beta of 0.23. The company has a 50-day moving average of $634.73 and a two-hundred day moving average of $553.07. Lockheed Martin has a 12-month low of $410.11 and a 12-month high of $692.00.

Lockheed Martin Dividend Announcement

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 27th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 2nd were given a dividend of $3.45 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, March 2nd. This represents a $13.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.4%. Lockheed Martins payout ratio is presently 64.22%.

LMT has been the subject of a number of research reports. Citigroup lifted their target price on shares of Lockheed Martin from $673.00 to $675.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 1st. Truist Financial lifted their price target on shares of Lockheed Martin from $605.00 to $695.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Friday, January 30th. DZ Bank downgraded shares of Lockheed Martin from a buy rating to a hold rating and set a $665.00 price target for the company. in a report on Tuesday, February 3rd. TD Cowen lifted their price target on shares of Lockheed Martin from $600.00 to $670.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a report on Friday, January 30th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada lifted their price target on shares of Lockheed Martin from $615.00 to $650.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a report on Friday, January 30th. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, thirteen have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $645.79.

View Our Latest Research Report on LMT

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Lockheed Martin

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of LMT. Davis R M Inc. raised its holdings in Lockheed Martin by 1.3% in the 4th quarter. Davis R M Inc. now owns 1,264 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $612,000 after buying an additional 16 shares during the last quarter. Insigneo Advisory Services LLC raised its holdings in Lockheed Martin by 0.6% in the 4th quarter. Insigneo Advisory Services LLC now owns 2,884 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $1,395,000 after buying an additional 17 shares during the last quarter. Triumph Capital Management raised its holdings in Lockheed Martin by 66.7% in the 4th quarter. Triumph Capital Management now owns 55 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $26,000 after buying an additional 22 shares during the last quarter. Richmond Investment Services LLC raised its holdings in Lockheed Martin by 5.1% in the 4th quarter. Richmond Investment Services LLC now owns 456 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $220,000 after buying an additional 22 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Wimmer Associates 1 LLC raised its holdings in Lockheed Martin by 0.5% in the 4th quarter. Wimmer Associates 1 LLC now owns 4,990 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $2,414,000 after buying an additional 24 shares during the last quarter. 74.19% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Trending Headlines about Lockheed Martin

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Lockheed Martin Company Profile

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Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE: LMT) is a global aerospace and defense company that designs, develops and manufactures advanced technology systems for government and commercial customers. Formed through the 1995 merger of Lockheed Corporation and Martin Marietta, the company is headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, and focuses on providing integrated solutions across air, space, land and sea domains. Its primary customers include the U.S. Department of Defense, NASA and allied governments around the world.

Lockheed Martins product and service portfolio spans military aircraft, missile and fire-control systems, missile defense, space systems and satellite technologies, sensors and precision weapons.

Further Reading

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Signing of documents on the allocation of EUR 579 million to the European Investment Bank (EIB) to finance priority infrastructure projects in Ukraine and over EUR 360 million to support Ukrainian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is planned during the EU-Ukraine business summit in Brussels on Wednesday and Thursday.

The SME support is intended to attract new loans worth up to EUR 2.9 billion with the participation of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).

An agreement on a new energy program worth EUR 93 million between Eximbanka and Slovak Aid is also expected to be concluded, as well as the provision of a EUR 38 million EBRD loan to Kernel for a solar energy and battery project in Ukraine, secured by an EU guarantee, an Interfax-Ukraine correspondent reported.

Over 1,000 top business leaders, senior officials from the EU and Ukraine, and representatives of international financial institutions will participate in the summit, according to the organizers.

As a key milestone on the way to the 2026 Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC) in Gdansk, the summit plays a decisive role in shaping the short- and long-term recovery and growth program, reinforcing the EUs commitment to strengthening Ukraines resilience, reforms, and integration into the European economy, the event announcement said.

Discussions will center on the future of Ukraines economy, energy, critical raw materials, dual-use technologies, and vital infrastructure.

In addition to the above agreements, the signing of a Roadmap on critical raw materials between the EU and Ukraine is expected. A declaration on cooperation between the European Commission and the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine regarding investments in new and breakthrough technologies worth EUR 161 million in EU guarantees and grants is also planned, aimed at attracting up to EUR 400 million.

The agenda includes the signing of a joint statement by financial institutions of EU member states on commitments to finance dual-use projects in Ukraine and intensify cooperation to strengthen Ukraines resilience and defense with the support of the Ukraine Facility investment component. The creation of joint ventures between EU and Ukrainian companies, including Shark Robotics and Tencore, as well as Gomspace and Stetman, will also be announced.
Marshalls (LON:MSLH  Get Free Report) had its price target cut by investment analysts at Royal Bank Of Canada from GBX 195 to GBX 170 in a research note issued on Wednesday,London Stock Exchange reports. The firm currently has a sector perform rating on the stock. Royal Bank Of Canadas target price indicates a potential upside of 20.48% from the companys previous close.

Separately, Berenberg Bank restated a buy rating and set a GBX 360 price objective on shares of Marshalls in a report on Monday, March 16th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Marshalls presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of GBX 310.

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Marshalls Stock Performance

MSLH opened at GBX 141.10 on Wednesday. Marshalls has a 1-year low of GBX 133.30 and a 1-year high of GBX 295. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 27.74, a current ratio of 1.78 and a quick ratio of 1.34. The business has a 50 day moving average price of GBX 154.95 and a two-hundred day moving average price of GBX 166.22. The company has a market capitalization of 356.77 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.20, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.17 and a beta of 1.35.

Marshalls (LON:MSLH  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Monday, March 16th. The company reported GBX 13.40 earnings per share for the quarter. Marshalls had a return on equity of 2.17% and a net margin of 2.28%. Research analysts predict that Marshalls will post 18.2342758 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity at Marshalls

In other Marshalls news, insider Justin Lockwood bought 260,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 13th. The stock was acquired at an average price of GBX 181 per share, with a total value of 470,600. 1.17% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Marshalls Company Profile

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Established in the late 1880s, Marshalls plc is a leading UK manufacturer of sustainable solutions for the built environment. It operates through three trading divisions: Landscape Products; Roofing Products; and Building Products. At a Group, divisional and brand level, Marshalls strategy centres around its customers who value its unique set of capabilities, namely leading brands, best in class technical and design support and carbon leadership. This is underpinned by business wide enterprise excellence, leadership in ESG governance and standards and its people, organisation, and culture.

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Mkango Resources Ltd. (LON:MKA  Get Free Report) was up 5.4% on Tuesday . The company traded as high as GBX 49 and last traded at GBX 46.37. Approximately 8,974,195 shares changed hands during trading, an increase of 414% from the average daily volume of 1,744,973 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 44.

Mkango Resources Stock Up 5.4%

The stocks 50 day simple moving average is GBX 46.83 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is GBX 50.12. The firm has a market cap of 161.93 million, a P/E ratio of -10.10 and a beta of 1.74. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of -38.07, a current ratio of 0.18 and a quick ratio of 0.87.

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About Mkango Resources

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Mkangos corporate strategy is to develop new sustainable primary and secondary sources of neodymium, praseodymium, dysprosium and terbium to supply accelerating demand from electric vehicles, wind turbines and other clean technologies. This integrated Mine, Refine, Recycle strategy differentiates Mkango from its peers, uniquely positioning the Company in the rare earths sector.

Mkango released a Feasibility Study for Songwe Hill, Malawi, in July 2022. Malawi is known as The Warm Heart of Africa, a stable democracy with existing road, rail and power infrastructure, and new infrastructure developments underway.

In parallel, Mkango recently announced that Mkango and Grupa Azoty PULAWY, Polands leading chemical company and the second largest manufacturer of nitrogen and compound fertilizers in the European Union, have agreed to work together towards development of a rare earth Separation Plant at Pulawy in Poland.

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Shares of Pagegroup (OTCMKTS:MPGPF  Get Free Report) have received a consensus recommendation of Reduce from the six analysts that are presently covering the firm, MarketBeat.com reports. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, three have assigned a hold recommendation and one has assigned a buy recommendation to the company.

Several equities analysts recently commented on the stock. Citigroup reiterated a buy rating on shares of Pagegroup in a research note on Wednesday, April 15th. Investec lowered shares of Pagegroup from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 13th.

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Pagegroup Stock Performance

About Pagegroup

Shares of Pagegroup stock opened at $2.82 on Wednesday. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $2.82 and its 200-day simple moving average is $2.97. Pagegroup has a 1 year low of $2.78 and a 1 year high of $4.09.

(Get Free Report)

PageGroup plc (OTCMKTS: MPGPF) is a global recruitment firm headquartered in Weybridge, Surrey, United Kingdom. The company specializes in matching professionals with permanent, contract and interim positions across a diverse range of industry sectors. Through its well-established brandsmost notably Michael Page, Page Personnel and Page ExecutivePageGroup delivers tailored staffing solutions to both large multinational corporations and small to medium-sized enterprises.

PageGroups core services include specialist recruitment for finance and accounting, technology and digital, legal, human resources, marketing and sales, manufacturing and supply chain, and executive search.

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Peoples Financial (OTCMKTS:PFBX  Get Free Report) issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday. The financial services provider reported $0.31 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, Zacks reports. Peoples Financial had a return on equity of 3.99% and a net margin of 10.97%.

Peoples Financial Price Performance

OTCMKTS:PFBX remained flat at $21.01 during trading hours on Wednesday. The company had a trading volume of 11 shares, compared to its average volume of 135. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.01, a current ratio of 0.47 and a quick ratio of 0.47. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $21.09 and a 200 day moving average of $20.64. The firm has a market capitalization of $97.07 million, a P/E ratio of 24.72 and a beta of 0.22. Peoples Financial has a 1-year low of $19.20 and a 1-year high of $22.54.

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Peoples Financial Company Profile

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Peoples Financial Corporation operates as the bank holding company for The Peoples Bank that provides banking, financial, and trust services to government entities, individuals, and small and commercial businesses in Mississippi. The company accepts various deposits, such as interest and non-interest-bearing checking accounts, savings accounts, certificates of deposit, and individual retirement accounts (IRAs). It offers business, commercial, real estate, construction, personal, and installment loans; and personal trust, agencies, and estate services, including living and testamentary trusts, executorships, guardianships, and conservatorships.

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Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras (NYSE:PBR  Get Free Report) announced a special dividend on Friday, March 6th. Stockholders of record on Friday, April 24th will be given a dividend of 0.1191 per share by the oil and gas exploration company on Thursday, May 28th. The ex-dividend date is Friday, April 24th.

Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras has raised its dividend payment by an average of 0.3%annually over the last three years. Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras has a dividend payout ratio of 13.1% indicating that its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Analysts expect Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras to earn $3.80 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $0.32 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 8.4%.

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Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras Stock Up 2.0%

Shares of Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras stock opened at $21.17 on Wednesday. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $18.69 and a 200 day moving average price of $14.76. The company has a market cap of $136.44 billion, a P/E ratio of 6.96, a P/E/G ratio of 0.86 and a beta of 0.37. The company has a current ratio of 0.71, a quick ratio of 0.48 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.76. Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras has a 1 year low of $11.03 and a 1 year high of $22.05.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras ( NYSE:PBR Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Sunday, February 15th. The oil and gas exploration company reported $0.45 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $23.61 billion during the quarter. Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras had a return on equity of 24.26% and a net margin of 22.01%. As a group, analysts expect that Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras will post 3.64 EPS for the current fiscal year.

PBR has been the topic of a number of research reports. Zacks Research upgraded Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Tuesday, March 31st. Bank of America upgraded shares of Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras from a neutral rating to a buy rating and upped their price objective for the company from $18.70 to $24.80 in a research note on Friday, April 17th. UBS Group upped their price objective on shares of Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras from $14.40 to $14.60 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 14th. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Sunday, March 22nd. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group upped their price objective on shares of Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras from $13.10 to $15.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 11th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have assigned a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $18.35.

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Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.- Petrobras Company Profile

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Petroleo Brasileiro SA  Petrobras is a Brazilian, state-controlled integrated oil and gas company headquartered in Rio de Janeiro. Founded in 1953, Petrobras is principally engaged in the exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas, and operates across the full value chain from upstream activities through refining, transportation and downstream marketing of petroleum products. The company is a major player in Brazils energy sector and is a listed public company with global capital market presence.

Petrobrass core activities include deepwater and ultra-deepwater exploration and production, where it has been a pioneer in developing pre-salt reserves off Brazils coast.

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Raymond James Financial (NYSE:RJF  Get Free Report) posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday. The financial services provider reported $2.83 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.76 by $0.07, FiscalAI reports. The business had revenue of $3.86 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.92 billion. Raymond James Financial had a net margin of 13.07% and a return on equity of 17.65%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 13.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $2.42 earnings per share.

Raymond James Financial Trading Down 0.3%

NYSE:RJF traded down $0.40 during trading hours on Wednesday, hitting $154.14. The company had a trading volume of 2,185,212 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,404,808. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.42, a current ratio of 1.06 and a quick ratio of 1.04. Raymond James Financial has a 52 week low of $131.85 and a 52 week high of $177.66. The company has a market capitalization of $30.38 billion, a PE ratio of 15.08, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.16 and a beta of 1.00. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $150.15 and a 200 day moving average price of $158.77.

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Raymond James Financial Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, April 15th. Investors of record on Wednesday, April 1st were issued a $0.54 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, April 1st. This represents a $2.16 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.4%. Raymond James Financials payout ratio is 21.14%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Raymond James Financial

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Raymond James Financial

In other Raymond James Financial news, insider Bella Loykhter Allaire sold 29,551 shares of Raymond James Financial stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, March 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $142.34, for a total transaction of $4,206,289.34. Following the sale, the insider directly owned 53,586 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $7,627,431.24. The trade was a 35.54% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link . Insiders own 0.58% of the companys stock.

A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in RJF. DV Equities LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Raymond James Financial in the 4th quarter worth about $40,000. South Dakota Investment Council purchased a new stake in Raymond James Financial in the fourth quarter worth about $80,000. Zions Bancorporation National Association UT increased its stake in shares of Raymond James Financial by 25.8% during the fourth quarter. Zions Bancorporation National Association UT now owns 497 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $80,000 after purchasing an additional 102 shares in the last quarter. Sunbelt Securities Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Raymond James Financial during the third quarter valued at approximately $82,000. Finally, MUFG Securities EMEA plc purchased a new stake in shares of Raymond James Financial in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $83,000. Institutional investors own 83.83% of the companys stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts have weighed in on RJF shares. Jefferies Financial Group lowered their price objective on Raymond James Financial from $165.00 to $145.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a research report on Monday, April 6th. Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of Raymond James Financial from a hold (c+) rating to a buy (b-) rating in a report on Friday, February 20th. TD Cowen reiterated a hold rating on shares of Raymond James Financial in a report on Wednesday, January 14th. Barclays dropped their price target on shares of Raymond James Financial from $196.00 to $174.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 8th. Finally, Morgan Stanley cut their price target on shares of Raymond James Financial from $187.00 to $171.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Friday, April 10th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and nine have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $175.58.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on RJF

About Raymond James Financial

(Get Free Report)

Raymond James Financial is a diversified financial services firm headquartered in St. Petersburg, Florida. Founded in 1962, the company provides a range of services to individual investors, businesses and institutions through a combination of wealth management, capital markets, investment banking, asset management, banking and trust services. Its business model centers on a network of financial advisors and broker-dealer operations that deliver personalized financial planning, investment advisory services and brokerage solutions.

The firms core offerings include private client wealth management delivered by independent and employee advisors, equity and fixed-income research, institutional sales and trading, and investment banking services such as mergers and acquisitions advisory and capital raising.

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Rollins (NYSE:ROL  Get Free Report) released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday. The business services provider reported $0.24 EPS for the quarter, hitting analysts consensus estimates of $0.24, Zacks reports. The firm had revenue of $906.42 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $895.17 million. Rollins had a net margin of 14.00% and a return on equity of 38.16%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 10.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $0.22 EPS.

Rollins Stock Up 1.2%

NYSE:ROL traded up $0.67 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $55.38. The companys stock had a trading volume of 3,731,048 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,002,998. Rollins has a 1 year low of $51.77 and a 1 year high of $66.14. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $56.21 and a 200-day moving average of $58.67. The firm has a market capitalization of $26.69 billion, a PE ratio of 50.81, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.39 and a beta of 0.84. The company has a quick ratio of 0.55, a current ratio of 0.60 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35.

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Rollins Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, June 10th. Investors of record on Monday, May 11th will be issued a $0.1825 dividend. This represents a $0.73 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.3%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, May 11th. Rollinss payout ratio is presently 66.97%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

ROL has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Morgan Stanley set a $70.00 price objective on Rollins in a research report on Friday, February 13th. Royal Bank Of Canada set a $67.00 target price on Rollins and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, February 12th. Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b) rating on shares of Rollins in a report on Monday, December 29th. UBS Group set a $58.00 price target on shares of Rollins and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Friday, April 10th. Finally, Loop Capital initiated coverage on shares of Rollins in a report on Monday, April 13th. They set a hold rating and a $56.00 price objective for the company. Eleven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Rollins has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $64.86.

Check Out Our Latest Research Report on ROL

Key Stories Impacting Rollins

Here are the key news stories impacting Rollins this week:

Positive Sentiment: Q1 results showed revenue and organic growth acceleration  Rollins reported Q1 revenues of $906M, up 10.2% year-over-year, with organic revenue growth of 6.6% and management highlighted strong demand acceleration in March, which implies improving underlying momentum. Q1 Results  PR Newswire

Q1 results showed revenue and organic growth acceleration  Rollins reported Q1 revenues of $906M, up 10.2% year-over-year, with organic revenue growth of 6.6% and management highlighted strong demand acceleration in March, which implies improving underlying momentum. Positive Sentiment: EPS roughly in line / slightly above expectations  Reported EPS was $0.24; one outlet notes it matched consensus while another notes a $0.01 beat to consensus, reducing investor surprise risk. Net margin (14%) and ROE (38.2%) remain strong. Zacks  EPS Match Press Release / Financials

EPS roughly in line / slightly above expectations  Reported EPS was $0.24; one outlet notes it matched consensus while another notes a $0.01 beat to consensus, reducing investor surprise risk. Net margin (14%) and ROE (38.2%) remain strong. Positive Sentiment: Board approved a cash dividend  Rollins declared a quarterly dividend of $0.1825 per share (payable June 10; record date May 11). The payout signals capital return discipline and supports income-focused investor demand. Dividend Announcement  PR Newswire

Board approved a cash dividend  Rollins declared a quarterly dividend of $0.1825 per share (payable June 10; record date May 11). The payout signals capital return discipline and supports income-focused investor demand. Neutral Sentiment: Pre-earnings coverage and expectations varied  Several previews discussed what to expect ahead of the report; these likely contributed to positioning but were superseded by the actual results. Yahoo Finance Preview MSN Preview

Pre-earnings coverage and expectations varied  Several previews discussed what to expect ahead of the report; these likely contributed to positioning but were superseded by the actual results. Neutral Sentiment: Policy engagement mention  A local report noted Rollins told lawmakers the administration would use tariff funds to offset fertilizer price increases; this is peripheral to core pest-control operations and unlikely to meaningfully move near-term fundamentals. KFGO  Policy Note

Insider Buying and Selling at Rollins

In other news, insider Elizabeth B. Chandler sold 14,201 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $59.36, for a total value of $842,971.36. Following the completion of the sale, the insider owned 55,977 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,322,794.72. The trade was a 20.24% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Jerry Jr. Gahlhoff sold 4,510 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, January 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $63.26, for a total transaction of $285,302.60. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 328,386 shares of the companys stock, valued at $20,773,698.36. The trade was a 1.35% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 67,039 shares of company stock worth $4,177,480. 5.77% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Trading of Rollins

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of ROL. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. grew its stake in Rollins by 5.5% in the first quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 30,812 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $1,663,000 after purchasing an additional 1,620 shares during the last quarter. Empowered Funds LLC lifted its position in shares of Rollins by 16.7% during the first quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 6,427 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $347,000 after buying an additional 918 shares during the last quarter. Woodline Partners LP boosted its holdings in shares of Rollins by 40.7% in the 1st quarter. Woodline Partners LP now owns 23,728 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $1,282,000 after buying an additional 6,859 shares in the last quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Rollins by 75.8% in the 1st quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 870 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $47,000 after buying an additional 375 shares in the last quarter. Finally, First Trust Advisors LP grew its position in shares of Rollins by 185.0% in the 2nd quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 368,718 shares of the business services providers stock worth $20,803,000 after buying an additional 239,361 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 51.79% of the companys stock.

About Rollins

(Get Free Report)

Rollins, Inc (NYSE: ROL) is a provider of pest and termite control services operating through a network of subsidiaries and franchises. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, the company offers a broad range of pest management solutions for both residential and commercial customers, positioning itself as a specialist in protecting property and public health from pests and vectors.

Its service offerings include general pest control, termite inspection and treatment, bed bug remediation, mosquito and vector control, wildlife exclusion, and related specialty services.

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Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO  Get Free Report) had its price objective lifted by research analysts at Scotiabank from $178.00 to $226.00 in a report issued on Wednesday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage presently has a sector outperform rating on the oil and gas companys stock. Scotiabanks price target would suggest a potential downside of 3.42% from the stocks current price.

VLO has been the topic of several other research reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on Valero Energy from $197.00 to $200.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, January 8th. Wall Street Zen upgraded Valero Energy from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Saturday, April 4th. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c) rating on shares of Valero Energy in a research report on Wednesday, January 21st. UBS Group boosted their price target on Valero Energy from $215.00 to $280.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, April 2nd. Finally, Citigroup boosted their price target on Valero Energy from $212.00 to $246.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 15th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have given a Buy rating, nine have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $228.18.

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Valero Energy Stock Performance

Shares of Valero Energy stock traded up $0.61 on Wednesday, hitting $234.00. The stock had a trading volume of 1,207,566 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,809,617. Valero Energy has a 52-week low of $110.00 and a 52-week high of $258.43. The company has a current ratio of 1.64, a quick ratio of 1.11 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36. The stock has a market cap of $69.97 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 30.59, a P/E/G ratio of 0.47 and a beta of 0.62. The companys 50 day moving average price is $226.49 and its 200 day moving average price is $192.86.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 29th. The oil and gas company reported $3.82 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.27 by $0.55. The firm had revenue of $30.37 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $28.20 billion. Valero Energy had a return on equity of 12.35% and a net margin of 1.91%.The firms revenue for the quarter was down 1.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $0.64 EPS. On average, research analysts anticipate that Valero Energy will post 18.36 EPS for the current year.

Insider Transactions at Valero Energy

In other Valero Energy news, SVP Eric A. Fisher sold 8,311 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $227.69, for a total transaction of $1,892,331.59. Following the transaction, the senior vice president owned 42,242 shares in the company, valued at approximately $9,618,080.98. The trade was a 16.44% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Insiders own 0.36% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Valero Energy

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. JPL Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in Valero Energy during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $27,000. Highline Wealth Partners LLC increased its position in Valero Energy by 70.2% during the 3rd quarter. Highline Wealth Partners LLC now owns 160 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 66 shares during the period. Torren Management LLC acquired a new position in Valero Energy during the 4th quarter worth approximately $30,000. AXS Investments LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Valero Energy during the 4th quarter worth approximately $32,000. Finally, Cypress Capital Management LLC WY purchased a new stake in shares of Valero Energy during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $34,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 78.69% of the companys stock.

Key Stories Impacting Valero Energy

Here are the key news stories impacting Valero Energy this week:

Valero Energy Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Valero Energy Corporation is a San Antonio, Texasbased integrated downstream energy company that manufactures and markets transportation fuels, petrochemical feedstocks and other industrial products. The companys operations focus on refining crude oil into finished fuels such as gasoline, diesel and jet fuel, as well as producing asphalt and other refined product streams for commercial and industrial customers.

In addition to refining, Valero has significant operations in renewable fuels, including the production of ethanol and other biofuels, and it manages an extensive logistics network of pipelines, terminals, rail and marine assets to move feedstocks and finished products.

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Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (NYSE:TSM  Get Free Report) had its price objective boosted by analysts at Barclays from $450.00 to $470.00 in a research note issued on Wednesday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage presently has an overweight rating on the semiconductor companys stock. Barclayss price target indicates a potential upside of 25.66% from the companys current price.

A number of other research analysts have also recently issued reports on TSM. TD Cowen raised their price objective on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from $325.00 to $370.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research note on Friday, January 16th. Needham & Company LLC raised their price objective on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from $410.00 to $480.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, April 16th. Argus raised Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Thursday, January 15th. Freedom Capital raised Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Thursday, January 15th. Finally, Dbs Bank raised Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing to a moderate buy rating in a research note on Friday, January 23rd. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have given a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing has an average rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $404.29.

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Read Our Latest Analysis on TSM

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Trading Up 1.6%

Shares of NYSE:TSM traded up $5.93 on Wednesday, reaching $374.01. 2,423,681 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 13,771,938. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $355.11 and its 200 day simple moving average is $323.28. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing has a 52 week low of $156.00 and a 52 week high of $390.20. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.94 trillion, a P/E ratio of 31.10, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.09 and a beta of 1.35. The company has a current ratio of 2.51, a quick ratio of 2.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (NYSE:TSM  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 10th. The semiconductor company reported $3.11 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing had a return on equity of 38.17% and a net margin of 46.97%.The firm had revenue of $30.65 billion for the quarter. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing will post 14.62 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity

In other Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing news, VP Bor-Zen Tien bought 1,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Sunday, March 22nd. The shares were bought at an average cost of $55.93 per share, with a total value of $55,930.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the vice president directly owned 9,051 shares of the companys stock, valued at $506,222.43. This trade represents a 12.42% increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. 1.11% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Trading of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of TSM. Brighton Jones LLC boosted its position in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 20.9% during the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 10,930 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $2,159,000 after acquiring an additional 1,892 shares in the last quarter. Gamco Investors INC. ET AL bought a new stake in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $701,000. Bank of Nova Scotia boosted its position in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 12.8% during the 2nd quarter. Bank of Nova Scotia now owns 15,697 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $3,556,000 after acquiring an additional 1,784 shares in the last quarter. FWL Investment Management LLC boosted its position in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 26.5% during the 2nd quarter. FWL Investment Management LLC now owns 253 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $57,000 after acquiring an additional 53 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Main Street Financial Solutions LLC bought a new stake in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $270,000. 16.51% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

More Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing News

Here are the key news stories impacting Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing this week:

About Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing

(Get Free Report)

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) is a leading pure-play semiconductor foundry that provides wafer fabrication and related services to the global semiconductor industry. Founded in 1987 by Morris Chang and headquartered in Hsinchu, Taiwan, TSMC manufactures integrated circuits on behalf of fabless and integrated device manufacturers, offering contract chip production across a broad set of technologies and products.

TSMCs service offering covers logic and mixed-signal process technologies, specialty processes for radio-frequency, power management and embedded memory, and advanced nodes used in mobile, high-performance computing and AI applications.

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TeliaSonera (OTCMKTS:TLSNY  Get Free Report) is expected to be posting its resultson Thursday, April 23rd. Analysts expect TeliaSonera to post earnings of $0.11 per share and revenue of $2.2141 billion for the quarter.

TeliaSonera (OTCMKTS:TLSNY  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, January 29th. The technology company reported ($0.07) earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.09 by ($0.16). The firm had revenue of $2.41 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.32 billion. TeliaSonera had a net margin of 4.35% and a return on equity of 8.90%. On average, analysts expect TeliaSonera to post $0 EPS for the current fiscal year and $1 EPS for the next fiscal year.

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TeliaSonera Stock Performance

OTCMKTS TLSNY opened at $9.95 on Wednesday. The company has a market cap of $19.56 billion, a PE ratio of 55.28 and a beta of 0.33. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $10.09 and its 200-day simple moving average is $8.88. TeliaSonera has a 1-year low of $6.67 and a 1-year high of $10.79. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.50, a current ratio of 0.92 and a quick ratio of 0.87.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Citigroup upgraded TeliaSonera from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 14th. UBS Group downgraded TeliaSonera from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 13th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Buy.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on TeliaSonera

TeliaSonera Company Profile

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TeliaSonera (OTCMKTS:TLSNY) operates under the Telia Company brand as one of the leading telecommunications providers in the Nordic and Baltic regions. The company delivers a wide range of services, including mobile and fixed voice communications, broadband internet, television and streaming offerings, and enterprise-grade data and IP solutions. Its consumer segment focuses on mobile subscriptions, digital TV packages and home connectivity, while its business division provides managed network services, cloud platforms and Internet of Things (IoT) applications.

The roots of TeliaSonera trace back to the 19th century with Swedens Royal Telegraph Agency and Finlands national carrier, Sonera.

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Photo: https://www.facebook.com/marta.kosmarko

European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos said that the European Union will provide Ukraine with EUR 2.7 billion for budget support in the coming days.

"These days are good days for good news in relations between the EU and Ukraine, and I am very happy about it. Oil is flowing through the Druzhba pipeline, which means we will be able to release the 90 billion euro [loan], which is very, very important. Then the Verkhovna Rada, the parliament of Ukraine, is implementing reforms. Therefore, in the coming days, we will be able to pay 2.7 billion to the budget of Ukraine, partially taking care of their liquidity," she said in Brussels on Wednesday while speaking with journalists.

Kos said that today businesses are "ready or interested in coming to Ukraine."

"And that is what we want to see. We are talking about the reconstruction of Ukraine, it is already happening, but at the same time, what we are already doing is building a new Ukraine, not just reconstructing, but building a new Ukraine. And my message at the opening of the forum [the Ukraine-EU business summit] just now was this: now is the time to invest in Ukraine. For us, this is one of the most strategic investment destinations in Europe, innovative, full of potential and increasingly integrated into the EU internal market. And those who invest early will shape this future," the European Commissioner emphasized.

In addition, according to Kos, the EU is "helping to reduce risks."

"Investing there is risky, but we have many tools with which we can take measures to reduce risks. A new Ukraine is being built while bombs are falling on the country, and the EU remains Ukraines most committed supporter politically and financially," she said.
The Hanover Insurance Group (NYSE:THG  Get Free Report) is anticipated to announce its Q1 2026 results after the market closes on Wednesday, April 29th. Analysts expect the company to announce earnings of $4.33 per share and revenue of $1.5812 billion for the quarter. Investors may review the information on the companys upcoming Q1 2026 earning report for the latest details on the call scheduled for Thursday, April 30, 2026 at 10:00 AM ET.

The Hanover Insurance Group (NYSE:THG  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, February 20th. The insurance provider reported $5.46 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The Hanover Insurance Group had a net margin of 10.05% and a return on equity of 21.00%. The firm had revenue of $1.67 billion for the quarter. On average, analysts expect The Hanover Insurance Group to post $17 EPS for the current fiscal year and $18 EPS for the next fiscal year.

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The Hanover Insurance Group Stock Up 0.4%

Shares of THG stock opened at $180.77 on Wednesday. The firms fifty day moving average price is $175.26 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $176.96. The Hanover Insurance Group has a 1 year low of $159.38 and a 1 year high of $188.18. The firm has a market capitalization of $6.36 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.95 and a beta of 0.29. The company has a current ratio of 0.44, a quick ratio of 0.44 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.24.

The Hanover Insurance Group Dividend Announcement

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 27th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 13th were given a $0.95 dividend. This represents a $3.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, March 13th. The Hanover Insurance Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 20.91%.

A number of research analysts have recently commented on THG shares. Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b) rating on shares of The Hanover Insurance Group in a research report on Monday. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of The Hanover Insurance Group from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday, February 28th. Morgan Stanley decreased their price objective on shares of The Hanover Insurance Group from $194.00 to $190.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Monday, April 6th. Royal Bank Of Canada decreased their price objective on shares of The Hanover Insurance Group from $200.00 to $190.00 and set a sector perform rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, April 7th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lifted their price objective on shares of The Hanover Insurance Group from $207.00 to $208.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 25th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, The Hanover Insurance Group presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $197.00.

Read Our Latest Research Report on THG

Insider Activity

In related news, EVP Richard W. Lavey sold 24,420 shares of The Hanover Insurance Group stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $178.92, for a total transaction of $4,369,226.40. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 32,174 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $5,756,572.08. The trade was a 43.15% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Director Jane D. Carlin sold 1,200 shares of The Hanover Insurance Group stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $180.91, for a total transaction of $217,092.00. Following the sale, the director directly owned 2,423 shares of the companys stock, valued at $438,344.93. The trade was a 33.12% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders own 2.80% of the companys stock.

Institutional Trading of The Hanover Insurance Group

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of THG. Alliancebernstein L.P. boosted its holdings in shares of The Hanover Insurance Group by 36.1% during the 2nd quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. now owns 1,280,418 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $217,505,000 after buying an additional 339,896 shares during the period. AQR Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in The Hanover Insurance Group by 37.8% in the 3rd quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 763,431 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $137,967,000 after purchasing an additional 209,616 shares during the period. Invesco Ltd. boosted its holdings in The Hanover Insurance Group by 44.1% in the 4th quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 646,910 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $118,236,000 after purchasing an additional 197,930 shares during the period. Balyasny Asset Management L.P. boosted its holdings in The Hanover Insurance Group by 206.0% in the 3rd quarter. Balyasny Asset Management L.P. now owns 292,121 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $53,058,000 after purchasing an additional 196,655 shares during the period. Finally, Adage Capital Partners GP L.L.C. boosted its holdings in The Hanover Insurance Group by 52.9% in the 2nd quarter. Adage Capital Partners GP L.L.C. now owns 558,000 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $94,787,000 after purchasing an additional 193,000 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 86.61% of the companys stock.

About The Hanover Insurance Group

(Get Free Report)

The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc (NYSE: THG) is a property and casualty insurance company that provides a range of commercial and personal insurance products. Through its subsidiary companies, Hanover offers coverage for businesses of all sizes, including workers compensation, general liability, commercial auto, and professional liability. On the personal lines side, the company underwrites homeowners, personal auto, flood, and umbrella policies designed to meet the needs of individuals and families.

In addition to its core commercial and personal insurance offerings, Hanover maintains a specialty arm that focuses on niche markets through tailored product solutions.

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Shares of TravelSky Technology Ltd. (OTCMKTS:TSYHY  Get Free Report) gapped down before the market opened on Monday . The stock had previously closed at $13.17, but opened at $12.38. TravelSky Technology shares last traded at $12.38, with a volume of 255 shares.

TravelSky Technology Stock Performance

The firm has a 50 day moving average of $13.28 and a 200-day moving average of $13.51. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.02, a quick ratio of 3.04 and a current ratio of 3.05.

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TravelSky Technology Company Profile

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TravelSky Technology Limited is a leading provider of information technology solutions for the air travel industry in the Peoples Republic of China. Established in 2001 through an asset reorganization of aviation IT operations previously overseen by the Civil Aviation Administration of China, the company has developed a comprehensive platform for airline reservation, distribution and related services. TravelSkys technology underpins the vast majority of domestic air ticketing in China and supports a growing number of international carriers and travel agencies.

The companys core offerings include a passenger service system (PSS) that manages reservation and ticketing processes, as well as an electronic distribution network that connects airlines with travel agents, corporate accounts and online channels.

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Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH trimmed its stake in Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM  Free Report) by 9.3% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 759,299 shares of the companys stock after selling 78,032 shares during the period. Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbHs holdings in Philip Morris International were worth $120,337,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of PM. Capital Research Global Investors lifted its stake in shares of Philip Morris International by 7.2% in the 3rd quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 43,546,533 shares of the companys stock valued at $7,063,263,000 after purchasing an additional 2,911,835 shares during the last quarter. Capital World Investors lifted its stake in shares of Philip Morris International by 2.2% in the 3rd quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 128,776,327 shares of the companys stock valued at $20,887,743,000 after purchasing an additional 2,714,674 shares during the last quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA lifted its stake in shares of Philip Morris International by 36.3% in the 4th quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 9,301,112 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,491,898,000 after purchasing an additional 2,475,204 shares during the last quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC lifted its stake in shares of Philip Morris International by 1,547.2% in the 4th quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 2,260,217 shares of the companys stock valued at $362,539,000 after purchasing an additional 2,123,002 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Lone Pine Capital LLC lifted its stake in shares of Philip Morris International by 67.3% in the 3rd quarter. Lone Pine Capital LLC now owns 4,614,443 shares of the companys stock valued at $748,463,000 after purchasing an additional 1,856,749 shares during the last quarter. 78.63% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Philip Morris International Stock Performance

Shares of PM stock opened at $153.33 on Wednesday. Philip Morris International Inc. has a 52-week low of $142.11 and a 52-week high of $191.30. The firm has a market capitalization of $238.97 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.09, a P/E/G ratio of 1.92 and a beta of 0.43. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $170.57 and a 200 day moving average price of $163.81.

Philip Morris International Dividend Announcement

Philip Morris International ( NYSE:PM Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 22nd. The company reported $1.96 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.83 by $0.13. Philip Morris International had a negative return on equity of 130.95% and a net margin of 12.09%.The firm had revenue of $10.15 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $9.95 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $1.69 EPS. Philip Morris Internationals quarterly revenue was up 9.1% compared to the same quarter last year. Philip Morris International has set its FY 2026 guidance at 8.360-8.510 EPS and its Q2 2026 guidance at 2.020-2.070 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Philip Morris International Inc. will post 8.36 EPS for the current year.

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, April 13th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, March 19th were given a dividend of $1.47 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, March 19th. This represents a $5.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.8%. Philip Morris Internationals payout ratio is 80.88%.

Philip Morris International News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting Philip Morris International this week:

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

PM has been the subject of several analyst reports. Citigroup raised their price objective on Philip Morris International from $200.00 to $210.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 10th. UBS Group lowered their price objective on Philip Morris International from $181.50 to $168.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Friday. Stifel Nicolaus lowered their price objective on Philip Morris International from $200.00 to $195.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Friday, April 10th. Morgan Stanley lowered their price objective on Philip Morris International from $205.00 to $190.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Friday. Finally, Wall Street Zen lowered Philip Morris International from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Saturday, January 10th. Ten analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $192.56.

View Our Latest Report on PM

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Philip Morris International news, CEO Jacek Olczak sold 80,000 shares of Philip Morris International stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $182.18, for a total transaction of $14,574,400.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 632,344 shares of the companys stock, valued at $115,200,429.92. The trade was a 11.23% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, CFO Emmanuel Babeau sold 33,800 shares of Philip Morris International stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $181.61, for a total value of $6,138,418.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer directly owned 164,463 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $29,868,125.43. This trade represents a 17.05% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock.

Philip Morris International Company Profile

(Free Report)

Philip Morris International Inc (NYSE: PM) is a global tobacco company that manufactures and sells cigarettes, other nicotine-containing products and a growing portfolio of smoke-free alternatives for adult smokers. The firm traces its corporate roots to the 19th century Philip Morris enterprise and was established as an independent, publicly traded company following a 2008 separation from what is now Altria. Since the spin-off, the company has focused on serving international markets outside the United States.

PMIs product mix includes traditional combustible cigarettes as well as smoke-free offerings such as heated tobacco systems and other reduced-risk products.

Featured Stories

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM  Free Report).

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194 combat engagements take place on front over day, heaviest activity on Pokrovsk and Kostiantynivka axes  General Staff

Russian forces have attacked positions of Ukraines defence forces 194 times since the start of the day, with the enemy most active on the Kostiantynivka and Pokrovsk axes, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said.

"In total, 194 combat engagements have taken place since the start of the day. The enemy carried out 50 air strikes, dropping 159 guided aerial bombs. In addition, it deployed 3,982 kamikaze drones and carried out 2,112 attacks on populated areas and positions of our troops," the statement said.

According to the General Staff, on the northern Slobozhanshchyna and Kursk axes the enemy carried out four air strikes using nine guided aerial bombs, and 88 attacks on Ukrainian troop positions and populated areas, three of them using multiple launch rocket systems.

On the southern Slobozhanshchyna axis, the enemy attacked Ukrainian unit positions twice near Prylipka and toward Bochkove. One assault action is ongoing.

On the Kupyansk axis, the enemy attacked twice, near Novoosynove and toward Kurylvka.

On the Lyman axis, Ukrainian forces repelled seven enemy assaults toward Stavky, Drobysheve, Lyman and Dibrova.

On the Sloviansk axis, the enemy made two attempts to advance toward Rai-Oleksandrivka and near Riznykivka.

On the Kramatorsk axis, occupiers attacked seven times toward Nykytforivka, Holubivka, Bondarne, Maiske, Vasyutynske and Markove. One assault action is ongoing.

On the Kostiantynivka axis, occupiers launched 25 assaults on Ukrainian defensive positions near Pleshchiivka, Yablunivka, Ivanopillia and toward Kostiantynivka, Illinivka, Sofiivka, Novopavlivka, Kucherovyi Yar and Novodnytrivka. Three attacks are ongoing.

On the Pokrovsk axis, the enemy carried out 43 attacks. Occupiers attempted to advance toward Bilytske, Nykonorivka, Rodynske, Shevchenko, Pokrovsk, Kotlyne, Udachne, Novomykolaivka, Muravka, Molodetske, Novopidhorodne, Novopavlivka and Vasylivka. Four enemy assault actions are ongoing.

"According to preliminary estimates, 97 occupiers were killed and 27 wounded on this axis today, and an enemy shelter was destroyed. A UAV control point, six shelters, an artillery piece and two motor vehicles were also damaged. A total of 99 UAVs of various types were destroyed or suppressed," the statement said.

On the Oleksandrivsk axis, occupiers attacked 12 times near Oleksandrograd, Sichneve, Zlahoda and toward Kalynivske.

On the Huliaipole axis, 11 attacks by occupiers were recorded near Zaliznychne, Sviatopetrivka, Hirke, Huliaipolske and Staroukrainka. Two attacks are ongoing.

On the Orikhiv axis, the enemy attacked five times toward Shcherbaky, Plavni and Stepnohirsk. One attack is still ongoing.

On the Prydniprovske axis, the enemy carried out four assault actions.
Photo: President's Office / www.president.gov.ua

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he discussed with Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov and military command the question of additional motivation for Ukrainian troops, including unit staffing and additional army funding.

"Today we also spoke in detail with Ukrainian Defence Minister Fedorov - together with the military command. There are things that need to be done to boost the motivation of our troops  both in terms of unit staffing and additional army funding," Zelenskyy said.

According to the president, the relevant decisions are currently being prepared.
Law enforcement officers detained a Kyiv resident who opened fire at a pedestrian in Darnytsky district of Kyiv, leaving the pedestrian wounded, with the shooter facing up to seven years in prison, the Kyiv police communications department said.

"It was established that a conflict arose between the offender, who was driving a car, and a pedestrian. The latter was crossing the road in an unauthorized place and the driver reprimanded him, after which an argument broke out between the men. The driver then drew a weapon and fired several shots at the man. As a result of the incident, the Kyiv resident sustained wounds to the leg and back," the statement said.

Law enforcement officers detained the offender and seized a rubber bullet firing device from him. He was detained under Article 208 of the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine.

Investigators, under the procedural supervision of the Darnytsky District Prosecutors Office, served the offender with a notice of suspicion under Part 4 of Article 296 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine - hooliganism accompanied by particular audacity, committed using an object prepared in advance to cause bodily harm. The article carries a penalty of up to seven years in prison.
Photo: https://www.facebook.com/

All regional organizations of the Ukrainian Red Cross Society (URCS) have been integrated into the Unified State Civil Protection System (USCPS), the organization's director general Maksym Dotsenko said.

"Over this past year, the role of the Ukrainian Red Cross Society in the civil protection system has truly changed in quality. Last year, the Ukrainian Red Cross Society was part of the Unified State Civil Protection System in nine regions. Today, all regional organizations of the Ukrainian Red Cross Society have become part of the USCPS," Dotsenko said at the second national forum "Humanitarian Architecture and Civil Protection Development in Ukraine" on Tuesday.

According to him, whereas the URCS was previously more often perceived as a humanitarian partner, today the Ukrainian Red Cross Society is part of a practical response system and not only supports response efforts but also participates in shaping approaches, coordination, building community capacity and interaction with state bodies.

Forum participants focused on the development of the civil protection system and the use of humanitarian aid potential to support affected populations. The role of communities and their readiness for emergencies was discussed separately.

The forum brought together representatives of state authorities, foreign diplomatic missions, the European Union, international and national humanitarian organizations, partners in the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, local government bodies and the expert community.

The event was organized by the Ukrainian Red Cross Society together with the State Emergency Service of Ukraine and DG ECHO with the support of the British, Norwegian, Austrian and German Red Cross societies.
Saint-Laurent, QC (H4T1V6)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun during the morning will give way to cloudy skies this afternoon. High 71F. Winds SSE at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy skies. Low 52F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph.
Photo: MFA

Ukraine hopes for the adoption of an expanded 20th EU sanctions package against Russia, Foreign Minister of Ukraine Andriy Sybiha said at a meeting with journalists.

"We believe that it is not enough for the sanctions to simply be adopted - they must also be an expanded package. Quite a lot of time has passed since February 24. Our understanding has grown of the need to squeeze Russians, their industry, shadow fleet, maritime services," the minister said.

He noted that Ukraine has "encouraging signals that the 20th package will happen."

"So we hope - and I noted this in my address to the EU Council - for an expanded 20th package," Sybiha stressed.

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas, speaking at a press conference on April 21 following the Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Luxembourg, said the European Union must move quickly toward adopting the 20th sanctions package against Russia and begin work on the next package.
Anheuser-Busch is expanding its Brewing Futures initiative with further advancement in manufacturing investments. Tim Wright/Getty Images

Anheuser-Busch announced Wednesday that it will be moving forward with its Brewing Futures initiative by establishing new training facilities and enhancing its focus on hiring veterans.

The longtime St. Louis-based beer brewer behind Budweiser and Michelob Ultra, among others, is honing its focus on three main goals in what the company is calling "investing in people."

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Creating and Sustaining Manufacturing Jobs by increasing investments in its U.S. operations to $600 million total over two years.

by increasing investments in its U.S. operations to $600 million total over two years. Building the Manufacturing Workforce for the Future by opening 15 new technical skills training centers at its facilities across the U.S. and collaborating with technical trade schools.

for the Future by opening 15 new technical skills training centers at its facilities across the U.S. and collaborating with technical trade schools. Strengthening Manufacturing Career Opportunities for veterans by helping former and current service members pursue manufacturing careers in the private sector.

"Anheuser-Busch's $600 million investment is a testament to our unwavering commitment to the future of American manufacturing," Brendan Whitworth, CEO of Anheuser-Busch, said in a statement. "By strengthening our manufacturing operations, we are creating sustainable careers  not just jobs  and investing in the people who are vital to our success. We are proud to continue building the next generation of manufacturing leaders through our new technical training centers while also providing new opportunities in the workforce for our nation's veterans."

Read more: Budweiser marks 150th with MLB team cans ahead of 2026 Opening Day

Anheuser-Busch has about 100 facilities across the U.S. and the company has not said which locations will be one of the 14 that get a training facility. St. Louis opened a facility in 2022. Other possible locations where Anheuser-Busch could have a training facility are:

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Baldwinsville, New York

Cartersville, Georgia

Columbus, Ohio

Fort Collins, Colorado

Houston

Jacksonville, Florida

Los Angeles

Williamsburg, Virginia

Regarding hiring veterans, A-B's announcement notes it is "continuing to work with the Manufacturing Institute's Heroes Make America initiative to provide former and current service members with resources to pursue careers in manufacturing.

"Since announcing its industry-leading adoption of Manufacturing Institute Manufacturing Readiness Badges in May 2025, Anheuser-Busch has integrated more than 20 total credentials that translate military training into skills required for manufacturing roles within its operations."
Steve Whitworth is a reporter with The Telegraph who brings 40 years of experience in news reporting, writing, editing and public relations. He previously worked at The Telegraph in a variety of reporting and editing roles from 1996 to 2013. After a 10-year stint with a St. Louis public relations firm, he has returned to news, his first love.

Whitworth has lived in Glen Carbon, Illinois, for nearly 30 years. His hobbies include swimming laps, birdwatching, attending concerts and spending time with his 12-year-old Maltese-Pomeranian mix, Daisy.
If any capital other than Moscow or Minsk organizes meeting between Zelenskyy and Putin, we will go - Sybiha

Photo: https://t.me/Ukraine_MFA

Kyiv is in favor of a meeting between the leaders of Ukraine and Russia and has approached certain capitals, not only Ankara, regarding the organization of a meeting between President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Kremlin chief Volodymyr Putin, Foreign Minister of Ukraine Andriy Sybiha said at a meeting with journalists.

According to him, the Ukrainian side is in favour of a meeting in order to "get new diplomatic momentum."

"We asked the Turks about this, and we asked certain other capitals. We approached Turkey specifically. But if any other capital, besides Moscow and Belarus, organizes such a meeting, we will go. And this is important to us," Sybiha said.

On April 17, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in his address at the 5th Antalya Diplomacy Forum, confirmed Ankaras readiness to facilitate direct talks between Ukraine and Russia, including a possible leaders summit, provided both sides are willing.

Earlier, Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha confirmed Ukraines readiness for a leaders meeting between Ukraine and Russia with the participation of the Turkish president and possibly the United States.

During the ADF-Talks public discussion at the 5th Antalya Diplomacy Forum on Friday, Sybiha stressed that Ukraine is counting "on our Turkish friends, for example, to organize a leaders meeting."

"So we are ready for this meeting. Also in Turkey. I mean a meeting between Zelenskyy, Putin, Mr. Erdogan, possibly Trump. We conveyed this message to our Turkish friends during my presidents recent visit," Sybiha said.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who is in Germany for a three-day visit, held bilateral talks with Germanys Federal Minister of Defence Boris Pistorius in Berlin and discussed a range of bilateral security and defence issues, including priority areas for co-development and co-production of defence equipment, especially in the field of niche technologies.

According to a defence ministry release, the talks were aimed at further boosting the strategic defence partnership between India and Germany.

During the meeting, the Defence Industrial Cooperation Roadmap and Implementing Arrangement for Cooperation in UN Peacekeeping Training were signed and exchanged.

Calling his visit to Germany a "symbol of deep friendship, synergy and trust," the defence minister said the partnership between the two countries has witnessed considerable momentum in defence cooperation over the last few years, especially after Pistorius took over as defence minister of the country.

Singh said India is looking forward to the German Air Forces participation in the next edition of Ex-TARANG SHAKTI, which will be held in India in September/October.

He noted that the India-EU Security & Defence Partnership marks a significant step in deepening the collective engagement.

"Both ministers agreed to leverage this framework, both bilaterally and in the wider European context for tangible outcomes that will strengthen regional stability, enhance joint capabilities, and reinforce the enduring Indo-German strategic alignment," the defence ministry said in a statement.

As the meeting fell on the occasion of the first anniversary of the Pahalgam attack, Singh said the menace of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations must be condemned, unequivocally, without exception or justification.

Although there were reports that there is a possibility that the two defence ministers may also finalise an inter-governmental agreement for supplying six stealth submarines to the Indian Navy, the defence ministry is yet to confirm if such an agreement was finalised.
Earlier this year, Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi revealed that the country is looking at raising a "rocket-cum-missile" force in view of the evolving regional security situation, as both China and Pakistan have similar units. He had said it would have to decide whether the "rocket-cum-missile" force would be part of the Army or would be operated directly at a higher level.

A few months later, on April 11, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Anil Chauhan confirmed that the long-awaited Theaterisationthe plan which aims to replace functional commands with theatre commands, where a single commander in a designated zone will command all the assets and resources of all servicesis finally happening and that there is no difference among the three services on the concept. No service chief has any doubt on the concept. It is 100 per cent. No service chief is saying it is not to be done ... But there are some differences in the manifestation or how it is to be done ... But I am sure these differences will get resolved ... so from the services side, this work has been done," he had said during the two-day Ran Samwad event in Bengaluru.

However, not everyone appears to be very convinced of both these ideas.

Group Captain Ajay Ahlawat (Retd), a former fighter pilot, in an interview with The New Indian Express, warned that structural reforms without doctrinal alignment could deepen, rather than resolve, existing inefficiencies.

He observed that the current Indian military system remains fundamentally disjointed, with coordination being attempted on a structure never designed for integration.

ALSO READ: IAF plans extreme ops drone upgrade for its elite Garud Special Forces

What we need is harmonisation at the planning stage, including procurement, and from there synergy in execution such as joint fires, he said, stressing that command and control must remain seamless and free from service-specific doctrinal biases.

Ahlawat underlined that the starting point for any meaningful reform should be a National Security Strategy (NSS), not theatre commands.

That strategy must define Indias ambitions. From there flows military doctrine, followed by domain-specific and theatre-specific doctrines. Right now, we are attempting structural reform without fully aligning doctrine, he said.

Pointing out that war games have already revealed friction caused by service-specific doctrines, he said, "Services want to protect their turf. This shows up in competition over senior appointments and financial control.

Ahlawat echoed a long-standing concern of the Indian Air Force, which is the risk of fragmentation of its limited air assets.

Air power is most effective when centrally controlled, he said, adding that proposals such as a separate Air Defence Command do not equate to the geographical control envisaged under theatre commands for the Army and Navy.

With numbers already limited, fragmentation cannot be arbitrary. The balance between centralised control and theatre-level execution will be critical, he said.

On the proposal to create a dedicated rocket and missile force, Ahlawat was unequivocal, as he said, "Raising a separate rocket and missile force is not the right approach. It will complicate the system rather than strengthen it.

Instead, he batted for a robust joint fires concept under theatre commanders, where rockets, missiles and UAVs are integrated within a theatres Area of Responsibility.

If you carve them out into a separate functional command, you are again creating silos. Firepower cannot be treated as a standalone vertical, he was quoted as saying.

While acknowledging the growing importance of such capabilities, Ahlawat warned that a separate structure would dilute accountability and complicate command and control.
On March 14, identically dressed two little boys from Sathipattu near Panruti in Cuddalore district, walked past the huge iron gates at Fort St George, climbed up the stairs to reach near the tightly guarded corridors of power inside the state secretariat. Deva and Jiva, the two child influencers, knocked the doors of chief minister M.K. Stalins chamber, shot a reel with him and soon it went viral.

Do you know why I gave the audience to you? Stalin asked the two boys. When the boys replied, to encourage us, Stalin was quick to reply saying, you both are also urging everyone to study as I do. Instagram handle @talk_with_deva with 1.1 million followers is run by brothers Deva and Jiva, studying in class 5 and class 2, respectively. Their reel now has crossed more than two million views and the reach became wide as many handles shared the political content made by Deva and Jiva. We met the chief minister because we wanted to tell everyone that education is more important in life to be successful, Deva told THE WEEK over the phone from Cuddalore. The two boys who were making reels with the local available content using their uncles Android phone for the first time made a political pitch, which has turned into a campaign video for the ruling DMK.

Deva and Jiva pulling off a political reel with Stalin has given their page more visibility. But more than that their reel had extolled the virtues of the Dravidian Model government of the DMK. It was our pleasure to meet CM. He is the role model for those who want to be successful in life, says Deva, the elder brother.

For decades, the pulse of Tamil Nadu politics was measured in the decibels of a loudspeaker and the literal dust kicked up by massive ground rallies. These physical displays of strength were the primary barometer for political survival. Political party anthems like Oodi varugiran udhayasooriyan; kallakudi kanda Karunanidhi in Nagoor Hanifas voice in the DMK public meetings or the popular MGR number from Ulagam sutrum valiban Namadhu vetriyai naalaiya sarithiram sollum that turned out be AIADMK prophetic have always travelled across the state through the high decibel speakers fitted on the vans and can be heard played before the beginning of any public meeting. But now social media influencers like Deva and Jiva are part of the emerging new trend that could replace the high decibel speakers fitted on campaign vans and public rallies to a relentless scroll that can help swing the voting trend. While elections are still technically won on the ground, the battle for the mind has migrated entirely to short-form video. The strategy consultant teams working for the political parties in the state no longer view digital as a supplementary wing. It is the central nervous system of a modern campaign, devised with well crafted taglines and strong messages in just one minute.

The Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI), a not-for-profit body representing the digital services sector, says that India has over 958 million Active Internet Users (AIUs). And of these internet users 548 million are in rural India. But most of the active internet users, according to IAMAI consume short video content which is the key growth driver of the expanding social media usage. Internet in India report 2025 says that at least 61 per cent, that is 588 million people in India consume only short video content. If these are the all India figures, Tamil Nadu, as early as 2026, has over 63.48 million internet users with a significant and fast-growing social media user base. As per a survey by one of the political party strategy teams, over 64 per cent of the internet users in Tamil Nadu depend on social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for quick news updates and civic engagement.

Thanks to Prime Minister Narendra Modi who first set the trend in 2014, during the 16th Lok Sabha election. Though the internet and social media played a huge role in the previous elections too, this time the state is actually witnessing an evolution of digital tools and platforms. The medium of political communication has transitioned through several distinct phases since the digital surge began in 2014. If 2014 to 2019 was the Facebook era, where the digital community mobilisation happened, next was the Twitter era in 2021. In the 2021 election the focus shifted to hashtag wars and trending topics. In fact, DMKs GoBackModi was the most popular hashtag then. The success of the hashtag was measured by the ability to keep a specific narrative at the top of national or regional trends.

But 2026 is the era of Reels and Shorts. While Twitter seems to have lost its primary influence, Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts influence the voters to a large extent. The political war rooms which were obsessed with Twitter hashtags, fighting coordinated battles to trend for a few hours do not use that play book anymore. The strategists have largely abandoned Twitter to the media elites and the high-status echo chambers. No one is looking into Twitter trending, observes Niranjan, a digital and poll strategist who works for a few legislators from the mainstream parties in Tamil Nadu. The voting public these days trust the Shorts and Reels feeds. The campaign has transitioned from text-heavy discourse to high-speed visual storytelling, pivoting from the elite to the everyone on the ground. Not just the reels and shorts, WhatsApp videos also play a larger role in influencing the voters, points out Niranjan.

More than the newspaper advertisements, the public rallies and the high-decibel speakers fitted on the vans, these platforms reach a vastly wider, non-political demographic through 60-second bursts of music and imagery. The attention is short-form vertical video that bypasses the intellectual filters of traditional political discourse.

For instance Chennai-based nano influencer @sammjilifestyle aka M Manoj Samuel had built his social media page with reels on food, new store launches and tourist spots in the city. But in the recent days, Samuel has been posting reels on the chief ministers morning breakfast scheme and the free bus ride for women with a soft political pitch. I am not being paid for all this. I do it on my own interest, says Samuel. But his reels have created the required impact.

Yet another page in the name of R. Vasanth with over 1.8 lakh followers now has reels with the DMKs new 2026 election campaign anthem, Stalin thodarattum. TamilNadu vellattum. Vasanth known for his interviews with reality TV contestants from Big Boss is a popular face in Instagram with the present day youth followers. Social media is a medium of campaign. It takes the message across to the people, keeps repeating it till the formal campaigning begins on the ground, says Gowtham Ravichandran who has worked in political party war rooms and now runs a digital marketing company.

Days before when Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) leader Vijay reached Thanjavur to campaign for his party, the crowd gathered there were in no mood to listen to him. Many were searching for a perched location - to stand with their hands stretched and phone screens up. I got a selfie with Vijay. I will post it as a reel in my Insta page, says 26-year old R. Deepika who had just opened an Insta account. My friend became popular in my locality after she started posting videos and reels of Vijay. I am also trying it, says Deepika, who works in a textile showroom as a sales girl near Orathanadu in Thanjavur district.

According to a study by the Canadian journal of philosophy in 2021 hyper-nudging and micro-targeting polarise electorates and undermine the democratic debate. The social media algorithms constantly update recommendations based on user behaviour, nudging them toward specific viewpoints. The tailored AI-driven ads reinforce biases among the voters. This is called micro targeting. It may not make the voter vote for a particular party. But it will influence the voter to a certain extent, making him rethink, says Gowtham.

The influencer industry has matured into a tiered marketplace where every like has a specific price point. The war room strategists say that there is a staggering 1:100 spending ratio between the dominant machinery and the opposition. While the ADMK might spend a few lakhs on influencers, the DMK and TVKs budgets operate in the Rs 5-20 crore range. In fact in the recent months, TVK had almost overtaken the DMK with the content for Vijay and against Stalin.

The financial planning for the influencers is intense, with some metrics suggesting a cost of Rs 1.5 crore that is spent for one video in high-volume environments. The influencer market, this election season, is structured with two types of influences  like the nano and micro influencers who are hyperlocal voices with less than 100k followers who are deployed for Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000 to cover local events. And then there are the big influencers and celebrities with social media accounts having over one million followers. These influencers include food bloggers and social commentators who get paid around Rs 5 to 6 lakh per one-minute video.

The AIADMK often produces A-roll content that is stylistically superior and humanises their leadership. However, they fail at the last mile of digital delivery. In contrast, the DMK has a central command model. The content isn't just released in the DMK. It is deployed through a rigid command chain. The core of this is a WhatsApp channel with over 46,000 followers, who aren't just random fansbut the IT wing members of the party. When a video is dropped, these officers are mandated to push it through their personal Instagram Stories and local village-level WhatsApp groups. This ensures that a single piece of content moves from the war room to a farmers phone in minutes, bypassing organic discovery entirely.

The tech giants no longer treat political parties like standard advertisers. We are seeing a customer care model where Meta and Google provide dedicated representatives to parties with massive spends. Inside the war rooms, this is essentially a concierge service for political elites, Niranjan points out. While these digital campaigns require significant investment, the spending is not only on advertising. It includes data analytics, technology platforms, research teams, content production, digital monitoring, and strategic communication infrastructure. Compared to traditional campaign spending, digital campaigns offer the advantage of precision targeting and real-time feedback.

Serious campaigns treat digital content like a strategic communication architecture, not just social media posts. It typically involves layered planning - message calibration, audience segmentation, data-driven targeting, rapid response teams, and narrative monitoring. The best digital war rooms combine data analytics, political intelligence, and storytelling to ensure that the campaigns message travels consistently across platforms while adapting to different audiences.

For instance PEN (Populous Empowerment Network), the strategy team which manages the DMKs digital machinery, helps the party optimise its reach and navigate algorithmic shifts in real-time, treating the political party like a high net worth banking client. This creates a massive structural disparity while smaller parties struggle with automated support, the major spenders have a direct line to the platforms engineers to ensure their narrative stays dominant.

While DMK and the AIADMK have traditional dedicated IT wings, the fledgling TVKs IT wing has emerged much stronger with its strategy team called Voice of Commons. TVKs IT wing doesnt depend on the old, traditional vote bank playbook. It only depends on the new reels and shorts. In fact in one of his campaign rallies, Vijay himself called a reel by a boy asking his parents at home to vote for TVK, as cute.

But the danger of a purely inorganic or paid campaign is the inevitable clash with reality. One of DMKs rallies which boasted itself as well organised was immediately dismantled on the internet by Vijays virtual warriors by posting photos of empty chairs. This exposure often turns the influencers into sellouts in the eyes of their own followers, highlighting the authenticity trap. The surge of organic support for TVK these days is so potent that the DMK had to create a specific counter team dedicated solely to neutralising TVK on social media. When a crowd is truly organic on the internet even a multi-million dollar comment army struggles to control the narrative. Creating favourable content is one thing. But finding the right distribution channels is another. Having a solid and uncompromising organic support base that is structured and organised is what makes the change, says Gautham P.S., founder of Demos project Pvt Ltd, a political strategy company.

More than the digital ads, shorts and reels are the bots which create the illusion of trending political messaging. In the past six months the political parties in Tamil Nadu - be it the DMK, AIADMK, Seemans Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) and Vijays TVK have spent several crores on bots to tweak algorithms and shape the political discourse in their favour. But in this area too there are different mechanisms that each political party in Tamil Nadu uses.

The DMK is a political force rooted in the rationalist ideals of Periyar and the scientific temper that defined the Dravidian movement. Science has always guided our social reform, governance model and political thinking. We approach AI with the same spirit. We are actively integrating AI into our partys work, and it has proven beneficial. It helps us craft digital content swiftly, analyse feedback and data, automate routine tasks, enhance creativity, manage translation and gather information, says T.R.B. Rajaa, industries minister and DMKs IT wing secretary.

Despite the sophisticated algorithms, the only mantra that keeps the mainstream parties in Tamil Nadu going is 90 per cent on the ground and only 10 per cent on the digital space. Of course real politics cannot happen behind a camera lens and the digital content has to be packaged with ground reality and digital slice. Ground organisation still decides the final vote, but digital war rooms increasingly shape the narrative environment in which voters interpret events. What happens online today influences what conversations happen in tea shops, barber shops, WhatsApp groups, and local communities tomorrow. The smart campaigns understand that digital is not a replacement for ground politics, it is a force multiplier for it, says Aspire K. Swaminathan who worked for the AIADMK IT wing and has now authored a book on the functioning of the political party war rooms.

In the Tamil Nadu assembly elections, the winner may be the one who manages the tension between paid surrogate armies and the unpredictable power of organic madness on the internet. Influencers can influence attention, but not always votes. They can amplify narratives, shape perceptions, or trigger discussions, especially among younger audiences. But voting behaviour is still influenced by a complex mix of local leadership, credibility, community networks, and governance perception. In most cases, influencers are more effective at reinforcing existing political sentiment rather than completely converting voters.
Over 9.3 crore voters across Tamil Nadu and West Bengal are set to decide the fate of thousands of candidates in high-stakes assembly elections, amid heightened security and digital vigilance. While Tamil Nadus contest pits the DMK-led SPA against the AIADMK-led NDA, West Bengals election is increasingly defined by debates over citizenship and identity, with the BJP and TMC battling for control of key regions. Both states are witnessing extensive election preparations, from electronic voting machine deployment to enforcement against inducements and misinformation.

The number game

In Tamil Nadu, more than 5.73 crore voters will cast their ballots for 4,023 candidates on April 23. Chief Minister M.K. Stalin seeks to retain power against AIADMK leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami while actor Vijay's TVK brings triangular contest to many seats. Chief Electoral Officer Archana Patnaik highlighted that the state has 2.93 crore women, 2.83 crore men, and 7,728 third-gender voters. Among these, 14.59 lakh are first-time voters. Voting will occur across 75,064 polling stations using 1,06,418 ballot units and VVPAT machines, with a 20 per cent reserve for EVMs and 30 per cent for VVPATs to tackle technical delays.

Meanwhile, West Bengals first phase will cover 152 of 294 seats and over 3.6 crore voters are eligible to vote on Thursday. Of these, 1.8 crore are male voters, while 1.7 crore are female voters and 465 voters belong to the third gender. New voters aged 18-19 include 4.05 lakh, with 2.3 lakh male voters and 1.71 lakh women. There are a total of 63.6 lakh senior citizen voters.

Rs 1,000 crore worth materials seized

The Election Commission said on Wednesday that enforcement authorities have recovered freebies and allurements worth Rs 1072.13 crore in the two states since February 26. These include Rs 127.67 crore in cash, nearly 41,000 litres of liquor worth Rs 106.3 crore, drugs worth nearly Rs 184 crore and precious metals such as gold and silver worth Rs 215 crore. Measures have been taken to counter misinformation, issue postal ballots, and facilitate home voting for elderly voters.

Highly sensitive poll stations

In Tamil Nadu, 5,949 polling booths in 3,025 locations have been identified as highly sensitive. The ECI has deployed 300 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) across the state and they will work alongside 83,875 local polling police personnel.

In West Bengal, the ECI announced deployment of 2,450 companies of central forces across 152 constituencies. These will comprise nearly 2.5 lakh personnel. More than 8,000 polling stations have been identified as highly sensitive.

Key constituencies and candidates to watch

The key constituencies in Tamil Nadu include M.K. Stalin's bastion Kolathur, AIADMK chief Edappadi K. Palaniswami's home turf Edappadi and Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni where Udhayanidhi Stalin contests. Actor Vijay will contest in Perambur and Tiruchy East. O. Panneerselvam has been fielded in his stronghold Bodinayakkanur but this time he is contesting on DMK ticket instead of AIADMK.

The BJP aims to retain north Bengal, its gateway to power, while the TMC seeks to prevent a BJP surge. The unresolved Gorkha issue dominates Darjeeling and Kalimpong while tea garden wages and unemployment are the main issue in Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar. Rajbanshi identity influences Cooch Behar and Mathabhanga, while citizenship debates dominate Malda and Uttar Dinajpur. Key battles include Nandigram, where Suvendu Adhikari faces a former ally turned TMC candidate, and Baharampur, where Congress veteran Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury contests BJPs Subrata Maitra.
The Telangana government issued the first 'Bhudhaar card', a land ownership document carrying a unique 14-digit identification number along with a land map, on April 21 to a farmer in Khammam district.

The card was issued to Bhagam Kishan Rao of Muthapuram village as part of an advanced pilot project being implemented in five mandals of the state. The card was designed on the lines of the Aadhaar card and is intended to provide a clear ownership record of land.

State revenue minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy said the government has made it mandatory to submit a land survey map during registration to reduce future litigation over ownership. The Bhu Bharati portal integrates the Revenue, Survey, and Registration departments to streamline registrations and make them largely dispute-free.

The minister said that the Congress government was trying to clear the mess created by the previous Bharat Rashtra Samiti government with its Dharani portal.

The Dharani land management system was introduced by the then Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao in October 2020. Though he assured that the integrated system would improve transparency and efficiency, critics say the outcome was exactly the opposite.

The portal was allegedly misused by officials and influential individuals. The land records would alter overnight, and victims could go nowhere except civil courts. Mismanagement of Dharani has created a distressful condition for many land owners.

The controversies surrounding Dharani were cited as one of the factors in the BRSs defeat in the 2023 Assembly elections. Congress, then the Opposition party, promised to rectify this by abolishing Dharani and introducing a better land management system. Eventually, the Revanth Reddy government passed the Telangana Bhu Bharati (Record of Rights in Land) Act, 2024, in December, and launched the Bhu Bharati portal on April 14, 2025.

The new portal reduced the number of application modules from 33 to six, making the process simpler for farmers with limited technical know-how. The new law also decentralises grievance redressal by allowing people to approach local revenue officials such as the tahsildar or revenue divisional officer, a provision largely absent in the earlier system, and many disputes ended up in civil courts.

The portal was initially piloted in four mandals, focusing on core services such as RoR records, passbooks, and encumbrance certificates. After assessment and improvement, the government launched an integrated version of the system on April 2, 2026.

This advanced version integrates the related departments and is being implemented in five mandals: Kusumanchi (Khammam), Aswaraopeta (Bhadradri Kothagudem), Amangal (Ranga Reddy), Vatpally (Sangareddy), and Kosgi (Narayanpet). Following the pilots success, the portal is expected to be rolled out across the remaining mandals of Telangana in phases.

However, Bhu Bharati is not entirely problem-free. Within months of its launch, a Rs 52 crore payment scam rattled the system. Fraudsters allegedly used hacking tools to manipulate data packets during online transactions, remitting as little as one per cent of the actual fee while issuing full receipts to unsuspecting farmers. The government moved quickly and tightend payment gateways and mandated Aadhaar-based eKYC for all transactions  but the episode exposed vulnerabilities in the portal.

Though the portal has faced teething problems, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has not dismissed the criticism and has instead sought to address the issues. This marks a departure from the previous BRS government, when then Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao was often criticised for not acknowledging problems in the system.
A 22-year-old woman, who was identified as the daughter of a Delhi IRS officer, was found strangled to death at her residence in Kailash Hills in South Delhis Amar Colony, police said. Police suspect that a former house help is involved in the case.

Police believe that she was likely strangled to death with a mobile phone charging cable, which was found at the scene. The Police control Room received the call reporting the body at around 9 am after the family found it under suspicious circumstances.

The murder is suspected to have occurred when the victim's parents went out for a walk.

Delhi: A 22-year-old daughter of an IRS officer was found murdered at her residence in Amar Colony, South East Delhi. Preliminary information suggests sexual assault. The murder was allegedly committed by strangulation with a mobile charging cable. Suspicion has fallen on a pic.twitter.com/Oxyx6AYAg0  IANS (@ians_india) April 22, 2026

The house help is believed to have entered the residence and strangled the woman.

Police found out that the man was recently removed from his job.

The woman's body has been sent for a post-mortem examination.

A police officer who spoke to Hindustan Times also said that sexual assault cannot be ruled out in the case.

Authorities are waiting for the autopsy report to determine the exact sequence of events.

A police team has been dispatched to trace and apprehend the suspect, and officers are examining CCTV footage from the Colony.

The role of a former servant is being examined. Teams have been formed to trace him, a senior officer said.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Wednesday issued a show cause notice against Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, despite his clarification of the "terrorist" remark against PM Modi.

In a "stern notice", the Congress chief has now been asked to explain his stand on the comment within 24 hours, officials told PTI.

Notably, Kharge's "terrorist" comment on Tuesday comes just hours ahead of the Tamil Nadu elections on April 23 and the beginning of the mandatory 48-hour 'silent period' in the state.

What had Kharge said?

Speaking at a press conference in Chennai on Tuesday, Kharge had criticised the AIADMK's alliance with the BJP, questioning why "these AIADMK people, who themselves put the photo of Annadurai ... how can they join with Modi? He is a terrorist...".

"He doesn't believe in equality. His party won't believe in equality and justice ... These people are joining with them; it means they are weakening democracy," Kharge added, criticising the Dravidian party's choices and claiming that the PM of "terrorising" political parties by misusing government machinery to silence the Opposition.

This struck a nerve across the NDA alliance, with many calling for strict action against the Congress chief.

However, when asked to explain his statement, Kharge had clarified to reporters that he did not mean the word in its literal sense, and meant that Modi had been "terrorising" the democratic working of the country.

"He is terrorising people and political parties. I never said he is a terrorist (in the literal sense). Terrorising this ... he is misusing his power and government machinery and abusing, maligning opposition parties," he noted.
The Supreme Court, on Wednesday, slammed West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for interfering with the ED raid at I-PAC's co-founder Pratik Jain's residence in January, saying that when the chief minister of a state interferes with an ongoing investigation by a central probe agency, it cannot be called a dispute between the State and the Centre.

Alleging that the central agency was attempting to seize the TMCs internal documents, hard disks and sensitive data linked to its election strategy, the chief minister, who was at the residence during the raid for 20-25 minutes, came out with a green folder in her hand. They have raided the residence and offices of our in-charge of IT cell. They were confiscating my partys documents and hard disks, which have details about our party candidates for the assembly polls. I have brought those back, Banerjee had then claimed.

The apex court bench comprising Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra and Justice N.V. Anjaria, which heard the petition filed by the central agency seeking registration of a CBI FIR against the CM and state police officials for obstructing the raid, said the CM cannot put the democracy in peril with such actions.

When senior Advocate Menaka Guruswamy, appearing for the state, argued that the matter was a dispute between the State and the Union, the bench disagreed, saying it was not a dispute between the state and the central government.

The bench observed, "This is not a dispute between the State and the Union. A chief minister of any State cannot walk in the midst of an investigation, put the democracy in peril, and then saydont convert this into a dispute between the State and the Union."

"This is per se an act committed by an individual who happens to be the chief minister, keeping the whole democracy in jeopardy," the bench said, reports Bar and Bench.

The court also made an observation on the political situation in West Bengal, saying it cannot shut its eyes to the reality of what is happening. "We cannot lose sight of the practical situation which is present in the State. Dont compel us to make observations. This is not a litigation between Ram vs Shyam. This is an extraordinary situation where the contours are totally different. Court has to take decision keeping in view socio-political realities. It is an ever evolving process," the court observed, according to Bar and Bench.
As India mourns the deadly Pahalgam attack that saw Pakistan-linked terrorists kill 26 people, mostly tourists, a Pakistani minister has taken the opportunity to unleash a tirade against India, calling the attacks a false flag operation.

Pakistan Information Minister Attaullah Tarar bizarrely said the false flag operation in Pahalgam reflected a mindset that is hollow  driven by false pride, arrogance and greed. Let me make it very clear that this was the last false flag operation that India carried out in Pahalgam [] It will not dare to carry out such a false flag operation again, Tarar asserted.

He then went on to claim victimhood, stating that Pakistan had been itself a victim of terrorism and had expressed full sympathy with the civilians affected in the attack. Interestingly, after India struck and killed terrorists responsible for the attack, footage emerged from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir showing Pakistan army personnel attending the funeral of three terrorists killed in the Indian military strikes along with members of Hafiz Saeed's banned organisation, Jamaat-ud-Dawah (JuD).

"If India makes any misadventure it will receive a decisive and befitting responce.



Information Minister @TararAttaullah pic.twitter.com/41eI9GWar1  Muqadas Mughal (@muqadasfmughal) April 22, 2026

He went on to claim that India has not presented any solid evidence or proof regarding the Pahalgam incident, nor has it offered satisfactory explanations. Furthermore, without evidence, without investigation and without proper inquiry, the blame was immediately placed on Pakistan, he said.

Tarars attack on India came as Defence Minister Rajnath Singh issued a warning to Pakistan. "If you look at the history of India, to date, India has not attacked any country in the world from its own side. But the one who is powerful does not attack anyone. But if a neighbour tries to create trouble, then dot, dot, dot... All neighbours are fine, only one is troublesome," he said.

"There is no need to tell you what our Army has done in Operation Sindoor", he added.
The Tamil Nadu assembly elections and the first phase of West Bengal assembly polls will be held from 7 am to 6 pm on Thursday.

A total of 4,023 candidates are in the fray for 234 assembly seats in Tamil Nadu on April 23. Over 5.73 voters are eligible to exercise their franchise on Thursday.

In West Bengal, the first phase will see 152 of the state's 294 seats heading to polls on Thursday. More than 3.60 crore voters, including 1.75 crore women, are eligible to vote on Thursday. These include all 54 in north Bengal's eight districts and several in Murshidabad, Nadia, Birbhum and Hooghly.

How to check your name on voter list?

Several thousands of names have been deleted from the voter list after the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise. Hence, it is important to check if your name is on the electoral list.

In order to verify your name in the electoral roll, log in to voters.eci.gov.in or the Voter Helpline App. You can also download your digital voter ID card from these portals.

Voters are advised to carry the booth slip issued by the Election Commission. However, this only serves the purpose of locating your polling booth and will not be considered as an identity proof.

Hence, it is important to carry original copies of one of the 12 identity documents recognised by the Election Commission. These include:

Electoral Photo Identity Card (EPIC)

Aadhaar Card

MGNREGA Job Card

Passbooks with photograph issued by banks or post offices

Health Insurance Smart Card (Ministry of Labour) / Ayushman Bharat Health Card

Driving Licence

PAN Card

Smart Card issued by RGI under NPR

Indian Passport

Pension document with photograph

Service identity cards with photograph issued to employees by Central/State governments, PSUs, or public limited companies

Official identity cards issued to MPs, MLAs, MLCs

Unique Disability ID (UDID) Card, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment

How to cast your vote

After reaching the polling station mentioned in your booth slip, you should produce your ID proof and verify your personal details. Once the officials mark your finger with indelible ink, you can cast your vote on the EVM. You can verify your vote by checking the slip produced in the VVPAT system.

While the Tamil Nadu assembly polls will conclude on Thursday, West Bengal will witness the second phase of elections on April 29. The exit polls will be released after the elections conclude on April 29 and the poll results would be declared on May 4.
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has informed Latvian President Edgars Rink?vi?s about the peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia, AzerNEWS reports.

President ?lham Aliyev stated this during a press statement with Latvian President Edgars Rink?vi?s on April 22.

The head of state brought to his attention that there is already de facto peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia, noting that the leaders of both countries were invited to the White House last year, a Joint Declaration was signed, and the text of the document was initialed by the foreign ministers.
Photo: https://www.facebook.com/CinCAFofUkraine

Ukraines battlefield position is the strongest it has been in the past year, with Russias manpower advantage minimized through drone use, Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha said at a meeting with journalists.

"I believe our situation can now be characterized as follows. We are holding the line. Indeed, the battlefield position is the strongest, or most solid, it has been in the past year. Truly the strongest. We have minimized the Russians manpower advantage through drone use," Sybiha said.

According to the minister, manpower superiority is no longer a decisive factor on the battlefield thanks to the achievements of the Ukrainian military.

"(...) and in fact this is also a factor that will determine a great deal going forward. For us, the battlefield situation is about strengthening our negotiating position. The same goes, incidentally, for credit. And we are showing our partners that if we want to bring peace closer - a just peace - then we must first of all strengthen our negotiating position," the foreign minister explained.

He named "closing the sky" as the second important element, stressing that Ukraine can shoot down up to 90% of aerial targets, calling it "our new geopolitical strength."

The third element of the current situation is asymmetric actions against the enemy, Sybiha added. "Asymmetry in thinking, asymmetry in building tactics, in developing technologies," the minister said.

"And I also assure you, when certain other decisions are made, we have a clear command of the figures and Russian arithmetic," Sybiha said.
On the first anniversary of the Pahalgam terror attack, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted that India will never bow to any form of terror and that the heinous designs of terrorists will never succeed.

"Remembering the innocent lives lost in the gruesome Pahalgam terror attack on this day last year. They will never be forgotten," Modi said in a post on X on Wednesday. The Prime Minister added that his thoughts are also with the bereaved families as they cope with this loss. "As a nation, we stand united in grief and resolve. India will never bow to any form of terror. The heinous designs of terrorists will never succeed," he said.

Remembering the innocent lives lost in the gruesome Pahalgam terror attack on this day last year. They will never be forgotten. My thoughts are also with the bereaved families as they cope with this loss.



As a nation, we stand united in grief and resolve. India will never bow to  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 22, 2026

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday remembered those killed in the Pahalgam terror attack last year and said India will continue its zero-tolerance policy against terrorism and those who harbour it. In a message posted on X, the Home Minister said, "The grief and pain of losing our people still remains in the heart of every Indian."

On this day, we solemnly remember the innocent lives we lost in the horrific Pahalgam terror attack last year. The grief and pain of losing our people still remain in the heart of every Indian. Terrorism is the greatest enemy of humanity, against which we must stand united to  Amit Shah (@AmitShah) April 22, 2026

"Terrorism is the greatest enemy of humanity, against which we must stand united to fight and defeat. India will continue its zero-tolerance policy against terrorism and those who harbour it," he said.

Union Minister for Women and Child Development Annpurna Devi asserted that India will never forget the "cowardly and inhuman act" and paid tributes to the innocent civilians who lost their lives.

"Humble tributes to all the innocent civilians who lost their lives in the cowardly terrorist attack that took place in Pahalgam on this very day a year ago," Devi said in a post on X.

"This is a dark chapter of cowardice and inhumanity that the nation can never forget," she added.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said the spirit of India stands unbroken and united against every act of terrorism. The Congress chief paid tribute to those killed in the attack and also saluted the valour and sacrifice of the armed forces, who fought with unbridled determination and fortitude during Operation Sindoor.

"My humble tribute to the 26 citizens who lost their lives during the Pahalgam terror attack on this day in 2025. The nation will never forget nor forgive the sacrifices of innocent citizens. Our thoughts and prayers remain with the bereaved families who lost their loved ones," he said in a post on X.

My humble tribute to the 26 citizens who lost their lives during the Pahalgam terror attack on this day in 2025.



The nation will never forget nor forgive the sacrifices of innocent citizens. Our thoughts and prayers remain with the bereaved families who lost their loved ones. pic.twitter.com/OJiyn3I0qL  Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) April 22, 2026

"We also remember our citizens at the border who lost their precious lives due to cross-border shelling. Their sacrifice is etched in the conscience of the nation. The spirit of India stands unbroken, resolute, and united against every act of terrorism," Kharge said.

The Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba carried out the attack at Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir on this day last year, killing 26 innocent people, mostly tourists from across India. Following the Pahalgam terror attack, India carried out a retaliatory military offensive against Pakistan named Operation Sindoor, in which Indian armed forces destroyed military and terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
Karaikudi has long been the museum of Chettinad heritagea place where the grandeur of palatial mansions and the precision of the trade economy created a sense of predictable stability. But with just a day to go for April 23 assembly general election, the cultural hub is no longer just a backdrop for architectural tourism; it has become a high-stakes testing ground for Tamil nationalism versus the established Dravidian-led alliances. The entry of high-profile star candidates has stripped away the predictability of previous cycles, turning this seat into a central point of friction where tradition, local identity, and modern economic desperation collide.

The defining shift in this race is the decision of Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) chief Seeman to return to his roots. Born in Aranaiyur village in the Sivaganga district, Seeman is attempting a son of the soil narrative after failed electoral bids in Cuddalore in 2016 and Tiruvottiyur in 2021. For a leader who has struggled to convert his massive oratorical crowds into legislative seats, retreating to his birthplace is a calculated psychological manoeuvre designed to mitigate the outsider tag. However, his entry into the fray has turned the contest in Karaikudi, a traditional Congress bastion, into a tough four-way contest.

For decades, the Congress and the DMK alliance have enjoyed a virtual monopoly in this region. In 2021, Congresss S. Mangudi won the seat with a margin of 21,589 votes over the BJPs H. Raja. It was won by Congresss K.R. Ramasamy in 2016. And this time, that dominance is under siege by a fragmented four-way contest that challenges the traditional party machinery. While Seeman is leveraging his ideological brand of Tamil nationalism, Congresss Mangudi, the incumbent, is banking on state government cooperation and established networks, AMMKs Therpoki V. Pandi who is contesting from the AIADMK alliance is looking to capture the traditional AIADMK-leaning vote share and TVKs Dr T.K. Prabhu is being viewed as a new force targeting the youth demographic.

I have always voted for two leaves. Last time, I voted for cooker symbol. But this time, both cooker and two leaves have come together. But I wont vote, because I dont like Edappadi Palaniswami, says Muthupandi Ayyanar, a driver who works for a private transport company near Kallal. Muthupandi is a staunch MGR fan. When MGR died, Muthupandi, with the permission from his owners, drove to Chennai to take part in the funeral. He shows his right arm, which has the two-leaves and MGR etched on it. MGR and Amma were real icons. They were caste-neutral leaders. But, those golden days of the AIADMK will not come back, says Muthupandi, as he watches Prabhus campaign in his village  Kottur, 30km off Karaikudi town. Muthupandis daughter Selvi, 35 who runs a grocery store in the village is confused. I am a beneficiary of the monthly cash dole for women. I will only vote for the party which will continue the scheme, Selvi says. But Vijay and his whistle symbol, too, is a choice for Selvi as she watches Prabhu campaign.

Though it may seem like a battle of party symbols and candidates, there is a vigorous endeavour by all the four candidates to consolidate specific caste clusters  the Chettiars or the Nagarathar community, the Kallars, the Thevars, the Mutharaiyars, and the Scheduled Castesspecifically the Devendrakula Vellalars, who comprise roughly 15 per cent of the electorate.

Will Seemans brand of Tamil nationalism survives the test? Will the historical machinery of the Congress and its allies prove too resilient to dismantle? Will AIADMK regain its fortress through AMMK? Or, will the new entrant from TVK prove successful? Karaikudis answer could well set the tone for the future of the state. The election result in Karaikudi, on May 4, could very well serve as a vital indicator of whether the broader political landscape of Tamil Nadu is truly evolving. If Seeman or the other challengers succeed, it will prove that the old guard's monopoly is finally breaking under the weight of son of the soil sentiment and surgical campaigning.
Security has been heightened for the two-phase West Bengal polls, beginning with the first phase on April 23. A total of 2,407 companies of the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) have been deployed across the state for 152 constituencies going to polls, covering 44,378 polling booths in the first phase. The maximum deployment of CAPF is 271 companies in Purba Medinipur district, 273 companies in Paschim Medinipur district, and 240 companies in Murshidabad district. Daspur in Murshidabad district is the largest constituency by electorate, with 2,96,045 or roughly 2.9 lakh voters. The total electorate for the first phase is 3,607,171 or 3.6 crore voters polling on April 23, including 1,849,496 male voters, 1,757,210 female voters, and 465 voters of the third gender. New voters in the 1819 age group amount to 4,05,718, with 1,71,896 female voters and 2,33,819 male voters. There are a total of 63,60,206 senior citizen voters.

A total of 5,644 polling stations are managed by women government officials. Webcasting will be available in all polling booths, with an average of 813 electors per booth casting their votes for the 1,478 candidates contesting in the first phase.

The Election Commission (EC) is keeping a tight watch on the movement of liquor, cash, narcotics, metals, and freebies that could influence voters, with seizures valued at Rs 45,124.05 lakh as of April 19. Weapons and licensed arms have also been seized by security personnel across the state. The sale of liquor has been banned in the state for 96 hours ahead of the first phase by the West Bengal Excise Department, compared to the EC norm of a 48-hour ban, after the department observed an unusual spurt in alcohol sales during the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) period following the announcement of election dates.

Key candidates and constituencies

Key constituencies to watch include Nandigram, where BJPs Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari is the incumbent MLA, having defeated Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in 2021, as well as Malda, Murshidabad, and Uttar Dinajpur, which have large minority populations. Minority voters in this belt are being targeted by the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), Humayun Kabirs Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP), Assadudin Owaisis All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), and Congress, with Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury contesting from Murshidabad and Mausam Noor from Maltipur in Malda district. Currently, of the 43 seats in these three districts, 35 were won by TMC in the 2021 Assembly polls, accounting for 10 per cent of TMCs total winning seats, which the ruling party hopes to retain. BJPs stronghold of North Bengal remains difficult for other parties to penetrate, and the party is making all efforts to dislodge TMC after its three consecutive terms in power.

The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) will affect several constituencies, especially Muslim minority and Hindu minority Matua-dominated constituencies. From 7.6 crore electorate at the start of the SIR, the states electorate has dropped to 6.8 crore after the process, including voter deletions before and after the Under Adjudication (UA) category list was released. Out of 60 lakh voters in the UA category, 27 lakh were deleted.

Unlike 2021s eight-phase election, this year West Bengal is voting in two phases. The EC says it has taken specific initiatives to ensure free and fair elections, which is expected to result in a high voter turnout.
In the wake of the fireworks tragedy that caused the death of 13 people in Keralas Thrissur ahead of the famous pooram, speculations are rife that the government could reconsider the conduct of the mega festival. The tragedy, which occurred at a fireworks manufacturing unit in Mundathikode near Thrissur on Tuesday, also critically injured over 40 people.

The festival is jointly conducted by two temple administrations - the Paramekkavu Bhagavathy Temple and Thiruvambadi Sri Krishna Temple - and is held in the premises of the Vadakkunnathan Temple. The blast occurred at the fireworks manufacturing unit of the Thiruvambady faction at Mundathikode, about 16 km from the city. The grand fireworks are one of the most eventful celebrations.

The Thiruvambadi administration has said that there will be no fireworks for Thrissur Pooram this time in the backdrop of the tragedy, but it is ready to follow the government's directions on how to proceed with the ceremonies this year. As for the Paramekkavu administration, the official decision on the same will happen only after discussions with the government.

A major explosion at a fireworks unit in Mundathikode, India, has killed at least 13 people, with many more injured.



The blast happened during preparations for the Thrissur Pooram (an annual Hindu temple festival), when large quantities of fireworks were being stored. pic.twitter.com/BH5ZkjYnVd  Volcaholic  (@volcaholic1) April 21, 2026

It is not possible to decide alone whether the Pooram should be held in the old way. The final decision will depend on public sentiment, government directives, and the preservation of traditions. Authorities have also confirmed that there are no legal issues in shifting fireworks materials to Thekkinkadu Maidan. Further actions will depend on interventions from the government and the High Court, he told reporters.



The government is planning to hold a meeting, and Devaswom Minister V.N. Vasavan said that the High Court has granted permission to convene the meeting. It will be in the meeting that the next step in the conduct of the festival will be taken.

Rumours are that though the pooram ceremonies might take place this year, it is likely be without the festivities.
President Donald Trump on Wednesday indicated that the second round of ceasefire talks between Iran and the US could take place as soon as this Friday.

Pakistani negotiators have also claimed that fresh breakthroughs in the mediation efforts behind the scenes meant the peace talks could take place over the next "36-72 hours".

"It's possible," Trump told the New York Post, in response to the claims of the Pakistani mediatorsa vague response that comes just a day after he indefinitely extended the ceasefire.

In his Tuesday announcement, Trump had declared that while the US Navy blockade in the Strait of Hormuz would remain in effect, the two-week ceasefire in the war would be extended till "fractured" Iran presented a "unified proposal" to end the war.

"I have therefore directed our Military to continue the Blockade and, in all other respects, remain ready and able, and will therefore extend the Ceasefire until such time as their proposal is submitted," he wrote in a Truth Social post on Tuesday.

However, the new claims of a second round of peace talks by Friday have sparked a great deal of uncertainty, as they also come just hours after Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) attacked three vessels trying to exit the strait.

The IRGC, which has already flagged the blockade as a violation of the ceasefire terms, alleged that it had opened fire at the cargo vessels because they had "ignored the warnings of the Iranian armed forces", as per a Nour News report.

Maritime trackers have also been reporting alleged leaks in the blockade.

This comes despite Trump's claim that it was a tremendous success, and the Central Command of the US military (CENTCOM) declaring that it had so far detained one container ship, boarded a sanctioned tanker, and forced 28 vessels to return to Iranian ports since the blockade began.

Since the start of the U.S. blockade against ships entering or exiting Iranian ports, U.S. forces have directed 28 vessels to turn around or return to port. pic.twitter.com/mZOq3SfxKt  U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) April 21, 2026

According to a Financial Times report citing Vortexa data, at least 34 tankers linked to Iran had managed to bypass the blockade, of which at least six were found to be carrying crude oil from Tehran.

19 of the 34 Iran-linked tankers reportedly passed through the US blockade to exit the Gulf, while 15 entered the Persian Gulf from the Arabian Sea, heading for Tehran.
Though US President Donald Trump extended the ceasefire with Iran, pushing the conflict into more uncertainty, the chances of the President ordering some kind of ground invasion seem to be rising, according to analysts.

This is evident from the increased troop buildup in the Middle East. According to reports, the US has deployed three aircraft carriers on the region, besides the impending arrival of the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group and its Marine Corps task force arrive which will reach the Middle Eastern waters by the end of the month. The vessel will bring with it over 10,000 additional troops.

The military tracking carried out by the Atlantic Council revealed that more US naval forces continue to arrive in the theatre to support Operation Epic Fury, potentially including the US naval blockade of Iranian ports. Several ships with mine-clearing capabilities are on their way, besides the return of USS George H.W. Bush and its accompanying strike group.

Two of the four Avenger-class mine countermeasure shipsthe USS Pioneer (MCM-9) and USS Chief (MCM-14)are reportedly en route to the Middle East. Two of four littoral combat ships equipped with mine countermeasures mission packagesthe USS Tulsa and USS Canberraare also on their way back to the Middle East, after they left their home base in Bahrain last month.

According to Ali Vaez, Iran project director at the International Crisis Group, a ground invasion is likely if we pay more attention to what President Trump does rather than what he says. We have not seen him deploying significant military assets to any theatre and ending up not using them. He has often used the US military might if he has deployed it, and in this case, he has sent thousands of US troops literally to the region, and therefore, I think the odds of him pursuing the ground invasion are much higher than otherwise. There is a clear risk of mission creep here.

Not just the US, Israeli media reports hint that Israel is also prepared for an attack together with the United States, in addition to defensive readiness. Tel Aviv is preparing for the negotiations to explode and has already approved plans and preparations to expand the target bank, pending Trumps approval.

Iran, too, is prepared for the eventuality, going by Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibafs statement that the Islamic regime was getting ready to deploy new cards on the battlefield if fighting resumed. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had also expressed confidence when asked whether the country was ready for a ground invasion.

Ashkan Hashemipour, an Iran analyst at the University of Oxford, told The Guardian that Araghchis statement is more than just rhetorical. Its because Iran, right now, seems to be doing pretty well in a war thats essentially fought in the skies and in the sea. If its fought on the ground, he knows that theyll be even stronger, he added.

According to a report that appeared in Iranian state-backed Tasnim, Iran is fully prepared for the possibility of war resuming and has also arranged new surprises for a potential new round of conflict. Over the past two weeks, Iran has consistently considered the likelihood of war to be high and, on that basis, has carried out certain military redeployments and prepared a new list of targets for this purpose. Accordingly, Iran is ready to create another hell for the Americans and Israelis from the very first moments of any potential war, the report read.
A Gujarat-bound cargo ship was among three ships reportedly attacked by the Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in the Strait of Hormuz, according to UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO). This comes despite Washington extending the ceasefire with Tehran.

IRGC opened fire at the cargo vessels after they allegedly "ignored the warnings of the Iranian armed forces," according to Nour News.

The Gujarat-bound ship Epaminodas bearing Liberian flag is owned by a Greek company and was coming from Jebel Ali, Dubai.

For latest news and analyses on Middle East, visit: Yello! Middle East

The other two vessels were identified as Euphoria and MSC Francesca, both bearing Panama flags. Euphoria is owned by a UAE-based firm and was bound for Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

MSC Francesca was listed as "at anchor" in the Gulf of Oman after the IRGC attack, according to MarineTraffic. It reportedly suffered "damage to the hull and accommodation" after it was targeted about six nautical miles off the coast of Iran.

IRGC Navy claimed that the ships "jeopardised maritime security" and allegedly tampered with navigation systems.

After the attacks, US President Donald Trump claimed that Iran was "collapsing financially" over the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. "They want the Strait of Hormuz opened immediately- Starving for cash! Losing 500 Million Dollars a day. Military and Police complaining that they are not getting paid. SOS!!!" he posted on Truth Social.

However, Iranian Agriculture Minister Gholamreza Nouri claimed on Tuesday that the US blockade on Iranian ports did not have much impact on Iran. "Despite the US naval blockade, we have no problem in supplying basic goods and food because, due to the size of the country, it is possible to import from different borders. About 85 percent of agricultural products and basic goods are produced domestically, so the countrys food security is established," he said, according to IRNA news agency.
US President Donald Trump may have decided to extend the ceasefire with Iran indefinitely, but the latter is taking the announcement with more than a pinch of salt.

Trumps move came just hours before a two-week ceasefire, initially set to expire on April 8, was due to end. He announced that the decision was taken to give Iran's divided leadership more time to develop a united plan to end the ongoing seven-week conflict, and also at the request of Pakistan, which is acting as a mediator.

For latest news and analyses on Middle East, visit: Yello! Middle East

In a statement released on Tuesday, the US president said, "Based on the fact that the Government of Iran is seriously fractured, not unexpectedly so and, upon the request of Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, of Pakistan, we have been asked to hold our Attack on the Country of Iran until such time as their leaders and representatives can come up with a unified proposal."

However, Trump emphasised that the US will hold off on attacking Iran only until its leadership presents a cohesive proposal for negotiations. He also confirmed that the economic blockade on Iran's ports will remain in place.

The extension effectively postpones a planned visit by a US delegation, led by Vice President J.D. Vance, to Islamabad for peace talks with Iranian representatives. Vance, along with US special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, were scheduled to travel to Islamabad on Tuesday. The White House confirmed that the delegation's "trip to Pakistan will not be happening today (Tuesday)".

Witkoff and Kushner were initially set to depart Miami for Islamabad on Tuesday morning. Instead, they were asked to attend "additional meetings" at the White House. Vice President Vance, who was also slated to travel to Pakistan, participated in these discussions in Washington.

This decision follows days of intensive diplomatic efforts involving officials in Washington, Islamabad, and Tehran, all working towards a draft proposal that could be acceptable to all parties. It is a notable shift in Trump's approach. Earlier on Tuesday, he had indicated that if a deal wasn't reached by Wednesday, military action would be considered. "I expect to be bombing, because that is a better attitude to go in with." He had also mentioned that the military was "raring to go".

There had been no official statements from senior Iranian officials yet following President Trump's recent announcement. However, initial reactions from Tehran indicated the top officials were sceptic about the announcement.

According to the Tasnim News Agency, which is linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, Iran has not requested an extension of any ceasefire. The agency also reiterated threats to forcefully break the US blockade. Iran has condemned the interception and seizing of two commercial Iranian ships at sea by the US Navy as part of the blockade, with its foreign ministry accusing the US of "piracy at sea and state terrorism".

Interestingly, an adviser to Iran's chief negotiator and Parliament Speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, suggested that Trump's announcement held little significance and might be a strategic manoeuvre.

Ahead of Trumps announcement, a high-ranking Iranian official told Reuters that Iranian negotiators were willing to engage in another round of talks if the US abandons its policy of pressure and threats, and asserted that the negotiations were not aimed at surrender.

President Trump's public statements regarding the conflict, too, have been sending mixed signals. Just two weeks ago, he issued a strong warning against Iran, saying, "a whole civilization will die tonight". At other times, he has conveyed his desire to de-escalate the violence and ease market fluctuations.

Pakistan's PM Sharif, meanwhile, thanked Trump for extending the ceasefire with Iran. He conveyed his hope that both sides would be able to "conclude a comprehensive peace deal" to resolve the conflict.
Smartphones with cameras being their biggest USP is not something new. We have been seeing camera-centric devices from the likes of Xiaomi, Vivo, and Oppo for a while now, with Xiaomi's 17 series being the latest addition to that. While the Xiaomi 17 Ultra has been the more talked-about device, I was always more interested in checking the regular Xiaomi 17  mainly because of that size and design, while not necessarily sacrificing on camera quality.

The device weighs under 200 grams, with curved corners and smooth edges. You get a matte-finish back, with the front having really narrow bezels around the display. The back houses the triple-camera setup, of course, on a rectangular cutout with the Leica branding in its middle. I tried and also preferred the phone in the Venture Green colour, while it is also available in Ice Blue and Black colour options.

The phone has a 6.3-inch (2656x1220) OLED display with up to 120Hz variable refresh rates. It is a really nice display to look at, whether reading text, watching high-resolution videos, or viewing images. It has good viewing angles and can handle HDR content quite well without struggling in dark and contrasty scenes.

Coming to the camera performance, the phone features a 50MP (f/1.67) main camera, a 50MP (f/2.0) telephoto camera, and a 50MP (f/2.4) ultra-wide camera  all tuned in partnership with Leica. I generally found the camera to be a reliable point-and-shooter; of course, there are dozens of Pro settings you can choose, and those do come in handy, such as the Leica Authentic style, but what is also nice is not always having to tinker before taking a shot. Photos came out detailed with good colour reproduction and dynamic range in pretty much every type of scene. The only thing in the camera department that does not quite shine is the performance of the telephoto lens  they could have gone better than 2.6x optical zoom, but it is certainly not a deal-breaker. The front-facing 50MP (f/2.2) camera takes sharp and quick shots, and I found its contrast better than the 15 series that I can remember. You can shoot 4K at 60fps from both front and rear cameras, and with Dolby Vision from the rear camera, too.

The device is equipped with Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset (up to 4.6GHz octa-core processor, Adreno 840 GPU, and X80 5G modem) along with 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 512GB UFS 4.1 internal storage. It is running on Android 16-based HyperOS 3.0 with the March security patch installed. The device is not short on performance by any means. Day-to-day tasks work smoothly, with no stuttering or lags seen. You can play heavy games like BGMI at the highest settings and high frame rates, though playing something like Genshin Impact for over half an hour did make the phone heat up a bit. Otherwise, the phone did not show signs of heating. I wish Xiaomi would add notification history to HyperOS; I am not sure why that is still missing.

What is not missing is more than a day's battery life with its 6,330 mAh silicon-carbon battery. The phone lasted me over a day almost on every single charge. You get a 100-watt charger in the box, and the phone can be charged from 1% to full in a little over an hour.

Wi-Fi and Bluetooth performance on the phone is top-notch. I also liked its 5G network reception for working on the go over a Wi-Fi hotspot. The loudspeakers, though, are only okay, in my opinion. They have decent loudness but very little depth; for watching videos and playing games, you expect better from Xiaomi in this regard.

At 89,999 (currently for the 512GB variant), you can argue the phone is priced quite a bit higher than usual from the house of Xiaomi. Given memory chip pricing increases and their effects on multiple industries, including phones, it is not exactly surprising. The Xiaomi 17 does come across as a well-rounded smartphone with very little not working in its favour. I would definitely pick it over the regular Samsung Galaxy S26, while it is a closer battle against the Vivo X300, with personal preference being more relevant there in terms of design and software.
YWN regrets to share the petirah of Reb Berysz Aurbach zl, a 105-year-old Holocaust survivor. He has been making international headlines for years by davening for the amud on the yahrtzeit of his mother, who was niftar when he was an infant; and for making a siyum bechoros every Erev Pesach, including just a few weeks ago.

Reb Berysz zl, born Gimmel Elul 5680 (1920), hailed from a Chassidishe family in Biala Podlaska, Poland, a town with deep roots in Gerrer Chassidus. He was raised in a home filled with warmth, Torah, and mesorah, together with his siblings  three older brothers, a sister, and a half-brother.

In an incredible neis, he was one of the last Yidden to be smuggled out of the Warsaw Ghetto before Pesach 5703 (1943), mere days before the uprising and the brutal destruction that followed. Tragically, aside from one sister who had made her way to Eretz Yisroel before the war, his entire family was murdered al kiddush Hashem.

With nothing left in Poland, Reb Berysz reached out to an uncle in Australia, who sponsored his visa and enabled him to rebuild on new shores.

In Australia, Reb Berysz became a beloved member of the Caulfield Bais Medrash in Melbourne. Most famously, he would daven for the amud each year on the yahrtzeit of his mother, who was niftar when he was a baby  more than 105 years ago.

Remarkably, Reb Berysz was cogent and clear-minded until his final days, regaling his friends and community with fascinating stories of pre-war life and of his century-plus of life experience. On Tuesday, Reb Berysz suffered a heart attack, and was niftar a short time later in a local hospital.

Levaya details will be published when they become available.

Baruch Dayan HaEmes.

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(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Ukraine is raising the issue of Italy, as the host country, not issuing visas to Russian participants in the 2026 Venice Biennale, Foreign Minister of Ukraine Andriy Sybiha said at a meeting with journalists.

"...The Biennale. Of course, this was discussed (during the presidents visit to Italy  IF-U). We have sanctioned those individuals, the Russian participants. And we are now raising the issue of visas not being issued to them. The host country is Italy. We very much hope we will be heard," the minister said.

Russia has been a permanent participant in the Venice Biennale, having founded its pavilion in 1914. However, its exhibition at the 59th Biennale in 2022 was canceled on February 27 - a few days after the invasion. In 2024, the Venice Biennale again took place without Russias participation.

The organizers of the Venice Biennale published on March 4, 2026 the list of participants who will open national pavilions. Russia, which has not participated since 2022, is among them.

On April 10, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a decree enacting a National Security and Defence Council decision to impose sanctions on five Russian cultural figures who justify aggression and spread Russian propaganda at international events.

The relevant decree No. 305/2026 was published on the head of states website.

According to the presidential press service, all sanctioned individuals are connected to Russias participation in the 61st Venice Biennale.
Nigerian authorities have charged six people, including a retired major general and a serving police inspector, with terrorism and treason, over an alleged plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu, according to a charge sheet seen by The Associated Press on Tuesday.

The six were all in custody. A seventh suspect, former Bayelsa state Gov. Timpre Sylva, is accused of helping to conceal the plot and is still at large.

In the 13-count charge sheet, authorities said suspects conspired with one another to levy war against the state to overawe the president of the Federal Republic.

The Nigerian government first said it had foiled a coup attempt in January, when it announced that several military officers would stand trial. They were part of a group of 16 military officers arrested in 2025 over what military authorities described as acts of indiscipline and breaches of service regulations, which fueled rumors of a coup plot that the government initially denied.

Africas most populous nation experienced five coups in the 20th century but has not seen one since it transitioned to democracy in 1999.

The alleged coup plot comes on the heels of a surge in coups and attempted coups in West and Central Africa, the latest in Benin and Guinea-Bissau late last year. The military takeovers, experts say, follow a pattern of disputed elections, constitutional upheaval, security crises and youth discontent.

(AP)
Sen. Chris Murphy is facing backlash after a social media post reacting to reports about Iranian-linked vessels appeared to praise a development tied to the ongoing conflict.

The Connecticut Democrat wrote Awesome in response to a report suggesting that multiple vessels connected to Iran had evaded a U.S. maritime blockade.

After backlash intensified, Murphy said the post had been intended as sarcasm and reiterated his opposition to the war.

Ok Twitter, I cant believe I need to clarify this but obviously Trumps bungled mismanagement of this war is not awesome, Murphy wrote in a follow-up post. As I have said a million times here, its a disaster and he should end the war immediately. My tweet was something called sarcasm.

Pentagon officials pushed back on the underlying report, denying that Iranian-linked vessels had successfully bypassed the blockade. A spokesperson said the claims were inaccurate, as U.S. forces continue enforcement operations against ships tied to Tehran.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
A fragment of a sefer Torah dating to the second half of the 18th century has been discovered in the attic of a private home in the Belarusian city of Novogrudok, where it appears to have been hidden by a Jewish family during the Nazi occupation and left undisturbed for more than 80 years.

The fragment was discovered by Viktor Vasilyuk, a local artist whose relatives had lived in the home. His mothers maiden name was Katz, and according to family accounts, relatives fled the Novogrudok Ghetto during the war, changing their surname to survive. Before escaping, they concealed the parchment in the attic beneath straw. Some of the parchment sheets were even used to cover the floor  apparently to further disguise them.

Experts at the National Library of Belarus examined the fragment and dated it to the second half of the 1700s, based in part on the characteristics of the ink, which has a reddish hue typical of that era. They believe the fragment was written by a sofer using the precise halachic method required for writing sifrei Torah.

The Novogrudok Ghetto was established by the Nazis in December 1941. Of the approximately 10,000 Yidden held there, nearly all were murdered. Only around 350 survived.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
A teenager pleaded guilty on Tuesday to arson in north-west London but claimed he was unaware that the targeted building was a shul and said he bore no ill will towards Jewish people.

The attack was among several separate assaults against Britains Jewish community in recent weeks.

The 17-year-old boy, who cannot be identified because of his age, pleaded guilty to arson not endangering life when he appeared before Westminster Magistrates Court.

Surveillance footage showed the boy climb over a wall at Kenton United Synagogue, in Harrow, on Saturday night, and set light to a bottle of liquid before throwing it through a broken window. The fire caused some smoke damage and no one was injured.

I have no hate toward the Jewish people, he said in a written statement. I am very sorry for my actions.

The boy was released on bail and ordered to appear at Willesden Youth Court on June 4.

Police arrested and released a 19-year-old man in the investigation and are seeking two other suspects.

There has been a series of arson attacks against shuls and other Jewish targets in the U.K. since March 23, when four ambulances owned by Hatzolah in Golders Green, north London, were torched. No one has been injured in any of the incidents.

Police have said they are looking into whether Iran is behind six recent attacks, including one on a Persian-language media organization critical of Irans government, as part of a hybrid war fought by proxies amid the U.S.-Israeli war against the Islamic Republic.

Counterterror police said 23 people have been arrested so far. Seven of those were held on suspicion of conspiring to set fire to an unspecified Jewish venue, Londons Metropolitan Police said.

A group calling itself Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia  or Islamic Movement of the Companions of the Right  has claimed responsibility for most of the attacks in Britain. It has also admitted being behind incidents in recent months at places of worship, business and financial institutions across Europe, all of which appear to be linked to Jewish or Israeli interests, police said.

Israel has said the recently founded group has suspected links to an Iranian proxy.

(AP)
Jeff Bezos rocket company, Blue Origin, blamed a bad engine Monday for a failed weekend launch that left a satellite in the wrong orbit, dooming it.

Launches of the huge New Glenn rocket are grounded until Blue Origin and the Federal Aviation Administration complete their investigation.

The rocket blasted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on Sunday. The recycled first-stage booster performed well, landing on an ocean barge several minutes into the flight. But the upper stage was unable to put the satellite into a high enough orbit to begin operations.

Preliminary data indicate that one of the upper stage engines failed to produce enough thrust, Blue Origin CEO Dave Limp said.

The satellite was supposed to join AST SpaceMobiles orbiting network of satellites designed to provide direct space-to-smart phone service.

The rockets upper stage and satellite reentered the atmosphere Monday, according to the U.S. Space Force. No additional detail was available.

It was only the third flight for New Glenn, Blue Origins hulking rocket for delivering spacecraft to orbit. NASA is counting on New Glenn to launch Blue Moon lunar landers for the Artemis moon program. SpaceXs Starship is also in the running to land astronauts on the moon as early as 2028.

Towering more than 320 feet (98 meters), the rocket is named for John Glenn, the first American to orbit Earth in 1962.

(AP)
Former Tucker Carlson issued an apology Monday for his role in supporting Donald Trump, saying he regrets misleading viewers and expects to be tormented by the decision for a long time.

Speaking during an interview with his brother, Buckley Carlson, on The Tucker Carlson Show, the former Fox News host acknowledged both mens involvement in Trumps rise. You wrote speeches for him, I campaigned for him were implicated in this, Carlson said. Buckley Carlson agreed with the assessment.

In very small ways, but in real ways, you and me and millions of people like us are the reason this is happening right now, he said. He added that the moment calls for personal reflection, saying, I want to say Im sorry for misleading people, and it was not intentional.

The apology comes amid an escalating public rift between Carlson and Trump. The president has repeatedly attacked Carlson in recent weeks on Truth Social, calling him low IQ, stupid, and highly overrated, while also targeting other former allies including Megyn Kelly, Alex Jones, and Candace Owens.

Carlson, who has grown increasingly critical of the administration, has taken issue with Trumps handling of the Epstein files and the ongoing war with Iran. He previously described the conflict as disgusting and evil and suggested it was being waged on behalf of foreign interests. In response to Trumps criticism, Carlson said he still feels sympathy for the president, describing him as being controlled by Israel.

The fallout has extended beyond rhetoric. Buckley Carlson recently stepped down from his role as deputy press secretary to Vice President JD Vance following Trumps repeated attacks on his father.

Carlsons remarks also drew backlash from within conservative circles. Scott Jennings criticized the apology during a television appearance, arguing that Carlsons position ignores Trumps long-standing stance on Iran. Jennings said it would be surprising if Carlson now regrets supporting Trump over Vice President Kamala Harris, and accused him of either misunderstanding or misrepresenting the presidents policies.

I mean, is he now claiming he had no idea that Donald Trump held the position that he would never permit Iran to have nuclear weapons? Jennings said. If thats what hes saying today, hes kind of a moron. I mean, I dont know how else to put it, or hes willfully misleading people.

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(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
A Holocaust memorial in eastern Estonia was found extensively damaged Friday, prompting an investigation by authorities and condemnation from Jewish organizations and international officials.

The monument, located in Ereda in Ida-Viru County, was discovered with significant structural damage, according to the Estonian Police and Border Guard Board. Officials said the memorial had been dented, with multiple pieces broken off and its fastenings bent. No suspects have been identified, and investigators noted the sites remote forest location lacks surveillance cameras.

The Estonian Jewish Community called the incident deeply concerning, saying the destruction offends both the memory of Holocaust victims and broader society. The group did not immediately provide additional comment beyond a statement posted publicly.

The Israeli Embassy in Estonia condemned the damage, noting it occurred as Jews worldwide marked Holocaust Remembrance Day. In a statement shared on social media, the embassy said the act was not just vandalism but a deliberate attack on historical memory, truth, and the dignity of the victims of the Holocaust, adding that the timing made the incident particularly troubling.

The embassy also warned that the destruction reflects a broader pattern of rising antisemitism, describing it as an active threat rather than a theoretical concern.

The U.S. Embassy to Estonia also denounced the vandalism, noting that the United States had supported the memorials establishment.

Rabbi Yehuda Kaploun, the U.S. special envoy to monitor and combat antisemitism, called the incident a disgrace to the victims and their memories, particularly in the immediate aftermath of Holocaust remembrance observances.

Authorities have not said whether the incident is being investigated as a hate crime. The case remains open.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
German federal prosecutors have charged a teenage suspect in connection with a series of violent attacks in the city of Essen, alleging the incidents were driven by extremist ideology and included plans to target Jewish individuals.

The suspect, identified as Erjon S, faces three counts of attempted murder along with charges including assault, aggravated assault and resisting arrest, according to the German Federal Prosecutors Office.

Prosecutors allege the teenager embraced a jihadist ideology and sought to carry out attacks against what he described as infidels, with a stated intent to ultimately kill Jewish people.

According to authorities, the suspect first targeted a janitor at a school in September, allegedly punching him and using pepper spray. The victim reportedly resisted, preventing further escalation involving a knife.

The suspect then allegedly attacked a teacher at a vocational school, stabbing her multiple times in the upper body. Both victims survived but suffered serious injuries.

Prosecutors say the teenager later went twice to the Old Synagogue Essen, but did not encounter any Jewish individuals. He then allegedly stabbed a stranger nearby.

Authorities further allege the suspect attempted to provoke a fatal police response by approaching officers while armed with a knife. Police opened fire, wounding him. He survived and was taken into custody.

The case was transferred from local prosecutors in Essen to federal authorities due to its national security implications, a step typically taken in cases involving terrorism-related motives.

All victims are reported to have survived the attacks. The investigation remains ongoing.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Secrecy surrounding White House security makes details hard to come by, but President Donald Trumps court fight over his $400 million ballroom casts some light on an underground bunker at the site that has had a role in history.

The bunker emerged in the Trump administrations court fight against the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which is challenging the 90,000-square-foot (8,400-square-meter) ballroom project in Washington. A federal appeals court last week permitted the president to continue with construction of the project at the site of the former East Wing, which was demolished last fall.

That ruling put on hold a lower-court judges order blocking aboveground construction but exempted work to ensure the safety and security of the White House. The Republican administrations appeal cited materials that would be installed to make a heavily fortified facility, including adding bomb shelters, military installations and a medical facility underneath the ballroom.

The bunkers role in presidential history

The history of a bunker beneath the East Wing dates to Franklin D. Roosevelts presidency, when an underground bomb shelter was installed in 1942 after the United States had entered World War II. Beyond that, detail is obscured by secrecy resulting from concerns about presidential safety.

Garrett Graff, a historian and national security author, said the Presidential Emergency Operations Center beneath the East Wing was always intended to be for short-term use.

The whole point of the sort of presidential evacuation and continuity of the presidency is you want to get the president out of the place where everyone knows that he is and get him into a place where people dont know where he is, Graff said.

High-profile flights to an underground bunker at the White House include Vice President Dick Cheney being taken there because of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

A Secret Service agent burst into the West Wing room, grabbed Cheney by the belt and shoulder and led him to a bunker underneath the White House. He didnt say, Shall we go? Cheney told NBC News years later. He wasnt polite about it.

More recently, Trump was rushed to a White House bunker in 2020 amid protests stemming from the death of George Floyd. At the time, there were chants from protesters at Lafayette Park that could be heard in the building, and Secret Service and law enforcement officers struggled to control the crowds.

Why a ballroom matters to a bunker

Matthew Quinn, deputy director of the Secret Service, wrote in court filings that its important for the ballroom project to go forward for security at the White House.

An above-ground slab and topping structure is needed to ensure that key underground structures with a security purpose are properly protected and strengthened, Quinn wrote.

He added: Leaving the project site unfinished imperils the ability of the Secret Service to meet its statutory mission to protect the President.

Trump last month offered a list of whats being done to enhance security while the ballroom is built.

The roof is droneproof. We have secure air-handling systems. You know, bad things happen in the air if you have bad people, the president said. We have biodefense all over. We have secure telecommunications and communications all over. We have bomb shelters that were building. We have a hospital and very major medical facilities that were building.

The president took to social media to criticize the lower-court ruling and said the underground portion wouldnt work without the aboveground facility as well.

Whats next in the legal battle over the ballroom

The National Trust for Historic Preservation has argued that Trump overstepped his authority by moving forward with the project without getting approval from key federal agencies and Congress.

U.S. District Judge Richard Leon ruled in favor of the nonprofit group at the end of March but put his decision on hold briefly while allowing underground work to continue. The administration appealed.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit has a hearing for June 5 to review the case.

Taxpayer dollars will pay for the security aspects of the project, though Trump has said the ballroom costs will be covered by donations from wealthy people and corporations. Hes said its a long-overdue addition to the White House complex.

The underground portion is wedded to, and serves, the upper portion, the president said in a social media post.

What that means in practice is unclear and hinges in part on the outcome of litigation.

(AP)
Deeply ingrained in Raul Valdes-Faulis family lore is the November 1960 day when an agent of Fidel Castros revolution showed up at his familys Pedroso Bank in Havana, with a machine gun, and demanded they leave.

Calling his father and uncle gusanos  or worms, a Spanish-language term coined by Castro to denigrate those fleeing the island  the agent seized the bank and in an instant dispossessed a family that arrived from Spain in the 16th century.

They told them this was now the peoples bank, said Valdes-Fauli, an attorney and former mayor of the Miami suburb of Coral Gables. They couldnt even take family pictures off the walls of their office.

Seven decades later such traumatic episodes are resurfacing with urgency, as President Donald Trumps threats of military intervention, backed by a naval blockade of fuel shipments that has brought the islands already-anemic economy to its knees, have spawned negotiations between Washington and Havana. Many Cuban Americans are convinced that 2026 could  finally  be the year of regime change on the communist-run island.

But that cautious optimism among exiles is tempered by concern they could be cut out. Their nightmare scenario: a repeat of what happened recently in Venezuela, where Trump ousted Nicolas Maduro only to join forces with his former allies in a partnership where demands for democracy are taking a back seat to oil industry dealmaking.

I hope that he doesnt do what he did in Venezuela, which is keep the thieves in power, said Valdes-Fauli, who married a Venezuelan.

An emotional element of the talks, and one of the toughest to resolve, is the potential for hundreds of thousands of legal claims by Cuban Americans whose homes, businesses and land were seized after Castro took power in 1959.

New hope for getting compensation

Nick Gutierrezs home is full of fading land titles, black-and-white photographs and obscure books including one torn-apart tome  The Owners of Cuba, 1958  that describes the 550 biggest fortunes taken over by the revolution.

As president of the National Association of Cuban Landowners in Exile, Gutierrez advises Cuban exile families on how to seek compensation for the forced collectivism. For decades that was a lonely mission relegated to the legal fringes, because there was never any hope of getting Cuba to pay.

A lot of it just fell on deaf ears, Gutierrez said.

But with rising speculation about possible regime change, real interest in the issue has exploded among those who previously saw costly litigation as a fools errand, as well as younger Cuban American entrepreneurs eager to help rebuild a country they barely know but whose heritage they proudly carry.

Now were talking about the existential issue of whether the Cuban dictatorship will survive until next month, said Gutierrez, whose parents fled the island two years before he was born.

Resolving the claims

Untangling property claims in Cuba is akin to battling a multiheaded hydra, said Robert Muse, a Washington attorney who specializes in U.S. laws relating to Cuba.

In the hierarchy of property losses, those with the strongest standing under U.S. law are the 5,913 claims certified by the Justice Department in 1972 for $1.9 billion. They include corporations like ExxonMobil and Marriott International whose assets were seized as part of Castros nationalization drive of everything from oil refineries and the telephone system to hair salons and shoeshine stands.

Under U.S. law those claims  worth $10 billion today  must be resolved for a full restoration of economic and diplomatic relations. In practice, however, the executive branch is authorized to assume control of private losses for a lump-sum payment and fold the dispute into any settlement with Havana.

In a break from the past, Cuba has signaled a willingness to discuss the claims  as part of a broader conversation over its demand for compensation for damages wrought by the U.S. trade embargo, enacted in 1962.

A thornier issue is Title III of the 1996 Helms-Burton Act. The law allows exiles to sue any company deemed to be trafficking in property confiscated by Cuba.

All past U.S. presidents suspended Title III because of objections from U.S. allies doing business in Cuba. Similarly, many exiles viewed the legislation as an empty threat because of the remote prospect of ever collecting from a bankrupt government.

But Trump lifted the suspension in 2019, and about 50 lawsuits have since been filed. The floodgates to more claims could open soon depending on two cases argued before the U.S. Supreme Court this year.

One of the cases, brought by Exxon, seeks $1 billion from Cuban state-owned entities. The other was filed by the Delaware-based company, Havana Docks, against four cruise liners that paid Cubas government to disembark nearly 1 million tourists at a port it once operated after President Barack Obama reestablished diplomatic relations.

Will Trump strike a deal?

Muse likened the legal risks of doing business in Cuba to a stalactite formed over several decades, deterring investment and political compromise.

You cant have a restitution remedy for hundreds of thousands of claimants, Muse said. Its unworkable.

However if Havanas stated aim to attract foreign capital is sincere, it has incentives to cut deals with Cuban Americans willing to invest in the country, Gutierrez said. A model for that would be the former Communist states in Eastern Europe that compensated for property seizures at the conclusion of the Cold War, helping their economies surge ahead.

Trump, Muse said, may have the right mix of business sense, impatience with convention and political freedom as a second-term president to work through the complex mess. A signal that he is unlikely to be bogged down by legal haggling, Muse added, was when he hosted oil executives at the White House following Maduros ouster and told them they would have to write off any unpaid claims from asset seizures in Venezuela.

Gutierrez worries that Trumps eagerness for a trophy that has evaded 12 Democratic and Republican presidents could get the better of him. But he is reassured by the presidents longstanding friendship with Cuban Americans who are among his most ardent supporters.

Trump doesnt have moral qualms of doing business with bad guys, Gutierrez said. But he knows how important this is to us, and that gives us some comfort he wont sell us out.

(AP)
Photo: National Police

The National Police of Ukraine has documented the activities of the Khimprom criminal organization, which is involved in drug trafficking and violent crimes, has a corruption component including among police officers, and has Russian roots, National Police chief Ivan Vyhivsky said at a briefing in Kyiv on Wednesday.

"The Khimprom criminal organization has been documented This is an extensive scheme and system that has for a long time exerted criminal influence on Ukraine and on the territory of European Union countries," Vyhivsky said.

According to him, the organization is involved in several areas of criminal activity simultaneously  drug trafficking, violent crimes, call center fraud, and the organization of the large-scale U420 project for the sale of products containing synthetic cannabinoids.

Responding to a question from Interfax-Ukraine on the organizations Russian roots and its influence beyond general criminal activity, the National Police chief noted that the police are cooperating with the SBU and other law enforcement agencies as part of the investigation.

He recalled that in 2019 the SBU carried out operations against Khimprom, after which the criminal proceedings regarding the main suspect were separated into a separate case now under the National Polices jurisdiction.

"Regarding the Russian roots - we are also looking into this. There are some audio files; in the course of the investigation we will assess this," he stressed.

Vyhivsky also drew attention to the corruption component of the criminal organizations activities. "You can see what financial resources are involved Of course, there is a corruption component both among law enforcement, including our own officers, and among other actors."

Vyhivsky specified that this concerns officials and in particular members of parliament.

A video was shown at the briefing recording, among other things, conversations by the organizations leader, as well as threats against those police officials involved in documenting Khimproms crimes.

As part of dozens of criminal proceedings, police officers carried out thousands of operational measures and documented the mechanism of the criminal infrastructures functioning.

Two large-scale special operations have so far been conducted on the territory of the country. Notices of suspicion have already been served on members of the criminal group, including its leader.

According to the National Police, Khimprom is a system of criminal influence on Ukraine built by a 36-year-old Russian citizen known by the alias Meksykanets. Since 2019 the organizations leader has been on an international wanted list and, while hiding abroad, continued to remotely coordinate the activities of the criminal networks members and the distribution of financial flows. According to preliminary information, he is currently hiding in Mexico.

A total of 23 members of the criminal organization have been documented to date. Items seized from individuals linked to Khimproms activities include 15 vehicles and nearly UAH 7 million.
Ukraine is pushing for face-to-face talks between President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin, Kyivs top diplomat said, presenting a potential summit as a way of injecting new momentum into U.S.-led efforts to end Russias more than four-year invasion of its neighbor.

Meanwhile, a Ukrainian drone attack deep inside Russia struck a residential building, killing a woman and a child, Russian officials said Wednesday.

Kyiv has asked Turkey to help facilitate top-level talks and has reached out to other capitals as potential hosts, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said, adding that Ukraine would consider any venue outside Russia and Belarus.

We are  advocating for a (summit) meeting now to bring new momentum to diplomacy, Sybiha told reporters on Tuesday. His remarks were embargoed until Wednesday.

U.S.-mediated talks over the past year between delegations from Moscow and Kyiv have made little or no headway on key issues, such as the future of four Ukrainian regions Moscow is trying to capture but doesnt fully control. With Washingtons attention now gripped by the Iran war, the talks are on ice.

Zelenskyy has accepted an unconditional ceasefire demanded by U.S. President Donald Trump but Putin has refused. Putin thinks that time is on his side, that Western military and financial support will fade and that Ukraines resistance will eventually collapse, analysts say.

Meanwhile, a grim war of attrition continues along the about 1,250-kilometer (800-mile) front line that snakes along eastern and southern areas of Ukraine. Western officials and analysts claim Russia is suffering several tens of thousands of battlefield casualties each month, drawing comparisons to the carnage of World War I.

Independent verification of battlefield casualties and which side has the upper hand is not possible.

Ukraine has developed a domestic arms industry which is increasingly producing long-range drones and missiles capable of striking deep inside Russia. It has taken aim at Russias oil production and manufacturing plants that supply the Russian military.

In Syzran, a city in Russias Samara region that is about 800 kilometers (500 miles) east of the border with Ukraine, a drone attack caused the collapse of a section of a residential building, local authorities said.

The bodies of a woman and a child were pulled out from under the rubble and 12 others were injured, local officials said.

Images from the scene showed a part of a four-story building reduced to a massive pile of rubble, with emergency workers on top of it.

Russian media reports said a Rosneft oil refinery  a frequent target of Ukrainian drone attacks  is located on the same street as the damaged building.

Ukraines aerial attacks on Russia increased by nearly four times last year, from 6,200 in 2024 to more than 23,000 in 2025, Sergei Shoigu, the secretary of Russias Security Council, said last month.

(AP)
U.S. Rep. David Scott, a Georgia Democrat and the first Black chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, has died. He was 80.

Scott, who was seeking his 13th term in Congress despite challenges from within his party, was once a leading voice for Democrats on issues related to farm aid policy and food aid for consumers and a prominent Black member of the partys moderate Blue Dog caucus. But he faced criticism and concerns in recent years because of declining health, enduring a primary challenge in 2024 and facing another one at the time of his death.

Democrats on Capitol Hill praised the longtime lawmaker.

The news of Congressman Scotts passing is deeply sad, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries told reporters on Wednesday.

David Scott was a trailblazer who served district that he represented admirably, rose up from humble beginnings to become the first African American ever to chair the House Ag Committee, Jeffries said. He cared about the people that he represented. He was fiercely committed to getting things done for the people of the great state of Georgia, and hell be deeply missed.

News of Scotts death came during the Congressional Black Caucus weekly luncheon on Capitol Hill. The Black Caucus chair, Rep. Yvette Clarke, told lawmakers at the outset of the meeting, according to a person who insisted on anonymity to discuss a private conversation. Many lawmakers in the room, some of whom had served with Scott for decades, were shocked and saddened by the news.

Scotts death slightly widens Republicans narrow House majority going into the thick of this midterm election year.

The congressman was not especially active on the campaign trail in 2026. But he had been dismissive of pressure to retire.

Thank God Im in good health, moving and doing the peoples work, Scott said in 2024.

David Albert Scott was born in rural Aynor, South Carolina, on June 27, 1945, in the era of Jim Crow segregation. He graduated from Florida A&M University, one of the nations largest historically Black college campuses  and in office he was an outspoken advocate for federal support of HBCUs. Scott also earned an MBA from the University of Pennsylvanias Wharton School.

He was already a veteran state lawmaker in Georgia before being elected to Congress in 2002.

(AP)
The image of a United Hatzalah volunteer who was killed during Operation Rising Lions was defaced on a rescue vehicle in Ramat Beit Shemesh Bet, the neighborhood where she lost her life.

Ronit Elimelech Hyd was killed alongside her mother and seven others when an Iranian missile struck a shul in the neighborhood during the operation.

Her portrait, displayed on a United Hatzalah emergency vehicle, was vandalized by an individual described by local residents as an extremist.

Its a portrait on a rescue vehicle, not a private picture for someone to deface, her brother, Tomer, told Ynet.

He said the incident was particularly painful because their mother had sponsored a sefer Torah lilui nishmas her parents  a sefer Torah that is used in the same neighborhood where the vandalism took place.

In an emotional statement, Tomer addressed the vandal directly: You succeeded  I hate you. Without reason, without anything, you did this. I wonder what you would do if it were reversed. You managed to create sinas chinam. You dont deserve the Torah.

A Ramat Beit Shemesh resident said the United Hatzalah driver who witnessed the defacement was in shock and drove away. The resident noted that the driver responds to medical emergencies in the neighborhood daily.

Its frustrating to see a vehicle that serves the community vandalized, the resident said. Its unfortunate that this is how the driver and the organization are treated.

United Hatzalah president Eli Beer condemned the vandalism as a vile act that crosses a red line and has no place in our society.

This is an extreme act that does not represent the residents of Beit Shemesh, Beer said, adding that Elimelech dedicated her entire life to helping and saving lives.

Beer said the organization has launched a fundraising campaign for an emergency ATV in Elimelechs memory. The best response to this vandalism is to continue saving lives and helping those in need, he said.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
President Donald Trump said Tuesday the United States is extending its ceasefire with Iran at Pakistans request as he waits for a unified proposal from the Islamic Republic.

The announcement came as last-minute ceasefire talks between the U.S. and Iran looked uncertain and a two-week truce was set to expire Wednesday.

Earlier, the White House put on hold Vice President JD Vances expected trip to Islamabad for a second round of talks as Tehran  at least for the time-being  has balked at further talks.

In a Truth Social post announcing the ceasefire extension, Trump also said the U.S. military would continue its blockade of Iranian ports.

As last-minute ceasefire talks between the U.S. and Iran looked uncertain, both countries warned that, without a deal, they were prepared to resume fighting.

Pakistani leaders, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, worked intensively late Tuesday to get both sides to agree to a second round of ceasefire talks, according to two officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei told Irans state TV there has been no final decision on whether to attend because of unacceptable actions by the U.S., apparently referencing its recent blockade in the Strait of Hormuz.

As Vance put on hold a return trip to Islamabad, Pakistans capital, Trumps special envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner were expected in Washington on Tuesday afternoon for consultations about how to proceed, said a U.S. official who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal administration deliberations.

The official cautioned that Trump could change his mind on negotiating with Iran at any time, and declined to predict what would happen if the current ceasefire expires without another meeting. The official said Trump has options short of restarting airstrikes.

Both sides remain dug in rhetorically

Before announcing the ceasefire extension, Trump had warned that lots of bombs will start going off if theres no agreement before the Wednesday deadline, while Irans chief negotiator said that Tehran has new cards on the battlefield that havent yet been revealed.

A senior commander in Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps threatened to destroy the regions oil industry if war with the United States resumes. If southern neighbors allow the enemy to use their facilities to attack Iran, they should say goodbye to oil production in the Middle East region, Gen. Majid Mousavi told an Iranian news site.

Strait of Hormuz control key to negotiations

Irans envoy to the United Nations said Tuesday that Tehran has received some sign that the U.S. is ready to stop its blockade of Iranian ports. The U.S. had made no public statements about lifting the blockade.

Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani said ending the blockade remains a condition for Iran to rejoin peace talks. When that happens, he said, I think the next round of the negotiations will take place.

The U.S. imposed the blockade to pressure Tehran into ending its stranglehold on the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping lane through which 20% of the worlds natural gas and crude oil transits in peacetime.

Irans grip on the strait has sent oil prices soaring. Brent crude, the international standard, was trading at close to $95 per barrel on Tuesday, up more than 30% from Feb. 28, the day that Israel and the U.S. attacked Iran to start the war.

Before the war began, the Strait of Hormuz had been fully open to international shipping. Trump has demanded that vessels again be allowed to transit unimpeded.

Over the weekend, Iran said that it had received new proposals from Washington, but also suggested that a wide gap remains between the sides. Issues that derailed the last round of negotiations included Irans nuclear enrichment program, its regional proxies and the strait.

US says its forces board sanctioned oil tanker

On Tuesday, the U.S. said its forces boarded an oil tanker previously sanctioned for smuggling Iranian crude oil in Asia. The Pentagon said in a social media post that U.S. forces boarded the M/T Tifani without incident.

The U.S. military did not say where the vessel had been boarded, though ship-tracking data showed the Tifani in the Indian Ocean between Sri Lanka and Indonesia on Tuesday. The Pentagon statement added that international waters are not a refuge for sanctioned vessels.

The U.S. military on Sunday seized an Iranian container ship, the first interception under the blockade. Irans joint military command called the armed boarding an act of piracy and a violation of the ceasefire.

Pakistan hopeful talks will proceed

Pakistani officials have expressed confidence that Iran will also send a delegation to resume talks that mark the highest-level negotiations between the U.S. and Iran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The first round April 11 and 12 ended without an agreement.

Pakistan said Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met Tuesday with the acting U.S. ambassador in Islamabad to urge a ceasefire extension. Dar also met with the ambassador from China, a key trading partner with Iran.

Security has been tightened across Pakistans capital, where authorities have deployed thousands of personnel and increased patrols along routes leading to the airport.

(AP)
Amid a ceasefire, the Hezbollah terror group has fired rockets at IDF troops operating in the security zone in southern Lebanon, detonated explosives against soldiers, and tried multiple times to cross into the security zone and fire at IDF soldiers from close range.

Meanwhile, Israel and Lebanon are slated to hold direct talks for the second time in Washington on Thursday.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar told foreign reporters on Tuesday that Israel doesnt have any serious disagreements with Lebanon. The only obstacle to peace is Hezbollah. Unfortunately, Lebanon is a failed state. A state that is de facto under Iranian occupation through Hezbollah. But this also leads to a conclusion: Hezbollah is a common enemy of Israel and Lebanon. Just as it threatens Israels security, it harms Lebanons sovereignty and threatens its future.

Saar called on Lebanon to work together against the terror state that Hezbollah built in your territory. This cooperation is needed by you even more than by us. It requires moral clarity and the courage to take risks. But there is no real alternative for ensuring a future of peace for you and for us. And for you, for Lebanon  a future of sovereignty, independence and freedom from the Iranian occupation.

The IDF spokesperson said on Wednesday morning that the Air Force struck and killed two Hezbollah terrorists who crossed the security zone line and approached IDF troops on Tuesday.

CEASEFIRE VIOLATION: IDF soldiers identified 2 terrorists who violated the ceasefire understandings, crossed the Forward Defense Line and approached the soldiers, posing an immediate threat, in the area of the Saluki in southern Lebanon, the statement said. Following the identification, the IAF struck and eliminated the terrorists in order to remove the threat.

Additionally, IDF soldiers continue to locate weapons and dismantle Hezbollah infrastructure.

On Tuesday, the IDF spokesperson said that Hezbollah terrorists fired rockets at IDF soldiers in the security zone and also fired a drone into Israel, which was intercepted by air defenses.

Hezbollah launched several rockets toward IDF soldiers operating south of the Forward Defense Line, in the area of Rab Thalathin in southern Lebanon, the spokesperson said. In response, the IDF struck the launcher from which the rockets were launched.

The sirens in the areas of Kfar Yuval and Maayan Baruch were most likely sounded following the interception of a UAV launched from Lebanon before crossing into Israel. The launches constitute a blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement.

Earlier on Tuesday, the IDF announced three violations of the ceasefire.

CEASEFIRE VIOLATIONS: In 3 separate incidents in the area of al-Qusayr, IDF soldiers identified terrorists who crossed the Forward Defense Line, approaching the soldiers in a manner that posed an immediate threat.

In all 3 incidents, the terrorists were neutralized in order to remove the threat.

(YWN Israel DeskJerusalem)
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu wore a bulletproof vest beneath his coat during the Yom Haatzmaut torch-lighting ceremony at Mount Herzl on Tuesday evening.

Security around the prime minister has recently been increased due to fears of potential Iranian retaliation.

Security officials were concerned about possible attempts to target Netanyahu at the high-profile televised event.

The ceremony was held in front of a large audience and broadcast live.

During the ceremony, Netanyahu addressed Israels battle against Iran, saying: The regime in Iran planned another Holocaust, but we shattered that machine of destruction, adding that Israel, together with the US, had thwarted an Iranian plan to destroy the state.

If we had not acted with determination and boldness, the names of death sites such as Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan might have joined Auschwitz and Majdanek, Netanyahu declared.

(YWN Israel DeskJerusalem)
The farleft Standing Together organization published a public apology on Wednesday to Shmuel Wendy, the director of the Chomesh Yeshiva in the Shomron, after falsely accusing him of killing a Palestinian minor, Arutz Sheva reported.

The organization not only falsely accused Wendy but also published his name and photo online, endangering his life. A quick Google search of his name showed that the false report had already been publicized on Arab social media as fact, with posts published even after the apology was issued. In addition, they also lied about the incident, writing details that never occurred.

On Tuesday evening, the organization circulated a photo of an armed soldier along with the caption: Here is the face of the terrorist who shot children at a school, and this is his nameShmuel Wendy, director of the Homesh Yeshiva. We all know he will continue walking free. This is the face of the occupation.

The post quickly gained tens of thousands of views and triggered a wave of hateful and inciting comments against Wendy. However, as revealed by Arutz Sheva, the claim had no connection to reality. Wendy was not in the area at the time, and the person in the photo was not him. In addition, as YWN reported on Tuesday, the incident in question occurred after masked Palestinian terrorists threw stones at an Israeli vehicle. An IDF reservist who was in the vehicle opened fire at the terrorists. Two terrorists were killed. The younger terrorist was identified as the son of a terrorist eliminated in the past by Israeli security forces after taking part in a shooting attack.

As is known, Arabs throwing stones at moving vehicles have resulted in serious injuries and even deaths.

Standing Together an apology on Wednesday morning, writing: Apology: Anyone with a conscience is horrified that armed settlers raided the Palestinian village of alMughayir in the West Bank last night and shot dead a 13yearold boy. A photo of the shooter was circulated on social media, with the claim that it was Shmeul Wendy from the Homesh Yeshiva. As a result, we repeated this claim here. This morning, following overnight media reports, we learned that this claim was incorrect. We immediately deleted what we had written and apologize to Shmuel Wendy for the mistaken identification, which was made in good faith.

According to Arutz Sheva, Wendy does not intend to remain silent and plans to file a massive lawsuit in the coming days against the Standing Together organization.

As can be seen below, Arab media accounts subsequently spread the false report, with Wendys actual photo.

(YWN Israel DeskJerusalem)
The U.S. military may face a near-term risk of running low on key missile systems following heavy use during Operation Epic Fury, according to a CNN report citing defense experts and individuals familiar with internal Pentagon assessments.

An analysis by the Center for Strategic and International Studies found that replenishing stockpiles to pre-conflict levels could take between three and five years, even as the Pentagon moves to ramp up missile production through newly signed contracts.

Since the conflict began on Feb. 28, the U.S. has expended roughly half of its inventory of Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) interceptors and nearly half of its Patriot air defense missiles, according to the analysis. The report also estimated that at least 45 percent of the militarys Precision Strike Missiles have been used.

Additional systems have also seen significant drawdowns. About 30 percent of Tomahawk cruise missiles have been depleted, along with more than half of certain air-launched standoff missiles and roughly 20 percent of SM-3 and SM-6 interceptors, according to the findings and sources cited by CNN. Individuals familiar with classified Defense Department data told the outlet the figures closely align with internal Pentagon assessments.

While remaining inventories are likely sufficient to sustain operations against Iran, the analysis warned they may be inadequate for a broader conflict involving another major adversary such as China. Mark Cancian, a retired Marine Corps colonel and co-author of the report, said the depletion has created a window of increased vulnerability in the western Pacific.

Pentagon officials pushed back on concerns about readiness. Chief spokesman Sean Parnell said in a statement that the U.S. military retains the capabilities needed to carry out operations as directed.

The U.S. military has everything it needs to execute at the time and place of the presidents choosing, Parnell said, adding that forces continue to maintain a deep arsenal of capabilities to protect U.S. interests.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Prominent attorney Alan Dershowitz announced he is leaving the Democratic Party and registering as a Republican, formalizing a yearslong political shift driven largely by disagreements over Israel policy.

In an op-ed published in The Wall Street Journal, Dershowitz  who described himself as a lifelong Democrat  said he decided to bite the bullet and change his party affiliation following recent Democratic support for an arms embargo on Israel and what he characterized as increasingly hostile rhetoric from some candidates.

Dershowitz criticized the Democratic Party, calling it the most anti-Israel party in U.S. history, noting the anti-Israel faction on the left has moved from the political fringe into the mainstream.

There is no denying that the hard left, anti-Israel wing of the Democratic Party has moved from the fringe to the mainstream, he wrote, while adding that Republicans also have their own antisemitic fringe, which he said remains marginal.

Your browser does not support the video tag.

The move marks the latest step in a broader political evolution for Dershowitz, who in recent years has increasingly aligned himself with positions associated with Donald Trump. He notably defended Trump during his first impeachment and has been an outspoken supporter of pro-Israel policies advanced during that administration.

In 2021, Dershowitz nominated Jared Kushner and Avi Berkowitz for the Nobel Peace Prize for their roles in advancing the Abraham Accords, a series of normalization agreements between Israel and several Arab states.

In his op-ed, Dershowitz said he plans to actively oppose Democratic electoral gains, writing that he intends to work hard to prevent the Democrats from gaining control of the House and Senate.

His comments echo broader messaging from Trump and some Republican allies, who have argued that Democratic voters  including Jewish voters  should reconsider their support for the party based on its approach to Israel.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Israel police issued a stark warning on Wednesday, saying that at this stage, they cannot approve the mass Lag BaOmer event at Meron, citing serious safety concerns and delays in preparing the site, i24 News reported on Wednesday.

In a sharply worded letter sent by the Northern District Police to the oversight committee (Vaad HaChamisha), officials said that under current conditions, they cannot grant the necessary safety and operational approvals required to hold the event.

The core issue is a standstill in critical infrastructure work. According to the police, engineers, contractors, and safety teams have not been granted access to the site, effectively halting preparations.

The required work includes: installation of separation barriers, creation of emergency evacuation routes, establishment of full lighting across the site, creation of fire safety systems, and the deployment of crowd-control and monitoring systems. Without these measures, the police said that they cannot ensure the safety of the tens of thousands of expected visitors, and the event would pose life-threatening risks.

In unusually direct language, police warned the committee that any harm resulting from these deficiencies would fall squarely on their shoulders. They further stressed that even if crowds arrive independently, the area will not be equipped to handle them, potentially creating dangerous chaos.

However, the Vaad rejected the police claims, saying that the Ministry of Jerusalem and Heritage is responsible for the delays. The committee director said that the ministrynot the committeeholds full responsibility for organizing the event, and that the Vaad submitted all the required documentation but has received no response. He added that the committee has not prevented any professionals from accessing the site, placing the blame for the delay on the Jerusalem Ministry.

The police are demanding the immediate removal of bureaucratic and physical obstacles preventing work from proceeding. With Lag BaOmer approaching, each day of delay narrows the already tight timelineputting the entire event in doubt.

(YWN Israel DeskJerusalem)
National Police chief on shooter: his phone contains video in which he calls himself a Russian army general, we understand there were deficiencies

The phone of the man who carried out the mass killings in Kyiv on April 18 contains a video in which he calls himself a Russian army general, pointing to certain deficiencies in the man, National Police chief Ivan Vyhivsky said.

"When we looked at certain files on his phone  he was constantly filming himself, filming himself shooting. Sometimes he would walk around the entrance hall and call himself a general of the Russian army. We understand that he had certain deficiencies," Vyhivsky told journalists in Kyiv on Wednesday.

A shooting took place in the Holosiivsky district of Kyiv on April 18, in which seven people were killed. Police conducted a special operation to detain the attacker, during which he was eliminated.

According to law enforcement, the shooting was carried out by a 58-year-old Moscow-born Ukrainian citizen who had previously lived in Bakhmut in Donetsk region and later in the Holosiivsky district of the capital. According to the Interior Ministry, he used registered weapons.
A Palestinian mob assaulted a group of Israelis who were hiking from the yishuv of Ofra toward the yishuv of Givat Assaf, near Beit El, Arutz Sheva reported.

Some of the hikers were injured by stones and required medical treatment.

Dozens of rioters emerged from a village near Ramallah and attacked the Jewish hikers with rocks and stones from close range.

Some of the Jews fired their weapons and managed to scare the Arabs away and escape the scene.

MDA forces provided treatment at the scene to a head injury victim and evacuated him to the hospital.

(YWN Israel DeskJerusalem)
Photo: Red Cross Ukraine

Trainers from the mental health and psychosocial support unit of the Ukrainian Red Cross Society (URCS) conducted training in psychological first aid for specialists working with veterans in communities.

During the training, participants were introduced to the basic principles of providing psychological first aid, including principles of Look, Listen and Link, as well as common human reactions to crisis events and self-help techniques.

Special attention was given to the specifics of supporting veterans at the community level. As part of the practical component, participants reviewed typical situations and cases they may encounter in their work, discussed possible response approaches, and practiced them through role-play scenarios.

Implementation support for the nationwide mental health program "How Are You?" is provided by the Mental Health Coordination Center under the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, with expert support from the World Health Organization. The program's implementation partner is the NGO Bezbariernist (Barrier-Free).
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And this is the OPEN THREAD for right now.
A majority of 54% of polled Ukrainians do not believe in the possibility of signing a peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia in the near future, specifically within 12 months, and 61.6% are convinced that Russia will violate any agreement and attack as soon as it is convenient, according to a sociological study commissioned by the Kyiv Security Forum (KSF).

Some 17.2% of respondents believe that both sides will try to comply with the agreement, 4.5% believe that both sides will try to violate it, and 1.4% believe that Ukraine will violate the agreement and attack Russia. Another 15.4% found it difficult to answer.

Some 26.7% of respondents believe in the possibility of signing a peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia in the near future, while 19.3% were undecided.

In addition, the majority of Ukrainians believe in Ukraines victory: 36.3% answered "yes" and another 30% answered "rather yes". Some 13.6% answered "rather no" and 9.5% do not believe in victory. Another 10.6% found it difficult to answer.

The understanding of victory varies among respondents. Some 22.5% consider victory to be the expulsion of Russian troops beyond the line of contact as of February 23, 2022 (with occupied territories in Donbas and Crimea remaining occupied). Another 22.3% define victory as the expulsion of Russian troops from the entire territory of Ukraine and the restoration of borders as of 1991. Some 16.5% see victory as the end of the war even if the Russian army remains in territories occupied after February 24, 2022. Some 12.7% consider victory to be the destruction of the Russian army and promoting a rebellion or the collapse of Russia, while 9.5% favor the expulsion of Russian troops from all territories except occupied Crimea.

Opinions of Ukrainians regarding the minimum necessary conditions for concluding a peace agreement with Russia were also divided. Some 28.8% consider the liberation of Ukraine within the 1991 borders necessary, 27.5% within the borders of February 24, 2022, and 21.7% suggest fixing the borders along the front line at the time the agreement is concluded.

The full text of the study will be presented during the KSF on April 23.

The Razumkov Center conducted the poll on behalf of the KSF on April 2-8, 2026, using face-to-face interviews. Some 1,200 respondents aged 18 and over were polled in the government-controlled areas where no hostilities are taking place. The theoretical sampling error does not exceed 2.9%.
Photo: Press service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 22. An official welcome ceremony was held on April 22 for Edgars Rinkevics, President of the Republic of Latvia, Trend reports.

A guard of honor was arranged for the President of Latvia in the square decorated with the national flags of both countries.

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev welcomed President of Latvia Edgars Rinkevics.

The chief of the guard of honor reported to the President of Latvia.

The national anthems of the Republic of Latvia and the Republic of Azerbaijan were played.

Members of the Azerbaijani delegation were presented to President Edgars Rinkevics, while members of the Latvian delegation were introduced to President Ilham Aliyev.

The guard of honor marched past President Ilham Aliyev and President Edgars Rinkevics to the accompaniment of a military march.

The heads of state posed for official photographs.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 22. Azerbaijan's Prime Minister Ali Asadov participated in the 2026 Regional Ecological Summit, which began its work in Astana at the initiative of the President of Kazakhstan today, a source in the Cabinet of Ministers told Trend.

First, a joint acquaintance with the exhibition pavilions of the 2026 Regional Ecological Summit, including the Azerbaijani pavilion, took place.

Speaking at the plenary session of the summit, Asadov emphasized that Azerbaijan attaches great importance to environmental protection and measures against climate change, and considers them an integral part of the national and international sustainable development agenda:

"In this context, the holding of the UN Climate Conference - COP29 in Baku was a very important contribution of our country to the consolidation of international efforts on key issues on the global climate agenda," he said.

The speech focused on water security issues. Asadov particularly emphasized that in the context of increasing global challenges such as climate change, aggravating freshwater shortages, and rising pressure on water resources, water security issues are a priority on the international agenda.

In this context, Azerbaijan expressed its support for the initiative of Kazakhstan to establish a specialized international water organization under the auspices of the UN.

Touching upon the ecological problems in the Caspian Sea, the prime minister underscored that one of the most acute challenges is the rapid decline in the sea level.

Confirming Azerbaijan's commitment to regional cooperation, he noted that the country is making consistent efforts to strengthen cooperation between the Caspian littoral states in order to effectively respond to this challenge.

In this regard, he noted that bilateral working groups were established with Kazakhstan, Russia, and Turkmenistan on the initiative of Azerbaijan in order to study the reasons for the decline in the level of the Caspian Sea and take appropriate preventive measures.

Bringing to the attention of the participants of the plenary session the climatic factors that seriously affect environmental degradation, Asadov spoke about the consistent measures taken in Azerbaijan to respond to these challenges:

"We are actively developing renewable energy sources and giving priority to the transition to green energy. Special attention is paid to the creation of green energy zones in liberated territories where hydropower projects are actively being implemented," he explained.

The prime minister noted that, based on the experience of successfully holding COP29, Azerbaijan is preparing to host the 13th World Urban Forum in May this year in cooperation with UN-Habitat.

The plenary session participants were also informed about preparations for another important event that Azerbaijan will host in June - World Environment Day 2026.

The prime minister emphasized that Azerbaijan intends to use these platforms to advance the global sustainable development agenda and unite international efforts in the field of urban planning and ecology.

In conclusion, Asadov pointed out that the country remains committed to the principles of international cooperation and is ready to actively contribute to the achievement of common goals.

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Photo: Press service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 22. President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has informed Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics about the peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia, Trend reports.

President Ilham Aliyev stated this during a press statement with Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics on April 22.

The head of state brought to his attention that there is already de facto peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia, noting that the leaders of both countries were invited to the White House last year, a Joint Declaration was signed, and the text of the document was initialed by the foreign ministers.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 22. Since that time (the signing of the Joint Declaration at the White House - ed.), there have been a lot of positive dynamics in the peace process, including beginning of trade, particularly supply of fuel products from Azerbaijan to Armenia, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev said during a press statement with Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics on April 22, Trend reports.

The head of state noted that there have been mutual visits and meetings between civil society and media representatives of Azerbaijan and Armenia, emphasizing that this contributes to the creation of a normal atmosphere between the countries.
Photo: Press service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 22. The discussions that we have had today were very positive, very pragmatic, and oriented towards future cooperation, said Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics during a press statement with President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on April 22, Trend reports.

Emphasizing that Latvia is a strategic partner of Azerbaijan, the Latvian President noted that the business forum to be held in Baku will give an impetus to economic cooperation between Latvia and Azerbaijan.
Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan

BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 22. On April 22, Azerbaijan presented information on its support for SIDS at a high-level event on peace and climate resilience organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan as part of the 82nd session of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) in Bangkok, the MFA told Trend.

The event, held under the slogan Leaving No One Behind (LNOB) with the support of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the UNESCAP Secretariat, brought together ministers from developing small island states, senior government officials, and representatives of international organizations.

Addressing the event as the keynote speaker, Azerbaijans Ambassador for Special Assignments, Elshad Iskandarov, stated that, under the instructions of President Ilham Aliyev, Azerbaijan attaches special importance to supporting small island developing states.

He emphasized that historic decisions on climate finance adopted during COP29 under Azerbaijans leadership are particularly significant for countries most vulnerable to climate change.

Iskandarov noted that Azerbaijan assists small island states in areas such as international technical aid, climate resilience, and capacity building. He also highlighted the upcoming initiatives of the Baku Climate and Peace Action Centre, one of the key outcomes of Azerbaijans COP29 presidency, aimed at expanding cooperation with these countries.

Officials from Tonga, the Maldives, Tuvalu, the Marshall Islands, Fiji, Micronesia, and Samoa praised Azerbaijans leadership in addressing global challenges and expressed gratitude for the support provided.

They also underlined that initiatives promoted through the Baku Center create important opportunities for strengthening international cooperation and mobilizing sustainable financing mechanisms for climate-vulnerable nations. Representatives of Micronesia and the Marshall Islands submitted requests to establish cooperation with the Center.

Speaking at the event, the Deputy Executive Secretary of UNESCAP and the representative of the IOM, Lin Yang, expressed support for Azerbaijans leadership and its concrete initiatives aimed at enhancing climate resilience and sustainable development for small island states.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 22. Edgars Rinkevics, the Latvian President, expressed his gratitude to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev for the warm welcome, the Latvian President wrote on his X account, Trend reports.

''Very cordial and substantive discussions with President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev. Discussed bilateral relations, regional security and energy issues. As strategic partners we will further develop close political and economic ties. Thank you, Mr. President for warm welcome,'' the publication reads.

Meanwhile, on the evening of April 21, Edgars Rinkevics, President of the Republic of Latvia, arrived in the Republic of Azerbaijan on an official visit. On April 22, an official welcoming ceremony was held for Rinkevics, after which the Presidents of Azerbaijan and Latvia held one-on-one and expanded-format meetings. Later, an exchange of Azerbaijani-Latvian documents took place, and President Ilham Aliyev and Edgars Rinkevics made press statements.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 16. On April 22, a delegation led by the President of Latvia, Edgars Rinkevics, who is on an official visit to Azerbaijan, visited the Milli Majlis (National Assembly). The guests were welcomed by Speaker of the Azerbaijani Parliament, Sahiba Gafarova, the parliamentary press service told Trend.

The Latvian President first familiarized himself with the plenary hall of the parliament. The delegation then visited the memorial hall dedicated to National Leader Heydar Aliyev, where they viewed exhibits reflecting various stages of his life and political career. Edgars Rinkevics also wrote his thoughts in the memorial book.

A broad-format meeting between the sides was later held. Highlighting that this is the Latvian Presidents first visit to Azerbaijan in his current capacity, Speaker Sahiba Gafarova expressed hope that the meetings and discussions held during the visit would open a new chapter in bilateral relations and give a strong impetus to their development.

The Speaker emphasized the importance of high-level reciprocal visits and regular political dialogue for strengthening ties, noting that meetings between the heads of state at various events create favourable opportunities to discuss issues of mutual interest. She also recalled her official visit to Latvia in 2022 with satisfaction.

Touching upon interparliamentary relations, the Speaker noted that close cooperation has been established in this field, with mutual visits and parliamentary friendship groups playing a key role. She highlighted that in 2021, members of Latvias parliamentary friendship group visited the liberated cities of Aghdam and Fuzuli, while in 2024, former Speaker of the Saeima Daiga Mierina visited Azerbaijan and travelled to Fuzuli and Shusha.

It was noted that the intensity of interparliamentary cooperation is satisfactory, and both bilateral engagement and cooperation within international organizations contribute positively to strengthening relations, as well as to promoting peace, stability, and sustainable development.

During the meeting, the Speaker provided detailed information on the Azerbaijan-Armenia normalisation process, the countrys history of independence and parliamentarism, as well as the structure and activities of the legislature.

Expressing satisfaction with his visit to the Azerbaijani Parliament, Edgars Rinkevics shared his impressions of his meeting with President Ilham Aliyev and the discussions held. He stated that Azerbaijan is regarded as a valuable strategic partner for both Latvia and the European Union (EU). He also expressed support for the progress achieved in the peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia and praised the efforts of President Ilham Aliyev in this regard, adding that learning the parliaments perspective on the peace process is also of great interest.

Speaking about the importance of the issues discussed and documents signed during the visit, the Latvian President expressed confidence that the agreements reached would soon yield results. He emphasized the importance of interparliamentary relations, underlining the role of regular visits and exchanges between parliamentary members and working groups.

Edgars Rinkevics also shared views on prospects for expanding cooperation between the two countries in areas such as the economy, education, investment, information technologies, agriculture, tourism, and other sectors.

The meeting also included an exchange of views on other issues of mutual interest.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 22. The Declaration on Strategic Partnership signed nine years ago elevated AzerbaijanLatvia relations to the high level, says publication posted on the page of President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on X in connection with the visit of the President of Latvia Edgars Rinkevics to the country, Trend reports.

"Mr. President, welcome to Azerbaijan. The Declaration on Strategic Partnership signed nine years ago elevated AzerbaijanLatvia relations to the high level. I am confident that your first official visit to our country as President will further strengthen our friendly ties and open new opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation," the post says.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 16. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, Jeyhun Bayramov, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia, Baiba Braze, held a meeting, Trend reports.

Jeyhun Bayramov shared details of the meeting on his official X page.

On the sidelines of the visit of President of Latvia Edgars Rinkevics to Azerbaijan, was glad to meet with my Latvian counterpart Baiba Braze.

We discussed ways to further strengthen Azerbaijan-Latvia relations, expand cooperation across multiple areas of mutual interest, and exchanged views on regional and global developments.

We also signed the Memorandum of Understanding on Consular Affairs between our Ministries, an important step toward enhancing consular cooperation," the post said.

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Photo: https://www.facebook.com

Permanent representatives of the European Union member states approved the final legislative act  amendments to the regulation on the EUs multiannual financial policy required to secure the EUR 90 billion loan to Ukraine  and the 20th sanctions package.

A spokesperson for the Cyprus presidency of the EU told reporters about this on Wednesday.

"Both the EUR 90 billion loan to Ukraine and the 20th sanctions package were included in the agenda for EU ambassadors today and approved at the level of the Committee of Permanent Representatives. The decisions will now undergo a written procedure for final approval by the Council. The written procedure is expected to be completed tomorrow afternoon," he said.

The Cyprus presidency "worked tirelessly to ensure that the EU continues to strongly support Ukraine and put pressure on Russia," the spokesperson said.

Previously, both the legislative act regarding the regulation amendments, which requires a unanimous vote, and the 20th sanctions package were blocked by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. The situation changed following the elections in Hungary, in which he was defeated.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 22. During the last 20 years we had over 350 billion dollars of investments in our economy, almost half$170 billionin investments from foreign sources, President Ilham Aliyev said during his speech at the Azerbaijan-Latvia Business Forum, Trend reports.

Speech by President Ilham Aliyev

- Mr. President, members of the official delegation, guests from Latvia, ladies and gentlemen,

I'm very glad to host the President of Latvia on an official visit. We had excellent discussions and documents signed, and among many things we discussed also the issue of economic partnership. And especially the business forum which is organized today really demonstrates a mutual aspiration to do business together.

I'm glad that the President is accompanied by a big group of business representatives from Latvia, and I'm sure that the interaction with the Azerbaijani colleagues will be interesting and productive. Of course, any kind of business activity has several factors in its background, and first of all is stability in the country where you do business, predictability, business climate, investment climate, and many others, including connectivity and accessibility to export markets, and also the size of domestic markets.

We tried in Azerbaijan hard in order to transform the country from being purely dependent on oil and gas into a country which can be proud of the process of diversification of our economy. If you look at the structure of our GDP, we see rapid growth during the last 45 years. The share of non-oil industry in our GDP grew from 50 to more than 70%, and it continues. So this means that diversification of the economy is already a reality.

Now we are actively working on diversification of our exports. Though it will be difficult to do because production of natural gas in Azerbaijan is growing and will grow, and the biggest part of the gas we produce is exported. So non-oil- and gas-related industry and economy have to match the growing production profile and the growing demand in the international markets, primarily European.

Financial stability is also important for any investor, whether it's local or foreign. And here also we can report good achievements. Our financial system is stable. We steadily, based on the strategic plan, reduced dependence on borrowings. Today we borrow only for projects which demand a high level of technological performance. And we borrow only from leading international institutions like the World Bank, EBRD, Asian Development Bank, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, and some others.

Reduction of foreign debt, I think this plan is done. We have a foreign debt which is equal to 6.1% of our GDP. Our currency and gold reserves exceed the foreign debt by more than 18 times. So in other words, we could reduce our foreign commitments to zero within probably a couple of months.

But of course, there is a big demand for additional investments, primarily aimed at the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the liberated territories of Garabagh and East Zangezur. Investment priorities are clear; probably we already discussed them partly and will continue to discuss.

And also I'm sure that Azerbaijani colleagues also informed our guests about the figures. During the last 20 years we had over 350 billion dollars of investments in our economy, almost half$170 billionin investments from foreign sources. So an investment-friendly business climate was also one of the targets in front of us, and it has mostly been achieved.

With respect to our plans, we are continuing investments in Azerbaijan and also outside, primarily in energy facilities in the neighborhood and also in the EU area. And this is also supported by the European Commission. We have several formats of cooperation with the European Commission. One of them is energy cooperation.

The European Commission in its public statements always refers to Azerbaijan as a reliable partner in the energy field. And this energy is growing. We started from oil sales; now we export natural gas, we export electricity, petrochemicals, and are planning to export green energy. So one of the areas of investments which is in our portfolio is renewables, with a huge potential for sun and wind.

We are already enjoying strong interest from major actors. Our plan, which is based not only on our aspirations but also on signed, legally binding contracts, is to have 8 gigawatts of solar, wind, and hydro power by 2032. And this is absolutely realistic. We will largely substitute natural gas, which we use for electricity production, with renewables, and that will save us several billion cubic meters of gas, which is so needed now on international markets.

It was needed always during the last several years, and during the last couple of months even more. And the plan is to increase production and definitely to increase exports. Today, 10 members of the European Union are receiving natural gas from Azerbaijan. The total number of countries is 16. And by this parameter, we are number one in the world.

We are not the largest producer and exporter; there are much bigger players, but among countries that export gas by pipelines, with respect to geography of supply, we are number one.

And for many countries in the European Union, Azerbaijani gas and oil make up the largest part of their energy consumption portfolio. Another area which we have largely concentrated on was, is, and will be connectivity. Here, geography is complemented by our investments and long-term policy to transform Azerbaijan, which is a landlocked country, into an international transportation hub. It has already happened. Transportation corridors from East to West and vice versa, North to South and vice versa, are already functioning. On Azerbaijani territory, all construction works have been completed. What we are doing now is only investing in modernization, in creating new physical infrastructure, in digitalization, including the opportunities provided by AI, in order to make transportation through Azerbaijan not only the safest in today's geopolitical situation but also competitive from the point of view of fees, transportation costs, and timing. And here, there is a big room for investments because connectivity between East and West today, without Azerbaijan, is rather problematic. We have already invested significantly, as I said, and also, in cooperation with friendly countries, with our immediate neighbors and neighbors of our neighbors, we have managed to provide a safe and reliable transportation route for cargo. By the way, the number of cargoes going through Azerbaijan is growing year after year.

We also discussed today largely the opportunities in agricultural cooperation between our countries, and the co-chairs of the Joint Economic Commission are both ministers of agriculture. So definitely this will continue to be one of the priorities for our government, taking into account that more than 40% of our population lives in rural areas, and this infrastructure has been created, as well as business opportunities in the regions. Of course, they are different from business opportunities in the capital. Therefore, agriculture, tourism, and water managementall these are projects which state and private companies are implementing in Azerbaijan, and I think they will be of interest to Latvian investors as well. Also, the Alat Free Economic Zone provides good services and very investment-friendly legislation, which already allows it to attract foreign investments in substantial volumes. Though today it is clear that attracting foreign investments is not an easy task, I think the legal framework and proximity to the main trading seaports and the railroad make the Alat Free Economic Zone attractive.

One of the issues which we also discussed and probably will also be a potential area of cooperation is the defense industry. We found out that both countries are actively developing their capabilities, and as far as we are concerned, we are already exporting products of our defense industry companiesprivate and stateto a large number of countries. So joint manufacturing, cooperation, and creating synergy, I think, are also something we can look at. And many others.

Today, in our brief remarks, it is difficult to embrace all the areas of partnership, but I'm sure that during the forum and follow-updefinitely there should be a follow-up, just not to make this event isolatedmany other opportunities will be explored. And definitely, we as a country, and I'm sure our business community, are interested in investment opportunities in Latvia, in your priority projects.

As we discussed today, we can table a list of potential projects where both countries can successfully participate. And the last point is about the importance of the President's visit. I'm once again very grateful for accepting my invitation. I enjoyed very much our tete-a-tete conversation, as well as the meeting with delegations and our discussion during lunch. And thank you once again. I wish you a pleasant stay. I'm sure that our business delegations will also support all these positive trends. So welcome once again.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 22. Latvia is ready to cooperate and to deepen and broaden trade relations with Azerbaijan, said President Edgars Rinkevics during his speech at the Azerbaijan-Latvia business forum held in Baku on April 22, Trend reports.

I think it is very important that during this time of turbulence, seeing what is happening in Europe and also in the Middle East, all the geopolitical challenges, we are trying to find new ways of cooperation with our very good and trusted partners. And Azerbaijan for Latvia is, was and will be the principal trading and political partner in the South Caucasus region and, actually, in the broader region, the President of Latvia noted.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 22. Objectivity, scientific approach and adherence to international law are essential in protecting intellectual property, the Commissioner for Human Rights of Azerbaijan (Ombudsperson) Sabina Aliyeva said at a conference on the theme "Ancient texts and classical sources expose Armenian forgeries and fabrications or about ancient Turan and proto-Turkic tribes in the territories of Asia Minor and their relations with the Caucasus" being held in Baku on the occasion of the World Book and Copyright Day, Trend reports.

She noted that the correct analysis and evaluation of historical sources based on objective scientific methodology are fundamental principles of the social sciences. This approach serves to deepen scientific discussions and knowledge.

According to her, historical and cultural heritage is one of the main factors shaping the national identity of the people, and its protection is an international legal issue.

"Unfortunately, as a result of the processes taking place in the region, our people have been subjected to violence and mass displacement. The military events that have occurred since the end of the last century have created large-scale humanitarian problems. During the occupation, serious damage was caused to the cultural heritage of Azerbaijan.

These circumstances raise serious concerns not only in terms of the protection of cultural heritage, but also in terms of the protection of universal human values. There are also problems related to the appropriation of intangible cultural heritage in those areas. Their objective assessment should be carried out within the framework of a scientific approach and international law.

One of the main problems affecting the efficiency of the process is the mines present in those areas, which slow down the recovery and development process to a certain extent.

Protection of the rights of intellectual property owners is one of our priorities as the Ombudsman. Violation of these rights also negatively affects the development of society. We have regularly informed international organizations and ombudsmen of foreign countries about the acts of vandalism committed by Armenians against Islamic culture and emphasized the importance of assessing this as moral terrorism," she added.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 22. On April 22, Edgars Rinkevics, President of Latvia, visited the Alley of Martyrs, Trend reports.

He commemorated the Azerbaijani heroes who sacrificed their lives for the countrys independence and territorial integrity, and laid a wreath at the Eternal Flame monument.

The President then viewed a panoramic vista of Baku and was informed about the history of the Alley of Martyrs and the citys redevelopment projects.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 22. The Azerbaijani Parliament will ratify the Agreement on organizational and financial matters related to WUF13, Trend reports.

This issue has been included in the agenda of today's meeting of the Economic Policy, Industry, and Entrepreneurship Committee of the Azerbaijani Parliament.

The draft law on approving the "Additional Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the United Nations on organizational and financial matters related to the thirteenth session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) to be held in Baku in 2026" will be discussed at the committee meeting.

Meanwhile, the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) will be held in Baku, Azerbaijan, from May 1722, 2026. Co-organized by UN-Habitat and the Government of Azerbaijan, this premier global conference focuses on sustainable urbanization, specifically highlighting the global housing crisis under the theme "Housing the world: Safe and resilient cities and communities".
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 16. The first session of the Executive Board of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) for the current year featured a presentation on the 13th Session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13), which Azerbaijan will host next month, the WUF13 Organizing Committee told Trend.

According to the committee, detailed information was provided on the preparations jointly carried out by the Government of Azerbaijan and UN-Habitat for the upcoming WUF13. It was noted that the forums main theme, Housing the world: Safe and resilient cities and communities, reflects one of the most pressing global challenges today. Member states actively discussed the forum and frequently referred to the upcoming event in Baku, emphasizing its long-term strategic importance for the global sustainable urban development agenda.

During the meeting, a report on the work plan for the current year was presented on behalf of Azerbaijan and Somalia, co-chairs of the Open-Ended Intergovernmental Expert Working Group on Adequate Housing for All (OEWG-H). The report was delivered by Permanent Representative Sultan Hajiyev.

Participants were also informed about the outcomes of activities carried out within the framework of the 2nd Africa Urban Forum (AUF2), held in Nairobi on April 8-10, as well as planned initiatives for WUF13 and other global events throughout the year. The active participation of the Azerbaijani delegation led by Chairman of the State Committee for Urban Planning and Architecture and WUF13 national coordinator Anar Guliyev in AUF was highlighted, and the substantive link between AUF2 and the upcoming WUF13 was underscored.

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Premium Azerbaijan reveals revenues from chemical industry exports for 3M2026

Azerbaijan recorded a drop in revenues from chemical industry exports in the first quarter of this year, according to the State Customs Committee (SCC).
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 22. Leaders of regional countries are arriving in Astana, where the Regional Ecological Summit and the meeting of the Council of Heads of States-founders of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS), are scheduled to begin on April 22.

While global actors continue to debate climate finance, Central Asian states are demonstrating that coordinated regional action can have a direct impact on economic outcomes.

Despite differing priorities in water and energy management, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan are steadily strengthening IFAS  a mechanism established in January 1993 in Tashkent  which has already attracted over $8.5 billion in national and donor funding for water and environmental projects. In this context, effective water resource management is closely associated with the GDP performance of each republic.

As Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, Alibek Bakayev noted during a recent panel discussion at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, cooperation in the water and energy sector remains a key priority for Central Asia.

He emphasized the importance of continuing close cooperation in this field, making full use of existing platforms, including the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea.

The financial model of IFAS today is of a hybrid nature. National budgets act as an anchor, and international grants and loans act as a lever for the implementation of large-scale projects, such as RESILAND CA+. The more coordinated the countries work within the fund, the cheaper access to global financial markets becomes for the regions environmental and infrastructure projects.

Over three decades, the fund has progressed from the first Aral Sea basin programs to real economic results. Recent summits have consistently strengthened the focus on institutional reform and attracting investment. Preparations for this years meeting confirmed this course. In the period from March through April, the IFAS Board adopted five decisions on improving the structure, digitizing water accounting in the Syr Darya and Amu Darya basins, developing a Framework Convention on Water Use, and the idea of declaring 20262036 the Decade of Practical Actions.

The most noticeable economic effect is the restoration of the North (Small) Aral Sea. Thanks to the Kokaral Dam and interstate coordination of the Syr Darya flow, the water volume increased from 18.9 billion cubic meters in 2022 to 23 billion by the end of 2025 - the inflow exceeded 6 billion cubic meters. The second phase of the project (20262029), with World Bank support, provides for the reconstruction of the dam, raising the level to 44 meters, and increasing the volume to 34 billion cubic meters and the area to 3913 km. Irrigation modernization on 143,000 hectares has already saved about 500 million cubic meters of water, which can be directed to further development.

This directly impacts the Aral Sea region's economy. The decrease in salinity has brought back 20 species of fish that had previously disappeared. The catch has grown to 8,000 tons per year, and 10 fish processing plants are in operation, four of which have European certification. Fish are exported to 13 countries, including the EU, China, and Russia. Thousands of jobs have been created, and the outflow of the population has decreased. In Uzbekistan, large-scale afforestation of the dried seabed (the goal is more than 70% by 2030) fixes the sand, reduces dust storms, and opens up opportunities for sustainable agriculture and new projects.

Central Asian countries are uniting for a single pragmatic goal - to turn a transboundary environmental threat into a common economic driver. The new meeting, the reform of IFAS, the digitalization of monitoring, and the launch of new programs could attract additional investments from the World Bank, the EU, the Asian Development Bank, and other donors.

Saving the Aral Sea has ceased to be solely an environmental task, becoming a powerful tool for Central Asian economic integration.
Premium OSCE Centre in Turkmenistan calls for bids on conference equipment rental

The OSCE Centre in Ashgabat has opened a request for quotation for the rental of conference equipment to support in-person, remote, and hybrid meetings using Zoom.
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, April 22. Uzbekistans trade turnover with France reached $261 million in the first two months of 2026, marking a 44.6% increase compared to $180.6 million recorded in the same period of 2025.

Data obtained by Trend from Uzbekistans National Statistics Committee shows that the figure also rose by 35.0% compared to $193.4 million recorded in January-February 2024, reflecting steady growth in bilateral trade.

Over the reporting period, Uzbekistans exports to France amounted to $211.1 million, accounting for the majority of total trade turnover. Based on the figures, imports from France stood at approximately $49.9 million.

Uzbekistan continues to expand its trade ties with France, maintaining a stable upward trend in economic cooperation.

Overall, Uzbekistans foreign trade turnover reached $11.6 billion in January-February 2026, with the country maintaining trade relations with more than 160 countries worldwide.
Photo: https://t.me/osirskiy/

Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrsky met with the leadership of the Ukrainian offensive group and units in the Pokrovsk direction during a regular working trip.

"I worked in the headquarters of units in the Pokrovsk direction, where Russias troops are pressing most noticeably. Since the beginning of April, a total of 688 attacks by the enemy have been recorded here. I talked with commanders of corps, military units and units. Together we analyzed the current situation in the areas of responsibility. I heard reports on the needs of Ukrainian defenders and proposals to strengthen the effectiveness of using troops and blocking the enemys active actions. I made certain decisions regarding additional support for our units," Syrsky posted on Telegram.

In addition, the commander-in-chief visited the Unmanned Systems Forces (USF) grouping, where he discussed a number of issues with Major Robert Brovdi. When the enemy is regrouping and pulling up reserves, the role of UAVs in hitting Russias troops increases even more.

"With Major General Oleh Apostol, we discussed the operational situation, fulfillment of assigned tasks, and plans for further active actions," Syrsky added.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 22. Iran wants to accelerate the construction of the Rasht-Astara railway, the country's Minister of Roads and Urban Development, Farzaneh Sadegh, said in a phone conversation with Russian Minister of Transport Andrey Nikitin, Trend reports.

According to her, the agreement on the construction of the Rasht-Astara railway line in Gilan Province, located in northern Iran, needs to be prepared and signed soon.

Sadegh suggested completing the remaining issues on the agreement details as soon as possible.

She noted that Rasht-Astara is the only missing part of the North-South International Transport Corridor. Iran and Russia can complete the construction of this railway line through cooperation.

The Iranian minister, highlighting the proposed initial text of the Iran-Russia transport roadmap for 2026-2027, pointed out that this roadmap is expected to be fully studied and finalized in the coming month and signed by both countries.

During the conversation, Nikitin also agreed with all the proposals of the Iranian minister and noted the importance of increasing the volume of transport and cargo transportation between the two countries.

The intergovernmental agreement signed between Russia, Iran, and India on September 12, 2000, laid the foundation for the North-South Transport Corridor. In general, several countries have ratified the said agreement (Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bulgaria, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Oman, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkiye, Ukraine). The purpose of establishing the corridor is to reduce the delivery time of cargo traveling from India to Russia, as well as to Northern and Western Europe (the delivery time along the existing route is more than six weeks; it is expected to be three weeks via North-South).

The Gazvin-Rasht railroad, stretching 175 km, hit the ground running on March 6, 2019, linking Azerbaijan's railroads with Iran's railway network in the corridor. The Rasht-Astara railroad is set to take shape on Iranian soil.

The North-South Corridor has three directions within Iran. The eastern direction is Turkmenistan and Central Asian countries, the middle direction is Russia and other countries across the Caspian Sea, and the western direction is Azerbaijan, Georgia, Russia, and Eastern European countries.

Russia and Iran signed an agreement on May 17, 2023, to build the Rasht-Astara railroad in Gilan province in northern Iran. Nine stations will be built on the Rasht-Astara railroad line, which is about 163 kilometers long. With the completion of this railroad, the North-South international corridor will be improved, and Iran's railroad network will be integrated with the Caucasus countries, Russia, and Northern European countries. According to the agreement, the Russian side is expected to spend 1.6 billion euros for the construction of this railroad. This railroad will be built and completed within 48 months.

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ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, April 22. Turkmenistan and Japans ITOCHU Corporation explored ways to expand economic cooperation and advance ongoing joint projects, Trend reports via the Turkmen MFA.

The issues were addressed during a meeting between Turkmenistans Ambassador to Japan, Atadurdy Bayramov, and Hiroyuki Tsubai, Member of the Board of Directors and Executive Vice President of ITOCHU Corporation, alongside the President of the Machinery and Equipment Division and Chairman of the Japan-Turkmen Economic Cooperation Committee.

The sides reviewed the progress of current ITOCHU projects in Turkmenistan and identified opportunities for further mutually beneficial economic collaboration.

They also discussed preparations for the 16th meeting of the Intergovernmental Turkmen-Japanese and Japanese-Turkmen Committees on Economic Cooperation, scheduled for December in Tokyo, which is expected to strengthen institutional dialogue and expand investment and economic engagement.

Earlier, in March, Ambassador Bayramov and Japans State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ayano Kunimitsu, reviewed the implementation of bilateral agreements and identified strategic sectors for future cooperation, highlighting progress achieved through recent high-level visits.

The Turkmen delegation also reaffirmed its readiness to host a visit by Japans prime minister at a mutually convenient time.
ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, April 22. Turkmenistan addressed key issues related to customs development, including the enhancement of institutional capacity, during the Conference of Heads of Customs Administrations of the European Region of the World Customs Organization (WCO) in Brussels, Trend reports via the countrys State Customs Service.

The conference was convened at the WCO headquarters and brought together heads of customs administrations from the European region, alongside representatives from the Regional Intelligence Liaison Offices (RILO) and the Regional Office for Capacity Building (ROCB). The meeting was presided over by WCO Deputy Chair for the European Region, Megan Shaw.

Turkmenistan was represented by a delegation from the State Customs Service, led by Deputy Chairman Mukhammedov.

Participants examined priority areas for regional cooperation, ongoing WCO initiatives, and strategies to enhance coordination among customs authorities. The agenda also featured presentations from relevant regional structures and networks.

Significant attention was devoted to strengthening the resilience of customs administrations, expanding collaboration with the private sector, and improving regional coordination mechanisms.

The discussions emphasized the importance of continued modernization of customs systems and the reinforcement of international cooperation in accordance with global standards.
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, April 22. Uzbekistan has proposed the creation of a unified investment portfolio of climate-related projects across Central Asia, aiming to consolidate regional green initiatives into a single strategic framework, Trend reports via the press service of the Uzbek president.

The initiative was announced by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev at the Regional Ecological Summit.

According to him, the formation of a consolidated portfolio would allow the region to present a coherent development strategy rather than a fragmented set of projects, thereby increasing investor interest and improving the efficiency of implementation.

In addition, Mirziyoyev proposed establishing an intergovernmental consortium titled Clean Air of Central Asia, which would address the regions worsening air quality. The proposed structure is expected to function as a joint platform for "green financing, supporting industrial modernization and the deployment of emission reduction technologies.

The President also put forward the idea of creating a "Central Asian Green Trade Corridor" to accelerate the regions technological transition. The initiative would introduce preferential customs regimes and mutual recognition of environmental certificates, facilitating trade in eco-friendly products and improving regional industrial competitiveness.

At the same time, Uzbekistan reported significant progress in its climate commitments. The country has already exceeded its obligations under the Paris Agreement by reducing emissions by 35% ahead of schedule and has set a new target of cutting emissions by 50%by 2035.

In the energy sector, the share of renewable sources in Uzbekistans generation capacity has reached 30 %, with projections indicating it will surpass 50% by the end of the decade, reflecting the countrys accelerating transition toward a greener energy mix.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 22. Export financing and investment cooperation between Azerbaijan and Spain were discussed during a business visit to Spain by First Deputy Minister of Economy of Azerbaijan Elnur Aliyev, Trend reports, citing the Ministry of Economy.

During the visit, Aliyev held a series of meetings with representatives of companies and financial institutions, focusing on expanding economic and trade relations, promoting investment cooperation, and exploring opportunities for financing exports and implementing joint projects.

At a meeting with CEO of the Spanish export credit agency CESCE Pablo de Ramon-Laca Clausen, the sides discussed export credit mechanisms, insurance instruments, and improving access for Azerbaijani businesses to financial resources for the import of Spanish equipment, as well as prospects for cooperation with the Azerbaijan Business Development Fund. The importance of enhancing entrepreneurs access to international financial tools was emphasized.

According to the ministry, during talks with President and CEO of Grupo Azvi Manuel Contreras Caro, Azerbaijans transit and logistics potential and ongoing large-scale infrastructure projects were presented. The sides explored cooperation opportunities in transport, infrastructure, and engineering.

At the meeting with CEO of Fomento al Desarrollo del Comercio Internacional SL Juan Sebastian Garrigues Diaz-Llanos, the parties discussed the development of trade relations, promotion of investments, expansion of private sector partnerships, and support for new business initiatives, the ministry said.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 22. The Central Bank of Azerbaijan (CBA) has fined A-Solutions Electronic Payment Organization LLC and its official, holding them accountable for administrative violations, Trend reports via the CBA.

According to the CBA, during an on-site inspection conducted from September 1 through October 17, 2025, a number of violations of the legislation on the legalization of criminally obtained property and the financing of terrorism were identified at the LLC.

In connection with the discovered violations, the organization was fined 50,000 manat ($29,500) under Articles 598.1.1, 598.1.2, and 598.1.4 of the Code of Administrative Offenses. The official of the organization was also imposed an administrative fine of 10,000 manat ($5,900).
ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, April 22. Turkmenistan is moving forward with plans to equip the new Arkadag city with a renewable energy-based power station as part of its ongoing second-phase development, Trend reports via the press service of the Turkmen Government.

The design and development plans were presented to Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty (parliament) of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.

The project includes the planned installation of the Gun power station, which will operate on renewable energy sources and is expected to incorporate innovative technological solutions.

The renewable energy component is seen as part of a wider effort to ensure sustainable development of the newly built city and to introduce advanced solutions in urban infrastructure planning.

Meanwhile, Turkmenistans electricity sector is based almost entirely on natural gas, which accounts for about 99.9% of total power generation, while renewable energy currently contributes less than 0.1%. The countrys installed generating capacity has increased to around 6.5 GW, with annual electricity production reaching roughly 32-33 TWh in recent years, reflecting steady growth in output and surplus generation capacity.

The system is largely managed by the state-owned Turkmenenergo and is characterized by high electrification levels (above 99% of the population) and significant export potential, particularly to neighboring countries. In parallel, the government has been expanding modern combined-cycle gas power plants and upgrading transmission infrastructure to improve efficiency and support electricity exports.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 22. Kazakhstan is actively developing cooperation with Central Asian countries in the environmental sphere, said Kazakhstans Vice Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Mansur Oshurbayev while speaking at the Regional Ecological Summit 2026 in Astana, Trend reports.

He noted that regional cooperation is driven by shared environmental challenges, many of which are transboundary in nature.

We are united by common ecosystems, species migration routes, water resources, land degradation, and climate risks, Oshurbayev said.

He emphasized the importance of strengthening regional cooperation and attracting investment into nature-based solutions.

Oshurbayev also recalled that Kazakhstan adopted a Concept for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biodiversity until 2035 last year.

According to him, the country has also updated its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), adopted NDC 3.0, and developed a national adaptation plan.

The vice minister further noted that the participation of Central Asian heads of state in the summit demonstrates a high level of coordination.

Today, Central Asia speaks with a unified voice on biodiversity, climate, and environmental issues, he added.
ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, April 23. Turkmenistan has proposed establishing a regional council on water use under the auspices of the United Nations as part of efforts to strengthen coordination on water resource management in Central Asia, Trend reports via the press service of the Turkmen Government.

The initiative was put forward by President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov at a Regional Ecological Summit 2026 in Astana, Kazakhstan, on April 22.

According to Berdimuhamedov, the proposed body could become a practical platform for aligning national approaches to water use and ensuring balanced distribution of transboundary resources across the region.

He noted that Turkmenistan consistently advocates for transparent and rules-based water cooperation, stressing the importance of adhering to international legal frameworks and taking into account the interests of all countries sharing river basins.
Premium Azerbaijan-Georgia trade turnover gains strong foothold in 3M2026

Trade between Azerbaijan and Georgia saw growth in the first quarter of 2026. Azerbaijan's exports to Georgia increased significantly, particularly in non-oil products. Meanwhile, imports from Georgia also rose during the same period.
Photo: General Staff

Units of the Ukrainian defense forces on April 21 and overnight into Wednesday struck several important targets belonging to Russia, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said.

"In particular, the Striletsky control point for the movement of military ships of the Black Sea Fleet in Sevastopol (occupied Crimea) was hit. Strikes were also carried out on UAV control points in the areas of Korovyakovka and Tyotkino in Russias Kursk region and the Molniya UAV control point near Dobrolyubivka in Kharkiv region," according to a post on Telegram.

In addition, a control point of an enemy unit near Vyazovoye in Russias Belgorod region and enemy command and observation points near Zatyshne in occupied Donetsk region and Vysoke in Belgorod region were hit.

The concentration of Russias manpower in the area of Grafske in Donetsk region was also struck.

Enemy losses and the scale of the damage are being clarified. The Ukrainian defense forces continue to take measures to reduce the offensive potential of Russia and stop the armed aggression against Ukraine, the General Staff said.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 22. The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) has invested $2 billion in green projects in Central Asia and formed a regional climate and environmental investment portfolio that it plans to further expand, said Deputy Chairman of the EDB Board Yevgeny Vinokurov at the Regional Ecological Summit 2026, Trend reports.

According to him, the banks green portfolio has tripled over the past seven years, reaching $2 billion, with about half of the investments directed to renewable energy projects. Since 2015, the EDB has invested more than $1 billion in the development of around 1.2 GW of renewable energy capacity in the region.

Vinokurov noted that electricity demand in Central Asia is expected to grow by 40% by 2030, while a significant part of the existing infrastructure requires modernization. Against this backdrop, the bank is promoting a middle path for energy transition, combining the expansion of renewables, modernization of thermal power generation, the use of gas as a balancing source, recognition of nuclear energy, as well as the development of grid infrastructure and mechanisms for a just transition.

A key priority remains the Central Asia Water-Energy Complex initiative, where investments have already exceeded $750 million.

In addition, the EDB is implementing a $5.3 million grant project jointly with Kazakhstans Ministry of Water Resources and the UN Development Programme, aimed at developing a sustainable irrigation ecosystem and creating a regional cluster for irrigation equipment production.

Large-scale green projects require coordination between governments, international financial institutions, and climate funds. The key areas include capital-intensive clean energy projects and sustainable water resource management, Vinokurov said.

He stressed that joint project preparation helps ensure the necessary scale and regional feasibility of initiatives.

''As an additional tool to scale up green practices, the EDB is developing the EDB Academy platform, which brings together governments and businesses to build expertise in green finance, energy, and water resources.''
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 22. The Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan, Guvanch Agajanov, received the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Azerbaijan to Turkmenistan, Gismat Gozalov, and discussed cooperation in energy sector, Trend reports via the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Turkmenistan.

During the meeting, Ambassador Gismat Gozalov congratulated Guvanch Agajanov on his appointment to the new position.

The sides emphasized that high-level mutual visits and contacts between Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan play an important role in the development of bilateral relations.

The sides discussed the current situation and future prospects of economic and energy cooperation between the two countries, particularly in the oil and gas field. The importance of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission in strengthening bilateral relations and further developing cooperation in the energy sector was highlighted.

At the same time, considering the rich energy potential and resources possessed by both countries, attention was drawn to favourable opportunities for expanding partnership in this field.

The Ambassador also congratulated Turkmenistan on the launch of the fourth phase of development of the Galkynysh gas field in cooperation with China. In this context, it was noted that a delegation led by SOCAR President Rovshan Najaf visited Turkmenistan and participated in the related events.

During the meeting, it was once again emphasized that the strategic partnership and brotherly relations between Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan, especially effective and practical cooperation in the energy sector, should be further expanded in the future.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 22. The volume of electricity generation at Iran's thermal power plants amounted to 25 billion kilowatt hours during the 40-day war, Mohammad Javad Foroughi, an official of the Iranian Thermal Power Plants Company, told local media, Trend reports.

According to him, electricity production in the country did not stop during the war when Iran's electrical industry facilities were bombed.

Foroughi said that currently, measures are being taken to carry out repair work at thermal power plants in the country. Since electricity consumption in the country is at its peak in the summer, the plants should be repaired by that time.

Iran's electricity production potential exceeds 95,000 megawatts. The production potential of Iran's thermal power plants is 76,000 megawatts, and the production potential of diesel units is 408 megawatts.
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, April 22. Uzbekistan has proposed expanding the mandate and geographic scope of the UN Multi-Partner Human Security Trust Fund for the Aral Sea region to cover the entire Aral Sea basin, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev said at the meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS), Trend reports.

According to him, the initiative would allow channeling targeted investments into priority environmental and socio-economic projects across all countries in the region.

We could jointly consider expanding the mandate and geographic coverage of the Trust Fund to the entire Aral Sea basin. This will make it possible to direct targeted investments to implement vital environmental and socio-economic projects in all our countries, Mirziyoyev said.

He noted that the fund has already demonstrated successful experience in mobilizing and effectively using financial resources, and could become a key instrument for supporting IFAS priority programs.

Mirziyoyev also emphasized that Uzbekistan will assume the IFAS chairmanship next year and intends to strengthen the organization's role as a driver of regional integration, including through more active use of international financial mechanisms.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 22. KBRs Mission Technology Solutions division has entered into a strategic alliance with AI-driven defense technology company Tagup to advance the deployment of artificial intelligence solutions across U.S. military operations, Trend reports citing the company.

The partnership aims to modernize readiness and enhance decision-making by using advanced digital tools capable of analyzing complex logistics data and producing actionable outputs within seconds.

As part of the collaboration, Tagups Manifest platform will be integrated into KBRs global logistics mission systems, strengthening its long-standing support for U.S. defense operations. Initial implementation in ground equipment logistics is expected to significantly reduce planning timelines and increase maintenance efficiency.

Manifest is an AI-powered decision intelligence system that leverages Tagups Generative Reinforcement Learning technology to simulate and optimize logistics scenarios. The platform is designed to help operators manage constrained resources, anticipate disruptions, and improve readiness outcomes with greater speed and accuracy.

The system also includes a conversational AI interface, allowing sustainment teams to quickly assess logistics trade-offs, model uncertainty, and select executable courses of action under real-world constraints. It can simulate millions of scenarios in seconds and recommend optimal solutions, shifting planning from manual processes to predictive, outcomes-driven operations.

KBR highlighted its decades of experience supporting all branches of the U.S. military, noting its global logistics network, rapidly deployable workforce, and expertise in complex operational environments as key strengths behind its digital transformation efforts.
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BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 22. Irish companies have been invited to invest in renewable energy projects, including the production and transmission sectors, in Azerbaijan, Trend reports.

This issue was discussed during a meeting between Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov and a delegation led by the head of the Irish-Azerbaijani interparliamentary working group, Tony McCormack.

The meeting also discussed the prospects for the development of bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Ireland, especially the opportunities for expanding cooperation in the energy sector. The important role of interparliamentary relations in strengthening relations, as well as in identifying new areas of cooperation, was emphasized. Azerbaijan's contributions to Europe's energy security as a stable and reliable energy supplier against the backdrop of current global challenges in the energy sector were noted.

Information was provided on the projects implemented by Azerbaijan in the framework of the export of crude oil and natural gas, as well as the development of renewable energy sources and the creation of interregional green energy corridors. The Irish delegation highlighted the work done in its country's energy transition policy, development of renewable energy sources, and modernization of energy infrastructure, and expressed its interest in expanding energy cooperation with Azerbaijan.

The meeting noted that last year, 532,000 tons of crude oil were supplied to Ireland from Azerbaijan. Cooperation opportunities in the field of liquefied natural gas (LNG) were considered.

The conversation also touched upon the issue of the Irish side's participation in the upcoming Baku Energy Week events.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 16. The State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR) and Chinas BGP Inc. have discussed the expansion of their cooperation, SOCAR President Rovshan Najaf wrote in a post on his official X page, Trend reports.

"Today, we held a productive meeting with Ren Wencun, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of BGP Inc.

During the meeting, we discussed the successful operations of Caspian Geo, jointly established by SOCAR and BGP Inc. We also exchanged views on the implementation of ongoing projects, increasing operational efficiency, and prospects for further developing cooperation," the post said.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 22. The President of the Asian Development Bank (Asian Development Bank), Masato Kanda, has announced his intention to seek reelection for a new five-year term after his current mandate ends on 23 November 2026, Trend reports via the Bank.

Kanda said the bank continues to serve as a pillar of stability for developing member countries across Asia and the Pacific amid a challenging global development environment marked by multiple and overlapping shocks. He noted that, if reelected, his priority would be to accelerate urgent action to address current regional challenges while supporting long-term development for future generations.

ADB presidents are nominated by regional member countries and elected by the Board of Governors for five-year terms. Kanda was elected in November 2024 and assumed office in February 2025 to complete the remaining term of his predecessor.

Under his leadership, ADB reported record-scale operations in 2025, committing $29.3 billion from its own resourcesan increase of 20% compared to 2024. Including partner contributions of $14.7 billion, total development financing reached $44 billion.

The bank advanced several major regional initiatives, including $10 billion for the ASEAN Power Grid, over $10 billion for the CAREC Program, and the establishment of a Regional Connectivity Fund. ADB also allocated $14 billion toward its $40 billion food systems transformation agenda and provided support for the Philippines ASEAN 2026 Chairmanship.

In crisis response, ADB said it was the first multilateral development bank to announce support for the Middle East conflict and delivered rapid assistance for disasters across Afghanistan, Myanmar, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Viet Nam.

During the period, the bank also introduced key policy and institutional reforms, including updates to its energy policy allowing support for nuclear power for the first time, a new Environmental and Social Framework, procurement reforms, and a landmark agreement with the World Bank Group to rely on each others systems in co-financed sovereign projects.

Additional reforms included the first-ever amendment to ADBs Charter in its 60-year history, enabling a 50% expansion in operations, as well as a new Strategic Human Resource Framework aimed at strengthening institutional agility and effectiveness.
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, April 22. The total annual volume of water resources formed on the territory of Kyrgyzstan is estimated at around 50 billion cubic meters, President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Japarov said, Trend reports via the press service of the Kyrgyz President.

He made the remark at the plenary session of the Regional Ecological Summit in Astana (RES 2026) in Kazakhstan on April 22.

According to him, climate change has exacerbated existing problems related to water resources and energy both in the region and globally.

"Out of this volume, our country uses only about 12 billion cubic meters for its own needs, while the remaining 38 billion cubic meters flow to neighboring countries. We understand that the water resources formed in Kyrgyzstan are of great importance for agriculture, as well as for ensuring energy, food, and socio-economic security of Central Asian countries," the President noted.

Sadyr Japarov emphasized that, despite this, for many decades the country has continued to maintain existing water-sharing limits, ensure water accumulation and release, and guarantee the maintenance and safety of hydraulic structures, as well as protection against emergency situations.

Regional Ecological Summit RES 2026 is taking place in Astana. The dialogue platform, established in cooperation with the United Nations and other international organizations, aims to develop comprehensive policies and tools for the protection, restoration, and joint use of ecosystems, water and land resources, as well as the conservation of biodiversity in Central Asia.
Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles during her visit to Ukraine met with acting head of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine Major General Valeriy Vavryniuk to discuss equipment supply, training, and humanitarian cooperation.

"Drones play a key role in the war in Ukraine. This year alone, border guards shot down 4,000 such devices. Robles once again assured Vavryniuk of Spains support in the form of equipment supply, training, and humanitarian cooperation," she posted on X.

Robles is on a visit to Ukraine, where she will hold a series of meetings with officials, as reported on Wednesday.
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, April 22. President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov has proposed introducing a mutually beneficial economic compensation mechanism in the water and energy sector in Central Asia under modern conditions, Trend reports via the press service of the Kyrgyz President.

He made the proposal on April 22 during his speech at the plenary session of the Regional Ecological Summit held in Astana (Kazakhstan).

The president emphasized that Kyrgyzstan has for many decades continued to maintain existing water-sharing limits, provide water storage and release services, and ensure the maintenance and safety of hydraulic structures, as well as protection from emergency situations.

"All the work we carry out is essentially the provision of ecosystem services, which should be supported and co-financed by all water users. It is clear that it is not easy for the countries of the region to reach a unified agreement; however, we must find a balance of interests and develop mutually acceptable solutions based on a comprehensive approach and the gradual introduction of effective economic instruments into the mechanisms of water and energy resource distribution in the region," Sadyr Japarov noted.

Regional Ecological Summit RES 2026 is taking place in Astana. The dialogue platform, established in cooperation with the United Nations and other international organizations, aims to develop comprehensive policies and tools for the protection, restoration, and joint use of ecosystems, water and land resources, as well as the conservation of biodiversity in Central Asia.
Photo: Press Service of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, April 22. President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov has proposed establishing a Regional Center for the Implementation of Energy-Efficient and Resource-Saving Technologies in Bishkek, Trend reports via the press service of the Kyrgyz President.

He made the proposal on April 22 during his speech at the plenary session of the Regional Ecological Summit held in Astana (Kazakhstan).

The president stressed the need to modernize the water management sector and water infrastructure, including irrigation canals, as well as to introduce water- and resource-saving technologies.

He also called for strengthening joint efforts with neighboring countries and attracting funding from climate and environmental funds.

Sadyr Japarov added that Kyrgyzstan is taking concrete measures to achieve emission reduction targets under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement.

Regional Ecological Summit RES 2026 is taking place in Astana. The dialogue platform, established in cooperation with the United Nations and other international organizations, aims to develop comprehensive policies and tools for the protection, restoration, and joint use of ecosystems, water and land resources, as well as the conservation of biodiversity in Central Asia.
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, April 22. President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov has called for simplifying access procedures to climate financing and directing funds primarily to the most vulnerable developing countries, including mountainous states, Trend reports via the press service of the Kyrgyz President.

He made the statement on April 22 during the plenary session of the Regional Ecological Summit held in Astana (Kazakhstan).

In his speech, the President spoke about the implementation of green energy projects, including the construction of the Kambarata-1 HPP, the development of small hydropower plants, as well as solar and wind power stations.

The president also focused on climate financing, emphasizing that Kyrgyzstan is fully fulfilling its international climate commitments.

Regional Ecological Summit RES 2026 is taking place in Astana. The dialogue platform, established in cooperation with the United Nations and other international organizations, aims to develop comprehensive policies and tools for the protection, restoration, and joint use of ecosystems, water and land resources, as well as the conservation of biodiversity in Central Asia.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 16. The first meeting of the Supervisory Board of the joint venture Middle Corridor Multimodal (MCM) was held in Astana, Emil Mammadov, Advisor to the Chairman of Azerbaijan Railways (ADY), wrote on his social media account, Trend reports.

The meeting was attended by the founding members of the project, including the railway administrations of China (CRCT), Kazakhstan (KTJ), Azerbaijan (ADY), and Georgia (GR).

During the meeting, the parties focused on key priorities for the next stage of the Middle Corridors development, including coordination of transport and delivery schedules, end-to-end digitalization, alignment of tariff policies, as well as the elimination of operational bottlenecks, the post said.

According to Emil Mammadov, the Middle Corridor is already functioning as an operational route, and the current focus is on improving its efficiency, reliability, and competitiveness.

I am proud to be a member of the Supervisory Board and fully committed to contributing to this next phase, which aims to strengthen the corridor as a sustainable regional trade and logistics system, he noted.

The Middle Corridor is a transport trade route passing through several countries in the region and connecting Asia with Europe. It serves as an alternative to the traditional Northern and Southern corridors.

The route begins in China and passes through Central Asian countries such as Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan. It then crosses the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkiye before reaching Europe. The Middle Corridor is a land-based route that bypasses longer maritime paths, linking eastern parts of Asia, including China, with Europe.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 22. On April 22, under the chairmanship of the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, a meeting of the Council of Heads of State  founders of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea was held in Astana, Trend reports.

During the meeting, a number of documents were signed:

1. Decision of the Heads of State  founders of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea On the progress of the chairmanship of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea;

2. Decision of the Heads of State  founders of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea On declaring March 26 as the International Day of the Aral Sea, the Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers;

3. Decision of the Heads of State  founders of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea On the election of the President of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea;

4. Astana Statement of the Heads of State  founders of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, April 22. Kazakhstan has received information from unofficial sources about a possible suspension of oil transit to Germany via the Druzhba pipeline, Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov told reporters within the framework of the Regional Ecological Summit in Astana, Trend reports.

According to the minister, so far there has not been an official notification from the Russian side about a potential halt. He noted that no transit shipments are currently planned for May via the AtyrauSamara route, which feeds into the Druzhba pipeline and supplies the Schwedt refinery in Germany.

The minister suggested that the restrictions are likely due to technical difficulties, adding that they may be linked to recent strikes on Russian infrastructure. He noted that this remains an assumption.

At the same time, Akkenzhenov stressed that Kazakhstan does not plan to reduce oil production. He added that the country has the flexibility to redirect volumes to alternative export routes, describing the overall situation as stable.

Kazakhstan currently exports oil to Germany via the Druzhba pipeline, transiting through Russia. Earlier media reports indicated that supplies could be suspended from May 1 following a decision by the Russian side.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, April 22. Kazakhstan and Oman are strengthening economic cooperation following the ratification of a bilateral tax agreement by the Mazhilis (lower house of parliament), Trend reports via the Mazhilis.

The agreement, signed between the governments of Kazakhstan and Oman in May 2025, aims to eliminate double taxation and prevent tax evasion with respect to taxes on income and capital, along with a related protocol.

The document is expected to create more favorable conditions for investment and boost bilateral trade by providing greater clarity and predictability in tax matters.

Under the agreement, key provisions cover the determination of tax residency, the establishment of permanent establishments, and the allocation of taxable income, including dividends, interest, royalties, and business profits. It also ensures non-discrimination in taxation and introduces a mutual agreement procedure between the competent authorities of both countries.

In addition, the agreement  mechanisms for the exchange of tax information, which is expected to enhance transparency and help combat tax evasion. It also includes provisions aimed at protecting investors rights and improving the efficiency of tax administration.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, April 22. The UN Charter should be accepted and interpreted as a single, comprehensive document, Kazakhstans President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said during a plenary session of the Regional Ecological Summit in Astana, Trend reports via the press service of the Kazakh president.

We are gathered here during a period of growing uncertainty and unpredictability. There is no need to explain in detail how deeply and adversely they affect global and regional stability, as well as the quality of life of millions of people, Tokayev said.

He noted that these challenges undermine development efforts and divert resources away from urgent environmental issues.

In this context, the role of the international community is becoming particularly important, he said, adding that the United Nations, created 80 years ago, remains an indispensable universal platform for dialogue.

At the same time, the President emphasized that the world has undergone a radical transformation since the adoption of the UN Charter, including the growing role of artificial intelligence in everyday life.

Much is said about the inviolability of the UN Charter, which remains the cornerstone of international law. However, the UN Charter is not haute cuisine and cannot be treated like a menu from which only preferred items are selected. Instead, the UN Charter should be accepted and perceived as a single, comprehensive document in its full integrity and completeness, Tokayev said.

He stressed the need for the United Nations and other major international organizations to fully reflect the realities of a rapidly transforming world.

Tokayev also called for avoiding the selective application of UN Charter principles in international armed conflicts, while emphasizing the importance of maintaining a strong belief in multilateral institutions despite their current limitations in addressing major global challenges.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, April 22. Kazakhstans President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has called on all international stakeholders to support efforts to preserve the Caspian Sea, Trend reports via the press service of the Kazakh president.

He made the remark during a plenary session of the Regional Ecological Summit in Astana.

Another area of concern for our country is the Caspian Sea. The protection of this water body is of great importance for maintaining ecological balance, biodiversity, and sustainable development in the region, Tokayev said. 

He noted that Kazakhstan has initiated an interstate program to prevent further degradation of the Caspian Sea and has established a Caspian Sea Research Institute to strengthen regional scientific cooperation.

Tokayev urged all international stakeholders to support efforts aimed at preserving this unique natural asset, stressing that any use of armed forces in the Caspian region should be excluded and prohibited.

The President also highlighted that water security is a critical issue for both Kazakhstan and the wider Central Asian region.

Our future depends on the rational and fair management of this vital resource, he said, adding that the Aral Sea remains a stark reminder of the consequences of unsustainable policies and of what can be achieved through decisive, science-based action.

Tokayev noted that around 36% of the Northern Aral Sea has been restored, with improvements in water quality, fish stocks, and living standards of the local population.

He also said that Kazakhstan will complete its three-year chairmanship of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea at the upcoming high-level meeting of the organization today.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, April 22. The first round of consultations on the establishment of an International Water Organization will be held within the framework of the Regional Ecological Summit, Kazakhstans President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said during a plenary session in Astana, Trend reports via the press service of the Kazakh president.

Alongside our regional efforts, one of the key priorities is global cooperation in the field of water resources, Tokayev said.

He recalled that in December last year in Ashgabat he proposed creating an International Water Organization as a UN agency. He noted that the initiative is particularly relevant as the United Nations is currently reviewing thousands of mandates, creating an opportunity to strengthen coherence and effectiveness in global governance.

Tokayev also shared Kazakhstans experience in biodiversity conservation, stressing that it remains a key direction of the countrys environmental policy.

He said that sustained efforts have already produced tangible results, including the restoration of the saiga population. He added that the number of snow leopards in Kazakhstan has more than doubled, reaching around 190 individuals. In cooperation with international partners, Kazakhstan is also working on the reintroduction and recovery of other rare species.

The large-scale restoration of forests, he added, remains one of the priorities of Kazakhstans environmental agenda.
The process of filling gas storage facilities has begun in the EU countries. The heating season has recently ended, and all efforts are being made to build up reserves.

According to Gas Infrastructure Europe (GIE), as of mid-April, underground gas storage facilities are filled by almost 30 percent (more than 32 billion cubic meters). According to the requirements of the European Commission, from October 1 to December 1, the gas storage facilities of the member states must be filled by 90 percent.

The process is underway despite the increased gas prices due to the war in the Middle East and the struggle for LNG. It was previously predicted that by next winter, the European Union would not be able to fill its storage facilities by 70 percent, but the current pace shows that Europe is making progress in diversifying its energy supply sources.

One of these sources is Azerbaijan, which has already proved its indispensability.

In January-March 2026, Azerbaijani gas exports reached 6.5 billion cubic meters. Of these, 3 billion cubic meters went to Europe. On the scale of European purchases as a whole, this may seem like an insignificant figure, however, European countries are increasingly looking towards the South Caucasus as a source of their energy security. Because cooperation with Baku implies reliability and stability and is not influenced by the political situation. In other words, by buying fuel from Azerbaijan, European partners receive it without a burden in the form of politics. Of course, for Azerbaijan itself, oil and gas exports mean, in addition to income, strengthening its place in the international arena, promoting interests, and expanding support for Baku's position in Europe on various issues. These are the goals, not the conditions of the business conducted by Azerbaijan. And it can be stated that almost all of them have been achieved. Moreover, without any damage or inconvenience to importers. Baku builds its relations with its partners, taking into account their interests. Therefore, more and more European countries are definitely considering cooperation with Azerbaijan in their energy plans.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic will arrive in Baku in May to participate in the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13). The other day, the Serbian leader called President Ilham Aliyev. The heads of state exchanged views on further strengthening bilateral relations, discussed plans related to deepening economic cooperation, developing cooperation in the energy and investment sectors, and new joint projects of strategic importance for both countries.

A week earlier, Serbian Minister of Mining and Energy Dubravka Jedovic-Handanovic visited Baku. In an interview with reporters, she noted that after the commissioning of the Serbia-Bulgaria interconnector, this country has been importing Azerbaijani gas for the third year and is building a gas-fired power plant in Nis in parallel with the Azerbaijani side. In three years, the volume of supplies has doubled, reaching 2 million cubic meters per day in 2025. An increase in supplies is being discussed.

Azerbaijan is currently Serbia's key partner in diversifying energy supplies. The agreement between SOCAR and Srbijagas provides for the supply of up to 400 million cubic meters of gas per year for the period 2024-2026. In April, the parties extended the gas supply contract until the end of 2026. In the future, an increase in imports to 1 billion cubic meters per year is being discussed. To this end, Belgrade is considering the construction of new interconnectors through Northern Macedonia and Greece.

During his February visit to Belgrade, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said that relations between the two countries in the energy sector are currently developing in a multidisciplinary format. "Some time ago we started exporting natural gas to Serbia and today we decided to increase our export volumes. Now we will also be engaged in the transformation of gas exported to Serbia, which will allow us to obtain additional amounts of clean electricity. This will create opportunities both for the Serbian market and for future exports," the head of state stressed.

The Azerbaijani President spoke about a gas-fired power plant with a capacity of 350 MW of electric and 150 MW of thermal energy, which is being built with the assistance of the Azerbaijani side near the Serbian city of Nis. In February, Azerbaijan and Serbia signed a corresponding agreement. The project will be implemented by a joint venture created by the state-owned Serbian electric power company Elektroprivreda Srbije (EPS), the state-owned gas supplier Srbijagas and the Azerbaijani State Oil company SOCAR.

After signing the agreement, Minister of Energy Dubravka Djedovic-Handanovic stressed that Azerbaijan has become Serbia's first partner in diversifying gas supplies, which, in her words, will further ensure the long-term stability of the country's energy system.

Recently, information appeared in the European media about the upcoming visit of Italian Prime Minister Giorgi Meloni to Azerbaijan in May and June. Energy is one of the main components of Italian-Azerbaijani relations.

Luca Schieppati, Managing Director of TAP (Trans-Adriatic Pipeline), said that since the beginning of commercial operation, more than 47.5 billion cubic meters of natural gas have been delivered to Italy via the pipeline. He also noted that more than 57 billion cubic meters of gas were supplied across Europe through TAP, which contributes to the diversification of supply routes and increases the sustainability of the European gas system. Moreover, Italy is the main destination for Azerbaijani gas supplies through TAP and an important entry point for pipeline supplies to the European market.

According to the Italian company Snam SpA, in 2025, gas transported through TAP accounted for about 16.5 percent of Italy's total gas imports and about 25 percent of pipeline gas imports excluding LNG. An upgrade was recently carried out at the compressor station in Greece, which increased the system's capacity by 1.2 billion cubic meters per year.

Azerbaijan's policy is to supply its energy resources to as many countries as possible. Today, our country surpasses many major suppliers among gas exporters in this indicator. In mid-January, deliveries began to Western Europe - to Germany and Austria. Azerbaijani gas enters Europe via TAP, passes through Greece and Albania to southern Italy. And from there to Austria and Germany. In June 2025, SOCAR signed a ten-year contract with the German energy holding Sefe for the supply of 1.5 billion cubic meters of gas per year.

Slovenia is also considering the possibility of diversifying gas supplies at the expense of Azerbaijani fuel, as Bojan Kumer, the country's Minister of Environment, Climate and Energy, said in an interview with Trend. According to him, Slovenia is in the process of diversifying sources and routes of energy supplies, and Azerbaijan is part of this process.

In December 2025, the Hungarian company MVM and SOCAR signed a two-year agreement providing for the possibility of Hungary purchasing up to 0.8 billion cubic meters of gas on request in 2026-2027. Earlier, the Czech Republic officially announced its interest in Azerbaijani gas. Today, Azerbaijan is one of the largest oil suppliers to this country, and now the possibilities of expanding energy cooperation to include Caspian gas are being considered.

Commercial supplies of Azerbaijani gas to Europe began on December 31, 2020. In less than six years, Azerbaijan has managed to earn itself the image of a reliable supplier and an honest partner. Now, having recovered from the shock, European countries are looking for sources that are not burdened by the political situation and are not dependent on geopolitical vicissitudes. Azerbaijan is the best alternative in this regard.
We want to proceed from fact that track of good neighborliness with Bulgaria will be preserved  Sybiha

Ukraine hopes Bulgarias position will be stable in terms of supporting Kyiv on many tracks, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha said at a meeting with journalists.

"With Bulgaria, we want to proceed from the fact that the track of good neighborliness will be preserved, that Bulgarias position will be stable in terms of supporting Ukraine on many tracks: from territorial integrity to our membership in the European Union," the minister said.

The Progressive Bulgaria coalition, led by former President Rumen Radev, won the early parliamentary elections in Bulgaria, as reported. Opinions appeared in the press that Rumen Radev demonstrated favor toward Moscow.
Photo: Official Information Source of the Prime minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan

BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 22. The Central Asian region requires the development of joint approaches to the management of water, energy, and land resources, Kazakhstans Vice Minister of Industry and Construction Iran Sharhan said during the Regional Ecological Summit 2026 in Astana, Trend reports.

Sustainable development cannot be ensured within individual states. The Central Asian region requires stronger coordination and the development of joint approaches to managing water, energy, and land resources based on the Nexus principle, as well as strengthening transport and infrastructure connectivity, Sharhan said.

He noted that Kazakhstan highly values its partnership with the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), which contributes to the implementation of advanced international standards, the improvement of the regulatory environment, and the attraction of long-term investments into infrastructure projects.

Kazakhstan confirms its openness to expanding cooperation in sustainable infrastructure, green construction, industrial modernization, cross-border logistics, and technological innovation. We are confident that todays discussion will make a meaningful contribution to the formation of a sustainable, interconnected, and competitive economy for the entire region,he said.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, April 22. Kazakhstans President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Georgian President Mikheil Kavelashvili discussed the current state and prospects for strengthening bilateral relations, Trend reports via the press service of the Kazakh president.

The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Regional Ecological Summit in Astana.

Tokayev emphasized that Georgia is an important and reliable partner of Kazakhstan in the South Caucasus and reaffirmed readiness to give a new impetus to bilateral cooperation.

The presidents noted the steady development of cooperation and highlighted the need to expand trade and economic ties.They also stressed the importance of implementing joint infrastructure and investment projects, enhancing business contacts, and effectively utilizing the transit and transport potential of both countries.

During the meeting, the leaders exchanged views on key regional and global issues.

The Regional Ecological Summit officially opened in Astana with the participation of several leaders, including President Tokayev, as well as the presidents of Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Armenia, Mongolia, and Georgia, along with Azerbaijans Prime Minister.

On the same day, heads of state and foreign delegations jointly visited the RES 2026 EXPO international exhibition of green and sustainable technologies.
Premium EBRD investments in Kazakhstan surpass $600 million milestone

Photo: Ministry of Energy of Kazakhstan

reements and memorandums worth around $600 million have been signed in Kazakhstan in recent years with the participation of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, April 22. Kyrgyzstan and Mongolia are discussing the development of further bilateral cooperation, Trend reports via the press service of the nation's Cabinet of Ministers.

The discussions took place during a meeting between Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Head of the Presidential Administration of Kyrgyzstan, Adylbek Kasymaliev and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Mongolia to the Kyrgyz Republic Sodnom Gankhuyag on the occasion of the completion of his diplomatic mission.

During the meeting, the parties noted the active development of friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries in recent years.

They emphasized that key events in recent years included state visits by the leaders of Kyrgyzstan and Mongolia. An official visit of the Prime Minister of Mongolia to Kyrgyzstan also took place, and several meetings of the Kyrgyz-Mongolian Intergovernmental Commission on trade, economic, scientific, technical, and cultural-humanitarian cooperation were held at the governmental level.

The sides noted ongoing work to promote joint projects in various sectors, as well as the development of trade, economic, and cultural-humanitarian cooperation.

Kasymaliev recalled that the VI World Nomad Games will be held in Kyrgyzstan in September this year and expressed hope that the Mongolian delegation will traditionally take an active part, adding a special atmosphere of historical unity and cultural richness of the two nations.

Gankhuyag, in turn, reaffirmed Mongolias readiness to further strengthen and steadily develop bilateral relations, as well as to implement joint projects in trade, economic, and cultural-humanitarian spheres.
DUSHANBE, Tajikistan, April 22. President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon has noted a worrying trend of increasing frequency and duration of dust storms in countries of the region, which negatively affect public health and the environment, Trend reports via the press service of the Tajik President.

He made the statement during his speech at the Regional Ecological Summit held in Astana (Kazakhstan).

The head of state highlighted Tajikistans ongoing efforts within the framework of the Dushanbe Water Process to advance the global agenda on water resources and climate.

Furthermore, he noted that the UN resolution on the International Decade for Action Water for Sustainable Development is currently in active implementation.

Emomali Rahmon described the First High-Level International Conference on Glaciers Preservation, held last year in Dushanbe within the framework of the International Year of Glaciers Preservation (2025), as an effective platform for uniting stakeholders and taking further action in this direction.

Regional Ecological Summit RES 2026 is taking place in Astana. The dialogue platform, established in cooperation with the United Nations and other international organizations, aims to develop comprehensive policies and tools for the protection, restoration, and joint use of ecosystems, water and land resources, as well as the conservation of biodiversity in Central Asia.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 22. The extension of the ceasefire with Iran announced by Washington is a ploy and could be used by the US to prepare a new surprise attack on Iran, Advisor to the Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, Mahdi Mohammadi, wrote on his X page, Trend reports.

According to him, the United States, as the losing side, has no right to impose its conditions.

Mohammadi also noted that the continued blockade of Iranian ports is essentially no different from bombing and should be met with a military response.

In his assessment, the extension of the ceasefire is an attempt to buy time for a surprise attack on Iran.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 22. The Iranian Armed Forces will inflict heavier blows on the other side in the event of a new war, the statement of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on the occasion of the 48th anniversary of its establishment says, Trend reports.

"In the 40-day war, the IRGC carried out 100 stages of Operation True Promise 4, seriously damaging the military structure of the U.S. and Israel in the region," the statement noted.

The IRGC added that as part of the Iranian Armed Forces, it can create great surprises and deliver blows to the other side that it cannot imagine.

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.

On April 21, U.S. President Donald Trump stated that he extended the ceasefire until Iran submits its proposal and discussions are concluded, one way or the other.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 22. The death toll in Iran as a result of the 40-day military airstrikes by the U.S. and Israel against Iran has risen to 3,468, Deputy Director of the Iranian Foundation of Martyrs and Veterans Affairs Farideh Oladgubad told local media, Trend reports.

According to her, the death toll includes military personnel and civilians.

Oladgubad added that the process of identifying the deceased is ongoing in the foundation's identification committee.

The official said that so far, the foundation has organized and is organizing numerous meetings with the families of the deceased.

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.

On April 21, U.S. President Donald Trump stated that he extended the ceasefire until Iran submits its proposal and discussions are concluded, one way or the other.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 22. Iran will use diplomacy to realize its national interests when the necessary conditions arise, Esmail Baghaei, Irans Foreign Ministry spokesperson told local media, Trend reports.

According to him, diplomacy is one of the means to ensure national interests and security.

Baghaei welcomed Pakistan's positive and mediating efforts to end the war and restore peace in the region, in response to the proposal by Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar to extend the ceasefire. He said that Iran was not the one who started this war and that all Iranian steps were self-defense in response to the U.S. and Israeli military attacks on Iran.

The spokesperson added that Iran will use all means to hold those who attacked the country accountable and demand compensation.

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.

On April 21, U.S. President Donald Trump stated that he extended the ceasefire until Iran submits its proposal and discussions are concluded, one way or the other.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 22. Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) (SEPAH) has detained a Greek-owned vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, Trend reports, citing Iranian media.

According to the media reports, the ship EUPHORIA was intercepted by the IRGC and has been redirected to Iranian waters.

14:33

Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has seized two vessels in the Strait of Hormuz after they allegedly attempted to pass through Iranian waters without authorization, Trend reports via IRGC.

According to information, the ships, identified as Israel-linked MSC-FRANCESCA and EPAMINODES, ignored repeated warnings from the corps naval forces and attempted to transit the waterway covertly. The vessels were subsequently intercepted and redirected into Iranian waters for document inspection.

Once again, it is emphasized that Iranian laws governing passage through the Strait of Hormuz and any actions contrary to safe transit along this strategic route are consistently enforced by the IRGC Navy, and violators will face measures within the legal framework, the statement said.

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.

On April 21, U.S. President Donald Trump stated that he extended the ceasefire until Iran submits its proposal and discussions are concluded, one way or the other.

The United States imposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports on April 13. In response, Iran tightened restrictions on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz on April 18.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Photo: pexels

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha said he has already had text communication with Anita Orban, who will become the new head of the Hungarian Foreign Ministry.

"I have already had a text exchange with Anita Orban. We are ready to open a new page with the Hungarian side and are interested in this. We are ready to discuss the entire spectrum of issues on our agenda constructively, reasonably, based on European standards," he said at a meeting with journalists.

Ukraine is ready to continue mutually beneficial constructive cooperation for the sake of both nations and for the sake of a common European future, Sybiha stressed.

"This is our signal. And we have passed such a signal to the Hungarians," the minister added.

Future Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar earlier named seven of the 16 ministers who will serve in his government.

In particular, Magyar confirmed the appointment of Anita Orban, an energy expert and former head of Vodafone, as foreign minister. Anita Orban, who is not related to former Prime Minister Viktor Orban, broke ties with the ruling Fidesz party after it came to power in 2010, partly due to concerns over Orbans policy based on the import of Russian energy resources.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 16. Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) (SEPAH) has detained a Greek-owned vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, Trend reports, citing Iranian media.

According to the media reports, the ship EUPHORIA was intercepted by the IRGC and has been redirected to Iranian waters.

14:33

Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has seized two vessels in the Strait of Hormuz after they allegedly attempted to pass through Iranian waters without authorization, Trend reports via IRGC.

According to information, the ships, identified as Israel-linked MSC-FRANCESCA and EPAMINODES, ignored repeated warnings from the corps naval forces and attempted to transit the waterway covertly. The vessels were subsequently intercepted and redirected into Iranian waters for document inspection.

Once again, it is emphasized that Iranian laws governing passage through the Strait of Hormuz and any actions contrary to safe transit along this strategic route are consistently enforced by the IRGC Navy, and violators will face measures within the legal framework, the statement said.

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.

On April 21, U.S. President Donald Trump stated that he extended the ceasefire until Iran submits its proposal and discussions are concluded, one way or the other.

The United States imposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports on April 13. In response, Iran tightened restrictions on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz on April 18.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 22. Iran is collapsing financially, U.S. President Donald Trump wrote on his Truth Social, Trend reports.

"They want the Strait of Hormuz opened immediately- Starving for cash! Losing 500 Million Dollars a day," he added.

According to Trump, under the current circumstances, the Iranian authorities are having difficulty paying salaries to public sector employees on time.

"Military and Police are complaining that they are not getting paid. SOS," Trump wrote.

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.

On April 21, U.S. President Donald Trump stated that he extended the ceasefire until Iran submits its proposal and discussions are concluded, one way or the other.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 22. U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance's planned visit to Pakistan has been cancelled, the White House said, Trend reports.

"According to a post on President Donald Trump's Truth Social account, the U.S. will wait for a unified proposal from Iran. The trip to Pakistan will not take place today," the reports says.

The White House also said it would provide further information about possible in-person meetings.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 22. Lifting the naval blockade could complicate a possible agreement with Iran, U.S. President Donald Trump wrote in Truth Social, Trend reports.

"Iran doesnt want the Strait of Hormuz closed, they want it open so they can make $500 Million Dollars a day (which is, therefore, what they are losing if it is closed!). They only say they want it closed because I have it totally BLOCKADED (CLOSED!), so they merely want to "save face,"" Trump wrote.

He added that if the U.S. opens the strait, the Iran deal may never happen.
Photo: https://t.me/Ukraine_MFA

Ukraine has received a request from the European Union to resume transit via the Druzhba oil pipeline, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha said at a meeting with journalists.

"We have fulfilled all our confirmations and commitments. Everything is completed. There is a date, and the infrastructure is repaired. I want to be very careful here because I believe the main artificially created obstaclethe Hungarian onehas been removed. Now we need to move forward together so that Ukraine receives the loan [EUR 90 billion from the EU]. We also received a request from the European Union regarding the resumption of transit," the minister said.

The minister recalled the existence of a European energy strategy through the end of 2027.

"Therefore, we proceed from this paradigm," he added.

Ukraine has repaired the damaged section of the Druzhba oil pipeline, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Tuesday, April 21.
Photo: https://www.facebook.com/

A Russia drone attack on the confinement of the Chornobyl NPPs power unit 4 in 2025 was likely intentional, as evidenced by expert examinations establishing the circumstances of the drone hit, Ukrainian Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko said in an interview with Reuters.

The investigation conducted by Ukrainian prosecutors showed that the Russia attack was likely intentional, Reuters reported, citing Kravchenko.

These conclusions are based on an analysis of the angle at which the drone hit the arch of the shelters outer shell. Kravchenko noted that strike drones with explosives usually dive toward their target and accelerate until the moment of impact.

Russia military most likely used Chornobyl as a drone attack route to bypass Ukrainian air defense, the article said, citing Kravchenko.

In total, Russia has repeatedly launched drones and missiles along a trajectory near the Chornobyl NPP and Khmelnytsky NPP, the prosecutor general said. In particular, the flight of 35 Kinzhal missiles was recorded within a radius of about 20 km from these stations.

Such launches cannot be explained by any military expediency. Obviously, flights over nuclear facilities are carried out exclusively for intimidation and terror, the publication quoted the Ukrainian prosecutor general as saying.

The Prosecutor Generals Office reminded Interfax-Ukraine that a Shahed-type drone hit the New Safe Confinement (NSC) arch of the Chornobyl NPPs power unit 4 on February 14, 2025.

According to the prosecutors office, the hit damaged the outer skin of the arch and equipment in the crane maintenance garage. The fire was localized, there were no casualties, and no increase in radiation levels was recorded.

Expert results conducted within the criminal proceedings established the circumstances of the drone hit, the Prosecutor Generals Office explained. These indicators suggest the drone flight followed a pre-determined route and the hit on the shelters outer shell likely occurred at a pre-programmed aiming point, meaning it was intentional.
Two people were killed and 16 others injured in a road accident involving a tourist bus with Ukrainian registration traveling on the Odesa-Istanbul route, the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine reported.

"Consuls of the Embassy of Ukraine in Bulgaria report that an accident involving a tourist bus with Ukrainian registration on the Odesa-Istanbul route occurred near the Bulgarian-Turkish border in the morning. There were 39 Ukrainian citizens on the bus, including two drivers and one guide. According to preliminary data, the bus driver lost control, drove onto the shoulder, and overturned. As a result of the accident, two Ukrainian citizens died, and 16 others received injuries of varying severity," the Foreign Ministry said.

The ministry noted that the victims were provided with necessary medical assistance on-site; part of the group was hospitalized in local hospitals, while other passengers were provided with temporary accommodation.

An investigation into the circumstances of the accident is ongoing, and consuls are maintaining contact with law enforcement agencies.

It is currently known that on April 23, passengers will be provided with further transportation along the route by another bus.

The case is under the institutions control.

As reported, two people died and at least 16 were injured in an accident in Bulgaria near the Malko Tarnovo border crossing after a Ukrainian bus unexpectedly rolled back and hit passengers standing behind it.
England's universities are set to operate under a significantly stricter free speech framework beginning this academic year, after the government confirmed the launch of a new complaints system that will allow academics and university staff to escalate grievances directly to the higher education regulator.

The Office for Students (OfS) will serve as the central body for handling complaints, with the power to review how incidents have been managed, require universities to reform their internal processes, and direct institutions to pay compensation to affected individuals. Starting April 2027, universities found to have failed in their duty to protect free speech could face fines of up to 500,000  or 2% of their annual income, whichever is greater.

For the sector's largest institutions, that percentage-based penalty could dwarf previous sanctions. A medium-to-large university's annual income can start at roughly 500 million and climb into the billions for the most prominent, meaning potential fines could far exceed the 585,000 levied against the University of Sussex in March 2025  the largest such penalty to date, issued primarily over a transgender and non-binary inclusion policy the regulator said had a "chilling effect" on free expression. Sussex has disputed that finding and is contesting the fine in the High Court.

"A Foundation of Every University's Success"

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson framed the move as a necessary corrective to a troubling drift in campus culture. "Freedom of speech is the foundation of every university's success," she said, adding that too many cases had contributed to "an unacceptable culture of fear and stifling the pursuit of knowledge."

The stronger legal framework for free speech on England's campuses was first enacted in August 2025, but the complaints mechanism  a critical piece of enforcement infrastructure  has faced repeated delays. The Labour government has also removed an earlier provision that would have allowed individuals to pursue legal action against universities in civil courts, meaning the OfS route will be the primary formal channel outside of employment tribunals.

Notably, the new system will not be open to students, who will continue to raise concerns through their own institution and, if necessary, with an independent adjudicator.

High-Profile Cases Highlight the Stakes

The announcement comes against a backdrop of a series of contentious academic freedom disputes that have played out publicly over recent years.

In 2024, Professor Jo Phoenix won an unfair dismissal claim against the Open University after the institution failed to defend her gender-critical views. Earlier this year, leading music conservatoire Trinity Laban reached an out-of-court settlement with jazz musician Martin Speake, who had faced consequences after criticising Black Lives Matter and critical race theory. Professor Alice Sullivan has since begun legal action against the University of Bristol in a separate case.

The issue of foreign influence has also entered the conversation. China's financial leverage over UK universities  through high international tuition fees  has raised concerns about the potential suppression of sensitive academic research, a dynamic brought into sharp relief by a controversy over human rights research at Sheffield Hallam University.

The Free Speech Union, which has handled more than 5,700 cases over the past six years, noted that nearly one in ten involved universities failing to protect free speech.

Sector and Political Reactions

The body representing the sector, Universities UK, said it was important that the new powers be exercised "fairly, transparently and proportionately." Professor Malcolm Press, Vice Chancellor of Manchester Metropolitan University, urged caution, noting that "protecting free speech while preventing harassment, hate speech, and radicalisation are complex tasks involving finely balanced decisions."

The Conservative shadow education secretary, Laura Trott, was more pointed in her criticism of the current state of affairs: "Research was silenced, controversial work was shelved and universities were able to dodge accountability," she said, arguing that institutions had been "left exposed to censorship with no clear route of redress."

Reform's Suella Braverman welcomed the measures but called for higher fines to serve as a genuine deterrent, while the Liberal Democrats' universities spokesman Ian Sollom cautioned that both the complaints scheme and the penalties were only as effective as the regulator administering them, calling on the OfS to issue clear guidance.

Importantly, the new system will not apply to historic cases  meaning the disputes that have already played out in tribunals and courts will not be revisited under the new framework.

What Comes Next

The government is expected to release further details on the operational specifics of the complaints system imminently. For academics who have long navigated a landscape with few formal remedies short of costly legal proceedings, the arrival of a dedicated regulatory pathway marks a significant shift  though whether it will meaningfully change campus culture remains to be seen.

What is clear is that the financial stakes for universities that fall short of their obligations have never been higher.
Ascentium Vietnam Debuts as One of the Countrys Largest Corporate Services Platforms Following Dezan Shira Acquisition

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, 22 April 2026  Ascentium, a leading global business services platform, has completed its acquisition of Asia-focused advisory firm Dezan Shira & Associates (Dezan Shira) and is unifying its Vietnam operations with InCorp Vietnam, An Ascentium Company (InCorp Vietnam) under a single brand: Ascentium Vietnam.

With nearly 150 professionals across Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Danang, Ascentium Vietnam will be among the largest non-audit corporate services firms in the country. The combined firm will operate nationwide, delivering seven integrated services: business intelligence, market entry, accounting, tax, payroll compliance and advisory, HR consulting and recruitment, as well as technology and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) advisory.

This integration significantly expands Ascentiums scale, reach, and depth of local expertise in Vietnam at a pivotal moment for the countrys foreign investment landscape. As Vietnam continues to attract rising levels of foreign direct investment (FDI)driven by its broadening role in global supply chains, a rapidly growing consumer market, and an ambitious five-year economic plan commencing in 2026creating new opportunities for international investors. This timely move by Ascentium positions the firm to help foreign investors seize these opportunities in Vietnam, supporting them as they enter and operate locally while navigating increasing regulatory complexity, stricter compliance requirements, and heightened expectations around governance and operational control.

This move also marks Ascentiums entry into business intelligence, further strengthening its advisory offering for investors entering Vietnams dynamic market. Business intelligence services address key pre-investment challenges by supporting investors in assessing industry dynamics, evaluating suppliers and operating models, analysing location competitiveness, and identifying regulatory risks before capital commitments are made.

At the same time, the integration enhances Ascentiums technology and ERP advisory capabilities, helping clients localise global ERP systems, integrate third-party tools, and implement scalable, fully compliant, technology, as well as AI-enabled solutions that deliver greater visibility, efficiency, and stronger operational control. Together, these expanded capabilities equip businesses to enter Vietnam with confidence and sustain long-term success.

Moreover, the integration brings together InCorp Vietnams strengths in incorporation, accounting, tax, payroll, HR, compliance, and business process outsourcing (BPO) with Dezan Shiras advisory capabilities in regulatory analysis, investment structuring, international tax and transfer pricing, internal control, fraud prevention, and technology-enabled solutions.

Ascentium Vietnam now operates as part of a 27-market global platform, with new locations added through Dezan Shira, including Mongolia, Poland, Germany, and Italy. This network enables Ascentium Vietnam to deliver end-to-end advisory and business services locally while providing regional and international expertise for cross-border investments and multi-country operations.

Lennard Yong, Founding Management and Group CEO of Ascentium, said, This milestone affirms our commitment to Vietnam as a strategic market while creating a single, connected platform that combines global expertise with unmatched local insight. Our goal is to help investors not only enter Vietnam but thrive here for the long term.

Alberto Vettoretti, Managing Partner of Dezan Shira & Associates, commented, Weve been warmly welcomed by Ascentium, and joining the firm marks an exciting new chapter for Dezan Shira & Associates. Bringing our Vietnamese teams together establishes one of the countrys leading corporate service providers at a time when the global landscape is becoming increasingly multipolar, and new markets are rising in strategic importance. Were confident this platform positions us to help businesses move early, execute decisively, and win in complex, fast-changing environments.

Jack Nguyen, CEO of Ascentium Vietnam, added, Uniting our strengths under the Ascentium Vietnam brand means clients can count on a single platform for market entry and long-term growth. With complex regulatory requirements for businesses market expansion, having integrated business intelligence, advisory, and execution capabilities under one roof helps investors navigate with greater confidence.

From left to right: Alberto Vettoretti, Managing Partner, Dezan Shira & Associates; Vivie Wei, Country Director, Dezan Shira & Associates; Benny Nguyen, Head of Business Advisory, InCorp Vietnam, An Ascentium Company; Jack Nguyen, CEO, Ascentium Vietnam.

From left to right: Lennard Yong, Founding Management and Group CEO; Wendy Wang, Founding Management and Group President from Ascentium, joined by Adam Livermore, Partner; Alberto Vettoretti, Managing Partner from Dezan Shira & Associates.

About Ascentium

Ascentium is a leading global business services platform dedicated to helping businesses and individuals scale greater heights. Headquartered in Singapore, we drive extraordinary growth through expert people, purpose-led technology, and an unwavering commitment to service excellence.

With over 2,900 professionals across 58 cities in 27 markets globally, we deliver integrated solutions in corporate services, finance and accounting, fund administration, human resources, and fiduciary and trust services. Serving more than 65,000 client entities across diverse industries, Ascentium combines specialized expertise with innovative, technology-enabled solutions to help clients navigate complexity and unlock new opportunities for sustainable growth.

For more information, visit: ascentium.com

About Dezan Shira & Associates

Founded in 1992, Dezan Shira & Associates is a professional services firm advising foreign investors and multinational enterprises entering and operating across Asia.

The firm provides business intelligence and market entry, corporate establishment and licensing, accounting, tax advisory, payroll and HR administration, internal audit and risk advisory, as well as technology-enabled financial software and ERP solutions.

With more than 300 professionals operating from 27 offices globally, Dezan Shira & Associates maintains one of the regions most extensive integrated advisory platforms dedicated to foreign direct investment and cross-border operations.

About InCorp Vietnam, An Ascentium Company

InCorp Vietnam, An Ascentium Company (InCorp Vietnam) is a leading market entry and business process outsourcing partner for foreign-invested enterprises in Vietnam and across the region.

As part of Ascentium, a global business services platform headquartered in Singapore with a presence in 27 markets and 58 cities, InCorp Vietnam delivers integrated, end-to-end solutions that support businesses at every stage of their journey. Its services span market entry advisory, regulatory and compliance support, and outsourcing solutions including accounting and tax, as well as HR and payroll.

Positioned as a one-stop solution provider for foreign-invested enterprises, InCorp Vietnam combines local expertise with global standards to help businesses navigate complexity, ensure compliance, and achieve sustainable growth in Vietnam.

Media Contacts
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.
Employees of the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), under the procedural guidance of the Kharkiv specialized prosecutors office in the defense sphere of the Eastern region, served notices of suspicion of torture and shooting to a group of servicemen from one of the district territorial recruitment centers (TCC) in Kharkiv and military personnel from other units acting in concert.

"The defendants were served with notices of suspicion of torture committed by a group of persons upon prior conspiracy Among the defendants is a TCC major who held a leadership position and directed the actions of the accomplices. To carry out criminal activities, the major involved servicemen from the security unit of the same center, as well as servicemen whose powers included recruiting candidates for military units for further military service by conscription during mobilization," the SBI reported.

According to the investigation, under the pretext of "carrying out measures for notification and conscription of citizens for military service during mobilization," the defendants broke into a private residence. During a so-called search, they presented themselves as SBU employees and, using physical force and threats, demanded that civilians confess to involvement in criminal activity related to the sale of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. When one of the men tried to resist, he was wounded with a firearm.

Following this, the defendants forcibly brought two victims to the TCC premises, where they held them for a long time, beat them, threatened them with weapons, and forced them to provide information the accomplices were interested in. In addition, they forced one of the victims to sign documents, including one regarding the cancellation of a mobilization deferment.

Ultimately, one of the men was released, and the other managed to escape on his own.

The investigation established that six people were involved in the shooting and torture, acting together according to a pre-developed and agreed plan. Some are TCC servicemen, while others belong to other military units.

The sanctions of the articles provide for up to 10 years in prison.

The pretrial investigation is ongoing. All circumstances of the incident and other persons who may be involved in the crime are being established.
Sunday, Apr 12, 2026 | 15 days ago  martin

The explosive eruption at the volcano continues.

A vigorous vulcanian-sized eruption generated a copious ash plume rising to an altitude of 11,200 ft (3,400 m) that propagated to the south-southeast.

Th



A vigorous vulcanian-sized eruption generated a copious ash plume rising to an altitude of 11,200 ft (3,400 m) that propagated to the south-southeast.

The warning bulletin states that ballistic impacts of volcanic bombs and pyroclastic flows could affect an area of about 2 km distance from the main crater.



AVISOEntra en erupcion el Volcan Sakurajima en The explosive eruption at the volcano continues.A vigorous vulcanian-sized eruption generated a copious ash plume rising to an altitude of 11,200 ft (3,400 m) that propagated to the south-southeast.The warning bulletin states that ballistic impacts of volcanic bombs and pyroclastic flows could affect an area of about 2 km distance from the main crater.

Read more
Photo: @V_Zelenskiy_official Telegram

Bail has been posted for the patrol police officers suspected of official negligence during the terror attack in Kyiv on April 18, the Kyiv prosecutors office told Interfax-Ukraine.

The court set the bail as an alternative to custody. Earlier, Pechersky District Court of Kyiv remanded two police officers in custody with the right to post bail in the amount of UAH 266,240 each. They are suspected of official negligence with grave consequences during a shooting in the Holosiyivsky district.

During a meeting with media representatives, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko called the behavior of the patrol officers, who left a wounded boy and fled during the April 18 events in Kyiv, a great shame. Klymenko noted that the officers could have at least taken positions and readied their weapons for combat.

He said that other crews arrived within minutes. "They immediately pulled the boy away; the next crew put him in the car right away. That is, everyone else acted professionally thereafter," Klymenko added.

The minister noted that KORD officers acted quickly and professionally.

"Negotiations lasted 40 minutes  he [the shooter] walked around the store, did not react; he was in an inadequate state. He was just shooting; he was no longer threatening, he was not talking to anyone. Just shooting point-blank," the minister said.

"I want to say one thing: the entire system cannot be judged by two patrol officers. At that specific moment, these two people showed psychological weakness," the head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs concluded.

Speaking specifically about these officers, the minister explained that the 44-year-old female officer worked in the headquarters of the Patrol Police Department, but headquarters officers are also assigned to shifts on weekends. "This is no excuse  in 10 years one could have learned to react. More precisely, the leadership should have trained and prepared the entire staff for extreme situations," the minister added.

According to Klymenko, the second officer, a 27-year-old man, graduated from the Patrol Police Academy and began his service in early 2024. "At the time he joined at 25, the mobilization age was from 27 years," Klymenko clarified.
DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) - Decatur police said they shot a man who pointed a crossbow at officers Wednesday morning at a downtown building.

The Decatur Police Department responded just before 9:30 a.m. to East William Street near North Franklin Street for a person with a gun.

But according to police, officers arrived and followed a man into a nearby building who pointed a crossbow at officers. The building houses the former Captain's Palace and Decatur City Taxi.

Decatur police then shot the suspect several times. Police said he was taken to a hospital for treatment.

New! The latest from WAND in your inbox Sign up for our newsletters to receive breaking news and daily headlines. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request.

Police have not released the man's identity or said if he has any connection to the building.

Earlier Wednesday morning, the Decatur Downtown Transportation Center was placed on lockdown, according to an employee who spoke with WAND News. The lockdown has since been lifted. It's not clear if other nearby businesses were on lockdown. The scene was near the downtown USPS office and the Decatur Civic Center.

Illinois State Police is now handling the investigation, per department protocol following a police shooting.

Copyright 2026. WAND TV. All rights reserved.
Kremlin-linked propagandist launched stream of insults at Italian prime minister on live television.

Italy summoned Russia's ambassador to Rome on Tuesday after pro-Kremlin television presenter Vladimir Solovyov delivered a torrent of personal abuse directed at prime minister Giorgia Meloni during a live broadcast.

Speaking in Italian on Russian television, Solovyov called Meloni a "disgrace to the human race", a "beast", a "certified idiot", and a "nasty little woman".

Switching to Russian, he added that "this Meloni is a fascist creature who betrayed her electors," and that "she even betrayed President Donald Trump."

Reaction in Italy

Meloni responded on X, writing that "a diligent regime propagandist" was not in a position to lecture others on consistency or freedom, and that such "caricatures" would not alter her course. "Our compass remains one: the interest of Italy. And we will continue to follow it with pride," she wrote.

Foreign minister Antonio Tajani summoned Russian ambassador Alexey Paramonov to the Farnesina to lodge a formal protest over the remarks.

President Sergio Mattarella sent Meloni a message of solidarity expressing his indignation.

Defence minister Guido Crosetto said he could not recall a state broadcaster from any nation launching such a vulgar and unacceptable attack on the head of government of another country.

Opposition parties also condemned the comments. Movimento 5 Stelle leader Giuseppe Conte called them "disgraceful", while the Partito Democratic (PD) leader Elly Schlein said that insulting Italian institutional representatives was an insult to the entire country.

Vladimir Solovyov

Solovyov has presented a popular programme on Russia 1, the flagship state television channel, for 14 years.

The United States state department has previously described him as "the Kremlin's most energetic propagandist."

Since 2022, he has been subject to sanctions from the European Union, the US, Canada, and the UK.

The Navalny Foundation had previously revealed that he held ownership of two villas on Lake Como, subsequently seized, worth an estimated 8 million in total, as well as an Italian certificate of residence.

Rome-Moscow relations

The Russian ambassador to Italy, Alexy Paramonov, sought to downplay the incident.

Describing it as "a blunder by Italian authorities", he wrote on X: "It is hardly poossible to consider the current reason for summoning to the Foreign Minister as standard practice in diplomacy".

Relations between Rome and Moscow have been strained by Meloni's firm support for Ukraine, reaffirmed during a visit by President Zelensky to Rome the previous week.

Photo credit: Stefano Costantino TTL / Shutterstock.com
Photo: Dmytro Koshovyy

European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos said that various ideas are currently emerging on how to strengthen gradual integration regarding Ukraines membership in the European Union.

Kos said this at a press conference in Brussels on Wednesday, commenting on journalists requests for information regarding ideas proposed by Berlin and Paris for so-called "associate membership" without voting rights or access to the EU budget.

Kos said that the EUs expansion methodology was created "for peace and for those times when there is enough time."

"More or less, we are still using the methodology that was applied 40 years ago when Spain and Portugal joined the EU, and today we celebrate 40 years of their accession. So what we are now discussing with member states, and ideas are coming from different corners and different ideas, is whether there is a way  because we know that the accession process can take a long time since it is so much work  are there any ideas how we should or could strengthen gradual integration," she said.

As an example, she cited the "principle of gradual integration, mostly in the field of economy, such as roaming, energy."

"But now we are discussing whether there are any other areas where we could use the same principles," Kos said.
By Bairbre Holmes, Press Association

Enoch Burke has sought a High Court injunction to stop a hearing of the Disciplinary Appeals Panel (DAP), which was due to take place on Friday.

The DAP is assessing the decision of the board of management of Wilsons Hospital School to dismiss Burke.

The dispute between the board of the Co Westmeath school and Burke stems from incidents over a request in 2022 from the schools then-principal to address a student by a new name and pronoun.

Burke, who taught German and history at the school, has repeatedly argued the direction was unconstitutional and went against his right to express his religious beliefs.

Earlier in the day, the three judges of the Court of Appeal had heard arguments from Burke as he sought to overturn a High Court ruling that found his suspension from the school was lawful.

In the High Court on Wednesday afternoon, Burke argued the DAP should not make its decision until it is decided whether or not his appeal will be granted.

He said his appeal raises a serious issue of law and constitutional law.

Justice David Nolan instructed Burke to be produced at the High Court on Thursday morning and for the three-person DAP to be alerted to the hearing.
A male doctor who was alleged to have sexually assaulted a female patient during a medical examination has been found not guilty.

The jury of five men and seven women returned a majority not guilty verdict (10 to two) this afternoon, following a five-day trial at Waterford Circuit Criminal Court.

Allegation

It was alleged by the complainant that on April 17, 2020, she attended an appointment at a medical clinic in Co. Waterford to treat pain in her foot.

After waiting in the reception, 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 alleged that at this point he began rubbing her inner thigh and grabbed and squeezed her breast.

Trial

Over the course of the trial, the jury heard evidence from the complainant, her partner, her friend, the receptionist of the clinic, and investigating garda members. They were also provided with a memo of the interview that the defendant gave to gardai following his arrest in 2020.

The complainant told the jury that after the alleged incident, the doctor said to her well you have a warm heart anyway, and then continued on with the examination of her foot.

The complainant's partner and friend told the jury that the complainant informed them about the alleged incident directly after leaving the clinic.

During his interview with gardai in 2020, the defendant categorically denied the allegations made against him, saying he would not "jeopardise" his career in such "a wreckless way".

He said that he sees approximately 20 patients per day at his clinic and has no specific recollection of having an appointment with the complainant in April 2020.

On the penultimate day of the trial, the receptionist who worked at the clinic in 2020 also told the jury that she had no particular memory of the complainant appearing at the clinic on the date.

At Waterford Courthouse today, the jury deliberated for approximately three hours and 40 minutes before returning the verdict of not guilty on the single count of sexual assault.

Additional coverage of the trial is available HERE

Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme
Members of fire crews from across County Waterford have been acknowledged and praised ahead of their participation in a national challenge event this coming weekend.

Sinn Fein TD, Deputy Conor McGuinness acknowledged the group who were also highlighted on the Waterford City Community Group Facebook page.

"Best of luck to our own local firefighters as they head to the National Extrication Challenge this Saturday in Hackettstown, hosted by Rescue Organisation Ireland," said Deputy McGuinness in the post.

The team involved in the challenge have been preparing since February and are looking forward to taking part in their first competition.

The challenge will bring together firefighters from Dungarvan, Cappoquin, Lismore and Waterford City and there were comments of support and appreciation online, to all involved from members of the public.

Read More Fire service investment in Waterford welcomed by Minister Butler

The event will involve two timed, 25-minute scenarios where crews will have to safely remove casualties from vehicles in challenging conditions.

There will be a strong emphasis on casualty care during the challenge.
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BusinessCompaniesIron ore Opinion BHP has won the battle, but Chinas $93b iron ore flex will continue Elizabeth Knight Business columnist April 22, 2026  1:43pm

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The brutal and secretive nine-month iron ore pricing stand-off between Chinas iron ore buyers and our largest miner BHP has been settled. While the battle played out behind closed doors, the stakes were huge - for the company, the industry and the Australian economy as a whole. It was corporate Australias biggest revenue threat and arguably the mining industrys biggest secret. The good news is that BHP appears to be the winner  or at least its not the loser. BHP has resolved its long-running iron ore stand-off with China. Bloomberg Despite BHPs reluctance to publicly acknowledge the elephant in the room, analysts and traders had openly speculated about the guerilla banning tactics being employed by its Chinese customers.

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The conclusion of negotiations sparked a 1 per cent gain in BHPs share price in the ASXs sea of red on Wednesday as market fears were at least partially allayed when the miner confirmed its production guidance. Chinas attempt to test its leverage on pricing began nine months ago, with a ban of BHPs key iron ore products. Reports of the escalating battle soon prompted Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to apply pressure to settle the dispute. At stake was Australias biggest export to China - the red rivers of iron ore. WA Premier Roger Cook said late last year he had discussed the topic with Tim Day, BHPs head of iron ore, who told Cook that the negotiations are tough and were subject to a certain amount of strategic gamesmanship. BHPs quarterly production update on Wednesday, in which it said the price of iron ore it received during the period to March was slightly higher than last year, suggests the dispute had so far caused minimal damage.

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Gender equality BHP couldve made corporate history. Sadly for women, it didnt Elizabeth Knight Business columnist That said, there was clear evidence of Chinas unofficial bans on certain of BHPs iron ore types such as those from the Jimblebar mine, whose production has fallen precipitously in the March quarter. BHP noted in the bowels of its report that the negotiations with China have concluded, but provided no further detail. The company is not divulging the terms of the settlement nor for how long its new contract will be in effect, leaving risks that issues could flare up again over the next couple of years. At stake in the tussle was Australias biggest export to China  the red rivers of iron ore, which are totalling around $93 billion a year. It was a battle of muscle and wills between Asias biggest economy  and our mining industrys biggest customer  and the worlds largest miner over prices and terms.

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BHPs iron ore exports from Australia to China alone are estimated at $US23 billion ($32 billion) a year, and there was expectation that the outcome of the tug-of-war would eventually flow on to other local producers such as Rio Tinto and Fortescue, who are said to have negotiated their own deals but on undisclosed terms. The knock-on effect for the Australian economy and government revenues if the Chinese took more control over iron ore prices was a significant but unspoken threat. The powerful Asian nation sought to use the contract negotiations between BHP and China Mineral Resources Group, its state-run body representing its largest steel mills, to extract a better deal. Chinas flex was presumably about more than just iron ore prices, with reports suggesting Beijing also wanted to use the stand-off to force its main global suppliers to accept yuan instead of US dollars for payment in a bid designed to undermine the US dollars dominance. Yet as Chinas biggest supplier of iron ore, Australias mining giants including BHP have been in a strong negotiating position, which has been increasingly vexing for China.

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Related Article Mining China strikes a blow in $100b iron ore market as BHP accepts lower prices China has long wanted to exert more control over the price it pays for iron ore as its steelmakers are under margin pressure and many of its iron ore suppliers are moving towards delivering lower grade product. Its no accident that the move by China to engage in this pricing arm-wrestle comes as African supplies of the 75-per-cent Chinese-owned Simandou iron ore project in Guinea are starting to come online and offer some, albeit limited alternatives, to Australias ore. BHP appears to have survived this battle. But the war has a long way to play out. The Market Recap newsletter is a wrap of the days trading. Get it each weekday afternoon.
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Analysis NationalScience An Australian study linked vaping to cancer. Then came the international backlash Angus Dalton April 21, 2026  5:30pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

Examine, a free weekly newsletter covering science with a sceptical, evidence-based eye, is sent every Tuesday. Youre reading an excerpt  sign up to get the whole newsletter in your inbox. Australian researchers put out a paper last month with a conclusion that snagged national headlines: vaping probably causes lung and oral cancer. Much of the public reaction was sardonic. Sucking fruit-flavoured vapour from an often illegally manufactured device shown to relinquish toxic metals and formaldehyde might cause cancer? Breaking news: fork found in kitchen! A recent Australian study linked vaping to oral and lung cancer. AP But it was an important claim. Vaping went mainstream too recently to know, from a scientific standpoint, how it might impact cancer risk. Public health messaging is restricted to warning that vapes contain carcinogenic chemicals rather than drawing an outright link between vape smoke and cancer.

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The Carcinogenesis study, led by UNSW public health researchers, was the first to synthesise existing evidence from animal trials and lab experiments, and make the case in the scientific press that vaping probably causes cancer. Not many Australian scientists refuted that claim. In the UK, however, it was a different story. A chorus of researchers put out hardline criticisms of the paper through the UKs Science Media Centre, which compiles expert reactions to new papers and circulates them to the press. They lashed the paper as misleading and problematic, and said it made extraordinary claims that are not borne out by the data. How can one countrys scientists come out as broadly supportive of a finding and anothers broadly critical?

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It turns out there are two ideological camps here. And in the crossfire, some claims get over-egged and others unfairly downplayed. Heres whats going on. The claim Its difficult to deny theres a probable link between vaping and some types of cancer, even if we dont have long-term definitive evidence to back it up yet. What sparked particular controversy was the Carcinogenesis papers assertion that vaping can no longer be caricatured as safer than smoking.

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It over-claimed the state of the evidence, says Wayne Hall, an emeritus professor at the National Centre for Youth Substance Use Research, who agrees with many of the UK researchers criticisms. Theres no basis for [that claim] in the article. The consequence of such a claim, in Halls view, is that smokers are led to believe theres no difference between vaping and smoking, and may see no reason to give up cigarettes for vapes. And thats just false. Its misinforming people. Some support vape bans. Others say demonising vapes reduces the chance smokers will use them to help quit cigarettes. Getty Lead author of the Carcinogenesis paper, Bernard Stewart, an adjunct professor from the University of NSW, disagreed with Halls assessment of the paper. Stewart said comparing vapes to cigarettes was outside the papers focus, which was on the carcinogenicity of e-cigarettes in their own right. Vapes generally expose people to less disease-causing chemicals because they dont involve burning tobacco, which is a major source of toxins in cigarettes.

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Thats according to a 2025 Cochrane review  considered the gold-standard form of scientific evidence  which also concluded that vapes are an effective tool for getting smokers off the darts. For every 100 people trying to quit smoking, eight to 11 using vapes stopped smoking, compared to six using nicotine replacement therapy such as patches. Many researchers therefore support vapes as a swap-out for cigarettes, which we know are horrifically bad for you. But legal vapes can be hard to come by in Australia as major pharmacy chains refuse to stock them. The context The two opposing ideological camps are both evidence-backed, but they have competing public health priorities. One camp is focused on stopping young people getting hooked on vapes. Theyre concerned vapes act as a gateway to cigarettes and are keen to amplify early warnings in the scientific literature about the long-term health risks of vaping. Australias public health stance falls broadly in line with this group.

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The other crew are focused on smokers. They are more supportive of vapes and promote e-cigarettes as effective smoking cessation devices because they deliver nicotine alongside much lower levels of carcinogenic chemicals. This is more in line with the UK approach. One of the researchers who criticised the Australian vaping paper, Professor Peter Hajek of Queen Mary University of London, co-led a 2015 UK government-backed review that concluded vaping is 95 per cent safer than smoking (a figure disputed at the time and now described as a myth). UK government messaging from 2015. The 95 per cent safer figure is heavily disputed. Public Health England Off the back of that review, public health authorities began encouraging smokers to swap to vaping. In 2023, the UK government even provided vaping starter kits to a million smokers. While the UK has a reliable coterie of oft-quoted researchers such as Hajek who defend vaping, in Australia we have the opposite trend, and Hall says those who support vapes are shut out of the debate.

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He has put out papers and articles contesting the NHMRCs critical stance on vaping, but has garnered little support or media coverage. Youre right that views tend to be highly polarised, Hall says. But theres no acknowledgment of that in the media coverage here. Its just uncritical coverage of the side that thinks that e-cigarettes are an evil, dangerous, tobacco industry plot and we have to do everything we can to stop anyone from using them, basically. Both sides of the debate are well intentioned. Both can cite different papers and datasets to back up their arguments. But claiming vapes are as bad as cigarettes may be just as untrue and unhelpful as claiming vaping is risk-free. A nuanced paper from New Zealand So wheres the middle ground? A study from New Zealand just dropped with a more nuanced conclusion.

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Scientists looked at four different types of toxic aldehyde chemicals released by vapes. One of these was formaldehyde, a potent carcinogen, and cigarettes and vapes had similar levels. But looking at the four aldehydes taken together, cigarettes had much, much higher levels of the chemicals all up. There are many more chemicals than aldehydes in cigarettes (which release sky-high levels of the tumour-inducing chemical NNK, for instance) and vapes (whose chemical profiles  and therefore disease risk  vary wildly depending on design and flavour). But the aldehyde paper underscores what many other studies have also found: vapes do expose users to lower levels of cancer-causing chemicals than cigarettes. In our view this risk assessment supports the use of vaping for smoking cessation because the overall cancer risk is lower than for smoking, but does not exonerate vaping in its own right because taking up the habit introduces a new vaping-associated cancer risk, the authors of the New Zealand Medical Journal study found.

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Exclusive NationalNSWCrime Police raid home of billionaires ex-private secretary in luxury goods fraud investigation Kate McClymont Updated April 23, 2026  5:01am ,first published 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

At 8.05 Wednesday morning, many of the residents in Goddard Street, Erskineville, peered out of their windows or came out onto the street following loud shouts of Police, search warrant! followed by the sound of shattering glass. Police were raiding the house of Annalouise Spence, 50, who is alleged to have defrauded her former boss, philanthropist Judith Neilson of more than $1 million. Police remove potential evidence from the Erskineville home of Annalouise Spence during a search warrant on Wednesday. Steven Siewert The whole street was woken up, said Joe Spackman, who lives across the road. Spackman said he grabbed his phone and swung out of bed to record the police battering in the glass door. Shards of glass could be seen on the doormat which was monogrammed with The Spences. A search warrant was also executed at a storage facility in Campbelltown. Spence was arrested at her home and taken to Mascot Police Station where she was later charged.

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She was charged with 68 counts of dishonestly obtain property by deception, said police in a media statement. Spence was refused bail and will appear in court on Thursday. On April 26 last year, Neilson had raised her glass to celebrate her private secretarys 50th birthday at a lavish party in the McRae Bar at the five-star Capella Hotel in Sydneys CBD. Birthday girl Annalouise Lou Spence was resplendent in a shimmering sequinned polyester gown on which shed splurged $1200. Shed also spent $10,000 on Jimmy Choo stilettos and a matching gold evening bag. And that was just for her first outfit for the night. As Neilson rested her cocktail glass on a linen napkin embroidered with her secretarys name and initials, she told this masthead she had no idea that police will now allege she was footing the $40,000 party costs, which included $1000 for the monogrammed napkins, the luxury outfits and accessories, as well as $6000 for her secretarys two-night stay at the Capella with her husband, Adam Spence. Judith Neilson and her former private secretary Annalouise Lou Spence.

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For eight years, the 79-year-old Neilson, who does not use email or indeed a computer, had entrusted Spence with access to her intimate personal and financial details. In March 2023, Spence is alleged to have impersonated Neilson to obtain a supplementary card attached to her bosss Centurion American Express card, better known as a Black Amex. The card was allegedly used to spend an over $1 million on first-class travel, extravagant hotel stays, designer clothes, accessories, jewellery and artwork. Neilson told this masthead she did not authorise Spences supplementary card, and she had no idea that Spence had allegedly removed her finance teams oversight of her Amex account. Throughout Wednesday police could be seen coming out Spences house with artwork, designer shoes, luxury handbags and monogrammed Louis Vuitton trunks. Spence was taken from her Erskineville home to Mascot police station. Loading

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I was sickened and so damned hurt, said Neilson on discovering Spences alleged frauds. Neilson described feeling a profound sense of betrayal because for years she had entrusted Spence to organise travel logistics and oversee household operations and philanthropic activities. Spence and her husband had also lived rent-free in premises owned by Neilson, next door to Neilsons own Chippendale home, which has won numerous architectural awards. As a child, Annalouise Brown emigrated from Ireland with her parents and two sisters. Spences CV indicates that after leaving Jamison High School in Penrith in 1992, she later worked as an executive assistant and then business analyst at the Starlight Foundation. Police seized luxury items from the Erskineville home of Annalouise Spence. Steven Siewert

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In 2014, she married rally car driver Adam Spence. Before joining the Judith Neilson Family Office in 2017, Spences LinkedIn profile said she spent two years as Executive Assistant to Her Majestys Ambassador at British Embassy, Qatar. Born in Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe, Neilson is one of the most influential figures in the Australian arts and philanthropic worlds. She was one of four sisters. Her mother was a teacher and her father a mechanic who later specialised in car radiators. Annalouise Spence (left) with her employer Judith Neilson in Cuba in 2018.

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Everything was humble and wonderful, she recently told this masthead. It was family. You enjoyed what you had. At 17, she moved to South Africa to study graphic art and textile design. In 1983, she and her husband, Kerr Neilson, who would become one of the giants of Australias funds management industry, moved to Sydney. Following the successful 2007 float of Platinum Asset Management, the company co-founded by her husband, the couples combined fortune catapulted them into the top 10 wealthiest Australians. Even after their 2015 divorce, each still features in the annual rich list, with separate fortunes exceeding $1 billion. Neilson has used her fortune to fund philanthropic endeavours, including the White Rabbit Gallery, which houses one of the most significant collections of Chinese contemporary art. Admission is free. Neilson also built and continues to fund Phoenix Central Park, a stunning performing arts venue.

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Adam Spence and his wife Annalouise at the luxury Capella Sydney. While her buildings have won multiple architectural awards and her private art collection is astonishing, Neilson herself is not showy. She eschews the glitzy social world to which her wealth would automatically guarantee an entry. She famously does not often wear jewellery. On her wrist is an ivory-coloured Swatch watch. Police will allege the following matters will amount to fraud. One of the privileges of the Centurion card is its concierge service. Before her card had even arrived, Spence was asking for two concert tickets to see The Cure in Seattle, US, in June 2023. The very best you can get  there is no budget, she said in an email to the companys Centurion Lifestyle Team. She then allegedly used the card to buy a Qantas first-class return ticket to Seattle, via Los Angeles. The Seattle trip cost $45,000.

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The Black Amex card Annalouise Spence allegedly secretly obtained without her employers knowledge. While in the US, she used Neilsons money to buy a $16,000 piece of art for a male friend she had met through Neilson. During her Seattle visit, the friend refused to accept her gift of the artwork and insisted on paying its cost. The money allegedly went into Spences own account. She later treated herself and her male friend to a five-night stay in the Rosewood suite at The Carlyle in New York, which cost more than $6500 per night. Police will allege Neilsons Centurion card was billed $38,757.85 for her secretarys October 2023 sojourn. I was paying for Bennett to get his hair done weekly, complained Neilson of Spences dogs weekly visit to the pet parlour for grooming. When Spence went away, her dog was chauffeured to a pet resort in Terrigal.

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Due to a restructuring of Neilsons office, Spences eight-year stint with the philanthropist came to an end on September 12 last year. Only four days into her new role as Neilsons executive assistant, Katy Lloyd Jones was reconciling Neilsons accounts when she noticed a most unusual charge on Neilsons Amex bill. The Rosewood suite at the Carlyle hotel in New York cost more than $38,000 for a five-night stay. The itemised Amex bill showed that on July 19, 2025, $58,593 had been spent on a rare pink-gold Rolex wristwatch from the Vintage Watch Company in London. Alarm bells were ringing because in the brief time shed spent with her new boss, she knew Neilson doesnt wear any jewellery and she definitely doesnt wear expensive watches, Lloyd Jones told this masthead.

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As she scanned the Amex account, Lloyd Jones saw that two days after the antique watch purchase, $21,000 had been spent at the luxury Knightsbridge department store Harrods. Neilson was not in London at the time. After passing on her concerns to the accounts department, it didnt take long to identify the recently departed Spence as the suspect. The trio who uncovered the alleged frauds of Annalouise Spence: Katy Lloyd Jones (left), Marnie Edwards and Judith Neilson (right). Max Mason-Hubers The finance department began a detailed audit of Neilsons personal finances. As more discrepancies came to light, in November last year, Neilsons team hired risk and crisis manager Marnie Edwards, who also happens to be a former detective inspector with the NSW Police.

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Photo: President's Office / www.president.gov.ua

An agreement with the European Union on unblocking a EUR 90 billion support package for Ukraine is now effectively being implemented, while Ukraine, for its part, is fulfilling its obligations in relations with the EU, including with regard to Druzhba oil pipeline, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said.

"Implementation of our agreement with the European Union to unblock a EUR90 billion support package for Ukraine over two years, as well as a new sanctions package against Russia over this war, is now effectively under way. The unblocking is the right signal under the current circumstances," the president said on Telegram on Wednesday.

Zelenskyy said that "Russia must end its war. And motives for doing so can appear only when both support for Ukraine and pressure on Russia are sufficient."

Zelenskyy said "Ukraine is fulfilling its obligations in relations with the European Union, even on such ambiguous issues as the operation of Druzhba oil pipeline." At the same time, the president said Ukraine expects "that from the European side there will also be what is needed for real protection of life and for bringing Ukraines full European integration closer. It is important that the European support package begins operating promptly," he added.

"We will also speak with European leaders about opening clusters for Ukraine: the conditions for this have already been fulfilled. We are also continuing work on strengthening sanctions against Russia and on further developing the European energy system in such a way that Russia loses the ability to manipulate energy supplies to Europe," the president said of the immediate plans.

"Thank you to everyone who is helping! Today and tomorrow are especially important days for our European diplomacy," he added.

As reported, on Monday, April 20, the president held a meeting with diplomats on activity for the end of April and the beginning of May.

"We defined a format of work with the European Union to unblock support packages for Ukraine and continue fair restrictions against Russia because of the war. We see that the right changes in European policy are possible, and the relevant decisions need to be prepared on a support package for Ukraine, on opening clusters, and on sanctions against Russia," Zelenskyy said at the time. He noted that "the absence of new sanctions steps demoralizes the defenders of a united Europe" and encourages Russia to continue the war.
NSW Premier Chris Minns has warned states will not be able to provide like-for-like services if cuts push people with disabilities off the NDIS.

Speaking earlier today, before Health Minister Mark Butlers announcement, Minns said he supported reforming the scheme, which he acknowledged was too expensive.

NSW Premier Chris Minns. James Brickwood

Reform is difficult, and Im not going to throw sand in the gears of the federal government ... I think that theyre grappling with an issue that, if I were in their shoes, Id be doing the same thing, he said.

[But] we cant provide the kinds of services ... in the state system that are currently being provided by the NDIS. Theres not a substitute effect. Its not possible for us to do it.
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WorldEuropeRussia-Ukraine war Welcome to Donnyland: Ukraine proposes renaming territory in Trumps honour Anton Troianovski and Andrew E. Kramer April 22, 2026  1:43pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

When Poland sought a US military base in 2018, it pitched the idea as Fort Trump. When Armenia and Azerbaijan signed a peace pledge at the White House last year, they called the transport link it created the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity. Welcome to Donnyland. Marija Ercegovac But the most improbable instance of President Donald Trumps name being lent to a geopolitical flashpoint may be one that has remained out of public view until now. In Ukraine peace talks in recent months, Ukrainian officials have suggested that the slice of the countrys Donbas region that Russia is still fighting for could be named Donnyland. The moniker, a reference to Donbas and Donald, was described by four people familiar with the negotiations, who all spoke about it on the condition of anonymity because of the secrecy surrounding them.

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Anti-drone netting hangs over a road in the town of Izyum in Ukraines Donbas region. NYT When a Ukrainian negotiator first mentioned the term, partly in jest, it was as part of an attempt to convince the Trump administration to push back more against Russias territorial demands, according to three of the people familiar with the talks. President Vladimir Putin has vowed to keep fighting until Russian forces reach a key administrative boundary on the edge of the Donbas, the industrial region in eastern Ukraine where the Kremlin first started waging war in 2014. That a name evocative of Disneyland has been applied to a depopulated, decimated swath of Ukrainian coal-and-steel country could appear jarring as Europes deadliest fighting since World War II continues to rage. But it also reflects a global reality in which governments appeal to Trumps vanity in order to get American might on their side. For Ukraine, the effort has not yet paid off. The term has continued to be used in the talks, though it is not known to be written into any official documents. Negotiators have also floated the possibility of Trumps Board of Peace playing a role in administering the area, though neither Russia nor Ukraine have joined it so far, according to four people familiar with the talks.

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But Russia has not agreed to an arrangement acceptable to Ukraine. That has left the fate of the area the Ukrainians proposed calling Donnyland  about 80 kilometres long and 64 kilometres wide  as one of the main sticking points in the negotiations. The Ukraine talks have ticked along behind the scenes in recent weeks, even as the lead US negotiators  Steve Witkoff, Trumps close friend and special envoy, and Jared Kushner, the presidents son-in-law  have been focused on the war with Iran. President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine said this month that he was expecting Witkoff and Kushner to visit Ukraine soon. But a person familiar with the talks said that the Americans were still waiting for sufficient progress to warrant such a trip and that they also intended to make another visit to Russia. Ukraine is moving along. I wish they could get along, Trump told reporters last week. Well see what happens. Theres things happening there. Trump, of course, promised in his presidential campaign that he would end the war in Ukraine within 24 hours. He and his top negotiators have now spent more than a year trying to forge a peace deal, spending hours in talks with Putin and frustrating Ukrainian officials with the appearance that they were acting like mediators rather than defending Ukraine. Putin flew to meet Trump for a much-heralded summit last August  but little came out of it. NYT

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Donnyland was one way Ukrainians tried to get Trump to be more on their side. Ever since Trump met Putin in Alaska last August, the Trump administration has signalled that it could support a peace deal in which Ukraine withdrew to the administrative border of the Donetsk region, one of the provinces in the Donbas  a move that critics saw as a major concession to the Kremlin. Ukrainian officials say about 190,000 people live in this territory now. Others close to the talks say the real number may be about half that. It is so close to the front that the main highway into the area is draped in netting to protect against Russian exploding drones. Related Article Trump diplomacy Throwing Russia lifeline after lifeline: Latest US backflip delivers another blow to Ukraine Little is left of the local economy other than one working coal mine and businesses serving the soldiers based in the area, including shops selling balloons and flowers for soldiers to buy for visiting wives or girlfriends. Ukraine insists it can defend this area and that it will not give it up. But in December, Zelensky signalled openness to a compromise that would form a demilitarised zone or a free economic zone under neither warring partys full control.

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The Ukrainians considered but did not endorse proposals for a neutral administrator or a governing body with both Russian and Ukrainian representatives, so long as Russia could not claim the land after the war. The Kremlin said Russia could be open to establishing a demilitarised zone if Russian police or National Guard soldiers were allowed to patrol it  a measure unacceptable to Kyiv. Ukraine wanted the Trump administration to pressure Moscow to soften its position further. Ukrainian negotiators took to calling the proposed zone Donnyland, an area that would not be fully controlled by either side and branded as an accomplishment for Trump. Another suggestion called the postwar arrangement the Monaco model, a reference to the city-state on the French Mediterranean. Like Donnyland, it referred to a possible, semiautonomous mini-state that would benefit from a status as an offshore economic zone. The phrase Monaco model appeared in treaty drafts, while Donnyland only came up in discussions, according to a person with direct knowledge of Ukraines negotiating strategies. Zelensky, pictured with Trump at Mar-a-Lago in Florida last December. NYT

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But the talks stalled in late February over the territorial issue, just as the war in Iran distracted the American negotiating team. Russias foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov, said Russia would accept only full legal control of the Donbas. And Zelensky downplayed the prospects of trading land for peace, saying doing so would be a big mistake. Russia and Ukraine havent budged since on control of territory, even as talks continued on other issues, including US commitments to guaranteeing Ukraines postwar security, according to people familiar with the talks. A Ukrainian official created a flag for Donnyland  coloured green and gold  and a national anthem, using ChatGPT, the person with knowledge of Ukraines negotiating strategies said. Its not clear that the US side ever saw them. This article originally appeared in The New York Times. Get a note directly from our foreign correspondents on whats making headlines around the world. Sign up for our weekly What in the World newsletter.
The Australian sharemarket extended its losses on Thursday as the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz drove oil prices higher, souring investor sentiment after a record rally on Wall Street.

The S&P/ASX 200 fell 50.2 points, or 0.6 per cent, to 8793.40, and nine of its 11 industry sectors were in the red.

Markets have taken a glass-half-full view during this conflict, hoping for a quick resolution and normalisation of energy flows through the strait, said Carol Kong, a currency strategist at Commonwealth Bank.

I still think markets will soon come to the realisation the path to a long-lasting agreement is still some way away and energy prices will likely increase further before easing.
Maryna Poroshenko, wife of Ukrainian MP and European Solidarity leader Petro Poroshenko, has won her appeal in the case on division of marital property, with Vinnytsia Court of Appeals granting the relevant complaint filed by her representative.

"The appeal complaint of the claimant's representative, attorney Kristina Viktorivna Mysenko, shall be granted. The ruling of Vinnytsia City Court of Vinnytsia region dated February 3, 2026, shall be canceled and a new ruling adopted. The claim shall be satisfied. The property belonging to the spouses under the right of joint shared ownership shall be divided," the court ruling reads, according to the text published by Opendatabot.

In particular, the court recognized Maryna Poroshenko's right to personal private ownership of property worth UAH 8.534 billion, including 8,190 shares in PJSC Prime Assets Capital with a book value of UAH 8.3 billion. Petro Poroshenko, in turn, was recognized as the owner of a number of assets with the same total value of UAH 8.534 billion, including vehicles, 46 paintings, UAH 3.19 billion in cash, as well as unpaid profit of Cikvent (Schweiz) AG (former name Rothschild Trust (Schweiz) AG) amounting to UAH 833 million.

The appeals court ruling has entered into force, although it may be appealed to the Supreme Court within 30 days of its announcement.

As reported, Maryna Poroshenko filed a lawsuit on March 27, 2025, seeking division of marital property. "Since this dispute is of a property nature with a claim value of UAH UAH 17.103 billion, which exceeds 250 times the subsistence minimum for able-bodied persons, this case shall be considered under the rules of general claim proceedings in a court hearing with notification (summons) of the parties," the court ruling of March 28 reads.

European Solidarity said the property division lawsuit was part of a joint defense tactic by the spouses against attempts to block the party leader's ability to finance aid to the Armed Forces of Ukraine and political activities. "Since Zelenskyy's sanctions decree prohibits Petro Poroshenko from carrying out any legal transactions, including even paying taxes, the only way to unblock financing of the Poroshenko Charitable Foundation is through a relevant court decision. Petro and Maryna Poroshenko informed the court that there is no dispute between them regarding the terms of the division, so the court has no grounds not to satisfy the claim," the party said.

By decree dated February 12 this year, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy imposed sanctions on Poroshenko. These include asset blocking: temporary deprivation of the right to use and dispose of assets belonging to an individual or legal entity, as well as assets with respect to which such a person may directly or indirectly (through other individuals or legal entities) perform actions identical in substance to exercising the right to dispose of them; and suspension of the fulfillment of economic and financial obligations.

Poroshenko appealed these sanctions to Ukraine's Supreme Court. At the first hearing on April 17, Ukraine's fifth president said the sanctions imposed on him were "preventive in nature." Poroshenko and his representatives insist the sanctions were imposed unlawfully.
Akbar Novruz



Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday that Russia remains "in constant contact" with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on key issues, including the situation in Iran, AzerNEWS reports.

"There are increasingly more and more critical issues, particularly in the problematic area, that concern the IAEA, including in the context of the war in Iran," Peskov told the reporters.

The comments come as European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas warns that "freedom of navigation cannot be replaced by pay-for-passage schemes" and raises concerns over Iran's "missile programs," and "support to proxies and support to Russia." IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi also said strict inspections of Iran's nuclear activities must be part of any potential ceasefire agreement between Washington and Tehran.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting in Kyiv with Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles and discussed defense cooperation with her.

"We are counting on an expansion of the SAFE program and the emergence of new products from our joint production. I informed her about the situation on the front line and the constant Russian strikes," Zelenskyy said on Telegram on Wednesday.

He thanked Spain for supporting Ukraines air defense with missiles for Hawk and Patriot systems.

"These weapons are in short supply, and therefore Spains assistance is very important for our defense against massive Russian attacks," the head of state said.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB)  A Tennessee man was charged with kidnapping after police say he took a child he does not have custody of to southern Indiana.

Clarksville police said officers were called Tuesday morning about a 4-year-old who was taken out of Hendersonville, Tennessee, and was possibly in the southern Indiana area.

Police said 23-year-old Skyler Clubb took the child out of state without the permission of the mother, who has custody of the child.

The child was entered into the National Crime Information Center database as missing. Police said Clubb "refused to bring the child back to Tennessee," and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

Police later found a vehicle "associated with" Clubb and took him into custody on a felony kidnapping warrant through Tennesee, while the child was "safely recovered."

Clarksville Police Chief Nate Walls said it was a case that required officers to "act quickly."

"Our officers did an outstanding job locating this individual, and getting him into custody while simultaneously keeping the child safe," Walls said in a news release Wednesday.

Clubb is being held at the Clark County Jail, awaiting extradition back to Tennessee.

Copyright 2026 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB)  A new report from the American Lung Association finds thousands of children in Kentucky are breathing unhealthy air with conditions getting worse in the Louisville Metro area.

The association's latest State of the Air report shows more than 176,000 kids across Kentucky are exposed to dangerous pollution levels.

The Louisville region, which spans from Clarksville, Indiana to Elizabethtown, Kentucky, now ranks 22nd worst in the nation with a grade F for ozone pollution (smog) compared to 29th last year. The worse county was Jefferson County, Kentucky which received a grade F for the worse value for ozone smog. Jefferson County was the only county in the state with a grade F in ozone pollution.

The report studied ozone smog and particle pollution, also known as soot, over a three-year period from 2022-2024, according to a release.

In addition, the Louisville area ranked 89th in the nation for the worse short-term particle pollution with the worst county in the area, Clark County, Indiana, receiving a grade D.

To compare, The Lexington-Fayette-Richmond-Frankfort, Kentucky area ranked 143rd worst in the nation with a grade B for ozone pollution, an improvement from last year's 130th ranking.

Health experts warn air pollution can trigger asthma attacks, heart problems, premature births, and long-term lung damage, especially in children whose lungs are still developing.

Clean air is essential to the health and wellbeing of families across Kentucky. Children deserve to breathe air that wont make them sick, Shannon Baker, director of advocacy for the American Lung Association, said in a release.

Baker said the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) scale back of critical healthy air rules are effecting residents.

"We urge Kentucky policymakers to take action to improve our air quality and we are calling on everyone to tell EPA that our kids' health counts," Baker said in the release.

Nationwide, the report found 33.5 million children in the U.S. are living in areas with failing air quality grades.

To read the full State of the Air report, click here.

Copyright 2026 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved.
Experienced veterinarian earns MBA at Weber State to benefit local workforce, animal care

April 22, 2026

OGDEN, Utah  After building a successful career in Brazils dairy and agribusiness industry, Alexandre Medeiros de Oliveira came to Weber State University in 2024 to refine his leadership skills and prepare for a new chapter in the U.S.

This week, Oliveira will graduate with a Master of Business Administration from the John B. Goddard School of Business & Economics, earning his fourth masters degree.

My decision to pursue an MBA here wasnt to build a foundation, but to refine and expand what I have, Oliveira said. I have much to give here, and I feel Utah has much to give me too.

As an internationally trained veterinarian, Oliveira has experience in both small- and large-animal medicine. He holds a masters degree in biotechnology, along with postgraduate specializations in agribusiness management and strategic management  a combination he calls the intersection of science and leadership.

I reached a point where I knew I wanted to expand my global perspective, he said.

Oliveira first heard about Weber State in 2004, when he was serving a mission in Boston for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Paul Thompson, a former WSU president, was the Massachusetts Boston Mission president during Oliveiras time as a missionary.

Thompson spoke highly of WSUs programs and quality. Oliveira said this time in the U.S. left a lasting impact, opening doors and showing him opportunities to serve, grow, and lead.

I want to give back what the U.S. gave me more than 20 years ago, he said.

Weber States MBA program is designed for working professionals. Classes are held in the evening at WSU Davis  and even some on-site at Hill Air Force Base for military personnel, their families, and civilian employees  so students can maintain their jobs while expanding their skills and advancing in their fields.

Oliveira sees this degree as a way to elevate and build on what hes started. Learning more about leadership and business operation standards in the U.S. will help him manage teams as effectively as he treats animals.

Hes already applying this knowledge at Bayview Animal Hospital in Layton, Utah, where he works as a veterinarian and strategic operations leader.

My passion has always been being a veterinarian, he said. But one of my greatest professional fulfillments has been helping people grow, developing teams, and turning organizations into success stories. I enjoy solving problems, creating improvements, and helping others achieve more than they thought possible.

While working at Bayview, Oliveira has worked closely with technicians and other colleagues to build their skills and customer relationships. He said the company has seen positive results, both in the increasing number of clients theyve retained and feedback theyve received from pet owners.

After graduation, Oliveira plans to continue working with Bayview. Hell explore expanding beyond the hospitals two current locations or providing services to a wider variety of animals.

I came here not only to grow, but to contribute, to build, and to leave a meaningful legacy, Oliveira said.

His wife and three daughters  12-year-old Nicole and 7-year-old twins Julie and Sophie  have been Oliveiras support system throughout this journey. They didnt speak English when they arrived, but are now thriving in school.

His girls talk about future career possibilities; maybe becoming doctors or, after watching NASAs successful Artemis II mission, maybe becoming astronauts.

Even with almost six years of veterinary school and three masters degrees, I still think education is an amazing opportunity to grow and better our lives, he said. We always tell our daughters, Education is success for life.
Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets has called for an appeal against a ruling by the juvenile court in Lecce, Italy's Apulia region, on the adoption by foreign citizens of a Ukrainian child who had been evacuated to Italy because of the war and therefore had temporary protection status.

"An Italian court has broken the interstate adoption system by transferring a Ukrainian child to a foreign family. We demand the child's return and an appeal of the ruling," he said on Telegram on Wednesday.

He said Ukraine currently has a moratorium on intercountry adoption. The ban is due to the war and is intended to protect evacuated and forcibly displaced Ukrainian children, children whose parents are missing under special circumstances, and children whose parents are defending the country.

"A child who is a citizen of Ukraine was evacuated to the Italian Republic in 2022. Evacuation is temporary protection. Instead, the juvenile court in Lecce, Apulia region, made a decision on the child's adoption by foreign citizens," Lubinets said, adding that a critical point is that the child's father went missing while defending Ukraine, while the mother is alive and has not been deprived of parental rights.

"This decision grossly violates international standards for the protection of children's rights. The priority is one  preserving the child in his or her family and country of birth. But in this specific case, the Italian court not only ignored the moratorium, but also the fact that the child has a family: a mother and biological sisters," the ombudsman said.

"In fact, the Italian court ignored the real participation of the parents in the case, limiting itself to formally recognizing their 'presence in absentia'  including the father. Moreover, the child was separated from biological sisters who have already been returned to Ukraine. This is a deliberate destruction of the family, a violation of the child's right to preserve family ties, and a disregard for international law," he said.

Lubinets said the ruling by the Italian court had been preceded by systemic violations, including the removal of Ukrainian legal representatives, the appointment of foreign guardians and restrictions on Ukrainian diplomats' access to the children.

According to Lubinets, Ukraine's position in this adoption case is unequivocal: the Italian court ruling must be appealed immediately; adoption of Ukrainian children by foreigners is unacceptable; the child must be returned immediately to the mother in Ukraine; and children evacuated abroad must be brought back.

The ombudsman's office says it has recorded systemic problems in countries including Germany and Switzerland. According to Lubinets, similar risks have been identified for another 82 children from Chynadiyevo preschool boarding institution, the Smarahdove Misto sanatorium and rehabilitation center, and the S.P. Suprun children's home in Sumy.

Lubinets said he had sent an official letter to the prime minister of Ukraine calling for urgent measures to reunite the family and return all Ukrainian children home. He said the letter separately noted the involvement of other government agencies, including the Foreign Ministry.

According to him, the case in Italy is being directly monitored by Ombudsman Adviser in Italy Oles Horodetsky.

"I call on the international community to respond immediately. The Ukrainian child must return home, to the family, to the mother and sisters. We cannot allow this gross violation of international humanitarian law to occur," Lubinets said.
Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov and Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles agreed on key areas of defense cooperation  strengthening air defense, supplying long-range artillery munitions, and scaling up production of Ukrainian drones.

"I held a meeting with Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles. We agreed on key areas of cooperation to strengthen defense capability and implement key security priorities," Fedorov said on Telegram on Wednesday.

He said he had expressed gratitude to Spain for its decision to allocate EUR 1 billion in aid in 2026.

"We discussed how to use this resource as effectively as possible in line with our needs. I also separately noted the aid package announced during the visit  VAMTAC armored vehicles and a batch of 155 mm shells," he said.

According to him, the meeting set the following cooperation priorities: strengthening air defense, supplying long-range artillery ammunition, and scaling up production of Ukrainian drones.

"Spain's contribution to the PURL mechanism and its support for supplies of missiles for Patriot systems are important  this is critical for protecting the sky and preserving infrastructure. We are working on integrating different types of missiles and increasing the effectiveness of their use," Fedorov said.

"A separate track is the development of air defense capabilities. We are working on modernizing systems that are no longer in production and deepening cooperation with Spain to expand their capabilities. We also discussed Spain's participation in a joint European project to create anti-ballistic solutions," the Ukrainian defense minister said.
Ireland West Airport Knock has promoted one of its popular summer destinations.

The airport said, "From castle views to cobbled streets, Edinburgh is calling. Fly direct from Ireland West Airport to Edinburgh with Ryanair flights operating four times weekly this May  perfect for a short city break, weekend getaway or a longer stay to soak up everything this iconic Scottish city has to offer.

"Discover the historic Royal Mile, explore Edinburgh Castle, hike Arthurs Seat for unforgettable views, wander the colourful streets of the Old Town and enjoy great shopping, food, culture and nightlife along the way."
Safety around schools is the single biggest issue after housing now facing Mayo County Council, according to a local councillor.

Westport-based Cllr Peter Flynn was speaking at last week's meeting of the local authority where he welcomed an acknowledgment by council management that Active Travel projects have been lagging behind for some time.

It is good progress has been recognised as being slow. Safety around schools is a key issue in our county while people living on the outskirts of towns also cant walk into town safely with the speed people are driving.

Cllr Flynn said there had been "frustrating delays" in delivering Active Travel schemes for Murrisk, Holy Trinity and Brackloon national schools over the last four years, and he also criticised the fact that the Active Travel scheme at Deerpark NS on the Newport Road in Westport will take up to four years to complete.

The message needs to go back to the National Transport Authority that the need for consultants at each phase must be eliminated. We must trust in our own people and allow procurement go ahead. Having two to three consultants involved in a small project makes no sense and I have seen this on some projects that are only a small stretch of footpath.

Cllr Donna Sheridan agreed it was frustrating that projects went on for years after funding was announced, alluding to delays in the scheme promised for Rathbawn Road in Castlebar and pointing out that a lot of time and energy was needed to bring the Balla Active Travel project to fruition. She said there "does not seem to be any joined up thinking" between the Department and Transport Infrastructure Ireland on Active Travel.

"We also over 60 submissions to extend the footpath further out the Westport Road [in Castlebar] yet it was not included on the programme and people feel they are not being listened to.

Cllr Michael Loftus acknowledged the good work of staff in the council office in Ballina but said, unlike in Castlebar, there were no tabletops to slow traffic down at pedestrian crossings and one crossing had to be raised due to a fatality.

Cllr Damien Ryan welcomed safety works around Cong National School and supported the call for council staff to take charge of projects, saying: We need to dismantle the whole issue of consultants and see what we can do ourselves inhouse.

He commented that schemes to date were concentrated on areas of population with villages being left behind and requested that separate urban and rural lists be drawn up so that the two were not competing, a view supported by Cllr Patsy O'Brien.

Cllr Michael Burke said "great work" had been done around the county on Active Travel projects, referring to a walkway in Ballinrobe that has been a big success.

People really enjoy that walkway and it is safe any time of the day or night.

Cllr Annie May Reape welcomed a lot of work done on Active Travel along the Quay in Ballina, with Cllr John OHara agreeing it is a super job".

Director of Services David Mellett said the council currently has 51 projects on the Safe Routes to School Programme and supported the idea to split village and urban projects for more formal funding streams.
Minister of State Alan Dillon TD has called for urgent action from Bus Eireann and the NTA following the sudden removal of the 450 bus stop from Dooagh, Achill, a change that has caused confusion and inconvenience for local residents.

The issue was recently brought to Minister Dillons attention after local residents reported that the 450 service, which runs between Dooagh and Louisburgh, with stops in Mulranny, Newport, Westport and Murrisk, departed from the beach car park last week and continued directly to Keel, bypassing the long-established bus stop at Lourdies where passengers were waiting.

It has since been confirmed that the terminus has been moved to the Achill Head Hotel in Pollagh.

Minister Dillon has contacted Bus Eireann and the National Transport Authority seeking clarity on the reasons for the change, whether it was communicated effectively to the community, and what steps are being taken to restore a suitable stop within Dooagh.

Transport for Ireland informed residents that the 450 service will no longer be terminating in Dooagh 'due to a Health and Safety issue', adding that buses will now terminate at the Achill Head Hotel just before the village of Pollagh until a more permanent solution is found.

According to Minister Dillon, the absence of a bus stop in Dooagh is a significant concern for residents, particularly with the busy summer season approaching. The area sees a large influx of visitors during the summer months, many of whom rely on public transport to access the western end of Achill Island.

Minister Dillon also noted that the school bus continues to turn safely just beyond the end of the village each day, demonstrating that suitable turning locations do exist within Dooagh.

He has asked Bus Eireann and the National Transport Authority to urgently review potential safe stopping points in the village and to engage with the local community to find a practical and timely solution.

Ensuring reliable public transport links is essential for rural communities, Minister Dillon said. I will continue to follow up on this matter until clarity is provided and a workable resolution is identified.
It's April 10th and the queue at the filling station in Castlebar stretches the length of a bad political career, which is to say, further than anyone wanted to be standing on a wet morning with the rain coming in sideways off Clew Bay. A hand-written sign, lopsided and damp, taped to the forecourt pump, says: No Diesel. No Petrol. Sorry for any inconvenience.

The standard Irish apology for catastrophe. Sorry for any inconvenience, as though the entire Middle East had simply mislaid itself and would turn up down the back of the sofa shortly, slightly sticky, smelling of crude oil and sulphur.

So this is what war looks like from the edge of the Atlantic in 2026. Its not missiles raining over Tehran or the previously ignored Strait of Hormuz, squeezing like a fist around the throat of an already fragile global economy. Not two ballistic armed adjacent powers squaring off with the diplomatic subtlety of drunks at a bachelor festival. From my perch in Mayo, it looks like a handwritten sign, a chilled cup of Centra coffee, and a slowly dawning realisation that somewhere between Washington and Tel Aviv, someone made a decision that ended up costing me sixty euros I really could have preferred to keep in my wallet.

That someone, let's be honest, is Benjamin Netanyahu - a man who has somehow convinced himself, and periodically the United States of America, that he is Winston Churchill, when he is, in fact, considerably closer to that bloke in every office who insists on replying-all. Netanyahu is a political survivor of almost supernatural persistence, a man who has been simultaneously under criminal indictment and running a war, managing a coalition of religious extremists and messianic settlers while maintaining the expression of someone who considers himself the most reasonable person in any room he has ever entered. He is not the most reasonable person in any room he has ever entered. He is the man who decided that the correct response to feeling threatened was to light the entire neighbourhood on fire, and who now stands in the rubble, singed and somewhat bewildered, calling it a historic victory.

There is something almost poignant about Netanyahu's certainty. He wanted Iran broken - humiliated, defanged, regime-changed into something soft and compliant and preferably American-friendly. What he got was Iran radicalised, its moderates sidelined, its new leadership with absolutely nothing left to lose and the Strait of Hormuz as a bargaining chip the size of a continent. This is not a victory. This is a man who went to the casino, put everything on red, watched it come up black, and announced to the room that he'd always intended to lose.

And then there's Trump.

Donald Trump arrived at this conflict the way he arrives at everything - loudly, confidently, and with approximately the strategic buoyancy of a paddling pool. Illustration: Conor McGuire

Donald Trump arrived at this conflict the way he arrives at everything - loudly, confidently, and with approximately the strategic buoyancy of a paddling pool. If Netanyahu is the obsessive schemer, Trump is the chaos variable, the man you bring into a negotiation when you want certainty replaced with spectacular unpredictability, and a good sprinkling of treachery. He threatened Iran with language so baroque, intemperate and destructive that commentators genuinely struggled to find historical comparisons that didn't involve the 1930s. He then, apparently surprised that Iran didn't immediately surrender, uttered an expletive on live television, complained that nobody knew what they were doing, and proposed talks. The same talks, more or less, that had been on the table before the bombs started falling. Full circle, except now there are considerably more craters.

What Trump brought to this particular theatre - beyond his customary genius for making any situation appreciably worse - was the genuine, almost childlike belief that overwhelming force produces submission. It's the theory of the schoolyard bully translated into geopolitics, and it works just about as well. You can bomb a country's nuclear scientists. You cannot bomb nuclear knowledge. You can strike a regime's infrastructure. You cannot strike its willingness to endure. Iran has been enduring external pressure, sanctions, assassinations and isolation for 47 years. It has, in that time, developed an almost philosophical relationship with adversity. It's the difference between a country that has read Dostoevsky and one that has merely watched the film.

Which brings us to the Iranians, and here the contrast becomes almost comedic in its starkness.

While Trump was rage-posting ultimatums and Netanyahu was conducting what he presumably considered an expert demonstration of military adventurism, the Iranian leadership was doing something that neither man is temperamentally capable of: it was being patient. Disciplined. Strategically coherent. It was sitting on the Strait of Hormuz like a man who has read all the cards at the table and is in absolutely no hurry, because why would you be, when you're holding most of them?

Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, is the kind of diplomat who makes you reconsider your assumptions about the country he represents. Measured, erudite, fluent in the language of international law and international consequence, he moves through press conferences with the unhurried confidence of someone who genuinely isn't worried. He issues warnings in the manner of a man describing the weather - not threatening, merely informative. Should you choose not to heed them, that is, of course, entirely your own affair. He is, in other words, the absolute antithesis of everything happening on the other side of this conflict, and the juxtaposition is so jarring it's almost surreal.

Whatever one thinks of the Iranian regime's domestic record and its history of crushing dissent, they have conducted the external dimension of this crisis with a restraint that has woefully wrong-footed Washington at every juncture.

In the face of mindless fury, Irans escalation was carefully calibrated, and every retaliation proportionate enough to make a point without triggering the next catastrophic rung on an already slippery ladder. They warned Qatar before firing at the American base there, a diplomatic nicety so unexpected in the context of active warfare that it caused genuine confusion in the western press. They were shooting at Americans and still observing the courtesies of a civilisation that precedes Americas by millennia. It's the geopolitical equivalent of punching someone in the face, then graciously offering antiseptic and bandages.

With enraged bluster, Trump threatened to bomb Iran's energy sites unless the Strait of Hormuz was reopened by a specific date. Trump is very fond of ultimatums, issuing the kind of deadline that sounds decisive in a press conference and lands like a damp squib in the Persian Gulf. Every political observer involved has noticed that the US doesn't have the ground forces to back it up, the regional bases are within Iranian missile range, and the price of oil is already doing the threatening for them. The deadline passed. The Strait remained on Iran's terms. The price of fuel in Castlebar and Ballina remained, in its own small way, a geopolitical communique.

Here's what nobody in Washington seems to have modelled, or perhaps what they modelled and ignored because it was inconvenient: the Iranians are not afraid of this. They have been economically strangled for decades. They have watched their scientists assassinated in broad daylight. They have been sanctioned, isolated, demonised and encircled. And they are still there, still enriching, still financing proxies from the Houthis in Yemen to Hezbollah in Lebanon, still - against all reasonable expectation - standing. There is a word for a people that survives everything thrown at them and emerges, scarred yet strategically coherent, with maximalist demands on the table. The word is formidable. Use it about your adversaries before you start a war with them, not after.

I drove home along the coast road with what petrol I'd managed to scrounge from a station outside Castlebar that still had a trickle left. Croagh Patrick sat against the sky like a rebuke, the Atlantic was massive, grey, and entirely unimpressed by human folly, as it has been since before any of these men were born and will be long after their various catastrophes become footnotes.

Two men driven by ego, fear and the heady delusion of invincibility. And across the table, men who've been losing gracefully for so long they've turned it into something that looks, from here, rather like winning.

God help us all. And someone please send petrol.
Photo: https://t.me/V_Zelenskiy_official

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in comments to CNN on Wednesday that he remains open to a ceasefire with Russia, but sees no progress in talks on Ukraine while the issue of Iran remains unresolved or until some fundamental ceasefire is reached between the United States, Israel and Iran.

He acknowledged that the war in Iran had distracted attention from Russia's aggression against Ukraine, telling CNN that it was "a big risk" to think that efforts to stop the fighting in Ukraine could not resume until the conflict in Iran was over.

Zelenskyy also said that although technical talks with the United States were still continuing, he did "not see the possibility of a meeting until the issue, the Iran matter, is closed."

The Ukrainian president described it as "a challenge" that the same team of U.S. negotiators - led by Steven Witkoff and U.S. President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner  is handling talks both on the war in Iran and on Ukraine. He said that while he understood the United States was now focused on the war against Iran, it was important not to forget Ukraine, where fighting continues.

According to Zelenskyy, the issue of ending the war in Ukraine cannot be postponed until "a little later."

"Ukraine is not 'a little later.' Ukraine is already in such a big tragedy, we have to find a way to manage this in parallel way," he said.

Zelenskyy also said the war in Iran had disrupted deliveries of some key types of weapons for Ukraine, especially missile defense systems, which, he said, Ukraine is not receiving in sufficient quantities because of limited production capacity in the United States.

He also said Ukraine is trying to produce as many weapons as possible and gave the example of interceptor drones, of which Ukraine is now producing about 1,000 units a day, although it has the capacity to produce 2,000 a day.

"But we don't have the funding. It's really a question of our life, of surviving, for defending, we need this money very much," Zelenskyy said.
Allentown, PA (18103)

Today

Partly sunny and still fairly pleasant. A later afternoon shower is possible but most will stay dry for the day..

Tonight

There might be an early shower; otherwise, mostly cloudy.
Photo: https://t.me/V_Zelenskiy_official

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he was ready to meet Peter Magyar, leader of the Tisza party that won Hungary's election, at any time and signaled readiness to take steps toward the Hungarian side.

"I very much hope that Hungary's position toward us will be constructive. We will also demonstrate steps to meet them halfway. We are neighbors, and we must definitely live in peace," Zelenskyy told journalists on Wednesday.

Asked whether a meeting with Hungary's new leadership was being planned, he replied that he was "ready at any moment."

"But I think the new prime minister-elect has domestic issues related to forming the government and issues with the European Union. We are ready in any case," Zelenskyy added.

As reported, Magyar is expected to be sworn in as prime minister on May 9 or 10, depending on when parliament convenes, after Tisza defeated Viktor Orban's Fidesz in Hungary's April 12 election.

On April 13, Magyar said he intended to hold a meeting with Zelenskyy and stressed that the new government would seek allied and friendly relations with neighboring states, including Ukraine.
Reading, PA (19601)

Today

Partly sunny and still fairly pleasant. A later afternoon shower is possible but most will stay dry for the day..

Tonight

There might be an early shower; otherwise, mostly cloudy.
During Tuesday nights Bethlehem City Council meeting, councilmembers discussed an ongoing criminal investigation involving former city employee Zachary Cole-Borghi, prompting debate over transparency and communication between the administration and council.

Cole-Borghi has been charged with more than 100 felony counts related to the alleged distribution of cocaine and marijuana, according to prosecutors. Authorities allege some of the activity occurred while he was employed by the city. He was held at Lehigh County Jail on $500,000 bail but has since posted bail.

He was first arrested last summer and charged with marijuana possession as part of an investigation into a multistate drug ring involving more than 40 other defendants.

Bethlehem Police Chief Michelle Kott said the investigation has involved multiple agencies, including those in Lehigh and Northampton counties, and has required extensive review of information.

Preliminary hearing begins for Lehigh County commissioner facing felony drug charges Zachary Cole-Borghi will have a preliminary hearing as he faces more than 100 felony charges.

Kott also said investigators are examining whether Cole-Borghi, who was the citys right-to-know officer, may have improperly accessed the citys police records system without authorization.

Councilmember Bryan Callahan said council should have been notified earlier that an investigation was underway, even without specific details.

Council Solicitor Stephanie Steward noted the legal limits surrounding active investigations.

At a bare minimum, the council should have been notified as an equal branch of government, Callahan said. He said he had raised concerns at prior meetings about alleged unauthorized actions.

Mayor J. William Reynolds said his administration is notified of criminal investigations when charges are filed and that such matters are handled independently by law enforcement and the district attorneys office.

We dont tell them anything. We stay out of their way and let them investigate whatever they think they need to investigate, Reynolds said.

City Solicitor John Spirk said the city has been constrained by potential litigation involving the former employee and advised against discussing personnel matters publicly.

Councilmember Michael Colon said he was comfortable waiting until an investigation concludes before receiving more information.

I dont feel Im entitled to know more than my position allows me to know, Colon said.

Council President Rachel Leon said the actions of the former employee should not be seen as representative of the city as a whole.

What he did is a reflection of himself and not the City of Bethlehem, she said, noting the employee was terminated immediately.

Cole-Borghi has denied the allegations against him.
Photo: @V_Zelenskiy_official Telegram

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed the importance of unblocking the agreed EUR 90 billion reparations loan for Ukraine at the European Union summit on Thursday.

"As for tomorrow's summit, the number one issue for us is the unblocking of EUR 90 billion to support Ukraine, our defense forces, our budget and Ukrainians. The relevant procedure began today. Of course, we have to wait for the results only tomorrow  tomorrow the procedure for these discussions and decisions will be completed. So far, we understand that the conversation among our partners is constructive," Zelenskyy told journalists on Wednesday.

The second important issue for Ukraine to be considered at Thursday's EU summit will be adoption of the 20th package of sanctions against Russia.

"We must work and increase packages of pressure on Russia. The issue is not the number of packages, the issue is quality, and timing as well. The 20th package has been delayed a little. In my view, the reasons are the same as those related to the blocking of the money. We also very much believe, hope, and for our part will do everything so that there is a positive result for Ukraine on this track," Zelenskyy said.

The third important issue for Ukraine that had previously been blocked, the president said, was the opening of negotiating clusters on EU accession.

"Of course, this process is needed, as they say in Europe, so that all the voices of Europe are heard. I think that also in the near future  weeks, months, we will see how it goes, how the partners gather. We also very much hope and believe that this issue will be resolved," he said.

According to Zelenskyy, another important issue for Ukraine is a drone deal with several European countries.

"We have begun discussing this issue, and we believe in continuation, maybe even the finalization of some of these projects," he said.

"And there are also some issues related to finances, to the challenges we had with the now former government of Hungary. Well, I think we will already be discussing the issue of the relevant funds with the new government, I do not want to go into details," Zelenskyy added.

As reported, ambassadors and permanent representatives of EU member states on April 22 approved both the final legislative act - amendments to the regulation on the EU's multiannual financial framework needed to ensure payment of the EUR 90 billion loan to Ukraine - and the 20th package of sanctions. Earlier, both the legislative act amending the regulation, which required unanimity, and the 20th sanctions package had been blocked by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. The situation changed after Hungary's election, in which he was defeated.
Photo: https://t.me/V_Zelenskiy_official

Ukrainian military personnel have taken part in a conference in London on protecting infrastructure in Middle Eastern and Gulf countries, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

"The United Kingdom and France jointly led the conference. Ukraine was invited. I joined online from the train. We discussed the issue of blocking the Strait of Hormuz and the challenges related to the war in the Middle East... We talked about protecting relevant facilities on the territory of Middle Eastern countries, civilian infrastructure, civilian populations, and some of the bases of our partners  Britain, the United States and others," Zelenskyy told journalists on Thursday.

According to him, the United Kingdom and France asked for the continuation of the conference they organized a couple of days ago at the military level, where the Ukrainian side could help.

"I think 37 countries took part in that first conference, though I do not know how many military representatives participated. Ukraine, Britain and France asked, and we sent our military personnel to this meeting in London. We will see what happens after this meeting," the Ukrainian president added.

He said Ukraine could offer, at the very least, its expertise after having managed to respond to its own serious challenges in the Black Sea.

"As for the next steps, I cannot say yet," Zelenskyy added.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that representatives of the Ukrainian and U.S. negotiating teams held talks on Tuesday and expressed hope for the resumption of trilateral Ukraine-U.S.-Russia negotiations aimed at ending the war.

"We are confident that the trilateral meeting should resume. Yesterday our teams communicated  representatives of the negotiating teams of Ukraine and America spoke with each other. This is happening constantly. We very much hope for the return of trilateral meetings, for the return of the track that leads to the end of the war. We have no issues," Zelenskyy told journalists on Wednesday.

Asked whether the negotiation track between Ukraine and Russia could resume in the near future, and in what format, the president said that this "does not depend on us."

"We are ready for any format, at any time. In principle, the priority countries  we know them  meetings have already taken place there: Turkey is open, the Middle East. For now there is a ceasefire there, which I think is safe for everyone. Although we are not afraid to meet at any time in any country, except Russia and Belarus," Zelenskyy added.

As reported, on February 26, Zelenskyy said after a meeting between the Ukrainian negotiating group led by Rustem Umerov and Davyd Arakhamia and envoys of U.S. President Donald Trump, Steven Witkoff and Jared Kushner, that readiness for the next trilateral meeting had increased, potentially in early March in Abu Dhabi (UAE). The last round of talks took place in Geneva (Switzerland), with earlier rounds held in Abu Dhabi.

On March 2, Zelenskyy said the trilateral meeting between Ukraine, the U.S. and Russia had been tentatively planned for March 5 and 6 in Abu Dhabi, but due to hostilities Ukraine could not confirm the location, although the meeting had not been cancelled.

On March 5, a source close to the negotiating delegation told Interfax-Ukraine that the next meeting within the trilateral format had been postponed indefinitely.

On April 1, Zelenskyy, Witkoff and Kushner held a call and agreed to remain in constant contact to strengthen the document on security guarantees between Ukraine and the United States. Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for efforts aimed at achieving a just peace and stressed that continued contact could pave the way for a reliable end to the war.
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UNESCO's Executive Board on April 22 adopted a decision initiated by Ukraine titled "+" and Ukraine's Foreign Ministry welcomed the move, saying it sends an important signal of unity among the organization's member states.

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine welcomes the adoption on April 22 by UNESCO's Executive Board, at its 224th session, of the decision initiated by Ukraine, '40 years of the Chornobyl disaster: commemoration and lessons learned,'" the ministry said in a comment posted on its website on Wednesday.

The ministry said Ukraine continues to work on advancing the Chornobyl dossier in furtherance of UN General Assembly Resolution 80/111 of December 10, 2025, reaffirming the importance of maintaining priority attention at the global level to the consequences of the Chornobyl tragedy.

"With the adopted decision, UNESCO member states affirmed the special importance of the lessons of the Chornobyl disaster for all areas of UNESCO's mandate: cultural and natural heritage, education, science, communication and information, as well as for preserving humanity's memory and strengthening international cooperation to prevent and minimize the consequences of similar catastrophes. In addition, the decision specifically emphasizes the importance of using the lessons of Chornobyl to shape modern approaches to preparedness, resilience and response to global challenges," the ministry said.

The Foreign Ministry expressed gratitude to each of the UNESCO Executive Board member states that supported the decision.

"We are especially grateful to the co-authors of the draft: Albania, Argentina, Chile, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Mauritania, Monaco, Panama, Poland, Estonia, Lithuania, Romania, Moldova, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ecuador, Afghanistan and Tunisia," it said.

The comment again stressed that the 40th anniversary of the Chornobyl disaster is important not only for Ukraine but for the entire international community.

"This tragedy had a significant impact on cultural heritage, causing the loss of tangible and intangible traditions, as well as documentary heritage in the affected territories. Evidence of the global recognition of this heritage was the inclusion of documents related to Chornobyl in the International Register of the Memory of the World Programme," the ministry said.

"Today's decision sends an important signal of the unity of UNESCO member states and their shared responsibility for preserving historical memory, strengthening international cooperation and preventing similar tragedies in the future. Ukraine sees it as a contribution to shaping a safer and more resilient world," the ministry said.
Canada to allocate about UAH 92 mln for Ukraine's cyber defense by end of 2026

Canada plans to allocate about UAH 92 million by the end of 2026 to strengthen Ukraine's cybersecurity, according to a statement by the Ministry of Digital Transformation.

According to the ministry's statement on Wednesday, within the framework of the Tallinn Mechanism, Ukraine has completed the first five projects worth more than UAH 55 million funded by the Canadian government.

In particular, these projects helped improve authentication security for the Chornobyl nuclear power plant, strengthen analytics and cyber defense for the staff of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council (NSDC), protect wireless networks at the Cabinet of Ministers Secretariat, modernize the cybersecurity infrastructure of the State Judicial Administration, and automate cyber defense management at the State Border Guard Service.

"According to the Microsoft Digital Defense Report 2025, Ukraine ranks fifth in the world and third in Europe by number of cyberattacks, so in response we are adopting systemic solutions," Deputy Minister of Digital Transformation for Cybersecurity and Cloud Technologies Vitaliy Balashov said in the statement.

As reported, Finland will also allocate EUR 1 million by the end of 2026 to strengthen the cyber resilience of Ukraine's civilian and critical infrastructure within the Tallinn Mechanism.

The Tallinn Mechanism was established in December 2023 to coordinate international support for Ukraine's cybersecurity. It includes 14 countries: the United Kingdom, Denmark, Estonia, Italy, Canada, the Netherlands, Germany, Norway, Poland, the United States, Finland, France, Sweden and the Czech Republic. The European Union, NATO and the World Bank participate as official observers. Finland joined the mechanism in October 2025.
Trump says the US will extend its ceasefire with Iran at Pakistan's request
Acting only hours before expiration of a two-week ceasefire in his war of aggression against Iran, US President Donald Trump announced an extension of the pause in the war for an indefinite period of time.

His statement on social media reads:

Based on the fact that the Government of Iran is seriously fractured, not unexpectedly so and, upon the request of Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, of Pakistan, we have been asked to hold our Attack on the Country of Iran until such time as their leaders and representatives can come up with a unified proposal. I have therefore directed our Military to continue the Blockade and, in all other respects, remain ready and able, and will therefore extend the Ceasefire until such time as their proposal is submitted, and discussions are concluded, one way or the other.

While Trump claimed that the extension was to allow time for negotiations, Iranian officials warned that the pause might merely be a screen for a second US attempt to decapitate the regime, following on the February 28 strikes that killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and dozens of top aides and family members.

The decision came as an abrupt reversal by the White House. Trump had been posting declarations on social media all day Tuesday claiming that there would be no extension of the ceasefire, that US bombing of Iran would resume as early as Tuesday night, and that the US military is raring to go.

The extension of the ceasefire is to be accompanied by a continued US naval blockade on shipping to or from Iran, enforced in complete defiance of international law. In the latest act of piracy, US Marines seized control of an Iranian oil tanker in international waters off southeast Asia Tuesday.

Oil tankers and cargo ships line up in the Strait of Hormuz as seen from Khor Fakkan, United Arab Emirates, Wednesday, March 11, 2026. [AP Photo/Altaf Qadri]

In declaring that the ceasefire would continue until such time as their proposal is submitted, and discussions are concluded, one way or the other, Trump was recalling the genocidal language of statements leading up to the ceasefire, when he threatened to bomb every bridge and power plant in Iran, and even to destroy Iran as a civilization.

US Vice President JD Vance had been set to travel to Pakistan Tuesday to resume talks with Iran that broke off after only one day, when Iran rebuffed demands that amounted to a complete surrender on all issues and the transformation of Iran into a US semi-colony. This included direct US control of Irans nuclear fuel stockpile, which was largely buried by the previous US-Israeli bombing campaign last summer.

Iranian officials made it clear, however, that they were not prepared to resume the talks in Pakistan until the US halted its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

Trumps claim that he extended the ceasefire unilaterally at the request of Pakistan is an obvious lie, seeking to cover up both possible preparations for another full-fledged air strike on the Iranian leadershipas Tehran warnedand the need to rebuild the stockpile of advanced US weaponry.

According to a report by CNN Tuesday:

The US military has significantly depleted its stockpile of key missiles during the war with Iran and created a near-term risk of running out of ammunition in a future conflict should one arise in the next few years, according to experts and three people familiar with recent internal Defense Department stockpile assessments.

CNN referenced an analysis by the Center for Strategic and International Studies that provided figures for a range of weapons: 45 percent of precision strike missiles, at least 50 percent of THAAD missiles, which intercept ballistic missiles, nearly 50 percent of Patriot air defense interceptor missiles, 30 percent of Tomahawk missiles and 20 percent of SM-3, SM-6 and Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles.

While sufficient supplies remain to resume the one-sided war against Iran, according to CNN,

the number of critical munitions remaining in US stockpiles is no longer sufficient to confront a near-peer adversary, like China, and it will likely take years before the inventory of those weapons returns to pre-war levels, the CSIS analysis concludes.

The Pentagon has sent out urgent requests to US weapons manufacturers, but refilling the stockpiles for a major war could take several years. Unnamed Pentagon and military officials as well as Democrats with close connections to the military-intelligence apparatus, such as Senator Elissa Slotkin, a former CIA agent and Pentagon official, have suggested that the war in Iran is degrading the US ability to fight China, which all factions in the US ruling elite regard as the main threat to US global domination.

The Iranians do have the ability to make a lot of Shahed drones, ballistic missiles, medium range, short range and theyve got a huge stockpile, Arizona Democratic Senator Mark Kelly said last month. So at some point  this becomes a math problem and how can we resupply air defense munitions. Where are they going to come from?

Democratic Party commentary has shifted sharply, dropping criticism of Trumps open threats to commit war crimes, and instead warning that the main danger is that he will abandon the war too quickly, claiming victory when he has failed to accomplish the goals of US imperialism.

Speaking on the ABC program This Week, Democratic Representative Ro Khanna said:

The enriched uranium is still there. We have a more hardline regime there. Khamenei Jr. actually wants to develop nuclear weapons. Does anyone believe that we actually have more leverage over the Strait of Hormuz? We have less. China has more influence in Iran.

Opinion polls show that nearly two-thirds of the American people oppose the war against Iran and a staggering 59 percent regard Trump as unreliable in terms of the potential use of nuclear weapons.
The German government on Monday summoned Russias ambassador in Berlin, raising the confrontation with Moscow to a new level. The Foreign Ministry justified the step by alleging direct threats by Russia against targets in Germany aimed at weakening our support for Ukraine. Berlins response, it declared, was clear: Germany would not be intimidated.

According to reports, the Russian Ministry of Defense last week published addresses of arms companies based in Germany. This was a reaction to the German governments announcement that it would supply new drones and long-range weapons to Ukraine, or have them produced there in cooperation with German arms manufacturers.

In other words: the German government is responding to Russian warnings that, in the event of further Ukrainian attacks on Russian territory driven by Germany, Moscow might target military installations in Germanyand it is responding with further escalation. The summoning of the Russian ambassador is aimed at further shattering already severely damaged relations and preparing the transition to an open military confrontation.

Summoning an ambassador is among the most confrontational actions in diplomacy. In a situation in which Germany already plays a central role in the NATO proxy war against Russia in Ukraine, it constitutes a political signal of considerable significance. It does not stand for dialogue, but for its systematic termination. The summoning is a harbinger of further stepsup to and including the complete severing of diplomatic relations.

Germany's Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul speaks with the media in Luxembourg, April 21, 2026. [AP Photo/Virginia Mayo]

It must be stated clearly: Nearly 85 years after the invasion of the Soviet Union by the Nazi regime, Germany is once again de facto at war with Russia. This development has nothing to do with the defense of freedom and democracy against a Russian aggressor, as official propaganda would have it. It is the result of a long-term policy pursued by the ruling class, which is asserting its imperialist interests with increasing aggressiveness.

At the beginning of 2014, Berlin, in close alliance with the United States, organized a coup in Kyiv and, relying on fascist forces, brought a pro-Western regime to power. This regime intensified the confrontation with Russia and, in close coordination with NATO, effectively provoked the Russian invasion in February 2022. Since then, the NATO powers have continuously fueled the war against Russia in Ukraine and made clear that they are not seeking a diplomatic solution, but rather the military capitulation of Moscow.

The visit of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to Berlin a few days ago marked another decisive step in this escalation. The signed strategic partnership institutionalizes military cooperation at a new level. It includes concrete armament projects aimed at enabling Ukraine to carry out long-range strikes deep into Russian territory. At the same time, German corporations and state bodies are securing influence over key sectors of the Ukrainian economy, particularly its extensive raw material resources.

Ukraine thus functions as a geostrategic bridgehead of German imperialism. Similar to Israel in the Middle East, it serves as an outpost for the enforcement of imperialist interests across an entire regionfrom Eastern Europe far into the Eurasian landmass. This orientation is part of a broader drive to the East, harking back to the historical expansionist ambitions of German imperialism in the 20th century, which culminated in the greatest crimes in human history.

How openly this policy is now being articulated was demonstrated in a speech by Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul on April 17 at the handover ceremony of Panzergrenadier Brigade 41 and the return roll call of the NATO mission in Lithuania. Wadephul denounced Russia as a threat which is inflicting terror on the people of Ukraine. From this he derived the necessity of massively expanding the military strength of Europe, with Germany taking the lead, increasing readiness and permanently strengthening the presence on NATOs eastern flank. Germany is assuming responsibility for the defense of Europea formulation that in this context means nothing other than preparation for a great European war against Russia.

Particularly telling is the deployment and expansion of German troops in Lithuania. The 41st Panzergrenadier Brigade and another combat brigadetotaling more than 5,000 troops and armed to the teethcurrently being stationed there are not a defensive measure, but part of an offensive military strategy aimed at a direct confrontation with Russia.

At the same time, the European powers are advancing their nuclear capacities and planning. Initiatives by French President Emmanuel Macron for a stronger European nuclear deterrence are not only being discussed, but actively pursued. On Monday, Macron and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, at a meeting in Gdansk, spoke in favor of joint exercises and closer cooperation in the field of nuclear deployment strategies.

Our cooperation, whether in the nuclear field or in joint maneuvers  is a cooperation that knows no limits, said Tusk. Macron declared that in the coming months measures would be taken to enable concrete progress, particularly in the area of nuclear deterrence. There could be deployments of French combat aircraft carrying nuclear warheads in Poland.

These developments enjoy broad support in Berlin. Chancellor Friedrich Merz has signaled that Germany is prepared to participate in corresponding European nuclear initiatives. At the same time, voices are growing in political and military circles openly calling for the acquisition of Germanys own nuclear capabilities. This crosses a threshold that dramatically increases the danger of a nuclear conflict.

The growing tensions among the European powers themselves do not alter this fundamental trajectory. On the contrary, they intensify the pressure to rearm militarily and to position themselves in the struggle over spheres of influence and resources. The war in Ukraine and the escalation against Russia are central arenas of this global redivision.

Against this background, the stance of the German government toward the US-Israeli war against Iran is also a warning. When Chancellor Merz defended the threats of annihilation issued by US President Donald Trump as legitimate negotiation tactics, he made clear that the ruling class is prepared to supportand itself again employthe most extreme forms of military violence. Criticism from Berlin is not directed against these barbaric methods, but against the danger that an escalating war in the Middle East could weaken the strategic offensive against Russia.

The consequences of this policy are enormous. An open war against Russia requires the complete militarization of society. Already, democratic rights are being eroded, social spending drastically cut, and the economy oriented toward war production. The reintroduction of conscription aims to recruit hundreds of thousands of young people as cannon fodder. A direct war against the nuclear power Russia would inevitably raise the danger of nuclear escalation, threatening the existence of all humanity.

Workers and young people must face this reality. The ruling class is prepared to plunge the world into catastrophe once again in order to enforce its imperialist interests. This can only be countered through the building of an international socialist anti-war movement. The working class must organize independently, mobilize against militarism and war, and fight for a society based on social needs rather than profit interests.
The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a safety alert to its citizens on April 16, warning them of malicious interrogation and harassment by United States border authorities. The advisory explicitly urged Chinese nationals to avoid traveling through Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

The immediate trigger for this extraordinary diplomatic warning is the recent detention and deportation of approximately 20 Chinese scholars at the Seattle airport. According to the Chinese ministry, these scientists, who were traveling to the US to attend an academic conference, were subjected to unreasonable questioning and denied entry by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), despite holding valid US visas. The precise number of scholars, the date of deportation, and the location and subject of the academic conference they were planning to attend have not been reported.

The advisory issued by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs states:

In light of the repeated incidents at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport involving malicious inspections and harassment targeting Chinese scholars, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Chinese embassies and consulates in the United States remind Chinese citizens planning to travel to the US in the near future to strengthen their awareness of security precautions, avoid entering the country through this airport, and learn the US entry regulations in detail in advance so as to make full preparations. If questioned or inspected by US law enforcement personnel, they should respond calmly and rationally.

This mass deportation is part of a US government witch-hunt against visiting Chinese scientists that has already included the jailing and deportation of at least six researchers, five at the University of Michigan (U-M) and one at Indiana University, and led to the suicide of a U-M scientist. The Trump administration, in collaboration with the Democratic Party, is seeking to whip up anti-Chinese sentiment in preparation for war with China.

Over the past year, the Department of Justice has coordinated with U-M to jail and deport plant biologists Yunqing Jian, Chengxuan Han, Xu Bai, Fengfan Zhang, and Zhiyong Zhang. They were arrested, prosecuted, and deported on unscientific, trumped-up charges of smuggling common nonhazardous research materials.

At Indiana University, Youhuang Xiang was similarly targeted by federal agents in coordination with the university administration, jailed for over four months, and sentenced to time served. His research supervisor, distinguished plant biologist Professor Roger Innes, called the prosecution 100 percent politically motivated. While Xiang was sentenced on April 7, he has not yet been deported and is being held in an ICE detention center near Kokomo, Indiana. This two-week delay follows a five-week delay between Xiangs plea agreement and sentencing, ordered by Chief Judge James R. Sweeney II, a Trump appointee and member of the far-right Federalist Society.

Youhuang Xiang

This campaign has claimed a life. Dr. Danhao Wang, a brilliant 30-year-old postdoctoral researcher at U-M, took his own life on the night of March 19, falling from an upper floor in the atrium of his place of work on the Ann Arbor campus, just hours after he was subjected to interrogation by federal investigators. The Chinese government has called upon US authorities to investigate the suicide of Wang.

After two weeks of silence from the university, the World Socialist Web Site was the first to report the identity of Wang on April 2. The university refuses to comment on its investigation and has issued no statement to the broader U-M community on the death of Wang. Articles by the WSWS calling for an independent investigation led by U-M researchers, students, staff and faculty have been subjected to political censorship on the University of Michigan r/uofm subreddit. While the story has been covered by some national and international media, the New York Times and Washington Post have yet to write about the suicide of Danhao Wang.

U-M President Domenico Grasso boasted of the universitys collaboration with this witch-hunt. A week after the death of Wang, at a March 26 hearing of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, titled, US Universities Under Siege: Foreign Espionage, Stolen Innovation, & the National Security Threat, Grasso testified before right-wing chairman Tim Walberg. He told the committee:

In isolated but serious incidents, a small number of university students and researchers from China have been arrested for unlawful activities.  Once alerted, we acted swiftly and decisivelyworking with federal law enforcement, promptly terminating student and work visas, and severing all ties with those individuals.

Both Republican and Democratic administrations have weaponized immigration, customs and the national security apparatus to disrupt scientific ties with China and terrorize immigrant researchers on campus and at ports of entry. Michigan Democratic Representative Haley Stevens sponsored a bill that would amend the 2022 CHIPS and Science Act to vastly expand the definition of partnership with malign foreign talent programs, exposing researchers to federal scrutiny for routine academic exchanges, shared research data, and even co-authorship of papers.

The scientific research of Danhao Wang is critical to developing the next generation of microprocessors made from a new class of advanced materials known as wurtzite ferroelectric nitrides. His landmark 2025 paper in the journal Nature solved a physical contradiction that had long stumped the scientific community.

Ferroelectric materials are heavily studied because they can maintain an electrical polarization, a collective ordering in the materials lattice structure in which positive and negative charges throughout are offset in a preferred direction, a direction that can be reversed when the material is placed in an electric field. A ferroelectric crystal can thus be engineered to be divided into domains, regions in which the polarization points one way, separated from neighboring regions in which it points another. Where two domains meet with their positive ends facing each other, an intense sheet of positive charge accumulates at the boundary that should, in principle, tear the crystal lattice apart.

Wang and his colleagues showed how this seeming contradiction is resolved. The intense positive charge at the interface pulls mobile electrons out of the surrounding crystal and draws them to the boundary. These electrons do double duty: they neutralize the overwhelming repulsion, stabilizing the structure, and they collect into a two-dimensional sheet, a superhighway for electricity. This channel, theoretically carrying at least 30 times the charge-carrier density of a standard gallium nitride transistor, can be dynamically tuned, moved, and switched on or off.

Gallium nitride is the indispensable material for the Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radars on US Navy warships, the Marine Corps AN/TPS-80 systems, and the Patriot and THAAD missile defense networks. Wangs discovery provided the theoretical architecture for a massive leap in this technology. Furthermore, because ferroelectric nitrides can integrate memory and logic processing within the same material, Wangs research could serve as the physical substrate for neuromorphic edge AI computing, enabling AI processing on local devices rather than the cloud.

The US defense apparatus is desperate to monopolize these capabilities. China currently controls roughly 98 percent of the global production of raw gallium, and has already begun using export restrictions in retaliation against the US tech blockade. The Pentagon, acting through agencies like the Army Research Office (which partially funded Wangs work), is frantic to engineer its way out of this strategic vulnerability.

The ultra-efficient microelectronics made possible by Wangs theoretical breakthroughs must be physically manufactured, etched and assembled. This process rests entirely on the exploitation of a massive, globally interconnected industrial working class. The workers in the massive semiconductor fabrication plants across the globeat TSMC in Taiwan, at Samsung and SK Hynix in South Korea, at Intel and GlobalFoundries in the United States, and at SMIC in Chinaare the ones who turn the theoretical breakthroughs into material reality.

The global semiconductor and high-tech industries rely on a multilayered international labor process: theorists and lab researchers in universities; skilled technicians and assemblers in fabrication plants; logistics workers in ports and airports; and service and maintenance personnel who keep production running.

The political assault on Chinese scientists is an attack on the democratic rights of all immigrants and working people. Deportations, visa revocations and workplace raids are signals that any worker can be treated as disposable when corporate and military imperatives demand it.

The only social force capable of defending scientists, halting the xenophobic witch-hunt, and preventing a global conflagration is the international working class. The workers who build the worlds microelectronics must unite with the scientists who design them.

We call on semiconductor workers, technologists and students to build rank-and-file committees independent of the corporate-controlled trade union bureaucracy, to establish lines of communication across national borders. The capitalist military-industrial complex must be dismantled and the giant tech monopolies must be expropriated and placed under the democratic control of the working class. The discoveries of materials science must be liberated from the grip of imperialism. Only the socialist transformation of society can ensure that the genius of researchers like Danhao Wang serves the flourishing of humanity, rather than its destruction.
Amid the escalating US-driven wars in the Middle East and Ukraine, Japans far-right government has taken another significant step toward full industrial re-militarisation.

On Tuesday, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announced that her government will permit the countrys arms manufacturers to sell lethal weapons abroad. This effectively marks a further major reversal of what is left of Japans post-World War II pacifist constitution.

Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi attends a plenary session of the G20 leaders' summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025. [AP Photo/Misper Apawu,Pool]

The change allows Japanese companies to sell arms, initially to 17 countries with which Japan has signed military equipment and technology transfer agreements. These include the United States, United Kingdom, Australia and several Southeast Asian nations with whom Tokyo is expanding military ties.

Until now, Japanese companies were allowed to export military equipment under five non-lethal categories: rescue, transport, warning, surveillance and minesweeping. With the new guidelines, exports of all types of military weaponry will be permitted.

According to Japans Defense Ministry, such exports to countries in active combat will not be allowed, but there may be exceptions if the Japanese government determines there are national security reasons to do so.

This shift has been under discussion in ruling and parliamentary circles for some timereflecting nervousness about igniting popular opposition to war preparationsbut it has been brought forward under conditions of a plunge into war globally, spearheaded by the Trump administration.

A global remilitarisation is underway. Japans government is rushing to match the huge increases in military spending and other war preparations being made, not just by Donald Trumps administrationbacked by the Democratsbut by every European and other imperialist power.

Japans weapons exports ban was first implemented in 1967 and broadened in 1976 to formally align with Article 9 of Japans 1947 constitution, drafted under US occupation, which makes it illegal for Japan to maintain a military or wage war abroad. The export ban was introduced as governments faced widespread anti-war opposition among workers and youth, though exceptions existed for things such as technology transfers to the US.

Takaichis announcement, made via a tweet on X, accelerates a turn to rearmament that was taken up by Prime Minister Shinzo Abes government in 2014 when it allowed sales of non-lethal equipment.

In 2023, Fumio Kishidas government went further, permitting finished products to be sent to countries that held the items license. That paved the way for shipping Patriot missiles to the US to replenish Washingtons supply depleted by the arming of Ukraine in the US/NATO-instigated war against Russia, thus making Japan an indirect supplier of arms to Kiev.

In a bid to placate domestic and international apprehension, Takaichi wrote yesterday: There will be no change whatsoever to Japans postwar path as a pacifist nation for over 80 years, nor to its fundamental principles.

Yet her claim flies in the face of the record.

The ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its likewise far-right, pro-war coalition partner, Nippon Ishin no Kai, view Japans export restrictions as an impediment to the expansion of Japans military industry and capabilities, first of all for preparing for a US-led war against China.

The Takaichi governments move remains, for now, within the framework of Japans alliance with Washington since Tokyos defeat in World War II. But it also signals an accelerating drive to re-establish a full military-industrial capacity to assert the interests of Japanese imperialism. Reporting on the shift, the Washington Post noted: It also reflects Tokyos anxieties over the shifting geopolitical landscape and the reliability of the US as a security ally.

Most immediately, Takaichis announcement is unmistakably part of her governments deliberate ratcheting up of tensions with China. Beijings foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun accused Tokyo of accelerating toward remilitarisation. Guo stated: The international community, including China, will remain highly vigilant and firmly oppose any moves toward Japans new militarism.

Last November, soon after taking office, Takaichi declared that Japan would join any US war against China over Taiwan, which Beijing regards as part of China. She told the Japanese parliament that a Chinese attack on Taiwan, such as a naval blockade, could trigger the deployment of the Self-Defense Forces, the official name of Japans military.

Takaichi also sped up plans for Japan to allocate 2 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP) to military spending. She initiated an overhaul of Japans national security and defense strategies by the end of the year. She is also seeking amendments to the constitution, potentially including the Article 9 pacifist clause.

In recent years, Japanese governments have stepped up military partnerships with others that are re-arming. For example, Japan, Italy and the UK are jointly developing a next-generation fighter jet.

This month, Japan formally signed a deal for Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to sell a fleet of 11 upgraded Mogami-class stealth frigates to Australia, at an estimated price of $A15 billion to $20 billion over the next decade. Starting with about $10 billion for the first three warships, this marks Japans largest post-war arms export so far.

Other Japanese military giants expected to profit from the lifting of the export ban include Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Mitsubishi Electric, IHI Corporation, NEC Corporation and Toshiba. The Japan aerospace and military market is already rapidly growing, valued at approximately 11 trillion yen (about $US71.26 billion) for 2026. The government previously committed to a total of 43 trillion yen (about $US275 billion) in military-related spending between 2023 and 2027.

Takaichi met with US President Donald Trump in Washington in March where the two discussed Tokyos involvement in the criminal US-Israeli war against Iran. While Takaichis government has avoided making a formal statement, Tokyo has backed the war from the start.

There are other signs that the US and Japan are preparing to expand the Gulf war into an even larger conflict, above all aimed at China. This includes the further joint militarisation of Japanese islands in the East China Sea and the Pacific, which has been underway since Shinzo Abe was prime minister from 2012 to 2020.

Missiles, radar installations and garrisons have been established on Ryukyu islands, including Miyako, Ishigaki, Amami and Yonaguni, the last of which is just 110 km east of Taiwan.

On March 31, for the first time, the Japanese military deployed long-range missiles within the country capable of striking China and North Korea. It plans to soon extend the deployments to islands in the southern Ryukyu chain, which includes Okinawa, giving Japan the capability of firing deep into Chinese territory.

Just as the US and NATO goaded Russia into the conflict in Ukraine, Washington and Tokyo have been at the forefront of provoking Beijing over Taiwan, which China regards as a renegade province to be reunited with the mainland by force if it were to declare independence.

Beijing is conscious that an independent Taiwan would become a staging ground for US military actions against China, while setting a dangerous precedent for the further occupation of Chinese territory, as Japan did in the 1930s.

Japan is not simply acting as a loyal junior ally to US imperialism. It is using the Gulf crisis to reassert itself as an imperialist power capable of projecting military power abroad again in an attempt to offset its economic crisis and decline.

That also means securing greater access to energy resources, as Tokyo sought to do in the lead-up to World War II. Today, Japan remains exposed on this front. It receives nearly 95 percent of its oil from the Middle East.

Tokyos involvement in any war could spark mass anti-war protests like those that erupted in 2015 against the passage of legislation allowing Japan to go to war overseas to fight alongside an ally. Abe, the prime minister in 2015, specifically referred to the blockading of the Strait of Hormuz as an example of such a situation.

The Japanese ruling class is terrified that its pro-war agenda will spark opposition from the working class. That is why the Takaichi government is also planning to clamp down on dissent by pursuing a so-called anti-espionage bill and boosts to Tokyos intelligence agencies.

Other changes being pursued include a state-of-emergency clause in the event of foreign invasion or domestic rebellion, and a proposal to allow the military to be deployed on the streets to maintain public order.

For workers, the war on Iran is exacerbating a significant social crisis, with fuel prices soaring. Workers have suffered years of stagnant or declining real wages and dramatic increases in prices on major food items like rice. Massive increases in military spending will mean deeper cuts to social services, intensifying political discontent.
China's top legislator meets Mozambican president

Xinhua) 10:14, April 22, 2026

Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, meets with President of the Republic of Mozambique Daniel Francisco Chapo in Beijing, capital of China, April 21, 2026. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing)

BEIJING, April 21 (Xinhua) -- Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, met with President of the Republic of Mozambique Daniel Francisco Chapo in Beijing on Tuesday.

Zhao said China is willing to work with Mozambique, under the guidance of the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, to carry forward traditional friendship, deepen political mutual trust, expand mutually beneficial cooperation, enhance people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and fully implement the outcomes of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.

China stands ready to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with Mozambique between legislative bodies, share experience in areas such as reform and development, rule of law construction and rural revitalization, and provide impetus for the development of their respective countries, Zhao added.

Chapo said Mozambique firmly adheres to the one-China principle, actively supports the four major global initiatives proposed by China, and is willing to strengthen practical cooperation with China, promote exchanges between the two countries' legislative bodies and promote the development of bilateral relations.

Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, meets with President of the Republic of Mozambique Daniel Francisco Chapo in Beijing, capital of China, April 21, 2026. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Virginia voters approved a constitutional amendment Tuesday in a special election that will redraw the states congressional map, potentially shifting the states delegation from 6-5 in favor of the Democratic Party to 10-1 Democratic, ahead of Novembers midterm elections. The passage of the measurewhich has survived months of legal warfare, intense lobbying and bipartisan recriminationmarks a significant escalation in the two parties mutual gerrymandering arms race.

As of this writing, the margin of victory for the yes vote is 51.4 percent to 48.6 percent for no, with about 3 million votes counted. Numerous publications, including the New York Times and NBC, have called the vote in favor of redistricting, while the Associated Press has yet to pronounce the projected results.

The victory is well within the 3 percent margin which can trigger a recount. Additionally, the amendment already faces numerous court challenges which the state supreme court has yet to hear.

The amendment temporarily transfers congressional redistricting authority from Virginias bipartisan redistricting commission to the Democratic-controlled General Assembly, allowing a new congressional map signed by Governor Abigail Spanberger to govern elections through 2030, after which authority reverts to the commission.

Currently, Democrats hold 6 of Virginias 11 congressional seats. Under the new map, 10 districts are projected to lean Democratic, with the shift anchored largely in the densely populated Washington D.C. suburbs of Northern Virginia, as well as the Richmond and Hampton Roads areas in the Southeast.

The referendum was conceived as a response to Republican-led efforts in the national gerrymandering war. Trump publicly called on red states to redraw congressional maps mid-decade to lock in Republican advantages and retain control of Congresswhere Republicans currently hold razor-thin majorities of 219212 in the House and 5347 in the Senate. Republican officials in Texas, Ohio, Tennessee and elsewhere moved to do exactly that. California Democrats responded first, producing five new Democratic House seats through aggressive redistricting approved in a statewide vote last November. Virginia now follows suit.

Republican opposition has been fierceand not without hypocrisy. There were repeated legal challenges: A circuit court judge blocked the amendment in January, the Virginia Supreme Court reversed that ruling and allowed the election to proceed in March, pledging to take up further Republican lawsuits after the vote. On the eve of the election, Republicans filed yet another legal challenge targeting the states voter ID rules.

The no campaign also ran into controversy in March, when a Republican-aligned dark money group sent mailers to black Virginia voters featuring Klan imagery, falsely invoking the history of black disenfranchisement to argue that the redistricting referendum was itself a form of voter suppression. The claim was doubly cynical given that it was the Virginia Republican Party that pursued an illegal redistricting scheme in 2011 packing black voters into majority-minority districtsa map the Supreme Court later struck down as an unconstitutional racial gerrymander.

Democrat Abigail Spanberger speaks on stage after she was declared the winner of the Virginia governor's race during an election night watch party Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, in Richmond, Virginia. [AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough]

The amendments proponents, including Governor Abigail Spanberger and former President Barack Obama, have framed the vote as a defense of democracy against Republican power grabs. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries called redistricting the key to restoring democracy and retaking the House. Such language rings hollow from a party whose senators and congressmen have funded Trumps war machine and bankrolled the ICE apparatus now terrorizing communities across the country.

Democrats and Republicans alike have erected virtually insurmountable legal barriers against third parties and independent left-wing candidates, ensuring that the two major capitalist parties enjoy an effective political monopoly.

Republicans have sought to exploit the referendum by painting Spanberger as a left-wing radical. The charge is absurd. Spanberger is a former CIA officer, one of more than a dozen representatives from a military-intelligence background (identified as the CIA Democrats by the World Socialist Web Site) first elected to Congress in 2018. She is a right-wing politician, who campaigned on a deliberately thin platform of affordability and bipartisan governance, in Congress and now as governor.

Republicans have made much of Spanbergers decision in February to terminate state-level 287(g) agreements with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The gesture left Virginias local law enforcement agencies free to maintain their own ICE partnerships, with Spanberger resisting legislation that would have closed that loophole.

Her record on the economy has exposed even her modest affordability pretenses. Spanberger moved to protect a projected $2 billion annual sales tax exemption for data centersgutting legislation passed by state Democrats to end the giveawayarguing that doing so would violate the states promises to corporate investors. Virginia hosts the largest data center market in the world, accounting for 35 percent of all known hyperscale data centers worldwide.

The industrys explosive growth has driven residential electricity bills up by $1116 per month as of January 1, 2026, caused by an 833 percent surge in wholesale electricity capacity prices driven by data center power demand in Northern Virginia.

Spanberger has also gutted a collective bargaining bill passed by the General Assembly for state employees, returning it with amendments that delay its effective date until 2030the year she leaves officerendering it functionally inoperative for her entire term. Her signature affordability initiative is a $3.5 million eviction prevention program amounting to roughly $25 per recipient, in a state with the highest eviction rate in the country.

Five months into her term, Spanbergers approval rating stands at 47 percentwith 46 percent disapprovingthe lowest early-term rating of any Virginia governor since at least 1993, 13 percentage points below the historical average. This is a sharp decline from last Novembers election, when the Democrats won 57 percent of the vote.
The perpetrator of a school shooting in Turkey loading his shotgun, Siverek, Sanlurfa, April 14, 2026.

Turkiye was shaken last week by two successive school shootings, in Sanlurfa and Kahramanmaras, that left 12 people dead, including the armed attackers, and dozens injured.

These unprecedented attacks cannot be explained as isolated eruptions of individual pathology. They are a tragic product of the social crisis rooted in the capitalist system, and of the normalization of widespread violence and mass death.

On Tuesday, April 14, a former student armed with a pump-action shotgun opened fire at Ahmet Koyuncu Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School in the Siverek district of Sanlurfa, injuring 16 people before taking his own life.

According to BBC Turkish, the school principal had warned both the prosecutors office and national education authorities of the possibility that a former student could carry out an attack. Following the shooting, four officials from the District Police Department and the District National Education Directorate were reportedly suspended as part of the investigation.

The following day, a second attack at Ayser Calk Middle School in Kahramanmaras turned into a massacre. A 14-year-old student opened fire with guns taken from his father, a police officer, killing one teacher and ten students, including himself. Dozens of students were reportedly injured, five of them admitted to intensive care. The weapons reportedly included five guns and seven magazines.

After the attack, it emerged that the 14-year-old attacker had set his WhatsApp profile picture to an image of Elliot Rodger, who killed six people in California in May 2014. Before carrying out the attack, Rodger had uploaded a revenge video to YouTube and written a lengthy manifesto. His family had alerted police before the massacre. In Kahramanmaras, however, the sequence of events was different.

According to media reports, the 14-year-old attacker, who was known to have psychological problems, had practiced shooting the previous day at a police firing range with his father. His father, a police inspector, was arrested after the attack, while a police officer at the range was suspended.

The response of President Recep Tayyip Erdogans government was to launch token investigations, impose publication bans and expand police measures. An official statement dated April 17 said access to 1,866 URLs had been blocked, 411 people had been detained and 111 Telegram channels had been shut down. In addition, two-person police teams were deployed outside elementary, middle and high schools across the country.

In his condolence statement, Erdogan sought to deflect criticism of his government, urging that the attack should not be used as fodder for political polemics and declaring, There is no room for politics in grief.

The Republican Peoples Partys (CHP) call for military measures, like the governments police measures, is completely bankrupt and ignores the deep-rooted social causes of the attacks. CHP spokesperson and Istanbul MP Zeynel Emre stated, Due to the AKPs failed policies, violence has reached our schools, which are the cradles of education. Our partys proposal to deploy 65,000 specialist sergeants as security personnel in schools must be implemented immediately.

CHP leader Ozgur Ozel, meanwhile, said, No one should look to our statements to cover up their own mistakes. They should take responsibility for their own actions and apologize to the people.

Following the attacks, several teachers unions called work stoppages across Turkiye on April 1617 and organized protests outside the Ministry of National Education and local education directorates.

On Thursday, police blocked a march by teachers from various cities across Turkiye to Ankara. The teachers, who were demanding the resignation of the Minister of National Education, held a sit-in late into the night.

Zulkuf Gunes, general secretary of the Egitim-Sen union, said, The lack of a future and the hopelessness imposed on these children, the fact that they go to bed hungry due to malnutrition and poverty, and that they are left to face insecurity and death instead of being in a safe educational environment is unacceptable.

The debate in the mainstream media, however, has focused on violent content in video games and television series, family and psychological problems, and school security. Such discussions serve to obscure the fact that an entire socioeconomic and political system has collapsed.

According to an Anadolu Agency report based on Ministry of Justice data, the annual number of juveniles pushed into crime has risen from around 150,000 a decade ago to more than 180,000, an increase of approximately 20 percent. In 2025, the most common offenses involving juveniles pushed into crime were intentional assault, theft, insult, threats and property damage.

In the latest survey conducted by GUNDEMAR Research between January 21 and 24, 2026, involving 2,255 participants across 60 provinces, respondents were asked, To what extent do you agree with the view that young people in Turkiye look to the future with hope? Some 77 percent said they disagreed, while only 10 percent said they believed young people look to the future with hope. Asked what problem the rising sense of hopelessness among young people would most likely lead to in the future, 59 percent answered, an increase in crime and violence.

Both attacks occurred in provinces devastated by the 2023 earthquake, which caused a massive number of preventable deaths and widespread social trauma. While more than 53,000 people officially died in Turkiye, no high-ranking official has been held accountable in court.

The spread of violence and crime among children is a social and global issue rooted in the capitalist system. Under conditions of massive social inequality, the younger generation, deprived of any hope of securing a decent job or a peaceful future, is growing up amid mass death caused by imperialist aggression, genocide and the pandemic.

Children born in Turkiye in 2011, now 15 years old, have lived through the wars in Libya, Syria and Ukraine, the genocide in Gaza, and now the war against Iran. Just a few weeks ago, they witnessed the leader of an imperialist power, the United States, threaten to destroy Iran, an oppressed nation with an ancient civilization, while facing no sanctions and continuing to be treated with respect by governments around the world, including Turkiye.

Social resources that should be used to ensure a decent future for children are instead being poured into war and military buildup, while the ever-rising costs are covered through cuts to social spending, including public education and healthcare.

This social crisis, a global phenomenon, finds one of its sharpest expressions in the United States, where children and educators face one of the highest rates of school shootings in the world. In 2022, 2023, and 2024, there were a total of 80, 82, and 83 school shootings, respectively.

These attacks are unfolding amid unprecedented social inequality, rampant police violence and the deepening collapse of American society after decades of war. In the United States, the primary source of imperialist violence, the Trump administration is carrying out an unconstitutional witch hunt against immigrants, while its agents kill people on US soil with impunity.

The contradictions of the capitalist system, which give rise to imperialist war, oppression and violence, also lay the basis for the social revolution that can make possible the elimination of these conditions.

Since October 2023, masses of youth and workers across the globe, from the United States to Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia, have defied state repression and mobilized against the genocide in Gaza. In the US, millions participated in three No Kings protests against the Trump administration in less than a year. In Kenya, Morocco, Madagascar, Indonesia and Nepal, Generation Z protests have shaken governments.

In Turkiye as well, large numbers of students have joined the struggle against growing attacks on democratic rights, including the right to vote and to stand for election, and against rising social inequality. This was reflected in the protests against against the March 2025 arrest of Ekrem Imamoglu, the mayor of Istanbul and the CHPs presidential candidate.

The critical issue is to explain to young people that the struggle for their own future is a struggle for socialism, and to orient them to the international working class, the only social force capable of carrying this fight forward. Those who agree with this perspective should join the Sosyalist Esitlik Partisi  Dorduncu Enternasyonal and its youth movement, the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE).
Remains of 12 Chinese martyrs in Korean War returned to homeland from ROK

Xinhua) 11:12, April 22, 2026

Honor guards escort coffins containing the remains of the Chinese People's Volunteers martyrs at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 22, 2026. The remains of 12 Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs who lost their lives during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953) were returned to China from the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Wednesday. A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the fallen soldiers and 146 of their personal effects landed at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province. After it entered China's airspace, the Y-20B transport aircraft was escorted by four J-20 fighter jets. (Xinhua/Li Gang)

SHENYANG, April 22 (Xinhua) -- The remains of 12 Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs who lost their lives during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953) were returned to China from the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Wednesday.

A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the fallen soldiers and 146 of their personal effects landed at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province.

After entering China's airspace, the Y-20B transport aircraft was escorted by four J-20 fighter jets. Upon landing at the airport, it was given a water salute in tribute to the fallen heroes.

As honor guards carried the caskets off the plane, a remembrance ceremony was held at the airport, attended by more than 1,800 people, including representatives from the military, war veterans, and relatives of CPV martyrs.

The caskets were draped with the five-starred red flag, and participants bowed three times in solemn silence to the martyrs' remains.

The remains will be laid to rest in a martyrs' cemetery in Shenyang on Thursday.

More than 70 years ago, the CPV crossed the Yalu River and fought alongside the army and civilians of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) against the ROK army and U.S.-led UN forces. China sent 2.9 million CPV soldiers to assist the DPRK during the war, of whom more than 360,000 were killed or injured. Most of the fallen CPV soldiers were buried on the Korean Peninsula.

According to an agreement between China and the ROK signed in late 2013, the two sides consult every year on the handover of remains of Chinese soldiers found in the ROK.

Since 2014, China and the ROK have completed 13 consecutive handovers involving the remains of 1,023 CPV martyrs. Wednesday's mission also marks the first time the Y-20B has been deployed for repatriation duties.

Among the representatives who attended the ceremony at the airport were teachers and students from Pui Kiu Middle School in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The school was among the first in Hong Kong to raise the five-starred red flag after the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949. It has also organized five patriotic education trips to Shenyang to take part in the commemorative event. During the war, more than 20 students from the school signed up for recruitment and went to the battlefield.

"The heroic deeds of our predecessors are worthy of respect," said Cheung Hoi Ching, a third-year junior high school student from the school. "I want to learn from their devotion and carry forward their love and loyalty to the motherland."

After the ceremony, a convoy of 70 police motorcycles escorted the procession from the airport to the cemetery, a distance of roughly 30 km. Thousands of people stood solemnly along the route, their eyes following the fleet as it passed.

Billboards and LED screens along the roads displayed slogans welcoming the return of the remains of CPV martyrs. As the vehicles passed the entrance to the cemetery, Nan Qixiang, a veteran volunteer soldier, sounded a military bugle in salute to welcome his comrades home. His bugle calls were echoed by the melodies of brass trumpets and harmonicas.

"Today I did not sound the charge, but the victory call," said Nan, who served as a bugler on the battlefield during the war. "Brothers, I'm here to take you home."

In recent years, China has intensified efforts to identify the remains of CPV martyrs, including the creation of a DNA database for martyrs and their relatives, offering solid technical and data support to help more families find their missing loved ones.

The Ministry of Veterans Affairs has been seeking the relatives of the martyrs and analyzing their belongings. As of October 2025, the identities of 36 martyrs had been successfully confirmed and their relatives have been found, according to the ministry.

A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the fallen soldiers, escorted by four J-20 fighter jets, is pictured in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 22, 2026. The remains of 12 Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs who lost their lives during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953) were returned to China from the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Wednesday. A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the fallen soldiers and 146 of their personal effects landed at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province. After it entered China's airspace, the Y-20B transport aircraft was escorted by four J-20 fighter jets. (Xinhua/Li Gang)

A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the fallen soldiers, escorted by four J-20 fighter jets, is pictured in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 22, 2026. The remains of 12 Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs who lost their lives during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953) were returned to China from the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Wednesday. A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the fallen soldiers and 146 of their personal effects landed at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province. After it entered China's airspace, the Y-20B transport aircraft was escorted by four J-20 fighter jets. (Xinhua/Li Gang)

Coffins containing the remains of the Chinese People's Volunteers martyrs, escorted by honor guards, are about to be loaded onto vehicles at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 22, 2026. The remains of 12 Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs who lost their lives during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953) were returned to China from the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Wednesday. A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the fallen soldiers and 146 of their personal effects landed at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province. After it entered China's airspace, the Y-20B transport aircraft was escorted by four J-20 fighter jets. (Xinhua/Li Gang)

A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the fallen soldiers, escorted by four J-20 fighter jets, is pictured in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 22, 2026. The remains of 12 Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs who lost their lives during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953) were returned to China from the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Wednesday. A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the fallen soldiers and 146 of their personal effects landed at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province. After it entered China's airspace, the Y-20B transport aircraft was escorted by four J-20 fighter jets. (Xinhua/Li Gang)

Honor guards escort coffins containing the remains of the Chinese People's Volunteers martyrs at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 22, 2026. The remains of 12 Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs who lost their lives during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953) were returned to China from the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Wednesday. A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the fallen soldiers and 146 of their personal effects landed at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province. After it entered China's airspace, the Y-20B transport aircraft was escorted by four J-20 fighter jets. (Xinhua/Li Gang)

Coffins containing the remains of the Chinese People's Volunteers martyrs, escorted by honor guards, are about to be loaded onto vehicles at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 22, 2026. The remains of 12 Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs who lost their lives during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953) were returned to China from the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Wednesday. A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the fallen soldiers and 146 of their personal effects landed at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province. After it entered China's airspace, the Y-20B transport aircraft was escorted by four J-20 fighter jets. (Xinhua/Li Gang)

Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) veterans and other attendees welcome the remains of the CPV martyrs at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 22, 2026. The remains of 12 Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs who lost their lives during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953) were returned to China from the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Wednesday. A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the fallen soldiers and 146 of their personal effects landed at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province. After it entered China's airspace, the Y-20B transport aircraft was escorted by four J-20 fighter jets. (Xinhua/Li Gang)

People see off a motorcade delivering the remains of the Chinese People's Volunteers martyrs at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 22, 2026. The remains of 12 Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs who lost their lives during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953) were returned to China from the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Wednesday. A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the fallen soldiers and 146 of their personal effects landed at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province. After it entered China's airspace, the Y-20B transport aircraft was escorted by four J-20 fighter jets. (Xinhua/Li Gang)

Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) veterans and other attendees welcome the remains of the CPV martyrs at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 22, 2026. The remains of 12 Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs who lost their lives during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953) were returned to China from the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Wednesday. A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the fallen soldiers and 146 of their personal effects landed at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province. After it entered China's airspace, the Y-20B transport aircraft was escorted by four J-20 fighter jets. (Xinhua/Li Gang)

Honor guards escort coffins containing the remains of the Chinese People's Volunteers martyrs at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 22, 2026. The remains of 12 Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs who lost their lives during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953) were returned to China from the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Wednesday. A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the fallen soldiers and 146 of their personal effects landed at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province. After it entered China's airspace, the Y-20B transport aircraft was escorted by four J-20 fighter jets. (Xinhua/Li Gang)

A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the fallen soldiers, escorted by four J-20 fighter jets, is pictured in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 22, 2026. The remains of 12 Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs who lost their lives during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953) were returned to China from the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Wednesday. A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the fallen soldiers and 146 of their personal effects landed at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province. After it entered China's airspace, the Y-20B transport aircraft was escorted by four J-20 fighter jets. (Xinhua/Yang Qing)

A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the Chinese People's Volunteers martyrs is welcomed by a water cannon salute upon arrival at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 22, 2026. The remains of 12 Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs who lost their lives during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953) were returned to China from the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Wednesday. A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the fallen soldiers and 146 of their personal effects landed at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province. After it entered China's airspace, the Y-20B transport aircraft was escorted by four J-20 fighter jets. (Xinhua/Yang Qing)

A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the Chinese People's Volunteers martyrs is welcomed by a water cannon salute upon arrival at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 22, 2026. The remains of 12 Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs who lost their lives during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953) were returned to China from the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Wednesday. A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the fallen soldiers and 146 of their personal effects landed at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province. After it entered China's airspace, the Y-20B transport aircraft was escorted by four J-20 fighter jets. (Xinhua/Yang Qing)

Coffins containing the remains of the Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs, escorted by honor guards, arrives at the CPV martyrs' cemetery in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 22, 2026. The remains of 12 Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs who lost their lives during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953) were returned to China from the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Wednesday. A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the fallen soldiers and 146 of their personal effects landed at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province. After it entered China's airspace, the Y-20B transport aircraft was escorted by four J-20 fighter jets. (Xinhua/Yang Qing)

Honor guards escort coffins containing the remains of the Chinese People's Volunteers martyrs at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 22, 2026. The remains of 12 Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs who lost their lives during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953) were returned to China from the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Wednesday. A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the fallen soldiers and 146 of their personal effects landed at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province. After it entered China's airspace, the Y-20B transport aircraft was escorted by four J-20 fighter jets. (Xinhua/Yang Qing)

Coffins containing the remains of the Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs, escorted by honor guards, arrives at the CPV martyrs' cemetery in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 22, 2026. The remains of 12 Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs who lost their lives during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953) were returned to China from the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Wednesday. A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the fallen soldiers and 146 of their personal effects landed at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province. After it entered China's airspace, the Y-20B transport aircraft was escorted by four J-20 fighter jets. (Xinhua/Yang Qing)

A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of 12 Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs, escorted by four J-20 fighter jets, is pictured in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 22, 2026. The remains of 12 CPV martyrs who lost their lives during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953) were returned to China from the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Wednesday. A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the fallen soldiers and 146 of their personal effects landed at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province. After it entered China's airspace, the Y-20B transport aircraft was escorted by four J-20 fighter jets. (Photo by Yu Hongchun/Xinhua)

Honor guards escort coffins containing the remains of 12 Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 22, 2026. The remains of 12 CPV martyrs who lost their lives during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953) were returned to China from the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Wednesday. A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the fallen soldiers and 146 of their personal effects landed at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province. After it entered China's airspace, the Y-20B transport aircraft was escorted by four J-20 fighter jets. (Photo by Yu Hongchun/Xinhua)

A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of 12 Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs is welcomed by a water cannon salute upon arrival at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 22, 2026. The remains of 12 CPV martyrs who lost their lives during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953) were returned to China from the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Wednesday. A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the fallen soldiers and 146 of their personal effects landed at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province. After it entered China's airspace, the Y-20B transport aircraft was escorted by four J-20 fighter jets. (Photo by Yu Hongchun/Xinhua)

Attendees welcome the remains of 12 Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 22, 2026. The remains of 12 CPV martyrs who lost their lives during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953) were returned to China from the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Wednesday. A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the fallen soldiers and 146 of their personal effects landed at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province. After it entered China's airspace, the Y-20B transport aircraft was escorted by four J-20 fighter jets. (Photo by Yu Hongchun/Xinhua)

A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of 12 Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs, escorted by four J-20 fighter jets, is pictured in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 22, 2026. The remains of 12 CPV martyrs who lost their lives during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953) were returned to China from the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Wednesday. A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the fallen soldiers and 146 of their personal effects landed at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province. After it entered China's airspace, the Y-20B transport aircraft was escorted by four J-20 fighter jets. (Photo by Yu Hongchun/Xinhua)

A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of 12 Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs is welcomed by a water cannon salute upon arrival at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 22, 2026. The remains of 12 CPV martyrs who lost their lives during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953) were returned to China from the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Wednesday. A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the fallen soldiers and 146 of their personal effects landed at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province. After it entered China's airspace, the Y-20B transport aircraft was escorted by four J-20 fighter jets. (Photo by Yu Hongchun/Xinhua)

Honor guards escort coffins containing the remains of 12 Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 22, 2026. The remains of 12 CPV martyrs who lost their lives during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953) were returned to China from the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Wednesday. A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the fallen soldiers and 146 of their personal effects landed at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province. After it entered China's airspace, the Y-20B transport aircraft was escorted by four J-20 fighter jets. (Photo by Yu Hongchun/Xinhua)

Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) veterans and other attendees welcome the remains of 12 CPV martyrs at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 22, 2026. The remains of 12 CPV martyrs who lost their lives during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953) were returned to China from the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Wednesday. A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the fallen soldiers and 146 of their personal effects landed at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province. After it entered China's airspace, the Y-20B transport aircraft was escorted by four J-20 fighter jets. (Photo by Yu Hongchun/Xinhua)

Honor guards escort coffins containing the remains of 12 Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 22, 2026. The remains of 12 CPV martyrs who lost their lives during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953) were returned to China from the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Wednesday. A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the fallen soldiers and 146 of their personal effects landed at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province. After it entered China's airspace, the Y-20B transport aircraft was escorted by four J-20 fighter jets. (Photo by Yu Hongchun/Xinhua)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Chili's is taking a big swing at McDonald's as it revamps its chicken sandwich.

I compared Chili's Big Crispy chicken sandwich to McDonald's McCrispy chicken sandwich.

Although $2 more than the McDonald's meal, the Big Crispy was a better value  and tastier.

The chicken sandwich wars are heating up again, and this time, Chili's is taking a swing at McDonald's.

At a recent pop-up in New York City, the casual dining chain challenged fans to compare its Big Crispy chicken sandwich with the McCrispy.

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"If you've been on social media the past few years, I think you've heard that people are pretty frustrated with the experience in the drive-thru," Chili's chief marketing officer George Felix told attendees at the press event held on April 14.

Chili's has repeatedly said customers are frustrated by the "shrinkflation" of fast food and its diminished value. McDonald's, which recently introduced its largest burger, has previously disputed shrinkflation claims, and many chains have rolled out value-focused meal deals over the past couple of years to combat rising fast-food prices.

Chili's leaned into the rivalry as it launched a new campaign highlighting its $10.99 3-For-Me deal, featuring a revamped chicken sandwich alongside five new variations, from Buffalo to a BLT-style option, in a bid to compete with fast-food chains on both taste and value.

Here's how Chili's Big Crispy chicken sandwich compares to McDonald's McCrispy chicken sandwich.

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McDonald's did not respond to Business Insider's request for comment on Chili's statements or our comparison of the sandwiches.

First, I tried the McCrispy chicken sandwich from McDonald's.

Erin McDowell/Business Insider

McDonald's McCrispy  born out of the 2021 chicken sandwich wars  sounds like it should deliver on crunch alone.

The McCrispy comes in classic, deluxe, and spicy versions and costs $7.69 for just the sandwich or $13.09 for a combo with fries and a drink at my local Brooklyn location.

The sandwich is relatively simple: a breaded and fried chicken filet, pickles, and mayo.

Erin McDowell/Business Insider

However, when I opened the wrapper, the skimpy spread of mayonnaise immediately stood out, and not in a good way.

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For a condiment person like me, it felt like a miss.

Biting in, the sandwich lacked a distinct crunch.

Erin McDowell/Business Insider

To its credit, the chicken was juicy, but the sandwich never quite lived up to its name.

The crunch was underwhelming, and the texture leaned toward soft  even slightly soggy  rather than truly crispy.

Still, the bun did its job well, holding everything together with a solid chicken-to-bun ratio.

Chili's chicken sandwich offered a better value compared to McDonald's.

Erin McDowell/Business Insider

The chicken sandwich comes in five new variations: honey-chipotle, Buffalo, spicy mayo, and a deluxe version topped with bacon, lettuce, and tomato.

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It's now a featured part of Chili's nationwide 3-For-Me deal, which includes fries, bottomless chips and salsa, and an unlimited fountain drink for $10.99  that's an almost $2 difference from the McDonald's meal, which includes a sandwich, fries, and a drink.

On its own, however, the McDonald's chicken sandwich was cheaper. The crispy chicken sandwich typically costs $16.39 at my local Chili's in New York, but I got to try it for free at the pop-up event.

Unlike the McDonald's McCrispy, the Chili's Big Crispy came slathered in mayonnaise.

Erin McDowell/Business Insider

Chili's didn't hold back on the mayonnaise, which added a rich, creamy layer of flavor that tied the sandwich together.

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The chicken breast was also fried to a deep golden crisp, with crunchy edges peeking out from the bun  the kind of texture that immediately signals a great bite ahead.

This sandwich certainly delivered. The breading, which was packed with seasoning, was more flavorful than the McDonald's version.

It was also visibly thicker than the McDonald's chicken sandwich.

Erin McDowell/Business Insider

In a press release, Chili's said a local study found its chicken sandwich filet is more than 80% larger than the average McDonald's McCrispy breaded filet. However, it wasn't only the size difference that made Chili's come out on top.

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Each bite hit with a satisfying mix of salty, briny, and savory flavors, thanks to the pickles and well-seasoned chicken.

The texture sealed Chili's as the winner: This sandwich lived up to its "crispy" promise. In terms of value, I also couldn't deny that Chili's really came through.

When paired with fries, chips and salsa, and a bottomless drink for just $10.99, the winner was clear  even without the ease and convenience of the drive-thru.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Dear Abby: Theres a girl I really like, Torie, who has a certain enthusiasm for me that few, if any people, have had. I have taken her seriously, but she works in a store where theres a drag queen who makes herself look so much like a female that I find it disturbing. She often wears revealing clothing. As much as I like Torie, I do my best to ignore this co-worker when shes in the store. What do I do if I think the girl I like could be the one for me, but Im wary of the company she keeps?

 Conditional in Maryland

Dear Conditional: Start honestly analyzing what it is about Tories co-worker that makes you uncomfortable. Has she come on to you? Are you on some level attracted to her? Tories co-worker is hurting no one by expressing (and dressing as) the person she is. If you havent already, talk with Torie about this. She may be able to explain it to you. However, if you cant be comfortable around the person, it will be time for you to move on.

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Dear Abby: My son is 41 and a recovering drug addict. Currently, hes sober, but he believes he is in an online relationship with a famous actress who is 23 years old. He lives with me and has nothing. He works part time at a local grocery store and sends her money every week via a gift card or something of the sort.

I have tried everything I can to convince him he is being scammed. How can I prove this to him? I am not able to kick him out. He has nowhere to go. He would be on the street. Please advise and help me. I need my life back.

 Mom of a Manchild in the East

Dear Mom: Famous actresses do not need gift cards from their admirers, so the chances are GREAT that your needy and gullible son is being scammed. The gift card is the tip-off. The next step for you would be to contact the police department in your community and ask for help in convincing your son he is being scammed. If she is scamming him in this way, it is probably happening to many others.

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Dear Abby: My close friend (we are both in our late 50s) tells me her friends go into every intimate detail with her about their sex lives. She said they tell her everything. Every once in a while, shell ask me about mine, but I feel this is a private matter between my partner and me. Am I wrong?

I feel awkward sharing this personal information because Im sure her friends gossip. Our sex lives are undoubtedly different due to previous illnesses, etc. She even asks me if we have toys! Am I wrong to feel this way?

 Modest in Massachusetts

Dear Modest: You are not wrong. Not everyone is comfortable sharing the intimate details of their sex lives. If this woman is telling you about her own, as well as the preferences of her other friends, she cant be trusted not to share your information. The word from here is to keep your lip zipped.

Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com.

This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Dear Abby: Co-workers presence makes potential suitor uncomfortable
Several people, including firefighters, were injured after an electrical vault caught fire at a former YMCA building in Ohio.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Firefighters responded just after 9 a.m. to a reported fire in an electrical vault in Columbus.

When firefighters were inside, the underground transformer exploded, and caused the building to fill with black smoke, Columbus fire officials told WBNS TV.

TRENDING STORIES:

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The Columbus Fire Department initially said that seven people were injured, and medics transported four people for smoke inhalation.

Firefighters put on breathing masks, but were exposed to the smoke while putting them on.

Lt. Nicholas Davis told WBNS that one of the victims was on the seventh floor when the fire began. They got to the fourth floor and were rescued from the scaffolding.

Throughout the day, fire officials said several firefighters started to get ill.

Davis also told WBNS that six firefighters went to the hospital after showing signs consistent with smoke exposure. They were in stable condition.

There is heavy smoke damage throughout the building, WBNS said.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

[SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
We literally just want health care.

This common refrain frequently appears in the comments section of social media posts, often after an update on the Trump administrations spending, the presidents goal to build a giant triumphal arch in Washington, D.C. or the costly, unpopular United States-Israel war with Iran.

Health: 'Bizarre': Doctors Truly Can't Make Sense Of Pete Hegseth's Flu Vaccine Announcement

The statement captures an ugly truth of American life: While legislation has been proposed (many, many times) to address the countrys health needs, lawmakers choose to fund other priorities, like war or immigration enforcement.

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The fact is, health insurance in the U.S. is expensive when compared to other developed nations  yet health outcomes are no better here. And since health care coverage isnt guaranteed (unlike in other countries with universal health care), many people are uninsured or underinsured, leading to tough realities like skipping preventive appointments or rationing medication to make it last longer. Not to mention the fact that navigating the insurance system is confusing at best and impossible at worst. Prior authorizations, procedure and medication denials and copay hiccups are regular occurrences for patients, despite the fact that theyre paying for coverage in the first place.

Its common for patients to express their anger about all of this to their doctor, especially after seeing an expensive bill or learning that a medical request has been rejected. But doctors like Dr. Jennifer Lincoln, an OB-GYN and practicing OB hospitalist, told HuffPost theyre frustrated with the state of health care in this country, too.

From 2010 to 2021, the percentage of Americans who lived within 30 minutes of obstetric care went from 90% to 60%, said Lincoln, author of The Birth Book: An OB-GYNs Guide to Demystifying Labor and Delivery.

Health: Researchers Find 'Surprising' Outcome In Loneliness And Memory Study

And yet we cant address this, but we can somehow look at a ballroom or spend an estimated $2 billion a day in a war in Iran that Americans dont want.

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Below, Lincoln and other doctors share what bothers them most about health insurance in the U.S.

Smaller medical facilities cant afford to stay open.

Private practices cant afford to stay open, and thats in large part because of health insurance companies, according to Lincoln.

The average one-practice location cannot stay afloat because the amount of paperwork and insurance pre-authorizations, reimbursement, the amount of people needed to do it  it doesnt offset the cost and the time, Lincoln said.

Also Read: I'm A U.S. Veteran. This Is The Question Trump Hopes You Don't Ask About What We're Doing In Iran.

And for them to be able to even purchase medical supplies or vaccines, they have no bargaining power with these [insurance] companies, so they end up paying higher prices, and theyre not going to get reimbursed to that price when the insurance company is cutting reimbursements, she said.

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This causes small practices to close, especially in rural areas, which leaves people without a nearby doctor. Most have to travel far to get necessary care, Lincoln said.

And the practices that dont close may be bought by health insurance companies or venture capital firms.

A lot of private practices are being bought out by these insurance companies, because insurance companies now are refusing to play ball at all and maybe they wont even sign a contract with a private practice, or they wont reimburse, explained Dr. Lauren Hughes, a pediatrician, owner of Bloom Pediatrics in Kansas and a medical communicator on social media. And then theyll be like, Well, you know what if you let me buy you, then you can be in-network.

Health: Are You A 'Doomer'? This Mindset Is All Too Common Today.

These types of companies will give medical practices a good buyout so that they can retire and move on, but then will usually run it so poorly and squeeze it so bad that theyll make as much money as they can, and then theyll close, Lincoln added.

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Why do insurance companies and venture capitalist firms even want to buy smaller doctors offices?

They take the copay. They are controlling how you bill. They are controlling how many patients you see. Theyre controlling how many providers are there. They are controlling the salary of those providers, Hughes explained.

Insurance or venture capital companies also profit from reimbursements from patients with other health insurance companies, Hughes noted. So, it makes them hella dollars.

Like this article? Keep independent journalism alive. Support HuffPost.

Patients aren't the only ones who become frustrated by health insurance companies. MoMo Productions via Getty Images

The health insurance paperwork and bureaucracy takes away from valuable time with patients.

A lot of the frustration that we have is on the back end, so obviously its not on the patient-facing end, said Dr. Eric Burnett, an internal medicine doctor at an academic medical center in New York and a health communicator on social media.

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We can communicate when insurance denies coverage for a certain procedure or medication, but then all of that falls on us in the background to have to call the insurance companies, do peer-to-peers and all these prior authorizations, he added.

Must Read: Americans Are Skipping Meals And Borrowing Money To Pay For Health Care

Doctors, essentially, have to sort of argue with them, according to Burnett. Were saying that the patient needs this medication, or the clinical reasoning behind this procedure and that procedure, and its frustrating because that obviously takes away time from clinical care.

There are a lot of bureaucratic steps for doctors as they deal with health insurance companies; many are forced to rationalize why a patient needs the treatments theyre recommending, he added.

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These insurance companies dont know the patients at all. Theyre not their doctors ... so, its frustrating on the provider end to have to deal with that, Burnett said. And I 100% share the frustrations with my patients too because as frustrated as I am with it, its 100 times worse for them.

The cost of care is unknown to many doctors.

When I see a patient and theres a relationship between the two of us, Im taking a history, doing an exam, forming a diagnosis and a treatment plan. As the doctor, I have no idea what the cost to the patient is going to be, which I think can be hard for the patient, said Dr. Bonnie Hodge, a dermatologist in Alabama.

I could walk in one room and that patients care is going to be completely covered, and then I could walk in the next room for the exact same problem, and their insurance is going to deny the charge for that claim, and then theyre going to be responsible for an $800 bill, Hodge added.

This is clearly upsetting for the patient who winds up with a large bill. I think thats where a lot of the patients are frustrated with doctors, Hodge said.

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Hodge isnt sure of costs because shes employed by a practice and doesnt own her own doctors office.

Its nearly impossible now to afford to open up your own shop, Hodge said, which is once again evidence that private practices are becoming harder and harder to operate.

Because of that, Im so far removed from the billing side of things that I have no idea what the visit is even charging, and then I dont know what the insurance is actually going to pay, Hodge said.

Patients are often shocked to see their final bill, and I feel bad because I had no idea it was going to cost that because I dont know what their insurance is going to cover, she added.

Doctors say health insurance companies pit patients against doctors intentionally  to distract from what actually needs to change.

Its common for patients to think the health insurance company and the doctor are in a relationship together, but theyre just the third party to the care were providing, Hodge said.

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So, it leads to a lot of frustration on the patient end that feels misplaced, because we, at the end of the day, most doctors, we just want to help you, she said. I wish I could get all these drugs covered for everybody, but I just cant.

Health insurance companies are good at pitting patients and doctors against each other, Hughes said  and thats by design.

The way I explain it to people is your wait staff didnt [cook your steak wrong], but you yell at them ... the problem is who we have access to. They are not the ones that can really create change, Hughes explained. But if they keep us fighting between each other, then we can avoid calling out accountability where it actually matters  with insurance companies.

The more they can keep the infighting between [doctors and patients] and stay out of it, then the better it is for them and their bottom line, Hughes added.

What can you do to advocate for better health insurance and health care in this country?

Changing the health care system in this country shouldnt be on the patients, especially those dealing with diagnoses or crushing medical debt  and there is only so much patients can do.

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Unfortunately, the insurance companies are very powerful lobbies in Congress, Burnett said. And as long as money rules politics, its going to keep going that way.

That may seem like a defeatist attitude, but I think it should galvanize everyone, regardless of political affiliation, that this is not working for us, and we need to move to a more sustainable system thats going to benefit all of us  not just the very, very wealthy in this country, Burnett added.

Voting for candidates who have your best interests in mind is a good first step.

Your vote matters. Were seeing the impact that peoples votes have right now in terms of whats going on with health care, whats going on with the budget cuts ... how theyre negatively impacting society as a whole, Burnett said.

Trumps Big Beautiful Bill Act calls for almost $1 trillion in cuts to Medicaid.

That is just a very real, stark reminder that elections have consequences, votes have consequences and they have power, Burnett said. Using your vote to exact the change that you want to see because thats what we can do.

Its also helpful to call your elected officials and tell them your stories of health insurance denials or outrageous hospital bills, Lincoln said.

It really does matter to call, to write letters, to send messages, because the stories they cannot ignore, Lincoln said. I dont want people to think that, Well, you just have to grin and bear it. The problem is so overwhelming.

You can also call your representatives and encourage them to support the Break Up Big Medicine bill introduced by Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) and Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.).

Its to stop the vertical integration and monopoly that health care insurances have, Hughes said.

Speaking out, whether to local elected officials or even your local news station, makes a difference. Without this kind of pressure, nothing will change.

This system is working exactly how they want it to, Hughes said. Your health care system is not broken. Its fixed by them.

Related...

Read the original on HuffPost
Two teenagers were killed and five others were shot after a planned fight erupted into gunfire at a North Carolina public park that borders a middle school, Winston-Salem police announced Monday.

The shooting unfolded in a public park during the morning hours and involved teenagers, underscoring ongoing concerns among law enforcement about youth violence and disputes that escalate into gunfire. No arrests have been announced.

Authorities received a call about a fight in progress around 9:52 a.m. While officers were en route to the scene, they were alerted shots had been fired and that multiple individuals had been struck by gunfire, Winston-Salem Police Capt. Kevin Burns said during a news conference.

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Police said they found a 17-year-old male in the parking lot, identified as Erubey Romero Medina, suffering from a gunshot wound. Officers also found 16-year-old Daniel Jimenez Millian further inside the park who had also been shot. Both were pronounced dead at the scene.

Law enforcement officers walk near the scene of the shooting at Leinbach Park. - Erik Verduzco/AP

In addition to the two people killed, five more teenagers  ages 14 to 19  were wounded in the shooting, with injuries ranging from critical to minor, Burns said. The names of the wounded were not released, but they were identified as four girls and one boy.

The incident marks the 117th mass shooting in the US so far this year, according to the Gun Violence Archive. Like CNN, the archive defines a mass shooting as injuring or killing four or more people, not including the shooter.

Detectives are actively working to determine each individuals role in this incident. Preliminary information indicates that some of those injured may have also been involved in the shooting, the captain said.

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There are no suspects in custody, Winston-Salem Police Chief William Penn, Jr. said. He declined to comment on potential charges, saying the investigation is ongoing.

Law enforcement made passionate pleas for parents and children alike to take gun safety more seriously.

(H)aving those cellphones out changes the behavior of our youth, said Penn. Stay away from the fights. Its not the same as it used to be. I know I sound like the grumpy old man when I say that, but these fights now lead to weapons, and shootings, and videos. And we dont come back from that.

There is no shortage of guns in our community. There is no shortage, Forsyth County Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough Jr. said. At the same time, there is no gun sensitivity amongst our youth. And, Im telling you, theyre using guns like they use their cellphones: indiscriminately, Kimbrough added.

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The shooting happened at Leinbach Park, near Jefferson Middle School, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation said on social media. The park is next to Jefferson Middle School, which was briefly placed on a secure hold earlier in the day but police said the shooting did not happen on school property.

Nearby Mount Tabor High School was also placed on a secure hold but continued with classes, police said earlier Monday. Parents were allowed to pick their students up from those schools if they wanted.

The City of Winston-Salem is asking anyone with information to contact authorities.

This story has been updated with additional information.

CNNs Moriah Thomas, Travis Nichols and Shawn Nottingham contributed to this report.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Social media platforms. App stores. And nextcomputers and smartphones? If some lawmakers get their way, Americans could have to show IDs or submit facial scans to so much as open a laptop or power up an iPhone.

A bipartisan federal bill called the Parents Decide Act would require age verification at the operating system level. That means most computers, smartphones, and tablets would all be age-gated.

The Parents Decide Act was introduced earlier this month by U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer, a New Jersey Democrat. It's co-sponsored by New York Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik.

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Gottheimer and Stefanik's bill defines operating system as "software that supports the basic functions of a computer, mobile device, or any other general purpose computing device."

It would mandate that any operating system provider "require any user of the operating system to provide the date of birth of the user" in order to set up an account or use the operating system. And "if the relevant user of the operating system is under 18 years of age, require a parent or legal guardian of the user to verify the date of birth of the user."

It would also require operating systems to share "any information as is necessaryto verify the date of birth of a user" with app developers.

How exactly would people have to provide their dates of birth? How would things work when minors are concernedwould parents have to upload a copy of their children's birth certificates, or would their word alone be enough? And how would parents have to prove they are the parents, or even prove that they are adults?

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The Parents Decide Act does not answer any of these questionsand it would not require members of Congress to hash out any such details before passing this measure.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) would be tasked with deciding on those details at a later date.

So, rather than a large body of elected representatives deciding how this would work before it becomes law, a small group of unelected, politically appointed commissioners would do so. What could go wrong?

It's no secret I oppose legally requiring age verification to use certain websites. But I'm doubly opposed to legally requiring age verification to simply use a computer! https://t.co/paxrdecrNj  Nico Perrino (@NicoPerrino) April 20, 2026

The Parents Decide Act is part of a bigger problem in federal lawmaking these days. Members of Congress pass bills with broad mandates and leave the details to regulators. Members of Congress are directly accountable to voters; regulators are not. FTC commissioners are nominated by the president and can be highly partisan. Leaving it up to them to say how a law like this would work is just another step toward abrogating congressional power and concentrating it in the hands of the executive.

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The bill is also part of a bigger panic around young people and technology that has settled upon carding everyone as a solution.

It started with porn.

In a time-honored tradition, politicians started acclimating people to a massive and intrusive new regulatory scheme by promising that it was just going to target sexually oriented material. After all, who could be against stopping children from looking at porn?

But, of course, it was never going to stop there. And no sooner had some state legislatures proved that age verification for online porn platforms could pass than lawmakers began expanding their designs. Soon, social media age-verification bills became all the rage. We started seeing age-verification measures aimed at app stores.

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Now here we are with lawmakers proposing age verification in order to use a smartphone or computer at all.

No matter what becomes of this particular bill, I don't think this is the last we'll see of this idea. It's the logical endpoint of an age-verification mania sweeping politics and advocacy and threatening to end online anonymity and privacy. We've been watching the Overton window on all of this shift rapidly. And as people have begun to accept the idea that the internet should not be free and open, that we should adopt a "papers, please" mentality toward all sorts of digital spaces, it's no surprise that this would extend to the very devices we use to access these spaces.

Read This Thread

SCOOP: I got internal photos/videos of McClatchy's Claude-powered "content scaling agent" tool roiling its newsrooms. It's an AI product executives made because "we need more stories and we need more inventory," and journalists "defiant" about using it "will fall behind." 1/6 pic.twitter.com/p1SLz1VioO  Corbin Bolies (@CorbinBolies) April 21, 2026

In The News

Condom prices are about to go up, according to Reuters. And we can blame President Donald Trump's war in Iran.

"Malaysia's Karex Bhd, the world's top condom producer, plans to raise prices by 20% to 30% and possibly further if supply chain disruptions drag on due to the Iran war," Reuters reported yesterday. "Karex is also seeing a surge in condom demand as rising freight costs and shipping delays have left many of its customers with lower stockpiles than usual, CEO Goh Miah Kiat told Reuters in an interview."

On Substack

Increased legal liability for chatbot advice could backfire, write Jess Miers and Ray Yeh.

Over a million people are using general-purpose chatbots for emotional and mental health support per week. In the US, those that use chatbots in this way primarily seek help with anxiety, depression, relationship problems, or for other personal advice. As conversational systems, chatbots can sustain coherent exchanges while conveying apparent empathy and emotional understanding. Many chatbots also draw on broad knowledge of psychological concepts and therapeutic approaches, offering users coping strategies, psychoeducation, and a space to process difficult experiences. In a study of more than 1,000 users of Replika  a general-purpose chatbot with some cognitive behavioral therapy-informed features  most described the chatbot as a friend or confidant. Many reported positive life changes, and 30 people said Replika helped them avoid suicide. Similar patterns appear among younger chatbot users. In a study of 1221-year-olds  a group for whom suicide is the second leading cause of death  13% of respondents used chatbots for some kind of mental health advice, of which more than 92% said the advice was helpful. >>

But politicians want to make tech companies liable every time someone does something stupid or risky after chatting with a chatbot. Or they want to entirely ban chatbots from having mental health conversations. And this "risks derailing this breakthrough in support, creating more problems than it solves," suggest Miers and Yeh.

More Sex & Tech

Hospitals are using AI in transformative ways to help professionals and patients, and to speed up care new California bill would ban this pic.twitter.com/95pMpUif8S  Shoshana Weissmann, Sloth Committee Chair  (@senatorshoshana) April 20, 2026

 "As much as I want to protect my kids from technology's potential harms, I need to protect them from do-gooders in government even more," writes Abundance Institute CEO Christopher Koopman in the Wall Street Journal. "The chattering class is fully on board with the notion that politicians, not parents, know what's best for kidseven among conservatives who have long opposed state intrusion into family life." But this has dangerous implications for parental consent, privacy, and technology access more broadly.

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 "Economics is the study of decision-making under constraints, i.e., scarcity. If advanced AI brings material abundanceif machines can produce many if not all forms of human production at very low marginal costdoes economics become irrelevant? No, we will still have scarcity, but the kind of scarcity that matters will change," writes Alex Imas. Here's what that means for the future of work.

 "Sometimes, things are not just one thing  they're also another thing. This sentence construction ('It's not just this  it's that') has become so common in AI-generated writing that now, it's no longer just a clue that a piece of writing may be synthetic  it's almost a guarantee," writes Amanda Silberling at TechCrunch. A new report finds that use of this construction in corporate communications is way up.

 In defense of tween screen time: "Plenty of what circulates on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube is funny and inventive, made by girls for other girls, surviving precisely because it doesn't require a corporation's approval," writes Katya Ungerman. "My favorite recent social media fad is tweens and young teens designing their own countries, complete with flags, customs and governing aesthetics."

 A new bill would ban AI use in children's toys.

The post A New Age-Verification Bill Could Make You Show ID To Use a Computer or Smartphone appeared first on Reason.com.
By Samia Nakhoul

DUBAI, April 20 (Reuters)- - A warning by former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev has crystallised fears among Gulf states that reopening the Strait of Hormuz may be the most Iran-U.S. talks can achieve, falling short of the broader de-escalation they regard as vital.

Officials and analysts expect the next round of negotiations, due in Islamabad, will focus increasingly not on Iran's missiles or regional proxies but on uranium enrichment limits and how to handle Irans leverage over the Strait, the worlds most critical oil shipping route.

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Gulf officials warn the approach risks entrenching Iran's grip on Middle East energy supplies by managing rather than dismantling its leverage, prioritising global economic stability even while leaving the countries most exposed to the energy and security consequences outside formal decision-making.

Gulf sources say U.S.Iran diplomacy is now centered less on rolling back Irans missile programme and more on enrichment levels and tacitly accepting Tehrans leverage over Hormuz, which carries about a fifth of global oil supplies.

Although negotiations remain stalled over enrichment, with Iran rejecting both zero enrichment and demands to ship its stockpiles abroad, Gulf officials say the shift in priorities itself is troubling.

At the end of the day, Hormuz will be the red line, one Gulf source close to government circles said. It wasnt an issue before. It is now. The goal posts have moved.

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There was no immediate response from Gulf Arab governments to requests for comment on the issues raised in this article.

Iran's threats to Gulf shipping during the war have broken longstanding taboos around the Strait, making its disruption a realistic lever in negotiations for the first time.

Hormuz's central role was bluntly articulated by Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council, in a post on X on April 8.

Its not clear how the truce between Washington and Tehran will play out, Medvedev said. But one thing is certain -- Iran has tested its nuclear weapons. It is called the Strait of Hormuz. Its potential is inexhaustible.

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The remark cast Hormuz as leverage enabling Iran to raise costs and shape rules without crossing the nuclear threshold.

HORMUZ IS A 'GOLDEN ASSET', SAYS IRANIAN SECURITY SOURCE

Iranian security officials privately echo that view, describing the Strait not as a contingency but as a longprepared instrument of deterrence.

Iran prepared for years for a scenario involving the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, planning every step, said a senior Iranian security source. Today it is one of Irans most effective tools -- a form of geographic leverage that serves as a powerful deterrent.

The source described the Strait as a golden, invaluable asset rooted in Irans geography -- one the world cannot take away precisely because it flows from Irans location.

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A second Iranian source, close to the Revolutionary Guards, went further, suggesting that a longstanding taboo surrounding the use of Hormuz had now been broken.

This source described Hormuz as a sword "drawn from its sheath" that the U.S. and regional states could not ignore, providing the region with leverage against external powers.

What alarms Gulf Arab states most, analysts say, is that while Iranian missiles, drones and proxies have repeatedly attacked their region, negotiations are increasingly framed almost exclusively around Hormuz because of its global economic impact, marginalising Gulf security concerns.

At its core, the Hormuz dispute is less about who controls the Strait than about who sets the rules of passage, Gulf sources say, reflecting a broader shift away from fixed international norms toward powerbased arrangements.

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That, said Ebtesam Al-Ketbi, president of the Emirates Policy Center, exposes an imbalance between those who define the rules and those who bear the consequences when rules are broken.

What is taking shape today is not a historic settlement, AlKetbi told Reuters, but a deliberate engineering of sustainable conflict.

Who's suffering from missiles and proxies? she added. "Israel, and specifically the Gulf states. What would be a good deal for us is (addressing) missiles, proxies -- and Hormuz. And it seems they dont care about the missiles or the proxies.

CAUTION ON SANCTIONS RELIEF

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Analysts warn such an approach in the talks would not so much resolve tensions as stabilise them at manageable levels, an outcome that may suit Washington and Tehran but risks entrenching instability for Gulf states living under the threat of missiles.

The U.S.Israeli war on Iran, which began on February 28, has already left Gulf economies absorbing the fallout, from attacks on energy infrastructure to rising export and insurance costs. Alternative trade export routes raise costs and remain exposed to the same Iranian missile threats.

Diplomats say Gulf officials have urged Washington against full sanctions relief, advocating a phased approach to test Iran's behaviour. They say core threats remain unaddressed, notably missiles able to hit Gulf capitals and Iran's armed proxies used as extensions of the Iranian state.

Across the Arab Gulf, sentiment toward Washington now ranges from quiet resentment to growing frustration and confusion over unilateral U.S. decisionmaking.

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Abdulaziz Sager, Chairman of the Saudi-based Gulf Research Center, said dealing with the Iran issue required "a different approach."

"The U.S. is part and parcel of regional security..." he added. "But that does not mean acting unilaterally  going full-fledged without involving the region."

While Gulf leaders bristle at being sidelined, they privately and publicly concede that U.S. military capabilities continue to shape outcomes through their unmatched superiority.

UAE academic Abdulkhaleq Abdulla said that Gulf Arab states had survived the war in large part due to their own defences and sophisticated U.S.-supplied weapons such as the THAAD and Patriot air defence systems.

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RELYING ON SINGLE PROTECTOR HAS LIMITS, ANALYST SAYS

Yet while America was indispensable, it was fallible, Abdulla said, citing what he called its underestimation of the likelihood of confrontation over Hormuz.

The U.S. has repeatedly committed to defending its Gulf allies during the war via air and missile defence cooperation, naval security and protection of critical infrastructure.

One of the war's lessons, Gulf states say, is the limit of reliance on a single external protector, said Mohammed Baharoon, director of the Dubaibased research center Bhuth.

Gulf Arab rulers say they have long warned Washington against conflict with Iran, yet they have remained publicly mute since the war broke out. The restraint reflects not just diplomacy but uncertainty over a conflict they pay for in economic damage and defence costs but do not control.

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Now, as Washington and Tehran negotiate, Gulf officials argue their exclusion from the talks is no longer a regional issue but a global one, given Hormuzs international importance.

(Additional reporting by Parisa Hafezi in Dubai; Writing by Samia Nakhoul, Editing by William Maclean)
An Appleton clinic and its founder agreed to pay $175,000 to settle allegations that the clinic falsely submitted claims to Medicare for electrical muscle stimulation and vitamin injections, according to the United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Wisconsin.

Apple Medical Clinic, 2000 S. Memorial Drive, and Dr. Michael Johnson were named as defendants in a federal lawsuit accusing the clinic of violating the False Claims Act and Anti-Kickback Statute by knowingly submitting false claims to Medicare for treatments and services that were not medically necessary or covered by Medicare, according to court filings.

The clinic offered outpatient treatment to block pain using an electric stimulation device developed by Nevada-based RST-Sanexas, Inc., as well as vitamin blend injections and other services, the attorney's office said in a news release. Johnson and RST-Sanexas marketed the service as a "last hope" and "life changing" treatment "covered by most insurances and Medicare," according to the lawsuit.

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RST-Sanexas, Inc. and its inventor, CEO and Director of Client Training and FDA Compliance were also named in the suit.

A National Coverage Determination by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services states that "electrical nerve stimulation treatments furnished by a physician in his/her office, by a physical therapist, or outpatient clinic are excluded from coverage," the attorney's office said.

Despite the treatments not being medically necessary or covered by Medicare, Johnson advertised them as covered by Medicare and filed false claims for reimbursement, the news release said.

The lawsuit was filed by two nurse practitioners who worked at the clinic on behalf of the federal government under the False Claims Act. The nurses estimated Apple Medical Clinic submitted false claims for hundreds of thousands of dollars every year beginning in 2019 when the clinic began offering Sanexas treatments, the lawsuit said.

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The nurses discovered the false claims in March 2021 after an insurance company told one of them that claims for Sanexas treatments wouldn't be paid because they had been submitted under physical therapy despite no physical therapist being involved, the lawsuit said.

Johnson generally allowed the nurses to independently exercise their medical judgment when it came to treatments, the lawsuit said, but exerted complete control over the billing and submission of claims for any Sanexas services.

Johnson also worked as a "major national distributor" of Sanexas and marketed the device for uses outside of FDA clearance, the news release said. According to the lawsuit, over 90% of Apple Medical Clinic's provided services since 2020 were Sanexas treatments.

In July 2025, Johnson and the clinic reached a settlement with the government and the two nurses which required Johnson and the clinic to jointly pay $175,000. Under the False Claims Act, the nurses could receive a portion of that money.

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The government will also retain $207,362.95 held by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the news release said.

RST-Sanexas entered a settlement in September 2025 to resolve claims in the Wisconsin lawsuit and a lawsuit in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, which accused the company of falsely marketing Sanexas treatments as covered by Medicare and marketing them for uses outside FDA clearance, according to court filings.

The government also argued RST-Sanexas caused its customers to submit false claims to Medicare.

The settlement that resolves the Wisconsin and Pennsylvania lawsuits requires RST-Sanexas and the employees named to pay $1.5 million.

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Vivian Barrett is the public safety reporter for the Green Bay Press-Gazette. You can reach her at vmbarrett@usatodayco.com or (920) 431-8314.

This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: Appleton Medical Clinic reaches settlement in false Medicare claims lawsuit
No rest for the weary: The Artemis II astronauts have kept busy for nearly two weeks since they returned to Earth from one of NASA's most prolific missions in decades.

The 10-day mission beginning April 1 in Cape Canaveral, Florida, and ending April 10 off the coast of San Diego became the first spaceflight to send humans near the vicinity of the moon in more than 50 years. During their journey, NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and Christina Koch, as well as the Canadian Space Agency's Jeremy Hansen, traveled farther from Earth than any humans before them while seeing unprecedented views of the moon.

Now that they're back following splashdown in the Pacific Ocean, the astronauts have spent the ensuing days reuniting with family, debriefing about the mission and making media appearances  all while adapting to life back on Earth.

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As for NASA, the U.S. space agency isn't resting on its laurels but is already taking steps to get its Artemis III mission off the ground as it eyes a human moon landing in 2028.

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.

Nearly two weeks since the Artemis II astronauts returned to Earth, here are five things to know about what they've been up to and what's next for NASA's moon program.

Artemis II: What's next for NASA after Artemis II moon-circling mission?

Artemis II Commander Reid Wiseman shares Earthset video

NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman, who served as commander on the Artemis II mission, shared a video April 19 of an Earthset as our planet sets on the lunar horizon.

The breathtaking video was recorded April 6 on Wiseman's iPhone as the Artemis II crew made a historic flyby of the moon. During the lunar rendezvous, the astronauts aboard an Orion capsule came no closer than about 4,000 miles above the lunar surface  affording them sights of the far side that no human had ever seen.

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"I could barely see the moon through the docking hatch window but the iPhone was the perfect size to catch the view," Wiseman said in a caption on Instagram. "This is uncropped, uncut with 8x zoom which is quite comparable to the view of the human eye. Enjoy."

In the video, which quickly went viral, the astronauts can be heard marveling at the profound sight as mission specialist Christina Koch rapidly snaps photos on a 400mm lens camera.

"Would you look at that, man," one of the astronauts can be heard saying in the video. "Wow. Dude, no way."

Artemis II astronauts transition to life back on Earth

Koch also shared a video April 17 on social media as the astronaut took part in exercises meant to help her adapt back to life under Earth's gravity  even seven days after splashdown.

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The video shows Koch attempting what she refers to as a tandem walk with her eyes closed, which she explained in the caption can help inform how conditions like vertigo and concussions are treated.

"When people live in microgravity, the systems in our body that have evolved to tell our brains how were moving, the vestibular organs, dont work correctly," Koch explained. "Our brains learn to ignore those signals and so when we first get back to gravity, we are heavily reliant on our eyes to orient ourselves visually."

Koch, an avid adventurer, even quipped, "guess I'll be waiting a minute to surf again."

Artemis II astronauts conduct simulated walks on the moon

Artemis II mission specialist Jeremy Hansen of the Canadian Space Agency also shared videos and photos of himself conducting simulated moon walks at the Johnson Space Center in Houston within the first week of returning from space.

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In a photo shared April 16 on Instagram, Hansen explained that he and his crewmates have taken part in the simulations to "figure out how to make the most of every step on the lunar surface during future missions."

"We suit up and push through demanding test runs while our bodies are still adjusting after our trip around the moon," Hansen explained.

In a video shared April 15, the Canadian Space Agency even joked, "no rest for the wicked!"

NASA rolls out SLS core stage for Artemis III launch

NASA moved the core stage, or the largest section, of the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket that will launch the crewed Artemis III mission in 2027 on April 20 from the agencys Michoud Assembly Facility to the agencys Pegasus barge in New Orleans. The hardware will be shipped to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

NASA is already looking ahead to its next moon mission, Artemis III. Slated for launch in 2027, the mission will send a new crew of astronauts aboard an Orion capsule to Earth orbit, where they could dock with one or both commercial lunar landers being developed by SpaceX and Blue Origin.

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Like Artemis II, the mission would be another crucial test of hardware and procedures before a moon landing in 2028 during Artemis IV.

At its Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans, the space agency on April 20 rolled out the next core stage of its Space Launch System rocket that will propel the Artemis III mission to orbit. The move comes as NASA prepared to load the giant piece of hardware onto its Pegasus barge to be shipped to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

The 212-foot core stage, where the bulk of super-cooled liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen fuel is stored to power four engines, is the largest section of the SLS rocket.

NASAs mobile launcher used on the Artemis II mission is also now back inside the Vehicle Assembly Building at the Kennedy Space Center in preparation for integration with the SLS rocket.

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. 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. In this new image from the Artemis II crew, NASA explains that what is depicted is the "divide between night and day, known as the terminator, cutting across Earth." William Anders, a NASA astronaut on the historic Apollo 8 mission around the moon, took the iconic Earthrise photo while in lunar orbit on Dec. 24, 1968. The first photograph of the Earth taken by an astronaut standing on the lunar surface, taken during the Apollo 11 Moon landing in 1969. One of the most well-known photographs of Earth, the "blue marble" image was taken by the crew of the final Apollo mission (Apollo 17) as the crew made its way to the moon in 1972. Voyager 1's 1990 photo of Earth, widely referred to as the "pale blue dot," was taken at a distance of 3.7 billion miles from the sun, making it the first photo taken beyond all the planets in our solar system. This image was created in 2020 or the 30th anniversary of the iconic picture using modern image-processing software and techniques to revisit the well-known Voyager view. Because the International Space Station orbits so close to Earth's atmosphere (about 250 miles high,) the outpost and the astronauts who have lived aboard it have been the source of plenty of spectacular photos of our planet for 25 years. This recent photo, taken April 6, 2026, shows auroras glowing over the Indian Ocean. NASA astronaut Chris Williams is pictured outside the International Space Station during a March 18, 2026 spacewalk with Earth in the background. The devastating Hurricane Milton, a Category 4 storm at the time of this photograph, is pictured Oct. 8, 2024 in the Gulf of Mexico (renamed the Gulf of America) off the coast of Yucatan Peninsula from the International Space Station as it orbited 257 miles above. The Soyuz MS-27 crew spacecraft is pictured Sept. 14, 2025 docked to the International Space Station's Prichal module as the orbital outpost soared 257 miles above a gleaming blue Atlantic Ocean, north of the Dominican Republic. On December 16, 1992, eight days after its encounter with Earth, the Galileo spacecraft looked back from a distance of about 3.9 million miles to capture this remarkable view of the moon in orbit about Earth. In honor of Earth Day, see these photos of our planet from space 1 of 12 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.

NASA watchdog issues warning on Artemis spacesuits

But it's not all good news for NASA and its Artemis moon program.

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NASAs Office of the Inspector General issued a report April 20 warning that the spacesuits needed for astronaut lunar surface operations may not be ready in time. NASA contracted Houston-based Axiom Space to develop spacesuits that the U.S. space agency would effectively rent for future crewed missions to the moon.

But while NASA and Axiom said things are on track for the spacesuits to be tested in 2027 during the Artemis III mission, the watchdog's report found the suit may not be ready until 2031  or three years after the moon landing mission is targeted.

The report, which outlines two steps NASA can take, comes about a month after the OIG issued another dire report in March finding that both Blue Origin's and SpaceX's lunar landers are also behind schedule.

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: After moon trip, Artemis II astronauts transition to life on Earth
NASA had a tough decision to make after the Orion spacecrafts heat shield came back with severe damage on the Artemis I mission: Stick with it at the possible risk of human lives, or replace it and face even more delays for Artemis II?

NASA opted to stick with it, confident any damage could be avoided by simply changing the trajectory of spacecrafts reentry. That gamble paid off with a successful splashdown in the Pacific for Artemis II on April 10.

Now, more than a week later, initial inspections show the heat shield performed as expected, with no unusual conditions identified, according to NASA.

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The agency said there was still some damage, but Orion safely brought home NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and Christina Koch along with Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen after a 10-day lunar flyby.

We came in fast. We came in hot. And I will tell you, looking out the window that whole way in, it was a smooth ride. It was a very smooth ride, Wiseman said during a post-landing press conference.

NASA had previously stated the reentry speed would hit 23,742 mph, or about 31 times the speed of sound, during which temperatures could range up to 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit.

On Artemis I, the uncrewed flight of Orion, NASA had opted for a longer reentry trajectory that featured the spacecraft dipping in and out of the atmosphere like a skipping rock to help it slow its speed before landing.

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At the end of that earlier flight, the agency found more than 100 places on the heat shields protective coating, or char layer, ended up cracking and breaking off the spacecraft in fragments that created a trail of debris rather than melting away as designed, according to a report from NASAs Office of the Inspector General that came out in 2024.

The risk to the spacecraft and its crew was real. The report noted a piece of that debris could easily take out one of its parachutes.

Some charring still occurred on Artemis II, but not to a dangerous level, according to NASA.

I think (Glover) and I maybe saw two moments of a touch of char loss, Wiseman said.

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He noted all four were able to check out Orion after it had been brought on board the recovery ship, the USS John P. Murtha. He said they could see a little bit of char loss on the shoulder of the heat shield, where it meets the structure of the cone shape of the spacecraft.

We leaned under and looked at the bottom, he said. For four humans just looking at the heat shield. It looked wonderful to us. It looked great.

NASA on Monday released an update on the heat shield, including imagery taken by U.S. Navy divers immediately after splashdown.

Great imagery. We were all extremely interested right after splashdown. Grateful to the Navy divers who supported Artemis II, NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman posted on X.

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A NASA press release stated that imagery and further inspections once it was out of the water showed the char loss behavior seen on Artemis I as significantly reduced, both in terms of quantity and size.

It also stated its performance was consistent with tests that had been done ahead of launch. NASA will still pore over imagery taken from aircraft during Orions descent.

This imagery will provide insight into the timing of when minimal char loss occurred, as well as other heat shield data, NASA stated.

More examination will be done when the spacecraft returns to Kennedy Space Center this month at the Multi-Payload Processing Facility. The heat shield will be transported to NASAs Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, where teams will extract samples and perform x-ray scans.

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At this point, NASA said the char loss that did occur would not slow down efforts to launch Artemis III in 2027. That Orion spacecraft will also feature a reworked heat shield, with what NASA engineer Tim Otterson called a tweaking of the recipe for its protective coating.

Its more of a refining the recipe versus an entirely new recipe, he said.

The Artemis III mission will also be crewed, but not fly to the moon. Instead, it will remain close to Earth with a goal of docking with one or both of two moon landers being developed. That would then set up Artemis IV as early as 2028, which aims to return humans to the lunar surface for the first time since Apollo 17 in 1972.

The heat shield wont be as taxed on speeds and temperatures on Artemis III as it will be for the Artemis IV mission, though.

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Were looking to have both our ground testing and Artemis III to show that the new recipe is meeting our performance requirements, Otterson said. If thats the case, then there shouldnt be a reason to change going forward. But I would never say never.

For his part, Glover reveled in what he called a very intense 13 minutes and 36 seconds, especially the first jolt of the initial drogue parachutes that slowed Orion to 136 mph ahead of the three main parachutes deploying.

When the drogues cut away, we went back to freefall  Ive never been BASE jumping. Ive never been skydiving, but if you dove off a skyscraper backwards, thats what it felt like for five seconds, and then the (main parachutes) came out, and it was it was glorious, he said.

Wiseman said he expects NASA to not let up on the heat shield investigation.

They are going to do to this heat shield what they did to Artemis I, he said. We are going to fine tooth comb every single, not even every molecule, probably every atom.

_____
A bipartisan group of lawmakers joined forces on a bill to broaden access to a beloved grocery store staple, aptly called the "Hot Rotisserie Chicken Act."

Introduced by Sens. Jim Justice, R-West Virginia; John Fetterman, D-Pennsylvania; Shelley Moore Capito, R-West Virginia; and Michael Bennet, D-Colorado, the bill would allow recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to use benefits to purchase the popular cooked chickens. Currently, the purchase of hot prepared foods is prohibited under SNAP.

In a joint news release issued by Capito's office, the lawmakers noted that under the current statutes, "hot" rotisserie chickens cannot be bought with SNAP benefits; however, rotisserie chicken that has "been cooled down" can.

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"Congress should be making it easier, not harder, for families to put food on the table," Bennet said in the release.

In the same statement, both Capito and Justice called allowing the purchase of the grocery staple "simple, practical" and "commonsense," citing ease of access and affordability.

"For seniors, working families, and those without reliable access to cooking equipment, this is about convenience and dignity," said Capito.

The "Hot Rotisserie Chicken Act" would amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to modify the definition of food and allow recipients to purchase the grocery store staple.

The bill would amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to modify the definition of food by adding hot rotisserie chicken." It does not increase funding or participant eligibility for SNAP or allow all hot foods to be included for purchase. It also doesn't extend purchasing power to restaurants or other retailers outside of the already approved options.

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"Americas best (and delicious) affordability play is Costcos $4.99 rotisserie chicken. Its one of my familys favorites and Im proud to join this bill with Senator Justice for all to try," Fetterman said. "SNAP funds would be well spent to feed our nations families who need it."

Companion legislation in the House is being led by Rep. Rick Crawford, R-Arkansas.

Stricter SNAP rules, budget cuts ongoing under Trump administration

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, sometimes known as "food stamps," is a federal resource designed to help low-income individuals and families afford nutritious food. It provides monthly benefits via an Electronic Benefits Transfer card, which works like a debit card that can be used to buy groceries at authorized retailers, including supermarkets and convenience stores.

In 2024, SNAP was used by an average of 41.7 million people monthly, or about 12.3% of the U.S. population, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

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The Trump administration has put SNAP and similar options in the crosshairs during the president's second term, placing an unprecedented pause on the program during the government shutdown in late 2025.

Recipients in five states filed a lawsuit against the USDA in March over newly implemented restrictions on the program, accusing the department of breaking the law by allowing the states to issue waivers to ban the purchase of "sugary" foods and drinks.

The federal agency has approved such "food restriction" waivers in at least 22 states in total, USA TODAY previously reported, a first after 60 years of denying state requests to restrict SNAP-eligible food under presidents of both parties.

The USDA previously said it could not waive the definition of "food" for purchases with SNAP benefits, which Congress set in law, and recipients could buy anything except alcohol, tobacco, hot and prepared foods and personal care products.

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Trump's administration began granting waivers in 2025, despite no change in the law, according to previous USA TODAY reporting. The USDA says these waivers are permitted under its pilot project authority to test the impact of excluding some foods on health and nutrition. In 2007, however, the USDA issued a memo stating that the authority under which the Trump administration is acting could not be used to restrict food choices.

These restrictions are in addition to significant changes to the program passed in Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill," which included tightened work requirements and an estimated $300 billion in funding cuts through 2034, according to the Congressional Budget Office.

Contributing: Sarah D. Wire, USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Lawmakers introduce 'Hot Rotisserie Chicken Act.' Here's why
A Black-owned West Tennessee forklift training business has sued the nonprofit in charge of funneling federal workforce training grant funds to students, claiming that it is discriminating against the business by limiting the number of students who can use grant funds to train there.

Reginald Carrick opened All-Star Training, LLC, in Memphis in 2016, and started training students seeking forklift certifications. Carricks business is an Eligible Training Provider, meaning All-Star Training is certified to teach students using funds from the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.

The funds are meant to help people who face barriers to employment develop skills they need for in-demand jobs. This can include veterans, individuals with disabilities, at-risk youth, low-earning adults and people who have been laid off. Nine regional labor boards appointed by local government officials allocate those federal funds in Tennessee.

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Carrick has provided training in the Greater Memphis Workforce Development Area, a separate region spanning Fayette, Lauderdale, Shelby, and Tipton counties, without any cap on how many students could enroll using WOIA funding, according to the lawsuit filed on March 23.

He opened his second location in Jackson in 2023, offering the same training to students in Haywood, Madison, Henderson, Chester, Decatur, Hardeman, McNairy and Hardin counties.

I expanded here to help the community, Carrick said in an interview with the Lookout.

Then things changed.

In 2024, the Southwest Tennessee Workforce Development Board started limiting the number of students who could use federal funds to receive training at Carricks business.

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From 2024 through 2026, the board determined that All-Star Training can receive federal funding for a maximum of nine students per year.

The lawsuit claims this cap is arbitrary and extreme.

Carrick and All-Star Training are represented by Brazil Clark, a Nashville-based firm specializing in civil rights litigation.

Forklift operators fall under the Transportation and Material Moving Occupations sector, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, as do commercial truck drivers. Carricks business is the only approved forklift training center in the Southwest Tennessee region. Other white-owned businesses in the area that provide commercial driving training arent restricted by the same cap as forklift students, the lawsuit states.

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A representative for Workforce Innovations, Inc., the Southwest Tennessee Workforce Development Boards fiscal agent and the defendant named in the lawsuit, declined to comment, pointing to records of previous complaints Carrick made to the state and later appealed with the U.S. Department of Labor.

The states oversight committee determined Carricks complaint was unsubstantiated, and the Department of Labor upheld the states decision.

Board documents state that funding limits for commercial driving students are higher because demand for commercial drivers outpaces demand for forklift operators in the area.

But Carricks lawsuit states that he has collected letters from warehouses in Southwest Tennessee expressing their need for more forklift operators, and his business has more than 60 potential students on its waitlist.

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The only barrier to these students receiving training with All-Star Training, LLC is access to funding, the lawsuit states.

Lawsuit argues funding cap is discriminatory; State says funding matches demand

The board institutes funding caps for each sector based on labor market projections due to limited funding, according to board documents.

The board limited funding to nine forklift students per year because labor market information projected 36 new forklift jobs would be created between 2024 and 2027 in the boards 8-county area, according to a January 2025 state complaint determination letter.

All Star is the only forklift trainer on the (Eligible Training Provider List) and as such has been approved for the available forklift ITA funds, the determination letter states.

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Data provided by the board shows an estimated increase of 39 heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers each year through 2027, indicating up to 39 students per year may be granted funding through WIOA. Another 12 jobs are projected per year for industrial truck and tractor operators. The data provided does not include a standalone projection for forklift operators.

Board documents state that the funding cap for students seeking commercial drivers licenses is higher because labor market information indicates that CDLs are in higher demand based upon future new growth than forklift jobs.

Reginald Carrick watches as a forklift operating student lifts a pallet at All-Star Trainings Jackson, Tenn. location. (Photo: Cassandra Stephenson)

Carricks lawsuit argues that there is ample demand for forklift-certified employees. The Tennessee Department of Labors 2024-2027 West Tennessee Regional Plan lists forklift use among employers top-requested technological skills, and transportation and warehousing is the second-largest industry sector in the region.

More than 100 students applied for training from All-Star Training in 2025, according to the lawsuit, and 11 applied between January and March this year.

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While Carricks numbers show current job openings for forklift operators, board documents concede, he did not provide evidence to refute the forklift operator job projections from 2024 through 2027. A determination letter issued by the U.S. Department of Labor in May 2025 states that All-Star Training is not restricted from seeking other funding sources to enroll students in training.

The lawsuit contends that Workforce Innovations employs a discriminatory system of caps against Black-owned businesses like All-Star Training, LLC, in order to exclude them from the marketplace in favor of white-owned businesses.

The lawsuit points to two other Black-owned businesses that were similarly capped, including a barber school that was removed from the Southwest Tennessee Eligible Training Provider list in 2025 because the board determined the school did not have enough job growth or demand or align with regional priority sectors.

Attorneys representing Workforce Innovations, Inc. filed a motion to dismiss the case on April 17, arguing that the lawsuit fails to plausibly allege that the decision to impose a cap is fairly attributable to the state, because the nonprofit is a private entity designated by the county to administer WIOA funds, and is not itself a state actor.

The court has not ruled on that motion as of April 22.

The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court in the Western District of Tennessee.

1

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California Democrats are maneuvering to quickly replace Rep. Eric Swalwell in an upcoming special election.

But the effort may be undermined by one of their own, threatening to leave the seat unfilled until after the August recess.

The seat, which Swalwell resigned after he was accused by multiple women of sexual assault and harassment, could be filled immediately if a candidate wins more than 50 percent of the vote in the special primary election in June.

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Five Democratic candidates running in the regularly-scheduled primary to succeed Swalwell for a full term have pledged they would not also run in the June 16 special election. Their hope is that rallying around a single candidate would ensure that person wins an outright majority in the primary and could be quickly sworn in.

But one Democratic contender, state Sen. Aisha Wahab, has not signed on, according to two people familiar with the document and granted anonymity to describe it. Having two or more Democrats on the ballot in the reliably blue district would all but guarantee the need for a run-off in mid-August, and the winner would not be seated until Congress returned from its August recess.

House Democrats anticipate several close votes coming up in June and July, and theyll need every vote they can get to stymie Republican legislation. That concern prompted Democrats in Washington and in the area to encourage candidates to take themselves out of the running for the special election and instead back former state lawmaker Bob Wieckowski to serve out the duration of Swalwells current term.

Most of us have either filed to run or were preparing to run in the special election. But we recognize the risk that with this crowded field, no candidate is likely to win 50% + 1. This would leave the seat vacant at a crucial time when Democrats could stop the Trump agenda from advancing in the House of Representatives. And that is a risk that our country cant afford, reads a written version of the pledge distributed to candidates and obtained by POLITICO.

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Wahab, who is also running for a full term, didnt immediately respond to a text message seeking comment. Shes endorsed by institutional players including the California Democratic Party, Wieckowski and members of the states congressional delegation  Reps. Robert Garcia, Kevin Mullin and Lateefah Simon  but the large crop of Democratic contenders is nevertheless expected to dilute the vote.

Wahabs decision could make or break this effort to consolidate the field. The pledge says that if all the candidates do not agree to sign, many will run in the special election.

But there is too much at stake for our country for any of us to put our personal hopes and ambitions ahead of this important effort to fill this seat with an experienced and reliable Democratic vote in the House, the statement says.

Wahab told the San Francisco Chronicle she had not seen the statement.

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The effort to cull the field also extended to would-be hopefuls who are not running in the regular election, such as former state Sen. Steve Glazer. Glazer pulled papers on Friday to run in the special election but told POLITICO on Monday that he would not file them, after he was approached by members of the congressional delegation encouraging him not to run.

The caucus has laid out its very important goals to have the election be resolved in the primary and I completely agree with those goals, Glazer said. I dont want my candidacy to get in the way.

Glazer said he would step aside for Wieckowski, his former colleague in the Legislature.

Bob is indicating hes willing to step up and serve in that role and Im supportive of that, Glazer said.
The case against a Massachusetts high school student charged in connection with the random killing of a woman in her North Shore home in March is expected to return to court on Wednesday.

Anthony DeMayo, an 18-year-old Lynn native and a senior at Bishop Fenwick High School in Peabody, has waived his right to appear at the probable cause hearing in Salem District Court, although new information could be revealed when the case is heard, Boston 25 News has learned.

DeMayo previously pleaded not guilty to a charge of murder in the death of Janet Swallow, a 68-year-old mother and nurse from Danvers.

During that arraignment, a forensic court psychologist who evaluated him concluded that the teen was showing signs of depression and risk of suicide, prompting a judge to order him to undergo a 20-day mental health evaluation at Bridgewater State Hospital.

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Officers responding to a 911 call for a person with a knife in the area of Standish Road in Lynn encountered a person carrying a knife, which had a reddish-brown stain consistent with blood, Essex District Attorney Paul F. Tucker announced at the time of the killing.

Doorbell camera captures teen charged with killing Danvers woman in her sleep the night before

The person, later identified as DeMayo, was transported to Salem Hospital due to his erratic behavior, according to Tucker.

While a subsequent search of DeMayos Lynn home was unfolding, he allegedly admitted to Lynn police officers that he had killed a woman the night before in Danvers, just as they located blood-stained clothing, Assistant District Attorney Erin McAndrews told the court during his arraignment.

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DeMayos alleged confession and data on his cellphone led investigators to 17 Amherst Street in Danvers, where Massachusetts State Police detectives and Danvers officers found Swallow, a longtime resident of the town, dead from wounds consistent with a homicide, McAndrews said. DeMayo was then arrested and charged.

McAndrews also revealed new details during the arraignment, alleging that DeMayo broke in through a window of Swallows home and stabbed her to death while she was in her bed.

Investigators say the stabbing attack was random, and they believe DeMayo acted alone. They also noted that he had wanted to kill someone for a long time.

This is not only a tragedy for the town, but for the school. This is just a very difficult case because of the randomness, Tucker said.

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In a statement, the president of Bishop Fenwick High School said the school was cooperating with the investigation, while also sharing condolences with Swallows family.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the victim, her family, and all who have been affected by this horrific tragedy, he wrote in a statement shared with Boston 25.

DeMayo has been held without bail since his arraignment.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

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INSTITUTE, W.Va. (AP)  A chemical leak at a West Virginia silver recovery business on Wednesday killed two people and sent about 30 others to hospitals, including one in serious condition, authorities said.

The leak occurred at the Catalyst Refiners plant in Institute as workers were preparing to shut down at least part of the facility, Kanawha County Commission Emergency Management Director C.W. Sigman said.

A chemical gas reaction occurred at the plant involving nitric acid and another substance, Sigman said at a news briefing. He added that there was "a violent reaction of the chemicals and it instantaneously overreacted.

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Starting or ending a chemical reaction are the most dangerous times, Sigman said.

The chemical reaction that was believed to have occurred during a cleaning process produced toxic hydrogen sulfide, Kanawha County Commission President Ben Salango said.

Among the injured were seven ambulance workers responding to the leak, officials said.

We know that the first responders, they always run to the fire. They put themselves in harms way, Gov. Patrick Morrisey said at an evening news conference. Were very grateful to these brave men and women and what they do. And theyre in our prayers, and were monitoring the recovery of those transported to our local hospitals.

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Other people were taken to the hospitals in private cars or even in one case a garbage truck, Sigman said.

Morrisey said one person was in serious condition.

Vandalia Health Charleston Area Medical Center, one of several hospitals in the area, was treating multiple patients, some brought by ambulance, while members of the community were arriving Wednesday afternoon asking to be checked, hospital spokesman Dale Witte said.

Witte said patients were experiencing respiratory symptoms including cough, shortness of breath, sore throat and itchy eyes. They were being evaluated in the emergency room.

WVU Medicine Thomas Memorial Hospital in South Charleston said in a statement it has cared for a dozen patients, including eight who arrived by personal vehicle and were not at the scene but were in the area at the time. It said those injuries were not considered life-threatening.

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A shelter-in-place order was issued for the surrounding area and lifted more than five hours later. Officials said all the deaths occurred on the plant site.

You had to get really close to the facility to smell it, Sigman said.

The leak required a large-scale decontamination operation in which people had to remove their clothes and be sprayed down, authorities said.

Morrisey said it's believed the local air quality and water supply were unaffected.

Catalyst Refiners works to remove silver from what remains of chemical processes. Ames Goldsmith Corp., the owner of Catalyst Refiners, said it is saddened by the deaths and its thoughts were with all those impacted and their families.

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This is an unfathomably difficult time, company President Frank Barber said in a statement released at the briefing. Our thoughts and prayers are with our colleagues and their families.

Ames Goldsmith promised to work with local, state and federal officials as they investigate the leak. The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration has opened an investigation into what happened, a spokesperson said, adding that the agency has six months to complete its examination.

Silver is in a number of items ranging from circuit boards and other electronics, photographic and X-Ray films and jewelry. Nitric acid is used to dissolve materials, leaving behind silver nitrate that can be processed to recover pure silver. Recovery businesses can also crush or sandblast items with silver and use magnets or differences in density to sort out the precious metal.

Sigman said Ames Goldsmith recovers silver from the various plants at the Institute complex "and they'll use it again. When they vacuum their carpets in their office, they recover so many thousands of dollars worth of silver out of it just vacuuming their carpets.

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The plant is located near Institute, a community about 10 miles (16 kilometers) west of Charleston, the state capital. The plant is in a region known as West Virginias chemical valley, although many plants that lined the area along the Kanawha River and produced hazardous materials have closed or changed ownership in the past several decades.

___

Associated Press writers Jeffrey Collins in Columbia, South Carolina, Gary D. Robertson in Raleigh, North Carolina, and Kristin M. Hall in Nashville, Tennessee,.contributed to this report.
BEIJING, April 22 (Reuters) - China on Wednesday condemned the Japanese prime minister's offerings to the Yasukuni shrine and visits by other Japanese officials to the war shrine.

Japan's "negative actions" concerning the shrine "grossly trample on human conscience", and China is "very indignant at these heinous acts and strongly condemns them", a spokesperson for Beijing's foreign ministry said at a regular press briefing.

The Yasukuni shrine, which honours Japan's war dead including soldiers and officials convicted of war crimes by an international tribunal, is viewed by some of Japan's Asian neighbours as a symbol of its wartime aggression.

(Reporting by Ethan Wang and Liz Lee; Editing by Himani Sarkar)
For more than a decade, leader Xi Jinping has overseen a transformation within the Chinese economy with one aim: making it energy-secure.

Under that vision, China has unleashed a renewable energy revolution of wind, solar and hydropower, drilled ever deeper into oilfields offshore and on, and forged pacts with partners for more supply  all in a bid to cut the countrys reliance on imported fuel and insulate it against external shocks.

Now, the historic oil crisis triggered by the United States and Israels war on Iran is posing the sternest test to date of Chinas Promethean effort toward energy self-sufficiency. Its a test that China appears to be passing.

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While fuel-strapped countries across Asia have scrambled for supplies, China  the worlds largest energy importer  has been sitting on vast stockpiles of oil, an industrial sector largely run on domestic energy and a fleet of cars increasingly powered by electricity, not gas.

For China, the ability to weather the energy shocks from the weeks-long war is sort of a vindication of everything theyve done to enhance energy security, said Erica Downs, a senior research scholar at the Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University.

Theres a lot they can look back on and say, We made the right call.

That vindication for China comes at a time when the US has retreated from its push into renewable energy and electric vehicles  creating a steep divergence between the models of the worlds two leading economies when it comes to power.

Electric vehicles are ready for export from a port in Shanghai last spring. - China Daily/Reuters

Electrostate

Since becoming a net importer of energy in the early 1990s, China has seen its reliance on the Middle East as a dangerous vulnerability.

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Its leaders have eyed the narrow waterways like the Strait of Malacca through which this fuel flows as potential chokepoints if a future adversary wanted to strangle Beijings supply.

To reduce reliance on maritime routes, China has over recent decades built costly pipelines funnelling oil and gas over land from Central Asia, Russia and Myanmar. Its also diversified its sources, with Russia catapulting to the top of Chinas list of oil suppliers in the wake of Moscows invasion of Ukraine.

But while his predecessors focused on expanding Chinas sources of oil and gas, Xi has also aimed to reduce Chinas reliance on the outside world altogether.

China must adhere to worst-case-scenario thinking, Xis adage goes, often repeated as he steels his cadres to prioritize national security in the face of what he sees as an increasingly hostile and volatile world.

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Under Xi, Beijing ramped up a nascent push to both increase green energy and reduce reliance on fossil fuels, unleashing more government backing for renewable energy and EVs.

Now, sprawling solar and wind farms are being installed at breakneck pace across Chinas plateaued hinterlands and along its coastlines. Domestic factories have cracked the code on making cheap batteries for electric cars, which are fast replacing gas-guzzlers on Chinas highways. It helps that China dominates supply chains for materials needed to make these goods.

And the picture is diverse. In a country already running a third of global hydropower capacity, ambitious dam projects are breaking ground in Chinas mountainous west, while the government has set its sights on pioneering next-generation technologies like nuclear fusion and green hydrogen.

Meanwhile, rich coal deposits stretched across northern Chinese provinces continue to feed power plants and backstop renewable supply, in a reminder that China, the worlds largest carbon emitter, has yet to kick its fossil fuel habit.

A staff worker inspects a freight train at a loading station at the Zhundong open-pit coal mine in northwest China's Xinjiang region last year. - Ding Lei/Xinhua/Getty Image

And even as China is running much of its industry on electricity from renewables and coal, its state-owned energy giants have been probing deeper into the countrys deserts and beneath its seabeds in search of more oil and gas  while building up crude reserves estimated to last at least several months.

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In all, the worlds second-largest economy imports what Chinese analysts suggest is only about 15% of its energy. But it still relies on imports for 70% of its oil and about 40% of its natural gas  and China hasnt been untouched by the economic turmoil unleashed by war in the Gulf.

Surging jet fuel prices have spilled over into higher ticket fees and even flight cancellations, transport costs are up, and elevated global commodities prices are buoying prices at the factory gate.

Central planners have intervened to cushion gas and diesel price hikes. Beijing has now given state refiners the green light to tap commercial oil reserves, according to a Bloomberg News report on April 10, citing people familiar with the matter.

And critically, Beijings drive for self-reliance only goes so far for an economy whose vast manufacturing sector relies on healthy overseas demand as it faces weak consumption at home.

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But as China has remained comparatively insulated amid the historic disruption of global oil markets  even clocking robust growth in the first quarter of 2026  Xi and his planners appear even more assured in their strategy.

We were early in developing wind and (solar) power, and that path now proves to have been forward-looking, Xi said late last month, according to a report from Chinese state broadcaster CCTV.

Oil wean

Wind turbines at Baiyunling Wind Farm operate in China's Guangxi province earlier this year. - Costfoto/NurPhoto/Getty Images

Today, China is far and away the leader in producing renewable energy  operating three times the wind and solar of the United States and India, the next two largest countries, combined, according to the Global Energy Monitor research firm.

The renewable share of Chinas energy mix is expanding at a rapid clip, with the aim to one day eclipse coal, even as China continues to lean heavily on the polluting fossil fuel to electrify its economy. (Critics say Beijing should set more ambitious targets to cut coal and meet its international climate pledges.)

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The rise of electric and hybrid vehicles  which account for more than half of new vehicles sold in China  has reduced oil demand by more than 1 million barrels per day, according to a 2025 study by the Rhodium Group. The International Energy Agency has predicted Chinas oil consumption will peak in 2027.

Before we worried about Chinas energy security, but now we know our solution is workable, said Lin Boqiang, dean of the China Institute for Energy Policy Studies at Xiamen University. We have renewables, we have electric vehicles, and when oil prices get higher these vehicles become ever more competitive  but without 20 years of investment we wouldnt have this now.

Even still, Xi has not forsaken fossil fuels, still required for some industry and transport. In 2018, as trade tensions rose with the first administration of US President Donald Trump, he called for Chinas energy giants to revamp their own oil and gas production.

China reached record-high oil production last year, as companies pumped more from aging oil fields, put new technology to use on sprawling offshore reserves in Chinas Bohai Sea, and continued to drill boreholes miles deep into oilfields in far western Xinjiang in search of more supplies.

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Critical to the energy security picture too, the government and its oil firms have kept their reserves flush, ramping up exports prior to the conflict to amass what trade data firm Kpler estimates to be some 1.3 billion barrels, or enough to cover three months, as of March.

The decision to emphasize the energy security and boost the stock reserve  is well paid back, said Muyu Xu, a Kpler senior crude oil analyst, referring to how China is weathering the current oil shock. When it comes to products like gasoline and diesel, the supply should be assured, because thats the bottom line for China.

Green tech future?

Employees and robots work on an electric vehicle production line at a factory of Chinese automaker NIO in Hefei, in eastern China's Anhui province last year. - Jade Gao/AFP/Getty Images

Despite Beijings worst-case-scenario planning, when Iran blocked traffic across the Strait of Hormuz in early March, Chinas exposure was large.

Some 38% of oil and 23% of liquified natural gas typically passing through the strait are bound for Chinese ports, according to financial firm Nomura. Overall, that accounts for about half of Chinas supply of imported oil and a sixth of its natural gas.

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But that dependence makes Chinas resilience starker  and spotlights the contrast between Beijings plan to electrify its economy and the model in the US, which some critics have dubbed a petrostate due to its reliance on fossil fuels.

Beijing is sure to see an opportunity for this contrast to play into Xis broader message that todays world is rife with chaos but China (read: unlike the US) is a responsible and visionary leader for this age.

Already there are signs that the world is paying attention.

In the first quarter of this year, Chinas exports of green technologies surged, with electric vehicles, lithium batteries, wind turbine goods up 78%, 50%, and 45% year on year, according to official data.

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The crisis could also open up more opportunity for that sector, which faces restrictions on certain green tech exports to countries including the US, Canada, and those in the European Union.

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz will force every country to rethink their energy security, and move toward producing more energy domestically, said Xiamen Universitys Lin.

And when it comes to whether they want to use the batteries and wind and solar technologies that China is already producing at scale to do so, countries that previously were reluctant may also need to think twice.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
By Joe Cash

BEIJING, April 21 (Reuters) - China on Tuesday implied energy assistance for the Philippines could be tied to Manila holding military drills with the U.S. and other allies, as its top newspaper showed Beijing's readiness to leverage its reserves in diplomatic disputes.

In an editorial headlined "The Philippines should create conditions for deepening cooperation," the ruling Communist Party's official People's Daily accused the Philippines of hypocrisy for seeking the emergency supplies days before hosting annual drills involving more than 17,000 troops on a remote Philippine island near Taiwan.

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China has the world's largest strategic oil inventories.

"These blatantly contradictory words and deeds expose the opportunistic nature of Philippine politicians," the commentary said, published under the pen name "Zhong Sheng," meaning "Voice of China", and commonly used to convey top officials' views on foreign policy.

"How can (the Philippines) justify acting with complete disregard for the interests of its neighbours and yet expect them to come to its aid in a critical moment?", the commentary continued, calling on Manila to "create the right conditions" for improved two-way ties.

Tying energy relief to diplomatic disputes suggests Beijing could start to use supply assistance as leverage against nations that have displeased it, analysts say, as it has with critical minerals exports to Japan.

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Relations between China and the Philippines have deteriorated over the two countries' competing claims in the South China Sea, particularly over Second Thomas Shoal where Manila grounded a warship in 1999 and conducts regular supply missions to sailors stationed on board. The shoal lies within the Philippines' 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone and about 1,300 km (808 miles) off mainland China.

China - the world's second-largest fertiliser exporter and a major fuel supplier in Asia - has reduced exports of refined fuels to neighbouring countries, following reports in March that it had ordered a ban on fuel exports to prioritise its domestic supply.

"I saw hints of an implied quid pro quo but not a direct conditionality of energy aid for political pre-conditions. What I saw more was the critique of the Philippines being ungrateful," said Eric Olander, co-founder of the China-Global South Project. "It wants to rely on China for economic 'emergency relief' while also stirring up trouble."

Chinese officials last month offered Taiwan what they described as energy stability in exchange for accepting Beijings rule.

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CHINA'S COMPARATIVE ENERGY ADVANTAGE

People's Daily highlighted China's decision to honour fertiliser contracts with the Philippines despite the March export ban and pointed to Manila's parallel interest in starting talks on oil and gas supplies. But it went on to list a series of grievances, including the war games.

Running until May 8, the exercises known as "Balikatan" or "shoulder-to-shoulder", also include Australia, Canada, France and New Zealand. Maritime strike drills will take place on the island of Itbayat, the northernmost point of the Philippines about 155 km from democratically governed Taiwan, which China views as its own territory. Counterlanding livefire drills will take place in Zambales province on the South China Sea, about 230 km from the hotly contested Scarborough Shoal, which China controls.

Ruby Osman, a senior policy adviser at the Tony Blair Institute, said the energy shocks had vindicated China's early2000s strategy of stockpiling and reinforced its ability to resist U.S. pressure, encouraging Beijing to act more confidently in situations involving its geopolitical rival.

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But China's comparative energy advantage should not be confused with the overall health of the country's energy security, she warned. "China is still burning through strategic reserves they'd rather not have to, with limited say in the length and scale of the disruption."

Chinese President Xi Jinping publicly called for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz for the first time during a Monday call with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, underlining the unease within the $19 trillion economy over the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, as export-led growth relies on open sea lanes.

(Reporting by Joe Cash; Editing by Kate Mayberry)
Perhaps no modern politician has done more to mainstream conspiracy theories than President Donald Trump.

After effectively launching his career in Republican politics with false birther claims about then-President Barack Obama, Trump has spent a decade lobbing all manner of wild theories about the stolen 2020 election, Haitian migrants eating peoples pets and the like. Hes also cultivated allies who helped him push those theories, often convincing many of his supporters.

But the monster Trump helped create could now be coming for him.

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While relatively few high-profile Trump allies have turned on him over the Iran war and other issues, those who have flipped tend to disproportionately come from the more conspiratorial ranks of Trumps following. Were talking about people like Marjorie Taylor Greene, Tucker Carlson and various other influencers.

Recently, theyve been increasingly feeding anti-Trump conspiracy theories to their audiences.

One thats recently gained steam is that there is something suspicious about the 2024 assassination attempt against Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania  implying it could have been staged. Other theories posit the president is beholden to Israel or even compromised in some other way; that Trumps and his administrations loyalties to Republicans are suspect; and even that he could be the antichrist.

Theres no real evidence of any actual foul play, of course. But troublingly for Trump, some of these theories appear to be gaining at least some traction on social media.

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The Butler theories are far and away the most prevalent right now  though theyre often lodged in a just-asking-questions framing (a tactic Trump has personally used before).

Joe Kent, who recently resigned as a top Trump administration counterterrorism official while citing the Iran war, claimed to Carlson that investigations of Butler have suspiciously been stifled.

Greene, the former GOP congresswoman from Georgia, said in a social media post on Sunday that she wasnt calling Butler a hoax, before adding: But there are a lot of questions that deserve public answers.

Marjorie Taylor Greene wears a "Trump Was Right About Everything" hat during an address by President Donald Trump to joint session of Congress in the House Chamber of the US Capitol on March 4, 2025. - Al Drago/Bloomberg/Getty Images/File

Podcaster Joe Rogan has occasionally gestured at such questions, and fellow podcaster Tim Dillon recently went so far as to state: I think maybe it was staged.

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Carlson and Candace Owens, meanwhile, have connected the questions to a player in many such conspiracy theories: Israel. (Notably, both have focused extensively on Israel in their commentary and faced frequent accusations of antisemitism.) Carlson suggested Kent could have a point that the lack of a more thorough investigation of Butler demonstrates Israels influence over the American government.

The accused would-be assassin, Thomas Matthew Crooks, left little in the way of a paper trail. But FBI officials under both Trump and former President Joe Biden have concluded that Crooks acted alone.

Other such theories also predictably involved Israel, especially the idea that Trump is compromised or beholden to the Jewish state.

Carlson earlier this month subtly likened Trump to a slave in an interview with Newsmax, saying, I feel sorry for him, as I do for all slaves. He is not free in this moment.

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And in a new show this week, another former Trump-supporting podcaster, Theo Von, suggested one logical explanation for the Iran war was that Trump was in the grip of Israel.

I dont understand, Von said. So yeah, thats what our presidents up to, and its f**king baffling. And its sick, and it feels like hes just been compromised by Israel, by this dark government over there. And I dont know. Its f**king dark. Its dark.

White nationalist Nick Fuentes has detailed an elaborate conspiracy theory in which JD Vance was effectively installed as vice president to be a tool of powerful forces in the tech industry.

And Fuentes comments were reposted Friday by former GOP vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin  though Palin insists she only meant to highlight an approving shout-out for her role in the tea party movement. (Palin hasnt turned against Trump, though she has recently been critical of him on a couple fronts.)

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Trumps decision to appear on Alex Jones conspiracy theory-laden show in late 2015 was, in retrospect, a major statement of intent when it came to Trumps desire to ally with conspiracy theorists. But Jones is now wielding such theories against Trump after breaking with him over Iran, including accusing Trump on Monday of trying to help Democrats take over his platform InfoWars (the Onion, a satirical news site that is working to take over InfoWars, is not controlled by the Democratic Party).

And then theres perhaps the most undersold theory thats getting some traction  that Trump could be the antichrist. In Christian theology, the antichrist is a figure that appears before Jesus second coming to deceive people and embodies a false savior.

This was a theory that Carlson hinted at recently amid his big break with Trump. And Wired magazine found that some Trump supporters with significant followings are starting to ask questions about it.

Tucker Carlson attends an event at the White House in January. - Kevin Lamarque/Reuters

It remains to be seen what will become of those theories on the right. It could be that some sudden Trump skeptics are just spouting off and it will all subside.

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But its not difficult to see some of them gaining real purchase, especially given the theories involve a familiar culprit (Israel) and a familiar set of circumstances that often breeds such theories (an attempted assassination).

The people targeting Trump have proven quite successful at spreading such theories in the past, including Jones, Owens and Carlson. And the theories are also getting some traction among a class of podcasters  people like Dillon and Von  who were valuable Trump supporters in part because they spoke to people who are less engaged politically and perhaps more easily influenced.

Republican Party leaders have largely stood by in recent months as anti-Israel and antisemitic sentiments have risen in their ranks, especially among younger Republicans. And theyve mostly tried to ignore metastasizing conspiracy theories about Charlie Kirks assassination, which have been pushed most forcefully by Owens.

But they might wish theyd pushed back more forcefully, given those sensibilities could now feed into conspiracy theories involving Trump  helped along by some recently alienated allies.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
The Health Ministry has published a review of 15 years of studies on a pseudoscience that has been criticized by scientists for decades: Many of these substances are so diluted, its like dissolving a packet of sugar in the Mediterranean Sea

The results provided by homeopathy do not outperform the placebo effect, there is no scientific evidence that it is an effective treatment, and using it instead of other therapies can pose a risk to patients health. These conclusions, which the scientific community has maintained for decades, have now been confirmed by a report published on Tuesday by the Spanish Agency of Medicines and Medical Products (AEMPS), a state agency attached to the Ministry of Health.

The document does not constitute any legal obligation: homeopathic products are legal in Spain and can continue to be sold in pharmacies under certain conditions, as is currently the case. The industry had sales of over 30 million ($35 million) in 2023, according to data provided to this newspaper by the consulting firm HMR.

The report is more of an official warning that science does not support this pseudoscientific system, which is based on the false belief that like cures like and that a substance, diluted in water until it completely disappears, can cure the very ailment it causes.

The study provides a comprehensive review of the scientific literature published between 2009 and 2026, and included only clinical trials in humans that meet the highest standards: randomized and controlled. When health officials examined this literature, they found that homeopathy is ineffective in curing any of the conditions it claims to treat, and that it can even have side effects in formulations that do contain active plant-based ingredients.

Health Minister Monica Garcia was unequivocal in a recorded statement on the subject: Homeopathy doesnt work. Weve analyzed all the available scientific evidence, and the conclusion is this: its no more effective than a placebo. Many of these substances are so diluted that its literally like dissolving a packet of sugar in the Mediterranean Sea.

The minister also underscored that the real health risk of homeopathy lies in using it as a replacement for treatments that actually work. Its not what you take, but what you stop taking, she said.

Vicente Baos, a doctor who has been part of the expert network of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for years, agrees with this assessment. In other words, the greatest danger is believing that homeopathy will actually help with an illness, and that this belief will motivate the abandonment of established treatments, he says.

Several years ago the Spanish Ministry of Health identified 73 pseudotherapies, including homeotherapy, and began publishing reports on them. The Covid pandemic significantly slowed this process, and the plan was suspended for several years. This latest report focuses on what is probably the most well-established pseudotherapy of all and the one with the most powerful industry behind it, even though it has been in decline for some years now.

In the case of homeopathy, there are 10,000 registered doctors who recommend its products in their consultations, according to the Spanish Society of Homeopathic Medicine (SEMH).

In Baoss opinion, it is European legislation itself, the result of the significant presence of lobbies with interests in homeopathy, that is the main obstacle preventing us from discussing this topic in Europe  a topic that should have been relegated to the history books of medicine many years ago.

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West Palm Beachs oldest bar is at risk of being auctioned off, the result of a bar fight that left a patron seriously injured six years ago and led to a seven-figure judgment against the establishment.

A jury ruled last year that Roxys Pub owes the injured patron and his wife $1.2 million, but the bar-restaurant has yet to pay, court records show.

Now the Palm Beach County Sheriffs Office has taken custody of the Clematis Street fixture and plans to sell the property at an auction in June, putting in doubt the fate of one of the city's best-known drinking locales.

What happened at Roxy's in West Palm Beach that night six years ago?

The jury verdict that led to the seizure stems from an incident in September 2020 when Miami-Dade County resident Rafael Perez-Valdivia visited the bar with his wife.

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Perez-Valdivia got into an argument in the bathroom with another man, who followed him back to his table, harassed him for several minutes and threw a glass mug, striking him in the face, according to court records.

Perez-Valdivia sued, alleging the bar was negligent in failing to do enough to maintain safety on the premises. A jury agreed.

The pub has declined to pay, prompting a judge to direct the sheriffs office this month to seize the property.

Roxys has remained open to customers. But a notice placed on its door says it is now in the custody of Sheriff Ric Bradshaw and it is to be sold.

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The lawsuit and the ensuing judgment were levied against RP Palm Beach, the company that owns the pub, and Von Esselborn Inc., which owns the property and the adjacent building. Both companies are controlled by Roxys owner John Webb.

The two properties, 309 Clematis St. and 313 Clematis St., are slated to be sold June 2 to the highest cash bidder, according to the sheriffs office.

Together, their estimated value for tax purposes is $4.3 million, according to the county property appraiser.

Webb could not be reached for comment. A Roxys employee working behind the bar April 21 declined either to comment or make a manager available, and an attorney who represented the pub in the lawsuit did not respond to a message seeking comment.

Roxy's Pub on Clematis Street in downtown West Palm Beach, pictured in 2010.

'They weren't interested' in paying, lawyer says

Miami attorney Philip Holden, who represented Perez-Valdivia in the lawsuit, said in an interview that he attempted unsuccessfully to negotiate terms of payment with Roxys.

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There was a discussion with Roxys and the other related entity that owns the property to see about a resolution, but they werent interested in that, so we had to proceed with collection efforts, he told The Palm Beach Post.

The value of the two properties far exceeds the judgment ordered by the court. But Holden said Roxys has outstanding loans and other liens on the property that would be paid first before his client sees any money.

The property has a number of creditors, he said. Its been mortgaged, it has tax liens and it has municipal liens for unpaid utilities. We are on that list, but we are not at the top of that list.

Many businesses carry liability insurance that covers payouts in personal injury lawsuits, but it was not clear whether Roxy's had any such coverage. No insurer is involved in the judgment against the historic bar, Holden said.

A notice on the door of Roxys Pub in downtown West Palm Beach says on April 21, 2026 that the bar is in the custody of Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw and is to be sold."

Roxys, long one of the city's most prominent bars, is nearly a century old. Over the years it has had five owners and operated in three locations.

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It was founded during Prohibition as Docks Liquor, an illegal speakeasy. In 1934, it received one of the first two liquor licenses issued in West Palm Beach after Prohibition was lifted.

More: Prohibition, gunfire, politicos and Snoop Dogg: West Palm Beach's oldest bar has seen it all

Originally located at the corner of Okeechobee Boulevard and South Dixie Highway, it moved to Clematis Street in 1989 and settled in its current location, 309 Clematis St., in 1997. By then it had become a downtown fixture, popular with business and government leaders.

Webb acquired the bar and reopened it in 2007 as an upscale Irish pub with a pool table, fireplace and booths surrounding the central bar. Two years later, he added a rooftop bar with a dance floor.

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In 2023, he moved forward with a $17 million project to add a rooftop pool and restaurant, the first rooftop pool bar on Clematis Street. It opened last year as Top of the Rox.

Top of the Rox rooftop pool, lounge, restaurant and nightclub at Roxy's Pub at 309 Clematis Street on July 12, 2025 in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Andrew Marra is a reporter at The Palm Beach Post. Reach him at amarra@pbpost.com.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Roxy's Pub in West Palm seized by court after bar fails to pay $1M
More than 200 journalists have signed an open letter urging the White House Correspondents' Association (WHCA) to call out President Donald Trump to his face at Saturday's White House Correspondents' Dinner (WHCD).

"We, the undersigned, call upon the White House Correspondents' Association to use the occasion of the White House Correspondents' Dinner, to forcefully demonstrate opposition to President Trumps efforts to trample freedom of the press," the open letter published Monday began. "The dinner has long served as a symbol of the vital and irreplaceable role of a free press in American democracy and a celebration of the First Amendment and the journalists who uphold it. President Trump's systematic, sustained, and unprecedented attacks on the free press... render his presence at such an event a profound contradiction of its purpose."

The letter continued, "The collective weight of the administrations actions  retaliatory access bans, coercive regulatory investigations, frivolous lawsuits against the press, defunding of public broadcasting, dismantling of international broadcasting, physical restrictions on journalists, personal verbal attacks on reporters, assaults on the media in official White House press releases and social media posts, the arrest of journalists, and the pardoning of those who committed violence against the press  represent the most systematic and comprehensive assault on freedom of the press by a sitting American president."

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Trump's Return To The White House Correspondents' Dinner Marks A Political Journey Coming Full Circle

President Donald Trump is set to attend the White House Correspondents' Dinner this Saturday for the first time as president.

The journalists said this year's WHCD "cannot be business as usual with the press standing up to applaud the man who attacks them on a daily basis," urging WHCA leadership to condemn Trump's threats to the press from the podium.

"Speak forcefully, in front of the man who seeks to undermine our countrys long tradition of an independent, strong, and free press," the letter stated. "We also urge the WHCA to reaffirm, without equivocation, that freedom of the press is not a partisan issue and that the Association will not normalize this behavior but instead fight back against any officeholder who has waged systematic war against the journalists whose work the dinner celebrates."

Read On The Fox News App

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Notable signatories on the letter are former CBS News anchor Dan Rather, former ABC News White House correspondent Sam Donaldson, former NBC News anchor Ann Curry and PBS NewsHour correspondent Stephanie Sy.

Trump Accepts White House Correspondents' Association Dinner Invitation For The First Time As President

Ex-CBS News anchor Dan Rather was among the signatories demanding the White House Correspondents' Association to call out Trump to his face at this year's White House Correspondents' Dinner.

The letter included a lengthy list labeled the "Trump Administration's Attacks on Freedom of the Press." Among examples listed are Trump's "Gulf of America" feud with the Associated Press, the Pentagon's crackdown on press access, Trump's lawsuit settlements with ABC News and CBS News as well as the various insults he has used against individual journalists.

Several journalism organizations also co-signed the letter, including the National Association of Black Journalists and the Freedom of the Press Foundation.

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In response to the letter, a spokesperson for the White House simply pointed to Trump's Truth Social post announcing he was attending the WHCD, claiming he accepted the invitation because the WHCA asked him "very nicely" and "admit that I am truly one of the Greatest Presidents in the History of our Country, the G.O.A.T."

Rather was famously fired from CBS News for airing an erroneous report in 2004 about President George W. Bush that relied on falsified documents.

This year's White House Correspondents' Dinner marks Trump's first time attending as president after boycotting the annual press gala last year and during his first term.

Click Here For The Latest Media And Culture News

President Donald Trump, accompanied by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaks with reporters while departing the White House, Friday, March 20, 2026, in Washington.





Original article source: Dan Rather among 200 journalists demanding Trump be called out at White House Correspondents' Dinner
Democrats' split over data centers is opening a gaping fault line in key House primaries.

Democratic candidates in battleground districts across the country are embracing a left-wing proposal to halt the development of data centers nationwide, pushing incumbents to weigh more aggressive postures than trying to limit the energy-hungry facilities' impact on electric grids and utility bills.

The moratorium idea is gaining traction beyond insurgent campaigns. In Tennessee, state Rep. Justin Pearson is mounting a serious primary challenge to Rep. Steve Cohen (D) in the states 9th District and says a federal moratorium on data centers is not only sound policy but also a potential political winner across party lines.

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We fight for the solidarity dividend all across the country, in small towns, big cities: Its us against the [artificial intelligence] billionaires taking our electricity and water, Pearson said. This is our bridge issue, but you have to have leadership that realizes it.

Pearson has a clear political reason for embracing a moratorium. The solidly blue 9th District, which covers most of Memphis and the surrounding area, has become a flash point over data centers powering Elon Musks xAI operations.

Cohen isnt letting Pearson claim the issue outright. The incumbent has also expressed support for a federal moratorium and has introduced a bill to regulate data centers emissions and energy use.

"This isnt about voluntary action, Cohen said of his legislation. Its about ensuring that, as this industry grows, it does not rely on coal and gas or drive up utility bills."

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Across the country, similar fights are emerging. In one small Missouri town, voters recently ousted all incumbent city council members after they approved a $6 billion data center deal. Other communities in data center hubs like Ohio and Maryland are considering local moratoriums on the energy-intensive projects.

Right now, data centers are expanding faster than our infrastructure can handle, and Virginians are the ones paying the price through higher utility bills and increased strain on our energy system, said former Alexandria, Virginia, council member and federal attorney Mo Seifeldein, who is challenging Rep. Don Beyer (D) in the state's 8th District.

Beyer, for his part, has not yet publicly endorsed a data center moratorium of any kind. A spokesperson did not return request for comment.

Maine's Legislature already passed a data center moratorium, and Democratic Gov. Janet Mills  running to unseat Republican Sen. Susan Collins  is weighing whether to sign it.

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Graham Platner, Mills's primary opponent, did not return a request for comment. But two Maine Democrats competing in a Democratic primary to replace departing Rep. Jared Golden have favored a moratorium.

Joe Baldacci, a state senator, voted for the bill awaiting Mills's signature. Primary opponent Matthew Dunlap, a former state auditor, shared his views in a statement to POLITICO's E&E News.

If elected to Congress, I would support and co-sponsor the federal moratorium legislation," Dunlap said, referring to the bill announced by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.). We need national standards that protect consumers, workers, and our environment before we allow unchecked expansion of these facilities."

'He's not listening'

Most Democrats in Congress have criticized the moratorium proposal harshly. Virginia Democratic Sen. Mark Warner dismissed the plan as idiocy during an event hosted by Axios.

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Instead, many lawmakers and candidates are backing narrower approaches. Beyer has introduced legislation that would direct the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to convene a conference with grid operators and issue recommendations on protecting ratepayers.

Still, progressive challengers see an opening to argue that incumbents are not acting in voters best interests.

Rep. Cohen is not taking this issue seriously enough, and hes not listening to the working-class people in his district, Pearson said. The AI industry is moving at speed to do things we never imagined, and we need to put a hold on it."

Cohen said in a statement that he supports a data center moratorium until strong, enforceable guardrails are in place. He also pointed to his work in introducing the "Clean Cloud Act," a bill that would set emission requirements for data centers and incentivize clean energy use.

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A February poll from progressive firm Data for Progress found the two candidates in a virtual tie. Pearson has been outraising Cohen; he's brought in $1.1 million total, double Cohens haul.



Destiny Wells and George Hornedo, long-shot challengers to Rep. Andre Carson (D) in Indianas 7th District, saw the growing data center backlash firsthand when more than 100 residents gathered outside Indianapolis City Hall to oppose a proposed data center.

The Martindale-Brightwood neighborhood in Indianapolis spent months fighting a proposed $500 million data center  near homes, near a daycare, near the only grocery store in the area, Hornedo said. And on April 1, the city approved it anyway.

They said the outcome underscores the uphill battle local residents face when taking on large developers and the officials aligned with them. The progressive candidates both broadly echoed that populist framing in arguing for a federal moratorium, while also attacking incumbent Democrats as another aspect of a systemic issue.

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AES Indiana  the utility that will power the facility  has contributed to his campaign, Hornedo said of Carson. Im not saying thats why he was silent. But I am saying the silence fell in exactly the places youd expect it to fall given those relationships.

Carson said in a statement he now supports a federal data center moratorium, adding he would work to pass bills to prevent data centers from passing costs on to customers and to require environmental disclosures.

'Fair share' or full stop?

How much the data center moratorium issue will boost underdog candidates remains an open question.

Community opposition exists, but public opinion is far from a groundswell. A POLITICO/Public First poll from January found voters nearly split  with 37 percent supporting a new data center within 3 miles of their home, 28 percent opposed and another 28 percent with no strong view either way.

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I think a moratorium would send the message to other nations, Hey, the U.S. is giving up leadership in this space,' and I don't want to send that message, said Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.).

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) has included a priority of making data centers pay their fair share as part of Senate Democrats broader plan to cut energy costs.

President Donald Trump has brokered a Ratepayer Protection Pledge with major technology companies, committing them to cover the full cost of their energy and infrastructure, no matter what.

Critics say the informal agreement lacks enforcement mechanisms, and GOP leaders have sent mixed messages on whether they intend to codify the pledge. Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri has been particularly vocal among Republicans in pushing for Congress to legislate on data centers.

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GOP concern about data centers is more vocal at the state level. James Fishback, a far-right candidate for Florida governor, has criticized national Republicans for prioritizing major tech firms over communities absorbing the impacts of rapid development.

And former Michigan House Speaker Tom Leonard (R), now running for governor, is calling for a one-year statewide moratorium on new data center construction.

I dont want to live in a state thats full of data centers, Leonard told Bridge Michigan, a nonprofit news website. And I know many of the people that Im talking to  they dont either.

Timothy Cama contributed to this report.
Virginia voters delivered Democrats a narrow victory in a high-stakes special election redrawing congressional maps ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

The Associated Press and NBC News called the referendum in favor of the "yes" side, which favored crafting an aggressive Democratic-leaning map for the state's 11-member delegation in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Democrats currently hold a 6-to-5 edge that, under the new lines, would temporarily transform into one that gives them an overwhelming 10-to-1 advantage.

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That means a partisan arms race started by President Donald Trump, arm-twisting Republican-led legislatures from Texas to Missouri to redraw their districts to boost Republican seats, may now actually harm his party's prospects.

"Virginia voters have spoken, and tonight they approved a temporary measure to push back against a President who claims he is entitled to more Republican seats in Congress," Gov. Abigail Spanberger said in a statement to USA TODAY.

"Virginians watched other states go along with those demands without voter input  and we refused to let that stand. We responded the right way: at the ballot box."

Democratic Texas Representative Gene Wu speaks during a press conference after the passing of H.B. 4, during a session in which Democratic lawmakers, who had left the state to prevent Republicans from redrawing Texas's 38 congressional districts, returned to the Texas State Capitol in Austin, Texas, on Aug. 20, 2025. Texas State Representative for House District 95 Nicole Collier sleeps in the House chamber, where she has chosen to remain until Wednesday, after Democratic lawmakers who had left the state to prevent Republicans from redrawing Texass 38 congressional districts returned to the Capitol in Austin, Texas, on Aug. 19, 2025. Collier is staying in the chamber because she did not want to sign the required permission slip allowing lawmakers to leave the Capitol under escort by Department of Public Safety agents. Democratic State Senators huddle with staffers as the Republicans' attempt to pass a bill that would redraw the state's 38 congressional districts, at the Texas State Capitol in Austin, Texas, on Aug. 22, 2025. State Sen. Carol Alvarado, a Democrat, asks questions about the redistricting process as Republicans attempt to pass a bill that would redraw the state's 38 congressional districts, at the Texas State Capitol in Austin, Texas, on Aug. 22, 2025. Republican State Senator Pete Flores looks over redistricting maps as the Republicans attempt to pass a bill that would redraw the state's 38 congressional districts, at the Texas State Capitol in Austin, Texas, on Aug. 22, 2025. Democratic State Sen. Roland Gutierrez holds a discussion with Republican State Sen. Lois Kolkhorst and Democratic State Sen. Cesar Blanco as the Republicans attempt to pass a bill that would redraw the state's 38 congressional districts, at the Texas State Capitol in Austin, Texas, on Aug. 22, 2025. Democratic State Sen. Molly Cook asks questions to Republican Sen. Phil King as the Republicans attempt to pass a bill that would redraw the state's 38 congressional districts, at the Texas State Capitol in Austin, Texas, on Aug. 22, 2025. Democratic State Sen. Royce West asks questions to Republican Sen. Phil King as the Republicans attempt to pass a bill that would redraw the state's 38 congressional districts, at the Texas State Capitol in Austin, Texas, on Aug. 22, 2025. State Representative Matt Morgan (R-TX) holds a map of the new proposed congressional districts in Texas, during a legislative session as Democratic lawmakers, who left the state to deny Republicans the opportunity to redraw the state's 38 congressional districts, begin returning to the Texas State Capitol in Austin, Texas, on Aug. 20, 2025. Republican Texas State Representative Todd Hunter, surrounded by most of the Republican members of the House of Representatives, speaks during a session as Democratic lawmakers, who left the state to deny Republicans the opportunity to redraw the state's 38 congressional districts, begin returning to the Texas State Capitol in Austin, Texas, on Aug. 20, 2025. U.S. Representative Al Green attends a protest during a session as Democratic lawmakers, who left the state to deny Republicans the opportunity to redraw the state's 38 congressional districts, begin returning to the Texas State Capitol in Austin, Texas, on Aug. 20, 2025. Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives Dustin Burrows bangs the gavel during a session as Democratic lawmakers, who left the state to deny Republicans the opportunity to redraw the state's 38 congressional districts, begin returning to the Texas State Capitol in Austin, Texas, on Aug. 20, 2025. A group of Democratic Representatives refer to themselves as the "Collier 7" take a photo during a legislative session, as Democratic lawmakers, who left the state to deny Republicans the opportunity to redraw the state's 38 congressional districts, begin returning to the Texas State Capitol in Austin, Texas, on Aug. 20, 2025. A computer screen shows a section of the proposed congressional district map while Democratic Texas State Representative Gene Wu sits at his desk during a session as Democratic lawmakers, who left the state to deny Republicans the opportunity to redraw the state's 38 congressional districts, begin returning to the Texas State Capitol in Austin, Texas, on Aug. 20, 2025. Democratic Texas State Representative Diego Burnal speaks during a session as Democratic lawmakers, who left the state to deny Republicans the opportunity to redraw the state's 38 congressional districts, begin returning to the Texas State Capitol in Austin, Texas, on Aug. 20, 2025. Republican Texas State Representative David Lowe wears a button with the words "Big Beautiful Map" during a session as Democratic lawmakers, who left the state to deny Republicans the opportunity to redraw the state's 38 congressional districts, begin returning to the Texas State Capitol in Austin, Texas, on Aug. 20, 2025. Democratic State Rep. Nicole Collier asks questions about H.B. 4 during a session as Democratic lawmakers, who left the state to deny Republicans the opportunity to redraw the state's 38 congressional districts, begin returning to the Texas State Capitol in Austin, Texas, on Aug. 20, 2025. Democratic Texas Rep. Cassandra Garcia Hernandez speaks at a news conference outside of the House chamber in the State Capitol on Aug. 19, 2025, in Austin, Texas. Democratic Texas Nicole Collier is being joined by several of her democratic constituents in spending the night on the House floor. Tonight, will mark the second consecutive night that Collier will be spending the night after refusing a mandatory escort by the Department of Public Safety. Collier is one of dozens of Democratic lawmakers who fled the state earlier this month after a two-week standoff with Republicans over their newly introduced plan to redraw Texas' congressional maps during a first special legislative session ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Democratic Texas Rep. Mihaela Plesa tears her Department of Public Safety escort form during a news conference outside of the House chamber in the State Capitol on Aug. 19, 2025, in Austin, Texas. Democratic Texas Rep. Nicole Collier is being joined by several of her democratic constituents in spending the night on the House floor. Tonight, will mark the second consecutive night that Collier will be spending the night after refusing a mandatory escort by the Department of Public Safety. Collier is one of dozens of Democratic lawmakers who fled the state earlier this month after a two-week standoff with Republicans over their newly introduced plan to redraw Texas' congressional maps during a first special legislative session ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Democratic Texas Rep. Penny Morales Shaw displays a poster of Democratic Texas Rep. Nicole Collier during a news conference outside of the House chamber in the State Capitol on Aug. 19, 2025 in Austin, Texas. Rep. Nicole Collier is being joined by several of her democratic constituents in spending the night on the House floor. Tonight, will mark the second consecutive night that Collier will be spending the night after refusing a mandatory escort by the Department of Public Safety. Collier is one of dozens of Democratic lawmakers who fled the state earlier this month after a two-week standoff with Republicans over their newly introduced plan to redraw Texas' congressional maps during a first special legislative session ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Democratic Texas Rep. Cassandra Garcia Hernandez holds a Department of Public Safety escort form during a news conference outside of the House chamber in the State Capitol on Aug. 19, 2025 in Austin, Texas. Democratic Texas Rep. Nicole Collier is being joined by several of her democratic constituents in spending the night on the House floor. Tonight, will mark the second consecutive night that Collier will be spending the night after refusing a mandatory escort by the Department of Public Safety. Collier is one of dozens of Democratic lawmakers who fled the state earlier this month after a two-week standoff with Republicans over their newly introduced plan to redraw Texas' congressional maps during a first special legislative session ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images) People demonstrate, calling for the release of Democratic Texas Rep. Nicole Collier in the State Capitol on Aug. 19, 2025, in Austin, Texas. State Rep. Nicole Collier has spent the night on the House floor after refusing a mandatory escort by the Department of Public Safety. Collier is one of dozens of Democratic lawmakers who fled the state earlier this month after a two-week standoff with Republicans over their newly introduced plan to redraw Texas' congressional maps during a first special legislative session ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. The Texas State Capitol is seen on Aug. 19, 2025, in Austin, Texas. State Rep. Nicole Collier has spent the night on the House floor after refusing a mandatory escort by Department of Public Safety. Collier is one of dozens of Democratic lawmakers who fled the state earlier this month after a two-week standoff with Republicans over their newly introduced plan to redraw Texas' congressional maps during a first special legislative session ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Lawmakers convene for roll call during a House meeting on Aug. 18, 2025, in Austin, Texas. Texas Democratic lawmakers returned to the state Capitol after a two-week standoff with Republicans over their newly introduced plan to redraw Texas' congressional maps during a first special legislative session, ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Demonstrators chant as lawmakers are welcomed back ahead of a House meeting in the state Capitol on Aug. 18, 2025, in Austin, Texas. Texas Democratic lawmakers returned to the state Capitol after a two-week standoff with Republicans over their newly introduced plan to redraw Texas' congressional maps during a first special legislative session, ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Demonstrators chant as lawmakers are welcomed back ahead of a House meeting in the state Capitol on Aug. 18, 2025, in Austin, Texas. Texas Democratic lawmakers returned to the state Capitol after a two-week standoff with Republicans over their newly introduced plan to redraw Texas' congressional maps during a first special legislative session, ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Democratic Texas Rep. Ramon Romero attends a news conference at the conclusion of a House meeting on Aug. 18, 2025, in Austin, Texas. Texas Democratic lawmakers returned to the state Capitol after a two-week standoff with Republicans over their newly introduced plan to redraw Texas' congressional maps during a first special legislative session, ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Democratic lawmakers are welcomed back upon arrival at a House meeting in the state Capitol on Aug. 18, 2025, in Austin, Texas. Texas Democratic lawmakers returned to the state Capitol after a two-week standoff with Republicans over their newly introduced plan to redraw Texas' congressional maps during a first special legislative session, ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Texas House Democratic Caucus Chair Gene Wu attends a news conference at the conclusion of a House meeting on Aug. 18, 2025 in Austin, Texas. Texas Democratic lawmakers returned to the state Capitol after a two-week standoff with Republicans over their newly introduced plan to redraw Texas' congressional maps during a first special legislative session, ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Texas House Democratic Caucus Chair Gene Wu attends a news conference at the conclusion of a House meeting on Aug. 18, 2025, in Austin, Texas. Texas Democratic lawmakers returned to the state Capitol after a two-week standoff with Republicans over their newly introduced plan to redraw Texas' congressional maps during a first special legislative session, ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. The Texas State Capitol is seen on Aug. 19, 2025, in Austin, Texas. State Rep. Nicole Collier has spent the night on the House floor after refusing a mandatory escort by the Department of Public Safety. Collier is one of dozens of Democratic lawmakers who fled the state earlier this month after a two-week standoff with Republicans over their newly introduced plan to redraw Texas' congressional maps during a first special legislative session ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Texas Democrats return, continue to protest redistricting efforts by Republicans 1 of 31 Democratic Texas Representative Gene Wu speaks during a press conference after the passing of H.B. 4, during a session in which Democratic lawmakers, who had left the state to prevent Republicans from redrawing Texas's 38 congressional districts, returned to the Texas State Capitol in Austin, Texas, on Aug. 20, 2025.

Polls showed a tight contest with both sides spending millions from secret donors to persuade voters to accept or reject the measure.

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There was a noticeable uptick in early voting, which favored Democrats; but Republicans, fueled by angry rural voters in the southern half of the state, surged on Election Day in an effort to defeat the measure, almost closing the gap.

With more than 95% of the results counted, the "yes" side was prevailing by about 2.5 percentage points, according to state data.

Here are the key takeaways from the April 21 contest:

'Hit back hard': Democrats gain edge in national redistricting battle

The Virginia outcome, coupled with a similar referendum win for Democrats in California last year, means Trump is now trailing in a partisan gerrymandering fight that he started.

Trump urged Texas Republicans to redo their state's map last year to protect the GOP House majority from a projected "blue wave" this fall. He's arm-twisted other GOP-led states, such as Missouri and North Carolina, to do the same.

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Those three states and Ohio combined added nine seats favoring Republicans to the national map, according to trackers. But that tactic appears to have backfired after the president's liberal foes undertook the same strategy in California and Virginia, which, along with Utah, have adopted new maps giving Democrats 10 seats.

"While many expected Democrats to roll over and play dead, we did the opposite," House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, of New York, told The Associated Press.

"Democrats did not step back," he added. "We fought back. When they go low, we hit back hard."

Virginia referendum served as Obama vs. Trump proxy war

Former President Barack Obama and President-elect Donald Trump attend the funeral service for former President Jimmy Carter at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, DC, on Jan. 9, 2025.

Trump put a considerable amount of political weight behind the "no" side, telling Republicans to get to the polls in an April 20 telerally, calling the proposition a "shameful" attempt to "disenfranchise" conservatives.

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In the other corner was former President Barack Obama, who cut a 30-second advertisement for the "yes" side in which he said the GOP was trying to "steal" seats in Congress and "rig the next election" this fall.

The special election presented a rare head-to-head clash between the two, who are chummy in public but have taken jabs at each other since Trump returned to power last year.

In February, Trump was slammed after his Truth Social account shared a video depicting Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama as apes, which many decried as racist. He has also mused about running against Obama in 2028 if both men were to seek a third term, which is forbidden under the U.S. Constitution.

Obama hasn't entertained such a challenge, but he has taken subtle and overt shots at the current administration after rising criticism from some progressives that he needs to be more involved in Democratic resistance efforts.

'No' side fueled by anger over expected losses

Early voting in Virginia indicated a high turnout that typically favors Democrats. But the Republican-backed "no" side did better than expected in terms of motivating its base, which was fueled largely by anger among rural voters in the southern half of the state.

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The state has some of the fairest maps in the country, according to Princeton University's Gerrymandering Project, and conservatives were successful in getting a stronger turnout on Election Day than surveys captured.

Many on the "no" side emphasized how unfair the new maps were, even if temporary until the 2030 Census, and leaned into independent voters to think twice about supporting the measure.

"Thank you to all the voters who turned out to vote against this egregious power grab," former Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, a Republican, said in an April 21 post on X.

"The race was much closer than the left expected because Virginians know a 10-1 map is not Virginia," he added. "I urge the Virginia Supreme Court to rule against this unconstitutional process that will disenfranchise millions of Virginians."

Confused voters and dark money dominate

A total of roughly $100 million in spending from both sides was fueled by groups with similar names, mostly from secret donors, which helped confused Virginia voters throughout the special election.

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Virginians for Fair Elections, the chief group favoring the ballot question, raked in about $64 million, according to the Virginia Public Access Project. On the other side, Virginians for Fair Maps, which opposed the referendum, received about $19 million.

Both relied heavily on so-called "dark money" donations, meaning they aren't required to disclose where their money is coming from.

Some people reported receiving materials that are often used to fool voters, including newspaper-like publications, in their mailboxes in support of the measure. And both sides apparently used Trump and Obama's images to engage in a bit of misinformation.

Obama previously opposed partisan gerrymandering and those opposed to the new map were running their own spots featuring the former president saying as much. A local Democratic Party in Virginia was caught using Trump's image on a misleading billboard that falsely claimed he was in support of the referendum.

What's next? GOP looks to the courts, Florida for rebuttal

The final tally won't be the end of a redistricting battle that is likely to continue until the fall.

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Virginia House Minority Leader Terry Kilgore, who leads the Republican caucus in the statehouse, filed suit against the amendment, saying the referendum question lacked "neutral framing." In a statement, he said the issue will "now move where they belong: to the courts."

"There is still a chance this map might not be in effect this November," Kyle Kondik, an executive at the University of Virginia Center for Politics, said about the redistricting maps that could change Virginia's 11-member congressional delegation from a close 6-to-5 Democratic edge to a major 10-to-1 advantage.

Kondik said there is a serious question about whether Democrats followed proper procedures to amend the state constitution.

The Virginia Supreme Court allowed the referendum to take place while reviewing Kilgore and other plaintiffs' complaints, arguing the measure saying new districts would "restore fairness" was unfair and misleading. It is set to review the legality of the referendum in the coming weeks.

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Trump's allies may also get a reprieve at the U.S. Supreme Court, which could strike down a critical provision in the 1965 Voting Rights Act that prohibits racial gerrymandering. Several southern states are expected to rush through new maps that would favor the GOP in the midterms.

Trump and the Democrats' redistricting fight now moves to other states, such as Florida, where Gov. Ron DeSantis has called a special legislative session to deliberate maps that might add three to five Republican-leaning seats.

Contributing: Terry Collins

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Democratic redistricting map squeaks by in Virginia: 5 takeaways
A desert street racing circus came to a screeching halt this past weekend as police in Tucson, Arizona, swarmed a late-night takeover, rounding up drivers and spectators and hauling off tricked-out cars in a sweeping crackdown on the growing nationwide trend.

The Tucson Police Department, working alongside the Pima County Sheriffs Department, launched a coordinated deployment after identifying a large gathering. Officers moved in on the scene, which they said was packed with participants and dozens of onlookers, shutting it down before it could escalate further.

The operation ended with the arrests of 17 adults and seven juveniles, as well as seven vehicles towed.

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Police did not mince words about the danger.

Nypd Investigating 'Reckless' Drag Racing Street Takeover In Queens

Participants hang out of a moving car as crowds gather during a Tucson street takeover. (Fox News)

"Street racing and street takeovers are dangerous and unpredictable," TPD said, warning these events "can draw large crowds, sometimes involving individuals who are armed or under the influence, and situations can escalate in seconds."

Read On The Fox News App

A modified car spins through smoke during a late-night street takeover in Tucson before police moved in.

"That creates serious risks for everyone in the area," the department added.

"Recent fatal crashes in our community are a tragic reminder of the real and lasting consequences tied to this behavior," police said.

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Dc Curfew Ends As Teen Takeover Fears Clock In  City Braces For Chaos Amid Spring Break Mayhem

Tow trucks remove multiple modified vehicles seized during a Tucson police crackdown on street racing.

Investigators said they are aggressively tracking down cars tied to these events, often easy to spot due to "noticeable decals, paint schemes, modifications, and damage." Those vehicles, officials said, can be impounded as evidence as cases are built against drivers and organizers.

Officials made it clear that just showing up can carry consequences.

Got A Tip?

A seized vehicle is loaded onto a tow truck under flashing police lights following a Tucson street takeover.

"Participating in illegal street racing or reckless driving can lead to arrest," the department said. "If youre thinking about going to one of these events, DONT. Even spectating can lead to citations or arrest."

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Police said the enforcement push is part of a broader strategy focused on enforcement, surveillance and coordination to curb a trend thats been plaguing cities nationwide.

WATCH: More cars hauled away after desert street takeover crackdown

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"TPD, along with our regional partners, will continue proactive enforcement efforts to stop these gatherings before they grow into something more dangerous," the statement said.

Authorities are urging anyone with information about illegal street racing to report it anonymously to 88-Crime or call 911, adding, "Together, we can make Tucsons streets safer."

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The crackdown in Tucson comes as similar chaos is playing out across the country.

In New York City over the weekend, police launched an investigation into a massive street takeover in Queens that drew more than 100 vehicles in the early morning hours, with drivers spinning in circles and crowds flooding the intersection.

When officers moved in, dozens of cars fled and several individuals allegedly jumped onto the hood of a police vehicle, cracking the windshield before taking off. No arrests have been made so far as investigators work to identify suspects.

Click Here For More Us News

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Just days earlier, mobs of young street racers swarmed a Georgia intersection in the middle of the night, wreaking havoc and disturbing neighbors.

WATCH: Street 'takeover' spirals into chaos as racers swarm roads

Atlanta police were dispatched to the intersection of James Jackson Parkway and Bolton Road around 1:30 a.m. Sunday, April 12, over reports of street racers "driving recklessly, blocking the roadway from citizen motorists, laying drag and performing illegal drifting maneuvers, also known as donuts," authorities said in a statement .

Click Here To Download The Fox News App

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From coast to coast, law enforcement agencies are grappling with the same volatile mix of social media-fueled gatherings, reckless driving and swelling crowds  a trend officials warn can turn dangerous in seconds.

Fox News Digital's Sarah Rumpf-Whitten and Landon Mion contributed to this report.





Original article source: Desert street racing circus crushed  cops swarm late-night takeover, suspects hauled off and rides seized
The Southern Poverty Law Center said Tuesday that it is under criminal investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice tied to its past use of paid informants. Civil rights advocates warn that it could have devastating implications for organizations that monitor extremism.

The Montgomery, Alabama -based group disclosed the probe itself, saying federal authorities are examining how it used confidential sources to infiltrate extremist organizations and gather intelligence, at times shared with law enforcement. The Justice Department announced that a federal grand jury has returned an indictment against the Southern Poverty Law Center, alleging financial crimes related to payments made to individuals within extremist groups as part of the organizations intelligence-gathering efforts.

Related: Here are all of Trump's political enemies that have been charged or investigated (so far)

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Prosecutors said the payments, which spanned years, raise questions about how the organization disclosed those activities to donors and regulators.

In a video statement released Tuesday, SPLC Interim CEO Bryan Fair said the organization has long relied on such methods to confront violent threats, calling it a beacon of hope that has spent decades fighting white supremacy and working toward a multiracial democracy. He said the investigation appears to focus on the groups prior use of paid informants to gather intelligence on extremely violent groups, describing the practice as necessary to protect staff and the public.

Fair said SPLC frequently shared information from informants with local and federal law enforcement, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, but did not publicly disclose the practice to protect informants identities. He added that the organization no longer works with paid informants, though those sources once risked their lives to infiltrate extremist networks.

In a separate statement to The Advocate, Fair said the organization is aware of a Justice Department press conference and what he described as a grand jury indictment targeting SPLC, though formal charges had not been served on the group.



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Related: Democrats and rights groups accuse Trump's Justice Department of ignoring hate crimes

Related: Stochastic Terrorism: Links Between the GOP, Right-Wing Influencers & Neo-Nazi Violence

Although we have not seen formal charges, we are aware of the press conference held today at the U.S. Department of Justice and the indictment evidently returned by a grand jury against our organization, Fair said. We are outraged by the false allegations levied against SPLC  an organization that for 55 years has stood as a beacon of hope fighting white supremacy and various forms of injustice to create a multi-racial democracy where we can all live and thrive.

Fair defended the organizations past work infiltrating extremist groups, calling it both dangerous and essential. Taking on violent hate and extremist groups is among the most dangerous work there is, and we believe it is also among the most important work we do, he said. To be clear, this program saved lives.

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The groups research has been widely cited in national reporting, including in The Advocate, which has relied on SPLC data and analysis to document networks spreading anti-LGBTQ+ misinformation and to track how those narratives move from fringe ecosystems into policy debates. A 2023 SPLC study identified more than 60 organizations involved in circulating anti-LGBTQ+ pseudoscience , mapping what researchers described as a coordinated infrastructure shaping legislation and public opinion.

SPLC has long been a target of conservative lawmakers and commentators, particularly for its designation of certain right-wing groups as extremist. That tension escalated in 2025 when the FBI cut formal ties with the organization, with Director Kash Patel accusing it of political bias, the Associated Press reports .

Related: Attacks on the LGBTQ+ Community Amount to Stochastic Terrorism

Related: Libs of TikTok creator accuses NBC News of stochastic terrorism after bomb threat investigation

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Civil rights groups quickly rallied to the SPLCs defense. Kelley Robinson, president of the Human Rights Campaign , called the probe a dangerous escalation and warned it reflects an effort to intimidate organizations working to advance equality.

The Southern Poverty Law Center has spent decades protecting Americans from fascism and white supremacy and ensuring we can all live our lives free from discrimination and hate, Robinson said in a statement to The Advocate. They are trying to intimidate SPLC and all civil rights organizations from speaking out and doing our work. If they can come for one of us, they can come for all of us.

SPLC has cast the investigation as politically motivated. Fair said the group was unsurprised to be the latest organization targeted by this administration, pointing to prior actions by federal officials and congressional scrutiny.

For now, SPLC says it will continue its work and will not be intimidated into silence or contrition, as it prepares for a legal fight.

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This article originally appeared on Advocate: DOJ announces its latest criminal target. Its a nonprofit group that tracks right-wing extremists

RELATED
The Department of Justice rescinded a number of subpoenas Monday, just days after they were issued as part of the agencys nascent perjury case against former CIA Director John Brennan.

Over the weekend, prosecutors issued subpoenas requiring witnesses to testify before a grand jury in Washington. This came as a surprise to some veteran prosecutors, as witnesses will typically be interviewed by the FBI before they are brought before a grand jury, according to The New York Times.

The DOJ did not offer an explanation for the rescission Monday. Law enforcement indicated that they had opted to schedule voluntary interviews instead.

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Last week, Maria Medetis Long, chief of the national security section for the U.S. attorneys office in Miami, was removed from the investigation after she reportedly expressed doubts about the probe. The department then brought in Joseph diGenova, a Trump loyalist who has been outspoken about Brennans alleged guilt, to take over the case. He was sworn in on Monday, so its unclear whether he was involved in the decision to issue subpoenas.

The prosecutors in the Southern District of Florida are looking into allegations that Brennan lied to Congress about his role in crafting an intelligence assessment about Russian efforts to interfere on Donald Trumps behalf in the 2016 presidential election. The U.S. attorneys office in southern Florida has already issued 30 subpoenas as part of a sprawling conspiracy investigation into Trumps perceived political enemies. Those cases are set to land on the desk of the same judge who handed the president a get-out-of-jail free card: Aileen Cannon.

This sudden rescission is part of a wider trend of unprecedented prosecutorial missteps by Trumps Department of Justice, undermining numerous civil and criminal cases.
A group of 30 former staffers for former Rep. Katie Porter (D-Calif.) signed a Monday letter lauding the lawmaker as someone who shows up for her team after months of backlash for lambasting a staffer and a journalist on two separate occasions.

The letter comes as Porter looks to ramp up her gubernatorial campaign, following former Rep. Eric Swalwells (D-Calif.) and former California State Controller Betty Yees decisions to drop out of the race.

The traits that make Katie effective dont always look soft around the edges. People are drawn to Katies leadership because she is a workhorse. She asked of us what she expected of herself, staffers wrote in their letter about Porter.

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We have worked for other members of Congress, senior military leaders, executive branch officials, and in demanding private-sector roles. Without hesitation, Katies standards were among the highest, they added.

The former staffer who Porter told to get out of her f shot during a 2021 interview with then-Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm did not sign the letter.

At the time, the staffer was making Porter aware of a needed correction to her study shed cited in regard to air pollution from non-electric cars.

I wanted to tell you that thats actually incorrect. Its not that its electric vehicles. Its that, if we dont meet the commitments under the Paris Climate Accord, the staffer told Porter.

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OK, it doesnt  OK. You also were in my shot before that. Stay out of my shot, Porter told her staffer, before pivoting back to Granholm. OK, Im going to start again with electric vehicles saving us money.

Porters former chief of staff Jordan Wood said the comments were made at the height of the pandemic when Porter was under a lot of stress, The Washington Post reported.

Porter later said she could have handled things better but the video has weighed on her campaign.

The gubernatorial candidate has 10 percent of voter support at the polls, despite Swalwells departure from the race, per the Post.

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Wood, who is running for Congress in Maine, organized the letter from former staffers.

We know that Katie got into politics and policy for many of the same reasons we did: to reform broken systems, serve people, and accomplish big things, the letter says.

A few video clips of our worst moments are not the full or honest measure of Katie or anyones career. Thats the truth, it continues.

Republican and Former Fox News host Steve Hilton, who President Trump has backed, is leading in the governors race followed by Democrat Tom Steyer and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, according to a Decision Desk HQ primary poll.

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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 The Hill.
Fifty-three allegations of workplace sexual harassment have been made against at least 30 House and Senate lawmakers over the past two decades, an advocacy group said in a study that was released Tuesday amid a spate of ethics-fueled resignations in Congress.

Most of the lawmakers from 13 states and Guam who have faced allegations have since left office, but nine continue to hold seats, the nonpartisan National Womens Defense League (NWDL) said.

The findings come amid heightened scrutiny of Congresss personal behavior after Eric Swalwell, a Democrat and former frontrunner in Californias governor race, last week resigned. The San Francisco Chronicle and CNN published reports of women accusing him of sexual assault and misconduct. Tony Gonzales, a Texas Republican, quit his seat the same day, after weeks earlier admitting to an affair with a former aide who later died by suicide.

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Almost all cases the NWDL documented are of men harassing women, and 77% of allegations involve members of the legislative staff. The number of actual instances of harassment is likely higher, as only a third of victims ever go public with their accounts, studies have found.

Understand that what were presenting are conservative public facing counts. The reality is much worse, Emma Davidson Tribbs, NWDLs founding director, told reporters. These numbers understate the harm. They dont deny it.

The problem is bipartisan, with 60% of allegations made against Republicans and 40% against Democrats. If allegations made outside of the workplace and prior to winning election are included, 137 accusations have been made against 49 members of Congress.

A handful of lawmakers from both parties have similarly called for the expulsion of Cory Mills, a Florida Republican congressman, as he faces an ongoing investigation from the House ethics committee into allegations of financial misconduct, assault and sexual harassment, which he has denied.

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Mike Johnson, the Republican House speaker, said at a press conference he was open to ways to tighten the rules, noting that two of his daughters work as staff members to congressional committees.

For that very reason, we have to protect women and anyone who feels like theres any inappropriate behavior whatsoever, Johnson said. We have a lot of mechanisms in place, but were always open to making that safer and more secure, and I will lead that myself.

In an extraordinary statement released on Monday, the committee, a bipartisan panel tasked with investigating violations of House rules, said it strongly encourages anyone who may have experienced sexual misconduct by a House member or staffer to get in touch.

Tribbs noted that lawmakers who resign are able to remove themselves from the ethics committees jurisdiction, while keeping benefits they accrued in office such as their pensions and privileges to enter the House floor.

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We get rid of the one bad apple, and then no policy change, no reforms. We are no longer concerned with the survivors who  now have to go through their day to day thats just been completely interrupted, Tribbs said.

Resignation stops the immediate story, but it does not reform the system, and thats really why NWDL is pushing for consistent, long lasting policy reform.

On Monday, the Trump administration announced that Lori Chavez-DeRemer, a Republican former congresswoman, would step down as labor secretary after repeated allegations of misconduct including drinking on the job, having an affair with a subordinate and using government resources for personal travel.
By Krisztina Than and Julia Payne

BUDAPEST/BRUSSELS, April 22 (Reuters) - Russian oil flowed through the Ukrainian section of the Druzhba pipeline on Wednesday after a halt lasting months, officials said, allowing Hungary to lift its veto on a 90 billion euro ($105.79 billion) EU loan urgently needed by Ukraine.

The Druzhba pipeline has become one of the most politically charged pieces of infrastructure in Europe since a Russian drone strike damaged the pipeline in western Ukraine and stopped Russian oil deliveries to Hungary and Slovakia.

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Hungarian oil group MOL said on Wednesday that Ukraine had informed it that deliveries of Russian crude had resumed through the pipeline.

"MOL expects the first crude oil shipments following the restart of the Ukrainian section of the pipeline system to arrive in Hungary and Slovakia by tomorrow at the latest," it said in a statement.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told the Russian news outlet Izvestia that technical details of oil supplies via the Druzhba pipeline were being discussed at a corporate level.

"MOL is also involved in this matter. Contacts are being maintained through corporate channels. I dont know the details, because there should have been a request for pumping. ... This is, rather, a corporate matter," Peskov said.

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EU LOAN APPROVAL SHORTLY AFTER PUMPING RESUMED

Pumping began at 0935 GMT, an industry source said, asking not to be named because they were not authorised to speak publicly.

Shortly afterwards, EU ambassadors meeting in Brussels approved the loan. The European Union's 27 member states are expected to formally sign off on it by Thursday afternoon.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said the EU's decision was "the right signal under the current circumstances". Writing on X, Zelenskiy said that incentives for Russia to end its war in Ukraine "can arise only when both support for Ukraine and pressure on Russia are sufficient".

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The EU had agreed in principle to the loan last year to maintain Ukraine's liquidity through 2026 and 2027 but Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban and the Slovak government had blocked it, accusing Ukraine of delaying repairs to the pipeline, which Kyiv denied.

Both Hungary and Slovakia are heavily dependent on Russian oil and Orban has consistently shown support for Russia.

CHANGE OF PRIME MINISTER IN HUNGARY

Ukraine's prospects of receiving the loan had already improved when Orban lost Hungary's parliamentary election on April 12. The leader of the winning party, Peter Magyar, said he would no longer block the EU funds for Ukraine, though he is not expected to take power until next month.

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The capacity of Druzhba, which in Russian means friendship, is 1.2 million to 1.4 million barrels of oil a day, with the possibility of increasing to up to 2 million barrels a day. However, flows fell to a small fraction of that as a result of Western sanctions as well as repeated disruptions from drone attacks.

Separately, Germany confirmed that no Kazakh crude would reach its PCK Schwedt refinery - one of the country's largest - from May, after industry sources said on Tuesday that Russia was set to stop Kazakhstan's oil exports via the Druzhba pipeline.

($1 = 0.8511 euros)

(Reporting by Pavel Polityuk, Anna Pruchnicka, Krisztina Than, Jan Lopatka, Julia Payne, Bart Meijer, Lili Bayer; Writing by Jan Strupczewski and Ingrid Melander;Editing by Tomasz Janowski, Barbara Lewis, Kirsten Donovan, Will Dunham and Ron Popeski)
Dozens of doctors, nurses and patients protested Wednesday outside a hospital in Ecuador's capital, expressing outrage at a health care system so overstretched that people undergoing surgery bring their own syringes and medication.

One big source of anger is that last week the health ministry announced an unspecified number of dismissals from the state health care system, arguing that it needed to "optimize resources" after detecting cases of suspected overstaffing.

The Ecuadoran Medical Federation, a doctors' association, said as many as 1,200 doctors, nurses and administrative staffers were let go. The association vowed to hold nationwide protests against the health care crisis.

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"We do not have what we need to work," said Juan Barriga, head of trauma treatment at Pablo Arturo Suarez Hospital, where the rally took place.

He said there are long waiting lists for people who need emergency operations and "patients buy what they need to undergo surgery."

Indeed, in Ecuador patients are known to bring their own medication, needles, suture thread and other equipment when they go to the hospital.

The dismissals will also affect health care at Ecuador's violent and overcrowded prisons, where a tuberculosis outbreak has been reported.

Outside the Quito hospital, doctors in white lab coats, nurses in uniform, patients and relatives carried signs with slogans such as "there are no supplies. No medicine, the health care system is collapsing."

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Barriga said that at his hospital alone, one of the most important of the state health care system in Quito, more than 1,000 people are on a list waiting for surgery.

President Daniel Noba, a conservative in power since 2023 and staunch ally of US President Donald Trump, appointed his sixth health minister on Monday.

sp/dg/dw/des
The Edina City Council voted on Tuesday to suspend ongoing studies and investment plans for a proposed pedestrian underpass along France Avenue, opting instead to explore other options aimed at improving safety for pedestrians and cyclists.

According to the city, approximately 27,000 vehicles travel across the six-lane stretch of France Avenue every day. The proposed underpass would have been located between West 72nd Street and Gallagher Drive, and carried an estimated cost of $20 million.

On Tuesday, the council chose to halt further work on the underpass project and collaborate with Hennepin County to evaluate alternative solutions. Because the county owns France Avenue, any potential changes will require its involvement.

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Among the options under consideration are enhancements to crosswalks, reducing the number of traffic lanes, and widening the median to improve pedestrian safety.

The councils motion authorizes new studies focused on safe pedestrian crossings along France Avenue between 66th and 77th Streets. City staff are expected to report their findings next summer, allowing roughly a year to assess possible improvements.

The motion passed with one dissenting vote. Council member Kate Agnew had previously expressed support for the underpass, citing its potential to better connect Centennial Lakes Park with neighborhoods west of France Avenue.

The councils decision effectively pauses all investments and studies related to the underpass project until at least June 2027.
House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) said Tuesday that Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) will be held accountable to the fullest extent if it is discovered that she was involved in or benefited from any fraud.

His remarks follow a Wall Street Journal report that a financial disclosure listed her and her husbands assets at between $6 million and $30 million. Omars office later told the outlet the filing contained a discrepancy, and an amended version put the couples assets at between $18,004 and $95,000, the Journal reported.

Omar is saying the multimillion-dollar discrepancy was nothing more than an accounting error. In what world is a multibillion-dollar correction to a persons financial disclosure considered normal? Perhaps this members accountant, perhaps Ilhans accountant, is a graduate from the Quality Learing Center. Either way, this about-face shows incompetence at best and a cover-up at worst, Emmer told reporters during a press briefing on Tuesday.

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Make no mistake, if Ilhan Omar is discovered to have been involved in any or to have benefited in any way from any fraud, she must be held accountable to the fullest extent, Emmer added.

A lawyer representing Omar wrote in a letter to the Office of Congressional Conduct (OCC) that, While the error is of course unfortunate, there is nothing untoward and nothing illegal has occurred, according to the Journal.

But the situation has only intensified GOP scrutiny of Omar. She has long been a target of Republican criticism, with backlash mounting earlier this year over reports of an alleged sprawling fraud scandal in Minnesota, in which many people charged were of Somali descent. Prosecutors claim that billions of dollars were stolen by various groups that purported to have provided meal assistance for children in need, in addition to other social safety net services that were reimbursed through state agencies.

House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer (R-Ky.) told Fox Newss Sean Hannity on Monday that, Shes never explained to the public how her net worth was $30 million and if she made a mistake, how the mistake happened.

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Its highly unlikely that she made a mistake. This isnt going to go away from her. So were going to continue to try to push for answers and see if her name pops up in any of these frauds that Vice President Vance and the House Oversight Committee are detecting in Minnesota, he said.

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The ruling party in Ethiopias northern Tigray region reconstituted a parliament that had been disbanded as part of a postwar accord in 2022.

The move threatens to raise tensions between regional adversaries in a country that is still recovering from a civil war that stymied attempts to liberalize one of Africas biggest economies.

The Tigray Peoples Liberation Front announced the decision in a Facebook post on Sunday, accusing the federal government led by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed of extending the tenure of the regions interim administrator without consultation. The parliament in question existed before the war between government troops and the TPLF began in 2020.

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Ethiopias two-year civil war in the Tigray region led to the deaths of about 600,000 people. The end of the conflict eased the violence, but a power struggle has continued between the TPLF and Abiys deputies in the region. Getachew Reda, a top adviser to the prime minister and a former administrator of the Tigray region, said the TPLFs latest move is a clear repudiation of the fragile post-conflict arrangement.
Ukraine says it has resumed pumping Russian oil through a pipeline into Hungary and Slovakia, bringing to an end months of deadlock over a 90bn (78bn) loan seen as vital European Union support for Kyiv.

Soon afterwards, EU ambassadors meeting in Brussels gave preliminary approval to the loan, as well as a 20th package of sanctions on Russia, officials said.

It is now expected to be signed off on Thursday.

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Although the funding was agreed last December, Hungary's Viktor Orban slapped a veto on the payment in February after Ukraine said damage caused by a Russian attack had brought supplies to a halt.

Ukrainian oil and government sources told officials in Hungary and Slovakia that pumping had restarted, hours after the EU ambassadors began discussing the loan.

Orban had demanded the oil start flowing again before the loan could be paid out, and Ukraine confirmed the repairs had been completed on Tuesday.

His election defeat last Sunday also cleared the air for the EU, bringing to an end his 16-year era as prime minister. Hungary's next leader, Peter Magyar, has prioritised a reset in Budapest's poor relations with Brussels.

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"Ukraine really needs this loan and it's also a sign that Russia cannot outlast Ukraine," EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said ahead of the ambassadors' meeting.

The EU funding has been described by Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Taras Kachka as "a matter of life and death" for Kyiv, and two-thirds of it will be spent on bolstering Ukraine's defence needs while the rest will go on broader financial assistance.

Slovak Economy Minister Denisa Sakova said she had been told by energy operator Ukrtransnaft, which looks after the Druzhba pipeline in Ukraine, that pressurising of the pipeline had begun on Wednesday morning and crude oil would start flowing into Slovakia on Thursday, for the first time since 27 January.

The volume of pumping was not yet clear, but a Ukrainian government source was quoted as saying that the transit of oil had begun at 12:35 local time (09:35 GMT).

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Hungarian energy firm Mol said it expected the first supplies by Thursday at the latest.

[BBC]

Orban, who is acting as caretaker leader until early next month, made clear at the weekend that as soon as oil deliveries through the pipeline were restored "we will no longer stand in the way of approving the loan".

In the run-up to Hungary's bitterly contested election this month which Orban lost, he had accused Ukraine of imposing an "oil blockade" on his country and neighbouring Slovakia, claiming that the EU was working with Kyiv against him.

Satellite images at the time suggested substantial damage to a major oil tank at Brody in western Ukraine in late January and Kyiv had insisted that repairs would take some time, adding that its engineers had come under Russian attack.

Ukraine emergency services DSNS published photos of smoke from the Brody oil hub following a Russian bombardment [DSNS]

Meanwhile, Ukraine has also targeted oil facilities inside Russia, including a pumping station in Samara region linked to the Druzhba pipeline this week.

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Orban's decision to renege on last December's agreement to provide Ukraine with a 90bn loan had infuriated EU leaders, who had agreed to give Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic an opt-out from the scheme.

The Hungarian leader, long seen as the EU's closest partner to Russia's Vladimir Putin, made hostility towards both Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky and the EU central to his failed election campaign. Campaign posters across Hungary portrayed Zelensky alongside Magyar with the message: "They are dangerous!"

Zelensky said on Wednesday that Ukraine was fulfilling its obligations with the EU and that unblocking the 90bn EU funding for Ukraine was "the right signal under the current circumstances".

"It is important that the European support package becomes operational swiftly," he added, although it could still take weeks before funding arrives in Kyiv, Ukrainian media report.

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In a separate development, Russia has said it will halt the flow of oil from Kazakhstan that goes through a separate section of the Druzhba pipeline to Germany from 1 May.

Berlin halted deliveries of Russian oil to a refinery near the Polish border at Schwedt in response to the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, replacing it with Kazakh supplies.

The PCK refinery supplies Berlin and surrounding areas with most of its fuel and heating oil, but Russia has cited "technical" issues in maintaining a flow of Kazakh oil.

Kazakh exports go via a Russian export terminal on the Black Sea at Novorossiysk, which has been hit in recent months by Ukrainian drones.

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German economics minister Katherina Reiche said there were alternative supply routes for Schwedt via the ports of Gdansk and Rostock and expressed confidence that it would be able to maintain production.

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story said the EU ambassadors were meeting in Cyprus, rather than Brussels.
The European Commission is providing 235 million ($275 million) in humanitarian aid for people in West and Central Africa, the executive branch of the European Union said on Wednesday.

The money is intended to benefit populations in the regions battered by food crises, wars and conflicts, the Brussels-based authority said.

Chad will receive more than 72 million under the aid package, including 60.8 million for supporting Sudanese refugees fleeing the civil war in their country.

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Overall, Chad has taken in around 919,000 Sudanese refugees and nearly 390,000 Chadian returnees since April 2023, according to the commission.

EU: About 35 million Nigerians reliant on aid

The package includes special support for hunger crises on the continent, with 75 million earmarked for countries in the central Sahel, where more than 12.4 million people are dependant on support.

Nigeria will receive 33 million in part due to what the commission described as the worst food crisis in years: almost 35 million Nigerians are reliant on food aid, while 6.4 million children are suffering from acute malnutrition. About one third of these children are in mortal danger.

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Additional funds will go to the Central African Republic (22 million), Cameroon (16.6 million) and Mauritania (4.8 million), which alone hosts more than 400,000 asylum seekers.

More than 6 million is planned for coastal states such as Benin, Ivory Coast, Ghana and Togo.
On Monday morning, President Donald Trump told The New York Post that Vice President JD Vance was already on his way to Pakistan for negotiations with Iran. Theyre heading over now, the Post quoted Trump as saying. Theyll be there tonight, [Islamabad] time.

Except that wasnt true. A bit later on Monday morning, people familiar with Vances plans told CNNs Alayna Treene that the vice president was expected to depart for Pakistan on Tuesday for talks beginning Wednesday. Vances motorcade was soon spotted at the White House.

Trumps inaccurate remark might be shrugged off, the kind of little thing a busy president could understandably get wrong. But its part of a pattern that has accelerated over the past week  of this president being incorrect about even the most basic of matters related to the Iran war.

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One of the big differences between the current round of US-Iran diplomacy and prior rounds is that this administration and the President in particular are unreliable narrators, Eric Brewer, a former National Security Council counterproliferation official, posted on social media on Friday. Iran watchers have gotten pretty good at parsing statements from both sides over the years, but weve never had to contend with a US president that is so outspoken and prone to exaggeration, fabrication, and outright lies.

Trumps Monday claim about Vances travel was only the latest in a series of false, dubious or unproven comments about the war. Many of them were more substantive.

On Friday, after Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi declared that the Strait of Hormuz would be completely open to commercial vessels during the ongoing ceasefire, Trump posted that the Hormuz Strait situation is over and that Iran has agreed to never close the Strait of Hormuz again.

But the situation very clearly wasnt over: Trump himself had posted the same morning that the US would continue its blockade on ships heading to or from Iranian ports; Araghchi had said its opening of the strait only applied to a specific Iran-approved path near its coastline rather than the lanes ships had generally used before; and an Iranian official posted later in the day that ships had to get approval from the navy of Irans Revolutionary Guards and pay tolls.

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As for Irans supposed agreement to never close the strait again? Iran announced the very next day that it was closing the strait again.

False claim after false claim from Trump

On Thursday, Trump claimed to reporters: The pope made a statement. He says, Iran can have a nuclear weapon. Pope Leo XIV, an unequivocal opponent of nuclear weapons, had not said that. In a Fox Business interview that aired Wednesday, Trump claimed that Persian Gulf countries were not expected to be hit by Iran. In reality, retaliatory Iranian strikes on these countries was widely expected. In a Fox News interview the Sunday before last, Trump claimed of Iran: Their military is gone, everythings gone. But Iran very obviously still had a military with destructive capabilities, though the US and Israel had degraded them.

Trumps Monday claim about Vance was at least his second bit of misinformation about his own vice president in two days. On Sunday, Trump told MS NOW that Vance wouldnt be part of the delegation to Pakistan for security reasons. But after the president said that, two senior US officials told MS NOW that Vance would, in fact, lead the delegation to Islamabad, the outlet reported.

Its possible the administrations plans had changed after Trump spoke. But here too, the presidents words about even this simple question couldnt be taken as fact.

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A claim Trump made at an April 6 press conference was emblematic of just how bewilderingly detached from reality many of his claims about the war have been. He said, The only planes, really, that we lost were  friendly fire, they call it. He said this at an event at which he had already spoken at length about what happened after Iran shot down a US fighter plane.

How many of Trumps triumphant claims about the talks were true? We dont know yet

Trump has a yearslong history of lying about a remarkably diverse range of subjects. Whether he has been deliberately deceiving the public about the Iran war or has been repeatedly uninformed or misinformed about it, the frequency of his falsehoods has made it impossible to rely on his statements about what Iran is supposedly saying behind the scenes.

In phone calls with journalists last week, Trump made a series of triumphant declarations about major concessions Iran had purportedly made. These included an unlimited moratorium on nuclear activities (per Bloomberg), an end to its support for all proxy groups including Hamas and Hezbollah (per CBS News), and the US both removing Irans enriched uranium and taking it (also per CBS News).

After CBS News correspondent Weijia Jiang asked Trump whether Iran had agreed to permanently cease enriching uranium, he responded: Theyve agreed to everything.

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Experts expressed strong skepticism that Iran had done what Trump claimed. And Iranian officials soon declared that they had not agreed to everything Trump had said they had; a spokesperson for the foreign ministry issued a statement saying, Enriched uranium is as sacred to us as Iranian soil and will not be transferred anywhere under any circumstances.

The President of the United States made seven claims in one hour, all seven of which were false, Iranian parliamentary speaker and key negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf posted Friday.

Irans words cant be trusted, of course. Its leadership has lied repeatedly about the war and many other matters. And the competing power centers within its government often make it hard to figure out which officials comments carry the most authority.

So, if a US-Iran deal is eventually reached, its possible some of Trumps assertions will be proven accurate. But Trumps history means we cant take it for granted that the US presidents claims about the negotiations are more correct than the claims of Iranian leaders  or even assume this is likely  until we see that proof.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Andrew Weber, a national security expert, revealed on Sunday that removing Iran's highly enriched uranium would likely take thousands of U.S. troops and experts to evacuate the material from the country.

Weber served as the assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear, Chemical & Biological Defense Programs under former President Barack Obama and played a role in removing enriched uranium from Kazakhstan that was left behind by the Soviet Union.

CBS News' Cecilia Vega asked Weber during a "60 Minutes" interview if the same sort of mission would be possible in Iran.

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"In Iran, we couldn't send a team in to do this unilaterally without great risk," he said. "You would need to set up in the middle of the country a secure perimeter. It would probably take thousands of U.S. troops to secure the facility while our experts excavated the HEU that's located inside deep tunnels at a place called Isfahan."

Next Move On Iran: Seize Kharg Island, Secure Uranium Or Risk Ground War Escalation

Matthew Bunn, a nuclear policy analyst and former White House adviser, said forces in the U.S. have been training for something like this.

Read On The Fox News App

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"It's not like Iran hasn't thought about the possibility that we might do this. But U.S. Special Forces have been training for deep underground facilities of one kind or another for a long, long, long time," Bunn told CBS.

Vega also asked about President Donald Trump, after the U.S. strikes on Iran's nuclear facility in 2025, saying that Iran's program had been completely obliterated.

"Yeah, that statement is just not true," Bunn said. "You can't say that a program that still has enough nuclear material for a bunch of nuclear bombs is obliterated. Unfortunately. There's no doubt that the combination of the strikes in June of last year, and the ongoing war, have seriously set back Iran's capabilities. But the remaining capabilities are substantial. You can't bomb away their knowledge."

Trump Renews Bridge, Power Plant Threat Against Iran In Push For Deal, Mocks 'Tough Guy' Irgc

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Trump has said the U.S. could take Iran's enriched uranium.

"Iran will not have a nuclear weapon, and we're going to get the dust back. We'll get it back. Either we'll get it back from them or we'll take it," Trump said at the White House in March.

"The President has made his position on uranium enrichment and the status of the highly enriched uranium in Iran absolutely clear. We will not negotiate through the press," a White House official told Fox News Digital.

Click Here For More Coverage Of Media And Culture

Satellite imagery taken on Jan. 30, 2026, shows a new roof over a previously destroyed building at the Natanz nuclear site. (Reuters Photos)

Peace talks with Iran were expected to begin in Pakistan on Tuesday, but recent reports from Iranian state media have thrown the meetings into doubt. The fragile two-week ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran will expire on Wednesday, and there has been no news on extending the truce.

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Click Here To Download The Fox News App

Trump has said repeatedly that his goal in going to war with Iran was to ensure that the country does not build a nuclear weapon.





Original article source: Expert predicts thousands of US troops would be needed to secure Iran's highly enriched uranium
Opponents of Virginias redistricting referendum hitting ballot boxes on Tuesday got an assist from on high after the son of the late Rev. Jerry Falwell spoke out on the "Biblical values" behind opposing the controversial measure.

Rev. Jonathan Falwell, chancellor of Liberty University in Lynchburg and pastor of Thomas Road Baptist Church (founded by his father), has been a prominent conservative religious voice for decades.

In remarks shared by Virginia Del. Wendell Walker, R-Lynchburg, Falwell told congregants that while he has never and will never advise anyone on who to vote for or against, Tuesdays ballot measure is not to be ignored.

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"Tuesday is an election day here in the Commonwealth of Virginia. It shouldn't be, but it is. And we have an election coming up. There's no body on the ballot. There are no individuals running for any office. It is simply a decision that was made by some people in Richmond to subvert the common way and the right way to do things," Falwell said.

Obama Urges Virginians To Vote Yes On Redistricting Measure That Could Give Democrats 4 More House Seats

Falwell explained how redistricting proponents crafted the ballot language to say that a "yes" vote would "restore fairness" and that their definition of such was to change the congressional makeup of Virginia from 6-5 to 10 "leaning to the liberal [side] and one leaning to the conservative [side]."

Read On The Fox News App

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"I don't quite think the Restore Fairness is exactly what they're trying to do. I think what they are trying to do is to completely take over."

Falwell underlined that he has only ever encouraged congregants to "vote your values" and described what Biblical values translate to in a political context.

"Today, I'm going to do the exact same thing, but it's a little bit different because today I know that if you hold Biblical values, if you believe in the sanctity of life, if you believe in the right of having this idea that there is man and woman period. If you believe clearly in all the freedoms and the values and the principles upon which this nation was founded, there is only one way to vote on Tuesday and that is to vote no."

Soros-backed Group Among Liberal Orgs Pumping Eye-popping Cash Into Virginia Gerrymandering Effort

Rev. Jonathan Falwell comforts sister Jeannie and brother Jerry Jr. after the passing of their father Rev. Jerry Falwell in 2007. (Getty Images)

He noted that he expects blowback for speaking out on the topic, adding that he anticipates angry letters and emails.

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"I dont care," Falwell said. "We cannot allow the Commonwealth of Virginia to be taken over by a simple group of people who just simply believe that their way is the only way."

"If we truly believe that voting matters, if we truly believe that our values matter, if you truly believe that we have the right to let our voices be heard, then let your voice be heard and vote."

Walker later praised Falwell for speaking out, calling his decision a "courageous stand."

"Leadership like this matters  speak up and make your voice heard. Vote NO," Walker said.

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David Marcus: Desperate Dems Tap Obama To Pitch Virginia Gerrymandering Lies

At least one respondent to another repost of Falwells remarks was, however, nonplussed.

A woman casts her vote at a polling place in Burke, Fairfax County, Virginia, in 2026. (Getty Images)

"If pastors like Jonathan Falwell want to start telling people how to vote from the pulpit, then megachurches like Thomas Road Baptist Church should start paying taxes," the critic said.

Falwell succeeded his father, Rev. Jerry Falwell, as senior pastor of Thomas Road in 2007, and became chancellor of Liberty University in 2023.

Click Here To Download The Fox News App

Falwell Sr. was leader of the conservative "Moral Majority" during the Reagan era.

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Fox News Digital reached out to Falwell and Thomas Road for further comment.





Original article source: Falwell: 'If you hold Biblical values' you will vote 'no' on Virginia redistricting
Democratic Sen. John Fetterman (Pa.) reacted with dismay Tuesday evening when informed during an appearance on NewsNations Cuomo that a Democratic redistricting initiative had passed in Virginia, declaring, We all lose at this point.

I mean, I think everyone loses for that, Fetterman told host Chris Cuomo when informed that Democrats were projected to win approval of an aggressively gerrymandered congressional map in Tuesdays election.

Fetterman pointed out that the Democratic push to redraw congressional boundaries in Virginia to pick up more House seats in the midterm elections came in response to a Republican effort to aggressively redraw district lines in Texas. But he said the tit for tat still isnt good for the country.

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I understand this was all that started after Texas decided to kind of do the same thing. I mean, I get the logic to do the things, but overall, we all lose at this point, he said, arguing that two wrongs dont make a right.

The wrong thing doesnt make it the right thing, but thats where we are. And if we continue to just attack the other side, whether its a red state or whether its a blue state, our democracy is degraded, he warned.

The Virginia redistricting initiative passed narrowly by a vote of 51 percent to 49 percent.

It will allow Democrats to rework the states congressional boundaries in a way to allow their party to potentially control 10 of the 11 seats in the House delegation. Democrats currently hold a 6-5 advantage in the delegation.

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The new map would last until after the 2030 census, when an independent commission would regain control of the redistricting process.

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (N.Y.) praised the result in Virginia as an important win for Democrats at a time that President Trump has tried to redraw maps in Republican-leaning states.

Last July, Donald Trump demanded that Texas draw five new Republican seats in the middle of a decade, igniting a chain reaction of corrupt MAGA state legislators attempting to rig the midterm elections. While many expected Democrats to roll over and play dead, we did the opposite, Jeffries said in a statement.

Updated at 10:26 a.m. EDT

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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 The Hill.
An Australian billionaire's plan to burn rubbish for energy in Fiji amounts to "waste colonialism" and risks spoiling a "beach paradise", villagers and the Pacific nation's UN ambassador said.

Traditional landowner Inoke Tora boarded a bus to the capital Suva on Tuesday with a petition from villagers opposing the $630 million waste-to-energy incinerator, which is forecast to consume 900,000 tonnes of non-recyclable rubbish each year.

The fashion entrepreneur behind the Paris-born Kookai label and an Australian billionaire who made his fortune in rubbish disposal want to build a port and waste incinerator within 15 kilometres (nine miles) of Fiji's tourism gateway Nadi.

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The Australian-based duo of Ian Malouf and Rob Cromb have told Fiji's government the project could meet 40 percent of the small nation's electricity needs, cutting its reliance on diesel.

However, an environmental impact statement lodged by their company TNG shows it would also raise Fiji's national emissions by 25 percent.

Residents say the emissions will spoil Fiji's eco-tourism reputation and pose a safety risk with hotels and schools nearby.

"There are hundreds of people living in villages in this place and they fish each day, eat fresh crabs. They call that beach paradise," Tora told AFP by telephone on his way to petition Fiji's prime minister.

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"The government should stop this."

Fiji's ambassador to the United Nations, Filipo Tarakinikini, wrote on social media on Monday that the Vuda coast north of Nadi "must not become the Pacific's ashtray".

Ash residue and dioxins would contaminate the food chain, Tarakinikini warned, likening the plan to send up to 700,000 tonnes of non-recyclable rubbish to Fiji each year to "waste colonialism".

- Rejected in Australia -

"Dial-a-Dump" founder Malouf spent seven years trying to get a similar waste-to-energy incinerator approved in Sydney before it was rejected as a risk to human health in 2018, planning and court documents show.

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Stephen Bali, then mayor of Blacktown in Sydney, led opposition to the project in his suburb and urged Fiji to seek independent scientific data.

"Gathering up rubbish from Australia, driving it in a diesel truck to port, putting it on a diesel ship to Fiji to be offloaded -- it would be interesting to look at those emissions," Bali, now a lawmaker in the New South Wales state parliament, told AFP.

"We need to deal with our own waste," he said.

Malouf did not respond to AFP's request for comment.

His business partner Cromb, who bought the Paris fashion label Kookai in 2017, said he maintains business links to Fiji, where he was born, because Kookai manufactures clothes there.

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Cromb has held community meetings with villagers as the incinerator proposal spurs a backlash.

- Under review -

"There are genuine concerns around environmental safety, transparency, and the scale of the proposal and those concerns are valid and are being taken seriously," Cromb said in a statement sent to AFP.

Energy-from-waste systems "are widely used in jurisdictions with some of the world's highest environmental protections", he said.

"By diverting waste from landfill where it would otherwise produce methane, a significantly more potent greenhouse gas and reducing reliance on fossil fuel-based energy sources, energy-from-waste can contribute to broader lifecycle emissions benefits," he said.

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The project would manage waste generated in Fiji, reduce landfill and support the country's energy needs, he said.

"It is not a project intended to import waste from overseas," he said.

However, the plan for a port and incinerator lodged with Fiji's government showed it would feed in local waste as well as waste shipped from Australia and across the region.

Opponents have told the government it would be a breach of a 1998 convention signed by Australia to ship hazardous waste to a Pacific island country.

Fiji's Tourism Minister Vilame Gavoka said tourism across Nadi could be jeopardised by the incinerator.

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"Such facilities in other countries are located away from businesses and densely populated areas," his office said.

And Fiji's permanent secretary for environment and climate change, Michael Sivendra, told AFP the project is under review.

Resident Eremasi Matanatabu, a food company manager, said concern over building a waste business in the bay where the first Fijians arrived to shore is widespread.

"It will stick out like a big sore thumb," he said.

kln/sft/pbt
Organisers, DJs, and attendees who have gathered to dance at an event billed as Marseille's "final rave" have experessed concern at the recently announced crackdown on "frees" - or unauthorised parties - by French lawmakers.

The bill calls for up to six months in prison and a 30,000 fine for organisers of gatherings of more than 250 people, as well as heavy financial penalties for participants. Indeed, if adopted by the Senate, the bill provides for a fine of 1,500 for participants, rising to 3,000 in the event of a repeat offence.

Event organiser Sacha says he thinks they are being misunderstood by lawmakers.

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I think that if they (lawmakers) had been with us, they might have a different idea of what this scene is and of the possibilities it opens up, he says.

Authorities have frequently cited public safety concerns, environmental damage and lack of permits. However, organisations such as Technopol, who defend electronic music, argue that a "policy that criminalises and represses free parties so violently" is "not about security" but about "authoritarianism".

Check the video above for footage of Marseille's "final rave".
Five Michigan agricultural leaders have been appointed to the USDA Farm Service Agency state committee, according to a community announcement.

The committee is responsible for overseeing farm programs and county committee operations, resolving program delivery appeals, maintaining cooperative relations with industry stakeholders, and keeping producers informed about current FSA programs, according to the announcement.

Who are the appointees?

The committee is comprised of three to five members, including a designated chairperson. The individuals appointed to serve on this committee for Michigan are:

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Douglas Darling, chair (Maybee): Darling is a lifelong row crop farmer who raises corn, soybeans and wheat, and has a custom harvesting business. With more than 45 years of farming experience, Darling incorporates conservation and no-till practices and participates in multiple conservation programs, reflecting a long-term commitment to sustainable production agriculture.

Dorance Amos, member (Elk Rapids): Amos is a fourth-generation fruit and row-crop producer who grows cherries, apples, plums, pears, wheat, corn and soybeans across Grand Traverse and Antrim counties. Amos brings lifelong agricultural knowledge along with decades of involvement in farmland preservation and local rural leadership.

Doug Bontekoe, member (Marion): Bontekoe is a third-generation dairy operator and farmer who has operated his family farm for more than two decades, managing herd operations, crop production and seasonal labor. His experience includes implementing conservation programs while running a diversified livestock and crop operation.

Daryl Coffey, member (Hamilton): Coffey is a longtime produce grower who has owned and operated his farm since the early 1980s. He oversees daily operations including harvesting, packing and shipping. His vast experience in specialty crop production and earlier work in irrigation systems reflects a practical, field-based understanding of fruit and vegetable farming.

Richard Gerstenberger, member (Snover): Gerstenberger is a second-generation farmer who grows a rotation of sugar beets, corn, soybeans, rye and alfalfa. He also helps supply feed for a large dairy operation and has decades of experience in large-scale crop production, farm management and cooperative leadership.

Read more: Cantrick, Monroe Middle School will have new principals for 2026-27

These individuals, selected by Secretary Rollins in partnership with key stakeholders in each state, are held in high regard in the agriculture industry and are entrusted to ensure FSA programs are delivered in a manner consistent with federal farm policy and in the best interest of all agricultural producers in their state, FSA Administrator Bill Beam said in the announcement. Their appointment to the FSA state committee is a testament to their standing in the industry and their dedication to the agriculture industry, rural America and President Trumps America First, Farmers First policies.

What does the FSA do?

The FSA helps Americas farmers, ranchers and forest landowners invest in, improve, protect and expand their agricultural operations through the delivery of agricultural programs. The agency implements agricultural policy, administers credit and loan programs, and manages conservation, commodity, disaster recovery and marketing programs through a national network of state and county offices and locally elected county committees.

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For more information, visit fsa.usda.gov.

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 https://cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct/.

This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: USDA names five Michigan agricultural leaders to state FSA committee
Russia will no longer transport oil from Kazakhstan to Germany via its Druzhba pipeline from May, the Interfax news agency reported on Wednesday, citing Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak.

Novak, who is responsible for energy issues, said that Kazakh oil supplies delivered to Germany via the Druzhba pipeline, which has been repeatedly attacked during the conflict in Ukraine, would be redirected from May 1, citing "current technical capabilities," according to Interfax.

The deputy prime minister said that he had informed the Kazakh side of this during talks last week.

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Kazakh Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov had previously said that Russia was planning for no oil to transit via the Druzhba pipeline and on to the PCK refinery in the eastern German state of Brandenburg.

Akkenzhenov said Moscow is blaming technical difficulties in transporting oil from Kazakhstan and speculated this could be linked to recent attacks on Russian infrastructure.

Novak also made it clear that Russia had no interest in acting as a transit country, saying that Germany has been doing without Russian oil, "which means everything is fine on their end."

Kazakh oil has been essential for Germany in reducing its dependency on Russia following Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

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Kazakhstan does not plan to reduce oil production and could redistribute supplies through other routes, Akkenzhenov stated on the sidelines of an environmental forum in Astana, the Kazakh capital.

The German subsidiary of Russia's Rosneft oil agency has received notification from Kazakh partners that difficulties are to expected in supplies from May, sources told dpa.

A Rosneft Germany spokesman told dpa: "We must examine how we can secure replacement supplies if necessary, so that PCK can continue to operate at full capacity."

The Druzhba pipeline has been the source of controversy in the European Union in recent months, with Ukraine insisting that the transit of oil to Hungary and Slovakia was interrupted due to Russian attacks, prompting Budapest to block EU funds for Kiev.

However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Tuesday that the pipeline has been repaired. On Wednesday the EU agreed to unlock a 90 billion ($106 billion) loan to Ukraine and impose new sanctions on Russia, after Hungary dropped its months-long opposition, following the April 12 election that pro-Russian Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban lost.
Detroit  Detroit ToolBank opened its doors on Tuesday evening, offering the opportunity for nonprofits, churches, student organizations and other volunteer groups to rent shovels, rakes, and other equipment for community development projects in the state.

Dearborn's Ford Motor Co. through Ford Philanthropy and Carhartt Inc. are behind bringing the 7,000-square-foot bank to Detroit, ToolBank's 11th location after starting in Atlanta as a concept in 1991. It's a joint initiative to support the community, promote skilled trades and other "essential economy" jobs and meet demand that Carhartt CEO Linda Hubbard said existing efforts like the workwear brand's own Carhartt Workshop above its flagship Detroit store off Cass Avenue doesn't have the capacity for.

"Maybe somebody that's interested in exploring a career in the skilled trades," Hubbard said, "will have fun using one of these tools on a project, and say, 'Maybe this is the career that I hadn't considered before.' And it creates another person in the pipeline of something that we really desperately need in the country."

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The companies didn't disclose how much they are paying to bring ToolBank to Detroit's Milwaukee Junction neighborhood at 575 E. Milwaukee St., but they have shared $25,000 in initial seed funding to cover the 4% lending fees for the first set of community projects. Dave Bartek, Detroit ToolBank executive director, said the bank also will be looking for additional grants and perhaps city neighborhood funds to help local groups get access to the tools, too.

More: Detroit's bike shops still reeling after COVID boom, tariffs bust

Nonprofits, schools and universities, faith-based organizations and community groups can sign up at no cost to become a member agency. Residents aren't eligible to be members, though tools can be used to support projects helping individual homeowners through a neighborhood group. The site also will offer instruction and educational resources.

The bank has hundreds of tools donated by Home Depot with a weekly rental rate from a 2-cent paint can key to a $35.59 premium 3,300-watt inverter, 120-vault generator. Within the city, groups also can pay for delivery, but even groups as far as Flint and Lansing can pick up tools, if needed.

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There are smaller efforts like the E. Warren Tool Library in Detroit, but ToolBank was built for scale, Bartek said. He already has begun getting calls about how to get access to the bank's resources.

"All of the tool banks that have been in existence have had significant impact in the community," Bartek said, "to the point where the communities almost can't live without them now, because they're so used to being, 'Oh, hey, I need tools.'"

Carhartt has made workwear for Ford autoworkers for more than 100 years. A symposium last year on the essential economy spurred a multi-year collaboration announced at the Detroit Auto Show between the companies that incudes community work as well as co-branded merchandise and a Super Duty truck.

More: Bronco RTR shows Ford's off-road bet, even amid affordability woes

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"We started to work with Carhartt on a different auto tech program," said Mary Culler, president of Ford Philanthropy, "and we started talking about this, and we realized we were like-minded folks, and so there couldn't be a better partner."

The ToolBank's inventory is being put to work as early as Wednesday in honor of National Volunteer Week through a joint project by Ford Philanthropy and Carhartt to build picnic tables and Adirondack chairs on Belle Isle.

The bank opens the door for potentially larger volunteer projects that couldn't be supported before its opening, said Stephanie Osterland, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Detroit, which works on building and rehabbing homes. An effort with a couple hundred volunteers might have to go to a lot of Home Depot stores to have enough supplies, not be able to finish a project or need to do it in a different way than originally planned because of resource limitations, she said.

"That can be our main focus," Osterland said of the group's community development work, "instead of all of our money going to tools or having to store a bunch of tools."

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In that way, ToolBank is an avenue for community revitalization, said Trey Bearden, CEO of ToolBank USA: "Those tools by themselves can't do anything," he said, "but when you put the tool in the hand of a volunteer, transformation happens."

bnoble@detroitnews.com

X: @BreanaCNoble

This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Ford, Carhartt join to open Detroit ToolBank with rentable equipment
Avinatan Or, Alon Ohel, and Guy Gilboa-Dalal were treated at the Rabin Medical Center-Beilinson Campus when they were first freed from Hamas captivity.

Several former Gaza hostages visited wounded soldiers two days before this year's Independence Day - their first since being released.

Avinatan Or, Alon Ohel, and Guy Gilboa-Dalal were treated at the Rabin Medical Center-Beilinson Campus when they were first freed from Hamas captivity.

Rabin Medical Center. (credit: Sky Pro)

On Monday, they returned to meet several soldiers who had been wounded in southern Lebanon during Israel's ongoing conflict with Hezbollah.

Soldier's mission was to find hostages in Gaza

Four of the soldiers the hostages met were from the Yahalom unit, while a fifth was from the 890th Brigade.

"For two years, when we were reservists in Gaza, our main mission was to locate you in the tunnels," one soldier told the former hostages. "Sitting here with you now is the real victory."
David Scott, a Georgia congressman and moderate Democrat representing Atlantas southern suburbs since 2003, has died at the age of 80.

Scotts health had been an open question in recent years, prompting calls for his retirement. He had not spoken on the floor of the House of Representatives in two years.

He was ranking member of the House agriculture committee, and was the first Black chairman of that committee when Democrats controlled the house.

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Scott had qualified to run for a 12th term in Congress this year, but faced a host of Democratic challengers as his health conditions became apparent.

His legacy of unwavering dedication to public service for more than 50 years will live on, said Jasmine Clark, a microbiologist and Emory University professor serving in the state legislature, who was challenging Scott in the Democratic primary. From his job fairs, to his support of farmers, veterans, and HBCUs [historically black colleges and universities], and more, Congressman Scotts impact is woven into the fabric of our community and will live on in Georgias story.

Our community will come together and build upon his legacy, said Everton Blair Jr, a former chairman of the Gwinnett county school board, and another of Scotts Democratic primary challengers. Weve got to continue with our sharpest, strongest fighters to continue his legacy.

Congressman Scott devoted his life to public service and the State of Georgia, elected to the Georgia state house in 1974 and the state senate in 1982 before being elected to Congress in 2002, Jon Ossoff, a US senator of Georgia said in a statement on Wednesday afternoon. The State of Georgia is a better place thanks to the service of Congressman Scott. May his memory be a blessing.

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Scott earned a finance degree from Florida A&M University and an MBA from Wharton before going into business in billboard marketing. Scott served an eight-year term in the Georgia house, and 10 years in the state senate, before winning election to Congress in 2002.

Andre Dickens, the Atlanta mayor, described Scott as one of Georgias longest-serving voices in Washington DC and a tireless advocate for the people he served.

For decades, he fought for Georgia farmers, advocated for our veterans and ensured his constituents were supported at the street level with job and health fairs, serving tens of thousands of Georgians over the years, added Dickens. His legacy is one of service, perseverance and deep commitment to this state. My thoughts are with his wife Alfredia Aaron, his children, extended family, his colleagues, and all who were impacted by his work.

Scott was at times a blue dog moderate Democrat, like Sanford Bishop, a fellow Georgia congressman. In his early terms in Congress, Scott supported a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage  a position he later repudiated  and was one of a handful of Democrats to support tax cuts during the George W Bush administration. Scott controversially endorsed the former Republican US senator Johnny Isakson against the Democratic candidate Jim Barksdale in 2016 for the US Senate race in Georgia.

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Scott bucked party orthodoxy to advance his areas of interest, particularly on legislation for farming, financial services and housing. Most recently, Scott worked to include his legislation on rural housing and financial literacy for home buyers into a bipartisan housing bill, which passed in February.

The last few years of his congressional tenure had been marked by his declining health. He had sharply curtailed his public appearances. Journalists looking at his voting record revealed he had been skipping elections, including his own re-election in November 2024; the 2024 presidential election; and several municipal and state elections in 2021, 2023 and 2025.

Scotts fatigue at committee hearings and other public settings alarmed observers  cameras caught him falling asleep during the State of the Union address this year. In 2025, three Democrats over the age of 70 died in office.
The Georgia Forestry Commission issued its first mandatory burn ban in state history on Wednesday.

Wildfires are burning across parts of southeast Georgia and northeast Florida, destroying dozens of homes and buildings. There have also been road closures and evacuations throughout the region.

The mandatory ban on outdoor burning is in effect immediately for 91 counties in the lower half of the state, due to worsening drought conditions and rising wildfire activity.

This photo provided by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources shows smoke fills the sky from the Pineland Road Fire in southeast Georgia on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. (Georgia Department of Natural Resources via AP)

This photo provided by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources shows burned vehicles and trees from the Pineland Road Fire in southeast Georgia on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. (Georgia Department of Natural Resources via AP)

This photo provided by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources shows smoke fills the sky from the Pineland Road Fire in southeast Georgia on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. (Georgia Department of Natural Resources via AP)

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Fire crews and truck assemble at the Brantley County Airport as they work the Brantley highway 82 fire, Thursday, April 23, 2026, near Nahunta, Ga. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

(PHOTOS: Georgia Forestry Commission)

(PHOTOS: Georgia Forestry Commission)

(PHOTOS: Georgia Forestry Commission)

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(PHOTOS: Georgia Forestry Commission)

(PHOTOS: Georgia Forestry Commission)

(PHOTOS: Georgia Forestry Commission)

(PHOTOS: Georgia Forestry Commission)

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(PHOTOS: Georgia Forestry Commission)

(PHOTOS: Georgia Forestry Commission)

(PHOTOS: Georgia Forestry Commission)

(PHOTOS: Georgia Forestry Commission)

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(PHOTOS: Georgia Forestry Commission)

(PHOTOS: Georgia Forestry Commission)

My office and I are working closely with the Georgia Forestry Commission to respond to the increasing threat of wildfires in South Georgia, Gov. Brian Kemp wrote on X. If you are in a directly affected area, please adhere to guidance from your local officials to keep you and your family safe.

The ban covers counties from Harris County to Columbia County and south to the Florida line. It will remain in place for at least 30 days Forestry Commission officials said.

Georgia issued the first mandatory burn ban in state history for more than 50 counties Wednesday.

On top of the burn ban, Gov. Brian Kemp also issued a state of emergency for 91 counties being impacted by the fires.

With much of Georgia remaining in extreme drought conditions, wildfires have already surpassed the states 5-year average and continue to spread, Kemp said. We are praying for the families who have lost their homes in these devastating conditions, as well as for the first responders working around the clock.

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Around 98% of Georgia is in moderate to exceptional drought, and wildfires in the state are already above the 5-year average.

The states largest wildfire is in Clinch County. The Pineland Road Fire is only 10% contained with over 16,000 acres burning as of Wednesday.

Another large blaze is in Brantley County along Highway 82. Brantley County Manager Joey Cason said the fire is around 10% contained Wednesday evening.

He earlier told Channel 2s sister station WJAX that the wildfire had grown to over 5,000 acres as of Wednesday morning. It was 3,800 acres Tuesday.

Photo as of April 22, 2026

Smoke from the wildfires burning in far south Georgia has made it into north Georgia with a hazy sky developing.

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Light southerly wind and a stable lower atmosphere is trapping smoke close to the ground, reducing visibility. The smoky haze should improve later this morning as temperatures warm up and it disperses over a deeper layer of the atmosphere, Severe Weather Team 2 Meteorologist Brian Monahan says.

The Georgia Forestry Commissions website has an interactive map of the wildfire conditions. CLICK HERE to view it.

[RELATED: Wildfire risk: How to track, prepare if flames get near]

Southeast Georgia

Brantley County

Highway 82 Fire - Over 5,000 acres, 10% contained

Brantley County schools are canceled Wednesday

Mandatory Evacuation:

GA-110 (Yellow Pine Rd) to Thrower Rd

Happy Hollow

Drury Ln & Drury Ct

Coffee County Club Rd

From Thrower Rd to Mossy Oak

Road Closures:

Brantley County Government released the following affected areas and road closures due to active fire conditions and ongoing emergency response:

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Highway 82 from Nahunta to Post Road

Highway 110 West  at Highway 32 down to the Camden County line

Highway 259  from Highway 82 to the Camden County line

Highway 32  from Highway 110 to Post Road

Free meals

Twin Rivers Baptist Church, located at 17394 U.S. 301 N. in Hortense, began serving food at 6 p.m. and will serve until it runs out.

Clinch County

Pineland Road Fire - 16,616 acres, 10% contained.

Georgia Forestry Commission - What you need to do:
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Wednesday pledged support for global action on climate change in a speech to the Petersberg Climate Dialogue in Berlin.

"We recognize the seriousness of climate change, and Germany is determined to make a strong contribution to the Paris Agreement," Merz told participants. "Germany will remain a reliable partner in this effort."

"We need a climate policy that is multilateral, that is ambitious and that is effective," the chancellor argued.

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Germany has hosted the Petersberg Climate Dialogue since 2010 as a complement to the UN climate conferences. The meeting was first held in Petersberg near Bonn, but now takes place regularly in the German capital.

Around 400 participants are expected this year, including representatives from the business sector. Turkish Environment Minister Murat Kurum, whose country is hosting the next UN Climate Change Conference (COP31) in Antalya in November, was among the speakers on Tuesday, when the meeting opened.

Merz said the industrial transition to clean energy is at the heart of contemporary discussions and offers a wide range of opportunities.

But climate action "must not endanger the industrial base in Germany," he warned. "A transformation that leads to deindustrialization will not find acceptance among the people."

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Germany has set ambitious climate targets, aiming to become climate-neutral by 2045.

However, Merz's coalition government has called for the EU's ban on combustion engines to be relaxed, while also pushing for the construction of gas-fired power plants.
German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius on Wednesday presented a new national military strategy, as Berlin responds to the rising threat from Moscow.

The Bundeswehr, Germany's military, is undergoing a programme of rearmament in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, while the country reintroduced voluntary military service in January in an effort to boost troop numbers.

Pistorius's defence plan includes Germany's first military strategy and an analysis of the Bundeswehr's capabilities, setting out the organization, structure and size of the armed forces.

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While details are classified, Pistorius said the plans include "developing the Bundeswehr into the strongest conventional army in Europe."

The Defence Ministry in Berlin regards Russia as the main threat facing Germany.

"With its rearmament, it is preparing for a military confrontation with NATO and sees the use of military force as a legitimate instrument for asserting its interests," Pistorius said.

NATO is aiming to boost its forces to 460,000 soldiers to counter Russian aggression.

Berlin's strategy sets out the importance of long-range precision weapons and air defence systems, but also the development of technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing and robotics.

"In the short term, we are increasing our defence and endurance capabilities; in the medium term, we are aiming for a significant, comprehensive increase in capabilities; and in the long term, we will establish technological superiority," Pistorius explained.
A lone man with a handgun is holding dozens of people hostage atop the Pyramid of the Moon in the bustling archaeological zone of Teotihuacan (State of Mexico). Among the terrified crowd are many foreign tourists. Videos circulating online show them lying prone or hiding behind stones protruding from the pyramid itself. The gunman strolls leisurely at the height he has chosen as his stage. He seems aware that he is being watched, filmed, and feared. Everyone is frozen in place as the attacker, identified as 27-year-old Julio Cesar Jasso Ramirez, walks to his backpack, crouches down, likely removes cartridges, and then, gun in hand, returns to where his intended victims are seeking cover.

The videos, recorded from dozens of meters away by visitors below the pyramid, dont reveal the minor details, but what matters now is the overall picture, the deplorable act: the man swings his arm with the weapon, points it at the sky, then at the people lying face down, and fires once, twice, three times. The shots are punctuated by a brief, macabre pause, as if each discharge and its interval were a coded message.

The attacker wounded seven other people with the weapon. Six more suffered bodily injuries and fractures in the heat of the clash. According to an initial report issued by a police commander in the State of Mexico, the shooter took his own life. However, other videos show members of the National Guard hunting him down. Deafening gunshots can be heard, suggesting the caliber of the rifles, followed by silence. Authorities have not clarified this point, nor have they addressed other crucial aspects of understanding a lone wolf attacking a crowd, randomly, with a firearm. It is impossible not to think of the mass shootings that are frequent in the United States, something to which Mexicans are not accustomed.

Very little is known about the killer, and even less about his motives, beyond hatred. It has only been revealed that he lived in the Gustavo A. Madero borough in northern Mexico City, according to identification found among his belongings near his body by investigators.

The newspaper Milenio has reported that the young man was an admirer of Hitler and even published photos of himself giving the Nazi salute. Despite the official silence surrounding the case, the profile of the victims  all foreigners  and certain details surrounding the attack offer clues. Some media outlets have drawn attention to the fact that the crime occurred on Hitlers birthday. Another coincidence is the Columbine High School massacre in Colorado, USA, on April 20, 1999. Two students used assault rifles to kill 12 classmates and a teacher, and wounded 24 others. They then turned the weapons on themselves. The tragedy has become one of the most striking images of the gun violence epidemic and its devastating consequences in the United States.

Reference has also been made to the attackers t-shirt, which bore the slogan Disconnect & Self-Destruct. Milenio pointed out that this slogan is commonly used within the True Crime Community (TCC), to which the Columbine shooters were linked. While the Teotihuacan attackers connection to the TCC is not entirely clear, various organizations have warned of the proliferation of ideas associated with this diffuse group, particularly regarding performative violence or nihilistic violence. This characteristic is repeated in seemingly unrelated crimes in different countries, where the murder weapon can be a gun or a knife, where the victims are random people in a crowd, and where the common denominator is that the attacker is always male.

This unusual crime echoes the murder, just three weeks ago, of two high school teachers by a 15-year-old boy in Michoacan. This attacker used an AK-47 assault rifle. Moments before the attack, the boy recorded himself posing with the weapon in front of his mirror. In other separate posts on his social media, he shared messages that identify him with the incel community, a movement of men who profess hatred toward women and champion a wounded and resentful masculinity.

In that respect, the Michoacan murder is reminiscent of a similar crime that occurred at a high school affiliated with the prestigious National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) in September 2025. A student was stabbed to death by a 19-year-old man who entered the school to attack him. The assailant published several posts on social media describing himself as a young man trapped in loneliness and resentment. In incel forums (short for involuntary celibates, men who consider themselves rejected by women), he wrote messages that revealed his willingness to kill.

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Graham Platner, the leading Democratic candidate in Maine's hotly contested U.S. Senate primary, reportedly said, if elected, he would investigate President Donald Trump and seek to remove two conservative Supreme Court justices.

Platner told NBC News that if Democrats gain control of the Senate, they should use its subpoena power to investigate the Trump administration.

"I want to shut the White House down. I want us to, for the next two years, be dragging every single person in the White House, every single person in all these agencies that have been conducting themselves in illegal and unconstitutional ways," Platner said in an interview the network released on April 22. "They need to be dragged, by subpoena, in front of Senate committees over and over and over again."

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Platner made his comments to NBC on April 17, a day before he stood alongside Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Massachusetts), at a rally in Portland, Maine. Warren told the crowd that Washington needed fighters like Platner, who is a 41-year-old former Marine.

The political newcomer and oyster farmer is seeking to defeat Maine Gov. Janet Mills, a fellow Democrat, and incumbent GOP Sen. Susan Collins, who is running for a sixth term in one of the most competitive and closely watched matchups in the country. Platner's campaign did not immediately respond to USA TODAY's request for comment.

Maine Senate race: Platner nets endorsement from Sen. Warren

Platner believes the president has committed impeachable offenses

During the NBC interview, Platner said Trump has "absolutely" committed impeachable offenses. The Senate candidate contends the president has engaged in "rank corruption" and enriched himself through "crypto scams."

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Platner also alleged the president might have participated in insider trading if people around him are betting on outcomes they know will occur. The Trump administration's Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has taken a friendly stance toward prediction markets that allow users to wager on political events and policy outcomes, despite widespread ethical concerns.

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner speaks at a campaign town hall meeting in Ogunquit, Maine, U.S., October 22, 2025.

The Trump administration has repeatedly denied that administration officials have engaged in insider trading. And two Republican National Committee members told USA TODAY they take strong exception to Platner's comments.

"Graham Platner is a fanatical soft-on-communism, Nazi-sympathizer. Its no surprise the first thing on his agenda would be to attack our government, obstruct the progress this Administration has made, and weaken our justice system," RNC spokesperson Kristen Cianci said in an emailed response to questions. "He is a dangerous, power-hungry individual who would put Mainers directly in harms way just to pursue his socialist dreams."

National Republican Senatorial Committee Regional Press Secretary Samantha Cantrell said in a separate email response, "The only investigations Graham Platner should be thinking about right now are the ones revisiting his history of racist, sexist, and antisemitic comments and his web of lies that will all be exposed after Democrats are stuck with him as their nominee."

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Platner became the subject of a controversy last year stemming from Reddit posts from 2018 and images of him with a tattoo of a skull and crossbones associated with Nazi symbolism. Platner acknowledged and apologized for his prior social media posts, saying he wrote them during a dark time in his life, after his final tour in Afghanistan in 2018. He later revealed on Instagram that he'd gotten a new tattoo to cover the old one, saying he was "appalled to learn it closely resembled a Nazi symbol."

However, Platner told NBC that if the Senate doesn't get enough votes to convict anyone in the Trump administration, "I dont think we should waste our time with it." Platner added that Democrats should instead focus resources on investigations.

Who is Graham Platner? Why the Maine Senate candidate is in the national spotlight

Platner believes Justices Thomas and Alito should face impeachment

The Senate candidate also told the network he wants Congress to impose ethics standards on the Supreme Court. If elected, he said, he'd push the House to impeach Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito, saying "theres a compelling case" against both of them.

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner speaks at a campaign town hall meeting in Ogunquit, Maine, U.S., October 22, 2025.

Platner specifically mentioned the relationship between Thomas and a GOP megadonor, billionaire Harlan Crow. Thomas disclosed after the fact that he took private trips funded by Crow over the past two decades, which could violate federal law. Thomas said in response to concerns about the trips that he was advised that "this sort of personal hospitality from close personal friends, who did not have business before the court, was not reportable."

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Platner told NBC that the relationship between Thomas and Crow "is not hard to see as clearly corrupt, and Justice Thomas doesnt even recuse himself from cases that impact Crows businesses. These are absolutely reasons for removal."

Alito came under fire for flying an inverted flag outside his house after the 2020 election and a "Appeal to Heaven" flag outside his beach home in 2023  both symbols of the "Stop the Steal" movement. The "Appeal to Heaven" flag  a white flag with a green pine tree in the center  has also become a symbol for Christian nationalists.

Impeaching a Supreme Court justice is the same process as impeaching a president, requiring a majority vote in the House and a two-thirds majority in the Senate for removal from office.

It's a rather tall order, and that's reflected in how rarely it happens. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Chase was impeached by the House in 1804 for allegedly making biased, politically motivated rulings against supporters of then-President Thomas Jefferson. The Senate later acquitted Chase as his trial reinforced the independence of the federal judiciary from legislative pressure.

Contributing: Maureen Groppe

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Graham Platner wants a Trump investigation, impeachment of 2 justices
PIERRE  A South Dakota lake can be used for hunting by surrounding landowners after a legislative rules committee voted Tuesday to remove its status as a state waterfowl refuge.

The status has prevented landowners whose property completely surrounds the lake from hunting waterfowl such as ducks, said Tom Kirschenmann, director of wildlife for the Department of Game, Fish and Parks.

There is more than one Lake Albert in the state  this one is in Grant County near Milbank.

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In this particular case, there is no habitat work, theres no management activity that has to take place on this particular refuge, Kirschenmann said. It is simply a status that means waterfowl cannot be hunted in that designated area.

The vote was 3-2 for a rules package that included the change.

South Dakotas Game, Fish and Parks Commission recommended approval of the change earlier this year. The primary goal of state refuges, Kirschenmann said, is to provide a resting spot for waterfowl so hunting pressure doesnt push them out of the area.

After the removal of Lake Alberts refuge status, there are still more than two dozen state waterfowl refuges. A majority are along the Missouri River. There are five federal wildlife refuges and five federal wetland management districts in South Dakota, including areas supporting bald eagles, ducks and other birds.

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New fire stations open $4M new firefighter facilities open in South Dakota wildland

This is the second state refuge status removal in recent memory for Kirschenmann.

It is not a common process, he said. Each instance was driven by the landowners, because the refuge itself was completely surrounded by private land.

Sen. Liz Larson, D-Sioux Falls, voted against approving the change.

I was just worried that this might set a precedent for other landowners to try and do the same thing, she said. A lot of different types of waterfowl and songbirds, and even birds of prey, their numbers have just plummeted over the last three to four decades.

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South Dakota Searchlight is part of States Newsroom, the nations largest state-focused nonprofit news organization.

This article originally appeared on St. Cloud Times: Lake Albert refuge status removed in South Dakota
Nawafs view

Whatever becomes of the ceasefire, one fact is already fixed: Relations between the Gulf and Iran will not return to what they were before this war.

That does not mean the Gulf is entering some permanent, dramatic rupture with Iran. Serious states do not have the luxury of theatrical foreign policy, and geography does not bend to outrage. Iran remains where it has always been, across the water, tied to the Gulf by trade, energy, security, and proximity. At some point, the two sides will speak again. But when that happens, it will not be on the old terms.

For nearly half a century, Gulf states have lived with the reality of the Islamic Republic and built their own doctrine around it. Built on realism, the Gulf learned to live with a difficult neighbor through deterrence, caution, open channels where necessary, and a habit of trust, but verify. It was not elegant, but it was workable.

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This war has damaged that framework.

The Gulf states, including Qatar, advised against the American-Israeli attack on Iran. They understood exactly what such an escalation could unleash, because the region knows something distant powers repeatedly forget: When war comes to the Middle East, it is the Middle East that pays first.

Irans response caused a deep rupture. Within minutes of the attack, Tehran retaliated under the false claim that strikes had come from Gulf countries. The accusation was false, and was impossible to have been verified in that time frame. The allegation and retaliation came almost simultaneously.

That sequence tells the Gulf more than any statement issued after the fact ever could. It tells the region that, in a moment of war, falsehood can become military rationale almost instantly. It tells the Gulf that accusation may come before evidence, and action before truth.

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And it is why Gulf doctrine will now begin to shift. It wont happen overnight, because states dont abandon half a century of accumulated practice in weeks, But change will come because the old formula was too generous and cautious. What follows this war will be narrower, harder, and more demanding. There may still be trust, but it will require verification of a far more definitive kind.

The facts on the ground are driving the change. Iran said it was targeting US military installations. In reality, its attacks killed civilians and damaged airports, power facilities, and water supplies across the Gulf. Tehrans messaging may have been intended to evade responsibility, but that will not erase what people in the Gulf experienced.

They will remember the strikes. They will remember the disruption. They will remember that even when air defenses work, civilians still bleed.

One of the last casualties of the war came minutes after the ceasefire took effect: a young Qatari girl wounded by debris from an intercepted ballistic missile. Even when a missile fails, the danger still reaches home.

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Despite all of this, Gulf countries and Iran will eventually have to talk again. Neither side is going anywhere. But that conversation will come only if Iran chooses to return to the neighborly fold of the Gulf. A ceasefire alone will not restore anything. Familiar formulas cannot simply be revived.

If Iran wants a different future with the Gulf, it has much to prove. It will have to show that its posture of animosity toward the Gulf states is changing in substance, not merely in language. It will have to show that its trigger finger is no longer so quick. It will have to show that it understands the difference between rivalry and recklessness.

The old relationship with Iran was difficult, but familiar. The next one, if it emerges at all, will be colder, stricter, and built on far less faith. That is what this war changed. Not the map. Not the necessity of eventual contact. It changed the threshold of belief. Iran can still speak of a future with the Gulf. But after this war, the Gulf will ask for proof first.

Notable
WASHINGTON, April 22 (UPI) -- The Supreme Court appeared split Wednesday on how much evidence of a crime U.S. border control agents need to impose parole a legal permanent resident re-entering the country.

In Blanche vs. Lau, the justices examined when immigration officers at ports of entry like airports may pause a permanent resident's status.

Blanche refers to U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche. Muk Lau, a permanent resident with a green card who originally came from China, challenged a decision by a Customs and Border Patrol agent to change his status to parole when he returned to the United States after being charged with a crime.

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Typically, permanent residents are allowed to leave and re-enter the United States as they wish, with a few exceptions. If these immigrants have committed certain kinds of crimes, though, officers can have them placed on parole when they return to the country after going abroad.

In immigration, parole is a temporary, discretionary permission granted by the Department of Homeland Security that allows a person to enter or remain in the United States, even though they are not formally admitted. It can be revoked and result in deportation.

During Wednesday's arguments, Lau's lawyer, Shay Dvoretzky, argued that a border agent would need "clear and convincing" evidence of a crime to place permanent residents on parole.

But the government's attorney, Sopan Joshi, equated parole to "hitting a pause button" on a green-card holder's status until the government could determine their eligibility.

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Joshi argued that all that would be required to put a permanent resident on parole would be a border "officer's satisfaction" that something could put that person's status into question.

"That is how the rest of the Immigration and Nationality Act works," he said. "If you're a citizen and you walk in and you say, 'I'm a citizen,' you have to show that you are in fact a citizen to the border officer's satisfaction, and if you don't, you can be detained."

Justice Sonia Sotomayor seemed hesitant to accept this. She questioned whether Customs and Border Patrol agents would begin "willy-nilly paroling legal permanent residents." Justices Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson shared similar viewpoints.

"It's really difficult without a green card to operate in this country," Jackson said. "So, you could imagine a world in which a government that really is not interested in immigration and having immigrants here, living and working, could use this kind of thing to inappropriately parole people rather than admit them so that it depresses immigration."

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Justice Samuel Alito also questioned the "officer's satisfaction" standard.

"You're swinging for the fences here," he told Joshi.

Joshi said it was unlikely for the entire Department of Homeland Security to be "acting in bad faith" toward immigrants, and that cases of arbitrary parole were rare.

Chief Justice John Roberts, alongside Justices Amy Coney Barrett and Clarence Thomas, appeared more sympathetic toward the government's arguments. Thomas pointed out that in Lau's case, there were criminal charges, so parole wasn't randomly issued.

Barrett said that requiring a clear and convincing standard at the border would be "weird," because a border officer cannot actually process evidence or witnesses at a port of entry.

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Alito said the suggestion that the government would begin paroling people without evidence was extreme.

"Does your argument depend on our acceptance of this conspiracy theory?" he asked Dvoretzky.

If Lau loses this case, discretion would likely fall on individual agents, alongside the head of Customs and Border Patrol at the airport, to determine if a permanent resident should be placed on parole, according to Joshi.

The case stems from an event on June 15, 2012, when 69-year-old Lau, who had gained permanent residency five years earlier, landed in a New York-area airport after traveling to China.

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He presented his green card and passport to Customs and Border Control. His entry triggered an FBI match because a month earlier, Lau was charged with third-degree trademark counterfeiting for selling nearly $300,000 of fake designer shorts.

"I was arrested at a warehouse that contained some merchandise I had stored there," Lau told the Customs and Border Protection agent, according to court documents. "I went to the warehouse to retrieve the merchandise because I had not paid rent, and when I got there, the cops were there and arrested me."

The agent declared Lau inadmissible as a returning permanent resident due to the crime exception, and decided to let him in on parole, instead. A year later, Lau pled guilty to the counterfeiting, and in 2014, the Department of Homeland Security began deportation proceedings against him.

At the time, the Customs and Border Patrol agent did not know whether Lau was guilty -- just that he had been charged with a crime.

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Immigrant advocates argue the agent erred by letting him in on parole.

"Mr. Lau was absolutely, unequivocally, at that time, admissible," said Jonathan Weinberg, who worked on the American Immigration Lawyers Association's brief to the court. "He just was. He hadn't been convicted of a crime. There was nothing else that would render him inadmissible."

After an immigration judge and the Board of Immigration Appeals sided with the government, Lau appealed to the U.S. 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals. The appellate court, agreeing with Weinberg's reasoning, granted Lau's petition in March 2025.

The Federation for American Immigration Reform, a nonprofit advocating for lower immigration rates, also submitted a brief to the court. It argued that the border patrol officer did the right thing by paroling Lau into the country, and that the clear and convincing standard was too high.

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"If you're going to say that the officer in an airport is supposed to have all this information, you're assigning that individual with an impossible task," FAIR spokesman Ira Mehlman said. "You have thousands of people coming through the airports every day, and these are decisions that have to be made on the spot."

Mehlman also said that the decision "shouldn't be a problem" for green-card holders without any criminal history.

"When you come to the United States as a non-citizen, you are here on a conditional basis," Mehlman said. "Even if you're a green card holder, you're subject to removal if you violate the terms of your presence here in the United States."

There are nearly 13 million legal permanent residents in the United States. Legal immigrants, including green card holders, commit crimes at lower rates than natural-born citizens, according to research by the Migration Policy Institute. However, Weinberg said the ultimate decision would impact all legal permanent residents, including those who have not been convicted of any crime.

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"If the government can admit Lau on parole, then the government can basically admit any returning green card holder on parole if it chooses to," Weinberg said.

Lau's case joins several immigration-related issues, including birthright citizenship and temporary protected status, which have made their way to the Supreme Court this spring.

"The immigrant advocacy community is, I think, fighting an uphill battle," Weinberg said. "But that doesn't mean you don't give it your best shot."

A decision is expected by the end of June, when the current Supreme Court term generally concludes.
The state was ordered to respond to the court's question as to why it has not acted to establish a civil cemetery for Jerusalem and its surrounding area by July 1.

The High Court of Justice ordered the state on Monday to explain why, three decades after Israel enacted its civil burial law, Jerusalem-area residents still do not have a state-funded civil cemetery.

In a decision issued a day after a hearing on the matter, Justices Alex Stein, Khaled Kabub, and Yechiel Kasher handed down a conditional order directing the Religious Services Ministry, the Finance Ministry, and the Jerusalem Jewish Burial Council to show why they have not acted to establish a civil cemetery for Jerusalem and its surrounding area. Additionally, they have failed to allocate the required budget, grant a burial license to the lead petitioner, Menucha Nechona Jerusalem, and to remove barriers that petitioners say have made it effectively impossible for non-Orthodox groups to operate such a site. The state was ordered to respond by July 1.

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The case was brought by Menucha Nechona Jerusalem, together with the Reform movement, Hiddush, the Masorti movement, and several private petitioners seeking access to civil burial. At its core is a challenge that has lingered for years: While Israeli law recognizes the right to alternative civil burial, the petitioners say that right has never been meaningfully implemented for residents of Jerusalem, forcing families who do not want an Orthodox religious burial to look outside the capital or forgo the option altogether.

The courts move does not yet decide the petition on the merits, but it is a significant procedural step. A conditional order means the burden shifts to the state and the other respondents to justify their conduct and persuade the court why the relief sought should not be granted. In practice, it signals that the panel found the petition raised serious legal questions requiring a fuller answer.

That skepticism was on display during Sundays hearing.

A hearing on a petition to convene the Judicial Selection Committee at the Supreme Court in Jerusalem, February 12, 2026. (credit: CHAIM GOLDBERG/FLASH90)

Stein told state representatives that the law was very clear and left no real room for discretion on the question of providing civil burial, adding that the provision imposed a duty  not a matter of choice  and warned that absent good news, the court would issue a conditional order.

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Kabub pressed the state over the cost issue, asking what exactly was expected of petitioners if the state itself was saying the project would require around NIS 15 million.

Kasher, for his part, pointed to the structural problem raised by the petition, suggesting that a system in which only well-capitalized religious burial companies can realistically compete risks predetermining the result. After 30 years, he said, Jerusalem residents who want a civil burial still do not have it.

The state, however, argued that the picture was more complicated.

Behind Jerusalem's civil cemetery project

In a preliminary response filed in late March, the Religious Services Ministry, the Finance Ministry, and the Israel Land Authority (ILA) did not dispute that civil burial, such as the petitioners seek, remains unavailable in Jerusalem.

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But, they argued, the law does not create an automatic obligation for the state to directly finance and build a civil cemetery in the manner demanded by the petitioners, and they said that the situation in Jerusalem was shaped by unusually high development costs at the designated site at the Har HaMenuchot cemetery.

According to the state, those costs run far higher than in other parts of the country because of the areas terrain and infrastructure needs, with the first phase alone estimated in the millions of shekels and the broader project discussed in terms of roughly NIS 15 million.

The state also argued that the failure to establish the site could not be laid entirely at its door.

It said that the lead petitioner, Menucha Nechona, had not met the conditions tied to the allocation it received and had not secured the resources needed to develop the plot.

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In the states telling, the law guarantees access to civil burial but does not necessarily require that it be provided to Menucha Nechona. It further suggested that an Orthodox burial society could, in principle, operate a civil-burial section through a separate arrangement  a point that became one of the central clashes in the case.

That argument was echoed by the Jerusalem Jewish Burial Council, which, in its own response, said that it had taken meaningful steps years ago to advance a civil-burial solution.

The council said that, as part of the western expansion plan for Har Hamenuchot Cemetery approved in 2011, about 10% of a roughly 50-dunam tract was allocated for civil burial, with approximately five dunams earmarked for Menucha Nechona.

According to the council, the petitioner failed to satisfy the conditions of that allocation, including obtaining a burial license and participating in the development costs. The council stressed that it was not the owner of the land and did not function as a funding body, describing its annual budget as roughly NIS 2m. and portraying its role as primarily coordinative. It also said that another burial company had expressed willingness to take on the project.

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For the petitioners, that response only underscored the deeper problem.

In their April reply, they argued that the state was effectively reducing a statutory right to a market contest that only wealthy and established Orthodox burial organizations could win.

Jerusalem, they said, was not just another case of bureaucratic delay. The designated civil-burial plot was bound up with particularly costly collective development work at Har HaMenuchot, making it economically unrealistic for a nonprofit civil-burial body to carry the burden on its own. The result, they argued, was a framework in which civil burial existed on paper but remained inaccessible in practice.

They also pushed back on the states suggestion that an Orthodox burial society could simply step in and provide the solution. That, the petitioners said, misses the point of the law. In their view, the issue is not only whether some formal civil-burial plot can be opened somewhere in Jerusalem, but whether residents are offered a real non-Orthodox alternative rather than one dependent on the same institutions that dominate religious burial.

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The legal and symbolic stakes are larger than the Jerusalem site itself.

Israels civil burial law was passed in 1996 to ensure that people seeking burial outside the Orthodox religious framework would have that option. Over the years, implementation has been uneven, with some areas offering alternatives and others lagging far behind. The petitioners argue that Jerusalem  the countrys capital and one of its largest population centers  has become the starkest example of this failure.

That appeared to resonate with the bench. During the hearing, the judges repeatedly returned not only to the states prolonged inaction but to the practical consequences of a system in which civil-burial groups must compete with long-established religious burial societies that have accumulated experience, infrastructure, and financial strength over decades.

The concern running through the hearing was that a legal right without a workable mechanism to realize it is no right at all.

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At present, the case stops short of a final ruling. But the courts decision to issue a conditional order marks the sharpest judicial signal yet that the state may have to do more than point to old land allocations, procedural obstacles, or theoretical alternatives.

The state now has until July 1 to explain why Jerusalem residents still do not have the civil-burial option the law promised them nearly 30 years ago.
Rep. Daniel Goldman (D-N.Y.) on Sunday said President Trump is not well following a Wall Street Journal report that said his advisers limited his knowledge of rescue operations for two pilots downed in Iran due to the leaders impatience.

The commander-in-chief was excluded from commanding a military operation because he was acting so crazy. Think about that, Goldman wrote in a post on X.

Trump is not well. We need the 25th amendment before something really bad happens on US soil, he added.

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Under the 25th amendment to the Constitution, the vice president and a majority of the Cabinet may vote to declare a president unable to discharge the powers and the duties of his office. Doing so would give the vice president the duties of acting president.

If there is a dispute, the issue would go to Congress. A two-thirds vote in both the House and Senate would be needed to displace the president.

White House Communications Director Steven Cheung said The Wall Street Journal article was fake news.

Think about this: you, a sitting U.S. congressman, getting duped by fake news. Just imagine how easily you might be compromised, Cheung wrote in response to Goldman on X.

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Goldmans call echoes other House Democrats who have pushed for Trump to undergo an involuntary transfer of power amid the Iran war.

Public trust in Donald Trumps ability to meet the duties of his office has dropped to unprecedented lows as he threatens to destroy entire civilizations, unleashes chaos in the Middle East while violating Congressional war powers, aggressively insults the Pope of the Catholic Church and sends out artistic renderings online likening himself to Jesus Christ, Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) said in a statement last week.

We are at a dangerous precipice, and it is now a matter of national security for Congress to fulfill its responsibilities under the 25th Amendment to protect the American people from an increasingly volatile and unstable situation, he added.

The president received pushback for threatening to wipe out Irans civilization in a Truth Social post earlier this month.

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Lawmakers said the language was unhinged and illegal as Trump floated strikes on civilian infrastructure.

Im grateful theres a ceasefire & scores of innocent people didnt die tonight, Iranian-American Rep. Yassamin Ansari (D-Ariz.) said after Trump decided against increased strikes.

Talks between the U.S. and Iran are being held in Pakistan with the goal of extending the standing ceasefire. Vice President Vance is reportedly headed to Islamabad for the negotiations, Trump told the New York Post on Monday.

Trump has accused Iran of violating the ceasefire agreement and Iran threatened to retaliate after Marines seized an Iranian-flagged commercial ship on Sunday.

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Were supposed to have the talks, Trump said in an interview with the New York Post. So I would assume at this point nobodys playing games.

Updated at 11:27 a.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.
Authorities in Mexico are releasing new information about the gunman who opened fire on tourists at the pyramids of Teotihuacan, just outside Mexico City.

Investigators now describe the suspect as a copycat who admired school shooters and had planned the attack.

The shooting left a Canadian woman dead and more than a dozen others injured. The gunman later took his own life.

Popular tourist destination turns chaotic

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The attack happened at the historic pyramids of Teotihuacan, located about 25 miles northeast of Mexico City. The site is one of the most visited tourist attractions in the country, drawing thousands of visitors each year, including many from the Houston area.

Among those visiting that day was Tim Chung, a retired petroleum engineer who worked nearly 20 years in Houston.

'It all became chaotic'

Chung had been enjoying what he described as a glorious day after arriving by hot air balloon with a tour group. But the peaceful outing quickly turned into panic.

All of a sudden, I saw someone fall off the platform, Chung said. At first, I thought maybe it was a selfie gone wrong. Then, about two seconds later, you hear a gunshot and another person falls.

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As the situation escalated, Chung began recording on his cellphone.

After that, you just see people up on that platform ... it all becomes chaotic, he said. People start running down. I probably heard around 20 or 30 shots over about 10 minutes.

A scene 'like a war zone'

Chung described the fear and confusion as overwhelming.

It was a surreal moment, unbelievable chaos. You dont know what youre doing. Its unbelievable to see that many people running toward you, Chung said.

He continued recording as law enforcement officers engaged the gunman.

I dont know what its like in a war zone, but it felt like that, Chung said. I knew it was coming to an end when the gunman ran to the top of the pyramid and the National Guard started shooting.

Grateful to be alive

Chung says he feels fortunate to have survived the ordeal.

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Im very grateful to be alive, he said. I was diagnosed with cancer when I was 20 years old, and that put life into perspective for me.

Having overcome cancer years ago, Chung now reflects on surviving yet another life-threatening moment.

Moving forward

Despite the traumatic experience, Chung and his girlfriend plan to continue their vacation in Mexico, saying they still feel safe.

He is expected to return to Houston in the coming weeks, where friends and loved ones will no doubt welcome him home with relief and gratitude.

Got a news tip or story idea? Email us at newstips@khou.com or call 713-521-4310 and include the best way to reach you.
Sinn Fein's objection to a 50m defence sector deal for Northern Ireland has been branded 'puerile' by the leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP).

Gavin Robinson accused Sinn Fein of "opposing opportunities that support workers and families".

But Sinn Fein's Deirdre Hargey said she would rather hear about Westminster investing in public services in Northern Ireland and not be on a "war footing".

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No one from her party attended the launch of the Northern Ireland Defence Growth Deal on Wednesday, which the government says will create hundreds of jobs.

The deal will see Northern Irish tech companies and start ups work alongside the MoD and Queen's University Belfast and is also aimed at helping students develop skills in engineering and technology.

'Major vote of confidence'

DUP leader Gavin Robinson said "victims are perturbed" at the refusal to share information [PA Media]

Robinson described the Defence Growth Deal as a major vote of confidence in local industry and a significant boost for jobs, skills and investment.

He said it was "puerile of Sinn Fein to continue to oppose opportunities that support workers and families".

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Adding: "The First Minister and Economy Minister ought to be championing investment in Northern Ireland to create opportunities for local people and local business, but instead they choose ideological grandstanding."

Sinn Fein has previously been critical of increased defence spending.

Last month the Economy Minister, Caoimhe Archibald, issued new guidance to the economic development agency Invest NI in respect of arms manufacturing.

The body was instructed by her department to "eliminate any risk of public funds being used to support the manufacture of arms or their components that are used for genocide".

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Reacting to the news of the 50m investment, Sinn Fein MP Chris Hazzard said: "This is yet another slap in the face to struggling families who will be incredulous and outraged at this decision."

'50m should be invested in public services'

Both the DUP and TUV been have critical of Sinn Fein's opposition to the defence spending investment [PA Media]

When asked why the First Minister or the economy minister were not present for the 50m announcement on Wednesday, Sinn Fein MLA Deirdre Hargey said she would like to hear Westminster talking about being on a "peace footing" instead of a "war footing".

"If there is 50m to be invested, that should be invested into our public services," added Hargey.

She said she would like to see the chancellor put money go into Northern Ireland's "green energy, cyber security, and creatives industries, not investing in war that kills civilians in other parts of the world".

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The South Belfast MLA also said she believes the 50m investment makes Northern Ireland complicit in the actions of the British army.

The leader of the Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) party Jim Allister was also critical of Michelle O'Neill and Caoimhe Archibald for not attending the event.

He said it is "predictable that the Sinn Fein Economy Minister and the self styled First Minister for all have chose to boycott the event associated with this investment".

He accused them of being happy to "glorify the acts of terrorists", but "not prepared to be seen when our UK defence industry brings quality jobs to Northern Ireland".

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In a statement, a spokesperson for the Department for the Economy said Archibald was at a number of engagements on Wednesday morning.

"The minister wants to see investment which supports her four priorities of good jobs, improving productivity, decarbonisation, and promoting regional balance," they added.

Northern Ireland is the region of the UK with the second lowest defence procurement spending according to MoD figures.

However it has been rising in recent years, almost entirely due to purchases of NLAW missile systems for Ukraine which are made by the French firm Thales at its factory in east Belfast.

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Defence spending in Northern Ireland is already expected to increase when work starts on a Royal Navy contract at the Harland and Wolff shipyard.

Defence Minister Luke Pollard was in Northern Ireland for the launch [Reuters]

As part of the launch on Wednesday, Defence Minister Luke Pollard visited Belfast along with Northern Ireland Office Minister Matthew Patrick.

They met local industry representatives and academics.

Speaking at the event, Pollard said it was "a really good news day".

"With our objective to open the defence industry and the MoD order book to more small businesses, Northern Ireland has this incredible opportunity now, because the talent, the expertise, the innovation, the ingenuity is present here," he added.

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"So now with the defence growth deal, with the other policies we're pursuing to expand defence spending, there's an opportunity to sell more of Northern Ireland's expertise and kit into our own armed forces and to our allies as well."

The NIO's Patrick, said: "It is a vote of confidence, not just in the businesses of Northern Ireland - there's lots of talent here - but in the people.

"It's 50m investment into the economy of Northern Ireland, helping young people get good jobs, better jobs, helping small businesses expand that supply chain.

"Everyone that I speak to is thrilled with this deal, so I think we're working positively across the executive, across businesses, to make this a real success."
eStCru, the California winery co-owned by U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omars (D-Minn.) husband, Timothy Mynett, dissolved nine days after Omar filed an amended financial disclosure listing the business with no net value. The timing has renewed scrutiny over the winerys reported valuation after The Dallas Express first reported on the change earlier this year.

As previously reported by The Dallas Express, Omars financial disclosures valued eStCru LLC, co-owned by Mynett and his business partner William Hailer, between $1,000,001 and $5,000,000 in 2024, up from between $15,001 and $50,000 in 2023.

The disclosure drew scrutiny from House Republicans, including House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer.

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In a February 5 letter to Mynett, Comer wrote that eStCru and Rose Lake Capital were disclosed as being worth as much as $30 million in 2024 after being listed at as much as $51,000 in 2023, a jump that he said raises concerns that unknown individuals may be investing to gain influence with your wife.

Comer also requested financial records, SEC filings, and documents related to travel by anyone affiliated with eStCru or Rose Lake Capital to the United Arab Emirates, Somalia, and Kenya.

Omar later filed an amended disclosure. In the amended disclosure, both businesses were listed with no net value after liabilities were taken into account. The amended filing reduced the couples reported asset range from as high as $30 million to between $18,004 and $95,000.

Omars office said it voluntarily amended the filing after identifying the discrepancy, and spokesperson Jacklyn Rogers said it corrected the filing after discovering the error.

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The amended disclosure confirms what weve said all along: The congresswoman is not a millionaire, spokeswoman Jacklyn Rogers told The Wall Street Journal. Omar updated the filing after a March letter from the Office of Congressional Conduct, an independent group that reviews misconduct allegations against members, The Wall Street Journal reported.

The amended filing still left unresolved questions about how the businesses had previously been valued. The same filing still listed between $102,503 and $1,005,200 in 2024 income from the two businesses, including $213,200 from Rose Lake Capital and $3,000 from eStCru. Omars office has not publicly detailed the liabilities that reduced the reported asset values to zero.

As previously reported by The Dallas Express, eStCrus website was blank, its public phone line was inactive, and social media accounts tied to the label appeared dormant even as the companys reported valuation rose into the millions.

Independent journalist Angela Rose reported that a visit to the winerys listed address in Santa Rosa, California, found a letter from the building operator, Punchdown Cellars, stating that eStCru had not been a client there for several years and had ceased operations at that location.

I visited the principal address of ESTCRU winery. This winery is co owned by US Rep of Minnesota Ilhan Omars husband, Timothy Mynett, yet seems to allegedly be a shell business used to launder funds. Here we were informed that 40+ wineries operate out of this location and that pic.twitter.com/FZRdHqgdRa  Angela Rose (@angelaroosee) February 4, 2026

Court records show that as of February 2024, eStCru had $650 in its bank account while it was defending a lawsuit brought by Washington, D.C., businessman Naeem Mohd, who sought $780,000 in damages. The case was later settled in November 2024.

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Meanwhile, the National Legal and Policy Center filed a complaint with the Office of Congressional Conduct alleging that Omar failed to properly disclose financial assets, transactions, and liabilities connected to Mynetts businesses.

The dissolution of eStCru comes as House Republicans continue pressing for records related to the company and Rose Lake Capital.

A 2025 email between Mynett and his accountant reportedly valued eStCru at $1.5 million and Rose Lake Capital at $7.9 million, with Mynett owning roughly one-third of each. The amended disclosure later listed both businesses with no net value.

Omar has said the earlier filing overstated the couples wealth because of accounting errors.
Grindr's in bed with strange fellows.

The LGBTQ+ dating app has expanded its political presence in both Washington and California as it seeks to flex its influence muscles on a range of policy priorities. The apps ambitions have grown since President Donald Trumps return to office  and much of that is due to the registered Republican running the shop.

Since April 2025, Joe Hack has navigated a GOP-controlled Washington as he pushes forward Grindrs biggest legislative priorities. Out in California, George Arison, Grindrs self-described conservative CEO, has waded into primary politics, pushing moderate San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan as the next governor.

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Even amid Trumps anti-DEI and LGBTQ+ crackdown, Hack told POLITICO hes found room for bipartisan agreement in Washington. And the scale of Grindrs influence will be on full display Friday, when the app hosts its inaugural White House Correspondents Dinner weekend party  for which Democrats and Republicans alike have been clamoring to get an invite.

Were planting a flag, Hack, Grindr's head of global government affairs, said in an interview. Weve been doing policy work here now for a year, and the issues we care about are important not just to us, but to our community.

The glitzy bash  held in a $9 million, 10-bedroom Georgetown mansion  is one of the buzziest fetes of the upcoming weekend, and the guest list has been closed for more than a week. The interest level has been insane, Hack said. Though he declined to provide a preview of expected attendees, he teased that very high level people from both sides had RSVPd. Well see if they come, he said.

Before taking over Grindrs lobbying, Hack spent more than a decade as an aide to Republicans on Capitol Hill. That included six years as chief of staff to Sen. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), who voted against codifying gay marriage about a year after Hack transitioned to the private sector.

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Now, Hack is leading a lobbying blitz at Grindr. The app has poured $1.6 million into its influence operation since it registered to lobby federal lawmakers in April 2025. In the first three months of 2026, Grindr spent $432,500 on its in-house lobbying operation, as well as an additional $120,000 across two large lobbying firms working on its behalf, according to disclosures published this week. The legislation Grindr is targeting includes issues related to surrogacy and IVF access for same-sex couples, as well as two bills  one sponsored by Rep. John James (R-Mich.) and one by Rep. Jake Auchincloss (D-Mass.)  that would make it more difficult for minors to download the 18+ app.

One area that might be surprising is we've had very productive conversations with some House Republicans on online safety and working to keep kids safe, but also do it in a way that's privacy-forward, Hack said.

But its main focus has been on HIV prevention funding. Grindr partners with the Centers for Disease Control to distribute HIV self-test kits in the U.S. through its app, Hack said, and partners with other organizations globally to use its platform to increase access to health care.

Last year, Trump demanded that Congress authorize more than $400 million in spending cuts to PEPFAR, the global HIV-AIDS program started under former President George W. Bush. Senate Appropriations Chair Susan Collins (R-Maine) vocally criticized the cuts, and the White House ultimately relented.

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Lobbying disclosures show that Grindr specifically targeted that rescissions bill. A spokesperson for Collins confirmed that her team had met with Grindr, writing in a statement that Senator Collins has a strong record of supporting the LGBTQ community.

Most recently, Senator Collins has been recognized as a leading advocate for PEPFAR and continuing the U.S.s important role in the fight against HIV/AIDs, Collins spokesperson Blake Kernen said in a statement. She appreciates this recognition of her leadership.

Hack also personally contributed $3,500 to Collins, which he told POLITICO came through a donation at a Sept. 25 fundraiser. He also said he expected to give $3,500 to Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), another partner in HIV prevention, in June.

As the administration is contemplating PEPFAR 2.0 and what that looks like, we would like to step up in a more meaningful way as a public-private partner, he said. We're not looking for tax money. What we're looking for is really to leverage the power of our platform and our unique and unparalleled reach that no other company has, and to use that on behalf of our community to grow health care access.

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Grindrs focus on health care, Hack said, is part of what he called Arisons goal of expanding the platform beyond just a relationship app and into a global gayborhood at the intersection of telehealth, travel and leisure.

Since taking over as CEO in 2022, Arison has pushed to implement AI into the app and has been a supporter of Trumps light-touch AI regulation policies. Despite dipping his toes into the California gubernatorial race, dont expect Arison to become a new political player.

In general, I dont get involved in politics, Arison told POLITICO in an interview last week. I dont want Grindr involved in politics at all.

As for this weekends party, the expectations are high among the D.C. chattering class.

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Jon Levine, a reporter for the Washington Free Beacon who calls himself an infamous conservative hatchet man, told POLITICO he would certainly be at the event.

Asked why, he responded with just two words: Hard news.

Christine Mui contributed to this report.

Like this content? Consider signing up for POLITICO's Playbook newsletter.


The Trump administration has been working for nearly a year on an effort to weed out noncitizens from voter rolls using a faulty data system while keeping those plans hidden from courts and Democratic election officials, internal Justice Department communications obtained by CNN show.

The White House was kept in the loop on the Justice Departments progress, as it struggled to get cooperation from states in its sprawling requests for unredacted voter registration information, ultimately bringing lawsuits against 31 election chiefs. Only last month did the DOJs top voting lawyer acknowledge in the litigation that the department wanted to run the data through a citizenship verification system operated by the Department of Homeland Security.

Internal emails cited in a new lawsuit filed Tuesday by a voter advocacy group challenging President Donald Trumps sprawling voter data-collection and review project shed new light on the effort.

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In one November 2025 email, Eric Neff, the current leader of the DOJ voting section, advised that the department keep some election officials in the dark about what the administration was intending to do with unredacted state voter rolls, which contain private information about Americans.

I believe our reply should always be: We will use the data in a manner consistent with Federal law and say nothing more, Neff wrote, discussing a letter from Democratic state officials that asked administration about plans to upload the data to DHS unproven and potentially insecure citizenship-check system.

In court filings and in formal correspondence with states about the data demands, the department had provided only vague explanations that it was assessing states compliance with two federal laws concerning voter registration.

Neff, in the November email exchange, referenced those laws and said that none of them require to give the states information about what we are going to do with the data.

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No judge will have authority to limit us beyond a promise of Federal law compliance, he said.

Noncitizen voting is very rare and is prohibited in federal elections. But Trump is fixated on the idea, claiming without evidence that even the 2016 election that he won had been tainted by the millions of illegal ballots

State can already voluntarily use the program  known as the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlement or (SAVE)  to review their voter lists, but those reviews have shown it can produce false positives that wrongly identify eligible voters as noncitizens.

Election officials of both parties have told CNN theyre worried the administration will use the audits to pressure states to conduct flawed purges that disenfranchise Americans, and that a states refusal to go along with those removals will be used as a pretext to cast doubt about Novembers elections.

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The Constitution tasks the states with the job of running elections, giving Congress some room to regulate voting, but assigning no unilateral authority on voting rules to the executive branch.

Trump nonetheless has said he wants to nationalize elections. His administrations plans to do its own review for ineligible voters on state rolls  especially when coupled with a recent Trump executive order directing the US Postal Service to play role in deciding who gets mail ballots  amounts to an unlawful usurpation of state authority, the lawsuit filed Tuesday alleges, while accusing the administration of violating federal privacy law in how its handled the information.

DOJ is using this highly sensitive data to build  without statutory authorization  a sprawling new voter surveillance and purging apparatus that endangers millions of Americans fundamental voting and privacy rights, the lawsuit says.

The Justice Department did not respond to CNNs request for comment.

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Internal communications shared exclusively with CNN shed new light on how the voter data project came to be, and how the administration has grappled with the resistance most states showed to the sweeping data demands.

I want to keep things moving, Michael Gates, a Trump-appointed attorney who oversaw voting matters last year, said in an email last summer checking in with other department lawyers on the voter data requests and other election-related cases, There is another call with the White House next week on progress. So, we need to show what progress has been made since the last call.

They fell asleep at the switch

Multiple federal agencies are now involved in the hunt for foreigners and other ineligible voters on state registration files. Much of the effort has been focused on pushing states to use SAVE to vet their rolls for noncitizens, and since at least last May, the Justice Department has wanted to check the state voter rolls itself against that data system.

When we receive the voter lists, we are going to work with states to help them into compliance, Gates  who has since left DOJ  told the Civil Rights Divisions head, Harmeet Dhillon, in an August email that referenced two federal laws that set guardrails around how states maintain their voter lists. They fell asleep at the switch with DOJ not historically enforcing NVRA/HAVA. We will help them.

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But obtaining the confidential voter records from states proved to be a complicated endeavor, and even getting an agreement finalized with DHS so that DOJ can use its immigrant data system has taken the better part of a year.

The DHS said last July the Justice Department would need to fork over $150,000 for unlimited use of the tool. Lets press pause on this please. We are not paying 150k. We need to get ODAG or Associates office involved and maybe WH, a DOJ official said in an email, referring to two top offices at the Department and the White House. An agreement between DHS and DOJ was eventually finalized, DHS confirmed to CNN, but the agreement itself has not been made public.

Meanwhile, attorneys from the DOJ section that handles housing discrimination were brought in to help draft letters sent to states that asked for their unredacted voter rolls, as nearly all the career attorneys specializing in voting left or were pushed out at the beginning of Trumps second term.

A banner depicting President Donald Trump is put up on the Department of Justice building in Washington, DC, on February 20. - Ken Cedeno/Reuters/File

The vast majority of the states initially balked at the request for non-public, highly personal voter registration information. They cited concerns that disclosing the data could violate the federal Privacy Act and their own state privacy laws.

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One of the DOJ housing attorneys remarked in a September email that the task of responding to privacy concerns raised by Utah, where a Republican oversees state election administration, has become a bit more complicated than I expected, as she asked a colleague for input on a response she had been drafting.

That and roughly 1,200 pages of other internal communications were obtained in Freedom of Information Act ligation by the left-leaning government watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, which is also representing individual voters and the voter advocacy group Common Cause in the new lawsuit. Significant portions of the documents are redacted under FOIA exemptions for various privileges.

With states expressing their uneasiness with the data requests, top Trump appointees discussed offering data-sharing agreement that would put in writing its pledge to follow federal policy law.

Gates told the National Association of Secretaries of State in an August call that it would present a uniform memorandum of understanding but the DOJ would not be negotiating 50 different MOUs that may consume months of time, according to notes from the call he shared with a top appointee in the Civil Rights Division.

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The departments refusal to back down from a requirement in the agreement that would give states just 45 days to investigate and remove voters the administration had deemed ineligible gave even Republican election officials heartburn. Only two states agreed to those terms, while more than a dozen others have shared the data without that formal agreement.

Claims that DOJ wants to federalize voter list maintenance

Taking the recalcitrant states to court for not providing the data has not been a smooth endeavor for the administration.

Despite Neffs confidence last November that the department would not have to provide additional information about its plans for the voter rolls, four courts have ruled that its data demands lack an adequate basis and purpose required by the law the department is using to seek the records, and a fifth court rejected the DOJs case for separate reasons.

This Court and the American people deserve to know what exactly the sensitive information of millions of Americans is going to be used for, District Judge David O. Carter wrote in January when throwing out the administrations lawsuit against California for the data. The Court is not required to accept pretextual, formalistic explanations untethered to the reality of what the government has said outside of the courtroom.

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That ruling and another case are now before appeals courts, and Dhillon has said she will take the issue to the Supreme Court if need be.

After months that the administration avoided discussing in court its plans to review the records against the DHS data system, Neff laid out those intentions in a hearing late last month concerning Rhode Islands voter data. Days later, Trump issued an executive order that instructs DHS to use SAVE and other federal databases to construct a citizenship list to be shared with states. For months, the administration had denied in court it was assembling a national voter registry.

The lawsuit filed Tuesday argues DOJ lacks any statutory authority to establish a national voter registration system and federalize or otherwise take over the States responsibilities for voter list maintenance.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
An investigation is continuing on Wednesday after a fiery wrong-way wreck on Interstate 495 in Chelmsford late Tuesday left three people hospitalized and shut down the highway for hours.

Troopers responding to a report of a crash on the southbound side of the highway at the Hunt Road overpass shortly before 10 p.m. found a wrong-way driver who had collided with a driver who was traveling in the correct direction, according to Massachusetts State Police.

The Chelmsford Fire Department said the crash caused one of the vehicles to burst into flames, prompting fire suppression and rescue operations.

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All three victims, whose names havent been released, were rushed to the hospital, fire officials said. The wrong-way driver suffered life-threatening injuries, with at least one of the victims being transported from the scene in a medical helicopter.

The names of those involved in the crash havent been released.

Video from the scene showed a crumpled sedan and SUV, along with several emergency vehicles blocking travel lanes.

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The highway was closed at Exit 88 for more than four hours as crews worked at the scene, reopening just after 2 a.m. Wednesday.

Investigators are working to learn what led up to the crash.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps seized two foreign ships traveling through the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, according to a semiofficial state news agency, a major escalation coming just hours after President Donald Trump announced he was extending a ceasefire between Washington and Tehran.

The state-linked Tasnim News Agency said that the captured vessels were operating without authorization, repeatedly violating regulations, and manipulating navigation aid systems in a way that endangered maritime safety. The vessels are now in Iranian territorial waters, Tasnim reported.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt played down the implications in a Fox News interview on Wednesday, insisting that the seizures did not constitute a violation of the ceasefire.

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"These were not U.S. ships," she said. "These were not Israeli ships. These were two international vessels. And for the American media who is sort of blowing this out of proportion to discredit the president's facts  that he has completely obliterated Iran's conventional Navy  these two ships were taken by speedy gunboats. Iran has gone from having the most lethal Navy in the Middle East to now acting like a bunch of pirates."

Still, the seizures underscore how the status of the Strait of Hormuz may yet dictate peace talks.

The critical shipping lane  through which about 20 percent of the worlds oil travels  saw traffic slow to a trickle in the weeks after Iran effectively shut down the passageway following U.S and Israeli attacks in February.

The White House responded by blockading Iranian shipping on the strait. And an agreement to reopen the waterway collapsed last week after the president kept the blockade in place.

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Trump announced Tuesday that he was indefinitely extending the ceasefire, which was set to expire Wednesday. But he again said the U.S. blockade over the strait would remain. Iran has signaled it wont send its negotiating team to continue talks with the U.S. in Pakistan until the blockade is lifted.

I have therefore directed our Military to continue the Blockade and, in all other respects, remain ready and able, and will therefore extend the Ceasefire until such time as their proposal is submitted, and discussions are concluded, one way or the other, Trump wrote Tuesday on Truth Social.
Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the elite branch of the Iranian armed forces, has blocked President Masoud Pezeshkians presidential appointments and erected what sources described as a security cordon around Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, a report published Tuesday by Iran International said.

The IRGC effectively has assumed control over key state functions, the report claimed.

"It was always a matter of when, not if, the IRGC was going to step forward even more than it has in the last three decades," Behnam Ben Taleblu, senior director of the Iran program at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, told Fox News Digital.

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Pezeshkian has reached a "complete political deadlock" as tensions between his administration and the military leadership deepen, according to the report.

Iran's Ceasefire Push May Be A 'Cycle Of Deception,' Analysts Warn As Shadowy Figure Gains Power

Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the elite branch of the Iranian Armed Forces, has blocked President Masoud Pezeshkians presidential appointments, a new report says. (Getty Images)

The reported shift could have major consequences far beyond Iran.

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Analysts say a more powerful IRGC likely would mean a more confrontational Iran, less willing to compromise in talks with Washington and more inclined to continue military escalation across the region. With U.S.-Iran negotiations already faltering and uncertainty growing over whether Tehran will even send negotiators to the next round of talks, the rise of the Revolutionary Guard raises fresh doubts about who actually is making decisions in Iran and whether any civilian official can still speak for the regime.

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"But its a mistake to assume this is some sort of coup," Ben Taleblu said. "This has been the process in Iran for years now, as the regime has chosen conflict over cooperation and emboldened its security forces at every juncture."

Pezeshkians recent effort to appoint a new intelligence minister collapsed after direct pressure from IRGC commander Ahmad Vahidi, sources told Iran International, arguing that all proposed candidates, including former Defense Minister Hossein Dehghan, were rejected.

Members of the Iranian revolutionary guard march during a parade. The IRGC is designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the State Department. A large part of its work is to covertly operate outside of Iran.

Vahidi reportedly insisted that under wartime conditions, all critical and sensitive positions must be chosen and managed directly by the Revolutionary Guard until further notice.

"By any standard, Vahidi is considered a radical even within the regimes hardline elite, and his rise is a warning that Tehrans war machine now calls the shots," Lisa Daftari, foreign policy analyst and journalist, told Fox News Digital.

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Under Irans system, the president traditionally nominates an intelligence minister only after securing approval from the supreme leader. But with the condition and whereabouts of Mojtaba Khamenei unclear in recent weeks, the IRGC appears to be increasingly acting without civilian oversight.

Irans New Supreme Leader Is His Father On Steroids, Experts Warn Of Hardline Rule

RGC commander Ahmad Vahidi reportedly insisted that under wartime conditions, all critical and sensitive positions must be chosen and managed directly by the Revolutionary Guard until further notice.

The report claims Pezeshkian repeatedly has sought an urgent meeting with Khamenei but has been unable to establish contact.

Instead, according to Iran International, a "military council" made up of senior IRGC officers now controls access to the center of power, preventing government reports from reaching Mojtaba and effectively isolating him from the elected government.

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Still, analysts say the reported power struggle reflects a longer trend in Iran, where the Revolutionary Guard has steadily expanded its influence over politics, the economy and national security.

Ben Taleblu argued that Pezeshkians apparent sidelining should not be viewed as a dramatic break from the past because the president never exercised significant independent authority.

"Those who worry about Pezeshkians potential sidelining need to consider what he realistically was or wasnt able to do mere months ago when the regime slaughtered 40,000 Iranians in the streets," he said.

Pezeshkian, elected in 2025 on promises of moderation and reform, has repeatedly found himself constrained by the security establishment and the clerical leadership.

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The latest report suggests that dynamic has intensified dramatically as Iran faces growing external pressure and internal uncertainty.

One of the most striking claims involves Ali Asghar Hejazi, a powerful security official inside the office of the supreme leader.

Lethal Elite 'Black-clad' Kill Squad Guards Iran's New Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei

A banner featuring Irans new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei and senior commanders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is displayed in Tehran, Iran, March 14, 2026.

Some of Mojtaba Khameneis associates are now trying to push Hejazi out because he opposed Mojtaba succeeding his father, according to Iran International.

The report said Hejazi warned members of the Assembly of Experts that Mojtaba lacked the qualifications to become supreme leader and that hereditary succession would violate the principles laid out by Ali Khamenei.

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Hejazi reportedly also warned that putting Mojtaba in power would effectively hand the country to the Revolutionary Guard and permanently sideline civilian institutions.

That warning increasingly appears to reflect what is already happening.

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Analysts say the latest developments suggest the IRGC is no longer operating behind the scenes, but is openly emerging as the dominant force in Tehran.

The Revolutionary Guard, created after the 1979 Islamic Revolution to defend the regime, has long evolved far beyond a military force. It now controls major sections of Irans economy, oversees the countrys missile and nuclear programs, and exerts influence across nearly every branch of government.

Analysts say the latest developments suggest the IRGC is no longer operating behind the scenes, but is openly emerging as the dominant force in Tehran.

Irans mission to the United Nations declined to comment.





Original article source: Irans Revolutionary Guard sidelines president as military grip expands
Iran is refusing to send its negotiating team to Islamabad to continue talks this week until President Donald Trump lifts the U.S. blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, according to two Middle East officials briefed on the situation, granted anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.

Trump, who hinted on Tuesday that high-level negotiations with Iran would resume soon, has given mixed signals about when, or whether, Vice President JD Vance would leave the White House for Pakistan. Special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, the presidents son-in-law, are also meant to take part in the talks but do not appear to have left the United States.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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Trump on Monday said he has no plans to lift the blockade until the two sides reach an agreement. Thats led to the current impasse  with both Tehran and Washington, as of Tuesday, refusing to blink.

But Trump did give some ground on Tuesday afternoon. After saying he was disinclined to extend the ceasefire for a second time, the president did just that.

Trump said it was a favor to the Pakistanis, implying it was not a U.S. concession but it also underscored how fluid the efforts to reach a broader agreement remain. The two sides have for days traded barbs on social media, seemed to negotiate through the press and lobbed threats at one another. It remains unclear whether some of the most recent demands from the Iranians or Americans are meant to be bluffs or are, in fact, red lines. The requirements and refusals could change at any time.. And the blockade is only one of several sticking points facing the presidents negotiating team, which arrived at the White House Tuesday afternoon for talks about whether a second face-to-face meeting would even take place.

Irans representative to the United Nations, Amir Saied Iravani, told reporters that Iran "has received some signs" that the U.S. is ready to lift the blockade, which he confirmed is a top demand for Tehran. As soon as the U.S. lifts it, he continued, "I think that the next round of the negotiations will take place in Islamabad."

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Vance was ready to head to Islamabad for a second round of negotiations when plans were put on hold. The White House has not responded to inquiries about whether the vice president would be leaving, or if he would be making the trip at all.

The chaotic, potentially climactic moment six weeks into the war with Iran has been building in recent days, with Trump delivering a dizzying array of often conflicting messages on television, social media and in brief calls with reporters  calming markets to a degree while inflaming Iran and adding to a general sense of confusion about the presidents endgame.

Trump on Tuesday both predicted great success with Iran in the next round of talks and said, I expect to be bombing.

His contradictory comments followed a spate of phone calls with reporters on Monday during which he said Vance was not taking part in the next round of talks in Islamabad, that those talks were to begin in just hours and that a final deal was due to be signed by the evening.

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There are better ways to send messages, but Donald Trump is Donald Trump, said one of the two Mideast officials. Weve conveyed this to his team, but no one dares tell him this.

According to the official, Trumps decision to continue the U.S. blockade of Iranian vessels in the Strait of Hormuz after Iran announced last Friday it was reopening the critical waterway to shipping traffic incensed leaders in Tehran.

The presidents subsequent social media posts overstating what Iran had agreed to in talks added insult to injury. Something in those [posts] really freaked them out, the official said. The Iranians have domestic political concerns, too. But Trump doesnt seem to understand that or care.

The U.S. has also waged a campaign to choke off vessels supplying Iran in recent days. U.S. forces interdicted the sanctioned tanker M/T Tifani overnight in the Indo-Pacific. Iran has called such operations "piracy at sea and state terrorism" and said the boarding violated the terms of the ceasefire.

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Whether the presidents shifting statements reflect the strategic calculations developed by a cadre of administration officials or the scattershot whims of a president who prides himself on his maximalist negotiating style and an ability to keep his adversaries on their toes is difficult to know.

In either case, it is making it harder to reach a deal, said Ian Bremmer, the president of the Eurasia Group, a global risk assessment firm based in New York.

Trump's eagerness to announce a deal and willingness to exaggerate terms that the Iranians haven't actually agreed to makes it harder to get to yes, he said.

Inside the White House, trust in Trump is something of a mantra. Aides believe that this presidents frenetic negotiating style, however unorthodox, has been proven to work in other instances, be it his securing new trade deals after raising tariffs or getting NATO allies to commit last year to spending more on defense. And Trumps comments do appear to have boosted financial markets, which buys the president a little more political cover and leeway to negotiate.

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But Trumps sway appears to be waning when it comes to oil markets, said a former Trump energy adviser in close contact with the White House. While Trumps Truth Social posts caused a brief dip in crude oil futures, they steadily rose about 6 percent on Monday, the person noted. Oil markets ticked up again Tuesday. It shows the market is perhaps not as credulous about Trumps claims as it once was, the former adviser noted.

Fool me once, shame on you, the former adviser said. Fool me twice, shame on me.

And the trendline for oil  and by extension what Americans pay at the pump  remains headed in the wrong direction for Trump and the GOP.

He'll step in and try to head fake the market, and it goes down, and then it comes back up, said Greg Priddy, an expert on energy market disruption who worked at the U.S. Energy Information Administration in the George W. Bush administration and is now a senior fellow at the conservative Center for the National Interest. When you look at the chart since the beginning of the war, there's a steady upward trend. It just goes way up, way down, way up, way down, but the line of best fit through that is steadily upward.
CAIRO (AP)  After U.S.-Israeli bombardment eliminated Iran's supreme leader and much of its top echelons, the Islamic Republics leadership didnt fall apart  but negotiations to end the war offer a new test.

For decades, the supreme leader successfully managed several powerful factions, bringing to heel those who challenged his authority while listening to rival opinions. Its now unclear who wields that kind of authority over the collection of civilian figures and powerful generals from the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard who appear to be in charge.

They have found unity  for now  by taking a tough line. But disagreements over how much to concede in negotiations with the United States could reveal fault lines, as Pakistani mediators try to host a new round of talks this week.

A committee now appears to be in charge

In the past, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was able to impose his will on the Islamic Republics disparate power centers. After Israeli strikes killed him on the first day of the war, his son Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei succeeded him.

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But doubts continue to swirl over the younger Khamenei's role after reports he was wounded in the strikes. Still in hiding, he has not appeared in public since becoming supreme leader and how he gives orders to top leaders is a mystery.

At the center of power now is a politburo-like body known as the Supreme National Security Council, which includes Iran's top civilian and military officials. Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, the parliament speaker and a veteran insider with strong contacts on all sides, has emerged as its face and the chief negotiator with the U.S.

The late Khamenei began giving more authority to the council before his death, but the war has consolidated its power.

The council contains a range of political opinions and often acute rivalries. A political rival of Qalibaf and uncompromising opponent of the U.S., Saeed Jalili, represents the supreme leader on the council, while the bodys nominal head is reformist President Masoud Pezeshkian.

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Hard-liner members include the Guards new chief commander, Ahmad Vahidi, and the councils new secretary, Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, also a commander in the Guard.

But Israel's strategy of eliminating top leaders points to a misreading of how the Islamic Republic works, experts say.

Iran's leadership survived precisely because there are multiple power centers with overlapping authorities," said Ali Vaez, Iran director at the International Crisis Group. "Factionalism is just built into the DNA of this system.

But since the war, the Guards growing clout on the council has also stoked speculation that a fundamental change could be coming.

Negotiations with the US will stress test the power structure

The council now faces potentially divisive questions over how far to go to reach a deal with the U.S., which is demanding Iran make major concessions aimed at ensuring it is never able to develop a nuclear weapon. Iran has long insisted its program is peaceful while saying it has the right to uranium enrichment.

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In an interview with Iranian state TV on Sunday, Qalibaf said Iran wants a comprehensive accord that brings a lasting peace where the U.S. no longer attacks the country.

This dangerous loop needs to be cut, he said. The U.S. has twice launched strikes on Iran during high-level negotiations: once in the 12-day war in June, then again in the current conflict.

Council members have projected confidence that Iran holds the upper hand now, particularly because its grip on the Strait of Hormuz  a crucial passage for the world's oil  enables it to drive up fuel prices, thus threatening the global economy and exerting political pressure on U.S. President Donald Trump back home.

Senior officials have insisted they can hold out for assurances that Iran won't be attacked again  even risking the war reigniting  because they believe Iran can endure the pain longer than the United States and its allies.

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But ultimately, the leadership's priority remains its own survival. The war and the U.S. blockade  which is threatening Iran's oil trade  are tightening the screws on the country's cratering economy.

Economic hardship has fueled waves of unrest over the past two decades, including protests in January that openly called for the Islamic Republic's overthrow. A deal with the West lifting sanctions could help it keep its grip at home.

It is easier to imagine that the regime would try to make a concession to the West in order to ensure its survival than to its own people, Vaez said.

Signs of disagreement

Events over the weekend surrounding the Strait of Hormuz gave an indication of serious differences over how much to concede in negotiations. Engagement with Washington has long divided Iran's top ranks, despite a shared deep mistrust of the U.S.

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On Friday, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced in a posting on X that Iran was opening the strait to commercial traffic as part of the ceasefire agreement with the U.S. Hours later, Trump proclaimed that the U.S. would continue its blockade to keep pressure on Iran to reach a deal over its nuclear program.

On Saturday morning, Irans military announced that it was reclosing the strait in retaliation for the blockade.

Some Iranian media criticized Araghchi, suggesting his post created the impression Iran was showing weakness  and revealing the differing positions behind the scenes. A report by the Tasnim news agency, seen as close to the Guard, said the position on the strait should have come from the National Security Council itself.

Araghchis office pushed back, saying the Foreign Ministry does not take any action without coordinating with higher-level institutions.

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In his interview Sunday, Qalibaf tried to paper over any divisions, emphasizing that everyone in the leadership was on the same page on Irans strategy in U.S. talks.

A possible bridge builder

The 64-year-old Qalibaf is best positioned to bridge divides among Irans factions, said Arash Azizi, an Iranian journalist and columnist at The Atlantic who has written on the insider politician and the Guard.

Qalibaf is a former general in the Guard and national police chief and kept close to the Guard throughout his long political career. As Tehrans mayor from 2005 to 2017, Qalibaf gained a reputation as a pragmatist able to get things done  like overhauling an ailing public transport system  even as he faced major corruption and human rights abuse allegations.

Qalibaf has political currency within the Guard, and he has the conservatives on his side. But he also now has very robust backing from the reformists and the centrists, Azizi said.

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Ali Rabie, a well-known reformist and an assistant to the president, wrote last week in a newspaper editorial that Qalibaf was the representative of the country and the regime.

At the same time, Qalibaf is close to the Khamenei family both hailing from the area of the eastern shrine city of Mashhad, said Mohsen Sazegara, one of the founders of the Revolutionary Guard in the 1980s who is now an opposition figure living in the U.S. During his fathers rule, Mojtaba Khamenei backed Qalibafs several unsuccessful attempts to run for president.

Qalibaf is also close to the senior Guard figures who stepped in to replace those killed by Israel  and who are widely seen as holding the key to any future agreement with the U.S. His cross-factional backing could enable him to ensure support at home for a deal against blowback from ideologues who will resist compromise.
Beirut, Lebanon  Israel is attacking Lebanons water infrastructure, using similar tactics to its genocidal war on Gaza, uprooting local populations.

Experts say that Israels strikes on crucial water infrastructure and near sites being repaired after prior damage have effectively turned access to water into a weapon  and that has become a pattern.

The impunity Israel enjoyed in Gaza as it committed water war crimes is again on full display, Bachir Ayoub, Oxfams Lebanon country director, said in a report published by the charity in late March. The world has shown Israel can do what it wants, whenever it wants, without repercussion and again it is civilians who are paying the ultimate price for this inaction.





Displacement through water

Israel intensified its war on Lebanon for the second time in less than two years on March 2. Hours earlier, Hezbollah had fired rockets at Israel, breaking a 15-month period of not responding to Israeli attacks and the more than 10,000 ceasefire violations.

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Hezbollahs attack was also in retaliation for the killing of Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei two days later. Over the next few days, Israel would displace more than 1.2 million people in Lebanon in a bombing campaign across the country.

Israel has killed journalists, medical workers, and devastated southern Lebanons medical infrastructure. Experts told Al Jazeera that those acts, along with the destruction of Lebanons water infrastructure, are part of a concerted effort to create an uninhabitable buffer zone in southern Lebanon.





Israel is currently occupying dozens of villages in southern Lebanon and preventing thousands from returning home. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said earlier in April that Israeli forces are remaining in Lebanon in a reinforced security buffer zone.

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This is a security strip 10 kilometres [6.2 miles] deep, which is much stronger, more intense, more continuous and more solid than what we had previously, Netanyahu said. That is where we are, and we are not leaving.

One way to prevent Lebanese from returning is by striking Lebanons water infrastructure.

Israel has declared its intent on raising [towns and villages] to the ground and preventing people from going back there, Rami Zurayk, professor and chairperson of the Department of Landscape Design and Ecosystem Management at the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, American University of Beirut, told Al Jazeera. Every drop of water that Israel steals is a drop of the water that is taken from the local population  Israel uses water in order to displace people, and it displaces people in order to steal the water.





Israel damaged six water facilities in southern Lebanon during previous attacks on Lebanon since 2023, and in the first four days of the renewed conflict this year, damaged at least seven critical water sources including reservoirs, pipe networks and pumping stations that supplied water to almost 7,000 people in the Bekaa area alone, according to Oxfam International. Key infrastructure has been damaged in areas like Britel and Nabi Chit in the Bekaa Valley, and in Marjayoun, in southern Lebanon.

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Lebanons water infrastructure is being directly and indirectly attacked and on purpose, asserted Nadim Farajalla, an environmental engineer and chief sustainability officer at the Lebanese American University in Beirut. We saw it in 2024 and now in 2026.

The indirect attacks hit things such as the electricity infrastructure, so that pumping stations cannot work to move water or sewage. The direct attacks have hit the pumping stations, as well as municipal workers operating water wells.

The aim behind these attacks is to force people to leave, Farajalla said. Without electricity, you can stay in the dark and cook with gas, but without water, how will you live?

Israel has denied that its attacks are a deliberate attempt to weaponise access to water, instead framing its operations as necessary for national security.





Burden of war on water

Even before the war, the Lebanese state had failed to deliver a number of basic services, including the supply of water, to its population for decades.

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The water supply situation in Lebanon must be understood against a backdrop of pre-existing vulnerabilities that have been exacerbated by recent hostilities and the ongoing economic crisis, Imad Chiri, International Committee of the Red Crosss (ICRC) water and habitat coordinator, told Al Jazeera.

Southern Lebanon, like many of the countrys peripheries, has been particularly neglected by the state. In October 2025, the ICRC conducted a water insecurity study in southern Lebanons Bint Jbeil and Marjayoun districts. Chiri explained that 91 percent of households were found to be experiencing moderate-to-high water insecurity  insufficient to meet daily needs. For 57 percent of households, the situation was bad enough for them to be classified as highly water insecure.





During times of conflict, water infrastructure comes under even more pressure, particularly for areas hosting displaced people. And even basic damage to water infrastructure can lead to compounding difficulties.

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There are two issues at hand that you have to be aware of, Farajalla said. There are attacks on infrastructure, and there is the burden on infrastructure due to displacement.

Water sources and networks are often located in frontline or high-risk zones, yet they continue to supply populations who have chosen to remain, Chiri said. Identifying contractors willing to operate under such conditions is already challenging. Even when they agree, operations require meticulous planning, limited time on site, and continuous adaptation to a highly volatile security environment.

Water as a weapon

International Humanitarian Law (IHL) obliges parties to a conflict to take constant care to spare water resources and water infrastructure, Tadesse Kebebew, a legal researcher and project manager at the Geneva Water Hub, wrote for the ICRC in 2025.





Israel ratified the Geneva Convention  the basis for IHL  in 1951. But Zurayk said that Israel has never paid attention to any of those conventions.

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In Gaza, for example, Israel controls Palestinians access to water. Israel has impeded Palestinians access to water in the West Bank, too.

The use of water as a weapon has also been going on in Lebanon for a long time, Zurayk said, citing Lebanons accusation that Israel had obstructed access to water from the Wazzani River, which crosses the Blue Line that separates Lebanese and Israeli territory, including the bombing of pumping stations.





And destroying Lebanons already insufficient water infrastructure directly contributes to illness and death.

Not only is this about destroying access to water, its actually inducing waterborne diseases, the highest cause of infant mortality in developing countries, and inducing this in the population, Zurayk said. So its an indirect biological weapon. It is a chemical weapon because instead of dousing, which Israel has done, the region with the harmful chemicals, what you do is you withdraw an essential chemical.

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Still, Israel has never been held accountable.

The international community stood by in Gaza and watched Israels weaponisation of water and its catastrophic consequences to men, women and children there, Ayoub said in the Oxfam report from March. The same devastation must not be allowed to play out again in Lebanon. Israel must be held to account for its violations and must not be allowed to occupy more land, deny more civilians of their basic rights, and continue to abuse international law without consequence.




By Maya Gebeily

BEIRUT, April 22 (Reuters) - Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon on Wednesday killed Lebanese journalist Amal Khalil and wounded a photographer accompanying her, according to a senior Lebanese military official and Khalil's employer, the Al-Akhbar newspaper.

There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military on Khalil's death. Earlier, the Israeli military said in a statement it had received reports that two journalists were injured as a result of its strikes.

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The death of Khalil, 43, brought the death toll on Wednesday to five people. It was the deadliest day since a 10-day ceasefire was announced on April 16 to halt hostilities between Israel and Lebanese armed group Hezbollah.

Khalil and freelance photographer Zeinab Faraj were covering developments near the town of al-Tayri when an Israeli strike hit the vehicle in front of them. They ran into a nearby house, which was then also targeted by an Israeli strike, Lebanon's health ministry, the senior Lebanese military official and press advocates said.

Lebanese rescuers were able to retrieve Faraj, who had suffered a head wound, according to Elsy Moufarrej, who runs the Union of Journalists in Lebanon.

When rescuers returned to help Khalil, the Israeli military dropped a sound grenade, blocking their access to the damaged building, Moufarrej and the senior military official said.

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Lebanon's Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said the targeting of journalists and the obstruction of relief efforts constituted "war crimes."

"Lebanon will spare no effort in pursuing these crimes before the relevant international bodies," he said on X.

The health ministry said Israel's military "prevented the completion of the humanitarian mission by firing a sound grenade and live ammunition at the ambulance."

Rescuers were able to return to the site about four hours after the initial strike. After another three hours of searching through the rubble, they were able to retrieve her lifeless body, the senior military official said.

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Al-Akhbar announced her death on its website.

In its earlier statement, the Israeli military denied it prevented rescue teams from reaching the area.

ISRAEL SAYS CARS ENTERED BUFFER ZONE

Two people were killed in the first strike on the car, Lebanese state media reported. Reuters could not immediately confirm the identities of the two people killed.

The Israeli military said it identified two vehicles that left a military structure used by Lebanese armed group Hezbollah and crossed the "forward defense line," the term Israel's military uses to refer to the delineation of the zone of southern Lebanon that Israeli troops are occupying.

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It said the cars "approached the troops in a manner that posed an immediate threat to their safety" and that it struck one of the vehicles, then a nearby building. The Israeli military said it does not target journalists.

In March, an Israeli airstrike killed three journalists in southern Lebanon, with the Israeli military saying it had targeted one of the reporters.

More than 2,400 people have been killed in Lebanon since Israel launched an offensive in response to Hezbollah's March 2 attack, according to Lebanese authorities.

Israel has seized a belt of territory at the border where its troops remain, saying it aims to create a buffer zone to shield northern Israel from attacks by Hezbollah, which fired hundreds of rockets at Israel during the conflict.

(Reporting by Maya Gebeily; Additional reporting by Steven Scheer in Jerusalem; Editing by Alex Richardson, Daniel Wallis and Nia Williams)
House Minority Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) said Tuesday that Democrats will make sure Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and FBI Director Kash Patel are next to depart the Trump administration.

During an interview MS NOWs Lawrence ODonnell, Jeffries pointed to the recent departures of former Attorney General Pam Bondi and former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem from Trumps Cabinet as examples. Both Noem and Bondi were frequent targets of Democrats criticisms.

Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer also resigned from her post this week as she faced an inspector general probe over alleged misconduct.

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Were going to make sure that Pete Hegseth and Kash Patel are on their way out the door as well, Jeffries told The Last Word host. These are people who should have never been confirmed by Senate Republicans.

Shame on them for putting these unqualified individuals into these positions of great significance and sensitivity, he added.

Democrats have criticized Hegseth throughout his time in office, but particularly during the war with Iran. The Pentagon chief has used maximalist rhetoric when discussing the conflict, which began on Feb. 28 with joint U.S. and Israeli strikes.

In the meantime, and for as long as it takes, we will maintain this blockade  successful blockade, Hegseth told reporters last week, referring to the ongoing U.S. naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. But if Iran chooses poorly, then they will have a blockade and bombs dropping on infrastructure, power, and energy.

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The defense chief was narrowly confirmed by the Senate in January, with GOP Sens. Susan Collins (Maine), Mitch McConnell (Ky.) and Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) joining all 47 Democrats in opposition and Vice President Vance breaking the 50-50 tie. During his confirmation process, Hegseth denied allegations of sexual misconduct, excessive drinking and financial mismanagement.

As for Patel, the FBI director is under renewed scrutiny after The Atlantic published a story on Friday detailing his alleged frequent drinking and absences from the bureau. Patel has said the reporting is false and is suing the magazine for $250 million, alleging defamation.

Both officials, as civil officers of the U.S., could be impeached for high crimes and misdemeanors by the House and removed from office via a two-thirds vote in the Senate, according to the National Constitution Center.

Jeffries, who could become House speaker if Democrats retake control of the lower chamber in November, said Tuesday that Congress must bring accountability to the administration.

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It was James Madison who said that Congress, at its best, should be a rival to the executive branch, Jeffries told ODonnell. And so, we take that to mean a check and balance on an out-of-control Trump administration.

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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A federal judge in Milwaukee rejected a bid from Rogers Behavioral Health Tuesday to block a pair of union elections scheduled for Wednesday at Rogers mental health clinics in West Allis and Madison.

The decision sets the stage for votes to go forward at both clinics. About 35 employees at Rogers Madison clinic and about 68 at the West Allis clinic will vote Wednesday on whether to be represented by the National Union of Healthcare Workers.

Rogers, based in Oconomowoc, had argued that the union election should cover all 13 Rogers facilities in Wisconsin  not just the two where employees had actively organized. But in a direction of election issued April 14, the NLRB regional director whose jurisdiction includes Wisconsin said those two clinics alone were each appropriate bargaining units.

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On Monday, Rogers lawyers filed a lawsuit to block both elections. U.S. District Judge Lynn Adelman denied the mental health nonprofits petition for a temporary restraining order Tuesday after an online hearing that ran a little more than 40 minutes.

I dont think that theyve established unconstitutional irreparable harm, Adelman said of Rogers lawyers.

The Rogers lawsuit echoed a recent line of legal challenges that have sought to unravel the National Labor Relations Board  the 91-year-old agency created under President Franklin Delano Roosevelt as part of his administrations New Deal to secure rights for workers and help the U.S. recover from the Great Depression.

One of Rogers lawyers, Aron Karabel, argued that the members of the NLRB itself as well as the regional director who issued the union election order are unconstitutional because they arent subject to dismissal by the president, violating the separation of powers in the U.S. Constitution.

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Similar arguments have been made by other businesses, including Amazon and SpaceX, but the U.S. Supreme Court has not endorsed the claim.

Karabels colleague, Hannah Fitzgerald, argued that under Wisconsin law, the NLRB regional director had engaged in tortious interference with existing employment contracts for some of the Rogers employees who would be included in the union election bargaining unit. For that reason as well as other reasons, the election could cause irreparable harm to Rogers, Fitzgerald asserted.

Representing the NLRB, lawyer Craig Ewasiuk said that a Supreme Court ruling 82 years ago established that individual contracts may not be availed of or to defeat or delay the procedures prescribed by the National Labor Relations Act to further collective bargaining.

The Supreme Court has spoken unambiguously on this question, and you simply cant bring tortious interference acts against the NLRB for running elections, Ewasiuk said.

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Karabel argued that Rogers case was not about collective bargaining  which would prevent the federal court from acting until after final action by the NLRB  and for that reason, the court was an immediately appropriate venue.

The NLRB lawyer rejected that argument. The employer is essentially trying to stop the boards proceedings from resolving this underlying labor dispute, Ewasiuk said.

Staunch resistance to the union

Rogers Behavioral Health has mental health clinics and hospitals in 10 states. Employees are already represented by the National Union of Healthcare Workers at four clinics  three in California and one in Philadelphia, Pa.  and at three of those, the union was recognized voluntarily.

But in its home state of Wisconsin, Rogers has taken a much different posture.

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Three employees were fired shortly after the union campaigns went public, according to the union, and the NUHW has filed unfair labor practice charges claiming the firings were illegal retaliation for union support.

Rogers has declined to discuss the firings as confidential personnel decisions but has stated they were not in violation of any laws.

From when employees first notified Rogers management of their desire for union representation, however, Rogers has posted notices and issued statements declaring that the mental health nonprofit doesnt want union representation for the West Allis and Madison employees.

Many of your colleagues, your leaders, and I strongly believe that this union is not in the best interests of you, your family or our patients, said one notice, stating it was from clinic leaders but without a name attached, that was shared with the Wisconsin Examiner. We believe you should vote no and allow our team the opportunity for positive and direct collaborations.

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In March, Rogers executive director of marketing and communications, Maureen Remmel, responded to a question from the Examiner about the difference between Rogers responses at its California and Pennsylvania clinics and its handling of the union campaigns in Wisconsin

While we work in good faith with the NUHW in California and Pennsylvania, our integrated system in Wisconsin is different, Remmel said in an email message March 17. A direct relationship with our Wisconsin team members best serves employees, patients, and the company.

At an NLRB hearing in February to establish the appropriate bargaining units for the Wisconsin clinics, Rogers lawyer argued that flexibility across multiple facilities was important and necessitated allowing all 13 Wisconsin locations to vote on union membership.

A statement attributed to the organization as a whole that Remmel sent April 16, after the election order was issued, asserted, A union is not right for Rogers Behavioral Health in Wisconsin because it jeopardizes our ability to work together to solve problems quickly and flexibly.

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Jennifer Hadsall, the NLRB regional director, wrote in her analysis that there was little evidence of functional integration across the system to overcome the presumption that the two facilities where employees had organized were by themselves appropriate bargaining units.

Hadsall also rejected Rogers argument that certain employees were supervisors and therefore not eligible to be part of their facilitys bargaining unit.

Professional consultants

Starting in early February, Rogers has hired consultants to assist in managing its response to the union campaigns, according to LaborLab, a nonprofit based in Helena, Montana. LaborLab monitors the industry of consultants who advise and assist employers in responding to union drives.

Under the federal Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act, employers and the consultants they hire to persuade employees directly or indirectly about unionizing must regularly file reports with the federal government. Employers file LM-10 reports and consultants file LM-20 reports as well as LM-21 annual financial reports.

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While advocates for greater disclosure complain that those reports are often late or incomplete, they offer some information about those businesses.

LaborLab has identified three consultants working for Rogers since early February, when pro-union employees in Madison and West Allis petitioned for voluntary recognition. Two were identified through their LM-20 reports and one was named by union supporters during a radio interview with WORT-FM, the listener-sponsored community radio station in Madison.

LaborLab has estimated the consultants fees total about $50,000 a week, or more than $325,000 through April 1. Those dont include the cost of attorneys representing the business on legal matters connected with the union campaign or internal costs that LaborLabs calculations impute to employees assigned to directly address the union organizing effort.

Its hard to be precise because there are a lot of variables in these campaigns, said Teke Wiggin, LaborLabs strategic coordinator. But we think that workers should have some general sense of how much is being invested in these campaigns.

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Wiggin said in an interview that some consultants interact only with corporate managers and executives, while others hold meetings with employees themselves, an action that requires disclosure in federal reports.

They take arguments that have been crafted by industrial psychologists to sow as much fear and doubt about the value of unionization as possible, Wiggin said.

In a letter sent to Rogers Feb. 25, 20 local and state elected officials criticized the organization for having hired union busters and urged the organizations CEO to immediately stop wasting patient care dollars on union busters paid to try to intimidate workers from organizing.

Rogers did not respond to a question from the Examiner about its use of consultants in the organizing campaign.

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In a response to the elected officials that was signed by Rogers Behavioral Health, the organization said it has retained consultants to better understand and address the concerns shared by our employees and to raise awareness about their rights and the election process.

Messages to employees

In a media statement April 16 after the election was scheduled, Rogers reiterated the organizations position that a union was not the right choice for its employees and its intention to appeal the regional directors finding after the election.

The day before, Rogers management emailed employees with a similar message, stating, We are disappointed and disagree with this decision and are appealing to the full NLRB in Washington, D.C.

The final line of the message was, Regardless of the election outcome, bargaining will not start with the union until all appeals have been exhausted.

The Wisconsin Examiner was provided screenshots of the message.

Employees involved in the union campaigns said that shortly after it landed in their inboxes, that message was remotely deleted, possibly because it was recalled.

On Monday, Rogers distributed another letter at both the West Allis and Madison locations that took up about a page and a half.

We want to be direct with you today: change is coming to Rogers, states the letter, photos of which were shared with the Examiner. You will see it. We are working on it. That is why we are asking you to vote no on Wednesday and allow leadership 12 months to demonstrate to you, your colleagues, patients and families our commitment to making Rogers better than ever.

Under federal labor law, if a majority of employees vote against a union in a representation election, the employees must wait at least 12 months before seeking a union again.

The members of Rogers leadership team have heard you, the letter states. We know that there are things we can do and must do better.

The letters final paragraphs reiterated both the vow to improve relations and a plea to vote against the union.

The leadership team is committed to doing better. Today we are asking you to please give us 12 months. Vote no in the upcoming election and give us a chance to show our commitment in action. If we do not come through for you, the law gives you the right to hold another election. Rogers will honor your choice in that election.

Please vote no on April 22. Vote to hold Rogers leadership accountable.

Federal court records show Rogers filed its lawsuit to block the vote the same day that employees received that letter.

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A federal judge in Texas on Tuesday dismissed a 2025 defamation lawsuit brought by FBI Director Kash Patel against a former FBI official who claimed Patel had been visible at nightclubs far more than he has been on the seventh floor of the Hoover building.

U.S. District Judge George Hanks Jr. dismissed the lawsuit against Frank Figliuzzi, the former FBI assistant director for counterintelligence, writing in his decision: A person of reasonable intelligence and learning would not have taken his statement literally.

Politics: Donald Trumps Vietnam Boast Sparks Damning Blast From His Past

Figliuzzi, who had been working as an analyst for MSNBC (now MS NOW), made the comments on the networks Morning Joe program last year.

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By saying that Patel spent far more time at nightclubs than his office, Figliuzzi delivered his answer in an exaggerated, provocative and amusing way, employing rhetorical hyperbole. Hanks wrote.

The Court finds that Figliuzzis statement is rhetorical hyperbole that cannot constitute defamation. Accordingly, Dir. Patel has failed to state a claim against Figliuzzi, and his lawsuit must be dismissed, the decision continued.

However, Hanks ruled that Figliuzzi would not be able to recover attorneys fees and costs under Texass anti-SLAPP law.

The lawsuit is not related to the suit Patel filed on Monday against The Atlantic.

Political Updates

Read the original on HuffPost
A Vero Beach man has been found guilty of several charges in a 2019 child molestation case, according to court records.

A jury found George Frank Bollis Jr., 78, guilty on April 17 at the Indian River County Courthouse on eight counts of lewd or lascivious molestation when the suspect is over 18 and the victim is under 12, according to court records. He was found not guilty on six counts of sexual battery.

The jury deliberated for nearly four hours before they delivered the verdicts, according to court records.

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"Bollis faces a 25-year mandatory minimum and up to life in prison following his conviction," said Assistant State Attorney Brian Workman, who prosecuted the case.

"The State Attorneys Office is seeking the maximum penalty at the upcoming sentencing hearing," Workman said. "Given Bollis' age, any significant term will effectively be a life sentence, ensuring he is never again in a position to abuse another child."

Indian River County: Former county administrator charged in hit-and-run crash

Weather: Front keeps temps cooler after warm weekend, brings rain

Bollis was 71 years old when he was arrested in May 2019 after sheriff's officials said he molested a child for years, beginning when the child was 9 years old.

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In January 2019, a 13-year-old told out-of-state investigators the teen had been molested by Bollis since June 2016 at age 9. Officials said incidents included Bollis taking inappropriate photographs of the child and at least one encounter at his business office.

The court revoked his bond and sent him back to the Indian River County Jail, where he will remain until his sentencing scheduled for May 13 before by 19th Judicial Circuit Judge Anastasia Norman.

Defense attorney Mark Longwell, didn't respond to a request for comment.

Laurie K. Blandford is a breaking news reporter with TCPalm. Email her at laurie.blandford@tcpalm.com.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Jury finds Vero Beach man guilty in 2019 child molestation case
Department of Justice lawyers on Wednesday asked a federal judge in northern California to pause its appeal of a March ruling that temporarily blocked the government from designating the artificial intelligence startup Anthropic as a supply chain risk to national security.

In an eight-page filing, the DOJ asked U.S. District Judge Rita Lin to freeze the appeal  which the DOJ launched earlier this month  until a separate set of judges at the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals can rule on a related set of questions regarding the supply chain risk designation against Anthropic.

At an absolute minimum, the D.C. Circuits reasoning is likely to bear on the issues presented in this case, such that it would benefit the parties to await that decision before briefing nearly identical issues in this case, the DOJ lawyers argued. They said it was possible that the D.C. courts ruling could ultimately make it unnecessary for Lin to decide on the governments appeal.

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Due to a quirk in federal law, in March Anthropic was forced to file lawsuits in both northern California and the D.C. Circuit when it challenged the governments actions. On April 8, a three-judge panel at the D.C. Circuit rejected Anthropics request to pause the supply chain risk designation, causing a court split. The D.C. Circuit agreed to an expedited schedule for a ruling on the merits and set oral arguments for May 19.

The DOJs lawyers said Anthropics legal team did not consent to the motion, but intends to file a written response with the court once it has reviewed the governments filing. An Anthropic spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The governments move to pause its appeal comes as federal agencies work to gain greater access to Anthropics powerful new Mythos AI model  an effort complicated by the Defense Departments designation of the AI startup as a supply chain risk, as well as the formerly heated rhetoric deployed by President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth against the company.

On Friday, top White House officials met with Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei to discuss potential cybersecurity risks posed by Mythos. And on Tuesday, Trump told CNBC that Anthropic executives are very smart people and that a deal with the company is possible.

Kyle Cheney contributed to this report.
TOPEKA  A Kansas task force is running out of time to craft a new public school funding formula, which the Legislature and the states next governor must agree upon before the current framework expires.

Previous plans have violated the state constitution, per Kansas Supreme Court decisions, for failing to provide equitable and adequate funding.

Adam Proffitt, the state budget director, recommended on Tuesday the Education Funding Task Force consider extending the current funding formula for at least a year, giving policymakers more time to iron out crucial details instead of rushing to implement the formula before June 30, 2027.

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The timeline seems unrealistic, Proffitt said.

I think wed be setting ourselves and our schools and our students up for failure if we went down that path, he said.

In three months, the next budget process starts, he said. In less than five months, state agencies first budget requests are due back to the state division of budget. In seven months, the next governor will begin crafting budget recommendations, and in nine months, the Legislature returns to finalize a new budget, giving state agencies about three months to implement significant changes.

Sen. Renee Erickson, a Wichita Republican and the former chair of the bipartisan task force of lawmakers and education professionals, said last May she wanted the Legislature to view a draft of the plan this January.

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After 13 meetings last year involving discussions of current funding levels and district calculations, the task force sent a report to the 2026 Legislature but did not produce any formal recommendations.

When Erickson set her goal, it was considered by some to be an aggressive timeline. As the task force moved piece-by-piece through the states weighting models over the course of meetings Monday and Tuesday, conflicting priorities persisted.

The task forces Republican lawmakers want more guardrails on some of the formulas 11 weighting models, which include calculations based on at-risk and bilingual students, low or high enrollment, school facilities, transportation, cost of living, career technical education and special education.

By the end of the two days, Rep. Susan Estes, a Wichita Republican and current chair of the task force, got a preliminary idea of what changes members wanted to pursue. Some identified at-risk funding, bilingual funding and transportation funding as key models to reevaluate. However, the task force didnt formally decide whether to extend the current formula or barrel ahead while creating a new one.

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Sen. Pat Pettey, a Kansas City Democrat, said she supported keeping the current determination formula for at-risk funding, which uses the number of students in a district who qualify for the national free lunch program.

No other method for calculating at-risk funding is as direct, she said.

Erickson was skeptical that there was data showing funds being allocated for at-risk kids was producing desirable outcomes.

As chair of the Senate Education Committee, we have not seen that, she said.

She said she wanted to be sure that more than half a billion dollars is actually helping kids.

I want to see proof  thats a lot of money  that its actually going to help the at-risk students to improve their outcomes, Erickson said.

At-risk funding was a hot button discussion topic during the legislative session. One senator proposed legislation that would require schools to verify the income of each student applying for free lunch to ensure an at-risk calculation that wasnt skewed.
SHREVEPORT, La. (AP)  A Louisiana father fatally shot eight children, including seven of his own, and shot and wounded his wife and another woman in the deadliest mass shooting in the U.S. in more than two years.

The attack on Sunday morning unfolded in two homes in a Shreveport neighborhood. The gunman, identified as 31-year-old Shamar Elkins, died after a police pursuit that ended with officers firing on him, authorities said.

Police have not provided a motive for the killings. Family members said Elkins and his wife were separating and community leaders called for a reckoning over domestic violence as the shooting reverberated across the city, including in the classrooms where the children attended school.

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Here's what to know about the attack.

Shootings began before sunrise

The attack began before dawn in a neighborhood south of downtown Shreveport.

Police received the first report around 5:55 a.m. from a caller stating they were on top of a house where someone had been shot, Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith said. Five minutes later, police were told that Elkins had shot everyone inside the 79th Street house.

Troy Brown, Elkin's brother-in-law, said his wife and his 12-year-old daughter had escaped through the homes roof.

Officers arrived within minutes but another call at 6:07 a.m. reported a second attack on nearby Harrison Street, where the caller said Elkins had shot her before fleeing, according to Smith. Police then received word the gunman had stolen a car, leading to a pursuit and eventually an exchange of gunfire.

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Elkins was pronounced dead about an hour after police received the first call. It was not clear whether he was killed by officers or from a self-inflicted gunshot, Smith said.

Gunman had felony gun conviction

Court records showed that Elkins was placed on probation in 2019 after pleading guilty to illegal use of weapons. A police report for that case said Elkins fired five rounds at a vehicle and told police that someone inside it had pulled a gun on him.

Under Louisiana law, a person convicted of illegal use of a weapon is banned from having a gun for at least 10 years after completing their sentence and probation. Investigators were not aware of other domestic violence issues involving Elkins, said police spokesperson Chris Bordelon.

Authorities have not said how or where Elkins obtained the weapon used in Sunday's attack.

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Elkins had served in the Louisiana National Guard from 2013 to 2020, held the rank of private and had no deployments, a guard spokesperson said. He was a signal support system specialist and a fire support specialist.

Elkins had voluntarily checked into a Department of Veterans Affairs hospital in January for just over a week, according to Brown. He said Elkins appeared better when he came home and seemed fine a day before the shooting.

The murdered children were all under 12

The eight children ranged in age from 3 to 11. Besides Elkins' seven children, his nephew was among the slain, according to the Caddo Parish coroners office.

Family members described the gunmans wife, Shaneiqua Elkins, as a doting mother who celebrated her childrens success in school and carefully dressed them before family events.

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Francine Monro Brown, a cousin of Shaneiqua Elkins, said she would often see the children playing in the yard on Sunday mornings when she drove past the house on her way to church. She called them happy and joyful.

Family member says couple was separating

Elkins and his wife were separating and had been arguing about their relationship before the shooting, said Crystal Brown, a cousin of a woman shot in the attack.

The shooting in Shreveport was the deadliest in the U.S. since January 2024, when eight people were killed in a Chicago suburb, according to a database maintained by The Associated Press and USA Today in partnership with Northeastern University.
April 22 (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin can only meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy for the purpose of finalising agreements on the conflict, Russian news agencies quoted Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov as saying on Wednesday.

Peskov's comments on state television, reported by Russian news agencies, came after Ukraine's Foreign Minister, Andrii Sybiha said Ukraine asked Turkey to host a meeting between between the two leaders to reinvigorate stalling peace talks.

"The main thing is the goal of this meeting. Why should they meet? Putin has said he is ready for a meeting in Moscow at any moment," the news agencies quoted Peskov as saying.

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"The main thing is that there should be a reason to meet, and the main thing is that the meeting should be productive. And it can only be for the purpose of finalising agreements."

Peskov said any such meeting required careful preparation and "political will from the Kyiv regime, And for now, we see no such political will."

He said Russia's main aim in its military drive, known as a "special military operation" was to ensure its vital interests and guard against Ukrainian attacks on energy and other targets which he described as "the danger of terrorism from the Kyiv region".

He said Russia was ready for any new talks on a settlement to the war with U.S. negotiators "even tomorrow".

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In his earlier comments, Sybiha said Kyiv had asked Turkey to host a meeting between the two leaders but did not say how Ankar had responded to the request.

The Turkish presidency said President Tayyip Erdogan told NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in a meeting that Ankara was making efforts to revive negotiations between Russia and Ukraine and bring together the leaders of the warring sides.

(Reporting by Reuters; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and Alistair Bell)
A co-owner of operations for the closed Oak Park hospital West Suburban Medical Center has now filed a counter-lawsuit against his business partner, asking a Cook County judge to appoint a neutral third-party to assume control over the hospital's operations after allegations of failed management and "misappropriating" state funds meant to serve the community.

This lawsuit is the latest skirmish in a weeks-long fight over who will control, and ideally reopen, the suddenly shuttered safety net hospital.

As the ABC 7 I-Team has reported over several weeks, the closure of West Suburban Medical Center late last month left hundreds of workers unemployed and thousands of patients without health care.

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Advocates have argued the closure has led to a health care desert in the area, creating a gap in access to emergency and essential medical services for vulnerable patients.

Receivership Lawsuit

Business records reviewed by the I-Team show Resilience Healthcare is the private parent company behind three health care operations: Weiss Memorial Hospital, which closed last summer, West Suburban Medical Center and the River Forest Medical Campus, which both closed on March 25.

Rathnaker "Reddy" Patlola fully owns all of the health care facility properties, while ownership of operations is split between Patlola and Manoj Prasad, who is Resilience Healthcare's majority owner and chief executive officer.

According to Patlola's lawsuit, filed on Wednesday with Cook County's Circuit Court and reviewed by the I-Team, Patlola argues all of the hospital facilities have closed due to "financial mismanagement and malfeasance of West Suburban's manager."

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"Dr. Manoj Prasad made the unilateral decision to close (West Suburban Medical Center), with no viable plan to reopen," the lawsuit states.

One of the more striking revelations in the newly filed lawsuit centers around allegations of "misappropriating" a $10 million loan from the state of Illinois to Prasad that was meant "to alleviate the financial stress and continue hospital operations" at Weiss Memorial Hospital last year.

According to the complaint, it is alleged that on May 2, 2025, after the state of Illinois deposited the funds into Resilience Healthcare's bank account for Weiss Memorial, the funds were then transferred to a private business account owned solely by Prasad.

"The $10,000,000 was not used to fund WMH's operations but was instead misappropriated for Dr. Prasad's direct or indirect benefit," the complaint alleges. "Without the use of the funds, Weiss was unable to make routine repairs, including to the HVAC system, causing the Weiss Hospital Property to fall into a state of disrepair."

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The complaint states during the following month, Weiss Memorial Hospital's HVAC system failed, resulting in "abnormally high temperatures including temperatures reaching 89 degrees Fahrenheit in (Weiss Memorial Hospital's) Intensive Care Unit, and 87 degrees Fahrenheit in (Weiss Memorial Hospital's) emergency department."

By June 17, the complaint states Weiss was ordered to evacuate its entire inpatient unit, and the hospital remains closed to this day.

To read the lawsuit, click here.

A spokesperson for Prasad told the I-Team, "The claim regarding the $10 million [loan] is false. Those funds were sent to an account co-owned by Mr. Patlola and were used for hospital payroll and operating expenses. Mr. Patlola knows this."

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As the I-Team previously reported, Prasad has also filed a lawsuit, accusing Patlola of "sabotage" and attempting to force out hospital management to protect his own financial gain.

"Mr. Patlola's filing is without merit," Prasad said through a statement. "The operative lease agreement between the parties, which Mr. Patlola signed, is already before the court in the complaint Resilience Healthcare filed last week. That agreement explicitly prohibits Mr. Patlola from terminating the lease or removing the hospital operator. Nothing in today's filing changes that."

Prasad has blamed the hospital's billing system for lost revenue, but the company behind that billing system has strongly denied their platform is to blame.

Last week, Prasad said some outpatient services at the hospital were resuming. The news was met by skepticism from former physicians who worked at the facility and talked to the I-Team.

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Prasad said, "While Mr. Patlola files lawsuits, West Suburban Medical Center is treating patients. The hospital has resumed outpatient services, staff are returning from furlough, and the focus is to achieve full operations by July."

The Chicago Medical Society, which represents doctors and other staff for West Suburban, tells the I-Team the hospital's history of closures can be traced back to private, for-profit companies owning the facility and that it should be converted into a non-profit ownership for the community it serves.

When West Suburban Medical Center opened in 1914, it operated as an independent nonprofit hospital for 82 years before it was acquired by the Loyola University Health System in 1996 and then sold again a few years later. Since then, it has had five private owners including Resilience Healthcare.

Doctors who served the community at West Suburban say this is the right time to make a change in how the hospital operates.

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"We don't want to go down the same path again, where there's no transparency, where all the physicians know things are deteriorating, and the physicians have no say," Dr. Vishnu Chundi told the I-Team.

Chundi is a former infectious disease physician at West Suburban and is now the co-chair of Chicago Medical Society's hospital task force to reopen and restore care.

"We certainly would like to have community involvement, physician involvement, nurse involvement in this," Chundi said. "So it truly brings back trust."

Patlola is asking a judge to appoint a neutral third-party health care receiver to "assume operational control of the hospital," and "oversee the selection of a qualified, independent hospital operator" who will "work in coordination with state regulators and local stakeholders to resume clinical services."

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Patlola's plan to try and appoint a health care receiver and evict the current management was first discussed months prior after the I-Team learned back in February, he met with state officials and former hospital executives to discuss the CEO's ouster in a secret meeting.

State records show facility in distress

Prior to closing, Illinois Department of Public Health inspection reports reviewed by the I-Team show regulators had found many deficiencies in care.

In the latest Illinois Department of Public Health inspection report from March 6, 2026, inspectors cited serious issues with physician staffing, detailing delays in care that "has the likelihood of causing serious harm to any critically ill patients in the ICU."

When asked about the findings, Prasad said he couldn't comment on individual cases.

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The I-Team also found the hospital has a growing mountain of debt it will have to get over to resume stable operations, a mountain formed by lawsuits from vendors, and money owed to taxpayers.

State records obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request show Resilience Healthcare owes $104.8 million to the people of Illinois: $74.8 million in unpaid taxes and fees, and $30 million in state loans to the for-profit health care company.

A spokesperson for the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services told the I-Team on Tuesday that under a new state law passed last year, prior to the hospital's closure, it began withholding portions of federal health care reimbursement funds owed to Resilience to pay towards the company's debts with the state.

"West Suburban signed a tax repayment agreement with HFS in August 2025, which included terms that West Suburban would start paying the current monthly tax from September 2025 onward, as well as begin making payments against back taxes in January 2026," an HFS spokesperson told the I-Team.

To-date, the HFS spokesperson said, "Neither have occurred."
At least two ships have come under attack in the Strait of Hormuz, according to the British military, one cargo ship and one container ship, potentially jeopardizing efforts to resume peace talks between the U.S. and Iran.

The U.K. Maritime Trade Operations Centre (UKMTO) reported early Wednesday that an Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) "gun boat" had fired at a container ship 15 nautical miles northeast of Oman. There was no radio warning before the boat "fired upon the vessel," according to the British Royal Navy-led UKMTO, causing "heavy damage to the bridge" but with all crew "reported safe."

In this handout photo from U.S. Central Command, U.S. forces patrol the Arabian Sea near M/V Touska on April 20, 2026, after firing upon the Iranian-flagged vessel that the U.S. accused of attempting to violate the U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports near the Strait of Hormuz. / Credit: Handout/Getty Images

Three hours later, the UKMTO reported a second incident, this time 8 nautical miles west of Iran, in which a cargo ship said it had been fired on and was "now stopped in the water." The crew members were "safe and accounted for" and there was no mention of the source of the attack.

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Data from the ship-tracking website MarineTraffic showed two container ships stopped off the coast of Iran near the Strait of Hormuz early on Wednesday: the Panama-flagged MSC Francesca and the Greek-operated Epaminondas. Both vessels had previously broadcast their positions in the Persian Gulf.

The IRGC confirmed Wednesday that the two ships "were intercepted by the IRGC Navy and escorted to the Iranian coast." The IRGC added that the vessels "entered the area without proper authorization and allegedly tampered with their navigation systems."

CBS News has confirmed that both ships attempted to transit out of the Strait of Hormuz with their Automatic Identification Systems turned off.

"Disrupting the order and safety of the Strait of Hormuz is our red line," the IRGC statement said.

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The companies that own the ships did not reply to a CBS News request for comment on the status of the respective crews.

CBS News partner network BBC News and the Reuters news agency reported that a third ship was hit by gunfire in the strait Wednesday, but the UKMTO did not confirm those reports to CBS News.

Several ships that were approaching the strait from the Persian Gulf side Wednesday have since turned around.

The attacks come after President Trump announced that the deadline for the fragile ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran would be extended Tuesday, hours before it was due to expire, to allow for further peace talks.

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The president said he granted the ceasefire after a request form Pakistan, which hosted the first round of talks, and he blamed Iran's "seriously fractured" government for the delay.

Mr. Trump said he was giving Tehran more chance to "come up with a unified proposal."

"I have therefore directed our Military to continue the Blockade and, in all other respects, remain ready and able, and will therefore extend the Ceasefire until such time as their proposal is submitted, and discussions are concluded, one way or the other," Mr. Trump posted on his Truth Social platform Tuesday afternoon.

Iran's semi-official news agency Tasnim reported Tuesday that Iran had not requested the extension of the ceasefire.

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Mahdi Mohammadi, a senior adviser to Iran's parliament speaker, posted on X Tuesday that the extension "means nothing," adding that the continuation of the "siege" is "no different form bombardment and must be met with a military response."

He characterized Mr. Trump's ceasefire extension as "certainly a ploy to buy time for a surprise strike."

Wednesday's attacks come after the U.S. fired on and seized an Iranian container ship over the weekend and boarded an oil tanker linked to Iran's oil trade in the Indian Ocean.
By Maya Gebeily and Pesha Magid

BEIRUT/JERUSALEM, April 22 (Reuters) - At least four people were killed in Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon on Wednesday, Lebanon's state news agency reported, and Hezbollah said it launched an attack drone at Israeli forces in the south, straining a ceasefire between the Iran-backed group and Israel.

On the eve of talks in Washington between the Lebanese and Israeli ambassadors, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said Beirut would seek an extension of the 10-day, U.S.-mediated ceasefire, which is set to expire on Sunday.

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Hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel reignited on March 2, when the Lebanese group opened fire in support of Iran.

The ceasefire in Lebanon emerged separately from Washingtons efforts to resolve its conflict with Tehran, though Iran had called for Lebanon to be included in any broader truce. The United States has denied any link between the tracks.

More than 2,400 people have been killed in Lebanon since Israel launched an offensive in response to Hezbollah's March 2 attack, according to Lebanese authorities. Israel has seized a belt of territory at the border where its troops remain, saying it aims to create a buffer zone to shield northern Israel from attacks by Hezbollah, which fired hundreds of rockets at Israel during the conflict.

Lebanon's state-run National News Agency (NNA) said an Israeli strike hit a car in Tayri, a village in south Lebanon, killing two people inside.

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A senior Lebanese military official said an Israeli drone dropped a grenade on rescuers trying to lift a wounded journalist from rubble in Tayri. The Lebanese army asked the Israeli military through a U.S.-led mechanism to allow rescuers to retrieve the wounded journalist, the official said.

The Israeli military said it was not preventing rescue teams from reaching the area.

The Israeli military said it had struck one of two vehicles that had departed "from a military structure used by Hezbollah" and approached troops in "a manner that posed an immediate threat to their safety". It said the people in the vehicles had crossed Israel's "Forward Defense Line" - its line of deployment in the south - and accused them of violating the ceasefire.

"Reports were received that two journalists were injured as a result of the strikes," the military said, adding that the details of the incident were under review.

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An Israeli airstrike in the southern town of Yohmor killed another two people, NNA and Lebanon's health ministry said.

Hezbollah said it attacked an Israeli artillery position in southern Lebanon with a drone, in response to what it said was an Israeli ceasefire violation. The Israeli military said it had intercepted "a hostile aircraft" launched by Hezbollah towards Israeli soldiers in south Lebanon.

Hezbollah attacks killed two civilians in Israel while 15 Israeli soldiers have died in Lebanon since March 2, Israel says.

BEIRUT TO SEEK END TO ISRAELI DEMOLITIONS

Aoun said Beirut's envoy to Thursday's talks, Lebanese Ambassador to Washington Nada Moawad, would seek a ceasefire extension and a halt to demolitions being carried out by Israel in villages in the south.

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A Lebanese official said Beirut wants a ceasefire extension as a prerequisite for talks to expand beyond the ambassadorial level to the next phase, in which Lebanon would push for an Israeli withdrawal, the return of Lebanese detained in Israel and a delineation of the land border.

Hezbollah, which says the Lebanon ceasefire was the fruit of Iranian pressure, has condemned Beirut for seeking talks with Israel, reflecting wider splits with the government that has sought Hezbollah's peaceful disarmament for a year.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, in a speech, said Israel had taken a "historic decision to negotiate directly with Lebanon after more than 40 years" whilst also calling it a "failed state". "Let's work together against the terror state that Hezbollah built in your territory," Saar said, addressing Lebanon.

The Israeli military said it had killed two militants who had crossed its "Forward Defense Line" on Tuesday and approached Israeli soldiers, saying they had violated the ceasefire.

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DRUZE LEADER URGES CLEAR AGENDA, INCLUDING WITHDRAWAL

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to attend Thursday's meeting. Israel will be represented by its ambassador to Washington, Yechiel Leiter.

Aoun has cited goals including halting Israeli attacks on Lebanon and securing the withdrawal of Israeli troops. In a speech on Friday, he said a ceasefire should be transformed into "permanent agreements that preserve the rights of our people, the unity of our land, and the sovereignty of our nation".

Lebanon and Israel have remained in an official state of war since the establishment of Israel in 1948.

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Lebanon's most senior Shi'ite state official, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, is against face-to-face negotiations with Israel, saying Beirut could have negotiated indirectly.

Lebanon's leading Druze politician, Walid Jumblatt, said on Tuesday that the most Lebanon could offer is an update to a 1949 armistice agreement with Israel.

(Additional reporting by Jana Choukeir, Nayera Abdallah and Ahmed Elimam in Dubai; Steven Scheer in Jerusalem; Menna Alaa El Din in Cairo; Nazih Osseiran and Tom Perry in Beirut; Writing by Tom Perry; Editing by Toby Chopra, William Maclean and Alistair Bell)
A crackdown on smokable hemp products in Texas has hit pause  at least for now  adding to confusion over whats legal when it comes to cannabis and THC.

For years, vape and smoke shops across the state have sold hemp-derived alternatives to traditional cannabis, which remains largely illegal in Texas. Those products include delta-8, delta-10 and THCA. (Delta-9 THC is the primary intoxicating compound in cannabis and is illegal above 0.3% under state law.)

The push to restrict those products has been years in the making. It dates to October 2021, when the Texas Department of State Health Services updated its website to clarify that delta-8 THC  widely believed by some to be legal under the 2018 federal Farm Bill  is considered a controlled substance in Texas.

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Since then, state leaders, including Attorney General Ken Paxton, have pushed to rein in hemp-derived THC products  including those that exist in legal gray areas  through a proposed total ban. Lawmakers debated the issue across multiple sessions but failed to reach a consensus in 2025 on whether to ban or regulate them.

State health agencies ultimately moved forward with new rules instead, targeting smokable hemp products such as THCA flower. Those rules took effect March 31, 2026, and would have effectively banned many products by changing how THC is measured.

Within days, the Texas Hemp Business Council, along with the Hemp Industry Farmers of America and Texas hemp manufacturers and retailers, filed a lawsuit in Travis County District Court challenging the new rules. A Travis County judge then temporarily blocked enforcement of those rules, allowing THCA products to remain on shelves while the case moves forward.

Heres what to know.

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More: Where is medical and recreational marijuana legal in the US? See map

Is weed ever legal in Texas?

Traditional cannabis is illegal in Texas for recreational use under state and federal law. The state does have a limited medical marijuana program, but access is restricted.

At the same time, hemp-derived products have created a legal gray area since the 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp for agricultural commodities, like fiber and food products  such as hemp seed and oil. In practice, however, farmers and retailers quickly began to develop and distribute what lawmakers call intoxicating hemp products.

Products like delta-8 and THCA flower can create effects strikingly similar to those of delta-9 THC  the main intoxicating compound in cannabis, often called weed  which is illegal in Texas.

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The key difference is how theyre made and how they behave.

Delta-8 is a modified form of THC found in small amounts in hemp and usually converted from other cannabinoids. It can produce intoxicating, or some hallucinating, effects, but it is not the same compound as delta-9 THC.

Meanwhile, THCA is sold as raw hemp flower and isnt intoxicating on its own. But when its heated  like by smoking or vaping  it turns into delta-9 THC, the same compound found in cannabis. Think of it like baking a brownie: all raw ingredients can be mixed together, but they dont become a brownie until heat transforms them into the final product.

That conversion  turning THCA flower into illegal cannabis when its used as intended  is why regulators have targeted it, even though it is sold as hemp under current law.

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More: What is 4/20? How weeds unofficial holiday began

What's next with the THCA flower crackdown?

While in limbo, a court is expected to decide whether to allow a statewide ban on products currently being sold as hemp-derived THCA flower and related items to move forward, according to Houston Public Radio.

The case is part of a broader series of debates, lawsuits and regulatory actions over how Texas should handle hemp-derived THC products, and whether they should remain legal, be restricted or be banned altogether.

A man smokes a joint during a demonstration demanding the legalization of marijuana, at Paulista Avenue, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on June 14, 2025. People take part in a demonstration demanding the legalization of marijuana, at Paulista Avenue, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on June 14, 2025. A person smokes marijuana during a 420 celebration at Washington Square Park in New York City on April 20, 2024. April 20 is an unofficial international counterculture celebration of cannabis. A person smokes marijuana during a 420 celebration at Washington Square Park in New York City on April 20, 2024. April 20 is an unofficial international counterculture celebration of cannabis. A Marijuana plant is displayed as a person smokes marijuana during a 420 celebration at Washington Square Park in New York City on April 20, 2024. April 20 is an unofficial international counterculture celebration of cannabis. A person smokes marijuana during a 420 celebration at Washington Square Park in New York City on April 20, 2024. April 20 is an unofficial international counterculture celebration of cannabis. A person smokes marijuana during a 420 celebration at Washington Square Park in New York City on April 20, 2024. April 20 is an unofficial international counterculture celebration of cannabis. A man poses for a photo during a demonstration to celebrate 4/20, the informal cannabis holiday in Hyde Park, London, on April 20, 2022. A person smokes as marijuana enthusiasts take part in the informal annual cannabis holiday, 4/20, corresponding to the numerical figure widely recognized within the cannabis subculture as a symbol for all things related to marijuana, in Mexico City, Mexico, April 20, 2023. People dressed in costumes depicting cannabis leaves gather with marijuana activists to mark the annual world cannabis day and to protest for legalization of marijuana, in front of the Brandenburg Gate, in Berlin, Germany, April 20, 2022. A cloud of smoke rises over people smoking while rapper Lil Jon performs during the Mile High 420 Festival in Denver, Colo., on April 20, 2022, known by some as 'Weed Day'. Tens of thousands of cannabis enthusiasts gathered in Denver on April 20 to celebrate the ever-widening US legalization of recreational weed with plumes of pungent smoke, music... and a few grumblings about commercialization. April 20 has become the national holiday for the herb in the United States, as the date corresponds with the "420" slang name for marijuana. An activist hands out free marijuana cigarettes to people after they show proof of a Covid-19 vaccination at Union Square on April 20, 2021 in New York City. The event, which attracted hundreds, was held in honor of 4/20 and the efforts to get more New Yorkers vaccinated. Called Joints For Jabs," the afternoon event was organized by marijuana advocates and longtime AIDS activist group ACT UP NY. New York City had recently made the smoking of marijuana legal. A person takes part in the informal annual cannabis holiday, 4/20, corresponding to the numerical figure widely recognized within the cannabis subculture as a symbol for all things related to marijuana, in Mexico City, Mexico, April 20, 2023. A man holds an oversized joint during the Mile High 420 Festival in Denver, Colo. on April 20, 2022. A man holding an inflatable joint poses for a picture during a demonstration to mark the informal cannabis holiday in Hyde Park, London, Britain, April 20, 2022. Cookies shaped like marijuana leafs are pictured at the Cannabis Carnivalus 4/20 event in Seattle, Wash. April 20, 2014. Thousands of marijuana enthusiasts gathered in Colorado and Washington state over the weekend for an annual celebration of cannabis culture with rallies, concerts and trade shows in the first two states to legalize recreational marijuana. Fancy Fairchild, right, waves a flag during a rally to legalize marijuana at the Governors Mansion on Wednesday April 20, 2022. A few dozen activists gathered at 4:20 p.m. on 4/20 to bring attention to cause. A man wearing a Grinch costume pretending to smoke a joint takes part in the International Marijuana Day celebration at Paseo de la Reforma avenue in Mexico City on April 20, 2023. People roll a blunt during the informal annual cannabis holiday in Denver on April 20, 2023. A man smokes marijuana in a papaya during a 4/20 rally to commemorate the World Cannabis Day in Bogota on April 20, 2022. Regina Dotson shows off her marijuana-themed earrings, necklace and sunglasses at the Magnolia cannabis lounge in Oakland, Calif. on April 20, 2018 during the first '4/20' since the sale of recreational marijuana became legal in the state. Smoke rises during the annual 4/20 marijuana rally on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Canada on April 20, 2018. A woman smokes during a demonstration to mark the informal cannabis holiday in Hyde Park, London, April 20, 2022. A woman participates in a gathering along with marijuana activists to mark the annual world cannabis day and to protest for legalization of marijuana, in front of the Brandenburg Gate, in Berlin, Germany, April 20, 2022. A Marijuana enthusiast takes part in the informal annual cannabis holiday, 4/20, in Mexico City, Mexico on April 20, 2023. People celebrate 420 at Washington Square Park in New York City on April 20, 2024. April 20 is an unofficial international counterculture celebration of cannabis. A person prepares a marijuana cigarette during 420 celebrations at Washington Square Park in New York City on April 20, 2024. April 20 is an unofficial international counterculture celebration of cannabis. People celebrate 420 at Washington Square Park in New York City on April 20, 2024. April 20 is an unofficial international counterculture celebration of cannabis. 420 celebrations: photos from the unofficial marijuana holiday 1 of 28 A man smokes a joint during a demonstration demanding the legalization of marijuana, at Paulista Avenue, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on June 14, 2025.

How to get a medical marijuana prescription in Texas

Texas allows medical use of low-THC cannabis through the states Compassionate Use Program. It is not a traditional medical marijuana card system, according to the state government website. Instead, qualified doctors enter prescriptions directly into a state registry.

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Under the program, patients may be prescribed low-THC cannabis made from Cannabis sativa L. The product must contain no more than 0.5% THC by weight.

It cannot be smoked. It is limited to oral use, such as oils, tinctures or capsules, depending on what a physician prescribes.

By law, the program is limited to patients diagnosed with:

Epilepsy or seizure disorders

Multiple sclerosis or spasticity

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)

Autism

Terminal cancer

An incurable neurodegenerative disease

There is no age limit. Patients under 18 may need a legal guardian involved in the process.

To access the program, a patient must:

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Be a permanent Texas resident

Have a qualifying medical condition

Be evaluated by a physician registered with the Compassionate Use Program

Receive a prescription if the doctor determines the benefits outweigh the risks

If approved, the physician enters the prescription into the Compassionate Use Registry of Texas. Once a prescription is entered into CURT, the patient or guardian can go to a licensed dispensary to fill it.

They will need to provide:

A valid ID

The patients last name

Date of birth

The last five digits of the patients Social Security number

Brandi D. Addison covers weather across the United States as the Weather Connect Reporter for the USA TODAY Network. She can be reached at baddison@gannett.com. Find her on Facebook here.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Texas cannabis laws back and forth. Is smoking weed ever legal there?
Akbar Novruz Read more

Ukrainian officials involved in recent peace talks reportedly suggested that part of the Donbas could be renamed "Donnyland" in honor of U.S. President Donald Trump, the New York Times reported April 21, AzerNEWS reports.

The "Donnyland" label, combining elements of Donetsk, Donald, and Disneyland, has resurfaced in discussions since it was first introduced. The proposed area would cover the northwesternmost part of Donetsk Oblast, approximately 2,000 square miles of land.

Although details of the plan are scarce, negotiators have reportedly suggested that Trump's Board of Peace, which does not include representatives from Ukraine or Russia, could oversee the administration of this area. This proposal, perceived as an attempt to appeal to Trump's vanity, has not been included in any official documents and has not resulted in tangible benefits for Kyiv.

U.S.-facilitated talks in recent months have concentrated on the future of the Donbas, an eastern Ukrainian region that includes the partially occupied Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts. Territorial control remains the primary issue, with Moscow pressuring Kyiv to withdraw from areas it still holdsterritory that Russia has been unable to fully capture militarily since fighting began in 2014.

Trump, who promised during his campaign to end the war within 24 hours, has spent over a year pursuing a negotiated settlement. His administration has conducted multiple rounds of talks with both Ukrainian and Russian officials, leading to frustration in Kyiv, where some officials feel that Washington has acted more as a mediator than an ally.
Virginia voters on Tuesday will head to the polls for a rare April election to decide whether to change the states congressional maps ahead of the November midterms.

Tuesdays referendum will mark Democrats last chance to redistrict in the battle set off by President Trumps push for new maps in Texas last year.

If the amendment is approved, Democrats could net as many as four seats in Congress.

Polls close at 7 p.m. EDT. Follow Decision Desk HQs live results here.

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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 The Hill.
Police are investigating after a man was found dead in Pleasure Ridge Park, according to a news release from Louisville Metro Police.

LMPD officers responded to a report of a shooting in the 2600 block of Franklin Avenue around 6:18 a.m. April 22, spokesperson Matt Sanders said. When officers arrived, they found a man, who appeared to be 25-35 years old, with a gunshot wound lying next to a vehicle in the road.

The man, who has not yet been identified, was pronounced dead at the scene, Sanders said.

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Sanders said investigators were initially treating the investigation as a homicide, but later changed to a death investigation after a preliminary review.

LMPDs Homicide Unit is leading the investigation.

Anyone with information is encouraged to report tips through LMPD's anonymous tip line by calling 502-574-5673 or toll-free at 866-649-4479.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: LMPD conducting death investigation after PRP shooting leaves 1 dead
A mayor has been arrested and charged with Medicaid fraud by Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill.

Murrill said Winnsboro Mayor Alice Wallace, 50, of Robinson Drive, was arrested on April 21 and booked into the East Baton Rouge Prison. No bond has been set.

Wallace is charged with six counts of government benefits fraud in what Murrill described as a Medicaid fraud scheme in which the mayor illegal secured $75,000 in benefits from 2021 through 2026.

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It doesnt matter who you are  if you defraud the hardworking taxpayers of Louisiana, youre going to jail," Murrill said in a statement.

Murrill said her Louisiana Bureau of Investigation special agents conducted the investigation after Louisiana Department of Health officials referred the allegations to Murrill's agency.

Wallace is accused of fraudulently receiving Medicaid benefits for herself and a dependent.

Louisiana Attorney Liz Murrill is surrounded by law enforcement leaders during a Dec. 18, 2025 press conference in Ruston.

Murrill said Wallace didn't report to the health department a change in household income, failed to disclose her marital status and intentionally misrepresented the availability of health insurance provided through her employers.

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Agents said their investigation showed Wallace and her dependent continuously used Medicaid benefits from 2021 through 2026 while she received a salary that would have made her ineligible to receive Medicaid benefits.

Winnsboro, with a population of about 5,000, is the Franklin Parish seat.

Wallace been the elected mayor of Winnsboro since 2022 and didn't report to LDH that employment, income or availability of medical health coverage as required. Murrill's agents obtained an arrest warrant for Wallace through the 19th Judicial District Court.

Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1.

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Arcadia mayor arrested: Arcadia mayor arrested, accused of using town money for car, parties

This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Louisiana mayor Alice Wallace charged with Medicaid fraud
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is appointing a Black lesbian archivist and librarian on Wednesday to lead one of the citys most consequential but often overlooked agencies, elevating a longtime advocate for information access at a moment when battles over public records, history, and identity are intensifying nationwide.

Shawn(ta) Smith-Cruz, who has spent nearly two decades working across academic , public, and community-based archives, will serve as commissioner of the New York City Department of Records and Information Services, or DORIS, The Advocate has exclusively learned. The agency oversees the municipal archives, library, and records administration, making it central to how the city preserves its history and responds to public requests for government information.

Related: Mayor Mamdani appoints trans woman to run first-ever NYC Office of LGBTQIA+ Affairs

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Smith-Cruz, a Brooklyn native, said she identifies as both queer and lesbian, describing those identities as intertwined. Her appointment places an out LGBTQ+ Black woman in charge of safeguarding the official record of the nations largest city.

Last year, the Trump administration faced backlash after federal materials tied to the Stonewall uprising were revised to remove or downplay references to transgender people, prompting accusations of historical erasure. Earlier this year, the administration again drew criticism after the Pride flag was removed from the federally managed Stonewall National Monument in Manhattan. LGBTQ+ groups sued, and in early April, the federal government agreed to a court settlement requiring the flag to be restored and allowed to remain, reversing the earlier decision.

For Smith-Cruz, those battles underscore the stakes of her role. We have such a rich New York City history when it comes to Stonewall in particular, she told The Advocate in an interview, adding that preserving it means ensuring that not only well-known groups but also other groups and other people whose voices and names were not documented or heard are included.

Her selection also reinforces how Mamdani is staffing his administration with leaders drawn from community-based work and advocacy networks. Smith-Cruz said she sees that approach as intentional.

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Related: Zohran Mamdani swears in Lillian Bonsignore as first out lesbian FDNY commissioner

Its really a Mamdani experience that Im interested in being a part of, she said, pointing to a broader cohort of appointees with roots in grassroots organizing and public service.

The appointment also fits into a broader pattern in Mamdanis early administration, which has elevated LGBTQ+ leadership across the city government. In March, Mamdani created New York Citys first-ever Office of LGBTQIA+ Affairs and appointed civil rights attorney Taylor Brown as its inaugural director, making her the first out transgender person to lead a city office or agency. He has also appointed Lillian Bonsignore as the Fire Departments first out gay commissioner.

In her new role, Smith-Cruz will oversee not only the preservation of historical materials but also the citys response to public records requests. She described that work as both technical and urgent, particularly in an era defined by the rapid expansion of digital information and rising concerns about access.

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Its really responding to FOIA requests or people who are thinking about open access to government data, government records, government information, she said. That is something that is a right for all people.

Her resume reflects a career built at the intersection of archives, equity, and public access. Smith-Cruz most recently served as dean of the Barnard College Library, where she oversaw collections, digital infrastructure, and research services at one of the countrys leading liberal arts institutions.

She has also held senior roles at New York University, the CUNY Graduate Center, and the Brooklyn Public Library.

Related: Here's what Zohran Mamdani has promised to do for LGBTQ+ New Yorkers as mayor

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Her work has consistently focused on expanding access to information for marginalized communities, including projects that support incarcerated people and curate exhibitions on LGBTQ+ history, such as the Salsa Soul Sisters, New York Citys first lesbian-of-color organization.

Smith-Cruzs leadership extends beyond institutions. As a teenager, she co-founded the nonprofit Sister Outsider, which provides paid peer education programs for young women in Brooklyn, rooted in harm reduction and economic empowerment.

She holds a masters degree in library science with a concentration in archives, a master of fine arts in fiction, and a bachelors degree through the CUNY Baccalaureate Program.

Her appointment comes as debates over historical preservation and public data have taken on new political weight. Across the country, advocates have raised alarms about efforts by the Trump administration and Republicans to restrict or reshape how government institutions document LGBTQ+ lives, racial history, and other marginalized stories.

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There are national endeavorsscraping U.S.-based government data sites so that we can retain whats still there before they get shut down, she said.

Providing access to government records, documents, and data is our municipal responsibility, Smith-Cruz said in a statement announcing her appointment, adding that the agency must ensure the citys historical record reflects our many communities.

This article originally appeared on Advocate: Mamdani appoints Black lesbian librarian as the chief keeper of NYCs records (exclusive)

RELATED
A Roll Hill man admitted to police he fled a double killing with two other suspects this winter, according to arrest documents.

Micah Hunt, 22, is charged with murder in the killings of 19-year-old D'Ariz Bray and 22-year-old Micah Willis, according to Hamilton County court records.

Police went to the 2500 block of Sunnyhill Drive in Roll Hill after a ShotSpotter activation around 2 a.m. Feb. 25. ShotSpotter is a network of microphones across the city that detect gunfire to alert police of a possible shooting.

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When police arrived, they found Bray and Willis with gunshot wounds. Emergency crews determined they were dead on the scene.

Hunt originally told police he was not in the area of the shooting but when later confronted with video evidence, he admitted to fleeing the scene with two other people, investigators reported.

Police have not said whether they have apprehended anyone else in connection with the killings. Department spokesman Sgt. Anthony Mitchell did not return a message from The Enquirer.

Hunt was arraigned in Hamilton County Municipal Court on April 21 before Judge William Mallory. Mallory set Hunt's bond at $1 million, court records show.

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Hunt remains in custody at the Hamilton County Justice Center, according to jail records.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati police arrest 22-year-old in double killing
Apr. 22A Hanceville man accused of fatally shooting another man several times in Lawrence County last year in what investigators described as a crime of passion over a woman both men had dated has been indicted on a felony murder charge, according to court records.

The Lawrence County Sheriff's Office said Dustin Joel Baker, 33, was arrested April 8, 2025, after authorities said he shot 34-year-old Jacob Lee Palmer seven times at a home in the Speake community. Records show Baker was released from the Lawrence County Jail two days later after posting a $100,000 bond. A grand jury indicted him March 6.

Deputies responded to a shooting call in the 2000 block of Lawrence County 200 and found Palmer unresponsive on the ground with apparent gunshot wounds. Baker and another person were detained at the scene. The Sheriff's Office said Baker called 911 and reported that he shot Palmer in self-defense.

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Palmer was visiting people at the house when had an altercation with Baker, the Sheriff's Office said.

Lawrence County Coroner Scott Norwood said Palmer suffered seven penetrating wounds to the thoracic cavity and one to his right arm.

Chief Deputy Brian Covington said that although Baker claimed self-defense, evidence indicated Palmer was trying to leave the residence and remove himself from the altercation.

"From what we were able to ascertain, it appeared, from statements and evidence obtained at the scene, that the victim was actually trying to get away and the suspect shot him multiple times," Covington said.

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Covington also said investigators found evidence suggesting the shooting was a crime of passion.

"The victim and the shooter had a relationship with a female party that lived at the residence," Covington said. "When they were dating, that's a little unclear, but that's what brought both of them together that day. One was in a dating relationship and one was getting out."

Court records show Baker is scheduled to appear before Circuit Judge Callie Waldrep for a hearing April 30.

 wesley.tomlinson@decaturdaily.com or 256-340-2442.
Editors Note: On April 20, 2026, Nicholas Gutierrez pleaded guilty to a wrong-way crash that resulted in the death of a Los Angeles County Sheriffs recruit and caused severe injuries to several others in November 2022.

Gutierrez pleaded guilty to one count of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence, nine felony counts of reckless driving on a highway causing a specified injury and admitted to all allegations, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorneys Office.

Investigators concluded the crash was unintentional and the result of Gutierrez falling asleep at the wheel, according to the DAs office. Based on the plea deal, Gutierrez will be on probation for five years but if he violates any conditions, he will face an eight-year prison term, the DAs office said.

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A man accused of driving an SUV into two dozen law enforcement recruits who were on a 2022 training run in Southern California  leaving one dead and others seriously injured  has been indicted by a grand jury, prosecutors said this week.

Nicholas Joseph Gutierrez is charged in the indictment with a felony count of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence; a misdemeanor count of vehicular manslaughter with ordinary negligence; and nine counts of reckless driving on a highway causing a specified injury, the Los Angeles County District Attorneys Office said Tuesday.

Gutierrez pleaded not guilty to the charges Tuesday and is scheduled to appear in court February 9 for a pretrial conference, the district attorneys office said.

About 75 recruits for various California law enforcement departments were on a run near Whittier as part of their training on November 16, 2022, when Gutierrez drove in the wrong direction and hit some of them, authorities said.

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One of the injured, Alejandro Martinez-Inzunza, a recruit for the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department, died at a hospital of his injuries eight months later, authorities said. Nine others were severely injured, the district attorneys office said.

More than a year later, we are still grappling with the profound loss of a promising sheriffs deputy recruit, Alejandro Martinez-Inzunza, and the other recruits who were seriously injured as a result of this tragic incident, District Attorney George Gascon said Tuesday. Todays indictment is a significant step forward in the progress of this case.

CNN has sought comment from Gutierrezs attorney and is working to get a copy of the indictment.

At the time of the incident, Gutierrez showed no signs of impairment and blew a zero in the Breathalyzer test, the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department said.

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Alexandra Kazarian, an attorney for Gutierrez, told CNN affiliate KABC in November 2022: I have no doubt that an in-depth investigation will confirm that Nicholas is a hard-working young man who holds no animosity towards law enforcement, and this was an absolutely tragic accident.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
NEED TO KNOW

Guy Rowles was stung by a suspected box jellyfish while surfing in Fiji and rushed to the hospital

The surfer described the pain as feeling like "hot oil" on his arm and experienced chest tightness and lightheadedness, according to Sky News Australia

After a 40-minute boat ride to shore and hospital treatment, Rowles made a full recovery and returned to surfing

An Australian man is recovering after an encounter with a jellyfish while surfing in Fiji.

On Thursday, April 16, Guy Rowles, 30, shared a picture of himself lying in a hospital with his arm in a cast.

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Got stung surfing by a box jellyfish or irukanji in Fiji   pretty wild experience," he said of the suspected jellyfish that was involved. Definitely puts things into perspective.

He wrote, Grateful for everyone who helped me today ," adding, "Huge thanks to @sujeessurfstaycloudbreak for getting me to the mainland and hospital quickly  still paradise but!

Guy Rowles in his hospital bed

Credit: @guy_rowles/Instagram

The irukandji jellyfish is the most venomous sea creature in the world, according to 7News. Death can occur within a few minutes of having significant contact with a box jellyfish if antivenom isn't administered, Sky News Australia stated, citing Australian Geographic.

Irukandji jellyfish is reportedly a type of box jellyfish.

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Rowles had been surfing Cloudbreak with his dad when he felt something on his arm while paddling, according to 7News and Sky News Australia.

And it just straight away just was so intense. Like my arm was on fire, Rowles told Sky News Australia.

A photo of Guy Rowles' injuries

Credit: @guy_rowles/Instagram

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Just felt like someone poured like hot oil on my arm and just they weren't stopping, he added to the outlet. It was gnarly.

Rowles said although he had previously been stung by a bluebottle jellyfish, also known as physalia utriculus, his recent sting kept getting more intense.

Guy Rowles

Credit: @guy_rowles/Instagram

After telling the local guide that the pain was burning, the guide said, Get to the boat. That's a box jellyfish," per Sky News Australia.

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I could feel my chest was already like starting to squeeze and like I was feeling a bit light-headed to begin with as I was paddling over and then when that hit me, I don't know... I was just like fight or flight, Rowles told the outlet.

Rowles was rushed to hospital after a 40-minute boat ride to shore, per Sky News Australia.

Doctors then poured vinegar on the site of the sting and identified that it was too late for Rowles to receive antivenom.

I remember looking at one of the doctors' eyes when like I told him, I was like, Oh I got stung', and then the doctor was like Yeah, it's a box jelly fish we think.' And then like the nurse's eyes just went white, he told Sky News Australia.

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After staff monitored his heart for four hours, the surfer was discharged from hospital.

Since the incident, Rowles has made a full recovery and has returned to surfing in Fiji.

The guide, we've had a good giggle about it now, Rowles said.

Read the original article on People
A 25-year-old Marine veteran who was leaving her relationship was killed in a Kansas shootingallegedly at the hands of her estranged husband.

Ivy Unruh died April 20 after being shot days earlier outside her northeast Wichita apartment, according to police.

Her husband, 29-year-old Joshua Orlando, has been charged with premeditated first-degree murder, according to court records. He remains jailed on a $1.5 million bond after making his first court appearance, with a preliminary hearing scheduled for May 5.

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Authorities say Unruh was shot the morning of April 17 and rushed to a hospital in critical condition, where she later died. Orlando was taken into custody shortly after. The case is being investigated as a domestic violence homicide.

Ex-biden Staffer Claims Accidental Shot Killed Girlfriend As Dad Blasts Toxic, Abusive Relationship: Report

Joshua Orlando, charged with murder in the shooting death of his estranged wife, Ivy Unruh. (Fox News)

Police said there were no prior domestic violence reports in Wichita involving the couple. Investigators confirmed Unruh had filed for divorce in August 2025 and had separated from Orlando. The two previously lived in Marion, Kansas.

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The U.S. Marine Corps confirmed Unruh served from November 2020 to November 2024, rising to the rank of sergeant. She worked as a satellite transmission system operator and was awarded the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.

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She deployed to Australia in 2023 as part of Marine Rotational Forces  Darwin, and her last duty assignment was with Marine Wing Communications Squadron 38 at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in California, according to the Marine Corps.

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Unruh later worked as a broadcast engineer at PBS Kansas, according to her LinkedIn profile.

Gabby Petito Told Her Ex She Was Scared To Leave Brian Laundrie But Wanted To, Just Before Murder: New Doc

Colleagues at PBS Kansas were stunned by the news. Station president Victor Hogstrom described the moment he learned what happened as shocking and difficult to process, telling KAKE News his initial reaction was one of disbelief. He remembered Unruh as a driven, reliable team member who was well-liked and respected by those she worked with, adding that she is deeply missed, according to the outlet.

Mother Sensed 'Strong Danger' From Son-in-law Weeks Before Daughter's Murder During Camping Trip

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Even after her death, Unruh continued to serve others. Her family said in a GoFundMe post that she was an organ donor who saved six lives"six pieces of her that will live on."

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"Six humans that still have life and get to go home to their families because of her," they wrote.

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Members of the veteran community also honored her final act of service. An American Legion post in Mulvane, Kansas, held an honor walk as Unruh was taken to donate her organs, recognizing her as a former Marine.

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Loved ones say they also hope her story raises awareness about the dangers of domestic violence.

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Wichita police spokesperson Kris Gupilan urged anyone experiencing abuse to seek help, saying in comments reported by KAKE News, "If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please know that resources are available and you are not alone. Help is available."

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The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 800-799-7233.

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Fox News Digital has reached out to PBS Kansas and the Sedgwick County District Attorney's Office for additional comment.





Original article source: Marine veteran allegedly gunned down by husband in attack outside home, police say
A University of Michigan Board of Regents member was ousted after Michigan Democrats selected a candidate who shared social media posts praising Hezbollah as the party's nominee.

Amir Makled, a trial lawyer, bested incumbent Regent Jordan Acker, who is Jewish, for the Democratic Party's nomination at the state party's convention over the weekend, sparking criticism from a former leader of the state's Democratic Party.

More than a week before Michigan's Democratic Convention, the Detroit News reported that Makled had shared and later deleted posts on X praising Hezbollah leaders Hassan Nasrallah and Abu Ali Khalil, who were both killed in Israeli airstrikes. In both posts Makled shared, Nasrallah and Khalil are dubbed "martyrs."

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Uc Davis Professor Who Posted Violent Threats Against 'Zionists' Keeps Job After Discipline

Attorney Amir Makled accepts the Michigan Democratic Party's endorsement for the University of Michigan Board of Regents in Detroit, Mich., on April 19, 2026. (Reuters Photos)

The Democratic nominee also shared a now-deleted post from Candace Owens in which she called Israelis "demons" who "lie, steal, cheat, murder and blackmail."

Fox News Digital reached out to Makled for comment.

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Brandon Dillon, the former head of Michigan's Democratic Party, penned an opinion piece in the Detroit News criticizing Makled's candidacy that was published just days before Makled won the party's nomination. Dillon said Makled is not a Democrat and that his social media behavior reflects "a pattern of extremism and bigotry."

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University Of Rochester Addresses Hundreds Of 'Wanted' Posters For Jewish Faculty Members Posted Around Campus

Anti-Israel demonstrators protest outside University of Michigan President Santa Ono's house in Ann Arbor, Mich., on Oct. 13, 2023, following a reported bias-motivated assault on a Jewish teen.

"These are not isolated missteps or comments taken out of context," Dillon wrote in the Detroit News. "They reflect a broader pattern of poor judgment that should raise serious concern."

In his acceptance speech for the party's nomination, Makled gave a nod to students involved in anti-Israel protests that formed on the University of Michigan's campus in the wake of the October 7, 2023, terrorist attacks in Israel.

"To these students, the students who spoke up, the students who organized, the students who refused to let anyone tell them that their education wasn't worth fighting for, you all reminded us what a public university is supposed to be," Makled said.

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Elite University Attended By Trumps Son Cracks Down On Left-wing Student Agitators

Jordan Acker attends the Michigan Democratic Convention on April 19, 2026.

Makled, who legally represented University of Michigan students involved in anti-Israel campus protests, had previously called for the university system to divest from Israel.

The anti-Israel protests which formed at the University of Michigan led to reports of antisemitic attacks against Jewish students. The University of Michigan was one of 60 universities notified by the Department of Education that it was being investigated for violating Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 for failing to properly address antisemitic harassment and discrimination.

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In December 2024  just months before the Education Department shared its notice with the University of Michigan  the car belonging to outgoing Regent Acker was vandalized. The words "Divest... Free Palestine" and an inverted triangle, a reference to Hamas, were spray-painted in red across Acker's vehicle.

At the time of the attack, Acker said it was the third time that year he'd been victimized by anti-Israel vandals.

Fox News Digital reached out to Acker for comment.





Original article source: Martyrs: Michigan Dems nominate Hezbollah-praising candidate after ousting Jewish regent
Germany's Friedrich Merz addressed a major climate policy gathering on Wednesday by stressing the need to unshackle industry from harmful regulations, including by reworking the EU's carbon trading scheme.

"Climate protection must not endanger the industrial base in Germany and in our countries," the German chancellor told the Petersburg Climate Dialogue in Berlin.

"A transformation that leads to deindustrialisation will not find acceptance among the people. And it will eventually hamper innovation," Merz added.

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Merz, a conservative, has prioritised boosting Germany's stagnant economy and protecting the country's large industrial base since taking office last year.

Merz has repeatedly stressed that Germany will stick to its climate targets -- including achieving carbon neutrality by 2045 -- though his government has come under fire from environmental groups for dialing back green energy policies.

The annual Petersburg Climate Dialogue is aimed at spurring international climate policy negotiations ahead of the annual UN Climate Change Conference (COP). COP31 will be held in November in Turkey.

On Wednesday, Merz contended that for climate policy "real progress depends on a strong partnership with industry -- it is there where the innovations and new technologies shaping our future are created".

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Merz and several other EU leaders have demanded an overhaul to Europe's flagship ETS carbon market scheme that would reduce costs for industry.

An update to the ETS rules "with a clear focus on maintaining competitiveness" is needed to make the scheme "fit for the future", Merz said Wednesday.

Established in 2005 and intended to address climate change, the ETS system caps greenhouse-gas emissions but creates a market for companies to trade allowances -- a system that requires heavy polluters to buy permits.

Critics, including many German industrial leaders, argue that the system drives up energy costs and makes it harder for European companies to compete on global markets.

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Countries still heavily reliant on fossil fuels, such as Poland and the Czech Republic, have long been leading this opposition.

In February, Germany, France and Italy called for an ETS reform, arguing that it would boost the EU's industrial competitiveness.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni even called for its suspension in early March, citing the shock to energy prices from the US-Israeli war on Iran.

bst/lep/fz/giv
MEXICO CITY  Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Monday she would demand explanations over what U.S. and Mexican officials were doing in northern Chihuahua when they died in an accident over the weekend, noting that any joint collaborations between the local government and the U.S. without federal permission would be a violation of Mexican law.

The crash, following an operation to destroy a clandestine drug lab in a rural area, has reignited a debate over the extent of U.S. involvement in Mexican security operations. Speculation was only fueled by Sheinbaum, local officials and the U.S. Embassy appearing to contradict each other and at times themselves, and offering sparse details about the U.S. officials who died.

It was not an operation that the security cabinet was aware of, Sheinbaum told journalists. We were not informed; it was a decision by the Chihuahua government.

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It comes at a key moment for the relationship between the two neighboring nations as Mexico faces escalating pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump crack down on cartels and Sheinbaum underscores Mexicos sovereignty.

Sheinbaum said her government would investigate the incident to ensure no laws were broken after the deaths on Sunday, adding that state governments must have authorization from Mexicos federal government to collaborate with U.S. and other foreign entities as established by the Constitution.

A mountainside car crash

Chihuahua Attorney General Cesar Jauregui said Sunday the officials died while returning from the operation to destroy labs of criminal groups. They were driving in the middle of the night through rugged mountain territory connecting Chihuahua to the state of Sinaloa, when the truck appears to have skidded at some point and fell into a ravine, exploding.

He said the four who died were two local Mexican investigative officials and two U.S. Embassy instructors who were participating in routine training work.

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The U.S. Embassy on Monday declined to identify who the U.S. officials were or which entity of the U.S. government they worked for, but said the officials were supporting Chihuahua state authorities efforts to combat cartel operations. U.S. Ambassador Ronald Johnson expressed his condolences on social media but he and other officials provided few details of the incident.

Jauregui said that the operation came following months of investigation by state prosecutors and Mexicos federal military, indicating there was at least some level of involvement in the operation from Sheinbaums security forces. Hours later, the Mexican Security Cabinet confirmed that the army and state prosecutors office carried out a joint operation over the weekend in Chihuahua dismantling drug labs in the same location, Morelos.

After locating the labs using drones, officials found tons of material to manufacture drugs but no people, who were likely alerted beforehand and fled, the prosecutor added.

The local official later backtracked and clarified to press that there were no U.S. agents in the operation to secure the narco-lab, and said the embassy officials joined the group after the operation and were several hours away from where the action took place.

A resurfaced debate

Sheinbaum said her government would provide more information when it has more details, but insisted Monday that there are no joint operations on land or in the air in Mexico. She said there is only sharing of information between her government and the U.S., carried out within a well-established legal framework.

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While U.S. officials training of Mexican security forces is common, their presence on Mexican territory has been the subject of ongoing debate, which has intensified after Trumps military actions in Venezuela and Iran.

Trump has repeatedly offered to take action on Mexican cartels, intervention which Sheinbaum has said was unnecessary.  The Trump administration has already launched joint military operations in Ecuador, a country that has been roiled by violence by drug gangs in recent years.

Last year, Sheinbaum said the U.S. had conducted surveillance drone flights at Mexicos request after a series of conflicting public statements on the issue, also sparking alarm among observers.

The most recent controversy surfaced in January over the detention in Mexico of former Canadian athlete Ryan Wedding, one of the United States most wanted fugitives. While Mexican officials claim he surrendered at the U.S. Embassy, U.S. authorities have described his capture as the result of a binational operation.

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The recent debacle comes at a pivotal time in U.S.-Mexico relations. The second round of negotiations between the United States and Mexico on the United States-Mexico-Canada free trade agreement, the USMCA, was slated to begin in Mexico City. The U.S. delegation is led by Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, who was scheduled to meet with the president on Monday.

That same day, the Trump administration also announced it was imposing visa restrictions on family members of the Cartel de Sinaloa.
Michael and Susan Dell have made history at the University of Texas at Austin, becoming the institution's first $1 billion donors.

This was achieved through the Dell family's latest $750 million gift to the university, which will build the UT Dell Campus for Advanced Research and the AI-focused UT Dell Medical Center, according to the university.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, on Tuesday, April 21, along with the Dells, announced the new campus and the medical center in Austin.

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"Michael and Susan are making history again," Abbott said. "It's a combination of three of Texas' greatest legands  the Dell's, MD Anderson and the University of Texas."

Dell Technologies CEO Michael Dell delivers remarks at the Invest America Roundtable hosted by President Donald Trump in the State Dinning room at the White House on June 09, 2025 in Washington, DC.

The Dell family is deeply integrated with the university, with Dell Technologies being found in Michael's freshman dorm room on campus, influencing UT Austin and the city ever since.

"Susan and I never lost our connection to medicine and our belief that this great university can do for this community," Michael said. "Now we have the chance to build the next great chapter  one even more consequential."

The new campus will be in North Austin and will house the medical campus. While details of the new campus and center were not made immediately available, the Texas Tribune reports that the medical center will have between 300 and 500 beds.

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The center is set to break ground this year, with a scheduled opening in 2030, according to the university. The center will feature AI and advanced computing to help provide preventive and personalized care to its patients while also fully integrating with UT MD Anderson Cancer Center.

This contribution comes on top of other notable donations to the university, including  $100 million for UT for Me  Powered by Dell Scholars, $10 million to build the Dell Computer Science Hall, and $50 million to establish the Dell Medical School.

Mateo Rosiles is the Texas Connect reporter for USA TODAY and its regional papers in Texas. Got a news tip for him? Email him: mrosiles@usatodayco.com.

This article originally appeared on USATNetwork: Michael, Susan Dell commits $750M to new UT Austin medical center
A Minnesota father accused of assaulting a conservative reporter at an anti-ICE protest says he has been overwhelmed by the "nonstop" backlash against his family.

"It's a little overwhelming and makes me second-guess even living in this country, to be honest with you, with all that's going on," Chris Ostroushko told One America News Network in an interview published Monday. "I've never had this happen in my life."

Ostroushko told the news outlet that his family, neighbors and extended family have been inundated with "hundreds of phone calls a day, text messages and social media messages" since the viral incident.

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Ostroushko, his wife DeYanna and daughter Paige were seen on camera in an altercation with TPUSA reporter Savanah Hernandez outside the Whipple building in Minnesota on April 11.

Photos: Anti-ice Agitators Doxx Agents By Sending Warning Postcards To Neighbors

Hernandez was covering the protest for "F--- ICE Day" when she says demonstrators surrounded her after realizing she was affiliated with Turning Point USA, the conservative organization founded by Charlie Kirk.

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She says protesters blew horns in her face and that Chris and Paige attacked her. A video clip of the incident shows Chris coming up behind Hernandez and appearing to shove her to the ground.

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Chris Ostroushko said in a previous interview that he was defending his wife and daughter and described Hernandez as the aggressor in the incident.

Ice Employee Brought To Emergency Room After Alleged Doxxing In California

"We are absolutely not violent people. In fact, we tend to shy away from it," Ostroushko told podcast host Brian Shapiro last week.

The Ostroushkos' say they've been doxed and smeared after the video went viral and lost their jobs. They also claim that Paige suffered neck injuries from the police. They've started a GoFundMe with the goal of raising $8,000. It has raised over $300 so far.

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Hernandez told Fox News Digital she sought medical treatment and was told she had a concussion and multiple sprains.

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon and Vice President JD Vance confirmed that the FBI has opened an investigation into the incident.

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The Hennepin County Sheriffs Office previously told Fox News Digital that the case remains under investigation and that it recommended charges against Paige Ostroushko and Christopher Ostroushko in connection with the assault of a journalist.

Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty has not announced charges in the case.

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The Hennepin County Sheriff's office did not immediately return Fox News Digital's request for comment.





Original article source: Minnesota man who shoved conservative reporter says he's second-guessing living in US after backlash
Former Lyndhurst Police Chief Richard Jarvis Jr.s ties to his community run deep: His grandfather was also chief of police, and his father is now in his third term as a township commissioner.

For his part, Jarvis dedicated 25 years to his hometowns police force, including seven at the helm of the roughly 55-officer department. This month, he retired with plaudits from his colleagues, who praised his tenure and wished him well in his future endeavors.

And hell have plenty of seed money for whatever he wishes to do.

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Thats because Jarvis, 51, walked away with a retirement payout worth $520,146  thanks to the hundreds of paid days off he accumulated over his career policing the Bergen County town of 22,500.

The windfall represents nearly two years of Jarvis salary, which was $263,421 last year, according to pension records. It is also on top of the nearly $175,000-a-year pension he is entitled to.

Jarvis socked away 3,700 hours of banked leave he never used  the equivalent of 462 consecutive eight-hour days. He amassed more than 2,000 hours of sick time alone, as well as leave hours, holidays, personal days and other time off he could cash in, according to a breakdown obtained from the township through a public records request.

End-of-career payments like Jarvis are often contentious, derided as boat checks that allow well-placed government retirees to sail off into the sunset. But they continue in many municipalities in New Jersey, despite reforms state lawmakers enacted more than 15 years ago to try to rein them in.

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To critics, they are a waste of taxpayer money, a costly perk that is unheard of in the private sector, which typically has use-it-or-lose-it policies for annual leave that prevent employees from banking their time off.

The payouts are enormous, and they are egregious, said Micah Rasmussen, who directs the Rebovich Institute for New Jersey Politics at Rider University.

Public service is not thought of as a career where you take a half million dollars with you, Rasmussen said. Its just not something that is ever expected as far as the taxpayers who are paying for it.

But the payouts also have their defenders, who often cast them as the just rewards of a long career. Backers say the time off was earned through each employees dedication to the job, and shouldnt be taken away after they spent decades earning it.

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In Jarvis case, his retirement settlement was approved in February by township commissioners without discussion, video of the meeting shows. Jarvis father, Commissioner Richard Jarvis Sr., recused himself from the vote, as did Commissioner Karen Haggerty, who has a son who is a member of the police force.

On social media, the police department praised the younger Jarvis as he retired, saying he served with great pride and distinction as the towns eighth police chief.

Thank you Chief Jarvis for the past seven years of your efforts and leadership, which will undoubtably continue to contribute to our departments future success, the department wrote.

Township officials did not return requests for comment, including Mayor Robert Giangeruso and Commissioner Louis DeMarco, who oversees taxes and finance.

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Attempts to reach Jarvis were unsuccessful.

Payouts the size of Jarvis are not unheard of. A 2023 investigation by NJ.com found that across the state, 780 of the governments highest-paid employees had received severances worth $76.7 million  including 47 who took in more than $250,000.

More recently, several large payouts have captured renewed public attention.

Bayonne Police Chief Robert Geisler walked away with a severance of $541,533 when he retired in October after more than 30 years on the force.

In West Orange, a $787,017 payout owed to longtime Police Chief James Abbott drew controversy with his retirement in December. The Essex County township has yet to pay Abbott amid apparent scrutiny by the Office of the State Comptroller, which has been critical of the payouts before.

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And in Ringwood, Borough Manager Scott Heck is in line for more than $813,000 in unused comp time when he retires, though he has offered to give up that money in exchange for lifetime health benefits for him and his spouse.

Those hefty accruals continue despite legislation approved by state lawmakers in 2010 to tamp down on the practice. It restricted sick leave payouts to $15,000  a cap state workers have long been under  and limited the amount of vacation employees can carry year-to-year.

But because that law only applied to workers hired after it took effect, existing employees were permitted to continue to amass larger amounts. That left legacy payments that will continue, some observers say, at least until the class of pre-2010 workers retire.

That leaves it incumbent upon local officials to scrutinize the perks they are offering, and negotiate employment contracts that live up to the laws goals, said Rasmussen, the Rider professor. Those that do will save their taxpayers money, he said.

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Its been close to 20 years that were dealing with this, Rasmussen said. Such a payout shouldnt be anybodys expectation, but clearly, it is.

Read the original article on NJ.com. Add NJ.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz launched a federal political action committee on Monday and the name of the new venture quickly created a stir on social media among conservatives.

Walzs PAC, first reported in Politico Playbook, is named the "Small Town PAC." The governor said he wants to "show up in small towns" and "organize in places too many people have given up on, and build power with the folks who call these places home."

"If Democrats want to win in more places, weve got to start showing up in more places," Walz wrote in an X post.

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Walz was widely mocked by conservatives when he ran for vice president in 2024 for his attempts to make inroads with rural voters  like touting his blue-collar roots and hunting hobby.

Minnesota Dems Unite To Block Walz, Ellison Impeachment Push, Sparking Online Outrage: 'They're Panicking'

"Small towns across Minnesota loathe @Tim_Walz," state Rep. Kristin Robbins, Minnesota Republican gubernatorial candidate, posted. (Getty Images)

"Small towns and townships overwhelmingly voted against you, Tim," Townhall columnist Dustin Grage posted on X . "We think your policies are despicable."

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"Small towns across Minnesota loathe @Tim_Walz," state Rep. Kristin Robbins, Minnesota Republican gubernatorial candidate, posted on X .

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"He infamously disparaged them as @RocksAndCowsHQ and his left-wing policies are opposed by most!"

Daniel Turner, executive director of Power the Future, wrote on X , "Good Lord small town America hates everything you stand for: open borders, trans insanity, defund the police, rampant crime, Somali fraud."

New Book Sheds Light On Harris Decision To Pick Walz As Her Running Mate Over Shapiro: 'Went With Her Gut'

"If Democrats want to win in small towns again, this is the last person they should listen to. In eight years as Governor, he has shown voters across Greater Minnesota that the DFL no longer represents them," Minnesota state Rep. Harry Niska, R-Ramsey, posted on X.

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Others on social media, including Grage, dusted off the 2024 campaign trail nickname "Tampon Tim," which conservatives used to mock Walzs much-maligned support of a bill to put free menstrual products in all school restrooms, including boys' rooms.

"Oh look, Tampon Tim wants to expand the fraud," conservative radio host Gregory Jon posted on X.

Walz didn't miss an opportunity to take a swipe at one-time rival Vice President JD Vance while announcing the new PAC.

"Republicans like JD Vance like to portray their small-town neighbors as petty, resentful, and small-minded. I disagree. I think the problem facing small towns are Republicans like JD Vance," he said.

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Vances office hit back with: "The problem facing many small towns in Minnesota is that Tim Walz gives their money to fraudulent daycares."

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Vice President JD Vance took questions from reporters during the daily press briefing at the White House on Oct. 1, 2025.

Fox News Digital did not hear back from Walzs office when reached for comment.

Walz's new political venture comes roughly four months after mounting pressure over the massive fraud scandal under his watch forced him to drop his bid for re-election as governor.

Small Town PAC's website suggests that after leaving office at the end of the year, Walz will be working with Democrats to "build the future" by "investing in people with fresh ideas, energy, and integrity" to "strengthen the Democratic Party from the ground up."





Original article source: Name of Walz's new 3-word PAC draws immediate online mockery
NASA has launched a new initiative, NASA Force, to attract talented individuals to come work for the space agency.

The initiative, which was created in partnership with the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, was "designed to bring exceptional technical talent into mission-critical roles that support NASAs exploration, research, and advanced technology priorities," according to NASA Force's website.

The space agency is looking to hire "early- to mid- career engineers, technologists and innovators," to apply for term appointments of an average of one to two years, with the possibility of receiving an extension.

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Those hired will "contribute to missions that advance human spaceflight, aeronautics, and scientific discovery while helping expand humanitys understanding of the universe," according to NASA.

NASA Force began hiring on Friday, April 17, reported Space.com. The last day to apply was on Tuesday, April 21.

Here's what to know about NASA Force.

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. 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. In this new image from the Artemis II crew, NASA explains that what is depicted is the "divide between night and day, known as the terminator, cutting across Earth." William Anders, a NASA astronaut on the historic Apollo 8 mission around the moon, took the iconic Earthrise photo while in lunar orbit on Dec. 24, 1968. The first photograph of the Earth taken by an astronaut standing on the lunar surface, taken during the Apollo 11 Moon landing in 1969. One of the most well-known photographs of Earth, the "blue marble" image was taken by the crew of the final Apollo mission (Apollo 17) as the crew made its way to the moon in 1972. Voyager 1's 1990 photo of Earth, widely referred to as the "pale blue dot," was taken at a distance of 3.7 billion miles from the sun, making it the first photo taken beyond all the planets in our solar system. This image was created in 2020 or the 30th anniversary of the iconic picture using modern image-processing software and techniques to revisit the well-known Voyager view. Because the International Space Station orbits so close to Earth's atmosphere (about 250 miles high,) the outpost and the astronauts who have lived aboard it have been the source of plenty of spectacular photos of our planet for 25 years. This recent photo, taken April 6, 2026, shows auroras glowing over the Indian Ocean. NASA astronaut Chris Williams is pictured outside the International Space Station during a March 18, 2026 spacewalk with Earth in the background. The devastating Hurricane Milton, a Category 4 storm at the time of this photograph, is pictured Oct. 8, 2024 in the Gulf of Mexico (renamed the Gulf of America) off the coast of Yucatan Peninsula from the International Space Station as it orbited 257 miles above. The Soyuz MS-27 crew spacecraft is pictured Sept. 14, 2025 docked to the International Space Station's Prichal module as the orbital outpost soared 257 miles above a gleaming blue Atlantic Ocean, north of the Dominican Republic. On December 16, 1992, eight days after its encounter with Earth, the Galileo spacecraft looked back from a distance of about 3.9 million miles to capture this remarkable view of the moon in orbit about Earth. In honor of Earth Day, see these photos of our planet from space 1 of 12 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.

What will NASA Force recruits work on?

NASA Force can work on multiple projects, including deep-space logistics, VIPER lunar rover operations, advancing aeronautics research, curating lunar and astromaterials samples, and more, according to the website.

NASA Force comes after excitement for space travel reignited

The new hiring initiative came just a week after Artemis II successfully completed its mission and launched to the moon for the first time in over 50 years. The world watched in awe as four astronauts, NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, traveled farther from Earth than any human has before.

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.

The crew traveled 252,756 miles from our planet, according to NASA. The Apollo 13 mission, which took place in 1970, held the previous record of about 248,000 miles.

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The crew's 10-day trip around the moon ended on April 10, when the crew splashed down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego. From launch to splashdown, the crew traveled a total of 694,481 miles during their mission.

Julia Gomez is a Trending reporter for USA TODAY and covers popular toys, space phenomena, scientific studies, natural disasters, holidays, and trending news. Connect with her on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and TikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at jgomez@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NASA's new hiring initiative, NASA Force, looks to recruit new talent
Five of Africa's great river systems are born in the highlands of eastern Angola. The Okavango. The Zambezi. The Congo. The Kwanza. The Cuando. Together they carry water and life across a continent, feeding communities, sustaining ecosystems, underpinning the food security of seven nations. The Okavango Delta  celebrated by every nature documentary, every conservation campaign  simply would not exist without this source.

And yet, until recently, that source had no name on any international conservation map. No recognition. No formal protection. It was, in one of the quiet oversights of modern environmentalism, invisible.

That invisibility is what the Okavango Eternal partnership was built to end.

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Launched in 2021, Okavango Eternal is a collaboration between the National Geographic Society and De Beers  two institutions that, on the surface, make an unlikely pair. One is the world's foremost platform for exploration and scientific storytelling. The other is the world's leading diamond company, whose operations sit within the very ecosystem the partnership exists to protect. The collision of those two identities is not incidental. It is the point. "Safeguarding a system as vast and vital as the Okavango Basin cannot be achieved by any one organisation alone," says Sandrine Conseiller, CEO of De Beers Brands. "It requires deep collaboration, mutual trust, and a willingness to listen as much as to lead."

Sandrine Conseiller, CEO, De Beers Brands De Beers

At the heart of the partnership are National Geographic Explorers  scientists and storytellers selected by the Society to lead field work in some of the world's most critical and underreported places, and to translate that work into knowledge that can change policy, practice, and public understanding. Two of them are working at opposite ends of the same water system, and arriving, from completely different directions, at the same essential truth.

A Gift in Disguise

National Geographic Explorer Kerllen Costa, Angola country director for the National Geographic Okavango Wilderness Project, arrived in southeastern Angola a decade ago with a clear ambition. "Naively, I came pursuing the conventional goal: a national park, a reserve, something with boundaries and a gazette number," he reflects. The Angolan government shut that idea down immediately. They already had a dozen abandoned parks. There was no point in building another.

It was, Costa says, a gift in disguise.

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What followed was a fundamental rethinking of what conservation actually is. Walking with the Nganguela communities of the Angolan Highlands, Costa began to absorb something that would reshape the entire arc of his work. These communities held ecological knowledge extraordinary in its depth  fire cycles and seasonal rhythms, animal migrations, the language of rivers changing course  protected through ancestral authority long before any conservation framework existed.

Kerllen Costa, the Country Director for Angola, for the National Geographic Okavango Wilderness Project Rebecca Hale/National Geographic

"We could see the landscape from above," Costa explains. "But the elders could read it from within. They knew which grasses indicated the depth of peat beneath their feet. They understood the fire calendar  when to burn and when to hold  not as a management technique they had learned, but as a relationship they maintained with the land across generations."

A hunter who had walked those forests for forty years carried in his memory a biological survey more detailed than anything a decade of fieldwork could produce. Traditional ecological knowledge, Costa argues, is not folklore. It is data. Observation accumulated across centuries, tested by survival, refined by consequence.

Out of this came the Ngala Okola philosophy  "Sacred Power"  which challenges the fortress model of conservation, the assumption that nature must be separated from people to be saved. "Every person in these communities is, by birthright, a watcher of natural heritage," Costa says. "Conservation is not a discipline. It is life."

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That philosophy now has institutional form. The Watchers program is its living expression, supported by Okavango Eternal. Former hunters whose knowledge spans every trail, every animal movement, every seasonal shift now form the backbone of an ecological monitoring system protecting fifty thousand square kilometres of source watershed. De Beers' support gave that knowledge a structure, a budget, and a formal role in conservation decision-making. The partnership gave that teaching a place in the world.

In January 2026, that work produced a landmark moment. The Government of Angola designated Lisima Lya Mwono  "the source of life"  as its first Wetland of International Importance, putting the Angolan Highlands on the global conservation map for the first time. "It not only recognizes Angola as the source of the Okavango's waters," Costa says, "but as home to people and communities who are keeping it thriving."

Aerial view of the Cuando River  Kostadin Luchansky/National Geographic

The Woman Who Reads Water

Five hundred kilometers to the southeast, another National Geographic Explorer, Dr. Goabaone Ramatlapeng arrived at a similar conclusion from a completely different direction.

She grew up in a water-scarce village in southern Botswana, as far from the Okavango Delta's abundance as you can get within the same country. In a nation where nearly 80 percent of the land is Kalahari Desert, scarcity is not an abstraction. "Water was never something we took for granted," she says. "I remember the constant awareness that water could run out, that what we had needed to last."

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Those early experiences drew her toward hydrogeochemistry  the study of water's chemical story, what it reveals about where water comes from, how it moves, and how it is changing. When she eventually stood at the Okavango Delta, the contrast was disorienting. Here was abundance. But she also understood something most visitors miss. "This system is fragile," she says. "Its future depends on how well we understand and protect it."

Dr. Goabaone Ramatlapeng Karabo LeBronpeter Moilwa / National Geographic Okavango Wilderness Project

Today, Ramatlapeng is Botswana's first female hydrogeochemist, recently named one of the Ramsar Convention's 2026 Women Changemakers. Her research into water quality across the Okavango River Basin  supported by Okavango Eternal  underpins fisheries, biodiversity, and the water security of communities who depend on the Delta.

Being the first in her field is meaningful. But she does not intend to be the last. The barriers facing women and girls in African science are not about ability. They are structural, and they begin early. "Period poverty in rural areas is often overlooked, yet it has a profound impact. Many girls miss several days of school each month because they lack access to sanitary products or safe, dignified facilities." Over time, repeated absences quietly narrow the pipeline of future women scientists before it even begins. "Inspiration is important," she says, "but it is not enough."

So Ramatlapeng takes her science beyond the lab. At the annual Nkashi Classic  a mokoro dugout canoe race supported by Okavango Eternal  she and her colleagues host science fairs explaining why water chemistry matters. Nkashi Knowledge Centers in Maun and Beetsha bring community members into conservation education. A bright green Nkashi bus carries books, games, and lesson plans to schools across the region. "We're particularly focused on how research and traditional knowledge go hand-in-hand," she says. The water stewards of the future are, quite literally, on the bus.

The Long View

What links Costa and Ramatlapeng  beyond the same river system and the same partnership  is a conviction that the most important conservationists are not the ones who arrive from outside. They are the hunter who has walked the forest for forty years. The girl in the water-scarce village who never stopped asking questions.

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Okavango Eternal was designed to take that conviction seriously. For De Beers, it represents a genuine reckoning with what responsible operation in a fragile ecosystem actually requires  not just funding, but long-term presence, community co-creation, and the willingness to let local knowledge lead. "Both National Geographic Society and De Beers bring almost 140 years of complementary strengths across science, conservation, exploration, local partnerships, education, and storytelling," Conseiller says. That combination is what makes this more than a corporate conservation commitment  it is, at its best, a model for what sustained collaboration can produce.

The Ramsar designation is not an endpoint. It is the first piece of a mosaic. Recognition, then protection, then the kind of systemic integration that makes conservation durable. The work ahead is vast.

But the source of life now has a name on the map. And two scientists  backed by a partnership that dared to take the long view  are proving that the most powerful conservation tool available is not a satellite, not a funding line, not a gazette number.

It is knowing how to listen.

This article was originally published on Forbes.com
Nepals minister of home affairs has resigned, saying there have been questions about his investments and other matters. He is the second minister to withdraw from the countrys month-old government.

Sudan Gurung announced his departure on Wednesday, stressing that questions should be investigated, without giving further details.

I have resigned from the position of Home Minister with effect from today, the 38-year-old posted on his social media accounts.

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For me, morality is greater than a position, and there is no greater power than public trust  Public life should be clean, leadership should be accountable, added Gurung, who took office on March 27.





Dipa Dahal, press adviser to Prime Minister Balendra Shah, confirmed the reception of Gurungs resignation. Shah will take charge of the Ministry of Home Affairs until a new appointment is made, Dahal added.

Gurung came into the spotlight after he ordered the arrest of former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and his home minister, Ramesh Lekhak, in connection with an investigation into their roles during a crackdown on youth-led protests last September.

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Rapper-turned-politician Shah, 35, became prime minister after his three-year-old Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), which had promised to control corruption, provide good governance and transparency, was swept into power in last months parliamentary election.

During his three-year stint as mayor of Nepals capital Kathmandu, Shah gained popularity for his reforms.

Earlier this month, the government formed a five-member commission led by a former Supreme Court judge to investigate the assets of politicians and officials.

The commission was a part of the governments 100-point reform agenda issued after Shah took office.

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Shah dismissed his labour minister earlier this month after RSP ruled Dipak Kumar Sah had misused the dignity of his position to get his wife appointed as a member of the board of directors of the countrys Health Insurance Board.

Nepal currently ranks 109th out of 180 countries on Transparency Internationals Corruption Perceptions Index.
Iran's vow not to reopen the Strait of Hormuz -- so long as a US naval blockade remained in place -- was held into Thursday despite a ceasefire extension, as the Gulf nation announced the seizure of two ships trying to cross the strategic waterway.

US Central Command (CENTCOM) said late Wednesday that it had also "directed 31 vessels to turn around or return to port" as part of its own "blockade against Iran".

As the clock ticked for a return to the war that has engulfed the region, US President Donald Trump had said Tuesday he would maintain the truce to allow more time for Pakistani-brokered peace talks.

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Iran said it welcomed the efforts by Pakistan but made no other comment on Trump's announcement.

"A complete ceasefire only has meaning if it is not violated through a naval blockade," said Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who led Tehran's delegation in the first round of talks in Islamabad.

"Reopening the Strait of Hormuz is not possible amid a blatant violation of the ceasefire."

Oil prices jumped four percent before easing Thursday after Iran vowed not to reopen the Strait of Hormuz so long as a US blockade remained in place.

At around 0025 GMT, the benchmark US oil contract West Texas Intermediate (WTI) climbed 4.06 percent to $96.73 per barrel. International oil benchmark Brent North Sea crude rose 3.62 percent to $105.63. Both eased back in the following minutes.

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Trump had said he wanted to give time for Iran's "fractured" leadership to come up with a proposal, in what many observers saw as a face-saving way to avoid renewed war.

Trump told the New York Post that talks could resume in Pakistan within two to three days, even though Iran has not confirmed participation and Vice President JD Vance put his travel to Islamabad on hold Tuesday.

Trump also claimed that Iran at his request had halted alleged plans to execute eight women arrested over massive anti-government protests in the weeks before the attack.

But Iran's judiciary described his remarks as "false news", saying the women had never faced the death penalty.

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- Ships seized -

Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards said they forced two ships to the Iranian shore from the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow gateway for about one-fifth of the world's oil.

"The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps naval force this morning identified and stopped in the Strait of Hormuz two violating ships," the Guards said in a statement.

They identified the vessels as the Panama-flagged container ship MSC Francesca and the Liberia-flagged Epaminondas.

Panama's foreign ministry confirmed the seizure of the MSC Francesca, calling it a "serious attack on maritime security" and an "unnecessary escalation".

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UK-based maritime security monitors confirmed that three commercial vessels had reported incidents involving gunboats in the strait.

Among them, a container ship reported being fired upon by a Revolutionary Guards boat 15 nautical miles northeast of Oman, causing damage to the bridge but no casualties, monitor UKMTO said.

Under orders from Trump, the US Navy is attempting to block vessels heading to or from Iranian ports, seeking to ramp up pressure on the Iranian economy even without all-out war.

In the midst of the blockade, the Pentagon announced Wednesday that the Secretary of the Navy John Phelan would leave "immediately".

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It gave no reason for his sudden departure, the latest removal of a senior officer under Trump's combative Pentagon chief, Pete Hegseth.

Iran in retaliation for being attacked has said that vessels must seek permission to leave or enter the Gulf through the strait. It had earlier promised free passage during the ceasefire but returned to defiance after Trump announced the blockade.

The US Defense Department said Tuesday that US forces had intercepted and boarded a "stateless sanctioned" vessel. AFP has identified the ship as one linked to Iranian activity. Both sides accuse the other of ceasefire breaches.

- More Lebanon violence before talks -

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After the ceasefire with Iran, the United States helped broker a truce between Israel and Lebanon including Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed Shia Muslim movement that had fired rockets into Israel in revenge for the attacks on its patron.

Despite the declared truce, Israeli strikes killed five more people on Wednesday, Lebanese media said.

Amal Khalil, a journalist for the newspaper Al-Akhbar, was killed and her fellow reporter Zeinab Faraj wounded in an Israeli strike near the border, the paper said.

French President Emmanuel Macron announced that a second French soldier, who had been wounded in a weekend ambush against UN peacekeepers in Lebanon blamed on Hezbollah, had died.

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A first soldier was shot dead in the Saturday ambush, for which Hezbollah has denied responsibility.

Israel and Lebanon, which have no diplomatic relations, will hold a second round of talks in Washington on Thursday.

Lebanon will request a one-month extension of the ceasefire during the meeting, a Lebanese official told AFP.

Lebanon will also seek "an end of Israel's bombing and destruction in the areas where it is present and a commitment to the ceasefire", the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity given the sensitive nature of the talks.

Israeli attacks on Lebanon have killed more than 2,450 people since the start of the war, according to Lebanese authorities.

bur-sct/jgc/ane/lga
The director of the Madrid Royal Observatory dreams of finding signs of life in space but laments the fact that countries are competing for control of the Moon instead of cooperating

Rafael Bachiller seems far more interested in revealing all the treasures housed in the Royal Observatory of Madrid, which he directs, than in starting the interview. He enthusiastically shows off the replica of Herschels gigantic telescope destroyed by Napoleons troops, the library, and the precision clocks, acting as the best guide to this gem located in the Spanish capitals Retiro Park. An astronomer born in Madrid in 1957, and recently awarded the Spanish Geographical Society Prize, he also heads the Eclipse Commission, which will study the eclipse that will be visible in Spain on August 12.

Question. Why did you become an astronomer?

Answer. I grew up in Arganda del Rey, a town 30 kilometers from Madrid where the skies were magnificent, incredibly dark, and breathtaking. That sparked my interest in astronomy. Now that wouldnt be possible because light pollution has ruined those skies.

Q. Is that why you chose to study physics?

A. Yes, physics was an intermediate science between mathematics, which I was pretty good at, and chemistry, which allows us to understand what the universe and matter are made of. And that naturally led me to astronomy, which had always fascinated me. From a young age, I saved up to buy popular science and astronomy books.

Q. Did those skies disappear?

A. In Spain we still have some of the best-preserved dark skies in all of Europe and I work with the Starlight Foundation to have them certified and preserved for future generations; they have incalculable value.

Q. Which are the best places to view the August 12 eclipse?

A. It will be visible across a very wide area, from Galicia to the Balearic Islands. You need to position yourself well so that a hill or a grove of trees doesnt block the sunset, because even if youre on the eastern coast or in Mallorca, if youre behind a mountain range you wont see the eclipse. Leon, Burgos, Tierra de Campos... that whole area is expected to have favorable weather and good visibility.

Q. Will you convince everyone to wear safe solar viewing glasses?

A. There have always been people who lose their sight temporarily or totally during eclipses. Hospital emergency rooms are overwhelmed, and during the last eclipse in the U.S., in April 2024, the most searched term on Google afterward was eye pain.

Q. Eclipses do leave victims, then.

A. Yes, they do. We have to take this very seriously, and were going to launch an intensive campaign. You should never look directly at the sun, not even with an X-ray or any device other than certified glasses.

Q. Lets talk about Artemis 2. What remains for us to discover about the Moon?

A. We still dont know exactly its origin, its composition, or how the water is distributed across the surface. We know its concentrated at the poles, but we need to refine that knowledge.

Q. Will we ever find out?

A. We will undoubtedly make progress. Its not essential for humans to do it on-site if robots can do it, as they can on Mars, where they are drilling into the surface to see if there is or has been bacterial activity. But the Moons real interest lies in establishing bases that can serve for other long-range missions and the mining of its very valuable natural resources. For us astronomers, the most valuable aspect is the far side, where we could install a magnificent observatory with no light or radio pollution. The far side is the ideal location for this.

Q. What would be your dream for scientific advancement in your lifetime?

A. I would love to see signs of complex amino acids on any of the discovered exoplanets, never mind any sign of life. We are getting closer and closer to finding a type of life that I imagine will be primarily microbial, because the history of life on Earth is a history of microbes. The appearance of complex beings is very recent, but for 4 billion years life has been microbial. Thats how many astronomers imagine extraterrestrials: as tiny microbes. I hope that one day we will see them, absolutely.

Bachiller next to a reproduction of the Herschel telescope, considered the best in the world in the 19th century, at the Royal Observatory of Madrid. Victor Sainz

Q. What would finding amino acids mean?

A. Its the basis of life, the precursor molecules, and were taking it step by step. Sugars and some simple amino acids have already been discovered in meteorites, but discovering complex molecules, those capable of reproducing, like DNA, that marvelous double helix that unwinds in two, which is the basis of life, would be a wonderful achievement.

Q. Do you think youll see it?

A. It is possible to see some signs, yes. The most promising places to find life in the solar system are not on Mars but on the icy moons of the giant planets, where there is an icy crust and underneath there are liquid seas where life can thrive.

Q. How do you see the struggle between powers over the Moon?

A. I feel very sorry because planetary exploration should be a mission for all of humanity. Its unacceptable that the Moon should belong to the richest country. I wish that instead of exporting our terrestrial rivalries to space, we could build a space agency for everyone to accelerate our conquest. Its regrettable that when the Orion spacecraft was behind the Moon, we lost 40 minutes of communication when China has spacecraft that could have facilitated it. It wasnt done. And it was entirely feasible.

Q. And while we watch that progress, on Earth we are destroying ourselves.

A. Its an incomprehensible paradox, just as I dont understand at all the U.S. presidents rhetoric when he speaks of humanitys achievement on the Moon while simultaneously maintaining an ultranationalist rhetoric about a Greater America on Earth. Its contradictory and regrettable. Space exploration should be a unifying element among nations, inspired by scientists who are capable of collaborating more efficiently than politicians. We only have to look at Antarctica, where this collaboration works.

Q. Trump takes credit while cutting NASA budgets.

A. Some very significant cuts that, fortunately, Congress has been holding back. But now they are threatening the 2027 budget again, by around 30%.

Q. Do you like space movies?

A. A lot. The one I like the most is 2001: A Space Odyssey. They have nothing to do with real science, but for example Interstellar was very respectful of science because they got very good advice by a great expert on black holes.

Q. Would you like to go into space?

A. Ive never considered it because my physical condition wouldnt allow it, but its possible to go out into space through an observatory, on those magical nights of observation where one scrutinizes the farthest reaches of the universe. There, youre already venturing into space in a different way, intellectually.

Q. Your wife and two daughters are also physicists. Do you talk about stars and microbes on Christmas Eve?

A. One of my daughters is a nuclear physicist and the other one is a particle physicist. One works at CERN in Geneva and the other has been at the particle accelerator in the Louvre, which works like a giant microscope and can detect art forgeries. We argue a lot, especially at Christmas; the conversations are usually exhausting (laughs) because were all very rational and try to push reasoning to the limit.

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The North Carolina House moved forward on a key funding measure Wednesday after legislative leaders in both chambers announced an agreement to fund the Medicaid Rebase, money intended to keep pace with rising health care costs and enrollment.

On Wednesday afternoon, the Senate approved the bill following months of debate about rising enrollment and increasing costs.

The vote was 48-1. Sen. Michael Garrett, D-Guilford, was the lone vote against the bill.

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The agreement came after extensive negotiations between House and Senate Health Care committee chairs to address the Medicaid rebase funding needs and determine ways to address costs.

"We cannot continue to throw dollars at a program without making changes to protect taxpayers and ensure the North Carolinians who truly need Medicaid can get care," said Sen. Benton Sawrey, R-Johnston, chair of the Senate Health Care Committee. "Republicans in the General Assembly are taking fraud, waste, and abuse at all levels seriously, and this deal provides us an avenue to keep the program running while examining the reasons for the exorbitant cost increases."

The new version of House Bill 696 includes $319 million to fund the state's Medicaid program, and includes provisions to:



Implement federally required work requirements and six-month redeterminations for current Medicaid expansion beneficiaries and applicants

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Limit the use of self-attestation as the sole evidence of eligibility for Medicaid or SNAP

Prevent people who are here illegally from receiving benefits

Fund a performance audit of the North Carolina Medicaid program and the NCWorks Career Centers

Provide tools for managed care organizations to more effectively manage beneficiary care by addressing fraud, implementing utilization management, and improving the overall quality of care

Direct the DHHS to develop a plan to achieve further cost savings and efficiency measures in the Medicaid program

Strengthen protections for children with autism spectrum disorder receiving Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy on Medicaid

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Require providers to ensure high-quality standards and appropriate services for youth in our state by adding guardrails on who can provide these services and how they are delivered. It also ensures each beneficiary has an individualized care plan that includes parental involvement.

"(The provisions are) largely revolving around getting our hands around the cost because the way that the costs have increased under Medicaid, really over the course of time, but especially the last year or two years, it's just not sustainable at the end of the day," said House Speaker Destin Hall on Tuesday.

The $319 million would cover Medicaid expenses through June. State health officials say that amount is needed to keep pace with higher-than-expected participation and healthcare costs.

The agreement was announced the same day Gov. Josh Stein released his budget proposal, which also called for fully funding Medicaid.

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The bill includes several provisions aimed at addressing alleged waste, fraud, and abuse in the Medicaid program. Those measures were a major focus of a lengthy hearing at the legislature last week, during which Attorney General Jeff Jackson and Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Dev Sangvai were questioned by lawmakers.

"It's unrealistic to believe that we should just pour more money into a program without making sure it's performing as well as it can," said Sen. Amy Galey, R-Alamance, chair of the Senate Health Committee. "Putting these measures in place will help us create a more efficient, cost-effective Medicaid program that delivers better outcomes for patients."

The legislation would allow for a potential audit of the Medicaid program by State Auditor Dave Boliek and would make changes to the Medicaid renewal process.

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House Democrats said fully funding Medicaid remains their top healthcare priority, particularly to protect Medicaid expansion.

"House Democrats' top priority in the healthcare space is making Medicaid whole," said Rep. Cynthia Ball, D-Wake. "Ensuring that it continues to provide the life-saving coverage people rely on and protecting the years-long effort to expand Medicaid that now covers about 700,000 North Carolinians."

On Wednesday, Medicaid recipients and family members of beneficiaries responded to the funding.

"I think relief was definitely the first emotion that hit me," said Jonathan D'Angelo, who serves as Chair of the North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities.

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D'Angelo was born with a neuromuscular condition. He is one of more than 3 million North Carolinians who use Medicaid and has spoken directly with state lawmakers about the program's importance.

"For people with disabilities, Medicaid is absolutely a lifeblood. It provides services no other payer pays for. For me, I need help with almost all of my activities and daily living. Getting out of bed, getting dressed, getting in the shower. going to the doctor," he said.

Jenny Hobbs, a mother of three whose children utilized Medicaid, also spoke of the importance of the coverage.

"It's helped with medications, with surgeries, hospitalizations, all of those things that really would have bankrupted our family because of the high cost of insurance premiums and then the deductible and out-of-pocket expenses. Medicaid is sort of that bridge to help us where we needed it so that we could continue to keep our kids at home with us and let them lead as much of a normal childhood as they could," Hobbs said.

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Betsy MacMichael, another mother, said Medicaid has been vital for her daughter, Janie Desmond.

"There are other secondary economic consequences to the family care providers that even when someone does have services, there's a fair amount of investment that family does have to do," MacMichael said. "And we're happy to do that, but without Medicaid services and that health insurance, it would be impossible. Just last week, Janie had two MRI's. The week before (she had a ) nerve and muscle conduction test. These are all the different specialist -- neuro-ophthalmologist, geneticist, urologist. We're all kind of, in partnership, and it works well. Without services, I'm not honestly sure what we would do."

MacMichael and Desmond spoke with ABC11 on Wednesday afternoon from the daughter's home in Durham, where she has lived independently for a decade.

"I love (the freedom)," said Desmond, who has KAND, a rare neurodegenerative disorder.

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Desmond is also able to work, in part thanks to assistance from support staff made possible through Medicaid.

"For many of us, providing these services is cheaper than the alternative," said D'Angelo, who works as a program manager in the software industry. "It would be much more expensive for some might need to be in a nursing home vs. in my own home, where I have a job. I pay taxes. Enabling people to be fully productive members of society is incredibly important."

Though the funding agreement has been welcomed, advocates are hopeful for further action to sustain the program in the years ahead.

"For people to stay alive and be able to contribute to the community and do the best they can given their own particular challenges, we really need Medicaid long term," MacMichael said.

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Rhaegan Jackson, who serves as Director of Health Access with the North Carolina Alliance for Health, added, "While it's great that we have a funding mechanism for the remaining money that we need for our Medicaid program, we still have a lot more work to do. So that was only for the 2025- 2026 fiscal year, so now we're looking at 2026-2027. And traditionally, that'll go in a state budget. We'll need to push for that."

In addition to the healthcare aspect, the bill also contains other funding, including:



$1 million nonrecurring to cover the remainder of the 2025-26 school year scholarship awards for students receiving the Children of Wartime Veterans Scholarship

$10 million recurring in fiscal year 2026-27 for the Children of Wartime Veterans Scholarship program

$80 million nonrecurring for the Department of Adult Correction

$2.5 million recurring and $1.2 million nonrecurring for the State Bureau of Investigation

$165,000 nonrecurring to maintain and operate the Business Court's current case management software

$13.1 million recurring and $8.5 million nonrecurring for the Division of Motor Vehicles

"North Carolinians across the state who rely on Medicaid should rest assured that the General Assembly is committed to making sure the program prioritizes care for residents, not its bureaucracy," said Sen. Jim Burgin, R-Harnett, chair of the Senate Health Committee. "I'm encouraged by the Department's willingness to work with the General Assembly to keep costs down."

In a statement, a spokesperson for NCDHHS wrote: "We appreciate the North Carolina General Assembly's commitment to fully funding NC Medicaid for the current year. We will continue working with lawmakers to ensure efforts protect and strengthen access to care for all North Carolinians."

A final vote on the bill is expected next week.
Former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) may be on the outs with President Trump and the MAGA movement she once championed, but that hasnt dimmed her passion for wild conspiracy theories.

Greene has spent the past few weeks amplifying the baseless conspiracy theory that Trump faked his own assassination attempt back in July 2024. Of course, Greene wont say thats what hes doing. In her mind  and the minds of a growing number of MAGA influencers  shes just asking questions.

Im not calling the Butler assassination a hoax, Greene posted to X on Sunday. But there are a lot of questions that deserve public answers. Im asking why wont Trump release the information about Matthew Crooks  why the cover up??

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Greene isnt alone in raising questions about the attempt on Trumps life. Disgraced Fox News host Tucker Carlson claimed the FBI lied about crucial details of Crookss life. On Tuesday, Carlson went even further, when he formally apologized for ever aligning himself with Trumps movement.

Were implicated in this, for sure  well be tormented by it for a long time, I will be, Carlson said during an interview with his brother, Buckley Carlson, who also renounced his support for Trump. I want to say Im sorry for misleading people.

That was enough to kick the MAGA ecosystems conspiracy-minded influencers into overdrive. Prominent right-wing influencer accounts like Red Pill USA and ThePatrioticBlonde rushed to provide proof that the Butler shooting was, in fact, nothing more than a Trumpian marketing stunt.

Anyone with a few minutes of free time and an appetite for the absurd can research how a MAGA movement steeped in Alex Joness industrial-strength conspiracy theories got to this point.

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Plenty of Trump loyalists have also grown used to the idea that their president takes a certain joy in staging all manner of public events to maximize ratings. Last weeks much-publicized DoorDash delivery to the Oval Office, for example, involved MAGA activist Sharon Simmons cosplaying as an unassuming DoorDash Grandma.

Most Americans know that the MAGA right is crazy. Whats more interesting is what motivated so many former Trump cronies to turn on him with such unexpected venom.

Many clearly believed Trumps claim that his second term would bring about an economic golden age that withdrew America from the dreaded lefty specter of globalism. Instead, he has delivered sky-high consumer prices and the worst job market since the Great Recession, while miring himself in a war against Iran that cost taxpayers more than $11 billion in just the first six days alone.

Die-hard MAGA supporters also believe Trump is a man with something to hide. A Navigator Research poll published last month found that over a quarter of Republicans (28 percent) and about one in five MAGA voters disapprove of how Trump has handled the release of the Epstein files. Worse still, nearly half of MAGA Republicans (49 percent) think the White House is covering up wrongdoing in relation to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epsteins relationship to Trump and other powerful figures.

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Millions of Americans were willing to ignore Trumps destructive personality and growing authoritarianism when they thought his policies would make them rich. In the end, those policies did little more than pick their pockets while enriching Trumps inner circle of family and friends . The voters who elected him are left to pick up the pieces of their derailed lives as they come to terms with the fact that they were the rubes all along.

Its no wonder his biggest supporters feel duped. If Trump could so easily lie about so many things, including his relationship to the nations most notorious child sex trafficker, why wouldnt he lie about an assassination attempt? Trumps team is belatedly realizing that the supporters they encouraged to distrust authority figures and public institutions now distrust him, too.

MAGA voters have long believed in taking Trump seriously but not literally. This is just another way of saying Trump might lie to other people to advance his own interests, but he would never lie to the supporters who power his political movement. At least some of those faithful Trump supporters are finally ready to admit that theyve been conned, and theres no way back to believing the fairy tale.

Greene and Carlsons awakenings are just the beginning of an exodus from the MAGA movement, which just a year ago seemed to be reaching new heights of power. After a decade of chaos and disruption, Trumps transactional politics is finally catching up with him. Its just a shame that it took so long.

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Max Burns is a veteran Democratic strategist and founder of Third Degree Strategies.

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.
Today, we have an exciting new report from Obvious Land: San Franciscos public transportation system has raised revenue, dramatically improved customer safety, and is cleaner and more orderly than ever, and they accomplished it all with one neat trick. They actually cracked down on crime. And it worked.

This news wont surprise most normal people, but liberals might be in for a shock. It turns out that when you install new gates that it make impossible for fare-evaders  thats the euphemism we use to describe criminals who refuse to pay to use the subway  to jump the gate, you magically improve everything about the subway. Seriously.

Theyre even taking notice within the mainstream media, which endlessly excuses law-breaking and says we need to tackle the root causes like poverty and homelessness (which is really like saying we should do nothing and let like the criminals run wild). But look at this headline from The Atlantic, which admits:

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In August, BART completed the installation of new fare gates at station entrances and exits: Six-foot-tall saloon-style doors, made of plexiglass with metal frames, have replaced the waist-high barriers of the 1970s that were easy to duck or jump. The new gates have compelled more riders to pay their farerevenue is projected to rise by $10 million a year. They have also led to an enormous drop in vandalism. Workers spent nearly 1,000 fewer hours cleaning up after unruly passengers in the six months following the gates installation, compared with the six months before. Crime on BART fell by 41 percent last year.

How about that? It turns out, if you put in a little bit of work to deter, exclude and actually punish criminals, you end up way ahead in the long run.

Note that this perfectly obvious finding was bitterly opposed by so-called criminal justice reformers. Previously, the Center for Policing Equity said that cracking down on crime wouldnt make the subway system safer, and they pointed to studies that supposedly showed that. Well, it turns out those social justice influenced academics were wrong, and in the real world, when you crack down on bad behavior, you get really favorable results.

Look, we know whats going on here. Its quintessential broken windows policing. If you let just a small number of reprobates get away with even small crimes, you get more serious crime. You end up turning over the public spaces to the mentally ill and the dangerous.

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So with just a little increase in enforcement, you can actually make a big difference. Note that San Francisco has not solved its homelessness problem or its mental illness problem. It hasnt addressed the so-called root causes of crime. It has simply installed gates, or walls, that the criminals cant jump over.

Maybe theres a lesson in that.

Robby Soave is co-host of The Hills commentary show Rising and a senior editor for Reason Magazine. This column is an edited transcription of his daily commentary.

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.
Six new Oregon housing laws aim to make it easier for cities and developers to build housing and prioritize affordable housing for families and older Oregonians.

Gov. Tina Kotek, local elected officials and state legislators gathered at Woodburns city hall Wednesday to celebrate the new laws, which include one to clear the way for Woodburn to add more housing outside of current city limits.

State economists say Oregon has to build 29,500 new homes a year, mostly in the Portland region and Willamette Valley, if it wants to overcome its housing shortage, while Kotek set  but has yet to meet  a more ambitious goal of 36,000 homes per year. Since the start of her administration, Oregon has financed or added 17,000 housing units with state support and has taken action to add 50,000 future housing units, Kotek said Wednesday.

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Woodburn Mayor Frank Lonergan introduced Kotek, saying it was a special day because Kotek signed House Bill 4035, which modifies a 2024 law that lets eligible cities make a one-time urban growth boundary expansion. The law will allow Woodburn to oversee its own 120-acre expansion.

Similarly, Kotek, state lawmakers and housing advocates celebrated the signing of House Bill 4082. Its a one-time expansion of urban growth boundary rules, with the condition that additional land be used for manufactured housing, prefabricated structures, manufactured dwelling parks or for housing specifically for people 55 years old and older. It lets cities with populations of 25,000 or more to bring in 100 additional acres for development, and those with smaller populations to bring in up to 50.

To all the Oregonians who are struggling to find affordable housing right now, all the folks who are working on this, we see you, Kotek said. We are working for you. Im working for you. We want to make sure that everyone in the state has a safe, stable, affordable place to call home.

Three of the new housing laws Kotek signed also strengthen state loan programs to preserve and build affordable housing, including Senate Bill 1567, which authorizes the Oregon Housing and Community Services Department to establish a $20 million loan fund that will offer subsidized loans to developers willing to build housing units affordable to residents at different levels of income.

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House Bill 4036 also establishes the Housing Opportunity, Longevity and Durability Fund, a new program funded through the same bond money the state uses to acquire, repair or furnish state-owned property. The new fund would help preserve existing affordable housing thats at risk of being lost because of expiring federal or local affordability restrictions, financial distress or physical rehabilitation needs.

With existing federal funding for affordable housing under attack, its critical for Oregon to find cost effective ways to build homes available to Oregonians at different income levels, said Sen. Khanh Pham, D-Portland.

And House Bill 4037, an omnibus bill addressing a range of housing issues, modifies the state loan program to expand low and moderate-income housing production, strengthens state enforcement of local housing laws and clarifies that surplus state-owned land should be prioritized for housing development. The bill cuts red tape for new housing, Kotek said, by expanding the ability for developers to self-certify that building plans meet requirements and reducing notice and public hearing requirements for certain housing projects.

Elected officials and Kotek also celebrated House Bill 4128, which gives families, individuals and small real estate businesses a 90-day head start before private equity firms can purchase single-family homes for sale in Oregon.

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I think the lineup of bills today is pretty reflective of the work that we have to do, said Rep. Pam Marsh, D-Ashland, the chair of the House Housing and Homelessness Committee. It is not just one solution to solve the housing problem in the state of Oregon. Really, we have to hit and address every point on the continuum of development.

Kotek signed most of the housing bills in late March, according to the states legislative information website. Wednesdays event was a ceremonial celebration of their passage into law.

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Lansing  Republican Perry Johnson's campaign for governor is suing one of its top primary opponents, John James, contending the GOP congressman's website and videos mislead people into believing he's the incumbent.

Johnson's Wednesday court filing, which is being filed in the Ingham County Circuit Court, focused on a logo frequently used by James' team that features the words "John James governor," along with a helicopter and an American flag. James was a helicopter pilot in the military.

Michigan law bans candidates from using materials that give the false impression that they're the incumbent. A violation is a misdemeanor.

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The Johnson lawsuit escalates an intensifying political feud between James, who was once viewed as the frontrunner for the Republican gubernatorial nomination, and Johnson, a businessman who has spent more than $10 million of his own money on TV ads promoting his bid for the state's top office.

"The repeated use of the phrase 'John James Governor' demonstrates a consistent strategy across multiple platforms to fraudulently infer, create the impression or claim he is either the governor or the Republican nominee," the lawsuit by the Johnson campaign says.

This logo is at the center of a lawsuit being filed Wednesday, April 22, 2026, by the Perry Johnson campaign against the John James campaign.

The logo was part of a TV commercial supporting James and is featured at the top of the campaign's website.

The phrase 'John James Governor,' without qualifying language "John James for Governor," reasonably conveys to voters that James is the current governor, the new suit says.

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The James campaign is listed as one of the defendants on the lawsuit along with James himself.

Hannah Osantowske, spokeswoman for the James campaign, labeled the filing a "desperate ploy" that would be "as successful as the $30 million he spent opposing President Trump."

Johnson, a wealthy Bloomfield Hills businessman, ran for president in 2024 in the Republican primary against Trump.

"We wish him the best in getting on the ballot so hes eligible to debate John James in the future," Osantowske said.

Johnson's lawyer for the lawsuit against James is Republican former attorney general candidate Matt DePerno.

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Johnson is asking a judge to order James of Shelby Township to stop printing and distributing any materials that use the phrase "John James governor."

John Yob, an adviser to Johnson's campaign, said James "should apologize to voters and the opposing campaigns for attempting to deceive the public trust."

"The 'John James Governor' charade will end in court and then he will have to make the decision whether to face the voters at critical debates such as the press forum and the Oakland GOP debate," Yob said.

The James campaign recently clashed publicly with the chairman of the Oakland County Republican Party over James' refusal to participate in the county GOP's April 30 debate.

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Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat, can't run for reelection because of term limits. Republican voters will pick their party's nominee through a primary election on Aug. 4.

Former Attorney General Mike Cox of Livonia, former state House Speaker Tom Leonard of DeWitt, state Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt of Porter Township and longtime pastor Ralph Rebandt of Elmira are also seeking the Republican nomination.

cmauger@detroitnews.com

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This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Perry Johnson suing John James over campaign logo in GOP governor's race
A proposed $1 rideshare tax tied to Mayor Cherelle Parker's budget plan ignited one of the most heated City Council clashes of the year, as officials argued over how to address the school district's financial crisis without burdening residents.

The administration says the tax would serve as a critical funding stream for Philadelphia schools, which face a $1 billion deficit.

RELATED | Philadelphia mayor's budget plan proposes new taxes on hotels, deliveries and ride shares

"We have a $1B deficit, and we have to do what we can. The district has said this is not a budget plan," said Chief Education Officer Dr. Debora Carrera. "We cannot forget that we are severely underfunded."

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Councilmember Curtis Jones Jr. said he supports the goal of fully funding schools but questioned the impact of the proposal.

"I support fully funding our schools," Jones said, but what I am not going to do is raise taxes on one hand, cut services on the other and tell them that makes sense."

Jones referenced the district's controversial plan to close 17 schools to cut costs, an issue raised earlier in the hearing.

SEE ALSO | Philadelphia residents weigh in on mayor's $7 billion budget plan at town hall

The exchange unfolded during a Committee of the Whole session, where the city's chief education and finance officers defended the rideshare tax. The proposal would add an extra $1 to fares within the city, which the administration says could be paid by rideshare companies or passed on to riders.

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Jeffery Young, speaking on the legislation, said, "The legislation itself says they have to collect the tax from the passenger."

Rob Dubow added, "They can then decide how they want to pass that on... increased their fee or hold riders harmless."

Rideshare companies, including Uber and Lyft, strongly oppose the measure.

Uber has already informed customers the cost would be passed directly to riders.

City officials estimate the tax would generate $50 million annually for the school district and preserve 340 positions.

Budget hearings are scheduled to continue through May.
A network of Colombian mercenaries backed by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) provided critical support to Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) enabling it to capture the western city of el-Fasher last year, a new report says.

The investigation, by security analysis organisation the Conflict Insights Group (CIG), used data obtained from tracking the mobile phones of the Colombian fighters.

The UAE has long denied supporting the RSF, which has been fighting Sudan's regular army for three years.

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El-Fasher's fall was one of the most brutal chapters of the conflict, which has led to the world's worst humanitarian crisis with tens of thousands killed and millions forced from their homes.

The CIG has been closely following evidence of extensive Emirati military assistance to the RSF, but "this is the first research where we can prove UAE involvement with certainty", says director Justin Lynch.

"We are making public what governments have long known - that there is a direct link between Abu Dhabi and the RSF."

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The report "shows mercenaries involved with drones travelling from a UAE base to Sudan before the RSF takeover of el-Fasher", he says.

"Mercenaries involved in drone operations even named their wi-fi network their unit name - linked to a company operated out of the UAE."

Colombian President Gustavo Petro was quoted last year as calling the mercenaries "spectres of death" and describing their recruitment as a "form of human trafficking".

The BBC has asked for a response from the Emirati government to the latest findings.

The UAE has previously issued statements rejecting what it called "false and unfounded allegations" that it backs the RSF and condemning "in the strongest terms" the atrocities committed in el-Fasher.

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Analysts agree that foreign support for both sides has been key to the continuation and expansion of the civil war.

Tens of thousands of people have fled from their homes in el-Fasher in Darfur [Getty Images]

The CIG says it used commercially available technology designed to make advertising more personal to track more than 50 mobile phones in Sudan between April 2025 and January this year whose operators were Colombian mercenaries, including at RSF-held areas from which drones were fired.

It also used flight-tracking data, satellite imagery, social media videos, news and academic articles to support its analysis.

The report says its data details a pipeline that showed the mercenaries present at various regional staging grounds, most significantly a UAE military training facility in Ghayathi in Abu Dhabi.

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It followed one phone from Colombia to Abu Dhabi's Zayad International Airport and then to the facility, where it also found four other devices configured to Spanish, which is spoken in Colombia.

Two of those phones subsequently travelled to Sudan's South Darfur state and one to the de-facto RSF capital of Nyala, where it logged into wi-fi networks named "ANTIAEREO" (meaning "anti-aircraft" in Spanish) and "AirDefense".

Nyala is a prominent hub for Colombian mercenaries and RSF drone operations, the report says. The CIG has documented significant drone activity there and identified more than 40 Spanish-language devices.

In another case study the CIG tracked a phone from Colombia to Nyala and then to el-Fasher, in North Darfur state, during the time last October when the RSF took over the city after an 18-month siege.

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While in el-Fasher, the device connected to a wi-fi network named "ATACADOR" ("attacker" in Spanish), says the report. It adds that the CIG identified other devices associated with Colombian mercenaries also present during the RSF takeover.

El-Fasher was repeatedly shelled during the RSF siege - this picture from October last year shows a wrecked classroom where people had been sheltering [Reuters]

The fall of the city was accompanied by mass atrocities assessed as war crimes and crimes against humanity by the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and described by UN investigators as bearing the "hallmarks of genocide".

"CIG assesses that the UAE-Colombian mercenary network bears shared responsibility for these outcomes," says the report.

"The scale of atrocities and siege in el-Fasher wouldn't have happened without the drone operations the mercenaries provided," Lynch adds, noting evidence that they also helped support the RSF siege.

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According to the report, the mercenaries operated as part of the Desert Wolves brigade, serving as drone pilots, artillerymen and instructors.

One of them connected to wi-fi networks named "DRONES" and "LOBOS DEL DISIERTO [sic]" (meaning "Desert Wolves" in Spanish), while using Spanish-language settings.

The brigade is led by retired Colombian army Colonel Alvaro Quijano, according to the Colombian digital news site La Silla Vacia. He is based in the UAE and has been sanctioned by the US and UK governments for recruiting Colombians to fight in Sudan.

The Desert Wolves were paid and employed by a UAE-based company with documented ties to senior Emirati government officials, according to La Silla Vacia and documents obtained by the CIG, the report says.

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The CIG also says it identified devices with Spanish-language settings at a port in Somalia with links to the UAE, and at a town in south-eastern Libya believed to be a logistical hub for the flow of weapons to the RSF, allegedly facilitated by the Emirates.

The number of Colombian fighters in Sudan has previously been estimated in the low hundreds.

The US has twice sanctioned Colombian nationals and associated companies for recruiting mercenaries to fight in Sudan, in December and again last week.

The US Treasury Department has said that Colombian fighters supported the RSF capture of el-Fasher but has stopped short of making a direct connection to the UAE.

More about the Sudan war 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

BBC Africa podcasts
(Corrects paragraph 13 to make clear Cameroon was the second, not first, stop of pope's Africa tour)

By Joshua McElwee and Robbie Corey-Boulet

BATA, Equatorial Guinea, April 22 (Reuters) - Pope Leo's four-nation Africa tour headed towards a dramatic close on Wednesday, with the pontiff braving a heavy rainstorm to greet crowds in Equatorial Guinea after speaking at a prison where inmates cried out for freedom.

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Widely derided as one of the most repressive countries in the region, Spanish-speaking Equatorial Guinea has been run since 1979 by President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, the world's longest-serving president. It has enjoyed warm ties with the U.S. in part because of its oil riches.

Leo, the first U.S. pope who has debuted a forceful new speaking style while in Africa, began the day by denouncing wealth inequality during a Mass in the largest religious structure in Central Africa, a church in the town of Mongomo, situated at the edge of the Congo Basin rainforest.

He then visited a prison in the city of Bata, a facility where detainees are regularly held for years without access to lawyers, Amnesty International says.

Leo listened to several testimonies from prisoners who had gathered in a yard inside the facility. As he made remarks it began to rain, but the detainees remained standing outside.

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'FREEDOM, FREEDOM!'

The pope asked that "every effort" be made to allow detainees the opportunity to study and work during their confinement.

As he was leaving, and as Justice Minister Reginaldo Biyogo Mba Ndong Anguesomo remained on stage, prisoners began jumping up and down in the rain and shouting: "Freedom, freedom!"

Equatorial Guinea has long dismissed accusations of human rights abuses. Before Leo spoke at the prison in Bata, Biyogo said the country treats prisoners fairly in accordance with United Nations standards.

"We are committed to guaranteeing human rights, fundamental rights, and citizenship," he said.

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Obiang's government last year struck a deal with the Trump administration to accept deportees from other countries, one in a series of such arrangements in Africa that have drawn criticism from immigration lawyers and advocates.

Activists were hoping Leo would draw attention to the deportees sent from the U.S. to Equatorial Guinea.

A group of 70 NGOs published an open letter on Monday calling on Leo to push for "fair, humane and lawful treatment" of the deportees, saying they were being pressured to return to their home countries.

Leo, who has attracted the ire of U.S. President Donald Trump after becoming more outspoken against war and despotism, did not publicly address the plight of the deportees while in Equatorial Guinea or in Cameroon, the second stop on his tour and another country that has received them.

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VICE PRESIDENT, KNOWN FOR GLAMOROUS LIFESTYLE, AT MASS

During the Mass on Wednesday morning at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Mongomo, Leo urged Equatorial Guineans "to serve the common good rather than private interests, bridging the gap between the privileged and the disadvantaged".

In attendance at the Mass were President Obiang and his son, Vice President Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, widely known as Teodorin, who has for years documented his glamorous lifestyle on Instagram.

In October 2017, Teodorin was convicted of embezzlement in France during a trial in absentia, and the court ordered the confiscation of more than 100 million euros ($117 million) worth of his assets.

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The Vatican said roughly 100,000 people had gathered inside and outside the basilica to see Leo on Wednesday, pressing in around a colonnade modelled after St. Peter's Square in Rome.

They danced and screamed as his white popemobile arrived. Organizers released gold, white, green and red smoke in the air, nodding to the colours of the Vatican and Equatorial Guinea flags.

Mairano Nve, 70, said he was excited to see Leo. "It is a huge joy to have the pope visiting us," said Nve. "He just wants to see us and give us a blessing in the name of Jesus."

More than 70% of Equatorial Guinea's population of 1.8 million identify as Catholic.

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Leo, who is the first pope to visit since 1982, is at the end of one of the most complicated overseas tours ever arranged for a pontiff. He has traversed nearly 18,000 km (11,185 miles) across 18 flights to 11 cities in four countries.

The pope also prayed on Wednesday at the site of a series of explosions in 2021 at a military barracks in Bata that killed more than 100 people, which the government blamed on poor storage of ordnance.

Human rights activists have called for an independent investigation into the incident, so far in vain.

($1 = 0.8527 euros)

(Reporting by Joshua McElwee; Additional reporting by Robbie Corey-Boulet in Dakar; Editing by Gareth Jones)
April 22 (UPI) -- On the final stop of his trip through Africa, Pope Leo XIV addressed officials in Equatorial Guinea on Wednesday, calling on people to work against inequality and exclusion and to safeguard natural resources.

Speaking in Melabo, the nation's capital, to an audience including government officials and diplomats, the pontiff condemned economies that seek profit at all costs, Euro News reported.

"Such an economy kills," he said. "In fact, it is even more evident today than in previous years that the outbreak of armed conflicts is often driven by the colonization of oil and mineral resources, without respect for international law or the self-determination of peoples."

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Pope Leo spoke after a welcome by Equatorial Guinea's president, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, who has faced many accusations of corruption and authoritarianism in his 47 years in power. More than half of the country's people live in poverty despite rich offshore oil resources.

The United States under the Trump administration has also sought access to the African region's mineral resources.

Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, president of Equatorial Guinea, addresses the 66th session of the United Nations General Assembly in 2011 at the UN in New York City. Pope Leo XIV spoke to officials including the president Wednesday in Equatorial Guinea. File Photo by Monika Graff/UPI

The Vatican News reported that Pope Leo also said that political life should not be driven by "the pursuit of unjust wealth and the illusion of dominion" and noted that "exclusion is the new face of social injustice." He spoke about the gap between rich and poor, called on leaders to "dismantle the obstacles to integral human development" and warned about the impact on natural resources, saying the developments could obscure "the safeguard of creation, the rights of local communities, the dignity of labor and the protection of public health."

About 75 percent of Equatorial Guinea's people are Catholic. Crowds gathered at the airport and along the roads to welcome Pope Leo, who is the first pope to visit the country since Pope John Paul did so in 1982.

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"We are very happy now; we have waited 44 years for the arrival of the pope," Diosdado Marques, a senior Catholic official in Equatorial Guinea, told Euro News. "It is a blessing for the country. We hope that many things will change and our faith will deepen."

The pope's trip through Africa included stops in Algeria, Cameroon and Angola.
Teacher Angela Hall always starts the day gathering her preschool students in a circle in their Shreveport, Louisiana, classroom. The kids giggle. They share. And they look for who's missing.

Braylon, hes not here, she recalled one of her students saying Monday.

Braylon Snow, who just turned 5, was one of seven siblings who were fatally shot Sunday by their father in an attack that also killed their cousin. The shooting rattled classrooms in Shreveport where teachers like Hall on Monday came face-to-face with distraught parents and a messy stew of emotions.

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In Hall's classroom at Johnnie L. Cochran Head Start, it's likely students noticed Braylon's absence immediately. Each day, Hall instructs her students to look around for friends who aren't there.

When they come back tomorrow, we can tell them, Hey, we missed you, were glad youre back' she tells them.

But Hall wasn't ready to tell the students that the boy she described as a cool little dude wasn't returning. She kept circle-time moving. Numb and heartbroken, she lasted until noon and then went home.

Im no good to my babies right now because I just feel like I need to be in a moment of silence and just pray, she said.

Preschool comes to an end

At Head Start, preparation's for next month's graduation ceremony have been in full swing. Hall, an organist and pianist at her local Baptist church, wrote a song for the ceremony.

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Students, who dress in caps and gowns for the festivities, have been busy learning the words, excited about the prospect of starting kindergarten in the fall. Hall was working hard to make sure they were ready.

Just last Thursday, she pulled Braylon's mother aside during morning drop-off, boasting that Braylon was writing his first and last name. Braylon also was getting so independent, squirting syrup for his pancakes onto his plate by himself. He didn't even need a reminder to wash his hands.

Braylon doesnt give me any problems, she told his mother.

Braylon greeted Hall  known to her students as Mrs. Hall  each day with a small wave.

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As the year progressed, she nudged more gap-toothed smiles from him. He loved his time on the playground  playing chase, tag and even partaking in "a little wrassling. She laughed as she remembered it.

He was for the majority of the time kind of a quiet little soul in the classroom," she said. "When he did get a little extra energy or something, it was just a joy to see him smile and laugh."

News of the shooting emerges

But then came Sunday. After church, she went to her mother's house. It was then that she stumbled across an article about the shooting.

The number of victims was so high she struggled to comprehend it. Then she learned Braylon was among the victims. She also knew one of his brothers. He had been a Head Start student at the school last year.

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I just broke down and just started crying, she said.

The same thing happened Monday morning at drop off when she locked eyes with a parent. Neither could say anything; the preschoolers were all around them.

I just immediately broke down, she said. So too did the parent and a teacher's aide.

She is relying on her faith now. She prays for the dead, for the families and also for the teachers.

And Im just praying for all the educators that were connected to these children because its tough because my parents babies, they become my babies. And I treat them like theyre my own. So Im just really praying that he sustains us all during this time.

Just give us that strength."
Federal prosecutors are trying to put accused teen killer T.H., 16, behind bars as his case in the cruise ship death of 18-year-old Anna Kepner.

In a filing last week reviewed by Fox News Digital, prosecutors asked a judge to revisit the teenager's release and either jail him before trial or tighten the rules of his release, arguing the case has changed now that he is being prosecuted as an adult.

The 16-year-old, whom authorities have only identified by his initials, is charged with first-degree murder and aggravated sexual abuse in Kepners November death aboard a Carnival cruise ship. On Tuesday, T.H.'s attorney, Eric Cohen, filed papers waiving the teens appearance at his arraignment in court on Wednesday and entering a plea of not guilty on his behalf.

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Prosecutors allege he sexually assaulted and killed his stepsister during the family vacation. The government alleges that he was originally released when the case was being handled under juvenile law, but now that he has been transferred to adult prosecution, the judge should take a fresh look at whether he should still be free. Meanwhile, the defense says he should remain free while the judge decides.

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The move comes as Christopher Kepner, Anna's father, told the Daily Mail that he is outraged that the accused murderer is still allowed to live with a relative despite being federally charged as an adult.

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"Were upset that hes still out. Were six months in, and he should already have been arrested, and yet hes free to do whatever he wants right now," Christopher Kepner told the outlet. "Thats our problem. Hes been able to do whatever he wants and go where he wants, but the familys been sitting here unable to do anything."

The filing also spells out the timeline of the case, previously unknown, saying T.H. was first charged in February, later indicted by a federal grand jury on March 10, and formally transferred to adult prosecution on April 10.

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If convicted, the teen faces a maximum penalty of life in prison.

"I want to see him in an orange jumpsuit and handcuffs. He does not need to be free. He does not need to be in the general public, around any kids or women in general," Christopher Kepner said.

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"Hes a danger to himself and a danger to others."

Anna Kepner, 18, was found dead aboard a Carnival cruise ship on Nov. 7, during a vacation with her family. (Getty Images)

The unfolding legal battle come months after Anna, affectionately called "Anna banana," was found dead onboard the cruise ship during a family vacation with her father, stepmother, grandparents and several siblings.

Authorities later ruled her death a homicide caused by "mechanical asphyxiation," according to documents previously reviewed by Fox News Digital.

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According to investigators, she was found under the bed in her cabin, wrapped in a blanket and covered with life jackets. The cabin was shared with her stepbrother .

A teen under investigation in Anna Kepners death appeared in adult federal court in Miami on Feb. 6, 2026, accompanied by his attorney.

Fox News Digital has reached out to T.H.'s attorneys for comment.

"Our hearts go out to the victims family during this unimaginable loss," U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quinones for the Southern District of Florida said. "A federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging serious offenses that allegedly occurred aboard a vessel in international waters. We will present the evidence in court and pursue this case with professionalism and care. As in every case, the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt."





Original article source: Prosecutors warn Anna Kepners stepbrother shouldnt roam free after alleged cruise ship murder
Attorneys for the state of New Jersey insisted Tuesday that they are not legally bound to comb through decades of records covering some 340 nursing homes to help one Morris County facility better understand how it is paid by the government.

Deputy Attorney General Elizabeth Tingley told the state appellate court that the trial court was correct when it ruled in September that the states Department of Human Services found multiple records requests made by the Morris View Healthcare center in August 2024 to be overly broad.

The state and the [public records] custodian certainly didnt dismiss these out of hand, Tingley told a panel of judges. They did quite an amount of due diligence.

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Tingley said New Jerseys Open Public Records Act, or OPRA, does not require state officials to generate analysis or calculations that dont exist in its files. Thats exactly the type of research project that OPRA doesnt contemplate, she said, adding that other aspects of the nursing homes request fell outside the scope of the law.

Morris View Healthcare is seeking correspondence, reports, calculations and decision-making criteria related to an audit the DHSs Division of Aging conducted based on a cost-report the Morris Township nursing home filed with the state in 2006. The audit led the state to reduce the facilitys daily Medicaid rate, according to legal briefs, and Morris View has been questioning this process ever since.

Justin Marchetta, Morris Views attorney, told the appellate judges Tuesday that the trial court failed to consider nuances in the states OPRA law and ignored the divisions admission that it failed to search records that might have been available from Meyers & Stauffer, the Kansas-based accounting firm that conducted the 2006 audit.

We believe that was an unlawful denial, and that is what Morris View is challenging, Marchetta said, urging the judges to find that the records request was within bounds.

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Marchetta said OPRA requests are difficult to create when you dont have firsthand knowledge of the records themselves and how they are filed and maintained. Remember, the requester is taking a shot in the dark as to whether this record exists or not, he said of a OPRA seeking, calculations of recoupments sought as a result of any acuity audit of a 2006 nursing home Medicaid cost report.

Other, unrelated litigation continues over the highly complex cost reports, Marchetta noted. Appellate court judges are now reviewing the arguments in the Morris View case.

New Jersey regulators use cost reports to track spending. Elder care advocates support legislation that would require facilities to file audited financial statements that make these transactions easier to follow.

The lawsuit also centers on payments facilities get from Medicaid, which covers the cost of nearly two-thirds of the nursing home residents in New Jersey. Industry leaders have long said these rates  which now average almost $268 a day  are insufficient. Elder advocates say oversight is appropriate, given that taxpayers will likely spend nearly $2.5 billion on nursing home care in the next fiscal year.

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Morris View is one of roughly 340 nursing homes that accept Medicaid payments and one of 125 identified for a cost-report audit in 2006, according to court filings in the case. When that work was completed, in 2009  and Medicaid rates were adjusted accordingly  several facilities challenged the states process, including Morris View.

Morris View filed the OPRA requests to try to learn how the state chose which homes to audit, which facilities were re-audited, and how these findings were used to determine the payment rate.

In its brief, the state said that in four of its five OPRA requests filed in August 2024, Morris View failed failed to articulate what documents it was seeking, making it essentially impossible for the records custodian to undertake a search. A fifth request generated no documents, the state said.

Tingley, the states attorney, dismissed the suggestion that division officials didnt contact their contractors as part of the search. She said they spoke with employees at Meyers & Stauffer who told them key information related to the search was already archived or deleted from electronic files.

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The accountants would be essentially piecing together deleted files that were deleted over 10 years ago, Tingley said, adding, there was really no way to tackle these results.

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At least 162 state officials nationwide have been publicly accused of sexual harassment across more than 424 distinct incidents over the last 12 years  including in the Hoosier State, according to the latest Abuse of Power report from the National Womens Defense League.

The nonpartisan organization is dedicated to preventing workplace sexual harassment and protecting survivors.

About 93% of accused state officials are men, the league has found, and most targets are women. The partisan split is more even: 52% of those accused are Republicans and 48% are Democrats.

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That holds true in Indiana.

Elise Shrock, an Indiana political strategist and member of the National Womens Defense League advisory council, speaks during a virtual news conference on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. (Screenshot)

The report featured former House Republican Speaker Brian Bosma, who was accused of sexual harassment by a former intern in 2018, and Republican former Attorney General Curtis Hill.

Hill was added to the report for the first time as part of an expansion beyond state lawmakers to all statewide officials. Three female staffers and a lawmaker accused him of unwanted touching during a post-legislative session celebration in 2018.

Two Democrats are also included: Rep. David Niezgodski of South Bend, who was accused by a former employee, and Sen. Greg Taylor of Indianapolis, with a whopping six accusers.

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The league found that just 30% of accused lawmakers face any formal consequences and 40% resign. Only seven have served jail time.

In Indiana, Bosma didnt seek reelection when his term ended two years later, while Hill was disciplined by the state Supreme Court and lost his reelection bid. Both Democrats remain in office, although Taylor lost his position as caucus leader.

Staffers are about 40% of those targeted for harassment in statehouses.

Staff are uniquely vulnerable in legislative spaces, said Elise Shrock, an Indiana political strategist who previously spent eight years working for the Senate Democratic Caucus.

We work in close quarters with those who hold power, added Shrock, who is now on the leagues National Advisory Council. Staffers livelihoods depend on them; recommendations, future jobs.

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She spoke during a virtual news conference on Tuesday.

Although the league has logged more than a decade of data, the report is still likely incomplete, Founding Director Emma Davidson Tribbs told reporters.

Understand that what were presenting are conservative, public-facing counts, she said. The reality is much worse. These numbers understate the harm. They dont deny it.

Davidson Tribbs noted that roughly 70% of people who experience workplace sexual harassment never report it. She also criticized opaque and biased government processes for handling accusations.

Most sexual harassment policies governing state legislatures are in chamber rules or other internal procedures instead of public law, according to the report.

Emma Davidson Tribbs, founding director of the National Womens Defense League, speaks during a virtual news conference on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. (Screenshot)

Many states use panels with lawmaker members selected by legislative leadership, which remain subject to partisan leverage and conflicts of interest.

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The league recommended putting policies in state statute, using independent third-party enforcement systems, maintaining transparency without exposing survivors, imposing meaningful consequences on violators and more.

The stakes are so high for survivors, but the reporting mechanisms fail them at every turn, Shrock said. These are incredibly talented people, and weve lost them in these workplaces because our leaders and our systems close ranks, and simply lack courage.

Also on Tuesday, the league released its first Abuse of Power report focused on Congress. Former U.S. Rep. Mark Souder, a Republican who resigned in 2010, was Indianas only entry.

Souder left Congress after news broke of an extramarital affair with a married staffer. He described the relationship as consensual and the case focused on ethical standards about relations with subordinates.

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Roger Williams University (RWU) President Ioannis N. Yannis Miaoulis will retire at the end of the current academic year after seven years leading the school, the university announced Tuesday.

I believe it is best for my well-being and, just as importantly, best for the university, Miaoulis said in a statement released by the university. This is the right moment for RWU to begin its next chapter, building on the momentum our community has created together. Leading this university has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my career, and I will continue to follow its progress with pride.

Miaoulis will continue to preside over events and ceremonies through Commencement, celebrating the Class of 2026 and their accomplishments, Heather N. Boujoulian, chair of the Board of Trustees, said in an email to the campus community. His retirement will be effective on May 31.

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Miaoulis, who holds a doctoral degree in mechanical engineering from Tufts University, took over the leadership of RWU in 2019 after previously serving as president and director of the Museum of Science in Boston. He took a temporary medical leave last year.

The Board of Trustees appointed Brian Williams, chief of staff, as interim president, effective June 1, Boujoulian said. Williams joined the university in 2017 originally as vice president for enrollment management and marketing and has served as chief of staff since 2019, serving as primary advisor to the president on institutional strategy and planning.

Boujoulian said Williams has the full support of the board and will have full presidential authority.

During Miaoulis tenure as president, the university secured $20 million to name the Cumming School of Architecture, the largest gift in university history, and strengthened alumni engagement. RWU also expanded experiential learning opportunities and advanced initiatives across law, justice, and public service.

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But a furlough plan requiring most faculty and staff to take a one-week unpaid furlough before the end of this fiscal year that Miaoulis announced last November prompted grievances from all three bargaining units. Unionized employees also picketed on the sidewalk along the entrance to the Bristol campus. Miaoulis said the furloughs were necessary to close a $3.5 million budget gap for this fiscal year.

The average tenure of a college or university president was 5.9 years in 2022, down from 8.5 years in 2006, according to data from the American Council on Education.

Boujoulian thanked Miaoulis for his leadership and contributions to the university.

He has helped strengthen the universitys academic foundation, expand its impact in the community, and position RWU for continued success, she said in a statement. On behalf of the Board, we thank President Miaoulis for his service and wish him the very best in this next chapter.

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LAGOS, Nigeria (AP)  Russia's Africa Corps freed one Russian citizen and one Ukrainian who had been abducted by an al-Qaida affiliate in Niger in July 2024, the Russian Defense Ministry said Tuesday.

The ministry identified the freed captives as Russian citizen Oleg Gret and Ukrainian citizen Yuri Yurov. They both appeared in a video posted on a media platform affiliated with Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), an armed group which controls large swathes of territory in the Sahel region.

As a result of a special operation conducted by the Africa Corps in the Republic of Mali, employees of a Russian geological exploration company captured in July 2024 in Niger by the terrorist group Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin were freed," the statement said.

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The abduction was a hit to Russia in the region, where it has since displaced previous Western partners. In recent years, Russia has capitalized on the growing dissatisfaction with France, the former colonial power in the region, and escalating attacks from armed groups.

The Russian state-controlled paramilitary proxy group, the Africa Corps, replaced the mercenary Wagner Group for Moscow's military operations on the continent.

The hostages freed by the Russian Africa Corps servicemen will be transported by Russian military transport aircraft to Moscow for treatment and rehabilitation, the ministry said.
April 21 (Reuters) - Russian Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev arrived in North Korea for talks on cooperation between the two allies, the ministry's spokeswoman Irina Volk said early on Tuesday.

"Issues of cooperation between the two countries in the field of law enforcement will be considered," Volk wrote on Telegram. Pictures showed the minister being greeted on arrival in Pyongyang.

Russia and North Korea have forged closer relations since Moscow's 2022 invasion of Ukraine and in 2024 signed a "Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty" during a visit to Pyongyang by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

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The pact includes a mutual defence provision.

Under the terms of the treaty, North Korea sent some 14,000 soldiers to fight alongside Russian forces in western Russia's Kursk region after a large Ukrainian incursion.

(Reporting by Reuters; Editing by Stephen Coates)
MOSCOW, April 21 (Reuters) - The safety of Russian citizens in Moldova's breakaway Transdniestria region is currently under threat and Moscow will take all steps to protect them, Sergei Shoigu, the secretary of Russia's powerful Security Council, was quoted as saying on Tuesday.

Pro-Russia Transdniestria broke from Moldova before the collapse of Soviet rule and, after a brief war in 1992, has existed in peace alongside the post-Soviet state for more than three decades. Moldova's pro-European authorities have recently been applying greater pressure on the separatist enclave.

Shoigu, interviewed by the Russian daily Komsomolskaya Pravda, said Moscow was ready to use any means to protect Russian nationals in the sliver of land bordering Ukraine.

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"It must not be forgotten that more than 220,000 Russian citizens live in Transdniestria. Their interests and safety are now under threat due to the ill-considered and irresponsible actions of Kyiv and Chisinau," Shoigu told the daily.

"If the need arises, Russia will take all necessary steps and use all available methods to protect them under the constitution. You mustn't rule anything out, and we are considering all possible scenarios, even those that are most unlikely."

Russia, he said, hoped "that things will not develop according to the most negative of scenarios".

Negotiators from Moldova and Transdniestria failed to make any progress at their latest meeting last week aimed at edging towards a settlement of the separatist conflict.

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Transdniestria objects to Moldova's decision last week barring entry to commanders of a 1,500-strong contingent of Russian "peacekeepers" that has stood between the two sides since 1992. It also rejects the Chisinau government's plan to extend customs duties and value added tax to the rebel region.

Moldovan President Maia Sandu wants to take her country, one of the poorest in Europe, into the European Union by 2030 and says the process can be accomplished even without a resolution of the Transdniestria dispute.

In his comments to Komsomolskaya Pravda, Shoigu accused Moldova of blocking talks on a settlement and hindering the region's residents from voting in elections and a 2024 referendum in which residents narrowly backed joining the EU.

But he said an agreement to resolve the separatist issue was not out of the question.

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"Nothing is impossible. You need good will and conditions," he was quoted as saying. "But you get the impression that Chisinau is doing everything so that there is no will for reunification or proper conditions for it to happen."

(Reporting by Maxim Rodionov and Ron Popeski, Writing by Anna PeverieriEditing by Gareth Jones and Andrea Ricci )
A secondary school that was criticised for cancelling a visit from a Jewish MP was not antisemitic, an independent inquiry has found.

The Cabot Learning Federation (CLF) postponed a visit from Damien Egan to the Bristol Brunel Academy in September due to planned protests by pro-Palestine activists. It denied reports that it was due to concerns about the MP's membership of the Labour Friends of Israel parliamentary group.

A review commissioned by the CLF into the incident concluded that there is "no evidence of antisemitism" within either the school or the CLF.

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But Egan, Labour MP for Bristol North East, said the report was redacted and urged the CLF to release its full contents.

The report did recommend that the CLF consider additional training on antisemitism, and seek ways to repair the relationship with Egan.

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Bristol Brunel Academy said at the time it postponed the visit due to student safeguarding issues over the demonstration planned on the same day.

Eagan, the MP for Bristol North East, had already visited four other schools within the trust.

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The decision to postpone the visit was criticised by the education secretary and the prime minister, who said the move was "very serious, very concerning".

After Egan's visit was halted, the Bristol Palestine Solidarity Campaign hailed it as a "victory for parents, teachers and the community".

Ofsted inspected the school in January in response to the cancelled visit and found no evidence substantiating concerns of bias at the school.

The visit was eventually rescheduled and took place in February.

'National review'

Retired headteacher, Dame Joan McVittie, carried out the review and concluded the decision to postpone Egan's visit had been taken solely to protect students, staff and the MP amid the uncertainty of a planned protest.

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Dame Joan said: "The evidence I have gathered leads me to conclude that the decision to postpone was based not on the MP's religious beliefs or links to Israel but on a desire to protect him from potential abuse and harm as a consequence of this."

The inquiry offered several recommendations around future political visits to schools within the CLF and across the country, including a closer relationship between schools, police, local authorities and the Department for Education (DfE) when making decisions around sensitive visits.

It also recommended that the DfE offer improved guidance and security for schools planning visits.

A Department for Education spokesperson said: "We welcome Dame Joan McVittie's thorough and robust investigation, and while no signs of antisemitic culture were found at this school or trust, the wider picture demands urgent action.

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"Since 7 October 2023, antisemitic incidents in educational settings have more than doubled. It's a national disgrace, and we will not look away from it.

"That is why we have commissioned an independent national review to strengthen how schools and colleges prevent, identify and respond to antisemitism and all forms of hate."

Eagan thanked Dam McVitte for her work on the report, but urged the trust to release the full file.

"I have seen the redacted version of the report that the Cabot Learning Federation Multi Academy Trust have released and would strongly encourage them to publish the complete version of the report," he said.

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"I will be writing to the Secretary of State to the same effect."

Follow BBC Bristol on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.

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A second suspect has been arrested for the murder of 47-year-old James "Matt" Lushin in his Westfield home on March 12.

Lushin had been shot multiple times in his home in the 3900 block of Westfield Road, near Shady Nook Road.

Police found $15,950 in cash and more than 10 pounds of marijuana in Lushin's home.

Throughout the investigation, court documents say authorities discovered that Lushin was involved in a "high amount" of gambling, including traveling to Amsterdam and Spain to gamble.

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According to court documents, detectives cited a published story that said Lushin had "$511,000 in live tournament cashes, including fourth-place finish for $69,542 in a 2025 World Series of Poker Circuit (WSOPC) Main Event in Amsterdam."

One person Lushin was known to gamble with was Ronald Brown Jr., of Indianapolis.

On March 30, Brown Jr. was arrested and charged with one count of murder in connection with Lushin's death.

Just before 7 a.m. Wednesday, April 22, police arrested Justin Jones, of Indianapolis, on charges of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, armed robbery, theft and dealing in marijuana. The charges were filed by the Hamilton County prosecutor on April 17.

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According to court documents, Jones knew Brown, and the two men called one another multiple times the night of the murder. Police say the messages between the two men show they were coordinating the theft of marijuana from Lushin's home and attempts to cover up forensic evidence that would tie them to the killing.

Those attempts allegedly included coordinating leaving drugs in one vehicle, showering to wash off evidence and the removal of the license plate on one of the vehicles involved.

A warrant was issued for Jones' arrest on April 17. He is being held without bond pending an initial hearing.
A St. Louis smoke shop has agreed to stop selling highly potent THC edibles packaged to mimic popular candy, after Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway sued the store for alleged violations of state consumer-protection laws.

Hanaway announced Wednesday that Pressure STL, located just south of downtown St. Louis, will immediately halt operations and destroy all intoxicating products after signing a voluntary compliance agreement.

This is a win for Missouri consumers. Pressure STL made the right choice by ceasing operations and destroying its illicit THC products, Hanaway said in a press release. Missourians must remain vigilant against unlicensed dispensaries and deceptive marketing that targets our children.

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Pressure STL sells a lookalike package of Skittles, where each piece of candy contains 20mg of THC. Its online store also offers Kit-Kat and Snickers bars with 1,000mg of THC per bar, which the lawsuit argues is an extremely high dosage for an adult or child.

Pressure STL sells a pack of THC Skittles online for $10 (Screenshot of stores website).

For context, an entire THC seltzer can typically contains 5mg to 10mg of THC.

The lawsuit, filed in the St. Louis Circuit Court in February, alleges the shop also sells high-dose THC versions of other kids favorite snacks, including Doritos, MilkyWay, Nerds, Chips Ahoy, Crunch and Sour Patch Kids.

A St. Louis circuit court judge approved the agreement Tuesday, upon which the company had 24 hours to stop selling the products and 72 hours to destroy them.

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Pressure STLs parent company, ExZatica LLC, also agreed to cooperate and assist Hanaway with investigations into suppliers for a year.

Civil penalties assessed to be $100,000 will be suspended as long as ExZatica complies with the agreement, it states.

An attorney representing ExZatica LLC did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the agreement.

Hanaway has ordered 33 Missouri stores to stop selling intoxicating hemp products, which currently arent regulated by any government agency in the state. However, many of these shop owners say the products remain legal under federal law and plan to keep selling them until new federal restrictions take effect Nov. 12.

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In cease-and-desist letters sent last month, the attorney general ordered stores to stop selling things like pre-rolled joints or canisters of THCA hemp flower that allegedly contain more than .3% of total THC on a dry weight basis.

The letters also state shop owners can no longer use language such as cannabis, marijuana, weed and kush that illegally deceive consumers into believing the shops are a licensed marijuana dispensary.

Some businesses were ordered to stop selling products that allegedly contained heavy metals, pesticides or other foreign substances in lab results.

In her press release Wednesday, Hanaway warned against purchasing marijuana or other intoxicating hemp from unlicensed dispensaries in Missouri.

These unlicensed stores often sell THC products created through chemical conversion processes, she said, and may also contain contaminants, solvents, or unknown byproducts.
Some states aren't joking around about "15 items or less."

In an effort to curb shoplifting, legislators in California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island and Washington are discussing stricter regulations on self-checkout systems in grocery and convenience stores.

Specifically, these states are looking to enact legislation that would require a balance between employee-operated and self-checkout stations, a certain number of employees per self-checkout, and/or stricter limits on the number and types of items customers can bring through self-checkout.

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The goal? Cut back on the number of sticky fingers.

Self-checkout systems have been a popular topic of discussion in recent years. Some retailers are phasing out all employee-operated checkouts, and others, like Walmart, are removing many of their self-checkouts to return to the basics.

A 2026 Capital One Shopping Research study found that while 86% of consumers use self-checkout stations, theft increases up to 65% at self-checkouts compared with those manned by employees. More than 36 million Americans have reported stealing from self-checkout kiosks, the study found.

As self-checkouts continue to be part of the shopping dialogue, here's a look at the legislation on the table across the country.

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Shopping: Grocery prices rise, but these staples are getting cheaper

What states have passed self-checkout legislation?

As of April 22, no states have passed self-checkout-related legislation.

What self-checkout legislation are states trying to pass?

Here's a closer look at the legislation states and municipalities are looking to  and have  passed on self-checkouts:

California

In February, California Sen. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas introduced SB 442, which would have, if passed, required retailers with self-checkouts to have at least one manual checkout station staffed by an employee who is available at any given time to help a customer at a station. The bill also would have established a policy limiting self-checkouts to purchases of no more than 15 items. SB 442 was last amended April 21, but Smallwood-Cuevas is no longer moving it forward, her office told USA TODAY April 22.

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Though regulations may not be required at the state level, some California municipalities have passed their own self-checkout ordinances.

Long Beach and Costa Mesa have approved similar ordinances to SB 442's proposal, requiring retailers to have at least one manual checkout station staffed by an employee available to assist other customers. Long Beach passed its ordinance in August 2025, and Costa Mesa passed its measure in February.

Connecticut

In Connecticut, three representatives introduced SB 438, which, if passed, would require grocery stores with self-checkout stations to have one employee-manned checkout station for every two self-checkouts. The bill also would prohibit grocery stores from operating more than eight self-checkouts at one time.

The bill was referred to a Senate committee April 15. USA TODAY reached out to the bill's co-sponsors for more information.

Massachusetts

Similar to Connecticut's proposed bill, Massachusetts Sen. Paul R. Feeney introduced S.237 in early 2025. If passed, the bill would prohibit grocery stores from operating more than eight self-checkout stations at once. Stores also would be required to have one manual checkout station operated by an employee for every two self-checkout stations.

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The bill was last reported to a Senate committee in December 2025, according to the MA Legislature website. USA TODAY reached out to Feeney for more information.

New York

Though the state of New York hasn't passed legislation on self-checkouts, the New York City Council is discussing the matter.

Earlier this year, New York City Council member Amanda Farias introduced an amendment to the city code that would require pharmacies and food retailers to impose a 15-item maximum on self-checkout stations. The code also would require stores to have one employee for every three self-checkouts.

The amendment was last discussed in March. USA TODAY reached out to Farias for more information.

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Shopping: Which grocery stores are cheaper than Walmart? See analysis results

Andy Poppert scans his purchases at the self-checkout at a Target in Doylestown Borough, Pennsylvania on Tuesday, July 16, 2024.

Ohio

On April 1, Ohio Sen. Thomas F. Patton introduced SB 415, which would, if passed, require grocery stores with self-checkouts to operate at least one staff-manned checkout, assign one employee per three self-checkout stations and limit self-checkout purchases to 15 items.

SB 415 also would prohibit the sale of alcohol, tobacco and items with theft-deterrent devices affixed to them at self-checkout stations.

The bill was referred to a Senate committee April 15. USA TODAY reached out to Patton's office for more information.

Rhode Island

In January, Rhode Island Rep. Megan Cotter introduced H7290, which, if passed, would prohibit grocery stores from operating more than eight self-checkouts at once and require the same stores to operate one manual checkout station per two self-checkouts, according to the proposal. The bill also would require one employee to be assigned to every two self-checkout stations for monitoring.

Washington

In Washington, HB 1739 was first introduced in 2025 and then again this year. If passed, the bill would require retailers to institute a policy that self-checkout stations are intended for 15 items or less. Retailers also would be required to have one employee-manned checkout for each self-checkout and no more than two self-checkout stations monitored by one employee at a time.

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The bill was last introduced in the House in January, according to the Washington State Legislature website. USA TODAY reached out to the bill's sponsors for more information.

Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her at gcross@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: States look to pass stricter self-checkout laws to curb shoplifting
In a 6-3 decision, the Supreme Court on Wednesday allowed a lawsuit brought by a U.S. Army veteran injured in a Taliban suicide bombing to proceed, vacating a lower court ruling that had dismissed it.

Winston Tyler Hencely, a former U.S. Army specialist, suffered a fractured skull and brain injuries when a Taliban operative working for the military contractor Fluor Corporation blew up a suicide vest at Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan in 2016.

The U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina made a summary judgment for Fluor, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit affirmed, the opinion notes.

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The majority opinion, written by Justice Clarence Thomas, rejected a broad "battlefield preemption" theory that would have blocked state-law claims tied to combat activities. Thomas  joined by Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan, Neil Gorsuch, Amy Coney Barrett and Ketanji Brown Jackson  wrote that military contractors are not automatically shielded from liability when their conduct was not authorized by the military  even in war zones.

Justice Thomas Warns Progressivism Is A Threat To America In Rare Public Remarks

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas speaks during a special lecture celebrating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence at Hogg Memorial Auditorium at the University of Texas on Wednesday, April 15, 2026. (Getty Images)

"The Fourth Circuits decision held Hencelys claims preempted even though the conduct complained of was neither ordered nor authorized by the Federal Government. No provision of the Constitution and no federal statute justifies that preemption of the States ordinary authority over tort suits. Nor does any precedent of this Court command such a result. Therefore, we vacate the judgment of the Fourth Circuit and remand the case for further proceedings consistent with this opinion," Wednesday's decision declares.

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"In 2016, a Taliban operative working for respondent Fluor Corporation, a military contractor, carried out a suicide-bomb attack at Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan. After then-Army Specialist Winston T. Hencely confronted him, the bomber detonated his suicide vest," the opinion explains. "As a result of the injuries he received, Hencely is now permanently disabled."

Jackson Scolds Colleagues In Solo Dissent After Court Jumps Into Routine Police-stop Case

Justices of the U.S. Supreme Court pose for their official photo at the Supreme Court in Washington, D.C. on Oct. 7, 2022.

"In an effort to recover damages for his injuries, Hencely sued Fluor, bringing state-law tort claims for negligently retaining and supervising the attacker. According to Hencely and the United States military, Fluors conduct was not authorized by the military and even violated instructions the military had given it as a condition of operating on the base," the opinion notes.

Justice Samuel Alito, Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Brett Kavanaugh dissented.

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Leaked Memos Reveal How Supreme Court Steamrolled Obama Climate Plan In 2016 Showdown

Flowers adorn a garden in front of the U.S. Supreme Court building on March 31, 2026, in Washington, D.C.

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"May a State regulate security arrangements on a military base in an active warzone? May state judges and juries pass judgment on questions that are inextricably tied to military decisions that balance war-related risks against long-term strategic objectives? In my judgment, the answer to these questions must be 'no,' and for that reason, this state-law tort case is preempted by the Constitutions grant of war powers exclusively to the Federal Government," Alito wrote in leading the dissent.

"The Constitution divides authority between the Federal Government and the States in many areas, but not when it comes to war. War is the exclusive domain of the Federal Government, but the Court allows state (or foreign law) to encroach on that domain. The Constitution precludes that encroachment, and therefore petitioners suit is preempted. Because the Court holds otherwise, I respectfully dissent," Alito noted.





Original article source: Supreme Court liberals side with Clarence Thomas on Taliban suicide bomber lawsuit, 3 others dissent
The Supreme Court on Wednesday ruled in favor of a U.S. Army veteran wounded in a 2016 suicide bombing in Afghanistan, allowing him to sue a military contractor for damages after it allegedly failed to supervise the attacker who was an employee.

The 6-3 decision reverses lower court rulings which had said the contractor, Fluor Corporation, was immune from lawsuits because it was operating on behalf of the U.S. government and opens the door to other damages suits against war-zone contractors for activities outside the bounds of their responsibility.

The attacker, Ahmad Nayeb, was employed by Fluor to work in a nontactical vehicle yard on Bagram Air Base under an Army contract that required the company to ensure all personnel complied with base security policies, which included their confinement to works sites and "constant view of them."

Rahmat Gul/AP - PHOTO: The U.S. Supreme Court is seen in Washington, April 7, 2026, in Washington.

In November 2016, Nayeb roamed the base freely for nearly an hour and used U.S. government tools to make his bomb inside the secure base, according to an Army investigation cited in court documents.

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Supreme Court Justices Alito, Thomas not expected to retire this year: Sources

The explosion killed five and wounded 17, including then-Army Spc. Winston Hencely, who confronted the attacker just as he detonated his suicide vest. Nayeb was killed; the explosion fractured Hencely's skull and resulted in permanent disability.

While damages claims against the U.S. government and its military contractors arising out of combatant activities are generally prohibited by federal law, Justice Clarence Thomas, writing for the court's majority, concluded immunity does not apply to cases when "the contractor was not required or authorized to take the action at issue."

"The government required Fluor to hire Afghan employees and to provide logistics for Bagram Airfield. But, it did not, Hencely contends, require Fluor to leave Nayeb unsupervised, allow him to walk alone for an hour after his shift, or permit him to obtain unauthorized tools with which he could build a bomb," Thomas wrote.

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The decision clears the way for Hencely to pursue a damages case against the company in federal court.

In dissent, Justices Samuel Alito and Brett Kavanaugh and Chief Justice John Roberts said while they believe Hencely deserves "a full measure of support from the American people," a damages lawsuit is "not the way to give the petitioner what he is due."

Alito wrote, "War is the exclusive domain of the Federal Government, but the Court [today] allows state (or foreign law) to encroach on that domain. The Constitution precludes that encroachment."

In a statement to ABC News, Fluor said, "Fluor is aware of today's ruling by the United States Supreme Court and, although disappointed, we respect the court's decision. Since litigation is still ongoing, we will not comment further."
Looking beyond the Supreme Court's 6-3 ideological split 05:51

Washington  The Supreme Court on Monday turned away a legal battle testing whether a public school violates parents' rights when it encourages their child's social gender transition without their knowledge or consent.

In declining the appeal from Massachusetts parents who sued their child's school district, the high court left untouched a lower court ruling that rejected their claim that their rights had been violated. But the justices may have another opportunity to weigh in on the simmering issue of parental rights in public schools, since a similar case brought by parents in Florida is awaiting action by the high court.

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The Supreme Court in October declined to take up a different court fight brought by two Colorado families. But Justice Samuel Alito, joined by Justices Clarence Thomas and Neil Gorsuch, said at the time that the issue involving parents' rights is of "great and growing national importance."

In a case on its interim docket, the Supreme Court in March blocked a California law that prevents school districts from requiring teachers to notify parents if their child seeks to use different pronouns while litigation moves forward.

In courts across the country, a growing number of legal battles have been playing out that pit the rights of parents to direct their child's care against policies that aim to protect students' privacy and prevent public schools from outing transgender students to their families.

The case that the high court turned away Monday was brought by Stephen Foote and Marissa Silvestri, whose middle-school-aged child, identified in court papers as B.F., attended public school in Ludlow, Massachusetts.

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The parents claimed the school was "pushing beliefs concerning gender ideology behind the parents' backs and encouraging their children to question their own identity." As a result, B.F. began to raise questions about her gender identity and started seeing a therapist, Foote and Silvestri wrote in court papers.

The parents said they informed the school that they would be getting B.F. professional help. Silvestri instructed school officials not to have private discussions with her child so they could address mental health concerns "as a family and with the proper professionals," according to filings.

Foote and Silvestri claimed that the Ludlow School Committee, the town's school board, rejected their request and instead began socially transitioning B.F. without their knowledge. At school, teachers began referring to the student by a different name and pronouns, and the school counselor said B.F. could choose which bathroom to use at school.

But lawyers for the school said it took those steps after the student declared in an email to school officials, "I am genderqueer," and requested teachers use a new name and "any pronouns (other than it/its)." The parents, meanwhile, said it was the school and staff that encouraged the changes.

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Foote and Silvestri alleged that the Ludlow school system has an unwritten policy under which children could decide whether to socially transition at school without their parents' knowledge or consent. The protocol also directs staff to use a child's legal name and pronouns based on their sex assigned at birth when communicating with parents, and a student's preferred name and pronouns at school, they claimed.

The parents filed a civil rights lawsuit against the Ludlow School Committee and officials in 2022, alleging that the school's actions violated their right to direct the upbringing and education of their children and to make medical and mental health decisions for them.

A federal district court dismissed the case, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 1st Circuit upheld that decision. The 1st Circuit found that parents cannot invoke the Constitution's Due Process Clause to "create a preferred educational experience for their child in public school."

"The measures the Parents cite  all involve decisions by Ludlow's staff about how to reasonably meet diverse student needs within the school setting," the unanimous three-judge panel wrote in its February 2025 decision. "The Supreme Court has never suggested that parents have the right to control a school's curricular or administrative decisions."

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In their appeal to the Supreme Court, lawyers for Foote and Silvestri cited a string of rulings dating back to the 1920s that reaffirm that parents have the right to make decisions about the upbringing of their children. The most recent of those decisions came last year, when the high court ruled that Maryland parents have the right to opt their elementary-aged children out of instruction involving storybooks with LGBTQ themes.

"Petitioners do not have a religious objection to their school district's indoctrination and transition of their children without their knowledge. Theirs is a moral belief, backed by well-supported scientific opinion, that a so-called gender transition harms their children," they wrote in a filing. "But their constitutional rights to direct the upbringing of their children remain just as fundamental."

Foote and Silvestri are represented by the Alliance Defending Freedom, a conservative legal organization.

They said that more than 1,000 school districts have adopted policies where parents are not informed about gender identity matters involving their children and said the Supreme Court must clarify for lower courts that nonreligious parents "do not relinquish their parental rights when they enroll their child in a public school."

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"Our Constitution's guarantee of parental rights in a pluralistic society rings hollow for millions of Americans if it offers no protection to nonreligious parents whose children are encouraged to social transition by their public school without their parents' notice or consent  or over their parents' vociferous objections," the parents' lawyers said.

But the school board and local officials said in a Supreme Court filing that the policy at heart of the case doesn't exist. Instead, they said school officials attempted to implement state policies and guidance in response to requests from B.F. about the student's preferred name and pronouns.

That guidance from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education states that "some transgender and gender nonconforming students are not openly so at home for reasons such as safety concerns or lack of acceptance."

It also encourages school employees to speak with the student first before discussing gender identity or transgender status with their parents, as well as to discuss with the child how the school should refer to them in communication with their family.
More than a dozen suspects charged in connection with a chaotic street takeover that obstructed traffic and targeted police in Randolph are expected to appear in court Wednesday morning, authorities said.

Randolph police this week released dashcamera video from the chaotic incident, which happened on Oct. 5, 2025, showing masked men and women surrounding a patrol cruiser, climbing on top of it, banging on the vehicle, and lighting fireworks from the hood while cars spin donuts in the background.

It was chaotic, a tough situation for that officer that night, Marag said. When I first saw the video, it gives you that sick feeling.

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Investigators believe more than 100 people may have been involved, blocking an intersection as the scene unfolded. Police said the officer who first arrived remained inside the cruiser and was not physically injured.

According to investigators, members of the same group were later involved in a similar takeover in Boston, where a police cruiser was torched and totaled.

Authorities said a monthslong investigation involving surveillance video, social media, and multiple communities led to charges against 17 people, all 31 years old or younger. None of the suspects are from Randolph, police said, with some traveling from as far away as Maine and New York.

Randolph Police Chief Anthony Marag described the takeover as a dangerous situation and said it posed a risk to officers and the community.

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They are coming to our community to make it unsafe, Marag said, adding that social media has played a role in organizing such events.

Marag said he is also pushing for stronger legislation to hold those who plan and take part in street takeovers more accountable.

Street takeovers create extremely dangerous situations for responding officers, for people traveling through the area, and for residents who live nearby, Marag said.

The investigation remains ongoing, and additional arrests are possible.

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Taiwans president canceled a planned visit to Eswatini after three African countries revoked permissions for his aircraft to pass through their airspace, which Taipei said was due to intense pressure from China.

Lai Ching-te had been scheduled to attend celebrations marking the 40th anniversary of King Mswati IIIs ascension; Eswatini is the only African country with official diplomatic relations with Taipei. But Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar pulled their overflight clearances; China insists that Taiwan is one of its provinces.

Beijing has since praised the three countries, saying a just cause enjoys abundant support and denied Taiwans allegation of economic coercion. China has spent the last decade deepening its ties with African governments through loans, infrastructure projects, and diplomatic courtship. African states that once hedged between Taipei and Beijing have steadily aligned with China  from Nigerias forced downgrade of Taiwans office in 2017 to Burkina Fasos diplomatic switch in 2018. Eswatini is the lone holdout.
Taiwan President Lai Ching-te has cancelled a trip to the southern African nation of Eswatini, accusing China of putting pressure on other countries to bar his aircraft from flying over their territories.

Seychelles, Mauritius and Madagascar revoked Lai's flight permits after "intense pressure" and economic coercion from China, said a Taiwan official. China denied coercion, while praising the three Indian Ocean nations saying it had "high appreciation" for them.

This is the first publicly known instance where Taiwan's leader has had to cancel a trip due to revoked flight permits.

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Eswatini is one of 12 nations which are diplomatic allies of Taiwan and the only one in Africa.

According to news agency Reuters, Seychelles and Madagascar said they took the decision because they do not recognise Taiwan.

Taiwanese officials claimed that the three African countries revoked the flight permits "unexpectedly and without prior notice".

China adheres to the "one China" principle in which Beijing asserts sovereignty over Taiwan, though many in Taiwan consider themselves to be a sovereign nation.

Beijing sees the self-governed island as a breakaway province that will eventually be part of the country, and has not ruled out the use of force to achieve this.

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The Chinese government has been vocal in its dislike of Lai, whom it has previously described as a "troublemaker" and a "destroyer of cross-strait peace".

In a statement on X, Lai criticised China's "coercive actions", saying that it "exposed the risks authoritarian regimes pose to the international order".

"No amount of threats or coercion will shake Taiwan's resolve to engage with the world."

The government of Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland, said it was regrettable that Lai was unable to visit, but that this would not "change the status of our longstanding bilateral relationship", according to reports.

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Lai was due to spend 22 to 26 April in Eswatini to attend celebrations marking the 40th anniversary of King Mswati III's accession and the king's birthday.

Taiwan said that a special envoy will be appointed to attend the celebrations on Lai's behalf.

At a press briefing on Wednesday, a spokesperson of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council said Beijing "appreciated the position and actions of the relevant countries in upholding the one-China principle".

China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs also said that it was "clear...[that] the so-called 'President of the Republic of China' no longer exists in the world", in a reference to Lai's official title in Taiwan.

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Some in the US have criticised Seychelles, Mauritius and Madagascar, with the House Foreign Affairs Committee Majority saying they "stood with Taiwan against this blatant coercion" in a post on X.

US Senator Ted Cruz also criticised Mauritius, saying it seemed "determined to ally with the Chinese Communist Party".
Editors note: This is an updated version of one of our primary surveys featuring candidates in the Democratic and Republican primaries for U.S. Senate and attorney general. This Q&A has been edited since it first ran before the March primary to remove Aaron Reitz, a former top official in the U.S. Department of Justice, and state Sen. Joan Huffman, who did not advance to the runoff. See all of our resources for voting in the Texas primary runoffs here.

Attorney General Ken Paxtons decision to run for U.S. Senate set off an expensive, competitive race for Texas attorney general, one of the states most powerful posts.

With no Republican candidate earning more than 50% of votes during the March primaries, state Sen. Mayes Middleton from Galveston and U.S. Rep. Chip Roy from Austin will face off again during the May 26 primary runoffs. The winner will take on the Democratic nominee in November and look to continue the GOPs three-decade winning streak in Texas statewide elections.

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Whoever wins this seat as Texas top lawyer will be responsible for defending challenges to state agencies and statutes in court, issuing opinions interpreting state law, undertaking investigations and bringing lawsuits to protect residents of the state. They will be responsible for legal affairs that impact everyday Texans lives, like enforcing child support judgments, stopping waste and fraud in government programs and investigating deceptive charities, unscrupulous businesses and fraudulent billing.

Middleton and Roy beat out state Sen. Joan Huffman of Houston and Aaron Reitz, a former aide to Paxton and top U.S. Department of Justice official, in the crowded March primary. Now, both Middleton and Roy have promised to use the attorney generals agency to try to overturn decades-old Supreme Court precedent on issues such as public school access for undocumented students.

Roy, who is known for calling out leaders of his own party, is pitching himself as a conservative candidate committed to Texas, first and foremost, and with experience in the attorney generals office. Middleton has pitched himself as a staunch supporter of President Donald Trump compared to Roy, who voted to certify the 2020 election results affirming Joe Bidens win, an affront to MAGA faithful.

The next attorney general will get to decide the agencys priorities. To help primary voters distinguish between the Republican hopefuls, we asked each of them ahead of the March primary to share their views on the offices major issues. See where they stand, and how they differ.

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Notably, Middleton refused to participate. In his absence, Tribune reporters sought out his past public statements and used his legislative record to give voters a view into his thinking.

Question topics

State Sen. Mayes Middleton, R-Galveston.

Campaign site

Mayes Middleton

State Senator, Galveston

 Campaign finance from July 1, 2025-Feb. 21, 2026:

Total raised: $14,780,863

Total spent: $15,195,247

Cash on hand: $28,328

 Major donors this cycle:

Himself  Middleton has self-funded his campaign with more than $13 million

William Oberndorf, California billionaire who supports school vouchers

Will Hardeman, Austin car dealership owner

Monty Bennett, a Dallas area businessman

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 Experience:

State senator since 2023, representing Galveston and surrounding areas

State representative from 2019 to 2023

President, Middleton Oil Company, a family company

Graduate of the University of Texas School of Law

Authored anti-trans bathroom bill passed by Texas Legislature in 2025

 Endorsements:

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 In the news:

U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, D- Austin.

Campaign site

Chip Roy

U.S. Representative, Central Texas

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 Campaign finance from Aug. 21, 2025-Feb. 21, 2026:

Total raised: $5,127,045

Total spent: $4,900,986

Cash on hand: $1,207,789

 Major donors this cycle:

Chip Roy for Congress (transferred $2.1 million from his federal campaign account)

Douglas Scharbauer, Midland oil investor

Alex Fairly, Amarillo businessman

Mickey Dunn, Fredericksburg businessman

 Experience:

Four-term congressman representing Central Texas in the U.S. House

Former chief of staff to Sen. Ted Cruz

First assistant attorney general under Paxton

Senior advisor to Gov. Rick Perry from 2011 to 2012, and ghostwriter of his book, Fed Up!

Authored the SAVE Act requiring proof of citizenship passed by the U.S. House in 2025

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 Endorsements:

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and U.S. representatives including Keith Self, R-Mckinney, Ronny Jackson, R-Amarillo, Beth Van Duyne, R-Dallas, Michael Cloud, R-Victoria, and Pete Sessions, R-Waco

Former U.S. reps. Matt Gaetz and Mark Meadows

 In the news:

Q&A

Attorney General Ken Paxton has refused to represent state agencies in certain lawsuits  at least 75 times in a recent two-year period  forcing agencies to hire outside counsel. Does the OAG have a responsibility to defend all state agencies in-house?

U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, D- Austin.

Roy

No. The OAG has a responsibility to have the best in-house lawyers possible and to find the most cost-effective way to win litigation. Sometimes that means employing outside counsel, but in partnership with a stellar in-house team to minimize costs and maximize state expertise.

State Sen. Mayes Middleton, R-Galveston.

Middleton

Did not respond to questions. The Texas Tribune was unable to find public comments from Middleton on this issue.

Paxton has also relied on outside counsel for lawsuits against Big Tech and pharmaceutical companies, among other cases. Would you continue that practice?

U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, D- Austin.

Roy

It is perfectly appropriate to use outside counsel. I will continue to use outside counsel but would review all outside contracts in a way consistent with my answer above.

State Sen. Mayes Middleton, R-Galveston.

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Middleton

Did not respond to questions. The Texas Tribune was unable to find public comments from Middleton on this issue.

The attorney general is responsible for interpreting and enforcing open records law. How would your approach to open records be similar or different than Paxtons?

U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, D- Austin.

Roy

Texans deserve transparency from their government. I would ensure the Open Records Division operates with clear timelines, responsiveness, and respect for the publics right to know. I also believe we should investigate best practices with modern technology, AI, and other tools to ensure we have the most transparent government possible with the fastest turnaround of cases at OAG possible.

State Sen. Mayes Middleton, R-Galveston.

Middleton

Did not respond to questions. Middleton has filed legislation to expand access to open records and has said making records widely accessible is a top campaign priority, citing them as a key tool to fight waste, fraud and abuse. While he hasnt addressed Paxtons handling of open records law specifically, Middleton said that open records have largely become closed records, and he would push for more transparency and accessibility as attorney general.

Paxton filed a lawsuit challenging the results of the 2020 election as illegitimate; that lawsuit was promptly dismissed by the U.S. Supreme Court. Would you have filed a similar lawsuit if youd been running the office then? Do you believe the 2020 election was legitimate?

U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, D- Austin.

Roy

The 2020 election was plagued with rampant fraud, as has been increasingly documented over time, and raised very legitimate questions about the electors. I was publicly and privately concerned about alleged fraud at the time, was targeted by the New York Times and other media over private text messages to my friend Mark Meadows (then chief of staff to the president) about those issues, and have even been the target of the DOJ for daring to question the outcome of the election. As I very publicly said at the time, I disagreed with the litigation strategy because I knew it would be tossed out for lack of standing (it was), was therefore a distraction from focusing on what we could review, and that one state should not be trying to tell another state how it selects its electors. (As AG, I would defend Texas against any challenge to our process.)

State Sen. Mayes Middleton, R-Galveston.

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Middleton

Did not respond to questions. Middleton has said the 2020 election was stolen from President Donald Trump.

Do you believe the state has to cooperate with court rulings, from state or federal courts, that you believe were wrongly decided?

U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, D- Austin.

Roy

The state of Texas does not have to surrender to judicial activism. I will respect and promote the rule of law, but that includes standing up to courts that overstep their constitutional authority. If a court issues a ruling I believe is unconstitutional, I will aggressively pursue appeals and work to overcome it through all means appropriate under the Constitution.

State Sen. Mayes Middleton, R-Galveston.

Middleton

Did not respond to questions. The Texas Tribune was unable to find public comments from Middleton on this issue.

Paxton has pushed to enforce Texas restrictions on abortion and gender-affirming care on health care providers in other states. Do you believe Texas laws should be enforceable in other states?

U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, D- Austin.

Roy

Texas law will be enforced. No corporation or organization hiding behind blue-state politics while operating in Texas will get a free pass to violate our laws or endanger Texans.

State Sen. Mayes Middleton, R-Galveston.

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Middleton

Did not respond to questions. The Texas Tribune was unable to find public comments from Middleton on this issue.

Paxton has sued numerous private companies, ranging from Big Tech firms to airplane manufacturers and clothing brands. Do you agree Texas attorney general should make suing big business a top priority?

U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, D- Austin.

Roy

This is a major priority of my campaign. When large corporations act as crony extensions of government or foreign interests, the attorney general must step in.

State Sen. Mayes Middleton, R-Galveston.

Middleton

Did not respond to questions. Middleton has authored or voted for numerous bills that take aim at major companies, including removing soda, sweetened drinks, and candy from the food stamps program and removing cell phones from classrooms to stop woke tech companies from trying to harm kids.

Last legislative session, lawmakers affirmed the attorney generals ability to independently prosecute election crimes. Do you believe investigating and bringing criminal election charges should be a top priority for the office?

U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, D- Austin.

Roy

Yes. This should be a core function of the OAG. I supported the Legislatures efforts this past session. My office will aggressively investigate and prosecute election crimes. Texans deserve to know their elections are secure and legitimate and under my leadership they will.

State Sen. Mayes Middleton, R-Galveston.

Middleton

Did not respond to questions. Middleton has said election integrity is a top priority, and points to his role in passing legislation that allows the attorney generals office to pursue election fraud cases without waiting for invitation by a local prosecutor. He has promised to create an election integrity division within the attorney generals office with broad law enforcement power to investigate allegations of voter fraud.

Do you believe the attorney generals office should be given more independent criminal prosecutorial authority?

U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, D- Austin.

Roy

Yes. I will pursue greater prosecutorial authority to enforce state law when failed district attorneys refuse to do their jobs. Texas law must and will be enforced in every county.

State Sen. Mayes Middleton, R-Galveston.

Middleton

Did not respond to questions. Middleton has said he wants to see district attorneys removed from office if they do not fully prosecute certain crimes. He has also said he would investigate Democratic megadonor George Soros, who has donated to left-leaning district attorneys and judges.

Disclosure: New York Times has been a financial supporter of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribunes journalism. Find a complete list of them here.
Texas Tech University has announced it will recognize only two sexes, male and female, and freeze all gender programming related to sexual orientation and gender identity(SOGI).

An April 9 memo from Texas Tech said the Lubbock university would recognize "only two human sexes" and, following a program review, "initiate the closure of all academic credentials centered on SOGI."

The announcement came after the Texas Tech University System implemented a formal review process for course content in December 2025 to ensure compliance with state and federal laws, with materials evaluated by the Board of Regents.

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Department Of Education Celebrates Progress After A Year Of Trump Admin's Fight To Save Women's Sports

Young person stands between a male and female gender sign on light background. (iStock)

The December memo , signed by Brandon Creighton, chancellor of the Texas Tech University System, said that the December review was part of oversight obligation under Senate Bill 37, which passed in June . It is authored by Creighton , who is also a Republican state senator, which increased state oversight of college curriculum and governance.

The April announcement says that in addition to freezing all gender programming related to SOGI, there will be a "strict prohibition on SOGI content in all core and lower-level undergraduate courses, requiring alternate materials if primary texts center on or include these topics. Conversely, upper-level undergraduate and graduate courses are restricted but feature clear exemptions for strictly defined academic purposes."

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According to the memo, exemptions will be considered for "carefully delineated, strictly temporary instructional frameworks for certain graduate coursework," highlighting that "certain SOGI instruction is permitted only for currently enrolled students completing formally identified teach-out programs at the graduate level."

There will also be a ban on what the memo calls "prejudiced advocacy," which it defines as "instruction that advocates for concepts of inherent racial or sexual superiority, inherent bias, or collective guilt, which include exemptions for "independent student-directed research and necessary professional licensure or patient-care requirements."

Supreme Court Conservatives Signal Support For State Transgender Sports Bans During Oral Arguments

Texas Tech campus

The memo also directs that the school will recognize that there are only two sexes, male and female, and that "instructors may not teach that gender identity is a fluid spectrum, endorse the existence of more than two genders, or decouple gender from biological sex as a factual or scientific baseline."

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It clarifies, however, that the recognition of two human sexes will not ban discussion of objective scientific realities of anatomy, genetics, or endocrinology, such as intersex biological conditions.

Washington Post Rips Chicago Teachers Union For Pursuing Social Justice Initiatives As Students Struggle

Texas Tech

The memo notes "faculty may not use these biological conditions to advocate for or validate sociological frameworks of fluid gender identities."

Fox News Digital reached out to Texas Tech for comment.

Click Here To Download The Fox News App





Original article source: Texas Tech to recognize only two sexes, freezes gender programs
By Panu Wongcha-um

BANGKOK, April 22 (Reuters) - Myanmar's new president is considering "good things" for detained former leader Aung San Suu Kyi, Thailand's foreign minister said on Wednesday, as the country seeks to normalise ties with regional bloc ASEAN after five years on the sidelines.

The status of Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been detained since her government was toppled in a 2021 coup, was discussed at a meeting between Myanmar leader Min Aung Hlaing, the junta chief-turned-president, and Thailand's top diplomat Sihasak Phuangketkeow.

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Sihasak said Min Aung Hlaing informed him Aung San Suu Kyi, 80, was being "well looked after", after he relayed concerns about her welfare from the 11-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

"Many ASEAN countries are worried about Aung San Suu Kyi and her wellbeing, and he said they are considering good things, so this could be a good thing," Sihasak said, adding Min Aung Hlaing did not elaborate.

Aung San Suu Kyi, the hugely popular daughter of Myanmar independence hero Aung San, has been serving a 27-year sentence for a litany of offences her allies said were politically motivated to keep her at bay, ranging from incitement and corruption to election fraud and violating a state secrets law.

It is unclear where she is being held.

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Her sentence was last week commuted by one-sixth as part of an amnesty for thousands of prisoners that included the release of her ally, Win Myint, the ousted former president and co-defendant in many of her trials.

'WE WANT TO HELP,' THAI MINISTER SAYS

Former military chief Min Aung Hlaing led the coup that ended a decade of tentative democracy in Myanmar and sparked chaos and a civil war, prompting an intervention by ASEAN and its exclusion of the then ruling generals from its summits.

Min Aung Hlaing was recently chosen as president by parliament, formalising his grip on power after an election that was dominated by an army-backed party in the absence of viable opposition.

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Few countries have endorsed Myanmar's election or the new military-backed government, with some western nations dismissing the process as a sham designed to entrench the army's control under the guise of civilian rule.

During his recent inauguration, Min Aung Hlaing said his priority was peace and reconciliation in Myanmar and he would seek to improve international relations.

Sihasak said Thailand was ready to support Myanmar in its efforts to end a raging civil war and seek a detente with ASEAN.

"They're trying to show that they're moving towards a better direction," he said in video remarks shared by the Thai government.

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"These things are essential. Because we want them to return to ASEAN. We want to help them but we can't help them if they cannot help themselves."

Myanmar state television carried news of Sihasak's meeting with Min Aung Hlaing in the capital Naypyitaw but made no mention of Aung San Suu Kyi.

(Reporting by Panarat Thepgumpanat and Panu Wongcha-um; Writing by Martin Petty; Editing by David Stanway and Toby Chopra)
Transgender teachers in Tennessee will likely no longer be able to ask students and colleagues to refer to them by their preferred honorifics such as Mr. or Ms. if the honorifics do not align with their biological sex.

It comes as an effort by Republicans to protect our children by not putting thoughts and ideological agendas inside their mind, according to bill sponsor Rep. Aron Maberry, R-Clarksville.

In recent years, Republican lawmakers have passed policies rigidly requiring teachers and schools to use pronouns and names consistent with biological sex.

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On April 21, House Republicans approved House Bill 1666, which bans teachers from requiring anyone to use their preferred honorifics if they are inconsistent with their biological sex.

Rep. Aron Maberry, R-Clarksville, looks on as the votes come in on the Dismantling DEI Departments Act" on the last day of session at the Tennessee Capitol in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, April 22, 2025.

Senate Republicans passed the bill on March 9. The House version includes an amendment, so the bill now goes back to the Senate for a final vote.

Maberry said the bill would safeguard objective truth.

Its going to protect our children from their teacher  arguably one of the most important, influential people in their lives  from introducing thoughts that go against that objective truth, Maberry said.

Rep. Gloria Johnson, D-Knoxville, called the bill bigoted and mean spirited.

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Youre teaching children to be bigots. Youre dehumanizing others, Johnson said. I want to protect all the kids, but I also want people in their job to feel welcome, to feel respected, and to be called the name, the honorific, that they want to be called.

Rep. Gloria Johnson, D-Knoxville, discusses SB2571 with Rep. John Gillespie, R-Memphis, during a House session at the Tennessee Capitol in Nashville, Tenn., Monday, April 22, 2024.

Under current law, teachers and school staff are not required to use students preferred pronouns if they are inconsistent with a students biological sex.

Teachers and staff are required to get written permission from parents before using a name other than a minor students legal name, or using pronouns inconsistent with the childs sex. Staff are barred from asking students to use pronouns inconsistent with the staff members sex.

Public employees including teachers, and school and university staff are not allowed to compel disclosure of preferred names or pronouns.

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Use of pronouns consistent with biological sex are deemed protected expressions by law. Use of pronouns inconsistent with biological sex is subject to a complaint process and lawsuits if violations are not addressed.

In response to the House vote, the Tennessee Equality Project said the bill will further marginalize transgender educators.

When the bill came before its first subcommittee, the House sponsor openly represented the bill as a personal vendetta against one instructor in his school district, the group said in a statement. When legislators prioritize targeted, inane, personal attacks, they fail to protect students or advance real educational goals.

The group asked Gov. Bill Lee to veto the bill to protect teachers and students from petty, blatant disrespect.

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Trans and nonbinary educators across the state are devoted to the well-being and education of their students," TEP said. "We need our lawmakers to share that sentiment.

Vivian Jones covers state government and politics for The Tennessean. Reach her at vjones@tennessean.com.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: What Tennessees honorifics bill would mean for transgender educators
Apr. 22A Trinity woman has been sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty to felony murder in the 2015 death of her husband who was killed in a house fire, according to an order filed in Lawrence County Circuit Court.

Court records show Susie Ella Stovall, 70, was initially charged with capital murder and first- and second-degree arson. The capital murder charge was later reduced to felony murder, and the first-degree arson charge was dismissed.

"The defendant is sentenced to life on the felony murder charge," Circuit Judge Gregory Williams wrote in a March 18 order. "She is also to serve 180 months on Count 3, arson second degree."

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The order states that Stovall will serve the sentences in the custody of the Alabama Department of Corrections and will receive 3,759 days credit for time already served. The sentences will run concurrently.

The Lawrence County Sheriff's Office said deputies discovered the body of 66-year-old Azrel Stovall after responding to a house fire near Cooperage Road in the Trinity area at about 9:30 p.m. July 25, 2015.

Susie Stovall was at the scene and was arrested on a failure-to-appear warrant, according to court records. She was released three days later on a $1,000 bond, but another warrant was issued in May after she again failed to appear in court.

Authorities later charged Stovall with arson and her husband's killing. The Sheriff's Office said she became a suspect after deputies responded to a domestic disturbance call at the home about 30 minutes before the fire. Investigators found gasoline on her clothes and shoes and inside the home, according to the Sheriff's Office.

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According to testimony from Stovall's 2016 preliminary hearing, Azrel Stovall called 911 on July 25, 2015, and reported that his wife was drinking and threatening to burn the house down. Susie Stovall later called 911 and told dispatchers there was no reason for law enforcement to get involved. In a third call, Azrel Stovall told dispatchers his wife was setting the house on fire.

In March 2016, Susie Stovall pleaded not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect to the capital murder and arson charges. Her attorneys at the time, Chris Malcom and John Kimbrough of Moulton, said she had a history of mental health issues.

Court records show a mental examination was ordered in December 2016. Stovall was released back to the Lawrence County Jail in October 2022 from the custody of the Alabama Department of Mental Health.

In May 2024, Stovall was found competent to stand trial, according to an order signed by Williams.

Susie and Azrel Stovall had been married since 2013, according to records from the Morgan County Probate Office.

 wesley.tomlinson@decaturdaily.com or 256-340-2442.
Leading up to Monday, when the Trump administration launched its online tariff refund portal, Lynlee Brown, EY partner of global trade, said she had importers texting her, somewhat incredulous the refunds were actually happening.

Back in March, following the Supreme Courts decision to strike down tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), Court of International Trade Judge Richard K. Eaton ordered the Trump administration to refund all tariffs collected illegally, not just for companies that sued over the tariffs. To the shock of legal and logistics experts alike, the administration has not appealed the ruling.

Everybodys wondering that, Brown told Fortune.

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Its genuinely surprising that the government hasnt appealed the universal refund order already, Matthew Seligman, a federal litigator of constitutional law and principal of Grayhawk Law, told Fortune. The government has opposed universal injunctions in every single context since President Trump retook office. If the government appealed the universal refund order, it would win.

The decision by the administration not to appeal drew renewed skepticism in the leadup to Monday, when Customs and Border Protection (CBP) launched the Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries (CAPE), opening the door for U.S. importers to apply for tariff refunds totalling $166 billion. The administration has until May to petition the order.

According to Seligman, an eventual appeal on the universal refund order would jeopardize the refund application process, which CBP estimated would take 60 to 90 days after entries were processed.

The government can reverse course again, Seligman said. That would be jarring, but its something they could do. And so then submitting CAPE would have ended up being sort of a waste of time.

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But the reasoning behind the Trump administrations lack of appeal, though unclear, may give insight into the White Houses priorities as it navigates midterms, the ongoing war in Iran, and investigations into its other tariffs, experts said.

CBP and the White House did not respond to Fortunes requests for comment.

The Trump administration has left experts scratching their heads

To Seligman, among the most surprising reasons for a lack of appeal was that tariffs under IEEPA were a fundamental part of President Donald Trumps signature economic policy. Trump announced tariffs on the first day of his second term, expanding those import taxes on Liberation Day in April 2025.

Trump also has a track record of winning appeals against court orders universal in scope, with a universal refund order fitting into a similar category of past successful appeals, Seligman noted. In June 2025, the Trump administration successfully argued against nationwide injunctions that blocked his executive order to limit birthright citizenship: The Supreme Court narrowed injunctions, with future court orders on birthright citizenship applying to only a specific plaintiff.

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By accepting the judges order on tariff refunds without appeal, the Trump administration would break from its own pattern of refusing similar universal court orders, a hallmark of not just his White House, but of the executive branch across administrations, Seligman said.

This is a procedural issue about which the government cares very deeply that would be true across administrations, not just this administration, the federal government, he said. The executive branch always seeks to retain as much freedom of action and flexibility as it can, and so acquiescing to universal injunction is just extraordinarily difficult to imagine end up being the case.

Why universal tariff refunds have not yet been appealed

EY partner Brown said there are still key reasons why the administration would not pursue an appeal. For one, CBP has already rolled out the first phase of CAPE, and the White House may not want to interfere with weeks of work to launch the portal and the hundreds of thousands of importers trying to recoup costs from the tariffsa move that could prove to be wildly unpopular.

A lot of it is politics, right? Brown said. Its a midterm election year. This would not be the favorable thing to do, to say, Hey, were not going to give you your money back.

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Brown speculated the administration may also have its hands full navigating the ongoing war in Iran, which has entered its eighth week, as well as laying the groundwork for other tariffs. The United States Trade Representative is currently investigating Section 301 tariffs, which would address unfair foreign trade or labor practices. Section 301 tariffs could replace the temporary Section 122 tariffs Trump imposed following the Supreme Court striking down the IEEPA levies. Trade experts have warned tariffs under Section 301 would similarly be an overreach.

Court of International Trade Judge Eaton has also signalled he was the only judge willing to hear tariff refund cases and would rule in diametrically the same way each time. That means that even if the Trump administration could get rid of the universal refund order, the courts would simply approve tariff refunds for each company individually, a more arduous process leading to the same result, Brown noted.

These reasons dont mean the Trump administration may not still seek to appeal. Seligman argued the White House has made unpredictable moves in the past and could do so again. For example, in March, Trump decided to abandon an effort to enforce executive orders targeting law firms who previously investigated him, only to reignite a legal battle days later.

They have reversed course in rather jarring ways in court on multiple occasions, and so I cant rule that out, he said.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
Tuesday began as a frantic day of diplomacy in Washington, with Air Force Two ready to fly Vice President JD Vance to Islamabad for another round of peace talks between the US and Iran.

Several hours later, Air Force Two hadn't taken off and the negotiations were postponed. President Donald Trump announced that he would extend the ceasefire with Iran, set to expire on Wednesday evening, to allow the regime more time to create a "unified proposal" to end the war.

In between, Trump weighed his options as the world waited to see if the countries were any closer to ending the war. Trump's decision marked the second time in as many weeks that he has backed off a threat to escalate the war, buying himself more time to wind down a conflict as it approaches the two-month mark.

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Vance never officially announced the Islamabad trip, leaving Washington guessing. And Iran never officially committed to attending the talks, leaving the White House in the difficult position of deciding whether or not to send Vance with no assurance that Tehran would even come to the table.

As the day wore on, signs of a postponement emerged. Special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, senior members of the US negotiating team led by Vance, flew to Washington from Miami instead of heading straight to Islamabad. Soon after, Vance made his way to the White House for "policy meetings" as the president and his senior advisers debated what to do next.

In the end, Trump announced the ceasefire extension on Truth Social, his preferred means for war updates since it began in late February. The president said he made the decision at the request of Pakistan, which has mediated talks between Tehran and Washington.

"We have been asked to hold our Attack on the Country of Iran until such time as their leaders and representatives can come up with a unified proposal," Trump said.

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Notably, Trump this time did not specify how long the ceasefire might last. Earlier this month, he set a two-week deadline for the first ceasefire. That came after conflicting comments in press interviews, during which he said the talks were going well but also warned that he would consider resuming the war if Iran refused to negotiate.

"There is no clear formula" for ending wars, James Jeffrey, a former US ambassador to Iraq and Turkey, told the BBC.

Trump isn't the first US president to "threaten significant military escalation," Jeffrey added, "while also putting a good deal on the table."

Trump's open-ended statement on Tuesday was more measured than his past social media attacks on Iran. That may signal Trump's desire to end a war that has roiled the global economy and is unpopular with anti-interventionist supporters in Trump's Maga base.

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"This is a pragmatic decision based on what are quite obvious fractures in the current leadership of the Iranian government," said Brian Katulis, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute.

But Katulis said Trump's decision also created more uncertainty about how long the war will last.

"This move begs the question though for Trump about how he can deal with the economic pain that Americans are experiencing and the political pain he's experiencing from his base," Katulis said. "He hasn't answered the questions that are still driving this crisis."

With the ceasefire extension, the US and Iran now have more time to make a durable peace deal. But major questions remain.

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Iran has said that the US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz is an act of war. While Trump chose not to restart the war immediately, he gave no indication he would end the blockade, which the US hoped would pressure Tehran to back down. So far that hasn't happened, leaving Trump with fewer options other than ramping up the military campaign.

Iran, meanwhile, has not signaled interest in ending its nuclear program or support for proxy groups in the Middle East  two so-called "red lines" that Trump has demanded be included in any final peace deal.

Trump bought himself more time. But a quick resolution to the war, for now, seems as elusive as ever.

[BBC]

Follow the twists and turns of Trump's second term with North America correspondent Anthony Zurcher's weekly US Politics Unspun newsletter. Readers in the UK can sign up here. Those outside the UK can sign up here.
MIAMI (AP)  Deeply ingrained in Raul Valdes-Fauli's family lore is the November 1960 day when an agent of Fidel Castro's revolution showed up at his family's Pedroso Bank in Havana, with a machine gun, and demanded they leave.

Calling his father and uncle gusanos  or worms, a Spanish-language term coined by Castro to denigrate those fleeing the island  the agent seized the bank and in an instant dispossessed a family that arrived from Spain in the 16th century.

They told them this was now the people's bank, said Valdes-Fauli, an attorney and former mayor of the Miami suburb of Coral Gables. They couldnt even take family pictures off the walls of their office.

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Seven decades later such traumatic episodes are resurfacing with urgency, as President Donald Trump's threats of military intervention, backed by a naval blockade of fuel shipments that has brought the island's already-anemic economy to its knees, have spawned negotiations between Washington and Havana. Many Cuban Americans are convinced that 2026 could  finally  be the year of regime change on the communist-run island.

But that cautious optimism among exiles is tempered by concern they could be cut out. Their nightmare scenario: a repeat of what happened recently in Venezuela, where Trump ousted Nicolas Maduro only to join forces with his former allies in a partnership where demands for democracy are taking a back seat to oil industry dealmaking.

I hope that he doesnt do what he did in Venezuela, which is keep the thieves in power, said Valdes-Fauli, who married a Venezuelan.

An emotional element of the talks, and one of the toughest to resolve, is the potential for hundreds of thousands of legal claims by Cuban Americans whose homes, businesses and land were seized after Castro took power in 1959.

New hope for getting compensation

Nick Gutierrez's home is full of fading land titles, black-and-white photographs and obscure books including one torn-apart tome  The Owners of Cuba, 1958  that describes the 550 biggest fortunes taken over by the revolution.

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As president of the National Association of Cuban Landowners in Exile, Gutierrez advises Cuban exile families on how to seek compensation for the forced collectivism. For decades that was a lonely mission relegated to the legal fringes, because there was never any hope of getting Cuba to pay.

A lot of it just fell on deaf ears, Gutierrez said.

But with rising speculation about possible regime change, real interest in the issue has exploded among those who previously saw costly litigation as a fool's errand, as well as younger Cuban American entrepreneurs eager to help rebuild a country they barely know but whose heritage they proudly carry.

Now we're talking about the existential issue of whether the Cuban dictatorship will survive until next month, said Gutierrez, whose parents fled the island two years before he was born.

Resolving the claims

Untangling property claims in Cuba is akin to battling a multiheaded hydra, said Robert Muse, a Washington attorney who specializes in U.S. laws relating to Cuba.

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In the hierarchy of property losses, those with the strongest standing under U.S. law are the 5,913 claims certified by the Justice Department in 1972 for $1.9 billion. They include corporations like ExxonMobil and Marriott International whose assets were seized as part of Castro's nationalization drive of everything from oil refineries and the telephone system to hair salons and shoeshine stands.

Under U.S. law those claims  worth $10 billion today  must be resolved for a full restoration of economic and diplomatic relations. In practice, however, the executive branch is authorized to assume control of private losses for a lump-sum payment and fold the dispute into any settlement with Havana.

In a break from the past, Cuba has signaled a willingness to discuss the claims  as part of a broader conversation over its demand for compensation for damages wrought by the U.S. trade embargo, enacted in 1962.

A thornier issue is Title III of the 1996 Helms-Burton Act. The law allows exiles to sue any company deemed to be trafficking in property confiscated by Cuba.

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All past U.S. presidents suspended Title III because of objections from U.S. allies doing business in Cuba. Similarly, many exiles viewed the legislation as an empty threat because of the remote prospect of ever collecting from a bankrupt government.

But Trump lifted the suspension in 2019, and about 50 lawsuits have since been filed. The floodgates to more claims could open soon depending on two cases argued before the U.S. Supreme Court this year.

One of the cases, brought by Exxon, seeks $1 billion from Cuban state-owned entities. The other was filed by the Delaware-based company, Havana Docks, against four cruise liners that paid Cuba's government to disembark nearly 1 million tourists at a port it once operated after President Barack Obama reestablished diplomatic relations.

Will Trump strike a deal?

Muse likened the legal risks of doing business in Cuba to a stalactite formed over several decades, deterring investment and political compromise.

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You can't have a restitution remedy for hundreds of thousands of claimants, Muse said. Its unworkable.

However if Havana's stated aim to attract foreign capital is sincere, it has incentives to cut deals with Cuban Americans willing to invest in the country, Gutierrez said. A model for that would be the former Communist states in Eastern Europe that compensated for property seizures at the conclusion of the Cold War, helping their economies surge ahead.

Trump, Muse said, may have the right mix of business sense, impatience with convention and political freedom as a second-term president to work through the complex mess. A signal that he is unlikely to be bogged down by legal haggling, Muse added, was when he hosted oil executives at the White House following Maduro's ouster and told them they would have to write off any unpaid claims from asset seizures in Venezuela.

Gutierrez worries that Trumps eagerness for a trophy that has evaded 12 Democratic and Republican presidents could get the better of him. But he is reassured by the president's longstanding friendship with Cuban Americans who are among his most ardent supporters.

Trump doesn't have moral qualms of doing business with bad guys, Gutierrez said. But he knows how important this is to us, and that gives us some comfort he won't sell us out.
President Donald Trump on Tuesday endorsed the CEO of a sticker companywho once fought local officials to keep a massive pro-Trump sign on his factoryto fill the House seat of outgoing Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y.

In a move that defied the preferred nominee of the New York GOP, Trump threw his support toward Anthony Constantino over Assembly member Robert Smullen.

"It is my Great Honor to endorse America First Patriot, Anthony Constantino, who is running to represent the fantastic people of New Yorks 21st Congressional District," Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Sticker Mule CEO Anthony Constantino, who won a legal battle to display a pro-Trump sign, received President Donald Trump on Tuesday to fill the House seat being left by Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y. (Fox News)

Constantino told Fox News Digital that he spoke with Trump and was honored to receive the nod. "He noted every primary candidate he endorses wins, so I look forward to winning the general election and making everyone who supported me very proud once I am in Congress," he said.

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Trump Continues Lambasting Incumbent Republican Thomas Massie As Challenger Files To Enter Race

Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., will not seek re-election to Congress.

While Smullen has garnered the support of establishment Republican leaders, Constantino has received endorsements from high-profile Trump allies, including Roger Stone and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani.

Read On The Fox News App

Constantino, the CEO of Sticker Mule and a formerly registered Democrat, gained national attention after installing a 100-foot "Vote for Trump" sign atop his manufacturing facility in Montgomery County, New York, prior to the 2024 election. The sign sparked a local legal battle, which the president highlighted in his endorsement.

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"Anthony has been such a Great Supporter that he actually put up a somewhat controversial sign, against strong opposition, in my honor. The sign is still there!" Trump wrote.

Stefanik Receives Top Jewish Award Days After Announcing New York Governor Bid At Manhattan Gala

Assemblyman Robert Smullen held a press conference in Albany, New York, on Feb. 5 to unveil a website listing allegations against his GOP opponent Anthony Constantino for the congressional seat being vacated by Rep. Elise Stefanik.

Smullen told Fox News Digital that he respects Trump and supports his agenda but that voters "know the difference between a real Trump conservative and someone trying to buy that label."



"Anthony Constantino was a registered Democrat as recently as 2022 and has spent years on the wrong side of the very movement he now claims to represent," Smullen said. "Put simply, a fraud and voters in NY-21 are not buying it. I am the only candidate in this race appointed by President Trump, and I have spent my life fighting for the conservative values he stands for."

Constantino said he was inspired to run for Congress following the first assassination attempt against Trump in Butler, Penn. He previously told Fox News Digital that the president "doesn't deserve all the hate directed at him," adding that Trump's supporters don't deserve it either.

Sticker Mule CEO Anthony Constantino speaks at an event unveiling his 100-foot-wide "Vote for Trump" sign in Amsterdam, N.Y.

Click Here To Download The Fox News App

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Stefanik's seat became open after a shifting series of political moves.

Upon taking office, Trump initially nominated her to serve as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations but later withdrew the nomination over concerns of retaining the thin House Republican majority. Stefanik subsequently ran a short-lived campaign for Governor of New York before announcing she would not seek re-election to Congress.





Original article source: Trump endorses Sticker Mule CEO who battled officials over 100-foot pro-Trump sign for Stefanik's House seat
A thing gripped the internet in 2025: nostalgia for the supposedly golden era of 2016, coincidentally the last year before Donald Trump ever became president of the United States, either in his first or second term. Millennial optimism gripped TikTok, harking back to a supposedly more carefree time. But something else marked that era: leaks from Trumps orbit about how he was screwing up his campaign for president, then his first year as president, then his first term; meanwhile the Trump era moved forward relentlessly. Now 2026 is having a 2016 moment.

As Wednesdays deadline looms for the fragile U.S.-Israel and Iran ceasefire, Trump officials said the president is hampering efforts to make a deal through his social media posts. In the Wall Street Journal and on CNN, Trump officials are anonymously blasting the presidents conduct, making a very 2016-style argument that they can only do so much to limit the damage of a president who just wont listen to their advice.

For instance, the president discussed details of the negotiations in phone calls with reporters on Friday. As reported by Bloomberg, Trump said Iran had agreed to an unlimited suspension of its nuclear program, but Irans foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei quickly refuted the claim in a statement to Iranian state broadcaster IRIB.

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On Monday, Trump followed up with several posts on Truth Social totaling more than 900 words, spanning comparisons of the Iran conflict to previous U.S. wars, the blockades economic toll on Iran, and Operation Midnight Hammers impact on the countrys nuclear capabilities. Trump officials responded by telling CNN that these posts were detrimental to ongoing talks, particularly due to the sensitivity of the negotiations and Iranian mistrust of the U.S.

Since the start of the Iran war, Trump has issued a barrage of social media statements that critics say have undermined diplomacy and potentially crossed legal lines. Prior to agreeing to the current two-week ceasefire, Trump threatened to destroy Irans power plants and bridges, a threat that experts say could constitute a violation of international law. United Nations spokesperson Stephane Dujarric stated the obvious: Even if specific civilian infrastructure were to qualify as a military objective, international humanitarian law would still prohibit attacks against them.

One political scientist sees a 2016 nostalgia theme playing out here.

Trump says hes under no pressure whatsoever as deadline approaches

Tufts University professor Daniel Drezner has been a longtime political blogger and currently runs a Substack called Drezners World. He wrote over the weekend in a Substack post that he was feeling those 2016 vibes himself. Drezner cited yet a third article featuring background sources from inside the White House, this time a Wall Street Journal report outlining a general view of the presidents leadership and decision-making pathologies in his dealings with Iran but also wider patterns across other conflicts, such as Venezuela. Drezner argued the piece exposed the presidents short attention span and poor impulse control, flaws that have meaningfully shaped his approach to Iran.

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In one post on Monday, for instance, the president said he wasnt feeling pressure to reach a deal after claiming media reports had portrayed him as such. I am under no pressure whatsoever, although, it will all happen, relatively quickly! he wrote on Truth Social.

Despite concerns that public commentary may have disrupted ceasefire negotiations, the White House defended Trumps approach.

The United States has never been closer to a good deal with Iran, unlike the horrible deal made by the Obama administration, thanks to President Trumps negotiating ability, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said. Anyone who cannot see President Trumps tactics to play the long game are either stupid or willfully ignorant.

Drezner has been noting for years in his blogging and Substacking that Trumps staff talked about him to reporters as if he was a toddler who acted with no impulse control. On Sunday, he said he thought Trumps second-term staff would refrain from this out of loyalty, although this showed signs of cracking over Trumps bizarre pursuit of Greenland. But in this case, the fact that even these toadies are leaking about him now indicates that they know that the boat is starting to take on water and they need to find their lifeboat.

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Irans Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf took to X Monday evening, accusing Trump of forcing Iran to the negotiating table. We do not accept negotiations under the shadow of threats, and in the past two weeks, we have prepared to reveal new cards on the battlefield, the post read as translated from Persian.

But the impact extends beyond Iran negotiations. The presidents tone has also reshaped oil market behavior, according to Sebastian Barrack, head of commodities at Citadel. At the FT Commodities Global Summit this week, Barrack attributed the roughly 300% surge in oil and gas volatility during the conflicts opening weeks in part to the presidents Truth Social posts and said he now keeps a screen dedicated solely to monitoring the presidents social media feed.

For example, Trump made a Truth Social post on March 23 saying the U.S. had productive talks with Iran, causing crude prices to plunge. In the beginning of March, the same thing happened after the president posted on Truth Social that the war was very complete.

The war has grown increasingly unpopular among the American public. A Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted during the two-week ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran found just 36% of Americans approve of U.S. military strikes against Iran. The poll found just 26% consider Trump even-tempered. That includes some Republicans. Fifty-one percent of Americans, including 14% of Republicans, said the presidents mental sharpness had gotten worse over the past year.

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The president told CNBCs Squawk Box Tuesday morning he believes the U.S. will reach a great deal with Iran. When asked if the president would extend a ceasefire to allow time for peace talks, he said, Well, I dont want to do that.

The president added, I expect to be bombing because I think thats a better attitude to go in with should the parties fail to reach a peace deal.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
President Donald Trumps pick to lead the governments civilian cyber defense agency is withdrawing from consideration after his candidacy languished in the Senate.

Sean Plankey informed Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) and the White House of his intentions on Wednesday, Plankey confirmed to POLITICO.

After thirteen months since my initial nomination, it has become clear the Senate will not confirm me, reads a letter Plankey sent to the White House Wednesday, which was viewed by POLITICO. While I humbly request the removal of my nomination, I wholeheartedly support President Trumps upcoming nomination for CISA and look forward to the continued success of the United States of America.

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Spokespeople for the White House and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency did not immediately respond to a request for comment. DHS declined to comment.

Trump nominated Sean Plankey to lead CISA in March 2025 . He was largely viewed as a stabilizing pick for the agency, and advanced out of the Homeland Security Committee following a low-drama 9-6 vote in July. He was renominated for the role in January alongside a slate of other nominees.

But the GOP Senate majority was unable to achieve the unanimity needed to advance his nomination, largely due to resistance from Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) over a contested Coast Guard shipbuilding project .

Plankey spent most of his time awaiting confirmation as a senior adviser to then-DHS Secretary Kristi Noem on Coast Guard issues. He stepped down from that role shortly before Noems departure last month.

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During Trumps first term, Plankey served in cybersecurity roles on the National Security Council and the Energy Department.

Plankeys withdrawal is the latest leadership shakeup at the top cyber defense agency, which has lost around one-third of its personnel since Trump returned to office. The agency has also cycled through interim leadership, with former acting CISA Director Madhu Gottumukkala reassigned in late February after a series of mishaps that alarmed current and former agency officials.

Nick Andersen took over as acting director following Gottumukkala's departure. Andersen can remain in the role for several months while the agency waits for the White House to put forth another candidate for the Senate-confirmed position.
By Nandita Bose and Diana Novak Jones

WASHINGTON, April 22 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump claimed on Wednesday without evidence that a Virginia vote to redraw the state's congressional map in a way that favors Democrats had been "rigged," as a county judge moved to block the measure.

On Tuesday, Virginia voters approved a redistricting referendum that could help Democrats flip as many as four Republican-held seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and boost Democrats' chances of winning control of the chamber in November.

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Trump, a Republican, wrote in a social media post that "A RIGGED ELECTION TOOK PLACE LAST NIGHT IN THE GREAT COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA!" and blamed mail-in ballots for the outcome.

The post was the latest example of Trump casting doubt on election outcomes he dislikes by portraying ordinary vote counting, particularly the tabulation of mail ballots, as evidence of fraud without offering proof.

The referendum has already faced multiple legal challenges. The Supreme Court of Virginia allowed the referendum to proceed but may end up invalidating it, making the results moot.

And in a separate case that also looks likely to end back up at the Supreme Court, a Virginia county judge, in response to a lawsuit filed by the Republican National Committee, blocked the new map on Wednesday, ruling lawmakers had not followed the rules for the constitutional amendment that the map redrawing required.

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Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones, a Democrat, said he would ask the state's Court of Appeals to overturn Circuit Court Judge Jack Hurley Jr.'s order, which called the ballot language "flagrantly misleading" and blocked the state from certifying Tuesday's referendum results.

The referendum in Virginia is the latest twist in the nation's redistricting arms race, which Trump and Texas Republicans began last year as they sought to defend the party's slim House majority during the midterm elections in November.

Trump, who has not accepted that he lost the 2020 presidential election despite having failed in dozens of courts to challenge the results, has consistently sought to undermine faith in the voting process.

After his 2020 loss to President Joe Biden, Trump falsely claimed widespread fraud and backed efforts to overturn the result, including pressuring his then vice president, Mike Pence, to not certify the election results.

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Courts, state election officials and his own administration have since found no evidence of fraud on a scale that would have changed the outcome.

In recent months, the Trump administration has stepped up its effort to revive claims of widespread voter fraud in the 2020 election. The Justice Department is seeking a swath of state voter data, while the FBI has reopened old election-fraud allegations in battleground states including Georgia.

(Reporting by Nandita Bose in Washington; Additional reporting by Jonathan Allen and Diana Novak Jones; Editing by Ross Colvin and Chris Reese)
The White House has developed something akin to a naughty and nice list of NATO countries, as the Trump administration looks for ways to punish allies who refused to back the Iran war.

The effort, which officials worked on ahead of NATO head Mark Ruttes visit to Washington this month, includes an overview of members contributions to the alliance and places them into tiers, according to three European diplomats and a U.S. defense official familiar with the plan.

Its the latest sign that President Donald Trump plans to make good on his threats against allies who dont adhere to his wishes. And its another pressure point on the increasingly frayed alliance, which has been battered by Trumps attacks  from his push to annex Greenland to his warning of a complete withdrawal from the pact.

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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth floated the broad idea in December. Model allies that step up, like Israel, South Korea, Poland, increasingly Germany, the Baltics and others, will receive our special favor," he said. "Allies that still fail to do their part for collective defense will face consequences."

One of the diplomats said the list appeared to reflect that concept. The White House has a naughty and nice paper so I guess the thinking is similar, the person said.

The administration is keeping any details quiet as it plans options, according to the people. And officials have provided little clarity on what the favors or consequences might be.

They dont seem to have very concrete ideaswhen it comes to punishing bad allies, said another European official, who, like others, was granted anonymity to discuss sensitive diplomatic issues. Moving troops is one option, but it mainly punishes the U.S. doesnt it?

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The White House made its frustration with allies clear. While the United States has always been there for our so-called allies, countries we protect with thousands of troops have not been there for us throughout Operation Epic Fury," said White House spokesperson Anna Kelly, referring to the Pentagons name for the operation. President Trump has made his thoughts on this unfair dynamic clear, and as he said, the United States will remember.

NATO did not respond to a request for comment.

Few other alternatives exist for moving American troops out of Europe, so any potential plan would likely involve relocating them from one country to another. Even then, a shift could prove expensive and time consuming.

Its not clear which countries fit into which category or if Rutte knows about the effort. But the Romanians and Poles could end up being some of the biggest beneficiaries, since both remain in the presidents good graces and would welcome more U.S. troops. The Polish government, which is one of NATO biggest defense spenders, already pays almost all of the costs to host the 10,000 American troops stationed there. And Romanias recently expanded Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base  which the country allowed the U.S. to use for the air war in Iran  has room for more American troops.

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Hegseth initially used the model ally rhetoric to refer to NATO partners who had increased defense spending in line with the alliances 5 percent targets championed by Trump. Officials also referenced itin the National Defense Strategy released in January.

The Defense Department will prioritize cooperation and engagements with model allies who are doing their part for our collective defense," the Pentagon said in a statement. In doing so, we will empower those allies as they step up in the defense of our shared interests while also strengthening incentives for other allies to do their part.

The concept could give the U.S. options to pull back troop deployments, joint exercises, or military sales from perceived bad allies and give them to good ones, according to two of the European officials familiar with the plan. Hegseth has also used the term model ally in meetings with NATO members, according to the third diplomat.

And it would offer Trump more tools to differentiate between members who supported U.S. efforts in Iran  such as ending Tehran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and allowing base use  from those who didnt.

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While Spain and allies such as the U.K. and France either rejected or stalled U.S. requests for help, Romania and several smaller nations allowed the U.S. to use their air bases. Bulgaria also quietly supported American logistics in the Middle East.

Spain was already in troublewith the Trump administration for pushing back on NATOs 5 percent defense spending target at the alliances Hague summit last year. Officials, though, have praised Baltic nations such as Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and Poland for consistently ranking at the top of the bloc in military spending.

President Trump has rightly made clear that he expects allies and partners to step up and help secure this vital waterway in the Middle East, Pentagon policy chief Elbridge Colby told NATO allies this month during a virtual meeting of defense ministers that Hegseth declined to attend.

But there is little precedent for taking such steps to punish allies, and such notions already face push back on Capitol Hill.

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It is not helpful when American leaders speak of our alliances with derision, Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) said Tuesday before a hearingon U.S. forces in the Indo-Pacific region. We must be clear about the numerous political, strategic and moral benefits that country receives from its alliances.

And some former officials doubt the Trump administration has the bandwidth to manage another existential crisis to the alliance.

Trump and his team are busy trying to extract themselves from their self-inflicted quagmire, said Joel Linnainmaki, a former Finnish official who worked on the countrys 2023 accession into NATO. Likely the administration does not have the bandwidth to open another hostile front with Europe as long as the war continues.

Leo Shane III contributed to this report.
* Beyond physical connectivity, the 500-kV cross-border power link project has strengthened coordination in power dispatch, standards and management, expanded training and knowledge exchange, laying a foundation for long-term cooperation.

* "The project will effectively boost the economic and social development of both countries, accelerate the green and low-carbon energy transition, and bring the benefits of modern power development to the peoples of China and Laos," said Meng, chairman of China Southern Power Grid.

KUNMING/VIENTIANE, April 21 (Xinhua) -- China's first 500-kV cross-border alternating-current power link went into operation Monday, marking a new step in energy cooperation between China and Laos.

The project, the largest and highest-voltage power connection between the two countries, triples cross-border transmission capacity from 50 megawatts to 150 megawatts. It is expected to transmit 3 billion kWh of clean electricity annually, 30 times the capacity of previous lines.

The project not only serves as a tangible connection of infrastructure, but also strengthens the bond between the two peoples, and supports the optimized allocation of clean energy between the two countries.

A drone photo shows technicians inspecting a section of power transmission line of the China-Laos 500-kV interconnection project in Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province, April 14, 2026. (Xinhua)

GREEN, SMART CORRIDOR

Construction began on Feb. 26, 2025. The 177.5-km line includes a 145-km section in China built by China Southern Power Grid (CSG) and a 32.5-km section in Laos constructed by Electricite du Laos Transmission Company Limited (EDL-T).

"Nearly 1,200 Chinese and Lao constructors from 70 participating units completed the project in over 400 days of transnational collaborative work, overcoming challenges such as tight construction schedules and complex grid connection technologies," said Meng Zhenping, chairman of the CSG.

Lin Rui, chairman of the EDL-T, said the project is like a "power highway," effectively enhancing the power exchange capacity between China and Laos and the power supply capacity in northern Laos.

The Chinese section of the project runs through Xishuangbanna National Nature Reserve and Asian elephant habitats, requiring strict environmental protection measures. The route was optimized in the design stage to avoid protected areas and residential areas.

An aerial drone photo shows technicians inspecting a section of power transmission line of the China-Laos 500-kV interconnection project in Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province, April 14, 2026. (Xinhua)

An Asian elephant early-warning system was deployed along the line so as to help minimalize impact on local elepant population and ensure the safety of the construction work.

In one instance, drones detected a herd approaching, prompting operators to raise flight altitude and slow transport to allow the animals to pass safely.

Smart technologies were also used, including digital monitoring across the line and artificial intelligence (AI)-powered robots and robotic dogs for inspections.

"The robot dog is equipped with an AI platform, which can automatically identify equipment status and perform infrared temperature measurement, with data transmitted in real time," said Yang Yao, a duty officer of China Southern Power Grid Yunnan Power Grid (CSG-YNPG).

Huang Weijie, deputy general manager of the CSG-YNPG, said the project opens a channel for power connectivity and clean energy mutual assistance in the Lancang-Mekong region, setting a benchmark for regional green infrastructure.

This photo taken on April 16, 2026 shows a substation of Xishuangbanna power supply bureau under China Southern Power Grid Co., Ltd., part of the China-Laos 500-kV interconnection project, in Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province. (Xinhua/Xiong Xuanang)

PEOPLE-TO-PEOPLE BOND

Beyond physical connectivity, the project has strengthened coordination in power dispatch, standards and management, expanded training and knowledge exchange, laying a foundation for long-term cooperation.

The CSG is also promoting cross-border participation in its regional electricity market to support regular clean energy trading, said Zhang Shaohui of the company's Lancang-Mekong unit.

More than 500 Lao workers who took part in the project attended multiple training sessions, including bilingual safety and technical programs.

A Chinese-Lao bilingual technical dictionary covering 4,900 terms was compiled to support communication among engineers.

"Previously, I knew nothing about the operation and maintenance of high-voltage power grids. Now, I can independently complete the equipment inspection tasks," said Bounmy Songsavat, a 28-year-old Lao technician trained under the program.

This file photo taken on Nov. 30, 2025 shows a view of a 500-kV substation in Namor District of Oudomxay Province, Laos. (China Southern Power Grid/Handout via Xinhua)

The project also brings tangible livelihood benefits to local communities in Laos, including building a primary school and five bilingual reading rooms, launching the country's first sign-language audiovisual program, and supporting local industry development and infrastructure improvement.

Since 2022, China and Laos have implemented a power-sharing mechanism, with more than 1.6 billion kWh of two-way electricity exchange recorded by the end of 2025. The new link is expected to further improve Laos' ability to balance supply during peak and off-peak periods.

Lao Minister of Industry and Commerce Malaithong Kommasith said the project will become a key artery in the country's power sector once operational. He noted that it will help ease domestic transmission constraints and support the development of renewable energy in northern Laos.

"The project will effectively boost the economic and social development of both countries, accelerate the green and low-carbon energy transition, and bring the benefits of modern power development to the peoples of China and Laos," said Meng, chairman of the CSG. 
Turkiye is making efforts to revive negotiations between Russia and Ukraine and bring together the leaders of the warring sides, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has told NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte.

Ankara has maintained good ties with both sides since Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Erdogan and Rutte met in the Turkish capital Ankara, the Turkish presidency said on Wednesday.

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Erdogan said we were engaged, as Turkiye, for the Ukraine-Russia war to end with peace, and that we are working to revive negotiations and start talks at leaders level, the presidency said in a readout of the meeting.

The Turkish president also told Rutte that maintaining transatlantic ties was indispensable, but that Ankara expected European NATO allies to take more responsibility for transatlantic security, the presidency said.





Separately, Erdogan had a phone call with German Chancellor Frank-Walter Steinmeier on Wednesday, informing him of Ankaras efforts to achieve a lasting peace through talks in Ukraine, the presidency said.

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Erdogan told the German leader that the US-Iran war was starting to weaken Europe and that the damage from the conflict would increase if world powers failed to intervene with peace-oriented approaches.

Erdogan said Turkiye was working to end the Ukraine-Russia war through negotiations and reach lasting peace, just as it is trying with regards to Iran, the presidency said in a statement after the phone call.

Ukraines request

Earlier on Wednesday, Kyiv said it had asked Turkiye, a NATO member, to host a leaders level meeting with Russia.

We asked the Turks about it, we asked some other capitals, Ukraines Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said in comments to reporters on Tuesday that were cleared for release on Wednesday.

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He added that Ukraine would be ready to consider any place other than Belarus or Russia for a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, and that Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has long sought to try to hasten a resolution of the more than four-year war.

Meanwhile, Russian news agencies quoted Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov as saying that Putin would be ready to meet his counterpart only for the purpose of finalising agreements on the conflict.

The main thing is the goal of this meeting. Why should they meet? Putin has said he is ready for a meeting in Moscow at any moment, the TASS news agency quoted Peskov as telling Russian state television.

The main thing is that there should be a reason to meet, and the main thing is that the meeting should be productive. And it can only be for the purpose of finalising agreements.
Two Israeli Air Force technicians are set to be charged with espionage for Iran after allegedly leaking sensitive documents during Operation Roaring Lion.

Two Israel Air Force technicians from Tel Nof Airbase, near Ashdod, will be charged with spying for Iran during Operation Roaring Lion, Israel's public broadcaster KAN News reported on Wednesday.

The two technicians, who worked on IAF F-15 fighter jets, handed over documentation of the engine diagrams, as well as photographs showing the face of a flight instructor, which is against military censorship rules, according to suspicion.

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They were also asked to gather information about former IDF chief Lt.-Gen. (ret.) Herzi Halevi and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, KAN reported.

Authorities are considering whether to increase the charges on one of the technicians to treason, rather than the lower charge of espionage, KAN stated.

Eight other soldiers on the base are suspected of knowing about the actions of the two technicians without reporting it to authorities, according to KAN.

IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir visits the Israel Air Forces Tel Nof Airbase. 10 March, 2026. (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)

Shin Bet summoned Tel Nof chief to clarify incident

After the incident, the Tel Nof Airbase commander, a brigadier-general-ranked officer whose identity remains classified, summoned the soldiers for a security briefing during which he told them that he was summoned by the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) to clarify what occured in the incident.
KYIV, April 22 (Reuters) - Ukraine has asked Turkey to host a meeting between President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and Russian President Vladimir Putin, its top diplomat said, as Kyiv seeks to reinvigorate stalling peace talks.

"We asked the Turks about it, we asked some other capitals," Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said in comments to reporters on Tuesday that were cleared for release on Wednesday.

He added that Ukraine would be ready to consider any place other than Belarus or Russia for a meeting with Putin, which Zelenskiy has long sought to try to hasten a resolution of the more than four-year war.

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Belarus is a close ally of Russia and allowed Moscow to use Belarusian territory to launch its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Sybiha did not say how Ankara had responded to the proposal.

"We addressed the Turks specifically," he said. "But if another capital, besides Moscow and Belarus, organises such a meeting, we will go."

The Kremlin previously said it is willing to host Zelenskiy in Moscow, where the Ukrainian leader has said he will not go.

Separately, Sybiha said that he had already exchanged written messages with Anita Orban, who will become Hungary's new foreign minister when the new government, which won the election there earlier this month, takes power.

(Reporting by Max Hunder; Editing by Andrew Heavens and Thomas Derpinghaus)
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  A settlement has been reached in a legal battle involving a Washington child who was attacked by a river otter.

In September 2024, officers with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife responded to a reported river otter attack. Officials said the victims mother claimed the animal had snatched her young child into the water as they walked along the dock of the Bremerton marina.

WDFW revealed the mother lifted the toddler out of the water after they had resurfaced, and the otter then bit her arm. The agency reported that the animal continued the attack even as the family departed the dock, with the child later being treated for several scratches and bites on their head, face, and legs.

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Whale deaths are up on Oregon and Washington coasts, but whats causing them?

The complaint the mother filed against the Port of Bremerton less than a year later revealed the family lived in a sailboat along the marina, and the toddler was just two years old at the time of the incident.

Attorneys alleged the woman and her child were forced to be vaccinated against rabies following the attack, and that the child was still experiencing nightmares and behavioral aggression.

The lawsuit accused the port of failing to ensure its security cameras were operating, despite charging tenants a monthly service fee. Plaintiffs also said officials had received several complaints about the aggressive nature of otters in the area.

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The Port of Bremerton will dole out $350,000 to the family of the toddler who was attacked in the summer of 2024, the ports CEO Jim Rothlin told Nexstars KOIN. Rothlin said both parties have agreed that neither was at fault in the incident.

The settlement agreement explicitly states that it is a compromise of disputed and uncertain claims, Rothlin added. This was a very unfortunate accident, and our thoughts are with the family  it is difficult to imagine what they experienced. We encourage everyone visiting the marina, or any area where people and wildlife coexist, to remain aware of their surroundings, as wildlife behavior can be unpredictable when being approached.

According to Rothlin, the port immediately contacts WDFW following wildlife interactions.

KOIN has reached out to the familys attorney for a statement.

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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 The Hill.
The Trump Justice Department announced the indictment on Tuesday of a prominent US civil rights organization over its use of donor money to pay confidential informants in extremist groups.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said the Alabama-based Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) faces charges of wire fraud, bank fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Blanche alleged that the SPLC paid at least $3 million to eight individuals between 2014 and 2023 who were affiliated with violent extremist groups, including the Ku Klux Klan, the National Socialist Party of America and other hate groups.

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"The SPLC is a nonprofit entity that purports to fight white supremacy and racial hatred by reporting on extremist groups," Blanche said at a press conference.

"The SPLC was not dismantling these groups. It was instead manufacturing the extremism it purports to oppose by paying sources to stoke racial hatred," he said. "It was doing the exact opposite of what it told its donors it was doing -- not dismantling extremism but funding it."

Bryan Fair, the interim president and CEO of the SPLC, said the group, whose stated mission is to fight white supremacy and create a multiracial democracy, will not be "intimidated into silence" and will "vigorously defend ourselves."

"For 55 years, the Southern Poverty Law Center has stood as a beacon of hope, fighting white supremacy and various forms of injustice," Fair said in a video message.

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"We are therefore unsurprised to be the latest organization targeted by this administration," he said. "They have made no secret of who they want to protect and who they want to destroy."

He acknowledged that the SPLC had used confidential informants in the past "to gather credible intelligence on extremely violent groups" but said it no longer does so.

"When we began working with informants we were living in the shadow of the height of the civil rights movement, which had seen bombings at churches, state-sponsored violence against demonstrators and the murders of activists that went unanswered by the justice system," he said.

"This use of informants was necessary because we are no stranger to threats of violence," Fair said. "We frequently shared what we learned from informants with local and federal law enforcement."

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President Donald Trump has been accused by critics since taking office for a second time of launching criminal investigations of individuals and groups he sees as political or ideological opponents.

Blanche, Trump's former personal lawyer, recently defended the probes, saying "it is true that some of them involve men, women and entities that the president, in the past, has had issues with and believes should be investigated."

"That is his right, and indeed, it is his duty to do that," he said.

cl/dw/sla/jgc
The Southern Poverty Law Center, the prominent civil rights organization, has been indicted on federal fraud charges related to past payments it made to confidential informants to infiltrate extremist groups including the Ku Klux Klan, the justice department has announced.

In a statement, Bryan Fair, the SPLCs chief executive, called the allegations false and said the justice departments actions will not shake our resolve to fight for justice and ensure the promise of the civil rights movement becomes a reality for all.

Speaking to reporters in Washington on Tuesday evening, Todd Blanche, the acting attorney general, said an Alabama grand jury returned an 11-count indictment against the 55-year-old civil rights group in the case brought by the justice department in Alabama, where the SPLC is based. The charges include wire fraud, bank fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

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In his remarks, Blanche alleged the group was doing the exact opposite of what its told its donors it was doing  not dismantling extremism, but funding it.

Blanche was joined by the FBI director, Kash Patel, who called the paid informant program a serious and egregious violation of a group that purported to dismantle violent extremist groups, but in turn, actually only fueled the hatred.

The investigation is being handled by the US attorney for the middle district of Alabama, which includes Montgomery, the state capital.

Related: We feel this incredible tension at all times: what happened to small-town USA when extremists moved in

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According to prosecutors, the SPLC covertly funneled more than $3m to confidential sources within extremist groups between 2014 and 2023. The indictment lays out a number of fictitious entities with names such as Center Investigative Agency, Fox Photography, and Tech Writers Group, which prosecutors say were created to conceal the transfer of funds to confidential sources.

They accuse officials at the SPLC of lying to donors when they told them their money would be used to dismantle violent extremist groups, when it was allegedly being used to pay leaders in the violent groups. Prosecutors say the organization also lied to banks about who owned the entities.

It was very odd to charge a corporate entity with these crimes, said Andrew Tessman, a former federal prosecutor who handled financial fraud cases.

To prove wire fraud, you have to show that the defendant had intent to defraud. Thats hard to do even when youre talking about an individual person. To establish that an entire corporate entity had intent to defraud seems exceptionally difficult, he said. Same goes for bank fraud. Difficult crime to prove because you have to prove what is going on inside someones head at the moment they are conducting the financial transactions. Easier to do with an individual because you can get the context from other witnesses and sometimes emails or texts.

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I dont think they can prove their case at trial, he added.

One area where prosecutors might have success is in looking at what representations the SPLC had made to banks. Tessman noted that prosecutors had not technically filed bank fraud charges against the SPLC, but rather charged them with making a false statement to a bank. Its an underused but powerful statute. It just requires an intentional false statement to a bank. If it is true that the SPLC set up false entities and the bank was not aware of it, they could succeed on those charges.

Fair disputed the allegations and argued that the informant program saved lives.

Taking on violent hate and extremist groups is among the most dangerous work there is, and we believe it is also among the most important work we do, he said.

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The indictment was announced shortly after Fair revealed that the justice department had launched a criminal inquiry into the organization over its prior use of paid confidential informants to gather credible intelligence on extremely violent groups.

Fair said the group used to use paid informants to infiltrate extremist groups and monitor them, but no longer does.

This use of informants was necessary because we are no stranger to threats of violence. In 1983, our offices were fire-bombed, and in the years since, there have been countless credible threats against our staff, he said.

For decades, we engaged in unprecedented litigation to dismantle the Klan and other hate groups. In light of that work, we sought to protect the safety of our staff and the public.

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The investigation comes as the Trump administration has pledged to crack down on non-profit groups opposed to its priorities. Conservative groups have long decried the way the SPLC has labelled certain right-leaning groups as hate groups.

Last year, the FBI announced it was ending its longstanding relationship with the SPLC, saying the organization had defamed right-leaning groups by labelling them hate groups. Asked whether previous leaders at the FBI were aware of the informant program, Blanche said his understanding was that the SPLC never told anybody in law enforcement that they were paying off the Ku Klux Klan.

In his earlier video statement, Fair said the organization frequently shared what we learned from informants with local and federal law enforcement, including the FBI.

Today the federal government has been weaponized to dismantle the rights of our nations most vulnerable people and any organization like ours that stands in the breach, Fair said. We will vigorously defend ourselves, our staff, and our work; we will continue to fight hate; and we will continue to seek a safer and more just world.

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In a statement defending the SPLC, Anthony Romero, the executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union, assailed the justice departments investigation as yet another example of the Trump administrations extreme attempts to silence its critics.

The Trump administrations attack against the Southern Poverty Law Center is a direct threat to the values that make America great, Romero said. In this time of unprecedented peril for our democracy, we urge all Americans of good conscience to join us as we stand in support of the Southern Poverty Law Center.

 This story was amended on 22 April 2026. The executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union is Anthony Romero, not Simon as an earlier version incorrectly said.
The US has halted $500M in dollar shipments to Iraq and frozen military cooperation programs, demanding Baghdad dismantle Iranian-backed militias in response to militia attacks.

US PresidentDonald Trump's administration has halted US dollar shipments to Iraq and frozen security cooperation programs with its military, as it presses Baghdad to dismantle Iranian-backed militias operating in the country, the Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday, citing Iraqi and US officials.

US Treasury Department officials recently blocked a delivery of nearly $500 million in US banknotes - the proceeds of Iraqi oil sales - from accounts at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, the WSJ said.

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Reuters could not immediately verify the report. The US Treasury Department and the Federal Reserve did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Washington has also informed Baghdad it is suspending funding for some counter-terrorism and military training programs until militia attacks end and Iraqi authorities take steps to dismantle armed groups, the report added.

The United States earlier this month summoned Iraqs ambassador after a drone struck a major US diplomatic facility in Baghdad, following a series of drone attacks that Washington has blamed on Iranaligned terrorist militias."

US operation 'Economic Fury' against militia and terror groups

Since the launch of the US-led military campaign against Iran, known as Operation Epic Fury, in late February, Washington has expanded its strategy beyond the battlefield, ramping up efforts to curb Iran-backed militia activity through a parallel pressure campaign dubbed Economic Fury.

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Earlier this month, the US State Departments Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced that it had designated seven Iran-backed Iraqi militia commanders as terrorists. These individuals were recognized for planning, directing, and executing attacks against US personnel, facilities, and interests in Iraq.

The OFAC stated, These militias attack US personnel and innocent civilians across Iraq, siphoning the countrys wealth to finance their terrorist activities and undermining Iraqs sovereignty and democratic processes.

In addition to the designated terrorists list, the US State Departments Rewards for Justice program (RFJ) announced a $10 million reward for information on Ahmad al-Hamidawi, the leader of Kataib Hezbollah.

Hamidawi has been a designated terrorist since 2020, when he took over leadership from Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis. RFJ described Kataib Hezbollah (KH) as an "Iranian-aligned terrorist group responsible for attacks on US diplomatic facilities in Iraq, the kidnapping of US citizens, and the killing of innocent Iraqi civilians."

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One notable case involved US citizen Shelly Kittleson, who was kidnapped in Baghdad in March. She was released by KH following the announcement of a ceasefire between the US and Iran.

Seth J. Frantzman and James Genn contributed to this report.
Theres an effort in Congress to make sure your health insurance company cant deny you the care you need.

U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff is urging his colleagues to draft legislation to ban insurance companies from denying patients the care theyre prescribed by their doctors, as well as unnecessary delays due to prior authorizations.

According to the senators office, its part of his ongoing push to make sure Georgian families get the healthcare they need and to prevent any Americans from being abused by the current medical system denial process.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

No American should be delayed or denied needed health care. It is unacceptable that Americans, who are paying record premiums to insurers making record profits in the worlds richest country, are nevertheless denied medically necessary care. Ossoff said in a statement. The abuse of prior authorization practices has led to Georgians being denied life-saving medication and waiting months for the care they need all at the whim of insurance companies. This requires us to act in defense of our constituents health.

TRENDING STORIES:

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Citing a recent study by Johns Hopkins University, Ossoffs office said prior authorizations, where their insurance has to say yes before patients get treatments already ordered by their medical providers was tied to disease exacerbation, preventable hospitalization, prolonged hospital stay and lower rates of disease-free survival.

Channel 2 Action News reported recently when Ossoff, citing the study, wrote to Dr. Mehmet Oz, the Administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services about this issue.

Ossoff gave Oz an April 30 deadline for answers.

Wednesdays legislative announcement is another step Ossoff wants the U.S. Senate to take to address Americans medical needs when it comes to being treated properly, rather than having care denied by insurance providers.

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I am calling on the Senate to take up legislation that will end the abusive denial or delay of medically necessary health care. At minimum, such legislation should hold insurance companies accountable for improper denials of care, mandate immediate response from insurance companies to requests for authorization, and prohibit retroactive denials of authorization except in cases of fraud or misrepresentation, Sen. Ossoff also wrote in a letter to his colleagues, thanking Sen. Ron Wyden for his efforts to do so.

Ossoff is also a sponsor of a bipartisan bill to prevent insurance companies from delaying access to medical care, the Safe Step Act, introduced in February.

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The United States Supreme Court declined today to hear a case seeking to shut part of a 645-mile oil pipeline in the Great Lakes.

In 2019, the state of Michigan, with support from various tribes, filed suit against Canadian energy company Enbridge to close an aging portion of Line 5, a 70-year-old pipeline that runs through the Straits of Mackinac, an area sacred to the Anishinaabe people. Advocates say an oil spill would be catastrophic, devastating Tribal lifeways and contaminating drinking water for more than 40 million people.

The energy company attempted to move the case to federal court, arguing that it implicates U.S. and Canadian trade; however, the company missed a filing deadline.

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Enbridge waited too long to remove this case to federal court, Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote for the unanimous ruling in a 14-page opinion .

The decision maintains a lower-court ruling that allows the lawsuit to proceed in state court.

Todays decision honors the truth that the Straits of Mackinac are not a bargaining chip and reaffirms what Tribal Nations have always known  we have the right and the responsibility to protect the Great Lakes, Bay Mills Indian Community President Whitney Gravelle said in a statement. The Supreme Court saw through Enbridges delay tactics and upheld the rule of law. This is a victory for our waters, our treaty rights, and the next seven generations who depend on the Great Lakes for life itself.

In 2020, a judge issued a restraining order shutting the pipeline down, but it was allowed to continue operating after Enbridge met safety standards.

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A year later, the company again tried to move the case to federal court, pointing to cross-border energy transportation. In 2024, the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the company missed a 30-day deadline to change jurisdictions, sending the case back to state court.

The Great Lakes hold one-fifth of the worlds fresh water and are home to more than 4,000 species of wildlife, plants, and fish. Line 5 transports 23 million gallons of crude oil each day through Wisconsin and Michigan. It runs through several tribal nations, including the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa in Wisconsin and treaty-protected areas for the Bay Mills Indian Community in Michigan.

In 2010, a rupture of Enbridges Line 6B spilled 840,000 gallons of crude oil into the Kalamazoo River, resulting in more than a billion dollars in cleanup costs.

The post US Supreme Court Lets Line 5 Lawsuit Move Forward in Michigan Courts appeared first on Native News Online.
By Leah Douglas

WASHINGTON, April 22 (Reuters) - U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said on Wednesday the next phase of the Department of Agriculture's reorganization will be announced by the end of this week and will involve the relocation of researchers.

The agency has said it will move most of its Washington-area staff - about 2,600 people - to five regional hubs in an effort to bring the workforce closer to farmers. Most USDA employees already live outside Washington.

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The next reorganization phase will include moving researchers closer to land-grant institutions and was being finalized on Wednesday, Rollins told the agriculture subcommittee of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

More than 15,000 USDA employees took financial incentives to leave the agency last year as part of President Donald Trump's efforts to reorganize and shrink the federal government.

USDA plans to sell one of its two headquarters buildings in Washington as part of its reorganization. The agency also recently said it will relocate the Forest Service headquarters from Washington to Salt Lake City, Utah.

(Reporting by Leah Douglas in Washington; Editing by Chris Reese and Deepa Babington)
KATHMANDU, April 22 (Xinhua) -- Nepal's home minister Sudan Gurung, who had landed in controversy over his financial dealings, resigned on Wednesday.

"I have resigned from the post of home minister effective from today (Wednesday) to ensure an impartial investigation into matters related to me and to avoid any conflict of interest," he wrote in a post on Facebook.

Deepa Dahal, press expert to Prime Minister Balendra Shah, issued a brief statement saying the prime minister himself will oversee the ministry until a new minister is appointed.

Gurung, head of the non-governmental organization Hami Nepal, was at the forefront of the Gen Z-led violent protests in September 2025. He joined the Rastriya Swatantra Party weeks before the March 5 parliamentary election and was elected as a member of the House of Representatives. Shah appointed him as the home minister on March 27.

Gurung had landed in controversy recently after news reports revealed that he had business partnerships with businessman Deepak Bhatta, who is under probe for money laundering offenses, and that his organization had received money from questionable sources. 
What Virginia's congressional map vote means for Democrats and Republicans 07:16

Virginia voters on Tuesday approved a new congressional map that would give Democrats an advantage in 10 House districts, leaving just one safe Republican seat, CBS News projects.

The new map could help Democrats pick up as many as four House seats, marking a major blow for Republicans in a nationwide redistricting battle ahead of this year's midterm elections.

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The closely contested referendum had been pitched by Democrats as a way to counter President Trump's push for GOP states to redraw their congressional maps to benefit Republicans, led by Texas, which made five of its Democratic districts GOP-leaning.

Democrats on Tuesday celebrated the victory, with former President Barack Obama  one of the most high-profile supporters of the measure  posting on social media "thanks for showing us what it looks like to stand up for our democracy and fight back."

A similar ballot question spearheaded by California's Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom sailed through last year, moving five GOP-held districts leftward and potentially canceling out Texas' gambit. Missouri and North Carolina followed by redrawing their maps to edge out Democrats in one seat apiece. But measures in Indiana and Maryland did not make it through state legislatures.

While state legislatures can redraw congressional maps in some states, Virginia voters in 2020 approved a constitutional amendment that created a bipartisan commission to draw their state's map. Tuesday's referendum set aside the current maps drawn up by the commission, replacing them with maps that were drawn by the Democratic-controlled General Assembly. The previous system will be put back in place after the 2030 census.

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National Democrats had pushed the Virginia referendum as a national battle against Republicans' redistricting efforts, and hoped to capitalize on Democratic Gov. Abigail Spanberger's 15-point victory and other gains in November.

In a statement celebrating Tuesday's results, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, a New York Democrat, said: "While many expected Democrats to roll over and play dead, we did the opposite."

The Democratic National Committee said that "Virginians refused to let Trump play games with Americans' right to fair representation."

Republicans, meanwhile, pointed to the race's tight margins, with the pro-redistricting side on track to win by low single digits. In a statement, Rep. Richard Hudson of North Carolina, who chairs the House GOP's campaign arm, called the redistricting bid an "egregious power grab" and said the close result "reinforces that Virginia is a purple state that shouldn't be represented by a severe partisan gerrymander."

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The new districts spread out the growing Democratic stronghold in northern Virginia, Richmond and Virginia Beach. Many voters in more rural parts of the state had said the new map disenfranchises them.

Maps show current Virginia congressional districts and the proposed redistricting. / Credit: CBS News

Democrats dispatched some of their most high-profile surrogates, including Obama and his Attorney General Eric Holder, the chairman of the National Democratic Redistricting Committee. Although that committee had been focused on creating bipartisan commissions to redraw congressional maps, Holder had advocated for the Democratic gerrymander in Virginia.

He told "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan" on Sunday that "we need to deal with the crisis that we have right now, come up with a way in which we deal with that crisis, and then get back to the redistricting commissions in California and in Virginia."

Mr. Trump also weighed in. Despite his previous pushes for gerrymanders in GOP-controlled Texas, Indiana, Missouri and North Carolina, on Monday, he urged Virginia voters to reject the new map.

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But Mr. Trump himself is facing low approval ratings, and Virginia remains especially hard-hit by the Trump administration's federal job cuts and soaring energy prices.

Nearly $100 million has been poured into the race already, with 95% of that money donated coming from dark money groups. Virginians for Fair Elections, a group supporting the referendum, has donated $64 million, while an anti-redistricting group Virginians for Fair Maps has poured in nearly $20 million, according to data from the Virginia Public Access Project.

Lawsuits from GOP officials challenging the Virginia referendum are still pending in state court, though the Virginia Supreme Court allowed the referendum to go forward while those legal challenges are considered.

In a statement, former Virginia Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin urged the state Supreme Court to "rule against this unconstitutional process that will disenfranchise millions of Virginians."

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With Election Day less than seven months away and primaries and filing deadlines already passed, it's unlikely many other states will take up redistricting again before 2026, although the Florida legislature is set to convene next week in a special session on the matter.

The Supreme Court heard arguments in the fall in Louisiana v. Callais, which could weaken Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, which has been used to ensure minority voters have the opportunity to elect their preferred candidates. The Supreme Court has not issued an opinion in that case yet, but the ruling could result in new congressional maps in several states.

The Supreme Court has left in place the new maps in Texas and California.
Virginia voters have approved a Democrat-backed redistricting plan, according to Decision Desk HQ, greenlighting a new congressional map that could net the party as many as four seats ahead of the midterm elections.

Voters in the Old Dominion cast their ballots in a Tuesday referendum, in which Democratic lawmakers asked them to approve a state constitutional amendment that would temporarily bypass the states redistricting commission and redraw maps mid-decade.

The new House map expands Democrats 6-5 advantage in the states congressional delegation to a 10-1 edge  a significant boost in the battle for control of Congress this fall.

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The referendum, into which both sides poured tens of millions of dollars, represents whats likely the last chance for Democrats to pass a new set of congressional lines in their redistricting war with Republicans this cycle.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) said that his party would put in whatever it takes to get the measure through. Former President Obama was among the top party names urging a yes vote.

Meanwhile, President Trump and Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) urged Virginians to vote no ahead of the election in a state the president lost by just more than 5 percentage points in the 2024 election.

Republicans have passed new maps in Texas, North Carolina and Missouri, and an upcoming special session could give them new pickup opportunities in Florida. Democrats responded with a blue-friendly redraw in California and got a boost from a court-ordered map in Utah.

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The changes, though they could be pivotal in the fall, will be short-lived in some cases. The amendment approved by Virginia voters specifies that redistricting will be back in the hands of the states bipartisan commission after the 2030 census.

The redistricting question prompted Virginia to shift its midterm primaries from a June election day to August as voters weighed in on the referendum. Early voting for the primaries begins June 18.

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.
Former Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) and Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) campaign ahead of the heavily contested redistricting referendum in Virginia. HuffPost

Like this article? Keep independent journalism alive. Support HuffPost.

Virginia voters approved a congressional map on Tuesday that is likely to create four additional Democratic seats in Congress, handing the party a major win in the ongoing redistricting wars.

The victory also showed that the Democrats rank-and-file was willing to put aside cherished good-government principles to battle President Donald Trump, creating a gerrymandered map that includes 10 districts likely to elect a Democrat to the U.S. House and just one, located in the states conservative southwest, likely to back a Republican. The existing delegation consists of six Democrats and five Republicans.

Politics: Lawrence ODonnell Spots Why Tucker Carlsons Apology Is A Very, Very Bad Sign For Trump

The new maps would gerrymander the state to create 10 districts likely to elect a Democrat to the U.S. House and just one, located in the states conservative southwest, likely to back a Republican. The existing delegation consists of six Democrats and five Republicans.

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With Democrats already favored to win control of the House in November, the victory in Virginia smooths their path and could enable the party to go after deeper-red territory elsewhere in the country.

Virginia voters have spoken, and tonight they pushed back against a President who claims he is entitled to more Republican seats in Congress, Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) said in a statement after the vote was called. As we watched other states go along with those demands without voter input, Virginians refused to let that stand. We responded the right way: at the ballot box.

The referendum vote was heavily contested and drew huge spending  roughly $60 million from Democrats and $30 million from the GOP, almost all of it from groups that do not have to disclose their donors.

Politics: Virginia Democrats Move To Fight Back In Redistricting Wars

It was the latest round of mid-decade redistricting provoked by Trumps push to have Republicans redraw lines to eliminate Democratic-held seats in red states, including Texas, Ohio, North Carolina, Missouri and potentially Florida. Democrats have responded by drawing new maps in California and, now, Virginia.

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The lead for yes was relatively narrow as of 10 p.m. on Tuesday, at 51.3% of the vote compared with 48.7% for a no vote against approving the maps, showing how Republicans managed to wake up their lethargic base.

The vote also revealed how many voters who supported former Vice President Kamala Harris in 2024  she won the state by six percentage points  were uncomfortable with Democrats move to maximize their power. These voters, however, turned out to be a relatively small minority, with many Democratic leaders cheering on their voters willingness to play hardball.

Maximum warfare, everywhere, all the time, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said in a statement celebrating the victory. A nonprofit closely affiliated with Jeffries was the leading funder of the yes effort.

Politics: Trumps Warning To Virginia Voters Sure Feels Like An Ad For Democrats

Depending on what happens in Florida, where GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis is set to call a special session to draw a new map next week, Democrats could now come out ahead in the redistricting wars. The party looks set to gain as many as 10 seats, compared to a maximum of eight for the GOP.

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There was an assumption that in the face of these attacks from Texas and Missouri and North Carolina and elsewhere that Democrats and blue states would just roll over or not stand up and fight, said Kelly Hall, the executive director of the Fairness Project, which supports liberal ballot measures and spent $12 million backing a yes vote. The balance really has evened out thanks to Virginia and California.

If there is a bright spot for the GOP, it was a comparatively strong turnout from their voters, who have otherwise been difficult to get to the polls since Trump won in 2024.

Virginians had previously approved a nonpartisan redistricting commission, which drew the existing map in 2020. The new referendum sidelines the commission until 2030.

Politics: Donald Trumps Vietnam Boast Sparks Damning Blast From His Past

The four new seats likely to elect Democrats already have crowded fields of candidates running in primaries: former Rep. Tom Perriello, state Del. Sam Rasoul and journalist Beth Macy could all run for the new 6th District, and the new 7th District is likely to see a battle between never-Trump Republican-turned-Democrat Olivia Troye, former Virginia first lady Dorothy McAuliffe and state Del. Dan Helmer. Henrico County prosecutor Shannon Taylor is the leading candidate to win the new 5th District.

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There remains a small chance the courts could block the new map. Virginias Supreme Court allowed the vote to take place without ultimately ruling on its legality.

There is also a long-term risk in the new map. None of the seats voted for Harris by more than 10 percentage points, and many could be vulnerable in 2028 or 2030 if the political environment improves for the GOP.

Political Updates

Read the original on HuffPost
April 21 (UPI) -- Voters in Virginia narrowly approved a constitutional amendment in a special election Tuesday, clearing the way for a new congressional map expected to favor Democrats in November's midterm elections.

With all localities reporting less than two hours after polls closed at 7 p.m. EDT, 51.33% of the nearly 3 million ballots cast supported the redistricting amendment, compared with 48.67% opposed, according to unofficial results from the Virginia Department of Elections.

Nearly 1 million people voted early, while more than 280,000 others cast mailed absentee ballots, according to the department.

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Tuesday's vote could have major implications for the November midterm elections by amending the state Constitution to allow the General Assembly to temporarily adopt new congressional districts.

Under the map drawn by Democratic lawmakers, Democrats would be favored to win 10 of the state's 11 congressional districts. Democrats currently hold six of the state's 11 congressional seats and Republicans hold five.

President Donald Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., voiced their opposition Virginia's redistricting plan, with Trump calling it unfair. File Photo by Aaron Schwartz/UPI.

"Virginia voters have spoken, and tonight they pushed back against a president who claims he is 'entitled' to more Republican seats in Congress," Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger said in a social media statement late Tuesday.

"As we watched other states go along with those demands without voter input, Virginians refused to let that stand. We responded the right way: at the ballot box."

has joined Virginia lawmakers Sen. Mark Warner and Sen. Tim Kaine at rallies to support redistricting. Former President Barack Obama has also been involved, appearing in ad campaigns calling on voters to vote yes. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI

Virginia is the latest state to redraw its congressional map mid-decade after Texas, encouraged by President Donald Trump, approved a map last year expected to favor Republicans. Four Republican-led states have approved new congressional maps.

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Democrats and Republicans outside of the state have lent their voices to campaigns for and against Virginia's redistricting plan. Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., voiced their opposition to the plan, with Trump calling it "unfair."

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., has joined Virginia lawmakers Sens. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine at rallies to support redistricting. Former President Barack Obama has also been involved, appearing in ad campaigns calling on voters to vote "yes."

"Congratulations, Virginia!" Obama said following the vote on social media.

"Republicans are trying to tilt the midterm elections in their favor, but they haven't done it yet. Thanks for showing us what it looks like to stand up for our democracy and fight back."

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Jeff Ryer, chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia, said Republicans would continue fighting the measure in court.

"I know we are disappointed by tonight's result. Evidently, a sufficient number of Virginians trusted the blatantly dishonest language the Democrats placed on the ballot to make our Commonwealth the most severely gerrymandered state in the nation," he said in a statement.

A major Republican argument in the litigation centers on the ballot language, which asks voters whether the state Constitution should be amended to allow the temporary adoption of new congressional districts "to restore fairness in the upcoming elections."

Ryer said with the referendum behind them, their fight continues.

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"Now, we enter the phase that will be decided through litigation," he said.

"We don't know whether the Supreme Court of Virginia will rule that the General Assembly is not above the law and does not have license to violate the Constitution. For the sake of Virginia, we will hope and pray that they do."

The redistricting arms race was fueled by Trump's push for Republican-led states to secure more GOP-friendly House seats ahead of the midterms, prompting Democrats to pursue countermoves in states they control. Trump has warned Republicans that losing the House in November could lead to his impeachment.

The Virginia Supreme Court allowed Tuesday's election to move forward but may still weigh in on whether the new congressional map is legal.
Some of you may have noticed Brit Steiner campaign posters popping up in Ohios 49th House District. Perhaps you are not familiar with Brit and would like to know more and wonder why you should vote for her in the May primary.

I first met Brit over 20 years ago when she first entered my college classroom as an 18-year-old. She was a bright, collegial, and disciplined student. Raised in a blue-collar home in Wellsville, Brit was a curious and dogged student, respected and admired by all who knew her, professors and students alike.

When I received a request from the National First Ladies Historic site for a student intern, I immediately recommended Brit, even though she was only a sophomore. She later spent a semester of study in Egypt and interned for a government aid agency in Washington, DC. After graduation, she tirelessly dedicated herself to public service in the nations capital and beyond, traveling around the world in service to her country.

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So, how did she end up back in Canton, years after graduating from college?

Brit is first and foremost a wife and mother. With the birth of her two beautiful sons, she and her husband, a local physician, decided to return home to Ohio, and more specifically the Canton area. Her family lives in Columbiana County, and her husbands family hails from Wayne County, with Stark County nestled in between. Stark County is her home.

I have not placed a campaign sign in my yard since 1985, but you will find a Brit Steiner poster in my front yard. I feel strongly that she is the person we need to serve the 49th District in the Buckeye States General Assembly. For Canton, for Stark County, for Ohio: Vote for Brit.

Jacalynn J. Stuckey, Canton

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Vote for Brit Steiner to represent Ohio's 49th District | Letter
Voting rights activists on Tuesday sued the Trump administration over its efforts to obtain lists of registered voters from states, casting it as a bid to take over and subvert Novembers midterm elections.

The Justice Department (DOJ) is vying for election information on individuals across the country in response to President Trumps calls to nationalize elections. Four voters and the advocacy group Common Cause argued that its aim is to create a sprawling new voter surveillance and purging apparatus.

The activists assert that the Justice Department is seeking to usurp states authority over elections and impose its own secretive verification procedures' for finding ineligible voters, then require states to remove them.

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Never before has a federal agency centralized this volume of Americans voting data in a single system of records, the complaint reads.

The data includes voters Social Security numbers, party affiliations, addresses, drivers license numbers and more. The activists are asking a federal judge to block the Justice Department from compiling or using states registered voter lists and to delete any data already obtained.

Virginia Kase Solomon, president and CEO of Common Cause, said in a statement that the governments conduct amounts to a blatant, partisan power grab.

By attempting to interrogate and exploit voter data for political purposes, President Trumps DOJ isnt just threatening the privacy of every American  they are building a system designed to imprison the ballot box and silence millions of eligible voters, she said. We wont stand by while Americans rights to privacy and voting are under attack.

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At least 12 states have already provided the data to the Justice Department and up to 19 have said they would.

But the majority of states have refused to turn over the voter lists. DOJ has so far sued 30 states, plus the District of Columbia, to enforce its requests. Five of those lawsuits have been dismissed, after federal judges found the Trump administration failed to justify the demands.

Harmeet Dhillon, DOJs civil rights chief, has said the department is ensuring election integrity is a paramount duty.

Many states fail to clean noncitizen & deceased people from their voter rolls, and under my leadership, @CivilRights will continue working to ensure that ONLY eligible American citizens vote in our elections! she wrote Sunday on the social platform X.

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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 The Hill.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) advised the next Democratic president to focus on passing universal healthcare, a policy measure that has been hotly debated within the party in recent years.

We have to figure out, once we move in a progressive way, once we see a Barack Obama win, once we see a Congress win, it has to be about not holding power for the sake of holding power, it has to be about passing things, Walz said on MS NOWs The Weeknight.

And for this  I Donald Trump has encouraged me, when we take power back, Ill tell you what  the next Democratic president better figure out a way to get universal health care or were back in the same situation again, he added.

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In the last decade, there have been growing calls for universal health care on the left, with Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), who has seen his political star rise with two presidential runs in 2016 and 2020, being a leading proponent of Medicare for All.

Hillary Clinton, who beat Sanders for the nomination in 2016, said single-payer healthcare will never, ever happen during that campaign, while President Biden said he would veto Medicare for All during the 2020 campaign, pointing to the price tag.

Walz emerged as a national political figure shortly before being selected as Vice President Harriss running mate in her 2024 race for the White House. He announced in January that he would not run for re-election in Minnesota, amid a growing Republican scrutiny of welfare fraud in the state.

In polling from late last year, the majority of U.S. voters said health care was unaffordable and were open to a health insurance system that didnt connect coverage to employment.

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Seventy-six percent of voters said they agreed with the statement: We need to switch to a different system of health insurance where people can change jobs or become self-employed and not have to worry about losing their health insurance.

Following the 2024 elections, the Democratic Party has been torn between the progressive wing of the party, which wants to see the party move to the left in future elections, and a more moderate wing that wants a shift to the middle.

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.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., long a progressive force in New England, traveled to Maine over the weekend to boost left-wing Senate candidate Graham Platner ahead of the states pivotal Democratic primary.

"Graham is a combat veteran. Hes an oyster farmer, he is an organizer, and he is the person who is going to beat Susan Collins," said Warren at his campaign rally on Saturday in Portland.

At one point during the rally, Warren said Platner was her "kind of man," recalling that she first noticed him in an interview where he argued the system was "rigged" after the 2008 financial crash as no bankers were jailed.

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Warren is championing Platner as a "fighter" for Maine voters, drawing national attention to the candidate ahead of a showdown with two-term Democratic Gov. Janet Mills, who has the backing of Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. A series of controversies, however, trail Platner.

Maine Senate Candidate Cites Combat Trauma When Confronted On 'Terrible' Posts About Sexual Assault

U.S. senatorial candidate from Maine Graham Platner speaks at a town hall at the Leavitt Theater on October 22, 2025 in Ogunquit, Maine. Platner, a veteran of the U.S. Marines and an oyster farmer, is running for the seat held by Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME).

"Insiders who go along to get along are not going to hose the corruption out of Washington. We need Graham Platner to come in and get the corruption out of Washington," said Warren from the rally.

Read On The Fox News App

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Elizabeth Warren Endorses Nazi-tattooed Graham Platner In High-stakes Maine Senate Primary

"There are people who realize that when the system is this broken, when there are this many billionaires who have this much control over our country, it is no longer time to make little change at the margins, it is time for big, structural change," Warren added.

Maines Democratic primary is June 9, with Platner working to unseat Republican Sen. Susan Collins in November's general election.

Platner's past controversies have been political fodder for the Mills campaign, including directing voters to his decade-old Reddit posts in which he appeared to place blame on sexual assault victims and defended Hamas military moves, among other messages from the 2013 and 2014 era. Platner also came under fire for having a chest tattoo recognized as a Nazi symbol, which he has since apologized for and covered.

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"For those of you who have read these things and been offended, have read these things and seen someone that you dont recognize, I am deeply sorry," Platner said in an apology video in 2025.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) questions former executives of failed banks during a Senate Banking Committee hearing on Capitol Hill May 16, 2023, in Washington.

Warren, who is one of President Donald Trumps most relentless critics, notably condemned Department of War Secretary Pete Hegseth last year for his Christian tattoos, which include the Jerusalem Cross and the Latin phrase "Deus Vult," which translates to "God wills it."

"We cannot have a Defense Secretary whose fellow service members feel concerned enough about to report as a potential insider threat," Warren wrote in a lengthy letter to Hegseth in 2025 over her concerns with his tattoos.

The Massachusetts Democrat has downplayed Platner's past controversies since her endorsement of the Senate candidate.

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"Look, he has apologized for that, and hes out there talking to the people of Maine every single day," Warren told HuffPost when asked about Platner's controversies.

Democratic Senate Candidate Laughs When Pressed If Voters Can Trust Her After Public Biden Defense

Graham Platner, a U.S. Marine and Army veteran and oyster farmer, in August launched a Democratic run for the U.S. Senate in Maine.

Warren Warned Hegseth's Tattoo Made Him A Potential 'Threat'  Now She Backs Candidate With Nazi-linked Ink

The race has amplified divisions within the Democrat Party, with left-wing lawmakers such as Warren and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders back Platner, while Schumer and Democratic Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer have backed Mills for the Senate.

Graham Platner, a Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in Maine, points to a covered tattoo that had previously been an image recognized as a Nazi symbol, during an interview on Wednesday in Portland, Me.

Platner, angling himself a Washington outsider, spoke Saturday about wealth being shifted to the "ruling class" through a system created by establishment politicians.

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"The money went somewhere, and it wasnt down here. It was stolen from us, stolen from us in a system that was built by establishment politicians like Susan Collins," said Platner, as Democrats increasingly lean into slamming the Trump administration and GOP for its economic policies in the lead up to the midterms.

Click Here To Download The Fox News App

Fox News Digital reached out to the offices of Warren and Planter for comment on Monday.

Fox News Digital's Paul Steinhauser and Bonny Chu contributed to this report.





Original article source: Warren says her kind of man is left-wing Senate hopeful rocked by Nazi-tattoo, Reddit controversies
Florida politicians have been talking a lot for months about cutting property taxes. There are a pile of ideas, but not much yet on a path forward.

Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis says he wants to call the state Legislature back for a special session on property taxes. But he hasnt yet put forward a plan and no date has been set for a session.

There are less than seven months until the November election, so where does the issue currently stand?

Would cutting Florida property taxes mean amending the state Constitution?

Most of the proposals so far involve amending the state Constitution, which would require a 60% favorable vote in a referendum to be enacted. Such an amendment also would need a three-fifths vote to pass the state House and Senate, before it got to voters.

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Floridas counties and cities are watching with deep concern that a basic source of tax money for everything from law enforcement to schools to roads to government services like emergency response will be in jeopardy, depending on which plan might pass.

How much do Florida counties and cities depend on property tax revenue?

About half of Floridas 67 counties get the bulk of their revenue from property taxes, according to the Florida Association of Counties. The cities also depend on this revenue.

The Florida League of Cities said in a statement that cutting property taxes will likely trigger a tax shift that could require higher sales taxes and government fees for things like home inspections.

In 2024, the last year complete figures are available, Florida counties collected about $18.8 billion in property taxes, according to the county association.

What kinds of proposals to cut Florida property taxes are on the table?

Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis says he wants to call the state Legislature back for a special session on property taxes.

One plan would eliminate all non-school property taxes properties that have a homestead exemption, which are mainly peoples primary residences rather than secondary homes, like a vacation place. The tax for schools would remain and its estimated this would be a big reduction particularly for people in high-tax places like Miami-Dade, Broward, Hillsborough, Orange and Pinellas counties.

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Another idea is to phase out property taxes other than those for schools more gradually over a 10-year period. The reduction would come by raising the homestead exemption about $100,000 per year.

Some plans focus on seniors with fixed incomes. For example, one piece of legislation would increase property tax exemptions for people 65 and and older who meet certain income thresholds.

There are also proposals that would impact small businesses, enable homeowners to make improvements without triggering a tax value increase and eliminate property reassessment spikes when a property is purchased especially by first-time buyers.

DeSantis has repeatedly said he wants lawmakers to consider a single, consolidated bill rather than a bunch of overlapping proposals. If it comes together, the plan is for voters to have a property tax reduction amendment on the November 2026 ballot.

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Curt Anderson is the Policy and Politics Reporter for The USA TODAY NETWORK-FLORIDA. 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://tallahassee.com/newsletters.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Where things stand on the governor eliminating Florida property taxes
Commuters on the Metrorail in Washington DC and Virginia are facing delays Wednesday morning due to a collision involving a WMATA work vehicle.

WMATA said early Wednesday morning a work vehicle on the Silver Line struck a stationary train at Metro Center.

Just before midnight (close of service), a work vehicle on the Silver Line made contact with a stationary train at Metro Center. 11 non-life-threatening injuries were reported. Were working with our partners to investigate. We will provide updates on any impacts to A.M. service. pic.twitter.com/LRnFPbXdsR  Metro Forward (@wmata) April 22, 2026

Eleven people suffered non-life threatening injuries from the collision, officials said. The cause of the crash is under investigation.

Here's how it has continued to affect travelers Wednesday.

A soldier in the National Guard cleared leaves with a leaf-blower on Aug. 28 at McPherson Square in Washington, D.C. Members of the Louisiana National Guard patrol the perimeter of Union Station in Washington, DC, as President Donald Trump's deployment of National Guard troops and federal takeover of Metro Police Department continues on Aug. 26, 2025. Members of the National Guard stand outside Union Station on August 14, 2025 in Washington, DC. President Donald Trump announced plans to deploy federal officers and the National Guard to the District and also placed the DC Metropolitan Police Department under federal control. District of Columbia National Guard members positioned along with United States Capitol Police at Union Station in Washington, DC on Thursday, August 14, 2025. A person yells in protest at members of the National Guard as they stand outside Union Station on August 14, 2025 in Washington, DC. A cyclist passes a National Guard vehicle near the Lincoln Memorial on August 14, 2025 in Washington, DC. District of Columbia National Guard members patrol Washington, DC, on Aug. 14, 2025. National Guard troops patrol the National Mall on Aug. 12, 2025, in Washington, DC. U.S. Army National Guard Humvees park near the Washington Monument after President Donald Trump announced a federal takeover of the Metropolitan Police Department under the Home Rule Act to assist with crime prevention in the nation's capital, Washington, D.C., August 12, 2025. Members of the Washington DC National Guard pose for photos with a tourist near the Washington Monument on August 12, 2025 in Washington, DC. National Guard troops are deployed to the Washington Monument as part of President Trump's mobilization of law enforcement on August 12, 2025 in Washington, DC. National Guard troops walk along the National Mall on August 12, 2025 in Washington, DC. District of Columbia National Guard soldiers carrying boxers of MREOs (Meals Read to Eat) at the DC Armory on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, after President Donald Trump ordered an increased federal law enforcement presence across the streets of Washington, D.C. District of Columbia National Guard soldiers arriving at the DC Armory on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, after President Donald Trump ordered an increased federal law enforcement presence across the streets of Washington, D.C. District of Columbia National Guard soldiers arriving at the DC Armory on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, after President Donald Trump ordered an increased federal law enforcement presence across the streets of Washington, D.C.. The president has increasingly criticized crime in Washington even as itOs reached a 30-year low. Trump in a social media post on Aug. 10 said that the homeless in D.C. "have to move out, IMMEDIATELY," but he did not elaborate on how that will be accomplished. Members of the District of Columbia Army National Guard walk out of the D.C. Armory building on August 12, 2025, after President Donald Trump ordered an increased federal law enforcement presence across the streets of Washington, D.C.. The president has increasingly criticized crime in Washington even as its reached a 30-year low. District of Columbia National Guard soldiers arrive on Aug. 12, 2025, after President Donald Trump ordered an increased federal law enforcement presence across Washington, DC. District of Columbia National Guard soldiers arrive at the DC Armory on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, after President Donald Trump ordered an increased federal law enforcement presence across the streets of Washington, D.C.. Members of the District of Columbia Army National Guard walk out of the D.C. Armory building on August 12, 2025, after President Donald Trump ordered an increased federal law enforcement presence across the streets of Washington, D.C.. The president has increasingly criticized crime in Washington even as its reached a 30-year low. District of Columbia National Guard soldiers arrive at the DC Armory on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, after President Donald Trump ordered an increased federal law enforcement presence across the streets of Washington, D.C. District of Columbia National Guard soldiers arrive at the DC Armory on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, after President Donald Trump ordered an increased federal law enforcement presence across the streets of Washington, D.C. A District of Columbia National Guard soldier arrives at the DC Armory on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, after President Donald Trump ordered an increased federal law enforcement presence across the streets of Washington, D.C. The scene in Washington, DC, as National Guard troops deploy on the streets 1 of 22 A soldier in the National Guard cleared leaves with a leaf-blower on Aug. 28 at McPherson Square in Washington, D.C.

Where is the Metro delayed Wednesday?

The Blue and Orange Line trains are single-tracking between the McPherson Square and Smithsonian stops, WMATA said.

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"Customers will experience significant delays in both directions," WMATA said of Orange and Blue Line travelers.

The crash has caused Silver Line trains to only be operational between Ashburn and Clarendon, severely limiting options for traveling into DC. WMATA said Silver Line commuters can transfer to the Orange Line at Clarendon.

Commuters took to social media to express their frustrations about the delays, with one person commenting on Reddit that they had been stuck on a train for an hour.

"Waited 30 mins for a train at Court House with no train arriving anytime soon," another user said. "Heading back home. If you can work from home I would just do that."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: WMATA crash causes injuries, delays on DC Metro line
A woman selects books at Beishufang, a Xinhua Bookstore outlet, in Changchun City, northeast China's Jilin Province, April 21, 2026. Beishufang, a Xinhua Bookstore outlet, is housed in a protected historic site on the central axis of Changchun. After a renovation in 2025, the building now preserves its original yellow brick walls, arched windows, and other antique features.

The bookstore has since been integrated with multiple functions, including book sales, cultural and creative product exhibitions, a cafe, and more. Open to the public for free, this historic building has been transformed into a "people's study room." (Xinhua/Xu Chang)

A woman selects books at Beishufang, a Xinhua Bookstore outlet, in Changchun City, northeast China's Jilin Province, April 20, 2026. Beishufang, a Xinhua Bookstore outlet, is housed in a protected historic site on the central axis of Changchun. After a renovation in 2025, the building now preserves its original yellow brick walls, arched windows, and other antique features.

The bookstore has since been integrated with multiple functions, including book sales, cultural and creative product exhibitions, a cafe, and more. Open to the public for free, this historic building has been transformed into a "people's study room." (Xinhua/Xu Chang)

Staff members of China Railway Shenyang Group Co., Ltd. attend a theme reading sharing activity to mark World Reading Day at Beishufang, a Xinhua Bookstore outlet, in Changchun City, northeast China's Jilin Province, April 21, 2026. Beishufang, a Xinhua Bookstore outlet, is housed in a protected historic site on the central axis of Changchun. After a renovation in 2025, the building now preserves its original yellow brick walls, arched windows, and other antique features.

The bookstore has since been integrated with multiple functions, including book sales, cultural and creative product exhibitions, a cafe, and more. Open to the public for free, this historic building has been transformed into a "people's study room." (Xinhua/Xu Chang)

A man selects books at Beishufang, a Xinhua Bookstore outlet, in Changchun City, northeast China's Jilin Province, April 21, 2026. Beishufang, a Xinhua Bookstore outlet, is housed in a protected historic site on the central axis of Changchun. After a renovation in 2025, the building now preserves its original yellow brick walls, arched windows, and other antique features.

The bookstore has since been integrated with multiple functions, including book sales, cultural and creative product exhibitions, a cafe, and more. Open to the public for free, this historic building has been transformed into a "people's study room." (Xinhua/Xu Chang)

This photo taken on April 20, 2026 shows an interior view of Beishufang, a Xinhua Bookstore outlet, in Changchun City, northeast China's Jilin Province. Beishufang, a Xinhua Bookstore outlet, is housed in a protected historic site on the central axis of Changchun. After a renovation in 2025, the building now preserves its original yellow brick walls, arched windows, and other antique features.

The bookstore has since been integrated with multiple functions, including book sales, cultural and creative product exhibitions, a cafe, and more. Open to the public for free, this historic building has been transformed into a "people's study room." (Xinhua/Xu Chang)

This photo taken on April 20, 2026 shows an exterior view of Beishufang, a Xinhua Bookstore outlet, in Changchun City, northeast China's Jilin Province. Beishufang, a Xinhua Bookstore outlet, is housed in a protected historic site on the central axis of Changchun. After a renovation in 2025, the building now preserves its original yellow brick walls, arched windows, and other antique features.

The bookstore has since been integrated with multiple functions, including book sales, cultural and creative product exhibitions, a cafe, and more. Open to the public for free, this historic building has been transformed into a "people's study room." (Xinhua/Xu Chang)

Children arrive at Beishufang, a Xinhua Bookstore outlet, in Changchun City, northeast China's Jilin Province, April 21, 2026. Beishufang, a Xinhua Bookstore outlet, is housed in a protected historic site on the central axis of Changchun. After a renovation in 2025, the building now preserves its original yellow brick walls, arched windows, and other antique features.

The bookstore has since been integrated with multiple functions, including book sales, cultural and creative product exhibitions, a cafe, and more. Open to the public for free, this historic building has been transformed into a "people's study room." (Xinhua/Xu Chang)
Authorities in Louisiana are searching for answers after a man shot and killed eight children, including seven of his own, and critically wounded two women, including his wife, in Shreveport, La., early Sunday, in the nations deadliest mass shooting in more than two years.

I just dont know what to say, my heart is just taken aback, Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith said at a news conference. I cannot begin to imagine how such an event could occur.

The gunman, identified as 31-year-old Shamar Elkins, was killed during a police pursuit after hijacking a car, according to police.

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The children, ranging in age from 3 to 11 years, were identified by the coroners office as Jayla Elkins, Shayla Elkins, Kayla Pugh, Layla Pugh, Markaydon Pugh, Sariahh Snow, Khedarrion Snow and Braylon Snow.

Today, our community is grieving the unimaginable loss of innocent children, Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux said in a statement. There are no words that can make sense of it, and no distance that shields us from it.

Authorities did not identify a motive for the shooting, which was described by police as entirely a domestic incident.

Crystal Brown, a cousin of one of the women wounded in the shooting, told the Associated Press that Shamar Elkins and his wife were in the middle of separating and were due in court Monday. And family members told the New York Times that Elkins was struggling with mental health problems and had recently expressed suicidal thoughts.

How the shooting unfolded

Police work outside the scene of a mass shooting in Shreveport, La., on April 19. (Gerald Herbert/AP)

According to police, officers responded to reports of shots fired just after 6 a.m. local time on Sunday in the Cedar Grove neighborhood, south of downtown Shreveport, where Elkins first shot an adult female at one home and drove to another home where this heinous act was carried out.

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Seven children were killed inside the home; one was found dead on the roof, according to police. Elkinss wife, Shaneiqua Pugh, was seriously wounded but is expected to survive, according to KSLA-TV. A 13-year-old boy who jumped off the roof was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.

Elkins then hijacked a car at gunpoint and fled the scene. Shortly after the carjacking, police located the stolen vehicle and initiated a pursuit that continued into the next parish.

The pursuit continued into Bossier Parish, where officers ultimately engaged the suspect, Shreveport Police said in a preliminary incident report. Officers were forced to discharge their department-issued firearms, neutralizing the suspect, who was pronounced deceased at the scene.

What we know about the gunman

Shamar Elkins served in the Louisiana Army National Guard as a signal system specialist and a fire support specialist from 2013 to 2020, according to CNN. He was never deployed.

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Elkins had at least two prior criminal convictions, according to court records.

In 2019, he was arrested on charges of illegal use of weapons and carrying a firearm on school property. Per CNN, Elkins pulled a 9-millimeter handgun from his pants and shot at a vehicle five times after the driver of the car pulled a gun on him and took off.

According to police, the incident occurred near a schoolyard where children were playing. Elkins pleaded guilty and served probation.

Children sit during a prayer vigil for the victims of a mass shooting in Shreveport, La., on April 19. (Gerald Herbert/AP)

The shooting in Shreveport was the deadliest in the United States since January 2024, when a 23-year-old man fatally shot eight people, including seven of his relatives, in a Chicago suburb.

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Shreveport is not an island, Arceneaux, the mayor, said. We are connected  and in moments like this, that connection must mean something. It must mean compassion, it must mean awareness, and it must mean action.

We must check on one another, he added. We must support those who carry the weight of what they saw and heard today. And we must not ignore the deeper issues  violence in the home, untreated trauma, and the silence that allows both to grow.


Support Local News Reporting in the Yakima Valley

To support timely fact-based Yakima Herald-Republic reporting like the piece above, you can use one of the convenient options below. Donations through this system are tax deductible.
Pope criticizes colonization of Africa's minerals as he arrives in Equatorial Guinea

Pope Leo XIV has denounced the colonization of minerals and the lust for power in Equatorial Guinea at the end of his four-nation African trip
BEIJING, April 22 (Xinhua) -- The remains of 12 Chinese People's Volunteers martyrs who lost their lives during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953) were returned to China from the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Wednesday. 
Ulviyya Poladova



The President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, has urged the international community to support efforts aimed at preserving the Caspian Sea, stressing its critical importance for regional ecological balance, biodiversity, and sustainable development, AzerNEWS reports via the press service of the Kazakh president.

Tokayev emphasized that protecting the Caspian Sea is a key national priority for Kazakhstan. He noted that the country has launched an interstate program designed to prevent further environmental degradation of the sea.

As part of these efforts, Kazakhstan has established the Caspian Sea Research Institute to strengthen regional scientific cooperation and support evidence-based environmental policy.

"We call on all of participants to support efforts to preserve this unique natural heritage," Tokayev said, highlighting the need for coordinated global action.

He also stressed that any use of military force in the Caspian region must be excluded and prohibited.

The Regional Ecological Summit 2026 establishes an international platform for dialogue and coordination among governments, international and regional organizations, financial institutions, development agencies, the private sector, the scientific community, and civil society.

The objective of RES 2026 is to establish an open platform for the development of joint and practical solutions to climate and ecological challenges, bringing together a broad range of countries, regions, and partners, and demonstrating, through the example of Central Asia, how interregional cooperation strengthens global efforts.
A spectacular drone and fireworks show lit up the sky over Dongfang, Hainan, celebrating the Sanyuesan festival. Blending ethnic designs and cutting-edge drone tech, the display offered a vivid glimpse of cultural diversity and shared heritage.

Observed on the third day of the third lunar month, Sanyuesan is widely celebrated across China, including among the Li and Miao communities in Hainan, where people gather through song, dance and sport to share culture and connection.
By BRIANNE COOK

[email protected]

Hurley  The Iron County Outdoor Recreation Enthusiasts, otherwise known as ICORE, is encountering several hurdles to the construction of a Hurley-Montreal leg to the Iron Belle Trail.

Hurley City Council members discussed the situation at their April 15 meeting, before new council members were sworn in at the most recent Tuesday meeting.

The non-motorized trail would provide a scenic hike between the communities of Montreal and Hurley. The new trail also would connect to the Michigan segments of the Iron Belle Trail, which is also still being developed.

ICORE has been pursuing the link, which it believes could increase area commerce, since 2016.

In 2025, ICORE requested assistance from Hurley to purchase the former Sioux Line Railroad Grade, currently owned by the Canadian National Railway Company, which is headquartered in Quebec, Canada.

The agreement had been for ICORE to raise $175,000 and for Hurley to use that money to purchase  via a quick claim deed  the property and immediately sign it over to ICORE.

In order to facilitate the purchase, a survey had to be made of the land, which ICORE paid for and had performed in 2024.

The survey included title research, which revealed that the railway company does not appear to have a title to the land on the west end of Montreal.

At this time, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation has not released the railroad grade for private purchase, but it can do so, after which Hurley then would have the first right of purchase.

Adding a separate hurdle is the fact that the grant ICORE was pursuing from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, so as to fund the purchase, is unlikely to be secured.

That's because CN does not have mineral rights to the land it would be selling, something the WDNR requires for grants used to purchase land.

Nevertheless, ICORE remains undaunted and has assured the City Council that it can raise the funds to complete the purchase by Nov. 15, with help in part from a grant from Enbridge Inc., an energy company based in Calgary, Canada, but with a strong local presence.

City Council members Jamey Francis, Joe Kasper and Stephanie Innes voted yes and Robert Lanctoe voted "present." The mayor recused herself from the vote.

In other news, the council also:

 Approved the transfer of ownership of a parcel of land to Hurley Development Group LLC, which is the company constructing a Dollar General on the site of the old Giovanonis Hardware store.

 Learned that the Iron County Health Department has revoked the license of the Silver Street Motel. While acknowledging that the issues that caused the revoking are being resolved, council members declined to process the motel's application for a license.

 Approved advertising openings for part-time summer help in the Department of Public Works.

 Approved Snow Ridge Lumber of Hurley to drive heavier trucks on roads under city jurisdiction, pursuant to the company getting permission from the state of Wisconsin to also drive such vehicles on roads over which the state has jurisdiction. This simplifies the permitting process for vehicles, and allows Snow Ridge to transport the same weight of lumber year-round instead of reducing it in the off season.

 Did not act on a request by the Hurley chapter of the American Legion, which proposed a Fourth of July parade to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. Council members noted that permission will be required from the state of Wisconsin and that Hurley is allowed to have only so many closures of state highways.

The matter will be discussed again during the council's May 12 meeting.
By BRIANNE COOK

[email protected]

HURLEY - The first meeting of the Hurley City Council after the April 7 election did not start with the swearing in of new council members and, in fact, had to be rescheduled from April 14 to April 15 due to lack of a quorum.

Even so, the appointment of two new council members, along with their swearing in, did not occur until a special meeting on Tuesday.

And one seat still remains empty.

Joe Kasper and Paul Mullard - the two people who had received the highest number of write-in votes - were both sworn in on Tuesday.

Although Kasper had withdrawn his c...
BESSEMER, Mich.  Gladys DeRosie, 96, born and raised in Bessemer, passed away peacefully early Thursday morning, April 16, 2026, at Sky View Nursing Center in Hurley, Wisconsin.

The former Gladys Nyman was born on May 16, 1929, daughter of the late Alfred and Anna (Marander) Nyman. She graduated from A.D. Johnston High School in Bessemer with the Class of 1947.

In 1949, Gladys was married to Donald DeRosie, and they celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary before his passing.

While raising her family, Gladys worked at home, coloring portraits for Kennys Studio in Ironwood and for several out-of-town studios until the development of colored film, which replaced hand-colored portraits.

In 1970, she began employment at Grand View Hospital in Ironwood, working her way up to becoming director of the medical records department.

She was a lifelong member of Sharon Lutheran Church and was the organist there for many years.

Gladys and Donald had a love for dogs. They had numerous hunting hounds, a Pekingese, an Afghan Hound, a golden retriever named Golden Anne  Goldie  that was gifted to them for their 50th wedding anniversary by their children and, most recently, a yellow lab, Rudy Lou. Gladys also adored and spoiled her grand-dog, Remington.

Gladys is survived by a son, Todd (Peggy Jo) DeRosie; a daughter, Julie DeRosie; three grandchildren, Reid DeRosie, Korina Ebel and Sophie Halverson; and three great-grandchildren, Hudson, Leighton and Mason Ebel.

Besides her parents and husband, Gladys was preceded in death by numerous siblings and by a daughter, Diane Halverson.

As per her wishes, cremation has taken place.

A private family interment will be held at the Hillcrest Cemetery in Bessemer.

The family would like to thank the Sky View staff for their exceptional care of Mom over the past few years.

Jerald Rocco, owner and manager of Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc., in Wakefield, is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences may be expressed online at lakesidememorialchapel.com.
PHNOM PENH, April 22 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia's trade volume with the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) member countries amounted to 11.26 billion U.S. dollars in the first quarter of 2026, a year-on-year rise of 18.5 percent, said an official report on Wednesday.

The country's export to the fellow RCEP member countries was valued at 2.82 billion dollars during the January-March period this year, up 4.2 percent, while its import reached 8.44 billion dollars, up 24.2 percent, said the report compiled by the Ministry of Commerce.

The report showed that the RCEP remained the major market for Cambodia, accounting for 64 percent of the kingdom's total trade volume of 17.58 billion dollars during the first quarter this year.

Cambodia's top five trading partners under the RCEP are China, Vietnam, Singapore, Japan, and Thailand, the report said.

Cambodian Ministry of Commerce's Secretary of State and Spokesperson Penn Sovicheat said RCEP, the world's largest free trade pact, has played a crucial role in boosting trade growth for Cambodia.

"RCEP is a key driving force for our long-term export growth and a magnet to attract more foreign direct investment to Cambodia," he told Xinhua.

Thong Mengdavid, deputy director at the China-ASEAN Studies Center of the Cambodia University of Technology and Science, said as one of the RCEP members, Cambodia has been experiencing steady growth in exports and imports from China and Vietnam, among others.

"Cambodia's reliance on RCEP will remain the primary cornerstone for the kingdom's primary trade engine," he told Xinhua. "However, the structure may become more import-intensive, reinforcing Cambodia's role as an assembly hub rather than a high-value producer unless industrial upgrading accelerates skills, logistics and digitalization. 
Seyed Reza Salehi-Amiri, Iran's minister of cultural heritage, tourism and handicrafts, receives an interview with Xinhua in Tehran, Iran, on April 18, 2026. (Xinhua/Shadati)

TEHRAN, April 22 (Xinhua) -- "Over 140 Iranian (historical) monuments and sites were attacked (in the war with the United States and Israel), which was a great crime," an Iranian minister has said.

"We are a nation with an ancient history and civilization, and the enemies did not understand that they cannot confront nations that have an ancient history and civilization," Seyed Reza Salehi-Amiri, Iran's minister of cultural heritage, tourism and handicrafts, told Xinhua in a Saturday interview here on the occasion of the International Day for Monuments and Sites.

On Feb. 28, Israel and the United States launched joint attacks on Tehran and several other Iranian cities, killing Iran's then Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, along with senior military commanders and civilians, and damaging civilian infrastructure, residential units and historical monuments and sites.

Salehi-Amiri said the historical monuments and sites damaged during the U.S.-Israeli attacks are located in 20 provinces, and his ministry immediately took measures to restore them.

Among the damaged monuments were the Golestan Palace and Sa'dabad Palace in the capital Tehran, and the Chehel Sotoun Palace in the central Isfahan province, which are "masterpieces of the Iranian architecture" that represent different eras, said the minister.

"We took several quick steps to restore each of the buildings damaged during the war, with the first one being the emergency restoration or conservation," he said, adding that the extent of the damage was immediately estimated by experts and restoration teams began their work right away.

Iran has documented the total damage and destruction and reported them to international organizations, including the United Nations, UNESCO and the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, he said.

He estimated the total losses from the attacks on 140 historical monuments and sites at around 7.5 trillion tomans (about 95 million U.S. dollars), saying the ministry has launched a campaign calling on Iranians in and outside the country to contribute to the restoration of the damaged monuments.

Iran has 43,000 registered monuments and 29 World Heritage sites, which represent the Iranian people's character, he said. 
A vendor displays cloth during an exhibition showcasing agricultural, livestock and handicrafts products in Kabul, Afghanistan, April 22, 2026. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua)

KABUL, April 22 (Xinhua) -- A four-day exhibition showcasing agricultural, livestock and handicrafts products opened in Afghanistan's capital, Kabul, on Wednesday, the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock announced.

The fair aims to promote marketing, foster business relationships, and showcase domestic products to investors as well as local and international markets, according to a ministry statement.

The event features 260 booths, including 130 dedicated to female entrepreneurs, where farmers, livestock owners, and local businesspeople display their goods to support the development of these vital sectors, the statement added.

Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock Ataullah Omari described the fair as a testament to Afghanistan's progress in agriculture and livestock. He noted that, given the regional trade constraints, a valuable opportunity has emerged to strengthen domestic production, with ongoing efforts aimed at enabling Afghanistan to achieve self-sufficiency in food production.

"The exhibition is a marketing platform for finding customers, buying and selling products, and establishing connections," said Yusra Osmani, one of the stall owners.

The Afghan government has been actively supporting and organizing such domestic product exhibitions across the impoverished country as part of its efforts to bolster agricultural products, enhance production capacity, encourage people to use domestic goods, and reduce reliance on imports. 

A vendor dispenses agricultural products during an exhibition showcasing agricultural, livestock and handicrafts products in Kabul, Afghanistan, April 22, 2026. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua)

A visitor communicates with vendors during an exhibition showcasing agricultural, livestock and handicrafts products in Kabul, Afghanistan, April 22, 2026. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua)
TASHKENT, April 22 (Xinhua) -- About 300 people gathered here on Tuesday to celebrate International Chinese Language Day with a comprehensive showcase and performance of Chinese character art and poetry.

Co-hosted by the Center for Language Education and Cooperation of China's Ministry of Education, Nanjing University of the Arts, and the Confucius Institute at Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies, the event drew representatives from the Chinese Embassy in Uzbekistan and from the education, cultural and arts sectors of both countries.

Xue Lian, cultural counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Uzbekistan, said that Chinese is becoming an "invisible bridge" connecting people from different countries and cultural backgrounds. She invited more Uzbek youth to step into the world of the Chinese language, using it to build bridges between hearts and write a new chapter of cooperation through cultural exchange.

Nodir Karimov, vice rector for international relations at the Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies, noted that such activities play an irreplaceable role in increasing students' interest in learning Chinese and helping them perceive the profound artistic and philosophical meanings of the language.

The event featured more than 100 posters telling stories behind Chinese characters and poetry while highlighting the artistry of modern Chinese character design.

In a seamless blend of poetry, dance and music, performers from Nanjing University of the Arts brought ten symbolic characters to life. Focusing on characters such as mountain, pass, road and snow, they vividly evoked the enduring reach of the ancient Silk Road.

The event offered the audience a chance to dive into Chinese culture through hands-on activities such as poetry-finding games and copying poems with brush calligraphy.

Jalilov, an eighth-grade student who has studied Mandarin for three years, said he was deeply impressed by the event's joyful atmosphere. He hopes to represent Uzbekistan in the "Chinese Bridge" competition in China and turn his passion for the Chinese language into a career of cultural exchange. 
A Bryde's whale is spotted off Weizhou Island in Beihai City, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Jan. 14, 2026. (Guangxi Academy of Sciences/Handout via Xinhua)

NANNING, April 22 (Xinhua) -- On a cloudless morning during the Spring Festival holiday, an 11-passenger speedboat hummed along at low throttle, slipping out of the harbor on Weizhou Island, a volcanic outcrop off the coast of Beihai in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

Once known primarily as a quiet refuge of pristine beaches, the 24-square-kilometer island has become the unlikely center of an experiment in marine coexistence.

It did not take long for the passengers to find what they had come for. About 30 minutes into the excursion, the captain closed the engine. The boat drifted in silence, broken only by the gentle slap of water against the hull. Then came the sound -- a sharp and rhythmic whoosh as the dark, sleek dorsal fin of a Bryde's whale sliced the surface.

For the passengers, it was an awe-inspiring spectacle. But for local officials, it represented the payoff of nearly a decade of painstaking policy work, habitat restoration and careful engagement with the island's fishing community.

Bryde's whales -- a first-class protected species in China that can grow up to 15 meters long and weigh up to 20 tonnes -- had all but vanished from these waters for decades.

But now, this stretch of the gulf is the country's only known inshore site where the animals appear reliably each year, arriving in December and lingering until April.

The turning point came in 2018, when the region passed the Weizhou Island Ecological Protection Regulations, the first such statute expressly written to shield a single island's waters, beaches and core habitats.

The same year, researchers from Nanjing Normal University began a formal monitoring partnership with the local government after the first scientific sightings in April.

Data show that in 2022, local authorities invested more than 100 million yuan (about 14.6 million U.S. dollars) in a major coral-reef restoration project. What had been a struggling 2,000-square-meter patch of reef has since expanded more than 150-fold to 300,000 square meters. Fish populations multiplied more than sixfold, helping rebuild the marine food chain.

Monitoring data from the Nanjing Normal University team shows that the identifiable Bryde's whale population around Weizhou has grown from roughly 10 individuals in 2018 to more than 70 today, making it the largest known stable inshore group of its kind in the world.

In November 2025, the island's tourism authority and the university signed a long-term agreement to create a dedicated monitoring and technology center -- tangible proof, one official said, that policy here is now guided by science.

For the residents of Weizhou Island, the recovery of the Bryde's whale population has brought new opportunities to the local economy. Once a quiet outpost dominated by subsistence fishing and the uncertainties of the sea, Weizhou is now experiencing growth in its marine tourism sector, with whale-based tourism serving as a welcome addition.

Visitor numbers have surged, jumping from roughly 1.53 million in 2018 to more than 2.13 million in 2023 -- the first time the island crossed the two-million mark -- and rising further to 2.24 million in 2024, according to Beihai tourism authorities.

Whale-watching has turned the once-quiet winter off-season into a major attraction. During the 2026 Spring Festival, daily crowds exceeded 2,000, according to official data.

Liang Chunmei, head of Weizhou Township, said nearly 200 households still fish in the traditional way. Many of them help guard the whales. But the promise of reliable income has proved irresistible for some.

A former fisherman who goes by the name Azhen once spent weeks at sea for a modest catch, but now works as a whale-watching guide. "The switch is about stability," he said. "With the whales here, the 'harvest' is more consistent. As long as the weather cooperates, the tourists will just keep coming."

Local government and professional tourism operators have tried to manage the whale-based tourism boom responsibly.

Two community-run speedboat "clubs" have folded independent boat owners into a single professional fleet, said Liu Haiming, a deputy general manager of a local tourism operator. "And all tours now run through a unified booking platform with fixed prices -- 298 yuan per person in the regular season, 398 yuan during major national holidays -- and follow national maritime safety rules that ban reckless 'whale chasing.'"

The island has also built the country's first Bryde's whale science education center with help from Nanjing Normal University and a Beijing-based environmental foundation.

"It is now mandatory for tourists to sit through briefings delivered by trained staffers before every trip, explaining the mammals' biology and the rules of respectful watching," said Liu, who noted that the aim of the practice is to turn spectators into participants in the conservation efforts.

However, striking the right balance between conservation and economic growth remains fairly challenging.

The effort was tested in early 2026 when a local fishing boat returning from a fishing run accidentally grazed the back of a medium-sized whale. The injury was not fatal, and the whale is now on the path to full recovery. Shortly after the incident, local authorities suspended all whale-watching tours on March 15 until further notice.

The episode highlighted the inherent friction between humans and marine animals in shared busy waters.

Studies show that whales are acoustic creatures, and the constant humming of boat engines can interfere with nursing and feeding, even if no physical contact occurs.

"The issue is that their activity zones have no borders and often overlap with high-traffic areas where humans live and work," said Liang.

Protecting "fenceless" patches of ocean is a daunting task for the island's overstretched authorities.

The Weizhou fisheries and marine law enforcement team oversees roughly half of Beihai's sea area and is responsible for policing more than 900 local vessels, plus occasional "migrant" trawlers from neighboring provinces.

"Sometimes, we are like a police car trying to stop a massive heavy-duty truck," said one law enforcement official, describing the difficulty of intercepting large 40-meter trawlers that sometimes stray into the whales' core habitat with limited staffing and equipment.

To tighten control, the local government has rolled out upgraded electronic "fencing" and real-time vessel tracking. New rules also require boats to drop to idle or minimal engine power within 100 meters of a whale sighting, impose strict speed limits, and cap the number of vessels allowed in protected zones to prevent overcrowding.

"Bryde's whales choosing to come here to feed and raise their young is a vote of confidence for our ecosystem," said an official from the local environmental protection bureau. "This is not protection for protection's sake, it is protection that creates jobs and ensures future generations can see the same whales their grandparents once took for granted." 

A Bryde's whale is spotted off Weizhou Island in Beihai City, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Jan. 13, 2026. (Guangxi Academy of Sciences/Handout via Xinhua)

A Bryde's whale is spotted off Weizhou Island in Beihai City, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Jan. 14, 2026. (Guangxi Academy of Sciences/Handout via Xinhua)
BEIJING, April 22 (Xinhua) -- Negative moves in Japan related to Yasukuni Shrine constitute a blatant provocation against international justice and affront to human conscience, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Wednesday, adding China is strongly indignant over and deplores such practices.

Spokesperson Guo Jiakun made the remarks at a daily press briefing when asked to make comment after a cross-party group of 126 Japanese lawmakers on Wednesday reportedly visited the notorious Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, a symbol of Japanese militarism and wartime aggression. 
SHENYANG, April 22 (Xinhua) -- The remains of 12 Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs who lost their lives during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953) were returned to China from the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Wednesday.

A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the fallen soldiers and 146 of their personal effects landed at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province. After it entered China's airspace, the Y-20B transport aircraft was escorted by four J-20 fighter jets.

Since 2014, China and the ROK have completed 13 consecutive handovers involving the remains of 1,023 CPV martyrs in the ROK. Wednesday's mission also marks the first time the Y-20B has been deployed for the repatriation duties. 
BEIRUT/JERUSALEM, April 22 (Xinhua) -- Lebanon will seek an extension of the ceasefire and press Israel to halt demolition operations in the country's south during upcoming talks in Washington, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said Wednesday.

Lebanon's ambassador to the United States, Nada Hamadeh Mouawad, will represent the country at a U.S. State Department meeting Wednesday, where she is expected to raise the issue of extending the ceasefire, the National News Agency (NNA) reported, citing Aoun.

The president said there would be no concessions, compromises, or surrender in the talks, but only steps that serve Lebanese sovereignty and the interests of all citizens.

He added that negotiation remains the viable path forward, arguing that past experience shows war brings only death, destruction and displacement.

Separately, on Wednesday, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar said Israel and Lebanon have no major differences, but accused Hezbollah of being an obstacle to peace and normalization between the two countries. He called on the Lebanese government to cooperate against what he described as a "terrorist state" established by Hezbollah on Lebanese territory.

Meanwhile, one person was killed, and two others were injured overnight Tuesday into Wednesday in an Israeli drone strike on the outskirts of the Al Jabour area in Lebanon's Western Bekaa, according to NNA.

In southern Lebanon, Israeli forces continued shelling towns and demolishing homes and buildings, the agency reported. The Israeli strikes come despite a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon that took effect April 16, following a U.S.-announced agreement aimed at halting weeks of escalating hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah.

On April 14, Israeli and Lebanese officials held talks in Washington, where they outlined differing expectations for a peace deal, according to a U.S. State Department statement. Israel has pressed for Hezbollah's disarmament, while Lebanon has called for a ceasefire and steps to ease the humanitarian crisis.

A next round of talks is scheduled for Thursday in Washington. 
BEIJING, April 22 (Xinhua) -- Two Pakistani candidates have been selected as the first foreign astronauts for China's space mission training, the China Manned Space Agency announced on Wednesday afternoon, calling it a landmark achievement in international cooperation on the Chinese space station.

The agency said in a statement that Muhammad Zeeshan Ali and Khurram Daud will come to China soon as reserve astronauts for training. After completing all training and evaluations, one of them will participate in a space mission as a payload specialist, becoming the first foreign astronaut onboard the Tiangong space station.

The first selection of foreign astronauts for China's manned space program was completed in early April, according to the agency. 
Ulviyya Poladova Read more

Prime Minister of Azerbaijan Ali Asadov arrived in Astana on a working visit to participate in a Regional Ecological Summit, AzerNEWS reports.

At Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport, the Azerbaijani prime minister was welcomed by the First Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Roman Sklyar, along with other officials.

Earlier, President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, President of Armenia Vahagn Khachaturyan, President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Zhaparov, and President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov landed in Astana.

The Regional Ecological Summit 2026 establishes an international platform for dialogue and coordination among governments, international and regional organizations, financial institutions, development agencies, the private sector, the scientific community, and civil society.

During the summit, participants are expected to discuss key issues on the environmental agenda, including climate change, the rational use of natural resources, and the development of regional cooperation in environmental protection.

While global actors continue to debate climate finance, Central Asian states are demonstrating that coordinated regional action can have a direct impact on economic outcomes.
HELSINKI, April 22 (Xinhua) -- Several schools and nurseries were closed on Wednesday in Borlange, Sweden, as a precaution after threats of possible violence, local authorities said.

The closures affected a number of educational institutions, including preschools, primary schools, upper secondary schools and adult education facilities in Borlange, a municipality about 200 km northwest of the Swedish capital Stockholm.

Municipal Director Jorgen Olsson said at a press conference that alarming information about the threat had begun circulating among students on Monday and reached school staff on Tuesday.

The municipality chose to act proactively, Olsson said.

An assistant regional police chief said at the same press conference that police had launched a major operation but had not identified the source of the threat by noon local time.

"We are now conducting a large number of interviews to trace where the threat originated," he said, adding that major police resources had been deployed.

Later on Wednesday, police took in a suspect believed to be behind the threat, according to Swedish Television (SVT). The case is being investigated as aggravated unlawful threat against a group.

Daniel Falt, head of communications for Borlange Municipality, told SVT that there was no longer any ongoing threat. Swedish news agency TT reported that the detained person was a male in his late teens. Schools and nurseries are expected to reopen on Thursday. 
BEIRUT, April 22 (Xinhua) -- Lebanon and Russia signed an agreement on Wednesday exempting holders of diplomatic and special passports from entry visa requirements, Lebanon's National News Agency reported.

The agreement was signed at the Foreign Ministry headquarters in Beirut by Russian Ambassador to Lebanon Alexander Rudakov and Abdel Sattar Issa, secretary-general of Lebanon's Foreign Ministry.

On the sidelines of the signing ceremony, the two sides discussed bilateral relations and issues of mutual interest.

According to the ministry, the agreement will enter into force 60 days after the exchange of ratification notifications by the competent authorities in both countries. It will remain valid for five years and be automatically renewed unless either party temporarily suspends it due to internal circumstances. 
NAIROBI, April 22 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on Tuesday signed a letter of intent with China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) Kenya office to upskill young Kenyans and connect them directly to industrial placements and job opportunities.

Through the NextGen.Ke program, the partnership will place 1,000 young people in private-sector roles, enabling them to refine professional skills while earning a stable monthly income.

Jean-Luc Stalon, UNDP resident representative in Kenya, said that while nearly 1 million youths enter the national job market annually, only 200,000 positions are available, and the partnership with CRBC will help bridge this gap.

He added that the program will complement ongoing initiatives spearheaded by the Kenyan government and industry partners to provide local youth with market-ready skills.

"This is the first letter of intent we are signing with CRBC Kenya office as a major private sector company in Kenya. They have agreed to onboard 1,000 youth for a period of two years, and they will also contribute financially to the program," Stalon said.

Du Shan, the executive general manager of CRBC Kenya office, said the firm is committed to addressing employment challenges for Kenyan youth as part of its corporate social responsibility initiatives.

She emphasized that the NextGen.Ke program will inject vitality into Kenya's economic and key development agenda, alongside deepening practical cooperation between China and Kenya in talent development and infrastructure upgrade. 
ADDIS ABABA, April 22 (Xinhua) -- China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) and China's Shaanxi Polytechnic University have launched a 10-day training program for graduating students and local employees at General Wingate Polytechnic College in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia.

The training workshop, held in partnership with the Ethiopian university, aims to scale up Chinese language and engineering knowledge for 100 trainees through what is called the "Chinese + Construction" and "Chinese + Electrification" models.

Speaking at the event on Tuesday, Liu Xiaoguang, minister counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Ethiopia, said the training program is set to meet increasing demand for highly skilled professionals in the construction and industrial sectors.

"This Chinese workshop practical program is one of the vivid practical measures to implement the consensus reached between Chinese and African leaders. It is also one of the key initiatives for China and Ethiopia to jointly nurture talents and promote common development," Liu said.

Head of CCCC Ethiopia Tian Zhenke said the "Chinese language + skills" talent development model strives to produce engineering professionals who are technically skilled, linguistically capable, and culturally competent.

"The training program will help enhance not only professional skills but also broaden the international perspective of the trainees," Tian said, noting that the training is part of the commitments of the three institutions to formalizing their strategic partnership and enhancing talent development in Ethiopia.

Million Mathewos, deputy mayor of Addis Ababa, said the partnership between the three institutions will help enhance the quality of vocational education in Ethiopia and produce skilled, innovative, and globally competitive professionals.

"Through this partnership, we will work together in key areas, including faculty training, student skills development, joint degree programs, and co-development of modern curricula," Mathewos said. 
LONDON, April 22 (Xinhua) -- Two commercial vessels were reportedly fired upon in separate incidents near the Strait of Hormuz, with all crew members safe, according to warnings issued Wednesday by the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO).

The UKMTO said it had received a report of an incident about 8 nautical miles west of Iran. The master of a cargo ship outbound from the Gulf reported that the vessel came under fire and was stopped in the water.

All crew members are safe and accounted for, and there are no reports of damage to the vessel, it said.

In a separate incident, a container ship was fired upon by a gunboat believed to be linked to Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps off the coast of Oman, damaging the vessel's bridge.

The ship's master reported that the gunboat approached and opened fire without issuing any VHF challenge, the UKMTO said.

All crew members are safe, and no fire or environmental damage has been reported, it added.

The International Maritime Organization has warned that the situation remains volatile and urged vessels to exercise maximum caution when transiting the area. 
TOKYO, April 22 (Xinhua) -- Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Wednesday made a monetary offering to the notorious Yasukuni Shrine, a symbol of Japanese militarism and wartime aggression, on the occasion of its spring festival.

Takaichi also sent a ritual "masakaki" tree offering to the war-linked shrine on Tuesday.

Yasukuni Shrine, located in central Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward, honors 14 convicted Class-A Japanese war criminals from World War II. It has long been a source of diplomatic friction between Japan and its neighbors. 
RIYADH, April 21 (Xinhua) -- Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud met with visiting Syrian interim leader Ahmed al-Sharaa in Jeddah on Tuesday.

The two leaders reviewed opportunities to support and develop bilateral ties in various fields, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

They also discussed recent regional developments and coordinated their responses.

The Syrian presidency said the two sides discussed ways to strengthen cooperation in economic and investment fields, as well as regional connectivity projects, while reviewing regional and international developments of mutual interest. 
Staff members work at Airbus' second A320 family final assembly line in Tianjin, north China, Nov. 17, 2025. (Airbus/Handout via Xinhua)

TIANJIN, April 22 (Xinhua) -- A woman from Mongolia recently finished her first round of chemotherapy at Perennial General Hospital Tianjin, China's first wholly foreign-owned tertiary general hospital. Following the treatment, her tumor marker levels dropped significantly.

"Booking an appointment was easy. The medical team was professional and attentive, and they quickly provided a treatment plan," she said.

As of late January, the hospital had treated nearly 14,000 patients since opening in February 2025, including over 300 international patients from 24 countries and regions.

"We serve both local patients and foreigners living in China, and we also offer a new channel for international patients seeking medical care in China," said Liu Dan, president of the hospital.

Perennial General Hospital Tianjin is a beneficiary of a pilot program for expanding opening up in the healthcare sector, and China has pledged to open further.

China's 2026 government work report stated that the country will expand market access and open up more areas, particularly in the service sector. China will further expand opening-up trials for value-added telecom services, biotechnology, wholly foreign-owned hospitals, and other fields.

"China's opening-up policies in the healthcare sector send a positive signal to the international investment community," said Pua Seck Guan, executive chairman and CEO of Singapore's Perennial Holdings.

As China continues to broaden the scope and level of its opening up, the demand for international medical and health services is growing, creating vast market space for the hospital, Pua added.

Amid a sluggish economic recovery and rising uncertainties, China has reaffirmed its commitment to high-standard opening up through its latest five-year plan. Over the next five years, China will remain committed to opening up and mutually beneficial cooperation, steadily expand institutional opening up, and develop new institutions for a higher-standard open economy.

At Airbus' second A320 family final assembly line in Tianjin, the assembly of the first group of aircraft is progressing steadily. Meanwhile, Airbus has obtained a value-added telecommunications business license, enabling it to offer services such as aircraft health monitoring and predictive maintenance to Chinese operators.

"Airbus has full confidence in China's booming aviation market, its strong and resilient supply chain, and the country's high-quality business environment," said George Xu, executive vice president of Airbus and CEO of Airbus China.

"China's commitment to high-standard opening up provides a more stable and resilient environment for Airbus development," Xu added.

With a huge market and top-class investment environment, China continues to be a popular investment destination. According to China's Ministry of Commerce, the country saw the establishment of 70,392 foreign-funded enterprises in 2025, up 19.1 percent year on year.

"In the past, foreign investors valued China's demographic dividend. Now they are pursuing innovation dividends and market certainty," said Zhang Shuibo, a professor at Tianjin University's College of Management and Economics.

Foreign companies are transforming their Chinese businesses from a manufacturing base into a multi-functional hub for markets, R&D, supply chain resilience, and global innovation collaboration, with their investment concentrating on services and high-tech sectors, Zhang added.

Gim Huay Neo, managing director of the World Economic Forum, expressed a similar view. Many international businesses are looking at setting up innovation hubs in China to be close to the market, she said.

Goglio (Tianjin) Packaging Co., Ltd., the only manufacturing base in Asia for its Italian parent company, is conducting research with several Chinese institutions. "Deepening smart manufacturing upgrades and raising the localization level of high-end equipment manufacturing are inevitable choices for the company to deepen its roots in the Chinese market," said Mirko Turrina, general manager of the company.

A survey released in January 2026 by the American Chamber of Commerce in China showed that nearly 60 percent of U.S.-funded firms plan to increase their investment in China. A survey by the German Chamber of Commerce in China released in December 2025 found that 93 percent of respondent companies will continue to deepen their presence in the Chinese market.

Foreign investment is now deeply integrating with China's innovation ecosystem and institutional environment, said Yan Bing, director of the Institute of International Economics at Nankai University. "China's appeal is shifting from a market dividend to an innovation dividend and an institutional opening-up dividend."

China's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) sets out the country's commitment to further strengthening the systems and mechanisms for high-standard opening up, while accelerating the formation of a fairer and more dynamic market environment.

Ivan Monich, associate professor at the International Business School of Tianjin Foreign Studies University, said the true opportunity during the 15th Five-Year Plan period belongs to those global players who position themselves not merely as vendors, but as deeply integrated, value-adding partners in this qualitative economic transformation.

Minhee Chae, assistant professor at Nankai University's School of Economics, said China's supportive policy measures for foreign enterprises will improve market access and reduce uncertainty, thereby further strengthening and maximizing the long-term China opportunities for global investors. 

A foreign patient undergoes rehabilitation training at Perennial General Hospital Tianjin, China's first wholly foreign-owned tertiary general hospital, in Tianjin, north China, May 4, 2025. (Perennial General Hospital Tianjin/Handout via Xinhua)

Staff members work at Airbus' second A320 family final assembly line in Tianjin, north China, Nov. 17, 2025. (Airbus/Handout via Xinhua)
BEIRUT, April 22 (Xinhua) -- Hezbollah said Wednesday it launched a drone strike targeting a newly established Israeli artillery position in the town of al-Bayada in southern Lebanon, in response to what it described as continued Israeli ceasefire violations.

In a statement, the group said the strike took place at 11 a.m. local time (0800 GMT), targeting an Israeli military site it said had been used to shell villages in southern Lebanon.

Hezbollah said the drone hit a fire control facility at the site and caused a fire in one of the rooms.

The Israeli military said a drone launched from Lebanon was intercepted before entering Israeli territory. Military spokesperson Ella Waweya said it targeted forces operating south of the border area but was shot down and did not trigger air raid sirens. She called the incident a "blatant violation" of the ceasefire agreement.

The exchanges came despite a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon that took effect April 16, following a U.S.-announced agreement aimed at halting weeks of escalating hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah.

Israeli and Lebanese officials held talks in Washington on April 14. A second round of discussions is scheduled for Thursday. 
ISTANBUL, April 22 (Xinhua) -- Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu dismissed concerns about jet fuel shortages on Wednesday, saying Turkiye remains a net exporter and is not facing any supply disruptions despite rising global prices and heightened regional tensions.

Speaking after an Istanbul Chamber of Industry meeting, Uraloglu claimed that Turkiye's position in the global energy market shields it from the pressures affecting Europe.

"We are monitoring global trends closely. While oil prices have increased by 50 to 60 percent, the price of jet fuel has more than doubled," he said, pointing to sharp volatility in energy markets.

"Turkiye is not a jet fuel importer; on the contrary, it is an exporter, and currently, there is clearly no jet fuel problem in the country," he added.

His remarks came in response to recent warnings from International Energy Agency chief Fatih Birol on April 16, who said "Europe has only 6 to 7 weeks of jet fuel left" amid the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran.

Uraloglu said Turkiye's refining capacity and export-oriented energy strategy provide a buffer against supply chain risks facing Europe.

Global energy markets have been strained by continued disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for oil and refined products, where security concerns have slowed transit and tightened supplies. 
The remains of 12 Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs who lost their lives during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953) were returned to China from the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Wednesday. #XinhuaNews
MEXICO CITY, April 21 (Xinhua) -- Mexican authorities on Tuesday said the mass shooting at the Teotihuacan archaeological site a day earlier was not connected to organized crime, but rather the consequence of a disturbed mind influenced by mass shootings abroad.

The 27-year-old assailant showed signs of being psychologically unstable and influenced by similar incidents in other countries, according to the investigation.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum addressed the shooting during her daily press conference, noting it was not linked to any criminal organization, but the act of "an individual who made this decision ... and who had it planned."

The shooting claimed the life of a Canadian woman and left 13 tourists injured, including a teenager and a child. The attacker later took his own life.

According to State of Mexico Attorney General Jose Luis Cervantes, findings so far suggest the shooter suffered from copycat syndrome, a phenomenon where an individual emulates the actions of others after being exposed to media coverage.

At the time of the shooting, the assailant was carrying clippings related to other mass shootings, such as the 1999 Columbine massacre in the United States.

He was also carrying several weapons, including a .38-caliber revolver with two unfired cartridges and one spent cartridge, and knives. Authorities said he managed to reload his weapon at least twice during the attack.

Investigators additionally revealed that the attacker had notes in his backpack claiming he was guided by "inspiration from the beyond."

Following the incident, Sheinbaum announced measures to step up security at the country's archaeological sites.

"We have to strengthen security. I also asked the commander of the National Guard to reinforce security at the entrances, not only in Teotihuacan but in all archaeological sites," she said. 
THE HAGUE, April 22 (Xinhua) -- The International Criminal Court (ICC) on Wednesday confirmed that it has jurisdiction over former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, allowing the case to proceed and rejecting the defense's request for his immediate and unconditional release.

The ICC said that, on Oct. 23, 2025, its pre-trial chamber rejected the defense's challenge to the court's jurisdiction in this case. On Oct. 28, the counsel for Duterte filed a Notice of Appeal against that decision and subsequently submitted an Appeal Brief on Jurisdiction on Nov. 14.

The defense argued that the ICC lacks jurisdiction over alleged crimes committed in the Philippines, on the grounds that the country is no longer a State Party to the Rome Statute, the Court's founding treaty.

It further contended that allowing the Court to exercise jurisdiction indefinitely after a State's withdrawal would undermine that State's sovereign right to exit the Statute.

The Appeals Chamber of ICC countered that the alleged crimes occurred while the Philippines was still a member of the ICC, and therefore fall within the Court's jurisdiction and rejected all four grounds of appeal raised by the defense, including arguments related to the application of law and procedural issues.

"Having rejected the entire appeal, the Appeal Chamber considers that the Defence's request for the immediate and unconditional release of Mr. Duterte is moot. " said Luz del Carmen Ibanez Carranza, the presiding judge of the Appeals Chamber.

Prosecutors, Duterte's defense and legal representatives of other parties were present in court, while the over-80-year-old Duterte was not present in the court.

Duterte served as president of the Philippines from 2016 to 2022. He was arrested and transferred to ICC custody in March 2025 under a warrant linked to his controversial anti-drug campaign, a move he has challenged. His initial appearance before ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I took place on March 14, 2025, and on Nov. 28, 2025, the court rejected an appeal seeking his release on grounds of age and declining health. 
BEIJING, April 22 (Xinhua) -- A global initiative to promote cooperation in the nuclear technology industry was launched at the ongoing third International Nuclear Technology Application Conference in Beijing.

The new initiative, called the "Initiative to Jointly Build an Open, Inclusive, Universally Beneficial and Win-Win International Industrial Ecosystem for Nuclear Technology Applications," was introduced by the China Isotope and Radiation Association.

It calls on international organizations, industry groups, researchers and companies to work together for the peaceful and inclusive use of nuclear technology, and seeks to foster a new type of international cooperation based on mutual respect, fairness, justice and shared development.

The initiative also aims to explore new paths for global collaboration, maintain a stable, open and safe industrial ecosystem, exchange development experiences, address common challenges, and provide innovative solutions for sustainable development and economic recovery.

More than 400 representatives from over 20 countries attended the conference, including China, Russia, Britain, France, the United States, Canada and Australia.

The three-day event, which began on Tuesday, features multiple sessions on topics such as radiation processing, isotope production and nuclear safety. During the conference, China also shared its national policies on nuclear technology, highlighted several industrial achievements, and launched a smart nuclear medicine solution.

The event serves as a major international platform for exchange and cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear technology. 
KABUL, April 22 (Xinhua) -- Police have rescued a one-month-old infant and taken into custody two individuals, including a woman on charge of kidnapping the child in eastern Afghanistan's Paktia province, said a statement of the provincial police office on Wednesday.

The infant, according to the statement, was kidnapped from a civil hospital in the province a month ago. After receiving a complaint and registering a case, police were able to locate and rescue the child on Tuesday.

The child, who is in good health, was handed over to his family, the statement said, adding that police would spare no effort to ensure law and order in the province. 
JERUSALEM, April 22 (Xinhua) -- The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement on Wednesday that it killed two Hezbollah militants in southern Lebanon.

It said that the two militants violated the ceasefire agreement by crossing the upper line of the security strip controlled by Israel in southern Lebanon on Tuesday in the area of the Saluki stream, and approaching the soldiers, posing an immediate threat.

Following the identification, the Israeli air force struck and eliminated the militants, the IDF said.

It added that IDF soldiers continued to dismantle Hezbollah infrastructure to remove threats and find weapons.

A 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon came into force at midnight local time on April 16.

Since then, however, Israeli forces have carried out multiple strikes targeting Hezbollah fighters and infrastructure, saying the operations are intended to prevent threats to their troops. 
UNITED NATIONS, April 21 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Tuesday called for efforts to implement the Colombian peace agreement.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the signing of the Colombian peace agreement. Over the past decade, the government and people of Colombia have made tremendous efforts and achieved notable progress toward lasting peace and development, setting a model for resolving conflicts through dialogue and negotiation, said Sun Lei, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations.

China highly commends this and supports Colombia's peace process in building on the past achievements and delivering more tangible results, he told the Security Council.

The peace agreement should be continuously implemented, as it is essential for Colombia's long-term stability and regional peace and security, he said.

With the presidential elections a month away, Colombia is at a critical juncture where opportunities and challenges coexist in implementing the peace agreement. After the elections, all parties concerned should uphold the firm commitment to the Colombian people, strengthen unity and cooperation, consolidate the hard-won gains in peace, actively address risk and challenges in implementing the agreement, and inject new impetus into the peace process, said Sun.

"China supports the Colombian government in strengthening security for the elections, while accelerating the implementation of the security provisions of the agreement, increasing state security presence in remote areas, combating illegal armed groups and organized crime, and effectively protecting civilians and former combatants," he said.

China commends the Colombian government for prioritizing comprehensive rural reform in the implementation of the peace agreement. It is also hoped that the Colombian government will create conditions for the reintegration of former combatants into society so as to remove the root causes of violence at an early date, said Sun.

The Colombian government and people need strong support from the United Nations and the international community in their pursuit of peace. China stands ready to work with the international community to provide more assistance to a peace process that is Colombian-led and Colombian-owned, he said. 
BEIJING, April 22 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese spokesperson on Wednesday said that several countries' refusal to grant flight permits to Taiwan's secessionist-minded leader Lai Ching-te for a planned visit to Eswatini reflects broad international support for the one-China principle.

Zhang Han, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, made the remarks at a press briefing when asked to comment on the cancellation of Lai's trip after countries along the planned route declined to grant overflight clearance.

"We express appreciation for the stance and actions of relevant countries in upholding the one-China principle," said Zhang.

She said this has once again shown that the one-China principle is a basic norm governing international relations and a prevailing consensus of the international community.

Also on Wednesday, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said that all African countries, with the sole exception of Eswatini, have established diplomatic ties with China.

These 53 countries together with the African Union have reiterated on many occasions that they firmly uphold the one-China principle, there is but one China in the world, Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory, the Government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China, and they firmly support all efforts by the Chinese government to achieve national reunification, the spokesperson said. 
WASHINGTON, April 22 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday that he will extend the ceasefire with Iran at Pakistan's request, but did not specify an end date.

While the move is welcome, it has yet to generate momentum for dialogue. Iran has made it clear that it will not engage in a new round of talks unless Trump lifts his blockade on ships entering or exiting Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz. The contrast between a prolonged ceasefire and stalled diplomacy underscores the fragility of the current situation.

Against this backdrop, several key questions arise: Why has Tehran refused to attend the talks? What is Washington's real intention in extending the ceasefire while maintaining pressure? And where might the situation head next?

WHY IRAN REFUSES TO NEGOTIATE?

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said Monday that Iran currently has no plan for the second round of peace negotiations with the United States.

Tehran's attendance depends on Washington meeting preconditions, Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency reported, citing the U.S. naval blockade and "excessive demands" as key obstacles.

Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said Monday that U.S. "provocative actions" and ceasefire violations are major obstacles to continuing peace negotiations between the two countries.

The United States takes actions that are in no way indicative of its seriousness in pursuing a diplomatic process, Baghaei said, noting that since the ceasefire took effect on April 8, "we have been faced with the breaking of promises and nagging by the United States."

He also noted an attack against an Iranian commercial ship earlier in the day, which he said is also considered a violation of the ceasefire.

Baghaei said that under UN General Assembly resolutions, the blockade of a country's seas and ports is an act of aggression. He said Iran will carefully decide on how to proceed based on a single guiding principle: safeguarding the Iranian nation's interests.

He said the issue of transferring Iran's enriched uranium has never been an option in any of the negotiations, stressing the importance for Iran to maintain its nuclear, industrial and scientific achievements.

WHAT'S WASHINGTON'S REAL INTENTION?

The U.S. decision to extend the ceasefire indefinitely has been widely interpreted as an attempt to preserve a diplomatic window, but analysts caution that it also serves broader strategic purposes.

"Trump ... remains eager for a diplomatic solution to the war, wary of reviving an unpopular conflict he's claimed the United States already won," CNN reported Wednesday.

However, the United States has not scaled back its military posture in the region. Multiple media outlets reported that U.S. naval deployments and surveillance activities in the Gulf have been maintained -- and even intensified -- during the ceasefire, suggesting continued pressure and retention of military options.

The United States is expected to deploy three aircraft carrier strike groups simultaneously in the Middle East in the coming days, NBC reported on Monday.

The U.S. military will continue the blockade against Iran and "remain ready and able," Trump said Tuesday, although Pakistan's Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, told him that the blockade of Iranian ports would remain a major obstacle to meaningful diplomatic progress.

In this sense, the ceasefire extension is less a definitive step toward peace than a tactical maneuver to buy time for both negotiation and contingency planning.

WHERE ARE U.S.-IRAN TALKS HEADED?

"Trump's ceasefire extension means nothing," said Mahdi Mohammadi, an adviser to Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, who led the Iranian negotiating delegation.

"The losing side cannot dictate terms. The continuation of the siege is no different from bombardment and must be met with a military response," he added.

Araghchi said Monday that Iran would decide whether to continue diplomacy based on "all aspects of the issue" and U.S. behavior, adding that Tehran would take steps to protect its interests and national security.

"Honoring commitments is the basis of meaningful dialogue," Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian wrote in a post on X on Monday. He said deep mistrust of U.S. conduct persists in Iran, with "unconstructive and contradictory signals" from American officials suggesting they seek Iran's surrender.

Despite significant hurdles, a U.S. official said there is still a chance that U.S. and Iranian negotiators will meet soon, though whether and when such talks might occur is far from certain, according to CNN reports.

"The question now is not whether diplomacy has failed, but whether both sides are willing to keep trying despite that failure," said an analysis article published by Geojuristoday, a non-partisan think tank based in New Delhi. 
SYDNEY, April 22 (Xinhua) -- Passengers at Perth Airport Terminal 1 in Western Australia were experiencing disruptions on Wednesday as police investigated a reported unattended bag at the terminal.

The Australian Federal Police urged the public to "avoid the area and await further advice."

A spokesperson for the airport said in a statement that an exclusion zone was set up.

"An unattended item is currently being investigated by the Australian Federal Police and Western Australia Police at Perth Airport," the statement said.

"As a precaution, an exclusion zone has been established in the area," it said.

Crowds could be seen gathering outside the terminal entrance, according to media reports.

Passengers were also advised to check the Perth Airport website for updates. 
Visitors are seen at the event "Macao Night" in Madrid, Spain, April 21, 2026. Spain's capital city Madrid hosted the event "Macao Night" on Tuesday, organized by the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO), bringing together institutional representatives, industry professionals and local residents to showcase the Special Administrative Region (SAR)'s cultural offerings. (Xinhua/Cheng Min)

MADRID, April 22 (Xinhua) -- Spain's capital city Madrid hosted the event "Macao Night" on Tuesday, organized by the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO), bringing together institutional representatives, industry professionals and local residents to showcase the Special Administrative Region (SAR)'s cultural offerings.

The event formed part of the Macao roadshow in Madrid titled "Experience Macao," held from Friday to Tuesday at Puente del Rey square along the Manzanares River.

Jointly organized by the Macao SAR Government and the Chinese Embassy in Spain, the roadshow featured four themed areas and 20 stands, along with interactive experiences focused on culture and gastronomy, aiming to present Macao's cultural richness and tourism resources to the public.

During the event, MGTO Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes expressed hope that the initiative would showcase Macao's latest developments, create platforms for direct exchanges between industries and communities on both sides, while laying the groundwork for broader and deeper cooperation in the next phase.

Chinese Ambassador to Spain Yao Jing highlighted the potential for cooperation in the cultural and tourism sectors, encouraging the Spanish public to visit the city and experience its blend of historical heritage and modern vitality.

Luis Fernando Martin Izquierdo, deputy minister for Culture, Tourism and Sport of the Community of Madrid, said Macao is "open, welcoming and diverse," where different cultures and traditions coexist, and emphasized its role as a meeting point.

Borja Fanjul, president of the Madrid City Council Plenary, said the roadshow represented "an extraordinary opportunity" to strengthen ties, particularly in tourism, and to raise awareness of Macao among the local people. 

People watch a robot performing at the event "Macao Night" in Madrid, Spain, April 21, 2026. Spain's capital city Madrid hosted the event "Macao Night" on Tuesday, organized by the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO), bringing together institutional representatives, industry professionals and local residents to showcase the Special Administrative Region (SAR)'s cultural offerings. (Xinhua/Cheng Min)

People enjoy a Chinese opera performance at the event "Macao Night" in Madrid, Spain, April 21, 2026. Spain's capital city Madrid hosted the event "Macao Night" on Tuesday, organized by the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO), bringing together institutional representatives, industry professionals and local residents to showcase the Special Administrative Region (SAR)'s cultural offerings. (Xinhua/Cheng Min)

A woman tries on Chinese-style clothes at the event "Macao Night" in Madrid, Spain, April 21, 2026. Spain's capital city Madrid hosted the event "Macao Night" on Tuesday, organized by the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO), bringing together institutional representatives, industry professionals and local residents to showcase the Special Administrative Region (SAR)'s cultural offerings. (Xinhua/Cheng Min)

Artists perform at the event "Macao Night" in Madrid, Spain, April 21, 2026. Spain's capital city Madrid hosted the event "Macao Night" on Tuesday, organized by the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO), bringing together institutional representatives, industry professionals and local residents to showcase the Special Administrative Region (SAR)'s cultural offerings. (Xinhua/Cheng Min)

People look at syrup art works at the event "Macao Night" in Madrid, Spain, April 21, 2026. Spain's capital city Madrid hosted the event "Macao Night" on Tuesday, organized by the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO), bringing together institutional representatives, industry professionals and local residents to showcase the Special Administrative Region (SAR)'s cultural offerings. (Xinhua/Cheng Min)
BEIJING, April 22 (Xinhua) -- Every spring and autumn, hundreds of thousands of migratory birds stop to rest and feed on a stretch of tidal wetland at the eastern tip of Chongming Island, less than 100 kilometers from downtown Shanghai.

The Shanghai Chongming Dongtan National Nature Reserve, a key stopover on the East Asian-Australasian Flyway, became Shanghai's first world natural heritage site in July 2024.

The recognition followed years of restoration and protection work in the reserve.

Niu Dongliang, director of the reserve's management center, said the reserve faced an ecological crisis in the late 2000s as Spartina alterniflora, an invasive plant species, spread rapidly across the wetland and squeezed bird habitat.

Synchronised waterbird surveys showed that the number of waterbirds in the reserve stood at more than 122,000 in 2006, but dropped to fewer than 40,000 in 2009 as the invasive species spread rapidly.

In 2013, the reserve launched an ecological restoration project covering 24.2 square kilometres, treating more than 25,000 mu of Spartina alterniflora and creating nearly 40,000 mu of quality bird habitat.

Bird numbers have risen steadily ever since. The 2025 synchronised waterbird survey recorded nearly 498,000 individuals, more than twelve times the 2009 low.

The change is also reflected in endangered species populations. The tundra swan, under national second-class protection in China, once wintered at Dongtan in large numbers, with about 3,000 to 3,500 recorded in the 1980s. After the 1990s, the population fell sharply -- from several thousand to just over a dozen by the early 2000s -- due to a combination of factors, including the spread of invasive species.

To help reverse the decline, Niu and his colleagues factored in the ratio of vegetation to open water, water depth and food supply during the design of an ecological restoration project, and introduced habitats specifically suited to wintering geese and ducks.

As conditions improved, tundra swans gradually returned. In 2016, more than 60 were found wintering in the restored area. In March 2026, the count reached 5,216, far exceeding the previous record.

Rising bird numbers have been accompanied by steady improvements in the reserve's monitoring and protection work.

When Niu first started working at the reserve in 2014, he and his colleagues rode bicycles along bumpy dirt roads, carried monocular telescopes and waded through tidal creeks in waterproof trousers to observe and record birds, vegetation and human activity. Today, high-definition cameras and drones have become the main tools for patrol and monitoring.

The reserve's conservation work has also extended into the surrounding community. Dongtan has about 30 square kilometers of reed beds, important habitat for birds such as the reed parrotbill and the Oriental reed warbler. To prevent the degradation of reed communities, the reserve adopts rotational harvesting, cutting part of the reeds each year.

Drawing on the traditional craft of reed-flower shoe-making, the reserve worked with local craftspeople to develop reed-based products such as paintings and lamps. The initiative has turned discarded reeds into a sustainable resource while reviving a traditional skill and creating income for nearby residents, Niu said.

He added that the reserve now faces new challenges like the spread of Canadian goldenrod, the decline of native scirpus mariqueter communities, and insufficient food supply for some bird species. Floating nest platforms built partly from recovered marine debris are also being tested to protect breeding waterbirds from summer storms.

"Seeing the number of rare and endangered birds increase, we know the restoration path we chose was right," Niu said. "All the effort has been worthwhile." 
Honor guards escort coffins containing the remains of the Chinese People's Volunteers martyrs at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 22, 2026. The remains of 12 Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs who lost their lives during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953) were returned to China from the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Wednesday. A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the fallen soldiers and 146 of their personal effects landed at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province. After it entered China's airspace, the Y-20B transport aircraft was escorted by four J-20 fighter jets. (Xinhua/Li Gang)

SHENYANG, April 22 (Xinhua) -- The remains of 12 Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs who lost their lives during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953) were returned to China from the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Wednesday.

A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the fallen soldiers and 146 of their personal effects landed at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province.

After it entered China's airspace, the Y-20B transport aircraft was escorted by four J-20 fighter jets. Upon landing at the airport, it was given a water salute in tribute to the fallen heroes.

As honor guards carried the caskets off the plane, a remembrance ceremony was held at the airport, attended by more than 1,800 people, including representatives from the military, war veterans, and relatives of CPV martyrs.

The caskets were draped with the Five-star Red Flag, and participants bowed three times in solemn silence to the martyrs' remains.

The remains will be laid to rest in a martyrs' cemetery in Shenyang on Thursday.

Since 2014, China and the ROK have completed 13 consecutive handovers involving the remains of 1,023 CPV martyrs in the ROK. Wednesday's mission also marks the first time the Y-20B has been deployed for the repatriation duties.

More than 70 years ago, the CPV crossed the Yalu River and fought alongside the army and civilians of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). China sent 2.9 million CPV soldiers to assist the DPRK during the war, of whom more than 360,000 were killed or injured.

After the arduous fight that lasted almost three years, the CPV eventually won the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea. 

A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the fallen soldiers, escorted by four J-20 fighter jets, is pictured in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 22, 2026. The remains of 12 Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs who lost their lives during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953) were returned to China from the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Wednesday.

A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the fallen soldiers and 146 of their personal effects landed at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province. After it entered China's airspace, the Y-20B transport aircraft was escorted by four J-20 fighter jets. (Xinhua/Li Gang)

A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the fallen soldiers, escorted by four J-20 fighter jets, is pictured in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 22, 2026. The remains of 12 Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs who lost their lives during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953) were returned to China from the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Wednesday.

A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the fallen soldiers and 146 of their personal effects landed at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province. After it entered China's airspace, the Y-20B transport aircraft was escorted by four J-20 fighter jets. (Xinhua/Li Gang)

Coffins containing the remains of the Chinese People's Volunteers martyrs, escorted by honor guards, are about to be loaded onto vehicles at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 22, 2026. The remains of 12 Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs who lost their lives during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953) were returned to China from the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Wednesday.

A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the fallen soldiers and 146 of their personal effects landed at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province. After it entered China's airspace, the Y-20B transport aircraft was escorted by four J-20 fighter jets. (Xinhua/Li Gang)

A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the fallen soldiers, escorted by four J-20 fighter jets, is pictured in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 22, 2026. The remains of 12 Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs who lost their lives during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953) were returned to China from the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Wednesday.

A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the fallen soldiers and 146 of their personal effects landed at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province. After it entered China's airspace, the Y-20B transport aircraft was escorted by four J-20 fighter jets. (Xinhua/Li Gang)

Honor guards escort coffins containing the remains of the Chinese People's Volunteers martyrs at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 22, 2026. The remains of 12 Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs who lost their lives during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953) were returned to China from the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Wednesday.

A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the fallen soldiers and 146 of their personal effects landed at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province. After it entered China's airspace, the Y-20B transport aircraft was escorted by four J-20 fighter jets. (Xinhua/Li Gang)

Coffins containing the remains of the Chinese People's Volunteers martyrs, escorted by honor guards, are about to be loaded onto vehicles at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 22, 2026. The remains of 12 Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs who lost their lives during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953) were returned to China from the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Wednesday.

A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the fallen soldiers and 146 of their personal effects landed at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province. After it entered China's airspace, the Y-20B transport aircraft was escorted by four J-20 fighter jets. (Xinhua/Li Gang)

Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) veterans and other attendees welcome the remains of the CPV martyrs at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 22, 2026. The remains of 12 Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs who lost their lives during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953) were returned to China from the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Wednesday.

A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the fallen soldiers and 146 of their personal effects landed at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province. After it entered China's airspace, the Y-20B transport aircraft was escorted by four J-20 fighter jets. (Xinhua/Li Gang)

People see off a motorcade delivering the remains of the Chinese People's Volunteers martyrs at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 22, 2026. The remains of 12 Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs who lost their lives during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953) were returned to China from the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Wednesday.

A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the fallen soldiers and 146 of their personal effects landed at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province. After it entered China's airspace, the Y-20B transport aircraft was escorted by four J-20 fighter jets. (Xinhua/Li Gang)

Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) veterans and other attendees welcome the remains of the CPV martyrs at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 22, 2026. The remains of 12 Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs who lost their lives during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953) were returned to China from the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Wednesday.

A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the fallen soldiers and 146 of their personal effects landed at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province. After it entered China's airspace, the Y-20B transport aircraft was escorted by four J-20 fighter jets. (Xinhua/Li Gang)

Honor guards escort coffins containing the remains of the Chinese People's Volunteers martyrs at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 22, 2026. The remains of 12 Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs who lost their lives during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953) were returned to China from the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Wednesday.

A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the fallen soldiers and 146 of their personal effects landed at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province. After it entered China's airspace, the Y-20B transport aircraft was escorted by four J-20 fighter jets. (Xinhua/Li Gang)

A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the fallen soldiers, escorted by four J-20 fighter jets, is pictured in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 22, 2026. The remains of 12 Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs who lost their lives during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953) were returned to China from the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Wednesday.

A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the fallen soldiers and 146 of their personal effects landed at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province. After it entered China's airspace, the Y-20B transport aircraft was escorted by four J-20 fighter jets. (Xinhua/Yang Qing)

A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the Chinese People's Volunteers martyrs is welcomed by a water cannon salute upon arrival at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 22, 2026. The remains of 12 Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs who lost their lives during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953) were returned to China from the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Wednesday.

A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the fallen soldiers and 146 of their personal effects landed at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province. After it entered China's airspace, the Y-20B transport aircraft was escorted by four J-20 fighter jets. (Xinhua/Yang Qing)

A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the Chinese People's Volunteers martyrs is welcomed by a water cannon salute upon arrival at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 22, 2026. The remains of 12 Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs who lost their lives during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953) were returned to China from the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Wednesday.

A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the fallen soldiers and 146 of their personal effects landed at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province. After it entered China's airspace, the Y-20B transport aircraft was escorted by four J-20 fighter jets. (Xinhua/Yang Qing)

Coffins containing the remains of the Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs, escorted by honor guards, arrives at the CPV martyrs' cemetery in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 22, 2026. The remains of 12 Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs who lost their lives during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953) were returned to China from the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Wednesday.

A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the fallen soldiers and 146 of their personal effects landed at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province. After it entered China's airspace, the Y-20B transport aircraft was escorted by four J-20 fighter jets. (Xinhua/Yang Qing)

Honor guards escort coffins containing the remains of the Chinese People's Volunteers martyrs at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 22, 2026. The remains of 12 Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs who lost their lives during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953) were returned to China from the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Wednesday.

A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the fallen soldiers and 146 of their personal effects landed at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province. After it entered China's airspace, the Y-20B transport aircraft was escorted by four J-20 fighter jets. (Xinhua/Yang Qing)

Coffins containing the remains of the Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs, escorted by honor guards, arrives at the CPV martyrs' cemetery in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 22, 2026. The remains of 12 Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs who lost their lives during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953) were returned to China from the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Wednesday.

A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the fallen soldiers and 146 of their personal effects landed at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province. After it entered China's airspace, the Y-20B transport aircraft was escorted by four J-20 fighter jets. (Xinhua/Yang Qing)

A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of 12 Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs, escorted by four J-20 fighter jets, is pictured in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 22, 2026. The remains of 12 CPV martyrs who lost their lives during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953) were returned to China from the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Wednesday.

A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the fallen soldiers and 146 of their personal effects landed at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province. After it entered China's airspace, the Y-20B transport aircraft was escorted by four J-20 fighter jets. (Photo by Yu Hongchun/Xinhua)

Honor guards escort coffins containing the remains of 12 Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 22, 2026. The remains of 12 CPV martyrs who lost their lives during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953) were returned to China from the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Wednesday.

A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the fallen soldiers and 146 of their personal effects landed at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province. After it entered China's airspace, the Y-20B transport aircraft was escorted by four J-20 fighter jets. (Photo by Yu Hongchun/Xinhua)

A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of 12 Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs is welcomed by a water cannon salute upon arrival at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 22, 2026. The remains of 12 CPV martyrs who lost their lives during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953) were returned to China from the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Wednesday.

A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the fallen soldiers and 146 of their personal effects landed at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province. After it entered China's airspace, the Y-20B transport aircraft was escorted by four J-20 fighter jets. (Photo by Yu Hongchun/Xinhua)

Attendees welcome the remains of 12 Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 22, 2026. The remains of 12 CPV martyrs who lost their lives during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953) were returned to China from the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Wednesday.

A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the fallen soldiers and 146 of their personal effects landed at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province. After it entered China's airspace, the Y-20B transport aircraft was escorted by four J-20 fighter jets. (Photo by Yu Hongchun/Xinhua)

A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of 12 Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs, escorted by four J-20 fighter jets, is pictured in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 22, 2026. The remains of 12 CPV martyrs who lost their lives during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953) were returned to China from the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Wednesday.

A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the fallen soldiers and 146 of their personal effects landed at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province. After it entered China's airspace, the Y-20B transport aircraft was escorted by four J-20 fighter jets. (Photo by Yu Hongchun/Xinhua)

A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of 12 Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs is welcomed by a water cannon salute upon arrival at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 22, 2026. The remains of 12 CPV martyrs who lost their lives during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953) were returned to China from the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Wednesday.

A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the fallen soldiers and 146 of their personal effects landed at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province. After it entered China's airspace, the Y-20B transport aircraft was escorted by four J-20 fighter jets. (Photo by Yu Hongchun/Xinhua)

Honor guards escort coffins containing the remains of 12 Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 22, 2026. The remains of 12 CPV martyrs who lost their lives during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953) were returned to China from the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Wednesday.

A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the fallen soldiers and 146 of their personal effects landed at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province. After it entered China's airspace, the Y-20B transport aircraft was escorted by four J-20 fighter jets. (Photo by Yu Hongchun/Xinhua)

Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) veterans and other attendees welcome the remains of 12 CPV martyrs at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 22, 2026. The remains of 12 CPV martyrs who lost their lives during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953) were returned to China from the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Wednesday.

A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the fallen soldiers and 146 of their personal effects landed at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province. After it entered China's airspace, the Y-20B transport aircraft was escorted by four J-20 fighter jets. (Photo by Yu Hongchun/Xinhua)

Honor guards escort coffins containing the remains of 12 Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 22, 2026. The remains of 12 CPV martyrs who lost their lives during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953) were returned to China from the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Wednesday.

A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the fallen soldiers and 146 of their personal effects landed at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province. After it entered China's airspace, the Y-20B transport aircraft was escorted by four J-20 fighter jets. (Photo by Yu Hongchun/Xinhua)
WASHINGTON, April 21 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday he will extend the ceasefire with Iran as the current two-week truce is set to expire on Wednesday night.

"Based on the fact that the Government of Iran is seriously fractured, not unexpectedly so and, upon the request of Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, of Pakistan, we have been asked to hold our Attack on the Country of Iran until such time as their leaders and representatives can come up with a unified proposal," Trump wrote on Truth Social.

The U.S. president said he will "extend the ceasefire until such time as their proposal is submitted, and discussions are concluded, one way or the other."

The U.S. military will continue the blockade against Iran and "remain ready and able," Trump said.

Trump said on Monday that it was "highly unlikely" for him to extend the truce, and on Tuesday morning he told U.S. media that he doesn't want to do that, expecting the United States to "end up with a great deal" with Iran while threatening to bomb Iran again if no deal is reached.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance, whose trip to Pakistan for talks with Iran has been put on hold, was at the White House for meetings on Tuesday, along with Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner, multiple media outlets reported.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth arrived at the White House on Tuesday afternoon to join discussions over Washington's next steps, according to the reports.

The United States violated the ceasefire by starting a naval blockade of Iran's ports, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tuesday on X.

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei told state TV late Tuesday that Iran has not yet decided whether to join fresh peace talks since it was upset about what he called mixed messages from Washington.

"It is not out of indecisiveness, it is because we are facing contradictory messages and behaviors, and unacceptable actions from the American counterpart," Beghaei said.

As U.S. forces have intercepted and taken custody of an Iranian-flagged cargo ship on Sunday and Iran has not yet announced its decision to send a negotiating team for talks, the prospect of an expected second round of U.S.-Iran talks remains unclear, according to media reports. 
CAPE TOWN, April 22 (Xinhua) -- South Africa has received an additional shipment of two million doses of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccine as the country seeks to rein in outbreaks reported across all nine provinces.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the Department of Agriculture stated that the doses were received from Dollvet Biotechnology in Turkey and would be distributed to the provinces within the next few days.

The shipment is the first tranche of a total of six-million-dose order placed with Dollvet through their local agents, Dunevax.

The department said an additional order for five million doses has been placed with Argentina-based company Biogenesis Bago through Onderstepoort Biological Products.

The consignment will arrive in two batches, 3.5 million and 1.5 million doses, as soon as it receives import approval from the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority.

Last week, Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen said over two million animals had been vaccinated from February to March 26, as part of the national mass vaccination drive to contain the outbreak and protect the national herd.

In the statement, Steenhuisen said the department has procured all matched vaccines currently available on the international market and has secured steady access to supply.

"We will push forward to make sure that we achieve our goal -- vaccinate the national herd to achieve World Organization of Animal Health recognition of FMD-free status with vaccination. This will allow us to access international markets for South African red meat that have been closed for decades due to FMD," he added. 
This photo taken on March 27, 2026 shows a modern agriculture demonstration base for Xuyi crayfish in Xuyi County, east China's Jiangsu Province. A modern agriculture demonstration base for the Xuyi crayfish industry is located in Maba Town of Xuyi County, covering an area of 1,200 mu (80 hectares). With a total investment of 18 million yuan (about 2.639 million U.S. dollars), the demonstration base, formerly a rice-crayfish co-culture base, has been transformed into a seedling breeding center, a standardized rice-crayfish farming base, and a facility for digital agriculture and water-saving irrigation.

Xuyi's crayfish industry now features a complete industrial chain that covers breeding, farming, processing, dining, and cultural tourism. By 2025, the total farming area for crayfish in Xuyi County had expanded to 1 million mu (about 66,667 hectares), achieving an annual output of 150,000 tonnes. (Xinhua/Cheng Li)

Crayfish are pictured at a modern agriculture demonstration base for Xuyi crayfish in Xuyi County, east China's Jiangsu Province, March 27, 2026. A modern agriculture demonstration base for the Xuyi crayfish industry is located in Maba Town of Xuyi County, covering an area of 1,200 mu (80 hectares). With a total investment of 18 million yuan (about 2.639 million U.S. dollars), the demonstration base, formerly a rice-crayfish co-culture base, has been transformed into a seedling breeding center, a standardized rice-crayfish farming base, and a facility for digital agriculture and water-saving irrigation.

Xuyi's crayfish industry now features a complete industrial chain that covers breeding, farming, processing, dining, and cultural tourism. By 2025, the total farming area for crayfish in Xuyi County had expanded to 1 million mu (about 66,667 hectares), achieving an annual output of 150,000 tonnes. (Xinhua/Cheng Li)

A farmer catches crayfish at a breeding base in Huanghuatang Town of Xuyi County, east China's Jiangsu Province, in December 2025. A modern agriculture demonstration base for the Xuyi crayfish industry is located in Maba Town of Xuyi County, covering an area of 1,200 mu (80 hectares). With a total investment of 18 million yuan (about 2.639 million U.S. dollars), the demonstration base, formerly a rice-crayfish co-culture base, has been transformed into a seedling breeding center, a standardized rice-crayfish farming base, and a facility for digital agriculture and water-saving irrigation.

Xuyi's crayfish industry now features a complete industrial chain that covers breeding, farming, processing, dining, and cultural tourism. By 2025, the total farming area for crayfish in Xuyi County had expanded to 1 million mu (about 66,667 hectares), achieving an annual output of 150,000 tonnes. (Xinhua)

Chefs show cooked crayfish in Xuyi County, east China's Jiangsu Province, March 19, 2026. A modern agriculture demonstration base for the Xuyi crayfish industry is located in Maba Town of Xuyi County, covering an area of 1,200 mu (80 hectares). With a total investment of 18 million yuan (about 2.639 million U.S. dollars), the demonstration base, formerly a rice-crayfish co-culture base, has been transformed into a seedling breeding center, a standardized rice-crayfish farming base, and a facility for digital agriculture and water-saving irrigation.

Xuyi's crayfish industry now features a complete industrial chain that covers breeding, farming, processing, dining, and cultural tourism. By 2025, the total farming area for crayfish in Xuyi County had expanded to 1 million mu (about 66,667 hectares), achieving an annual output of 150,000 tonnes. (Photo by Zhao Qirui/Xinhua)

This photo taken on March 27, 2026 shows the production schedule written on a board outside a workshop of a modern agriculture demonstration base for Xuyi crayfish in Xuyi County, east China's Jiangsu Province. A modern agriculture demonstration base for the Xuyi crayfish industry is located in Maba Town of Xuyi County, covering an area of 1,200 mu (80 hectares). With a total investment of 18 million yuan (about 2.639 million U.S. dollars), the demonstration base, formerly a rice-crayfish co-culture base, has been transformed into a seedling breeding center, a standardized rice-crayfish farming base, and a facility for digital agriculture and water-saving irrigation.

Xuyi's crayfish industry now features a complete industrial chain that covers breeding, farming, processing, dining, and cultural tourism. By 2025, the total farming area for crayfish in Xuyi County had expanded to 1 million mu (about 66,667 hectares), achieving an annual output of 150,000 tonnes. (Xinhua/Cheng Li)

This photo taken on March 27, 2026 shows a breeding greenhouse of a modern agriculture demonstration base for Xuyi crayfish in Xuyi County, east China's Jiangsu Province. A modern agriculture demonstration base for the Xuyi crayfish industry is located in Maba Town of Xuyi County, covering an area of 1,200 mu (80 hectares). With a total investment of 18 million yuan (about 2.639 million U.S. dollars), the demonstration base, formerly a rice-crayfish co-culture base, has been transformed into a seedling breeding center, a standardized rice-crayfish farming base, and a facility for digital agriculture and water-saving irrigation.

Xuyi's crayfish industry now features a complete industrial chain that covers breeding, farming, processing, dining, and cultural tourism. By 2025, the total farming area for crayfish in Xuyi County had expanded to 1 million mu (about 66,667 hectares), achieving an annual output of 150,000 tonnes. (Xinhua/Cheng Li)

A chef cooks crayfish in Xuyi County, east China's Jiangsu Province, March 19, 2026. A modern agriculture demonstration base for the Xuyi crayfish industry is located in Maba Town of Xuyi County, covering an area of 1,200 mu (80 hectares). With a total investment of 18 million yuan (about 2.639 million U.S. dollars), the demonstration base, formerly a rice-crayfish co-culture base, has been transformed into a seedling breeding center, a standardized rice-crayfish farming base, and a facility for digital agriculture and water-saving irrigation.

Xuyi's crayfish industry now features a complete industrial chain that covers breeding, farming, processing, dining, and cultural tourism. By 2025, the total farming area for crayfish in Xuyi County had expanded to 1 million mu (about 66,667 hectares), achieving an annual output of 150,000 tonnes. (Photo by Zhao Qirui/Xinhua)

An aerial drone photo taken in December 2025 shows a rice-crayfish co-culture field in Huanghuatang Town of Xuyi County, east China's Jiangsu Province. A modern agriculture demonstration base for the Xuyi crayfish industry is located in Maba Town of Xuyi County, covering an area of 1,200 mu (80 hectares). With a total investment of 18 million yuan (about 2.639 million U.S. dollars), the demonstration base, formerly a rice-crayfish co-culture base, has been transformed into a seedling breeding center, a standardized rice-crayfish farming base, and a facility for digital agriculture and water-saving irrigation.

Xuyi's crayfish industry now features a complete industrial chain that covers breeding, farming, processing, dining, and cultural tourism. By 2025, the total farming area for crayfish in Xuyi County had expanded to 1 million mu (about 66,667 hectares), achieving an annual output of 150,000 tonnes. (Xinhua)

An employee inspects a crayfish larvae workshop at a modern agriculture demonstration base for Xuyi crayfish in Xuyi County, east China's Jiangsu Province, March 27, 2026. A modern agriculture demonstration base for the Xuyi crayfish industry is located in Maba Town of Xuyi County, covering an area of 1,200 mu (80 hectares). With a total investment of 18 million yuan (about 2.639 million U.S. dollars), the demonstration base, formerly a rice-crayfish co-culture base, has been transformed into a seedling breeding center, a standardized rice-crayfish farming base, and a facility for digital agriculture and water-saving irrigation.

Xuyi's crayfish industry now features a complete industrial chain that covers breeding, farming, processing, dining, and cultural tourism. By 2025, the total farming area for crayfish in Xuyi County had expanded to 1 million mu (about 66,667 hectares), achieving an annual output of 150,000 tonnes. (Xinhua/Cheng Li)

Crayfish are pictured at a modern agriculture demonstration base for Xuyi crayfish in Xuyi County, east China's Jiangsu Province, March 27, 2026. A modern agriculture demonstration base for the Xuyi crayfish industry is located in Maba Town of Xuyi County, covering an area of 1,200 mu (80 hectares). With a total investment of 18 million yuan (about 2.639 million U.S. dollars), the demonstration base, formerly a rice-crayfish co-culture base, has been transformed into a seedling breeding center, a standardized rice-crayfish farming base, and a facility for digital agriculture and water-saving irrigation.

Xuyi's crayfish industry now features a complete industrial chain that covers breeding, farming, processing, dining, and cultural tourism. By 2025, the total farming area for crayfish in Xuyi County had expanded to 1 million mu (about 66,667 hectares), achieving an annual output of 150,000 tonnes. (Xinhua/Cheng Li)
BEIJING, April 22 (Xinhua) -- Along the southeastern edge of China's Tengger Desert, workers were pressing bundles of straw rope into the sand in a grid pattern, like a giant checkerboard holding the dunes in place.

"We are reinforcing the windbreak and sand-blocking belt with a newly developed grass grid barrier. It is less labor-intensive than the traditional version, faster to install, and lasts longer -- five to six years," said Tang Ximing, a forestry engineer in Zhongwei, a city in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.

Ningxia lies deep in northwestern China, hemmed in by deserts on three sides, with Zhongwei guarding the corridor where the Tengger Desert historically pushed southeast.

In the 1950s, the city pioneered the straw checkerboard technique to protect the Baotou-Lanzhou Railway -- China's first rail line through a desert -- from being buried by dunes. Decades of continuous efforts followed, and Ningxia eventually became the first provincial-level region in China to reverse desertification.

China's battle against desertification has unfolded on an even larger scale across the country.

As one of the countries most severely affected by desertification globally, China has its desertified areas mainly concentrated in the northwest, north and northeast, which are dubbed the "three-north."

In 1978, China launched its landmark ecological project, the Three-North Shelterbelt Forest Program, which has become the world's largest afforestation endeavor.

After decades of sustained efforts, China has brought 53 percent of its treatable degraded land under effective management, and has contributed roughly 25 percent of the world's new green coverage in recent years.

China has also turned its fight against desertification into a driver of economic development and improved livelihoods.

At a factory in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, woody waste from pruning windbreak trees was being sorted, shredded and compressed into biomass pellets, which could match coal in calorific value, cost less to produce and emit far less carbon.

"We process more than 36 tonnes of raw material a day into over 30 tonnes of biomass pellets," said the workshop production manager, adding that the products sell well across multiple regions and new jobs have been created for nearby farmers and herders.

Similar success stories are emerging across China. In Ningxia, desert tourism and solar energy have turned barren dunes into sources of income. In northwest China's Gansu Province, farmers along the desert fringe grow Cistanche and desert onions, with more than 100 sand industry enterprises and production bases.

Beyond its borders, China is increasingly sharing its desertification control experience with the world. As one of the earliest signatories to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), it has been exporting its concepts, technologies and expertise worldwide.

In just over a month, Kazakhstan's Almaty will enter its planting season, and quinoa varieties developed by a Ningxia agri-tech company will be sown across large stretches of saline-alkali land there.

Wu Xiarui, the company's chairwoman, said trials started in 2018 and through years of practice, the project has steadily increased land utilization rates and soil fertility, while cutting water use by more than 30 percent and fertilizer consumption by 15 to 30 percent.

"We are actively expanding cooperation with Belt and Road countries such as Uzbekistan and Egypt, building an international model that combines technology export, ecological restoration and shared industrial gains," Wu said.

Earlier this month, a week-long international training program on desertification control, commissioned by the UNCCD secretariat, was held in Yinchuan, Ningxia, with 34 participants from 18 countries, including Mongolia, the Republic of Korea and India.

Each year, China trains nearly 100 desertification control specialists from developing countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America through such programs.

China's experience has reshaped global desertification control efforts. In Mongolia, Chinese experts have contributed to the One Billion Trees initiative, which aims to plant 1 billion trees by 2030, and helped build ecological restoration demonstration zones.

In Saudi Arabia, China's model of using photovoltaic installations to stabilize desert land has been successfully introduced, offering a new approach to both desertification control and energy transition. And along the southern edge of the Sahara, the lessons of China's Three-North program have been applied to the Great Green Wall Initiative.

"We have only one Earth. The technologies China has developed for fighting desertification belong not just to China, but to all of humanity," said Feng Zhanwen, head of the China-Central Asia desertification control cooperation center.

This year, the center will build three physical projects in Central Asian countries and send experts to conduct two technical training sessions on desertification control, Feng said. 
TEHRAN, April 22 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said on Wednesday that diplomacy remains a tool to safeguard national interests and will only be pursued when conditions align with Iran's interests.

In a statement, Baghaei thanked Pakistan for its mediation efforts, saying Iran's actions were taken in self-defense to counter U.S. and Israeli military aggression.

He said Iran is closely monitoring battlefield and political developments while taking necessary measures to protect its national interests and security.

The statement added that Iran would safeguard its legitimate rights, pursue legal accountability for the acts of aggression, and seek compensation for war damage.

According to Fars News Agency, Baghaei also said attacks on and seizure of Iranian commercial vessels do not reflect the behavior of a country seriously engaged in diplomacy.

He noted that Iran has not announced participation in a second round of talks, adding that any decision on holding negotiations in Islamabad would depend on whether it serves national interests.

The U.S. Department of War said Tuesday that its forces boarded an oil tanker previously sanctioned for smuggling Iranian crude. The vessel was located in the Indian Ocean, between Sri Lanka and Indonesia.

The incident came after U.S. President Donald Trump said Sunday that U.S. forces had intercepted and taken custody of an Iranian-flagged cargo ship named Touska, which was trying to bypass its naval blockade in the Gulf of Oman.

A ceasefire between the warring parties took effect on April 8 after 40 days of fighting. Trump said Tuesday he will extend the ceasefire with Iran as the current two-week truce is set to expire on Wednesday night.

Pakistan has mediated indirect talks between Tehran and Washington, hosting the first round in Islamabad on April 11-12. Iran's Tasnim news agency said Tuesday that Tehran's decision not to take part in the second round of talks with the United States in Pakistan on Wednesday is "definitive." 
An aerial drone photo taken on April 22, 2026 shows Przewalski's horses released into the wild in the Kalamaili Nature Reserve in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

A total of 30 Przewalski's horses were successfully reintroduced to the Kalamaili Nature Reserve on Wednesday after completing rewilding training.

The Przewalski's horse, a globally endangered species under first-class national protection in China, was once extinct in the wild within the country. In 1985, China launched a reintroduction program, bringing the horses back from abroad and establishing a Przewalski's horse breeding base in Xinjiang.

After more than 40 years of scientific protection, breeding and rewilding efforts, the number of wild and artificially-bred Przewalski's horses continues to expand in China. In Xinjiang alone, the wild population size has grown steadily to 392. (Xinhua/Ding Lei)

An aerial drone photo taken on April 21, 2026 shows Przewalski's horses waiting to be released into the wild at a monitoring station in the Kalamaili Nature Reserve in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

A total of 30 Przewalski's horses were successfully reintroduced to the Kalamaili Nature Reserve on Wednesday after completing rewilding training.

The Przewalski's horse, a globally endangered species under first-class national protection in China, was once extinct in the wild within the country. In 1985, China launched a reintroduction program, bringing the horses back from abroad and establishing a Przewalski's horse breeding base in Xinjiang.

After more than 40 years of scientific protection, breeding and rewilding efforts, the number of wild and artificially-bred Przewalski's horses continues to expand in China. In Xinjiang alone, the wild population size has grown steadily to 392. (Xinhua/Ding Lei)

This photo taken on April 21, 2026 shows Przewalski's horses at a monitoring station in the Kalamaili Nature Reserve in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

A total of 30 Przewalski's horses were successfully reintroduced to the Kalamaili Nature Reserve on Wednesday after completing rewilding training.

The Przewalski's horse, a globally endangered species under first-class national protection in China, was once extinct in the wild within the country. In 1985, China launched a reintroduction program, bringing the horses back from abroad and establishing a Przewalski's horse breeding base in Xinjiang.

After more than 40 years of scientific protection, breeding and rewilding efforts, the number of wild and artificially-bred Przewalski's horses continues to expand in China. In Xinjiang alone, the wild population size has grown steadily to 392. (Xinhua/Ding Lei)

An aerial drone photo taken on April 21, 2026 shows Przewalski's horses at a monitoring station in the Kalamaili Nature Reserve in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

A total of 30 Przewalski's horses were successfully reintroduced to the Kalamaili Nature Reserve on Wednesday after completing rewilding training.

The Przewalski's horse, a globally endangered species under first-class national protection in China, was once extinct in the wild within the country. In 1985, China launched a reintroduction program, bringing the horses back from abroad and establishing a Przewalski's horse breeding base in Xinjiang.

After more than 40 years of scientific protection, breeding and rewilding efforts, the number of wild and artificially-bred Przewalski's horses continues to expand in China. In Xinjiang alone, the wild population size has grown steadily to 392. (Xinhua/Ding Lei)

An aerial drone photo taken on April 21, 2026 shows Przewalski's horses at a monitoring station in the Kalamaili Nature Reserve in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

A total of 30 Przewalski's horses were successfully reintroduced to the Kalamaili Nature Reserve on Wednesday after completing rewilding training.

The Przewalski's horse, a globally endangered species under first-class national protection in China, was once extinct in the wild within the country. In 1985, China launched a reintroduction program, bringing the horses back from abroad and establishing a Przewalski's horse breeding base in Xinjiang.

After more than 40 years of scientific protection, breeding and rewilding efforts, the number of wild and artificially-bred Przewalski's horses continues to expand in China. In Xinjiang alone, the wild population size has grown steadily to 392. (Xinhua/Ding Lei)

An aerial drone photo taken on April 22, 2026 shows Przewalski's horses released into the wild in the Kalamaili Nature Reserve in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

A total of 30 Przewalski's horses were successfully reintroduced to the Kalamaili Nature Reserve on Wednesday after completing rewilding training.

The Przewalski's horse, a globally endangered species under first-class national protection in China, was once extinct in the wild within the country. In 1985, China launched a reintroduction program, bringing the horses back from abroad and establishing a Przewalski's horse breeding base in Xinjiang.

After more than 40 years of scientific protection, breeding and rewilding efforts, the number of wild and artificially-bred Przewalski's horses continues to expand in China. In Xinjiang alone, the wild population size has grown steadily to 392. (Xinhua/Ding Lei)

This photo taken on April 21, 2026 shows a Przewalski's horse at a monitoring station in the Kalamaili Nature Reserve in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

A total of 30 Przewalski's horses were successfully reintroduced to the Kalamaili Nature Reserve on Wednesday after completing rewilding training.

The Przewalski's horse, a globally endangered species under first-class national protection in China, was once extinct in the wild within the country. In 1985, China launched a reintroduction program, bringing the horses back from abroad and establishing a Przewalski's horse breeding base in Xinjiang.

After more than 40 years of scientific protection, breeding and rewilding efforts, the number of wild and artificially-bred Przewalski's horses continues to expand in China. In Xinjiang alone, the wild population size has grown steadily to 392. (Xinhua/Ding Lei)

An aerial drone photo taken on Feb. 4, 2026 shows Przewalski's horses grazing at a monitoring station in the Kalamaili Nature Reserve in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

A total of 30 Przewalski's horses were successfully reintroduced to the Kalamaili Nature Reserve on Wednesday after completing rewilding training.

The Przewalski's horse, a globally endangered species under first-class national protection in China, was once extinct in the wild within the country. In 1985, China launched a reintroduction program, bringing the horses back from abroad and establishing a Przewalski's horse breeding base in Xinjiang.

After more than 40 years of scientific protection, breeding and rewilding efforts, the number of wild and artificially-bred Przewalski's horses continues to expand in China. In Xinjiang alone, the wild population size has grown steadily to 392. (Xinhua/Ding Lei)

Staff members provide fodder to Przewalski's horses in the Kalamaili Nature Reserve in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, April 21, 2026.

A total of 30 Przewalski's horses were successfully reintroduced to the Kalamaili Nature Reserve on Wednesday after completing rewilding training.

The Przewalski's horse, a globally endangered species under first-class national protection in China, was once extinct in the wild within the country. In 1985, China launched a reintroduction program, bringing the horses back from abroad and establishing a Przewalski's horse breeding base in Xinjiang.

After more than 40 years of scientific protection, breeding and rewilding efforts, the number of wild and artificially-bred Przewalski's horses continues to expand in China. In Xinjiang alone, the wild population size has grown steadily to 392. (Xinhua/Ding Lei)

Staff members prepare to release Przewalski's horses into the wild in the Kalamaili Nature Reserve in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, April 22, 2026.

A total of 30 Przewalski's horses were successfully reintroduced to the Kalamaili Nature Reserve on Wednesday after completing rewilding training.

The Przewalski's horse, a globally endangered species under first-class national protection in China, was once extinct in the wild within the country. In 1985, China launched a reintroduction program, bringing the horses back from abroad and establishing a Przewalski's horse breeding base in Xinjiang.

After more than 40 years of scientific protection, breeding and rewilding efforts, the number of wild and artificially-bred Przewalski's horses continues to expand in China. In Xinjiang alone, the wild population size has grown steadily to 392. (Xinhua/Ding Lei)

Przewalski's horses are released into the wild in the Kalamaili Nature Reserve in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, April 22, 2026.

A total of 30 Przewalski's horses were successfully reintroduced to the Kalamaili Nature Reserve on Wednesday after completing rewilding training.

The Przewalski's horse, a globally endangered species under first-class national protection in China, was once extinct in the wild within the country. In 1985, China launched a reintroduction program, bringing the horses back from abroad and establishing a Przewalski's horse breeding base in Xinjiang.

After more than 40 years of scientific protection, breeding and rewilding efforts, the number of wild and artificially-bred Przewalski's horses continues to expand in China. In Xinjiang alone, the wild population size has grown steadily to 392. (Xinhua/Ding Lei)

This photo taken on April 21, 2026 shows Przewalski's horses in the Kalamaili Nature Reserve in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

A total of 30 Przewalski's horses were successfully reintroduced to the Kalamaili Nature Reserve on Wednesday after completing rewilding training.

The Przewalski's horse, a globally endangered species under first-class national protection in China, was once extinct in the wild within the country. In 1985, China launched a reintroduction program, bringing the horses back from abroad and establishing a Przewalski's horse breeding base in Xinjiang.

After more than 40 years of scientific protection, breeding and rewilding efforts, the number of wild and artificially-bred Przewalski's horses continues to expand in China. In Xinjiang alone, the wild population size has grown steadily to 392. (Xinhua/Ding Lei)

Staff members observe Przewalski's horses about to be released into the wild in the Kalamaili Nature Reserve in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, April 22, 2026.

A total of 30 Przewalski's horses were successfully reintroduced to the Kalamaili Nature Reserve on Wednesday after completing rewilding training.

The Przewalski's horse, a globally endangered species under first-class national protection in China, was once extinct in the wild within the country. In 1985, China launched a reintroduction program, bringing the horses back from abroad and establishing a Przewalski's horse breeding base in Xinjiang.

After more than 40 years of scientific protection, breeding and rewilding efforts, the number of wild and artificially-bred Przewalski's horses continues to expand in China. In Xinjiang alone, the wild population size has grown steadily to 392. (Xinhua/Ding Lei)

Staff members provide fodder to Przewalski's horses in the Kalamaili Nature Reserve in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, April 21, 2026.

A total of 30 Przewalski's horses were successfully reintroduced to the Kalamaili Nature Reserve on Wednesday after completing rewilding training.

The Przewalski's horse, a globally endangered species under first-class national protection in China, was once extinct in the wild within the country. In 1985, China launched a reintroduction program, bringing the horses back from abroad and establishing a Przewalski's horse breeding base in Xinjiang.

After more than 40 years of scientific protection, breeding and rewilding efforts, the number of wild and artificially-bred Przewalski's horses continues to expand in China. In Xinjiang alone, the wild population size has grown steadily to 392. (Xinhua/Ding Lei)

This photo taken on April 21, 2026 shows Przewalski's horses at a monitoring station in the Kalamaili Nature Reserve in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

A total of 30 Przewalski's horses were successfully reintroduced to the Kalamaili Nature Reserve on Wednesday after completing rewilding training.

The Przewalski's horse, a globally endangered species under first-class national protection in China, was once extinct in the wild within the country. In 1985, China launched a reintroduction program, bringing the horses back from abroad and establishing a Przewalski's horse breeding base in Xinjiang.

After more than 40 years of scientific protection, breeding and rewilding efforts, the number of wild and artificially-bred Przewalski's horses continues to expand in China. In Xinjiang alone, the wild population size has grown steadily to 392. (Xinhua/Ding Lei)

Przewalski's horses graze at a monitoring station in the Kalamaili Nature Reserve in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Feb. 4, 2026.

A total of 30 Przewalski's horses were successfully reintroduced to the Kalamaili Nature Reserve on Wednesday after completing rewilding training.

The Przewalski's horse, a globally endangered species under first-class national protection in China, was once extinct in the wild within the country. In 1985, China launched a reintroduction program, bringing the horses back from abroad and establishing a Przewalski's horse breeding base in Xinjiang.

After more than 40 years of scientific protection, breeding and rewilding efforts, the number of wild and artificially-bred Przewalski's horses continues to expand in China. In Xinjiang alone, the wild population size has grown steadily to 392. (Xinhua/Ding Lei)

This photo taken on April 22, 2026 shows Przewalski's horses in the Kalamaili Nature Reserve in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

A total of 30 Przewalski's horses were successfully reintroduced to the Kalamaili Nature Reserve on Wednesday after completing rewilding training.

The Przewalski's horse, a globally endangered species under first-class national protection in China, was once extinct in the wild within the country. In 1985, China launched a reintroduction program, bringing the horses back from abroad and establishing a Przewalski's horse breeding base in Xinjiang.

After more than 40 years of scientific protection, breeding and rewilding efforts, the number of wild and artificially-bred Przewalski's horses continues to expand in China. In Xinjiang alone, the wild population size has grown steadily to 392. (Xinhua/Ding Lei)

This photo taken on April 22, 2026 shows Przewalski's horses at a monitoring station in the Kalamaili Nature Reserve in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

A total of 30 Przewalski's horses were successfully reintroduced to the Kalamaili Nature Reserve on Wednesday after completing rewilding training.

The Przewalski's horse, a globally endangered species under first-class national protection in China, was once extinct in the wild within the country. In 1985, China launched a reintroduction program, bringing the horses back from abroad and establishing a Przewalski's horse breeding base in Xinjiang.

After more than 40 years of scientific protection, breeding and rewilding efforts, the number of wild and artificially-bred Przewalski's horses continues to expand in China. In Xinjiang alone, the wild population size has grown steadily to 392. (Xinhua/Ding Lei)

This photo taken on April 21, 2026 shows Przewalski's horses at a monitoring station in the Kalamaili Nature Reserve in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

A total of 30 Przewalski's horses were successfully reintroduced to the Kalamaili Nature Reserve on Wednesday after completing rewilding training.

The Przewalski's horse, a globally endangered species under first-class national protection in China, was once extinct in the wild within the country. In 1985, China launched a reintroduction program, bringing the horses back from abroad and establishing a Przewalski's horse breeding base in Xinjiang.

After more than 40 years of scientific protection, breeding and rewilding efforts, the number of wild and artificially-bred Przewalski's horses continues to expand in China. In Xinjiang alone, the wild population size has grown steadily to 392. (Xinhua/Ding Lei)

This photo taken on April 22, 2026 shows Przewalski's horses in the Kalamaili Nature Reserve in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

A total of 30 Przewalski's horses were successfully reintroduced to the Kalamaili Nature Reserve on Wednesday after completing rewilding training.

The Przewalski's horse, a globally endangered species under first-class national protection in China, was once extinct in the wild within the country. In 1985, China launched a reintroduction program, bringing the horses back from abroad and establishing a Przewalski's horse breeding base in Xinjiang.

After more than 40 years of scientific protection, breeding and rewilding efforts, the number of wild and artificially-bred Przewalski's horses continues to expand in China. In Xinjiang alone, the wild population size has grown steadily to 392. (Xinhua/Ding Lei)
KAMPALA, April 22 (Xinhua) -- Uganda may continue to experience fluctuations in fuel pump prices due to global oil market dynamics, but the country has sufficient fuel reserves, the state-run Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC) said.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, UNOC attributed potential price variations to factors including exchange rate movements and global political developments, noting that the government is closely monitoring the situation to ensure prices remain within manageable levels.

The company said that recent fuel stockouts reported at some filling stations were caused by logistical and operational challenges affecting individual retailers, rather than a nationwide shortage.

Addressing higher pump prices in border towns such as Arua, which borders the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan, and Tororo, near western Kenya, UNOC said the increases were driven by naturally higher cross-border demand.

"Individual oil marketing companies have been engaged where unjustified increases in retail pricing have been noticed," the statement said.

UNOC reassured the public that the country has sufficient fuel reserves, with additional supplies expected between May and June.

According to the company, current petrol stocks of 70.5 million liters are sufficient for 19 days, while diesel reserves of 43.2 million liters can last 12 days. Jet fuel stocks of 32 million liters are expected to last 53 days.

"The public is therefore advised to remain calm and avoid panic purchases, because there is no cause for concern regarding fuel availability. The government remains committed to ensuring energy security, market stability, and transparent communication at all times," UNOC said. 
Xi meets special envoy of Lao leader Thongloun

Xinhua) 08:11, April 22, 2026

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese president, meets with Saleumxay Kommasith, who is the special envoy of General Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, on April 21, 2026. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

BEIJING, April 21 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chinese president, met with Saleumxay Kommasith, who is the special envoy of General Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith, in Beijing on Tuesday.

Xi pointed out that the mutual dispatch of special envoys by the CPC and the LPRP to brief each other on major political agendas demonstrates the profound traditional friendship and high-level political mutual trust between the two sides.

Noting that this year marks the 65th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries and the Year of China-Laos Friendship, Xi said that not long ago, he and Thongloun reached a consensus through exchanged letters on deepening the building of a China-Laos community with a shared future.

Xi said it is believed that under the leadership of the Central Committee of the LPRP headed by General Secretary Thongloun, the Lao Party, state and people will surely overcome all difficulties, successfully complete all goals and tasks, steadily follow the socialist path, and achieve the centenary goal of the Party.

Xi emphasized that, at this new historical starting point, China and Laos should follow the policy of long-term stability, forward thinking, good neighborliness and comprehensive cooperation, and the spirit of being good neighbors, good friends, good comrades and good partners.

The two sides should take a strategic perspective on the future and destiny of socialism to maintain close coordination and cooperation, deepen strategic alignment, expand practical cooperation, jointly address common challenges, and advance the building of a China-Laos community with a shared future toward high standards, high quality and high levels, Xi added.

Saleumxay, who is a member of the Political Bureau of the LPRP Central Committee and deputy prime minister of Laos, conveyed a letter from Thongloun to Xi and briefed him on the relevant situation of the 12th National Congress of the LPRP.

Saleumxay noted that China has maintained a safe and stable domestic political and social environment for a long time and created a miracle of sustained and rapid economic growth, and its role and influence on the international stage have been continuously enhanced.

Laos firmly supports the major global initiatives proposed by General Secretary Xi Jinping and is willing to deepen comprehensive and practical cooperation with China to continuously achieve new results in building a Laos-China community with a shared future.

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese president, meets with Saleumxay Kommasith, who is the special envoy of General Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, on April 21, 2026. (Xinhua/Shen Hong)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
LONDON, April 22 (Xinhua) -- Britain and France on Wednesday co-hosted a two-day multinational military planning conference in London to advance plans for restoring navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, with military planners from more than 30 countries attending, according to a statement from the British Ministry of Defense.

The ministry said the meeting, held at Britain's Permanent Joint Headquarters in Northwood, north London, aims to turn previously reached diplomatic consensus into a joint military plan so as to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz when conditions allow and a ceasefire can be sustained.

"Today's multinational planning conference matters. The task, today and tomorrow, is to translate the diplomatic consensus into a joint plan to safeguard freedom of navigation in the Strait and support a lasting ceasefire," British Defense Secretary John Healey said ahead of the meeting.

The ministry also noted that international trade, energy security and the stability of the global economy depend on freedom of navigation. Britain and France are working to involve as many partners as possible in the planning process, with discussions focusing on military capabilities, command and coordination, as well as regional deployments, according to the statement.

France and Britain convened 51 countries for an international summit on the Strait of Hormuz in Paris on April 17. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni attended the meeting, while officials from across Europe, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East joined by video conference. 
Honor guards escort coffins containing the remains of the Chinese People's Volunteers martyrs at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 22, 2026. The remains of 12 Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs who lost their lives during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953) were returned to China from the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Wednesday. A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the fallen soldiers and 146 of their personal effects landed at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province. After it entered China's airspace, the Y-20B transport aircraft was escorted by four J-20 fighter jets. (Xinhua/Li Gang)

SHENYANG, April 22 (Xinhua) -- The remains of 12 Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs who lost their lives during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953) were returned to China from the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Wednesday.

A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the fallen soldiers and 146 of their personal effects landed at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province.

After entering China's airspace, the Y-20B transport aircraft was escorted by four J-20 fighter jets. Upon landing at the airport, it was given a water salute in tribute to the fallen heroes.

As honor guards carried the caskets off the plane, a remembrance ceremony was held at the airport, attended by more than 1,800 people, including representatives from the military, war veterans, and relatives of CPV martyrs.

The caskets were draped with the five-starred red flag, and participants bowed three times in solemn silence to the martyrs' remains.

The remains will be laid to rest in a martyrs' cemetery in Shenyang on Thursday.

More than 70 years ago, the CPV crossed the Yalu River and fought alongside the army and civilians of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) against the ROK army and U.S.-led UN forces. China sent 2.9 million CPV soldiers to assist the DPRK during the war, of whom more than 360,000 were killed or injured. Most of the fallen CPV soldiers were buried on the Korean Peninsula.

According to an agreement between China and the ROK signed in late 2013, the two sides consult every year on the handover of remains of Chinese soldiers found in the ROK.

Since 2014, China and the ROK have completed 13 consecutive handovers involving the remains of 1,023 CPV martyrs. Wednesday's mission also marks the first time the Y-20B has been deployed for repatriation duties.

Among the representatives who attended the ceremony at the airport were teachers and students from Pui Kiu Middle School in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The school was among the first in Hong Kong to raise the five-starred red flag after the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949. It has also organized five patriotic education trips to Shenyang to take part in the commemorative event. During the war, more than 20 students from the school signed up for recruitment and went to the battlefield.

"The heroic deeds of our predecessors are worthy of respect," said Cheung Hoi Ching, a third-year junior high school student from the school. "I want to learn from their devotion and carry forward their love and loyalty to the motherland."

After the ceremony, a convoy of 70 police motorcycles escorted the procession from the airport to the cemetery, a distance of roughly 30 km. Thousands of people stood solemnly along the route, their eyes following the fleet as it passed.

Billboards and LED screens along the roads displayed slogans welcoming the return of the remains of CPV martyrs. As the vehicles passed the entrance to the cemetery, Nan Qixiang, a veteran volunteer soldier, sounded a military bugle in salute to welcome his comrades home. His bugle calls were echoed by the melodies of brass trumpets and harmonicas.

"Today I did not sound the charge, but the victory call," said Nan, who served as a bugler on the battlefield during the war. "Brothers, I'm here to take you home."

In recent years, China has intensified efforts to identify the remains of CPV martyrs, including the creation of a DNA database for martyrs and their relatives, offering solid technical and data support to help more families find their missing loved ones.

The Ministry of Veterans Affairs has been seeking the relatives of the martyrs and analyzing their belongings. As of October 2025, the identities of 36 martyrs had been successfully confirmed and their relatives have been found, according to the ministry. 

A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the fallen soldiers, escorted by four J-20 fighter jets, is pictured in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 22, 2026. The remains of 12 Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs who lost their lives during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953) were returned to China from the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Wednesday.

A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the fallen soldiers and 146 of their personal effects landed at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province. After it entered China's airspace, the Y-20B transport aircraft was escorted by four J-20 fighter jets. (Xinhua/Li Gang)

A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the fallen soldiers, escorted by four J-20 fighter jets, is pictured in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 22, 2026. The remains of 12 Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs who lost their lives during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953) were returned to China from the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Wednesday.

A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the fallen soldiers and 146 of their personal effects landed at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province. After it entered China's airspace, the Y-20B transport aircraft was escorted by four J-20 fighter jets. (Xinhua/Li Gang)

Coffins containing the remains of the Chinese People's Volunteers martyrs, escorted by honor guards, are about to be loaded onto vehicles at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 22, 2026. The remains of 12 Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs who lost their lives during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953) were returned to China from the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Wednesday.

A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the fallen soldiers and 146 of their personal effects landed at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province. After it entered China's airspace, the Y-20B transport aircraft was escorted by four J-20 fighter jets. (Xinhua/Li Gang)

A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the fallen soldiers, escorted by four J-20 fighter jets, is pictured in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 22, 2026. The remains of 12 Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs who lost their lives during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953) were returned to China from the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Wednesday.

A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the fallen soldiers and 146 of their personal effects landed at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province. After it entered China's airspace, the Y-20B transport aircraft was escorted by four J-20 fighter jets. (Xinhua/Li Gang)

Honor guards escort coffins containing the remains of the Chinese People's Volunteers martyrs at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 22, 2026. The remains of 12 Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs who lost their lives during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953) were returned to China from the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Wednesday.

A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the fallen soldiers and 146 of their personal effects landed at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province. After it entered China's airspace, the Y-20B transport aircraft was escorted by four J-20 fighter jets. (Xinhua/Li Gang)

Coffins containing the remains of the Chinese People's Volunteers martyrs, escorted by honor guards, are about to be loaded onto vehicles at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 22, 2026. The remains of 12 Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs who lost their lives during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953) were returned to China from the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Wednesday.

A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the fallen soldiers and 146 of their personal effects landed at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province. After it entered China's airspace, the Y-20B transport aircraft was escorted by four J-20 fighter jets. (Xinhua/Li Gang)

Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) veterans and other attendees welcome the remains of the CPV martyrs at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 22, 2026. The remains of 12 Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs who lost their lives during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953) were returned to China from the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Wednesday.

A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the fallen soldiers and 146 of their personal effects landed at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province. After it entered China's airspace, the Y-20B transport aircraft was escorted by four J-20 fighter jets. (Xinhua/Li Gang)

People see off a motorcade delivering the remains of the Chinese People's Volunteers martyrs at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 22, 2026. The remains of 12 Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs who lost their lives during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953) were returned to China from the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Wednesday.

A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the fallen soldiers and 146 of their personal effects landed at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province. After it entered China's airspace, the Y-20B transport aircraft was escorted by four J-20 fighter jets. (Xinhua/Li Gang)

Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) veterans and other attendees welcome the remains of the CPV martyrs at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 22, 2026. The remains of 12 Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs who lost their lives during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953) were returned to China from the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Wednesday.

A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the fallen soldiers and 146 of their personal effects landed at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province. After it entered China's airspace, the Y-20B transport aircraft was escorted by four J-20 fighter jets. (Xinhua/Li Gang)

Honor guards escort coffins containing the remains of the Chinese People's Volunteers martyrs at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 22, 2026. The remains of 12 Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs who lost their lives during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953) were returned to China from the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Wednesday.

A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the fallen soldiers and 146 of their personal effects landed at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province. After it entered China's airspace, the Y-20B transport aircraft was escorted by four J-20 fighter jets. (Xinhua/Li Gang)

A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the fallen soldiers, escorted by four J-20 fighter jets, is pictured in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 22, 2026. The remains of 12 Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs who lost their lives during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953) were returned to China from the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Wednesday.

A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the fallen soldiers and 146 of their personal effects landed at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province. After it entered China's airspace, the Y-20B transport aircraft was escorted by four J-20 fighter jets. (Xinhua/Yang Qing)

A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the Chinese People's Volunteers martyrs is welcomed by a water cannon salute upon arrival at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 22, 2026. The remains of 12 Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs who lost their lives during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953) were returned to China from the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Wednesday.

A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the fallen soldiers and 146 of their personal effects landed at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province. After it entered China's airspace, the Y-20B transport aircraft was escorted by four J-20 fighter jets. (Xinhua/Yang Qing)

A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the Chinese People's Volunteers martyrs is welcomed by a water cannon salute upon arrival at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 22, 2026. The remains of 12 Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs who lost their lives during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953) were returned to China from the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Wednesday.

A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the fallen soldiers and 146 of their personal effects landed at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province. After it entered China's airspace, the Y-20B transport aircraft was escorted by four J-20 fighter jets. (Xinhua/Yang Qing)

Coffins containing the remains of the Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs, escorted by honor guards, arrives at the CPV martyrs' cemetery in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 22, 2026. The remains of 12 Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs who lost their lives during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953) were returned to China from the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Wednesday.

A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the fallen soldiers and 146 of their personal effects landed at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province. After it entered China's airspace, the Y-20B transport aircraft was escorted by four J-20 fighter jets. (Xinhua/Yang Qing)

Honor guards escort coffins containing the remains of the Chinese People's Volunteers martyrs at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 22, 2026. The remains of 12 Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs who lost their lives during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953) were returned to China from the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Wednesday.

A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the fallen soldiers and 146 of their personal effects landed at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province. After it entered China's airspace, the Y-20B transport aircraft was escorted by four J-20 fighter jets. (Xinhua/Yang Qing)

Coffins containing the remains of the Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs, escorted by honor guards, arrives at the CPV martyrs' cemetery in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 22, 2026. The remains of 12 Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs who lost their lives during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953) were returned to China from the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Wednesday.

A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the fallen soldiers and 146 of their personal effects landed at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province. After it entered China's airspace, the Y-20B transport aircraft was escorted by four J-20 fighter jets. (Xinhua/Yang Qing)

A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of 12 Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs, escorted by four J-20 fighter jets, is pictured in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 22, 2026. The remains of 12 CPV martyrs who lost their lives during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953) were returned to China from the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Wednesday.

A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the fallen soldiers and 146 of their personal effects landed at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province. After it entered China's airspace, the Y-20B transport aircraft was escorted by four J-20 fighter jets. (Photo by Yu Hongchun/Xinhua)

Honor guards escort coffins containing the remains of 12 Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 22, 2026. The remains of 12 CPV martyrs who lost their lives during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953) were returned to China from the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Wednesday.

A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the fallen soldiers and 146 of their personal effects landed at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province. After it entered China's airspace, the Y-20B transport aircraft was escorted by four J-20 fighter jets. (Photo by Yu Hongchun/Xinhua)

A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of 12 Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs is welcomed by a water cannon salute upon arrival at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 22, 2026. The remains of 12 CPV martyrs who lost their lives during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953) were returned to China from the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Wednesday.

A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the fallen soldiers and 146 of their personal effects landed at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province. After it entered China's airspace, the Y-20B transport aircraft was escorted by four J-20 fighter jets. (Photo by Yu Hongchun/Xinhua)

Attendees welcome the remains of 12 Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 22, 2026. The remains of 12 CPV martyrs who lost their lives during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953) were returned to China from the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Wednesday.

A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the fallen soldiers and 146 of their personal effects landed at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province. After it entered China's airspace, the Y-20B transport aircraft was escorted by four J-20 fighter jets. (Photo by Yu Hongchun/Xinhua)

A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of 12 Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs, escorted by four J-20 fighter jets, is pictured in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 22, 2026. The remains of 12 CPV martyrs who lost their lives during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953) were returned to China from the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Wednesday.

A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the fallen soldiers and 146 of their personal effects landed at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province. After it entered China's airspace, the Y-20B transport aircraft was escorted by four J-20 fighter jets. (Photo by Yu Hongchun/Xinhua)

A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of 12 Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs is welcomed by a water cannon salute upon arrival at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 22, 2026. The remains of 12 CPV martyrs who lost their lives during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953) were returned to China from the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Wednesday.

A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the fallen soldiers and 146 of their personal effects landed at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province. After it entered China's airspace, the Y-20B transport aircraft was escorted by four J-20 fighter jets. (Photo by Yu Hongchun/Xinhua)

Honor guards escort coffins containing the remains of 12 Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 22, 2026. The remains of 12 CPV martyrs who lost their lives during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953) were returned to China from the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Wednesday.

A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the fallen soldiers and 146 of their personal effects landed at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province. After it entered China's airspace, the Y-20B transport aircraft was escorted by four J-20 fighter jets. (Photo by Yu Hongchun/Xinhua)

Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) veterans and other attendees welcome the remains of 12 CPV martyrs at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 22, 2026. The remains of 12 CPV martyrs who lost their lives during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953) were returned to China from the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Wednesday.

A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the fallen soldiers and 146 of their personal effects landed at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province. After it entered China's airspace, the Y-20B transport aircraft was escorted by four J-20 fighter jets. (Photo by Yu Hongchun/Xinhua)

Honor guards escort coffins containing the remains of 12 Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, April 22, 2026. The remains of 12 CPV martyrs who lost their lives during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953) were returned to China from the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Wednesday.

A Chinese Air Force Y-20B large transport aircraft carrying the remains of the fallen soldiers and 146 of their personal effects landed at Taoxian International Airport in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province. After it entered China's airspace, the Y-20B transport aircraft was escorted by four J-20 fighter jets. (Photo by Yu Hongchun/Xinhua)
BRUSSELS, April 21 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese business chamber on Tuesday voiced its strong opposition to a European Commission decision to exclude a Chinese company from a public procurement project in Portugal, following a review under the bloc's Foreign Subsidies Regulation (FSR).

The China Chamber of Commerce to the European Union (CCCEU) said the Commission's decision on the Lisbon Metro project required the replacement of a Chinese subcontractor in a bidding consortium on the grounds of an alleged distortive foreign subsidy.

The CCCEU said the Chinese company has participated only as a subcontractor, and that its contract value accounts for less than 10 percent of the overall project value, well below the level generally considered indicative of material influence in subcontracting arrangements.

Against this background, the chamber questioned the basis on which the subcontractor is classified as "critical", and the justification for the corrective measures imposed.

The chamber also criticized the way the investigation is conducted, saying the company is repeatedly given only two to three days to provide extensive and complex information and supporting documents.

Such tight deadline fails to take into account the practical difficulties of cross-border evidence collection and compliance across multiple jurisdictions, thereby undermining the company's rights to defense and due process, the chamber said.

According to the CCCEU, the requirement to replace the subcontractor directly affects the existing contractual structure and bidding arrangements of the project, interfering with normal commercial decision-making and significantly increasing uncertainty and compliance costs.

The chamber said that in its current application the FSR gives the European Commission excessive discretion in subsidy assessment, impact evaluation, and choice of remedial measures.

Such practices may in effect restrict the participation of Chinese enterprises in EU public procurement, mergers and acquisitions, and other normal business activities, the chamber said.

The CCCEU urged the EU to correct relevant practices and ensure that implementation of the FSR strictly follows the principles of proportionality, non-discrimination, due process, and regulatory transparency. It also called on the EU to avoid unnecessary interference in normal market operations and to safeguard an open, transparent, and rules-based business environment. 
Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with President of the Republic of Mozambique Daniel Francisco Chapo and his wife Gueta Chapo ahead of the talks between Xi and Chapo at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, April 21, 2026. Xi held talks with Chapo, who is on a state visit to China, in Beijing on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

BEIJING, April 21 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping and Mozambican President Daniel Francisco Chapo held talks in Beijing on Tuesday, and the two heads of state agreed to upgrade bilateral ties to a China-Mozambique community with a shared future in the new era.

Noting that the time-honored friendship between China and Mozambique has set an example for China-Africa relations and South-South cooperation, Xi said that under the new circumstances, deepening China-Mozambique friendly cooperation meets the shared expectations of the two peoples and reflects the prevailing trend in the Global South to strengthen solidarity and collaboration in jointly tackling challenges.

China is ready to work with Mozambique to take the implementation of the outcomes of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges in 2026 as an opportunity to jointly pursue modernization, Xi noted.

Friendship and mutual trust are the defining features and political strengths of China-Mozambique relations, Xi said, adding that the two sides should continue to firmly support each other on issues concerning each other's core interests and major concerns, promote exchanges at various levels and in various fields including governments, political parties, legislative bodies and local exchanges, and deepen experience sharing in party and state governance.

He pointed out that China and Mozambique enjoy strong economic complementarity and broad cooperation prospects. Noting that this year marks the beginning of China's 15th Five-Year Plan period, Xi said China stands ready to strengthen the alignment of development strategies with Mozambique, explore new models of cooperation, break new ground in infrastructure development and the comprehensive development of energy and mineral resources, foster new growth areas of cooperation in agriculture, new energy, digital economy and artificial intelligence, and advance high-quality and sustainable growth of practical cooperation between the two countries.

Faced with a complex and volatile international landscape, the two sides should continue to step up coordination and collaboration within the United Nations and other institutions, work in solidarity to champion an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, and jointly safeguard international fairness and justice, Xi emphasized.

Over the 70 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Africa, amid shifting international dynamics, the two sides have stood together through thick and thin and forged ahead side by side, Xi said, noting that the Global South, represented by China and African nations, has always been a force for justice in a world marked by turbulence and transformation.

As the impact of the Middle East conflict spills over to African countries, China stands ready to work hand in hand with Africa to address these challenges, jointly promote peace and work together to advance development, Xi said, calling on both sides to uphold the principles for peace, maintain the resolve for development, and promote win-win cooperation.

He said both sides should uphold principles to advance peace, jointly call for a ceasefire and an end to hostilities, advocate resolving differences through equal dialogue, advance the international community's practice of true multilateralism, and firmly safeguard the purposes and principles of the UN Charter as well as the basic norms governing international relations.

Calling for staying focused on pursuing development, Xi said China has always accorded special priority to Africa in the course of steadily expanding high-standard opening up.

China will fully implement zero-tariff measures for the 53 African countries with diplomatic ties starting May 1 this year, and further expand market access for African exports to China by upgrading green channels and other related measures, according to Xi.

He also called on both sides to foster a model of win-win cooperation, adding that China is ready to respond to the aspirations of African countries, tap into cooperation potential, strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation, support Africa's development, and jointly build an all-weather community with a shared future between China and Africa in the new era.

For his part, Chapo noted that it is a great pleasure to be the first leader of an African country to pay a state visit to China this year. He congratulated China on its remarkable achievements, and on China's exemplary role among Global South countries.

Mozambique attaches great importance to its relations with China, unconditionally abides by the one-China principle, and supports China in achieving national reunification, Chapo said.

He expressed Mozambique's readiness to work with China, on the basis of mutual respect and mutual trust, to consolidate solidarity and friendship, and enhance cooperation in areas including economy and trade, agriculture and energy, opening up new chapters in jointly building the Mozambique-China community with a shared future in the new era.

Noting that the implementation of the outcomes of the FOCAC Beijing Summit and China's zero-tariff policy for African countries having diplomatic ties with China will provide strong impetus to the economic and social development of African countries, Chapo said Mozambique thanks China for its support for African countries.

Hailing the vision of a community with a shared future for humanity, the four major global initiatives, and the Belt and Road Initiative which have made important contribution to promoting world peace, stability and development, Chapo said Mozambique is ready to work with China to implement these initiatives and make the world a better place.

Following the talks, the two heads of state jointly witnessed the signing of over 20 cooperation documents in areas including Belt and Road cooperation, implementation of the Global Security Initiative, economy and trade, people-to-people exchanges, healthcare, and news media.

The two sides issued the Joint Statement Between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Mozambique on Building the China-Mozambique Community with a Shared Future in the New Era.

Before the talks, Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan held a welcoming ceremony for Chapo and his wife, Gueta Chapo, at the Great Hall of the People.

Xi and his wife Peng also held a welcoming banquet for Chapo and his wife Gueta Chapo on Tuesday evening. 

Chinese President Xi Jinping holds talks with President of the Republic of Mozambique Daniel Francisco Chapo, who is on a state visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, April 21, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan)

Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcome ceremony for President of the Republic of Mozambique Daniel Francisco Chapo ahead of their talks at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, April 21, 2026. Xi held talks with Chapo, who is on a state visit to China, in Beijing on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Shen Hong)

Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcome ceremony for President of the Republic of Mozambique Daniel Francisco Chapo ahead of their talks at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, April 21, 2026. Xi held talks with Chapo, who is on a state visit to China, in Beijing on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Ding Haitao)
DAR ES SALAAM, April 22 (Xinhua) -- Tanzania is stepping up strategic measures to cushion its economy against rising global fuel prices, as supply uncertainties linked to geopolitical tensions continue to push up costs, Minister of Energy Deogratius Ndejembi said on Wednesday.

Presenting his ministry's 2026/2027 financial year budget in parliament in Dodoma, Ndejembi said the government is closely monitoring global oil markets to ensure a stable supply and prevent disruptions to economic and social activities.

The surge in crude oil prices has translated into steep rises in refined fuel prices, with petrol rising by 69.12 percent, diesel by 104.30 percent, and kerosene and jet fuel by 115.83 percent between February and March 2026, Ndejembi said.

To mitigate supply risks, he said, the government has facilitated the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation to import fuel stocks sufficient for three months, covering the period from May to July.

Tanzania relies heavily on fuel imports, sourcing about 59 percent of its fuel from Middle Eastern countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman and Kuwait, while 41 percent comes from India, according to the minister.

Ndejembi emphasized that the government will continue implementing strategic interventions to stabilize supply and shield the economy from fuel price volatility, noting that energy security remains critical to economic resilience. 
KABUL, April 22 (Xinhua) -- At least four people were killed and seven others injured in two separate road accidents in eastern Afghanistan's Ghazni province, the provincial police office said in a statement on Wednesday.

The first accident occurred on the outskirts of Waghaz district, where a car veered off the road and overturned, killing three commuters on the spot, while a fourth succumbed to severe wounds in a hospital, according to the statement.

In the second incident, two high-speed vehicles collided with a truck in Koti area of Qarabagh district, along a highway linking the southern Kandahar province to the capital, Kabul. The crash injured seven passengers, the police office added.

Authorities blamed reckless driving for both incidents. All injured passengers were taken to medical facilities for treatment.

In a separate incident on Monday, two people were killed and a third seriously injured in a high-speed head-on collision between two motorbikes in eastern Parwan province. 
TEHRAN, April 22 (Xinhua) -- Tehran has called its decision not to take part in the second round of peace talks with the United States in Pakistan as "definitive," Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency said Tuesday.

The decision was announced shortly before U.S. President Donald Trump said he would extend the ceasefire to allow more time for negotiations, as the current two-week truce is set to expire on Wednesday night.

Tasnim said the Pakistani mediator has been informed of Iran's decision, which has been made aiming to completely protect the Iranian people's rights.

The report noted that, despite propaganda and rumors spread by U.S. media and officials, the Iranian negotiating team will not travel to Pakistan for talks on Wednesday for various reasons already relayed to the United States through Pakistan.

Tasnim said the United States has continued its naval blockade against Iran and made what it described as "excessive demands" in recent exchanges between the two sides, which it said prevented significant progress. It added that U.S. naval pressure, including the blockade and other "hostile actions," along with what it described as breaches of commitments, hindered Iran's participation in the next round of talks in Islamabad.

Trump said the United States had agreed to delay a planned strike on Iran to give Tehran time to come up with a "unified proposal" ahead of possible negotiations.

Meanwhile, Mahdi Mohammadi, the Iranian parliament speaker's advisor on strategic affairs, said after Trump's Truth Social post on Tuesday that the ceasefire extension announced by Trump is a "ploy" to buy time for a surprise attack, warning that continued U.S. pressure at sea would require a response.

Delegations from Iran and the United States had been expected to hold the second round of their peace talks in Pakistan this week. The two countries held their first round of talks on April 11-12 in Islamabad, and the negotiation failed. 
BRUSSELS, April 22 (Xinhua) -- European Union (EU) members' ambassadors on Wednesday approved a 90-billion-euro (105.6 billion U.S. dollars) loan for Ukraine, according to reports citing sources from Cyprus, which currently holds the EU's rotating presidency.

The ambassadors also reached an agreement on a new round of sanctions against Russia, the reports said.

The final written procedure for the aforementioned measures is expected to be completed on Thursday. 
Guests attend the groundbreaking ceremony of a new air separation unit of Air Liquide in Huizhou, south China's Guangdong Province, April 21, 2026. French industrial gases giant Air Liquide broke ground on a new air separation unit in Huizhou, south China's Guangdong Province, on Tuesday, a project that will add 800 tonnes per day of liquid oxygen, nitrogen and argon supply to the Pearl River Delta market. (Air Liquide/Handout via Xinhua)

GUANGZHOU, April 22 (Xinhua) -- French industrial gases giant Air Liquide broke ground on a new air separation unit in Huizhou, south China's Guangdong Province, on Tuesday, a project that will add 800 tonnes per day of liquid oxygen, nitrogen and argon supply to the Pearl River Delta market.

The facility, expected to start operations in 2027, will be built in the Huizhou New Material Industrial Park, which focuses on advanced synthetic materials, high-end chemicals and frontier new materials.

Air Liquide said the unit will use its latest technology to produce high-purity liquids for customers in the semiconductor and advanced manufacturing sectors, while also serving petrochemical and medical industries.

Rui Coelho, CEO of Air Liquide China, said the investment reflects the company's commitment to the local market and its strategy of supporting China's transition toward high-quality and low-carbon development.

Air Liquide will continue to provide safe, reliable and efficient solutions to help its customers grow their businesses sustainably, while contributing to the long-term development of the industrial ecosystem in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Coelho said.

The company has continued expansion in the area since the early 1990s. It now operates companies in Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Maoming, Qingyuan, Foshan and Dongguan, serving more than 2,800 customers.

The Huizhou plant will further expand and optimize the group's local gas supply capacity, operational reliability and efficiency, the company said. 

Guests attend the groundbreaking ceremony of a new air separation unit of Air Liquide in Huizhou, south China's Guangdong Province, April 21, 2026. French industrial gases giant Air Liquide broke ground on a new air separation unit in Huizhou, south China's Guangdong Province, on Tuesday, a project that will add 800 tonnes per day of liquid oxygen, nitrogen and argon supply to the Pearl River Delta market.(Air Liquide/Handout via Xinhua)
CAPE TOWN, April 22 (Xinhua) -- South Africa has recorded an alarming increase in malaria cases following heavy rainfall and flooding, including in non-endemic provinces, health authorities said on Wednesday.

"Malaria cases have increased across parts of southern Africa following unusually heavy rainfall and recent flooding, creating more favorable conditions for mosquito breeding and malaria transmission," the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) said in a statement.

"This seasonal rise has also resulted in an increase in malaria cases detected in South Africa, including in provinces where malaria is not normally transmitted," it added.

The uptick is evident in Gauteng, where 414 confirmed malaria cases and 11 deaths were recorded in the first three months of 2026, a surge compared to 230 cases and one death during the same period in 2025, according to the provincial health department.

However, authorities said that most infections in Gauteng are imported, meaning patients contracted the disease in endemic provinces such as Limpopo, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal, or while traveling abroad.

The NICD noted that malaria transmission in South Africa is largely confined to low-altitude areas of those endemic provinces, where environmental conditions support mosquito populations capable of spreading the disease. By contrast, Gauteng is not considered malaria-endemic, and "in areas like Gauteng, where malaria-transmitting mosquitoes do not occur, people infected with malaria cannot transmit malaria to others."

The NICD said heavy rains and flooding have increased malaria risk, citing Mpumalanga, which reported more than 300 cases in January alone, while neighboring malaria-endemic countries have also seen a rise in infections.

Health officials warned that while malaria is preventable and treatable, delays in diagnosis can lead to severe illness or death. The NICD urged travelers to take precautions, including taking preventive medication when visiting high-risk areas.

It also advised that anyone experiencing flu-like symptoms after traveling to endemic regions should seek immediate medical care and request testing, noting that "early diagnosis and prompt treatment save lives." 
COLOMBO, April 22 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka's Cabinet has approved the formation of a new oversight mechanism to monitor the implementation of recommendations after the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings.

Authorities noted that although approval had been granted in May 2021 to implement recommendations made by the Presidential Commission of Inquiry and the then Sectoral Oversight Committee on National Security, there is currently no formal or sustained system to assess progress on measures proposed in the aftermath of the attacks.

To address this gap, the government has approved the establishment of a mechanism designed to ensure continuous monitoring, with a focus on strengthening public and national security.

Under the approved proposal, submitted by the president in his capacity as minister of defence, a committee will be appointed to oversee the process. The committee is to include a specialist in counter-terrorism and national security, along with representatives from relevant ministries and institutions.

On April 21, 2019, Easter Sunday, three churches in Sri Lanka and three luxury hotels in the commercial capital Colombo were targeted in a series of coordinated IS-related suicide bombings. The suicide attacks caused more than 260 deaths and wounded more than 500. 
KIEV, April 22 (Xinhua) -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Tuesday that repair of the Druzhba oil pipeline has been completed.

"Ukraine has finished repairing a section of the Druzhba oil pipeline that was damaged by a Russian strike. The pipeline can resume its operation," Zelensky said on Telegram.

Oil flows through the Druzhba pipeline, which carries Russian crude oil to Hungary and Slovakia via Ukraine, have halted since late January following an attack, Ukrainian officials said, blaming Russia for the pipeline damage. Slovakia later declared an oil emergency and claimed that Ukraine was deliberately stopping oil supplies through the Druzhba pipeline.

Hungary has also suspended exports of refined fuels such as diesel and gasoline to Ukraine and vetoed a proposed 90 billion-euro (105 billion U.S. dollars) EU financial support package for Ukraine, citing Kiev's suspension of crude oil deliveries.

Zelensky voiced hope that the EU will unblock the support package for Ukraine after the pipeline's repair. 
INCHEON, South Korea, April 22 (Xinhua) -- A Y-20B transport aircraft carrying the remains and personal effects of 12 Chinese People's Volunteers soldiers who lost their lives during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953) took off from Incheon International Airport in South Korea on Wednesday, returning them home. 
French President Emmanuel Macron (L, front) greets visiting Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam (R, front) at Elysee Palace in Paris, France, April 21, 2026. French President Emmanuel Macron said Tuesday that Israel must "renounce its territorial ambitions" in Lebanon, calling for a political settlement to ensure regional stability. (Photo by Henri Szwarc/Xinhua)

PARIS, April 21 (Xinhua) -- French President Emmanuel Macron said Tuesday that Israel must "renounce its territorial ambitions" in Lebanon, calling for a political settlement to ensure regional stability.

Speaking at a press conference after meeting with visiting Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, Macron urged a "political agreement" between Israel and Lebanon to guarantee security for both countries, safeguard Lebanon's territorial integrity, and pave the way for normalized relations.

Macron also warned that the European Union (EU) could reconsider its ties with Israel if its policies remain unchanged. He said suspending the EU-Israel Association Agreement - which has governed trade relations since 2000 - would become a "legitimate question" under such circumstances.

Addressing broader regional tensions, Macron called for extending negotiations between the United States and Iran as their ceasefire approaches expiration, stressing that "war must not be allowed to resume."

For his part, Salam reiterated Lebanon's demand for the "complete withdrawal" of Israeli forces from its territory, along with the return of Lebanese prisoners and displaced persons. 

French President Emmanuel Macron (L, front) greets visiting Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam (R, front) at Elysee Palace in Paris, France, April 21, 2026. French President Emmanuel Macron said Tuesday that Israel must "renounce its territorial ambitions" in Lebanon, calling for a political settlement to ensure regional stability. (Photo by Henri Szwarc/Xinhua)
UNITED NATIONS, April 22 (Xinhua) -- UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher said Wednesday that Syria could be a success story for the world contingent on international support.

Briefing the Security Council on the situation in Syria, Fletcher said he was in a position to share a more positive trajectory.

During his visit to Syria last month, he saw progress: millions of people returning home, markets growing, and more lights coming back on, said Fletcher.

But he cautioned that Syria faces three major risks: the spillover effect of conflict across the region, enormous humanitarian needs in the country, and a lack of funding for humanitarian relief.

"The world needs a success story right now. Syria could be that story -- but only if this (Security) Council helps us overcome the three risks I have outlined: through sustained diplomatic engagement, immediate humanitarian support, and long-term investment in the future," said Fletcher.

Conflict across the region in March put immense pressure on Syria. As of Sunday, nearly 300,000 people had crossed into Syria from Lebanon, adding to the estimated 1.6 million Syrian refugees who have returned to Syria from across the region since the end of 2024, he said.

While the ceasefire between Iran and the United States holds, tensions in the region remain high. The risk of ongoing disruptions to critical supply routes persists, threatening to destabilize the fragile internal momentum and potentially setting back return and recovery efforts by years, he warned.

In Syria, some 13 million people are in need of food, 12 million in need of clean water, and nearly 13 million need health care support, said Fletcher.

He called for sustained diplomatic energy to resolve remaining flash points and allow people to return safely, voluntarily and with dignity -- both inside Syria and across the region. He also called for more money, as the total humanitarian appeal of 2.9 billion U.S. dollars is only over 15 percent funded. 
TEHRAN, April 22 (Xinhua) -- Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Wednesday that Iran has always welcomed resolving issues through dialogue and agreement and will continue to do so.

In a post on social media platform X, he said breaches of commitments, blockades and threats constitute the main obstacles to genuine negotiations, adding that "world sees your endless hypocritical rhetoric and contradiction between claims and actions," in reference to the United States.

Also on Wednesday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said a comprehensive ceasefire would only be meaningful if it is not accompanied by maritime blockades or what he described as "holding the global economy hostage," and if Israel halts its military actions on all fronts.

He added that the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz would be impossible if there were serious violations of a ceasefire.

Earlier in the day, Axios, citing U.S. officials, reported that U.S. President Donald Trump is giving Tehran three to five days to unite behind a "coherent counter-offer," or the ceasefire extended on Tuesday ends.

"It is not going to be open-ended," the officials were quoted as saying.

Meanwhile, Trump told the New York Post that it's "possible" fresh peace talks between the United States and Iran could take place as soon as Friday.

Delegations from Iran and the United States had been expected to hold the second round of their peace talks in Pakistan this week. The two countries held their first round of talks on April 11-12 in Islamabad, and the negotiation failed to reach a consensus. 
KIGALI, April 22 (Xinhua) -- The Rwandan government has directed public institutions to ensure that 30 percent of all vehicles purchased are fully electric vehicles to cut reliance on petroleum products, according to a recent circular addressed to chief budget managers.

The circular, issued by the Ministry of Infrastructure on April 14 and made public on Tuesday, said all institutions are required to comply with the set percentage vehicle requirement in their procurement plans.

All public institutions are required to ensure that at least 30 percent of vehicles procured are fully electric vehicles, effective from the signature date, as part of efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, lower reliance on fossil fuels and promote sustainable and clean mobility solutions, according to the circular signed by Minister of State for Infrastructure Jean de Dieu Uwihanganye.

In order to accelerate the e-mobility uptake, the Rwandan government has put in place several incentives, including the introduction of lower electricity tariffs for electric vehicle charging as well as the exemption of duties for electric vehicles and their accessories. 
by Ntandoyenkosi Ncube

JOHANNESBURG, April 22 (Xinhua) -- Language exchange is a cornerstone of deepening economic and political ties between Africa and China, said Phiwokuhle Mnyandu, an adjunct professor at Howard University's Center for African Studies.

In a recent interview with Xinhua, Mnyandu said the growing teaching of the Chinese language in South Africa is playing an increasingly important role in fostering mutual understanding and advancing cooperation with China.

"When people want to understand each other, they learn each other's languages," he said, noting that the expansion of Mandarin teaching reflects strengthening economic ties between the two countries.

As trade and investment links intensify, Mnyandu said language proficiency enables more effective communication, allowing South Africans to better access business, education, and employment opportunities in China.

"Just as people from francophone countries learn English to access global markets, South Africans learning Mandarin can unlock similar opportunities in China's economy," he said.

Mnyandu also stressed that Africa-China cultural exchange programs should move beyond one-sided influence and be grounded in local realities to promote mutual learning.

Research into how language is used in everyday South African life is essential to shaping effective teaching approaches, he said, adding that Chinese language instruction should be adapted to local cultural contexts.

"It cannot be taught in South Africa the same way it is taught in China," he said. "South Africans respond strongly to music and dance, so integrating language learning into cultural forms like music could be a highly effective approach."

On education, Mnyandu noted that South Africa still faces challenges in strengthening its own language systems, which may affect the broader adoption of foreign languages.

He suggested that mechanisms such as the China-South Africa Bi-National Commission could help address these challenges, particularly through technological support.

"Technology is the biggest independent variable in determining how South Africa can effectively promote its own African languages," he said, adding that progress in local language development would support the expansion of Chinese language learning.

Mnyandu further highlighted that proficiency in Chinese can significantly enhance employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for young South Africans.

"The Chinese language is one of the most important languages in the world today, especially in economic terms," he said, noting that it opens doors in business, higher education, technology, and creative industries.

Looking ahead, he said digital innovation and globalization will continue to reshape Africa-China cultural and linguistic exchanges, particularly for younger generations. 
TRIPOLI, April 22 (Xinhua) -- The head of Libya's Presidential Council, Mohamed al-Menfi, has expressed reservations over the basis and mechanisms of a proposed "4+4 mini-Committee" under the auspices of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya.

He made the remarks during a meeting on Tuesday with the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General for Libya, Hanna Tetteh, according to a statement issued by the Presidential Council's media office.

Reports said that the "4+4 mini-Committee" was proposed as part of efforts to break the prolonged political deadlock in the North African country.

The committee is expected to consist of eight members representing the Tobruk-based General Command of the Libyan National Army (LNA) and the Tripoli-based Government of National Unity (GNU). It aims to narrow differences over electoral laws and the constitutional basis.

Currently in Libya, the "6+6 Committee" launched in 2023 is tasked with resolving disputes over the constitutional framework and electoral legislation. It comprises members from Libya's House of Representatives and the High Council of State.

In response to the "4+4 mini-Committee" proposal, Al-Menfi voiced surprise at what he described as disregard for the outcomes of the "6+6 Committee," warning that such steps could weaken consensus-building efforts and further complicate the country's political landscape.

Al-Menfi emphasized that electoral legislation and the High National Elections Commission fall within the sovereign mandate of Libya's legislative institutions, noting that involving actors outside the recognized institutional frameworks in such matters is unjustified and risks disrupting ongoing political processes.

He also called for a clear separation between the UN-facilitated process and any parallel initiatives, while reaffirming adherence to existing political references, including the roadmap and political agreement. He rejected what he described as bypassing national institutions or their established internal procedures in forming committees.

Earlier this month, the Libyan High Council of State rejected a U.S. proposal, which suggested that Saddam Haftar, deputy commander of the LNA, assume the positions of head of the Presidential Council and supreme commander of the Libyan Army, while Abdul-Hamid Dbeibah, prime minister of the GNU, serve concurrently as prime minister and defense minister.

Since the 2011 fall of its former leader Muammar Gaddafi, Libya has been split politically between the UN-recognized GNU in Tripoli and the eastern administration backed by the LNA. 
KUALA LUMPUR, April 22 (Xinhua) -- Malaysian travellers are becoming more cost-conscious in 2026, with value emerging as a key factor influencing destination choices and spending, according to digital travel platform Agoda.

Its 2026 Travel Outlook Report found that 63 percent of Malaysians are willing to consider lesser-known destinations if it means saving money, signalling a shift towards more deliberate and budget-aware travel behavior, it said on Tuesday.

Accommodation costs remain a major consideration, with 64 percent of respondents expecting to spend 50 U.S. dollars or less per night, while 59 percent identified price as the most important factor when selecting where to stay.

The emphasis on value is also reshaping travel patterns. About 47 percent of Malaysians expect most of their trips to be domestic, while 37 percent plan to travel four to six times over the year. Trips are typically shorter, with 42 percent favoring stays of four to seven days.

Despite tighter budgets, travellers continue to prioritize experiences. Relaxation tops the list at 69 percent, followed by culinary exploration at 33 percent. Travel also remains social, with 59 percent planning trips with family and 28 percent with partners.

Agoda said the findings highlight a growing preference for balancing affordability with meaningful travel experiences. 
People gather around the parliament building to protest attempts of the government of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to revise the country's pacifist constitution and to call for the protection of Article 9 in Tokyo, Japan, April 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)

BEIJING, April 21 (Xinhua) -- In a dangerous policy shift, the Japanese government officially eased its arms export rules on Tuesday, allowing the sale of lethal weapons. Japan's growing military buildup is threatening the postwar peace order.

In recent years, Japan has been drastically readjusting its security policy, increasing defense spending, developing offensive weapons, expanding military deployments and relaxing restrictions on arms exports.

These endeavors have seriously violated the instruments with legal effect under international law, such as the Potsdam Proclamation and the Japanese Instrument of Surrender, which constitute the post-WWII international order. The Proclamation states that Japanese militarism must be eliminated, and it requires Japan to be completely disarmed and not to maintain industries that would enable it to re-arm for war.

However, as a defeated country, Japan has never truly reckoned with its militarism. Historical facts have been glossed over and whitewashed in textbooks. Japanese right-wing forces have been seeking to break free from the country's pacifist constitution and pursue the status of a "military power."

Expanding arms exports will provide a huge boost to Japan's arms industry. Alarmingly, since Sanae Takaichi took office as prime minister, Japan has stepped up its remilitarization and made repeated provocations aimed at China, which should be viewed as strong signals of a dangerous militarist revival in Japan.

Under the cover of so-called defense and counterstrike needs, Japan has been strengthening the deployment of a series of offensive weapons and equipment, including missiles, in regions close to China. Such deployments amount to a more offensive, expansionist and dangerous defense policy, which goes far beyond the scope of self-defense and Japan's "exclusively defense-oriented" policy.

Last Friday, Japan sent a Self-Defense Force vessel into the Taiwan Strait in a deliberate provocation. This followed Takaichi's earlier erroneous remarks concerning China's Taiwan on Nov. 7 last year, which implied the possibility of Japan's armed intervention in the Strait. These acts have fully exposed the reckless attempts of certain Japanese politicians to undermine peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, while also damaging the political foundation of China-Japan relations and threatening China's sovereignty and security.

In a related development, Takaichi on Tuesday sent a ritual offering to the notorious Yasukuni Shrine where Class-A Japanese war criminals are honored. Japanese officials and politicians have repeatedly visited the shrine or made ritual offerings. Japan's negative actions on this issue essentially constitute an attempt to evade its own historical responsibility, a desecration of historical justice, a provocation against countries that suffered from its aggression, and a challenge to the outcomes of the victory in World War II. Japan's wars of aggression brought untold suffering to China and other countries.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the start of the Tokyo Trials, which laid bare the terrible crimes of Japanese militarists and brought them to justice. Yet Japan's major policy changes in the military and security fields serve as powerful proof that militarism remains on the Japanese agenda. Japan's accelerating remilitarization is a ticking time bomb threatening world peace and security, which requires heightened vigilance from the international community.

Japan must make a clear choice: either allowing the toxic legacy of militarism to continue growing and spreading, or undertaking a genuine and profound reckoning with its past crimes. If Japan continues down its perilous path of militarist revival, it will ultimately bring disaster upon itself.

It is beyond doubt that China and all other peace-loving forces around the world will never allow Japan's neo-militarism to gain ground and endanger regional peace. They will resolutely and jointly push back against it. 
TOKYO, April 22 (Xinhua) -- The Embassy of China in Japan on Wednesday issued a notice to remind Chinese citizens in the country to strengthen emergency preparedness for earthquake disasters after a 7.7-magnitude quake struck off the Sanriku coast in northeastern Japan recently.

The embassy said after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck off the Sanriku coast on April 20, the Japan Meteorological Agency has warned residents in seven prefectures, including Hokkaido, Aomori, Iwate, Miyagi, Fukushima, Ibaraki, and Chiba, to remain alert for strong earthquakes over the coming week.

The embassy advised Chinese citizens to avoid traveling to Japan in the near term. It also urged Chinese nationals already in Japan, especially those who have arrived recently, to enhance earthquake preparedness by making routine disaster prevention and readiness arrangements, acquiring basic emergency response skills, staying calm and taking immediate protective action when an earthquake occurs, and closely following disaster updates, weather warnings, and other emergency information.

The embassy reminded Chinese nationals that in case of an emergency, they should promptly call Japan's emergency services number and contact Chinese diplomatic missions in Japan for assistance. 
A vendor sells bottled drinking water in Yangon, Myanmar, April 22, 2026. (Xinhua/Myo Kyaw Soe)

YANGON, April 22 (Xinhua) -- At 1 p.m. local time on Wednesday, when the sun hung heavy over Yangon and the heat pushed most people indoors, U Soe Nyunt sat on his trishaw counting a day's earnings that no longer added up.

Sweat beaded on his forehead and ran down his temples. "The weather is very hot. Most people don't go outside during the hottest hours," he said, wiping sweat from his face.

For the 73-year-old trishaw driver, the absence of customers was more than a nuisance -- he said the heat had cut his income by roughly one-third.

Despite fewer passengers in the punishing sun, he said he had no choice but to keep working year-round to make ends meet.

When the heat became unbearable, he sought refuge under trees. "For the poor like us, the shade of trees is the best during the hottest time," he said.

Across Myanmar, this had become a shared reality. In the Southeast Asian country, April and May are typically the hottest months, as temperatures spike before the monsoon season begins. On Tuesday, temperatures climbed above 38 degrees Celsius in Yangon and exceeded 44 degrees in central regions. Daily life was being reshaped by the heat.

In downtown Yangon, 70-year-old U Than Nyunt sat under a tree, wearing a hat and holding an umbrella. He said he was resting in the shade because of the heat.

"At home, the rooms that do not have air conditioners are very hot. I have to stay on the veranda using hand fans when it is very hot, and there is no electricity," he said.

For 60-year-old street vendor Daw Nyunt Myaing, the heat had also taken a toll on her livelihood as sales were low during extremely hot weather. She added that she had to drink plenty of water and apply Thanakha (a traditional yellowish-white paste made from ground bark) to cope.

Younger workers were not spared. Aung Wai Phyo, a 23-year-old deliveryman in Yangon, said he had to take care of his health by staying hydrated and getting enough sleep.

But he acknowledged that rest came at a cost. He said that even when his body demanded a break, he had to keep working to maintain his income. "If I take a rest, my income could reduce. So, I have to work even in the hottest hours while taking care of my health as well," he said.

In Myanmar's central dry zone, where temperatures were often the highest, daily routines had shifted even more sharply.

In Magway region's Minbu town, temperatures exceeded 43 degrees Celsius on Tuesday. Ko Ko Maung, a 36-year-old resident of Minbu, said residents sprayed water around their homes and stayed under shady trees to cope.

"Now, we cannot work in the afternoon until 4 p.m. We have to take electrolyte drinks when it is very hot," he said, adding that elderly residents choose to go to heat relief centers to escape the extreme temperatures.

According to meteorological reports, many regions across the country have experienced high temperatures, surpassing 40 degrees Celsius in recent days, with conditions expected to persist over the next 10 days

Several towns in central Myanmar had recently been listed among the hottest places in the world, prompting authorities to open relief shelters since early April, particularly for vulnerable groups.

U Hla Tun, a director from Myanmar's Department of Meteorology and Hydrology, told Xinhua on Tuesday that rising temperatures were increasingly linked to climate change.

Even as temperatures soared, he warned of strong winds, lightning, and isolated rain, which often follow extreme heat during the hot season.

The country's Ministry of Health also issued guidelines advising people to stay in cool, shaded, and well-ventilated areas, avoid strenuous activity during peak heat, and take extra precautions for children, the elderly, and those with chronic illnesses. 

Pedestrians shield themselves from the sun with an umbrella in Yangon, Myanmar, April 22, 2026. (Xinhua/Myo Kyaw Soe)

A man shields himself from the sun with an umbrella in Yangon, Myanmar, April 22, 2026. (Xinhua/Myo Kyaw Soe)
TOKYO, April 22 (Xinhua) -- More than 100 Japanese government officials and lawmakers on Wednesday worshiped the notorious Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, a symbol of Japanese militarism and wartime aggression, on the occasion of its spring festival.

The visits came a day after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi sent a ritual "masakaki" tree offering in her capacity as prime minister to the controversial shrine that honors 14 convicted Class-A Japanese war criminals from World War II alongside the war dead.

On Wednesday morning, the second day of the shrine's three-day ceremony, Haruko Arimura, chairperson of the General Council of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), visited the war-linked shrine and made a monetary offering on behalf of Takaichi in her capacity as LDP president.

Minoru Kiuchi, Japan's minister of state for economic and fiscal policy, also visited the shrine on the same day, becoming the first member of Takaichi's cabinet to do so while a cross-party group of over 120 Japanese lawmakers paid a collective visit.

The controversial moves drew widespread criticism in Japan.

Magosaki Ukeru, a former Japanese foreign ministry official, said to Xinhua that given the enshrinement of Class-A war criminals in the Yasukuni Shrine, it is absolutely inappropriate for Japanese government officials and lawmakers to participate in such visits.

The behavior, he said, not only raises serious concerns among neighboring countries such as China, but also runs counter to commitments Japan has made to the international community.

Takakage Fujita, secretary-general of the Association for Inheriting and Propagating the Murayama Statement, told Xinhua that Takaichi had long visited Yasukuni Shrine before taking office and has maintained that stance after becoming prime minister by making ritual and monetary offerings, which he described as unacceptable.

Fujita argued that such practices fail to face history squarely and have been an obstacle to improving Japan's relations with neighboring countries.

"As Japanese citizens, we must urge politicians to correct this wrong direction as soon as possible," he said.

Atsushi Koketsu, professor emeritus at Yamaguchi University in Japan, said Takaichi has long harbored a particular "zeal" for Yasukuni Shrine. The large collective visit to the shrine by lawmakers, he noted, reflects, to some extent, a political climate of aligning with Takaichi's position.

He warned that this trend, to a certain degree, points to a growing tendency toward the strengthening of dangerous militarist thinking in Japan, which is undoubtedly provocative to countries that suffered from Japanese aggression, such as China and South Korea.

Responding to the Japanese politicians' visits to the notorious Yasukuni Shrine, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said the negative moves constitute a blatant provocation against international justice and an affront to human conscience, adding China is strongly indignant over and deplores such practices.

For a long time, visits and ritual offerings made by Japanese officials to the controversial shrine have consistently sparked criticism and opposition both at home and abroad, hurting the feelings of the people of China, South Korea, and other countries brutalized by Japan during the war. 
The first meeting between foreign ministers and defense ministers of China and Cambodia under the "2+2" strategic dialogue mechanism is held in Phnom Penh, capital of Cambodia, April 22, 2026. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Defense Minister Dong Jun co-chaired the meeting with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn and Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Tea Seiha. (Photo by Van Pov/Xinhua)

PHNOM PENH, April 22 (Xinhua) -- The first meeting between foreign ministers and defense ministers of China and Cambodia under the "2+2" strategic dialogue mechanism was held here in Phnom Penh, capital of Cambodia, on Wednesday, aiming at enhancing bilateral cooperation in various fields.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Defense Minister Dong Jun co-chaired the meeting with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn and Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Tea Seiha.

The two sides exchanged in-depth views on bilateral relations, cooperation on political and defense security issues, and international and regional situations, reaching a broad consensus.

Wang said China is willing to work with Cambodia to develop the mechanism into a strategic platform for enhancing political and defense security cooperation, a key instrument for cementing mutual assistance and solidarity between China and Cambodia, and to make new contributions to building a China-Cambodia community with a shared future.

He noted that China supports Cambodia and Thailand in implementing the consensus reached at the China-Cambodia-Thailand Fuxian Meeting, making good use of existing bilateral mechanisms, strengthening dialogue, rebuilding mutual trust, and improving relations.

China is willing to provide platforms for more comprehensive and effective communication between Cambodia and Thailand, Wang added.

Noting that China will continue to support Cambodia in accelerating development and revitalization, and its efforts to improve people's livelihoods, Wang said that China is willing to continue providing humanitarian support for Cambodian border residents' resettlement and other fields, and to advance poverty reduction demonstration cooperation projects.

He said China is willing to deepen cooperation with Cambodia within the framework of the four major global initiatives proposed by China, build an Asian security model featuring shared security, seeking common ground while reserving differences, and dialogue and consultation, and promote the development of the global governance system in a more just and equitable direction.

During the meeting, Dong said China is willing to work with Cambodia to deepen and strengthen mutual trust in military security.

Meanwhile, Sokhonn said that China is Cambodia's most trusted friend and expressed his gratitude for China's comprehensive support.

He reiterated that Cambodia firmly adheres to the one-China principle and firmly supports all efforts made by China to achieve national reunification.

Seiha said that Cambodia is willing to actively explore new avenues for cooperation and promote greater development of Cambodia-China relations.

In the meeting, both sides agreed to deepen law enforcement and defense cooperation, jointly combat online gambling and telecom fraud, and safeguard their respective cybersecurity.

They also underscored supporting resolving regional disputes through dialogue and negotiation, jointly opposing unilateral bullying and power politics, and upholding global free trade and international fairness and justice. 
Cedrik Neike, a member of the managing board of Siemens AG and CEO of Siemens Digital Industries, poses for a photo at Hannover Messe 2026 in Hannover, Germany, April 20, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Haofu)

HANNOVER, Germany, April 22 (Xinhua) -- As visitors moved through Hannover Messe 2026, one familiar scene unfolded across exhibition booths -- robot arms reaching into bins of scattered parts, selecting a target, adjusting in real time, and placing components onto the next tray within seconds.

At first glance, the demonstration seemed routine. Robotic picking has long been a staple of industrial trade fairs. Yet what distinguishes this year's displays was not the motion itself but the intelligence behind it. With artificial intelligence (AI) more deeply integrated into production, machines are beginning to perceive, decide and act within workflows, rather than simply execute pre-programmed instructions.

OUT OF THEORY, INTO APPLICATION

At Hannover Messe, that shift is becoming visible in real-world operations. "AI starts in the physical world, and it ends in the physical world," Cedrik Neike, a member of the managing board of Siemens AG and CEO of Siemens Digital Industries, told Xinhua.

In his view, the industrial AI technology stack begins with data generated in real-world settings, including sensors, control systems and machinery. After being processed through computing power and specialized software models, the data is fed back into real-world industrial operations.

"Without bringing AI into the real world, it is just a brain in a jar," he said.

How, then, does AI move out of the "jar" and into real-world use? Neike pointed to Siemens' Innovation Hub at this year's fair, where the company showcased a flexible production of shoe soles using additive manufacturing.

In this example, AI runs through the entire production chain. Users submit customization requests through an AI chat interface, while backend AI coordinates the appropriate design tools. AI agents manage production autonomously, humanoid robots transport the soles through the manufacturing process, and AI-controlled robots complete final packaging.

"With industrial AI, factories become more adaptable, more flexible, and more resilient," he said.

PHYSICAL AI OPENS NEW SCENARIOS

At the Robotics & Assembly Automation zone, visitors could hardly miss the humanoid robots moving through the exhibition space. Some shook hands with attendees, others carried out material-handling tasks, and some even sat down between demonstrations, reinforcing the impression that the factory of the future is coming into view.

For the first time at Hannover Messe, physical AI was presented as a central theme. Organizers define it as AI that interacts directly with the physical world -- for example, through machines, plants and robots.

"AI thus becomes a productive force in the factory -- especially in industrial and humanoid robots," said Jochen Koeckler, chairman of the managing board of Deutsche Messe AG, the fair's organizer.

The view is echoed by recent industry research. In a report released ahead of the fair, Capgemini surveyed 1,678 senior executives across 15 industries and found that 67 percent viewed physical AI as a game changer, saying it "enables robots to interpret context, adapt in real time, and operate in unstructured environments." Nearly eight in 10 organizations reported they were already engaging with physical AI.

"One advantage of physical AI is that we can tackle use cases that were not possible before," Jochen Lindermayr, intelligent mobile robots project leader at the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation, told Xinhua, pointing in particular to articulated objects such as cables, which are difficult to handle with conventional programming.

He added that although physical AI has yet to match the robustness of classical approaches, it may eventually develop capabilities that surpass them, much as digital cameras ultimately did after their early stages.

AI AGENTS DRIVE COORDINATED ACTION

As capabilities such as perception, decision-making and execution continue to move onto the factory floor, AI agents are emerging as an important step in the evolution of industrial AI.

Alexander Zorn, data scientist at the Fraunhofer Institute for Intelligent Analysis and Information Systems, told Xinhua that an agent is "a system designed to perceive its environment, make decisions and take actions to achieve specific goals. Agents operate autonomously, without direct human control."

In his view, the primary task of an AI agent system is to break down complex problems into subtasks using a main agent. "These subtasks are then executed using subagents or other tools. The system observes execution, detects errors, and independently revises the plan if necessary," he said.

In industrial settings, such capability is pushing AI further into operational workflows and cross-functional coordination. Speaking at a panel discussion on AI agents, Norbert Jung, CEO of Bosch Connected Industry, said that expert knowledge in manufacturing remains scarce and fragmented, especially when it is needed most, such as in the early hours of the morning or on weekends, with experts may not be available on site.

"This is where AI can make a real difference," he said, adding that AI agents can provide guidance when machines or production lines go down, helping non-experts restore operations. Also, in multi-agent systems, a machine failure can trigger a maintenance agent to adjust schedules, which may in turn activate a continuous optimization agent to improve plant performance.

Speaking at the same panel, Manikantan NS, senior vice president and global head of manufacturing at Tech Mahindra, said that deploying AI agents in industry is not purely a technical matter. "The human element and organizational culture are also important," he said, emphasizing that the key lies in "coordinated action," especially with humans in the loop. 
Szeged Mayor Laszlo Botka (C) visits BYD's new energy passenger vehicle factory in Szeged, Hungary, April 21, 2026. (Photo by Attila Volgyi/Xinhua)

SZEGED, Hungary, April 22 (Xinhua) -- The southern Hungarian city of Szeged welcomes Chinese investment and sees broad prospects for the cooperation with China, Szeged Mayor Laszlo Botka said in a recent interview with Xinhua.

Botka told Xinhua that Chinese automotive giant BYD's investment in Szeged has been "the largest industrial investment in the city's history," and said its success is in the interest "not only of Szeged, but of the entire Hungarian economy," and will help promote China-Hungary cooperation in advanced manufacturing and green industries.

Built on an area of about 3 million square meters, the plant will have an annual production capacity of 150,000 units in phase one. The final assembly facility of the plant has now entered the commissioning phase, while employee training is progressing in parallel.

Botka said that the factory is expected to create more than 10,000 jobs once completed, and the announcement in late 2023 that BYD would build its first passenger vehicle production base in Europe in Szeged, was widely welcomed by local residents.

Botka and Chinese Ambassador to Hungary Gong Tao visited BYD's new energy passenger vehicle factory in Szeged on Tuesday to learn about the progress of the project and exchanged views on deepening China-Hungary cooperation and promoting the development of green industries.

According to Botka, many local students who study in Szeged are willing to stay in the city if they can find suitable employment, creating a valuable labor pool for large-scale industrial projects such as BYD.

Beyond job creation, Botka said he expects the investment to bring wider benefits, including the development of local supply chains and cooperation with Hungarian companies.

"We expect that many companies in Szeged and the surrounding region will be able to establish partnerships with BYD," he said. "We also hope that advanced technologies will arrive in the city through this investment."

The BYD factory will contribute not only to the development of Szeged, but also to the entire region in the long term, he noted.

Botka also highlighted long-standing cultural and educational ties between Szeged and cities in China. The University of Szeged hosts a Confucius Institute, which he said plays an important role in promoting Chinese language and culture in the city.

Chinese language learning is particularly popular in the city, he said, adding that proportionally, one of the highest numbers of students studying Chinese in Hungary can be found in Szeged.

As to the upcoming new government in Hungary, Botka said that, based on his experience, successive Hungarian governments, regardless of political affiliation, have consistently sought to maintain strong economic relations with China, and he does not expect any significant change in this regard under the new government.

"Szeged is an open city," he said. "We support all investments that contribute to economic development, and we are open to further Chinese investments." 

Szeged Mayor Laszlo Botka receives an interview with Xinhua in Szeged, Hungary, April 21, 2026. (Photo by Attila Volgyi/Xinhua)

Szeged Mayor Laszlo Botka (R) shakes hands with Chinese Ambassador to Hungary Gong Tao at BYD's new energy passenger vehicle factory in Szeged, Hungary, April 21, 2026. (Photo by Attila Volgyi/Xinhua)
MOSCOW, April 22 (Xinhua) -- Amid the worsening international situation, participants at a seminar on Tuesday highlighted the important role of China's Global Governance Initiative (GGI) in improving the global governance system.

Over 70 representatives from political, academic, business and media circles in China and Russia attended the seminar titled "Jointly Advancing the Implementation of the Global Governance Initiative and the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the China-Russia strategic partnership of coordination."

In his written address to the seminar held at the Chinese Embassy in Russia, Gennady Zyuganov, leader of Russia's communist party, said that the GGI, rooted in the vision of a community with a shared future for humankind and drawing on China's international cooperation experience, has played an important role in improving the global governance system, especially in amplifying the Global South's voice.

Constructive stances taken by Russia and China are crucial to building a fair and equitable international relations system, Zyuganov added.

The view was echoed by Kirill Babaev, director of the Institute of China and Modern Asia at the Russian Academy of Sciences, who said China and Russia share similar views on the future world order and that their strategic coordination continues to contribute to a new global governance system.

Chinese Ambassador to Russia Zhang Hanhui, for his part, said the GGI is not only a realistic response to prominent global contradictions but also a normative guide for the long-term development of global governance.

"It is an important measure to address global challenges and uphold multilateralism, and a crucial step toward a fairer, more rational world order," he said, adding that the GGI, together with the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, forms a system of public goods to tackle humanity's common problems.

Zhang emphasized that China and Russia must staunchly advocate for a multipolar world, support the broader SCO and BRICS development, unite Global South countries, and inject "China-Russia momentum" into building an equal and orderly multipolar world. 
FRANKFURT, April 22 (Xinhua) -- Germany's largest airport, Frankfurt Airport, inaugurated its new Terminal 3 with a ceremony on Wednesday. It will begin operation on Thursday.

As one of the largest privately funded infrastructure projects in Europe, construction on the new terminal took more than ten years with an investment of around 4 billion euros (4.69 billion U.S. dollars).

According to the airport operator Fraport Group, the new terminal can handle about 19 million passengers per year and be expanded to accommodate up to 25 million. A total of 57 airlines previously based in Terminal 2 will be housed in the new one.

Stefan Schulte, CEO of Fraport Group, told the German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung that the opening of Terminal 3 is expected to boost annual passenger traffic of the airport to between 65 and 66 million, about 4 percent higher than in 2025. 
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority employees work on the site of a collision of a metro train and a work vehicle at Metro Center in Washington, D.C., the United States, on April 22, 2026. Eleven people were injured early Wednesday after a work vehicle collided with a metro train in downtown Washington, D.C., local authorities said. (Xinhua/Li Rui)

WASHINGTON, April 22 (Xinhua) -- Eleven people were injured early Wednesday after a work vehicle collided with a metro train in downtown Washington, D.C., local authorities said.

"Just before midnight (close of service), a work vehicle on the Silver Line made contact with a stationary train at Metro Center. Eleven non-life-threatening injuries were reported," the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority said on social media platform X.

Local media reported the train was holding at the station when the work vehicle struck the rear car, which had 27 passengers on board. 

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority employees work on the site of a collision of a metro train and a work vehicle at Metro Center in Washington, D.C., the United States, on April 22, 2026. Eleven people were injured early Wednesday after a work vehicle collided with a metro train in downtown Washington, D.C., local authorities said. (Xinhua/Li Rui)

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority employees work on the site of a collision of a metro train and a work vehicle at Metro Center in Washington, D.C., the United States, on April 22, 2026. Eleven people were injured early Wednesday after a work vehicle collided with a metro train in downtown Washington, D.C., local authorities said. (Xinhua/Li Rui)

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority employees work on the site of a collision of a metro train and a work vehicle at Metro Center in Washington, D.C., the United States, on April 22, 2026. Eleven people were injured early Wednesday after a work vehicle collided with a metro train in downtown Washington, D.C., local authorities said. (Xinhua/Li Rui)

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority employees work on the site of a collision of a metro train and a work vehicle at Metro Center in Washington, D.C., the United States, on April 22, 2026. Eleven people were injured early Wednesday after a work vehicle collided with a metro train in downtown Washington, D.C., local authorities said. (Xinhua/Li Rui)

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority employees work on the site of a collision of a metro train and a work vehicle at Metro Center in Washington, D.C., the United States, on April 22, 2026. Eleven people were injured early Wednesday after a work vehicle collided with a metro train in downtown Washington, D.C., local authorities said. (Xinhua/Li Rui)

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority employees work on the site of a collision of a metro train and a work vehicle at Metro Center in Washington, D.C., the United States, on April 22, 2026. Eleven people were injured early Wednesday after a work vehicle collided with a metro train in downtown Washington, D.C., local authorities said. (Xinhua/Li Rui)

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority employees work on the site of a collision of a metro train and a work vehicle at Metro Center in Washington, D.C., the United States, on April 22, 2026. Eleven people were injured early Wednesday after a work vehicle collided with a metro train in downtown Washington, D.C., local authorities said. (Xinhua/Li Rui)

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority employees work on the site of a collision of a metro train and a work vehicle at Metro Center in Washington, D.C., the United States, on April 22, 2026. Eleven people were injured early Wednesday after a work vehicle collided with a metro train in downtown Washington, D.C., local authorities said. (Xinhua/Li Rui)

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority employees work on the site of a collision of a metro train and a work vehicle at Metro Center in Washington, D.C., the United States, on April 22, 2026. Eleven people were injured early Wednesday after a work vehicle collided with a metro train in downtown Washington, D.C., local authorities said. (Xinhua/Li Rui)

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority employees work on the site of a collision of a metro train and a work vehicle at Metro Center in Washington, D.C., the United States, on April 22, 2026. Eleven people were injured early Wednesday after a work vehicle collided with a metro train in downtown Washington, D.C., local authorities said. (Xinhua/Li Rui)
WASHINGTON, April 22 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump is giving Tehran three to five days to unite behind a "coherent counter-offer," or the ceasefire extended on Tuesday ends, Axios reported Wednesday, citing U.S. officials.

"It is not going to be open-ended," the officials were quoted as saying.

Delegations from Iran and the United States had been expected to hold the second round of their peace talks in Pakistan this week. The two countries held their first round of talks on April 11-12 in Islamabad, and the negotiation failed. 
NEW YORK, April 22 (Xinhua) -- At least two people were killed and 19 others sent to hospital on Wednesday after a chemical leak occurred at a silver catalyst manufacturing plant in the U.S. state of West Virginia, local authorities said.

The incident was reported at approximately 9:31 a.m. local time at Catalyst Refiners, a silver recovery facility located in the community of Institute, about 16 kilometers northwest of the state capital city Charleston.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the plant was in the process of shutting down operations, with workers engaged in cleaning and decontamination activities in preparation for closure, according to a press release by the Kanawha County Commission.

It is believed that a chemical reaction occurred during that process, triggered by the unintentional mixing of two chemical agents, producing hydrogen sulfide, a toxic, colorless gas with an odor of rotten eggs, said the Kanawha County Commission.

The reaction caused "a violent reaction of the chemicals and it instantaneously overreacted," C.W. Sigman, the county commission's emergency management director, said at a briefing.

Among those hospitalized were seven ambulance workers who were responding to the leak, officials said. In the chaotic aftermath, victims were transported to local hospitals in private cars and even a garbage truck, Sigman said.

Authorities did not immediately release further details on the identities of the victims or the conditions of those hospitalized.

Ames Goldsmith Corporation President Frank Barber issued a statement acknowledging that two employees had died. "Ames Goldsmith Corp. is deeply saddened by the deaths of two of our colleagues," Barber said, adding that the company was cooperating fully with local, state and federal agencies to determine the cause of the incident.

West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey issued a statement confirming that the state's Emergency Management Division, Department of Health, and Department of Environmental Protection had all been activated and were coordinating with county authorities.

"Our top priority is the safety and well-being of our citizens," the governor said. "We are working around the clock with local officials to ensure this incident is contained and that all necessary state resources are on the ground to protect the community." 
Abu Dhabi National Insurance Company (ADNIC) has obtained regulatory approval to set up a reinsurance branch in GIFT City, with the licence taking effect on 1 April 2026.

The approval was granted by the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA), allowing the insurer to carry out reinsurance business from Indias International Financial Services Centre in Gujarat.

The authorisation marks ADNICs entry into Indias offshore financial centre and adds to its existing cross-border reinsurance activity in the country.

ADNIC, a regional multi-line insurer, has operations in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia and the UK, and provides insurance and reinsurance services in global markets.

The planned branch in GIFT City is part of the companys broader overseas expansion strategy and comes after its recent move into the Saudi market.

According to the company, the India branch is expected to contribute to long-term growth through broader revenue sources and improved service capability for clients in faster-growing markets.

The development is also expected to deepen economic links between India and the UAE and back stronger bilateral trade and investment flows.

With the licence, ADNIC will be able to write reinsurance business from GIFT City, extending its international footprint and adding to its presence in markets it sees as important for growth.

The development comes amid wider activity in Indias insurance market.

Last month, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India approved two new insurance companies, permitting Allianz Jio Reinsurance and Kiwi General Insurance to start operations.

The regulator issued certificates of registration to both companies at its 134th board meeting, enabling the entry of one reinsurer and one general insurer into the Indian market.

Separately, India recently expanded the number of Russian insurers allowed to provide marine cover for ships arriving at its ports, according to the Directorate General of Shipping.

The list rose to 11 from eight. Gazprom Insurance and Rosgosstrakh Insurance were granted permission to offer protection and indemnity cover until 19 February 2027, while Balance Insurance received approval until 19 August 2026.

"ADNIC secures India approval for GIFT City reinsurance branch" was originally created and published by Life Insurance International, a GlobalData owned brand.




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Amazon allegedly worked through vendors to raise prices on products at competing retailers, including Walmart and Target, according to a newly unredacted court filing from California on Monday.

More from Yahoo Scout What legal action is California taking against Amazon? How did Amazon reportedly use vendors to influence pricing? How do major brands allegedly participate in this scheme? What evidence shows Amazon allegedly raised competitor prices?

The unredacted evidence, largely based on email communications, includes instances of raising prices with vendor brands such as Levis, Hanes, Newell Brands and more.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta on Monday debuted the public release of evidence in a lawsuit the state has against the e-commerce giant. The lawsuit was first filed in 2022 and claims Amazon stifled competition, which led to increased prices across the state.

The filing outlines several instances that detail how Amazon allegedly monitors competitors pricing, using vendors as middlemen to raise prices elsewhere and then price match the newly heightened rate.

In some cases, listings were allegedly suppressed on Amazon, buy boxes were ceded, and vendors removed inventory at competitors until the heightened rates Amazon sought were achieved.

In one alleged instance, Amazon sent Levis links to two styles of concern" due to lower prices on Walmart's website, noting it hoped these can get resolved within a few days. Levis responded, saying it spoke to Walmart and they have partnered with us to raise the price on a khaki style immediately, providing links to the now increased Walmart price.

Walmart partnered with [us] to update this as a test for the best interest of the marketplace, Levis reiterated to Amazon, according to the filing.

Amazon allegedly also sent Hanes links to Target and Walmarts websites, showing lower prices than what was on Amazon. Hanes responded, saying it reached out to Target and Walmart to have the prices increased.

Additionally, Amazon allegedly asked home furnishings and decor vendor Linon if there was anything it could do to ensure a price drop at competitors was resolved permanently and wouldnt happen again. In response, Linon agreed to remove inventory from the competitor.

Newell Brands  owner of Rubbermaid and Paper Mate  alerted Amazon that a label maker it produces was at risk of being shut off for Amazon as its causing high disruption. Amazon responded by agreeing to temporarily cede the buy box to give time for Walmart and Target to raise their prices, which we would then match.
UK accountancy and advisory company Burgess Hodgson has purchased Wandsworth Consulting, a practice focused on two areas of specialist tax relief- capital allowances and research and development (R&D) tax credits.

Wandsworth Consulting was established in 2014 as a dedicated advisory practice and has worked with organisations from a range of industries.

According to Burgess Hodgson, its senior team brings more than seven decades of combined experience, having previously held senior roles at 'Big Four' companies, specialist tax boutiques and international property businesses.

In a statement, Wandsworth said: Ten years ago, we set out to build a specialist consultancy, focused on delivering quality.

Wandsworth Consulting takes the next step in this exciting journey and joins Burgess Hodgson, the Kent-based accountancy firm founded in 1938.

Joining Burgess Hodgson gives us the platform to do that for many more businesses and allows our existing clients to access a broader range of services through an advisor they already trust, including wider tax support alongside audit, accounting and advisory services.

The company added that it will continue to operate as Wandsworth Consulting.

Burgess Hodgson said the acquisition will give its clients in the South East, London and across the UK direct access to Wandsworths specialist knowledge in capital allowances and R&D tax relief.

The move comes after Burgess Hodgson secured an undisclosed investment in June last year from US private equity firm Abry Partners.

The company said Abrys backing will support its growth. This acquisition is the first expression of that ambition in practice, it added in a statement.

"Burgess Hodgson acquires specialist tax practice Wandsworth Consulting" was originally created and published by International Accounting Bulletin, a GlobalData owned brand.




A map of a proposed site where Ferrara Candy Company plans to build in Orangeburg County. The map was filed with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as part of a permit application published in July 2025. (Provided by US Army Corps of Engineers)

ORANGEBURG  A candy company will build a $675 million confectionary and packaging plant in Orangeburg County.

Ferrara Candy Company, a company economic development officials previously referred to by the code name Project Panther, announced its plans Wednesday after at least eight months of negotiations with the state.

The company, which makes brands including Nerds, SweeTARTS, Laffy Taffy and Jelly Belly, has pledged to hire 1,000 South Carolinians over the next decade.

This milestone investment in Orangeburg County, as well as the addition of 1,000 new quality jobs in South Carolina, is set to transform the community, strengthen the workforce and fuel economic prosperity for generations to come, Secretary of Commerce Harry Lightsey said in a statement.

The global company, headquartered in Chicago for 118 years, will open its new 750,000-square-foot facility and an administrative office near Orangeburgs municipal airport as well as existing industry, including a Hills pet food plant, cable maker The Okonite Company, Indevco plastics, metal powder supplier Ecka Granules and paving materials company Walker Emulsions.

The first production lines are expected to be operational in the first three months of 2029.

In exchange for its investment, the state has agreed to spend $85 million preparing the site for the company. The state Department of Commerce received approval in February from the states fiscal oversight board to borrow the money.

The spending includes:

Wastewater improvements, estimated to cost $15 million

Road improvements, estimated to cost $14 million

Grading and site preparations, estimated to cost $19 million

Wetlands mitigation, estimated to cost $10 million

Plus $14 million to buy additional land, build a rail spur and cover any cost overruns

Late last July, the state Department of Commerce and the Orangeburg County Development Commission filed on behalf of the company a permit request with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to fill in more than 7 acres of wetlands.

The state also approved the company for income tax breaks worth $250,000 for each new job.

And Orangeburg County Council on Wednesday approved tax breaks and a lease deal with the option to buy for the company. Details of those tax breaks were not immediately available.

Orangeburg County is excited to add Ferrara Candy Company to a growing list of international companies that have discovered the advantages we offer business and industry, county council Chairman Johnnie Wright said in a statement

Individuals interested in a job with Ferrara can go online to the recruitment website run by the states workforce training office, ReadySC.
Freight transportation provider Alan Ritchey Inc. is closing a logistics facility in Phillipsburg, New Jersey, and laying off nearly 200 workers, marking the companys second major workforce reduction this year tied to lost U.S. Postal Service business.

According to a WARN notice filed with state labor officials, the Valley View, Texas-based company will terminate 176 employees at its Phillipsburg Logistics Center, with layoffs taking effect July 17.

The facility, a 511,200-square-foot distribution hub completed in 2021, handles mail and logistics operations and employs roles such as forklift operators and shippers.

The closure stems from the nonrenewal of a contract with the U.S. Postal Service, a longtime customer for Alan Ritcheys mail transportation division. The company has provided USPS-related services since 1964, operating dedicated routes and emergency logistics programs across its network.

Second major USPS-driven layoff in 2026

The New Jersey shutdown follows a much larger workforce reduction earlier this year in Aurora, Colorado, where Alan Ritchey ceased operations at a USPS regional transfer hub.

In January, the company announced layoffs of 729 employees after the Postal Service opted to insource operations at the Denver-area facility as part of a broader network overhaul. The move was tied to USPS efforts to streamline its logistics network and reduce reliance on contractors by consolidating transfer hubs and bringing operations in-house.

Combined, the two events represent more than 900 job losses across Alan Ritcheys network in 2026, highlighting the ripple effects of USPS restructuring on third-party logistics providers.

Freight and contract exposure

Alan Ritchey operates as a carrier and logistics provider across multiple sectors, including government, industrial and agricultural markets, with authority to haul general freight and U.S. mail. The company maintains a fleet of power units and drivers supporting interstate operations and contract logistics services.

The back-to-back closures underscore the risks tied to heavy reliance on large government contracts, particularly as USPS accelerates efforts to internalize logistics functions.

The post Carrier shutters New Jersey hub, cuts over 175 jobs appeared first on FreightWaves.
By Foo Yun Chee

BRUSSELS, April 22 (Reuters) - Startups claiming innovation benefits for their deals will likely secure speedy EU antitrust approval, but not if Big Tech is involved, a draft revamp of merger rules due to be announced in the coming weeks shows.

The overhaul, the first in more than two decades, came after telecoms operators led calls for looser merger rules to allow them to scale up to better compete with U.S. and Chinese rivals.

European Union antitrust regulators have responded with a proposed 'innovation shield' whereby they will not intervene in deals involving startups or research and development projects likely to boost competition, the draft seen by Reuters shows.

The shield however does not cover deals where the acquirer is the largest player in the relevant market or where the company is labelled a gatekeeper under the Digital Markets Act which seeks to rein in the power of Big Tech.

The European Commission document also details innovation, sustainability, resilience, investment and employment arguments which companies can raise, confirming a February Reuters report.

Commission officials and experts do not expect any radical changes in their assessment of merger deals as the rules have worked well and have proven themselves during court challenges.

The changes will be open to feedback from companies and other participants before they are adopted.

(Reporting by Foo Yun Chee; Editing by Alexander Smith)
On Wednesday, German Economic Affairs and Energy Minister Katherina Reiche announced a sharp reduction in projected GDP, lowering the 2026 growth target to 0.5%.

This is a sharp reduction from the 1% growth rate initially predicted in January, signalling a period of prolonged stagnation for the Eurozone economic engine.

According to the latest figures released by the German government, the outlook for 2027 has also been dampened, with growth forecasts lowered to 0.9% from a previous estimate of 1.3%.

This official confirmation follows days of speculation regarding the resilience of the German industrial model in the face of escalating global tensions.

Officials in Berlin noted that the downward revision was unavoidable and that the primary catalyst for this economic contraction is the ongoing Iran war, which triggered a massive energy shock across the continent.

Germany, as a major industrial hub, is particularly sensitive to fluctuations in the cost of oil and natural gas, both of which have seen prices surge since the outbreak of hostilities.

Government reports state that the "Iran war fallout" has disrupted supply chains and increased the cost of raw materials, making it difficult for German exporters to remain competitive on the global stage.

The uncertainty surrounding the war has also led to a visible "wait and see" approach among private investors. Many firms have chosen to put major expansion projects on hold, fearing that a wider regional escalation could lead to further market volatility.

This lack of investment, combined with higher household energy bills that reduce domestic consumption, has created a pincer movement on the German economy.

Related

Italy follows suit with fiscal adjustments

Germany is not the only major European power forced to recalibrate its expectations, as the Italian government has also moved to slash its economic outlook on Wednesday.

Italy has trimmed its 2026 GDP growth estimate to 0.6%, down from a previous forecast of 0.7%.

The Italian authorities noted that the "Iran war weighs heavily" on their fiscal planning, particularly as the nation remains highly susceptible to the volatility in energy prices.

"We're not faced by normal circumstances but totally exceptional ones," stated Italian Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti, referring to the Iran war.

"Unfortunately in coming weeks the numbers will probably need to be reviewed, adjusted and updated," Giorgetti added while highlighting the current uncertainty surrounding the projections.
By Ashwin Manikandan and Gopika Gopakumar

MUMBAI, April 22 (Reuters) - Indias central bank is in talks with global regulators, Indian lenders and government officials to understand the potential risks posed by Anthropics new artificial intelligence model Mythos, three sources said.

The Reserve Bank of India's preliminary assessment - just like that of global regulators - suggests Mythos could pose cybersecurity risks by accelerating the discovery and exploitation of software vulnerabilities, the sources, all familiar with the central bank's thinking, said.

More from Yahoo Scout How are global regulators responding to Mythos? How will India's data localization rules affect AI adoption? What access restrictions exist for Mythos testing? What cybersecurity risks does Anthropic's Mythos pose?

Regulators in Asia, Europe and the United States have warned banks to review defences and preparedness. In Japan, the financial watchdog will meet banks this week, while the Australian central bank said it is monitoring Mythos-related developments.

RBI officials have over the past fortnight held consultations on Mythos-related risks with counterparts at the U.S. Federal Reserve and the Bank of England in particular, according to one of the sources.

The RBI may seek direct engagement with Anthropic, the sources said.

"Globally, we are discussing with other countries and other regulators on what are the developments and what safeguards need to be taken," one of the sources said.

Indias payment authority, the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), is trying to secure early access to Mythos alongside a small number of banks, to identify vulnerabilities and dayzero cyber risks ahead of any broader rollout, this source said.

However, such access may not be forthcoming as Anthropic's Mythos systems is hosted on strictly-controlled servers in the U.S. and running tests on local data in foreign jurisdictions could prove challenging, said a fourth source aware of the matter.

Access to Mythos has been limited to a small number of organisations involved in maintaining key digital infrastructure in the U.S. Anthropic plans to provide Mythos access to European banks soon, Reuters reported earlier this week.

Email requests for comment sent to RBI and NPCI were not immediately answered.

The RBI is preparing broader guidelines for banks entering enterprise partnerships with advanced AI models, including Mythos and Anthropics Claude family, as part of a longerterm strategy on AI adoption, according to two of the sources.

The discussions are at an early stage but the central bank will insist that all analytics based on data of Indian customers complies with RBI's domestic data localisation, the sources said.

The RBI data localization rule, issued in 2018, requires all payment system providers in India to store end-to-end transaction data, including user information and payment messages, exclusively on servers located within India.

(Reporting by Ashwin Manikandan and Gopika Gopakumar in Mumbai; Editing by Kim Coghill)
TOKYO (AP)  Japan's trade deficit was 1.7 trillion yen ($10.7 billion) in the fiscal year that ended in March, the government said Wednesday, the fifth straight fiscal year of deficits.

Exports rose 4% from the previous year, while imports inched up just 0.5%, the Finance Ministry reported.

U.S. President Donald Trump's higher tariffs on imports from Japan and other countries have proven to be a harsh blow for global automakers and other manufacturers. Japan's overall exports to the U.S. fell 6.6% in the last fiscal year, with shipments of autos dropping 16%.

More from Yahoo Scout How did Trump's tariffs impact Japanese auto exports? What are Japan's concerns about Middle East oil supply? What caused Japan's fifth consecutive year of trade deficits? How are Japanese automakers adapting to trade challenges?

However, Japans trade surplus rose 26% in March from a year earlier in a sign that the export sector is recovering from last years shocks. Exports jumped nearly 11.7% in March and imports rose almost 10.9%.

Japans auto giants, like Toyota Motor Corp., have moved much of their production to nations where the vehicles are sold to avoid suffering from such policy shifts. But some automakers still export a large share of their vehicles to the U.S. from Japan.

Japan imports nearly all of its oil and gas and the war with Iran has raised worries over disruptions of oil shipments from the Middle East. Apart from the impact on energy, shortfalls of oil can affect production of naphtha-related products which are key for medical supplies and other plastics.

The Japanese government has tried to assuage the public by noting the country's 254-days of oil reserves for such emergencies, which were established after the so-called oil shock of the 1970s. The government is releasing some reserves to stabilize supplies.

Japan is also working on alternative routes other than through the Strait of Hormuz, the main supply route for much of Asia's oil and gas. It is effectively closed because of the war.

___

Yuri Kageyama is on Threads: https://www.threads.com/@yurikageyama
Packaging compliance is becoming a legal condition for market access, as new packaging regulations in the European Union and other regions tighten sustainability, recyclability and reporting rules.

Under the emerging framework, packaging that fails to meet requirements cannot be placed on the market, exposing companies to fines, recalls and sales bans.

At the centre of this shift is the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), which is due to apply from 2026. The regulation aims to harmonise packaging rules across the EU, requiring all packaging to be recyclable, limiting unnecessary materials and setting stricter labelling and data obligations.

The rules apply to any company selling goods in the EU, regardless of where they are based.

Industry analysts describe the approach as no compliance, no market, reflecting how regulatory conformity is now a basic requirement for doing business rather than a competitive advantage.

Market access tied to compliance

The new packaging regulation framework places legal controls on what can be sold. Non-compliant packaging will be excluded from the EU market, with enforcement based on placed-on-market volumes and technical documentation.

Under the PPWR, companies must ensure packaging meets recyclability criteria, incorporates minimum recycled content in some cases, and avoids formats deemed unnecessary or wasteful. Certain single-use packaging types are set to be restricted.

Regulators are also increasing scrutiny of environmental claims. Authorities across Europe have stepped up action against misleading sustainability messaging. As one compliance adviser notes, claims must be backed by evidence, or companies risk penalties for greenwashing.

The effect is a shift from voluntary sustainability efforts to mandatory compliance. For many packaging producers and brand owners, access to the EU market now depends on meeting detailed legal standards from the outset.

Redesign pressures grow

The move towards stricter packaging compliance is driving technical and operational change. Companies are being forced to redesign packaging with regulatory requirements in mind, rather than treating compliance as a final check.

This includes simplifying materials, improving recyclability and reducing overall packaging volume. The PPWR requires packaging to minimise empty space and weight while maintaining product safety.

Material choices are becoming more complex. Some industry estimates suggest a potential shortage of compliant materials, particularly for contact-sensitive plastic packaging. Without suitable alternatives, certain formats may be phased out.
Delivery riders from various on-demand platforms, including Taobao Flash Buy and Meituan, wait for new orders in Beijing, China, on November 12, 2025. - Cheng Xin/Getty Images

A customers complaint about a disappointing cake kicked off a massive investigation that uncovered thousands of ghost food vendors in China, resulting in staggering fines for some of the countrys largest firms and highlighting the pitfalls of the cutthroat price competition.

The inquiry  marked by scuffles between investigators and delivery service employees, a feigned medical emergency and hastily scribbled notes to stay silent  began last summer when a man in Beijing, identified as Liu, received a birthday cake decorated with an inedible flower, according to multiple state media accounts.

Liu ordered the cake through an online delivery platform and, unsatisfied with his purchase, reported the vendor to local authorities.

What regulators found was a bogus cak ery chain, boasting nearly 400 locations, operating with forged food business licenses and no physical storefronts to be found.

The incident triggered a full-scale nationwide probe and uncovered a shadow food supply chain, in which a merchant would charge a customer for their order then turn around and post the order on an intermediary platform for other producers to bid on, with the lowest bidder chosen to fulfill order, sacrificing both food quality and safety.

In total, more than 67,000 such ghost vendors, which had sold over 3.6 million cakes, were discovered, state news agency Xinhua reported.

Chinas market regulator, the State Administration for Market Regulation, concluded in its inquiry last week that seven major delivery platforms, including Temus owner PDD, Alibaba, ByteDances Douyin, Meituan and JD.com, failed to adequately protect customers and properly verify food vendors licenses.

It imposed a record fine of 3.6 billion yuan ($528 million) altogether  the largest penalty since the amendment of the countrys food security law in 2015, according to Xinhua.

The 10-month investigation underscores Beijings efforts to crack down on intense price competition that has driven companies, into an untenable self-defeating cycle, in this case, lower prices on delivery platforms at the expense of food safety.

Known as involution or neijuan in China, the intense price wars have spread across industries in recent years, from electric vehicles to solar panels. The trend has exacerbated Chinas deflation problem and weighed on the economy as prices decline and consumption weakens.

In response, Beijing kicked off an anti-involution campaign last year, vowing to curb such unhealthy practices across its economy. Last month, state-run newspaper Economic Daily published a commentary calling for an end to the food delivery price wars.
Spirit Airlines is scrambling to stay in the air and is now considering an extraordinary option to keep it aloft.

The low-cost carrier has been in dire financial straits since at least 2024 when a federal judge blocked JetBlues planned acquisition of the company, removing a potential lifeline.

Now the company is considering a new partner: the U.S. government.

Spirit Aviation Holdings is exploring taking government investment as it searches for other emergency funding, according to CNBC.

The move highlights just how precarious the airlines position has become after financial strain partly due to a difficult bankruptcy process.

Spirit Airlines has cut flights

Spirit flies in and out of many cities in the West and the Midwest and has become a much more affordable option than some other low-cost carriers. The challenge for passengers is that the airline has cut so many flights that it can be difficult to find one.

Recent attempts at booking show limited availability.

Plenty of passengers dont mind no-frills flying, and traveling on Spirit has been a good option for people who dont care about free soda and coffee, and who can pack light in the allowable personal item. But theres no need to pack for anything if you cant find a flight.

How Spirit got to bankruptcy

Spirits current crisis has been building for more than two years, as outlined in the companys SEC filings:

January 2024: A federal judge blocked JetBlues planned acquisition of Spirit, removing a key lifeline.

November 2024: Spirit filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy amid mounting losses.

March 2025: The airline exited bankruptcy after restructuring its debt.

August 2025: Spirit filed for bankruptcy again as financial conditions worsen.

Late 2025: The company cut routes, reduced capacity, and furloughed staff.

March 2026: Spirit outlined a plan to exit bankruptcy again.

The latest pressure comes from a sharp rise in jet fuel prices: costs have nearly doubled in recent weeks, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), driven by geopolitical tensions. The spike has added an estimated $360 million to Spirits expenses, Reuters reports.

The dire situation over the cost of jet fuel and an already poor balance sheet means that travelers with booked tickets in the coming weeks should be prepared to seek alternative travel arrangements as a backup, TheStreet travel reporter Veronika Bondarenko said.

The fuel cost situation is just the latest challenge that has put Spirits restructuring plan at risk and raised the possibility of liquidation if new funding doesnt come through quickly.
Egyptian real estate developer Talaat Moustafa Group (TMG) has announced plans for a new urban development, named The Spine, in eastern Cairo, with an investment totalling E1.4tn ($27bn).

The project, launched at a press conference attended by Prime Minister Dr Mostafa Madbouly, is being developed in partnership with the National Bank of Egypt and features a paid-up capital of E69bn.

The Spine, classified as a special investment zone aimed at attracting foreign direct investment, will span 2.4 million sqm and feature approximately 165 towers for residential, commercial and hospitality use. According to TMG, 70% of the project's land area will be allocated to green spaces.

The company reports that the development will utilise AI and digital infrastructure to operate as what it describes as Egypt and the Middle East's first cognitive city, responding in real time to changing urban conditions.

TMG states that the project is expected to create 55,000 direct jobs and an additional 100,000 indirect positions, while generating projected tax revenues of E818bn.

As part of its infrastructure, The Spine will feature a fully underground logistics network, which is claimed to be a first of its kind worldwide. The system was designed over five years of research, drawing on input from international consultancies in China and Singapore.

TMG also states that the project includes insurance coverage worth more than E30bn and will feature medical facilities in partnership with Houston Methodist Hospital.

Construction is under way in Madinaty, with the opening scheduled for April 2027.

The Spine is intended to serve as an economic platform for international companies, contributing an estimated 1% to Egypts GDP, and to attract foreign investment by offering flexible regulations within its special investment zone.

Additionally, the company highlights the availability of digital infrastructure and business-friendly policies that streamline company set-up and support day-to-day business operations.

Officials from TMG indicate that the project is a response to both national economic goals and shifts in global investment landscapes.

The launch follows calls by the developer for greater involvement from the business community and investors in the initiative.

"Talaat Moustafa unveils $27bn urban development in Cairo" was originally created and published by World Construction Network, a GlobalData owned brand.




The News

Spirit is on the verge of a $500 million bailout from the US government, according to people familiar with the matter.

The talks are advanced and a deal could be announced as early as Thursday, one of the people said, adding that the structure would likely result in the US government being positioned at the top of the debt stack.

On a contentious conference call Wednesday, Spirits lawyers at Davis Polk briefed the companys bondholders on the terms, which contained no details on where the governments money would come from, one of the people said. While some of the creditors may be willing to work with the government on a package, the creditors lawyers at Akin Gump said on the call that they found the proposal unacceptable  a government-sanctioned cram-down  and that theyd fight it. A spokesperson for the bondholders declined to comment.



The US would have the option but not the obligation to purchase as much as 90% of Spirits outstanding shares, that person said, a scenario first reported by Bloomberg.

The potential deal follows President Donald Trumps comments Tuesday that he would love somebody to buy Spirit. Its 14,000 jobs. The process, first reported by the Wall Street Journal, is being led by the Departments of Commerce and Transportation.

Maybe the federal government should help that one out, he said in a CNBC interview. The struggling low-cost airline has filed for bankruptcy protection twice, but has been buffeted by surging fuel costs and tepid customer demand for its products, even as other airlines that have skewed to more premium and business travels have seen their shares  and profits  surge.

Spirits troubles date back to the Biden administration, when a planned merger with JetBlue was blocked by antitrust regulators. Both airlines are now in dire straits, although Spirit is faring far worse: JetBlue has considered potential merger partners, should it have to sell itself, Semafor reported, although its CEO has ruled out a bankruptcy filing in a message to employees.

Know More

Spirit Airlines would be on a much firmer financial footing had the Biden administration not recklessly blocked the airlines merger with JetBlue, White House spokesperson Kush Desai told Semafor. The Trump administration continues to monitor the situation and overall health of the U.S. aviation industry that millions of Americans rely on every day for essential travel and their livelihoods.

The potential bailout has already stirred questions from lawmakers. I have an open mind on how we work with Spirit, because its an important company, Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., told Semafor. Now, anytime the government gets involved with any kind of investment in a private company, that raises concerns in terms of how you do it and whats going on. So thats something Id have to look at.
The UKs competition regulator is referring Vandemoorteles acquisition of bakery peer Delifrance to an in-depth investigation.

First announced in March last year, the deal had raised competition concerns in the UK and the EU but Belgium-based Vandemoortele had pledged in December to sell two plants owned by Delifrance.

In order to get the acquisition approved by competition authorities, the family-owned group committed to dispose of the pair of frozen laminated dough facilities in Avignon in the south of France and another in Bethune in the north.

While the European Commission provisionally approved the deal in December on those conditions, a buyer has not yet materialised.

For that reason, the UKs Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said today (22 April) that it will launch a so-called Phase 2 investigation.

The regulator said it had assumed the sale of the two plants might be capable of resolving its competition concerns but added the period to resolve those concerns has now expired and Vandemoortele has not formally submitted a proposed buyer for approval by the CMA.

Explaining the conclusions arising from its initial Phase 1 probe, the CMA said it found that the merger could lead to Vandemoortele becoming the largest supplier of frozen viennoiserie products in the UK by a considerable margin and could substantially affect competition in the supply of these products, potentially leading to higher prices or lower quality for customers in the UK.

Both companies supply frozen products such as croissants and pains au chocolat to retail and foodservice customers, it said.

While the CMA has engaged closely with Vandemoortele to support its delivery of a resolution, Vandemoortele has not put forward a proposed sale, todays statement read.

Just Food has contacted Vandemoortele for comment.

When the deal was announced, Vandemoortele said the combination with Delifrance would create a 2.4bn ($2.6bn) bakery group, providing solutions to retail and foodservice partners.

Delifrance operates 14 production facilities, employs more than 3,200 staff and supplies retail and out-of-home customers across Europe and in Asia.

Vandemoortele has 28 manufacturing plants and 3,500 workers. The companys frozen bakery brands include Lizzi, Banquet dOr and Lanterna, while the business also produces for private-label clients. It supplies markets in Europe and the US.

Giving its conditional approval in December, the European Commission said: These structural commitments fully address the competition concerns.

Following positive feedback received after the market test, the Commission has concluded that the transaction, as modified by the commitments, would no longer raise competition concerns.
At Semafor World Economy in Washington, DC last week, some executives wondered aloud if it would be good to show face in Abu Dhabi, as one put it, to offer an explicit vote of confidence in the self-styled capital of capital.

Orlando Bravo, founder of the investment firm Thoma Bravo, didnt just wonder  he went. There, he met with Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed, who sits at the helm of much of the UAE capitals $1.7 trillion in sovereign wealth, and discussed potential technology partnerships.

BlackRocks Larry Fink also took advantage of the ceasefire in the Iran war, and traveled to Abu Dhabi to meet with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology  and ADNOC CEO  Sultan Al Jaber. Brookfield and Goldman Sachs, too, have sent top brass since the war began (meetings that tend to be well covered by state media).

As Semafors Matthew Martin wrote last month: Gulf leaders and regulators have long memories. They remember who stands with them in times of trouble, and who ups sticks and leaves.

 Kelsey Warner
Squeezing the wealthy with wealth taxes on their income and assets. getty

Democrats love taxing the well-to-do. Why arent Republicans making tax cuts a huge issue?

The party with the donkey as its symbol thinks it has a winning election-year issue in whacking the rich with higher exactions on their incomes and assets with so-called wealth taxes. This frenzy is nothing new in blue states.

 Maine, one of the highest-taxed states in the country, is the latest to join this envy parade. Its governor, Janet Mills, is proposing a 2% surcharge on incomes above $1 million. One motivation, in addition to the usual political addiction to spending other peoples money, is to counter her ultra-leftist opponent in the Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate nomination. She also wants to show shes no friend of the rich.

 Rhode Island is readying a surcharge that will hike its top income tax rate from almost 6% to almost 9%.

 Washington state recently enacted a 9.9% levy on incomes above $1 million.

 California is headed for a referendum on a 5% wealth tax on everything a billionaire owns.

 New York State and City are going for a big tax on peoples second homes.

 Massachusetts, aka Taxachusetts, not long ago put a 4% surcharge on incomes of $1 million or more.

Some Democratic U.S. senators are proposing eliminating the federal income tax on people making less than, say, $75,000 and making up the revenue shortfall by soaking people who earn more.

Democrats figure voters will think hitting the well-to-do is free money. Real-world experience, of course, demonstrates the opposite. Capital, that is money and people, goes where its welcome and stays where its well treated. High-tax blue states are losing population and businesses. Low-tax red states are growing.

Many small and mid-size businesses are taxed at personal rates and will get walloped. Theyre hardly your big-yacht stereotypes. This will damage local economies.

While Democrats claim theyre merely picking the ample pockets of the rich, they slam othersusing fairly low thresholds of incomeswith stiff rates. For instance, a single worker in California hits the 9.3% bracket at a mere $72,000 in income. Top income-earners at the federal level pay about 40% of federal income tax receipts. Blue states such as California are examples of this pattern.

Democrats nurture the illusion that the wealthy are rolling in cash, like the Disney character Scrooge McDuck, sitting in his money bin filled with money, gold and jewels. Actually, most wealth is the value of such assets as stocks, bonds or real estate.

In a hostile economic environment asset values go downor flee to better climes.
Corn futures posted Monday gains of 1  to 3  cents across the board. The CmdtyView national average Cash Corn price was up 3 1/2 cents at $4.15 1/4.

NASS Crop Progress data showed the US corn crop at 11% planted as of Sunday, which was 2% ahead of the 5-year average pace of 9%. The crop was also 4% emerged, which is 2 percentage points faster than normal.

More News from Barchart

USDAs FGIS tallied corn export shipments at 1.669 MMT (65.7 mbu) during the week ending on April 16. That was 2.89% above the week prior and 3.33% below the same week last year. Mexico was the top destination of 507,053 MT, with 352,667 MT headed to Japan and 277,579 MT to South Korea. Marketing year exports for 2025/26 are 51.71 MMT (2.036 bbu) since September 1, which is now 31.79% above the same period last year.

May 26 Corn closed at $4.52, up 3 1/4 cents,

Nearby Cash was $4.15 1/4, up 3 1/2 cents,

Jul 26 Corn closed at $4.60 1/4, up 2 3/4 cents,

Dec 26 Corn closed at $4.79 1/2, up 2 1/2 cents,

New Crop Cash was $4.36 1/4, up 2 1/4 cents,

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
As I write this on Monday afternoon, April 20, the U.S. is still at war with Iran, and the Strait of Hormuz is still largely closed. If the conflict continues, this will likely impact investor portfolios going forward.

Since the war started, oil prices have shot up, as nearly 20% of the world's oil flows through the strait. This will lead to continued high prices at the pump and likely higher airline fares. With the U.S. already taking a hit from higher prices due to tariffs, it could potentially cause a recession.

Will AI create the world's first trillionaire? Our team just released a report on a little-known company, called an "Indispensable Monopoly," providing the critical technology Nvidia and Intel both need.



Continue 

On top of that, Qatar supplies over 30% of the world's helium, which is also now cut off. Helium also degrades over time when it is shipped, as liquid helium boils off, so taking a longer route to avoid the Strait would still reduce volumes.

Helium is used in the cooling process to make advanced semiconductor chips, like graphics processing units (GPUs), so this very well could impact the artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure build-out. Right now, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing has helium reserves, but this will only last several more months.

In addition, about 50% of sulfur also passes through the waterway. Sulfur is used in everything from medicines to fertilizers and mining. This could cause prices to rise in these areas, continuing to pressure the consumer.

Image source: Getty Images.

So what should investors do?

The market has been very volatile, with stocks moving up and down based on the latest headlines about the progress of the war and when it may end. However, long-term investors shouldn't try to trade the headlines.

First and foremost, investors should stick to a fundamental plan that does not deviate based on the current market conditions. In my view, most individual investors would be best served by having a portfolio whose core position is in an exchange-traded fund (ETF) that tracks the S&P 500, like the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (NYSEMKT: VOO). Most professional investors fail to outperform the S&P 500 over a 10-year period, which is why this is a great core investment to build a portfolio around. The Vanguard S&P 500 has a great track record and is an easy way to get instant diversification.

From there, you can then add individual stocks or other ETFs to supplement this core position. Also, if you're under retirement age, the other big part of your investment strategy should be dollar-cost averaging into your core ETF holdings at least once a month. This is a proven strategy that will help you build wealth over time.
After the Pakistan peace talks between the United States and Iran failed last week, there is speculation as to whether the two countries will meet anytime soon.

U.S. President Donald Trump made several Truth Social posts on Apr. 20 and made several claims. Israel didn't talk him into the Iran war, he said, and added its result will be the same as Venezuela.

Related: Major crypto platform shuts down amid market slump

What U.S. and Iran are saying

The deal the U.S. will make with Iran will be far better than the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), known as the Iran nuclear deal, under former Democrat presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden, he remarked.

The president claimed if he didn't terminate that deal, Iran would have nuked Israel and American bases in the region. A deal under him will bring peace, security, and safety to Israel, the Middle East, Europe, the U.S., and everywhere else, he further said.

Trump criticized the reportage of newspapers like The New York Times and Wall Street Journal and claimed the U.S. is winning the Iran war.

The blockage of the Strait of Hormuz will continue until there is a deal, he added.

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei earlier said that they have no plans for the next round of negotiations so far and no decision has been made yet.

Trending on TheStreet Roundtable:

How oil prices rallied during U.S.-Iran war

Oil prices have continued to rally amid the global uncertainty, with the ebbs and flows on price charts reacting sharply to each announcement.

Since Feb. 28 when former Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was assassinated by the U.S. and Israel, the WTI crude oil's price has jumped from $67.02 a barrel to $87.70 a barrel today. In fact, the price even hit $113 a barrel on Apr. 7.

Meanwhile, Brent crude oil's price has surged from $72.87 a barre on Feb. 28 to $95.67 a barrel today. On Apr. 7, the price hit $109.27 a barrel.

More News:

Trader opens long Brent Oil position worth $18 million

A crypto trader, who is the largest Solana (SOL) bear onchain, has opened a 3-times-leveraged long position on a Brent oil contract worth $18 million on Hyperliquid on Apr. 19.

Hyperliquid is a decentralized crypto exchange that has become immensely popular among retail traders looking to trade energy futures 24/7.
BHP is weighing a major copper exploration push in Zambia, a move that would mark the Australian mining giants first large-scale project in Africa for more than a decade as it searches for deposits essential to the clean energy transition.

The interest highlights a broader global scramble for copper, one in which supply constraints are colliding with soaring demand from electric vehicles and power grids. The overture by BHP  the worlds largest miner by market capitalization, whose last major African operation was spun out into South32, an Australian mining company, in 2015  could be seen as a vote of confidence in Zambia. The continents second-largest copper producer has in recent years pursued a policy overhaul, which includes a push to digitize geological data.

In a statement published by Zambias mines ministry, BHPs head of global generative exploration told officials in Lusaka that the company wants to hunt for deeper, concealed deposits. Lusaka, meanwhile, said it views collaboration with BHP as aligned with its goal of lifting national copper output and attracting more multinational investment.

A chart showing copper production by country in millions of tons.

 Tiisetso Motsoeneng
Rift Helium plc has listed on AIM, joining the London Stock Exchange with a 8.1m raise at 10p per share and an implied market capitalisation of 13.4m. The company will deploy funds into exploration in Tanzanias Rukwa Basin, targeting primary helium accumulations at its 283 km Upepo licence.

The listing lands against a fragile supply backdrop. Global helium output is highly concentrated, with Qatar a dominant supplier and export routes exposed to disruption around the Strait of Hormuz. Recent supply interruptions and Russian export controls have tightened availability, elevating the strategic value of new primary sources outside the Gulf.

Rifts technical case rests on the Rukwa Basin hosting helium not associated with hydrocarbons, simplifying processing relative to LNG-linked recovery. An independent CPR (NSAI) estimates gross unrisked P50 prospective resources of 19 Bcf (mean 41 Bcf), though commerciality hinges on reservoir continuity and flow rates.

Near-term work includes environmental approvals, 3D seismic in 2026 and drilling targeted for H1 2027. Export would route via Dar es Salaam toward Asian markets, avoiding Gulf transit risk.

The gap is execution. Helium systems are prone to leakage and variable concentrations, while liquefaction requires capital-intensive cryogenics. Rift offers exposure to tightening supply dynamics, but remains an early-stage exploration play rather than a near-term producer.

Rift Helium non-executive chairman, Patrick Muwowo, said: Helium is an increasingly important commodity for a range of high-value industries, yet global supply remains constrained and vulnerable to disruption. Against that backdrop, Rift is entering the public market at an important time."

Advising on the project was Haynes Boone through its capital markets office.

"Rift Helium lists on AIM as geopolitical risk tightens global supply" was originally created and published by Mining Technology, a GlobalData owned brand.




President Donald Trump and his son Eric Trump, walk to Marine One on April 10. The two are owners of World Liberty Financial, which is being sued by billionaire Justin Sun. Photo by Al Drago/UPI

April 22 (UPI) -- A billionaire backer of the Trump family's World Liberty Financial crypto business is suing the organization alleging extortion.

Justin Sun is accusing the company of a scheme to take his WLFI tokens, which are the cryptocurrency the company issued, the BBC reported.

"Unfortunately, certain individuals on the World Liberty project team have been operating the project in a manner that goes against President Trump's values," Sun posted on X. "They wrongfully froze all of my tokens, stripped me of my right to vote on governance proposals and have threatened to permanently destroy my tokens by 'burning' them -- all without any proper justification. I do not believe President Trump would condone these actions if he knew about them."

The firm was co-founded by President Donald Trump and his son Eric Trump in 2024, along with Steve Witkoff and his sons, Zach and Alex, and entrepreneurs Chase Herro and Zak Folkman.

World Liberty denies wrongdoing, the BBC reported.

A single WLFI token is worth 8 cents, down from 31 cents since September.

Sun founded a separate multi-billion dollar crypto project called Tron. He said he backed World Liberty because of Trump and his support for cryptocurrencies. He also bought $100 million of Trump's meme coins in July 2025.

In his complaint, which he filed Tuesday in federal court in San Francisco, Sun said promises to give token-holders the option to trade the currency in future "were false and misleading."

The tokens did become tradeable, but Sun said World Liberty blocked him from selling them.

Zach Witkoff, whose father is Trump's middle east special envoy, said Sun's lawsuit is a "desperate attempt to deflect attention from Sun's own misconduct."

"His claims are entirely meritless, and World Liberty looks forward to getting the case thrown out promptly," the BBC reported Witkoff said. Witkoff said Sun has engaged in "misconduct that required World Liberty to take action to protect itself and its users."

Eric Trump said: "The only thing more ridiculous than this lawsuit is spending $6 million on a banana duct-taped to a wall."

Sun bought, then ate, an art piece by Maurizio Cattelan
Cryptocurrency billionaire Justin Sun is suing World Liberty Financial, a crypto venture co-founded by President Donald Trump and his sons, alleging the company illegally blocked him from selling digital tokens worth up to $1 billion.

The lawsuit, filed on Tuesday in California federal court, also accuses World Liberty Financial of trying to pressure Sun into investing "hundreds of millions of dollars to mint USD1, World Liberty's stablecoin." The complaint alleges that the company froze his World Liberty Financial tokens after Sun refused to commit more money to the business.

Sun also alleged that World Liberty Financial secretly changed contractual rules governing when owners of its tokens could sell their holdings, giving the company "blacklisting power" over who could transfer the tokens.

"There was no governance proposal (let alone a vote of token holders) on whether World Liberty should have this power, nor did World Liberty announce to token holders what the company was doing. World Liberty simply took the power for itself," the complaint alleged.

Reached for comment, World Liberty Financial pointed to social media posts from co-founder and CEO Zach Witkoff and co-founder Eric Trump. Witkoff dismissed Sun's allegations as "entirely meritless."

"Justin Sun's recent lawsuit against [World Liberty Financial] is a desperate attempt to deflect attention from Sun's own misconduct," Witkoff wrote on social media on Wednesday. "He engaged in misconduct that required World Liberty to take action to protect itself and its users. World Liberty will continue to take all necessary steps to protect its community."

The litigation threatens to chill Sun's relationship with President Trump. The entrepreneur, best known as the founder of blockchain company Tron, revealed last year that he was the largest holder of another Trump-backed crypto token, dubbed $TRUMP.

"The only thing more ridiculous than this lawsuit is spending $6 million on a banana duct-taped to a wall. We are incredibly proud of the [World Liberty Financial] team," Eric Trump wrote in a Wednesday social media post, referring to Sun's 2024 purchase of an art piece called "Comedian."

"Fraudulent scheme"

In a social media post on his rationale for the lawsuit, Sun said he remains a supporter of Mr. Trump and blamed "certain individuals" for the alleged issues.

"They wrongfully froze all of my tokens, stripped me of my right to vote on governance proposals, and have threatened to permanently destroy my tokens by 'burning' them  all without any proper justification," he wrote. "I do not believe President Trump would condone these actions if he knew about them."
By Tom Wilson, David Gauthier-Villars and Lawrence Delevingne

April 21 (Reuters) - Crypto entrepreneur Justin Sun on Tuesday sued World Liberty Financial, the digital currency venture co-founded by U.S. President Donald Trump and his sons, alleging that World Liberty illegally froze his holdings of tokens issued by the company.

More from Yahoo Scout What are Justin Sun's specific allegations against World Liberty? What is the current value of Sun's WLFI tokens? What is World Liberty Financial's connection to Trump? Why did the relationship between Sun and World Liberty sour?

Sun alleged in the lawsuit, filed in a federal court in California, that World Liberty secretly installed tools to prevent the sale of his tokens after they became tradeable in September 2025. The lawsuit also alleges that World Liberty threatened to "burn" - or permanently delete - his holdings, even while they were in Sun's digital wallet.

Sun, the Hong Kong-based founder of the Tron cryptocurrency, bought $45 million of WLFI tokens - some 3 billion - and was later awarded a further 1 billion tokens after being named as an advisor to World Liberty, the lawsuit said.

Sun's portfolio of 4 billion WLFI tokens is worth roughly $320 million, according to Reuters calculations based on the latest WLFI price.

Zach Witkoff, World Liberty Financial's chief executive and a co-founder, said in a post on X on Wednesday that Sun's legal claims "are entirely meritless, and World Liberty looks forward to getting the case thrown out promptly."

"He engaged in misconduct that required World Liberty to take action to protect itself and its users," added Witkoff, who is the son of Steve Witkoff, U.S. Special Envoy for Peace Missions.

Eric Trump, a son of the president and also a World Liberty co-founder, also posted to X on Wednesday. He wrote "The only thing more ridiculous than this lawsuit is spending $6 million on a banana duct-taped to a wall," a reference to Sun's November 2024 purchase of a piece of art called "Comedian" by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan.

A spokesperson for World Liberty Financial declined to comment on the lawsuit. A representative of the company had told Reuters earlier this week that Sun "is not an advisor at World Liberty Financial, and he has never held an operational role in the company."

The White House did not respond to a request for comment.

World Liberty is the most prominent of several lucrative crypto businesses co-founded or controlled by the Trump family, which has already made more than $1 billion from World Liberty, according to a Reuters analysis. World Liberty's bylaws state that 75% of the revenue from WLFI token sales is routed to the Trumps.

World Liberty is under increasing scrutiny from some of its investors, who have complained for months about what they describe as the company's lack of transparency, centralized governance structure and failure to respond to community complaints, Reuters reported this month.
The Zondacrypto withdrawal crisis has frozen millions of customer funds at Poland's largest crypto exchange. The company cites a 4,500 BTC wallet as proof of solvency, though no one there can move the coins.

The private key belongs to founder Sylwester Suszek, who sold the exchange in 2021 and disappeared in March 2022. Regulators, prosecutors, and the country's prime minister are now circling the company.

How the zondacrypto Withdrawal Crisis Started

Withdrawal delays first surfaced in December 2025. Users reported on the exchange's official Telegram channel that funds sat in pending status for days. Management blamed high demand and new security protocols.

Complaints multiplied by late March 2026. A whistleblower site, zonda-alert.pl, launched to gather customer testimonials. Blockchain analysts followed with hard data.

Average monthly Bitcoin (BTC) balances across zondacrypto's known hot wallets collapsed between August 2024 and April 2026. Holdings fell from 55.7 BTC to 0.086 BTC, a 99.7% drop.

The exchange processes a large share of Polish retail crypto volume. Any sustained freeze hits hundreds of thousands of customers at once.

The Missing Key and a Vanished Founder

CEO Przemysaw Kral addressed the allegations on April 17. He cited a wallet holding roughly 4,500 BTC, worth around $330 million. Kral argued the reserves prove the exchange remains solvent.

The defense unraveled quickly. Kral admitted zondacrypto cannot access those coins. The private key belongs only to Suszek, who failed to hand it over when he sold the business in 2021.

Recent X Post From zondacrypto CEO

Suszek dropped out of public view in March 2022 and has never reappeared. Polish media and private investigators have chased leads across Europe without confirming his location.

A separate investigation now targets Suszek himself. Even his own family cannot confirm whether he is still alive. A wallet no one can move is effectively empty for any practical purpose.

Independent analysts at Recoveris tracked 511 transfers moving from zondacrypto wallets to a single Kraken deposit address. The transfers totaled over $21 million between December 2025 and April 2026.

Kral has rejected the findings and threatened legal action. The silence around the transfers deepens the trust deficit with customers.

A National Political Firestorm

The story has dominated Polish national media as breaking news in recent days. Television, radio, and leading newspapers have led their bulletins with each new revelation.

Prime Minister Donald Tusk escalated the pressure on April 18. He told parliament that zondacrypto financially backed politicians who voted against crypto market rules. Tusk also alleged the exchange maintains links to Russia.
Strategy reported its largest Bitcoin purchase in over 16 months on Monday, scooping up $2.54 billion worth of BTC last week as traders snapped up its flagship preferred share to receive an upcoming dividend.

The Tysons Corner, Virginia-based firm said that it purchased roughly 34,200 Bitcoin, lifting its stockpile to a total of around 815,000 Bitcoin. With Bitcoin trading close to $75,400, the sum was valued at around $61.4 billion, according to CoinGecko.

The Bitcoin-buying firm announced that it had issued nearly $2.2 billion worth of STRC, Strategys dividend-paying preferred share, which currently pays 11.5% in monthly dividends and is designed to trade around the $100 mark.

STRCs ex-dividend date passed last Wednesday, representing the day on which investors buying the dividend-paying product no longer receive the next scheduled payment. Leading up to that threshold, STRC traded at or above the $100 mark for 10 straight trading days, indicating that the preferred share now valued at $8.5 billion saw consistent demand.

Andy Constan, a former Strategy bear and founder of research firm Damped Spring Advisors, wagered that STRC saw heightened demand from dividend-capture traders, who typically buy stocks immediately before the ex-dividend date and sell shortly after.

Dudes I know were all in [STRC] leveraged long last night and have never done a div capture trade in their life, he said in an X post last week.

Before Mondays opening bell, the companys stock had fallen 2% to $163, according to Yahoo Finance. On Friday, Strategys shares surged nearly 12% to $166, as the Bitcoin-buying firms industry-leading stockpile showed a profit on paper for the first time in months.

On Myriad, a prediction market owned by Decrypt parent company Dastan, traders foresaw a 13% chance Strategy would pare its holdings this year. On Feb. 1, when Strategys stockpile plunged underwater, traders foresaw a 31% chance of Strategy tapping its stash.

The 10 Public Companies With the Biggest Bitcoin Portfolios

On Sunday, Strategy co-founder and Executive Chairman Michael Saylor told followers to Think Even Bigger in an X post, hinting at the size of the companys recent purchase. A day before, he flicked at conflict in the Middle East, noting its impossible to blockade Bitcoin.

Following STRCs ex-dividend date last week, the company proposed semi-monthly dividends for the preferred share. These proposed changes are intended to stabilize price, dampen cyclicality, drive liquidity, and grow demand, Saylor said in an X post.

Strategys latest buy represents its largest since November 2024. Days before, the company said that it had sold $3 billion worth of convertible bonds due in 2029, which grant holders the option of exchanging bonds for common shares should they reach $672.40 apiece.
Justin Sun at a crypto conference in 2025 [Getty Images]

The Trump family's World Liberty Financial crypto venture is being sued by one of its billionaire backers over allegations of extortion.

Justin Sun has accused World Liberty of an "illegal scheme" to seize his WLFI tokens, a cryptocurrency issued by the company.

Sun alleges the firm, co-founded by US President Donald Trump and his son Eric Trump, has "frozen" all of his tokens and stripped him of his right to vote on governance issues.

World Liberty has denied wrongdoing and accused Sun of "playing the victim while making baseless allegations to cover up his own misconduct".

Sun is an ardent supporter of Trump and his stance on cryptocurrencies, but accused "certain individuals" associated with World Liberty of acting against the president's values.

"They wrongfully froze all of my tokens, stripped me of my right to vote on governance proposals, and have threatened to permanently destroy my tokens by 'burning' them - all without any proper justification," he said in a social media post announcing the lawsuit.

Sun is the founder of a separate multi-billion dollar crypto project, TRON. He initially invested $45m (33m) in World Liberty and said that, at times, his WLFI tokens have been valued at more than $1bn.

Since September, the price of a single WLFI token has plunged from 31 cents to just under 8 cents.

Sun said his backing was driven by the Trump family's association with the project and his long-standing support for cryptocurrencies.

He also bought $100m of Trump's meme coins in July 2025, as well.

World Liberty's co-founders include Donald Trump and Eric Trump [Getty Images]

But Sun alleged that those running World Liberty, including another co-founder, Chase Herro, are using it as a "golden opportunity to leverage the Trump brand to profit through fraud".

In his complaint, filed on Tuesday in a San Francisco federal court, Sun argued that initial promises to give token-holders the option to trade the currency in future "were false and misleading".

While the tokens at large became tradeable, Sun said World Liberty has blocked him from being able to sell a single one, and is now threatening to "burn" his - deleting them entirely.

Zach Witkoff, another co-founder of World Liberty and the son of President Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, said Sun's lawsuit is a "desperate attempt to deflect attention from Sun's own misconduct".

"His claims are entirely meritless, and World Liberty looks forward to getting the case thrown out promptly," Witkoff said, and claimed that Sun has engaged in "misconduct that required World Liberty to take action to protect itself and its users".
Over the past three years, the industrial sector was the third-best performing group in the S&P 500. Using sector exchange-traded funds (ETFs) as the targets, the Industrial Select Sector SPDR ETF (NYSEMKT: XLI) notched total returns of 80.33% over that period, nudging past the S&P 500.

That's great, but if there's a rub (one investors are likely to tolerate given that performance), it's that dividend yields on industrial stocks tend to be low. The dividend yield on the SPDR ETF mentioned above is just 1.18%, or barely better than the 1.04% investors earn on a basic S&P 500 ETF or index fund.

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 

On that basis, Union Pacific (NYSE: UNP), with a yield of 2.18%, is a "high-yield" name relative to the industrial sector and the broader market. Fortunately, it's not just the yield that makes this railroad stock worthy examining for income investors.

This railroad operator could be a dividend dynamo for a decade and beyond. Image source: Getty Images.

Union Pacific keeps chugging along

Investors new to Union Pacific should note that the company is pursuing a merger with rival Norfolk Southern (NYSE: NSC). Since that deal was announced in July 2025, there's been speculation that federal regulators may bow to bipartisan political pressure and apply significant scrutiny to the deal. On the other hand, it's believed the current makeup of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is conducive to large-scale mergers and acquisitions, so it's possible this railroad marriage happens.

For Union Pacific shareholders, the good news is that the company is arguably in a win-win position. The prevailing wisdom on Wall Street is that Union Pacific is just fine on a stand-alone basis. If the relationship with Norfolk Southern reaches the altar, the combined company would add $2.75 billion in earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) through new revenue and cost savings. Combined free cash flow could surge from $7.3 billion to $12 billion in 2029.

Those are compelling numbers, but again, Union Pacific can thrive on its own. It already is. This railroad operator has some of the best operating margins in the industry. Union Pacific is so margin-efficient that it has a sizable lead over rival BNSF on that metric, widely considered one of Warren Buffett's crown jewels.

As in any other industry, margins matter in the railroad space. An operator adept with margins, such as Union Pacific, gains pricing power, capital needed for reinvestment, and the ability to bolster its network. Each of those is valuable to investors who want to be engaged with railroad stocks for extended holding periods.
American Airlines (AAL) knocked down the markets latest airline-merger rumor and the stock lost one of the few speculative tailwinds it had picked up. In a statement published April 17, the company said it is not engaged with or interested in any discussions regarding a merger with United Airlines and added that a combination with United would be negative for competition and for consumers.

Reuters reported earlier that United CEO Scott Kirby had raised the idea of a tie-up with American in a February meeting with President Trump, which helped fuel the merger speculation in the first place. Once American publicly rejected the idea, the stock was pushed back toward a much less exciting question: can the airlines standalone plan deliver enough upside on its own?

American Airlines wants investors focused on its own recovery story

Americans latest company results show why management would rather keep the conversation centered on execution. In fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 results, the airline reported record fourth-quarter revenue of $14.0 billion and record full-year revenue of $54.6 billion. It also said it reduced total debt by $2.1 billion in 2025 and expects more than $2 billion in free cash flow in 2026.

Management has been trying to make 2026 look like an inflection year. CEO Robert Isom said in the January release that American is positioned for significant upside in 2026 and beyond, while the company guided for adjusted EPS of $1.70 to $2.70 for the full year. American also said it expects to get total debt below $35 billion in 2026, a year ahead of schedule.

More Airlines

The companys argument is fairly straightforward. Premium product revenue has been outperforming main cabin revenue, bookings improved in January after softer late-quarter demand, and the airline is leaning on loyalty, schedule changes, and commercial improvements to support a better earnings year.

American said its multiyear effort should begin delivering results in 2026, with nearly $2.00 of adjusted EPS improvement versus 2025 at the midpoint of guidance.

The merger rumor gave the stock a different kind of story

A merger rumor can do something earnings guidance often cannot. It can create a fast rerating story. That appeared to be part of what happened here. A combined United-American deal would have created one of the most consequential airline combinations in U.S. history, and even if the path looked difficult, the mere possibility gave investors a reason to imagine a different outcome for the stock.
Find winning stocks in any market cycle. Join 7 million investors using Simply Wall St's investing ideas for FREE.

BlackRock (BLK) just opened its 2026 story with first quarter results that put fresh numbers around the investment managers scale, with revenue of US$6,698 million and net income of US$2,212 million.

See our latest analysis for BlackRock.

At a share price of US$1,042.85, BlackRock has had a 1 month share price return of 8.87%, while the 1 year total shareholder return of 19.96% and 3 year total shareholder return of 69.65% point to momentum that has cooled slightly in 2026 after a strong multi year run.

If BlackRocks results have you thinking about where else capital is moving, this could be a good moment to broaden your search and discover 19 top founder-led companies

With the share price near US$1,042 and recent earnings putting fresh focus on BlackRocks scale, the real question for you is whether the current valuation offers upside or whether the market is already pricing in future growth.

Most Popular Narrative: 10.1% Undervalued

BlackRocks most followed narrative pegs fair value at $1,160.32 per share, above the last close of $1,042.85. This puts fresh focus on whether long term fundamentals justify that gap.

From an investor perspective, BlackRocks revenue is sensitive to market levels, but its underlying business model remains durable. Assets may fluctuate, but long-term demand for professional asset management, especially in retirement, continues to grow.

Read the complete narrative.

What supports that higher fair value? The narrative leans heavily on retirement driven flows, margin resilience and a valuation multiple more often associated with faster growth profiles.

Result: Fair Value of $1,160.32 (UNDERVALUED)

Have a read of the narrative in full and understand what's behind the forecasts.

However, the story can change if retirement flows slow or if regulators reshape fee structures, which could challenge assumptions behind BlackRocks margins and retirement-driven demand.

Find out about the key risks to this BlackRock narrative.

Another View on Value

The user narrative sees BlackRock as 10.1% undervalued at a fair value of $1,160.32. Our DCF model, however, suggests a different picture, with an estimate of $1,011.55 and the shares trading at $1,042.85, which points to a modest premium instead. Which signal do you place more weight on for your next move?

Look into how the SWS DCF model arrives at its fair value.

BLK Discounted Cash Flow as at Apr 2026

Simply Wall St performs a discounted cash flow (DCF) on every stock in the world every day (check out BlackRock for example). We show the entire calculation in full. You can track the result in your watchlist or portfolio and be alerted when this changes, or use our stock screener to discover 58 high quality undervalued stocks. If you save a screener we even alert you when new companies match - so you never miss a potential opportunity.
Quick Read

Avis Budget Group (CAR) stock rocketed to $550 on Monday as short sellers cover their positions in a stock where 54% of the float is sold short.

Short-squeeze mechanics are driving Avis shares higher as a combination of extreme short interest, a thin 10.1 million share float, and forced covering creates a self-reinforcing rally loop.

The analyst who called NVIDIA in 2010 just named his top 10 AI stocks. Get them here FREE.

Avis Budget Group (NASDAQ:CAR) stock is up 11% midday Monday, climbing from $493.86 to $550 as short-sellers scramble to cover positions they can no longer afford to hold. The move is the latest chapter in one of the market's most violent squeezes, with Avis shares now up 445% over the past month alone.

The timing matters. After the squeeze showed signs of stalling last week, today's surge signals the squeeze has reignited with force. The central question for investors watching CAR stock right now: is this a parabolic blow-off top, or is there more pain ahead for the bears?

Short Sellers Can't Find the Exits

The mechanics of this rally are straightforward. Over 54% of Avis's float is sold short, meaning more than half the available shares have been borrowed and sold by traders betting on a decline. When the stock rises instead of falling, those short-sellers face mounting losses and margin pressure, forcing them to buy shares to close their positions. That forced buying pushes the price higher, triggering more covering in a self-reinforcing loop.

READ: The analyst who called NVIDIA in 2010 just named his top 10 AI stocks

The float itself is remarkably thin. Avis stock shares outstanding total just 35.3 million, with a float of approximately 10.1 million shares. That small float amplifies every wave of buying, turning what might be routine short-covering in a larger stock into a violent price spike. Avis stock has now posted a one-year gain of 544%, with the bulk of that move concentrated in the past several weeks.

The April 15 stall, when Avis dropped roughly 7%, briefly suggested the squeeze was exhausting itself. Today's resumption tells a different story. As long as short interest remains elevated and the float stays constrained, the mechanics that drove this rally remain in place.

A $550 Stock With a $106 Analyst Target

Here's where the story gets uncomfortable for anyone trying to justify this move on fundamentals. The Wall Street consensus price target for CAR stock sits at $106.43, while the stock trades at $550 today. That's a gap of roughly five times the Street's consensus view of fair value. Analyst ratings break down as 2 Buy, 5 Hold, and 1 Sell, hardly a bullish consensus.
American International Group, Inc. (NYSE:AIG) is included among the 12 High Dividend Stocks Picked by Billionaire Ray Dalio.

Bank of America and Mizuho Cut AIG Price Targets, Maintain Neutral Ratings

On April 14, Bank of America analyst Joshua Shanker lowered the firms price recommendation on American International Group, Inc. (NYSE:AIG) to $79 from $80. It reiterated a Neutral rating on the shares. The firm adjusted its price targets across US insurance coverage to reflect Q4 developments and updated peer multiples.

On April 13, Mizuho Financial Group analyst Yaron Kinar also lowered the firms price target on AIG to $84 from $86. It maintained a Neutral rating. The firm revised estimates and targets across its North America insurance coverage. It said it remains most constructive on brokers, expects pricing pressure in commercial lines to ease for property and casualty insurers, and views the setup for life insurers as the most challenging.

During the Q4 2025 earnings call, CEO Peter Zaffino indicated that the company is targeting net premiums written growth in the low- to mid-teens range for its General Insurance segment in 2026. He added that the year had already started on a notably strong footing. Management also reiterated its focus on cost discipline. It said the company remains on track to bring the expense ratio below 30% by 2027. CFO Keith Walsh suggested that the company is in a solid position to meet or potentially exceed all of its Investor Day targets within that timeframe, or even sooner.

American International Group, Inc. (NYSE:AIG) is a global insurance company. It provides insurance solutions to businesses and individuals in over 200 countries and jurisdictions, helping them protect assets and manage risk through its operations, licenses, authorizations, and network partners. Its segments include General Insurance and Other Operations.

While we acknowledge the potential of AIG 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: Top 10 Reddit Stocks That Will Skyrocket and 10 Fastest Growing Dividend Stocks to Buy Now

Disclosure: None. Follow Insider Monkey on Google News.
The bank's mortgage portfolio has been contracting, with a focus on returning to growth in FY27, but there is uncertainty about achieving growth relative to the system.

The cost to income ratio has increased to the mid-80s, significantly higher than previous levels, indicating increased operational costs.

Loan impairment expense increased to $20 million from $3 million in the prior period, contributing to the decline in cash earnings.

Cash earnings for the first half were $176 million, down 4% compared to the prior period, impacted by a higher loan impairment expense.

The bank has declared a fully franked interim dividend of $0.20 per share, representing a 75% payout ratio for the half, reflecting its strong financial position.

BOQ's productivity program has delivered tangible benefits, reducing complexity and strengthening operational resilience, with simplification benefits equivalent to more than 20% of the cost base since FY23.

The bank's strategic partnership with Challenger is expected to optimize balance sheet and capital efficiency, allowing for scalable growth in equipment finance without increasing balance sheet concentration.

The digital platform has been a core enabler of the retail strategy, supporting customer growth and improving customer experience, with over 70% of active retail customers now on the platform.

Bank of Queensland Ltd ( BKQNY ) has maintained a strong capital position, with capital and liquidity levels remaining robust, providing flexibility to support future growth.

For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript .

Story Continues

Q & A Highlights

Q: Can you discuss your strategy for asset growth and mortgages, particularly regarding market share and profitability? A: Rodney Finch, CEO: Our focus is on returning to growth in FY27, prioritizing the economics of the mortgage portfolio. We're scaling the digital bank to reduce costs and improve customer experience. We're not chasing short-term returns but are focused on achieving returns above our cost of capital.

Q: How do you plan to manage costs in the medium term, given your significant changes in the cost base? A: Rodney Finch, CEO: We won't provide long-term cost guidance, but we're focused on productivity and leveraging technology investments. Our partnership with Capgemini and ongoing digitization efforts are key to driving operational leverage and disciplined cost management.

Q: Can you explain the impact of lower liquid assets on your exit margin commentary? A: Racheal Kellaway, CFO: The benefit from the liquids portfolio includes lower HQLAs and higher yields. Excluding liquidity impacts, the margin commentary remains valid.

Q: How are you addressing provisioning levels given the evolving macroeconomic conditions? A: Racheal Kellaway, CFO: We've adjusted economic assumptions within our downside scenarios, despite not changing weightings. The reduction in collective provision is due to asset reductions and a credit card portfolio sale. We're vigilant and believe we're well-provisioned.

Q: What is your strategy for funding future growth, especially with the term deposit runoff? A: Rodney Finch, CEO: We're focusing on growing transactional and at-call deposits, particularly in business banking. The capital partnership with Challenger allows us to optimize our funding stack and support growth without increasing balance sheet intensity.

For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.
BlackBerry (BB) shares ripped higher on April 20 after the embedded software firm announced an expanded partnership with the artificial intelligence (AI) sector leader Nvidia (NVDA).

The upward momentum pushed BBs relative strength index (14-day) into the early 90s, signaling the Canadian company may be due for a near-term pullback.

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BlackBerry stock has been an exciting investment for investors in April, currently up an incredible 75% versus the start of this month.

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Significance of the NVDA Deal for BlackBerry Stock

BlackBerry is expanding the integration of its QNX OS for Safety 8.0 into the NVDA IGX Thor platform.

While the two companies have a long history in the automotive space, this deal specifically targets the burgeoning Edge AI market, spanning medical robotics, industrial automation, and smart manufacturing.

Its bullish for BB shares because it cements QNX as the essential safety-and-control layer for the worlds most advanced AI hardware.

By becoming the brain that ensures Nvidia's high-speed artificial intelligence processing remains safe and predictable in regulated environments, BlackBerry is effectively diversifying its revenue beyond cars.

For investors, this partnership validates its pivot from a legacy handset maker to a high-margin, indispensable software backbone for the AI-driven industrial revolution.

Why BB Shares Still Arent Worth Owning

Despite this team-up with the AI darling, investors are advised to exercise caution in buying BlackBerry shares at current levels, mostly because of valuation concerns.

At about 36x forward earnings, BB isnt more expensive than its software peers; it actually dwarfs NVDA's multiple (just 25x currently).

This makes BlackBerry less attractive, especially since its legacy cybersecurity business remains a drag on its overall performance as well.

Recent reports suggest a dollar-based net retention rate (DBNRR) of 94%. Anything below 100% signals a business is losing more revenue from existing clients than its gaining through expansions.

Plus, the pivot to physical AI, while visionary, means longer sales cycles than consumer software, making it even more difficult to justify sticking with BB in 2026.

How Wall Street Recommends Playing BlackBerry

Wall Streets current estimates for BlackBerry also warrant trimming exposure to it at the current price.
This article first appeared on GuruFocus.

BP Plc (NYSE:BP) is approaching a key shareholder vote with incoming Chairman Albert Manifold appearing to line up support from at least three major investors, including Norway's $2.2 trillion sovereign wealth fund. Two additional large shareholders are also expected to back the appointment, according to people familiar with the matter, which could provide a degree of stability heading into Thursday's annual general meeting. The support comes at a time when the company is attempting to reset its strategy following a turbulent period tied to earlier low-carbon investment outcomes.

At the same time, opposition from other influential shareholders highlights ongoing governance concerns that could weigh on investor sentiment. Legal & General Group Plc has indicated it will vote against Manifold, pointing to what it described as reduced transparency and board accountability after BP declined to include a shareholder climate resolution on the ballot. Proxy adviser Glass Lewis & Co. has also recommended voting against the chairman, while supporting calls for stronger disclosure from activist-backed proposals. Additional resistance from the Local Authority Pension Fund Forum and certain US pension funds suggests the vote may remain closely contested, particularly given BP's widely dispersed ownership structure, where the top 20 investors hold less than 40% of shares.

The leadership transition is unfolding alongside mixed operational signals that could shape the investment case. BP recently highlighted an exceptional first quarter in its oil-trading division and improving refining margins as energy prices moved higher, which could be supportive for near-term performance. However, a rise in net debt may complicate efforts by CEO Meg O'Neillappointed by Manifold after the removal of Murray Auchinclossto streamline the business and rebuild investor confidence. While BP's shares have gained about 30% this year, second only to TotalEnergies among major oil companies, longer-term performance still reflects a period of underperformance, suggesting the outcome of this week's vote could be an important signal for investors assessing the company's strategic direction.
The New Chaldean Patriarch Returns to Iraq After His Expulsion By ISIS in 2014

His Holiness Paulos III Nona, newly elected Patriarch of the Chaldean Church. Paulos III Nona, newly elected Patriarch of Babylon of the Chaldeans, will return to Iraq to assume his position after having been expelled from Mosul in 2014 by the Islamic State, at a time when the Chaldean Church is seeking to rebuild after the recent internal crisis.

From Mosul to exile: a Church forced to flee

According to the Iraqi Christian Foundation, Nona was the Chaldean archbishop of Mosul when, in the summer of 2014, ISIS terrorists took the city and forced the exodus of Christians.

The jihadist offensive led to the near-total emptying of one of the world's oldest Christian communities. Nona, along with other ecclesiastical leaders, had to abandon the city along with his faithful.

Years of ministry outside Iraq

After those events, he was appointed in 2015 as Chaldean archbishop of Australia and New Zealand, moving his ministry outside Iraq at a time when the Christian presence in the country was going through one of its most critical stages.

During these years, the diaspora became one of the main destinations for Iraqi Christians fleeing violence and persecution.

Return as head of the Chaldean Church

More than a decade after the fall of Mosul, Nona has been elected Patriarch of Babylon of the Chaldeans, the largest Christian community in Iraq.

His taking possession is scheduled for the end of May 2026 in Baghdad, in a ceremony that will mark his return to the country where he exercised his ministry before the emergence of terrorism.

A symbol for Iraqi Christians

The return of Nona as patriarch carries strong symbolic weight for the Iraqi Christian community, which in recent years has suffered displacements, persecution, and a notable reduction in its presence in the country.

His election and return are interpreted as a sign of continuity and reconstruction for a Church that seeks to remain in its land of origin despite the difficulties.
Shares of the mega-cap streamer has been moving through a mixed phase of strength and reset. Over the past 52 weeks, the stock is down 2.70%, reflecting cooling sentiment after earlier highs. It is still roughly 30% below its June 2025 high of $134.12, showing aggressive pullback from its top.

Now operating in over 190 countries with over 325 million paid subscribers, Netflix offers movies, series, documentaries, and even games. Its focus on original content has helped it reshape how the world consumes entertainment.

The platform uses smart artificial intelligence (AI)-driven recommendations to keep viewers engaged and watching longer. Over time, Netflix has stayed sharp with moves like launching an ad-supported plan in 2022 and cracking down on password sharing in 2023. It has also expanded into live content, including NFL games and comedy specials.

Netflix is one of those companies everyone already knows about. Based in California, it started as a DVD-by-mail rental service and then completely changed the game by moving into streaming. Today, its a global entertainment leader with a market capitalization of $410.9 billion.

So, is this dip worth buying into? Lets take a closer look at NFLX stock.

Beyond JPMorgan, the broader analyst view is not overly negative either after the companys Q1 report. Most see this dip as a reaction to short-term guidance rather than any real crack in the business.

But not everyone sees this as a red flag. Doug Anmuth of JPMorgan is not too worried about the recent dip in NFLX stock. He believes the company is still executing well and has plenty of room to grow. The analyst points to record engagement levels, saying Netflixs content is doing a strong job keeping users hooked and driving retention.

At times, the markets reaction can diverge from the underlying business performance, and Netflix (NFLX) just experienced that. The streaming giant released its Q1 numbers last week. And despite impressive revenue and margin growth, the stock slipped as investors focused on a softer outlook, timing of subscription price hikes, and a mix of moving pieces  from its ties with Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) to leadership shifts involving Reed Hastings. Investors were expecting more, and the gap between expectations and guidance triggered a sharp pullback in NFLX stock.

Story Continues

Over the past six months, Netflix has slipped 23.56%, as growth worries and guidance concerns weighed on sentiment. However, the short-term picture looks steadier, with the stock up 8.5% over three months and 3.11% in the past month. However, NFLX slipped 8.23% in the past five days as near-term sentiment cooled following a softer-than-expected Q2 outlook.

Technically, momentum had been building, with rising volume and a strengthening trend before the pullback began. The 14-day RSI recently touched overbought territory above 70, but has since cooled and now sits at 44.29, a more neutral level. Plus, the MACD oscillator signals bullishness, with the MACD line above the signal line and a positive histogram indicating improving momentum.

Even after the post-earnings dip, prominent brokerage firms frame the stocks weakness as a potential buy-the-dip setup rather than structural damage. This mix of technical cooling and supportive sentiment suggests a stock still in transition.

www.barchart.com

NFLX stock is not trading at bargain levels, priced at 27.08 times forward adjusted earnings and 7.98 times forward sales, both above sector averages. Still, investors are paying for a story of expansion. With moves into ads, live content, gaming, and stronger content pipelines, the company is trying to build multiple growth drivers that could justify todays premium over time.

Netflix Slips Despite Beating Q1 Numbers

Netflix started 2026 on a strong note with its Q1 earnings results released on April 16, delivering numbers that, at first glance, looked hard to fault. Revenue came in at $12.25 billion, up 16.2% year-over-year (YOY) and ahead of expectations. EPS amounted to $1.23, nearly doubling from $0.66 a year ago, also comfortably beating Wall Streets estimates. A key driver behind the upside was stronger operating income, supported in part by a one-time $2.8 billion termination fee linked to its deal with Warner Bros. Discovery.

The advertising business continued to gain traction, with over 60% of new sign-ups in ad-supported markets opting for the lower-priced tier. Advertiser count surged 70% YOY to more than 4,000 clients, signaling growing acceptance of Netflixs ad model. The management projects nearly $3 billion in ad revenue this year.

Cash generation was another highlight, with operating cash flow rising to $5.3 billion from $2.8 billion last year, pushing non-GAAP free cash flow to $5.1 billion.

Plus, Netflix is steadily widening its use of AI to enhance the member experience. In Q1, it acquired InterPositive to equip creators with a broader suite of generative AI tools. Alongside this, the company is reworking its mobile interface, with plans to roll out a vertical video feature by the end of the month.

However, the market reaction was clearly negative, with Netflixs shares slipping nearly 10%, reflecting investor concerns around the forward trajectory rather than past execution. Management held firm on its full-year 2026 revenue guidance, signaling a more measured stance after a strong start to the year. Top line for the year is projected to be between $50.7 billion and $51.7 billion, implying 12% to 14% YOY growth. This growth is expected to be supported by steady membership gains, selective pricing actions, and a projected near doubling of its ad revenue base. Operating margin is anticipated to be around 31.5% for fiscal 2026.

However, near-term pressure is evident. For Q2, the company guided revenue growth of around 13%, reaching $12.57 billion and reiterated that content spending will remain heavier in the first half of the year due to the timing of major title releases. It also cautioned that Q2 will see the highest annual increase in content amortization for 2026, before easing in the second half.

Operating margin for Q2 is expected to be around 32.6%, down from 34.1% a year ago, largely reflecting elevated content investment. Management, however, expects margins to improve in the second half of the year, supporting the path toward its full-year target.

Adding a layer of transition risk, co-founder Reed Hastings is set to step down as chairman in June, prompting questions around leadership continuity.

Analysts tracking the company expects Q2 revenue to be around $12.6 billion, while EPS is projected to be $0.79. Looking ahead, EPS is forecasted to grow by 26.1% YOY to $3.19 in fiscal 2026, with the bottom line for fiscal 2027 projected to reach $3.88 per share, up 21.6% annually.

Overall, the outlook reflects steady growth but with short-term margin and sentiment pressures shaping investor focus.

What Do Analysts Expect for Netflix Stock?

JPMorgan reiterated an Overweight rating on the streaming giants stock with a $118 price target. Beyond JPMorgan, a broad set of analysts have stepped in to defend the bullish case on Netflix, even as weak guidance shook investor confidence.

Laura Martin of Needham argues the bigger story lies in Netflixs expansion into complementary verticals like podcasts, gaming, and other IP-led ecosystems  moves that can deepen engagement, reduce churn, and steadily enhance pricing power. Plus, Needham maintained its Buy rating and $120 price target on NFLX after its Q1 results.

Jefferies James Heaney believes the sell-off reflects overly optimistic expectations around U.S. pricing and margins rather than any fundamental deterioration. Echoing that, Sean Diffley at Morgan Stanley points out that price hikes take time to reflect, suggesting the guidance may have been misinterpreted rather than weak. He also notes that Netflixs failed pursuit of Warner Bros. Discovery, ultimately lost to Paramount Skydance (PSKY), underscored management discipline, showing willingness for large deals but with a high bar on valuation. The bank reiterated the Overweight rating on the stock and maintained its $115 price target.

Independent voices add another layer. While some view Netflixs outlook as deliberately conservative, others note that investors may be overlooking the potential for margin expansion.

Overall, Wall Street is highly bullish on NFLX, giving a consensus Strong Buy rating, an upgrade from Moderate Buy a month back. Of the 49 analysts rating the stock, a majority of 32 analysts have recommended a Strong Buy, five suggest a Moderate Buy, and the remaining 12 analysts have a Hold rating.

Meanwhile, the stock has a mean price target of $115.63, which suggests an upside potential of 21.9% from current price levels. Meanwhile, the Street-high target of $137 implies the streaming giants stock could rise as much as 44.5%.

www.barchart.com

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On the date of publication, Sristi Suman Jayaswal 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
Quick Read

Cleveland-Cliffs (CLF) reported a Q1 FY2026 adjusted loss of $0.40 per share, beating estimates of $0.416 per share and improving from Q1 FY2025 loss of $0.92 per share.

However, CLF stock fell 5% as investors remain focused on the companys $7.25 billion long-term debt and negative free cash flow amid ongoing POSCO partnership negotiations.

Steel sector weakness from automotive demand declines and global overcapacity is pressuring Cleveland-Cliffs, while the lack of a definitive POSCO agreementtargeted for the first half of 2026is keeping investors cautious.

The analyst who called NVIDIA in 2010 just named his top 10 AI stocks. Get them here FREE.

Cleveland-Cliffs (NYSE:CLF) stock is down 5% in early trading on Monday, falling from $9.94 to $9.44 after reporting Q1 FY2026 results before the open. The headline number beat expectations, yet CLF stock is selling off anyway. That tension indicates where investor confidence stands right now.

The drop snaps a strong recent run. Year-to-date, Cleveland-Cliffs stock is down 30%, and today's move is a reminder that beating a low bar doesn't always translate into buying pressure.

READ: The analyst who called NVIDIA in 2010 just named his top 10 AI stocks

A Narrower Loss, But Still a Loss

Cleveland-Cliffs reported a Q1 FY2026 adjusted loss of $0.40 per share, which beat the Street's estimate of a loss of $0.416 per share. That's meaningful improvement from the Q1 FY2025 loss of $0.92 per share. The progress is real, but it's still a loss, and investors appear unwilling to reward the stock for simply losing less money.

The full-year 2025 picture adds context. Cleveland-Cliffs posted a net loss of $1.4 billion on revenue of $18.6 billion, down from $19.2 billion in 2024. Gross profit, operating income, and net income were all negative in Q4. That's the backdrop investors are weighing today, even as the Q1 FY2026 headline came in slightly ahead of expectations.

Strategic Vision Under the Microscope

Beyond the numbers, investors are scrutinizing management's strategic direction. The most closely watched item is the company's proposed partnership with POSCO, which Cleveland-Cliffs CEO Lourenco Goncalves has called the company's "number one strategic priority." The deal remains in due diligence, with a definitive agreement targeted for the first half of 2026 but not yet signed. Uncertainty around timing is weighing on sentiment.

Analyst consensus reflects that caution. Nine of twelve covering analysts rate the stock a Hold, with two Buys and one Sell. Morgan Stanley upgraded to Overweight, while GLJ Research maintained a Sell with a $9.42 price target. That's a wide spread, capturing the polarized debate playing out in real time.
Costco Wholesale (COST) just gave its shareholders a notable reason to smile. The warehouse retail giant's board of directors approved a quarterly dividend increase, from $1.30 to $1.47 per share, a jump of more than 13%. That works out to $5.88 per share on an annualized basis. The dividend is payable May 15, 2026, to shareholders of record as of May 1, 2026.

Does the double-digit dividend hike mean you should buy COST stock right now, or is it already priced for perfection?

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The Bull Case for Costco Stock

Costco's ability to grow its dividend consistently comes down to one thing: its robust business model works.

The company now operates 928 warehouses across 14 countries, including 637 in the United States and Puerto Rico. It also runs e-commerce sites in eight markets. That global footprint gives Costco both scale and pricing power that few retailers can match.

The dividend history shown above tells the story well. Back in April 2004, Costco paid $0.40 per share. Today, that number is nearly $5.88, a steady climb over two decades driven by consistent profitability and cash generation.

In fiscal Q2 of 2026, Costco reported net income of $2.035 billion, or $4.58 per share, an increase of 14% year-over-year (YoY). Its net sales rose over 9% to $68.24 billion, while comparable sales rose 7.4%.

Membership fee income, a key indicator of customer loyalty, climbed 13.6% to $1.355 billion. The company ended the quarter with 82.1 million total paid members, up 4.8% from the same time last year.

March sales kept the momentum going. Net sales for the month hit $28.41 billion, up 11.3% from the prior year, according to Andrew Yoon, Costco's director of finance and investor relations.

Comparable sales, excluding gas and foreign exchange impacts, came in at roughly 7.8%.

The Tariff Headwind for Costco

Tariffs remain a real wildcard for the big-box retailer.

CEO Ron Vachris addressed this directly on the Q2 earnings call: "The future impact of tariffs remains extremely fluid."

The company has been working to adapt by shifting sourcing countries, consolidating global buying, and leaning harder into its Kirkland Signature private label, where it controls more of the supply chain.
DoubleVerify Holdings Inc. (NYSE:DV) is one of the 8 best advertising agency stocks to buy according to hedge funds.

On April 16, DoubleVerify Holdings Inc. (NYSE:DV) introduced the DV AI Verification platform, which includes DVs AI SlopStopper for social. This enables advertisers to block the appearance of lesser quality content created by artificial intelligence to preserve their brand reputation on social and video networks.

Rawpixel.com/Shutterstock.com

CEO Mark Zagorski mentioned that the advent of generative AI has resulted in an exponential rise in content generation, thus calling for increased visibility and control on behalf of companies. DV AI Verification was launched in November 2025, whereas SlopStopper is currently available on YouTube and will soon be integrated into other platforms as well.

Apart from introducing such value-added features, what is also driving an optimistic view around DoubleVerify Holdings Inc. (NYSE:DV) as one of the most attractive advertising stocks is the companys recent strategic collaborations. On March 25, it announced a partnership with Spectrum Reach. This collaboration is driven by shared ambitions to significantly increase the program-level transparency across broader streaming TV and CTV campaigns. Due to this collaboration, Spectrum Reach formally became the first partner to integrate into the companys Certified Transparent Streaming program. This marked a major industry milestone.

The leadership teams have emphasized that securing advertisers trust requires show-level reporting. Concurrently, this privacy-focused integration gives brands immediate access to verified, post-bid visibility throughout the DV Authentic Streaming TV ecosystem. Ultimately, by leveraging a highly controlled clean room infrastructure, the company has empowered publishers to securely incentivize continued ad spending and increase yield while maintaining strict data compliance.

DoubleVerify Holdings Inc. (NYSE:DV) is a seller of a media effectiveness platform. It provides AI-based digital campaign optimization solutions, metrics for digital media quality, and marketing mix modeling services to optimize the impact of advertising. It also provides platforms for identifying lost or unfilled sales, driving campaign performance, and unifying cross-channel conversion and more.

While we acknowledge the potential of DV 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.
This story was originally published on CFO Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily CFO Dive newsletter.

Dive Brief:

Fermi America CEO Toby Neugebauer and CFO Miles Everson have stepped down from their respective C-suite roles, though both will serve on the board, according to a Monday press release and a securities filing. The power infrastructure company was co-founded by Neugebauer and Rick Perry, a former Texas governor who served as U.S. Secretary of Energy from 2017 to 2019.

Neugebauer remains a member of the board and Everson, who resigned as CFO, has been elected as a board director as a result of director designation rights exercised by the Melissa A. Neugebauer 2020 Trust, according to the release. Eversons resignation was effective Sunday and he is no longer employed by the company or any subsidiaries, the filing states.

The companys new leadership structure is now in flux. Fermi said it is in negotiations with a candidate who will serve as an interim CFO and expects an announcement in the coming week. Meanwhile, a newly created Office of the CEO composed of Jacobo Ortiz Blanes, previously COO, and Anna Bofa, previously a board advisor, has been established that will act as the companys co-president and take on Neugebauers previous responsibilities.

Dive Insight:

Shares of the Texas-based company, which also said it is establishing its corporate headquarters in Dallas, slumped about 18% to close at $5.40 Monday. The company positioned the leadership shakeup as a kind of strategic evolution that it dubbed Fermi 2.0 as it moves from a start-up to a bigger enterprise.

"Fermi is evolving from an entrepreneurial start-up culture into a public-company-caliber professional enterprise. Establishing an official presence in Dallas (within a premier office park location to be announced) and Amarillo represents an important step in that evolution. Our new offices will serve as a platform for deeper collaboration with partners and will enhance our ability to serve our clients and tenants," Ortiz Blanes said in a statement in the release.

Fermi is developing private electric grids to deliver power at the scale needed for AI. Its Project Matador campus in Amorillo, Texas, includes the most ambitious build-out of legacy nuclear reactors in half a century, Politico reported.

Stifel analyst Stephen Gengaro in a note to clients said the surprising departure of the CEO was concerning for investors, but noted that the company signaled that there was friction between customers and the outgoing CEO and that the departure could pave the way for smoother negotiations in the future, MarketWatch reported.
Former Rep. Devin Nunes is out as CEO of President Donald Trump's social media company, in a major shake-up.

Trump Media & Technology Group, the Truth Social parent company whose largest shareholder is Trump, said in a statement Tuesday that Nunes would be succeeded by Kevin McGurn, an adviser to the company, who will take over as interim CEO effective immediately. It did not offer a reason for Nunes' unexpected departure.

"I want to thank Devin Nunes for his dedicated service to the Company over the past four years, and congratulate Kevin McGurn on his appointment as Interim CEO," said Donald Trump Jr., who sits on the company's board and oversees a trust holding his father's shares in the company. "Kevin brings deep experience across media, technology, and capital markets, as well as a strong understanding of Trump Media's operations and strategic priorities."

The C-suite overhaul lands after years of repeated losses at Trump Media, a company that was once billed as a conservative challenger to Silicon Valley giants and the next gem in Trump's vast business empire. The company recorded a net loss of more than $712 million and revenues of $3.7 million in 2025. Trump Media shares have struggled all the while as well. The stock, which trades under the ticker "DJT," closed at $9.82 on Tuesday  marking a more than 75 percent decline since Trump's inauguration.

Best known for Truth Social, the president's preferred online megaphone and a critical source of advertising dollars for the company, Trump Media has announced a series of pivots over the last year in a push to expand its business.

That includes into everything from cryptocurrencies and the prediction markets to traditional financial products. The company unveiled a more than $6 billion deal in December to merge with fusion company TAE Technologies. And earlier this year, Trump Media said it was considering spinning off Truth Social into a separate company after the TAE deal closes.

Nunes, a staunch Trump ally, has led the company since stepping down from Congress in 2021 to take the CEO job. In a post on Truth Social, he wrote that it was "an appropriate time" for McGurn to take over as CEO and "steer Trump Media through its current transition phase."

His exit is the third among Trump Media's senior ranks in recent weeks.

Eric Swider, who helped bring the company public, resigned from the board this month, and Robert Lighthizer, who served as Trump's U.S. Trade Representative during his first term, did the same in March. The company said at the time of reporting both departures that neither were due to any "dispute with management or the Board."
Monday's gains put Marvell shares up more than 70% since the start of the year.

Credit: Jonathan Raa / NurPhoto / Getty Images

Key Takeaways

Marvell Technology shares climbed to a record high Monday following a report that the custom chip designer is in talks with Google.

A deal could see Marvell develop new custom AI chips with the cloud giant.

One custom AI chip designer's stock is off to a strong start this week amid reports that it is on the verge of a reaching a deal with Google.

Shares of Marvell Technology (MRVL) were up over 4% in recent trading and on track to close at a fresh high topping Friday's record, after The Information reported over the weekend that the chipmaker is in talks with Alphabet's (GOOGL) Google. Shares of Alphabet were down about 1%.

A deal could see Marvell design new custom AI chips for Google, which could help them better compete with offerings from AI chip leader Nvidia (NVDA), the report said.

Google and Marvell did not respond to Investopedia's requests for comment in time for publication.

Why This Matters to Investors

A deal with Google would add to Marvell's wins this year, after a runup in its stock.

Marvell's Monday surge is the stock's latest boost from partnering with a Magnificent Seven member, after a $2 billion investment and partnership with Nvidia sent shares soaring at the end of last month.

With Monday's jump, Marvell shares have gained more than 70% since the start of the year. Alphabet has added about 7% over the same period, compared to the broader S&P 500's close to 4%.

Read the original article on Investopedia
Granarolo chairman Gianpiero Calzolari has stepped down after 17 years at the helm of the Italian food group.

In a statement, the cooperative said Calzolari is resigning to facilitate the generational handover upon reaching the age of 70. He has led Granarolo since 2009.

These have been years of great commitment on all fronts; we have focused on innovation and internationalisation, Calzolari said.

The Granarolo board has appointed Stanislao Giuseppe Fabbrino as chairman. Fabbrino already sits on the boards of Granarolo and Granlatte, the group's controlling shareholder.

Fabbrino has been chairman and chief executive of Italian agricultural cooperative Fruttagel since 2011.

Since 2022, Fabbrino has also worked as CEO and managing director of consumer goods cooperative Deco Industrie, Granarolo said.

It is an honour for me to take on a role of such great responsibility, Fabbrino said, adding that Granarolos goal will be to create value through economic, environmental and social sustainability over time.

The leadership change came alongside the release of Granarolos 2025 financial results. During the year, the group reported consolidated revenue of 1.81bn ($2.13bn), compared to 1.72bn a year earlier.

Like-for-like sales, excluding currency effects, rose 5.2%, driven mainly by growth in international markets and price increases.

EBITDA reached 100.5m, up 5.5% on 2024. However, Granarolo's EBIT and net profit fell last year. EBIT dropped 13.8% to 28.2m. Net profit slid 43.3% to 5.5m.

Granarolo said Italy remained its largest market, accounting for 60% of revenue, while Europe represented 33% and non-European markets 7%.

In October, Granarolo acquired UK distributor West Horsley Dairy to strengthen its business in the country.

At the time, Calzolari said: Consolidation in the UK is an important part of the groups growth policy abroad.

"The plan is to significantly increase the volume of Italian dairy products in the UK, focusing on the horeca and foodservice markets in London, where West Horsley has consolidated its presence.

"Granarolo chairman to step down from Italian food group" was originally created and published by Just Food, a GlobalData owned brand.




Unknown Speaker: Thanks, Jeff. Before I get into our operational results, I want to recognize our employees around the world, but especially in the Middle East. They are executing under challenging circumstances, staying focused on our customers, and are keeping each other safe. Their fortitude and resilience represent the best of Halliburton Company. I want to personally thank them. Now let us turn to our international business, where our first quarter revenue was $3.3 billion. I will start with the Middle East, where we have remained closely engaged with our clients through disruptions. Activity has been most impacted in the regions offshore markets in Qatar, UAE, and Saudi Arabia, and the land markets in Iraq and Kuwait.

Big picture, this means the world is fundamentally tighter in oil and gas than it was sixty days ago. In my view, that supports a durably stronger commodity environment and a far more constructive backdrop for upstream investment and oilfield services activity. I believe Halliburton Company will thrive in this market. We are active in all the major markets that matter, with the right service lines, strategy, and technology. In addition, we are the services leader in North America which, in my thirty years of experience, has always been the first market to respond to price signals. With that, I will turn the call over to our COO.

Here is what I expect. First, energy security is no longer simply a talking point. It demands action by every nation to ensure a reliable supply of oil and gas. I expect we will see increased investment in localized oil and gas developments and urgency to diversify sources of oil and gas for those countries without their own resources. Second, recovery of oil and gas production and inventories will not be a quick or simple process. Cumulative production deficits are in the several hundreds of millions of barrels and trending towards a billion. This represents several years of meaningful incremental demand to replace strategic reserves on top of what I believe will be continued structural demand growth.

Jeffrey Miller: Thank you, David, and good morning, everyone. Before I get into my thoughts on the current market and Halliburton Companys outlook, let me begin with a few highlights from the first quarter. We delivered total company revenue of $5.4 billion and operating margin of 13%. International revenue was $3.3 billion, an increase of 3% year-over-year. North America revenue was $2.1 billion, a decrease of 4% year-over-year. During the first quarter, we generated $273 million of cash flow from operations, $123 million of free cash flow, and repurchased $100 million of our common stock. Now let us turn to our market outlook. I believe the situation in the Middle East will have meaningful and long-lasting implications for the global energy sector.

Story Continues

Halliburton Company continues to support our customers in these areas with the service capability they require to navigate current conditions and resume activity as markets recover. In the broader region, the closure of the Strait has resulted in our use of alternative supply chain routes, which has increased logistics cost. We have also seen price increases in purchased materials and supplies related to the conflict. In my view, these are manageable disruptions as we work closely with our customers to mitigate these additional costs within the terms of our contracts and agreements.

Outside the Middle East, we saw better-than-expected results for the quarter, and we expect year-over-year revenue growth in the mid- to high-single digits for the full year, led by Latin America. I recently returned from the region, and I came away even more confident in our outlook. Activity is strong, customer engagement is high, and our growth engines are performing in several important markets. In unconventionals, YPF recently awarded Halliburton Company a multibillion-dollar award for integrated completion services in Argentina. This award expands our position in Argentina and represents an important milestone for Halliburton Company. Under this contract, we will deploy a full completions portfolio including Zeus electric fracturing services for the first time outside of North America.

The award also includes Octiv AutoFrac, which brings electrification, automation, and digital workflows to unconventional fracturing in Argentina. In drilling, we continue to build momentum with our automated offerings. We recently closed our acquisition of Sekal, a global leader in rig automation. With this acquisition, our portfolio now combines Halliburton LOGIX drilling automation with Sekals Drilltronics platform and services. This means Halliburton Company has the technology in-house to fully close the loop for automated geosteering. This includes the bottom hole assembly, the hydraulics, and now the rig itself. We have worked with Sekal for several years and recently delivered this technology offshore Guyana. Our closed-loop automation technologies delivered better-than-expected drilling times and, most importantly, better reservoir contact.

I am confident in the power of these technologies working together to maximize asset value for our customers. As our drilling technology continues to advance, so does my confidence in our offshore business. Our drilling capabilities and collaborative model were key drivers of a recent win in Suriname with PETRONAS. They selected Halliburton Company and Valaris for a strategic collaboration agreement to support the development of its offshore assets. The agreement brings the teams together early in the development cycle and reflects exactly the kind of close alignment that creates value for customers and for Halliburton Company. More broadly, I am increasingly confident in our offshore outlook.

Across markets, customers are choosing Halliburton Company for offshore projects because of our technology, our execution, and our ability to collaborate earlier and more effectively throughout the well life cycle. We see that in Guyana, we see it in Suriname, and we see it increasingly in other offshore markets around the world. To conclude on international, I am confident in our business outlook based upon the strength of our growth engines, the value of our collaborative model, and the differentiation of our technology. While the Middle East remains the key near-term variable, we see real momentum across the rest of our international portfolio, and I believe Halliburton Company will continue to win and deliver profitable growth.

Turning now to North America, where Halliburton Company delivered first quarter revenue of $2.1 billion. Early in the quarter, winter weather delayed services activity in the Permian and Northeast, but those impacts were more than offset by stronger-than-anticipated activity for the remainder of the quarter. In a recovery in North America, there are several signposts I expect to see. Today, we are already seeing a couple of important ones. First, the frac calendar white space in the first half of the year is now gone. As we entered this year, there was a risk that completion work might slip to the right and that gaps in the calendar could widen. That is no longer a concern.

Second, we have seen an uptick in inbound calls for spot work. While these calls are not for committed crews, they do suggest incremental demand is building in spot markets with smaller operators. This is the leading edge of capacity tightening. While we are in the early innings, in my view, the setup for North America is constructive. Premium equipment is already tightening, the commodity price is supportive, and we see signs of incremental demand. As we look to the rest of the cycle, our strategy to maximize value in North America will not change. Here is how we will approach this market.

First, we are going to focus on returns, not market share, which means our priority is to improve the returns of our existing fleets before we add capacity. Clearly, restoring price to acceptable levels is a key component of this. Second, we will deploy differentiated technology at scale that solves for customers greatest opportunities, improving recovery with Zeus IQ and drilling efficiency with iCruise. In summary, I am excited about North America. We see a recovery in progress. As activity grows, we believe customers will place high value on technology, efficiency, and execution, which plays to Halliburton Companys strengths. With that, I will turn the call over to Eric to provide more details on our financial results.

Eric Carre: Thank you, and good morning. Our Q1 reported net income per diluted share was $0.55. Total company revenue for Q1 2026 was $5.4 billion, flat when compared to Q1 2025. Operating income was $679 million and operating margin was 13%. Our Q1 cash flow from operations was $273 million and free cash flow was $123 million. During Q1, we repurchased $100 million of our common stock. Now turning to the segment results. In Q1, both of our divisions were impacted by the conflict in the Middle East, which resulted in an impact of approximately $0.02 to $0.03 per share.

Beginning with our Completion and Production division, revenue in Q1 was $3.0 billion, a decrease of 3% when compared to Q1 2025. Operating income was $439 million, a decrease of 17% when compared to Q1 2025, and operating margin was 15%. These results were primarily driven by lower stimulation activity in North America, and lower completion tool sales and decreased pressure pumping services in the Middle East. Partially offsetting these decreases were higher completion tool sales in the Western Hemisphere and improved pressure pumping services in Africa. In our Drilling and Evaluation division, revenue in Q1 was $2.4 billion, an increase of 4% when compared to Q1 2025.

Operating income was $351 million, flat when compared to Q1 2025, and operating margin was 15%. These results were primarily driven by higher project management activity in Latin America and increased drilling-related services in Europe and in the Western Hemisphere. Partially offsetting these increases were lower activity across multiple product service lines in the Middle East, lower wireline activity in the Eastern Hemisphere, and decreased fluid services in the Gulf of America. Now let us move on to geographic results. Our Q1 international revenue increased 3% when compared to Q1 2025. Europe/Africa revenue in Q1 was $858 million, an increase of 11% year-over-year.

This increase was primarily driven by increased drilling-related services and higher completion tool sales in Norway, and improved pressure pumping services in Angola. Middle East/Asia revenue in Q1 was $1.3 billion, a decrease of 13% year-over-year. This decrease was primarily driven by conflict-related disruptions that resulted in lower activity across multiple product lines. Latin America revenue in Q1 was $1.1 billion, a 22% increase year-over-year. This increase was primarily driven by higher activity across multiple product service lines in Ecuador, the Caribbean, and Brazil, and improved stimulation activity in Mexico and Argentina. North America Q1 revenue was $2.1 billion, a 4% decrease year-over-year.

This decline was primarily driven by lower stimulation activity and decreased artificial lift activity in U.S. land, and lower stimulation activity and decreased fluid services in the Gulf of America. Moving on to other items. In Q1, our corporate and other expense was $69 million. We expect our Q2 corporate expenses to increase about $5 million. In Q1, we spent $42 million on SAP S/4 migration, which is included in our results. For Q2, we expect SAP expenses to be about $45 million. Net interest expense for the quarter was $82 million, lower than expected due to favorable interest income. For Q2, we expect net interest expense to increase about $5 million. Other net expense in Q1 was $28 million.

We expect Q2 expense to be about $35 million. Our effective tax rate for Q1 was 18.5%. Based on our anticipated geographic earnings mix, we expect our Q2 and full-year effective tax rate to be approximately 20%. Capital expenditures for Q1 were $192 million. For the full year 2026, we expect capital expenditures to be about $1.1 billion. Now let me provide you with comments on our expectations for Q2 2026. In the Middle East, the timing and path of a recovery to pre-conflict activity levels is unclear. In addition to lost revenue, we also expect higher costs related to supply chain logistics and fuel.

We estimate the impact in the second quarter will be approximately $0.07 to $0.09 per share, which is embedded in our divisional guidance. In our Completion and Production division, we anticipate sequential revenue to increase 4% to 6% and margins to improve 50 to 100 basis points. In our Drilling and Evaluation division, we expect seasonal software sales to roll off in the second quarter. As a result, we expect sequential revenue to be flat to down 2% and margins to decline 75 to 125 basis points. I will now turn the call back to Jeffrey Miller.

Jeffrey Miller: Thanks, Eric. Here is what you should remember from todays call. The macro environment has changed in the last sixty days. I believe Halliburton Company will thrive in the market that we see. In North America, we already see the early signs of recovery. Outside of the Middle East, we expect our international business to grow. Our growth engines delivered significant milestones during the quarter, and our collaborative value proposition is winning in the offshore market. We will now open the call for questions.

Operator: Ladies and gentlemen, if you have a question or comment at this time, please press 11 on your telephone keypad. If your question has been answered or you wish to remove yourself from the queue, simply press 11 again. Please stand by while we compile the Q&A roster. Our first question or comment comes from the line of David Anderson from Barclays. Your line is now open.

David Anderson: Thank you very much. Good morning, Jeff.

Jeffrey Miller: Morning.

David Anderson: Obviously, the Iran conflict is not resolved, so it is really hard to guide for the next several quarters. I think everybody is just trying to figure out what the other side of this looks like. I realize it is early, but with global supply now a priority, how does this shape your views over the next few years? And how has that really changed over the last sixty days?

Jeffrey Miller: Look, I think the most important change is that the supply overhang is no longer a concern. That is swept away, and structural demand remains intact. That combination moves the rebalancing up closer. When I look out, equally important is the view that energy security is no longer a talking point. That is going to drive activity, and I think that change is not temporal, but a solid few years. That is what has changed in the last sixty days in my view.

David Anderson: And then you touched on North America. North America is always the first one to see a reaction. It sounds like you are saying early innings here. Could you talk about some of this white space shrinking? Are you starting to see E&P customers showing signs of picking up activity? How much is everybody waiting on the back part of the curve to lift up? Just a little bit more color on what you are seeing on the ground and in U.S. onshore?

Unknown Speaker: Yes. Thanks, Dave. The short answer is yes. We have seen a couple of really good signposts. As I said, white space for Q2 is all but gone. We have seen a lot of pull-forwards. We have seen inbounds. We are also seeing H2 firming up as well. I think the next flip of the coin would be rig adds and some longer-term discussions on frac activity. As far as investments of the smaller and the bigger operators, the bigger operators tend to invest throughout the cycle. The smaller and medium-sized ones usually move a little quicker. They are looking at the front end of the curve and the back end of the curve. We like this market.

We believe being the only fully integrated service company in North America is a fantastic position for us, along with our e-fleets, Zeus IQ, and the demand for iCruise in this market. So, short answer is yes. Early innings, but we like where we are.

David Anderson: Thank you very much. Thank you.

Operator: Our next question or comment comes from the line of Arun Jayaram from JPMorgan. Your line is open, sir.

Arun Jayaram: Good morning, team. Maybe I could start with you. I was wondering if you could walk us around your core international and offshore markets outside of the Middle East and perhaps elaborate on the strength in LATAM and Europe/Africa. I believe you mentioned that outside of the Middle East, you expect international revenues to grow mid- to high-single digits. How does that compare to your thought process before the conflict?

Unknown Speaker: Thanks, Arun. A lot to be excited about and a lot of bright spots, with Latin America leading the way. We are really excited about the work we are doing in the Caribbean, in particular Guyana and Suriname, working in a very collaborative way. Argentina is really exciting. We just announced a multiyear, multibillion-dollar, first-ever deployment of frac spreads in Argentina with YPF. That is going to be a really great business for us moving forward. The deepwater work as well in Brazil. If you move east outside of the Middle East, the Norway market is one where we have had a large, strong position. We are working very collaboratively with a number of customers.

We are starting to see rig adds coming towards the back half of this year and early next year. Regarding West Africa, we are seeing some light at the end of the tunnelreal sizable programs both in Namibia and Nigeria. We have a sizable footprint in both of those countries, with contracts we like. I would add Asia Pac as a really resilient market for us throughout the cycle. It stayed busy. We expect that to continue. We expect full-year mid- to high-single-digit growth outside of the Middle East. There are certainly a lot of unknowns in the Middle East, but we still feel pretty good about where we are with that guide.

Arun Jayaram: And my follow-up is in North America. We have a bit of an unusual dynamic where we have relatively modest natural gas prices, including in markets like West Texas, which are significantly below diesel prices. One of the things about Halliburton Companys frac fleet is you have a lot of exposure to natural-gas-burning equipmente-fleets that use natural gas as an input. Could you talk about opportunities to arbitrage this delta to the benefit of shareholders in terms of pricing power?

Unknown Speaker: That just reinforces the value in our e-fleet. Yes, clearly an opportunity. We work that all the time in terms of pricing and where that is going. I would describe that as an opportunity. It is certainly a benefit for operators that are consuming natural gas. To add to that, the Zeus platform is proving itself a unique solution, particularly with respect to Zeus IQ and the ability to move on recovery. While the ability to be more economic with gas consumption due to arbitrage is valuable, the real power in the Zeus IQ and the Zeus platform has been what it is able to do subsurface.

Arun Jayaram: Great. Thanks a lot.

Operator: Our next question or comment comes from the line of Saurabh Pant from Bank of America. Your line is now open.

Saurabh Pant: Hi. Good morning, Jeff, Eric, and welcome to the call.

Unknown Speaker: Thank you.

Saurabh Pant: Jeff, you gave us a lot of good color in your prepared remarks. Last quarter, we were talking about how the supply side of the equationmostly a frac commentis tighter than people think, and it would take just a little bit of demand coming back for pricing power to come back. How are you thinking about that right now? And how do we move through the remainder of 2026 based on what we know right now on the demand side and the pricing power side of things?

Unknown Speaker: We are seeing some really good signposts. That is driving constructive conversations with our operators. There are a handful of fleets that can go to work. The way we think about it is, first, we have to address the pricing of our existing fleets. Those conversations are happening. The next step is longer-term programs and more rigs being addedthat creates another level of constructive conversations for us. First things first is focus on the fleets we have now. It does not take much attrition for things to get tight. Early innings, but we are starting to see signs of that.

Jeffrey Miller: To follow that up, what is even clearer than it was is the availability of equipment in the market, and that is what those early signposts are calling out. Equipment is tighter. We are getting calls. We are within a handful of premium fleetsdual fueltype fleetsof being absolutely sold out as an industry.

Saurabh Pant: That is helpful color. My second question is on the international side of things. If we just focus on the international side, which markets or operators do you think would be the first to change their behavior? Which regions should we expect to benefit first? And how would Halliburton Company seek to benefit from that?

Unknown Speaker: I just finished a tour around international locations. Conversations with customers and energy ministers are focused on the dependency of being down to a Straitit is on their mind. Anyone who is a net importer of oil is thinking about bringing forward programs and reevaluating their capital budgets. Our growth engines are well positioned to apply to improved drilling programs in some of these locations. Asia Pac and West Africa are markets that we see potentially picking up with what is going on in the Strait. You are rightthe collaborative model we work under has been big for us.

In a lot of the areas I mentioned earlier, we work very collaboratively and are invited in earlier, and that has supported us in winning work in a number of those markets.

Saurabh Pant: Thank you.

Operator: Our next question or comment comes from the line of James West from Melius Research. Your line is now open.

James West: Thanks. Good morning, Jeff, and Eric. Jeff, three months ago we talked about 2026 as the year of rebalancing. It is a much different environment now, as you have noted. You have talked about the NAM recovery and announced a number of major contract awards internationally. Are customer conversations showing a sense of urgency, or is it still a little bit too early?

Unknown Speaker: While it is still early innings, it was encouraging to see the white space in Q2 get taken out in a very short period of time. It was not just a short-term blip to take advantage of the current curve. We are seeing H2 firming up as well. I would not use the word urgencyI would say constructive conversations about getting back to work and capturing value they see not only now, but for the future.

James West: That is very helpful. On exploration, it seems a lot of the supermajors have added a few incremental dollars to their exploration budgets. Is exploration going through a bit of a reverse cycle after a ten-year lull?

Unknown Speaker: We are seeing a little bit of exploration, but a lot of the muscle is around developmentproducing more barrels. That is what we are seeing in Namibia and West Africa, and largely in Suriname. We participated in a fair amount of exploration in the Caribbean, but more importantly, we are getting into the heavy lifting of development there and elsewhere. In Brazil, we have been quite successful as well. So while there is some exploration, what we see ahead of us is a lot more development in a lot of places.

James West: Got it.

Operator: Our next question or comment comes from the line of Neil Mehta from Goldman Sachs. Your line is now open.

Neil Mehta: Yes. Morning. Great quarter here, Jeff. First, on capital returns. The buyback at $100 million was a little lighter than the run rate we have seen at $250 million a quarter. Was that just a timing thing, and how are you thinking about share return over the course of the year?

Eric Carre: Neil, overall there has been no change in our focus on shareholder returns or our overall approach around buybacks. We started the year lower than our run rate in 2025. We mentioned on the Q4 call that this was our intent considering the macro situation we were facing at the time and concerns around the speed of activity increase in the Middle East. You can expect Q2 to be higher than Q1, and H2 to be higher than H1 in terms of overall buyback. Our long-term objective remains per-share value creation.

Neil Mehta: Very clear. Follow-up on the technology side. You have had success with VoltaGrid and your investment there. You are looking to deploy that over time, including internationally. Any perspective on the power side of the business and VoltaGrid in particular, and driving value from that side?

Jeffrey Miller: We really like our position in VoltaGrid, and we like what the company is doing. Separate from that, but along with it, is the international pursuit we have underway and the venture we have with VoltaGrid. I am very excited about that and it is very much on track. I do not constrain that to the Middle East. We have lots of inbounds and back-and-forth with potential customers in Australia, Japan, Canadaall around the world. We have 400 megawatts in the queue ready to get placed, and have a lot of line of sight around how that might happen. Very excited about that.

Neil Mehta: Thanks, Jeff.

Operator: Our next question or comment comes from the line of Stephen Gengaro from Stifel. Your line is now open.

Stephen Gengaro: Thanks. Good morning, everybody. Two for me. First, going back to the U.S. frac business and pricing potential. Are your customers willing to take diesel if you have any diesel available? How much are they thinking about the price arbitrage, which should lead to higher prices for gas-burning fleets? How are customers thinking about that right now?

Jeffrey Miller: Our customers are always looking for the most effective solution. I do not know that fuel choice is what would motivate tightness in the market. That is more of a decision between equipment, and less of a decision about adding equipment. The more important point is the value of the commodity and the demand for the commodity. That is more of the driver than arbitrage in terms of pick up a fleet or not. Arbitrage makes it more economic and should create more willingness to pay more, but I do not know that it is what is driving tightness. Two separate ideas in my view.

Stephen Gengaro: Thank you. The other question: for years we have heard about E&P capital discipline and being unwilling to add a lot of rigs and frac fleets back. Are you seeing any shift in that? How should we think about this over the next several quarters, especially in what is probably a tighter oil market for the next couple of years?

Jeffrey Miller: We are in the early innings. Big public companies typically come later in the cycle. Early movers are smaller companies, and that early move is what takes capacity out of the market and creates tightness. Timing of big operators is less clear today. However, commodity prices are structurally higher than they were, there is going to be more demand growth, and fewer barrels in the market. That creates an opportunity for operators of all sizes to make more money. The tightness we are seeing created by smaller operators should not be overlooked. A lot of inbounds are from smaller operators taking capacity out of the market, and that is good for Halliburton Company.

Operator: Our next question or comment comes from the line of Scott Gruber from Citigroup. Your line is now open.

Scott Gruber: Good morning. I want to come back to the shale developments abroad, which were picking up even before the Middle East conflict. Now that those could accelerate, do you see international shale opportunities outside of Argentina utilizing more Zeus fleets given the efficiency advantage, or do most of those playsbecause they are less maturelack the supply chains required for Zeus and end up pulling more legacy diesel fleets from the U.S.? How do you see equipment demand evolving internationally?

Unknown Speaker: Zeus is a unique solution. It is time to go to work in Argentina because there is scale, runway, and a focus on improving recovery. That combination makes it so valuable there. Others are at different places in maturity. They are not at a place where they can take advantage of Zeus. I will describe it in technology terms because that is where it creates the most value and commands a premiumits ability to measure where the sand is going, move the sand around, and create a closed-loop fracturing environment. That is very different than simply the arbitrage on gas to oil. Markets in the earlier stages do not demand that level of capacity.

We have taken the same approach to Zeus internationally that we did in the U.S.we deploy Zeus to contracts that have the duration to return the cost of capital and the capital during the term of the first contract. We do not see those conditions in a lot of other markets today. That does not mean we will not get there; we feel certain we will, but that may not be today.

Scott Gruber: The YPF contract sounds meaningful to your business in-country. Can you dimension that at all for ushow much bigger it will grow your business in the country, the timing of that growth, and given the integrated nature and efficiency gains you will deliver, how you think about the margin profile of the contract relative to your 15%?

Unknown Speaker: It is a huge win for Halliburton Company. We had a good footprint before the award; we have an even better footprint now. This is already being rolled out. We have fleets coming in now, then toward the end of the year and into next year. We will send equipment to the best places as far as returns and pricing. We are moving that equipment out of North America where we believe we have good pricing and a sustainable program. It also demonstrates the importance of our technology and improved recovery. YPF sees that. It is long-term work and we are really pleased with that win.

Operator: Our next question or comment comes from the line of Marc Bianchi from TD Cowen. Your line is now open.

Marc Bianchi: Hello. Can you hear me?

Unknown Speaker: Yes. Loud and clear.

Marc Bianchi: If the Strait were to open tomorrow and it were a green light to get back to normal operations in the Middle East, how quickly could that happen? Maybe walk us through some of the industrial challenges and opportunities that exist there.

Unknown Speaker: It is unclear how quickly that comes back. We are ready. Halliburton Companys operational footprint is intact. Most of our business is working today. Our biggest hit areas were in Iraq and Qatar. We are in constant contact with our customers and will support them when they are ready and able to go back to work. The first things you will see are likely wells turning back on, and that will be a well-by-well situation of how they produce and flow. The longer they get shut in, the more complex that gets. That likely comes first, and it puts Halliburton Company in a fantastic position.

We are the market leaders for intervention work in the Middle East with our HWO and coiled tubing work. Then you would start seeing customers offshore drilling more in the deeper reservoir sections. Work offshore right now is mostly on top holes. Unclear timing, but we are ready.

Jeffrey Miller: At a high level, turning back on is not immediate by any means. There is a gap in the supply chain in terms of oil to market. It is not an overnight matter. Equally important to the timing is the change in perception with respect to energy security. That is a bigger, overriding impact on supply, demand, and price.

Marc Bianchi: One for Eric on CapEx. You reiterated the $1.1 billion, which would imply an uptick in spending for the balance of the year. Is there a shot that we end up doing better than the $1.1 billion, or is that just timing? And does your proportional spend for the 400 megawatts with VoltaGrid happen within that guidance?

Eric Carre: The target for CapEx in 2026 is $1.1 billion. It is a bit higher than the $1.0 billion we had initially guided to. That is not related to the market situation; it is due to delayed delivery of capital equipment. We intend to stay within our range of 5% to 6% of revenue for CapEx spend. We guided 2026 on the low side of that range. Depending on how things shape up and our opportunities, we might move slightly within that range, particularly with the macro picture we see today. CapEx is overweight toward the growth engines we keep discussing. Regarding the 400 megawatts, it does not happen in 2026, so we kept it separate.

Operator: Our next question or comment comes from the line of Keith MacKey from RBC Capital Markets. Your line is now open.

Keith MacKey: Morning. Can you expand a little more on your offshore comments? You mentioned a few markets where you are seeing incremental demand, but how is the market shaping up versus what you might have thought three months ago?

Jeffrey Miller: We really like our position in offshore. I view the offshore business from our perspective of what we are winning and the kind of work we have in the queue. We won a lot of work last year, and that is very strong for us. We continue to be quite successful in the offshore market. That is led by our value propositionto collaborate in engineered solutions to maximize asset value for our customerswhich meets an unmet market need in how we work and perform with our customers. Equally important is the progress we have made with technology, particularly closed-loop automated geosteering. It is a significant step forward in terms of reservoir contact.

We feel good about the offshore business, really like our position, and we see solid growth in 2026, 2027, and 2028 in the offshore market from what we are going to be doing.

Keith MacKey: And on the Middle East, what will it actually require to restart production when it is safe and feasible to do so? Walk us through what will be required, whether workovers or other items, and how that translates into service line potential for Halliburton Company.

Jeffrey Miller: We are focused on drilling and the upstream. There is clearly storage and facility work that has to happen before us. As far as bringing wells back on that might be shut in, as described earlier, that will span the spectrum of how quickly they come on. It would be irresponsible to project timingit would be a guess. The longer things are shut in, typically the more complex they are to bring back on. There is a lot of capacity with Halliburton Company in the Middle East to participate in bringing those wells back on, whatever might be required.

Operator: This concludes the Q&A portion of our call. I would now like to turn the conference back over to Jeffrey Miller for any closing comments.

Jeffrey Miller: Thank you. Before we wrap up todays call, let me close with this. I believe the oil and gas markets are structurally tighter, and I am convinced that Halliburton Company has the right service lines, strategy, and technologies across the key oil and gas basins around the world. I believe this is a market where Halliburton Company will thrive. I look forward to speaking with you again next quarter. Thank you.

Operator: Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for participating in todays conference. This concludes the program. You may now disconnect. Everyone, have a wonderful day. Speakers, stand by.

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Nuclear energy is emerging as a key pillar for securing our energy future and powering the next generation of artificial intelligence (AI) data centers. Technology giants like Microsoft, Amazon, Alphabet, and Meta Platforms are making deals with operators in the nuclear sector to feed their insatiable appetite for energy.

As the U.S. government prioritizes the revival of decommissioned nuclear plants and accelerates approvals for cutting-edge nuclear technology, the landscape is shifting dramatically. Two popular nuclear energy stocks at the heart of this are Cameco (NYSE: CCJ) and Oklo (NYSE: OKLO).

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 

These companies serve different roles in the nuclear energy renaissance and are at very different stages of their businesses. Here's a look at which one stands out as a better buy right now.

Image source: Getty Images.

Cameco is riding the nuclear renaissance in multiple ways

Cameco is a uranium miner with high-grade assets in Canada and is the largest uranium supplier in North America today. The company recently signed a long-term agreement with India's Department of Atomic Energy to supply 22 million pounds of uranium concentrate through 2035, valued at about $2.6 billion.

It is also well positioned to benefit from the move to nuclear energy in the coming years. U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said recently that the first five to 10 reactors in the U.S. are "almost certain" to receive Department of Energy loans as part of the push to build the domestic nuclear energy base.

Cameco has a 49% stake in Westinghouse, a leader in nuclear technology that designs, supplies fuel to, and maintains roughly half of the world's nuclear power plants. The company, along with Brookfield Renewable Partners (a 51% stakeholder in Westinghouse), entered into a binding strategic partnership with the U.S. government to build nuclear energy capacity in the U.S.

The deal calls for $80 billion in reactor construction using Westinghouse's technology; in exchange, the government will help with financing, permitting, and diplomatic support in return for a share of Westinghouse's future cash flow.

Oklo's advanced nuclear reactors are being fast-tracked

By contrast, Oklo is an early-stage company developing an advanced nuclear reactor, the Aurora Powerhouse, that can be manufactured off-site using standardized parts. The upshot is that it should be able to construct its reactors faster than traditional nuclear plants and at a lower cost.
Berman pointed to two July 2025 developments as central to the companys future. First, Pinewood bought Lithia out of its share of the North American joint venture, which he said removed a competitive overhang that could have impeded growth. Second, Pinewood signed a long-term $60 million contract with Lithia to implement Pinewoods system across Lithias dealerships in the U.S. and Canada.

Underlying EBITDA, described by Mann as the companys key profit metric, climbed to GBP 16.4 million , up 17.1% year-over-year. Recurring revenue was 83.2% , with Mann attributing the slight decline versus last year to the inclusion of Seez. Net customer churn was 2.5% , which Mann said remained at a very low level and reflected the platforms value to customers.

Gross profit increased 23% to GBP 34.7 million . Gross margin was 85.7% , which Mann said fell as expected due to Seez carrying slightly lower margins than the legacy Pinewood business.

CFO Ollie Mann said FY2025 revenue rose approximately 30% to GBP 40.5 million , driven by new customer wins, upselling to existing customers, and revenue added from the March 2025 acquisition of Seez. Mann also noted a comparability factor: FY2025 covered a 12-month period versus 11 months in FY2024.

Pinewood Technologies Group (LON:PINE) reported double-digit growth in its FY2025 results presentation, highlighting progress in North America, the integration of its Seez acquisition, and continued expansion across selected international markets. CEO Bill Berman said FY2025 marked the companys second year as a standalone AI-embedded automotive technology company, calling the past 12 months particularly significant due to major transactions and operational milestones.

The company reports GBP 64.5 million of total contract value (TCV) on top of current revenue and reiterated an FY2028 underlying EBITDA target of GBP 5862 million , with about GBP 50 million already covered by existing contracts.

Pinewood completed the North American JV buyout of Lithia, signed a longterm $60 million implementation contract with Lithia, and acquired Seez for GBP 26 million , moves management says materially boost its North America buildout and AI/upsell capabilities.

FY2025 revenue rose about 30% to GBP 40.5 million and underlying EBITDA increased 17.1% to GBP 16.4 million , with gross margin at 85.7% and an endDecember cash position of GBP 34.1 million .

Story Continues

In March 2025, Pinewood acquired automotive AI company Seez. Berman said the company had made great progress integrating Seez into the group and combining the two technology stacks, which he said significantly enhanced Pinewoods AI capabilities. He also said the acquisition strengthened Pinewoods upsell offering and diversified revenue streams, with Seez focusing on rolling out products into Lithias U.S. and U.K. dealerships and growing its broader customer base.

Cash flow, balance sheet items, and non-underlying adjustments

 Amazon Stock Up 30%: Is AMZN Still a Buy Before Earnings?

Mann said the company generated GBP 6.5 million of cash from operations in FY2025. He highlighted several notable cash flow movements, including GBP 1.1 million of bank interest received and GBP 10 million received from Lithia for settlement of a tax debt.

Capital expenditure was GBP 11.4 million, including GBP 10.5 million of capitalized development spend. Net spend on acquisitions and reseller buyouts was GBP 13.5 million, comprised of GBP 26 million for Seez and GBP 2.5 million for a South Africa reseller buyout, offset by GBP 15 million cash received as part of the U.S. JV buyout. Pinewood also completed an equity raise in March 2025, raising GBP 34.1 million in cash, contributing to an end-December 2025 cash position of GBP 34.1 million.

On the balance sheet, Mann reported closing shareholders funds of GBP 204.2 million, which he said was driven mainly by the March 2025 equity raise and the July 2025 North American JV buyout. Goodwill stood at GBP 51.5 million, reflecting the JV buyout, the Seez acquisition, and the South Africa reseller transaction. Other intangible assets rose from GBP 16.3 million to GBP 168 million, driven by the North America JV buyout and Seez, with GBP 125 million of the year-end balance tied to the North America customer contract. Mann added that the group had a GBP 10 million revolving credit facility that remained undrawn.

Mann also detailed non-underlying items, including GBP 4.6 million of acquisition-related costs (mainly legal fees tied to the North American JV buyout and the Seez acquisition), GBP 4.2 million of costs in the U.S. subsidiary following the JV buyout (to be treated as non-underlying until the Pinewood system is installed in 20 North American dealerships), a GBP 3.6 million share-based payment charge, and GBP 4.0 million amortization of acquired intangibles. He also noted a one-off GBP 60.8 million non-cash gain recognized on the North American JV buyout.

Contract visibility and FY2028 outlook

Mann introduced a new metric, total contract value (TCV), defined as incremental annual recurring revenue from signed customers that have not yet started implementation (or the not-yet-implemented portion for customers partway through rollout). He said TCV was GBP 64.5 million on top of our existing revenue, which he said would deliver the majority of Pinewoods FY2028 EBITDA target.

The company reiterated guidance for FY2028 underlying EBITDA of GBP 58 million to GBP 62 million. Mann said approximately GBP 50 million of that figure was covered by existing customers and signed contracts. He added that Pinewood expects FY2026 underlying EBITDA to be in line with analyst consensus of GBP 21.3 million, citing notes from two of the three analysts covering the company following a March 25, 2026 business update.

Responding to an Investec question on TCV, Mann said the measure includes only recurring revenue and excludes implementation income. He said the company does not apply a fixed customer lifetime cutoff to TCV, noting churn typically occurs through M&A-driven system consolidation and that Pinewood assumes many large enterprise customers are effectively lifetime customers.

Operational progress: UK rollouts, international expansion, and North America buildout

Berman said Pinewoods cloud-based platform operates on one code base, which he called unusual in the industry and beneficial for security and frequent updates with no disruption. He emphasized Pinewoods approach to AI as fully embedded across sales, aftersales, and back-office functions, contrasting it with layered app or basic API approaches.

In the U.K. and Ireland, Berman said the rollout with Lookers (part of Global Auto Holdings) began in July 2025 and is progressing well and on schedule, with completion due in Q4 2026. He added that, at Marshall Motor Groups request, the start of its implementation moved from Q1 2026 to the second half of 2026 to align with other internal projects.

Internationally, Berman said the Porsche Japan implementation started successfully in December 2025 with the first dealerships going live, with Volkswagen Japan expected to follow after Porsche dealers complete. He also said Pinewood continued discussions with potential Central European dealer groups. The company completed buyouts of its South Africa and Netherlands reseller operations, which Berman said would allow Pinewood to fully control sales and customer service in those markets. He later added the Netherlands reseller buyout completed in February 2026 and the team was being integrated.

In North America, Berman described progress on system testing and, in particular, OEM integrations, which he said were the largest piece of work. He said most OEM partners had been engaged, integration work was on target, and Pinewood was targeting completion of the majority of OEM integrations by the end of 2026. He also said the company had leads following its official U.S. launch at the February 2026 NADA conference.

During Q&A, Berman said the company could not comment on third-party litigation, but stressed Pinewoods view that the dealer owns their data and said Pinewoods technology, including AI tools, could help facilitate moving and translating data from different systems. He also discussed a shift in pricing models, saying Pinewood expects to move to a rooftop and module basis over time, noting that OEM integrations and many AI functions would not fit typical per-user SaaS pricing.

Asked about competitive positioning as AI becomes more prevalent, Berman said Pinewoods approach is rooted in using AI on top of a strong system of record and core data stack, arguing that AI is only going to be as good as the data that it has access to. He cited examples of AI use cases such as helping users navigate complex accounting workflows and improving service scheduling by matching technician qualifications to vehicle needs.

On implementation capacity, Berman said Pinewood can flex resourcing in the U.K. and that implementation speed is often constrained by customer timelines. He also said Pinewood has begun using AI to simplify parts of the implementation processparticularly data extractionreducing tasks that used to take a couple of weeks to a couple of minutes.

From a cash perspective, Mann said Pinewood expects working capital benefits as the business grows because it invoices customers quarterly in advance for recurring revenue. He said that by FY2028, Pinewood expects a GBP 12 million to GBP 13 million working capital benefit in that year. Mann also said CapEx could tick up in 2026 and 2027 as OEM integration work in the U.S. is completed, and he estimated that of the FY2028 EBITDA target range, high forties would convert to net cash, equating to roughly GBP 45 million to GBP 50 million of cash in FY2028.

About Pinewood Technologies Group (LON:PINE)

1981  Origins Pinewood was founded in 1981 after a Renault dealer in London grew frustrated with the lack of suitable systems to run his business. He assembled a small team of developers to build a better solution, marking the birth of Pinewood as a classic early-1980s tech startup. 1980s1990s  Early Innovation The team created one of the UK's first Sales and Dealer Management Systems (DMS), soon partnering with brands like Saab, Lloyds Bowmaker, and a growing dealer group that became Pendragon PLC. As Pendragon expanded, it acquired Pinewood to develop a multi-brand DMS capable of supporting large-scale dealership operations.

The article "Pinewood Technologies Group H2 Earnings Call Highlights" was originally published by MarketBeat.
This article first appeared on GuruFocus.

Reckitt Benckiser Group Plc (RBGPF) reported a softer start to the year, with first-quarter sales rising 1.3%, missing expectations of 2.8% as weak demand for cold and flu medicines in the US weighed on overall performance. Excluding over-the-counter drugs in the US, growth came in at 3.1%, supported by stronger momentum in China, though this was partially offset by continued pressure in Europe and a slowdown in the Middle East. The regional softness followed the escalation of conflict involving Iran, which disrupted supply chains and reduced demand, particularly after sales had been growing earlier in the quarter. Shares fell as much as 7% in London following the update and were down 21% year-to-date through Tuesday's close, suggesting investor sentiment has been increasingly cautious.

Management highlighted that the conflict has begun to filter through into costs, with as much as 150 million in additional input expenses projected under a scenario where oil averages $110 for the remainder of 2026. With roughly 40% of raw materials linked to oil prices, the company remains exposed to further volatility, although the cost impact was described as manageable by Chief Financial Officer Shannon Eisenhardt. The disruption has so far been concentrated in the Middle East, where demand softened in markets including the United Arab Emirates and a temporary production halt in Bahrain affected shipments. At the same time, weaker seasonal demand in US healthcare, combined with the impact of European Union sanctions on Russia, has added to the operational backdrop, potentially limiting flexibility if further shocks emerge.

Despite these near-term pressures, Reckitt maintained its full-year revenue growth guidance of 4% to 5%, supported by expectations for a more typical cold and flu season in the US and continued strength in emerging markets such as India. The company is also progressing with its strategic shift toward a more focused portfolio, concentrating on core brands such as Strepsils and Dettol while exploring options for Mead Johnson once US legal issues are resolved. In contrast, Danone reported stronger early-year sales, driven by demand for protein-rich yogurts and Evian bottled water, which helped offset the impact of infant formula recalls, highlighting how category mix and regional exposure could shape performance across the sector.
By Abhirup Roy

SAN FRANCISCO, April 22 (Reuters) - Rivian on Wednesday started production of its smaller R2 SUVs, with customer deliveries expected later this spring, the electric-vehicle maker said, as it bets on a lower-cost model to broaden demand and put it on a firmer path to profit.

The R2 rollout is a pivotal moment for Rivian, best known for its high-end R1 pickups and SUVs. The new vehicle is expected to compete with Tesla's best-selling Model Y and drive growth at a time when the removal of key tax credits has hurt U.S. electric-vehicle demand.

More from Yahoo Scout What are the main production risks for R2? How will R2 production impact Rivian's margins? What pricing strategy is Rivian using for R2? How does R2 fit Rivian's broader business strategy?

"We've been encouraged by the reservations that we've been receiving for the R2 product overall," Chief Financial Officer Claire McDonough told Reuters, without disclosing specifics.

"We'll start to invite customers to begin to configure their vehicles in the June time frame. So, we'll have better visibility at that point."

MARGINS

Rivian said last month it will start deliveries with a launch variant priced at $57,990. A Premium trim at $53,990 is expected late this year, followed by a rear-wheel-drive Standard version at $48,490 in the first half of 2027. A keenly awaited $45,000 variant is due by late 2027.

Once production reaches a higher run rate in 2027, the R2 will cost Rivian less than half as much to build as the R1, McDonough said.

Those savings hinge on an aggressive consolidation and elimination of parts, Rivian told Reuters. Die castings cut costs by 32%, a new drive unit delivered a 25% reduction and a simplified suspension slashed spending by 72%.

Still, McDonough said the R2 will initially weigh on margins before helping them. Rivian expects to exit 2026 with positive automotive gross profit margins, supported by rising R2 output and lower non-material costs across its R1 lineup and commercial vans, she said.

Rivian's 2026 delivery forecast implies roughly 22,000 to 23,000 R2 deliveries this year, assuming steady demand and a smooth production ramp.

Chief Operating Officer Javier Varela said the biggest risk lay outside Rivian, in the supply chain, so it had put "boots on the ground" at key suppliers to spot disruptions early.

BNP Paribas analysts expect fewer than 400 deliveries this quarter, before volumes ramp to about 7,000 in the third quarter and about 15,000 in the fourth.

The R2 also sits at the heart of Rivian's broader strategy beyond vehicle sales. The company has rolled out a $2,500 driver-assistance package, developed a custom self-driving chip and last month struck a deal with Uber that includes up to a $1.25 billion investment tied to a robotaxi partnership built around the R2.

(Reporting by Abhirup Roy in San Francisco. Editing by Mark Potter)
RTX: Q1 strength overshadowed by commercial aero concerns, BofA says Proactive uses images sourced from Shutterstock

RTX Corp (NYSE:RTX, XETRA:5UR) delivered a strong first-quarter 2026 performance driven by broad-based demand across its defense and commercial aerospace businesses, though investor concerns around the commercial aviation outlook weighed on the stock, according to Bank of America.

The aerospace and defense group posted solid growth across its key segments, with strength in defense operations and continued momentum in aftermarket and original equipment demand at Pratt & Whitney and Collins Aerospace.

However, shares retreated after the print as investors focused on potential softness in commercial aerospace demand.

Bank of America said it is reiterating its Buy rating on RTX, arguing the sell-off was overdone given resilient underlying demand trends. The firm also maintained its price objective of $230, based on an 18x multiple of 2027 estimated EV/EBITDA, down from a prior 21x multiple.

We see the sell-off as overdone given demand in Aero remains unmoved, the bank wrote. Growth for RTX's Raytheon segment continues to accelerate as demand for munitions and sensors continues to outpace supply.

In defense, Bank of America highlighted accelerating growth in RTXs Raytheon segment, where demand for munitions and sensors continues to exceed supply. The firm said ongoing global conflicts are driving near-term replenishment needs, but it expects sustained demand through the end of the decade as the US and allied nations rebuild stockpiles.

Investors have been closely watching expected demand tied to a February 4 munitions framework agreement, though contracts have not yet been finalized. The firm also pointed to the FY2027 Presidential Budget Request as an indication of the scale of potential future munitions spending.

Looking ahead, analysts believe that any softness in the commercial market could be partially offset by structural dynamics in engine demand, including the relatively young installed base of geared turbofan (GTF) aircraft. They also pointed to potential upside from the upcoming GTF Advantage engine, which is expected to enter service in the second half of 2026.
Starbucks announced a $100 million investment to open a corporate office in Nashville, Tennessee, with plans to employ up to 2,000 workers there over the next five years, the company said Tuesday.

According to the company, operations currently housed at Starbucks' Seattle headquarters will be partially shifted to Nashville, which will also anchor the chain's push to expand retail locations throughout the Southeast. CEO Brian Niccol said in a statement that Nashville offers proximity to a growing number of coffeehouses and suppliers across the Southeast, as well as access to a broad talent pool.

In May, Starbucks will open a temporary office in Nashville's Gulch neighborhood. The company expects to move into its permanent location  a building it will occupy entirely in the Peabody Union development on the banks of the Cumberland River  in 2027, according to a message sent to employees by Sara Kelly, Starbucks' chief partner officer.

Kelly outlined three categories of work coming to Nashville: jobs created to support expansion across the South and East, functions previously outsourced to contractors that Starbucks is reclaiming, and certain roles currently performed by Seattle-based employees. On Tuesday, the company also told its technology team that some of those roles would move to Nashville as well. Kelly said the majority of Starbucks' corporate staff will remain in Seattle.

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell both issued statements welcoming the announcement. Starbucks also received a year's free rent at its new Nashville location as part of the deal, according to the Spokesman.

The Nashville expansion is part of Starbucks' broader "Back to Starbucks" turnaround strategy under Niccol, who took over as CEO in late 2024. That plan includes adding thousands of new U.S. stores, particularly in the South and Northeast, while also cutting $2 billion in costs over several years.

The company's early relocation efforts have faced resistance, according to Bloomberg. Few employees from the first group asked to move  Starbucks' sourcing teams, who were notified in March  have accepted the relocation. Bloomberg reported that while some employees were offered stock grants worth tens of thousands of dollars as an incentive, they were simultaneously informed of mandatory pay reductions of at least 5%, which the company justified by pointing to lower living costs in Nashville. For those who chose not to make the move, Bloomberg reported that Starbucks put forward retention packages beginning at $15,000, contingent on the employee staying with the company into at least 2027.

A Nashville workforce of that size would exceed half of the total staff currently employed at Starbucks' Seattle headquarters, the Spokesman reported.
T-Mobile is limiting a longtime perk it has advertised for years, despite recently facing elevated customer losses. The move is part of a broader series of changes it has made to its customer perks and benefits in recent months.

For example, shortly after T-Mobile appointed Srini Gopalan as its CEO in November last year, the carrier began notifying customers that it was pulling the plug on its JUMP! On Demand program in December. The program allowed customers to upgrade their phones every 30 days.

It also warned customers that it will start charging a monthly fee of $3 for its Apple TV On Us perk, which had been free for Plus phone plan customers since 2021. This change officially went into effect on Jan. 1.

Earlier this month, T-Mobile even reduced the number of times a single promotion can be applied to an account from four to two, according to The Mobile Report. Also, most of the company's free phone lines are no longer eligible for device promotions.

T-Mobile signals changes to its free in-flight Wi-Fi perk

Most recently, T-Mobile warned customers that it is restricting its airline Wi-Fi programs, which it has operated for more than a decade.

For years, the carrier has partnered with select airlines to offer customers free in-flight Wi-Fi on Wi-Fi-enabled aircraft, allowing them to surf the web, stream, and send texts and emails.

However, according to a recent email sent to T-Mobile business customers, which was shared on social media platform Reddit, the company has removed free in-flight Wi-Fi on some flights and airlines, a change that took effect on April 13.

In the email, T-Mobile didnt name which airlines will no longer offer its free in-flight Wi-Fi. However, on its website, the carrier currently lists only Delta Air Lines, Alaska Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and Hawaiian Airlines as carriers that support this service.

In a statement to TheStreet, T-Mobile said the airline industry has evolved, with airlines expanding free Wi-Fi through their own loyalty programs over the past few years, citing American and United.

Related: T-Mobile tests customer loyalty with another fee hike

As a result, airlines are now offering sponsored in-flight connectivity directly to their members, regardless of wireless provider, and provider-specific services are winding down, including at American and United, read the statement.

The move from T-Mobile follows its expansion of free in-flight Wi-Fi to United Airlines flights in September 2022. United later entered a partnership with Starlink to offer in-flight Wi-Fi to all flights sometime in 2027.

In January this year, American Airlines began offering free, high-speed in-flight Wi-Fi, sponsored by AT&T, on most domestic and select international flights.

So it is no surprise that T-Mobile is scaling back its free in-flight Wi-Fi availability.

In a statement to The Washington Post in September last year, Sean Cudahy, senior aviation reporter at The Points Guy, said the airline industry has reached a turning point in offering Wi-Fi on aircraft.

Every airline has a little bit of a different timeline, but I think were really at an inflection point where this is quickly becoming the industry norm to have decent or good WiFi on board and to offer it for free, said Cudahy.

T-Mobile is restricting its free in-flight Wi-Fi perk for customers. Shutterstock

T-Mobiles latest move adds pressure as customer losses mount

In response to T-Mobiles latest change to its free in-flight Wi-Fi perk, some customers took to Reddit to express their frustrations.

Well this might be the final nail that makes me switch away from TMO, as it's a benefit I valued, wrote one customer.

Tmobile just gets worse and worse. Raised prices on plans they said they never would. Fired a bunch of employees and hired H1B/offshoring. Constantly taking away perks, wrote another.

More T-Mobile News:

This is awful. And these main reason I went with T-Mobile. Im going to be downgrading my account now and looking for another provider, wrote another customer.

Restricting this benefit is a risk for T-Mobile, which has battled elevated churn in its wireless business over the past year, following price increases and changes to phone plans.

Last year, T-Mobile's postpaid phone churn (the percentage of customers who cut their service) rose to 0.93%, up from 0.86% in 2024, according to the carriers most recent earnings report.

A recent survey from Oxio found that many wireless consumers nationwide have been exploring cheaper options for wireless services from nontraditional providers, such as MVNOs and cable companies, to escape recent price hikes.

Why more Americans are rethinking their phone plans:

Around 70% of U.S. consumers review their wireless plan at least once a year.

Rising costs are a major trigger of this behavior, with 58% of consumers saying bill increases push them to reconsider their current plan.

Price is the top priority for 79% of consumers when choosing a new plan, followed by network coverage (63%) , speed and performance (60%) , while billing transparency trails at 40% .

Also, 27% said rewards, perks, and extra benefits matter.

Nontraditional mobile providers are gaining momentum as 75% of consumers view them positively or neutrally, and 56% would consider purchasing mobile service from a retailer.

Source: Oxio

Trust is becoming a competitive lever, said Oxio CEO Nicolas Girard in the survey. Retailers and digital-first brands are emerging as credible places to buy mobile service. Familiarity, accountability and perceived fairness matter more when consumers are watching every fee.

Related: Verizon raises price on key discounted offer for customers

This story was originally published by TheStreet on Apr 21, 2026, where it first appeared in the Retail section. Add TheStreet as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
By Mike Scarcella and Abhirup Roy

WASHINGTON, April 20 (Reuters) - Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musks Tesla has settled a wrongful death lawsuit in Florida stemming from a 2018 high-speed crash that killed a teenager riding in one of the electric vehicle maker's sedans, court records show.

A trial in the lawsuit was set to begin today in Florida state court in Fort Lauderdale against the estate of the driver of the Tesla sedan that crashed.

Tesla was removed as a defendant in a court order on Sunday, leaving only the driver's estate remaining in the lawsuit. Lawyers for the plaintiff said in a court filing last week that the claim against Tesla had settled.

The parents of the driver, whose estate had been fighting the lawsuit, have said a Tesla technician without their knowledge disabled speed-limiting software that had prohibited the car from traveling above 85 mph (137 kph), court records show.

Tesla has denied wrongdoing and maintained that the driver's "reckless" operation of the vehicle caused the crash "with or without a speed limiter." The driver's lawyers also denied the plaintiff's claims against them in the lawsuit.

Tesla and its lawyers did not immediately respond to requests for comment, and neither did attorneys representing the plaintiff and the driver's family in the lawsuit. The terms of the resolution of the lawsuit were not immediately known. A court official confirmed the case settled on Monday.

The plaintiff was a teenage passenger who died in a 2018 crash in a 2014 Tesla Model S that also killed the teenage driver of the vehicle.

The 18-year-old Tesla driver in the crash was speeding at 116 mph on a curve with a 25 mph limit when he lost control and his car slammed into two concrete walls, according to court records.

Tesla has settled some other lawsuits over crashes involving its vehicles. In one recent case, Tesla last year resolved a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the estate of a man who was killed in 2021 after his Tesla crashed and caught fire near Dayton, Ohio.

Tesla denied any wrongdoing in that case. The terms of the resolution were not disclosed.

Tesla in February lost its bid in U.S. federal court in Florida to overturn a $243 million jury verdict over the 2019 crash of an Autopilot-equipped Model S that killed a 22-year-old woman and severely injured her boyfriend. Tesla is challenging the verdict on appeal.

(Reporting by Mike Scarcella; editing by Peter Henderson and Stephen Coates)
On April 15, Musk said that Tesla had taped out its AI5 chip. In chipmaking, a tape-out means the design is finished and sent to the factory. It is an important step, but it is not the same as shipping finished products.

In short, TSLA stock isnt cheap as it prices in big wins from AI, autonomy, and new products. Bulls argue that Teslas future growth justifies a premium, but on typical metrics its rich relative to peers.

Despite the volatile movement, one thing about Tesla has remained unchanged: its rich valuation. For example, the forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio is 280 times, vastly above the sector median, suggesting overpricing compared to peers. By contrast, legacy automakers trade at P/E mulitples in the low double digits or EV/EBITDA in the teens. Teslas EV/EBITDA is above 100 times, well above its 10-year median.

TSLA stock has been on a bumpy ride lately. Shares jumped sharply in mid-2025 on election-related optimism, but this year has been uneven. Shares of Tesla fell about 10% in January as Chinese EV competition intensified, then rebounded in March on hopes for better FSD progress. Tesla is down roughly 13% year-to-date (YTD) despite an 11% gain over the past five days on the tape-out news. Technically, TSLA is trading near its 50-day moving average, while the 200-day average is still above the current price, indicating the stock hasnt broken out of its downtrend.

That is why Teslas latest milestone matters. CEO Elon Musk recently said the company has taped out its AI5 chip, a key step before manufacturing begins. The move adds another layer to Teslas long-term case, especially as the company pushes toward Full Self-Driving (FSD), robotaxis, and other AI-driven products. For investors trying to decide whether TSLA stock is a buy, sell, or hold, the new chip development adds fresh fuel to an already important debate.

Electric vehicle (EV) stocks often move on delivery trends, margins, and the pace of demand. Tesla (TSLA), however, has long been more than just an automaker. It is also an AI and autonomy story, with investors watching every step the company takes toward self-driving technology and in-house chip design.

Story Continues

Tesla is working with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (TSM) on AI5. A future AI6 chip is planned for Samsungs 2-nanometer line, although that program has already seen delays. Musk believes AI5 could enter high-volume production in 2027, and Tesla has also said it will need hundreds of thousands of chips before switching production to the new hardware.

That means the AI5 chip is a strategic win, but not a short-term earnings driver.

Tesla Faces a Real Test on April 22

Tesla heads into its April 22 earnings report with Wall Street looking for more than a simple bottom-line beat. Current Wall Street estimates sit around $0.21 per share on revenue of about $22.7 billion, while Teslas own recent delivery report showed its weakest quarterly deliveries in a year as U.S. incentives faded and competition stayed intense.

The bigger focus for investors will be on margins, inventory, capital spending, and the companys comments on FSD, robotaxis, and Optimus. Teslas latest delivery report showed more vehicles produced than delivered, and several analysts say investors want clearer signs that the AI and autonomy story is turning into actual operating progress.

Options traders are bracing for a meaningful move. Options data show an implied swing of about 6% into earnings, while another market readout points to roughly 7%. That suggests the market expects a sharp reaction even if results are only slightly different from forecasts.

For investors, the key question is whether Tesla can show that the fourth-quarter strength in margins and cash flow was more than a one-quarter lift.

Tesla Is Leaning Harder Into AI and Robotics

Teslas leadership believes the future is not just cars. CEO Elon Musk called 2025 a key year as the company widened its focus to include AI and robotics. Musk pointed to Optimus, Cybercab, and FSD as central parts of the plan.

That strategy also means higher spending. CFO Vaibhav Taneja said that Tesla expects more than $20 billion in capital expenditures in 2026 as it ramps up factories and chip work. The company has not offered formal full-year guidance, but analysts expect near-term pressure from these investments.

Teslas moves so far this year clearly show that shift. In March, the company and SpaceX unveiled plans for a $25 billion chip factory in Austin, Texas. Tesla also said that its Shanghai facility will be important for Optimus production, while Fremont is being retooled to make room for robots. In China, stronger competition from local EV makers has also added pressure.

What Does Wall Street Think of TSLA Stock?

Analysts remain divided on TSLA stock. The consensus rating is a Hold, with the average 12-month target at $400.58. That suggests minimal potential upside, with the stock currently trading near $391.

Some bullish analysts stress Teslas long-term vision. For instance, Morgan Stanley has an Equal Weight rating and a $415 target, noting Teslas expanding advantage in autonomy. Analysts argue that progress on unsupervised FSD is key to justifying the price. Similarly, Deutsche Bank analyst Edison Yu maintained a Buy rating and a $465 target, impressed by Teslas robotaxi and autonomy tech, though he flagged work needed on routing efficiency.

An all-time bull, Wedbush analyst Dan Ives recently reaffirmed his Outperform rating on Tesla, maintaining a $600 price target after the delivery miss, citing long-term upside from AI, robotaxi, and robotics expansion. Ives views Teslas chip development, including AI5 and the upcoming AI6, as central to its autonomy strategy.

On the other hand, skeptics warn of risks. UBS analyst Joseph Spak has turned Neutral on TSLA stock with a $352 target, citing soft EV demand and heavy capex.

www.barchart.com

On the date of publication, Nauman Khan 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
Cosmo Lady (China) Holdings, with a market cap of HK$948.02 million, recently announced a dividend increase to 1.6 Hong Kong cents per share for 2025, reflecting its commitment to shareholder returns. Despite a slight decline in sales and net income compared to the previous year, the company maintains strong financial health, with short-term assets exceeding both short-term and long-term liabilities. Its price-to-earnings ratio of 6.7x suggests it is undervalued relative to the Hong Kong market average. The management team and board are experienced, contributing positively to governance stability amidst an unstable dividend track record.

Overview: Cosmo Lady (China) Holdings Company Limited is an investment holding company involved in the design, research, development, and sale of branded intimate wear products in China with a market cap of HK$948.02 million.

Here we highlight a subset of our preferred stocks from the screener.

As global markets experience a positive shift with signs of de-escalation in the Middle East and strong earnings reports, investor sentiment is buoyed across major indices. In this context, penny stocksoften representing smaller or less-established companiesremain an intriguing investment area due to their potential for significant value growth. While the term may seem outdated, these stocks can offer opportunities for growth when backed by solid financials and a clear trajectory, making them worth watching for those interested in exploring under-the-radar investments.

Story Continues

SEHK:2298 Financial Position Analysis as at Apr 2026

Simply Wall St Financial Health Rating: 

Overview: Tian An China Investments Company Limited is an investment holding company that focuses on investing in, developing, and managing properties in the People's Republic of China, Hong Kong, and the United Kingdom with a market cap of HK$6.54 billion.

Operations: The company's revenue is primarily derived from Property Development at HK$7.78 billion, followed by Healthcare at HK$1.58 billion, Property Investment at HK$574.38 million, and Other Operations at HK$560.19 million.

Market Cap: HK$6.54B

Tian An China Investments has experienced a significant turnaround, reporting HK$10.5 billion in sales and HK$1.77 billion net income for 2025, compared to a loss the previous year. This improvement is largely due to revenue from The One Tian An Place project in Shanghai. The company declared an increased interim dividend of HKD 20 cents per share, indicating confidence in its financial health. With short-term assets exceeding liabilities and reduced debt levels, Tian An demonstrates solid balance sheet management. Its seasoned management and board enhance governance stability amid its volatile earnings history as a penny stock investment option.

SEHK:28 Financial Position Analysis as at Apr 2026

Simply Wall St Financial Health Rating: 

Overview: Sichuan Hebang Biotechnology Corporation Limited is involved in the production of agricultural, chemical, and new material products with a market cap of CN24.16 billion.

Operations: Sichuan Hebang Biotechnology Corporation Limited has not reported specific revenue segments.

Market Cap: CN24.16B

Sichuan Hebang Biotechnology has shown a mixed financial performance, with a recent report indicating sales of CN1.39 billion for Q1 2026, down from CN1.73 billion the previous year. Despite this decline in sales, net income rose significantly to CN173.59 million from CN12.52 million, suggesting improved operational efficiency or cost management. The company's short-term assets comfortably cover both short and long-term liabilities, reflecting strong liquidity management despite increasing debt levels over five years. However, its unprofitability and high share price volatility present challenges for investors considering it as a penny stock opportunity in Asia's market landscape.

SHSE:603077 Debt to Equity History and Analysis as at Apr 2026

Make It Happen

This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Companies discussed in this article include SEHK:2298 SEHK:28 and SHSE:603077.

This article was originally published by Simply Wall St.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com
NEW YORK (AP)  Launched by the Trump family four years ago with great fanfare, Truth Social was not just going take on Twitter and Facebook as a free speech alternative but maybe even challenge Netflix by streaming movies.

The stock soared. The business never took off.

On Tuesday, the parent company of the once hoped-for social media giant announced it was shaking up its leadership. Out is its long time CEO, former farmer turned Republican congressman Devin Nunes, replaced by seasoned digital executive, Kevin McGurn.

More from Yahoo Scout What potential conflicts of interest surround Trump Media? What new business ventures is Trump Media pursuing? Why did Trump Media replace CEO Devin Nunes? How has Truth Social's user base performed recently?

He has his work cut out for him.

Trump Media & Technology, which owns Truth Social, has diversified far away from its original social media mandate into cryptocurrency, finance, even nuclear power. Investors are still fleeing. The stock is down more than 60% since Donald Trump was reelected president in November 2024, wiping out $6 billion in shareholder wealth.

Born in anger  and controversy

Trump launched the social media platform in early 2022 after being banned by Twitter and Facebook from posting on their sites after the January 6, 2021, riots that aimed to overturn the election.

It was angry beginning for a business, and a messy one.

A publicly traded shell company that Truth Social merged with so it could tap stock traders for money was investigated by federal regulators for misleading investors, culminating in a multimillion-dollar penalty. A board member was even sentenced to prison for insider trading.

Then Trump got allowed back on Facebook and Twitter, a seeming victory for the then ex-president. But it also undercut his new business, as platforms  particularly X, the new name for Twitter  scaled back moderation, weakening the case for Truth Social as a refuge from censorship.

Heavy losses

Years later, Truth Social is still struggling to attract users beyond the president's core supporters despite his using it for major political announcements  a practice criticized by government ethics experts as a conflict of interest with the presidency. Truth Socials monthly audience declined both on the web and on its mobile app year-over-year in March, according to digital market analysis firm Similarweb.

Trump Media has lost more than $1 billion in the past two years and the stock has reflected those financial struggles. After closing at about $62 shortly after it went public in 2024, the stock has plunged into the single digits.

Enter crypto

As the platform has languished, the company has branched into other businesses.

In August, Trump Media said it was starting a new cryptocurrency business by teaming up with partners, including a company called Crypto.com. The idea was to hold massive amounts of a Crypto.com token called Cronos to create a Trump Media digital ecosystem" in which users could use them instead of dollars to make payments, earn rewards and pay for services.
(Bloomberg) -- Donald Trumps lawyer said JPMorgan Chase & Co. Chief Executive Officer Jamie Dimon cant escape liability for allegedly blacklisting the president after Jan. 6, 2021.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Trump claims that Dimon personally directed the bank to drop him as a client and then added his name to an industry blacklist in violation of a Florida unfair practices law. The presidents lawyer, Alejandro Brito, reasserted the allegation in a Monday filing urging a judge to keep the debanking case in the Sunshine State.

JPMorgan, which is seeking to move the case to New York, says Trump has advanced no evidence of Dimons role or whether the alleged blacklist even exists. Even if Trump had provided such evidence, the account agreements he signed as a JPMorgan client still require disputes be litigated in New York, the bank has said.

The suit is part of Trumps campaign against banks that he says have wrongfully denied services to conservatives. JPMorgan and Capital One Financial Corp. both closed accounts held by Trump or his businesses shortly after the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot, though neither bank has given specific reasons for closing the accounts.

JPMorgan in March moved the case to Miami federal court from state court and is now trying to transfer it to US District Court in Manhattan. But Trump is fighting to move the case back to state court based on Dimons alleged actions.

In Mondays filing, Brito acknowledged that highly regulated financial institutions may be exempt from civil suits under the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act. But no court has held the law automatically exempts a bank CEO from liability, the lawyer said.

The banks theories to the contrary fall short of filling this gaping hole in their arguments, the lawyer said.

JPMorgan declined to comment on Trumps latest filing. The bank has previously denied closing Trumps accounts for improper purposes.

We do close accounts because they create legal or regulatory risk for the company, JPMorgan said after the suit was filed. We regret having to do so but often rules and regulatory expectations lead us to do so.

The judge could rule on JPMorgans request to move the case to New York at any time.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek
By Rajesh Kumar Singh

CHICAGO, April 22 (Reuters) - United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby on Wednesday played down speculation about a potential tie-up with American Airlines and declined to comment on reports he had floated the idea to the White House.

"We've seen a lot of press coverage regarding consolidation rumors. We've not commented specifically on those reports and aren't going to start today," Kirby said on United's earnings call.

He said his earlier comments reflected long-held views about the airline industry but were being interpreted differently in light of the merger reports.

Kirby raised the idea of a combination with American during a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in late February, people familiar with the matter told Reuters last week. The meeting had been scheduled to discuss the future of Washington's Dulles airport.

American has said it is not interested in pursuing a deal.

"Everything that I've said  are things that I have said in the past," Kirby said, adding the comments were being viewed differently "because of the rumors that came out last week."

In an interview with Reuters on Tuesday, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy called the proposal "interesting" but said United would need to make a stronger case for consumers.

Trump said on Tuesday he opposes a potential merger between the two airlines.

FOCUS ON GLOBAL COMPETITION

Kirby framed his thinking in terms of long-term competition, arguing that U.S. airlines face structural disadvantages against large carriers in the Middle East and Asia.

"There is this big global trade deficit," he told analysts on Wednesday, referring to international aviation, but did not spell out what changes might be needed, saying any solution would come with "complications."

He emphasized that United's growth has come from winning customers across segments rather than relying on consolidation. He pointed to investments in onboard products and technology and said the approach has helped the airline perform strongly despite a sharp rise in fuel costs.

Kirby also highlighted the role of partnerships, saying United's global reach is supported by its Star Alliance network, which allows it to serve destinations that would not be viable on its own.

"I think it's extremely unlikely that we'll open a foreign hub anywhere," he said.

(Reporting by Rajesh Kumar SinghEditing by Rod Nickel)
Warburtons is to acquire the former Rathbones bakery in the UK as part of a wider investment programme of more than 100m ($135.1m).

In a statement, the bakery group said it has agreed a deal with Myton Food Group, the manufacturing arm of retailer Morrisons, for the land, buildings and machinery at the closed site in Wakefield, northern England.

The facility will become Warburtons 13th bakery.

The acquisition follows Morrisons closure of the loss-making Rathbones plant in January as part of a restructuring exercise.

Rathbones had been under review by Morrisons since late 2024.

Warburtons, which sells Toastie bread, bagels, and crumpets, plans to reopen the plant to make branded products. It did not disclose the purchasing price for the facility.

Jonathan Warburton, chairman of the group, said: We are extremely pleased to have agreed a deal on the former Rathbones site and look forward to welcoming new colleagues to the business very soon.

The family-owned business said the Wakefield site is expected to create more than 40 jobs across manufacturing, warehousing and distribution when it becomes operational in September.

Alongside the Wakefield deal, Warburtons is doubling the size of its gluten-free bakery in Newburn and adding a new distribution centre in Biggleswade.

The company is also installing three production lines across its existing network: a pancake line in Bolton and two crumpet lines in Burnley.

The Newburn redevelopment is due to be completed in the autumn.

The new lines will support product innovation and enable Warburtons to meet the growing consumer demand, Warburtons said.

The latest programme follows Warburtons purchase of the former Roberts Bakery site in Ilkeston.

The deal comes amid wider consolidation in the UK bakery sector.

Last month, the UKs competition watchdog provisionally cleared Associated British Foods move to acquire bread rival Hovis.

In October, Roberts Bakery in Northwich was rescued by Ranjit Singh Boparan's private-investment company.

"Warburtons to buy closed Rathbones bakery plant" was originally created and published by Just Food, a GlobalData owned brand.




Warren Buffett has made another notable portfolio move, slashing Berkshire Hathaway's Amazon stake by more than 77% while also opening a new position in The New York Times. The shift shows Buffett continuing to rotate away from some big tech holdings and into what looks like a more selective mix of media and traditional businesses.

The Amazon sale is the headline move. Berkshire reduced its holdings to roughly 2.3 million shares after first building the position in 2019, a sharp reversal for a company that once viewed Amazon as one of its most interesting large-cap bets.

Berkshire sold most of its Amazon stake

According to the latest filing, as reported by The Motley Fool, Berkshire trimmed its Amazon position by more than 75% in the quarter, leaving the stake worth only a small fraction of the firm's overall portfolio. The reduction appears to be part of a broader reshuffling of Berkshire's equity book rather than a one-off trade.

That matters because Amazon had represented one of Buffett's more surprising modern-era investments.

Related: Elon Musk Wants Warren Buffett as a Tesla Shareholder

He had long said he regretted not buying the stock earlier, so a large reduction suggests the thesis has changed, the valuation has become less attractive, or Berkshire simply prefers other opportunities right now.

It also fits a broader pattern. Berkshire has been trimming other large holdings, too, including Apple and Bank of America, which suggests Buffett has been steadily reducing concentration in some of his biggest positions.

Berkshire's New York Times bet

At the same time, Berkshire initiated a new position in The New York Times worth about $351.7 million, or roughly 5.1 million shares. That makes the newspaper company one of the more interesting new additions to Berkshire's public portfolio.

The move is notable because Buffett once called the newspaper industry "toast," The Motley Fool noted, after Berkshire exited its newspaper ownership years ago. Buying into The New York Times now suggests he sees something different in the modern digital version of the business.

That is the real story here. Berkshire is not backing the old print model; it is backing a company that has turned itself into a scaled subscription and digital media platform.

The New York Times generated approximately $551 million in free cash flow, the kind of performance that matters to Warren Buffett-style investing.Blue/Getty Images

Why Buffett bought into The New York Times

The numbers tell most of the story. The New York Times ended 2025 with 12.8 million total subscribers after adding 1.4 million net new digital subscribers during the year, according to Yahoo Finance. That puts it on pace to hit its stated goal of 15 million subscribers by the end of 2027.
Coty Inc (NYSE:COTY) is among the must-buy penny stocks to invest in now. Coty Inc (NYSE:COTY) is undertaking a strategic review of its consumer beauty business. However, the company told Reuters on April 16 that it was not in talks to sell its prestige brands. This was in response to a media story that Coty was looking to sell its Hugo Boss and Burberry brands to a Paris-based company called Interparfums. Interparfums also came out to deny that it was involved in discussions to purchase the Coty brands, according to the Reuters report.

Why Coty Inc (COTY) Wont Touch These Brands in Its Strategic Review

Ollyy/Shutterstock.com

Under the interim CEO Markus Strobel, Coty is working on turning around its performance. This effort includes focusing on core brands like Hugo Boss and Burberry, which account for 69% of its sales. These brands are not part of the consumer beauty business under strategic review.

Coty announced the strategic review of its consumer beauty division on September 30, 2025. It said the review could lead to divestitures, spinoffs, or partnerships. Meanwhile, the company said it was committed to growing its prestige division through blockbuster launches as well as brand enhancements. The company also said that it was focused on strengthening its revenue and profit engine.

Amid the turnaround efforts, Coty recently refreshed its board. The company announced on March 18 that it had appointed five new independent directors. It said the new directors bring decades of industry expertise and leadership experience. Cotys revenue rose 1% YoY to $1.68 billion in the December 2025 quarter.

Coty Inc (NYSE:COTY), headquartered in Amsterdam, Netherlands, is a multinational beauty company. It manufactures and sells skin care, hair care, nail care, fragrances, and cosmetic products. Coty was founded in 1904.

While we acknowledge the potential of COTY 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: 8 Must-Buy Small Cap Stocks to Buy and 10 Best Medical AI Stocks to Buy Now.

Disclosure: None. Follow Insider Monkey on Google News.
Eaton Corporation plc (NYSE:ETN) is listed among the 10 Best European Stocks to Buy According to Analysts.

On April 13, Citigroup Inc. raised the firms price target on Eaton Corporation plc (NYSE:ETN) to $464 from $435 while maintaining a Buy rating. The firm updated targets across the industrial sector and stated that gradually improving industrial trends remain intact, which should support solid first-quarter earnings across many names in the group.

On April 8, Eaton Corporation plc (NYSE:ETN) announced an investment of more than $30 million to expand U.S. production of medium-voltage switchgear used to protect, control, and isolate electrical systems in data centers, utilities, and industrial power networks. The company will open a new manufacturing facility near Omaha, Nebraska, designed to support the high-volume and speed requirements of artificial intelligence data center customers.

Eaton Corporation plc (NYSE:ETN) is a global intelligent power management company that provides energy-efficient solutions for electrical, aerospace, and vehicle applications. The company is formally headquartered in Dublin while maintaining significant operational headquarters in Beachwood. Eaton was founded in 1911.

While we acknowledge the potential of ETN 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 High Growth Canadian Stocks to Buy Now and 8 Best Up and Coming Semiconductor Stocks to Buy.

Disclosure: None. Follow Insider Monkey on Google News.
What Happened?

Shares of oilfield services company ProPetro (NYSE:PUMP) jumped 5.2% in the afternoon session after positive sentiment swept through the oilfield services sector after industry giant Halliburton reported first-quarter profits that beat Wall Street estimates.

Halliburton, a major competitor, posted an adjusted profit of 55 cents per share, surpassing analysts' expectations of 50 cents. The strong performance was driven by steady demand in Latin America and Europe, which successfully offset a slowdown in the Middle East. The positive results from a key industry player suggested that the overall demand for oilfield services remained healthy. This news appeared to boost investor confidence in the entire sector, lifting shares of related companies like ProPetro.

Is now the time to buy ProPetro? Access our full analysis report here, its free.

What Is The Market Telling Us

ProPetros shares are extremely volatile and have had 42 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 19 days ago when the stock gained 4.3% on the news that geopolitical tensions in the Middle East escalated, pushing crude oil prices sharply higher.

President Trump's televised remarks signaled that the U.S. conflict with Iran could continue for several more weeks, increasing investor nervousness. This uncertainty drove West Texas Intermediate and Brent crude prices up. With supply potentially constrained, markets expected that higher global oil prices would be reflected in stronger earnings for oil and gas companies.

ProPetro is up 49.1% since the beginning of the year, and at $14.64 per share, it is trading close to its 52-week high of $14.91 from March 2026. Investors who bought $1,000 worth of ProPetros shares 5 years ago would now be looking at an investment worth $1,600.

ALSO WORTH WATCHING: Nvidias Quiet Partner. Nvidias chips cost a hundred grand. The connectors that make them work cost even more. One company makes them all.

Every AI server needs specialized infrastructure the chip companies dont make. High-speed cables. Power connectors. Thermal sensors. This 90-year-old company built a monopoly on it. The AI boom just started. This stock is still flying under the radar. Claim The Stock Ticker Here for FREE.
PepsiCo just pulled off something rare in the food industry: It got consumers to come back.

For the past few years, food companies raised prices so aggressively that shoppers revolted, trading down to store brands and buying less. Now the industry is running the playbook in reverse, cutting prices and investing more in marketing and innovation.

Most Read from The Wall Street Journal

The strategy makes sense in theory. In practice, it is proving brutally difficult. PepsiCo, which owns the massive Frito-Lay snacking empire, has more breathing space than most. Still, its effective use of price reductions might point the way for rivals.

Last week, the food and beverage giant reported a quarterly earnings beat and reaffirmed its full-year guidance. Crucially, its North American food division, which includes the likes of Lays and Doritos, saw volume growth of 2% after several consecutive quarters of declines. Its international business grew even faster. For a food industry that has been losing volume to private-label alternatives, it is a remarkable feat, especially given the fact that companywide margins actually expanded.

The results were the early signs of progress under a plan hashed out with activist investor Elliott Management last December. The two sides agreed on a straightforward logic: Cut costs aggressively, trim the product lineup, then use the savings to lower prices and reinvest in the business to win consumers back.

In February, the company cut prices on many of its snack products, including Lays, Doritos and Cheetos. To fund it, PepsiCo has been reducing head count, closing plants and streamlining what it sells.

Size helps. PepsiCos massive scale, parallel beverages business and vast distribution network give it the financial cushion to restructure and invest in consumers at the same timesomething smaller or more narrowly focused rivals have found harder to pull off.

Weve got some things that are really working in our favor that allow us to play offense as much as we have to grow volume, Chief Financial Officer Stephen Schmitt said on the companys earnings call last week. PepsiCo has also pushed into restaurants and convenience stores and added better-for-you products such as Siete chips, a category which is experiencing better revenue expansion than the rest of the business.
By Karen Freifeld

April 22(Reuters) - Micron Technology, the largest U.S. memory chipmaker, is a driving force pushing the U.S. Congress to pass legislation that would put new export restrictions on equipment its Chinese competitors use to make their chips, according to people familiar with the matter.

More from Yahoo Scout Why is Micron pushing for stricter Chinese chipmaking equipment controls? How are Chinese memory chipmakers growing despite existing U.S. restrictions? What is the MATCH Act and what restrictions would it impose? What companies would be affected by the proposed export restrictions?

A U.S. House of Representatives panel on Wednesday is set to vote on the "MATCH Act," a bill designed to close gaps in restrictions on chipmaking equipment. It would also pressure foreign companies that sell equipment to Chinese chipmaking facilities to align with export curbs on U.S. companies like Lam Research and Applied Materials.

The bill targets facilities operated by China's ChangXin Memory Technologies (CXMT), Yangtze Memory Technologies (YMTC), and Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp, as well as critical technology countrywide.

Micron has told lawmakers that Washington needs to do more to inhibit Chinese development in the memory market, according to people familiar with the matter. They said increased U.S. action is necessary to prevent China from dominating memory chip manufacturing the way it has the solar energy industry and other sectors, and is a national security issue.

Micron did not respond to requests for comment. CXMT, YMTC and SMIC did not respond to requests for comment.

Korean chipmakers Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix now dominate the memory market, with Micron the No. 3 maker and sole major U.S. supplier.

But YMTC and CXMT are growing fast, despite curbs on exports to them imposed by the U.S. Commerce Department.

YMTC has been on a restricted trade list since 2022. CXMT's advanced facilities have been subject to U.S. export curbs.

The bill as now drafted would restrict more equipment from going to China -- including DUV immersion machines countrywide, a market dominated by Netherlands' ASML -- and legislate how to impose restrictions if diplomacy fails.

It also would require a license for ASML and other foreign companies to service equipment at covered facilities.

Micron representatives have engaged with lawmakers throughout the drafting process, sources said. They added that about a month ago, Micron CEO Sanjay Mehrotra held a closed-door roundtable with members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

He held a similar roundtable last month with Republicans on the Senate Banking Committee, according to a person familiar with the matter.

Micron, based in Boise, Idaho, is building a megafacility in New York. Other companies in the industry are also lobbying on the bill, said one source, citing Tokyo Electron and U.S. toolmakers Lam Research, Applied Materials and KLA, who lose sales from export controls.
China issues guidelines to improve capacity, quality of service sector

Xinhua) 08:26, April 22, 2026

BEIJING, April 21 (Xinhua) -- China has issued a new set of guidelines aimed at expanding capacity and upgrading the quality of the service sector.

The guidelines, released by the State Council on Tuesday, state that the total scale of China's service sector is expected to reach 100 trillion yuan (about 14.58 trillion U.S. dollars) by 2030.

More "China Services" brands will be fostered by then, with the sector's global competitiveness and influence significantly enhanced, and people's sense of gain steadily improving, according to the guidelines.

Efforts should be made to strengthen the supporting role of science and technology services, enhance the competitiveness of modern logistics, and accelerate innovation-driven development in software and information services.

Priority should also be given to expanding the supply of high-quality services for residents, improving the elderly care and childcare services, enhancing the quality of health services, and fostering new models in culture, tourism and sports-related services, according to the guidelines.

China attaches great importance to the development of the service sector. The country held its first national conference on the service sector earlier this month, while its latest five-year plan also calls for improving the sector's quality, efficiency and competitiveness.

In 2025, China's service sector made up 57.7 percent of GDP and contributed 61.4 percent to the country's economic growth. It also provided around half of the country's total employment.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
April 20 (Reuters) - Pfizer's Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer, Andrew Baum, is transitioning to a new role and will eventually leave the company as part of the U.S. drugmaker's strategic simplification, according to an analyst note on Monday.

Baum, who joined Pfizer in 2024, will transition into the role of senior strategic advisor to CEO Albert Bourla before fully exiting the company by the end of this year, according to a BMO Capital Markets note.

The drugmaker and Baum were not immediately available for comment when contacted by Reuters.

"This move is likely reflective of continued operational simplification at the company rather than a major strategic shift," BMO analysts said.

Baum was a long-time analyst at Citi, where he served as head of global healthcare and managing director of equity research, before joining Pfizer. Prior to his role at Citi, Baum covered European pharmaceuticals at Morgan Stanley.

He will still be involved in helping manage the company's higher-level strategy but less involved in the day-to-day operations, the note said.

(Reporting by Kunal Das in Bengaluru; Editing by Vijay Kishore)
By Mike Stone and Aishwarya Jain

April 21 (Reuters) - Defense contractor RTX on Tuesday lifted its 2026 profit and revenue forecasts, betting on sustained aftermarket sales and growing demand for its missile systems and other weapons amid rising geopolitical tensions.

The Pentagon has been seeking to replenish its weapons inventory, which has come under pressure due to the Iran war and other recent military operations.

More from Yahoo Scout What's behind RTX's commercial aftermarket sales growth? What drove RTX's raised 2026 profit forecasts? How are geopolitical tensions affecting RTX's business? How did RTX perform in Q1 2024?

The United States has used up billions of dollars worth of weapons, including artillery systems, ammunition and anti-tank missiles, since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, and during Israel's military operations in Gaza.

Defense contractors stand to benefit significantly from the Pentagon's rush to boost its stockpiles.

In April, RTX secured a contract to supply Patriot GEM-T interceptor missiles worth $3.7 billion to Ukraine.

Its Raytheon business, which makes air and missile defense, sensors and radars, as well as space-based systems, reported a 10% jump in first-quarter sales to $6.95 billion.

RTX has also gained from robust demand for aircraft maintenance and repair, as delivery delays and supply-chain disruptions keep airlines flying older, more maintenance-heavy jets.

Commercial aftermarket sales rose 19% in its Pratt and Whitney segment, which has been in focus after Airbus alleged that the unit over-promised on engine shipments while diverting engines to repair shops.

The European planemaker is seeking potential damages, Reuters reported in March.

RTX reported first-quarter revenue of $22.08 billion, rising 9% from a year earlier.

Its adjusted per-share profit rose 21% to $1.78.

It now expects a full-year adjusted per-share profit of $6.7 to $6.9, up from $6.6 to $6.8 previously.

RTX lifted its 2026 revenue forecast to $92.5 billion to $93.5 billion from $92 billion to $93 billion previously.

(Reporting by Aishwarya Jain in Bengaluru; Editing by Shinjini Ganguli)
By Anmol Choubey

April 21 (Reuters) - Oil prices fell on Tuesday, reversing gains in the previous session, on expectations peace talks between the U.S. and Iran will take place this week and allow more supply to flow from the key Middle East producing region.

Brent (BZ=F) futures declined 95 cents, or 1%, at $94.53, as of 0003 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (CL=F) crude futures for May fell $1.54, or 1.72%, to $88.07. The May contract expires on Tuesday and the more-active June contract was down $1.09, or 1.3%, at $86.37.

Both benchmarks surged on Monday, with Brent up 5.6% and WTI up 6.9%, after Iran again shut the Strait of Hormuz, closing the key oil transport artery, and the U.S. seized an Iranian cargo ship as part of its blockade of the country's ports.

Still, investors are focusing on the likelihood talks this week will result in the extension of the existing ceasefire or a final agreement, though the chance of further conflict and disruptions to oil flows remains.

Iran is weighing participation in the peace talks in Pakistan, a senior Iranian official told Reuters on Monday, following Islamabad's efforts to end the U.S. blockade.

The blockade has posed a major hurdle to Tehran rejoining peace efforts, with the current two-week ceasefire set to expire this week.

"We continue to lean toward an MOU being signed and/or the ceasefire being extended this week, potentially evolving into a broader agreement," analysts at Citi said in a note. "That said, we remain prepared to pivot toward a more protracted disruption scenario should negotiations falter this week."

Underscoring the uncertainty around the talks, the Iranian official stressed that no decision has been made to attend, as Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said "continued violations of the ceasefire" by the U.S. is a hindrance to further negotiations.

Separately, Iran's top negotiator and parliament speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf reiterated that Tehran would not negotiate under threats.

Shipping activity through the Strait of Hormuz, an essential corridor for about one-fifth of the world's oil supply, remained limited on Monday.

If disruptions to the strait persist for another month, total losses could rise to about 1.3 billion barrels, with prices likely near $110 a barrel in the second quarter of 2026, Citi said.

Kuwait declared force majeure on oil shipments due to the strait's blockade, Bloomberg News reported.

The higher prices caused by the closure of the strait have cut oil demand by about 3% so far, analysts at Societe Generale said in a client note.
April 22 (Reuters) - U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer has told American allies they must pay more for critical minerals sourced from outside China, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday.

U.S. allies must be ready to pay a national security premium for the minerals, which would be sourced from within a proposed group of trading partners including Europe, Greer told the FT in an interview.

More from Yahoo Scout What is the national security premium for critical minerals? How would price mechanisms work for rare earth minerals? Which trading partners would join this mineral alliance? Why does the U.S. want alternatives to China's minerals?

There is a premium we pay, and I call it the national security premium, and we will all pay a national security premium to have a secure supply chain, Greer said in the interview.

Greer, who has been drawing up a draft of specific details to share with partners, said he blamed countries' fixation on business costs for Western reliance on China for key minerals.

When trading partners express concerns about the economic cost of price floors or mechanisms, I just say: what youre talking about, which is cost efficiency, this is why we are in the situation were in, Greer said.

Greer has earlier said that there needs to be some kind of price mechanism on rare earth minerals.

The U.S. has been trying to get access to critical mineral reserves, especially rare earth supply chains currently dominated by Chinese players.

(Reporting by Chandni Shah in Bengaluru; Editing by Christian Schmollinger and Muralikumar Anantharaman)
Central Puerto S.A. (NYSE:CEPU) is one of the

8 Most Profitable Utility Stocks to Invest In Now.

On April 13, 2026, Central Puerto S.A. (NYSE:CEPU) announced its entry into the oil and gas business by acquiring 100% of Patagonia Energy S.A with Patagonia Assets Limited. The transaction represents the firms entry into Vaca Muerta, adding assets in the Aguada del Chivato and Aguada Bocarey domains, covering around 110 km in the Neuquen Basin. The move broadens its energy matrix and supports its aim of developing an integrated energy platform in Argentina.

Central Puerto S.A. (NYSE:CEPU) reported fourth-quarter revenue of $172.8 million, a 3% increase year-over-year. The companys adjusted EBITDA fell 16% to $84.7 million from $101.1 million in the previous quarter. Total generation was 3,957 GWh, down 13% sequentially and 27% year over year.

Central Puerto S.A. (CEPU) Enters Vaca Muerta and Joins the Oil & Gas Sector

Central Puerto S.A. (NYSE:CEPU) secured a $245 million bid in January 2026 to extend the Piedra del Aguila concession until 2055. The corporation also expanded its renewable portfolio by bringing the 15 MW San Carlos solar plant online. The firm finished the 420 MW Brigadier Lopez combined-cycle operation while scheduling Lujan de Cuyo maintenance, with a planned return in the second half of 2026.

Central Puerto S.A. (NYSE:CEPU) generates and distributes electricity. It operates in four segments: Electric Power Generation from Conventional Sources; Electric Power Generation from Renewable Sources; Natural Gas Transport and Distribution; Forest and Others.

While we acknowledge the potential of CEPU 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.
Chinese officials have said they will revive a multibillion-dollar coal gasification project, in part due to global gas supply disruptions caused by the U.S. and Isreal's war with Iran. The so-called Fuxin project began in 2011. The strategy, which was launched by state-owned China Datang Corp. with an estimated price tag of $3.7 billion, was halted three years later. Officials at the time cited technical and environmental issues, along with cost and market considerations, for the suspension. Bloomberg on April 19 reported that China's surplus of coal, along with damage to gas supply infrastructure in the Middle East, has led Chinese officials to look at restarting the project. A local newspaper report, citing the project's general manager, said China Datang plans to bring the plant online in October. Reports said China Datang resumed construction of the project in Fuxin, in Liaoning Province in northeast China, last fall. Additional reports have said China has as many as 13 coal-to-gas projects either in the planning stages or under construction. Those reports said operation of all those projects could increase synthetic gas production capacity in China to an amount equal to 12% of the country's current gas supply.

Multiple Coal Projects Planned

Global Energy Monitor, a research group, earlier this year said China could bring up to 85 coal-fired power generation units online in 2026. The government's latest five-year plan calls for more energy development in regions like Xinjiang in the western part of the country, an area of cheap coal that would bring more profit if converted to gas, according to analysts. POWER last year reported that China was continuing to build more coal-fired generation capacity to support the country's economy and energy security. Coal continues to pace China's power generation even as the country builds more renewable energy projects. China began planning those coal-based projects well before the Middle East war, said Wang Haohao, an analyst with China-based OilChem. Haohao told the Financial Post, Improved profitability is encouraging investors to accelerate construction. POWER also has reported that China is looking to convert retired coal-fired units to nuclear power as part of the China Energy Engineering Group's "Coal to Nuclear," or C2N, strategy. Darrell Proctor is a senior editor for POWER.
(By Oil & Gas 360)  Colombias oil and gas sector is at a turning point. It remains one of Latin Americas more established producers, with meaningful output, functioning infrastructure, and a strong national oil company.

Colombias energy balancing act: Production strength, investment uncertainty, and political risk- oil and gas 360

At the same time, policy direction, political uncertainty, and declining reserves are reshaping how investors view the country.

What used to be a relatively straightforward upstream story is now a more complex, risk-adjusted investment case.

Colombia continues to produce roughly 600,000750,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day, anchored by mature basins such as the Llanos and the Magdalena Valley.

Ecopetrol, the state-controlled operator, remains the backbone of the sector, targeting roughly 730,000740,000 boe/d through continued drilling and development activity.

But beneath that stability, the underlying trend is more concerning. Mature fields are declining, reserve replacement has slowed, and new exploration activity is limited.

On the gas side, the situation is even tighter, with Colombia moving toward increased reliance on imports as domestic supply declines and demand rises.

There is still meaningful capital going into the sector. Ecopetrol plans to invest $67 billion annually, with the majority directed toward upstream oil and gas development. Private capital remains active as well, particularly in producing assets, reflecting continued interest in near-term cash flow.

However, the nature of that investment is changing. Investors are increasingly prioritizing existing production over exploration risk, favoring shorter-cycle projects and structuring capital with greater sensitivity to political risk.

The current environment is being treated as a wait-and-see period, with elections and policy direction influencing investment timing.

The most significant shift has come from government policy. The decision to stop issuing new oil and gas exploration licenses has effectively capped long-term supply growth. Existing contracts will continue to produce, but the pipeline for future development is narrowing.

This creates a defined runway for Colombias oil sector. Production may remain stable in the near term, but longer-term growth is constrained unless policy direction changes.

The broader political climate adds another layer of complexity. Election cycles, evolving regulatory frameworks, and questions around investor protections are contributing to uncertainty. Developments within Ecopetrol and broader institutional dynamics have also drawn increased scrutiny.

At the same time, the government is navigating a difficult balance. Oil remains a major contributor to exports and fiscal revenue, yet policy is increasingly aligned with energy transition goals. Renewable energy is not yet scaled to replace hydrocarbon revenues, creating a gap between current economic needs and future policy direction.
GasEntec and its affiliates have signed agreements with ELTON Logistics & Services to supply a jetty-based liquefied natural gas (LNG) regasification unit (JRU) and related onshore equipment for the Dakar LNG terminal in Senegal.

The company aims to deliver first gas on an accelerated timeline, with full terminal operations planned for the first half of 2027 (H1 2027).

Located in Dakar, the LNG terminal will serve as a major import facility in West Africa. It will provide natural gas to the 300MW combined-cycle power plant at Cap des Biches in Dakar.

The terminal will also supply other power stations, industrial clients and various other users.

The contract was issued to fulfil pressing needs in Senegals energy sector.

Headquartered in South Korea, GasEntec has supplied LNG infrastructure to regions including Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Europe and the Americas, working with government, utility and industrial partners.

GasEntec chairman Arieh Mimran said: We are honoured to support Senegals energy transition. The Dakar LNG Terminal symbolises an unprecedented effort toward the countrys rapid development.

It is a privilege to oversee GasEntec as it provides critical assets for this great nations sovereignty.

Based in Senegal, ELTON Logistics & Services operates as an energy infrastructure company in West Africa.

It functions as a fully owned subsidiary of ELTON Oil Company, which has supplied oil products for power generation in the region for more than 26 years.

ELTON Oil Company also has a presence in Guinea-Conakry, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania and Cote dIvoire.

ELTON Logistics & Services CEO Babacar Tall said: This terminal represents a momentous step in strengthening Senegals energy security and supporting the nations accelerating industrial growth.

We are thrilled to work with GasEntec, which brings its global credentials in LNG regasification technology and development.

"GasEntec to supply LNG regasification unit for Dakar terminal" was originally created and published by Offshore Technology, a GlobalData owned brand.




Geronimo Power begins operations at its 270MW Blevins Solar Project in Falls County, Texas, US, introducing a major renewable energy facility in the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) market.

The project will supply power through two previously signed power purchase agreements (PPAs) with Fujifilm and Bristol Myers Squibb announced in November 2023.

Under the agreements, Fujifilm will receive 125MW of solar power, while Bristol Myers Squibb will receive 145MW.

Bristol Myers Squibb environment & sustainability enablement executive director Briana Marvuglio said: Blevins reflects how Bristol Myers Squibb is embedding sustainability into the core of our operations, not as a singular initiative, but as a strategic lever that strengthens resilience and advances performance.

By investing in renewable energy at scale, we are redefining how environmental stewardship supports long-term business continuity and drives better outcomes for the patients we serve.

Over the next two decades, the Blevins Solar Project is projected to produce an economic impact of approximately $33.8m, including an estimated $32.5m in tax revenue for Falls County, as well as school and emergency districts.

The development phase created approximately 400 construction jobs, with three to four full-time operational roles expected to be sustained over its lifespan.

On the environmental front, Blevins is expected to offset over nine million metric tonnes of CO 2 emissions in its initial 20 years, mirroring the effect of taking around 101,700 cars off the road annually.

Additionally, the facility will produce enough energy to meet the annual electricity needs of around 88,900 homes.

Geronimo operations vice president Gemma Smith said: The Blevins project reflects Geronimos commitment to building energy infrastructure that delivers real value to communities.

Working alongside partners such as Fujifilm and Bristol Myers Squibb, were delivering dependable power and meaningful economic investment, while advancing our shared commitment to community-focused, responsibly built clean energy.

Earlier this month, the company started commercial operations at its 117MW Dodson Creek Solar Project in Highland County, Ohio, US.

"Geronimo Power commences operations at 270MW Blevins Solar Project" was originally created and published by Power Technology, a GlobalData owned brand.




(By Oil & Gas 360)  Greenland has been called the next frontier in oil and gas for decades. Whats changing now is that the conversation is shifting from possibility to relevance.

Greenland: Big oil bet or Arctic mirage?- oil and gas 360

As global supply becomes more fragmented and geopolitical risk reshapes energy flows, previously overlooked regions are coming back into focus. Greenland sits squarely in that category, remote, complex, but increasingly hard to ignore in a world searching for new sources of supply.

The resource case is real. Recent assessments suggest the Jameson Land Basin alone could hold more than 13 billion barrels of prospective oil, placing it among the most significant undeveloped basins globally.

More broadly, the East Greenland Rift system has long been viewed as a major hydrocarbon province, with geological similarities to producing regions across the North Atlantic.

What makes this different from past cycles is timing.

Three forces are pulling Greenland back into the conversation. Global supply uncertainty is forcing companies and governments to look beyond traditional producing regions. Arctic accessibility is improving, extending operational windows and making development more technically feasible. And geopolitics is elevating the value of resources located in stable, Western-aligned jurisdictions.

That combination is drawing capital and attention back to a basin that has remained largely untouched. There are early signs of momentum.

New exploration companies are forming, historical seismic data is being reinterpreted, and drilling campaigns are being planned, with initial wells expected to begin in the next phase of development.

That shift, from concept to potential execution, is what turns a frontier into a real investment story.

But the challenges are substantial. There is little to no existing infrastructure, meaning everything from logistics to export capacity would need to be built.

Operating conditions remain harsh, with remote geography and extreme weather driving costs higher. And despite decades of interest, Greenland has yet to deliver a commercial discovery, leaving exploration risk firmly in place.

Policy also remains a factor. Environmental concerns and political sensitivity around Arctic development continue to shape how, and whether, projects move forward at scale.

Thats why Greenland is not a near-term supply solution.

It is a long-duration option. And that may be exactly where its value lies.

In todays market, energy security is increasingly tied to diversification, access, and control over supply chains. Greenland offers potential exposure to all three, even if production timelines remain uncertain.
(Bloomberg) -- Iranian gunboats fired on commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz while the US intercepted two of the Islamic Republics oil tankers.

Most Read from Bloomberg

A cargo ship and a container vessel came under fire in the waterway on Wednesday, according to a UK Maritime Trade Operations social-media post. Meanwhile, US Central Command refuted a report by analytics firm Vortexa that said Iranian supertankers had evaded the American Navy blockade.

The tankers Hero II and Hedy were intercepted by US forces earlier this week, and the vessel Dorena has been under escort of a US Navy destroyer in the Indian Ocean, Central Command said in a post on X.

Since the US blockade began, naval forces have seized an Iran-linked cargo vessel, boarded a sanctioned oil tanker east of Sri Lanka, and turned back at least 29 vessels.

Separately, Iranian state TV reported that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps had seized two ships  identified as the MSC Francesca and Epaminondas  in Hormuz and brought them to shore for inspection. The Wall Street Journal reported that both came under attack, as well as a third, the Euphoria.

Technomar Shipping Inc., the manager of the Epaminondas, confirmed the vessels bridge was damaged after being fired upon and that its priority is the ships crew. The managers of the other two vessels, as listed on the Equasis international shipping database, didnt immediately respond to requests for comment.

The moves underscore Tehrans increasingly aggressive stance in the face of US pressure at a time when talks between the two sides are in limbo. They also demonstrate the challenges of resolving a conflict that has eliminated a billion barrels of oil supply, according to top traders.

Supertankers

The Iranian crude carrier Diona appeared to turn back after entering the Arabian Sea from Hormuz, TankerTrackers.com co-founder Samir Madani said.

Iran shut Hormuz shortly after coming under attack from the US and Israel at the end of February.

The latest incidents demonstrate that, while US President Donald Trump has said that Irans navy has been destroyed, Tehrans deployment of small boats to target commercial shipping remains a terrifying prospect.

New Approach

Washington initially responded to the closure of Hormuz by encouraging the Islamic Republics barrels to flow to buyers in an attempt to contain spiraling oil prices. It switched tactics on April 13, imposing a blockade of its own on Iranian shipping.
[Getty Images]

German airline Lufthansa will cut 20,000 European short-haul flights over the summer, saying soaring fuel prices have made many journeys "unprofitable" for the firm.

Jet fuel has doubled in price since the start of the US-Israel war with Iran as the conflict has slowed its production and transportation across the Middle East.

Several airlines, including KLM-France and Delta, have also temporarily cut some flights while others have raised ticket prices as they pass on expenses to customers.

Analysts have warned that travellers should expect further ticket price rises and more cancelled flights as the conflict continues.

The Gulf is a major source of aviation fuel, accounting for about 50% of Europe's imports. The bulk of it comes through the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has effectively closed in response to US and Israeli attacks.

Lufthansa said on Tuesday it would save roughly 40,000 metric tons of jet fuel through its flight cuts, the majority of which will come from the closure of its CityLine service.

It said this means it will temporarily stop flying to and from Heringsdorf, Cork, Gdansk, Ljubljana, Rijeka, Sibiu, Stuttgart, Trondheim, Tivat, and Wrocaw.

The firm will either refund affected passengers or book them on to alternative flights with one of its other airlines  SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, and ITA Airways  where possible.

Some of the flight cuts could become permanent. Lufthansa said it was reviewing its whole European schedule and would release more details later in April.

Shortage concerns

The International Energy Agency warned last week that Europe could run out of jet fuel in weeks, though the UK government and airlines say they are not seeing a disruption in supply.

The EU said on Wednesday it will set up a fuel observatory to track EU production, imports, exports and stock levels of transport fuels to identify potential shortages.

It said it hoped this would "mitigate the impact of high fuel prices and possible fuel shortages on the EU aviation sector".

Lufthansa said on Tuesday it was cutting down its European network, but that passengers will "continue to have access to the global route network, particularly long-haul connections".

"However, due to the increase in jet fuel prices, this will be achieved significantly more efficiently than before."

Tuesday's announcement comes after it said last week it was accelerating the closure of CityLine, retiring 27 aircraft, due to "significantly increased" fuel prices and "additional burdens from labour disputes".
Spirit Airlines emergence out of its second bankruptcy in as many years is under pressure as jet fuel prices soar.

On Feb. 24, just days before the war in Iran began, Spirit announced that it expected to exit Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the late spring or early summer, after striking a deal with its lenders and secured creditors. Since then, the war has severely limited tanker traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, spiking oil and jet fuel prices, which has reverberated through the airline industry and, rumor has it, jeopardizing Spirits tenuous finances.

More from Yahoo Scout How do current fuel prices compare to Spirit's restructuring projections? What impact could sustained high fuel prices have on operations? What emergency funding has Spirit Airlines requested from government? How is the Iran war affecting Spirit Airlines' fuel costs?

The situation has gotten so dire that the airline has asked the Trump administration for hundreds of millions of dollars in emergency funding, The Air Current reported.

A Spirit spokesperson told Fortune the company does not comment on market rumors and speculation and that operations were continuing as normal.

Spirits restructuring plan hinged on much lower fuel prices. The airline is planning to spend $2.24 per gallon in 2026 and $2.14 in 2027, according to a March filing to the Securities and Exchanges Commission. As of April 16, jet fuel cost $4.32 per gallon, almost double the estimate.

Earlier this month, J.P. Morgan estimated that if fuel stayed at $4.60 a gallon this yearits price in late MarchSpirits forecast operating margin for fiscal year 2026 could deteriorate to about negative 20% from the 0.5% margin proposed in the companys restructuring plan. This could add $360 million to the companys expenses for the fiscal year, which is more than its cash balance at the end of FY 2025, according to the bank.

There are reports that the airline was at risk of liquidation, though the company is not expected to liquidate this week and is shaking all the trees to raise cash, Reuters reported.

Spirit is working its way out of its second bankruptcy since November 2024. In the restructuring agreement announced in late February, the company said they will reduce off-peak flying and adjust seasonal demand. The company expected to reduce its debt and lease obligations from $7.4 billion pre-bankruptcy to approximately $2.1 billion post-emergence.

Spirit is far from the only airline feeling the pinch of the war in Iran. In mid-March, Delta CEO Ed Bastian said the conflict has increased the airlines operating costs by about $400 million. United CEO said if jet fuel prices stayed at twice their pre-war costs, it would cost the airline an additional $11 billion in annual costs. Nearly all major U.S. airlines, including American, United, Delta, Southwest, and JetBlue, have raised checked bag fees to try to offset increased costs.
The United States is set to export a record-breaking 5.44 million barrels of crude daily this month, data from Kpler cited by Reuters Clyde Russell has shown. In May, U.S. oil exports are set for further growth, to 5.48 million barrels daily.

Most of the tankers are heading to Asia, Russell reported, which has felt the pinch from Gulf exports disruption the sharpest. According to the Kpler data, U.S. exporters are shipping 2.27 million barrels daily to Asia this month, rising to 3.29 million barrels daily in May.

More from Yahoo Scout Why are U.S. crude oil exports reaching record levels? Can alternative suppliers replace the lost Gulf shipments? How has the Middle East crisis affected Asian imports? What is the impact on refined oil product trade?

The figures for April and May compare with 1.11 million barrels daily in Asian exports for January and 1.21 million barrels daily in shipments for February, highlighting the size of the increase in U.S. flows of crude to Asia.

Overall, however, the Middle East crisis has seen Asian oil imports fall off a cliff. Crude oil shipments to Asia are seen at 14.8 million barrels daily this month, per Kpler, which would be substantially down from the March average of 18.63 million barrels daily. The March average, in turn, was a decline from a February average of 24.87 million barrels daily, meaning the April average will be some 10 million barrels daily lower than the last pre-war month.

Reuters Russell noted in his report that a gap so deep could not be entirely replaced by alternative oil flows from the United Statesor anywhere elsebut neither can it be plugged with oil from reserves. This suggests that Asian energy importers are in for a prolonged period of pain.

The situation is not much different in refined products. Asia was importing refined oil products at a rate of 1.5 million barrels daily from Gulf producers before the war. U.S. refined product exports to the continent this month are seen at 386,000 barrels daily, according to Kpler.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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April 22 (Reuters) - AbbVie will invest $1.4 billion to build a manufacturing campus in North Carolina, the drugmaker said on Wednesday, marking its biggest investment to date in a single site.

The campus will serve as AbbVie's main U.S. hub for injectable drug manufacturing, supplying medicines domestically and abroad as the company expands production capacity in the country.

More from Yahoo Scout What will AbbVie's North Carolina campus produce? How many jobs will Durham facility create? When will the North Carolina campus be operational? What is AbbVie's broader U.S. manufacturing investment strategy?

 Spread across 185 acres in Durham, North Carolina, the facility will make medicines to treat immune system diseases, cancer and brain and nerve disorders.

 AbbVie plans to hire 734 employees over four years for the campus, including engineers, scientists and manufacturing staff.

 Construction on the project is expected to start in 2026 and be completed by the end of 2028, supporting more than 2,000 construction jobs.

 The first phase will include manufacturing plants, laboratories, a warehouse, office space and employee facilities.

 The drugmaker had in February said it would invest $380 million to build two new active pharmaceutical ingredient manufacturing facilities at its North Chicago, Illinois campus, expanding U.S. production of neuroscience and obesity medicines.

 The new North Carolina project is part of AbbVies plan to spend about $100 billion on U.S. research, development and manufacturing over the next decade.

 The company has committed more than $2.2 billion over the past year for manufacturing projects in the country.

(Reporting by Sahil Pandey in Bengaluru; Editing by Jonathan Ananda)
Amazon is rolling out a new GLP1 program aimed at simplifying access to popular weight-loss drugs, from doctor visits to prescription delivery.

The company announced on April 21 that Amazon One Medicals new "comprehensive GLP1 Management Program" embeds treatment into patients' routine primary care, allowing clinicians to monitor how weight loss intersects with cardiovascular health, metabolic conditions and overall wellbeing. The program is available at Amazon One Medical locations across the United States.

Prescriptions, according to Amazon, can fulfilled through Amazon Pharmacy, with transparent pricing and "convenient delivery options." Patients can access both injectable and oral GLP1 medications through Amazon Pharmacy. The company added in a note to USA TODAY that patients in the program can choose their preferred pharmacy for prescriptions.

How much does GLP-1 cost per month? Amount depends on the medication and your insurance coverage

'Making it easier for customers to get the treatments'

Prices for insured patients start at $25 per month, while uninsured patients pay at least $149 each month for oral medications and $299 per month for injectables, according to the company.

"By expanding access to the latest GLP1 medications with upfront, clear pricing, we're making it easier for customers to get the treatments their health care providers prescribe and to stay on those medications because theyre delivered reliably directly to patients," Tanvi Patel, vice president and general manager of Amazon Pharmacy, said in the news release.

Amazon said the medications are available in all 50 states, with sameday delivery currently offered in nearly 3,000 cities and towns and plans to expand to about 4,500 locations by the end of the year.

What are GLP-1 drugs? How do they work?

GLP1 drugs are FDAapproved medications used to help lower blood sugar in people with Type 2 diabetes. Many of the same drugs are also prescribed for weight loss, with different formulations and doses approved for each use.

GLP1 stands for glucagonlike peptide1, a naturally occurring hormone that helps regulate metabolism, or how the body uses energy, USA TODAY previously reported. After you eat, GLP1 increases insulin production, limits the release of sugar into the bloodstream, slows digestion and signals the brain that youre full.

Because of those effects, people taking GLP1 medications often experience fewer bloodsugar spikes, reduced appetite and a quicker, longerlasting feeling of fullness after meals, which can lead to weight loss over time.
This article first appeared on GuruFocus.

Danone (DANOY) reported a steady start to the year, with first-quarter like-for-like sales rising 2.7%, as demand for protein-rich yogurts and Evian bottled water appeared to offset the impact of an infant formula recall. Volumes increased 1.5% while pricing contributed 1.2%, pointing to a relatively balanced growth profile. The performance came in line with expectations and could be seen as a stabilizing datapoint, particularly as the shares remain down 12% since the start of the year.

Across regions, the picture was mixed but showed pockets of improving momentum. China, North Asia & Oceania delivered strong growth, while North America sales rose 1.5%, suggesting conditions in the US may be improving. By contrast, the specialized nutrition business in Europe faced pressure from the recall and the conflict in the Middle East. The company previously estimated the recall could cost up to 70 million, although China, its highest-growth market, was not affected. Commentary highlighting improving US trends and stronger China performance may provide some reassurance around near-term execution.

Management continues to position the business around structural demand trends, with high-protein products described as the company's leading growth driver. Leadership indicated that protein demand is expanding globally, supported in part by shifting consumer preferences and the rise of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs. Strategic moves, including the acquisition of UK-based Huel, suggest Danone is leaning further into this category. The company also confirmed its full-year guidance, which could signal confidence in maintaining momentum despite recent disruptions.
Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) and AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV) are two pharmaceutical giants that seem to be headed in opposite directions. Pfizer's stock is up by more than 10% this year, while AbbVie's shares have fallen more than 7%.

But when you look at their finances, AbbVie is the clear winner. Here are three reasons why I prefer AbbVie stock right now.

Will AI create the world's first trillionaire? Our team just released a report on a little-known company, called an "Indispensable Monopoly," providing the critical technology Nvidia and Intel both need.



Continue 

Image source: Getty Images.

AbbVie is better at managing patent cliffs

Once a pharmaceutical company is granted a patent for a new drug or therapy, the clock starts running on its exclusivity. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), drug patents have a 20-year statutory term from their filing day, but their commercial exclusivity usually only lasts seven to 14 years. That's a short period of time to cash in on a profitable drug.

Thanks in part to an enormous thicket of 130 patents surrounding it, AbbVie's immunology therapy Humira was the world's top-selling drug for six consecutive years. It finally ceded the top spot in 2021 to Comirnaty, the COVID-19 vaccine from Pfizer and BioNTech. But Pfizer has struggled to find its footing in a changed pandemic landscape.

Meanwhile, AbbVie has demonstrated a master class in portfolio diversification, developing two immunology drugs -- Skyrizi and Rinvoq -- that together sell more per year than Humira ever did. In 2025, Skyrizi had $17.6 billion in sales, while Rinvoq had $8.3 billion; combined, that's $25.9 billion, considerably higher than Humira's top yearly sales figure of $21.2 billion in 2022.

Comirnaty's sales collapsed as the COVID-19 pandemic ebbed, and its sales slid by 35% last year to $4.4 billion. On top of that, Pfizer's leading therapy by revenue -- blood thinner Eliquis, with $7.9 billion in 2025 sales -- is expected to face generic competition in the U.S. by 2028. The company shares Eliquis revenue with Bristol Myers Squibb.

AbbVie's dividend is safer

Both Pfizer and AbbVie have above-average dividends at their current share prices. Pfizer's dividend yield has been impressive at around 6.3%, nearly double AbbVie's yield of 3.2%. But Pfizer's ultra-high dividend has an unsustainable payout ratio of 107%, while AbbVie's is 65%.

Pfizer has a strong commitment to its dividend, raising it for 16 consecutive years, including a 2.3% bump last year to $0.43 per share. I don't think it would cut its dividend, but until its cash from operations improves, any dividend increases will be small.
This article first appeared on GuruFocus.

Roche Holding AG (ROG.SW) is approaching a critical moment in its multiple sclerosis strategy as new late-stage data on its experimental pill fenebrutinib delivered a split outcome that investors may find difficult to fully reconcile. In presentations at the American Academy of Neurology annual meeting in Chicago, the company reported that patients treated with fenebrutinib experienced relapses roughly once every 17 years compared with those on the older therapy teriflunomide, pointing to a potentially meaningful efficacy advantage in a disease where slowing progression remains a central goal.

At the same time, the safety profile is drawing attention. Roche disclosed that seven patients died during the study reporting period, with one additional death occurring later, compared with one death in the control arm. The causes included infections, which are a known complication of some multiple sclerosis treatments, as well as an accidental fall. According to Chief Medical Officer Stefan Frings, there was no clear or consistent pattern behind the imbalance, which could leave room for further regulatory scrutiny, particularly as the broader BTK inhibitor class has already faced setbacks tied to liver toxicity concerns in the US.

The strategic importance of fenebrutinib is difficult to ignore. Roche is positioning the drug as a potential follow-on to Ocrevus as patent expiry approaches later this decade, meaning its eventual approval and adoption could play a central role in sustaining the company's neurology franchise. The company noted that liver enzyme elevations were observed but were comparable to teriflunomide, with one serious case in each trial arm resolving after treatment discontinuation. With around 80% of participants receiving fenebrutinib as a first-line therapy and the studies largely focused on newly diagnosed patients, the data could still support a balanced risk-benefit profile, although investors may continue to weigh both the strong relapse reduction and the unresolved safety signals.
Our Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) analysis suggests Molina Healthcare is undervalued by 63.4%. Track this in your watchlist or portfolio , or discover 58 more high quality undervalued stocks .

Bringing these projected cash flows back to today produces an estimated intrinsic value of about US$412.74 per share. Compared with the recent share price of US$151.00, the model implies that the stock trades at a 63.4% discount, indicating that this DCF suggests Molina Healthcare is materially undervalued based on these inputs.

For Molina Healthcare, the 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity model uses recent free cash flow of a loss of $642.3 million, then applies analyst forecasts and longer term estimates. Analyst inputs run through 2030, with projected free cash flow of $794.0 million in that year, and Simply Wall St extrapolates further figures out to 2035 using its growth assumptions. All cash flows are assessed in US$, and anything beyond the analyst horizon is model driven rather than company guidance.

A Discounted Cash Flow model estimates what a business could be worth today by projecting its future cash flows and discounting them back to the present using a required rate of return.

Simply Wall St's valuation model gives Molina Healthcare a value score of 5 out of 6 . This means the stock screens as undervalued on most checks and naturally raises the question of how different valuation approaches compare, and whether there is an even more rounded way to think about fair value that will be covered later in this article.

Recent coverage of Molina Healthcare has focused on its position within the US healthcare space, including commentary on how managed care companies are responding to regulatory changes and shifting enrolment trends. This context is important, because headlines and sector sentiment often influence short term price moves more than underlying valuation.

The stock recently closed at US$151.00, with returns of 2.4% over the last 7 days and 8.3% over the last 30 days, while the year to date return of 15.4% and 1 year return of 53.0% show how materially sentiment has shifted over different time frames.

Before comparing valuation models, it helps to anchor Molina Healthcare's recent share price performance and news flow so you can judge whether the current price looks aligned with fundamentals.

Find your next quality investment with Simply Wall St's easy and powerful screener, trusted by over 7 million individual investors worldwide.

Story Continues

MOH Discounted Cash Flow as at Apr 2026

Head to the Valuation section of our Company Report for more details on how we arrive at this Fair Value for Molina Healthcare.

Approach 2: Molina Healthcare Price vs Earnings

For a profitable company like Molina Healthcare, the P/E ratio is a straightforward way to relate what you pay for each share to the earnings the business is currently generating. It helps you see how much the market is willing to pay for each dollar of profit.

What counts as a "normal" P/E usually reflects how investors view a companys growth prospects and risk profile. Higher expected growth or lower perceived risk can support a higher P/E, while slower growth or higher uncertainty tends to justify a lower P/E.

Molina Healthcare trades on a P/E of 16.66x. That is below the broader Healthcare industry average of 23.33x and also below the peer group average of 22.98x. Simply Wall Sts Fair Ratio metric, which is 24.27x for Molina Healthcare, goes a step further by estimating a P/E that might be appropriate given factors such as earnings growth, industry, profit margins, market cap and risk profile.

This Fair Ratio can be more informative than a simple peer or industry comparison because it adjusts for company specific characteristics rather than assuming all peers deserve similar multiples. Comparing the current 16.66x P/E to the 24.27x Fair Ratio suggests Molina Healthcare trades below this model driven assessment of fair value.

Result: UNDERVALUED

NYSE:MOH P/E Ratio as at Apr 2026

P/E ratios tell one story, but what if the real opportunity lies elsewhere? Start investing in legacies, not executives. Discover our 19 top founder-led companies.

Upgrade Your Decision Making: Choose your Molina Healthcare Narrative

Earlier it was mentioned that there is an even better way to understand valuation. Narratives on Simply Wall St let you attach a clear story about Molina Healthcare to the numbers by linking your view of its contracts, medical cost trends, regulation and growth opportunities to an explicit forecast for revenue, earnings and margins. This then flows into a fair value that updates automatically when new earnings or news arrive, and that you can compare directly with the current share price to judge whether it looks attractive or stretched. For example, one bullish community Narrative currently anchors on a higher fair value of about US$214.86 per share with revenue growth of about 8.54% and a future P/E of about 20.46x, while a cautious Narrative uses a lower fair value of about US$109.00 with revenue growth of about 1.74% and a future P/E of about 12.89x. This gives you a simple way on the Community page to see how different investors interpret the same company in very different but clearly quantified ways.

For Molina Healthcare however, we will make it really easy for you with previews of two leading Molina Healthcare Narratives:

 Molina Healthcare Bull Case

Fair value in this bullish Narrative is set at about US$411.65 per share.

At the recent price of US$151.00, this Narrative implies the stock is about 63.4% below its fair value estimate.

Revenue growth in this view is set at 7.42% a year.

Focuses on membership and premium growth, including around 5.7m members as of March 31, 2024 and Q1 2024 premium revenue of about US$9.5b, with an expected full year figure of roughly US$38b.

Highlights opportunities in Medicare expansion and a pipeline of mergers, acquisitions and RFPs, alongside trailing P/E of about 16.81x and forward P/E near 13.40x.

Flags key risks such as regulatory changes, competition, medical cost control and Medicaid redeterminations that could affect revenue and earnings.

 Molina Healthcare Bear Case

Fair value in this more cautious Narrative is set at about US$149.76 per share.

At the recent price of US$151.00, this Narrative implies the stock is about 0.8% above its fair value estimate.

Revenue growth in this view is set at 4.11% a year.

Emphasises Molina Healthcare's role in Medicaid and Medicare, with RFP wins in states such as Nevada and Illinois and an acquisition pipeline that feeds into analyst revenue and earnings assumptions.

Builds forecasts around analyst expectations for revenue growth, profit margins of about 1.05% and a future P/E near 15.62x, using a discount rate close to 7.0%.

Points to risks including potential Medicaid funding changes, Marketplace membership and subsidy shifts, medical cost pressures and integration challenges on deals such as ConnectiCare.

These two Narratives give you a clear range of outcomes on value, growth and risks so you can decide which story, if either, fits your own view of Molina Healthcare.

To see how these results tie into long-term growth, risks, and valuation, check out the full range of community narratives for Molina Healthcare on Simply Wall St. Add the company to your watchlist or portfolio so you'll be alerted when the story evolves.

Do you think there's more to the story for Molina Healthcare? Head over to our Community to see what others are saying!

NYSE:MOH 1-Year Stock Price Chart

This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Companies discussed in this article include MOH.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com
Zurich Retail Protection, a specialist business unit within Zurich UK, has introduced a tailored Private Client service aimed at advisers handling ultra high net worth (UHNW) protection cases.

The new offer is positioned as an addition to the companys existing large case underwriting capability, responding to what it described as growing demand for specialist adviser support.

Under the Private Client service, advisers will be allocated a dedicated team covering sales consultants, underwriters, case handlers and administrators to manage UHNW cases.

Zurich said clients will have access to fast-tracked medical screening, the option to use private medical clinics and assistance from a dedicated Customer Services team for any post-issue servicing queries.

Dave Howell, private client underwriting manager at Zurich UK, said: At Zurich, our focus continues to be on the delivery of swift informed underwriting decisions. We consistently deliver exceptional service by combining our specialist insight with a collaborative, customer focused approach giving advisers the clarity, confidence and responsiveness they need to support their clients.

Alongside the service launch, the company has also introduced a wealth protection website hub and a technical guide.

Zurich said the materials include new content and tools intended to help advisers discuss estate planning using life insurance policies.

Andy Roberts, head of specialist propositions at Zurich UK, commented: By 2031, the OBR expects around 14% of all Inheritance Tax (IHT) receipts to be as a result of the latest government reforms. As long-standing reliefs are scaled back and pensions are brought into the IHT net, families will have fewer ways to manage their exposure.

This shift is driving increased interest in the role of life insurance can play in estate planning as it offers certainty and provides a faster solution for executors to settle IHT bills.

Zurich is proud of its strong reputation in the market as experts in both wealth protection and HNW. The developments announced to our proposition today will continue to enhance how we can support advisers and their clients, Roberts concluded.

"Zurich UK unit sets up UHNW-focused support service for advisers" was originally created and published by Private Banker International, a GlobalData owned brand.




Google (GOOG, GOOGL) debuted two AI processors during its Google Cloud Next 2026 conference in Las Vegas on Wednesday.

The new chips, called the TPU 8t and TPU 8i, push Google further into competition with partners Nvidia (NVDA) and AMD (AMD). Earlier this month, the company announced an expanded deal with Anthropic (ANTH.PVT) to provide multiple gigawatts of next-generation TPU capacity to the AI lab.

More from Yahoo Scout How might customer chip development impact Nvidia's business? How do Google's TPUs compete with Nvidia and AMD? Which major companies are using Google's TPU technology? What are Google's new TPU 8t and TPU 8i processors?

Google is also working to provide Anthropic rival OpenAI (OPAI.PVT) with TPU capacity to power that companys own AI offerings.

And in February, The Information reported that Meta signed its own multiyear, multibillion-dollar deal for access to Googles TPUs.

The TPU 8t, Google said, is optimized for training AI models and can reduce the frontier model development cycle from months to weeks.

Google says the TPU 8t also offers 2.8x better price to performance than its predecessor, an important metric for customers who need access to high-powered chips but dont want to pay the steep cost to run them.

Google's new TPU 8i chips. (Image: Google)  Google

The TPU 8i, meanwhile, is best suited for inferencing, or running AI models, and handling AI agents. Both will be available later this year.

Hyperscalers like Google and its rivals Amazon (AMZN) and Microsoft (MSFT), as well as massive companies like Meta (META), are increasingly encroaching on Nvidias and AMDs territory.

Amazon and Google both produce their own AI chips and sell/provide them to third-party partners.

On Monday, Amazon announced it had entered an expanded chip deal with Anthropic, under which the AI lab will spend more than $100 billion on AWS technologies over the next 10 years.

Meta, meanwhile, is working on multiple generations of its own AI chips called the Meta Inference and Training Accelerator, or MTIA. More powerful versions of the processors, the company says, are meant to compete with some of Nvidias top offerings.

Microsoft is also developing AI processors.

The continued incursions from Nvidias own customers could prove problematic in the future. In its most recent quarter, the company reported that hyperscalers accounted for slightly more than 50% of its total data center revenue.

Nvidias data center segment is its most important business, accounting for $193.7 billion of its $215.9 billion in total sales in fiscal 2026, which ended in January.

The company, however, has repeatedly pushed back against claims that its customers chips pose a strategic threat, saying its own processors are reprogrammable for use across a wide range of workloads.

Sign up for Yahoo Finance's Week in Tech newsletter.  Yahoo Finance

Email Daniel Howley at dhowley@yahoofinance.com. Follow him on X at @DanielHowley.
Anthropic is preparing to make its Mythos AI model available to banks in Europe as lenders worldwide seek to assess the technology after initial access was granted to major US banks, reported Reuters.

Cybersecurity specialists consider Mythos a serious challenge for banks and their older technology infrastructure, the report noted.

The issue drew warnings from regulators and policymakers at last weeks International Monetary Fund Spring meeting in Washington.

Several US banks have already received access, while other institutions are still awaiting entry.

One of the people said Anthropic intends to widen availability of Mythos to banks in Europe and the UK, as well as to other organisations.

The rollout is subject to security checks to make sure access is handled safely, that person said, declining to be identified.

A second person said European banks could receive access within days, while the first said the process could take days or weeks. Bloomberg had earlier reported that Anthropic was expected to make Mythos available to UK financial institutions soon.

Anthropic did not immediately reply to a Reuters request for comment.

At the outset, Anthropic offered the model to participants in its Project Glasswing programme and roughly 40 other organisations involved in building or maintaining critical software infrastructure.

JPMorgan Chase, a member of Glasswing, is the only bank Anthropic has publicly identified as having access. However, Bank of America has been part of the initiative from the beginning and has been conducting internal testing of Mythos, the news agency said.

Other US banks have more recently indicated they have also obtained access, as regulators move quickly to study the cyber risks associated with the new AI model.

German central bank president Joachim Nagel said all institutions should be able to access Anthropics Mythos model in order to preserve a level playing field and reduce the risk of misuse.

In India, the central bank is holding discussions with international regulators, domestic lenders and government officials to gauge the possible risks linked to Mythos, according to Reuters.

According to those sources, the Reserve Bank of Indias early assessment broadly matches that of other regulators: Mythos could heighten cyber risk by speeding up the identification and exploitation of software flaws.

The RBI could seek direct talks with Anthropic.

Indias payments body, the National Payments Corporation of India, is attempting to obtain early access to Mythos with a limited number of banks to examine vulnerabilities and day zero cyber risks before any wider distribution.
By Toby Sterling and Nathan Vifflin

AMSTERDAM, April 22 (Reuters) - Top computer chip equipment maker ASML will not be a bottleneck for the industry, as it was early in the decade, its CEO said on Wednesday, pointing to recent investments in capacity and productivity improvements.

Being a bottleneck "is something we will avoid by all possible means; it is essential to maintaining our current position," CEO Christophe Fouquet told investors at the company's annual general meeting in the Dutch city of Veldhoven.

More from Yahoo Scout How is ASML avoiding becoming an industry bottleneck? What threats could challenge ASML's market dominance? How might US export restrictions impact ASML's China sales? How is AI chip demand affecting ASML's business?

His comments came after ASML's first-quarter results last week showed the company is continuing to benefit from surging demand for AI chips and related memory chip shortages. That has prompted top customers including TSMC, which manufactures Nvidia's chips, to expand capacity.

Asked what could threaten ASML's position as the dominant supplier of lithography machines, which use light to print chip circuitry, Fouquet said the biggest risk would be failing to deliver equipment on time.

"Customers will be strongly tempted to look at other suppliers and potentially at alternatives to our technology; we have seen that in the past," he said. He noted that startups including Substrate, xLight, and Lace are "ideas, not competition today, I want to make that clear."

Asked about proposed U.S. legislation to further restrict ASML's exports to China, forecast to make up 20% of ASML's sales this year, CFO Roger Dassen said it was too early to guess how that will turn out.

"If for whatever reason there were to be further limitations for one part of the world, the need for capacity remains, particularly in a world that is currently being characterized by undersupply," he said.

He said capacity lost in one region will mean "someone else has to raise their hand and say, you know, I'm going to build more capacity than I originally planned to."

"I'm pretty sure that policymakers are also considering that element."

(Reporting by Toby Sterling and Nathan Vifflin, Editing by Louise Heavens and Keith Weir)
Brands including BYD, Chery, Geely and XPeng achieved a nine percent share of European sales in March (Ina FASSBENDER)  Ina FASSBENDER/AFP/AFP

Chinese carmakers have quickly built up their presence in the lucrative European auto market, buoyed by technological advances their competitors are trying to copy, and analysts say their next step is to begin producing locally.

Largely unknown in the continent three years ago, brands including BYD, Chery, Geely and XPeng achieved a nine percent share of European sales in March -- and 14 percent of electric cars -- according to Dataforce.

That has doubled in a year, and some models even rank among the top sellers in Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom.

Their success is shaking up European manufacturers, weakened by a domestic market that has shrunk by a quarter since 2019 and wrong-footed by European Union plans to make 90 percent of all cars sold electric by 2035.

The policy has come at just the right time for Chinese manufacturers, who are far ahead in the electric segment at home, thanks to strong state support.

"Europe, one of the only major global markets, is a natural outlet for Chinese carmakers," said Jamel Taganza, head of the consulting firm Inovev.

"The EU's plan for electric cars was practically made for them; it opened up the European market to them in a very short time."

Exports are an even greater necessity for Chinese firms than their European rivals because they face significant overcapacity.

Their plants are running at only 50 percent of their potential, compared with around 60 percent for European companies, Alexandre Marian, an analyst at AlixPartners, pointed out.

"The Chinese manufacturers' strengths are not just labour costs; it's innovation," added Michael Foundoukidis, an automotive analyst at Oddo.

"In China today, they're offering vehicles that are twice as efficient for half the price" of European models.

The next step is to produce locally.

"All manufacturers believe that if you want to gain a foothold in a market, it's easier to produce locally to avoid customs duties and transport issues," said Lionel French Keogh, sales director of Chery France, which aims to build a small electric city car in Europe.

"If they want to sustainably exceed a 10 percent market share in Europe, they will have no choice but to assemble in Europe," confirmed Foundoukidis.

- Europe fights back -

EU customs barriers on imported electric cars -- imposed in 2024 -- are encouraging this shift.

BYD is building a plant in Hungary, while Leapmotor -- a Stellantis partner -- plans to produce two models in a Stellantis factory in Zaragoza, Spain.
TOKYO, April 22 (Reuters) - Japan's financial watchdog will meet with the country's biggest lenders on Friday to discuss issues related to Anthropic's advanced Mythos artificial intelligence model, Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama said on Wednesday.

The meeting, set up by the Financial Services Agency, will bring together top lenders Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc, Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc and Mizuho Financial Group Inc.

More from Yahoo Scout Which major institutions will attend Japan's AI meeting? What cybersecurity vulnerabilities has Mythos reportedly discovered? What is Anthropic's Mythos AI model and its capabilities? Why are Japanese financial regulators concerned about Mythos?

The Bank of Japan and the Tokyo Stock Exchange will also join the meeting, Katayama told reporters.

"We will bring together the core members who bear the greatest responsibility to share assessments of the current situation and exchange views, including issues that have been flagged in various parts of the international financial community," she said.

Designed for defensive cybersecurity tasks, Mythos' vast capabilities have sparked fears about the threat to traditional software security, after Anthropic said a preview had uncovered "thousands" of major vulnerabilities in "every major operating system and web browser."

Some Asian financial regulators said this week they were taking measures to address the risks posed by Mythos.

(Reporting by Disha Mishra in Bengaluru and Makiko Yamazaki in Tokyo; Editing by Tom Hogue and Louise Heavens)
The company has 900 employees with facilities located worldwide. Analogic is headquartered in Salem, New Hampshire, and houses R&D and manufacturing capabilities for medical imaging, security and detection systems, according to its website . Analogic also has an R&D site in Canton, Massachusetts, focused on power technologies such as MRI machines; an X-ray detector R&D and manufacturing building in Montreal; and a medical imaging and power technologies R&D and manufacturing facility in Shanghai.

Analogic was formed in 1967 and sells advanced imaging, power and automation and motion control technologies that serve the aviation security, medical and industrial end markets.

Customers will benefit from simplified engagement, deeper domain expertise, and solutions that are better aligned with their operational and regulatory requirements, Ripp said. Together, we are better positioned to innovate and support airport, port and border security customers as they address increasing security demands while maintaining passenger throughput and operational efficiency.

Additionally, the joint venture would push for a swifter transition to artificial intelligence-native and 3D imaging products, enabling more streamlined and effective outcomes. It would also expand Analogics product portfolio and sales channels, allowing it to support customers worldwide across security screening technologies full life cycle, CEO Tom Ripp said in a statement .

While the JV will be based in the United States, it will have operations worldwide, according to a press release.

The upcoming private entity would merge the two companies detection technologies, manufacturing capabilities and engineering expertise to strengthen security screening at airports, borders and other critical infrastructure. The transaction is anticipated to close in the second half of 2026.

Leidos will contribute roughly 1,500 employees, representing $625 million in projected 2026 revenue, toward the joint venture. The new venture will operate under the Analogic brand. That company would own 58.5% of the JV, while Fortune 500 company Leidos would hold a 41.5% minority stake, according to a securities filing .

Technology and consulting company Leidos intends to spin off its security screening technology business unit to create a joint venture by combining with technology company Analogic, owned by healthcare investment firm Altaris.

This story was originally published on Manufacturing Dive . To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Manufacturing Dive newsletter .

Story Continues

Combining SES with Analogic will position the new company to promote investment in innovation, deliver more efficient solutions for the U.S. government and ensure that the worlds advanced security technology is designed and engineered from the United States, Leidos CEO Tom Bell said in a statement.

As of Jan. 2, Leidos' security division owned facilities in Huntsville, Alabama; Columbia, Maryland; Orlando, Florida; Oak Ridge, Tennessee; and Decatur, Alabama, according to a securities filing. In 2023, Leidos announced it would invest $31.7 million in establishing a security systems manufacturing facility in Ladson, South Carolina, its third such location in the U.S. The site also serves as a Manufacturing Center of Excellence for Leidos security enterprise solutions.

The upcoming JV aligns with Leidos growth strategy, dubbed NorthStar 2030, which the government contractor and private business services company introduced in February 2025.

The corporate plan also aligns with the Trump administrations priorities, Bell said during an earnings call in May 2025. He cited executive orders, such as the one establishing the Department of Government Efficiency that President Donald Trump signed in January 2025, aimed at upgrading federal technology and software to maximize governmental efficiency and productivity.

During an earnings call in February, Bell announced that Leidos had realigned the company to best execute its growth strategy, including changes to its four reporting segments: intelligence and digital, health, homeland and defense. These were modified to focus on specific, defined capability sets delivered to customers, according to a securities filing.

The homeland segment, which the security enterprises division currently is under, brings together Leidos businesses that play a role in the Trump administrations priorities, Bell said.

It combines our commercial and international business with our homeland security work and air traffic management portfolio previously in national security and health and civil, respectively, the CEO said during the call.

Leidos is one of the government contractors waiting for Congress to pass legislation to fund the Department of Homeland Security, which includes Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection.

DHS has been shut down since February as attempts to pass appropriations for the agency have fail. Chris Cage, Leidos executive VP and CFO, said at the JPMorgan Industrials Conference in March that its disappointing that DHS still has not received funding. However, impacts to the company were very modest regarding its Q1 earnings.

In the meantime, Leidos is working with the Transportation Security Administration on piloting upgraded equipment and software, he said. Working with newly appointed DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin would also help push for potential funding to buy new equipment from Leidos.

Those are the kinds of things that we need to get through, get the DHS back to business completely, Cage said.

Recommended Reading
This story was originally published on CIO Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily CIO Dive newsletter.

Dive Brief:

Sameer Gupta will step into a new role as chief data and AI officer at Lloyds Banking Group in June, bringing his 12 year tenure in analytics at DBS Bank to a close. Gupta led AI and data transformation initiatives for the last nine years as DBS Bank's managing director and chief analytics officer.

At Lloyds, Gupta will lead the banks AI strategy and help scale the technology across business operations, according to a Thursday press release. Gupta will report to Ron van Kemenade, group chief operating officer.

A key part of Guptas remit will also include ensuring responsible, secure AI use and instituting strong governance and oversight. Lloyds on Monday announced a number of specialist hires with governance expertise as part of the next phase of its AI strategy.

Dive Insight:

Guptas move from DBS to Lloyds marks the latest in a string of tech leadership transitions in the financial services sector.

In December, the Commonwealth Bank of Australia announced that Ranil Boteju  formerly Lloyds group chief data and analytics officer  would join the bank as its chief AI officer in early 2026. Meanwhile, USAA appointed former Santander Bank CIO Dan Griffiths as its CIO in February, replacing Amala Duggirala who took on the role of chief digital and technology officer at Delta.

The leadership shifts indicate a sharpened focus on deploying AI at scale. HSBC created its first chief AI officer role last month to deploy and scale AI across operations, simplify business processes and personalize customer experiences.

Lloyds is among the growing number of banks looking to enhance their AI capabilities. Along with providing upskilling to its 67,000 employees, the financial services firm is building a central AI platform supporting machine learning, generative and agentic AI. It is also placing a strong emphasis on embedding AI governance processes across operations. The bank said generative AI delivered roughly 50 million pounds in value last year, and the firm is expecting the technology to generate more than 100 million pounds in value in 2026.

The bank is currently ranked in the top 15 for AI adoption in the Evident AI Index out of 50 of the largest banks in North America, Europe and Asia. The rankings are based on measures of talent, innovation, leadership and transparency.

Gupta is transitioning to the role as Lloyds plans to expand practical AI use to its customers, including launch of an AI-powered financial assistant, according to a press release. The executive will lead the banks AI strategy and help manage adoption to improve customer experience, support employees and strengthen fraud prevention.
Christian Weedbrook, a film school dropout turned CEO of Xanadu Quantum Technologies, was minted a billionaire in a matter of days thanks to Nvidia endorsing quantum computing as the future of AI.

Last week, Nvidia announced Ising, a family of open-source quantum AI models promising to address major bottlenecks in quantum computing, particularly in calibration and error correction. By addressing barriers to growing quantum processing as part of AI infrastructure expansion, Nvidia gave credibility to quantum computing as the future of AI expansion.

Following the announcement, Xanadus stock rallied about 250% to a peak of $32.67 per share. With a 15.6% stake in the company, Weedbrooks net worth skyrocketed to $1.5 billion within five days of the announcement, according to Bloomberg, which cited market data and regulatory filings. Xanadus share price has since come back to earth, but remains more than double its original valuation prior to the announcement.

How Xanadu became a quantum computing giant

Founded in 2016 by Weedbrook, Xanadu is working to build the first quantum data center by 2030, using light in photonic quantum computers to be able to perform computations at room temperature. The company went public in March after merging with publicly traded blank-check firm Crane Harbor Acquisition Corp.

While traditional computing uses binary bits like 0 or 1 to represent data, quantum computing uses qubits, which can exist as both 0 and 1 simultaneously, exponentially increasing computational power and providing a powerful tool for increasing the speed at which AI is trained. Currently valued at about $1 billion, the quantum computing industry has the potential to become a $198 billion market by 2040, according to Jefferies analyst Kevin Garrigan.

While other public quantum computing companies such as IonQ and Rigetti benefited from Nvidias open-sourcing announcement, Xanadus surge, topping a $16 billion valuation, has made it one of Canadas most valuable publicly traded tech companies.

Xanadu did not immediately respond to Fortunes request for comment.

Who is Christian Weedbrook?

Before Weedbrook saw his net worth jump to 10 digits, he was a math nerd who, at 23, was working part-time at a video store and filming television commercials (as well as short films posted to YouTube) in between early morning shifts stocking groceries. The Australian native flunked out of his first year of film school not once, but twice, and took four years of odd jobs before ultimately deciding to return to university to study math.
As it plans cuts to its own workforce, Meta has unveiled a new training program for Americans to help the companys data centers.

On April 20, Meta unveiled the LevelUp program (1), a multi-year partnership with real estate and infrastructure services firm CBRE. Meta says the program will provide free, rapid training to prepare thousands of Americans with no prior experience.

Must Read

For Meta, its a chance to solve an increasingly significant bottleneck as it competes in the fast-moving AI space. For people who have had trouble finding a job in the current economy, its a potential pivot. The course, which will start this summer, will train workers in four weeks for jobs Meta says are available across the country. Interested individuals can register to learn more at a dedicated CBRE website (2).

The future of the AI revolution depends on a highly skilled US workforce  one that rises to the challenge of building and maintaining the complex systems that power innovation. Meta is proud to invest in technician training to support our ambitious infrastructure goals, Dina Powell McCormick, Metas president and vice chairman, said in a statement (3).

Data center expansion

Meta is currently building 27 data centers across the United States. That has led to a shortage of construction workers who are qualified to set up the infrastructure in those facilities.

Read More: This $1B private real estate fund is now accessible to non-millionaires. Start investing with just $10

Meta called the fiber technician role as high paying several times in its announcement but didnt offer any specific salary figures. Indeed estimates (4) the average base salary of a fiber technician in the U.S. at $48,638. Hyperscalers such as Meta, Google, Amazon and Microsoft have been known to pay more than three times (5) that amount in some cases.

There certainly appears to be significant short- and mid-term growth opportunity in this field. Data center operators last year spent over $750 billion, according to Bloomberg (6), with construction underway at 831 sites globally  and no indication of any immediate slowdown.

Cost cutting

Metas focus on free training for fiber technicians comes as the company itself is on the precipice of significant staff reductions. It has reportedly targeted May 20 (7) for the first wave of layoffs. That round is expected to cut about 10% of its workforce, or roughly 8,000 employees, with additional layoffs planned later this year. In March, Reuters reported Meta was planning to reduce its global workforce by 20% or more (8) this year.
OpenAI is committing up to $1.5 billion to a new joint venture with private equity firms designed to accelerate adoption of its workplace tools, according to the Financial Times.

A funding round valuing the venture at $10 billion is on track to close in early May, Reuters reported; the entity, incorporated in Delaware as an LLC and referred to internally as DeployCo, will receive an initial $500 million equity stake from OpenAI, with the option to contribute an additional $1 billion later.

A group of outside investors  TPG, Bain Capital, Advent International, Brookfield, and Goanna Capital  will collectively contribute $4 billion to the venture. Under the terms of the arrangement, OpenAI has committed to a 17.5% annual return for those backers over a five-year investment window, and will retain super-voting shares in the entity.

Enterprise adoption is the central strategic goal behind the new entity, an area where Anthropic has long been regarded as the stronger competitor, with deeper penetration among large corporate customers. As Reuters noted in a March report, private equity firms  which own or influence a large swath of enterprise businesses and shape how those companies allocate software and AI budgets  had become a key target for both OpenAI and Anthropic in their competition for that market.

None of the parties involved  OpenAI, TPG, Bain Capital, Advent International, Brookfield, or Goanna Capital  had provided comment to Reuters by the time of publication.
April 21 (Reuters) - OpenAI said on Tuesday it is expanding partnerships with major global consulting firms to speed up enterprise adoption of its Codex artificial intelligence tools, as competition in the rapidly evolving AI market intensifies.

It is also launching Codex Labs, which will place OpenAI specialists directly inside customer organizations to help integrate the technology into existing systems and workflows.

The ChatGPTmaker said it is working with global systems integrators including Accenture, Capgemini, CGI, Cognizant, Infosys, PwC and Tata Consultancy Services to help large companies identify and deploy Codex across their software development operations.

The move comes as OpenAI faces increasing pressure from rivals such as Anthropic, whose Claude models have gained traction with corporate customers for coding, reasoning and enterprise deployments.

Larger technology firms including Microsoft, Google and Amazon are also investing heavily to differentiate their AI offerings for businesses.

As part of a broader strategic shift, OpenAI has in recent months scaled back or shut down some smaller experimental initiatives, including projects such as Sora, as it concentrates resources on core products such as Codex and ChatGPT.

Codex is designed to automate parts of the software development lifecycle, including writing, reviewing and reasoning about code.

OpenAI said weekly usage of Codex has climbed sharply in recent weeks, with more than 4 million developers now using it, up from around 3 million earlier this month.

(Reporting by Kritika Lamba in Bengaluru; Editing by Devika Syamnath)
By Manya Saini

April 22 (Reuters) - Robinhood's venture fund said on Wednesday it has invested $75 million in OpenAI, allowing retail investors exposure to one of the world's hottest privately held AI companies.

Robinhood Ventures Fund I, which went public in March, aims to open up retail investors' access to private-company investments long dominated by Silicon Valley's largest venture capital firms.

OpenAI, last valued at $852 billion, has emerged as a poster child of Wall Street's AI frenzy and remains one of the industry's most closely watched companies, propelled by the viral popularity of its chatbot ChatGPT.

The buzz surrounding the AI major has also fueled a wave of investments and intensified competition across Big Tech and startups, as companies race to build and commercialize AI tools, drawing billions of dollars.

The investment also signals a thawing of tensions between the two companies that flared up last summer when Robinhood said it would grant eligible customers blockchain-based "stock tokens" for private companies, including OpenAI.

OpenAI later said it had not partnered with Robinhood, did not endorse the tokens and was not involved in the offering.

Once known mainly as a trading app for mom-and-pop investors, with business closely tied to market swings, Robinhood has steadily expanded into a broader financial services platform.

The company's shares, which have lost 22% so far this year, traded 2% higher on the news. The fund was last up 13%.

It is set to report results next week, with investors and analysts closely tracking how retail traders navigated volatile markets and how its broader suite of financial products performed.

"Regardless of whether rate cuts or a risk-on rally is coming, we think retail will prove more resilient than many expect in 2026 and see shares outperforming fintech peers throughout the remainder of 2026," analysts at Piper Sandler said in an industry note this month.

(Reporting by Manya Saini in Bengaluru; Editing by Diti Pujara and Tasim Zahid)
Theres angst in the air on college campuses and in offices across the country. Successive warnings on AIs looming threat to automate swaths of entry-level white-collar work have put workers in a precarious position. And several large-scale layoffs this year have brought home the reality of those warnings.

But not everyone is buying into the doom-and-gloom about the labor market, particularly in the white-collar world. Carrie Charles is the CEO of staffing and recruiting firm Broadstaff, which works with Fortune 500 companies like Verizon and Oracle. She said her company has seen a surge in demand for skilled electricians and technicians as part of the AI infrastructure build-out. These are jobs that combine elements of the corporate world with the hands-on day-to-day of a trade role: viable roles for which laid-off tech workers can make a career pivot, according to Charles.

Its almost like a white-collar trade job, she told Business Insider, speaking of technician roles. Its a technical role, but youre not sitting all day long, she said, saying the role combines elements of a traditional desk job with the skill set required of a trade role.

The nearly $700 billion data center build-out is turning the gears of the U.S. economic engine, with some economists estimating its the main driver of GDP today. The construction and maintenance of this infrastructurewith one center four times the size of Manhattans Central Parkrequire fleets of workers, including skilled electricians.

Advanced technicians can make up to $95,000, with a median salary of $71,000, according to a Glassdoor estimate. And senior skilled electricians can easily earn over six figures, with an estimated maximum salary of $110,000. Though Charles said that number can rise to $300,000 for skilled electricians with specialized knowledge of data center technology, such as liquid cooling and fiber cabling, a salary in line with some junior-level roles in specialized medicine or finance.

Demand for skilled trade roles is strong across the board, thanks largely to the data center build-out. Demand for robotics technicians has more than doubled. HVAC engineer demand increased 67%, and construction roles grew by 30% since late 2022, around the time ChatGPT was launched, according to an analysis of more than 50 million job listings by recruiting firm Randstad. Demand for some trades is growing three times as fast as professional roles, many of which are threatened by AI automation, according to the report. Demand is strong for electricians, in particular. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 81,000 job openings annually for the role through 2034, a much faster than average job increase.
April 22 (Reuters) - The U.S. Department of Agriculture and software company Palantir Technologies (PLTR) on Wednesday announced the signing of a $300 million Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA).

The agreement is aimed at supporting the National Farm Security Action Plan (NFSAP), the release said, adding that it will also modernize how USDA delivers services to America's farmers.

Palantir said it will provide operational software to enable USDA to improve service delivery for farmers and government field staff.

The BPA will build on Palantir's existing work with USDA's "Landmark" platform, and will support the "One Farmer, One File" initiative. The statement noted that Landmark is enabling USDA to transform how farmers report acreage through self-service digital tools.

"Protecting America's farmland is protecting America itself, and this work gives USDA the visibility and speed needed to safeguard our food supply," said USDA Chief Information Officer Sam Berry.

(Reporting by Anjana Anil in Bengaluru, Editing by Franklin Paul)
Volkswagen is stepping up exports of electric vehicles built in China to emerging markets as it seeks to make use of lower manufacturing costs and locally developed technology.

The move, reported by the Financial Times (FT), comes as Chinas car market faces softer demand, leaving the industry with excess capacity and sharper price competition while domestic carmakers increase their overseas presence.

For Volkswagen, the export plan is part of a broader effort to use spare production capacity in China as profitability in the market comes under pressure.

The group plans to introduce 50 plug-in hybrid and electric models in China by the end of the decade, reducing its reliance on petrol vehicles through its in China for China strategy.

Under that approach, vehicles are being designed and engineered within China.

Volkswagen has formed partnerships with Xpeng and SAIC Motor to speed up model development.

It has already started shipping vehicles made in China to the Middle East and Vietnam, and is considering a wider presence in South-East Asia, Latin America and Africa, where restrictions on Chinese technology are less stringent.

The company confirmed to FT that it has no intention of exporting those vehicles to Europe or the US.

Chief executive officer Oliver Blume, as cited in the report, said the fully localised approach made the company faster, more competitive and, of course, more resilient even beyond China.

Volkswagen has revised manufacturing capacity in China to match weaker demand for petrol-powered cars, but it still expects to keep spare capacity available for exports as new models are introduced.

The companys operating profit in China dropped 45% to 958m ($1.12bn) last year, down from 1.7bn in 2024, as Chinese rivals took market share.

At the same time, a glut in production and continuing price pressure have driven Chinese manufacturers such as BYD and Geely to raise exports.

Total vehicle exports from China climbed to 7.1 million units in 2025, up from under one million in 2020.

"Volkswagen to expand China-made EV exports to emerging markets" was originally created and published by Just Auto, a GlobalData owned brand.




Most Australian tech companies are still optimising for a search engine that their buyers are no longer using. The shift has already happened, and the gap between brands that understand it and those that don't is widening every quarter.

Generative Engine Optimisation, or GEO, is the practice of structuring content so that AI platforms, ChatGPT, Perplexity, Google AI Overviews, Claude, cite your brand when buyers ask questions relevant to your category. It is not a replacement for SEO. It is what SEO needs to become. According to Conductor's analysis of 21.9 million searches, Google AI Overviews now appear in 25% of all queries, up 57% from Q4 2025. In the technology sector specifically, that figure sits closer to 30%. For Australian B2B companies still measuring success by page rankings and click-through rates, those numbers should prompt an immediate strategic conversation.

The buyer behaviour shift is the part most teams underestimate. When a procurement lead at an Australian enterprise asks ChatGPT which GTM automation platform to evaluate, the AI doesn't return a list of links. It synthesises an answer and cites two or three sources it considers authoritative. If your brand isn't one of them, you don't exist at that moment, regardless of where you rank on Google.Industry data shows that 73% of B2B buyers now use AI tools in their research process, with nearly half using it specifically for vendor shortlisting and requirements drafting and visitors arriving from AI platforms convert at more than five times the rate of traditional organic search. The compounding advantage of early citation authority is still within reach but the gap between early movers and everyone else is closing every quarter.

GEO works by making content structurally legible to AI retrieval systems. That means direct answers at the top of each page, question-and-answer formatting, schema markup, external citations, and topic clusters built around the questions buyers actually ask rather than the keywords they type. It also means building a presence across the third-party publications that AI models weigh most heavily when forming answers, because AI citation authority is built off-site as much as on it.

At Intelligent Resourcing, the operational layer we use to execute GEO at scale is Clay Solutions, specifically the signal-tracking and enrichment infrastructure that identifies which buyer questions are gaining traction in AI search and which content gaps need filling. Clay workflow automation allows us to monitor intent signals across platforms in real time, route content briefs automatically based on what AI engines are actively citing, and close the loop between research and publication without manual bottlenecks. For companies producing content at the volume GEO requires, that infrastructure is not optional, it is what separates a sustainable programme from a one-off effort.

GEO does not stand alone. The brands gaining the most from AI search visibility are those that have connected it to a broader GTM Engineering framework, one where AI citation authority feeds directly into pipeline by ensuring that when a buyer surfaces from an AI-assisted research session, the outreach system is already primed to engage them at the right moment. Signal-based GTM and GEO are, in practice, two sides of the same system.

Australian tech companies that treat GEO as a future consideration are already behind the brands that started six months ago. The compounding nature of citation authority means early movers accumulate an advantage that becomes increasingly difficult to close. Intelligent Resourcing works with B2B tech companies across Australia to build the content infrastructure, citation strategy, and GTM systems that make AI visibility a measurable, repeatable outcome, not a side effect of good luck.
Cryptocurrency was established with a clear value proposition: decentralisation, transparency and mathematical certainty. However, when it comes to user authentication, many exchanges, wallets and trading platforms still depend on one of the weakest links in digital security: SMS-based multi-factor authentication. For an industry protecting billions of dollars in digital assets, that gap is no longer acceptable.

The truth about SMS

SMS-based MFA was designed for convenience, not resilience. It adds a second step to the login process, but it does not provide phishing resistance, cryptographic proof of identity, or meaningful protection against targeted attacks.

Cyber criminals are aware of this. SIM swapping, SMS interception and social engineering are now common tactics. Attackers exploit weaknesses in mobile carrier procedures to quickly transfer a victims phone number to a new SIM, intercept one-time passcodes and access crypto accounts.

In Australia, regulators have been vocal about improving protections in the financial services sector. However, parts of the crypto ecosystem still rely on safeguards that would not withstand scrutiny in traditional banking environments. This creates a gap between the value of assets at risk and the security measures in place to protect them.

Cryptos threat model is different

Cryptocurrency platforms face a distinctive threat model. Unlike traditional bank transfers, blockchain transactions cannot be easily reversed. Once funds are transferred, recovery is difficult and often impossible. The decentralised nature of the system means there's no central authority to reverse large-scale fraud, so authentication becomes the first line of defence.

The Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) notified the community in November 2025 that criminals were using Australias national cybercrime reporting channel, ReportCyber, to impersonate police to scam Australians out of funds from their cryptocurrency wallets. Cybercriminals then contacted their victims and quoted an official report reference number to trick them into transferring their cryptocurrency to the criminals accounts.

Attackers targeting crypto accounts are organised, well-funded and increasingly sophisticated. Phishing kits are easily accessible. AI-driven social engineering is lowering barriers to entry and compromised credentials are traded as commodities on the dark web.

The illusion of being good enough

Many believe that SMS-based MFA is better than passwords alone and often consider it good enough. While it offers an upgrade over single-factor authentication, it can increase risk in high-value environments such as crypto.

SMS messages can be intercepted and mobile phone numbers hijacked. Users might be tricked into entering one-time codes on convincing phishing sites. Since the code is portable and human-readable, it can be relayed to an attacker in real time.

This is not just theory, as many high-profile breaches follow the same pattern. Victims are socially engineered, their mobile numbers are hacked and their funds disappear before they realise what has happened.

For platforms holding custodial assets, the reputational impact can be severe. Trust is crucial in crypto. A single authentication breach can wipe out years of brand reputation in just days.

The rise of phishing-resistant authentication

The good news is that the industry does not have to accept this risk as unavoidable. We have worked with the FIDO Alliance to introduce phishing-resistant authentication methods that address many SMS vulnerabilities. Instead of relying on shared secrets or one-time codes, FIDO-based approaches use public-key cryptography to connect authentication to a specific device and domain.

Passkeys, now supported by major platform providers including Apple, Google and Microsoft, represent a significant shift. Authentication is now resistant to phishing because there is no code to steal and no password to reuse. The private key never leaves the users device.

Hardware security keys, such as the YubiKey, provide enhanced protection by storing credentials in tamper-resistant hardware. Even if a user is tricked into visiting a malicious site, the key won't authenticate to the wrong domain. For crypto platforms, this reduces the risk of account takeovers due to SIM swapping or phishing.

We provide hardware-based security for cryptocurrency, protecting exchanges and wallets against phishing and unauthorised access and customers can use a YubiKey to securely access Coinbase, Kraken, Casa for Bitcoin and Coin Wallet.

Regulation and investor scrutiny

Crypto is maturing and institutional investors, superannuation funds and sophisticated retail participants are entering this market with expectations shaped by traditional financial services.

Continuing to rely on SMS-based MFA in this context sends a poor message. It suggests acceptance of outdated measures in a sector that prioritises innovation. For crypto exchanges and wallet providers, there is an opportunity to lead. By making phishing-resistant authentication the default rather than an optional feature, they can differentiate themselves through stronger security and greater trust.

Crypto is at a crucial turning point

Crypto has matured. With institutional capital flowing in and regulators circling, governance and risk management can no longer be optional extras.

SMS-based MFA may have sufficed in an era of rapid growth, but it does not withstand todays threat landscape. Sophisticated adversaries are exploiting these weaknesses at scale and the losses are in the billions.

Phishing-resistant, standards-based authentication is readily available and widely supported, so the barrier is no longer technology; it is will.

An industry founded on cryptographic certainty cannot continue to rely on legacy controls that attackers routinely bypass. If crypto was built to remove weak intermediaries, its security architecture must reflect that same rigour.

Billions are on the line. The security protecting them must be built to match.
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With gasoline prices over $4 a gallon, the highest level since 2022, it's clear that the war with Iran is inflicting economic pain. And not just at the pump: Food prices are poised to rise significantly if federal lawmakers do nothing to address a fertilizer crisis that was, in part, their own making.

The problem stems from countervailing duties (CVDs) that the Commerce Department imposed under former President Joe Biden on certain phosphorus-heavy fertilizers from Morocco and Russia. CVDs are a kind of tariff designed to level the playing field for American businesses by offsetting foreign subsidies. The idea is to impose a tax equal to the foreign subsidy, thereby canceling it out and returning to fair competition.

But that theory falls apart in times of emergency, like we're facing today. The war with Iran has resulted in not just an energy shock but a fertilizer shock too because approximately 20% of global phosphate supply has been disrupted by the Strait of Hormuz being effectively closed. Unlike the oil crisis, which has already caused gasoline and diesel prices to skyrocket, the fertilizer crisis is more of a ticking time bomb.

The Spring planting season is already underway, and American farmers are facing exploding fertilizer prices as the world grapples with severely constrained supply. If those farmers cannot purchase enough affordable fertilizers, then application rates will be severely reduced, and crop yields will be lower. That'll produce a supply crunch, driving food prices higher.

There simply is no substitute for synthetic fertilizer, without which literally half of the world's population would likely starve. Farmers have no cost-effective alternative, which is why higher fertilizer prices directly translate into higher food prices. This isn't mere economic theoryit's borne out by the data.

Academic research from Texas A&M University's Agricultural and Food Policy Center found that the CVDs on phosphorus-heavy fertilizers contributed to higher prices paid by farmers, which ultimately meant higher prices paid by families for groceries. The costs here weren't trivial, amounting to over $1 billion a year on average.

Yet one group saw a windfall: domestic producers. Firms like The Mosaic Company and J.R. Simplot Company, who make fertilizer stateside, were able to charge significantly higher prices because of the CVDs, which made it prohibitively expensive for some foreign firms to sell their product in the U.S., thus reducing competition.

Whether or not this is a sensible policy in peace time, it certainly doesn't make sense during a war, especially one creating a fertilizer crisis. Domestic producers simply don't have the capacity to replace all the foreign supply lost by the chaos in the Middle East, including from Saudi Arabia, one of the world's largest exporters of phosphorus-heavy fertilizers.

American farmers need access to as much supply as possible to help keep costs down and to ensure an adequate food supply. This isn't just an economic issue but a national security issue too, since a nation that cannot affordably and reliably feed itself has ceded some level of sovereignty.

Ideally, domestic fertilizer supply chains could compensate for disruptions abroad, but that's not currently the case, and until that happens, we need to stop the bleeding. That means removing the CVDs until this global emergency has subsided. Effectively forbidding imports during a time of crisis does not strengthen national security, but undermines it.

Many in the agricultural community believe there is empirical evidence that the CVDs on Morocco and Russia have actually been set too high, which caused excessive reductions in foreign supplies of fertilizer and artificially pushed up pricescosts which were passed to American families. These concerns are very real and should be thoroughly reviewed right now during the mandatory five-year "sunset" review.

Regardless of whether these CVDs are ultimately renewed or allowed to expire, there should certainly be a temporary suspension granted immediately due to the global fertilizer crisis. The Trump administration needs to pull out all the stops to ensure that American farmers have access to ample supplies of fertilizer at affordable prices. Otherwise, we'll certainly be facing even higher grocery bills later this year.

E.J. Antoni, Ph.D., is chief economist and the Richard Aster fellow at the Heritage Foundation and a senior fellow at Unleash Prosperity, which was co-founded by Stephen Moore, a former Trump economic advisor and senior fellow at America First Policy Institute.

(COMMENT, BELOW)




 Being naked in public in Florida is right on the cusp of being No Longer Weird.

Martin Evtimov, 36, parked his car on the sidewalk at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and climbed out without a stitch of clothing on, the New York Post reports.

He entered Terminal 1 and approached the TSA security line as he spoke incoherently, then wandered toward the baggage inspection area. That's where Broward County sheriff's deputies and TSA officers caught up with him.

Evtimov resisted arrest but was eventually subdued.

A judge later banned him from the airport and ordered a mental health screening.


Travis Cook, 19-time convicted felon, convicted of first degree murder after Chicago CTA train stabbing.

Countless numbers of people from all walks of life traverse major cities on public transportation on a daily basis nationwide. Unfortunately, many law-abiding citizens in this group do so without the benefit of carrying a firearm for self-protection as cities across America continue to ban the concealed carry of a gun on subways, trains and busses.

Sadly, these modes of transportation are often the scene of violent crimes, such as in the horrific murder of Iryna Zarutska last August in North Carolina.

In an effort to erase this infringement on peaceable citizens, the Second Amendment Foundation challenged the public transportation carry ban in Schoenthal v. Raoul, a case originally filed in Illinois.

At least one Supreme Court Justice seemed to understand that the right to carry must encompass carrying on public transportation for the right to be meaningful. While questioning President Biden's solicitor general during Bruen's oral arguments in 2021, Justice Alito described the sorts of people who most need to exercise the right to carry 
Recently, I came across the Charter of the Soignes (those being cared for) by French physician and writer Martin Winckler from The School of Caregivers (2019).

This is not a legal document, but an ethical framework. It outlines 10 principles centered on dignity, autonomy, and the humanity of the patient.

The first nine principles focus on what we would hope our patients experience. The recognition that a person is more than a diagnosis. That the body belongs to the individual. That information should be clearly understandable. That questions are always appropriate. That values and preferences matter. That care can be accepted or refused. That dignity must be preserved. That suffering deserves acknowledgment. That care works best as a partnership.

Interestingly, the 10th principle shifts focus toward the physician. You will take care of your own health. You will take the rest to which you are entitled. You will protect your freedom of thought. You will refuse to sell yourself.

This line resonates strongly with many physicians because it acknowledges something often ignored. Patient rights and physicians working conditions are not opposing interests. They are deeply linked.

Wincklers message is that ethical care cannot exist in a system that expects physicians to sacrifice their own health or independence indefinitely. It is striking that a charter about patients ends by speaking directly to those providing care.

The 10th principle is not a departure from the charters focus on patients, but its logical conclusion. It is the recognition that the ability to care for others is inseparable from the ability to remain fully human oneself.

Yet in many practice environments, the expectation of constant availability has quietly expanded beyond defined working hours. Responsibility extends into nights, weekends, and the in-between spaces of life that were once reliably protected.

Call is often framed as a professional obligation, part of the culture of medicine, part of what it means to be committed. But when availability becomes assumed rather than defined, it begins to draw from something that is not infinite.

Why it resonates in physician discussions is because it is tied in to our conversations about burnout, call burden, loss of professional autonomy, corporate control of medical decision-making, and feeling like we are for sale within productivity-driven systems.

Protecting the physicians ability to rest, to step away, and to maintain independence of thought is not separate from protecting patients. It may be part of the same work.

A multilingual translation of the charter reflects its adoption by international patient advocacy communities. The phrase la charte des soignes literally translates to the charter of those being cared for.

This wording intentionally moves away from the more passive term patient, emphasizing participation rather than submission.

The tenth principle reads almost like a quiet boundary. You will take the rest to which you are entitled. You will protect your intellectual autonomy. You will never be for sale.

Corinne Rao is an internal medicine physician, working as an independent contractor at several health care facilities, the owner of an internal medicine practice, and a member of FlexMedstaff. In her spare time, she is a ballroom dancer.
Eclampsia is one of the most severe complications of pregnancy. It occurs when a woman with preeclampsia, a condition characterized by dangerously high blood pressure during pregnancy, develops seizures. In well-resourced health systems, preeclampsia is usually detected early and treated long before seizures develop. But in many parts of Nigeria, especially rural communities in the North, women often arrive at hospitals only after convulsions begin. By then, the disease has already reached its most dangerous stage. Nigeria carries one of the highest maternal mortality burdens in the world, and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy remain among the leading causes. The tragedy is that most cases are preventable.

The pattern behind the patients

After seeing several cases, a troubling pattern begins to emerge. Many of the women presenting with eclampsia are:

Young

Experiencing their first pregnancy

From rural communities

Without prior antenatal care

Their stories reveal a deeper reality: Eclampsia is not simply a medical condition. It is also a reflection of social inequalities, health system gaps, and missed opportunities for prevention.

When antenatal care never happens

The most effective defense against eclampsia is routine antenatal care. Simple checks, blood pressure measurement and urine testing, can detect preeclampsia early. With proper monitoring and treatment, seizures can often be prevented. Yet for many women in rural Northern Nigeria, antenatal care is far from routine. Some women attend only once during pregnancy. Many never attend at all. Others arrive at the hospital only after seizures begin. By then, the window for prevention has already closed.

Distance can be deadly

In many rural communities, the nearest hospital capable of managing obstetric emergencies may be several hours away. Transportation is often unreliable or expensive. Families must find a vehicle, fuel, and money for the journey before seeking care. Public health experts describe this problem through the three delays that contribute to maternal deaths:

Delay in deciding to seek care

Delay in reaching a health facility

Delay in receiving adequate treatment

For women with eclampsia, these delays can mean the difference between life and death.

Early marriage and teenage pregnancy

Northern Nigeria also has high rates of early marriage and teenage pregnancy. Young mothers, especially those experiencing their first pregnancy, are biologically more vulnerable to hypertensive disorders like preeclampsia. Many begin pregnancy without sufficient knowledge of warning signs such as:

Persistent headaches

Blurred vision

Severe swelling of the face or hands

Upper abdominal pain

Symptoms that should trigger urgent medical attention are often dismissed as normal pregnancy discomfort.

When home delivery becomes risky

In many rural communities, childbirth still occurs at home under the supervision of traditional birth attendants. These attendants often provide emotional and cultural support, but they may lack the tools needed to detect preeclampsia. There may be:

No blood pressure monitors

No urine testing strips

No emergency medications

A seizure may be the first indication that something is wrong.

Treatment that can save a life

When eclampsia is recognized quickly, treatment can be remarkably effective. The most important medication used worldwide is magnesium sulfate, which stops seizures and prevents them from recurring. Blood pressure must be controlled, the mother stabilized, and the baby delivered. Delivery, either vaginally or by emergency cesarean section, is ultimately the only definitive cure. But these interventions depend on one crucial factor: timely access to care.

Prevention is far simpler than treatment

The frustrating truth about eclampsia is that preventing it is far easier than treating its complications. Effective prevention strategies include:

Early and regular antenatal visits

Routine blood pressure monitoring during pregnancy

Calcium supplementation in low-nutrition populations

Preventive low-dose aspirin for high-risk mothers

Community education about warning symptoms

These interventions are simple, affordable, and effective. Yet many women never benefit from them.

The awareness gap

In some communities, seizures during pregnancy may be attributed to spiritual causes rather than medical complications. This belief can delay urgent care. Improving maternal health therefore requires more than hospital-based interventions. Education must reach:

Rural communities

Religious leaders

Traditional birth attendants

Husbands and family decision-makers

Because in many households, the decision to seek care is not made by the pregnant woman alone.

The mothers we can still save

The young woman who arrived convulsing that night survived. After receiving magnesium sulfate and emergency care, her seizures stopped. Hours later, she delivered her baby. But not every story ends that way. Too many mothers never reach the hospital. Too many babies never take their first breath. Medicine has taught me many things, but perhaps the hardest lesson is realizing how many tragedies are not caused by disease alone, but by the systems surrounding it. Eclampsia should not still be claiming lives in the 21st century. The knowledge to prevent these deaths already exists. The medications exist. The treatment protocols exist. What remains is the commitment to ensure that where a woman lives does not determine whether she survives pregnancy. As physicians, we are trained to treat disease. But in places like rural Nigeria, we often find ourselves confronting something much larger than medicine. Too often, the real diagnosis is not simply eclampsia, it is poverty, distance, lack of access, and a health system struggling to reach the women who need it most.

Mansur Auwal Sani is a physician in Nigeria.
Each May, during Mental Health Awareness Month, the health care industry releases its usual statements about access to care, workforce stress, and the enduring shadows of stigma. I usually read them between back-to-back appointments, staring at a screen full of diagnostic codes. The systemic issues are always important, yet, amidst the charts, the 20-minute med checks, and the rhetoric, there remains a more profound question I have to ask myself every time I close the office door: How am I going to approach the suffering of the person sitting across from me?

To answer that, I sometimes look back to the sweeping plains of Kansas, to a man who forever altered the landscape of American psychiatry. Karl Menninger was a true titan of the twentieth century. He and his family built the Menninger Clinic in Topeka, turning a quiet midwestern capital into a beacon of hope for the troubled mind. From the pages of his monumental works, The Human Mind, Man Against Himself, and The Vital Balance, there emerges a clear, unyielding professional creed that I try to attempt to carry into my own practice: understanding must always precede judgment.

It is a deceptively simple idea. But in the daily, unforgiving crucible of medical practice, it is an excruciatingly hard standard, and one that I struggle to achieve. Menninger firmly rejected the rigid boundaries that separated the sick from the well. He argued that mental illness was not a distant, alien country, but existed on a continuum with ordinary human behavior. I see this continuum every week. It is incredibly easy to look at the darkest of human impulses such as suicide, aggression, the urge toward self-destruction, and instinctively retreat into the safety of clinical labels. I have often caught myself doing it. Menninger worried deeply that these labels could become a kind of blindness, a convenient categorization that keeps the doctor from seeing the actual, messy, lived experience of the human being sitting before them.

When I actually pause to look past the pathology, I dont just see borderline or antisocial behavior; I see someone desperately trying to manage intolerable internal conflict. Menninger did not seek to excuse this behavior, nor did he believe personal accountability should vanish. We have to make judgments. I make clinical decisions every day that carry heavy, life-altering consequences. So do you. But Menninger understood that to assign blame without first attempting to comprehend the agony behind it is a failure of our duty. The true question is whether I have the courage to get curious before I cast that judgment.

Long before the phrase therapeutic alliance became standard medical textbook jargon, Menninger knew that healing was, at its core, a relationship. Technique is essential, of course, but the true work of medicine happens in the quiet, sacred space between two people. Today, we practice in a health care environment increasingly driven by the relentless ticking of the clock and the cold calculus of metrics. We move fast out of sheer necessity. But the great danger of speed is that it impedes curiosity. When I only have a few minutes to adjust a medication, the art of relational presence can feel like a luxury from a bygone era. And when my curious understanding is lost, judgment sometimes unfortunately fills the void to get me through the appointment.

What, then, is mental health? Menninger did not see it merely as the absence of symptoms. He saw it as the vibrant, resilient capacity to live, to work, to love, to weather the inevitable storms of frustration, and to take ones meaningful place in society. It is an acknowledgment that we are all, beautifully and deeply, imperfect.

Mental health is not a fixed destination, nor a perfect state of mind we can permanently secure. It is a daily, courageous practice to engage with life exactly as it is. Karl Menninger was, at his heart, an optimist. He believed that beneath our defenses and our diagnoses, we all share a fundamental desire to truly know one another. As a physician, it is a choice I must make again and again: to forget the metrics for a moment, to choose connection over withdrawal, and from that understanding, find the healing that sustains us all.

Timothy Lesaca is a psychiatrist in private practice at New Directions Mental Health in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with more than forty years of experience treating children, adolescents, and adults across outpatient, inpatient, and community mental health settings. He has published in peer-reviewed and professional venues including the Patient Experience Journal, Psychiatric Times, the Allegheny County Medical Society Bulletin, and other clinical journals, with work addressing topics such as open-access scheduling, Landau-Kleffner syndrome, physician suicide, and the dynamics of contemporary medical practice. His recent writing examines issues of identity, ethical complexity, and patientclinician relationships in modern health care. Additional information about his clinical practice and professional work is available on his website, timothylesacamd.com. His professional profile also appears on his ResearchGate profile, where further publications and details may be found.
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What if the moment women stop seeing their gynecologist is exactly when their cervical cancer risk matters most? Nenrot S. Gopep, a physician and public health researcher, joins the show to discuss her KevinMD article, Menopause and the drop in cervical cancer screening. Her research found that postmenopausal women are 24 percent less likely to receive a Pap smear compared to premenopausal women, even after controlling for insurance, age, and socioeconomic status. You will hear why the persistent myth that cervical cancer is only a concern for sexually active women is keeping older patients from getting screened, and why HPV can lie dormant for years before developing into cancer. Gopep explains how the shift away from gynecologists after menopause places greater responsibility on primary care physicians to continue screening through age 65. She also discusses the expanded availability of the HPV vaccine, what Australias elimination of cervical cancer teaches us about what is possible, and the specific questions patients should be asking their doctors about screening and vaccination. If you or someone you care about has put off cervical cancer screening after menopause, this episode could change that decision.

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 Nenrot S. Gopep. She is a physician and public health researcher. Todays KevinMD article is Menopause and the drop in cervical cancer screening. Nenrot, thank you so much for joining me today.

Nenrot S. Gopep: Thank you for having me.

Kevin Pho: All right, so why dont you briefly tell us a little bit about yourself and then the reason why you decided to share this article on KevinMD.

Nenrot S. Gopep: I am a medical doctor. I trained in Nigeria at the University of Jos, and then I started my medical residency in internal medicine. I also have an interest in population health and preventive medicine. I have a nonprofit organization that does some form of advocacy and provides free medical services and screening services to underserved populations. Because of this interest, I decided to pursue a Masters in public health at Georgia Southern University.

During my masters program, I worked with my supervisor, my professor, Dr. Tong, and that was how we came up with this research topic. We used the Health and Retirement Study data to assess how much women still do cervical cancer screening after theyve transitioned through menopause. Basically, what we noticed was that women were more likely to still get screened when they are yet to go through menopause and during perimenopause. But then we noticed that as soon as they hit menopause, the rate of cervical cancer screening dropped by a very great percent. This was interesting because we do know that menopause happens around 40 to 50 years old, but cervical cancer screening is still supposed to be done until the age of 65 or thereabouts.

There are also certain factors that have to be met before women are transitioned out of cervical cancer screening. It was more like a lot of women were just not getting screened after menopause. So that is what made us interested to dig deeper.

Kevin Pho: All right. In your article, you wrote that women who have transitioned to menopause are 24 percent less likely to receive a Pap smear four years later compared to premenopausal women. Tell us more about that data during your research and the impact those findings have.

Nenrot S. Gopep: What we noticed was that postmenopausal women were less likely to still go through cervical cancer screening with a Pap smear after they had gone through menopause. The impact of this is that there is less vigilance after menopause. When we did some article reviews to review past studies, there was a particular study done in China where some women felt that they didnt need to go through that screening because they felt that cervical cancer was sexually transmitted. This was interesting because although the virus is sexually transmitted, it has the probability of still lying dormant in the body and then manifesting as cancer later on. What was more interesting was that most cervical cancer cases occur in older women. The fact that women around this age were less likely to get screened, but were most likely at the highest risk to have cervical cancer, was worrying.

That was one of the things we found out. We also controlled for other factors because there could be other factors affecting those results, like insurance, age, and socioeconomic status. We tried to control for all these factors in our analysis, but the results still remained the same.

Kevin Pho: What are some of the reasons you think can explain the decline in cervical cancer screening after menopause?

Nenrot S. Gopep: I would say that it is the belief and maybe the perception. I think that clinicians need to do more education to women, and to people in general, to just let them know that the risk doesnt decrease after menopause. It is still really high after menopause. I work with an organization called ACEs World. We try to advocate for cervical cancer screening and vaccination against HPV. One of the things we are trying to do is to decenter cervical cancer as just a sexually transmitted infection. Not because HPV isnt a sexually transmitted infection, but it kind of takes peoples attention away from the many ways that it can later translate to cervical cancer.

We are trying to decenter people from that because we noticed that when people become not sexually active, or for women that have sex with women, they felt they were not at risk of having HPV and cervical cancer. When we decenter the conversation from it being a sexually transmitted infection to just something that we may need to get done regularly, then I feel like we are going to have more progress.

Kevin Pho: Tell us some of the common scenarios that you see in the exam room, or that I as a primary care physician see in the exam room. Because sometimes when I offer Pap smears and cervical cancer screenings to women, they sometimes feel it is a young womans disease, especially post-menopause. What are some of the myths that commonly persist, and what are some of the things that I can do in the primary care exam room to dispel some of those myths?

Nenrot S. Gopep: I think one of the things that we need to dispel is the idea that you only get cervical cancer when you are sexually active. Yes, HPV is sexually transmitted, but the Pap smear that is being done is not really detecting the viral genome. The virus could be there lying dormant and then develop into cervical cancer years later. I think we just need to tell people that even if you are not currently sexually active, you can still be at risk of developing cervical cancer if you are not screened regularly.

This is especially important because fewer women are seeing gynecologists as they go post-menopause because fewer of these women require birth control, so they are being found in the primary care setting. So it is pretty important that primary care physicians continue to emphasize the importance of cervical cancer screening as women age up until the age of 65.

Kevin Pho: What else do we have coming on the horizon when it comes to this research and messaging? What are some other things that we can do? Are you aware of any organizations that are promoting the importance of continued cervical cancer screening?

Nenrot S. Gopep: Yes, for ACEs World, we partner with a couple of organizations that are also putting the message out there and helping to improve access to the vaccine. Previously, the vaccine was only available to women up to the age of 26 or 27. Now it has been increased to around 40 years, but that is solely based on the discretion of the provider and the patient; it is a joint decision. We are pushing the message out there for people to just know that this is an option and to talk about it with their provider if it is something they will be interested in.

Also, I think the vaccine plays a very major role in helping to prevent cervical cancer. That is why it is important to talk about it to people from a younger age, especially to parents, because we have noticed that vaccine hesitancy is playing a key role in preventing the elimination of cervical cancer. We also need to talk to people and let them know that the vaccine is safe and available and they should get both male and female kids vaccinated.

Kevin Pho: For those who arent familiar, this is the HPV vaccine. What are the current guidelines to administer this vaccine?

Nenrot S. Gopep: The vaccine is administered starting around the age of nine. It is given between the ages of 9 to 26, and there are two doses of the vaccine, given six months apart. The vaccine is safe. So far, I dont think it has any major side effects. It helps to prevent infection from the human papillomavirus. It is important to get it at a younger age because, like we said, it is a sexually transmitted infection. Even though cervical cancer is currently only in women, men also play a role in transmitting the virus. So it is important to vaccinate both men and women, or boys and girls, at a younger age.

Kevin Pho: Now lets take a little bit more of a global perspective. What are some of the global attitudes towards cervical cancer screening outside of the United States?

Nenrot S. Gopep: Good news: Australia recently eliminated cervical cancer, which is a very good development. It goes to show that it is doable and a country like America that spends a lot on health care can still achieve that. For a lot of countries, people are still talking about it, but screening is a bit low, especially for postmenopausal women. Not a lot of research has been done in a lot of other countries on screening attitudes in postmenopausal women.

Kevin Pho: If patients are listening to you on this podcast, tell us the type of questions that they should be asking their physician about cervical cancer screening.

Nenrot S. Gopep: I think that is very important. I would say that they should ask if they are eligible to get the vaccine and if it is available. I would also suggest they ask their doctor how often they should get screened for cervical cancer by doing a Pap smear. There are also two types of screening. There is the DNA type of test for HPV, and then there is the Pap smear screening that takes cells from the cervix and checks for changes. They can ask if they are eligible for both or just one, and what kind of test should be done for them, because I think it varies for different age groups. It is important to know the type you are getting done and the sensitivity and specificity of those tests. I would say that those are the important questions to ask when you are with your provider.

Kevin Pho: What about women after a hysterectomy? I know that there are different scenarios regarding whether it is a total versus a partial hysterectomy, but in general, what is the approach to cervical cancer screening in women after a hysterectomy?

Nenrot S. Gopep: For women with a hysterectomy, if it is a total hysterectomy, then it is no longer necessary to have the Pap smear screening done because the cervix has already been taken out. But for women with a subtotal hysterectomy, there may still be some parts of the cervix present, and they are still at risk of developing cervical cancer if they are not screened. So for those groups of women, they should definitely get a Pap smear done.

Kevin Pho: We are talking to Nenrot S. Gopep. She is a physician and public health researcher. Todays KevinMD article is Menopause and the drop in cervical cancer screening. Nenrot, lets end with some take-home messages that you want to leave with the KevinMD audience.

Nenrot S. Gopep: Some take-home messages would be that cervical cancer risk doesnt disappear after menopause. It is a risk that is still present post-menopause. So it is important to continue screening. For clinicians, it is important to ensure that these women have met the criteria for exiting the screening. There are lots of criteria that have to be met before a woman can exit cervical cancer screening, so it is important to ensure that these women have fully met the criteria before exiting. Also, the vaccine is available, and it is important to talk to people and get them vaccinated, especially younger people. It is important to get them vaccinated early.

Kevin Pho: Nenrot, thank you so much for sharing your perspective and insight. Thanks again for coming on the show.

Nenrot S. Gopep: Thank you so much.
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23:56 NSF holds candlelight vigil, seeks justice for 2 Naga civilians killed in Manipur File image The Naga Students' Federation (NSF) on Thursday held a candlelight vigil here demanding justice for two Naga civilians killed in a recent ambush in Manipur.The vigil, held at Naga Solidarity Park under the theme 'We Rise Together: Unbreakable, Unafraid', was organised in memory of Chinaoshang... Read more >

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17:57 Delhi rape-murder monster caught as he couldn't board train The Delhi police with Rahul Meena Delhi's Saket court granted four days' custody of the accused Rahul Meena to Delhi Police to investigate the alleged rape and murder case of the IRS officer's daughter. Rahul was produced before the court on Thursday after his arrest from a hotel in Dwarka on Wednesday.An FIR has been lodged at... Read more >

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11:32 Trump lists out 'Naughty and Nice' NATO allies The Donald Trump administration has reportedly developed a naughty and nice list categorising NATO allies according to their contributions, a move viewed as an effort to reward or penalise nations based on their support for the US military engagement with Iran, according to the Politico.The... Read more >

11:26 Think about your future: Kanimozhi DMK MP Kanimozhi speaks to the electorate after voting: Think about your future. Think about the future of the state. Think about who will fight for the rights of the state and for the language, what we stand for, and then vote...This election's narrative is that we have performed well. We have... Read more >

11:02 See: Footage of Iranian military seizing ships in Hormuz Iranian military boarding a vessel. Video grab: IRIB The Iranian government has published footage purportedly documenting the seizure of a commercial container ship within the strategic waters of the Strait of Hormuz, according to a report by Al Jazeera.The visual evidence shows armed members of the Iranian military, wearing masks, scaling the hull... Read more >

10:41 Confident of DMK returning to power, says Udhayanidhi DMK MP Tiruchi Siva votes Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin on Thursday expressed confidence that DMK will emerge victorious in the Assembly elections.Speaking to reporters after exercising his franchise here, the DMK youth wing secretary urged people to come and vote.To a question on how confident he... Read more >

10:39 8% turnout in Baramati, 6% in Rahuri till 9 am Eight per cent voter turnout was recorded in Baramati and six per cent in Rahuri in the first two hours of voting on Thursday as polling was underway for bypolls to the two assembly constituencies in Maharashtra, election officials said.Voting began at 7 am and will conclude at 6 pm, they... Read more >

10:37 Confident of DMK returning to power, says Udhayanidhi Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin on Thursday expressed confidence that DMK will emerge victorious in the Assembly elections.Speaking to reporters after exercising his franchise here, the DMK youth wing secretary urged people to come and vote.To a question on how confident he... Read more >

10:34 Vijay flags voters stranded at bus terminals, urges ECI to extend polling by 2 hrs Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay on Thursday urged the Election Commission to deploy public transport for people stranded at bus terminals in Chennai and other cities of Tamil Nadu, and extend the duration for polling by two hours.Writing to Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh... Read more >

10:23 Tamil Nadu registers 17.6% turnout, Bengal 18.7% BJP leader K Annamalai votes in Coimbatore The voter turnout in West Bengal (Phase 1) was recorded at 18.76 per cent, while in Tamil Nadu it was recorded at 17.69 per cent at 9 am on Thursday. Tiruppur district recorderd the highest turnout with 20.38% voting while Chennai district registered a turnout of 16.51% and Erode recorded 19.55%... Read more >

10:09 I pray for peaceful voting: Suvendu Adhikari West Bengal's Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari cast his vote in Nandigram on Thursday morning, and hailed the arrangements made by the Election Commission.Adhikari reached booth number 79 at Nandanayakbar Primary School in Purba Medinipur district shortly before 8 am and exercised his... Read more >

09:51 Hormuz mine clearance may take...: Pentagon The Pentagon has reportedly informed the US Congress that clearing naval mines allegedly positioned by the Iranian military could take up to six months, highlighting a significant hurdle to regional stability despite a precarious ceasefire. According to a House Armed Services Committee... Read more >

09:39 Teen dies after falling into train-platform gap at Bhiwandi Road station Representative image A 19-year-old woman died after falling into the gap between a moving train and the platform at Bhiwandi Road railway station in Maharashtra's Thane district, police said on Thursday.The incident occurred at 7.25 pm on Tuesday on platform no. 4 as the train slowed down, they said.The victim,... Read more >

09:34 Modi appeals people of Tamil Nadu, Bengal to vote in large numbers Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday appealed to the people of Tamil Nadu and West Bengal to enthusiastically take part in the voting for the Assembly elections in their states. Modi especially urged the youth and women of the two states to vote in record numbers. Polling has... Read more >

09:31 Baramati bypoll: Sunetra Pawar casts vote Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister and NCP head Sunetra Pawar, contesting the Baramati assembly seat bypoll, cast her vote on Thursday and appealed to electors to turn out in large numbers and support her as a tribute to her late husband Ajit Pawar. The byelection to the seat located in... Read more >

08:38 Voting begins in high-stakes polls in Bengal, Tamil Nadu Voting for Tami Nadu and West Bengal Assembly elections has commenced at 7 am on Thursday, April 23.In the first phase, over 3.60 crore electors are eligible to vote in 152 constituencies in Bengal .The election is being seen as the BJP's best opportunity to make an early breakthrough and the... Read more >

00:29 Distribution, sale of 7 drugs prohibited in Rajasthan after failing quality tests File image The Rajasthan Food Safety and Drug Control Department has prohibited the distribution and sale of seven medicines found not of standard quality during testing conducted earlier this month, officials said on Wednesday.The list pertains to samples collected between April 1 and April 15,... Read more >

00:23 HC rejects Unnao rape survivor's plea to lead further evidence against Sengar The Delhi high court on Wednesday rejected the Unnao Rape victim's plea to lead further evidence against former MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar. Sengar is a life convict in the gang rape case of the minor in 2017.Sengar's appeal against conviction is pending before the Delhi high court.Division... Read more >
Haitis ruler, Francois Papa Doc Duvalier, has died after 14 years in power.

President Duvalier, who declared himself president for life in 1964, died at the presidential palace in Port-au-Prince.

He is believed to have been seriously ill for some time  his ailments included prostate cancer, heart trouble and diabetes.

During his time as Haitis absolute ruler Mr Duvalier, 64, survived at least six assassination attempts.

A doctor by profession, Francois Duvalier was elected as president in 1956.

He then set about consolidating his power by means of force and playing on the superstitious nature of many Haitians.

He destroyed the power of the Roman Catholic Church by expelling its archbishop in 1969 and encouraging the pagan cult of voodoo.

His safety was ensured by his personal militia, the feared Tontons Macoutes  Haitian slang for bogeymen.

President Duvalier made sure the Tontons Macoutes vastly outnumbered the Haitian army, reducing the chance of a successful coup.

He was as superstitious as many of those he ruled and, in later years, would only venture outside the presidential palace on the 22nd of each month.

He believed that on the 22nd he was guarded by his voodoo spirits and organised many significant events of his life for that date.

He was delighted when US President John F Kennedy, on whom he had placed a curse, was assassinated on 22 November 1963  a fact which enhanced the reputation of his alleged voodoo powers.

President Duvalier is believed to have left orders for his death to be announced on the 22nd although it is thought he may have died several days ago.

He is expected to be succeeded by his son Jean-Claude, known as Baby Doc.

The 20-year-old student was publicly declared his fathers heir last year.

Courtesy BBC News

In context

Jean-Claude Duvalier succeeded his father but fled Haiti in 1986 in the wake of mounting popular discontent.

A period of instability followed with two presidents ousted by military coups in 1988 and 1991.

In 1993 the UN imposed sanctions on Haiti after the military regime rejected an agreement to allow Jean-Bertrand Aristide to resume his role as president.

Mr Aristide was finally reinstated in 1994 after US forces entered Haiti to oversee a transition to civilian government.

In February 2004 US forces were back in Haiti, this time to airlift President Aristide out of the country after rebels had taken over most of the country. Boniface Alexandre, chief justice at the countrys Supreme Court, was sworn in as interim president.

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A key border crossing between Iraq and Syria reopened this week for the first time in more than a decade, with officials highlighting its potential for trade and oil exports. Syria touted the crossing as a safe overland route for oil exports and an alternative to the Strait of Hormuz at the focus of the Iran war.

The crossing  known as Rabia in Iraq and Yarubiyah in Syria  was closed after the Syrian civil war began in 2011. Then in 2014, militants from the Islamic State group seized the area. Iraqi Kurdish forces later retook it.

Syrias state-run SANA news agency said that Syrian and Iraqi officials at the crossing discussed how to improve coordination and ease transit and trade in line with shared interests.

Nadia al-Jubouri, a member of Iraqs provincial council of Nineveh, said at the ceremony that the reopening will allow for trade exchange and oil transportation toward this great gate.

Still, transporting oil over land is far inferior  in capacity  to pipelines and oil tankers at sea.

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Continuing his tour in Lisbon, the Chief Executive (CE), Sam Hou Fai, met on Monday (April 20) local time with two Portuguese ministers (the Ministers of Justice and Economy, and of Territorial Cohesion) as well as with representatives of the Association of Chinese Enterprises in Portugal.

In the meeting with Portugals Minister of Economy and Territorial Cohesion, Manuel Castro Almeida, the two exchanged views on further deepening economic and trade cooperation between Macau and Portugal, and on supporting Macau in better fulfilling its role as a bridge between China and Portuguese-speaking countries.

Subsequently, Sam and Almeida met with representatives of the business delegation accompanying the CE on the visit to Portugal to discuss establishing links and creating a platform to explore business opportunities.

As in previous occasions, Sam noted Macaus unique strengths  such as its dual-language environment in Chinese and Portuguese and its continental European-style legal system, which allow the region to become a bridge for economic and trade cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries, helping enterprises from both sides to explore third-party markets jointly, and achieve mutual benefit and win-win outcomes.

The CE noted that Portugal possesses competitive advantages in sectors such as science and technology, education, tourism, and conventions and exhibitions, remarking that he looked forward to further expanding exchanges and cooperation between the two sides in these fields, establishing a platform for coordination, and strengthening mutual collaboration.

On his part, Minister Almeida said that thanks to the unique and irreplaceable relationship between Portugal and Macau, the region boasts a wealth of legal and linguistic talent, enabling it to maintain close ties with Portuguese-speaking countries.

He remarked that Portugal attaches great importance to its friendly relations with China, and that he himself had advocated many years ago for the teaching of Chinese in local primary schools, so as to seize at an early stage the opportunities presented by Chinas development.

The two sides officials then met with over 20 business representatives accompanying the delegation on its visit to Portugal to exchange views, forge connections, and seize opportunities for cooperation.

More judicial cooperation

Earlier in the day, the CE met with Portugals Minister of Justice, Rita Alarcao Judice, to exchange views on enhancing bilateral ties and deepening judicial cooperation between Macau and Portugal.

During the meeting, Sam shared an update with the minister on the current status of legal system development and legal talent training in Macau, noting that since the handover, Macau has maintained its pre-existing legal system while reviewing and updating major legal codes to meet evolving social and economic needs.

Sam expressed hope for stronger collaboration with Portugals Ministry of Justice, particularly in further implementing comprehensive judicial assistance arrangements between Macau and Portugal to provide robust legal safeguards for bilateral economic, trade, and people-to-people exchanges.

Minister Judice noted that Portugals Ministry of Justice has long been committed to promoting judicial cooperation between the two sides and will continue to advance and deepen the bilateral partnership.

She also praised the governments efforts to preserve cultural diversity, noting that the Portuguese language and culture are well maintained and promoted in Macau.

Current and future of Chinese businessin Portugal

On the same day, Sam met with representatives of the Association of Chinese Enterprises in Portugal, during which the delegation exchanged views with representatives of Chinese mainland enterprises and Macau businesses operating in Portugal.

The meeting focused on understanding the current operations and future prospects of these enterprises in Portugal, and on strengthening mutual coordination to promote shared development.

Member companies of the Association of Chinese Enterprises in Portugal operate across key sectors, including energy, finance, insurance, healthcare, and telecommunications, and collectively serve over 90% of Portugals population, Sam noted, remarking that they have made positive contributions to local socio-economic development, facilitated the expansion of Chinese enterprises in the Portuguese market, and played a significant role in promoting China-Portugal economic and trade cooperation.

Sam noted the Joint Voyage model, used for the first time in this tour, highlighting the need to better leverage Macaus unique platform role in supporting both Chinese mainland and Macau enterprises in expanding overseas.

The CE took the opportunity to encourage Macau companies in Portugal to strengthen collaboration with the Association, integrating into and serving the national development agenda.

In this context, the Association stated its commitment to actively align with national strategies and strengthen collaboration with Macau to promote complementary strengths and resource sharing.

In closing, Sam encouraged Chinese mainland and Macau enterprises in Portugal to maintain confidence in their development, seize the opportunities presented by the Guangdong-Macau Intensive Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, make full use of Macaus multiple advantages, and continue deepening multilateral cooperation in technological innovation, trade, and other fields.

Portuguese firms told to tap first-mover edge in Hengqin

Portuguese companies that establish an early presence in the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin will gain a significant competitive advantage, according to a senior Macau business leader.

Carlos Cid Alvares, chairman of the Macau Delegation of the Portugal-China Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCILC Macau), said first-mover positioning is crucial for success in the Greater Bay Area (GBA), as cited in a TDM report.

He made the remarks on Sunday on the sidelines of an investment promotion event in Lisbon organised by the Commerce and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM).

Companies that establish themselves first in Hengqin will benefit from a significant competitive edge, Alvares said, adding that investors can use Macau as a strategic gateway to the mainland market.

Alvares, who is also CEO of Banco Nacional Ultramarino (BNU), was part of a 120-member business delegation accompanying Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai on official visits to Lisbon and Madrid. He highlighted Portugals strengths in sectors such as agriculture, food products, cork, moulds, wood pulp and fast-growing technology unicorn startups.

As an example of successful expansion, he pointed to Manteigaria, a Portuguese artisanal egg tart brand that has invested in Macau and is now using the city as a base to expand into Hong Kong.

Alvares said Portuguese firms can scale up effectively by forming partnerships with companies based in Macau and Hengqin, enabling wider access to the mainland market.

From that base, they can gain access to the broader 1.4-billion-strong Chinese market, he said.

He added that Hengqins preferential policies and improving infrastructure make it an increasingly attractive destination for foreign investment, particularly for early entrants seeking to benefit from the zones deeper integration into the Greater Bay Area development framework. RD

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Chinas industrial and IT economy surged ahead in the first quarter of 2026, with added value from industries above designated size climbing 6.1% year-on-year. Vice Minister of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) Zhang Yunming said Tuesday that all 31 provinces logged positive growth, more than 80% of industries expanded, and the sector contributed nearly 40% to overall economic growth.

At the State Council Information Office press conference, Zhang outlined first-quarter achievements.

The MIIT vice minister said, Despite growing uncertainty abroad, Chinas industrial economy is on solid ground, thanks to its full-fledged industrial system [] Going forward, the focus will be on steady growth, innovation, and integration. The goal is a stronger industrial economy and a good start to the 15th Five-Year Plan period from 2026 to 2030.

Zhang announced that total telecommunications business volume rose 8.3% year-on-year in China, up 0.6 percentage points from last year. Meanwhile, software and IT services revenue jumped 11.7% in January-February, 1.8 percentage points higher than the prior year.

The added value of high-tech manufacturing above designated size increased by 12.5% year-on-year [] The output of products such as industrial robots and integrated circuits increased by 33.2% and 24.3% year-on-year, respectively, Zhang said.

On advanced manufacturing, Zhang said this area has accelerated, further releasing industrial vitality.

Equipment manufacturings share in industrial added value rose 1.4 percentage points year-on-year. Sixteen cities joined as national new industrialization demonstration zones, bringing the total to 179 high-tech zones.

Intelligent upgrades also advanced, with 37 challenge-based projects accepted, seven new national standards, and two industry standards released.

Tough as Steel

Chinas steel sector showed resilience in the first quarter of 2026, despite declining output of major products like crude steel and steel products. The steel industry still achieved a positive growth of 2.5% in industrial added value, Zhang stated.

He added that performance signals higher value created per ton of steel, making the steel backbone of the manufacturing industry more resilient.

In terms of key products, output of ten commonly used non-ferrous metals increased by 3.6%, and output of ethylene, fertilizers, and refined copper all increased by more than 5%.

From January to February, profits of raw materials industries above designated size increased by 45.6% year-on-year, with a profit margin of 4.2%, 1.2 percentage points higher than the same period last year.

On green efforts, Zhang said 2,038 new green factories and 128 green parks were added.

Network Coverage Advances

Per Xie Cun, MIIT spokesperson and director of the Information and Communications Development Department, information infrastructure continued to advance.

Xie detailed, As of the end of March, the total number of 5G base stations nationwide has reached 4.958 million, and the number of 10G PON ports with gigabit network service capabilities has reached 32.01 million. 168 communities, factories, and industrial parks in 86 cities across the country have carried out pilot deployments of 10-gigabit optical networks, and 5G-A (5G evolution network) has now covered 330 cities.

He added the mobile Internet of Things (IoT) is booming, with 2.948 billion terminal users.

Per MIIT, China has achieved gigabit access in every county and 5G in every township, with 100% broadband coverage and over 95% 5G coverage in villages, as well as full 4G/5G coverage at border sites.

Deep network coverage has been achieved in 269,000 key locations nationwide, and continuous network coverage has been achieved along 654,000 kilometers of highways and railways and 316 subway lines.

Everyone should be able to deeply feel this change and improvement, Xie said.

Outlining next steps, Xie announced that MIIT will accelerate 5G-A commercialization, 10-gigabit optical pilots, dual-gigabit to dual-10-gigabit evolution, and mobile IoT intelligent interconnection of everything.

Xie said MIIT will also advance 6G/next-generation internet R&D and industry-vertical collaborations.

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Electric motorcycle charging stations in public parking lots launched a scan-to-charge pilot on Monday, requiring users to access chargers via a mobile app. China Power Macau (CEM) staff assisted riders on-site, with instructions provided through signage. Some users found the system more complex, particularly older riders less familiar with mobile apps. Others reported smooth registration but raised concerns about leaving phones unattended while charging. CEM said it will review trial data to improve system management and introduce real-time station status updates.

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The Hong Kong government is seeking to confiscate millions of dollars in funds and corporate shares it says are linked to crimes committed by jailed former media tycoon Jimmy Lai, according to a court document seen by The Associated Press yesterday.

The filing does not explain how the property, which it estimates to be worth over 127 million Hong Kong dollars ($16 million), is linked to Lais crimes. The government previously announced that it was seeking asset forfeitures in the case but did not disclose the amount.

Lai, an outspoken critic of Chinas ruling Communist Party who founded the now-defunct newspaper Apple Daily, was convicted in December of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and conspiring with others to publish seditious articles. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison in February, the toughest sentence given so far under a Beijing-imposed national security law.

Critics say his conviction reflected the decline of press and other freedoms in the city, a former British colony that returned to Chinese rule in 1997. The government insists the case has nothing to do with a free press, saying the defendants used news reporting as a pretext for years to commit acts that harmed China and Hong Kong.

According to a document sent to the citys court system earlier this month, the Department of Justice is seeking an order for Lai to forfeit to the government money held in 15 bank accounts under his name, money held in bank accounts under various companies, as well as shares in various companies held by him or others.

The money the government is seeking to seize also includes bail money deposited in the court system and a fine of 2 million Hong Kong dollars ($255,440) imposed on Lai for fraud convictions in 2022, which could be refunded to him after the convictions were quashed in February.

The government announced that it had applied to seize the properties linked to Lais crimes on April 2 in a statement. At that time, the government cited the security law, saying that the funds and tools used or intended to be used in committing an offense shall be confiscated, as well as proceeds obtained in the commission of an offense.

The government said an order made for the purpose of safeguarding national security can prevent convicts, their accomplices or agents from continuing to use their offense-related properties to engage in acts and activities endangering security.

A hearing on the case is scheduled for July. KANIS LEUNG, HONG KONG, MDT/AP

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The government has awarded the conceptual planning contract for the Macau Science and Technology Industrial Research and Development Park to the Beijing Industrial Designing & Researching Institute Co., Ltd., with a total value of about MOP197.8 million, according to the Economic and Technological Development Bureau (DSEDT).

Under the agreement, the mainland consultancy will prepare two separate development proposals for possible sites under consideration.

The larger allocation, worth approximately MOP148 million, covers the western parcel of Zone E1 of the New Urban Reclamation Area. A second plan, valued at around MOP49.33 million, relates to a potential site along Avenida Wai Long in Taipa.

Both conceptual designs are scheduled for completion by 31 December 2027, the bureau said.

The institute, founded in 1961 and affiliated with the Zhongguancun Development Group Beijings state-backed innovation services platform  has already been involved in preliminary work for the project since November 2025. This includes drafting consultation documents, designing feedback forms, conducting public consultation sessions in Macau and compiling summary reports.

The planned science park is expected to focus on four key sectors: biomedicine, digital technologies, integrated circuits and aerospace technology. Authorities have said the project aims to leverage Greater Bay Area resources, overcome land constraints in Macau and promote a dual-development model linking R&D in Macau with commercialization in Hengqin, as well as Chinese technology with Lusophone markets.

Depending on the final site selection, the project scale will vary significantly. The E1 reclamation option covers about 177,000 square metres with a maximum building height of 53 metres. The Avenida Wai Long option spans around 83,000 square metres, including hillside terrain and the Taipa Grande Hill Tunnel, and allows for structures up to 70 metres high.

The government said the project is a key step in strengthening Macaus innovation and technology ecosystem and integrating it more closely with regional development strategies.

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The Health Bureau (SSM) has urged residents to strengthen personal protective measures after a sharp rise in influenza cases, with 1,785 infections recorded in March.

This represents an increase of about 4.6 times compared with 320 cases in the same month last year, and 1.9 times higher than the 618 cases recorded in February, according to official surveillance data.

A total of 1,998 notifiable disease cases were reported in March. Influenza, norovirus and enterovirus were the most common illnesses during the period. Among them, influenza and enterovirus infections showed notable month-on-month increases, while rotavirus cases declined.

The bureau reported 50 enterovirus infection cases in March, up 66.7% from 30 cases in the same month last year and about 1.6 times higher than 19 cases in February. Rotavirus infections fell to 11 cases, down 35.3% year-on-year and 63.3% compared with the previous month.

Health authorities also monitored mosquito-borne and other infectious diseases. No dengue fever cases were recorded in March. However, one imported case of chikungunya fever was confirmed during the same period.

The SSM said it will continue to closely monitor the situation and called on the public to maintain good hygiene practices, including frequent handwashing, wearing masks when necessary, and seeking medical attention early when symptoms appear, in order to reduce the risk of further transmission.

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Nearly a decade after its launch, the Bus Traveling System mobile application still lacks full coverage of passenger occupancy data and faces accuracy issues, according to a written inquiry by legislator Leong Pou U.

The app was first introduced as a trial version in July 2016, providing real-time bus arrival information to help residents and tourists plan their journeys. Over time, the government has added functions such as occupancy indicators for selected buses, travel time estimates across the three Macau-Taipa bridges, and traffic updates for key roads.

As of December 31, 2025, the app had been downloaded more than 2.86 million times, Leong noted.

However, he said significant room for improvement remains. Of Macaus 1,010 public buses, only 348  about 34.5%  are equipped with passenger occupancy estimation systems. He also said the accuracy of the data is still insufficient for reliable use.

Leong asked whether the government has a concrete timeline for full installation of the system across all buses, as previously indicated by the Transport and Public Works Bureau. He also questioned what measures will be taken to improve accuracy so passengers can better assess crowding levels and choose alternative routes when necessary.

The legislator also raised concerns about inconsistencies in the apps road congestion feature, noting that the same road at the same time may display different congestion levels depending on the bus route. He asked what steps would be taken to improve consistency and reliability.

In addition, Leong suggested the government consider adding estimated arrival times for each bus at every stop to help residents better plan their travel.

In response, Transport Bureau (DSAT) director Chiang Ngoc Vai said the bureau will continue expanding the passenger occupancy system and upgrading equipment through coordination with the two bus operators under existing service contracts.

He added that the congestion feature and arrival time functions will be improved through the restructuring of the 14-year-old Public Bus Management System, with upgrades to its technical framework. The bureau will also advance digitalization of the transport system and enhance the mobile apps functionality to improve user experience.

Chiangs reply, issued under instructions from Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai, responded to the inquiry submitted on March 14 and received by the Chief Executives Office on March 20.

The DSAT reaffirmed that improving data accuracy and helping passengers make better-informed travel decisions remain key priorities in the ongoing system upgrade.

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More overseas tourists may soon be eligible for discounted bus and ferry trips from Hong Kong to Macau, with the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) looking to broaden a subsidy scheme currently reserved for foreign visitors in Hong Kong.

Tourism chief Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes disclosed the plan last month in response to lawmaker Ho Ion Sangs inquiry on the feasibility of expanding the existing free bus service from Hong Kong to Macau for foreign tourists to include ferry tickets as well, allowing visitors to travel from Hong Kongs urban areas to Macau by sea and enhancing itinerary flexibility through complementary transport options.

Notably, on January 20 this year, MGTO launched a campaign in collaboration with an operator offering free cross-border bus services from the restricted area of Hong Kong International Airport directly to Macau. The offer is available to international travelers visiting Hong Kong who are not from the Greater China region  excluding mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan. Eligible travelers can present identification at the airport transfer counter to receive a ticket, with the campaign running through the end of 2026.

Similar free cross-border bus ticket promotions were previously launched in 2024 and 2025, marking this as the third collaboration with Hong Kong Airport Passenger Services (Macau) Co., Ltd. The authorities have described the free bus service from Hong Kong to Macau as remarkably effective, successfully attracting a large number of foreign visitors to extend their trips to Macau.

According to previous reports, the 11-month promotion in 2024 brought more than 310,000 international visitor arrivals to Macau. The service launched on May 1 last year recorded nearly 40,000 international visitors in its first month alone. For 2025, Macaus total international visitor arrivals reached more than 2.75 million, an increase of 13.7% compared with the previous year.

In a written reply to the lawmakers inquiry, MGTO affirmed its multi-pronged approach to expanding international visitor sources, including collaboration with airlines and travel agencies to offer bundled products and discounts combining airfare with ferry or bus tickets. The office also said it is studying the feasibility of providing free ferry tickets to international business travelers attending conventions and exhibitions in Hong Kong, with the aim of encouraging them to extend their trips to Macau for tourism and spending.

Meanwhile, addressing Hos concern that Macau still needs to strengthen foreign language services and technology application amid continued growth in international visitors, MGTO said it will launch new tour guide training courses in English, Portuguese and Korean this quarter, focusing on accommodation and shopping. Eligible courses will be covered under the Continuing Education Development Plan to encourage wider participation.

The office added that it will later expand training to cover temples, churches and architecture based on demand, further enhancing local guides multilingual capabilities. MGTO also said it will study adding more languages to its smart customer service system and explore additional applications combining large language models with cultural and tourism scenarios, aiming to develop more smart tourism products for Macau.

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Macaus meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) sector recorded strong growth last year, with industry representatives calling for further efforts to attract more high-quality international events to strengthen the citys positioning as a global business hub.

Hong Yu Tak, head of the Youth Committee of the Macau Federation of Commercial Associations of the Convention & Exhibition Industry, said Macau hosted more than 1,700 MICE-related events last year, an increase of over 300 compared with the previous year.

The figures highlight Macaus growing maturity and competitiveness as an international MICE destination, with expectations that the city will continue to draw more large-scale conferences, exhibitions and incentive travel programmes, he said.

He noted that Macaus tertiary institutions provide structured training in fields such as exhibition management and hospitality, offering students both academic and practical experience through internships. This ensures a stable pipeline of talent for the industry, he said.

On employment prospects, Hong described the situation as generally stable.

Most graduates in relevant disciplines are willing to enter the sector, although long-term retention in Macau varies, as many students come from mainland China and other regions and ultimately decide based on individual career planning.

Hong also noted Macaus competitive advantages in the regional MICE sector, pointing to strong policy support, well-developed venue infrastructure, extensive hotel capacity and efficient transport links. He said these factors make Macau well suited to hosting large-scale international events.

However, he stressed that there is room for further development.

He urged stronger efforts to attract more international conferences, particularly in high-growth sectors such as technology, energy and biomedicine.

He added that such events would help raise the industrys professional standards and broaden its international profile, adding that cooperation between government and the private sector will be essential in securing more flagship events and enhancing Macaus long-term competitiveness in the global MICE market.

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The Macao Polytechnic University (MPU) and the Macao University of Tourism (UTM) plan to launch micro-degree programs in the coming academic year in fields such as artificial intelligence (AI), Sino-Portuguese economic and trade relations, smart healthcare, and tourism, while the University of Macau (UM) is currently exploring micro-degree programs in financial data analysis and the MICE industry.

The move is designed to respond to future educational trends and support Macaus appropriate economic diversification strategy.

Responding to lawmaker Leong Sun Ioks concern over the theory-practice gap faced by many graduates and current students  where academic learning often fails to match actual job requirements  the Education and Youth Development Bureau (DSEDJ) stated that it is following the principle of advance planning and dynamic adjustment to proactively optimize higher education institutions academic program offerings, enhance school-enterprise collaboration, strengthen practical training components, and establish a talent cultivation system aligned with industrial development.

Prior to the DSEDJ statement released yesterday, the move had been revealed by Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture O Lam at a Legislative Assembly session.

She stated that, by guiding higher education institutions to optimize their disciplinary structures, the institutions have kept pace with the times in recent years by adjusting certain curricula  including updating traditional business courses to subjects such as business intelligence and data analysis  and introducing several new programs closely related to the 1+4 industries.

She emphasized that this years efforts will focus on encouraging institutions to help students in fields such as computer science and information technology obtain professional skill certifications and on promoting micro-specialization courses with shorter study periods that closely align with market needs, thereby opening new avenues for order-based talent cultivation.

The authorities also addressed the optimization of adult and continuing education, stating that they would introduce three- to four-month short, practical and fast-track micro-degree programs. Currently, several institutions plan to launch more than 10 such programs in the coming academic year. The next step will involve integrating credit-bearing courses with micro-degree programs within existing curriculum frameworks. Additionally, scholarships for designated disciplines will be dynamically adjusted annually based on industry needs, with existing scholarship allocations already prioritizing the four key industries.

According to a written reply from DSEDJ head Kong Chi Meng last month, Macaus higher education institutions will also introduce professional technical instructors to teach on campus for example, in law, healthcare, education and tourism-related bachelors degree programs bringing the latest industry technologies, techniques and management experience into the classroom to make teaching content more closely aligned with actual job requirements.

Meanwhile, as announced, the Education and Youth Development Bureau and the Labour Affairs Bureau (DSAL) will hold another youth job fair from May 7 to 9, running for three consecutive days at the Macao Forum in ZAPE. Online booking and registration are already available.

According to the announcement, the job fair  aimed at helping Macaus youth successfully launch their careers and enter the job market  will feature over 60 local companies and organizations spanning integrated leisure tourism, hospitality, information technology, banking and finance, aviation, social services and other sectors.

More than 1,300 job vacancies will be offered across over 400 diverse positions, including AI engineers, chip testing engineers, speech recognition algorithm engineers, flight attendants, multimedia designers, speech therapists, college administrative staff, social workers, activity coordinators and customer service officers.

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Pakistan pressed ahead yesterday with the groundwork for a second round of talks between Iran and the United States in Islamabad as a fragile ceasefire hung in the balance, even though it remained unclear whether Tehran would send a delegation.

Both sides remain dug in rhetorically, with U.S. President Donald Trump warning that lots of bombs will start going off if theres no agreement before the ceasefire deadline, which he put as Wednesday, and Irans chief negotiator saying that Tehran has new cards on the battlefield that havent yet been revealed.

The two-week ceasefire began on April 8, and seemed likely to be extended if talks resume as planned. White House officials have said that U.S. Vice President JD Vance would lead the American delegation, but Iran hasnt said who it might send, and Iranian state television yesterday broadcast a message saying that no delegation from Iran has visited Islamabad so far.

Iranian state TV long has been controlled by hard-liners within Irans theocracy, and the on-screen alert likely reflects the ongoing internal debate within Irans theocracy as it weighs how to respond to the U.S. Navys seizure of an Iranian container ship over the weekend.

Hormuz control key to negotiations

The U.S. has instituted a blockade of Iranian ports to pressure Tehran into ending its stranglehold on the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping lane through which 20% of the worlds natural gas and crude oil transits in peacetime.

Irans iron grip on the strait has sent oil prices soaring, and Brent crude, the international standard, was trading at close to $95 per barrel yesterday, up more than 30% from Feb. 28, the day that Israel and the U.S. attacked Iran to start the war.

Before the war began, the Strait of Hormuz had been fully open to international shipping, and Trump has demanded that vessels again be allowed to transit unimpeded through the waterway.

European Union transportation ministers were meeting in Brussels yesterday to discuss how to protect consumers after the head of the International Energy Agency warned that Europe has  maybe six weeks  of jet fuel supplies remaining.

Over the weekend, Iran said that it had received new proposals from Washington, but also suggested that a wide gap remains between the sides. Issues that derailed the last round of negotiations included Irans nuclear enrichment program, its regional proxies and the strait.

Irans chief negotiator and parliamentary speaker, Mohammed Bagher Qalibaf, accused the United States of wanting Iran to surrender and said that on the contrary, Iran has been preparing to reveal new cards on the battlefield.

We do not accept negotiations under the shadow of threats, Qalibaf wrote in an X post.

Pakistan hopeful talks will proceed

Despite the rhetorical skirmishing between the two sides, Pakistani officials have expressed confidence that Iran will also send a delegation late yesterday so that the talks could resume.

Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar yesterday spoke with his Egyptian counterpart, Badr Abdelatty, to discuss the latest regional developments, as part of diplomatic preparations before the planned talks, Pakistans Foreign Ministry.

Dar also met with the ambassador from China, which is a key trading partner with Iran, as the Foreign Ministry in Beijing said that the conflict was at a critical stage of transition between war and peace.

At such a moment, it is all the more necessary for all parties to show the utmost sincerity, remain committed to a political solution, maintain the momentum of the ceasefire and negotiations, ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said.

Security has been tightened across Pakistans capital, where authorities have deployed thousands of personnel and increased patrols along routes leading to the airport.

The arrangements appear stricter than those put in place during the first round of talks held in Islamabad on April 11 and 12, suggesting the possibility of high-level participation, if negotiations make progress, said Syed Mohammad Ali, an Islamabad-based security analyst.

Pakistan appears to be preparing for the possibility of visits by top U.S. and Iranian leaders if the talks advance to a stage where an agreement could be signed, he told The Associated Press.

Historic Israel-Lebanon talks

Meanwhile, historic diplomatic talks between Israel and Lebanon were set to resume on Thursday in Washington, an Israeli, a Lebanese and a U.S. official said. All three spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the behind-the-scenes negotiations.

The Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors met last week for the first direct diplomatic talks in decades. Israel says the talks are aimed at disarming Hezbollah and reaching a peace agreement with Lebanon. MUNIR AHMED, ISLAMABAD, MDT/AP

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The Social Security Fund (FSS) reports that as of April 19, about 12,300 employers  roughly 49% of those required  have yet to make first-quarter contributions for employees.

The fund urges employers and voluntary scheme contributors to use digital channels such as the Macao One Account and the Business & Associations Platform to avoid late penalties and queuing. Late payments incur interest charges and fines. Delayed payments for non-resident workers may lead to permit revocation.

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The University of Macau (UM) recently hosted a forum on the internationalization of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) regulation and the transformation of research outcomes. The event gathered over 100 experts, scholars and officials from mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and other Asian regions. Discussions focused on regulatory cooperation, industry-academia integration and commercialization of research. Keynote speakers included Academician Xiao Wei of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and Indonesian Drug Regulatory Agency deputy director-general William Adi Teja, among others.

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* Ferry play

 MGTO eyes expanding discounts for tourists as ferry fares rise over 10% amid fuel-driven cost pressures

* Health |Influenza cases in Macau rise nearly fivefold

* Coloane | Incense sticks found at hut fire, police probe suspected arson case



* CE meets Portuguese ministers and Chinese entrepreneurs in Lisbon to deepen cooperation and strengthen Macaus platform role

* MICE sector pushes for more high-end global events to grow

* China industrial output rises 6.1% in Q1 as manufacturing strength and high-tech sectors drive growth despite global uncertainty

DOWNLOAD PDF

Wednesday, April 22, 2026  edition no. 4935

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Manjari Mishra and Shirit Einav discuss how to identify the most promising broad-spectrum candidates for the next stage of testing. (Jim Gensheimer)

Manjari Mishra and Shirit Einav discuss how to identify the most promising broad-spectrum candidates for the next stage of testing. (Jim Gensheimer)

Lean, mean machines

A virus cant be said to be truly alive until it gets inside a cell.

By itself, a virus is less a life-form than a lean, mean machine. Thats because viruses travel lightly. All of them are obligate parasites, each typically consisting of not much more than a protein-shell-encased strand or two of genetic material, enough to serve as instructions for several or (with a few notable upside exceptions) several dozen bespoke proteins  all of which it will force the cell it invades to make for it.

The viruss mission is to latch onto the machinery of the infected cell to gain admittance, get its string of genes copied and its proteins reproduced in bulk and then assembled into completed copies of itself, and watch its ungrateful progeny bust out of the cell that built them, the better to infect other cells and, with luck, other people.

The virus accomplishes this by hijacking the infected cells normally workaday enzymes  proteins that, like carpenters or electricians, perform skilled labor within and at the surfaces of cells  and diverting their skills to its own purposes.

The standard pharmaceutical strategy is to disable the virus by gumming up one of its mission-critical proteins. A handful of these drugs, called direct-acting antivirals, have proven successful  sometimes spectacularly so: Millions of people with hepatitis C and HIV/AIDS, for example, owe their lives to one or another (or a combination) of them.

But the microscale marauders have ways of wriggling out of that hit-em-where-they-live trap. Their superpower is their ability to evolve at rates orders of magnitude faster than we do. They can generate many thousands of copies of themselves in each cell they successfully infect.

That, plus a slightly sloppy replication process, enable a viral lineage to, in a relatively short time, acquire mutations in one or more of its genes. A single random mutation can change a viral proteins shape or chemical properties just enough to evade the grip of a drug that worked great until it didnt: The targeted viral protein no longer gets glommed onto, and the virus is back in business.

The time it takes to push such a drug through approval may be long enough for it to be useless against the bug it was intended to squash.

Another problem: Most approved antiviral drugs target a protein, or a patch of it, that may be unique to a single viral species. Other species, and even other strains  not to mention other viral families  might lack that protein entirely or carry versions of it that the narrowly focused pharmaceutical fails to foil.

Not much of a profit incentive in that equation. Short shelf lives and narrow ranges of efficacy make drug development prohibitively costly.

Shirit Einav. (Jim Gensheimer)

A viruss Achilles heel

But theres another way to attack viruses  fight them on your home turf. Their utter dependence on the internal machinery of the cells they invade is their Achilles heel. That leaves them especially vulnerable to an alternative therapeutic game plan being explored in several Stanford Medicine labs including Einavs, which she established in 2011.

What if, Einav asks, instead of trying to disable the virus directly, we try a more roundabout strategy? Why not temporarily dial down the efficiency or abundance of one of our own enzymes whose activity the virus needs for some aspect of its own enter, make copies, exit, rinse, repeat agenda?

Temporary disabling of one of our enzymes that we can live without for a week or two but that the virus cant live without at all could deliver a knockout punch. (Einav calls this route the host-targeted antiviral approach.)

The Darwinian doctrine of survival of the fittest dictates that a virus will be rewarded with increased survival of its offspring for evolving a mutant one of whose own proteins is consequently less susceptible to a drug targeting that protein. But Darwins doctrine doesnt do a darn thing to encourage any of our proteins to evolve in a way that helps a pathogen infect us. Evolution doesnt work that way. Our proteins evolve (granted, at a relatively glacial pace) to help us, not them.

Chieh-Wen Lo works with the models that will serve as platforms for testing the broad-spectrum potential of host-targeted drugs. (Jim Gensheimer)

Bonus points: Lots of otherwise strikingly different viruses may depend on the same cellular enzyme for their successful proliferation, opening the door to broad-spectrum antiviral strategies.

Bunching up several uses for the same drug cuts down the time and cost of early-stage drug development, diminishes the odds of a safety belly flop in more advanced stages of development, and contributes to readiness for future outbreaks of newly emerging pathogens. Such a drug could be administered before a viral threat has been accurately diagnosed (with favorable implications for frontline health care providers and military personnel).

Objection: Wont a compound that messes up one of your own proteins be toxic? Presumably that protein is there for a reason.

Well, true  but guess what? Virtually every drug we use to treat every disease we get thats not infectious (all drugs, that is, except antimicrobials such as antibiotics and current antivirals) works by blocking, however briefly, the activity of one of our own proteins. Why should it be any different for infections?

Sure, there can be side effects. (Many direct-action antivirals are toxic, Einav pointed out.) The solution to that problem? Find the right dose. At least initially, Einav said, it might also be smart to go after acute infections requiring only several days of administration rather than chronic ones.

Recalcitrance to the development of viral escape mutants, and the possible shot at targeting multiple viral types, offer the prospect of bigger, longer-lasting markets  and therefore a potentially lower price  for the drug.

An added bonus: There are a lot of approved drugs that target our own proteins, Einav said. We may be able to repurpose some of those existing drugs as antivirals.

In a 2023 review article in The Journal of Clinical Investigation, Einav and colleagues noted that metformin  a cheap, long-approved diabetes drug with an excellent safety profile  has shown signs of potent antiviral activity against several viruses. Ditto for statins  taken by many millions to tweak their cholesterol profiles and reduce cardiovascular risk  in combination with angiotensin II blockers (ARBs), safe, popular blood-pressure-lowering drugs.

A look at the plaques that will be counted to quantify how much infectious virus remains and how effectively each drug has blocked viral replication. (Jim Gensheimer)

A new drug possibility

In 2025, Einav and colleagues including postdoctoral researchers Marwah Karim, PhD, and Manjari Mishra, PhD, published a study in Nature Communications showing that a small-molecule compound, named RMC-113, suppressed the replication of viruses spanning four viral families, without inducing any undue toxic effects in infected cells.

One was SARS-CoV-2, the cause of COVID-19 and a member of the coronavirus family from which a big chunk of common colds spring. Others were dengue virus, a flavivirus responsible for 14.4 million cases in 2024, mostly in the Western Hemisphere (although its endemic in more than 100 countries); the brain-inflaming Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus, an alphavirus; and Ebola and Marburg viruses, two lethal hemorrhagic-fever-inducing filoviruses that are largely confined to sub-Saharan Africa at the moment.

RMC-113 simultaneously blocks activities of a pair of enzymes SARS-CoV-2 needs, the study showed. One of these enzymes is required for SARS-CoV-2 to get inside a cell, while the other enzyme is required not only for the viruss entry but also its replication, assembly and exit. Inhibition of this enzyme, the study discovered, suppresses viral replication via induction of a cellular degradation mechanism that SARS-CoV-2 suppresses. With both enzymes' actions blocked, the virus is a goner.

Presumably, RMC-113s effectiveness against the other viruses whose replication it prevents is due to the same one-two punch.

Because RMC-113 is a dual inhibitor, even a hypothetical viral mutant that could get around the loss of one enslaved enzymes availability would be hard put to simultaneously develop a mutation compensating for a second on-the-blink enzyme required for carrying out the viruss program. Recall, the virus has absolutely no control over our enzymes evolution. Developing resistance to such a compound is extremely unlikely, Einav said.

RMC-113 itself isnt metabolically stable enough to use as a drug but could be tweaked by medicinal chemists to be sturdier.

Similar drugs might even work against bacteria that, rather than just swim around in our bloodstream or in wounds, infect and hang out inside cells. (Examples are mycobacterium, the cause of tuberculosis; chlamydia, the notorious sexually transmitted pathogen; and salmonella, the noted food-poisoning agent.)

Einav is walking down a promising yet not very beaten path in drug discovery.

Were seeing a growing interest from pharmaceutical companies and biotechs, she said. Were in touch with several companies that seem very motivated to advance our host-targeted approach.

It takes time to achieve a change in mindset, to make people view viral infections as any other human disease and, hence, see the utility of treating them by targeting our own cellular functions, Einav said. Yet the real world keeps showing us the need for out-of-the-box perspectives.
Overstretching cybersecurity risks is the EU's great risk

08:37, April 22, 2026 By Global Times editorial ( Global Times

Recently, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce formally submitted its comments to the European Commission regarding the draft revision of the EU's Cybersecurity Act, expressing China's serious concerns. The draft would exclude listed countries and suppliers from relevant EU supply chains across 18 sectors. On the surface, it flies the banner of "security," but in reality, it introduces a highly politicized and subjective "non-technical risk" assessment mechanism, while also packaging geopolitical considerations and a broad securitization mindset into the framework. China believes this represents a classic example of politicizing trade and economic issues while overstretching the concept of security. This assessment hits the nail on the head.

Cybersecurity is a common concern for the globe, and the EU's desire to protect its own cybersecurity is understandable. However, as pointed out by the Chinese side, the draft contains multiple serious problems.

First, it is suspected of violating core WTO principles, such as Most-Favored-Nation treatment and National Treatment. It breaches multiple multilateral trade agreements and contravenes the EU's commitments under its services trade schedule. One of the basic WTO principles is the principle of non-discrimination, which fundamentally prohibits contracting parties from treating specific enterprises or products differently based on their country of origin. The draft, however, seeks to comprehensively and fully exclude companies of certain countries from the EU market across the entire supply chain. This constitutes an overt challenge to multilateral trading rules.

Second, the draft is suspected of going beyond the European Commission's legal authority and encroaching upon the exclusive competence of EU member states in managing national security affairs. Safeguarding national security is the responsibility of individual EU member states.

Yet the Commission is attempting, through this draft, to centralize the power to assess cybersecurity risks in Brussels and impose uniform restrictive measures on member states through a one-size-fits-all directive. This represents an abuse of the powers of European economic integration, transforming the EU from a market regulator into a "geopolitical arbiter."

Third, it will cause substantial harm to China-EU economic and trade relations, deliver a severe blow to global production and supply chains, and inevitably hinder the EU's own digital and green transformation processes. Although the draft text does not explicitly name any country or company, the criteria are widely seen as tailor-made for Chinese technology firms. The 18 sectors include energy, transport, information and communications technology, and others. It would be unrealistic for the EU to fully exclude China from the entire supply chain. For example, the EU has a huge demand for imports of green energy products from China. If it forcibly excludes this mature, cost-effective and technologically advanced supply chain, it will ultimately harm its own competitiveness.

Chinese companies have operated in the European market for many years, strictly complying with local laws and regulations. They have never compromised the national security of any European country, but have also been writing a story of "win-win" cooperation - this is an indisputable fact. As for where the EU's real security risks come from, there are several well-known cases. For example, the 2013 "PRISM" surveillance scandal exposed by Edward Snowden, and reports in 2021 by Danish media revealing that intelligence agencies from a certain country eavesdropped on European leaders through Denmark's undersea internet cables. While Europe's communication security repeatedly faces systematic threats from other countries, the EU chooses to target Chinese companies that have never been involved in similar scandals. This misplaced logic is truly baffling.

When shutting the door on China, can the EU's cyberspace truly become more secure? The answer is self-evident. A recent report released by the Brussels-based Future of Technology Institute shows that national security systems in 23 of the 28 countries studied seem to rely on US tech, and 16 of 28 national defense agencies or ministries are at high risk to a potential US "kill switch." In other words, it is not China that has the ability to unilaterally cut off critical cloud services at any time. If we're talking about "excessive reliance," the EU may have picked the wrong target.

We call on the EU to abandon the zero-sum game mentality of the Cold War, stop the wrong practices of politicizing, weaponizing, and securitizing economic, technological, and trade issues, and return to the right path of abiding by international rules, respecting market laws, and resolving concerns through dialogue and consultation.

The EU should seriously consider China's constructive suggestions: remove provisions related to "countries posing cybersecurity concerns" and "non-technical risks," and delete or substantially revise the criteria for identifying "high-risk suppliers" and the related restrictive measures. If the EU insists on enacting the Cybersecurity Act as is and treats Chinese companies discriminatorily, China will have no choice but to take corresponding countermeasures.

An open Europe serves China's interests, and a developing China offers great opportunities for Europe. The EU has greatly benefited from globalization and should deeply understand the true meaning of win-win cooperation. Engaging in protectionism under the guise of security will ultimately harm its own competitiveness, its own consumers, and its own transformation process.

Hopefully the EU won't underestimate China's firm resolve to safeguard its national interests and the legitimate rights and interests of its enterprises, nor underestimate the cost of taking detours and wrong paths.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
Means to deepen agricultural cooperation between Mauritania and India were discussed at talks held on Tuesday between Agriculture Minister Mohamedou Ahmadou Mhaimid and Indian Ambassador Neeraj Agrawal.

Discussions centred on developing a joint cooperation program aligned with Mauritanias agricultural priorities, aimed at enhancing productivity and strengthening food sovereignty.

The minister highlighted Indias expertise in irrigation, mechanization, seed development and extension services as key areas that could support the modernization of the sector. He also underscored opportunities for public-private partnerships to drive structured, high-impact projects.
Worli woman.

Maharashtra minister Girish Mahajan faced the ire of a woman angered by traffic snarls during the BJPs demonstration over the womens reservation bill in Worli on Tuesday.The incident occurred when Mahajan was addressing reporters at the rally, organised to target opposition parties over the defeat of the Constitution amendment bill, which aimed to fast-track the implementation of 33 per cent reservation for women in legislative bodies, in the Lok Sabha.An agitated woman confronted the minister, shouting at him for blocking roads and causing inconvenience to commuters.Get out of here. You are causing a traffic jam, she said, asking why the rally could not be held at a nearby open ground instead of disrupting vehicular movement.As Mahajan attempted to pacify her, the woman returned and continued her tirade, saying, Did you not understand? What is wrong with you? There are hundreds of people waiting.When a police official intervened, she snapped back, refusing to engage and demanding that no one speak to her. The episode, captured on video, quickly gained traction online, amplifying criticism of the BJPs protest tactics.Maharashtra Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal shared the clip, alleging that the ruling partys campaign on womens reservation exposed its real face.He accused the BJP of misleading women for political gains and using the issue as a tool to push a false narrative. Sapkal further claimed that the opposition alliance had already thwarted the BJPs attempt to alter Constitutional and electoral processes under the guise of reservation, alleging that the saffron party was now resorting to rallies and propaganda to revive the issue.Former state Congress president Nana Patole also posted the video, saying ordinary citizens were being harassed due to the BJPs drama.He said the womans outburst reflected growing public frustration, asserting that women across the country would similarly reject the BJP in the future.PTI
Mumbais rationing officers and police recently cracked down on pizza outlets and a farsan (snacks) shop after the alleged illegal usage of domestic gas cylinders and stockpiling of commercial cylinders to combat the ongoing gas cyclinder supply crunch owing to the Iran war.



Officials said the supply of commercial-use cylinders has not returned to normal up until now, placing fast food centres  especially popular pizza spots  on their radar for crackdowns on illegal gas usage. Police registered cases in Chembur, Govandi, Tilak Nagar and Mulund after raids found multiple cylinders with no proper records or bills.



In Chembur, the Deputy Controller of Rationing acted on a tip-off about illegal domestic cylinder use at Ministry of Fast Food. Rationing officers, backed by RCF police, raided the outlet and found two gas cylinders in the kitchen. The owner claimed both belonged to his home. Officers also found three empty cylinders, which they said were registered to a hotel in Karjat. Investigators found no records for the cylinders, prompting the RCF police to register a case against the operator and his partners.



In Tilak Nagar, officials said Jubilant Foodworks Limited at Vishwasangam Tower also came under action. Rationing officers and Tilak Nagar police raided the premises and found 2 filled cylinders, 4 empty cylinders, and 2 cylinders connected to stoves. Officers asked for bills, but they found none. Police said the outlet stockpiled cylinders illegally while other areas faced shortages, and Tilak Nagar police registered a case against the operator. In Govandi, rationing officers and Govandi police raided the Dominos Pizza centre in the Arjun Centre building on Govandi Station Road. Officials found 19 cylinders in the kitchen. The team said the outlet produced no authorised receipts and the centre allegedly stockpiled cylinders for personal financial gain, prompting Govandi police to register a case against the pizza centre operator and the agency operator.



In Mulund West, officials uncovered an illegal cylinder stockpile at Jamnagari Sweet and Farsan Mart. Officers found a mix of domestic-use and commercial-use cylinders.



The shop owner told police the domestic cylinders came from relatives. A case was registered against the owner.




Sonora, CA  Habitat for Humanity of Tuolumne County plans to convert the Miners Motel at 18740 Highway 108 in Jamestown into a 20-unit affordable housing community to help people experiencing homelessness.

We reported earlier that Habitat for Humanity was picked as the top finalist to receive the property following a competitive application process. The facility was originally purchased by Tuolumne County in 2023 with $1.85 million in California Encampment Resolution Funding and was to be overseen by the county government. Last year, the county changed course and sought an outside partner to receive it via donation and still pursue the original objectives.

On Tuesday, the Board of Supervisors voted 5-0 to donate the property to Habitat for Humanity and approved related regulatory and use agreements.

County leaders and Habitat for Humanity officials are praising the agreement.

Tuolumne County Health and Human Services Agency Director Annie Hockett says, This marks an important milestone for our community. The Miners Motel project represents whats possible when we stay committed, work through challenges, and keep our focus on the outcome. Its a success story built on persistence, partnership, and a shared vision for something better.

Habitat for Humanity President and CEO Trinity Abila adds, This project represents more than a redevelopmentits a turning point in how our community addresses housing. By leveraging existing infrastructure and working in close partnership with the county, were creating a practical solution that delivers safe, stable housing for those who need it most.

With agreements in place, construction is anticipated to begin soon. Abila noted at Tuesdays meeting that there is already a waiting list for the spots, and the construction is anticipated to take five months to complete.
An immigration officer has been charged with third-degree assault and criminal mischief following an investigation into how he treated a protester who said the officer put her in a chokehold.

Multiple videos from bystanders show a masked agent grabbing and pulling Franci Stagi across the street during a protest in October against the detention of three Colombian asylum-seekers in Durango, Colorado. She said he grabbed her by the hair and put her in a chokehold. The state is among several that prohibited or severely limited police officers from using chokeholds and neck restraints since George Floyds death in 2020.

The Colorado Bureau of Investigations launched an investigation into the U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers actions against Stagi at the request of Durango Police Department Chief Brice Current, who raised concerns about possible violations of state law  an unusual if not unprecedented request.

The Department of Homeland Security, which includes Customs and Border Protection, called the prosecution unlawful and a political stunt. It said states have no authority to investigate such cases.

Federal officers acting in the course of their duties can only be investigated by other Federal agencies, DHS said in a statement.

The department said it was still investigating what happened in the incident.

Court documents didnt list any attorney as representing the officer, Nicholas Rice.

Stagi said she was standing close to the officer and filming him outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Durango, a college town popular for outdoor recreation, when he hit her hand hard, causing her to lose her cellphone. Stagi, a retired hypnotherapist, said she then reached for the officers shoulder to get his attention. After she said he put her in a chokehold, she said he threw her down an embankment next to the street. She said she still experiences pain in her arm doing normal everyday activities, like putting on her jacket.

Court documents allege that Rice committed third-degree assault by causing bodily injury to Stagi, but the documents dont describe how she was injured or make mention of a chokehold. Rice also is charged with criminal mischief for allegedly damaging Stagis cellphone.

Stagi said Wednesday she was disappointed Rice was charged with less serious crimes. The assault charge, a misdemeanor, carries a maximum sentence of just under a year in jail. But she hopes the prosecution sends a message that immigration officers cant tackle people indiscriminately and use excessive force.

It did open my eyes to how quickly I can be under someone elses control, and its frightening, said Stagi, whose legal name is Anne Francesca Stagi.

Federal law enforcement officers have broad legal protections when acting in the course of their official duties, and the Justice Department has in recent months taken a hard line against state efforts to arrest or prosecute federal agents. Late last year, U.S. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said arrests of federal officers performing their duties would be illegal and futile, citing the Constitutions Supremacy Clause and federal law. Legal experts say those protections are significant but not absolute and the Supremacy Clause does not provide blanket immunity.

Chokeholds have been at the center of public discourse and state legislative initiatives about what constitutes an unreasonable use of force since Eric Garner died in New York in 2014 after he was put in a chokehold by a white police officer.

Garners dying words,  I cant breathe  became a rallying cry for the Black Lives Matter movement.

While some states have banned chokeholds and other tactics, sweeping changes were met with resistance.

A federal package of reforms that would have banned chokeholds nationwide passed the U.S. House in 2021 but failed to reach then-President Joe Bidens desk. The bill was named in honor of Floyd, who died in Minneapolis after a white police officer pressed his knee to his neck.

Within a month of Floyds death, Colorado lawmakers approved a ban on chokeholds as part of broader police reform legislation. The law overrode more limited chokehold restrictions that were put in place four years earlier.

___

Slevin reported from Denver, and Lee from Santa Fe, New Mexico.

By COLLEEN SLEVIN and MORGAN LEE

Associated Press
GUTACH, Germany (AP)  At the edge of a trail in Germanys picturesque Black Forest region, waterlogged steps sink into ankle-deep water and mud, requiring careful footing. An ocean away, a sandy trail in the ponderosa forests of northern Arizona demands treading just as deliberately when walkers reach a line of tree stumps arranged as stepping stones.

The pathways are located nearly 9,700 kilometers (6,000 miles) apart but share a notable feature: they were designed for visitors to use without wearing socks or shoes.

Barefoot trails exist around the world, inviting people to get closer to nature through sounds and sensations. Feeling cool mud squish between toes, stepping on pine needles and exploring meditation caves, scent stations and dark rooms transform a routine walk into an immersive experience.

Walking shoeless on varied surfaces also may contribute to emotional well-being and overall foot health, according to podiatrists and barefoot enthusiasts.

Below, more about where and why some people are bringing themselves down to earth one step at a time.

Barefoot trails as an environmental and health movement

Theories about the benefits of going barefoot have gained popularity among runners and other athletes in recent decades, as well as with environmentalists and as an alternative mental health treatment, but the idea has been around for well over a century.

Sebastian Kneipp, a 19th century German Catholic priest and early pioneer of naturopathy, promoted nature exposure, water therapy and barefoot walking as exercise and a way to stimulate circulation and support overall health, including immune function. He recommended walking barefoot over dew-wet grass or snow and is said to have called shoes foot-bending machinery.

His philosophy inspired trails and paths across Europe, where they are sometimes known as Kneipp paths, and to a lesser extent in the United States. In Asia, reflexology trails made of stones, pebbles and grass are intended to stimulate acupressure points on the soles of the feet, a concept linked to traditional medical therapies.

Germanys Park mit allen Sinnen, which in English translates to park with all senses, reflects a broader focus on wellness tourism in the Black Forest, which covers more than 6,000 square kilometers (2,317 square miles) and where visitors can breath mountain air, soak in thermal baths and visit spas offering treatments that incorporate local plants and herbs.

The park charges an admission fee. Its website says that meandering barefoot over the 2 kilometer-long (1-mile-long) trails different surfaces is ideal for exercising your back and spine, and at the same time, its a perfect foot reflexology massage in the fresh air.

Leah Williams, the owner of The Barefoot Trail park near Flagstaff, Arizona, opened a manicured trail of the same length near Route 66 two years ago after a family trip in Europe. Tickets are required, though Williams operates the park as a nonprofit charitable foundation.

Williams said her mother, who is from Germany, encouraged her to go barefoot as a child climbing trees and playing in the forests and creeks around Seattle  a practice Williams carried into adulthood and passed on to her own children. While living in the Netherlands, her family visited a barefoot trail in Belgium.

I loved everything about it. I saw all ages, and I loved seeing older people at the park because you dont see that here in the United States, Williams said. I thought, Wow, when I get back to the United States, Im going to build one of these parks myself.

She offers educational materials for schools, summer programs and camps to children who visit the park.

Being good stewards of nature is really our job as human beings, and we have taken 13 acres (5 hectares) of land at our park for our community enjoyment,  for local, statewide and regional enjoyment, Williams said, her eyes moist with emotion.

A sensory experience

Most people dont walk outside barefoot regularly, and exposing their tender feet to different textures, temperatures and types of contact can take getting used to.

You should see peoples faces when they start walking, Williams said, chuckling at the thought.

While many parks with barefoot trails encourage users to walk the paths sans shoes, naked feet are not required. Guests with neuropathy, diabetes or other foot conditions are welcome to keep their shoes on at the parks in Arizona and Germany.

Some barefoot trails are designed to engage multiple senses.

At Park mit allen Sinnen, a sign that reads Please be quiet in German identifies a spot described as a meditation cave. Inside, a long bench faces tall windows overlooking the forest, and soft music plays through hidden speakers.

Elsewhere at the park, visitors can squeeze red bulbs to release the scent of papaya or apricots, or place their hands inside a box filled with wild boar fur.

Ditching the shoes step by step around the world

Austria, Denmark, France, Hungary, Switzerland and the U.K. are among other European countries with barefoot trails. Some are meant for local residents and not tourists, so finding them can prove difficult. Searching the terms barefoot or barefoot paths in the local language might help.

In Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan, some public parks have pebble trails, which are walkways with smooth stones cemented into place that can be used for reflexology and foot massage.

Similarly, there are so-called wellness parks and informal barefoot hikes on regular trails in the United States. But because of how rare they are in the U.S., Williams plans to expand the The Barefoot Trail concept elsewhere.

The foundation recently received about 8 hectares (20 acres) of land in a commercial and residential area of college town Lawrence, Kansas, to develop a park similar to the one she opened in Arizona.

The park will be one of the components of a larger commercial space being developed, Williams said. Its about integrating those natural environments into peoples daily lives and providing those safe spaces for people to enjoy.

___

Mumphrey reported from Flagstaff, Arizona.

By KELVIN CHAN and CHEYANNE MUMPHREY

Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP)  The Trump administration is in discussions to potentially send more than 1,000 Afghans who assisted Americas war effort and relatives of U.S. service members stuck in Qatar to a third country, the U.S. government and some advocates said. Congo is an option, the advocates said.

Shawn VanDiver, a Navy veteran who heads a coalition that supports Afghan resettlement efforts called #AfghanEvac, said Wednesday that U.S. officials informed him and other groups of discussions between the United States and Congo about taking the Afghan refugees who have been in limbo at a U.S. base in Doha for the past year.

The 1,100 refugees at Camp As-Sayliyah include Afghans who served as interpreters and with Special Operations Forces as well as the immediate families of more than 150 active duty U.S. military members.

The State Department said Wednesday that it is working to identify options to voluntarily resettle the refugees in a third country, but it did not confirm which nations were being discussed.

An alternative provided to the refugees, VanDiver said, is to return to Afghanistan, where they face likely reprisal or even death at the hands of the Taliban for working alongside the U.S. during the two-decade war.

You cannot call a choice voluntary when the two options are Congo and the Taliban, civil war or an oppressor who wants to kill you, VanDiver said at a virtual press conference. That is not a choice. That is a confession extracted under duress.

The discussions  which were reported earlier by The New York Times  come more than a year after President Donald Trump paused his predecessors Afghan resettlement program as part of a series of executive orders cracking down on immigration.

That policy left thousands of refugees who fled war and persecution, and had gone through a sometimes yearslong vetting process to start new lives in America, stranded at places worldwide, including the base in Qatar.

From one war-torn country to another

Negotiations between the U.S. and several other countries, including Botswana and Malaysia, started months ago, according to an executive at a refugee resettlement agency who was briefed by U.S. officials. The executive, who spoke on condition of anonymity to share private negotiations, said Botswana was seen by many refugee advocates as the most promising option but that talks between senior U.S. officials and the countrys leadership fell through. In early April, the executive was briefed that Congo was now the main option being discussed.

A person familiar with the matter who was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity said they had heard from State Department personnel that the U.S. was looking at sending the Afghans at the base in Qatar to countries in sub-Saharan Africa. The person said the Afghans were told Wednesday that there was no final deal on where to send them.

The base in Doha was always intended as a transit platform. It was never designed to hold families for months or years, which is the situation that people are currently in, said Jon Finer, who was deputy national security adviser to then-President Joe Biden. What I want to emphasize is that this was intended to honor a wartime commitment.

Finer and other former U.S. officials and refugee advocates warned of the risk of resettling Afghans in Congo, a country that U.N. officials say is facing one of the most acute humanitarian emergencies in the world.

The African country has been battered by decades-long fighting between government forces and Rwanda-backed rebels in its eastern region.

Congolese authorities did not immediately respond to APs request for comment on the discussions, which did not come as a surprise to some there. Congo is one of at least eight African nations that were paid millions in controversial deals with the Trump administration to receive migrants deported from the U.S. to countries other than their own.

Like most other African nations involved in the deportation program, Congo is also among the worst hit by the Trump administrations policies on aid and trade. At least 70% of the countrys humanitarian aid came from the U.S. before Trumps second term, and aid workers say American aid cuts have led to avoidable deaths in the conflict-hit region.

Sean Jamshidi  an Afghan American who served in the U.S. military, including a stint in Congo  said he was deeply concerned about his brother possibly being sent from the Doha base to the war-torn country.

I saw the security situation and what it looked like there. I saw the displacement camps.  I stood in places where the United Nations has counted the dead, Jamshidi said. Im telling you, as someone who has been in uniform, the Democratic Republic of the Congo is not a place you send vetted Afghan allies and their children to live.

Refugees are in the dark as they await their fate

Negina Khalili, a former prosecutor in Afghanistan who fled during the 2021 U.S. withdrawal, has been waiting to hear about the resettlement status of her father, brother and stepmother since they arrived at the Doha base in January 2025. That was just days before Trump suspended the refugee program soon after he returned to the White House.

Khalili told The Associated Press on Wednesday that she spoke to her family about reports that they could be sent to Congo.

They are not giving them any information or updates regarding which countries they will go to, she said. They were so stressed and worried about it and said that Congo is not a safe place either. They dont know if its a temporary location for them there or a permanent location. They are worried.

She said U.S. officials at the camp have been suggesting to refugees that they go back to Afghanistan and offering them money to do so.

___

Amiri reported from New York and Asadu from Abuja, Nigeria. Associated Press writer Matthew Lee contributed to this report.

By FARNOUSH AMIRI, REBECCA SANTANA and CHINEDU ASADU

Associated Press
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has officially ruled out an extension for the Enhanced Continuous Voter Registration (ECVR) exercise, which is set to conclude on Tuesday, April 28, 2026.

During an assessment tour in Meru County on Tuesday, April 21, IEBC Commissioner Hassan Noor Hassan emphasized that with only seven days remaining, citizens must act quickly. He revealed that Meru had only achieved 50% of its target, with approximately 40,000 out of a projected 80,000 new voters registered by Monday evening.

We are not giving extra time seven days are there. Kenyans have an opportunity within these seven days to register themselves, Commissioner Noor stated. He noted that kits have been deployed to accessible locations, including constituency offices and Huduma Centres.

County Election Manager William Ndungu highlighted significant local hurdles that have slowed the process, specifically in the Igembe and Tigania regions:

ID Delays: Many residents who applied for national identification cards are still waiting for them, rendering them ineligible to register

Insecurity: Ongoing security concerns in specific pockets of the county have hindered movement and outreach.

Uncollected Documents: Meru County Commissioner Jacob Ouma noted that thousands of processed IDs remain uncollected at government offices.

Ndungu added in Swahili that the lack of IDs is a major grievance: Hatukosi changamoto hapa na pale, mojawapo ni kuwa kuna waliojiandikisha kuchukua vitambulisho na tukapata hizo vitambulisho bado zingine hazijafika hiyo ni tatizo kubwa sana kwa wale wanategemea. (We arent without challenges; one of them is that those who applied for IDs find that some have not yet arrived that is a very big problem for those relying on them.)

The nationwide ECVR drive, themed Deepening Democracy in Kenya Through Inclusive Voter Registration, aims to enlist 2.5 million new voters ahead of the 2027 General Election. After the April 28 deadline, registration will revert to standard constituency offices rather than the current ward-level mobile kit system.

As of last Friday, April 17, 2026, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) recorded a total of 1,370,930 newly registered voters since the Enhanced Continuous Voter Registration (ECVR) exercise began on March 30.

The agency, led by Chairperson Erastus Ethekon, reported significant momentum in the drive, onboarding 495,429 new voters in the period since its previous progress update on April 9. This surge reflects intensified mobilization efforts as the commission heads into the final week of the mass registration window, which is set to close on April 28.
The High Court of Kenya in Nairobi heard on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, that a crucial piece of evidence in the Starlet Wahu murder case may be irretrievably lost after the main suspects mobile phone was formatted, wiping all stored data.

Testifying before Justice Alexander Muteti, Inspector Alex Chokera revealed that investigators had planned to extract key digital evidence from John Mataras phone. The data, including text messages, images, videos, and WhatsApp conversations, was expected to shed light on communication between the suspect and the victim in the weeks leading up to her death.

Instead, forensic examiners found the device empty. The phone, marked as Exhibit B in court, had already been wiped before it reached forensic analysts, eliminating any possibility of retrieving potentially critical evidence.

My Lord, exhibit B, the accused persons phone was formatted before the time of extraction; hence, no desired data could be retrieved, Chokera informed Justice Alexander Muteti.

Courtroom Tensions Rise Over Chain of Custody

The revelation triggered a tense exchange between the prosecution and the defense, with both sides questioning how such a key piece of evidence could have been compromised.

Inspector Chokera told the court that he had no knowledge the phone had been formatted when he took over the case. He firmly denied any involvement in altering the device.

My lord, I did not interfere with the phones.

The defense, however, challenged this account, pointing out that investigators had access to the phones PIN. They argued that the missing data could have supported the suspects case, including images and messages they claim were critical to his defense.

As you took over the phone, were you aware that it was formatted? Mataras lawyer asked the officer.

Questions Over Handling of Evidence

Inspector Chokera outlined the phones chain of custody, stating that he received it from the arresting officer at Mbagathi Hospital on January 4, 2024. At the time, the device was locked with a PIN.

He maintained that he forwarded the phone to forensic experts in the same condition he received it and only learned it had been wiped after the forensic report was returned.

My lord, no, I was not aware that the phone had been tampered with.

Chokera added that he could not determine who formatted the phone, noting that multiple officers handled the device before it reached the lab.

Case Hinges on Missing Digital Evidence

The loss of data now raises serious concerns about the integrity of evidence in the case. The defense insists that the erased information may have contained exculpatory material, potentially influencing the outcome of the trial.

With conflicting accounts over what happened to the phone, the court must now determine whether the data was erased before the suspects arrest or during its handling by law enforcement.

As proceedings continue, the fate of the missing digital evidence could play a decisive role in shaping the direction of the case.
Kenya and Italy have officially launched a comprehensive Action Plan for 20262029, deepening their ties through the framework of the Mattei Plan for Africa.

President William Ruto and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni finalized the agreement during high-level bilateral talks during the presidents official visit to Rome. This partnership marks a significant milestone in Italys flagship initiative, which Meloni introduced in early 2024 to build fair, collaborative relationships across the continent while tackling migration, energy security, and regional development.

State House confirmed that this roadmap will steer joint efforts between the two nations over the next three years. To ensure the partnership remains effective and responsive, both governments will use established bilateral mechanisms to conduct regular progress reviews.

Both leaders agreed to hold periodic bilateral consultations between the respective Ministries of Foreign Affairs to strengthen coordination on issues of mutual interest in the context of the Memorandum of Understanding on Political Consultations, the statement said.

By prioritizing this structured cooperation, Nairobi and Rome aim to turn the broad goals of the Mattei Plan into tangible results that benefit both populations.

Building on the growing momentum of their diplomatic ties, President Ruto and Prime Minister Meloni committed to a new era of political dialogue fueled by frequent high-level visits and active engagement at global summits. Both leaders pledged to move beyond traditional cooperation, vowing to uncover fresh opportunities within their Strategic Partnership that align with their shared long-term visions.

Economic growth sits at the heart of this renewed alliance, with both nations focusing heavily on the private sector to drive progress. By facilitating direct connections between Kenyan and Italian enterprises, the leaders aim to spark joint ventures that could eventually expand into third markets. To jumpstart this commercial engine, they organized a bilateral Business Forum during President Rutos visit, specifically designed to accelerate trade and investment flows between Nairobi and Rome.

On a broader scale, the two countries intend to use the Mattei Plan as a catalyst for African integration. They agreed to align their efforts with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to build more resilient value chains and stronger trade links across the continent.

Kenya and Italy will explore further synergies within the Mattei Plan to support inclusive growth and regional integration and trade on the African continent, the statement added.

Beyond high-level diplomacy, the leaders turned their attention to the vital industries that power both economies, specifically targeting tourism, agriculture, climate resilience, and the blue economy. They prioritized the creation of robust food security systems and the development of sustainable, high-value supply chains. These efforts will lean heavily on climate-smart solutions, with a particular focus on boosting coffee production and protecting marine resources.

The partnership also looks toward the future of infrastructure and green energy. Both nations reaffirmed their drive to modernize transport and telecommunications networks while channeling investment into renewable energy and the transition to a low-carbon economy. This forward-thinking approach extends to science and technology, where the two countries will launch joint research projects and institutional partnerships. A standout feature of this collaboration involves the Mattei Plan AI Hub for Sustainable Development, which aims to find practical, real-world applications for Artificial Intelligence.

In a move to secure regional stability, the leaders welcomed the signing of a new Defence Cooperation Agreement. This pact sets a clear path for joint military training and capacity-building initiatives, all grounded in transparency, mutual consent, and strict adherence to each nations legal framework.

This comprehensive Action Plan solidifies Kenyas role as Italys strategic gateway to Africa, paving the way for a new era of shared economic prosperity and sustainable growth.
The government plans to launch a new recruitment framework anchored on meritocracy to ensure qualified young people secure positions based on their skills and credentials.

Public Service, Human Capital Development, and Special Programmes Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku announced the shift in Yatta, Machakos County, during a relief food distribution exercise. He explained that the state will deploy advanced technology throughout the public service and government institutions to eliminate nepotism and corruption.

The Cabinet Secretary noted that for years, political connections and influence often dictated job placements, frequently sidelining more experienced or qualified candidates.

This will be a thing of the past. Employment will now be strictly merit-based, Ruku stated, adding that relief food will be distributed fairly across all wards in Yatta sub-county without discrimination.

By digitizing the hiring process and removing human bias, the ministry aims to restore public trust in government institutions. This technological shift ensures that every applicant receives a fair evaluation, allowing the most capable individuals to drive the nations development agenda forward.

The cabinet secretary also directed sharp criticism toward opposition leaders, specifically dismissing Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka.

Ruku accused the former vice president of failing to deliver tangible progress for the Ukambani region, despite holding senior government positions for several decades. He suggested that Musyokas long tenure in public service has not translated into the level of development the region deserves.

Further, Ruku urged Kenyans to remain wary of the oppositions rhetoric. He argued that many of the leaders who criticize the administration still rely on the very same government to pay their salaries and settle their bills.
The High Court has scheduled a date to deliver its judgment on a petition accusing Safaricom PLC of overseeing a massive data breach that reportedly impacted over 11.5 million subscribers. The court reached this stage following the conclusion of both oral and written submissions from all involved parties.

A group of subscribers initiated the legal battle, alleging that the telecommunications giant failed its legal obligations as a data controller to protect sensitive personal information. The petitioners claim that between 2018 and 2019, rogue employees exploited Safaricoms systems in a coordinated and prolonged scheme. They argue these individuals unlawfully extracted subscriber data and shared it with third parties, such as betting firms, for financial profit.

WhatsApp chat messages by the Respondents employees reveal more than just ordinary data harvesting and hawking. It shows that Respondent had granted unlimited access to its employees to violate personal data reads the court documents in part.

Represented by Mola Kimosop Advocates, the petitioners contend that the giant telco failed to implement necessary safeguards. They argue that Safaricom allowed its staff to access and sell private information while benefiting from the illegal arrangement, and they now demand that the company take full responsibility for the breach.

Austin Taabu and ten other petitioners contend that the breach was systemic rather than incidental, alleging a severe violation of their constitutional rights to privacy, dignity, and consumer protection.

In their submissions, they argue that Safaricom, as Kenyas dominant telecommunications provider, failed to implement even the most basic safeguards while systematically harvesting and commercializing the intimate personal, financial, and geolocation data of 11.5 million subscribers over a sustained period. They assert that this was not merely an isolated incident from 2019 but an atrocious, profit-driven violation of the Constitution that now demands the strongest legal vindication.

Safaricom has strongly opposed the petition, dismissing it as a textbook case of abuse of court process and urging the court to reject it entirely. The company argues that the matter is already entangled in multiple ongoing legal battles, including a separate constitutional petition, various civil suits, and a criminal case  all originating from the same alleged data breach.

Safaricom maintains that filing parallel or successive lawsuits on the same subject constitutes forum shopping, a practice it argues undermines the efficient administration of justice. Citing the legal precedent of Satya Bhama Gandhi v Director of Public Prosecutions & 3 Others, the company asserts that litigants must not pursue multiple legal processes simultaneously in an attempt to secure a more favorable outcome.

The telecommunications firm also challenges the evidentiary basis of the petition, arguing that the subscribers have failed to prove that the alleged breach actually compromised their personal data. Safaricom contends that the petitioners rely on general claims and M-Pesa transaction statements, which do not sufficiently establish that their private information was accessed or shared.

Furthermore, the company disputes the existence of the alleged 11.5 million subscriber dataset, stating that no admissible evidence proves such a collection was ever compiled or transmitted.

A central point of contention involves the affidavit of Benedict Kabugi. Safaricom argues this document is inadmissible because the petitioners introduced it as an annexure rather than a formal filing. The company also points out that Kabugi is neither a party to the case nor an independent witness, noting that he currently faces criminal charges linked to the alleged breach. Consequently, Safaricom describes his testimony as self-serving and unreliable.

Regarding liability, Safaricom insists the court cannot hold it constitutionally responsible for the criminal acts of former employees. The company argues that these individuals acted outside the scope of their employment for personal gain. It maintains that employers are not vicariously liable for the actions of staff members who engage in personal criminal schemes unrelated to their official duties.

The High Court is expected to deliver its judgment on the matter on May 13, 2026.
Geoffrey Hinton, known as the 'Godfather of AI,' attending the Hinton Lectures in Toronto, Canada in 2025. Photo: AFP

Hinton, considered the "Godfather of AI", told the 2026 Digital World Conference in Geneva that there was a dire need to strengthen governance frameworks and ethical safeguards around the technology.

But, he warned via video link, huge investments were going into convincing the public that regulating the technology was akin to slowing down progress.

Those opposed to regulation say "unregulated AI is like the accelerator, and regulation is like a brake", said the British-Canadian computer scientist who won the 2024 Nobel Physics Prize for his work on AI.

"They want a very fast car with no steering wheel," he said.

His comments came at the end of the day-long Geneva conference on the importance of international cooperation in shaping the social dimensions of AI.

The participants raised concerns over how global debates on AI remain largely driven by technical advances and commercial applications, with less focus on social impacts in areas including labour markets, inequality and public services.

Hinton warned about the impact AI will have on job losses.

The technology can certainly improve productivity in areas like health care, where there is always a need for more.

But in other sectors, like call centres, AI can already do the jobs as well as people and soon will do it better, he said, saying it was clear that no amount of re-training will counter that.

And "if we get super intelligent AI, any intellectual job it will be able to do," he said, meaning that "even if new jobs are created, AI will be a cheaper way to do them".

Hinton, who made headlines when he quit Google in 2023 warning of the "profound risks to society and humanity", said he remains concerned as AI progresses at lightning speed.

"We don't know whether we can co-exist with super intelligent AI," the 78-year-old said.

"But we are constructing it."

Humans "still have a lot of control", he said, stressing that "we should be careful to construct in a way where we still continue to exist, and we can live in harmony with it."

The problem is that there are "very few models of far more intelligent things allowing far less intelligent things to have freedom", he warned.

"We're at the point in history when it's urgent to try and solve this problem," he said, yet "very few resources are being put into it".

He suggested "maybe one percent" of work on AI was going into making it safer.

"It's crazy."
The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) has reserved its order after hearing detailed arguments and counter-arguments in the Jaypee insolvency case, directing all parties to file written submissions within two to three days. In his counter argument on Tuesday, senior counsel Abhijeet Sinha appearing for Vedanta Group, argued that the entire resolution process was vitiated by serious lapses, including lack of transparency, non-consideration of material aspects, and absence of a fair evaluation framework. Sinha submitted that Vedanta's resolution plan was never properly evaluated at any stage, with key elements of its proposal allegedly ignored. "The process fails the test of a fair and value-maximising mechanism under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code," Sinha argued, adding that commercial wisdom of the Committee of Creditors (CoC) cannot be used as a shield to justify arbitrary decision-making. He further argued that the evaluation matrix, which was intended to be the primary tool for assessing bids under the process documents, was neither properly applied nor consistently followed. According to him, deviations were introduced without disclosure or justification, undermining the credibility of the process. Sinha also pointed to the minutes of CoC meetings, claiming that only limited time was spent on crucial aspects of Vedanta's plan, raising doubts over whether any real evaluation took place. "Scoring is not equal to consideration," he argued, questioning the absence of any data-backed analysis or reasoned decision-making. He alleged that the process lacked consistency, objectivity, and equitable treatment of bidders. Challenging the reliance on discretionary and confidentiality clauses, Sinha argued that such provisions cannot override the requirement of a transparent and legally fair process. "Non-disclosure cannot be equated with non-evaluation," he submitted, adding that these clauses cannot be invoked to avoid scrutiny by court. He further contended that the process was reduced to a mechanical comparison of isolated financial components, with undue emphasis on upfront payment. According to him, this distorted the evaluation framework, as upfront payment is only one part of a financial proposal and cannot determine the overall value of a resolution plan. Sinha also argued that the challenge mechanism failed in its purpose, as bidders were not given a fair opportunity to improve or match competing offers. He described the case as an exceptional instance where a resolution applicant is not challenging the outcome itself, but seeking enforcement of the declared process. He added that despite repeated references to "value maximisation," there was no material on record demonstrating how this principle was actually applied across multiple bidding rounds. "Not one document shows conscious evaluation," rather decision was taken in the name of Commercial Wisdom of COC he emphasised. Opposing the submissions of Vedanta, senior advocate Arun Katpalia, appearing for the Resolution Professional of Jaiprakash Associates Limited, defended the process, stating that it was conducted strictly in accordance with the approved framework and involved structured negotiations. He argued that bidders were given adequate opportunities to enhance their offers and that the final outcome reflected the highest and best value discovered through competitive bidding. Katpalia also maintained that there was no obligation to disclose internal deliberations of the CoC beyond what is required. Senior advocate Ritin Rai, appearing for the Adani Group, who were declared winners, argued that the reserve price of around Rs 12,000 crore was only a benchmark and that bids crossing this level reflected substantial value enhancement due to competitive dynamics. Rai added that enterprise values in earlier stages were significantly lower, and the eventual increase in bids demonstrated the effectiveness of the challenge process in maximising value. After hearing all parties, the appellate tribunal reserved its judgment and directed the parties to submit written arguments over next two to three days. (ANI)
VMPL New Delhi [India], April 22: Your customer just asked an AI a question. Did it answer with your brand or your competitor's? Let's be honest. If you're a marketer in India right now, you're dealing with a lot. Rising competition, tighter budgets, platforms changing their algorithms every other week, and a customer base that spans five languages, three device types, and every tier of city imaginable. The last thing you need is another buzzword to chase. But Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) isn't a buzzword. It's a real, measurable shift in how Indian consumers are finding information, discovering brands, and making purchase decisions. And if you haven't started paying attention to it yet, this guide is for you. Let's Start From the Beginning: What is AEO? Answer engine optimization is the practice of structuring your content so that AI-powered platforms, i.e., Google's AI Overviews, ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini, and voice assistants like Google Assistant, can find, understand, and cite your brand when responding to user queries. The keyword there is cite. Not rank. Not index. Cite. Traditional SEO was about climbing a list. You optimized for position #1, and if you got there, the traffic followed. AEO plays a different game entirely. Here, there's no list. There's just an AI-generated answer, a few paragraphs, maybe a handful of sources, and either your brand is part of that answer, or it isn't. Think about what happens when someone in Mumbai asks Google, "Which is the best digital marketing agency for a D2C brand?" or when a startup founder in Bengaluru types into ChatGPT, "What should I look for in an SEO partner in India?" An answer comes back. Confident. Specific. Usually citing two or three sources. If your brand is one of them, you've just earned trust before that person has even visited your website. If it's not, that opportunity went to someone else. That, in a nutshell, is why AEO services matter. Why This is Especially Relevant for India Here's something worth sitting with -- India is the second-largest user base for ChatGPT globally, accounting for nearly 16.5% of the platform's total traffic, according to FirstPageSage. The US is first. India is right behind. This isn't a stat about tech enthusiasts or early adopters. This is mainstream India, students, entrepreneurs, marketing managers, and business owners, using AI tools as a default step in their research and decision-making process. And the shift isn't just happening on desktop. India is fundamentally a mobile-first market. Voice search, which is deeply connected to AEO, has grown three times faster in India than text-based search, according to Marketing LTB. When you consider that most of this voice activity happens in conversational, question-based language, often blending English with Hindi or regional languages, it becomes very clear why optimizing for direct, structured answers is no longer optional. The brands that show up inside the AI-generated answers are not always the biggest. They're the ones whose content is structured to be understood and trusted by AI systems, and that's a gap that smart AEO services can close. Okay, But How Is AEO Different From SEO? Fair question. And it's one that confuses a lot of Indian marketers, because the two disciplines overlap more than they diverge. Think of it this way: SEO earns you a seat in the list. AEO earns you a voice in the answer. With traditional SEO, you're optimizing web pages to rank higher on Google's results page. You care about backlinks, keyword density, page speed, and domain authority. All of that still matters, and it always will. But AEO adds another layer. It's about ensuring that when an AI system synthesizes an answer from across the web, your content is the kind it trusts enough to quote. That requires a slightly different approach: - Content structure matters more. AI engines don't browse, they extract. If your most important information is buried in paragraph nine of a long blog post, an AI will skip right past it. AEO-optimized content leads with clear, direct answers in the first 40-60 words of any section. - Questions drive everything. Indian users, especially on voice, search in natural, conversational language. "Which insurance policy should I go for?" or "Best budget phone under 20,000 in 2025?" Your content needs to be structured around these kinds of questions, with answers that feel like a knowledgeable friend responding, not a corporate brochure speaking. - Third-party authority signals count. AI systems don't just look at your website. They look at what the wider web says about you. Reviews on platforms like G2, Justdial, or IndiaMart, mentions in industry publications, citations by credible bloggers, all of this feeds into whether an AI decides your brand is trustworthy enough to reference. A good AEO agency builds this ecosystem of authority, not just your on-site content. - Schema markup is non-negotiable. This is the technical backbone of AEO. Schema markup is code that tells AI systems exactly what your content means, whether it's a FAQ, a how-to guide, a product review, or a business listing. Without it, AI systems have to guess. With it, you're essentially handing them a roadmap. What Does AEO Actually Look Like in Practice? Let's bring this down to earth with a scenario most Indian marketers will recognize. Say you run marketing for a fintech startup offering personal loans. Your customer base is young, mobile-first, and increasingly likely to ask ChatGPT or Google Assistant something like: "How do I get a quick personal loan without a salary slip?" Without AEO: That question gets answered by whichever fintech brand has structured their content to respond directly to it, probably with a clear header, a concise answer in plain language, and an FAQ section that anticipates follow-up questions. If that's not you, it's your competitor. With AEO: Your content is structured to answer that question directly and concisely. Your FAQ pages are tagged with the right schema. Your brand has been cited in personal finance publications and community forums. When the AI generates its answer, your name is in it, not as an ad, but as a trusted source. That's the difference between existing in the AI search landscape and being invisible in it. How to Start: A Practical First Step You don't need to overhaul everything overnight. AEO builds on what you already have -- it just reshapes how that content communicates. Here's where to begin: - Audit your existing content for question-intent. Go through your top-performing pages and ask: does this content directly answer a specific question someone would ask an AI? If it reads more like a company brochure than a helpful answer, it needs restructuring. - Add FAQ sections to your key pages. These are goldmines for AEO. Write them in natural, conversational language. Answer the questions your sales team hears most often. Think regionally -- what does your customer in Chennai or Jaipur actually ask? - Implement basic schema markup. Start with FAQ schema on your most visited pages. It's not as technically intimidating as it sounds, and it signals clearly to AI systems what type of content you're providing. - Build credibility outside your own website. Encourage reviews, seek out guest contributions in industry publications, and engage genuinely in professional communities where your target audience asks questions. The more third-party signals pointing to your authority, the more likely AI systems are to cite you. - Track your AI visibility. Start testing manually -- type your most important queries into ChatGPT and Perplexity. Does your brand appear? How prominently? This is your baseline. A professional answer engine optimization agency can build on this with more sophisticated tracking and optimization across platforms. The Bottom Line India's digital marketing landscape is moving fast -- faster, honestly, than most brands are adapting. The consumers are there, the AI tools are there, and the search behaviour has already shifted. What's lagging is the strategy. AEO isn't about chasing the next trend. It's about meeting your customers where they actually are, in the AI-generated answers they're increasingly trusting for decisions big and small. The good news? You don't need to be a tech giant to win at this. You need smart content, the right structure, and a clear understanding of what your audience is actually asking. That's precisely what answer engine optimization services are built to deliver. AdLift, a leading digital marketing agency, works with Indian brands to build AEO strategies that account for India's unique complexity, from multilingual content signals to mobile-first optimization and regional search behavior. Because the next customer you win might never click a single link. They'll just take the AI's word for it. Make sure that word includes your brand. (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.)
The Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and New Zealand is set to be signed next week, with New Zealand's Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay scheduled to visit India for the formal signing. Sharing the update in a video message on social media, New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said the agreement will open significant opportunities for exporters and strengthen economic ties between the two countries. "Our Free Trade Agreement with India will be signed next week, an agreement that gives New Zealand exporters access to 1.4 billion customers," he said. Luxon added that the deal would create more jobs and income opportunities across sectors. "It means more jobs on farms and orchards, more money coming into local communities, and more opportunities for Kiwis to get ahead," he stated. Highlighting the significance of the pact, the Prime Minister said, "We'd deliver a Free Trade Agreement with India. They said it couldn't be done, and on Monday, we will sign it. This is about opening the door to 1.4 billion people and one of the fastest growing economies in the world. 1 in 4 of our jobs are tied to trade, so for a country like New Zealand, this is huge." New Zealand Trade Minister Todd McClay also confirmed his visit to India, stating that he would be accompanied by a delegation of exporters. "I'm heading to India with a big group of Kiwi exporters to get the deal signed. This agreement makes it easier for Kiwis to sell more of what we're great at doing to the world. Kiwifruit from the Bay of Plenty, wine from Central Otago, seafood, meat, honey, right across the country," he said. He added that the agreement would allow more of these products to reach Indian consumers, boosting incomes and employment. Luxon further emphasised that exports play a crucial role in New Zealand's economy. "Exports drive our economy, and when we make it easier for New Zealand businesses to compete on the world stage, we support jobs, we lift wages, and most importantly put more money in Kiwis' back pockets," he said. India and New Zealand had announced the start of FTA negotiations in March 2025, and after multiple rounds of discussions, the agreement was concluded in December 2025, marking one of India's fastest-concluded FTAs. According to the Indian government statement, the concluded agreement will provide unprecedented duty-free access for Indian exports to New Zealand while safeguarding sensitive sectors. It is also expected to strengthen economic resilience and promote inclusive growth aligned with India's national priorities. The FTA is set to enhance market access and tariff preferences for Indian exports, while also serving as a gateway to Oceania and Pacific Island markets. It opens opportunities for India to supply skilled workforce and expand services in areas such as IT, engineering, healthcare, education, construction, as well as sectors like AYUSH, including Yoga instructors, Indian chefs and music teachers The agreement will be signed next week. (ANI)
New Delhi [India], April 22: Trs 2026, the sixth edition of this exclusive, by-invitation-only B2B travel event, is set to captivate the luxury travel trade on April 23-24, 2026, at Andaz Delhi. This curated platform celebrates authentic, sustainable hospitality from the Indian subcontinent, uniting 75 handpicked boutique hotels, palaces, havelis, jungle lodges, wellness retreats, and innovative travel concepts.

Organized annually since 2006, Trs fosters meaningful connections among travel designers, destination management companies, and media through over 1,500 one-to-one focused meetings and Ignite Sessions led by industry experts. These sessions explore future travel trends, sustainability, and experiential narratives shaping the subcontinent's luxury landscape.

What to Expect

Attendees will immerse in seven dynamic categories: Heritage & Urban Design: Cities layered with memory, craft, history, and modern India; Wildlife & Wilderness: Raw jungles, untamed landscapes, and remote lodges; South & Waterways: Palm-lined coasts, backwaters, temples, and spice-scented journeys; The Himalayas: Rising valleys, high passes, and serene mountain stays; Taj Studio: Iconic, evolving luxury at India's storied hotels; Travel Concepts: New perspectives shaped by ideas, access, and imagination.

South Asia- Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, and more: Sacred peaks. Ocean edges. Secluded havens crafted by hills, mist-shrouded wilds, and local guardians.

This year, in addition to the stalwarts and trendsetters of the new luxury narrative in the region, Trs introduces bold newcomers such as vineyard heliflights over forest canopies, 300-year royal hobbit-caves, misty jungle riverside rhino spotting, and apricot-grove serenity in the Himalayas.

A Spotlight on Tourism Boards and Trs Ignite Sessions

Trs 2026 proudly collaborates with six state tourism boards, providing direct insights into emerging destinations, curated experiences, and sustainability initiatives. Gujarat Tourism features as Principal Partner for the event with highlights on new and exciting circuits. The Ignite Session led by experts from the region- Pehle Gujarat Dekho: Beyond the Obvious, Into the 6Cs, explores how Gujarat is redefining experiential travel through its 6Cs--Civilization, Culture, Community, Craft, Culinary, and Conservation.

Uttar Pradesh Tourism, the Lead Sponsor at Trs 2026, will highlight the state's evolving travel landscape through fresh stories, new developments, and lesser-known journeys. inspired by the Trs FAM trail "An Indian Travel Tale.

Other state tourism board partners are Madhya Pradesh Tourism, Arunachal Tourism, Ladakh Tourism, and Rajasthan Tourism.

"Trs has evolved into a cherished community of collaborative partners, blending individuality with a shared vision for bespoke client journeys," states Sowmya Vijaymohan, Trs' Founder and Director. "With each passing year, the event has become a one-stop platform for the travel trade to uncover transformative tales that redefine luxury itineraries."

(ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same.)
Actor Deepika Padukone appears to have resumed work commitments shortly after announcing her second pregnancy with actor Ranveer Singh, as filmmaker Punit Malhotra shared a new behind-the-scenes picture from a shoot featuring the actor. The duo, who welcomed their daughter Dua Padukone Singh in 2024, recently announced that they are expecting their second child, sparking widespread excitement among fans across social media. Amid the happy news, Deepika was seen continuing professional commitments. Director Punit Malhotra recently shared a picture with the actor on Instagram from a shoot, offering the fans the first glimpse of the actor following the pregnancy announcement. In the photo, Deepika was seen in a white outfit, keeping her look simple, elegant and minimal. Along with the picture, Malhotra also praised the actor for her professionalism and warmth during the shoot. "This shoot? 10/10. No notes! Thank you @deepikapadukone for being so warm, gracious and wonderful... truly grateful! I owe you one" Take a look https://www.instagram.com/p/DXYieivir4k/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link Deepika and Ranveer had announced their second pregnancy on Sunday, April 19, through a social media post. The couple shared a sweet picture in which their daughter Dua Padukone Singh was seen holding a pregnancy test kit. The post quickly caught the attention of fans online. https://www.instagram.com/p/DXTQMtwjBHn/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== The couple tied the knot on November 14, 2018, at Lake Como in Italy after dating for six years. Deepika and Ranveer first met on the sets of filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali's romantic drama 'Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela', and later went on to star together in films such as 'Bajirao Mastani' and 'Padmaavat', becoming one of Bollywood's most celebrated on-screen pairs as well as a widely followed real-life couple. (ANI)
Sharing a video on Instagram, the actor was seen walking barefoot on the grass in the backyard of her residence.

In the clip, Shetty appears relaxed and mindful, taking slow steps across the lawn.

Accompanying the video, she wrote a caption in which she highlighted the importance of reconnecting with the Earth.

"On Earth Day and every day, a gentle reminder to 'ground yourself' bare feet on the earth, letting her energy heal and restore you... reconnect with nature, the sun on your skin, soil beneath your feet, birds chirping, waves whispering, and the breeze brushing your face... because when you touch the Earth, you remember who you truly are," she wrote.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DXbFKUpDFXd/

Known for promoting yoga, clean eating, and mindfulness, Shilpa Shetty frequently uses her platform to share wellness tips with her fans.

Earth Day 2026 falls on April 22 and marks the 56th anniversary of the global environmental movement, which began in 1970.

This year's theme, "Our Power, Our Planet," underscores the role of community-driven efforts in environmental conservation.

On the professional front, Shilpa Shetty was last seen as a judge on the dance reality show 'Super Dancer Chapter 5'. She is set to appear next in the upcoming project 'KD: The Devil', where she will play a key role. (ANI)
In a heartfelt Instagram post, Ashwiny shared a series of pictures from the sets of the film along with a video montage featuring the film scenes.

Expressing her gratitude, the filmmaker wrote, "10 years of #nilbatteysannata - my debut movie. Thankyou for all the love Dear Audience, Cinema Lovers, inspite of all the surprises, industry challenges and setbacks life throws, You encouraged me to continue to tell the stories i believe in and to keep making my own path with integrity and passion for cinema. Forever Gratitude to all of you. I am because of your trust in me as a filmmaker."

https://www.instagram.com/p/DXawL4QijuN/

Actor Swara Bhasker, who plays a key role in the film, also celebrated a decade of 'Nil Battey Sannata'.

"A story of dreams, doubts, and the courage to try anyways. Celebrating #10YearsOfNilBatteySannata."

The comedy-drama starred Swara Bhasker, Riya Shukla, Pankaj Tripathi, and Ratna Pathak Shah. Beyond national success, the film also made waves internationally, premiering at the Silk Road Film Festival in Fuzhou, China. It was subsequently showcased at festivals such as the Marrakech International Film Festival and the Cleveland International Film Festival. Later, it was screened at the BFI London Film Festival (LFF).

The movie marked the directorial debut of Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari. Starring Swara Bhasker, the story revolves around a single mother who works as a maid with big ambitions for her daughter. (ANI)
Senthil Balaji, DMK candidate from Coimbatore South constituency, on Tuesday dismissed allegations of cash distribution for votes, asserting his commitment to a free and fair election process. Speaking to reporters in Coimbatore, Balaji said, "If found, give a complaint to the Election Officer. We want a free and fair election, and we will win all 10 seats in Coimbatore district. We will win this South constituency with a huge margin." On April 13, AIADMK's Coimbatore South candidate Amman Arjunan raised serious allegations of electoral malpractice in his constituency. He has alleged that people have been "confined in makeshift enclosures", with their right to vote independently being infringed upon. The AIADMK candidate filed a complaint against DMK's Senthil Balaji with the District Collector and District Election Officer Pavan Kumar. He told ANI that such practices were taking place not only in Coimbatore South but also in Coimbatore North and in other constituencies where DMK candidates are contesting. Responding to remarks by K. Annamalai that he would face a major setback after the 23rd, Balaji said Annamalai had "no moral right" to make such claims. Taking a dig at the "Rafale watch" controversy, he said, "He has no moral right to ask or say this. When I asked for a copy of the bill for the Rafale watch he purchased, he could not even show a small piece of paper. He always says he is a farmer with four goats. Then how did he make thousands of crores and assets within a short span? Did he make such huge assets from breeding goats?" The "Rafale watch" controversy relates to a luxury wristwatch worn by K. Annamalai, which became a subject of political debate in late 2022 and early 2023. On reports of a large number of people from Karur staying in Coimbatore to support his campaign, Balaji said it was part of the normal electoral process. "It is common for people from other regions to campaign for me. It becomes a violation only if they stay after the campaign time is over," he added. V. Senthil Balaji has moved from Karur to the seat with DMK, portraying it as a positive that will influence other seats in Coimbatore. Senthil Balaji has won all five elections he has contested so far and is looking for his sixth victory. He defeated AIADMK's MR Vijayabhaskar in Karur. AIADMK has fielded Amman K Arjunan against him in Coimbatore South. Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam's V Senthil Kumar is also in the fray. Locals said that the support drawn by the TVK candidate will damage the prospects of both DMK and AIADMK candidates. Coimbatore South has a diverse demographic landscape as well as a mix of diverse groups, including Naidus, Gounders, Jains, Dalits and Thevars. Beyond its political identity, the constituency is a renowned industrial hub, famed for its expertise in foundries, engineering, and automobile spare parts. K Arjunan feels he has an edge on the seat as Balaji's moving away from Karur will work to AIADMK's advantage. He claimed that Balaji was afraid of fighting in the Karur district. Coimbatore South transitioned from an AIADMK stronghold to a base for the BJP. In the 2021 elections, Vanathi Srinivasan (BJP) secured a narrow victory, defeating Kamal Haasan of the MNM with 53,209 votes (a margin of 1,728). In 2016, where Amman K. Arjunan (AIADMK) won the seat with a margin of 17,419 votes. Vanathi Srinivasan is now the BJP candidate from Coimbatore North. Polling for all 234 assembly seats in Tamil Nadu is scheduled for Thursday, April 23, 2026. With the silence period now in effect, the fate of the candidates now rests in the hands of the voters. (ANI)
Union Minister Piyush Goyal has deeply condemned the "terrorist" remarks made by Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying that the Gandhi family and the Congress have always made such low-level comments on the Prime Minister. "The Gandhi family, Kharge, and the Congress have always made such low-level comments. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the world's most popular leader. He has been duly elected through a democratic process by the world's largest democracy. The Prime Minister of India is the Prime Minister of 140 crore Indians," he said. Speaking to ANI on Tuesday, Goyal criticised Kharge, saying that he cannot digest the popularity of PM Modi. He praised the Prime Minister as he outlined his vast political career as the Chief Minister of Gujarat and later led the nation by becoming the Prime Minister in 2014. "Kharge's heart and mind are still not able to accept Prime Minister Modi's popularity and the fact that 140 crore Indians look up to him. As a leader, he will lead India to 'Viksit Bharat'. They are not able to digest that the Gandhi family has been defeated in three elections in a row," he said. "For 25 years, PM Modi led the Gujarat government, and now the central government for the last 12 years, with an unblemished record of public service, unlike the Gandhi family, which in every generation has had scandals associated with it. They have throttled democracy and have always spoken against India, both in India and even abroad," he added. Goyal further condemned the remarks, saying, "I condemn the Congress's thinking. I condemn the Gandhi family's anti-Modi approach. And, I condemn Kharge for speaking in such a demeaning manner about the Prime Minister." This comes after Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge courted controversy on the last day of the election campaign in Tamil Nadu, earlier today. Highlighting opposition unity during the defeat of the Delimitation Bill, which had also been linked to the passage of the Women's Reservation Bill, the Congress President criticised the AIADMK for supporting the BJP and labelled PM Modi a 'terrorist who does not believe in equality.' "I also thank the Tamil Nadu people who have given MPs to us, that's why we were able to fight and defeat the bill. This is the land of scientific thinking and ideals of Periyar, Dr. Ambedkar, Annadurai, great Kamaraj and Karunanidhi. These people stood for this woman's reservation, justice, equality, and fraternity. Modi is not for these principles and one more thing I want to tell how this AIADMK people who themselves put the photo of Annadurai, how can they join with Modi who is a terrorist and who won't believe in equality, his party won't believe in equality and justice and these people are joining with them, it means that they are weakening democracy, they are weakening the philosophy of Annadurai, Kamaraj, Periyar and Karunanidhi and Babasaheb Ambedkar. The Congress-DMK alliance will continue to deliver welfare, inclusive growth, quality education and accessible healthcare," he said. When questioned on the choice of words, Kharge quickly defended himself, claiming that he meant to say that the PM was terrorising his political opponents "He (PM Modi) is terrorising people and political parties. I never said he is a terrorist. What I mean, I want to clarify, is that Modi always threatens. The institutions like ED, I-T and CBI are in his hands. He wants to take delimitation also into his hands," Kharge said. (ANI)
BJP leaders slammed Mallikarjun Kharge over his calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi "terrorist" during a press conference on the last day of campaigning in Tamil Nadu with the Congress President later clarifying that what he meant was that Prime Minister misuses central agencies "to terrorise" his opponents. BJP filed a "strong complaint" with the Election Commission over Kharge's remarks and also sought an apology from him. Kharge told ANI in Kalaburagi on Tuesday said that he did not call Prime Minister "a terrorist" but spoke about the victimization of political opponents by the Modi government. Kharge alleged that Prime Minister "is terrorising politicians" and "tax terrorism is happening" ."I did not speak against the PM. PM is terrorising politicians, candidates and regarding this, I said that tax terrorism is happening, ED is conducting raids, Income Tax Dept is conducting raids, CBI is conducting raids...this terrorism is being facilitated by the PM. I did not call him a terrorist...he is scaring people. He is trying to silence people through raids and attempting to defeat them in elections. This is what I said in Chennai," he said. Earlier, Kharge courted controversy on the last day of the election campaign in Tamil Nadu.Highlighting opposition unity during the defeat of the Delimitation Bill, which had also been linked to the passage of the Women's Reservation Bill, the Congress President criticised the AIADMK for supporting the BJP and labelled PM Modi a "terrorist who does not believe in equality." "I also thank the Tamil Nadu people who have given MPs to us; that's why we were able to fight and defeat the bill. This is the land of scientific thinking and ideals of Periyar, Dr. Ambedkar, Annadurai, great Kamaraj and Karunanidhi. These people stood for this woman's reservation, justice, equality, and fraternity. Modi is not for these principles and one more thing I want to tell how this AIADMK people who themselves put the photo of Annadurai, how can they join with Modi who is a terrorist and who won't believe in equality, his party won't believe in equality and justice and these people are joining with them, it means that they are weakening democracy, they are weakening the philosophy of Annadurai, Kamaraj, Periyar and Karunanidhi and Babasaheb Ambedkar. The Congress-DMK alliance will continue to deliver welfare, inclusive growth, quality education and accessible healthcare," he said. When questioned on the choice of words, Kharge quickly defended himself, claiming that he meant to say that the PM was terrorising his political opponents. "He (PM Modi) is terrorising people and political parties. I never said he is a terrorist...What I mean, I want to clarify, is that Modi always threatens. The institutions like ED, I-T and CBI are in his hands. He wants to take delimitation also into his hands," Kharge said.Tamil Nadu will go to the polls on April 23, with counting scheduled for May 4. The BJP alleged that the statement made during the Tamil Nadu Assembly election campaign by Kharge is a gross violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC). "We have filed a strong complaint against Congress President Shri @kharge ji for his shocking and disgraceful remark calling Hon'ble PM Shri @narendramodi ji a "terrorist." This is not just derogatory, it is a dangerous & unprecedented attack on democratic institutions. A blatant violation of the Model Code of Conduct. Immediate action is non-negotiable," Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju sad in a post on X. Union Minister Piyush Goyal also criticised the Congress-DMK alliance, calling the remarks a "new low" in political discourse. He demanded an apology from Congress leadership and DMK allies, stating that such comments insult not only the Prime Minister but also the citizens of India. "I feel ashamed that the Congress party and Stalin's DMK party have come to such a low level. They've stooped to this low level that a democratically elected Prime Minister, elected by the people of India, is being called a terrorist. I strongly condemn Kharge's statement. I demand an apology from both the partners, Rahul Gandhi and MK Stalin, for this downright insult of the people of India," Goyal said. Goyal condemned the remarks as not just a personal attack on the Prime Minister, but an affront to the dignity of the Indian electorate and the state of Tamil Nadu. He said that calling the leader of the world's largest democracy a "terrorist" is a "downright insult" to 140 crore Indians and the 8 crore citizens of Tamil Nadu. "They have not only insulted Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who's elected by all of us, who is the leader of the world's biggest democracy, the mother of all democracies, but they have insulted 140 crore Indians. They have today insulted 8 crore Tamil brothers and sisters by calling the nation's Prime Minister a terrorist," he said. BJP Spokesperson Sambit Patra condemned Kharge's remarks, and said these are reflective of the Congress party's "mindset." He alleged that the statement was part of a "deliberate conspiracy" and accused Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, of repeatedly using inappropriate language against the Prime Minister. "This is not only condemnable but also reflects the Congress party's mindset. This is no slip of tongue. Even if he is offering any explanation, remember this is a deliberate conspiracy by the Congress party... Every day, Rahul Gandhi uses abusive language against the Prime Minister in his speeches, and today, at Rahul's behest, Mallikarjun Kharge called the Prime Minister a terrorist.," Patra said. "This is the same Congress party that calls Osama bin Laden 'Osama ji'. This is the same Congress party that is seen standing with major terrorists, yet calls Prime Minister Narendra Modi a terrorist. This is the same Congress party that calls Zakir Naik an apostle of peace... The Congress party should remember that whenever the Congress party has abused the Prime Minister, the people of India have punished it. This time too, the people of India will give a reply," he added. Tamil Nadu BJP leader K. Annamalai criticised the Congress president for using "indecent language". He demanded a public apology and suggested that Kharge should consider retiring from active politics. "Unfortunately, the senior politician, a leader of the Congress party, which has got a lineage of its own, choosing to use a very dirty language, choosing to bring indignity to the office of the Prime Minister and straight away calling PM Modi as a terrorist..." Annamalai told ANI. "The minimum we are seeking is that Mallikarjun Kharge should issue a public apology and seek people's forgiveness... After coming to Tamil Nadu, Mallikarjun Kharge has seen the ground reality. He knows INDIA alliance is in for a huge defeat. That is why, out of desperation, he is using this kind of language... Some politicians in India should retire at the earliest, and Mallikarjun Kharge, it suits him best," he added. Another BJP leader, Gourav Vallabh, termed the comments inappropriate and said they reflect poorly on a party that has governed the country for decades. He alleged that Kharge's remarks were scripted and warned that voters would respond strongly in the upcoming elections. "The party which ruled for 55-60 years, look at the language of the head of that party. He is saying that the elected Prime Minister of India is a terrorist, and the entire Gandhi family is sitting quietly. I think he is speaking according to the script that Rahul Gandhi had given to Mallikarjun Kharge... The people of India are rejecting you, Mallikarjun Kharge, so will you speak ill of the elected Prime Minister of India?... Whoever is listening to this abuse, they will respond to this abuse through EVM in the coming elections," Vallabh told ANI. BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said that the Congress was engaging in divisive politics and disrespecting democratic institutions. "The statement made by Mallikarjun Kharge clearly shows that Congress is not 'mohabbat ki dukan'. They are all about 'samvidhan ka apman' and 'nafrat ke bhaijaan'... Today, we are in that period where we are mourning the victims of Pahalgam. One year has passed. They are the ones who give a clean chit to terrorists, and yet the elected Prime Minister is called a terrorist... This was not a slip of the tongue. No clarification will work. This has been done at the behest of Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi", he alleged. DMK MP Kanimozhi backed Kharge's remarks about misuse of central agencies. "Yes, there are raids. They (BJP) use Income Tax, CBI, and ED against their opposition parties. This has been their style of functioning." Congress leader KC Venugopal also came to Kharge's defence, accusing the BJP of amplifying the issue unnecessarily and attempting to divert attention from substantive concerns. "They (BJP) will try to make a non-issue become an issue... Prime Minister Modi is trying to terrorise people by using the ED and the CBI. That's what Mallikarjun Kharge said. You also know all these camera tricks. They are using only that particular clip... And Kharge himself clarified that he does not call PM Modi a 'terrorist'... then why BJP targeting him? That's an unwanted thing," he said. (ANI)
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee slammed the Election Commission of India (ECI), alleging that the commission denied her permission for a public meeting in the Collin Lane area, while prioritising the meeting of Prime Minister Narendra Modi within six hours. While addressing a public meeting in Jorasanko Assembly Constituency, Banerjee said, "I had a meeting scheduled in the Collin Lane area. If a political party had been holding a meeting there, and I hadn't been granted permission. I wouldn't have given it a second thought. But, I was explicitly told (by the Election Commission), 'We will not grant you permission.' You denied permission for my meeting, yet you prioritise the Prime Minister's meeting within six hours." Earlier on Monday, Banerjee alleged that the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) had planted its "cherry-picked" officers at the airport to deliberately delay her flight. The Chief Minister said that her flight was kept waiting on the runway for 30 minutes, underlining that the same thing happened with Hemant Soren's chopper as well. Further, she said that the AITC struggled to get permission for the meeting, further alleging that a BJP leader who is given poll duties has been causing problems to the people of the district. "We had to struggle a lot to get permission for this meeting. They have cherry-picked officers. They deliberately stopped me so that my programs would get delayed. They are not giving us permission to hold meetings. A person has come who thinks he is a 'big leader' of the BJP. I know the person very well. That person is given duty during the polls. They are troubling the people of this district. We will take revenge democratically," she said. The polling for the 294-member Assembly in West Bengal will be held in two phases. The counting of votes is scheduled for May 4. As per the Election Commission of India (ECI), the first phase covers 152 Assembly constituencies, while the second phase includes 142 seats. 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. In the 2021 Assembly polls, the Congress could not manage to open its account in the seat tally. After a horrendous performance in the last elections, Congress is aiming to turn the contest between the ruling Trinamool Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) into a triangular fight. (ANI)
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed strong confidence in Mahayuti candidate Sunetra Pawar, stating that she has the capability to carry forward the legacy and fulfil the unfinished dreams of late leader Ajit Pawar. Addressing the final public rally ahead of the April 23 Baramati bypoll on Tuesday, Fadnavis said, "I have spent more than 35 years in politics, and with that experience, I can immediately identify who can emerge as a good leader. Based on that experience, I can confidently say that Sunetra Pawar has the ability to fulfil Dada's unfinished dreams." He further added, "She has not just become the state's first woman Deputy Chief Minister, but also she would emerge as a strong and capable leader. I have absolutely no doubt about this." Referring to the public sentiment following Ajit Pawar's demise, the Chief Minister said, "There is deep sympathy and affection for Ajit Pawar in everyone's hearts. However, the manner in which his accident occurred has raised several doubts among people." Reiterating the demand for clarity, Fadnavis said, "Everyone feels that the truth must come out. I had said this earlier, and I repeat it today: until the truth behind this accident comes out, we will not sit quietly. We are determined to bring out the truth." Calling for high voter turnout, he urged the electorate to treat the bypoll as an opportunity to pay tribute to the late leader. "There should be record voting on April 23. This is an opportunity for people to pay tribute to Ajit Pawar," he said. Taking a swipe at the candidates in opposition to Sunetra Pawar in Baramati, Fadnavis added, "Those contesting from the opposition are merely in the fray for publicity. I do not wish to comment much on them, but I appeal to the people that the results of this election should become a topic of discussion across the country." He concluded by urging voters to ensure a decisive mandate. "With record voting, you should ensure Sunetra Pawar's victory by casting your votes in her favour," he said. The Baramati by-election is scheduled to be held on April 23, following the vacancy caused by the death of Ajit Pawar in a plane crash earlier this year. (ANI)
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Wednesday officially announced the opening of the doors of Shri Kedarnath Dham, allowing devotees to offer prayers and begin darshan following the rituals. Pushkar Singh Dhami, in a post on X, said, "Today, the doors of Shri Kedarnath Dham will be opened for the darshan of devotees with full rituals and Vedic mantra chanting. On this sacred occasion, we extend a warm welcome and heartfelt congratulations to all of you for the holy Char Dham Yatra in the divine land of Uttarakhand. May Baba Kedar's blessings make every pilgrim's journey auspicious and blissful--this is our heartfelt prayer." Earlier, Rudraprayag Superintendent of Police Niharika Tomar said that the administration has tightened security and management arrangements in Kedarnath Dham during the pilgrimage season. She said that the use of mobile phones, drones, or any cameras for videography has been completely banned within the temple premises. The administration has urged devotees to follow the rules and help maintain the sanctity of the temple premises. "The gates of Kedarnath Dham are opening on April 22 at 8:00 AM. The 'Doli' (palanquin) has already arrived here, and along with it, a large number of devotees have also come. In accordance with the guidelines issued this time, making any kind of reels or videography in the temple courtyard is prohibited. The use of mobile phones within our perimeter is also prohibited," SP Tomar told ANI. Meanwhile, this year, the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) is aiming for a "grand and divine" aesthetic, adorning the ancient stone structure with approximately 51 quintals (5,100 kg) of multi-colored flowers sourced from across India and overseas. Temple committee member Vinit Chandra Posti shared that special preparations have been made for the occasion of the temple's opening. Flowers sourced from across India and abroad are being used to decorate the shrine, further enhancing the beauty of the holy site. Despite the festive air, authorities have issued advisories for devotees to carry heavy woollens, as temperatures remain near freezing due to the recent snow. The Char Dham Yatra, one of the most significant religious pilgrimages in India, formally began on Sunday with rituals across multiple shrines. The annual pilgrimage to Kedarnath Temple commenced with the ceremonial departure of the Panchmukhi palanquin of Lord Kedarnath from its winter seat at Omkareshwar Temple. The send-off ceremony witnessed elaborate Vedic rituals, devotional chants and participation from priests, officials and a large number of devotees. Kedarnath Rawal Bhimashankar Ling and senior officials, including district authorities, were present during the rituals. (ANI)
In a significant development ahead of the West Bengal Assembly Elections, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has denied permission for a proposed rally by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in Bhawanipore, triggering a sharp reaction from the Trinamool Congress (TMC). The decision comes just days before the first phase of polling scheduled for April 23, with Bhawanipore among the constituencies going to vote. Reacting to the development, Banerjee questioned the ECI's decision, stating that as a sitting Chief Minister, she was denied permission to hold a rally in her own constituency. "How can the EC deny me permission in my own constituency? There are no other rallies scheduled there," Banerjee said, alleging discriminatory treatment. She further claimed that while permissions were granted swiftly for rallies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, her request was rejected. "Even you allow the Prime Minister's rally within six hours, but as a Chief Minister, my rally is denied," she said. Banerjee added that despite the denial, she would still visit the area. "I will go and sit there and have tea," she remarked, referring to her planned at Collin Street under the Bhawanipore constituency. The polling for the 294-member Assembly in West Bengal will be held in two phases. The counting of votes is scheduled for May 4. As per the Election Commission of India (ECI), the first phase covers 152 Assembly constituencies, while the second phase includes 142 seats. 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. In the 2021 Assembly polls, the Congress could not manage to open its account in the seat tally. After a horrendous performance in the last elections, Congress is aiming to turn the contest between the ruling Trinamool Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) into a triangular fight. (ANI)
The doors of the world-famous Kedarnath Dham were officially opened for devotees, accompanied by the chants of Vedic hymns and traditional rituals. Thousands of pilgrims from across India and abroad gathered at the shrine, creating an atmosphere of deep devotion. As the gates opened, chants of Lord Shiva and "Baba Kedar" resonated across the temple. Adorned with quintals of vibrant flowers, the temple presented a striking sight to devotees. Uttarakhand Chief Minister, accompanied by his wife Geeta Dhami, attended the opening ceremony. On the occasion, he offered prayers for the happiness and prosperity of the state and its people. With the opening of the portals, the high-altitude Himalayan shrine has once again become the heart of Shiva devotion, welcoming the world into its sacred fold. The Chairman of the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee, Hemant Dwivedi, urged devotees to visit and seek the blessings of Baba Kedar and Lord Badrinath as the Kedarnath Temple portals opened. Earlier, speaking on crowd management, he said digital systems have been introduced to regulate pilgrim flow. "The government has introduced online registration. Through a registration and token system, we will ensure smooth management. We have a complete Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) in place, and our priority is the last devotee, providing simple, safe, and accessible darshan," he said. On Thursday, Chief Minister Dhami expressed confidence in the smooth conduct of the upcoming Char Dham Yatra, scheduled to commence on April 23. Speaking to the media after an on-ground inspection of the Kedarnath Highway and other key locations, he said all preparations and facilities are being closely monitored. "The Char Dham Yatra is about to commence. I am personally conducting an on-site inspection to ensure all preparations are complete. We are ready in every respect to welcome pilgrims from across the country and the world. All necessary arrangements have been put in place, and the Yatra will be a success," he said. (ANI)
A special court of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has sentenced seven accused persons, including mastermind and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) member T Naseer, in the 2023 Bengaluru prison radicalisation case linked to terror conspiracy activities inside a prison facility. Apart from Naseer, the court also sentenced accused Syed Suhail Khan, Mohammed Umar, Zahid Tabrez, Syed Mudassir Pasha, Mohammed Faisal Rabbani and Salman Khan to seven years of rigorous imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 48,000 each under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UA(P) Act), Arms Act and Explosives Substances Act. According to the NIA, the accused had earlier pleaded guilty to the charges filed by the NIA in the case RC-28/2023/NIA/DLI - relating to a LeT-linked terror conspiracy hatched inside the Parapanna Agrahara Central Prisons, Bengaluru, by T Naseer. Investigations revealed that the conspiracy involved identifying, recruiting, training and radicalising inmates within the prison to further terrorist activities in India, with the intent of advancing the banned organisation's anti-India agenda. The case was initially registered by the Bengaluru Central Crime Branch (CCB) in July 2023 following the seizure of arms, ammunition and digital devices from habitual offenders who were allegedly planning terror attacks in Bengaluru city. Subsequently, the case was taken over by the NIA, which unveiled a larger conspiracy to facilitate the escape of T Naseer, a life convict in several terror cases, while on the way from the prison to court. Naseer was an under-trial prisoner in the 2008 Bengaluru serial blast cases at the time. Following meticulous investigation, the NIA filed a chargesheet against 11 arrested accused and one absconder, identified as Junaid Ahmed, in the case. Of these, the accused Salman Khan was arrested after he was successfully extradited from the Republic of Rwanda as a result of the coordinated efforts of NIA and the concerned agencies in Rwanda. Efforts are on to track and arrest Junaid Ahmed. (ANI)
Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Wednesday launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government over the "complete failure" of its foreign policy, on the first anniversary of the Pahalgam terror attack and asked for a "reset." Remembering the unfortunate day of April 22, 2025, when Pakistan-backed assailants killed 26 innocent civilians in the Pahalgam district of Jammu and Kashmir, after questioning them about their religion, Ramesh questioned the course of action taken on the admission of the J-K Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, that there was an "intelligence failure." "Today, April 22nd, will always be a day of great pain and intense anguish for every Indian. Exactly a year ago, the terror attack orchestrated by Pakistan took place in Pahalgam. Our thoughts are with the bereaved families. We also recall the bravery of the young local ponywallah who was shot dead while trying to save a tourist," Ramesh wrote in a post on X. "The LG of Jammu and Kashmir admitted it was an intelligence failure. It is not clear what action was taken on this admission, even though the killers themselves were brought to justice a few months later," he questioned. Ramesh further reflected on the global recognition given to the Pakistan Field Marshal General Asim Munir despite the "inflammatory and communally provocative statements" he made weeks prior to the Pahalgam attack and described it as the "complete failure" of foreign policy and diplomatic tactics of the Modi government. Ramesh, recognising the global stature of Pakistan despite a crumbling economy and separatist ideology, questioned whether PM Modi will hit reset on India's style of diplomacy. "Pakistan stood isolated after it had carried out the terror attacks in Mumbai in Nov 2008. Its economy continues to be in shambles, dependent on largesse from external donors. Separatist movements are deeply entrenched in its polity and society. Its politics is dysfunctional and it is the Army that is calling the shots in the country. Yet today, that very same failed state whose army chief had made inflammatory and communally provocative statements just a few days prior to the deadly deed, has now acquired a new global respectability. In many ways, this reflects the complete failure of the substance of the Prime Minister's foreign policy and the self-glorifying style of his diplomatic engagement. Should he reset? Of course, yes. Will he reset? Most certainly he will not" Ramesh questioned. Weeks before the Pahalgam attack on April 22, General Munir said Pakistan will not forget the issue of Kashmir, asserting, "It was our jugular vein." Despite this, General Munir was invited to lunch with US President Donald Trump on June 18, 2025, at the White House, sparking controversy in India. General Munir also attended the farewell ceremony of General Michael Kurilla, head of the US Central Command, in Tampa, Florida, on August 8, 2025. Kurilla had previously praised Pakistan as a "splendid partner" in counter-terrorism operations. Responding to the reported remarks made by Munir in the US, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had issued a strong statement. "India has already made it clear that it will not give in to nuclear blackmail and will continue to take all necessary steps to safeguard its national security," the MEA spokesperson had affirmed. Additionally, as India mourned the loss of lives in the Pahalgam attack, what followed was decisive action by the Indian armed forces in the form of Operation Sindoor. Indian armed forces struck terror bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). In Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7, 2025, India successfully destroyed nine major terror launchpads in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), targeting Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and Hizbul Mujahideen facilities. Indian armed forces killed over 100 terrorists in action. Inflicted by heavy damage, Pakistan's Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) called the Indian DGMO and a ceasefire was agreed on May 10. (ANI)
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday paid tribute to the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack, marking one year since the deadly incident that claimed 26 lives, and reaffirmed his commitment to end violence and suffering in the region. In a post on X, Omar Abdullah said, "One year on, we remain united against terror and against violence. We remain resolute in our desire to rid Jammu and Kashmir of suffering and innocent deaths." He further added that efforts will continue to ensure such incidents are not repeated, stating, "We remain committed to doing everything to ensure it never happens again." Expressing solidarity with the bereaved families, Abdullah said, "We also remain in eternal solidarity with the families who lost their loved ones a year ago in that cowardly attack." The CM concluded by paying homage to the victims, saying, "May the souls of the victims of the terror attack rest in peace." Lieutenant Governor (LG) of Jammu and Kashmir Manoj Sinha also paid tribute to the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack, marking one year since the incident. In a post on X, he recalled the tragedy and said, "Humble tributes to the innocent souls who lost their lives in the gruesome terror attack in Pahalgam on this day in 2025." He further emphasized that the loss continues to be deeply felt and remembered across the region, adding, "Their memory endures indelibly in our hearts. My thoughts and prayers are with their families," while expressing solidarity with the bereaved families and honouring the victims of the attack. The terror attack, carried out in Pahalgam, one of Jammu and Kashmir's prominent tourist destinations, had shocked the nation after Pakistan-backed terrorists entered a village and killed 26 civilians. The assailants reportedly targeted victims based on their religious identity, drawing widespread condemnation and outrage across the country. In response, India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, 2025, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (POJK). The Indian armed forces struck multiple terror launchpads linked to groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and Hizbul Mujahideen, significantly damaging their operational capabilities. The operation triggered retaliatory actions from Pakistan, including drone attacks and cross-border shelling, leading to a brief four-day military escalation. Indian forces responded with precision strikes, reportedly targeting key radar installations in Lahore and areas near Gujranwala. Following the escalation, both countries agreed to a ceasefire on May 10 after communication between their respective Directors General of Military Operations (DGMO). On the eve of the anniversary, the Indian Army also recalled the operation, underlining its message of deterrence. "When boundaries of humanity are crossed, the response is decisive. Justice is served. India stands united," the Army said. (ANI)
Vice President C P Radhakrishnan attended the 3rd Convocation of IIMT University in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, where he hailed the institution's rapid academic progress and its achievement of an NAAC A grade. Addressing graduating students, the Vice President highlighted the university's growing contribution to higher education and its role in preparing future professionals in a rapidly transforming India. "I am pleased to know that the IIMT University, Meerut has fast emerged as a centre of academic excellence with an NAAC A grade... We are at a defining moment in India's history. Our country is one of the fastest-growing countries in the world... The Namo Bharat train and the Meerut metro, flagged off by our Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in February this year, stand as shining examples of modern, efficient and sustainable connectivity, bringing cities closer and opening new avenues of growth and opportunity for the students and the professionals alike," he said. The Vice President said the convocation marks not just the culmination of an academic journey but the beginning of a lifelong commitment towards contributing to nation-building. He urged students to align their aspirations with the country's developmental goals and actively participate in shaping India's future. He noted that India is currently undergoing a significant transformation driven by infrastructure growth, technological advancement and expanding opportunities for the youth. Describing the present phase as a defining moment in the nation's history, he said young graduates must take advantage of the evolving ecosystem. Highlighting flagship infrastructure initiatives, VP Radhakrishnan referred to the Namo Bharat and the Meerut Metro, both of which were inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier this year. He said such projects represent modern, efficient and sustainable connectivity that will create new avenues of economic growth, employment and innovation. Reiterating the vision of Viksit Bharat, the Vice President said it is a national mission that requires the energy, creativity and commitment of young people across the country. He emphasised that the spirit of 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' lies at the core of India's developmental journey. Urging students to look beyond individual success, he called on them to become job creators rather than job seekers, and to contribute actively to innovation, entrepreneurship and inclusive development. The Vice President also encouraged them to support local industries and promote indigenous solutions aligned with national priorities. Encouraging students to think beyond personal success, he advised them to align their ambitions with national priorities. He called upon them to become job creators rather than job seekers and urged them to embrace innovation, support local industries, and promote home-grown solutions. "The vision of Viksit Bharat @ 2047 goes beyond economic growth and encompasses inclusive development that reaches the last village and the last person," he said. The Vice President observed that women are increasingly securing a significant share of academic honours and medals at convocations. He described this as a 'reflection of a positive societal transformation driven by determination, discipline, and supportive ecosystems.' VP Radhakrishnan further noted that such achievements are setting new benchmarks and inspiring future generations towards building a more inclusive and progressive India. (ANI)
A BJP delegation, comprising Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal and others, met with the Election Commission of India on Wednesday demanding action against Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge over his remarks calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi "a terrorist." Speaking with ANI, Kiren Rijiju strongly condemned the remarks by Kharge, calling it "an issue for the entire nation". Stating that no political party has ever touched that level of disrespect as Congress, Rijiju said that the delegation demanded EC to take "strict action" and asked the Congress President to apologise from the country. "Today, a high level delegation of BJP met with the Election Commission. We have met the EC with grief and anger because normally we meet the EC for election process related work but today our delegation went for the derogatory remarks made by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This is not a BJP issue but an issue for the entire nation. Calling the PM of the country, a terrorist, you can understand the level of low the Congress has touched in terms of respecting an individual and the democracy. I don't think any political party has ever used such insulting remarks against a PM," he stated. "The PM is not just a party's PM but a country's PM. He has been elected as the PM of the world's largest democracy. Congress has often made derogatory remarks against PM, whether its vile, poisonous snake, commander-in-chief, and what not. But today they crossed all boundaries. PM Narendra Modi is considered as a global leader and the ideal of democracy. We have requested the EC that if any political party uses such language, then it is not a BJP issue, but a cheap tactic in the democracy. We have thus, asked for a strict action on this and also that Kharge should apologise to the entire nation. So that no one dares to disrespect the PM of the country and that in the presence of EC, no political party can make such remarks," he added. Rijiju further stated that the EC has assured action into the matter. "The EC has taken cognisance of the matter. We have been assured that an investigation will be done in the matter," he said. The Parliamentary Affairs Minister also affirmed that all terrorists shall be eliminated under the PM's leadership, while the Congress will be punished by the people. "The investigation that EC has to do is different. But the terrorist who fight against our country will be finished under the leadership of same PM Modi, who has been called a terrorist. The public will punish the Congress, as PM Modi will punish the terrorists," Rijiju affirmed. The controversy stems from Kharge's speech during the last day of the election campaign in Tamil Nadu, where he criticised the AIADMK for aligning with the BJP while making sharp remarks against PM Modi. Kharge allegedly referred to Modi as a "terrorist who does not believe in equality", sparking political backlash. "I also thank the Tamil Nadu people who have given MPs to us, that's why we were able to fight and defeat the bill. This is the land of scientific thinking and ideals of Periyar, Dr. Ambedkar, Annadurai, great Kamaraj and Karunanidhi. These people stood for this women's reservation, justice, equality, and fraternity. Modi is not for these principles and one more thing I want to tell how this AIADMK people who themselves put the photo of Annadurai, how can they join with Modi who is a terrorist and who won't believe in equality, his party won't believe in equality and justice and these people are joining with them, it means that they are weakening democracy, they are weakening the philosophy of Annadurai, Kamaraj, Periyar and Karunanidhi and Babasaheb Ambedkar. The Congress-DMK alliance will continue to deliver welfare, inclusive growth, quality education and accessible healthcare," Kharge had said while addressing the gathering. (ANI)
Tibetan spiritual leader, the 14th Dalai Lama, attends a long life prayer offered to him by Dhasa Dhotoe Welfare Society and Lodrik Welfare Association in the morning at the Main Tibetan Temple. Over 5 thousand Tibetans, including monks and nuns and foreigners from across the world, gather at the main Tibetan temple, Tsuglagkhang, here in the North Indian hill town of Dharamshala. Karen Queller, a devotee from Los Angeles, told ANI, " People feel delighted and fortunate to be a part of this ceremony. The Dalai lama is such a lovely person and a man of compassion who is showing a path of love to everyone. I am feeling delighted to be here today. The Dalai Lama is a symbol of peace and compassion for all of us." Leon Barsegian, another devotee from Russia, told ANI, "The Dalai Lama's peace and compassion, and I am feeling very gentle today. People have gathered here to offer long-life prayers for the Dalai Lama, and I am feeling great to be a part of this event here today. The Dalai Lama is very important not only for Tibetans but for the entire world." Nitin, a Buddhist follower from New Delhi, told ANI, " I have come here to see the Dalai Lama, and people from different countries have come here today. I wish everybody should live with love and peace. I am very happy to attend this event here." Tenzin Lhakdor, one of the organisers from Nepal, told ANI, "People from around the world have come here to attend this long life prayer ceremony for his Holiness, the Dalai Lama. Two different organisations, Dhotoe Welfare Society and Lodrik Welfare Association, have jointly organised this programme in this temple here. All the participants are very happy to be a part of this spiritual session today." (ANI)
The outreach follows the successful conduct of Sadhana Saptah 2026 - National Learning Week, held from April 2 to 10, which saw widespread participation from government officials through the iGOT Karmayogi platform. Acknowledging the enthusiastic response, the Prime Minister conveyed his message to all registered "Karmayogis," urging them to continue their journey of self-improvement in service of the nation.

In a special gesture, the Prime Minister also issued letters of commendation to 33.4 lakh civil servants who completed four or more hours of learning during the week. The recognition highlighted their dedication to professional growth and their role in strengthening a more capable, efficient, and citizen-centric governance system.

The letters were issued in 12 languages, including Hindi, English, Marathi, Odia, Gujarati, Bengali, Kannada, Punjabi, Assamese, Malayalam, Telugu, and Tamil, ensuring outreach across ministries, departments, states, and Union Territories.

The initiative aligns with the broader vision of "Viksit Bharat," which emphasises continuous learning as a key driver of governance transformation. The Prime Minister has consistently stressed that India's administrative machinery must evolve with speed, scale, and innovation to meet the goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047.

Civil Services Day, celebrated annually on April 21, commemorates the historic address of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in 1947, where he described civil servants as the "steel frame of India."

Earlier on Tuesday, President Droupadi Murmu extended greetings to civil servants, noting their role in strengthening governance and improving lives. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also lauded their dedication to nation-building.

The annual observance includes the Prime Minister's Awards for Excellence in Public Administration, recognising innovative and impactful governance practices across districts and implementing units, reinforcing the spirit of service and accountability among civil servants. (ANI)
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday addressed a public gathering in Kolkata's Jorasanko Assembly area, drawing comparisons between governance in Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal while campaigning for the party's candidate ahead of West Bengal Assembly elections. Addressing the gathering, Yogi Adityanath said, "The lawlessness that we're witnessing here is similar to the lawlessness that existed in Uttar Pradesh before 2017... today, there is no unrest in UP... There's a celebration everywhere... Today, the people of UP are living in a new era of 'Ram Rajya'." He further added, "There is only one voice, one slogan in UP: We will not allow the cow to be slaughtered, nor will we allow Hindus to be divided. This is a sense of respect for India's heritage, and this only happens when there is a double-engine BJP government." Making a sharp political attack, he referred to remarks made by Kolkata's civic leadership and said, "You must have seen what Kolkata's mayor is saying. He says Urdu will be used here. We come here to say that no one can play with Bengali identity." He further alleged, "Bengal's identity is not associated with the Kaaba, but Bengal's identity has been associated with Maa Kalibari." Accusing the state government over law and order and cultural issues, he added that cow slaughter is widespread in the state and claimed restrictions on religious celebrations, including Durga Puja, under the current administration, "Mamata Didi is irritated by the name of Lord Ram. Permission is not given during Durga Puja..." The polling for the 294-member Assembly in West Bengal will be held in two phases. The counting of votes is scheduled for May 4. As per the Election Commission of India (ECI), the first phase covers 152 Assembly constituencies, while the second phase includes 142 seats. 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)
Samajwadi Party (SP) workers staged a protest outside the residence of Lucknow Mayor Sushma Kharkwal on Wednesday over her alleged remarks linked to SP chief Akhilesh Yadav's late mother, triggering a fresh political controversy in the state capital. The protest came amid a heated exchange between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the opposition SP after Lucknow Mayor Sushma Kharkwal's statement was interpreted by the opposition as offensive. Responding to the row, Mayor Sushma Kharkwal defended her remarks, saying her statement was misrepresented and that she had referred to broader comments on women and political leaders rather than any individual's mother. "What I had said was that half our population are women, but Akhilesh ji and Rahul ji, who have a mother, a sister and a daughter, insulted the women. This country is our mother. I want to ask Akhilesh ji, where did I mention his mother in my speech? I said that he has insulted the relationship with a mother, a daughter and a sister," Kharkwal said. Earlier on Tuesday, in a post on X, Akhilesh Yadav condemned her remarks, saying the insult of anyone's mother is never acceptable. In his post on X, he wrote: "Respected Sushma Kharakwal Ji,...Please do not, due to your political compulsions, invoke the name of my late mother to insult another woman as a woman. I make this earnest request of you solely in the honour of womanhood. If there are any elders or children in your home, please ask them whether your utterly reprehensible, hate-filled statement is appropriate or not. Besides, you yourself are a woman. When a woman insults another woman, who will call you morally right?" https://x.com/yadavakhilesh/status/2046579862195073489 Yadav further added that the insult of anyone's mother is never acceptable and warned Kharakwal to maintain dignity and balance as well. "In Indian society, the insult of anyone's mother is never acceptable. Your political future would have been bright if you had not dragged it down to such low moral standards; today, even your supporters are ashamed. Those you are stooping to your level to influence are not close relatives of anyone. Maintain your dignity and balance as well. I do not even expect any apology from you, nor does any meaning remain in an apology after saying such things. Whatever regret you feel sitting alone will be more than enough for us," Yadav's post read. (ANI)
The Delhi High Court has granted bail to one Anwar Khan alias Chacha, who is accused in the Nadir Shah Murder case. The high court has granted him bail on furnishing a bail bond of Rs. 25000 and one surety in the like amount. Justice Girish Kathpalia on Tuesday granted bail to Anwar Khan alias Chacha in the Nadir Shah murder case after considering the submissions and arguements of counsel. "Considering the circumstances, especially the role of the accused with no clear allegation (what to say of evidence) of his complicity in the killing, I find no reason to further deprive liberty to the accused/applicant," Justice Kathpalia held on April 21. While granting bail to Anwar Khan, the bench also made an observation as to why one Salman alias Bonchi has not been made an accused. Justice Kathpalia said, " To say the least, it is quite surprising to note that Salman, who allegedly commuted the alleged shooters and who was in touch with Zoya has not been named as an accused but as a witness. On the other hand, the applicant against whom there is no specific allegation that he was aware that Madhur and Raju, who were brought to his house were killers, has been made accused." "From the above narrative, recorded verbatim as submitted by learned Special Public Prosecutor in presence of the investigation officer (IO), prima facie, there is no allegation against the accused/applicant," the bench said. On March 17, the High Court had called for a status report from the Delhi police. In this case, Afghan-origin gym trainer Nadir Shah was shot dead outside his gym in Greater Kailash in September 2024. Anwar Khan's regular bail was dismissed by the Patiala House Court on February 21, 2026. During the hearing, the High Court raised several questions regarding the role of Anwar Khan alias Chacha. Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) Akhand Pratap Singh appeared for the Delhi police. Advocate Sulaiman Mohd Khan and M M Khan appeared for Anwar Khan. He was arrested on April 23, 2025, on the basis of the statement of Salman alias Bonchi. It was argued that after the investigation, Delhi filed a charge sheet on December 11, 2024, against 14 Accused persons and no role was attributed to Anwar Khan. Delhi police recorded two statements of Salman alias Bonchi wherein he took the name of Anwar Khan. Thereafter, the Delhi police arrested Anwar Khan. The accused sought bail on the grounds that he has been in custody for one year and the charge sheet has already been filed by the investigation officer. His name did not surface in the 2000 pages of the first charge sheet. There is no incriminating evidence against him. He deserves to be released on bail. (ANI)
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday paid tribute to the victims of the Pakistan-backed terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam on this day last year, reaffirming India's resolve against terrorism. In a post on X, Kejriwal described the incident as a "cowardly attack" and expressed grief over the loss of innocent lives, while also praising the Indian armed forces for their role in defending the nation. "On this very day, cowardly terrorists had rained bullets down on innocent people in Pahalgam. My humble tribute to all the innocent citizens who lost their lives in this cowardly attack," Kejriwal wrote. "Let the terrorists and those who harbour them know that India is a strong nation. Patriotism permeates every particle of this land. Our brave soldiers stand deployed in defence of Mother India. This country will never be weakened. The complete annihilation of terrorism is inevitable," he added. http://x.com/arvindkejriwal/status/2046833076505079900?s=48 Earlier in the day, the Indian Army reiterated its strong stance against terrorism, recalling the decisive military response under 'Operation Sindoor' and warning of assured retaliation for any acts against India. On April 22, 2025, the nation was left shocked when terrorists struck the tourist town of Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir, entering a village and killing 26 civilians. Known as a tourist spot with scenic beauty, Pahalgam was rendered in blood as Pakistan-backed terrorists killed several innocent people. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to the victims in the Pahalgam terror attack, reiterating India's firm resolve to combat terrorism in all its forms. In a post on X, the Prime Minister expressed solidarity with the bereaved families and affirmed that the country remains united in grief and determined to dismantle "the heinous designs of terrorists." "Remembering the innocent lives lost in the gruesome Pahalgam terror attack on this day last year. They will never be forgotten. My thoughts are also with the bereaved families as they cope with this loss. As a nation, we stand united in grief and resolve. India will never bow to any form of terror. The heinous designs of terrorists will never succeed," the PM wrote. As India mourned the loss, what followed was decisive action by the Indian armed forces in the form of Operation Sindoor. Indian armed forces struck terror bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). In the aftermath of the attack, India launched 'Operation Sindoor' on May 7, 2025, targeting terror infrastructure across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). According to official details, Indian armed forces destroyed nine major terror launchpads linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed and Hizbul Mujahideen, and eliminated over 100 terrorists during the operation. What followed were drone attacks and shelling by Pakistan, which led to a four-day conflict between the two neighbouring countries. India showed formidable defence and conducted retaliatory strikes, destroying Radar installations in Lahore and Radar facilities near Gurjanwala. (ANI)
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday once again launched a frontal attack on Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, alleging widespread "syndicate raj," corruption, and deteriorating law and order in the poll-bound West Bengal. As the first phase of the election will be held on April 23, Shah asserted that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would not allow the construction of Babri Masjid in the state. Addressing a public rally in Dum Dum Uttar area of North 24 Parganas, Shah said, "Today, the entire Bengal is tormented by the syndicate. If you need to buy cement, you have to pay the syndicate. If you need to buy bricks, you have to pay the syndicate. If you need to buy sand, you have to pay the syndicate... But the people of Dum Dum, remember my promise--after the 5th, the syndicate members will flee Bengal and migrate away." He further alleged that industrial decline in the state was due to the Trinamool Congress government, adding, "Due to Didi, the industry has left, and due to the BJP, these syndicate thugs will flee from Bengal." "Mamata Banerjee wants to build Babri Masjid by taking the name of Humayun Kabir. Do not worry, I am saying this clearly: Mamata Didi, try as hard as you want, the BJP will not allow Babri Masjid to be built in Bengal," Shah added. Sharpening his political attack, Shah said Mamata Banerjee was attempting to "build Babri Masjid by taking the name of Humayun Kabir," referring to the Babri Masjid issue. He said, "Mamata Didi, try as hard as you want, the BJP will not allow Babri Masjid to be built in Bengal." Raising concerns over women's safety, Shah said incidents in institutions such as RG Kar Medical College, Durgapur Medical College, and South Kolkata Law College reflected poor law and order in the state. "In the Mamata government, the daughters of Bengal have become completely unsafe," he said, adding that the Chief Minister's remarks on women's movement at night were "shameful." "I promise that after May 5, even a little girl won't be ogled by any thug when she steps out on her scooter," Shah added. Promising a "new beginning" for the state, Shah said the BJP would work to fulfil the dream of "Sonar Bangla," referring to the vision associated with Bengal's cultural and political legacy. "After a long time, the beginning of good governance is about to take place within Bengal... Where there will be no fear for mothers and sisters," he said. Appealing to voters, Shah said, "We will work to free the mothers, sisters, and daughters of Bengal from fear. On the 29th, all of you have to cast your votes... to create an infiltrator-free Bengal." Further targeting Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Shah said that Congress would face its biggest defeat ever in assembly election. "I want to say to Rahul Gandhi that in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, they will not even cross double digits. In West Bengal, they may not even be able to open their account, and in Assam, Congress will face its biggest defeat ever. Mamata Didi, you are sitting with the same Congress. Your situation is also going to worsen," he added. Campaigning ended for the first phase of the assembly election in West Bengal on Tuesday, with political parties giving a strong push to their campaign on 152 seats where voters will exercise their franchise on April 23. The polling for the 294-member Assembly in West Bengal will be held in two phases on April 23 and April 29. The counting of votes is scheduled for May 4. As per the Election Commission of India (ECI), the first phase covers 152 Assembly constituencies, while the second phase includes 142 seats. 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. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is aiming for a fourth consecutive term, while the BJP, which secured 77 seats in the previous election, is making a renewed push to form the government in the state. (ANI)
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) convened a high-level National Review on India's Blood Transfusion Services with States/UTs through a video conference on Wednesday. The review meeting was chaired by Rakesh Gupta, Additional Secretary (Public Health), MoHFW and Director General, National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO). Representatives from all 36 States and Union Territories participated in the review from their respective capitals. According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the review comprehensively assessed the status of Blood Transfusion Services (BTS) across the country, covering the five critical stages of service delivery: Licensing and Renewal; Donor Screening and Blood Collection; Testing for Transfusion-Transmitted Infections (TTIs) and referral/linkage of reactive donors; Processing, Storage and Issuance; and Reporting and Record-keeping. Performance was evaluated against a structured framework of 10 Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), using data from eRaktKosh, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), Blood Bank Management System (BBMS) and inspection records of regulatory authorities. The review highlighted both progress and key systemic gaps. While several States and Union Territories have demonstrated strong performance across multiple indicators, variability persists in areas such as district-level availability of blood centres, licensing compliance, voluntary blood donation rates, referral and linkage of TTI-reactive donors, component separation capacity and real-time digital reporting. It was noted that approximately 10% of districts in the country currently do not have a blood centre, underscoring the need for accelerated expansion of infrastructure. Similarly, gaps remain in digital integration, with a significant number of blood centres yet to be onboarded on eRaktKosh and BBMS, limiting real-time visibility and monitoring. In his chairing remarks, Gupta reiterated the national goal of ensuring timely access to safe blood in every district, with zero transfusion-transmitted infections. He emphasised the milestone of establishing at least one blood centre in every district by December 2026, in line with the National Blood Policy. The review also noted encouraging practices in several States and Union Territories, including high levels of voluntary blood donation, strong testing proficiency under External Quality Assessment Schemes (EQAS) and effective referral and linkage mechanisms for TTI-reactive donors. A set of priority actions for the coming quarters was outlined. These include strengthening district-level ownership and administrative convergence; ensuring 100% licensing compliance of all operational blood centres; enforcing standard operating procedures for blood collection and donation camps; and scaling up voluntary blood donation through structured outreach and awareness campaigns. States and Union Territories were also advised to progressively transition to advanced testing protocols, including 4th generation ELISA/CLIA-based screening and to expand component separation capacity to optimise utilisation of collected blood. The Ministry emphasised the need for full digital integration of blood transfusion services, including 100% onboarding and real-time data updation on eRaktKosh and BBMS. The adoption of ABDM-enabled biometric donor identification and creation of Health Facility Registry (HFR) identifiers for all blood centres were identified as critical steps to strengthen traceability, transparency and service delivery. The review further underscored the importance of strengthening referral and linkage systems to ensure that all donors identified with transfusion-transmitted infections are connected to appropriate care and treatment programmes. A time-bound action plan will be implemented jointly by the National Blood Transfusion Council (NBTC), State Blood Transfusion Councils (SBTCs), Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), State Food and Drugs Administrations (FDAs), and the Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS), with progress to be reviewed through structured monthly and quarterly monitoring mechanisms. In his concluding remarks, Gupta outlined key operational directions for States and Union Territories, including review of the licence status of all blood centres, ensuring universal digital adoption and real-time reporting, strengthening human resource capacity through standardised training and enabling ABDM-linked donor identification across all facilities. The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with States and Union Territories to build a robust, efficient and transparent blood transfusion system, ensuring safe, accessible and adequate blood supply for every citizen. (ANI)
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday addressed the ongoing controversy regarding his recent remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating that he has already provided a clarification on his statement. Talking to the reporters, Mallikarjun Kharge said, "I clarified my statement in Chennai." Meanwhile, BJP leaders slammed Mallikarjun Kharge over his calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi "terrorist" during a press conference on the last day of campaigning in Tamil Nadu, with the Congress President later clarifying that what he meant was that the Prime Minister misuses central agencies "to terrorise" his opponents. BJP filed a "strong complaint" with the Election Commission over Kharge's remarks and also sought an apology from him. On Tuesday, Kharge told ANI in Kalaburagi that he did not call the Prime Minister "a terrorist" but spoke about the victimisation of political opponents by the Modi government. Kharge alleged that the Prime Minister "is terrorising politicians" and "tax terrorism is happening". "I did not speak against the PM. PM is terrorising politicians, candidates and regarding this, I said that tax terrorism is happening, ED is conducting raids, Income Tax Dept is conducting raids, CBI is conducting raids...this terrorism is being facilitated by the PM. I did not call him a terrorist...he is scaring people. He is trying to silence people through raids and attempting to defeat them in elections. This is what I said in Chennai," he said. Earlier, Kharge courted controversy on the last day of the election campaign in Tamil Nadu. Highlighting opposition unity during the defeat of the Delimitation Bill, which had also been linked to the passage of the Women's Reservation Bill, the Congress President criticised the AIADMK for supporting the BJP and labelled PM Modi a "terrorist who does not believe in equality." However, after criticism, Kharge later clarified his remarks, stating that he intended to refer to Modi as someone who "terrorises political opponents" rather than calling him a terrorist. "He (PM Modi) is terrorising people and political parties. I never said he is a terrorist...What I mean, I want to clarify, is that Modi always threatens. The institutions like ED, I-T and CBI are in his hands. He wants to take delimitation also into his hands," Kharge said in his clarification. (ANI)
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla on Wednesday reacted to Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge's "terrorist" remark directed at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, terming the statement "premeditated" and demanding action from the Election Commission. Referring to the timing of the remark, Poonawalla linked it to the ongoing remembrance of the Pahalgam terror attack anniversary. Speaking to ANI, he said, "What has been said by Kharge ji is not a coincidence but a premeditated action. The language used against the three-time elected PM of India, and calling him a terrorist and saying it at a time when we are commemorating one year of Pahalgam." He further alleged that such remarks reflect a pattern of political conduct by the Congress, stating, "To abuse Modi has become a practice of Congress." Poonawalla also raised strong objections over what he called a contradictory stance on terrorism, saying, "You are giving a clean chit to Islamic jihadis, but calling Modi a terrorist." Calling for institutional action, the BJP spokesperson said the Election Commission should intervene. He stated, "It is our request to the Election Commission to take action on Mallikarjun Kharge and ask him to issue an unconditional apology." The whole controversy heated up from Mallikarjun Kharge's speech during the last day of the election campaign in Tamil Nadu on Tuesday, where he criticised the AIADMK for aligning with the BJP while making sharp remarks against PM Modi. Kharge allegedly referred to Modi as a "terrorist who does not believe in equality", sparking political backlash. "I also thank the Tamil Nadu people who have given MPs to us, that's why we were able to fight and defeat the bill. This is the land of scientific thinking and ideals of Periyar, Dr. Ambedkar, Annadurai, great Kamaraj and Karunanidhi. These people stood for this woman's reservation, justice, equality, and fraternity. Modi is not for these principles and one more thing I want to tell how this AIADMK people who themselves put the photo of Annadurai, how can they join with Modi who is a terrorist and who won't believe in equality, his party won't believe in equality and justice and these people are joining with them, it means that they are weakening democracy, they are weakening the philosophy of Annadurai, Kamaraj, Periyar and Karunanidhi and Babasaheb Ambedkar. The Congress-DMK alliance will continue to deliver welfare, inclusive growth, quality education and accessible healthcare," Kharge had said while addressing the gathering. However, after criticism, Kharge later clarified his remarks, stating that he intended to refer to Modi as someone who "terrorises political opponents" rather than calling him a terrorist. "He (PM Modi) is terrorising people and political parties. I never said he is a terrorist...What I mean, I want to clarify, is that Modi always threatens. The institutions like ED, I-T and CBI are in his hands. He wants to take delimitation also into his hands," Kharge said in his clarification. (ANI)
The IEVP is a flagship program of the ECI for international cooperation and engagement with the Election Management Bodies (EMBs) of other countries and International Organizations.

Under the theme "Chunav ka Parv, Paschim Bengal ka Garv," these representatives witnessed the security protocols and administrative frameworks that underpin the Indian electoral process.

https://x.com/ECISVEEP/status/2046790068107686383?s=20

In a series of X posts, the Election Commision shared the details about their journey in the state. They visited the Distribution & Dispatch Centre at Siliguri College, witnessing the seamless dispatch of polling parties equipped with EVMs, VVPATs, and other polling materials to their respective polling stations.

https://x.com/ECISVEEP/status/2046880821987119248?s=20

This comes after ECI flagged off the second phase of the International Election Visitors' Programme (IEVP) 2026 on Tuesday for the ongoing Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.

The IEVP provides a comprehensive overview of India's electoral framework, institutional mechanisms, and operational architecture, while familiarising foreign EMB delegates with best practices and innovations in election management.

The delegates are visiting Tamil Nadu and West Bengal between April 22 and 23, as they will observe election-related arrangements.

Earlier, during the first phase of the programme, delegates visited Assam, Kerala and Puducherry from April 8 to April 9.

According to the ECI, the delegates were given demonstrations of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) at IIDEM and participated in mock poll exercises to gain hands-on experience of India's voting process. They also interacted with election experts and showed keen interest in technological interventions and administrative safeguards adopted in the country's electoral system.

West Bengal is set ro witness a high-voltage battle in two-phased elections on April 23 and 29 between incumbent TMC as Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is aiming for a fourth consecutive term, while the BJP, which secured 77 seats in the previous election, is making a renewed push to form the government in the state. (ANI)
Maharashtra Minister Nitesh Rane on Wednesday called for the establishment of a uniform dress code in corporate spaces following the controversy surrounding Lenskart's dress code policy. Drawing a parallel to educational institutions, Rane stated that just as there are regulations regarding hijab and burqa permissions in schools and colleges, similar restrictions should apply in the corporate sector to maintain fairness in the office. He emphasised that such regulations must not be applied selectively. "We too believe in God. But why should corporate sectors permit the hijab and burqa, while the tilak is not allowed? If one religion's practices are restricted, then others should be treated equally. In schools and colleges, there has been debate about hijab and burqa permissions. Likewise, in corporate spaces, these should also be banned to maintain fairness. It must not apply selectively," Rane told reporters. Rane's remarks came after Lenskart's internal dress code guidelines went viral on social media, sparking a controversy. Amid a row over the eyewear retailer not allowing bindi and tilak for its in-store employees, Lenskart has issued a standardised style guide, saying that it welcomes every symbol of faith and culture. The Lenskart team also apologised in case workplace communication affected its team members' faith. "If any version of our workplace communication caused hurt or made any of our team members feel that their faith was unwelcome here, we are deeply sorry. That is not who Lenskart is, and it is not who we will ever be. We make a commitment today - not just in words, but in the document we are publishing - that every policy, every training material, and every communication that carries the Lenskart name will reflect these values." On April 16, Founder and CEO Peyush Bansal clarified that an outdated internal training document was making rounds on the internet, and the "incorrect" policy regarding bindi and tilak was removed in February 2026. Taking responsibility for the lapse, Bansal reiterated that Lenskart does not restrict any respectful religious expression. (ANI)
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has officially dismissed online reports alleging that an Indian-linked vessel fell victim to cyber criminals or extortion in West Asian waters. During an inter-ministerial briefing on Wednesday, Additional Secretary Mukesh Mangal addressed rumours circulating about the vessel Sanmar Herald. The reports had suggested that the ship's captain made unauthorised USD payments to individuals claiming to represent the IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) Navy in exchange for safe passage. He said, "News is spreading about the reported payment by the captain of the vessel Sanmar Herald in USD to persons claiming to represent the IRGC Navy to grant right of passage and falling victim to cyber criminals." Mangal categorically denied the incident, citing direct communication with the ship's leadership. He added, "We spoke with the owner of the vessel, and he confirmed that it is fake news and no such incident has happened." He further stated that the government is continuously coordinating with the Ministry of External Affairs, Indian missions, and maritime stakeholders to ensure seafarer welfare and uninterrupted maritime operations. The Ministry confirmed that no incidents involving Indian-flagged vessels have been reported in the last 24 hours. "No incident involving Indian flag vessels has been reported in the last 24 hours, and our seafarers are safe in the Persian Gulf region," he said. There are currently 14 vessels (13 Indian-flagged and one Indian-owned) in the Persian Gulf region, with 10 having already transitioned safely out of the area. He said, "At present, 13 Indian flagged vessels plus one Indian-owned vessel, i.e. a total of 14 vessels are there in the Persian Gulf region, of which a total of 10 vessels have passed from the Persian Gulf to this side." In a positive development for maritime families, Mangal noted that the Indian-flagged crude oil tanker Desh Garima is expected to dock in Mumbai this evening. The vessel, carrying 31 Indian seafarers, successfully crossed the region on March 18 and is completing its journey home without incident. "The safety and security of Indian seafarers remains the top priority. We are monitoring the situation continuously and are committed to extending all possible help," said Mukesh Mangal, Additional Secretary He also said the maritime control room has handled over 7,200 calls and around 15,000 emails since activation, with 156 calls and 344 emails received in the last 24 hours alone. He added, "The ministry has facilitated the safe repatriation of more than 2615 Indian seafarers so far, including 25 in the last 24 hours. Port operations across India remain normal and no congestion reported." (ANI)
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed a Supplementary Prosecution Complaint before the Rouse Avenue court against Sachin Dev Duggal, a citizen and resident of the United Kingdom, as accused, in a money laundering case against VN Dhoot and 12 others. Supplementary charge sheet has been filed in the court of Special Judge Dig Vinay Singh on Wednesday. The court has already taken cognisance of the Prosecution complaint (Charge sheet) against VN Dhoot and 12 others on February 10. The ED had registered a case on December 18, 2024. ED had initiated investigation on the basis of CBI FIR of 23.06.2020, alleging that Videocon Hydrocarbon Holdings Limited (VHHL), a wholly-owned step-down subsidiary of Videocon Industries Limited (VIL), availed a Standby Letter of Credit (SBLC) facility of USD 2,773.60 million from a consortium of banks led by the State Bank of India ostensibly for development of overseas oil and gas assets in Mozambique, Brazil and Indonesia. The ED said that the investigations revealed systematic diversion of these funds, totalling approximately USD 2.03 billion, by the Videocon Group promoters, layered through a complex web of overseas entities. Investigation has also revealed that Sachin Dev Duggal, Chairman of Swiss company nHoldings SA and beneficial owner of Indian tech firms Nivio Technologies and Engineer. "Al was the key beneficiary of a calculated scheme through which funds from Videocon Industries Limited (VIL) were siphoned and laundered through a chain of overseas entities." It is said that the scheme began in 2008, when VIL started advancing interest-free loans totalling Rs 17.32 Crore to Duggal-controlled Nivio Technologies India Pvt. Ltd., without even a formal loan agreement, the ED said. The central agency also said that A loan agreement was hurriedly signed on May 24, 2011, and the very next day, an overseas Videocon entity invested CHF 37.9 Lakh in Duggal's Swiss company nHoldings SA at a heavily inflated valuation, despite the company being loss-making. It is alleged that between 2011 and 2014, Videocon routed USD 37.07 Lakh (Rs 20.12 Crore) to nHoldings SA and directly to Sachin Dev Duggal personally through a deliberate five-entity overseas chain. Financial records of Nivio Technologies India Private Limited show that during FY 2011-12, the company received Rs 35 crore from nHoldings SA, Duggal's Swiss company. This was the exact same period when Videocon Group was transferring money into nHoldings SA, the ED said. During the same year, the ownership structure of Nivio Technologies was also changed, nHoldings SA was made the ultimate parent company of Nivio Technologies India Pvt. Ltd., and Nivio Cloud Computing India Pvt. Ltd. was placed as an intermediate entity holding shares in Nivio Technologies, the ED said. Through this reorganisation, Duggal ensured that all companies, both in India and abroad, remained under his direct control. However, the end use of these funds is still unexplained. As per the financial statement of nHoldings SA for the year ending on March 31, 2013, the investments in Nivio were fully written off, the ED stated in a press release issued on April 22. It is also said that despite multiple summonses issued under Section 50 of PMLA (from January 2022 onwards), Sachin Dev Duggal failed to appear before the ED and provided only partial, evasive documentary submissions by email, the ED further said. (ANI)
BJP MP Biplab Kumar Deb on Wednesday launched a scathing attack on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and claimed that one doesnot see any "true reflection of Bengali culture" in her leadership. The first phase of polling for 152 constituencies in West Bengal will be held tomorrow. The rest of Bengal would vote on April 29. The BJP MP also accused the ruling Trinamool Congress supremo of failing to perform her duties as the CM of the state. "Change has already taken place... The public had made up their minds to bring about a change long ago. She (Mamata Banerjee) does not realize that she is now merely an 'acting' Chief Minister... As Chief Minister, she completely failed to discharge the responsibilities entrusted to her... She lacks any depth of thought; she has no vision... The state that once contributed 25% to the nation's GDP has now slipped into single digits--who is responsible for this? The public will hold those responsible accountable... You have not shown even the slightest respect towards Rabindranath Tagore... You do not even sing 'Vande Mataram'. All in all, one sees no true reflection of Bengali culture in her... If anyone has authored the most shameful chapter in the history of Bengal, it is her," Deb told ANI here. Meanwhile, Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Wednesday filed a complaint against BJP for allegedly organizing free special trains from Surat to West Bengal during the 48-hour silence period ahead of the first phase of polling for West Bengal assembly elections and called for strict action. In a letter addressed to the Chief Electoral Officer, West Bengal, TMC MP Derek O' Brien claimed that the BJP, including its Gujarat Unit, has "arranged and facilitated special trains and provided free travel, food and other refreshments, for transporting migrant workers to West Bengal (who are registered voters of West Bengal)," calling it a violation of the Model Code of Conduct. The counting of votes is scheduled for May 4. As per the Election Commission of India (ECI), the first phase covers 152 Assembly constituencies, while the second phase includes 142 seats. 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. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is aiming for a fourth consecutive term, while the BJP, which secured 77 seats in the previous election, is making a renewed push to form the government in the state. (ANI)
Amid the escalating row over the Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge's 'terrorist' remark against PM Modi, Union Minister Piyush Goyal on Wednesday sharply criticised the opposition party, stating that such "disgusting" language is a reflection of the core ideology of the Congress party and its leadership. Speaking to reporters in Mumbai, Goyal accused the Opposition of being driven by desperation, claiming they are focused on preserving family politics across the country, noting that the Congress chief "hasn't even apologised yet" for the statement made during the final leg of the Tamil Nadu election campaign. "Such a disgusting remark can only be the thinking of the Congress party. This is the mindset of the Gandhi family and their allies. They can't digest the fact that the people of India have chosen Prime Minister Modi for the third time. Their thinking is that the Stalin family should remain in Tamil Nadu, the Gandhi family in the Centre, and Mamata Banerjee in Bengal wants her nephew to become the Chief Minister after her... Desperation was evident in Mallikarjun Kharge's words. This is highly condemnable. He hasn't even apologised yet," he said. Directing his fire toward the broader INDIA bloc, Goyal questioned whether other alliance partners shared Kharge's controversial take. "Do his allies Uddhav Thackeray, Stalin, Vaiko all have the same thinking?... All of them have betrayed the people of the country," he said. Meanwhile, the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Wednesday issued a stern 24-hour ultimatum to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, demanding an explanation for his controversial "terrorist" remark directed at Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the high-decibel Tamil Nadu Assembly election campaign. The move follows a high-level delegation of the BJP, including Union Ministers Nirmala Sitharaman and Kiren Rijiju, meeting with the full commission to demand "strictest action" for what they termed a gross violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC). The controversy erupted on the last day of Tamil Nadu election campaigning, when the Congress President criticised the AIADMK for supporting the BJP and labelled PM Modi a 'terrorist who does not believe in equality.' When questioned on the choice of words, Kharge quickly defended himself, claiming that he meant to say that the PM was terrorising his political opponents. "He (PM Modi) is terrorising people and political parties. I never said he is a terrorist...What I mean, I want to clarify, is that Modi always threatens. The institutions like ED, I-T and CBI are in his hands. He wants to take delimitation also into his hands," Kharge said. Amid the heated debate, DMK MP Kanimozhi backed Kharge's remarks about misuse of central agencies."Yes, there are raids. They (BJP) use Income Tax, CBI, and ED against their opposition parties. This has been their style of functioning," the DMK MP said. Congress leader KC Venugopal also came to Kharge's defence, accusing the BJP of amplifying the issue unnecessarily and attempting to divert attention from substantive concerns. "They (BJP) will try to make a non-issue become an issue... Prime Minister Modi is trying to terrorise people by using the ED and the CBI. That's what Mallikarjun Kharge said. You also know all these camera tricks. They are using only that particular clip... And Kharge himself clarified that he does not call PM Modi a 'terrorist'... then why BJP targeting him? That's an unwanted thing," he said. The timing of the controversy is critical, as Tamil Nadu is set to head to the polls on April 23 (ANI)
BJP National President Nitin Nabin on Wednesday accused the ruling Trinamool Congress MP's of insulting "Vande Mataram" and noted that the national song has an "unbreakable" bond with the BJP During his campaign, Nitin Nabin claimed that the people of Bengal would vote out those who did not respect the "Vande Mataram" The first phase of polling for 152 constituencies in West Bengal will be held tomorrow. The rest of Bengal would vote on April 29. Addressing a gathering in North 24 Parganas, Nabin said, "Vande Mataram has an unbreakable bond with the BJP and the people of the country. It is this TMC government whose MPs insulted Vande Mataram on its 150th anniversary. Their leaders and Mamata Banerjee did not understand the value of Vande Mataram... The people of West Bengal will reject those who insult it... This time, the people of West Bengal are fighting the election. The people are on the streets against the TMC's hooliganism, anarchy, and corruption, and on the 4th, the BJP government will be formed", he told ANI. Nitin Nabin visited earlier on Wednesday Rishi Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay's residence and met with his family members and offered puja at Radha Krishna Mandir Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday held a massive roadshow in the Sonarpur Dakshin Assembly constituency of South 24 Parganas district. 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. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is aiming for a fourth consecutive term, while the BJP, which secured 77 seats in the previous election, is making a renewed push to form the government in the state. (ANI)
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Wednesday participated in the ceremony to unveil the statue of the invincible warrior, late Lieutenant General Sagat Singh Rathore, in Churu, Rajasthan. On this occasion, the Governor of Sikkim, Om Prakash Mathur; Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma; Minister of State for Agriculture, Government of India, Bhagirath Choudhary, and other dignitaries were present. Paying tribute to Lieutenant General Sagat Singh, Birla said that his life is an inspiring example of courage, leadership, and service to the nation. From his valour in the Indian Army during World War II to hoisting the national flag during the Goa Liberation Movement, his contributions were remarkable. His bold decisions at the Nathu La border strengthened the country's frontiers, and his role in the surrender of the Pakistani Army in Dhaka during the 1971 war was crucial, paving the way for the creation of Bangladesh, Birla noted. Highlighting that Rajasthan is known for its bravery and patriotism, Birla said that every family in the state is associated with a spirit of dedication to the nation. He added that the statue is not just a memorial but a source of inspiration for future generations, encouraging youth to serve the country. The Lok Sabha Speaker further stated that the bravery and legacy of Sagat Singh are a matter of national pride. His life teaches that with courage, determination, and dedication, any goal can be achieved. He urged the youth to draw inspiration from such great heroes and actively contribute to nation-building. (ANI)
Nationalist Congress Party (SP) supremo Sharad Pawar will not participate in the voting for the Baramati Assembly by-election scheduled for April 23 due to health-related issues, said Mahayuti candidate and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sunetra Pawar. The announcement comes as a significant development in the high-stakes battle for the Pawar family's stronghold, Baramati. The bypolls in Pune's Baramati constituency come after the former NCP Chief Ajit Pawar died in a plane crash while he was headed to his constituency earlier this year. Sunetra Pawar shared the update via a post on X, expressing her well-wishes for the senior leader's recovery. She also expressed confidence that people will listen to the NCP leader's previous appeal for an unopposed by-election to the Baramati Assembly constituency in favour of late Ajit Pawar's wife, who needs to be part of the Assembly to be in the Deputy CM's seat. She noted that his influence remains a guiding force for the constituency, highlighting that his legacy of developmental politics continues to shape the region. "Due to ill health, respected Pawar Saheb will not be able to attend the voting for the Baramati Assembly by-election. However, his blessings are invaluable to me and to the people of Baramati. The contribution of respected Saheb to the development of Baramati as well as Maharashtra and the country is inspiring. Under his guidance, respected Dada has also upheld the rich tradition of developmental politics. The people of Baramati will certainly respond enthusiastically to the appeal made by respected Saheb. The people of Baramati are connected to the ideas of development, and that direction will remain steadfast in the future as well. May respected Saheb's health improve at the earliest--this is my heartfelt prayer!", she said. This comes as Congress has fielded Akash More against the Mahayuti candidate Sunetra Pawar. NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule also urged Congress to withdraw Akash More's candidature in an X post, calling for an unopposed election as a tribute to the late Ajit Pawar. She said, "Following the untimely demise of Ajit Pawar, the Baramati Assembly constituency now faces a by-election. Ajit Dada's political journey began with the Congress party, and he maintained a long-standing, respectful association with it throughout his career." "In this moment of grief and remembrance, an unopposed election in Baramati would serve as a dignified and heartfelt tribute to his legacy of public service and inclusive politics. I sincerely appeal to the Congress leadership to consider this gesture in the spirit of respect, unity," the post read. The Election Commission of India (ECI) had earlier announced the schedule for by-elections to eight Assembly constituencies in six states. The two Maharashtra constituencies include Rahuri in Ahilyanagar district and Baramati in Pune district. (ANI)
Former Army Chief General MM Naravane (Retd) has come out with a new book, a work of non-fiction, which follows after controversies earlier this year surrounding his previous work, 'Four Stars of Destiny', which remains unpublished. In the book titled 'The Curious and the Classified: Unearthing Military Myths and Mysteries', Gen Naravane "pulls aside the still-drawn curtains on some of the most riveting and compelling arcana that colour the legends and lore of the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force," his publisher Rupa Publications announced on Wednesday. "A compelling exploration of the myths and memories that define India's armed forces. A chronicle of courage, culture and curiosity in uniform," reads the book's description. Last month, at a book signing event held in Pune for 'The Cantonment Conspiracy', a murder-mystery that was released in 2025, the former Army Chief had told reporters that he was now into fiction writing, apart from penning military reports for academic journals. The former Army chief got embroiled in a controversy after his unpublished memoir was cited by the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, to target the Centre over the 2020 standoff against China. On February 2, this year, during the motion of thanks on the President's Address, Lok Sabha witnessed sharp verbal exchanges after Gandhi sought to quote a magazine article containing excerpts from General Naravane's unpublished memoir. Gandhi's reply was interrupted by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who raised concerns that a Congress MP cannot quote from an unpublished book, which he said has not been authenticated. The ruling benches objected to Gandhi's attempt to cite excerpts from the book. The row escalated to an extent where Opposition MPs brought a no-confidence motion against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, with allegedly not letting Rahul Gandhi speak in the House being one of the reasons. The motion was dropped after a voice vote in the second phase of the Budget Session of the Parliament. Penguin Random House India had in February said it holds the exclusive publishing rights to the former Army Chief's memoir and clarified that the book has not yet been published. Gen Naravane had also clarified that no copies of the book "in print or digital form have been published, distributed, sold," or otherwise made available to the public. Meanwhile, Gen Naravane's new book of non-fiction delves into lesser-known stories of the Indian military. It traces the 17th- and 18th-century Sikh army roots of the popular cheer "Chak de Phatte", examines the life of "enduring spirit" Captain Baba Harbhajan Singh, who is celebrated in military folklore. Naravane recounts the story of Badluram, the inspiration behind the foot-tapping number 'Badluram ka Badan', who was killed in action in the 1944 Battle of Kohima and notes how Bangalore (now Bengaluru) came to be associated with a weapon that was regarded as a game-changer during World War I. Other interesting aspects the book examines include "the fate of INS Khukri, the extraordinary sagas of airmen and their call signs, or the raw courage of Pedongi, the military mule" The book forays into the "underexplored, bizarre and often wildly amusing aspects of our armed forces," according to the publisher. The blurb of the non-fiction features a note from General VP Malik (Retd), who had also contributed to 'Four Stars of Destiny.' The publisher has described the book as "a captivating, eye-opening, boots-on-the-ground page-turner that will excite anyone who refuses to settle for surface-level truths." Gen Naravane served as the 28th Chief of the Army Staff from December 2019 to April 2022. Commissioned in the 7th Battalion, the Sikh Light Infantry in 1980, he has, in his illustrious career of over four decades, served in active peacekeeping and diplomatic roles abroad and commanded operations along India's most sensitive frontiers. He has been awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Sena Medal and Vishisht Seva Medal. (ANI)
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday strongly criticised Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge over his remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging that such remarks stem from "frustration following repeated losses." Fadnavis demanded an apology from the Congress President. Addressing the media, he said, "...I condemn the statement of Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge. This is the frustration following the repeated losses...The public always gives an answer to these kinds of statements made by the Congress leaders...Mallikarjun Kharge should apologise for the statement..." On the contrary, Congress leader Sachin Pilot defended Kharge and said the party chief had already issued a clarification on the matter, adding that any action by the Election Commission should be impartial. Speaking to ANI on the subject, Pilot said, "Mallikarjun Kharge has already given a full clarification, and despite that, if the Election Commission is taking this action during the elections, we will respond to it. The action should be impartial and should take cognisance only after hearing the matter... When Mallikarjun Kharge himself has clearly stated that he had no such intention, the issuance of a notice like this shows that there is pressure..." The exchange comes as the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Wednesday issued a stern 24-hour ultimatum to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, demanding an explanation for his controversial "terrorist" remark directed at Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the high-decibel Tamil Nadu Assembly election campaign. The move follows a high-level delegation of the BJP, including Union Ministers Nirmala Sitharaman and Kiren Rijiju, meeting with the full commission to demand "strictest action" for what they termed a gross violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC). The controversy erupted on the last day of Tamil Nadu election campaigning, when the Congress President criticised the AIADMK for supporting the BJP and labelled PM Modi a 'terrorist who does not believe in equality.' When questioned on the choice of words, Kharge quickly defended himself, claiming that he meant to say that the PM was terrorising his political opponents. "He (PM Modi) is terrorising people and political parties. I never said he is a terrorist...What I mean, I want to clarify, is that Modi always threatens. The institutions like ED, I-T and CBI are in his hands. He wants to take delimitation also into his hands," Kharge said. (ANI)
Speaking to ANI on the issue, Prabhakar said the state government had prioritised public welfare from the outset.

"Within 48 hours of assuming office, the Telangana government introduced free bus travel for women. However, K. Chandrashekar Rao's party does not like this initiative and has been opposing it since day one," he alleged.

The minister further accused Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leaders, including T. Harish Rao, of being involved in the agitation. "Their party people are involved in defaming the government," he claimed.

Prabhakar said the government is open to dialogue and has agreed to resolve 29 out of the 32 issues raised by the protesting employees.

"On behalf of the government, we request them to call off the strike. We urge them not to cause hardship to the people," he said.

The strike has impacted public transport services across the state, affecting daily commuters. (ANI)
Chief Imam of the All India Imam Organisation, Dr Umer Ahmed Ilyasi, on Wednesday congratulated pilgrims embarking on the Hajj and appreciated the arrangements made by the Uttar Pradesh government as well as the Union government. Speaking to ANI, Ilyasi said, "I would like to congratulate all our pilgrims who have been allowed to undertake this Hajj pilgrimage today. I would like to congratulate all our pilgrims who have been allowed to undertake this Hajj pilgrimage today. I would like to congratulate our state's Chief Minister, Adiyanath Yogi. I appreciate the various arrangements made by our state governments and the central government." "Today, I learned that for the first time, AI will be used in this Hajj pilgrimage. This is significant news globally. It is a significant fact that India is providing its pilgrims with all the facilities they need through AI. This year, 17,000 pilgrims are departing from Uttar Pradesh for the Hajj", he added. In Islam, every individual must fulfil five duties (pillars), of which Hajj is one. The other four pillars are Shahada (faith declaration), Salah (daily prayer), Zakat (almsgiving), and Sawm (fasting in Ramadan). On April 18, the first batch of Hajj 2026, carrying 371 pilgrims, departed for Mecca from New Delhi, marking the commencement of the annual pilgrimage season from India. The pilgrims left for Saudi Arabia from Indira Gandhi International Airport in the presence of Delhi Hajj Committee Chairperson Kausar Jahan. (ANI)
Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabh Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday met Youth Congress workers who were arrested during a Youth Congress protest in Kannur. A clash broke out in Kannur on Wednesday during a Youth Congress march to Ancharakandi Dental College, where protesters were demanding action in connection with the death of student Nithin Raj. The Congress MP also took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In a post on social media, "Today, I met with the Youth Congress's Babbar Sher companions who were arrested for their peaceful demonstration. Peaceful protest is the constitutional right of every citizen. And it becomes especially crucial when the country's PM is compromised", he said. https://x.com/RahulGandhi/status/2046956434114617703 The Congress leader further expressed pride in the workers, saying, "The Congress Party and I are proud of the courage and patriotism of our Babbar Sher warriors." A clash broke out in Kannur earlier on Wednesday during a Youth Congress march to Ancharakandi Dental College, where protesters were demanding action in connection with the death of student Nithin Raj. Protesters overturned barricades, breached the police cordon and entered the college campus, leading to a confrontation with police personnel. During the incident, the window panes of the college building were damaged. Police intervened and detained several activists, removing them from the premises. A heavy police presence had been deployed in and around the campus in anticipation of unrest. The march was inaugurated by Robert Vellamvalli and presided over by Vigil Mohanan. Several Youth Congress leaders, including Ashwin Mathukoth, MK Varun, Mithun Maroli, Pranil Mathukoth, Mridul Muzhappala, Nithin Naduvanad, VP Rahul, Rigin Raj, P Prince, and Jithin Kolappa, led the protest demanding accountability. The protest follows the death of first-year BDS student Nithin Raj, who died on April 10 after falling from a building at the college. The Prestige Educational Trust, which manages the institution, has denied allegations of caste-based discrimination and harassment, terming them "completely baseless." According to the Trust, the incident was linked to a personal loan taken by the student through a mobile application. It stated that a faculty member had been receiving calls from loan recovery agents as her number was listed as a reference. The management said Nithin left the principal's office during discussions regarding the issue and later fell from the building. Police have registered a case against two faculty members, Dr M K Ram and KT Sangeetha Nambiar, under charges including abetment of suicide and provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, following allegations raised in the case. A separate case has also been registered against a loan app for alleged harassment, with three persons arrested in connection with it. (ANI)
The accused, who has been identified as Rahul, was hiding in a hotel in Delhi's Dwarka area, and the police have taken the accused into custody.

Following the incident, the Delhi police had formed several teams to nab the accused.

A senior IRS official's daughter has been found dead in a house in the Amar Colony area of Southeast Delhi.

During the investigation, police teams reached the suspect's residence in Alwar, where it was revealed that he had allegedly been involved in a molestation incident in his locality just a day before the murder of the daughter of an IRS officer.

Police suspect that she was sexually assaulted and later murdered. Police also suspect that the mobile phone charging wire was used to strangle her.

The crime came to light after information was received in the morning, following which police teams reached the spot and initiated an investigation.

Delhi police earlier on Wednesday said that the main suspect in the murder was allegedly involved in a separate molestation incident in his locality in Alwar just a day before the killing incident here in the national capital. (ANI)
Madhya Pradesh Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) served a notice to party MLA Pritam Lodhi over threatening an IPS officer posted as SDOP, Karera in Shivpuri district, asking him to clarify his position within three days. On April 16, MLA Pritam Lodhi's son, Dinesh Lodhi, hit bikes and women walking on foot, leaving five people, including two women, injured via his overspeeding SUV in the Karera area of Shivpuri district on Thursday. Later, Lodhi released a self-made video, describing the development and cooperation with the police in connection with the accident. In the video, the BJP MLA could be heard threatening SDOP Karera, Ayush Jakhar. Following this, MP BJP chief Hemant Khandelwal took cognisance of the matter and issued a show-cause notice against MLA Lodhi, asking him to respond within three days and in case of noncompliance, disciplinary action will be taken against him. "The conduct you displayed recently is highly objectionable. The conduct you engaged in is not in conformity with party discipline. Please submit your explanation within three days. Failure to do so will result in disciplinary action being taken against you," the notice read. Notably, in the self-made video, BJP MLA Pritam Lodhi could be heard saying, "We took cognisance of the accident case involving Dinesh (MLA's son) and cooperated with the police at every step. I immediately asked the police station in charge to register a crime. I also got in touch with the SP in this regard, and I have a recording of it all. A case was registered in the matter on my call. The next day, the officer phoned me, claiming he received a call from Delhi, and asking me to surrender the vehicle. I handed over the vehicle, and it was bailed out the next day. Again, I received the SP's call, asking to present Dinesh before the police station. Acting on it, he was produced and released after their paperwork." "When he reached halfway, he was again called, making some excuse, and scolded him. They told him that he would neither contest the election here nor appear. Now, I would like to say to SP Sahab that he should clarify to the public that we cooperated in this case and also, who was instructing him from Delhi...Is the police running the BJP in Shivpuri? Is there no top leadership in MP that he is receiving instruction from Delhi? I want to reveal facts in this. I also urge the police department to reveal the facts within 15 days about how much we cooperated in the matter." "If the police fail to reveal the facts, then I want to say over the SDOP's remark of "neither contest the election here nor appear", that I will take 10,000 workers to the residence of SDOP and fill it with cow dung that his seven generations could not clean," he said in the video. (ANI)
The high-voltage battle for West Bengal reaches its first critical crescendo tomorrow, April 23, 2026, as 152 constituencies across the state go to the polls in Phase 1. With over 3.22 crore voters eligible to cast their ballots, the day marks the beginning of a decisive chapter in the contest between the incumbent Trinamool Congress (TMC) and a resurgent Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The final 48 hours of the campaign have been characterised by sharp personal attacks, landmark manifesto promises, and a record-breaking enforcement drive by the Election Commission. The battle between the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has turned into a high-stakes showdown. The remaining 142 seats will go to the polls on April 29, with counting scheduled for May 4. The political temperature soared on Wednesday as the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) locked horns in a no-holds-barred exchange of accusations, promises, and sharp rhetoric. Union Home Minister Amit Shah led the BJP's final push with multiple rallies and roadshows, sharpening his attack on Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on multiple fronts--law and order, corruption, infiltration, and governance. "Both Love Jihad and Land Jihad will come to an end... farmers will get Rs 9,000... women and unemployed youth will get Rs 3,000 per month," he promised, outlining a sweeping welfare and governance agenda. Shah also sharpened his attack on the TMC's governance model. "Mamata Banerjee is involved in scams worth Rs 10,000 crore... don't fear the goons... BJP is going to form the government, and the goons will be sent behind bars," he said. Raising national security concerns, he added, "The infiltrators are taking away jobs... the BJP will free this country from infiltrators." In Dum Dum and other rallies, Shah went further, alleging a "syndicate raj" and promising its end. "If you need cement, bricks or sand, you have to pay the syndicate... after May 5, they will flee Bengal," he said, while also asserting, "the BJP will not allow Babri Masjid to be built in Bengal." He also targeted Congress leadership, reacting strongly to Mallikarjun Kharge's remarks on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "The man who devoted his life to ending terrorism is being called a terrorist... the public will settle the account," Shah said, adding that Congress would struggle electorally across states. Shah also held a massive roadshow in the Sonarpur Dakshin Assembly constituency of South 24 Parganas district amid tight security. The Trinamool Congress countered sharply, accusing BJP leaders of disrespecting Bengal's cultural icons. TMC slammed Shah for allegedly mispronouncing poet Satyendranath Dutta's name. In a strongly worded response, the TMC said, "How illiterate can one be about the land they seek to govern? Those who cannot name Bengal's icons correctly have no business claiming to be Bengal's guardians." The party doubled down on its "Bohiragoto" (outsider) narrative, asserting, "They were, they are, and they will forever remain Bangla-Birodhi Bohiragotos." Adding to the tension, the TMC earlier in the day filed a complaint accusing the BJP of running "special trains" from Surat to Bengal, allegedly offering free travel and food to influence voters. Calling it a violation of electoral law, TMC MP Derek O'Brien said it amounted to "bribery, undue influence and illegal transport of voters," demanding strict action. BJP National President Nitin Nabin accused TMC leaders of disrespecting the national song, saying, "Vande Mataram has an unbreakable bond with the BJP and the people of the country... The people of West Bengal will reject those who insult it." He further added, "This time, the people of West Bengal are fighting the election... against the TMC's hooliganism, anarchy, and corruption." Joining the campaign trail, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath invoked Bengal's cultural identity while attacking the ruling party. "This is the land that gave the nation its national anthem and national song... but today, this identity is being insulted," he said, alleging that TMC had replaced cultural symbols with political imagery. He also compared Bengal's law and order situation with pre-2017 Uttar Pradesh, claiming "today there is Ram Rajya in UP." BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia also targeted Mamata Banerjee, stating, "She has become synonymous with jungle raj... If she has even a shred of shame left, she should resign." Meanwhile, Opposition leaders struck a different tone. Congress leader Sachin Pilot said, "The people of Bengal desire change... development that should have taken place has not materialised." AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal expressed support for Mamata Banerjee, calling the election "one of the most difficult battles for Indian democracy." Amid the heated political battle, the Election Commission stepped up enforcement, seizing over Rs 1,000 crore worth of cash, liquor, drugs, and freebies across West Bengal and Tamil Nadu. The poll body reiterated its focus on clean elections, stating it aims to ensure "violence-free, intimidation-free and inducement-free elections." To ensure strict vigilance, over 5,011 Flying Squad Teams and 5,363 Static Surveillance Teams have been deployed, conducting surprise checks and responding to complaints within 100 minutes. Strict enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct is underway, with agencies like the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Income Tax Department, and police working in coordination. The Chief Electoral Officer has also imposed strict restrictions on motorcycle movement and rallies, including a ban on motorcycle rallies and limits on vehicle movement during night hours (6 PM-6 AM), to prevent intimidation and unlawful mobilisation Officials said these steps are meant to "maintain a calm and conducive atmosphere for voters." The EC has emphasised that misuse of money power, inducements, and state machinery will be dealt with firmly, while also cautioning officials to avoid harassment of ordinary citizens during checks. In the run-up to polling, several constituencies across West Bengal have emerged as direct face-offs between major parties, reflecting both past electoral trends and current political shifts. In Bhabanipur, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee (TMC) is locked in a high-profile contest against BJP's Suvendu Adhikari, who had defeated her in Nandigram in 2021 by a narrow margin of around 1,956 votes, making both seats symbolically and politically crucial. In Nandigram, the BJP has again fielded Adhikari, while the TMC has nominated Pabitra Kar, setting up another intense contest rooted in the constituency's history of the 2007 land movement. In Kharagpur Sadar, BJP's Dilip Ghosh, a prominent party face who previously held the seat, is contesting against TMC's Pradip Sarkar, in a constituency known for shifting loyalties over the years. Meanwhile, Asansol Dakshin sees BJP's Agnimitra Paul in a multi-cornered contest against TMC's Tapas Banerjee and other candidates, after the BJP had gained ground in the industrial belts in the last election. In Murshidabad, BJP's Gouri Sankar Ghosh and TMC's Shaoni Singha Roy are once again facing off after a closely fought 2021 contest decided by just over 2,400 votes, making it one of the tightest battlegrounds. In Mathabhanga, former Union minister Nishith Pramanik is contesting for the BJP, while TMC has fielded its own strong candidate, reflecting the party's push in North Bengal. Baharampur features Congress heavyweight Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury attempting a comeback after a previous electoral setback, while in Siliguri, BJP's Shankar Ghosh is taking on the TMC-backed local leadership, indicating a direct BJP-TMC fight in urban North Bengal. In Darjeeling, TMC has fielded a retired educator against BJP's Noman Rai, highlighting the party's strategy to counter BJP's influence in the hills. Other notable constituencies include Dum Dum Uttar, where TMC minister Chandrima Bhattacharya is contesting, Tollyganj with Aroop Biswas for TMC, Kolkata Port with Firhad Hakim, and Ballygunge with Babul Supriyo, all representing key urban strongholds for the ruling party. BJP, on the other hand, has fielded leaders like Dilip Ghosh, Suvendu Adhikari, and Nishith Pramanik across regions to expand its footprint. Beyond these, constituencies such as Chanchal, Nowda, Rejinagar, Maldaha, and Jadavpur are witnessing multi-cornered contests involving TMC, BJP, Congress, and Left parties, reflecting the fragmented opposition space and localised issues shaping voter choices. Overall, while TMC dominated the 2021 Assembly elections with over 200 seats and nearly 48.5% vote share, BJP's rise to 77 seats has turned many of these constituencies into direct and closely contested battlegrounds in 2026, where even small vote swings could alter outcomes significantly. Coming to the manifestos, the BJP's "Sankalp Patra," themed "Sonar Bangla," promises one crore jobs, Rs 3,000 monthly assistance to women and youth, Rs 9,000 for farmers, 33% reservation for women, and action against infiltration. Amit Shah, while unveiling the manifesto, said the vision is to take Bengal "from despair to development." However, TMC leaders dismissed it as "a recycled catalogue of jumlas and deception," questioning the BJP's track record. Mamata Banerjee termed it a "report card of failed assurances," urging voters to remain vigilant. Meanwhile, one of the biggest issues shaping the election is the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, which has led to the deletion of over 60 lakh to 90 lakh names, reducing the voter base from around 7.66 crore to 7.04 crore. The process, conducted under judicial supervision, has sparked fierce political debate. The TMC has alleged voter suppression, while the BJP has defended it as a necessary clean-up of bogus entries. As West Bengal heads into the first phase of voting, the contest is between claims of "Sonar Bangla" and charges of "outsider politics". 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. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is aiming for a fourth consecutive term, while the BJP, which secured 77 seats in the previous election, is making a renewed push to form the government in the state. Now all eyes are on the ballot boxes as Bengal prepares to script its next political chapter. (ANI)
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav chaired a cabinet meeting held at the state secretariat in Bhopal on Wednesday, with the council of ministers giving nod to the various key decisions. In a key policy decision aimed at benefiting farmers, the cabinet approved an increase in compensation for the acquisition of agricultural land in rural areas, ensuring that farmers will now receive four times the market rate. The decision comes after the Cabinet doubled the multiplication factor to 2.0 under the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Rules, 2015. With this revision, compensation for rural agricultural land will rise from double to four times the market value, while the existing compensation structure in urban areas remains unchanged. The Cabinet also approved approximately Rs 33,985 crore for infrastructure construction and development works such as irrigation, health, education, and roads. Among the approved proposals, the council of ministers granted administrative approval of Rs 157.14 crore for the Indaukh-Rudhahera Micro Irrigation Project in Ujjain district, which will cover a catchment area of 10,800 hectares and benefit 35 villages in Jharda tehsil. The Cabinet also cleared a revised rehabilitation package of Rs 969 crore for the Chhindwara Irrigation Complex Project, replacing the earlier approved Rs 840.80 crore. The enhanced package, aligned with the Ken-Betwa river linking project, aims to ensure better support for displaced families. The project includes four proposed dams and is expected to provide irrigation to 1.9 lakh hectares across Chhindwara and Pandhurna districts, benefiting a total of 628 villages. Similarly, the Council of Ministers approved Rs 25,164 crore for road, bridge, and infrastructure development works under the Public Works Department. This includes allocations for road construction, rural road upgradation, bridge works, and maintenance of government assets through the MP Road Development Corporation over the next five years. Additionally, the Cabinet approved Rs 2,190 crore for education-related initiatives, which include Rs 990 crore for continuation of the Free Bicycle Scheme for students in classes 6 and 9 in rural government schools, and Rs 1,200.44 crore for strengthening educational institutions and teacher training systems. In the health sector, a total outlay of Rs 5,479 crore was approved to enhance advanced medical services in the state. This includes Rs 3,628 crore under the CM CARE 2025 scheme to strengthen tertiary healthcare infrastructure such as oncology, cardiology, and organ transplant facilities. An additional Rs 1,503 crore has been allocated for upgrading medical colleges, along with revised approval for a new government medical college in Mandla. The Cabinet also approved the establishment of family rest houses within government medical college campuses through charitable organisations. These facilities aim to provide affordable accommodation to relatives of patients, reducing pressure on hospital infrastructure. Furthermore, approval was given for the creation of 15 posts for the Sixth State Finance Commission for a fixed tenure. The Cabinet also sanctioned Rs 23.9 crore for the third phase of the Chief Minister's Young Professionals for Development Program for a period of three years. (ANI)
Sengar's appeal against conviction is pending before the Delhi High Court.

Division bench of Justices Prathiba M Singh and Mandhu Jain dismissed the application after hearing the submissions of counsel for the petitioner, the convict and for the CBI.

The high court rejected the application and said it will hear the appeal of Sengar on the basis of evidence already on record.

Unnao rape survivor has sought to lead evidence regarding her age as per school records.

After rejecting the plea, the High Court has listed the appeal for hearing on May 25.

Senior advocate N Hariharan alongwith Advocate SPM Tripathi, appeared for Kuldeep Singh Sengar.

Advocate Mehmood Pracha, counsel for the victim/applicant on the application.

Pracha had submitted that the applicant is seeking to lead further evidence and production of documents regarding her age.

Tis Hazari court had convicted and sentenced Kuldeep Singh Sengar to life imprisonment in the minor rape case of Unnao. The case was transferred to Delhi by the Supreme Court.

On December 23, 2025, the Delhi High Court suspended the sentence of Sengar during the pendency of his appeal. However, the order was stayed by the Supreme Court on December 29, 2025. (ANI)
The High Commissioner of Trinidad and Tobago on Tuesday expressed optimism about the export with India during an interview with ANI. He made the remarks while the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers' Association was being hosted here by PHDCCI. High Commissioner of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago to India, Chandradath Singh, said, "This is a very important day for the delegation of Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers' Association, being hosted here by PHDCCI (PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry). The High Commissioner said that the event would present business opportunities for the incredible prospects here in India for joint ventures and collaborations. He recalled the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Trinidad and Tobago and said, "Prime Minister Modi came to Trinidad and Tobago recently in a very important and very impactful visit and pledged assistance to Trinidad and Tobago and the rest of the CARICOM countries in areas including pharmaceutical industries, the biotechnology industries, agriculture, and a wide range of other areas where India wants to help Trinidad and Tobago in". The High Commissioner further noted, "We had signed quite a few MOUs during the visit of the Prime Minister to Trinidad and Tobago. The TTMA organisation plans to sign an MOU with PHDCCI." He underlined that Trinidad and Tobago has some niche products in niche areas, which could be successful in India and said that this would help in improving the trade-balance with India. "It's time for us to export to India. I know that Gen Z, which is the largest young population in the world, are displaying a preference for new, innovative products, for new tastes in fashion, music, food, and lifestyle. This is the time for us to make an impact with our exports into India." His remarks come as the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers' Association will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry for trade, investment and joint ventures, High Commissioner of Trinidad and Tobago to India Chandradath Singh told ANI on Tuesday. "This one is going to be about trade and investment, joint ventures. It's about the collaboration between PHDCCI and the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers' Association to work together to find right business opportunities," Singh told ANI on the sidelines of a meeting of Business Delegation from Trinidad and Tobago organised by PHDCCI. (ANI)
Security officials in Herat have arrested a group of professional thieves following a clash in the province, as reported by TOLO News. According to officials cited by TOLO News, the armed robbers had been stopping vehicles along the Herat-Ghor highway and looting cash and belongings from passengers and civilians. The injured suspects are currently undergoing treatment at Herat Regional Hospital. Police said the group has been linked to multiple criminal incidents in recent months along the Herat-Ghor highway in Karukh district. Police chief of Karukh district in Herat, Ismatullah Raihan, said, "These thieves had been operating as a major criminal gang for about three to four months, carrying out robberies. Intelligence agencies made efforts, and the Mujahideen had also established checkpoints. Fortunately, last night we succeeded in arresting them during this operation." The head of a local security checkpoint, Abdul Salam Hilal, said, "We called on them to surrender, but they refused and opened fire. Using the resources at our disposal, we wounded and arrested them and handed them over to the law." Security officials in Herat cited by TOLO News said that hundreds of thieves have been arrested in the province in recent months and handed over to judicial authorities. They added that efforts are ongoing to strengthen security and take strict action against those involved in criminal activities, particularly armed robbers. One of the victims, Mohammad Yousuf, said, "The thieves stopped the vehicle, forced us out, and tied my hands behind my back. They took 48,000 Afghanis in cash, a smartphone, a basic mobile phone, and a gold ring from me. They severely beat me." Security chief of the Herat police command, Najibullah Ali, said, "The security situation in Herat city is improving and is under the control of the Mujahideen. Intelligence agencies, Mujahideen, and our officials in districts and police commands conduct mobile patrols and operate both fixed and mobile checkpoints day and night. We also continuously address public complaints and problems." (ANI)
Paraguay's Foreign Ministry, cited by Al Jazeera, announced on Tuesday that an initial group of 25 Spanish-speaking deportees will arrive starting Thursday.

"Each case has been evaluated individually, in full respect of national sovereignty, immigration laws, and international law," the statement reads.

Paraguay has joined a growing number of countries agreeing to accept "third-country" deportees from the United States, a system that allows migrants to be sent to nations with which they have no direct ties.

The Donald Trump administration has reportedly approached several countries for such arrangements despite concerns over human rights conditions in some destinations. Countries including Costa Rica, El Salvador, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eswatini and South Sudan have already accepted deportees, in some cases under multimillion-dollar agreements to detain them.

The initiative forms part of a broader push by Washington to tighten immigration controls, as reported by Al Jazeera.

As of February, Democratic lawmakers in the United States estimated that over USD 40 million had been given to foreign governments through contracts as incentives to accept deportees.

Robert Alter, an official at the US Embassy in Paraguay, cited by Al Jazeera, commended the agreement, describing it as a reflection of the strong ties between Washington and Paraguay.

"These migrants do not have pending asylum applications in the United States," the statement said.

"The intention of this collaboration is to facilitate the safe and orderly return of these individuals to their countries of origin," it further said.

Advocacy groups cited by Al Jazeera have alleged that the Donald Trump administration is using the threat of third-country deportations as a form of intimidation. (ANI)
Israeli Ambassador to India, Reuven Azar, led the global remembrance of the barbaric terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, as the international community reaffirmed its solidarity with New Delhi on the first anniversary of the deadly strike that occurred in April 2025. In a video message shared on X, the Ambassador paid tribute to the victims, stating, "Today, India marks one year since the barbaric terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, where 26 innocent lives were lost." Conveying his condolences to the bereaved, Azar added, "On behalf of Israel, I extend our deepest condolences to the families of the victims and to the people of India. We stand with you in grief and in solidarity." https://x.com/ReuvenAzar/status/2046764286782198134?s=20 Drawing a parallel between the security challenges faced by both nations, the envoy highlighted that "this pain is deeply familiar" following the events of 7 October. "This attack reminds us that terror has no borders," he noted, asserting that New Delhi and Jerusalem remain "committed to confronting this threat together with resolve and determination." The 22 April 2025 attack, which saw Pakistan-backed terrorists strike the scenic tourist town in Jammu and Kashmir, remains a grim milestone that has drawn continued global condemnation. Argentine Ambassador to India, Mariano Caucino, joined the remembrance on X, marking "one year since the tragedy of the Pahalgam terror attack against India." He conveyed a tribute on behalf of the Argentine people, stating that the victims "shall never be forgotten," and reaffirmed his nation's stance in "condemning terror in all its forms." https://x.com/CaucinoMariano/status/2046782932510249414?s=20 The global assembly of support further included Kyunghoon Kim, Head of the India and South Asia Team at the Korea Institute for International Economic Policy, who highlighted the recently announced "Joint Strategic Vision for the India-ROK Special Strategic Partnership." Kim noted that both sides have called for the "perpetrators, organisers, and financiers to be brought to justice without further delay" and agreed to enhance cooperation to "root out terrorists' safe havens." https://x.com/Kyunghoon_Kim_/status/2046783314569412635?s=20 Australia's High Commissioner to India, Philip Green, echoed these sentiments, stating that Canberra joins its "Indian friends & colleagues" to honour the victims and their families. "Australia stands against terrorism in all its forms," Green posted on X, as various nations renewed calls for enhanced cooperation against cross-border threats. https://x.com/AusHCIndia/status/2046798678984441930?s=20 The attack occurred when terrorists entered a village in Pahalgam and killed 26 civilians. In a chilling detail of the cross-border communal attack, the assailants reportedly questioned the victims about their religion before killing them. The killings prompted a decisive military response from the Indian armed forces in the form of 'Operation Sindoor'. Launched on 7 May 2025, the operation saw Indian armed forces strike terror infrastructure across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). Official details confirm that Indian forces destroyed nine major terror launchpads linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and Hizbul Mujahideen, eliminating over 100 terrorists. This led to a four-day conflict involving drone attacks and shelling, during which India conducted retaliatory strikes, destroying radar installations in Lahore and near Gujranwala. Following the heavy damage inflicted by Indian forces, a ceasefire was agreed on 10 May after Pakistan's Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) contacted the Indian DGMO. The security forces subsequently achieved further success with 'Operation Mahadev', a joint effort that tracked down and eliminated three terrorists directly involved in the Pahalgam attack. Alongside these military actions, India took stringent non-military steps, including the termination of the Indus Waters Treaty and all bilateral trade with Pakistan. (ANI)
Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan interacted with his British counterpart, Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton, during his official visit to the United Kingdom, where both nations reaffirmed their resolve to collaboratively address contemporary global challenges. The visit focused on strengthening bilateral ties, with both sides discussing issues ranging from global trade imbalances to emerging cyber threats. In a post on X, HQ IDS stated that India and the UK reaffirmed their "shared resolve to collaboratively address contemporary challenges, from global trade imbalances to emerging cyber threats, while advancing a peaceful and prosperous #IndoPacific and harnessing accelerated technological transformation." https://x.com/HQ_IDS_India/status/2046810421894828219?s=20 The high-level interaction underscored a strategic convergence between the two nations, particularly in the realm of modern warfare and economic stability. According to the post on X, the visit aims to advance a "peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific" while leveraging rapid advancements in technology to bolster mutual security interests. Emphasising the long-term impact of the engagement, the visit is expected to deepen the robust partnership between New Delhi and London. The post on X further noted, "This visit will strengthen #DefenceCooperation and strategic convergence, underscoring a shared commitment to #GlobalSecurity, stability and resilience." Building on this strategic foundation, General Chauhan engaged with prominent leaders of the United Kingdom's defence industry, aiming to provide a significant impetus to bilateral cooperation within the sector. During the interaction on Tuesday, the CDS underlined that increased economic synergy would facilitate more efficient partnerships in defence manufacturing, the sharing of technology, and the strengthening of supply chain resilience. He further pointed out that such industrial ties would actively promote the "co-design, co-development and co-production of critical technologies." In a symbolic gesture earlier that day, General Chauhan visited the Memorial Gates at Constitution Hill to lay a wreath. The visit served as a solemn tribute to fallen personnel, acknowledging their bravery and ultimate sacrifice. According to a post by the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff on X, "The ceremony reflects shared military traditions and enduring values of remembrance, service and sacrifice, strengthening the bonds between the defence forces of India and the United Kingdom." The CDS also held a meeting with Seema Malhotra, the UK's Minister of State for Indo-Pacific. Additionally, he chaired a roundtable discussion involving senior officials, intellectuals, and think-tanks to deliberate on the theme of "Indian military transformation--challenges and opportunity." The high-level visit commenced on Monday, where General Chauhan was greeted with a Ceremonial Step Line and received by Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton in London. The Indian High Commission in London stated that the two military leaders focused on broadening cooperation across cyber security, intelligence sharing, and joint military exercises to bolster global stability and resilience. During his stay, the CDS also held talks with India's High Commissioner, Vikram K Doraiswami. Information from the UK Ministry of Defence indicates that General Chauhan is scheduled to visit the Royal College of Defence Studies to interact with a diverse group of international students. Notably, this represents the inaugural official visit by an Indian Chief of Defence Staff to the United Kingdom. It stands as the fifth major military engagement between the two nations this year, following the visit of the UK's Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Harv Smyth, to India in March. (ANI)
Nepal's Home Minister Sudhan Gurung has resigned from his post after allegations surfaced linking him to share transactions with a controversial businessman being investigated on charges of money laundering. Gurung rose as the leader after the Gen-Z protest of September and won from Gorkha in the March 5 elections, making his way to the parliament and the Home Minister. On Wednesday, he submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Balendra Shah (Balen). He also informed the public about his decision through social media. "I, Sudan Gurung, have been working honestly in the capacity of Minister of Home Affairs since Chaitra 13, 2082. In recent days, I have taken seriously the questions, comments, and public interest raised by citizens on issues, including my share. For me, morality is greater than position, and there is no greater power than public trust. The Gen Z movement that is rising in the country today, demanding good governance, transparency, and accountability, has also given the same message: public life should be clean, and leadership should be responsible. If anyone questions the government that was formed on the basis of the blood and sacrifice of my 46 brothers and sisters, the answer is morality," Sudhan wrote on Facebook. Further adding, "Therefore, with the aim of ensuring that there is a fair investigation into matters related to me and that there is no conflict of interest while holding office and that it is not affected in any way, I have resigned from the position of Home Minister, effective today." Prime Minister Shah had formed his Cabinet on the very day he assumed office, appointing Gurung as Home Minister at that time. In his early days, Gurung drew attention for taking action against high-ranking officials, including arrests. However, in recent times, he had come under heavy criticism. Pressure had built over him to step down after revelations that he holds shares in companies linked to controversial businessman Deepak Bhatt, who was recently arrested in a money laundering case. The controversy surfaced after documents made public on Sunday showed that Gurung holds shares in his own name in Star Micro Insurance and Liberty Micro Insurance, companies associated with Bhatt and currently under investigation following his arrest. As the issue gained traction, voices within the ruling RSP have reportedly begun calling for Gurung's resignation, citing concerns over a potential conflict of interest. Responding to the allegations, Gurung had issued detailed clarification twice, rejecting claims that he had concealed financial information. He said his total investment in the securities market exceeds NRs 20 million and that all details are available in official records. "I would not hide NRs 2.5 million worth of shares when my total declared assets exceed NRs 20 million. This is simply a matter of classification," he said. Gurung also had maintained that the shares in question, including those in Star Micro Insurance and Liberty Micro Insurance, were acquired before he assumed office and were part of his declared portfolio. He also argued that being a shareholder does not imply direct association with all individuals linked to a company. Addressing concerns over a potential conflict of interest, he said the investigation into Bhatt is being carried out by the Department of Money Laundering Investigation under the Ministry of Finance, not the Home Ministry. Separately, Gurung dismissed the allegations and media reports linked to him as "sponsored rumours." In a statement posted on social media on Monday evening, he claimed that corrupt individuals unsettled by ongoing action against them are deliberately spreading misinformation. He asserted that action against those accused of embezzling state funds would continue unabated. "Those who have long set their sights on the nation's treasury- built on the sweat and toil of the people- are now fearful," he wrote. "Media trials and sponsored rumours are nothing more than a reflection of their desperation." Expressing dissatisfaction over what he described as a coordinated campaign against him, Gurung said, "The action will neither stop nor falter," adding that he had not seen comparable efforts to pursue individuals allegedly involved in large-scale corruption. While Gurung claimed that his investments were made through a bank loan, he hadn't disclosed or mentioned it in the asset declarations submitted to the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, which were made public last week. Likewise, his investments, which are worth NRs 2.5 million each in Star Micro Insurance and Liberty Micro Insurance, as a founding shareholder, weren't disclosed separately. Instead, he said they were included within a broader figure of NRs 27.45 million listed under shares traded in the securities market. Later, it was disclosed that these companies had not yet begun public trading, raising questions about how such shares were categorised in the declaration. (ANI)
Nepal's Home Minister, Sudan Gurung, on Wednesday resigned from his post, citing moral responsibility and the need for a fair investigation into concerns raised over his financial holdings. In a Facebook post announcing his resignation, Gurung said he had taken public criticism seriously and chose to step down to uphold ethical standards in public life. "I, Sudan Gurung, have been performing my duties as the Home Minister with utmost honesty since Chaitra 13, 2082 (March 26, 2026). Recently, I have taken the questions, comments, and public concerns raised by citizens regarding my shares and related matters very seriously, " he said. Emphasising the importance of integrity, he said public trust must come before holding office."For me, ethics hold more weight than any position, and there is no power greater than public trust. Today's 'Gen Z' movement, which demands good governance, transparency, and accountability, carries the same message: public life must be clean and leadership must be accountable," he said. Gurung also referred to the broader political context and sacrifices made in the country's past, saying accountability was essential when questions arise. "When questions are raised against a government built on the blood and sacrifice of my 46 brothers and sisters, the only answer is morality," Gurung said. Announcing his decision to step down, he said the move would ensure transparency and avoid any conflict of interest. He said, "Therefore, to ensure a fair investigation into the matters concerning me and to prevent any conflict of interest while holding office, I have resigned from the post of Home Minister effective today. He urged the citizens, media, and youth to commit to honesty and accountability in public life. "I have fulfilled my moral responsibility. Now, I appeal to my dear media friends, all Nepali brothers and sisters, and the youth: if we truly desire change, we must all stand on the path of truth, honesty, and self-purification. Information regarding where certain media personnel hold 'sweet shares' will eventually come to light. Those who aspire for 'Ram Rajya' (ideal governance) must also possess the courage to sacrifice and show moral strength," the former Nepali Home Minister said. Earlier on April 9, Nepali Prime Minister Balendra Sha sacked Deepak Kumar Sah, Minister for Labour, Employment and Social Security, on disciplinary charges upon recommendation from his party. The Prime Minister's secretariat said Sah was removed after the party found him in breach of its code of conduct and discipline. According to the commission's study, Sah misused his office to continue his wife, Junu Shrestha, as a member of the Health Insurance Board, a position which had remained largely inactive for a long time. The commission had submitted its report to the party on Wednesday, recommending action. (ANI)
Marking a pivotal shift in Asian technological diplomacy, India and Japan convened the first-ever India-Japan Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategic Dialogue in Mumbai on Tuesday. The high-level meeting sets the stage for a decade of "co-creation," aiming to merge India's massive talent pool and digital public infrastructure with Japan's advanced industrial expertise and hardware precision. As per MEA's press release, the meeting was co-chaired by Amit A Shukla, Joint Secretary (Cyber Diplomacy) in the Ministry of External Affairs of India, and Hanada Takahiro, Deputy Assistant Minister for Cyber Security at Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Both sides used the platform to deliberate on expanding strategic collaboration across the full spectrum of artificial intelligence technologies, commonly referred to as the AI stack. The dialogue is the direct result of the India-Japan AI Cooperation Initiative established by Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Fumio Kishida during their 2025 summit. It positions AI as a "central pillar" of the bilateral vision for the next ten years. The AI Strategic Dialogue advances the India-Japan AI Cooperation Initiative, announced by the Prime Ministers of India and Japan during the visit of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to Japan in August 2025. Cooperation in this field constitutes a central pillar of the India-Japan Joint Vision for the Next Decade, read MEA press release. The dialogue underscored that neither country seeks to work in isolation. Instead, the focus is on policy convergence, ensuring that the rules governing AI in both nations are compatible to foster seamless cross-border innovation. "Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to jointly navigate the challenges and opportunities over the next decade... to bring our countries and peoples of the next generation closer together than ever before," added the release. The discussions focused on a full-spectrum approach to AI, moving beyond simple software toward deep industrial integration. " Both sides engaged in substantive discussions on strategic cooperation across the entire AI stack, with a view to promoting co-creation, enhancing policy convergence, and encouraging the development of AI solutions in industrial domains to foster a robust, innovative and trustworthy AI ecosystem. The Dialogue also explored avenues to strengthen international mobility of AI talent and expand joint research through exchanges and collaborative projects. Furthermore, both sides deliberated on international cooperation in AI governance, policy formulation, and engagement in multilateral fora," added the release. As the Dialogue concludes, both nations have committed to expanding joint research through academic exchanges and collaborative projects. By combining India's scale with Japan's reliability, the partnership aims to not only meet domestic development goals but also to set a global benchmark for Human-Centric AI. (ANI)
[]B(200521):2026 20260422 11:57:08 

:

: B :2026 Stock Code: 000521, 200521 Short Form of the Stock: Changhong Meiling, Hongmeiling B Announcement No.: 2026-029

Changhong Meiling Co., Ltd.

2026 First Quarter Report

The Company and all members of the Board of Directors hereby confirm that the content of this information disclosure is true, accurate, complete, and free from fictitious statements, misleading statements, or important omissions.

Important Notice:

Does any director or senior executive has objections to the content of the quarterly report or is unable to guarantee its truthfulness, accuracy, and completeness?  Yes  No

1. Board of directors, all directors and senior executives of Changhong Meiling Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as the Company) hereby confirm that there are no any fictitious statements,

misleading statements, or important omissions carried in this report, and shall take all responsibilities, individual and/or joint, for the reality, accuracy and completion of the whole contents.

2. Mr. Li Xiaodong, Chairman of the Company, Mr. Yang Bing, person in charge of accounting work and Mr. Hu Xiangfei, person in charge of accounting organ (accountant in charge) hereby confirm that the financial information of the Quarterly Report is authentic, accurate and complete.

3. Has the financial and accounting report for the first quarter been audited?  Yes  No



I. Major Financial Data

(I) Main accounting data and financial indexes

Does it have retroactive adjustment or re-statement on previous accounting data?  Yes  No





Reporting period Corresponding prior period Change compared to the same period of last year (%) Operating revenue (RMB) 7,322,896,084.98 7,360,074,545.63 -0.51% Net profit attributable to shareholders of the listed company (RMB) 70,245,592.67 181,668,589.37 -61.33% Net profit attributable to shareholders of the listed company after deducting non- recurring gains and losses (RMB) 60,676,782.34 173,774,809.05 -65.08% Net cash flows generated from operating activities (RMB) -854,637,431.62 -1,285,257,080.53 33.50% Basic earnings per share (RMB/share) 0.0691 0.1764 -60.83% Diluted earnings per share (RMB/share) 0.0691 0.1764 -60.83% Weighted average return on net assets 1.29% 2.94% Decrease by 1.65 percentage points End of the reporting period End of last year Change compared to end of last year (%) Total assets (RMB) 23,220,391,491.36 22,302,792,548.16 4.11% Equity attributable to shareholders of the listed company (RMB) 6,105,523,912.60 6,083,548,865.34 0.36%

(II) Items and amounts of non-recurring gains and losses

 Applicable  Not applicable



Items Amount in the reporting period Description Gains or losses on disposal of non-current assets (including the reversal of previously recognized asset impairment provisions) -28,114.29  Government grants recognized in profit or loss for the current period (excluding those closely related to the Companys normal operations, in compliance with national policies, enjoyed according to fixed standards and having a sustained impact on the Companys profit or loss) 11,597,591.87  Gains or losses from fair value changes of financial assets and financial liabilities held by non-financial enterprises and gains or losses from disposal of such assets and liabilities, other than effective hedging activities related to the Companys normal operations 1,617,165.33  Other non-operating income and expenses other than the above items 654,392.98  Less: impact on income tax 3,107,140.98  Effect of minority interests (after tax) 1,165,084.58  Total 9,568,810.33  Details of other gains/losses items that meets the definition of non-recurring gains and losses  Applicable  Not applicable

There are no other gains/losses items that meet the definition of non-recurring gains and losses in

the Company.

Explain the items defined as recurring gains and losses according to the lists of non-recurring gains

and losses in Q&A Announcement No.1 on Information Disclosure for Companies Offering Their Securities to the Public --- Non-recurring Gains and Losses  Applicable  Not applicable

There are no items defined as recurring profit (gain)/loss according to the lists of non-recurring gains and losses in Q&A Announcement No.1 on Information Disclosure for Companies Offering Their Securities to the Public --- Non-recurring Gains and Losses. (III) Analysis of changes in main accounting data and financial indexes  Applicable  Not applicable



1. Analysis of changes in balance sheet items



Report item Ending balance Balance at end of previous year Change ratio Reason for change Trading financial assets 1,360,006,045.59   Mainly due to the purchase of wealth management products in the current period Accounts receivable 3,312,303,034.47 2,014,944,491.33 64.39% Mainly due to an increase in sales compared to the previous period Other Non-current Assets 17,920,119.15 26,856,492.34 -33.27% Mainly due to changes in prepayments in the current period Derivative financial liabilities 69,362,608.91 38,804,849.55 78.75% Mainly due to exchange rate fluctuations in the current period Contract liabilities 441,379,666.31 871,792,341.16 -49.37% Mainly due to changes in advances from customers in the current period Taxes payable 88,690,013.29 63,147,720.26 40.45% Mainly due to changes in value- added tax and additional taxes in the current period Other current liabilities 21,706,579.53 54,001,977.67 -59.80% Mainly due to changes in relevant taxes arising from changes in advances from customers in the current period Treasury shares 142,219,287.34 86,960,746.82 63.54% Mainly due to ongoing stock repurchases in the current period 2. Analysis of changes in income statement items



Report item Current period amount Corresponding prior period amount Change Ratio Reason for change Financial Expenses -13,582,016.45 -7,929,626.86 -71.28% Mainly due to exchange rate fluctuations in the current period Other Income 22,360,871.79 36,739,447.51 -39.14% Mainly due to changes in the VAT additional deduction in the current period Investment income 25,710,006.12 -7,636,637.23 436.67% Mainly due to exchange rate fluctuations in the current period Income from fair value changes -8,399,712.58 47,529,054.02 -117.67% Mainly due to exchange rate fluctuations in the current period Credit Impairment Losses -10,741,549.30 -26,670,633.00 -59.73% Mainly due to changes in provisions for bad debt losses on accounts receivable in the current period Non-operating Expenses 593,735.23 130,434.82 355.20% Mainly due to changes in donations in the current period Income tax expenses 4,367,148.47 22,938,798.96 -80.96% Mainly due to changes in profit in the current period 3. Analysis of changes in cash flow statement items



Current period amount Corresponding prior period amount Change Ratio Reason for change 290,698,370.42 444,838,571.60 -34.65% Mainly due to changes in tax refunds received in the current period 31,268,611.29 18,889,677.59 65.53% Mainly due to changes in government grants received in the current period 61,801,673.79 148,508,468.23 -58.39% Mainly due to changes in value-added tax and additional taxes paid in the current period 7,085,000,000.00 4,684,238,472.00 51.25% Mainly due to the changes arising from the maturity of wealth management products in the current period 30,768,510.96 5,317,616.45 478.61% Mainly due to changes in returns of wealth management products in the current period 59,238,883.52 41,708,691.28 42.03% Mainly due to exchange rate fluctuations in the current period 8,264,084,848.48 6,170,145,888.89 33.94% Mainly due to the changes arising from the purchase of wealth management products in the current period 6,001,957.81 63,622,201.24 -90.57% Mainly due to exchange rate fluctuations in the current period 355,113,600.00 1,160,618,410.98 -69.40% Mainly due to changes in borrowings in the current period Cash paid for repayment of debts 227,635,811.06 790,638,439.12 -71.21% Mainly due to changes arising from the repayment of borrowings in the current period Other Cash Paid Relating to Financing Activities 349,084,812.46 143,460,695.94 143.33% Mainly due to changes in bank acceptance guarantees and the addition of stock repurchase business in the current period Effect of exchange rate changes on cash -12,509,417.62 2,288,462.86 -646.63% Mainly due to exchange rate fluctuations in the current period II. Use of Proceeds

 Applicable  Not applicable

The Company had no use of proceeds during the reporting period. III. Shareholder Information

(I) Total Number of ordinary shareholders and preference shareholders with restored voting rights, and shareholdings of the top 10 shareholders

Unit: Shares



Total number of ordinary shareholders at the end of the reporting period 63,950 Total number of preferred shareholders with restored voting rights at the end of the reporting period (if any) 0 Shareholdings of the top 10 shareholders (excluding shares lent through securities lending and borrowing) Name of shareholder Nature of shareholders Shareho lding Ratio (%) Number of shares held Numb er of shares subjec t to restric ted condit ions Pledge, marking or freezing status Status of shares Number Sichuan Changhong Electric Co., Ltd. State-owned legal person 24.12% 248,457,724 0   CHANGHONG (HK) TRADING LIMITED Overseas legal person 2.63% 27,077,797 0   Hong Kong Securities Clearing Company Limited Overseas legal person 2.54% 26,137,451 0   Hefei Industry Investment Holding (Group) Co., Ltd. State-owned legal person 1.83% 18,864,896 0   CAO SHENGCHUN Overseas natural person 1.43% 14,766,086 0   Wang Jialing Domestic natural person 1.18% 12,200,018 0   Li Tao Domestic natural person 0.83% 8,500,000 0   Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Limited  Taikang Strategy Preferred Flexible Allocation Hybrid Securities Investment Fund Domestic non- state-owned legal person 0.75% 7,687,900 0   China Merchants Bank Co., Ltd.  Taikang Quality Life Hybrid Securities Investment Fund Domestic non- state-owned legal person 0.74% 7,657,400 0   Bank of China Limited  HuaBao S&P China A-Share Dividend Domestic non- state-owned legal 0.65% 6,700,600 0   Opportunity ETF person Shareholding of the top 10 shareholders with unrestricted shares (excluding shares lent through securities lending and senior management lock-up shares) Name of shareholder Number of shares not subject to restricted conditions Type of shares Type of shares Number Sichuan Changhong Electric Co., Ltd. 248,457,724 RMB ordinary shares 248,457,724 CHANGHONG (HK) TRADING LIMITED 27,077,797 Domestically listed foreign shares 27,077,797 Hong Kong Securities Clearing Company Limited 26,137,451 RMB ordinary shares 26,137,451 Hefei Industry Investment Holding (Group) Co., Ltd. 18,864,896 RMB ordinary shares 18,864,896 CAO SHENGCHUN 14,766,086 Domestically listed foreign shares 14,766,086 Wang Jialing 12,200,018 RMB ordinary shares 12,200,018 Li Tao 8,500,000 RMB ordinary shares 8,500,000 Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Limited  Taikang Strategy Preferred Flexible Allocation Hybrid Securities Investment Fund 7,687,900 RMB ordinary shares 7,687,900 China Merchants Bank Co., Ltd.  Taikang Quality Life Hybrid Securities Investment Fund 7,657,400 RMB ordinary shares 7,657,400 Bank of China Limited  HuaBao S&P China A-Share Dividend Opportunity ETF 6,700,600 RMB ordinary shares 6,700,600 Explanation of related-party relationships or acting-in-concert arrangements among the above shareholders Among the above shareholders, CHANGHONG (HK) TRADING LIMITED (hereinafter referred to as Hong Kong Changhong) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sichuan Changhong Electric Co., Ltd. In addition to directly holding the Companys B shares, Hong Kong Changhong also holds 6,296,913 B shares of the Company through Phillip Securities (Hong Kong) Limited. Sichuan Changhong and Hong Kong Changhong have a related party relationship and constitute acting-in-concert parties. The Company is unaware of whether there are any related party relationships among other shareholders, and also unaware whether other shareholders constitute acting-in-concert parties as defined in the Administrative Measures for the Takeover of Listed Companies. Explanation of participation by the top 10 shareholders in margin financing and securities lending (if any) N/A Note: As of March 31, 2026, the Company had cumulatively repurchased 21,201,570 A shares through a dedicated securities

account for repurchase via centralized bidding, representing 2.0586% of the Companys total share capital.

Participation of shareholders holding more than 5%, the top 10 shareholders, and the top 10 unrestricted circulating shareholders in securities lending under the margin trading and securities

lending scheme

 Applicable  Not applicable

Changes in the top 10 shareholders and top 10 unrestricted circulating shareholders holdings compared to the previous period due to lending/return under the margin trading and securities lending scheme

 Applicable  Not applicable

(II) Total number of preference shareholders of the Company and shareholdings of the top 10 preference shareholders

 Applicable  Not applicable

IV. Other Significant Matters



Important Events Summary Disclosure date Inquiry index for websites for disclosure of interim reports Upon the deliberation and approval of the Companys board of directors and shareholders meeting, Mr. Li Xiaodong is elected as an independent non-executive director of the 11th board of directors of the Company. His term of office shall commence on the date of deliberation and approval at the first extraordinary general meeting of shareholders in 2026 and expire on the date of the completion of the term of the 11th board of directors. January 27, 2026, February 12, 2026 Juchao Website: http://www.cninfo.com.cn (Announcements No. 2026-003, No. 2026-004, No. 2026-008) Upon the deliberation and approval of the board of directors of the Company, Mr. Li Xiaodong is elected as Chairman of the 11th board of directors of the Company. To further standardize the corporate governance structure and ensure the rationality and completeness of the composition of members of the special committees under the board of directors, the board has approved the appointment of Mr. Li Xiaodong as Chairman of the Strategy Committee, member of the Audit Committee, member of the Nomination Committee, and Chairman of the ESG Management Committee of the 11th board of directors. His term of office shall commence on the date of deliberation and approval at the 27th meeting of the 11th board of directors and expire on the date of the completion of the term of the 11th board of directors. February 12, 2026 Juchao Website: http://www.cninfo.com.cn (Announcements No. 2026-009, No. 2026-010) On July 15, 2025, the Company conducted its first A-share repurchase through a dedicated stock repurchase securities account via centralized bidding. As of March 31, 2026, the Company has cumulatively repurchased 21,201,570 A-shares, accounting for 2.0586% of the Companys total share capital. The highest transaction price of this A-share repurchase was 7.45 RMB/share, the lowest was 5.86 RMB/share, with a total transaction amount of RMB 142,205,019.88 (excluding transaction fees). January 6, 2026, February 4, 2026, March 4, 2026, March 28, 2026, April 2, 2026 Juchao Website: http://www.cninfo.com.cn (Announcements No. 2026-001, No. 2026-006, No. 2026-011, No. 2026-012 and No. 2026-013) V. Quarterly Financial Statements

(I) Financial Statements

1. Consolidated balance sheet

Prepared by: Changhong Meiling Co., Ltd.



Items Ending balance Beginning balance Current Assets: Cash and cash equivalents 8,338,028,742.77 10,186,661,869.94 Settlement reserve Funds lent Trading financial assets 1,360,006,045.59 Derivative financial assets 78,993,785.90 61,841,784.71 Notes receivable Accounts receivable 3,312,303,034.47 2,014,944,491.33 Accounts receivable financing 418,786,586.01 409,930,586.39 Prepayments 85,436,681.06 92,667,517.48 Premiums receivable Reinsurance receivables Reinsurance contract reserves receivable Other receivables 31,202,190.23 41,558,190.51 Including: Interest receivable Dividends receivable Financial assets purchased under resale agreements Inventory 2,289,976,556.03 2,079,744,997.60 Including: Data resources Contract assets 667,445.88 725,425.50 Assets held for sale Non-current Assets Due within One Year 601,918,273.62 659,796,120.71 Other Current Assets 478,041,097.74 372,910,923.88 Total current assets 16,995,360,439.30 15,920,781,908.05 Non-Current Assets: Loans and advances Debt Investments 1,445,816,130.76 1,661,029,964.49 Other debt investments Long-term receivables Long-term Equity Investments 88,672,723.81 88,148,806.34 Other equity instrument investments Other Non-current Financial Assets 661,832,269.76 661,832,269.76 Investment Properties 62,610,414.01 63,387,835.97 Fixed assets 2,294,227,563.60 2,276,129,362.07 Construction in progress 161,070,229.32 127,282,346.90 Productive biological assets Oil and gas assets Right-of-use assets 126,604,414.61 132,921,569.77 intangible assets 1,013,205,683.81 1,031,493,131.01 Including: Data resources Development Expenditures 194,663,558.98 158,231,792.93 Including: Data resources Goodwill Long-term Deferred Expenses 28,896,846.42 26,427,371.81 Deferred tax assets 129,511,097.83 128,269,696.72 Other Non-current Assets 17,920,119.15 26,856,492.34 Total non-current assets 6,225,031,052.06 6,382,010,640.11 Total assets 23,220,391,491.36 22,302,792,548.16 Current Liabilities: Short-term borrowings 913,527,253.83 810,099,931.94 Borrowings from central bank Funds borrowed Trading financial liabilities Derivative financial liabilities 69,362,608.91 38,804,849.55 Notes payable 7,055,721,694.60 7,004,658,556.59 Accounts payable 6,145,464,523.71 4,934,324,141.76 Advances Received 914,368.71 20,340.81 Contract liabilities 441,379,666.31 871,792,341.16 Financial assets sold under repurchase agreements Deposits and interbank placements Securities sold for clients Securities underwriting payables Employee Benefits Payable 272,422,783.40 382,124,656.03 Taxes Payable 88,690,013.29 63,147,720.26 Other payables 1,167,157,001.72 1,154,695,090.66 Including: Interest payable Dividends payable 7,492,505.08 7,492,505.08 Fees and commissions payable Reinsurance payables Liabilities held for sale Non-current Liabilities Due within One Year 46,613,658.28 46,005,202.83 Other current liabilities 21,706,579.53 54,001,977.67 Total current liabilities 16,222,960,152.29 15,359,674,809.26 Non-Current Liabilities: Insurance contract reserves Long-term Borrowings 135,074,250.00 111,178,667.25 Bonds payable Including: Preferred shares Perpetual bonds Lease liabilities 107,816,181.66 114,402,511.69 Long-term Payables 64,854.43 117,944.72 Long-term Employee Benefits Payable 8,687,907.38 9,021,087.36 Estimated liabilities 34,783,241.30 33,463,947.66 Deferred income 148,932,005.76 139,056,707.76 Deferred tax liabilities 44,544,875.18 44,604,488.14 Other non-current liabilities Total non-current liabilities 479,903,315.71 451,845,354.58 Total Liabilities 16,702,863,468.00 15,811,520,163.84 Owners equity: Share capital 1,029,923,715.00 1,029,923,715.00 Other equity instruments Including: Preferred shares Perpetual bonds Capital Reserves 2,749,778,298.08 2,749,778,298.08 Less: Treasury shares 142,219,287.34 86,960,746.82 Other Comprehensive Income -24,633,748.57 -23,780,049.29 Special Reserve 46,232,976.53 38,391,282.14 Surplus Reserves 551,363,051.46 551,363,051.46 General risk reserves Undistributed Profits 1,895,078,907.44 1,824,833,314.77 Total equity attributable to owners of the parent company 6,105,523,912.60 6,083,548,865.34 Minority Interests 412,004,110.76 407,723,518.98 Total owners equity 6,517,528,023.36 6,491,272,384.32 Total liabilities and owners equity 23,220,391,491.36 22,302,792,548.16 Legal representative: Li Xiaodong Head of accounting work: Yang Bing Head of accounting department: Hu

Xiangfei

2. Consolidated income statement

Unit: RMB



Items Amounts incurred during the period Amount in prior period I. Total operating revenue 7,322,896,084.98 7,360,074,545.63 Including: Operating revenue 7,322,896,084.98 7,360,074,545.63 Interest income Earned premiums Fee and commission income II. Total operating costs 7,237,028,511.70 7,153,061,808.06 Including: Operating cost 6,626,194,260.59 6,489,256,428.27 Interest expense Fee and commission expense Surrender payments Net claims expense Net amount of withdrawal of insurance reserve Policyholder dividends paid Reinsurance expenses Taxes and Surcharges 30,106,691.60 26,909,661.98 Selling Expenses 361,488,537.07 397,393,048.13 Administrative Expenses 71,321,520.11 96,394,611.33 Research and Development Expenses 161,499,518.78 151,037,685.21 Financial Expenses -13,582,016.45 -7,929,626.86 Including: Interest expenses 7,447,200.71 5,315,614.00 Interest income 25,460,537.43 36,935,388.99 Add: Other Income 22,360,871.79 36,739,447.51 Investment income (losses indicated with ) 25,710,006.12 -7,636,637.23 Including: Share of profit of associates and joint ventures 523,917.47 2,852,607.47 Gains on derecognition of financial assets measured at amortized cost -956,440.77 -2,043,924.19 Foreign exchange gains (losses indicated with ) Net hedging gains (losses indicated with ) Gains from changes in fair value (losses indicated with ) -8,399,712.58 47,529,054.02 Credit impairment losses (losses indicated with ) -10,741,549.30 -26,670,633.00 Asset impairment losses (losses indicated with ) -36,767,478.53 -48,763,745.14 Gains on disposal of assets (losses indicated with ) III. Operating profit (losses indicated with ) 78,029,710.78 208,210,223.73 Add: Non-operating Income 1,220,013.92 1,004,640.48 Less: Non-operating Expenses 593,735.23 130,434.82 IV. Total profit (total losses indicated with ) 78,655,989.47 209,084,429.39 Less: Income tax expenses 4,367,148.47 22,938,798.96 V. Net profit (net losses indicated with ) 74,288,841.00 186,145,630.43 (I) Classified by continuity of operations 1. Net profit from continuing operations (net losses indicated with ) 74,288,841.00 186,145,630.43 2. Net profit from discontinued operations (net losses indicated with ) (II) Classified by ownership 1. Net profit attributable to owners of the parent company 70,245,592.67 181,668,589.37 2. Profit or loss attributable to minority shareholders 4,043,248.33 4,477,041.06 VI. Net of tax of other comprehensive income -894,167.61 -1,042,065.97 Other comprehensive income, net of tax, attributable to owners of the parent company -853,699.28 -1,042,065.97 (I) Other comprehensive income not reclassifiable to profit or loss 1. Remeasurements of defined benefit plans 2. Other comprehensive income under the equity method not reclassifiable to profit or loss 3. Changes in fair value of other equity instrument investments 4. Changes in fair value arising from the Companys own credit risk 5. Others (II) Other comprehensive income to be reclassified into profit or loss -853,699.28 -1,042,065.97 1. Other comprehensive income under the equity method reclassifiable to profit or loss 2. Changes in fair value of other debt investments 3. Amounts reclassified to other comprehensive income upon reclassification of financial assets 4. Allowances for credit impairment of other debt investments 5. Cash flow hedge reserves 6. Foreign currency financial statement translation difference -853,699.28 -1,042,065.97 7. Others Other comprehensive income, net of tax, attributable to minority shareholders -40,468.33 VII. Total Comprehensive Income 73,394,673.39 185,103,564.46 Total comprehensive income attributable to owners of the parent company 69,391,893.39 180,626,523.40 Total comprehensive income attributable to minority shareholders 4,002,780.00 4,477,041.06 VIII. Earnings per share: (I) Basic earnings per share 0.0691 0.1764 (II) Diluted earnings per share 0.0691 0.1764 During the period, the net profit realized by the acquired entity under the common control business combination  Stock Code: 000521, 200521 Short Form of the Stock: Changhong Meiling, Hongmeiling B Announcement No.: 2026-029Changhong Meiling Co., Ltd.2026 First Quarter ReportThe Company and all members of the Board of Directors hereby confirm that the content of this information disclosure is true, accurate, complete, and free from fictitious statements, misleading statements, or important omissions.Important Notice:Does any director or senior executive has objections to the content of the quarterly report or is unable to guarantee its truthfulness, accuracy, and completeness?  Yes  No1. Board of directors, all directors and senior executives of Changhong Meiling Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as the Company) hereby confirm that there are no any fictitious statements,misleading statements, or important omissions carried in this report, and shall take all responsibilities, individual and/or joint, for the reality, accuracy and completion of the whole contents.2. Mr. Li Xiaodong, Chairman of the Company, Mr. Yang Bing, person in charge of accounting work and Mr. Hu Xiangfei, person in charge of accounting organ (accountant in charge) hereby confirm that the financial information of the Quarterly Report is authentic, accurate and complete.3. Has the financial and accounting report for the first quarter been audited?  Yes  NoI. Major Financial Data(I) Main accounting data and financial indexesDoes it have retroactive adjustment or re-statement on previous accounting data?  Yes  No(II) Items and amounts of non-recurring gains and losses Applicable  Not applicableDetails of other gains/losses items that meets the definition of non-recurring gains and losses  Applicable  Not applicableThere are no other gains/losses items that meet the definition of non-recurring gains and losses inthe Company.Explain the items defined as recurring gains and losses according to the lists of non-recurring gainsand losses in Q&A Announcement No.1 on Information Disclosure for Companies Offering Their Securities to the Public --- Non-recurring Gains and Losses  Applicable  Not applicableThere are no items defined as recurring profit (gain)/loss according to the lists of non-recurring gains and losses in Q&A Announcement No.1 on Information Disclosure for Companies Offering Their Securities to the Public --- Non-recurring Gains and Losses. (III) Analysis of changes in main accounting data and financial indexes  Applicable  Not applicable1. Analysis of changes in balance sheet items2. Analysis of changes in income statement items3. Analysis of changes in cash flow statement itemsII. Use of Proceeds Applicable  Not applicableThe Company had no use of proceeds during the reporting period. III. Shareholder Information(I) Total Number of ordinary shareholders and preference shareholders with restored voting rights, and shareholdings of the top 10 shareholdersUnit: SharesNote: As of March 31, 2026, the Company had cumulatively repurchased 21,201,570 A shares through a dedicated securitiesaccount for repurchase via centralized bidding, representing 2.0586% of the Companys total share capital.Participation of shareholders holding more than 5%, the top 10 shareholders, and the top 10 unrestricted circulating shareholders in securities lending under the margin trading and securitieslending scheme Applicable  Not applicableChanges in the top 10 shareholders and top 10 unrestricted circulating shareholders holdings compared to the previous period due to lending/return under the margin trading and securities lending scheme Applicable  Not applicable(II) Total number of preference shareholders of the Company and shareholdings of the top 10 preference shareholders Applicable  Not applicableIV. Other Significant MattersV. Quarterly Financial Statements(I) Financial Statements1. Consolidated balance sheetPrepared by: Changhong Meiling Co., Ltd.Legal representative: Li Xiaodong Head of accounting work: Yang Bing Head of accounting department: HuXiangfei2. Consolidated income statementUnit: RMBDuring the period, the net profit realized by the acquired entity under the common control business combination 
The Embassy of India in Italy on Wednesday issued a sharp clarification dismissing a viral video made by an Indian national as a collection of "false and fabricated" claims. The embassy's response comes amidst a digital stir caused by the individual's allegations regarding a lack of assistance and poor treatment at the diplomatic mission. The Embassy detailed a specific encounter with the individual, highlighting a breach of standard security procedures as the root of the friction. According to the Embassy, the individual in question visited the mission premises in Rome, claiming to seek assistance. However, the interaction stalled at the gate due to the visitor's refusal to cooperate with basic entry requirements. "We have seen a video made by a certain Indian national. Claims being made by him are false and fabricated. He had come to the Embassy and we were ready to meet him, but he refused to show his identity/passport. We follow some standard security protocols for visitors to the Embassy," posted Indian Embassy in Rome on X. The Embassy asserted that the video, which suggested the mission was unapproachable, omitted the fact that the visitor himself blocked the meeting by refusing to identify himself. https://x.com/IndiainItaly/status/2046888815311114339 The incident, which surfaced on social media, went viral, where an Indian-origin accused staff of the Indian Embassy in Italy of manhandling and physically harassing him outside the mission premises in Rome. The Embassy further underlined that such procedures are routine and essential for ensuring the safety and proper functioning of diplomatic missions abroad. It also reiterated that assistance is always available to Indian citizens, provided they follow established guidelines. "The Embassy remains committed to offering all possible assistance to Indian nationals. We have a regular outreach to all members of the Indian community," the statement added, tagging the Ministry of External Affairs. (ANI)
This appointment underscores Germany's commitment to further strengthening diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties with the western region of India, a release said.

As Honorary Consul, Mangaldas will represent German interests in the state of Gujarat, fostering closer cooperation between German and Indian institutions. He will also support German nationals with select consular services, a release said.

Mangaldas is a distinguished professional with extensive experience in business and public service. His deep-rooted engagement with the local community and his strong leadership credentials make him well-positioned to advance German-Indian relations at the regional level, the release added.

"The Federal Republic of Germany is confident that Mr Mangaldas's appointment as Honorary Consul will significantly enhance cooperation between Germany and Gujarat, especially in key sectors such as industry, innovation, education, renewables, and sustainable development. Germany and India celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations, built on mutual trust, democratic values, and a shared vision for global progress," said German Ambassador to India, Dr. Philipp Ackermann.

"The appointment of an Honorary Consul in Ahmedabad reflects Gujarat's growing importance as a hub for economic activity and international collaboration," added Christoph Hallier, Consul General of Germany in Mumbai.

Mangaldas expressed his honour at the appointment.

"I am deeply privileged to serve as the Honorary Consul of Germany in Ahmedabad. I look forward to strengthening the bonds between Germany and India, and to supporting initiatives that promote collaboration between Germany and the State of Gujarat - not only in trade, but also in culture," he said.
The White House has reportedly drawn up a "naughty and nice" list of NATO member countries as part of the Trump administration's push to evaluate and potentially penalise allies who did not support US positions during the Iran conflict, Politico reported, citing officials familiar with the matter. According to Politico, citing three European diplomats and a US war official, the initiative, developed ahead of NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte's visit to Washington, categorises alliance members based on their defence contributions and broader cooperation, placing them into different tiers. The move underscores US President Donald Trump's continued warnings that allies who fail to meet US expectations on defence burden-sharing or strategic support could face consequences, further straining already tense transatlantic relations. US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth had earlier outlined a similar approach, stating, "Model allies that step up, like Israel, South Korea, Poland, increasingly Germany, the Baltics and others, will receive our special favour," he said. "Allies that still fail to do their part for collective defence will face consequences," as reported by Politico. A diplomat familiar with the discussions said, "The White House has a naughty and nice paper, so I guess the thinking is similar," suggesting alignment with Hegseth's earlier remarks, as per Politico. However, officials have not clarified what specific incentives or penalties may be applied, though options reportedly include adjustments in troop deployments, joint military exercises, and defence sales. "They don't seem to have very concrete ideas...when it comes to punishing bad allies," said another European official, adding, "Moving troops is one option, but it mainly punishes the US, doesn't it?" as quoted by Politico. White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly defended the administration's stance, saying, "While the United States has always been there for our so-called allies, countries we protect with thousands of troops have not been there for us throughout Operation Epic Fury," adding that "President Trump has made his thoughts on this unfair dynamic clear, and as he said, the United States will remember," as quoted by Politico. The reported framework could benefit countries like Poland and Romania, which have supported US military operations and increased defence spending, while placing others, such as Spain, under scrutiny for resisting NATO spending targets. The Pentagon also reiterated its approach, stating that it "will prioritise cooperation and engagements with model allies who are doing their part for our collective defence." Former officials have questioned the administration's capacity to escalate tensions with Europe amid ongoing geopolitical challenges. (ANI)
The United Kingdom's legislature approved a landmark bill that will prohibit individuals born on or after January 1, 2009, from purchasing tobacco products for the rest of their lives, marking a major step toward creating a "smoke-free generation", Al Jazeera reported. According to Al Jazeera, the Tobacco and Vapes Bill was introduced in the House of Commons in 2024 by UK Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Wes Streeting as part of long-term efforts to improve public health and curb smoking-related harm. "This is a historic moment for the nation's health as the Tobacco and Vapes Bill ends its journey through Parliament," Streeting said on Tuesday. "Prevention is better than cure. This reform will save lives, ease pressure on the NHS, and build a healthier Britain. Children in the UK will be part of the first smoke-free generation, protected from a lifetime of addiction and harm," he added, as quoted by Al Jazeera. The legislation is expected to become law after receiving royal assent next week. Once enacted, it will grant ministers expanded powers to regulate tobacco, vaping and nicotine products, including restrictions on flavours, packaging, branding, and advertising--particularly those targeting children. The bill also proposes to widen smoke-free zones, with vaping set to be banned in areas such as playgrounds, cars carrying children, and spaces outside schools and hospitals, as reported by Al Jazeera. reported Gillian Merron, UK Parliamentary Undersecretary of State at the Department of Health and Social Care, highlighted the significance of the reform while addressing the House of Lords. "It is, in fact, the biggest public health intervention in a generation and I can assure all noble Lords it will save lives," she said on Monday, as quoted by Al Jazeera. The policy was initially introduced in 2023 by the UK government under former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who proposed gradually increasing the legal age for purchasing tobacco each year to phase out smoking entirely. The plan was shelved ahead of the 2024 general election but was later revived by the Labour government. Meanwhile, Nigel Farage, leader of far-right party Reform UK, has opposed the measure and previously pledged to repeal it if elected, calling the bill "plainly idiotic", as reported by Al Jazeera. Despite criticism, the legislation has received strong backing from health organisations and advocacy groups across the UK. "This landmark piece of legislation will transform the nation's health. A smoke-free future means the tobacco industry will no longer be able to wreak havoc on the lungs of the next generation," said Sarah Sleet, Chief Executive of Asthma and Lung UK, as quoted by Al Jazeera. (ANI)
Iran on Wednesday strongly rejected the comment made by US President Donald Trump in his ceasefire extension announcement, alleging that the Iranian leadership is "seriously fractured", accusing him of spreading falsehoods and engaging in propaganda. Responding to the claim, Seyyed Mehdi Tabatabaei, Deputy of Communications and Information Dissemination in the office of the President of Iran, said that assertions of division among Iran's leadership are part of an "enemy's unplayed political and propaganda game." In a post on X, Tabatabaei emphasised unity within the country, stating, "The line of discord and division among the country's highest officials is the enemy's unplayed political and propaganda game against Iran. The unity and consensus among the field, the street, and diplomacy these days is unprecedented and exemplary." He further criticised the US, in a veiled reference, saying, "Instead of weaving lies, they should cease their breaches of promise, bullying, and deceit; the door to negotiation based on fairness, dignity, and rationality remains open." The remarks came after Trump, in a post on Truth Social, claimed that divisions within Iran's leadership had prompted a request to delay potential military action against the country. On Tuesday, Trump announced the extension of the ceasefire with Iran, citing the need to allow Tehran's leadership more time to formulate a unified proposal for negotiations. Trump, in his post, stated that the decision followed concerns over internal divisions within Iran's government and appeals from international stakeholders. "Based on the fact that the Government of Iran is seriously fractured, not unexpectedly so and, upon the request of Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, of Pakistan, we have been asked to hold our Attack on the Country of Iran until such time as their leaders and representatives can come up with a unified proposal," the post read. Trump further said he had directed the US military to continue a blockade while extending the ceasefire, adding that forces would "remain ready and able" until Iran presents a unified proposal and discussions are concluded. "I have therefore directed our Military to continue the Blockade and, in all other respects, remain ready and able, and will therefore extend the Ceasefire until such time as their proposal is submitted, and discussions are concluded, one way or the other," the post added. However, diplomatic signals from Iran indicate conditions for restarting negotiations. Iranian Ambassador to the United Nations Amir Saeid Iravani said that Tehran is willing to resume talks only after the United States ends its naval blockade of Iranian ports, which Iran considers a violation of the ceasefire deal. Citing an interview given by Iravani to Rudlaw News Network at the UN HQ, Tasnim News Agency reported that the Iranian envoy emphasised that for any dialogue to proceed, Washington must first halt its "ceasefire violations". "The naval blockade of the United States, it is a violation of the ceasefire. And we told them that they should break this blockade. We have received some signs that they are ready to break it. And as soon as they break this blockade, I think that the next round of the negotiation will take place in Istanbul. Listen to them, we have not initiated the military aggression. They initiated the war against us, and we are ready. If they want to sit at the table and discuss and find a political solution, they will find us ready. If they want to go to the war, in this case, also Iran is ready for that," Iravani said. The ambassador's remarks suggest that while a channel for communication may exist, the removal of the blockade remains the primary obstacle to a formal diplomatic process. (ANI)
Mali and Niger have renewed longstanding accusations that Algeria is exporting terrorism into the Sahel by sheltering, enabling and indirectly sustaining armed groups that carry out attacks south of its borders.

Although Malian and Nigerien officials stopped short of explicitly naming Algeria this time during remarks at a regional security forum in Senegal on Monday, their statements closely echoed months of earlier, direct allegations by Bamako that Algiers has become a logistical and political rear base for terrorist and separatist groups operating in northern Mali.

There are neighboring countries that are currently harboring terrorist groups, supporting terrorist groups, or frequently receiving hostile forces that carry out operations against us, Malian Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop told Reuters.

Security analysts say todays Sahel terrorism is rooted in the spillover from Algerias 1990s civil war, arguing that militant networks defeated or displaced inside Algeria regrouped and migrated south rather than disappearing. Groups such as alQaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) emerged directly from Algerias Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC), itself a splinter of the Armed Islamic Group that fought Algiers during the Black Decade, and for years were led by Algerian nationals who shifted their operations into Mali and across the Sahara under military pressure at home.

Reports of connivance between Algerian security services and some terrorist groups in the Sahel abound.

Mali has repeatedly condemned at the UN Algerias support for terrorism, in formal government statements and in diplomatic correspondence following a sharp deterioration in relations last year.

The tensions stem largely from northern Mali, where terrorist groups and Tuaregled armed groups have fought the Malian state for more than a decade. Bamako argues that these groups benefit from porous borders and from Algerias permissive posture toward militants operating along its southern frontier.

In September last year, Malis Prime Minister Abdoulaye Maiga told the United Nations General Assembly that Algeria had transformed itself from a partner in counterterrorism into what he called an exporter of terrorism to the Sahel.

Those accusations intensified after Algerian forces shot down a Malian military drone near the border in late March, an incident Bamako described as a deliberate act aimed at protecting terrorist leaders targeted by Malian operations.

In response, Mali and its allies Niger and Burkina Faso jointly recalled their ambassadors from Algiers and issued a statement accusing Algeria of supporting terrorism.

Niger has repeatedly aligned itself with Mali in disputes involving Algeria.

Nigerien authorities supported Malis diplomatic retaliation following the drone incident and expressed solidarity with Bamako against Algerian-backed terrorism.

Nigers military ruler, General Abdourahamane Tiani, has previously accused multiple foreign governments of sponsoring attacks against Niger, and Niamey has backed Mali in its standoff with Algeria, which is increasingly perceived by the Sahel as a destabilizing factor.

For now, the dispute over Algerias role highlights a widening fault line in West African security politics. The Sahels military rulers argue that terrorism cannot be defeated while what they see as permissive or destabilizing behavior by neighboring states continues unchecked.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) on Tuesday, April 21 reported that nearly four million displaced people have voluntarily returned across Sudan, though inadequate basic services and damaged infrastructure risk undermining the sustainability of these returns.

Most returnees have settled in Al Jazirah and Khartoum, despite widespread destruction and limited access to essential services. IOM official SungAh Lee cautioned that many returnees are confronting devastated homes, disrupted livelihoods and persistent uncertainty rather than recovery.

The crisis stems from the civil war that erupted in April 2023, displacing nearly 12 million people internally, with over four million fleeing to neighboring countries. Approximately nine million remain internally displaced.

The Agency highlighted severe damage to water systems, electricity networks, health facilities and agricultural infrastructure, particularly in Khartoum and Al Jazirah, as key barriers to recovery. It also warned that its 2026 response plan faces a funding shortfall of 97.2 million US dollars, even as more than two million additional people are expected to return to Khartoum this year.
A senior American official, who has conducted humanitarian missions for the State Department, has reportedly arrived at the Polisario-controlled Tindouf camps for talks with the Algeria-backed separatist group on dismantling these camps.

According to press reports, State Department humanitarian officer Tabari Dossett has been assigned this mission which comes few days after the meeting held in Turkey between U.S. senior Presidential advisor Massad Boulos and Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf.

The move demonstrates the U.S. commitment to advance the implementation of the autonomy plan under Moroccan sovereignty in line with UN Security Council resolution 2797.

Tabaris travel to the Polisario camps also comes ahead the two meetings scheduled this month by UNSC on the Sahara. The first Sahara meeting is planned for April 24, while the second is set for April 30 with a strategic review of the MINURSO.

These meetings build on the diplomatic momentum spearheaded by the U.S. and United Nations following the adoption of the historic UNSC resolution 2797 endorsing Moroccos Autonomy plan under the Kingdoms sovereignty.

During the April meetings, Security Council members will receive closed-doors briefings by Head of MINURSO Alexander Ivanko and UN Sahara envoy Staffan de Mistura on the progress of the UN-led political process based on resolution 2797. They will also assess the performance of the UN Sahara mission amid Trumps new policy of eliminating failed UN peacekeeping missions to streamline bureaucracy, reduce costs and restore accountability

Several U.S. Think-Tanks and experts have called for dismantling Polisario Camps in Tindouf after the UN Security Council endorsed Moroccos Autonomy Plan in the Sahara.

They say that more than half of the Tindouf camps residents are technically not refugees from the Sahara but, rather, moved to the camps from elsewhere in Algeria, Mali, Mauritania or even Sudan.

In an Op-Ed published in the Middle East Forum, Michael Rubin, a former Pentagon official, said the Algerian authorities inflate deliberately the number of those held in Tindouf camps to bilk donors and embezzle international aid.

With the UN endorsing Moroccos autonomy plan for the Sahara, there is no reason the Sahrawis cannot go home. Morocco now has a decades-long record showing generous treatment and integration of returnees, said the MEF analyst, stressing that this does not mean amnesty!
Morocco and Sweden have signed a Memorandum of Understanding providing for upgrading security cooperation to the level of a sustainable partnership, establishing a contractual framework to strengthen mechanisms for exchanging expertise, experience, and best practices in policing.

The MoU, signed during the working visit the Director General of National Security and Territorial Surveillance, Abdellatif Hammouchi, paid to Sweden this April 20-21, at the head of a high-level security delegation, also seeks to consolidate joint security training, and to set out procedures for responding to information requests related to bilateral cooperation, the Moroccan DGSN-DGST hub said in a statement this Wednesday.

The document also defines clear and rapid procedures for the exchange of information between the police and security services of both countries, particularly regarding cases related to terrorism, extremism, and organized crime, especially drug and psychotropic trafficking, cybercrime and hacking, economic and financial crime, illegal immigration, human trafficking, and violent crime, the statement added.

In this connection, the Swedish side proposed the accession of Moroccan security services to the European Network of Fugitive Active Search Teams (ENFAST) system, given the important role played by Moroccan services in locating and arresting internationally wanted individuals in cross-border crime cases.

It also emphasized the importance of drawing inspiration from the Moroccan security model and further expanding police cooperation with the North African kingdom, as an important and reliable partner.

Hammouchis visit took place within the framework of the Swedish security services will to strengthen relations of cooperation and coordination with their Moroccan counterparts, as well as a shared effort to reinforce their security partnership to cover various areas of operational cooperation, exchange of expertise, and mutual technical assistance in the security field, the DGSN-DGSTs statement said.

During the visit, Hammouchi held a series of talks with several Swedish officials, notably Minister of Justice Gunnar Strommer, Swedish National Police Commissioner Petra Lundh, and Deputy National Police Commissioner Stefan Hector, the statement said.

Discussions focused on a number of issues of common interest related to the security of both countries, on efforts coordination and the necessary mechanisms to address them through a joint approach, in addition to reviewing various security threats and emerging risks at the regional and international levels.

The visit was also marked by bilateral talks with officials from Swedish intelligence and internal security services, notably Charlotte von Essen, Director General of the Swedish Security Service. Talks focused on security challenges related to the activities of terrorist groups in several regions of the world, particularly the Sahel-Saharan region, the Middle East, and Europe.

Discussions also addressed virtual operations in the fight against terrorism and organized crime, especially in their cyber and cross-border dimensions.

In the same context, the Director General of National Security and Territorial Surveillance visited several departments and units of the Swedish security services, including central intervention units, canine units, and cybercrime units.

According to the statement, this visit illustrates the importance of bilateral security cooperation between Morocco and Sweden as active partners in international efforts aimed at strengthening security and stability, and confirms the shared determination of both countries to continue enhancing security cooperation and intelligence coordination in the face of all threats to their security.

This trip also reflects the commitment of the DGSN-DGST hub to opening up to security partners across the world, with the aim of strengthening collective security and supporting efforts to neutralize threats to regional and international security.
Are Chinese robots 'only able to dance and run'?

08:39, April 22, 2026 By Global Times editorial ( Global Times

Editor's Note:

Currently, China's economy is steadily advancing along the path of high-quality development, even as domestic and international circumstances become increasingly complex. Some Western media, due to misunderstanding or bias, have repeatedly questioned or even distorted China's economic development. Accordingly, the Global Times launches the "Q&A on China's Economy" column to publish opinion pieces to present facts and clarify perceptions.

Are Chinese robots "only able to dance and run"? This has become a recurring question raised by some Western media outlets in recent months. A British outlet recently commented on robot performances in China, claiming that what these robots do is the "result of being trained for a routine hundreds or thousands of times" and that "stage performance does not equate to industrial robustness." Some European media have even gone so far as to ask in their headlines: "China's robots can dance. What else can they do?"

The problem with this line of thinking begins with a conceptual sleight of hand: equating "being able to dance and run" with "being only able to dance and run." The difference between the two is obvious. What the public sees as robots "dancing" or "running" is, in fact, a visual demonstration of technological breakthroughs. For a robot to synchronize precisely with musical rhythms, execute smooth and natural movements, and maintain balance during complex routines, it must rely on high-precision servo control systems, efficient algorithmic coordination, and the stable support of core components. This represents an extreme test of core technologies such as balance perception and motion control.

In other words, the very technologies that enable robots to "dance" are fundamentally the same as those required for practical applications such as industrial production, household services, disaster response and gentle support tasks. Stage performances are, in essence, a visible showcase of advanced coordination and the maturity of underlying technologies. They also serve as a stepping stone toward broader diversified applications and the ability to undertake complex tasks. If a robot can dance well, it is precisely because it has already overcome multiple key technical challenges and developed the foundational capabilities needed for diverse practical operations.

Another common argument suggests that AI chip computing power matters more and that China still lags behind the global cutting edge in this area. This view is equally one-sided. While AI chips - the "brain" - are undoubtedly important, without breakthroughs in motion control, core components and application scenarios, the large-scale deployment and practical use of robotics would be significantly hindered. Chips and robots are not in opposition; rather, they are interdependent and co-evolving. From deep-sea exploration to outer space missions, from smart factories to smart cities, and from precision medicine to inclusive elderly care, the future evolution of robotics will depend on the coordinated advancement of both "brains" and "limbs," as well as the deep integration of hardware and software.

In fact, robots have already been widely deployed in many industries across China, and dancing and running are actually the very few tasks they perform. In industrial workshops, robots precisely carry out high-intensity tasks such as welding, assembly and transportation, replacing human workers in high-risk and repetitive processes to support the transformation and upgrading of the manufacturing sector. In the medical field, surgical robots, with their millimeter-level precision, assist doctors in performing complex minimally invasive surgeries, reducing surgical risks and improving treatment outcomes. At disaster sites, specialized robots venture into areas inaccessible to humans - such as rubble, high-temperature zones and toxic environments - to carry out search-and-rescue, detection and hazard mitigation tasks, buying precious time for life-saving efforts. In household settings, robotic vacuum cleaners and elderly care robots have entered millions of homes, streamlining daily life and alleviating the burden of elderly care. These application scenarios across various sectors have long dispelled the one-sided perception that robots "can only" dance or run.

After years of technological breakthroughs and deep industry cultivation, China's embodied intelligence industry has gradually achieved full-chain coverage - from core components and whole-machine manufacturing to scenario applications and system integration. It has made globally acclaimed achievements across multiple dimensions, including core technologies, market scale and application breadth, with some sectors ranking among the world's best. At the same time, Chinese companies have become deeply embedded in and supportive of the world's top robotics supply chains. Numerous overseas humanoid robot startups, including Germany's Neura Robotics and the US' Figure AI, widely use Chinese components and even choose to complete full-scale integration and small-batch pilot production in China. According to estimates by Morgan Stanley, by leveraging a comprehensive supply chain, China can reduce the manufacturing costs of humanoid robots by as much as two-thirds.

To simplistically equate Chinese robot technologies with "being only able to dance and run" is, at its core, a one-sided view of the development of China's robotics industry, overlooking the underlying breakthroughs in core technologies and their extensive application value. The development of China's robotics industry has never been about mere "aesthetics." It is grounded in technology and application-oriented, steadily advancing along the path of independent innovation. This approach not only addresses domestic shortcomings but also contributes Chinese strength to the global robotics industry. In the future, as technologies across the entire supply chain continue to evolve, Chinese robots are bound to shine in more uncharted fields, dispelling further prejudices and misconceptions.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
US Republican Senator Ted Cruz renewed calls for closer scrutiny of the Polisario Front, raising concerns over the growing ties between the Algeria-backed separatist movement and Iran during a Senate hearing on counterterrorism in Africa.

Speaking at a US Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on April 21, Cruz warned that cooperation between Iran and the Polisario poses broader security risks beyond North Africa, urging the US government to address the issue as part of a wider counterterrorism challenge.

Cruz said Iran seeks to turn the Polisario into a proxy force in West Africa, drawing parallels with Tehrans support for the Houthi movement in Yemen.

The Polisario collaborates with Iranian-affiliated groups, receives drones from Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and facilitates the movement of weapons and resources across the region, Ted Cruz told the Senate.

The Texas senator had introduced legislation that would require the US administration to designate the Polisario as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO).

Testifying at the hearing, Monica Jacobsen, a senior official at the US State Departments Bureau of Counterterrorism, said Washington was aware of reports suggesting vulnerabilities in the area where the Polisario operates. She noted the regions proximity to trafficking routes and armed activity in the Sahel.

That environment creates opportunities that external actors, including Iran, could seek to exploit, Jacobsen said, adding that the State Department and US intelligence agencies were monitoring the situation closely.

Cruzs remarks come as support grows in Congress for legislation titled the Polisario Front Terrorist Designation Act of 2026, introduced on March 13 by Cruz along with Senators Tom Cotton and Rick Scott. On March 23, Republican Senator David McCormick formally endorsed the bill, adding momentum to the initiative.

If enacted, the legislation could trigger a review process that may lead to an FTO designation, allowing the United States to impose sanctions, restrict travel and freeze assets linked to the group.
Citadel, Amazons Pricey and Troubled Drama, Renewed for Season 2 (Exclusive) https://t.co/5iHiTCM5sF  The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) March 14, 2023

, the upcoming Amazon Prime spy drama from the Russo Brothers, has received a season 2 renewal a month before the April 28th premiere of its first season. The show stars Richard Madden and Priyanka Chopra. Amazon reportedly hopes to turn the show into a franchise.THR shares that the show's budget began at $160 million before original showrunner Josh Appelbaum and director Brian Kirk left the project. They were replaced by David Weil, the showrunner of the recently concluded Prime series. Reshoots added $75 million to the budget, meaning it cost well over $200 million to make. It is on track to be the second most expensive show ever made, after
Industry Leaders Support National Go Orange Day

Advocates encourage roadway workers and the public to wear orange to highlight the importance of work zone safety and visibility.

Safety advocates and industry members are participating in Go Orange Day today as part of the annual National Work Zone Awareness Week. The event serves as a unified effort to increase visibility for roadway safety and honor those working in close proximity to live traffic.

The initiative encourages personnel in offices and on job sites to wear orange to spark public conversation regarding driver awareness. According to industry data, work zone fatalities have increased by 53% since 2010. The campaign aims to reverse this trend by reminding motorists to reduce speeds and eliminate distractions while traveling through construction zones.

Participants are encouraged to document the event on social media to broaden the reach of the safety message. The awareness week continues on Thursday with a coordinated social media campaign, followed by a moment of silence on Friday to recognize workers and motorists killed in work zone incidents.

Organizers noted that the collective visibility of the industry serves as a reminder of the human element behind roadway infrastructure projects. National Work Zone Awareness Week is an annual spring campaign held at the start of construction season to encourage safe driving throughout the year.
The global energy crisis has reshaped global energy priorities seemingly overnight. The Strait of Hormuz has been closed to virtually all commercial traffic for well over a month now, severely restricting global flows of oil and gas. As a result, global energy prices have skyrocketed, and supplies have tightened, pushing many countries to explore alternative energy pathways in a big hurry. This has led to an unfortunate resurgence of coal-fired power, especially in Asia  but it is also set to supercharge the clean energy industry on a global scale. And one of the unlikely benefactors of this groundswell of new investment may be the green hydrogen industry.

China, the worlds top hydrogen producer, is planning to ramp up production of hydrogen, and especially green hydrogen, more quickly than previously planned in order to shore up its energy security as import-dependent Asian markets are rocked by skyrocketing oil and gas prices. Chinas National Energy Administration (NEA) has referred to hydrogen as a strategic lever for national energy autonomy and resilience, and has pledged to accelerate the development of the domestic sector accordingly.

Chinas 15th five-year plan, released last month, flagged hydrogen as a future industry. But, apparently, the future is now. According to a recent report from the South China Morning Post, the rhetoric around hydrogen coming out of China signals a shift away from research and toward rapid practical development of the sector.

Last year, the NEA earmarked 41 projects in nine regions across the country to lead hydrogen pilot projects all along the value chain from production and transport to storage and application. Now, leadership is pushing to bring those projects out of demo phases and into industrial applications as quickly as possible.

European leaders, too, are pivoting to embrace green hydrogen production with renewed enthusiasm. Earlier this month, ministers from Austria, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, and Spain petitioned the European Union to loosen production regulations to encourage investment into the sector. And Italy successfully approved a 6 billion state aid plan to support renewable hydrogen.

Even the United States is getting on board. This week, the Trump administration instructed the Department of Energy to save $5 billion worth of hydrogen hubs that were slated for closure. The hydrogen projects  though not green hydrogen ventures  were funded under the Biden administration in order to promote cleaner-burning fuel sources.

Hydrogen could potentially be a critical pathway for decarbonization, as it combusts at high heat like fossil fuels. But, unlike fossil fuels, when it burns, it leaves behind nothing but water vapor. This could make it indispensable for the decarbonization of hard-to-abate sectors like steelmaking and shipping. However, the vast majority of commercial hydrogen is made with fossil fuels. Green hydrogen, by comparison, is made using renewable energies.

But while hydrogen, and especially green hydrogen, could be a key part of the global clean energy transition, research and development in the sector had been cooling for years, as commercial and cost-effective green hydrogen production methods largely failed to materialize. Even if production costs decrease in line with predictions, storage and distribution costs will prevent hydrogen from being cost-competitive in many sectors, Roxana Shafiee, a postdoctoral fellow at the Harvard University Center for the Environment, told The Harvard Gazette in 2024. Shafiee led a study that found cause to believe that the opportunities for hydrogen may be narrower than previously thought.

But the economics of energy are changing as we speak, and the global hydrogen market is likely about to see a windfall as the world rushes to replace geopolitically risky fossil fuels, which have become prohibitively expensive overnight. Clearly, global leaders are already reembracing the fledgling sector as part of an all-of-the-above approach to energy security and independence. While hydrogen may not be a silver bullet solution, it could be a critical part of a more diverse and therefore more resilient global energy landscape going forward.

By Haley Zaremba for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com
A reprieve from high gasoline prices in California is in the works  though it wont please everyone in a state that has vilified Big Oil.

On Monday, Phillips 66 (NYSE:PSX) and Kinder Morgan (NYSE:KMI) announced they have secured enough long-term shipper commitments to advance a proposed pipeline to supply fuel to Arizona and California.

According to the companies, the Western Gateway Pipeline will connect Midwest and Gulf Coast refinery supply to Phoenix, Arizona and California markets with connectivity to Las Vegas, Nevada, via Kinder Morgans CALNEV pipeline.

Western Gateway will consist of a new pipeline from Borger, Texas, to Phoenix, Arizona, combined with Kinder Morgans existing SFPP pipeline from Colton, California, to Phoenix, Arizona, which will be reversed to enable east-to-west product flows into California.

The Western Gateway Pipeline will be fed by Midwest and Gulf Coast supplies connected to Borger, Texas. The Gold Pipeline, operated by Phillips 66, which currently flows from Borger to St. Louis, will be reversed to enable refined products from Midwest and Gulf Coast refineries to flow toward Borger and supply the pipeline.

The project is targeting an in-service date of mid-2029.

The need for Western Gateway comes down to the closure of two refineries, which together account for nearly 20% of Californias refining capacity.

Related: Lufthansa Cancels Unprofitable European Summer Routes to Save Jet Fuel

Phillips 66's Los Angeles plant began winding down operations in September, and Valero Energys (NYSE:VLO) Benicia refinery plans to close this month.

California has limited access to major refining hubs, leaving it vulnerable to supply disruptions and price spikes. The closure of the two refineries is stoking fears of soaring pump prices, on top of increases brought about by the war in Iran.

Californians already pay more for gasoline than any other state, with current prices averaging $5.82 per gallon compared to the US average of $4.02, according to AAA.

The market is almost entirely dependent on fuel brought in by tanker plus in-state supplies. According to the Energy Information Administration, no pipelines carry fuel to California across the Rocky Mountains, and only a few carry fuel from the Gulf Coast to the West Coast. Read more about Californias fuel supply vulnerability

Western Gateway would transport refined petroleum products, specifically gasoline, diesel fuel and jet fuel.

Philipps 66 and Kinder Morgan began seeking shipper commitments in October. At the time, refiner HF Sinclair, a unit of pipeline operator ONEOK (NYSE:OKE), was mulling a competing bid.

However, Reuters reported that the first to reach a final investment decision may be the only one to secure a potential multi-billion-dollar windfall because multiple pipelines to the West Coast would eat into each other's margins, which are already limited due to the availability of waterborne imports to California.

A project page states the 1,300-mile-long Western Gateway Pipeline is a partnership between Phillips 66 and Kinder Morgan, creating a new path for refined products stretching from St. Louis, Missouri to California.

The pipeline will be capable of supplying 200,000 barrels per day of Midcontinent refined products directly into Arizona, replacing the approximately 125,000 bpd that Phoenix currently receives via Kinder Morgans SFPP pipeline from California. This shift allows those volumes to remain in California, increasing supply availability.

Phillips 66 will build the new pipeline and will operate it from Borger to El Paso, Texas. Kinder Morgan will operate the line from El Paso to the companys Phoenix, Arizona, terminal, and the remainder of Kinder Morgans line as it will connect to KMIs SFPP line.

Using Kinder Morgan's existing terminals and co-locating with their existing pipelines minimizes the Western Gateway Pipeline's footprint, the companies say.

An AI Overview says Californians are deeply divided over proposed gasoline pipelines like the Western Gateway project, balancing desperate needs for lower gas prices against environmental concerns. While drivers facing record-high costs may welcome improved supply, environmentalists and state leaders strongly oppose new fossil fuel infrastructure, favoring clean energy transitions.

Roughly half (56-58%) of California's electricity generation comes from renewable sources, including solar, wind, and geothermal.

Sources quoted by the Los Angeles Times say the pipeline proposal signals that energy companies expect California to remain dependent on gasoline for years, even as the state pursues clean transportation and other ambitious climate goals.

Yet the political winds regarding energy appear to be shifting, even in California, a state known as an environmental leader.

The Times notes that Governor Gavin Newsom recently approved legislation that will allow for 2,000 new oil wells be drilled in Kern County, in part to help keep the state attractive to oil companies.

The pro-fossil fuel Trump administration eliminated federal rebates on new and used EVs, and has also moved to block Californias ban on the sale of all new gas-powered vehicles by 2035.

Ryan Schleeter with the nonprofit Climate Center called the Western Gateway Pipeline a band-aid on a much bigger challenge. The solution is really to chart the course for a managed transition away from relying on gas to a more electrified future.

The pipeline is not yet a done deal. It still requires the formal execution of binding transportation service agreements, joint venture agreements, and final board approvals. The companies must navigate the permitting and regulatory approval process, which could take years.

By Andrew Topf for Oilprice.com

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Iraq has been facing a critical oil export crisis since tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz largely seized up. About a month ago, Iraq reached a temporary agreement with Iran to allow its ships to sail through the waterway; however, additional war risk premiums for Persian Gulf transits have increased dramatically, rendering transport through the route uneconomical.



Unlike Iran, which relies heavily on a shadow fleet of tankers to transport its oil, Iraq lacks a large national fleet, forcing it to rely on third parties. Lack of shipping forced Iraqs oil production to collapse by 80% to roughly 1.2 to 1.3 million barrels per day, turning into an existential crisis for a country that relies on oil for up to 95% of federal budget revenue. But now Iraq can breathe a sigh of relief after a key border crossing opened after remaining shut for more than a decade. The Rabia-Yarubiyah border crossing between Iraq and Syria has been reopened after remaining closed for 13 years, offering Iraq a potential alternative to the Strait of Hormuz. The border was initially closed in 2011 due to the Syrian civil war and was later seized by the Islamic State (ISIS) in 2014 before being retaken by Iraqi Kurdish forces.

Related: Activists Sue Shell Over Emissions, Again

The crossing provides a critical overland route for trade and oil exports, and a safer alternative to the Strait of Hormuz, which remains effectively blocked to most commercial traffic despite temporary announcements of reopening. The crossing is now open for passengers, transit and commercial trade, including the transportation of fuel oil by truck to Mediterranean ports. This restoration completes the reopening of all three major official border crossings between Iraq and Syria, joining Al-Qaim-Al-Bukamal and Al-Walid-Al-Tanf. The revitalisation of these routes is a central part of efforts to boost regional trade and energy transit. Rabia-Yarubiyah is not only designated as a key corridor for Iraqi oil transit toward the Mediterranean but also a transit route for Turkish goods; the Al-Walid-Al-Tanf, which reopened in March, has already begun facilitating the entry of crude oil tankers from Iraq to Syria's Banyas refinery while the Al-Qaim-Al-Bukamal route, reopened in June 2025, offers passage for both passenger and truck traffic.

Meanwhile, the back and forth between the U.S. and Iran at the Strait of Hormuz shows no signs of coming to an end. On Friday, Iran announced the strait was "completely open" following a ceasefire in Lebanon. However, it reversed its decision a day later with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) regaining control and demanding that the U.S. lift its blockade of Iranian ports. Iran has stated that to permit passage, they will have to oversee traffic through designated routes, effectively forcing ships to follow Iranian-controlled paths. Oil prices have been on a rollercoaster on the constant shifting of positions between Washington and Tehran, reversing their recent downtrend with Brent crude now approaching $100 per barrel.

That said, using the Rabia-Yarubiyah border crossing for Iraqi oil transport poses significant challenges for the country. Overland trucking of Iraqi oil through Syria is a costly, less-efficient emergency solution and crisis management tool, rather than a strategic alternative to pipelines or maritime transport. Energy officials have warned that current oil transport operations involving roughly up to 700 tankers daily, often holding 30 tons each, already exceed optimal capacities, causing backlogs at border points. Land-based trucking is inherently inferior to pipelines and marine transport, facing higher costs and logistical inefficiencies that could prevent a consistent 600-700 truck daily flow, even with both Rabia and al-Waleed operating. Traffic at similar neighboring crossings is frequently delayed by lengthy permit procedures and limited storage capacity on the receiving side, which may impact the Rabia route as well.

Additionally, insecurity issues could also rear their ugly head, with the area in Nineveh province in Iraq as well as the Hasakah countryside in Syria having a history of conflict, having been controlled by ISIS and subsequently Kurdish forces before being returned to Syrian authorities. The region has experienced drone attacks and shelling, making the route insecure and challenging the sustainability of operations.

Ultimately, a complete reopening of the Strait of Hormuz might be the only real solution for the likes of Iraq, Kuwait and Qatarthe hardest hit by its closure. Unfortunately, the situation in Iran remains highly tenuous, with U.S. President Donald Trump recently stating that he is highly unlikely to extend the ceasefire beyond the Wednesday deadline and could resume his assault on Tehran. A second round of negotiations is scheduled in Islamabad for Wednesday, with the U.S. delegation led by Vice President JD Vance, though Iran has yet to formally confirm its participation, citing contradictory messaging from Washington.



By Alex Kimani for Oilprice.com

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Saddam Husseins favorite movie was reportedly The Godfather. A central theme in the story is the attempts of Michael Corleone, the godfather, to turn the Corleone Family into a legitimate business. Many of todays leaders of Iraqs Iran-aligned militias (and their families) were persecuted by Saddams security services and could not enjoy the luxury of foreign films, but they would understand Michaels dilemma.

The founding charter of Iraqs militias is arguably Coalition Provisional Authority Order Number 2: Dissolution of Entities, which, in May 2003, dissolved, but did not disarm, Iraqs military and security services. Many of the 400,000 newly unemployed troops joined the anti-American resistance and later joined al-Qaeda if they were Sunni Muslims. The Shia resistance to the Americans was initially unified under the Mahdi Army. The Mahdi Army and Al-Qaeda fought each other as well, which peaked in the 2006-2007 civil war.

Iraqs first militia, the Mahdi Army, was founded by Muqtada al-Sadr after the U.S. invasion in March 2003. It was large and disorganized and, in 2006 Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, an opponent of the Sadrists, decided to fragment the Mahdi Army, and Operation Charge of the Knights was his tool. Helpfully, Asaib Ahl al-Haqq (AAH) split from the Sadrist movement in 2004 and acted as a military force for al-Maliki to help implement his process of centralizing and consolidating power between 2011 and 2014. Amid concerns that the formal security services were incapable or unwilling to preserve the newly established political system that had given the Shia unprecedented political representation, AAH and other groups began entrenching themselves in the power structure.

Related: Iraq Turns to Risky Overland Routes as Oil Exports Collapse

The role of what were informal militias was legitimized in June 2014, during the Islamic States invasion, when Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani issued a defensive jihad fatwa (an obligation carried out by those able to fight) that mobilized fighters who became the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF). (Al-Sistani has since called for state control of the militias, as has al-Sadr.) In June 2014, al-Maliki formed the PMF by institutionalizing pre-existing and predominantly Shia militias that were fighting the Islamic State. The PMF was large and not well-organized, so AAH officers constituted the bulk of the PMF leadership.

In February 2016, Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi incorporated the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) as an independent military formation in Iraqs security forces and prohibited political work by its members.

In the 2018 elections, some militias participated in the political process for the first time, benefiting from their role in the victory against ISIS, which gave them a political role in addition to their security tasks, and marked the beginning of their dual roles that sometimes conflict with the interests of the state.

In August 2025, U.S. pressure (and internal divisions in Iraq) caused Baghdad to withdraw legislation that would formally integrate the PMF into Iraq's armed forces under unified military command. Washingtons concern was that the legislation would legitimize groups it considers terrorists while creating a parallel force separate from the regular Iraqi military that has ties to the U.S. military.

While the politicians were otherwise occupied, many of the militias extended into financial networks and commercial enterprises and grew economic influence within Iraqs economy and society, all of which supported their social activities and political work, and reduced reliance on outside, i.e., Iranian, money.

The militias have started diversifying funding sources beyond external sponsors. This allows them to claim they are free of obligations to Iran, and it may also suit Tehran, as U.S. government pressure may cause fluctuations in funding streams to the militias, especially those closest to Iran, like Kataib Hezbollah, Asaib Ahl al-Haqq, and Harakat al-Nujaba. Some militias have sought local revenue streams that include operations that resemble financial services and lending that generate money for the groups activities and patronage networks, helping to sustain their social and political influence.

Militia leaders are entering commercial markets for financial gain and wealth accumulation and can use their power to control lucrative sectors or extract rents from local economies. Some leaders are described as transforming themselves into economic stakeholders  sometimes compared to local business elites - though this will cause friction with local businessmen who may have to accommodate new partners, so will expect favorable political intervention in turn.

Militias have influence in the allocation of government resources and contracts as they are formally part of the PMF under Iraqi law. They may channel government resources, public contracts, and budget allocations toward affiliated firms or patronage networks. This de facto economic leverage often blurs the lines between state functions and militia interests. While this is not business in a conventional private-sector sense, it gives these factions significant control over economic flows and opportunities within Iraqs economy.

How do the militias make money?

Construction and government contracts. The U.S. opposed the legislation that legalized the PMF's economic interests, including the powerful "Al-Muhandis General Company," which operates as the PMF's main business and financial arm. It has become a key tool for militias to access public contracts, channel state funds, and expand their economic influence across Iraq's reconstruction and infrastructure sectors. According to the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the Muhandis General Company, controlled by Kata'ib Hizballah, uses a subcontracting method to divert funds from Iraqi government contracts. As of 2025, it also has a contract with the Iraqi government for undisclosed real estate projects.

Telecommunications and technology. Militia-linked firms have made a play to gain exclusive control of 5G mobile communications service in Iraq. The government of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani revealed the extent of militia penetration of the telecom sector by awarding sensitive telecoms contracts to a sanctioned militia economic conglomerate, while also channeling lucrative 5G mobile telephony licenses exclusively to militia businessmen.

Energy and smuggling. PMF-linked groups are embedded in Iraq's fuel economy, from smuggling subsidized petrol across borders to controlling oil depots and electricity contracts. These activities generate significant revenue and give militias leverage over daily life, since Iraq's chronic fuel and power shortages make control of supply chains a powerful political weapon.

Real estate and money laundering. Baghdad and other major Iraqi cities are witnessing a surge of ambitious real estate projects, upscale shopping malls, and luxury towers. But behind many projects stand a militia leader and a politician, with the title deeds and money left to financiers.

Banking and finance. Iraqi bank executives have been sanctioned by the U.S. for using their positions to benefit Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), Kata'ib Hizballah, and Asaib Ahl al-Haq  exploiting control over several Iraqi banks to generate revenue and launder money for militias and their Iranian backers.

Extortion and illicit revenue. Iraqi militias use shell companies to launder money, extort merchants, and impose informal "taxes" and fees on the entry of goods  earning an estimated USD11 billion annually. The Iraqi Centre for Strategic Studies estimates that corruption, mismanagement, and Iranian influence  the militia economy - have cost Iraq USD600 billion since 2003.

Broader Economic and Political Effects

Militias economic activities often intertwine with corruption and graft; critics argue they use economic leverage to advance their political power and undermine state institutions. Iraq ranks 136th out of 182 countries on the Transparency International 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index, but it has been improving since 2023.

Some militias maintain supply and logistics networks that can shade into illicit trade and smuggling, benefiting both their finances and their operational autonomy.

Militia involvement in the formal and informal economy has contributed to entrenching their social influence, especially in areas where state services are weak and militia patronage fills the gap. Extending the socio-political activity to Iraqs tribes, which have no militias but control many votes, has increased their influence, though the partnership has not risen to the level of an official alliance.

Does the Iraqi public see the militias as Irans allies or legitimate, local political forces? There was some resentment towards the militias before the American attacks on the PMF at the start of the Ramadan War, but that has lessened. The militias may transition along several tracks: some members may join the Iraqi military or security services; senior officers may attempt politics; and others will manage the businesses to benefit party members by providing jobs and social benefits, and funding political activity. The ideal end state for the Iraqi militias, in their minds, may be a system like Iran, Pakistan, or Egypt, where the military has significant business interests.

Some of the militia leaders are probably thinking of their legacy and want to become a politician/businessman - an oligarch - and open the way for younger family or network members. Fighters do not always make good businessmen, so transitioning enterprise management to well-educated children and grandchildren may be the best way to preserve wealth.

The U.S. response

In May 2025, two U.S. legislators asked Secretary of State Marco Rubio to expand sanctions on Iranian-backed militias and designate the PMF, the Al-Muhandis General Company, and the Badr Organization (a Shia Islamist political party and paramilitary group) as Foreign Terrorist Organizations.

In July 2025, the U.S. State Department warned that Iraqi financial institutions  including the Central Bank of Iraq and Ministry of Finance  could face penalties if they continued budgetary funding of PMF units. The U.S. also reclassified four key factions from "Specially Designated Global Terrorist" to the more severe "Foreign Terrorist Organization" designation.

In April 2026, the Iraqi ambassador to the U.S. was summoned by the Deputy Secretary of State who stressed the United States will not tolerate attacks on U.S. interests and expects the Iraqi government to immediately take all measures to dismantle the Iran-aligned militia groups in Iraq. Washington subsequently sanctioned seven militia commanders responsible for planning, directing, and executing attacks against U.S. personnel, facilities, and interests in Iraq; and reportedly suspended Iraqs access to U.S. dollars from oil sales to force Baghdad to form a government free of Iranian influence and to prosecute the perpetrators of drone attacks against U.S. diplomatic facilities. (The Central Bank of Iraq denied that currency transfers were stopped.)

If this is the start of a new pressure campaign following Americas preemptive strikes against the PMF since 28 February, it will likely fail as external pressure rarely works in Iraqi politics where influence comes through incentives, alignment of interests, and respect for internal balances, not coercion. When Washington misreads that, it creates space for others, including China, to offer respect and predictability rather than threats and disorder.

Iraq held parliamentary elections in November 2025, and complicating the formation of a governing coalition is that three militia-aligned parties (Sadiqoun Movement, Badr Organization, and Huquq Movement) won 51 seats, a significant share of the 185 seats held by the Coordination Framework, the dominant Shiite coalition in Iraqi politics. (The Iraqi parliament has 329 seats.) Many of the remaining seats belong to factions or leaders with strong PMF or Iran?aligned militia affiliations, even if not formally the political arm of a militia. According to local observers, the Coordination Framework can be described as a coalition whose majority is militia?aligned, making an estimate of around one hundred militia?linked members plausible based on composition and affiliations. The militias today form a blocking third in the parliament and can frustrate laws requiring a two-thirds majority.

The Americans may feel militias are a threat to the Iraqi state, but as Ameer Al-Auqaili notes, Militias no longer threaten to overthrow the state because they have, in many ways, become the state. They control ministries, direct security forces, and dominate economic landscapes, using the ballot box to validate their existing power. The militias require a symbiotic relationship with the formal manifestations of the state, i.e., the parliament, as the state is the source of revenue and legitimacy. The militias are now in a gray zone, and the legislation that the Americans frustrated was Baghdads attempt to extend the states authority over them.

If the new government passes legislation that puts the PMF fully under government control, that will strain relations with the Americans. However, Washington is in no position to complain about political parties that openly win power at the ballot box, especially while U.S. President Donald Trump fetes a former al-Qaeda member who fought American forces in Iraq, and is now the unelected (transitional) president of Syria, at the White House.

Prime Minister al-Sudani observed that with the defeat of the Islamic State, there is no need for foreign troops in Iraq, and disarming the militias could start after the foreigners, i.e., the Americans, departed. That was originally planned for September 2025, though U.S. defense secretary Pete Hegseth says U.S. forces will be hanging around the region after a ceasefire with Iran.

The militias were enjoying financial and electoral success and, before the Ramadan War, were prepared to demobilize to defuse tensions with the U.S., but America and Israel have stalled progress toward demobilization.

Iraq has not yet formed a government  parliamentary elections were in November 2025  and U.S. President Donald Trump declared he opposes al-Malikis nomination as prime minister. However, the Shia Coordination Framework, of which al-Maliki is a member, controls a significant share of the parliament, and the legislators are feeling hawkish after the U.S./Israeli attack on Iran, and the simultaneous U.S. attacks on the PMF at the start of the Ramadan War.

Joe Kent, former director of the Trump administrations National Counterterrorism Center, worked closely with the Iraqi government, and noted of the attacks, It seems like blind American ignorance. Someone convinced us that everything that is PMF is an Iranian proxy and this is their [U.S. military] chance to settle scores.

Washington may continue its pressure campaign to maintain influence in Iraq by blocking

al-Malikis return to the Government Palace and supporting favored politicians by sanctioning competitors aligned with militias. The U.S. program will be marketed as anti-corruption or counter-terror, but the goal will be to nurture the careers of cooperating Iraqi politicians. But the militias arent going anywhere, and the Coordination Framework is seeking a truce between the militias and the U.S.

Thus, Iraqi militias engage in business-related and economic activities, which range from local financing schemes and financial operations to influence over contracts, government spending, and economic networks. Their economic roles are part of how they sustain themselves and project social and political power in Iraq today.

U.S. relations with Iraq are influenced by what Aroop Mukharji calls The Meddler's Trap: a leader inadvertently creates a problem through military intervention, feels they can solve it, and values solving the new problem more because of the initial intervention. The inflated valuation is driven by a cognitive bias called the endowment effect, according to which individuals tend to overvalue goods they feel they own. A military intervention causes a feeling of ownership of the foreign territory

Addressing the problem of militias in Iraq requires that American leaders understand the militias complicated structure, taking into consideration the consequences of the Ramadan War which has galvanized anti-American sentiment; the dynamics of Iraqs fragile socio-political condition; and their own biases that are shaped by the weight of over 4,400 dead American soldiers and opportunity cost of almost USD3 trillion, all caused by a fixation on non-existent weapons of mass destruction that spawned a war of choice that ruined the future of a generation of Iraqis. Otherwise, misguided attempts to reorganize Iraqs politics will fail and will further distance Baghdad from Washington, jeopardizing the recent gains in U.S.-Iraq relations, and weakening the state Washington wants to deputize to stand up to Iran,

The Iraqis suffered most of the consequences of the reckless demobilization of 400,000 armed men in 2003, and responsible leaders in Baghdad intend to avoid repeating the Americans mistake of not providing a viable path for integration or transition of the militias.

Despite the Coordination Frameworks success in the recent election, an emerging cross-sectarian bloc recently assembled a two-thirds quorum to select Nizar Amidi (Patriotic Union of Kurdistan) as president of the republic, despite opposition from Masoud Barzani (Kurdistan Democratic Party) and al-Maliki, and may propel al-Sudani, a member of the bloc, to a second term as prime minister, ensuring continuity of al-Sudanis reconstruction program. (The bloc includes Qais al-Khazali of the AAH, which has been designated a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the U.S. in 2020. Khazali was designated a Specially Designated Global Terrorist in 2019.)

And Iran hasnt given up its influence campaign in Iraq: Brigadier General Esmail Qaani, the commander of the IRGC Quds Force, recently visited Baghdad for talks with militia leaders and the Coalition Framework. Qaani is a savvy operator, but he was tone deaf to irony when he decried foreign interference in Iraqs selection of the prime minister.

So, the Americans have a dilemma: al-Sudani, a known quantity, may return as prime minister, and as a figure capable of balancing Iraqs many interest groups, he can play a decisive role in the next phase of Washingtons involvement with Iraq and the region, but with increased authority that may collide with American intentions.

If Sudani keeps his seat in the Government Palace through a broad-based coalition that includes militia leaders, that effort may start to weaken corrosive sectarianism in Iraq, and that will ease American concerns about Iraqs future stability. But will Washington take the win or will it make perfect the enemy of good enough?

By James Durso for Oilprice.com

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A Kyrgyz-registered cryptocurrency exchange, slapped with Western sanctions for helping Russia finance its war effort in Ukraine, has experienced a hack that sucked over 1 billion rubles (over $13 million) out of users crypto wallets.

The exchange, Grinex, announced via its Telegram channel on April 16 that it was suspending operations. Exchange representative alleged the hack was the work of foreign special services seeking to disrupt Russian efforts to evade sanctions and finance the procurement of needed goods and technologies, RFE/RL reported.

The digital traces and the nature of the attack indicate an unprecedented level of resources and technologies available exclusively to structures of unfriendly states, a statement issued by Grinex read.

The Grinex exchange was launched in mid-2025 after EU sanctions and a US Justice Department probe prompted the closure of another crypto exchange called Garantex. Grinex facilitated the use of a ruble-pegged cryptocurrency, A7A5, which became a go-to means for Russian sanction busters to gain access to international currency markets, the Financial Times first reported.

A7A5 was used in over $1 billion worth of transactions per day, mostly via Grinex, the crypto analysis firm Elliptic reported last July.

A7A5s growing accessibility and liquidity presents a challenge to international sanctions efforts, as it provides another tool for Russian entities to engage in cross-border transfers outside of the banking system, the Elliptic analysis stated.

The US Treasury Department sanctioned Grinex last August for enabling sanctions evasion and cyber criminals.

Kyrgyz government officials have repeatedly denied accusations of enabling Russian sanctions evasion activities.

By Eurasianet

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As the clock ticked toward the end of a two-week cease-fire, US President Donald Trump announced he was unilaterally extending the truce to give a "fractured" Iranian leadership a chance to make a unified peace proposal, but said a blockade of Iranian ports that has angered Tehran will remain in place.

Based on the fact that the Government of Iran is seriously fractured, not unexpectedly so and, upon the request of Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, of Pakistan, we have been asked to hold our Attack on the Country of Iran until such time as their leaders and representatives can come up with a unified proposal, Trump wrote on Truth Social on April 21.

Trump added that he will extend the Ceasefire until such time as their proposal is submitted, and discussions are concluded, one way or the other. He gave no specific timeframe.

It wasn't immediately clear if Tehran would extend the cease-fire on its side.

An adviser to Iran's powerful parliament speaker called the cease-fire extension a "ploy to buy time for a surprise attack" and asserted that Tehran must take the initiative, without being specific.

The spokesperson also said the current US blockade of Iranian ports is "no different from bombardment and must be met with a military response."

Trump earlier said he did not want to extend the temporary cease-fire with Iran, which was due to expire on April 22, as Washington waited to see if talks with Tehran would proceed. The exact time of the expiration of the cease-fire was unclear.

A White House official later confirmed that Vice President JD Vance's trip to Islamabad for a second round of Pakistani-mediated negotiations would not take place on April 21 as planned. The official didn't state whether a new date was being considered.

Blockade To Remain

Trump added in his post that the US will continue its blockade of Iranian ports that has so far led to at least two ships being seized by the US Navy.

Tehran has said it will not resume negotiations as long as the blockade is in effect, while the US has said it will not end the action until a peace deal is signed.

Pakistan, the mediator in the peace process, urged both the US and Iran to extend their truce, but multiple reports said Tehran was weighing its options and waiting to see if its conditions, including an end to the blockade and a recognition of its right to enrich uranium, would be met.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baqaei denounced the boarding of an Iranian tanker by US forces late on April 20, as well as the seizure of a separate cargo ship a day earlier, as "piracy at sea and state terrorism" and said the actions raised questions about Washington's commitment to serious negotiations.

Iran has blocked access to the Strait of Hormuz, which controls access to the Persian Gulf to all ships but its own or those Tehran approves for transit.

Iran's 'New Cards'

Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, who is also Iran's lead negotiator, wrote on X late on April 20 that Tehran is "prepared to reveal new cards" in the war with the United States and Israel, accusing Trump of "imposing a siege and violating the cease-fire" as he tries to turn the negotiations into a "surrender or to justify renewed warmongering."

Trump has threatened to restart the war and attack Iranian civilian infrastructure such as bridges and power plants unless Tehran accepts his terms.

The first round of talks in Islamabad on April 11-12 failed to produce an agreement for a full end to the war, which began on February 28 when US and Israeli air strikes pummeled targets across Iran.

Tensions in the region remain high while cargo ships pile up in the Gulf due to the blockade.

While shipping traffic has ground more or less to a halt, some ships have reportedly passed through the Strait of Hormuz.

Data from the MarineTraffic ship-tracking platform showed that a vessel named the Ean Spir, which had no known flag or known ownership, passed through the waterway on April 21 after previously docking at an Iraqi port.

A second unflagged ship, the Lian Star, also appeared from the data to have sailed through the strait.

The number of ships that usually pass through the strait, which handles about 20 percent of global oil and gas water transit, is around 140, according to shipping analysts.

By RFE/RL

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The trading arms of some of Chinas biggest state-owned oil giants have started selling crude for May loadings in a rare move from the majors that have cut refinery rates in response to soaring oil prices and constrained crude supply from the Middle East.

Sinopec, the worlds biggest refiner by capacity, and Sinochem Group have already sold crude grades from Nigeria and Ghana, mostly to refiners in Asia, including Indonesia and Taiwan, anonymous traders with knowledge of the deals told Bloomberg on Wednesday.

The state refiners in China and many other refiners across Asia have slashed processing rates as their key source of supply, the oil producers in the Middle East, found themselves unable to move most of their crude to the markets due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Many Asian countries, including China, also rushed last month to ban fuel exports to protect domestic supply.

As early as mid-March, Sinopec reduced its run rates by 10% in response to the supply squeeze resulting from the traffic disruption in the Strait of Hormuz. The size of the cut is equal to about half a million barrels daily. There will also be additional output losses from maintenance operations.

On the other hand, Chinese authorities have reportedly ordered private refiners to maintain high levels of gasoline and diesel supply, even at a loss, or risk their crude import quotas being slashed if they reduce run rates. If the private refiners move to cut processing rates to preserve margins amid soaring crude prices, they would see their import quotas  handed out by the government in quarterly or semi-annual installments  reduced in the coming years, the officials warned.

Meanwhile, Chinas refinery runs continued to slip, and state refiners last week operated at below 70% of capacity last week, the lowest level since June 2022, Bloomberg notes, citing data from Mysteel Oilchem.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Iran continues to export its oil out of the Persian Gulf via the Strait of Hormuz using dark mode on tankers to move past the U.S. blockade outside the worlds most vital oil chokepoint.

At least two Iran-flagged supertankers fully laden with an estimated about 4 million barrels of crude have exited the Gulf via the Strait of Hormuz and through the U.S. blockade, Bloomberg reports, citing satellite imagery analyzed by energy flows intelligence firm Vortexa.

The two Iranian very large crude carriers have been detected by satellite images as they had turned off their transponders and AIS positioning weeks ago. One of the supertankers, the Hero II, last transmitted a signal more than a month ago, with position in the Malacca Strait, data on MarineTraffic showed. The other VLCC, the Hedy, was last detected by AIS transponders around the same area near Malaysia and Singapore more than 70 days ago.

Various vessel-tracking and maritime intelligence firms say that Iran continues to export its oil and move tankers past the U.S. blockade, by increasingly using dark activity and signal spoofing tactics.

Earlier this week, an Iranian supertanker, which had delivered 2 million barrels of crude to a ship-to-ship transfer offshore Indonesia, was en route to return to Irans Kharg Island after entering the Strait of Hormuz through the U.S. blockade.

An Iran-owned VLCC departed Iran in late March 2026 and traveled to the Riau Archipelago in Indonesia, where she transferred 2 million barrels of crude oil to another VLCC, according to vessel monitoring data by TankerTrackers.com.

Iranian flows continue via deception, including dark activity and ship-to-ship transfers, maritime intelligence firm Windward said in a daily note on Tuesday.

Iranian maritime trade remains active, but increasingly reliant on deceptive shipping practices and alternative routing strategies. New intelligence indicates potential shifts east of Hormuz, suggesting that pressure in the Gulf is driving adaptation rather than halting flows.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Japan Petroleum Exploration (Japex) has unveiled plans to invest 1.16 trillion yen ($7.3 billion) in exploration and production in a bid to quadruple oil and gas output over the next decade, mainly in the United States. Japex has set a goal to raise net profit to 100 billion yen and achieve a 12% Return on Equity (ROE) by 2035.

In February, Japex completed the acquisition of Denver-based tight oil company, Verdad Resources, in a $1.3-billion deal, the companys largest ever M&A transaction. The merger gives Japex exposure to the sprawling U.S. shale sector, including tight oil and gas assets in Colorado and Wyoming. The company will direct more than half of that investment into the U.S. market as it looks to develop existing assets and pursue further acquisitions.

Outside the U.S., Japex is also focusing on expanding production and exploration in Norway and Southeast Asia, particularly Indonesia. The company operates in Norway through its subsidiary, Japex Norge AS (J Norge), focusing on areas with established infrastructure to enable cost-efficient development. Recently, J Norge agreed to acquire a 20% interest in Production License PL1119 from OKEA ASA, including the Mistral South gas field and the Mistral North exploration prospect. Last year, Japex commenced production at the Verdande oil and gas fields and aims to start producing at the Alve Nord field in the first half of 2027.

Last year, Japex divested its 25% stake in Indonesias mature Kangean block and acquired a 50% stake in the Gebang gas block in northern Sumatra. The company is leading the development of the Secanggang gas field within the Gebang block, with production expected to come onstream by 2027. Japex is also pursuing the Sukowati CCUS project and the Limau BECCS project as part of its commitment to becoming a "comprehensive energy company" that addresses both energy security and decarbonisation Japex has also unveiled plans to store 8 million metric tons of CO2 cumulatively by 2035 as part of its CCUS operations.



By Alex Kimani for Oilprice.com

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The flow of crude oil via the Druzhba pipeline from Russia to Germany will restart today, Reuters is reporting, citing an unnamed source.

Oil pumping is scheduled to begin tomorrow at lunchtime, the Reuters source said on Tuesday.

At the end of January, the Druzhba oil pipeline was damaged in what Ukraine said was a Russian drone attack. Hungary, however, accused the Ukrainian side of bombing the pipeline. In retaliation, now former Hungarian president Victor Orban vetoed the release of another 90 billion euro to the Zelensky government.

Supplies of Russian oil to Hungary and Slovakia, the last two remaining EU member states dependent on Russian crude flows via Druzhba, have been halted since January 27.

We will complete the repairs because that is the agreement. I told them we would finish this spring, Zelenskyy said earlier this month in remarks to reporters carried by Reuters. A lot has already been done there Of course, destroyed storage tanks cannot be repaired quickly, the Ukrainian president added at the time.

Set OilPrice.com as a preferred source in Google here

Earlier this week, however, another Reuters report quoted unnamed industry sources as saying Russia intended to suspend the flow of Kazakh oil via the Druzhba pipeline beginning May 1st. Russia had already sent a revised supply schedule do both Kazakhstan and Germany, the sources said.

Today, Kazakhstan confirmed the planned suspension, citing technical constraints on the Russian side. Astanas energy minister suggested that the constraints could be the result of oil infrastructure damage from drone strikes but emphasized this was only an assumption.

Kazakh oil has become one of the most readily available replacements for Russian crude in Europe, albeit in much lower volumes. Kazakh flows via the Druzhba pipeline arriving in Germany averaged 43,000 barrels daily as of 2025, Reuters noted in its report, up by 44% from the previous year.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com
At the request of Pakistan, U.S. President Donald Trump is extending the U.S.-Iran ceasefire until negotiations with Iran conclude one way or the other, the U.S. leader said in a social media post.

The truce announced on April 7 expires on Wednesday evening Washington time, President Trump said earlier this week, which is a day later than many analysts had assumed  Tuesday as the end of the two-week ceasefire.

On Monday, President Trump said it was highly unlikely that Id extend it, referring to the ceasefire, if no deal is reached before then.

Im not going to be rushed into making a bad deal. Weve got all the time in the world, the President told Bloomberg News in a telephone interview late on Monday.

But as the deadline approached, the U.S. President now says that he is extending the ceasefire at the request of Pakistan, which has been looking to mediate the U.S.-Iran talks and host another round this week. No sign of imminent talks has emerged in recent hours, with JD Vances trip to Pakistan for talks reportedly on hold.

Based on the fact that the Government of Iran is seriously fractured, not unexpectedly so and, upon the request of Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, of Pakistan, we have been asked to hold our Attack on the Country of Iran until such time as their leaders and representatives can come up with a unified proposal, President Trump said in a statement on Truth Social.

I have therefore directed our Military to continue the Blockade and, in all other respects, remain ready and able, and will therefore extend the Ceasefire until such time as their proposal is submitted, and discussions are concluded, one way or the other.

The U.S. is keeping the naval blockade outside the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has called a siege and a violation of the ceasefire.

Oil prices were little moved on the news of ceasefire extension, with Brent Crude trading mostly flat at about $98 per barrel in early Asian trade.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com
U.S. President Donald Trump is considering extending the two-month waiver of the Jones Act to ease fuel prices that have spiked following the war in Iran, Axios reported on Wednesday, citing U.S. officials.

The Merchant Marine Act of 1920, also known as the Jones Act, requires that no vessel may transport any merchandise by water, by land and water, or via a foreign port, for any part of the transportation, between points in the United States, unless the vessel is U.S.-built, U.S.-owned, and coastwise endorsed by the U.S. Coast Guard.

However, as oil and gasoline prices spiked last month due to the Middle East crisis and the de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz, President Trump on March 18 issued a 60-day waiver of the Jones Act.

The move is just another step to mitigate the short-term disruptions to the oil market as the U.S. military continues meeting the objectives of Operation Epic Fury, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said, referring to the U.S. operations in Iran.

This action will allow vital resources like oil, natural gas, fertilizer, and coal to flow freely to U.S. ports for sixty days, and the Administration remains committed to continuing to strengthen our critical supply chains, the White House said last month.

The U.S. Administration is now mulling extending the waiver beyond the original waiver expiry date in mid-May.

Administration officials have been in talks with industry, seeking clarity about a possible further extension, anonymous sources with knowledge of the matter told Bloomberg on Wednesday.

So far, the waiver has had minimal impact on lowering oil prices, as global supply disruptions and rising crude costs outweigh any domestic shipping relief.

Yet, since the waiver was issued, as many as 40 tankers have been able to deliver oil between U.S. ports, boosting the available fleet by 70% and helping to reduce costs, per data provided to Axios by the White House.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com
PHUKET (April 20, 2026)  A landmark seminar was recently held at the Ayana Phuket project to clarify the procedures for the 3 Million Baht Investment Visa. The event was hosted by Khun Kornthip Riankrai, Director of T.H GROUP PHUKET COMPANY LIMITED, who invited Mrs. Piyapat Suban Na Ayudhaya, CEO of Thai Long Stay Management Co.,Ltd., along with officers from the Immigration Bureau, to provide official insights into this high-demand residency policy.

The core objective of this long-term stay visa is to stimulate the Thai economy by managing the surplus of over 280,000 unsold residential units across Thailand, particularly in the Phuket real estate sector. Key requirements for investors include valid FET (Foreign Exchange Transaction) documents and legal property ownership as mandated by Thai Immigration law.

Mrs. Piyapat Suban Na Ayudhaya revealed that the 3-million-baht criteria for the Investment Visa serves as a strategic measure to drive economic growth. She emphasized that applicants must undergo rigorous screening, including verification of land title deeds and proof of funds transferred from abroad (FET). This visa is renewable on a year-to-year basis, and importantly, property rights can be passed down as inheritance. Furthermore, family membersincluding spouses, children under 20, and parents over 50are eligible to stay as dependents under Thai law. She also noted that this initiative has already successfully boosted property demand and sales in Chiang Mai.

Khun Kornthip Riankrai added that the Phuket market is currently seeing significant interest from Russian and Ukrainian investors, with Russians making up the majority. Our collaboration with Thai Long Stay and the Immigration Bureau ensures that T.H GROUP residents receive fully legal and transparent services, she stated. This project not only boosts buyer confidence but also encourages long-term residency, leading to increased domestic spending which benefits the entire country.

The seminar concluded with an in-depth Q&A session, providing a comprehensive guide on how to get a Thai visa through property investment in 2026. This collaboration between T.H GROUP PHUKET and Thai Long Stay reinforces Phukets status as a premier, high-quality destination for global citizens seeking a legal long-term stay in Thailand.
( Read 6987 Times)

Udaipur: The 10th Nand Chaturvedi Memorial Lecture was organized by the Nand Chaturvedi Foundation on the occasion of the 103rd birth anniversary of Nand Chaturvedi. The event took place on April 21 at the Central Auditorium of Kota Open University under the chairmanship of Prof. Kailash Sodani.

The keynote speaker was Prof. Sanjeev Kumar Dubey from the Central University of Gujarat. The program began with a floral tribute to Nand Chaturvedi, followed by a welcome address by Dr. Rashmi Bohra.

Speaking on the topic Language of Education and the Challenges of Indian Languages, Prof. Dubey highlighted Nand Chaturvedis expectations from the education system and said that the core spirit of the National Education Policy aligns with his vision. He noted that Nand Chaturvedi envisioned education rooted in Indian ethos, which the current policy also emphasizes.

He identified multidisciplinary learning, multilingualism, and flexibility as key features of the new education policy. Referring to the proverb Padhain Farsi, Bechein Tel, he stressed that the policy promotes outcome-based education and the practical application of knowledge in real life.

Explaining the difference between teaching a language and teaching through a language, he said that while students should have the opportunity to learn English as well as various Indian and foreign languages, the medium of instruction should ideally be the state or regional language. He emphasized that the mother tongue connects individuals to culture and indigenous knowledge, and it is everyones responsibility to pass it on to future generations.

Discussing the three-language formula, he categorized language as the language of knowledge, identity, and self-respect. He advocated learning all languages for acquiring knowledge, while describing the mother tongue as the language of cultural identity and the national language as the language of national pride.

Citing examples from different states, he pointed out that the growing trend of converting Indian language-medium schools into English-medium institutions poses a major challenge to preserving mother tongues as mediums of education. He suggested that scientific and technical terminology should be enriched through Indian languages rather than relying solely on Sanskrit, and emphasized the need for uniform terminology across Indian languages. He also highlighted the importance of both individual efforts and government support to make Indian languages languages of knowledge.

He further remarked that while language unites people, it can also divide when tied to identity. Referring to the Eighth Schedule, he noted that major languages include several mother tongues, and Hindi alone represents 56 such languages. He cautioned against fragmentation of major languages into multiple linguistic identities, calling it a significant challenge.

In his presidential address, Prof. Kailash Sodani stated that language, attire, and food define our identity, and losing this identity makes individuality meaningless. He observed that while India achieved political independence, mental independence is still lacking, and its effects are still felt. He emphasized that school education should be imparted in the mother tongue, as also recommended by the new education policy, and that meaningful research should ideally be conducted in ones native language. He added that Indian languages play a crucial role in nation-building and that progress depends on indigenous thinking and approaches.

The vote of thanks was delivered by Prof. Arun Chaturvedi, while the program was conducted by Dr. Anurag Chaturvedi. The event was attended by several distinguished scholars, including Prof. Manju Chaturvedi, Prof. Madhav Hada, Dr. Sadashiv Shotriya, Dr. Madhu Khandelwal, Dr. Rajni, Dr. Kumpawat, and other intellectuals from across the state.

Source :
Federal inspectors shut down project and seize machinery after 18 hectares illegally destroyed

Becanchen, Yucatan  Federal environmental officials continue their battle against illegal logging on the Yucatan Peninsula. Work on another property has been shut down after inspectors verified illegal clearing.

The Federal Attorney Generals Office for Environmental Protection (Profepa) imposed a total temporary closure on a property in the town of Becanchen. The property was closed after inspectors detected the illegal clearing of 18.4 hectares of forest without the corresponding authorization.

As part of their safety measure, heavy machinery, equipment, and illegally obtained timber were also seized as a precautionary measure.

Federal officials reported 18.4 hectares had already been found destroyed during their April 10, 2026 inspection.

According to Profepa (Procuraduria Federal de Proteccion al Ambiente), the inspection was carried out on April 10 in response to a citizen complaint filed by ejido members from the Becanchen agrarian community.

During the inspection, Profepa personnel verified the complete removal of natural vegetation in an area of approximately 18.4 hectares of semi-deciduous medium-height forest.

Evidence of clearing using heavy machinery was observed at the site, including bare soil, remains of tree trunks, branches, and roots, as well as signs of skidding, leveling, and compaction of the terrain.

Inspectors said evidence of clearing using heavy machinery was observed at the site. April 10, 2026.

These actions resulted in the loss of vegetation cover, fragmentation of the ecosystem, and disruption of the environmental services provided by this area.

Additionally, 92 pieces of roundwood of various tropical species were found stockpiled, showing signs of having been recently harvested.

According to the person who attended the inspection, the activities began on April 7, 2026.

At the time of the inspection, no authorization issued by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat) was presented, an essential requirement to make changes of land use in forest lands, so the activities were considered illegal, Profepa said in an April 20 statement.

As a result of the above, Profepa proceeded with the total temporary closure of the property and the precautionary seizure of four bulldozers, a trailer, two power plants and the 92 pieces of wood as a measure to stop the environmental damage and prevent the continuation of the activities.

The Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (Profepa) will initiate the corresponding administrative procedures to determine responsibilities and applicable sanctions.

The Government of Mexico continues its battle against illegal logging. April 10, 2026

This latest closure is part of Mexican governments ongoing battle to stop illegal deforestation across the Yucatan Peninsula.

In late January, a company was fined for destroying over 13 hectares of jungle, also in the state of Yucatan. The same company was shut down again in mid-February and fined for continued illegal logging.

In March, Profepa, the Agrarian Attorneys Office, and the National Agrarian Registry signed an agreement to curb deforestation across the Yucatan Peninsula. The agreement seeks to prevent the illegal change of use of forest land and other activities that affect ecosystems.
Two dead 13 injured: Mexicos Teotihuacan pyramid copycat shooter found with U.S. Columbine literature

Teotihuacan, State of Mexico  Authorities say an investigation has been started into the shooting at the Teotihuacan archaeological site. Police said the shooter, believed to be a copycat, acted alone and planned the attack.

Authorities said he was found carrying literature related to the violent attack that occurred in 1999 at Columbine University in the U.S.

On Tuesday, President Claudia Sheinbaum said Mondays shooting left two dead and 13 injured. The two deceased include a Canadian woman and the shooter, who has not yet been named.

Of the 13 injured, seven were taken to hospital for gunshot wounds. Six of the seven have already been released.

Authorities reported Tuesday that the injured are from Canada, Brazil, Russia, the United States, Colombia, and the Netherlands.

Medical personnel are seen here attending to the injured during the Monday attack. April 20, 2026.

The man who shot at the group of tourists was taken down by National Guard Monday on top of the pyramid. Authorities said Tuesday during a nation-wide press conference, that he was shot in the leg by National Guard, however, he immediately took his own life.

President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo reported that details of the incident that occurred yesterday in the archaeological zone of Teotihuacan are still being investigated.

Our solidarity goes out to the family of the person who lost their life and to all those being treated in hospitals who experienced this situation yesterday. It is our duty to always report the information we have, she said.

Two killed, 13 injured, seven hospitalized, six already released from hospital during the April 20, 2026 shooting.

We had never witnessed anything like this in Mexico; its the first time its happened. This person, according to all the ministerial authorities, showed signs of psychological problems and was influenced by events that occurred abroad.

Mexicos Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection, Omar Garcia Harfuch, announced that following this unprecedented event, President Sheinbaum ordered the strengthening of security in all archaeological zones around the country.

He explained that the National Guards presence will be increased in collaboration with local authorities. Preventive checks, access controls, and surveillance systems will also be reinforced while physical patrols in the areas will be expanded.

The Secretary of Security of the State of Mexico, Cristobal Castaneda Camarillo, reported that yesterday at 11:20 a.m., authorities in the state received reports of an armed person in the San Juan Teotihuacan area; for this reason, the National Guard and municipal police were alerted.

During his account of the Monday events, he said that at 11:30 a.m., National Guard personnel arrived at the scene where they were attacked by the armed individual.

National Guard members repelled the attack and wounded him in the leg. Subsequently, the assailant took his own life.

The incident resulted in seven gunshot wounds among the injured who came from Canada, Brazil, Russia, the United States, Colombia, and the Netherlands. They were taken to hospitals for treatment. Six have already been discharged.

A Canadian woman and the assailant died at the scene, Castaneda Camarillo clarified Tuesday.

A total of seven tourists were shot by the attacker during the Monday shooting. April 20, 2026.

She said 300 state police officers were assigned to guard the area which remains closed but will reopen Wednesday.

According to the Attorney General of the State of Mexico, Jose Luis Cervantes Martinez, there are two open investigations. One by the Attorney Generals Office of the Republic (FGR) and another by the Attorney Generals Office of the State of Mexico (FGE).

Jose Luis Cervantes Martinez April 21, 2026.

During the initial stages of the investigation, the aggressors belongings included an INE (National Electoral Institute) credential, an analog cell phone, bus tickets, a tactical backpack, and literature related to the violent events that occurred on April 20, 1999, at Columbine University in the United States.

The assailant was carrying a short firearm dating from 1968 and live .38 caliber cartridges, as well as a bladed weapon.

The investigation suggests a psychopathic profile of the aggressor characterized by a tendency to copy situations that happened in other places, at other times, and by other people; this tendency can be known as copycat.

So far it is known that the shooter planned the attack and acted alone.

The shooter is seen pacing the pyramid steps before randomly shooting tourists April 20, 2026.

The Secretary of the Interior, Rosa Icela Rodriguez Velazquez, stated that the Mexican government is in contact with the victims and their families through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and consulates to provide all necessary support.

Rosa Icela Rodriguez Velazquez

Through social media, the Ministry of the Interior announced that a telephone hotline has been set up to support those who were at the incident: 55 1000 2000 ext. 57508.
EGU2026 - My plans for attending virtually

Posted on 22 April 2026 by BaerbelW

This year's General Assembly of the European Geosciences Union (EGU) will again take place as a fully hybrid conference in both Vienna and online from May 4 to 8. This year, I'll join the event virtually for the full week, participating in the hybrid sessions from the comforts of my home. I already picked most of the sessions I plan to attend and - as meet-hopping is a lot easier online than on-site - I didn't have to pay close attention to where in the conference center they happen. This year, I submitted abstracts to two sessions and both happen to be on Monday. This suits me just fine as it means, that I can freely plan the rest of my week, picking and chosing sessions piquing my interest. This blog post provides an overview of my itinerary.

Monday morning, May 4

The very first session for me at this year's EGU meeting starts at 8:30 and will be EOS1.1 Science and Society: Science Communication Practice, Research, and Reflection in which I'll have the first of my two oral presentation slots. The session has been (co)convened by Roberta Bellini, Nuno Pimentel, Megan O'Donnell, Thomas Harvey, Ashley Akingbade and Nikos Kalivitis and will include the Angela Croome Award Lecture as well as the Katia and Maurice Krafft Award Lecture.

Science communication includes the efforts of natural, physical and social scientists, communications professionals, and teams that communicate the process and values of science and scientific findings to non-specialist audiences outside of formal educational settings. The goals of science communication can include enhanced dialogue, understanding, awareness, enthusiasm, influencing sustainable behaviour change, improving decision making, and/or community building. Channels to facilitate science communication can include in-person interaction through teaching and outreach programs, and online through social media, mass media, podcasts, video, or other methods. This session invites presentations by individuals and teams on science communication practice, research, and reflection, addressing questions like:

What kind of communication efforts are you engaging in and how are you doing it?

What are the biggest challenges or successes youve had in engaging the public with your work?

How are other disciplines (such as social sciences) informing understanding of audiences, strategies, or effects?

How do you spark joy and foster emotional connection through activities?

How do you allow for co-creation of ideas within a community?

How are you assessing and measuring the positive impacts on society of your endeavours?

What are lessons learned from long-term communication efforts?

Based on its description this seemed to be a very good session to talk about our upcoming website relaunch and it'll be my turn for not quite 10 minutes at 10:05 to do just that in my assigned oral slot. This is the abstract I submitted a few months ago:

Relaunching the Skeptical Science website to include prebunking tools Skeptical Science is a highly-visited website featuring 250 rebuttals of misinformation about climate change and climate solutions. Many of the rebuttals are written at multiple levelsbasic, intermediate, and advancedin order to reach as wide an audience as possible. Results from a survey we've been running on our website since November 2021 indicate that there is some room for improvements in order to make the rebuttals more robust. It is therefore rather good timing that we've been working on a complete overhaul of our website which should increase the effectiveness of rebuttals in reducing acceptance in climate myths and increasing acceptance of climate facts. A key goal of misinformation interventions is to increase reader discernment, the difference between belief in facts and belief in myths. While there was overall an increase in discernment, with the decrease in agreement with myths greater than the decrease in agreement with facts, the result that belief in climate facts decreased for at least some rebuttals is unwelcome and counter to the goal of Skeptical Science. In this presentation, we'll give a sneak peek at how the new website will look like. One important new feature will be the inclusion - where applicable - of the fallacies employed by a climate myth, so that a rebuttal on the new website will then include all three elements of a successful debunking: fact, myth and fallacy. In my presentation, I'll also highlight some of the other updated or new features this website relaunch will include.

Here is a sneak peek of my drafted presentation:

Judging by their titles and abstracts there'll be many interesting presentations in this wide-ranging session about science communication! So many abstracts were submitted that EOS1.1 was given 4 oral slots (2 each on Monday and Tuesday morning) to cover 35 oral presentations as well as 2 poster slots for a similar number of posters!

Monday afternoon, May 4

In the afternoon of EGU's first day, I'll be joining session EOS4.1 Geoethics: Linking Geoscience Knowledge, Ethical Responsibility, and Action, (co)convened by Silvia Peppoloni, Giuseppe Di Capua, Anita Di Chiara and David Crookall:

Geoscientists play a key role in providing essential information in decision-making processes that consider environmental, social, and economic consequences of geoscience work. Therefore, their responsibilities extend beyond scientific analysis alone. Global challenges, such as climate change, resource management, and disaster risk reduction, push geoscientists to expand their role beyond research and to engage ethically in public efforts. Geoethics provides a framework for reflecting on the ethical, social, and cultural implications of geoscience in research, practice, and education, guiding responsible action for society and the environment. It also encourages the scientific community to move beyond purely technical solutions by embracing just, inclusive, and transformative approaches to socio-environmental issues. Furthermore, science is inseparable from social and geopolitical contexts. These conditions shape what research is funded, whose knowledge is valued, with whom we collaborate, and who has access to conferences. As Earth and planetary scientists, we must consider the human and environmental consequences of our work. This is especially true in Earth observation, where many satellites have both scientific and military applications, and where scientific tools have at times enabled ecocide and resource exploitation under neocolonial systems. This session will offer insights and reflections across a wide range of topics, from theoretical considerations to case studies, foster awareness and discussion of sensitive issues at the geosciencesociety interface and explore how geoethics can guide responsible behavior and policies in the geosciences.

I'll give an oral presentation in the 2nd part of this session at 17:15 sharing the results of the "Skeptical Science Experiment", which we recently pubished a paper about in EGU's Geoscience Communication journal:

Results of the Skeptical Science experiment and impacts on relaunched website Skeptical Science is a highly-visited website featuring 250 rebuttals of misinformation about climate change and climate solutions. The rebuttals are written at multiple levelsbasic, intermediate, and advancedin order to reach as wide an audience as possible. Since November 2021, we have collected survey data from visitors, assessing the effectiveness of rebuttals in reducing acceptance in climate myths and increasing acceptance of climate facts. A key goal of misinformation interventions is to increase reader discernment, the difference between belief in facts and belief in myths. While there was overall an increase in discernment, with the decrease in agreement with myths greater than the decrease in agreement with facts, we also found that belief in climate facts decreased for at least some rebuttals - an unwelcome result running counter to Skeptical Sciences goals. Due to the survey design and not collecting any information about why readers selected a specific option, we can only make educated guesses about what may have led to selecting a specific option. In parallel to running the experiment on our website, we have also been working on a website relaunch project which will address some of the shortcomings already identified. One new feature will be the inclusion - where applicable - of logical fallacies used in climate myths, so that rebuttals will include all three elements of a successful debunking: fact, myth and fallacy. In my presentation, I'll also highlight some of the other updated or new features this website relaunch will include.

Here is a sneak peek of my drafted presentation:

Rest of the Week

As the rest of the week is not yet cut in stone, I'll not go into any details and will only mention a few sessions I plan to join because they've been fun in previous years or because their titles and abstracts sound interesting:

When I'm not participating in sessions or busy writing about them, I may well hang out in "Gather", the virtual conference center for anybody joining onine. It's a fun set up where you can walk around as an avatar and meet others doing the same either in the virtual pster halls or even outside in a park or on the rooftop.

Looking at the sessions I've thus far added to my personal program, I'm fairly certain that I unfortunately will not be able to make it to all of them - especially the overlapping ones! However, one advantage of pariticpating virtually is that it's possible to quickly jump from one session to another if an interesting presentation beckons! Here is what I have planned:

I plan to publish two companion articles about my presentations as well as a by now almost customary EGU diary. Should be fun!

To learn more about the conference, visit their website at egu26.eu!
Global Times: It is reported that, one day after making ritual offerings to the Yasukuni war shrine, Prime Minister of Japan Sanae Takaichi made a monetary offering to the shrine today. Minoru Kiuchi, Japans Economic Growth Strategy Minister, Haruko Arimura, head of the Liberal Democratic Partys General Council, and several other cabinet members visited the shrine. Whats Chinas comment?

Guo Jiakun: Weve made Chinas serious position clear yesterday. Japans negative moves related to the Yasukuni war shrine constitute a blatant provocation against international justice and an affront to human conscience. China is strongly indignant and severely condemns it.

During World War II, Japanese militarists committed innumerable crimes, inflicting immense suffering on Asian countries including China, and the rest of the world. The Yasukuni war shrine is a spiritual tool and symbol of Japanese militarists war of aggression. It is in fact a shrine for war criminals, as it honors convicted Class-A war criminals responsible for the war of aggression in WWII, including Hideki Tojo, No.1 war criminal and warmonger; Kenji Doihara, major culprit of aggression against China; Iwane Matsui, top perpetrator of the Nanjing Massacre; Osami Nagano, order-giver of the Pearl Harbor attack; and Kuniaki Koiso, mass murderer on the Korean Peninsula. They are all major war criminals responsible for atrocities against the people in Asia and the rest of the world.

The nature of the issue concerning the Yasukuni war shrine is whether Japan is able to rightly perceive and deeply reflect on its history of militarist aggression, and whether it can learn lessons from history and avoid a repeat of that part of history. This bears on the political foundation of China-Japan relations, on Japans credibility as a nation, and on the postwar international order as well as peace and justice in the world. The negative moves concerning the Yasukuni war shrine show that Japan, in total disregard of international concerns and just voices from both inside Japan and the world, has all along refused to acknowledge its history of aggression during WWII, attempted to change the verdict on its war of aggression and the Class-A war criminals, and even gone further to challenge the judgment of the Tokyo trials and postwar international order. Lately there has been a marked increase in the Japanese governments negative moves and reckless provocative acts on issues concerning Chinas Taiwan region and the history of WWII as well as military and security issues. Sanae Takaichis erroneous remarks on Taiwan have had a grave impact on China-Japan relations. In the face of strong criticism and opposition from China as well as at home and abroad, some Japanese politicians and right-wing forces chose to go down the wrong path, rather than reflect on and correct their wrongdoings. The Chinese people, people in other countries that suffered under Japanese aggression, and all peace-loving forces for justice in the world will never allow this.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the beginning of the Tokyo trials. The trials found Japanese militarism and militarists guilty of launching and executing the war of aggression and related crimes, thus upholding historical truth, international justice and human dignity. Today, 80 years later, Japanese neo-militarism is rearing its ugly head and gaining strength, threatening to cast a shadow on world peace and security. The international community must respond resolutely to prevent any possible resurgence of Japanese militarism.

China Daily: April 26 marks the World Intellectual Property (IP) Day and Chinas National IP Publicity Week was launched on Monday. Recent years have witnessed breakthroughs in Chinas emerging areas, such as AI, quantum technology and crewed space programs. Innovated in China is becoming even more well-known than made in China. That said, individual countries still try to accuse China of infringing on IP rights and stealing cutting-edge technologies in critical sectors and have rolled out bans on China. Can I have your comment on that?

Guo Jiakun: To protect intellectual property rights (IPR) is to protect innovation and enable high-quality development. China is one of the worlds leading countries in the area of IP and has been the top filer of international patent applications for years. China is committed to protecting IPR. Weve established 81 national-level IPR protection centers, 50 fast IPR protection service centers and 99 overseas IPR dispute response guidance platforms, providing more satisfying IPR protection services for the society. More and more transnational corporations have set up their R&D centers in China and the number of valid invention patents applied in China has increased year by year. China is not only the worlds factory but is also becoming the worlds innovation lab. The allegations of intellectual property theft by China are nothing but baseless narratives.

Chinas development is the result of its own dedication and effort as well as international cooperation that delivers mutual benefits. China will stay committed to the vision of building a community with a shared future for humanity and the principle of openness, inclusiveness, balance and benefits for all, boost IPR international cooperation and advance a fairer and more just global governance system on IP.

AFP: The U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday extended the ceasefire with Iran. First, whats your reaction? And second, did Chinese diplomacy play a role in extending the ceasefire?

Guo Jiakun: The current situation in the region is at a critical stage of whether the conflict can end. The pressing priority remains to prevent by all means a relapse in fighting. China supports relevant parties in continuing the political and diplomatic effort to resolve disputes with the aim of realizing a full and lasting ceasefire and keeping the Middle East and Gulf region peaceful and stable. China stands ready to act in the spirit of the four-point proposition put forward by President Xi Jinping and work with the international community to play an active and constructive role to this end.

Reuters: Taiwan said Lai Ching-te had to cancel his visit to Eswatini, as three African countries denied his overflight access. Taiwan said the countries Seychelles, Mauritius and Madagascar were under economic coercion from China to do so. What is Chinas response to that? Did China reach out to those countries about the airspace access? And did China reach out to other African countries too?

Guo Jiakun: All African countries, with the sole exception of Eswatini, have established diplomatic ties with China. These 53 countries together with the African Union have adopted the Beijing Declaration at the 2024 FOCAC Summit. They have reiterated on many occasions that they firmly uphold the one-China principle, there is but one China in the world, Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinas territory, the Government of the Peoples Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China, and they firmly support all efforts by the Chinese government to achieve national reunification. China highly commends relevant countries commitment to the one-China principle which is fully consistent with international law and basic norms governing international relations. Its very clear that theres no longer a so-called ROC president in the world anymore. Anyone who wears that false title is acting against history and will only invite disgrace upon themselves. The one-China principle is where the arc of history bends and public opinion trends, and to uphold it is the right thing to do. No one can ever stop the eventual reunification of China. The separatist attempts aimed at Taiwan independence are just futile and doomed to fail.

Reuters: U.S. President Trump said in an interview that the Iranian ship the U.S. intercepted might have had a gift from China. And he said that he thought he had an understanding with China. What is Chinas comment to this? What was on the Iranian-flagged vessel that was traveling from China?

Guo Jiakun: China has made clear its position more than once. Let me reiterate that as a responsible major country, China has always been a role model in performing its due international obligations.
On the afternoon of April 15, 2026, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan warmly bid farewell to General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Central Committee and President of Viet Nam To Lam and his wife Ngo Phuong Ly, who were on a state visit to China.

Xi Jinping said that today he held in-depth and extensive talks with General Secretary and President To Lam on overarching and strategic issues of common concern and reached many new and important common understandings. He said that he deeply feels that both China and Viet Nam are socialist countries, and the two sides should continue to move forward firmly along the path defined by this course and build a community with a shared future for the socialist cause; as good neighbors sharing weal and woe, China and Viet Nam are advancing toward modernization together, and should build a community with a shared future for modernization; both sides advocate the vision of great harmony under heaven, and amid profound changes unseen in a century, should act as partners in promoting the building of a community with a shared future for humanity. He noted that To Lam would visit Guangxi the following day and would gain a deeper understanding of China. China stands ready to work with Viet Nam to put the building of the China-Viet Nam community with a shared future on the fast track.

To Lam expressed appreciation for the comradely and brotherly warm hospitality extended by General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and President Xi Jinping and the Chinese side to the high-level Vietnamese delegation. To Lam said that the Chinese side made a series of special arrangements, which demonstrated Chinas special friendship with Viet Nam and deeply moved the Vietnamese side. He noted that Viet Nam-China relations are currently at their best point in history. This visit has achieved many important common understandings and signed many cooperation agreements, and so far it has been a complete success. During the visit, the Vietnamese side also witnessed the implementation and major achievements of a host of major theoretical propositions put forward by General Secretary Xi Jinping. Viet Nam stands ready to work with China to fully implement the important common understandings reached during the visit, translate them into new impetus for promoting bilateral friendship and cooperation, promote greater development in both countries, and take new steps toward building a Viet Nam-China community with a shared future that carries greater strategic significance at a higher level.

Cai Qi and Wang Yi, among others, were present.
On the morning of April 15, 2026, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and President Xi Jinping and General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Central Committee and President of Viet Nam To Lam, who is on a state visit to China, jointly met with Chinese and Vietnamese youth representatives participating in the "Red Study Tour" at the Great Hall of the People.

Xi Jinping delivered remarks, saying that last year General Secretary To Lam and he jointly launched the "Red Study Tour" initiative. Over the past year, young people of the two countries have together reviewed the revolutionary traditions of China-Viet Nam friendship and experienced the manifold splendor of Chinese modernization, leaving behind many vivid stories of mutual learning, mutual understanding and friendship in various parts of China. Not long ago, he received letters written in Chinese from students of the Foreign Language Specialized School under Viet Nam National University, Hanoi and other schools, in which they shared their profound insights on joining the "Red Study Tour" and expressed their resolve to carry forward and promote China-Viet Nam friendship. He was heartened to read their letters.

Xi Jinping stressed that young people are a vital force driving social development and progress, and are also the torchbearers who will carry forward the cause of the two Parties and two countries from generation to generation. He expressed the following three hopes for the youth: first, he hopes that they will reach out to each other, and let the profound friendship featuring camaraderie plus brotherhood between China and Viet Nam shine with renewed youthful brilliance; second, he hopes that they will step forward with a strong sense of responsibility and harness youthful vitality and creativity to stir a surging tide of innovation, openness, cooperation and win-win outcomes; third, he hopes that they will bear in mind the overall interests of the world, strive to be the vanguard in building a community with a shared future for humanity, and contribute youthful strength to the cause of human progress.

To Lam said that since the launch of the "Red Study Tour" a year ago, thousands of Vietnamese youth have visited revolutionary sites in China retracing the footsteps of the earlier generation of leaders, gaining a deeper understanding of the revolutionary traditions and profound friendship between the two countries. The youth are an important bridge for the relations between the two Parties and two countries. He expressed the hope that the youth of the two countries will further strengthen their ideals and convictions, enhance their political competence, acquire scientific knowledge, and deepen their understanding of Viet Nam-China relations, so as to play an important role in the development of their respective countries and in promoting bilateral friendship.

Over 200 Vietnamese and more than 100 Chinese youth representatives participating in the "Red Study Tour" attended the event. The youth of both countries responded with warm applause to the important remarks made by the two leaders.

The "Red Study Tour" initiative was jointly announced by General Secretary and President Xi Jinping and To Lam during Xi Jinpings visit to Viet Nam in April 2025. It aims to encourage young people of the two countries to follow the revolutionary footsteps of the older-generation leaders, explore the revolutionary traditions of China-Viet Nam friendship, and pool youthful strength for advancing the socialist cause of both countries and building a China-Viet Nam community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.

Cai Qi, Wang Yi, Yin Li, Wang Xiaohong and others were present.
On the morning of April 15, 2026, President Xi Jinping met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

Xi Jinping asked Sergei Lavrov to convey his sincere greetings to President Vladimir Putin. Xi Jinping noted that this year marks the 30th anniversary of China-Russia strategic partnership of coordination and the 25th anniversary of the China-Russia Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation. The bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination has maintained high-level development, with fruitful outcomes in cooperation across various fields. In a fluid and turbulent world, the stability and certainty of China-Russia relations are truly valuable, and the strong vitality and exemplary significance of the China-Russia Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation are more prominent than ever. The two sides should fully implement the important common understandings reached between President Xi Jinping and President Putin, strengthen strategic communication and enhance diplomatic coordination, so that the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination will stand higher, develop more steadily and advance further.

Xi Jinping stressed that amid the profound changes unseen in a century, China and Russia should implement closer and stronger strategic coordination to firmly defend their legitimate interests, safeguard the unity of Global South countries, and shoulder their responsibilities as major countries and permanent members of the United Nations Security Council. The two sides should maintain strategic resolve, trust and support each other, pursue common development, and manage their own affairs well. It is necessary to fully leverage the advantages of geographical proximity and complementarity, deepen all-round cooperation, and enhance the resilience of their respective development. Efforts should also be made to strengthen multilateral coordination, firmly uphold and practice multilateralism, jointly reinvigorate the authority and vitality of the UN, and maintain close coordination and cooperation within the frameworks of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), BRICS and other multilateral mechanisms, in pursuit of a more just and equitable international order.

Sergei Lavrov conveyed the sincere greetings and best regards of President Putin to President Xi Jinping. He noted that under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, Russia-China relations have demonstrated strong resilience in a complex external environment, with sound momentum in trade and investment cooperation, increasingly close people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and close coordination on multilateral platforms such as the UN, the SCO, BRICS and APEC. Amid a grave and complex international situation, Russia stands ready to work with China to earnestly implement the important common understandings reached by the two heads of state, maintain high-level exchanges, strengthen practical cooperation, promote people-to-people and cultural exchanges, uphold international fairness and justice, and strive for greater progress in Russia-China relations, making greater contributions to world peace and stability.

Wang Yi was present at the meeting.
On the morning of April 15, 2026, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and President Xi Jinping held talks with General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam (CPV) Central Committee and President of Viet Nam To Lam, who is on a state visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People.

Xi Jinping once again congratulated To Lam on his election as the President of Viet Nam. Xi Jinping noted that your decision to visit China at the earliest possible date after your election demonstrates the high importance you attach to the development of China-Viet Nam relations. It is believed that under the strong leadership of the CPV Central Committee with Comrade To Lam at its core, Viet Nam will steadfastly follow the path of socialism and strive diligently toward the Two Centenary Goals of the Party and the State. No matter how the international landscape may evolve, China will always regard Viet Nam as a priority in its neighborhood diplomacy. China is ready to work with Viet Nam to uphold the original aspiration, renew the traditional friendship, and promote unity, coordination and mutual support. Together, we will continue to follow the six overall goals of greater political mutual trust, more solid security cooperation, deeper mutually beneficial cooperation, stronger popular support, closer multilateral coordination and better handling of differences, advance comprehensive strategic cooperation with high quality, accelerate the building of a more substantive China-Viet Nam community with a shared future that carries strategic significance, and make greater contributions to the building of a community with a shared future for humanity.

Xi Jinping stressed that the leadership of the CPC is the defining feature and greatest strength of socialism. Defending the socialist system and the governing status of the Communist Party is the greatest common strategic interest of the two Parties. Both sides should maintain a high degree of strategic sobriety and strong strategic resolve, stay confident in our paths and systems, and keep to the direction of reform without changing our goals or our colors.

The two sides should fully leverage the special role of Party-to-Party channels, maintain close high-level exchanges, and consolidate political mutual trust. It is important to make good use of mechanisms such as high-level meetings, theoretical seminars, cadre training, counterpart exchanges and sub-national cooperation, to implement the new round of cooperation plan between the CPC and the CPV, and to deepen exchanges and mutual learning on theories and practices of governance and Party building. Political security should be given top priority. The 3+3 strategic dialogue on diplomacy, defense and public security should be well utilized, and efforts should be continuously strengthened to enhance the education of ideals and convictions for the younger generations of the two countries.

The two sides should work together with one heart and one mind on the path to modernization. We need to accelerate the alignment of development strategies and prioritize infrastructure connectivity. Cooperation should be enhanced in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors and the Internet of Things. China welcomes more high-quality Vietnamese products into the Chinese market. The two sides should continue to strengthen friendly exchanges and cooperation in tourism, culture, media, education, health and sports, to promote mutual understanding and affinity between the peoples of the two countries. I am ready to announce together with you the launch of the China-Viet Nam Tourism Cooperation Year for 2026-2027.

The two sides should hold high the banner of peace, development, cooperation and win-win outcomes, jointly oppose unilateralism and protectionism, and safeguard the global free trade system and the stability and unimpeded flow of industrial and supply chains. We should work together to implement the Global Development Initiative (GDI), the Global Security Initiative (GSI), the Global Civilization Initiative (GCI) and the Global Governance Initiative (GGI), and jointly address global challenges. This year marks the fifth anniversary of the China-ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. China stands ready to enhance coordination and collaboration with regional countries and promote the building of a closer China-ASEAN community with a shared future.

To Lam stated that this is his first overseas visit since being elected President of Viet Nam, and it coincides with the first anniversary of General Secretary and President Xi Jinpings historic visit to Viet Nam last year, fully reflecting what Comrade General Secretary Xi Jinping said: Neighbors grow closer with more visits. Viet Nam appreciates the important political support provided by the CPC, the Chinese government, and the Chinese people for the 14th National Congress of the CPV. Viet Nam is willing to always renew the traditional friendship with China and promote the continuous development of the bilateral comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership and the community with a shared future of strategic significance. Viet Nam congratulates China on the successful completion of its 14th Five-Year Plan and the historic achievements made. Viet Nam believes that China will successfully implement its 15th Five-Year Plan, continuously advance high-quality development and socialist modernization, achieve the Second Centenary Goal as scheduled, and become a pillar of strength and a primary driving force for world peace and development.

At present, Viet Nam-China relations enjoy a positive development momentum, with close strategic communication. Cooperation in the field of defense and security has moved from dialogue to practical cooperation. Economic, trade, investment and infrastructure cooperation are deepening. People-to-people exchanges are very frequent, and multilateral communication is closer. Viet Nam cherishes the special sentiments and consistent support that Comrade General Secretary Xi Jinping has given to Viet Nam-China relations. Viet Nam will firmly take the development of relations with China as its objective need, strategic choice and top priority. Viet Nam continues to support the one-China policy. Viet Nam is willing to strengthen strategic communication and high-level strategic coordination with China, enhance cooperation in economy, trade, investment, railway and other infrastructure, and tourism, strengthen cooperation in education, training, science and technology, culture and sub-national areas, better manage the land border and maintain maritime peace. Viet Nam supports the GDI, GSI, GCI and GGI put forward by Comrade General Secretary Xi Jinping, and is willing to work with China to promote the building of a community with a shared future for humanity.

Following the talks, the two sides witnessed the signing of multiple bilateral cooperation documents covering Party-to-Party exchanges, public security, justice, economy, industrial and supply chain cooperation, customs cooperation, science and technology, peoples livelihood, human resources development, media and sub-national cooperation.

Before the talks, Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan held a welcome ceremony for To Lam and his wife Ngo Phuong Ly at the square outside the East Gate of the Great Hall of the People. Upon To Lams arrival, honor guards lined up to salute. Xi Jinping and To Lam ascended the reviewing stand, where military bands played the national anthems of China and Viet Nam, followed by a 21-gun salute at Tiananmen Square. To Lam inspected the Guard of Honor of the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army and watched the marching ceremony accompanied by Xi Jinping. Children and youth held bouquets along with Party flags and national flags of both countries, cheering and saluting.

At noon that day, Xi Jinping and Peng Liyuan held a welcoming banquet for To Lam and his wife at the Golden Hall of the Great Hall of the People.

On the afternoon of that day, To Lam also visited the Museum of the Communist Party of China.

Cai Qi, Wang Yi, Yin Li, Wang Xiaohong and other officials attended the relevant events.
On April 21, 2026, Vice President Han Zheng met in Beijing with a high-ranking cadre delegation of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) led by Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Secretary General of the BNP and Minister of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives.

Han Zheng stated that China and Bangladesh are friendly neighbors with mutual understanding and deep ties. China congratulates Bangladesh on the smooth and successful conclusion of its general election, and stands ready to work with Bangladesh, guided by the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, to carry forward the traditional friendship, deepen political mutual trust, strengthen cooperation in areas such as jointly building the Belt and Road Initiative, and advance the China-Bangladesh comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership. The Communist Party of China is willing to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with the BNP.

Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir stated that China is a trustworthy friend and partner of Bangladesh. The new government will adhere to the one-China principle and the tradition of friendship with China, and looks forward to strengthening high-level exchanges and mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields with China to elevate Bangladesh-China relations to a new level. The BNP will remain committed to enhancing friendship between the two parties and the two countries.
On the morning of April 21, 2026, Premier of the State Council Li Qiang met with Mozambican President Daniel Francisco Chapo, who is on a state visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

Li Qiang stated that this year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between China and Mozambique. In recent years, thanks to the joint efforts of both sides, mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Mozambique has yielded fruitful results. President Xi Jinping will hold talks with Mr. President Daniel Francisco Chapo to make new plans for further deepening bilateral relations and cooperation. China is ready to work with Mozambique to carry forward the traditional friendship, always trust each other, firmly support each others core interests and major concerns, and promote in-depth and substantive cooperation in various fields to better serve the modernization efforts of both countries.

Li Qiang noted that China is ready to strengthen the alignment of development strategies with Mozambique, steadily expand the scale of bilateral trade, deepen cooperation in areas such as agriculture and fisheries, energy and minerals, and infrastructure construction, help Mozambique extend its industrial chains and increase added value, and better translate its resource advantages into development momentum. It is hoped that Mozambique will make good use of policies such as Chinas zero-tariff treatment for all African countries having diplomatic relations with China and the upgraded green channel, and actively explore the Chinese market. China supports capable Chinese enterprises in investing in Mozambique and hopes that Mozambique will provide a stable and predictable business environment and ensure the safety and legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises and citizens in Mozambique. The two sides should also strengthen cooperation in medical care, education, culture, tourism, and disaster prevention and mitigation, and continuously enhance the sense of gain for the people regarding China-Mozambique friendship. The current international situation is changing rapidly. China and Africa, as good brothers and good partners, should work together more closely in solidarity and cooperation, actively implement the four global initiatives, uphold fairness and justice, and defend their common interests.

Daniel Francisco Chapo stated that Mozambique and China have enjoyed long-standing friendship and are as close as brothers. Mozambique firmly supports the one-China principle and the policy of One Country, Two Systems, supports China in achieving national reunification, and supports Chinas just stance on issues related to Xinjiang, Xizang, and human rights. Mozambique appreciates the long-standing support and assistance provided by China for Mozambiques economic and social development, and is ready to strengthen the alignment of national development plans with China. Under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, Mozambique is ready to deepen cooperation with China in trade, investment, agriculture, energy, transportation, and communications, and intensify exchanges in culture, education, tourism, and other fields to advance the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between Mozambique and China. Mozambique firmly supports the four global initiatives proposed by President Xi Jinping, and is ready to work with China to strengthen Africa-China cooperation and jointly promote the building of a community with a shared future for humanity.

Wu Zhenglong was present at the meeting.
On April 21, 2026, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National Peoples Congress (NPC) Zhao Leji met with Mozambican President Daniel Francisco Chapo in Beijing.

Zhao Leji stated that China and Mozambique enjoy a profound traditional friendship. This afternoon, President Xi Jinping will hold talks with Mr. President Daniel Francisco Chapo, jointly opening a new chapter in China-Mozambique relations. China is ready to work with Mozambique, under the guidance of the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, to carry forward the traditional friendship, deepen political mutual trust, expand mutually beneficial cooperation, enhance people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and fully implement the outcomes of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC); to strengthen exchanges and cooperation between legislative bodies, share experience in reform and development, rule of law construction and rural revitalization, and provide impetus for the development of their respective countries. Zhao Leji also briefed on the outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan.

Daniel Francisco Chapo stated that Mozambique firmly adheres to the one-China principle, actively supports the four global initiatives proposed by President Xi Jinping, and is ready to strengthen practical cooperation with China, promote exchanges between legislative bodies, jointly uphold multilateralism, and promote the development of Mozambique-China relations.

Losang Jamcan was present at the meeting.

On the same day, Zhao Leji met with Vice-President of the European Parliament Younous Omarjee in Beijing.

Zhao Leji stated that President Xi Jinping met with European Union leaders in Beijing last year, charting the course for the development of China-EU relations. China is ready to work with the EU to implement the important consensus and outcomes of the meeting between the two leaders, uphold the positioning of partnership, mutual respect, cooperation and win-win outcomes, adhere to multilateralism, and promote the steady and sustained growth of China-EU relations. Legislative body exchanges are an important part of China-EU relations. The exchange mechanism between Chinas NPC and the European Parliament has played an important role in enhancing mutual understanding and promoting practical cooperation. It is hoped that the two sides will expand exchanges and cooperation to help achieve greater development of China-EU relations.

Younous Omarjee stated that the resumption of normal exchanges between the legislative bodies of the EU and China and the positive progress made demonstrate the political will of both sides to promote the development of EU-China relations. The European Parliament adheres to the one-China policy and is ready to strengthen dialogue and exchanges with Chinas NPC in the spirit of candor and mutual respect.
This week, the U.S. government began offering refunds on the Trump administrations illegal tariffsbut only to businesses that paid the government directly. And many of these businesses are not filing, for whatever reason. Small businesses do not have the support they need to do the filing, or they may have something thats too complex to really file about. Some businesses sold their right to a refund to hedge funds. And many of those businesses passed their costs on to consumers. On average, American families have each spent about $1,744.75 on tariffs. Its a lot of money theyre not getting back.

On a recent episode of What Next, host Mary Harris spoke to Justin Wolfers, a University of Michigan economist, about who this weeks tariff refunds are good for. This transcript has been edited and condensed for clarity.

Mary Harris: I want to go back in time and talk about the tariffs a little bit more. About a year ago, you wrote this op-ed titled Your Life Will Never Be the Same After These Tariffs. I would argue that is certainly true for you personally, because youve been talking nonstop about tariffs ever since. A year later, how has that assertion held up?

Justin Wolfers: Well, it did change my life. It changed the lives of lots of businesses, anyone who relies on imported inputs. It changed the lives of many manufacturers when we put tariffs on steel and aluminum. Manufacturing failed to grow. Of the 90 deals in 90 days we were promised, we got zero. Most countries hold us in remarkably lower esteem today than they did a year ago.

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Lets just take the metrics that the Trump administration wanted us to measure these tariffs by. Youve gone through some of them, like increased government revenue. That didnt happen, as were now giving the money back. Leverage for trade deals is also not looking so hot.

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There are two sets of issues here. One is: Are tariffs a good idea in the abstract? I happen to think theyre not. Some people think they are in limited cases. And then theres a second issue, which I think might even be at least as important, which is the competence of the implementation. And whatever your case for tariffs is, the way we implemented them undid it completely. To make the obvious point: If the tariffs are unconstitutional, they dont raise any revenue because you have to give it all back. If the tariffs are unconstitutional, you dont have any leverage against other countries, because they understand theyre unconstitutional. Theres a reason that every past president whos wanted to do any of this has worked with Congress. The president refused to do that.

Were talking about the sort of behaviors that the tariffs incentivized in people or didnt incentivize. What kind of behavior did these tariff refunds incentivize?

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None. Thats actually really important. When we want someone to do more of something, we subsidize it. So well say, Buy electric vehicles, and well subsidize it. When we want somebody to do less of something, well tax it. If we want you to pollute less, well tax carbon. These tariffs are tied not to decisions you make in the future, but choices you made in the past. Because of it, they have no incentive effects. So, the governments giving out a ton of money, but not channeling it in any way to lead to more effective or efficient economic behavior.

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I see this as an interesting Rorschach test for companies. Yes, they have shareholders, they have boards, people they have to be accountable to, but they can also make independent decisions. There was this games company, which makes Cards Against Humanity, that said theyre going to give the tariff money back. But then you see a place like Costco thats being sued by its shoppers who are saying that they need to give the money to them, rather than a nebulous now that the tariffs are gone, well give money to you in savings. It seems like an interesting way to see what businesses actually believe about the people theyre selling things to, yes?

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You could think of it as a test of how committed American corporations are to notions of fairness. If I were on one of those boards, I might say trying to figure out how much to send to each person sounds like such a pain in the ass. Even if I were committed to fairness, I wouldnt do it.

But its an interesting test in another way. Many of my liberal friends have insisted its deeply important that the courts rule that the government has to give back the money to the people. Its totally upside down. This court case takes money out of the federal Treasury, which you and I are shareholders in, and gives it to corporations. Its some notion of procedural fairness. Any money that goes out, were going to have to pay in taxes at some point.

Whats the state of tariffs now? Whats the rate?

We believe its 10 percent, but only for 150 days. Theres a 1975 law that says when theres a balance-of-payments crisis, the president can have tariffs of up to 15 percent for up to 150 days. I havent checked how many days we are into that. But thats what the president has done.

The point is: The temporary tariff does almost nothing in terms of what the president wants. Theres a broad question of: Can tariffs sometimes be useful? But because we keep implementing them in literally the dumbest way possible, they have all the downsides and none of the upsides.
Last Sunday night, President Trump did something shocking, even for him: He posted an A.I.-generated image that plausibly depicted him as Jesus, mantled in red and hovering over a sick person, light beaming forth from each hand, surrounded by symbols of American power. The post came on the same evening that the president posted a text block on TruthSocial slamming Pope Leo, calling him WEAK on crime, after Leo critiqued the war in Iran. The fallout was immediate: Marjorie Taylor Greene and Tucker Carlson have turned on the president of late, so it wasnt surprising to see them condemn these posts, but nothing else Trump has done has gotten the kind of negative response from far-right pastors and influencers that the A.I. Trump Jesus meme provoked. One even called him demon-possessed. Trumps hubris had, for once, gotten the better of him. This fact is not itself surprising, but the specifics of the misstep that brought him here went beyond prediction.

Or did they? All this unfolded in the real world mere days before an eerily similar storyline started to play out on TV, in Episode 3 of the fifth and final season of The Boys. Just as the real-life president was doing damage control, claiming he thought the A.I. Trump Jesus image depicted him as a doctor and not the son of God, The Boys viewers watched a scene on Prime Video in which the Trump-y, villainous, blond superhero Homelander (Antony Starr) has a vision that convinces him he is going to experience a real-deal apotheosis.*

In this waking dream, Homelanders former mother figure and mentor, who he killed back in Season 1, floats through parted curtains, so that shes framed by the red-and-white stripes of the American flag and surrounded by billowing clouds. Madelyn Stillwell (Elisabeth Shue), who used to allow the love-starved superhero to drink her breast milk, tells Homelander hes about to ascend: Who is more loved than Jesus? And why should he have more love than you? Then she opens her top, light beams forth from her breasts, and Homelander swoons. The whole scene bears a distinctive visual resemblance to Trumps A.I.-generated image, giving the comparison both thematic and visual resonance. We see that the inside of Homelanders brain, where the image originates, looks more than a little like a MAGA grandpas Facebook feed. (Boys fans provide: I saw at least one meme of the Trump Jesus image substituting Homelander for Trump.)

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In its final season, The Boys, which also features a plotline where dissidents are dragged out of their houses and their arrests recorded as fodder for Vought social media, finally feels like the oracle its long been rumored to be. The rest of this season, which wrapped filming last year, will see Homelander, who already controls Vought International and the White House, try to reach into peoples hearts and displace no less a figure than Jesus. In Episode 4, which dropped today, the superhero tasks his flunkies with finding ways to convince humanity that he is their god. He delivers the news to Firecracker (Valorie Curry), a superhero with a Christian background, who hesitates and prevaricates, There is no higher calling than serving the Lord.

Related From Slate What the Hell Happened to Sydney Sweeneys Character on Euphoria? Read More

Serving the Lord? Homelander scoffs. Being the Lord! I am the Messiah. The savior of the world.

Homelander is absolutely certain this can be accomplished, because hes a maniac with no theory of mind. His team isnt so sure, though, and in a meeting in this episode, his branding people try to work it out by brainstorming. He could part the Red Sea and send some refugees back where they came from? Firecracker proposes. Or, a consultant in the meeting proposes, he could fly into holy sites and take pictures with pilgrims. Selfies with God! Firecracker celebrates. The puppet vice president, former Vought publicist Ashley (Colby Minifie), whos a Homelander follower only out of self-preservation, isnt so sure this will work. For the record, she says, Homelander is 100 percent God. But wont some people say hes not? Turning to a snap poll, the consultant agrees, noting only 22 percent would immediately accept Homelander as Lord and Savior, while ideally, hed need numbers in the 70s to make this work. (Ah, that hard-line 20-ish percent. The Boys strikes again.)

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Firecrackers big idea, at the end of this scene, is to reframe Christianity into an America First religion. Jesus was a great man. The things he preached, turning the other cheek, taking in foreigners, caring for the poor  that shit dont sell no more, she says. Now what we need is a church that preaches American. America is Gods government and we are his chosen people. Manifest destiny from sea to shining sea, and shit! Of all the ideas any of them have floated, we, the audience, know this one is the most likely to work.

A.I. Trump Jesus Week was a weird time to be a person whod seen screeners of the upcoming episodes of The BoysI cant imagine how much weirder it was for those who made the show. They have had years of experience in satirizing Trump-era America, a project well suited to the shows profane tone and its storys location in the worlds of politics and media, but one thats sometimes proven to be difficult to pull off. Its tough to be a satirist in this frantic, ridiculous time, when memes expire before think pieces analyzing them can be commissioned, and a person running an X account with the handle @catturd2 acquires political influence. Typically, The Boys arrives a little bit behind the news cycle, pulling stunts like casting the superhero A-Train (Jessie T. Usher) in an in-world equivalent of Kendall Jenners famous Pepsi ad, or making The Deep (Chace Crawford) into a manosphere podcaster. Sometimes, this stuff is funny; sometimes, you wish the show didnt so often remind you of the way politics was 18 months ago.

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But this past week, the two shipsThe Boys and capital-R realitycame the closest theyve yet come to colliding. Perhaps its cope on my part, but I find it something of a minor relief to consider that Trump, unlike Homelander, seems to have gotten the message that hes not a god. After the real-life president mollified his more religious supporters with his flimsy explanation of the A.I. Trump Jesus, he posted another image, this one picturing Jesus giving Trump a cuddle. The Radical Left Lunatics may not like this, but I think it is very nice!!! he wrote. Thank the Lord, we dont yet live in a Prime show adapted from a comic bookor do we?
Sign up for Executive Dysfunction, a weekly newsletter that surfaces under-the-radar stories about what Trump is doing to the lawand how the law is pushing back.

On Tuesday, prosecutors began their case against Harvey Weinstein, who is on trial in Manhattan for rapefor the third time. This third trial is only happening because Weinsteins previous rape conviction in New York was overturned due to outdated rules of evidence. The start of Weinsteins latest trial is, among other things, a clarifying moment about how things should change in the world of legal procedure to bring powerful abusers to justice: New York and other states must change their rules of evidence to make sure serial rapists like Weinstein arent shielded from accountability.

In May 2025, actress Jessica Mann sat in front of a Manhattan jury and told them, through tears, exactly how Harvey Weinstein raped her. Some jurors had doubtsthe rape charge ended in a hung jury. (Weinstein was convicted on a lesser charge relating to a different victim.) But Mann should never have been in court in May 2025, much less preparing to face her rapist again in April 2026. In February 2020, Mann told the same story to a different Manhattan jury. They believed her, and Weinstein was convicted of rape and sentenced to 23 years in prison. What went wrong?

Just four years after that conviction, New Yorks highest court overturned Weinsteins rape conviction, claiming he didnt have a fair trial because other victims of his were allowed to testify at the 2020 trial despite prosecutors not charging Weinstein with those other rapes and sexual assaults. The jury in 2020 believed Mann because her testimony was bolstered by the harrowing stories of so many other women describing how Weinstein abused them in similar ways. The jury might not have been willing to believe one woman. But they did believe women.

Its critical to understand that in the federal system and 16 states, the rules of evidence allow the mistake New York prosecutors made in 2020. In those jurisdictions, additional victims can testify to establish a defendants propensity to commit rape and sexual assault. Theres a good reason to allow this. Each additional victim testifying lends credibility to all the others. Juries might have reasonable doubt in a he said, she said case. That doubt usually vanishes once it becomes a he said, they said case. While the rate of false accusations of sexual assault is already low, its rarer still for multiple women to coordinate a conspiracy of false accusations. If someone is credibly accused by multiple women of similar sexual assaults, there is unlikely to be reasonable doubt about who is telling the truth.

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Related From Slate Why the New Criminal Charges Against an ICE Agent in Minneapolis Could Be a True Turning Point Read More

Trials are about discovering the truth, and a jury should know if a defendant has been accused of rape or sexual assault in the past. Yet most states, including New York, dont adopt the modern federal rule allowing this. Instead, they choose to put a thumb on the scales of justice in favor of serial rapists like Weinstein. The justification is that it wouldnt be fair if juries heard that a defendant had raped other victims because the case at hand isnt about those other victimsa defendant might have raped a dozen women in the past but still be innocent of the particular rape charge before the jury.

Its true that we dont want juries convicting simply because they dont like the defendant. Thats a good argument against admitting evidence that a rape defendant cheated in school, kicked a dog, or got a DUI. Maintaining rules against some forms of so-called character or propensity evidence makes sense when the evidence doesnt say much about the likelihood the defendant committed the crime at hand. But what doesnt make sense is shielding serial rapists from accountability by preventing some of the most useful and probative evidence from being heard at trial. Rape defendants, like Weinstein, should be free to cross-examine other victims who testify, but they shouldnt be able to silence them.

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Allowing other victims testimony does not create a flood of false convictions or unfairnessthe federal system has allowed such testimony since 1995 without ill effect, and 16 states have followed suit. We should also ask why lawmakers are so concerned about serial rapists being falsely convicted when less than 5 percent of sexual assaults lead to a conviction and false accusations are relatively rare. After Weinsteins conviction was overturned, some New York legislators proposed a bill that would adopt the modern rule and allow such testimony, but it failed to pass. New York lawmakers seem overly concerned with outdated, and often sexist, assumptions about the likelihood of victims lying and not nearly concerned enough about holding abusers to account. They should rethink those assumptions and pass the bill.

Jessica Mann shouldnt be forced to stand alone to tell her story in court for the third time. She should be joined by dozens of other victims who can testify to Weinsteins undeniable propensity to commit sexual assault. With that other testimony, it wouldnt be hard for the jury to convict Weinstein again, like they did in 2020. Its time for lawmakers to stop shielding rapists like Weinstein and make it easier for juries to believe victims like Mann.
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In 2020, Virginia voters amended the state constitution to put redistricting in the hands of a bipartisan commission to reduce partisan gerrymandering. Less than six years later, on Tuesday night, Virginia voters said to hell with it all and approved a ferocious Democratic gerrymander of their state. The new map, if it survives some last legal checkpoints, is expected to give Democrats 10 of the states 11 congressional seats this fall, a four-seat increase from the current map.

The referendum result neuters whatever advantage Republicans had builtor even builds out a small one for Democratsin the midcycle redistricting war that Donald Trump kicked off last summer by insisting Texas Republicans redraw their maps. That doesnt mean that theres anything in the long run for anyone to celebrate here. This redistricting war will continue, aggressively, into 2028. Millions and millions of Americans now live in newly rigged and incoherent districts that dont adequately represent them. A new norm for state legislatures to redo maps when it suits their fancy, instead of every 10 years, has been established.

But for 2026, at least, Republicans initiated a dirty process and were met with a successfully dirty response from national Democrats. And if Republicans keep pushing, it will be maximum warfare, everywhere, all the time, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, potentially a hair too hyped up on Tuesday night, said in a statement.

That Jeffries line sounded familiar. Last summer, when the White House was kicking off its attempt to insulate the House GOP majority by taking on midcycle redistricting, a GOP operative told Politico that Trumps team was applying maximum pressure on everywhere where redistricting is an option and it could provide a good return on investment.

The unofficial launch date of this process, the brainchild of White House political aide James Blair and Republican mapmaker Adam Kincaid, was July 15, 2025, when Trump told the Texas Republican delegation that he was eyeing a five-seat pickup in the state with redrawn maps.

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This totally set our world on fire, and flipped us upside down, John Bisognano, president of the National Democratic Redistricting Committee, told me in an interview on Tuesday. The NDRC had been founded by former Attorney General Eric Holder, in coordination with President Barack Obama and then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi, ahead of the 2020 Census to narrow the yawning structural advantage in the House that Republicans had formed over the previous couple of redistricting cycles.

Donald Trump was clearly, I would say very clearly, threatening to bring us back to that age of 2014, 2010, when it was nearly impossible for both parties to compete for the House of Representatives, Bisognano said.

The logic of Blair and others was that the party coalition had changed the previous five yearsespecially with Hispanic voters in south Texas shifting sharply redso if they had the opportunity to solidify those shifts into seats, they should take it. Trump had a more characteristic description of the dynamic in Texas.

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I got the highest vote in the history of Texas, Trump said in early August, and we are entitled to five more seats.

Republicans further believed that Democrats would struggle to respond in kind because of the way blue states had hamstrung their own mapmaking discretion. Blue states like California, Virginia, Colorado, and Washington had amended their constitutions to put redistricting into the hands of bipartisan commissions. Red states didnt futz around with such good-government preciousness, and after Texas changed its map, the push would continue in Missouri, Ohio, North Carolina, Florida, and Indiana.

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And so we found ourselves in this current moment, with this massive decision before us, Bisognano said. AG Holderwho still chairs the NDRCquickly was able to come to the reality that we need to adjust our own tactics in order to try to rebalance the playing field. Blue-state constitutional safeguards against gerrymandering, in other words, needed to be put on hiatusand quickly.

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And so California moved first and set the model for Virginia to follow. Through a referendum that voters approved late last year, California suspended the maps drawn by the California Citizens Redistricting Commission through the 2030 cycle and replaced them with new maps giving Democrats up to five new seats. That neutralized Texas move.

Republicans enjoyed mixed success in their next targets.

Ohio Republicans, who had the opportunity to vaporize up to three of the states five incumbent Democrats, chose a safer play out of fears that Democrats might put a new map up for statewide referendum. They cut a deal with Democrats that would put two seats in further (though by no means insurmountable) jeopardy for Democrats, while actually improving the odds for Democrats in the third.

In North Carolina, where maps are now redrawn every cycle as a matter of course, Republicans further endangered one Democrat, Rep. Don Davis, by putting him in a seat that Trump won by 12though in a good cycle for Democrats, hell still have a shot.

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Missouri Republicans did approve a new map that cracked Rep. Emanuel Cleavers longtime Kansas City district, though theres a chance the new map is averted for this cycle if opponents can successfully get a referendum on the ballot.

And in one of the most public fights, the Indiana Senate rejected proposed new maps after an all-out pressure campaign from the administration. (J.D. Vance was using Indianapolis airport like a hub for Air Force Two for like two months, as Bisognano put it.)

Democrats had their share of misfires, too. The Maryland state Senate refused to eliminate the states lone Republican, Rep. Andy Harris, despite a similarly public pressure campaign from national Democrats and Gov. Wes Moore. The Supreme Court halted a Democratic effort to redraw GOP Rep. Nicole Malliotakis Staten Island district.

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Democrats needed another big splash beyond California and the lone Utah seat that a judge gifted themespecially with an eager Gov. Ron DeSantis awaiting his turn to redraw Florida. It would have to be Virginia.

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The Virginia gerrymander is, on its own terms, a dirty job. This is a light-blue state that Kamala Harris only won by 5 points in 2024, and the proposition was to give Democrats a 10-to-1 representational advantage in Congress. The districts in the new map are painful on the eyes. Four districts extend southward from the northern Virginia suburbs of D.C. to drown out rural communities with which they have nothing in common. The 7th District, which looks like a scorpion, is appropriately dastardly, stretching from mountainous country in the western part of the state straight to expressways over the Potomac River into Washington D.C.

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What especially upset Virginia Republicans already apoplectic over this, though, was the language of the referendum itself: It asked voters whether they wanted to suspend the existing, neutral map through the 2030 census and adopt the new map in order to restore fairness in the upcoming elections.

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Theres nothing fair about this map for Virginia Republicans. And by all means, they should address their many reasonable complaints to James Blair.

The next and likely final state to watch is Florida, where Gov. Ron DeSantis plans to begin a special session on April 28. While he has talked a big game about adding potentially another five seats, that may just be impossible. Florida starts from a significantly gerrymandered positionfar more than Texas was. And, as is the case with Texas, those promises of five seats, based on who would have won them in a 2024 pro-Republican environment, wont necessarily stand up in a good Democratic year. If DeSantis pushes too hard, he could risk a dummymander, in which the Republican vote is spread too thin and Republicans end up worse off than they were before. The Florida Republican delegation is concerned about this, and Jeffries named names in his warning to Republicans in his Tuesday night statement.

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We will aggressively target for defeat Mario Diaz-Balart, Maria Elvira Salazar, Carlos Gimenez, Kat Cammack, Anna Paulina Luna, Laurel Lee, Cory Mills, and Brian Mast, Jeffries said. We are prepared to take them all on, and we are prepared to win.

Related From Slate Trumps $1.5 Trillion Defense Budget Could Be Political Suicide for Republicans Read More

The end of the 2026 battle, then, may be within sight, with a rough outcome determined: basically a wash, but possibly favoring Democrats if the political wind stays at their back. But the war will rage on into 2028.

One shoe that hasnt dropped in time to affect 2026 maps is the Supreme Court decision in Louisiana v. Callais, which could neuter Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act and, with it, its protection of majority-Black congressional districts. If the Supreme Court does land that way, Republican states across the South will eliminate one majority-Black district after another, giving Republicans an opportunity to net maybe another dozen seats. That would compel more Democratic states like Colorado, Washington, Illinois, New York, New Jersey, and others to respond in kind by further gerrymandering their states.

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Democrats had tried and failed to ban partisan gerrymandering when they controlled both chambers of Congress under the Biden administration. And when I spoke to Bisognano the day of the Virginia referendum, there was a lightly apologetic undertone to the conversation. He mentioned how we did not want this war, but its certainly the war were in, and how it was difficult for Eric Holder and other Democratic redistricting leaders to come to the conclusion that this aggressive path was the one they needed to pursue. How bad they truly felt, we dont know. But with the end of the arms race nowhere in sight, Bisognano said that his genuine hope was that Democrats could pass national legislation to ban partisan gerrymandering and midcycle redistrictingeither with or without Republican votes.

I doubt well ever see the day that congressional Republicans sign on to legislation compelling states to give up their freedom to draw whatever maps they want. But perhaps the nuke that just dropped on Republicans in Virginia is the moment that starts winning converts.
The centres of energy were aligned for Chakra as she romped in the $17,808 conditioned pacing headliner at Plainridge Park on Tuesday, April 21 and took her first win since 2024.

Sent off at 1-9, Chakra (Matty Athearn) went right to the front and never looked back. With Perfect Smile Gb (Nick Graffam) sitting second, Chakra went through fractions of :27.3, :57 and 1:25.1, as only Delightville Diva (Cory Stratton) made any headway from behind. Chakra continued to increase her lead as she rounded the last turn and rolled home a dominant winner by 6-1/4 lengths in 1:54. Delightville Diva took second over Perfect Smile Gb.

Chakra ($2.10) is owned by her trainer, Mark Eaton, in partnership with Robert Griffin. The daughter of Lather Up-Holy Trinity is now three-for-25 lifetime.

In the $16,438 TrackMaster 79 pace later on the card, Gabe Hanover (Jay Randall) got away seventh and watched as Ranaldi (Drew Monti) and Odds On Lauderdale (Nick Graffam) battled through early fractions of :26.4 and :55.3. As the field entered the backstretch, Odds On Lauderdale faded, Clearwater Courage (Kevin Switzer Jr.) pulled from third to advance to second, and Gabe Hanover was activated from the back of the pack and flew into contention. Ranaldi was still in front as they turned for home, but Gabe Hanover blasted home on the outside to prevail by 2-1/2 lengths in 1:53.3. Clearwater Courage finished second over Hey Jude Hanover (Bruce Ranger).

Gabe Hanover ($25.40) is owned by Bradford Veilleux and trained by James Dunn. The six-year-old Captaintreacherous-Good Will Hanover gelding won for the 14th time in 86 lifetime appearances.

The win was one of three posted by Randall on the 10-race card. He also won with Wichita Lineman ($31.20), which was the first half of a Dunn training double, and South Street Dottie ($7.40). Athearn had a driving triple during the day as he won with Quite Beachy ($36.40) and Lyons Shining ($6.40) in addition to Chakra.

Mike Graffam had two wins on the conditioning side, tying him with Dunn for top daily honours in that category.

Racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Thursday at 4 p.m. There will be a $8,977 carryover in the Wicked Hi-5 pentafecta wager in the sixth race.

(With files from Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts)
Silverfort and SentinelOne aim to deliver runtime security to detect and contain incidents in real time

Silverfort and SentinelOne aim to deliver runtime security to detect and contain incidents in real time (FAMILY STOCK/Shutterstock.com.)

Silverfort and SentinelOne have forged a partnership designed to address identity security challenges resulting from the increasing adoption of AI systems in enterprise environments.

The agreement unites Silverforts expertise in identity discovery and security with SentinelOnes AI-powered detection and response. The goal is to expand runtime protection across human users, non-human entities, and autonomous AI agents.

According to the parties, the collaboration is being introduced at a time when enterprises are intensifying use of AI-driven processes and agentic platforms, significantly increasing the number and variety of identity types present in modern infrastructure. These include not only employees and IT administrators, but also machine identities such as service accounts, APIs, workload identities and fully autonomous AI agents that execute actions at scale and at machine speed.

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The companies said that several recent high-profile cyberattacks have demonstrated both the attack surface expansion and the speed at which organisations must now detect and respond to identity-based threats.

By integrating their technologies, Silverfort and SentinelOne plan to deliver runtime security that actively detects and contains incidents as they unfold, aiming to curtail lateral movement and privilege escalation.

Silverfort chief strategy officer Ron Rasin said: Security architectures built around isolated tools are failing to keep up with modern threats.

By unifying runtime identity enforcement with autonomous AI Security, we are helping organisations stop identity-driven attacks before damage occurs, and preparing them to secure the next generation of AI-powered environments.

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Together, this joint solution enables organisations to secure their entire environment from a single platform, consistently across both cloud and on-premises environments.

Silverfort will contribute methods for identifying and securing all identity types, leveraging runtime access controls such as multi-factor authentication, just-in-time privilege allocation, and adaptive policy enforcement. These measures may also be applied to assets that were previously difficult to secure, including legacy infrastructure and proprietary systems.

SentinelOnes Singularity Platform, underpinned by AI-driven detection and response, will expand its real-time telemetry to include identity signals, joining existing endpoint and cloud workload monitoring.

The integration is expected to support joint threat context enrichment and allow for precise response actions, for example, blocking suspicious authentication requests or immediately isolating compromised accounts.

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The announcement from both firms states that the partnership is intended to go beyond standard integrations, focusing on deep technical collaboration and joint research to embed identity enforcement directly into autonomous security operations.

The collaboration aims to connect Silverforts identity runtime controls with SentinelOnes endpoint intelligence. It seeks to build a single platform that enables autonomous enforcement across both identity and endpoint attack surfaces.

Operationally, the companies assert that the combined solution enables incident responders to isolate threat actors without disrupting core business operations. Customers will access a unified security management interface, with centralised policy controls and simplified architecture intended to reinforce operational efficiency.

SentinelOne global strategic partnerships and initiatives senior vice president Melissa K. Smith said: By joining forces with Silverfort, were moving beyond traditional boundaries to create a security ecosystem that is truly autonomous.

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We want to take the guesswork out of identity protection. Together, were delivering a level of visibility and real-time enforcement that neither identity nor endpoint tools could achieve alone, ensuring our customers remain resilient in an increasingly complex threat landscape.

In a related move, SentinelOne recently deepened its alliance with Google Cloud, pursuing joint development of cloud-native cyber defence offerings.

As part of this expansion, SentinelOnes Singularity Platform now operates across multiple Google Cloud regions, including North America, Frankfurt, and Saudi Arabia. This presence aims to offer in-country data residency and meet compliance demands for customers operating in regulated industries, while delivering integrated threat intelligence sourced from Googles infrastructure.

"Silverfort and SentinelOne partner to tackle AI-era identity security" was originally created and published by Verdict, a GlobalData owned brand.





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The Temple of Heaven in Beijing is an imperial complex of religious buildings and was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998. Yang Xia, Getty Images

This article was produced by National Geographic Traveller (UK).

Outsiders call it China, but to the Chinese, its Zhongguo, the 'Middle Kingdom'  so named because they once thought it to be the centre of the world. And with such riches, its easy to see why. From the teetering peaks of Zhangjiajie, which served as the inspiration for Avatar, to the shifting sands of the Taklamakan Desert, China encompasses more climates and ecosystems than many countries.

For millennia, Chinese people have bent these landscapes to their will. More than 4,000 years ago, along the fertile loess plains of the Yellow River, rivers were tamed and crops sown. Ideas blossomed as uniquely Chinese philosophies and systems of governance took shape. Giant buddhas were carved into mountainsides, many still in place despite centuries of cultural upheaval. China built walls to protect its empire that stretch for more than 20 degrees of longitude  the equivalent of London to Moscow.

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The Great Wall still stands, while all around it has changed. Modern China thrums with innovation: gleaming high-rise cities, legions of electric vehicles, the worlds fastest trains. But despite breathless reinvention, the old cultures endure. Food vendors serve sizzling treats in the shadow of skyscrapers. Chinese characters, glowing on every billboard, reveal the same writing system that was etched on to ox bones over 3,000 years ago.

It may sound epic, or even daunting, but China today is more accessible to travellers than ever. Heres how to ensure a smooth trip.

The peaks in Zhangjiajie national park served as inspiration for the science fiction epic Avatar. maybefalse, Getty Images

Will I need a visa?

It all depends on your passport. People from a growing roster of around 50 countries, with the UK added in February 2026, can currently enter China visa-free for up to 30 days. If your country isnt on the list (for example, the US at the time of writing), youre likely still eligible for a 10-day transit visa on arrival when flying into major cities such as Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, provided you continue on to a different country. Most travellers can also obtain a five-day Visa on Arrival when crossing the land border from Hong Kong. Otherwise, if you need a visa, fill in the forms online then schedule an appointment at a China Visa Application Centre in your home country, where your documents will be checked and fingerprints taken.

Whens the best time to visit China?

Being such a vast and climatically diverse place gives China year-round appeal. It might already be T-shirt weather in southerly Hong Kong well before Harbins legendary Ice Festival turns to a puddle in the far north of the country. Mid-summer (July to August) swelters all over, with temperatures often pushing above 35C in Beijing and Shanghai. Spring and autumn are the sweet spots for sunny, summery travels. Lunar New Year (which typically falls between late January and the middle of February) is best avoided, as businesses close and intercity trains and planes get booked solid. The same goes for Golden Week, a national holiday in early October when seemingly the whole of China hits the sights.

The Jingshanling Great Wall of China has stood the test of time and the country's fast-moving modernisation. Wenbin Photo, Getty Images

Should I join an organised tour or go it alone?

This really comes down to your travel style. If you have a bespoke adventure in mind  such as tracing the Silk Road into Central Asia  a tour offers expert guides, easier logistics and curated experiences. Note that organised tours are mandatory for foreign travellers visiting Tibet. However, if you just plan to hit the big sights and cities, going it alone is no major headache, provided youre willing to embrace Chinese apps, tinker with tech and navigate occasional language barriers. Accommodation can be easily booked using your preferred sites, while Trip.com is the go-to for train tickets, domestic flights and tours.

Is travelling in China expensive?

It neednt be. You could spend the equivalent of a few pounds on the best noodles of your life, drink cheap local beer and bed down in a surprisingly smart budget hotel. A double room in one of Chinas excellent midrange hotel chains costs around 500 (55) a night, roughly the same as a high-speed train ticket from Beijing to the Terracotta Warriors at Xian, a journey of more than 600 miles. Major sights are also good value: the Forbidden City in Beijing costs 40-60 (4.40-6.60), though you pay a bit more for scenic mountains and national parks. In cities like Beijing and Shanghai, taxi rides of up to around three miles should cost under 30 (3.30).

Do I have to use Chinese apps to pay for things?

Cash is still legal tender, but in practice almost everything is paid for two apps, WeChat and Alipay  whether thats buying dinner or giving money to a street performer. Both have international-facing English language versions and the ability to link a foreign credit or debit card for payments. However, for travellers, Alipay is the better option because it integrates other useful services like Didi (Chinas Uber) and dockless bicycle hire. Naturally, this means that carrying a smartphone and being able to get online is absolutely essential for independent travel in China.

China has the world's biggest high-speed rail network with trains reaching up to 215mph. BNBB, Getty Images

Yu Garden is a famous tourist attraction in Shanghai, featuring garden pavilions and towering rocks. Haitao Zhang, Getty Images

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How do travellers usually get around?

Speedily and scenically, on high-speed trains (gaotie). China surpassed 25,000 miles of high-speed track in 2025. The latest Fuxing trains glide along at 215mph; impressive, considering the first high-speed line  a 75-mile hop between Beijing and Tianjin  opened just in time for the 2008 Olympics. Almost all major cities are now connected; even Beijing to Kunming in far-flung Yunnan Province, a straight shot of 1,715 miles, taking just over 10 hours. Buying train tickets is also a breeze. These can be booked online via Trip.com (easier than the official app if you dont read Chinese), with no printed ticket required. Your passport is linked to the reservation and scanned at stations for boarding.

Are there restrictions on getting online in China?

Youve probably heard of the 'Great Firewall, Chinas system of internet censorship that blocks many of the apps you use daily while travelling, including Google Maps, Instagram, Gmail, Facebook, X, ChatGPT and many more. If you use Chinese wi-fi or a Chinese SIM card (sold at airports), the only way around the firewall is by installing a VPN service, which youll need to do before you travel. These are hit and miss, however; a better option is an eSim such as Nomad or your phones own roaming services  both of which can access restricted apps and websites, though roaming costs can quickly rack up.

Should I worry about safety or surveillance?

China is generally very safe for travellers. Serious crime is rare, though a few petty scams exist, such as overpriced tea or taxi drivers switching real bills for fakes, though since the rise of payment apps, the latter has almost been consigned to history. Chats on Chinese apps like WeChat may be monitored, so avoid sensitive topics. At border crossings, biometric checks such as fingerprints and facial recognition are routine. Hotels automatically register foreign guests with the local police; if you stay in a private rental, you must register yourself at the nearest police station within 24 hours. Steer clear of illegal drugs and anything political, and your visit should be trouble-free, allowing you to explore, eat and experience all that China has to offer.

To subscribe to National Geographic Traveller (UK) magazine click here. (Available in select countries only).
A Lufthansa aircraft rolls on a bridge over a highway at the airport in Frankfurt, Germany, Wednesday, April 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)

A Lufthansa aircraft rolls on a bridge over a highway at the airport in Frankfurt, Germany, Wednesday, April 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Probst) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

LAS VEGAS (AP)  The German company that owns Lufthansa Airlines and other European carriers said Tuesday that it would cut 20,000 short-haul flights through October as the Iran war drives up oil prices and deepens worries that some countries may run low on jet fuel.

The Lufthansa Group said the cancellation of less profitable routes, focused largely on its hub airports in the German cities of Frankfurt and Munich, would save the equivalent of approximately 40,000 metric tons of jet fuel.

The company last week shut down one of its regional subsidiaries, CityLine, to cut costs. It said a planned consolidation within its European network also would involve Lufthansa Airlines, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, SWISS and ITA Airways, and hubs in Brussels, Rome, Vienna and Zurich.

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The price of jet fuel has more than doubled in some markets since late February, when the war began with U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran. Airlines are particularly vulnerable to fuel price shocks because jet fuel typically accounts for one of their largest operating expenses.

For travelers, that is already translating into fewer flight options on some routes and higher fees and fares heading into the peak summer season, with many airlines raising checked bag fees or adding fuel surcharges.

Fighting around the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway off Iran's coast where a fifth of the world's oil typically passes, has disrupted fuel prices and supplies around the world.

The head of the International Energy Agency estimated on April 16 that Europe had about 6 weeks' worth of jet fuel remaining and said airlines would start to cut routes from their schedules without more. The European Unions top energy official is also warning that the energy crisis sparked by the war could impact prices for months or maybe even years to come.

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This is not a short-term, small increase in prices," EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jrgensen said Wednesday.

Jrgensen said the war is costing Europe around 500 million euros ($600 million) each day.

Even in a best-case scenario," he said, "its still bad."

Jrgensen also told reporters that EU governments are very worried about possible jet fuel shortages. He says the European Commission is doing what it can to help but that Europe is mostly in defensive mode.

Lufthansa, meanwhile, said it has secured enough jet fuel for the coming weeks and was pursuing a range of measures to keep its fuel supply stable for the summer, including the physical procurement of jet fuel.

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All but one of the worlds 20 largest airlines have canceled scheduled May flights spanning every major region, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium. Besides Lufthansa, the carriers include Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, American Airlines, Air Canada, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Air China, British Airways and Air France-KLM, Cirium said.

Last week, Switzerland-based carrier Edelweiss Air announced it is dropping service to Denver and Seattle this summer and reducing flights to Las Vegas through the early autumn.

Air New Zealand is consolidating about 4% of its schedule in May and June.

Like airlines globally, we're experiencing jet fuel prices that are more than double what they would usually be, the carrier said.

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The global price of jet fuel increased from about $99 per barrel at the end of February to as high as $209 a barrel at the beginning of April.

In addition to cutting flights, some airlines are also slowing their plans to add more seats and routes as a way to keep costs under control. Delta, which kicked off the earnings season for U.S. airlines in early April, said it was scrapping plans to add more flights and seats in June, leaving about 3.5% fewer seats than originally planned.

As U.S. carriers continue to report their first-quarter earnings, the uncertainty around fuel costs is also showing up in their financial outlooks. Several carriers are either slashing their full-year forecasts or holding back on updating them.

Southwest Airlines said Wednesday it expects second-quarter earnings to come in below Wall Street estimates, citing the higher fuel prices, and it left its 2026 outlook unchanged. A day earlier, United Airlines reported it now expects full-year adjusted earnings of $7 to $11 per share, down from a previous forecast of $12 to $14.

___

Associated Press journalist Lorne Cook contributed to this report from Brussels, Belgium.
Eva Longoria misses "good Mexican food" while living in Spain.

Eva Longoria reveals what she really misses about living in US

The former Desperate Housewives star loves to have a "long meal" in Spain and not be "in a rush", but she has been struggling to find top Mexican cuisine, and she misses her "Texas family".

Eva - who previously revealed she, her husband Jose Baston and their seven-year-old son Santiago had been splitting their time between Spain and Mexico - told PEOPLE: "I miss my family, my Texas family... [and] good Mexican food.

"That's what I miss. That's what's not in Europe, is good Mexican food.

"They really enjoy life in Spain. They love a long meal. You're never in a rush."

But Eva doesn't miss only having one hour to quickly grab some lunch while working.

She added: "I don't miss the working lunch.

"It's so amazing how we really don't take lunch in our work culture.

"You always do the working lunch, 'I'm going to go grab a sandwich. I'll be right back.' You only have an hour. It's so stressful to think, 'I have to hurry up and be back.' "

What's more, Devious Maids star Eva doesn't miss being held up in traffic in the US.

She added: "There's no traffic where we live [in Spain.] I walk everywhere."

In November 2024, Eva told how it felt a "privilege" to live in Spain and Mexico instead of the "dystopian" United States.

She told Marie Claire magazine: "Im privileged. I get to escape and go somewhere. Most Americans arent so lucky.

"Theyre going to be stuck in this dystopian country, and my anxiety and sadness is for them."

Eva noted she spent her "whole adult life" in and around Los Angeles, but said things began "changing".

She added: "The vibe was different. And then Covid happened, and it pushed it over the edge.

"Whether its the homelessness or the taxes, not that I want to s*** on California - it just feels like this chapter in my life is done now."

Eva also previously hit out at the "strained relationship" between the US and Mexico, particularly the hypocrisy of some people in the States calling for a wall on the border between the two countries.

She said at the time: "I feel like the strained relationship between us and Mexico needs to be repaired, and I think culture and food can easily celebrate the best things of a country.

"The people who were screaming, Build that wall! are the same people that are going to Taco Tuesday.

"And Im like, No, no, no. You dont get to margarita out and s*** on the culture that gave you the taco and gave you the margarita. You have to go, This came from there. There must be good things. "
The war in the Middle East has helped to trigger a surge in air fares, with the lowest-priced economy tickets costing 24% more on average than they did a year ago, according to new research.

The report, from the consultancy Teneo, says that airspace restrictions caused by the conflict have forced airlines to reroute many flights, increasing the amount of fuel they have to use.

Additionally, disruption to oil supplies has pushed up the cost of fuel itself.

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There has also been a significant loss of capacity on long-haul routes normally served by Gulf carriers, which have had their operations heavily disrupted.

Although rival airlines have expanded their operations to some long-haul destinations, there are still fewer seats available than normal.

Some rival airlines have expanded their operations to some long-haul destinations.

Jet fuel prices have soared from about $85-$90 per barrel to $150-$200 per barrel in recent weeks. Fuel accounts for up to a quarter of airlines' operating expenses.

The biggest impact on ticket prices has been felt on routes between Europe and East Asia, the report says. A flight from London to Melbourne in June now costs 76% more than last year, while the price of a flight from Hong Kong to London has gone up by 72%.

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On Tuesday, US President Donald Trump said he will extend a ceasefire with Iran until peace talks between the two countries have progressed.

He added that the US will continue to blockade Iran's ports until Tehran presents a "unified proposal".

Airlines call for reprieve

Meanwhile, airlines operating out of the UK have warned that if the conflict in the Middle East continues or worsens, it will force them to cut flights and push up fares.

They have called on the government to take a number of steps to protect them from the effects of the disruption caused by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

This would include allowing delays and cancellations due to fuel shortages to be classified as "extraordinary circumstances", allowing them to avoid paying out compensation, something that European airlines have also called for.

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Sources have suggested to the BBC that this demand is not being seriously considered.

They have asked for Air Passenger Duty  a tax on passengers  to be cut or suspended, as well as for a major emissions trading scheme to be temporarily stood down.

The demands are contained in a confidential briefing document sent to ministers and the Civil Aviation Authority by Airlines UK, a body which represents a large number of carriers, including EasyJet, Ryanair, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic.

The document  first reported on by ITV News  also calls for restrictions on night flights to be eased and rules on the allocation of take-off and landing slots at busy airports to be relaxed. This would prevent airlines losing valuable slots if they were unable to operate services.

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The government, it says, should establish "targeted refinery obligations", which would if necessary force oil refineries to prioritise the production of jet fuel over other products, such as petrol or diesel.

The Department for Transport said: "UK airlines are clear that they are currently not seeing a shortage of jet fuel.

"We continue to work with fuel suppliers, airlines and international counterparts on our contingency planning, to ensure people keep moving and businesses are supported while the conflict is ongoing.

"Our overriding priority is to de-escalate this conflict, open up the Strait and prevent disruption to passengers."

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The letter also suggests that ministers should temporarily allow the import and use of Jet A, a type of aviation fuel widely produced in the US. Although essentially similar to the fuel used in Europe, Jet A1, it has a higher freezing point, and is not currently permitted in the UK.

Analysts say many US refineries are not currently capable of making Jet A1, which has limited their ability to replace the supplies currently blocked in the Gulf.

A spokesman for Airlines UK said: "Airlines continue to operate normally and are not currently experiencing issues with jet fuel supply, but as you would expect we remain in close contact with the DfT given the current external environment.

"It is vital that government take the right actions now to ensure the continuation of supply, as well as support the UK aviation industry, which has been impacted by record high jet fuel prices and that includes providing additional flexibility.

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"Additional flexibility should it be needed would enable airlines to operate most efficiently to minimise any disruption to customers and maintain long-established global networks."
Jack Quaid has reportedly married his The Boys co-star Claudia Doumit in an intimate ceremony, with family and fellow actors said to be among the guests.

Jack Quaid has reportedly married his The Boys co-star Claudia Doumit in an intimate ceremony, with family and fellow actors said to be among the guests

The actors, aged 33 and 34, are said to have tied the knot over the weekend at Mona Farm in Braidwood, according to the Daily Telegraph.

Jack, the son of Hollywood veterans Dennis Quaid and Meg Ryan, is believed to have been joined at the ceremony by his parents, as well as guests including Alec Baldwin, Tom Hanks, Kevin Costner and Henry Golding.

Co-stars from The Boys, including Karl Urban, Colby Minifie and Nathan Mitchell are also said to have been in attendance. Jack and Claudia, who began dating in 2022, portray Hughie Campbell and Victoria Neuman in the Prime Video series The Boys, with Claudia departing the show in 2024 after her characters storyline concluded.

According to reports and a now-viral image shared on Instagram, Jack wore a red blazer with gold embroidery to the apparent wedding ceremony, while Claudia wore a white satin wedding dress.

The Daily Telegraph reported the pair shared their first dance to Atlantis by Donovan.

An online post from Smokey Horse Nepalese, a restaurant in Braidwood, showed images of the couple alongside guests including Emily Browning and Eddie OKeefe.

The venue wrote: Big congratulations to the newlyweds @jack_quaid and @claudiadoumit, what a beautiful couple you two make, we wish you boundless happiness and good fortune in the days ahead!!!

It added: It was an absolute pleasure to host you guys at ole #SmokeyHorse, and we trust your family and friends enjoyed their stay here in our beloved little hometown?From #Hollywood to #Braidwood, #GiddyUp!!!.

In a 2025 interview with the Los Angeles Times, Jack spoke about daily life with Claudia, saying: Claudia or I will usually make coffee. We kind of have a whole morning routine. Not to sound too douchey, but Im never really here, or at least I havent been in the past year, so every time Im home, I just want to take it in.

Jack added: The one constant every day is that we wake up, have coffee, and put a record on. Just stuff that starts the day off in kind of a chill way.
PHOENIX  Arizona lawmakers have decided to wade into the thorny political and religious questions of whether to make it the policy of the state to recognize what is commonly called the West Bank by its historical names of Judea and Samaria.

What's being described as simply an effort to recognize history, HCR 2047, a resolution being sponsored by Rep. David Livingston, lists all the reasons that the nearly 2,200 square mile area between what had been Israel's border before 1967 with neighboring Jordan and the Jordan River should be referred to by names that are listed in both the Old Testament and New Testament.

Israel gained control of the area during the Six-Day War, which pitted it against an Arab coalition primarily consisting of Syria, Jordan and Egypt.

The Peoria Republican said his purpose in sponsoring the measure is to have the legislature go on record as rejecting the term "West Bank'' as "a modern political construct.''

But the measure has raised questions about whether the real goal is to undermine claims of Palestinians who live in the area  and outnumber the Jewish settlers. Despite those questions, it has been approved by both the House and Senate as their formal position, although it has no force of law.

"The situation facing Palestinians today is not an abstract policy debate for many people in our state,'' said Martin Quezada, general counsel for the Arizona chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations. "It is a humanitarian crisis that people around the world, including many Arizonans, view with deep moral concern.''
Prince's ex-wife Mayte Garcia has reflected on the "intense sadness" she felt following the music legend's death.

Prince and Mayte Garcia were married for four years

The Purple Rain artist died at the age of 57 on April 21, 2016, after an accidental fentanyl overdose at his Minnesota home and Garcia recalls how her personal sense of loss was amplified by the tributes paid to the musician from around the world.

The 52-year-old dancer, who was married to Prince from 1996 to 2000, told Us Weekly: "It was an intense sadness. An intense sadness, that's all I can remember of losing him.

"And then I remember, I mean, I've heard because I couldn't watch TV and my phone was going off the hook, just the monuments. They lit it purple and they honoured him, which was, at the time, it was really hard to accept, but I thought that was very impactful."

Garcia recalled how she was driving when she learned of the tragic news of Prince's passing and explained how she was consumed by disbelief at first.

She said: "(April) 21 was a horrible day. I was driving. I got called, and I don't know how I drove home.

"I don't know how many nos I said. It's something that we are all going to have to deal with, losing somebody we love, but it was really hard, and I didn't want it to be true."

Garcia also believes that Prince would have been "shocked and humbled" at the impact of his enduring musical legacy.

She said of the When Doves Cry artist: "He knew how powerful his presence was, but I think he would have still been shocked and humbled. He was very, very humble. And I think he would have kind of grinned at it happening."

The dancer has decided that it is now time to "celebrate" Prince's life  a decade on from his untimely death.

Garcia told People: "It's been hard. I think, for a good five years, it was really harsh, just because it happened so suddenly.

"And then, it finally came time to realise, 10 years. I can't believe it's been 10 years. Life goes really fast. I figure, let's celebrate him. Let's have a day of playing music, unifying and showing the philanthropic side that he had."
2026 SBS Media Sustainability Challenge: finalists

One of four brands will receive $500,000 in free advertising inventory from SBS.

Four brands have been shortlisted for the 2026 SBS Media Sustainability Challenge, an initiative offering brands and agencies $500,000 in free advertising inventory.

Now in its second year, the SBS Media Sustainability Challenge seeks the best TV creative normalising sustainable behaviour and highlighting better environmental consumer practices.

The winning ad will also receive consulting services through Sustainable Screens Australia to help ensure it meets best practice for sustainable production.

The shortlisted brands including their creative agencies are:

Enigma with their entry for Mobile Muster

Focus Creative with their entry for Vehicle Emissions Star Rating

Howatson + Company with their entries for Australian Museum

Sandbox Media with their entry for Recycle All

The judging jury is made up of: Adam Liaw, host of The Cook Up with Adam Liaw and Co-Chair of Sustainable Screens Australia; Arum Nixon, Australia Chapter Lead at Ad Net Zero; Abigail Thomas, Head of Sustainability at SBS; Kate Young, National Manager, SBS CulturalConnect; and Angus Gordon, Head of Creative & Production Services, SBS CulturalConnect.

Entrants were asked to focus on one of three areas: Nature, Carbon or Waste.

We want to congratulate our shortlisted brands  as with last year we were impressed with the level of creativity and consideration put into their submissions and how they showcased how their brand or product is normalising sustainable consumer behaviours, said Kate Young.

We were so impressed with how this years entrants adapted their entries to meet the new criteria and address the areas of nature, carbon and waste. It is a clear demonstration of how brands are thinking about these topics in their business practices and ensuring they are communicating this to consumers.

A winner will be announced later in the year.

SBS also used April 22  which is Earth Day  to launch its second annual Sustainability Report.

Abigail Thomas, Head of Sustainability at SBS, said: This is the second year where we have released a detailed Sustainability Report which explains our sustainability journey, outlines our progress towards our ambitious Net Zero target, and also captures our early work on a Nature and Biodiversity strategy for SBS.
Dear Logies, you have a chance to correct that terrible 2022 Neighbours snub

4 years ago cast had to wave from their table as Neighbours legacy was reduced to a 70 second clip. Now it's time to bring them out on stage.

Back in 2022 when Neighbours was axed after 37 years the Logie Awards screened a montage tribute introduced by former cast members Daniel MacPherson and Natalie Bassingthwaighte as they presented the Most Popular New Talent award.

The cameras cut to a shot of key cast members seated at a table far from the stage where their view was obscured by cameras.

It was a terrible insult to those in attendance including Stefan Dennis, Ryan Moloney, Rebekah Elmaloglou, Lucinda Cowden, Takaya Honda.

What really should have happened was to bring out Neighbours cast on stage for the industry to let their peers give them a standing ovation for what the show had achieved.

Thirty-eight years, the longest running (drama) in Australian television history with the accolades it has, its about the industry and what the show has been and meant for four decades, Stefan Dennis said later.

For it to get a tribute of 40 seconds, f*** off.

But there is now a rare moment to correct it, with Neighbours revival ending last December, in the current Logies voting period.

This years awards will also acknowledge 70 years of Australian television. For 40 of those years Neighbours was a hothouse of talent behind and in front of the camera, a major force in the Victorian screen industry.

The Logies can recognise this by having Alan Fletcher, Jackie Woodburne, Ian Smith, Stefan Dennis, Ryan Moloney, Rebekah Elmaloglou, Annie Jones -at a minimum- on stage as a group.

I recognise Seven is the broadcaster of this years ceremony, and it would be correcting a miss by Nine which broadcast the 2022 event. But networks are custodians of the Logies.

Last year TV Tonight asked industry groups to acknowledge 40 years of contribution by Neighbours.

Here are those who came forth to say just that:

Network 10

Prime Video

Seven Network

Nine Network

SBS

Australian Writers Guild

Media Enterainment & Arts Alliance

Screen Producers Australia

Australian Directors Guild

VicScreen

FreeTV Australia

AACTA Awards

TV Week

Australian Childrens Television Foundation

Casting Guild of Australia

Australian Guild of Screen Composers

Australian Cinematographers Society

Australian Film Television and Radio School

National Film & Sound Archive of Australia

Netflix ANZ

Over to you, Logies.
How an Aussie production company made Stranger Things: Tales from 85

Flying Bark partnered with the Duffer Bros. and Netflix to bring to life the kids of Hawkins in animated form.

When Stranger Things: Tales from 85 premieres today on Netflix, it may well be the biggest audience Australian animation company Flying Bark has ever enjoyed.

Not that it is shy on attracting global audiences for previous projects, but as CEO Barbara Stephen notes, partnering on Stranger Things is arguably another league altogether.

We had a prime time release with What If? for Marvel, and that performed really well on the platform, but that was an adult audience. Certainly with the Stranger Things IP and Netflix were hoping for a great audience, she tells TV Tonight.

There are 10 episodes in which Eleven, Mike, Will, Dustin, Lucas, and Max -now in animated form resembling the original cast- discover something terrifying has awakened under the snow in Hawkins.

Aimed at a family audience, including the big kid in every Stranger Things fan, it revisits the universe created by the Duffer Brothers.

Its a creature heavy show. I think weve made this, as the Duffer Brothers have said in some of the earlier press material, with a kind of throwback to an 80s feeling. I think we tackle jeopardy in a way that has been a little lacking over the past. We kind of certainly lean in on some fright factor for the audience, but at the same time, it is intended, as family viewing. I think itll deliver on that, she continues.

The origins of the spin-off trail back to 2022 when the Duffer Brothers were still focussed on delivering a final season.

Eric Robles, with whom Stephen had collaborated with on Glitch Techs for Netflix, became showrunner for Tales from 85, along with Ian Graham.

Central to the collaboration was Flying Bark having expanded its 700 strong staff to Los Angeles, and Madrid production bases.

Id actually brought Ian Graham on to head up, from a creative point of view, the baseline for a studio in Los Angeles in 2019. So we started going to development. Ian, Eric and us partnered to start working through the concept of what an adaptation into animation might look like alongside, with the Duffer Brothers and the writing team

The writing, story, art direction and post production were led by the Los Angeles team while Australia and Spain shared other key animation needs.

We picked up the 3D side in Sydney and in Madrid. It is collaborative when it comes to art direction, and particularly 3D because you can have an intent, but what can you actually do in CG? The unique challenge on a project like this its at least 3-4 features worth of content, so its a big volume. Theres a lot of complexity with creatures, its an ensemble cast, so by virtue of that, thats a more expensive production because the animators have definable time to animate each of the performances and so on.

So theres always this balancing act going on.

That meant three different production studios working in three different time zones to realise one creative vision, true to the spirit of the Duffer Brothers creation.

Its deceiving when you see it on screen, but its an enormous operation, really, behind a show like this.

The voice cast for the series includes none of the original actors, but Netflix has sourced like-sounding actors including some well-known names Lou Diamond Phillips, Janeane Garofalo, Robert Englund and Jeremy Jordan.

Tales from 85 also plays into Netflixs animation slate with a Ghostbusters series -also being produced by Flying Bark- in the pipeline.

Its part of Netflixs family spectacle slate, which is intended for a big global audience, and obviously its very big IP for them, Stephen continues.

At the end of the day, I think Netflix and Eric and everybody felt very confident that we could deliver the quality, and because the aspiration was very high in terms of the animation. Wed had a couple of shows that had come out around about that time.

While only one season is so far commissioned, Stephen is optimistic about the expansion of Flying Bark following a Madrid studio opening in 2024 and winning a NSW Export Award in 2025.

Were almost 500 staff working out of Australia, she reveals. Im really proud of the studio in Madrid and the team.

We opened that studio partly because were doing a co-production for 200% Wolf and they were really enthusiastic, saying, What else can we do with you?

We really want to have some more scalability and capacity and to access talent. In order to grow an Australian studio, we actually needed to have capacity offshore as well.

Barbara (Babs) Stephen (CEO / President, pictured left),

and Alexia (Lex) Gates-Foale (Director of Production / EVP, pictured right)

Upcoming projects also include feature film Zac Power for Paramount Pictures, Clash of Clans and Minecraft both for Netflix.

So just some small IP really! she laughs.

But were trying to reinvest what were learning, the innovations, the technology, into some of the local stories that were picking up. I wish we could do more, but its a really difficult moment for Childrens Television.

Were really proud of Tales From Outer Suburbia that released in January on ABC. But I would love to see more momentum for it. The completion rate is really terrific,  but I think it might be one of those slower burns with word of mouth.

But its important that were still talking about this really important space for local content. I dont think youll do an interview with me without me saying how important it is.

Stranger Things: Tales from 85 screens today on Netflix.
Vale: James Valentine

Entertainer James Valentine, best known for ABC Radio, The Afternoon Show and TVTV has died.

Entertainer and broadcaster James Valentine, best known for ABC Radio, The Afternoon Show, TVTV, and Come Dine With Me Australia has died aged 64, following a battle with cancer.

He began his media career in the mid1980s, hosting cartoons on ABC TVs The Afternoon Show. He went on to work across several ABC television programs, notably including TVTV before moving into radio at 666 ABC Radio Canberra.

In 1999, James found his true home at the ABC when he began presenting the Afternoons program on 702 ABC Radio Sydney, then known as 2BL. He held the role for more than two decades, with a brief detour presenting Breakfast in 2022 and 2023.

In 2024, he announced he would be stepping away from the Afternoons on ABC Radio to receive treatment for oesophageal cancer.

He was the movie reviewer for many years on Showtime, a reporter and commentator on programs such as The Mix, Sunrise, It Takes Two, Midday, Good Morning Australia. He also narrated the Lifestyle Channels Come Dine With Me Australia and contributed as a regular columnist across several publications and even Media Watch.

ABC Managing Director Hugh Marks reflected on James immense legacy saying, For decades, James Valentine has been more than a presenter  he has been a trusted companion for so many people, part of the rhythm of everyday life for generations of our Sydney audience.

James brought warmth, wit, and humanity to radio as an exemplar of radio craft. His style was never about confrontation or noise  it was always about connection. James turned his patch of the Sydney airwaves into a place of companionship, and his daily presence will be deeply missed by his significant audience, and all of his colleagues at the ABC.

ABC Director of Audio Ben Latimer said, James Valentine was kind, curious and endlessly creative. He treated listeners, callers and colleagues with the same respect and warmth and he believed deeply in radio as a place for ideas, experimentation and human connection.

James was never afraid to try something new, to push the format and to have fun while doing it. He loved radio, he loved experimenting with it and he loved the sheer fun of making it every day. He demonstrated, more than anyone I can think of, that great radio can be smart, playful and deeply human all at once. His influence will be felt across the ABC for many years to come.

Beyond broadcasting, James was a renowned saxophonist who recorded and toured with Jo Camilleri, Kate Ceberano, Wendy Matthews, and most notably The Models, featuring on the bands two number-one hits and touring with them across the US and Europe. He was also a member of Jo Jo Zep and Absent Friends.

James continued to perform regularly around Sydney and at music festivals across Australia. He shared his passion for jazz with audiences as the presenter of ABC Jazzs Upbeat since the program launched in 2020.

Memorial arrangements and opportunities to honour James will be shared in the coming days.
From a spontaneous decision to visit Vietnam, a German traveler found himself captivated by both the landscapes and the people. He now hopes to build a longer connection with the country, drawn by what he calls unusually kind people.

Arriving in Vietnam on impulse

Pierre becomes emotional as he prepares to leave Vietnam. Video: Pierresjourneytofreedom

Pierre, 40, from Karlsruhe, Germany, has just left Vietnam after a journey through Da Nang, Hanoi, Nha Trang (Khanh Hoa), and Da Lat (Lam Dong).

On a taxi ride to the airport for his return home, he suddenly broke down in tears, overwhelmed by emotions he could not quite explain.

Ive never felt this kind of longing and attachment after a trip before. Vietnam gave me some of the most beautiful moments and memories of my life. Thats what makes it so hard to leave, he shared.

Three years ago, Pierre left a stable job to become a digital nomad, working remotely while traveling across countries. He first arrived in Vietnam in 2025, during a journey that took him from Australia through the Philippines and then onward.

He admitted that Vietnam was not originally a must-see destination on his list. It was more of a spontaneous choice. Yet everything changed the moment he arrived in Da Nang.

I was deeply touched by how warmly and sincerely local people welcomed me. Within just a few days, I forgot that I was a foreign visitor in an unfamiliar country, he said.

He spent five weeks in Da Nang and Hanoi before setting off with a friend he had met in Bali, Indonesia, to explore the winding mountain roads of Tuyen Quang, part of the former Ha Giang region.

Only when I came here did I truly understand why Ha Giang is so famous among international travelers, he reflected.

Falling in love with both land and people, Pierre returned to Vietnam in early 2026, hoping to meet more people and experience the country more deeply.

Vietnamese people are strangely kind

Pierre during his journey through the Ha Giang. Photo: NVCC

Pierre with new friends he met in Da Nang. Photo: NVCC

In the coastal city of Da Nang, Pierre rented a place near the beach. Each afternoon, he would stroll along the shore, watching locals and visitors swim and play volleyball.

One day, a group of friends - both locals and foreigners living in Da Nang - suddenly invited me to join them. It felt unusual. They welcomed me as if I were already part of the group. I didnt feel like a tourist anymore, but like a local, he said.

In the days that followed, they continued to spend time together, laughing and sharing simple joys.

Here, people accept others with sincerity, without expecting anything in return, he added.

During his stay, Pierre met Krazen, a Bulgarian who has been living in Vietnam for over two years. Krazen introduced him to outdoor trips, camping experiences, hidden and less-visited places, talented tattoo artists, and local eateries.

Pierre enjoying his time in Vietnam. Photo: NVCC

One place Pierre frequented was a bar called Last Hope, run by a passionate Korean owner. There, both locals and international guests gathered to listen to and play music together.

Krazen and the bar owner are both foreigners, yet they clearly love Vietnam. It shows that many people find something special here, not just me, Pierre said.

After four weeks in Vietnam, Pierre traveled to Sri Lanka. But just two weeks later, he found himself returning again. This time, he headed to Da Lat to catch the sunrise.

The sunrise there is the most beautiful Ive ever seen in my life. In that moment, I realized that life is long, but happiness can come from very simple things - like waking up early to watch the sun rise, he shared.

He has since considered moving to Vietnam for several months, or even longer.

Vietnamese people are simple, genuine, and always smiling. They are open to connecting and sharing. I dont want to compare, but I truly feel more connected and happier here. I think I can be myself in this country, he said.

Khanh Linh - Linh Trang
Rihanna "changed a lot" after becoming a mother, according to her partner A$AP Rocky.

A$AP Rocky has revealed Rihanna has changed a lot since having children

The couple are parents to RZA, three, Riot, two, and Rocki, who was born in September, and A$AP Rocky has now opened up about their relationship revealing it's changed over the last few years but Rihanna "has always been magic".

He told W magazine: "She has changed a lot because she became a mother in that time span, and that certainly changes you. But this woman has always been magic.

"Philosophically, the way she operates is on another level. She is the most charming and genuine person on Earth. Her energy is unmatchedone of a kind. I just adore her."

Rocky went on to reveal the couple's favourite activities including watching documentaries and films, adding: "We have so many of the same interests. We were addicted to watching documentaries, like the Bob Marley one.

"Watching films together is so fun. We mustve watched El Cantante 15 times."

It comes after the musician revealed the couple make a concerted effort to keep their relationship fun and exciting because they have to "still date" and "be friends" despite the responsibilities of being parents.

During an appearance on The Ebro Show, Rocky explained: "You got to spice it up. You got to still date. You got to still be friends. "

We roll [music] dice. We play cards. Like, you know what I'm saying? Like, she a cheater. We be playing crazy eights.

"I love that girl to death, man. You know, word. We got to keep the funk going cuz if not, what we doing then?"

Rocky also confessed that becoming a so-called girl dad has made him "so vulnerable".

He explained: "Man, being a girl dad, bro, it's made me so vulnerable. I'm born again. Granted, she's only four months, but when she look at me, Ebro, I just be like, I melt inside. You know what I'm saying?

"Like, I'm already in love with her mother, so I'm falling in love all over again."

Rocky added that becoming a girl dad has also increased his respect for women. He said: "The respect I have for women is just growing. I just got so much respect and props for mothers, what they go through, what they body go through, the changes, and then to have a daughter. It's just mindboggling, bro.

"She got all my looks. She the girl version of me, man."
In the structured environment of a correctional facility, human rights are not only reflected in living conditions or access to healthcare. They are also upheld through opportunities for inmates to learn, work, and rebuild their lives with their own hands.

This reality comes into focus at Vinh Quang Prison in Phu Tho province, where a vocational workshop hums with quiet purpose behind locked gates.

Inside Workshop No. 2, stacks of supermarket bags take shape through the steady hands of inmates. The atmosphere resembles a production line outside prison walls. Each person focuses on a specific task: attaching handles, stitching the body, trimming threads, inspecting, and finishing.

Dozens of sewing machines run continuously, creating a rhythmic, almost musical cadence. Near the entrance, inmates carefully examine each detail before finalizing the products. Every movement is precise, practiced, and synchronized.

Pham Dinh Khanh, an inmate from Tam Duong, Phu Tho, shared that he had no prior experience in sewing before his incarceration.

I only learned this here, step by step. Its not too difficult. At the inspection and finishing stage, it takes about two minutes to complete a bag, he said.

Dozens of sewing machines operate continuously inside the workshop, creating a steady rhythm.

Senior Lieutenant Hoang Hong Hai, supervising officer of Team 30, Workshop No. 2.

A typical workday runs from 7am to 11am and from 2pm to 5pm. Within that routine, each finished product carries more than the value of labor - it represents preparation for a life beyond prison.

What matters most is having a skill. When I leave, Ill feel more confident and ready for work, Khanh added, his voice reflecting a sense of renewed optimism.

According to Senior Lieutenant Hoang Hong Hai, a supervising officer at Workshop Team 30, vocational training is systematically organized across 14 different trades, ranging from garment production to electronics and simple manufacturing.

These programs are often conducted in partnership with businesses, equipping inmates not only with technical skills but also with a clearer vision of their future.

Work assignments are tailored rather than rigid. Tasks are distributed based on each individuals health, education level, and learning capacity.

Those with stronger abilities are given more demanding roles. For inmates from ethnic minority backgrounds or with limited education, we assign tasks suited to their capabilities. The goal is for everyone to learn at least one or two skills during their sentence, Hai explained.

A key to reintegration

Rehabilitation outcomes are also a basis for considering leniency policies such as sentence reduction or amnesty.

From books in the library to sewing lines in the workshop, inmates are learning to rebuild their lives.






The diary was found by his father in 1968.

Accordingly, entries in the diary show that Vo Van Cong was born in 1944 in the former Phuoc Tho commune, Nhon Trach district, Bien Hoa province, now Dong Nai province.

He joined the revolutionary movement in April 1961 and was admitted to the Communist Party of Vietnam in May 1962. He once served as secretary of the district youth union.

Mathews said he came across the diary among personal belongings left by his father after his passing. He decided to hand it over to the Vietnamese embassy with the hope that the martyr's family would one day receive the item.

The embassy welcomed the gesture by Mathews and his family, saying it reflects respect for the families of Vietnamese martyrs and contributes to strengthening friendship between the peoples of Vietnam and Australia.

The embassy is coordinating with relevant authorities in Vietnam to locate the martyrs relatives so the diary can be returned to his family./.


Chinese diplomat:

Vietnamese Party General Secretary and State President To Lams state visit to China has marked a new milestone, delivering wide-ranging outcomes from strengthened political trust to expanded practical cooperation, contributing to ushering the bilateral relations between the two countries into a higher stage of development, Chinese Ambassador to Vietnam He Wei has said.



Addressing a press briefing in Hanoi on April 21, the ambassador said To Lams first visit to China after Vietnam consolidated its top leadership yielded significant outcomes, reinforcing political trust, deepening cooperation, and injecting fresh momentum into regional peace and stability.



According to He, the timing of the visit, coinciding with the one-year anniversary of Chinese Party General Secretary and President Xi Jinpings trip to Vietnam, underscores continuity and consistency in relations between the two Parties and the two countries. He described the top Vietnamese leader's visit as a vivid demonstration of the country's high regard for its relationship with China in its foreign policy.



The Chinese diplomat highlighted three key achievements. First, political trust was further strengthened through in-depth high-level talks, setting strategic directions for bilateral ties in the new period. A joint statement issued by the two sides reaffirmed the goal of building a VietnamChina community with a shared future at a higher level, reflecting the deepening trajectory of ties between the two nations.



In addition, practical cooperation was vigorously advanced with the signing of more than 30 cooperation documents across areas such as the economy, justice, public security and supply chains. The high-level Vietnamese delegation carried out an intensive working programme across multiple localities in China, thus strengthening links between ministries, sectors and local authorities of the two nations, while translating common perceptions into concrete cooperative projects.

Chinese Ambassador to Vietnam He Wei speaks at the press briefing in Hanoi on April 21. (Photo: VNA)

Regarding multilateral diplomacy, the two sides reaffirmed shared positions in multilateral diplomacy, maintaining peace, cooperation and development; opposing unilateralism and trade protectionism; and backing global initiatives to address common challenges, demonstrating their responsibility for regional and global stability, the diplomat stressed.



Ambassador He noted several firsts during the visit, including the first-ever trip by a foreign head of state to the Xiong'an New Area and a more than 10-hour high-speed rail journey covering 2,500 km across Chinese localities. These activities, he said, offered Vietnam deeper insight into Chinas infrastructure development and modernisation.



Reviewing recent trends, the ambassador said the bilateral relations have accelerated comprehensively since Xis visit to Vietnam. High-level exchanges have become more frequent and flexible, while economic cooperation has achieved notable results, with two-way trade reaching record highs. People-to-people exchanges have also flourished, strengthening the social foundation of ties.



In 2025, two-way trade neared 300 billion USD, up 13.7% year-on-year. China has remained Vietnams largest trading partner for many years, while Vietnam is Chinas biggest partner in ASEAN and its fourth-largest globally. China is also the second-largest foreign investor in Vietnam.



Cooperation is increasingly shifting toward emerging sectors such as artificial intelligence, green energy, and digital economy. At the same time, the two sides are advancing infrastructure connectivity, particularly cross-border railway projects, to improve transport efficiency and strengthen regional supply chain connectivity.



For rail cooperation, the diplomat said projects in northern Vietnam are progressing steadily, notably the Lao CaiHanoiHai Phong line. Enhanced rail connectivity is expected to boost trade and elevate Vietnams position in regional and global logistics networks.



People-to-people exchanges have also made strong progress, he said, noting that the Year of Humanistic Exchange 2025 was a success, fostering mutual understanding and closer ties between the two countries people. Building on that, the two countries have launched the Vietnam  China Tourism Cooperation Year 2026 to further substantive partnership, he went on.



Amid global uncertainties, the ambassador stressed the importance of maintaining stable and close Vietnam  China relations for peace and development. He called for continued efforts to strengthen political trust, expand practical cooperation, and coordinate closely in multilateral forums.



With a solid foundation and clear strategic direction, He expressed confidence that Vietnam  China relations will continue to grow robustly, delivering tangible benefits to their people and contributing positively to stability and development in the region and the world./.VNA
Seonguk and Simon, both from South Korea, have been living and working in Vietnam for five years.

Beyond improving their Vietnamese, they have also built a YouTube channel where they regularly share videos documenting their culinary adventures and food discoveries across different regions.

In a recently uploaded video, the two revealed they had pushed themselves to overcome their usual reluctance to wake up early, just to try a local breakfast specialty in Ho Chi Minh City - banh cuon.

Today, two people who usually wake up late decided to get up early to try a special breakfast dish in Vietnam.

This is also our first time trying it after many years living here. Normally, we just cannot wake up early, so we never had the chance, they said with a laugh.

The sidewalk eatery they visited is located on Quoc Huong Street in An Khanh Ward, formerly part of Thao Dien.

The stall operates only in the morning and specializes in banh cuon, offering two main fillings: minced pork with wood ear mushrooms and egg.

After watching the preparation process up close, Simon and Seonguk were clearly intrigued and immediately ordered two portions of egg banh cuon.

Simon noted that each serving was generous, including not only the rice rolls but also a variety of accompaniments such as pickled vegetables, fried dough, Vietnamese pork sausage, and fermented pork rolls.

This is our first time eating banh cuon. It looks a bit like rolled egg, but the rice sheets are soft and silky, slightly rich, and the minced pork filling is very fragrant, he shared.

He added that each side dish brought its own distinct flavor, yet everything blended harmoniously. To him, the dish felt like an interesting combination of banh hoi, rice paper, and rolled egg - unusual yet delicious.

Seonguk shared the same enthusiasm, praising the egg version before ordering an additional portion with minced pork filling.

After trying both, he admitted that the pork-filled banh cuon suited his taste even more.

The minced pork version has a better chew and feels less heavy, he said.

In Ho Chi Minh City, banh cuon is typically served with various accompaniments such as sausage, fried dough, and pickled vegetables, and is eaten with a savory fish sauce. This gives it a slightly different character compared to versions found in northern Vietnam.

Simon agreed that waking up early for the meal had been worthwhile. He expressed genuine satisfaction, saying he felt happy to have experienced such a distinctive Vietnamese breakfast.

Beyond the taste, the two Korean guests also appreciated the affordability. A portion of banh cuon with minced pork costs VND30,000 (US$1.20), while the egg version is priced at VND40,000 (US$1.60).

Simon and Seonguk (wearing caps) enjoy banh cuon on Quoc Huong Street, An Khanh Ward, just after 6am.

The two Korean guests marvel at the unique flavor of the hot banh cuon. Photos: YouTube 3 anh em.







In Ho Chi Minh City, banh cuon is served with accompaniments such as sausage, fried dough, and pickled vegetables, and eaten with a savory fish sauce, giving it a slightly different taste compared to the North. Photo: Do T.Mai.

Thao Trinh
In a recent video documenting his journey through Lam Dong, formerly part of Binh Thuan, Dalton highlighted several must-try dishes in Mui Ne - Phan Thiet.

Among them, alongside duck Quang noodles and stir-fried vermicelli, one local snack stood out above all: squid teeth.

Dalton enjoying local cuisine during his trip through Lam Dong.

Squid teeth refer to the small, round muscle located at the head of the squid, hidden among its tentacles. Pale in color and encased in a thin layer of flesh, each piece contains two tiny hard shells inside.

Because of their tooth-like appearance, locals gave them the name rang muc.

Once overlooked during squid preparation, this part has been transformed by the creativity of coastal residents in Mui Ne - Phan Thiet into a distinctive and flavorful street food.

Squid teeth are turned into a variety of unique, crowd-pleasing street snacks in Mui Ne - Phan Thiet. Photo: Dao do an

To try the dish, Dalton stopped by a local eatery on Vo Thi Sau Street in Phan Thiet.

The long-standing spot is known for its affordable menu centered around squid teeth, attracting both locals and tourists.

After scanning the menu, he ordered three dishes at once: grilled squid teeth, deep-fried squid teeth and squid teeth in garlic butter sauce.

All of these dishes look amazing and cost just VND18,000 (US$0.70) per plate. Theyre so cheap you can order several, Dalton said.

The first dish he sampled was the grilled version. He described it as pleasantly crunchy, with a flavor reminiscent of crab.

The American tourist tries three dishes made from squid teeth at a long-standing local eatery.

The deep-fried version, he noted, had a slight hint of fishiness but was still delicious. Theyre coated in batter and fried. The outside is crispy while the inside stays dense - exactly what you want from a perfect snack, he said.

However, it was the garlic butter version, served with crispy grilled rice paper, that earned the highest praise.

The first two were already great, but this one is even better. The sauce is really interesting - buttery, garlicky, with extra seasoning that makes it rich and well-balanced, he added.

Dalton also pointed out that the dishes are served with accompaniments such as green chili, Vietnamese coriander and pickled vegetables, helping to cut through the richness.

Squid teeth are truly impressive. This might be the best thing Ive eaten today, he shared.

The American tourist praises the crunchy texture of squid teeth.

The US traveler praises the crunchy texture of squid teeth.

Beyond squid teeth, Dalton recommended that visitors also try duck Quang noodles and stir-fried beef vermicelli.

For the duck version of Quang noodles, he observed that the dish has been adapted to suit local tastes, making it distinct from the traditional versions found in Da Nang and Quang Nam.

Visually, he noted that the noodles resemble hu tieu and are served with a generous amount of broth.

Flavor-wise, he praised the tender duck meat and the rich, fish sauce-based broth.

Duck Quang noodles and stir-fried beef vermicelli. Photos: Dalton Rhone

Ive had Quang noodles many times in Da Nang and Quang Nam, so trying a new variation like this in Phan Thiet is really interesting, he said.

As for stir-fried beef vermicelli, Dalton described it as simple in name but surprisingly distinctive in taste. Though the noodles are served at room temperature, the warm stir-fried beef adds balance to the dish.

The combination with chili sauce, pickles and other condiments creates a mix of sour, spicy, salty and sweet. The accompanying fermented sauce has a strong aroma, similar to mam nem but milder and easier to enjoy, he explained.

Thao Trinh
Despite collecting substantial funds from the 20% land allocation, Hanoi has yet to invest in building social housing across 10 projects where land had already been designated. The Government Inspectorate of Vietnam has also pointed to multiple violations in the management of land reserved for this purpose.

A series of violations in the 20% land fund for social housing

In its newly released inspection conclusion on land management, urban planning and construction licensing in Hanoi, the inspectorate noted that the capital is home to a large population of low-income workers, making demand for social housing particularly high. However, planning, management and use of the 20% land fund intended for this segment remain deeply flawed.

According to the findings, numerous shortcomings and legal violations were identified. Between 2011 and 2022, eight urban and housing projects with a scale of 10 hectares or more were approved without allocating the required 20% land fund for social housing.

Four other projects were permitted by the Prime Minister to substitute this requirement with financial contributions equivalent to the land value, on the condition that land for social housing would be arranged elsewhere. Yet, by the time of inspection, the city had failed to fulfill this obligation.

Meanwhile, three projects of similar scale allocated insufficient land for social housing, falling short of regulatory requirements.

Notably, at the Xuan Phuong Ecological Housing Project, the city designated 6,890 square meters across plots BT6 and BT11 - originally intended for ecological villas - for social housing development. The inspectorate deemed this plan impractical and misaligned with the needs of low-income residents.

Another case involves a commercial housing project for incumbent deputy minister-level officials and equivalents working at National Assembly agencies. Initially approved in line with the detailed 1/500 planning of the Xuan Phuong New Urban Area, the project was later reclassified in 2014 as part of the 20% land fund for social housing. The inspectorate concluded that this adjustment contradicted the projects original objectives and approved planning.

The report also highlighted that from 2011 until August 13, 2019, Hanoi did not separately track or manage revenues equivalent to the 20% land fund. There was no clear guidance or enforcement for investors to fulfill financial obligations, and these revenues were not accounted for independently but instead merged into general land-use fee collections.

Only on August 13, 2019, did the city issue a formal document regulating the collection, management and use of these funds. Even so, it has yet to allocate capital from these revenues to invest in social housing.

The inspectorate concluded that Hanoi has not used the state budget to develop social housing in 10 projects where land had already been allocated, despite collecting significant sums equivalent to the 20% land value. This has led to wasted land resources and delays in social housing development across the city.

Recommendations for corrective action

Based on these findings, the inspectorate has recommended that the Prime Minister direct Hanoi authorities to fully allocate land for social housing within 2026 across the eight projects that failed to set aside land, the four projects allowed to substitute with financial payments, and the three projects that allocated insufficient land.

The city is also required to urge investors in commercial housing and urban projects to promptly develop social housing on the designated 20% land in accordance with approved timelines.

In cases where investors fail to comply, authorities must take action in line with regulations, either by selecting alternative investors or by developing social housing using state budget funds sourced from the collected equivalent land value, the inspection conclusion stated.

For the Xuan Phuong Ecological Housing Project, Hanoi is required to review and ensure sufficient allocation of the 20% land fund for social housing if land remains available.

As for the commercial housing project for deputy minister-level officials, authorities must reassess and adjust it in line with its original objectives and approved planning.

Additionally, the Ministry of Construction has been tasked with directing relevant agencies to inspect and supervise Hanois implementation of planning, management and use of the 20% land fund, while also reviewing related mechanisms and policies.

Hong Khanh
Products displayed on the Huawei Store online platform. Screenshot







Announced on April 21, the Huawei Store mirrors similar platforms previously introduced by Apple and Samsung, marking a step forward in the companys direct-to-consumer strategy.

The platform features products that have already been launched in the Vietnamese market, such as the Mate X7 smartphone, Huawei Watch GT6 Pro, MatePad tablets, and audio devices like FreeBuds and Free Clip.

Prices on the online store remain consistent with those announced at launch. However, some items are currently discounted by around VND500,000 (US$20), with free shipping also available.

In Vietnam, Huawei has risen to a leading position in the wearable segment. Devices such as Huawei Band and smartwatches designed to track health metrics and fitness activities continue to expand in variety and introduce new features.

However, the company still faces challenges in the smartphone and tablet markets, largely due to its inability to use Googles Android operating system.

The Mate X7, reintroduced to Vietnam earlier in 2026, has primarily attracted loyal brand followers, according to retail observations.

Its price, nearing VND55 million (US$2,250), remains a significant barrier for many potential buyers.

Similarly, while Huaweis tablets are well-suited for productivity needs, their lack of Android compatibility and relatively high prices continue to limit broader adoption among users.

Le My
Le Minh Hung spoke on the afternoon of April 21.

Speaking on the afternoon of April 21 during a National Assembly group discussion, the Prime Minister said the proposal was based on a report by the Ministry of Finance. The plan would exempt business households with annual revenues below this threshold from paying personal income tax and value-added tax.

The discussion took place as lawmakers reviewed draft amendments to several key tax laws, including those governing personal income tax, value-added tax, corporate income tax and special consumption tax.

Under the current framework, established in December 2025, the tax-free revenue threshold for business households is set at VND500 million per year (US$20,500). However, recent economic developments - including fluctuations in fuel prices and regional uncertainties - have created new challenges, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises and household businesses.

In response, the government has moved quickly to instruct the Ministry of Finance to develop revised proposals. The direction of reform focuses on raising the taxable revenue threshold while ensuring fairness between business households and small enterprises.

Le Minh Hung emphasized that while support measures are necessary, policy adjustments must remain balanced. We must ensure fairness with small and medium-sized enterprises, while also addressing the difficulties faced by business households, he said.

The Prime Minister also underscored the need for flexibility in policymaking. Instead of fixing specific revenue thresholds in law, the revised approach would authorize the government to determine appropriate levels, guided by clear principles set by the National Assembly to prevent revenue losses or loopholes.

If approved, the government is expected to issue a decree promptly to implement the new regulations.

Beyond tax reform, the Prime Minister addressed ongoing efforts to resolve bottlenecks in delayed projects. Despite previous resolutions by the National Assembly, including Resolution 170, local authorities continue to report obstacles during implementation.

He noted that the government has already taken swift steps, including meetings held on April 9 and subsequent reports submitted to the Politburo. By April 13, the Politburo had issued Conclusion No. 24, providing a basis for further action.

Building on this, the government has submitted proposals to the National Assembly aimed at introducing additional measures to unlock stalled projects - resources that could significantly contribute to economic growth, state budget revenues and job creation.

Le Minh Hung stressed that once the new resolution is passed, it will provide a crucial legal foundation for local authorities to act with greater confidence.

Local governments will feel more secure, more willing to act decisively and take responsibility when resolving project bottlenecks, he said.

He added that each project involves unique and complex issues, but with clear guidance from the Politburo and the National Assembly, implementation can move forward more effectively.

In this context, the proposed tax reforms and project resolutions reflect a broader effort to mobilize resources, support the private sector and sustain economic growth amid evolving challenges.

Tran Thuong
Hoang Hai, a household business owner (name changed), shared that with current cost structures, achieving a profit margin of around 10% on revenue is already challenging after expenses.

In my view, a threshold of VND1 billion per year is still not truly adequate when compared to salaried workers, especially considering that profit margins are only about 10% of revenue. Household businesses must not only cover personal expenses but also support families, children, and long-term savings, he said.

Speaking to VietNamNet, lawyer Nguyen Van Duoc, General Director of Trong Tin Accounting and Tax Consulting Co., Ltd., suggested that the tax-exempt revenue threshold should fall between VND1 billion and VND2 billion per year (US$41,000 to US$82,000).

He noted that VND1 billion represents an average level for the economy, while VND2 billion could serve as the upper limit for household businesses, particularly in the commercial sector.

However, raising the threshold beyond VND2 billion may reduce budget revenues and fail to target the right beneficiaries, he warned.

Duoc also emphasized that a uniform threshold may not reflect the diversity of business models, which differ significantly in profit margins. He proposed categorizing thresholds based on profitability levels - high, medium, and very high - aligned with specific revenue bands.

For example, a threshold of around VND2 billion (US$82,000) could apply to trading activities, VND1 billion (US$41,000) to manufacturing with moderate margins, and about VND750 million (US$31,000) to service sectors or production without raw material inputs, where profit margins tend to be higher.

Such an approach, he said, would ensure fairness by aligning tax obligations with income levels, following the principle that higher earners contribute more while lower earners pay less.

On policy design, Duoc suggested setting a minimum hard threshold in law while granting the government flexibility to adjust it based on economic conditions.

It may be necessary to establish clear criteria for adjustments or require the government to seek approval from the National Assembly Standing Committee under a simplified procedure before making decisions. This would preserve legislative oversight while allowing flexibility in policy management, he said.

He stressed that the key issue is not whether the threshold is set at VND1 billion or VND2 billion, but how the policy is designed to balance interests, reduce burdens on citizens, and ensure fairness.

Raising threshold to VND1 billion could exempt 97% of households

Nguyen Ngoc Tu, a lecturer at Hanoi University of Business and Technology, noted that with the current threshold of VND500 million (US$20,000), most household businesses already pay little to no tax.

If the threshold is raised to VND1 billion (US$41,000), he estimated that 97-98% of household businesses could become tax-exempt, effectively removing most from the tax net.

Although revenue from this sector remains modest - around VND25 trillion in 2024 (US$1 billion) and over VND32 trillion in 2025 (US$1.3 billion), accounting for less than 2% of total state revenue - expanding tax exemptions could have broader implications for fairness across economic sectors.

If nearly all household businesses are exempt, they may not need to issue invoices, creating difficulties for enterprises that rely on documented transactions for accounting. This could also hinder data integration in the digital economy and complicate macroeconomic management.

Furthermore, the policy risks creating inequality with formal businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, which must fully comply with tax obligations, accounting standards, invoicing requirements, and inspections, even when their revenues are comparable to those of household businesses.

Tu suggested that beyond raising the exemption threshold, policymakers should strengthen incentives for household businesses to transition into formal enterprises. This could include extending corporate income tax exemptions or adopting preferential policies similar to those applied to foreign direct investment.

He also recommended supporting compliance costs - such as software, equipment, and electronic invoices - during the initial transition period.

In the long term, he emphasized the need to control cash flow, promote cashless payments, and enhance invoice management to ensure transparent revenue reporting and reduce the risk of inaccurate declarations.

Nguyen Le
The visit takes place at the invitation of General Secretary and President To Lam and his spouse.

Accompanying the president are several senior officials, including Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning Bae Kyung Hoon; Foreign Minister Cho Hyun; Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Jung Kwan; Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Kim Yun Duk; National Security Adviser Wi Sung Lac; Chief of Staff for Policy Kim Yong Beom; South Korean Ambassador to Vietnam Choi Young Sam; Senior Presidential Secretary for Public Relations Lee Kyu Youn; Senior Presidential Secretary for AI Policy Planning Ha Jung Woo; Presidential Secretary for Foreign Affairs Choi Hee Deok; and Climate and Environment Ambassador Kang Kum Sil.

Le Khanh Hai, head of the Presidential Office, welcomed the President of South Korea and his spouse.

At the airport, the delegation was welcomed by Le Khanh Hai, Chairman of the Presidential Office; Hanoi Peoples Committee Chairman Vu Dai Thang; Permanent Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Vu; Vietnamese Ambassador to South Korea Vu Ho; along with representatives from the Party Central Office, the Presidential Office, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

On April 22, President Lee and the First Lady will attend a state welcome ceremony at the Presidential Palace, hosted by General Secretary and President To Lam and his spouse. The two leaders will hold talks, witness the signing of cooperation agreements, and meet the press.

During the four-day visit, President Lee is also scheduled to meet Prime Minister Le Minh Hung and National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man, along with participating in a series of key engagements.

The visit comes at a time when Vietnam - South Korea relations are at their strongest, following the upgrade to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2022. It also coincides with Vietnams recent consolidation of its state leadership after the 16th National Assembly elections, opening a new phase of long-term strategic development.

Lee Jae Myung and his spouse Kim Hea Kyung began their state visit to Vietnam.

As the first foreign head of state to visit Vietnam in this period, President Lees trip carries both political and symbolic significance, reflecting South Koreas high regard for Vietnam and the deep level of mutual trust and strategic priority in bilateral ties.

Beyond diplomacy, the visit is expected to align long-term visions between the two countries, shaping a more in-depth framework for cooperation. Both sides aim to move from broad engagement to deeper, more strategic collaboration, particularly in high technology, innovation, and economic security. The spirit of this new phase centers on greater trust, deeper cooperation, and stronger connectivity.

Impressive figures in bilateral cooperation

South Korea is currently Vietnams largest investor, second-largest source of tourists, second-largest provider of ODA, third-largest trading partner, and third-largest destination for Vietnamese workers.

In 2025, bilateral trade reached US$89.5 billion, up 9.6% from 2024. In the first three months of 2026, total trade turnover hit US$26.9 billion, marking a 30% increase year-on-year.

Vietnams exports largely consist of manufactured goods produced by FDI enterprises, including mobile phones, computers, and electronic components. Meanwhile, South Korea supplies machinery, equipment, components, and raw materials.

Both countries are working toward a target of US$150 billion in bilateral trade by 2030, with a more balanced structure.

South Korea remains the largest foreign investor in Vietnam among 154 countries and territories, with total registered capital reaching US$98.9 billion across 10,447 projects, accounting for over 23% of total projects and 18% of total registered FDI. Investments are concentrated in key sectors such as manufacturing, high technology, electronics, automotive industries, construction, and real estate, with major hubs in Bac Ninh, Ho Chi Minh City, Hai Phong, Dong Nai, and Thai Nguyen.

Vietnam is also a priority partner for South Koreas ODA, receiving about 20% of its total aid. Over the past five years, South Korea has provided more than US$500 million in assistance, of which 90% is concessional loans and 10% is non-refundable aid.

According to South Koreas immigration authorities, by the end of 2025, nearly 45,000 Vietnamese workers were employed in the country under the EPS program, alongside 28,500 seasonal workers and 14,700 skilled workers.

South Korea is the second-largest source of international tourists to Vietnam, with 4.3 million visitors in 2025, accounting for 21% of total arrivals.

As of the end of 2025, the Vietnamese community in South Korea numbered around 352,000 people, an increase of 30,000 compared to the previous year. Students and workers each account for over 100,000 people, alongside approximately 100,000 Vietnam - Korea multicultural families. The remaining population includes investors, short-term workers, and visiting relatives.

Meanwhile, around 200,000 South Koreans are living and doing business in Vietnam, including approximately 10,000 enterprises.

Tran Thuong
Trump extends U.S. ceasefire with Iran

Xinhua) 08:48, April 22, 2026

WASHINGTON, April 21 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday he will extend the ceasefire with Iran as the current two-week truce is set to expire on Wednesday night.

"Based on the fact that the Government of Iran is seriously fractured, not unexpectedly so and, upon the request of Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, of Pakistan, we have been asked to hold our Attack on the Country of Iran until such time as their leaders and representatives can come up with a unified proposal," Trump wrote on Truth Social.

The U.S. president said he will "extend the ceasefire until such time as their proposal is submitted, and discussions are concluded, one way or the other."

The U.S. military will continue the blockade against Iran and "remain ready and able," Trump said.

Trump said on Monday that it was "highly unlikely" for him to extend the truce, and on Tuesday morning he told U.S. media that he doesn't want to do that, expecting the United States to "end up with a great deal" with Iran while threatening to bomb Iran again if no deal is reached.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance, whose trip to Pakistan for talks with Iran has been put on hold, was at the White House for meetings on Tuesday, along with Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner, multiple media outlets reported.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth arrived at the White House on Tuesday afternoon to join discussions over Washington's next steps, according to the reports.

The United States violated the ceasefire by starting a naval blockade of Iran's ports, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tuesday on X.

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei told state TV late Tuesday that Iran has not yet decided whether to join fresh peace talks since it was upset about what he called mixed messages from Washington.

"It is not out of indecisiveness, it is because we are facing contradictory messages and behaviors, and unacceptable actions from the American counterpart," Beghaei said.

As U.S. forces have intercepted and taken custody of an Iranian-flagged cargo ship on Sunday and Iran has not yet announced its decision to send a negotiating team for talks, the prospect of an expected second round of U.S.-Iran talks remains unclear, according to media reports.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Denise Richards' daughter has been left devastated by Patrick Muldoon's death, but was cheered when she received what she thinks was a sign from the late actor.

Sami Sheen has paid tribute to her mom Denise Richards' former boyfriend Patrick Muldoon

The 55-year-old actress previously dated the Melrose Place actor for almost five years and they remained friends and collaborators afterwards, so her eldest child Sami Sheen - whose father is Denise's ex-husband Charlie Sheen - has reflected on how she "grew up" with Patrick as a key part of her life until his shock death on Sunday (20.04.26) following a heart attack.

Sami took to her Instagram Story to share photos and video clips of Denise and Patrick and wrote: "Patrick was someone that everyone loved. he was so quick witted and humble but still made sure everyone knew he was a rockstar and never cared what people thought about him. from day 1 till the last day I saw him, he's never changed/

"I've been lucky enough to grow up with him and i have yet to live my life without him. the friendship him and my mom had was so beautiful + something not many people get to experience.(sic)"

The OnlyFans model pledged Patrick will be "missed every single day".

She concluded: "I hope i wake up from this nightmare soon."

Sami then shared another Instagram Story featuring what she felt was a message from Patrick.

Alongside a photo of a heart-shaped cloud in the sky, she wrote: "Right after he passed i was sitting outside begging for a sign from him to let us know that hes okay and made it to the other side, and then a couple minutes later i looked up and saw this in the sky. can't be a coincidence.(sic)"

Denise and Patrick first met in an acting class in the 1990s before starring together in the 1997 film Starship Troopers.

The pair dated for nearly five years before remaining close friends and collaborators, most recently working together on the upcoming crime thriller Dirty Hands, scheduled for digital release on 24 April.

And the Wild Things actress recently shared her own tribute to her "best friend", admitting the death of the Days of Our Lives star had left her "deeply heartbroken".

She wrote on Instagram: I am deeply heartbroken and devastated losing you. You were my best friend and my family.

We met in our first acting class, I was 19 never had an acting job and you were 21 a student at USC doing a recurring role on Whos the Boss.

And here we are. 36 years later. My whole adult life and I dont know it without you.

She continued in her emotional Instagram post  which was accompanied with a video montage featuring images and clips of the pair over several decades, set to the song Everything I Own by Bread: The friendship, love, support, respect and loyalty we had was unconditional and rare. You lit up every room you walked into.

You are larger than life and everyone was drawn to you. So talented and most underrated actor. And most humble. Everything you did was infectious. Your laugh, your kindness, your wit, your strength, your loyalty, your passion and your zest for life.

Weve been each others rock. Our memories together are endless. Youve had my back and protected me more than anyone.

I dont know what Im going to do without you here."

Denise - who is in the midst of a bitter divorce from Aaron Phypers - hailed Patrick a voice of reason and pillar of strength.

She added: Especially during this last year of pain and heartache. And now I need you more than ever, for this pain and heartache losing you.

Schweet babe weve had those conversations. We thought wed live forever or at least into our 90s. Schweet babe I will be looking for those signs. I need to know youre still here with me. I love you so much and miss you dearly schweet babe.
Economists say that in the new development phase, the state and private sectors are not in competition but complement each other within a unified growth ecosystem. The state sector plays a guiding role, ensuring macroeconomic balance, while the private sector acts as a key engine of growth, innovation and global integration. Strengthening institutions to enable both sectors to develop in harmony, in line with Resolutions 68 and 79, will be critical to achieving fast, sustainable growth and elevating Vietnams economic standing.

Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Peoples Committee Nguyen Manh Cuong stressed the need for greater input from academia, experts and businesses to assess the feasibility of double-digit growth targets in the coming period. This will help the city identify new growth drivers and design policies to better tap its development potential.

Experts also highlighted the need for policies to accelerate private sector expansion in high-tech industries, the digital economy and high value-added services, while improving the efficiency of the state sector, particularly in leading infrastructure development, innovation and green transition.

In its next development phase, Ho Chi Minh City aims to maintain its role as Vietnams economic locomotive while shifting towards a productivity-driven model powered by science, innovation and digital transformation. It aspires to become a leading regional hub for finance, services and innovation, with a focus on the digital and green economy, high-value industries, stronger regional connectivity, modern infrastructure and improved living standards.

However, challenges remain. Growth has been uneven in recent years, with fluctuations between rapid recovery and slower expansion, while traditional drivers are losing momentum. Labour productivity, though above the national average, has improved slowly without a clear breakthrough.

Total factor productivity, reflecting technological progress and innovation, accounts for only 3538% of growth, below the citys target of over 45%, suggesting that science and innovation have yet to fully underpin growth.

Nguyen Ngoc Hoa, Chairman of the Members Council of Ho Chi Minh City Finance and Investment Company (HFIC) and head of Ho Chi Minh City Business Association, noted that while the private sector remains dynamic, most enterprises are small, with limited technological capacity and weak participation in global value chains. The innovation ecosystem has yet to produce large-scale technology firms.

Meanwhile, the state sector still requires further restructuring to enhance efficiency, strengthen its leading role and improve coordination with the private sector. Both sectors also face challenges related to infrastructure, digital transformation, workforce quality, regional connectivity and urban governance, highlighting the need for new policy approaches.

Bui Quang Hung of the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) noted that Resolution 68 identifies the private sector as a key growth driver, while Resolution 79 underscores the state sectors leading and regulatory role, forming two strategic pillars of Vietnams socialist-oriented market economy.

In practice, however, the state sectors efficiency has yet to match its resource base, while private firms still face barriers in accessing development resources, underscoring the need for a more transparent, stable and equitable business environment, particularly in Ho Chi Minh City.

From 2020 to 2025, UEH implemented the Connecting Community  Sharing Knowledge  Sustainable Action programme to strengthen links between academia, business and society. Its 2026 events mobilised nearly 14 billion VND (531,700 USD) for education and sustainability, connected over 5,000 quality job opportunities, and attracted more than 60 leading firms across key sectors.

The initiative has since evolved into a platform for co-creating value, forming a broad partnership ecosystem with over 1,500 partners, more than 213 billion VND in scholarships awarded to over 16,000 learners, and thousands of internship and research opportunities. Hung stressed that such collaboration helps generate long-term value, with knowledge-sharing serving as a foundation for sustainable development./. VNA
Duong Tuyet Nhi, a Grade 12A1 student at Xuan Hoa High School in Phu Tho, is currently the highest scorer in the 2026 competency assessment, with 133 out of 150 points. Photo: NVCC

With this result in the Q21 subject combination, Tuyet Nhi not only topped the fourth testing round but also holds the highest score recorded across all four rounds of the exam this year. In comparison, the top score in 2025 was 130 out of 150.

Sharing her experience, Tuyet Nhi said she had expected a strong result but did not anticipate becoming the overall top scorer. When the system displayed my score, I was a bit surprised. I didnt think it would be that high because I felt my performance was not perfect. I was very happy to know I ranked first in the fourth round, she said.

Her achievement is the result of a long-term academic journey rather than chance.

Throughout secondary school and up to Grade 11, Tuyet Nhi was a member of English academic teams. However, at the beginning of Grade 12, she made a decisive shift, joining the mathematics team to challenge herself in a new direction.

Before taking the competency assessment, she had already built an impressive academic record: first prize in the provincial English competition in Grade 10; third prize in the same subject in Grades 11 and 12 (including competing a year early); and second prize in the provincial mathematics competition in Grade 12. She also achieved an IELTS score of 8.0, providing a strong foundation for her confidence entering the exam.

Tuyet Nhi said she did not spend excessive time preparing specifically for this test. Instead, she emphasized the importance of staying calm and focused during exams.

In the competency assessment, she applied logical thinking skills developed through IELTS preparation to tackle different sections, particularly literature. The reading section felt similar to English comprehension, focusing on language thinking. I used the analytical skills and reading techniques I developed while preparing for IELTS, as the test emphasized reasoning rather than tricky wording, she explained.

She also highlighted the importance of consistent practice. Regularly working through practice tests helped her build resilience, improve her mindset and identify areas for improvement.

Outside her studies, Tuyet Nhi spends time on social media, where she follows online lectures and educational content from teachers across the country. She also plays the piano and badminton to maintain balance, holding a Grade 5 piano certificate from LCM.

Nguyen Thu Thuy, her mathematics teacher over three years of high school, described her as intelligent, composed and decisive, with strong self-learning abilities and effective knowledge synthesis.

Although she only joined the math team in her final year, she showed remarkable progress. With strong self-study skills and the right approach, she quickly caught up and achieved excellent results, including the highest score among the schools math team in the provincial competition, Thuy said.

Following her recent success, Tuyet Nhi plans to focus on completing her high school program without placing excessive pressure on the upcoming graduation exam. She intends to apply to the National Economics University and continue pursuing her passion for numbers and logical thinking.

Thanh Hung
The analytica Hanoi 2026 international exhibition opens on April 22. Photo: Du Lam

On the morning of April 22, the international exhibition analytica Hanoi 2026 officially opened, drawing more than 150 exhibitors from major technology nations, including the US, Germany, Japan, South Korea, and Singapore.

Returning to Hanoi after nearly a decade, this years exhibition stands out with the introduction of specialized subcommittees focused on the semiconductor industry.

According to Professor Dang Vu Minh, Honorary Chairman of the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations, analytica has evolved beyond a traditional trade fair into a platform for global knowledge exchange.

He emphasized that alongside traditional fields such as environmental analysis, green chemistry, and food quality control, this years event expands into strategic areas. Two new subcommittees have been introduced, including one dedicated to semiconductors, covering topics from material fabrication and cleanroom design to chip production and packaging.

The addition of the semiconductor segment is seen by experts as a proactive move aligned with Vietnams national strategy to develop its microchip industry.

As Vietnam accelerates innovation to become a developed nation, platforms like analytica play a crucial role in bridging scientific research with industrial application.

Vietnam on Southeast Asias semiconductor map

Michael Wilton, General Director of MMI Asia, speaks on the sidelines of analytica 2026. Photo: Du Lam







Assessing market potential, Michael Wilton, General Director of MMI Asia and organizer of the exhibition, stressed that quality is the defining factor in the semiconductor industry.

We all understand the reliance on semiconductor supply chains globally. To ensure precision at the nano level, advanced analytical and diagnostic technologies are essential, he said.

According to Wilton, Vietnam holds strong potential in this field, but its role should be viewed within the broader regional context.

While Malaysia has long been a hub for high-end semiconductor manufacturing and design, Vietnam, along with Thailand and Indonesia, is emerging as a key complementary player, particularly in component production and quality control.

Vietnams potential depends on which segments of the semiconductor process it participates in - whether machinery manufacturing, design, fabrication, or specific chip segments, he noted. Maintaining quality is the top priority. It is entirely appropriate that this exhibition brings together solutions to help Vietnams semiconductor industry meet international standards.

Beyond semiconductors, analytica Hanoi 2026 continues to affirm its position as a leading platform for laboratory equipment. For the first time in northern Vietnam, a Live Lab model has been introduced, allowing visitors to observe real-time laboratory operations and evaluate equipment performance through demonstrations in molecular biology and microbiology.

The event takes place as northern provinces increasingly attract high-tech foreign direct investment. Demand for laboratories meeting ISO/IEC 17025 standards is rising sharply to support export activities.

The exhibition is expected to welcome thousands of industry visitors, opening opportunities for direct business connections through the Buyer-Seller Meeting program.

At the opening of analytica Hanoi 2026, we bring strong confidence and a clear long-term commitment. This marks the beginning of a journey to build northern Vietnam into a center of excellence in laboratory and analytical sciences, Wilton said.

Du Lam
At a conference on resource mobilisation for malaria prevention and elimination in 2026, held in Gia Lai province on April 21, health authorities and representatives from 15 project-supported localities reviewed progress and outlined priorities for the next phase. According to Dr. Ngo Duc Thang from the National Institute of Malariology, Parasitology and Entomology (NIMPE), malaria remains a major global public health threat, with an estimated 282 million cases and 610,000 deaths worldwide in 2024, an increase of over 9 million cases from the previous year.



Vietnam, however, has recorded significant progress during the 20212025 period, with malaria cases dropping sharply. In 2025, the country reported 246 cases with no deaths, down more than 30% year-on-year. In the first months of 2026, only 25 cases were recorded, again with no fatalities. So far, 26 out of 34 provinces and cities have been officially recognised as malaria-free.



Despite these gains, the risk of resurgence persists, particularly in remote, border, and mountainous areas where socio-economic conditions remain difficult, and population mobility is high.



For the 20262030 period, the health sector aims to eliminate malaria nationwide while sustaining achieved results. Key measures include strengthening disease surveillance, ensuring early diagnosis and prompt treatment, tightly controlling transmission hotspots, reinforcing grassroots healthcare networks, and boosting public awareness alongside community engagement.



Local experiences presented at the conference highlighted practical approaches to achieving elimination.



According to Nguyen Dai Vinh, Director of the Da Nang Centre for Disease Control, said the central city has achieved significant results in malaria prevention, control, and elimination. By June 2025, the locality was officially certified malaria-free.



This achievement stems from proactive mobilisation of local budget resources, effective integration of malaria efforts into socio-economic development plans, and strengthened surveillance, early detection, and thorough case management, he noted.



Meanwhile, Lam Dong province - following the administrative merger with Dak Nong and Binh Thuan provinces - has also reported encouraging results. With a population exceeding 3.8 million, the province recorded just eight malaria cases in 2025, more than 20 times lower than in 2020. The infection rate has dropped to 0.002 cases per 1,000 people. Currently, 21 out of 28 areas have been declared malaria-free, with the remainder continuing targeted interventions.



From practical implementation, Lam Dong has drawn key lessons - aligning closely with the Ministry of Healths guidance, improving reporting systems to inform investment decisions, and ensuring effective coordination with international donors to streamline procedures and maintain project timelines.



Vietnam plans to strengthen international cooperation and mobilise resources from organisations such as the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, aiming to enhance the effectiveness of malaria prevention and control and move toward eliminating the disease by 2030./. VNA
At the meeting, the Vietnamese Deputy PM underscored the significance of the visit, noting that it contributes to maintaining and further advancing the VietnamRoK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership across all sectors. In this context, science and technology cooperation has emerged as a new pillar, already delivering encouraging initial outcomes.



As Vietnam focuses on implementing its strategic development goals in the new phase, he affirmed that the country attaches great importance to strengthening cooperation with the RoK on the basis of trust, partnership, and shared development.



Dung called on the Korean side to continue its support and active contributions to advancing bilateral ties in line with the comprehensive strategic partnership framework; to sustain high-level exchanges and engagements at all levels; and to promote cooperation in a balanced, sustainable, and mutually beneficial manner.



In addition, he encouraged Korean enterprises to expand and scale up investment in Vietnam, particularly in priority sectors such as infrastructure development, high-tech electronics manufacturing, semiconductors, big data, biotechnology, and smart urban development. He also urged relevant ministries and agencies of both countries to strengthen coordination, effectively operate existing cooperation mechanisms, and translate policy agreements into concrete, impactful projects.



For his part, Bae noted that earlier this month, the two countries convened a meeting of the joint committee on science and technology, during which they discussed the development of a comprehensive cooperation plan in this field. The Korean side expressed confidence that this would serve as a solid foundation for expanding collaboration across multiple sectors.



He emphasised that many major Korean enterprises highly appreciate Vietnams development potential and its high-quality human resources. The two sides are also broadening cooperation in areas such as agriculture, human resource training, and the implementation of ODA projects.



In particular, the Korean side spoke highly of the Vietnam-Korea Institute of Science and Technology (VKIST) as a flagship model of bilateral cooperation.



The RoK affirmed its commitment to enhancing support for and coordination in implementing projects related to VKIST, aiming not only to strengthen its role as a research institution but also to develop it into a key hub connecting businesses from both countries. VKIST is also expected to serve as a platform for joint training programmes, especially in fields such as software development and artificial intelligence.



The Korean Deputy PM highlighted the strong potential of Vietnams young workforce and expressed hope that both sides would deepen cooperation in cutting-edge sectors such as artificial intelligence and the semiconductor industry  areas receiving significant attention from the Korean Government.



He added that the two sides have already engaged in extensive discussions at the ministerial and sectoral levels on these areas of cooperation, expressing confidence that more concrete initiatives will be implemented in the near future, contributing to the realisation of shared objectives and delivering tangible results./.













VNA
Pham Nhat Vuong. Photo: VIC

In the morning trading session on April 21, shares tied to the Vingroup ecosystem surged sharply, becoming the focal point of the stock market. Notably, Vingroup (VIC) and Vinhomes (VHM) both reached new all-time highs, significantly boosting Vuongs net worth.

According to the latest updates, his fortune climbed to US$31.7 billion during the morning session, placing him 70th globally and firmly at the top in Southeast Asia. By the end of the day, his wealth edged up further to US$31.9 billion, marking a new milestone in his financial ascent.

Over the past month, the increase has been particularly striking. Between March 20 and April 21, Vuongs assets grew by approximately US$10 billion - a pace rarely seen even among global billionaires. This surge has been driven largely by the strong performance of VIC shares and growing market optimism surrounding Vingroups expanding ecosystem.

However, when viewed over a longer period, the growth appears more moderate. At the end of 2025, Vuongs wealth stood at around US$30 billion, ranking him 72nd globally. After nearly four months, his total assets have increased by roughly US$1.9 billion.

Compared to Vuong, other Vietnamese billionaires have seen relatively modest changes. Tran Dinh Long, chairman of Hoa Phat Group, recorded an increase of about US$200 million, bringing his net worth to US$2.9 billion. Meanwhile, Ho Hung Anh and Nguyen Dang Quang remained largely unchanged at US$2.3 billion and US$1.1 billion, respectively.

In contrast, Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao saw her wealth decline from US$4.9 billion to US$4.1 billion, resulting in a drop in her global ranking.

The most notable development, however, is the emergence of three new Vietnamese billionaires.

For the first time, two female executives within the Vingroup ecosystem - Pham Thu Huong and Pham Thuy Hang - alongside Ngo Chi Dung, have been recognized by Forbes as US-dollar billionaires. Their inclusion marks a significant milestone, underscoring both the expanding influence of major conglomerates and the increasingly prominent role of women in Vietnams business community.

As of April 21, Pham Thu Huong holds an estimated US$3.4 billion in assets. Pham Thuy Hang follows with US$2.4 billion, while Ngo Chi Dung has reached US$1.1 billion. All three have seen substantial gains compared to March, when the global billionaire list was last published.

Their addition brings Vietnams total number of US-dollar billionaires to eight, including Pham Nhat Vuong, Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao, Tran Dinh Long, Ho Hung Anh, Nguyen Dang Quang, Pham Thu Huong, Pham Thuy Hang and Ngo Chi Dung. The figure reflects the growing strength of the countrys private sector.

Behind the surge in wealth among Vuong and his associates is the remarkable performance of Vingroup shares. Over the past year, VIC stock has increased roughly tenfold, rising from around VND40,000 per share (US$1.60) to nearly VND400,000 (US$16.00), before adjustments. This has been a key driver of the rapid expansion in the fortunes of major shareholders.

Market expectations surrounding a series of large-scale projects have also played an important role.

Beyond corporate factors, policy developments have contributed to the momentum. Resolution 68-NQ/TW, issued by the Politburo in May 2025, identifies the private sector as one of the most important drivers of the national economy. Supportive mechanisms in credit, land access and the broader business environment have created more favorable conditions for large enterprises to expand.

In this context, the rising wealth of Vietnams billionaires not only reflects individual success but also signals a broader transformation of the private sector - an increasingly vital pillar of the countrys economic growth.

Manh Ha
Professor Emilie Allard-Vannier of the University of Tours (France) guides students from the University of Health Sciences during an experiment as part of the visiting professor program. Photo: UHS







The university is seeking professors, associate professors, experts, scientists, and managers currently working at universities, research institutes, international organizations, and leading technology corporations worldwide.

Recruitment demand spans multiple member institutions. The University of Information Technology plans to invite 15 professors, the University of Science 11, the University of Economics and Law 10, An Giang University 9, the University of Technology 8, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities 7, the University of Health Sciences 6, and the Institute for Circular Economy Development 2.

Priority fields include semiconductors and chip design, artificial intelligence, digital transformation, biotechnology, biomedical science, materials technology, new energy, logistics, international finance, climate change, sustainable development, and Vietnamese history and culture.

Candidates from academia are required to have at least 10 years of experience in teaching and research (for those holding a doctoral degree), or currently hold the title of professor or associate professor at reputable institutions. Experts from businesses or international organizations must have equivalent experience, including roles as specialists, managers, or participation in large-scale R&D projects.

The university also offers special mechanisms for outstanding candidates recommended by reputable scientists, with no age limit and a streamlined appointment process.

Visiting professors will receive support including two round-trip air tickets per year, accommodation and meal expenses for up to 10 working days in Vietnam, and opportunities to participate in science and technology projects. They will also gain access to facilities and laboratories, along with assistance in legal procedures, visas, and recognition upon completing their tenure.

In addition, member institutions will provide remuneration based on teaching and research workload, as well as negotiated contractual terms, along with travel and administrative support.

Le Huyen
On April 22, the festivals organizers announced the shortlist for the short film category, with Dream Is a Snail by young director Nguyen Thien An named among the selected entries.

Dream Is a Snail is one of five projects supported under the CJ Short Film Project 2025. The 16-minute film follows Huy, an extra actor who develops an unusual obsession with snails after being hired as a model for a rejuvenation workshop.

Director Nguyen Thien An and cinematographer Chananun Chotrungroj on the set of Dream Is a Snail.

The films visual language is crafted by cinematographer Chananun Chotrungroj, known for his work on The Third Wife, bringing a blend of realism and layered symbolism that evokes both intimacy and existential reflection.

Through its concise runtime, the film captures the emotional journey of young individuals caught between mundane realities and elusive artistic dreams that grow increasingly abstract.

Filmmaker Phan Dang Di, who mentored Nguyen Thien An during the CJ project, described the work as possessing a natural charm with a distinctive narrative voice - both humorous and satirical - offering deeper reflections on identity and human condition.

This achievement continues the trajectory of the CJ Short Film Project in elevating Vietnamese cinema internationally. Previous participants have gained recognition at major festivals, including Pham Ngoc Lan at Berlin, Pham Thien An at Cannes, and the duo Vu Minh Nghia and Pham Hoang Minh Thy at Venice.

The Cannes Film Festival, held annually in France, remains one of the most prestigious and influential events in global cinema, renowned for celebrating outstanding artistic achievements and launching the careers of independent filmmakers.

The 79th edition of the festival is scheduled to take place from May 12 to 23, 2026. This years event is expected to gather leading filmmakers from around the world, with a strong presence from Asian cinema. South Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook will serve as jury president, while French actress Eye Haidara will host the event.

Huyen My
Antoine Fuqua knew immediately that Jaafar Jackson was the right person to portray his uncle Michael Jackson in the biopic Michael.

Antoine Fuqua has directed the Michael biopic

The 29-year-old star makes his film debut as the late King of Pop in the new flick and the filmmaker knew that casting him was the correct decision when he performed Bad on the very first day of production.

Asked when the biopic started to click into place, Fuqua told The Credits: "It was on day one, seeing Jaafar perform Bad. That was the tour where Michael got his wings and creative freedom.

"To see Jaafar do that, when he had never acted before, in front of 500 or 600 screaming extras, felt like a real concert, and that was a pivotal moment for me. I was understanding Michael from a more intimate perspective.

"This is Michael Jackson. You've got to put the cape on the superhero to see if he can be a superhero, and Jaafar pulled it off.

"I was shooting that scene for a few days, so he had to do it over and over at the same level, every time, from every angle. At that point, Michael had such veracity and energy, and we had to capture that."

Michael tells the story of the Beat It hitmaker's involvement in the Jackson 5 in the 1960s through to his early solo career and Fuqua explained that he was meticulous in his approach to the flick  such as filming in the exact same Los Angeles location that Jackson shot his iconic Thriller video back in 1983.

The Olympus Has Fallen helmer recalled: "I spoke to Graham (King, producer) a lot about it, and he was able to secure certain places.

"To have access to Hayvenhurst (Jackson's former home) was incredible. To film in the actual studios in Los Angeles where (he) recorded Off The Wall was incredible. You could feel the history in the air.

"We used the Pasadena Playhouse 9 for the Motown 25 show, we shot Thriller at the original location, and we had a full moon every night. It was perfect. That was eerie because the place looks the same.

"LA is unique. Just like with Training Day, it's a character for me. There's a certain light that I'm drawn to."

Fuqua also hailed the editing team for weaving Michael's songs into the picture without them completely dominating the story.

He said: "Paul Massey, our music mixer, was fantastic, and so were our editors.

"Some songs we wanted, but they didn't fit the moment. However, when you take the lyrics out, the melody still feels right. It's like score. You had to craft it along the way.

"With Michael's music, you want to listen to it all, but you can't; you don't have the time. With Wanna Be Startin' Somethin', you start to hear it, and it becomes a through line. It took a long time to find that."
Naomi Watts will play legendary ballerina Margot Fonteyn in upcoming movie Margot + Rudi.

Naomi Watts will play Margot Fonteyn

The 57-year-old actress will star opposite Alexandr Trush, the Hamburg Ballet's Principal Dancer as Rudolf Nureyev in director Anthony Fabian's upcoming romantic drama, which is described as an "electrifiying true story" about the dance "legends".

According to Deadline, the official synopsis for Margot + Rudi reads: "She is 42, the greatest ballerina in the West, and sensing her career is over; he is 23, a rebellious Soviet defectormagnetic, explosive, unstoppable. Together, they ignite the stage and become icons of the Swinging Sixties.

"Margot is reborn by Rudis wild energy, but their bond is complicated by her marriage and his affair with another dancer. To preserve what they have, they will risk everything for one defining balletbecause the only place they can truly be together is on stage.

The movie will also star Succession's Harriet Walter, Can You Ever Forgive Me? actor Richard E. Grant, and A Better Life's Demian Bichir.

Margot + Rudi is written by Girl with a Pearl Earring's Olivia Hetreed and is set to shoot in October.

Arthur Pita is on board as choreographer, while BAFTA-winning costume designer Fotini Dimou and hair and make-up designer Karen Hartley Thomas are also part of the creative team.

Meanwhile, Naomi previously admitted that she took a big risk by making the switch to Hollywood.

The movie star - who was born in the UK, before moving to Australia in her teens - told the Guardian newspaper: "I had $2,000 to my name and one phone number belonging to a friend of my mothers. And I was friendly but not yet besties with Nicole Kidman. Wed worked together on Flirting, and we knew each other peripherally from back home in Australia. We became much better acquainted once I moved here. And over time I made more friends and built a community.

"The point is: I was brave back then. So I can be brave now when it comes to taking risks in life."

Naomi also stressed the importance of working with talented directors who share similar values.

She said: "Working with people whose values you share makes everything so much easier.

"I believe that film is ultimately a directors medium, so Ive always done my best to find directors I trust and to put myself in their capable hands. Of course, its a collaborative experience, but the director is the main storyteller. As an actor, you have to give yourself over to their point of view as much as possible.

"You dont always have that luxury when the A-list directors stop calling  which has been my experience for years at a time. Maybe thats because Ive had a few bombs along the way. More than a handful!"
Morocco sits at the crossroads of Africa and Europe, offering travelers an exotic adventure that feels both foreign and accessible at the same time. For first-time visitors, the country can seem a bit overwhelming with its bustling medinas, unfamiliar customs, and sensory overload of sights, sounds, and smells. Many first-timers find that booking Morocco tour packages before arrival provides helpful orientation and takes the guesswork out of navigating an unfamiliar destination.

Morocco travel idea's

However, Morocco is one of the most welcoming and tourist-friendly destinations in North Africa, with locals who genuinely enjoy sharing their culture with visitors. The key to having an amazing first trip is knowing what to expect and preparing for the unique aspects of Moroccan travel. This guide covers the essential things every first-time visitor should know before stepping foot in this magical land.

Dress Modestly and Respectfully

Morocco is a predominantly Muslim country, and dressing appropriately shows respect while making the travel experience smoother and more pleasant. This doesn't mean covering from head to toe, but keeping shoulders and knees covered, especially when visiting mosques or rural areas, prevents unwanted attention and demonstrates cultural awareness.

Lightweight, breathable fabrics work best since Morocco can get quite hot, particularly in summer months and desert regions. Women might want to carry a scarf for entering religious sites or covering up in more conservative areas. Following these simple guidelines helps travelers blend in better, receive warmer treatment from locals.

Navigate the Medinas Like a Pro

The ancient medinas are magical labyrinths where getting lost is practically guaranteed, and honestly, that's part of the charm. These walled old cities feature winding alleys designed centuries ago, and they still confuse modern visitors just as effectively as they confused invaders back in the day. The trick is embracing the confusion rather than fighting it, wandering aimlessly often leads to the best discoveries.

However, dropping a pin on a maps app before heading into the maze helps when it's time to find the way back to the hotel. The souks, or traditional markets, can feel intense with vendors calling out to passersby, but this is normal business practice rather than aggressive harassment.

Plan Transportation Between Cities Wisely

Getting around Morocco offers plenty of options depending on budget and comfort preferences. Trains connect major cities like Marrakech, Casablanca, and Fes, providing comfortable and affordable travel with beautiful scenery. Buses reach destinations that trains don't cover and cost even less, though they can be slower and less comfortable. For maximum flexibility, renting a car works great, though driving in Moroccan cities requires patience with chaotic traffic and different road rules.

Within cities, petit taxis are cheap and convenient for short trips, but travelers should insist on using the meter or agree on a price before getting in. For those planning to visit multiple cities plus the desert or mountains, Morocco tours handle all the transportation logistics, eliminating the stress of coordinating schedules and ensuring efficient use of vacation time with knowledgeable drivers who speak multiple languages.

Master the Art of Bargaining

Bargaining is expected in souks and with taxi drivers, though not in regular stores with marked prices or restaurants. The key to successful bargaining is staying friendly and lighthearted, it's a social interaction and cultural tradition, not a confrontation. Starting around half the initial asking price usually works as an opening offer, and being willing to walk away often brings sellers down to reasonable levels quickly.

That said, a few dollars might not mean much to travelers but can make a real difference to local vendors, so driving the absolute hardest bargain possible isn't always necessary. Finding the balance between getting a fair price and supporting local artisans makes shopping more enjoyable for everyone involved. Learning a few Arabic numbers helps with negotiations and shows effort that locals appreciate.

Eat Adventurously but Smartly

Moroccan cuisine is incredible, and trying local food is essential to the full experience. Street food is generally safe when choosing busy stalls where food gets cooked fresh and turnover is high. Tagines, couscous, fresh bread, and mint tea should all be on the must-try list. Drinking bottled water is the safest choice, and avoiding ice in drinks prevents potential stomach issues.

Most travelers find that their digestive systems need a day or two to adjust to different spices and cooking styles, which is completely normal and shouldn't cause alarm. Accepting tea invitations from locals leads to wonderful cultural exchanges, though using common sense about situations that feel uncomfortable is always important.

Conclusion

Morocco rewards first-time visitors who come prepared with basic knowledge about local customs, practical travel tips, and realistic expectations. The country offers incredible experiences ranging from vibrant cities to peaceful deserts and understanding how to navigate cultural differences makes everything more enjoyable.

With proper planning, an open mind, and willingness to embrace the unfamiliar, first-timers can have an absolutely unforgettable Moroccan adventure.

by Natalie key for www.femalefirst.co.uk


According to a statement on April 22, the combined entity will have nearly 150 professionals across Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Danang, making it one of the largest non-audit corporate services firms in the country.

From left: Alberto Vettoretti, managing partner from Dezan Shira & Associates, Vivie Wei, country director from Dezan Shira & Associates, Benny Nguyen, head of Business Advisory of InCorp Vietnam (An Ascentium Company), Jack Nguyen, CEO of InCorp Vietnam (An Ascentium Company)

The combined firm will operate nationwide, delivering seven integrated services including business intelligence, market entry, accounting, tax, payroll compliance and advisory, HR consulting and recruitment, and technology and enterprise resources planning (ERP) advisory.

Lennard Yong, founding management and group CEO of Ascentium, said: "This milestone affirms our commitment to Vietnam as a strategic market. By creating a single, connected platform that combines global expertise with unmatched local insight, we are building a firm that can truly support investors at every stage of their journey. Our goal is to help investors not just enter Vietnam, but thrive here for the long term."

Alberto Vettoretti, managing partner of Dezan Shira & Associates, commented that the company has been warmly welcomed by Ascentium, and joining the firm marks an exciting new chapter,

Bringing our Vietnamese teams together establishes one of the countrys leading corporate service providers at a time when the global landscape is becoming increasingly multipolar, and new markets are rising in strategic importance. Were confident this platform positions us to help businesses move early, execute decisively, and win in complex, fast changing environments, Vettoretti said.

Meanwhile, Jack Nguyen, CEO of Ascentium Vietnam, said, "Uniting under the Ascentium Vietnam brand means clients can count on a single platform for market entry and long-term growth. With complex regulatory requirements for business expansion, having integrated business intelligence, advisory, and execution capabilities under one roof helps investors navigate with greater confidence."

This integration significantly expands Ascentiums scale, reach, and deep local expertise in Vietnam at a pivotal moment for the countrys foreign investment landscape.

As Vietnam continues to attract rising levels of foreign investment, driven by its broadening roles in global supply chains, a rapidly growing consumer market, and an ambitious five-year economic plan commencing in 2026, new opportunities are emerging for international investors.

This timely move by Ascentium positions the firm to help foreign investors seize these opportunities, supporting them as they enter and operate locally while navigating increasing regulatory complexity, stricter compliance requirements, and heightened expectations around governance and operational control.

The move also marks Ascentiums entry into business intelligence, further strengthening its advisory offering for investors entering Vietnams dynamic market.

Business intelligence services address key pre-investment challenges by supporting investors in assessing industry dynamics, evaluating suppliers and operating models, analysing location competitiveness, and identifying regulatory risks before capital commitments are made.

At the same time, the integration enhances Ascentiums technology and ERP advisory capabilities, helping clients localise global ERP systems, integrate third-party tools, and implement scalable, fully compliant, technology, as well as AI-enabled solutions that deliver greater visibility, efficiency, and stronger operational control. Together, these expanded capabilities equip businesses to enter Vietnam with confidence and sustain long-term success.

Moreover, the integration brings together InCorp Vietnams strengths in incorporation, accounting, tax, payroll, HR, compliance, and business process outsourcing with Dezan Shiras advisory capabilities in regulatory analysis, investment structuring, international tax and transfer pricing, internal control, fraud prevention, and technology-enabled solutions.

From left: Lennard Yong, founding management and group CEO; Wendy Wang, founding management and group president of Ascentium; Adam Livermore, partner; and Alberto Vettoretti, managing partner of Dezan Shira & Associates

Ascentium Vietnam now operates as part of a 27-market global platform, with new locations added through Dezan Shira, including Mongolia, Poland, Germany and Italy.

This network enables Ascentium Vietnam to deliver end-to-end advisory and business services locally, while providing regional and international expertise for cross-border investments and multi-country operations.

Ascentium is a leading global business services platform dedicated to helping businesses and individuals scale greater heights. Headquartered in Singapore, the company drive extraordinary growth through expert people, purpose-led technology, and an unwavering commitment to service excellence.

With over 2,600 professionals across 46 cities in 23 markets globally, it delivers integrated solutions in corporate services, finance and accounting, fund administration, HR, and fiduciary and trust services.

Serving more than 63,000 client entities across diverse industries, Ascentium combines specialised expertise with innovative, technology-enabled solutions to help clients navigate complexity and unlock new opportunities for sustainable growth.

Founded in 1992, Dezan Shira & Associates is a professional services firm advising foreign investors and multinational enterprises entering and operating across Asia.

The firm provides business intelligence and market entry, corporate establishment and licensing, accounting, tax advisory, payroll and HR administration, internal audit and risk advisory, as well as technology-enabled financial software and ERP solutions.

With more than 300 professionals operating from 27 offices globally, Dezan Shira & Associates maintains one of the regions most extensive integrated advisory platforms dedicated to foreign direct investment and cross-border operations.

InCorp Vietnam (an Ascentium Company) is a major market entry and business process outsourcing partner for foreign-invested enterprises in Vietnam and across the region.

As part of Ascentium, a global business services platform headquartered in Singapore with a presence in 23 markets and 46 cities, InCorp Vietnam delivers integrated, end-to-end solutions that support businesses at every stage of their journey. Its services span market entry advisory, regulatory and compliance support, and outsourcing solutions including accounting and tax, as well as HR and payroll.

Positioned as a one-stop solution provider for foreign-invested enterprises, InCorp Vietnam combines local expertise with global standards to help businesses navigate complexity, ensure compliance, and achieve sustainable growth in Vietnam.

More investment expected within industrial property Industrial property has been one of the hottest segments for mergers and acquisitions over the last two years. Bich Ngoc spoke with Marco Forster, head of ASEAN Advisory at Dezan Shira & Associates, on his assessment of the sector.
LPBank has proposed a 2025 dividend payout plan with a cash ratio of up to 30 per cent, to be executed in 2026. The bank said its total distributable profit by the end of 2025 reached $376.3 million.

The bank will submit to its AGM on April 28 a plan to use $354.8 million to pay dividends at a 30 per cent rate  the highest cash dividend ever paid by the bank and among the highest in the sector. Last year, LPBank paid a 25 per cent cash dividend, corresponding to $298.7 million in distributed profit.

At this years shareholder meeting, LPBank will propose a modest profit growth target of 5 per cent compared to the previous year, estimated at $599.3 million. Credit growth is projected at 11.7 per cent, reaching $17.5 billion. Total assets are expected to increase by 1.6 per cent to $24.6 billion.

At VIBs AGM 2026 on April 8, shareholders approved a 9 per cent cash dividend plan. The total payout is estimated at more than $120 million, sourced from retained earnings, as of the end of 2025.

At the same time, shareholders have approved a plan to increase the banks charter capital from over $1.36 billion to a maximum of over around $1.49 billion, equivalent to a 9.7 per cent increase.

Specifically, VIB plans to issue more than 323 million bonus shares at a ratio of 9.5 per cent and 8 million shares under an employee stock ownership plan for staff with strong performance in 2025.

Meanwhile, ACBs AGM 2026 on April 9 approved a plan to raise its charter capital through a stock dividend at 13 per cent. If implemented, ACBs charter capital will rise by $267 million, surging from $2.05 billion to $2.32 billion.

The plan is expected to be carried out in the second quarter (Q2) of 2026, subject to regulatory approval.

In addition to the 13 per cent stock dividend, ACB will pay a 7 per cent cash dividend. The total dividend for 2025 will reach 20 per cent, equivalent to $410.9 million. Remaining profit after dividend payments under this plan will approximate $600 million.

ACB also plans to raise its 2027 dividend payout to 25 per cent, including 15 per cent in shares and 10 per cent in cash  equivalent to approximately $580 million from its retained earnings.

We expect to maintain a 25 per cent dividend payout for 2027. Therefore, this years steps are necessary preparation to ensure sustainable shareholder benefits throughout the 2025-2030 strategic cycle, said ACB chairman Tran Hung Huy.

VPBank plans to pay a 2025 dividend at 5 per cent in cash, expected to be implemented in Q2 or Q3 of 2026. The exact timing will be decided by the Board of Directors.

The total payout is estimated at $160 million. After the dividend payment, the banks retained earnings will stand at $639.4 million.

At the same time, VPBanks leadership has proposed increasing the banks charter capital from $3.17 billion to $4 billion through share issuance, equivalent to a 26.04 per cent hike.

If completed, VPBank will become the bank with the largest charter capital in the system, which is currently held by Vietcombank at $3.34 billion. The bank also targets pre-tax profit of $1.65 billion in 2026, up 35 per cent on-year.

In contrast to the high dividend payout trend, some banks continue to retain earnings and have no plans to pay dividends for shareholders in 2026.

Specifically, Eximbank reported accumulated undistributed profit of $135.5 million by 2025, but to strengthen its financial capacity for growth and sustainable development, the bank will not pay dividends.

This marks the second consecutive year that Eximbank has proposed a no-dividend plan to shareholders. Previously, at the AGM 2025, despite accumulated profit of over $101 million by the end of 2024, the bank decided to retain the entire amount.

Eximbank assesses that 2026 will continue to be a challenging year for the global economy amid geopolitical tensions, conflicts, and rising trade protectionism.

Changes in US trade policies, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, tensions in the Middle East, and competition among major powers are expected to impact global supply chains significantly, thereby affecting Vietnams economy.

Similarly, Techcombank unveiled that as of the end of 2025 its undistributed post-tax profit approximated $1.8 billion, yet the bank has no plans to pay dividends this year.

Previously, in 2024 and 2025, Techcombank paid cash dividends at rates of 15 per cent and 10 per cent, respectively, after 10 consecutive years of retaining earnings.

Meanwhile, Sacombanks pre-provision operating profit in 2025 reached $760.4 million, up 29.4 per cent compared to 2024.

However, due to a significant increase in credit risk provisioning expenses aimed at improving asset quality, the banks consolidated pre-tax profit amounted to only $305 million, equivalent to 52 per cent of its target.

The most recent dividend payment by Sacombank was in October 2015 with a 12 per cent stock dividend for 2014.

The bank has yet to announce dividend plans for 2025-2026, as it has not completed the resolution of outstanding issues. As such, after more than a decade of restructuring, Sacombank shareholders have yet to receive dividends.

Banks ramp up capital plans ahead of AGM season Many banks are planning significant charter capital increases during the 2026 AGM season through share issuances, stock dividends and private placements to strengthen financial capacity and support future credit growth.

Banks expand financial ecosystems to unlock new growth drivers Banks are expanding into insurance, securities, digital assets and fund management to drive growth, but stronger risk governance will be crucial to ensure system stability.
The call came at a seminar on opportunities and challenges in exporting to the Brazilian market, held in Ho Chi Minh City on April 21.

Le Anh Hoang, deputy director of the Ho Chi Minh City Investment and Trade Promotion Centre, explained that Latin Americas largest economy, with a population of over 200 million, represents a dynamic destination with strong purchasing power and relatively limited direct exposure to global hotspots.

As the countrys leading economic engine, contributing 21 per cent of total national export turnover, Ho Chi Minh City is committed to supporting businesses in enhancing competitiveness and exploring new growth spaces, Hoang said.

Pham Hong Trang, Vietnams Trade Counsellor in Brazil, noted that the country is not just a large consumer market, it is also a strategic gateway for Vietnamese goods to access the broader Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR).

She also highlighted strong growth potential in Vietnams key export categories, including seafood, processed foods, textiles and garments, and electronic components.

At the same time, she cautioned exporters about Brazils stringent technical barriers and trade defence measures.

Imported goods face relatively high tariffs as they fall outside the MERCOSUR bloc, along with mandatory Portuguese labelling requirements and a range of complex sector-specific certifications such as MAPA for agricultural and aquatic products, ANVISA for medical and cosmetic products, and INMETRO for industrial goods, Trang explained.

Dionathan Santos, executive president of the Brazil-Vietnam Chamber of Commerce

Providing more in-depth insights into local buyer behaviour, Dionathan Santos, executive president of the Brazil-Vietnam Chamber of Commerce, underscored the strong appeal of the worlds eighth-largest market, with a GDP of $2.4 trillion.

He pointed out that foreign companies are not permitted to handle customs clearance independently in Brazil.

"As a result, exports to Brazil can only be conducted on terms where the buyer takes responsibility for port procedures  such as Free On Board (FOB)  while Cost, Insurance and Freight, Cost and Freight, and Delivered Duty Paid terms are entirely inapplicable," Santos said.

Consequently, local importers must bear additional operating, tax, and warehousing costs that can increase by 60 to 100 per cent compared to the initial FOB price, creating pressure in price negotiations.

We strongly recommend that exporters utilise Brazils public government databases to verify partner credentials and begin with small-scale orders to gradually test the market, Santos advised.

Addressing the complexities of logistics and supply chain operations, Le Tran Nhat Phuong, deputy CEO of Bee Logistics Corporation, outlined cost optimisation scenarios for shipping routes between Vietnam and Brazil.

He also warned of risks associated with long transit times and significant fluctuations in destination port charges, such as demurrage fees.

To ensure trade security and maintain stability, Phuong noted that current maritime routes are increasingly structured to pass via the Cape of Good Hope instead of the Strait of Hormuz, thereby minimising geopolitical risks.

The success of a shipment to Brazil depends on base freight rates and the high accuracy of documentation, particularly the consistency of product classification codes and the importers tax identification number, he explained.

Brazil is currently Vietnams largest trading partner in Latin America, while Vietnam is one of Brazils leading partners in Southeast Asia.

Bilateral trade has maintained strong growth momentum, reaching approximately $8 billion in 2025, of which Vietnams exports to Brazil accounted for around $2.7 billion.

However, this performance is still not commensurate with Brazils substantial annual import demand, estimated at $250$300 billion. The gap is largely attributed to geographical distance, high logistics costs, and complex domestic technical standards.

Looking ahead, both countries aim to elevate bilateral trade to $15 billion by 2030, paving the way for a promising new phase of economic cooperation.

Vietnamese State President holds talks with visiting Brazilian counterpart Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva emphasised that his visit aims to reaffirm Brazils commitment to strengthening its strategic partnership with Vietnam as part of its broader policy to enhance relations with ASEAN and the Asia-Pacific region.

Brazils JBS to inject $100 million to build two meat factories in Vietnam Brazilian meatpacker JBS on March 31 announced a $100 million investment plan for the construction of two factories in Vietnam, a move aimed at expanding its presence in the region and strengthening its position in the global market.
CAEX and HashKey are jointly developing a digital asset trading platform that meets international standards and fully aligned with regulations in Vietnam

Under the agreement signed during the Hong Kong Web3 Festival 2026 from April 20 to 23, the two parties will jointly develop a trading platform that meets international standards and is fully aligned with Vietnams licensing requirements once the relevant legal framework is finalised and implemented.

This collaboration lays a critical foundation for the development of a safely and transparently operated digital asset market, helping to build long-term trust among investors.

HashKey will serve as CAEXs core technology partner, granting CAEX exclusive rights to use its institutional-grade exchange technology in Vietnam to support CAEXs digital asset trading operations. The Asian blockchain unicorn will also provide comprehensive support, spanning platform architecture, security, and compliance systems, while leading the development of a customised and localised trading platform tailored specifically to the Vietnamese market.

The selection of HashKey carries strategic significance for CAEX. As one of the leading digital asset brands in Hong Kong and across Asia, HashKey brings extensive experience in building and operating licensed exchanges, along with proven technological and governance capabilities recognised internationally. The combination of HashKeys technological strengths and CAEXs strong domestic market position and regulatory compliance capabilities is expected to contribute meaningfully to the growth of Vietnams digital asset market.

CAEX has made comprehensive financial, technological, and compliance preparations to capitalise on the growing digital asset opportunities in Vietnam

This partnership further reinforces CAEXs pioneering position in Vietnams crypto asset market which has been attracting significant attention in Vietnam. In recent times, CAEX has taken a series of important steps to strengthen its capital base, expand its network of strategic partners, and enhance its technology platform.

The collaboration with HashKey demonstrates CAEXs proactive and comprehensive preparation across finance, technology, and compliance, positioning the company to seize upcoming opportunities in Vietnams digital asset market.

OKX Ventures and HashKey invest in Vietnam crypto exchange CAEX Vietnam Prosperity Crypto Asset Exchange JSC on April 10 announced that OKX Ventures and HashKey Capital have agreed to invest in the company and become its strategic partners.

Lenders slip in brand health rankings While leading banks in Vietnam have largely maintained their positions, most have recorded declines in overall brand scores, reflecting rising customer expectations and a narrowing gap in differentiation across the industry.
Europes aviation fuel supply is heavily dependent on imports from the Middle East, as refining capacity within the region has nearly reached its limit.

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), if blockades or disruptions at the Strait of Hormuz persist, both domestic and international flights across Europe could soon face cancellations due to fuel shortages.

The IEA described the situation as part of an unprecedented global energy crisis. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical transit route, carrying a significant share of the worlds crude oil and refined fuels from the Middle East. Since tensions escalated involving the US, Israel, and Iran, this key shipping lane has been severely disrupted, placing immense pressure on global energy supply chains.

Europe currently relies on imports for around 75 per cent of its aviation fuel, much of it sourced from the Middle East, leaving the region particularly vulnerable to supply shocks. Fuel prices have more than doubled, putting significant financial strain on airlines.

Dutch carrier KLM announced the cancellation of 80 flights to and from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport in May due to rising fuel costs, although the affected flights account for less than 1 per cent of its European schedule.

Earlier, Lufthansa considered reducing capacity by 2.5-5 per cent, potentially grounding 20 to 40 aircraft, while Scandinavian airline SAS planned to cancel around 1,000 flights in April.

Industry organisations have warned that a systemic fuel shortage could emerge next weeks if flows through the Strait of Hormuz are not restored, posing a serious threat to the upcoming peak travel season.

Widespread cancellations could affect millions of passengers, drive up ticket prices, and trigger ripple effects across tourism, services, and related supply chains.

In Vietnam, disruptions to jet fuel (Jet A-1) supply linked to tensions in the Middle East are also raising concerns about potential shortages, forcing domestic airlines to scale back their networks.

Since April, Vietnamese carriers have reduced frequencies on multiple domestic and international routes to optimise operations amid tightening and increasingly expensive fuel supply. Numerous flights have already been cancelled, disrupting travel plans and significantly impacting tourism businesses.

On April 17, director general of the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV), Uong Viet Dung, sent a letter to the administrator of the Civil Aviation Administration of China, requesting support to maintain stable aviation fuel supplies for Vietnam.

He emphasised that the crisis in the Middle East has caused severe disruptions to global and regional oil supply chains, adversely affecting airline operations due to fuel shortages, a situation also facing Vietnamese carriers.

Based on the long-standing partnership and close ties between the two aviation authorities, CAAV has requested that China direct key fuel suppliers, including Sinopec, PetroChina, and the China National Offshore Oil Corporation, to maintain stable and sufficient fuel supplies for Vietnamese importers in accordance with existing contracts.

Vietnam imports around 70 per cent of its aviation fuel, with more than 60 per cent sourced from Thailand and China. So ensuring stable supply from China is critical to maintaining the operations of domestic airlines.

The CAAV stated that current fuel reserves are sufficient to support flight operations through the end of April, including the peak holiday period of April 30May 1.

Vietnam Airlines to suspend domestic routes as fuel costs rise Vietnam Airlines is planning to suspend several domestic routes from April 1 amid tightening Jet A-1 fuel supply and surging prices linked to Middle East tensions.

Vietnam mulls increasing ceiling price for domestic flights Raising the ceiling on airfares is being considered in the context of rising fuel prices, according to the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam.

Fuel imports rise in first quarter amid global market volatility Vietnam has ramped up fuel imports in the first quarter of the year amid global energy market volatility due to the tensions in the Middle East.
Addressing the National Assembly on April 21, Deputy PM Thang said the health check-up initiative is based on the Politburo's Resolution No.72-NQ/TW from last September on strengthening the protection, care, and improvement of people's health. It has been institutionalised by the Law on Medical Examination and Treatment, passed by the National Assembly at its 10th session last December.

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Van Thang. Photo: quochoi.vn

Immediately afterwards, the government and the prime minister directed the Ministry of Health (MoH) to issue specific guidelines on regular health check-ups suitable for each target group. These guidelines included comprehensive monitoring of physical and mental development, nutrition, and immunisation for children under six years old; clinical examinations and screening for risk factors for students; and in addition to clinical examinations, adults undergoing basic paraclinical tests to detect diseases early, especially non-communicable diseases.

"These initiatives aim to facilitate early detection, consulting, and long-term health monitoring for the population, thereby improving the quality of healthcare," DPM Thang said.

Regarding resources for implementation, funding is allocated from the state budget, health insurance fund, and other legal sources. For groups not covered by health insurance, localities develop plans and allocate funds to organise free screening examinations.

According to the DPM, the organisation of regular health check-ups is being implemented according to a roadmap, gradually improving both the professional mechanisms and implementation, contributing to a strong shift from treating diseases to preventing diseases, early detection, and regular health management for the people.

Currently, the government is directing the MoH to urgently finalise the legal framework so that localities can implement the scheme more synchronously and effectively in the future.

Regarding food safety issues, he stated that in recent times, the Party, the state, and the entire political system have taken decisive action and fight against violations.

This National Assembly session coincides with the 'Month of Action for Food Safety'; therefore the government is directing ministries, sectors, and localities to strengthen inspections, checks, and strictly handle violations.

In fact, every year authorities inspect more than 300,000 food production and business establishments and handle many violations. The Ministry of Public Security has also launched many special operations from the central to local levels to combat crimes related to food safety.

In addition, the government is directing the MoH to finalise the amended draft Law on Food Safety, which is expected to be submitted to the National Assemblys upcoming session in October. Simultaneously, a plan to establish a unified food safety management agency is also being implemented.

According to DPM Thang, the facts prove that food safety management involves many ministries and agencies, sometimes leading to overlaps or gaps. Establishing a unified focal agency will contribute to improving management efficiency.

The government also focuses on protecting legitimate businesses  those significantly affected by the recent surge in counterfeit and substandard food products.

In addition to management solutions, the government also requires intensified communication to raise awareness among the public and businesses, thereby encouraging their participation in detecting, combating, and preventing counterfeit and substandard food. This aims to build a safe food environment and sustainably protect public health.

Regular health check-ups prevent potential disease While a growing Vietnamese economy is rapidly improving the quality of modern life, new risks of diseases continue emerging, threatening our health. Regular health check-ups are recommended by experts to help identify potential diseases and health issues at an early stage.

Healthcare sector accelerates administrative reform and digital transformation Vietnams Ministry of Health is moving to accelerate administrative reform and digital transformation to improve operational efficiency.

Vietnam's health sector tightens control over GMP standardisation The healthcare sector is tightening standardisation for health supplements, with a new evaluation checklist of nearly 170 criteria covering everything from raw materials to finished products.
The agreement was signed on April 21. Under the MoU, Schaeffler will supply actuator systems and related motion technology components  critical parts that enable precise and reliable movement  while VinDynamics will conduct technical assessments and optimisation of its control software to ensure seamless integration with Schaeffler's systems.

The two sides will focus on joint research and technology development, with Schaeffler providing key components for the production of humanoid robots.

The two companies will collaborate on the research, development, and optimisation of key components of humanoid robots, including actuator systems and related motion technology components. The actuator components, supplied by Schaeffler, are critical parts of humanoid robots to produce precise, reliable movement. VinDynamics will conduct technical assessments and optimisation of its control software to ensure seamless compatibility and effective integration with Schaeffler actuator systems.

To enhance system performance and reliability, the collaboration extends beyond production to provision of advice and support in product simulation and validation. VinDynamics will share operational product data of the supplied actuators with Schaeffler. This enables Schaeffler to further improve actuator designs and performance, as well as to advance its services, including condition monitoring and predictive maintenance.

Maximilian Fiedler, regional CEO of Asia/Pacific at Schaeffler, said, "VinDynamics is an inspiring technology partner with a clear vision for humanoid robotics. By combining Schaeffler's decades of expertise in actuator and drive technologies with VinDynamics' capabilities in developing next-generation robotic systems, we are confident this partnership will deliver significant technological advancements and help shape the future deployment of humanoid robots."

La Manh Hung, president of VinDynamics, said, "This partnership represents a convergence of technological capabilities and a strategic alignment of vision. By combining our strengths, we believe this collaboration will unlock transformative opportunities and accelerate the transition of humanoid robots from research environments to real-world applications across industrial and everyday settings."

Schaeffler is a global motion technology company headquartered in Germany, providing innovative solutions in bearings, drive systems, and mechatronics. Meanwhile, VinDynamics is a technology company under Vingroup, dedicated to the research, development, and manufacturing of advanced robotics and automation solutions, particularly in humanoid robots.

Vietnams automation future at work Are robots coming to take Vietnamese jobs? Are iPads invading Vietnamese workplaces? Throughout the economic reform era, a key policy challenge for Vietnamese leaders has been to continually provide new employment opportunities for the countrys workforce. Recent commentary, both about Vietnam and other emerging economies, has begun to question whether private and foreign companies will continue to fill this salutary role.

Vingroup to set up robotics firm VinMotion Vingroup plans to establish a robotics firm specialising in general purpose humanoid robots, development, and research.
Reform is on course to win three of the six seats in the new Fflint Wrecsam constituency, with Plaid Cymru taking two and Welsh Labour one, according to MRP polling by YouGov for ITV Cymru Wales published last night.

Have you seen the Wrexham.com candidate videos? Click through to candidates on wrexham.com/election2026

The poll, produced in partnership with the Wales Governance Centre at Cardiff University, was conducted between 6 and 15 April 2026 on a sample of 2,387 adults in Wales and modelled using multi-level regression and post-stratification.

Wales-wide, the figures show Reform UK and Plaid Cymru tied on 29 per cent of the vote. ITV Cymru Wales said the headline vote share is up two points for Reform UK and down four points for Plaid Cymru since the previous poll in the series.

Under the new dHondt closed-list system being used in Wales for the first time at this election, that vote share translates to 37 projected seats for Reform UK and 36 for Plaid Cymru in the enlarged 96-member Senedd. Both are short of the 49 seats needed for an outright majority.

Fflint Wrecsam projection

Fflint Wrecsam is one of sixteen new constituencies being contested on 7 May. It combines the former Alyn and Deeside and Wrexham seats and elects six Members of the Senedd from closed party lists.

The ITV/YouGov MRP model gives:

Reform UK 3 seats Plaid Cymru 2 seats Welsh Labour 1 seat

The neighbouring Gwynedd Maldwyn constituency, which takes in some villages in the south of Wrexham County Borough under the new boundaries, is projected to return three Plaid Cymru members, two Reform UK members and one Green.

Wales-wide picture

Beyond the two leaders, the poll puts Welsh Labour on 13 per cent, unchanged on the previous survey, and projects the party to return twelve Members of the Senedd. ITV Cymru Wales said Welsh Labour leader Eluned Morgan would not be among them on these figures.

The Wales Green Party is modelled at 10 per cent, down two points, and projected to win seven seats. The Welsh Conservatives are on 8 per cent, up one point, and projected to return three members  not including their leader Darren Millar on this round of results, according to ITV Cymru Wales.

The Welsh Liberal Democrats are on 6 per cent, up one point. Their leader Jane Dodds is the partys one projected seat in the model.

On Westminster voting intention, which uses a separate YouGov MRP model with a sample of 1,188 adults, Plaid Cymru leads on 28 per cent, ahead of Reform UK on 23 per cent and the Wales Green Party on 16 per cent.

Coalition arithmetic

Dr Jac Larner, of Cardiff Universitys Welsh Governance Centre, said: This poll shows another small drop in support for Plaid Cymru, putting them level with Reform UK at 29%; YouGovs lowest Plaid estimate since November 2024. All polls come with a margin of error, and we should be cautious about reading too much into a single result.

But taken alongside the broader polling trend, the signal is clear: the race for the largest party remains between Plaid Cymru and Reform UK, with every other party  including Labour, who were dominant in Welsh politics not two years ago  competing for a distant third place and below.

What that framing obscures, however, is that finishing first may matter less than it appears. Whichever party leads on seats will face the same coalition arithmetic, and that arithmetic is far more favourable to Plaid than to Reform.

Plaid has credible partners in Labour and the Greens; a combination of those parties can reach a working majority. Reform has no such options.

The only party that has indicated any willingness to work with them is the Conservatives, who on these numbers will not come close to bridging the gap to a Senedd majority. In a proportional system, the route to government matters as much as the vote share, and on that measure, the two parties are not as evenly matched as the headline figures suggest.

A situation where Reform UK are the largest party but find themselves in opposition will nonetheless be a novel one for Welsh voters still adjusting to the realities of proportional government formation.

A change election

Adrian Masters, ITV Cymru Wales Political Editor said: For the two frontrunners, this poll will have a galvanising effect. Reform UK will use it to urge its supporters to make its gain a reality in terms of votes. While Plaid Cymrus drop wont necessarily be unwelcome to that party, shaking up any complacency that may have crept in over the months when its lead was clearer.

However, the main message remains the same: the vote on May 7th shows every sign of being a change election. Voters here in Wales have clearly decided that they want something different, but they havent yet settled on what form that change will take. 

Barn Cymru is a collaborative partnership between ITV Cymru Wales, the Wales Governance Centre

at Cardiff University, and the leading polling agency YouGov.

Spotted something? Got a story? email us at Got a story? email us at news@wrexham.com
Beverley Callard had to leave I'm A Celebrity... South Africa on medical grounds after she "lost consciousness for a little while" in the show's Bush Telegraph.

Beverley Callard reveals moment I'm A Celebrity South Africa bosses knew they had to send her home

The Coronation Street icon, 69, got emotional as she recalled how show bosses told her she couldn't remain on the programme, and unbeknown to her at the time, that was the beginning of her breast cancer battle.

Reflecting on her I'm A Celebrity departure - which was shown on Tuesday night's (21.04.26) episode of the series - a tearful Beverley said in an Instagram video: "I just watched my exit on I'm A Celeb and it made me cry all over again. Of course, I didn't know then that I had cancer, but I just knew that it was the last couple of days there that I hadn't felt very well.

"What happened was, I was called into the Bush Telegraph and apparently, I lost consciousness for a little while. I went yonderly, as they say. I just wasn't feeling myself.

"They took me to a medical hut and they were amazing. They really looked after me and they said, 'You can't go back.'

"And I said, 'Don't send me home, I'm sure I'll be fine. I've jumped off a plane and hung off a cliff.'

"I wanted to succeed and make it through to the end, but that was the start of everything."

But Beverley has vowed to "beat" breast cancer.

She added: "It's made me really emotional, but I will beat this. I will beat it."

Beverley's tearful exit aired on Tuesday night's I'm A Celebrity... South Africa.

She walked into camp and told her fellow stars: "I've got something to tell you all. I didn't feel very well this morning and I had a bit of a funny turn and they've said I can't come back in I've got to go.

"I'm absolutely gutted. I don't want to go."

Beverley broke down in tears about leaving the show, and said to her campmates: "I don't want this to finish. I wanted to prove that older women could do it."

Afterwards, she said: "I had the experience of a lifetime. The people were amazing.

"They were the best bunch of people ever. Yes, we were hungry and we were dirty but it was wonderful."

Beverley and her fellow campmates filmed I'm A Celebrity... South Africa last September, and she shared her heart-breaking diagnosis on the February 6 episode of The Late Late Show.
A Wrexham primary school has been crowned Kelloggs Breakfast Club of the Year 2025 in Wales in recognition of the invaluable support it provides to children and families in the local community.

Year 6 pupils from Black Lane Country Primary School were invited to Kellanovas Wrexham factory, where local MP Andrew Ranger MP presented the school with their award before pupils enjoyed a behind-the-scenes tour of Europes largest cereal factory. The school has also been awarded a 1,000 cash grant to further enhance its breakfast club services.

Black Lanes breakfast club has been running since 2010, providing breakfasts and activities to up to 40 children every day. Children are welcomed every morning into a warm and friendly environment where they can enjoy a balanced breakfast, helping to fuel their bodies and minds for the day ahead. Alongside a variety of food options, pupils take part in engaging games and activities that encourage creativity, teamwork, and social interaction.

The Kelloggs Breakfast Club awards celebrate breakfast clubs up and down the country, and the teachers and support staff, who go above and beyond to help their students start their day fuelled and ready to learn every school morning.

The grant will be used to upgrade equipment, create a more welcoming space with a quiet reading corner, and invest in educational games, craft supplies and STEM kits for morning activities. As part of this, the school plans to introduce themed breakfast days where students can enjoy meals from different cultures.

Andrew Ranger, MP for Wrexham, said: Im delighted that a school in my constituency has been recognised nationally for this outstanding work. Breakfast Clubs like Black Lanes are essential for working families in Wrexham, ensuring no child starts the day hungry and that every pupil arrives at school ready to learn.

This award recognises not just best practice and innovation, but the dedication of staff who arrive early every single day to support these children. Its also a brilliant example of the partnership between Kelloggs and our local community  the factory has been part of Wrexham for nearly 50 years, and their commitment to supporting local schools makes a real difference to families across our area.

Rebecca Fox, Headteacher at Black Lane County Primary School, said: Were absolutely thrilled and proud to receive this national recognition, this award means so much to our staff and pupils and celebrates what our breakfast club has been at the heart of for 15 years  supporting our local community.

Every morning we see the impact, children arrive with smiles, build friendships and go into the classroom ready to learn. Its a safe, welcoming space that provides vital support to local families. The 1,000 grant will help us develop our provision even further with new equipment, educational games, a quiet reading corner and STEM kits.

Were grateful to Kelloggs for its support and to Andrew Ranger MP for bringing this celebration home to Wrexham. This recognition reflects our belief that every child deserves a nutritious start to their day.

Andrew Ridge, Social Impact Lead at Kelloggs said: Weve been supporting breakfast clubs for nearly 30 years, so we understand the important role they play for families. Our own research shows an increased demand in recent years, with almost double the amount of children visiting a breakfast club every day in 2025 vs 2023*.

The positive impact these clubs have on children is made possible by the passion and commitment of the teachers and volunteers behind them. That is why, every year, Kelloggs is privileged to honour the amazing work that breakfast club leaders, teachers, and everyone involved, do every day to help make the clubs so special.

Todays visit with Andrew Ranger MP is a brilliant opportunity to recognise that dedication and impact. Our factory has been part of this community since 1978, and supporting local schools through these initiatives is something our team really cares about.

Kelloggs Breakfast Club Network supports over 6,000 schools across the UK through grants, food donations and practical help. In Wrexham, the Breakfast Club Grants Programme is expanding, building on partnerships the factory team has developed over many years.

In October 2024 the company announced a 75 million investment for the Wrexham factory  its largest single investment in British cereal production in more than 30 years. Work is now underway to more than double output, create 130 new jobs and make Wrexham home to Europes largest cereal factory, producing 1.5 million boxes daily.

Spotted something? Got a story? email us at Got a story? email us at news@wrexham.com
DALLAS (AP)  Texas can require the Ten Commandments to be displayed in public schools, a U.S. appeals court ruled Tuesday in a victory for conservatives who have long sought to incorporate more religion into classrooms.

The 9-8 decision by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals delivered a boost to backers of similar laws in Arkansas and Louisiana. Opponents have argued that hanging the Ten Commandments in classrooms proselytizes to students and amounts to religious indoctrination by the government.

In a lengthy majority opinion, the conservative-leaning appeals court in New Orleans rejected those arguments in Texas, saying the requirement does not step on the rights of parents or students.

No child is made to recite the Commandments, believe them, or affirm their divine origin, the ruling says.

The American Civil Liberties Union and other groups that challenged the Texas law on behalf of parents said in a statement that they anticipate appealing the ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court.

The First Amendment safeguards the separation of church and state, and the freedom of families to choose how, when and if to provide their children with religious instruction. This decision tramples those rights, they said in the statement.

The mandate is one of several fronts in Texas that opponents have fought over religion in classrooms. In 2024, the state approved optional Bible-infused curriculum for elementary schools, and a proposal set for a vote in June would add Bible stories to required reading lists in Texas classrooms.

The decision over the Ten Commandments law reverses a lower federal court ruling that had blocked about a dozen Texas school districts  including some of the state's largest  from putting up the posters. The Texas law signed by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott took effect in September, marking the largest attempt in the nation to hang the Ten Commandments in public schools.

From the start, the law was met almost immediately by a mix of embrace and hesitation in Texas classrooms that educate the state's 5.5 million public school students.

The mandate animated school board meetings, spun up guidance about what to say when students ask questions, and led to boxes of donated posters being dropped on the doorsteps of campuses statewide. Although the law only requires schools to hang the posters if donated, one suburban Dallas school district spent nearly $1,800 to print roughly 5,000 posters.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a Republican, called the ruling a major victory for Texas and our moral values.

The Ten Commandments have had a profound impact on our nation, and its important that students learn from them every single day, he said.

Tuesday's ruling comes after the appeals court heard arguments in January in the Texas case and a similar case in Louisiana. In February, the court cleared the way for Louisiana to enforce its law requiring the display of the Ten Commandments in classrooms.

Republican Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill said the Texas ruling adopted our entire legal defense of the law in her state. In Alabama, Republican Gov. Kay Ivey also signed a similar law earlier this month.

Our law clearly was always constitutional, and I am grateful that the Fifth Circuit has now definitively agreed with us," Murrill said in a statement posted to social media.

Judge Stephen A. Higginson, in a dissenting opinion joined by four others on the court, wrote that the framers of the Constitution intended disestablishment of religion, above all to prevent large religious sects from using political power to impose their religion on others.

Yet Texas, like Louisiana, seeks to do just that, legislating that specific, politically chosen scripture be installed in every public-school classroom, Higginson wrote.

The law says schools must put donated posters in a conspicuous place and requires the writing to be a size and typeface that is visible from anywhere in a classroom to a person with average vision. The displays must also be 16 inches wide and 20 inches tall (40 centimeters wide and 50 centimeters tall).

Texas law easily passed the GOP-controlled Legislature and Republicans, including President Donald Trump, have backed posting the Ten Commandments in classrooms.

Associated Press writer Audrey McAvoy contributed to this report from Honolulu, Hawaii.
MEXICO CITY (AP)  Mexican authorities on Wednesday continued to muddle the official account over the role of two CIA agents in a counternarcotics operation in northern Mexico and the extent to which Mexico's federal government was aware of the U.S. involvement in the incident, which has started to ignite tensions with the White House.

The incident has increasingly fueled speculation in the Latin American nation as Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum for more than a year has repeatedly underscored her country's sovereignty and publicly turned down offers by U.S. President Donald Trump of intervention on cartels.

The Mexican government acknowledges the presence of U.S. agencies on Mexican territory but says that they cannot participate in on-the-ground operations.

Mexican and U.S. officials have been offering contradictory accounts for days. After the Mexican government originally said it had no knowledge of any sort operation or U.S. involvement, the president admitted Wednesday that federal forces were involved and another high-level official acknowledged that the government at least discussed the matter with the U.S.

The collaboration came to light this week after two local investigators in the northern Mexican state of Chihuahua and two CIA agents  originally identified as U.S. Embassy officials  reportedly died in a car crash in the early morning on Sunday while driving back from an operation to destroy cartel laboratories in a rugged area of Mexico. The local government said the convoy drove off the side of a ravine and the car exploded.

The Americans killed were from the CIA, The Associated Press confirmed on Tuesday with a U.S. official and two other people familiar with the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive intelligence matters.

Sheinbaum on Wednesday maintained that she had no knowledge of the operation between the U.S. and local Chihuahua authorities, and that it could constitute a violation of Mexico's law, because any such action should be approved by the federal government.

In her press briefing she said she was considering possible sanctions on Chihuahuas government, and emphasized that the operation didnt constitute a new security strategy by Trump in her country. She added that she sent a letter to the U.S. ambassador requesting that he provide all available information regarding the incident and that she planned to speak to Chihuahua's governor.

There cannot be agents from any U.S. government institution operating in the Mexican field, Sheinbaum said Wednesday. It is very important that something like this not be allowed to go unaddressed."

The CIA particularly has a tainted legacy in Latin America, associated in decades past with orchestrating coups and backing military dictatorships in a number of countries. Despite that, the agency has maintained a presence in Mexico for many years, which has also been the subject of contention in Mexican politics.

On Wednesday afternoon, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt pushed back on Sheinbaum's comments, saying that U.S. efforts to counter cartels in Mexico is not only a benefit to the American people, but to her people as well.

I think the president would agree that some sympathy from Claudia Sheinbaum would be well worth it for the two American lives that were lost, considering all that the United States of America is doing currently under this president to stop the scourge of drug trafficking through Mexico to the United States, Leavitt said in an appearance on Fox News.

The Trump administration has provided very few comments on the incident since the Sunday crash. The CIA declined to comment on Wednesday.

The back-and-forth comes after days of contradictions in accounts, which have raised eyebrows and have prompted experts to say it underscores heightened U.S. involvement in security operations in Mexico and across the region.

Those only continued on Wednesday when Sheinbaum acknowledged that Mexico's army participated in the operation, but didn't know that the U.S. agents were present. Days before, Chihuahua's Attorney General Cesar Jauregui said the investigation came following months of investigation by state prosecutors and Mexico's military.

Later on Wednesday, Security Secretary Omar Garcia Harfuch said at a news conference that the Defense Ministry had previously received a petition for security support by the U.S. But, he added, that going to support an operation is different from actually being part of the planning of a operation.

Agents have never been in the field with us," he added.

David Klepper and Aamer Madhani in Washington, and Fabiola Sanchez in Mexico City, contributed to this report.

Follow APs coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america
Clarkson's Farm star Kaleb Cooper's barn has been damaged in a fire.

Clarkson's Farm star Kaleb Cooper

The 27-year-old TV personality posted a photo of smoke inside the barn on his Instagram Stories on Wednesday (22.04.26) and said that straw from inside the building had caught fire.

Kaleb captioned the shot: "I'm having a bad day. Anyone got any straw lost all mine (sic)."

In 2021, the entrepreneur shot to global stardom as Jeremy Clarksons sidekick on the Amazon Prime Video series, which follows Jeremy, 66, as he runs Diddly Squat Farm, located in Chipping Norton, Cotswolds.

And Kaleb was shocked that fans of the show far and wide jetted into the UK to attend his The World According To Kaleb tour in 2024.

In December that year, he was quoted by the Daily Star newspaper as saying: "It was crazy that at some of the shows there were people who'd come from Australia or New Zealand."

Kaleb has used his fame on Clarksons Farm to raise awareness of farming.

He added: "Everything I've done since being involved in Clarkson's Farm has been to draw attention to farming, to share what it's really like in the industry, and really get agriculture talked about as much as possible.

"From writing books, my bursary, releasing a charity single, doing a theatre tour was another way of getting the word out there and having a lot of laughs along the way."

Kaleb hopes to earn enough cash to buy his own farm one day, whilst being financially secure to spend time with his and fiancee Taya's sons Oscar, three, and Ashton, eight months, and two-year-old daughter Willa Grace.

He told The Times: "Its amazing I have two kids, really. I wanted a girl and a boy, which Ive got and am very grateful. Then when I get older, I can go down the pub with them, or out on the tractors, and I can still be energetic.

Ill make all the money now, hopefully have a farm, then chill out, go partying and be in Ibiza, though I cant think of anything worse than being in a nightclub. "Everyones too close to me!"

Kaleb noted that in order to achieve all of his agricultural dreams, he would need a bank balance in the tens of millions and joked that he might consider selling racy pictures of himself on OnlyFans in order to do that.

He quipped: "I was told by an old farmer, Kaleb, you cant farm without an a*******. [He meant you need manure to increase crop yield.]

"So Id have 60 dairy cows, 200 beef cows, 5,000 chickens and probably 1,000 acres arable. Id have a farm shop with a butcher. Id make my own cheese. [I'd need] about 20 million.

"Do you want to sign up to my OnlyFans?"
Star-studded but stale. Imperfect Women, with Moss, Washington & Mara, treads familiar ground of murder & melodrama among the elite.

AceShowbiz - Imperfect Women is Apple TV+s latest limited series aiming to explore the dark intrigue within elite social circles, but it struggles to offer anything truly original in a saturated genre. Featuring a star-studded cast including Elisabeth Moss, Kerry Washington, and Kate Mara, the show navigates the familiar terrain of murder mystery among the ultra-wealthy, but its narrative often feels stale and uninspired.

For viewers fatigued by countless dramas centered on the melodrama and crime of affluent communities, Imperfect Women may feel like a retread of well-worn tropes. The series attempts to differentiate itself with a focus on female friendships and complex character dynamics but ultimately falls into the trap of generic storytelling and predictable plotting.

The shows story revolves around three lifelong friends: Eleanor, Mary, and Nancy. Eleanor, portrayed by Kerry Washington, comes from a lineage of Black wealth and manages a nonprofit. She is involved in a questionable romance with a younger subordinate, Jordan.

Elisabeth Moss plays Mary, a former academic who sacrificed her promising career to raise three children alongside her husband Howard, a classics professor. Their life in Pasadena is depicted as financially strained.

Kate Mara embodies Nancy, the wealthy wife of a successful businessman, Robert (Joel Kinnaman). Nancys sudden death ignites the central mystery of the series: who murdered her, and why? The suspects circle around her affluent social milieu.

The creative team, led by Annie Weisman and director Lesli Linka Glatter, presents a stylized vision of Los Angeles neighborhoods. Every location is immaculate, every restaurant and event exudes exclusivity, and the characters wardrobes emphasize their social status.

Despite these narrative ambitions, Imperfect Women struggles with tone and originality. It flirts with parody but lacks the self-awareness to fully embrace satire or dark comedy. Instead, it delivers a melodramatic thriller that often feels overly serious about its own cliches.

One of the series more controversial moments involves a scene where Nancys teenage daughter is scolded for attending a White Trash Party with her wealthy friends.

The performances of the lead cast are among the shows strongest elements. Kinnaman delivers a solid portrayal of the privileged yet fraught husband. The chemistry and tension between Moss, Washington, and Mara add some emotional weight.

Ultimately, Imperfect Women is a show that arrives too late to the crowded genre of high-society murder mysteries. It offers little innovation and relies heavily on familiar formulas and aesthetics. While it may appeal to fans of the genre or admirers of its cast, the series lacks the creative spark necessary to stand out.

For audiences seeking a murder thriller with fresh perspectives or sharper satire, Imperfect Women might prove disappointing. Its attempt to balance social commentary with suspense does not fully succeed, leaving viewers with a series that is polished but ultimately forgettable.
X-Men '97 Season 2 premieres June 13, 2026 at Tribeca! Get the official date, screening details, and ticket info for the acclaimed Marvel series.

AceShowbiz - Marvel enthusiasts have eagerly awaited more adventures from the iconic mutant team since the debut of X-Men '97 on Disney+ in 2024. As a direct continuation of the beloved X-Men: The Animated Series, X-Men '97 quickly garnered critical acclaim and a passionate fanbase, widely considered one of the top Marvel animated shows to date. Its success sparked significant anticipation for future seasons, and now fans finally have clarity on when the series will return.

It has been officially announced that X-Men '97 Season 2 will premiere at the 2026 Tribeca Film Festival. According to the festivals official website, the world premiere of this new season is scheduled for Saturday, June 13th at 2:30 p.m., featuring a 60-minute screening. Tickets for the event will become available on April 28th, giving Marvel fans the chance to witness the new episodes ahead of their streaming debut.

The previous season of X-Men '97 concluded two years ago, leaving viewers eager for more mutant action. While the festival premiere date is confirmed, the exact release date for Disney+ remains unannounced. However, Marvel has long indicated that Season 2 would arrive sometime in the summer, and the Tribeca screening helps narrow down that timeframe considerably. Given the festival showing on June 13th, it is reasonable to expect the new episodes to become available on Disney+ by mid- to late June at the earliest.

Marvels strategy in premiering X-Men '97 Season 2 at such a prestigious festival is likely aimed at maximizing buzz and anticipation. The Tribeca Film Festivals high profile offers an excellent platform for Marvel to generate strong word of mouth ahead of the shows wider release. Attendees will likely be encouraged to discuss their impressions on social media, helping build excitement and reminding audiences of the series return after the two-year gap between seasons.

This approach not only serves to promote the new episodes but also encourages viewers to revisit the first season as a refresher. With positive reactions from the festival premiere, Marvel can capitalize on the momentum by rapidly making the episodes available to the general public on Disney+. The studios confidence in hosting the world premiere at Tribeca suggests high expectations for the series reception.

Looking ahead, Marvel appears committed to making X-Men '97 a regular fixture on Disney+ by targeting annual season releases. Last year, Marvel executive Brad Winderbaum highlighted animated series like X-Men '97 and Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man as key components of this evolving output strategy. This plan is promising for fans, as it indicates a steady stream of content going forward.

In fact, a third season of X-Men '97 is already in development and is expected to arrive sometime in 2027. This continued investment demonstrates Marvels intent to keep the mutants at the forefront of their streaming platform and maintain strong engagement with audiences.

Maintaining X-Men '97 as a core part of Disney+ aligns with Marvels broader strategy to spotlight the X-Men franchise as the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) prepares for upcoming storylines. While the mutants are set to make their much-anticipated MCU debut in Decembers Avengers: Doomsday, their next solo movie will not arrive until after Avengers: Secret Wars. Having X-Men '97 actively releasing new seasons in the meantime ensures the characters remain prominent in fans minds.

This continuity is especially important given the X-Mens pivotal role in the MCUs next saga. By keeping the animated series fresh and accessible, Marvel can maintain excitement and interest in the characters while fans await the next phase of their cinematic adventures.

Overall, the confirmation of the X-Men '97 Season 2 premiere at Tribeca and the anticipated Disney+ release this summer marks a significant milestone for the franchise. After a two-year wait, fans can look forward to experiencing new stories that continue the legacy of one of Marvels most beloved animated adaptations. With a third season already underway, the future looks bright for the mutants on the small screen.
Michael Jackson biopic 'Michael' faces family dissent. Janet, Randy, Rebbie, and daughter Paris Jackson declined involvement. La Toya shares her wish for unity.

AceShowbiz - The upcoming biopic about Michael Jackson, titled Michael, will notably omit several members of the Jackson family, as they have chosen not to participate in the project. Most prominently, Janet Jackson is absent from the film by her own decision. At the red-carpet premiere, her sister La Toya Jackson expressed, "I wish everybody was in the movie. She was asked and she kindly declined, so you have to respect her wishes."

Other family members who are not included in the film are Randy Jackson, who replaced elder brother Jermaine Jackson in the group in 1975, and the eldest sibling, Rebbie Jackson. Additionally, Michael Jacksons daughter, Paris Jackson, has voiced her opposition to the movie. She revealed that she chose not to get involved, stating, "I just butted out and left it alone because it's not my project. They're going to make whatever they're going to make."

Paris Jackson also criticized the portrayal in the biopic, saying, "A big section of the film panders to a very specific section of my dads fandom that still lives in the fantasy, and they're gonna be happy with it." This suggests she feels the film caters to an idealized image of her father rather than a full representation.

In contrast, other family members such as La Toya, Jermaine, Jackie, and Marlon Jackson have publicly supported the film and have attended its premieres. According to a source speaking to the New York Post, this divide in support represents a split within the family itself. The source described Paris Jackson as being "ridiculously stubborn," and suggested her reluctance stems from influences like Janet and Randy Jackson.

This schism highlights differing perspectives within the Jackson family regarding how Michael Jackson's story should be told. While some embrace the biopic as a tribute, others prefer to distance themselves from it, underscoring the complexity surrounding the legacy of one of musics most iconic figures.
X-Men '97 Season 2 is coming! Magneto leads the team against new threats as Professor X recovers. The hit revival returns after its record-breaking first sea...

AceShowbiz - After leaving fans hanging for two years, X-Men 97 is gearing up for its highly anticipated second season. The Disney+ animated sequel revival, originally created by Beau DeMayo, continues the story of the beloved superhero team a year after the original series' conclusion in 1997. This time, the team faces new challenges under the leadership of former adversary Magneto, while Professor Xavier is still recovering from an assassination attempt.

The first season of X-Men 97 was a massive success for Disney+, earning an impressive 99% approval rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes. It also set new viewership records, surpassing other Marvel animated hits such as What If...? This strong reception ensured the series was renewed for a second season even before the initial episodes premiered.

Recently, it was officially announced that X-Men 97 season 2 will have a new premiere window. The series will debut at the prestigious 2026 Tribeca Festival in New York City. While an exact date for its festival premiere has yet to be confirmed, the event is scheduled to take place from June 3 to June 14, which narrows down the timing considerably. The festivals lineup includes other notable shows like FXs Adults season 2, Jemaine Clements Alice and Steve, and Survivor 50.

This Tribeca Festival premiere is a promising indicator of when fans can expect X-Men 97 season 2 to return to Disney+. Marvel had already confirmed a summer debut, and the festival appearance aligns well with that timeline. Production is also moving forward on a third season, signaling strong confidence in the series future.

Although no specific date has been set for the Tribeca premiere, industry observers anticipate the series will launch on Disney+ approximately one month later, likely in July. This gap would allow for ample hype and anticipation to build following the festival screening. The timing would also be consistent with Marvel Studios current release strategy, which spaces new Disney+ titles by a few months to maximize audience engagement.

For context, Marvels recent Disney+ releases include Wonder Man, which premiered in January and is already confirmed for a second season. This was followed by the highly anticipated Daredevil: Born Again season 2, which debuted in late March. The next major Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) title on Disney+ is The Punisher: One Last Kill, slated for release on May 12. Given this schedule, X-Men 97 season 2 is expected to arrive in late July or early August, filling the summer slot perfectly.

Fans of the series can look forward to seeing familiar mutants such as Jean Grey, Storm, and Forge, who appeared memorably in season 1, continue their adventures. The return of X-Men 97 promises to deepen the complex mutant narratives while introducing fresh threats and alliances under Magnetos uneasy leadership.

The series carries on the legacy of the original 90s animated show, blending nostalgia with updated animation and storytelling that resonates with both longtime fans and new viewers. Its impressive critical reception and record-breaking viewership underscore the strong demand for mutant tales in the current superhero media landscape.

With its official debut at the 2026 Tribeca Festival, X-Men 97 season 2 is poised to be one of the summers standout animated series. This unique premiere strategy highlights Marvels growing interest in leveraging prestigious festivals to launch their streaming content, enhancing visibility and critical buzz before the wider public release.

As anticipation builds, Marvel continues to expand its animated offerings alongside live-action MCU projects, demonstrating a robust content pipeline for Disney+. Fans should watch for further announcements regarding the exact premiere date at Tribeca and the subsequent Disney+ rollout.

In summary, after a two-year wait and a cliffhanger ending, X-Men 97 season 2 is set to begin its journey at the Tribeca Festival in early June, with a streaming debut on Disney+ expected in late July or early August 2026. This summer window fits neatly into Marvels overall release calendar, ensuring mutant fans have plenty to look forward to as the saga continues.
Meghan Trainor cancels tour to prioritize family. Read her candid interview on balancing motherhood with her new album, Toy With Me.

AceShowbiz - Meghan Trainor recently opened up about the challenges she has faced balancing her flourishing music career with the demands of motherhood, especially as she prepares to release her seventh studio album, Toy With Me. Despite her excitement for the nationwide Get In Girl Tour, named after a leading single from the album, she made the difficult decision to cancel the tour just days before it was set to begin on June 12 in Michigan.

Speaking candidly to Billboard, Trainor explained the reasons behind her decision, revealing that the pressures of managing a new album, a demanding tour schedule, and caring for her three young children became overwhelming. She and husband Daryl Sabara welcomed their newest daughter via surrogate in January, joining their sons Riley, 4, and Barry, 2. The logistics of traveling with three young kids, some of whom had recently been ill, prompted her to prioritize her family over professional commitments.

Trainor shared, "Balancing the release of a new album, preparing for a nationwide tour and welcoming our new baby girl to our growing family of five has just been more than I can take on right now." She expressed deep regret over disappointing fans, stating, "I'm so sorry. I wish I could do a video for each family member who got their daughter tickets to my show." Her heartfelt message emphasized the importance of being present for her children during these formative months.

The cancellation sparked widespread speculation online, ironically echoing themes from Trainors lead single, Still Don't Care, which addresses the negative commentary she has endured over the years, including criticism surrounding her body image. The song, like much of the new album, features the doo-wop-inspired pop sound that fans have come to love, while tackling issues of insecurity and empowerment.

Despite battling sickness during her interview, Trainor was determined to clarify the circumstances. She described the past two weeks as a chaotic period, with her older children starting preschool and battling illnesses like pink eye, while her newborn faced feeding and sleeping challenges. These realities made the prospect of a three-month summer tour untenable for both her and her family.

Reflecting on her mindset shift as a mother of three, Trainor acknowledged, "I have to remind myself my job will always be there. I'm a workaholic, so I will work forever and I'll never give up on my dreams, but I realized my biggest dream above a career is my family." She credited her husband and family for helping her see the bigger picture, urging her to step back from work and focus on the needs of their young children.

She also addressed rumors linking the tour cancellation to the sale of their house, clarifying that the property had been on the market for two years and the timing was purely coincidental. Trainor revealed she had been taking a social media break and was unaware of some of the online chatter until a friend alerted her. She expressed relief at distancing herself from online negativity, saying she no longer reads comments to protect her mental health.

The emotional toll of public scrutiny inspired much of the albums content. Trainor described the writing process for Still Don't Care as a cathartic outlet during a difficult period when she was receiving unprecedented criticism about her body. Knowing her new daughter was arriving via surrogacy, she wanted to create an anthem that would one day empower her child and others facing similar struggles. "I think we're living in a very hateful time and it's really sad," she said, emphasizing the importance of resilience in the face of social media cruelty.

While the album addresses heavy topics, Trainor intentionally infused the songs with upbeat, positive energy. She explained her approach to songwriting: "I always like to write happy songs. I don't write a lot of sad slow songs for my projects at least, especially like 'Shimmer.' For the follow up after 'Still Don't Care,' 'Get In Girl' is what I wanted to write about how, 'Now we're a badass, we're confident and we're gonna start loving ourselves today.'" This blend of vulnerability and empowerment is a hallmark of her work and resonates deeply with her audience.

Ultimately, Trainor remains hopeful about her careers future and plans to return to touring when the timing feels right. For now, her focus remains firmly on nurturing her family and releasing Toy With Me, an album that reflects her personal and artistic growth amidst the complexities of motherhood and public life.

Meghan Trainors candid revelations offer a rare glimpse into the sacrifices and decisions artists face when balancing fame and family, underscoring the universal challenge of prioritizing what matters most.
Outlander's final season reveals Faith's fate. Episode 7 confirms fan theories as the show races toward its series finale.

AceShowbiz - As Outlander nears its series finale, the show is steadily closing the book on long-standing storylines and mysteries. With only a few episodes left in Season 8, the narrative is accelerating toward significant revelations, leaving little room to delay any longer. One of the most pivotal questions, revolving around the fate of Faith, began to take shape at the end of Season 7 when Claire (played by Caitriona Balfe) overheard Fanny (Florrie May Wilkinson) singing a distinctive song. This moment created a suspenseful cliffhanger that has slowly unraveled over the latest episodes.

Episode 7, titled "Evidence of Things Not Seen," finally sheds light on Faiths story, although much of it aligns with what many fans had anticipated. This episode feels more like a confirmation of theories rather than a shocking revelation. However, given Outlander's history of unexpected twists, especially now that the show has diverged from Diana Gabaldons unfinished book series, there remains ample space for surprises within the remaining three episodes.

Warning: Spoilers for Outlander Season 8, Episode 7 ahead.

Outlander Delivers Key Answers About Faith

Episode 7 is emotionally charged, intertwining several significant events. A tense family dispute erupts between William (Charles Vandervaart) and Lord John (David Berry), while tragedy strikes as a fire at Fergus (Cesar Domboy) and Marsalis (Lauren Lyle) print shop claims Fergus life. Amidst this turmoil, Young Ian (John Bell) sends Jamie (Sam Heughan) and Claire new letters providing evidence that Faith survived infancy and eventually became Fannys mother.

The episode revisits enigmatic moments from Season 2, revealing that Master Raymond (Dominique Pinon) entrusted Faith to a lacemaker after Claires critical illness and Jamies imprisonment. He instructed the lacemaker to reach out to Lady Broch Tuarach if he did not return and taught her the same song Claire sang after giving birtha song Fanny later sings, tying these threads together.

Earlier in the episode, Fanny discovers she has lost a square of lace, a keepsake from her sister Jane (Silvia Presente). Claires comfort leads to a breakthrough: the lace was made by Fannys grandmother in Paris, sparking Jamies memory of a lacemaker with a shop across from Master Raymonds apothecary. Jamie even recalls hearing a child inside the shop once. The letters Ian sent, originally from Janes testimony during her imprisonment, reveal that Faith attempted to find Claire and Jamie but perished when her ship was attacked by pirates. This tragic backstory fits into the larger puzzle, especially as Lady Broch Tuarach was Claire herself.

Faith has long been a haunting presence in Outlander, but this episode transforms that lingering trauma into a solid storyline. It deepens the connection between Claire, Jamie, and their granddaughter while exploring powerful themes of belief and loss. The narrative highlights how faith in love, truth, and memory can alter the experience of grief. Yet, the revelation raises a difficult question: despite surviving infancy, Faiths life still met a tragic end.

Although the news is technically positivethat Faith lived for yearsthe couple must still grapple with the loss of their daughter and the years of potential they never shared. However, given Outlanders use of time travel, astral projection, and mystical elements to explore love and fate, the question remains: did Faith truly die?

Fan Theories Suggest Faith Could Still Be Alive

Despite the episode presenting Faiths death as fact, the manner in which it is portrayed leaves room for fan speculation. In Outlander, if something isnt seen on screen, its never fully guaranteed. A similar example occurred last season when Claire was told the ship Euterpe, carrying Jamie back from France, was lost at sea with no survivors found.

Rumors and theories about Faiths survival have circulated for some time, even before Season 8. Speculation has included the possibility that she was raised by Claires parents, who themselves traveled through time in the spin-off Outlander: Blood of My Blood. More recently, the shows developments hint at a plausible explanation consistent with the books: the sagas first novel ends with Claire telling Jamie she is pregnant with Faith, concluding with the line, And the world was all around us, with new possibility. This aligns with the title of the final episode already announced, "And the World Was All Around Us."

This connection suggests that Faith could make a dramatic return to Frasers Ridge in the series final chapter. Symbolically, the recent death of Fergus, who entered Claire and Jamies lives around the time they lost their daughter, might mirror Faiths story. His passing could pave the way for Faiths reappearanceas one childs loss makes room for anothers return. While this idea may be sensitive for viewers, it fits with the themes and motifs the series has carefully developed.

The main question then becomes: how could Faith have survived? This may not be insurmountable, as Master Raymond remains an unresolved character who could be revisited. His role might be key to explaining Claires healing powers and the broader lineage of time travelers. Perhaps Raymond saved Faith after she fell overboard, or maybe she never died at all. Considering Claires unique abilities, Faith might have traveled through time herself, with her death merely assumed.

One certainty is that the official narrative of Faiths fate feels incomplete. Its a harsh truth without emotional closure. Outlander has invested considerable time building up this mystery only to deliver an ending that lacks the emotional payoff fans expect. The series will likely need to deliver a powerful conclusion that transcends sorrow, especially since both Sam Heughan and Caitriona Balfe have teased the finales emotional impact.

For now, viewers wait with anticipation, remembering that in Outlander, no one is truly gone until the final episode airs.

Outlander is currently available to stream on Starz.

What are your thoughts on Faiths story? Join the conversation in the ComicBook Forum and share your theories and reactions.
Ross Kemp fell in love with his wife because she had not watched his programmes.

EastEnders legend Ross Kemp

The 61-year-old actor met corporate lawyer Renee O'Brien in 2012 when their mutual friend, who worked for lingerie brand Agent Provocateur, introduced the pair after Ross requested some underwear that contained silver - which were never made.

As Renee "hadn't seen a single thing I was in", that was a big draw for the EastEnders star.

Almost 15 years since their first blind date in a luxurious private members' club in Marylebone, London, his spouse has yet to watch Ross on the box.

He added in the new issue of Radio Times magazine: "That's definitely part of the attraction! In terms of what you see on paper, we're probably incompatible."

Ross and Renee tied the knot in a private ceremony, and they went on to welcome son Leo, 10, and twins Ava and Kitty, eight, in 2015 and 2017, respectively.

The Bridge of Lies host is also dad to Oliver, 15, whom he continues to co-parent with his ex-partner, make-up artist Nicola Coleman.

And childcare gets even more chaotic when it is Ross' turn to have Oliver.

The hard-hitting documentary filmmaker said: "With it being Easter, they're off school, so I was being a taxi for most of the day, taking them to different clubs and things.

"Then it was cooking dinner. One wanted a bit of barbecue, but his sister wanted to have something cooked in the oven - so I was trying to juggle two meals while they were fighting over who was on the trampoline and who was pushing who.

"Also, the dog wanted feeding and ... You know, these are very simple things, but often a day in the field can be easier because all you've got to look after is yourself as opposed to three children under the age of 11.

"And no one was satisfied at the end of it!"

For decades, Ross has put himself in dangerous environments, from Afghanistan to Syria to cartel territory in Colombia, for his gritty documentaries, but his role as hardman Grant Mitchell in EastEnders is his greatest challenge.

The star said: "Nothing I've done fills me with fear more than EastEnders. EastEnders is still the one that pushes me the most."

And that goes for his latest storyline, in which Grant returns from Portugal to come face his estranged son Mark (Stephen Aaron-Sipple) - their first encounter since he discovered who his biological dad is - and confront the decline of his and brother Phil Mitchell's (Steve McFadden's) dementia-striken pal Nigel Bates (Paul Bradley).

Ross said: "You get up so early to get to set, and then at the top of the first page, it says, Grant heaves with tears on seeing Nigel.'"
New Netflix comedy from the creators of Abbott Elementary. Follow three awkward sophomores navigating high school romance. Based on the hilarious memoir I Su...

AceShowbiz - Netflix has officially approved a new comedy series adapted from Justin Halperns autobiography, I Suck at Girls, which humorously chronicles his awkward attempts at navigating relationships with the opposite sex.

The forthcoming show will follow the lives of three high school sophomores as they face the challenges of romance and adolescence. The series will be showrun, written, and executive produced by Halpern alongside his creative partner Patrick Schumacker under their Delicious Non-Sequitur Productions banner.

Halpern and Schumacker currently serve as co-showrunners and executive producers on ABCs Abbott Elementary and hold similar roles on Maxs Harley Quinn, showcasing their strong presence in television comedy.

Expressing enthusiasm for the project, Halpern stated he is incredibly excited to make a show that can hopefully capture the funny, emotional and oftentimes humiliating experience of growing up, distinguishing it from his previous focus on adult life struggles.

The comedy will star Kayo Martin (The Plague) as Steven, Jeremy Ray Taylor (It, Big Sky) as Garrett, and Laila Pruitt (BMF, Will Trent) as Anna, bringing youthful energy to the coming-of-age narrative.

Additionally, the series will be executive produced by acclaimed producer Bill Lawrence, known for his work on Apple TV+ hits Ted Lasso and Shrinking, alongside Jeff Ingold, Liza Katzer for Doozer Productions, and Chet Dave for Delicious Non-Sequitur Productions.

Production will be handled by Warner Bros. Television, which holds an overall deal with both Delicious Non-Sequitur and Doozer Productions, ensuring strong studio backing for the series.

It is notable that Halperns memoir previously inspired the 2014 Fox sitcom Surviving Jack, starring Christopher Meloni, which was canceled after one season. This new adaptation appears to place a stronger emphasis on the high school perspective rather than the earlier shows focus on paternal tough-love advice found in I Suck at Girls.

Tracey Pakosta, Netflixs vice president of U.S. comedy series, praised the creative team for their talent in turning personal, unconventional ideas into widely relatable and engaging content. She emphasized that the series captures universal truths about life and relationships with authentic heart and humor and expressed confidence that it will resonate deeply with audiences.

With the combination of Halperns autobiographical insight, a talented cast, and a proven production team, I Suck at Girls is positioned to offer a fresh, humorous, and heartfelt take on the trials of growing up and young love.
Major cast changes hit Sullivan's Crossing for Season 4. Can Maggie's life and love with Cal survive the shocking twists ahead?

AceShowbiz - Sullivan's Crossing has experienced significant cast departures, including the surprising exit of Scott Patterson, ahead of its upcoming fourth season. The popular series, based on Robyn Carrs book series, follows neurosurgeon Maggie, portrayed by Morgan Kohan, as she returns to her rural Nova Scotia hometown to reconnect with her estranged father, Sully, played by Scott Patterson.

The shows storyline revolves around Maggies evolving relationships, especially her romance with Cal, played by Chad Michael Murray. Season 3, which began streaming on Netflix in August 2025, ended on a dramatic note when Maggies secret husband, Liam (Marcus Rosner), unexpectedly arrived in town, throwing her relationship with Cal into turmoil.

Showrunner Roma Roth expressed enthusiasm about the series returning for a fourth season, emphasizing the upcoming exploration of themes like change and transformation. Season 4 will explore themes of change and transformation so you can expect a whole new set of exciting and emotional challenges for Maggie and Cal, Roth said, highlighting the show's commitment to deepening character arcs.

Despite the anticipation for the new season, fans are concerned about the direction of the storyline due to several cast members not returning. The CW series narrative about Maggies return home and her connection to her father and love interests faces uncertainty with key departures.

One notable storyline in Season 3 involved Sully leaving for a trip to Ireland with his girlfriend, a plot development that foreshadowed changes for the character. In March 2026, Us Weekly exclusively revealed that Scott Patterson would not be reprising his role for Season 4. Roth confirmed that while Sully would not be physically present in the new season, his character remains important to the world of the show and could return in future seasons depending on creative decisions.

This news was a shock to fans who had followed Sullys journey closely. The characters departure marks a significant shift for the series, as the father-daughter relationship was central to the shows emotional core. However, Roths statement offers hope that Scott Patterson might reappear down the line.

Aside from Scott Patterson, other notable cast changes have occurred. Allan Hawco, who played Andrew, saw his role diminish as the story increasingly focused on Maggie and Cal. His reduced screen time reflects the shows evolving priorities in character development.

Lauren Hammersley, known for her role as Connie, has also seen her presence decrease on Sullivan's Crossing. Fans looking for more of Hammersleys performances can watch her on another Robyn Carr adaptation, Virgin River. Similarly, the character Jackson, Connies son, has appeared less frequently since the series began.

Season 4 is set to address the fallout after the dramatic reveal of Maggies secret husband, and the series will continue to explore the complexities of relationships and personal transformation in the small town setting. With several cast members exiting, the show faces the challenge of maintaining its loyal audience while introducing fresh dynamics.

While some characters like Sully are stepping away, others remain integral to the storys future. The departures underscore the evolving nature of the series, reflecting shifts in storyline focus and character arcs. Fans can expect a season full of new emotional challenges and surprises as Sullivan's Crossing moves forward.

In summary, the exit of Scott Patterson and other cast changes mark a pivotal moment for Sullivan's Crossing. As the show prepares for Season 4, viewers will witness how the narrative adapts to these changes and continues to deliver the heartfelt storytelling that has made it popular worldwide.
Azealia Banks skips court hearing as trial to determine damages for stalking, defamation, and extortion of her ex-manager nears.

AceShowbiz - Azealia Banks failed to appear at a crucial hearing on Tuesday as a Los Angeles court prepared for a bench trial set for May 5. The trial will determine the damages she owes her former manager, Jeff Kwatinetz, following a ruling that held her liable for stalking, defamation, and civil extortion, among other allegations.

During the hearing, Los Angeles County Judge Brock T. Hammond emphasized that the upcoming trial could proceed even without the participation of Banks. The judge asked Kwatinetzs legal team to ensure that Banks receives proper notice about the trial. It was also revealed that Kwatinetz and his wife, model and actress Natalie Loren Kwatinetz, intend to give testimony in person.

The legal dispute began in 2020 when Kwatinetz initially sued Banks. He later dismissed that case during what he described as extensive negotiations, but refiled a similar lawsuit in September 2021. The complaint reiterated claims including stalking, defamation, interference with contract, and civil extortion.

Kwatinetz alleged that Banks 2014 album, Broke With Expensive Taste, failed financially because she refused to promote it and engaged in what he termed self-defeating acts. He further accused her of orchestrating a terrifying smear campaign, which included threatening his family, posting photos of herself outside his Los Angeles residence, and inciting her fanbase against him. Additionally, he claimed Banks falsely accused him of operating a Ponzi scheme and implicated him in the death of his former girlfriend, actress Brittany Murphy.

In response, on November 18, 2021, Banks filed a cross-complaint alleging breach of contract, fraud, and negligence. She asserted that Kwatinetz had impersonated a romantic partner to financially exploit her. Subsequently, Kwatinetz amended his complaint to include a claim of intentional infliction of emotional distress.

On July 25, 2023, Banks arrived two hours late for her sole deposition. Under oath, she admitted she was aware of the scheduled time but claimed her delay was due to straight-ironing [her] beautiful wig in her hotel room, according to court documents. The filing also stated that Banks refused to answer relevant questions, committed perjury, insulted opposing counsel, and abruptly ended the deposition against the advice of her own attorney.

In September 2023, Judge Hammond found Banks in default for willful evasion of a subsequent deposition and willful disobedience of a court order. This ruling resulted in a legal victory for Kwatinetz, with Banks cross-complaint dismissed. On January 13, the court set a bench trial to determine damages, affirming Banks liability for stalking, defamation, and civil extortion.

Banks did not respond to requests for comment on Tuesday, while attorneys for Kwatinetz declined to comment after the hearing.

In a recent trial brief, Kwatinetz legal team criticized Banks for generating more attention for her online controversies than for her music career over the past 20 years. The brief detailed a history of problematic behavior, noting that Banks has been banned from airlines, suspended from the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), and removed from multiple music festivals due to homophobic and racist remarks.

The brief also referenced several incidents involving Banks, including arrests for slashing her sisters neck with a box cutter and biting a security guards breast outside a nightclub. It concluded that for the past six years, Banks has engaged in a coordinated and sustained campaign to harass, defame, extort, and stalk her former talent manager.
Jonah Hill shares a hilarious story about Rihanna's potent weed causing a friend to have an unexpected accident at his birthday.

AceShowbiz - Jonah Hill recently shared a memorable story involving Rihanna and a special strain of marijuana that she had on hand. According to him, this potent weed caused an unexpected and humorous outcome during a casual birthday celebration.

Hill recounted the incident while discussing his favorite memory with Rihanna during an interview connected to her W magazine cover story. The moment took place after filming the 2013 movie This Is the End, where they worked together.

After we shot This Is the End, I ran into her at a bar, and it was my birthday, Jonah Hill said. He explained that Rihanna had a joint and generously shared it with his friends. However, one friend ended up so overwhelmed by the effects that she accidentally pooped her pants. Jonah Hill humorously described it as Rihanna has that make your friends sh- their pants weed.

This anecdote highlights the potency of the weed Rihanna keeps, which she has openly embraced in the past. Back in 2013, she told Elle UK that she had no problem sharing images of herself smoking marijuana on social media. She wanted her Instagram to reflect her authentic life, including moments like smoking pot or even visiting a strip club.

Rihanna stated, I Instagram everything about my life. Whether its smoking pot, in a strip club, reading a Bible verse - how crazy, I know. Thats why Im posting pictures of myself smoking pot, to tell the truth about myself. Ive got so much to think about, why bring all this extra sh- by being dishonest?

Recently, Rihanna appeared on the cover of W magazine alongside her daughter, Rocki. Her partner, A$AP Rocky, praised her transformation as a mother but emphasized that she has always possessed a unique magic.

A$AP Rocky said, That certainly changes you, but this woman has always been magic. Philosophically, the way she operates is on another level. She is the most charming and genuine person on Earth. Her energy is unmatched  one of a kind. I just adore her.

This glimpse into Rihannas life showcases her openness about her lifestyle. Meanwhile, Jonah Hills story remains a funny anecdote about an unexpected moment.
Sarah J. Maas reveals exciting updates for the A Court of Thorns and Roses book series after the Hulu adaptation's cancellation.

AceShowbiz - Sarah J. Maas, widely regarded as the Queen of romantasy, has shared important updates regarding the future of her acclaimed fantasy series A Court of Thorns and Roses following the reported cancellation of its Hulu adaptation. First published in 2015, the book series quickly gained massive popularity, selling over 13 million copies and firmly establishing Maas as a premier voice in the romance and fantasy genres.

The inaugural novel, A Court of Thorns and Roses, offers a captivating retelling reminiscent of Beauty and the Beast. It follows Feyre Archeron, a young woman thrust into the magical realm of Prythian after killing a faerie. As she navigates this new world, complicated emotions develop alongside the looming threat of an ancient evil endangering the land.

During a recent appearance on Alex Coopers Call Her Daddy podcast, Maas delivered promising news for fans eagerly awaiting more from the series. While addressing the highly anticipated Hulu adaptation, which was reported canceled in 2024, she revealed she has regained the rights to her works. This marks a significant milestone in her journey, allowing her greater control over future projects based on her novels.

Maas emphasized her commitment to preserving the integrity of her stories, expressing frustration with the idea of altering content to appeal to specific demographics. She explained, "I don't ever want to hear like, 'Oh, we need to change this to appeal to XYZ's demographic.' I'm like, 'No, that's not how you make art. That's not how I create my stories.' So when I do it, it's gonna be me, and I will dedicate everything that I have to making it right."

She also shared insights into her vision for the adaptations creative aspects, including design and sound. Music, in particular, will be a significant project, underscoring the immersive experience she hopes to deliver. This hands-on involvement indicates Maas intends to oversee the project closely to ensure it aligns with her artistic vision.

Beyond the original series, Maas is also known for her successful works Crescent City and Throne of Glass. Notably, Crescent City has featured crossover elements from the ACOTAR universe, adding layers of complexity to her storytelling. She announced plans to release the sixth and seventh books in the ACOTAR series on October 27, 2026, and January 12, 2027, respectively. However, she remained tight-lipped about plot details, hinting that events in Crescent City could significantly impact the storyline.

With Hulu stepping away from the adaptation reportedly due to budget concerns and creative differences, the future of bringing ACOTAR to the screen remains uncertain. Yet, Maass regained rights and clear dedication suggest another major streaming platform could revive the project in the near future. Fans remain hopeful that this next adaptation will be faithful to the beloved source material.

In the meantime, readers can look forward to the upcoming books, which promise to expand the rich and intricate world of Prythian. Maas has reassured her audience that she aims to stay true to what fans want, ensuring any adaptation will reflect the storys heart and depth.

For those deeply invested in A Court of Thorns and Roses, subscribing to dedicated newsletters offers detailed analysis, adaptation updates, and fan perspectives, providing valuable context and insight as the series continues to evolve across mediums.

As the saga progresses both on the page and potentially on screen, Sarah J. Maas remains a pivotal figure shaping the future of her fantasy universe, committed to delivering the authentic experience her fans deserve.
Rachel Weisz stars in this daring Netflix series about desire, power, and a woman who refuses to be a supporting character in her own story.

AceShowbiz - Vladimir is a daring Netflix series that explores the tangled dynamics of desire, power, and self-delusion through its sharply drawn characters. The story centers on a complex and provocative female protagonist portrayed by Rachel Weisz, who navigates a fraught emotional landscape involving her much younger colleague Vlad, played by Leo Woodall, and her philandering husband John, brought to life by John Slattery.

Near the series climax, the lead character delivers a striking insight into the nature of the relationships she is entangled in. She realizes that both Vlad and John hold vastly different, self-serving perceptions of their interactions with her, viewing her merely as a supporting character in their own stories. Yet, she warns that "there are forces beyond their control," with herself, the unnamed protagonist, being the most unpredictable force in the equation.

This antiheroine stands out with her blend of biting humor, willful blindness, and a captivating yet repellent presence. Her distinctive voice shapes Julia May Jonas adaptation of her own novel into a narrative that transcends a simple feminist critique of cancel culture. Instead, it unfolds as a nuanced and insightful deconstruction of desire and agency.

The backdrop is a contemporary university setting familiar to viewers acquainted with recent dramas like The Chair and Tar. John, the protagonists husband and former head of the English department, faces allegations of sexual misconduct with students, many of whom are now alumni. The women accuse him of abusing power, while John maintains consensual relationships, citing the openness of their marriage. The protagonist, a creative writing professor, initially supports him, often deflecting discussion and rationalizing the past as "a different time."

Her stance conflicts sharply with her students, who seek Johns removal and urge her to abandon her "supportive wife" role. As Johns disciplinary hearing looms, a sudden and intense crush on Vlad emerges, complicating the already fraught situation. Vlad, a charismatic new hire and successful author, becomes the focus of her obsession over the course of eight half-hour episodes.

The shows narrative, directed by Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini, opens with a startling scene: Vlad bound unconscious to a chair, while the protagonist confesses her feelings of powerlessness as a woman in her 50s. This dark tableau sets the tone for the series unflinching exploration of its leads psyche.

Rachel Weisz delivers a performance that capitalizes on her ability to play slippery, complex characters, reminiscent of her role in Amazons Dead Ringers. The series visually contrasts her polished, alluring exteriordressed in rich reds and purpleswith the harsh reality of her inner self, which is selfish, judgmental, and self-deluded. She often insists she "would never do" terrible things, even as the story reveals otherwise.

Her wit, marked by sardonic remarks such as quoting George Bernard Shaw on youth and beauty, keeps her character engaging but only barely sympathetic. Vladimir opts not to moralize but instead dissects the psychological complexity of its protagonist. It exposes every lie she tells herself about her intentions and history, portraying her desperate attempts to win over Vlad or protect John with a clear-eyed, unsparing gaze.

As the series progresses, the protagonists obsession grows, leading to neglect of her daughter Sid (played by Ellen Robertson), abandonment of her husband in his time of crisis, and failure to fulfill professional responsibilities. Yet, she remains consumed by every detail of Vlads physicality and behavior, obsessively analyzing his interactions for signs of reciprocal interest. Her fixation manifests in vivid daydreams that bleed into creative work, fueling the draft of her long-awaited second novel.

To the protagonist, Vlad is many things: a muse, a mirror, a time machine, and above all, "my love." However, she is unwilling to acknowledge him as an independent individual with his own desires and autonomy. Leo Woodall embodies Vlads inscrutability, playing him as a golden-boy figure seemingly unaware that he might also be the object of scrutiny rather than just the observer.

The shows strict adherence to the protagonists perspective creates a claustrophobic experience. Viewers only glimpse Vlad, Cynthia (Vlads wife, played by Jessica Henwick), and John as much as she permits, leaving their true motivations ambiguous. This narrative choice results in a lack of softness or warmth, reflecting the protagonists emotional state, but it also limits the emotional range to mostly unhinged lust.

This distinctive tone carries through to the series conclusion, which is both wicked and abrupt. Unlike the novels incendiary yet anticlimactic ending, the miniseries opts for a different path. However, it sometimes feels as though the story has exhausted its avenues. Still, this ending better captures the central theme: desire is less about connection between people and more about how one relates to oneself. When the protagonists need for Vlad ends, so too does the story.

Ultimately, Vladimir is neither flattering nor particularly pleasant, but it resonates with honesty and relatability. It suggests that beneath the surface of our deepest desires lies a reflection of our own selvescomplex, flawed, and often selfish. This psychological portrait, combined with strong performances and a provocative script, makes Vladimir a compelling addition to Netflixs lineup of bold dramas.
Jack Abbott is trapped and in peril on Y&R. Victor pressures Billy to surrender Chancellor Industries. Tense drama unfolds Thursday, March 5.

AceShowbiz - The latest episode of The Young and the Restless airing Thursday, March 5, reveals a tense and dramatic situation as Jack Abbott (Peter Bergman) finds himself trapped and in peril. Meanwhile, Victor Newman (Eric Braeden) exerts pressure on others to bend to his will, setting the stage for conflict and uncertainty.

The drama kicks off with Billy Abbott (Jason Thompson) attempting to dismiss Victors threats as empty bluster. However, Victor remains unyielding, insisting that Jacks life is genuinely at risk and demands that Billy sign over control of Chancellor Industries before the day concludes. This ultimatum raises the stakes considerably.

At the Abbott mansion, Billy confronts Kyle Abbott (Michael Mealor), who shares that Jack reportedly sent a last-minute text about urgent business in Chicago. But after hearing about Victors kidnapping claim, Billy doubts the veracity of that message. He quickly updates Kyle and Diane Jenkins Abbott (Susan Walters) on Victors dangerous ploy to use Jack as leverage.

Determined to act, Diane and Kyle decide to confront Victor themselves. At the Newman ranch, Adam Newman (Mark Grossman) expresses his frustration with Victors harsh tactics but acknowledges his unwavering loyalty to his father. When Diane and Kyle arrive, they openly criticize Victors abduction scheme and demand to know Jacks whereabouts.

Victor coldly assures them that Jack is safe for now, fueling anxiety in Kyle and the others. Kyle threatens to call law enforcement, but Victor counters by claiming theres no evidence of a crime. Diane persuades Kyle to hold off on involving the authorities, though Kyle vows he will retaliate fiercely if any harm comes to Jack. Victor, meanwhile, insists the focus should remain on convincing Billy to relinquish control of Chancellor.

Back at Billys residence, Audra Charles (Zuleyka Silver) arrives for a work meeting with Sally Spectra (Courtney Hope), who confirms she and Billy are back together. Audra voices some concerns but admits shes in no position to judge others relationships. Sally reassures Audra that Billy is genuinely listening and starting to believe he can have everything he wants. Sallys choice represents a decision to embrace love over fear, and she feels confident about her path forward.

When Billy returns, he asks to speak privately with Sally to update her on Jacks kidnapping crisis. He acknowledges that until the contract is finalized, Phyllis Summers (Michelle Stafford) technically remains in charge at Chancellor. Billy hopes to secure his contract, though he despises the thought of handing the company back to Victor. He also does not underestimate Victors dangerous disregard for Jacks safety when pushed to extremes. Sally senses Billys predicament and offers comfort, while Billy insists that without proof of Jacks wellbeing, Victor will gain nothing from him.

Meanwhile, Jack awakens confused and disoriented in a locked room. He tries the door but finds it secured. Looking out a small window, Jack realizes he is aboard a yacht surrounded by watera chilling confirmation that he is being held captive at sea. A broader view reveals the vessel is isolated in the middle of the ocean, underscoring the gravity of Jacks situation.

Over at Crimson Lights, Claire Newman (Hayley Erin) confides in Victoria Newman (Amelia Heinle) about her recent trip to Los Angeles and a troubling insight she gained. Claire admits she had been so focused on scheming against Audra that she feared she was turning into someone like Jordan (Colleen Zenk). Victoria reassures her that Jordans behavior was far more extreme and that Claire could never truly become like her.

Claire soon learns that Victor has kept Victoria in the dark about his latest plan. Victoria expresses frustration with Victors tendency to take control in crisis situations, but Claire points out that Victoria herself can be just as determined to fix things her own way. Though Victoria had been convinced to abandon a mission to Milan, Claire encourages her mother to trust her instincts and follow through.

The episode closes with hints that both Claire and Victoria will face shocking developments in the near future. Fans can expect more twists and emotional confrontations as the fallout from Victors ruthless gambit unfolds. For ongoing updates and exclusive spoilers, viewers should stay tuned to CDLs comprehensive coverage of The Young and the Restless.
Gayle King confirms her long-term commitment to CBS Mornings, dispelling departure rumors. Details on her contract renewal are pending.

AceShowbiz - Gayle King is set to remain a prominent figure at CBS News, dispelling rumors about her departure. Despite speculation, the CBS Mornings host confirmed to The Wall Street Journal that she is dedicated to continuing her role at the network. "Rumors of my demise were inaccurate and greatly exaggerated," King said, emphasizing her long-term commitment to CBS.

With a contract reportedly valued at $15 million and set to expire in May, details regarding her renewal are still pending. However, King expressed enthusiasm for the future, stating, "I'm excited about continuing at CBS Mornings. As always, I'm open to new adventures here and ready to go."

This announcement comes amid a period of significant restructuring at CBS following Paramount executive David Ellisons appointment of Bari Weiss to lead the news team. The network has experienced several notable changes recently, including the departure of Anderson Cooper from 60 Minutes and the promotion of CBS Mornings co-host Tony Dokoupil to the evening news slot.

Bari Weiss praised King, saying, "There is only one Gayle King," and expressed pride that she will remain with CBS. She also highlighted plans to collaborate with King on innovative projects aimed at reaching new audiences, both in the morning and beyond.

Despite the networks ongoing transformations, Gayle King remains a steadfast presence on CBS Mornings, signaling stability for viewers amid the changes. Her commitment underlines her integral role within CBS News as the network evolves.
Jersey Shore Family Vacation ends after 8 seasons. The final season premieres May 7, 2026. See the original cast's last MTV trip.

AceShowbiz - Jersey Shore Family Vacation is concluding its run on MTV after eight seasons, according to reports that surfaced on March 4, 2026. The reality series was launched in 2018 as a continuation of the original hit show, Jersey Shore, and brought back the original cast members including Angelina Pivarnick, Deena Cortese, Sammi "Sweetheart" Giancola, Jenni "JWOWW" Farley, Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino, Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi, Ronnie Ortiz-Magro, DJ Pauly D, and Vinny Guadagnino.

Despite the series ending on MTV, fans should not expect the cast to disappear entirely. The shows finale does not necessarily mean a cancellation in the traditional sense, but rather that MTV will not renew it for a ninth season, as reported by Variety.

The upcoming season of Jersey Shore Family Vacation is set to premiere on May 7, 2026, featuring 18 episodes. MTV has released descriptions of what viewers can anticipate from each main cast member in this final season:

Angelina will experience a highly emotional journey filled with dramatic highs and lows, delivering the twists that fans have come to expect from her. Deena will continue to shine as PTA president, dedicating herself to charity events and supporting her friends. DJ Pauly D is expanding his business ventures, launching a record label while nurturing his relationship with girlfriend Nikki.

Jenni "JWOWW" will celebrate her 40th birthday and take on a new role as a director for her second movie, sparking candid conversations and dropping truth bombs along the way. Mike "The Situation" will recommit to his fitness journey, celebrate ten years of sobriety, and open a rehab center. Nicole "Snooki" balances life as a cheer mom, businesswoman, and friend, all while maintaining her status as the life of the party.

Ronnie returns fully to the group, joining trips and opening up about his personal struggles as he works through them. Sammi "Sweetheart" will experience major life milestones including pregnancy, childbirth, and a wedding within an eight-month span. Vinny is taking his standup comedy career to new heights with sold-out shows and a tour, while also organizing a family Roast event and embracing single life.

When asked whether Jersey Shore Family Vacation was cancelled, the answer appears to be no in the classic sense. MTV decided not to continue the series beyond season eight, but the cast has made it clear they are not stepping away from the Shore lifestyle. In a now-deleted Instagram post shared on March 4, 2026, the cast reassured fans that this is not the end for them.

In a video clip shared on X by Deena Cortese, DJ Pauly D stated, "Final? Who said anything about final? We're just getting started!" Snooki added with enthusiasm, "Don't worry, we got a lot more messiness for ya," while Ronnie closed with, "Ending? We're just evolving!"

This suggests that while the show may not continue on MTV, the legacy of Jersey Shore and its beloved cast members will persist in new forms. The network may have shifted focus, but the spirit and influence of the series remain strong. Fans can look forward to seeing what the Shore family has in store next as they evolve beyond the current format.
Green Lanterns meets True Detective. Hal Jordan & John Stewart hunt a killer in a gritty, mature HBO Max series. Premieres August 2026.

AceShowbiz - Viewers are set to experience a fresh and gritty take on the Green Lantern mythos with the upcoming TV series Lanterns, slated to premiere on HBO Max in August 2026. This new show introduces a darker, more mature tone reminiscent of acclaimed crime dramas like True Detective, promising a blend of superhero action and intense mystery storytelling.

The series stars Kyle Chandler as Hal Jordan and Aaron Pierre as John Stewart, two members of the elite Green Lantern Corps on a training mission on Earth. The teaser reveals the duo driving along a remote highway, with Stewart growing frustrated over his prolonged training period without yet receiving his power ring. Jordan, a seasoned Lantern, dismisses him as "a f***ing substitute teacher" but remains open to giving him a chance. The tension escalates when Jordan dramatically escapes a car accident by rolling out of the vehicle just before it plunges off an embankment.

As the story unfolds, the pair become embroiled in a small-town murder investigation. The teaser provides glimpses of their powers and Jordans iconic costume, while Jordan asserts he is the only human Green Lanternan assertion that might surprise fans of Nathan Fillions Guy Gardner, who appeared in last years Superman and is confirmed to join Lanterns. The teaser also humorously references Chp, a squirrel-like alien member of the Corps, with Jordan calling one of them "a f***ing squirrel."

Lanterns is the brainchild of acclaimed creators Chris Mundy (True Detective), Damon Lindelof (Watchmen), and comics writer Tom King (Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow). The series focuses on Hal Jordan and John Stewart as they navigate the complexities of a murder mystery, aided by local sheriff Kerry, played by Kelly Macdonald (Boardwalk Empire). The investigation involves a cast of intriguing characters portrayed by Garrett Dillahunt (Deadwood), Poorna Jagannathan (The Night Of), Jason Ritter (Matlock), and Paul Ben-Victor (The Wire).

The show promises to dive deep into the Green Lantern lore, featuring at least one major antagonist from the comics: Sinestro. Played by Ulrich Thomsen (Banshee), Sinestro is portrayed as a former mentor to Hal Jordan who ultimately turns rogue and emerges as a formidable galactic threat. Additionally, Guy Gardner will make an appearance, adding further depth and complexity to the Corps dynamic.

Similar to the DC series Peacemaker, Lanterns will adopt an R-rating, ensuring a mature, unfiltered approach that tackles darker themes and more intense action sequences. This tone aligns with the shows focus on the Green Lantern Corps, a spacefaring group of intergalactic peacekeepers equipped with power rings fueled by their bearers willpower. These rings allow users to create constructs of green energy limited only by their imagination and strength of will.

The Green Lantern universe, originally created by John Broome and Gil Kane in 1959s Showcase #22, has evolved over decades. John Stewart, introduced later by Denny ONeil and Neal Adams in 1971s Green Lantern #87, brings a significant cultural and narrative expansion to the legacy. Lanterns aims to explore this rich mythology while weaving in noir-inspired storytelling that highlights character depth and psychological intrigue.

With its talented cast, experienced creators, and a fresh narrative style, Lanterns is poised to redefine Green Lantern for a new generation. Fans can anticipate a series that balances superhero spectacle with a compelling, adult-oriented mystery.

While the official premiere is set for August 2026 on HBO Max, an exact release date has yet to be announced. Stay tuned for further updates and exclusive insights as the series moves closer to launch.
Lufthansa Group has announced that it will be cutting 20,000 short-haul flights amid the ongoing jet fuel crisis, greatly affecting travel in Europe.

The slashing of flights will affect the airline's schedule all the way until October.

Lufthansa Cuts 20,000 Short-Haul Flights

According to a report by Travel Weekly, Lufthansa Group noted that the 20,000 flights is equivalent to less than 1% of its capacity.

It should be noted that the following airlines fall under the Lufthansa Group:

Austrian Airlines

Brussels Airlines

Discover Airlines

Eurowings

ITA Airways

Lufthansa

Swiss International Air Lines

Per Travel and Tour World, among the affected routes are the following:

Bydgoszcz and Rzeszow in Poland

Stavanger in Norway

Toulouse in France

Berlin, Leipzig, and Stuttgart in Germany are also expected to lose daily services from Frankfurt and Munich.

Does Lufthansa Group Have Enough Jet Fuel Left?

Despite reducing the number of flights, Lufthansa has assured that it has a stable fuel supply for flights in its summer schedule.

"Lufthansa is pursuing a range of measures to this end, including the physical procurement of jet fuel as well as price hedging," the company said.

The company's assurance comes days after International Energy Agency Director Fatih said that Europe has approximately six weeks of remaining jet fuel supplies left.

Originally published on Travelers Today
The Yellowstone universe expands beyond the flagship series. Explore new spinoffs, the 1944 series, and creator Taylor Sheridan's future plans.

AceShowbiz - Yellowstone may have concluded its flagship run, but its expansive universe is far from over. Despite the original series wrapping up with its supersized season 5B finale, the Yellowstone world is poised to continue engaging fans through multiple spinoff projects and fresh storylines.

The creative force behind the franchise, Taylor Sheridan, is preparing to transition from Paramount to NBCUniversal starting next year with a new film deal. Although Sheridans TV contract with Paramount extends through 2028, he plans to bring his talents to NBCUniversal once that agreement expires, signaling exciting developments ahead for the Yellowstone universe.

Following the immense success of the prequel series 1883, Sheridan continued exploring the Dutton family history with 1923, which recently completed its second and likely final season. The narrative timeline will next advance with the upcoming series 1944, continuing to delve into the Dutton legacy.

Production delays caused by Hollywoods dual writer and actor strikes in 2023 impacted both Yellowstone and 1923, but Paramount Network remains committed to expanding the franchise. They have officially announced at least two new spinoffs: the World War II era 1944 and a present-day series initially titled The Madison. Notably, The Madison has since been separated from the Yellowstone-verse continuity.

In addition to these, two other highly anticipated spinoffs are in development. One focuses on Luke Grimes character Kayce Dutton, initially called Marshals before being renamed, while another centers on fan-favorite characters Beth and Rip, portrayed by Kelly Reilly and Cole Hauser, respectively, under the working title Dutton Ranch.

Originally premiering in 2018, the Paramount Networks flagship series Yellowstone concluded its run with a six-episode second half of season five, which aired its finale on December 15, 2024. The show, formerly led by Kevin Costner, grew steadily in popularity, with season fives first part delivering record-breaking ratings and the largest overnight launch in the series history.

The final season continued to attract large viewership numbers, culminating in the series highest-rated finale. However, after production delays caused by a scheduling conflict with Costner, Paramount announced that season five would be the last. Costner later confirmed his departure, leading to much speculation about how the story would address his characters exit, especially after the midseason 5A cliffhanger.

The remaining main cast, including Kelly Reilly, Cole Hauser, Wes Bentley, Luke Grimes, and Kelsey Asbille, continue to portray the Dutton family as they navigate the aftermath. With the flagship series concluded, spin-offs focusing on Reilly and Hausers characters Beth and Rip, as well as Grimes Kayce Dutton, are in early development, suggesting the Yellowstone saga will carry on through these new projects.

Due to a licensing agreement predating the Viacom-CBS merger, the original Yellowstone series streams exclusively on NBCUniversals Peacock platform, distinguishing it from the prequels, which are available on Paramount+. This streaming arrangement remains a key point for viewers who want to follow all aspects of the Yellowstone universe.

As fans await more details, it is clear that the Yellowstone franchise, despite the flagships conclusion, remains a dynamic and evolving saga with multiple narratives set to explore different periods and characters within the Dutton family lineage. The coming years promise an expanded horizon for this beloved Western drama world.
Lisa Rinna addresses rumors about Harry Hamlin's sexuality in her new book, offering candid insight into their decades-long marriage and intimate life.

AceShowbiz - Lisa Rinna is opening up about rumors concerning her husband Harry Hamlins sexuality and offering candid reflections on their relationship.

In her new book You Better Believe Im Gonna Talk About It, the former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star addresses the speculation that [strong]Harry Hamlin[/strong] might be gaya rumor sparked decades ago after he portrayed a gay character in the 1982 film Making Love.

Lisa Rinna writes, When youre a good-looking man in Hollywood with a good sense of style, that adds up to is he gay? She then decisively dispels the rumors: [strong]Harrys heterosexual[/strong]. He is not a gay man in any way, shape or form, not that theres anything wrong with that.

Having been married since 1997, Lisa also offers insight into their intimate life. She reveals that the sex is still great between them because they remain really attracted to each other. Though their physical relationship may not be as frequent as in the past, when it happens, its as good as its ever been.

After all these years, [strong]Harry and I still feel like a team[/strong], she emphasizes, highlighting the strength of their bond beyond just romance.

Aside from their private life, the couple also works closely on personal projects. Lisa shares that [strong]Harry[/strong] is a voracious reader and really, really smart, making her nervous about his reaction to her book, which delves into vulnerable topics including their marriage, her postpartum experience, the loss of her parents, and her career.

However, she happily reports that he really liked it and found her writing very brave and very vulnerable. In fact, the Days of Our Lives actress notes that [strong]Harry was deeply moved[/strong] while reading, even tearing up as he connected with the portrayal of their 34 years together.

His approval was the most validating for me because I care what he thinks more than anybody, Lisa adds, underscoring the closeness and mutual respect that define their relationship.

Beyond their marriage, [strong]Lisa Rinna[/strong] is also a mother to daughters Delilah Belle, 27, and Amelia, 24, with [strong]Harry Hamlin[/strong]. Her openness about her personal life contrasts with many Hollywood figures who avoid such candid conversations.

Her honesty and willingness to confront rumors head-on have made headlines, positioning her as a forthright figure in reality television and beyond. The books release has sparked renewed interest in their enduring partnership and the challenges they have navigated together.

In addition to these intimate revelations, Lisa continues to maintain a public presence through appearances and media projects. Her transparency about sensitive subjects resonates with fans who appreciate her straightforward approach.

Overall, Lisa Rinnas new book and interviews provide a clear message: the longstanding rumors about [strong]Harry Hamlins[/strong] sexuality are unfounded, and their marriage remains strong, affectionate, and respectful after more than three decades.
Own a piece of Nirvana history: Steve Albini's personal In Utero gold record, awarded for Indonesian sales. From his archives, now up for auction. Bid from $...

AceShowbiz - The gold-record award for Nirvanas final album, 1993s In Utero, which was presented to Steve Albini, the albums recording engineer, is now available for purchase. This unique award, marking sales in Indonesia, has been kept in Albinis archives for decades and is being sold through Steve Albinis Closet, a posthumous auction platform. The sale opens with a blind bid starting at $5,000, with bidding scheduled to close on May 3.

The story behind this Indonesian gold record reflects Albinis long-standing punk ethos. According to the auction listing, when Albini initially received the official RIAA Gold Record Award for In Utero, he returned it to Nirvanas management. This act was in line with his philosophical opposition to major labels and their business practices. Later, at someone elses suggestion, he requested the award back, but it was no longer available and its whereabouts remain unknown.

To compensate, Albini was sent the Indonesian version of the gold record, which now serves as the only tangible award from the multi-platinum album in his possession. This Indonesian plaque is not the original RIAA-certified award but is the one that Albini kept and is now putting up for auction.

Kurt Cobain, a well-known fan of Albinis previous work, particularly with the Pixies and Albinis own band Big Black, personally sought him out to record In Utero. Despite Albinis controversial reputation at the timestemming from his involvement with the band Rapeman and some contentious writingsCobain admired the raw, unfiltered sound Albini had achieved on albums like Surfer Rosa.

In the fall of 1992, as Nevermind had cemented Nirvanas global success, Cobain approached Albini about recording their next album. Albini initially hesitated but later sent a detailed four-page fax to the band in November 1992. In it, he praised their instinct to bang a record out in a couple of days, with high quality but minimal production and no interference from the front-office bulletheads.

He also clarified his ethical stance on payment, stating he found it ethically indefensible to receive royalties as a producer or engineer and preferred to be paid a flat fee for his work, like a plumber. Albini reportedly accepted just $100,000 for recording In Utero, considerably less than typical industry standards for an album of such prominence.

The recording sessions took place over two weeks in February 1993 at Pachyderm Studio in Minnesota. Cobain famously recorded all the vocals in about seven hours, while drummer Dave Grohl completed the drum tracks in three days. He was one of our heroes, I was totally intimidated, Grohl recalled in 2013.

Bassist Krist Novoselic has said the band felt the need to prove themselves to Albini. They did so by recording Serve the Servants, the albums opening track, in a single take, impressing the engineer immediately. This moment was pivotal in establishing trust and creative synergy among them.

Beyond the sessions, Albini bonded with Grohl through playful antics, including setting fire to tape-cleaning alcohol and pulling pranks on friends. One notable prank involved Albini impersonating Madonnas assistant to prank Evan Dando of the Lemonheads, keeping him on hold for 45 minutes. Another had Albini calling Gene Simmons, pretending to be Cobain, which Grohl described as hilarious.

However, tensions arose after the recording was completed. The bands label reportedly found In Utero too raw and abrasive for mainstream audiences and pressured for remixes to soften the sound. The label allegedly cast Albini as a scapegoat for the albums unpolished production. Albini himself has said the rumors about conflicts originated from the record company, which he accused of attempting to undermine Nirvanas confidence.

Years later, Albini reiterated to Tape Op magazine that the label launched a publicity campaign to try to shame the band into doing the record again, describing it as pretty creepy and weird. Despite this, In Utero remains a critical and fan favorite, celebrated for its raw power and authenticity, much of which can be credited to Albinis recording approach.

Now, the Indonesian gold record tied to this iconic album offers a rare glimpse into the complicated history behind In Utero. While it is not the original RIAA award, it is the only physical plaque that Albini kept and is a testament to his unique involvement with one of rocks most influential albums. Collectors and fans interested in owning this piece of music history can participate in the auction until May 3, with bids beginning at $5,000.
Legendary songwriter Don Schlitz, famed for "The Gambler," dies at 73. The country music world mourns a profound lyricist who shaped the genre.

AceShowbiz - The country music community mourns the passing of Don Schlitz, the legendary songwriter best known for penning the timeless hit "The Gambler." Schlitz died Thursday at a Nashville hospital at the age of 73, following a sudden illness, according to the Grand Ole Opry. The exact cause of death has not been disclosed.

Don Schlitz, a native of North Carolina, left an indelible mark on country music through his profound lyrics and memorable melodies, which helped shape the careers of numerous artists. His work continues to resonate deeply with fans and musicians alike.

Sarah Trahern, CEO of the Country Music Association, expressed the collective grief felt by the industry. She highlighted Schlitz's deep love for family, his home state, and most importantly, his passion for songs and songwriters. She recalled a recent dinner where Don picked up a guitar and played as they were leaving, a moment she will always cherish.

Echoing those sentiments, Kyle Young, CEO of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, emphasized the songwriters monumental impact. "Don Schlitz's place as a songwriting great would be secure had he never written 'The Gambler' or had he only written 'The Gambler.' Nashville was richer for his presence and is lesser for his absence," Young said.

Schlitz was instrumental in crafting hits for country legends such as Kenny Rogers, Randy Travis, and The Judds. His songwriting credits include classics like "On the Other Hand," "Forever and Ever, Amen," and "When You Say Nothing at All," the latter famously recorded by Keith Whitley and later Alison Krauss.

Born in 1952 and raised in Durham, North Carolina, Don Schlitz eventually made his way to Nashville to pursue his songwriting career. His talent earned him induction into both the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Country Music Hall of Fame, prestigious honors that recognized his profound contributions to the genre.

Upon his induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2017, Schlitz humbly remarked that he viewed the achievement as a reflection of the many people who supported him, including family, mentors, collaborators, promoters, and friends.

The defining moment of his career came with the 1978 release of "The Gambler," recorded by Kenny Rogers. The song not only became a signature hit for Rogers but also helped bring country music more broadly into the mainstream spotlight. Rogers praised Schlitz for his songwriting prowess, stating that he didn't just write songs, but he wrote careers.

Beyond Rogers, Schlitz wrote songs for a wide array of artists, including Tanya Tucker and Mary Chapin Carpenter. He also reunited Kenny Rogers with Dolly Parton for their duet "You Can't Make Old Friends," showcasing his versatility and enduring relevance in the country music scene.

Though primarily working behind the scenes, Don Schlitz secured a front-row place in country music history. He was named ASCAP Country Songwriter of the Year for four consecutive years from 1988 to 1991, an unprecedented streak that underscored his dominance in the field.

In a unique distinction, Schlitz became the only non-performing songwriter to be inducted into the Grand Ole Opry in its 100-year history. He debuted at the Opry in 2017 and was formally inducted as a member in 2022, a rare honor that celebrated his immense influence beyond the stage spotlight.

The Grand Ole Oprys Saturday night show paid tribute to Schlitzs enduring legacy, reflecting on his contributions that helped define the sound and soul of country music for decades.

Don Schlitz is survived by his wife Stacey, their children, and grandchildren. His family includes daughter Cory Dixon and her husband Matt Dixon; son Pete Schlitz and his wife Christian Webb Schlitz; grandchildren Roman, Gia, Isla, and Lilah; as well as his brother Brad Schlitz and sister Kathy Hinkley.

As the country music world reflects on the loss of one of its greatest songwriters, it is clear that Don Schlitzs music and the artists he inspired will continue to carry his legacy forward for generations to come.
RHOM's Larsa Pippen reacts to Lisa Hochstein's felony charges. Shocking details on the alleged bugging scandal and potential jail time.

AceShowbiz - Larsa Pippen recently addressed the shocking news surrounding her Real Housewives of Miami castmate Lisa Hochstein and Lisas partner, Jody Glidden, who have both been charged with criminal offenses.

Speaking on The Two Seat podcast, Larsa Pippen expressed her surprise at how the situation escalated into legal action. She noted, "I was really shocked when I heard about the Lisa situation because I feel like so much time had gone by." The allegations, which were previously discussed on the show years ago, have now led to serious charges.

The couple faces allegations of installing a listening device in Lenny Hochstein's car during the divorce proceedings involving Lisa Hochstein. Larsa pointed out her unawareness of the severity of the offense under Florida law, stating, "I didn't realize in the state of Florida it's a felony. Like you could potentially go to jail."

Adding to the intrigue, Larsa commented on reports suggesting the listening device was allegedly purchased through Jody Glidden's Amazon account. She remarked, "It's kind of crazy because allegedly the listening devices were ordered on [Jody's] Amazon account. If you were going to be a spy, would you really do it on Amazon?"

Despite no longer being a couple, Lisa Hochstein and Jody Glidden reportedly still share a residence. Larsa revealed, "She's still living in the same house with Jody."

When asked about her current relationship with Lisa Hochstein, Larsa described it as distant but civil. "I think we can coexist. We're not like great," she said, indicating a neutral stance between them.

Lastly, Larsa Pippen touched on the status of the Real Housewives of Miami filming schedule, noting that while production was expected to start soon, plans changed unexpectedly.
Explore Westeros through the eyes of its common folk. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms follows Ser Duncan and Egg on a journey that humanizes the realm.

AceShowbiz - A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, HBOs new series set in the world of Westeros, quietly debuted to critical acclaim and quickly captivated fans globally. This six-episode showrunner-led by Ira Parker-was produced on a smaller scale compared to its predecessors, Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon. Yet, it managed to create a significant impact by shifting its focus away from dragons and supernatural threats to the everyday lives of Westeros common folk.

The narrative centers on Ser Duncan the Tall, portrayed by Peter Claffey, and his young squire Egg, played by Dexter Sol Ansell. Together, they journey through the events of the Ashford tourney, offering audiences a fresh perspective on the people residing within the Seven Kingdoms. This approach humanizes the world of Westeros by showcasing its inhabitants not as rulers or warriors but as brothers, fathers, and sons with complex interpersonal relationships.

The series provides an intimate look at the Targaryen family, portraying them beyond their typical roles as dragon riders or political schemers. Instead, viewers witness their familial bonds and vulnerabilities, adding depth to the lore fans have come to cherish. The refreshing storytelling approach earned the show widespread praise and a dedicated fan base eager for more.

In a testament to the confidence the creators have in the series, filming for a second season commenced in Belfast, Ireland, as early as December 2025, even before the first season officially premiered. This early renewal indicated strong faith in the show's potential to continue expanding the rich tapestry of Westeros history.

However, the production of Season 2 recently encountered a significant hurdle. Filming at the Las Ninas dam in Gran Canaria was halted due to unprecedented historic flooding in the area. This natural disaster disrupted the planned schedule and forced the production team to reassess their shooting locations and logistics.

Despite this setback, reports from Atlantico Hoy reveal that filming will resume soon, though with adjustments to the shooting locations. The production is set to continue at La Fortaleza in Gran Canaria while simultaneously scouting alternative sites to replace the Las Ninas dam. This flexibility in location choices demonstrates the productions commitment to maintaining momentum despite environmental challenges.

The team behind A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms has selected multiple locations across Spain to accommodate the various scenes planned for Season 2. This multi-location approach allows them to navigate unforeseen obstacles like the flooding while ensuring that filming progresses without significant delays.

As the production moves forward, fans can expect the continuation of the story that delves deeper into the lives of Ser Duncan and Egg, exploring their adventures and the political dynamics within Westeros. The shows distinct focus on the smaller, more personal stories within the vast world of Westeros offers a unique addition to the expansive Game of Thrones universe.

In summary, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms has established itself as HBO Maxs standout Game of Thrones spin-off by emphasizing character-driven storytelling and exploring lesser-known facets of Westeros history. Although Season 2s production faced delays due to historic flooding at one of its key locations, the series is making significant strides to overcome these challenges and continue delivering compelling content to its audience.

The commitment shown by the creators and cast, along with the strategic relocation of filming sites, underscores the shows importance within HBO Maxs lineup and its growing popularity among fans of the franchise. With production now back on track, anticipation builds for what promises to be another captivating season of this beloved Westeros saga.
HYBE founder and chairman Bang Si-hyuk is facing potential arrest after South Korean police requested a detention warrant over allegations that he orchestrated a fraudulent pre-IPO trading scheme that generated about 190 billion won (around 129 million dollars) in illicit profits tied to the K-pop agency's blockbuster stock market debut.

South Korea's financial crimes unit at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency has asked a court to issue a detention warrant for Bang on suspicion of violating the Capital Markets Act, putting his leadership of HYBE under intense scrutiny.

Investigators allege that, ahead of HYBE's 2020 initial public offering, he engaged in fraudulent and unfair trading designed to secure tens of millions of dollars in unlawful gains. A judge is expected to review the request and decide whether to grant the warrant, a decision that could lead to his arrest and pretrial detention, according to the BBC.

Bang Si-hyuk's Potential Arrest

Authorities say the alleged scheme began in 2019, when Bang is accused of misleading early HYBE investors by saying the company had no plans to go public. On the basis of those assurances, some shareholders reportedly sold their stakes to a private equity fund or a special-purpose company linked to Bang and his associates.

At the same time, HYBE was said to be taking key steps toward an IPO, including moves such as appointing an external auditor, which investigators argue made the "no listing" claim deceptive.

After HYBE listed on the stock market in 2020, the fund is alleged to have sold the shares at far higher prices, generating profits estimated at about 190 billion won, or 129 million dollars, with Bang reportedly receiving around 30 percent of the gains, Tribune reported.

South Korea's financial watchdog had already referred Bang to prosecutors over similar allegations of fraudulent stock trading tied to the IPO, one of the most serious measures it can take.

The referral followed a lengthy capital markets probe and multiple summonses as authorities examined whether insiders used the structure to sidestep post-IPO lock-up rules meant to restrict early share sales.

Bang has denied any wrongdoing, arguing through his lawyers that the profits reflected legitimate investment risk and that other investors also benefited from the deals.

HYBE, citing his legal team, has said it regrets the move to seek a detention warrant, emphasized that Bang has cooperated with investigators, and pledged to follow legal procedures as the case moves forward, as per NBC News.

The probe has drawn global attention because HYBE manages BTS and other major K-pop acts, leaving fans and investors watching closely to see whether the court approves the warrant and how any arrest might affect the company's leadership and stock performance.
Irish farmers and truckers are blocking major thoroughfares as part of growing protests against their governments mass immigration policies, green energy regulations, and climate change taxes. Miles-long convoys of German drivers have blockaded the streets surrounding Chancellor Merzs residence in Berlin to demand his removal from office. In Manchester thousands of patriotic Brits continue to take to the streets with a sea of white flags bearing red crosses  Saint Georges Cross, the national flag of England.

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Across Europe, similar protests against mass immigration, costly bureaucratic regulations, and economically suicidal energy policies pop up without much warning and quickly take over national highways and city streets. One of the common and visually striking features of these protests is the multitude of national flags. From one set of eyes staring at the array of protesters waving their countrys flags in the air, the scene looks like a never-ending quilt of unbridled patriotism.

For the most part, European and North American corporate newsrooms refuse to cover these newsworthy protests. Their concerted efforts to hide what is happening across the West stand in contrast to the ways they actively promote small gatherings of NGO-funded provocateurs pushing globalisms favorite pet projects: calling white people racist, supporting taxpayer-funded abortion, threatening to murder populists, calling for the end of private property, demanding amnesty for illegal aliens, and equating the use of hydrocarbon fuels to genocide.

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When the Soros family or other globalist billionaires pay rioters to take to the streets, corporate newsrooms (often owned, directly or indirectly, by the same billionaires paying for the street theater) cover the anti-Western mayhem as if globalist temper tantrums were exotic breaking news (when, in reality, Western citizens are keenly aware that globalists excel at whining, breaking things, trespassing, stealing, and assaulting people). When pro-illegal immigration crowds show up to burn the national flags of Great Britain, France, Denmark, Germany, Sweden, and the Netherlands, news cameras catch the action. When those same throngs of foreigners wave the flags of their home countries, news cameras record the scene as if it were some righteous and historic fight for diversity and multiculturalism. When the peoples of Europe whose ancestors have lived on the continent for several thousand years wave the flags of their political states, however, reporters pretend that the assembly of citizens is doing nothing but promoting hate.

What an interesting time to be alive. For all of human history, when a group of foreigners occupied the territorial home of another people and waved the emblems of their foreign states in the faces of the natives, we recognized that event as an invasion. Today, Western governments  stewing in the poisons of globalism and advancing a religion of self-immolation  treat invaders as citizens and citizens as nuisances. Across Europe, North America, and Australasia, globalist governments have lowered their drawbridges for outsiders while throwing insiders into the moats. It is easy to imagine French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, or European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen hiding in medieval castle keeps while instructing self-loathing guards to fire arrows only at the people waving French, British, or European flags. How else would one expect European leaders to behave when European governments allow foreigners to rape and murder citizens while arresting citizens who object to being raped and murdered? More and more citizens are recognizing the total disregard that globalist governments have for their safety.

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This awakening that is happening throughout the West  wherein ordinary citizens have begun to rebel against their governments suicidal policies  is picking up steam. It seems to reflect a social consciousness that is increasingly aware that home governments have long been behaving as enemies. Enemy is a strong word reserved for those who oppose us with great hostility or malice. Generally, enemies lie on the other side of a countrys borders or across entire oceans. But when Western governments invite mortal enemies inside their nations borders, those governments aid and abet the very people who wish us harm. Traditionally, we call government officeholders who betray citizens traitors. Traitors, of course, are enemies, too.

Globalism, by design, works to destroy national borders. Its proponents pursue this goal through increasingly overt ways. In Europe, the Schengen treaties and rules incorporated into European Union law have eliminated internal border controls between most countries. Originally touted as a way to allow the citizens of European nations to travel freely throughout the continent, it was always a mass migration weapon that has enabled globalists to flood the discrete nations of Europe with foreigners from Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. In North America, the United Nations and globalist-funded NGOs spend billions of dollars each year in assisting migrants from South and Central America to travel through Mexico and flood the United States. In both Europe and North America, the same wealthy, powerful globalists pursue one goal: to replace native citizens with so many foreign peoples that it becomes impossible for any nation to maintain a distinct identity.

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Globalists are internationalists. They seek to create a new world order with global government, international agencies, and international law. One way to accomplish these objectives is to erase national borders and to invite an international population to resettle inside a formerly sovereign nation. By doing so, both foreign allegiances and international laws are injected into the domestic governing system, whether the native population desires that result or not.

Just as the devil is the father of lies, globalism is the philosophy of liars. Those liars call illegal immigrants asylum seekers. They call foreigners who are financially dependent on government welfare contributors, taxpayers, and economic boons. They call citizens who wish to enforce their countrys borders and protect their countrys culture racists, bigots, fascists, Nazis, and xenophobes (as if foreigners are known for flocking to racist, bigoted, fascist lands filled with Nazis who discriminate against outsiders). Globalist liars pretend that borders are antiquated relics of colonialism and imperialism, even though it is foreigners who are colonizing nations by building little ethnic empires that refuse to assimilate.

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At some point, the people being slowly conquered through the one-two punch of open borders and mass migration (or what we might call globalist-assisted national suicide) were going to look around and realize that the countries they once knew are quickly disappearing. If current trends continue, the ten largest cities in the United Kingdom will have Muslim majorities within the next few decades. Similar trends are completely upending the demographics and cultures of France, Germany, Spain, and every other European nation that traded sovereignty for the Trojan Horse of the Schengen Agreement.

In the United States, Minnesota and Maine have Somali enclaves that have become so politically powerful that Minneapolis Mayor (and Democrat Party globalist) Jacob Frey delivered parts of his victory speech last November in the Somali tongue. While globalist liars demonize Americans as colonizers, Somalis (with the help of their globalist patrons and Minnesota Democrats fondness for welfare fraud) have actually colonized what once was one of the whitest regions of the nation. Whenever illegal aliens commit crimes in the United States, globalist prosecutors sweep those crimes under the rug, globalist newsrooms pretend they never happened, and globalist politicians repeat ad nauseam, Diversity is our strength.

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Diversity can be a strength. It is nice to have a diverse collection of weapons when under attack. A diverse collection of experts is helpful when designing architectural marvels, such as giant walls. It is not likely, however, that many people behind a castles gates have ever looked at an approaching army and concluded, We wont survive without more diversity. People who are interested in protecting their civilizations do not invite other civilizations to take over their castles.

Globalists, however, are at war with Western civilization. Those liars betray us all. They are our enemies.

Image: Pashi via Pixabay, Pixabay License.
We can dismiss the so-called antiwar agitation against the U.S. war with Iran for what it always is, a desire to see America defeated because a victory would be an affront to their perverse ideological and partisan ideas. There are, however, other critics of the war who deserve attention because their motivation is to keep America strong and prepared for what they see as more important conflicts. For example, James Holmes, the J. C. Wylie Chair of Maritime Strategy at the U.S. Naval War College, fears that we are expending resources in a fourth ranked theater when we are facing a possible Chinese invasion of Taiwan which will require a massive defensive effort.

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Holmes argument that the current U.S. campaign against the Tehran regime will only produce a Pyrrhic Victory -- one that exhausts the victors martial resources, bringing about eventual defeat if not downfall is valid for King Pyrrhus of Epirus because he confronted a foe that could replenish its strength more readily than his own host could. Yet, it is not as applicable to President Donald Trump as it may seem. Epirus was a small state under a fanatic leader fighting against a Roman Republic building an empire that would dominate Europe for centuries. In this analogy, Iran is the modern Epirus claiming phony victories that have left it devastated.

Another frequent example, even more attractive to historians, is Athens' expedition to Sicily in 415 BC, diverting a large military force to besiege Syracuse (an ally of Sparta) when Athens was facing a more direct existential threat from Sparta itself. The problem with this analogy is that the Athenian expedition was destroyed in Sicily (after a Spartan general arrived to take command), while our Iranian expedition has won. The argument is reduced to claiming that while our warships have not been sunk, they are disarmed with empty magazines. The analogy can be taken further. Athens fought for another ten years, rebuilding its fleet and winning renewed maritime superiority at the battle of Cyzicus in 410 BC. During this time other things occurred that have more in common with todays problems. Athens economy was weakened by Spartan attacks on its supply chains. There were bitter internal political struggles that sapped unity and undermined strategic continuity. And Persia (the eternal foe) aided the growing Spartan fleet that defeated the Athenians in 405 BC at the wars decisive Battle of Aegospotami.

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There is no inherent reason that Americans, whose $32 trillion GDP accounts for 25% of the world total, should fear there could be any foe that could replenish its strength more readily than we can. The present danger that weapons used against Iran cannot be replaced fast enough to confront or deter a Chinese invasion of Taiwan is the result of negligent policy that with effort can be fixed.

It is not unusual for the demands of war to exceed what was contemplated during peace. In the early years of World War I, Great Britain had to ration artillery firing because of a shortage of shells, resulting in heavier infantry casualties and lost battles. The shell crisis of 1915 led to the creation of a new Ministry of Munitions led by David Lloyd George, whose success in mobilizing industry led to his becoming prime minister. Then as now there was a labor shortage in the factories but for different reasons. Men had left their jobs for military service whereas today decades of deindustrialization allowed manufacturing to move offshore has reduced the supply of blue-collar employees to draw on. Both world wars saw women replacing men in industry whereas today a new generation of workers is having to be trained in community colleges and special corporate programs with pay incentives that surpass most college degrees.

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Great Britain then, like the U.S. today, had fought many small wars across the globe in the decades before 1914, but these had not placed such a heavy burden on industry that it drove expansion. In the Royal Navy there had been an arms race following the introduction of the Dreadnought battleship design with a continuous increase in main gun calibers which required new shell production rather than stockpiling. Innovation today poses a similar problem with new weapons like drones (and defense against them) needing production, adding to improvements in existing systems and replacement of weapons used in combat.

The United States was in even worse condition when it entered WW I in 1917. America had surpassed the combined industrial output of Britain and Germany combined by 1908. Yet, except for the navy, we did not have a defense industrial base. Despite watching the war rage for three years, America had done little to prepare for a war its leaders hoped to avoid. While it was easy to call up manpower, arming them was another matter. Doughboys went into combat with French artillery, machine guns, tanks, and aircraft supplemented by British equipment from what was by then fully mobilized European war industries.

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The Trump Administration is well aware of the problem. Sectary of War Pete Hegseth has repeated stated that we are only using 10% of our naval strength against Iran. Rebuilding and expanding our defense industrial base have been priorities in both Trump terms. The 2026 National Security Strategy states American national power depends on a strong industrial sector capable of meeting both peacetime and wartime production demands. That requires not only direct defense industrial production capacity but also defense-related production capacity. Cultivating American industrial strength must become the highest priority of national economic policy. The Trump administration has been using trade policy as well as the authorities provided by the 1950 Defense Production Act to rebuild the nations strategic industrial base and secure supply chains for critical minerals. On March 6, President Trump met with executives from the major defense contractors to discuss the expansion of munition production which had supposedly commenced three months prior. Missile production, both offensive and defensives, was set to increase four-fold after the President had criticized the industry earlier for being sluggish. President Trump has not yet threatened to take over the industry like Lloyd George did, though Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has raised the issue of direct Federal investment in defense firms.

The proposed increase of the 2027 defense budget to $1.5 trillion will just barely put such spending at the 5% of GDP President Trump has demanded all NATO members meet. The section on manufacturing in the recently released NATO annual report states The Alliance is already home to the worlds leading defence industrial suppliers, but a more challenging security environment means Allies need to produce more equipment more quickly. They need to work together -- alongside partners such as Ukraine, the EU and in the Indo-Pacific -- to ramp up industrial production and speed up innovation and the adoption of new technologies. Americas NATO partners have an aggregate $20 trillion GDP, an economic potential that dwarfs the Russian economy by a 10-1 margin. Awakened from the post-Cold War doldrums, European NATO can handle continental security releasing the U.S. to concentrate on the Indo-Pacific with its Asian partners who also possess robust economic capabilities and advanced technology.

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The problem is how much time does America have to renew its defense industrial production before the anticipated confrontation with China? Xi Jinpings purge of his military commanders seem motivated by his impatience with the PLAs preparations for such a confrontation. That moves the risk date from 2027 to 2029 (when a new, untried U.S. president might seem uncertain in his response) or beyond. That is a time frame within which an abundant America has been able to respond in the past when properly motivated.
My daughter Karen became enthralled with the Food Network decades ago, but it took me until the past few years to be equally hooked.

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Although I usually dont like competitions, because most competitors on Iron Chef America or Guy Fieris Diners, Drive-ins and Dives or Beat Bobby Flay, et al. are so equally talented that it actually hurts when one sumptuous dish wins out over another mouthwatering entry. But this is what gets ratings. Oh, well.

Among the things that attracts me to these programs are

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The interesting characters who chose to create appetizing food as their lifes work  most of them tattooed from head to toe, and one of them with blue hair! The almost impossible challenges the hosts cook up. The impressive credentials of not only the contestants, but also the judges, many who have been awarded the prestigious James Beard Award, written multiple best-selling cookbooks, and run several high-end restaurants of their own both here in America and abroad.

But what rivets me the most are the ingredients!

Who would think of combining mango with feta cheese, of adding lavender to a salad, of throwing a chili pepper into bolognese sauce, of mixing pound cake squares into a fruit compote, or black garlic into pasta? Youve gotta love it!

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Relevance?

It must be why Im so intrigued by the ingredients that make up our body politic.

For instance, I cant figure out what ingredient inhabits an aggressive capitalist who runs a thriving company or a successful medical practice or a promising startup, but votes for Democrat candidates, almost all of whom detest capitalism! It is necessary to mention, however, that many of those candidates are proudly and unapologetically immensely wealthy themselves.

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This appears to be yet another variation on the snobbish good for me but not for thee meme.

What ingredient inhabits an educated Democrat who has studied the history of our country, including the Emancipation Proclamation, but still thinks that the democratic republic we live in is unfair to regular working-class citizens in spite of the mountain of benefits and support every such needy citizen receives?

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This appears to be yet another variation on the Democrats attempt to conceal the real modus vivendi of the Democrat partys rancid driving philosophy: the victims vs. the victimizers.

What ingredient compels most Democrats to revile the U.S. Constitution and to throw their full support  and money  to radical, hate-America groups like Antifa and Black Lives Matter when they all know that the Democrat party is the most racist organization in America?

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This is clearly a case where Democrats have elevated amnesia to an art form, conveniently forgetting that Democrats opposed the abolition of slavery; were key participants in creating the Ku Klux Klan and the Jim Crow laws; and steadfastly voted against the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the Civil Rights Acts of 1968, and the Equal Opportunity Act of 1972.

Oh, not to omit the fact that then-senator Joe Biden gave an impassioned eulogy-cum-hagiography for his good friend, Democrat Senator Robert Byrd, who had been a high-ranking member of the Ku Klux Klan  Exalted Cyclops and Kleagle  and had also recruited 150 of his friends to start a new KKK chapter, as well as using the N-word on live television in 2001.

And now we have not only one or two or three elected officials in the highest seats of the United States government proudly and aggressively throwing their impassioned support to the genocidal terrorists of Hamas and Hezballah, et al., who have waged a truly genocidal war  its been in their public statements and their charters for decades  against our longtime and faithful ally, Israel, the only democracy in the entire Middle East.

What We Witness Every Day

There are certain Democrat ingredients that are displayed every day  on TV, radio, the print media  and all we need is our own eyes and ears to witness.

Consistent negativity. The sky is always falling, the glass is always half empty, the worst is right around the corner, and there are victims  of racism, sexism, economic injustice, et al.  littering the landscape.

Dependence on Big Government. In short, Democrats at heart are really needy and scared children who feel at a loss to function adequately in the adult world, so they project their longing to be taken care of onto people they believe have the same infantile needs, offering them care and support  provided by taxpayers  from cradle to grave.

Behaving like Infants. Democrats are known for their frequent temper tantrums, spewing obscenities and vulgarities at public rallies. The arch-example of a pure lack of class (and the behavior of an angry child) is Speaker Nancy Pelosis tearing up Pres. Trump 45s State of the Union speech in front of the entire world.

Anger on Parade. When was the last time anyone, anywhere, saw or heard a Democrat not angry or aggrieved about something? This is because they believe that America is too strong, too rich, too powerful, and therefore the envy of the rest of the world. This is why Democrats hate strength and wealth and power...except if theyre the beneficiaries!

Jealousy, Too. Jealousy is humankinds second-strongest emotion, after fear. This is why Democrats invented cancel culture: because they are simply jealous, not only of conservative influence and success, but particularly of President Trump 47s crushing victory in 2024. As for their irrational hatred of little, tiny thriving Israel  and Jews everywhere  well, if that aint jealousy, nothing is!

Victims R Us. To liberals/leftists/progressives, the world comprises helpless victims and cruel victimizers (read: conservatives), only to be saved by compassionate Democrats. To this end, they have rejected the values of accountability and the central role of law and order in society instead of Big Government dependency.

Conceit. Liberals are morally and intellectually superior to those cruel people  read: adults  who set limits, demand accountability, expect empirical results, fight their enemies, and also make judgments about what is good and bad and right and wrong.

Intolerance. This has become the calling card of Democrats who created cancel culture, who refuse to engage in civilized debate, who introduced the world to gratuitous insults, foot-stamping, routine vulgarities, and fantastical lies.

Is Ptomaine Poisoning Really on the Menu?

If the judges on the Food Network considered the ingredients of todays Democrats  liberals/leftists/progressives  Im guessing they would not hesitate to recognize the toxic nature of all these ingredients, the danger they pose to the public, and the need to reject them out of hand.

No doubt, the American public will be as smart in throwing all the Democrat bums out of office in the midterms on November 3, 2026, and voting in the MAGA candidates who are continuing to make America genuinely Great Again, safer again, saner again!

Joan Swirsky is a New Yorkbased journalist and author. Her website is www.joanswirsky.com, and she can be reached at [email protected].

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The most enjoyable battle tactic, always, is one where you turn your enemys own momentum against himself. With Virginia having just voted to freeze out its Republican voters (46% voted for Trump, but theyre assured of only a 9% voice in the House of Representatives), Chad R. Mizelle has come up with a wonderful idea to turn the Democrats own values against them and effectively neutralize the recent gerrymander.

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For years now, Democrats have repeatedly told us that, to exorcise slaverys wrongs, all benefits that flowed from slavery to any institution in America must be undone. Land must be returned, reparations paid, the Founders houses turned into monuments to excoriate them, and the Constitution itself undone. If Democrats could, they would turn the whole of America over to the international community to pay for its sins.

Well, it turns out that Virginia possesses both Arlington County and the city of Alexandria because of slavery. Mizelle says that its time for the federal government to repossess them. Only in that way can the stain of slavery be removed.

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Heres how this works. In 1790, when the new country was casting about for a centrally located capital city, it was apparent that Philadelphia, which had functioned as the revolutionary capital, was unfairly distant from the southern states. The representatives of the new nation concluded that a little area between Maryland and Virginia was the most perfectly equidistant spot.

To that end, each state gave five square miles of its territory to the federal government to create the District of Columbia. In this regard, its important to note that the District of Columbia is not a state. Residents received the right to vote for the president only in 1961, and the right to a non-voting delegate in the House in 1970. D.C. has no senator. The area was meant to be a large office park.

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Things changed in 1847, though. With the growing push for abolition, Virginia became worried that the federal government would ban slavery within the five square miles that Virginia had ceded to the government 57 years before. Were that to happen, it would have damaged Virginias slave trade in the district. Virginia, therefore, demanded the land backland that now houses Alexandria and Arlington Countyto ensure that slavery continued there.

Therefore, Virginia possesses and benefits from those two regions (the tax benefit alone is staggering) solely as a result of slavery. It must return them!

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Of course, once returned, the residents of those regions would still be able to vote for president but would no longer have a voice in choosing Virginias senators, and would have only a non-voting representative in the House. Too bad, so sad.

All this matters because those two regions (plus Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William counties), to use ChatGPTs own words, are the engine of Democratic strength in Virginia. It adds, These areas combine affluent suburbs, federal workers, immigrants, and younger professionals. They generate massive statewide Democratic margins.

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According to Mizelle,

President Trump could issue an executive order declaring the slavery-motivated retrocession unconstitutional, triggering certain legal action, and allowing the courts to finally weigh in on whether the county of Arlington and the city of Alexandria in fact properly belong to the District of Columbia. Advertisement This order would be on better legal footing than many of President Joe Bidens most egregious orders, such as those imposing an eviction moratorium or forgiving billions in student debt with the stroke of an (auto) pen. As some of the deepest blue areas of the commonwealth  and the country  and loaded with federal government employees, residents of this region should feel right at home as part of D.C.

Doing this, according to the Democrats own standards, would remedy a great historic wrong. Additionally, writes Mizelle,

If Virginia Democrats redistricting succeeds, President Trump should re-District Virginia. It will not only neutralize the presidents political opponents move to stack Congress against him  thus protecting him from another likely sham impeachment  but, most importantly, it will save a great number of red Virginians from having their votes canceled out by deep blue D.C.-adjacent liberals.

Nothing like seeing people hoist by their own petard. I sincerely hope that President Trump takes this suggestion very seriously.

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Democrats are very good at using the magicians art of prestidigitation (the hand is quicker than the eye) as a political juggernaut. By keeping us focused on the important cultural wars (transgenderism, DEI, CRT, etc.), they are slowly but surely carrying out a coup intended to transform the American Revolution (focused on individual liberty but guarding against mob rule) into a French Revolution (pure statism supported by a mindless mob).

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Yesterday, Virginia voters said yes to redistricting. What that means is that most of the 46% of the Virginia population that voted for Trump in 2024 will be crammed into one House district, while the other ten districts will be clustered in areas that voted for Kamala. Despite those 46% of Trump votes, its a dead certainty that Republicans will account for only 9% of Virginias House delegation. Given the Republicans slender hold on the House, this is a big step towards handing the House to the Democrats.

Just by way of contrast, Texass redistricting reflected the states growth, while Louisianas redistricting actually created a geographically ridiculous new district to cater to black voters. We are not the same.

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Virginia also took another step that it hopes will sideline Republicans, this time in presidential elections. Virginia is now a member of the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact (NPV). The compact holds that once enough states have signed on to reach 270 Electoral College (EC) votes (the number needed to elect a president), those member states will automatically cast their EC votes for the candidate who won the popular vote.

The NPV is a response to the fact that since the 2000 election, two candidates have won the popular vote but lost the EC, and both were Democrats (Al Gore and Hillary Clinton). Democrats, seeing which way the wind is blowing, are determined to ensure that they never suffer such a loss again. Currently, including Virginia, 18 states plus D.C, belong to the NPV, for a total of 244 EC votes.

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The Democrats have more structural changes planned. As far back as 2020, when Sen. Mitch McConnell (to his great credit) allowed Trump to exercise his constitutional power to nominate a Supreme Court justice to replace Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the Democrats were planning the Armageddon option:

Furious Democrats are considering total war  profound changes to two branches of government, and even adding stars to the flag  if Republicans jam through a Supreme Court nominee then lose control of the Senate. Advertisement On the table: Adding Supreme Court justices ... eliminating the Senate's 60-vote threshold to end filibusters ... and statehood for D.C. and Puerto Rico. "If he holds a vote in 2020, we pack the court in 2021," Rep. Joe Kennedy III (D-Mass.)

That idea is still on the table, courtesy of James Carville:

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Top Democrat political consultant and campaign strategist, James Carville, just stated on the Left-wing Policon podcast that when the Democrats regain power, they plan to:



-Grant statehood to Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico, so that the Democrats can unlock 4 extra seats in pic.twitter.com/z04hVHc3Vw  Morse Report (@MorseReport) April 18, 2026

...the Senate. -Pack the U.S. Supreme Court from 9 Justices up to 13 Justices, adding another 4 Left-wing Justices to the court. Advertisement -Reopen the U.S.-Mexico border and grant mass-amnesty to every single alien currently inside of the United States. -His advice to Democrat politicians: Dont run on it. Dont talk about it. Just do it.

(The keep your mouth shut style of campaigning worked well for both Obama and Virginias Abigail Spanberger, who ran as moderates and, once in power, governed as extremists).

And of course, there are the endless spurious impeachments, all meant to oust a president who offends them.

All these ideas, including telling candidates to keep their mouths shut, are undemocratic, for they seek to undermine the will of the American people today, in the hopes of silencing them completely tomorrow.

Through sly structural changes, Democrats are effectively erasing the American Revolution and replacing it with the French Revolution.

The Founders believed in individual liberty against the might of the state. They were terrified of unconstrained democracy, for they understood that mobs are easily swayed and manipulated. Therefore, they created filters on the way to the federal government.

The House of Representatives has a direct vote (and that vote was expected to represent coherent local communities, not gerrymandered monstrosities). Until the 17th Amendment, state governments, which again represented the filtered will of the local people, selected Senators. And the president was selected by the EC, which ensured that each state had its say and that each region of America had a representative voice.

Morality, too, was important: As John Adams famously wrote, Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.

The French Revolution, by contrast, was purely statist, with the state supported by a mindless mob. It was virulently hostile to the Bible and willing to use the utmost violence to maintain its goals.

If you think theres any difference between the leftist street protests with people screaming to geld little boys, cheering on the annihilation of the Jewish state, or celebrating Charlie Kirks assassination and demanding the same for Trump, on the one hand, and the French mobs cheering on Louis XVIs beheading, on the other hand, you are lying to yourself.

Choose your analogy: The leftists are storming the Bastille or firing on Fort Sumter. Either way, youll be correct. Theyre out for blood, and were still sitting there sucking our thumbs and promising ourselves everything will be fine. With these changes to our elections, every Republican who stays home in November, whether from laziness or pique, is effectively voting for the new revolution.

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On April 15, thirteen radical House Democrats introduced six articles of impeachment against Pete Hegseth, accusing him of high crimes and misdemeanors. The charges are spurious, alleging that he violated the War Powers Act (which didnt apply), that he committed war crimes because Iran claimed that girls were in a building on an IRGC base that the U.S. struck, and managing the military in ways they disliked.

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Those articles may have been the acts of radicals, but the fact is that the Democrats have relentlessly sought to undermine Pete Hegseth at every turn. Some of it is purely policy-driven: They want mentally ill people in the military, low recruitment, a focus on social justice, not winning wars, and the triumph of overt enemies.

However, DataRepublican has a more shocking contention. She says the continued efforts to destroy Pete Hegseth are the prelude to an actual coup. I particularly noted this because Democrats are engaged in a stealth revolution against our Constitution and the Founders vision. DataRepublican, however, sees a more kinetic coup, which requires disposing of Hegseth.

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Ive pasted DataRepublicans full thread at the end of this post. This is a summary, with some added information:

Heres the premise:

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 THREAD: The true reason Pete Hegseth is being targeted is because he's standing between President Trump and a coup@PeteHegseth named the institutions... CFR, Brookings, the general class... in 37 seconds in a video by @Liz_Wheeler . Within 72 hours of his nomination, a color pic.twitter.com/DgWilvJlf8  DataRepublican (small r) (@DataRepublican) April 21, 2026

Heres the key point that she develops:

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They went after him because every color revolution manual ever written says the same thing: you cannot topple a government unless the security forces defect. And a loyal Secretary of Defense is the one person who makes sure they don't.

Whoa! But heres the proof:

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It begins with a study from Erica Chenoweth and Maria Stephan examining 323 regime-change campaigns. It says the obvious: If a leaders security forces abandon him, hes 46 times more vulnerable.

Armed with that information, Maria Stephan became the Chief Organizer of the Horizons Project. That organizations mission is to Strengthen connections and collective action among US pro-democracy movements and networks. It is steeped in the language of leftism.

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Last summer, Stephan created a training video explaining how to destroy existing institutions. Heres the key quotation:

The third attribute of successful campaigns, they feature defections and loyalty shifts within key institutional pillars. ... Security forces refused to obey orders to repress protesters.

The same presentation explains that one of the ways to destroy the government is to destroy the loyalty that the military and police forces have to the administration:

Servants are responsible for executing policies and basically getting anything done. Security forces wield coercive power. These pillars and their social, political, and economic power ultimately prop up regimes. And when they crack and power within them shifts, the entire edifice can crumble.

Additionally, Gene Sharps message still resonates with this crew.

If you dont know who Gene Sharp is (I didnt), heres the skinny: Sharp, who was a conscientious objector during the Korean War and died at 90 in 2018, created a handbook for non-violent resistance to government, which included 198 suggested methods. Because he allegedly worked with our government to help bring down other governments, the left attacked himright up until Noam Chomsky and Howard Zinn vigorously defended him.

Hardy Merriman, who worked for Sharp and helped write the CANVAS regime-change handbook, created a domestic version that highlights that military members swear an oath to the Constitution, not the president. Keep that point in mind.

Two months after Trumps November 2024 victory, the august Brookings Institution published its Democracy Playbook 2025. It discusses dealing with security forces and looks at color revolution case studies. In a footnote, the playbook explicitly points to an AP article entitled Pete Hegseth had been flagged by fellow service member as possible Insider Threat.

On November 11, 2025, the National Lawyers Guild, a hard-left institution, put together a guidebook for service members wanting to know the finer points of refusing illegal orders. One day later, the Guild called the U.S. action in Venezuela a war crime and called for officers to disobey orders.

Then, on November 18, 2025, Mark Kelly and five others published their infamous video telling service members to disobey Trumps orders. These were not random politicians.

According to DataRepublican, those five others were all recruited through the New Politics Leadership Academy, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to train military veterans, social workers, Peace Corps volunteers, and others to get into politics. The organization says its nonpartisan, but its graduates are overwhelmingly Democrat.

Just as the playbook predicted, the administration responded harshly to the video. Its efforts to punish them failed, with a grand jury declining to indict anyone. It was a cause celebre.

Ironically, Democrats have ignored Daniel Driscoll, the Secretary of the Army, who has been more rigorous about disrupting the Biden status quo. DataRepublican posits that this is because Driscoll is chummy with many Democrats, or, at least, his wife is. (Leftist wives are often a problem; e.g., the wives of Paul Krugman, Joe Kent, Jake Tapper, Colin Kaepernick, etc.)

Driscoll is also embedded in professional networks, associations that make him vulnerable to defecting from the vision that Trump and Hegseth have for the military (a fighting machine, not a social justice experiment). Hegseth has no loyalty to these professional institutions. Hes loyal only to the military.

There are a few more details DataRepublican provides about organizers out to get Hegseth, but thats the gist of it. The conclusion is that the key leftist institutions that Hegseth named in DataRepublicans first tweet knew he was a threat, not to them specifically, but to their plans, and they instantly swung into action to put them into effect.

If getting Republicans on the same page is like herding cats (see, e.g., the failed SAVE America Act, which ~70% of all Americans support), Democrats are like the Borg: They have a single sensibility, and they can and will do whatever it takes to achieve their goal.

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The tweets
Historically, it was a code of honor that prompted the emergence of duels. The intended result initially, however, was not to kill; rather, it was just to extract a sense of satisfaction restoring honor to one for the act of another perceived to have been offensive. Ironically, despite this honorable history, it has taken a bit of an ignominious downturn recently with one name, unsurprisingly, helping to launch it in that directionformer First Son Hunter Biden.

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Perhaps the most famous duel in our history was one that took place in 1804 between two of our Founding Fathersthen Vice President Aaron Burr and former Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamiltonultimately claiming the life of the latter.

With the 21st century bringing in a new era of American politicsone in which the traditional courtesies that opponents extend to each other in the course of congressional debate and discourse are ignored in favor of name-calling, profanities, and outright threatsa new challenge has emerged. It involves opponents, regardless of their professional expertise, settling disputes in a Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) environment known as cage fights as they are fought in an enclosed environment.

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Although a rarity, cage fights have also become a forum for political opponents. One such contest that was supposed to occur in the U.S., but never did, was the subject of headlines in 2023 referencing Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg. However, the latter called it off claiming the former was never serious about it. Internationally, cage fights based on political disputes have occurred, most notably in Brazil.

Filmmaker Andrew Callaghan recently queried former presidential son Hunter Biden about possibly challenging President Donald Trumps two elder sons, Eric and Don Jr., in a two-on-one cage match. Hunter responded he was 100% in for it.

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It is unsurprising someone like Hunterwhose lifelong behavior has arguably been boorish to say the leastwould endeavor to further diminish the civility level that political opponents choose to observe.

It is as if Hunter misses the national attention he was receiving as First Son. This attention included allegations about a wide range of criminal activitiesearning some credibility for them when his father granted a full and unconditional pardon. That pardon was not for specifically enumerated acts but rather for any known or unknown acts he may have committed during an eleven-year period dating from January 1, 2014, through December 1, 2024.

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Such a pardon is called a blanket or open pardon. It arises when someone has committed so many offenses, both known and unknown, that it is safer to extend the pardon to cover a period of time in order to ensure every offense is forgiven. The last time this was done was in 1974 by President Gerald Ford pardoning President Richard Nixon.

While Hunters serious (alleged) criminal actions on a federal level were forgiven by his fathers pardon, not included were any state criminal or civil claims against him. And, if the forgiven federal (alleged) criminal acts are not telling enough about Hunters character, or lack thereof, what should be are the following allegations:

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He collected millions of dollars in questionable income.

He failed to pay taxes on much of that income.

He had a sugar brother who loaned him millions to pay taxes, while also providing him with a free scenic California home.

He bought drugs and women.

He built up a debt of $17 million which includes money owed to a law firm that had kept him out of jail.

Seeking to avoid responsibility for this debt, according to his attorney, he recently moved to South Africathe home country of his wife Melissa Cohen Bidenwhich, most likely, is also an effort to escape accountability for whatever acts for which he has not been pardoned.

The timing of Hunter airing his cage challenge against Brothers Trump now would suggest he does it to take the focus off his South Africa relocation and his reason for doing so. The Trump boys will dismiss Hunters challenge as reflective of one extended by a maturely-challenged adult who has effectively learned how to milk the system for 56 years.

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It would be interesting, however, to see what Hunter would do if Brothers Trump did accept his challenge, but with a caveat it had to be held in Delaware, California, or Washington, D.C. Why? Because these are the three jurisdictions where most civil claims and legal challenges against Hunter lie. Accordingly, never one wanting to be held accountable for his actions, Hunter would undoubtedly reject their offer, as acceptance could well result in his being duly served.

It is the goal of most responsible human beings to leave this world a little better place than when they entered it. However, it is doubtful even a reincarnated Hunter would have enough lifetimes to achieve a positive contribution to mankind.

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.

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For many years, former President Barack Obama has been accused of being a closet socialist. When Obama was running for the White House in 2008 and 2012, he downplayed his relationships with socialists like Bill Ayers.

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The genius of Obamas two victorious presidential campaigns was his ability to portray himself as a pragmatic politician pursuing a middle-of-the-road policy agenda when in fact Obama has been more than sympathetic to socialism in America since the beginning of his political rise.

In 2012, Forbes published an article titled, Is President Obama Truly A Socialist?, which noted that, Pew Research finds that sixty percent of Americans respond negatively to socialism. It is clear why President Barack Obama must avoid that label. Words are important.

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While Obama went out of his way to never refer to himself as a socialist, he did generally govern in the direction that most socialists would approve. Obamas signature policy achievement, the Affordable Care Act, was derided by many who argued it was anti-free market and a step towards socialism.

During his two terms, Obama toed the collectivist line quite nimbly. Under the radar, his administration pushed what can be described as stealth socialism. His policies were wealth redistributionist in nature, but Obama abstained (for the most part) from openly advocating for a socialist revolution when he was in the Oval Office.

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In the years since Obama departed 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue and bought mansions all over the country (not very socialist of him!), socialism has become much less of a taboo. In fact, in the decade or so since Obama became a private citizen, socialism has exploded in popularity, particularly among young Americans.

With socialism no longer a dirty word in the American political lexicon and a central plank of the modern Democratic Party, it should come as little surprise that Barack Obama is finally reveling in his socialist bona fides.

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Mayor Zohran Mamdani and former President Barack Obama met for the first time in New York City on Saturday, a high-profile sit-down at a child care center in the Bronx, a symbolic location for Mamdani, whos pushing for a drastic expansion of the citys free child care programs. reports Politico.

This is what we need, making an investment in these amazing kids, Obama said after the meeting and singalong.

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What Obama failed to mention is that New York City cannot afford socialism, let alone universal childcare.

In his inauguration speech on January 1, Mamdani stated his intention to deliver universal childcare for the many by taxing the wealthiest few.

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This year, New York will spend $4.5 billion on childcare programs. Based on one estimate, providing universal childcare would cost the state about $15 billion.

It also must be noted that New Yorks existing childcare programs have far exceeded their original budget estimates. So, take the $15 billion amount with a grain of salt.

Aside from the exorbitant cost, which is absurd given that New York has a $34.3 billion budget deficit, universal childcare is a dubious policy.

An analysis of Quebecs universal childcare program found a large, significant, negative shock to the preschool, noncognitive development and health of children exposed to the new program, with little measured impact on cognitive skills.

Even worse, the study found that kids in the program developed increases in early childhood anxiety and aggression.

Another study, which analyzed programs in Chile, Germany, Norway, Quebec, and the United States found more time spent in childcare was associated with lower social competence and poorer academic work habits along with more conflicted relationships with teachers and mothers.

Although advocates for universal childcare say it is good policy because it frees women to pursue career opportunities, boosts the economy, and helps children develop social skills, it also has many downsides.

Perhaps parents, friends, and family members, not government bureaucrats, ought to be raising children. Perhaps doctors and patients, not government bureaucrats, ought to be making health care decisions. Perhaps the invisible hand of the free market, rather than a know-nothing mayor and city council, ought to be determining where grocery stores are located.

Perhaps America will realize that, as Margaret Thatcher put it, the problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other peoples money.

Chris Talgo ([email protected]) is editorial director at The Heartland Institute.
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For the first time in a long time, colleges are getting formal pushback about how they do things.

Even if the Presidents challenges to education seem to have only ruffled some academic feathers, it has gotten them off balance, and caught them off guard about their bloated cost assumptions. Their prior easy dependence on government grants and federal student loans is suddenly out in the open, and is being increasingly confronted.

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Sometimes a president can ignite change just by saying what others wont.

President Trump is especially good at that.

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Yale recently released a report that makes a mea culpa about these criticisms. Like Dartmouths recent admission, it made a lot of vague promises to deliver more value, and focus on the mission. In management consulting, we called this pablum, because it is meant to appease and distract, while avoiding hard choices.

The New York Times recently declared that Yales report is an academic miracle. The Times columnist makes some fair observations, but still misses the point: If universities are serious about responding to the publics increasing wariness and lack of trust, including the presidents representation of that public will, they would do what businesses have to do, and what President Trumps DOGE concept is about: take a sharp axe to costs.

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The biggest impediment to higher education reform is higher education itself: it is a perfect example of the insider problem. Insiders want to maintain the status quo. Like the federal government, universities create their own deep state. The solution, as the U.S. president himself embodies, comes from outsiders who reject business as usual.

It is no coincidence that President Trumps instincts for reform, and impatience for bureaucracy have now touched higher education, but colleges will fight to protect their privileges especially when they feel threatened.

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Thats among the reasons that the university system, which personifies political progressivism, has such general animosity toward the U.S. president, including organizing national conferences to celebrate and reward it. This influences millions of students, and legitimizes partisan malice. Universities might as well admit that they have become political parties that surpass even the DNC in their ability to formally organize and propagate political propaganda.

Higher education is one of the biggest public policy areas in America. Along with border control, citizenship standards, voter ID, and more, it ranks as a crisis. Total student debt is approaching $2 Trillion, while college tuition remains at sky high levels. Meanwhile, universities have become a sanctuary for illegal migrants, extending benefits including housing and legal support, courtesy of students, families, and taxpayers.

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Ironically for universities, serious reform requires serious thinking, facing facts, and getting clear about intentions: academic theorists call that action philosophy. Universities know they have a problem. The next step is to turn theory into practice. If they dont, the Trump administration is not likely to back down from its demands, which may escalate.

Matthew G. Andersson is a former CEO and graduate of the University of Chicago.

Image: Good Free Photos // CCO public domain
As I recall, President Trump referred to the Democrats as crazy at the latest State of the Union speech. I thought that it was hilarious, and we all had a good laugh. Maybe the president had a point, and a visit to a psychiatrist may be next. Lets hear from Jonathan Alpert, a psychotherapist in New York City and Washington, D.C.:

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Since 2016, Democrats have increasingly asked voters to rally not around a compelling vision of Americas future, but around fear of what happens if Donald Trump returns. Every election is cast as the final firewall before catastrophe. Democracy is on the ballot. Institutions are under siege. The country cannot survive another Trump term. Some of those warnings may be sincerely felt, and some may even be justified. But when politics becomes an endless sequence of alarms, something deeper begins to erode: a political party can forget how to talk about anything beyond the emergency itself. In my work as a psychotherapist, I often see what happens when people organize their lives around preventing old pain from recurring. Their thinking narrows into vigilance, avoidance, and threat management. Instead of moving toward the life they want, they become consumed with making sure the worst thing never happens again. Its a pattern I explore more broadly in my forthcoming book, Therapy Nation, and it offers a useful lens for understanding what has happened to Democratic politics. Advertisement For a decade now, the Democratic Partys most emotionally coherent message has often been less about what kind of country it wants to build than what catastrophe must be prevented.

What catastrophe must be prevented is about right. Just listen to what they say and how consumed they are with issuing one warning after another. We recently posted about Governor Walz and Senator Murphy going to Barcelona, Spain, to tell the world that the U.S. was in crisis. Governor Walz called President Trump a creep and Senator Murphy warned that it was the biggest crisis since the Civil War.

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The problem with making everything about Trump is that most Americans arent sitting around talking about Trump all the time. Theyve lived under his presidency for two terms, and no elections were cancelled, no troops were sent out to shoot Americans, and the Orange Man respected the Supreme Court opinion on treaties.

So where is the danger to our democracy? There isnt one. All we see is a Democrat party screaming wolf every day, and less people paying attention to it.

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So maybe they are crazy and a visit to the doctor may be a good idea, especially the leftist women who get more hysterical by the minute.

P.S. Check out my blog for posts, podcasts, and videos.

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Image generated by ChatGPT.
Democrats sure know how to pick 'em.

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Following Eric Swalwell's ignominous exit from the California governor's race, Democrat political hack Xavier Becerra has suddenly risen to the top of the gubernatorial lineup.

According to the New York Post:

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A California Democrat who was floundering in the single digits just days ago has suddenly become the new favorite in the governors race  as he racks up endorsements from establishment allies. Xavier Becerra, a former state attorney general and Health and Human Services chief under President Joe Biden, surged to the top of the crowded field on the prediction platform Polymarket  overtaking populist billionaire Tom Steyer as the frontrunner among bettors. Advertisement As of Tuesday afternoon, Becerra led the pack with 39% of Polymarket users betting on his victory, compared to Steyer at 35% and San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan at 9%

That would be three-percent Becerra, a Democrat Company Man so stiff, lifeless, and wooden he didn't have enough of a poll showing to qualify for the USC/KABC gubernatorial debate, and then made a racial stink about it.

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But now the Democrat establishment in Sacramento has spoken. Becerra now has what must be all of Swalwell's votes, the same public employee union endorsements, the statehouse speaker endorsement, plus his own three percent, and is being touted in some quarters and in the press as a frontrunner.

A new poll just dropped. We're leading the Democratic field.



Californians are paying attention and they're showing up. We're not slowing down.



Join us: https://t.co/bG1yLJMa3a pic.twitter.com/IhB4zFFDjg  Xavier Becerra (@XavierBecerra) April 20, 2026

JUST IN: Xavier Becerra is now officially the frontrunner to win the California governor's race, overtaking Tom Steyer. pic.twitter.com/PiEI9dgtH4 Advertisement April 21, 2026

Which all by itself is questionable, given the volatility of the betting markets, and the obscurity of the pollster, which could be a manipulated poll at this stage given the catching up he needs to do. It's odd that both measures omitted Republican candidates, who are likely the real frontrunners.

Far more useful is this Emerson poll:

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HOLY F'K 



EMERSON POLL



 Steve Hilton 17% (+4)

 Chad Bianco 14% (+3)

 Tom Steyer 14% (+4)

 Xavier Becerra 10% (+7)

 Katie Porter 10% (+2)

 Matt Mahan 5% (+2)

 Villaraigosa 3% (=)

 Betty Yee 1%

 T. Thurmond: 1%

 Not sure 23%



Hilton got a bump, not Steyer pic.twitter.com/qgWF4OQHKO  @Chicago1Ray  (@Chicago1Ray) April 19, 2026

 California Governor frontrunner (Top 2 primary)



 Emerson - Hilton +3

 Kreate strategies - Hilton +2

 Gudelunas Strategies - Hilton +5

 Barkley - Hilton +1

 PPIC - Hilton +3 (Swallwel is out) pic.twitter.com/UZE0a6JLV7  Political Polls (@PpollingNumbers) April 20, 2026

Emerson is an ace polling outfit with a strong record of accuracy in predicting outcomes.

It's weird stuff given Becerra's reputation as a party hack, and his long record of scandals and failure, surely making his political baggage the heaviest of all the candidates.

He's Mister Establishment Man, and the results in the state show us just what that establishment is about.

His own record is worth looking at.

As a congressional hack, he served 12 terms in the House representing an illegal-alien-heavy part of Los Angeles (Glendale, Eagle Rock, Pasadena, Westlake, Koreatown, Monterey Park, Chinatown) as part of the standard Los Angeles Democrat machine, (not the San Fernando 'Latino mafia' group led by James Acevedo), in territory that draws Teamsters and SEIU endorsements. Adam Schiff is considered the political godfather in those parts, but in his day, it was state Sen. Art Torres. Supposedly, his dad was born in the U.S. but immigrated to Tijuana, where he was raised, and supposedly came to the U.S. illegally in the 1970s, which is inexplicable given that he would have had to be a U.S. citizen. It's likely a badge of honor to be illegal in his political circles, so fake illegal would get the job done for him. He voted for Obamacare and other socialist measures, velithmently defending it. I recall meeting him at a Cal State Los Angeles forum, speaking to the young people, and literally hectoring them to buy it when it didn't make sense for them to spend so much money on a product they didn't want. He was a smug and smarmy twerp, I thought at the time.

He also ushered in this Democrat scandal:

Becerra has so much baggage. Remember the Pakistani Awan brothers working in IT for the congressional Democrats, and how they stole US govt secrets by illegally accessing Democrats computers, and sent intel to Pakistan? The Pakistani IT staffers were sending sensitive https://t.co/ckcBlWuVoH  Katy Grimes (@KATYSaccitizen) April 22, 2026

In 2017, he became state Attorney General and began to show his colors. He persecuted the Little Sisters of the Poor for years and years for not providing abortion pills to their employees at their hospitals based on Obamacare mandates and denying them their conscience exemptions, which they had to fight all the way to the Supreme Court, and which they won. Then he had the nerve to deny it.

Failing upward, he became President Obama's Health and Human Services Secretary, and during the COVID pandemic, instituting lockdown lunacies, extended lockdowns, masks on toddlers, and other losses of freedom and harmful developments for children. And speaking of children, it was his job to take care of unaccompanied minors coming across the border. He "lost" about 85,000 off them, allowing them in, allowing traffickers to take them, and not following up on the welfare of the vulnerable population. So he 'lost' them and many ended up as as sex slaves and child labor.

Oh and he didn't show up to work. I wrote about that here.

Now he expects to be governor, and he has just enough connections in Sacramento to be designated the top candidate now. Like things the way they are in California? I am sure some voters do. They will vote for Xavier Becerra, the most corporate of the hollow Democrat California corporate-machine men. The party machine has spoken, and their newest jackass has stepped up.

Image: X video screenshot